NSW students' paid trip to Anzac service

ONE hundred NSW school students will be among lucky ballot winners at next year's Anzac Day centenary service at Gallipoli.

The NSW government will put up $1 million to enable the students and chaperones to take part in the anniversary dawn service in 2015.

The service at Anzac Cove marks 100 years since the fateful Gallipoli landing on April 25, 1915.

Public and independent school students in Year 10, 11 and 12 next year will be able to apply for the school tour.

"The experience won't end when they return home," Premier Mike Baird said.

"Students will share their experiences and be leaders in honouring the Anzac legacy within their school and local community as the future guardians of our proud military heritage."

Australians hoping to attend the 2015 service had to enter a ticket ballot.

Following consultations between Turkey, Australia and New Zealand, attendance at the centenary service was capped at 10,500 with 8000 for Australians.

Of those allocated to Australia, 400 double passes were for sons and daughters of Gallipoli veterans, 400 were for school students and 400 double passes were for current defence personnel.

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Pakistan airstrike kills 37

PAKISTAN Air Force jets have hit suspected Taliban hideouts in the north-western tribal region, killing at least 37 people and injuring 18.

The insurgents were attacked in Khyber, which borders Afghanistan, on intelligence that rebels involved in recent bombings were present, a military official said on Thursday, on the condition of anonymity.

The casualties could not be verified through independent sources because the area is remote and too dangerous for the media.

It was the first airstrike since a 40-day ceasefire with the Taliban ended April 10.

Violence has broken out again after the Taliban refused to extend the truce.

A policeman known for opposing the Taliban was the target of a suicide bombing Thursday that killed him and at least two civilians in the restive southern port city of Karachi, police officer Farooq Awan said.

"About two kilograms of explosives were used by the bomber," Awan said.

Another police officer said three people were injured in the attack.

No one took responsibility for the bombing, which came a day after government and Taliban representatives met in Islamabad to revive the stalled peace process.

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