Crime Watch – Weekly Newsletter for February 1-7, 2011

Four killed in Peshawar suicide blast

PESHAWAR – At least four people, including a senior police official, were killed while 15 people were injured Monday in a suicide blast in this capital city of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“The suicide bomber targeted a police van, which was severely damaged. The DSP (deputy superintendent of police) on board and his three guards … Read more »».

Pakistani official dies in suicide attack

PESHAWAR – A senior police official was killed in a suicide attack in this Pakistani city, a media report said Monday.

Geo TV reported that Deputy Superintendent of Police Rashid Khan was killed in the suicide attack that took place in Garhi Qamardin area of Peshawar.
Police said Khan’s vehicle was targeted by the suicide … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pakistani official dies in suicide attack.

Two Maoists arrested, weapons recovered

RANCHI – Two Maoist rebels were arrested Sunday from two places in Jharkhand and seven weapons were seized from them, police said.

Suimanji, an area commander of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), was arrested from Daltanganj railway station of Palamau district and three carbines, two pistols and live cartridges were seized from him.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Two Maoists arrested, weapons recovered.

Hafiz Saeed publicly slams Pope, defends blasphemy law

ISLAMABAD – In a rare public appearance, Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed Sunday addressed a rally in Lahore, capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province, and vowed to resist any change in the blasphemy law.

“What business the Pope has when he says that we should repeal blasphemy law?” he asked, adding that “the foreign countries …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hafiz Saeed publicly slams Pope, defends blasphemy law.

Calyx Powers Schenecker And Beau Powers Schenecker Remembered

TAMPA (GaeaTimes.com)- Friends and neighbors of Calyx Powers Schenecker and Beau Powers Schenecker held a memorial service on Friday night remembering the two children who were shot dead by their own mother Julia Powers Schenecker. Julia Powers Schenecker was arrested on Friday morning after police reached the Scheneckers home in the Hillsborough County to find …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Karmapa Questioned By Authorites

DHARAMSALA, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- After currency worth crores were recovered from the Gyatso monastery of the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje earlier this week, the Tibetan leader was questioned by the Himachal Pradesh police authorities to get vital clue relating to the case. As the raids in a number of other monasteries across the Indo-China … Original article on : Karmapa Questioned By Authorites.

Peshwar prisoners observe fast against teenager’s re-arrest

PESHAWAR – Suspected militants in a Pakistani jail here have gone on hunger strike to protest the arrest of a teenager by intelligence agency just after being released from jail, said a media report.

The jailed teenager had completed his prison term after being convicted by an anti-terrorism court for his attempt to carry …. Original source  : Peshwar prisoners observe fast against teenager’s re-arrest.

Multiple crises have gripped Pakistan: Author Ahmed Rashid

NEW DELHI – Top Pakistani writer Ahmed Rashid, who has authored “Taliban” and the “Descent Into Chaos”, says multiple crises have come together his country and civil society is very much on the retreat.

Ahmed said his country was shocked by the reaction of millions of people supporting the killer of Punjab governor Salman …. Source  : Multiple crises have gripped Pakistan: Author Ahmed Rashid.

Julie Powers Schenecker Denied Bail

TAMPA (GaeaTimes.com)- Julie Powers Schenecker was produced at a Tampa court on Monday for a brief hearing in the murder case of her two teenage kids, 16-year-old Calyx and Beau 13. Dressed in a prison suit with hands bound in handcuffs, the 50-year-old woman had her first court appearance at the Hillsborough County Court … Read : Julie Powers Schenecker Denied Bail.

Jayme Biendl Strangled

SEATTLE (GaeaTimes.com)- A state corrections officer of Washington, Jayme Biendl was found dead in the prison chapel last Saturday. The law enforcement officials said that the woman was strangled with a microphone cord. The authorities are of the opinion that her inmate Byron Scherf is the prime suspect of the murder.
Department of Corrections spokesman …. Original source  : Jayme Biendl Strangled.

Serious challenges to internal security: PM

NEW DELHI – The internal security situation was by and large stable but serious challenges and threats remained, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Tuesday.

Addressing a meeting of chief ministers on internal security here, the prime minister said there were “serious challenges and threats” from left wing extremism, cross border terrorism and fundamentalism.
He … Original article on : Serious challenges to internal security: PM.

Militants kill two sisters in Kashmir, Omar condemns incident

SRINAGAR – Suspected guerrillas gunned down two teenaged sisters after forcing them out of their home in the Jammu and Kashmir town of Sopore, triggering panic in the area. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the incident.

A senior police officer said a group of heavily armed guerrillas entered a house in the Muslim Peer locality …. Original source  : Militants kill two sisters in Kashmir, Omar condemns incident.

17 dead in Somalia shootout

MOGADISHU – At least 17 people were killed and several others injured Monday in a shootout between two units of government security forces in the Somalian capital, Xinhua reported.

The firefight erupted after government troops killed a soldier in civilian clothes. The killing in the capital Mogadishu triggered retaliatory attacks from other unit, Omar Dahir, … Original article on : 17 dead in Somalia shootout.

ULFA ban: Court issues notices to Nagaland, Meghalaya

NEW DELHI – A tribunal headed by a Delhi High Court judge Monday issued notices to Nagaland and Meghalaya on the central government’s plea seeking its nod to extend a ban by two more years on militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

“Issue fresh notices to the states of Nagaland and Meghalaya through … Read more : ULFA ban: Court issues notices to Nagaland, Meghalaya.

Official killed in militant ambush in Tripura

AGARTALA – A central government official from Andhra Pradesh was killed and his driver critically injured when separatist tribal guerrillas fired at their car from across the India-Bangladesh border in northern Tripura Monday, police said.

“National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) official G.N. Mani, 51, was gunned down and his car driver was injured when outlawed … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Official killed in militant ambush in Tripura.

India probing Somali pirates’ terror links

NEW DELHI – Indian security agencies are probing the suspected terror links of the captured Somali pirates with Pakistan-based terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The suspicion comes in the wake of increased pirate attacks on merchant vessels passing through the sea lanes close to the Indian coast.
Coast Guard Director General Vice … Read more »».

ULFA holds meetings for peace talks – without Baruah

GUWAHATI – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has secretly held its general council meeting – though without its elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah – to chart out a roadmap for peace talks with the government, top members of the banned outfit said Wednesday.

We completed our central executive first and then the resolutions taken …. Read the original article  : ULFA holds meetings for peace talks – without Baruah.

11 killed, 32 injured in Peshawar blast

ISLAMABAD – At least 11 people, including three children and two women, were killed and 32 injured Wednesday in a massive explosion in Peshawar, capital of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said.

The deafening blast took place in Budha Bair area in the outskirts of this city.
“The bomb was planted in a vehicle that …. Original source  : 11 killed, 32 injured in Peshawar blast.

Suspected Maoists kill CPI-M supporter in Bengal

KOLKATA – The body of a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) supporter killed by suspected Maoists was found near Sapdhara village in West Bengal’s Jhargram police district Wednesday, an official said.

A group of Maoist guerrillas had taken away Baria Soren at gunpoint from the village in West Midnapore district Tuesday.
“We have received the …. Read the original article  : here.

Grenade blasts rock Sopore town in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – Separatist militants hurled two hand grenades at the house of a senior Congress leader and a paramilitary patrol team in north Kashmir’s Sopore town Tuesday morning, police said. No one was injured in the explosions.

A senior police officer said the guerrillas hurled a grenade which exploded near the house of a senior …. Original source  : Grenade blasts rock Sopore town in Kashmir.

Eight killed in Peshawar blast

ISLAMABAD – At least eight people, including two children, were killed Wednesday in a powerful blast in Peshawar, capital of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“The bomb was planted in a vehicle that was destroyed completely,” police said, adding that “several vehicles and nearby shops were also damaged in the blast”.
“At least 15 people have … Read more »»».

Soldiers of sorrow: Maoists or children?

BHUBANESWAR – “I thought it would be fun, but now I realise that I should go back to school…I was tortured in the Maoist camp,” said 12-year-old Rajani Mota Majhi, who has surrendered before police in Orissa. Officials say one out of every seven rebels in the state is a child.

Children like Rajani are … Read more : Soldiers of sorrow: Maoists or children?.

Guard against religious fundamentalism, new terror, states told (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – The central government Tuesday asked states to guard against religious fundamentalism and new terror groups while some of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministers at a conference here did not agree with its assessment about improvement in the situation concerning Maoist violence.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who inaugurated the chief … Read more >>.

Maoists send demands for release of abducted Chhattisgarh cops

RAIPUR – Maoists Tuesday finally sent a list of demands to authorities in Chhattisgarh to release five policemen they had abducted Jan 25 in the state’s Narayanpur district.

“I heard that Maoists have sent a list of 11 demands from their forested location late Tuesday in exchange of the abducted cops’ release… we are trying … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Maoists send demands for release of abducted Chhattisgarh cops.

Another key accused in 2008 Malegaon blast held

MUMBAI – The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad has nabbed Praveen Mutalik, one of the key accused on the run in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, a top official said here Tuesday.

He was nabbed from Karnataka late Monday and a hunt is now on for two other accused – Ramji Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange …. Read the original article  : Another key accused in 2008 Malegaon blast held.

Karnataka says Maoist menace almost eliminated

NEW DELHI – Karnataka Tuesday said that it has “almost eliminated” the Maoist menace from the state though “a handful of individuals” are still active.

“I am happy to state that due to the relentless efforts on the part of the Anti-Naxal (Anti-Maoists) force of the Karnataka Police, this menace has been almost eliminated but … Read : Karnataka says Maoist menace almost eliminated.

Britain advised Libya on Lockerbie bomber’s release: WikiLeaks

LONDON – British government ministers secretly advised Libya on securing the successful early release of the Lockerbie bomber from a Scottish prison, according to the US documents released by WikiLeaks.

A Foreign Office minister sent Libyan officials detailed legal advice on how to use Abdelbaset al-Megrahi’s cancer diagnosis to ensure he was released from a …. Source article  : Britain advised Libya on Lockerbie bomber’s release: WikiLeaks.

Another key accused in Malegaon blast held

MUMBAI – The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad has nabbed Praveen Mutalik, one of the key absconder accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, an official said Tuesday.

He was nabbed from Karnataka late Monday and a hunt is on to trace another two accused – Ramji Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange – who are still at … Original source on Gaea Times at : Another key accused in Malegaon blast held.

Suspected Maoists attack Bengal CPI-M leaders’ houses

KOLKATA – A group of suspected Maoists Tuesday damaged and looted two houses of Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) leaders in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, police said.

“We were informed that the house of Paritosh Samanta, CPI-M’s zonal committee secretary, and local committee member Kanai Dutta in Patina village of Nayagram area were …. Original source  : Suspected Maoists attack Bengal CPI-M leaders’ houses.

For cops’ release, stop army training centre: Maoists

RAIPUR – Maoists in Chhattisgarh say they will release five captive policemen only if the government gives up its plan to set up an army training centre in a forested territory.

This is one of 11 demands put forth by the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in the restive Bastar region. The policemen have …. Source article  : For cops’ release, stop army training centre: Maoists.

LeT, United Jehad Council condemn Sopore murders

SRINAGAR – Guerrilla outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has denied involvement in the murder of two teenaged sisters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town, days after police blamed it for the killings. The incident was also condemned by the United Jehad Council (UJC).

In a statement to a local news agency Wednesday evening, LeT spokesman Abdullah Ghaznavi … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : LeT, United Jehad Council condemn Sopore murders.

Maoists kill Salwa Judum leader

RAIPUR – Maoists Wednesday shot dead a senior member of anti-Maoists civil militia movement Salwa Judum in Chhattisgarh, police said.

The killing took place near a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Bastar regions Bijapur district, some 420 km from state capital Raipur.
“Maoists opened fire on Salwa Judum leader Nohar Singh …. Source article  : Maoists kill Salwa Judum leader.

Al Qaeda may have plotted five attacks on 9/11: WikiLeaks

LONDON – A group of Qatari men, suspected of supporting the plotters of the serial attacks of 9/11, may have been preparing for a fifth suicide strike in Washington, according to the secret US diplomatic cables leaked by WikiLeaks.

The disclosure, in US diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks, has raised suspicions that the three men [..] Read the original article: here.

Al Qaeda’s dirty bomb poses risk of nuclear 9/11: WikiLeaks

LONDON – Al Qaeda has been trying to stockpile “dirty” nuclear explosives and recruit rogue scientists to plot 9/11-like terror attacks in world’s major cities, secret US diplomatic cables leaked by WikiLeaks have revealed.

Tomihiro Taniguchi, the deputy director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has warned the US that the world faces the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Al Qaeda’s dirty bomb poses risk of nuclear 9/11: WikiLeaks.

Two killed in Lahore blast

LAHORE – A remote controlled bomb exploded in a Sufi shrine in this Pakistani city killing two people and injuring 27, police said.

Lahore district coordination officer Ahad Khan Cheema said the two were killed instantly when the bomb exploded Thursday night outside Baba Haider Sain’s shrine in Lorri Adda area, APP reported.
The blast …. Original article  : Two killed in Lahore blast.

Britain faces wave of suicide attacks: WikiLeaks

LONDON – Britain faces the risk of a wave of terror attacks by British-born “suicide operatives” who are not on the intelligence services’ radar, secret US cables leaked by WikiLeaks have revealed.

British spy agency MI6 has warned that the country faces a “unique” threat from a generation of home-grown terrorists, the Telegraph reported, citing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Britain faces wave of suicide attacks: WikiLeaks.

Car bombing injures 29 soldiers in Colombia

BOGOTA – At least 29 soldiers were injured in a car bomb blast near the Colombian border with Venezuela, military officials said.

The explosion occurred Thursday when a military patrol was passing between the towns of Tame and Puerto Rendon in Arauca region, bordering Venezuela, Xinhua quoted the commander of the army’s Brigade 18, Jairo … Read more »».

Suspected bomber behind Moscow airport blast identified

Moscow, Feb 3 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Thursday that the suspected suicide bomber in the attack on Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport has been identified.

The powerful blast, which ripped through the international arrivals hall of Russia’s largest airport, Jan 24 killed 36 people and injured over 100.
Federal Security Service’s chief … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Suspected bomber behind Moscow airport blast identified.

Attack on Danish cartoonist act of terrorism, court rules

COPENHAGEN – A court in Denmark Thursday ruled that the attack by a Somali-born man on the Danish cartoonist who sparked outrage with his depiction of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed was an act of terrorism.

The court in the western city of Aarhus found the 29-year-old defendant guilty of attempted murder. He is to be …. Original source  : Attack on Danish cartoonist act of terrorism, court rules.

Chinese weapons fall into hands of militants: WikiLeaks

LONDON – China’s failure to enforce export controls on arms to Iran has led to the Chinese-made weapons falling into the hands of insurgents fighting coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, secret US cables leaked by WikiLeaks have revealed.

US diplomats also feared that Chinese companies were selling materials to Iran that could be …. Read the original article  : Chinese weapons fall into hands of militants: WikiLeaks.

Maoist slit contractor’s throat

RANCHI – Maoist rebels killed a contractor by slitting his throat in Jharkhand’s Chatra district Thursday, police said.

Asraf Mian was abducted from his house in Giddhor area and his dead body was found early Thursday from Mahuatand area.
The rebels left a pamphlet terming the contractor as “pimp” of the government, a police official … Read more »».

Maoist hideout busted in Bengal, arms seized

KOLKATA – Security personnel Thursday recovered a sophisticated firearm, explosives and huge cache of ammunition from a Maoist hideout in West Bengal’s West Midapore district, police said.

Joint forces conducted raids in Kanyabali and Lakhanpur forest areas near Lalgarh and unearthed the Maoist hideout.
“No Maoist cadres were present there that time. But an …. Original source  : Maoist hideout busted in Bengal, arms seized.

ULFA to open unconditional talks from Feb 10

GUWAHATI – The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Saturday said unconditional peace talks with the central government will begin Feb 10, in a move that may bring the curtains down on more than three decades of insurgency in Assam.

Formal peace talks with the government of India are expected to begin in New …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

ULFA ready for peace talks from Feb 10

GUWAHATI – The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Saturday said unconditional peace talks with the central government will begin Feb 10, in a move that may bring the curtains down on more than three decades of insurgency in Assam.
…. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ULFA ready for peace talks from Feb 10.

Tehelka Magazine Names 15 Tax Evaders

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The Tehelka Magazine, revealed the names of 15 individuals, including three trusts, who “had stashed black money” in LGT Bank in Liechtenstein, to evade taxes. This bank is situated 190 kilometers away from Munich, and is known as a famous Tax haven. Although the Tehelka Magazine got 16 of the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Tehelka Magazine Names 15 Tax Evaders.

Two Madhya Pradesh officials fired for releasing SIMI members

BHOPAL – The Madhya Pradesh government Friday removed the principal secretary for jails and suspended the deputy jailer of Khachrod sub-jail in Ujjain over the release of five activists of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

Sudesh Kumar, who was principal secretary for jails, was removed and Ashok Das, principal secretary in home …. Original source  : Two Madhya Pradesh officials fired for releasing SIMI members.

Kashmir protests murder of two sisters in Sopore

SOPORE – A shutdown was observed in this north Kashmir town Friday and sporadic protests erupted in other parts of the valley against the murder of two sisters allegedly by the Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit here.

Markets remained shut and transport went off the roads in Sopore, 54 km from Srinagar, following the protest called by hardline … Read more >>>.

British Muslims on jehad trip to Somalia: WikiLeaks

LONDON – British Muslims are travelling to Somalia for “jehadi tourism” to get training for terrorist attacks in Britain, secret US diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks have revealed.

The UN special envoy to Somalia was so worried about rebels linked to the Al Qaeda that he urged the US to launch targeted strikes against extremists … Read more : British Muslims on jehad trip to Somalia: WikiLeaks.

22,000 flee due to fighting in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – About 22,000 people have fled Pakistan’s restive tribal region due to intense fighting between military and terrorists, the government said Friday.

Roshan Khan Mehsud, a government spokesperson, said the estimated 22,000 displaced are now living in camps away from the troubled area and are being provided with food and aid, The Nation reported … Read more >>>.

Track Sopore girls’ killers speedily, says Chidambaram

JAMMU – Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday demanded that the killers of two teenaged sisters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town be speedily tracked down and given severe punishment.

Attending a meeting of the Unified Command here before leaving for Kishtwar to attend a security review of the mountainous parts of Jammu region, … Read more »»».

Congress demands probe into release of SIMI members

BHOPAL – The opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh Friday alleged that a Bharatiya Janata Party minister and officials took Rs.3 crore bribe to release five activists of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) from jail on Republic Day.

Congress spokesperson K.K. Mishra Friday demanded a high-level inquiry into the issue.
The Congress party … Read more : Congress demands probe into release of SIMI members.

Bomb scare prompts evacuation in Moscow

Moscow, Feb 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Authorities ordered an evacuation of passengers from the Leningradsky and Yaroslavsky train stations in Moscow following a bomb threat, a police source said Sunday.

The move followed an anonymous telephonic warning that a bomb had been placed at a train station. Security forces immediately began combing train stations elsewhere in …. Read the original article  : Bomb scare prompts evacuation in Moscow.

India, Pakistan to hold talks in Bhutan Sunday

NEW DELHI – The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan are set to meet Sunday in Bhutan even as both countries engaged in a spat over the 2007 Samjhauta Express train blast that killed many Pakistanis.

Nirupama Rao is expected to hold bilateral talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in Thimphu on the sidelines … Read more >>.

Indian lacks courage to expose Hindu extremists: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – India lacks courage to expose the role of Hindu extremists in the Samjhauta Express blast, Pakistan said Saturday, a day before the two countries are expected to hold secretary-level talks in Thimphu.

“India seems to be lacking courage to unearth culpability of Hindu extremists and their links with some Indian Army personnel,” APP …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indian lacks courage to expose Hindu extremists: Pakistan.

Bangladesh hands over three ULFA rebels

SHILLONG – Bangladesh authorities Saturday handed over three more rebel leaders of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to Indian frontier guards at Dawki area in Meghalaya, an official said.

ULFA ‘captain’ Upen Buragohain alias Antu Chaudang, ’second lieutenant’ Pradip Chetia and corporal Saurav were handed over to the Border Security Force … Read more »».

Two NATO troops, 19 militants killed in Afghanistan

KABUL – Nineteen Taliban militants and two NATO soldiers have been killed in latest violence in Afghanistan, officials said Saturday.

Two NATO-led International Security Assistance Force service members died in two separate bombings in southern Afghanistan, the military alliance said.
NATO did not specify where the incidents took place or the nationality of the deceased.
…. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Free innocent Muslims, say AMU students

ALIGARH – The confession of a Hindutva activist on his involvement in several terror attacks called for the immediate release of Muslims detained for these crimes, a student group here said.

The Sir Syed Educational and Welfare Movement made the demand in a memorandum to United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chief Sonia Gandhi that was submitted …. Original article  : Free innocent Muslims, say AMU students.