Crime Watch – Weekly Newsletter for February 14-21, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Indonesian cleric’s terrorism trial resumes
JAKARTA – Muslim militant cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, alleged leader of terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, was back on trial Monday in Indonesia.
The trial of Ba’asyir, accused of allegedly helping to set up and fund an Islamic militant training camp, was adjourned Thursday for a technicality.
If found guilty, the 72-year-old cleric could face the …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Indonesian cleric’s terrorism trial resumes.
ULFA leaders set to meet PM
NEW DELHI – A delegation of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a courtesy call Monday evening, days after they initiated talks with the central government to end 30 long years of insurgency in Assam.
An eight-member ULFA team, headed by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, will …. Source article : ULFA leaders set to meet PM.
Pune pays tribute to German Bakery blast victims
PUNE – Thousands of people paid tribute to the victims of last year’s blast at Pune’s popular German Bakery Sunday with candlelight marches, blood donation camps and memorial services.
People gathered in large numbers at Koregaon Park, where the bakery is located, and other places including Ishanya Mall and Fergusson College and expressed their … Original article on : Pune pays tribute to German Bakery blast victims.
Iraq suicide blast toll rises to 33
TIKRIT – The death toll in a suicide bomb attack on Shia pilgrims near the holy city of Samarra in northern Iraq rose to 33 Sunday, Xinhua reports.
Our latest report about Saturday’s suicide bomb attack on a bus carrying Shia pilgrims near Samarra, indicates that 33 people were killed and 27 wounded,” a police … Original source on Gaea Times at : Iraq suicide blast toll rises to 33.
An appeal to Maoists, administration to reopen school
PATNA – Hundreds of students of a school in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district have appealed to the Maoists and the district administration to help them resume classes which were stopped after the rebels beat up two teachers earlier this month.
Tengrari High School has been closed since Feb 2 after the guerrillas badly beat up the …. Original source : An appeal to Maoists, administration to reopen school.
Maoists blow up school in Bihar
PATNA – Suspected Maoists blew up a state-run school in Bihar’s Gaya district at night, leaving it badly damaged, police said Tuesday.
According to police, Maoist guerrillas late Monday surrounded and blew up the building at Barha village in Gaya, about 100 km from here.
The guerrillas used dynamite to blow up the building, which …. Source article : Maoists blow up school in Bihar.
Two killed in Russia blasts
Moscow, Feb 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) At least two police officers were killed and about 20 injured in two successive blasts in Russia’s restive North Caucasus region, an official said Tuesday.
A female suicide bomber blew herself up near a police station in Gubden village of Dagestan Monday evening, killing one policeman and injuring several, the … Original article on : Two killed in Russia blasts.
Want special status for Assam like Kashmir, says ULFA leader
NEW DELHI – Even as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has begun peace talks with the government to end 30 years of insurgency in Assam, a top leader of the banned outfit has said the group wants the Indian Constitution “overhauled vis-a-vis Assam” to grant the northeastern state special status like Jammu and … Read more : Want special status for Assam like Kashmir, says ULFA leader.
Ship with nine Indian crew hijacked, proceeds to Somalia
MUMBAI – Suspected Somali pirates have hijacked a Maltese-flagged ship with nine Indian and 13 Iranian crew members on board, a top Indian maritime official said here Monday evening.
The ship, M.V. Sinin, is loaded with around 52,000 tons of iron ore and was proceeding from Singapore to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), …. Read the original article : here.
Maoists kill special police officer in Chhattisgarh
RAIPUR – Maoist guerrillas killed a special police officer Monday in Chhattisgarhs restive Bastar region, police said.
Munnalal Markam was killed in Gondpalli village in Dantewada district, more than 400 km south of state capital Raipur.
He was posted at Dantewada police station and had gone to a relatives house at Gondpalli when the rebels [..] Read the original article: here.
Suspect in Pakistani politician’s assassination indicted
ISLAMABAD – Authorities in Pakistan Monday charged the main suspect in the assassination of a government official with murder and acts of terrorism.
Mumtaz Hussain Qadri is alleged to have shot dead former Punjab province governor Salam Taseer in Islamabad Jan 4 while deployed as a security guard for the politician.
His lawyer Raja Shujaur … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Suspect in Pakistani politician’s assassination indicted.
ULFA leaders meet PM briefly
NEW DELHI – A delegation of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh briefly on a courtesy call Monday evening, days after the central government initiated talks with the outlawed militant group to end 30 long years of insurgency in Assam.
An eight-member ULFA team, headed by the coutfit’s chairman … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ULFA leaders meet PM briefly.
Two die in suicide attack at Kabul shopping mall (Second Lead)
KABUL – Two people were killed Monday in a massive suicide bombing at a shopping mall that is frequented by foreigners in this Afghan capital, officials said.
The blast happened in Charrahi Ansari area in downtown Kabul, Xinhua said. City Center is a shopping mall frequented by foreigners and wealthy Afghans.
DPA adds: Private … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Two die in suicide attack at Kabul shopping mall (Second Lead).
Blast, gunbattle rock Kabul shopping mall
KABUL – A massive bombing followed a few minutes later with gunfire rocked a shopping mall frequented by foreigners in downtown Kabul, an official said.
“Gun battle is continuing between the attackers and police inside the City Center,” an official told Xinhua.
He said that the attackers first carried out the bombing at the … Read more : Blast, gunbattle rock Kabul shopping mall.
Suicide bombing in Kabul
KABUL – A suicide bomb attack took place Monday near a shopping mall in the Afghan capital Kabul.
“The blast happened in Charrahi Ansari area in downtown Kabul,” Xinhua quoted an official as saying.
The mall is often frequented by foreigners and wealthy Afghans.
…. Read the original article : Suicide bombing in Kabul.
Iraq war: Defector says he lied about WMDs
LONDON – A defector, whose information was used by the US to justify the Iraq war, has admitted for the first time that he lied about the secret biological weapons programme as he “had the chance to fabricate something to topple the regime”.
Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi’s tall tale convinced the US that Iraq …. Read the original article : Iraq war: Defector says he lied about WMDs.
Two girls injured in militant attack in Kashmir
SRINAGAR – Two girls were injured when separatist guerrillas attacked their house in Baramulla district of north Kashmir late Tuesday night, police said.
Guerrillas opened fire at the house of Muhammad Akbar Lone in Wagoora village, injuring his 16-year old daughter Shaista and his 8-year old granddaughter, Moomina.
“The two injured girls were immediately shifted … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Two girls injured in militant attack in Kashmir.
Batla House shootout: Court paves way for trial
NEW DELHI – Paving the way for the trial to begin, a Delhi court Tuesday formally slapped charges against Shahzad Ahmed, a suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist, arrested in south Delhi’s Batla House shootout in which a Delhi Police inspector was killed in 2008.
Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar framed the charges against Shahzad … Original article on : Batla House shootout: Court paves way for trial.
CBI to take custody of NDFB rebel
NONGPOH – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would soon take custody of National Democratic Front of Bodoland’s (NDFB) cadre Mathuram Brahma alias Mudoi, the prime accused in several bombings and killings in Assam, Meghalaya Police said Tuesday.
Mudoi, who also holds the rank of sergeant major in the outfit, was arrested by …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Maoists set conditions for Orissa collector’s release (Third Lead)
BHUBANESWAR – Giving a 48-hour ultimatum, Maoists have demanded a halt on combing operations to release an Orissa district collector, police said Thursday, a day after the abduction. This is the first time the rebels have taken an IAS officer hostage in the state.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer R. Veenel Krishna, the district collector …. Read the original article : Maoists set conditions for Orissa collector’s release (Third Lead).
Backyard bomb injures four of family in Assam
GUWAHATI – Three children and a woman, from the same family, were injured when a bomb stashed inside a schoolbag in their backyard exploded in Goalpara district of Assam Thursday, police said.
The schoolbag was lying in the backyard of the family’s home in Goalpara town. On noticing the bag, the family tried opening …. Original article : Backyard bomb injures four of family in Assam.
US concerned over LeT’s expanding horizons
WASHINGTON – The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has enough capabilities to launch a Mumbai-type terrorist strike in Europe and other parts of the world, say US officials concerned over expanding horizons of the Pakistan based terrorist outfit.
“What they did in India could theoretically be launched elsewhere. But we have not yet seen those steps occur,” Michael …. Original source : US concerned over LeT’s expanding horizons.
Cambodia jails two Bangladeshis, one Nepali for terrorism
PHNOM PENH – A court in the Cambodian capital Wednesday sentenced two Bangladeshis and one Nepali national – members of terror outfit Al Qaeda – to eight years in prison, Xinhua reported.
The three were convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on charges stemming from their signatures on a letter that threatened to attack …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Cambodia jails two Bangladeshis, one Nepali for terrorism.
Hostage crisis: Patnaik urges Maoists to extend deadline
BHUBANESWAR – Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday appealed to the Maoists not to harm the Malkangiri district collector and an engineer they are holding captive and urged them to extend their deadline that lapses in the evening.
“We are in the process of trying to establish contact. My appeal to the concerned persons is …. Read the original article : Hostage crisis: Patnaik urges Maoists to extend deadline.
Cyber support for abducted Orissa collector
BHUBANESWAR – From colleagues to social activists to well-wishers, support poured in from all quarters on social networking website Facebook for the safe release of Orissa district collector R. Vineel Krishna, who was abducted by Maoists Wednesday.
Vineel, the district collector of Malkangiri, was abducted along with a junior engineer by Maoists in Chitrakonda area … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cyber support for abducted Orissa collector.
Suicide bomber kills nine in Afghanistan
KABUL – A suicide bomber blew himself up Friday morning in Afghanistan’s Khost city, killing nine people and injuring 30, a police official said.
The incident occurred in the capital of Khost province, 150 km southeast of Kabul, Xinhua reported. “A suicide bomber blew himself up near a police checkpoint,” the official said. Most victims … Read more »»».
Orissa collector still hostage, Maoists snap road links
BHUBANESWAR – Amid hectic backchannel talks, Maoists in Orissa Friday snapped road links to Malkangiri and submitted a fresh set of demands to release the collector of the district who continued to be in their custody for the third successive day, police said.
R. Vineel Krishna, the district collector of Malkangiri, was abducted along with … Original article on : Orissa collector still hostage, Maoists snap road links.
US fears terrorists might provoke India, Pakistan conflict
WASHINGTON – US Defence Secretary Robert Gates worries about the future of Pakistan, fearing that terrorist groups might try to provoke a conflict between India and Pakistan to destabilise the country.
“I worry a lot about Pakistan. It has huge economic problems… They have a serious internal terrorism threat that is seeking to destabilise Pakistan …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Orissa begins backdoor talks with Maoists for collector’s release
BHUBANESWAR – After halting anti-Maoist operations, Orissa has began back channel discussions with the rebels as the 48-hour deadline given by them for the release of an Orissa district collector and an engineer they had abducted Wednesday neared, officials said Friday.
The rebels took Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer R. Veenel Krishna, the district collector … Read more : Orissa begins backdoor talks with Maoists for collector’s release.
US has no specific threat info on cricket World Cup
WASHINGTON – The United States has warned its citizens that while it has no specific threat information about the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent, such large, high-profile events can be targets for terrorist attacks.
The warning came in a travel alert issued Thursday on safety and security issues related to the Cricket …. Original article on Gaea Times at : US has no specific threat info on cricket World Cup.
Maoists abduct collector, Orissa agrees to talks (Intro Roundup)
BHUBANESWAR – A worried Orissa government halted anti-Maoist operations and agreed to negotiate Thursday, a day after the guerrillas abducted Malkangiri collector R. Veenel Krishna and a junior engineer in one of their most audacious acts in the state.
“We are not doing any operations. It has been suspended across the state,” a senior police … Read more : Maoists abduct collector, Orissa agrees to talks (Intro Roundup).
Varavara Rao appeals to Maoists to release Orissa official
HYDERABAD – Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary poet Varavara Rao Thursday appealed to Maoists in Orissa to release unharmed Malkangiri District Collector R. Veenel Krishna, who hails from Andhra Pradesh.
In an appeal made in Telugu and broadcast over All India Radio Thursday evening, Rao appealed to Maoists to set free the officer. He also …. Original article : Varavara Rao appeals to Maoists to release Orissa official.
Orissa agrees to talks with Maoists for official’s release
BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa government Thursday evening said it is ready for talks with the Maoists for the release of the Malkangiri district collector abducted by the rebels a day earlier.
“The government is ready to hold dialogue on the matter,” state Home Secretary U.N. Behera told reporters.
“Instruction has been issued to halt …. Original article : Orissa agrees to talks with Maoists for official’s release.
Militants misusing social networking sites: Antony
NEW DELHI – Defence Minister A.K. Antony Thursday said militants in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast were misusing social networking sites and the government was planning to take steps to prevent such misuse.
“We know some people are misusing the (social) network (sites). At the same time, we are particular such misuse should … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Militants misusing social networking sites: Antony.
Malegaon blasts: CBI submits Aseemanand’s statement to court
MUMBAI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Thursday submitted a certified copy of the confessional statement of 2006 Malegaon blast accused Swami Aseemanand before a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court.
While submitting the copy to Special MCOCA Judge Y.D. Shinde, CBI prosecutor A. Chimalkar said that it had not been made … Read more »».
Rights group asks Maoists to free abducted Orissa official
NEW DELHI – The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), of which rights activist Binayak Sen is the vice president, Thursday asked the Maoists to immediately release the district collector they have abducted in Orissa.
The guerrillas kidnapped Malkangiri District Collector R. Veenel Krishna and a junior engineer early Wednesday when he was going to …. Read the original article : Rights group asks Maoists to free abducted Orissa official.
Militants release WWF volunteers in Assam
GUWAHATI – Three volunteers of environmental group World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), who had been kidnapped by militants in Assam Feb 6, were released from captivity Thursday, police said.
A police spokesperson said the three male WWF volunteers were released Thursday morning by memebrs of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) near …. Source : Militants release WWF volunteers in Assam.
Ban on night trains in Maoist areas extended
KOLKATA – Restrictions on movement of passenger trains during night in Maoist-affected areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand will continue till Feb 24, a railway statement said here Thursday.
“In view of security reasons, running of the passenger trains on Kharagpur-Adra, Chakradharpur-Rourkela and Kharagpur-Tata sections will continue to be suspended 10 p.m. to 5 …. Read the original article : Ban on night trains in Maoist areas extended.
Bid to bomb sensitive buildings foiled in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD – A bid to bomb sensitive buildings and key installations of the armed forces was Thursday foiled in the garrison town of Rawalpindi adjacent to this federal capital, a media report said.
Dawn TV reported that acting on a tip-off, police recovered two cartons containing explosives from the busy Mureer Chowk area of Rawalpindi.
…. Original source : Bid to bomb sensitive buildings foiled in Pakistan.
Militants fire grenades at Kashmir security camp
SRINAGAR – Separatist guerrillas fired two rifle-propelled grenades at a camp of the counter-insurgency Rashtriya Rifles in north Kashmir’s Sopore town late Thursday afternoon. The grenades exploded without causing any damage.
The area has been cordoned off and search for the guerrillas launched after the attack at 4.15 p.m., an official said.
…. Source : Militants fire grenades at Kashmir security camp.
Chhattisgarh had intelligence on Maoists’ abduction plan
RAIPUR – A day before Orissa Maoists abducted a district collector Wednesday, the police chief of neighbouring Chhattisgarh had warned his state’s chief secretary, on the basis of intelligence, of rebels’ plan to kidnap senior civil and administrative officials.
Vishwa Ranjan, director general of police (DGP) of one of India’s states worst hit by … Read : Chhattisgarh had intelligence on Maoists’ abduction plan.
Bihar officials in Maoist areas alerted
PATNA – Top officials in Maoist-hit districts of Bihar have been asked to be cautious while touring rural area in the wake of the dramatic abduction of a district collector in Orissa.
“The government had made it clear to the officials to take their security seriously,” an official in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s office said …. Original source : Bihar officials in Maoist areas alerted.
Mediator asks Orissa to free jailed Maoist to end hostage crisis
BHUBANESWAR – As Orissa Saturday intensified efforts for the release of a district collector and a junior engineer abducted by Maoists three days ago, a mediator asked the state government to release a jailed Maoist to speed up dialogue with the abductors, an official said.
R. Vineel Krishna, the district collector of Malkangiri, was abducted … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mediator asks Orissa to free jailed Maoist to end hostage crisis.
Bihar alerts officials in Maoist-hit areas
PATNA – The Bihar government has asked top officials in the state’s Maoist-hit districts to take all precautionary measures during their official visits to rural areas. It sounded an alert following the abduction of a collector of Orissa’s Malkangiri district, official said here Saturday.
“The government had made it clear to the officials posted in …. Original article : Bihar alerts officials in Maoist-hit areas.
Orissa hostage crisis: Maoists extend deadline
BHUBANESWAR – Maoists holding an Orissa district collector and a junior engineer hostage Friday extended their deadline, giving the state government another 48 hours for acceptance of their demands.
A Maoist leader, identifying himself as Bhaskar, secretary of the Andhra-Orissa Border State Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist, informed a …. Read the original article : Orissa hostage crisis: Maoists extend deadline.
Meghalaya rebel leaders send feelers for talks
SHILLONG – Two top leaders of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) rebel group have sent feelers for talks with the Meghalaya government, an official said Friday.
“The outfit’s general secretary Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew and publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw have sent feelers to the government for negotiations,” a top official of the union home ministry told …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Meghalaya rebel leaders send feelers for talks.
Backdoor talks on, Maoists urged to extend deadline (Roundup)
BHUBANESWAR – The Orissa government Friday urged Maoists holding Malkangiri Collector R. Vineel Krishna hostage to extend their 48-hour deadline for acceptance of their demands even as it opened quiet talks with the rebels and asked two academics to start a separate dialogue.
With no clues on the whereabouts of the 30-year-old Krishna and a … Original article on : Backdoor talks on, Maoists urged to extend deadline (Roundup).
Orissa asks two academics to mediate in hostage crisis
BHUBANESWAR – Orissa Friday asked two academics to initiate a dialogue with Maoists for the release of Malkangiri district collector R. Vineel Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Mohan Majhi, officials said.
State chief secretary B.K. Patnaik said the government is talking to R. Someswara Rao, a retired economics professor of Sambalpur University; and Hargopal, a …. Source : Gaea News Network.
One killed in Pakistan bomb blast
ISLAMABAD – At least one person was killed and four people were injured Friday when a car bomb exploded near a police station in northwestern Pakistan, police said.
The driver of the explosive-laden car tried to crash into the police building in Bannu city but it went off before the target, Xinhua reported.
Last month, … Original article on : One killed in Pakistan bomb blast.
Hostage crisis: Orissa begins talks with mediators
BHUBANESWAR – The two mediators, human right activists and academicians G. Haragopal and R. Someswar Rao, began negotiations Sunday with Orissa government officials on the release of a district collector and an engineer abducted by Maoists four days ago.
State Home Secretary U.N. Behera and Panchayati Raj Secretary S.N. Tripathy began the talks in the … Read : Hostage crisis: Orissa begins talks with mediators.
20 militants killed in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD – At least 20 militants were killed and 12 injured Sunday in Pakistan’s northwest tribal region by the police in a counter-assault that was launched after rebels attacked a police post.
A group of militants launched an attack on a police check post in the Bazai area of Mohmand Agency, a tribal area [..] Read the original article: here.
Prabhakaran’s mother dies in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO – The mother of slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader V. Prabhakaran passed away Sunday in a hospital, a media report said. She was 81.
According to Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror newspaper, Parvathi Pillai died in Valvetithurai hospital in Jaffna where she was admitted last month due to several illnesses, including heart …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Prabhakaran’s mother dies in Sri Lanka.
Kasab weak, weary ahead of 26/11 verdict
MUMBAI – Pakistan terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab has withdrawn into a shell, has lost his ‘attitude’ and has not been feeling too well ahead of the Bombay High Court verdict Monday on his death sentence in the 26/11 terror attack case, his lawyer said here Sunday.
“He appears very weak and weary, probably he … Read : Kasab weak, weary ahead of 26/11 verdict.
Mediators reach Orissa for talks with Maoists
BHUBANESWAR – Human right activists and academicians G. Haragopal and R. Someswar Rao arrived in the Orissa capital Sunday to mediate with Maoists for the release of a district collector and an engineer who were abducted by them four days ago.
“Both have arrived and the negotiations will start soon,” a senior state intelligence department … Read more >>.
Pakistani Taliban issues video of ISI spy’s execution
ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani Taliban released a video Saturday of the shooting of a former officer of the country’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who was kidnapped from the northern tribal region.
A Taliban militant is shown in the video firing at former ISI officer, Col. (Retd.) Sultan Ameer Tarar – also known as … Original article on : Pakistani Taliban issues video of ISI spy’s execution.
Orissa hostages safe, talks likely to start Sunday: officials (Roundup)
BHUBANESWAR/HYDERABAD – The Orissa district officer and junior engineer kidnapped by Maoists Wednesday are safe and in good health while formal negotiations with the rebels for their release are likely to begin Sunday after the mediators arrive, officials said Saturday.
State Chief Secretary B.K. Patnaik said: “As per the information available with us, the … Read more >>.
Eighteen killed in Afghan bank bombings
KABUL – Eighteen people were killed and 70 wounded Saturday after bombers targeted a bank in eastern Afghanistan, a government spokesman said.
Seven bombers stormed a branch of Kabul Bank in Jalalabad city, according to Ahmad Zia Abdulzia, spokesman for the provincial governor.
Two bombers detonated their explosives, while five others were killed in a … Original article on : Eighteen killed in Afghan bank bombings.
Mediator to leave for Bhubaneswar Sunday
HYDERABAD – Human rights activist and academic Hargopal will leave for Bhubaneswar Sunday to begin mediation for the release of Malkangiri District Collector R. Vineel Krishna.
Hargopal, who arrived here from New Delhi Saturday, held talks with the other mediator, R. Someshwar Rao, and Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary writer Varavara Rao.
The trio met at … Read more : Mediator to leave for Bhubaneswar Sunday.
Hostages safe, Orissa intensifies efforts for release
BHUBANESWAR – Two Orissa officials kidnapped two days ago by Maoists are safe and in good health in rebel custody as the state intensified its efforts to free the district collector and the junior engineer, a senior state official said Saturday.
State Chief Secretary B.K. Patnaik said: “As per the information available with us, the …. Read the original article : here.