Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !

India-Pakistan

Cosmetic actions?

2019-03-07

[DAILYTIMES.PK] The recent crackdown against prominent members of banned ...the word banned seems to have a different meaning in Pakistain than it does in most other places. Or maybe it simply lacks any meaning at all... organizations such as Jamaat-ud-Dawa ...the front organization of Lashkar-e-Taiba... (JuD) and Jaish e Muhammad (JeM) is a step towards the right direction by the Imran Khan ... aka Taliban Khan, who is the lightweight's lightweight... -led government. A key stumbling block was the non-implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) with opposition leaders like Chairman PPP Bilawal Baby Bhutto Zardari ...Pak dynastic politician, son of Benazir Bhutto and grandon of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. As far as is known, Bilawal has no particular talents other than being pretty and being able to memorize political slogans, but he had the good luck to be born into the right family and he hasn't been assassinated yet... highlighting the matter on several occasions in the past. NAP was formulated during PML-N’s last tenure, but it largely remained inactive owing to political differences and bureaucratic red-tape. Now that the PTI has finally decided to enforce the rule of law in letter and spirit with TLP being the first on the radar, it is hoped that key parties like PML-N would continue to lend their support rather than play petty politics of which the PTI set a trend in recent years. However, there's no worse danger than telling a mother her baby is ugly... can the crackdown steer towards a logical conclusion given how past similar measures were mere cosmetics? During General Pervez Perv Musharraf ... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ... ’s rule, similar steps were taken but for a specific reason. Pakistain was cash-strapped and financial aid from the United States and other influential powers was the need of the hour at the time. The events of 9/11 gave the then leadership an opportunity to bring in aid, foreign investment and tourism by taking action against homegrown Death Eater groups. Coming back to the present, Prime Minister Imran Khan has often mentioned about revival of the economy and encouraging tourism opportunities. There are three interlinked factors which pushed him for changing the state’s international dynamics. First and foremost, the objective of the ongoing crackdown is to remove Pakistain from Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list to encourage a boost in foreign direct investment. Secondly, tourism is one of PTI’s key goals and for that entrepreneurs and state officials have been working round the clock by promoting Pakistain as a viable and safe tourist destination. This has much to do the first factor since tourism derives from stability and security. Documentaries, photojournalism, travelogues and visits by international celebrities have helped in this regard. Not mentioning the flexible e-visa policy introduced in January 2019. Thirdly, the state’s international image is in dire need of an upward trajectory and it is directly linked to the second factor. If Khan can pull this off, it would be a miracle itself. However, there's no worse danger than telling a mother her baby is ugly... it takes years to realise the full potential since India and Malaysia initiated ground work in the 1990s which gradually led to their positive projection. Returning to containing militancy, rights activist Jibran Nasir has recently proposed a citizen reporting mechanism which would track any suspicious activities of banned outfits. This can give the people a voice in expressing their concerns; something similar to the PM’s complaint cell. There is a fear of militancy evolving overtime and new faces emerging in the future. Hence, the ongoing crackdown must not deviate from its goals and state elements must ensure prevention of repeating the horrors of the bygone era. Pakistain cannot afford to be perceived as a pariah or rogue state again. *

Link

Arabia

UAE blacklists 82 groups as 'terrorist'

2014-11-16

[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] The government of the United Arab Emirates formally endorsed on Saturday the designation of 82 organizations, including Egyptâs Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), as terror groups, in line with a federal law on combating terrorism. The list, published by the countryâs state-run WAM news agency, includes the Muslim Brotherhood, the groupâs local and regional affiliates, as well as Al-Qaeda-linked groups operating in different parts of the region. Several brigades fighting on both sides in the Syrian conflict along with Islamist groups in Libya, Tunisia, Mali, Pakistan, Nigeriaâs Boko Haram as well as Afghanistan's Taliban account for the bulk of the list. Shiite militants groups also figure in the list, including Shiite Hezbollah in the Gulf states and brigades with the same name in Iraq. Lebanonâs Iranian backed Hezbollah was not blacklisted. In late August, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan enacted federal law number 7, which mandated the list to be published and circulated by the media to further âtransparencyâ and âincrease awarenessâ of terrorist threats. The move follows a similar step taken by Saudi Arabia in March. The groups blacklisted by the UAE were as follows: 1- UAEâs Muslim Brotherhood called Al-Islah 2- UAE terrorist cells 3- Karama organization 4- Uma Parties in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula 5- Al-Qaeda Finally got around to it... 6- Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) They prefer to be known as The Islamic State or as The Caliphate... 7- Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Formerly the aden-Abyan Islamic Army plus the Lions of the Arabian Peninsula 8- Yemenâs Ansar al-Sharia ... which sez they're not an al-Qaeda affiliate, otherwise they're indistinguishable from al-Qaeda. 9- Muslim Brotherhood, both the organization and movement I don't think the Moslem Brü can properly be called a terrorist organization; it's more a subversive organization. We saw what happened when they achieved power in Egypt: one man, one vote, one time. Their belief that Islam is the Answer, regardless of the question makes them look foolish, but they are Moslems and they behave like Moslems do when they can't get their way. 10- Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya in Egypt Zawahiri used to be the head of Gamaa al-Islamiya. I think they swore to non-violence to get their members out of jail. 11- Bait al-Maqdis group in Egypt Formerly just al-Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula, now sworn to the Islamic State 12- Ajnad Misr (Soldiers of Egypt group) I think we've seen these guys once or maybe twice. 13- Majlis Shura Al-Mujahedin Fi Aknaf Bayt Al-Maqdis (Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem, or MSC) 14- Yemenâs Houthi movement Aligned with Iran and with former President-for-Life Saleh. 15- Hezbollah party in Saudi Arabiaâs Hijaz 16- Hezbollah in the Gulf region 17- Al-Qaeda in Iran I believe this is the "protected" al-Qaeda that the Medes and the Persians keep on a tight leash. If I had a bunch of money I'd do some intensive investigation on this group. 18- Badr organization in Iraq 19- Asaâib Ahl al-Haq, also known as the Khazali Network in Iraq 20- Fath al-Islam in Lebanon This is our old friend, Fateh al-Islam. Probably they've been folded into al-Nusra or the Caliphate by now. 21- Osbat Al-Ansar or Asbat an-Ansar (League of the Partisans) in Lebanon I believe Usbat al-Ansar lives in Ein al-Hellhole. They're the place to go when you're on the run. Every once in awhile they shoot one of the local Fatah muckety-mucks. 22- Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) I think AQIM has lost a lot: their debacle in Mali, the ego versus ego contest between Mokhtar versus Droukdel, and the fact that half of them have pledged to the Islamic State. 23- Ansar Al-Sharia in Libya 24- Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia 25- Al-Shabab in Somalia 26- Boko Haram in Nigeria 27- Al-Murabitoon brigade in Mali That's Mokhtar Belmokhtar's mob... 28- Ansar Al-Din movement in Mali 29- Haqani network in Pakistan 30- Lashkar Taiba in Pakistan 31- Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement headquartered in Pakistan 32- Mohammed Army in Pakistan Jaish e-Muhammad... 33- Mohammed Army in India 34- Indian mujahideen in India/Kashmir 35- The Caucasus Emirate by Chechen militants 36- Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) 37- Abu Sayyaf Islamist group in the Philippines 38- Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Nailed that one. Not a terrorist organization, but fellow travelers. 39- Alleanza Islamic d'Italia or Islamic Alliance in Italy 40- Islamic Association in Finland 41- Islamic Association in Norway 42- Islamic Relief Organization in the UK 43- The Cordoba Foundation in Britain 44- International Islamic Relief Organization belonging to the international Muslim Brotherhood I think that's the one headed by bin Laden's brother-in-law or son-in-law... 45- Taliban movement in Pakistan Mullah Omar... 46- Abu Thur al-Fiqari battalion in Syria 47- Al-Tawheed and Iman battalion in Syria 48- The Green Battalion or Al-Khadraa battalion in Syria 49- Al-Tawhid Brigade in Syria 50- Abu Bakr brigade in Syria 51- Talha bin Ubaidallah in Syria 52- Al-Sarim Al-Batar brigade in Syria 53- Abdullah bin Mubarak brigade in Syria 54- Convoys of Martyrs brigade in Syria 55- Abu Omar brigade in Syria 56- Ahrar Shumar or Free Shumars brigade in Syria 57- Hezbollah brigades in Iraq 58- Brigade of Abu Al-Fadl al-Abbas in Syria 59- Brigades of Al-Yom Al-Mawood (Destined Day in Iraq) 60- Battalion of Omar bin Yasir in Syria 61- Ansar Al-Islam group in Iraq 62- Nusra Front in Syira 63- Harakat Ahrar ash-Sham Al Islami (Islamic Movement of the Free Men of the Levant) in Syria 64- Jaish Al-Islam (Islam Army) in Palestine 65- Abdullah Azzam Brigades I think they're being or have been absorbed by al-Nusra. 66- Kanvaz in Belgrade, Serbia 67- The Muslim American Society (MAS) 68- Union of Muslim Scholars 69- Union of Islamic Organizations in Europe 70- Union of Islamic Organizations of France 71- Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) 72- Islamic Society of Germany 73- Islamic Society in Denmark 74- Islamic Society in Belgium 75- Sariyat Al-Jabal brigade in Syria 76- Al-Shahbaa brigade in Syria 77- Al-QaâQaaâ in Syria 78- Sufian Al-Thawri (Revolutionary Sufian brigade) in Syria 79- Abdulraham brigade in Syria 80- Omar bin Al-Khatab brigade in Syria 81- Al-Shayma brigade in Syria 82- Al-Haq brigade in Syria

Link

Terror Networks

The Man Who Is Planning the Next Attack on America

2006-08-11

Pakistani officials tell ABC News a new terrorist plan to attack the United States and Europe is being organized by a shadowy Pakistani, who is the keeper of the log of recruits who attended al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan in the 1990s. Pakistani police and military officials identify the man as Matiur Rehman, whose role as al Qaeda's planning director was first revealed by ABCNews.com earlier this year. U.S. law enforcement sources tell ABC News Rehman is now the "leading suspect" in the attack earlier this year on the U.S. consulate in Karachi that killed a State Department Foreign Service officer, David Foy. Officials say the car bomb attack was planned by Rehman. The officials say Rehman was spotted within the last month in the slums of North Karachi but escaped capture. The Pakistani government has posted a reward of 10 million rupees for the capture of Rehman, who also uses the aliases "Akeel Khan" and "Sadamd Sial." U.S. law enforcement officials tell ABC News there has been great concern since last March about a "Pakistani" network that could attempt multiple international attacks. Rehman, along with his deputy, another Pakistani named Qari Hassan, are believed to be keepers of the "Directory of Jihad," which officials say contains "thousands of names" of young militants who trained at al Qaeda camps and have since dispersed around the world. U.S. law enforcement officials confirm al Qaeda kept extensive recruitment records, many of which were recovered after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Rehman, now in his mid-30s, worked as an explosives instructor in the al Qaeda camps, according to Pakistani officials, who say he has been deeply involved in most of the major terror attacks in Pakistan in the last few years. Officials say they disrupted yet another Rehman plot last month to assassinate Pakistani President Musharaff at a summer festival. Pakistan intelligence officials tell ABC News that Rehman moves between between Karachi, Waziristan and South Punjab, where he was born. He is in "constant communication" with al Qaeda's top leaders, according to the officials. A former militant of the Pakistani terrorist groups Harakat ul Jihad ul Islami and Lashkar e Jhangvi, Rehman rose to prominence in the late 1990s by setting up elaborate networks in Pakistan through which he recruited young men to be trained in al Qaeda's camps. Pakistani intelligence officials tell ABC News that between 10,000 and 50,000 militants received basic training in these camps, where the best recruits were directly "hired" by al Qaeda. The rest was used by Pakistan's most violent terrorist groups such as Lashkar e Jhangvi, Harakat ul Mujahideen and Jaish e Muhammad, either to fight in Kashmir or India, or conduct sectarian attacks within Pakistan. U.S. officials say there is no information that any attack on the United States is imminent.

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

The sectarian state in Gilgit

2005-07-16

Extracted from a much longer article in Friday Times... Tanvir Qaiser Shahid quotes from American scholar Jessica Stern’s book Terror in the Name of God . Even as the government in Islamabad announces that the seminaries in the country are free of sectarianism and violence, Stern visits the seminary Jamia Manzurul Islam run by Pir Saifullah Saif (Sword of Allah) in the heart of Lahore. She was taken there by Mujibur Rehman Inqilabi who secretly belongs to the banned Sipah Sahaba vowed to the apostatisation and elimination of the Shia community in Pakistan. Inqilabi told her that his Sipah Sahaba organisation had penetrated the Deobandi organisations and Sipah speakers were frequently invited by the Deobandi seminaries to speak on the apostatisation of the Shia in the country. Inqilabi also boasted contacts with Jaish e-Muhammad and Harkatul Mujahideen and Al Qaeda. The seminary Manzurul Islam in Lahore turned out to be a large institution giving residence to 450 students apart from numberless ‘day scholars’. When Stern talked to the seminarians they clearly told her that the Shia were not Muslims but apostates. Tanvir Qaiser Shahid interviewed the Shia leader Allama Sajid Naqvi of the all Pakistan Shia organisation now a part of the religious alliance, MMA. Naqvi was clear why the Shia leader of the Northern Areas, Allama Ziauddin Rizvi, was killed. He discounted the report that Rizvi was agitating against the government for its establishment of a military base in the Deosai plain. He asserted that Allama Rizvi was also not greatly agitated against the Aga Khan Support Programme. The real cause of his death was his struggle in favour of a separate syllabus for the Shia students. Rizvi was for including in the textbooks content that would confirm the Shia creed. He also set aside the government suspicion that a foreign agency had killed Allama Rizvi to set alight the fire of sectarianism in Pakistan. Allama Sajid Naqvi, despite his membership in the Deobandi-dominated MMA, accused the state agencies of gestating and giving birth to sectarian terror. He referred to the 1988 massacre of the Shia community in the Northern Areas and a similar massacre of the Shia in the Kurram Agency in the tribal areas for which he held General Zia responsible. (Zia died the same year, killed in a plane crash which his son says was an act of sabotage.) Naqvi accused Zia of being a Deobandi at heart. He pointed out that he was actually related to the leader of Pakistan’s largest Deobandi seminary, Jamia Ashrafia. For the government’s part, it issued an advertisement on 17 April 2005 promising a reward of Rs 15 lakh for anyone who would help in the capture of the killers of Agha Ziauddin Rizvi. The Crisis Group Report, The State of Sectarianism in Pakistan , says: ‘Like other sectarian minorities, those in the Northern Areas believe that political empowerment would enable them to contain Islamic extremism. Elections to even the largely ceremonial Northern Areas Legislative Council have exposed the limited support base of religious radicals. Says a lawyer in Gilgit, “JUI could not win any of the 24 seats, not even in Sunni-dominated areas”.

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

Jihadis ready for action against government

2005-07-11

Jihadi organisations have reportedly decided to launch operations against the government for its pro–US stance and for cracking down on them (jihadis). Sources told Daily Times on Sunday that intelligence reports given to the Interior Ministry said members of defunct jihadi organisations including Harkatul Mujahideen al-Alami, Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami, Harkatul Ansar, Jaish e-Muhammad (Khuddamul Islam), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Millat-e-Islamia Pakistan were planning to target American, British and Iranian diplomats and other foreign dignitaries in Pakistan. The reports said government officials including Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister of State for Religious Affairs Dr Amir Liaqat Hussain, National Bank of Pakistan President Syed Ai Raza, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Senator Allama Ghulam Abbas Kumaili and Irfan Ali Abdi were also targets, sources added. Reports said jihadi organisations had selected churches countrywide to carry out suicide attacks and car bombings against, sources said. “It has been reported that five churches in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been selected by the jihadi outfits. These churches are the St Andrew’s Church in Gowalmandi, Rawalpindi, St Paul’s Church in Rawalpindi Cantonment, UP Church in Raja Bazaar, Rawalpindi, Priest Nasir Church in Islamabad, and St Thomas Church in Islamabad,” sources added. The reports also said the jihadi outfits had formed groups of three to carry out the attacks and that they were armed with automatic weapons, sources said, adding that the jihadi outfits possessed explosives as well as people ready to carry out the attacks. Sources said the jihadi outfits planned to carry out suicide attacks and car bombings to pressure the government into reconsidering its policies on jihad and cooperating with the US and other western countries in the war on terrorism. In light of these reports, the Interior Ministry has asked all home secretaries and provincial police officers to strengthen security around worship places and foreign dignitaries, ministers and other government officials.

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

Qaeda in touch with local extremist groups: Sherpao

2005-06-24

Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said on Wednesday that Al Qaeda had established a strong nexus with outlawed extremist groups in Pakistan. Gee golly gosh. Who'da ever thunkit? "There is a nexus of Al Qaeda and extremist elements in Pakistan. Whenever they feel hurt, they react. But it will not decrease our resolve against terrorism," he told Daily Times in an exclusive interview on Thursday. Without naming any organisation, the interior minister said the banned groups were facilitating Al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan. Pakistan has banned religious groups including Jaish e-Muhammad, Harkatul Mujahideen, Jamiatul Ansar, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Khuddamul Furqan and Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami. Even though "banned," the groups seem to be quite as active as they've ever been, to include publishing their monthlies and collecting funds... Sherpao also refuted a recent Los Angeles Times report on the presence of scattered training camps countrywide, saying there were no such training facilities in Pakistan. "Terrorists don't have to train a suicide bomber. They have people indoctrinated for such a type of job. So there are no training camps," he added. On the other hand, recruiters of suicide boomers do need a certain amount of highly specialized training, even given a willing pool of rubes who're willing to become meat puzzles... However, he did not deny the involvement of extremist groups in training people at secret locations. "There are no such reports, but they can do so. There are several proclaimed offenders who have not been caught. So they may be doing these activities," he said. President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other senior government officials were on Al Qaeda's hit list, he said, adding, "One has to be very careful and security for all government officials has to be on alert in that sense." One has to be real careful if one's a Shiite or a Christian, too. And if one's a Western reporter. And if one works in a Western diplomatic mission... Thankfully, it also looks like one has to be careful if one's a big turban at Jamia Binori, too. He claimed that the government had a fair idea about the people involved in the bomb blast at the Bari Imam Shrine and terrorist incidents in Karachi. Omar Saeed Sheikh isn't dead yet, though... He denied allegations about the failure of intelligence and law enforcement agencies to ensure security of citizens. Well, then, where precisely are you falling down in ensuring the security of your citizens? Sherpao also claimed Osama Bin Laden and Mulla Omar could be in southern or southeastern Afghanistan. "US and Afghan forces haven't operated extensively in the border areas with the southern and southeastern Afghan provinces. There is a likelihood of their presence in those areas in Afghanistan," he added. Osama remained in Afghanistan for a long time and there were still several areas that were considered Taliban-friendly, he said. Sherpao denied claims of former US ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad about the presence of Osama and Mulla Omar in Pakistan. "I just don't know how the ambassador made this statement. If he had certain information he should have shared it with us," he added. Maybe it was intel on you? He refused to comment on Dr AQ Khan's health and the status of the investigation into his actions.

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

Riorts Protests continue after Karachi bombing

2005-06-01

Four employees of US fast-food franchise Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) were burned to death and two others froze to death in the outlet's refrigeration unit in Karachi during a riot that followed a suicide attack on an imambargah in Karachi, rescue workers said on Tuesday. The deaths have increased the overall toll to 12, six more than Monday's toll of the imambargah attack blamed on the defunct Jaish Muhammad. They keep calling it "defunct." It keeps killing people... Enraged Shia mobs set fire to the restaurant on Monday night, but the bodies inside KFC were only found on Tuesday morning, said Rizwan Edhi of the Edhi Foundation. "All the dead were KFC employees," he said. The attack on the KFC outlet came just minutes after the attack on the Karachi mosque. Mobs of angry Shias also attacked a hospital, three gas stations, a bank, two banquet halls and a collection department of the Aga Khan Hospital and burned more than 25 vehicles. They also stoned several vehicles and buildings in different parts of the city. Five people were injured in an exchange of fire between mobs and police. Dozens of Shias also tried attacking another KFC but police detained 30 of them, said a police official. Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqi said security had been put on "high alert".

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

Qazi wants Karachi strike

2005-06-01

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad asked people to observe a complete strike in Karachi today (Wednesday) to condemn the killing of JI leader Aslam Mujahid, the imambargah attack and a bombing at Bari Imam Shrine in Islamabad. Qazi will try to milk this for all it's worth... President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday condemned the killing of Aslam Mujahid and the terrorist attack on the imambargah and appealed for calm and unity to foil the saboteurs' designs. What'd they expect him to say? "I'm glad they're all dead!"? Might have induced a few arrhythmias ... Police on Tuesday identified two of the assailants involved in Monday's attack on the imambargah. Dr Najeeb, town investigation officer (TIO) of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, told Daily Times that the surviving assailant was identified as Tehseen, a resident of Orangi Town. The TIO said Tehseen was critically injured in the gunfight outside the imambargah. The dead assailant was identified as Muhammad Asif Khan, the TIO said, adding that Tehsin had told police that he and Asif were from the defunct Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ). "I do no think that word means what you think it means..." Earlier, Tehsin kept changing his statement, the TIO said, adding that he first told police that his name was Muhammad Jamil and he was a Jaish e-Muhammad activist. Then he said his name was Bashir. Even though we're the Great Satan, they really should look into using Craftsman tools...

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

Jaish threatens to disrupt bus service

2005-02-18

Why have bus service, if not for Jaish to threaten it? The banned militant organisation Jaish e-Muhammad on Thursday threatened to disrupt a historic new bus service across the military line that divides Kashmir if it led to more "atrocities" by Indian forces in the disputed Himalayan region. "Them Heathen Hindoos is prone to committing atrocities with buses, y'know!" "This will weaken the idea of Kashmir uniting with Pakistan. This is a conspiracy by India to weaken jihad," Mufti Abdur Rauf, a spokesman for the outlawed militant group said. "We will see what benefits India wants to get. If it infiltrates spies into Azad Kashmir and there is an increase in atrocities by Indian security forces in the held Kashmir, we will certainly try to stop it," he said. "It is tantamount to betraying the blood of the mujahideen of Kashmir." The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on Wednesday announced the start of the service from April 7 — the most concrete outcome yet from a year of peace talks, raising hopes for a permanent rapprochement between the two countries.

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

3 held for attempt on Aziz's life

2005-01-18

ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi Police on Tuesday arrested three people involved in the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz near Jaffer Mor in Fatehjang tehsil on July 30, 2004 . The accused, Muhammad Nisar, Abdul Manum and Abdul Basit, are brothers and were arrested from Awanpura in Fatehjang. They are active members of Jaish e-Muhammad and Jamatul Furqan. Mother must be so proud! Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, the deputy inspector general of Rawalpindi division, told reporters that the accused visited Afghanistan frequently and took part in the attacks on US-led forces there. He said 19 people belonging to several banned outfits had been involved in the plot to assassinate Shaukat Aziz. Out of the 19, two, Amjad Farooqi and Muhammad Zeeshan, had been killed, three had been arrested and the remaining 14 would be arrested soon, he added.

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

FBI will collect evidence against Masood Azhar

2005-01-17

A team of the US-based Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will arrive in New Delhi shortly to gather more evidence against banned Jaish e-Muhammad (JM) chief Masood Azhar and his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of American tourists in held Kashmir in 1995 and his links with the hijackers of an Indian Airlines plane in 1999, reports the Press Trust of India (PTI) news service. PTI quoted Indian government sources as saying that the team would arrive in New Delhi soon and would hold talks with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and collect more evidence against Azhar, who has been reportedly lying low. "Azhar is well respected amongst the Al Qaeda cadres and is close to its chief Osama Bin Laden and his aide Mulla Omar," sources said. The FBI team may also meet those arrested in connection with the hijacking of the IC-814 case after getting permission from court. India has also secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against Azhar in connection with the 2001 Parliament House attack.

Link

Afghanistan/South Asia

3 imams arrested for links to Jaish

2004-12-04

An anti terrorist team of the Sheikhupura Elite Force has arrested three mosque imams for being linked to banned militant organisation Jaish e-Muhammad and seized a large quantity of explosives and weapons. All three militants were arrested on Friday from Malyanwala village, in Farooqabad Police Station's jurisdiction. The team raided a mosque in Farooqabad, and arrested Qari Aslam, a mosque imam. During interrogation, Aslam revealed the identity of his fellow accomplices and the location of explosives and weapons. Later, officials arrested Qari Arshad and Ahmad Khan, and seized 10 foreign-produced remote-controlled explosive devices, wires, fuses and chemicals. The bomb devices were seized from a bag filled with worn out pages from the Quran. That makes them holier, so they work better.

Link

Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-12 More