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Showing posts from April 18, 2010

'Taliban swarming mountaintop base'

Source: express buzz KABUL: Taliban fighters swarmed over a mountaintop base abandoned last week by the US military following some of the toughest fighting of the Afghan war, according to footage on a major satellite television station.The video aired Monday by Al-Jazeera television is a morale booster for Taliban fighters, though the U.S. insists the decision to withdraw from the base in the Korengal Valley was sound and the area has no strategic value.The footage showed armed men walking through the former U.S. base, which was strewn with litter and empty bottles, and sitting atop sandbagged gun positions overlooking the steep hillsides and craggy landscape. Fighters said they recovered fuel and ammunition. But a U.S. spokesman said ammunition had been evacuated and the fuel handed over to local residents."We don't want Americans, we don't want Germans or any other foreigner. We don't want foreigners, we want peace. We want Taliban and Islam — we don&#

Soft on militancy? Dawn Editorial Thursday, 22 Apr, 2010

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Source: DAWN     Supporters of Jamaat-i-Islami offer prayers for their fellow supporters, killed in a bomb blast, during a funeral ceremony in Peshawar on April 20, 2010. - File Photo. Monday's suicide bombing in Peshawar’s Qissa Khwani bazaar was an outrageous suicide attack that left some two dozen people dead and many more injured. The victims were mostly Jamaat-i-Islami supporters attending a rally. It is still not certain whether the target was the JI rally or a police contingent guarding it. Nevertheless, what is clear is the party’s flawed logic, for it failed to utter a single word of condemnation against the bomber, his handlers or even those orchestrating the violence. While the Jamaat leaders reiterated their stance that they considered the US a ‘terrorist state’, they also said that the bombing was the result of government failure, and called upon the provincial government to quit. That was all. The JI and other rightwing parties, such as the

Stratfor: Dirty bombs revisited – Combating the hype

Source: Stratfor As STRATFOR has noted for several years now, media coverage of the threat posed by dirty bombs runs in a perceptible cycle with distinct spikes and lulls. We are currently in one of the periods of heightened awareness and media coverage. A number of factors appear to have sparked the current interest, including the recently concluded Nuclear Security Summit hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama. Other factors include the resurfacing rumors that al Qaeda militant Adnan El Shukrijumah may have returned to the United States and is planning to conduct an attack, as well as recent statements by members of the Obama administration regarding the threat of jihadist militants using weapons of mass destruction (WMD). A recent incident in India in which a number of people were sickened by radioactive metal at a scrap yard in a New Delhi slum also has received a great deal of media coverage. In spite of the fact that dirty bombs have been discussed widely in the

Afghan prosecutor’s office bombed

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 Source: RUVR Apr 22, 2010 15:53 Moscow Time Blow. Photo: EPA A bomb exploded inside the prosecutor’s office of the city of Khost, in Afghanistan on Thursday,   local police report. There are   no casualties, but the building was damaged. No militant faction has taken responsibility for the blast yet. Earlier Thursday a military bus was blown up   in the outskirts of Khost. No casulaties were also reported.

Explosion rockes Khost in E Afghanistan

Source: peoples daily An explosion rocked Khost city, the capital of Khost province in east Afghanistan Thursday afternoon, police said. "The blast occurred in front of a government office injuring at least one police constable," a police officer told Xinhua but refused to be named. Meantime, Police chief of Khost province Guldad who like many Afghans uses one name said that the bomb was planted inside the office of provincial attorney general but caused no loss of life. He added that the blast occured at 02:00 p.m. local time. He also blamed the enemies of peace, a term used against Taliban militants for organizing the blast but the outfit has yet to make comment. This is the second explosion hit Khost in a single day on Thursday. Previous blast which targeted a convoy of Afghan army outside Khost city in the morning caused no loss of life or property. Taliban-linked militancy has been on constant rise since the beginning of this year in Afghanis

EXTRA: One killed, three injured in car bomb

Baghdad - One Iraqi civilian was killed and three others were injured when a car bomb exploded in the city of Baquba in the north-eastern Diyala province, security forces said on Thursday. Security sources told the German Press Agency dpa that the car bomb exploded "near the home of a member of a counter-insurgency unit in the majority Kurdish area of Suz."Diyala, an ethnically and religiously diverse province on Iraq's border with Iran, was formerly the site of some of the most intense fighting in Iraq, but had been relatively calm until a recent sharp increase in attacks in the area.

Terror threat will not stop me pledges Cumbria bowls ace By Amanda Little

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Source: newstand reader Last updated at 13:23, Thursday, 22 April 2010 Cumbrian bowls star Stuart Airey insists he will not pull out of the Commonwealth Games in India despite fears over the safety of competitors heading to the terror-stricken country. Stuart Airey Airey admits he does have some concerns about the security of competitors heading to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October since al-Qaida-linked militants threatened bomb attacks against both venues and spectators. But the gold medal hopeful believes that if security is as tight as it was during his recent visit to the city for the Eight Nations Lawn Bowls tournament there should be no danger to competitors. There have been mounting security fears in the wake of a double bomb blast at an Indian Premier League match in Bangalore, but Indian sports officials and police insist athletes and spectators at the Commonwealth Games will be safe. Workington-b

India Army Needs to Be Equipped to Handle Cyber Terrorism

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Source: The new internet This was written by Michael Cheek on Thursday, April 22, 2010, 8:47. Cyber terrorism is of growing concern and the Indian Army needs to be prepared to face the threat, Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan said during a graduation ceremony with the College of Defence Management. “From a mere external aggression facet, we have now moved into a new era of threats. Earlier, when we talk of national security, we always thought of as external aggression from across the borders,” he said. “But today, the whole concept of national security has undergone a radical change, though external aggression is still a major factor.” Officers need to be capable of anticipating the threat rather than just reacting. “Globalisation, convergence , networking, technological advancements, state actors and non-state actors, criminal-terrorist linkages have all together changed the security scenario today,” Pradesh said. “There is a convergence of interests amo

Blast halts Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline flow

Source: reuters By Jamal al-Badrani MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - An explosion in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh damaged the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline and it may take as much as a week to restart exports, Iraqi officials said on Thursday. Police blamed a bomb planted by suspected Sunni Islamist insurgents fighting to undermine the Shi'ite majority propelled into power after the 2003 fall of Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein. While overall violence in Iraq has fallen sharply, sectarian tensions were stoked last month after an election that produced no outright winner. "We are sure now that it was sabotage not a technical failure... The time frame to fix the pipeline and resume pumping oil is about a week," an official at state-run North Oil Co told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "The pipeline was attacked." Nineveh, on the frontline of a potentially explosive dispute over oil, land and power between

Suspected Leader of Morgue Gang Convicted of Murder 22 April 2010

Source: The Moscow Times A former St. Petersburg pathologist was convicted Thursday of ordering several murders as the leader of a gang of morgue workers who went into business hiding the bodies of people killed in organized crime disputes. Valery Burykin was found guilty of three murders and banditry, for which he could face up to life in prison. The court will hear arguments from prosecutors and the defense during the sentencing phase on Monday. A jury found that Burykin began recruiting colleagues at the City Pathological Bureau in May 1995 to help him take over the city's morgues to profit from disposing of bodies, St. Petersburg prosecutors said in a statement. At the time, mob violence was rife in St. Petersburg, with contract killings a regular occurrence. The group managed to remain in the shadows until September 2001, when Burykin ordered the killing of pathologist and co-conspirator Sergei Yefimov. He was gunned down in the entryway of

Saharan States Open Military Hq

Source: accro Four Saharan desert states are to open a joint command headquarters in Algeria to co-ordinate efforts to counter the growing regional threat from al-Qaeda. The Joint Military Staff Committee of Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger will be based in Tamanrasset. They want to increase co-operation and move towards joint operations against terrorism, kidnappings and trafficking. Militants have exploited a lack of co-ordination in the past, evading capture by crossing from one state to another. The US and other Western countries have warned that unless the governments of the region join forces, al-Qaeda could turn the Sahara desert into a safe haven and use it as a base for launching large-scale attacks. Last year an affiliate of the militant network, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, killed a British man, Edwin Dyer, who was kidnapped on the border between Niger and Mali, and shot dead a US aid worker in Mauritania. Members of the group are also belie

Killings Rattle Pakistan’s Swat Valley

Source: NYTIMES Unknown gunmen shot and killed at least five pro-government leaders in three separate cases starting on April 13, residents of the valley said in telephone interviews on Thursday. It was not clear who the killers were, but all the victims had been central to peace talks in the valley, the residents said, raising suspicions that the Taliban may had been involved. The Swat Valley was the site of a major military operation against Taliban militants last spring and has been relatively peaceful since then. Now, a year later, the killings, first reported in The Daily Times, a Pakistani newspaper, are raising fresh fears that the Taliban, whose top leader is still at large, are trying to reassert themselves. “The target killing of the notables has created a great scare in the area,” said Ziauddin Yousafzai, who runs a school in Mingora, the valley’s biggest city. In what appeared to be an acknowledgment of this concern, Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Parvez Ash

Student Islamic societies are radical, not extremist Muslim groups on campus radicalise members by inspiring civic and political participation, not by breeding extremism

Source: guardian I was radicalised by my student Islamic society (Isoc). It started as an innocent means through which to meet down-to-earth and like-minded people. Then we started to break fast together in the prayer room, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I was raising money for orphans and contributing to interfaith campaigns. Inspired by all of this, I have gone on to delve in national student policy, campaign on free speech, rally for Gaza and help shape welfare provision for students around the country. Five years on in this special journey, I reflect upon the palpable change Isocs have etched on campuses around the country – and the radical role that my Isoc has played in my life – and I am one among thousands.   For many, Islamic societies have been a gateway to mature faith and a catalyst for social change and progress for Muslim communities for a number of years, be that through charity campaigns, where over £350,000 was raised for orph

India sits up to specific US terror warning REUTERS, Apr 22, 2010, 03.45pm IST

Source: TOI NEW DELHI: Indian police said on Thursday they were taking seriously a specific US warning of possible attacks on New Delhi shopping centres, an alert that underlines challenges for a city hosting the Commonwealth Games in October. Threats to sporting events were underscored last week when bombs exploded outside a packed cricket stadium in south India, stirring fears the country may not be able to secure multi-city events involving tens of thousands of players and spectators. India is also holding next year's cricket World Cup across eight cities. The U.S. advisory issued on Wednesday spoke of "increased indication that terrorists" are planning to attack some of New Delhi's markets frequented by foreigners. Some of these markets have been bombed in the past. "Every bit of input is important. We are in a permanent state of alertness, but when we have a specific input we sensitise our staff to any special security needs," said R

Lajpat Nagar Blast: Separatists Say Sentence is 'Severe' Srinagar | Apr 22, 2010

Source: Outlook india The separatists today said the death penalty awarded to three convicts by a Delhi Court in the Lajpat Nagar bomb blast case was "severe". "The decision of death penalty is severe," the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said in a statement. The Hurriyat called for a complete shutdown tomorrow to protest the verdict and urged clerics to lead peaceful protests after Friday prayers. The hardline faction of Hurriyat headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani said it has convened a meeting tomorrow to discuss future course of action Jamaat-e-Islami said the Supreme Court "had in various important judgements unambiguously laid down that a mere confessional statement of an accused can't be made basis for awarding any punishment". Mass Movement headed by one of the convicts Farida Dar, who was held guilty under milder penal provisions but allowed to walk free by the court, said it will decid

Captured Sayyaf militant dies in military custody in Mindanao

Source: mindanoexaminer Wednesday, April 21, 2010 02:22:21 PM ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 21, 2010) – One of two captured Abu Sayyaf militants tagged as among those behind twin bombings in Basilan province in Mindanao had died from his wounds at a local military hospital, officials said Wednesday. Officials said Umbar, who was wounded in a firefight with troops last week, died late Tuesday in hospital at the military’s Western Mindanao Command headquarters. “An Abu Sayyaf member captured by government troops after the attack in Isabela City in Basilan died of cardio respiratory arrest secondary to sepsis due to his infected wounds,” said First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman. She said the body of the militant was handed over to an imam and buried in a coastal village called Caragasan, west of Zamboanga City. Cacho said another militant, Ajib Hainal, who was also wounded in the fighting and captured by the military in Bas

Saharan states to open joint anti-Qaeda command HQ

Source: Reuters  By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS (Reuters) - Four Sahara desert states will on Wednesday open a joint command headquarters in the south of Algeria to coordinate efforts to counter a growing threat from al Qaeda, the Algerian Defence Ministry said. Western countries say that unless the region's fractious governments join forces to fight the insurgents, al Qaeda could turn the Sahara desert into a safe haven along the lines of Yemen and Somalia and use it to launch large-scale attacks. The announcement of the new base followed a ground-breaking meeting last month of senior officials from the region's neighbouring governments that was praised by the United States as a step towards collectively confronting al Qaeda. The command headquarters will be in the town of Tamanrasset, in the Saharan desert about 2,000 km (1,250 miles) south of the Algerian capital, the ministry said in a statement. "The Joint Military Staff Committee of Algeria,

German jihadists targeting NATO troops

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  Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: German Jihadists have claimed responsility for attacks in Afghanistan In a recent Internet video, German jihadists fighting on the side of the Taliban in the Hindukush are seen boasting of attacks on American and Afghan troops.   Heavily armed, sometimes disguised or covered in elaborate headgear - this is how the German jihadists present themselves on the Internet. Online, they post video messages where they pose in front of flags embroidered with verses from the Koran, or demonstrate their shooting skills backed by bombastic music. They call for a holy war against the infidels, boasting of attacks on foreign troops and threatening future assaults. A new video emerges A few days ago, a new video emerged showing the fighters taking part in target practice at a training camp in Afghanistan. In the 31-minute-long video, the five German-speaking jihadists claimed responsibility for two attacks on American military installations in

April 21, 2010 Al Qaeda Beheaded in Iraq? Dr. Walid Phares

Source: Familysecurity matters We should underline the following four points in our initial reaction to foreign reports, including a statement from Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki, that “Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri were killed by an Iraqi team.” 1. The confirmation of this event must be clear and explanatory so that no confusion is created, especially as the Jihadi propaganda machine spins it in different directions to incite, leading to sectarian reprisals. It is important that the Iraqi Government shows unity among Shia and Sunnis when claiming victory. 2. If confirmed, the elimination of Abu Omar al Baghdadi - the emir of al Qaeda in Iraq - and Abu Ayyub al Masri - the Minister of Defense of the organization in Iraq- means that joint Iraqi-US counterterrorism measures were able to find and take out the head of the dangerous al Qaeda network in Iraq. Caution is in order as the organization was "beheaded" only momentarily. Note that other members of AQ

April 21, 2010 Exclusive: Radical Islamic Schools Thrive Throughout America

Source Familysecuritymatters  Network Drains Millions from American Taxpayers   Turkish Muslims, under the leadership of Fethullah Gulen, have established over 85 madrassahs (Islamic schools) throughout the United States to further the cause of radical Islam. The madrassahs, set up as “charter schools,” receive millions from U.S. taxpayers and serve to promote “education jihad” by radicalizing students to promote a universal caliphate.   How dangerous are the Gulen schools?   Consider Tarek ibn Ziyad (TIZA) Academy in Inner Grove Heights, Minnesota – a charter school with 300 students – almost all Muslims. TIZA was established in 2003, and received $4.7 million from Minnesota taxpayers in 2008 – 2009. It is named after Tarek ibn Ziyas, the Muslim warlord who conquered Spain.   Students at TIZA pray Islamic prayers; the cafeteria serves halal food; and Islamic studies are held within the building every day. The entranceway is inscribed with passages from the Koran and the Hadith. Recent

Armenian terrorists threaten Consulate staff in California

Source: NEws Armenian terrorists threaten Consulate staff in California Asim Mollazade said. Chairman of the Party of Democratic Reforms Asim Mollazade announced the recent surge in the Armenian criminal groups and the need to strengthen the protection of the consulate of Azerbaijan in California. He noted that the Armenian terrorists in California killed 7 Turkish diplomats. Today in California, where Armenians live compactly and are strong enough, the same threat is posed to Azerbaijani diplomats: 'There are materials fixing the threat of Armenian terrorists against our diplomats. If necessary, we are ready to provide articles about it published in US press and a video tape. We have appealed to the US Embassy in Azerbaijan, the US Congress and State Department. I believe that the Parliament of Azerbaijan also needs to apply to law enforcement agencies in the United States and other official bodies for the protection of the consulate in California and diplomats'. Mol

The threat of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism

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Source: Jamaican observer Wednesday, April 21, 2010 WITH each increasing provocative incident such as the exposition of the new hi-tech uranium enrichment mechanism, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, supported by the Revolutionary Guards, takes another step towards world isolation and ultimately possible military confrontation with the United States, its allies and partners. A new round of stronger sanctions against Iran is in progress at the UN Security Council, with China in attendance prepared to participate in the discussions, but so far it is not clear if China would be prepared to cast its vote in favour of tougher sanctions. While China remains adamant that diplomacy should be used to resolve the impasse, and after numerous failures of diplomacy to resolve the issue of Iran's uranium enrichment programme, members of the Security Council appear sceptical about China's persistence along the diplomatic path. If consensus on tougher sanctions again proves elu

Foreign policy: India's diffidence problem

Source: Rediff April 15, 2010 15:10 IST India [ Images ] is a major power today in its own right. While much of the world has started to acknowledge it, Indian policy-makers remain diffident, almost apologetic, about their nation's rising profile, writes Harsh V Pant. I n the last few days, India has engaged with two major powers -- China and the US -- at the highest levels. Both are vital states in so far as Indian national security interests are concerned and both deserve to be treated with a degree of seriousness reserved for great powers. But what is equally important to recognise is that India is also a major power today in its own right. While much of the world has started to acknowledge it, the Indian policy-makers remain diffident, almost apologetic, about their nation's rising profile. And when they interact with major powers, they reveal this weakness embedded in the Indian psyche. So when External Affairs Minister S M Krishna [ Images ] went to Beijin