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Fierce battle rages for Taliban stronghold
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Afghanistan
Fierce battle rages for Taliban stronghold
More than 6,000 troops were engaged in intense fighting last night as British and American forces led a major offensive to seize the largest Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan. In what military commanders described as a defining battle for the stability of Helmand province, around 4,500 Nato soldiers and Afghan National Army troops launched a series of attacks against a 2,000-strong Taliban force entrenched in the town of Musa Qala. Fighting was expected to last for days.

Battle breakdown
  • 4,500 international and Afghan army forces are attacking Taliban positions.
  • 2,000 Taliban troops are defending Musa Qala.
  • 1,200 British soldiers are involved in the offensive.
  • 500 US troops took part in the initial attack against Musa Qala under cover of darkness.
  • 19 helicopters - Apache attack and Chinook troop carriers - were used in the first drop of infantrymen.
  • 12 Taliban have been confirmed dead.
Colonel Richard Eaton, spokesman for the commander of Task Force Helmand, told The Observer: 'There has been determined resistance and continual fighting throughout the day, but we are making progress.' Amid reports of close-quarters battle, a number of British troops were reported injured, while a soldier with the Second Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment was killed, it was announced last night. His death takes the number of British personnel killed in Afghanistan since October 2001 to 86. Eaton added: 'The aim of this operation is to win over the people of Helmand. The support of the people is the prize. They have a choice of living under a free democratic government or under the tyranny of the Taliban.' The operation, which has been codenamed Mar Kardad, meaning 'snakepit', is the biggest mounted in Helmand since the deployment of Nato forces last year.

For both sides Musa Qala has become deeply symbolic - it is the only urban centre that the Islamist group has been able to take and hold.

Among the forces threatening its perimeter defences last night were more than 1,200 British troops, including sizeable numbers from the 1st Battalion Scots Guards and 40 Commando, Royal Marines. Sources in Helmand described yesterday's fighting as 'heavy', with US airstrikes continuously targeting Taliban positions around the town. Twelve Taliban rebels were declared dead in one attack, including a commander believed to be responsible for attacks against international troops.

Under cover supplied by US aircraft, international forces and Afghan infantrymen advanced on Musa Qala from three directions across mountainous terrain. Military strategists have been planning an attack for months, aware that it is encircled by many well defended positions and minefields. Taliban anti-aircraft guns are understood to line ridges above the town, which has just one road in and one road out.

With the fighting showing no signs of ebbing, a Taliban claim that several armoured vehicles had been destroyed was dismissed. British defence sources said there had been 'steady progress'.

Earlier, hundreds of US soldiers were dropped from 19 helicopters, including troop carriers. They fought throughout Friday night, a tactic designed to let Afghan government troops, backed by British units, move in.

Hundreds of UK soldiers have been deployed from the British army's forward operating base, Camp Bastion, in Sangin, around 20km away. Military commanders speculated that, if the Taliban sustained large casualties, they might flee the town and head north into mountains. 'In the past, Taliban have withdrawn when faced with a large force in the field, but that remains to be seen,' said Eaton.

For the Taliban, Musa Qala has become a key centre of military and drug smuggling operations. For the international forces, ousting the enemy would take away their last major stronghold before the winter sets in, a period when the Taliban traditionally build up their reserves.

Despite the intensity of the fighting, the Taliban claim they are confident of resisting the offensive. Taliban commander Mullah Ahmadullah said: 'Morale is high... we will not lay down our weapons. We will fight to the death.'

Taliban fighters have been given orders to carry out attacks far more widely than Musa Qala to try to deflect attention from the town, but Nato sources say they have contingency plans to deal with that. Militants overran Musa Qala in February, four months after British troops left the town after a contentious peace agreement that gave security responsibilities to Afghan elders. Musa Qala has been in the control of Taliban fighters ever since. Situated north of Helmand, Musa Qala and the region around it have seen the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan this year. It is also in the middle of the opium poppy-growing belt.

This year has been the deadliest since the US-led invasion in 2001. More than 6,200 people have been killed in insurgency-related violence, according to an AP news agency tally of official figures.

As the battle raged in Musa Qala, Taliban militants in the neighbouring Sangin district were accused yesterday of hanging a 12-year-old boy in an orchard earlier in the week. According to provincial police chief Mohammad Hussein Andiwal, the boy was murdered because he had been giving information to the Afghan government and international forces, according to provincial police chief Mohammad Hussein Andiwal.

In a speech, Afghan President Hamid Karzai also accused the Taliban of suspending a 15-year-old boy from a ceiling and lighting a gas stove underneath him, burning him alive. 'Does anyone believe a human being can be so savage as to burn alive a 15-year-old boy?' he said.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  nite nite, Taliban. You'll be a lot warmer tomorrow
Posted by: Frank G || 12/09/2007 0:28 Comments || Top||

#2  'Morale is high... we will not lay down our weapons. We will fight to the death.'

Works for me.

'Does anyone believe a human being can be so savage as to burn alive a 15-year-old boy?'

That's why we often refer to them as Orcs. But we may need to cease soon -- it seems the Orcs have filed a defamation suit....
Posted by: CrazyFool || 12/09/2007 0:37 Comments || Top||

#3  When you contend with pure evil, expect the unexpected.

Bless our Soldiers.
Posted by: newc || 12/09/2007 0:58 Comments || Top||

#4  'In the past, Taliban have withdrawn when faced with a large force in the field,'

Gee, I heard there were only 15 troops going after them. Those pansies wouldn't shy away from 15 troops, would they? >:-)

In any case, I thought Coalition forces like to see about a 3:1 ratio of troops. Does this suggest they think that there are only about 1000 soon-to-be-dead-or-surrendering Taliban?

'Does anyone believe a human being can be so savage as to burn alive a 15-year-old boy?'

No, it's impossible. That's why they call them terrorists.

The MSM and HRW must still be in shocked disbelief or they would have said something by now.
Posted by: gorb || 12/09/2007 1:12 Comments || Top||

#5  I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
Posted by: spiffo || 12/09/2007 3:14 Comments || Top||

#6  gee. I wonder who will win.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 3:14 Comments || Top||

#7  Falaise. (pop pop pop, butter melts)
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/09/2007 4:21 Comments || Top||

#8  "A passive defense is just a deferred form of suicide." -- Napoleon Bonaparte
Posted by: Anonymoose || 12/09/2007 9:51 Comments || Top||

#9  Military commanders speculated that, if the Taliban sustained large casualties, they might flee the town and head north into mountains. 'In the past, Taliban have withdrawn when faced with a large force in the field, but that remains to be seen,' said Eaton.

Seems illogical to me, I'd be setting ambushes to the south & east as their safe haven is Pak.and iran, the diea that they would move north into the moutains implies they have the supplies needed to sustain them massed up there, if a forces goal is to use winter as a time to reheal, the moutains wouldnt be the place in afghanistan to get that goal accomplised. perhaps someones playing checkers with us, when we are playing chess.
Posted by: Spiny Gl 2511 || 12/09/2007 11:06 Comments || Top||

#10  If they leave they're in the open and easy targets for the apaches. If they stay, they're also as good as dead. Nice choice, huh?
Posted by: Kojo Cloque4172 || 12/09/2007 14:59 Comments || Top||

#11  Spiny GI: Hopefully those military commanders are speculating for the benefit of the press knowing our fifth column estate has readers amongst the enemy.
Posted by: Excalibur || 12/09/2007 15:04 Comments || Top||

#12  I assume the Taliban have a shortage in leadership, which indicates that they will dig in and fight till Allan gives them a clue about the shortage of virgins and the coldness of death without sufficient virginity. So, I predict a surrender around Wednesday.
Posted by: wxjames || 12/09/2007 18:50 Comments || Top||

#13  "A passive defense is just a deferred form of suicide." -- Napoleon Bonaparte

Yep, said that right before the assault on Mon WadEh when he shattered the Egyptian Spherical Defense. Things haven't been the same sense.
Posted by: Thomas Woof || 12/09/2007 19:06 Comments || Top||

#14  'Does anyone believe a human being can be so savage as to burn alive a 15-year-old boy?' he said.

Savage indeed. This is what Muslims did to three Christians in nearby Turkey, for printing Bibles.

The men were tortured for 2 hours. After being tied up naked, their penises and testicles were cut off, each in front of the other. Then those parts were chopped up. Then the men had their rectums split open. Before death they were disemboweled by a holes cut in their torso and the intestines slowly removed and chopped into pieces. Their throats were cut only when authorities arrived.
Posted by: www || 12/09/2007 19:34 Comments || Top||

#15  The Orcs will cross the line. Don't know where. Don't know when. Don't know how. But they will. That's what demented, deranged, kool-aid drinkers always do.
Posted by: anymouse || 12/09/2007 20:04 Comments || Top||

#16  They are dug into a major poppy growing center.
Anybody want to place bets that they have a huge bunch of opium that they haven't finished converting to a nice transportable morphine base or heroin?

So, they can't afford to split yet...
Posted by: 3dc || 12/09/2007 20:21 Comments || Top||

#17  Kill. Them. All. No resting up in winter camps in the mountains or back in pakiwakiland. And let's also go all Creon on 'em. The dead lay where they fall. No burials, and anyone who tries winds up lying out for the buzzards with 'em...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 12/09/2007 20:51 Comments || Top||


15 killed during operation to retake Musa Qala
A NATO soldier, two children and 12 “terrorists” have been killed in the first day of an operation to retake the southern Afghan town of Musa Qala, the Afghan defence ministry said on Saturday.

The operation involving the Afghan army and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) officially kicked off on Friday afternoon although it had been building for weeks and some manoeuvres were already under way. “In this operation so far, 12 terrorists were killed, one captured and a number of weapons and ammunitions were seized,” a defence ministry statement said. “And one ISAF soldier was killed as a result of a mine explosion,” it said.

An ISAF official confirmed the fatality, but said the nationality of the soldier could not yet be released. Two children in a vehicle in front of a Taliban patrol were also killed in a firefight, ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi told reporters. Five other civilians in the car were wounded, he said, accusing the rebels of using the vehicle as a shield.

Foreign terrorists: Musa Qala, in the opium-rich province of Helmand, has been in the Taliban control since early February, when hundreds of the rebels stormed in and took over. Azimi said it had become a base for “foreign terrorists”. “Hundreds of terrorists had massed there,” he told reporters.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  If the Taliban can be driven out of MQ successfully, perhaps the farmers can be persuaded to grow something other than poppies. Maybe some kind of subsidies would work after all!
Posted by: gorb || 12/09/2007 1:15 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
Somalia: Bomb explosions in Baidoa
(SomaliNet) A remote controlled roadside bomb explosion has occurred in the Somalia’s northwest city of Baidoa on Thursday which aimed to destroy Ethiopian convoy, witnesses said. According to local journalists, the blast happened as Ethiopian military vehicle was passing near the bridge in the city. No casualty was reported on the Ethiopian soldiers as the scene was sealed off by the security forces in Baidoa where they began searching for any suspects. No group has yet claimed the responsibility for the latest bomb attack.

Elsewhere, armed militants have hurled a grenade bomb into local government office in Baidoa wounding seven people. Six of the wounded were the government workers. Local medical sources in Biadoa say that at least eight wounded people were reached to the hospital today alone. Some of the business centers were closed due to the latest bomb explosions. No one has been arrested for the attack so far.

Tension has gone high this morning in Baidoa, the temporary base of the federal parliament as the security forces are trying to restore the situation into normal.
What exactly is normal in Baidoa?
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Islamic Courts


Somalia: Rebels takes control of Bulo-Burde
(SomaliNet) Fighters believed to be supporters of the ousted Islamic Courts Union on Saturday have taken over the control of Bulo-Burde town in Hiran region, central of Somalia, witnesses said. The town has fallen into the hands of the rebel groups after hours of gun battle with the local troops. One civilian person was injured in the fighting so far.

“The rebel militia armed with heavy weapons and battle-vehicles attacked the town from four directions this morning and later seized the control while the government forces withdrew the town,” Mohumad Hassan, a local resident told Somalinet. The situation is now quiet and life resumed normal he added. Shortly after the taker over by the Islamists, the people in the town began rallying on the streets and looted the local government offices and the police station.

Recently there have been frequent attacks by the suspected Islamists on the government positions in Hiran regions. No word yet from the government side on the latest attack in which the rebels took over Bulo-Burde.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Islamic Courts


Africa North
Court issue an arrest warrant against Abdelkahar Benhadj
Security Services have officially told the co-leader of banned Islamic Salvation Front party FIS Ali Benhadj that they have launched a searching campaign to arrest his son Abdelkahar alleged of joining Salafist Group for Combat and Preaching more than a year ago, while Ali Benhadj is still doubting that his son has joined armed action.

Bach-Djerrah municipality’s Police Department, in Algiers, has summoned yesterday Ali Benhadj where the judiciary police officer has told him that both general prosecutors of Algiers and Tizi Ouzou courts have issued an arrest warrant against his son Abdelkahar 19 years old. The warrant has been issued on the base of statements of two arrested young men who indicated that they used to be in Salafist fiefs together with the son of Ali Benhadj. Security services have arrested the two people in Algiers and Tizi Ouzou. Furthermore, Ali Benhadj told El Khabar that police asked him to bring two people who could attest to the good conduct of Abdelkahar, adding that he believes that his son is likely arrested by security services.

He further mentioned that he is to head to both Algiers and Tizi Ouzou courts as “to get further details about the two people who stated that they know my son…I’ll ask to meet them and inquire about the circumstances in which their statements have been made.”
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Global Jihad


The terrorist «Hungry wolf» sentenced to death
Criminal Court of Sidi Belabes has pronounced death penalty against the terrorist Bahri Djilalli, alias “the hungry wolf” after being charged of assassinating 11 teachers (women and men) later in September 1997 in Ain Adane area, Sfizef Prefecture, Sidi Belabes province, western Algeria.

The condemned terrorist, who has been present in the trial, denied all the charges that the court has pronounced against him. He told the judge that on the assassination day he and his group had set up a bogus checkpoint to steal fuel from the passing cars, alleging that he was somehow far from the Karzan bus which carried the teachers who were slaughtered by terrorists there. He further told the court that he ignored that those teachers were assassinated. The trial has been characterised by the absence of the main witness in this case; the driver of the Karzan bus who miraculously escaped death. The driver has already attested that he had seen the terrorist Bahri Djilalli executing the teachers, according to his statements mentioned in the nonsuit.

To recall, Sidi Belabes Criminal Court has already convicted “the hungry wolf” to death in absentia, before surrounding to Oran security services in 2006.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: GIA

#1  Duran Duran legacy. I blame Simon LeBon
Posted by: Frank G || 12/09/2007 7:41 Comments || Top||

#2  on the assassination day he and his group had set up a bogus checkpoint to steal fuel from the passing cars

"It wassunt me, yer Honor. We was busy siphonin' gas." Nice excuse, dood. Much better than the dog ate my homework!
Posted by: SteveS || 12/09/2007 19:29 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Rab captures 2 top criminals
The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday arrested two criminals, one of whom is suspected to be the second-in-command of Joy, one of the top wanted criminals.
No Joy for him anymore!
The two, Masud - also known as "Killer Masud" or sometimes, Irfan - and Mohammad Hafiz were arrested from the capital's Shewrapara and Malibagh areas. Masud is suspected to be the second-in-command of Joy, a wanted criminal now detained in jail in India.
Joy isn't so happy either.
Hafiz is an accused on twelve systems in nine criminal cases.

Shahidul Haq Bhuiyan, commander of Special Crime Prevention Company of Rab-3, told a press briefing that Masud is accused in a number of criminal cases, including murders. His name is also on top of Rab's wanted criminals' list under Paltan area.
So his mother doesn't love him.
Bhuiyan said a plainclothes team of Rab-3 arrested Masud from his rented residence at West Shewrapara following intelligence of his involvement in various criminal activities including murder, extortion and shootings.

The Rab official said Masud is known by different names in different areas of the city. They suspect that he uses up to ten different names for himself. Rab also seized two passports from Masud's house, both with his picture but under different names.
Nice Pakistani-quality work, too.
Bhuiyan said Masud has admitted to recently entering Bangladesh using a passport in the name of Call Me Ismail.

According to information held by Rab, Masum killed a man called Sinha in Motijheel area about 15 years ago. He also killed a businessman at Purana Paltan Lane about five years ago and has murdered one Masum in the city.

Another team of the same battalion captured Mohammad Hafiz from Malibagh. Both the arrested men were presented before the press yesterday but were not allowed to answer any questions.
Had to get them trussed up to 'go for a ride' at 3 am this morning. Supposedly there's a secret lair with a hidden arms cache ...
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Alive?!?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/09/2007 21:22 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
India issues stark terror warning
We often mock the sheer amatuerishness of the jihadis, but this strikes me as likely to be correct and something we need to take notice of. Well trained jihadis attacking subway/underground trains. etc, are a whole different ballgame.

Speaking at a security conference in Bahrain, Mr Narayanan said new al-Qaeda training schools had been established close to the Afghan-Pakistan border. He said Indian intelligence reports had also identified the recruits as being from 14 different countries. He said their targets also included high profile politicians. Economic infrastructure in the Gulf region, such as oil pipelines and storage depots, electricity pylons and ocean going tankers are also at risk, said Mr Narayanan.

International brigade
The training of recruits, he said, had become extremely rigorous and the Gulf Arab states were highly vulnerable to such threats. Referring to what he called "asymmetric war techniques" - the practice of attacking a more powerful enemy's weak spots - India's security adviser said the region faced a new paradigm of al-Qaeda-inspired terrorism through its extensive network of planning, funding, training and arms supply. The training schools, he said, were turning out a new international brigade of terrorists.
Posted by: phil_b || 12/09/2007 05:39 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  From discussions on counterterrorism blogs, I recall that it is estimated that the Saudi Wahhabists are financing about 20,000 madarassas worldwide. Say 50 to 100 students per site, we are talking about 1 million to 2 million Jihadi-bots enrolled, a staggering number. If the Saudis only supported about 2000 madarassas, we are still talking 100 to 200K bots.

Therefore, it seems to me that the source of the funding for the madarassas need to go, otherwise we are treating the problem symptomatically.

This will not happen right now because many of our si-called leaders in the administration and congress, as well as in academia have become Saudi money 'hos.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 12/09/2007 15:23 Comments || Top||

#2  the Indians have some of the best if not the best Humint in Pakland, so I take their public warnings [open media] more seriously than any other Nation's warning including our own.

Sounds like the Indians may have the Camps dialed in also. we'll have to wait for John to fill us in..

The problems with dirt and mud terrorist facilities for us is that everyone's digs in WazooLand is mud and rocks, and you'll agree that mud and dirt are easy to abandon because new ones can be readily piled up somewheres else.

al-Aska Paul ima gonna add Jihadi-bots to me argot. thankee..

btw when are thee gonna add hard points to yer High Wing 172? Ima ready and good to go..look out bots!!

/~:)
Posted by: RD || 12/09/2007 17:39 Comments || Top||

#3  RD---I will bring the issue up with my A&P mechanic on the next annual, heh heh.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 12/09/2007 18:08 Comments || Top||

#4  Lawz no, the wing loading would be technically known as a BAD THING!. Maybuh 2 near the roots... 40 lbs each.
Posted by: Thomas Woof || 12/09/2007 19:09 Comments || Top||


Gunmen kill 3 Bhutto supporters in Pakistan
QUETTA, Pakistan - Three supporters of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto were killed Saturday when gunmen attacked her party’s office in a town in southwestern Pakistan, police said, in the first reported deaths in the current election campaign.

Officers were investigating the early morning incident, which occurred in Naseerabad, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) east of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, said Wajid Akbar, the district police chief. Police had no immediate information about the motive for the attack or who was behind it, he said.

Although killings and other violence have been common in past elections in Pakistan, the bloodshed in Naseerabad was the first such incident in the campaign for parliamentary elections scheduled for Jan. 8.
Posted by: Steve White || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  Socrates, wherever he is, must be having a good belly laugh.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/09/2007 21:00 Comments || Top||


Swat cleared of militants: army
MINGORA: The Pakistan Army claimed on Saturday that it has cleared almost all militants from Swat after killing 290 rebels and arresting another 143 in recent weeks. According to AFP, Major General Nasser Janjua said 20,000 troops backed by helicopter gunships and artillery had driven the militants out of their strongholds in an ongoing military operation.

“Mullah Fazlullah is still on the run with hardcore militants estimated to be between 200 to 400, including some foreigners,” Janjua told reporters here. “The militants have retreated to two places in the mountains in the northwest of the valley and we will chase them there,” the commander added.

Likely counter-attack: However, Janjua was careful not to claim success, saying the militants remain dangerous and likely will try to regroup for at least one major counter-attack, reported AP. He said officials believe that some of the fighters loyal to Fazlullah have melted into the local populace, while the hardcore supporters have been pushed into the Piochar side valley. He said Fazlullah had been involved with the “enemy”, and claimed Al Qaeda had played a role in the unrest in the conservative region.

He said five soldiers and six civilians had been killed in the operation and around 20 civilians had also been wounded. He said it would take up to four months to stabilise the region, adding that it would take at least 12 months to reopen the region to tourists.

Matta operation: Meanwhile, Daily Times has learnt that security forces are set to launch a large-scale operation against militants in the Ghat Poochar area of Matta, Swat. Residents say a large number of troops have taken positions on the Baryam Top, traditionally a precursor to a military operation. Separately, security forces have arrested 24 suspected militants in Kanjoo and Baryam Top areas, including a confidante of cleric Fazlullah, sources said. Fazlullah’s close aide Maulana Muhammad Esa was captured in Swat and shifted to an undisclosed location, sources told Daily Times.
This article starring:
Major General Nasser Janjua
Maulana Muhammad EsaTNSM
Mullah FazlullahTNSM
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: TNSM


14-year-old militant held
Fourteen-year-old Liaquat Ali was arrested by the police in Bassa area of Reasi district. Ali, a member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, is the son of Gulabo, a Gujjar resident of Mahore tehsil.
Mom and Dad must be so proud. Still burping milk, and already he's armed and dangerous.
Ali has been evading arrest since four months. The boy was accompanied by Rafiq, a Lashkar commander. Rafiq was killed in the encounter whereas Ali escaped. He was arrested after a day’s search in the dense forest.

Speaking to The Hindu at the Arnas police station, Ali gave a detailed account of his life with militants in the dense forest area. He said Rafiq forcibly recruited him when he was returning from school four months back. Initially he was told to act as a courier of weapons and food material for the militants operating in the belt. Later he was taught the use of automatic rifles and grenades by Saria, a Lashkar militant of Pakistan origin who recently crossed the Line of Control. Superintendent of Police Reasi J.L. Sharma said that based on the information given by the boy they recovered two under barrel grenade launchers.

At present the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, is not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir due to its Special Status under Article 370.
This article starring:
LIAQUAT ALILashkar-e-Taiba
RAFIQ, A LASHKAR COMANDERLashkar-e-Taiba
Saria, a Lashkar militant of Pakistan origin
Superintendent of Police Reasi J.L. Sharma
Lashkar-e-Taiba
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Lashkar e-Taiba

#1  Start'm young, that's the way...

absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
allow religions to kill

believe its followers
when they claim to be peaceful


absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
never discuss religions

all are very peaceful
none inspire terrorism
.
.
Posted by: USpace || 12/09/2007 19:07 Comments || Top||


Nuggets from the Urdu press
Imran should not come to Punjab University
As reported in Daily Pakistan, the Nazim of Punjab University, Mohammad Ayub, in retaliation to a Tehreek e Insaf press release, said that Imran shouldn’t come to Punjab University. Political parties should work in their circles, he said, and they don’t have the right to lead students. He said that if someone tried to convert educational institutions into political arenas they would face tough resistance. Imran Khan should remember the incidents at Karachi University, he concluded.

Schools bombed in Kohat
As reported in daily Nawa-e-Waqt, two bombs exploded in Billi Tang, Kohat. Two bombs were planted near Iqra public school. They destroyed the outer wall of the school, but no-one was injured. Police have registered a case on the complaint of the chowkidar of the school against unknown assailants. Terror gripped the city, and parents are not sending their children to schools.

Osama’s son involved in October 18 attacks
As reported in daily Jang, the chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party, Benazir Bhutto, told an Arab TV channel that the security situation in Pakistan has declined. She said that the government is closing its eyes to armed groups in Pakistan. She said that Osama’s son could be involved in the October 18 attacks in Karachi. She also alleged that some sections of the Pakistani establishment could also be involved.

Imran Khan is a terrorist without a beard
In daily Express, famous columnist Haroon ur Rashid wrote that Imran Khan was Pervez Musharraf’s prime minister. Imran never repeats what happened on October 14, 2002, in his meeting with Pervez Musharraf. Imran told President Musharraf that he would never shake hands with corrupt politicians. The president’s reply made Imran’s brain spin, and he left the presidency, never to return. Pervez Musharraf later said in a TV interview that Imran Khan was a terrorist without a beard.

Taliban don’t attack women
As reported in daily Jang, the leader of the local Taliban, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, denied the statement that he was involved in the attacks on Benazir Bhutto’s caravan in Karachi. He said that he would have been proud if he had attacked her jaloos. He said that we don’t attack women, and that they deal with men only.

Logic behind boycott
Famous columnist Haroon ur Rashid wrote in daily Express, that in a recent meeting of the APDM the parties in favour of a boycott presented their arguments. They said the government has planned rigging because they want a two-thirds majority to ensure that Musharraf’s unconstitutional acts are approved in parliament. On the other hand, if the deposed Supreme Court judges are restored, the parties can achieve all of their objectives. At last, reason prevailed, and they decided to boycott the elections.

Boycott by those who have no candidates
As reported in daily Jang, leader of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the APDM is not an electoral alliance and has no right to decide about boycotting elections. He said that Nawaz Sharif is being hijacked by letterpad parties and that political parties who are taking interest in boycotting elections have no candidates. He also said that American supported parties are taking part in elections, and we should not leave the arena open for them, but should become the voice of our oppressed brothers.

Election campaign of blaming Benazir
In daily Jang, columnist Imtiaz Alam wrote that the opposition is having cramps about boycott when they can’t win one seat. Imran Khan, who was beaten by his own alliance party workers, came out of jail and started raising slogans of boycott, but placed an ad in newspapers for candidates. The great revolutionary Qazi Hussain also called for a boycott but didn’t forget to file his nomination papers. Brothers Sharifov also raised the slogan of boycott to shame Benazir Bhutto for participating in the elections but ended up forwarding their whole clan in elections from Lahore. Everyone wants to enjoy the elections, but want to blame Benazir Bhutto for her participation.

No rally for Imran Khan in PU
As reported in daily Khabrain, the supporters of Imran Khan couldn’t rally in Punjab University. The anti Jamiat group wanted to hold a rally in favour of Imran Khan in four buses. But Jamiat locked the rooms and gates and blocked three buses; only one bus could leave the campus for the Tehreek e Insaf convention. The Nazim of the Jamiat, Atiq ur Rehman, said that they didn’t stop anyone from leaving Punjab University.

Publisher arrested for book against religious personalities
As reported in Daily Pakistan, the police arrested the publisher of a book by Maulana Manzoor Muavia for printing something that contains remarks against religious personalities. The case was registered on the report of Allama Syed Multani, who alledged that the Muslim ummah is united on the uncontroversial place of Sahih Bukhari Sharif, and the writer has tried to defame Imam Bukhari and has written objectionable comments about him. He said that the Muslim ummah’s emotions are hurt and the whole ummah is agitated against the writer and publisher.

America did it
As reported in daily Nawa-e-Waqt, military expert Mirza Aslam Beg said that today we’ve got a cross between martial law and emergency. Renowned military exprest General (retd) Talat Masood said America knew about the state of emergency, but wanted Benazir Bhutto as prime minister. Ex ISI chief Hamid Gul said that it’s all because of America.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  The president’s reply made Imran’s brain spin, and he left the presidency, never to return.

So it was told to me by a loyal tree jinn.
Posted by: Thomas Woof || 12/09/2007 5:04 Comments || Top||

#2  It should be noted that M.A.Beg and Hamid Gul are still alive and kicking fifteen years after the two former powerhouses were ousted from the military heirarchy. The two appeared at the 1993 meeting of the Popular Arab and Islamic Conference in Khartoum, during which Pak support for the mujahideen operating in Kashmir and the Balkans was discussed. The two and their supporters in the military have fought Musharef every step of the way following 9/11.
Posted by: Balthazar || 12/09/2007 9:53 Comments || Top||


Iraq
Suicide Bomber Strikes Iraqi Oil Hub
A suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden truck filled with sand struck a police station north of Baghdad on Saturday, the latest in a week of bombings that have killed nearly 80 people.

The truck was allowed through the main gate of the complex in Beiji, the site of Iraq's largest refinery, after the driver told the guards he was delivering the sand to a construction site inside. The driver detonated his payload when two policemen approached him as he tried to enter a parking lot, police said. Police and witnesses said the bomber made it through the main gate by hiding his explosives under sand. He was stopped when he tried to drive his truck into a parking lot behind the police station. Guards had become suspicious that he was trying to enter an area that was not under construction.

The blast, which damaged nearby homes and sent shards of glass flying through the air, killed eight people and wounded 16, police said. It occurred in a neighborhood that is home to many refinery workers and engineers, but apparently was targeting the station. A police official said the seven killed included five policemen and two civilians.

"This attack will not deter us and the bombings will not frighten us because we are serving our country and protecting our citizens," said Col. Hazim Jamil of the Beiji police force.

"The truck exploded when the two policeman approached to try to ask the driver questions. After the explosion, we rushed to hide behind trees in order to avoid flying pieces of debris," said Qadouri Mohammed, who was collecting trash near the site of the blast.

Beiji, 155 miles north of Baghdad, houses northern Iraq's largest oil refinery, and serves as a key transfer point for crude oil being exported out of Iraq.
Posted by: Steve White || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Iraqi Insurgency

#1  the latest in a week of bombings that have killed nearly 80 people.
Posted by: Thomas Woof || 12/09/2007 5:05 Comments || Top||

#2  Right, Thomas, that's an admission of a sea change. There used to be 80 innocents dispatched in a single blast, with two or three blasts on some days.

Probably the editor didn't realise the difference - day, week - it's a lotta folks killed.
Posted by: Bobby || 12/09/2007 8:05 Comments || Top||

#3  Imagine if we didn't need oil...

absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
DON'T KILL religious Nazis

let them kill each other
after they have killed you


http://absurdthoughtsaboutgod.blogspot.com/
.
Posted by: USpace || 12/09/2007 20:40 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Muslim gunmen target Christian in Gaza
Muslim gunmen in the Gaza Strip tried to kill another Palestinian Christian over the weekend, sources in Gaza City told The Jerusalem Post. They said four masked gunmen tried to kidnap Nabil Fuad Ayad, who works as a guard at a local church. Nabil's cousin, Rami, was kidnapped and murdered two months ago by the same group, the sources said. The sources identified the gunmen as members of the radical Islamic Salafi movement. "They were dressed in the traditional Salafi clothes," said an eyewitness. "They were also carrying guns."

The gunmen tried to force Ayad into their car as he was walking in the street, but he managed to escape to a nearby shop. Shopkeepers who began shouting drove the gunmen away. As they fled the scene, the assailants fired several shots into the air.

The Salafis, who have become very active in the Gaza Strip in recent months, are totally opposed to common Western concepts like economics, constitutions and political parties. They refer to the 2,500 Christians in the Gaza Strip as Crusaders and have vowed to drive them out of the area.

Hamas denied any involvement in the attack, saying its security forces had launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from the victim. Christians living in the Gaza Strip told the Post that they were very worried about the increased attacks on members of their community and religious institutions. "The latest incident is aimed at sending a message to all the Christians here that we must leave," said a Christian leader. "Radical Islamic groups are waging a campaign to get rid of us and no one seems to care."
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Global Jihad

#1  A big bullseye is painted from heaven on Gush Katif right now.
Posted by: newc || 12/09/2007 1:00 Comments || Top||

#2  why do they stay? Leave and don't even take the time to look back or you will turn into salt. Go.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 3:40 Comments || Top||

#3  What Whomong said.
Posted by: Excalibur || 12/09/2007 8:01 Comments || Top||

#4  I'm surprised they are still there.
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/09/2007 8:57 Comments || Top||

#5  why do they stay?

It is their home. They were there before the 'slums.
Posted by: Glomoque Prince of the Swedes6689 || 12/09/2007 9:16 Comments || Top||

#6  It is their home. They were there before the 'slums.

I know you are right, and I can understand if they are just too old and they would rather die there. But die they will. It reminds me of that old man who stayed in his home when Mt. St. Helens was going to explode. He died on the mountain. And that was ok for him, if that was his own wish, but these people have families. When the forest fire or the mud-slide is raging your way, it's time to give it up and go. It's not a battle you can win. JMHO.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 11:28 Comments || Top||

#7  why do they stay?

To witness their faith.

Christ may have said to turn the other cheek, but he surely didn't say to run away like a scared child. Nor did he do so when the time came to be tested and set an example.

This may be true martyrdom, not the muzzie version that includes murdering others to gain some heavenly reward from a perverted god. This is making a statement on earth and leaving God's will to be done as H would have it done. The history of early Christendom is resplendent with examples and it is their strength that eventually brought Rome to Christ.

They should be in the prayers of all Christians this and every day as they are in mine.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 12/09/2007 11:47 Comments || Top||

#8  But with very rare exceptions, muslim persecution of the relatively few Chrisitans remaining in the Holy Land receives scant attention the worldwide MSM. 60 Minutes did a piece last Sunday evening on the plight of continued Christian persecution in Iraq, but you're hard pressed to find the Christian pov being told in the MSM. The MSM is generally loathe to bring to light the plight of Christians throughout the Middle East.

The only way I can imagine reversing the current state of affairs would be if the headline were changed to read: Christian Gunmen Target Muslims in Gaza. THAT story would get 24/7 airplay throughout the world. Sort of a "man bites dog" story.
Posted by: Mark Z || 12/09/2007 13:35 Comments || Top||

#9  #8 But with very rare exceptions, muslim persecution of the relatively few Chrisitans remaining in the Holy Land receives scant attention the worldwide MSM.

"Scant attention" in Africa as well.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/09/2007 14:01 Comments || Top||

#10  I understand martyrdom (true martyrdom, not the splodydope kind) for one's faith. I understand being a witness.

But the ones with families should leave. I'd take them all on refugee visas to the U.S.
Posted by: Steve White || 12/09/2007 14:16 Comments || Top||

#11  A Christian still living in Gaza needs to receivea complementary copy of Who Moved My Cheese.
Posted by: Super Hose || 12/09/2007 14:22 Comments || Top||

#12  You fear death.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 12/09/2007 14:22 Comments || Top||

#13  Don't we all.

Most people are trying to create a future for their children. A CHristian family would have a better future in Yodok thatn they would in Gaza. In an encounter with Monty Hall any sane resident of Gaza would not have to worry about a clunker being behind door number two.
Posted by: Super Hose || 12/09/2007 15:04 Comments || Top||

#14  Nimble if they stay because they feel they have been called to witness their faith, then they have my prayers, my respect and I only wish I could possess an ounce of their strength.

However, it is important to remember that many times in the Bible God had His people leave wicked lands before He destroyed the wicked.

They need to do what is in their hearts and I'm not the judge of that. However, I would never think to ask someone else to stay and die in such a hoplessly wicked place.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 15:59 Comments || Top||

#15  Nor should anyone ask another to do it.

But think about what you would do if the muzzies took over the government controlling the land your family had lived on for generations before they came and generations after. No easy answer, but they have my respect either way.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 12/09/2007 16:20 Comments || Top||

#16  agreed. Those who stay to do God's work are true saints.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 16:26 Comments || Top||

#17  You know what I wish. I wish we could get all of the Christians in the ME and Africa to trade places with our "enlightened elites". Since the "enlightened elites" believe all cultures are equal and that they need only understand and dialog, then they should be happy there, should they not?

I can dream, can't I?
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 12/09/2007 16:48 Comments || Top||

#18  To witness their faith.

Hah?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/09/2007 21:27 Comments || Top||

#19  Is Gaza near colorado springs?
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/09/2007 22:33 Comments || Top||

#20  I'm surprised they are still there.

Most of them aren't. Christians used to comprise 20% of the Palestinian population. It's down to something like 5% now, and not due to significantly different birth rates, as far as I'm aware. The ones who stay are the ones who can't get out, or who are afraid to leave everything they know, no matter how life-threatening. The Gaza Strip has always been poor and backward -- the current situation under Hamas is only more of the same. These Christians are dhimmis, in a way that the West Bank Christians of Bethlehem, etc have not been until recently, protected by the pilgrim trade as they were.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/09/2007 23:02 Comments || Top||


Troops arrest Palestinian carrying bomb
A Palestinian man carrying a pipe bomb and two knives was arrested Saturday evening at the Hawarah checkpoint south of Nablus. Sappers detonated the bomb in a controlled explosion, and the man was taken in for interrogation by security forces.

In another incident in the West Bank, Palestinians threw six Molotov cocktails at an Israeli car traveling near Ramallah on Highway 443. None of the car's occupants were wounded and no damage reported as a result of the attack.

Earlier, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired three mortar shells at the western Negev, all of which landed in open territory. No wounded or damage were reported. In a joint statement, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine called the ongoing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip a "response to continued Israeli attacks on [their] people in the Strip," Army Radio reported.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: al-Aqsa Martyrs

#1  Take the boomer and the bomb to a safe distance and detonate in a controlled exlosion. After a few dozen boomers' disposal, I would bet that the boomers may be in a very short supply.
Posted by: twobyfour || 12/09/2007 0:40 Comments || Top||

#2  Ditto 2x4. A super deterrent, and a quite effective cure for recidivism.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/09/2007 13:53 Comments || Top||


Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka army claims it killed 16 Tamil rebels
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s military said yesterday that up to 16 Tamil Tiger guerrillas were killed in clashes yesterday in the north. The Media Centre for National Security said the military responding to Tamil Tiger artillery fire launched a counter-attack in the Vavuniya district and killed ten cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is fighting for a separate state in Sri Lanka’s north and east for the minority Tamils.

In the northwestern Mannar area, the media centre said security forces killed four rebels in a confrontation while in Kilali closer to Jaffna, troops killed two Tigr guerrillas. The centre said that only three soldiers were injured in clashes yesterday.

There were no comments from the LTTE on the latest clashes. Casualty figures released by both sides cannot be independently verified.
Posted by: Steve White || 12/09/2007 23:01 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


25 killed in Lankan clashes amid calls for UN rights mission
International groups called for a UN human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka on Saturday as fresh clashes between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels left at least 25 dead, the government said.

Fighting across Sri Lanka's northern frontier left 24 rebels dead and injured 18 during 24 hours ending early Saturday, the defence ministry said, placing their own losses at one soldier killed and two injured.

There was no immediate word from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Independent verification of battlefield casualties are not possible and both sides are known to offer wildly contradictory figures.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch Saturday called for the United Nations Human Rights Council to monitor rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

They have called before for such a mission but said the need was more urgent than ever.

The human rights situation in Sri Lanka "is rapidly deteriorating. In the last two weeks of November alone, more than 50 civilians have been killed in Sri Lanka," the Human Rights Watch said.

Since September, more than 20,000 people have been displaced by the escalation in fighting between both sides, the rights group said in an open letter ahead of a UN meeting on human rights in Geneva next week.

In the northern district of Jaffna, the number of "enforced disappearances" and unlawful killings continues "at very high levels," the HRW said adding that "over 200 civilians were reported missing in Jaffna since January 2007."

"Both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE have failed to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm," the group said.
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Good morning
Posted by: Fred || 12/09/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  ...well, we gotta have a comment
Posted by: Rantfan || 12/09/2007 14:59 Comments || Top||

#2  would you prefer Upstairs or Downstairs, Jean?
Posted by: Shineck Dingle5842 || 12/09/2007 17:40 Comments || Top||

#3  Howzabout I practice my Crain technique.
Posted by: WTF || 12/09/2007 17:52 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2007-12-09
  Fierce battle rages for Taliban stronghold
Sat 2007-12-08
  Berri postpones Lebanon presidential election to Tuesday
Fri 2007-12-07
  Pak troops capture Mullah Fazlullah's base
Thu 2007-12-06
  Suicide attack on army bus in Kabul kills 16
Wed 2007-12-05
  Somali leader taken to hospital
Tue 2007-12-04
  Abu Maysara Positively Deader Than a Rock
Mon 2007-12-03
  40 Taliban killed, 14 held in Afghanistan
Sun 2007-12-02
  Walkout in Iraq parliament over Sunni leader raid
Sat 2007-12-01
  Binny: Euroleaders 'like living under shadow of White House'
Fri 2007-11-30
  Perv Sworn In as Civilian President
Thu 2007-11-29
  Perv finally quits army
Wed 2007-11-28
  Sistani tells Shiites to protect Sunni brothers
Tue 2007-11-27
  Perv to bid farewell to troops
Mon 2007-11-26
  Nawaz returns, vows to contest elections
Sun 2007-11-25
  Sharifs reach deal with Perv

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