Fresh round of talks with NSCN-IM Tuesday in Nagaland

May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dimapur (Nagaland), May 31 (IANS) Government negotiators begin fresh talks Tuesday in Nagaland with the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the state’s dominant separatist group, aimed at ending nearly six decades of insurgency.

New Delhi’s main peace interlocutor R.S. Pandey will meet NSCN-IM leaders in Kohima. This is the first time talks are being held in Nagaland since a ceasefire in August 1997 between the two sides.

‘The talks are expected to discuss wide-ranging issues although we cannot divulge the agenda,’ Pandey told IANS.

The NSCN-IM would be led by general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, while officials from the central home ministry and intelligence agencies are expected to participate in the negotiations.

New Delhi and NSCN-IM have held more than 55 rounds of peace talks in the past 13 years to end one of South Asia’s longest running insurgencies that has killed 25,000 people since 1947.

The NSCN-IM is, however, cynical of the fresh round of talks as they believe the focus of the government emissaries would be to convince Muivah to help end the deadlock in Manipur rather then taking the peace process forward.

‘Any issue involving Nagas of Nagaland, Eastern Nagaland (Myanmar) and other Naga areas (in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh) should be left alone. The meeting (Tuesday) should in no way be considered as political talks between the government of India and the Nagas as it is clearly a localized issue revolving around an individual’s visit to his native village in Manipur,’ a statement by the NSCN-IM said.

Manipur is in turmoil since April. First, Naga groups residing in Manipur enforced an indefinite economic blockade protesting the state government’s decision to hold autonomous council elections.

The decision by Muivah to visit his ancestral village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district led to bloody clashes. Three people were killed in police firing May 6.

The Manipur government has banned Muivah’s visit saying it would incite tension.

The deadlock over the issue has led to several Naga groups enforcing an indefinite economic blockade of Manipur. Hundreds of trucks carrying food and essential goods have been stranded in Nagaland as protesters have laid seige to National Highway 39 – the main lifeline to Manipur.

This has triggered a food crisis in Manipur, with the state forced to airlift supplies of even medicines. Hospitals have been compelled to stop routine surgeries due to dearth of oxygen cylinders.

‘No matter the amount of animosity, hatred and bad blood between Manipur government and Nagas of Manipur, emotion should not betray sanity and reason,’ the NSCN-IM statement said, adding that the Meiteis (the majority community in Manipur) and Nagas of Manipur would ‘co-exist for as long as man walks on earth’.

During earlier talks, the NSCN-IM had proposed ‘a special federal arrangement’ to enable the Nagas self-governance but the negotiations ended inconclusively.

‘It was agreed in earlier meetings to explore and discuss our demand for a special federal relationship between India and Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) that allows us self-governance,’ a senior NSCN-IM leader told IANS.

The NSCN-IM has been struggling for nearly six decades to create a ‘Greater Nagaland’ by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states to unite 1.2 million Nagas. The demand is opposed by Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

The rebel leadership blamed New Delhi for failing to meet their demands — even 13 years after the ceasefire.

‘The progress of the talks is very slow. We cannot be patient always as there is a limit to everything though we believe in a political solution to our problem rather than a military one,’ the NSCN-IM leader said.

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‘Nervy’ Pak in denial mode over ‘threatening’ US dossier

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Pakistan has denied receiving any dossier from the United States, which purportedly described the failed Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad’s links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), that was accompanied with the veiled US threat of action against terrorists on its soil.

“You better put this question to officials of the Interior Ministry, however, I confirm it to you that Foreign Office has not been consulted so for in this regard,” The Nation quoted a Foreign Office spokesman, as responding to a question whether Islamabad has received any dossier in connection with botched May 1 terror plot.

Earlier, a report in the Los Angeles Times said that the US has given a blunt message to Pakistan that it would be under “inevitable pressure” to take immediate and stern action if a successful terror attack is traced back to that country.

The report cited officials privy to the recent meeting between President Obama’s National Security Advisor James Jones,Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Leon Panetta and Pakistan’s political and military leadership, as saying that during the talks the top US officials told Islamabad in clear terms that it needed to intensify its crackdown in the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“We have been lucky in the past, but our luck will run out and in the future, we are likely to face successful attacks,” the newspaper quoted a senior U.S. intelligence official, as saying.

According to officials, both Jones and Panetta, during their Islamabad visit earlier this month, had told both the Pakistani civilian and military leadership that there was ‘hard’ evidence to prove that Faisal Shahzad, the confessed Times Square bomb plotter, received terror training by the TTP in the lawless tribal areas of the country along the Afghanistan border.

“The chart, which was assembled by U.S. intelligence agencies, showed who all he had contacts with, and drew clear links between Faisal Shahzad and the TTP leaders in Pakistan,” officials said.

Jones and Panetta did not spell out possible action the U.S. might take, however, the delegation did not rule out military action, said an official privy to the meeting.

According to experts and officials, US’ action would depend on the circumstances of an attack and the strength of the evidence implicating militants in Pakistan.

Former CIA official and a terrorism expert at the Brookings Institution, Bruce Riedel, said the pressure on the White House to act could be ‘overwhelming.’

“Professions by the Pakistanis that they are trying hard won”t cut it anymore,” Riedel said.

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U.S. cleric urges Muslims to kill U.S. soldiers

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A U.S.-born militant cleric has urged Muslims to kill U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and vowed to step up attacks against the U.S. military, according to a videotape released on Sunday.

Anwar al-Awlaki, wanted dead or alive by U.S. authorities, is a leading figure linked to al Qaeda’s Yemen-based wing. He is believed to be on the run in the impoverished Gulf Arab state.

“Muslims should object to what’s going on either verbally or by physical action,” Awlaki said in the 45-minute interview posted on an Islamist website. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the recording.

Awlaki praised the actions of U.S. Army psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan who shot dead 13 people at Fort Hood, a Texas army base, in November.

“Nidal was my student … I’m proud of Nidal Hasan and this was a heroic act,” he said, adding: “Who can object to what he did? He killed soldiers on their way to Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Hasan had sent emails to the cleric but they were intercepted by U.S. intelligence agencies and examined by U.S. joint terrorism task forces.

“If the situation remains we will see new Nidal Hasans appearing,” Awlaki said in the tape. “These American soldiers on their way to Afghanistan and Iraq, we will kill them.”

Asked by an interviewer if killing U.S. soldiers would have a negative impact on Muslims in the United States, Awlaki said defending Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan was a larger priority.

“Is protecting the reputation of Muslims in America more important than bombs dropping on millions of Muslims elsewhere?”

U.S. officials said in April that President Barack Obama’s administration had authorised operations to capture or kill Awlaki. Yemen has said it will not hand over Awlaki, whose family is well-known in Yemen, but instead put him on trial if he is arrested.

Born in New Mexico, Awlaki led prayers at U.S. mosques. He returned to Yemen in 2004 where he taught at a university before he was arrested and imprisoned in 2006 for suspected links to al Qaeda and involvement in attacks. He was released in late 2007.

Western countries fear that al Qaeda’s resurgent regional wing is exploiting instability in Yemen, which borders oil giant Saudi Arabia, to launch attacks in the region and beyond.

(Reporting by Amena Bakr; Editing by Maria Golovnina)

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Tees Hazari Court dismisses Madhuri Gupta”s bail plea

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 21 (ANI): A Tees Hazari Court on Friday dismissed the bail plea of Indian Diplomat Madhuri Gupta, who was arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan”s intelligence agencies.

She was earlier sent to 14-day judicial custody on May 1.

Gupta, who was posted in Indian High Commission in Pakistan, faces serious charges of having links with Pakistan”s ISI.

She is believed to have leaked the names of India”s undercover agents in Pakistan to the ISI.

However, sources say she might not have leaked any sensitive information, as she did not have access to it. (ANI)

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Brit court blasts ‘democratic’ Pak for being subservient to military, intelligence

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 21 (ANI): A British court has lambasted Pakistan, saying that despite restoration of democracy in the country, the decision making the in the country remains dominated by the military and intelligence agencies.

Justice Mitting of the Special Immigration Appeal Commission (SIAC) of the London High Court in his judgement in the case concerning deportation of the Pakistani students arrested last year on terror charges during operation ‘Pathway’, criticised both the civilian and military set-up of Pakistan and also the Supreme Court.

There is a long and well-documented history of disappearances, illegal detention and of the torture and ill treatment of those detained, usually to produce information, a confession or compliance, the 22-page long judgement said.

“In 2009, there were 90 suicide bombings and 3000 killed. Anyone, such as Abid Naseer, suspected of belonging to either would be at risk at the hands of the ISI,” The Nation quoted the verdict, as saying.

“A recent Presidential Ordinance of October 2009, Pakistan permits those suspected of terrorism to be detained for upto 90 days without judicial oversight or the right of access to a court. Pakistan has signed, but not ratified the United Nations Convention against torture,” it added.

It may be noted that 12 Pakistani students were detained in April last year in raids across north-west Britain for planning terror attacks on Easter.

British authorities had failed to prove any charges against the detained men, but some were deported back to Pakistan.

Earlier this week, the SIAC had upheld the appeal against extradition, which was moved by two of the detained students named Abid Naseer and Ahmad Faraz Khan.

The British authorities had failed to bring up charges against any of the arrested men, but had decided to deport them for being a ‘security risk’.

Two of the arrested men Abdul Wahab Khan, and Tariq Ur Rehman, have already returned to Pakistan after their appeals against exclusion were rejected. (ANI)

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Pak security agencies’ secret report blames RAW for meddling in Balochistan

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 21 (ANI): Pakistani security agencies have blamed ‘hostile’ foreign intelligence agencies, particularly India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for creating trouble in Balochistan.

A confidential report, which has been sent to the Interior Ministry, has blamed these foreign agencies of targeting teachers and renowned educationists in Balochistan, which has long been affected by insurgency.

“After suicide bombing and terrorist attacks, they are targeting teachers and renowned educationists. Almost 80 per cent of the teaching staff in Balochistan belongs to Punjab, Sindh and Khyber PK provinces and hostile elements are threatening their lives to force them to relocate to other places,” The Nation quoted the report, as saying.

Sources, while quoting the secret report, said that the Indian spy agency is supplying hate literature in Balochi language to all schools and colleges across the troubled province.

The report also claimed that RAW has been recruiting young Baloch students and training them in guerrilla warfare to create trouble there.

“The Baloch students were cultivated through BSO hardliners by Indian RAW, taken to Kabul for indoctrination, given Afghan passports and trained in art of guerrilla warfare.
India opened up Balochistan specific three consulates in Zahidan, Bandar Abbas and Ashkabad in Iran and established refugee camps for Balochistan dissidents in Kandahar, Spin Boldak, Helmand and Nimroz,” the report stated.

The report also said that India has opened many training centres across Afghanistan to prepare and send trained Baloch nationals to carry out activities against the country.

“India is running training centres in Kabul, Jalalabad, Khwaja Ghar (Takher Province), Khost, Paktia, Urgun, Khandar, Spin Boldak, Dranj (Badakhshan Province) where it’s military personnel in collaboration with RAW have been imparting training to the innocent Balochs against Pakistan,” it said. (ANI)

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Pak Intel agencies confirm authenticity of Hamid Mir’s conversation with Taliban

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 20 (ANI): Reports of various intelligence agencies, including the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), over the alleged audiotape featuring a conversation between Geo News Executive Editor Hamid Mir and a Taliban spokesman, have confirmed the authenticity of the tape.

According to a television channel, the intelligence agencies have submitted their report to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

“The conversation between Hamid Mir and the Taliban militant is original and has been proved by the audiotape,” The Daily Times quoted a part of the report, as saying.

Meanwhile, Osama Khalid, son of killed former ISI officials Khalid Khwaja has said that he would take legal action against Mir and also lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against him for playing a role in his father’s murder.

“Hamid Mir instigated the militants to murder my father,” Osama said.

He also requested Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to take suo motu notice of the incident and take action against Mir.

Osama also urged the media community to kick out the “black sheep” out of the profession. (ANI)

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Taliban planning to attack Parliament House, warns Pak intelligence

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 19 (ANI): Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have warned that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is planning to target Parliament House and other important government installations.

According to intelligence inputs, the TTP has recruited a suicide bomber named Amer Aaqa Hadifa, who is in his 20’s, to strike at important buildings.

The intelligence report said that Hadifa was last seen in the Mir Ali region of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), The Daily Times reports

Following the report, all the concerned agencies have been directed to beef up security in and around Parliament and all other government buildings in Islamabad and across the country.

Security agencies have also been asked to keep a tight vigil on all entry and exit points of the capital city and also in Lahore. (ANI)

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Terrorists may use stolen Army vehicles to strike, warns Pak intelligence

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 14 (ANI): Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have warned the concerned security authorities that militants could use stolen vehicles belonging to army officials to carry out terror strikes.

According to an intelligence input, a Toyota Corolla owned by Lieutenant Colonel Qazi Habibur Rehman was stolen from Islamabad on April 30, while a motorbike belonging to Major Muhammad Abdul Hassan was also stolen from Rawalpindi earlier this month, and that these vehicles may be used by militants to target important locations.

The intelligence report has been sent to all regional police officers (RPOs), city police officers (CPOs), district police officers (DPOs) and the Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO), The Daily Times reports.

Following the report, the Punjab Home Department has directed all concerned agencies to beef up security in and around all important establishments and government buildings in the province.

Security officials have also been asked to maintain a tight vigil and scan all vehicles entering or leaving the province from each entry and exit point. (ANI)

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Police releases Pak man with batteries, electrical circuit hidden in shoes

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, May 12 (ANI): The Karachi Police has released a suspected bomber who was arrested at the Jinnah International Airport after batteries and electrical circuits were found concealed in his shoes after a thorough check-up following a scanner alarm.

Faiz Mohammad, a 30-year-old civil engineer, was held on May 9 (Sunday) when a scanner sounded an alarm as he proceeded towards boarding a Thai Airways flight to Muscat.

During physical frisking, a device, fixed to his shoes, was recovered, which included four live batteries and a circuit with a switch, the official said.

Initial investigations have revealed that Mohammed hails from Manshera region of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and was employed in a construction company in Muscat.

He had returned to Pakistan to get his visa renewed.

Mohammad, who was not carrying any explosives, told police his footwear had an inbuilt massage system.

Police and intelligence agencies questioned him extensively before clearing him of trying to commit any terror activity in the plane; the Daily Times quoted Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigations) Niaz Khoso, as saying.

“The joint investigation team extensively questioned and in the end found him innocent,” the SSP said. (ANI)

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Police releases Pak man with batteries, electrical circuit hidden in shoes

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, May 12 (ANI): The Karachi Police has released a suspected bomber who was arrested at the Jinnah International Airport after batteries and electrical circuits were found concealed in his shoes after a thorough check-up following a scanner alarm.

Faiz Mohammad, a 30-year-old civil engineer, was held on May 9 (Sunday) when a scanner sounded an alarm as he proceeded towards boarding a Thai Airways flight to Muscat.

During physical frisking, a device, fixed to his shoes, was recovered, which included four live batteries and a circuit with a switch, the official said.

Initial investigations have revealed that Mohammed hails from Manshera region of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and was employed in a construction company in Muscat.

He had returned to Pakistan to get his visa renewed.

Mohammad, who was not carrying any explosives, told police his footwear had an inbuilt massage system.

Police and intelligence agencies questioned him extensively before clearing him of trying to commit any terror activity in the plane; the Daily Times quoted Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigations) Niaz Khoso, as saying.

“The joint investigation team extensively questioned and in the end found him innocent,” the SSP said. (ANI)

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Tribal elders asked to expel Pak Taliban living as IDPs

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Peshawar, May 12 (ANI): The Pakistani authorities have sought help from elders of the Ahmedzai Wazir tribes to oust the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists, living with families and posing as internally displaced people (IDP) from South Waziristan.

The authorities demanded immediate ouster of TTP cadres from Wana and other towns, officials and tribal chieftains said on Tuesday.

“We have reports that the Mehsud militants have been staying with their relatives and posing as IDPs, who have been provided shelter by the Ahmedzai Wazirs in Wana and other towns,” Wana Assistant Political Agent Ghafoor Shah told a jirga of Ahmedzai Wazir elders.

The Daily Times quoted a tribal elder as saying that the government expressed the concern at the presence of Mehsud Taliban in Ahmedzai Wazir areas where security situation was better than other tribal regions since Mullah Nazir ousted foreign terrorists, especially the Uzbeks in 2007.

“We have already talked to Mullah Nazir and he is very much against the presence of Mehsud commanders or foot soldiers disguised as IDPs.

“There is complete unanimity among all stakeholders that we should be on high alert against these militants,” the tribal elder said on conditions of anonymity.

The officials said intelligence agencies picked up the movement of Mehsud Taliban visiting their relatives staying with Ahmedzai Wazir families and “we fear these Mehsud militants may attempt to disturb the peaceful environment in these areas.”

The tribal elder said the Mehsud families had come from Tiarza area and settled with friends in Shakai Valley, Wana and other towns. (ANI)

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Pak intelligence agencies warns of attack on security agencies in Punjab

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 10 (ANI): Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have warned about militants planning to target law enforcement agencies in Punjab using stolen vehicles.

According to an intelligence report, which has been forwarded to all concerned authorities, a militant named Abu Bakr was planning to strike in the region on orders of his commander Qari Zalzla.

The intelligence input further said that a white Suzuki van bearing registration number STP-9199, which was stolen from the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi’s car parking lot, might be used in the attack.

Earlier, intelligence agencies had issued a warning regarding Al-Qaeda’s plans to target the US Embassy in Islamabad.

According to intelligence inputs, the terror outfit may use three bulletproof vehicles, which have entered Pakistan from Afghanistan, for carrying out the attack.

Intelligence agencies also warned that two suicide bombers belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) might have sneaked into Rawalpindi to wreak havoc in the city, The Daily Times reports.

All law enforcement and security authorities have been alerted regarding the threat.

Following the report, the Punjab Home Department has directed all concerned agencies to beef up security in and around all important establishments and government buildings in the province.
Security officials have also been asked to maintain a tight vigil and scan all vehicles entering or leaving the province from each entry and exit point. (ANI)

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Kasab’s verdict is a message to terror elements: Antony

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 7 (ANI): Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Friday said the verdict against lone surviving Pakistani terrorist of the 26/11 attacks, Ajmal Amir Kasab, is a “clear message” to terror outfits in Pakistan.

Interacting with media on the sidelines of Golden Jubilee celebration of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) here, Antony said the verdict has proved that India can take strong action against criminals and terrorists.

“It (verdict) is a clear message to the terrorists outfits, organizations and groups working there across the border”, Antony said.

It has been proved by this judgment… under the present law itself… if there is a will we can take strong action and we can send a proper message to all the criminals and terrorists,” he added.

Antony said the verdict also showed that the present law is sufficient to punish criminals and culprits like Kasab.

Commenting on Pakistan using U.S.—supplied weapons in a military exercise focusing on India’s western borders, Antony said the Americans had already been warned of the possibility that the equipment supplied by it to fight the Taliban would be diverted to target India.

“We have already conveyed our concern about transfer of (U.S.) equipment to Pakistan. We told them (Americans) our fear, even though US is giving equipment to Pakistan to fight against Taliban,” he said.

“We feel there is every possibility of (Pakistan) diverting most of them to the Indian borders. We told the U.S. that they have to be careful about that,” Antony added.

Commenting on alleged involvement of an army major in cyber security, Antony said the investigation is on.

An Amry officer was interrogated by Military Intelligence (MI) and other intelligence agencies.

This is a clear cut case of cyber security breach but espionage has not been proved.(ANI)

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US unlikely to consider across-the-board change in policy with Pak

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 6 (ANI): The arrest of a Pakistani American for his role in the botched Times Square car bombing plot will not stop the United States from continuing to follow its flawed policy vis-à-vis Pakistan.

According to one analysis, Washington is unlikely to press for an across the board clampdown on terrorists so long as it continues to exaggerate its own dependence on Pakistan to the exclusion of others in the region.

In the analytical piece, what comes out is that unless the US suffers another major attack, it is likely to look the other way, or at best give lip service to the terrorism threat emanating from South Asia.

The analysis, however, warns that it would be dangerous to admit and to conclude that “lone wolf” threats are over.

“It is better to assume that there are more such lone wolves lurking around somewhere. The man (Shahzad) was apprehended at the last minute, very much in the style of movies and in fortuitous circumstances. Had he booked himself on an earlier flight, he might have escaped,” the analysis says.

“The fear of a successful attempt the next time is real. Should such an attack be successful the next time, American reaction would have to be in the extreme,” it adds.

US intelligence agencies have their work cut out.

Did Shahzad have someone backing him or not? With US intelligence and law enforcement agencies being clueless on this score, the implication is that there are enough ‘converts’ to jihad in the US and West that it would make the authorities start looking hard.

There are many unanswered questions and more will emerge as the investigations continue, the analysis says, and adds that there will be two immediate reactions in the US.

. There will be increased general suspicion or even racial tension against Pakistanis or persons of Pakistani origin, and secondly,

. The authorities are also likely to become stricter in their scrutiny of people going and coming from Pakistan. There will be stricter immigration and migration checks.

Third, publicly there will be more questions asked of the Obama administration about the wisdom of co-operating with a government (Pakistan) whose people were now threatening innocent Americans.

The author of the analysis believes that US policies towards Pakistan won’t see much change.

“There will be the usual remonstrations and finger wagging, but ultimately the Pakistanis will declare helplessness owing to the bloody mindedness of the Indians. Pakistan will use this opportunity to press even more strongly on their key India specific demands (Kashmir and now water, reducing Indian presence and role in Afghanistan, getting a Pak friendly or anti-Indian leadership in Kabul, nuclear, delivery of more weapons ostensibly for CI ops). The US will continue to push for effective Pak Army action in North Waziristan, heightened intelligence co-operation and role for CIA, increased drone strikes and so on,” he concludes. (ANI)

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Terrorists may use ‘rigged’ vehicles to launch attacks in Punjab, Pak intelligence warns

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 5 (ANI): Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have warned the concerned authorities that terrorists may use ‘rigged’ explosive-laden vehicles to target important establishments across Punjab.

According to intelligence inputs, militants may use Suzuki minivans to strike, The Daily Times reports.

Following the report, the Punjab Home Department has directed all security agencies to beef up security in and around all important establishments and government buildings in the province.

Security officials have also been asked to maintain a tight vigil and scan all vehicles entering or leaving the province from each entry and exit point. (ANI)

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PML-N leaders sniff ‘third force’ conspiracy

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have expressed their fears about some conspiracy or ‘something extra-constitutional’ being hatched by certain elements belonging to the Army and intelligence agencies.

Raising concerns about the conspiracy, PML-N spokesman and senior leader Ahsan Iqbal has said that a third force wants a clash between the judiciary and parliament.

Iqbal did not name the third force precisely in the same fashion, as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has repeatedly done in recent months, The News reports.

According to another PML-N leader, the Army is trying to pitch the judiciary against parliament and for this purpose it is using certain elements in the media.

The leader, however, did not have anything concrete to support his argument.

After the recent bloody riots in Abbottabad and Hazara, another PML-N leader had voiced his doubts that some intelligence agencies had played tricks to trigger violence in the area. (ANI)

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PML-N leaders sniff ‘third force’ conspiracy

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have expressed their fears about some conspiracy or ‘something extra-constitutional’ being hatched by certain elements belonging to the Army and intelligence agencies.

Raising concerns about the conspiracy, PML-N spokesman and senior leader Ahsan Iqbal has said that a third force wants a clash between the judiciary and parliament.

Iqbal did not name the third force precisely in the same fashion, as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has repeatedly done in recent months, The News reports.

According to another PML-N leader, the Army is trying to pitch the judiciary against parliament and for this purpose it is using certain elements in the media.

The leader, however, did not have anything concrete to support his argument.

After the recent bloody riots in Abbottabad and Hazara, another PML-N leader had voiced his doubts that some intelligence agencies had played tricks to trigger violence in the area. (ANI)

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Parliament adjourned over phone-tapping issue

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 26 (ANI): Parliament was adjourned till Tuesday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Opposition staged an uproar over the phone-tapping issue, and asked the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to clarify the government”s position on it.

The BJP said Dr Singh must give a detailed explanation on the phone-tapping issue in Parliament.

It also demanded the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the issue.

Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said the government would give a reply in the Parliament.

“The government will make an answer on the floor of the House,” said Moily.

“I wish to state categorically that phone tapping or eavesdropping on political leaders was not authorised by the previous government nor has the present government authorised any such activity,” said Chidambaram.

“We will look into the allegations of the story of Outlook, nothing has been found in the records of NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation) to substantiate the allegations,” he added asserting that inquiries were being made.

Chidambaram also said that the alleged reports in the magazines were not substantiated. “Nothing has been found in the records of the NTRO or elsewhere to substantiate the allegations,” the home minister said.

“Our intelligence agencies function within the law, they are fully accountable to the government. Such monitoring may be necessary to fight crime, ensure national security, or for our counter terrorism efforts. This is subject to multiple tests and oversight,” he added.

The Opposition continued to shout, forcing the Lok Sabha to be adjourned for a second time today.

Earlier, Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani on Monday has called for the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the phone-tapping issue.

“The House won”t be satisfied till the PM comes and explains.”

Advani harked back to the days of Emergency and said this situation was something akin and against the fabric of democracy.

”Outlook” magazine in a cover story had reported that government intelligence agencies had tapped the phones of Communist Party leader Prakash Karat, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Congress leader Digvijay Singh among others. (ANI)

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Government categorically rejects opposition’s phone-tapping allegations

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 26 (ANI): The UPA Government on Monday categorically rejected reports of phone tapping of senior political leaders, including union ministers.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said no government agency had been authorized to tap the phones of senior political leaders.

“I wish to state categorically that no telephone tapping or eavesdropping on political leaders was authorized by the previous UPA Government. Nor has the present UPA Government authorized any such activity,” he said.

Chidambaram said the government has respected and upheld the laws of the land and is committed to upholding the rights of Indian citizens.

“Both this government and the previous UPA Government have respected and upheld the laws of the land,” he said.

“We are committed to defending the rights of every Indian citizen, including the right to privacy, and will uphold the rights of the individual citizen enshrined in the Constitution of India,” Chidambaram added.

He said the Government has conducted an inquiry into the allegation after it was first published in the Outlook magazine on April 23.

“Government have seen the allegations against the NTRO contained in the story in Outlook magazine,” Chidambaram said.

“After the issue of the magazine was available late Friday, April 23, 2010, the allegations in the story were thoroughly enquired into. Nothing has been found in the records of the NTRO or elsewhere to substantiate the allegations,” he added.

The Outlook magazine alleged that the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) had indulged in the phone tapping of senior political leaders.

In April 2004, the Government set up the NTRO on the recommendation of a Group of Ministers (GoM).

Chidambaram said intelligence agencies were fully accountable to the Government, and each case of telephone monitoring, approval of the Union Home Secretary had to be sought personally.

“Our intelligence agencies function within the law. They are fully accountable to Government. Under the Telegraph Act, and the Information Technology Act, each case of monitoring of telephone or electronic communications has to be approved by the Union Home Secretary personally,” he said.

Chidambaram added that the decision of the Home Secretary is subject to review by an Oversight Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.

He claimed that the monitoring of telephones is necessary to contain criminal activities and to counter terrorism.

“Such monitoring as may be necessary to fight crime, for national security, or for our counter terrorism effort, is subject to multiple checks and oversight,” Chidambaram said.

He assured the House that the government is conducting a further inquiry into the magazine’s allegations.

“Further enquiries are being made into the allegations in the magazine. If any evidence is forthcoming or discovered, the matter will be thoroughly investigated by the appropriate agencies,” Chidambaram said. (ANI)

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