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| January 13, 2006 | Friday | Zilhaj 12, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Up to 18 dead as missiles hit Pakistan’s border village ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 (Reuters) Aircraft from Afghanistan killed as many as 18 people after firing two or three missiles in Pakistan’s Bajaur tribal region on Friday, a resident and a security official said. A resident of Bajaur, which borders Afghanistan's Kunar province, said the explosions were caused by firing from unidentified aircraft on the village of Damadola at about 3 a.m. (2200 GMT). "According to our information, 18 people have been killed," said Shah Jehan, a shopkeeper who lives about two km from the village. Military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan said he did not know the cause of the blasts, but added: "People heard explosions and as a result, there were a number of casualties. My information is that 11 to 14 people have been killed." A Pakistani intelligence official said two aircraft had come in from Afghanistan and fired two or three missiles. "The casualties may be much higher. People are very angry. They are not allowing access, so exact figures of deaths and wounded people are not available," he said. A U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan said there were no reports of U.S. forces operating in that area. (First Posted @ 11:35 PST Updated @ 13:11 PST)
At least 44 Pakistanis among hajj dead ISLAMABAD, Jan 13, 2006 (AFP) - At least 44 Pakistanis were among hundreds of pilgrims crushed to death in a stampede at Mina, Pakistan's religious affairs minister Ijazul Haq told AFP by telephone from Saudi Arabia. "There could be few more still not identified," he said adding that some 17 Pakistanis were also injured, but all have been released from the hospitals. At least 362 people were killed and nearly 300 others were wounded in the stampede, Saudi authorities said.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
At least 36 Pakistanis among 362 killed in Hajj stampede
ISLAMABAD, Jan 13, 2006 (AFP)At least 36 Pakistanis were among hundreds of pilgrims who were crushed to death in a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage in the city of Mina, a minister said Friday. "It is a very tragic incident and we have identified that 36 bodies are from Pakistan," Pakistan's religious affairs minister Ijazul Haq said from Saudi Arabia. "Their bodies were badly crushed." He added: "There could be a few more and for that we are checking mortuaries. We are in constant touch with the Saudi authorities." Up to 20 injured Pakistani pilgrims were in hospital and Pakistani officials have asked the Saudi health ministry to allow them access, Haq added. Local media reported that an emergency hotline had been set up for concerned relatives of the 150,000 Pakistanis who went on the annual pilgrimage. At least 362 people were killed and nearly 300 others were wounded Thursday as pilgrims rushed to hurl pebbles at three pillars symbolising Satan in Mina, near the holy city of Makkah, a rite which marked the last day of the Hajj.(First Posted @ 09:00 PST Updated @ 14:32 PST)Three Pakistani soldiers killed in Balochistan ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 (Reuters) Up to 10 rockets were fired into an army camp in Balochistan killing three soldiers late on Thursday, an official said. The rockets were fired on the camp in Margat, a coal-mining area 100 km east of the provincial capital, Quetta, a provincial official said. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
PM to visit United States from January 18-24 ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will pay an official visit to the United States from 18-24 January 2006, a foreign office spokesperson announced on Friday. The visit is part of the regular high-level exchanges between the two countries on the broad range of issues in the framework of the growing strategic relations between Pakistan and United States, the spokesperson said in a statement.(Posted @ 22:30 PST)
Pakistan's prime minister to hold talks with Bush WASHINGTON, Jan 13, 2006 (AFP) - Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will hold talks with US President George W. Bush at the White House on January 24, the White House announced Friday. "The president looks forward to discussing earthquake reconstruction, bilateral trade and economic ties, and the war on terror," said a White House statement. Pakistan has been a key ally in the US "war on terror".(Posted @ 21:58 PST)
28 Indians among dead in hajj stampede: official NEW DELHI, Jan 13, 2006 (AFP) - At least 28 Indians were among hundreds of pilgrims crushed to death during the hajj pilgrimage at Mina, India's foreign ministry said Friday.(Posted @ 19:52 PST)
US helicopter shot down in Iraq - witnesses BAGHDAD, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A U.S. army helicopter crashed near the city of Mosul on Friday after coming under fire from insurgents on the ground, witnesses said. It was not immediately clear whether the crew survived the crash. U.S. forces had sealed off the site, the witnesses said. The U.S. military said it was checking the report. It was the second U.S. helicopter to crash in Iraq in less than a week. A military UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed on Saturday, killing all 12 aboard.(Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Six Pakistanis martyred in Mina identified Islamabad, Jan 13 (PPI) The ministry of religious affairs said Friday that six out of about 28 Pakistani Hujjaj who died in Mina stampede mishap have been identified. They are: Zamarod Bibi (Rawalpindi Cantt), passport no 4047434; (2) Zaibunisa (Rawalpindi Cantt) passport no 5082427,(3) Muhammad Siddiqu (Mian Chnnu) passport no 1576976, (4) Muhammad Jameel (Pak Pattan, Arif wala} passport no 4558513, (5) Alal Wasai (Bhakkar, Darya Khan) passport no 76106711, and(6) Amna (Sukkur) passport no 7243354. Identification of the other deceased is underway, it said.(Posted @ 19:18 PST)
7 killed 50 wounded near Noshki QUETTA Jan 13 (PPI): Seven persons including two women were killed and some 50 others were injured when a speeding wagon turned turtle at Sher Jan Agha near Noshki Friday.(Posted @ 19:08 PST)
England squads for tour of India LONDON, Jan 13 (AFP) – The following are the England Test and One-Day squads announced Friday for the tour of India:Test squad:- Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire, capt), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire), Ashley Giles (Warwickshire), Stephen Harmison (Durham), Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire), Geraint Jones (Kent, wkt), Simon Jones (Glamorgan), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Matthew Prior (Sussex), Andrew Strauss (Middlesex), Marcus Trescothick (Somerset), Shaun Udal (Hampshire). One-Day squad:- Michael Vaughan (capt), Kabir Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ian Blackwell (Somerset), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Stephen Harmison, Geraint Jones (wkt), Simon Jones, Kevin Pietersen, Matthew Prior (Sussex, wkt), Liam Plunkett, Andrew Strauss, Marcus Trescothick. The team arrives in Mumbai Feb 13, plays the 1st test at Nagpur on March 1, and the 7th and last ODI of the tour at Indore in April 15.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Terrorism to be defeated at all costs: General Ahsan Salim Hayat PESHAWAR, Jan 13 (APP): Vice Chief of Army Staff, General Ahsan Saleem Hayat has said that terrorism would be defeated at all costs as it threatens the very foundation of the country. Talking to troops during his visit to Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency the other day, he said that after busting of all the hideouts some terrorists were running for safe heavens but they would be eliminated shortly as security forces have tightened the noose around them.(Posted @ 16:59 PST)
Indian Troops martyr six more Kashmiris SRINAGAR Jan 13: (APP) In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism, martyred six more Kashmiri youth at various places, reports Kashmir Media Service. Indian troops during siege and search operations martyred two youth in Mendhar and one each in Surankote and Dangiwacha areas. One person was martyred in custody in Dachnipara in Islamabad and another shot dead at Khanetar in Poonch district. 11-year-old girl Maryam was killed and her two sisters injured when unidentified persons hurled a grenade and opened fire at a house in Mahore in Udhampur. Dead body of an unidentified person was also recovered in Ashmuqam area, while an Indian troop was killed in an attack in Mendhar area.(Posted @ 16:58 PST)
ICC name venues for Champions Trophy KARACHI, Jan 13 (APP): International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings concluded here Thursday with an Executive Board meeting at which the venues for the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 were confirmed. Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi will host matches in the 10-team in Mumbai on 5 November. The seedings for the event will be determined by the ICC ODI Rankings on 1 April 2006 and the match schedule will be determined after this date.(Posted @ 16:56 PST)
President, PM condole with King Hamad of Bahrain ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have sent messages of condolences to King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, expressing their deep shock and grief over the tragic death of his son Shaikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in an accident.(Posted @ 16:54 PST)
Cricket-Australia thrash Sri Lanka by 116 runs MELBOURNE, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Australia opened their triangular one-day series on Friday with a comprehensive 116-run over Sri Lanka after Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds had guided the home side to 318 for five. Fast bowler Brett Lee (two for 29) then knocked the top off Sri Lanka's innings while left-arm swing bowler Nathan Bracken took two for 11 off eight overs to ensure the visitors were never in the hunt and finished on 202 for seven in 50 overs. Mahela Jayawardene top scored with 50 while debutant Michael Vandort scored 47 . Earlier, Martyn (70) and Symonds (66) combined in a brutal 106-run partnership while Simon Katich (60), Michael Clarke (45 not out) and Mike Hussey (34 not out) all contributed to the world champions' total.(Posted @ 16:52 PST)
Two policemen killed in Iraq BAGHDAd, Jan 13 (Reuters) Two policemen were killed and five wounded when a car bomb struck their patrol in Baquba 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. In another cae, a police patrol found the body of a policeman blindfolded and with his hands tied behind his back in al -Iskandariya area 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad. He had been shot in the head, police said.(Posted @ 16:48 PST)
EU pledges $100 mln for global fight on bird flu BRUSSELS, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The European Union has earmarked $100 million in aid to help countries deal with bird flu ahead of an international donors' conference to be held next week in China, the European Commission said on Friday. The United Nations has said donors will need to contribute about $1.4 billion to finance the next phase of the global campaign against bird flu at the Jan. 17-18 conference. Earlier this week, the World Bank approved $500 million in aid for bird flu. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
Lebanon arrests 13 al Qaeda suspects BEIRUT, Jan 13 (Reuters) Lebanese security forces have arrested 13 suspected members of al Qaeda on charges of weapons possession, security and judiciary sources said on Friday. They said investigations were underway to determine whether the suspects: seven Syrians, three Lebanese, one Saudi, one Jordanian with Lebanese nationality and one Palestinian had carried out or were planning to launch attacks. The arrests took place some two weeks back, the sources said. (Posted @ 14:46 PST)
17 killed in Bangladesh bus crash DHAKA, Jan 13 (Reuters) At least 17 people were killed and 40 injured when a bus skidded off a highway in dense fog in central Bangladesh on Friday, police said. The bus with nearly 60 passengers on board was travelling from Dhaka to Manikganj, 70 km to the northwest. (First Posted @ 14:45 PST; Updated @ 16:15 PST)
Twenty-two people killed in Russia bus accident MOSCOW, Jan 13, 2006 (AFP) At least 22 people died and six were injured when a train collided with their bus in Russia's southern province of Krasnodar on Friday, prosecutors said. The casualty figure could rise further as a spokeswoman for Russia's emergency situations ministry said up to 40 people may have been on the bus. (Posted @ 14:45 PST)
India should show flexibility to resolve Kashmir issue: Mirwaiz SRINAGAR, Jan 13 (APP): APHC's Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said Friday that India should show flexibility in its stand on Kashmir. According to Kashmir Media Service, Mirwaiz while addressing a congregation here said that the dialogue process to solve the Kashmir issue would derail if its pace was not accelerated. He said that there should be free movement of people of Jammu and Kashmir from both sides of LoC. "Opening of the road is welcome but we want trucks should ply on the road for trade between the two parts of Kashmir without any restrictions," he said. He added that the "reduction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir will create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue and build confidence". Expressing dismay over the pace of dialogue between India, Pakistan and APHC, he said "for the last three years, the peace process is going on but the progress as well as the process is very slow. We know we have to proceed step by step but it needs to be speeded up". (Posted @ 14:40 PST)
Roadside bomb kills Afghan soldier KABUL, Jan 13, 2006 (AFP) One Afghan militia soldier was killed and four were wounded in a remote-controlled roadside bomb explosion in the country's insurgency-hit southwest, an official said Friday. The blast happened on Thursday as the Khost Provincial Force troops were patrolling in Alisher district, 150 kilometers from Kabul. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. (Posted @ 14:22 PST)
Iran says to end atomic site checks if sent to UN TEHRAN, Jan 13 (Reuters) Iran said on Friday it would end voluntary cooperation with the United Nations over its nuclear programme, including snap checks of atomic sites, if Tehran was referred to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said "the government will be obliged to end all of its voluntary measures if sent to the U.N. council," Mottaki was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. Oil prices climbed to a three-month high as mounting tension over Iran stoked fears of supply disruption from the world's fourth biggest crude exporter, though they later pulled back.(First Posted@11:00 PST Updated@) 11:40 PST)
Europe, US demand UN action on Iran nuclear crisis BERLIN, Jan 13, 2006 (AFP) Europe and the United States have demanded UN Security Council action over Iran's nuclear ambitions, saying two years of negotiations have reached a dead end with Tehran vowing to pursue its uranium enrichment programme. Speaking after a crisis meeting in Berlin on Thursday, the British, French and German foreign ministers called for an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, to refer the dossier to the world body's executive. In Washington, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the Security Council should "call for the Iranian regime to step away from its nuclear weapons ambitions”. Later Rice downplayed the threat of Security Council sanctions on Tehran. "Nobody is saying that there have to be immediate sanctions in the Security Council," Rice said in an interview with CBS News late Thursday. (First Posted @ 09:35 PST Updated @ 09:58 PST)
Kashmiris' sacrifices to win them their right to self-determination: PM MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 12 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday reiterated Pakistan's desire for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute and said sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiri people will not go in vain. "We want a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes of the Kashmiri people," he said while speaking at a relief camp during his visit to Muzaffarabad to meet and express solidarity with quake-stricken people on the second day of Eid. Begum Aziz, Information Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, Education Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi, Health Minister Nasir Ali Khan and Federal Relief Commissioner Major Gen. Farooq Ahmed Khan accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit to Thuri Park relief camp, some three kilometres from Muzaffarabd. (Posted @ 19:54 PST)
ICC to review Shabbir's case on Jan. 21 KARACHI, Jan 12 (APP): An experts committee of International Cricket Council (ICC) will be meeting in Dubai on January 21 to review the case of Pakistan fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed regarding his suspect bowling action, ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said Thursday evening. He was speaking at a news conference after ICC's quarterly board meeting and meeting regarding television rights in India. (Posted @ 20:20 PST)
New cold wave forecast for quake hit areas ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (APP): Another cold wave is expected in the quake zone from early next week, Director General Meteorological Department Dr Qamar uz Zaman Chaudhry said. Talking to BBC he said Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Jhelum valley, Kaghan, and Balakot are likely to receive huge snowfall and rain from January 14 to 17. Temperature of quake hit areas in this winter would remain lower than routine, he added. (Posted @ 18:46 PST)
Awais Ghani for serious talks on Balochistan situation ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (APP): Governor Balochistan, Awais Ghani has said that whatever incidents are taking place in Balochistan, a very ordinary minority is involved behind it. Talking to BBC he said, the Kohlu District is the area of Marris. It is a very big district from the point of view of its area. But, its total population is only (97,000) ninety seven thousand. 80 per cent people in this area are in favour of development policies of the government. He said, Bijrani tribe which is the major sub tribe of Marri tribe, Zarkoon Pushtoon tribe, Mulani tribe, Kithrani tribe, all these tribes led by their respective Chiefs are the supporters of development policies of government. They requested the government to start development schemes, construct roads, garrisons, cadet colleges. He said, there are only (18000) eighteen thousand Kithranis who reside in Kahan Tehsil and it is a sub tribe. The problem does exist only there, he added. To a question he said, actually, all these tribes have formally come and approached the President General Pervez Musharraf. They demand development in the area. For the same purpose, the President went there and he announced a big development package. He further said, it has been policy of the government to give preference to political dialogue. That is why, series of dialogue was going for the last one and half year. Actually, it was the government which initiated the dialogue process. However, dialogue should be held seriously so that it could yield any final result. To another question about holding dialogue with Nawab Akbar Bugti to peacefully resolve the issue he said, the government will certainly hold dialogue provided talks are held seriously. But, for this purpose, the militancy, violence and centres of terrorism should be closed, he added. He said, Bugti tribes abducted six police men in June. One FC personnel has also been kidnapped. "We have been sending messages to Nawab Akbar Bugti for their release. We said that only then we will talk. They are, however, not releasing them. We demand their release first. The government has sources to get them released by force. But we want to do it peacefully." As far as rocket attacks are concerned the government will retaliate to it, he added. (Posted @ 18:13 PST)
Pakistan tribal leader denies Indian support NEW DELHI, Jan 12, 2006 (AFP) - Nawab Akbar Bugti has denied claims by President Pervez Musharraf that his group is being supported by New Delhi, the Hindu newspaper reported. In a satellite-phone interview from Dera Bugti the elderly, white-bearded Nawab said: "What is the need for us to take anything from anyone. The weapons we are now using flowed into this region when the United States financed the jihad in Afghanistan. It was the Inter-Services Intelligence which distributed them to Afghanistan, Iran, Jammu and Kashmir -- and to us in Baluchistan." The cost of acquiring weapons was minimal because of their easy availability, he added. Bugti warned that Baluchistan insurgents would continue attacks on both existing and future pipelines. "India-Pakistan peace is something for them to deal with, not us. We want our rights -- a fair share of the revenues from our country's resources," he told the Hindu. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Nine sailors killed in Sri Lanka blast COLOMBO, Jan 12, 2006 (AFP) - At least nine Sri Lankan sailors were killed in a landmine attack by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels, the military said Thursday. The sailors were travelling in a convoy of several vehicles as they returned to their posts after a vacation, an official said, adding that 13 other sailors escaped with injuries. "Eight sailors were killed on the spot and 14 others escaped with injuries and one of them died on the way to hospital," said an official in the northern town of Vavuniya when contacted by telephone. The incident is the fourth of its kind in the past three weeks. Thirteen sailors died in a similar ambush on December 23, and another 12 died in a mine attack four days later. On Saturday, 15 sailors died in a suicide attack which sank their gun boat in the north-eastern port district of Trincomalee. (Posted @ 17:03 PST)
Cricket-Tendulkar asks for larger sightscreens for Lahore test LAHORE, Pakistan, Jan 12 (Reuters) Sachin Tendulkar has asked for larger sightscreens in the first test against Pakistan starting on Friday. PCB's chief curator Agha Zahid said that although the sightscreens were of standard size used for international matches they were now being increased by three feet in height and width on an emergency basis. "The matter was brought to our notice by the match referee who requested that an exception be made and the Indians' request be accommodated," Zahid said. Tendulkar, who is 1.6 metres tall, faced similar problems with the sightscreens when India last played a test in Lahore in 2004 and lost. The England team which toured Pakistan late last year also had problems at the same venue sighting the slower balls from paceman Shoaib Akhtar which appear to be beamers to the batsmen but then start falling late. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
U.S. fighting different kind of war: Bush WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (APP)- President George Bush Wednesday said the war on terror was "a different kind of war"-- one in which "the enemy is going to have to be defeated by a competing system in the long run." He said it is a kind of war "we've never faced before." "We're not facing a nation-state per se. We're facing a shadowy network of people bound together by a common ideology that -- by the way, the enemy knows no rules of war. They just -- they kill innocent people." He made the remarks at Kentucky International Convention Center Louisville, on the global war on terror. (Posted @ 13:45 PST)
Pakistani forces active in pursuit of terrorists: Spokesman WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (APP)- The State Department Wednesday said that Pakistani forces have been active in north and south Waziristan, in tracking down and hunting terrorists, over the past couple of years. Spokesman Sean McCormack said in the daily press briefing that Pakistan is "certainly to be commended for what is very tough duty" and that "they are operating in areas that for a hundred years Pakistani officials didn't travel into." "These were virtually autonomous zones." So, he stated, the Pakistani forces "are working hard in those areas to track down and capture or to get off the streets terrorists that might do harm to Pakistani citizens as well as others." In his opening statement, the spokesman drew attention to the signing of implementing legislation for the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, which he described as "very positive news,". He said the United States has a very successful Free Trade Agreement with Jordan and has completed Free Trade Agreements with Morocco, Bahrain, Oman "and, we're in negotiations with the United Arab Emirates." (Posted @ 13:20 PST)
UN agency gives warm clothing to young Pakistani quake survivors: report UNITED NATIONS, Jan 12 (APP)- UNHCR has started distributing warm clothing to vulnerable young survivors, UN sources Wednesday said. UNHCR teams made the difficult journey to Danna village, travelling some 30 kilometres north of Muzaffarabad over curved roads beset by landslides to tent villages to provide winterize tents. Overall, it distributed some 25,000 plastic sheets, 250,000 blankets and 17,000 mattresses to more than 100,000 people in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP. In the first phase, the agency distributed three blankets per person, two plastics sheets per tent and mattresses for sick women and children. In the second phase UNHCR is distributing around 40,000 kerosene stoves to the earthquake survivors, along with fire-fighting equipment and a mass information campaign to inform camp residents of fire risks and prevention. (Posted @ 12:45 PST)
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