On-the-trail-of-Masood-Azhar

World News :

You could say that the father and brother of one of India's most wanted men were my phone friends.

It was February 2000 and I was working on my first book, "173 Hours in Captivity: the Hijacking of IC-814". I was trying to get all information I could on Masood Azhar, the powerful militant leader, who had been freed in Kandahar in exchange for the passengers of the seized Indian Airlines flight.

So I decided: who would be better to tell me about him than his own father, former school teacher Allah Baksh Sabir?

Friends in the Indian security establishment had provided me Azhar's interrogation report, and friends in Pakistan had given me his landline telephone number at their poultry farm-cum-home in the Kaunsar Colony in Pakistan's Bahawalpur town.

I decided not to call him from my home; my phone records could have landed me in jail if someone decided to call me a terror conspirator. So I used to walk up to a PCO near my home in Noida every second day and talk in a hushed tone from a cubicle with the soft-spoken Sabir.

He referred to his own son – India's most wanted man -- as "Maulana saab".

Azhar is part of big family – he has five brothers and six sisters. But four of Sabir's sons had been away for a long time. Azhar was in a Jammu prison, Abdul Rauf Asghar was away in Karachi, young Jehangir Akbar was at a madrasa near Bahawalpur. Ibrahim Athar – the main hijacker – was away planning his mission though the father had told everyone he was on a pilgrimage. It is unclear if Sabir knew the truth.

That left another brother, Mohammed Tahir Anwar, in charge of the poultry and dairy farm, and the ninth-grade student Mohiuddin Alamgir, helping out at home.

The long telephone ring would often go unanswered for some time, and I used to imagine: would it be the old style phone with the dial? Would it be in a big house guarded by armed men? Would the maulana himself pick up the phone one day and would I encounter the voice of the obese, stern-eyed man we had been watching on television for weeks?

I must admit, I kept my name vague and did not reveal I was calling from India.

Azhar was never home. He was busy – he had just formed the Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group.

Over the coming days, Sabir and I began making small talk.

"You know, Maulana saab just got married, a day after Eid … the child teaches in a religious school here."

"Maulana saab has just bought a house in Karachi".

"He has a mobile phone but I don't have the number."

One day I asked: "Are you OK? You don't sound so good." He said: "No, no, just a slight cold, son. How have you been?"

One day Sabir did not pick up the phone; it was a boyish voice instead. I did swift mathematics and intelligent guesswork – and realised it could be the youngest son mentioned on the interrogation report.

"Beta (son), is that Alamgir?"

"Ji!" said the boy, excited that an unknown caller knew his name as well in a famous man's house.

We soon became friends. Alamgir gave Azhar's mobile number, but muddled up one area code, and I could never speak to him.

The book was published, and weeks later I read a newspaper report about a man who featured in it, who had asked for and bought a copy at the famous Mr. Books store in Islamabad: the London School of Economic-educated Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, one of the other two top militants released with Azhar.

After-Dawood-Masood-and-Memon-Pak-denies-India-access-to-Mumbai-attack-mastermind

NEW DELHI: Pakistan has ruled out giving India access to Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhwi, who is learnt to be behind the Mumbai terror strikes. Pak has said that only its authorities can question Lakhwi to ascertain whether he had any link to the attacks.

Pakistan defence minister Chaudhary Ahmed Mukhtar said India's "concerns" can be discussed through a joint investigation mechanism which Islamabad has proposed to be set up to probe the Mumbai attacks.

"May be we can have a joint investigation mechanism and find out who these culprits are," Mukhtar said.

He said Pak officials will question Lakhwi, who was arrested in the crackdown against terrorists, to find out whether there is any linkage to the Mumbai terror attacks.

Lakhwi's name figured during questioning of Ajmal Kasav, the only terrorist caught during the Mumbai attacks, by Indian investigators.

"We do not have to rush into things. We have to move slowly to get hold of the right kind of people who could be involved or are alleged to be involved (in Mumbai attacks).

I really do not know who they are. We are trying to find out. We will find out. There is no reason why we would not find out," he said.

Mukhtar said the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack are "scared" of improvement in relations between India and Pakistan.

"They are scared of these countries becoming trading partners and gaining confidence of each other," he said.

Mukhtar said the meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, discussed the "pros and cons" of incidents "happening around us" and ways to continue the war against terror and to help Pakistan's neighbours fight the menace.

Millions-of-Muslim-perform-Waqoof-e-Arafat

ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (APP): About 2.5 millions of Muslims from across the world on Sunday performed the most important ritual of Hajj, Waqoof-e -Arafat.

Over 2.5 million Muslims are performing Hajj this years.Of these 165,000 are Pakistanis, PTV reported.

Starting just after dawn today, in mild weather, the faithful made their way slowly on foot or by bus onto Jabl-e-Arafat, where Prophet Mohammed Sallalah-o-Alaihe -Wa Alaihe Wasallam delivered his last Khutba more than 14 centuries ago.

For the second day of the Hajj, the male pilgrims wore two pieces of unstitched cloth, serving as a shroud, while the women were entirely covered apart from face and hands.

The crowd continued to recite ‘Labaik Allahhuma Labaik’ as they converged on Jabl-e-Arafat to seek Allah Almighty’s blessings and forgiveness for their sins.

They spend the rest of their time on mount Arafat praying and beseeching God for his forgiveness, as a symbol of the wait for Judgement day.

In his Hajj sermon, grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, bin Abdullah al-sheikh called upon the Muslims to implement Taqwa in their lives as it is the essence of Islam.

He asked them to follow the teachings of Islam for success in this world and the hereafter.

He said Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallalahoo Alaihi Wa Alaihi Wasalam) showed the path of righteousness to the humanity and by following the very basics of Islam, we can rid the society of all evils.

He said Islam is a complete code of life, addressing all the requirements of the people. Sheikh Abdul Aziz warned that the enemies of Islam wanted to disintegrate the Ummah and gain control on the Muslim resources.

He said the evil design of such elements could be foiled only if the Muslims remain firm on the teachings of Islam.

He said Islam is a religion of peace and there is no extremism in our religion.

He said those who kill their own brethren in terrorist acts had no link to Islam. After the sermon, the Hujajj offered combined Zuhr and Asar prayers. They also visited Jabl-e-Rahmat, the mount of blessings.

After Waqoof-e Arafat, at sunset the faithful will move towards the valley of Muzdalifah where they will spend the whole night in the open sky and seek forgiveness and blessings of Allah Almighty.

On Monday the Hujjaj will return to Mina, perform Rammi or stoning of the big ‘Satan’, sacrifice animal, usually a sheep, in pursuit of the Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim Alaihissalam and perform other rituals.

The next day, the Hujjaj will again perform Rammi at Jamrat, stoning of the smaller Satan.

Later, they will return to Makkah to perform Tawaf-e-Ziarat. The Saudi authorities have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the pilgrims.

The Saudi interior ministry has assembled 100,000 stewards to ensure safety during the Hajj and the health ministry has supplied 11,000 of its medical and paramedical staff along with 140 first aid points and 24 field hospitals containing a total of 4,000 beds.

Car-bomb-devastates-Peshawar-market-22-killed-90-injured

By Ali Hazrat Bacha
PESHAWAR, Dec 5: At least 22 people were killed and over 90 others injured when a car bomb ripped through a congested locality of Kocha Risaldar near Qissa Khwani Bazaar on Friday evening.

The explosion was followed by a fire that engulfed scores of buildings in the narrow streets, making it difficult for rescue workers to move the injured and bodies trapped inside.

Hospital sources said the death toll might rise because some of the injured were in critical condition.

People started running around in panic amid groans of the injured and wails of ambulance sirens.

A large number of people rushed to rescue the injured and pull bodies from devastated buildings.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, a spokesman for the NWFP government, and provincial police chief Malik Mohammad Naveed said the explosion had probably been caused by a car bomb.

However, the city police chief said it was not clear whether it was a car bomb blast or suicide bombing. “The cause can be ascertained once the area is cleared and the fire is extinguished.”

He said police and volunteers had begun evacuating the victims and a rescue operation was in progress. Forensic evidence would be studied afterwards. He said the explosion might have taken place in a hotel or a vehicle.

The victims, among them women and children, were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital. Most of the bodies were mutilated, some charred beyond recognition.

Some students of Kohat University who were staying at the Park Hotel said three of their colleagues had died.

The blast damaged scores of houses and shops and several people were injured by shreds of broken windowpanes.

There was an imambargah, Alamdar Karbala, in the hotel building.

According to sources, a van parked in a lane outside the hotel had exploded.

Witnesses said power supply was suspended after the explosion.

Plastic utensils and used clothes in shops fuelled the fire. Several vehicles parked in the vicinity were destroyed.

The fire also affected a girls’ school in Jehangirpura. Most of the shops were burnt to ashes as firefighters had to negotiate their way through alleys to reach the scene. It took two hours to douse the leaping flames.

Syed Irfan Raza adds from Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the Peshawar bomb blast.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik ordered an inquiry into the incident and asked the NWFP government to submit a report of the probe.

Indian FM denies making phone-call to President Zardari

Updated at: 1310 PST, Sunday, December 07, 2008


NEW DELHI: Indian Foreign Minister, Pranab Mukherjee has denied making any telephone call to President Asif Ali Zardari.

Pranab Mukherjee in a statement blamed Pakistan making a phone call story for keeping the people confused and diverting the attention from the Pakistani elements involved in Mumbai blasts. Indian foreign minister further expressed his fears that Pakistan could think of taking actions making the fake telephone call a basis.

The published report relating to Indian foreign minister’s phone call told that the call was faked, while the Federal Information Minister, Sherry Rahman said that the call received on November 28 was made from the authentic number of Indian foreign office and all phone calls were connected to the President after proper verification, but now the Indian foreign minister has himself confirmed that no such phone call was made by him. While the President House spokesman, Farhatullah Babar told Geo News that President Zardari was phoned up from the Indian foreign ministry’s authentic number. He said that the government has already clarified its position and he would not like to say any further in this regard.

Islamic-financial-system-is-best-Hajj-sermon

ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (APP): Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh has urged the Muslims to hold tightly the rope of Allah Almighty and practice Islam, saying the ongoing global financial crisis could be overcome by practicing Islamic teachings.

While delivering Hajj sermon in the Nimra Mosque situated in Arafat to millions of pilgrims from around the world Sunday, private TV channel (Aryoneworld), reported.

Grand Mufti urged Muslims to practice teachings delivered by Allah by his Prophet (peace be upon him) terming these the only way for their success in this world and hereafter.

He said the financial system given by Islam is the best and able to address all the needs of modern world, suffering from global financial crunch, as it is based on the principles of ‘Adal’ justice and interest-free.

“Muslims’ beliefs are based only on Quran and Sunnah and nothing other than these,” he said, urging Muslims to practice the five pillars of Islam, i.e. Shahadat, Prayer, Fasting, Charity and Hajj, with full spirit.

He asked Muslims to adopt ‘Taqwah’, quoting several verses from Holy Quran and sayings of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) over its importance and effects.

“Whoever said ‘La-Illaha ilallah’ will be saved from fire of hell,” Al-Sheikh said in his sermon.

“Some forces were trying to change the thoughts of Muslim youths,” Grand Mufti warned, urging youth to strengthen their relationship with Islam.

“These forces are trying their best to unveil Muslim women; they have flourished the drugs in Muslim societies; they are misinterpreting Islam’s teachings to distance Muslims from their religion,” Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti warned more than 2.5 million pilgrims present in Arafat for Hajj and to billions of others watching and hearing his ‘Khutba’ (address) alive on televisions and radios as it was telecasted in all around the Muslim world.

“Islam does not support terrorism in any form and strictly prohibits shedding blood of innocents,” he added.

Islam is against all forms of terrorism: Khutba-e-Hajj

Updated at: 1746 PST, Sunday, December 07, 2008
MECCA: Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Azam Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah delivering Khutba-e-Hajj on Sunday said Islam is against atrocious forces but does not in any case allow acts of terrorism in any of its form and manifestation.

The capitalistic system has engulfed the entire world in a severe economic and financial crisis.

He said the evil forces are at work in diverting the Muslim youth to a wrong path and all the resources are being used to unveil Muslim women.

Mufti Azam Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah said faith is the most precious thing for a Muslim in the entire universe because his success in this world and the world hereafter depends on it.

Muslims’ distancing from their religion and the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) is primarily responsible for their downfall.

The religion of Islam strictly prohibits Muslims from causing pain to all even if he is a non-muslim.

The punishments under Shariah are meant to stop violence from spreading into a society.

Pakistan-spy-chief-meets-PM-amid-India-row

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The chief of Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday amid growing tension with old rival India over the Mumbai attacks.

Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shujaa Pasha, the head of Pakistan's main security service, briefed Gilani on security, according to a brief statement from the prime minster's office.

India has blamed Islamist militants based in Pakistan for the three-day rampage in its financial capital last week that killed 171 people.

Indian newspapers said on Friday the ISI was involved in training the militants, who are said to belong to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group that has been blamed for earlier attacks in India.

The Pakistani government and security officials have denied any involvement by state agencies, and the chief of the Interior Ministry reiterated on Friday Pakistan's commitment to helping India with its investigation.

"We will give India unconditional support to identify the criminals and take action against them," acting Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters.

"We think the criminals, whether they are from India or Pakistan or anywhere else in the world, he or they should be brought to justice," he said.

Tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours, which have fought three wars since independence from British rule in 1947, has stoked fears of renewed confrontation and the collapse of their four-year-old peace process.

Taj-Hotel-Top-Story

3 terrorists killed at Taj, operations officially on

Updated at: 0953 PST, Saturday, November 29, 2008 NEW DELHI: The 59-hour siege of old Taj hotel ends with the NSG killing three terrorist who were holed up inside. NSG said they would not declare the operation over before sanitising each and every floor. "Three terrorists have been killed but we are still continuing our operations," Director General of NSG, J K Dutt, told reporters outside the hotel. On whether all the terrorists have been killed and hotel is now free, he said that it could be ascertained after the combing operation is over. During the night, terrorists holed out in the hotel engaged in a fierce gun battle with security forces as some places in the first and the ground floors of the 565-room building set afire by terrorists amid explosions in the over 100-year-old heritage complex in the Colaba area.