Security forces have seized control of the Lal Qila after fierce gunbatlle with militants in an ongoing operation in Lower Dir on Sunday.
According to sources, security forces have entered the Lal Qila.
On the other hand, intense firing is underway between militants and FC troops at Kala Daag and Islam Pura.
Meanwhile, ISPR said in a statement that Frontier Corps have launched operation against militants in Dir on the request of the provincial government and people.
Earlier in the day, security forces targeted suspected militants’ hideouts situated in Lal Qila and Islam Pura, killing a large number of militants, including a top commander.
While one security personnel was also martyred in the operation
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Narendra Modi must apologise to PM: Congress
The Congress demanded an apology from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi after a man flung a shoe at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during an election rally in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
"It is absolutely shocking... Modi has to apologise for what has been done to the PM. It is an insult to democracy," said Congress spokesperson M Veerappa Moily.
Moily said such incidents are the manifestation of "hate politics" promoted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat.
"The manner in which hate politics is being initiated by the BJP is reflected in this way. People of Gujarat are excellent but Modi has nurtured such kind of hate politics... parties should resolve to shun hate politics," he said.
Asked if the BJP was behind the incident, Moily said: "It has to investigated."
Targeting the law and order situation in Gujarat, Moily said: "It (such incidents) reflects the kind of bad governance and law and order situation in the state."
Congress spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla described the incident as condemnable and said such incidents should not be given importance
"It is absolutely shocking... Modi has to apologise for what has been done to the PM. It is an insult to democracy," said Congress spokesperson M Veerappa Moily.
Moily said such incidents are the manifestation of "hate politics" promoted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat.
"The manner in which hate politics is being initiated by the BJP is reflected in this way. People of Gujarat are excellent but Modi has nurtured such kind of hate politics... parties should resolve to shun hate politics," he said.
Asked if the BJP was behind the incident, Moily said: "It has to investigated."
Targeting the law and order situation in Gujarat, Moily said: "It (such incidents) reflects the kind of bad governance and law and order situation in the state."
Congress spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla described the incident as condemnable and said such incidents should not be given importance
Baitullah despatches 300 terrorists to attack Pak cities
Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud plans to carry out terror attacks in major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore, and has dispatched his top five commanders along with 300 terrorists and suicide bombers to execute the mission. The five Taliban commanders will supervise the terrorist operations planned by Mehsud and the Taliban Himayat Tehrik in these cities, Interior Ministry sources said on Sunday.
The Taliban commanders who had left North Waziristan on the mission were identified by intelligence agencies as Shikaari, Inayatullah, Walid, Mujahid and Abdali,sources said. A security official said the Taliban commanders had left North Waziristan Agency for Islamabad on April 11 along with an explosives-laden Toyota Corolla car with the registration number IDG-8720.
The sources, quoting an intelligence report, said about 300 terrorists and suicide bombers would reach Islamabad with the five commanders. However, law enforcement agencies are unaware whether the militants have reached their destination or postponed their operation, the official said.
Interior Secretary Kamal Shah confirmed the report and said foolproof security measures have been adopted to thwart the threats. "The law enforcement agencies have chalked out counter strategies to deal with the situation," he said.
Shah said troops from the Northern Areas Scouts will reach Islamabad within two days to help the civil administration in maintaining peace. It would be the prerogative of the police chief to deploy the troops "where he thinks it necessary", he said.
The daily quoted its sources as saying that an intelligence agency had informed the government regarding the Taliban activities. It had warned that simultaneous suicide bombings followed by sniper attacks could be carried out by the Taliban.
The Taliban commanders who had left North Waziristan on the mission were identified by intelligence agencies as Shikaari, Inayatullah, Walid, Mujahid and Abdali,sources said. A security official said the Taliban commanders had left North Waziristan Agency for Islamabad on April 11 along with an explosives-laden Toyota Corolla car with the registration number IDG-8720.
The sources, quoting an intelligence report, said about 300 terrorists and suicide bombers would reach Islamabad with the five commanders. However, law enforcement agencies are unaware whether the militants have reached their destination or postponed their operation, the official said.
Interior Secretary Kamal Shah confirmed the report and said foolproof security measures have been adopted to thwart the threats. "The law enforcement agencies have chalked out counter strategies to deal with the situation," he said.
Shah said troops from the Northern Areas Scouts will reach Islamabad within two days to help the civil administration in maintaining peace. It would be the prerogative of the police chief to deploy the troops "where he thinks it necessary", he said.
The daily quoted its sources as saying that an intelligence agency had informed the government regarding the Taliban activities. It had warned that simultaneous suicide bombings followed by sniper attacks could be carried out by the Taliban.
Finance chiefs urge bank reform
meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington said such measures were needed for global economic recovery.
The head of the IMF said progress had been made but it had been too slow.
The meeting also heard calls for more help for African countries feeling the effects of the global crisis.
Tanzania's finance minister said the slump threatened to wipe out his country's previous gains and that rich countries should use part of their stimulus resources to help poorer ones.
IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said no one at the meeting had challenged the view that reform was needed.
"I think everybody again agrees that we need to do it now and that recovery is heavily relying on that," he said.
Mr Strauss-Kahn said all the minister present would "go back committed to speeding up the process" of such reforms.
Egyptian Finance Minister Yousef Boutros-Ghali, who chaired the meeting, said the global economy had "serious problems" but that things were "beginning to look up".
"Carefully, cautiously we can say there is a break in the clouds," he said.
Developing support
Mr Zoellick said bail outs must offer support to poorer countries
The communique from the meeting also called on the IMF to assess actions which have been taken.
The BBC's Andrew Walker in Washington says this means that Mr Strauss-Kahn is more likely to speak out if he feels that the efforts to fix the banks are still lagging.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the IMF needed urgently to be overhauled to give emerging economies such as China a greater say in how it is run.
Analysts say such a move could lead to China putting much more money into the fund.
Meanwhile the World Bank has announced a $55b (£37.4b) stimulus programme for poorer countries.
It says the infrastructure investment programme is part of efforts to help developing countries weather the global slump.
"It is vitally important that economic stimulus packages in the developed world are accompanied by support to those that cannot afford multi-billion [dollar] bailouts," World Bank president Robert Zoellick said in a statement.
"Follow-up"
World leaders signed a deal to tackle the crisis with measures worth $1 trillion (£681bn) on 2 April.
At the London meeting three weeks ago, the G20 agreed to triple the resources available to the IMF to $750bn.
That included a $500bn emergency lending facility, with the European Union (EU), Japan and the US each pledging $100bn towards it.
However, the World Bank has accused the US, the EU and other G20 members of going against one of the pledges made at the summit.
It has named several countries it says have carried out protectionist measures, despite the G20 agreeing cuts to trade barriers.
The head of the IMF said progress had been made but it had been too slow.
The meeting also heard calls for more help for African countries feeling the effects of the global crisis.
Tanzania's finance minister said the slump threatened to wipe out his country's previous gains and that rich countries should use part of their stimulus resources to help poorer ones.
IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said no one at the meeting had challenged the view that reform was needed.
"I think everybody again agrees that we need to do it now and that recovery is heavily relying on that," he said.
Mr Strauss-Kahn said all the minister present would "go back committed to speeding up the process" of such reforms.
Egyptian Finance Minister Yousef Boutros-Ghali, who chaired the meeting, said the global economy had "serious problems" but that things were "beginning to look up".
"Carefully, cautiously we can say there is a break in the clouds," he said.
Developing support
Mr Zoellick said bail outs must offer support to poorer countries
The communique from the meeting also called on the IMF to assess actions which have been taken.
The BBC's Andrew Walker in Washington says this means that Mr Strauss-Kahn is more likely to speak out if he feels that the efforts to fix the banks are still lagging.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the IMF needed urgently to be overhauled to give emerging economies such as China a greater say in how it is run.
Analysts say such a move could lead to China putting much more money into the fund.
Meanwhile the World Bank has announced a $55b (£37.4b) stimulus programme for poorer countries.
It says the infrastructure investment programme is part of efforts to help developing countries weather the global slump.
"It is vitally important that economic stimulus packages in the developed world are accompanied by support to those that cannot afford multi-billion [dollar] bailouts," World Bank president Robert Zoellick said in a statement.
"Follow-up"
World leaders signed a deal to tackle the crisis with measures worth $1 trillion (£681bn) on 2 April.
At the London meeting three weeks ago, the G20 agreed to triple the resources available to the IMF to $750bn.
That included a $500bn emergency lending facility, with the European Union (EU), Japan and the US each pledging $100bn towards it.
However, the World Bank has accused the US, the EU and other G20 members of going against one of the pledges made at the summit.
It has named several countries it says have carried out protectionist measures, despite the G20 agreeing cuts to trade barriers.
Congress has a role in freedom movement and national reconstruction : Sonia Gandhi
Addressing an election rally in Mangalore(Karnataka), Congress President Sonia Gandhi appealed to people to vote for Congress on the basis of its role in freedom movement and national reconstruction. Congress President said, “Our party got the roads, power stations and bridges built across the country and ensured job reservation for Dalits and tribal people.” She said that it was the Congress which carried out the task of nationalization of Banks and Green revolution in 60s...
She said, “Institutions like LICs are the achievement of Congress Party.”
Congress President said that White revolution and reservation for women in Panchayats had become possible due to the policies of Congress leaders. She said, “Congress leaders ensured the defeat of enemies of India and changed the map of the world.” She said that it was the dream of Congress leaders that there were mobile phones and computers in every household.
She said, “Every responsible person in this country feels that for the development and unity of India congress has become more relevant.” She said that congress was needed for the betterment of common man and for maintaining social harmony.
Congress President criticized BJP on terrorism and said that it was the Congress which could fight with terror in a proper way. She questioned BJP’s ability to tackle terrorism and said,” During NDA rule terrorists attacked our Parliament and Kandhar plane hijack happened.” She criticized opposition for attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and said that Mammohanji had all the abilities for the top job..
She said, “Institutions like LICs are the achievement of Congress Party.”
Congress President said that White revolution and reservation for women in Panchayats had become possible due to the policies of Congress leaders. She said, “Congress leaders ensured the defeat of enemies of India and changed the map of the world.” She said that it was the dream of Congress leaders that there were mobile phones and computers in every household.
She said, “Every responsible person in this country feels that for the development and unity of India congress has become more relevant.” She said that congress was needed for the betterment of common man and for maintaining social harmony.
Congress President criticized BJP on terrorism and said that it was the Congress which could fight with terror in a proper way. She questioned BJP’s ability to tackle terrorism and said,” During NDA rule terrorists attacked our Parliament and Kandhar plane hijack happened.” She criticized opposition for attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and said that Mammohanji had all the abilities for the top job..
Huge misuse of public fund in Madhya Pradesh : Rahul Gandh
Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally in Bhind(MP) , lashed out at state BJP government and said that the funds sent by Centre did not reach to the poor people of this region. He said that there had been huge misuse of public fund. Congress General Secretary said, “I can’t say how much money is misused, BJP is ruling here and they can say only as to how much fund they have looted.”...
He accused BJP for the backwardness of Bundelkhand. He said, “There is no development in Bundelkhand and population has migrated to other places.. There is no water and no roads. People of this region are wandering in Mumbai and Delhi for job but Shiv Sena people are threatening them.” He criticized BJP for not condemning the hooliganism of Shiv Sena and said, “Shiv Sena is attacking the people of UP, MP and Bihar while BJP has kept mum on this.”
Congress General Secretary said that his party has always worked for the poor, Dalits and the backwards. He said that UPA government had fulfilled the promises made to people. He cited NREGS and loan waiver for the farmers as example. He said, “UPA government carried out the largest Rural Employment Guarantee Programme and ensured hundred days employment for all.” He said that Mid-day meal for school going children was another big achievement of UPA government.
He criticized BJP on terrorism and said that during NDA rule terrorist attacked our Parliament. “Now they have forgotten what happened during their rule. A central minister was sent to escort terrorist to Kandhar, but now they say that our PM is weak,” he said.
Praising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he said that it was the tremendous pressure of our PM that first time ever Pakistan has accepted our terms after Mumbai terror attack.
He sought the support of the people to vote for Congress so that it could serve the poor.
He accused BJP for the backwardness of Bundelkhand. He said, “There is no development in Bundelkhand and population has migrated to other places.. There is no water and no roads. People of this region are wandering in Mumbai and Delhi for job but Shiv Sena people are threatening them.” He criticized BJP for not condemning the hooliganism of Shiv Sena and said, “Shiv Sena is attacking the people of UP, MP and Bihar while BJP has kept mum on this.”
Congress General Secretary said that his party has always worked for the poor, Dalits and the backwards. He said that UPA government had fulfilled the promises made to people. He cited NREGS and loan waiver for the farmers as example. He said, “UPA government carried out the largest Rural Employment Guarantee Programme and ensured hundred days employment for all.” He said that Mid-day meal for school going children was another big achievement of UPA government.
He criticized BJP on terrorism and said that during NDA rule terrorist attacked our Parliament. “Now they have forgotten what happened during their rule. A central minister was sent to escort terrorist to Kandhar, but now they say that our PM is weak,” he said.
Praising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he said that it was the tremendous pressure of our PM that first time ever Pakistan has accepted our terms after Mumbai terror attack.
He sought the support of the people to vote for Congress so that it could serve the poor.
Residents appeal for peace in Pakistani valley
Thousands of people rallied in Pakistan's Buner valley on Sunday to call on the government and the Taliban to avoid conflict as fears grew of an imminent military offensive in the northwest region.
The Taliban's creeping advance towards Islamabad -- Buner is just 100 km (60 miles) northwest of the Pakistani capital -- has heightened concern in the United States about stability of its nuclear-armed Muslim ally.
U.S. officials want Pakistan to take a stand rather than cede more territory to militants through policies of appeasement like the decision earlier this month to introduce Islamic law in a large chunk of North West Frontier Province. Emboldened after winning that concession, Taliban fighters moved into Buner from the neighbouring Swat valley, but their commander ordered some of them to withdraw on Friday, leaving behind only those fighters who hailed from Buner.
Western governments that need Pakistan's support to defeat al Qaeda and succeed in stabilising Afghanistan, dread the idea of any threat to the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.
"We can't even contemplate that," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in an interview with Fox News in Baghdad.
"We cannot ... let this go on any further. Which is why we're pushing so hard for the Pakistanis to come together around a strategy to take their country back."
CALL FOR RESTRAINT
People living on the frontline in Buner had another perspective.
They fear they will have to flee their homes if their valley becomes a battleground, and at a rally in Buner town called for the Taliban and government to show restraint.
"We appeal to the Taliban to stop shows of force and display of weapons, as there is no justification for it after enforcement of Nizam-e-Adl regulation," Mian Said Laiq, a politician, told the rally, referring to sharia, or Islamic law.
President Asif Ali Zardari last week reluctantly sanctioned the introduction of sharia in Malakand Division, which includes Swat and Buner, in the hope that it would help pacify the region.
On Saturday, 12 children were killed by a bomb hidden in a football in Lower Dir, part of Malakand Division, and Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik on Sunday blamed the Taliban.
"The Taliban have exposed their real face by killing innocent children," Malik said.
During the rally in Buner, cleric Misbahuddin Malikpuri warned the government against deploying security forces if the Taliban committed to keeping the peace.
"If government sent troops to Buner despite the Taliban's commitment not to disturb peace, then we will be with the Taliban," he added.
Pakistan's allies want to see a coherent, decisive action by Pakistan, and Zardari may want to show some steel before talks in Washington with President Barack Obama and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai on May 6-7.
Pakistani officials say they are trying to use political means to reduce the violence, but there are growing signs that the government is preparing to unleash the military
The Taliban's creeping advance towards Islamabad -- Buner is just 100 km (60 miles) northwest of the Pakistani capital -- has heightened concern in the United States about stability of its nuclear-armed Muslim ally.
U.S. officials want Pakistan to take a stand rather than cede more territory to militants through policies of appeasement like the decision earlier this month to introduce Islamic law in a large chunk of North West Frontier Province. Emboldened after winning that concession, Taliban fighters moved into Buner from the neighbouring Swat valley, but their commander ordered some of them to withdraw on Friday, leaving behind only those fighters who hailed from Buner.
Western governments that need Pakistan's support to defeat al Qaeda and succeed in stabilising Afghanistan, dread the idea of any threat to the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.
"We can't even contemplate that," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in an interview with Fox News in Baghdad.
"We cannot ... let this go on any further. Which is why we're pushing so hard for the Pakistanis to come together around a strategy to take their country back."
CALL FOR RESTRAINT
People living on the frontline in Buner had another perspective.
They fear they will have to flee their homes if their valley becomes a battleground, and at a rally in Buner town called for the Taliban and government to show restraint.
"We appeal to the Taliban to stop shows of force and display of weapons, as there is no justification for it after enforcement of Nizam-e-Adl regulation," Mian Said Laiq, a politician, told the rally, referring to sharia, or Islamic law.
President Asif Ali Zardari last week reluctantly sanctioned the introduction of sharia in Malakand Division, which includes Swat and Buner, in the hope that it would help pacify the region.
On Saturday, 12 children were killed by a bomb hidden in a football in Lower Dir, part of Malakand Division, and Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik on Sunday blamed the Taliban.
"The Taliban have exposed their real face by killing innocent children," Malik said.
During the rally in Buner, cleric Misbahuddin Malikpuri warned the government against deploying security forces if the Taliban committed to keeping the peace.
"If government sent troops to Buner despite the Taliban's commitment not to disturb peace, then we will be with the Taliban," he added.
Pakistan's allies want to see a coherent, decisive action by Pakistan, and Zardari may want to show some steel before talks in Washington with President Barack Obama and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai on May 6-7.
Pakistani officials say they are trying to use political means to reduce the violence, but there are growing signs that the government is preparing to unleash the military
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