'India alert about China's military modernisation'

India, 29-Mar-2010: said it was 'conscious and alert' about China's military modernisation and infrastructure development in Tibet and adjoining areas and noted that it had taken 'necessary steps' to restructure its force levels along the border."India remains conscious and alert about the implications of China's military modernisation. Rapid infrastructure development in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang province has considerably upgraded China's military force projection capability and strategic operational flexibility," it said in the defence ministry's annual report for 2009-10."Necessary steps have been initiated for the upgrading of our infrastructure and force structuring along the northern borders," the report, which was released in New Delhi, added.Noting that Sino-Indian relations had progressed well last year with convergence of views and actions in global fora, the defence ministry said a regular mechanism for exchanges in themilitary sphere too were established through ongoing confidence building measures. "The relations with China have generally progressed well in the last year based on their strategic and cooperative partnership. There has been a convergence of views and actions on various issues of international fora," it said."A regular mechanism for exchanges in the military sphere has been established through the ongoing confidence building measures between the armed forces of both countries and other military interactions," it added.Expressing concerns over worsening security situation inside Pakistan and the increasing infiltration by militants trained in the neighbouring country into Jammu and Kashmir, the report said the rising tide of extremism within Pakistan had posed a serious threat, not only to itself, but to the entire region."The increasing incidents of terrorism within Pakistan targeting, inter alia, the security establishment and senior military personnel, and the rising tide of extremism underlined the serious threat to Pakistan itself and to the region," the report said.It noted with satisfaction the 'progress' made by Pakistan in tackling 'jihadi' insurgency in Swat and the adjacent districts and also in South Waziristan."The continued infiltrations across the LoC and the existence of terrorist camps across the Indo-Pak border, however, demonstrate the continuing ambivalence ofPakistan in its actions against terrorist organisations," it said. Pointing out that India had 'exercised exemplary restraint in the face of gravest provocation,' the report asked the neighbouring control to take effective steps to address concerns on terrorism directed against it from the territory underPakistan control. "India has never shut the door for dialogue with Pakistan, and is of the view that meaningful dialogue with it is possible only in an environment free of terror or threat of terror. This calls forPakistan to take effective measures to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil which is directed against India," the report said. Focusing on Afghanistan, the report observed that 'the security and stability of Afghanistan is critical to India's own security concerns,' even as it took note of the deployment of additional 30,000 US troops in the Af-Pak region by May this year and President Barack Obama's July 2011 time frame for troop withdrawal from that country.On the other hand, the report praised Bangladesh. "Relations with Bangladesh have been strengthened since the restoration of multi-party democracy in that country.India is appreciative of the increasing cooperation with Bangladesh in security matters, especially vis-a-vis Indian insurgent groups operating from its territory," it said. On Myanmar, the report said cooperation with the eastern neighbour in security matters was being enhanced, while India continued developmental activities in the country which lies at the tri-junction of South and South-East Asia.The report also called the post-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam scenario in Sri Lanka as a 'historic opportunity' to find a lasting political settlement in northern Sri Lanka with the conclusion of the military operation against the Tigers.On Iran's controversial nuclear programme, India said it continued to support a peaceful resolution of the issue, which would be in the interest of peace and stability in West Asia.The report also took note of the worldwide economic slowdown, saying the challenges confronting the global financial system created strains in the globalsecurity environment. Regarding the internal security challenges, the report said the focus had shifted from the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir to Left wing extremism and insurgency in North-Eastern states.It said the arrest of the top leadership of United Liberation Front of Asom including its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa had been a major breakthrough.On Jammu and Kashmir, the report said 'all parameters of proxy war are at an all time low and the current situation indicated a shift towards normalcy and peace.'"The ceasefire on the borders and Line of Control is holding out with a few minor aberrations," it added.Despite improving security situation in the state, infiltration attempts continued and between April 2009 to February 2010 there were 33 infiltration bids that were foiled with 50 terrorists killed in the process.During the same period, 213 terrorists were also killed and 68 apprehended in encounters with the armed forces in the state. Source: Agencies

J&K police adopts cricketing ties with youth

Srinagar: During the IPL season, the state police has chalked out cricketing as a new method to befriend the youth, who were frequently clashing with security persons on various counts.The state police would organise 20-20 matches for the local youth and the event is likely to be a month-long affair. The first match of the championship was organised in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir on Monday which attracted as many as 48 teams from different parts of the Ganderbal, 30 kms from here.  Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, H K Lohia, said the event was organised to start a youth-police interaction to build an environment of understanding and cohesion.

Pakistan wants to normalise relations with India, says Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wants to normalise its relations with India on the basis of "sovereign equality and mutual respect" and the two countries should go back to a structured dialogue process as this is the only way forward, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday. Qureshi briefed a group of former foreign secretaries and ambassadors at the Foreign Office about "Pakistan's incipled position vis-a-vis India", an official statement said. He exchanged views with them on key foreign policy issues, including relations with India, the recent US-Pakistan strategic dialogue and the upcoming Pakistan-EU summit. Qureshi stressed that "Pakistan genuinely wanted to normalise its relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect". Qureshi said: "It was necessary that our two countries reverted back to a meaningful and structured dialogue process as this was the only way forward." In the first official contact between the two countries since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan met in New Delhi on February 25. Since then, Pakistan has been pushing for the resumption of the stalled composite dialogue. India has said it favours a step-by-step approach to normalising ties. The former foreign secretaries and ambassadors said the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India had produced "good results". They said it was in the interest of both countries to "resume result-oriented dialogue and sooner the better". Qureshi briefed the group on the outcome of the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue held in Washington during March 24-25. He said a "significant process had begun towards moving the bilateral relationship from transactional to strategic partnership" between the two countries. Pakistan and the US had agreed to develop multifaceted ties on the basis of "mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual trust". Referring to the upcoming Pakistan-EU summit to be held in Brussels next month, Qureshi said Pakistan the meeting will provide a useful opportunity to further strengthen engagement and interaction with the European Union. The former diplomats said Pakistan's relations with the US were important and the government's efforts to evolve a strategic partnership were in the right direction. Among those attended the meeting were Abdul Sattar, Akram Zaki, Humayun Khan, Tanvir Ahmad Khan, Najmuddin Shaikh, Shahryar Khan, Riaz Muhammad Khan, Ashraf Jahangir Qazi, Aziz Ahmed Khan and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.

15 militant outfits active

Tuesday, March 30, 2010: At least 15 foreign militant organisations were active or are still operating in Bangladesh since 1991 using the country as a safe shelter or transit to infiltrate neighbouring countries.The organisations are Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Tehrik-e-Jehad-e-Islami-Kashmiri (TJI), Harkat-ul Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Jehadul Islami, Hizb-ul Mujahideen (HuM), Hezbe Islami, Jamiatul Mujahideen, Harkatul Ansar, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), India-based Asif Reza Commando Force (ARCF), Myanmar-based militant groups Rohingya Solidarity rganisation (RSO), Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO) and National United Party of Arakan (NUPA).This was revealed from the statements of several detained foreign and local militants and insiders of different intelligence and law-enforcement agencies dealing with militancy.Operatives of different foreign militant groups started visiting Bangladesh and spreading their tentacles with the help of banned local militant group Huji after the end of the Afghan war against Russian forces.The militant organisations operated almost undisturbed from 1991 to 1998 and then between 2001 and 2005 under the nose of the local administration."During the BNP-Jamaat rule activities of the foreign militants marked a serious rise under the nose of the administration. Some of them were held and later given a safe passage," says a law enforcer requesting anonymity.Operatives of several groups used to visit Bangladesh from Pakistan and then India to commit their activities, while many from India also sneaked into Bangladesh and then visited Pakistan with fake Bangladeshi passports to have training on arms and explosives.Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Hassan Mahmood Khandkar said, "Now Bangladesh is no more a comfortable place for local or foreign militants as we constantly remain vigilant and go after militants upon instructions of the government." The statements of detained militants also reveal agents of a Pakistani intelligence agency not only coordinated the militants' activities in Bangladesh but also provided them with necessary funds and training, sources say.Now some militant groups are generating funds for them by selling counterfeit Indian currencies in India. The counterfeit currencies, especially Indian rupees and US dollars, are mainly forged in Pakistan and carried to Bangladesh via Dubai.Then a strong syndicate of militants and criminals supply the fake currencies to India."We've detected at least three such gangs having around 50 members. One of the gangs is led by Bangladeshi citizen Majumder, one by Pakistani citizen Sarfaraz and the other by another Pakistani named Mohammad Danish," says a top police official asking not to be identified.Recently, an international money transfer has been detected through which some fund came from Pakistan to detained Pakistani national Rezwan.Law enforcers could not give a clear idea about how many foreign militant groups are active in Bangladesh. But recent arrests of over a dozen foreign militants belonging to LeT, JeM, HuM and ARCF suggest they are still active here, they say.One of the Huji founders, Moulana Sheikh Abdus Salam, who is behind bars in connection with the August 21 carnage case, named during interrogation nine Pakistan-based militant organisations which mainly work in Kashmir but also had operated in Bangladesh.The names of ARCF and LeT surfaced after the arrest of its leaders Indian citizens Mufti Obaidullah and Moulana Monsur Ali in May last year. The ARCF used to work for LeT.The recent arrest of Pakistani national Rezwan Ahmed who admitted at a press briefing of coordinating JeM activities in Bangladesh suggests the outfit is still active here. The name of another Pakistan-based militant outfit Tehrik-ul Mujahideen came to notice from the confessional statement of executed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Abdur Rahman. Rahman had visited Pakistan more than once and met Tehrik-ul Mujahideen leader Jamilur Rahman, who gave JMB 60,000 rupees and another Rs 1 lakh to Tahrikul-ul-Mujahideen's Bangladesh chapter leader Abdur Razzak of Natore.Salam also said Harkatul Mujahideen top leader and Pakistani nation Moulana Fazlur Rahman Khalil had also visited Bangladesh. Sources say Khalil made the visit in 1997 and met local militants at an NGO office in Mohammadpur in the capital. Sources in the law-enforcement and intelligence agencies say they have information about activities of RSO, ARNO and NUPA in the hill areas of Bandarban and Cox's Bazar. Moulana Salam also substantiated the claim as he in his statement said those groups still have some training camps in Naikhangchhari in Bandarban.Activities of HuM were detected a few months ago when the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) learned one year after the arrest of Abdul Majid alias Abu Yusuf Butt that he is from India-administered Kashmir.Moulana Salam said Moulana Tajuddin told him that Majid brought a consignment of grenades used in the August 21, 2004 attack from Chittagong.Analyses of interrogation statements of Mufti Obaidullah, Moulana Monsur Ali, Shaikh Abdur Rahman, Moulana Abdus Salam and Anisul Mursalin, now detained in India, Indian militants Faisal Nayeem alias Khurram alias Abdullah, Amir Raza, Mufti Obaidullah, Monsur Ali, Golam Yazdani alias Yahia, Mozammel and several others suggest that they had close relation with detained Huji linchpins Mufti Abdul Hannan, Abu Sayeed alias Dr Zafar and Moulana Abdur Rouf.Rouf, who was initially involved with Huji but later formed another militant group Tanjim-e Tamiruddin, visited an LeT safe shelter cum training camp in Habiganj in 2002.Khurram and Amir Raza had often visited Bangladesh but left the country in 2006. Source: Agencies

400 militants waiting to cross LoC into Kashmir: Army

Srinagar, March 28, 2010:  At least four-hundred militants are waiting across the Line of Control (LoC) to sneak into Kashmir; the Army has said.Talking to media in Srinagar, Brigadier General Staff (BGS) of the 15 Corps, Brigadier Gurmeet Singh said, "Four hundred militants are waiting at launch pads to sneak into the valley."He said, "This year we have occupied additional counter infiltration positions and repair of border fence has also commenced early."The BGS said that between 270 and 300 militants were still active in Kashmir valley.The Army had last week foiled a major infiltration bid in the Keran sector of the LoC and eliminated the complete group comprising of eight militants."The area of infiltration is high altitude, with rugged mountains and is snow laden, currently having 12 to 15 feet of snow. Terrorists, as is evident from the recoveries, were heavily armed, well equipped for snow and high altitude area and had the latest communication and navigation equipment, indicative of the support of intelligence and government agencies from across the LoC," Brigadier Gurmeet Singh said.

'Quit or die', Lashkar warns Kashmir Police

Srinagar, Saturday, March 27, 2010: The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has issued a stern warning to policemen in Doda district “to quit and return home forthwith, otherwise be prepared to die”.The warning in Urdu was issued by the militant outfit’s district commander through posters pasted overnight at different places in the district. The posters inscribed with the Lashkar logo and flag mention a mobile number and ask people to call in case they have any doubts.“Everyone is informed through this notice that the boys working with STF [Special Task Force], IRP [Indian Reserve Police] or as SPOs [special police officers] should quit and return home. We had warned you earlier also and an incident had happened here. In the coming days, we will kill five more boys,” the posters read.“Don’t remain in the illusion that we are only a few, our number is in thousands. Don’t take this warning lightly. We will convert this warning into action which could mean death. Anyone having a doubt can contact us on this number.” Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda, however, dismissed the threat, saying J&K Police had dealt with such warnings in the past and would deal with them effectively in future also.“Such threats have been issued in the past also. J&K Police will continue to play a frontline role on the anti-militancy front. These threats are ineffective,” he said.The LeT warning comes a day after 943 cadets passed out from the police training school at Talwara in Udhampur district on Thursday after completing basic training. Chief minister Omar Abdullah, who attended the function, lauded the role of the state police in restoring peace in the state. “J&K Police have worked in challenging circumstances and earned a name in the country for their outstanding performance. You [cops] have also rendered stupendous service in protecting human rights and upholding the government’s commitment to not tolerate rights violations,” he said. Ishfaq ul Hassan / DNA

Mirwaiz wants India should push forward process to resolve Kashmir issue

Srinagar, March 27: Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged India to push forward a process to resolve the Kashmir issue.Farooq, on Sunday during a function, reiterated that the time had come for both India and Pakistan to take concrete steps to resolve the Kashmir problem."The time has come that Indian government should recognise the fact that this issue is a never ending issue…they (Indian authorities) can’t wish the issue away, they have to come forward, raise the issue, they have to take people into confidence. They have to talk to Pakistan and Kashmiri people.This is the high time that they should come forward. Unfortunately, when we see a situation of normalcy in Kashmir, the government becomes complacent. They try to forget the issue and problem," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.Farooq, who recently visited Geneva and Beijing, also expressed hope that leaders of India and Pakistan would meet soon. "The heads of state (India and Pakistan) are going to meet very soon. We hope that both countries should take an initiative on Kashmir issue. I know that both countries have other issues also but the core issue between the two countries is Kashmir issue," added Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.Leaders of India and Pakistan are expected to meet on the sidelines of a summit on global security at Washington next month. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is set to leave for Washington on a two-day visit to attend the Nuclear Security Summit starting April 12. But it is not yet clear whether Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari or Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will represent Pakistan at this meet. (ANI)

2 Pak nationals, among 4 militants, killed in 2 encounters

Jammu, Mar 27 (UNI) Four militants, including two Pakistani nationals who had recently infiltrated into Rajouri district, were gunned down during two separate encounters in the south of Pir Panjal ranges in Jammu and Kashmir.''Two militants were killed after a contact with some armed militants was established at around 0700 hrs at Kaba Kote in Kalakote area under Dharamsal police station in Rajouri district,'' Defence spokesman Lt Col Biplab Nath told UNI.They were a identified as Abu Sorab and Abu Osama, both Pakistani nationals who had recently infiltrated from across the Line of Control (LoC). Two AK rifles and large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.The operation was conducted by the counter-insurgency 63 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of the Ultimate-Force formation, Lt Col Nath said.In another encounter, troops of 26 RR of the Delta-Force formation gunned down two militants at Merul near the mountainous Kishtwar town, about 300 km from here, Lt Col Nath said.One of the slain militant was Rehmatullah Bhatt alias Saifullah, the self-styled 'battalion commander' of HM outfit operating in the area.Both the operations were underway.

Headley names Pakistani Army officers involved in 26/11

Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Headley has told a US court that serving Pakistani Army officers were involved in the 26/11 terror mayhem in Mumbai, and one of them was "on the other side of the telephone line" with the terrorists during the 2008 attack, news reports said on Friday.According to Outlook newsmagazine editor-in-chief Vinod Mehta, the involvement of the Pakistani Army officers proves their "direct link" with the terror carnage in India's commercial and financial capital in 2008 that left 166 people dead, including foreigners. "David Headley has confessed to the involvement of serving Pakistani Army officers in 26/11," Mehta told CNN-IBN news channel. "Of them, three are serving and one is retired," he said, adding it showed the "direct link" of the Pakistani Army with the terror strike that shook the country. "Col. Shah (Pakistani Army officer) was on the other side of the telephone line (keeping in touch with the 26/11 terrorists)," Mehta told the television channel. According to Outlook, the Pakistani-American terror suspect Headley has reportedly identified Major Sayeed, Major Iqbal, Major Sameer and Colonel Shah as the officers involved in the 26/11 attacks. Meanwhile, India has decided to send a magistrate to the US to record Headley's statement. Besides the magistrate, other members of the team to quiz Headley will include lawyers and officials of Mumbai Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The 49-year-old Pakistani-American has admitted in a Chicago court to his involvement in plotting the Mumbai terror attack. The magistrate will be sent when the US grants permission for direct access to Headley to record his statement, which would be admissible in an Indian court of law. A request letter for access to Headley is to be sent by the home ministry next week to the US Department of Justice, official sources said on Friday. The letter is being finalised by Home Minister P Chidambaram and top officials. The NIA, probing the case, will file the charge sheet against Headley only after having direct access to him. Headley has confessed to his involvement in the 26/11 attack in a plea bargain with US authorities under which he will not be extradited to India or Denmark, where he is wanted for plotting terror acts, or be given the death sentence. Under the plea bargain, India can have access to the LeT operative by deposition, video conferencing or through Letters Rogatory. (Agency (NIA), March 26, 2010)

JuD chief Saeed says “Do I look like a terrorist?” while denying hand in Mumbai attacks

Washington, Mar.26: The Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammed Saeed, who is believed to have masterminded the brazen terror attacks on Mumbai in November 2008, has denied his role in the bloodbath.Saeed, whose name is on top of the US, UN and European Union’s (EU) most wanted list in Pakistan, also denied his links with the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and stressed that even the agencies could not table any evidence regarding his involvement in the Mumbai massacre in which 166 people including some foreigners were killed.“Do I look like a terrorist?” a bearded Saeed told The Independent newspaper.Saeed’s comments almost coincided with the strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the United States in Washington. Saeed, who moves freely in Lahore guarded by two Pakistani policemen, said he has won court battles to remain free and described charges against him of having links with the LeT as “Indian propaganda” .Saeed said he too had condemned the ghastly Mumbai terror attacks, but added that he supports the LeT’s struggle for “freedom” in Kashmir.He insisted that neither he nor the JuD has any terror links, rather it is a charity which has hundreds of offices across Pakistan working for the needy ones. “They make me out to be the biggest and most evil terrorist. Do I look like one to you?” Saeed said laughing. When asked that whether he had met Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, Saeed’s response was positive but he was quick to add that he has met Laden only once that too on a Haj pilgrimage to Mecca in the 1980s.Saeed said he prayed near Laden and talked to him “but only briefly.”Saeed’s statements are likely to widen the ‘trust deficit’ in Washington where US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the dawn of ‘a new day’ after ‘years of misunderstandings’ in the relationship between the US and Pakistan. (ANI)

Osama Bin Laden threatens to capture and kill Americans if 9/11 mastermind is

Washington, Mar. 26,2010: In a new audio recording, Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden has threatened to capture and kill Americans if Washington decides to execute the alleged 9/11 masterminds Khalid al Sheikh Mohammed or any other Al Qaeda suspects.“It (the execution) would mean the U.S. has issued a death sentence against whoever of you becomes a prisoner in our hands,” Fox News quoted bin Laden, as saying in a 74-second audio tape aired on Al-Jazeera television. “Your friend at the White House is still walking in the footsteps of those before (him) in many important matters,” including stepping up the war in Afghanistan and “oppressing our prisoners that you are holding, beginning with the mujahid hero Khalid al Sheikh Mohammed,” he added.He went on to say that US politicians have “oppressed us and still do, especially by backing Israel, which occupies the land of Palestine.”While it is still not clear whether Al Qaeda has any U.S. captives, the Pak-Taliban is holding an American soldier it captured in eastern Afghanistan in June 2009.Meanwhile, the Obama administration is still considering whether to put Mohammed, who was captured in Pakistan in 2003, and four of his co-plotters on military tribunal for their role in the Sept. 11 attacks. In 2008, the US charged him with murder and war crimes in connection with the 9/11 attacks, and Pentagon officials are going to seek the death penalty for him.Responding to bin Laden’s latest audio, a US counterterrorism official said: “It''s the height of absurdity for anyone associated with Al Qaeda to even suggest that now, at long last, they''re going to start treating captives badly. They may have forgotten Danny Pearl and all the others they''ve slaughtered, but we haven’t.” “If this is bin Laden and he wants to weigh in on legal proceedings involving 9/11 conspirators, I challenge him to show up in court to make his case. Frankly, that’s about all the comment this deserves,” he added. (ANI)

Police undeterred by militant threats: J-K police chief

Jammu/Doda (Jammu and Kashmir), Mar 26,2010: In response to bills issued by the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) threatening local cops if they don''t quit their jobs, Jammu and Kashmir''s Director General of Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khuda, has said the state police is undeterred by the threats and would continue its frontal role in countering terrorism. Khuda also said the threats were not a new phenomenon."We used to receive these kind of threats, of all types, in the past as well and Jammu and Kashmir Police, which is at the forefront and is playing a frontline role on anti-militancy front, will continue to do so and these threats have no meaning for us," said Khuda.Lashkar District Commander Gul Mohammad alias Molvi had issued the bills in the Sazaan area of Doda district. (ANI)

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Resolution 217 A (III) was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1948. Its 30 articles sought to define the fundamental rights of every person on the planet.
Preamble
Whereas recognizing of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of  a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential , if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of United Nations have in the charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of  Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

"Obama's War: al-Qaeda, Afghanistan and Pakistan" at SMCM April 1

ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. (March 25, 2010)—Bruce Riedel, a former CIA officer and senior foreign policy fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings Institute, will give a lecture at St. Mary’s College of Maryland Thursday, April 1, entitled, “Obama’s War: al-Qaeda, Afghanistan and Pakistan.” The lecture will take place at 6 p.m. in the Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary’s Hall and it is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Democracy. The lecture is free and open to the public. Riedel focuses on political transition, terrorism, and conflict resolution. He was a senior adviser to three U.S. presidents on Middle East and South Asian issues. At the request of President Obama, he chaired an inter-agency review of policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan for the White House that was completed in March 2009. The Center for the Study of Democracy is a joint initiative of St. Mary’s College and its affiliated institution, Historic St. Mary’s City. It explores contemporary and historical issues associated with democracy and liberty in national and international contexts. The center provides a forum for presentations by government officials, journalists, and scholars; publishes scholarly writing on subjects of civil governance; encourages and supports public participation in political processes; and engages undergraduate studies in study and research on related subjects.

Bin Laden Threatens Deaths If Mohammed Is Executed (Update1)

By Caroline Alexander and Mahmoud Kassem
March 25 (Bloomberg) -- Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden warned that more Americans would be killed if the self- proclaimed mastermind behind the Sept. 11 attacks is executed, according to an audio tape aired by al-Jazeera.“The day America will take such a decision it will have taken a decision to execute whomever we capture,” Bin Laden said on the audio tape. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four accused conspirators are to go on trial in the U.S. and the government intends to seek the death penalty.In the recording, the al-Qaeda leader also warned President Barack Obama of further attacks on U.S. soil if the Palestinian “situation” isn’t resolved.Alexandria, Virginia-based IntelCenter said the statement appears to be authentic and “a valid indicator of an increased threat of kidnappings targeting Americans in the immediate period and following through” the trial of ohammed.“This is the most direct kidnapping threat I can recall in a public message” from bin Laden, Ben Venzke, chief executive officer of IntelCenter, which provides information about militant groups to emergency workers and security professionals, said in an e-mail. Al-Qaeda may see abductions “as the most effective method to apply pressure to the U.S,” he said.Mohammed was captured by Pakistani troops in 2003 and later sent to the U.S. detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he remains as officials debate whether to give him a military trial there or a civilian trial in New York City.Almost 3,000 people were killed during al-Qaeda’s coordinated attacks of 2001, most at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia just outside of Washington.Bin Laden’s last message was aired on Jan. 24. In it, he claimed responsibility for the failed attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day as it approached Detroit.

Maharashtra ATS chief dismissed

MUMBAI: The state government on Thursday sacked Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief K.P. Raghuvanshi and appointed Rakesh Maria, presently holding the post of joint commissioner (crime) in Mumbai police, as the new ATS chief. Home Minister R.R. Patil had told lawmakers on Tuesday that action would be taken against Raghuvanshi if allegations that he was making statements against Hindu outfits proved correct.Himanshu Rai would replace Maria and would be the new joint commissioner of police (crime). Rai is a confidant of Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. According to senior police officials, Rai was earlier the city police commissioner in Nashik district. Ten years ago, when Bhujbal was holding the post of home minister, Rai, who was then deputy commissioner of police, had arrested Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Bhujbal's instructions.Presently Rai is joint commissioner (law and order) in the Mumbai police. He will be replaced by another senior IPS officer Rajneesh Seth.Police sources told Arab News that the disclosure of information by the ATS about a Pakistani handler of two alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists cost Raghuvanshi his job. The ATS chief said the militants were allegedly plotting to blow up BARC plant and ONGC oil and gas tanks in Mumbai. Raghuvanshi had told the media that the Pakistani handler Chacha (uncle) was involved in the plot.Raghuvanshi had also told the media that the two arrested alleged terrorists were in constant touch with their Pakistani handler. The federal home ministry objected to the disclosure of information by Raghuvanshi. The ministry informed the Maharashtra government that after Raghuvanshi revealed the information Chacha absconded from Karachi. The ministry also recommended stern action against Raghuvanshi.
By SHAHID RAZA BURNEY | ARAB NEWS Mar 25, 2010 20:01

Kashmiri houseboats ready for tourism season

Srinagar, 25 March, 2010: Houseboat owners in valley are busy renovating and cleaning their houseboats ahead of the tourist season in the Valley.The 'shikaras', or houseboats have been the main attraction of Kashmir's main city of Srinagar, a beauteous town set amid snow-capped mountains, pine forests and verdant meadows.Houseboat-owners who have been busy mending and beautifying the houseboats after the winter season are ready to welcome tourists on board their boats that have been carpeted and embellished like any five-star hotel.Aijaz Sheth a houseboat owner told Agence India Press that, in the month of March, we decorate our houseboats like brides. We expect to welcome the tourists as per our age-old traditions. This tradition continues. However, due to some unfavourable situations, it came to a halt but now we have started the renovation work once again.The chairman of the House Boats Owners Association, Manzoor Wangnoo, expects good business during the tourist season this year.While talking to Agence India Press Wangnoo said this year we have high expectations. It seems this year the season would remain full. We have received lot of enquiries in our association from domestic as well as foreign tourists. From April, we are hoping to have a boost in tourism here.Commonly referred to as the 'Switzerland of the East', the Mughal rulers of India in 17th centaury called Kashmir 'Paradise on earth'.According to reports, around 60 percent of the people of Kashmir are traditionally dependent on tourism. (AIP)

Syed Salahuddin, center, chairman of the United Jihad Council arrives to attend the Defence of Pakistan Conference in Kotli on Wednesday.

Pronouncing jihad as the only way to liberate Kashmir from “Indian occupation,'' the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), along with several other Kashmiri militant organisations, on Tuesday warned Pakistan of a greater tragedy than its 1971 dismemberment if the government lulled itself into considering India and the U.S. as friends.
A declaration, rejecting India-Pakistan talks and calling for jihad instead, was adopted by leaders of these organisations at the ‘Defence of Pakistan Conference,' organised in Kotli – a district along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Among those party to the declaration were Hizb-ul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and LeT commander Abdul Wahid Kashmiri.
With acute power and water shortage facing much of the country, the speakers used this issue that touches every citizen of Pakistan to buttress their case for “liberating” Kashmir from India. “This conference firmly believes that liberation of Kashmir can counter India's water terrorism.''
Describing the talks between India and Pakistan as a “hoax,'' the Hizb chief – who also leads the United Jihad Council, an alliance of Kashmiri militant groups based in Muzaffarabad – said the Indian side always bought time under the guise of dialogue. “India has fenced the LoC and is strengthening its military prowess in Kashmir to suppress Kashmiris,'' he said.
For his part, the LeT leader said mujahideen in all parts of the world – be it Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine or Kashmir – were well justified in fighting invaders and oppressors, suggesting that it was a religious obligation. “The secret of success and freedom from the oppressor lies in jihad and not at the negotiating tables,'' he said; promising the LeT's support for the Kashmiris till freedom was theirs.
Instead of begging for dialogue, Pakistan should expose India's “ugly” face before the international community and resolve the problems of Kashmiris, who have declined India's offer of surrender and rehabilitation, the declaration said.
Other organisations which participated in the conference and endorsed the declaration included the Tehreek-ul Mujahideen, Al-Badar Mujahideen, Harkat-ul Mujahideen (HuM), Hizb-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir, Jamiat-ul Mujahideen, Muslim Janbaz Force and the Al Jihad Force. Three of them – the HuM, JeM and the LeT are on the U.S. State Department's list of proscribed outfits.

Hurriyat chief wants China, Saudi Arabia''s mediation in J-K

New Delhi, Mar 24, 2010: Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has suggested that China and Saudi Arabia could mediate to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue.Speaking on the sidelines of a function hosted by the Pakistan High Commission to mark the Pakistan National Day at New Delhi on Tuesday, Farooq suggested that China and Saudi Arabia could mediate to resolve the issue. "China has very good relation with both the countries, India and Pakistan. It has a role in Kashmir. We feel that they should come forward the way America is trying to restart the dialogue between the two countries," Farooq said, adding that it is good to know that China is also engaged in such process.Referring to the statement of Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, Farooq noted that he also had sought Saudi Arabia as an interlocutor in resolving the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan."Saudi Arabia has very good relations with both the countries India and Pakistan. It is obvious that such a suggestion has come from Shashi Tharoor. Saudi Arabia can play a role in Kashmir. We welcome it," added Farooq.Shashi Tharoor had reportedly earlier said that Saudi Arabia should play the role of an interlocutor between India and Pakistan. The remark caused a stir and appeared to fly in the face of India''s long-stated position on resolving all issues with Pakistan bilaterally and without third party intervention.Recently, Farooq met Chinese Director of Foreign Affairs, Ying Gang, in Geneva during the 13th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.The Hurriyat leader is due to travel to China at the invitation of the NGO named Han Foundation. (ANI)

The only way to liberate Kashmir is jihad," said Syed Salahuddin

KOTLI, March 23, 2010: Pakistan —hardliners on Tuesday vowed to wage a holy war to liberate the disputed Himalayan Pakistani state of Kashmir from Indian control.About 5,000 people attended a rally in the town of Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir about 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of Islamabad, shouting: "We are ready for jihad (holy war), we are ready for jihad!"Kashmir, split between Pakistan and India and claimed by both in full, has triggered two of the three wars the two countries have fought since 1947.The gathering marked the anniversary of the 1940 Pakistan Resolution, in which Indian Muslims decided to struggle for a separate country following independence from British rule. Pakistan was born seven years later.India and Pakistan have remained arch foes, with relations between the South Asian nuclear-armed rivals further strained since the 2008 attacks on India's financial capital Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistani militants.In late February, the two sides held their first official talks since the Mumbai siege, but they ended with few concrete developments."Diplomacy, talks and negotiations spanned over several decades have not worked," said Syed Salahuddin, chairman of the United Jihad Council, which consists of 16 Islamist groups, militant outfits and political parties."The only way to liberate Kashmir is jihad," said Salahuddin, who also leads Hizbul Mujahedin, a militant group fighting Indian rule in Kashmir.He denied that the jihadi groups were behind attacks within Pakistan.More than 3,100 people have been killed in suicide attacks and bomb blasts across the nation since July 2007, which are blamed on Islamist militants opposed to the government's alliance with the United States.Tuesday's rally was also attended by leaders of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a charity widely viewed as a front for banned Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which India and the United States blamed for the Mumbai attacks.A resolution adopted after the meeting said: "Jihad will continue until India ends its occupation of Kashmir." (AFP.)

Mirwaiz for China’s role in Kashmir

Srinagar, March 23, 2010: Ignoring New Delhi’s discomfort over involving China in Kashmir, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq held talks with a senior Chinese foreign affairs official and discussed a possible role for Beijing in the resolution of the dispute. In what was his first contact with a top Chinese official, Mirwaiz met Director Foreign Affairs, Ying Gang in Geneva on the sidelines of the 13th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. The Hurriyat leader is due to travel to China at the invitation of the NGO Han Foundation.During the talks, Gang is reported to have expressed Chinese support for settling the Kashmir issue “as per the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris”. “Our country supports resumption of composite dialogue between India and Pakistan. China wants the two countries to take steps towards the resolution of Kashmir,” Gang was quoted as saying by Mirwaiz.“It is for the first time in 20 years that any government delegation of China met and interacted with the Kashmiri pro-freedom leadership,” a Hurriyat spokesman said. Meanwhile, another Hurriyat leader Bilal Lone welcomed China’s role in Kashmir, saying it was not a parallel diplomacy of the separatists to engage Bejing in the issue. India and Pakistan can’t be main players in the dispute, Lone said, and added that the West too has a say in the Kashmir policy. Mirwaiz is also due to take part in the Pakistan Day function to be hosted by High Commissioner Shahid Malik on Tuesday. Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani is also expected to attend.
(Agencies):

All airports on high alert following Kingfisher flight bomb scare

New Delhi, Mar 23, 2010: Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Tuesday said that all airports across the country have been put on high alert following the low-intensity country-made bomb that was found inside a Kingfisher flight IT-4731 from Bangalore to Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday morning.Addressing the media, Patel said the security was being tightened across all the airports in the country to avoid any untoward incident.The government has taken the Kingfisher bomb case issue seriously and are probing the same," said Patel.Patel further said, "Airports are usually and always in a state of high alert. But in view of the recent incident, the Bureau of Civil Aviation has further heightened security across all the airports in the country. Security will not be compromised at all.The bomb scare that occurred on Sunday has been taken seriously. Investigations have been ordered and we consider it as a major breach of security, therefore every possible action to unearth the cause will be undertaken," he added.On the government’s stand to implement body scanners in airports, Patel said, "Body scanners will be used on a trial basis at the IGI in July. We will have to ensure that there is no violation of privacy of any passenger. We will have to ensure that there is no violation of privacy of any passenger. There are some concerns raised in this matter, which is being looked into. However, the implementation of the same is imperative in view of the heightened security threats we face," he added. The Kerala Government has constituted a high-level committee headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jolly Cherian to probe the low-intensity country-made bomb that was found inside a Kingfisher flight. The plane was on Sunday taken to the remote bay area of the Thiruvananthapuram airport, where the security personnel and the airport authorities assessed the suspicious object found on-board.All the passengers were deplaned after the cargo cleaner alerted the CISF officials of a suspicious object.The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was soon rushed to the airport to check the nature of the crude bomb.The explosive was defused and later taken off the aircraft. (ANI)

Promoting a culture of constructed stereotype Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani

On March 18, 2010 senior PDP leader and MLA Syed Basharat Bukhari asked the ruling National Conference not to fool the masses with hollow slogan of autonomy. Bukhari has reminded the chief minister of five previous NC tenures in Government in 1947, 1952, 1975, 1987 and 1996. If one adds 2009 to the list, the six tenures should be enough for any political party to answer any charge sheet and to offer its balance sheet of public good. The Government has to answer two serious allegations; one of being the ‘most cruel’ and second of fooling the people with autonomy slogan.
The two serious concerns are now in public domain and need a close scrutiny. It is over an year now, when Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the chief minister of the state and vowed that “I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter and that I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will”. However the chief minister of the state has, so far, never been tested on this ground.
J & K Assembly has a very special place in discharging a public trust, in India-Pakistan relations and in the final dispensation of the future status of Jammu and Kashmir. It accrues a constitutional duty under article 4 to defend the territorial integrity of the State and under article 48 it has to make sure that the J&K assembly is representative of all the people. The non compliance of article 48 continues to make the present assembly deficient in its legislative character. The state assembly has been duly cautioned about this infirmity in its legislative character in UN SC resolution S/2017/Rev.1 of March 30, 1951. It has been held by the UN Security Council that “such a constituent assembly and that the area from which such a constituent assembly would be elected is only a part of the whole territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.
J&K Government has inherited obligations from its first sovereign act of signing a Stand Still Agreement with the Government of Pakistan in August 1947 and from the Instrument of Accession made with the Government of India in October 1947. National Conference has a bigger role in this regard. The sovereignty of the people of Jammu and Kashmir has been pleaded by late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in his address to the UN Security Council on February 5, 1948.
Chief Minister, in his present role, as chairman of Unified Headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir accrues a direct responsibility from the assurance made by his grandfather at the UN, that ‘as far as the Indian Army was concerned, he saw no reason to fear that it would interfere with the exercise of a free vote, as a Commission of the Security Council would see to it that troops would be stationed only at certain strategic points’. Omar Abdullah as the chief minister inherits the duties as a party to Accession Agreement which sets out the role of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir. The entry of the army in the State is on invitation and unlike their role in many other States which have signed an Instrument of Merger is specially defined in the proposal and acceptance of the letter of accession. The failure of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the three benefits of ‘life’, ‘property’ and ‘honour’ remains a serious failure and the non performance of the role could be debated in any of the three assemblies of Kashmir at Srinagar, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit. Concerns and questions in regard to any such failure by J&K Government or violation of the terms of the provisional agreement by the Government of India could also be raised at the United Nations.
It is obvious that J&K Assembly has not addressed its role and duty under articles 4 and 48 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir and other duties in regard to UN mechanism on Kashmir. The lack of knowledge and understanding of the Constitutional duties of J & K Government and the members of the Assembly in the two houses have failed to energise the debate to protect public interest agreed in the Instrument of Accession with the Government of India, and in the Stand Still Agreement with the Government of Pakistan, in J & K Constitution and the position taken by late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in his address at the UN Security Council on February 5, 1948.
India is a constitutional democracy and taking any issue with the Government of India within the contours of constitutional guarantees, national and international commitments should not be a cause for a common Kashmiri or a Kashmiri leader to land in prison. As long as people and their elected representatives remain uninformed about their rights, and about their ability to use these rights, at the various forums, the common man and woman would not benefit from the culture of present politics in the assembly or outside it. It would simply promote a culture of long constructed stereotype which continues to harm the people of Kashmir. Defending the rights of the people guaranteed in the Constitution or made part of any agreement empowers people is a first major step towards internal self determination. The process of life in Kashmir has to take a big leap towards a quality of life and later linked with the external self determination to complete the circle of the right as equal people to self determination. There is no need to kill people under one or the other excuse. What one needs is to follow the script of the Kashmir case in equity and in good faith.
Kashmiri leaders in the government should revisit the character of Governance shown by Sir Albion Banerjee in 1929. He resigned as the Prime Minister of Kashmir, because he could not see “a large Mohammedan population absolutely illiterate, labouring under poverty and very low economic conditions of living in the villages and particularly governed like dumb driven cattle [because] there is no touch between the Government and the people, no suitable opportunity for representing grievances...The administration has at present little or no sympathy with the peoples’ grievances”.Autonomy does not have any relevance in Kashmir dispute. It is a general and basic principle of self governance available to all units in India and to four provinces in Pakistan.
Author is London based Secretary General of JKCHR – NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.  Email dr-nazirgilani@jkchr.com

Pak prepares to be railway link between India and Central Asia

Peshawar, Mar. 22: Pakistan has prepared a summary of railway tracks to link India to Central Asian nations through a railway network.
The Daily Times quoted Pakistani Railway Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour as saying that India had asked Pakistan to let it use its railway line to get railway access to Central Asian and Europe.
He added that the summary would be sent to the federal cabinet soon. (ANI)

LK Advani reiterates demand for abrogation of Article 370

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Opposing the attempts to turn the clock back to 1953, senior BJP Leader L K Advani today said the country wanted total abrogation of Article 370 according special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Writing in his b

log, Mr Advani, in the backdrop of a rally to commemorate the launch of a campaign in 1953 for the complete integration of the state of Jammu and Kashmir with India by installing a statue of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Shyma Prasad Mookherjee at Madhopur, the trijunction of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh states, Mr Advani said when people spoke of autonomy for Kashmir, they ment undoing of the provisions of the Constitution incorporated after 1953.

''They wanted scrapping of wholesome provisions of the Indian Constitution from being applied in the state of Jammu and Kashmir,'' he said.

Dr Mukherjee's death in prison after entering the state without a permit triggered a wave of protests in the country for the next two months from the night of June 23, 1953. The country was shocked to learn about Dr Mukherjee taking ill while in detention. Remaining bed ridden for a couple of days, he suddenly passed away and his body was being sent to Calcutta.

People's anger against his death had some immediate consequences. The permit system was abolished. By August 1953, the then government in the state was replaced by one led by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.

In the following months, one after the other, several other separatist provisions, such as those relating to the National Tri-colour, to the office of President, to the Supreme Court, to the Election Commission and to the designation of Prime Minister - all were changed and J and K brought at par with other states in these matters, Mr Advani recalled.

Kashmiris in PaK Rehabilitation policy likely by May

New Delhi, March 21: A policy meant to facilitate the return and rehabilitation of about 3,000 Kashmiris now in Pakistan administered Kashmiri (PaK) is in the final stage and could be made public in May, official sources said. The policy seeks to help the Kashmiris, who had got to Pak to receive arms training in 1990s.The chief minister Omar Abdullah announced the policy in February. It has been endorsed by Home Minister P Chidambaram. Sources said the pros and cons of the policy had been studied. “The details are being documented. It could be made public in May,” a senior official said. The policy would have a foolproof system to study details and background of each militant. “It would benefit only those who have no criminal cases registered against them in any police station in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.“If implemented with the consent of the Pakistani government, the policy would help an estimated 3,000 Kashmiris to return to their homes in Kashmir and other parts of the State,” the official said. Agencies

I arranged five meetings between Nawaz Sharif and Osama: Ex-ISI official

Lahore, Mar.21:  In a stunning disclosure that once again confirmed the nexus between Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and banned militant outfits, a former ISI official, Khalid Khwaja, has claimed to have arranged at least five meetings between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.In an interview with a private television channel, Khwaja said Sharif has met several Islamic movement leaders around the world, including Osama and asked him to provide fund for ‘development projects’Khwaja said that he had arranged three meeting between Sharif and Osama in Saudi Arabia.“Nawaz insisted that I arrange a direct meeting with Osama, which I did in Saudi Arabia. Nawaz was looking for a 500 million rupees grant from Osama. Although Osama provided a comparatively smaller sum ... he secured for Nawaz a meeting with the Saudi royal family,” The Daily Times quoted Khwaja, as saying.He also claimed that Osama had provided him funds to hand over to the incumbent Punjab Chief Minister to overthrow the then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s government.“I still remember that Osama provided me funds that I handed over to then Punjab chief minister Nawaz to topple Benazir Bhutto’s government,”Khwaja said.Khwaja claimed that he maintained a close relationship between Osama, as after being ‘forced’ to retire he went to Afghanistan in 1987 and fought against the Soviet troops ‘alongside Osama.’ (ANI)

FIR against Obama over drone attacks sought by Pak human rights group

Lahore, Mar.21: A petition has been moved in the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking the registration of a first information report (FIR) against US President Barack Obama and other top American officials holding them responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians during drone strikes in the country.

The petition filed by Khalid Khawaja, spokesperson of the Defence of Human Rights, a Pakistani Human Rights group, urged the court to direct the federal government to submit a report on number of drone attacks conducted in the tribal areas and the number of people killed in these missile hits.

The petition also asked the court to ask the government to furnish details of the agreement, if any, between the US government and the controversial private security firm Blackwater regarding the drone strikes, The Daily Times reports.

Khawaja, in his petition, requested the LHC to ask the government officials to stop holding meetings with US diplomats, which, the petition said were aimed at ‘dictating policies’ to Islamabad and were against the country’s  ‘sovereignty’ and ‘integrity.’

The petition also beseeched the court to direct the government to file a complaint in the International Court of Justice against the US to take action in accordance with international laws. (ANI)

Pakistan Army chief leaves for talks in US

The Pakistan Army chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, left Saturday on an official visit to the United States to participate in Pakistan-US strategic dialogue scheduled for March 24.

Kayani is visiting America at the special invitation of US Central Command head, General David Petraeus, Online news agency quoted Inter-Services Public Relations as saying.

During the visit, Kayani is scheduled to meet senior US military and government officials in Tampa, the headquarters of the Central Command, and Washington.

Among those he is slated to meet are Defence Secretary Roberts Gates; chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral

Michael Mullen, and US Army chief Gen. George W. Casey.

Issues related to the Pakistan-US defence and military relations, the security situation in the region, the ongoing military operation against Afghan Taliban in Helmand by the US and allied troops, the new US strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan's military and defence needs would be discussed during the meetings, sources said.

A high-level Pakistani delegation is also headed for Washington for the strategic dialogue. The delegation includes Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, advisor to the prime minister on finance Hafeez Sheikh, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Defence Secretary Athar Ali.

2010-03-20

India can quiz 26/11 convict Headley in US

New Delhi, Mar 20: United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake, on Saturday said Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative David Coleman Headley cannot be extradited to India now, but Indian investigators would be allowed to interrogate him.

Headley, who has been charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for conspiring in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, had on Thursday pleaded guilty to all 12 charges levelled against him in a US court.

Blake said that Headley would not be extradited to India, but Indian officials would be given the chance to interrogate him.

"The plea bargain agreement that was announced and part of the agreement was that United States would not extradite Headley either to India or to Pakistan or to Denmark on the charges for which he is now admitted guilty. That does not mean that at some future date, some additional charges could not be brought," said Blake.

"So, I don''t want to speculate too much about that possibility of future extradition but at least on these charges he cannot be extradited. And the other question that has been raised is that whether Indian investigators will be allowed access to Headley to know more about his involvement in the planning of the Mumbai attacks, and the answer to that is yes," he added.

On Thursday (US time), Headley pleaded guilty before a Chicago court, admitting he had scouted for targets ahead of a brazen terrorist attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

As a result, as per law, Headley will not face any trial or won''t be given the death penalty.

Under the plea bargain, Headley has escaped the death penalty. He also cannot be extradited from the US to India, Pakistan or Denmark.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had on Friday claimed that there is a good chance that alleged Lashkar operative Headley could be made to testify in judicial proceedings where Indian officials are involved.

"There is a good chance that he will testify in judicial proceedings where Indian investigators will have a right to question him," Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram said India would continue to press for Headley''s extradition.

 "We will continue with our plea for the extradition of Headley," he said.

 "We have been given a significant amount of information by the US gathered during investigation in the Headley case," Chidambaram added.

He further said extradition would be difficult when a person is being interrogated in a country. I don''t know when their court procedure would come to an end.

In his guilty plea Headley has agreed to take part in foreign judicial proceedings through deposition, video conferencing or Letters Rogatory.

Chidambaram said India would request for access to Headley to question him and also to make him testify.

He further said the development in related to Headley''s case would not hinder the 26/11 proceedings in India.
Union Home Secretary G K Pillai had on Thursday said that India would lodge a protest if Headley is let off lightly, adding that New Delhi would continue to demand access Headley.

Forty-nine-year-old Headley is accused of being a scout for the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in which at least 166 people, including six Americans, were killed and for a plot to kill a Danish cartoonist. (ANI)