Islamabad - Taliban militants have taken control of an emerald mine in Pakistan's troubled North-West Frontier Province and started extraction, a news report said Thursday.

More than 70 militants raided the Gojaro Kalai mine in the Shangla district Wednesday, forcing the private guards deployed there to abandon their positions, the Daily Times newspaper reported.

The US firm Luxury International had leased the mine from Pakistan's government, but it suspended operations there in the wake of the deteriorating security situation in the region.

Islamab

Islamabad, Apr. 2 : The Taliban has taken over the Gojaro Kalay emerald mine in Shangla in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

According to sources, more than 70 Taliban attacked the mine on Wednesday and took over the control of mining operations there.

Locals have confirmed the report, however, the district coordination officer and the district police officer denied any such activity in the region.

Islamabad  - A suspected US missile strike killed 12 Taliban militants Wednesday in Pakistan's restive tribal region, while suspected rebels ambushed a police patrol and killed five law enforcers in the neighbouring North Western frontier Province, officials said.

Two missiles believed to have been fired by a US drone hit a compound in Khadezai village of the Orakzai Agency, one of seven semi-autonomous tribal districts known to serve as sanctuaries for al-Qaeda and Taliban rebels.

Islamabad, Apr 1 : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has invited Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim league to rejoin the federal government.

Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif held an important meeting with Gilani here on Wednesday.

It has been reliably learnt that Gilani invited the Pakistan Muslim League-N to rejoin the federal cabinet.

Islamabad, Apr. 1 : The Pakistan Supreme Court has thrown away a sedition petition filed against former President General Pervez Musharraf.

The petition filed by one Zahid Hussain Malik was returned back by the court saying that it was neither the proper forum for the case nor the petitioner was an affected party in it, The News reported.

Advocate on record's affidavit was also not attached with the petition which particularly irked the court.