Crime Watch – Newsletter for December 23, 2010

ISI chief won’t appear in US court over 26/11

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Thursday declared that the country’s spy master will not appear in any US court in connection with the Mumbai terror attack.

Addressing the National Assembly, he said the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) “is a sensitive agency of the Pakistani military and it is unimaginable that we will force …. Read the original article  : ISI chief won’t appear in US court over 26/11.

Rights activists await ruling on Binayak Sen

RAIPUR – Rights activists from across India are gathering here as a court is set to rule Friday in the case involving Binayak Sen, who spent two years in jail for alleged links with Maoists.

Security has been stepped up in and around the district and sessions court where judge B.P. Varma will give his … Read more »»».

Pakistan to set up national forensic agency

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has decided to establish a national forensic agency (NFA) due to the worsening law and order situation in the country and a budget of Rs.2 billion ($23 million) has been approved for setting it up, an official said.

The Express Tribune Thursday reported that the poor law and order situation prompted the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pakistan to set up national forensic agency.

Detained Maoists call off 12-day hunger strike

KOLKATA – Maoists and pro-rebel inmates lodged in two prisons in West Bengal Wednesday withdrew their 12-day-old fast after assurances that facilities inside the jails will be improved.

The prisoners, including pro-Maoist tribal group People’s Committee Against police Atrocities (PCAPA) convenor Chhatradhar Mahato, had started an indefinite huger strike Dec 10, pressing for a 32-point …. Original article  : Detained Maoists call off 12-day hunger strike.

Two police officers arrested in Bhutto murder case

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani authorities Wednesday arrested two senior police officers for alleged dereliction of duty over the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, a prosecutor said.

Bhutto was assassinated in a gun and suicide attack Dec 27, 2007 after addressing an election rally in Rawalpindi.
A court in Rawalpindi this month issued warrants … Read more >>.

Maoists torch vehicles in Jharkhand

RANCHI – Maoist guerrillas set on fire five vehicles belonging to a construction company on Ranchi’s outskirts late Tuesday, police said Wednesday.

The attack took place near the Damodar river, about 45 km from here. The Maoists set ablaze two dumpers and other machines, an officer said.
… Read more >>>.

Over 800 Afghan soldiers killed this year

KABUL – More than 800 Afghan soldiers have been killed in the country’s conflict with militants so far this year, more than any other since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, a defence ministry spokesman said Wednesday.

“A total of 806 Afghan National Army soldiers have been martyred in 2010,” Zahir Azimi told … Read more >>.

Al Qaeda affiliate renews threat against Iraqi Christians

BAGHDAD – An Al Qaeda affiliate responsible for a bloody attack on a Baghdad church earlier this year renewed threats against Iraqi Christians, according to Islamist websites Wednesday.

The statement, which has not been verified, said that there would be peace only after the release of two Egyptian women that the Islamic State of Iraq …. Original article  : Al Qaeda affiliate renews threat against Iraqi Christians.

10 escape unhurt in Maoist landmine blast

KOLKATA – At least 10 people travelling in a vehicle in West Bengals West Midnapore district had a narrow escape when a landmine suspected to have been triggered by Maoists exploded Wednesday afternoon, police said. Three women have have been detained for questioning.

A landmine exploded near Balichua in between Belpahari and Kokraghor while a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 10 escape unhurt in Maoist landmine blast.

NMDC resumes full iron ore shipment after Maoist shutdown

RAIPUR – Iron ore shipment by state-run National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) Ltd has reached its peak levels after three weeks of disruption at its key mining facilities in Chhattisgarh, an official said Wednesday.

“The iron ore shipment from Bailadila hills facilities has resumed to its full capacity after being hit by a Maoist shutdown … Original source on Gaea Times at : NMDC resumes full iron ore shipment after Maoist shutdown.

NATO urged to eliminate terrorist centres abroad

KABUL – A spokesman for the Afghan ministry of defence said Wednesday that security would not be achieved in Afghanistan unless NATO eliminates “terrorist sanctuaries” abroad.

“We believe that until the funding, training, equipping and staging centres for the terrorists are not eliminated outside of Afghanistan, security will not be established in Afghanistan or in … Read more >>.

WSOC-TV Employees Threatened

CHARLOTTE (GaeaTimes.com)- Police on Tuesday arrested a woman from the Charlotte ABC affiliate WSOC-TV after she had appeared on the site and panicked the employees with her life threatening act. Reportedly the woman had threatened to end her life. The situation at the TV station was all the more dangerous as the woman was possessing … Read more >>>.

Women being recruited to fight Taliban suicide bombers

LONDON – Afghan women are being recruited for the very first time by the country’s national police to help tackle Taliban suicide bombers, a media report said Wednesday.

Earlier, women “had only been tasked with menial backroom responsibilities”.
But, with training from the British ministry of defence and the British Army, Afghan women are now …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Women being recruited to fight Taliban suicide bombers.