Professional Documents
Culture Documents
[NNI report: "Bullets Can Target Chests of Media Men Also: Lashkar-e Jhangvi"]
"We appeal to the entire Sunni trader community that they should not
take part in any strike or rally of the Shiites, otherwise, they will
face terrible consequences." He also severely criticized the
organization of a traders' community.
[ANN news agency report: Uzbek Group Came to Karachi Two Weeks Ago,
Visited Mehran Base; Mobile Recovered ]
suicide bombers for attacks. Most of the youth in the organization are
aged between 16 and 25 years. The sources say the group that took part
in the attack had smattering of Urdu.
The group had come to Karachi two weeks ago to launch attack on Mehran
Base where Usman group of Taliban made arrangements for its stay and
was assigned the task of monitoring the area. Some people at Mehran
Base informed the group about the way-in and positions of the cameras.
The group visited Mehran Base a few days ago in this connection. The
day for the operation was chosen by Jihad Union at its own and the
objective of the mission was to destroy the US-made aircraft. Some
colleagues of the group kept on watching the action from a distance
and later fled away with [some] attackers. It is stated that those
escaping went to Korangi and Defense areas. The sources say that as
the identity of two out of four terrorists has been established, the
investigation agencies are convinced that the terrorists who escaped
can be arrested. High alert has been sounded in the country after this
situation. In this connection, four arrested navy officers are being
investigated, who have been tried in court martial for contacts with
terrorists.
News, a
because they took place in the conflict-hit areas of the country, and
were considered within the context of the insurgency and militant
violence in those areas rather than as a specific attempt by the
militants to target those places. However, 2010 was a watershed in
this regard as most major Sufi shrines in the country--including the
shrines of Data Ganj Bakhsh (Lahore), Abdullah Shah Ghazi (Karachi),
Baba Fareeduddin Ganjshakar (Pakpattan) and Sakhi Sarwar (Dera Ghazi
Khan)--were targeted. The attacks fueled extensive media coverage and
discussions.
Date
Place
Shrines
Killed
Injured
Apr 3, 2011
D.G.Khan
(Two Attacks)
Sakhi Sarwar Shrine
50
100
Feb 3, 2011
Larri Addah
area,
Lahore
Haider Saint Shrine
3
30
Jan 3, 2011
Angoor Adda area,
South Wazirstan Agency
Mussa Neeka Shrine
-
3
3
Oct 7, 2010
Karachi/Sindh
Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shahid shrine
9
75
Lahore
Shrine
2
July 1, 2010
Data Ganj Bakhsh
Lahore/Punjab
Data Ganj Bakhsh Shrine
At least 40 persons were killed and 175 others injured when three
suicide attackers blew themselves up inside the shrine of Lahore's
patron saint Syed Ali Hajwairi popularly known as Data Gunj Bakhsh, at
about 11 pm (PST) in the night.
45
175
Jan 5, 2010
Satori Khel area
Orakzai Agency
Seven Shrines
-
March 5, 2009
Hazarkhwani area
Peshawar
Rehman Baba's Shrine Attacked, Famous Pashtun Traditional Islamic Poet
-
May 8, 2009
Peshawar
Sheikh Omar Baba's shrine in Peshawar
-
March 7, 2009
Nowshera
Shrine of Bahadur Baba in Nowshera
1
-
March 3, 2008
Bara
Khyber Agency
A 400-year-old shrine of Abu Saeed Baba
in Bara Tehsil Khyber Agency
10
-
May 7, 2008
Peshawar
The shrine of Ashaab Baba
-
Dec 9, 2008
Buner
District Swat
The shrine of Hazrat Pir Baba
1
4
Total
24
200
542
15
The game has now gone out of the control of the Inter Services
Intelligence [ISI] and Army, and it has become impossible to block the
Taliban power in Punjab. They have become active against all the state
institutions, and their designs against other sects and minorities
have come to the fore.
The ISI is in fix, and the Army is also left with limited options. Now
the situation is such that the ISI is making efforts to withhold the
information it extracted from terrorists after interrogation.
Moreover, it is being considered dangerous to make public the links
between the security agencies and perpetrators of attacks on Pervez
Musharraf, General Headquarters [GHQ] and the ISI centers in Lahore,
Multan Peshawar, and Faisalabad, and ties with extremist outfits of
Punjab.
The gravity of situation can be understood from the fact that when
terrorists held the Pakistan Army's top brass hostage in GHQ, the ISI
chief requested the chiefs of the Sipah-e-Sahaba, Lashkar-e-Taiyiba
[LeT], Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and Jaish-e-Muhammad in Punjab by telephone
to help save those officials. It can be assessed from this incident
that what power centers in Punjab are and where they are located.
The LeT's governing offices are located in Muridke and Lahore. The
Sipah-e-Sahaba is controlled from Jhang. The Lashkar-e-Jhangvi takes
directions from Rahimyar Khan and Karachi, and the Jaish-e-Muhammad is
linked with its center in Bahawalpur.
The government does not have any mechanism to stop or monitor similar
assistance. Successive governments, under foreign pressure, have made
half-hearted attempts regarding syllabi of these seminaries and their
registration. However, the powerful agencies come to these seminaries'
rescue, and governments stop this process. The powerful agencies come
to the rescue of these seminaries and governments stop their job. The
only reason for this type of intervention by the powerful agencies is
to save these jihadist organizations from any type of accountability.
Following the damage done by these extremists to the state and the
security agencies themselves, it always appears that the powerful
agencies have renounced assistance to them. This is such a wishful
thinking that cannot be cured because it has never materialized into
action. This horrifying tradition of willful neglect continues with
full force, and despite identification, these characters in Punjab,
about whom there is no ambiguity now, are being ignored.
Moreover, the United States has also asked for the arrest of five
Al-Qa'ida and Taliban commanders Dr Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Mullah Muhammad
Thirdly, Mullah Nazir and Hafiz Gul Bahadur groups in North Waziristan
have kept some effective tribes, in particular Wazir tribe, away from
this war against Pakistan which Baitullah Mehsud and his predecessor
Hakimullah Mehsud had triggered in unison with the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
and other sectarian groups and Mehsud tribe.
The death of Usama Bin Ladin has cemented the decision of the US
military withdrawal and senior political colleagues like Joe Biden
told the US president not to deviate an inch from the roadmap declared
during 2009 so that the US economy could be saved from destruction.
The United States also fear that with their withdrawal, the spirits of
the Afghan Taliban will go up and the Haqqani Network through its
actions in the areas adjacent to North Waziristan will shred the peace
of Afghanistan into pieces.
The eight to nine years of war have swayed the Pakistani society,
state agencies, and system of defense and security. It is hard to cope
with these acts of terrorism for too long because several global
players are intent on settling their old scores with Pakistan and the
United States is supporting them in every possible way.
The United States itself wants result-oriented and decisive talks with
the Taliban but it is showing Pakistan a path of war against the same
groups. These groups, so far, have been avoiding engaging in any clash
with Pakistan and they have capability to play a positive role during
the talks between and among the United States, Pakistan, and the
Taliban at some stage.
The United States fears that these groups may create tumult in
Afghanistan after the US withdrawal and Afghan Army cannot take on
these groups which the Pentagon has prepared with a huge amount of $28
billion and trained then along the global standards of professional
training.
Punjab. The police sources say such information was being received
that the terrorists of LeJ in Karachi were being operated from south
Punjab. The source said that even if the terrorists, who launched
attack on Mehran base had come from outside, they would have enjoyed
full support of their Karachi-based comrades and the arrangements for
lodging and provision of weapons would have been made by the
terrorists present in Karachi. The investigation agencies have started
investigation in this connection. Officer of an investigation agency
told the Ummat, on condition of anonymity, that all the groups of
defunct LeJ have merged into defunct TTP and when these terrorists
commit some sectarian act of terrorism, they call themselves as
members of defunct LeJ and when they attack security forces, they call
themselves Taliban. The officer of investigation agency said there are
tip offs that the terrorists of LeJ, belonging to southern Punjab, can
carry out more terror acts. The source said that CID police has been
mobilized in this regard but investigation are being held, in the
first phase, as to wherefrom the terrorists enter into Mehran base. In
this regard, the federal Interior Minister, Rehman Malik said the
assailants entered from the rear wall of the Faisal Base in
juxtaposition of the checkpoint No 9. They were carrying two ladders.
They cut the barbed wire and cable of secret cameras and then they
target two P-3 Orion aircraft parked in and outside the hanger of
Mehran Base. Four terrorists were killed in the encounter while two
escaped. Two of them were killed in exchange of fire while the
remaining two blew themselves up. Their dead bodies are beyond
recognition. It may be recalled that the team that the interior
minister had got constituted immediately after the incident was
The Ummat has learned that it had become clear after half an hour of
the attac k that the terrorists had entered from the rear wall. The
intelligence agencies recovered two ladders while foot prints of four
to five persons were traced. Immediately afterwards, heavy contingents
of rangers cordoned off the area. 16 km-long jurisdiction of Faisal
Base spread from Drug Road, Shah Faisal Colony No 4, Shah Faisal
Colony 5, Baloch Colony, to KESC Grid Station. The investigation
agencies started interrogation about the terrorists in neighborhoods
on both sides of the drain in juxtaposition of checkpoint No 9. The
rain drain adjacent to the rear wall is nearly 200 feet wide. The
local population lives nearly 350 to 400 ft away from the boundary
wall. A footpath leads upwards along the drainage from embankment of
Malir drainage at Shah Faisal Colony and near the cantonment pump
house. Ghausia Colony is situated in juxtaposition of the boundary
wall that is called as shanty town of Shah Faisal Colony No 5. It has
a population of some 24,000 inhabitants and the settlement spreads
from the said place to Malir drainage. There are poultry farms beyond
the Ghousia Colony and the shanty town is situated near the boundary
wall and is comprised of a few cottages. Non-locals doing farming live
along the boundary wall. However, later this place was illegally given
the name of Shah Faisal Colony No 6. Approximately 200 homes have been
built here and people hailing from Hyderabad and other cities of Sind
are living in some 40 cottages situated here, some Urdu-speaking
people also live here.
The terrorists crossed over the boundary wall when the power supply to
the area was cut off at its scheduled time, 10 p.m. First blast
occurred inside the Mehran base at 2225. The officer of an
intelligence agency told the Ummat that shanty town and Ghausia Colony
were cordoned off in wake of the incident because it was probable that
the assailants were either living in rented houses or living as
guests. The population is far away from the city, and plots or
cottages are easily available for100,000 to 200,000 rupees, while a
home is available for rent for a few hundred rupees. A large tract is
empty nearby while the garbage of Shah Faisal Town is dumped near the
drainage. The Malir drainage joins it where people have been given
She said that some one came to the settlement after an hour or so to
collect information and personnel in plain took many inmates along
with them.
The Ummat has learned that cottage settlement and Ghausia Colony were
thoroughly checked after act of terrorism at Mehran Base. A resident
of Ghausia Colony said it appears that the intelligence agencies are
suspecting that the terrorists were present in the cottage settlement
or Ghausia Colony and attacked the Mehran base when it was black out.
On the other hand, police are investigating as to how the assailants
reached the boundary wall and how they crossed over 200 ft wide
drainage and how they reached with without being noticed by the
personnel present on checkpoint and secret monitoring cameras
installed there. No eyewitness was found vis--vis the terrorist act.
It could not be known yet as well as how the accused person fled and
where they went during the commando operation.
Since ISI [Inter Services Intelligence] was at war with India through
JeM and LeT, training camps were established in areas ranging from
Muzaffarabad to Mansehra, Murree, Bahawalnagar, and South Waziristan,
where the jihadists were given guerilla training. The militants of SS
and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi [LeJ] were also admitted to these camps.
Apparently, these militants would express willingness to fight Kashmir
jihad; however, wiping out the opponent sect was their real objective
and they used to carry out attacks every now and then to achieve this
objective. That is what accounts for the fact that workers of SS and
JeJ were very few among the Pakistani mujahidin who fought Kashmir
jihad. Most of the martyrs belonged to LeT while second most belonged
to JeM. In this entire struggle, ISI very secretly made such financing
arrangements for these militants that the springs of this funding
continue to flow as smoothly as ever. The trained staff of the
Pakistan Army's intelligence agencies used to be deployed in Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai in the
guise of diplomats to raise funds for these holy warriors. These
officials, who had all kinds of diplomatic facilities, would introduce
the militants leaders to the rich Arab traders and they would start
getting aid in the name of seminaries to continue the jihadist
mission. Similar methods were used to forge contacts with the
governments and wealthy people of countries like Iraq, Libya, and
Syria.
state to stop the flow of the foreign funding for jihad and sectarian
killings or to order any inquiry into it. Things reached a point where
the financers of the jihadist groups started to send funds through
firms like Western Union. This is so despite the fact that, after the
9/11 incident, the FBI and other western intelligence agencies were
bound to check all the records of the concerns like Western Union and
Money Gram.
which are funded like this include some which are not involved in any
kind of jihad or sectarianism inside or outside the country. However,
it will be difficult to predict as to what turn their aims and
objectives will take in future because some religious parties, which
used to be peaceful some time ago, have now got involved in these
sectarian wars. It is very difficult to stop these religious parties
which are moving on the track of religious extremism and sectarianism.
Cutting off the supply of funds from inside and outside the country to
these organizations is even more difficult. The involvement of
powerful and adventurous state institutions is the important reason
for it. These institutions have been taking help from these jihadist
and sectarian groups and parties at different times at internal and
external fronts and are unwilling to give up this practice.
Time: 9 AM - 3 PM
The 2nd annual Imam Azam Abu Haneefa bin Sabat seminar
Location:
Time: 9 AM - 3 PM
With the prayers of Azizur Rehman Hazarwee and Maulana Zahoor Ahmed Halvee
Maulana Syed Mohammed Abdulul Khabir Azad, Imam of Badshai Mosque, Lahore
www.alittehaad.org, www.ahnafmedia.com
By invitation only
Email: markazhanfi@gmail.com
Civil Hospital"]
The Ummat has further learned that the man who used to visit Kashif in
the Prison ward had been giving a hefty amount of money to police
officials deployed in the ward every time. Meanwhile, one of the five
police officials on duty, Head Constable Shamsuddin is still at large.
It is suspected that he was in contact with the banned LeJ. However,
the real facts will emerge after his arrest. The police official
reportedly belongs to the Saraiki belt in southern Punjab.
prisoners from the City Court and government hospitals. The security
arrangements in the City Court and Civil Hospital are such that any
prisoners can escape any time with the help of his colleagues. It is
also very difficult to re-arrest these dangerous accused. The
incidents of fleeing of dangerous prisoners have increased because of
negligence and criminal carelessness of the police in the court and
lock-up of the City Court.
against the accused, perhaps the incident of his escape would have not
happened.
In this context, Raja Tariq told the Ummat that when Alauddin was
arrested, it was presumed that he is the ring leader of a group
involved only in bank robberies in Gadap, Orangi Town and other areas.
However, when he was interrogated, he made many disclosures and it
came to light that he is the most important member of the TTP in
Karachi and he has sent millions of rupees, which he got through bank
robberies and kidnapping for ransom, to Waziristan. Alauddin used to
keep with him only five percent of the money to meet his own
expenditures and that of the members of his gang. It had also come to
know that he enjoyed close contacts with Shuja Haider, commander of
Jundullah in Karachi, and he made last contact with Haider during
encounter with police in Orangi Town and asked him to come for his
help if possible, otherwise inform his mother about his 'martyrdom'.
However, Haider could not reach for his help due to the reason that at
that time Rangers, besides heavy police contingents, had cordoned off
the bank building. Inspector Tariq added that a few months before this
incident, a close colleague of Alauddin alias doctor was killed in a
house in hilly Mangopir while making a bomb.
The Ummat has come to know through important sources that Haider, the
commander of Jundullah in Karachi, had got released TTP and LeJ
activists from the prison ward of the Civil Hospital. Investigations
are underway in this regard.
It may be recalled that this was not the first operation to get
released accused of banned organizations. Earlier, members of
Jundullah had attacked the City Court in 2010 when four members of the
group, which included Murtaza Ilyas Shakil, Shaikl Farooqi, Wazir
Muhammad and Murad Shah, arrested by SIU [Special Intelligence Unit]
were being produced in the court. They were involved in over 25
incidents of terrorism. After their arrest, CCPO [capital city police
officer], Waseem Ahmed had proudly addressed a press conference.
However, the colleagues of the accused attacked the City Court and got
released the accused by martyring a police official. The
investigations of important cases, which beside others, included blast
on Ashura [martyrdom day of Hazard Imam Hussain], came to a standstill
with the escape of dangerous accused. After the incident, judicial
staff and lawyers launched a strong protest and IG [Inspector General]
Sind [police] and CCPO were demanded to resign immediately because
police had failed to provide appropriate security for high profile
accused. After the incident, an issue was also raised that security in
the City Court and other courts should be upgraded because now accused
belonging to banned organizations and accused involved in terrorism
are being produced in the courts besides accused involved in murder,
attempted murder, theft and other traditional cases. However, the
traditional system of security prevailed when the dust settled down
after the incident. The result was that a number of prisoners
succeeded to escape from City Court in 2010, which broke all previous
records.
In this context, the Ummat has come to know through important sources
that whenever dangerous accused succeed to escape fro m the City Court
and other places, the speed of crimes suddenly increases. Giving an
example, a CCU [common control unit] officer said that incidents of
kidnapping for ransom have increased after the release of the LeJ
accused on 15 May.
When the Ummat analyzed the prison ward of the Civil Hospital to
review escape of prisoners and negligence of police, it came to know
that the prison ward has been closed after the escape of prisoners.
Security arrangements, including placing iron grills on doors and
windows, are being made. In addition to increasing the number of beds
in the ward, secret cameras are being installed to avoid recurrence of
any such incident. A police official in the prison ward on the
condition of anonymity told the Ummat that when the terrorists carried
out operation to get the accused freed, four police officials deputed
at the ward had gone for breakfast at 0700. and there was only one
police official in the ward, who was guarding six dangerous prisoners.
He said that it often happens that central gate of the prison ward is
locked up from inside. The gate is only opened when an acquaintance is
on the gate otherwise the gate is not opened. However, on that day,
the police official on duty opened the gate on the arrival of
terrorists. It may be recalled that after the escape of prisoners, a
case No. 147/2011 was registered in Eidgah Police Station against five
police officials deployed in the prison ward, in which very hard
clauses including, 222, 225, 392, 397 and 337, were imposed against
them. The police officials against whom the case has been registered,
included Inspector Abdullah Hameed, Constable Qazi Kamran, Constable
Muhammad Fahim, Constable Moeen Ansari and Head Constable Shamsuddin.
However, Head Constable Shamsuddin had fled from the scene when the
remaining four police officials were arrested and locked up in Eidgah
Police station. The investigation was assigned to Inspector Rais of
Eidgah Police Station.
The Ummat has come to know that the accused have escaped from the
prison ward of the Civil Hospital in the past as well. Despite that,
only six police officials were deployed for security in the prison
ward and often one of them remained present on duty. It was known well
to all concerned officers that how much high profile were the accused
prisoners being treated in the ward for the past one month. It has
come to know about the City Court lock-up that no steps have been
taken to improve the situation despite fleeing of dozens of prisoners
from here and the same traditional system is being run.
The Ummat has come to know through sources that the number of accused
fled from the City Court in 2011 has reached 13 whereas only one
accused has fled from Malir Court. Similarly, two accused have fled
from the prison ward of the Civil Hospital. As a whole, 16 accused
have fled in five months. The Head Clerk of the City Court, Nadeem
told the Ummat in this context that Police of the City Court Police
Station is taking special steps for the last few months which have
resulted in the considerable decrease in the number of fleeing
prisoners. He said that he registered case of escape of only one
prisoner in 2011. An accused of the PIB Police Station, Khan, alias
Essa, had fled from the City Court on 13 January by getting his
handcuff freed from the policeman. At this case No 2/2011 was
The Ummat, in this connection, has come to know that the Quetta CID
police had apprised senior officers of the fact that the proscribed
Lashkar-e Jhangvi outfit was getting stronger. The report identified
the areas where the terrorists of the proscribed Lashkar-e Jhangvi
were getting back to their feet. The source has also stated that the
terrorists had used a 9-mm pistol in the murder of Abrar Hussain.
Even on earlier occasions, the terrorists had used 9-mm pistols only
in the incidents of sectarian terrorism in Quetta. In this
connection, investigation department officer Shafqat Mehmood told the
Ummat that the FIR Number 72/2011 of Olympian Abrar Hussain murder was
moved by his brother Syed Ijaz Hussain Shah. The investigating
officer says that there is sufficient progress in the murder probe and
a sketch of a terrorist has also been prepared, which has proved very
helpful in tracing out the terrorists. Five spent cartridges of 9-mm
pistol have been found at the scene of the murder and these have been
recovered and sent to the forensic laboratory. Initial investigation
reveals that this is an incident of sectarian terrorism and that the
terrorists involved in this case will be arrested soon.
2. Afghan Taliban
Afghanistan is their home. However, the western media claim that the
3. Pakistani Taliban
4. Sectarian Organizations
5. Separatist Groups
6. Anti-India Groups
Dutch, the French, the Italians, the Spanish, the Belgians, the
Germans, the Austrians, and so on, occupied Muslim areas. They
subjected the Muslims to atrocities and plundered the local resources.
The leaders of the Islamic movements felt helpless when they saw that
the Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, the Philippines, Thailand,
Yugoslavia, Burma, Chechnya, and Central Asia continued to be
On the other hand, the Muslim rulers were content to make oral
protests. Their inaction and insensitivity engendered the theory,
first of all in Egypt, that it was imperative to get rid of the
incapable, corrupt, and greedy rulers, the western stooges, before
fighting the imperialist powers. This theory saw Anwar al-Sadat
murdered. Ayman al-Zawahiri, a central and spiritual leader of
Al-Qa'ida, is the most active proponent of this theory. It is he who
provided the ideological foundations to Al-Qa'ida and then war was
opened against imperialism with the funds of Usama Bin Ladin.
Prior to 9/11, the Islamic leaders did not apply this theory to the
Pakistani Government. However, when General Pervez Musharraf's regime
shook hands with the United States, the greatest imperialist power of
the modern world, all the Muslim leaders stood against him. In 2002,
General Pervez Musharraf sent the Army into the FATA and thus made
some tribes enemies of the Pakistani Government. Then, in 2004, he
declared the Islamic organizations fighting against the Indian
occupiers in occupied [Indian-administered] Kashmir "terrorists."
Senior Al-Qa'ida leader Ilyas Kashmiri became active against the
Pakistani Government only after this act. Otherwise, he had been
actively involved in the Kashmir jihad previously.
legal status by joining hands with the imperialist powers (the United
States and the United Kingdom); therefore, waging jihad against it is
legitimate. The militants belonging to the middle and lower class
also regard the Pakistani Government as corrupt. It is under this
ideology that they are attacking the Pakistani government
installations. Some of these organizations tend toward extremism.
For example, they hold the ideology that the Muslims who do not agree
with their ideas and ideologies also deserve to be killed.
The Muslims across the world who hate the western imperialist powers
are supporters of all the organizations of the Islamic world,
including Al-Qa'ida, which are fighting against the West. They
believe these organizations are the Islamic vanguards against the
western military and cultural invasion. However, the Muslim
governments are engaged in wiping them out after declaring them to be
terrorists.
[Box]
Network of Organizations
[End of Box]
Syed Qutab Azzam, Imamul Sharif, and Ayman al-Zawahiri were the
creators of the religious ideologies under which Al-Qa'ida and other
Muslim o rganizations waged international jihad. Imam Sharif's
jihadist books were taught at the war training centers of Al-Qa'ida.
However, in 2007, Al-Qa'ida suffered a huge ideological setback when
Imamul Sharif announced the abandoning of his ideology. His basic
point was that the change cannot be brought about with the bullet.
Moreover, confessing his mistake, he insisted that there are specific
conditions for jihad and Al-Qa'ida's international jihad does not meet
these conditions. Moreover, he raised strong objections to the
attacks on children, women, and citizens, which are forbidden in
Islam.
relations with foreign powers (the United States, India, and Israel).
A few days after giving the news conference about this, Qari Zainuddin
Mehsud was murdered. Similarly, the telephone numbers of the leaders
of the Tehrik-e-Taliban were recovered from the cellular telephones of
Raymo nd Davis, an officer of the US CIA. Moreover, in the recent
attack in Karachi, the attackers belonging to Al-Qa'ida or the
Tehrik-e-Taliban specifically targeted the P-3 Orion aircraft, which
were used for the surveillance of the enemy's activities in the water.
Their destruction has benefited India the most, as the Pakistan Navy
has lost its eyes and ears.
The need of hour is that all the Pakistanis unite to fight the
problems so that the dear motherland can be put on the road of
progress and prosperity. There is no other way of pulling ourselves
[Box]
Ilyas Kashmiri won global fame in 1994 when, along with his
companions, he attacked New Delhi. He wanted to get his mujahid
friends released from Indian imprisonment. He held several Israeli,
US, and UK tourists hostage and took them to Ghaziabad (near Delhi).
He wanted the release of his friends in exchange for their release.
However, the Indian commandos attacked his hideout. Ilyas Kashmiri
fought and escaped. Militant Shaykh Umar, who later kidnapped famous
US journalist Daniel Pearl, also participated in this operation, which
was named "Al-Hadeed."
In 2002, when the extremist Hindus bathed the Muslims in blood in the
Indian province of Gujrat, this horrible incident enraged Ilyas
Kashmiri. He swore that he would teach the Indian Army a lesson.
Before conducting the guerilla operation in occupied Kashmir, he
divided his group into two parts. The first group conducted a major
attack in Akhnor Cantt. Several Indian generals, brigadiers, and
colonels arrived in Akhnor Cantt after the attack. Now, the second
group attacked the m. Two generals were injured in the attack while
more than 10 Indian brigadiers and colonels were killed. (You can
gauge the importance of this incident from the fact that no Indian
general had even been injured in the three wars before then). This
brave attack demoralized the Indian forces in Kashmir and their morale
received a setback.
However, Ilyas Kashmiri's life soon took a turn. While shaking hands
with the Americans, the Musharraf regime declared all the
organizations warring against the occupiers to be "terrorists." Some
leaders of the jihadist organizations went silent at this U-turn.
However, Ilyas Kashmiri and other leaders turned against the Pakistani
Government. They blamed the Musharraf regime for being a US stooge
and now started to fight against it. They declared the Pakistani
rulers corrupt and said they were prisoners of their interests and
luxuries.
The late Salim Shahzad wrote that Al-Qa'ida deliberately made the FATA
their headquarters because secretly operating from the difficult areas
was easy. Then, the Al-Qa'ida leaders impressed hundreds of
Pakistanis with their ideologies. These included scientists, IT
experts, jihadist commanders, and conventional Taliban. In Al-Qa'ida,
they are called "Ibnul Balad" (sons of the soil). Therefore, the
death of Bin Ladin will not mean the de-escalation of global jihad
against the United States.
[End Box]
[Box
In these 30 years, two major and strong groups came to these Muslim
countries. The first group is that of the Sunni Pashtuns. This group
consists of the 30 million tribal Pashtuns who live in Pakistan and
Afghanistan. This group has raised the morale of the Muslims across
the world. During the last 30 years, it has defeated the two
superpowers of the world, Russia and the United States, while the NATO
has also been unable to succeed against it.
the hoax of the "Shiite threat" has been created in the Gulf
countries. The United States once again sold weapons worth billions
of dollars to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries so that they could
fight the Shiite threat. The purpose of this entire plan is nothing
but to harm the unity among the Muslim nation.
The game of the imperialist powers makes it obvious that they are
trying to achieve their designs by fanning the sectarian differences
in the Islamic world. It is imperative that the Muslims see through
the moves of the foreigners and maintained their unity and faith.
[End Box]
[Box]
A large section of the Muslims in the Islamic world is against the war
that the militant organizations have waged against the West as well as
the United States. The experts of this section say that the
self-styled jihad that the organizations have waged is not real jihad;
it is their personal war. No matter how high their ambitions may be,
the fact remains that this fighting cannot be called jihad because
jihad has its specific conditions. For example, only the government
of an Islamic country can wage jihad; individuals do not have the
right to take this step. Then, the secret attacks that the militants
often carry out are forbidden in Islam. The Holy Koran says that
"open" and "in defense" jihad should be waged against the invaders.
Another important condition is that the result of the jihad should be
good and such as God would like. However, the attacks of the
militants have spread devastation, particularly in Iraq and Pakistan.
Therefore, how can we call this fighting jihad? Such fighting has
been called "evil" in the Koran.
[End Box]
[Box]
Balochistan's Importance
This is so despite the fact that, if Gwadar becomes a busy port, the
local population will receive many ben efits. New jobs will be
created. Hundreds of development projects will be implemented and
Balochistan will become the richest province. It is a pity that today
the Pakistanis themselves are inviting the Russians to come to Gwadar
to allow them access to the Middle East. If China, Russia, and the
Central Asian states use Gwadar as a trade seaport, not only will
Pakistan's status at the international level be strengthened, but its
economy will also progress, as it will receive millions of dollars in
fees.
that the province will be ravaged by unrest and the province will be
separated from Pakistan, God forbid.
[End Box]
[Box]
When the Russians departed, the differences between the Afghan groups
once again emerged. That is why peace could not be established in
Afghanistan. Later, the Taliban emerged. The Pakistani Government
backed them because the Taliban were well-wishers of Pakistan.
Colonel Imam was also entrusted with the responsibility to give
military training to the Taliban. He performed this responsibility
well. He was also the instructor of Mullah Omar. Until the last, he
was an admirer of the simplicity, sincerity, bravery, and love for
Islam of the Taliban.
[End Box]
[Box]
In 1960, Pakistan sent its first peace contingent to Congo under the
supervision of the UN. This year, when the UN observed 29 May as
"International Day for United Nations Peacekeepers," Pakistan
completed 50 years of working for international peace. On this
occasion, a Pakistani diplomat held a soul-stirring ceremony in New
York. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also participated in this
ceremony. On this occasion, in his address, he said: "During the last
50 years, Pakistani soldiers and civilians have demonstrated matchless
selflessness, sincerity, bravery, and valor and helped the nations
ravaged by wars and civil wars. Pakistan not only saved these nations
from militants, but it also constructed schools, hospitals, and
welfare institutions there. It provided free treatment to the poor on
thousands of occasions and constructed grounds for the children to
play. I have no hesitation in saying that Pakistan has the status of
During the last 50 years, besides in Congo, the Pakistani forces and
police have rendered peace services in Somalia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia,
Liberia, Indonesia, Burundi, and several other countries and won
recognition for their great capabilities. Even today, 3,590 soldiers
of the guardians of Pakistani borders are serving the aggrieved
humanity in Congo, 3,419 in Liberia, 15,820 in Sudan, 1,304 in Ivory
Coast, 250 in Haiti, 195 in Timor Leste, and 175 in Kosovo. This is
the largest contingent in the UN peacekeeping army.
It is hoped that the Pakistani forces will continue their efforts for
the maintenance of peace in the world with the same level of zest.
Regrettably, the pro-Christian media seldom appreciates the services
of the Pakistani forces. It clearly betrays its prejudice.
[End Box]
Pakistan: Alleged Leader of Defunct Group LeJ Freed After 14 Year Custody
SAP20110715127005 Lahore Daily Times Online in English 15 Jul 11
Court's Lahore Registry had granted him bail on July 11. Ishaq was
accused of masterminding the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in
2009 while in prison. He had appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn
the decision of the Lahore High Court, which had rejected his bail
plea. The case was heard by Justice MA Shahid Siddiqui at the Supreme
Court's Lahore Registry. The defence attorney had said that the
charges against Ishaq could not be proved and thus the Supreme Court
had approved his bail. The court had directed that he submit two
separate security bonds worth Rs 500,000 each.
[Description of Source: Lahore Daily Times Online in English -Website of the independent, moderate daily, run by Media Times
(Private) Ltd., owned by Shehryar Taseer, son of Salman Taseer, former
slain governor of Punjab province. Rashed Rahman is the
editor-in-chief. The same group owns and publishes weekly newspaper
The Friday Times and Urdu daily Aaj Kal. Strong critic of radical and
jihadi elements. Provides extensive coverage of activities of
jihadi/militant groups. Caters to the educated middle class, with an
estimated circulation of 20,000.; URL: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk.]
Pakistan: Key Suspect in Attack on Sri Lankan Team in Lahore Released on Bail
SAP20110715128016 Karachi The Express Tribune Online in English 15 Jul 11
He was granted bail by the apex court after the prosecution failed to
prove his involvement in the case of attack on Sri Lankan cricket
team.
Sources say the release comes after Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi,
chief of the defunct outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan which is now known
as Millat-e-Islamia/Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamat, met with Ishaq for more
than two hours at Kot Lakhpat Jail. Other prisoners were not allowed
to meet their families during that period.
Shoot-out at majlis
Ishaq has been in jail since 1997 for allegedly killing 12 members of
Ghalvi's family, in addition to being allegedly involved in killing 58
other people in various incidents of sectarian violence.
Ishaq was arrested from Faisalabad the same year and sent to Multan
central jail.
"He was least disturbed when witnesses pointed him out," said Ghalvi.
Sources claim that even while in prison, Malik Ishaq played a vital
role in regard to [safeguarding] national security. These sources
also say that during the attack on the GHQ [General Headquarters -- of
the Army] when the terrorists demanded the release of Malik Ishaq and
when government officials met him at Lahore jail, he not only refused
to accept such a release, but also came to GHQ on military helicopter
and spoke to them [attackers]. He also told the team that was carrying
out an operation against them that he did not have anything to do with
them and that he did not want his release in exchange for any such
step.
Now the question is, with the release of the founder leader of
Lashkar-e Jhangvi, what will be the effects on the country? In this
connection, an important official in Islamabad says that the issue was
making the rounds in intelligence circles since 2009 that there was no
use in keeping Malik Ishaq in detention. If he was acquitted by the
courts, he should be set free. The advantage of this move will be
that the terrorist groups sprouting like mushrooms in the name of
Lashkar-e Jhangvi will forfeit their justification; because, Malik
Ishaq does not nurture any terrorist ideology now. However, the
government was not prepared to take the risk. Now there is some
expectation of improvement after his acquittal by the courts. It is
learned in this connection that while dissolving the Lashkar-e
Jhangvi, Malik Ishaq has joined the proscribed Sipah-e-Sahaba and the
recent Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and has announced his decision to
continue the struggle by peaceful means. In this regard, the Ahle
Sunnat Wal Jamaat leadership has decided that Malik Ishaq will
maintain total silence and will stay indoors. He will keep aloof from
functions and rallies as well as statements and protests. Ghulam
Rasool Shah has been appointed as his spokesman. If necessary, Ghulam
Rasool Shah will speak on his behalf. The "Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat"
[the organization's name within quotes as published] party will decide
about the future strategy.
Question: What about those who use the name of Lashkar-e Jhangvi?
activity.
Question: What role can you play in resolving bloody sectarian disputes?
[Rizwan] In some of the situations in the last many years during which
the terrorists ramped through our civilian and uniformed security
establishment not a single culprit has been awarded the punishment so
far. Is it the below par and faulty investigation that is responsible
for the release of these extraordinary criminals or fear factor plays
its role. True, medieval investigation method, poorly trained
investigation officers, and a strong fear factor led these criminals
off the hook. So far Pakistan's security operators and citizens have
paid the price with their blood and sweat as terrorists continue to
strike its will, claiming 20000 lives. The investigators and
prosecutors all but lay the blame on the door of judiciary. However,
according to a former high court judge the judiciary decides on what
is presented before it.
Related Attachment
[Description of Source: Karachi Express 24/7 Television in English-Private satellite television channel owned by Century Publications,
RAHIM YAR KHAN: Two police men have been assigned security duties at
the residence of Malik Ishaq, recently released from a Lahore prison.
Rahim Yar Khan district police officer Sohail Tajik told The Express
Tribune that the guards were deployed at the Mohallah Islam Nagar
house of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi leader in view of the threat posed by a
large number of people visiting him everyday He said more officials
would be deployed to the place if the need arose. The LeJ has been
declared a terrorist organisation and banned.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) Punjab
president Shamasur Rehman Muavia expressed satisfaction over security
arrangements at Ishaq's home.
"Our struggle will continue from the platform of Ahle Sunnat Wal
Jammat," he said. He said hundreds of LeJ workers had laid down their
lives for the cause.
The nation has become a hostage to the Punjabi Taliban and their
supporters. The PML-N will continue to support the extremists because
it needs them to get votes in the next election
On June 16, the newspapers carried his photographs with a big grin.
His teeth showed prominently in a frame of black beard. He was
profusely garlanded and was accompanied by another bearded supporter,
equally happy. Both were riding an expensive car. That was Malik
Ishaq, the key founding member of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) -- a
notorious terrorist organisation, a violent killer of Shias and a
major ally of al Qaeda.
Malik Ishaq was accused of being the key planner of the attack on the
Sri Lankan cricket team. His associate accused namely, Javed Anwar,
Abdullah and Ubaidur Rehman had been arrested from Shahdara. It was
claimed that the men had confessed to their involvement in the cricket
team attack.
been well looked after. No wonder he had a big grin on his face.
Look at the audacious Malik Ishaq whose first terror attack took place
14 years ago when he targeted a 'Majlis' in which 12 people were
killed. Unfortunately, eight among the complainants and witnesses of
the incident have been killed so far. Now only one complainant and
three witnesses are alive. One wonders if they are also awaiting their
elimination; more so as the jubilant Malik Ishaq has been released on
bail and has the blessings of the Punjab government. He can now
eliminate the rest of the witnesses and get acquittal from the
helpless courts.
[Description of Source: Lahore Daily Times Online in English -Website of the independent, moderate daily, run by Media Times
(Private) Ltd., owned by Shehryar Taseer, son of Salman Taseer, former
slain governor of Punjab province. Rashed Rahman is the
editor-in-chief. The same group owns and publishes weekly newspaper
The Friday Times and Urdu daily Aaj Kal. Strong critic of radical and
jihadi elements. Provides extensive coverage of activities of
jihadi/militant groups. Caters to the educated middle class, with an
estimated circulation of 20,000.; URL: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk.]
Ishaq was recently released on bail from Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail
Ishaq has been on a publicity tour of sorts after his release and has
even addressed people in his hometown of Rahim Yar Khan. "He is
re-establishing himself as a leader," says analyst Ayesha Siddiqa.
"Even though there was no curb on his activities when he was in jail there was his involvement in the Sri Lankan cricket team attack and
other plans as well - but his physical presence means that he can
organise things better. He is strengthening his base and we do know
that the SSP is spreading rapidly in Sindh. For example, Ghotki and
Jacobabad are very affected - you see SSP graffiti and flags there."
Siddiqa offered a grim view of militancy in the province, where she
says Jamaatud Dawa is also making inroads. "While we are talking of
peace in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the centre of
militancy and radicalisation is in Sindh and Punjab."
According to SSP Chaudhry Aslam Khan, four TTP men Abdul Rehman,
Nazrab Khan, Azhar Mahmood and Ahmed Khan were arrested from Sohrab
Goth along with one Kalashnikov, one repeater, two hand grenades and
three TT pistols during a raid on a tip-off in Sohrab Goth.
directives.
[Description of Source: Lahore Daily Times Online in English -Website of the independent, moderate daily, run by Media Times
(Private) Ltd., owned by Shehryar Taseer, son of Salman Taseer, former
slain governor of Punjab province. Rashed Rahman is the
editor-in-chief. The same group owns and publishes weekly newspaper
The Friday Times and Urdu daily Aaj Kal. Strong critic of radical and
jihadi elements. Provides extensive coverage of activities of
jihadi/militant groups. Caters to the educated middle class, with an
estimated circulation of 20,000.; URL: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk.]
the SITE Intelligence Group. The location of the training camp seems
to be the Mirali area of North Waziristan, which serves as a haven for
the fugitive al-Qaeda and Taliban leadership. Coming back to the
seven-minute-long video, titled 'Cubs of Waziristan,' it shows a group
of 16 teenage jihadis, including six trainers armed with assault
rifles and ten young recruits who are standing in a half circle. An
older fighter, who seems to be their trainer or leader, is shown
citing a verse from the Holy Quran that says Muslims must prepare for
war against 'the enemy of Allah and your enemy'.
The Americans maintain that the North Waziristan has become a hub of
the anti-US elements given the fact that it has a common border with
Khost, the native Afghan province of Jalaluddin Haqqani.
========================================
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
Hifzullah could refer to Mufti Abuzar Khanjari, who BBC has reported
as being part of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi's Qari Zafar group.
but the military has chaplains who are part of each unit. They are
non-combatants, so they remain part of the base camp. They give
sermons, but these are authorised, vetted and provided by the army.
The chaplains are supervised by the commanding officer and do not do
anything that is not in line with what he says."
The scholar challenges Hifzullah, saying that the military works for
its lawful salary and does not take money from anyone.
The scholar asks how many Pakistanis have been killed compared to
Americans. Hifzullah's reply is that killing Pakistani officers is the
same as killing Americans, as they consider them as one.
Hifzullah says these 'children' were older and their deaths were a
consequence of the militants' campaign against the armed forces. "It
is a military school; children also die when you are killing adults."
Hifzullah thanks God for the 2005 earthquake which "killed thousands
of military personnel".
stop activities"]
The warning was extended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah
and Interior Minister Rehman Malik at a review meeting held here
Sunday at CM House on law and order in the province particularly in
Karachi.
All the DPOs and concerned police officers were directed to provide
all protection to the business fraternity.
Pakistan: Militant Groups Recruit Young Men From Punjab to Fight in Kashmir
SAP20110825127005 Karachi The Express Tribune Online in English 25 Aug 11
According to the report, some terrorists who have been released from
Punjab's prisons in the last six months have also regrouped.
Lakson Group, which includes Daily Express and Express News Television
in Urdu and Express 24/7 Television in English. The group's media wing
has no known political affiliations and operates as a moderate,
independent commercial media organization. The newspaper claims its
mission is to defend "liberal values and egalitarian traditions"; URL:
http://tribune.com.pk]
"Ever since Saibzada Rehan Mahmood Zia took full control of Gulshan
Farooqi Shaheed Jamiha Omar Farooq Islamia [madrasah], the school
standard has much improved. This is one of the reasons so many
students seek admission to this school. At this time, older schools
cannot accommodate the increasing number of students; therefore,
management has made the drastic decision to build another floor.
"The total covered area of the library of the 2nd floor is 2260 SF and
the 'memorize' section of the Koran is about 1200 SF.
"The affluent can help the operation by donating cement, sand, crushed
stones, steel, and cash. The estimated cost for both institutes is
approximately RS 3 Million [$35294.00].
"Requested by: Rehan Mahmood Zia, the Principle of Anjaman Jamiah Omar
Farooq Islamia
Some youths receiving the technical training and some trainers told
BBC on the condition of anonymity that the training started on 10 July
2011 and will conclude on 10 October 2011. The people belonging to the
banned Jihad-e-Islami, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Harkatul Ansar, Harkatul
Jihad al-Islami, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Sahaba, and
Sipah-e-Muhammad are among those receiving professional training. Most
of the people attending this training program are youths belonging to
the banned jihadist organizations. They are being given electrical
training free of cost as well as stipend amounting Rs 800 [$9] per
month.
Karachi -- Important evidence have been found with regard to the two
terrorists who were killed when the motorcycle on which they had
planted explosive materials slipped and the burst into flames under
the jurisdiction of Mubina Town Police Station that they had links
with the now defunct Tehreek-e-Taliban. Investigations with regard to
a similar group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which is associated with the
Tehreek-e-Taliban network are also in progress.
The bomb disposal squad has claimed that certain similarities were
found in the bomb planted on the motorcycle found in Liyari and the
bomb that exploded in Mubina Town. The investigation agencies, having
taken a few persons into custody in light of information extracted
from the phone SIMs of the terrorists, are trying to find out as to
where the terrorists were intending to conduct the explosion?
The source has also said that an investigation agency have collected
details of all telephone calls made on the said mobile phone SIMs and
those using these numbers are being taken into custody. It adds that
two terrorists have been taken into custody from Scout Colony with
reference to calls made on the mobile phone SIMs. Another person has
been taken into custody from Metrole-III, Phase-I, on the basis of
information from these two persons.
Pakistan: Report Says Despite Usama's Death Al-Qa'ida Has Grown in Strength
SAP20110910118001 Islamabad The News Online in English 10 Sep 11
[Report by Amir Mir: "Remembering 9/11: no signs that terror is being defeated"]
LAHORE: A decade after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US and the
subsequent war on terror launched by the US-led allied forces against
al-Qaeda, the global terrorist organisation remains a potent threat as
it keeps surviving and thriving mainly on the Pak-Afghan tribal belt.
Al-Qaeda, which means "The Base" in Arabic, was founded way back in
1988 by Osama bin Laden, and seeks to overthrow the US-dominated world
order. The outfit was relatively unknown until the 9/11 terror attacks
when its operatives hijacked four US airliners and crashed two of them
into the World Trade Centre towers in New York.
A third plane hit the Pentagon building in Washington and a fourth one
crashed in Pennsylvania after the passengers attempted to regain
control of the plane. In an exclusive interview with Geo Television on
July 23, 2008, Mustafa Abu Yazid alias Sheikh Saeed, then the third
senior-most al-Qaeda leader after Osama bin Laden and Dr Ayman
Zawahiri, had confessed for the first time that the 9/11 attacks were
carried out by 19 al-Qaeda operatives, most of whom were Saudi
nationals.
These three outfits initially came together at the time the US-led
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
Seven Hazara men were killed and several injured in a rocket and gun
attack in Hazara Town on May 6. There were Frontier Constabulary and
Over 200 Shia Hazaras have been killed in Balochistan in the last
three years, according to elders of Hazara tribe and media sources.
They include businessmen, political leaders, government employees,
clerics, police cadets, vegetable vendors, and daily-wage workers.
Hazaras are identifiable because of their Mongoloid features.
"Members of our community have been targeted persistently for the last
10 years by sectarian outfits, especially the banned militant
organisations Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan
(SSP)," said Abdul Khaliq, chairman of Hazara Democratic Party.
The LeJ network in Quetta is being run by Usman Saifullah Kurd, Dawood
Badini and Shafiqur Rind, a senior police official said. Kurd, who
heads the LeJ in Balochistan, has trained a new group of killers who
are carrying out attacks on the Hazaras, he said. Rind was arrested in
2003 from Mastung area of Balochistan while Kurd was arrested by the
Criminal Investigation Unit in Karachi on June 22, 2006. Both fled
from the Anti-Terrorist Force jail in Quetta on January 18, 2008. Rind
A source in the SSP said Kurd had recently met Malik Ishaq, a founding
member of the LeJ, in Rahim Yar Khan and invited him to visit Quetta
to address the banned SSP's public meetings.
The Hazara community had expressed concerns over his release. "The
courts are releasing top leaders of banned organisations, and that
shows these groups are getting stronger once again," said a Hazara
religious scholar.
or supporting them.
[Description of Source: Lahore The Friday Times Online in English -Website of the Independent, moderate weekly run by veteran journalist
Najam Sethi. Reputed for in-depth analytic articles. Editorials
analyses, and articles criticize government policies and expose its
corruption and misconduct. Hardcopy circulation of 5,000; URL:
http://www.thefridaytimes.com]
Pakistan: Investigations Reveal PPP, MQM-A, ANP Have Target Killers in Karachi
SAP20110910118006 Islamabad The News Online in English 10 Sep 11
The sources told The News that the recent arrests of criminal elements
had also established the involvement of the PAC in terrorist
activities. The PPP's peace committees were the brainchild of former
Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza, who is presently the darling of
the media after his recent press conference in which he charged MQM
chief Altaf Hussain and Interior Minister Rehman Malik with working
against Pakistan.
the three major coalition partners, PPP, MQM-A and ANP, are breeding
terrorism and involved in the killing of each others' men. The MQM-A,
which has been a part of the Sindh as well as the federal government
for over three years but left the cabinet slots recently, continues to
have its governor in Sindh.
The alleged target killers include 22 from MQM-A, at least four from
the ANP and several others from MQM-Haqqiqi, Sunni Tehrik,
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba.
It was Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani who had recently admitted in a
cabinet meeting that PPP men were also involved in the Karachi
killings. The premier had told the cabinet meeting that law
enforcement agencies in Karachi were confident of controlling the
deteriorating law and order situation in the city in just a fortnight
provided they were given a free hand.
The prime minister had said law enforcement agencies sought a free
hand and demanded that there should be no political interference from
any side to ensure early peace and to stop the target killings.
Political interference and backing of criminals and killers by
political parties were seen as the major hurdles in the way of durable
The 2010 official report, prepared during the tenure of Zulfiqar Mirza
as the home minister, contained details of joint interrogation reports
of all the key government agencies relating to the 26 accused arrested
and probed in 2010 in Karachi's target killing cases. The then list
showed the majority (14 out of 26) belonging to the MQM-A, while the
rest claimed their association with the MQM-Haqiqi, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi,
Sipah-e-Muhammad, ANP and Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. In that list not
even a single alleged target killer had claimed his association with
the PPP.
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
Pakistan: TTP Planning to Attack Police to Free Partners From Bahawalpur Jails
SAP20110911127021 Karachi The Express Tribune Online in English 11 Sep 11
The Bahawalpur Central Jail hosts some senior militants from the TTP,
Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) who were
allegedly involved in an attack on a building of the Inter-Services
Intelligence (ISI), The Express Tribune has learnt.
In view of the threats, the Punjab police chief has said that
currently 14 terrorists involved in high-profile cases of terrorism
are being tried in ATCs in Bahawalpur, Khanewal and Multan.
Pakistan: TTP Spokesman Says Suicide Bombers Have Made Mujahedeen Invincible
SAP20110913118001 Islamabad The News Online in English 13 Sep 11
[Report by Amir Mir: "Ten years after 9/11: Suicide attacks declining
in Pakistan"]
It means that compared with the death toll of the last year till
September 11, 256 less people have been killed and five less suicide
attacks taken place during the current year till September 11. In
fact, the people of Pakistan had to bear 51 suicide bombings in 2010,
which killed 1,172 people and injured 2,204 others.
Pakistan was itself spared by any suicide hit until 2001, except for
one such attack in 1995 at the Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad. Later
the suicide bombers spread across Pakistan and the security situation
in Pakistan is in utter turmoil today with highly secure key military
and civilian installations becoming vulnerable targets.
The next year, in 2003, a total of 70 people were killed and 114
injured in three suicide attacks, two targeting General Pervez
Musharraf in December and one targeting former Prime Minister Shaukat
Aziz in June that year.
A total of 601 people have been killed and 842 others injured in 36
attacks carried out by human bombs between January 1 and September 11,
2011.
Even after Qari Hussain Mehsud's death, the TTP is believed to have
2000-plus trained suicide bombers across the country. To quote the TTP
spokesperson Azam Tariq, "Our ulema have termed suicide attacks as an
elite form of jehad. Fidayeen is a sophisticated weapon of the
mujahideen; our enemies have no idea how to counter these lethal
bombers. Suicide attacks have made the mujahideen invincible".
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
ISLAMABAD - Ten years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York
City's twin World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon and the
subsequent "war on terror" launched by United Stated-led forces
against al-Qaeda, the terrorist group continues to pose a serious
threat to the world as it keeps surviving and thriving mainly on the
Pakistan-Afghanistan tribal belt.
A solid base
Al-Qaeda, which means "The Base" in Arabic, was founded in 1988 by Bin
Laden with the aim of overthrowing the US-dominated world order. The
outfit was relatively unknown until the 9/11 terror attacks when its
operatives hijacked four US airliners and successfully crashed two of
them into the World Trade Center towers in New York, with a third
plane hitting the Pentagon building in Washington and a fourth one
crashing in Pennsylvania as the passengers attempted to regain control
of the plane.
The general notion that al-Qaeda is getting stronger even after the
decade-long "war on terror", can be gauged from the fact that
Pakistan, despite being a key US ally during all those years, is
undergoing a radical change, moving from the phase of Talibanization
founder Bin Laden, that his terrorist outfit remains a potent threat
to global peace as it keeps blooming in the Pakistan-Afghanistan
tribal belt. They say al-Qaeda, for all practical purposes, is now a
Pakistani phenomenon as a good number of the anti-American sectarian
and jihadi groups in the country have joined the terrorist network,
making Pakistan the nerve center of al-Qaeda's global operations.
Investigations into the May 22, 2011, fidayeen (suicide) attack on the
Mehran Naval Base in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi have
revealed that it was a coordinated operation involving al-Qaeda's
Waziristan-based chief operational commander from Egypt, Saif Al Adal,
the outfit's top military strategists from Pakistan, Ilyas Kashmir,
the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (Pakistan Taliban - TTP) and the Punjabi
Taliban, a term used to describe the Punjab-based jihadi organizations
that are opposed to, and fighting, the Pakistani state as well as the
United States.
The ties between local militant groups and al-Qaeda were cemented
further as the Afghan Taliban's astonishing successes against the
US-led allied forces prompted the US to increase drone attacks in the
tribal areas and turn the heat on Pakistan to crack down on the TTP
and others.
[Description of Source: Hong Kong Asia Times Online in English -Online newspaper focusing on political and economic issues from an
"Asian perspective," with over 50 contributors in 17 Asian countries,
the United States, and Europe, and a branch office in Bangkok;
successor of the Hong Kong/Bangkok-based print daily Asia Times that
closed in 1997, it claims an average of 100,000 daily site visitors,
with 65% of the audience based in North America, and 22% in the
Asia-Pacific region; tends to be critical of the United States; URL:
http://www.atimes.com]
"All those against Sahaba, are not our personal enemies, but the
enemies of Islam. And we will fight them ... we cannot tolerate these
elements at any cost," Ishaq had said during his address, reveals the
document.
"Prisons will not stop our mission. The LeJ is not a terrorist outfit.
It was set up to ensure proper respect for the companions of the Holy
Prophet (PBUH)," Ishaq said. He said he would not abandon its mission
even if he's jailed for it once again. "Our struggle will continue,"
he reiterated.
The entry of Malik Ishaq and Syed Ghulam Rasool Shah, a close aide of
[Report by staff correspondent: "114 booked in Alipur for killing LeJ worker"]
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
number of schools.
Khan's family is reported safe, while those dead include his police
guards, his cook, and the son and driver of a neighbour. The blast
created an 8X6-foot-deep crater and left a significant portion of the
targeted house's front facade, and that of neighbouring houses, in a
pile of rubble.
"We claim responsibility for the attack. Aslam Khan has killed a
number of our colleagues and also arrested and tortured many more,"
TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP in a phone call from an
undisclosed location.
"He was on our hit list and he is still on our hit list," Ehsan said,
giving names of several other police and crime investigation
department officials also targeted. "They will be killed soon," he
vowed.
Even Aslam himself kept the scope of investigations open. "As of now,
we believe that the TTP is behind the attack, but we are in the
preliminary stages and other collaborating groups could be involved,"
he told The Express Tribune. "There are many subgroups within the TTP,
such as the al Mukhtar group." CID officials are fairly certain that
the group led by Hakimullah Mehsud is directly involved in the attack,
but are considering other groups such as the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
However, there is consensus that the same group that had attacked the
CID operational base in Civil Lines, Karachi, in November 2010, is
involved in this attack.
Undeterred
Officials say that Khan's life was always under threat by extremists,
particularly those from the TTP.
"Every month, there's a new high alert for the CID and Khan almost
always gets a mention," an official said, requesting anonymity.
In fact, just a couple of months ago, the TTP had sent a DVD to media
houses showing preparations of the November 2010 CID attack. The list
of targets mentioned in the video included Khan.
But the man with a thousand enemies refused to be cowed. "Why don't
they come attack me in the open? I didn't know these terrorists are
such cowards that they will attack sleeping children," visibly furious
SSP Khan told reporters. "I will teach their generations a lesson,"
Evidence lost
A case has been filed against the attackers at the Darakhshan Police
Station and Khan has registered himself as the complainant. However,
despite the TTP's claim of responsibility the FIR does not name any
particular terrorist or ganisation and only refers to a 'banned
organisation'.
Witness accounts
For A, who works in one of Karachi's most volatile PIDC area, blasts
are nothing new but this one happened in the safety of his home and
shook him to the core. "I was ironing my clothes to get ready for work
when I heard the blast. The impact was so severe I flew back and
landed on broken glass on the floor," A said, showing his bruised
arms. "At first I thought it was an earthquake."
MH, who lives at a stone's throw from the blast site, said the loud
sound of the blast woke her up from deep sleep. "I knew there had been
a blast nearby and it seemed as if my backyard had been attacked," she
said.
Taliban Terrorists ]
CID Civil Line building was also targeted when the CID police had
started tightening the noose around the terrorists belonging to the
banned Tehrik-e-Taliban and had started arresting its commanders and
other important operatives.
Sources in the CID told Ummat that the CID Anti-Extremism Cell had
arrested an important commander of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban
Pakistan, Muhammad Sahib alias Qasai, who belonged to Doshkhsela in
Matta tehsil of Swat district. The said commander was an absconder in
two cases registered with the Matta Police Station in Swat with FIR
[First Information Report] No. 2009/109 under Sections
302/364/109/114/134/12212/W7ATA-Y-A/Ar. For the arrest of other
accomplices of commander Muhammad Sahib including Zabiullah, Maaz
Khan, Akbar, Tahir and Farooq, the operations were conducted in Sohrab
Goth and Manghopir areas. An important source said that there was also
an investigation going on ab out a group of the banned Harkatul
Mujahidin in Karachi that was planning an attack on the CID officers.
In this regard, a probe is under way on the Maulana Badar Group, which
comprises Danish, Nasir, Shakil alias Iqbal and other terrorists. The
source said one terrorist of this group, Muhammad Afzal, was arrested.
Afzal disclosed that his accomplice Danish had told him that the
QUETTA: Twenty-eight people were shot dead and six others wounded in
two separate incidents in Mastung and Quetta districts on Tuesday. The
defunct Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) has claimed responsibility for the
carnage.
The first incident took place in the Ghuncha Dori area, 40 kilometres
from Quetta, when some unidentified armed men attacked a Taftan-bound
passenger coach. The passenger coach was carrying 45 pilgrims and
traders from Quetta to Taftan (Iran), when it was attacked.
Eyewitnesses said some eight to ten armed men intercepted the
passenger coach and sprayed bullets on the passengers.
"The unknown gunmen segregated the passengers, moslty from the Shia
Hazara community, and resorted to indiscriminate fire with automatic
weapons at around 05:00pm," the driver of the coach Khushhal Khan told
The News.
The attack was so sudden and intense that 26 passengers died on the
spot and six others sustained serious injuries.
Reports suggest that the armed men chased the passenger coach in two
vehicles and intercepted it when it reached the Ghuncha Dori area.
Some armed men barged into the coach and took the passengers hostage
at gunpoint. They offloaded all the passengers and then segregated
them, subsequently opening fire on passengers belonging to the Hazara
community; 26 people were killed instantly. The armed assailants
escaped the scene leaving behind the deceased in a pool of blood and
others in a state of terror and shock.
PPI adds from Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly
condemned the attack on a bus of pilgrims in Mastung. The president
termed the attack an inhuman and brutal act of terrorism, and said
such cowardly acts would not dent the government's resolve to fight
terrorism till its eradication.
He prayed that the departed souls rest in eternal peace and the
bereaved families find the courage to bear the loss with equanimity.
APP adds: PTI Chairman Imran Khan has also strongly condemned the
inhuman attack on pilgrims in Mastung.
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
Pakistan: Karachi Blast Shows TTP Changing Strategy by Attacking Security Men
SAP20110921128001 Islamabad The News Online in English 21 Sep 11
Karachi, being the largest city, main seaport and key financial center
The Karachi attack was in keeping with the change in TTP tactics as
the group has apparently decided to target top policemen and military
officials involved in counter-terrorism efforts. Aslam Khan, the SSP
who heads the anti-extremist cell of the Criminal Investigation
Department (CID) in Karachi, survived the September 19 suicide attack.
The proscribed TTP quickly claimed responsibility for the bombing,
saying Aslam had been responsible for the arrest of many of its key
operatives. "We will continue targeting all such police officers who
are involved in the killing of our jehadi comrades," TTP spokesman
Ehsanullah Ehsan said while claiming responsibility for the attack.
The assault came less than two weeks after another human bomb on
September 7 rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the Quetta
residence of the deputy inspector general of the Balochistan Frontier
Corps, killing his wife and 24 others in a high-security zone in the
city. The Frontier Corps official was targeted because he was involved
in the capture of Younis al-Mauritani, a senior member of al-Qaeda's
external operations council and his two aides, Abdul Ghaffar Al-Shami
and Messara al-Shami. The three al-Qaeda operatives were arrested in a
suburb of Quetta during a joint operation between the Balochistan
Frontier Corps and the Inter Services Intelligence.
Chaudhry Aslam Khan and his team members largely succeeded in breaking
the TTP network in Karachi by arresting three successive Ameers of the
Karachi chapter of the group in recent months - Akhtar Zaman Mehsud,
his successor Bahadur Khan Momand and his successor Maulvi Saeed
Anwer. These arrests invited the wrath of the Karachi chapter of the
TTP, which has links with militants in the country's tribal areas and
with al-Qaeda and several banned militant and sectarian outfits.
Therefore, the TTP's claim of responsibility soon after the September
On his part, SSP Aslam told reporters after the assault that he had
been receiving threats from the al-Qaeda-linked Pakistani Taliban. "I
was sleeping when they carried out this cowardly act and rammed an
explosive-laden vehicle into my house. But let me tell you, I will not
be cowed. I will teach a lesson to generations of these militants. I
did not know that these terrorists were such cowards that they would
attack sleeping children", Aslam told the media outside his ruined
residence. Due to the nature of his work, the enemies of Aslam in the
jehadi circles of Karachi are as countless and varied as the
techniques he himself has used to arrest them. They range from the
Tehrik-e-Taliban and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) to drug-runners and
target killers belonging to several major political parties.
Prominent alongside the TTP and LeJ among these sectarian and jehadi
groups are also: Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Alami, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan,
Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan, Sunni Tehrik, Daawat-e-Islami, Harkatul
Mujahideen, Harkatul Mujahideen Al Alami, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Jamaatul
Furqaan, Harkatul Jehadul Islami, Jundallah, Tehrik-e-Islami,
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
Khan said: "I have arrested several people belonging to the Lashkar-e
Jhangvi and the defunct Pakistan Taliban Movement. Their second group
is increasing its acts in Karachi and its name is Al-Mukhtar group.
They have stockpiled sufficient explosive in Karachi and have
conducted one or more explosions as well." He was speaking in the
Express News program titled, Kal Tak.
The host of the program Javed Chaudhry has said that no party
including the PPP [Pakistan People's Party], the PML-N [Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz], the PML-Q [Pakistan Muslim League-Qaid], the ANP
[Awami National Party], the MQM [Muttahida Qaumi Movement], and the
PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaaf] have raised funds for the flood
affected people and all are just paying visits.
Javed Chaudhry said: "The United States has been mounting pressure on
Pakistan due to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan for the
past one week. Pakistan says that the Haqqani network does not exist
in Pakistan. However, it appears that Pakistan has apparently accepted
the pressure." He further said: "Speaker of National Assembly Fehmida
Mirza and Zulfiqar Mirza are present in Dubai and two rumors are in
circulation. According to one rumor, Zulfiqar Mirza has reconciled
with President Zardari and he had gone abroad to make a deal. Fehmida
Mirza played important role in it. According to second rumor, the
couple had gone to Dubai to meet President Zardari. The president
stayed in Dubai on 15 September on his way back from London and met
both of them. However, confirmation has not yet been possible."
AFP: Pakistan Puts Leader of Banned Extremist Organization Under House Arrest
SAP20110922018002 Hong Kong AFP in English 1139 GMT 22 Sep 11
ISLAMABAD, Sept 22, 2011 (AFP) -- Pakistan put the leader of a banned
extremist organisation under house arrest on Thursday for inciting
sectarian hatred, police said, just days after gunmen killed 29 Shiite
Muslims.
Ishaq was now under house arrest for 10 days in the city of Rahim Yar
"Ishaq has been confined to his house... on the orders of the Punjab
government after growing tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims,"
district police official Sohail Zafar Chattha told AFP.
Ishaq's sermons had led to violence in parts of the country and raised
sectarian tensions, another official said, but did not explicitly link
him to the Shiite killings on Tuesday, the deadliest such sectarian
attack in a year.
Rights groups say a persistent lack of action from the government has
emboldened sectarian militant groups, blamed for the deaths of
thousands in past years.
The attacks saw Pakistan stripped of its right to co-host this year's
cricket World Cup and the country has since hosted no top foreign
teams.
The same is the case with the attack on Chaudhry Aslam's residence.
Investigating teams and forensic experts are trying to find
information about the vehicle used in the bombing, as well as the
suicide bomber, but they have not been able to achieve any success to
date. A senior investigating officer told Ummat that they are trying
to get solid information about the vehicle used in the bombing, as it
will greatly help the investigators.
A source said that senior CID officials have also sought help from a
top federal investigating agency in connection with the
investigations. CID teams are also trying to find out from the
intelligence agencies from where they got information about the
possible attack and which TTP group is planning attacks on police
officials in Karachi.
source said the CID has conducted the toughest operations against
local groups of the LeJ, Jundullah, and Harkat-ul-Mujahidin. When
security forces launched operations in South Waziristan and Swat, the
commanders and other important members of the TTP started arriving in
Karachi. Therefore, the CID's Counterextremism Cell was activated
against them, which took actions against the TTP militants in Karachi.
In the meantime, the CID sources said, the TTP organized outlawed
sectarian organizations and groups under its flag and carried out
terrorist activities all over the country. The source said the TTP
formed several groups consisting of terrorists from the LeJ,
Jundullah, and Harkat-ul-Mujahidin, which carried out terrorist
attacks throughout Pakistan. The same groups were involved in attacks
on security forces in Karachi. The network of these groups is highly
organized and it is also being run by arrested militants from jails.
The source further informed that another active group of the TTP is
called the Mansur Group. Led by Mansur, its important members are
Zubair, Shaukat, Asif, and Abrar. The CID has arrested Mohammad
Shahzad, alias Munna Pehalwan, an important terrorist of this group.
He was an important colleague of terrorist Maulvi Abdul Samad.
Pehalwan was adept in making suicide jackets and planting bombs. The
source said his arrest inflicted great loss on the TTP network.
The source said that, after the busting of that network, Chaudhry
Aslam became an important target of the terrorists. He has inflicted
so much loss on the TTP network in Karachi during the past two years
that the terrorists faced great difficulty in carrying out their
activities in the Sindh metropolis.
The source said the vehicle, a Suzuki van with a hood, that was used
for the attack was brought from a nearby place, as police strictly
check all pickups with hoods in Karachi. Therefore, a police team is
also investigating if anyone had information about the vehicle. The
source said investigating teams have been given different tasks.
After the Mastung carnage the other day when people were dismounted
from the bus, lined up and shot, followed by attacks on the attendants
of the injured and mourners of the deceased in Quetta, I am really
worried about the safety and security of Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum and
Allama Iqbal's tomb.
Some say that the cause of this violence against the Dari-speaking
Hazaras is rooted in the conflict between the Taliban and the protg
of the erstwhile northern alliance in today's Afghanistan. Others
blame it on the proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran being waged in
our country for years unending. Some also say it is the Jundullah, the
separatists from Iranian Balochistan who have adopted a certain
religious hue. Then the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, ingrained in the interior
of Punjab but now spread all over, takes the blame.
Likewise, Iqbal says about himself in his poem Zuhd Aur Rindi (Piety
and Profanity), "Suntey hain keh uss mein haiy tashayyo bhi zara sa...
Tafzeel-i-Ali hum ney suni uss ki zabani (People say that there is a
Shia tinge in his beliefs... He speaks of the primacy of Hazrat Ali).
Iqbal's son Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal quoted his father once, "I
belong to the Ahl-i-Sunnat-Wal-Jama'at (Sunni sect) but in my view
those who do not love and revere the Ahl-i-Bait (the members of the
house of the Prophet) cannot be true Muslims."
So what do you think readers, are the resting places of the Quaid and
Iqbal safe?
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
Pakistan: Former Police Chief Details Reasons Behind Balochistan Terror Attacks
SAP20110923115004 Karachi Ummat in Urdu 22 Sep 11 p 3
bodies were also gunned down. Over 100 people were killed in seven
similar incidents last year, including Syed Abrar Hussain Shah, the
former Olympian and deputy director of the Pakistan Sports Board, who
was the winner of the Pride of Performance and Star of Excellence
awards. Over 200 people of the Hazara Shiite community have been
killed in terrorist attacks during the last three years. They include
every type of person such as political leaders, traders, government
employees, police officials, vegetable sellers, and daily workers.
The Lashkar-e-Jhangvi [LeJ] has been claiming responsibility for most
of these attacks. Security sources in Balochistan also hold this
banned organization responsible for these incidents. A man named Ali
Sher Haideri, who introduces himself as the LeJ spokesman, often
telephones the offices of newspapers from some unknown location to
state that his group is not only targeting government officials and
security forces but the Hazara community is also its target. However,
the law enforcement agencies could not capture this spokesman of the
outlawed organization.
How has the LeJ taken root in Balochistan, particularly in Quetta, and
why have the security forces failed to save the people of the Hazara
community from its bloody attacks? We contacted Chaudhry Yaqub, the
former Police IG [Inspector General] of Balochistan who held the key
post in Balochistan from June 2004 to December 2006. The LeJ had
taken root in Balochistan, and particularly in Quetta, before he
assumed his office. However, during his tenure, not only were the LeJ
Balochistan chief and other key members of the organization arrested
but attacks on the Hazara community subsided considerably. We produce
a conversation with Yaqub, who keeps a vigil on the issue, for
readers.
[Ummat] How do you view the latest attack on the pilgrims bus in Mastung?
When I got these powers during my tenure and took practical steps
through effective investigation, no case of sectarian terrorism was
left untraced in Balochistan and all the accused involved in these
incidents were arrested. However, the key LeJ leaders arrested during
my tenure escaped from jail two years later. Now, the LeJ has let
loose a reign of terror in Balochistan. Certainly, other people will
have joined this group. Before and during my tenure LeJ terrorist
Kurd, Daud Badani, and Rind subjected the people of the Hazara
community to terrorism and this was proved during investigations.
[Ummat] How and when did the LeJ take root in Balochistan?
[Ummat] Does the LeJ Balochistan only include local people or have
people from other parts of the country also joined it?
[Yaqub] Those who are being targeted should inform the police about
Pakistan has suffered 305 suicide bombings, the death of 4,847 people
and injury of 10,227 others at the hands of al-Qaeda and
Taliban-linked extremists in the aftermath of the 2001 terror attacks
on New York and Washington. Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, main
seaport and key financial center, which is also the capital of Sindh
province, is one of the biggest sources of the Pakistani Taliban's
funds through criminal activities like kidnappings and bank robberies.
"We will continue targeting all such police officers who are involved
in the killing of our jihadi comrades," TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan
said when claiming responsibility for the attack.
The Karachi suicide attack was in keeping with the change in TTP
tactics as the group has apparently decided to target top policemen
and military officials involved in counterterrorism efforts. The
change in tactic shows increasingly desperation because the TTP is now
attacking soft targets, such as homes of law-enforcement officials in
large cities, which are bound to be relatively unsecured, as opposed
to government or military installations. The deaths of family members
and neighbors would seem of little consequence to the attackers.
The attack came less than two weeks after another human bomb on
September 7 rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the Quetta
residence of the deputy inspector general of the Baluchistan Frontier
Corps, killing his wife and 24 others in a high-security zone in the
city.
The Frontier Corps deputy inspector was targeted bomb because he was
involved in the capture of Younis al-Mauritani, a senior member of
Aslam and his team members largely succeeded in breaking the TTP
network in Karachi by arresting three successive ameers of the Karachi
chapter of the group in recent months - Akhtar Zaman Mehsud and his
successors Bahadur Khan Momand and Maulvi Saeed Anwer. This invited
the wrath of the Karachi chapter of the TTP, which has links with
militants in the country's tribal areas and with al-Qaeda and several
banned militant and sectarian outfits. Therefore, the TTP's claim of
responsibility soon after the September 19 attack came as little
surprise.
Due to the nature of his work, the enemies of Aslam in the jihadi
circles of Karachi are as countless and varied as the techniques he
himself has used to arrest them. They range from the TTP and
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) to drug-runners and target killers belonging
to several major political parties, especially the Muttahida Qaumi
Movement (MQM).
the CID's Aslam Khan, included: Capital City Police Officer Karachi
Saud Mirza; CID superintendent Fayyaz Khan; Anti-Violent Crime Unit
Chief Farooq Awam; Special Investigation Unit chief Raja Omar Khattab;
former Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
Wasim Ahmed; Sunni Deobandi scholar Mufti Mohammad Naeem, Shia scholar
Mirza Yousuf Baig; and Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Haider Abbas
Rizvi. Television artists and anchors and some Karachi-based
journalists were also on the list.
[Description of Source: Hong Kong Asia Times Online in English -Online newspaper focusing on political and economic issues from an
"Asian perspective," with over 50 contributors in 17 Asian countries,
the United States, and Europe, and a branch office in Bangkok;
Pakistan: Religious Leader, Deputy Put Under House Arrest for 10 Days
SAP20110923100013 Karachi Islam in Urdu 23 Sep 11 pp 1, 7
Lahore -- The leader of Ahl-e Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Malik Muhammad Ishaq
and his deputy, Ghulam Rasool have been put under house arrest for 10
days due to the threat to maintenance of public order while under
section 144, Malik Ishaq and Dr Khadim Hussain Dahloon have been
banned from entering into the revenue jurisdiction of Muzaffargarh
District. The ban comes into force with an immediate effect and will
remain effective for three months.
The head of Ahl-e Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Muhammad Ludhiyanvi has termed
the house arrest of Ahl-e Sunnat Wal Jamaat Leader, Malik Ishaq as
unjust and strongly condemned it. He said antistate elements are
active in dear motherland, who wanted to put the security of the
The Afghan consulate, UNHCR and even some NGOs rushed to us, when we
decided to take action against Afghans, who are in the province
without any legal documents whatsoever, Bazai maintained.
However, he said they would not take into consideration pressure and
would not show leniency against the illegal persons. He pointed out
over 3,000 Afghan nationals without legal documents, staying in
Balochistan were pushed back to their country ever since the massacre
of 29 pilgrims on September 20, belonging to Hazara community.
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
It may have held true at some point in the past. However, for a wide
variety of reasons, escaping the chains Washington uses to grip us
would be welcome.
But we must also face the fact that extremism has seeped so deep into
our society that it will be hard to remove in just one step. Indeed as
things stand now, the task is akin to picking out weevils from a
heavily infested sack of grain.
No one defended her or showed any willingness to accept pleas from her
or her mother that this was not a malicious act but simply a small
mistake, which could have been made by anyone.
The case of Asia Bibi, the impoverished Christian woman who the late
Salmaan Taseer tried to defend, is yet another example of this. Today,
Asia continues to languish in a Sheikhupura Jail, her husband and
small children remain on the run and Taseer of course is dead.
In court his killer has boldly defended his actions and maintained he
committed no wrong when he killed Taseer.
There are of course many reasons for this growth of extremism. One is
that we seem unable - or perhaps unwilling - to act against the groups
spreading all kinds of vitriol that is only adding to the hatred that
runs deep in society.
Few doubt Ishaq, who has stated his diabolic comments were in fact
valid, will walk free once more in the not too distant future.
He was freed after 14 years in jail in July this year, with many of
the multiple charges of murder and terrorism against him, including
the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team, going unproven.
But the lack of action against Ishaq does not explain why groups such
as the LeJ, banned in 2002, remain able to operate so freely. The
outfit, carved out in the 1990s from the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan has
claimed responsibility for many of the most recent terrorist attacks.
Like it, other groups, notably those in southern Punjab, too seem able
to operate at will. Cosmetic name changes are involved in some cases.
Most have not bothered even with this meaningless ploy. Their
influence is increased by the madressahs they run and by using clerics
at mosques that spread hatred through their sermons.
Perhaps these leaders, before they speak out at highly public forums,
should just have a word or two with the people of Swat or others who
have lived under the Taliban before coming up with their comments.
themselves come under attack again and again, raising the question of
whether it is even moral to use ordinary people to fight highly
trained militias.
Like the Taliban themselves, the Lashkars too have been accused of all
kinds of atrocities, including using children as soldiers in violation
of international law or carrying out extra-judicial executions.
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
Pakistan: Banned Group Head Detained for 30 Days to Pre-Empt Sectarian Strife
SAP20110929128003 Karachi The Express Tribune Online in English 29 Sep 11
[Report by Asad Kharal: LeJ chief Malik Ishaq jailed for 30 days ]
Ishaq has now been detained for more than 30 days to pre-empt
sectarian strife, under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), The
Express Tribune has learnt.
Ishaq had been in jail since 1997 for allegedly killing 12 members of
Fida Hussain Ghalvi's family, in addition to being allegedly involved
in killing 58 other people in various incidents of sectarian violence.
He is one of the founders of the terrorist outfit LeJ, a key suspect
in the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.
He was granted bail by the apex court after the prosecution failed to
prove his involvement in the case.
The AHRC then regretted that the whereabouts of the son of the
minister added.
While slamming the Punjab government for its soft corner towards
extremists, the AHRC statement said: "Banned militant religious groups
are exciting violence in Punjab with full institutional protection
from the ruling party of the province (PML-N). Federal minister for
interior had accused the Punjab government that its ministers and
officials are closely associated with the LeJ which is why no action
has been taken against the group. Ishaq's September 22 protective
detention under the guise of house arrest comes after his
organisation, the Lashkar-e- Jhangvi, claimed responsibility for the
killings of 29 Shia pilgrims." The AHRC statement further said: "The
LeJ has overtly opened offices in many districts of the Punjab
province and collecting funds on the streets by means of collection
boxes in shops and restaurants. After the killing of 29 Shia pilgrims
from the Hazara tribe in Mastung, the Lashkare- Jhangvi has come out
openly and announced to continue its movement against the Shia sect as
they are infidel and they should be declared a non- Islamic religious
group. One must ask if this is another attempt at appeasement by the
government towards the militant religious groups".
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
Pakistan: TTP Demands Rs 30 Million as Ransom Money for Releasing Taseer s Son
SAP20111004128004 Islamabad The Nation Online in English 04 Oct 11
[Report by Jam Sajjad Hussain: Rs30m demanded for Taseer s son release ]
since his abduction, whereas his cell phone is being used by his
abductors from Razmak, which is one of the three sub-divisions of
North Waziristan Agency.
Informed quarters said Tariq Afridi has further appointed one Talha
(original name is Younas) as spokesman for this specific case of
abduction of ransom.
far.
Shahbaz Taseer was abducted on August 26, when he was driving towards
the offices of the First Capital Group off M.M. Alam Road in Gulberg.
'Yes, the TTP contacted local abductors and urged them to cooperate,
and later Shahbaz was kidnapped at gun-point by three to four locals,
who used a Prado jeep and a motorcycle and bundled Shahbaz Taseer into
the four-wheeler and fled away unimpeded', they added.
'Yes, one motive behind this abduction is quite clear as they have
formally demanded ransom money amounting to Rs 30 million while the
second is too early to unveil', official quarters said.
They, however, claimed the top guns of the Lahore police were quite
scared to visit Razmak Tehsil.
'Yes, the TTP command has advised them (police cops and other close
family members) to visit Razmak, where they would receive ransom money
and the abducted person would be released', they added.
Meanwhile, DIG Ali Aamir Malik, who had revealed during a Press
conference some days back, that 'fruitful developments' have been
established could not be contacted by this scribe despite the repeated
requests.
[Description of Source: Islamabad The Nation Online in English -Website of a conservative daily, part of the Nawa-i-Waqt publishing
group. Circulation around 20,000; URL: http://www.nation.com.pk]
But what is also making this possible are the ties that various
militant groups have built with each other across the country. It is
the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi of southern Punjab that is suspected to be
behind most of these killings; having developed links with the Taliban
and Al Qaeda, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi militants have found a convenient area
of operation in and around Quetta, retreating into seminaries and
other safe havens in nearby lawless border areas between attacks. The
sectarian Jundallah group is also suspected to have a hand in
anti-Shia violence in Balochistan, despite its focus on Iran. The
situation is thus a prime example of the fallout from increasing
collaboration among militant groups present in different parts of
Pakistan. It also demonstrates that going after anyone of them will
not be enough. Besides providing the Hazara community with much better
Pakistan.
Rule of law and the writ of the State are the biggest casualties
despite a strong message being given by the High Court of Balochistan
to all the relevant stakeholders to come up with a strategy to foil
the designs of the terrorists and insurgents. Recent spate of targeted
killings of Shia community is a case in point. The State seems to be
helpless or groping in the dark to take on proscribed militant
organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. The Government of Balochistan has not
come up with a concerted strategy after detailed review and
consultation with the chief secretary, home secretary, inspector
general police, DG Levies, IG Frontier Corps, IB, ISI, Special Branch,
and CID. A few meetings to pay lip service will not do.
The Frontier Corps looks up to the army command rather than the
Ministry of Interior to respond to acts of terrorism and disorder in
the province. A huge force is being fed gigantic internal security
allowance out of limited financial resources of the province, and yet
it is not accountable and responsive to the needs of the provincial
government to carry out raids in the 95% lawless areas of the
province. With such fragmented administrative machinery, how can
Balochistan not go down the road of utter chaos?
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
The LeJ had claimed responsibility for the massacre. The LeJ, which
has strong ties with the al-Qaeda and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, is a
sworn enemy of a particular sect and has a declared agenda of ridding
Pakistan of it.
Available figures show that a total of 422 Hazaras have been killed in
Balochistan alone since 1999. Well-informed sources in the
intelligence establishment say the killing spree in Quetta is being
spearheaded by one of the most wanted LeJ activist, Usman Saifullah
Kurd. Interestingly, Kurd had been arrested in 2006 but he finally
escaped from a Quetta jail in January 2008.
The last charge leveled against him was masterminding from his jail
cell the March 2009 terrorist attack targeting a bus carrying the Sri
Lankan cricket team in Lahore. During subsequent investigations, it
transpired that the LeJ attackers wanted to take hostage the cricket
team to get Ishaq released. He was bailed out anyway by the Supreme
Court "due to lack of evidence and the weak case of the prosecution",
as observed by two apex court judges while bailing him out against a
surety bond of a million rupees.
The court observed that the prosecution produced only two witnesses
who stated that they had heard conversations between some people
planning to take the Sri Lankan cricket team hostage to get Ishaq
released. The bench censured the prosecutor general of Punjab, saying:
"The judiciary has to face the wrath of the public when it releases
such accused due to lack of evidence and weak case of the
prosecution."
On the other hand, Malik Ishaq said in a brief media talk after being
set free: "We were never terrorists and killers and the apex court has
also proven that." He was cheered by hundreds of LeJ activists and
showered with rose petals as he walked from a high-security prison in
Lahore to a waiting land cruiser that was surrounded by dozens of his
arms-wielding supporters. The million-dollar questions remains: are
the Pakistani authorities incapable or unwilling to stop the march of
al-Qaeda-linked LeJ as it goes about its goal of radicalizing
Pakistan.
[Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -Website of a widely read, influential English daily, member of the
Jang publishing group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of
domestic and international issues. Usually offers leading news and
analysis on issues related to war against terrorism. Circulation
estimated at 55,000; URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/]
This followed the July 14 release of Malik Mohammad Ishaq, one of the
founding members of the LeJ, which has already claimed responsibility
for the September 20 cold-blooded execution-style killing of 29
Shi'ite pilgrims of the Hazara community in the Mastung area of
Balochistan.
All those killed were on their way to Iran from Quetta. Armed with
Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers, the attackers stopped the bus and
forced the pilgrims to get off. While women and children were spared,
they were made to witness the execution of their dear ones who were
lined up and sprayed with bullets.
One would recall the massacre of the Hazaras in Afghanistan after the
Afghan Taliban led by Mullah Omar took power in Kabul in September
1996 and allowed the LeJ to operate in Pakistan from sanctuaries in
Afghan territory.
the Shi'ite community." The massacre was carried out amid the usual
hate speech and wall-chalking, branding Shi'ites as apostate and
worthy to be killed.
A few weeks before the massacre, the LeJ had circulated an open letter
addressed to Hazaras in Quetta. Written in the Urdu language, the
letter stated: All Shi'ites are worthy of killing. We will rid
Pakistan of unclean people. Pakistan means land of the pure and the
Shi'ites have no right to live in this country. We have the edict and
signatures of revered scholars, declaring Shi'ites infidels. Just as
our fighters have waged a successful jihad against the Shi'ite Hazaras
in Afghanistan, our mission in Pakistan is the abolition of this
impure sect and its followers from every city, every village and every
nook and corner of Pakistan.
Like in the past, our successful jihad against the Hazaras in Pakistan
and, in particular, in Quetta, is ongoing and will continue in the
future. We will make Pakistan the graveyard of the Shi'ite Hazaras and
their houses will be destroyed by bombs and suicide bombers. We will
only rest when we will be able to fly the flag of true Islam on this
land of the pure. Jihad against the Shi'ite Hazaras has now become our
duty. Those investigating the recent surge in anti-Shi'ite attacks
believe it has something to do with the release on bail of Malik
Ishaq, the feared LeJ leader who had been charged with involvement in
100-plus sectarian murders.
Two weeks later, on September 19, Ishaq's gunmen who were escorting
his rally in Muzaffargarh district clashed with the Shi'ite community,
resulting in two deaths. Ishaq had undertaken the procession in
defiance of government orders since he is on an anti-terrorism watch
list and is required to request permission before leaving the
jurisdiction of his local police station. It was after these killings
that the Punjab government decided to place him under house arrest,
but for a brief period of one month, after which he will again be free
to spit venom and preach hatred in the name of Islam.
The last charge leveled against him was masterminding from his jail
cell the March 2009 terrorist attack targeting a bus carrying the Sri
Lankan cricket team in Lahore. During subsequent investigations, it
transpired that the LeJ attackers wanted to take hostage the cricket
team to get Ishaq released. He was bailed out anyway by the Supreme
Court in July "due to lack of evidence and the weak case of the
prosecution", as observed by two apex court judges while bailing him
out against a surety bond of a million rupees (US$11,436.)
On the other hand, Ishaq said in a brief media talk after being set
free: "We were never terrorists and killers and the apex court has
also proven that." He was cheered by hundreds of LeJ activists and
showered with rose petals as he walked from a high-security prison in
Lahore to a waiting land cruiser that was surrounded by his
arms-wielding supporters.
Rise to infamy
Born in 1959, Ishaq is the son of Ali Ahmad Awan, who owned a cloth
shop in the village Taranda Sawaey Khan in Rahim Yar Khan district of
southern Punjab. He left school in the sixth grade in the early 1980s
to assist his father.
But Ishaq's release was a foregone conclusion that had even been
predicted by the foreign media almost two years before the Supreme
Court set him free. On August 7, 2009, the New York Times reported
that one Fida Hussein Ghalvi, who had testified 12 years ago against
Ishaq for killing his 12 family members, "feared the imminent release
of the terrorist leader, thus adding horror to Ghalvi's life of grief,
already reduced to the limits of his house in Multan". The newspaper
said that Ghalvi still received threats from followers of Ishaq, who
has has never had a conviction that stuck, though Punjab police
records show a dizzying tally of murders against his name.
"When Malik Ishaq was arrested in 1997, he unleashed his broad network
against his opponents, killing witnesses, threatening judges and
intimidating police, leading nearly all of the prosecutions against
him to collapse eventually," said the New York Times. "Now, with the
cases against him mostly exhausted, Ishaq - a 'jihadi hero' - could be
out on bail very soon. That prospect terrifies Ghalvi." The Times
quoting him as having said: "My life is totally constrained. I can't
even go to funerals. What have I gotten from 13 years of struggle
except grief?"
In fact, when Ghalvi and three other men had identified Ishaq, he told
them in front of the trial court judge that "dead men can't talk".
Subsequently, five witnesses and three of their relatives were killed
during the trial. Ishaq was also the prime accused in the 1997 bombing
of the Iranian culture center in Multan, which killed eight people.
Perhaps this is no surprise. Ishaq was flown from a Lahore jail to the
garrison town of Rawalpindi by the military on a special chartered
flight to hold talks with fidayeen (suicide) attackers of the TTP, led
by Dr Aqeel alias Mohammad Osman, who had stormed the general
headquarters building on October 10, 2009 and taken hostage 42 people,
including several military officials.
Interestingly, these same four jihadi leaders had been roped in by the
Pervez Musharraf regime in July 2007 to negotiate with the hardline
clerics of the infamous Lal Mosque (Red Mosque) in the heart of the
capital, Islamabad. The military later launched a raid on the mosque
to flush out militants who had taken sanctuary there.
The clout that Ishaq enjoyed even while in jail can be gauged from the
fact that he was not only allowed to use a mobile phone, he continued
to receive the regular monthly stipend from the Punjab government that
bega when Shehbaz Sharif became provincial chief minister in 2008.
The bone of contention was the killing of 36 activists of the SSP and
During his last days as premier, Nawaz Sharif, whose own life was
under threat from the SSP and the LeJ and who had already survived an
assassination attempt by them in Lahore, went public in naming
Afghanistan as the country providing shelter and training to SSP and
LeJ hit men. On January 3, 1999, the two sectarian groups had
attempted to blow up a bridge on the Lahore-Raiwind road, close to
Nawaz Sharif's farmhouse, shortly before he was due to pass by.
Although Sharif family circles strongly deny these reports, the fact
remains that the slain governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, had accused
the Sharif government of courting the SSP in the Jhang district of
south Punjab to safeguard its vote bank in the Pakistan People's Party
in a March 2010 by-election for a vacant seat in the Punjab provincial
assembly.
Taseer, who was gunned down by his bodyguard for his liberal views, in
But terrorism experts believe that the SSP is in fact the mother
organization that has provided human fodder to the cauldron of the
region's multi-layered violence in the name of Islam.
The SSP and the LeJ, which is considered to be the military wing of
the SSP, were once the strategic assets of the state of Pakistan and
have linked with al-Qaeda as its ancillary warriors, killing Pakistani
citizens and targeting the security forces to dissuade Pakistan from
fighting the "war against terror" as a United States ally.
The LeJ today has deep links with al-Qaeda and the Pakistani and
Afghan Taliban and is considered to be the most violent terrorist
organization operating in Pakistan, with the help of its suicide
squad. As with most Sunni Deobandi sectarian and militant groups,
almost the entire LeJ leadership is made up of people who have fought
in Afghanistan with the backing of the Pakistani security
establishment and most of its cadre are drawn from the numerous Sunni
madrassas (seminaries) in Pakistan.
The Lashkar stands out for its secrecy, lethality and unrelenting
pursuit of its core objectives - targeting Western interests in
Pakistan and the Shi'ite community as a way to the eventual
transformation of the country into a Taliban-style Islamic state. It
has become the group of choice for hard-core militants who are adamant
in pursuing their jihadi agenda in Pakistan.
While Shi'ites remain the primary target of the LeJ, the group has,
since 2002, broadened its focus to include other civilian, government
and Western targets in Pakistan.
Despite the involvement of the LeJ and its parent party, the SSP, in
sectarian violence since its inception in 1996, the Pakistani state
has failed to neutralize either group. Being part of a broader jihadi
movement with Deobandi ideological affiliation, the LeJ has links with
other jihadi groups, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Harkatul
Mujahideen and the Harkatul Jehadul Islami.
The LeJ also main tains close operational links with the Afghan
Taliban and al-Qaeda. There is, in fact, sufficient evidence to
indicate that the LeJ has been transformed into a significant al-Qaeda
affiliate, which provides not only back-up support but also takes part
in terrorist attacks linked to al-Qaeda. Yet, the group stays focused
on its home turf and its stated goal of radicalizing Pakistan.
Most terrorism experts agree that LeJ operatives are the most highly
trained and equally vicious killers the world of terror has to offer.
Intelligence sources say the LeJ has finally moved to center stage and
the past claims by Pakistani agencies of its demise after the capture
of its salar-e-Aala (commander-in-chief) Akram Lahori have proved to
be wide off the mark. This is evident as the group has already started
a fresh recruitment drive to form new cells at the district and
provincial levels, especially following the release of Ishaq.
[Description of Source: Hong Kong Asia Times Online in English -Online newspaper focusing on political and economic issues from an
"Asian perspective," with over 50 contributors in 17 Asian countries,
the United States, and Europe, and a branch office in Bangkok;
successor of the Hong Kong/Bangkok-based print daily Asia Times that
[Report by Imdad Soomro: "Situation under control but for how long"]
KARACHI - The law enforcement agencies (LEAs) may not have achieved
their main objective in the ongoing 'surgical operations' but the
violence in Karachi has greatly subsidised since the launch of the
LEAs' action and the beginning of the Supreme Court's proceedings on
suo motu over Karachi killings.
The operation was launched when Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani called on Rangers Director General (DG) Aijaz
Chaudhry and ordered him to launch an indiscriminate operation in
Karachi and arrest criminals without considering their political,
ethnic or sectarian belongings.
Sources in the federal government claimed that Malik was then 'asked'
to leave Karachi and the Rangers DG announced the beginning of an
indiscriminate, targeted operation in a press conference.
Two large torture cells were also discovered with one in Lyari, a
stronghold of the PAC, and another at Yousuf Plaza in Federal B Area,
a stronghold of the MQM.
[Description of Source: Lahore Pakistan Today Online in English -Daily online newspaper launched in October 2010 by Nawa Media Group
providing in-depth reporting on domestic and international issues,
financed by Pakistan's richest businessman Mian Mohammad Mansha.
Editor Arif Nizami is an experienced journalist with professional work
experience of over three decades, mainly as editor of a major
Pakistani daily The Nation. URL: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/]
"The killers then told him, 'You have not done anything wrong, but we
have been told that killing one Shi'ite will open five doors of heaven
for us,'" Ahmed Ali says. "He was then forced out of his car and
killed by a whole burst of Kalashnikov fire."
Middle-aged coal mine owner Sayed Nasir Ali Shah represents Quetta's
Hazaras in the federal parliament. He was elected on the ticket of the
governing Pakistan People's Party in 2008, but has since turned into
one of its most outspoken critics. These days, his only mission is to
try to save Hazara lives by calling for government protection.
Shah was undeterred even when he was targeted in a suicide attack last
year, which left one of his young sons paralyzed. He says that
protests and petitions with senior leaders have so far fallen on deaf
ears.
Losing battle
A century ago, Shah's Hazara ancestors fled the poverty and oppression
of their Afghan homeland to the safety offered by Quetta, a British
garrison town. Compared to their Afghan cousins, the Hazaras in Quetta
Abdul Khaliq Hazara, chairman of the Hazara Democratic Party, says the
government had abdicated its responsibility of protecting his
community. The small political party he leads hopes to provide
protection to Quetta's 400,000 Hazaras by relentlessly advocating
their rights.
He now sees no light at the end of the tunnel, and laments that many
youths in the community are opting to seek asylum abroad.
Insurgents' foothold?
Afghan and Western officials, however, are more concerned about the
presence of Afghan insurgents in Balochistan. They blame Pakistan for
sheltering the leadership of the Afghan Taliban movement in Quetta.
But there is only so much they can do, Shakeel says. "We only have
1,100 police officers for Quetta and their responsibility is not only
to prevent target assassinations but they have to provide protection
to senior officials," he says.
rally in London.
"When we leave our houses (in the morning) we are not sure about
returning in the evening," Ismail says. "When our children go out into
the bazaar, we are worried about something happening to them. These
are the kind of problems we live with."
[Description of Source: Hong Kong Asia Times Online in English -Online newspaper focusing on political and economic issues from an
"Asian perspective," with over 50 contributors in 17 Asian countries,
the United States, and Europe, and a branch office in Bangkok;
successor of the Hong Kong/Bangkok-based print daily Asia Times that
closed in 1997, it claims an average of 100,000 daily site visitors,
with 65% of the audience based in North America, and 22% in the
Asia-Pacific region; tends to be critical of the United States; URL:
http://www.atimes.com]
We will take action against all those pinpointed by Nasir Shah, he added.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 26, 2011 (AFP) - Pakistan has extended the detention by
60 days of a leader of the country's most extreme Sunni Muslim terror
group wanted over sectarian killings, an official said Wednesday.
His detention has been extended in the interest of public order and to
preempt any sectarian strife, Sheikh said.
Ishaq was also accused of masterminding, from behind bars, the 2009
attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore which wounded seven
players and an assistant coach, and killed eight Pakistanis.
But he has been acquitted in 34 cases against him and granted bail in
the remaining 10, official documents said.
Rights groups say a lack of action from the government has emboldened
sectarian militant groups, blamed for the deaths of thousands in past
years.
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi also played a key role in the 2002 kidnap and murder
asq-sz/jm/pdh
have been provided lists and have been directed to take strict action
against those who may donate skins to these organizations.
In this regard, police have been directed to strict action against any
organization that sets up camps for collecting skins.
News, a
When the security guard of the judge opened fire on the escaping
attackers, they lost control of their vehicle and rammed their car
into the wall of a nearby house.
They tried to escape on foot, but by that time, the police had reached
there and arrested two of them following a brief encounter.
The injured lawyer was taken to the Aga Khan hospital where he
succumbed to his injuries. The body was later shifted to the Abbasi
Shaheed Hospital.
The arrested men were identified as Jameel and Muneer and one
Kalashnikov, two Uzi pistols, a rifle, a rope, a knife and bullets
were recovered from their possession. The Crime Investigation
Department of the police took them into custody and shifted them to an
undisclosed location. The sources said that the two men are members of
the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and important information could be
extracted from them during interrogation.
They also said that the attackers were had used a fake number plate on
their vehicle.
[Description of Source: Lahore Pakistan Today Online in English -Daily online newspaper launched in October 2010 by Nawa Media Group
providing in-depth reporting on domestic and international issues,
financed by Pakistan's richest businessman Mian Mohammad Mansha.
Editor Arif Nizami is an experienced journalist with professional work
experience of over three decades, mainly as editor of a major
"We hate Taliban and there are no two opinions about it, but we are
compelled to bear the atrocities of these militant outfits because the
state has no writ," said another elder from the Utmanzai tribe. "Our
voices are not heard and we are not given appropriate space and
airtime in the mainstream media."
"The drone frightens women and children who sometimes become the
victims, especially if the intended targets are close to their homes,"
the Utmanzai elder said.
Tribal elders believe many foreign and local militant leaders have
been killed in drone strikes in North Waziristan. New America
Foundation, a Washington-based think tank, estimates on basis of media
reports that 80% of the people killed in drones were Al Qaeda and
Taliban militants. The accuracy rose to an astonishing 95% in 2010.
This assertion was corroborated by Pakistani security official Maj Gen
Ghayur Mehmood, who commands troops in North Waziritan, in a March 9
media briefing. Between 2007 and 2011, he said, 164 drone strikes had
carried out and over 964 terrorists had been killed. Of those killed,
793 were foreigners - Arabs, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Chechens, Filipinos and
Moroccans.
Some Pakistani militant groups have abandoned the IMK because of the
brutal ways in which they murder people. "We tried our best to reform
the IMK but repeated attempts to correct them failed," Bahadur said in
a recent statement issued after pressure from local Wazir tribesmen.
Security experts say that the Haqqani Network has been playing the
role of bridge between the local and foreign militants, especially
Pakistani and Afghan Taliban and Al Qaeda. It was the Haqqani Network
that brokered a truce between the Nazir-led militant group and the TTP
in South Waziristan when they were fighting over expulsion of Uzbek
militants from the region, said a Bannu-based journalist, adding that
that the Haqqani Network has strong presence not only in North
Waziristan but also in South Waziristan, Kurram and Orakzai tribal
agencies.
The Shia Turi tribes of neighbouring Kurram Agency say the growing
drone attacks that killed dozens of Al Qaeda, Haqqani Network and TTP
leaders, and the US pressure on Pakistani government to begin an
operation in North Waziristan, has increased the importance of K urram
for the Haqqani Network. The network will also find in Kurram Agency
new passages into Afghanistan, especially with help from former TTP
leader Fazal Saeed Haqqani. And it will bring new problems for the
Shias of Kurram Agency.
[Description of Source: Lahore The Friday Times Online in English -Website of the Independent, moderate weekly run by veteran journalist
proclaimed offenders.
News, a
The intelligence officials claim that Kurd is the head of the banned
militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) and Badini is the son of Maulvi
Amir Hamza Badini who was a prominent member of the Jamiat
Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal JUlF) in Chagai before he became a close associate
of Mullah Omar, head of the Afghan Taliban, says an intelligence
official. He says the hatred against the Quetta-based Hazaras - who
are all Shias and have migrated from Afghanistan over more than a
century - intensified after the Taliban came into power in Afghanistan
in 1996.
According to the informed quarters of the area, the police did not
kill any accused during this operation in the tortuous mountainous
territory of the Pir Chambal shrine and its rocky surroundings in the
Pind Dadan Khan sub-district of Jhelum. Nor were some accused
apprehended. In this regard, police officers have been supplying
incorrect information to the media.
death.
According to the sources, the local police were casting a blind eye to
the fact that for seven months the terrorists were hiding in the
premises of this shrine and in the nearby mountains and, therefore,
the visitors were afraid to come to this area out of the fear. In
fact, there are number of policemen who are also among the devotees of
the Pir Chambal shrine and they also knew that the accused were
involved in incidents of kidnap for ransom for the last several
months. However, the police officers have been avoiding passing any
information in this context till late in the evening. Their junior
policemen have been telling the journalists that the RPO [Regional
Police Officer] Rawalpindi Division will soon address a news
conference.
According to the BBC, the path to where the dead bodies of the men of
military intelligence were found is a distance of three hours, because
the mountainous range starts here; it is highly tortuous. According
to news agency INP, the tragedy of Pir Chambal is still engulfed in
the dense layer of mysteriousness. To date, no clear information has
come into the public domain regarding the terrorists who caused the
martyrdom of a major and four soldiers.
Editorial: Pakistan Must Weed Out 'Militant Sympathizers' From Security Agencies
SAP20111116114006 Lahore Daily Times Online in English 16 Nov 11
Though it is tragic that four MI operatives were killed, one hopes the
incident will highlight for the establishment that extremists of any
stripe can, and will, strike out at them whenever it suits. It is
shortsighted in the extreme to consider any of these outfits as
'assets' for 'strategic' objectives. A very worrying aspect
highlighted by the story is the indication that many security agencies
and the civil and military bureaucracy of the country have been deeply
infiltrated by extremist organisations. It appears the four were
killed as a result of the rescue operation being leaked to the LeJ.
Reports hint at elements within the Punjab Police being the source of
the leak. This is not the first indication of such infiltration. The
cases of ex-commissioner of Malakand Javed Mohammad, the Mehran base
[Description of Source: Lahore Daily Times Online in English -Website of the independent, moderate daily, run by Media Times
(Private) Ltd., owned by Shehryar Taseer, son of Salman Taseer, former
slain governor of Punjab province. Rashed Rahman is the
editor-in-chief. The same group owns and publishes weekly newspaper
The Friday Times and Urdu daily Aaj Kal. Strong critic of radical and
jihadi elements. Provides extensive coverage of activities of
jihadi/militant groups. Caters to the educated middle class, with an
estimated circulation of 20,000.; URL: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk.]
According to sources, two suicide jackets have also been seized from
the arrested terrorist. The accused belongs to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
He was living in a hiding for three years. Efforts are on to arrest
colleagues of the detained terrorist.
LAHORE: While the law takes its time to prosecute 725 terror suspects
for violating the conditions placed on their freedom out of the 2,080
of the most dangerous criminals whose names appear in the Anti
Terrorism Act, 39 other extremists from banned militant outfits have
disappeared.
The home department and inspector general police, Punjab have directed
the police and other law enforcement agencies to maintain a record of
suspects whose names appear in the fourth schedule, especially when
they leave their respective city and the limits of the local police
station. The authorities have directed the police to register cases
Excerpt from report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency
[Description of Source: Peshawar Afghan Islamic Press in Pashto -Peshawar-based agency, staffed by Afghans, that describes itself as an
independent "news agency" but whose history and reporting pattern
reveal a perceptible pro-Taliban bias; the AIP's founder-director,
Mohammad Yaqub Sharafat, has long been associated with a mujahidin
faction that merged with the Taliban's "Islamic Emirate" led by Mullah
Sources told The Express Tribune that the report added that some of
the recently released extremists were back to their old ways,
indulging in terrorist activities and sectarian violence again.
Following these revelations, the Home Department directed a strict
inquiry into the case.
After receiving the report, the Punjab Home Department directed the
police and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to prepare another
detailed report specifying the activities and present whereabouts of
The agency has directed all the provincial setups of the CTW to
compile a detailed account of the activities of the detained prisoners
who were arrested under charges of terrorism. The FIA has stressed
that the report should document their complete criminal record, latest
pictures, their sects and affiliated groups, and present the current
status of their cases registered, sources familiar with the matter
revealed.
The list included the name of Malik Ishaq -- the former operational
chief of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), who was allegedly involved in 44
cases, involving the death of 70 people, mostly belonging to the Shia
sect. Ishaq is in prison under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO)
but is not imprisoned in any of the 44 registered cases.