Pakistan blast kills 3 US Marines, School kids, Taliban own up,

Islamic World News

Pakistan blast kills 3 US Marines, School kids, Taliban own up

Three US soldiers were among 10 people killed when a bomb blast hit a convoy near a school in north-west Pakistan.

Three schoolgirls were among the dead while 70 people, including another 63 schoolgirls and two US soldiers, were injured in the explosion in Lower Dir.

The US embassy said the military personnel had been training Pakistan's Frontier Corps in counter-insurgency.

Both governments deny large numbers of US troops are in Pakistan, where public opinion opposes their presence.

The US embassy in Islamabad confirmed in a statement three American military personnel were killed and two wounded in what it branded a "vicious terrorist bombing".

The Pakistani military and the government are both extremely sensitive about the strong US presence in their country and both appear to be saying different things to different audiences.

Officially the government says it is deeply concerned about increasing numbers of US diplomatic and aid staff who have appeared in the country since US President Barack Obama declared the country to be a top foreign policy priority.

The Pakistani authorities have on several occasions during the past five months arrested American officials - in Lahore and Peshawar - who were suspected of having incorrect paperwork.

But unofficially the government is believed to be relying on US effort and expertise to fight the Taliban.

The statement also said the Americans had been due to attend the inauguration of a girls' school recently renovated with US humanitarian assistance.

Azam Tariq, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement to AFP news agency.

http://newageislam.com/pakistan-blast-kills-3-us-marines,-school-kids,-taliban-own-up/islamic-world-news/d/2446

ISI looking to push 800 militants into India: BSF, Islam,Terrorism and Jihad, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam,Terrorism and Jihad

ISI looking to push 800 militants into India: BSF

Press Trust Of India

Indore, August 04, 2008

Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI is looking for an "opportunity" to push nearly 800 militants into India and vigil has been further intensified at the country's frontiers to prevent it, Border Security Force (BSF) Director General AK Mitra said on Monday.

"We have received information that nearly 800 militants are waiting to cross over to India at the borders and the ISI is looking for an opportunity to push them into the country," Mitra told reporters after inaugurating the newly constructed residential premises of the BSF in Indore.

"The wired fencing at border areas is being further strengthened. Besides, infiltration has been effectively checked with the help of modern techniques," he said.

On the violence in Jammu over the Amarnath land row, he said it is a matter of concern as the violence is going on unabated since last one month.

http://newageislam.com/isi-looking-to-push-800-militants-into-india--bsf/islam,terrorism-and-jihad/d/426

It’s time for India to revisit its model of secularism, Islam and Pluralism, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and Pluralism

It’s time for India to revisit its model of secularism

By Bhikhu Parekh

August 27, 2008

Our independence struggle threw up different models of secularism. Two were most influential, the Gandhian and the Nehruvian. For Gandhi religion was a vital moral and political resource. The answer to any problems caused by it must be found in religion itself. The state should work together with religion because the latter reached areas the state could not. Religion’s primary public role was the promotion of dialogue and harmony. Nehru drew the opposite conclusion. ‘Religion had divided India and will kill it one day’, he once said. The state should therefore avoid all contact with religion, discourage its role even in civil society, and unify the country using its own resources. For him the secular state was concerned with citizens, not communities, and should foster the spirit of common citizenship.

http://newageislam.com/it%E2%80%99s-time-for-india-to-revisit-its-model-of-secularism-/islam-and-pluralism/d/645

Are these attacks aimed at Indian polls?, Islam,Terrorism and Jihad, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam,Terrorism and Jihad

Are these attacks aimed at Indian polls?

By Indrani Bagchi,TNN

29 July 2008

In 2004, months before the US presidential elections, the fear of a terror attack on US soil to influence the elections was paramount. The New York Times also reported on the possibility that Al Qaeda would try to "influence the outcome of the election" by striking US oil refineries.

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned the Texas oil industry of potential attacks by Al Qaeda on pipelines and refineries near the time of the November presidential election," NYT reported.

"In the wake of what happened in Madrid, we have to be concerned about the possibility of terrorists attempting to influence elections in the US by committing a terrorist act," FBI director Robert Mueller was quoted as saying.

It is generally believed that an Osama bin Laden video before the US presidential elections in 2004 put the national security question on top of the agenda, helping George Bush romp home.

Two years later, in April 2006, Italy, which was facing elections under Silvio Berlusconi was threatened by terror attacks and even a video by Al Qaeda No.2, Ayman al Zawahiri. The then Italian vice president of the European Commission, Franco Frattini, warned that "Al-Qaeda is ready to strike...and Italy is at risk because of its solid alliance with the US."

http://newageislam.com/are-these-attacks-aimed-at-indian-polls?/islam,terrorism-and-jihad/d/346