Kotkai Battle Continues, Hakimullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain said to be in Area

Dawn. com said that the battle for Kotwai continues and that Hakimullah Mehsud's home there has been pulverised. Surprisingly, both he and Qari Hussain, described as a chief mentor to suicide bombers, are said not to be in Kotwai but are rumoured to be in the area directing their teams.

the military believed that Hakimullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain remain in the region under fire, directing the militants' defences. That information is based on local informants and communications intercepts.

Meanwhile, following yesterday's attack on a university in Islamabad, the government has closed educational institutions across the country "indefinitely" though some may open next week if the security situation improves, it says.