30 April, 2009

Violence in Pakistan financial hub kills 34
AFP
KARACHI (AFP) — Armed ethnic clashes between Pashtun and Urdu-speaking groups have killed at least 34 people in Pakistan’s financial capital Karachi, …
www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5jyz2LGWzKtAWARp8vArXhPwmWUrA

Pakistan army: Taliban holding town hostage
The Associated Press
In another development that sent a shudder through Pakistan, officials said a slew of gun attacks in the mega-city of Karachi killed at least 34 people and …
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5
hkiMxbHNH0BqgpWA2ZG6VD6wVTmAD97SQASO0

Taliban Holds Buner Hostage, Says Pakistan Military
By The Huffington Post News Editors
ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan army says the Taliban are holding the population of one town near the capital hostage. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas says troops are encountering stiff resistance from militants in Buner as the troops …
www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/30/
taliban-holds-buner-hosta_n_193491.html

Pakistan wrests town from militants’ control – TwinCities.com
By By Mubashir Zaidi and Mark Magnier Los…
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistani commandos dropped from helicopters Wednesday into areas behind Taliban lines some 80 miles from the capital of Islamabad to regain control of a key town, the army said. But authorities faced a fresh …
www.twincities.com/news/ci_12258770?source=rss

Pakistan: Karachi on alert after deadly ethnic clashes – Adnkronos …
By webinfo@adnkronos.com
(AKI) – Security forces in the Pakistani port city of Karachi were on high alert on Thursday after a wave of ethnic violence killed at least 29 people and injured over 40 others. Dozens…
www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3263625723

Obama Says Pakistan’s Government Is ‘Very Fragile’
Bloomberg – USA
By Julianna Goldman and Kim Chipman April 30 (Bloomberg) — President Barack Obama said the government in Pakistan is “very fragile” and expressed concern …
www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206
01087&sid=a5N.x3Ni3wRs&refer=home

Gun attacks in Pakistan’s south kill 26 | Home Other Sections …
KARACHI (AP) – A slew of gun attacks in a major city in southern Pakistan killed at least 26 people, officials said Thursday, rattling a country already tense over a military offensive against Taliban militants in a district near the …
www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=
462781&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Coup in Pakistan ‘fat tail’ event of 2009 “ Pak Alert Press
By pakalert
In a special report on the world’s top 10 “fat tails” – relatively low-likelihood but potentially high-impact events – Eurasia Group identified the chance of a military takeover in Pakistan as the most potentially-significant unexpected …
pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/coup-in-pakistan-
%E2%80%98fat-tail%E2%80%99-event-of-2009/

Pakistan – Pakistan appeals for unity against Taliban (Channel …
PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistan’s leader has called on the nation to unite behind the armed forces as they pressed a new offensive against Taliban militants on Thursday north of the capital Islamabad. …
globalnewsblog.com/blog/2009/04/30/pakistan-pakistan
-appeals-for-unity-against-taliban-channel-newsasia/

Obama: Pakistan threat ‘internal’
Aljazeera.net – Qatar
Barack Obama, the US president, has said Pakistan’s army has begun to realise that the Taliban pose the biggest threat to the country, rather than India. …
english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/04/20094304394947958.html

US sees spike in Afghanistan, Pakistan attacks
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan have risen sharply as extremists have consolidated and expanded operations, according to the …
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM
5h59MYGd0FSBazTPP2acyglDMBeJwD97SCU1O1

Pakistan and Afghanistan: Gordon Brown in urgent need of a plan
Tehran Times – Iran
Few will argue with Gordon Brown’s description of the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan as being a “crucible of terrorism”. …
www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=193474

Epoch Times – Pakistan Troops Seize Town, Obama Says Threat Grave
By Reuters
US President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that Pakistan’s greatest threat was internal, and…
www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/16118/

Informed Comment: Cloughley: PAKISTAN’S ARMY, THE TALIBAN, AND …
By noreply@blogger.com (Juan Cole)
History, Foreign Policy, Middle East, South Asia, Religious Studies, War on Terror.
www.juancole.com/2009/04/cloughley-pakistans-army-taliban-and.html

House requests constraints on Pakistan bill
USA Today – USA
By Adil Khan, Pakistan Conflict Society via Reuters By Ken Dilanian, USA
TODAY WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is opposing attempts by House Democrats …
www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-04-30-pakistan_N.htm

Pentagon ‘concerns’ with Pakistan aid – David S. Cloud – POLITICO.com
By David S. Cloud
Officials say that conditions proposed in Congress may “severely constrain” the US strategy for Pakistan.
www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21907.html

Global Voices Online “ Pakistan: This Is Not Islam
By Rezwan
Pakistan: This Is Not Islam. Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 22:24 UTC …
Full Category List. Education · English · Pakistan · Religion· Roundups · South Asia · War & Conflict. Excerpt. no excerpt. Post-Thumbnail. No Thumbnail …
globalvoicesonline.org/2009/04/29/pakistan-this-is-not-islam/

Derek Flood: Is Pakistan Becoming Afghanistan? A Lament
By Derek Flood
A realist, international approach with real leadership is required if Pakistan is to be saved and Afghanistan is not to be lost.
www.huffingtonpost.com/derek-flood/is-
pakistan-becoming-afgh_b_193275.html

Saving Afghanistan from Pakistan By Christian Brose | Shadow …
By Christian Brose
Reading the news out of Pakistan these past several days, followed by Dave Kilcullen’s recent testimony on that subject, I am left with the desire to take a bath with a toaster. Here’s Andrew Exum’s more thoughtful yet equally glum …
shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/04/
29/saving_afghanistan_from_pakistan

Pakistan retakes ground from militants, but will it follow through …
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s military Wednesday used air strikes, artillery and helicopter-borne commandos to recapture the main city in the North West Frontier Province district of Buner from Islamist insurgents, but the militants …
www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/67186.html

Pakistan Faces ‘Crisis’ as Thousands Flee Fighting | OneWorld.net …
By iwahlstrom
“Pakistan is now facing a serious displacement crisis, as hundreds of thousands have been forced out of their homes, including tens of thousands now living in camps formerly used to house Afghan refugees,” said Sam Zarifi, Asia-Pacific …
us.oneworld.net/article/362102-displacement-
crisis-thousands-flee-northwest-pakistan

Pakistan’s ridiculous ambassador – Bird_Dog’s blog – RedState
By Bird_Dog (Profile)
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States penned a ridiculous piece in the Wall Street Journal today, rife with strawmen, bullsh*t and whining. If you’re concerned about the Taliban’s ongoing takeover of large parts of the country, …
www.redstate.com/bird_dog/2009/04/29/
pakistans-ridiculous-ambassador/

Obama warns US has ‘huge interests’ in Pakistan
AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) — President Barack Obama has voiced worries about the weakness of Pakistan’s government and did not rule out US intervention if the Islamic …
www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5hqulFCvDbmetDMxtzz05A5LcQswg

Obama Expresses Concern on Pakistan and Defends Torture Memo Release
New York Times – United States
Speaking at a prime-time news conference on his 100th day in office, Mr. Obama called the government in Pakistan, where army forces are at war with Taliban …
www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html

Obama: Militants unlikely to get Pakistan’s nukes
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says he is confident Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal will stay out of militants’ hands. But he said he is“gravely …
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jT98_
7-IBjZU8mjfio06aNUn_64wD97SFBAG0

British PM unveils new counter-terrorism strategy for Afghanistan …
Xinhua – China
LONDON, April 29 (Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday unveiled a new counter-terrorism strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, …
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/29/content_11283939.htm

29 April, 2009

US readies $1bn gift for Pak
Times of India – India
WASHINGTON: The Obama administration and the Democrat-controlled US Congress are rushing to get a billion-dollar emergency aid package for Pakistan …
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/US-readies-1bn-
gift-for-Pakistan/articleshow/4461406.cms

At least 20 killed in Pakistan’s Karachi: officials
AFP
KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) — At least 20 people were killed and 24 others injured in armed clashes in Pakistan’s financial capital Karachi on Wednesday, …
www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5hIZCql2WtGXFa_NTQHWPT1LZGUaw

Morning Brief: Pakistan begins to fight back | FP Passport
By Joshua Keating
Pakistan’s redeployment of troops away from the border with India its troubled Northwest comes after heavy U.S. criticism that it was not doing enough to fight the Taliban on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and domestic outrage over the …
blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/04/29/
morning_brief_pakistan_begins_to_fight_back

Epoch Times – Pakistan Troops Take Town, Kill Over 50 Taliban
By Reuters
Pakistani troops took the main town in the Buner Valley on Wednesday after dropping by helicopter behind Taliban lines.
www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/16098/

Pakistan launches offensive against encroaching Taliban | Worldfocus
By Worldfocus
This week, Pakistan’s military went on the offensive against the Taliban and recaptured a key town in the strategic Buner district, just 60 miles from Islamabad. Walter Russell Mead, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, …
worldfocus.org/blog/2009/04/29/pakistan-launches-
offensive-against-encroaching-taliban/5180/

Pakistan: Security forces kill militants in northwest – Adnkronos …
By webinfo@adnkronos.com
(AKI) – By Syed Saleem Shahzad – Pakistani security forces claimed to have killed 50 militants in an operation in which they regained control of North West Frontier Province’s Buner…
www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3260708044

Pakistan Reports Gains Against Militants | Soldier of Fortune
By SOF Editor
Pakistan’s military has struggled to battle Taliban militants in the northwest in recent years, partly because of heavy casualties on civilian populations. Previous military operations have ended in truces. …
www.sofmag.com/wp/2009/04/29/
pakistan-reports-gains-against-militants/

US House to speed war funds amid Pakistan concerns
Reuters – USA
Hoyer said a day earlier that officials were considering whether to vote separately on some aid to Pakistan as early as next week, amid US concern about …
www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2944582120090429

Terror camp recruits Waheed Ali and Mohammed Shakil jailed
Times Online – UK
Waheed Ali and Mohammed Shakil were arrested while boarding a flight to Pakistan to train with the Taleban to fight British Forces in Afghanistan.…
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6194923.ece

Ethnic violence erupts in Karachi
Aljazeera.net – Qatar
At least 18 people have been killed and 24 others injured in clashes in Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, hospital officials say. …
english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/04/2009429193253995533.html

Pakistan concerned about US plan in Afghanistan: US general
AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Pakistan has voiced concern that US reinforcements in Afghanistan’s south could push Taliban insurgents and refugees over its porous …
www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5icix_cvV1ShfLHP5HZEI6jxsg_YA

20 killed as violence breaks out in Karachi
Press Trust of India – New Delhi,India
Karachi, Apr 29 (PTI) At least 20 people were killed and 22 others wounded as widespread violence broke out in different parts of Pakistan’s biggest city …
www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/8AADB3A0
1DA490D5652575A700636F2E?OpenDocument

Pakistan Reports Gains Against Militants
Voice of America – USA
By Barry Newhouse Pakistan’s military said attack helicopters have killed more than 50 Taliban fighters in Buner district, which was overrun by militants …
www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-29-voa13.cfm

Pakistan wrests control of town from Taliban
Los Angeles Times – CA,USA
By Mubashir Zaidi and Mark Magnier Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan, and Lahore, Pakistan — Pakistani commandos dropped from helicopters today into an …
www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-
pakistan-fighting30-2009apr30,0,6695106.story

Suspected US missile strike kills six in Pakistan
AFP
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) — A missile strike by a suspected US drone on Wednesday killed at least six militants in northwest Pakistan’s tribal area bordering …
www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5iL9YzPhV9Z5ygEQBiLZqqGPPm9uw

Firing kills at least 23 people in Pakistan’s Karachi
Xinhua – China
ISLAMABAD, April 29 (Xinhua) — At least 23 people were killed and 22 others wounded in firing in the southern port city of Karachi in Pakistan on Wednesday …
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/30/content_11284044.htm

The Weekly Standard
By Bill Roggio
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and others have expressed “a very real concern” about the eroding security situation in Pakistan in recent weeks, Morrell told reporters. …
www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/
2009/04/pakistan_hope_is_not_a_strateg_1.asp

Pakistan Regains Buner From Taliban: Military
By The Huffington Post News Editors
Pakistani troops have regained control of the strategic town of Buner from the Taliban in the country’s North West Frontier Province, a military spokesman has said.
www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/
pakistan-regains-buner-fr_n_192739.html

Pakistan retakes town, kill over 50 Taliban
Pakistani troops took the main town in strategically important Buner Valley
on Wednesday after dropping.
www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1545316

Beheaded Polish Geologist’s Body Returned From Pakistan
By The Huffington Post News Editors
WARSAW, Poland — The remains of a Polish geologist beheaded by Islamic militants in Pakistan were returned Wednesday to Poland in a casket draped in the two countries’ flags and covered in flowers. Piotr Stanczak’s body was flown to …
www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/
beheaded-polish-geologist_n_192757.html

India worse than Pakistan, Bangladesh on nourishment | Pakistan Daily
India is worse than Bangladesh and Pakistan when it comes to nourishment and is showing very little improvement in the area despite big money being spent on it, says Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed.
www.daily.pk/world/asia/9820-india-worse-than-
pakistan-bangladesh-on-nourishment.html

PM’s speech about the strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan …
A speech to the House of Commons by the Prime Minister about the Government’s strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
www.number10.gov.uk/Page19166

‘US drone attack’ kills 10 in Pakistan
PRESS TV – Tehran,Iran
Suspected US missile strikes have killed at least ten people, injuring several others in the troubled tribal region in northwestern Pakistan. …
www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=92993&sectionid=351020401

US appears split over missile strikes in Pakistan
Reuters – USA
Like Pakistan’s northwestern tribal areas, Baluchistan and its provincial capital Quetta provide a safe haven for Islamist militants intent on carrying out …
www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN29388134

Britain to Add 700 Troops to Afghan War
New York Times – United States
By ALAN COWELL LONDON — Calling the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan “the crucible for global terrorism,” Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed …
www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/world/europe/30britain.html?ref=world

7/7 bombers’ friends jailed over terror training camp plans
guardian.co.uk – UK
The pair, who were arrested as they were about to board a flight to Pakistan in 2007, were found guilty of conspiracy to attend a terrorist training camp. …
www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/29/7-7-bombs-camp-sentence

Pakistan must be saved from collapse
The Australian – Sydney,Australia
Like US President Barack Obama, Rudd has appointed a special envoy — in this case former Defence Department head Ric Smith — for Afghanistan and Pakistan. …
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25405533-7583,00.html

Britain to boost Afghan troops, stresses Pak links
AFP
The British leader, who has just visited the region, underlined the threat from Al-Qaeda and its allies in both countries, and said Pakistan’s President …
www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5hpLt1t6M1p4rCsoVyS0aMmT4Elow

Pakistan on alert for swine flu epidemic
Xinhua – China
ISLAMABAD, April 29 (Xinhua) — Pakistan has taken precautionary measures at airports and sea ports to monitor the swine flu virus, a health official said …
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/29/content_11283004.htm

Pakistan: Army ‘retakes’ key Buner town in offensive – Adnkronos …
By webinfo@adnkronos.com
(AKI/DAWN) – Pakistani troops say they have taken control of the main town in Buner district in the country’s in a major military operation against the Taliban. A military spokesman…
www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3259408171

Jihad Watch: “The complete Islamization of Pakistan has been the …
By director@jihadwatch.org
“Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Former Emir of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami: ‘The Dawn of an Islamic Revolution is Around the Corner; This is the Era of a Global Muslim Renaissance – As Slavery’s Shackles Are Breaking and the Enemies of Islam Are On …
www.jihadwatch.org/archives/025882.php

Pakistan says 50 Taliban killed in Buner operation
Reuters – USA
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani security forces have killed 50 Taliban and lost one soldier in an operation to drive the militants out of the …
uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE53S2S920090429

Afghanistan and Pakistan: Obama’s First 100 Days
Huffington Post – New York,NY,USA
George W. Bush never got this when it came to Afghanistan and Pakistan—which his administration began ignoring only months after 9/11.…
www.huffingtonpost.com/brandon-friedman/
afghanistan-and-pakistan_b_192625.html

Pakistan Claims to Retake Town From Taliban
New York Times – United States
By CARLOTTA GALL and ELISABETH BUMILLER ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — After a week of strong criticism here and abroad over its inaction, the Pakistani military …
www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/world/asia/30pstan.html?ref=asia

US ‘losing control’ in Afghanistan
Aljazeera.net – Qatar
As part of the review on US policy on Afghanistan and Pakistan unveiled in March, he also said he was sending 4000 US troops to train Afghan security forces …
english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/
2009/04/200942903158769529.html

How Pakistan became the ‘crucible of terrorism’
Telegraph.co.uk – United Kingdom
The mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been the “breeding ground” for terrorists intent on attacking the British since the days of the Raj. …
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/
5232444/How-Pakistan-became-the-crucible-of-terrorism.html

UN urged to talk to militants in Pakistan – GEO.tv
GENEVA: Fighting along the Pakistan border with Afghanistan has forced up to 1 million Pakistanis from their homes _ a crisis that has remained largely hidden because aid agencies find it too dangerou.
www.geo.tv/4-29-2009/40941.htm

Pakistan Launches Buner Offensive — News from Antiwar.com
By Jason Ditz
The Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sparked international concern when they sent a heavily armed group of what they described as preachers to the district, some 60 miles from the capital city of Islamabad, and in short order reports …
news.antiwar.com/2009/04/28/pakistan-launches-buner-offensive/

Pakistan: Security forces target militants in Buner – Adnkronos …
By webinfo@adnkronos.com
(AKI/DAWN) – Pakistani security forces on Tuesday launched a major military operation against Taliban militants in the Buner district of the North West Frontier Province. The operation…
www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3257879177

Pakistan drops troops behind Taliban lines
Reuters – USA
BUNER, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani troops dropped from helicopters onto hillsides behind Taliban fighters holding entrances to the Buner valley,…
uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKSP47824920090429

Taliban Advance in Pakistan Prompts Shift by US
Washington Post – United States
By Karen DeYoung The Pakistani government’s inability to stem Taliban advances has forced the Obama administration to recalibrate its Afghanistan-Pakistan …
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/
article/2009/04/28/AR2009042803795.html

Frosty beginning to Brown’s new deal for Pakistan
Sydney Morning Herald – Sydney,Australia
Photo: AP THE British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has attempted to brush off an apparent snub by Pakistan as it protested against the arrest and planned …
www.smh.com.au/world/frosty-beginning-to-browns-
new-deal-for-pakistan-20090428-am1u.html

Terrorists filter into Africa
Atlanta Journal Constitution – GA, USA
Military and counterterrorism officials cautioned that the movements of the al-Qaida militants do not suggest they are abandoning the ungoverned Pakistan …
www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/04/29/terror0429.html

US Looks to Accelerate Emergency Aid to Islamabad
Wall Street Journal – USA
By YOCHI J. DREAZEN AND GREG HITT WASHINGTON — US officials praised Pakistan for Tuesday’s intensified military offensive against the Taliban and were …
online.wsj.com/article/SB12409677541
3166565.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

U.S. training of Pakistan army to grow
Los Angeles Times – CA,USA
Washington has been watching with growing alarm as Taliban forces have made military gains in Pakistan and US officials have stepped up pressure on …
www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/
la-fg-us-pakistan29-2009apr29,0,3805869.story

US lauds Pakistan move against Taliban – GEO.tv
WASHINGTON: The United States on Tuesday welcomed Pakistans military operations against Taliban militants in the northwest and voiced hope the offensive would be sustained.”We think that the.
www.geo.tv/4-29-2009/40926.htm

PM and Pakistan Prime Minister Joint Press Conference | Number10 …
By anon
A transcript of a joint press press conference given by the Prime Minister the Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 27 April 2009.
www.number10.gov.uk/Page19148

Pakistan begins new offensive against Taliban | Stuff.co.nz
New Zealand’s source for Israel, Palestine and Middle East News on Stuff.co.nz.
www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/2371043/
Pakistan-begins-new-offensive-against-Taliban

Fix Pakistan, Tie Strings to US Aid “ Blog Archive “ DoD Buzz
By Colin Clark
America’s national security interests lie fundamentally in Pakistan, not in Afghanistan, and the United States needs a strategy beyond throwing money at the Pakistanis, according to Fred Kagan, one of the architects of the…
www.dodbuzz.com/2009/04/28/fix-pakistan-tie-strings-to-us-aid/

Defendant ended up at Pakistan training camp ‘by accident’, jury told
guardian.co.uk – UK
Huddled on a freezing Pakistan mountainside with just a couple of sleeping bags for warmth after getting lost hiking to the summit as night fell, …
www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/29/july-7-trial-camps