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| July 23, 2007 | Monday | Rajab 07, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
35 militants, two troops killed in Pakistan clashes ISLAMABAD, July 23 (AFP) - Thirty-five Islamic militants and two Pakistani soldiers have been killed in heavy fighting in a northwestern tribal region near the Afghan border, the army said Monday. Chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told AFP that at least 30 of the rebels had died in several clashes in the North Waziristan tribal agency since late Sunday night. Another five were killed in the same district in a battle that erupted at a checkpost on Monday evening that was still continuing, General Arshad said. (Posted @ 21:16 PST)
Bomb wounds five Pakistani troops in Waziristan MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, July 23 (Reuters) A roadside bomb wounded five paramilitary soldiers on patrol in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region Monday, government officials said. The remote control bomb struck a vehicle carrying the soldiers in the Dosali area, some 40 kms south of Miranshah, North Waziristan's main town. After the blast, a local government official requesting anonymity said he saw several helicopter gunships circling the area. The incident happened hours after two rocket attacks on a security post in a nearby town late Sunday night. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
No military action by any other country to be allowed: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, July 23 (PPI): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says no military action by any other country will be allowed inside Pakistan's territory on any pretext . “Pakistan can handle its own requirements for troops, and therefore, we do not need any other troops from anywhere to come and help,” he told British channel Sky TV in an interview Monday. “The sovereignty, integrity and security of Pakistan is our responsibility. We cooperate with many countries of the world through dialogue, discussions, sharing of intelligence, exchanging information, and clearly we cannot allow Pakistan to be a safe haven for any group which jeopardizes our security and security of any other country,” the Prime Minister said. “We are capable of defending ourselves and are very much capable of securing ourselves. We believe that we can handle our responsibilities effectively and we will continue to cooperate with everybody,” he stressed. (Posted @ 21:12 PST)
Militants vow 'gift of death' for Pakistani troops MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, July 23 (AFP) Militants Monday warned Pakistani soldiers to quit fighting or face more suicide attacks, as peace talks faltered in the area bordering Afghanistan. Militants threatened that explosives would bring soldiers the “gift of death” in a pamphlet entitled “Till Islam Lives in Islamabad”, distributed in the town of Miranshah in the North Waziristan tribal district. The pamphlet, issued by a group calling itself the Mujahedin-e-Islam, accused Pakistani troops of doing the bidding of the United States and leading impure lives. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Fata Grand Jirga proceeds to Miranshah with new proposals Peshawar July 23 (PPI) The Fata Grand Tribal Jirga after negotiating with Utmanzai tribe of North Waziristan on Monday met with Governor NWFP Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai at governor's house and briefed him about the progress in the talks. The Jirga comprises elders from all the seven tribal Agencies and the six Frontier Regions( FRs). After briefing the Governor the Jirga will again proceed to Miranshah carrying new proposals from the government side. Briefing the Governor, the Jirga members reportedly said that while some progress has been made during the two- day negotiations with the tribesmen of North Waziristan Agency, more time and effort would be required for conclusive and purposeful dialogue. The Jirga will re-assemble ealy Tuesday morning in Governor's House before proceeding to Miranshah. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
SC seeks reply from CEC on Benazir petition ISLAMABAD, July 23 (PPI) The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Chief Election Commissioner, Director General NADRA and the Federation directing them to file their reply on Thursday about electoral rolls. A two-member bench headed by Justice Rana Bhagwandas hearing a constitutional petition filed by ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto against the Election Commission challenging the new computerized electoral rolls.also directed the Attorney General to appear before the court and submit concise statement one day before the date of hearing (Wednesday). In his order, Justice Rana Bhagwandas said that petition raises a substantial question of law of public importance as the act complained, prima facie, dis-entitles millions of people of Pakistan of their right to franchise for the reason that they had not applied for registration along with computerized NICs. The order further said that: “It is pointed out that Article 51(2) of the Constitution does not confine the right of franchise with the holding of a computerized NIC, which may be relevant at the stage of casting the vote and not for the purpose of enrolment in the Electorate Rolls. The court also set aside the objections raised by the Registrar office on the petition. Advocate Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, appeared for the petitioner. (Posted @ 20:38 PST)
SC seeks complete report on Lal Masjid operation ISLAMABAD, July 23 (PPI) The Supreme Court on Monday directed the government to submit comprehensive report regarding Lal Masjid operation and ordered the Superintendent Adiyala Jail to present complete record of Lal Masjid detainees.The bench comprising Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi hearing a suo- moto case on Lal Masjid operation took strong notice on recent reports of keeping the Lal Masjid detainees in shackles and fetters in Adiyala Jail. Deputy Commissioner Muhamamd Ali informed the court that 37 persons out of 134 arrested during the Lal Masjid operation have been released. The court directed the Director General National Crisis Management Cell of Interior Ministry to file cases against those involved in desecration of the Holy Quran and submit report by next week. The court also directed him to submit a concise statement regarding the missing people of Lal Masjid. Justice Javed Iqbal said it was the responsibility of the Interior Ministry to inform the court as to how many people lost their lives in the operation, how many were buried and how many were still missing. The bench also demanded information about the female students and the male students of Lal Masjid complex. Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbassi said that parents of the students were poor and if they had the money they would not have admitted their children in Jamia Hafsa. (Posted @ 20:46 PST)
Standing US offer of air support, “supporting fires” to Pakistan: officials WASHINGTON, July 23, (AFP) - The US military has offered to provide air support and “supporting fires” for Pakistani military operations against Al-Qaeda but in the past has been rebuffed, US defense officials said Monday. General Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, disclosed the offer of US military and intelligence assistance on Friday in a meeting in Schweinfurt, Germany with family members of US troops. Pace's comments were first reported by a CNN correspondent traveling with the general. Defense officials on Monday confirmed his remarks but said the offer was not new, but rather of a longstanding character. (Posted @ 22:38 PST)
Cricket: England draw first test with India LONDON, July 23, (REUTERS) - England drew the first test against India at Lord's on Monday. Scores: England 298 (A. Strauss 96, M. Vaughan 79) & 282 (K.Pietersen 134, R.Singh 5-59); India 201 (W. Jaffer 58, J.Anderson 5-42) & 282 for nine (D.Karthik 60 and M.Dhoni 76 not out). (Posted @ 23:28 PST)
Pakistan says any strike on its territory to hunt Al Qaeda 'unacceptable' ISLAMABAD, July 23 (APP): Pakistan on Monday said it will not allow any attack by the United States on its tribal areas in a hunt for Al Qaeda, saying any counter-terrorism measure will be taken by its own security forces .“We have stated in the clearest terms that any attack inside our territory would be unacceptable,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said at the weekly news briefing. “We are combating terrorism in our own interest. We do not want our efforts to be undermined by any ill-conceived action from any quarter that is inconsistent with the principles of international law,” Ms. Aslam said adding that any such action would be “irresponsible and dangerous”. Pakistan and the United States are partners in an international campaign against terrorism and it would be counterproductive to create an impression of any differences. “It is important to focus on effective cooperation and coordination rather than talk of actions that would further complicate the ongoing efforts to fight Al-Qaeda and other terrorist elements.” Terming “helpful” the peace-deal with tribal elders in North Waziristan, the spokesperson said the government would like to continue even if it was just twenty percent effective. “We are the best judge how to deal with it. We decide it on the basis of comprehensive strategy which includes political and administrative developments and military action where necessary.” On Pak-India nuclear deal, Ms. Aslam said Pakistan believed that the transfer of civilian nuclear technology should be non-discriminatory. (Posted @ 18:52 PST)
Two NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan KABUL, July 23 (AFP) - Two soldiers from the NATO-led ISAF were killed Monday in separate incidents in Afghanistan, the force said in a statement. One was killed in the south of the insurgency-hit country and the other in the east, ISAF said, without saying how either of them died. The statement did not give the nationalities of the soldiers. But the Norwegian army in Oslo said Monday one of its special forces troops was killed when militants opened fire on a patrol on Monday in Logar province, near Kabul. (Posted @ 21:08 PST)
6.0 quake rattles Taiwan, no reports of damage TAIPEI, July 23 (Reuters) - An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale rattled Taiwan on Monday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, officials said. (Posted @ 20:34 PST)
Roadside bombs kill three US soldiers in Iraq BAGHDAD, July 23 (AFP) - Three US soldiers were killed in Iraq at the weekend when their patrols were hit by roadside bombs, the military said on Monday. One soldier was killed when insurgents detonated a bomb near his vehicle in Baghdad on Saturday, while the other died of wounds sustained in a blast on Sunday. A third soldier was killed on Friday when a roadside bomb struck his Humvee south of Samarra. (Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Dozens of Taliban, Norwegian trooper killed in Afghanistan KABUL, July 23 (AFP) - Afghan and US-led troops killed more than 60 Taliban militants in two days of fierce fighting, while rebels shot dead an elite Norwegian soldier in a separate clash, officials said Monday. In a two-day battle in Helmand province which ended Monday, around 50 Taliban were killed. Fighting erupted on Sunday when would-be Taliban suicide bombers drove an explosives-filled car towards the troops near the village of Shaban, while rebels also opened fire from two nearby compounds. Coalition aircraft dropped four bombs to destroy the enemy compounds and hit other Taliban militants who tried but failed to shoot down a coalition aircraft with surface-to-air fire. “As the battle continued into early morning, more than four dozen insurgents had been confirmed killed by ANA (Afghan National Army) at the scene.” . Meanwhile Afghan police aided by coalition forces killed another 14 rebels in Zabul province in a 10-hour-long clash on Sunday, the interior ministry said. In another incident, a suicide bomber blew himself up prematurely in Nimroz province on Monday, killing another militant and injuring a third. Separately, the Norwegian army said one of its special forces soldiers was killed when militants opened fire on a patrol on Monday in the central province of Logar, near Kabul. (Posted @ 20:28 PST)
Fresh violence in Sri Lanka kills 10 people COLOMBO, July 23 (AFP) - At least nine Tamil Tiger guerrillas and a civilian were killed in fresh violence in Sri Lanka, the military and the rebels said Monday. Government forces shot dead four LTTE members in the Jaffna peninsula, the military said adding that two soldiers were wounded in the firefight across the Muhamalai area. Near Jaffna town, gunmen shot dead a local employee of the Danish Refugee Council on Monday morning. (Posted @ 20:22 PST)
Taliban again extends SKorean hostage deadline KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 23 (AFP) - The Taliban on Monday extended the deadline for their South Korean hostages by another 24 hours, but told the government to put the militants in direct contact with Korean negotiators. “We've extended the deadline by another 24 hours” until 1430 GMT Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location. The rebels have threatened to kill the South Koreans unless 23 Taliban prisoners held by Afghan authorities are released and Seoul pulls its troops out of war-battered Afghanistan. (Posted @ 20:18 PST)
NAB (Sindh) recovers over Rs.527 million in a year KARACHI, July 23 (APP): National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sindh recovered Rs.527.511 million through plea bargain and voluntary return during 2006-07. While Rs.446.433 million were recovered from five accused through plea bargain, another Rs 81.118 million were recovered from three accused through voluntary return. NAB's annual report said. It received 4,506 complaints last year out of which 1,375 were against government employees, 35 against politicians and 1,792 against others. (Posted @ 19:56 PST)
Small plane trying to break aviation record crashes in Switzerland; pilot dies BASEL, Switzerland, July 23 (AP) - An attempt to break an aviation speed record went horribly wrong Monday when a small “experimental” plane crashed through an apartment building in the Swiss city of Basel, killing the pilot and lightly injuring six other people, authorities said. Two people who were inside the building struck by the plane and four rescue service officers suffered light injuries. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
23 killed in Iraq bombings, shootings BAGHDAD, July 23 (AFP) - At least 23 people were killed and scores injured on Monday in Iraq, including 12 in two car bomb attacks in Baghdad. The two blasts occurred within minutes of each other, both of them involving explosives-laden cars in Baghdad's Karrada neighbourhood, one on a road and the other targeting a passing police patrol. At least 12 people, including three policemen, were killed and another 38 including women were wounded in the attacks. Later, a third car bomb rocked an area near Baghdad's so-called Green Zone, killing one person and wounding another three. A civilian was killed and another seven wounded in a separate roadside bomb blast that struck a minibus in Baghdad's Kifah street, while in another attack on Monday, five Iraqi soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb near the Iranian border. In Amara, gunmen shot dead a former Baath party member, police said adding that gunmen also shot and killed a man and wounded his wife who were in a car on a highway near Iskandiriyah. Another policeman was killed in an armed assault at a police checkpoint in Iskandiriyah. Meanwhile, police found three corpses of men who were tortured and shot dead in the eastern part of the town.In Hilla, 100 kilometres south of Baghdad, a lawyer was shot dead by unknown gunmen,. The US military meanwhile said at least nine suspected militants were killed and more than a dozen captured in raids across Iraq on Monday. (Posted @ 19:28 PST)
German hostage, four Afghans alive in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 23 (AFP) -Taliban rebels said Monday that one German and four Afghan hostages were still alive, a day after the body of another German captive was discovered. For their exchange we want the government to free 10 Taliban prisoners or we'll kill them,” Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP by phone. He said one of the Afghan hostages managed to escape “but four others are still in our custody.” Meanwhile, Taliban have set the 1430 GMT deadline for 23 South Korean hostages kidnapped separately in southern Afghanistan. They have threatened to kill the Koreans unless 23 of their prisoners are freed. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Three die, 25 hurt in road mishap near Umerkot Umerkot, Sindh, July 23 (PPI): Three persons were killed and about 25 others were injured, four critically, on Monday afternoon when a Thar-bound vehicle overturned while trying to save a car coming from the opposite direction. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)
Dr Muniruddin Chughtai passes away ISLAMABAD, July 23 (APP): Former vice chancellor of Punjab University and prominent worker of Pakistan Movement Dr. Munir uddin Chughtai passed away in Lahore on Monday. He was 80. (Posted @ 18:56 PST)
Aisam-Rohan win doubles title in England LAHORE, July 23 (APP): Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq and Indian No.1 Rohan Bopanna won the doubles tennis title of ATP Challenger Hester Trophy in Manchester beating Dutch / Swedish pair of Jesse Huta Galung and Michael Ryderstedt 4-6, 6-3,10-5. On their way to the final, they defeated the pair of Andrew Coelho and Adam Feeney of Australia in the semi- final, Dominik Meffert and Simon Stadler of Germany in quarter- final and Kenneth Skupski and Richard Bloomfied of England in the earlier round, said a message received on Monday. (Posted @ 18:36 PST)
UK's Brown won't rule out military action in Iran LONDON, July 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Monday he would not rule out military action against Iran, but believed a policy of sanctions could still persuade Tehran to drop its disputed nuclear programme. “I firmly believe that the sanctions policy that we are pursuing will work, but I'm not one who's going forward to say that we rule out any particular form of action,” Brown told a news conference, when asked if he would rule out a military strike against Iran. (Posted @ 18:06 PST)
Cricket: Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in second one-dayer COLOMBO, July 23 (AFP) - Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in the second one-day international here on Monday to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Brief scores: Bangladesh 137 all out in 46.5 overs; Sri Lanka 141-5 in 31.1 overs. (Posted @ 16:38 PST)
One more innocent youth martyred in occupied Kashmir Srinagar, occupied Kashmir,July 23 (PPI) In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops martyred one more innocent Kashmiri youth in Banihal town, reports Kashmir Media Service. Police meanwhile injured six people as a large number of people protested against the killing of the Kashmiri youth and disgracing of a schoolgirl at Langate in Handwara. A protest strike was observed at Gantamulla in Baramulla. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Australia provides $2.5 million for emergency relief in Pakistan Canberra, July 23( PPI): Australian Government will provide $2.5 million to Pakistan towards emergency relief efforts in areas recently affected by storms, floods and a cyclone. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Afghanistan's former king dead at age 92 KABUL, July 23 (AFP) Afghanistan's former king Mohammed Zahir Shah, the last monarch of the country, died Monday at the age of 92 at his Kabul residence, President Hamid Karzai said. “We announce three days of national mourning over the death of the father of the nation, and the Afghan flag will be at half mast for three days,” Karzai told reporters at a press conference. “Prayer ceremonies will be held across the country, in the capital, in the provinces, by Afghan refugees overseas and in Afghan embassies.” Zahir Shah, who ruled Afghanistan for four decades, ended the centuries-old monarchy by abdicating while on holiday in Italy in 1973 after hearing his former premier Mohammad Daud had staged a coup. He returned home from exile several months after the 2001 collapse of the Taliban regime brought by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. (First Posted @ 10:40 PST, Updated @ 12:20 PST)
Bandits kill six police in revenge attack in India LUCKNOW, India, July 23 (Reuters) A notorious gang of bandits killed six police commandos in an ambush in northern India, police said Monday. The commandos were killed in Chitrakoot district in Uttar Pradesh state by the “Thokia” gang late Sunday night, which also operates in the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
30 killed in floods and landslides in central Indonesia JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 23 (AP) Flash floods and landslides in central Indonesia have killed at least 30 people, a senior health official said Monday. Days of torrential rains have inundated dozens of villages on Sulawesi island, said Rustam Pakaya, head of health ministry's crisis centre. (First Posted @ 08:40 PST, Updated @ 09:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 314.05 points: KARACHI, July 23: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 13665.84, up 314.05 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, July 23: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
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