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Militant attack on Pakistan lawmaker kills 8
Militants used rockets and a bomb to attack the family home of a lawmaker in Pakistan's volatile northwest early Monday, killing eight people including the politician's brother, police said.
Meanwhile, Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik announced a ban on the country's umbrella Taliban group, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The militants targeted the Swat Valley residence of provincial lawmaker Waqar Ahmed Khan of the ruling Awami National Party. Khan said his brother, two nephews and several guards died in the attack on the compound, which belongs to him and his extended family.
Pakistan's Taliban movement has claimed responsibility for a handful of devastating suicide bombings in recent days, calling them revenge for military offensives in Swat, once a tourist destination, and the northwest Bajur tribal region.
A peace deal struck between provincial lawmakers and militants in Swat appears to be in tatters amid ongoing fighting.
The military operations come as the country's ruling coalition appears on the brink of collapse, raising concerns in Washington about the government's ability to stay focused on eradicating militants on its borders.
The U.S. worries that pockets of Pakistan's northwest have become safe zones for militants who plan attacks on American and NATO forces across the border in Afghanistan.
Several rockets were used and the militants set on fire the bungalow at the Khan family's sprawling residence in the valley's Shah Dheri area before leaving, police officer Saifur Rehman said. He said eight people were killed.
Rehman Malik, the head of the federal Interior Ministry, told The Associated Press on Monday that the government had decided to ban the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
"This organization is a terrorist organization and created mayhem against the public life, so we decided to declare it banned," Malik said, the country's top civilian security official.
Malik noted that despite the peace deal, militants kept attacking security forces, burning schools and damaging public buildings.
"Anyone having link with this organization, promoting its literature and message, helping it financially or in any other way will be taken to task according to the law," Malik said.
He said it had not been officially banned previously because the provincial government was trying to negotiate with the group.
On Thursday, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the information minister for the North West Frontier Province, said the deal remained technically intact. Militants used rockets and a bomb to attack the family home of a lawmaker in Pakistan's volatile northwest early Monday, killing ... more -
Militants blow up 2 dozen Music stores in Pakistan
Now, I am a definite critic of the "war on terrorism". But I am a bigger critic and in clear opposition of suppression of art and free speech anywhere in the world.
This is repression and thuggish intimidation, and no matter what the complex causes are around it, this is wrong! Now, I am a definite critic of the "war on terrorism". But I am a bigger critic and in clear opposition of suppression of ar... more -
Nigerian militants to guard oil pipelines in Niger Delta
The president of Nigeria Umaru Yar'Adua has taken steps to indoctrinate the abundance of militants in the oil rich Niger Delta region into a defence scheme for the pipelines in the area.
The Defence Minister Alhaji Yayale Ahmed stated to the House of Representatives Committee that the federal government in conjunction with local and state levels have cultivated plans of “constructive engagement " meaning the forming of limited liability companies for the legitimate employ of the militants.
The area of the Niger Delta has suffered from unrest for many years due to the rich wealth in resources of the region and its exploitation paralleled with the poverty of the population in the region and the damage to the environment caused that effect all life in the area. MarianaVanZeller's pod will explain a lot about the situation: http://current.com/items/77541711_rebels_in_the_pipelin....
MEND have not stated if they will be involved with this “constructive engagement “scheme but their leader in negotiations has recently given his faith to peace in negotiations with the
Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee chairman Chief James Jeftha. There has been criticism of “constructive engagement " in the Nigerian and international communities, as questions such as; whose arming them, who do they answer to, how do you know they won’t continue hostile actions inside installations ? More constructive questions consist of; why not focus efforts on the Nigerian Local Content Policy to stop sucking up money and actually be applied to areas in need of it. Abubakar Atiku Nuhu-Koko addresses these issues in the linked article, here is a taste:
“The truth of the matter is that offering security jobs to the militants will not solve the problems at hand in the Niger Delta. A holistic approach, which requires integrating and domesticating the largely foreign-controlled “enclave” oil and gas economy, is what, is desirable. The militant youths need education, quality of life that comes with productive employment, training opportunities and an environment free from oil and gas related pollution etc.” The president of Nigeria Umaru Yar'Adua has taken steps to indoctrinate the abundance of militants in the oil rich Niger Delta re... more -
Blackwater incompetent in An Najaf
In April 2004 8 Blackwater " commandos " were involved in the defence of Camp Golf/ Al-Andalus Base in An Najaf after an escalation in violence from protests and demonstrations. Muqtada Al Sadr broadcasted this message to the protestors "There is no use for demonstrations, as your enemy loves to terrify and suppress opinions, and despises peoples. I ask you not to resort to demonstrations because they have become a losing card and we should seek other ways. Terrorize your enemy, as we cannot remain silent over its violations."
On April 4th the demonstrations turned violent and the Mahdi Army was on the scene (it seems supporting the demonstrators), and the battle of An Najaf commenced.
This event is not in question, but eight Blackwater commandos have been praised for the defence of the compounds in the event, with the notable videos Blackwater in Najaf1/Blackwater in Najaf2.
'Now, however, we need to revise that account, according to the new book "Wiser in Battle" by Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, former commander of Coalition Forces in Iraq.'
Lt. Gen. Sanchez's reviews the reports he'd received, firstly from the major in Camp Golf saying the Spanish had abandoned their post and that they were close to being over-run. 'The situation sounded so dangerous that Sanchez immediately ordered close air support. But when the fighters flew over the area, they could see no enemy activity.'
With the conflicting reports Lt. Gen. Sanchez decides to go himself to see what’s happening, continuing to receive reports on his way there. He goes on to conclude that the Spanish had acted competently and defended their compound, and that the Private Contractors in the area were delivering confusing reports and complicating the situation. However I seriously recommend you read the account at the bottom of the article linked for yourself. In April 2004 8 Blackwater " commandos " were involved in the defence of Camp Golf/ Al-Andalus Base in An Najaf after an esc... more -
Niger-delta militants highjack oil vessel
Parallel to Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua gesture of good faith by offering to tackle the problems in the delta (suggesting reforms to the economy and petroleum sector), a Chevron Corp. oil vessel was highjacked off the coast of Port Harcourt on tuesday night. Eleven men were captured, two of which were foreign (Ukrainian and Portuguese) along with the vessel, however no group has claimed the action. MEND (Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta) has claimed it had nothing to do with the incident. Hopefully this incident wont effect President Yar'Adua's attempt to sympathise with the Niger delta's problems. Parallel to Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua gesture of good faith by offering to tackle the problems in the delta (suggesting r... more
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