| Islamic World News | |
| 02 Jun 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com |
| 67% of Pakistanis want Islamisation of society: Poll | ||
ISI scripted 26/11, Qaida cleared it, says Saleem Shahzad’s book on terrorism 58 Pakistani troops die in border attack Street battles in Yemeni capital leave 41 dead Militant attack kills 28 in Pakistan 12 Coptic Christians killed, 232 injured by Islamists in Egypt Pakistani Christian and vacant seat of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti Libya says NATO raids killed 718 civilians Libya conflict: UN accuses both sides of war crimes Karzai: NATO risks becoming 'occupying force' Pakistan military helicopter crash kills two 200 militants cross over from Afghanistan, attack checkpost in Pak Israelis hold controversial march in east Jerusalem NATO extends Libya air war India supports efforts to make Afghan forces stronger: Indian Def. Min. Hilary condemns shahzad’s killing Pak journalist's death sparks anger, fear Pak journalists demand answer to Shehzad killing Personal enmity may have led to scribe's killing: Malik Nato says Gaddafi's exit a matter of time US seeking out Taliban biggies for talks 'US denied Pakistan missile tech to protect India' Syria must be reported to UN over nuclear claims: Britain Pak-US forming joint intelligence team Aid talks in US could affect ties: Haqqani Pakistan ready to talk to militants: Gilani Mumbai terror trial in Chicago winding down US seeking out Taliban biggies for talks Egypt's Hosni Mubarak set to go on trial on August 3 Headley recced Pune hang-out Former major with Kashmiri executed 26/11 ISI's Major Iqbal sought progress report on Mumbai terror plot Merkel flight: Germany sees red as Iran blames pilot Afzal’s mercy plea file to be sent to President Clinton hopes Egypt will give Mubarak, sons a fair trial I made a ‘fool’ of Rana, says Headley 9/11 mastermind to be charged at Guantanamo Rana unlikely to testify at own trial in Chicago Police on alert as Israel marks Jerusalem Day Israeli forces evict Khirbet Yarza residents Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau Photo: A majority of Pakistanis favour the government taking steps for Islamisation | ||
Autopsy shows 15 torture marks on Saleem Shahzad's body--------
67% of Pakistanis want Islamisation of society: Poll
June 02, 2011
Islamabad: A majority of Pakistanis favour the government taking steps for Islamisation of society and almost a third of them believe the process should be completed in one go,according to a new survey.
A total of 67% replied in the affirmative when asked during the survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan whether the government should take steps to Islamise the society.Only 13% said they believed there is no need for Islamisation while 20% gave no response.
As much as 48% of the respondents said steps to Islamise the society should be taken one by one while 31% said the steps should be taken at once.However,21% gave no response to a question on the process of Islamisation.
The study was carried out by Gallup Pakistan,the affiliate of Gallup International.
The survey was carried out among a sample of 2,738 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of Pakistan during January.
Rights activists and civil society groups have expressed concern over the perceived growth of influence of Islamist and radical groups in recent months.
The police guard who assassinated Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer for opposing the blasphemy law in January was feted by Islamist groups as a hero and hundreds of lawyers offered to represent him for free.Former minister Sherry Rehman stopped making public appearances after being threatened by hardliners for her call for changes in the blasphemy law.PTI
http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?pageid=22&pagesize=&edid=&edlabel=CAP&mydateHid=02-06-2011&pubname=&edname=&publabel=TOI
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Autopsy shows 15 torture marks on Shahzad's body
June 02, 2011
ISLAMABAD: The brutality with which Syed Saleem Shahzad was killed emerged on Wednesday with details of the post mortem showing at least 15 torture marks on his body but no bullet wounds. The autopsy report said death was probably caused by a fatal blow in the chest region and TV images of his body showed deep bruises on his face.
Angry reporters, friends and academics, who gathered for the funeral said the murderers not just wanted to kill him but also sent a more chilling message. "It was an attempt to silence a society," said Adil Najam, a professor of International Relations and Geography in Boston University.
"Saleem Shahzad's killing bore hallmarks of previous killings perpetrated by Pakistani intelligence agencies," said Ali Dayan Hasan of the Human Rights Watch in South Asia. He said Shahzad had been receiving threats from the ISI members, and had warned that if anything happened to him the media should be quickly informed.
Details about Shahzad's previous run-ins with the ISI also surfaced. He was reportedly summoned to ISI headquarters on October 17, 2010 to discuss his sources and the content of an article published in Asia Times Online, which alleged Pakistan had quietly released Afghan Taliban commander Mullah Baradar, Mullah Omar's deputy, to take part in talks through the Pakistan army.
As news of this meeting swirled in media circles, the state-run news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan, on Wednesday warned the killing should not be used to malign the country's security agency in the eyes of the public.
The reported meeting between the journalist and ISI officials of the Information Management Wing was to discuss a story he had done for Asia Online on October 15 and the meeting had nothing sinister about it, said an unnamed official quoted by APP. The ISI official warned that media should act with responsibility to avoid legal action.
Shahzad's torture and murder wasn't an isolated incident. Last year, an investigative reporter of the Jung Group Umar Cheema was kidnapped while on his way to home in Islamabad. Later, he was tied and left on a highway, more than 100km from Islamabad. His captors had stripped him naked, tortured him and shaved his hair, moustache and eyebrows. Cheema had reported about the elite military commandos, who were court-martialed and imprisoned for calling for a political settlement of the Lal Masjid siege in 2007.
"It is extremely risky for journalists to report about the country's military establishment against its will. We have not developed the habit to critically write about the military and intelligence agencies," said Amir Mateen, a senior journalist.
Lala Hameed Baluch, another journalist, was found dead last year in Baluchistan's Turbat town. He went missing in October while on his way home in the province's port city of Gawader. His colleagues believe he was apprehended by Pakistani security officials, according to Huma Ali, former President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).
Sensing the anger in the media, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ordered an inquiry into Shahzad's abduction and murder but that failed to pacify those who knew him.
"We want an answer. We need an answer. We deserve an answer," said TV talk-show host Quatrina Husain.
Hundreds of mourners, mostly relatives and journalists, turned out for Shahzads burial in his hometown Karachi as journalists in several cities held protest demonstrations. According to office bearers of journalist unions,black flags would be hoisted for three days at all press clubs in Pakistan.
Shahzad, an investigative reporter, who extensively wrote on religious movements, militant groups and Pakistani armed forces, went missing from Islamabad on May 29, 2011, just days after publishing an article for the Asia Times Online on links the Pakistani Navy officers had with al-Qaida. The second part of his report, `Recruitment and training of militants', has yet to be published by Asia Times Online of which Shahzad was bureau chief in Pakistan.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Autopsy-shows-15-torture-marks-on-Shahzads-body/articleshow/8688817.cms
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ISI scripted 26/11, Qaida cleared it, says Saleem Shahzad’s book on terrorism
June 02, 2011
Ilyas Kashmiri
New Delhi: The 26/11 terror attacks that killed 166 people and brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war were scripted by ISI officers and approved before execution by al-Qaida commanders,according to a book just written by slain Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad.
The 40-year-old reporter in his book titled Inside Al-Qaeda and the Taleban beyond bin Laden and 9/11 describes the Mumbai plan as one pushed through by Ilyas Kashmiri,a key al-Qaida ally with wide links with the Pakistan defence establishment.Shahzad,who was an authority on terrorism in Afghanistan and the neighbourhood,says in the book that the plan was authored by Inter-Services Intelligence officers and executed by Lashkar-e-Taiba.
With Ilyas Kashmiris immense expertise on Indian operations,he stunned the al-Qaeda leaders with the suggestion that expanding the war theatre was the only way to overcome the present impasse.He presented the suggestion of conducting such a massive operation in India as would bring India and Pakistan to war and with that all proposed operations against al-Qaeda would be brought to a grinding halt.Al-Qaeda excitedly approved the attack-India proposal, Shahzad wrote in the book,excerpts of which were published in The Dawn newspaper.
Shahzads friends and family believe the ISI had a hand in his death,but an official statement from the spy agency denied any involvement.
http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?publabel=TOI&city=Delhi
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58 Pakistani troops die in border attack
June 02, 2011
A daylong clash between militants from Afghanistan who crossed the border and attacked a Pakistani checkpoint left 58 troops and 35 insurgents dead, police said.
The fighting came as a top Pakistani general said the military plans to stage an operation against militants in a tribal region that juts deep inside Afghanistan, but denied media reports of an upcoming offensive in North Waziristan, the tribal area where the US has been pushing for action.
Pakistan’s northwest border with Afghanistan has for years been a stomping ground for Islamist extremists, some of whom focus on attacks against Western forces across the border, and others who prefer to attack the Pakistani state because of its ties to the United States.
Pakistan has taken action against the latter groups but they’ve retained the ability to strike back, partly because the border is so porous and insurgents under attack can easily cross from side to side.
The clash that began Wednesday and wound down Thursday occurred in Shaltalo town in Upper Dir district. Upper Dir lies just outside the tribal belt, but it too has witnessed Al Qaeda and Taliban militant activity and been the focus of military offensives.
Police said some 200 militants crossed over into Pakistan from Afghanistan, and went after a checkpoint manned by police and paramilitary troops.
The situation was under control as of noon Thursday, and funerals were being arranged for the dead security forces, he said.
On Wednesday, army Lt. Gen. Asif Yasin Malik, who oversees military operations in the tribal areas and other parts of the northwest, said the Kurram tribal area would be the next target of an offensive after local leaders there requested it.
Malik said operations would be launched there with the government’s backing, but declined to give any more operational details.
The Haqqani network is considered one of the biggest threats to US forces in Afghanistan, partly because its fighters can retreat across the border to North Waziristan, where they have bases and have been left alone by the Pakistani army.
The US has pushed the Pakistani military go after the Haqqanis and other factions in North Waziristan. The pressure has increased since the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden in a garrison city in Pakistan’s northwest and deeply embarrassed the army.
But officials here have resisted, saying their troops are stretched on other fronts, and that their priority is eliminating insurgents who attack Pakistan, which the Haqqanis have not done.
Malik said on Wednesday that that position has not changed, and dismissed recent “media hype” about an imminent offensive in North Waziristan.
“There is no change in North Waziristan in past months and weeks,” Malik said. “We will undertake an operation when we want to, when it’s in the national interest.”
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/June/international_June65.xml§ion=international&col=
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Street battles in Yemeni capital leave 41 dead
June 02, 2011
SANAA: Government forces and tribal fighters exchanged gun and artillery fire in Yemen’s capital early Wednesday, sending the crackle of gunfire and resounding booms over the city in fresh fighting that killed at least 41 people. The fighting spread to new areas, with tribesmen from the powerful Hasid confederation seizing buildings in neighborhoods in the city’s south and northwest.
The urban battles over the last week have posed a new threat to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year rule. For nearly four months, thousands of Yemenis have filled the streets daily, calling for democratic reforms and Saleh’s ouster. The mostly peaceful protests gave way last week to violence between Saleh’s security forces and fighters loyal to Sheikh Sadeq Al-Ahmar, head of the country’s largest tribal coalition.
Saleh’s often violent attempts to quash the protests have led the US to turn away from its one-time ally, once considered a necessary partner in fighting Yemen’s active Al-Qaeda branch.
Full report at:
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article446850.ece
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Militant attack kills 28 in Pakistan
June 02, 2011
A prolonged militant attack on a remote checkpoint in northwest Pakistan killed 23 policemen and five civilians on the border with Afghanistan, police officials said Thursday. Hundreds of heavily armed militants on Wednesday besieged a Pakistani post manned by police in Shaltalu in the district of D
ir, where Pakistan sought to put down a Taliban insurgency two years ago.
"We have so far found 23 dead bodies of policemen, who had been killed in the attack that militants launched early Wednesday morning," senior police official, Qazi Jamil ur-Rehman told AFP.
He said that five civilians, including two women, were also killed when mortars fired by militants targeting the post landed in nearby houses.
Clashes were continuing Thursday morning, police said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/pakistan/Militant-attack-kills-28-in-Pakistan/Article1-704711.aspx
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12 Coptic Christians killed, 232 injured by Islamists in Egypt
June 02, 2011
Cairo: May 9, 2011. (AINA) Christians Copts in the area of Embaba were attacked Saturday evening by Muslim Salafis. The attacks lasted for 14 hours. The Muslims fired guns and rifles and hurled Molotov cocktails at Coptic churches, houses and busines
Cairo: May 9, 2011. (AINA) Christians Copts in the area of Embaba were attacked Saturday evening by Muslim Salafis. The attacks lasted for 14 hours. The Muslims fired guns and rifles and hurled Molotov cocktails at Coptic churches, houses and businesses. 12 Copts were killed and 232 injured.
http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/viewnews.php?newsid=1732
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Pakistani Christian and vacant seat of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti
June 02, 2011
Islamabad: May 30, 2011. (PCP) The Election Commission of Pakistan have fixed June 26, 2011, for next date of hearing on petition filed by Michael Javed for notification of succession on seat vacated in National Assembly of Pakistan after assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian heading Federal Ministry for Minority affairs.
Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities and selected by ruling Pakistan Peoples Party on reserved minorities seats in National Assembly was gunned down by militants in capital city Islamabad on March 2, 2011.
There are 10 reserved seats for minorities in National Assembly of Pakistan which were distributed among religious minorities as: 4 seats for Christians, 4 seats for Hindus, 1 seat for Ahmadi Muslims and 1 seat from Sikh, Parsi and others: The reserved seats were legalized under 8th Amendment in Constitution of Pakistan in 1985, when House was of 235 seats.
Full report at:
http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/viewnews.php?newsid=1736
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Libya says NATO raids killed 718 civilians
June 02, 2011
Libya accused NATO of killing 718 civilians and wounding 4,067 in 10 weeks of air strikes, as African efforts for a truce stalled and Italy said Muammar Gaddafi’s regime is “finished.”
The toll of the dead and injured was given on Tuesday at a news conference in Tripoli by Government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim, who also warned the departure of Gaddafi would be a “worst case scenario” for Libya.
“Since March 19, and up to May 26, there have been 718 martyrs among civilians and 4,067 wounded — 433 of them seriously,” Ibrahim said.
He said these figures do not include Libyan military casualties, a toll the Defence Ministry refuses to divulge. Soon after he spoke, four powerful explosions rocked the centre of Tripoli, the target of more and more intensive air raids by NATO warplanes for more than a week, an AFP journalist reported.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/342745/Libya-says-NATO-raids-killed-718-civilians.html
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Libya conflict: UN accuses both sides of war crimes
June 02, 2011
United Nations : A UN panel investigating the conflict in Libya has accused both Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime and Opposition forces of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in their 15-week fight.
Libyan government forces that are pitted against pro-democracy activists who have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to a three member panel appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The panel also said that the rebel forces had committed acts that could also constituted war crimes.
Full report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/798447/
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Karzai: NATO risks becoming 'occupying force'
June 02, 2011
Afghan President Hamid Karzai warned Tuesday that the U.S.-led NATO military in Afghanistan risks becoming an "occupying force" if aerial bombings which cause civilian casualties continue.
In some of his strongest remarks yet, Karzai also fired a shot across the bows of the international community by harking back to Afghanistan's long history of "dealing with occupying forces" such as the Soviet Union.
The comments came after he issued a "last warning" to foreign forces over civilian casualties following the killing of what Karzai said was 14 civilians in an air strike Saturday. The Western-backed Afghan president has long criticized foreign forces over their mistaken killing of civilians as they hunt Taliban-led insurgents in the near 10-year war, and faces intense domestic pressure over the issue.
Full report at:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=karzai-nato-risks-becoming-occupying-force-2011-05-31
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Pakistan military helicopter crash kills two
June 02, 2011
A military helicopter with the head of the provincial paramilitary force on board crashed in eastern Pakistan yesterday, killing at least two people, military officials said.
Four military officials, including Major-General Mohammad Nawaz, director general of the Punjab Rangers, were on board the helicopter when it crashed into Indus River in eastern Pakistan.
Another official said that the cause of the crash was being investigated.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=188254
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200 militants cross over from Afghanistan, attack checkpost in Pak
June 02, 2011
PESHAWAR: Some 200 militants streamed over the border from Afghanistan and attacked a nearby Pakistani checkpoint on Wednesday, killing at least five security troops, police said.
The pre-dawn assault was launched in Shaldalo village in the mountainous northwestern region of Dir and fighting was still continuing, police said.
"They (militants ) were in military uniform . They attacked the outpost and then went into forest there," Mahmood Ahmed, a police officer in the region, said.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/200-militants-cross-over-from-Afghanistan-attack-checkpost-in-Pak/articleshow/8688926.cms
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Israelis hold controversial march in east Jerusalem
June 02, 2011
JERUSALEM: More than 25,000 Jewish Israelis joined a Jerusalem Day parade in the city's mainly Arab eastern sector on Wednesday to celebrate its capture 44 years ago, during the Six Day War.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said "more than 25,000 people" had turned up for the march which would end inside the Old City at the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.
The route runs to Damascus Gate, the main entrance to old City from east Jerusalem, then skirts the outside of the city walls to the Dung Gate where marchers would enter and head to the Wall.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Israelis-hold-controversial-march-in-east-Jerusalem/articleshow/8684053.cms
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NATO extends Libya air war
June 02, 2011
TRIPOLI: NATO on Wednesday extended its Libyan air war by three months and said the departure of strongman Muammar Qadhafi was only a question of time, as the African Union backed Russian mediation of the crisis.
Hours after NATO-led aircraft launched new raids on Tripoli, ambassadors of the military alliance meeting in Brussels decided to renew the mission for another 90 days to late September.
Full report at:
http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/02/stories/2011060266641400.htm
28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
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India supports efforts to make Afghan forces stronger: Indian Def. Min.
June 02, 2011
UNION Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday that India is committed to building capabilities of the Afghan forces even as his counterpart, Afghan Defence Minister General Abdul Rahim Wardak, said that Kabul will welcome any cooperation in the field of training.
The two defence ministers met for a long series of discussions that lasted through the day, after which Antony assured that India is committed to making the Afghan security forces stronger. "India remains fully committed to supporting Afghanistan in its reconstruction and development efforts," said Antony, conveying India's willingness to work with the Afghan government on the issue.
Full report at:
http://epaper.indianexpress.com/IE/IEH/2011/06/02/ArticleHtmls/02_06_2011_006_016.shtml?Mode=1
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Hilary condemns shahzad’s killing
June 02, 2011
Supporting Pakistan Government's investigations into the circumstances surrounding Shehzad's death, the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, "His work reporting on terrorism and intelligence issues in Pakistan brought to light the troubles extremism poses to Pakistan's stability. We support the Pakistani Government's investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death," she said in a statement.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/342736/Hilary-condemns-shahzad%E2%80%99s-killing.html
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Pak journalist's death sparks anger, fear
June 02, 2011
PAKISTANI citizens on Wednesday reacted with revulsion, anger and fear to the “silencing” of investigative journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad, whose body was found days after he went missing in the wake of authoring a report that alleged that al-Qaeda had infiltrated the Pakistan Navy.
Adil Najam, who blogs at pakistaniat.com, called Shahzad’s death “a warning to the nation”. Comments on social networking and micro-blogging websites focussed on allegations that Shahzad was abducted by the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI).
Najam wrote on his blog: “Pakistanis have gotten used to feeling unsafe and afraid.
Full report at:
http://epaper.indianexpress.com/IE/IEH/2011/06/02/ArticleHtmls/02_06_2011_012_037.shtml?Mode=1
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Pak journalists demand answer to Shehzad killing
June 02, 2011
Omer Farooq Khan
ISLAMABAD: The mysterious death of a prominent Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shehzad, who was widely believed to be in the custody of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), has shocked the journalists across Pakistan.
Hundreds of mourners, mostly relatives and journalists, turned out on Wednesday for Shahzad's burial in his home town of Karachi, who left behind three school going kids and a wife. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), an IFJ affiliate, announced two days of mourning and said that its members would organise protests across the country on Friday. However, journalists in several cities held protest demonstrations outside the press clubs. According to office bearers of journalist unions, black flags would be hoisted for three days at press clubs all over Pakistan.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/worldarticlelist/articleshow/8682787.cms
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Personal enmity may have led to scribe's killing: Malik
June 02, 2011
ISLAMABAD: Syed Saleem Shahzad's murder could be a case of personal enmity, Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik said.
Malik visited Shahzad's residence to condole his family . Later, while talking to the media, he said Shahzad might have been murdered over personal enmity, Geo News reports.
Meanwhile, a second autopsy was conducted. Geo News quoted family sources as saying that on their insistence a medical board of three doctors was set up.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Personal-enmity-may-have-led-to-scribes-killing-Malik/articleshow/8688976.cms
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Nato says Gaddafi's exit a matter of time
June 02, 2011
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's departure from power is only a question of time, Nato's chief said yesterday as allies agreed to extend the military campaign in Libya until late September.
"The question is not if Gaddafi will go but when," Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after Nato decided to extend its mission by another 90 days. "It could take some time yet but it could also happen tomorrow."
Hours after Nato aircraft launched new raids on Tripoli, alliance ambassadors meeting in Brussels decided to renew the mission for another 90 days.
Full report at:
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=188236
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US seeking out Taliban biggies for talks
June 02, 2011
ISLAMABAD: After 10 years of bloody battle in Afghanistan, the US is trolling for Taliban officials to talk peace with before the July drawdown of American troops.
Washington's special envoy , Marc Grossman, has a one-point agenda: to reconcile Afghanistan's warring factions , say Western diplomats in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
But as Washington seeks negotiating partners, it has little knowledge of who among the Taliban has the clout to make talks worthwhile.
Grossman, therefore, is trying for access to Mullah Mohammed Omar, the oneeyed Taliban leader, according to Imtiaz Gul, head of the Center for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/US-seeking-out-Taliban-biggies-for-talks/articleshow/8688881.cms
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'US denied Pakistan missile tech to protect India'
June 02, 2011
DM Monitoring
NEW DELHI – While the US cleared billions of dollars’ worth arms sales to Pakistan for the fight against terror, including advanced F-16 fighters, it refused the sale of a crucial advanced missile technology due to concerns that it could be used to target India.
A request by Islamabad to procure an advanced Harpoon missile system was turned down in 2009 after Washington determined that it would threaten India, latest diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks reveal.
In a cable dated March 18, 2009, US Ambassador Anne W Patterson justified the sale of F-16 fighters to Pakistan, holding that it was not a threat as India has an overwhelming aerial superiority, and went on to say that Washington has occasionally denied “Pakistani requests for arms sales that could upset the regional balance of power”.
As an example, the cable quotes a decision taken in February 2009 turning down the request for the advanced Harpoon missile system. The reason given is that the new system would enable Pakistan to target the Indian coastline and would not have any use in the war against terror.
Full report at:
http://dailymailnews.com/0611/02/FrontPage/index.php?id=4
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Syria must be reported to UN over nuclear claims: Britain
June 02, 2011
Britain believes that Syria should be reported to the UN Security Council over its alleged illicit nuclear activity, Britain's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Wednesday.
In a restricted report circulated to member states last week, the UN watchdog said it was "very likely" that a remote desert site in Syria bombed by Israeli planes in 2007 was indeed a covert nuclear reactor, as alleged by the United States.
British ambassador Simon Smith told reporters the report left no option but for the IAEA to refer Syria to the UN Security Council in New York.
"What the director general [Yukiya Amano] has told us about is a case of Syria's non-compliance with its comprehensive safeguards agreement," he said.
"And we, and quite a number of other countries equally convinced as we are, will be arguing that -- as we are obliged to do by the statutes of the IAEA -- this non-compliance needs to be reported to the UN Security Council," added Smith, who is also Britain's ambassador to Vienna.
Full report at:
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Pak-US forming joint intelligence team
June 02, 2011
WASHINGTON Pakistan and US are building a joint intelligence team to go after top terrorist suspects inside Pakistan, US and Pakistani officials said, a fledgling step to restoring trust blown on both sides by the killing of Osama bin Laden by US forces during a secret raid last month.
The move comes after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton presented the Pakistanis with the US list of most-wanted terrorism targets, US and Pakistani officials said Wednesday.
The investigative team will be made up mainly of intelligence officers from both nations, according to two US and one Pakistani official. It would draw in part on any intelligence emerging from the CIA's analysis of computer and written files gathered by the Navy SEALs who raided bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad, as well as Pakistani intelligence gleaned from interrogations of those who frequented or lived near the bin Laden compound, the officials said.
Full report at:
http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=16420
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Aid talks in US could affect ties: Haqqani
June 02, 2011
WASHINGTON: Pakistani Ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani has said that talks of ending Pakistan's aid could affect ties between Pakistan and United States.
While addressing from Centre for Global Development in Washington Haqqani said that Pakistan and America were each other's strategic partners, adding that it is necessary that Pakistan's political issues would be kept alone from its aid because both the countries are committed to eliminate terrorism collectively.
He said the US should help Pakistan in trade instead of aid. Job opportunities in ally countries would help reducing terrorism from Pakistan, he added.
http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=16423
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Pakistan ready to talk to militants: Gilani
June 02, 2011
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the Pakistani government was ready to hold a dialogue with militants - if they surrender their weapons.
The Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Gilani as saying that “if they (militants) will challenge the writ of the government, target innocents and attack cities, public property, installations, police stations and railways, the government will take action against them”.
There have been a string of terror strikes across the country since the May 2 killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad. In an audacious attack, terrorists had stormed a key naval base in Karachi May 22 and destroyed two surveillance aircraft.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/June/international_June69.xml§ion=international
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Mumbai terror trial in Chicago winding down
June 02, 2011
CHICAGO: The verdict in the trial of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, co-accused in the Mumbai terror attacks with David Coleman Headley, is likely to come as early as on June 8 as the Chicago businessman is unlikely to testify at his own trial.
Attorney Patrick Blegen said Tahawwur Rana's defence team was still making a final decision, but that it was unlikely Rana would take the stand.
The case proceeded quickly after Headley, a Pakistani-American, wrapped up his testimony after five days of questioning by Prosecution and Defence lawyers in the trial of his childhood friend and another 26/11 co-accused Rana in a Chicago court and the verdict is likely to come on June 8.
Prosecutors called seven witnesses today, including five FBI agents who verified email and phone communication between Rana, Headley, and "Major Iqbal," believed to be an ISI officer.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mumbai-terror-trial-in-Chicago-winding-down/articleshow/8690968.cms
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Egypt's Hosni Mubarak set to go on trial on August 3
June 02, 2011
CAIRO: Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, overthrown by a popular uprising this year, was ordered on Wednesday to stand trial in August for the killing of protesters on charges that could carry the death penalty.
Mubarak, ousted on Feb. 11 after mass protests demanding an end to his 30 years in power, has been questioned about his role in a crackdown in which more than 840 demonstrators died, as well as about alleged corruption.
He could face the death penalty if convicted on the charge of "pre-meditated killing".
His two sons, Gamal, who was once viewed as being groomed for the presidency, and Alaa, will also stand trial alongside their father and prominent business executive Hussein Salem.
Judge Sayed Abdel-Azim, the head of the appeals court, said the trial would open on Aug. 3 in a Cairo criminal court.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Egypts-Hosni-Mubarak-set-to-go-on-trial-on-August-3/articleshow/8684977.cms
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Headley recced Pune hang-out
June 02, 2011
Shalini Parekh
Chicago: David Headley has told a US court that he recceed the German Bakery in Pune and identified Chabad houses in Delhi,Pushkar and Pune which could be bombed.
Testifying during the trial of Mumbai attack co-accused Tahawwur Rana,that resumed on Tuesday after a long weekend,Headley said he made a video of the German Bakery which was bombed on February 13,2010 killing 17 people and injuring 60 others.
The the popular hang-out for the young and tourists was attacked when Headley was in FBI custody,and the blast was a part of the Karachi Project an LeT venture with the Indian Mujahideen.
Earlier,Headley had told FBI that he didnt carry out surveillance of the bakery,but later confessed to the Indian agents of National Investigation Agency that he did indeed survey it.
Full report at:
http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?pageid=13&pagesize=&edid=&edlabel=CAP&mydateHid=02-06-2011&pubname=&edname=&publabel=TOI
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Former major with Kashmiri executed 26/11
June 02, 2011
New Delhi: Slain Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad,who recently wrote a book about the role of the ISIQaida in 26/11,is believed to have been killed for knowing too much about how al-Qaida has infiltrated the Pakistani defence forces,sources said.Shahzad himself had spoken of threats from the ISI.The bureau chief of Asia Times Online was killed days after he had exposed links between Pak navy personnel and al-Qaida,explaining how the devastating attack on the Mehran naval base in Karachi was engineered.The book,yet unavailable in India,is further proof of the close ties between Pakistani officers and al-Qaida.
Ilyas Kashmiri handed over the plan to a very able former army Major Haroon Ashik,who was also a former LeT commander and was still close to LeT chiefs Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi and Abu Hamza, the book says.
Full report at:
http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?pageid=13&pagesize=&edid=&edlabel=CAP&mydateHid=02-06-2011&pubname=&edname=&publabel=TOI
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ISI's Major Iqbal sought progress report on Mumbai terror plot
CHICAGO: Pakistan's ISI kept tabs on the "progress" of the Mumbai terror attack plot with 'Major Iqbal' communicating through emails with the co-accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an FBI agent has testified.
Prosecutors on Wednesday called seven witnesses, including five FBI agents, who verified email and phone communication between Rana, David Coleman Headley and 'Major Iqbal'.
In a July 7, 2008, email, 'Major Iqbal' - who Headley says was involved in planning the attack and is connected to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency - allegedly asked Rana if there was any "progress made on the project."
The email asking for the progress on a project was sent from Immigration@ameritech.net to ranger1david@yahoo.com (Headley's email).
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/ISIs-Major-Iqbal-sought-progress-report-on-Mumbai-terror-plot/articleshow/8694686.cms
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Merkel flight: Germany sees red as Iran blames pilot
June 02, 2011
Berlin: Berlin on Wednesday dismissed Iranian allegations that an error by a German pilot led to Tehran briefly closing its airspace to Chancellor Angela Merkels plane,sparking a diplomatic row.
Merkel was en route to India when Iranian authorities refused her overflight rights,forcing her plane to circle for two hours over Turkey before receiving permission to cross into Iran.
The incident led the German government to summon the Iranian ambassador and a defence ministry spokesman insisted that Berlin had correctly followed international procedures to the letter.
Full report at:http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?pageid=22&pagesize=&edid=&edlabel=CAP&mydateHid=02-06-2011&pubname=&edname=&publabel=TOI
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Afzal’s mercy plea file to be sent to President
June 02, 2011
The Union home ministry will soon submit its report to the President on the mercy petition filed by the 2001 Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru, who is on death row.
The ministry has already submitted the petitions of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins to the President
for a final decision. Three convicts —Murugan, Santhan and Arivu are on death row in the assassination case.
Full report at:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/Afzal-s-mercy-plea-file-to-be-sent-to-Prez/Article1-704675.aspx
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Clinton hopes Egypt will give Mubarak, sons a fair trial
June 02, 2011
Cairo : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today the United States hopes ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and his two sons will receive a fair trial.
"We want to see appropriate due process and procedures followed in anyone's trial and particularly in such a highly-charged trial as that will certainly be," Clinton told reporters.
Mubarak and his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, are to face trial on August 3 on charges of ordering the killing of protesters and fraud, a judicial source told AFP today.
The spectacular fall of one of the region's most powerful leaders after 18 days of nationwide anti-regime protests was followed by repeated calls for him to be tried.
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/798195/
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I made a ‘fool’ of Rana, says Headley
June 02, 2011
Pakistani-American LeT operative David Coleman Headley on Wednesday said that he made a “fool” of Tahawwur Husssain Rana by involving him in the 26/11 Mumbai attack conspiracy.
“I made a fool of him (Rana). Poor fellow was stuck in this for no fault of his. I made a fool of him in getting to assist me on what I did. I made a fool of him,” Headley told Rana’s lawyer Patrick Blegen.
While Headley has plead guilty, Rana has maintained that he is not guilty in the charge of “support to terrorism”. The trial is expected to last till June 15. If convicted Rana faces a possible life sentence.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/342758/I-made-a-%E2%80%98fool%E2%80%99-of-Rana-says-Headley.html
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9/11 mastermind to be charged at Guantanamo
June 02, 2011
S Rajagopalan
US military prosecutors have filed new charges against 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other co-conspirators, who will now be tried by a military commission at Guantanamo Bay.
Death penalty will be sought against the five men under the new charges, stemming from the world’s most horrific act of terrorism in which nearly 3,000 people perished as Al Qaeda men hijacked airlines and crashed them into New York’s World Trade Centre, Washington’s Pentagon complex and a field in Pennsylvania.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/342751/9/11-mastermind-to-be-charged-at-Guantanamo.html
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Rana unlikely to testify at own trial in Chicago
June 02, 2011
Chicago businessman Tahawwur Rana – accused of providing cover for longtime friend David Coleman Headley who helped lay the groundwork for the 2008 Mumbai attacks – may not testify at his trial, defence attorneys said on Wednesday.
The announcement came on a day home minister P. Chidambaram said India has not decided on being party to the lawsuit in the US against Pakistani spy agency ISI linking it to the 2008 Mumbai attack.
Full report at:
http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=262011
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Police on alert as Israel marks Jerusalem Day
June 02, 2011
More than 3,000 police were deployed in and around the Holy City on Wednesday as Israelis marked Jerusalem Day to remember when they seized its Arab eastern sector 44 years ago, during the Six Day War.
‘We have deployed extra police, border guards and civil guard volunteers, particularly in the eastern part of the city and in and around the Old City to maintain public order during the ceremonies,’ police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
Full report at:
http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/international/20839.html
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Israeli forces evict Khirbet Yarza residents
June 02, 2011
RAMALLAH: Israeli forces on Wednesday ordered the residents of West Bank village of Khirbet Yarza, to the southeast of Jenin, to leave their homes due to a military drill in the area.
Ahmed Al-As'aad, the Palestinian official monitoring settler activity in the Jordan Valley, said that the Israeli Civil Administration, a military department responsible for the coordination of civil affairs in the West Bank, arrived at Khirbet Yarza and forced the residents to leave their village to a nearby area.
Full report at:
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article446865.ece
URL: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=4757
12:35 AM
Moderate Islamist here
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