India Says One 26/11 Terror Handlers Could be Indian

NEW DELHI: For the first time the Indian government has admitted that at least one of the 26/11 terror handlers could be Indian.

Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram, speaking an Indian news TV, amitted that there could have been an Indian hand in the Mumbai terror attacks.

He said that voice samples of the suspect from Pakistan were essential to conclusively establish the identity of Abu Jindal, who is suspected to the Indian handler.

“There was a handler in 26/11 whom we have known for long, or suspected for a long time, could be an Indian.”

Jindal is one of the alleged masterminds of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. It is believed that his real name could be Syed Zabiuddin Ansari.

He is wanted in the Aurangabad arms haul case as well as well as for plotting to assassinate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Ansari hails from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the channel reports.

Chidambaram travels to Pakistan for a regional meeting this month, a visit that may lay the ground for improving ties which deteriorated after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram will be the first top level official to cross the border since the assault on India’s financial capital by gunmen which claimed 166 lives.

India blamed the attack on the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group and broke off a four-year peace dialogue, demanding Islamabad bring the culprits to justice before talks could resume.

Foreign ministry officials said Chidambaram will meet his Pakistani counterpart, Rehman Malik, and other officials for talks that may have a narrow focus on what action Islamabad has taken in regard to the Mumbai attacks.

But the visit’s larger goal could be to create a forum for limited dialogue, leading to a calibrated easing of tension.

Chicago Suspect in Terror Plot Danish, Assault Denied Bail in Mumbai

CHICAGO news updates: A Chicago businessman accused of helping plot an attack on a Danish newspaper and having such close ties to terrorists that he had advance knowledge of the deadly 2008 Mumbai siege was denied bail Tuesday.
“The government has met its burden of showing serious risk of flight,” Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan said as she ordered Tahawwur Hussain Rana held in jail pending trial.

Rana has been charged with helping David Coleman Headley — an old friend from military — plot an attack on the Danish newspaper that published caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

On Monday prosecutors also alleged that Rana knew of the 2008 deadly terror attacks in Mumbai days before they occurred, and sent his compliments to the man who planned the bloody 60-hour siege which left 166 dead and hundreds wounded.

While Rana has not been charged in that case, prosecutors have said Headley is cooperating and that the investigation in Rana’s conduct “continues.”

Prosecutors allege that the two men discussed both plots in a secretly recorded conversation and that Rana helped Headley use Rana’s Chicago-based immigration company as a cover for his surveillance trips to India and Denmark.

It was also revealed by prosecutors on Monday that the pair had discussed four other potential targets for attacks: Bollywood, the Indian temple Somnath, the National Defense College in Delhi, and the Shiv Sena, a political party in India with roots in Hindu nationalism.

“It is clear from the conversation and extrinsic corroboration that Rana was told just days before the Mumbai attacks that the attacks were about to happen,” prosecutors wrote in a 10-page memo in support of his continued detention.

Rana’s lawyers maintain he was simply “duped” by Headley and had no knowledge of or involvement in, any terror attacks.

They said evidence from three character witnesses shows that the Pakistani-born Canadian citizen has developed a reputation in Chicago as an honest businessman who advocates non-violence.

Defense attorney Patrick Blegen attacked the government’s contention that Rana was briefed on the Mumbai attack shortly after visiting the Indian capital in November 2008.

“They’re saying he knew about some terrorist plan and took his wife along on some sort of jaunt,” Blegen told the court. “I say that’s absurd.”

Blegen said government transcripts of the conversation recorded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation were “as much unintelligible as they are intelligible” and do not prove that Rana knew anything.

Asked by reporters if he was concerned about what Headley might tell investigators, Blegen said “If he’s cooperating he may not be telling the truth.”

While Nolan limited her ruling to whether Rana posed a flight risk, she disagreed with Blegen’s interpretation of the evidence.

“The defense’s argument that the evidence will show Mr. Rana was duped is not a fair reading of the evidence revealed to date,” Nolan said.

Rana has the “means and knowledge to flee internationally, he has substantial financial resources and international contacts,” Nolan said in announcing her ruling.

“There are no conditions of release that would reasonably ensure his appearance.”

Blegen told reporters that he and his client had hoped Nolan would deem house arrest, electronic surveillance and a high bond sufficient.

“In light of the circumstances his spirits are good,” Blegen told reporters after meeting with Rana.

“Obviously he’s disappointed, as am I but he is as I am very much looking forward to contesting these charges when we have the opportunity to in court.”

Prosecutors have until January 14 to convince a grand jury to indict Rana on the charges.

SBP Writes off the Loans for Agriculture-Affected Areas of Terror

KARACHI,Pakistan news Updates: The State Bank of Pakistan has announced to write off agricultural loans for the areas affected by terrorism under Prime Minister’s relive package.

SBP has issued directives to the banks to immediately stop collection on Rs560 million loans comprising principle and mark up in Malakand Division and tribal region. These loans should be treated as cleared.

The central bank also directed the banks to undertake extensive advertisement of this scheme and make announcements of waiving the loans for the areas in question.

Spokesman SBP Karachi has instructed the borrowers to submit their applications at their respective banks up to Dec 25.

PM Asks World to Pressure Pakistan Attackers 26/11

Washington: news update, Warning of “phenomenal consequences” if the advance of terrorists in Pakistan was not controlled, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked the world community to pressurise Islamabad to do much more to bring to book those responsible for the “horrible” 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
“We don’t want Pakistan to fail and emergence of democracy in Pakistan is something we welcome,” he said at the Council on Foreign Relations, a leading US think tank Monday. “But at the same time we have to recognise that there are forces at work in Pakistan that are with terrorists.”

“At least until now they were active only in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Now I think they hold direct on grip in several parts of mainland Pakistan.

“If that process is not controlled, it has I think phenomenal consequences for the security and stability of Pakistan as well as our own security,” he added.

Asked if he regretted not taking the military option in retaliation against the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the prime minister said he resisted enormous pressure at that time “and I think the decision that I took was balanced and right decision”.

“As regards future, I hate to speculate and sincerely hope that that sort of eventuality does not arise,” Manmohan Singh said. “And that’s why I believe world community has an obligation to impress upon Pakistan that it must use all its influence to curb the power of terrorist groups.”

The prime minister said Pakistan had done something to control the activities of Taliban terrorist groups in FATA, but “it has not acted as it should have acted in bringing the terrorists elements who are using their territory to target our country”.

Nor has Pakistan used all its machinery to bring to book all those murderers and those who perpetrated the horrible crime in Mumbai, he said, urging the world community to pressurise Pakistan to bring to book all those who are responsible for it.

There was now impeccable evidence that the conspiracy was planned in Pakistan with the active connivance of people still roaming about freely in Pakistan, he said. “Therefore I respectfully respect the world community to use all its influence on powers that be in Pakistan to desist from this sort of behaviour.”

Malik Says he Will Retire if Blackwater in the Country

ISLAMABAD,Pakistan: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said he will resign if Blackwater, found operating anywhere in Pakistan.

Talking to media in Islamabad, Malik denied presence of Afghan Taliban leader Mulla Umar in Pakistan and termed such reports as baseless.

He said operation will be launch against militants in adjoining areas of Peshawar and also said that more troops will be dispatched to Waziristan.

He said the mobile scanners from China will reach Pakistan next month, which will help to foil terror attacks.

Interior minister praised the role of citizens of Peshawar against terrorism and said security will be strengthened more in NWFP.

Malik said 75 persons have been arrested so far during anti terror drive. Replying to a question about Dr. Aafia, he said Dr. Aafia’s issues had been came under discussion during recent visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and he will meet Dr. Aafia in his next US visit.

Clinton Meets Kayani Praises Pak Army’s Role in The War On Terror

RAWALPINDI : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday called on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani at Army House Rawalpindi and discussed various issues.

During two and a half hour meeting Clinton discussed with Chief of Army Staff the controversial articles of Kerry-Lugar bill. Clinton praised the active role of Pak Army in war against terror.

They also discussed ongoing operation in Waziristan, security at Pak-Afghan border and security situation in Afghanistan besides Coalition Security Fund.

According to the sources, the Army Chief and US Secretary of State could not reach on any conclusion regarding controversial articles of Kerry-Lugar bill.

Clinton assured General Kayani about provision of military equipment soon.

DG ISI Lieutenant General Shuja Ahmed Pasha were also present in the meeting.

Terror Group Leader Arrested in NWFP

PESHAWAR: The chief of the group involved in Hyatabad and Sukarno chowk bombings has been arrested.
IG NWFP Malik Naveed while talking to media said the leader of the group involved in Hyatabad and Sukarno chowk. He said no severe reaction of terrorists has been emerged due to better strategy of police.

Malik Naveed said red alert security has been imposed in the province and hundreds of militants and commanders have been arrested. Heavy arms cache and explosives also recovered which averted the possible destruction. He said 16,000 more personnel will be recruited.

Iran Asks Pakistan to Help in The Arrest of The Saboteurs

ISLAMABAD : Iranian Interior Minister called up his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik and solicited help regarding arrest of the responsible for the terror attack in Iran, the officials at Interior Ministry were quoted as saying.
Iran’s minister Mustafa Muhammed Najjar said that extremist outfit Jundullah may be involved in the terror incident and requested Malik for help in arrest of extremist Abdul Malik Regi.

Rehman Malik assured his Iranian counterpart Mustafa Muhammed Najjar of complete cooperation for every possible help over terror incident in Iran which cost several lives, saying Pakistan is extremely grieved over the terrorist attack in Iran.

Pakistan will keep up the war against terrorism, as it is a victim of terrorism and engaged in fight with extremists groups, Malik maintained.

Abdul Malik of Jundullah outfit is not present in Pakistan according to some sources, Rehman said.

India Does Not Export Terror To Pakistan: Manmohan Singh

MUMBAI: India is not responsible for terrorist activities in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared on Sunday.
“We are not in the business of exporting terrorism to Pakistan or any other country,” he said. “The people and government of Pakistan jolly well know that this is a false accusation.”

He was replying to a specific question on Pakistan interior minister Rehman Malik’s allegations that India was arming militants in Balochistan.

Replying to questions, the Prime Minister said, “We have to make adequate preparations to deal with the consequences of this overflow of terrorism from neighbourhood to our country.

“We are taking all necessary steps in that direction but it is still my belief that particularly Pakistan and the people and government of Pakistan should realise the great harm and (their) patronisation of terror groups have done to the South Asian region,” he said.

Singh said if the countries work together, only “positive good” can come out of it.

To another query about the recent blast outside the Indian embassy in Kabul and the terror attack at the Pakistan army headquarters, he said, “We need a neighbourhood of peace, friendliness and I will be the last one to say that, I think, if these conditions prevail (like) today in our neighbourhood in Pakistan and in Afghanistan the situation is not what it should be.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also demanded that Pakistan should try and punish those who masterminded the Mumbai terror attack last year.

The Prime Minister told reporters that diplomatic pressure from India and the international community had forced Pakistan to admit for the first time that its nationals were involved in the terror assault that killed some 170 people.

“They should investigate all those who are involved (in that attack) including Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. There should be a fair trial which will result in proper punishment being given to them. We have not lost hope.”

Hafiz Saeed, who heads the Jamat-ud-Dawah, is also the founder of the Lashkar, which has been blamed for the Mumbai carnage of November 2008 when Pakistani terrorists sneaked into the city by boats.

The Prime Minister said: “For the first time Pakistan admitted that it (attack) had its origins in Pakistan, the conspiracy leading to the tragedy in Mumbai was hatched in Pakistan, that citizens of Pakistan were involved. Pakistan had never before agreed to this… So there is some progress.”

Pakistan Must Abandon Terrorism As State Policy: Manmohan Singh

Pittsburgh: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Pakistan ‘to give up its attitude of using terror as an instrument of state policy’ as ‘that was the only obstacle in normalising relations with its neighbour.’

“India’s message is that India seeks to normalise its relationship with Pakistan. But the only obstacle is that it should shed its old attitude of using terror as a state policy,” he said at a post G-20 summit news conference here Friday.

Manmohan Singh also reiterated India’s demand that Pakistan take action against those involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, saying that if Islamabad took proper action India would move the extra mile to normalise relations.

“We have supplied our material and evidence for them to carry out investigation. Although the tragedy took place in India, the conspiracy took place in Pakistan. Pakistan has admitted to this. We want them to bring to book the culprits involved in the November 26 attacks,” he said.

Manmohan Singh said there was no change in India’s stand on Pakistan since the Sharm-el-Sheikh talks with his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, a position he has made clear in the Indian parliament.

“If you read my statements in parliament, I have explained the government’s position and I think there is no change on this,” he said when asked how he looked forward to moving ahead with relations with Pakistan.

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