Terrorist Activities in Pakistan
Suicide Attacks
23 people were killed in a suicide attack targeting a mosque after Friday prayers on March 2 in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency, reported Daily Times. The bomber detonated himself near the gate of a mosque in Tirah Valley when people were returning from the pryers, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 20 others” said the local administration official Jamilur Rehman, adding the toll may rise. The mosque is located in an area controlled by warlord Mangal Bagh, he said, adding that most of the dead were from his Lashkar-e-lslam (LI).
A suicide attack injured five officers, including a deputy superintendent of police (OSP), and ·badly damaged the vehicle when a teenage suicide bomber struck a Police patrol at Commissionary Bazaar in Dera Ismail Khan District on March 4, reports Dawn.
A suicide bomber blew himself up at a funeral in the suburban Badbher area of Peshawar, killing 16 persons and injuring 33 others on March 11.A Senior Police official said Advocate Khushdil Khan, Deputy Speaker _of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, appeared to bethe target of the attack The blast took place immediately after he had left the place. Darra Adamkhel chapter of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for attack.
At least 13 persons, including eight Lashkar-e-lslam (LI) militants, were killed and four others injured when a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan suicide bomber blew himself up at Oars Jumat mosque in Sandapal area of Bara tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber Agency on March 23, reports Daily Times. Official sources said that a militant was planting a remote-controlled device in the premises of the base when the LI men spotted him. They opened fire at the militant, killing him as he was trying to escape. But in the mean time, he succeeded in detonating the explosive material. The attacked LI base was being run by Yar Walil Khan, nephew of Mangal Bagh, the head of the outfit. TTP Khyber Agency chapter spokesman Muhammad Afridi claimed responsibility for the attack.
Bomb Blasts
Seven people were killed and 20 others wounded when a bomb planted in a motorcycle exploded after senior Awami National Party (ANP) leadership left a public meeting in Nowshera District on February 27, reported Daily Times. Two Policemen, identified as Hazrat Ali and Hassan, who were on patrol were killed and six others injured when a bomb planted in a rickshaw exploded on the Ring road bridge in the Garhi Qamardin area of Peshawar on March 20, reports Dawn.
Two persons, a soldier and his son, were killed in a explosion when a bomb hidden inside a radio exploded at a military base in Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan Agency on night of March 22, reports Daily Times.
Targeted Killing
Unidentified assailants shot dead one Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) act vist, identified as Noor Hussain in Karachi on February 28, reports Daily Times.
One Abdul Waheed Baloch, the brother of a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) leader and his companion, Salman Baloch, were shot dead on the Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo Stadium Road in Khuzdar District on February 29, reports Dawn.
Separately, unidentified armed assailants opened indiscriminate fire killing Maulvi Ali Mohammad Mengal in Quetta.
A 22-year-old youth, identified as Mohammad Bilal Bangulzai was shot dead by armed militants on Sabzal Road area in Quetta. In addition, armed militants shot and injured one Mohammad Javed in Mastung District.
The bullet-riddled dead body of a missing tribal elder Takri Raheem Dad was found dumped in the Dasht area of Mastung District February 29. The deceased had gone missing along with his nephew, Zinuddin, while travelling from Bolan District to Quetta on December 19, 2011. Zinuddin had been released after 19 days.
An activist of the Awami National Party (ANP), identified as Bacha Zada was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants at Sir Shah Suleman Road in Karachi on March 6.
Separately, official of Balochistan Levies, identified as Abdul Ghani, was shot dead by unidentified assailants while he was sitting along with his friend at a roadside hotel in Khuzdar District.
Activist of Awami National Party (ANP), Rehan Mehsud was shot dead in Machhar Colony in Karachi on March 7. Separately, Lala Ayaz, an activist of the Pakistan People’s Party was shot dead and a young boy Saleh Muhammad injured when unidentified armed assailants opened fire on them near a hotel at Met Office in Karachi, reports Dawn.
Unidentified assailants shot dead four Police constables and injured another two at a picket in the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station in Gujrat District on March 13, reported Daily Times.
An Assistant Sub Inspector Raja Moin was shot dead by two armed assailants while he was sitting in front of his house in Ali Town near Super Highway in Karachi on March 13, reports Daily Times. Station House Officer (SHO) Azhar Ali Iqbal said that the victim played vital role in Karachi operation.
Separately, a Police constable identified as Ayub alias Chacha, was shot dead by unidentified armed militants while he was going home after performing his duty at Taimoria Police Station.
Miscellaneous
A Police Officer and a constable were injured in an exchange of fire Khyber Agency on March 5, reports with armed militants at Mengal Dawn Road area in Quetta on February 27, reports Dawn. Police raided a house but people inside the building opened fire, injuring Satellite Town Station House Officer (SHO) Raja Qayyum and a constable. Police arrested four abductors and recovered a car and an unspecified quantity of arms.
Two unidentified armed militants killed two people on Feb 28, including a Chinese woman, identified as Jiang Hua in Jahangirpura Bazaar of Peshawar, reported Dawn. Police said the woman was a Beijing University student, who was in the town on a leisure trip, while the slain man, Suleman Shams, was her host.
At least 20 militants were killed and their five hideouts were destroyed by Security Forces in different areas of Orakzai Agency on March 1, reported Daily Time’s.
23 LI militants and 10 army personnel were killed in fresh clashes in Lakaro Baba area of Tirah Valley on March 2. The LI militants attacked a check post of Security Forces in the wee hours, shot dead 10 troops and injured eight others, the sources said, adding that 23 LI fighters, including a nephew of an LI ‘commander’, was killed in retaliation by the SFs.
The driver of a Police patrol vehicle was killed in an ambush by unidentified militants at Landi Akhun Ahmad area of Peshawar in the evening of March 4, reports Dawn.
A local leader of the Tehreek-e- Taliban Pakistan, Abdul Zareen alias Shah Jee was arrested from Bara Koh, a suburb area of Islamabad on March 4, involved in attacks on Army troops and Frontier Constabulary forces in Bajaur Agency, reports Daily Times.
Four militants were killed when rival outfits clashed with each other to get control over an important bunker in Dwa Thoe area of Tirah valley in Sources said that Tariq Afridi group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan attacked a bunker of Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) in Dwa Thoe area. Both the outfit traded heavy fire, which resulted in killing of four militants. LI sources in Bara claimed that they not only repulsed the offensive but also killed three of their opponents. The LI had captured the same post after expelling TTP from the Kukikhel dom- inated areas of Tirah valley. Both groups have been fighting with each other since October 2011 to gain full control of the area.
Seven unidentified militants were killed while nine others were wounded during a clash with Security Forces at the RD 238 Uch area of Naseerabad District on March 6, reported Daily Times. According to official sources, the clash erupted after armed militants ambushed the convoy of a commander of security officials of the Naseerabad division. SFs also recovered arms and explosives from the dead militants.
At least 39 militants were killed in clashes at various places during a Security Forces’ operation in Alam Godhar Area of Khyber Agency on March 11, reports Daily Times. Separately, five security personnel including a high-ranking officer were killed when they stepped over a land mine in Ghalanai area of Mohammad Agency. Seven others were injured in the incident.
PAKISTAN
ATA to be amended to check money-laundering in Pakistan: SBP Governor
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on February 27 informed Senate Committee on Finance that Pakistan would amend its Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and is working on a draft legislation to ensure enforcement of ATA provisions in financial services sector for conviction of persons found involved in money-laundering, reports Daily Times. SBP Governor Yasin Anwar informed the commit- tee, which met in the Parliament House with Senator Ahmed Ali in the chair, that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body on anti-money laundering, has placed Pakistan among countries whose status has been determined in public statement.
The Governor informed the committee that the ministries of Finance and Interior, Securities and [Exchange Commission of Pakistan SECP), the SBP and other stake- holders were working on new legislation to put Pakistan back on Anti- Money Laundering compliant countries list. The SBP Governor, how- ever, strongly defended its monetary policy stance and termed the International Monitory Fund’s (IMF) stance of accommodative monetary policy wrong.
18 Shias among 20 persons killed in a sectarian attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Armed militants dressed in military uniforms killed at least 18 Shias, all men, from Gilgit-Baltistan, on the Karakoram Highway in Kohistan District while they were returning in a convoy from a pilgrimage in Iran on February 28. Eight people were wounded in the attack, including two women and three children. According to the Police, the militants flagged down four buses, boarded them and asked the passengers whether they were Shia or Sunni. The assailants then asked the Shias to step out of the buses and checked of the their identity cards before opening fire. The buses were travelling from Rawalpindi to Gilgit-Baltistan through the mountainous Harban Nullah area of Kohistan District.
The Jundullah claimed responsibility for the attack. “They were Shias and our Mujahideen shot them dead,” said Ahmed Marwat, a purported ‘commander’.
IB inspector shot dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Unidentified militants shot dead an Intelligence Bureau (IB) inspector, Bashir Khan in a target killing incident near Abasar Colony on Warsak Road in Peshawar on March 2, reported Daily Times. Khan’s son sustained injuries during the attack. The inspector was the third IB official to be killed in the last few months.
Time to get rid of ‘strategic depth hangover, says foreign minister Hina Rabbani khar
Dawn reported that Foreign Faqir Muhammad from the key posi- Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on March 2 said that it is time to get rid of ‘strategic depth’ hangover. She hoped for a relationship with Afghanistan, based on trust and called for leaving behind the past associated with interference in that country and support for Taliban. “Recognise what we are doing now without overshadowing it with what- ever has been Pakistan’s historical baggage. We are moving out of that hangover,” Minister Khar said, adding, there is definitely no remorse for “the historical baggage” because all the countries that helped create the “Frankenstein” should share the blame.
Policeman and girl child killed in suicide attack on former Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Sherpao in KP
A Policeman and a five-year old girl were killed when a suicide bomber attacked the motorcade of former Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Sherpao near Kangra village on March 3 soon after he left the venue of a public meeting in nearby Battgram village of Shabqadar tehsil (revenue unit) in Peshawar, reported Dawn. A member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and six other people were also injured in the incident. Sherpao, the Pakistan Sherpao (PPP-S) Peoples Party chief and a member of the National Assembly, and his son Sikander Sherpao, member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, narrowly survived the attack as the explosion badly damaged their Land Cruiser. Sikander Sherpao got a slight injury on his hand and leg.
TTP removes ‘deputyngit Chief’ Faqir Muhammad from the key position
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on March 4 removed its ‘deputy chief’ Faqir Muhammad from the key position, reports Daily Times. TTP, how- ever, permitted him to be part of the terrorist group as an ordinary fighter. In an interview with a foreign media organisation, TTP ‘spokesman’ Ahsanullah Ahsan said that a consul- Etation meeting of the TTP was held on March 2 under its Hakeemullah Mehsud. The meeting, which was also attended by nine other important TTP ‘commanders’, took a number of decisions, including the removal of Faqir Muhammad, the spokesman said. Ahsan said that no one had been nominated to replace t Faqir, adding that the announcement could be made in the next TTP meeting. Declining to divulge reasons for Faqir’s removal, Ahsan said the ‘deputy chief’ had only been conveying decisions under instructions of Hakeemullah Mehsud. Faqir had been heading TTP in Bajaur Agency of Federally Administered Tribal d Areas (FATA). He had developed differences with the TTP leadership after an abduction of 20 children in Bajaur Agency on the eve of Eidul Fitr in 2011. He was accused by Maulvi Dadullah, another TTP ‘commander’, of having links with the Government.
Two al Qaeda ‘commanders’ among 17 militants killed in FATA
At least 17 militants, including two al Qaeda ‘commanders’ and seven suicide bombers, were killed in separate Security Forces actions in Upper Orakzai and Malakhel area of Dabori in Orakzai Agency in the night of March 6, reports Daily Times. Two al Qaeda ‘commanders’, identified as Abdullah Mubarak and Ahmed, were Arab nationals.
Separately, a security man, identified as Khalid of Swat Scouts, was killed and two others received injuries when an improvised explosive device went off in Baizai tehsil (revenue unit) of Mohmand Agency. Sources said that security personnel were on routine patrol in the Baidmanai Kando area of Baizai when they stepped on the explosive device, planted along the road.
Meanwhile, unidentified militants abducted three persons from a Hujra (guest house) in Sultankhel area of Haleemzai tehsil.
Three more religious groups banned in Islamabad
The Government on March 10 banned three religious/charity organisations working in the country, reported Dawn. According to a senior official of the Interior Ministry, with the latest ban imposed on Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jama’at (ASWJ), Al Harmain Foundation (AHF) and Rabita Trust (RT), the number of outlawed organisations and groups rose to 38. The three organisations were outlawed by the United Nations (UN) in 2009 under a resolution adopted by the Security Council.
The organisations previously banned by the Government are: Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Sipah-e- Muhammad Pakistan (SMP banned on August 14, 2001), Jaish-e- Muhammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Toiba, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, Tehreek- e-Jaafria Pakistan (TJP), Tehreek-e- Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), Tehreek-e-Islami (on January 14, 2002), al Qaeda (on March 17, 2003), Millat-i-Islamia Pakistan, Khuddam-ul-Islam, Islami Tehreek Pakistan (on November 15, 2003), Jama’at-ul-Ansar (JuA), Jama’at-ul-Furqan (JuF), Hizb-ut- Tehrir (HuT on November 20, 2003), Khair-un-Naas International Trust (on October 27, 2004), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA on April 7, 2006), Islamic Students Movement of Pakistan (on August 21, 2006), Lashkar-e-Islam (LI), Ansar-ul-Islam (AI), Haji Namdar Group (on June 30, 2008), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP on August 25, 2008), Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JuD), Al-Akhtar Trust and Al-Rashid Trust (banned under the UNSC Resolution 1267 on December 10, 2008), Shia Talba Action Committee, Markaz-e-Sabeel (Gilgit), Tanzeem Naujawan-i-Sunnat (Gilgit), People’s Aman Committee (PAC), Balochistan Republican Army (BRA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), Lashkar-e-Balochistan (LeB), Balochistan Liberation United Front (BLUF) and Balochistan Mussalah Difa Tanzeem (banned in 2011). Sunni Tehreek (ST) was put on a watch list on January 14, 2002.
REGIONAL
Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics
Two cadres of Naxal Bahini arrested in Pabna District
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two cadres, identified as Abu Kalam and Manik Sardar of outlawed Naxal Bahini along with firearms at Bhowdanga village in Sadar sub-district of Pabna District on February 27, reports Daily Star. Later, RAB seized a 303 rifle and ten bullets from the same village.
Three JMB cadres arrested in Dhaka City
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two leaders and a member of the banned Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), identified Mohammad Asaduzzaman alias Hazari, ‘chief’ of JMB Khulna divisional unit and also a Majlish-e-Shura committee member, Mohammad Wahab, ‘head’ of JMB Savar zone and JMB member Anwar Hossain from different parts of Dhaka City on March 5, reports Daily Star. RAB also seized several JMB publications and leaflets from the possession of the arrestees.
39 petrol bombs recovered in Brahmanbaria District
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel recovered 39 petrol bombs from North Mourail area in Brahmanbaria town of Brahmanbaria District on March 11, reports The New Age. The RAB raided the area and recovered the bombs in an abandoned condition. RAB suspected that the bombs were taken in the area for carrying out subversive activities.
India Internal Dynamics
Two Home Guards and a sarpanch killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh
The Times of India reports that the Communist Party of India- Maoist cadres killed two Home Guards of the Chhattisgarh Police at a “jan adalat” (people’s court) in a forest pocket in Cherpal area under Bijapur District on February 25 for defying their diktat. The dead bodies of Moriyam Mangu and Anand Jasba were found on the roadside forest pocket in Cherpal area. Both the Home Guards were missing since January 31 this year. A few leaflets, in which the Maoists said the Home Guards were killed at a “jan adalat” on charges of teaming up with authorities for anti-Maoist drives and also committing offences against the public, were also found along with the bodies.
Meanwhile, the Maoists buried alive a sarpanch (village head) at Kosnar under Gangalur Police limits in Bijapur District for guiding a team of State Government officials to his village for enumeration of farmers, reports Deccan Chronicle.
MEA and MOD deny presence of US Special Forces in India
The Hindu reports that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on March 2 denied US Pacific Command (USPACOM) chief Admiral Willard’s statement that crack US military troops were based in India besides Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives to counter threats from organizations such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Both Ministries dismissed the claim as “factually incorrect so far as the reference to India is concerned”, sources said. India Blooms added that the US embassy in Delhi also clarified that the troops were not stationed in India, adding that a unit from the US 25th infantry division was in India to hold an exercise with Indian forces.
CISF demands extra pay for posting in Maoist bastion
With the increasing attack against Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas, officials of the CISF have demanded special allowances for men deployed in the LWE-affected areas, reports The Deccan Herald. Other para-military forces like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are already withdrawing such allowance. The CISF officials say while they are not involved in direct operation against the Maoists, the nature of their responsibility has changed over time.
Police unearth links between Maoist and LeT
Three years after the arrest of Mohammad Umar Madani, the right-hand man of Lashkar-e-Toiba Chief Hafiz Saeed, on March 7 dis- closed that the LeT are hand-in- glove with the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), reported Hindustan Times. Umar Madani, a dreaded alleged LeT operative and an aide of the outfit’s founder Saeed, revealed in his disclosure statement that a close camaraderie exists between LeT and the Naxals. Two of the biggest non-state actors apparently engaged in trying to destabilise the nation. “In his disclo- sure statement, Madani has said that they (the LeT) had approached the Naxalites with a request to use their men to trigger blasts in the country in return for sophisticated arms,” said a Senior Police Officer. The officer also said that the Home Ministry had asked the Police to submit a report on the same.
Kolkata provides logistical and operational to support to Chhattisgarh Maoist, reveals di interrogations
In a surprising revelation, the STF (Special Task Force) and IB With the increasing attack (Intelligence Branch) officers interrogating five arrested Communist Party of India-Maoist learnt that the Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh is mainly controlled from various parts of the city, reports Deccan Herald on March 8 (today). “Kolkata not only provides the logistics, financial and other support to their counterparts in Chhattisgarh but it also arranges for a safe hideout for important national level leaders. As per our information, at least three to four Central Committee members live in the city throughout the year,” a top STF officer told Deccan Herald.
Swami Aseemanand confesses the role Hindutva radicals in using Muslim boys for Malegaon blasts, reveals NIA investigations
According to a March 24 report in Times of India, a fresh twist appeared in the September 8, 2006 Malegaon blast investigations as the NIA (National Investigation Agency), begins to suspect that Hindu fundamentalists might have used Muslim hands to execute the blast. While a claim to the effect that Hindutva radicals behind the terrorist attack may have used Muslim hirelings was made by Swami Aseemanand, inputs gathered by investigators appears to have led the Agency to wonder whether what appeared to be an outlandish theo- ry has some basis.
“Aseemanand had confessed before a magistrate not once but twice that the group had been using Muslim hands for attacks. We are actively pursuing this line of investigation,” said a Senior Official. Aseemanand had made a mention of Muslim hands being used in the blasts while talking about Ajmer blast. He said, “Sunil (Joshi) told me that the blast in Ajmer (Ajmer Sharif Dargah) had been conducted by his men. He told me that he was also there. I asked him who all were there with him. He told me there were two Muslim boys with him. When I asked him where he got Muslim boys from, he said they were sent to him by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar.”
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
Three persons killed in bomb blast in Katmandu
Kantipuronline reports that three persons were killed and seven others injured in an explosion outside the Nepal Oil Corporation’s (NOC) central office at Babarmahal in Katmandu, some 300 meters away from Singha Durbar, on February 27. “It is understood that the Sumyukta Jatiya Mukti Morcha-Maoist along with Bishwokranti carried out the attack. To Such bombs were used during the Maoist insurgency,” Home Ministry spokesperson Shanker Koirala said. Meanwhile, Samyukta Jatiya Mukti Morcha-Bishwokranti (SJMM) which initially claimed responsibility refuted it a short while later.
13 PLA cantonments wes to be closed down by March 10
Kantipuronline reports that the Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai led Special Committee on February 29 decided to shut down 13 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cantonments and relocate Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist combatants opting for integration to the remaining 15 cantonments within the next 10 days. The move follows a petition to the Prime Minister on February 28 by Nepali Congress (NC) and Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) members of the committee, calling for immediate progress on the stalled peace process.
IED defused in Lamjung Direct
Inseconline.org reports that pran Dang District Nepal Army (NA) personnel defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Tinghare in Bhorletar Village Development Council-6 (VDC-6) of Lamjung District on March 1.
Maoist along with balen To viexplosives arrested Ain Dang District
Nepal News reports that the Police arrested member of Magarat State Committee of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, Jasram Budha, from Ghorahi in Dang District on March 1. Police seized 10 set detonator, 10 gelatin teldo Sri Lanka – sticks and fuse wire he was carrying fert Internal Dynamics CA in the bag.
Army defuses abandoned socket bombs in Bardiya District
lnseconline.org reports that bomb disposal team of Nepal Army (NA) has defused 28 socket bombs found at the Dangpur Damauli in Motipur VDC-7 in Bardiya District on March 6.The locals had found the bomb buried under a tree at the Gobrela community forest of the Dangpur Damauli while they were collecting firewood on March 5.A local Kaliram Tharu said that the bombs were kept in a plastic bag. Policemen had cordoned off the area after the locals informed them about the bombs.
Bomb blast at transport entrepreneur’s house in Dang District
lnseconline.org reports theft Janatantrik Tera i-Madhesh Mukti Morcha (JTMM), an armed outfit detonated a pressure cooker bomb at a house belonging to Prem Dangi, a transport entrepreneur at Tikari of Tulsipur Municipality-a in Dang District on March 7.The blast, however, caused no human casual ty and damage, the Tulsipur Area Police Office said. The next day, on March 8, one person introducing himself as Barud and claiming to be the District coordinator of JTMM, claimed responsibility for the blast.
| Monthly Fatalities The following deaths, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism, occurred during the period May 26 to June 25, 2012: | ||||
| Civilians | Indian Security Personnel | Militant | Total | |
| Assam | 08 | 03 | 10 | 21 |
| Manipur | 01 | 00 | 03 | 04 |
| Left-wing | 11 | 03 | 09 | 23 |
| Total | 20 | 06 | 22 | 48 |
Sri-Lanka Internal Dynamics
Terrorism countered without any racial discrimination, says President Mahinda Rajapaksa
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on February 28 said that tr Protest in Nor.th and East along with other parts of country on February 27, irrespective of all differences, against a resolution before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva against Sri Lanka proved that ruthless terrorism was defeated without rousing racist passions by the Stat according to Daily News. The President also stated that the international community does not have a genuine desire to build unity among peoples of this country.
US brings draft resolution against Sri Lanka in UNHRC
The United States on March 7 submitted the draft resolution against Sri Lanka to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at its 19th session in Geneva reports Colombo ·Page. The draft resolution calls on the Sri Lankan Government to implement the constructive recommendations in the ‘Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report and take all necessary additional steps to fulfill its “relevant obligations and commitment to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans.” The resolution welcomes the constructive recommendations made by the LLRC in its report but, it also notes with concern that the report does not adequately address serious allegations of violations of international humanitarian law.
The draft resolution encourages the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and relevant special procedures to pro vide, and the Sri Lankan Government to accept, advice and technical assistance of implementing those steps.
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam said it will fight the resolution submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council by the United States against Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes “to the very last minute.” “What, in fact, is the US trying to tell us with their draft resolution? They are not saying that our LLRC report is bad. They are not saying that there are gross and systematic violations of human rights in Sri Lanka. What they are saying is that they don’t have confidence that we will implement the recommendations. They are judging our intentions, not the ground reality!” the Ambassador added.
Separatist activists and LTTE supporters at work in Australia, says Media spokesperson for Sri Lankan Australians in Melbourne
Media spokesperson for Sri Lankan Australians in Melbourne, Nagesha Wickramasuriya said that separatist activists and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam supporters are attempting to lobby support from, federal Parliamentarians in Australia into making a statement and to pressurize the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to take action against Sri Lanka, reports Daily News. These activists are trying to mislead politicians across the globe and are posing as human rights activists. These elements have also started a fund raising campaign- One dollar per week. The amount of money they are collecting annually is staggering. “There is a misconception amongst some Sri Lankans that the LTTE have been finished. But internationally they are there in a big way. They have been defeated militarily but their activists are around the world so the terrorist problem is not over. They are active in American, Canada, France, and London and even in Australia,” said Wickramasuriya.
LTTE fast fading in Germany, says Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Germany
Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Germany, Sarath Kongahage, said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and its sympathisers are fast fading inGermany, reports Daily News. Several attempts made by them to raise funds by holding campaigns have failed. They wanted to hold a mass protest on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day on February 4 and tarnish the image of Sri Lanka. However, their plans were an utter failure as only eight people turned out for the event, he added. The Sri Lankan community in Germany is around 60,000, of which around 8,000 are Tamils.
Meanwhile, activists of various pro-LTTE movements disrupted an international conference and forced the organisers to send away a Sri Lankan academic, on March 8. The members of Naam Tamizhar lyakkam May 17 Movement, Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Federation, as well as MDMK cadres barged into the conference venue at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) in Tamil Nadu and protested against the participation of Jeeva Niriella, faculty of law, lecturer, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This is the second such incident of a Sri Lankan visitor facing a protest by pro-Tamil outfits. In January this year, Thirukumaran Nadesan, husband of Nirupama Rajapaksa, niece of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s suffered an even harsher treatment when slippers were hurled at him in Rameswaram where he visited to offer prayers in the temple.
INTERNATIONAL
Iran warns Azerbaijan over Israeli arms buy
Iran challenged Azerbaijan over $1.5 billion in arms it said were purchased from arch-foe Israel, state media reported, in a sign of further strains between the neighbouring counters
Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Tehran was called in to the foreign ministry on Feb 27 to explain the weapons and to receive a warning that Israel must not be permitted to use Azerbaijan to stage “terrorist acts” against Iran. Iranian news agencies reported that the ambassador, Javanshir Akh undov, acknowledged the arms purchase after getting confirmation from his government.
He explained that the weapons were bought “to liberate occupied Azerbaijani land,” but did not elaborate, according to the reports. The Iranian agencies quoted Akhundov saying that Baku “will not allow the weapons to be used against third nations, in particular the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The reports came a week after police in Azerbaijan said they arrested an unspecified number of people linked to Iran and to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on suspicion of planning attacks in the country.
25 suspected hackers arrested: Interpol
Interpol said on March 1 that 25 suspected members of the loose knit Anonymous hacker movement were arrested in a sweep across Europe and South America .The international police agency said in a statement that the arrests in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Spain were carried out by national law enforcement officers working under the support of Interpol’s Latin American Working Group of Experts on Information Technology Crime. The suspects, aged between 17 and 40, are suspected of planning coordinated cyber-attacks against institutions including Colombia’s defense ministry and presidential websites, Chile’s Endesa electricity company and national library, as well as other targets. The arrests followed an ongoing investigation begun in mid-February which also led to the seizure of 250 items of IT equipment and mobile phones in searches of 40 premises in 15 cities, Interpol said. In Chile’s capital,Subprefect Jamie Jara said at a news conference that authorities arrested five Chileans and a Colombian. Two of the Chileans are 17-year-old minors. The case was being handled by prosecutor Marcos Mercado, who specializes in computer crime. He said the suspects were charged with altering websites, including that of Chile’s National Library, and engaging in denial-of-service attacks on web sites of the electricity companies Endesa and Hidroaysen.
China welcomes US-N Korea nukes freeze deal
China on March 2 welcomed North Korea’s agreement freeze nuclear activities in return for massive US food aid a deal that raised cautious hopes of eased tensions under Pyongyang’s new young leader.
South Korea and Japan also hailed Pyongyang’s commitment to suspend its uranium enrichment programme along with nuclear and long-range missile tests, and to let UN nuclear inspectors monitor the deal. The announcement follows the death in December of longtime leader Kim Jong-II and the transition to his untested son Jong-Un. The deal could boost the son’s prestige in the run-up to a major celebration next month, marking 100 years since the birth of the Kim dynasty’s late founding leader Kim II-Sung.
UK closes embassy in Syria
Britain’s Foreign Secretary said on March 2 the U.K. is closing its embassy in Syria and withdrawing all diplomatic staff amid a worsening security situation in the country. William Hague said that he judged “that the deterioration of the security situation in Damascus puts our embassy staff and premises at risk.”
Britain had previously reduced the nun10 of staff at the premises, meaning less than 10 people were working there before Hague’s announcement. Hague insists'” the move would not reduce “the UK’s commitment to active diplomacy to maintain pressure on the Assad regime to end the violence.” Syria’s main opposition group said it has formed a “military bureau” to organize and unify the armed resistance to the regime of President Bashar Assad. The SNC made the announcement in a statement. The group also was holding a news conference in Paris. The group says the government’s crackdown on the country’s uprising has forced Syrians “to bear arms in self-defense.” At the start of the Syrian revolt nearly a year ago, many protesters said they wanted to remain peaceful. But as the assault continued, an armed insurgency comprised largely of defectors from the military has developed to fight the regime.
Key Egyptians accused of harming military’s image
Military prosecutors are to decide whether to take action over a complaint against 12 leading Egyptians accused of harming the army’s image and seeking to over throw the state, judicial sources said on March 8. Among those named were Wael Ghonim, the Google executive who administered the Facebook page that helped spark Egypt’s revolution and internationally acclaimed writer Alaa al-Aswany. A decision on the complaint, backed by 700 people, will be made after prosecutors interview the plaintiff and examine documents submitted, the source said. The 12 are also accused of “provoking discord.” Among them are female presidential candidate Bothain Kamel, television presenters Rim Magued and Yosri Foda, as well as pro-democra- cy militants George Ishaq, Nawara Negm and Asmaa Mahfuz. No specifics were given on what they were all alleged to have done. The latest case illustrates the tension in Egypt, where the military took power last year when President Hosni Mubarak stepped down.
New Terror threat in Kenya
Kenya faced a new terror threat on March 14 after a grenade attack blamed on Somali Islamist militia killed six people and injured 63 in a bus terminal in the capital Nairobi. Four grenades were thrown only yards apart from a car driving past the busy terminal, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said. Dozens of buses were parked in the terminal packed with Kenyans leaving for the weekend to visit relatives outside the capital.
Kenyan authorities blamed the attack on the hardline Islamist Shehab militia which Kenyan troops are battling in neighbouring Somalia. “We suspect this is the work of Al-Shebab, but all this will come out in the investigations,” Saitoti told reporters. Al-Shebab has threatened Kenya since it sent its troops into Somalia in mid-October to dislodge the Islamic insurgents control- ling swathes of the south, which it accused of a series of kidnappings and attacks on its territory. Deploring the attack, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said “This is an act of people who think that they can puncture the resolve to fight terror. It is a difficult moment but it should strengthen our resolve and I am sure we will win.” Two people died on the spot, one on the way to hospital, while three other victims succumbed to their injuries during the night, hospital sources said. “The death toll is now six, and we have 63 people undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital, 11 of them were seriously injured,” Saitoti said.
| Current Threat Levels : | ||
| City/Region | Threat Level | |
| Islamabad | Level 2 | ** |
| Karachi | Level 2 | ** |
| Lahore | Level 2 | ** |
| Punjab | Level 2 | ** |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Level 3 | *** |
| Peshawar | Level 2 | ** |
| Quetta | Level 2 | ** |
| Upper Balochistan | Level 3 | *** |
| Lower Balochistan | Level 2 | ** |
| Upper/ Rural Singh | Level 2 | ** |
| Gilgit and Northern Areas | Level 3 | *** |
| Tribal Areas, Close to Afghan Border | Level 3 | *** |
| Index to Threat Level Perceptions6 | |
| Threat Level 1 Indicates there is no threat to foreigners although there may be isolated incidents involving petty crime. No security precautions are required | * |
| Threat Level 2 Indicates there is no specific threat to foreigners; however because of the overall general law & order situation, some security precautions are advised if traveling. | ** |
| Threat Level 3 Indicates that law and order situation is cause for concern and travel should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Level dictates that foreigners should rehearse plans for evacuation. | *** |
| Threat Level 4 Indicates complete breakdown of civil administration and law & order leading to anarchy. All foreigners advised to remain indoors and confined to their own city. Families and staff not required to be evacuated retaining only a skeleton staff | **** |
| Threat Level 5 Indicates complete breakdown of law and order, enemy action/hostilities, invasion /occupation by enemy. | ***** |
