Pak Wants Peace with Neighbours: Gilani

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani urged the international community on Thursday to persuade India to defuse tension with Pakistan and added that soon after the Mumbai terror strikes, he had called Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express concern over the tragedy and sympathise with the families of those aggrieved, as his country was against terrorism, reported The Dawn a local English daily.

Speaking to the media at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, where he laid floral wreaths at the resting places of former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Gilani said: “We want excellent relations with our neighbours, whether India or Afghanistan.”

Gilani said: “We agreed to share intelligence with India because Pakistan does not want terrorism anywhere in the world.”

He charged that the Indian government was under mounting public pressure because of failure of its agencies to prevent the Mumbai attacks and, therefore, it was looking for a scapegoat.

“I assure the world and the nation that Pakistan has no aggressive designs and being a responsible country it is against terrorism.” He said that national leader Benazir Bhutto was a victim of terrorism and no one had suffered more than the people of Pakistan.

“We are a responsible nation and do not want war. But a war is imposed on us, our people, the armed forces and the leadership will defend the country,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said: “Whenever we receive proof we will investigate on our own and take people into confidence”.

He said he would assure the world that Pakistan’s soil would not be used for acts of terrorism.

The prime minister said that non-state actors who wanted to destabilise the country and democracy and subvert the mission of late ZA Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto would not be allowed to succeed.

Earlier, addressing a convocation at the King Edward Medical University in Lahore, the Gilani said: “We are a peace-loving, civilised and responsible nation and strongly condemn terrorism in all its manifestations all over the world.”

Mortar Barrage Crashes Ceasefire, Gaza Invasion Imminent

Brushing off calls for restraint, Israel is reported to be in last minute discussions preceding the invasion of Gaza, saying it had wrapped up preparations for a broad offensive after Palestinian militants fired about 100 rockets and mortar shells across the border in two days.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a direct appeal to Gaza's people to pressure their leaders to stop the barrages. But the attacks showed no signs of ending. By nightfall, three rockets and 15 mortar shells had exploded in Israel.

Olmert issued his appeal in a rare interview with the Arabic language satellite channel al-Arabiya, saying: "I am telling them now, it may be the last minute, I'm telling them stop it. We are stronger."

Thursday's rocket fire was far less than the barrage of 80 rockets the previous day, and there were no reports of injuries. But Israeli leaders said the continued fire — the most intense since Egypt brokered a cease-fire last June — was unacceptable.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak invited Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to Cairo to discuss the possibility of renewing the truce, which expired Friday. But by the time Livni arrived, she was in no mood to discuss a cease-fire, and she dismissed Mubarak's pleas for restraint.

"Enough is enough," she said afterward. "When there's shooting, there's a response. Any state would react that way."

In Israel, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that "whoever harms the citizens and soldiers of Israel will pay a heavy price."

According to reports, the Israeli operation would likely begin with surgical airstrikes against rocket launchers and continue with a land invasion. Harsh weather conditions are hampering visibility and complicating air force missions, so the operation won't be launched until the skies clear.

Israel left Gaza in 2005 after a 38-year occupation, but still controls its border crossings, blockaded for months in an effort to pressure militants to halt their fire. Islamic Hamas militants seized control of Gaza in June 2007, after routing security forces loyal to Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Despite the rocket fire, Israel's Defense Ministry said late Thursday that it would open two cargo crossings Friday to allow a limited amount of vital supplies to enter. Israel's policy is to avoid a humanitarian crisis there, while keeping up the pressure.

In the West Bank, Abbas visited Hebron, the area's largest city, for the first time since he took office in 2005. Israeli forces control a section in the middle of the city to protect about 500 Jewish settlers living in several enclaves. Hebron is home to about 170,000 Palestinians.

Abbas demanded that the settlers get out. "Hebron is ours, and they have to leave if they want peace," he said.

(Agencies)

Voter Turnout Snubs Separatists in J&K

With a huge voter turnout in the seven phase polls to the state Assembly keying in their disfavour for the separatist movement in Jammu & Kashmir, Some separatist leaders are beginning to view the voters inclination to cast their mandate despite boycott calls, as a pointer towards the ground they have lost in recent years.

The secessionist call to boycott polls was ignored through the over a month long election process as people braved biting cold to queue up outside poll stations to vote for a better quality of life.

With practicalities finally beginning to overtake emotional issues high on the voters minds were issues like unemployment, education, healthcare and civic amenities.

Over 55 percent of Kashmiris voted in the polls Wednesday and the seven-phase elections registered 63 percent polling overall.

Several separatist leaders are now questioning the wisdom of calling for a total poll boycott.

“It was a hasty decision. I believe it was not properly debated before it was taken,” said Aga Syed Hassan Badgami, senior Shia leader and a constituent of the moderate Hurriyat group, in a statement in Srinagar Thursday.

With people in the state ignoring boycott calls issued by them, separatist leaders still maintain that the high voter turnout has nothing to do with the resolution of the Kashmir problem.

The 20 percent polling in the eight constituencies of Srinagar district that went to the hustings on Wednesday were perhaps, the only saving grace for the separatists, as compared to over 55 percent voting everywhere else in the 46 constituencies of the Kashmir Valley.

Attempting to take the sting off the ignominy Mirwaiz Umer Farooq blames the separatists’ failure on a huge police presence that descended o the state ahead of the elections.

“The authorities arrested every separatist leader. They converted the valley into a fortified security force camp. It was not a democratic exercise at all. The international community must take cognizance of this fact,” said the Mirwaiz in a statement.

Most worried by the development is Syed Ali Geelani, the chairman of the Hurriyat group, as his boycott calls were ignored by cadres of the Jamaat-e-Islami, his parent organization.

With separatists still thrashing out the reasons behind the high voter turnout and the administration readying itself for the new government, people in Kashmir can only wish that those in power, this point on, refrain from policies that would yet again amount to playing in the hands of the separatists.

Maya Rules out CBI Probe in Torture Killing

With the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) protesting against the gruesome murder of PWD engineer MK Gupta at the hands of a BSP MLA, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday ruled out a CBI probe into the incident saying “suitable action had been taken against the accused.”

Violence and arson rocked Auraiya town as SP workers took to the streets to protest against the killing and alleged extortion by the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLAs for giving donations to Mayawati’s birthday on January 15.

BSP MLA Shekhar Tewari has been arrested in connection with the murder.

The Chief Minister described the murder as a fallout of a commission dispute Gupta had with fellow engineers. She said that with two PWD engineers named in the FIR, it essentially appeared to be a departmental dispute.

She added that once the name of the party MLA surfaced in the murder she ordered his immediate arrest.

Attempting to play down the controversy she said that she was aware of Tewari’s criminal record at the time of his joining the party, but wa informed that he had been implicated in false cases by the previous Congress, SP and BJP regimes.

She authenticated his stand before giving him a party ticket and also told him that if his implication was not found to be false, he would not be spared. Tewari’s “involvement” in a commission racket was being investigated, she told reporters.

Denying that the BSP was a “laboratory of criminals,” she said that persons with criminal antecedents and victims of political conspiracy had to be given a chance to reform. She admitted that some BSP MLAs and Ministers had a criminal past.

Taking the battle into the enemy camp Mayawati charged the Congress-led UPA government was dancing to the tunes of few industrialists, “who dictated the Centre’s policies.”

She also blasted the previous SP regime as one synonymous with loot, corruption, criminals and mafia.

Pakistan Arrests Three More Indian Citizens

Police in Pakistan have arrested three more Indian nationals for alleged involvement in a blast which occurred in eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday. Security forces had earlier arrested Satish Anand Sharma, an Indian citizen, and claimed to have recovered from his possession documents containing sensitive information.

During initial investigation, Sharma is reported to have disclosed the presence of gthree of his associates in Pakistan. Later, intelligent agencies raided different parts of Lahore and arrested three more Indians.

A report on the Press TV attributing the information to sources said a camera, two pistols and secret maps were recovered from the possession of accused, fake national identity cards were also recovered from the suspects.

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad denied having received any information from the Pakistani officials.

"Nothing has been conveyed officially and we suspect this is yet another ploy to divert attention from the real issue, which is to bring the guilty in Mumbai attacks to justice. We don't believe these reports are true and if they are, we would like Pakistan to inform us officially,'' Times of India quoted a highly placed source as saying on Thursday.

The blast in a heavily guarded neighborhood of the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday left one woman killed and four others injured.

Tensions have been running high between India and Pakistan since New Delhi blamed the 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai on ‘elements in Pakistan, the charge was, however, denied by Islamabad.

Christmas Peaceful in Kandhamal

Christmas celebrations in the strife-torn Kandhamal district were peaceful. In the four major churches of Tikabali, Raikia, Daringbadi, Phulbani and in relief camps sheltering the minorities, the traditional Mid-night mass, on December 24, was preponed by about four hours.

District officials say amity prevailed and in some places, even people from the Hindu community participated in the evening celebrations.

The administration had earlier beefed up security after minority groups expressed apprehensions of Right wing organizations marring celebrations during Christmas festivities.

The state aministration had beefed up security throughout the state, especially in the Kandhamal district which had borne the brunt of bloody violence following the assassination of noted anti-conversion Swam Laksmanananda Saraswati at his ashram.

Right wing organizations had called earlier for a bandh on Christmas day to press for the arrest of those responsible for the Swami’s gruesome killing, but withdrew the call on the intervention of Chief Minister Navin Patnaik.

Soon after unidentified gunmen shot down the Swami, the government had accused Naxalites of having carried out the killing, Right wing parties, however, went on rampage destroying places of worship belonging to the minority community while blaming them for the murder.

The violence forced several members of the minority to take cover in the jungles and pushed scores of others to find security at relief camps set up by the state government.

With fears of violence haunting the minority, the state government deployed a hug posse of state and central agencies to thwart any efforts to trigger violence and vitiate the delicate peace that has only just returned to the district.

Nearly 50 companies of security forces were deployed in Kandhamal, including the RAF, while helicopters were pressed into service to conduct aerial surveys.

No Conflict yet But Be Ready: BSF

While negating the prospects of an imminent military conflict, Border Security Force (BSF) ADG UK Bansal on Thursday asked troops of the force, deployed in areas of Rajasthan bordering Pakistan, to remain physically and mentally prepared for any kind of eventuality.

Addressing jawans in border areas of Rajasthan, Bansal said though there was not a war like situation but they should remain mentally and physically ready to face any kind of challenge.

Bansal, who is on a three-day visit to review security in border areas of Rajasthan, o Thursday visited the sensitive border posts in Jaisalmer.

He termed the reports in a section of media that villagers on the border areas have been asked to evacuate the area as mere 'rumours'.

GJM Calls off Indefinite Strike

A day after its leaders announced its inclination for talks with the Center and the state government, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Thursday called off its indefinite strike at state government and DGHC offices, creating a conducive environment for the talks scheduled to commence in Delhi on December 29.

Announcing the decision to call off the strike GJM press and publicity secretary, Binoy Tamang said: "We decided to call off the strike at government and DGHC offices to make the atmosphere conducive for the Delhi talks," said Benoy Tamang, GJM press and publicity secretary, in Darjeeling on Thursday.

The decision to call off the strike comes as a pleasant surprise for the state government as Bimal Gurung, while going public with the decision to join the talks on Wednesday, had made it clear that the strike would continue.

The strike, however, will continue to affect NTPC, NHPC, the billing sections of the telephone and electricity departments and tax and revenue collecting offices as these offices will be brought out of the purview of the strike if the tripartite talks are successful.

"Decision in this regard will be taken only after the tripartite talk yields some results," said Tamang.

As part of GJM's non-co-operation movement, all state government and DGHC offices have been closed since December 8.

Meanwhile, the group to attend the Delhi talks has been raised from 13 to 17. Bimal Gurung will however not attend the parleys.

Campaigning Ends for K’taka By Polls

The election campaign for eight assembly constituencies in Karnataka which go for the by-polls on December 27, ended at 5 pm on Thursday. The leaders of different parties including those from the Congress, BJP and the JD(S) campaigned for their candidates till the last minute.

Not wishing to invite the ire of the Election Commission which has been keeping a strict vigil on the activities in these constituencies, the parties ended their campaigns bang on schedule.

The by-election is being viewed as a prestige issue for the Congress and the JD(S) who have lost several partymen to the lure of ministerial berths extended by the ruling BJP in the state.

The BJP is also determined to continue its winning streak in the last electoral outing ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for 2009.

Purohit’s Former Colleague to Testify

An armyman, who had served with Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit in Military Intelligence, is likely to be made a prosecution witness in the Malegaon blast case as the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) inquiring into the matter has recorded his statement which will also be used as evidence.

"We have recorded the statement of one of the armyman we questioned. This will be used as evidence in the case," a senior ATS official said on Thursday.

"He will be a witness in the blast case. We have taken all precautions to ensure that the statement is admissible in the court," the official said.

The ATS recently questioned three armymen, a Junior Commissioned Officer and two jawans, who have served in Military Intelligence with Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, already in custody in the blast case.

A resident of Pune, 37-year old Lt Col Purohit had allegedly procured RDX and attended several meetings in Deolali to conspire for the blast, the ATS has said.

Names of some armymen cropped up during the interrogation of Lt Col Purohit and Sudhkar Chaturvedi, another arrested accused in the case.

Chaturvedi was first arrested by the Matunga Police for possessing a fake ID which was also used as an entry pass for the Deolali cantonment. He was booked in the Malegaon blast case on November 19.

On reports that the ATS was in a position to file the chargesheet within the stipulated time but its officials are gathering `as much evidence as possible', ATS chief KP Raghuvanshi said, "We are interrogating as many persons as possible in the case."

(Internet Inputs)

Don’t Underestimate Pakistan: Zardari

Amid escalating tensions and Islamabad’s continued denial of any links to the Mumbai attacks Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on a local news channel, "India should not underestimate Pakistan's military power because Pakistan is capable of thwarting any aggression from the east."

Zardari remembered to mention the direction, as Pakistan’s other border – with Afghanistan - has come in for repeated missile poundings and ground action, on at least one instance, from a side he would not dare talk tough with.

Endorsing Zardari’s statement Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said, "The military is fully capable of defending Pakistan's territorial integrity. The operational preparedness of the armed forces is at an optimal level.

The nation and the army are united to defend the country and its territorial integrity," he added.

Islamabad yet again attempted to play down the prospects of military conflict by suggesting that Indian insinuations Pakistan’s complexity in the attack are launched by New Delhi to deflect the flak it faces for an intelligence failure.

India says the issue at hand was one of terror acts on India from Pakistan and not of a war between the two countries.

On December 14, the Pakistan Air Force had complained of IAF violations over Punjab and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. On December 22 Pakistani air force jets scrambled and flew low over Pakistani cities, spreading panic and rumours that an Indian strike was imminent.

Several Pakistani papers carried reports on December 23 quoting officials saying a strike by India on Pakistan was "expected" in the next 24 hours. Army Chief General Kayani had stated that Pakistan was prepared to strike back within minutes of an Indian strike.

However, despite all these signs, former Indian national security advisor, Brajesh Mishra in an interview to Karan Thapar said he doesn't expect a war between India and Pakistan right now. But he stated that the Government could consider a tactical air strike.

"I don't think it is necessary or it is being contemplated that you immediately start an all-out war against Pakistan. I don't think that is on the cards. I honestly can't say what they are planning, but an air strike is one option of course. I don't think this Government will survive another strike unless it goes for immediate military option," Mishra told Karan Thapar.

(IBN Inputs)

Pope Prays for Peace in Middle East

The head of the Catholic Church has ushered in Christmas calling for an end to "hatred and violence" in the Middle East, while appealing to halt the abuse of children around the world who are "victims of the industry of pornography and every other appalling form of abuse, and thus are traumatised in the depths of their soul."

Leading the traditional midnight mass ceremonies at Saint Peter's cathedral in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI recalled the birth of Jesus in biblical Bethlehem and prayed for an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

"Let us think also of the place named Bethlehem, of the land in which Jesus lived, and which he loved so deeply," he said.

"Let us pray that peace will be established there, that hatred and violence will cease. Let us pray for mutual understanding, that hearts will be opened, so that borders can be opened."

Thousands of worshippers packed the basilica for the midnight service, with giant video screens set up in Saint Peter's Square for those unable to enter.

"Let us pray that peace will be established ... that hatred and violence will cease. Let us pray for mutual understanding, that hearts will be opened, so that borders can be opened."

In Bethlehem itself, Wednesday night saw thousands of pilgrims join celebrations in Manger Square, the site where Christians believe Jesus was born.

They were overseen by around 500 security personnel despatched from the cities of Ramallah and Jericho to protect visitors over the Christmas holiday.

"We expect about 40,000 visitors in Bethlehem this week," said Khouloud Daibes-Abu Dayyeh, the Palestinian Authority's minister of tourism.

The estimate included Christians from the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Israel and the rest of the world.

About 900 Christians from Gaza applied for Israeli permission to travel to Bethlehem for the Christmas celebrations, but only about 300 received authorisation.

In May Pope Benedict is expected to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories in the first papal trip to the region since his predecessor Pope John Paul II travelled there in a 2000 pilgrimage.

In his sermon to worshippers in the Vatican, Pope Benedict also sent out an appeal for children around the world who are abused, exploited, forced to live on the street or serve as soldiers.

About 40,000 visitors are expected in the West Bank town of Bethlehem this week."The Child of Bethlehem summons us once again to do everything in our power to put an end to the suffering of these children," he said.

Delivering his address in Italian, he pointed to the plight of "street children who do not have the blessing of a family home, of those children who are brutally exploited as soldiers and made instruments of violence, instead of messengers of reconciliation and peace."

He did not however specifically mention the issue of lawsuits and other complaints brought in the US and elsewhere by Catholics who allege they were sexually abused by priests when they were youngsters.

Stop Anti-Pakistan "Propoganda," Says Islamabad

In an apparent effort to negate effects of the battering suffered by its international image, in face of the diplomatic measures launched by India in the aftermath of the terror strikes in Mumbai, Pakistan on Wednesday urging the world community to pressurize India to shut down what it terms terror cells and to stop its anti-Pakistan "propaganda."

A resolution, moved by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Ahmad in the National Assembly (NA) "urged the global community to press India to close terror hubs and stop anti-Pakistan propaganda", The News reported on its website.

The resolution further said that Pakistan wants peace and stability in the region and the end of tension with India.

"The resolution stated that Mumbai attacks reflected the failure of Indian intelligence; therefore, India should stop blaming Pakistan," The News said.

The assembly session was adjourned after the resolution was passed.

India is now set to seek the support of Saudi Arabia to pressurize Islamabad to act against terror havens, when Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal's visits New Delhi on Friday.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is expected to share with his Saudi counterpart information establishing a clear link between Pakistan-based elements and the Mumbai terror attacks, say official sources.

New Delhi will seek Riyadh's support in putting pressure on Islamabad to initiate firm steps against terror outfits usng Pakistani territory to launch attacks inside India.

Prominent on New Delhi’s to do list is a clamp down on those bankrolling terror activities some of whom are known to employ Saudi charities and other fronts to generate funds.

Also on the agenda will be media reports appearing in a section of Saudi media, fed by the Pakistani propaganda machinery, which are critical of New Delhi but sympathetic toward Islamabad.

Firing yet another salvo, former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said he would personally request President Asif Ali Zardari to initiate "stern action" if New Delhi proved a Pakistani connection in the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai that killed over 170 and wounded hundreds of others.

Sharif said that "he believed the Pakistan government had no link to the blasts", The News reported Wednesday.

He further "warned" the Indian and Pakistani leaderships against making "irresponsible statements" as this would "further aggravate the situation".

"He said if the Indian government did not have any evidence, then it should avoid creating tensions in the region through fake allegations," The News reported.

Sharif, a onetime ally of Pesident Zardari, is counting on escalating tensions in the region to oust the Zardari led coalition government from office by playing up the controversy and blocking US support to Islamabad apart from counting on US missile strike induced anti incumbencies to catapult himself into power.

Meanwhile, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has admitted that the Mumbai terror attacks have jeopardised operations against the Taliban in the remote parts of Pakistan.

The attacks were a tactical operation that had strategic effects, said Admiral Mullen while speaking to reporters on the flight home after a visit to Pakistan.

It placed progress against Taliban extremists using safe havens in Pakistan's remote areas in jeopardy, he said.

Before the attack in Mumbai, the Pakistani government began operations in Bajaur on the border with Afghanistan, Mullen pointed out.

During his trip, Mullen met top military and intelligence officials in Pakistan including army chief General Kayani, and the top boss of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha and apparently held parleys over the Mumbai strike.

"It was a good, positive meeting, and it continues our relationship," Mullen said, according to a report on the US defence department website. "I'm not going to get into specifics of what we discussed, but I am encouraged."

US officials believe extremists from the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Tayeba used the safe havens along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, to finance, plan and train for the Nov 26 Mumbai terror attack.

(IANS Inputs)

Bout Seven: J&K Votes out Boycott Calls

The seven phase polls to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly concluded on Wednesday, as voters braved biting cold and boycott calls by secessionists to average a total of 63 percent voting in what authorities say will go down as the most credible election in the state.

Of more than 48 lakh eligible voters, over 30 lakh keyed in their choice, the officials said.

Despite sporadic incidents of violence during the seven phase polls that lasted over a month, the exercise remained by and large peaceful in the state.

The first phase held November 17 saw 64 per cent of electorate exercising their franchise. The polling in 10 constituencies in the Muslim dominated Kashmir Valley, the Hindu majority Jammu region and the mainly Buddhist Ladakh proved a turning point for other parts of the region vying for peace and development.

The second round November 23 saw even a higher turnout, with 65 per cent voters casting the ballot in two constituencies of the Kashmir Valley and four in the Jammu region.

The third phase recorded a voting of 62 per cent in the five constituencies, which went to polls on November 30. Fifty-five percent of the electorate voted December 7 in the fourth phase of the elections.

The fifth phase on December 13, which saw some violence and the killing of an anti-poll protester, witnessed 59 per cent of the electorate participating in the exercise.

The sixth round of balloting on December 17 ended peacefully with about 63 per cent of the electorate turning out to vote.

In the last phase of elections on Wednesday, the people in Jammu and Kashmir again defied boycott calls to queue up in large numbers even in the summer capital - Srinagar, which remains the hub of the secessionist movement.

At least 52 per cent voting was recorded in 21 constituencies that went to polls in the last crucial round of balloting.

The summer capital Srinagar recorded its highest voting percentage of 20 in the last 19 years, officials said.

No constituency in Srinagar had recorded even 10 per cent voting in any election since 1989 when the separatist campaign began. But the script on Wednesday was an absolute contrast.

Election results will be declared on December 28. The main contest is between the National Conference, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Pak Heightens Troop Movement along Border

Pakistan has heightened troop deployment across the international border with India, say BSF officials. Coming in the midst of an ongoing war of words and escalating tensions the movement is significant as India continues to use it offices to push Islamabad to initiate action against terror havens operating from its territories.

"A lot of military movement is being noticed in districts just across the international border for the last few days, which is not normal," RC Dhyani, DIG of Rajasthan frontier BSF, was quoted as saying by PTI.

"Patrolling across the border has intensified while defence personnel are constantly on vigil from watch towers," he said.

"It was not a normal practice some days ago and after escalation of tension between two countries Pakistan has deployed more troops across border," he added.

Dhyani added that the situation was under control and that his troops were prepared to meet any eventuality.

BSF ADG UK Bansal visited the border posts in Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur districts on Wednesday and is understood to have taken stock of the troop movement across the border.

Later, on Wednesday night, BSF Chief ML Kumawat rubbished media reports suggesting the Centre had ordered the evacuation of several Rajasthan villages bordering Pakistan.

He added that a strict vigil was being maintained by the BSF, while adding "Such reports are only designed to create panic where there is none."

He said he had spoken to Rajasthan chief secretary on the need to maintain calm.

About reports that Pakistan had allegedly massed troops along the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan, Kumawat said, "BSF is fully alert and is maintaining tight vigil along the border. There is no need to panic at all."

Party to Blame for Delhi, Rajasthan Losses: Advani

In a sneak preview of what the Bharatiya Janata Party campaign could be for the Lok Sabha polls next year, party stalwart LK Advani lampooned the Congress led UPA for its soft stance on terror while acknowledging that Delhi and Rajasthan Assembly battles were lost due to the party’s own faults.

In a strong message to party colleagues, Advani said the party has to remain "objective" while selecting candidates and the "yours or mine" factor should not come into play.

Advani’s statements were viewed as tacit acceptance that the Right wing outfit failed to distribute party tickets in an "objective" manner and the selection of candidates on the basis of favouritism and factionalism lead to the defeat.

He also warned party leaders to exercise caution while appearing on TV or releasing statements to the press.

Lauding the successful campaigns in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, Advani said the victories were significant as traditional anti-incumbency factors did not work against party governments in these states.

The BJP is scheduled to kick off its ticket distribution exercise for the Lok Sabha polls from January 8 when the central election committee meets in New Delhi, decided office-bearers' in a meeting on Wednesday.

The party has also identified its senior central leaders to deal with allies and seat sharing in various states.

Arun Jaitley will deal with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Sushma Swaraj will look after Punjab and Haryana and Venkaiah Naidu will handle Maharashtra, Orissa and Assam.

In UP, Jaitley has already been working to bring Ajit Singh's RLD and other smaller parties into the NDA fold.

In Punjab and Haryana, Swaraj will have to coordinate with Shiromani Akali Dal and Chautala's INLD, while Naidu will deal with AGP in Assam, Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and BJD in Orissa.

Economic recession and terrorism will retain focus as main election issues for the Lok Sabha, party chief Rajnath Singh, in his address, mentioned that the economic measures taken by the government to deal with the crisis have failed to create impact at the ground level, especially in rural areas.

Attacking the UPA on terror, Advani reiterated that the Antulay controversy and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's inability to rein in one of the cabinet ministers, whose statement has weakened India's fight against terror and dealing with Pakistan, reflects that the Congress-led government is still falling for vote bank politics.

In a resolution, the party came out strongly against the government saying, "It was evident that the compulsions of vote bank politics paralysed the Congress once again despite great national cost and prestige (Mumbai attacks). Taking a tough position externally relating to Pakistan and meekly surrendering before vote bank politics domestically cannot go hand in hand. BJP demands that A R Antulay be sacked and the Congress apologize to the nation for this."

Lampooning the Prime Minister, BJP said, "If Dr Manmohan Singh cannot firmly deal with an ‘erring’ cabinet minister, to what extent can he be expected to deal firmly against terror."

With Left parties vowing to refrain from lending support to a Congress led government and the emerging contest in Uttar Pradesh seeming set to percolate into a no-holds-barred fight between the BSP and the Congress, 2009 may well turn out to be the year Advani has been waiting for.

Tight Security in Orissa for Christmas

The Centre on Wednesday prodded the Orissa government to maintain law and order and ensure the safety and security during Christmas celebrations, the Center’s appeal came as members of the minority community continued to remain apprehensive over their safety and that of their places of worship.

Earlier several organizations had called for a statewide shutdown to press for the arrest of those responsible for the assassination of noted anti-conversion activist and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati.

According to a statement, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on two occasions, saying the situation in Orissa had been engaging the attention of the Centre in the last two weeks.

The State government has arrested seven people in connection with the murder and had also been able to persuade Right wing organisations to withdraw the bandh call.

“The Chief Minister has also assured me that there will be no bandh on December 25,” the Home Minister said. He asked the chief minister to keep him informed of the developments and offered him further assistance, if required.

Chidambaram appealed to the people of Orissa to maintain peace and harmony among different communities. “Christmas is celebrated in many countries of the world, including India, as a day of joy, happiness and peace. I am confident that the government of Orissa will ensure that December 25, 2008 and the days following will be marked by peace and harmony,” he said.

The Centre, according to a statement, has provisioned central forces to assist the State government maintain law and order. Apart from 24 companies of Central Reserve Police Force deployed on a long-term basis, the Centre sent dispatched an additional 49 companies of CRPF and 4 Rapid Action Force companies.

On Wednesday, the Centre provided the State a helicopter for patrolling over the communally sensitive Kandhamahal and Sambhalpur districts.

Kolkata Metro on Red Alert

A red alert has been sounded at the Metro Railway this evening after the police received information about a possible terror attack at any of the stations between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.According to police, a phone call by an anonymous person was received by a media house whose name police refused to divulge.

The caller spoke of possible terror attack in any of the stations between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. A journalist of the media house immediately informed a senior police officer of the phone call. Police took no chance and immediately passed the information on to Metro Railway authorities.

Bomb squad officials rushed to the Metro Railway stations with sniffer dogs and conducted a thorough search of the belongings of the passengers.

Police posted anti-sabotage teams at the Metro Railway stations. Police personnel were also deployed outside the stations.

Extra security deployments were arranged for all metro stations. "Our senior officers are visiting the Metro railway stations to supervise the checking job being conducted in every Metro Railway stations," said Vineet Goyal, deputy commissioner Kolkata police.

Goyal further said police were trying to identify the caller. Police said they would not relax the security measures in Metro Stations even though the call is proved to be a hoax call.

"Tomorrow being Christmas, lakhs of people will take the Metro and we cannot afford to take any chance," a senior officer said.

More than 2,500 additional policemen will be deployed in the city tomorrow. Security measures have also being beefed at important installations.

A senior official of Metro Railway said that the security system in both ends of the Metro Railway route had been beefed up and additional police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel deployed to keep close watch on all Metro stations.

Following the threat call, frisking in all stations has been intensified and there is no need to get scared, he added. He also requested all the commuters to inform the Metro officials, RPF personnel on duty if they find any thing suspicious.

(Internet Inputs)

Blast on Assam Tracks, Close Shave for Rajdhani Exp.

Passengers aboard the Tinsukia - bound super fast Rajdhani Express had a close shave as, minutes after a powerful explosion missed the train by a couple of minutes, a portion of the railway track was damaged in the blast, which took place in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, officials said.

A police spokesman said the blast took place at around 0100 hours near Khatkhati village in the eastern Karbi Anglong district, some 300 km Guwahati.

"The Rajdhani Express had just crossed Khatkhati when the explosion took place. Probably it was a remote controlled device and those who triggered the blast failed to execute, thereby averting a tragedy," a police official was quoted as saying over telephone from Diphu, the district headquarters of Karbi Anglong.

A railway spokesman said a stretch of the track was damaged in the blast.

"We shall be able to resume normal train service soon as repair work is going on," the railway official said.

The Rajdhani Express was bound for Tinsukia in eastern Assam from New Delhi, with nearly 700 people on board.

"Definitely the target was the Rajdhani Express as the blast took place two minutes after the train passed the explosion site," the police official said.

Police blamed the All Adivasi National Liberation Front (AANLA), a rebel group fighting for a separate homeland for the tea plantation workers community in Assam.

"The blast was probably in retaliation to the arrest of five top AANLA leaders, including their chief, from Jharkhand recently," the official said.

The five arrested include Mangra Oraon, the outfit's self-styled commander-in-chief. They have been brought to Assam and remanded to police custody. The five AANLA rebels were accused of triggering a blast on the Rajdhani Express in December 2007 in which five people were killed in Karbi Anglong.

BSP MLA Thrashes PWD Engineer to Death

In just the kind of incident that Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supreme Mayawati could do without ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, party MLA Shekhar Tiwari and his supporters brutally assaulted an executive engineer, of the Uttar Pradesh public works department (PWD), leading to his death.

The macabre incident took place in the Aurraiya district of the state in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Later in the evening, DGP Vikram Singh, in a hurriedly called press conference, claimed the BSP MLA had been arrested. Ironically, it was only two days ago that the police chief had drawn a rosy picture of the state's law and order situation.

The cause for the BSP MLA's anger against the executive engineer, Manoj Kumar Gupta, was his alleged refusal to cough up money for UP Chief Minister Mayawati's birthday bash next month.

According to Shashi Gupta, wife of the deceased engineer, two unidentified men entered their house in Gail Vihar in Dibiapur at around 0100 hours and started thrashing her husband.

“When I protested and tried to raise the alarm, they slapped me and locked me in the bathroom and continued beating my husband,” she was quoted as saying to reporters in Aurraiya.

When Gupta was badly injured and almost unconscious, the BSP MLA reportedly arrived at the scene. He along with his men allegedly dumped the seriously injured engineer outside the police station. The cops rushed the engineer to a hospital where he was declared brought dead at around 3 am.

The slain engineer’s brother and father accused the BSP MLA of repeatedly harassing Gupta to pay a sum of Rs 10 lakh as contribution to the Chief Minister's birthday fund.

According to an official release, the Chief Minister has ordered a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the deceased’s kin and a government job to his wife.

Later, PWD engineers in the state proceeded on an indefinite strike. Uttar Pradesh Engineers Association president AK Farouqui declared that if the government failed in taking stern action against the legislator in a day or two, engineers of all government departments would join the strike.

A release issued by the state government termed the killing of the engineer as “unfortunate” and that orders had been given to take punitive action against the guilty.

A case was registered under Sections 342, 323, 457, 364, 302 of the IPC and Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.

The incident is a huge embarrassment for the Mayawati government as it comes at a time when, the BSP stalwart is looking to springboard the BSP into power at the Centre.

Respect Peace or Face Consequences, Sonia Tells Pak

Warning Pakistan against misconstruing India’s peace moves as a sign of weakness, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday asked Islamabad to crack down on terror elements using its soil to launch attacks against India or face our “capacity to give befitting reply.”

Addressing an election rally at Dabhler in RS Pura, a few miles from the Border with Pakistan, Gandhi said it had been India’s endeavour to have good relations with neighbours. “But our desire for peace should not be treated as our weakness.”

She urged Islamabad to weed out those responsible for attacking India. “If that does not happen, we have the capability to give a befitting reply,” she said amid a thunderous applause from the gathering.

Gandhi said the coalition government did a tremendous job in Jammu and Kashmir and it was backed by the strong initiatives taken by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the shape of three round table conferences. Five working groups were formed and four had given their reports and the process of implementation was on.

Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz asked the people to reject the negative politics of those who intended to divide the people.

The former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said his government had the record of eliminating militancy from the State.

The Congress faces a tough contest in 13 Assembly segments, which go to polls on December 24.

US Raps Shifty Pak on Mumbai Terror

With New Delhi fast running out of patience over Pakistan’s repeated refusals to act against terror groups operating from its territory, the US told Pakistani National Security Adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani that Islamabad was “shifty and shifting position on the Mumbai attacks” was unacceptable.

Wasahington summoned Durrani, who was told by his hosts that the administration was “getting increasingly frustrated with Islamabad’s repeated somersaults on the u\issue.

Durrani concluded his three-day US visit on Saturday, during which he met secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, US Security Adviser Stephen Hadley and Pentagon officials.

Earlier in the week, Rice had said that what Pakistan had done so far to catch those responsible for the Mumbai attacks was not enough. She said her message to the Pakistani leadership was “...you need to deal with the terrorism problem. And it’s not enough to say these are non-state actors. If they’re operating from Pakistan, then they have to be dealt with.”

A “much stronger message” was conveyed by Rice during her meeting with Durrani. The Pakistani team, which included ambassador Hussain Haqqani, learnt from Rice and Hadley that the US was not satisfied with what Pakistan “had done so far for eradicating terrorism from its soil”.

The US officials insisted that they have enough evidence to prove that Lashkar-e-Tayeba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa were involved in the Mumbai attacks. “They told the Pakistanis to understand the gravity of the situation and the seriousness of the evidence that exists to Pakistan’s links to this event”.

Taj, Trident Banish Memories, Reopen Doors

In a fine reflection of the never-say-die spirit of Mumbai, the Trident and Taj hotels reopened their doors to public on Sunday barely twenty five days after being targeted by terrorists in the worst ever militant strike in urban India. City residents turned up to witness the event and pay homage to those killed in the ghastly attack.

"We wanted to just express our solidarity and support," said one resident of Mumbai present at the reopening.

"The fear won't go away so soon but it feels good that the hotels have reopened so soon," said another resident.

The scene at the Taj Mahal hotel were equally emotional. Guests and well-wishers gathered as the Tower wing opened for the first time in three weeks.

"It's a very fitting and a moving image for all of us to remember," said author Shobhaa De present at the reopening of the Taj.

"If I was free and I wasn't shooting I would be here at the Trident with my sister and my niece. I'm not making a huge statement by coming here, the statement has been made by the hotel," said actor Rahul Bose.

For the staff of both hotels, preparing for the re-launch was a Herculean task, and one wrought with grit as it required them to banish memories of the terrible carnage and overcome the obvious paranoia to re-enter the Hotels.

And no one represents their grit and determination like Taj General Manager Karambir Kang. He lost his family in the siege, but that did not deter him from taking part in rescue efforts. And now he is back at work.

"My family are a part of the hotel now. They are there. That was my real strength. I need to be involved and will be in restoring it better than what it was," said Kang.

"The opening of this hotel will send a message that we will come back, the city of Mumbai will come back. The opening of old wing of hotel Taj will send the message that we can be hurt, but we can't be knocked down," said Taj hotels chairman, Ratan Tata.

(IBN inputs)

Congress Divided over Sacking Unrepentant Antulay

Preferring a political death to dishonor, Union Minister for Minority Affairs AR Antulay is nonchalant as the Congress continues to mull the embarrassment of a probe, into the killing of Hemant Katkare - undoubtedly the country’s most respected anti-terror official, sought by the former Maharashtra chief minister.

On Wednesday, Antulay had cast aspersions over the killing of Karkare during the Mumbai terror attack, calling for a probe into the possible link between the top anti-terror official’s killing and the Malegaon blasts being investigated by him.
With the right wing seeking his scalp and the Congress in no mood to equip the BJP with a ‘minority appeasement’ stick to whack it with –Antulay submitted his resignation to the PMO on Friday – after he was given the choice to retract his statement or quit.

As first reported in an editorial on this website - substantiated by editorials in the national media a day later - Antulay’s remarks have found ‘many takers’ in the minority community, and his growing following has forced the Congress to rethink its decision to sack him as it may result in an electoral backlash for the party in 2009 General Elections.

The Congress set to be divided over the acceptance of Antulay’s resignation, in face of his growing popularity amongst the minority voters.

The Congress core group met in New Delhi on Saturday and purportedly, discussed the issue even as former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh came to his rescue saying he found nothing objectionable in Antulay’s remark.

Singh’s comment, however, failed to impress party bosses and he is reported to have been issued a party gag order on the issue.

In its official statement on Friday the Congress had said that it did not endorse the views expressed by Antulay.

On Saturday a nonchalant Antulay continued to discharge parliamentary work and attended a conference on the recommendations of Joint Parliamentary Committee on Wakfs.

Speaking to CNN-IBN Antulay said: “I am proud of what I have said and done. I have no regrets whatsoever.”

Responding to Opposition claims of playing into the hands of Pakistan with his remarks, Antulay iterated that he had never said that Karkare was not killed by a Pakistani terrorist.

“All I am saying is that why should a brave and outstanding officer like Karkare have gone to Cama Hospital instead of going to the Taj or Trident. How is asking a question like this playing into Pakistani hands? Why should Pakistan come into this debate at all?”Rejects criticism

Negating charges of embarrassing the Congress leadership, Antulay simply questioned: “I have said what I believe, how is that embarrassing anyone?”

A Congress old timer Antulay has no background of indulging in minority politics, in fact many in the country did not even know him as a Muslim – due to his last name – till he made the now infamous remarks outside the Paliament on Wednesday, which have resulted in a huge minority tide turning in his favour.

With the Congress in no position to sack the minister at this juncture and the BJP seething with rage over his remarks, the controversy surrounding Antulay is not likely to subside over the next few days.

Fibbies Grill Kasab over Terror Attack, Handlers

Attempting to ascertain his role in the 26/11 terror strikes and the identities of his handlers, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sleuths grilled for over nine hours Mohammad Ajmal Amir ‘Kasab,’ the lone surviving Lashkar-e-Tayeba militant involved in the terror attack that killed over 170 people.

The Federal agents have been camping in Mumbai for over three weeks.

They asked the arrested Lashkar terrorist minute details of his native place. Ajmal hails from the Ukkad area of Faridkot district in Pakistan. He was also asked to describe the area where his training took place, besides the people who had trained him in arms as well as those who indoctrinated him, the sources said.

The sleuths then prepared some sketches of Ajmal’s mentors and trainers, the sources said.

(PTI Inputs)

Kalka-Shimla Heritage Train Derails, One Dead

Two bogies of a holiday special Kalka Shimla train carrying some 30 passengers derailed and got stuck between a hill gully, killing one person on the spot and injuring three others on the UNESCO World Heritage Track between the two Himalayan cities at about 0830 hours on Sunday.

“The accident occurred at Sanawara, near Dharampur,” Jagdish Kanwar, station house officer Dharampur police station told reporters.

A Mohali resident, Surinder Singh, died on the spot after he was trapped between the bogey and the hillside on which the train rested after running off the track.

Preliminary investigations have pointed towards over-speeding as a possible reason behind the accident.

Railway authorities inquiring into the accident say a mechanical failure on century old track could not be ruled out at this stage.

Providing the passengers with the proverbial hair’s breadth for survival, the train go stuck in a hill gully which prevented it from rolling into the valley.

The Shimla-Kalka track laid out to military specifications began operations in November 1903 and was declared by UNESCO a world heritage track earlier this year.

Minor Fire at Amritsar Airport

Timely action by the security personnel manning the Amritsar Rajasansi Airport prevented a major tragedy on Sunday, after a stray welding spark, in the under construction arrival terminal, started a minor fire. The flames were soon brought under control, say police officials.

Sabotage was ruled out by police officials, who said the fire erupted after welding sparks fell onto the floor and caused the fire.

Security personnel posted at the Airport were prompt in their response and the fire was doused immediately.

No causality or any loss to building of the airport was reported, but fire tenders were pressed into service as a precautionary measure.

Airport sources said the fire could have caused extensive damage, but for the timely action of the of security personnel and add that the fire was the result of gross negligence on part of those working in the construction area.
The terminal was evacuated as a preventative measure as the smoke made it virtually impossible for people to breathe inside the terminal.

Afghan Blast Kills British Marine

Taking the total number of British casualties in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan to 135, a royal marine was killed on Sunday in an explosion in Helmand, the ministry of defence in London said. The marine is the seventh member of British forces in Afghanistan to be killed in the past eight days.

The ministry said the marine was killed by an explosion on Sunday morning in an area to the north west of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand province.

Britain has around 8,000 troops in Afghanistan, largely based in Helmand, where they are battling Taliban insurgents.

360 Congmen in TN Dock

Tamil Nadu state Congress chief KV Thangkabalu and 360 Congress workers were taken into custody at Theni, when they staged a road block to protest pelting of stones at the TNCC office in Chennai, allegedly by supporters of a pro-LTTE party. Those arrested included, Periyamkulam MP, Aroon.

The Congress, a key ally of the ruling DMK, is extends outside support to the Karunanidhi Government.

Thangkabalu, who went to Theni to address a meeting, cancelled it after hearing about the "attack" on Satyamurthy Bhavan, the TNCC office and staged a protest by blocking the road along with Congress workers.

Police said in Chennai that some "supporters" of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a pro-LTTE party and an ally of ruling DMK, pelted stones at the party office.

Thangkabalu and Congress leaders have been demanding stern action against film director Seeman and other LTTE sympathisers for making speeches in support of the banned Tamil group and its leader V Prabhakaran.

Seeman and Kolathur Mani, leader of Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (PDK), were arrested yesterday and lodged in Coimbatore Central jail.

In Chennai, 50 PDK workers were taken into custody when they tried to burn the effigy of Congress President Sonia Gandhi to protest their leader's arrest.

Later talking to newsmen, Thangkabalu charged that the police did not take any action against those who tried to burn the effigy of Gandhi, but arrested Congress workers.

"Chennai Police arrested one or two VCK men for the sake of arrest," he said and sarcastically "Thanked" the government for following "Kootani Dharma" (Alliance Dharma) by arresting him.

Fight Will Go On: Tigers

Amid reports of fierce fighting surrounding their de-facto capital Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels claim to have killed 75 government soldiers in recent clashes and said they will continue to fight even if they fail to defend their political headquarters town of Kilinochchi.

The head of the rebels' political wing told the BBC he rejected the government's offer of talks if the Tigers disarmed first.

The Tigers say they killed 75 soldiers in the latest clashes. The army has put its losses at 12 dead and 12 missing.

The rival claims cannot be independently verified because journalists are barred from the conflict area.

The battle for Kilinochchi in northern Sri Lanka is getting increasingly bloody. Both sides claim to be inflicting heavy casualties.

Kilinochchi is a hugely symbolic target of the government's offensive to crush the rebels.

In the town, the Tigers have assembled the trappings of the independent state they want for the ethnic Tamil minority, including political offices, courts and a police force.

Government ministers have been predicting the town's imminent capture for months, but the rebels are holding out.

A military spokesman said the people of Sri Lanka wanted the LTTE to be eliminated.

"The military also wanted the same thing and they are doing their level best to capture the rest of the areas" under Tamil Tiger control, said Brigadier Uday Ananaykara.

Sri Lanka's government says it is on track to win the war but heavy battles are likely to still lie ahead and there is concern about the fate of the large number of civilians in the Tiger-controlled north.

The rebels deny using them as human shields and reject allegations they are forcing people into their ranks to fight.

(Excerpted from the BBC)

RS Clears Anti-Terror Mechanism

After the government addressed reservations cast over “misuse” of some provisions, the Parliament on Thursday relented with approvals required for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Bill, 2008 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment (UAPA) Bill, 2008, thus equipping security agencies with an efficient mechanism to counter terror.

The government pushed some provisions in the Bills, saying that the measures were measures were crucial for prompt and efficient investigation and trial without violating human rights.

The Rajya Sabha unanimously passed the two Bills by voice vote after ceratin amendments sought by the Left parties were rejected on vote.

Amendments moved by the AIADMK were also rejected by voice vote.

The Bills were passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, and are now set to become laws.

Earlier in a lengthy debate Union Home Minister P Chidambaram addressed fears of misuse of the laws, expressed by members from the minority community.

Chidambaram said the laws will help security agencies deal with eight acts of terrorism but at the same time an independent authority will be set up to evaluate the registration and investigation of a case before prosecution “to work as a filter.”

Informing the House, Chidambaram defined the NIA as “fit and lean” with young and able officers and special courts where specifically appointed judges will endeavour to complete trials within a given time frame and ensure speedy investigation.

“The Agency (NIA) will only investigate terrorist cases with inter-State and international ramifications. All other cases would be with the State governments. NIA will expect State agencies to cooperate and associate. The NIA may or may not investigate a case and may even return it to the State.”

Responding to apprehensions cast by DMK and AIADMK members, over possibility of the Agency encroaching upon the rights of State governments, Chidambaram said that the Centre would respect every State’s autonomy and had no intention of encroaching upon their rights. “More often than not, the NIA will ask the State to associate with the investigations. Provisions have been included as precaution against cases where the local police could be involved in a cover-up of a terrorist act.”

The Home Minister added that the government had tried to strike a balance by providing for a maximum period of detention up to 180 days without bail as sometimes it was not possible to complete the investigation in 90 days. The earlier anti-terror law POTA had merely said that detention could continue beyond 90 days but stopped short of defining the period.

No Evidence to Prove Pakistani Origin of Terrorists: Zardari

Effectuating a virtual volte-face from the earlier stance on the issue, President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan says there is still no "real evidence" to prove that terrorists involved in the attack came from his country, he added that Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist to be captured alive, was not yet proven to be a citizen of his country.

New Delhi blames “elements in Pakistan of involvement in the macabre assault that killed over 170 and wounded scores of others.

"Have you seen any evidence to that effect, questioned Zardari during an interview to the BBC before asserting that he had “definitely not seen any real evidence to that effect."

Zardari had earlier acknowledged that 'non-state' actors from Pakistan may have been involved in the attack.

Zaradri’s comments come amid mounting international pressure to ac against militants holed up in his country.

Soon after the attack, US, Britain and several other countries threw their weight behind India while holding ‘outfits’ present inside Pakistani may be responsible for the gruesome incident.

On being reminded that agencies across the world identified Pakistan as the place of origin of the attack, Zardari said: "Investigation is an evolving process. It has not been long enough for anybody to... even the foreign minister of India has said they are still investigating.

"I think we will hold that judgement till proper investigation and conclusive evidence is shared between Pakistan and India. We are hoping that will happen because we have asked for a joint investigation."

Milking dichotomous media reports to the optimum, Zardari attempted to wash his hands clean of Kasab, whose father, living in Faridkot - Pakistan, had earlier confirmed that the arrested terrorist was indeed his son. The President said: "We are investigating that position. There are disputed positions in the Press. Some say what you say and some say to the contrary. So I would say the investigation is ongoing. I would not jump to a conclusion."

In tacit acceptance of inactivity on part of his country, Zardari said Islamabad was prepared to act if adequate evidence of any Pakistan complicity in the attacks emerged.

"If that stage comes, and when it comes, I assure you that our parliament, our democracy, shall take the action properly deemed in our constitution and in our law," he said.

Zardari however said Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) would remain under house arrest.

"Let me assure you that if there is any investigation to be found pointing towards his involvement in any form of terrorism, he shall be tried for that reason," Zardari said.

JuD, allegedly a Lashkar-e-Tayeba front, is blamed for the terror attack on the Indian commercial capital, Mumbai.

Not denying LeT's continued activities, Zardari said, "when you ban an organisation they emerge in some other form."

(PTI Inputs)

Lack of Unity Cost Congress in MP, CG: Sonia

Bringing respite to Madhya Pradesh state unit chief Suresh Pachouri and former Chhattisgah chief minister Ajit Jogi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday blamed “lack of unity and co-ordination” within the various party leaders in these states for the recent poll debacles it suffered in these states.

The statement is the first tacit acceptance of the all powerful factions in these states and is also by far the strongest indictment of party ‘biggies’ from these states, who cost the party dearly by indulging in faction feuds.

Speaking to party parliamentarians Sonia said: “In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh —the two states which have been our traditional strongholds — we have lost. We have increased the number of seats and our vote share. But that is small consolation. There are a number of reasons behind this setback. But to my mind the lack of unity and co-ordination among our colleagues in these two states has been the main factor.”

Several Congress biggies from MP including, Union ministers Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia, former chief minister Digvijay Singh, and Pachouri enjoy clout in the various forums of the party.

The party in the state is divided into all-powerful factions and that expectedly came off at the seams during the election making it impossible for the party to function as ‘one’ unit during the campaign for the 230 member assembly.

With an outdated quota system, employed by the party for the distribution of party tickets, hurting bloated egos and triggering faction feuds a rout in the election was only to be expected.

Despite her dislike for the Congress high command headed by Gandhi assented on lists of nominees provided by the ‘biggies,’ who forwarded names after grading candidates on faction loyalty and regional considerations.

The non projection of a chief ministerial candidate also contributed to the party’s woes as the BJP contested the elections in both the states with their chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Raman Singh leading the campaign from front.

Voters in Madhya Pradesh say they are vary of the Congress ploy of not declaring a CM candidate, as it normally culminates in the party pushing an undesired chief minister down the peoples’ throat.
In Chhattisgarh, the state where the party started out with excellent chances for a win, the situation was no better as factions headed by Jogi, VC Shukla and Mahendra Karma among others worked to undermine the opposition within the party rather than the one on the outside.

Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party, Gandhi hailed electoral victories in Delhi, Rajasthan and Mizoram as ones that “enthused and re-energised” party workers across the country.

With the debacles of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh behind her Gandhi exhorted party parliamentarians to “work very hard, both individually and collectively in cohesion” to ensure a victory for the party in the Lok Sabha elections 2009.

Controversy Surrounds Antulay Statements over Karkare

A day after he stirred Right wing hornets, by casting doubts over the killing of Mumbai Anti-terrorist squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai, Union Minister for Minority Affairs AR Antulay’s controversial statements reverberated in the Rajya Sabha.

Terming Antulay’s statement, issued to the media on Wednesday, as “irresponsible” senior BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, soon after the Question Hour, said the Minister’s ramblings were a cause for concern.

"How can the House sit idle?" Ahluwalia questioned while demanding for the House to take up the matter immediately.

Several members of the House supported Ahluwalia, who was pacified only after Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan said the matter could be taken up in the House tomorrow.

On Wednesday, Antulay had cast aspersions over the killing of Karkare during the Mumbai terror attack, calling for a probe into the possible link between the top anti-terror officials killing and the Malegaon blasts being investigated by him.

Terming it a slight of the Rajya Sabha, a belligerent Ahluwalia further, took exception to Minister for Home Affairs P Chidambaram’s absence from the house, on a day when a significant Bill was moved in the in the House when a Bill related to the ministry was moved by Chidambaram’s deputy Shakeel Ahmed.

Following the argument, Chidambaram came to the House and the issue was conclusively settled.

Amid demands for Antulay’s ouster, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha the UPA government will make a statement on Antulay remarks before the Parliament session concludes.

"Government will make a statement either tomorrow or before the end of the session on December 23."

Meanwhile, Antulay, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, also came in for strong criticism from the Opposition benches, in the state Assembly, that demanded an immediate apology from Antulay.

The House was adjourned thrice, as Opposition members trooped the well of the House.

Later in the day, top BJP leader Venkiah Naidu, demanded that Antulay be sacked as he had "no moral right to remain a minister after what he said. He has committed a terrible mistake by saying so."

Naidu suggested that the clouds of doubt, cast over the incident by Antulay, will be used as cover by ‘opponents’ to punch holes in the Indian arguments on the terror strikes.

“Whom he is asking the questions from? If he had any doubts, he should have discussed in the cabinet or talked to the Prime Minister. Due to this our opponents outside will try to find loopholes in our argument on the terror- strikes,” thundered Naidu.

Despite embarrassing the government and ticking off the BJP, Antulay’s remarks have found ‘many takers’ in the minority community.

With the Congress in no position to sack the minister at this juncture and the BJP seething with rage over his remarks, the controversy surrounding Antulay is not likely to subside over the next few days.

LeT Men Remanded to Mumbai Police Custody

Accused of having conducted a reconnaissance to identify terror sites for the 26/11 terror attacks on the commercial capital, two alleged Lashkar-e-Tayeba (LeT) operatives – Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin – were remanded in Mumbai police custody till December 31, by a Mumbai Court on Thursday.

Arrested last February in connection with the attack on the Rampur CRPF camp, the duo is now in custody of the Mumbai police and is reported to have provided several ‘vital clues,’

According to CNN-IBN, which claims to be in possession a copy of Ansari's interrogation report, the LeT operative has confessed to have carried out a recce of various targets in Mumbai.

Ansari is an expert in intelligence gathering and says he was shown a Google earth map of Mumbai, with prominent places like the police headquarters and Taj Mahal hotel marked out.

He later visited several of the locations, took pictures and put together diagrams of roads and buildings before forwarding them to Mohammed Muzamil, a top LeT commander.

The interrogation of Sabahuddin has revealed that he visited and finalized the target for the attack on the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. He later escaped to Nepal and was appointed the LeT chief there. In January this year, Sabahuddin helped Fahim Ansari cross into India.

Sabahuddin and Ansari have reportedly admitted to have been waiting for an arms shipment in Nepal at the time of their arrest.

Defence Minister Reviews Preparedness

With a heightened war of words with Pakistan, following the 26/11 attack on Mumbai, threatening to escalate, Defence Minister AK Antony on Thursday convened the three service chiefs in New Delhi to assess the country’s preparedness to combat terrorism and deal with the emerging situation.

“The defence minister today held a meeting with the chiefs of the three services and the defence secretary to review the overall security situation and to take stock of the state of preparedness of the armed forces,” a defence ministry official was quoted as saying after the meeting.

The meeting, the second in the last fortnight, reviewed the requirements of the forces to deal with cross-border terrorism and its backers with the government agreeing to move fast to plug gaps in their requirements, in terms of equipment and critical defence systems, said a report on the ET website.

Keeping in mind urgent needs of the security forces, the government is expected to push through the acquisition of defence equipment, say defence ministry officials and experts.

It is now expected that the other requirements of the three armed forces would be given a fresh, urgent look in view of the changed security scenario.

Security of coastal and offshore assets and with land and maritime borders was also reviewed at the meeting held here on Thursday, in light of threats emanating from there.

The gathering also stressed the need for a co-ordinated intelligence sharing. Besides Antony, among those who attended the meeting included Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal FH Major and defence secretary Vijay Singh.

The defence minister will hold another meeting on Saturday to review coastal security.

Also on Thursday, India for the first time tested the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a vertical launcher fitted on a moving warship in the Bay of Bengal.

The launch of the 290-km missile from the Rajput-class destroyer INS Ranvir "met all mission requirements'' and was "100 percent successful''.

Pak Registers Protest over IAF “Violations”

Hoping to take the steam off mounting diplomatic pressures pushing it to act against terror elements present in its territories, Pakistan on Thursday registered a formal protest against alleged violations of its airspace by Indian fighter jets last week, New Delhi has already denied the incident.

The Pakistan Foreign Office summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra and handed him a note regarding the alleged airspace violations.

According to media reports attributing the information to diplomatic sources, the protest note was handed over to Vohra by Pakistan's Additional Secretary (South Asia) Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

Communicating its concerns, in the note, Islamabad has reportedly sought an explanation from India over the incident, says PTI.

Pakistan, on December 13, claimed that two Indian jets entered its airspace in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Lahore sectors.

An IAF spokesperson had later rubbished the claims while maintaining that no Indian jets had violated Pakistan’s airspace.

The Pakistani Air Force spokesman had then said that Indian authorities had been contacted and informed of the incident and he described the alleged violation as a "technical incursion of a minor nature made by mistake".