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India-Pakistan
Lal Masjid operation: SC moved for registering cases against 22 persons
2012-05-09
[Dawn] A former nazim
...small time big shot, the chief elected official of a local government in Pakistan, such as a district, tehsil, union council, or village council...
of Jamia Hafsa on Monday approached the Supreme Court seeking direction to the police to register cases against 22 persons, including former President Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
and ex-Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for their alleged role in the killing of innocent people and desecration of the holy Koran during the Lal Masjid operation in the year 2007.

On May 4, separate complaints were lodged by 11 people against the 22 persons with the Aabpara police. The police registered the complaints in its daily diary and issued separate numbers to the complainants.

The police also sent the complaints to its prosecution department for legal opinion.

When contacted, Advocate Tarqi Asad, the counsel for petitioner Maulana Abdul Qayyum, the former nazim and teacher of the seminary, said a request was also made to the apex court to take up the matter on Tuesday (today) when another identical petition would be heard.

The petition named as respondents the secretary interior, inspector general of Islamabad police and the station house officer (SHO) of Aabpara. The court was requested to order the SHO to register criminal cases against those responsible for the deaths of the innocent persons and desecration of the holy Koran.

"Deaths caused during the operation were in violation of Articles 9, 10, 10-A and 14 of the constitution. Besides, desecration of the holy Koran is against the sentiments of Mohammedans and a violation of Article 20," the petition said.

It stated that as per finding of the apex court on October 2, 2007, 103 bodies had been recovered from the premises out of which only 16 could be identified. The remaining were handed over to their families, but 12 of them were not accepted due to lack of identification.

The petitioner added that as per statements of principal Majida Younus alias Umme Hassan and a former student of Jamia Hafsa, Ayesha, recorded in the same court order, about 1,300 orphan students were on the premises who remained untraceable. "The number of those killed was very high but only 103 deaths were admitted by the respondents."

The petitioner stated that in the court's order it was also admitted that 662 persons were tossed in the clink
Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please!
and later released. "But the fact is that most of them were never released and they were either killed or are still in detention."

The claim can be verified from the statement of one of the legal heirs of the victims, Ghulam Mohammad that he had seen his son when he was tossed in the clink
Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please!
but his whereabouts was never known afterwards.

The petitioner claimed that another man -- Muzammil Shah -- had informed the court during the last hearing that his son Mohammad Ali was alive till July 6, 2007, but after that nothing was known about him.

In view of the order, legal heirs of the victims had been filing applications with the police and civil authorities from time to time requesting them to register criminal cases against the responsible persons. However,
if you can't say something nice about a person some juicy gossip will go well...
they were told that only the Ministry of Law and Justice could allow registration of such cases.

The petitioner pleaded that FIR be registered on charges of murder and desecration of the holy Koran against the former president and prime minister as well as Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, former federal and state ministers Mohammad Ali Durrani and Tariq Azeem, former religious affairs minister Ijazul Haq, former interior minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, former foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri, former Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, former environment minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, director crisis management cell Javaid Iqbal Cheema, General (retired) Javed Majeed, then director general (operation) Rangers General Hussain Mehdi, former secretary interior Syed Kamal Shah, former IGP Islamabad Iftikhar Ahmad, former deputy commissioner Islamabad Chaudhry Mohammad Ali, former SSP Islamabad Capt (retired) Zafar Iqbal, former chief commissioner Islamabad Khalid Pervaiz, former DIG Islamabad Shahid Nadeem Baloch, former DG ISPR Waheed Arshad, former chairman CDA Kamran Lashari and those who participated in the operation.

Besides, the petitioner also prayed the court to set aside the December 27, 2011, agreement signed between Umme Hassan and the government under which the victims' families would not make any claim or get any case registered against anyone in future.
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India-Pakistan
ISI's top secret letter unfolds new dimension of BB murder case
2011-12-27
[Dawn] Exactly six years after the brutal liquidation of Benazir Bhutto
... 11th Prime Minister of Pakistain in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996. She was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founder of the Pakistain People's Party, who was murdered at the instigation of General Ayub Khan. She was murdered in her turn by person or persons unknown while campaigning in late 2007. Suspects include, to note just a few, Baitullah Mehsud, General Pervez Musharraf, the ISI, al-Qaeda in Pakistain, and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who shows remarkably little curiosity about who done her in...
, a letter of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), country's top intelligence outfit, has revealed that the Orcs and similar vermin groups related to al Qaeda have had their plan to assassinate Benazir Bhutto six days earlier then 27th of December 2007 the day when Miss Bhutto was assassinated, copy of the letter available to Dawn.com disclosed this here on Monday.

The five lines short letter with the subject of , " al Qaeda Threat," is addressed to Kamal Shah, the then Secretary of Interior Ministry by Brigadier Abdul Basit Rana.

The letter reads as, "It has reliably been reported that a few beturbanned goon groups related to al Qaeda have made some plan to assassinate Mrs.Benzir Bhutto and her adviser Mr Rehman Malik
Pak politician, current Interior Minister under the Gilani administration. Malik is a former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) intelligence officer who rose to head the FIA during Benazir Bhutto's second tenure. He later joined the Pak Peoples Party and was chief security officer to Bhutto. Malik was tossed from his FIA job in 1998 after documenting the breath-taking corruption of the Sharif family. By unhappy coincidence Näwaz Shärif became PM at just that moment and Malik moved to London one step ahead of the button men.
on 21 December 2007.The exact plan of execution not known."

The letter is delivered to the Secretary Interior on December 10th, 2007, almost seventeen days before the liquidation of Benazir Bhutto.

The copy of the letter shows that Kamal Shah immediately wrote a short note on the letter saying, "this is a threat with specific date, we should sensitize them," Kamal Shah has further directed Brigadier (retired) Javed Iqbal Cheema, the then Director General of Ministry's National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) directing him to speak.

The third note which is not readable properly mentions as, "I have informed MrMalik by fax,' by some Joint Secretary or Brigadier (retired) Javed Iqbal Cheema.

In this letter the specific Intelligence was provided by Brigadier Abdul Basit Rana of ISI, who according to this correspondent is yet not appeared before any investigation committee including the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Joint Investigation Team (JIT) headed by a grade 20 police officer Khalid Qureshi and the UN Commission on Benazir Bhutto.

"Since this was a top secret information provided by the agency and agencies do not give the access to the origin of the information so neither Brigadier Abdul Basit Rana was interviewed by UN Commission nor by anyone else," confirmed Ch Azhar advocate, the prosecutor of the Benazir Bhutto murder case in Rawalpindi's Anti Terrorist Court.

It has already come on the public record that the then Security Adviser of Benazir Bhutto, Mr Rehman Malik soon after receiving the "threat information" from Brigadier (retired) Javed Iqbal Cheema, had written a three page detailed letter to Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah on 12th December 2007. In the said letter he had requested for enhancement of Benazir Bhutto's security.

An expert, while speaking on the condition of anonymity, say that the examination of Brigadier Abdul Basit Rana and further analysis of the information provided by him can further unfold the missing links of on going investigation of Benazir Bhutto murder case.
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India-Pakistan
Three shot dead
2011-08-04
Three persons were rubbed out and two others received injuries during a family fight in the Guli Bagh area here on Tuesday, locals and police said.
"Ever'body run! Uncle Earl's been in the 'shine again!"
They said the accused Firoz Shah and his brothers Syed Anwar Shah, Noor Said Shah, Rahim Shah and Syed Kamal Shah had developed some differences with their maternal uncle Tahir Shah alias Undar Mula over a matrimonial dispute.
"Undar Mula, yew been sniffin' around our wimmin!"
On the day of incident, they said, the accused and their uncle came face to face while on their way to homes and exchanged hot words,
"A curse on yer mustache!"
"Them's fightin' words, Undar!"

which caused the former to open indiscriminate fire killing Tahir Shah, a relative Manan and a passer-by Haleem on the spot.
"'Scuse me, I'm lost! Can you tell me how to get to -- [BANG! BANG! BANGETY BANG!] -- aaaiiieee!"
Two other passers-by also received critical wounds.
"Ow!"
"Ow!"

All the accused beat feet.
"Curly-toed slippers, don't fail me now!"
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India-Pakistan
1244 militants killed in Malakand operation
2009-06-03
[Geo News] At least 1244 militants have been killed so far during operation, said interior secretary. In a briefing to National Assembly's standing committee, Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah said 26 militant commanders have been killed in Malakand division whereas 89 security personnel have been martyred and 276 injured during operation ' Rah-e-Rast'. Interior secretary said 92 militants including some foreigners have been arrested.
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India-Pakistan
'300 Taliban suicide bombers on way to Islamabad,' claim Pakistan officials
2009-04-26
300 suicide bombers are on their way to Islamabad, Pakistan and plan to attack the capital and certain local officials of foreign embassies there, Interior Ministry sources said.

The suicide bombers also plan to attack Rawalpindi and Lahore and are being led by five top Taliban commanders who are close aides of Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the country's unified Taliban movement, according to the sources.

The commanders have left North Waziristan for Islamabad and would supervise the terrorist operations planned by Baitullah Mehsud in these cities, the sources added.

Pakistan's Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah confirmed the report, saying that security measures had been adopted to thwart such threats. The law enforcement agencies have planned counter strategies to deal with the situation, the secretary said.

Kamal Shah added that the Northern Areas Scouts (NAS), a paramilitary force under the Army command, would reach Islamabad within a couple of days to help the civil administration in maintaining peace in the capital.

The sources said an intelligence agency provided information to the government regarding the Taliban activities, alleging that simultaneous suicide bombings followed by sniper attacks could occur.

The five Taliban commanders are identified by intelligence agencies as Shikaari, Inayatullah, Walid, Mujahid and Abdali, Interior Ministry sources said. They said all the terrorist commanders were close aides of Baitullah Mehsud.

A security officer said the Taliban commanders had left North Waziristan on April 11 for Islamabad, along with an explosives-laden Toyota Corolla. But the law-enforcement agencies were totally unaware whether they had reached their destination or postponed their operation, the officer said.

Quoting the intelligence report, the source said about 300 terrorist shooters and suicide bombers would reach Islamabad, along with the five commanders.

To counter serious threats to Islamabad, the federal government has called troops of the NAS to assist the civil administration to protect prominent personalities as well as sensitive installations of the capital city, the Interior Ministry sources said.

'At least 20 companies of the NAS are required to deal with the possible untoward situation,' the source said.
Link


India-Pakistan
Pakhtuns poised to act against Taliban
2009-02-09
The Pakhtun Peace Jirga (PPJ) announced Sunday it would approach the International Court of Justice to seek punishment for "the enemies of the Pukhtoon people who imposed Taliban on them."
Right. That'll work. Why didn't we think of that?
The convener of PPJ and former provincial minister, Syed Kamal Shah, told a peace rally at College Chowk here Sunday that the politicians, the mullas and the religious parties are either abetting the Taliban or have yielded to their force and the Pakhtuns have been left at their mercy. "But this nation would not tolerate this any more. We cannot allow these people to kill our children, women and the elderly. We shall approach the ICJ, the Jamia Al-Azhar and the Mufti-e-Azam. If it does not work we shall create a lashkar of the people to fight Taliban".
I'd go right to the lashkar, bub.
He claimed that the lashkars and the jirgas created so far were either sponsored by the government or the foreign agencies. "No more of these jirgas. Now we shall call a jirga of the entire Pakhtun nation (24 districts of NWFP) and the Fata people in March to decide which course to take. Only the people's jirgas that are free of the government and the foreign influence can succeed against the Taliban."

He added that the army, the Taliban and the United States were responsible for the current situation. "We shall create a council that will first talk to all three entities. Then, if they did not stop the murder and destruction of the Pukhtoon people, we shall approach the ICJ, the Jamia Al-Azhar and Mufti-e-Azam."

He said the last two institutions would be approached to declare whether beheading of people and creating parallel courts was permissible. This correspondent talked to the PPJ leaders after they spoke to the Mardan rally on Sunday and apprised them of the Taliban activities and contacts with their leaders in Swat, Malakand and Dir.

The lady told the mulla live on telephone last week that she had prepared two women suicide bombers for the Taliban. The mulla congratulated her, and asked her if these bombers would attack the Army or the police contingents. She replied that these bombers would hit the Taliban leaders.
One of them said a lady from an unspecified location called the FM-91 Radio on which Mulla Khalil, one of the Taliban commanders, issues sermons everyday. The lady told the mulla live on telephone last week that she had prepared two women suicide bombers for the Taliban. The mulla congratulated her, and asked her if these bombers would attack the Army or the police contingents. She replied that these bombers would hit the Taliban leaders.

Another frequent visitor to the Taliban-controlled areas in Swat said he heard last month that these commanders had issued a Wahabi edict against the pirs and the Sufis of the entire NWFP, and declared that "these elements be beheaded by the Taliban activists". The Sunday PPJ rally was addressed by leaders and elders from all walks of life and professions, including political parties.
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India-Pakistan
Mumbai attacks' accused likely to be tried in ATC
2009-01-16
Federal Government has finalized names of three officials in connection with formation of a high level commission to investigate Mumbai attacks. The commission headed by the Additional Director General FIA, Javed Iqbal, comprises Khalid Qureshi and Liaquat Ali Khan as its members. According to sources, the option of sending the commission to India would also be considered if such need arises. Indian authorities will be consulted to send the team to visit the crime scene. The scope of the functioning and authority of the high level commission has been defined. CommitteeÂ's members would be allowed to exchange information directly with Indian investigation agencies so that the process of investigation could be completed at the earliest. Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah confirmed that committee would submit the report to the interior ministry as soon as possible. The report will then be presented to Prime Minister.
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India-Pakistan
Nine injured in imambargah bomb blast
2008-11-25
At least nine worshippers including a woman were injured when a bomb went off in an imambargah in Peshawar's Hussainia Street on Monday.

The bomb was planted on the first floor of the two-storey building, where the caretaker of the imambargah lived. Superintendent of Police Chaudry Ashraf told Daily Times it was low-intensity device weighing three to four kilogrammes and had been placed in a water-cooler in a washroom.

The injured were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital. Doctors said that the victims were in a stable condition. Seven of them had been discharged after first aid and two, including the caretaker Syed Kamal Shah, had been admitted.

Police cordoned off the site after the explosion. Relief work was hampered because the alley was crowded. Windows of nearby houses had been reported damaged.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Interior Adviser Rehman Malik condemned the bombing and ordered a probe.
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India-Pakistan
Top Al-Qaeda leadership apprehended in Hangu, Bara operations: Malik
2008-07-26
(APP): Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman A Malik said on Friday said upto 40 commanders of Al-Qaeda including Amjad and Rafi had been arrested during operations in Hangu and Bara, while 17 security personnel embraced martyrdom.

Malik was talking to journalist at Chaklala Air Base while seeing off the Foreign Minister of United Arab Emirates. Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah was also present. The Advisor said government would go for negotiations to sort out problems of FATA, but he cautioned of stern actions should peace deals done between NWFP Government and tribals fail.

He said operation in Hangu, which was meant for establishing writ of the State there, was conducted on the request of NWFP Government.

Malik told that during his upcoming visit to USA would he discuss strategies against terrorism. He dispelled the impression that the UAE Foreign Minister came to Pakistan for any kind of reconciliation.
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India-Pakistan
Gunships pound Zargari in Hangu
2008-07-20
ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR/ LAHORE: Gunship helicopters pounded militant hideouts in the Zargari town of Hangu district in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. Hangu District Co-ordination Officer Shahab Ali told reporters that the security forces were “combing the area” to drive militants out of the town and its suburbs. Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah said the situation in Hangu district was under control after the military operation.

Talking to reporters in Islamabad after a Senate committee meeting, Shah said Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was behind the violence in the district. The government launched the military crackdown on Wednesday after militants, backed by Mehsud, ambushed a military convoy near Zargari last week and killed 17 troops.
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India-Pakistan
Foreign agencies fanning terror in Pakistan: Shah
2008-01-29
Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah said on Monday that the government had “credible evidence” that “hostile foreign intelligence agencies” were fanning terrorism in Pakistan.
I knew it all along! That Baitullah Mehsud just reeks with the smell of Samoan secret agentry!
He was addressing the Senate’s Standing Committee on Interior Affairs. Shah did not identify the agencies.
"I can say no more!"
“Investigation into Benazir’s killing is going on positively,” he said, without giving details of the probe.

Senator Talha Mahmood, the committee chairman, said they did not press Shah for details. “We asked officials to give a timeframe for the investigation, but they said it would be difficult,” Mahmood told reporters. Sources said he told the meeting that 22 of the 23 people killed in the Liaqat Bagh bombing had been identified, and the fingerprints of the alleged suicide bomber would be verified by NADRA.
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India-Pakistan
Mardan authorities seek additional force to counter Taliban
2008-01-29
Mardan District Nazim Himayutullah Mayar said on Monday that Talibanisation had become a challenge for the Mardan district administration, which has sought additional force and logistic support from the provincial government to counter militancy. Talking to Daily Times, the mayor of the city said, “The district administration has sought additional force and equipment to counter militant activities.”

“Threatening letters to girl schools, NGO offices and CD/video centres in the city and its suburbs have been a common practice of militants. But on January 24, they attacked a vehicle of Caretaker Health Minister Syed Kamal Shah at Bakhshali when he was returning to the city after visiting a basic heath unite in a village,” Mayar added. The caretaker minister, belonging to Mardan, escaped unhurt, however, his guard Hazrat Mohammad suffered serious injuries.

Militants arriving via Kohi-Barmol Hills: Shamozai Union Council Nazim Mohammad Saeed Khan said militants were arriving in Mardan via Kohi-Barmol hills bordering the Swat valley and hiding in these hills, while police were unable to deal with them. “Numerous DVD shops and several schools were bombed recently and principals of some girl schools have received threatening letters. The district administration has been asking for assistance to counter the Talibanisation but the provincial government is yet to take measures to this end,” Saeed Khan
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