Ploy of WikiLeaks
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wikileaks claimed by the publishers to be genuine set of thousands of confidential papers pertaining to the intelligence agencies including ISI of Pakistan have certainly created a big alarm the world over. The papers allege a direct connection between Taliban and the ISI, and, that too, planning against USA. However, the ground realities negate the same. How could there be a back door covet relationship between the two opposing belligerents who happen to be leaving no opportunity to kill and capture each others men even if it is at the cost of collateral damage?
These leaks are indeed a great ploy which has been orchestrated by the vested quarters who stand gain out of this drama. All this has been planned to put Pakistan under pressure. It is not going to do any good to the relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. The trust deficit which already exists between the two is likely to be further widened.
Labels: Afghan War, US Invasion of Afghanistan, War on Terror
posted @ 6:23 PM,
,
Surge in troops for Pakistan, not Afghanistan!
Monday, December 7, 2009
It is not possible for President Obama to declare a surge against Pakistan. After all, we are allies, and we are not supposed to be fighting on their soil. Why did it take so long to finally endorse the troops requested by General McChrystal?
The excuse came in the form of waiting for Afghan election results, despite the fact that the US knew well in advance that Karzai had no serious competitor. And, as reported earlier, the only possible man who could have had a chance at winning was pressured by the US to withdraw. See U.S. pressured Abdullah Abdullah to withdraw from presidential race.
This afternoon, we heard Richard Holbrooke say: 'no country is more important to our success than Pakistan', during an interview with Fareed Zakaria. He also spoke of the hostility faced by Secretary of State Clinton during her recent visit to Pakistan. We wondered about the same animus in our report: Pakistan: 'Kerry-Lugar bill is unacceptable' - who is the real enemy?
According to all indications, al-Qaeda is no longer operating in Afghanistan. And the number of 'dangerous' Taliban has been reduced to less than one hundred men. The question has already been posed: do we need another 30,000 men to take out 100 men?
Labels: US Pakistan Relations, War on Terror
posted @ 7:58 PM,
,
America not to pursue Taliban leaders in Pakistan
WASHINGTON: Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday that the United States would not pursue the Taliban leaders in Pakistan and that it was up to Islamabad to address the threat posed by the militants on its territory.
His comments followed a report the White House had granted authority to the Central Intelligence Agency to expand a bombing campaign in Pakistan by unmanned aircraft to strike the Taliban and Al-Qaeda figures.
“Pakistan is a sovereign government. We are in a partnership with them. I think at this point it’s up to the Pakistani military to deal with this problem,” Gates told CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
He said the United States has helped Pakistan improve security arrangements for its nuclear arms and is “comfortable” the weapons are secure. “We are comfortable with the security of their weapons,” he said. “We have a good relationship with them. We’ve actually given them assistance in improving some of their security arrangements over the past number of years. This is not a new relationship. And I think just based on the information available to us that gives us the comfort,” he said.
Labels: Taliban, US Pakistan Relations, War on Terror
posted @ 7:01 PM,
,
The beast within
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The terrible aftermath of the Rawalpindi carnage is now before us. Among the 40 dead are children and the elderly. Devastated families organise funerals and try to find ways to cope with their grief. They will, like the thousands of other victims of terror, never fully recover from death that took place so mercilessly and with so little reason. It is of course ironic that the killing took place during Friday prayers – marring an occasion that is most sacred to Muslims. The men behind it clearly have no faith, no morals and no humanity. Yet, despite this, condemnation from our religious leaders has been muffled. We have not heard the kind of outcry that would be expected. Such acts of course can never be condoned. We should all ask ourselves what we can do to protest against them more strongly and urge all those with any kind of influence in society to do the same. We have heard too from people who insist that 'agents' linked to RAW carried out the act. They base their reasoning on the argument that no Muslim would carry out such pure evil. This thinking is flawed. The premise on which it is based has proven to be false again and again. The killers, who grabbed people by their hair, shot them at close range while they still stood on prayer-mats and hurled grenades into the rows of worshippers, come from among us. There is every reason to believe they are not Muslim – on the basis that no true believer would be capable of such brutality, for Islam preaches tolerance and peace and love for all. But they are not outsiders planted by enemies. This is a reality we need to accept so that we can combat it.
There is now a growing sense that the militants may have links to the security apparatus. There have been unconfirmed reports that former police or army personnel could be involved. This is something that needs to be examined in some depth. It is possible that the brainwashing that in the past used 'jihad' as a motive has somehow become distorted and is now being used against the state of Pakistan. Over the past years we have seen many terrible scenes of death. The time has come to contemplate what can be done to ensure a better future. We must consider a programme to de-brainwash the affected. We must reach into madressahs and consider what is happening there. The issues of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and frustration must be addressed. These are giant ones and cannot be tackled overnight. The question is whether our government has the ability, the competence and the will to chalk out a plan to solve these problems and, by doing so, raise the hope that we can escape the violence that has overwhelmed us.
Labels: Suicide Attacks, War on Terror
posted @ 5:36 PM,
,
Army would defend, protect and preserve Pakistan at all costs
RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Saturday reaffirmed that the Army would defend, protect and preserve Pakistan at all costs.
He said this while offering condolences to the bereaved families. The nation, including the Army, stands united in sharing their grief, he said. Having met and talked to these families, he praised their exemplary strength of faith at this moment of trial. ìThis intrinsic strength is a true reflection of the will and resilience of the nation, he said.
The COAS attended funerals of some of Shaheeds of the Friday's tragic terrorist attack, in which officers, soldiers, elders, children and civilians lost their lives. The COAS thanked the nation for their wholehearted support and sympathy at this hour of grief. This spontaneous and overwhelming show of solidarity by the nation with the Army is a treasure, which we deeply value and cherish,î he said.
Pakistan is our motherland. It is the bastion of Islam. We live and die for the glory of Islam and Pakistan. Our faith, resolve and pride in our religion and in our country is an asset, which is further reinforced after each terrorist incident, Gen Kayani said.
The COAS concluded by reaffirming his conviction in the will of the nation to fight all odds. He said the Army, with the help of the people of Pakistan, will Inshallah protect and preserve our core values and interests in a dignified and chivalrous manner.
Labels: Suicide Attacks, War on Terror
posted @ 5:31 PM,
,
Rawalpindi Carnage
Saturday, December 5, 2009
In a highly tragic incident 36 innocent people including 17 children, 10 civilian, 9 Army personnel embraced shahadat when terrorists attacked a mosque in Parade Lane, Rawalpindi. Reportedly 4 terrorists approached a mosque inside officers residential colony in Parade Lane, Rawalpindi Saddar and hurled grenades on Namazies followed by indiscriminate firing. Meanwhile two suicide bombers entered the Mosque and blew themselves killing 35 Namazies who were offering Jumma prayers. Security forces personnel in the area responded immediately and 2 other terrorists were killed in exchange of fire.
Read the names of all martyrs here.
Labels: Terrorism, War on Terror
posted @ 6:02 PM,
,
Al Qaeda in Quetta, Pakistan
PESHAWAR: A US diplomat said here on Friday that some al-Qaeda figures were hiding in Balochistan as the so-called Quetta shura of Afghan Taliban also included members of the Osama bin Laden-led terrorist organisation.
E Candace Putnam, the US Consul General in Peshawar, said American intelligence reports indicated al-Qaeda’s close links not only with the Afghan Taliban but increasingly also with the Pakistani Taliban. She felt all this was in the knowledge of the Pakistani authorities but they may not want to say it openly. “We have to assume that your government and security forces know this,” she told a select group of journalists at the heavily-guarded US consulate.
Putnam said al-Qaeda was working and integrating its activities with the Afghan Taliban, TTP, LeT, Jaish and other groups in the region.
Labels: Al Qaeda, Taliban, US Pakistan Relations, War on Terror
posted @ 1:11 PM,
,
Use of drones in Pakistan to be expanded: NYT
WASHINGTON: The White House has authorised the CIA to expand the use of unmanned aerial drones in Pakistan to track down and strike the suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda members, the New York Times reported on Friday.
The Times, citing unnamed sources, said that authorisation to expand the CIA drone usage in Pakistan’s tribal areas came this week, coinciding with President Barack Obama’s announcement on Tuesday of sending 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan.
Washington is also talking with Pakistani officials about using the drones to strike in Balochistan, the Times reported. Analysts, intelligence agents and foreign officials have widely reported that the Taliban fighters use Balochistan as a base.
Islamabad publicly opposes their use as a violation of its sovereignty, but analysts say that Pakistani officials give their use tacit support.
Criticism of the strikes in Pakistan has lessened in public since a US drone attack killed Pakistan’s much-feared Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud on August 5.
Labels: Anti Terrorism, US Drones, US Pakistan Relations, War on Terror
posted @ 1:09 PM,
,
Pakistan Taliban regrouping outside South Waziristan
Friday, November 27, 2009
Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan - Since the Pakistani army launched a long-awaited offensive last month to destroy the Taliban in South Waziristan, many militants have fled to nearby districts and begun to establish new strongholds, a strategy that suggests they will regroup and remain a potent threat to the country's weak, U.S.-backed government.
Pakistani Taliban militants have escaped primarily to Kurram and Orakzai, districts outside the battle zone but still within Pakistan's largely ungoverned tribal areas along the Afghan border, villagers there say. The military lacks a significant presence in much of these areas, making them an ideal environment for the Islamic militants to regroup.
Newly arrived militants have terrorized Pashtun residents and replenished their coffers through kidnappings and robberies, villagers said during interviews in the Kurram and Orakzai districts. With AK-47s and rocket launchers slung over their shoulders, the militants have begun patrols through the new territory and have set up checkpoints.
Labels: Military Operation in South Waziristan, Taliban, War on Terror
posted @ 4:23 PM,
,
Abdullah Shah Mehsud, the most wanted militant arrested
ISLAMABAD: Security forces have apprehended a most wanted terrorist Abdullah Shah Mehsud with Rs 10 million head money from Tank (the head money has been paid to the informer) during the operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan.
Our Miramshah correspondent adds: Meanwhile, the security forces sought tribesmen help in arresting 19 most wanted militants in NWA and also announced reward for the informers. Tribal sources said pamphlets were dropped from a plane at about 4 pm in different areas of the North Waziristan announcing the reward.
The militants on whom head money announced included Hakimullah Mehsud, (Rs50 million), Qari Hassain, (Rs50 million), Wali Rehman, (Rs50 million), Commander Gurguray, (Rs20 million), Mazloom Yaar, (Rs20 million), Azam Tariq spokesman (Rs20 million), Noor Samad, (Rs20 million), Maulvi Shamim, (Rs20 million), Commander Muhammad Ismail, (Rs20 million), Jalil Mahsud commander, (Rs20 million), Sher Azam commander, (Rs20 million), Shah Faisal Mehsud, (Rs20 million), Nisaruddin, (Rs20 million), Azmatullah Barmand, (Rs20 million), Commander Anwar Kulachi, (Rs10 million), Khan Saeed commander, (Rs10 million), Commander Asmatullah (Rs10 million), Abdul Wahab commander (Rs10 million) and Abdullah Shah (Rs10 million).
Labels: Militants, Taliban, War on Terror
posted @ 12:18 PM,
,
US, India want Pakistan to do more
Thursday, November 26, 2009
WASHINGTON: The US and India on Wednesday welcomed the indictment of seven men by an anti-terror court in Rawalpindi in connection with the Mumbai attacks, but said a lot more needed to be done to curb such attacks. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he welcomed Pakistani steps to rein in extremists, but called for more action, while the US said the indictment was an “important step”. Pakistan has pledged it would do what is necessary to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice,” a State Department official said. “...but a lot more needs to be done to make sure these types of attacks don’t emanate anywhere from Pakistani soil,” the official added. afp
Labels: Extremism, Terrorism, War on Terror
posted @ 4:04 PM,
,
Army capable of fighting terror war
PESHAWAR: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said the nation is fighting the war against terrorism like a solid rock and every citizen has matchless spirit of making his contribution in efforts to curb the menace faced by the country.
He expressed these views while addressing the convocation of the seventh batch of the Khyber Institute of Technical Education (KITE) here on Wednesday. Corps Commander Lt-Gen Muhammad Masood Aslam, high ranking officials, tribal elders and students of the KITE were present on the occasion.
Labels: Military Operations, War on Terror
posted @ 3:29 PM,
,
Blackwater’s secret war in Pakistan?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
At a covert forward operating base run by the US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in Karachi, members of an elite division of Blackwater are at the centre of a secret programme in which they plan targeted assassinations of suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives, “snatch and grabs” of high-value targets and other sensitive action inside and outside Pakistan, an investigation by The Nation has found.
The Blackwater operatives also assist in gathering intelligence and help direct a secret US military drone bombing campaign that runs parallel to the well-documented CIA Predator strikes, according to a well-placed source within the US military intelligence apparatus.
The source, who has worked on covert US military programmes for years, including in Afghanistan and Pakistan, has direct knowledge of Blackwater’s involvement.
He spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity because the program is classified. The source said that the programme is so “compartmentalised” that senior figures within the Obama administration and the US military chain of command may not be aware of its existence.
The White House did not return calls or email messages seeking comment for this story. Capt John Kirby, the spokesperson for Adm Michael Mullen, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told The Nation, “We do not discuss current operations one way or the other, regardless of their nature.”
A defence official, on background, specifically denied that Blackwater performs work on drone strikes or intelligence for JSOC in Pakistan.
“We don’t have any contracts to do that work for us. We don’t contract that kind of work out, period,” the official said. “There has not been, and is not now, contracts between JSOC and that organisation for these types of services.”
The previously unreported programme, the military intelligence source said, is distinct from the CIA assassination programme that the agency’s director, Leon Panetta, announced he had cancelled in June 2009. “This is a parallel operation to the CIA,” said the source. “They are two separate beasts.”
Labels: Black Water, Governance, US Pakistan Relations, War on Terror
posted @ 12:03 PM,
,
Wrong scanners bought
SLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry is buying scanners to be installed at roads to check explosives being brought into cities by terrorists but ironically, the selected models lack the vital capability of detecting explosives from a distance (as in other available models) and this critical deficiency could make all the difference between an apprehended shipment or another bomb blast right in front of one of these very scanning posts, sources told The News.
The News was told that two scanners were purchased from China, to be used by Customs, to detect smuggled items, including drugs and explosives.
Interior Ministry sources said security agencies had demanded seven scanners having the specific capability of detecting explosive material, which cost Rs 5 billion and these also had complete Excess Control System (ECS) whereas the inferior systems were being bought for a much higher price tab of Rs 9 billion.
The sources also said that the purchased scanners are not human friendly and their radiation levels were too dangerous for human body.
According to technical experts, jots or particles of explosive materials are unstable and continuously puff out in the air. They say that specially made scanners, recommended by the security agencies, catch particles and alarm the operator from a distance of over 400 yards regarding the presence of explosive material.
They said that unfortunately the scanners purchased could detect the dangerous explosive only after the vehicles would pass close by them and thereby explosive could explode in the very ascertainment process.
The sources said that the Islamabad police demanded seven explosive detecting scanners with ECS to install on seven sensitive entry points of the capital city, including the Red Zone.
The estimated cost of the complete system, including seven explosive scanners was Rs5 billion but the people involved in the deal rejected the proposal of the actual requirement and decided to purchase unrelated scanners on over-estimated price, allegedly, for kickback and commission.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik when contacted said that the scanners, imported from China were multi purpose as they had the capability of detecting explosive material as well as narcotics hidden in vehicles. He denied any commission or kickback was involved in the deal.
The minister said a shipment of two huge scanners has reached Pakistan, which would be installed at major roads of the Capital, adding, while a consignment of mobile scanners would arrive soon.
He said that mobile scanners would be provided to all provinces. The minister expressed ignorance about the quality and type of scanners, and said, “The quality and type of scanners was finalized by a board of experts of atomic energy commission (AEC) while the deal and financial matters were settled by the Planning Division.”
Labels: Corruption, Governance, War on Terror
posted @ 11:59 AM,
,
Military operation likely in Khyber Agency
Monday, November 23, 2009
BARA: Another full-fledged military operation is anticipated as scores of soldiers equipped with latest weapons and backed by artillery guns arrived in different areas of Bara subdivision in Khyber Agency on Sunday.
Sources told The News that over 1,000 personnel of security forces, equipped with artillery guns and rocket launchers, were stationed in different areas of Bara Tehsil.The decision about deploying security forces and launching a fresh operation against the militants and miscreants, the sources added, was taken by the federal government after several incidents of bomb blasts in Peshawar and elsewhere in the province and killing of scores of innocent people.
Some sources disclosed that the operation would be launched in Khyber and Orakzai Agencies simultaneously to purge the two tribal regions of the militants and protect the provincial metropolis and other major cities from the insurgents’ onslaught.
It is believed that suicide bombers are being trained in the neighbouring Orakzai Agency and then sent to settled parts of the province, particularly the Peshawar city, via Bara in Khyber Agency. The sources added that fleeing militants from South Waziristan also used to sneak into Peshawar and other districts of the NWFP for subversive acts.
Labels: Anti Terrorism, Khyber Agency, War on Terror
posted @ 4:05 PM,
,
IDPs from South Waziristan and winter
Thursday, November 19, 2009
As winter sets in over Waziristan, the over 300,000 people reported by the UN to have fled the area have now begun to move beyond the neighbouring districts of Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, where they have so far been based. With little prospect of being able to return to abandoned homes till after the snows melt away, IDPs are headed to larger cities in search of work to sustain them over this period. Some say they are also fearful of clashes breaking out in D I Khan, where persons from rival tribes have all sought shelter. It is also clear that the IDPs from South Waziristan have not received the level of help offered to those from Swat. Requests from international humanitarian agencies to be permitted to work with the IDPs have been turned down by authorities on the grounds of security.
These concerns are valid, but as a consequence men, women and children who have played no part in militancy suffer. Even the International Committee of the Red Cross, known internationally as a body that is neutral, has been prevented from visiting the conflict zone or even areas where IDPs are based. With the advent of winter certain to impose a prolonged period of displacement, it is vital that the situation be reviewed. Ensuring that the people of Waziristan receive adequate support goes beyond immediate humanitarian needs of the old, the sick, the very young or the vulnerable. Wining the trust of these people is of utmost importance and this could prove a vital factor in the future to ensure that victory in Waziristan over the militants is sustained and indeed built upon to guarantee the future of the territory.
Labels: IDPs, Military Operation in South Waziristan, War on Terror
posted @ 9:26 AM,
,
Hasty and untimely withdrawal from Afghanistan could be disastrous
LONDON: Pakistan warned the concluding 55th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly against any hasty and untimely withdrawal from Afghanistan saying such move could be disastrous for the region.
The head of the Pakistani delegation Senator Syed Nayyar Husain Bukhari, while addressing the participants in Edinburgh on Wednesday, dispelled the Western misperceptions about Pakistan’s commitment towards ongoing war on terrorism.
He drew the world attention towards Kashmir issue as a perpetual source of regional insecurity and instability and urged them to persuade India to commence stalled negotiations on the resolution of this long- standing issue.
Keeping in view Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns, the Committee adopted two major amendments in the draft resolutions, which were related to insertion of a paragraph urging India and Pakistan to open a dialogue on Kashmir and deletion of a negative reference expressing ambiguity over Pakistanís stance towards extremists.
Instead, the Committee, while appreciating Pakistanís pivotal role, decided to acknowledge country’s increasing efforts to eliminate terrorism.
Labels: US Invasion of Afghanistan, War on Terror
posted @ 9:16 AM,
,
Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah 'flees Pakistan'
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
One of the most wanted Taliban leaders in Pakistan has escaped to Afghanistan and is planning new attacks on Pakistani forces, he has told the BBC.
Maulana Fazlullah founded the Swat Taliban to enforce a hardline version of Islamic law.
The government at first accepted his demands, but later accused the militants of reneging on a peace deal and sent troops into the valley.
Maulana Fazlullah was said by officials to have been wounded or killed in July.
Threats
"I have reached Afghanistan safely," Maulana Fazlullah told BBC Urdu.
"We are soon going to launch full-fledged punitive raids against the army in Swat."
Labels: Swat Operation, War on Terror
posted @ 8:57 AM,
,
CIA and ISI
Monday, November 16, 2009
It has given hundreds of millions to the ISI, for operations as well as rewards for the capture or death of terrorist suspects. Despite fears of corruption, it is money well-spent, ex-officials say.
Reporting from Washington - The CIA has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to Pakistan's intelligence service since the Sept. 11 attacks, accounting for as much as one-third of the foreign spy agency's annual budget, current and former U.S. officials say.
The Inter-Services Intelligence agency also has collected tens of millions of dollars through a classified CIA program that pays for the capture or killing of wanted militants, a clandestine counterpart to the rewards publicly offered by the State Department, officials said.
The payments have triggered intense debate within the U.S. government, officials said, because of long-standing suspicions that the ISI continues to help Taliban extremists who undermine U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and provide sanctuary to Al Qaeda members in Pakistan.
Labels: CIA, ISI, US Pakistan Relations, War on Terror
posted @ 12:56 PM,
,
Criminal neglect in checking of explosives
Sunday, November 15, 2009
ISLAMABAD: While the pilferage of high explosives and detonators is risking the lives of the people, the authorities are showing a criminal neglect in checking the manufacture, distribution and use of these lethal mass killer products.
Documents reveal that the ISI found a blasting company in Qilla Saifullah a few months back being involved in the sale of high explosives to unauthorised persons. On the basis of the ISIís report, the company’s license was cancelled by the Ministry of Industries on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry. However, the Interior Ministry got back to the Ministry of Industries within 10 days and sought the revival of the license. The Industries Ministry revived the license, ignoring a three-page charge-sheet issued by the department of explosives against the same company. Minister for Industries Watto, however, expressed his unawareness about the case whereas the Interior Ministry spokesman was not available for comments.
Labels: War on Terror
posted @ 9:54 AM,
,
