Internal Security Watch

[SSridhar]

The alphabet soup of Internal Security

[SSridhar]

what is Swami smoking to compare a 3 storey mofussil hotel against the Taj or the Trident??

This is not taking anything from JKP and CRPf - they did a great job but its a stupid comparison to Mumbai attack

Forget about the validity or invalidity of the comparison. There is one thing his article seems to highlight which I wholeheartedly agree with. That is sharing of information. The 26/11 is a precursor to urban warfare that the ISI is planning to unleash on different parts of India. They want to create in India the same mayhem that they are facing now. Every state must be equipped to handle such a scenario. The states cannot simply rely on the regional NSG setups. Aside from the fact that urgent upgradations & training to state police forces have to be undertaken on war footing, information regarding tactics of the police as well as the terrorists in operations that have been conducted, must be shared across the board with agencies of other states. There is no mechanism today for that. We are really fortunate that so far another 26/11 has happened. Our luck is not likely to last for long.

[Stan_Savljevic]

Assam Rifles To Have 26 New Battalions for Indo-Myanmarese Border
http://chhindits.blogspot.com/2010/01/a ... lions.html

The new battalions would come into existence in a phased manner, around 3-4 in a year, and would aid the civil administration to check drug trafficking along the 1600 kilometer porous border, smuggling, insurgents infiltrating into the Indian side and would also be deployed in counter-insurgency roles. The battalions would function under the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

[negi]

I am afraid SS garu but there is no way one can prevent a group of 4/5 men from smuggling,assembling and finally triggering a huge blast in a crowded city in India , of course we need to tighten the things on our side and come up with new measures and employ state of the art surveillance techniques to prevent such a mishap but at the end of the day our mindset needs to change the threshold for maximum allowable human lives which GOI deems expendable before crossing the rubicon needs to be 'quantified' I am sorry to say but currently this figure seems to be 'infinite'.

All in all we need to ensure that General Kapoor's statements do not fade away and get by the bakis just like our past hollow squeals , the perpetrators of this mess need to realize that a next 26/11 or 12/93 would be considered as a full fledged attack and be responded to accordingly for I am afraid if GOI succumbs to the chanakian elements like in the past it will only strengthen the resolve of the enemy and make a mockery of people like General Kapoor and our armed forces.

[Rahul Mehta]

I am afraid SS garu but there is no way one can prevent a group of 4/5 men from smuggling,assembling and finally triggering a huge blast in a crowded city in India ,

The only way to prevent this is to kill the leader across the border who sent or gave shelter to these men. IOW, once we kill the "State" that supports such jihadies, such jihadies will reduce in number.

Basically, burn the honey-comb, and flies will reduce.

[Stan_Savljevic]

1) Northeast
More CRPF bases in North East

Some 777 acres of land will be needed to set up permanent base camp for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in various places across the North East India region. Sources in the Home Ministry said that the Centre has taken some special measures to fight against terrorism and in this regard increasing the number of base of the CRPF is important.

It added that the threat of naxalism and terrorism in the country is a big challenge before the government and as a move to thwart this, the latest move of New Delhi to set up more CRPF bases has cropped up. “Today terrorism is a global problem which is not easy to root out in a brief period of time,” feels a Home Ministry official. Keeping the challenge in mind the Centre has decided to set up permanent base camp for the CRPF in the country.

The central government is planning to allot approximately 1400 acres of land among the militancy prone states to set up the proposed base camps, out of which the lion portion of the land will remain with the north eastern states. The centre has decided to allot 777 acres of land to the four insurgency prone states- Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura. The Union Home Minister had repeatedly said about his concern for Assam and Manipur on various occasions. In the present arrangement, the CRPF personnel used local schools and college buildings as their temporary camps while they are being deployed in any state. This arrangement destroyed the whole educational environment, the government realized.

http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/41033.html
Classes to resume in Manipur after four months of closure
http://www.sentinelassam.com/northeast/ ... pr=1#25397

Recent Political Reorganization of Assam
(The writer was Chief Secretary, Assam, during 1990-95)

Existence of myriad sub-nationalities has caused deep unrest in India’s northeastern region. Agitations over ethnic grievances have often led to insurgency. One of the methods applied to curb such insurgency is the devolution of more power to ethnic groups through innovative designing of administrative structures to meet, to the extent possible, the demands made on the Central power. This has been tried in many countries. In this region, formation of small States and other administrative units with separate constitutional or statutory identity has been the result of such an attempt to satisfy ethnic and tribal aspirations.

In Assam and the rest of the Northeast, sub-national aspirations of ethnic groups have led to vivisection into very small political units. These units have been sustained by substantial Central government financial assistance during the past half-a-century. Coordination among the units has been sought to be achieved through the establishment of North East Council (NEC) under an Act of Parliament. The original idea of NEC was to provide some kind of a sub-federal umbrella structure with the States of the region as federating units. Another idea was to provide for coordination of economic development activities. NEC became inevitable in the context of the creation of small political units with many common problems and difficulties.

It was actually popular agitation followed by insurgency which propelled the process of break-up (since 1960s) of the erstwhile Assam and the innovation of a maze of new and smaller political structures to meet, to the extent possible, the ethnic aspirations. However, many of the ethnic problems remained unresolved. For example, in the erstwhile Naga Hills district of Assam, insurgency, started in the 1940s, is still continuing long after the formation of Nagaland State. Although there is now a ceasefire, neither of the two factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) have forsaken their goal of sovereign Nagaland. In addition, Nagas are demanding Nagalim by merging of certain territories from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur which have some Naga population. This issue of Nagalim has great potential for unrest and disturbances in the Northeast. In Manipur, violent agitation against the demand for Nagalim has already resulted in many deaths.

The process of recognition of sub-nationalism in the Northeast started with the drafting of the Indian Constitution. On the basis of the recommendations of the Gopinath Bordoloi Committee, which had been appointed by the Constituent Assembly, the Sixth Schedule was incorporated in the Constitution of India with the object of protecting the tribal people, their rights and their particular ways of life. The sub-federal entities, called the Autonomous District Councils, were formed under the Sixth Schedule. These are existing in different States. Till recently, Assam had two such districts: Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills district. Later, the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD), comprising the four Assam districts of Chirang, Kokrajhar, Baska and Udalguri, was formed. It was included in the Sixth Schedule. BTAD is governed by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

An attempt at safeguarding tribal interest resulted in the formation of the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) for administration of the outlying tribal areas of post-independence Assam. But curiously enough, the administration of NEFA was entrusted to the Ministry of External Affairs instead of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In course of time, NEFA was transformed into a full-fledged State — Arunachal Pradesh — without any violent agitation. The main problem of Arunachal Pradesh is that China is doggedly claiming it as its own territory.

Ethnic agitations led to the formation of the State of Meghalaya combining the two erstwhile Assam districts of Khasi and Garo Hills. In the case of Mizoram, violent ethnic insurgency preceded its Statehood. It was earlier the Lushai Hills district of Assam. Similar was the case of Nagaland.
Most recently, seven statutory Tribal Councils, outside the Sixth Schedule, have been formed in Assam for the Tiwas, Rava-Hasongs, Sonowal Kacharis, Mishings, Deoris, Thengal Kacharis and the tribals of Barak valley. Other tribal groups of Assam are demanding similar status. All of them want to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution while the Bodos demand a separate State. As many as nine Development Councils for the ethnic groups of Morans, Motoks, Ahoms, Chutias, Koch Rajbangshis, Tea Tribes, Gorkhas, Sarania Kacharis and Amri Karbis are under the process of being set up.

The maze of political arrangements mentioned above have met ethnic aspirations to some extent. But further administrative reforms will be necessary to deal with problems which have been left behind and which are begging a solution. In Bodoland, for example, many areas have been included where there is no or little Bodo population. This has been done in order to achieve contiguity. Again, the Bodos do not have even simple majority in all districts inside the BTC area. However, the 40 elected seats in BTC, out of a total of 46, are distributed as follows: 30 for tribals, five for non-tribal communities and five open for all communities. The remaining six seats are filled up by nomination by the Governor. This arrangement is not quite democratic because the majority cannot be always kept out of power in BTC. But this stratagem had to be adopted in order to satisfy the Bodos. Again, there are some Bodos outside BTC. They have no special rights or benefits. Bodoland leaders are still not satisfied with BTC and are demanding a separate State. They are also trying to achieve majority within Bodoland by victimizing the indigenous Koch Rajbangshis and the immigrant Muslims from Bangladesh who form large groups of BTC’s population. The Koch Rajbangshis are very unhappy and are agitating for a separate Kamatapur State comprising parts of Assam and West Bengal. The Muslims are apprehensive about eviction from land which they have occupied for long. Many of them have encroached upon government land including land in the reserved forests and national parks. Some of them have illegally bought land in tribal belts and blocks which is prohibited by law. Several thousand people from this area are in relief camps for the past decade-and-a-half. These people were uprooted following ethnic violence.

In the hill States, there are certain traditional tribal councils which wield considerable power. These are extra-constitutional and extra-statutory bodies. However, some intellectuals and tribal experts have romantic ideas about them. There is also an attempt to see their continued existence to be sanctified by the provisions of Article 40 of the Constitution. But it is forgotten that there is no express provision in the Constitution, nor in any of the main Articles or in the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, which would allow continuance of these tribal councils. These councils are not democratic, but feudal, hereditary and oligarchic. They exclude women, tenant farmers, wage labourers and poor people.

In Assam, sporadic violence has been going on after the breakdown of talks between the Centre and the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) formed by the underground United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). These talks had been facilitated by acclaimed author Dr Indira (aka Mamoni) Roisam Goswami. Meanwhile, ULFA’s demand for sovereignty has been rejected not only by the Government of India but also by the overwhelming majority of the people of Assam. However, ULFA has not given up its demand. In December 2009, the ULFA chairman and a few functionaries of the organization were taken into custody. There was expectation for direct talks between ULFA and the Government of India. But all top leaders of ULFA have refused to start discussion with the government while in custody. They are also adamant in their demand for sovereignty which the government does not accept. In the circumstances, when and how direct talks can be held between the government and ULFA is a moot question.

Taking advantage of the ethnic and sub-national grievances, a very large number of insurgent units have made their appearance in Assam and the rest of the Northeast. In order to curb such insurgency, the political arrangements, as detailed above, have been made. But many problems remain unresolved. Therefore, further administrative reforms will be necessary to take care of at least the following important problems: (1) the grievances of indigenous Koch Rajbongshis in BTC; (2) the demand by Koch Rajbangshis and five other ethnic groups for tribal status; (3) the problem of Bangladeshi immigrant Muslims; (4) the clamour for more power by the Tribal Councils; (5) the demand by other tribals for new Tribal Councils; (6) the question of introduction and, in case of BTC, reintroduction of Panchayati Raj institutions in the Sixth Schedule areas; (7) the traditional Tribal Councils of village elders; and (viii) the demand by Bodos, Karbis and Dimasas for separate States. Proper and detailed enquiry and political acumen will be necessary in order to tackle all these problems and issues.

http://www.sentinelassam.com/op_ed/stor ... pr=1#25368
SATP:

According to Assam Tribune, two suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants were killed in an encounter with the Security Forces (SFs) at Na-Kuchi under Khetri Police Station in the Kamrup (urban) District on January 10. One 9 mm pistol, a hand grenade, two magazines and six rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the possession of the slain militants. The suspected ULFA militants were believed to be led by 'self-styled sergeant major' Jayanta Kalita alias Jintu, adds Shillong Times. Kalita, a top 'commander' of the 109th battalion' of the ULFA operating in Western Assam, was reportedly escaped towards the jungles of Meghalaya border.

Meanwhile, two suspected All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) cadres were killed in an encounter with the Police in between Merabil and Shillongkhuti villages under Mazbat Police Station in Udalguri District, reports Assam Tribune. Separately, one businessman, Rakesh Prasad (20), was abducted by suspected militants belonging to anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) at Misamari area in Sonitpur District on January 8. In addition, the SFs arrested one Zakir Hussain (35) from Chakragram of Darrang District and recovered a hand-made pistol and eight rounds of ammunition including four rounds belonging to AK-47 from his possession on January 9.

Bangladesh and India to join hands against drugs trafficking and international terrorism

International terrorism and organised crime including drug trafficking would feature among the five agreements India would sign with Bangladesh during the ongoing visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to Times of India. India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said on January 10 that Hasina's visit promised to be a path-breaking one. "The visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh promises to be a path-breaking one and gives both countries a historic opportunity to build a new and forward looking relationship. India is committed to working with the government of Bangladesh to build on our historical and traditionally close links and open new vistas in our bilateral relations," said Rao. Five agreements would be signed during the visit including on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons, combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking, power cooperation and a cultural exchange programme. Hasina would meet her counterpart Manmohan Singh on January 11 (today). She would be conferred the Indira Gandhi prize for peace, disarmament and development for 2009 on January 12 (tomorrow) at President's House.

2) J&K SATP:

HM ‘deputy divisional commander’ among four persons killed in Jammu and Kashmir

Two top militants of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), including a ‘deputy divisional commander’, were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) after an encounter at Thanola in the Arnas area of Reasi District in the afternoon of January 10, reports Daily Excelsior. The slain militants were identified as Irfan Mushtaq alias Command (call sign 17), a ‘deputy divisional commander’ of HM and a resident of Lar in Gulabgarh and Ibrar alias Abu Ubaida (call sign 04), a resident of Thanola. An Army Subedar and a Special Police Officer (SPO) were injured in the operation while two civilians, who had been taken hostage by the militants, were safely rescued. Official sources said the SFs launched a joint search operation at Thanola following an information that two HM militants had taken shelter in village Kangri, about 10 kilometres from Arnas, at 1 pm (IST). On observing movement of the SFs, the militants took shelter in a village Mosque. When Army and Police personnel asked the militants to come out and surrender, the militants lobbed two grenades towards the SFs. The SFs didn't retaliate to maintain sanctity of the holy religious place. Finding themselves trapped, the militants took two civilians from the mosque as hostage and fled towards upper reaches of Kangri. The SFs chased and engaged them in an encounter. After the hostages were rescued, both militants were shot dead by the SFs in the gun-battle, Inspector General of Police Jammu Ashok Gupta said. Recoveries made from the possession of slain militants included one new type of foldable rifle of AK series with 60 rounds, one AK-47 rifle with 41 rounds, one mobile telephone, a UBGL and a Chinese grenade, one I Com radio set, one solar charger and INR 50,000 in cash.

Meanwhile, militants shot dead two former militants and injured another in two separate incidents the Kulgam District. Militants shot at and injured two former militants at Qoimoh market in Kulgam District on January 9, official sources said. One of the injured succumbed to his later. The deceased was identified as Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Bragloo Kulgam while the injured person was identified as Sameer Ahmad Bhat. Both Gulzar and Sameer were associated with the HM before they renounced the path of violence and joined the mainstream to lead normal lives, the sources said, adding they were targeted for allegedly being informers of the SFs.

In a similar incident at Sopore town of Baramulla District, militants shot dead a former HM militant after abducting him from his house at Arampora on January 7. The body of Bilal Ahmad Chaploo, a resident of Gulabad in Arampora was found in an orchard in the same village, falling under the jurisdiction of Sopore Police Station. Chaploo was abducted by militants in the night of January 7 from his house and shot dead later. Further, SFs neutralised a militant hideout and recovered a haul of ammunition and contrabands, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and packets of heroin, from Shalela village of Gandoh tehsil in the Doda district on January 9. Three IEDs weighing 5.5 kilograms each, 800 grams of Pakistani sealed heroin, two AK magazines, 100 rounds, two grenades, blankets and ration were seized from the hideout, sources said.

Meanwhile, Handwara Police arrested one Over Ground Worker (OGW) of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) from Kralgund area of Kupwara District and recovered some arms and ammunition form his possession, a Police spokesman said. Fayaz Ahmad Mir alias Ibrahim, a resident of Sheikhpora village in Rafiabad area of Baramulla District, was arrested at Bicharwara in Kralgund area. One wireless set, four IED timers, one remote control and 20 AK rounds were recovered from his possession.

Also, the Police raided a house in Basantgarh belt of Udhampur District in the night of January 9 and arrested a HM militant, Abdul Noorani alias Haider, reports PTI. Further, a militant of the Pakistan-backed Al-Badr terrorist outfit was arrested from Gopalpura, near Srinagar on January 10, reports The Hindu. Acting on specific information, the SFs arrested Syed Muneer Bukhari alias 'Muna', a resident of Nowpora-Sopore at Gopalpura, a Police spokesman said. He said a pistol, its one magazine, five rounds and one grenade were recovered from his possession.

Separately, an infiltration bid was foiled by the SFs after about 45 minutes of heavy exchange of firing in the night of January 9 in the Mala Bela area of Garkhal in the Pargwal sector of Jammu District. The militants who had earlier succeeded in cutting seven wires of fencing, including concertina and cobra wires, were detected by the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, reports Daily Excelsior.

Meanwhile, the BSF launched Operation Night Dominance all along 202 kilometres of International Border (IB) from Lakhanpur to Pallanwalla following specific intelligence inputs that Pakistan Army and Rangers were desperate to push militants into this side taking advantage of a dense fog which engulfed entire stretch of the border during night. Reports said that movement of militants is being observed near launching pads of the militants, close to forwards posts of Rangers in Chumbrian, Tutwal, Chaprar and Kunjpur opposite Kharkola, Sangral, Khatmarian and Abdullian areas of R. S. Pura sector, Zaffarwal opposite Ramgarh sector and Khairi, Peer Babaa, Rial, Panj Talian, Kundal and Kuklyani in Surkhpur village opposite Kanachak sector. Intelligence reports indicated that the militants, backed by Pakistan Army and Rangers, could make simultaneous attempts from two or three places to sneak into this side during the night. However, sources said, the BSF was well prepared to tackle the infiltration attempts.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said SFs engaged the militants on the basis of credible intelligence inputs and the incidents at Lal Chowk in Srinagar did not signify revival of militancy. "Both the operations were initiated by the Security Forces and not terrorists. There were credible intelligence information," he told reporters, contending that the incidents got so much attention only because it took place in Srinagar.

3) Maoists: SATP

Suspected Maoists kill two traders in Orissa

Suspected Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres killed two local traders in the Katulpeta village under Bandhugaon Police Station area of Koraput District in the morning of January 11 (today), Police said, according to IANS. "Two local traders were killed by suspected Maoists. We are gathering details of the crime," Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeeb Panda said.

Meanwhile, Deogarh District Police recovered detonators, live ammunition, utensils and a sewing machine from Pindki forest under Riamal Police Station on January 10, reported Express Buzz. Security Forces have intensified combing operation in Heron, Hitam and Biryam areas. Although it is said that the place was used as a camp by the Maoists who have deserted it now, the recovery signifies their presence in the area as Maoists are not known to leave behind their belongings. Although there have been reports of Maoists having a free run in Laimura, Riamal, Ranigola, Gandam, Gangajal areas of the District, Police have been underplaying their presence. The District is directly connected through forest with Saranda forest across the border in Jharkhand via Gurundia in Sundargarh. It was along the route from Biryam to Heron where Police recovered 21 landmines in October 2005.

Four Bihar Military Police personnel injured as Maoists attack its camp in Bihar

PTI reports that armed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres on January 10 attacked a Bihar Military Police (BMP) camp in the Bhagalpur District and injured four BMP personnel before looting arms and ammunition, Police said. Over hundred Maoists swooped down on the BMP camp near Chanan River in Akbarnagar, fired bullets and injured four personnel guarding it. The Maoists looted four self loading rifles, two machine guns, some ammunition and two grenades, Police said, adding, they managed to escape in the dark after the brief attack. A combing operation has been launched in the area to arrest the extremists, Police added.

Over 23,000 kilograms of marijuana seized in Chhattisgarh in 2009

A total of 23,051 kilograms of marijuana was seized in Chhattisgarh in 2009, Police said, according to Sify.com. "Police seized 23,051 kg marijuana, 67,700 marijuana plants and 2,598 lethal drug injections in 2009, estimated to cost Rs.40.06 million," said a booklet brought out by Police headquarters highlighting its achievements during 2009. The booklet said 217 gun battles were fought in 2009 till December 15 and 107 Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were killed. A total of 177 Maoists and 445 sangham members, followers of the CPI-Maoist, were arrested in the State in 2009.

CRPF killed 190 militants including Naxalites and lost 70 personnel in 2009

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) killed 190 militants and Naxalites (left wing extremists) besides arresting 2,054 in the year 2009, according to PTI. The Force lost 70 of its personnel. A massive recovery of 48, 000 ammunition was made in 293 encounters undertaken by the CRPF along with other Security Forces. "Apart from this, about 2,000 kilograms of explosives and 685 arms were also recovered. Seventy four militants were killed in Jammu and Kashmir while in Assam, 58 militants were killed," the CRPF spokesperson Ajay Chaturvedi said in a statement on January 8. He said in left wing extremism areas, 35 Naxalites were killed in Chhattisgarh while in Jharkhand 15 were killed. Orissa accounted for five kills and West Bengal three during the said period. "Two hundred and twelve militants and Naxalites had also surrendered. Maximum 118 militants had surrendered in Tripura, while in Assam 65 gave up arms besides seven in J&K and one in Arunachal Pradesh. "Ten Naxalites in Chhattisgarh and 11 in Maharashtra were also in the surrendered list," the official said, adding, in Chhattisgarh 363 Naxalites were arrested. In west Bengal 349 Naxals were arrested, while in Jharkhand and Orissa the numbers were 180 and 136 respectively. In Maharashtra, 120 Naxals were arrested while in Madhya Pradesh 63 suspects were arrested. Nearly 639 CRPF personnel were injured during the same period while Naxals took away 20 arms and 1,954 ammunition of the force.

[somnath]

^^^ Unfortunately, most, though not all our responses post 26/11 have been what I call the "sticky tape, band-aid" ones, and the "public visibility" being at a premium...So NSG hubs, Force 1 commandos, ordering fancy guns by police forces - none of these really tackle the systemic issues...

the first challenge is the capacity of the police force, both in terms of quality as well as quantity..London, with a population of 7.5 million, is has a 60-70k strong police force. Mumbai, with a population of nearly 20 million, has probably half that number..the quality aspect is even more telling..Contrary to perception, the Mumbai Police's failure during 26/11 was not due to absence of fancy weaponry or sayaret type forces..It was due to the failure of the constable to fire his 303 properly! An adequately trained police force, armed even with the current weapons (9 mm pistols, 303s) would be good enough to tackle most threats..Indian cities need a massive upgrade in the quantity and basic quality of its police forces, a few thousand more "special forces" dont realy help

The second challenge is of integration of intelligence services..Here some good steps have been taken, activating the MAC for example.. But it has been quickly converted into a turrf grab operation..

Fortunately, successful examples exist within the country - Punjab, AP, TN to a certain extent...The need of the hour is for someone to integrate the setup and scale it up on a pan India basis..

[Singha]

the circus continues...

Govt scraps tender for 59,000 bulletproof jackets

CNN-IBN

TimePublished on Mon, Jan 11, 2010 at 17:52, Updated on Mon, Jan 11, 2010 at 18:53 in India

New Delhi: Union Home Ministry on Monday scrapped the tender floated for procuring 59,000 bulletproof jackets for central paramilitary forces due to irregularities in the trial.

In a press release issued on Monday evening, just a few days after CNN-IBN exposed massive irregularities in the trials for the bulletproof jackets, Home Ministry scrapped the multi-crore deal.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided that the Technical Evaluation Committee and Tender Advisory Committee may be advised to maintain strict vigilance and ensure scrupulous adherence to the terms and conditions of the tender," the release said.

The Ministry also asked bidders to submit fresh samples of bulletproof jackets.

A tender was floated for procuring 59,000 Bullet Proof jackets for the Central Paramilitary Forces. A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) under the chairmanship of DG, BPR&D and a Tender Advisory Committee (TAC) under the chairmanship of DG, CRPF were also constituted.

The Tender Evaluation Committee included Shri RK Verma, Joint Director, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, a laboratory under the DRDO.

The samples submitted by the qualified bidders were tested in the TBRL. Ballistic tests were conducted under the supervision of Shri RK Verma. The TEC submitted its report on the tests to the TAC.

When the matter was under consideration of the TAC, several complaints were received from different sources. A CD purportedly containing conversations between Shri RK Verma and one of the bidders was also received. After a preliminary consideration of the complaints and the CD, Home Minister directed on December 23, 2009, that the tender process shall be stayed and that the price bids shall not be opened until further orders.

The complaints and the CD have been examined carefully by the DG, BPR&D. He has reported that Shri RK Verma has admitted that it was his voice on the CD. The report of the DG, BPR&D has been considered by the TAC and the TAC has made its recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs. After considering the aforesaid report and the recommendations, MHA has decided:

(1) that the test reports submitted by TBRL be scrapped;

(2) that the bidders may be requested to submit fresh samples which shall be tested afresh;

(3) that the facts of the case may be reported to DRDO to nominate one or more Scientists/Technologists of integrity to conduct the tests on the fresh samples;

(4) that the DRDO may be requested to take suitable disciplinary action against Shri RK Verma after holding an enquiry according to law; and

(5) that TEC and TAC may be advised to maintain strict vigilance and ensure scrupulous adherence to the terms and conditions of the tender.

[Stan_Savljevic]

India’s quiet diplomacy turns quieter ----- By Uddipan Mukherjee
http://upiasia.com/Security/2009/12/31/ ... eter/9217/

[shravan]

Explosives recovered from Howrah station

Kolkata, Jan 11 (IANS) A large quantity of explosives were recovered Monday from a schoolbag in the busy Howrah Railway Station, the gateway to Kolkata.

Police said the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were kept in a black schoolbag outside a police kiosk in the station premises.

'The bag had been lying there for a long time. Locals felt suspicious and informed the police,' said a police official.

'The bomb squad personnel and sniffer dogs were called in. The bomb squad experts checked the bag and found the explosive devices which were defused.'

'Had there been an explosion, the losses would have been huge,' said a bomb disposal squad officer.

[krithivas]

With Commonwealth games in New Delhi around the corner - India must work very hard to prevent attacks such as against the Togo soccer team in Africa Cup. NCTC/NIA/RAW/IB will be tested.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... z_TJBTrmkw

Angolan security forces seal off footballer village
By Colin Droniou (AFP) – 3 hours ago
CABINDA, Angola — Angolan security forces have sealed off the complex housing the football teams contesting the Africa Cup of Nations in restive Cabinda province, hoping to ward off any new separatist attack.

[Abhi_G]

http://www.dailypioneer.com/228798/GoM- ... icter.html
GoM clears proposal to make anti-hijacking law stricter

With terror threats to the civil aviation sector looming large, a Group of Ministers on Tuesday cleared proposals to make the anti-hijacking law more stringent by including death sentence as a punishment.

The GoM, headed by Home Minister P Chidambaram, also decided to incorporate a new clause to cover the aspect of conspiracy to hijack an aircraft which does not exist in the Anti-Hijacking Act of 1982.

The Clause 4 of the Act, which now provides for life imprisonment and a fine for hijacking, would be amended to include death penalty also, sources said.

They said the proposed amendments would now be given a legal shape with the intent of bringing them before Parliament in the ensuing Budget Session for the law to be amended.

Besides Chidambaram, the meeting of the GoM on aviation security was attended by Law Minister Veerappa Moily, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.

The policy provides for immobilisation of an aircraft and not allowing it to take off if the hijacking takes place on Indian soil, besides the scrambling of IAF fighters if the hijacked plane remained in the Indian airspace.

Any decision to shoot down an aircraft would be taken in extreme circumstances like the 9/11 terror attack, if the aircraft chose not to identify itself or appeared to have evil intentions of targeting vital installations, the sources said.

The draft proposal was prepared by the Civil Aviation Ministry and cleared by a Committee of Secretaries a few months ago, they said, adding that it was then referred to the GoM for approval.

[Stan_Savljevic]

Is GoI stupid or is this yet another bakwaas report from Shri. toiletpaper?
Parole for 8 jailed ULFA leaders?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 453252.cms
Ego clash leads to deadlock in Naga peace talks

Peace talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) have been deadlocked mainly because of ego clash between the Government and the leaders of the outfit, while, formal talks with the NSCN(K) are yet to start as the outfit is not yet ready to start the process. Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the peace process came into a deadlock after the Centre’s decision to remove former Union Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah from the position of interlocutor for talks with the NSCN (I-M) and what is interesting is that the talks were not deadlocked over any issue but because of ego clash.

Sources revealed that after the removal of the interlocutor, it was decided that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would directly hold talks with the outfit and a formal letter was sent to the NSCN (I-M) general secretary T Muivah requesting him to come to India for talks. But the NSCN (I-M) leaders refused to come and asserted that a formal letter inviting them for talks must come from the Prime Minister’s Office. Now the ego clash between the Government and the NSCN (I-M) is holding up the process of talks and no one knows as to when the process will resume.

However, on the positive side, the differences between the Government and the NSCN have come down over the years and now Muivah, who is in Amsterdam, is using an Indian passport. Sources said that so far, the issue of sovereignty of Nagaland has not been discussed and the issue was not raised in the last charter of demands placed before the Government by the militant outfit. On the other hand, the Government is concerned about the recent reports of visits of NSCN (I-M) leaders to China as the reasons for the visit are not yet known. Sources said that according to intelligence inputs, the NSCN (I-M) chairman Issac Swu and another senior leader of the outfit, Anthony Shimrey visited China last year and the Government would raise the issue strongly in the next round of meeting with the outfit.

Meanwhile, formal talks with the NSCN (K) are yet to start despite the fact that the outfit signed a ceasefire pact with the Government several years back. Sources said that the differences between both the factions of the NSCN are yet to be resolved and both sides are still not willing to talk with the Government at the same time. The NSCN (K) told the Government of India that they would start the process of talks only when the “process of talks with the NSCN (I-M) breaks down”, which proved that the NSCN(K) is waiting for the peace talks with the other faction to fail.

Sources said that the Government of India is also concerned about reports of violation of ground rules of the ceasefire agreement by the NSCN (K) and the matter would be raised in the next round of talks on extension of term of the ceasefire agreement. Sources said that the NSCN (K) is still allowing members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to use its bases, particularly in Myanmar, which is not acceptable to the Government of India.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/det ... n1710/at02
{after being a part of the lynchpin behind the crisis}, Desmond Tutu praises Naga reconciliation process
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/det ... an1710/ne8

[Muppalla]

India matters, not America by Kanchan Gupta

As National Security Adviser MK Narayanan prepares to exit the Prime Minister’s Office and spend the coming years in the splendid isolation of a Raj Bhavan, it would be appropriate to review his tenure as Mr Manmohan Singh’s top aide. Given his unimpeachable loyalty to the first family of the Congress if not to the party (it would be facetious to suggest that one is concomitant to the other) it did not surprise anybody when he was inducted into the PMO after the UPA came to power. Nor was it surprising that his initial assignment was that of Internal Security Adviser. Having served as Director of Intelligence Bureau (when Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister) and a ‘National Security Adviser’ of sorts to VP Singh during his brief stint in office, he was a natural choice for the job. Known as a ‘tough-though-thinking cop’, apart from excelling at gathering ‘political intelligence’, his presence in the PMO, it was felt, would be a perfect counterfoil to the soft approach of the Government to issues linked to internal security as well as help shore up a regime dependent on unreliable allies by working the back channels with parties like the DMK.

There was a problem, though. JN Dixit, who was appointed National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, saw his role as not being dissimilar to that played by his predecessor, Mr Brajesh Mishra, who handled both external and internal security-related issues loosely structured within the matrix of strategic affairs. The Director of IB, the Secretary heading Research & Analysis Wing, those handling Military Intelligence, the Joint Intelligence Committee, the Scientific Adviser, the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (who is also Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy), the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary would directly brief Mr Mishra who, in turn, would brief Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Mr LK Advani wasn’t too happy with the arrangement and was definitely displeased about the Home Secretary hopping across from North Block to South Block to keep Mr Mishra posted, but there was little that he (or for that matter the Raksha Mantri and the Videsh Mantri) could do about it. Mr Mishra was the foreign policy czar (he was appointed special representative for crucial talks with several countries, including Pakistan, China, Russia and France and had over-riding authority), the initiator of strategic dialogue with the US, and the chief operational intelligence coordinator. All this apart from his responsibilities as Principal Secretary, which involved inter-Ministry coordination and routine administrative duties as chief of the PMO staff. That Mr Vajpayee never had any reason to complain is an abiding tribute to Mr Mishra’s amazing abilities.

Mr Singh (or was it someone else?) decided not to vest any one person with so much responsibility. Mr TKA Nair was appointed Principal Secretary, a job which the veteran bureaucrat with an impeccable record still holds. But it remains unclear whether an effort was made to delineate the task of the National Security Adviser from that of the Internal Security Adviser. What is known is that Dixit, held in awe by the Foreign Office and feared by India’s neighbourhood, was never too sure about his remit. Dixit may have been a grand strategist, but he was a poor tactician. On the other hand, Mr Narayanan, confident of his political backing, tactically exploited the situation to his advantage, appropriating for himself virtually every segment of the national security matrix and more. With Mr Shivraj Patil as Minister for Home Affairs, he met with no resistance: All pink note-sheets would land on his desk before they were read by anybody else.

The brewing conflict between Dixit and Mr Narayanan was resolved in the most unexpected and tragic manner. Dixit, popularly known as Mani, died on January 3, 2005, barely seven months after the UPA came to power. Mr Singh, hesitant to replicate his experiment, promptly anointed Mr Narayanan National Security Adviser and since then he has held the post, minding both external and internal security issues and strategic affairs. In between deciding who gets to head IB and R&AW (usually favourites from the Kerala cadre of the IPS), he also ran political errands, for instance coercing Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh to vote for the Congress-led Government and convincing DMK supremo M Karunanidhi not to push the envelope too far on India refusing to come to the LTTE’s rescue.

Meanwhile, the national security situation deteriorated rapidly with terrorists striking with impunity across the country, extracting a terrible toll of human lives and shaking confidence in the Government’s ability to protect the country’s citizens from jihadi marauders. The Maoist menace at home and the mess in Nepal bear further testimony to his sterling abilities. Mr Narayanan was clearly out of his depth in the vastly changed security scenario, though it is claimed he played a crucial role in finalising the India-US civilian nuclear cooperation agreement which, lest we forget, is yet to become ‘operational’.

Despite all this and a lot more, it would have been an uninterrupted run for Mr Narayanan had nemesis not struck by way of the November 26, 2008 fidayeen attacks on multiple targets in Mumbai and the resultant outrage followed by the sacking of Mr Patil. Both the National Security Adviser and the Home Minister should have been unceremoniously dumped after the July 11, 2006 Mumbai commuter train bombings in which more people were killed than in the carnage two years later. But then, 26/11 was telecast live while 11/7 wasn’t; more than 200 Indian commuters died in the first attack and six Americans were among the 166 who perished in the second massacre. So, Mr Patil made an ignominious exit, Mr P Chidambaram took charge as Home Minister and Mr Narayanan found his remit severely curtailed. Over the past year, national security has been the preserve of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Mr Chidambaram has done a commendable job.

We are now told that the Government proposes to have two separate Security Advisers — one for homeland security and the other for external security. That’s an excellent proposal and merits immediate implementation. If that happens — and it’s a very big ‘if’ — the defunct National Security Council (when was the last time it met to discuss strategic security, political, economic and energy concerns?), the Strategic Policy Group (comprising babus not known for coming up with scintillating ideas) and the Joint Intelligence Committee should be immediately disbanded. Structures of the past cannot meet challenges of the future. We need a brand new system with the right people for whom India matters more than America, not loyal bureaucrats who will blindly do the Prime Minister’s bidding.

[Nayak]

Guns to roses
-
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/ ... =EDITORIAL

People who gave up violence to love, serve and live

By Payal Saxena

Kulbir Kaur’s day starts at 4.30 a.m. She wakes up the 75 girls at the orphanage run by her, helps them get ready for school and then collects them for the morning prayers. During the day, she helps the children with homework, finishes pending work and takes care of their meals.

A decade ago, she used to wake up early and offer prayers. But it was to train herself as a militant, and give support to her brothers involved in the Khalistan movement. “We were like nomads and travelled at night not knowing if we will see the next dawn,” she recalls. She even visited Pakistan for training. But after her detention in 1993, she chose the Gandhian path and decided to care for orphaned children.

Shahid-Ul-Islam is fluent in English and is a great host. He, too, is an early bird. After prayers, he spends time with his two daughters, aged three and six, till they leave for school. “My daughters want me to be with them all the time. I try to spend as much time with them as possible,” says Shahid, a former ‘commander-in-chief’ of a terror outfit in Kashmir. During his militant days, he “had no routine”. “We were busy looking for hideouts, escapes, planning attacks, and did not know if we will be alive the next day,” he says.

Sunil Nath was ‘public secretary’ of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in the late 1980s. Today he is a journalist and farmer. Munin Nabis, another former ULFA member, gave up violence in 1992 and is a sports activist.

What explains this transformation? Says former Punjab director-general of police K.P.S. Gill: “Many terrorists left the path of violence and chose the normal way of life. Times were different then and many people who became militants basked in the glory of being called freedom fighters.”

Psychiatrist Rajat Mitra says the milieu, peer group and victimisation impact a person’s psyche and he resorts to violence to avenge atrocities he has witnessed or experienced. “Once that phase is over, the person gets time to introspect. While some people may go into depression, some get out of it and emerge stronger,” he says.

Says Alok Kumar, deputy commissioner of police, special cell, Delhi: “We come across two categories of terrorists. One, those who do not get affected by any kind of torture and have no regret or remorse for what they have done. And those who, though they are few, change the course of their lives.” THE WEEK features six people who have borne out, as Thoreau said, “the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavour.”

[SSridhar]

GoM clears proposal to make anti-hijacking law stricter

With terror threats to the civil aviation sector looming large, a Group of Ministers on Tuesday cleared proposals to make the anti-hijacking law more stringent by including death sentence as a punishment.

We have laws. Do we have the will to punish ? 26 terrorists were given death sentence by a special TADA court for killing Rajiv Gandhi. The learned judges of the Supreme Court acquitted 19 of them absolving them of all charges. ! Death sentence of 3 were reduced to life imprisonment. Only 4 had their death sentences confirmed. The Congress President later intervened to reduce the death sentence of one of those four, Ms. Nalini, to life imprisonment.Even that is being actively considered to be nullified now by prematurely releasing her on humanitarian grounds !! Let us remember that she was found guilty of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code on 16 counts, no less.

Then, there is the case of Afzal Guru who has been found guilty even by the Supreme Court. One can be more or less sure that he will be set free upon his clemency petition.

Who is deterred by Indian laws ?

[Stan_Savljevic]

SATP:

Wife of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda arrested in Orissa

The Orissa Police claimed to have arrested Saswati Das, wife of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) 'State Committee Secretary' Sabyasachi Panda on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on January 14, reported The Hindu. Saswati Das alias Mili Panda, who was staying with her girl, was said to be heading media and publicity wing of the CPI-Maoist in the State.

Police also seized huge quantity of publicity materials, many incriminating documents, a laptop computer and cash of INR four lakh from her possession. &quotActing on a tip-off, we intercepted a jeep carrying four sacks of CPI (Maoist) publicity literature. We took the driver into our custody and accompanied the vehicle to its destination," said Inspector General of Police (Operation) Sanjeev Marik. He said Saswati Das was a very active member of outfit. "She has been involved in fund mobilisation, creation of support base through alleged frontal organisations posing to be human rights groups and staying in touch with rights activists." Saswati, aged around 40, was also suspected to have conducted a reconnaissance of different Police establishments before hundreds of CPI-Maoists launched daring attack on Nayagarh District headquarters town displaying mobile warfare tactics in 2008. The Police official said, &quotShe will be produced before court soon." Saswati's nine-year-old daughter has been handed over to her maternal grandfather, Police sources said.

Sabyasachi Panda is said to be the most wanted Maoist leader in the State. Intelligence sources said Panda had masterminded attack on Nayagarh District headquarters, killing Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmanananda and on Police establishments.

[Avinash R]

Maoists distribute propaganda material among cadres to shore up morale
Last updated: 01/17/2010 20:17:29

Bhubaneswar ( Orissa) : Few days after the arrest of Saswati Das alias Mili Panda, wife of Sabyasachi Panda, state secretary of the outlawed CPI (Maoists), the leftwing ultras on Sunday resorted to literature campaign to defuse panic among the armed cadres.

Saswati and four others were arrested under Unlawful Activities Act on Friday.

Police sources confirmed that the rebels are distributing books, literatures to clarify their unity. “We are in a united house, there was no difference of opinion and our fight would continue against the rich and ruling class,” the literatures said, which were distributed in Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati and Koraput districts of the state.

The Red rebels' are holding street plays, meetings and singing revolutionary songs to divert attention from the arrest of senior women wing leader.

While most of the posters and leaflets displayed and distributed by Maoists asked traders, contractors and oppressors to stop their alleged anti-tribal activities.

In some posters, leftwing guerrillas invited people to join their mission or to extend support to them.

Two Maoists surrender in Orissa’s Rayagada
Last updated: 01/17/2010 19:05:59

Rayagada (Orissa) : Two Maoists Sunday surrendered to the police in Rayagada district of Orissa.

"Two Maoists of Srikakulam-Koraput division have surrendered before us. Both the naxalites are of area committee-member rank," said Sanjiv Panda, deputy inspector general of police.

The naxalites surrendered with their arms. They surrendered after "getting deluded with Maoist ideology", police said.

The two Maoists were involved in several cases, including the attack on Nayagarh armoury in February 2008.

Over one tonne of explosive substances seized

Kannur, Jan 17 (PTI) In a major seizure, over one tonne of explosive substances was seized today from a van at the Mahe border bridge near Thalassery, about 30 km from here, and two persons arrested in this connection, police said.

"A total of 500 kgs of ammonium nitrate, 150 kg of pottasium nitrate, 250 kg of strontirum nitrate and 160 kg of aluminium powder, all of which are used as substances for making explosives, besides 10 bags of charcoal, were recovered from the van," Deputy Superintendent of Police S Sashidharan said.

The seizure was effected during a routine check on vehicles passing through the bridge, that links Kannur district and the Puducherry enclave of Mahe, he said.

[sum]

IB nets HuJI's south India commander

The Hyderabad police has in its custody a man who can help unravel the Harkat-ul-Jihadi-Islami and its operations in south India [ Images ]. The Intelligence Bureau in an undercover operation picked up Muhammad Amjad alias Khwaja from Chennai in the wee hours of Sunday and brought him to Hyderabad.

Khwaja is now being interrogated by the Hyderabad police along with IB sleuths. Sources told rediff.com that Khwaja is a self styled commander of the HuJI and had concentrated largely on operations in south India. The police say that he is likely to have information on the manner in which the HuJI had masterminded the Hyderabad twin blasts in 2007 since it has been established that HuJI was behind the blasts. The IB also suspects that Khwaja had a role in the Ajmer blasts in 2008. The IB says that there was a Interpol red corner alert against him after he masterminded the blast at the Special Task Force office at Hyderabad in 2005.

Police and the IB are also hoping to get information on mystery terror operative Shahid Bilal, a key member of the HuJI, who was reportedly killed in Pakistan two years ago. Both Khwaja and Bilal were extremely close and rose in the ranks of the HuJI together. Both belonged to Moosrambagh in Hyderabad and left the city together. They were both trained in the Chittagong forests in Bangladesh and were later sent to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir [ Images ] for further training.

BIG catch...

Was this another "push back" from BD or was he actually picked up in Chennai?

There was a news item today about Chennai airport being on terror threat and security being beefed up there on that account. Was that a cover for this operation?

[SSridhar]

IB nets HuJI's south India commander
Was this another "push back" from BD or was he actually picked up in Chennai?

There was a news item today about Chennai airport being on terror threat and security being beefed up there on that account. Was that a cover for this operation?

I think he was arrested upon landing in Chennai. I do not think the Chennai airport alert is anything to do with this catch. Aren't all airports on a higher alert with approaching R-Day ?

[Sachin]

The seizure was effected during a routine check on vehicles passing through the bridge, that links Kannur district and the Puducherry enclave of Mahe, he said.

Kannur is a hot bed of political violence (commies v/s RSS), but this haul seems to be really large. Don't know if this consignment was for dear old Thadiyan Nazir or not.

I think he was arrested upon landing in Chennai.

When coming from where? . Guess he too followed the foot steps of another Jehadi who decides to leave Oman, and stand in front of Bangalore market to get picked up by the bobbies .

[shyamd]

Mashaalllaaaah....

‘HUJI operative’ picked up, flown into Hyderabad

Though it was not immediately clear from which place Khaja was reportedly picked up, sources said he was flown into Hyderabad from Chennai this evening amid tight security.

“Khaja has been shuttling between Bangladesh and Karachi and had sneaked into the country a few days ago,” sources maintained. After Bilal’s reported death, Khaja is said to have been made “in-charge” of South Indian states.

They further said that both Khaja and Bilal had undergone training in militancy in the Chittagong forests in Bangladesh besides “fine-tuning” in terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.Sources said Khaja had managed for long to keep under the radar of the Indian intelligence agencies. The purpose of Khaja’s presence in the country is being ascertained. “His focus was on Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,” sources maintained.

The chap is currently in the custody of Hyderabad Police.

My 2 cents: Me thinks Bangladeshi's handed him over. He probably walked into the airport and at immigration was asked to wait. Arrested by intel/police and Put him on the next flight to India which was to Chennai. Quite stupid of him to use the Dhaka air route as you are coming into the net everytime. So Bangladeshi intelligence probably told IB/Raw, and the operation was planned.

Another article says:

a shoot-out in Karachi in Pakistan during 2007, the Khaja, was nabbed in Chennai through a joint operation by Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal Police and Central agencies based on the information given by arrested HUJI operatives in Kolkatta recently, the police official said.

Or maybe internal housecleaning by HuJi?

or maybe not. Times Now says:

Alarming details emerging suggest that Khwaja had come back to India to target Republic day function in one of the South Indian cities.

This just in:
Ayodhya mastermind 'Dawood' killed in encounter in Poonch

[SSridhar]

The HuJI commander Khaja's case is becoming curioser.
Hyderabad police are claiming he was arrested at the Afzalgunj Bus Stand

"Khaja, was supervising operations on recruiting youth for terror acts and accordingly he arrived in Hyderabad," Rao said, adding they were investigating if he had specific plans to target certain south Indian cities during Republic Day.

"We arrested him (Khaja) at Afzalgunj Bus stand on Monday morning. We are still interrogating him. He is likely to be produced before a court this evening and we will seek his police custody," the city police chief said.

This Express story says Chennai

Khaja, was nabbed in Chennai through a joint operation by Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal Police and Central agencies based on the information given by arrested HUJI operatives in Kolkatta recently, the police official said.

The HUJI terrorist, said to be a native of Hyderabad, was operating his activities from Bangladesh and allegedly conspired to unleash terror on Republic Day either at Chennai or Hyderabad, he said.

TimesNow continues to maintain he was arrested in Chennai.

[Sachin]

The HuJI commander Khaja's case is becoming curioser.

Hmm.. I think the police (of all states) need to have some SoP in place, especially when these sort of suspects are picked up. Journalists are craving for information these days. You cant blame them, because they also have to prove that they are doing a good job. In many cases, the journalists (doing crime reporting) do not have access to very high level officials (Sr. IPS chaps, IB, SB CID etc.). But they will have contacts amongst the lower ranks (SP, and especially Dy.SP, CI levels). So a journalist in AP uses his/her contacts, and the police report was that the suspect was picked up from Hyderabad (railway station, bus station, public toilet etc.). May be this is what the story AP police had in mind, and this also shows them in good light. In the mean while, some other journalist in TN uses his/her contacts amongst TN Kaaval and they would give another report. They may put it in such a way that they did the main job. At the end of the day, in this world of Internet and search engines, people easily start picking up the contradictions .

[putnanja]

The convent school boy who turned terror commander - Praveen Swami

..
But Khwaja’s story will, perhaps, prove most important for the light it could cast on just what drove the radicalisation of the dozens of young people who joined the Indian jihadist movement after 2002.

Born in 1983, Khwaja grew up in a conservative, lower middle-class home in Hyderabad’s Sanat Nagar area. His father, Mohammad Umar, was a follower of the Ahl-i-Sunnat wal’Jamaat — a Barelvi organisation that works to defend folk Islam against neoconservative assault.

Like many of those who would play a key role in the Indian jihadist movement, Khwaja received a secular education, schooling at the St. Anne’s Convent High School before earning a Bachelor’s degree in commerce from the Anwar-ul-Uloom Degree College — a prestigious institution which has served the community for over a century.
...
...
Having finished his studies, Khwaja set up a small cellphone business — a first step towards the middle-class life his parents had prepared him for.

By the account of his friends, his outrage at the 2002 communal carnage in Gujarat led him to abandon that path and immerse himself in the Islamist movement in Hyderabad.

Key among his ideological mentors was Ibrahim Ali Junaid, a Unani medicine student and Islamist activist arrested on terrorism charges in 2007 — and acquitted last year.
...
...
In the wake of the Gujarat massacres, Karachi-based ganglord Rasool Khan ‘Party’—who draws his nickname from Gujarati argot for a business associate — contacted the cleric for help in recruiting volunteers to train at jihad camps in Pakistan.

...
...
Over a dozen men from Hyderabad and Ahmedabad were eventually flown to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Harkat ul-Jihad-e-Islami training camps in Pakistan.

Their first actions included the assassination of Gujarat Home Minister Haren Pandya, one of the key architects of the 2002 violence.

...
...
Khwaja is believed to have been in close contact with fugitive jihadist Riyaz Ismail Shahbandri — a key Indian Mujahideen organiser who fled to Karachi after organising an urban terror offensive that killed hundred across India between 2005 and 2008.

The Central Bureau of Investigation hopes to gain new insights into the 2007 bombing of Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid — an attack that some investigators believe Khwaja’s associates carried out, but others insist was executed by the Hindutva terrorist organisation Abhinav Bharat.

[shyamd]

26/11 attacks handler arrested

The chief of Bangladesh-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami’s India operations and allegedly identified as a handler of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attackers by lone surviving gunman Mohammed Ajmal Kasab was arrested by the Hyderabad Police on Monday.

Sheikh Abdul Khwaja, 26, known to security outfits as Mohammed Amjad Khaja, a ‘most wanted’ terror suspect for five years, was nabbed by the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India’s external intelligence organisation in Colombo on Friday and taken to Chennai before being brought to Hyderabad for formal arrest on Monday.

Congrats to all involved.

The police are planning to take him on police remand for further questioning. Authorities had seized 348 US dollars, 313 Saudi Riyals, 225 UAE Dirhams and Pakistan rupees 28,640 and 348 Bangla takas.

But questions swirled about the arrest. While Hyderabad police claimed credit on Monday, Tamil Nadu police had said a day earlier that a joint team of officers drawn from TN, AP, West Bengal police as well as central security agencies had arrested Khaja in Chennai on a tip-off from a HuJi activist arrested earlier in Kolkata. AP police denied there was any joint action involving cops from other states.

Prasada Rao said Khaja was known in his family circles as Pappu and was in Hyderabad for a recce for a terror attack. At the time of the arrest, he had in his possession $348; Saudi riyal 313; UAE dirham 225; Pakistani rupees 28,640 and Bangladesh taka 348, he said.

[ramana]

Shyamd

re: http://forums.bharat-rakshak.com/viewto ... 91#p808191

Praveen Swami says it was an operation by IB.

Late last week, police in Hyderabad finally held the man they knew by the aliases Amjad and Saif — the fruit of an elaborate, Intelligence Bureau-led deception operation that led Khwaja to believe he was returning home from Karachi to help sympathisers mount a major new operation.

[shyamd]

Thanks Ramana.

From various articles: His mother had been in contact with him over the internet for a while. He stopped coming online the last few days. They got worried. She maintains he was arrested in Chennai after taking a flight from Jeddah, KSA. He had been working for many years in KSA.

There were articles sometime back about how IB is planning to smoke more people out... Good job to all involved.

[negi]

Nice development indeed kudos to all those involved .

Btw folks in the above news item 'handler' refers to the guys who were in touch with Kasab & Co over sat phones on 26/11 or for anyone who was involved with the operation as such ?

[Stan_Savljevic]

Seems like MKN was shunted off to WB due to tussles with PC.
SATP:

Top Maoist arrested in Bihar

The special operations group of the Special Task Force (STF) arrested a top Maoist and member of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) zonal committee Subodh Singh alias Anandji alias Divendu Kumar Singh from a house in the Kankerbagh area of Patna late in the night of January 15. The STF Superintendent of Police (SP) Prakash Kumar Sinha told Times of India that an amount of INR 18 lakh cash and a pen drive were seized from the arrested Maoist. Sinha said the pen drive had financial details of how much money the banned outfit collected as levy from different sources and how the money was spent. Five CDs and five mobile phones were also seized from him, he added.

The SP said Subodh had collected INR 1.23 crore as levy between September 2008 and November 2009. Of these, INR 70 lakh had been spent. The pen drive also carries important information and decisions taken at different zonal committee meetings of the Maoists apart from the video clippings of meetings and training programmes. Subodh was also in-charge of the outfit's students' wing, the Democratic Students' Union. He was given responsibility to introduce reforms in the working of the Maoists' Magadh Zonal Committee.

Mixed response to rebel bandh

The bandh failed to evoke any response in Ghatshila sub-division of East Singhbhum district. However, normal life was affected in the industrial hubs of Chandil, Chowka and Kandra in Seraikela-Kharsawan. The markets wore a deserted look and vehicular traffic came to a halt on the stretch of National Highway-33 passing through Seraikela-Kharsawan district. The rebel outfit had called the bandh in Jharkhand and Bihar. It wanted the Bihar government to produce its special area committee secretary Subodh either before the media or remand him to judicial custody immediately. Subodh alias Devendra Kumar, who carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, was arrested from Patna a week ago. He was forwarded to judicial custody yesterday.

http://telegraphindia.com/1100119/jsp/j ... 001242.jsp
To add to the above report by Avinash R,

Further, following the January 15 arrest of Saswati Das alias Mili Panda, wife of Sabyasachi Panda, state 'secretary' of the CPI-Maoist, the extremists on January 17 resorted to literature campaign to defuse panic among the armed cadres, reported Odishadiary.com. Police sources confirmed that the insurgents are distributing books, literatures to clarify their unity. "We are in a united house, there was no difference of opinion and our fight would continue against the rich and ruling class," the literatures said, which were distributed in Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati and Koraput Districts of the State. The Maoists are also holding street plays, meetings and singing revolutionary songs to divert attention from the arrest of senior women wing leader. While most of the posters and leaflets displayed and distributed by Maoists asked traders, contractors and oppressors to stop their alleged anti-tribal activities. In some posters, left wing extremists invited people to join their mission or to extend support to them.

[sum]

So a journalist in AP uses his/her contacts, and the police report was that the suspect was picked up from Hyderabad (railway station, bus station, public toilet etc.).

Love these new stories our agencies have learned to cook up. Found loitering near border, found in bus stand etc.

Sachin-ji,
The KP( or was it the IB/RAW) had promised that very soon lots of Mallu/Indian Jihadis holed up in the Gelf would start getting smoked out. Are we going to see results soon?

[sum]

MKN has confirmed that PMO computers were hacked on Dec 15,2009( atleast attempt was made) and authorities are fairly certain it was the Chinese.

[Sachin]

The KP( or was it the IB/RAW) had promised that very soon lots of Mallu/Indian Jihadis holed up in the Gelf would start getting smoked out. Are we going to see results soon?

Could be the IB/RAW. Now most of the bomb blast and terrorist related cases have been taken over by the National Investigation Agency, with KP forced to play a second fiddle. So guess NIA,IB,RAW combo would not start hunting fown fugitives in the Gelf.

CBI investigation on the notorious Chekannur Moulavi (a Muslim cleric who was noted for his liberal views) murder case is also now in the courts. CBI has said that some of the crucial witnesses in the case are holed up in Saudi Arabia. They have plans to extradict these chaps, and there was also a game plan to confiscate the movable and immovable properties of these witnesses.

Overall, I am happy to see these arrests happening now pretty much on a fortnightly basis.

[Chinmayanand]

Panic in Punjab town after bomb found near LPG plant

[Stan_Savljevic]

Top Naxal leader arrested in Mumbai

Surya Devra Prabhakar, a state committee member of the CPI (Maoist), was apprehended here last night. He is wanted in several cases of Naxal violence in the State, ATS officials said on Tuesday.

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/states/ot ... e82709.ece

[Avinash R]

Suspected Taliban extremist arrested from Bihar

Purnia, Jan 19 : In a major success, the Bihar police today arrested suspected Talibani extremist Gulam Rasul alias Mirza Khan in this North Bihar district headquarters while he was trying to sneak into Bangladesh.

Additional Director General of police headquarters U S Dutt informed that acting on a tip-off the Hyderabad-based ultra was trying to cross over to Bangladesh via North Bihar after arriving from Nepal when a team of special task force nabbed him.

However, neither did he put up any resistence nor any arms and ammunition was recovered from his possession during the arrest, the ADJ said, adding he had been brought here for further interrogation.

According to priliminary reports, Gulam Rasul visited Pakistan and Afghanistan several times since 2004 and was associated with the Taliban guerrillas.

He is also believed to have taken part in a number of anti-India operations from Hyderabad and elsewhere in the country.

75 kg charas seized from two Kashmiris in Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 19 (PTI) In a major haul of drugs here, the police have seized 75 kg of charas allegedly brought here from Jammu and Kashmir and arrested three persons from the state.

The accused identified as Rafiq Maqbool Khan and his associate Gulzar Maqbool Khan, hailing from J & K, were nabbed yesterday from Sion area and the contraband worth over Rs 60 lakh and a Tavera vehicle were seized, Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) officials of the police said.

Their associate Aarif Sayyed was caught today from Mumbra in neighbouring Thana district, they said.

Rafiq stays in Srinagar while his brother Gulzar, who runs a dry fruits business, has been staying in Mumbra here for some time now, Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Rakesh Maria said.

[shyamd]

Huji man's arrest spares another terror attack on Hyderabad

A senior police official said Khaja, who was made South India chief of terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (Huji-Bangladesh), has confessed to interrogators that he had hatched a plan to create panic in Hyderabad on the occasion of Republic Day for which he had contacted his associates here.

Hyderabad had witnessed terror attacks, including Mecca Masjid blasts and twin blasts in 2007, which claimed over 40 lives.

According to the official, 27-year-old Khaja, a native of Malakpet locality here who allegedly has close links with terror outfits LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Indian Mujahideen (IM), was tasked by the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan to carry out some major action in South India.

"Khaja was supervising operations on recruiting youth for terror acts and accordingly he arrived in Hyderabad. We are investigating if he visited Bangladesh and India earlier also," the senior police official said.

Khaja, according to the official, was in Karachi and reached Colombo on January 15 before flying to Chennai and Hyderabad.

[Stan_Savljevic]

1) Pakis:
Two ISI agents sentenced for spying in India
http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/ ... -india.htm
Khwaja is a prize catch for investigating agencies
http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/ ... encies.htm

2) Maoists:
Tata hospital turns fortress
http://telegraphindia.com/1100120/jsp/j ... 005765.jsp

3) Northeast:
Something is a-cooking folks, I hope the GoI does nt make me say de javu all over again.

Guwahati: Ulfa publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary and vice-president Pradip Gogoi have filed bail petitions at the designated Tada court. Daimary filed his bail petition on Tuesday while Gogoi filed his petition recently.

Three Daimary boys killed
http://telegraphindia.com/1100120/jsp/n ... 004053.jsp
Kukis blame govt for neglect
http://telegraphindia.com/1100120/jsp/n ... 005628.jsp
Party push for separate state
http://telegraphindia.com/1100120/jsp/n ... 003256.jsp
Arunachal stares at road blockade ---- Delay in rail project angers villagers
http://telegraphindia.com/1100120/jsp/n ... 003529.jsp
Manipur alert after PC meet --- Chidambaram instructs Ibobi on security
http://telegraphindia.com/1100120/jsp/n ... 003313.jsp

According to official records, Manipur has more than 30 militant groups, most of them belonging to various ethnic communities. They are fighting for causes ranging from Manipur’s “sovereignty” to protection of their respective ethnic interests. Only 20 armed groups, 19 of them belonging to tribal communities, have responded positively to the call for peace talks. These groups have signed a suspension of operations agreement with the state government and the Centre and are now constructing designated camps selected by the government.

The Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council-Lallumba) group is now ready to enter the peace deal and talks have been initiated with officials of the state government and security forces. The United National Liberation Front, the Peoples Liberation Army, the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and various factions of the Kangleipak Communist Party have not responded to the call for peace talks.

The data I have gleaned from open sources show the following state with KCP. Different groups/factions of the Military Council faction of the KCP:
a) Puranthaba Lamyanba Khuman group --- fighting, getting arrested, etc
b) Noyon faction -- do
c) Tabungba faction -- do
d) Lalheiba faction -- do
e) Mangoljao faction -- do
f) Imoinu faction -- do
g) Wanglen Khuman faction -- do
h) Sengoi faction -- do
i) Tamnganba group -- do
j) Tiger faction -- do
k) Lallumba group --- tripartite talks at the 1st Manipur Rifles in Imphal
May 19, 2009: Manipur Cabinet gives its approval for giving monetary rewards to a faction of the KCP led by Lalumba for agreeing to negotiate with the Government.
June 4, 2009: Telegraph reports that a tripartite cease-fire agreement would be signed by the Military Council faction of the KCP led by Lallumba alias Hiteshore with the Manipur and Union Governments. The report adds that the group "agreed" to sign the cease-fire agreement after four rounds of talks were held with officials of the State and Union Governments since late 2008. The outfit approached the Centre through the Assam Rifles for the peace deal.

December 20, 2008: The JMG comprising of representatives of both the Central and State Governments hold second round of trilateral talks with Lallumba group of the Military Council faction of the KCP in Imphal. The report adds that another round of the JMG meeting with the Lallumba faction was held at New Delhi under the Suspension of Operation (SoO). The ground rules were considered and approved in toto in the earlier meeting. In the second round of talks, the JMG has discussed the proposal from the militant group for protection of its cadres, monthly rehabilitation package and motivational training for the cadres as promised by the Government. The JMG has sought the official strength of the cadres covered by the SoO with their identifications which the outfit’s leaders present in the meeting have failed to provide. The JMG has made a general offer for the recruitment of the cadres either in the state forces or in the ITBP.

The representatives of the militant group present in the meeting, however, have been unable to give proper response on the details of how they want the offer to be implemented. The meeting decided to reconsider all the proposals made from both parties at the next round of talks which is likely to be scheduled for the first week of January 2009.
l) City Meitei faction -- chapter katham hua
January 20, 2009: Two KCP militants, including their leader, are arrested by a combined force of the Manipur Police, Army, Delhi Police and Bangalore Police in Bangalore city. The Army said, "Pursuant to its drive against the KCP cadres, the 57 Mountain Division, Manipur Police and Bangalore Police apprehended Leader of the KCP (City Meitei) in Bangalore yesterday." The militant leader confesses his identity as chief of City Meitei faction and Mobile Task Force of the KCP, Naorem Brojen. His confession leads to the arrest of another cadre of City Meitei, identified as Naorem Ramesh Meitei, at Hennur Road in Bangalore
m) Lamphel faction -- do
n) KK Mangang faction -- do
March 7, 2007: The KCP 'executed' 8 persons, including its 'vice-president' and 'finance secretary in charge' K.K. Mangang alias Leibakma-cha alias Lamkhomba, for 'helping' security personnel in the arrest and killing of its cadres. The KCP claimed to take the help of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), KYKL and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), in carrying out the 'investigation'.
o) K.K. Nganba faction -- do
July 3, 2009: The leader of the banned KCP, K. K. Nganba, was brought to Imphal from the Tihar Jail in national capital Delhi. A resident of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, 56-year old K. K. Nganba alias Chongtham Manglemjao alias Koi alias Ngouba alias Ira-bot who is the 'General Secretary' of KCP, was arrested by a combined team of the Bishnupur District Police, Delhi Police (Special Branch) and 57th Mountain Division of the Army along with three other persons on January 17, 2009 during 'Operation Grand Slam' launched in Delhi.

January 17, 2009: Seven top KCP militants are arrested from unspecified locations in the national capital New Delhi in an operation code named 'Operation Grand Slam' conducted by a joint team of the Army, Manipur Police and the Delhi Police. They are identified as N. Amumacha Singh, who had recently been nominated as the president of the newly unified group of the KCP (Mangang, City Meitei and Lamphel) factions, Chongtham Manglemjao Singh alias K. K. Nganba alias Chouba alias Koi alias Irabot, a leader of the KCP-Mangang group and presently general secretary, home secretary and foreign secretary of the newly unified group; Chongtham Ibomcha Singh, leader of the KCP-Lamphel group, presently nominated collector of the newly unified group; Chongtham Ning Lamba Singh, son of KK Nganba and nominated military head of political section of the unified group; Ng Ratan Singh, deputy finance secretary of the group; and two lady cadres. Details of the group's extortion activities and a draft of a press release meant to be released on January 26 were recovered from the hideout.
p) Lanheiba Meitei group -- chapter katham
Feb 21, 2009: Troops arrest a leader belonging to the Lanheiba group of Military Council faction of the KCP from his residence at capital Aizawl in Mizoram. The militant is identified as Rajen Singh alias Rajesh alias K.C. Lanheiba Meitei, the ‘commander-in-chief’ of the outfit.
---------
If time permitting, I will post the state of affairs on the various groups and factions within the groups in the little devil state and elsewhere, as and when I can extract data from OS. As and when I can do the homework. So sum, you are not going to get the answer in one shot, but across a space of many months in bits and pieces, provided I keep up with the devils on the ground and I dont lose patience already.

[Virupaksha]

Somebody really wants to start communal tensions in karnataka.

http://sakshi.com/main/SportsDetailsNor ... ubcatid=32

basic essence: In two hindu temples, the idols were destroyed. In one case they kept the idols in "another religions"<doesnt mention> praying place.

http://bagalkot.nic.in/
The MP and all the mlas seem to be from BJP.

[shyamd]

HuJI chief had 3 cities marked

Sheikh Abdul Khwaja came close to organising blasts in three places in India.

Intelligence officials said Khwaja might have succeeded in landing explosives in Surat in Gujarat, Bodar (320 km north of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh) and Chennai.

Intelligence agencies intercepted a conversation between a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) operative and his Indian associate. This revealed Khwaja’s affiliation with the LeT and that there were chances of explosives landing at the three places mentioned.

During the conversation, Khwaja’s Pakistan-based associate revealed that explosives had been purchased on December 27, 2009, for delivery in Surat, Bodar and Chennai.

Khwaja (26) was allegedly one of the handlers of the terrorists who attacked Mumbai in November 2008. He was chief of the Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami terror outfit and was trying to build an alternative base in Colombo.

26/11 attacks handler claims, he took orders from ISI

Sheikh Abdul Khwaja, the chief of Bangladesh-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami’s (HuJI) India operations arrested on Monday by Hyderabad police, has allegedly revealed that he was taking orders from Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Khwaja, allegedly involved in four major terrorist attacks across India in the past four years, including the May 2007 blast in Hyderabad’s Mecca mosque, has identified a senior ISI officer as his handler, said a senior security official on condition of anonymity. “The ISI official, Khuda Baksh, is the man who was instructing/co-coordinating the activities of Khwaja and also of other operatives of the HuJI group led by him,” he said.

Khuda Baksh, according to Khwaja, had instructed him to make “Colombo an alternate operational hub, instead of Dhaka, since the current Bangladesh government was strict against organisations involved in anti-India activities”, said the security official.

Khwaja told the interrogators about his meetings in Dhaka and Karachi with Amir Reza Khan, the chief of Indian Mujahideen (IM) involved in several serial blasts across the country — Jaipur (May 2008), Bangalore (July 2008), Ahmedabad (July 2008) and Delhi (September 2008). “Khwaja will be interrogated to find his and his group's involvement in providing logistical support to the IM,” said the security official.

Khwaja also revealed that since 2005 he had been “closely” working with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyeba.