US, Pak, Afghanistan and NATO forming joint strategy: Haqqani

Updated at: 2223 PST, Friday, May 29, 2009 WASHINGTON: Islamabad’s ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani says that Pakistan, United States, Afghanistan and NATO are trying to outline a joint strategy to fight militancy. In an interview with a British TV, he said that the government of Pakistan is fully determined to stamp out the militants from Malakand region. “The recent bomb attacks in Pakistan shows that pressure is mounting on the extremists following the launch of military operation,” he said.Haqqani said that Pakistani government started military offensive against the terrorists and the extremists with people support.

Lahore suicide blast death toll mounts to 23

Updated at: 1334 PST, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 LAHORE: The suicide car bomb blast at Rescue-15 building adjacent to CCPO Office killed 23 people and injured over 200 others here in Civil Line area on Wednesday.The injured have been shifted to different hospitals of the city where medical aid is being provided to them.President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the blast.According to sources, gunshots were being heard near the blast site for minutes before a speeding red van laden with explosives broke the barriers outside the Rescue-15 building and blew up with a loud blast, bringing down the entire building.The suicide bomber intended to target the office of the CCPO, sources added.Explosives weighing 100 kilograms were used in the explosion which was followed by gunshots in the area with intervals while four suspects were arrested from the blast site.Windowpanes of the nearby buildings and houses were shattered and 15 vehicles were destroyed as thick smoke clouded the blast site.Rescue activities were kick-started after the blast and the injured were whisked away by ambulances to Meo, Gangaram and Services hospitals.Machines are being used to recover people trapped under the debris. Six of the ten bodies brought to Meo Hospital were of policemen while two bodies are beyond recognition

Army mounts new phase of offensive in Swat : Security forces enter Mingora

17 Taliban including key commander killed as street battles begin * Taliban flee in small groups from Peochar valley By Tahir NiazISLAMABAD: Troops stormed into Mingora and fought street battles with the Taliban on Saturday, in a bid to wrest the main Swat town from Taliban control.Seventeen Taliban including a commander were killed as the new and most important phase of Operation Rah-e-Rast commenced, chief military spokesman Major GeneralAthar Abbas said in a daily briefing.He said the troops had secured a part of the city from the Circuit House to Makan Bagh. Battles to secure Nawan Killi have begun and a link up between forces coming from Fiza Ghat to Whataki Chowk and Ayub Bridge to Nawan Killi has been completed. Intense clashes were reported from Nishat Chowk in Mingora. A suicide bomber was shot dead and an explosives-laden vehicle was destroyed in Makanzai area of the city. On the Qambar Ridge overlooking Mingora, three caves with large quantities of ammunition and rations were discovered during a search and destroy operation. The Taliban are on the run in small groups from their former Peochar stronghold.Troops have secured the vital Wanai Bridge linking Matta with Peochar.Gen Abbas said there were about 1,500 ‘hardcore militants’ still fighting in Swat, and that the army would try to complete the operation in eight weeks.

Car bomb kills 10 in Peshawar

Updated at: 1955 PST, Friday, May 22, 2009
PESHAWAR: A car bomb exploded on Cinema Road in Khyber Bazaar area of Peshawar, killing 10 people and injuring dozens others, police said on Friday.The dead and injured were rushed to the city’s hospitals where emergency was declared. The hospitals’ administration confirmed that more than 50 injured were brought to the hospital, some of them in very critical condition.According to the CCPO Peshawar, more than 75 people sustained injuries in the blast.The cinema building nearby shops were badly damaged in the blast. Several cars and other vehicles parked on the road were also damaged.The blast was very loud and was heard in many parts of the provincial capital.

Swat operation in new phase, security forces enter into Matta

SWAT: The security forces engaged in wiping out militants opened a new phase of the operation by marching into Matta town here.Sources said that security forces quelling some minor resistance took control of the town and set up posts at vintage points and strategic places.Following security forces advice to Matta residents to vacate the town and move out to safer places by 12.00-noon today, a large number of people had shifted.Military officials said that Pakistan Army troops marched into the town, while the forces have the cover of gun-ship helicopters. They said that security forces had to face some resistance in the process, as the militants were trying to escape from the scene.

Taliban ‘challenge of 21st century’: President

Updated at: 2114 PST, Sunday, May 10, 2009 WASHINGTON: President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday said Taliban are challenge of 21st century and a new battle.In an interview with a US TV channel, the President reiterated his confidence that Pakistan will not collapse in the increasing insurgency of the Taliban forces. When asked whether Pakistan is going to collapse, he said: “No. We are 180 million people. There the population is much, much more than the insurgents are." Admitting that Pakistan has "a problem" with Taliban activities inside its borders, the President called for joint international effort to deal with the threat of Taliban. "I think we need to find a strategy where the world gets together against this threat, because it's not Pakistan-specific. It's not Afghanistan-specific," he said. "I think the world needs to understand that this is the new challenge of the 21st century, and this is the new war." Pakistan's military intensified its campaign last week to turn back the Tablian from its moves toward Islamabad. The militants have taken control of many parts of the mountainous districts overlooking the capital.

Night curfew in Swat; Taliban patrol Mingora

Updated at: 2210 PST, Sunday, May 03, 2009 SWAT: Bodies of two security personnel have been found in Tehsil Khwazakhela while unknown men have set on fire three trucks in Babu Klay. Night curfew has been imposed in Swat from 9 pm Sunday to 6 am Monday, sources said.Beheaded bodies of two security men have been found in Alam Ganj area of Tehsil Khwazakhela, sources added.Shops remained closed in Mingora markets as Taliban patrolled the area.Sources further said that security forces had arrested 5 suspects.Meanwhile, unknown men blew up a government boys school with the help of explosives while armed assailants broke into Mingora Grid Station.Heavy exchange of fire also took place between security forces and militants during which a power transformer was damaged resulting in suspension of electricity in many areas.

Gilani, Shahbaz agree to remain coalition partners in Punjab

Updated at: 2130 PST, Saturday, May 02, 2009 LAHORE: Prime Minster Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif agreed on Saturday to carry forward reconciliation process according to the charter of democracy (CoD).According to State TV, the prime minister said that Pakistan People Party (PPP) would remain in the Punjab government as part of reconciliatory policy.Both leaders exchanged views on law and order situation in Punjab, terrorism and other issues in one-on-one meeting lasted for one and half-hour at the prime minister’s residence in Lahore.Gilani told Shahbaz that all parties would be invited to the all parties’ conference so that a joint strategy could be framed to deal with issue of terrorism and other challenges facing the country.