Crime Watch – Newsletter for December 31, 2010

Benazir assassination plot hatched at brigadier’s home: report

ISLAMABAD – The plot to assassinate former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007 was hatched at the official residence of an army brigadier, a fresh probe report has disclosed in a dramatic revelation.

The new probe conducted under the interior ministry’s supervision has also found the role of nine men, including the army brigadier, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Former Maoist child soldiers learn to shoot – with camera

KATHMANDU – It was not a desire to change the world but his grinding poverty that made Nar Bahadur Sunuwar join the underground Maoist guerrillas when he was only 12.

Living in a village in northern Nepal’s almost inaccessible Humla district that was four days’ trek away from the district headquarters and had …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bomb blast at Athens nightclub

ATHENS – A bomb exploded outside a closed nightclub in Athens early Friday but no one was injured, officials said.

The blast caused slight damage, according to fire brigade officials.
Media reports said police were assuming that the criminal underworld was behind the blast.
… Original source on Gaea Times at : Bomb blast at Athens nightclub.

Pakistan to contest US court notices to ISI officials

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Thursday said it will challenge in court a US lawsuit accusing officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of providing material support for the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, Xinhua reported.

“The government of Pakistan has taken a firm decision to strongly contest the suit filed against the ISI, its present and past … Read more »».

Rights activist Kannabiran dead

HYDERABAD – Eminent human rights activist and lawyer K.G. Kannabiran passed away here Thursday after a brief illness. He was 82.

He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
The last rites of Kannabiran were performed Thursday night at Maredpally in Secunderabad.
Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Minister K. Jana Reddy and Maoist … Read : Rights activist Kannabiran dead.

Online Al Qaeda magazine provided bomb tips to terror suspects

LONDON – Nine men arrested in Britain on terrorism charges last week found inspiration and bomb-making instructions in an English-language online magazine published by Al Qaeda, a media report said Thursday.

The revelation, relayed by British newspapers, provided the first purported link between the nine British-based suspects, some of Bangladeshi origin, and an anti-Western terrorism …. Original source  : Online Al Qaeda magazine provided bomb tips to terror suspects.

India presses Myanmar for action against insurgent groups

NEW DELHI – India Thursday conveyed its concerns to Myanmar at activities of insurgent groups operating on their border and sought to strengthen intelligence sharing mechanism with the energy-rich country.

Home Secretary G.K. Pillai met Myanmar’s Deputy Minister for Home Affairs U. Phone Swi for the 16th round of home secretary-level talks.
Issues …. Original source  : India presses Myanmar for action against insurgent groups.

No night move for trains in Maoist-hit areas till Jan 6

KOLKATA – The restrictions on movement of passenger trains during night in Maoist-affected areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand will continue till Jan 6, the South Eastern Railway said here Thursday.

“In view of security reasons, running of passenger trains on Kharagpur-Adra, Chakradharpur-Rourkela and Kharagpur-Tata section will continue to remain suspended up to Jan …. Original article  : No night move for trains in Maoist-hit areas till Jan 6.

Roadside bomb kills 10 Afghan civilians

KABUL – At least 10 Afghan civilians were killed and several injured Thursday in a roadside bombing in the southern province of Helmand, officials said.

The bomb triggered by militants went off in a crowded area of the Nahr-e-Saraj district and killed more than 10 people, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.
Daoud …. Read the original article  : Roadside bomb kills 10 Afghan civilians.

US streamline watch list database to thwart terror

WASHINGTON – Now a single tip about a terror link will be enough for inclusion in the watch list for US sleuths who have also evolved a quicker system to share the database of potential terrorists among screening agencies.

The master watch list of individuals with suspected links to terrorism is used to screen people …. Original source  : US streamline watch list database to thwart terror.

Suspects in Denmark hearing deny plot to attack newspaper

COPENHAGEN – Three men arrested in Denmark on suspicion of planning an attack on a Danish newspaper denied the allegations when their remand custody hearing opened Thursday outside Copenhagen.

Prosecutor Lykke Sorensen said they were suspected of terrorist crimes and firearms offences, noting that a submachine gun and a handgun had been seized by police.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Suspects in Denmark hearing deny plot to attack newspaper.

ULFA chairman gets freed on bail

GUWAHATI – Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and one of India’s most wanted fugitives, was Thursday freed on bail, a year after he was captured by Bangladesh and handed over to Indian authorities in Assam.

A special TADA court Thursday gave the verdict after the government prosecutor gave … Original article on : ULFA chairman gets freed on bail.