ISI not supporting Taliban, claims Musharraf

WASHINGTON – Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf has termed it as a “misunderstanding” that the Pakistani intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), continues to give sustenance and support to the Taliban.

“I take very strong exception to these statements which have been going on maybe since 2004 because of a misunderstanding of ground realities,” Musharraf told … Read more >>.

Two Indians die in Afghanistan terror attack

ISLAMABAD – Two Indians were killed in a missile attack launched by the Taliban on an Indian NGO’s office in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, a media report said Monday.

Qari Omar Haqqani, a spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, told reporters from an undisclosed location that the rebels had attacked the office of the Indian NGO with …. Read the original article  : Two Indians die in Afghanistan terror attack.

Chhattisgarh Maoists surrender but rarely with weapons

RAIPUR – In the last six years, not a single Maoist in Chhattisgarh has surrendered with a light machine gun (LMG) or an AK-47 assault rifle, though over 2,600 rebels have given up violence during the period, say police.

Police estimate that about 10,000 Maoists armed with LMGs and AK-47 rifles are active in the …. Original article  : Chhattisgarh Maoists surrender but rarely with weapons.

Unofficial talks going on with Taliban: Karzai

WASHINGTON – Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has said unofficial negotiations are taking place with the Taliban, who are like “kids who have run away from the family”.

Karzai said the formation of a peace council would help continue the talks “officially and more rigorously”.
“We have been talking to the Taliban as countryman to countryman, … Read : Unofficial talks going on with Taliban: Karzai.

CPI-M ‘reclaims’ Lalgarh after one-and-a-half years

KOLKATA – One-and-a half years after being ousted from Lalgarh in West Bengal by the Maoists and their supporters, thousands of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) supporters Sunday marched into the area amid tight security and “reclaimed” the area.

Holding party flags, an estimated 12,000 cadres, including women, led by CPI-M zonal committee secretary of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : CPI-M ‘reclaims’ Lalgarh after one-and-a-half years.

Linda Norgrove Killed

KABUL (GaeaTimes.com)- Foreign Secretary William Hague announced yesterday that a British aid worker Linda Norgrove, 36, who was abducted in north eastern Afghanistan two weeks ago was killed in attempted rescue mission by NATO troops. The unfortunate incident happened on Friday during the rescue effort. Linda Norgrove was kidnapped on September 26 in the …. Read the original article  : Linda Norgrove Killed.

Nepal Maoist army denies training Indian peers

KATHMANDU – The guerrilla army of Nepal’s opposition Maoist party Tuesday denied a report in the Indian media that had claimed that “hundreds” of Indian Maoists were being trained in Nepal.

Nanda Kishore Pun, who led the Maoists’ “People’s Liberation Army” (PLA) into a 10-year war against the government before his party signed a peace … Original source on Gaea Times at : Nepal Maoist army denies training Indian peers.

Chhattisgarh to step up Maoist offensive

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh has decided to step up the offensive against Maoist guerrillas.

The offensive against the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) had slackened since July as the security forces found it difficult to operate in the thick jungles that serve as Maoist hideouts.
“After a let up during monsoon, we will now step …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chhattisgarh to step up Maoist offensive.

Militants bomb girls school in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Unidentified militants bombed a girls school Tuesday morning in Pakistan’s Mohmand tribal region bordering Afghanistan, a media report said.

The number of schools destroyed by militants in the region has risen to 57 so far, Xinhua reported.
Two girls schools and a boys school were destroyed in blasts Sunday morning.
Over 200 schools …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rs.20 mn for security at shrines in Pakistan province

ISLAMABAD – A sum of Rs.20 million has been allocated for bolstering security at the shrines spread across Pakistan’s Sindh province. The move comes after a terror attack on a shrine in provincial capital Karachi left seven people dead.

Abdul Haseeb, a provincial minister, said that Rs.20 million have been earmarked in the current development …. Source article  : Rs.20 mn for security at shrines in Pakistan province.

Afghan Taliban occupy abandoned checkposts

ISLAMABAD – The Afghan Taliban have taken control of several key checkposts close to the Pakistan border after the coalition forces abandoned them, a media report said Tuesday.

The News International reported that Afghan Taliban guerrillas occupied the strategically important border checkpoints at Ghakhi Pass soon after the NATO forces and the Afghan National Army …. Source  : Afghan Taliban occupy abandoned checkposts.

Pakistani Taliban resort to kidnapping to raise money

ISLAMABAD – Taliban guerrillas in Pakistan are resorting to kidnapping to raise money and they are now hunting for high-value targets, a media report said Monday.

Daily Times reported that Taliban have changed their strategy in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and have adopted a new approach of abduction for ransom.
The Taliban were now … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pakistani Taliban resort to kidnapping to raise money.

Two Indians killed in Afghan missile attack

ISLAMABAD – Two Indians were killed in a missile attack launched by the Taliban on an Indian NGO’s office situated near a US airbase in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, a media report said Monday.

Qari Omar Haqqani, a spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, told reporters from an undisclosed location that the outfit had attacked the office … Read more >>.

Five family members killed in blast in Afghanistan

KABUL – A couple and three of their children were killed when a roadside bomb struck their vehicle in southeastern Afghanistan, a government spokesman said Monday.

The explosion occurred Sunday in the Zurmat district of Paktia province, Rohullah Samoon, spokesman for the provincial governor, said.
“The couple, one daughter and two of their sons were … Read : Five family members killed in blast in Afghanistan.

Poster girl of Taliban oppression gets new nose

LONDON – The young Afghan woman whose nose was chopped off by her husband and who later went on to become the poster girl of Taliban oppression has now got a new nose, thanks to surgery in the US, it was reported here.

The photograph of 19-year-old Aisha without a nose sparked an outpouring of … Read more : Poster girl of Taliban oppression gets new nose.

Zahra Clare Baker Case: A Homicide?

HICKORY (GaeaTimes.com)- The police has been searching for a North Carolina girl Zahra Clare Baker, who disappeared last Saturday. What seemed to be a normal case of a missing girl has turned into an investigation of homicide, Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins announced Tuesday. The Police Chief also said that Elisa Baker, the disabled … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Zahra Clare Baker Case: A Homicide?.

Al-Qaeda English language magazine published

Rome, Oct 13 (IANS/AKI) Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has posted the second issue of its English-language magazine “Inspire” to jihadist forums, US intelligence website SITE reports.

The 74-page issue with a Oct 11 dateline features two articles by radical American-Yemen cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. There is also an article by Samir Khan, an American from … Read more »»».

Maoists kill CPI-M leader in Bengal

KOLKATA – Maoist guerrillas Wednesday shot dead a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, police said.

(CPI-M leader) Tapan Dolui was shot dead from a point blank range by Maoists while he was ploughing his agricultural land adjacent to his village in Jhargram sub-division, West Midnapore Police Superintendent Manoj …. Source article  : Maoists kill CPI-M leader in Bengal.

Maoists gun down two Chhattisgarh cops

RAIPUR – Maoist guerrillas Tuesday gunned down two policemen in Chhattisgarhs restive Bastar region, officials said.

The killings took place in Pamer area in Bijapur district, about 500 km south of here.
A group of about 20 armed Maoists sprayed bullets on the two constables, identified as Ritesh and Rajendra, when they had gone out … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Maoists gun down two Chhattisgarh cops.

Two Manipur militants arrested in Guwahati

GUWAHATI – Two militants of the outlawed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) of Manipur were arrested Tuesday from a rented accommodation in Assam’s main city of Guwahati, officials said.

A police spokesperson said the two UNLF militants, Jai Singh and Ashok Singh, were arrested from Guwahatis Panbazar area.
“Based on specific inputs about the presence …. Source article  : Two Manipur militants arrested in Guwahati.

BKI terrorist Jagtar Hawara’s death sentence commuted to life

CHANDIGARH – The Punjab and Haryana High Court Tuesday commuted to a life term the death sentence awarded to notorious Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara.

Hawara was a mastermind of the assassination of then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh at the high-security state secretariat complex here Aug 31, 1995.
The high court, … Read more : BKI terrorist Jagtar Hawara’s death sentence commuted to life.

Security up on Chhattisgarh-Orissa border

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh has heightened security along with Orissa’s border following reports that Maoists were ordering the locals to join the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist).

Extra forces have been rushed to Mahasamund and Raipur districts, a senior official at police headquarters told IANS.
Mahasamund and Raipur were considered largely untouched by Maoists. But …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Security up on Chhattisgarh-Orissa border.

Pakistani-origin terror suspect freed in Canada

TORONTO – A Canadian court in Ottawa Wednesday freed on bail a Pakistani-origin doctor who was arrested in August for his links to an al-Qaeda-linked terror plot.

Khurram Syed Sher, a 28-year-old Pakistani-origin doctor who took part in the Canadian Idol contest in 2008, was arrested along with two other suspects under ‘Project Samosa’ by …. Original article  : Pakistani-origin terror suspect freed in Canada.

Pakistanis held for collecting terror funds in Thailand

Bangkok, Oct 14 (IANS/AKI) Fifteen Pakistanis suspected of collecting funds earmarked for use by terrorist organisations in their homeland have been arrested in Thailand, police said Wednesday.

Police were tipped off to the activity by a bank in the southern Yala province after the suspects tried to wire funds to a person in Pakistan whose …. Read the original article  : here.

NATO-led forces to remain in Afghanistan another year

NEW YORK – The UN Security Council decided Wednesday to extend the mandate of NATO-led military forces in Afghanistan another 12 months so they can continue work on strengthening Afghan security.

The mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was extended until Oct 13, 2011. ISAF’s 120,000 troops are mostly from NATO and the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Congenial environment for peace talks yet to be created’

GUWAHATI – Jailed chairman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Arabinda Rajkhowa said here Wednesday that a congenial environment for beginning formal peace talks with the government was yet to be created.

I would say the atmosphere for peace talks has not yet been created since we are still in jail. But … Original article on : ‘Congenial environment for peace talks yet to be created’.

Jaya TV gets threat call, Jayalalithaa warned

CHENNAI – Tamil television channel Jaya TV Wednesday said it received a threatening call, warning of an attack if it aired news against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It also asked AIADMK general secretary J.Jayalalithaa not to address a rally in Madurai Oct 18.

Jaya TV, run by close associates of Jayalalithaa, … Original article on : Jaya TV gets threat call, Jayalalithaa warned.

New York prepares for Mumbai-style attack

NEW YORK – With US officials proclaiming an alleged European terror plot still active, New York City police conducted a drill that simulated a Mumbai-style attack on civilians on a crowded street in Manhattan’s financial district.

The drill Thursday simulated an attack in lower Manhattan’s financial district, near Wall Street and Ground Zero, on a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New York prepares for Mumbai-style attack.

US pressing Pakistan ‘very hard’ to go after Taliban

WASHINGTON – The United States says it is pressing Pakistan “very hard” to go after Taliban segments connected with Al Qaeda crossing into Afghanistan as they pose a threat to nations around the world.

“And we’re going to keep pressing because we think there’s no way to divide this threat,”Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said … Original source on Gaea Times at : US pressing Pakistan ‘very hard’ to go after Taliban.

NATO to ‘facilitate’ Afghan dialogue with Taliban

BRUSSELS – NATO troops are ready to help the Afghan government reach out to former Taliban combatants, the Western military alliance’s chief confirmed Thursday.

Speaking after a meeting in Brussels of NATO defence and foreign ministers, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen insisted that the “reconciliation process is Afghan-led”.
“Our position is that if we can … Original source on Gaea Times at : NATO to ‘facilitate’ Afghan dialogue with Taliban.

Four Maoists held in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR – Four armed Maoists were arrested in Chhattisgarh Thursday after a brief gun battle with the police in restive Bastar region, officials said.

A strong contingent of heavily armed police personnel raided a forested hideout of Maoists in Bijapur district and opened fire on rebels who retaliated, Superintendent of Police R.N. Das told reporters.
…. Original source  : Four Maoists held in Chhattisgarh.

Karzai pardons Pakistani would-be suicide bomber

KABUL – Afghan President Hamid Karzai pardoned Thursday a Pakistani child who had been arrested by the security forces after he attempted to carry out a suicide attack in the country, the presidential palace said.

The teenage boy belonged to a poor family in Pakistan had been sent to Afghanistan by “enemies” of the country’s … Read more »»».

Al Qaeda calls for ‘lone-wolf’ attacks on US

WASHINGTON – A gunman on a shooting spree in a restaurant or a single man unit placing a bomb in a crowded place, an Al Qaeda-affiliated online journal is pushing would-be terrorists to launch ‘lone-wolf’ attacks on the US instead of travelling abroad to join extremist groups.

According to a Washington Times report, the … Original article on : Al Qaeda calls for ‘lone-wolf’ attacks on US.

Pakistan foils plot to assassinate prime minister

ISLAMABAD – Police Thursday claimed to have foiled a plot to kill Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and to have arrested seven suspects.

The law enforcement agencies came to know about the purported plan during the interrogation of a group of alleged militants arrested Wednesday after a shoot-out in Ahmadpur Sharqia near Bahawalpur district …. Read the original article  : here.

US checking report if FBI ignored tip on Headley

NEW DELHI – The US Saturday said it was looking into a media report that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had a tip about David Coleman Headley’s links with a terror group in Pakistan three years before terrorists struck Mumbai in 2008.

“We are looking into published reports about possible information related to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : US checking report if FBI ignored tip on Headley.

Eight killed by US drones in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – At least eight militants were killed in two US drone attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal area, a media report said Saturday.

A Friday attack targeted a militant compound in Mir Ali town of North Waziristan region, a hub of Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants, Geo TV reported.
“A US drone fired … Read more »».

Maoists release three abducted officials

RAIPUR – Three government officials taken hostage by Maoists from a passenger bus were released after 24 hours in a forested pocket of Chhattisgarh’s restive Bastar region, a senior official said Saturday.

Maoists released the three government officials in a remote area of Bijapur district last (Friday) night. The officials were taken hostage from a … Original article on : Maoists release three abducted officials.

Before Mumbai attacks, wife warned of Headley’s terror ties in Pakistan

WASHINGTON – Three years before Pakistani terrorists struck Mumbai in 2008, federal agents in New York City investigated a tip that David Coleman Headley was training in Pakistan with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), according to an investigative report.

The previously undisclosed allegations against Pakistani American Headley, who has confessed to his role in the plot that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

NATO allowed Taliban commander into Kabul

LONDON – NATO-led forces facilitated the passage of a senior Taliban commander to Kabul to hold talks with the Afghan government, a media report said Friday.

US General David Petraeus, commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said the move was part of the US and NATO support for President Hamid Karzai’s reconciliation discussions …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NATO allowed Taliban commander into Kabul.

Pakistan Taliban kill five soldiers

ISLAMABAD – Taliban militants killed five soldiers Friday at a checkpost in Pakistan’s South Waziristan region, hours after a rebel commander was killed in a US drone attack, Xinhua reported.

The checkpost is located in the Sararogha area. The security forces have launched a counter attack.
The attack came just hours after a US …. Original source  : Pakistan Taliban kill five soldiers.

UN doubts Nepal will meet deadline on Maoist guerrillas

KATHMANDU – A top UN envoy who visited Nepal earlier this month to assess the republic’s halted peace process has expressed doubts if the political parties can decide the fate of the Maoist guerrilla army by mid-January, after which the UN agency supervising it will exit Nepal.

B. Lynn Pascoe, UN undersecretary-general for political affairs, …. Source  : UN doubts Nepal will meet deadline on Maoist guerrillas.

Two Bangalore blast suspects sent to jail

BANGALORE – Two more suspects in the 2008 serial blasts in Bangalore, arrested Friday, were sent to jail till Oct 25 by a court here, police said Sunday.

The two – Umar Farooq and Ibrahim Moulavi – were brought to Bangalore late Saturday and were produced before the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Venkatesh Hulagi …. Source article  : Two Bangalore blast suspects sent to jail.

Another Headley wife also warned of his terror and India links

WASHINGTON – Less than a year before the Mumbai terrorists attacks, a second wife of David Coleman Headley warned US officials in Pakistan that she believed her husband was plotting an attack, according to the New York Times. She also told them he was passionately anti-Indian yet travelled to India all the time but …. Source  : Another Headley wife also warned of his terror and India links.

Yemen puts $100,000 reward for eight Al Qaida men

SANAA – Yemen’s interior ministry has offered a reward of $100,000 for providing information about eight militants linked to Al Qaida, state media reported.

According to official Saba news agency, the ministry has announced the name of the all eight wanted terrorists and sought help from people to arrest them, Xinhua reported.
Meanwhile, the ministry … Original source on Gaea Times at : Yemen puts $100,000 reward for eight Al Qaida men.

Two LeT militants killed in Kashmir

JAMMU – Two militants of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed in a gunfight Saturday with a joint army and police team in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri area, police said.

Police said the operation had started early Saturday morning and lasted for several hours.
“Two Pakistani terrorists of the LeT were killed in …. Source  : Two LeT militants killed in Kashmir.

Explosives recovered from Ranchi’s outskirts

RANCHI – Explosives were recovered from Maoist hideouts on the outskirts of Ranchi Saturday, police said.

According to police, the explosives were recovered during anti-Maoist operations in the jungle area of Bundu, around 45 Km from Ranchi. Two gunny bags full of gelatin sticks, live wires and other explosives were recovered during the operation.
Bundu …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Britain must ban burqa to beat terrorism’

LONDON – Britain must ban the burqa if it wants to win the battle against Islamic extremism, an ally of French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said.

Jacques Myard, a senior ally of Sarkozy, said relaxed British policies “opened the door to terrorism”, express.co.uk reported Saturday.
Britain is “losing the battle against Islamic extremism” by failing … Read more >>>.

‘Pakistan should resist US call for North Waziristan operation’

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s political and military leadership must rebuff the US demand for an operation against militants in North Waziristan, a Pakistani paper said Saturday, terming it an “American ploy to drag the country into the Afghan war”.

“For more than a year, America has been quietly urging us to take action in …. Original source  : ‘Pakistan should resist US call for North Waziristan operation’.

Over 4,000 ex-LTTE rebels rehabilitated in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO – Over 4,000 former Tamil rebels in Sri Lanka have been rehabilitated and reintegrated in the society, officials said Saturday.

“We have rehabilitated over 4,000 former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels and sent them back to their families. Six thousand more are to be rehabilitated,” Xinhua quoted commissioner general of Rehabilitation Brigadier …. Source article  : Over 4,000 ex-LTTE rebels rehabilitated in Sri Lanka.

Two more suspects in Bangalore blast case held

BANGALORE – Two more suspects in the 2008 serial blasts in Bangalore have been arrested, a senior police official said Saturday.

One of the suspects was identified as Umar Farooq and the other as Ibrahim Moulavi.
“Umar was held in Ajmer in Rajasthan and Ibrahim in Kasargod in Kerala,” Bangalore Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari told …. Original article  : Two more suspects in Bangalore blast case held.

Report on police firing after Mecca Masjid blast submitted

HYDERABAD – The Justice Bhaskar Rao Commission submitted to the Andhra Pradesh government here Saturday its report on the police firing after a bomb blast at the historic Mecca Masjid in 2007.

Justice V. Bhaskar Rao met Chief Minister K. Rosaiah at his camp office here and handed over the report.
The contents of the … Read : Report on police firing after Mecca Masjid blast submitted.

US drones kill 10 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Two suspected US drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal region along the Afghan border have claimed 10 lives, security officials said Saturday.

Unmanned drone aircraft fired six missiles into two suspected militant hideouts in Meer Ali area of North Waziristan tribal district, a known hotbed of fighters allegedly linked to Taliban and Al Qaeda.
…. Original article on Gaea Times at  : US drones kill 10 in Pakistan.