New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) These are the top stories from the northern region at 9 pm

These are the top stories from the northern region at 9 pm GHAZIABAD DEL74 PM-LD AIR STRIKES Ghaziabad (UP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Opposition of "appeasing" Pakistan by seeking proof of the Balakot air strike. KANPUR DEL53 UP-2NDLD-PM-KASHMIRIS Kanpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday asked state governments to take stern action if there is any attack on Kashmiris, calling those who targeted them recently in Lucknow "crazed people".

VARANASI DEL7 UP-LD PM Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday claimed that "non-cooperation" by the previous Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh was responsible for the delay in start of a beautification project in his Lok Sabha constituency. LUCKNOW DEL46 UP-KASHMIRIS-WORK Lucknow: The abusive rant of saffron-clad men against two Kashmiris sent shock waves across the country, but timely police action and warmth of locals have brought a sense of security to the vendors who were back to selling dry fruits on Friday.

LUCKNOW DEL65 UP-SP-LD MULAYAM Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party on Friday released its first list of nine candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, fielding party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav from its stronghold Mainpuri. JAMMU DEL44 JK-VILLAGER-MISSILE Jammu: Something has fallen from the sky, a villager told an Army officer in Bhudal in Jammu and Kashmir's Peer Panjal range on February 27, giving forces the clue they were looking for to establish that Pakistan had used an F-16 jet to attack India, officials recounted on Friday.

JAMMU DES21 JK-BLAST-VICTIMS Jammu: Mohammad Sharik and Mohammad Riyaz, the two persons killed in Thursday's terror attack in Jammu, share a common thread -- both were away from their homes to earn a living and help their families financially. JAMMU DEL12 JK-BLAST-JUVENILE Jammu: A teenager who allegedly lobbed a grenade at the Jammu bus stand, killing two men, is under 16 years of age and he told interrogators that he was paid Rs 50,000 by a Hizbul Mujahideen militant for it, officials said Friday.

JAIPUR DEL37 RJ-PLANE-LD CRASH Jaipur, Mar 8 (PTI) A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Rajasthan's Bikaner district on Friday with the pilot ejecting safely, officials said. NEW DELHI DES41 DL-AUTO-LD FARES New Delhi: To woo 90,000-odd auto-rickshaw drivers in Delhi ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the AAP government Thursday approved a hike of Rs 1.50 per km in auto fares.

PATHANKOT DES48 PB-AMARINDER-CANDIDATES Pathankot: Names of Congress candidates for the Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be announced within a week, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Friday, warning party workers of expulsion if they rebel against the official nominees. CHANDIGARH NRG15 PB-EMPLOYEES-STRIKE Chandigarh: Punjab government employees Friday continued their indefinite strike for the second day demanding clarity on the dearness allowance issue. PTI ASH ASH.