* Three killed, 24 hurt in Peshawar Press Club suicide attack
* Bomber blows himself up after being challenged by guard at club’s entrance
* Journalists to observe three-day mourning
PESHAWAR: Three people, including a woman, were killed and another 24 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the main gate of the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday.
The building is situated on the Sher Shah Suri Road close to the Cantonment Railway Station. Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) officials confirmed the toll in the first ever suicide attack in the country aimed specifically at journalists.
They said two of the bodies were identified as police constable Riazuddin and a passer-by, Rubina.
Rubina, who died of a cardiac arrest, was travelling in a rickshaw close to the press club when the blast occurred.
Peshawar Press Club accountant Mian Iqbal Shah died at the hospital later.
Several passers-by, including those travelling in a minibus, were injured in the blast besides Peshawar Press Club employees Yasir, Ayub and Kamran. A photo journalist, Khurram Pervez, also sustained injuries in the blast.
Peshawar City Police chief Liaqat Ali Khan told reporters that the suicide attacker had tried to enter the premises. The police guard at the gate frisked the man and tried to overpower him when he discovered that the person was wearing a suicide vest, however, the bomber detonated his vest during the scuffle.
The press club employee Yasir Jamil, who was also injured in the blast, told Daily Times that the suicide bomber was trying to enter the press club when the police guard stopped him. He said the attacker had an argument with the guard, and blew himself up moments later. He said the bomber had a dark complexion and short height and seemed around 18 to 19 years of age.
Nadir Khawaja, a journalist, said he saw the guard and the bomber arguing from the opposite side of the road as he was approaching the press club.
NWFP Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain told reporters at the scene that targeting journalists was “militants’ compulsion”, as the journalists were exposing the terrorists to the public.
He said no one was safe in the country, as the terrorists were targeting mosques, graves and even funeral prayers. Hussain hoped that the journalists would become more organised after the attack and would not bow down to the terrorists.
Mourning: The Peshawar Press Club has announced a three-day mourning. “The press club was already receiving threats and warning letters – journalists here are practically working in a war zone,” Peshawar Presc Club President Shamim Shahid told AFP. manzoor ali shah/afp
Sourcedailytimes.com.pk/
Showing posts with label Pakistan Over Taliban. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pakistan Over Taliban. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
US says Pakistan holding up visas
Pakistan has been holding up visas for US officials and contractors and continued delays could have an "impact" on the effectiveness of aid programmes in the country, the US State Department said on Thursday.
Hundreds of visa applications and renewals for US personnel have been delayed and the United States has raised the problem with Pakistan's senior leadership, deputy spokesman Robert Wood said.
"We've expressed our concern about the delays and the impact that this could very well have on our programmes and activities," Wood said, adding, "Should this continue, it indeed will have an impact."
The New York Times reported the delays were part of a campaign by Pakistan's intelligence services and military to harass US diplomats who have been pushing for the Pakistani government to intensify the fight against the Taliban in Pakistan.
Cracking down on the Taliban is seen as critical for the US effort to defeat the militant group across the border in Afghanistan, where President Barack Obama is sending an additional 30,000 troops.
The United States gives the Pakistani military millions of dollars in annual aid for counter-terrorism operations, and earlier this year Congress approved a $7.5-billion aid package over five years to help build democratic institutions and the economy in the country.
The United States is concerned some of the aid programmes "are grinding to a halt," a diplomat told the Times.
Source:hindustantimes.com/
Hundreds of visa applications and renewals for US personnel have been delayed and the United States has raised the problem with Pakistan's senior leadership, deputy spokesman Robert Wood said.
"We've expressed our concern about the delays and the impact that this could very well have on our programmes and activities," Wood said, adding, "Should this continue, it indeed will have an impact."
The New York Times reported the delays were part of a campaign by Pakistan's intelligence services and military to harass US diplomats who have been pushing for the Pakistani government to intensify the fight against the Taliban in Pakistan.
Cracking down on the Taliban is seen as critical for the US effort to defeat the militant group across the border in Afghanistan, where President Barack Obama is sending an additional 30,000 troops.
The United States gives the Pakistani military millions of dollars in annual aid for counter-terrorism operations, and earlier this year Congress approved a $7.5-billion aid package over five years to help build democratic institutions and the economy in the country.
The United States is concerned some of the aid programmes "are grinding to a halt," a diplomat told the Times.
Source:hindustantimes.com/
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Pakistan Taliban Defiant Over Afghan War Push
The Pakistan Taliban has admitted for the first time its forces are fighting in Afghanistan and insisted a US troop sSky News obtained what is believed to be the first interview with the group's leadership since the Pakistan's military began its offensive in the tribal area of South Waziristan.
In the video footage, Tehreik e Taliban's deputy leader Wali ur Rehman said his fighters were undeterred by America sending an extra 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.
He said: "US defeat in Afghanistan is more visible day by day. Statements from their officials and army generals show that they are fed up and questioning how long they stay in Afghanistan.
If I did not think that the security of the US... was at stake in Afghanistan, I would gladly order every single one of our troops home tomorrow.
Read our report on the US sending more troops to Afghanistan
"They don't have an idea that the Afghan nation and fighters from all over the Muslim world fight like brave soldiers.
"US plans have failed in Afghanistan. Soon the US will face defeat in Afghanistan and will withdraw their forces."
The interview was obtained on the condition that Sky did not reveal when it was filmed or where.
But the militant leader admitted he himself had travelled several times to Afghanistan with the mujaheddin (fighters) and fought mainly in Khost, in the east of the country.
We fight in Afghanistan, and we will fight there until we defeat the cruel non-Muslim forces.
Tehreik e Taliban's deputy leader Wali ur Rehman
He went on to explain why the Pakistan Taliban was working alongside rebel forces in Afghanistan.
"We think it is our duty to help our Afghan brothers fight the US," Rehman said.
"It is our prime duty to fight in Afghanistan and in Pakistan. Allah directed us to fight with our nearest non-Muslims.
"Yes, we accept it and we fight in Afghanistan, and we will fight there until we defeat the cruel non-Muslim forces."
what the afghan troop surge will mean
His admission comes months after the Pakistan military mounted the offensive to rout South Waziristan of the Taliban.
The interview appeared to be evidence that the Taliban leadership, at least, continues to be able to issue threats and interviews to the media, despite the apparent constant army bombardment.
Access to the battle zone is heavily restricted apart from army escorted trips for certain media representatives.
The interview is likely to be viewed with some concern by the Western forces battling the militant insurgency inside Afghanistan.
It has long been suspected that the Afghan militant groups were getting help and support from militants across the border
urge will not defeat them.
Source: sky.com/
In the video footage, Tehreik e Taliban's deputy leader Wali ur Rehman said his fighters were undeterred by America sending an extra 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.
He said: "US defeat in Afghanistan is more visible day by day. Statements from their officials and army generals show that they are fed up and questioning how long they stay in Afghanistan.
If I did not think that the security of the US... was at stake in Afghanistan, I would gladly order every single one of our troops home tomorrow.
Read our report on the US sending more troops to Afghanistan
"They don't have an idea that the Afghan nation and fighters from all over the Muslim world fight like brave soldiers.
"US plans have failed in Afghanistan. Soon the US will face defeat in Afghanistan and will withdraw their forces."
The interview was obtained on the condition that Sky did not reveal when it was filmed or where.
But the militant leader admitted he himself had travelled several times to Afghanistan with the mujaheddin (fighters) and fought mainly in Khost, in the east of the country.
We fight in Afghanistan, and we will fight there until we defeat the cruel non-Muslim forces.
Tehreik e Taliban's deputy leader Wali ur Rehman
He went on to explain why the Pakistan Taliban was working alongside rebel forces in Afghanistan.
"We think it is our duty to help our Afghan brothers fight the US," Rehman said.
"It is our prime duty to fight in Afghanistan and in Pakistan. Allah directed us to fight with our nearest non-Muslims.
"Yes, we accept it and we fight in Afghanistan, and we will fight there until we defeat the cruel non-Muslim forces."
what the afghan troop surge will mean
His admission comes months after the Pakistan military mounted the offensive to rout South Waziristan of the Taliban.
The interview appeared to be evidence that the Taliban leadership, at least, continues to be able to issue threats and interviews to the media, despite the apparent constant army bombardment.
Access to the battle zone is heavily restricted apart from army escorted trips for certain media representatives.
The interview is likely to be viewed with some concern by the Western forces battling the militant insurgency inside Afghanistan.
It has long been suspected that the Afghan militant groups were getting help and support from militants across the border
urge will not defeat them.
Source: sky.com/
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