In brief: Fiery explosion sinks Indian submarine

New Delhi – An Indian navy submarine with about 18 sailors on board caught fire after an explosion and sank early today at its home port in Mumbai.

Efforts were being made to ascertain the safety of the personnel and salvage the diesel- and electricity-powered submarine, navy spokesman Narendra Vispute said. The cause of the explosion was under investigation, he said.

The 16-year-old Russian-made submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, had recently returned from Russia after undergoing an overhaul and upgrade, Rahul Bedi, an analyst for the independent Jane’s Information Group, said.

Shining Path leadership may change after deaths

Lima, Peru – The killing in southern Peru of the two top military commanders of the Maoist rebel group Shining Path, which has re-emerged as a major trafficker of narcotics, may force it to reorganize, analysts and officials say.

Orlando Borda Casafranca, alias “Alipio,” and Martin Quispe Palomino, alias “Gabriel,” were killed Sunday night by a covert force formed to track down top rebel leaders.

Terrorism and security analyst Jaime Antezana said Tuesday that the killing of the two rebel leaders was the government’s first successful blow in recent years at the top military ranks of the group, known in Spanish as Sendero Luminoso.

Antezana said the two men were deeply involved in the rebels’ management of coca leaf cultivation, as well as the processing and transport of cocaine.

“It’s important because it’s the first blow to the leadership,” Antezana said of the rebels’ military branch.