October 13, 2001	Saturday	Rajab 25, 1422

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SUKKUR, Oct 12: The Jacobabad airport, which was handed over to the United States two days ago, is humming with activity with US military planes frequently landing and taking off.

On Thursday, locals saw a number of military planes taking off from the airport, and they believed the aircraft had flown in the direction of Quetta.

They said some of those planes were C-130, the jumbo aircraft normally used for carrying arms and supplies during war. People living in the vicinity of the airport said they had seen American pilots alighting from those planes.

Residents of Jacobabad said there was panic in the town as power supply to the surrounding areas of the airport was switched off every night, creating a blackout-like situation.

Civil and military authorities have got vacated many houses in the vicinity of the airport, particularly Soomar Goth. These houses are now being given to the army personnel. Strict security measures have been taken to guard government installations.

Besides, as part of its strike on Friday, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam had announced that it would bring out a procession in Sukkur but the military authorities did not grant them permission.