Updated: Pakistan and India War? Latest Developments - 14th Jan 2009

India chalks out new game plan against Pakistan

Updated at: 2010 PST, Wednesday, January 14, 2009

NEW DELHI: India has finalized a new game plan against Pakistan, said an Indian TV channel on Wednesday.

It said, under the new plan the process of composite dialogue will be suspended for an indefinite period while the option of military action against Pakistan will be kept open.

The employment term of Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan is nearing completion, the Indian channel said.

India asks Pakistani theatre groups to pack up

Wednesday, 14 Jan, 2009

NEW DELHI: Two Pakistani theatre groups scheduled to stage plays in Delhi and Lucknow were told by the Indian government to pack up in view of unspecified risks.

The move appeared to be unrelated to Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s threat to snap trade and travel ties with Pakistan if Islamabad fails to act soon against alleged collaborators of the Mumbai carnage, but had a similar effect as the measures he envisaged.

The steps against the progressive theatre groups - Ajoka and Tehrik-e-Niswan - that aimed to promote peace between the two countries brought sharp criticism from Indian cultural activists.

Mr Chidambaram has accused Islamabad of doing nothing to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks.

“Islamabad has provided ‘nothing’ so far after New Delhi handed over a dossier of evidence linking elements within that country to the Mumbai terror attacks of Nov 26,” Press Trust of India quoted the home minister as telling The Times.

Asked what Pakistan was doing to help with the investigation, Mr Chidambaram said: ‘Zero. What have they provided? Nothing.’

He told the London daily: ‘There are many, many links between India and Pakistan, and if Pakistan does not cooperate and does not help to bring the perpetrators to heel, those ties will become weaker and weaker and one day snap. Why would we entertain Pakistani business people? Why would we entertain tourists in India? Why would we send tourists there?’

Pakistan state not linked to Mumbai attack: Miliband

Tuesday, 13 Jan, 2009

NEW DELHI: Britain’s Foreign Secretary said on Tuesday that he believed the Pakistan state did not direct the Mumbai attacks, contradicting accusations from the Indian government that state agencies were involved.
‘I have said publicly that I do not believe that the attacks were directed by the Pakistani state and I think it’s important to restate that,’ David Miliband told a news conference after talks with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.

He added that it was clear the attacks originated from Pakistan, and Islamabad had to crack down on the militants operating on its soil, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which has been blamed for the Mumbai attacks.
‘We are absolutely clear about the origin of the terrorist attack, and the responsibility that exists in Pakistan to bring the perpetrators to justice,’ Miliband said.

‘What is relevant is the approach of the Pakistani state to the LeT organisation and the way the Pakistani state takes on the menace of the LeT organisation,’ he added.

Miliband praised India for the ‘maturity’ and ‘wisdom’ of its response to the attacks, referring to New Delhi’s decision to respond diplomatically rather than militarily to the attacks.
‘The response of the Indian government both in terms of the strengthening of its internal defences but also the way it has pursued a regional strategy of wisdom and strength has been exactly the right response,’ he said.
Reacting to pressure after the Mumbai strike, Pakistan raided militant organisations and detained some Islamist leaders.

But the action did not satisfy India, which said such detentions amounted to little. Miliband too said Pakistan needed to do more.
‘You know there is a history of people being arrested and then not being prosecuted or brought to justice,’ he said, adding Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was ’sincere’ about tackling militancy and needed the Pakistani state machinery’s support.

‘In this case it is essential that those who have been arrested are brought to justice and if they are found guilty then properly punished. And that is an appropriate response to the evidence that has been presented.’
Miliband warned that Pakistan faced its modern threat from within its borders and it needed to tackle the roots of militant organisations such as the LeT.

‘We see the correct approach as being what the Pakistani authorities call a multi-pronged approach – a security approach, a political approach, an economic approach.
‘But…the difficult thing in counterinsurgency is to put it into practice and that is what the Pakistani government need to do. And that is what they will have our full support in doing.’

Islamabad to Delhi: Put up or shut up!

January 13th, 2008

Bharat (aka India) has not given Pakistan any evidence. It has provided information, the authenticity of which is circumspect. There is increasing level of frustration by those who have looked as the Bharati dossier. International agencies and Pakistan have not been imprssed by the dossier.

“Is this the best they could do”. Not world-class or superpower work.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 13: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday the government was carefully examining the ‘information’ about the Mumbai terror attacks received last week and was prepared to cooperate with India to uncover facts.

In a policy statement made in the National Assembly, he said that Pakistan would share with India results of its own investigation in due course of time.

He said India had not provided any evidence, just information. “All that has been received from India is some information. I say information because these are not evidence.”

The prime minister said the information received on January 5 needed to be carefully examined and had been sent to the ministry of interior for necessary investigation in accordance with the country’s law.

He regretted that India had not responded to Pakistan’s proposal for a joint investigation. “I hope they will see merit in it and accept a joint inquiry. Serious, sustained and pragmatic cooperation is the way forward,” he remarked.

Mr Gilani said Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and was among the first to condemn the Mumbai attacks.

Mumbai: Why is India hiding the Kashmir connection

January 13, 2009

India due to domestic compunctions is averse to discussing the demands made by the Mumbai terrorists. Domestic terrorism rocks the very foundation of “Hinduism Lite” which has been pawned off as “secularism”. Secularism also suits the 150 million Indian Muslims when compared to the alternatives-Ram Rjaha in all of Hindustan.

It has been expected that Gordon Brown would announce a surge of British forces and efforts in Afghanistan in the first two weeks of the new year in line with the increased American firepower demanded by General David Petraeus - as many as 25,000 more US troops are expected to be sent to the region in the next three months. However, a series of developments are likely to bring forward major decisions and announcements.

Petraeus now assesses that the capital, Kabul, has grown highly unstable as Taliban forces cut roads to it from the south and east. The Americans are expected to move in a battalion of up to 1,000 fresh troops to the capital in the next two days.

This weekend militants destroyed 100 Nato supply trucks in Peshawar in northern Pakistan - the third major attack on the major overland supply line to international forces in Afghanistan inside a month. A large amount of the supplies come through the Pakistan port city of Karachi, where transport managers have been targeted and killed.

Military analysts ask whether UK troops should be concentrated on Helmand

One convoy was ambushed south of the Khyber pass and ten of the armoured vehicles of the security contractors seized and driven off by the Taliban for their own use. The Khyber region is now considered virtually under the control of Taliban elements.

British military analysts are now questioning whether British forces should be concentrated almost exclusively on Helmand in the south. The major British military effort was concentrated there from 2006 because this was the biggest opium-growing region in the world.

Since then nearly 200 British soldiers have been killed, many more wounded, and thousands of Afghans have died as the British have tried to bring some semblance of law and to encourage development of the economy away from heroin.

But progress has been slow and poppy production has continued to rise - so much so that it appears now to be an embarrassment to the Taliban and warlords whose gangsterism it has funded.

This weekend militants destroyed 100 Nato supply trucks in Peshawar in northern Pakistan – the third such attack inside a month

According to the UN narcotics agency, the Taliban are frantically stockpiling morphine in order to stop the price collapsing entirely. Preliminary estimates of last year’s crop suggest that southern Afghanistan produced some 8,800 tons of raw heroin in 2007 - exactly double the world’s annual consumption.

British military strategists believe it has been unwise to ‘lock in’ the bulk of UK forces in one area of Afghanistan, just as it was a mistake to keep most British forces in Basra and Amara in Iraq. Britain, they say, should now consider raising its strength in Afghanistan to the size of a small division - around 12,500 forces in all - and place them under Petraeus’s strategic command.

But both commanders and diplomats say there is a need to “state a compelling narrative” for what Britain is doing in Afghanistan and why British troops need to be there. They believe that British voters are increasingly sceptical and puzzled about what British forces are doing there at all.

Meanwhile the terrorist-commando attack on Mumbai has provoked an even deeper rethink of international strategy across the region. Kashmir and Pakistan now looks more vital ground for the battle with al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadi terrorism than Afghanistan is today, or is likely to be in the foreseeable future. UK troops needed to save Kabul from Taliban forces: The decision to focus our forces in the south of the country will be reversed and a division-strength unit put under the control of General Petraeus By Robert Fox: FIRST POSTED DECEMBER 8, 2008,

India has given info, not concrete proofs

Tuesday, 13 January 2009 18:04

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that India has not given Pakistan any solid evidence on Mumbai assaults but just information.
“All that has been received from India is some information. I say information because these are not evidence,” Gilani said while giving a policy statement in the National Assembly.

He said the information received on January 5 needs to be carefully examined which has been sent to the Ministry of Interior for necessary inquiry in accordance with the law.

The results of the inquiry, the Prime Minister added, will be shared with the government of India in due course of time.

“We are prepared to cooperate with India to uncover full facts and hence offered to India for joint inquiry.”

India has, however, not responded to Pakistan`s proposals and hoped they will see merit in it and accept joint inquiry, he added.

“Serious sustained and pragmatic cooperation is the way forward.”

The Prime Minister reiterated that the country condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and said Pakistan was among the first to condemn Mumbai terror attacks.

India merely limited to ‘war of words’

Monday, 12 January 2009 18:29

Secretary General PML-Q Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed has termed the recent Pak-India Tension as mere ‘war of words’ and a trick to overwhelm the new American administration with Mumbai terrorists’ attack episode and stated that neither India will attack on Pakistan nor any such threat was in the offing.

While talking in a Private TV channel program here on Monday, he said that it was the third time after 9/11 and Mumbai attacks incidents that India has tried its best to implicate Pakistan in the “terrorist attacks”, just to declare Pakistan as “Terrorist State”, in which it (India) has failed.

He also said that after Mumbai attacks, India was trying to conceal its total collapse and failure of internal security failure and was conspiring against Pakistan to make it a scapegoat, but owing to pressure from America and other foreign Countries provided evidences to Pakistan, which resulted on the “Nationality controversy” of one, Ajmal Qasab.

Senator Mushahid clarified that Pakistan has an explicit stance that terrorism was a common challenge and all have to endeavor collectively for its extermination, as connecting terrorists with specific borderlines and with particular religion was unfair and illogical.

He further stated that India itself was in a warlike situation, as majority of political forces of India were bent on fanning a war with Pakistan and rather consider it as a part of their faith to use harsh tune against Pakistan.

US, Britain officials want to influence Pakistan Foreign Policy

Monday, 12 January 2009 18:40

PPP-S chief, Aftab Ahmad Sherpao has said that consistent visits of high government officials of the United Britain and US to Pakistan were aimed to mount pressure on ruling government for the formulation of the foreign policy of Pakistan of their own choice.

While talking to media outside the parliament house on Monday, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said that foreign leaders were consistently visiting Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks, Pak-India tension, and operation against militants in FATA and war on terrorism in Afghanistan.

He said that these visits of foreign leaders were aimed at influencing foreign and internal policy of Pakistan by mounting pressure on Pakistan.

Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao further said that government must clearly announce its foreign and internal policy in accordance with the wishes of people of Pakistan.

While talking about the abolition of 17th amendment he said that it would be better for all the opposition political parties to bring a unanimous resolution instead of tabling separate drafts.

He also condemned the Israeli aggression on Gaza and said that passing a resolution in the Parliament was not enough; rather, Pakistan must take practical measures and summon the OIC meeting in this connection.

Kasab is Pakistani: So What ?

So what if Mr.Kasab is even proved to be from Pakistan? Any body in their individual capacity may indulge in any thing. All sorts of peoples remain busy in their nefarious activities; right from human trafficking to Narcotics smuggling and even they fell prey to enemy designs and on a paltry rewards even become traitors and may indulge in subversive activities against their own mother land. Exploitation and sabotage are the common tactics and means in use. The oppressive regimes have the greed of wealth and power in sight and they keep on exploiting the burning political issues of the targeted countries and by subversive actions induce anarchy and mayhem to destabilize and finally to see them scum to their designs.

India has a track record of history that it is shamelessly busy engaged in subversive actions in Baluchistan and is actively instigating the separatist groups also in FATA and Afghanistan. Local hired individual or groups remain at play busy exploiting and grabbing the opportunities and are asked to be ready to hit the targets when situation become ripe.

Owing to the peculiar precarious situation of Pakistan that it finds itself trapped in Global war against Terror and is fighting this war as a front state on its western borders. Wars have the tendency of spreading like wild fires and Currently Pakistan is fighting this war in even with in its own territory.

India the arch enemy of Pakistan who has never spared any such opportunity; finding it a ripe situation very conveniently orchestrated a self inflicting drama of terror in Mumbai to implicate Pakistan in it with an aim to pinch and over run its eastern borders. Accordingly a clever plan was chalked and it turned out to be Mumbai massacre which occurred on 26 November 2008. Ten stooges are involved who carried out a rampage at some seven different targets in Mumbai. A lone surviving gunman is named as Ajmal Kasab. Indian Police has come out with the plethora of confessional statement of the surviving gunman in their investigation. This is established that this lone survivor, planted in the drama is named as Ajmal kasab who comes from Pakistan.

But other than the Indian blame game in the light of confession of the lone survivor, Mr Kasab; there are many more straight questions requiring answers, arising out of this operation. Most relevant Questions are:

• What about all others ten culprits?

• How did they land up in Mumbai?

• Have we hauled up all possible other locals elements who were responsible to support their logistic and conduct of operation?

• Possibly no one can carry arms, ammo and logistic and also put up such a furious fight for such a long period extending for three days with out local help at the target?

• There is a colossal failure of Indian Intelligence, police and security at sea as well as on land and why were they sleeping or say made to sleep on the wheels?

• Why Indian Media and the intellectuals are not vigorously demanding a probe in the Indian internal security failures.

• What is the fate of Hemet Karkare investigations? Reportedly in his investigations, he was holding the terrorist groups responsible, hailed and nurtured by BJP and RSS for their many subversive savage activities against Muslims and other minorities in India?

Any how; if at all kasab is proved to be the person from Pakistan; more so, it will be the requirement of a fair investigation that he being the only surviving operative at the scene must be handed over to Pakistan; so that the groups if any operating under ground in Pakistan for such like subversive activities may also be dug out.

Reportedly; some two years back, this Kasab, actual name Mr. Ajmal Amir along with other 200 Pakistanis were hauled up by Indian authorities while on their visit to Nepal at Kathmandu. This entire group is missing with any trace except this Kasab that he has emerged as terrorist. A Solicitor from Pakistan C M Farouque is claimed to be pursuing the case with Indian and Nepali governments. Why this report be ignored and why? What about other missing 199 and that how many more Mumbai like bleak attacks–> are in line; yet to be hatched in India?

Matter of the fact is that India is refusing to come down to the terms to put up some joint efforts to eradicate this evil of terrorism found in our region for which Pakistan is relentlessly busy and paying a heavy price since long.

Talk of surgical strikes rubbish: Musharraf

Saturday, 10 Jan, 2009 | 03:02 PM PST |
‘The only way to resolve the mystery of the Nov 26 attacks is to hold joint investigations.’ Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has done more than any other nation in the global war against terrorism, former President Pervez Musharraf, on his way to US for a private visit, said, defending his country in response to the Mumbai attacks.

‘Pakistan has lost a large number of security personnel and civilians in the fight against terrorism,’ Musharraf said.

‘The world community, including India and Pakistan, must fight the root cause of extremism and terrorism, the socio-political causes of it. What we are seeing in Kashmir and Palestine are perfect examples of this and we will see revolutions coming out of these places.’

‘I regret that all the developments on both sides for dialogue, peace and coordination built in the past over many years were washed out by one terror incident, which the people of both sides condemn,’ Musharraf said, referring to the mounting tension between the India and Pakistan.

‘Pakistan’s forces and people have all the ability to defend the country,’ Musharraf said.

‘India should not talk rubbish like surgical strikes. Our forces are not sitting idle … and have full capacity to retaliate to any level of aggression. India should not dare cast an ‘evil eye’ on Pakistan.’

‘The only way to resolve the mystery of the Nov 26 attacks is to hold joint investigations.’

Responding to questions on the issue of drone attacks and the Pak-Afghan border situation, he strongly denied any agreement with the US or any other country allowing them to conduct cross-border raids inside Pakistan.

He declined to comment on the performance of the Zardari-led government.

Pranab says ‘all options open if Pakistan does not act’

Updated at: 1705 PST, Saturday, January 10, 2009

NEW DELHI: Indian external affairs minister, Pranab Mukherjee Saturday said India is keeping all options open if Pakistan does not act against perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks but it will not resort to Israel-type military strikesIn an interview on a TV channel, Mukherjee stressed that India was keeping options open if Pakistan did not act upon the evidence linking Pakistani nationals to the Mumbai carnage. “All options are open. We have not reached the end of the road,” he said. “Pakistan, what they have asked for, we have given them. We expect them to act on it. If they don’t act on it, what follow up steps we take at what space of time will take place, future course will decide,” he said. Mukherjee, however, ruled out Israel-type military strikes against Pakistan. “I don’t agree to that because this is totally wrong and the situation is not at all comparable. I have not gone and occupied any of Pakistan’s land which Israel has done. So how can the situation be compared.” Mukherjee described the sacking of Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani as “an unfortunate situation”. “This is really an unfortunate situation. But we have no option. We shall have to deal with only the government of the day,” Mukherjee said, according to excerpts released by the news channel. “Whether the government of the day holds real power or not, it is not for me to judge. It is for the people of Pakistan to judge. It is for the authorities in Pakistan to judge,” he said.

To Prime Minister Gilani: Your New Talking Points On Mumbai

The only way to restore standing is to charge with full speed ahead. Shed the initial weakness and question the loopholes in the Indian story. The firing of Mr. Durrani provides a great opportunity to revise Pakistan’s talking points on Mumbai. Please don’t let this opportunity slide.

By AHMED QURAISHI

Thursday, 8 January 2008.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Mr. Prime Minister, your national security adviser has screwed up big time. His strange moves and actions prove that people appointed by President Zardari have brought Pakistani diplomacy down to its knees in the past six weeks. This was by design and not just incompetence.

Your prompt action of sacking Mr. M. A. Durrani restored the confidence of Pakistanis.

His crime is engineering his leaks in a way that make everyone think that Kassab’s links to Pakistan confirm Pakistan’s culpability in the crime.

This, as we show you below, is not the case.

After input from several sources, published and unpublished, I would like to propose here a few actions your government can take to stem the damage and restore Pakistan’s credibility. Please take this seriously because the following is the gist of the hardwork of some fine Pakistani women and men.

1. We Don’t Trust India. Period.

Please have yourself or your foreign minister or one of your spokespeople say this clearly. We don’t trust Indian investigations. India’s intents and hostile posturing make it impossible for us to take its evidence at face value. Indian evidence – including Kassab and the dead bodies in Indian custody – will have to be examined by Pakistani experts. Consular access alone is not acceptable.

1. Kassab Or Not, India’s Dossier Is Doctored.

Colin Powell presented fake evidence, complete with pictures and illustrations, to UNSC in February 2003. It led to invading Iraq. Today, Pakistan has reason to believe India is doing the same. Faking evidence in high profile cases to gain mileage does happen and has precedent. Let us not be apologetic.

1. Pakistan Must Ask India To Pursue All Other Leads In Mumbai Investigation.

The Indian government is hiding the complete facts from its people. It has quashed other equally important leads in the tragedy other than the suspicion of Pakistani involvement. Pakistan demands that India pursue all leads with transparency.

1. Pakistan Must Demand India Share Evidence With Interpol

India’s refusal to allow Interpol investigators examine the evidence is suspicious.

1. Questions Surrounding Kassab And The Other Terrorists

Pakistani official media and spokespeople must float the following questions:

5.1 Kassab was the only terrorist that was photographed by an unknown Indian source. He was the only one to stay alive and the only one to have been found to be Pakistani national. Pakistani suspicions about the circumstances of Kassab’s involvement are serious and require India to make him available to Pakistani investigators. We need to examine on location how this one terrorist was pictured, who took the picture, and why no one else appeared in the pictured.

5.2 Indian media reports said the bodies of the remaining nine terrorists were mutilated. Where did India get the studio pictures it released of the dead?

5.3 Where is the DNA testing and fingerprints of the dead terrorists?

5.4 India’s proven record of abuse and secret detention of Pakistanis in Indian jails must be officially raised to show that Pakistan suspects the circumstances of the involvement of these terrorists whom India alleges are Pakistanis.

1. T-Shirts, Toothpaste and Shaving Cream is not evidence. It is a joke. No case can be built on this.

1. Why would ISI, a professional intelligence service, leave such telltale signs behind, if it’s involved as India claims?

1. Why would ISI kill Hemant Karkare, the brave Indian police officer who exposed how active duty Indian army offices conspired with Hindu terrorists to kill 60 Pakistani visitors to India in 2006?

1. The email, audio tape and telephone evidence is suspect unless and until it is examined by Pakistani experts. To see how these things can be faked, please click here.

The extent of damage that President Zardari and his foreign policy team – sacked security advisor M. A. Durrani, Washington ambassador Husain Haqqani, and U.N. ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon – have caused to Pakistani credibility and diplomacy is staggering.

The only way to restore standing is to charge with full speed ahead. The firing of Mr. Durrani provides a great opportunity to revise Pakistan’s talking points on Mumbai. Please don’t let this opportunity slide.

PM removes National Security Adviser Mahmud Durrani

Updated at: 2130 PST, Wednesday, January 07, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has sacked National Security Adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani, Geo News reported Wednesday.

Talking to Geo News here, Prime Minister Gilani said Durrani had given a statement to an Indian news channel regarding Ajmal Kasab without taking him into confidence.

The prime minister said that Durrani’s statement had tarnished the country’s image.

Frozen frontiers - first the army and then media

January 7, 2009

PakistanKaKhudaHafiz.com

Indian fronts against Pakistan have started to freeze despite of restless efforts of extremist political elements in India to fuel the burning fire. First Indian Air Force fighter pilots had to go home humiliated, then we witnessed meltdown of Indian government’s emotions and now watch hiccups of Indian media.

The question is “what’s next”?

Pakistan terms �Indian propaganda� deplorable

Updated at: 1825 PST, Wednesday, January 07, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesman has said that the propaganda campaign launched by India to malign Pakistan is disappointing, adding that Indian reports on Mumbai attacks are being examined seriously.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the spokesman said Pakistan is committed to uncover all facts about Mumbai attacks. He, however, said that trades of accusations and blame game are unacceptable. Such action could only lead to negative implications, the spokesman said.

The statement said cooperation between the concerned institutions of two countries is essential for the elimination of terrorism and to safeguard the two countries from terrorist attack in future.

The spokesman said Pakistan wants solid evidences of the Mumbai attacks.

Pakistan’s Present and Future War

January 7, 2009

Pakistan sincere regarding Mumbai attacks investigation

Tuesday, 06 January 2009 15:58

US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher has said that Pakistan was sincere to cooperate with India regarding the investigations of Mumbai attacks.

Expressing these views while talking to the Pakistani and foreign Journalists here at his US Embassy during his daylong visit of Pakistan, he termed his meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Security Advisor Muhammad Ali Durrani and several other parliamentarians successful and were held in cordial atmosphere. He said that there was complete unanimity of views on further strengthening of Pak-US strategic ties, elimination of terrorism and extremism in the region, Pakistan’s cooperation with India regarding Mumbai attacks and both the countries held detailed discussions on Pakistan and Afghanistan relations. Richard Boucher said that Mumbai attacks have caused suspension of friendly ties between the two countries bringing them on the verge of war, urging upon government of both countries to take strong notices against the responsible elements. He said that US was interested in the investigation of Mumbai attacks as six US citizens were victims of the incident. He said that government of Pakistan sincere for the investigation of Mumbai attacks and nobody should doubt its sincerity as it has banned Jamat ud Dawaa in accordance with the resolution of Security Council. He further stated that “We are in complete acknowledgment with Pakistan’s difficulties, as Pakistan has made notable sacrifices in the war against terrorism and with the mutual coordination of Pak-Afghan forces the terrorists and extremists elements have been hard pressed from the border areas”.

He also announced on the occasion that reconstruction of the tribal areas will be set soon and with the establishment of educational, health and employment institutions the era of progress and prosperity will also be started in the tribal areas.

While responding to a question, he said that America was enhancing its defensive cooperation with India to make India a regional power, but it does mean that America considers Pakistan at low grades, “We want Pakistan to be a developed country in fields of defence, economy and Police”, he said. He assured that America understood Pakistan’s difficulties regarding economy, energy and food shortage and in the same perspective under the food assistance 50,000 tons of wheat has been provided to Pakistan and to analyze the energy requirements of Pakistan an important meeting will be held in Washington soon.

“The menace of terrorism should be annulled completely, as terrorist elements are enemies of humanity that has rendered huge loss for Pakistan’s economy” he maintained.

India using Mumbai Carnage for its own political goals

Tuesday, 06 January 2009 16:09

President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday again made it clear to US that India is using Mumbai Terrorist Attacks as a tool to politicize its goals against Pakistan urging our offer to investigate still remains intact.

Well-placed Sources informed that President Asif Ali Zardari expressed these views during his meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday.

Sources say that during the meeting Zardari told US Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher that we want peaceful relations with all neighbors including India but India is not showing a positive attitude.

Our offer for Mumbai terrorist Attacks investigations is still intact, President said.

President informed US Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher that India has not given us any Substantial Evidence regarding Pakistan’s involvement in Mumbai mayhem.

He told US Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher that Pakistan wants strong and stable relations with US.

President said that Pakistan strongly condemns US Drone Attacks on Pakistan soil urging US to end it.

Sources further added that US Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher lauded the prudent policies of President Zardari thick and thin.

President Asif Ali Zardari also conferred the award of Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam on Richard Boucher at a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan e Sadr on Monday. The award of Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam has been conferred on H Boucher in the field of Services to Pakistan.

The citation read out on the occasion said, “As Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Ambassador Boucher has been instrumental in promoting a stable, broad-based and long-term Pakistan-U.S relationship”.

“Mr. Boucher has been visiting Pakistan frequently for deepening bilateral cooperation in diverse areas as well as promoting shared objectives for regional peace, stability and prosperity”.

Richard Boucher thanked the Government of Pakistan for conferring the prestigious award on him.

Earlier Richard Boucher also met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in PM House.

Prime Minister Gilani strongly condemned Israel’s aggression and bloodshed on the innocent people of Palestine in true letter and spirit.

He was of the view that Israel belligerence on people of Palestine must end and Israel should stop aerial attacks and solve the problems through dialogues.

Our policy is aimed on better relations with all countries including Afghanistan, Chinas, Iran and India too, he said.

He informed Richard Boucher that tense situation after Mumbai Carnage, last month has been defused to some extent due to efforts made by friendly countries in the region.

He strongly condemned Mumbai Attacks adding such types of incidents must not happen again.

He went on to say that strategy at regional levels is needed to combat terrorism and Extremism.

PM said that Pakistan is a Responsible Nuclear State and will never tolerate foreign interference on its soil at any cost.

He demanded US to hand over Dr Aafia along with other prisoners in Guantanamo Bay.

US must play constructive role to solve Palestine and Kashmir issue peacefully, he said.

He stressed on new US leadership to seriously think over our problems.

On the other hand, US Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher assured Prime Minister that US would continue to play positive role in war against terrorism with Pakistan thick and thin.

Pakistan rejects Indian PM’s accusations

Updated at: 1710 PST, Tuesday, January 06, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has “emphatically” rejected Indian accusations that “official agencies” backed the Mumbai attacks, saying such remarks would only serve to raise tensions in the region.

Foreign Office issued a strong statement, accusing India of embarking on a “propaganda offensive.”

The government emphatically rejects the unfortunate allegations levelled against Pakistan by Indian Premier in New Delhi today,” the spokesman said.

“Instead of responding positively to Pakistan’s offer of cooperation and constructive proposals, India has chosen to embark on a propaganda offensive,” the spokesman said.

It will not only ratchet up tensions but occlude facts and destroy all prospects of serious and objective investigations into the Mumbai attacks.”
Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier some official agencies in Pakistan had supported the gunmen who laid siege to India’s financial centre in November and accused Islamabad of using terrorism as an “instrument of state policy.”

PM Singh: attacks supported by ‘official agencies’

Tuesday, 06 Jan, 2009 | 10:59 AM PST |

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that Pakistan was using terrorism as an ‘instrument of state policy’ and that the Mumbai attacks must have had support from some official agencies within the country, wire services reported.

‘Today even as Pakistan engages in whipping up war hysteria, our nation remains steadfastly united and if anything the process of national consolidation is becoming stronger,’ Singh told a conference in New Delhi.

‘The terrorist attack in Mumbai in November last year was carried out by a Pakistan-based outfit, the Lashkar-i-Tayiba,’ the Prime Minister asserted.

‘There is enough evidence to show that, given the sophistication and military precision of the attack it must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan,’ Singh added.

According to AFP, the premier also accused Islamabad of using terrorism as an ‘instrument of state policy’ and said Pakistan had in the past ‘encouraged and given sanctuary’ to militants hostile to India. ‘Unfortunately, we cannot choose our neighbours,’ Singh continued.

The statement follows a handover of evidence on Monday which according to India, links Pakistani militants to the Mumbai attacks. The evidence provided comes from communications data captured by security forces and the interrogation by Indian authorities of the only surviving attacker.

Same Script, Different Actors

January 3, 2009

A PakistanKaKhudaHafiz Report.

It is now becoming increasingly clear New Delhi is interested more in creating anti-Pakistani hysteria than in establishing the truth behind the attack. What is laughable is that India began involving Pakistan in the attack even before preliminary investigations had begun. One can contrast this paranoia with Pakistan’s attitude, which has been sober and characterized by self-confidence stemming from the justness of its position. It has reacted coolly to the Indian accusations and asked India to offer concrete evidence of the involvement of Lashkar-i-Taiba and Jaish-i-Muhammad in the attack. It has even offered to cooperate in the investigation and hold a joint inquiry. India has rejected this. Nothing, however, provides a greater proof of India’s duplicity than its rejection of the American suggestion of involving the FBI with the investigation. One can clearly discern the motives behind New Delhi’s rejection of this offer from a country that is friends to both Pakistan and India. Obviously, associating the FBI with the investigation runs the risk that the truth will be established — and that is the last thing New Delhi wants.

The above paragraph sounds like it was written post Mumbai. It wasn’t. Below is the full editorial that appeared in Dawn on December 20th, 2001, in the wake of the attack on the Indian Parliament.

Anti-Pakistan hysteria

Dawn Editorial, December 20th 2001
PAKISTAN has done well to remind the world that the recent Indian accusations against Islamabad lacked credibility because they are “motivated by animus and hostility.” In a statement issued on Monday, Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar rejected Mr Advani’s charge that the aim behind the Dec 13 attack was to wipe out the entire Indian leadership. Speaking in Indian parliament, the superhawk home minister said New Delhi would not “rule out any option.”

It is now becoming increasingly clear New Delhi is interested more in creating anti-Pakistani hysteria than in establishing the truth behind the attack. What is laughable is that India began involving Pakistan in the attack even before preliminary investigations had begun. One can contrast this paranoia with Pakistan’s attitude, which has been sober and characterized by self-confidence stemming from the justness of its position. It has reacted coolly to the Indian accusations and asked India to offer concrete evidence of the involvement of Lashkar-i-Taiba and Jaish-i-Muhammad in the attack. It has even offered to cooperate in the investigation and hold a joint inquiry. India has rejected this. Nothing, however, provides a greater proof of India’s duplicity than its rejection of the American suggestion of involving the FBI with the investigation. One can clearly discern the motives behind New Delhi’s rejection of this offer from a country that is friends to both Pakistan and India. Obviously, associating the FBI with the investigation runs the risk that the truth will be established — and that is the last thing New Delhi wants.

In the wake of persistent threats of war, Pakistan has been forced to tell India not to think of any misadventure. In a television interview, President Musharraf, while reiterating Pakistan’s offer of cooperation, merely cautioned India not to take any “precipitate action.” India would also do well to listen to what Mr Colin Powell said on Sunday. Speaking on the NBC, the American secretary of state asked Pakistan and India not to allow the situation in the region “spiral out of control.” Instead, he noted that President Musharraf had condemned the attack and promised to take action against the terrorist organizations which might have been involved the attack. He added that the US would not like the “rhetoric to get so ratcheted up that the whole situation goes out of control.” Any impartial observer can see who is doing all in its power to “ratchet up” the rhetoric to a high and dangerous level.

Accusing Pakistan of trying to “wipe out” the Indian leadership is something that no government in New Delhi has done previously. It is time the Indian leadership sobered up. Previously, too, it saw Pakistan’s hand where it was not. The massacre of Sikhs when President Clinton was in India and the hijacking in 1970 of an Indian airliner come to mind immediately. It is now widely believed that both crimes were masterminded by Indian intelligence agencies. Let India respond to Pakistan’s reasonable offer of a joint or impartial inquiry and of America’s suggestion of the FBI’s association with the investigations. Creating war psychosis will hardly serve the cause of peace in South Asia or help normalize relations between the two countries.

For those interested in the full history of the case against Afzal Guru, a resident of Srinagar and the only person charged with the attack on the Indian Parliament, see the following links:

‘And His Life Should Become Extinct’
Arundhati Roy | Outlook Magazine Oct 30, 2006

Afzal Guru’s story in his own words
Monday, 09 October 2006

Justice for Afzal Guru

Amaresh Misra explains the truth on Mumbai attacks, a Mossad,VHP,Gajrang Dal inside job

Friday, 02 January 2009 13:16

“In fact, Modi [CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT] has left the RSS behind in many ways–he is Mossad’s number one man.

Recently, a top RSS functionary told me that “Amaresh we have lost control over out cadres. We never wanted to let things get out of hand in Orissa and Karnataka. In Orissa, we had even planned a joint declaration with Christian leaders. But there was a revolt from below. The VHP and Bajrang Dal refused to fall in line. Then they got the subtle support of that man Modi. We were helpless”.

Thanks to Bush, global terrorism has become an industry (like the Holocaust industry), a money making machine. It has other phenomenon like outsourcing war and terror to mercenaries. The CIA & Mossad excel in forming armies of private mercenaries and destabilizing states.

The Attack on Mumbai

By Amaresh Misra

Doubts and People

Some people have raised doubts about the `theory’ I am circulating supposedly on the net. They have every right to question and doubt anyone and anything. After all doubt is the mother of all kinds of right thinking.

I have recevied death threats, hate mails–but more, I have received praises for courage and conviction.

I am not surprised and I do not mind people ridiculing me or anyone else–but I do mind when that ridicule actually goes a long way in hiding the hypocrisy and criminal face/intent of several prominent politicians and corporate figures.

Yes–corporate figures as well; what people do not understand is that in complex situations such as the Mumbai terror attack, new lines of thought will emerge as more facts emerge. But that should not stop anyone from offering critiques of the official or media version.

My initial theory that basically the Sangh Parivar elements instigated the terror attacks is stronger now. In fact more than the Sangh Parivar, it was Modi–yes he is the new, modern face of Indian fascism. He is the one to have a cozy relationship with Ratan Tata, one of the most ruthless and anti-Indian business man, whose family earned its money while smuggling opium to China during the 19th century, and sided with the British in 1857, when 10 million Indians, Hindus and Muslims, lost their lives fighting the British.

In fact, Modi has left the RSS behind in many ways–he is Mossad’s number one man. Recently, a top RSS functionary told me that “Amaresh we have lost control over out cadres. We never wanted to let things get out of hand in Orissa and Karnataka. In Orissa, we had even planned a joint declaration with Christian leaders. But there was a revolt from below. The VHP and Bajrang Dal refused to fall in line. Then they got the subtle support of that man Modi. We were helpless”.

Basically, the RSS lost control over the Frankestein they created.

In Modi’s form this Frankestein struck a deal with Mossad–now remember Mossad has links in the faction torn ISI–remember also that several `Jihadi’ groups, in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle-East are still remote comtrolled by either the Mossad or the CIA. In a recent case, a Muslim `Jihadi’ organization in Yemen was found to be a Mossad set-up.

That is why it is possible the several young men who attacked Mumbai used Pakistan as a base. But their nationality is varied. Some might be Muslims from the UK as well; at least there is one with a Mauritius passport.

Now it is coming to the fore that someone from Saudi Arabia (called Maulana Bedi for now) probably collected and sent these `Jihadis’. That mastermind must have been paid by an Indian/Modi interest. These masterminds have no ideology. They are creations of America who now work for money, and even against American interests. This is again a complex but stark reality.

Also Nanda, the owner of Oberoi, is a close friend of Modi. He has millions invested in Gujarat. How come terrorists were holed up in Taj and Oberoi for days before the operation? How come arms and ammunition were stored for days in the two 5 star Hotels? Can the common man do this? Is all this possible without some sort of a connivance (known or unknown) of Hotel authorities? And is it too incredible to suppose that Hotel owners will not, knowingly or unknowingly, encourage the destruction of their own property? Taj maybe great for us–but what is its emotional or financial value for Tata? Modi’s acceptance of the Nano plant in Gujarat on extremely favorable terms might be more important for Tata.

I leave this aspect to you all.

Coming to the Nariman House, I am really surprised at the perception that why would a Mossad backed operation kill Jews? Why not? In any case Mossad backs aggressive Zionism, which is very much a modern religo-fascist ideology like Hindutva. Zionism is not part of Judaism, just as Hindutva is not part of Sanatan Dharma, the real religion of Hindus. In the Praggya Singh affair, Sanatan Dharmis opposed Hindutva especially when they were maligning Hemant Karkare.

So Mossad and Zionists are known to have killed ordinary Jews–after all Hindutva ideology killed Mahatama Gandhi–can anyone deny that? Also Modi without a qualm masterminded the killing of several of his own people in the Godhara train incident, in order the create the atmosphere for large scale anti-Muslim and anti-India riots.

Remember evil thrives in the world because the `good’ lacks imagination. Evil triumphs because it is capable of out-thinking `good’.

Those who call themselves supporters of Modi and Advani, they are also supporters of the killers of Gandhi. Hindutva ideology and politics since its inception has been opposed to the idea of a secular Indian nation-state since 1947. They staged an uprising against Indian state in 1947; proof exists that Golwalkar the RSS chief was hand in glove with the British army in carrying out anti-Muslim attacks. This was brought to the notice of Rajeshwar Dayal, the then Home Secretary of the United Provinves (present day UP) who took the case to Govind Ballabh Pant, the the then UP Chief Minister.

Muslims who stayed back in India after 1947 did so because of choice. There was an acute polarization within Muslims between Jinnah and the Muslim League on one side and the Muslim Ulema and its supporters who sided with the Congress.

Karkare’s death

Now the Karkare incident–two versions are already coming out. It is unclear how he was killed–and foul play is suspected. Karkare’s mother came onto TV and wanted to know how her son was killed. Salaskar’s cousin raised the same issue.

So the relatives of the brave martyrs are asking for justice. They feel that there is more than meets the eye–and that somehow Karkare’s death, and that of Kaamte and Salaskar, was related to the Malegaon blast investigation conducted by Karkare.

Why has Karkare’s son refused the 1 crore announced by Modi? The latter came to Oberoi when the firing was still on; he made a very petty statement disliked by everyone. Modi was probably feeling that he had pulled off an ace by triggering this crisis just before elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi, areas in which the BJP was clearly losing before the terror attacks.

Think–the boat to Mumbai could not have come without the co-operation of the Gujarat Government!

The fact is that Hindutva forces who were castigating Karkare and the entire Mumbai ATS team as villains and `enemies of Hindus’ are now suddenly hailing them as heroes? What double standards man–people have send me mails, saying that they support Advani and Modi. All these people are supporting the killing of Karkare, just as they supported the killing of Gandhi.

Karkare and Kaamte were true Hindus and the most secular elements within the strife-torn, and highly communal Mumbai Police. They were men of integrity–how come Karkare died while wearing a bullet proof vest? Or like Sharma in the Batala House encounter, was he not wearing that vest? Was he shot in the heart or the neck? Probably we will never know.

But we should know–we have a right to know. Karkare was hated by Hindutva elements. And they masterminded his killing–they are responsible. Karkare is a great hero, a martyr in the cause of secularism.

Modi, Advani and all the anti-Sanatani Hindus posing as Hindus on the net have a distorted mind. In their blind or soft anti-Muslim hatred, they are unable to see how, to suppress the Malegaon Blast investigation, in which Karkare was about to take the name of Praveen Togadia and even Chota Rajan, Karkare was eliminated.

Communal forces backed by foreign agencies are hell bent on destroying India–America wants to dismember Pakistan, gherao China etc. and for that it needs India firmly in the US-Israel orbit. That is why Americans, British and Israelis were targeted. Nariman House was a hub where according to eyewitness reports, several suspicious Israelis were seen coming and out; it is possible that these people were involved in the terror attacks and that they killed their own people.

The Mumbai terror attacks were a gigantic exercise, a fight between those forces within the Indian establishment who want to take India towards the dangerous and suicidal US-Israel nexus and those who want India to stay Independent and have good relations with Pakistan, China and Iran.

Everyone in this battle would not everything or all the countours. But the pattern is becoming clear slowly and steadily.

Indian nationalism has to be redefined–India’s slow drift towards a pro-US and a pro-Israel policy and towards Hindutva gives the ground for people like Maulana Bedi and Mossad to attack India. India has to go back to the anti-Imperialist, Hindu-Muslim unity, anti-Hindutva 1857 nationalism.

Why were the 1857 150th anniversary celebrations downplayed in India? Why was my book on 1857 downplayed? Because the pro-US and pro-Israel lobby did not want 1857, the nodal point of true Indian nationalism to resurrect.

Think…just think…we owe this to Karkare and all brave NSG men and army men…

Thanks to Bush, global terrorism has become an industry, a money making machine. It has other phenomenon like outsourcing war and terror to mercenaries attached to it. Mossad excels in forming armies of private mercenaries and destablizing states the world over. Just go to the net.

Note that Amaresh Misra’s interview right after the attack clearly stated that Indian Hindu Terrorist Groups run and control their surrogates in Pakistan.

1) Thou shall commit BLASPHEMY
2) Thou shall MURDER Palestinians
3) Thou shall STEAL Palestinian land
4) Thou shall INCITE HATRED against True Torah Jews, True Christians, True Muslims, Germans, Palestinians, Vietnamese, Indonesians, Armenians, Serbians, Russians, etc…
5) Thou shall commit FALSE FLAG attacks
6) Thou shall pretend to be SEMITES
7) Thou shall Call Anti-Zionist Jews SELF HATERS
Thou shall HIDE behind the U.S.(and false flag attack them as well)
9) Thou shall LIE about True-Torah Monotheism, True Christianity, True Islam, etc….
10) Thou shall pretend to be SECULAR

Speaking of their 4th commandment, I am firmly convinced that the Mumbai attacks was a classical case of false flagging in the tradition of the Lavon affair and attack on the USS Liberty. It’s crystal clear that the objective is to both break up Pakistan and colonize its natural resources. I realize this is going against most of nonsense put out by the MSM, but if there is one lesson to be learned in the last decade its that they simply cannot be trusted to tell the truth.

A dozen UAVs handed over to PAF

Thursday, 01 January 2009 15:12

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is playing an important role in technologically equipping the Pakistan Air Force to meet any challenges.

In line to give an extra punch to Air Force, PAC has handed over around a dozen predator type Un‑manned Ariel Vehicles (UAVs) to PAF, said Chairman PAC Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhary.

In an exclusive talk on Thursday, he said that Pakistan has acquired the UAV manufacturing technology and its indigenous manufacturing has been initiated successfully.

He said though these UAVs are lighter than the Predators but meet the defence requirements of the PAF. “We will manufacture more UAVs indiginously keeping in view the requirements of PAF,” said Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhry.

'State-assisted actors carried out Mumbai attacks'
Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:58:25 GMT

Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram

India's home minister has challenged Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's claim that the Mumbai attackers were carried out by 'stateless actors'.

Somebody who is familiar with intelligence and who is familiar with commando operations has directed this operation, Palaniappan Chidambaram said in an interview with NDTV news channel on Sunday.

"I presume they are state actors or state-assisted actors unless the contrary is proved," Chidambaram noted.

“It was too enormous a crime and required much elaborated planning, communication networks, financial backing,” he said.

Chidambaram's comments are at odds with Pakistan's insistence that non-state actors were behind the coordinated strike by 10 gunmen that killed at least 179 people in Mumbai last year.

Chidambaram said he would travel to Washington this week with evidence linking Pakistan to the deadly Mumbai attacks.

He said the 'detailed dossier' included telephone transcripts, communication intercepts and interrogation reports.

India, US and Britain hold a Pakistan based militant group named Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) responsible for the attacks that killed at least 179 people including nine militants that carried out the terror spree.

Islamabad says it has not received any concrete proof justifying claims that militants who attacked Mumbai were Pakistani nationals.

Pak will not hand over Mumbai suspects to India
Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:39:15 GMT

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has reiterated that Islamabad would not handover the suspected Mumbai attackers to India.

"We do not have an extradition treaty with India," Qureshi said at a press conference in Multan on Sunday.

However, the foreign minister told the reporters that Pakistan had an extradition treaty with the United States.

"Please do not compare, every situation is not identical," Qureshi said when a journalist asked him about the handover of Pakistanis to the US.

Qureshi's remarks come a day after Indian Premier Manmohan Singh reiterated his demand from Islamabad to hand over those suspected of plotting the deadly attacks on the Indian city of Mumbai.

"We hope that these criminals will be handed over to us to face trial in our country," Singh said at press conference on Saturday.

India, US and Britain hold a Pakistan based militant group named Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) responsible for the attacks that killed at least 179 people including nine militants.

New Delhi wants Islamabad to dismantle what it says are camps in Pakistan for training militants to attack India.

Last month, the Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, had also asked Islamabad to hand over 40 suspected militants.

Qureshi concluded that tensions with India have reduced but have not yet been fully over.

A dozen UAVs handed over to PAF

Thursday, 01 January 2009 15:12

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is playing an important role in technologically equipping the Pakistan Air Force to meet any challenges.

In line to give an extra punch to Air Force, PAC has handed over around a dozen predator type Un‑manned Ariel Vehicles (UAVs) to PAF, said Chairman PAC Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhary.

In an exclusive talk on Thursday, he said that Pakistan has acquired the UAV manufacturing technology and its indigenous manufacturing has been initiated successfully.

He said though these UAVs are lighter than the Predators but meet the defence requirements of the PAF. “We will manufacture more UAVs indiginously keeping in view the requirements of PAF,” said Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhry.

FBI: Mumbai’s culprit has no Pak links

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:20:26 GMT

Ajmal Kasab is the only living suspect in the Mumbai attacks.

An FBI team investigating the Mumbai attacks’ case has said that the alleged main culprit, Ajmal Kasab, has no links with Pakistan.

The five-member team headed by the agency’s South Asian Department Director, William Robert, visited the remote town of Faridkot, the place India claims Kasab is a resident of.

However, the team members said that there was no connection between Kasab and the town, a Press TV correspondent reported.

“No evidence could be collected from the area which could confirm the claim of Ajmal Kasab’s being Pakistani”, the FBI investigators said on Wednesday.

Indian authorities had earlier alleged that Kasab was from Faridkot, in Pakistan’s Multan.

Earlier, Islamabad had announced that it had found links between the gunmen who carried out the Mumbai attacks and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an outlawed militant group.

Based on the report, Zarar Shah, a top LeT commander, who was captured in a raid this month in Pakistani-administrated Kashmir, confessed that the group had been involved in the November 26 attacks.

The Mumbai carnage left hundreds of people killed or injured and raised tension between the two nuclear armed neighbors.

India has intensions to launch air strikes inside Pakistan

Wednesday, 31 December 2008 18:18

U.S. Senator John McCain has voiced his deep concern over tense South Asian situation, saying India was preparing for some kind of attack on Pakistan in the wake of last month’s Mumbai attacks.
The former Republican presidential candidate’s statement preceded a relative de-escalation in the tension as both Islamabad and New Delhi stressed avoidance of war and talked peace over the weekend.

“The Indians are on the verge of some kind of attack on Pakistan,” such as an air attack on suspected militant camps, he told a daily newspaper in his home state Arizona published Monday.

Pakistan Tuesday saw some positive signs over the last two days in Indian leaders’ statements but recommended New Delhi de-activate its forward air bases and move its ground troops back to peacetime locations to resume friendly atmosphere.

“I think it’s a very dicey situation,” McCain said, noting how both countries have nuclear weapons.

Indian services chiefs told to stay in country, troops on alert

Tuesday, 30 December 2008 11:00

India has started taking steps towards beefing up its defences and maintaining a posture that would require “the least time to move into full operational readiness”.

It’s reliably learnt that the political leadership has asked all the three service chiefs not to move out of the country and remain on immediate call. In fact, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta was to visit Qatar in mid-December but this was called off after these orders, reported PTI.

Sources said the chiefs have also been advised to pass on similar instructions to their key operational commanders so as to be able to effect “complete readiness” to face any eventuality.

At present, the aim is to maintain enhanced operational vigil for which requisite formations in all three forces are on alert, PTI said

Troops that were involved in routine exercises or were on operational alert in Punjab and Rajasthan have been asked to stay on well after the duration of these exercises got over this month. No fixed time limit has been given to withdraw with one-third strike elements also being moved in to ensure extra vigil given the unspecified yet alarming reports emerging from Islamabad.

The Defence forces have also been asked to indicate any equipment or ammunition they would need through fast procurement means. While no proposal has so far been received, sources said, each service was still to complete evaluating its immediate requirements. While India is being careful about not causing unnecessary alarm in Western capitals by amassing troops like in 2002, sources said, the effort is to maintain a more alert posture so that the time taken for full operational readiness is reduced to the minimum. More so, the Army particularly has fine-tuned these aspects of troop deployment after the lessons it drew from Operation Parakaram.

From an Indian standpoint, sources said, New Delhi has no offensive intent but is well within its right to remain prepared in the light of unprovoked developments in Pakistan and growing hostility in Pakistani military discourse. The Pak Army has already got Washington worried with reports that it has started pulling out some troops from the FATA and NWFP, which is likely to bring more diplomatic pressure on India. New Delhi, however, is clear that it will continue to press ahead diplomatically and close no option till it sees concrete movement on Mumbai investigations, which would ultimately mean access to those who conceived, planned and executed the Mumbai attack.

Heading for total destruction of Subcontinent

Sunday, 28 December 2008 01:27

FROM all indications, it appears that the Indian Government is gearing up for launching an attack against Pakistan despite some voices of sanity advising against the misadventure. Latest to add to the worries of those against the war hysteria created by New Delhi is a report that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired a secret meeting of Nuclear Command Authority last Saturday meaning that the Congress led Government has closed all options but war.

After the Mumbai tragedy, Indian Government moved quickly, as if in a pre-planned manner, to pressurize Pakistan for reasons best known to it but apparently to build up public support before elections. It held meetings of Cabinet Committee on Security, Services Chiefs, Ambassadors posted in world capitals and now the more worrisome Nuclear Command Authority. This clearly exposes intentions of the Indian Government that it could go to any extent, even to the use of nuclear weapons, despite its tall claims that it would not be the first to use these weapons. Indian Airforce is busy in carrying out precision bombing practice to be ready for an attack. Sensing the grave dangers, former US National Security Advisor and an aide to President-elect, Zbigniew Brzezinski had been compelled to speak about the consequences of war between the nuclear armed neighbours and asked the incoming Obama Administration to assist the two countries towards improving their fragile relationship. He was right while saying that any war will destroy both the countries. In the emerging dangerous scenario, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi though hoped that India would not commit the mistake of carrying out surgical strikes, yet at the same time warned that Pakistan would be compelled to respond if it happens. Since the Mumbai incident Pakistan had adopted a reasonable, balanced, cooperative and non-aggressive approach and offered to take action if New Delhi provided proof of involvement of elements on its soil. But the Congress-led Government, including Party President Sonia Gandhi and other leaders appear to be following the path of confrontation despite some sane voices opposing war which would have the danger of assuming a nuclear dimension and that means total destruction of the Subcontinent. Therefore heavy responsibility lies on the Indian leadership and it must think twice before going for any misadventure because if a war breaks out, then both the sides would use their military might causing innumerable losses beyond one’s imagination. There is still time that sanity prevails, both the sides must resolve the issue through extending cooperation to each other and save the Subcontinent from total annihilation.

India alerts air force along Line of Control

Saturday, 27 December 2008 03:38

As India continued transporting heavy guns and war machines to strategic areas along Line of Control Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor Thursday rushed to Siachen Glacier and forward areas of occupied Jammu and Kashmir “to check the operational preparedness of the troops.”
Intelligence reports confirmed Thursday extra-ordinary moves at India’s Western Air Command with headquarters in Delhi which is responsible for air operations from occupied Kashmir to Rajasthan including Punjab. Thursday a movement of Indian Air Force Operations Group dedicated for occupied Jammu & Kashmir including Ladakh was also detected by the defence observers in the region.

According to Indian media reports that Gen Kapoor left for Siachen Glacier “on Thursday and will interact with the unit commanders and senior officers, before returning to the Capital after taking stock of the situation.”

The report added that India too had deployed Quick Reaction Air Force and Army teams at Western border.

The media reports confirmed that India has deployed Quick Reaction Air Force and Army teams on the western border. “Air force units have also been deployed at Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bhuj”.

There are five operational air commands in India controlling 45 fixed-wing squadrons and 20 helicopter units.

India’s Mi 26 heavy lift helicopter fleet was also seen active Thursday transporting heavy gins and ammunition along the borders with Pakistan while Mi 17s and Mi 8s, were also seen moving along the LoC.

Manmohan meets service chiefs to take stock of military situation

Saturday, 27 December 2008 00:10

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday assessed the security situation and the preparedness of the armed forces at a high level meeting with the three service chiefs.

“The three service chiefs briefed the prime minister about the security scenario and the preparedness of the armed forces,” a senior defence official said, speaking on condition of anonymity told.

The meeting of Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Fali H. Major took place at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Last week, the prime minister had convened a meeting with Defence Minister A.K. Antony, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and the three service chiefs. During the three-hour meeting, conducted in the Indian Army’s War Room in South Block, the prime minister had evaluated the security preparedness across the country.

India can’t dare attack Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf

Saturday, 27 December 2008 00:17

Former President Pervez Musharraf has said that the country’s defense is strong and in the presence of Pakistan army troops India can’t dare to attack Pakistan.

He expressed these views while briefly talking to media while attending the Valima ceremony of former Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri’s son at Barki Road Farm House. Former First lady Sehba Musharraf was also present on the occasion besides Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Federal ministers Mian Manzoor Wattoo, Dr Babar Awan, Tehmina Daultana, PML-Q chief Ch Shujaat Hussain, Q league members Hamid Nasir Chatta, Tariq Azeem and other prominent personalities.

Pervez Musharraf said Pakistan army is undoubtedly one of the best forces of the world and its professional capabilities are recognized by the world over. He said Pakistan’s defense is strong and we are a nuclear state. He added that India can’t dare to cast evil eye on us in the presence of vigilant Pakistani army troops.

He said that the sovereignty and security of the country is much dear to him and he prays that Pakistan remains safe from all enemies.

Regarding political role of the present government the former president said that the political process should move forward.

Qureshi warns India against surgical strikes

Saturday, 27 December 2008 03:36

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi Thursday expressed the hope that India would not commit the mistake of carrying out surgical strikes.
“We will be compelled to respond if it happens,” he said while talking to the reporters upon arrival at the airport on Thursday.

To a question whether possibility of war can be ruled out, the FM said, “if you are asking me, I am not ruling out anything. But if war is imposed, we will respond to it like a brave, self-respecting and self-esteemed nation”.

He said “I want to give a message to India that we are the torch-bearers of peace and remain committed to our desire for peace”

“Contrary to our reasonable, cooperative and non-aggressive attitude, some elements from India were issuing provocative statements” , he added.

“But we do not feel the need to do this. We have confidence on ourselves and we rely on the Almighty.”

FM said, Pakistan condemns terrorism and wants to expose those involved in terrorism and had already promised cooperation in this regard.

“We have also conveyed our grief to the families of those who had lost their loved ones in Mumbai attacks”, FM said. He added that “we will not resort to provocation while remaining committed to cooperation but at the same time we will also not tolerate any pressure”.

He said ,”we want to give a message that the whole nation stands united and knows how to defend the geographical boundaries of the motherland”.

He said, “We should not be complacent.” “Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst,” FM said adding that Pakistan is vigilant, and its armed forces are also vigilant.

To a question on reports of evacuation of civilians from Rajistan deserts, FM said, as far as the mobilization situation on the ground is concerned, the situation is not what it was in 2001. “But situation keeps changing and we will prepare a strategy after examining any change.”

FM said, “We are continuously monitoring situation on the ground and in the air. Our Air Force and armed forces are on alert.”

India deploys army at Pakistan’s Sindh border

Friday, 26 December 2008 16:58

India has deployed its army on the border along with Sindh. As per sources, the Indian process of crating an atmosphere of war continues as it has already stopped its exports to Pakistan via the route of Wahga-Lahore. In the reaction of the Indian step, Pakistan has also stopped its trading.

Pak-India tension: Troops leave cancelled

Updated at: 1250 PST, Friday, December 26, 2008

ISLAMABAD: The leave of Pakistan Army troops has been cancelled in the wake of tension between Pakistan and India.

According to sources, Army have been put on high alert Pakistan Air Force remained vigilant for the protection of airspace.

The contacts with friendly countries and military partners have been activated. Defence analysts said the troops withdrawal from FATA and NWFP would likely be happened in case of escalation of tension on eastern border.

India Awaits Green Light for Raids on Pakistan

By Usman Khalid

December 26, 2008 “Information Clearinghouse” — The Pentagon has announced that the US would withdraw troops from Iraq to reinforce Afghanistan sending one brigade soon after the New Year and another three in spring 2009. This has the approval of President Elect Barack Obama. It is believed that the objective is a ‘surge’ in Afghanistan on the lines General Petreus had in Iraq. But President Hamid Karazai would like the additional troops to supplement the clandestine operations by RAW (India’a CIA) on Pakistan’s border. It now appears that President Zardari of Pakistan is just as eager for India and America to shift focus to his country. His reason: he wants the ISI and the Army to be tamed. It seems that Pakistan has the reincarnation of the Sheikh Mujib as a leader. And it was Mujibs’s treachery that precipitated the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and Pakistan’s defeat.

The grim anniversary of the fall of Dhaka on 16 December 1971 is commemorated every year in Pakistan but this year it had more poignancy than ever before. Pakistan appears to be living through similar trauma all over again. The war clouds gather after ‘free and fair’ elections. In 1971, an indicted RAW Agent – Sheikh Mujib – secured the most seats in Pakistan’s parliament. Despite having contested the elections on the basis of Six Points that sought to make Pakistan a confederation, President Yahya Khan decided to honour the verdict of the people. He met Sheikh Mujib in Dhaka and asked him to assume the office of the Prime Minister. Sheikh Mujib accepted the offer and the press were briefed accordingly. Three days later, he informed the President that he had to decline the offer under pressure from his party colleagues. Now we know (from the chapter written by Dr Mu’min Chowdhury of Bangladesh in ‘Authentic Voices of South Asia’) why? Sheikh Mujib had asked for confirmation directly from India Prime Minster Indira Gandhi that India would invade East Pakistan if he made UDI – Unilateral Declaration of Independence. When he met President Yahya Khan, that confirmation had not been received. When he got the confirmation he declined the offer to become the Prime Minister and preferred to become a prisoner instead. That shows the dilemma of traitors. Once Sheikh Mujib agreed to work for RAW, he was a pawn; he had to do the bidding of his agent handlers. A maverick like him was more valuable in a Pakistani jail to give substance to the propaganda that Pakistanis would never transfer power to a Bengali as Prime Minister. The fact that most of the Prime Ministers of united Pakistan belonged to East Pakistan did not matter. Propaganda is more credible than the truth in the hands of the disciples of Kautaliya.
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Pakistan wants peace in the region: PM Gilani

NAUDERO: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said Pakistan has no aggressive designs and wants peace in the region, but will respond effectively if war is thrust upon us.

‘If war is thrust upon us, the whole nation, the political leadership and the armed forces will stand united to defend the country. There should be no doubt about it,’ Gilani told newsmen here after visiting the grave of former premiers Benazir Bhutto and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Buksh.
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India seeking cluster bombs from US

December 25, 2008

No war and no peace, Pakistan -India

December 25, 2008

India army chief rushes to mount war on Pakistan

Wednesday, 24 December 2008

Prime minister Manmohan Singh’s statement, that war was not the most preferred option, notwithstanding, the military has stepped up preparation for a possible confrontation with Pakistan.

Army chief General Deepak Kapoor rushed to Siachen on Tuesday, while the navy summoned the chief of its Mumbai-based western command to Delhi.

Army sources said Kapoor’s unscheduled visit was to review security. He was to be briefed by the Siachen brigade commander and chief of the Leh-based 14 Corps, which guards the Kargil heights and Siachen.

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AJK to be battlefield if India attacks Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

Wednesday, 24 December 2008

Former AJK President and Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum on Tuesday said that AJK would become main battlefield if India attacked on Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference at Kashmir House here, he said that Kashmiris including retired army personals would stand by with Pakistan army and they make the army to feel at home.

“It is difficult to predict about the future circumstances but Indian leadership aggressive statements are indicating that India would manly focus on AJK to attain bargaining position on Kashmir issue if it can not get the issue resolved in accordance with its aspirations”, Qayyum added.

He urged the people of AJK not to panic over the situation as chaos leads the system towards breakdown; however, he expressed his hope that the people would face the situation with bravery as they had done in past so many times.

Qayyum said that the top leadership of AJK including Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed and President Raja Zulqurnian would stay in AJK to boost up moral of the people.

To a question, he said that the option of atomic war cannot be ruled out as once the war is started then it cannot be limited.

Quoting Jawaharlal Nehru, he said that India would attain atomic power to use it. When asked about the withdrawal of the army from the tribal areas in case of war with India, he said that Pakistan need not worry about the tribal areas.

To another question, he said that the government of Pakistan can remain silent up to a possible extent but it will have to give strong reply to India; however, he expressed his hope that the government is devising a national policy to tackle the issue.

He also demanded of the government to send delegations including PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif to Middle East countries to influence them against India.

Breaking News: Karachi on High Alert

December 23, 2008

Interpol: Where’s the evidence?

December 23, 2008

Dan Qayyum | PakistanKaKhudaHafiz.com

In what is clearly a blow to India’s case against Pakistan, Interpol today has confirmed that India has so far not provided any real evidence to back up their allegations that the Mumbai attackers came from Pakistan.

Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble, who is in Islamabad, said its only knowledge of what happened had come from the media.
Pakistan says it also has had no firm information from Delhi, and that India has not provided ample evidence for arrest of any accused of the Mumbai attacks.

India claims Pakistani militants carried out the attacks, which left more than 170 people dead. Only one of the 10 gunmen, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, survived and he is in Indian custody.

On Monday India handed a letter to Pakistan it says was written by Mr Qasab, confirming he is Pakistani and asking for Islamabad’s help.

Earlier, the FBI had also rejected Indian claims that Pakistan’s Intelligence Agencies were involved in the Mumbai Attacks.

With India fast losing ground on its campaign to get Pakistan listed as a Terrorist state, there is a serious possibility of its Air Force attempting to carry out ’surgical strikes’ in a desperate bid to ease the pressure on its government from right wing Hindu Nationalist groups calling for an all out war on Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Armed Forces continue to remains on a high alert to face any aggression from India.

Investigate first before pointing fingers: China to India

Both China and Iran have come out to support Pakistan’s stance at this critical time.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that the question of “where the terrorists are from” is a matter that will be known after proper investigations. He was replying to a question about India’s concerns that terrorists in the Mumbai attack came from Pakistan and Islamabad’s refusal to accept it.

Earlier, India had complained about leading Iranian news agencies being largely sympathetic towards Pakistan and insinuating that India has been acting under the influence of the US.

It is at times like these that you know who your friends are, and they’re not in the US or UK.

You had one Mumbai, we have a ‘Mumbai’ every day.

Kasab’s letter wouldn’t be accepted as evidence in any court: Ayaz Amir

Pakistani Journalist Ayaz Amir said on CNN-IBN today that the letter given to Pakistan which India says is Kasab’s confession, wouldn’t even stand in Indian courts. India doesn’t seem serious to get to the bottom of who actually carried out the Mumbai Attacks. They’re more interested in putting International pressure on Pakistan.

Despite harping on about having given Pakistan proof - the reality is that the ‘evidence’ so far presented amounts to ONE letter, a confession statement given to the police, which wouldn’t even be accepted as evidence in Indian courts as per the Indian Penal code.

Watch the video here:
Ayaz Amir’s on CNN-IBN Part 1
Ayaz Amir’s on CNN-IBN Part 2

India has given Pakistan time till Dec 26: Stratfor report

December 23, 2008

India has given Pakistan time till Dec 26: Stratfor report

The week began with a series of signals from New Delhi that India’s restraint in taking military action against Pakistan is no longer guaranteed. In fact, such action could very well be imminent.

In a press conference Monday, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that while India “has so far acted with utmost restraint,” it will “explore all options” in pressuring Pakistan to deal with Islamist militancy. The same day, Indian media reported that Indian troops and the air force’s Quick Reaction Teams had deployed along the border with Pakistan, with commandos reinforced at airstrips in Jaisalmer and Uttarlai in Rajasthan and Bhuj in Gujarat. The Pakistani military, meanwhile, reportedly went on a heightened state of alert, with reports of air force jets scrambling in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Over the past few weeks, India has played a complex diplomatic game, issuing a series of statements that seemingly downplayed the likelihood of military action against Pakistan in response to the Nov. 26 Mumbai attacks, while making a point in the public sphere that New Delhi was focused on using diplomatic tools to pressure Islamabad. While New Delhi’s behavior led many to believe that the threat of war had subsided, Stratfor maintained that Indian military operations were being prepared, and that New Delhi’s plan was first to exhaust its diplomatic options before engaging in any kind of military action. India’s restraint, in large part, was attributed to its talks with the United States, which would much rather not see the nuclear-armed rivals come to blows when the Americans are fighting an uphill battle against al Qaeda and Taliban forces in the region.

But time is running out for Pakistan.

Reliable sources -— whose information on this issue cannot be verified at this time -— have told us that in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, New Delhi relayed a message to the Pakistanis via the United States, saying they would be given 30 days to crack down on Islamist militant proxies on Pakistani soil that continue to threaten India. While India used the time to prep its military forces, the United States came down hard on Pakistan behind the scenes, making clear that if Islamabad did not deliver, Washington would not be able to stand in New Delhi’s way if and when the time came for India to act. The Pakistanis carried out a few raids targeting militant leaders and Pakistani intelligence operatives, making a few arrests, but did nothing that substantially reduced the threat to India, from New Delhi’s point of view. And even if Pakistan’s government was prepared to accede to India’s demands in full, it could go only so far in placating New Delhi before its efforts to avoid an international crisis created a domestic one.

The deadline given to Islamabad, as far as we know, is Dec. 26, making Indian military action against Pakistan a very real and near possibility. The Indians have had a month to prepare their operations, and Indian defense sources have revealed that these plans are ready to go into effect. With no one in New Delhi really expecting that Pakistan has either the political will -— or perhaps even the capability —- to meet Indian and U.S. demands, we now need to examine how far India will take this military campaign, and to what extent U.S. operations in Afghanistan will be affected.

The answer to these questions is still unclear. Discussions are occurring within Indian defense circles about an escalatory military campaign, beginning with largely symbolic strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir against militant training camps and offices. Depending on Pakistan’s ability to respond, pressure could then be increased with precision air strikes in Pakistan’s urban areas —- to include the capital —- against intelligence facilities and militant leadership hideouts. The option of a naval blockade, which would cut off the main U.S. supply line into Afghanistan, has also been tossed around. While a blockade would put the already cash-strapped Pakistan in an economic choke-hold, doing so inevitably would cause friction in India’s relationship with Washington.

But the United States knows the limits to its relationship with New Delhi and is already preparing for a worst-case scenario. For the past month, the U.S. military has been stockpiling supplies for its forces in Afghanistan in anticipation of a major interruption. The trick for the United States, however, is to find an alternate supply route that avoids the problem of having to deal with a resurgent Russia, which would relish the thought of having U.S. military operations dependent on its good graces. There really are no good options, but the United States is working on solving this issue by devising an alternate, albeit much longer, supply arrangement from Turkey to Central Asia through the Caucasus that would help back-fill supplies that have already been stockpiled.

Pakistan’s best defense at this point is to continue pinning blame on militants that have escaped Islamabad’s control while making the case that further destabilization in Pakistan would only exacerbate the U.S.-jihadist war. But with the United States coming up with alternate supply routes and India under the impression that Pakistan has more control over these militants than it claims, Pakistan’s defense is growing weaker by the day. From where we stand, the window for diplomacy is closing, and a crisis on the Indian subcontinent is rapidly approaching.

Attack Pakistan, don’t warn, says Bal Thackeray India’s Hindu Terrorist

Tuesday, 23 December 2008 00:31

Describing the present regime at the helm of affairs in the country as ‘impotent’, Hindu extremist group Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Monday stressed the need for imposition of emergency. “Only Indira Gandhi had the guts to handle threats which endangered national security. There is no use of issuing just warnings to Pakistan. The government should have the daring to attack it,” Thackeray told his party mouthpiece ‘Saamna’ in an interview.

On his self-imposed exile from public life, Thackeray said he did not wish to be a part of the present day politics. “I have made a deliberate decision to stay away. Mine is not a political ’sanyas’. You never know what happens in coalition politics,” he added.

He said Shiv Sena was making good progress under his son Uddhav Thackeray, also the executive president. “I have handed over the charge to him. He consults me whenever necessary for advice,” Thackeray added.

Let the Indians Strike Targets: US to Zardari

December 23, 2008

Pakistan military on ‘red alert’

Tuesday, 23 December 2008 01:23 Pakistan media is reporting that the country’s military is on high alert over a possible strike by India.
Monday’s reports come after a ratcheting up of tension between the two countries following attacks in Mumbai last month which killed 163 people.

The local media attributed its reports to military sources, who were confirming that the navy, air force and army were on red alert.

“The Pakistani air force have been seen visibly in a number of locations flying close to the Pakistani-India border in what is being described as an aggressive patrolling mode, following reports that India is planning pre-emptive strikes against locations in Pakistan,” reported.

“Chiefs of the three forces are meeting in what is being described as an emergency meeting in general headquarters in Rawalpindi.

“Only after the meeting is over will we come to know if it is a red alert or a heightened state of alert.”

Hyder said that observers are saying that the Congress party in India has lost prestige due to the Mumbai attacks and, therefore, may try a show of strength in Pakistan.

Delayed civilian flights

The Reuters news agency quoted a Pakistan airline official as saying the Pakistani air force had conducted an exercise on Monday causing delays to two civilian flights.

“Two of our flights were delayed for some time because the PAF was conducting some exercises, but now everything is back on normal,” Muhammad Latif, a spokesman for Pakistan International Airlines, said.

The flights were delayed at the airport in Lahore, near the Indian border, Latif said, while dismissing television reports of a high alert at Pakistani airports.

An air force spokesman declined to comment when asked about an exercise, saying only: “In view of the current environment, the PAF has enhanced its vigilance.”

‘No red alerts’

“I think the media is building up a scenario in which one may get the impression that we are close to war”

“This is not the stage that the two forces are going to go on that sort of alert.”

But Brigadier-General Naeem Salik, a retired Pakistani military analyst, told from Islamabad: “There have been very threatening statements [from India] saying that they do not rule out military options, and they have been talking about punishing Pakistan.

“So it is obviously natural for Pakistan to heighten its alert levels and be on guard. We cannot let the Indians have a free-run and it is a response to what is happening across the borders.”

Last week, Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat in Islamabad to protest against recent alleged airspace violations by Indian warplanes.

Indian fighter jets had crossed into Pakistani airspace over Kashmir and Punjab province, the government said on December 13.

Pakistan said its own fighter jets were scrambled to chase off the intruders, but it also played down the incident by describing the violations as “technical” and “inadvertent”.

India accepted violation of Pakistani airspace.

Pakistan Air Force: We’re Ready.

December 22, 2008

Indian Air Force fighters and naval ships on standby to Attack Pakistan

10 Dec 2008 11:15 AM CST

India has deployed naval ships and put fighters on standby across the country as it waits for definitive attack on Pakistan.

Top Indian military and security intel sources told that the Indian Air Force had fully armed its strike fighters as well as interceptor combat aircraft. The fighters are in scrambleready mode with pilots on standby in operation rooms. The state of readiness, referred to as Passive Air Defence in operational jargon, is the highest that the force has seen since Operation Parakram. The next phase — and the penultimate before a strike is ordered — will be the Active Air Defence.

While all squadrons along the western border are maintaining a high alert, Air Force assets in Bangalore and Chennai have also been put in flight-ready mode.

“The fighters are fully armed with various types of attack missiles. The southern stations will play an interceptive role in case of any intrusion from the Pakistani side,” sources said.

The Air Force is not allowing its personnel to avail leave. Leave granted to personnel handling crucial operations has been cancelled. Top sources also told Express that several batteries of surfaceto- air missiles have been moved to forward areas from the Gwalior base.

“Offensive weapons deployed. Air stations that are in operational readiness,” sources said.

In a related development, the Indian Navy has deployed 18 ships capable of playing combat roles in the western theatre.

Though the deployment is under the guise of a stricter scrutiny of vessel movement, sources said the strength is far greater than that needed for such an operation. “Eighteen ships in an area can be effectively used to slap a sea-denial on Pakistan in case of any escalation of the situation. During the height of the Kargil war, the Navy adopted the same strategy to transmit a clear message. It is a repeat, minus the Army movement, of operation Parakram,” sources said.

Operation Parakram, launched immediately after the Parliament attack, saw massive troop mobilisation from all over the country on the western border. The tension prevailed for a couple of months before it fizzled out due to American pressure. But this time there is not much mobilisation of ground forces as the bid is to project power through sophisticated weaponry like BrahMos rather than rev up battalions along the border.

Also See:

Updated: PAF Chases away Indian Jets

Ready for crushing reply to any aggression - Pakistan Air Force

10 Dec 2008 08:38 AM CST

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) spokesman has said that Pakistan was ready to give a crushing reply to any aggression. Talking to Geo News, PAF spokesman told that Pakistan Air Force has all the capability of defending the country and if any aggression from any quarter takes place, then a crushing reply would be given. Reacting to the news of Indian Air Force put on high alert, he said that PAF remained focused on the Indian situation and Pakistan was all the time ready for the security and safety of its airspace.

Israel to help India against Pakistan

10 Dec 2008 05:16 PM CST

An Israeli media suggests that Tel Aviv might help India carry out covert operations inside Pakistan in retaliation for the Mumbai attacks. India has asked for Israeli assistance in cross-border attacks against “Pakistanis” inside Pakistan, reported Debka which is believed to have ties with intelligence and military sources.

Israel, seeking revenge for the murder of six Jews in a Mumbai’s Chabad center in November, has expressed willingness to help India in such operations, the website claimed.

According to the report New Delhi has sought Tel Aviv’s help because of Israeli spies’ experience in carrying out such operations without leaving any trace.

Tension is running high between India and Pakistan over a series of terrorist attacks in the Indian economic hub of Mumbai which left hundreds killed and injured.

Although New Delhi has accused Pakistani intelligence agencies of masterminding the attacks, Islamabad has denied any involvement in the carnage.

Earlier on Monday, however, Pakistan arrested Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operation chief, on charges of masterminding the Mumbai terror attacks.

This is while some Indian analysts blamed Israeli intelligence agencies of masterminding the plot, basing their theory on the fact that some of the victims of the attacks were anti-Zionist Jews.

Indian MP burns Pakistan flag

10 Dec 2008 05:23 PM CST

In a fit of anger, MP Basanagowda Patil Yatnal burnt a Pakistan flag here on Wednesday during a bundh, observed to condemn hoisting of Pakistani flag in the city on Sunday.
Yatnal, who addressed the agitators, fumed that the anti-national elements would be taught a fitting lesson. The bundh which was called by the Sriram Sena and CMC members was total, with members of various political parties cutting across their affiliations participating in the protest rally taken out in the city. After holding a public meet at the Gandhi Chowk, the agitators went to the Tipu Sultan Chowk where some youth hoisted the national tri-colour.

The bundh passed off peacefully except for some stone pelting incidents. Vehicles were off the road.

Members of the CMC had a heated argument with SP Arun Chakravarthi for asking them not to go ahead with the bundh.

The KSRTC had withdrawn its services till afternoon and the bus service resumed under strict police vigil. No vehicle was stoned. Tight police security was in place to ensure that no untoward incident occurred.

Indian security forces shot dead two Pakistani youth

10 Dec 2008 09:14 AM CST

Indian security forces on Monday shot dead two unidentified Pakistani youth when they allegedly tried to cross the border into India from Bahawalpur.

The Indian forces handed over the two dead bodies to Pakistani authorities, who moved them to Mandi Sadiq Ghang police station.

Meanwhile, efforts made by former human rights federal minister Ansar Burney for the release of minor prisoners have proved successful, as the Indian government has agreed to release another Pakistani boy Sunil Ashraf (14) on humanitarian grounds soon.

Burney had recently visited India and met senior officials for Ashraf’s early release. He said the Indian government had agreed to withdraw a case under the Foreigners Act against Ashraf, who was arrested after crossing into India from Faridkot in March.

Pakistan won’t be provoked by India’s jingoistic attitude

10 Dec 2008 09:31 AM CST

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani said here Wednesday that Pakistan is a responsbile and peace-loving nation and would not be provoked by India’s jingoistic attitude. The Prime Minister was talking to newsmen after condoling the death of Malik Muhammad Imran Dogar, the younger brother of PPP MPA Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, the son of former MNA Malik Salahuddin Dogar and nephew of ex-MNA Malik Liaquat Ali Dogar at their residence on Sher Shah Road this afternoon.

Responding to a question that India has reportedly fitted its missiles against Pakistan the Prime Minister said that Pakistan’s Army is the most responsible and professional army and would not be provoked by such provocative steps by the neighbouring country.

PAF prepared to thwart any aggression

10 Dec 2008 09:22 AM CST

Pakistan Air Force has assured the countrymen that the PAF was vigilant enough nowadays and ready to give a crushing reply to any aggression. Reacting to the news of Indian Air Force put on high alert, a spokesman of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Hamayun Zafar told Geo News PAF has all the capability of defending the country and if any aggression from any quarter takes place, then a crushing reply would be given. “PAF is fully prepared to face any extraordinary situation.”

According to the Dawn News channel, Pakistan Navy also said it was alert to the movements of Indian vessels.

May an India Pakistan war beak out

10 Dec 2008 09:17 AM CST

Those who pray should include this intention in their prayers.

The wire services are not talking about it. The news stories coming out from India and Pakistan are, however, filled with tension about the contradictory claims of the Indian and Pakistani sides about whether the state of Pakistan should be held liable for the Mumbai carnage and the previous Islamist, terrorist attacks on Indian targets.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari keeps trying to cool things down by insisting that his democratically elected government (he is the widower of assassinated leader Benazir Bhutto) wishes to continue the peace process with India.

And Indian leaders, under their breath—after making angry noises against Pakistian’s involvement in the terrorist attacks—say the same thing.

The trouble is that the elected government in Pakistan does not have real control over their country’s military and intelligence services.

Pakistan has arrested leading Islamists, including some of the people the Indian government wants Islamabad to turn over to India for prosecution because they claim these are directly involved in the Mumbai and previous carnages.

Of course, the Pakistani government will never surrender those people. There will be rioting in the streets if it does.

Why war is possible

If war does break out, God forbid, it would be because the ruling Congress Party does not have the political strength that it used to have when Indira Gandhi and her sons were around.

Remember that until fairly recently (2004) the Indian National Congress party was out of power or not completely in power in the federal government. Remember that in many states leftwing and ultra nationalist parties are in control.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) kicked the Congress from federal power in 1977. The Congress was again in power from 1981 to 1989. But in 1989, a BJP-led National Front coalition in alliance with the leftists won the elections. But that alliance stayed in power only until 1991.

The 1991 elections did not give the Congress and its allies a majority. But it managed to form a minority government under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. The Congress led coalition completed its five-year term.

The years 1996 to 1998 were turbulent in the federal political level. The BJP formed a short-lived government in 1996. This government fell and in its place a United Front coalition that would have nothing to do with either the BJP and the Congress Party formed a government in 1997. When, in 1998, the BJP formed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with other nationalist parties, the government they formed became the first non-Congress government to complete a full five-year term.

In 2004, the Congress Party won the largest number of Lok Sabha seats and formed a government with a coalition named the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), parties that were opposed to the BJP.

That is the government now in power in India. At the end of its five-year term, there will be elections in May 2009.

The Congress-party is in grave danger of losing in that election to the nationalist and communalist parties led by the BJP.

That is the reason war could break out between India and Pakistan.

Hundreds of millions of poor Indians

There are hundreds of millions in India who are left behind in poverty. Something like 50 percent to 60 percent of the population enjoy the country’s emergence as the world’s second most dynamically growing economy (next to China, even with the global meltdown). Majority of the poor are Hindus, easily incited by the nationalist and religious rhetoric of the BJP.

The BJP is intensely anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim. It is also anti-Christian. BJP followers are the ones who have been murdering Muslims and Christians in the remote villages, burning mosques and churches. BJP-connected local government officials and policemen look the other way when communal violence erupts in the villages. The federal government has not been able to do much to protect the Muslims and the Christians.

The national leadership led by PM Manmohan Singh of the Congress Party is decidedly for peace with Pakistan. More than that it wants to develop a sub-continental economic union (a la Asean and EU).

But in the current tension with Pakistan, the government has to look and sound angry at Pakistan. There are unforeseen and undesired consequences in this kind of posture. But it must be maintained. Otherwise, the BJP is sure to win in May 2009.

One of the unforeseen and unintended consequence of feigning a warlike posture, even if it is purely a political show to placate the Indian masses, is that it might really explode into a war.

And Pakistan, which does not want war with India, would just have to be ready and slug it out.

The awful danger is that both countries are nuclear-armed.

There’s another scary thought.

If the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins in May 2009—or if the Congress-led coalition government suddenly falls now and the BJP takes over—there would surely be an Indo-Pakistan war.