International reaction to flotilla intervention

June 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Here is some international reaction to the incident:

PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS:

– “What Israel has committed on board the Freedom Flotilla was a massacre.”

He declared three days of official mourning for the dead.

TURKISH PRESIDENT ABDULLAH GUL:

– Gul said in a statement that Ankara is demanding an inquiry into the violent interdiction of the Turkey-backed convoy and the punishment of the culprits.

– Turkey said on Monday it had called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

ARAB LEAGUE CHIEF AMR MOUSSA:

– Amr Moussa called on Monday for an emergency meeting to discuss what the body that groups 22 Arab states described as Israel’s “terrorist act.”

“The Arab League strongly condemns this terrorist act.”

IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD:

– “The inhuman acts of the Zionist regime against Palestinians and preventing humanitarian aid to the Gaza people does not show the strength of the Zionist regime but shows its weakness,” Ahmadinejad told state broadcaster IRIB. “All these acts indicate the end of the heinous and fake regime and will bring it closer to the end of its existence.”

FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY:

– “The President of the Republic expresses his profound emotion in the face of the tragic consequences of the Israeli military operation,” Sarkozy’s office said. “He condemns the disproportionate use of force and addresses his condolences to the families of the victims,” it said.

ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANCO FRATTINI:

– “I deplore in the strongest terms the killing of civilians. This is certainly a grave act.”

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY WILLIAM HAGUE:

“I deplore the loss of life during the interception of the Gaza Flotilla…We have consistently advised against attempting to access Gaza in this way, because of the risks involved. But at the same time, there is a clear need for Israel to act with restraint and in line with international obligations…”

GERMAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ULRICH WILHELM:

– “The German government is shocked by events in the international waters by Gaza…”

– “Every German government supports unconditionally Israel’s right to self defense,” said Wilhelm, but added that Israeli actions should to correspond to what he described as the “basic principle” of proportionality.

EUROPEAN UNION:

– “High Representative Catherine Ashton expresses her deep regret at the news of loss of life and violence and extends her sympathies to families of the dead and wounded,” said a spokesperson for Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief.

– “On behalf of the European Union she demands a full enquiry about the circumstances in which this happened… The continued policy of closure is unacceptable and politically counter-productive. She calls for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza,” the spokesperson said.

NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER JENS STOLTENBERG:

– “This underlines that the blockade of Gaza should be ended as soon as possible,” Stoltenberg told reporters. “This type of military action is unacceptable. The shootings must be investigated and documented. It is clear that this is a use of force against civilians.”

SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE DIEGO

LOPEZ GARRIDO:

– Spain unequivocally condemns the Israeli attack on the humanitarian flotilla and it does so as a country and as the acting president of the EU Council. Spain has summoned the Israeli ambassador to ask him for explanations of the attack.

DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER MAXIME VERHAGEN:

– “I want the Israeli ambassador in The Hague to provide clarification today on this,” Verhagen said in a statement. “The Netherlands wants an investigation specifically into how this could have happened.”

GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DIMITRIS DROUTSAS:

– “There is no excuse. The level of violence cannot be excused … we condemn it and this is exactly the message I conveyed this morning to the Israeli ambassador.

–”Israel must provide us with all the information demanded and (guarantee) the safety of the Greek citizens.

THE VATICAN:

– “This is a very painful fact, in particularly because of the loss of human lives,” said chief Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi. He said the Vatican was against violence “from whatever side it comes.”

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Al Qaeda plot to attack FIFA WC unearthed

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 18 (ANI): Al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri is planning to carry out a terror strike at the eagerly awaited FIFA World Cup 2010, a recently arrested Al Qaeda operative has disclosed.

The operative, Azzam Saleh Misfar al-Qahtani is a former Saudi Army Colonel and has previously been behind two suicide bombings in Baghdad, and had been appointed as the security chief for al-Qaeda”s local branch in Iraq.

It has emerged that England�s opening match against the US was the likely target.

“He participated in the planning of a terrorist act in South Africa during the World Cup. He was in contact with the terrorist Ayman al-Zawahiri to organise the plan hatched by al-Qaeda,” the Telegraph quoted Major General Qassim Atta, head of security in Baghdad as saying.

This revelation will probably lead to a review of security arrangements in South Africa, security forces there had hitherto been concentrating on curtailing violent crime for which the country is notorious.

There are precautions against terror strikes but the police say they are still investigating the claims.

“The South African police are still working on getting confirmation,” Nonkululeko Mbatha, a spokeswoman, said. (ANI)

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Pakistani American arrested in connection with failed Times Square bombing plot

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, May 4 (ANI): US investigators have arrested a Connecticut man, a naturalized Pakistani American, in connection with Saturday night’s failed Times Square bombing plot.

According to sources, the man, identified as Faisal Shahzad, was believed to have bought the Nissan Pathfinder, the SUV which was found abandoned loaded with crude explosives at the busy Times Square.

Shahzad was apprehended at the Kennedy Airport, when he was apparently trying to flee, The New York Times reports.

Earlier, federal authorities confirmed ‘foreign links’ in the failed bombing plot, and said
they were probing the possibility of a ‘naturalized American citizen’ being involved in the incident.

Senior Obama administration officials said the latest investigations support the suspicion that there was a foreign connection behind the terror plot.

Sources said evidence includes international phone calls made by the person, who has not been identified publicly.

“Don”t be surprised if you find a foreign nexus. They”re looking at some tell-tale signs and they”re saying it”s pointing in that direction,” said a senior White House official.

It may be noted that the Pakistan Taliban has already claimed the responsibility for the bombing plot.

The last owner of the Nissan Pathfinder, had told the investigators that he had recently sold the SUV to a “Middle Eastern” or “Hispanic” looking man for 1,300 dollars.

Earlier, for the first time the White House confirmed that the plot was a ‘terrorist act’.

“I think that we have made really substantial progress. Ultimately this investigation will be successful and the people responsible for that attempt will be found and brought to justice,” Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters. (ANI)

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Pak terror links found in failed Times Square bombing plot

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, May 4 (ANI): US investigators probing Saturday night’s failed bomb attempt at the Times Square are probing the possibility of a ‘naturalized American citizen’ being involved, who was in Pakistan for several months and had returned to America recently.

According to sources, federal authorities have confirmed ‘foreign links’ in the failed bombing plot.

Senior Obama administration officials told Fox News that the latest investigations support the suspicion that there was a foreign connection behind the terror plot.

Sources said evidence includes international phone calls made by the person, who has not been identified publicly.

“Don”t be surprised if you find a foreign nexus. They”re looking at some tell-tale signs and they”re saying it”s pointing in that direction,” said a senior White House official.

It may be noted that the Pakistan Taliban has already claimed the responsibility for the bombing plot.

Meanwhile, the last owner of the Nissan Pathfinder, which was found abandoned loaded with crude explosives at the Times Square, has told the investigators that he had recently sold the SUV to a “Middle Eastern” or “Hispanic” looking man for 1,300 dollars.

Earlier, for the first time the White House confirmed that the plot was a ‘terrorist act’.

“I think that we have made really substantial progress. Ultimately this investigation will be successful and the people responsible for that attempt will be found and brought to justice,” Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters. (ANI)

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TIMELINE – Bomb attacks in Moscow

March 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

At least 37 people were killed on Monday when suicide bombers detonated explosives on two packed Moscow metro trains during morning rush hour.

Following is a timeline of bomb blasts in Moscow:

June 11, 1996 – A bomb explodes on the Moscow metro, killing four people and injuring 12.

July 11/12, 1996 – A bomb blows the front off a trolleybus in central Moscow during the morning rush hour, injuring five people. In a similar attack the next day, about 30 people are injured. The attacks are attributed to Chechen rebels.

– Days later Chechen rebels deny involvement in the two blasts but warn that continued bloodshed in their breakaway territory could lead to “uncontrolled” acts of revenge.

Aug. 31, 1999 – A bomb explodes in an amusement arcade in the three-storey underground Manezh Square shopping complex, next door to the Kremlin. About 29 people are injured. Officials call it an act of terrorism but do not link it specifically to Chechen separatist militants.

Sept. 9, 1999 – A powerful bomb destroys an apartment block in southeast Moscow, killing 94 people and injuring more than 200 in what officials describe as a terrorist act.

Sept. 13, 1999 – A bomb destroys an eight-storey block of flats in Moscow, killing 118 people. Officials describe it as a terrorist attack and tighten security. Chechen fighters are blamed for the attack, although officials and warlords from the breakaway region deny responsibility.

Aug. 8, 2000 – An explosion rips through an underpass in central Moscow, killing 13 people and injuring dozens during rush hour.

Feb. 5, 2001 – A small bomb explodes in one of Moscow’s busiest underground railway stations during rush hour, injuring up to nine people and causing minor damage.

Oct. 19, 2002 – A bomb explodes in a crowded district of southwestern Moscow, killing one person and injuring seven people.

July 5, 2003 – Two female bombers kill 15 people when they blow themselves up at an open-air rock festival at Moscow’s Tushino airfield. Sixty are wounded.

Dec. 9, 2003 – An explosion in central Moscow kills six people. Officials blame the attack on Chechen female suicide bombers.

Feb. 6, 2004 – A powerful explosion, apparently set off by a suicide bomber, rips through a packed underground train in Moscow during the morning rush hour, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 100.

Aug. 31, 2004 – A suicide bomb attack in central Moscow kills 10 people and injures 51.

Aug 21, 2006 – A bomb kills 10 people in a suburban Moscow

market.

March 29, 2010 – At least two blasts strike Moscow metro stations during rush hour, killing 37 people and wounding 33.

– The first goes off in a train at Lubyanka metro station, near the headquarters of Russia’s main domestic security service FSB. It kills at least 23 people. The second explodes on a train at Park Kultury station, killing at least 14.

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PPP-S chief urges Pak Govt. to use surgical strikes against Punjab terrorists

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Peshawar, Mar. 22 (ANI): Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that surgical strikes should be conducted on the basis of credible intelligence against terrorists in the Punjab province.

“Denying the presence of terrorists and ignoring the local facilitators of the terrorists in the country would not help the elimination of terrorist organisations in any way,” the Daily Times quoted Sherpao, as saying.

Sherpao also urged the Pakistan Government to produce all suspects arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act before the courts.

“Security personnel had arrested thousands of people including the top leadership of the Taliban under the Anti-Terrorist Act 2009, but had yet to be produced before courts of law,” he said. (ANI)

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ISRO shootout not a terror act: Chidambaram

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Mar 16 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said the shoot out outside the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)”s Byalalu Centre did not look like a terrorist attack.

“There is not threat to ISRO. It is an amateurish attack,” said Chidambaram, adding that the Central Government has asked for ISRO security to be monitored properly.

A shootout took place between two unidentified men and security guards outside the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)”s Byalalu Centre, around 40 kilometers from Bangalore early on Tuesday morning.

The two youth were reportedly moving in a suspected manner outside the ISRO center around 3 a.m. and were attempting to get inside the campus. They opened fire on the security personnel, who approached them for questioning.

Around two rounds of fire were exchanged between the two sides.

The two suspects eventually escaped from the site.

ISRO officials are, however, not seeing it as a terrorist act, but said the fact that the two suspects were armed remained a matter of concern.

The state police have begun an extensive search to get hold of the two men. (ANI)

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Shootout outside ISRO campus

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Mar 16 (ANI): A shootout took place between two unidentified men and security guards outside the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)”s Byalalu Centre, around 40 kilometers from Bangalore early on Tuesday morning.

The two youth were reportedly moving in a suspected manner outside the ISRO center around 3 a.m. and were attempting to get inside the campus. They opened fire on the security personnel, who approached them for questioning.

Around two rounds of fire were exchanged between the two sides.

The two suspects eventually escaped from the site.

ISRO officials are, however, not seeing it as a terrorist act, but said the fact that the two suspects were armed remained a matter of concern.

The state police have begun an extensive search to get hold of the two men. (ANI)

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Negative public opinion about foreign countries an early warning signal for terrorism

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, September 18 (ANI): People’s negative views toward the leadership and policies of other countries may be an indication that a terrorist act may be carried out, say researchers.

Alan Krueger, a Princeton University economist, and Jitka Maleckova, of Charles University in the Czech Republic, came to this conclusion after analysing public opinion polls and terrorist activity in 143 pairs of countries.

Writing about their findings in the journal Science, the researchers say that there is a strong relationship between attitudes expressed toward a foreign country — indicated in surveys on foreign leaders’ performance-and the occurrence of terrorism against that country.

“Public opinion appears to be a useful predictor of terrorist activity,” said Krueger, the Bendheim Professor in Economics and Public Policy.

“This is the first study to relate public opinion across countries to concrete actions such as terrorism,” he added.

He pointed out that the notion that public attitudes can contribute to terrorism has been inadequately explored to date.

According to him, the study’s findings attain significance as they suggest that public opinion may provide a valuable early warning signal of terrorism, and help researchers better understand the causes of terrorism.

The researchers carried out their study by mining public opinion polls of residents in 19 countries in the Middle East and northern Africa conducted by Gallup.

They asked the respondents whether they approved of the job performance of the leaders of nine large countries.

According to the researchers, the countries selected for the study are world powers in terms of size, population or military strength, are the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom.

The opinions, both positive and negative, were linked to the number of terrorist attacks conducted against the nine world powers by people from the 19 countries between 2004 and 2008. The terror attacks were compiled by the National Counterterrorism Center.

Based on the findings, Krueger says that there is not a direct connection between poverty and terrorism, contrary to a popular view.

He adds that economic status has more to do with target countries than it does with the states where the attacks originate.

He says that countries with advanced economies as well as a high degree of civil liberties are most likely to be the targets of terrorism.

The researchers admits that the study does not explain whether terrorists act in response to public opinion or whether they are simply reacting just like the larger public to external events.

However, he insists that, in either case, public opinion surveys can provide a powerful indication of the likelihood of terrorist activity.

Krueger believes that greater disapproval of another country’s leaders or policies may result in more terrorist acts because it increases the number of people who provide material support and encouragement for terrorism, and increases the number of people interested in joining cells and carrying out terrorist acts themselves. (ANI)

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We are not reviewing our security measures, says WBF

August 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Hyderabad, Aug. 9 (ANI): World Badminton Federation (WBF) on Sunday said that it would not be reviewing security arrangements despite England pulling out of the world championships to be held from Monday in Hyderabad.

“We are not reviewing our security measures. We are following that plan that was set up months ago and implementing that plan because that’s the plan that will make the tournament secure. And there’s absolutely no change in the security measures from yesterday to today,” said Thomas Lund, Chief Operating Officer of BWF.

England pulled out of the world championships on Sunday amid concerns about the team’s security.

Badminton England said in a statement that the decision followed “concerns about the English team potentially being a target of attack in the event of a terrorist act.”

The team had already arrived in India for the championships, but would be returning home immediately.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad police commissioner allayed reports of any inputs of terror threat.

“There is no security problem, as per our information there is no specific threat. But, keeping the overall situation in mind we have made all the security arrangements,” said Prabhakar Reddy, Police Commissioner of Hyderabad.

While, participants also expressed content at the level of security arrangements they are being provided with.

“We are all confident that the local authorities and they will take care of the security here. And make sure all things go accordingly,” said Peter Gad, a Danish player.

The decision comes a day after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had assurance that that the championships would take place in complete security, and there was no need to have any apprehensions. (ANI)

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Sindh government declares 80 shrines ‘sensitive’ to terror attacks

June 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

p
Karachi, June 22 (ANI): The Sindh Government has declared at least 80 shrines of saints, including 36 in Karachi, as sensitive, following a terror threat in the province.
/p
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The shrines which have been declared sensitive, are those under the administration of the Auqaf Department, while there are many more shrines across the province where the possibility of a terror attack cannot be ruled out, the Daily Times reports./pp
According to sources, the Auqaf Department had provided a list of 80 shrines to the Sindh Home Department, and asked for foolproof security to avoid any untoward incident of terrorism. /pp
Since the possibility of a terrorist act cannot be ruled out anywhere at any time, therefore, we have asked for more security for the safety of devotees, the paper quoted Provincial Minister for Auqaf Abdul Haseeb, as saying./pp
Following a threat of a suicide bombing attack, police had sealed the shrine of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi on Thursday and devotees were not allowed inside the premises./pp
However, the shrine of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi will be opened for devotees on Tuesday. /pp
The security arrangements for the shrine of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi have been carried out by deputing law enforcers along with private security guards there while a metal detector gate has also been installed at the place. The security measures taken would be reviewed in a meeting today (Monday) and then the tomb would be opened for devotees on Tuesday, Haseeb said. /pp
Moreover, the devotees have condemned the sealing of the shrine, saying that this is not the appropriate way to tackle terror threats./pp
If the law enforcers receive information regarding terror attacks in the city, would they shut down the whole of Karachi? they questioned./pp
According to sources, mosques and imambargahs are facing grave terror threats, especially during Friday prayers, but no reliable arrangements have been made by the law enforcement agencies. (ANI)/p

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Camera grid to log number plates

May 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Camera grid to log number plates

A national network of cameras and computers automatically logging car number plates will be in place within months, the BBC has learned.

Thousands of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras are already operating on Britain’s roads.

Police forces across England, Wales and Scotland will soon be able to share the information on one central computer.

Officers say it is a useful tool in fighting crime, but critics say the network is secretive and unregulated.

Kent’s Chief Constable, Michael Fuller, commented: “We’ve seen an increase of some 40% of arrests since we’ve been using this technology.

“I’m very confident that we’re using it properly and responsibly, and that innocent people have nothing to fear from the way we use it.”

A number of local councils are signing up their Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems to the ANPR network. As long as the cameras are technically good enough, they can be adapted to take the software.

In towns such as Bradford, Portsmouth and Luton that means greater coverage for the police and more journeys captured and recorded.

John Dean, who is co-ordinating the ANPR network for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “It’s the finest intelligence-led policing tool we’ve got.

“It covers so many different areas from crime reduction, crime detection to road safety and everything in between.”

Marked car

But not everyone thinks it is such a good thing.

John Catt found himself on the wrong side of the ANPR system. He regularly attends anti-war demonstrations outside a factory in Brighton, his home town.

It was at one of these protests that Sussex police put a “marker” on his car. That meant he was added to a “hotlist”.

This is a system meant for criminals but John Catt has not been convicted of anything and on a trip to London, the pensioner found himself pulled over by an anti-terror unit.

“I was threatened under the Terrorist Act. I had to answer every question they put to me, and if there were any questions I would refuse to answer, I would be arrested. I thought to myself, what kind of world are we living in?”

Sussex police would not talk about the case.

The police say they do not know how many cameras there are in total, and they say that for operational reasons they will not say where the fixed cameras are positioned.

‘Limited resources’

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas, whose job it is to protect personal data, has concerns about the lack of regulation.

He said: “There’s very little monitoring. I mean, my office has very limited powers.

“We have very limited resources. We are not actively monitoring that area. You’re right to ask the question. No one’s checking it at the moment”

The BBC TV series Who’s Watching You? asked the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, to comment on the Commissioner’s views.

“It’s something that we will look at further legislation about where necessary,” she said.

“I don’t think we should lose sight of the very considerable benefits that this technology also brings us, brings law enforcement.”

Recent research by Huddersfield University found that the public seemed to share that view. The study took place in Leeds as the ANPR system was being introduced. The vast majority supported the cameras if they caught law breakers, with only a few mentioning concerns about police surveillance.

The police themselves say they have nothing to hide and would welcome the introduction of a regulatory code. But that seems some way off – and for now this secretive system continues to watch us and continues to grow.

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Tom Hanks forced to cut sex scenes from new movie due to time limit

May 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 13 (ANI): American actor Tom Hanks has revealed that he had to omit some sex scenes from his new movie ‘Angels and Demons’, as there was no time for “smooching” in the action-packed film.

The 52-year-old star plays the part of Harvard professor Robert Langdon, who investigates the murder of a physicist and a terrorist act against the Vatican by a secret brotherhood.

But moviemakers had to downplay the love scenes between Hanks’ character and his female companion, played by Ayelet Zurer, leaving the actor very disappointed.We really don’t have time to make out or go to bed when Cardinals are being killed on the hour. We tried to work it into the screenplay over and over again. We were like, ‘Isn’t there a bigger car with a bigger backseat?’” the Daily Express quoted him as telling Parade magazine.

“But we were stuck with an Alfa Romeo so we didn’t have an opportunity to grab some smooching on the way to the Pantheon or the Piazza Del Poppolo. It’s my loss, but I think it did make it easier for Ayelet,” he added. (ANI)

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Five terrorists planning an attack on Karachi arrested

April 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Apr 8 (ANI): The Karachi police on Wednesday foiled an attempt to carry out a terrorist act by arresting five alleged terrorists, seizing explosives and a large cache of ammunitions from them.

CCPO Wasim Ahmed confirmed at a news conference that the accused Muhammad Akbar, Sarfaraz, Faridullah, Faisal Sheikh and Dar Muhammad Baloch were arrested following an exchange of fire near Super Market in Sohrab Goth.

He said that the accused were planning to target senior police officials, Home Minister office, Police Headquarter, DIG CID office, Imambargahs and mosques.

They were also involved in several attacks on security forces and vehicles carrying NATO supplies in Waziristan, The News reported.

The CCOP further said that accused are activists of banned Jihadi outfits, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

Replying to a question, he said that suicide bomber was present in the city. (ANI)

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Manawan attack: Prior warning about terror strike ignored by Punjab police again

April 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.31 (ANI): The Punjab administration had specific information that terrorists could target police training and recruitment centers in the province, yet the militants succeeded in their plan which was evident from Monday’s strike on the Manawan police training academy.

The strike has once again proved that there were serious security lapses on part of the administration, as was the case when the Sri Lankan cricket team was targeted on March 3.

According to sources, the Lahore’s Military Corps headquarters had forewarned of a terrorist attack on police buildings and establishments in the province.

According to The News, the Warning tagged as “most immediate” stated: “In the backdrop of the gruesome terrorist act against the Sri Lankan team, terrorists may be prompted to exploit the uncertain internal security environment to perpetrate similar attacks. Apropos, terrorist activities may be manifested as following:
a. Terrorists may resort to similar tactics with necessary innovation to target high-profile defence/strategic installations, VIPs, diplomats and other government functionaries.

b. Serial suicide bombings followed by indiscriminate firing of small arms to cause massive casualties.

c. Abduction of VIPs, high-profile civilians or foreigners for a prolonged period.

d. Target important political/religious leaders,”

Moreover, the Punjab IGP, following an attack on the building of Police’s special branch on March 23 in Islamabad, in his letter to all the concerned officials had clearly raised fears about such an attack.

The letter stated a six point security arrangement to be made in and around police buildings and establishments such as :

1. SOPs for the security of all police buildings/establishments be followed in letter and spirit and no laxity be tolerated.

2. Snap checking of security arrangements of police buildings/establishments be conducted during day and night by gazetted officers.

3. The capacity/capability of the security staff/sentries be ensured to meet the challenge.

4. Security cameras/security devices installed in buildings/establishments should be in working order round the clock.

5. No unauthorised person or vehicle be allowed access to these buildings/establishments without proper checking and search.

6. No cluster of force should be allowed unnecessarily. However, if it is necessary, all precautions should be taken for the security of the manpower.

But despite such appropriate information, the concerned authority apparently turned a deaf ear to the threat.

And instead of acting on the information provided to them to prevent such attacks, top officials are now patting their own back for ending the Manawan siege in just eight hours. (ANI)

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Lashkar-trained Australian named

January 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, Jan.13 (ANI): An Australian man known as Abu Asad trained with Lashkar-e-Taiba at a camp in Pakistan in 2001 after the terrorist attacks on the US on September 11, 2001, a man who met him at the camp told a Sydney court today.

Yong Ki Kwon told the trial of five Sydney men accused of conspiring to plan a terrorist act that he left his home in Virginia in the United States shortly after the attacks to defend Afghanistan against the expected US invasion.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he also told the court via video-link from the US today that he arrived in Pakistan and went to a training camp organised by Lashkar-e-Taiba, where he learned about weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, machineguns and anti-aircraft guns.

Lashkar-e-Taiba, which means Army of the Pious, is on the US watch list of terrorist organisations.

Kwon said that he trained for 45 days, and in the last few days he met an Australian known to him only as Abu Asad. (ANI)

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