Bangladesh: Operation clean-up of militant camps

Thu, 2009-05-07 00:05

By Vinod Vedi - Syndicate Features
India will be terribly remiss, once again, if it loses the opportunity presented by Bangladesh’s current campaign of cleaning up militant camps on its territory which it believes are involved in the mutiny by the Bangladesh Rifles against Army personnel. India needs to bolster the security along the Indo-Bangladesh border so that the militants who have been harassing it over the past several decades are caught in a hammer-and-anvil situation between the security forces of the two countries. They are not wanted in Bangladesh and they should not be allowed to re-enter India.
The last time such a fortuitous turn of events happened was when Bhutan decided to rid itself of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) training camps and sanctuaries in its southern districts bordering India. Indian security forces were informed in advance and had deployed personnel to apprehend the fleeing militants but they made a mess of it and large numbers of ULFA cadres managed to sneak through India into Bangladesh to set up camps there under the tutelage of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. The recent series of bomb blasts in Assam on the occasion of the raising day of ULFA is the legacy of that lapse in the maintenance of internal security and border management.
Now that there has been a change of regime in Bangladesh and Sheikh Hasina is at the helm of affairs. Her government sees the mutiny in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and the killing of dozens of senior military officers as a jihadi conspiracy against her regime; the crackdown against Islamist fundamentalists and India-specific terrorist groups who have built camps in Bangladesh should be taken full advantage of by India.
A coordinated effort by security forces on both sides of the border will bring greater fruit than just a unilateral effort on the Bangladesh side. Both countries will benefit immensely if inimical forces operating at the behest of Inter-Services Intelligence and the Al Qaeda-led United Jehad Council are pursued and decimated.
That this is a dual threat -–jihadi/militancy – faced by both countries is borne out by the kind of targets the Bangladesh security forces are engaged in the past few weeks. At Maulvi Bazaar in the north-east of the country and close to the Tripura border, the Rapid Action Battalion struck at an All Tripura Tiger Force camp inhabited by 15 terrorists. One was caught and the 14 others escaped into the forest with weapons and ammunition.
The area around Maulvi Bazaar is infested by Indian militants like the People’s Liberation Army of Manipur, the ULFA and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland. With the change in regime in Dhaka, many of the militant groups have begun to feel insecure and there are reports that they were preparing to re-enter India and set up camps in the jungles on this side. In the light of the Bangladesh action Indian security forces need to be put on high alert and given the wherewithal like handheld thermal imagers and battlefield surveillance radars developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation to enable detection of movement at night.
That this is election season is all the more reason to be doubly vigilant given that Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence is making a determined effort to disrupt the polls in Jammu and Kashmir and has given similar instruction to its pawns and moles operating from behind the jihadi organizations like the Harkat-ul-jehad-i-Islami (HuJI) and the Jamaat-i-Islami and about half a dozen other offshoots. Their operatives have been arrested in various places deep inside India and it would be heartening to see that they are effectively stopped at the very border well before they can carry out bombing attacks against soft targets in India.
Indian security posture in the north-east during the election season must be one of "Looking in, Looking out". Looking in to counter those who are already inside the country like the ULFA, the Isak-Muivah and the Khaplang factions of the NSCN, the Manipuri, the Bodo and the Tripura rebels (apart from indulging in internecine warfare among themselves, these outfits are minting money through extortion rackets far removed from the original ideology), find in the elections an open season for disruption and random killings to make their presence felt in an era of diminishing returns.
The "looking out" component would be the sentries of the Border Security Force in their outposts hopefully coordinating with the Bangladesh security forces opposite them about the presence of inimical elements on the other side.
The intention should be to keep militants running, too occupied in saving themselves than committing indiscriminate mayhem. Over time, that will tell and the attrition rate due to surrenders and physical elimination will rise. This can happen only if Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, founder of Bangladesh, is at the helm of affairs.
India must, therefore, seize the opportunity that has been presented to it and make the best of it. It makes little sense to allow the terrorists to enter the country and then go chasing them after they have completed their nefarious missions. Some years ago it was promised by the security forces that terrorists would be stopped at the Line of Control. We are yet to see that day. In the north-east the wide open spaces left unfenced leaves a huge gap in territorial protection.
The seriousness and the concentration of effort on the part of the Government of Bangladesh can be seen in the manner in which it has tackled the twin dangers of mushrooming jihadi madrasas and foreign militants camping on its soil simultaneously. Even before its special forces struck at militant hideouts around Maulvi Bazaar a task force raided a madrassa run by a British national of Bangladeshi descent and discovered small arms, a large cache of ammunition and instruments to manufacture weapons very much on the lines of the arms bazaar that is prevalent in Pakistan’s notorious Dera Adam Khel where everything from handguns to rocket launchers and improvised explosive devices are manufactured in cottage industries.
Though the person who was running a charitable institution from Britain had been acquitted of charges of being involved in terrorist activity (his companion was jailed) he remained under suspicion of Britain’s internal intelligence agency MI-5. Britain’s foreign secretary David Miliband during his visit to India appeared to make out a case for terrorism by brining up Kashmir in the context of the Mumbai carnage.
The British Foreign Office as reported by the BBC had no comment on the involvement of a British national in jihadi activity in the garb of charity and madrassa education. It leaves huge doubts about the commitment of those involved in the so-called War against Terror and leaves little room for the victims of jihadi terrorism like India but to rely on their own resources to curb the menace.
Needless to say, the moment is ripe to take effective counter-measures against cross-border jihadi terrorism that is afflicting both India and Bangladesh.
- Asian Tribune -

Terror threat still exists in Bangladesh

Monday, May 4, 2009

Staff Correspondent
US Ambassador James Moriarty said there is still a terrorist threat in Bangladesh and the US has disturbing indications in this regard.

"We do have disturbing indications that there continues to be threat in Bangladesh…my government does believe that there is a threat here," he told reporters during Meet the Reporters programme at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) yesterday.

"The recent seizure of weapons in Bhola and continued arrests of JMB members throughout the country demonstrate that terrorism remains a concern," he said.

DRU organised the programme on Bangladesh-US bilateral relations.

The US ambassador to Bangladesh said the US has offered help to Bangladesh in reconstituting border security force Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). This is an area where the US can help and it depends on the Bangladesh government's requirements, he added.

He described the US-Bangladesh relationship with three D's--democracy, development and denial of space to terrorists.

He said the US continues to work closely with Bangladesh in areas like training of members of law enforcement agencies, including Rab, to ensure accountability and respect for human rights.

He said, "The government and the opposition have to realise that there are fundamental questions that the nation needs to address." He said despite the peaceful and democratic elections on December 29, challenges remain.

"Compromise and bipartisanship are critical to any democracy functioning properly. There is also a need to strengthen the institutions vital to a healthy democracy," he said.

The diplomat also said the government and the opposition can respond to critical needs of citizens by working together regardless of party affiliation.

On the parliament's forthcoming budget session, he said the government should provide the opposition meaningful opportunities to discuss and debate on the upcoming budget and the opposition should reach out to the government looking for consensus.

Asked about the war criminals' trial, Moriarty said the US government firmly believes that those who commit crimes need to be held accountable in the court of law. The courts of law should be free, fair and transparent.

On the opposition's threat to boycott parliament over Khaleda's cantonment house issue, he said the matter should be decided through the legal system and dialogue between the two major parties. "We do not think it [boycotting parliament] will be a healthy development."

About delays in the BDR carnage probe report submission, he said the FBI of America, which assisted the investigation by CID and other groups, is not surprised at the long time being taken for a fair and transparent investigation.

On the impact of economic recession and US aid to Bangladesh, he said the US will provide due consideration to Bangladesh's desire for increased trade and is committed to improving the lives of Bangladesh's neediest people through development-assistance programmes.

Asked whether the US has plans to assist Bangladesh set up a nuclear power plant, he said nuclear energy is extremely expensive and it involves public safety concerns. He said the US government does not have any immediate plan to provide assistance in this area.

Stressing the importance of free press, he said a free press is critical for ensuring that citizens receive the information they need to make knowledgeable decisions and participate in informed dialogues about issues that matter.

"As the government and the opposition debate the issues important to all Bangladeshis, you [the press] have an important responsibility to frame this debate for the people, accurately report the facts and ensure accountability and transparency," he added.

DRU President Shamim Ahmad chaired the programme while acting General Secretary Sheikh Mamun spoke about DRU programmes and activities.

Roll Back Time For Pak Militancy In Kashmir

Wed, 2009-05-06 00:33

By J.N. Raina - Syndicate Features
It is an opportune time for strife-torn Pakistan to roll-back its proxy war, intended to inflict a “thousand cuts” on India, and say ‘peccavi’ (we have sinned). It should windup its acts of terrorism in Kashmir and recall mercenaries, at least for its own survival. In fact, time is ripe for the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) to rise up and agitate for the region’s merger with the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Instead of sponsoring open-ended terrorism, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) must flog itself and accept its culpability for fomenting trouble in Kashmir and making Pakistan a ‘crucible’ of global terror.
How long will Islamabad depend on the open-handed ‘alms’ and charitable military aid from the US, which has panicked because of the civil war-like situation obtaining in Pakistan. Questions are being raised whether Pakistan will survive. It is a debatable question. Civilized nations have got alarmed and feel concerned about the fate of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, which might fall into wrong hands, in case, the Taliban, in conjunction with the Al Qaida, take control of the Islamic State of Pakistan.
Pakistan must realize that terrorism it sponsored across India—and globally too—has now re-bounced and backfired. Enough is enough. Lot of blood has been shed in the subcontinent because of Pakistan’s misdeeds. The year-old civilian and ‘democratic’ government, led by Ali Zardari, must be tasting the red blood of innocent people, who are being killed almost daily either by its own army or the ‘jihadis’, armed to the teeth by the hydra-headed ISI. The Muslims are tired of the so-called Islamic jihad, aided and abetted by ISI.
It is the Pakistan army, which is now sucking the blood of its own citizens, for no fault of theirs. The leadership must resort to self-flagellation, rather than patiently listen to the shrieks and cries of the young girl victims from unruly Swat region.
While Pakistan is engulfed in flames, it has no inclination to desist from indulging in cross-border terrorism. The situation is grim and fraught with dangerous consequences, all along LoC and elsewhere in the country, because of the security considerations. This is why Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has lamented: "India has not been very successful in warding off terrorist attacks." And he explains "This violent constituency has not given up their efforts to strike again and destabilize the country".
Massive infiltration from Pakistan continues unabated, and from all directions. Even Nepal border is not being spared. At least, 53 terrorists, who crossed LoC, were killed by the security forces this year so far. Several hundred Mujahideen are waiting in their wings in PoK and in several hundred camps in Pakistan, to cross over, with instructions to create mayhem during the ongoing Lok Sabha poll in India.
The disclosure made by the captured Pakistan mercenary, Sakib Moinullah Shah, indicates what Pakistan is up to and to what extent it can go to bleed India. The Islamic country is scheming to dismember India, but never mind, if it gets disintegrated itself in the process of such dirty planning.
Shah was part of the 120-member group of infiltrators who crossed the LoC in Kupwara sector. The infiltrators included 31 terrorists, 15 of whom were killed by the Indian Army. Others are at large. The rest of the caravan were porters, guides, ice cutters et el, to make the terrorists’ ‘sojourn’ safe in the valley. They had full backing of the Pakistan Army. The anti-terrorist operation cost India nine personnel, including an officer.
Moinullah, 25, is a resident of NWFP, an area under Taliban hold. He had crossed the border along with 31 guerrillas of the Hizbul Mujahideen cadre. He was told by his ‘instructors’ that Islam is in danger in Kashmir and he was needed for jihad. But when he found everything peaceful in Kashmir, he felt disgruntled and wanted to go back to Pakistan. Before he made an attempt to ex-filtrate, the owner of the house where he was staying, informed the Army and got him caught.
Kudos to this unidentified civilian who kept the Army posted about the terrorist. Kashmiris are fed up with terrorism. Pakistan cannot hoodwink people anymore that Islam is in danger in Kashmir. Now the pro-Pakistan Hurriyat Conference is a divided house. Its boycott calls are being ignored in the valley. People have participated in the Lok Sabha elections as well in large numbers. Poll percentage was even higher in Kashmir than at some places in the rest of the country.
The trained terrorists had infiltrated with a heavy armoury, consisting of 13,000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 245 grenades of UBGLS (Under Barrel Grenade Launchers), RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades), 32 kg of explosives, detonators, switches etc. This small size heavy ordnance ‘factory’ was unearthed from a hideout near the LoC, following the valuable information provided by the Kashmiri civilian to the Army. Shah was trained in NWFP’s Mansehra camp. It is from where Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistan terrorist, caught during November Mumbai carnage, had received sophisticated training.
While Pakistan is in flames, it is keen to continue its 25-year-long proxy war, to avenge the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 war. There is hardly any guilt visible on the face of Pakistani leadership. Its mea culpa for sponsoring terrorism is not forthcoming. It has now become a hardened terrorist Islamic State, with no legs to stand upon.
Recently, Zardari faced humiliation in London. He had to leave a joint press conference in a huff, which was arranged with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, when the latter branded Pakistan as the ‘crucible’ of terrorism. Perhaps Brown was alluding to the arrest of 11 Pakistani national, allegedly involved in a major terror plot. Pakistan is not ashamed of its evil acts. It is already being dubbed as ‘international migraine’ and ‘epicentre’ of global terrorism.
Pakistan need not kill its people for its wrong policies. It should destroy jihadi culture, the bane of the turbulent nation, at war with itself. It needs to close down madrassas, the centres of anti-Islamic teachings. The authorities in Pakistan should seize weapons from every household, especially in restive NWFP, and preach non-violence. The path is cumbersome for Pakistan, but it will be rewarding in the long run. Better to tread on the path of righteousness than to get perished.
When Taliban were marching towards Islamabad, Zardari was playing footsie with donor countries, which have pledged dollars for the beleaguered nation to fight terrorism. Militancy has paid Pakistan. Interestingly, Fatima Bhutto, niece of slain former Prime Minister Mrs Benazir Bhutto, has pleaded with the donors to "stop funding my failing state …. It has not made Pakistan safer". She feels anguished. "…we now have our own version of the Taliban, busy blowing up trade routes and flogging young girls".
- Asian Tribune -

Troops breach LTTE earth bunds; 62 rebels killed in clashes

T V Sriram
Colombo, May 6 (PTI) Advancing Sri Lankan troops today breached several LTTE earth bunds in the rebel-held area in the island's northern war zone after capturing Vellamulliwaikal area, even as 62 Tamil Tigers were killed in continued military offensive.

Troops of the 58th Division breached LTTE earth bunds in Vellamulliwaikal, which the soldiers captured last night after an intensive fighting with the rebels, the army said today.

The rebels are still constructing more earth bunds to delay the forward march of the forces. However, soldiers have managed to advance further steadily, the official said.

53rd Division commander Major Gen Kamal Gunarathne had also captured several earth bunds built by the LTTE during the past two days, the Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Security sources say that about 50 LTTE cadres were killed during the fighting in last 24 hours. The cadres have been concealed into a limited extent of four kilometers.

Troops of 58th and 53rd Divisions, engaged in hostage rescue mission, have further advanced towards Karayamulliavaikkal near the 'No-Fire-Zone' amid stiff resistance from the LTTE fighters making desperate attempts to hold their remaining grounds, military sources said.

Infantrymen of 58th Division on offensive march towards LTTE built earth bund inflicted heavy damages to the rebels manning the bund, resisting security forces advance yesterday. PTI

Captured video shows LTTE coercing civilians to fight

Source: colombo page Tuesday, May 5, 2009, 19:20 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka. May 05, Colombo: A video from a video camera recovered by the Sri Lankan soldiers from a slain LTTE fighter provides rare proof that the terrorist organization is forcibly recruiting civilians to fight their last battle. The troops of the 58 Division recovered the video camera during ground operations in the into general area south of Vellamullivaikkal in the no-fire zone. The video shows how the civilians are brought by an armed Tiger rebel to build bunkers and earth bunds. The same video shows how the Tigers in civilian clothes firing a paddle gun in an armor plated vehicle to at the troops and later civilians helping to camouflage the truck with tree branches. Defence sources said the troops surrounded the armed vehicle and killed all the fighters during the operation. The military has captured two such vehicles in the no-fire zone. Defence sources say the LTTE cadres are now fighting in civilians clothes to inflate the claims of civilian deaths.

LTTE is a terrorist organization, India seeks Prabhakarans extradition every year: Pranab

New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that there is no confusion regarding status of the LTTE, and added that every year India seeks the extradition of Tamil Tigers chief V. Prabhakaran.
Every year we ask for extradition of Prabhakaran. LTTE is a terrorist organization. It is banned in India, it is banned in Sri Lanka, Mukherjee said.


The senior Congress leader was clarifying his partys stand on LTTE being a terrorist organization while speaking exclusively to NDTV.
Commenting on the tie up with Left, Mukherjee said: It is Left who deserted us by withdrawing support and that on an issue where we tried to resolve the differences by series of discussions.
He also added: What would happen after the Elections will depend on numbers. After all ours is a multi-party system. Which political party holds how many seats in a vast electorate of more than 710 million voters, it is very difficult to make any assessment, precise assessment before the poll results are out and even two phases elections have not yet taken place. (ANI)

Swat exodus as ceasefire crumbles

Source: BBC NEWS

Civilians are desperate to escape the fighting in Swat Thousands of civilians are reported to be fleeing their homes in Pakistan's Swat valley where a peace deal with the Taleban looks increasingly fragile. More than 40,000 people have so far fled from clashes between the army and militants in Swat, officials say. Fighting erupted on Tuesday night in Mingora, Swat's main town, where the Taleban defied a curfew, they add. Pakistan's army says it killed more than 60 militants in Swat and neighbouring Buner on Wednesday. Bedraggled men, women in burkas and children are all now fleeing the area to sat in camps set up by the government with UN help. See a map of the region The army says that at least two soldiers died in fighting on Wednesday and accused militants of robbing three banks in Mingora. It says that the Taleban have also planted roadside bombs in various areas of Swat to inflict maximum damage on the security forces. A curfew remains in place in Mingora Army helicopter gunships have pounded emerald mines in the Shahdara area, near Mingora, which are being operated by the militants. Local people and journalists say 20 civilians who lived in a settlement near the mine also died in the attack, while many others were injured in a separate air strike. While civilians strive to flee Mingora and its adjoining areas, some are reported to be trapped by the fighting and the curfew. FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service Three members of a single family were killed when a mortar fell on their home in Mingora's Bacha Saib locality during one of these battles, officials say. They say that in addition at least 85 children have been trapped in a Mingora orphanage for the last two days. Shelter Locals say the army continues to rely on long-range weapons and artillery to target the militants, but the Taleban have complete control on the ground. The Taleban and Swat's emeralds They say the militants are now entrenched and ready for a long battle. "More than 40,000 have migrated from Mingora since Tuesday afternoon," Khushhal Khan, chief administration officer in Swat, told the AFP news agency. The North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government is now rushing to provide shelter for 500,000 people they expect to flee Swat over the next few days. The NWFP Information Minster, Mian Iftikhar, said that the breakdown of the peace deal rested solely with the Taleban. "They are entirely responsible for the situation today," he told a crowded news conference in Peshawar. "The government went to great lengths to resolve the matter through dialogue. "This was despite great international pressure to take action against the militants. "But they refused to lay down their arms and continued patrols in the [Swat] valley, despite the implementation of Sharia law." Mr Iftikhar also accused the Taleban of attacking military convoys and kidnapping government officials. 'Fitting reply' Taleban spokesman Muslim Khan responded by claiming that the militants control "more than 90%" of Swat.  It is now the duty of the government to take action against the Taleban  NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar He blamed the latest deaths on the security forces. "If the government launches an operation against us we will give them a fitting reply, which it will remember for a long time," he told the AFP news agency. The renewed tension in Swat comes before US President Barack Obama meets President Karzai of Afghanistan and President Zardari of Pakistan in Washington. The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that the events in Swat have come full circle since a peace agreement was signed with militants earlier this year. Last week the government set up higher Islamic courts in the Malakand region - of which Swat is a part - to meet a key demand of the militants. But the government's appeals to the militants to disarm - which they say was agreed in the peace agreement - have fallen on deaf ears.

German bomb plot shows need for Afghan mission: US

BERLIN, Sept 6 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - The suspected car bomb plot uncovered in Germany this week underlines the importance of Germany and other NATO allies keeping troops in Afghanistan, a senior US diplomat said on Thursday.

Germany arrested two German converts to Islam and a Turk on Tuesday who were suspected of being on the verge of launching major bomb attacks.

Some Germans fear Berlin's decision to participate in the NATO peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States is one of the main reasons their country appears to have been targeted.

But Richard Boucher, US Assistant Secretary of State for south and central Asia, said Germany's involvement had not increased the threat of attacks.

"These plots are out there. We've seen them hit New York and London and Madrid and now we're uncovering a plot in Germany," he told Reuters during a visit to meet German government officials.

"It's all the more important that we ... keep in Afghanistan where we're working to keep terrorism from coming out of that part of the world."

Boucher said the United States would one day capture Osama bin Laden, the prime target of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.

"It's still important to get him," Boucher said. "He's still part of the command apparatus of the Taliban and al Qaeda. They're out there. He's somewhere in that region."

Germany is debating whether to renew its Afghan peacekeeping mandate. Opinion polls show most Germans would like the troops brought home, but the government has recommended renewing its entire Afghan mandate and stepping up reconstruction work.

The recommendation requires parliamentary approval and many lawmakers want to drop at least part of the Afghan mandate.

Some parliamentarians from the Social Democrats (SPD), which govern in a coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, have demanded that Germany drop its mandate to participate in the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

German analysts say Germans see OEF operations against the resurgent Taliban as the main cause of civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

Boucher said the message from Washington was that all elements of the NATO mission -- military, reconstruction and training of Afghan forces -- were crucial.

"To the extent that any ally, any country can be involved, we like them to be involved in more rather than less," he said.

Boucher said he found the negative attitude of some Germans towards OEF surprising since it was mostly a training mission.

He also made clear Washington hoped Berlin would extend its mandate beyond the stable north so that it can send troops to the south where the Taliban insurgency is focused.

So far Berlin has refused to deploy troops in the south. Reuters issued a statement on Thursday advising its global client base of the suspension.

bdnews24.com/lq/1723hrs

Suicide blast in Pakistan, 7 killed

^{Published: Tue, 05 May 2009 at 09:21 IST}

Peshawar: At least 7 people are feared killed after a bomb exploded in a car which hit Khyber agency check post on Tuesday morning.

According to the sources, seven people were killed including four security personnel when a suicide attack hit Khyber agency check post in a car in Bada area here.

No terrorist group has claimed the responsibility of the blast so far.

Police has reached the spot of blast and launched investigations.

It is worth mentioning here that violence has been unleashed in the North Western Frontier Province of Pakistan by fundamentalist groups such as Taliban as well as Shia and Sunni militants.

Q+A-Pakistan's nuclear weapons, safe or not?

By Robert Birsel

ISLAMABAD, May 5 (Reuters) - With Pakistani Taliban militants mounting an increasingly robust challenge to security forces, fears have been raised about the safety of the country's nuclear arsenal.

The security of the weapons is likely to figure in talks in Washington this week between President Asif Ali Zardari and President Barack Obama. [ID:nN04433219]

Pakistan first tested nuclear weapons in 1998 in response to tests by old rival and neighbour India.

WHAT IS THE U.S. POSITION?

Obama said last week he was confident about the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal although he was "gravely concerned" about the overall situation in Pakistan because of its weak government.

Despite that, the New York Times reported on Monday growing concern among U.S. officials that militants might try to snatch a nuclear weapon in transit or insert sympathisers into laboratories or fuel-production facilities.

Pakistani analysts see the mixed signals from the United States as adding to pressure on the government, which the United States wants to see getting to grips with the militant threat.

WHAT IS PAKISTAN'S POSTION?

Pakistan rejects such fears over its nuclear weapons as "misplaced and unfounded" saying it has very robust, multilayered command and control systems.

Many Pakistanis believe the ultimate U.S. aim is to confiscate Pakistan's nuclear weapons and analysts say reports of U.S. fears about nuclear security fuel such conspiracy theories.

WHO CONTROLS THE WEAPONS?

Pakistan does not release details of its nuclear arsenal. Analysts' estimates of the size of the arsenal range from 50-70 weapons up to 150.

The weapons are under control of the military's Strategic Plans Division (SPD). During a period of political instability last year the division boosted security at nuclear facilities and launched a public relations offensive to counter what Pakistan regards as scaremongering over nuclear weapon security.

In a rare news conference, the division's director-general, retired Lieutenant-General Khalid Kidwai, said there was no chance of Islamist militants getting their hands on atomic weapons.

The SPD is overseen by the National Command Authority headed by the president and with the prime minister as its vice chairman. Main cabinet ministers and the heads of the army, navy and air force are also members of the NCA, which controls all aspects of the nuclear programme, including deployment and, if ever necessary, their use.

WHERE ARE THE WEAPONS?

The weapons, designed to be delivered by missiles or fighter-bombers, are stored at secure, secret locations, mostly in Punjab province, analysts say, well away from Taliban heartlands in the northwest, although there have been increasing instances of militant attacks and infiltration into the province.

Other nuclear facilities, including the main Kahuta nuclear weapons laboratory, are near the relatively secure capital, Islamabad.

WHO GUARDS THEM?

Pakistan has 10,000 soldiers guarding its facilities and the SPD has its own independent intelligence section. Staff working in nuclear facilities go through an exhaustive vetting process, involving political, moral and financial checks and psychological testing for 10,000 staff working in nuclear facilities, and security monitors keep close tabs on 2,000 scientists working in ultra-sensitive areas.

Although Pakistan's top nuclear scientist was involved in major nuclear proliferation before his network was uncovered in 2004, no conspiracy or plot related to Pakistan's nuclear facilities had ever been uncovered, Kidwai said. The International Atomic Energy Agency had never reported a nuclear security incident in Pakistan, he said.

Pakistan's controls were such that orders to abort a mission involving a nuclear weapon could be given at the last second. Even if a rogue pilot were to fire a missile he would not have the code to arm the warhead, Kidwai said. (For other stories on Pakistan click on [ID:nSP102615])

Journey from Tableeghi to AhleHadeesi

Special Report by Sajid A Kayum - Dated 29/12/2002

Based upon an interview by Br. Muhammed Aqil

THE LARGEST PUBLISHER OF THE FAZAAIL AAMAL (TABLEEGHI NISAAB) MAKES TAWBAH

In these times of group polarization, ta'assub towards one's madhhab and sectarianism, it is a great blessing for someone to seek guidance and accept the truth, especially, if one's source of livelihood and hard-earned respect are at stake.

One such fortunate individual is Br. Mohammad Anas, the owner of Idara Ishaat-e-Diniyat - a publishing company that publishes the Fazaail-e-Amaal (also known as the Tableeghi Nisaab) in four languages and other numerous books of the Deobandis.

The Fazaail Aamaal authored by Moulana Zakariyyah Khandelwi is the book that the Jamaat Tableegh uses to spread its dawah. It is the only book that the Tableeghis allow to be read in their gatherings and a lot of stress is put on reading it regularly to the extent that this book is read by the Tableeghis five times a day after every prayer. This book has in it many false beliefs and baseless stories that have been corrupting people's Aqeedah for half a century.

Br. Mohammad Anas, the publisher of the Fazaail Aamal, after identifying the vile errors of the Fazaail-e-Amaal, has openly declared his abhorrence towards this book and the Tableeghi-Deobandi nexus that spreads its teachings. He has open-heartedly accepted the way of taking the religion from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, which is the way of the Ahle Hadees - And All praise is due to Allah.

DEOBANDI UNEASINESS WITNESSED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS

The last few years have seen unprecedented uneasiness in Deobandi circles due to the fact that a large number of people have left the blind-following of individuals and groups and accepted the pure teachings of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. While formally the Deobandis would simple undermine and brush off the way of the Ahlul-Hadeeth as something that was practically non-existent, they have now come to realize that the Ahlul-Hadeeth are a force to be reckoned with and the pillars of blind-following of elders and extreme partiality towards Madhhabs upon which the school of Deoband is based have weakened considerably.

DEOBANDISM BETWEEN THE CLAIM AND THE REALITY

The Deobandis claim to be the people of Tawheed, religious learning, and reformation and the followers of an authoritative Imaam (Imaam abu Haneefah) and thus portray themselves as a legitimate school of thought from the Ahlus-Sunnah which differs at the most on matters of Ijtihad. In reality, however, they have committed great crimes against the religion of Islam by spreading beliefs of shirk and innovations, unreasonably defending of the clear blunders of their elders and making Tahreef to support their madhhab. They have aided the spread of ignorance by organizing a volunteer force of unqualified ignorant people in the name of 'Jamaat Tableegh' and have given them the book "Fazaail Aamal" - which itself is a compilation of baseless stories that invite towards the heresies of Soofism.

The Deobandis and the Jamaat Tableegh were able to conceal their misguided views successfully and effectively in the Arab world and in the West, while openly calling to them in countries where they have a large following like India, Pakistan and others.

This has been witnessed the most closely in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is both a centre of religious learning and a place where reside a large number of religious minded people, who spend generously to help the Muslims around the world. The Deobandis took full advantage of their good-will and continued to spread their Dawah in secret to the extent that their associates maybe found appointed in many ministerial jobs. A good example is that of the wellknown Moulana Makki, a Deobandi who gives lectures in the Haram of Makkah even to this day. Even the King Fahd press that prints the Holy Qur'aan, published the Deobandi Tafseer as the official urdu Tafseer. [This Tafseer is called Tafseer-e-Usmani where the translation of the verses is by Moulana Mahmood Hasan Deobandi and the commentary is by Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Usmani]. The very introduction to this Tafseer contains references to the deviant belief of Wahdat al-Wajood though not in clear terms. Even the major scholars and muftis of the kingdom had a good opinion of the Deobandis and the Tableeghis.

THE SCHOLARS REFUTE THE JAMAAT TABLEEGH

But Al-Hamdulillah the misguidance of the Jamaat Tableegh became clear to some Arab Salafi scholars and they refuted them in their writings. Shaikh Taqiyyudin al-Hilaali (well-known for his translation of the Noble Qur'an published by Dar-us-Salam Publications) wrote a small treatise by the name, Al-Siraaj Al-Muneer fee Tambeeh Jamaat At-Tableegh alaa Akhtaa'ihum and Shaikh at-Tuwaijiri composed the extraordinary book, "Al-Qawl al-Baleegh". Later Shaikh Taalib ur-Rehmaan, a scholar well-known for his debates with the people of Bidaa (innovations) wrote the book, "Ad-Deobandiyyah" in Arabic that further exposed the reality of the Deobandis. The sheikh has another refutation on the Jamaat Tableegh in Arabic that has been published lately. Apart from this there

are the efforts of many others and may Allah accept all sincere efforts.

In the Indian subcontinent many scholars have raised awareness about the Jamaat Tableegh after many efforts towards advising them have failed. Some Ahlul-Hadeeth masjid even opened their doors to the Jamaat Tableegh with the intention of co-operation in matters of righteousness and piety and because outwardly the Jamaat Tableegh claim to have no agenda apart from calling the people towards prayer. The Tableeghi have been invited time and again to continue their work but to replace the Fazaail Aamal with authentic Tafseers and collections of authentic Hadeeth, but all such requests have been rejected.

THE TABLEEGHI DAWAH

In region where there is general Ignorance of the correct Aqeedah and a strong tradition to put all of ones religious affairs in the hands of a particular moulana, the Jamaat Tableegh speaks in a position of strength and openly calls to misguided views. The Tableeghis know that they can distort the meaning of the Quraanic verses and present to the people in order to deceive them into believing that it is Allah's Will that all true Muslims are bound to the regulations of the "Tableeghi Jamaat" and are expected to unquestionably follow them on their excursions.

The Tableeghis take pride in being ignorant and ask the other ignorant individuals like them, "to which school or university did the sahabah go to?". They lie upon Allah and the Messenger and justify it saying it is only to encourage the people towards good deeds. They often quote the Quraan as the Hadeeth and vice-versa. Even worse, they quote the sayings of elders and stories and attribute it to the Messenger (salallahu alaihe wa-sallam). Their norm is to mention quraanic verses, fragments of hadeeth, stories and fables, sayings of their elders and karguzaris without distinguishing between them - all along giving the ignorant listener the notion that all of this has come from Allah for the guidance of the people.

Many Ahlul-Hadeeth scholars have raised awareness about the Jamaat Tableegh through writings and speeches most notably Shaikh Meraj Rabbani, Shaikh Ataa Allah Daerwi and others. And those people who have left Tableeghis

have exposed them even further.

As a result many people have accepted the way of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. This is an additional setback to the Deobandis. It should also be noted that those who accepted the guidance are the educated and enlightened individuals who actually have the ability to research, understand and differentiate between the fact and lies.

Others who have left this Jamaat are those who migrated to other countries where the Tableeghis do not have a strong hold and the people have had the opportunity to learn about the Book and the Sunnah. In the environment of the Indian sub-continent, the Tableeghis do not allow the common masses to read the Qur'aan and the Sunnah or listen to anyone apart from themselves. This is why I mentioned in the very start of this article that, "in these times of group polarization, ta'assub towards one's madhhab and sectarianism, it is a great blessing for someone to seek guidance and accepts the truth" ANd only he who has been in that environment can truly understand the significance of this.

THE DEOBANDI REACTION

The Deobandis have finally realized that they cannot combat the Dawah of the Ahlul-Hadeeth, by merely abusing them or undermining them and that they would have to reply with proofs and quotes and references just like the Ahlulhadeeth refuted them with proofs from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. The Deobandis therefore, organized a huge nation-wide conference called, 'Tahaffuz-e-Sunnat' in India. This was repeated in a number of other countries. They also published a number of booklets on the subject and each of the doubts in those books has been replied to either in writing or on tape, al-hamdulillah. And we will publish them on out website, www.ahya.org insha'Allah.

The result of these conferences was that many people were introduced to the Ahlul-Hadeeth and began reading books of Ahlul-Hadeeth scholars either out of curiosity or to refute them and al-hamdulillah this became a means for people to come closer to the truth. The Deobandis, therefore, shot their own selves in the foot because the way of seeking knowledge, analyzing references and sound reasoning can only lead to the truth.

MUHAMMED ANAS SAHEB - THE OWNER OF IDARA ISHAAT E DINIYAAT

We ask Allah, the Exalted, to keep Br. Mohammad Anas steadfast upon the truth to which He has guided him. Br Muhammed Anas's interview has been recorded by our dear brother Muhammed Aqil from Jeddah. Brother Aqil has many efforts in the field of dawah on the internet and runs the Hadeeth Egroups.

In this interview Muhammed Anas Saheb spoke about how he recognized the corruption in the Fazaail Aamal and other Deobandi books. He also spoke about the difficulties in his struggle to seek and follow the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.

Br Anas specifically mentioned that he found our website www.ahlehadees.comand the tapes of the scholars on it very helpful.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said, "If Allah gives guidance to somebody through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels."

We ask Allah to accept the efforts of all the brothers who contributed and participated in the development of the website whether they are from India, Saudi Arabia, Emirates or Kuwait.

EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERVIEW

Brother Muhammed Anas said, "When I needed to know about everyday rulings, I referred back to the hanafi fiqh because that was the environment we were brought up in. So when we referred to those books no references were found in them, just the sayings of some aalim and this seemed to me as if he was saying something from himself and I could not (satisfactorily) accept it. So I began to research because the rulings should be with references to the Hadeeth they are based upon. Thereafter I searched for books and read them, only to find a big difference between rulings of the (hanafi) Maslak (way) and the Quraan and the Sunnah."

Note: Here the Hanafi Maslak in common language is used to refer to the way which includes the blind following of the later Hanafis, adherence to the school of Deoband and its scholars, and to Maturidism in beliefs.

… "I am facing a number of difficulties and I ask Allah to grant me steadfastness. Since I have started upon this way (of the book and sunnah) and we stay in a society where the (Deobandi) maslak is followed, everyone looks at me with suspicion (or with dislike) as if I have committed a great crime. I have only tried to learn the Quraan and the Sunnah and to act upon it. My relatives and those who are close to me have turned their faces away from me, except for a few. Even if I try to meet them they speak to me in a strange way and when I got my son married according to the Quraan and the Sunnah in February and did not arrange for the marriage procession and other formalities, my relatives are still angry on me. I only sent a car so that my daughter-in-law could come to the home."

He mentioned that he heard some Cds which spoke of the Hijaab. "When I heard them tears rolled off my eyes and I began to ponder as to what we had been doing until now, our lives have gone and we have not been able to do anything. After this Al-Hamdulillah we began to implement proper Hijaab in the home as it should be implemented according to the shareeah where the Hijaab is done from the husband’s brothers."

When brother Aqil asked brother Muhammad Anas about the sources that helped him towards the way of the Quraan and the Sunnah, he mentioned our websitehttp://www.ahlehadees.com and the names of the four scholars, Shaikh Ataa Allah Daerwi, Shaikh Safiur-Rehman Mubarakpuri, Shaikh Meraaj Rabbani (Hafizahumullah) and Shaikh Badiuddeen Rashidi (Rahimahumullah). He said, "I heard their tapes and liked them a lot. Whatever they say, they say in light of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah."

When asked if he was involved in spreading the true dawah of the Quraan and the Sunnah, he said, "I wish to do a lot so that the wrong things that have spread amongst the people come to an end. To start with I have prepared a list of books that I used to sell in the bookshop (he mentions various books). One of the books I used to keep was Aamaal Quraani (cures from the Quraan) while believing that they were cures from the Quraan and it would not have any (incorrect) statements, but then I heard one of the lectures of Shaikh Meraaj Rabbani (with a quote from the Aamaal Quraani) and I check the copy I had with me, I felt ashamed and very hurt and asked the staff not to sell it at all. Thereafter, I stopped selling the many other books on Soofism that are full of Shirk and Bidah."

NOTE: It is mentioned in Aamaal-e-Qur'aani, p. 134 by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi [published by Jasim Book Depot, Urdu Bazaar, Jama Masjid, Delhi] that if a woman has excessive menstrual bleeding, the verse (Surah Al-'Imran: 3:144) should be written on three different pieces of paper, one tied on her right and the other on her left and the third piece of paper with the Qur'aanic verse to be hung below the naval. This verse of the Qur'aan, "Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah, and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful." [Surah Al-'Imran: 3:144]

Br Aqil : What are the difficulties that you are facing after becoming Ahlehadees"

Brother Muhammed Anas replied, "When I started to keep those books that are in accordance with the Quraan and the Sunnah, and we are in a society with people of a different view, and on the books is mentioned the word Salafi or there is something else with indicated that the books are of another school of thought - the people do not buy those books. In Delhi there is a center by the name "Allama Ibn Baaz Center" from where I ordered some books since they were good but no one would buy them because the author was Dr Luqmaan "Salafi". These are the problems I faced."

Br Aqil : Have you accepted the way of the Ahlul-hadeeth alone, or have you family members changed too?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "My wife, my children al-Hamdulillah pray in accordance with the Quraan and the Sunnah. We also hold a session of 15 minutes to read from books, like we have read from the Book of Salaat by Shaikh Kailani"

Br Aqil : Earlier you informed me about your daughter and problems faced by her. Are they because of the fact that she has started performing Raf al-Yadain?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "Yes, what else can it be? They do not consider it (Raf al-Yadain) to be from the Sunnah even though I have shown them proofs. And I gave them photo copies from the books of Maulana Abdul-Hayy Lakhnawi and Imaam Muhammad stating that the Raf al-Yadain is proven and is from Sunnah. But they are so blind in their sight that they cannot understand. How much ever you explain to them, they do not understand"

Note: Raf al-Yadain is to raise the hand in prayer before the Ruku and after the Ruku. Raf al-Yadain is a Sunnah proven by Mutawathir Ahaadeeth, but because there is extreme following of Madhhabs in the subcontinents, the people are ordered by the Madhhabi ulema to ignore those hadeeth. Often a fiqh issue like Raf al-Yadain serves as a stepping stone towards breaking the barrier of Taqleed and opens the way for correction of other matters of belief and worship.

Br Aqil : How do you feel having left the way of Shirk and Bidah towards the Straight Path and Tawheed. Is your heart content?

Brother Muhammed Anas , "Yes, definitely I feel total contentment to the extent that if I were to die today, I have great hope that Allah will have mercy on me. And whatever little I have done to follow the Sunnah will be accepted by Allah. I have complete hope in Allah. I have contentment as clear as a mirror Al-hamdulillah.

Br Aqil: Since you are mainly dealing with books, has you change affected you business relations and income in any way?

Brother Muhammed Anas , "Yes, of course. Since I have stopped printing Fazaail-e-Sadaqat and Fazaail-e-Hajj, which I used to print in 4 languages; Urdu, Hind, English French, and they sell a lot, like the Urdu version sells 5,000 copies in 2 months. So, it is effecting my business but I am not bothered about it Allah forbid even if I was to reach the stage of starvation, I would accept that because the eyes have to close and everyone has to die and we have to give account of everything."

[We ask Allah to bless brother Muhammad Anas in his business and accept his sacrifices]

Br Aqil : You have seen that the book which you had been selling till now (i.e. the Fazaail Aamal) has many statements of Shirk in it. Somewhere a pious person is receiving knowledge of the unseen, somewhere it is claimed that Allah's Messenger descended from the sky (after his death), somewhere it is said that the hand of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) came out of the grave, while somewhere the leaders of the Tableeghi Jamaat hear the reply of their salaam to the Messenger. Now that you know of these deviant beliefs will you continue with the sale of this book in the different languages.

Brother Muhammed Anas, "No, I consider selling these books a sin. And I say that if I were the sole owner of these books, I would have put them in the sea long back. I would sell something else, but not these books, for now we have stopped Fazaail-e-Sadaqat and Hajj (this is the second part of the Fazaail Aamal and is more deviant than the first) and we plan to stop Fazaail-e-Amal (i.e. the the first part) Insha'Allah."

Br Aqil : Tell us about Fazaail-e-Amaal since how long have you been printing it and was it you father who initiated the work?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "My father was the first one to publish this book on off-set printing (since 50 years, they have been printing this book). Initially they were printed as separate booklets like Hiyaakaat-e-Sahabah, Fazaail-e-Namaz, etc. then the booklets were compiled in one volume and then the compilation was named, 'Tableegh-e-Nisaab' It was not named 'Tableegh-e-Nisaab' by Maulana Zakariyah (the author) but it was named as such by my father.Later when some Barelvis objected to it, then its name was changed to 'Fazaail-e-Amaal'

Br Aqil : In the end, would you like advice those who are still busy in the publishing and selling of the book?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "I consider the income which comes from the selling and spreading of such books that spoil the Aqeedah is not Halaal. So one should limit himself. There are many books, why not sell authentic books? The stories of parrot and birds, Kabutar Nama (the story of the pigeon) [he is referring to the stories of Khurafaat mentioned by the Soofis in their books as lessons]. When good (authentic) books are available, then these should be spread."

Br Aqil: Any of your two brother have accepted the way of the Ahlul-Hadeeth?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "Yes, as I mentioned earlier, my youngest brother who heard the CDs, has begun to perform Raf al-Yadain, He told me, 'Brother if this (Raf al-Yadain) is correct, then why be afraid of following it while it is proved from the Messenger of Allah and is a Sunnah? And he (Allah's Messengers) has practiced it until his death." So, I started (the Raful-Yadain) for he was on the truth'

Br Aqil : What message would you like to send to the people of Jamaat Tableegh so as to assist them in seeking the truth?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "It is the duty on every person to seek the teachings of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah and analyze whether their actions are in accordance with the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. This is a general message for everybody."

Br Aqil: would you like to convey something to the Ulema of Deoband who compile and spread such books like the book of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi - Aamaal-e-Quraanin?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "Yes, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi is the author of Aamaal-e-Quraani. But it is not sure whether this book was later attributed to him or he has himself written such things. Allah known best but what I found in them were completely against the Qur'aan and the Sunnah so I have stopped selling it."

Br Aqil : It was surely not attributed to him later for if it was later attributed to Maulan Ashraf Ali Thanwi then the Ulama of Deoband would have pointed to the statements have been (incorrectly) attributed to the Maulana but the Ulama of Deoband have always supported it so it is not incorrectly attributed to Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi but it is his own book."

Brother Muhammed Anas, "I was astonished when I read Hikayat-e-Awliya, which is also known as 'Arwah e-Thalatha. In all there are 60-70 books which I have stopped printing and selling."

Br Aqil : Have you seen 'Tareekh-e-Mashaaikh-e-Chist' by Maulana Zakariyah?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "I have stopped any orders for that book also. I have also prepared some literature which points towards all such matters in those books. If someone informs me of any such reference, I personally analyze it and if I find anything incorrect I discard it."

Br Aqil : The authors of such books from the Ulama of Deoband and the Barelvis, their blind-following does not allow them to return to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, and even after knowing the truth they do not propagate it. What would you advice them?

Brother Muhammed Anas, "The religion reached us through the Sahabah, but if one was to search for books on their seerah (biography) he would not find it. The Mureeds (followers) however write books on (the biographies) of their Pir (mentor) who dies just 100 years back, and even today we do not know the Sahabah."

Note: There are many biographies just on the life of Moulana Ashraf Alee Thanwi and some of them are in 10 volumes.

Br Aqil : What is your message to our listeners and especially those who are still struggling to seek the truth? For this cassette of yours will reach them Insha'allah and when they learn that a prominent publisher of these books has made Tawbah before Allah, then this will surely soften their hearts and will encourage them to take the religion from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.

Brother Muhammed Anas, "Firstly, my message is that analyze all you deeds and verify whether they are in accordance with the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. One should not follow everything what people tell them, and today there are so many books available which do not mention references. So one should research and make sure whether his deeds are correct or incorrect. May Allah grant us the Tawfiq."

For Free Online resources, articles, books and lectures on the Jamaat Tableegh and the Deobandis and a detailed analysis of their dawah, please visit us online athttp://www.ahya.org/tjonline/index.html