Crime Watch – Newsletter for December 28, 2010

US drone strike kills seven in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – An unmanned US aircraft Tuesday fired four missiles into two compounds in Pakistan’s tribal region near the Afghan border, killing seven people, security officials said.

The attack raised the death toll to 25 from drone airstrikes within 24 hours against suspected Taliban and Al Qaeda hideouts.
An intelligence official said the drone fired … Read : US drone strike kills seven in Pakistan.

Chidambaram visits Gadchiroli to review security

MUMBAI – Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday visited the Maoist stronghold of Gadchiroli district in eastern Maharashtra to review the security scenario and discuss development plans for the area, an official said.

Chidambaram was accompanied by Maharashtra’s Home Minister R.R. Patil and Director General of Police D. Sivanandan.
Chidambaram met Gadchiroli District Collector …. Source  : Chidambaram visits Gadchiroli to review security.

Partial response to shutdown call in West Bengal

KOLKATA – The first day of a 48-hour shutdown called by the pro-Maoist People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) in West Bengal’s three western districts Tuesday evoked partial impact, police said.

“The shutdown was observed in the Junglemahal areas (Maoist affected forested areas of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura), but there were no untoward …. Source  : Partial response to shutdown call in West Bengal.

Toll in Nigeria blasts reaches 80

ABUJA – The toll in the Christmas eve bomb blasts that rocked Nigeria’s restive Jos city has reached at least 80, the authorities said Monday.

According to Xinhua, the number of people injured in the attacks has crossed 100, Al Hassan Danjuma Aliu, the north central zonal manager at the National Emergency Management Agency, said …. Read the original article  : Toll in Nigeria blasts reaches 80.

Morocco arrests six men suspected of planning attacks

RABAT – Moroccan police have arrested six men suspected of planning to carry out attacks in Morocco and overseas, the interior ministry said Monday.

“A six-strong terrorist network involved in cybernetic terrorism was recently dismantled,” according to Morocco’s state news agency MAP.
The ministry, which released a statement to MAP, did not specify when the …. Original article  : Morocco arrests six men suspected of planning attacks.

Nationwide terror alert sounded

NEW DELHI – The home ministry Monday issued a nationwide terror alert after intelligence inputs suggested that cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Agra, among others, might be targets of terror attacks in the coming days.

The red alert comes days after Mumbai Police said four men of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group had entered the city … Read : Nationwide terror alert sounded.

UN probe of Benazir assassination flawed: Zardari

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said the UN probe into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has certain flaws in it.

“We decided to go for the probe by UN to ensure impartiality,” he said while addressing a gathering marking the third death anniversary of Bhutto in Nodero, her ancestral … Read : UN probe of Benazir assassination flawed: Zardari.

Bangladesh crackdown puts pressure on ULFA chief

SHILLONG – The crackdown on the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Bangladesh will force its elusive leader Paresh Baruah to rethink his intransigent stand, a top official said Monday.

“Baruah is under tremendous pressure because of the crackdown by Bangladeshi authorities. He will give up some day,” Inspector General of Border Security Force …. Original source  : Bangladesh crackdown puts pressure on ULFA chief.

Secret UN maps show Afghan security worsening

WASHINGTON – The Afghan security situation has deteriorated this year, secret UN maps have revealed, countering the US government’s assessments of military progress since the surge of additional American troops began a year ago, a media report said.

The Wall Street Journal said it has accessed two confidential “residual risk accessibility” maps, one compiled by … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Secret UN maps show Afghan security worsening.

Eight killed, 50 injured in Iraq suicide blasts

RAMADI – At least eight people — including four policemen — were killed and 50 injured Monday in two suicide attacks near a government compound in the city of Ramadi.

The first blast came from a suicide bomber in a car near the Ramadi government compound, around 110 km west of Baghdad, Aswat al-Iraq news …. Source article  : Eight killed, 50 injured in Iraq suicide blasts.

NATO says Afghan war to escalate in 2011

KABUL – A senior officer of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said Monday that the war in Afghanistan would escalate in 2011 as the coalition pursues militants.

“There is no end to the fighting season; we need to keep pressure on the Taliban all over the country,” ISAF spokesman Brigadier General Joseph Blotz …. Source  : NATO says Afghan war to escalate in 2011.

Indian origin man charged with Britain terror plot

LONDON – Nine people, including a man of Indian origin, have been charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and plotting terror attacks in Britain, a media report said Monday.

The suspects, who were arrested a week ago during a series of dawn raids by police, will appear in a London court Monday, the Daily Telegraph …. Source article  : Indian origin man charged with Britain terror plot.

Karnataka put on high alert over year-end terror threat

BANGALORE – Police and paramilitary forces in Karnataka, particularly in the coastal areas, have been placed on high alert following warnings of possible terror strikes in the coming days, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said here Monday.

“A high alert has been sounded in the state, especially in coastal districts following advice from the central … Read : Karnataka put on high alert over year-end terror threat.

Maoist damage rail tracks, NMDC shipments at halt

RAIPUR – Iron ore shipments by NMDC Ltd, India’s largest iron ore producer and exporter in the public sector, were halted Monday from its key mines in Chhattisgarh after Maoists damaged rail tracks, police officials said.

“The iron ore transportation has been stopped since Monday early hours as the tracks have been damaged by Maoists, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Maoist damage rail tracks, NMDC shipments at halt.

18 killed in Pakistan drone attacks

ISLAMABAD – At least 18 suspected militants were killed in a series of missile strikes by US drones in North Waziristan, Pakistan’s restive tribal region, a media report said Monday.

“The first drone fired missiles in Sher Tala area of Spinwam and killed six suspected militants,” Geo TV reported.
The second attack Monday afternoon fired …. Read the original article  : 18 killed in Pakistan drone attacks.

Six killed, 45 injured in suicide blasts in Iraq

RAMADI – At least six people – including four policemen – were killed and 45 injured Monday in two suicide attacks near a government compound in the city of Ramadi.

The first blast came from a suicide bomber in a car near the Ramadi Government Compound, around 110 km west of Baghdad, Aswat al-Iraq news …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Six killed, 45 injured in suicide blasts in Iraq.