Islamabad  - Pakistani commandos killed four militants and arrested three others Monday, ending an eight-hour standoff at a police-training academy in the eastern province of Punjab that left several police dead and around 100 wounded, officials said.

An armed group carrying assault rifles, grenades and explosives attacked the sprawling police-training school in the Manawan area in the outskirts of the provincial capital of Lahore during the morning drill.

Islamabad - Pakistan's historic eastern city of Lahore has long been known as the country's cultural capital, with dozens of theatres, film studios, fashion houses, historical sites and exotic food.

But it is now being turned into a new battleground by Islamic militants who have already gained control over large areas in the north-western regions of the nuclear-armed Islamic state.

Lahore, Mar. 30 : Indicating the frequent US interference in Pakistan, former Pakistan President General (r) Pervez Musharraf has said that no outsider had any right to cross the border into Pakistan, and serious notice must be taken of any such actions.

Karachi, Mar. 30 : Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has claimed that he has been re-appointed as the Director General (DG) of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to The News, Miandad himself announced his reinstatement to the post. There has been no official confirmation on the report.

Earlier, while resigning from the post, Miandad had said that he was quitting because the job description did not fit with his idea of what it should be.

Mingora (Pakistan), Mar. 30 : Several women and roadside vendors were lashed and pistol butted in Cheena Bazar here by some unknown persons claiming to be Taliban.

The Taliban, however, denied involvement in the suppressive activity, saying the mischievous act was carried out by dissident elements who wanted to bring a bad name to the group, and derail the peace process in the Swat Valley.

Talking to media persons, Taliban's Swat Chapter spokesperson, Haji Muslim Khan said the elements behind the incident would soon be brought to book.

Mingora (Pakistan), Mar. 30 : The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has banned women from entering shopping centers in the Malakand division.

According to sources, several pamphlets, signed by the Taliban spokesperson Mulla Ali, were found scattered in the Malakand Press Club warning of strict action against women venturing into shopping complexes alone.

The Taliban also issued a notice to the government to close down all family planning centers in the division.