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| September 13, 2007 | Thursday | Sha'aban 30, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
10 soldiers killed in suicide attack at army canteen in northwestern Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept 13 (AP) - A suicide attacker blew himself up at an army canteen in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others, officials said. The attack happened at the canteen in Ghazi Tarbela, an army facility about 100 kilometers south of Islamabad, according to two security officials, who sought anonymity because of the sensitive nature of their job. Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad, the spokesman for Pakistan's army confirmed that a blast ripped through the canteen, but he said he could not immediately provide any further details.(Posted @ 21:45 PST)
Six killed in attack on minibus in Karachi KARACHI, Sept 13 (AFP) - At least six people were killed and six wounded when gunmen hurled a hand grenade and then opened fire on a minibus in Karachi on Thursday, police said. Four of the dead were from the Islami Jamiat Tulaba, the student wing of the Jamaat-i-Islami party, IJT spokesman said. The incident happened near Karachi university campus, senior police officer Mir Zubair said. “Around seven people riding on three motorbikes intercepted the minibus. One of them peeped into the vehicle and threw a hand grenade inside while others opened fire on it,” Zubair told AFP. The attack left six people dead and another six wounded, he said. “We don't know the motive for the attack,” Zubair said. “It could be targeted killing or an act of terrorism.” The attack came a day after a clash between rival students group in the university in which four students were wounded.(Posted @ 21:25 PST)
50 militants and 2 soldiers killed in Waziristan battle near Afghan border ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept 13 (AP) - Militants attacked a military base near the Afghan border Thursday, sparking a battle near Razmak, a town in South Waziristan that drew in army helicopters and left up to 50 insurgents and two soldiers dead, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad said adding that eight other soldiers were wounded. Pakistan reported Wednesday that it had killed about 40 militants in the North Waziristan region. Arshad said army forces repelled repeated militant attacks Thursday in Razmak. Army helicopters and ground fire destroyed four rebel positions, he said. Arshad said their initial estimate was that at least 30 militants were killed, but added later that tribesmen informed officials that up to 50 rebels had died. He dismissed a claim by militants that they had killed over 100 soldiers in the region in the past two days as “totally false” and “baseless.” A rocket hit a transformer and power line, cutting electricity in Razmak, he said. He also denied reports from three intelligence officials who said 10 soldiers had been killed in the fighting. Maj-Gen Arshad said helicopter gunships had joined the battle, which began at 1 a.m. and was still continuing Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, before dawn Thursday, a bomb planted in a market near the city of Kohat destroyed six stores selling music CDs, two tailor shops and one barber shop, local police officer Anwar Khan said. No one was reported hurt.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Pakistan's commitment to address extremism, terrorism beyond any doubt: Musharraf Islamabad, Sept 13 (PPI):- Pakistan's commitment to address challenges of extremism and terrorism was beyond any doubt and it would continue to pursue comprehensive strategy to tackle these, President General Pervez Musharraf said Thursday. Talking to visiting US Deputy Secretary of Sate John D Negroponte, he reaffirmed firm resolve to fight extremism, terrorism and highlighted efforts Pakistan was making to address these complex challenges.“Our commitment should never be in doubt as it was in our own national interest,” a Foreign Office statement later quoted the President as saying. He said elements that constraint relationship (between Pakistan & U.S.), such as negative provisions of (United States) 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act, must be avoided. Negroponte said the U.S. fully recognised Pakistan's strong resolve to fight extremism, terrorism and appreciated its counter-terrorism efforts. President Musharraf spoke of comprehensive strategy being followed in FATA, embracing military, political, administrative and development tracks. He called for forward movement on initiatives such as Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs), U.S. support for FATA Development Plan as well as Frontier Constabulary capacity-building. Negroponte underlined U.S. commitment to long-term relationship with Pakistan and expressed appreciation for multifaceted strategy being followed in FATA. U.S. had committed $750 million for FATA Development Plan over next five years while the U.S. Administration was moving forward on draft ROZs legislation and mobilizing assistance for FC. President Musharraf stressed need for better understanding of Pakistan counter - terrorism efforts in the U.S., particularly its media. On regional issues, he underlined importance Pakistan attached to peace and stability in Afghanistan. He noted positive outcome of recent joint Pak-Afghan peace jirga and called for follow-up steps including establishment of a smaller jirga and commencement of its work. On Pakistan-India Composite dialogue process, President stressed need on moving forward to resolve outstanding issues, particularly Jammu & Kashmir dispute.(Posted @ 18:30 PST)
25 injured in clashes with army in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Sept 13 (AP) - Soldiers allegedly beat four villagers in occupied Kashmir while searching for suspected rebels Thursday, and then injured 25 others in clashes with protesters, officials and villagers said. Soldiers beat the four men in Kolpora, a village 45 kilometers south of Srinagar, said villagers and a police officer speaking on condition of anonymity. Hundreds of villagers from Kolpora protested the incident, and soldiers fought them back with gun butts, injuring at least 25 people, police said. Authorities went to the scene and police have launched an investigation into the incident, officials said. “We have registered a case against the army soldiers on the complaints of locals,” said Hemant Lohia, a high-ranking police official. More than a dozen groups have been fighting in occupied Kashmir for the region's independence or its merger with Pakistan since 1989. More than 68,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in the conflict.(Posted @ 18:00 PST)
Musharraf orders opposition workers freed ISLAMABAD, Sept 13(AP): President General Pervez Musharraf has ordered authorities to free the hundreds of opposition party workers detained during former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's attempt to return from exile, state media said. Provincial authorities have started releasing Sharif supporters rounded up in the days before his attempt to return from exile, Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema said on Thursday. (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
Top Sunni sheikh fighting Qaeda in Iraq assassinated BAGHDAD, Sept 13 (AFP) - Top Sunni sheikh Sattar Abu Reesha, who spearheaded a fight against Al-Qaeda, was killed by a bomb on Thursday just 10 days after US President George W. Bush shook his hand when he visited Iraq. Abu Reesha was killed near his home in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. Anbar security chief Tareq al-Dulaimi said Abu Reesha “was returning home when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb planted by insurgents. His car was hit directly.”One bodyguard also died in the attack .(Posted @ 20:35 PST)
Cricket: England beat Zimbabwe CAPE TOWN, Sept 13 (AFP) –England defeated Zimbabwe by 50 runs in a World Twenty20 match at Newlands Thursday. Scores: England 188/9 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe 138/7 in 20 overs.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Pakistan seeks missiles, radar from France: Report PARIS, Sept 13 (AP) - Pakistan is seeking to buy missiles and radar from France for a fighter plane that it is developing jointly with China, Jane's Defense Weekly said Pakistan is talking to France about getting air-to-air missiles from the MBDA company and radars from Thales for its JF-17 fighter, it said. Those missiles and similar radars also equip Taiwan's French-built Mirage fighters, defences that could be compromised if Pakistan transfers the technology to China, according to Jane's. Asked Thursday about the report, Defence Minister Herve Morin replied: “To my knowledge, there is no arms embargo for Pakistan.” He noted that France has a system of controls on arms exports and referred further questions to the prime minister's office. Without confirming that talks with Pakistan are under way, Defence Ministry spokesman Laurent Teisseire said: “We have no reason not to cooperate with Pakistan on its leading projects.” He dismissed concerns of any possible technology leak to China, citing arms control measures that would be part of any such sale.(Posted @ 20:25 PST)
PM Aziz, Shujaat discuss election strategy Islamabad, Sept 13( PPI): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President of ruling PML(Q) Ch. Shujaat Hussain at a meeting Thursday discussed PML's strategy for upcoming elections in the country. They reiterated that PML and allied parties strongly supported President Pervez Musharraf's re-election to maintain consistency and continuity of policies. PML(Q) Secretary General, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani, were among those present.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
India to join UN peacekeeper probe NEW DELHI, Sept 13 (AFP) - India has sent Lt- Genl Rajinder Singh to join a UN investigation into charges that its peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo gave rebels information in exchange for gold, an official told the Press Trust of India news agency.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Four killed in Baghdad bomb blast BAGHDAD, Sept 13 (AFP) - A bomb ripped through a crowd of civilians at a public square in Baghdad’s northeastern Shiite district of Talbiyah on Thursday, killing at least four people, Iraqi officials said. The interior ministry said four people were killed and 10 wounded while a defence ministry official put the toll at six killed and 18 wounded.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Muslim world celebrates start of Ramazan JAKARTA, Sept 13 (AFP) - Most of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims celebrated the start of Ramazan on Thursday. In Libya the festivities started on Wednesday, the same day as Nigeria, while in Pakistan Ramazan starts on Friday. In most of the Middle East the festivities started Thursday. In Indonesia, Ramazan began under the shadow of a massive 8.4-magnitude quake which rocked Sumatra island and killed at least 10 people. Pakistan (population 160 million) will be on high alert because of a wave of attacks since early July in which hundreds have died, mostly in suicide bombings. Ramazan began in Afghanistan on Thursday In Iraq the US military put a holiday amnesty in effect, with 50 to 80 detainees to be released each day during the month. In neighbouring Syria, authorities said a recent visa requirement imposed on Iraqis would be lifted for Ramadan. Top clerics in occupied Kashmir -- scene of nearly 20 years of Muslim insurgency against New Delhi's rule -- said they would pray for peace and reconciliation in the divided Himalayan region, claimed in part by Pakistan. In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, separatist Muslim rebels said they were ready to resume stalled peace talks with the government but also warned they were prepared for “martyrdom.” In Thailand, the army on Wednesday lifted a night curfew meant to smother a separatist insurgency in Muslim provinces, where people also began fasting on Thursday. Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, is preparing to receive around one million pilgrims to perform the “umrah”.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Cricket: Bangladesh beat Windies by six wickets JOHANNESBURG, Sept 13 (AFP) - Bangladesh defeated the West Indies by six wickets in a group A match of the Twenty20 world championships at the Wanderers here on Thursday.The West Indies were knocked out of the tournament with their second successive defeat. They had lost to South Africa in Tuesday's opening match here. Brief scores: West Indies 164-8 in 20 overs; Bangladesh 165-4 in 18 overs.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Production of cotton increases in Pakistan KARACHI, Sept. 13 (PPI): As per US Department of Agriculture report dated 12-09-2007, the estimated production of Pakistan cotton crop 2007-08 has increased to 11 million bales of 480 lbs. each, which comes to 14.08 million bales of 170 kgs, says a press release of Karachi Cotton Association (KCA Thursday. Pakistan cotton crop is progressing well in fine weather conditions in the Punjab and Sindh. It is expected that the production target would be achieved.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)
People of NWFP once again divided on sighting of Ramazan moon Peshawar, Septr 13 (PPI)- Despite hectic efforts of the ulema people in most parts of NWFP were divided once again on the issue of the sighting of the Ramazan moon as some people in Charssada, besides majority of those in Khyber, Mohmmand and Bajaur Agencies as well as suburbs of Peshawar observed fast on Thursday.(Posted @ 18:35 PST)
Dozens of Bombardier turboprops grounded after second landing-gear failure TORONTO, Sept 13 (AP) - Plane maker Bombardier ordered the grounding of at least 40 percent of its Q-400 turboprop planes after a Scandinavian Airlines aircraft skidded off a runway with 52 people aboard, the second such incident in three days. No one was injured Wednesday when the landing gear failed, forcing the emergency touchdown in Lithuania. The grounding Wednesday forced the cancellation of at least 200 flights worldwide. Both SAS and Horizon Air, each cancelled more than 100 flights to inspect their turboprop aircraft. Bombardier said Qantas, Lufthansa, Flybe, All Nippon Airways and Japan Air Commuter are also grounding Q-400 turboprop planes.(Posted @ 18:10 PST)
75 killed in fighting around Afghanistan KABUL, Sept 13 (AP) - Fighting around Afghanistan killed about 75 people just as the holy month of Ramadan began, including 45 suspected Taliban militants who died in airstrikes and Afghan army gunfire, officials said Thursday. The battle in Uruzgan province on Wednesday began when insurgents attacked a patrol with rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire. More than 45 Taliban were killed. In Zhari district of Kandahar province Wednesday, an Afghan-NATO patrol was ambushed. A helicopter gunship joined the ensuing battle, which left 12 militants dead, said Syed Agha Saqib, the provincial police chief. In Zabul province, 11 Taliban were killed during a battle with NATO and Afghan soldiers Wednesday, said Gulab Shah Alikhail, the governor's spokesman. In Herat, three police were killed in a fight, and one Afghan soldier was killed in Farah on Thursday, officials said. Two civilians were killed by a bomb that exploded near a police station in Takhar province. Police in Helmand shot and killed a would-be suicide bomber before he could detonate his explosives, said Gen. Mohammad Hussein Andiwal, the provincial police chief.(Posted @ 18:00 PST)
China halts panda gifts to foreign countries BEIJING, Sept 13 (Reuters) - China has halted its time-honoured goodwill gesture of giving highly endangered pandas to foreign countries, local media reported on Thursday, citing a Chinese wildlife official. China would only lend pandas for the purposes of “breeding and biological research”, Chinanews.com quoted Cao Qingyuan, State Forestry Administration spokesman, as saying. “The Chinese government has stopped giving pandas as gifts abroad. We will only be conducting research with foreign countries,” Cao said. The giant panda is one of the world's most endangered species and is found only in China. An estimated 1,600 wild pandas live in nature reserves in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
43 Iraqi detainees released as Ramadan begins Baghdad, Sept 13 (Reuters) - - An initial 43 Iraqi detainees were released from a U.S. military facility as part of a release programme during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, an adviser to Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said Thursday . The U.S. military said it would release between 50 and 80 detainees a day during Ramadan. Meanwhile, five people were killed and 10 wounded when a car bomb exploded near a police patrol close to the Sadr City district of Baghdad, police said. Other police sources said four people died. Police had earlier said there were two separate bombings in that area, but they later said there had been one. Separately, Iraqi security forces killed four suspected insurgents and detained 51 others in different parts of Baghdad during the past 24 hours, the Defence Ministry said.(Posted @ 17:15 PST)
Two Spanish NATO troops injured in Afghanistan MADRID, Sept 13(AFP): Two Spanish soldiers serving NATO forces in Afghanistan were badly injured on Thursday when their vehicle overturned, the Spanish interior ministry said. Three other soldiers serving with the 700-strong Spanish contingent were slightly hurt in the accident. All five were taken to hospital in Herat, where the contingent have their base, the ministry added. (Posted @ 15:23 PST)
Massive aftershocks shake Indonesia BENGKULU, Indonesia, Sept 13(AFP): Huge aftershocks rumbled across Indonesia's Sumatra island on Thursday, as rescue teams sped to the area after a massive 8.4-magnitude earthquake killed at least six people. The follow-on shocks, including one as strong as magnitude 7.8, drew new tsunami warnings from Indonesian authorities and panicked thousands of people who had already spent the night outdoors afraid of being buried alive. (Posted @ 08:56 PST)
Japanese prime minister hospitalised TOKYO, Sept 13(AP): Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was treated at a hospital on Thursday for exhaustion a day after announcing his resignation, a government spokesman said, amid speculation health troubles prompted him to step down. National broadcaster NHK reported that Abe had been hospitalized following the examination, but officials at the Prime Minister's Office said they could not immediately confirm the report. (Posted @ 08:54 PST)
Israeli troops stage limited Gaza incursion JERUSALEM, Sept 13(AP): Israeli ground troops conducted a raid in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday night, but gave no further details. (Posted @ 08:52 PST)
Afghan transferred to Guantanamo over alleged Al-Qaeda links WASHINGTON, Sept 13(AFP): An Afghan national accused of enabling the movement of Al-Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq has been transferred to the US detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Pentagon said late on Wednesday. (Posted @ 08:50 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 82.83, points: KARACHI, Sept 13:At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12866.83, up 82.83, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Sept 13: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.82 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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