Tuesday, March 24, 2009

20 Uzbek terrorists reportedly enter Punjab


LAHORE: It has been reliably learnt that 20 Uzbek terrorists have entered Punjab, Geo news reported on Tuesday.

According to Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sargodha region, Mukhtar Gondal, nearly 20 suspected Uzbek terrorists have entered Punjab who could target Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Bhakkar and Sargodha.

Gondal said that security has been beefed up following the tip-off and search operation is underway. He said Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsood has dispatched the Uzbeks.

Guard killed in suicide attack at Police station


By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—At least two persons including a police constable and suicide bomber were killed and five others injured in a powerful blast at the gate of Special Branch of Police station in Sector G-7 near Sitara Market here on Monday, police and eye witnesses said.
A suspected bomber around 8:00 P.M tried to enter into the Special Branch of Police where he was barred by guards at a checkpoint at the gate as a result he blew himself up, killing one police constable on the spot, witnesses said. The police constable who was killed in the suicide bombing was identified as Faisal. The blast was so loud that it shattered the window panes of the surrounding buildings.
Ambulances and rescue teams reached the scene and initiated rescue operations soon after the attack and collected scattered limbs for forensics and other evidences from the scene. The injured were shifted to Government Services Hospital and Pakistan Institute of Medical sciences were emergency have been declared. “So far only one person had been brought to the Polyclinic hospital whose name is said to be Muhammad Karim”, said doctors engaged with his medical treatment. He, however, said that Karim is out of danger.”
Injured Muhammad Karim is stated to be a computer operator in the building where usually 100 to 150 officers work Advisor Interior Rehman Malik who reached at the scene confirmed that it was suicide attack. He said there were authentic reports of carrying out subversive activities to the intelligence agencies in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The police Cop Faisal, he said scarified his life but he averted a big loss had the suicide bomber entered into the building, Malik added. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani condemned the suicide bomb attack on the offices of special branch police at Sitara Market in Islamabad.In their statements, the President and the Prime Minister said the perpetrators of the heinous terrorist attack will not go unpunished.They ordered the Interior Ministry to hold immediate inquiry into the incident.They directed the hospital authorities to provide best possible medical care to the injured.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman A Malik said the suicide blast at a police station near Sitara Market was carried out by one among the `series of bombers’ who sneaked into the Capital before Long March. “We had a very authentic information that some 15-20 Uzbek suicide bombers were sent by Baitullah Mehsud following a meeting of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),” the Interior Advisor told media on Monday. Malik said a police constable named Faisal embraced martyrdom while trying to stop the suicide bomber who tried to force his way into the premises. “I salute this brave policeman for showing such an act of gallantry,” Malik said. Meanwhile, five other persons were reported wounded in the blast.
The Interior Advisor said security in Islamabad was put on high alert as they had information of today’s attack. Asked as to how could the suicide bomber could make it if elaborate security cover was in place, he said “no effective mechanism has so far been developed anywhere in the world to preempt suicide bombing” (Daily Mail)

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Balcohistan PA passes motion against potential drone attacks


QUETTA: Balochistan Assembly on Saturday unanimously passed a motion against probable U.S. drone attacks.

According to sources, the resolution presented by Jamiat Ulema Islam (F) urged federal government and other institutions to play their due role against possible U.S. drone attacks in Balochistan.

Senior Minister of JUI (F) Maulana Abdul Wasaay said federal government and other bodies should brief United Stated and Nato forces about efforts made against terrorism and tell them that their reservations are baseless.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Attorney general Latif Khosa directs deputy to file review petition


ISLAMABAD: Attorney General Latif Khosa has directed deputy attorney general to file a review petition in Sharif brothers’ eligibility case.

According to sources, Khosa said petition would be filed soon after the detail decision. Deputy Attorney General Agha Tariq will file the petition.

Agha Tariq said he got the message of attorney general regarding petition, which will be filed after reviewing the legal points of previous decision.

Friday, March 13, 2009

India hands over replies to Pakistan

NEW DELHI: In a major development, India has handed over its reply to the 30 questions raised by Pakistan after studying the 26/11 dossier. The Indian dossier runs in 401 pages.

The reply includes CDs and voice intercepts of terrorists.

Speaking on the issue, Home Minister P Chidambaram said, "All of Pakistan's 30 questions related to Mumbai terror attacks have been answered. These replies have been backed with evidence like forensic reports."

Chidambaram also said that if Pakistan is serious, these answers provide them solid base to prosecute.

The Home Minister handed over the replies to Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee who in turn handed it over to Pakistan.