Crime Watch – Newsletter for December 30, 2010

US alarmed at thousands of Taliban, rebels missing in Pakistan

WASHINGTON – The US is alarmed over reports that thousands of captured Taliban insurgents and political separatists have disappeared into the hands of Pakistan’s police and security forces, and that some may have been tortured or killed.

According to the New York Times, a State Department report presented to the Congress last month had urged …. Original source  : US alarmed at thousands of Taliban, rebels missing in Pakistan.

Chhattisgarh in spotlight, but for wrong reasons (2010 in Retrospect)

RAIPUR – It marked a decade of its formation, but 2010 was also a black mark year for Chhattisgarh that found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons – be it Maoists increasing their spread, killing 76 troopers in the worst attack in four decades of insurgency or a court sentencing rights …. Source article  : Chhattisgarh in spotlight, but for wrong reasons (2010 in Retrospect).

Bomb blast outside court in Athens

ATHENS – A bomb exploded outside a court in the Greek capital Athens Thursday after an anonymous warning call, a police source and witnesses said.

The device was planted on a motorbike parked in front of the building in the city centre, according to unofficial reports from the police.
Witnesses reported seeing burning cars and … Read : Bomb blast outside court in Athens.

Explosion in Athens

ATHENS – A bomb blast took place at a court in central Athens early Thursday, a police source said.

Witnesses reported seeing burning cars and a cloud of smoke coming from the building.
There were no immediate reports of any injuries. A witness told reporters that the police evacuated the building before the explosion.
An …. Read the original article  : Explosion in Athens.

Human intelligence aid drone attacks in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – US drones are now having enhanced ability to hit targets in Pakistan’s mountainous North Waziristan tribal region, thanks to the effectiveness of “real-time (human) intelligence”, security officials have said.

The turnaround in information gathering for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in North Waziristan, once considered an intelligence black hole, could not have come … Read more : Human intelligence aid drone attacks in Pakistan.

Malik should’ve told Benazir not to look out, says top cop

ISLAMABAD – It was the responsibility of Rehman Malik, who was then in charge of Benazir Bhutto’s security and now is the country’s interior minister, to prevent the former prime minister from looking out of her vehicle, said a senior police official who has been arrested for her 2007 assassination.

Former Rawalpindi city police chief …. Original article  : Malik should’ve told Benazir not to look out, says top cop.

Are Maoists losing ground in West Bengal?

KOLKATA – When Maoists derailed a train in West Bengal in May killing 148 people, the guerrillas appeared to be on the offensive. As 2010 draws to a close, however, the rebels seem to be on the backfoot, due mainly to killings and arrests of rebels by security forces.

While Lalgarh in West Midnapore was …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Suspicious parcel found at US Embassy to the Vatican: Report

ROME – Italian police bomb experts were dispatched Wednesday to investigate a “suspicious package” found at the US Embassy to the Vatican in Rome, news reports said.

The alarm follows last week’s explosions of parcel bombs at the Swiss and Chilean embassies, and the discovery and deactivation of a similar device at the Greek embassy …. Original source  : Suspicious parcel found at US Embassy to the Vatican: Report.

Five arrested for alleged plan to attack Danish newspaper

COPENHAGEN – Five people have been arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on the Danish newspaper that in 2005 published controversial caricatures of the Muslim prophet Mohammed, the Danish secret service PET said Wednesday.

The PET said that an armed “attack against the Copenhagen offices of the Jyllands-Posten” had been imminent.
Four suspects were … Read : Five arrested for alleged plan to attack Danish newspaper.

Two Afghan army soldiers, four insurgents killed

KABUL – Two Afghan soldiers and four suspected Taliban fighters have been killed in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday.

“Two national army soldiers were martyred and another was injured in a suicide bombing,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
The bombing took place in the south-eastern province of Paktia Tuesday, it said, without giving further …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hospitalised Maoist commander arrested

RANCHI – A Maoist commander who was undergoing treatment at a hospital on the outskirts of Ranchi for the past few days was arrested Wednesday, police said.

According to a police officer, Sanjay Yadav was arrested from a hospital in McCluskieganj town, some 55 km from Ranchi.
Sanjay is wanted in several cases, the …. Read the original article  : here.

Buddhadeb hits back at ‘far from impartial’ Chidambaram

KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has strongly objected to union Home Minister P. Chidamabaram’s use of a “nasty” word to describe Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) workers and attacked the Trinamool Congress for organising meetings with Maoist outfits.

The chief minister also admitted that the situation in the state was not a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.