Pakistan deploys new troops near Indian border

Pakistan is moving troops from Taliban-infested regions near the Afghanistan border to its border region with India escalating tensions with New Delhi.


Intelligence sources say that the Pakistan army's 14th Division was being redeployed to the towns of Kasur and Sialkot, close to the Indian border. They said some 20,000 troops were on the move. Earlier Friday, a security official said that all troop leave had been canceled. The troops are being moved from the Waziristan area, a hotbed of insurgent activity, an action likely to draw the ire of NATO forces in Afghanistan. Western countries have clamored for Pakistan to focus more attention in this region to prevent cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.

Canada.com

Pakistan moves troops toward Indian border The Associated Press - 32 minutes ago ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border Friday, intelligence officials said, sharply raising tensions triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan moves troops to Indian border Sydney Morning Herald Pakistan puts troops on alert CNN International

Canada.com

Pakistan moves troops toward Indian border The Associated Press - 32 minutes ago ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border Friday, intelligence officials said, sharply raising tensions triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan moves troops to Indian border Sydney Morning Herald Pakistan puts troops on alert CNN International

Canada.com

Pakistan moves troops toward Indian border The Associated Press - 32 minutes ago ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border Friday, intelligence officials said, sharply raising tensions triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan moves troops to Indian border Sydney Morning Herald Pakistan puts troops on alert CNN International

Canada.com

Pakistan moves troops toward Indian border The Associated Press - 32 minutes ago ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border Friday, intelligence officials said, sharply raising tensions triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan moves troops to Indian border Sydney Morning Herald Pakistan puts troops on alert CNN International

Pakistan scrambles jets on India's threat

Just when it seemed things were quieting down between India and Pakistan following the Mumbai attacks, tensions have again erupted with Pakistan scrambling intercepters over its major cities on Monday.

Pakistan's action came as a response to a statement by India's Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee that his country was keeping all options open including possible "precision strikes" on terrorist training camps within Pakistan.


Pakistani Jets Scramble as India Hardens Tone
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Rama Lakshmi NEW DELHI, Dec. 22 -- In signs of growing regional tension since the Mumbai attacks last month, Pakistan scrambled fighter jets over several of its larger cities Monday, and India's foreign minister told a gathering of Indian diplomats ...
India Gives Pakistan Letter Said to Be Gunman’s New York Times
Mullen In Pakistan As Tension With India Escalates AHN
Video: Mumbai quick to reopen attacked hotels - 21 Dec 08 AlJazeeraEnglish
India threatens Pakistan as Mumbai hotels reopen Telegraph.co.uk

US cross-border raids in Pakistan, Syria

Another suspected US drone strike in Pakistan has killed 10 people according to security officials. On Sunday, US helicopters assaulted a village in Syria killing eight people, Syrian media reported. Washington had no comment on the attacks.

Reuters

'Drone' raid kills 10 in Pakistan BBC News - 5 hours ago Missiles from a suspected US drone (unmanned plane) have killed 10 people in a militant camp near Pakistan's Afghan border, security officials say. Suspected US missile attack kills 20 in Pakistan's tribal region Xinhua Suspected US missile strike kills 20 in Pakistan Monsters and Critics.com

AFP

Eight die in US attack inside Syria: official media
AFP - 16 hours ago
"Four American helicopters violated Syrian airspace around 16:45 local time (1345 GMT) on Sunday. They penetrated eight kilometres (five miles) into Syria," ...

Pakistan strengthening ties with China

Pakistan is solidifying its alliance with China with the latter pledging to help Islamabad with debt payments and economic development.

With rival India completing a nuclear deal with the United States, Pakistan has turned to its old ally to big two plants of its own -- the Chasma-3 and Chasma-4 reactors that will generate 680 MW of electricity.

BBC News

Making a defence pact with China PakTribune.com - 38 minutes ago President Asif Ali Zardari’s official visit to China at its end ran short of a most strategic need of the time, a defence pact with China and desirably immediately followed by joint militmanoeuvrings. Beijing assures Pakistan of support for debt payments Financial Times UPDATE 1-Pakistan trumpets intensified ties with China Reuters

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Need for a new era of strategic ties with China
Pakistan Dawn, Pakistan - Oct 14, 2008
But Pakistan may need to do more than just ask for help and talk about the history of the Pakistan-China friendship. It may have to demonstrate through its ...
Pakistan seeks cash amid financial crunch and costly insurgency The Canadian Press
In Scramble for Cash, Pakistan Turns to China's Deep Reserves Washington Post

China pledges help, nuke plants for Pakistan

China will invest $1 billion in Pakistan over the next year and will help build tow nuclear plants in the country, Islamabad announced Saturday.

China is already a major supplier of military goods to Pakistan. Bejing is helping the country with the F-22 P Frigate warship, Al Zarrar and Al Khalid main battle tanks, JF 17 multi-role aircraft, the National Electronic Complex of Pakistan (NECOP) and other defense related projects.

TVNZ

Pakistan trumpets intensified ties with China Reuters - 37 minutes ago By Augustine Anthony ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Pakistan announced on Saturday Chinese bankers would be visiting soon to assess Pakistan's needs, and companies had pledged to invest $1 billion by next June. Pakistan's Zardari wants trade for restive regions Reuters India China to help Pakistan build 2 more power plants Seattle Post Intelligencer

Pressure builds for Taliban talks

According to a Time Magazine article, Afghan President Hamid Karzai along with US and British officials agree that victory against the Taliban is not possible. The realization increases the likelihood of negotiations with the insurgent group.

The assessment comes as heavy fighting is reported in both Afghanistan and Pakistan involving Taliban and al-Qaeda forces.

Play Vietnam echoes in Afghanistan Reuters via Yahoo! News - Oct 09 3:15 PM

Play Petraeus: Open to Taliban talks Reuters via Yahoo! News - Oct 08 3:57 PM

United Press International

Momentum builds for Taliban negotiations United Press International - 2 hours ago KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai and US and British officials have concluded there can be no military victory over Taliban insurgents, Time Magazine says. As Afghanistan Slides, Chance of a Taliban Deal Increases TIME Afghanistan: A country locked in a spiral of doom Times Online

Boston Globe

Fierce battles in Pakistan, Afghanistan
Radio Australia, Australia - 16 hours ago
There has been intense fighting with Taliban and Al Qaeda militants in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghan and British forces say 100 militants were ...
Pakistanis flee as war on Taliban flares up Radio Netherlands
Clashes in Pakistani tribal region kill 24 The Associated Press
Attack by Pakistani Army on the borders of Afghanistan Avionews

Suspected US drone strike kills five in Pakistan

Suspected US drones fired two missiles into the tribal regions of Pakistan Saturday killing at least five militants.

The latest in a series of cross-border attacks carried out against the objections of the Pakistani government comes as a US report was released detailing the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

According to the report, al-Qaeda is leading a network composed of Pakistani and Kashmiri militants; Afghan Taliban, and Pakistani tribal groups. Al-Qaeda itself is composed mostly of Arabs but Central Asians including Uzbeks and Chechens are now playing a larger role.

Boston Globe

US Airstrike Said to Kill 5 in Pakistan New York Times - 28 minutes ago By REUTERS MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (Reuters) - Residents of a Pakistani region regarded as a haven for Al Qaeda and the Taliban said that remotely piloted American aircraft fired two missiles on Saturday, killing at least five militants. Five killed in US missile attack in Pakistan Reuters Suspected US Missile Strike Kills At Least 3 in Pakistan Voice of America File photo shows US soldiers watching the launch of a pilotless spy drone. US pilotless spy planes on Sunday flew over a Pakistani tribal town bordering Afghanistan just hours after a missile strike killed at least four people, residents said. (AFP) Tribesmen gather at the site of a missile attack in Tappi, a village 20 km (12 miles) east of Miranshah, near the Afghan border October 10, 2008. A U.S. missile attack by a pilotless drone aircraft on Thursday killed at least six people, including 3 Arabs, in a Pakistani tribal region regarded as a safe haven for al Qaeda and Taliban militants, an intelligence official said. REUTERS/Haji Mujtaba (PAKISTAN) Tribesmen show parts of a missile at the site of a missile attack in the village of Tappim, 20 km (12 miles) east of Miranshah, near the Afghan border October 10, 2008. A U.S. missile attack by a pilotless drone aircraft on Thursday killed at least six people, including 3 Arabs, in a Pakistani tribal region regarded as a safe haven for al Qaeda and Taliban militants, an intelligence official said. REUTERS/Haji Mujtaba (PAKISTAN) Map of Pakistan locating North Waziristan, where a missile strike by suspected US spy drone killed at least eight militants, according to security officials Wedn

Pakistan and American forces exchange fire

Pakistani and American forces near the border of Afghanistan exchanged fire briefly Thursday in an escalation of tensions between the two nations.

According to reports, Pakistani troops fired on two U.S. helicopters flying near the border, and ground troops exchange fire shortly after the incident. No casualties were reported on either side.

Reuters South Africa

Pakistani and American Troops Exchange Fire

New York Times - 1 hour ago

By ERIC SCHMITT WASHINGTON - Pakistani and American ground troops exchanged fire along the border with Afghanistan on Thursday after the Pakistanis shot at two American helicopters, ratcheting up tensions as the United States increases its attacks ...

Pakistani troops fire at US helicopters on border Reuters
Pakistan Fires at US Helicopters on Afghan Border (Update2)



AFP

US denies copters attacked by Pakistan crossed border
CNN International - 1 hour ago
Officials with the Pentagon and NATO's International Security Assistance Force, however, said the copters never entered Pakistan. US officials also denied ...
NATO copters exchage fire and fly back Online - International News Network
AFGHANISTAN: Marine colonel says Pakistani military copter helped ... Los Angeles Times
Pakistani troops, foreign copters trade fire The Daily Advertiser



Chronology of the most serious attacks in Pakistan since January 2008. Pakistani troops fired at two helicopters from the NATO-led force in Afghanistan, causing no damage but accusing them of crossing the border amid escalating tensions across the frontier.(AFP Graphic/Er/Jfs)

Zardari to protect Pakistan sovereignty

Faced with increasing pressure from all sides, Pakistan's new President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to protect the nation's sovereignty from both terrorists and foreign forces.

Zardari, the husband of slain President Benazir Bhutto, said: "I ask of the government that it should be firm in its resolve to not allow the use of its soil for carrying out terrorist activities against any foreign country. We will not tolerate the violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity by any power in the name of combating terrorism."

PakTribune.com

Zardari to uphold Pakistan sovereignty United Press International - 1 hour ago ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari says he won't allow either terrorists or foreign forces fighting them to violate the country's sovereignty. Pakistani president tells foreign troops to keep out CNN Pakistan's Zardari to give up powers AFP

Pakistani tribesmen shout slogans in front of the parliament building during the address of President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad in protest at a military operation in Holy month of Ramadan at the Bajur district. Zardari has told parliament to abolish his wide-ranging powers and warned that Islamabad "will not tolerate" sovereignty violations after a series of cross-border strikes.(AFP/Farooq Naeem)

Possible al-Qaeda attack on Marriot Hotel in Pakistan

A terrorist bombing at the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan killed at least 40 people although the final toll is expected to be much higher.

The country appears to be in an extremely precarious situation after the fall of former president Pervez Musharraf, and the onset of U.S. raids across its borders in violation of its national sovereignty.

Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack which has completely destroyed the hotel by fire, experts say the bombing has all the hallmarks of an al-Qaeda operation.

Voice of America

At Least 40 Are Killed in Blast at Pakistan Hotel
New York Times - 38 minutes ago

Flames poured from the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on Saturday after a massive truck bombing. More Photos > By CARLOTTA GALL ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A huge truck bomb exploded at the gateway of the five-star Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on Saturday ...
Video: Dozens killed in Pakistan hotel blast - 20 Sep 08 AlJazeeraEnglish

Explosion at Pakistan Marriott hotel kills 40 The Associated Press

Play
Dozens die in Pakistan hotel blast
Reuters via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 50 minutes ago

The Marriot Hotel burns after a suspected suicide car-bomb attack in Islamabad in this video grab, September 20, 2008. (AAJ via Reuters TV/Reuters)

Pakistan orders troops to shoot at raiders

Tensions between Pakistan and the U.S. may heat up after Islamabad ordered its troops to fire at troops crossing into its terrritory.

The United States has conducted cross border raids from Afghanistan against insurgent without obtaining permission from the Pakistani government.

Washington has accused Pakistan of not trying hard enough to rid the Taliban and al-Qaeda from its territory.

BBC News

Pakistan Would Fire on Intruders New York Times - 3 hours ago By SALMAN MASOOD and GRAHAM BOWLEY ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The Pakistani military said on Tuesday its troops would fire on foreign forces if they crossed the country’s borders but denied that this was a change of policy. Video: Pakistani Troops Ordered to Fire It US Raids AssociatedPress Pakistan in border warning to US BBC News

Pakistan threatens to quit 'war on terror'

Pakistan's main opposition party threatened Friday to withdraw from the 'war on terror' after further suspected U.S. attacks in its border region with Afghanistan.

The country is still considered unstable after a power vacuum left by the departure of former president Pervez Musharraf.

Pakistani sources claim 12 people were killed after an apparent U.S. drone shot a missile at a target in north Waziristan. U.S. President George W. Bush has approved unilateral strikes from Afghanistan across the border into Pakistan.

Pakistan threatens to pull out of war on terror after U.S. attacks (AP)

AP - Pakistan's main opposition party said Friday the country could pull out of the war on terror over stepped-up attacks by U.S. forces in the restive tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.

AFPSuspected US missile kills 12 in Pakistan: official
AFP - 55 minutes ago
MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (AFP) — A missile from a suspected US drone killed 12 people Friday in a Pakistani tribal area where US forces have been aggressively ...
Did President Bush Authorize Ground Assaults in Pakistan? FOXNews
Dissension in Pakistan's ranks Asia Times Online
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Militants attack Pakistani PM

In another sign that Pakistan is becoming increasingly unstable after the resignation of former President Pervez Musharraf, militants struck the car of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with gunfire today.

No one was reported injured in the attacks and three arrests were made at the site of the incident.

In other news, the United States for the first time launched a unilateral ground assault in Pakistan drawing sharp protests from Islamabad.

ABC News

Pakistan Says Gilani Attack Aimed at Harming Country (Update1) Bloomberg - 2 hours ago By Paul Tighe and Khaleeq Ahmed Sept. 4 (Bloomberg) -- A gun attack on the motorcade of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was aimed at disrupting Pakistan and the government won't allow militants to challenge the state, Information Minister Sherry ... Video: Pakistan PM's Car Hit by Bullets AssociatedPress Shots fired at car of Pakistan premier Financial Times

Pakistan government collapses

Pakistan's ruling coalition today split into two threatening to send the country into further instability.

For years, former President Pervez Musharraf held things together in this country rife with Islamic fundamentalism especially in the border area with Afghanistan. Pakistan is the only predominantly Muslim country known to possess nuclear weapons.

Former premier Nawaz Sharif left the coalition after disagreement on the restoration of two Supreme Court justices ousted by Musharraf.

Bombing attacks in Pakistan last week killed about 100 people.

Washington Post

Pakistan's ruling coalition collapses amid dissent
The Associated Press - 10 hours ago
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan's ruling coalition collapsed Monday, torn apart by internal bickering just a week after Pervez Musharraf's ouster and ...
Post-Musharraf Gloomy Pakistan Islam Online
Former PM quits ruling coalition The Press Association
Pak bans umbrella group of Taliban militants Press Trust of India

2007 APU Person of the Year: Benazir Bhutto

For the first time, AsiaPacificUniverse.com is choosing a Person of the Year who has passed on before the start of the New Year.

There was really no question that Benazir Bhutto, the two-time prime minister of Pakistan, would be this year’s choice. Even before her assassination this month, she would have been chosen in a tie along with Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf.

The pair had dominated news in the Asia Pacific region in the run up to January’s national election, which now may be postponed. Musharraf has been under pressure from the West because of the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The fundamentalist group often operated across the border in western Pakistan.

Mon Dec 31, 8:18 PM ET
Supporters of slain Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto light candles in Lahore December 31, 2007. Pakistani electoral officials will decide on Tuesday whether to go ahead with a Jan. 8 poll, with expectations it will be delayed by up to two months after Benazir Bhutto's killing. Picture taken December 31, 2007.
REUTERS/Mohsin Raza (PAKISTAN)



The Pakistani president agreed to hold elections and to remove his military uniform after outside calls for greater democratization in his country. This provided the opportunity for Benazir Bhutto to return from exile in the United Arab Emirates and run for the prime minister’s office for the third time. Originally the idea had been for Musharraf and Bhutto to arrange some sort of power-sharing deal.

Both are basically allied against the growing power of Islamic fundamentalists and extremists in the country. However, after a bomb blast shortly after Bhutto arrived nearly killed the former prime minister, the first female to lead a modern Muslim-dominated state.

Musharraf declared a state of emergency and curbed Bhutto’s freedom of movement igniting a conflict between the two and basically driving them on separate paths. Bhutto and her party claimed that Musharraf was using his power to influence the elections.

However, opinion polls had shown that she was well ahead of the competition in the race for prime minister. Bhutto insisted on making direct contact with the people and it was this conviction that contributed to her death. She was attacked and killed while waving to onlookers from the roof window of her armored transport vehicle.

She met the same fate as her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a former prime minister who was executed after a suspicious trial for authorizing the murder of a political opponent. Both her parents were Shi’a Muslims in a country dominated by Sunnis. Benazir also lost two brothers under suspicious circumstances.

Born in 1953, Benazir earned a Bachelor of Arts with cum laude honors in comparative government from Harvard University. She was elected Phi Beta Kappa. She also attended Oxford in the United Kingdom where she became the first Asian woman president of the Oxford Union. In 1987, she married Asif Ali Zardari.

Benazir’s election as prime minister in 1988 was a milestone for women in the Muslim world although for the most part women throughout most of the country had little opportunity for equality. Bhutto had promised reforms including repealing the anti-woman Zina and Hudood ordinances but was unable to deliver because of the strength of the opposition and the problems she had maintaining a stable government.

Bhutto and her husband were the target of many charges of corruption that eventually ended her government. She went into self-imposed exile in 1998. She has left a controversial legacy. Her niece, for example, has accused here of complicity in the killing of her brother Murtaza Bhutto in 1996. Her husband spent eight years in jail on corruption charges.

Her death has left Pakistan severely destabilized but in the end it may contribute to her reputation as an agent of change. In typical South Asian dynastic style, it appears her son and husband will take over her party, the Pakistan People’s Party, founded by her father in 1967.

So, we name Benazir Bhutto as the APU Person of the Year in 2007, and may she rest in peace.