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

India-Pakistan
Desperate anti-state propagandists destined for 'more humiliation', says army
2023-09-08
[GEO.TV] The military's top brass on Thursday reaffirmed that the "inimical propagandists" will face more humiliation through their desperate attempts to cause a "wedge" between the state institutions and public, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Thursday.

"Forum re-affirmed that inimical propagandists' desperate attempts to cause wedge between the state institutions and public are indicative of their mounting desperation and will only result into more humiliation of such elements, InshaAllah," the military's media wing stated.

The statement came during the 259th Corps Commanders' Conference (CCC) presided by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

The forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of the deaders of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and citizens who laid their lives for the safety, security and territorial integrity of the country.

It offered fateha for the deaders and reiterated that the country and its army will continue to honour them with utmost respect and dignity. It also appreciated the commemoration of Defence and Martyrs Day on September 6 September across the country.

The participants of the conference reiterated Pakistain Army's resolve to defend the illusory sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against all kinds of direct and indirect threats.

During the meeting, Gen Munir stressed on maintaining high standards of professionalism and motivation during operations and achieving excellence during training of the formations.

He commended the commanders for their constant focus on the wellbeing of soldiers and maintenance of morale which constituted the foundation of army's operational readiness.

"Forum reiterated to continue full support of ongoing efforts in uplifting the socioeconomic growth under the umbrella of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and wholeheartedly assisting the government in curbing all illegal activities which hamper economic stability, growth and investors' confidence," the ISPR stated.

Moreover, the participants were briefed on the prevalent geo-strategic environment, challenges to national security and the army's strategy in response to the evolving threat
Link


India-Pakistan
PTI leader, seven others killed in KP rocket attack
2023-03-21
[GEO.TV] At least eight people, including Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) District Chairman Atif Jadoon Khan, were killed when person or persons unknown targeted their vehicle with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) near Havelian, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.

The attackers ambushed Jadoon’s vehicle near Langra area of Abbottabad
... A pleasant city located only 30 convenient miles from Islamabad. The city is noted for its nice weather and good schools. It is the site of Pakistain's military academy, which was within comfortable walking distance of the residence of the late Osama bin Laden....
District when he, along with seven other people, was on his way home after offering fateha in a nearby village, said the police.

According to the police officials, the incident seemed to be linked to an old enmity.
old enmities are the best
Sources privy to the matter said the vehicle was targeted with the RPGs, adding that the vehicle caught fire following the rocket attack.

After being informed, the police and rescue officials rushed to the scene of the crime and shifted the bodies to the hospital for medicolegal formalities.

It is pertinent to mention here that Jadoon, after winning the election as an independent candidate, had joined the Imran Khan
...aka The Great Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality disorders...
-led PTI.

Contrary to the sources’ claim, the police, however, said that the PTI leader was killed in a firing incident.

Link


India-Pakistan
Rangers arrest five workers of MQM-London in Karachi
2016-12-10
KARACHI: Sindh Rangers on Friday arrested at least five workers of the Mutahida Quami Movement (MQM) London from the Liaquat Ali Khan roundabout in Azizabad.

Workers of the MQM-London attempted to visit the ‘Yadgar-e-Shuhada’ (Martyrs Monument) located in Jinnah Ground when they were barred by the Rangers due to security reasons.

The infuriated MQM-London workers protested over the decision at the Liaquat Ali Khan roundabout, and hurled party flags and wall chalking in the area. They also raised slogans in support of the MQM founder and against the Rangers.

Many workers also climbed the Liaquat Ali Khan roundabout and were later taken into custody by Rangers. The roundabout previously known as ‘Mukka Chowk’ holds great political significance for the MQM.

A large contingent of police has also been deployed in the area. This created a severe traffic jam in the area and all roads leading to Azizabad have been closed.

Female activists of the MQM-London also gathered forcing their way towards the Jinnah Ground insisting to hold ‘fateha’ over there. They also started recitations of the Holy Quran on the main road which was allowed by the Rangers.

Many workers have also gathered at the nearby “Allahwali” roundabout where Rangers are also present to prevent anyone from reaching the Jinnah Ground. Consequently, many party workers decided to stage a sit on the road leading from Ayesha Manzil to ‘Yadgar-e-Shuhada.’

MQM- London workers also clashed with the Rangers in Hyderabad outside the ‘Pukka Qilla’ ground. Many workers managed to enter the ground despite the presence of a large contingent of police and Rangers.
Link


India-Pakistan
Baby Bhutto visits Ghazi shrine in Clifton
2013-10-21
[Pak Daily Times] Pakistain People's Party Patron-In-Chief 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...
paid a visit to the mausoleum of Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
and laid floral wreath on Sunday evening. He prayed and offered fateha at the mausoleum and paid glowing tributes to the Sufi saints of Sindh who spread Islam through love, peace, brotherhood and harmony. Syed Owais Muzaffar accompanied the young party leader during the visit to the shrine.
Link


India-Pakistan
Hangu tense as mob destroys houses
2013-06-09
[Dawn] Tensions prevailed in the restive Hangu town on Friday after a mob destroyed two houses of the members of a group suspected to be involved in the recent killing of Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
MPA Farid Khan.

Shortly after the killing of the MPA, too, the protesters destroyed many houses.

Local officials said armed supporters of the slain politician attacked house of Sher Bahadar on Bypass Road and that of Meen Asghar in Kandao Kali area.

They said the two were affiliated with the Mullah Nabi Hanfi group.

The officials said the attack destroyed the houses but caused no damage to human life as families had already left the premises.

The officials said Mullah Nabi Hanfi had close association with Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam
...Assembly of Islamic Clergy, or JUI, is a Pak Deobandi (Hanafi) political party. There are two main branches, one led by Maulana Fazlur Rahman, and one led by Maulana Samiul Haq. Fazl is active in Pak politix and Sami spends more time running his madrassah. Both branches sponsor branches of the Taliban, though with plausible deniability...
-Fazl, while the assassinated MPA, who had joined PTI after winning elections as an independent candidate, was linked to a banned outfit in the area.

They said police had already locked away
Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try!
Qari Hamid in connection with the killing of Farid Khan.

Also in the day, the district administration lifted curfew in Hangu after five days.

It, however, decided to retain deployment of security forces and police for the people's safety in the city.

The military and paramilitary troops patrolled the streets all through the day.

District police officer Sajjad Khan told news hounds that security forces had conducted a search operation in different localities and villages but made no arrest.

He said the forced destroyed a house of a suspect in Bagato area on the outskirts of Hangu town.

Later, Speaker of the provincial assembly Asad Qaisar and senior provincial minister Sirajul Haq visited the house of the slain MPA and offered fateha for the departed soul.

They condemned the killing and declared it an act of terrorism.

Meanwhile,
...back at the palazzo, Count Guido had escaped from his bonds and overwhelmed his guard using the bludgeon the faithful Filomena had smuggled to him in the loaf of bread...
JUI-F on Friday demanded immediate halt to targeted action against their party's activists and sympathisers and conduct judicial inquiry into the killing of MPA Farid Khan.

JUI-F provincial chief Amanullah Haqqani and MPA from Hangu Mufti Syed Janan told a joint presser in Beautiful Downtown Peshawar
...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire.
that their supporters would agitate if the victimisation of the JUI-F workers in Hangu continued.

They said the JUI-F activists had the right to take extreme steps to protect themselves against victimisation and in that case, the provincial government would be responsible for the consequences.

Mr Haqqani said his party's supporters had been targeted and their properties destroyed since the killing of the PTI MPA.

He said his party condemned the killing.

"Despite arrest of the alleged killer, our party offices and the workers' properties are being destroyed in Hangu," he said.

The JUI-F provincial chief said Attiqur Rehman, who contested elections on the JUI-F ticket against the slain MPA, had been nominated in the FIR.

He alleged that some people affiliated with an krazed killer group were pressuring Attiqur Rehman not to contest by-election from Hangu.

Mr Haqqani said the district administration should ensure the safety of the local people and demanded judicial inquiry into the MPA's killing.
Link


India-Pakistan
Two shot dead at Landi Kotal checkpost
2012-12-20
[Dawn] Two persons were killed when a levies trooper opened fire on a car at a check point here on Tuesday.

Official sources said that a man posted at Charwazgai check point signalled a car to stop but the driver tried to speed away. The trooper opened fire killing Samiullah, a local businessman sitting in the car, and a pedestrian, Mohammad Sher, on the spot.

Authorities have taken the levies man, Ihsanullah, into custody and started investigation.In Bara, bullet riddled bodies of two local residents were recovered from a deserted place. The two were later identified as Mula Jan and Jamroz Khan belonging to Malikdin Khel tribe.

Local sources said that both the men went missing a month ago and their disfigured bodies revealed that they were killed some time back. No one has so far grabbed credit.

Meanwhile,
...back at the scene of the crime, Lieutenant Queeg had an idea: there was a simple way to tell whether Manetti had been the triggerman -- just look at his shoes!...
the corpse count in Monday’s Jamrud blast rose to 21 after two critically injured men shuffled off the mortal coil at a Beautiful Downtown Peshawar
...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire.
hospital on Monday night.

Among the total number of dead, 11 belonged to Kukikhel
...a tribe of primitives inhabiting Khyber Agency. They are a branch of the Afridi tribe. Traditionally they have been migratory, tromping between Jamrud and the Rajgal valley with the seasons. The tribe has had mustache-cursing relationships with several other tribes, including the Zakkakhel and Kambarkhel, and with the Mullagori. They make welcome most anyone with a turban and automatic weapons, but every once in awhile they get together a tribal lashkar to mollify the government...
and Zakhakhel tribes and were laid to rest at their ancestral graveyards on Monday while bodies of three Afghan children and two women were sent to Kabul.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central...
senior minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour paid a visit to the site of blast on Tuesday morning and offered fateha. He also announced compensation of Rs25,000 each for the blast victims.

Earlier, the political administration announced Rs100,000 compensation each for the dead and Rs50,000 for the injured.

Authorities said that the affected families would also get compensation from the federal government.
Link


India-Pakistan
Truckers want Nato supplies stopped permanently
2011-12-01
[Dawn] The owners of oil tankers and public transport vehicles blocked G.T. Road here on Tuesday to protest attack by NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis....
forces on a border post in Mohmand
... Named for the Mohmand clan of the Sarban Pahstuns, a truculent, quarrelsome lot. In Pakistain, the Mohmands infest their eponymous Agency, metastasizing as far as the plains of Beautiful Downtown Peshawar, Charsadda, and Mardan. Mohmands are also scattered throughout Pakistan in urban areas including Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta. In Afghanistan they are mainly found in Nangarhar and Kunar...
tribal region.

The provincial chapter of All Pakistain Oil Tankers Owners Association (APOTOA) and Sarhad Transport Owners Association held separate protest demonstrations, asking the government to stop NATO supplies on permanent basis.

The owners of oil tankers blocked the road at Taru Jabba while the public transport operators held demonstration near General Bus Stand. The protesting transporters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-Us and anti-NATO slogans.

They also held a sit-in on road and demanded of the government to stop supply of oil and other containers to NATO forces in Afghanistan permanently.

The oil tanker owners marched from their main office near Pakistain State Oil depot in Taru Jaba and blocked G.T. Road to all kinds of traffic to express their anger against the US-led forces.

Talking to journalists, APOTOA president Nasir Ali Khan appreciated the government`s decision of suspending supply of goods to NATO troops in Afghanistan. He assured the government that they would fully support it in that regard.

"We can`t tolerate US hegemony any more in this part of the region and its notorious act," he said. He condemned the unprovoked NATO air strikes on military checkposts. He said that it was not the first incident of its kind wherein security forces were targeted but several such attacks had been carried out in the recent past.

Mr Khan termed the attack against the illusory sovereignty and integrity of the country and open aggression by the US-led troops.

APOTOA general secretary Jan Mohammad Khan and central secretary information Dost Mohammad also spoke on the occasion.

Later, the protester offered fateha for the departed souls and prayed for integrity and solidarity of the country.
Link


India-Pakistan
Shahzain Bugti arrested with large cache of arms
2010-12-23
[Pak Daily Times] The Frontier Corps (FC) jugged Jamhoori Watan Party chief Shahzain Bugti along with his 27 guards at the Buleli checkpost and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from his motorcade on Wednesday morning.

Shahzain was returning from Chaman, a border town with Afghanistan, after offering fateha for the late Jilani Khan, an ANP leader, when his motorcade was stopped for identification and search, which Shahzain reportedly refused.

FC personnel blocked the road and asked all of them to come out of their vehicles. Shahzain and his guards refused to come out. The FC personnel smashed the windscreen of the vehicle and dragged him out forcibly.

TV footage had also shown mistreatment to him during his arrest. However,
The infamous However...
the FC officials denied any maltreatment of Shahzain, the grandson of the late Akbar Bugti.

According to an FC front man, the weapons and ammunition recovered from the vehicles included two 14.5 mm anti-aircraft, 14 kaboom boxes of anti-aircraft guns, 42,000 rounds, landmines, two grenade launchers, 43 Kalashnikovs and 16 illegal vehicles.

Shahzain described the arrest as a conspiracy of the security agencies to stop him from going back to Dera Bugti from where he announced a long march on January 28.

Later, talking to news hounds, inspector general of FC Balochistan, Major General Ubaidullah Khan, said there was secret information about smuggling of arms. Shahzain was given three hours to justify carrying weapons but he tried to flee. The security personnel had no choice but to arrest him, he claimed.

He said he would be handed over to the police.

Inspector general of Balochistan Police Malik, Muhammad Iqbal, who also accompanied the FC IG, said Interior Minister Rehman Malik was closely monitoring the situation and had ordered formation of a joint investigation team comprising DIG police, ISI and IB officials to probe the matter.
Link


India-Pakistan
Shahbaz: Terrorists plotting to disunite nation. Really.
2010-10-28
[Geo TV] Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Wednesday termed kabooms on Mazars as a conspiracy to disintegrate the nation, saying the bully boyz are attempting to trigger a clash among different sects but added that he would defeat their design with the help of the nation.

Talking to media men during his visit to the recently attacked Mazar of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar in Pakpatan, Shahbaz Sharif declared the security arrangements put in place at the Mazar as satisfactory, saying the presence of tight security stopped the bully boyz from entering Dargah.

The Punjab Chief Minister offered fateha at the Mazar and later distributed cheques of Rs500,000 each to the families of the dead victims and of Rs75,000 each to the injured.

Earlier, Shahbaz Sharif arrived at Dargah Baba Farid in a helicopter and inspected the blast site. He visited the injured at District Hospital and suspended the MS on failing to provide proper treatment to them.
Link


India-Pakistan
Operation in South Punjab only after credible intel: Gilani
2010-07-05
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that the government will take action against militants in southern Punjab only if the Interior Ministry, intelligence agencies or the Punjab government provide solid and credible information about the existence of terrorist outfits in the area.

The prime minister said this while talking to the journalists after he visited the Ganga Ram Hospital to inquire after the health of people who had been injured in Thursday's suicide attacks in Data Darbar.

Earlier, the PM also visited the shrine of Data Gunj Bakhsh and laid floral wreaths on the grave of the saint and offered fateha.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Punjab Finance Minister Tanveer Ashraf Kaira, Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervez and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaders from Punjab also accompanied the prime minister.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Gilani said that the government had conducted successful operations in Swat and the Malakand Division. "We will also take action against terrorists now wherever they (terrorists) challenge the writ of the government," he said, adding that terrorists had lost their hold in Waziristan and were now targeting civilians in the cities to divert attention.

Gilani stressed that terrorism could only be dealt with if federal and provincial governments worked together, side by side. He said he had summoned a joint meeting of all the security and law enforcement agencies next week to formulate a comprehensive strategy to deal with terrorism.

Responding to a question about allegations levelled by PPP leaders against the Punjab government, the PM said terrorism was the biggest problem facing the country and no political party could combat terrorism and extremism on its own.

The PM said political parties should avoid indulging in a "blame game".
Link


India-Pakistan
Al-Qaeda leader killed in North Waziristan drone strike
2010-02-21
[Dawn] A top al-Qaeda leader of Egyptian origin Sheikh Mansoor had been killed in suspected US drone strike in Toll Khel area of the North Waziristan Agency.

Official sources said the strike which was carried out on Febraury 17 also left number of other important militants killed.

They said Mansoor was leading the militants who were fighting the US led Nato forces in Afghanistan.

The sources also claimed that the son of Afghan Taliban leader Jalaud Din Haqqani, Muhammad Haqqani had gone to offer fateha for the deceased Shiek Mansoor when his vehicle was targeted by another drone in Dandi Darpakhel the following day.
Link


India-Pakistan
Ex-minister hurt in Swat attack
2007-09-22
Unidentified attackers opened indiscriminate fire on former federal minister and Awami National Party (ANP) leader Muhammad Afzal Khan Lala on Friday, killing his driver and gunman and wounding the ANP leader, his nephew and two servants.

Afzal Lala and his nephew, Matta Tehsil Nazim Abdul Jabbar Khan were going from their ancestral village Deresh Khela to Shakar Darra to offer ‘fateha’ for a friend when their car came under attack at Bedara. Driver Sher Alam Khan and gunman Muhammad Khaliq died instantly while Afzal Lala, Jabbar and Lala’s two servants were wounded and rushed to Matta hospital.

The police registered an FIR against the unidentified attackers. ANP Provincial President Afrasiab Khattak condemned the attack on Afzal Lala saying it was the responsibility of the state to protect the life and property of the citizens.
Link



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