Internal Security Watch

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 18 Jul 2008 05:43

could not find a place to post this

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite? ... 2FShowFull

But it has interesting views on these jihadis which is worthwhile understandinf as they all carry a similar aim -

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jul 2008 15:49

Xinhua

Indian border guards shoot dead two Bangladeshi border guards
www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-18 14:40:01

　DHAKA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi authorities alerted the country's northern border after two soldiers of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) were reportedly shot dead by Indian BorderS ecurity Force (BSF) in northern Chapai Nawabganj frontier Thursday midnight.

An official at the BDR Headquarters here confirmed the incident Friday, saying "this is true ... the northern border with India was put on alert."

The senior official who asked not to be named said the Indian BSF entered the Bangladesh territorial water last night while chasing some smugglers by speed boats in the Padma river, one of the three biggest rivers in Bangladesh.

As a BDR patrol team challenged, the Indian BSF opened fire killing two Bangladeshi border guards on the spot. BDR made counter fire forcing the Indian BSF to retreat.

The gun fight between the border guards of the two South Asian neighbors took place as the foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India are holding meeting in New Delhi to resolve various bilateral issues including the border demarcation and prevent cross-border smuggling.

G Subramaniam · Post by **G Subramaniam** » 19 Jul 2008 09:08

Singha wrote:Xinhua

Indian border guards shoot dead two Bangladeshi border guards
http://www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-18 14:40:01

　DHAKA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi authorities alerted the country's northern border after two soldiers of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) were reportedly shot dead by Indian BorderS ecurity Force (BSF) in northern Chapai Nawabganj frontier Thursday midnight.

An official at the BDR Headquarters here confirmed the incident Friday, saying "this is true ... the northern border with India was put on alert."

The senior official who asked not to be named said the Indian BSF entered the Bangladesh territorial water last night while chasing some smugglers by speed boats in the Padma river, one of the three biggest rivers in Bangladesh.

As a BDR patrol team challenged, the Indian BSF opened fire killing two Bangladeshi border guards on the spot. BDR made counter fire forcing the Indian BSF to retreat.

The gun fight between the border guards of the two South Asian neighbors took place as the foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India are holding meeting in New Delhi to resolve various bilateral issues including the border demarcation and prevent cross-border smuggling.

Telegraphindia has a more detailed version

The BSF was trying to stop cattle smugglers and BDR started firing to help the cattle smugglers

Avinash R · Post by **Avinash R** » 19 Jul 2008 12:50

2 BDR men shot dead while helping Bangladeshi cattle smugglers
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.p ... &id=214448

Statesman News Service

KOLKATA, July 18:

Two men belonging to Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) were shot dead by a constable of the Border Security Force (BSF) near the Nimtita border outpost in Murshidabad last night while they were escorting a group of cattle smugglers to Bangladesh. “The BSF constable, belonging to the Nimtita border outpost, who fired the shots, had no idea that the cattle smugglers were being escorted by BDR jawans,” Mr CV Murlidhar, inspector-general, BSF, South Bengal Frontier, said.

According to reports, the BSF constable, Mr RK Pandey, was patrolling the riverine border in a boat when he noticed a group of people taking some cattle towards Bangladesh. The cattle smugglers fired at Mr Pandey when he had asked them to surrender.

After sustaining bullet injuries in his left leg, Mr Pandey retaliated with counter firing. The shootout lasted for three minutes. Mr Pandey had fired 19 rounds at the cattle smugglers. After Mr Pandey's boat was surrounded by the cattle smugglers, he jumped into the river and managed to escape. Four people who were on the boat had also plunged into river to save their lives.

The smugglers later took the boat to Bangladesh, Mr Murlidhar said.

“Early today, BDR officers had contacted their counterpart in the BSF at New Delhi and said that two BDR jawans were killed in the firing. Mr Pandey had fired at cattle smugglers and he had no idea that they were being escorted to Bangladesh by BDR jawans. A flag meeting was held at Sovapur tent post today to defuse tension along the riverine border,” Mr Murlidhar said. Mr Pandey was admitted to a hospital in Malda with two bullets in his leg.

He said, the relation between the border forces of two countries has improved in recent times and the BSF will try to ensure that such misunderstanding doesn't occur in future.

Mr Murlidhar added that the BSF's south Bengal frontier has seized 1,602 cattle from various places along the border this month. BSF officers said that cattle smuggling has come down this year owing to better surveillance.

Avinash R · Post by **Avinash R** » 19 Jul 2008 22:06

Sanjoy Ghosh killer gunned down in encounter
Saturday 19 July, 2008.

Hardcore ULFA militant Amrit Dutta, carrying a reward of Rupees three lakh on his head for kidnap and killing of NGO activist Sanjoy Ghosh, was killed in an encounter with the police and CRPF at Majuli in Assam on Saturday.

Police sources said the ULFA leader was killed in the encounter at Katonihati Jurbil under Jengraimukh police station in the world's largest river island at around 7:00 pm.

A joint team of police and CRPF received a tip-off that Dutta and two other militants had taken shelter in a house in the area. The police surrounded it and asked the militants to surrender.

The militants opened fire on the security personnel who retaliated killing Dutta. Other two managed to escape.

Ghosh, who headed the NGO AVARD-NE, was kidnapped by ULFA in July 1997 from Bongaon area of Majuli and was subsequently killed though his body was never recovered.

According to intelligence reports, Dutta was based in Majuli and was involved in extortion and recruitment for the outfit.

sanjaychoudhry · Post by **sanjaychoudhry** » 20 Jul 2008 02:39

Maoists shifting bases from Chhattisgarh to Orissa’s pockets

Maoist guerrillas are shifting their bases from the forests of Chhattisgarh to neighbouring Orissa, officials said. “Due to heavy police build up in Chhattisgarh, Maoists who had been hiding in the Bastar region since early 1980s are relocating their bases to Orissa’s Malkangiri forest,” a police official said on condition of anonymity.

Police officials posted in Dantewada and Bijapur districts of Chhattisgarh’s insurgency-hit Bastar region said latest intelligence reports indicated that many Maoist leaders had fled to Malkangiri.

“The rebels’ decision to look for a new forested haven seems to be to avoid surprise raids on their bases in the Abujhmad forest by security forces,” an official said. Maoists have set up training centres, a research and development (R&D) unit, and several explosives manufacturing units in Abujhmad forest, spread across about 4,000 sq km in Bastar.

The rebels run a de facto administration in Abujhmad forest, where many tribals reside, and government officials have never dared to enter the area in the past. However, in the last six months security forces backed by reinforcements in a 24-seater helicopter have stormed into the forest several times.

“Since the Maoists are running away to other areas, the police and the government feel it is the right time to carry out more attacks against the rebels,” a source in the police headquarters said. Chhattisgarh has not witnessed any major attack by Maoists in the past three months while the rebels killed 17 policemen in Malkangiri district of Orissa Wednesday.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Dat ... 254259.cms

sanjaychoudhry · Post by **sanjaychoudhry** » 20 Jul 2008 02:44

Filmmaker's arrest ignites controversy

The 10th Osian's Cinefan film festival is on in New Delhi but alongwith the films an issue that dominated this year was the arrest of filmmaker, journalist and human rights activist Ajay TG in Chhattisgarh.

Ajay was arrested in May this year allegedly for being a Maoist sympathiser. Ajay has made films on Dr Binayak Sen, another activist under arrest in Chhattisgarh. His own arrest now has sparked off a campaign in the film community.

"The methods used by the Chhattisgarh government, and especially of the Salwa Judum movement are as antithetical to the Indian Constitution as are the methods of the Naxalites. However, had I lived in Bhilai and not in Bangalore, I might have not have been free to say as much," said Ram Guha, historian.

"I am with you. I wish I was 30 years younger so I could have physically joined you all in this campaign," said Mrinal Sen, filmmaker.

A self taught filmmaker, Ajay's films reflected life as he saw it around him.

In 2004, while accompanying a PUCL team in Bastar they were detained by Maoists and his camera taken away.

In January this year, during a raid on a Maoist hideout, the police allegedly recovered a letter written by Ajay asking for his camera. On May 8 Ajay was arrested for contacting an 'unlawful' organisation.

The film community is outraged. Filmmakers say after Binayak Sen it's now their turn.

Film-makers who have come from all over to participate in the film festival say it's a much larger issue of curbing their freedom of expression.

They may not have known Ajay TG personally but his struggle has found a resonance with everyone here.

"No FIR, no chargesheet, it's shocking how the Chhattisgarh government thinks it can get away with anything. How can journalists and film-makers not respond to their political and social situations? Does that mean they become Maoists? asked Aruna Vasudev, Director, OSIAN Film Festival.

Under pressure, the Director General of Police says that he will take a relook into the Ajay's case to see if there is a direct link with Maoists or was he arrested on just a technicality and plans to meet him soon.

But that's not enough say filmmakers who are planning "Release Ajay TG" film festivals where his film Anjam on Dr Binayak Sen will be screened.

"First Binayak and now him what is the message that is coming out of Chhattisgarh? asked Amar Kanwar, Filmmaker.

http://www.ndtvmovies.com/newstory.asp? ... 0080057777

The message is that all Maoist-sympathiser film directors are going to be canned, like it or not. What!! No Gora award yet for Ajay TG? It won't be long in coming.

vsudhir · Post by **vsudhir** » 20 Jul 2008 03:49

Sanjay,

The message is that all Maoist-sympathiser film directors are going to be canned, like it or not. What!! No Gora award yet for Ajay TG? It won't be long in coming.

Tks! Good news, that.

Time the treasonous psec/leftie MKK (Maoist Kandy ki$$ers) crowd within this country get the message that championing totalatarian causes and fronting for outside powers against Indian unity and integrity wins them no sympathy, influence or even nuisance value either in the corridors of state power of in the minds of the aam janta at large. Justics can and should be meted out blindfolded, weighing the scales of factual evidence alone.

Aamir Khan learnt the hard way that misusing celebrity might actually cost in terms of film distribution and revenues. The parzania crowd, despite a well porcheastrated media campaign went nowhere in Gujrat. And now this, traitors working to weaken state response to the maoist menace get a boot up their butt and despite dhimmedia shedding copious tears, prompted by its paymasters, there's little audience sympathy or even understanding. Most excellent onlee.

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 20 Jul 2008 04:14

again not directly related but gives u an idea of the thinking

http://www.spiegel.de/international/wor ... 40,00.html

sunilUpa · Post by **sunilUpa** » 24 Jul 2008 03:42

Fire-crackers found in shoes inside air passenger’s baggage

Most likely he was a mule, and it was a dry run to test secirity. Paki planning something spectacular!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 24 Jul 2008 04:21

Rajasthan border land deals to be probed
24 Jul 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

NEW DELHI: Suspecting the role of terrorist outfits in big land deals through benami (fictitious names) transactions in three districts along Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan, the Centre on Wednesday asked the Enforcement Directorate, Intelligence Bureau and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to probe the matter and identify the real buyers — individuals or companies.

Though the state government has already cancelled a number of land deals which took place last year in Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer, the Union home ministry decided to put the central agencies as well on job since a large chunk of land near the border was acquired by anonymous buyers from outside Rajasthan.

Sources in the home ministry said the buyers had even purchased government land — some of which was in the possession of security agencies and the Border Security Force. The mysterious buyers had purchased over 2,00,000 bighas of barren land and raising suspicions within the state establishment as well as at the Centre, they added.

Union home secretary Madhukar Gupta reviewed the progress of the inquiry and the action being taken by the state. Besides senior officials, IB chief P C Haldar and sleuths of ED and DRI also attended the meeting at North Block.

TOI

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Jul 2008 10:23

yesterday night TIMES-NOW TV was broadcasting a interview with that noble bearded scholar known as Syed Salahuddin, ceo of lashkar-e-taiba and hiding in TSP.
he was openly allowed to ridicule and insult the indian govt.

I am 300% sure if anyone in the chowkidar of democracy from sleepy c-span to foxnews showed
a interview with a wanted man like osama or omar, their board would be forced to step down by
public outcry the next day and congress would impose heavy penalties on them.

Amitayus · Post by **Amitayus** » 24 Jul 2008 11:02

Singha wrote:yesterday night TIMES-NOW TV was broadcasting a interview with that noble bearded scholar known as Syed Salahuddin, ceo of lashkar-e-taiba and hiding in TSP.

He is the CEO of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and his actual name is Mohammed Yusuf Shah. Most probably he is from Sopore. His roots is in Jamaat e Islami and had contested the elections in 1987 under MUF. In the interview he said what exactly his mentor Ali Shah Geelani says and the latter always gets wide press coverage. JeI openly organizes janaza for the slain terrorists which is also covered in the press. Salahuddin was interviewed a number of times by NDTV, Rediff, ToI.

Neshant · Post by **Neshant** » 24 Jul 2008 12:21

a while back he was trying to make the jump from terrorist to politician. now that terrorism and infiltration is on the upswing, his plans might have taken a change. why has not RAW killed this goon?

> I am 300% sure if anyone in the chowkidar of democracy from sleepy c-span to foxnews
> showed a interview with a wanted man like osama

I do remember dan rather interviewing Osama in Afghanistan. However this was before 911.

satya · Post by **satya** » 24 Jul 2008 16:05

Salahuddin's family including his sons live in Valley and his extended family is making good money via govt. tenders. He had issues with NC and he blames Abdullahs for his defeat in assembly election during 80s .

Him being live serves both Indian and TSP's interests. HuM has already been considerably marginalised by security forces and max. number of terrorists killed belonged to this group . Its strength being vastly depleted , it exist merely on paper but being the only surviving terrorist organization with roots + cadre + top leadership derived exclusively from J&K gives it an advantage on negotiating table tht other jihadi organizations dont have.

If GoI sometime in near future ( might be just b4 assembly elections at earliest though not too optimist on this dateline ) decides to announce some sort of ceasefire cum ghar wapsi agreement for " mis-guided youths" , HuM will be the organization tht will be targetted and it will be a coup for GoI in international media and Geo-political scenario hence the need to keep this bearded desh dhrohi alive.

For TSP, same logic applies. HuM goes there goes their daily alaap of Kaash-hamara- mir insurgency being totally home grown with local ground support and not an external one as claimed by GoI .

No wonder , max. number of tip-offs about terrorists came for one specific terrorist group ( HuM) as other terror organizations also have an agenda to keep it limited to paper only with real power in their hands on ground and backing from ISI for max. funding .

Another significant shift has been near drying up on nabbing/elimination of OGWs ( over ground workers ) belonging to these terrorist organizations including HuM. It seem either they are been protected fiercely by their organizations or they have switched their sides to more radicalised terror organizations and better trained to hide their identities . Its a worrying development as security agencies need not only to wipe out the foot soldiers ( easy to replace more now with much more radicalised & better trained ones from Frontier provinces ) and field commanders but also the very vital logistic chain tht keep these organizations alive and functional . Its these OGWs tht are hard to be replaced tht are the last vital link tht security agencies need to break to get tht decisive edge against terrorists and gain an upper hand completely b4 the new breed of terrorists from fields of Frontier come running towards the valley and they will , its a matter of time and GoI needs to make max from this limited time .

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 24 Jul 2008 20:45

I am reading an old book by an American John Keenan " A steel man in India" written in 1943. He came as a youngster and ended up as general manager of Tata Steel. He comments on many things besides steel in his book. One of them is the role of CID in India. He says that in those days any group with more than six people is infiltrated by the CID. And they take great pains to keep their cover and even allow incidents to get close to the core and swoop down on them.

I am wondering if the new groups have better security or the folks have become rusty due to political interference present day situations. Or maybe they do allow stuff to happen while they accumulate info.

Avinash R · Post by **Avinash R** » 24 Jul 2008 22:05

satya wrote:Another significant shift has been near drying up on nabbing/elimination of OGWs ( over ground workers ) belonging to these terrorist organizations including HuM. It seem either they are been protected fiercely by their organizations or they have switched their sides to more radicalised terror organizations and better trained to hide their identities . Its a worrying development as security agencies need not only to wipe out the foot soldiers ( easy to replace more now with much more radicalised & better trained ones from Frontier provinces ) and field commanders but also the very vital logistic chain tht keep these organizations alive and functional . Its these OGWs tht are hard to be replaced tht are the last vital link tht security agencies need to break to get tht decisive edge against terrorists and gain an upper hand completely b4 the new breed of terrorists from fields of Frontier come running towards the valley and they will , its a matter of time and GoI needs to make max from this limited time .

satya, OGW get constant care and attention from time to time.

Lashkar OGW held in Poonch
Jammu
In a joint operation, the security forces arrested an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said here today .

''Based on specific information, the troops of 39 Rashtriya Rifles and police laid a trap last night and arrested the LeT conduit, identified as Mohammad Naseem Thakur, resident of Narole, tehsil Mendhar,'' official sources told UNI.

The police recovered one Thaurrya satellite phone along with a sim card, which was reportedly handed over to him by LeT district commander Abu Tallah.

The accused had been booked under section 3 EAO(Enemy Agents Ordinance) and 120-B RPC, the sources added.

off-topic two days back 1 maoist OGW was hacked to death by senior maoists over ideological differences. initially the merger between PWG and MCC into CPI(Maoist) seemed smooth but differences are arising and being 'solved' in true maoist ways.

satya · Post by **satya** » 24 Jul 2008 23:13

AvinashR

thnxx for the news link on recent capture of OGW belonging to LeT but if i remember correctly atleast as per media reports , this is a stand alone incident of an OGW being captured in J&K during recent times .Earlier atleast as per open media sources , there use to be much greater frequency of OGWs being captured so there's definitely some change in the situation wrt OGWs. Either they are becoming better trained in hiding their identities in addition to terror outfits protecting these vital assets considering they r hard to replace specially for TSPian jihadi outfits like LeT ( tht draws most of its cadres from TSP punjab ) making these OGWs ever more imp. as these terrorists are entirely alien to J&K .

Other reason could possibly be OGWs being used as intel source by security agencies since the info. provided by such OGWs will be of tactical nature ( whereas the intel originating from terror outfit HQs will be more of strategic nature giving a general idea about number of their operatives being trained + ready to inflitrate + active in J&K in general ) tht could help in elimination of terrorists operating in local areas and this may most probably be the case cuz again as per media reports , most of terrorists being killed in J&K were either holed up in a house or being tipped off when travelling or their hide-out being busted . It might help the security agencies to keep the area peaceful to a certain extent but to eliminate this field network OGWs needs to be taken care of once and for all .

On matter of Maoists , i dont think the same strategy regarding OGWs in J&K can be applied since Maoists have vast network of OGWs easily replacable and doesnt hold same imp. like in Jihadi outfits as Maoists is a home-grown insurgency so most of their cadres do know about the areas they operate in and have their own personal connections tht could be used in situations . For Maoists , bigger challenge is one of combat cadres tht they find hard to replace for they dont have the option of training ground like of Frontier areas ( incase of Jihadis in TSP ) .

sum · Post by **sum** » 25 Jul 2008 09:00

Satya saar,
If the Lethal Weapon Blog is to be believed, most OWG workers simply disappear/their houses mysteriously catch fire by short circuits(with the OWGs inside them)/ they just slip off cliffs(by mistake,of course)/happen to be the bystanders injured or killed in freak grenade attacks ....

So,if thats the case,there shouldnt be much concern on that front....

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 25 Jul 2008 14:30

NDTV reports a couple of bomb blasts in Bangalore
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/default.aspx

Any confirmations, updates?

Tamang · Post by **Tamang** » 25 Jul 2008 14:46

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/25beng.htm

One person was killed in four blasts that rocked Nayandahalli, Madivala, Adugodi areas on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Friday. Two blasts were reported in Madivala.

One woman was killed and several have been injured.

The blasts took place at 1.30 pm in Nayandahalli, 1.50 pm in Madivala (2 blasts) and 2.10 pm in Adugodi.

Gelatin sticks appear to have been used in the blasts.

Further details awaited.

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 25 Jul 2008 17:12

Definately an mock exercise of something about to come big in future.

satya · Post by **satya** » 25 Jul 2008 17:27

B'glore has been for on Jihadi -radar for some years least. Some issues tht need close watch are :

1) Any link with past blasts tht was handiwork of B'deshi Jihadi organizations , considering the timing of all 5 blasts within 12 mins point to atleast one common pattern with past ones.

2) As per past media reports , there's sizeable Kashmiri population in B'glore , sleeper cell among Kashmiris cant be ruled out .

3) Use of gelatins has become sort of a trend among Jihadi organizations to use locally available materials for bomb making so as to provide complete deniability cover to their masters across the border

4) Significance of it happening on friday and COAS visit about to happen to B'desh .

5) Blasts happend in outskirts of B'glore rather in main business-activity areas implying security cover in those areas found to be good enough not to take chances .

JMTs

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jul 2008 20:31

One step that can be immediately implemented by GO is to have tracer elements at the gelatin makers. I dont think there are more than a half dozen commerciala explosives makers in India.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 26 Jul 2008 01:44

So can we have a consolidated thread for all blasts of 2008, both past and future upcoming ones?

It's becoming so hard to tell one terror attack apart from another. They're all just a big blur now.

I'm thinking we should have a Terror Blast Futures Market, in which compensation package contracts can be bought and sold.

Oh, and let's not forget our slogan - "Indians will never bow to terrorism! Vote Congress!"

Rishi · Post by **Rishi** » 26 Jul 2008 08:59

http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage ... 4034a3b36a

Forget high-grade explosives or fancy detonators, take a trip to the neighbourhood hardware store or pharmacy and you’ll find all the ingredients for making a soft bomb displayed on the shelves. This advice is provided in a 39-page memo circulated by the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba three years ago. And it seems militants are using the advice from a memo recovered from a top Lashkar militant in Srinagar. It read like an ‘Idiot’s Guide to Bomb-making’.

After Thursday’s blasts in Bangalore, it was clear militants have now shifted their focus to easily available material as security agencies have been blocking the acquisition or supply of high-grade explosives such as RDX or C4.

In almost all the blasts set off recently, militants have relied solely on simple bombs — crafted from ingredients as innocuous as nail polish removers and fertilizers. Counter-terrorism officials said militants are using techniques popular even with small-time criminals. “They have added a little sophistication, like timers and cell phones as detonating mechanisms,” an official said.

In UP, terror groups used ‘99’ — codename for a mixture of explosives and chemicals — available for just Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 a kg in Unnao. It was first used on August 14, 2000 at Arya Nagar and then in the blasts in Faizabad, Lucknow, Malegaon, Mecca Masjid, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ajmer and Jaipur. In UP, militants also used mercury, available at jewellery shops, and sugar. The mixture reacts violently when used with sulphuric acid. It can be packed in tiffin carriers and backpacks, and reinforced with shrapnel.

Sometimes, gelatin sticks and dynamites are used. These are easily available in mining areas. In south India, they are easily available from Naxal sources. Another ingredient is ammonium nitrate, a fertiliser. The nitrogen acts as an oxidising agent and if combined with diesel, kerosene and coal dust, can become a deadly explosive.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 26 Jul 2008 13:12

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/gallery/0695/

Vivek Sreenivasan · Post by **Vivek Sreenivasan** » 26 Jul 2008 19:15

I saw quite an interesting documentary about the growing Naxal menace in India. This is a serious situation folks that can easily get out of hand, it coud evolve from a low intensity insurgency to a fully fledged gurella war if we do not get a handle on the situation. The Indian government should not arm villagers whom have been affected by naxal attacks and those areas surrounding naxal locations. These villagers are apt to target individuals of other villagers whom they suspect of being naxals. This creates a viscious cycle which can only create more naxal cadres. What needs to be done is a carrot and stick approach. Villagers which are naxal free and cooperating with security forces should be rewarded. This may be the form of digging more bore wells, farm machinery or monetary bonus. Other villages suspected should be locked down. People there should be feeling as though they are in a jail. The people will come to resent the naxals for creating the situation and will hopefully dob them in.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 26 Jul 2008 19:40

After Bengaluru now in Ahmedabad -

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/26ahd.htm

over 30 injured and no deaths so far.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 26 Jul 2008 22:41

So as I was saying, can we have a consolidated Blasts-of-2008 thread?

Because each and every day we are having more and more blasts. Because the govt is so worthless, that they can't and won't do anything to stop them.

Because Manmohan likes to say, "we will never bow to terrorism" and then no sooner has he finished blathering, when there is yet another blast.

And then Manmohan likes to add, "but isn't Pakistan too a victim of terrorism?"
And then there are more blasts again.

Rangudu · Post by **Rangudu** » 27 Jul 2008 22:13

CNN-IBN reports that one person has been arrested with plans to cause massive blasts in Chennai and Tirunelveli on August 15th

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 27 Jul 2008 23:21

B Raman says it all. BGL senior police officials need to have a more approachable profile and keep the danda behind the scenes...

He did his part as a patriotic Indian...the central establishment needs to step up now.

BENGALURU BLASTS: WHAT NEXT? ---PART I -INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM MONITOR---PAPER NO. 418
By B.Raman

[Whenever there is a major terrorist strike anywhere in India,I get immediately a large number of telephone calls from journalists and others in India for my comments. After the Bengaluru blasts of July 25,2008, I got more telephone calls and messages from abroad than from India. Some of the callers were from foreign media. Many were the executives of foreign corporate houses having offices in Bengaluru. Among the questions they posed were: Were the blasts meant to convey a message to foreign investors, businessmen and experts working in Bengaluru? How would I quantify the the threat to foreigners working in Bengaluru? Are the Indian police and intelligence agencies capable of preventing and successfully investigating such acts of terrorism? Why they give the impression of being helpless without any comprehensive strategy? I gave suitable replies to reassure them about the effectiveness of the Indian counter-terrorism mechanism. I also told them that while their concerns would be understandable, any nervousness would be unnecessary.

2. Bengaluru is a favourite destination for foreign investors. One understands it has the largest concentration of foreigners working in South India. Perpetrators of acts of terrorism in Bengaluru would have two audiences. Firstly, the Indian nationals living in Bengaluru, who would take such acts of terrorism in their stride. Secondly, the foreigners who are not used to such frequent acts of terrorism in their home countries. They would tend to get nervous quite quickly if action is not taken to reassure them about the steps being taken by the local administrastion to protect the lives of people in Bengaluru.

3. One noticed a similar nervousness, but on a much smaller scale after the terrorist strike on the participants in a conference of scientists in a hall of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru in December,2005. Almost all the offices of major foreign corporate houses in Bengaluru have their own security officers. Most of them have recruited retired officers of the Indian Armed Forces and Police for this purpose. Some have brought security experts from their home countries to look after the security of their Bengaluru offices. The executives in charge of security in their corporate headquarters periodically visit Bengaluru to review security arrangements in their local offices and to assess the local security situation. Ultimately, whether investments would continue to flow to Bengaluru or not would depend not only on economic and administrative factors, but also on the assessment of the security officers. It is, therefore, very important for the local adminstration to keep interacting with them on a regular basis in an attempt to remove from their minds any fears or nervousness they may have and to give them any advice the local administration might like to give.

4. I have touched upon this subject in my latest book titled 'Terrorism: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" (Lancer Publishers, New Delhi) in the following words:"Close interactions between the police and the security officers of private establishments is more an exception than the rule. Sometimes, I am invited to address gatherings of such security officers in different urban areas. Almost all of them complained of a lack of accessibility to senior police officers and the reluctance of the police to keep them briefed on developments having a bearing on terrorism. They complained that it was rarely that police officers took the initiative in briefing them when the media carried sensational stories about the plans of the terrorists. When they asked for a briefing, they were asked to meet junior officers, who often were not in a position to brief them adequately and did not have the required self-confidence to be able to answer their questions. It is important that senior police officers interact with the security officers of important private establishments----particularly those from abroad---- at least once or twice a year as a matter of routine and also on other occasions, when there is a need for it. Senior police officers cannot be expected to interact with the private security officers of all establishments---big or small, important or unimportant. However, such interactions should take place with the private security officers of large establishments, which play an important role in our economy. Perceptions of police indifference towards them could have a negative impact on the investors’ confidence in the security environment in the country and in their particular areas of operation. "

5. Bengaluru has been the favourite destination of foreign investors, businessmen and experts because of its high reputation for efficiency, investor-friendly atmosphere and security of lives and property. If doubts arise as a result of incidents like those of July 25, its reputation for security could be dented, thereby affecting the flow of foreign investments. We must remember what happened to Karachi, which used to be the most favourite destination for foreign investors in Pakistan. When its reputation for security was damaged due to acts of terrorism in the 1990s, foreign investment flows dried up and even many of those, who had invested in the past, wound up their businesses. This contributed in an important measure to the steep deterioration in the Pakistani economy.

6. The local administration in Bengaluru should pay attention to measures for strengthening the police capability for preventive intelligence and successful investigation and prosecution. At the same time, it should have a permanent mechanism for constant interactions with foreign investors, businessmen and experts to discuss their security concerns and remove any apprehensions or nervousness they may have. Avoiding such interactions at senior levels will only add to their nervousness.

(The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 28 Jul 2008 01:39

In India, widespread terrorism is attack on 'our way of life'

A report prepared last year by the National Counterterrorism Center in Washington quantified the scale of violence in India. Between January 2004 and March 2007, the report concluded, the death toll from terrorist attacks was 3,674, second only to Iraq during the same period.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 29 Jul 2008 05:09

Unprepared Govt makes light of SIMI ban extension

Parvaiz Sultan | New Delhi

If one needed proof that the Centre was soft-pedalling the issue of terrorism, it was amply available on Monday before the Unlawful Activities Prevention Tribunal (UAPT). The Government came unprepared to seek continuation of the ban on the Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). When UAPT, headed by Justice Geeta Mittal, wanted to know whether SIMI had caused any riots after February 2006, the Centre had no reply.

"It is the fundamental right of a person...he must know that by which action of his, such strong action has been taken against him. You are saying that SIMI was involved in communal riots, bomb blasts and destructive activities. Tell me, which riots after February 2006 were engineered by SIMI and place the material before me," Justice Mittal said. "You can't presume. You have registered 106 fresh cases. Some set in Bhopal, some in Jaipur, others in Malegaon and Ghatkopar, but there's no mention of the FIR numbers. What is the requirement of law? What is to be tested? It has serious impact", the tribunal grilled Additional Solicitor General (ASG) of India AK Pathak while expressing displeasure about the Ministry of Home Affairs' "casual approach".

Justice Mittal also said that if the Centre was claiming SIMI's involvement in these activities, the onus was on the Government to place the proof on record. Meanwhile, the banned outfit's counsel Jawahar Raja submitted, "The notification of February 2008 reads: 'The Central Government is of opinion that SIMI continues to indulge in activities for which it was banned earlier and the activists of SIMI are still indulging in communal and anti-social activities. The activities of SIMI are detrimental to the peace, integrity and maintenance of the secular fabric of Indian society and that it is an unlawful association'. But no ground for the notification and no reason for the immediate ban has been spelt out."

Pointing to the "casual approach" of the Centre, Raja said the notification was signed a month after its publication though it should have been done earlier. The organisation was banned in 2001 for its alleged involvement in unlawful activities. "The ban on SIMI has been extended by the Centre on the same ground. There's no fresh material," Raja contended. Addressing the ASG, Justice Mittal said, "To rely on your previous notification and claim that SIMI is still involved in such activities, you will have to connect the original crime."

The UAPT was hearing the Government's appeal to extend the ban on SIMI. The ASG, contending on behalf of the Union Government, justified the ban and sought another two-year extension on it.

sum · Post by **sum** » 29 Jul 2008 09:22

Court slaps govt over BDs in Assam

Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has said that Bangladeshis in Assam had become the kingmakers and “a strong political will to free Assam from illegal Bangladeshi[s] is the need of the hour coupled with public activism in that direction.”

In his 95-page judgment and order passed on Friday, Justice B.K Sharma directed the police to immediately take into custody 49 of the 61 petitioners, who were declared as ‘foreigners’ by the court, and to keep them in police custody till their deportation. The respective Superintendents of Police have been asked to furnish report about the implementation of the direction.

The judgment and order was passed by the court while disposing of a total of 23 petitions moved by 61 petitioners after they had been declared as foreigners by the respective Foreigners’ Tribunals. The High Court upheld the tribunal judgments in most of the cases.
In voters’ lists

“Till now, the petitioners have been successful in avoiding the proceedings against them as well as their deportation from India. In the process, they have incorporated their names in the voters’ lists on the basis of which they must have cast their votes. Thus the petitioners and such other large number of Bangladeshis present in the State of Assam have a major role in electing the representatives both to the Legislative Assembly and Parliament and consequently, in the decision-making process towards building the nation. They have become the kingmakers,” the judgment stated.

The court has asked the State Home Department and the Director-General of Police to furnish report on the action plan towards detection and deportation of foreign nationals from Assam. The State government was also directed to furnish report on the action plan and the time limit within which the names of illegal voters in various voters’ list would be deleted. The court directed that all the reports be submitted on or before September 30.

Justice Sharma observed: “It is no longer a secret or in the domain of ‘doubt’ that illegal Bangladeshis have intruded every nook and corner of Assam, including forest land. In some of the cases, the petitioners themselves stated before the police during investigation that they were living in government and forest land. If reports are to be believed, they have even intruded upon the most sacred Xattra lands. Very often, they are protected by extending the protective lands of ‘secularism’ branding them to be Indian “minorities” in Assam. A strong political will to free Assam from illegal Bangladeshi[s] is the need of the hour coupled with public activism in that direction.”

The court warned that if the phenomenon continues, “the day is not far off, when the indigenous people of Assam, both Hindus and Muslims and other religious groups will be reduced to minorities in their own land and the Bangladeshis who are freely and merrily moving around the fertile land of Assam, will intrude upon the corridors of power.”

On the role of the Central and the State governments, the judgment and order stated that the foremost duty of the Central government was to defend the borders of the country, prevent any trespass and make the life of the citizens safe and secure. The State government was also equally responsible for taking effective measures to stop the unabated influx of Bangladeshi nationals to Assam threatening the very existence of the indigenous people in their own State. “Neither the Central government nor the State government can disown such solemn responsibilities, they being the protectors of the citizens.”

Very scary analysis from the court...

Not sure what will make the kangress wake up...if even 24 blasts in 2days wake you up, god save the country.....

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 29 Jul 2008 09:53

Till now, the petitioners have been successful in avoiding the proceedings against them as well as their deportation from India. In the process, they have incorporated their names in the voters’ lists on the basis of which they must have cast their votes. Thus the petitioners and such other large number of Bangladeshis present in the State of Assam have a major role in electing the representatives both to the Legislative Assembly and Parliament and consequently, in the decision-making process towards building the nation. They have become the kingmakers,” the judgment stated.

When the ten most nauseating things about India thread comes up, please post this as number one.

Avinash R · Post by **Avinash R** » 29 Jul 2008 22:03

Suspected LeT linkman arrested in West Bengal
Tue, Jul 29 06:17 PM

Kolkata - Amidst nationwide security cordon after two consecutive blasts in Bangalore and Ahemdabad, West Bengal police Tuesday arrested a suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) linkman from Murshidabad district.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Mohammad Mustaq Ahmed, 30, from his home at Gopalnagar area, about 250 km from here.

'We arrested Mustaq and seized a few gelatine sticks (a high form of explosive), a laptop and some CDs with objectionable content,' deputy inspector general of state CID (operation) Siddhinath Gupta told IANS.

'We are verifying all the contents of the CDs and the laptop and also interrogating the person to get other details about LeT's operations in West Bengal,' Gupta said.

The Pakistan-based terrorist outfit, LeT, has a significant presence in Jammu and Kashmir with its foreign militants fighting against the Indian Army in that state of India.

Gupta said Mustaq was the linkman of the LeT in West Bengal and he used to conduct secret meetings with his counterparts in neighbouring Bangladesh.

'We have got information that other LeT members used to visit Mustaq's place at Gopalnagar, about 10 km from the India-Bangladesh border, breaching the international fence and held secret meetings there,' the police officer said.

'Another LeT linkman, Sikandar Ajam, who was arrested last week from Jammu and Kashmir, came to Mustaq's place and then headed for his destination in Kashmir from Murshidabad,' Gupta said.

Mustaq, a Pakistan trained militant, ran a small garment shop at Raghunathganj area, police source said.

'Mustaq was given a responsibility to provide shelter to the LeT members here and also to look after the recruitment procedure of the terrorist module,' sources said.

India and Bangladesh share a 4,095-km long border. Murshidabad shares a porous border with Bangladesh.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 30 Jul 2008 01:12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ1yvrMDUMU

Janane ka haq is the anthem of the Right to Information movement in India. Janane ka Haq means Right to Know. This song underlines the importance of the Right to Information in day to day life of an individual. This song is written, composed and sung by Vinay and Charu Mahajan.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 31 Jul 2008 16:00

Heywood can’t leave India: ATS

“Having served with the US Army and the police, one cannot believe that he was so naïve in operating and maintaining computer security and secrecy. The US cops are trained to be very careful in such matters,” the official added.

TN terror module has no links with SIMI, LeT: Police
Was in chennai railway station last night, very tight security(they said it would be so up until Aug 15th). Cops may have received specific intel on an attack on a train coming and going from Tirunelveli per someone I spoke to at the station yesterday.

Indian agencies keep butting head against Interpol wall

........But despite the clinching evidence against LeT and HuJI ultras in terror strikes, Indian security agencies have failed to secure Interpol red-corner notices against them. Every time the plea is rejected due to insufficient “personal details”.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) in Delhi Police Karnal Singh said: “Interpol has rejected our request for a notice against LeT’s northern India commander Abu Alqama and operative Zaid. Both are accused in the 2005 Delhi triple bomb blasts.

“The request was rejected because we don’t know where exactly these militants are hiding. Our neighbouring country has always denied their presence in its country. So Interpol could not issue a notice for them,” Singh told IANS.

In past similar requests have been rejected for HuJI commanders Waliullah and Shamim on the same grounds.

....Intelligence officials also claim that HuJI was behind the bombings in Malegaon in 2006, and Ajmer and Hyderabad last year.

The intelligence official, who declined to be identified, was convinced these terrorist groups were striking in India at the behest of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.

Another top security official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “This nexus is proving lethal for India. It is now recruiting youth from every part of the country. Terrorists are sneaking into the country through porous borders.”

A senior Delhi Police official said after striking in the country, the militants fled to neighbouring countries through porous borders.

“After reaching Nepal and Bangladesh, the militants flee to Pakistan on fake passports and visas arranged by the ISI.”

State intelligence network in tatters

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat police is struggling with a severe lack of intelligence because of the complete breakdown of the information gathering network that was sparked by the communal violence of 2002.

All anti-terror operations conducted in Gujarat in the aftermath of the communal violence were wholly based on tips from the Central Intelligence Bureau. Gujarat's state intelligence officials had long since been troubled by this breakdown of intelligence network.

The other aspect of the problem is that the state intelligence bureau is now considered as punishment posting and the officers posted here lack the enthusiasm or drive to do their duty. Even though the junior incumbents in this agency, between the ranks of constable and police sub-inspectors, get promoted just for agreeing to work in the agency, there are no takers.

For example, if a constable agrees for a posting in state IB, he will get a promotion as head-constable automatically. Today, any police official posted in the state intelligence agency tries to get out at the earliest, using their political and official connections.

Due too these reasons, agencies like crime branch and special operation groups, which are meant to keep track of organized crime and terrorism, are now reduced to detection of theft, loot and other petty crimes. As for the local intelligence bureau (LIB) officials, they are more dependent on newspaper reports and reporters for their information.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 31 Jul 2008 16:59

could this breakdown be because the khabris were mostly small time IM criminals?