Replies

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/001200409191014.htm

Terrorists in Pak's security forces: Report

New Delhi, Sept. 19 (PTI): Investigations into recent suicide attacks on Shiite mosques in Pakistan have revealed that terrorist groups have infiltrated into the military, police and intelligence agencies, ringing an alarm bell for the Government.

"Of even more serious concern to the authorities is that some of these new terrorist groups have penetrated into the ranks of the military, police and intelligence agencies," the Karachi-based journal 'Newsline' reported, adding that the "growing influence of militant groups within the police force has got the alarm bells ringing".

It said at least three policemen acted as suicide bombers in the attacks on Shiite mosques in Karachi and Quetta and a security officer posted at the Punjab Chief Minister's house was arrested for his links with Al Qaeda.

Pakistani officials felt that the recent rise in terrorist activities in Karachi and other cities was "a direct result of the latest campaign against Al Qaeda" and the recent "botched military operation" in Waziristan could lead to an escalation in terrorist activities in the country, it said.

Pakistan's Home Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, has said the upsurge in terrorist activities was a sign of desperation and the terrorists "are on the run".

The journal quoted several instances of a new breed of educated middle-class youths joining terrorist ranks, saying "this new cadre boasts highly qualified professionals and university graduates".

Among the recent arrests was key Al Qaeda man Mohammad Naeem Noor Khan alias Abu Talha, a computer whiz kid who allegedly set up Al Qaeda communication base in Lahore from where he relayed coded messages on the internet from the outfit's leaders to operatives abroad.

Another Karachi University graduate, Attaur Rahman, allegedly masterminded several blasts in the port city and formed his own group - 'Jundullah' or Army of God. Two highly- qualified doctors were also arrested on charges of providing medical assistance to and protection to local and foreign militants, the 'Newsline' said.

The magazine said "a botched up operation (in Waziristan tribal belt) and mishandling by the military leadership has further exacerbated the situation and alienated even those tribesmen opposed to the militants.

"What has infuriated the tribesmen most is the closure of their business and the demolition of their houses as part of the army's collective punishment for the defiance of some of their fellow tribesmen," it said.

"The growing anti-government sentiments among the tribesmen has made the situation much more explosive ... the situation may lead to an armed rebellion," it quoted a local political leader, Nisar Lala, as saying.

http://www.dawn.com/2004/09/19/top6.htm

Troops, militants exchange fire

By Our Correspondent

WANA, Sept 18: Fighting renewed in South Waziristan on Saturday amid reports of heavy exchange of fire between security forces and militants, officials said.

Reports coming from the embattled zone suggested that the security forces, backed by helicopter gunships and heavy artillery, were targeting suspected positions in
Asman Manza, Karwan Manza and Mir Kalam Ser of the Laddah sub-division to counter militants' attacks.

Sources said that clashes erupted in the troubled region after militants carried out an afternoon attack against the security forces and targeted their positions with
rockets.

A soldier of the Northern Light Infantry, identified as Ghulam Mohammad, had died in the fresh wave of violence, according to the sources. His body was brought to
the Brigade Headquarters at Zari Noor Colony.

Witnesses said that militants, armed with rocket launchers, light and heavy machin-guns, attacked the security forces in three troubled spots.

The troops called in support of helicopter gunships from Wana to counter the offensive.

The troops have started massive artillery shelling from the Laddah Fort and Kaniguram to repulse the attackers.

Reports said that security forces had secured positions in the Makin bazaar, about 65km north of Wana.

The bazaar area was believed to be a stronghold of tribal militant Abdullah Mahsud, who had been released from Guntanamo Bay, Cuba, a few months back.

AFP adds: Pakistani troops have hemmed in Al Qaeda-linked foreign fighters and their local allies hiding in the tribal regions, a top general said on Saturday.

"We have eliminated a number of terrorists' hideouts in the region and...their operational space has been reduced to a considerable degree," Major General Niaz
Khatak told reporters in Wana.

http://www.dawn.com/2004/09/19/welcome.htm

Undercover Pakistani had messages from Qaeda No3: LONDON, Sep 19: A Pakistani al Qaeda member who helped the authorities until his cover was blown by U.S. terrorism
alerts last month had access to e-mails of the network's operations chief, a British newspaper said today. The Sunday Telegraph report directly links the undercover operation involving al
Qaeda computer expert Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan with top members of bin Laden's inner circle. Khan was arrested in Lahore, Pakistan in July but then cooperated with the authorities
to track down other al Qaeda operatives. The undercover operation triggered a global crackdown on al Qaeda suspects, including eight arrests in Britain. Among a trove of coded al
Qaeda communications turned over by Khan were messages from Abu Faraj al-Liby to Islamic militants in Britain, the Telegraph said. It described Liby as al Qaeda's number three man, a
former personal assistant to bin Laden who took over as al Qaeda's operations chief after the arrest of suspected Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Liby is "one of the
handful of al Qaeda operatives who may know the whereabouts of bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al Zawahri," it said. Pakistani officials have told Reuters that Khan, the computer
expert, was cooperating with them, communicating with al Qaeda contacts abroad until the day after the United States announced security alerts at suspected financial targets in New
York, New Jersey and Washington. When they announced the alert, U.S. officials said their information came from someone arrested in secret by Pakistan. Khan's name appeared in print
the next day, scuppering the sting operation. The following day, Britain swooped in haste on eight suspects who have since been charged with plotting mass murder. (Reuters) (Posted
@ 08:00 PST)

http://www.observerindia.com/cps/from_pak/news.htm#3

Huge cache of arms seized near Wana

Troops have recovered bodies of four foreign militants and also seized a
large quantity of arms from a fortress-like house in the rugged tribal belt
near the Afghan border, the military said on September 17. The suspected
al-Qaeda-linked militants were killed on September 14 in a clash with
security forces in Khanigurram area near Wana, the main town in the
troubled South Waziristan region, military spokesman Major General
Shaukat Sultan said. Sultan said they were all foreigners. Sultan said
troops engaged in siege and search operations in the area seized an arms
dump from a house owned by a local cleric who claimed it was a
madrassa (Islamic seminary) in Makin area, 60 kilometres north of Wana.
He said the building belonging to cleric Maulawi Shafiq was wrongly
termed as a madrassa. He said they had seized hundreds of rockets and
Kalashnikov assault rifles. He said the fortress, targeted by security forces
in Makin area, was being used as miscreants’ hideout.
(Source: The News)

Amplifying Adm Smith's article, the Pak Times reports thata diary belonging to Zarqawi and containing names was also seized in the raid.

Also, per a photograph posted at:

http://www.southasianmedia.net/News_today.cfm?category=frontend&country=Pakistan

The seizures included at least 3 or 4 desktop computers, 2 laptop computers, 7 DLT type backup tapes, approximately 70 DC 2120 type backup tapes, 50+ CD's in flip style wallets, 110+ CDs in jewel cases, 800 CD's in bulk cylinders, 3 headphone sets, 4 cell phone sets, and numerous other items.