16 shot dead in 24 hours in Quetta

QUETTA: Gunmen shot 16 people dead in two separate incidents in Quetta and Machh areas during the last 24 hours.

Banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The first incident took place in the Machh area, 75 kilometres southeast of Quetta on Friday night.

A group of 30-35 gunmen stopped a bus, offloaded passengers at gunpoint and shot ten of them dead. The bus was travelling to Quetta from the eastern city of Lahore.

In another incident, two assailants riding a motorbike killed six labourers in the provincial capital on Saturday.

On Friday evening, three rockets were fired at the house of Balochistan's Interior Secretary, Akbar Durrani. However, he remained unhurt.

BLA spokesman Junaid Baloch contacted media persons on the phone and claimed responsibility for the attacks.

New intelligence on Iran antiaircraft missiles in Afghanistan

An intelligence report recently delivered to the NDS, Afghanistan’s domestic intelligence agency, says that Iran has supplied fresh batteries for some three dozen shoulder-fired SA-7 missiles stockpiled by Taliban forces in Kandahar, in anticipation of a U.S. attack.

Although uncorroborated, the June 25 report from a human intelligence asset fits with information from other sources that the Taliban has obtained Iranian-made SA-7’s and other, older shoulder-fired missiles, including U.S.-made Stingers left over from the mujaheddin’s CIA-backed war against the Soviet Red Army.

But the rebels' use of the missiles has been hampered by a lack of batteries, multiple sources say, as well as fears of a rapid counterstrike by U.S. drones.

Terrorists may attack key figures in Islamabad: IGP

ISLAMABAD: Terrorists have plans to target judges, parliamentarians and top army officials in Islamabad, Inspector General of Police, Syed Kaleem Imam, warned on Tuesday.

Speaking to newsmen outside the Parliament House, he said some terrorist groups have been issuing life threats to police officials and other key figures.

“On the basis of intelligence information, security has been beefed up at sensitive locations in the federal capital,” the IGP said.

He said that efforts were underway to capture the remaining accomplices of the terrorist who was killed in a police encounter in G/8 sector of Islamabad.

Imam said the number of security checkposts could not be decreased in the city, unless the police was equipped with advanced technology

Israel won't be the first to attack Iran: Fidel Castro

HAVANA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israel is planning an attack on Iran but will not be the first to start the war for fear of severe consequences, former Cuban President Fidel Castro said Wednesday.

Former U.S. intelligence agents "are right when they warn (U.S. President Barack) Obama that Israeli prime minister is planning a surprise attack on Iran with the idea of forcing the United States to go to war," Castro wrote in an article published on Wednesday by local press.

Castro said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "would not dare to be the first to attack, because such an action would make him face all the nuclear powers and he is not stupid."

Castro added "Obama would have no other alternatives than ordering the deaths of hundreds of millions of innocent people, and the crew of the U.S warships near Iran would be the first victims (...) ."

Castro has been warning for over a month of the danger of a nuclear war as a consequence of Washington and Tel Aviv's confrontations with Tehran.

Released Indian spy to move court for compensation

RAJKOT: An Indian spy, who spent 12 years in Pakistan jail and was released recently, has decided to move the court seeking compensation from the Central government.

Buttesingh Dharamsingh alias Darshanlal, a native of Jammu, was arrested in Pakistan in March 1997 and awarded 25-year imprisonment on espionage charges.

However, he was released on June 30 this year. Darshanlal, who was here to meet M K Paul, a human rights activist working for missing defence personnel, fishermen and spies languishing in Pakistan jails, claimed that he was sent to Pakistan by Indian intelligence agencies and visited the neighbouring country twice a month.

The spy claims to have visited Pakistan nearly 14 times before being apprehended.

Since his arrest Buttesingh's family members were not given a single penny from the security agencies, he alleged.

"I was being paid Rs 12,000-15,000 per visit. I was only 28 when I was arrested. Now at age of 40, I have no job and it is difficult for me to get it at this age. Hence, I would urge the Union government to give me a permanent job and some interim compensation for maintenance till the court gives its verdict," Buttesingh demanded.

He said he was kept at Lahore and Sialkot jails and had shared the barrack with one Kuldeep Yadav who is serving a 25-year jail term in Pakistan.

Paul told PTI that Buttesingh was sent to Pakistan by Intelligence Bureau (IB) and it was its duty to monetarily compensate him for the services rendered to the nation.

The activist will soon file a petition on his behalf in the Delhi High Court seeking compensation for Buttesingh.

Targeted killings in city - ISI, IB to assist Centre, Sindh Govt

KARACHI: The federal and Sindh governments on Tuesday agreed to take strict and coordinated steps to control the spate of targeted killings in Karachi.

The steps agreed upon included punishment for possession of illegal weapons, and receiving assistance from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) for curbing terrorism.

The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting held at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House that was chaired by Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

High-ups of the Sindh police and Pakistan Rangers, Sindh; representatives of intelligence agencies and Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza also attended the meeting.

It was decided that the ISI and IB would form a special cell with dedicated officers to coordinate with the local police; and an amendment would be moved immediately for setting punishment for possession of illegal weapons from three to 10 years, and it would be declared a non-bailable offence.

It was also decided that the SHOs of the affected areas would launch committees and hold regular meetings, and send the lists of known criminals to the inspector general’s office; and the Rangers would enhance their intelligence capability within the area of their jurisdiction, and after coordination with the agencies, take action in consultation with the home minister.

Instructions were issued for taking strict action against those who displayed weapons; besides, the process of identification of criminals and gangsters would also be expedited, and action taken without discrimination.

The meeting was informed that the Frontier Constabulary would be placed at the disposal of the home department to assist the police if needed.

The interior minister appreciated the role of the police and Rangers and their operation in Dalmia, announcing awards for the law enforcers.

The meeting was also informed that the criminals have been warned to discontinue activities for destabilising the city by targeting innocent citizens.

It was resolved that no political pressure would be allowed to discourage the law enforcers from carrying out their duties.

Complaint cell: A complaint cell has been established at the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) and people are requested to contact the NCMC and the Sindh Home Secretary at 021-99203355 and homesindhflood2010@hotmail.com regarding any information about suspects in their neighbourhood.

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