9 pilgrims killed in road mishap

Nine pilgrims were killed and six injured after a mini-truck carrying devotees from Kotakpura to Kali Mata Shrine in Patiala collided with a truck at Pakho Kenchian village in Barnala district of Punjab, police said here today.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and directed the district administration to provide free treatment to all injured, an government spokesman said.