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| March 25, 2006 | Saturday | Safar 24, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Four tribal policemen injured as suspected militants ambush vehicle near Afghan border MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) _ Suspected militants ambushed vehicles carrying police officers in North Waziristan region of Pakistan near the Afghan border on Saturday, injuring four of them, a security official said. The attack happened on a road between Mir Ali and Miran Shah, a day after the military said it had killed between 15 to 20 militants following an attack on its post that left one soldier dead. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the injured officers had been transported to a hospital, where two of them were in critical condition. He gave no further details and no government or police spokesman was immediately available for comments.(Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Land mine kills two farmers, two bombs explode in southwestern Pakistan QUETTA, Pakistan, March 25 (AP) _ Two farmers were killed when their motorcycle ran over a land mine on a dirt road in a remote village near Sui late Friday, Abdul Samad Lasi, the district chief said Saturday. Also late Friday, two homemade bombs exploded outside the homes of junior government officials in the towns of Mastung and Mach but causing no casualties, police said. The first bomb exploded under a vehicle parked outside the home of Mohammed Shafi in Mach, about 50 kilometers southeast of Quetta, said Mohammed Khan Marri, an area police chief. The bomb damaged windows but no one was hurt. The second bomb went off in the town of Mastung, about 50 kilometers south of Quetta, said Tariq Kasi, also an area police chief. He gave no further details, saying police were still investigating.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Pakistani police arrest 57 suspected rebels in restive southwest ISLAMABAD, March 25 (AFP) - Pakistani Police Saturday arrested nearly 60 tribesmen suspected of involvement in attacks on security forces and government installations in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, police said. Police detained some 57 suspects including 24 arrested in a raid on a camp run by insurgents from the Marri tribe near Quetta, city police officer Mujibur Rehman said. The 33 other men were picked up during raids at different neighbourhoods just outside Quetta, Rehman said. (Posted @ 14:05 Updated @ 15:34 PST)
Pakistan navy rescues 12 fishermen after their boat sinks in Arabian sea KARACHI, Pakistan, March 25 (AP) _ A Pakistan navy boat backed by a helicopter rescued 12 fishermen on Saturday, hours after their boat capsized in deep waters in the Arabian sea in bad weather, officials said. The navy launched the rescue operation after two of the 14 fishermen on board the Al-Zahra swam to shore and alerted local authorities that their boat had sunk near Charna Island, 25 kilometers west of Karachi. A navy helicopter spotted the men several kilometers from scene of the incident, and a navy boat took them to a nearby naval facility, said Lt-Com Atiq-ur Rehman, a spokesman for the Maritime Security Agency. He said all the fishermen were in stable condition, and they would soon be brought back to Karachi. Pakistan Coast Guard, meanwhile, arrested 27 Indian fishermen Saturday morning for violating the country's territorial waters in the Arabian sea, Rehman said.(First Posted @ 13:58 PST Updated @ 19:00 PST)
Commonwealth Games- Pakistan’s Mehrullah bags silver medal in boxing match MELBOURNE, March 25, 2006 (AFP) Results of finals on the last day of the Commonwealth Games boxing competition here Saturday: Featherweight (57kg) Mehrullah Lassi (PAK) lost out to Stephen Smith (ENG) pts 20-10 to win silver medal; Flyweight (51kg) Don Broadhurst (ENG) beat Jackson Chauke (RSA) RSC Rd 3 (25-5) (Posted @ 10:02 PST)
CWG-Ali Irshad of Pakistan takes silver medal in 25m standard pistol MELBOURNE, Australia, March 25, 2006 (AFP) Mick Gault won the gold medal in the men's 25m standard pistol competition at the Commonwealth Games here on Saturday. Ali Irshad of Pakistan took silver with Bruce Quick of Australia winning the bronze. (Posted @ 09:35 PST)
US soldier killed, another wounded in Afghanistan attack KABUL, Afghanistan, March 25, 2006 (AFP) - A US soldier was killed Saturday and another was wounded in a fierce clash with about 20 "enemy" in restive southern Afghanistan, the US-led coalition said. US forces along with Afghan military troops exchanged fire with the militants in Helmand province and called in planes that dropped 11 guided bombs, the coalition said in a statement. An Afghan soldier was also killed. Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said on telephone that its fighters were involved in the battle in Sangin district and one was wounded. Authorities in Sangin also confirmed the engagement but were unable to put a figure on casualties.The coalition said battle-damage assessment was under way. (Posted @ 15:43 PST)
Belarus demonstrators break through police lines MINSK, March 25, 2006 (AFP) - Hundreds of demonstrators protesting against Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk Saturday broke through police lines and marched towards a planned rally, an AFP reporter at the scene said. (Posted @ 15:34 PST)
Kashmiris believe in dialogue; even failure will be victory of Kashmiris-Malik KARACHI, MARCH 25 (APP) - Chairman Jummu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Yasin Malik Saturday said that Kashmiris believe in dialogue; even if the dialogue failed to resolve the Kashmir issue, it would be the political victory for the Kashmiris. "Then the world won't be able to accuse us of not believing in dialogue", he said speaking at a dialogue on, "Transcending Boundaries -- Role of Civil Society in a Changing World", organized by Social Development Partnership Organization (SDPO) in the World Social Forum. Replying to a question, he said close liaison between the people of India and Pakistan was important as they can compel their respective governments to take initiatives and solve the Kashmir issue at the earliest. “Kashmir is the main hurdle in the way of true friendship between India and Pakistan and you can't even think of durable and true friendship between the two countries without resolving this outstanding issue", he asserted.(Posted @ 20:28 PST)
100,000 rally in latest push to oust Thai PM BANGKOK, March 25 (AFP) - Some 100,000 protesters rallied late Saturday in central Bangkok in the latest bid to oust Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ahead of next week's election. Buoyed by chants of "Thaksin, get out!" the protest began in a carnival atmosphere with bands playing music near the princely compound that houses the prime minister's secretariat. In solemn contrast just a few blocks away, some 30,000 Buddhist monks in saffron robes led tens of thousands of devotees in chanting prayers for peace and national unity near the Grand Palace. Security forces were prepared for the worst with 10,000 police mobilised for the protest and another 10,000 on standby.(First Posted @ 17:45 PST Updated @ 20:14 PST)
Pakistan, India to discuss trade on March 27 ISLAMABAD, Mar 25 (APP): Pakistan and India will discuss trade in three-day talks beginning here on March 27. Secretary Commerce, PTV World reported Saturday. Commerce secretaries of the two countries will discuss barriers in the bilateral trade, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, visa facilities for businessmen and other issues.(Posted @ 20:04 PST)
NTC to make Pakistan a hub of global trade: PM ISLAMABAD, March 25 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday said that National Trade Corridor Improvement Plan being actively followed by the government will improve the logistics chain, reduce cost of doing business, improve competitiveness of products and help make Pakistan a regional hub for international trade. Chairing the fifth meeting of the NTC he asked all concerned agencies to move promptly on re-designing of procedures and processes, and strengthening of the infrastructure i.e. roads, railways, airports and ports to improve the logistics chain with a view to reduce the cost of business, facilitate trade and investment in Pakistan and increase competitiveness of Pakistani products in the global market. He particularly asked Pakistan Railways and PIA to improve their cargo handling facilities. The Prime Minister was informed that the revised National Aviation Policy will be submitted to the cabinet in six to eight weeks while two more private sector companies--Pearl Air and Safe Air -- have been granted licences. He was also informed that the process of corporatisation of Pakistan Railways will be completed by December 2006; three daily express trains from Karachi-Lahore and upcountry have been started, and two express freight trains will be operational by June 2006.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Army kills 11 Kurdish rebels in eastern Turkey TUNCELI, Turkey, March 25 (Reuters) - Turkey's armed forces killed 11 militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the biggest operation against the separatist group so far this year, army sources said Saturday. The operation began two days ago in the eastern Turkish province of Mus, with the army using gunships against the rebels, the sources said. Three army brigades have arrived to join fresh attacks against the PKK near the Iraqi border where an estimated 5,000 PKK rebels are holed up.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
President Musharraf lauds role of country's Armed Forces KHARIAN, March 25 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf has lauded the role of Pakistan Armed Forces in safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, combating terrorism and relief work carried out in the aftermath of devastating earthquake of October 8. Addressing the Garrison officers here Saturday he said that unswerving faith in Almighty Allah, patriotism, professionalism, discipline and devotion to duty were the hallmark of Pakistan Armed Forces and they had also proved their mettle in the international environment working as peacekeepers under the UN banner. General Musharraf said the government was fully alive to the requirements of the Armed Forces and was taking all possible measures to equip them with latest state of the art weapons and equipment. The President gave an overview of the prevailing international and regional geo-political environment with reference to its relevance for Pakistan and also listed measures which had been taken for the progress and development of the country. The President's address was followed by a question and answer session. President Musharraf also visited a self-propelled Regiment of Artillery.(Posted @ 19:26 PST)
Militiamen attack key port, airstrip in Somali capital MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) _ About 300 heavily armed fighters loyal to a group of radical Islamic clerics launched a pre-dawn offensive Saturday to try to capture a key port and airstrip on the northeastern outskirts of Somalia's capital, killing at least 20 people, witnesses said. They attacked a rival militia force in control of the main road leading to El Maan port and the Issaley airstrip, militia commanders said. At least 12 militia fighters were killed at one location. The bodies of eight other combatants were at a different location, said another witness. Saturday's clash appeared to represent some of the heaviest of four days of bloodshed between the rival factions, which has killed at least 93 people.(Posted @ 19:06 PST)
Bhopal gas leak survivors walk to Delhi to meet Indian PM NEW DELHI, March 25 (AFP) - After walking for over a month through sometimes scorching heat, some 40 men and women survivors of the deadly 1984 Bhopal gas leak arrived in the Indian capital Saturday demanding redress from India's leaders. "It's been 21 years, it's been too long," they said on arrival at a park where other protesters greeted them with marigold garlands. They had walked almost 800 kilometres from Bhopal, starting on February 20.(Posted @ 18:52 PST)
Pakistan police baton-charge anti Afghan protesters QUETTA, March 25 (AFP) -Police used batons to disperse some 450 demonstrators Saturday after they attacked the Afghan consulate here to protest the killing of 16 nationals by Afghan security forces. Chanting slogans against Afghan President Hamid Karzai the protesters hurled stones and tore off a picture of the Afghan leader displayed at the gate of the consulate building. Police moved quickly and dispersed them before they could enter the consulate premises, witnesses said. Pakistan has already protested to Afghanistan over the killings. Afghanistan said the victims were Taliban militants who crossed the frontier from Pakistan, but Islamabad insisted they were Pakistani tribesmen who were on their way to celebrate the Afghan New Year. Pakistani foreign ministry said the victims were arrested in Kabul at an unknown time and then handcuffed, tied up and brought to Spin Boldak before being killed. Thousands of tribesmen attended the funerals of eight of the dead in the Pakistani border town of Chaman, opposite Spin Boldak. Three others were buried in Quetta.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)
3-day Horse & Cattle Show begins Multan, March 25 (PPI):The 3-day Horse and Cattle Show began at Qasim Bagh Stadium here Saturday with several hundred entries for prizes in host of categories. The animals were paraded by their handlers after the inauguration ceremony which also included motorcycle jump, PT show, camel show, horse dances etc. An agricultural-cum-industrial exhibition has also been arranged, while colourful programmes have been planned for each day.(Posted @ 17:24 PST)
Six rebels dead as Tigers sink Sri Lankan military gunboat COLOMBO, March 25 (APP/AFP) - Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels blew up a boat as it was about to be searched by the Sri Lankan navy, sinking a military gunboat, killing six rebels and leaving eight navy sailors missing, a defence source said Saturday.(Posted @ 17:14 PST)
Bomb in booth for traffic police kills four in Baghdad BAGHDAD, March 25 (AP) _ A bomb exploded in a booth for traffic police in north Baghdad Saturday, killing four civilians, police said. Five persons, including a traffic policeman, were wounded in the attack, which was near the Iraqi finance ministry. In another district of north Baghdad, gunmen opened fire on apolice patrol in a drive-by shooting, wounding one policeman, police said. In southern Iraq, police discovered 23 rockets rigged as improvised bombs in a bus station in the city of Amarah, 290 kilometers southeast of Baghdad. A special team was sent in to deactivate the explosives, police said.(Posted @ 16:35 PST)
Maoist rebels kill 13 civilians in Indian landmine attack NEW DELHI, March 25 (AFP) - Thirteen civilians were killed and four injured in eastern India when their vehicle hit a landmine late Friday night believed to have been planted by Maoist rebels and intended for security forces, police said Saturday. The incident took place attack in Kanker district, about 135 kilometres from Raipur. In a separate incident, rebels also killed three policemen in an attack on a jail in neighbouring Orissa state and set free all 40 prisoners, police said. The Maoists, who have bases in 11 of India's 29 states, say they are fighting for the rights of neglected tribes people and landless farmers. (Posted @ 10:45 PST Updated @ 15:56 PST)
US confirms Iran talks on Iraq amid new violence BAGHDAD, March 25 (AFP) - The United States confirmed that direct talks would soon be held with Iran over the situation in Iraq where violence continued Saturday morning with four Iraqis killed in eastern Baghdad by a roadside bomb. East of the capital, in the small town of Balad Ruz, not far from the Iranian border, another roadside bomb killed two teenage boys selling farm produce from the back of their bicycles. A passing car was also hit, but the three occupants were only injured. Ten more corpses were also discovered in Baghdad, bringing the number of bodies, most showing signs of torture, discovered by police over the last week to about 75. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Strong quake hits south Iran, no damage reported TEHRAN, March 25 (Reuters) An earthquake measuring 6.0 hit Iran's southern province of Hormuzgan on Saturday but there were no reports of casualties or damage, the official IRNA news agency reported. IRNA said the quake shook areas near the Gulf island of Qeshm off Iran's south coast at 10.58 a.m. (Posted @ 14:06 PST)
Iran to build nuclear bomb within three years: report WASHINGTON, March 25, 2006 (AFP) Iran is moving faster than expected towards enriching uranium and could manufacture enough of it to build a bomb within three years, The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday. Citing unnamed diplomats who have been briefed on the program, the newspaper said new information about Iran's program came from diplomats representing countries on the UN Security Council, who were briefed by senior staff of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Diplomats and experts say Iran has forgone usual testing periods for individual centrifuges and small series of linked centrifuges, instead apparently trying to put together as many as possible, as quickly as possible, The Times pointed out. (Posted @ 13:08 PST)
Cricket-Sri Lanka lose Vaas for first Pakistan Test COLOMBO, March 25, 2006 (AFP) Sri Lankan strike bowler Chaminda Vaas has been ruled out of the opening Test against Pakistan after failing to recover from a side strain, the selectors announced here on Saturday. "He has been ruled out of the Test on medical advice," Sri Lankan chief selector Lalith Kaluperuma said on the eve of the match. Left-handed batsman Sanath Jayasuriya has recovered from a thigh strain and will open the innings, the selectors said. Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Michael Vandort, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara, Sajeewa Weerakoon. (Posted @ 12:53 PST)
Two US soldiers killed in Iraq's Al-Anbar province BAGHDAD, March 25, 2006 (AFP) Two US soldiers were killed in enemy action in Iraq's restive western province of Al-Anbar, the US military announced late Friday night. The soldiers, who died on Thursday, were assigned to the 2/28 Brigade Combat Team, consisting largely of the Pennsylvania National Guard, which is responsible for the provincial capital of Ramadi. (Posted @ 12:04 PST)
Maoist rebels kill six in landmine attack in India NEW DELHI, March 25, 2006 (AFP) At least six civilians were killed when Maoist rebels blew up their vehicle with a landmine late Friday, mistaking it to be a police jeep in eastern India, police said Saturday. The official said there could be more casualties as police were still investigating the attack. In a separate incident, rebels also killed three policemen in an attack on a jail in neighbouring Orissa state and set free all 40 prisoners, police said. (Posted @ 10:45 PST)
Protests against planned immigration law surge in US PHOENIX, Arizona, March 24, 2006 (AFP) Up to 20,000 protesters marched through the US city of Phoenix on Friday in an explosion of Hispanic opposition to plans for a draconian crackdown on illegal immigrants. Police said that 15,000 to 20,000 people took part in the Phoenix demonstration, as more than 2,000 high school students staged a classroom walk-out in Los Angeles and Latinos in the southern city of Atlanta rallied and boycotted businesses to protest plans for a legislative assault on immigration. Fresh protests are scheduled to take place across the country in the coming days, including one in Los Angeles on Saturday that organizers claim will attract hundreds of thousands of people. The largely Latino demonstrators, waving US and Mexican flags, chanted and brandished banners and placards with slogans such as "We are not criminals, we are human." (Posted @ 10:02 PST)
British royal couple to meet array of Saudis RIYADH, March 25, 2006 (AFP) Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were due to meet royals and other members of Saudi Arabia's society Saturday after arriving in Riyadh on an official visit to the kingdom. The heir to the British throne would meet religious leaders and "build on" a speech he gave during an earlier stop in Egypt in which he "talked about the importance of religious understanding and religious tolerance," said a spokesman. The royal couple's three-day visit which began on Friday is expected to feature meetings with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, as well as visits to educational establishments and encounters with students. Charles and Camilla are on the second leg of a three-stop tour that will also take them to India. (Posted @ 09:49 PST)
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