NEWS CAPSULE Landslide cuts off road link MORIGAON, Aug 20 – Surface communication between lower and upper Assam and Meghalaya was disrupted since 6 am today after the NH-37 was blocked by landslide and deluge between Jorabat and Sonapur near here, stranding hundreds of vehicles. Heavy rains in the hills had resulted in landslide, and knee-deep water overtopped the highway at Jorabat point, Social Welfare Minister Akon Bora told PTI. – PTI
Taliban chief ISLAMABAD, Aug 20 – Militant commander Maulvi Faqir Muhammad declared himself the head of the Pakistani Taliban, saying he was temporarily replacing Baitullah Mehsud, whom Washington and Islamabad have said was almost certainly killed in a drone attack. – PTI
NDFB men killed KOKRAJHAR, Aug 20 – In the last 24 hours two NDFB cadres of Ranjan Daimari group were shot dead by security forces in two separate incidents in Kokrajhar district. According to the police sources, an anti-talk faction of NDFB cadre died on the spot in an encounter with CRPF and Assam Police which took place at about 3.30 am today at Dalgaon village under Saraibil border outpost near Indo-Bhutan border in Kokrajhar district. – Correspondent
Ultras held TEZPUR, Aug 20 – Acting on a tip-off, 17 Maratha Light Infantry apprehended six suspected NDFB men last night from Pabhoi area falling under Biswanath Chariali PS of of Sonitpur. – Correspondent
