Crime Watch – Newsletter for December 26, 2010

Are Maoists on the backfoot in Orissa?

BHUBANESWAR – Offensives by security forces and the refusal of people to join have hit hard Maoists in Orissa, police say. But experts are not so sure and say the guerrillas are only lying low.

“The Maoists have weakened. They are not getting support. They are not able to increase their strength as people are …. Source article  : Are Maoists on the backfoot in Orissa?.

Suicide attack in Pakistan affront to humanity: Obama

ISLAMABAD – US President Barack Obama condemned Saturday’s suicide attack in northwestern Pakistan in which 44 people were killed, saying the terror strike is “an affront to humanity”.

“I strongly condemn the outrageous terrorist attack in Khar, Pakistan,” Obama said in a statement from Hawaii, US, where he was celebrating Christmas with his family.
…. Read the original article  : Suicide attack in Pakistan affront to humanity: Obama.

Attack in Pakistan affront to humanity: Obama

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama condemned a suicide bombing in Pakistan that left at least 44 people dead at a UN World Food Programme distribution point Saturday.

“Killing innocent civilians outside a World Food Programme distribution point is an affront to the people of Pakistan, and to all humanity,” Obama said in a statement … Read more »»».

Bomb blasts, church attacks kill 29 in Nigeria (Second Lead)

ABUJA/LAGOS – Twenty-nine people were killed in a series of bomb blasts and attacks on churches in Nigeria on Christmas eve, officials said Saturday.

According to Xinhua, at least 23 people were killed in the blasts that rocked restive Jos city, capital of the Plateau State, a local hospital official said.
Another 32 victims were …. Original source  : Bomb blasts, church attacks kill 29 in Nigeria (Second Lead).

Dutch police arrest 12 Somali terror suspects

ROTTERDAM – Police have arrested 12 Somali men suspected of planning a terrorist attack in the Netherlands, Dutch public prosecutors said Saturday.

The arrests took place Friday evening in the port city of Rotterdam after the Dutch secret service, the AIVD, received concrete evidence of the men’s plans, the public prosecutor said.
Islamic extremists have … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dutch police arrest 12 Somali terror suspects.

23 killed in Nigeria blasts

LAGOS – At least 23 people were killed in a series of bomb blasts that rocked Nigeria’s restive Jos city on the Christmas eve, a local hospital official said Saturday.

Another 32 victims were receiving treatment in hospital, Ishaya Pam, chief medical director at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), was quoted as saying by … Read more »»».

Iraqi Christians celebrate Christmas amid tight security

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Christians celebrated Christmas quietly Saturday, amid tight security over concerns of sectarian attacks.

Most Christians headed to churches near their homes and businesses to attend services held Saturday morning instead of Christmas Eve for more security.
Leading Shia politician Ammar al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, attended the mass held …. Source  : Iraqi Christians celebrate Christmas amid tight security.

Suicide bombing, helicopter raids kill 84 in Pakistan (Sixth Lead)

ISLAMABAD – Eighty-four people were killed Saturday in a suicide bombing and government helicopter attacks in the tribal region along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, officials said.

A female suicide bomber targeted a crowd collecting food at a distribution centre run by the UN’s World Food Programme, killing 44 people.
Seventy others were injured in the …. Source article  : Suicide bombing, helicopter raids kill 84 in Pakistan (Sixth Lead).

Female suicide bomber kills 44 in Pakistan (Fifth Lead)

Islamabad, Dec 25 (IANS/DPA) A female suicide bomber wearing a burqa exploded herself in a crowd receiving food at a UN distribution centre in Pakistan’s tribal region Saturday killing 44 people, officials said.

Seventy others were injured in the devastating attack at Khar, the main town in Bajaur tribal district where government forces have been … Read more »»».

Trooper killed in Bengal landmine blast by Maoists

KOLKATA – An elite anti-Maoist battalion central trooper was killed and four others were injured in a landmine blast during an exchange of fire between the security forces and the guerrillas in West Bengal’s Purulia district, an official said Saturday.

“There was a landmine blast while the gunbattle was on,” State Home Secretary Samar Ghosh …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Saudi forces kill suspected militant disguised as woman

RIYADH – Saudi Arabian security forces shot dead a suspected Islamist militant disguised as a woman, after he opened fire at them during a checkpoint inspection, local media said Saturday.

The man, wearing a woman’s face-veil and black clothes, opened fire after security stopped his car Friday evening in the central town of Wadi Al-Dawasir, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Saudi forces kill suspected militant disguised as woman.

Female suicide bomber kills 43 in Pakistan (Fourth Lead)

ISLAMABAD – A suspected female suicide bomber killed at least 43 people in a crowd receiving food at a distribution centre in Pakistan’s tribal region Saturday, officials said.

Seventy others were injured in the attack at Khar, the main town in Bajaur tribal district, where government forces are fighting Taliban and Al Qaeda militants.
Local …. Original article  : Female suicide bomber kills 43 in Pakistan (Fourth Lead).