Maoists rebels set off a landmine under a security vehicle, blowing it high into the air and killing at least 23 policemen and a civilian in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, officials said on Sunday.
Three policemen were wounded in the blast, one critically.
The explosion occurred late on Saturday near the remote and impoverished Dantewada district, some 500 km (300 miles) south of the state capital, Raipur.
âAt least 23 policemen and a civilian were killed in the massive attack,â Chhattisgarh home minister Ramvichar Netam told Reuters by telephone from Raipur.
âThe explosion was so powerful that it blew the vehicle about 30 ft in the air. The vehicle was torn apart and it came crashing down with its occupants.â
Inspector general of police M.W. Ansari said the landmine had been planted close to a culvert along a forested stretch in the remote district that is known to be a Maoist stronghold.
Thousands have died in three decades of Maoist insurgency across eight Indian states. Rebels have killed politicians and policemen and blasted factories and government offices.
Last month, Maoists killed 10 people, including a lawmaker and a government official, in an ambush in Andhra Pradesh state. Andhra Pradesh neighbours Chhattisgarh.
The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of peasants and landless labourers in the countryâs rural hinterland, often holding their own courts to resolve disputes and killing officials they believe are corrupt.
Maoist rebels in Nepal fighting to overthrow the nationâs monarchy and their Indian counterparts vowed last week to join together to promote communism, reinforcing fears that the bloody insurgency in the Himalayan kingdom could spill over into India.
In August, Indiaâs home ministry said there were about 9,300 armed Maoist rebels in the country, adding that social and economic disparities in states like Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh were a key reason for the Maoistsâ influence.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
09/05/2005 00:48 ||
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huge social disparity isnt a good thing in the long run.
Posted by: bk ||
09/05/2005 12:10 Comments ||
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#2
A fitting tribute to Mao; history's greateast mass murderer is honored by a mass killing in his name
Posted by: an dalusian dog ||
09/05/2005 14:06 Comments ||
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Former Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakil has disclosed that the Russians had offered to recognize the Taliban regime if the then Kabul Government de-recognized Chechnya.
In a book published shortly before the general elections in Afghanistan, in which he is also a candidate, the ex-Minister goes on to disclose an important Taliban-Russian contact in Turkmenistan's capital city of Ashgabat.
At the meeting, Russian delegates offered to accord recognition to the Taliban government if the latter de-recognized Chechnya, he reveals. Taliban spurned the proposition, nonetheless, as it was probably the only country in the world to officially recognize the Chechnya separatists.
In his book titled Afghanistan and Taliban, Mutawakil also directly attacks Osama ben Laden for making repeated promises to Taliban leader Mulla Omar to invest his money in development of Afghanistan. These promises were never fulfilled, he says.
In his riveting book, Mutawakil has also ticked off the fugitive Saudi multimillionaire for mouthing meaningless platitudes to Mullah Omar regarding Afghan hospitality, courage and adherence to Muslim brotherhood.
America's enemy number one, who paid little heed to a string of warnings then hurled at Afghanistan, would often pledge to construct parks and highways and revive agricultural farms devastated by decades of war. But these vows, aimed at endearing Osama to the Taliban chief, were never translated into action, writes the ex-minister.
The post-bellum book chides the world's most wanted man - familiar with the impoverished South Asian country's chilling fiscal realities - for his inscrutable failure to devote even a fraction of his immeasurable riches to the prosperity of a nation that offered him refuge in the face of mounting global pressures.
Now in the run for a Wolesi Jirga seat from Kandahar, the soft-spoken Pashtun, who can also speak fluent Dari, Arabic and English, has published the paperback a fortnight ahead of the landmark legislative elections. However, he discounts as entirely coincidental the timing of the book, which is an informative analysis of the challenges facing the country - then and now.
Commenting on his scholarly effort, Mutawakil rejected the impression that there were political motives behind the publication of the book at this point in time. He has touched on the strengths and weaknesses of the seven-year Taliban rule and the daunting tasks before the incumbent administration led by US-backed President Hamid Karzai.
Widely regarded as a straight-shooter in the Taliban leadership, Mutawakil's views are in no way colored by party politics or his profound respect for Mullah Omar. In the 98-page book, he makes no bones about his aversion to the demolition of the rare Buddha statues in Bamyan.
Already defaced, the statues did not look like living beings, he reasons. Hence, knocking them down was not necessary even from an Islamic point of view, he maintains. "Clearly beyond the pale, the destruction - decreed by the Vice and Virtue Department in compliance with a Supreme Court fatwa - didn't take into consideration the political, cultural or artistic sensitivities involved."
Although he does not conform to small-town, warped and blinkered ideas of Taliban, Mutawakil is ambivalent on controversial topics like cinema, television, female literacy, working women and photographs. He writes Taliban temporized on these subjects in the absence of a precise fatwa from religious scholars.
The son of revered religious scholar Allama Abul Faiz Maulana Abdul Ghafar, Mutawakil alleges Americans always tried to bully the ousted government into handing over Osama bin Laden. "They tended to boss us around without listening to our proposals for sorting out the problem."
With regard to the much-maligned Vice and Virtue Department's performance, the 36-year-old admits: "In a bid to prevent evils, the department with an extremely vulnerable teaching branch often ran into bust-ups with people. In some instances, its incompetent and clueless staff didn't balk even at humiliating citizens on trifling matters."
Coming to the ban on women education, he observes: "Dealing with the other half had been a big teaser for Taliban, who closed down girls' schools in Kabul, Herat, Nangarhar and Balkh , dealing a blow to a female literacy in the process...the introduction of hijab (veil) or segregation of boys and girls would have been a better option."
Printed by the Maiwand Publishing House, the paperback, yet to hit the news stands, is a hugely insightful read for those interested in knowing Afghanistan's tattered economy and administrative problems under the Taliban regime.
The book also carries Mutawakil's letter urging President Karzai to show magnanimity to his political foes in the supreme national interest. "The spirit of accommodation and tolerance holds the key to resolving political disputes in an amicable way," he stresses.
It sheds ample light on important things like the genesis of the Taliban movement, its links to jihadi outfits, support from Pakistan, the designs of American oil giant UNICOL, its partnership with the Bridas company of Argentina, Dr Najibullah's execution, income sources of the dislodged regime, the Indian plane hijack episode, Iran's threats to invade Afghanistan, the US missile attack and his surrender.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
09/05/2005 00:36 ||
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#1
It sheds ample light on important things like the genesis of the Taliban movement, its links to jihadi outfits, support from Pakistan, the designs of American oil giant UNICOL, its partnership with the Bridas company of Argentina, Dr Najibullah's execution, income sources of the dislodged regime, the Indian plane hijack episode, Iran's threats to invade Afghanistan, the US missile attack and his surrender.
Hope it comes out in English.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
09/05/2005 3:36 Comments ||
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Contradicts the assertion that OBL bought local goodwill with huge investments in local infrastructure.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/05/2005 9:45 Comments ||
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Mutawakil also directly attacks Osama ben Laden for making repeated promises to Taliban leader Mulla Omar to invest his money in development of Afghanistan. These promises were never fulfilled, he says.
#4
#1. PM: Hope it comes out in English.
If it does, Paul, you think we should send Washington's Sen. Patty Murray a copy?
She might want to rethink restate her assertion that Osama bin Laden is popular in poor countries because he helped pay for schools, roads and even day care centers.
#5
Former Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakil has disclosed that the Russians had offered to recognize the Taliban regime if the then Kabul Government de-recognized Chechnya.
A superpower - even one as badly hobbled as Russia - has no friends, just interests.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
09/05/2005 11:40 Comments ||
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Some UN agencies have urged nonessential staff to flee leave Afghanistan ahead of legislative elections this month, while the government warned that the Taliban are targeting aid workers, after a string of assaults on foreigners.
More than 1,100 people have been killed in the past six months, and US military commanders believe the violence may still worsen as rebels step up attacks to subvert the Sept. 18 elections, the next key step toward democracy after a quarter century of fighting.
UN spokesman Adrian Edwards told The Associated Press that some of the world body's agencies had urged some employees to run away take vacation during the elections because of fears of violence, though he noted that there had been no change so far in the official UN alert level. "The United Nations continues to monitor the security situation from Cyprus ," he said.
Emma Sutcliffe, a UN Development Program communications associate, said: "We have been encouraged to take R&R (rest and recreation), but it's not mandatory."
"For those who remain behind, there'll be cowering in the hotel bar minimal movement," she said.
Some other UN agencies though, including the World Food Program and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said they had not increased their security precautions.
US embassy spokesman Lou Fintor said there had also been no change in the security status at the heavily guarded mission, though he said: "We are constantly assessing the threat situation."
News that some UN staff were being encouraged to leave came after Interior Ministry spokesman Latfullah Mashal warned of more attacks. "They (militants) focus on soft targets attacking candidates, burning schools, aid workers," he told the AP. "But the security workers have also taken necessary measures to provide needed security." He said he was optimistic that the elections would be successful even though "al-Qaeda and the Taliban will try their best to disrupt peace and stability."
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
09/05/2005 00:29 ||
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Good riddance. UN ain't worth a shit anyhow.
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/05/2005 1:54 Comments ||
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CA---When are they going to flee New York? I think that all it will take is having them pay their parking tickets.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/05/2005 1:59 Comments ||
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Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has aired the suspicion that international terrorist networks like Al-Qaeda might have links with the August 17 bomb blasts across Bangladesh.
''Some misguided people of Bangladesh might have staged the incident with the support of those militant outfits which have launched terror attacks in the US or Britain,'' he told BBC Bengali service monitored here this evening.
This is for the first time a top leader of the ruling alliance admitted possible presence of activities of international terrorist groups inside the country.
Mr Rahman, Joint Secretary General of BNP, said, ''I personally feel that what happened here and also whatever happened in the USA or the UK a few days ago, maybe part of the international terrorism of which they too are victims.'' Asked whether activities of international terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda were there in Bangladesh, he said, ''since it is part of that, maybe, one or two might have come here or made contact. There are some disgruntled people here who are being used by them.'' he suspected Asked if the government had identified these persons who are doing this in Bangladesh, he said whatever he gathered from newspaper reports or discussions from his party leaders indicated that the government has been doing that.
Asked if the government measures were adequate to dispel the fear from the public mind, he said, ''This is a relative term. There is no yardstick to scale the level of satisfaction. As far as I know, with whatever resources we have and with possible assistance from outside, the government is trying its best to ensure safety for the people.''
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
09/05/2005 00:23 ||
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Bangladeshâs security minister yesterday said two militant outfits were responsible for Aug. 17 serial blasts in which 2 people were killed and 100 others were injured, sources said. State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar disclosed that militants of outlawed Islamist outfit Jamatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh (JMB) and ultra-left Maoist group Jana Juddha were responsible for the bombings. âTwo evil forces of JMB and Jana Juddha have joined hands and primary investigations suggest that they were behind the Aug. 17 bomb blasts,â he told reporters in Dhaka.
In reply to a question, Babar said since there is still apprehension of threat, law enforcers had been asked to remain on high alert to foil any such incident in future. He said militants at the grass-root and secondary levels were arrested for their links with the blasts. Security forces have arrested about 200 people over the wave of bombings and have tightened security amid concerns of more attacks, the minister said. âWe donât rule out chances of more attacks and so have been taking further measures to avert it,â Babar told reporters after meeting senior police and intelligence officials.
Police said many of those arrested confessed to being members of Jamatul Mujahedeen and of being involved in the bombing attacks. âThey have given information suggesting that not only Islamic militants but other terror groups were also involved in the bombings,â Babar said. âWe are updating security everywhere, including plans to install close-circuit cameras at street corners.â
Posted by: Fred ||
09/05/2005 00:00 ||
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Odd, since the Islamists have been killing the Maoists with state sponsorship for years.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
09/05/2005 3:31 Comments ||
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The ruling coalition government in Bangladesh plans to shut down madrasas, which they claim were being used as militant training camps, a report said yesterday. The Home Ministry was preparing a list of madrasas which reportedly served as camps to train cadres of the Jamatul Mujahedeen militant group how to use weapons. The Bangladesh Observer daily said the government was also seeking detailed information on the alleged training facilities offered by the madrasas, including the arms used and whether special skills on making explosives were also taught.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/05/2005 00:00 ||
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Several intelligence reports, considered classified information, published in a Bangla language daily on Saturday, have created sensation in the country. The Daily Manavzamin published the report â titled "An Intelligence Report and%u2026" â giving details of intelligence findings. The heads of intelligence agencies remained tight-lipped. The report highlighted an intelligence report of 2002 that had warned of a possible assassination plot against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The report said 12 people had taken commando training at a secret location on the India-China border to carry out the assassination.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/05/2005 00:00 ||
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A bomb killed a candidate in Afghanistanâs upcoming parliamentary elections as eight policemen, two militants and a civilian were killed in a bloody countdown to the polls, officials said yesterday. Parliamentary candidate Habibullah Khan from the Garmser district of Helmand province, 600 kilometers south of Kabul, was severely wounded by a bomb placed at the door of his house early yesterday, district police chief Deljan said. He later died in hospital. âThis was a mine planted for him in front of his gate by the enemies of peace and stability,â he added, without blaming the attack on any group. Similar attacks in the past have been blamed on the ousted Taleban regime.
In Dishu district also in Helmand province, police chief Haji Amanullah was killed by the Taleban along with his son and three bodyguards in an ambush which left two militants dead. âIn the exchange of fire all five including the police chief were killed and two Taleban bodies were also left in the area,â Haji Mohammed Wali, the spokesman for the Helmand governor, told AFP.
In the southern province of Zabul four Afghan policemen were killed in two separate attacks. Three officers guarding a convoy transporting goods to US bases were killed Saturday when it came under fire from Taleban insurgents. The convoy was on its way from the provincial capital Qalat to US bases in Shinkay district 350 kilometers south of Kabul, said Shinkayâs District Governor Rozi Khan. After the exchange of fire the convoy turned back to Qalat. Zabul, which shares a long mountainous border with Pakistan, is one of the provinces worst hit by the insurgency. A purported Taleban spokesman, Abdul Latif Hakimi, claimed responsibility for the convoy attack in a telephone call from an undisclosed location.
Another policeman was killed in the neighboring Shah Joy district of Zabul in a Taleban attack on the main highway linking the southern city of Kandahar with Kabul. âOne policeman was killed and two were wounded in a one-hour exchange of fire after the Taleban attacked a Kabul-Kandahar highway checkpoint,â Ghulam Nabi Mullah Khail, the highway police commander, told AFP. The Taleban also claimed responsibility for that attack.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/05/2005 00:00 ||
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War-torn and impoverished Afghanistan has offered $100,000 in disaster relief aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the US Embassy in Kabul announced yesterday. âHamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, today signed a decree, on behalf of the people of Afghanistan, for donation of $100,000 to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the United States,â a US Embassy statement said.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/05/2005 00:00 ||
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Warm gesture, however I would prefer they use that money to shore up defenses from Mullah Omar when he 'comma callin'!
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/05/2005 10:03 Comments ||
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It's the thought that counts....
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/05/2005 10:51 Comments ||
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Nothing to see here, move along. Everyone knows Afghans hate Americans and what we did to their country.
/MSM
Posted by: Chris W. ||
09/05/2005 12:24 Comments ||
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I guess we'll just have to add $100K to the next Afghan aid appropriations bill. Still - it is a nice gesture. Looking at crater that is the WTC site today, I suspect that Kabul will be up and going a lot sooner than New Orleans.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
The ruling coalition government in Bangladesh plans to shut down madrasas, which they claim were being used as militant training camps, a report said yesterday. The Home Ministry was preparing a list of madrasas which reportedly served as camps to train cadres of the Jamatul Mujahedeen militant group how to use weapons. The Bangladesh Observer daily said the government was also seeking detailed information on the alleged training facilities offered by the madrasas, including the arms used and whether special skills on making explosives were also taught.
Several intelligence reports, considered classified information, published in a Bangla language daily on Saturday, have created sensation in the country. The Daily Manavzamin published the report â titled "An Intelligence Report and%u2026" â giving details of intelligence findings. The heads of intelligence agencies remained tight-lipped. The report highlighted an intelligence report of 2002 that had warned of a possible assassination plot against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The report said 12 people had taken commando training at a secret location on the India-China border to carry out the assassination.
A bomb killed a candidate in Afghanistanâs upcoming parliamentary elections as eight policemen, two militants and a civilian were killed in a bloody countdown to the polls, officials said yesterday. Parliamentary candidate Habibullah Khan from the Garmser district of Helmand province, 600 kilometers south of Kabul, was severely wounded by a bomb placed at the door of his house early yesterday, district police chief Deljan said. He later died in hospital. âThis was a mine planted for him in front of his gate by the enemies of peace and stability,â he added, without blaming the attack on any group. Similar attacks in the past have been blamed on the ousted Taleban regime.
