The Entrance To The Sant Nenuram Temple Inside The Ashram In Islamkot, Tharparkar, Where Three Men Allegedly Tried To Steal The Silver Statue Of The Saint On Jan 9-- Fahim Siddiqu/White Star
Indian-Origin Imam Conferred Honorary Doctorate By UK University
Dozens Of Juvenile Offenders Face Death In Iran: Amnesty
Battle For Interfaith Harmony In Islamkot, Pakistan
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India
Slogans of ISIS, terror threats scribbled on Mahatma Gandhi statue in Jaipur
4 'Iraqi men' go missing; alert sounded in Odisha
Goa: Syrian national detained in threat letter case
I won't leave India. I was born here, will die here: Aamir Khan on intolerance
R-Day: India, Pak troops exchange sweets along LoC
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Europe
Islamic State jihadists planning 'large-scale' terror attacks in Europe, says Europol
UN sees Syria talks starting on Friday
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Arab World
22 Dead, over 100 Wounded in ISIL Double Bombing in Homs, Syria
Saudi Officer, 5 Soldiers Killed in Yemeni Forces' Ambush in Najran
Militants Suffer Heavy Casualties in Syrian Army's Missile Attacks North of Dara'a
Al-Nusra Confiscates People's Houses, Properties in Syria's Idlib
Report: ISIL Transfers Cash from Nineveh Banks
Gov't Forces Complete Control over Key City of Sheikh Meskeen South of Syria
Iraqi Kurdish Forces Advance in Kirkuk Province, Approach ISIL Stronghold in Huweija
Hezbollah Fighters Enter Terrorist-Controlled Areas in Syria's Idlib Province
Syrian Army, NDF Continue to Crush Militants in Dara'a
Terrorists Attack Alalam News Crew in Syria
ISIL Pulls Back Forces from More Lands near Aleppo North of Syria
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Pakistan
Battle for interfaith harmony in Islamkot, Pakistan
Bomb attack on school averted in Peshawar, BDS defuses explosive device
MQM announces protest against ban on Altaf’s speeches
Foreign Office summons Afghan diplomat over BKU attack
95 suspects, including 12 Afghan nationals, held in Peshawar
Balochistan: FC kills four criminals in encounter
Europe
Islamic State jihadists planning 'large-scale' terror attacks in Europe, says Europol
Indian-origin imam conferred honorary doctorate by UK university
UN sees Syria talks starting on Friday
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South Asia
Peace talks only with Taliban groups renouncing violence: Afghan govt
10 policemen martyred in Urozgan ‘Insider attack’
Three Taliban killed in Kandahar attack
Taliban commander among four killed in Nangarhar
Sedition case against Khaleda aimed at keeping her away from politics: BNP
Taliban driven out of Badakhshan’s Tagab District
Afghan Security institutions ordered to use every mean in protecting journalists
Afghan NDS busted six terrorist groups in past two weeks
US wants BD political parties to make their voices heard
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Southeast Asia
After Jakarta Attacks, Indonesia Blocks More Than 780,000 Websites That Include Extremism, Porn
Najib Got $681 Million Personal Donation From Saudi Royals, Malaysia Says
Saudi envoy boosts cultural ties with Malaysia universities
Probe clears Malaysian PM Najib
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North America
Report: Americans Dodged Sanctions by Buying Iranian Machinery
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Arfrica
Recognized Libya Parliament rejects UN-backed unity govt
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Slogans Of ISIS, Terror Threats Scribbled On Mahatma Gandhi Statue In Jaipur, India
TNN | Jan 26, 2016, 06.50 AM IST
JAIPUR: Police had to be deployed in the Mojamabad area here after pro-IS slogans and threats of terror attack on Republic Day were found daubed on a statute of Mahatma Gandhi on Monday morning. The statue was defaced using oil paint with religious signs smeared on it.
Local residents closed market for two hours in protest, demanding immediate arrest. The police have lodged an FIR under IPC sections pertaining to sedition and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion.
The police said though they have slapped sedition charges, it seems to be an act of some miscreant. After a quick forensic examination of the spot, the messages were wiped clean to placate the angry locals.
Mojamabad is nearly 70 km from Jaipur city. The messages were found scribbled on the statute at Gandhi Chowk, main market of the town, around 7 am. IG, Jaipur range, DC Jain told TOI that someone scribbled the messages during Sunday night and when people woke up in the morning, they reported to the police about these derogatory messages and threats.
Words like 'ISI' were scribbled on the front portion of the statute, while the rear portion had slogans like IS Zindabad and 26 January ko tabahi ka manjar hoga (January 26 will see scenes of devastation).
Soon a huge crowd gathered at the spot. The superintendent of police (SP), Jaipur rural, Rameshwar Singh and other senior police officers rushed there amid reports of discontent among the locals. The tension drew local politicians including BJP legislator from Dudu Premchand Bairwa.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Slogans-of-IS-terror-threats-scribbled-on-Mahatma-Gandhi-statue/articleshow/50725648.cms
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Indian-Origin Imam Conferred Honorary Doctorate By UK University
PTI | Jan 25, 2016
LONDON: A senior Indian-origin imam has been conferred an honorary doctorate by the University of Leicester in recognition of his work for his local community.
Muhammad Shahid Raza, who serves as Head Imam at Leicester Central Mosque and is a leading Muslim cleric and teacher in the UK, was born in Bihar and studied in Moradabad, Agra and Meerut before moving to the UK.
"The city of Leicester has always been a place of significance in my life since I emigrated here from India in the late '70s. One of my first responsibilities as Imam of Leicester Mosque and then Leicester Central Mosque was to oversee the moral and spiritual education of children," he said in reference to the honour.
"I have always strived to instill in my students a desire to achieve academically and integrate themselves as valuable members and contributors to society. I am delighted to note that many of my former students have gone on to graduate from this university and of those many are now working in this city as civil servants, teachers and doctors or owners of small businesses.
"For this reason I reflect on this award fondly and I hope it will further inspire the young Muslims of Leicester," Raza said.
He was awarded his honorary Doctorate of Laws by University Chancellor Lord Grocott at the university's degree ceremony at De Montfort Hall today before an international audience of graduating students and their families.
Raza leads the Friday prayers at Leicester Central Mosque and is credited with designing and conducting the first in-service training course for imams in the UK.
As executive secretary and registrar of the Muslim Law (Sharia) Council UK, he is engaged in a number of initiatives directed towards the wider community in Britain, Europe and North America through his association with organisations such as the InterFaith Network UK and the InterFaith Youth Trust in London, the university said in a statement.
In the 2008 New Year's Honours list, he was awarded an OBE for services to the Muslim community in Leicester.
Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Foster, Coordinating and Anglican Chaplain to the University of Leicester, said, "Muhammad Shahid Raza has been a hugely influential figure in our city and County as a leading Muslim cleric and teacher over a period approaching 40 years."
"In terms of Interfaith dialogue over that period, again his influence has been profound. As we presently travel sensitive times and roads in interfaith issues, his wisdom and insight into same will continue to be so important both locally and far beyond. The University of Leicester I know honours him...rightly and gratefully so," Foster said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/other-news/Indian-origin-imam-conferred-honorary-doctorate-by-UK-university/articleshow/50712805.cms
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Dozens Of Juvenile Offenders Face Death In Iran: Amnesty
AP, 26 01 16
DUBAI: Dozens of people who were arrested in Iran for crimes committed before they turned 18 remain at risk of the death penalty despite recent reforms, with many having already spent years on death row, according to a report by Amnesty International released on Tuesday.
The London-based group also found that Iran has executed at least 73 juvenile offenders between 2005 and 2015, including at least four last year.
Amnesty's 110-page report intensifies pressure on Iran at a time when Tehran is working to rebuild relations with the West following last year's landmark nuclear deal. The agreement came into force this month after Iran took steps to curb its nuclear program, leading to the lifting of crippling international sanctions.
On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Rome at the start of the first European trip by an Iranian president in almost two decades. The visit, which will also include stops at the Vatican and France, is expected to lead to a raft of business and trade deals.
Iran is one of the world's largest users of the death penalty, ranking second behind China in 2014, according to the most recent figures from Amnesty.
Most executions overall in Iran are carried out for drug smuggling. The country straddles a major narcotics trafficking route linking opium-producing fields in Afghanistan to Europe.
Amnesty's researchers were able to identify the names and locations of 49 juvenile offenders who face the death penalty, though the group notes that actual numbers could be higher.
A 2014 United Nations report put the number of juvenile offenders at risk of execution at more than 160.
The majority of the 73 juvenile offenders Amnesty identified who were put to death over the past decade were convicted of murder. Others were executed for crimes such as rape, drug-related crimes and national security offenses such as “enmity against God".
The group noted that reforms introduced in 2013 give judges more discretion to take into account juvenile offenders' mental maturity and potentially impose less harsh punishments, and that the Supreme Court has since said juvenile offenders facing execution could have their cases retried.
Additional reforms introduced last year require that cases involving juveniles must be heard in special juvenile courts.
Still, Amnesty urged Iran to do more.
“Despite some juvenile justice reforms, Iran continues to lag behind the rest of the world, maintaining laws that permit girls as young as nine and boys as young as 15 to be sentenced to death,” Amnesty said.
Iranian officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
In late October, the UN special investigator on the human rights situation in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, warned that executions in Iran have risen at an “exponential rate” since 2005 and could top 1,000 in 2015.
He said Iran puts more people to death per capita than any other country, adding that the majority of executions do not conform to international laws banning the death penalty for juveniles and non-violent offenders.
The head of Iran's Human Rights Council, Mohammad Javad Larijani, subsequently dismissed the UN report as “a collection of baseless accusations".
dawn.com/news/1235507/dozens-of-juvenile-offenders-face-death-in-iran-amnesty
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India
4 'Iraqi men' go missing; alert sounded in Odisha
PTI | Jan 26, 2016
BHUBANESWAR: A high alert has been sounded in Odisha after four men, presenting themselves as Iraqi nationals, disappeared when asked to produce their identity proof at a hotel here on Monday night, with police suspecting them to be terrorists.
The four men, with an estimated height of 6.5 feet and speaking in Hindi or English, came to the hotel in a car with a Delhi registration number which turned out to be fake, police said.
"The four persons who fled the hotel before the police reached there could be terrorists ... The four suspected terrorists had claimed to be natives of Iraq," said director general of police (DGP) K B Singh.
"They came in a car bearing Delhi number plate. However, verification of the car's registration number showed that it was fake," he added.
Siba Narayan Mohapatra, the hotel manager who interacted with one of the four men, said "While one of them came to the hotel reception desk, three others were inside the car parked outside. The CCTV has captured the picture of one suspected terrorist and the vehicle used by them."
Commissioner of Police RP Sharma said they had come to stay in the hotel at about 9 pm last night but fled when they were asked to produce identity proof before being given rooms.
"The four persons wanted two rooms at the Hotel Arya Mahal," Sharma said, adding the police got information from the hotel staff who suspected their movement.
The police have seized the CCTV footage from the hotel.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/4-Iraqi-men-go-missing-alert-sounded-in-Odisha/articleshow/50731706.cms?
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Goa: Syrian national detained in threat letter case
PTI | Jan 26, 2016
AJI: A Syrian national has been detained in connection with a letter threatening to harm Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Manohar Parrikar, police said on Tuesday.
Goa Police has detained one person last night. The interrogation is on, chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who also holds the Home portfolio, told reporters on the sidelines of an event here on Tuesday without divulging further details.
According to police sources, two more people - a Yemenese and a Nigerian - have been detained from a casino in Baga and are being quizzed by ATS, which is probing the case.
Sources said that Calangute police is also interrogating them. The trio were overstaying here after expiry of their visa.
However, Inspector General of Police, Sunil Garg only confirmed interrogation of a Syrian national in the case and remained tight-lipped about other detentions.
The threat letter, purportedly signed by ISIS, was received by the state secretariat on January 13.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-Syrian-national-detained-in-threat-letter-case/articleshow/50731277.cms
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I won't leave India. I was born here, will die here: Aamir Khan on intolerance
PTI | Jan 25, 2016, 09.29 PM IST
MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, whose "leaving India" comments linked to the "intolerance" debate had kicked up a huge controversy, on Monday said he never meant that he wanted to leave the country.
Asserting that no other country is as diverse as India, Aamir, 50, said, "I was born here and I will die here."
Aamir's comments came on a day when he came under fresh attack from fellow actor Akshay Kumar who said "ups and downs" happen in every nation and one should not start giving "bold" statements.
"I never said India was intolerant or I wanted to leave the country. I also understand the emotions of those who were hurt. I would like to say that my statement was misunderstood and to some extent media is responsible for it. I was born here and I will die here," Aamir said at a press conference here on the eve of of his 2006 superhit "Rang De Basanti" completing ten years.
"Our country is diverse with so many languages, culture...no other country has so much diversity as India," he said, adding, "Whenever I go abroad I can't stay away from my country more than two weeks. I get homesick".
Aamir's statement last November that he was "alarmed" by a number of incidents and that his wife Kiran Rao even suggested that they should probably leave the country had triggered a nationwide outrage. He was recently replaced as the brand ambassador of 'Incredible India' campaign.
"As an individual, as part of this country as a citizen, we read in the papers what is happening, we see it on the news and certainly, I have been alarmed. I can't deny. I have been alarmed by a number of incidents," he had said when asked to comment on perception of rising intolerance.
"When I chat with Kiran at home, she says 'Should we move out of India?' That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make. She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day," he had said.
After the controversy broke out over his remarks, Aamir came out with a clarification, asserting that he stood by what he said and "neither I, nor my wife Kiran, have any intention of leaving the country."
"I stand by everything that I have said in my interview. To all those people who are calling me anti-national, I would like to say that I am proud to be Indian, and I do not need anyone's permission nor endorsement for that. To all the people shouting obscenities at me for speaking my heart out, it saddens me to say you are only proving my point," he had said in his clarfication.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/I-wont-leave-India-I-was-born-here-will-die-here-Aamir-Khan-on-intolerance/articleshow/50721995.cms
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R-Day: India, Pak troops exchange sweets along LoC
PTI | Jan 26, 2016,
INAGAR: Indian and Pakistani troops deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday exchanged sweets on the occasion of Republic Day.
Personnel of the 12 Infantry Brigade of the army exchanged sweets with their Pakistani counterparts at Kaman Post in Uri sector on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Road, defence sources said.
They said sweets were also exchanged with Pakistani troops at Teetwal in Tangdhar sector of Kashmir.
Despite ceasefire violations and infiltration bids from across the border, the exchange of sweets between army personnel of India and Pakistan along the LoC on their respective days of national importance has been a regular feature.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/R-Day-India-Pak-troops-exchange-sweets-along-LoC/articleshow/50731341.cms?
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Europe
Islamic State jihadists planning 'large-scale' terror attacks in Europe, says Europol
Adam Withnall | The Independent | Jan 25, 2016, 08.45 PM IST
French CRS riot police. (Reuters file photo)French CRS riot police. (Reuters file photo)
Islamic State jihadists are planning "large-scale" terror attacks and focusing primarily on European targets, Europol has said.
The police agency launched a new Europe-wide counterterror initiative on Monday, and warned that the threat from Islamic State was the worst the continent has faced in more than 10 years.
Rob Wainwright, the director of Europol, said militants had developed a new combat strategy to attack major European cities, and the agency also cited the growing number of Isis foreign fighters as "posing new challenges for EU members states".
But amid growing attempts to link such challenges to the intake of more than one million refugees into Europe last year, the police agency said in a report that there was "no concrete evidence" to suggest this was the case.
Releasing the findings of an expert review into the Paris shootings of 13 November, Europol said it had found nothing to suggest "that terrorist travellers systematically use the flow of refugees to enter Europe unnoticed".
Rather, it warned of the risk to Europe if those who do arrive are turned away from their adopted countries into the hands of jihadist recruiters.
The agency said: "It is possible that elements of the (Sunni Muslim) Syrian refugee diaspora in Europe may be vulnerable to radicalisation. Indeed there are reports that refugee centres are being specifically targeted by Islamic extremist recruiters."
At a press conference in Amsterdam on Monday, Europol launched the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC), and said that its review of the Paris shootings revealed the importance of EU members sharing intelligence.
"Our ambition is for the European Counter Terrorism Centre to become a central information hub in the fight against terrorism in the EU, providing analysis for ongoing investigations and contributing to a coordinated reaction in the event of major terrorist attacks," Mr Wainwright said.
Europol said that, after the Paris attacks, there is "every reason to expect that Isis will undertake a terrorist attack somewhere in Europe again... intended to cause mass casualties amongst the civilian population".
"Intelligence suggests Isis has developed an external action command trained for special forces style attacks in the international environment," it added.
Ard van der Steur, the Dutch justice minister, said at the launch of the ECTC that it will "improve the exchange of information between law enforcement agencies".
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/Islamic-State-jihadists-planning-large-scale-terror-attacks-in-Europe-says-Europol/articleshow/50721412.cms
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UN sees Syria talks starting on Friday
REUTERS
26 January 2016
GENEVA: Talks on ending the war in Syria are expected to start on Friday and take six months, although invitations have still not been sent due to “intense disagreements,” the UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said.
“There are political risks. And you will hear them as soon as you will hear the fact that I intend to do them on the 29th and that we will be issuing invitations tomorrow,” said De Mistura, who hopes to send out invitations on Tuesday.
Discussions on who should take part were ongoing in various capitals, including Washington, Moscow, Ankara and Riyadh, he said.
The first phase of talks would last 2-3 weeks, with a focus on a cease-fire, stopping Islamic State and increasing humanitarian aid. Governance, a constitutional review and future UN sponsored elections would also be priorities, he said.
“I can tell you in advance, don’t be surprised, there will be a lot of posturing, a lot of walk-outs or walk-ins because a bomb has fallen or because someone has done an attack, and you will see that happening. You should neither be depressed or impressed, but it’s likely to happen.
“The important thing is that we keep the momentum.”
The talks, often referred to as “Geneva 3” because of two previous UN processes that failed to stop the war, will also include women’s groups, civil society and others, and De Mistura will begin with shuttle diplomacy between various camps, with “proximity” talks rather than face-to-face negotiations.
arabnews.com/middle-east/news/870501
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South Asia
Sedition case against Khaleda aimed at keeping her away from politics: BNP
January 26, 2016
New Age Online
Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday claimed that sedition case was filed against the party chairperson, Khaleda Zia, to keep her away from politics by distorting her statement.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir flanked by the senior leaders came up with the allegation at a news conference at the party central office to give the party’s view on filing sedition case against Khaleda on Monday.
He said filing cases over corruption, sabotage acts and finally sedition charges against Khaleda proved that Awami League is afraid of her and wants to keep the BNP chief away from politics failing to face her politically.
Fakhrul categorically said that the case was ‘ill-motivated’ to serve ‘political vendetta’ centering a small part of her statement made at a rally of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal on December 21 last year.
Her statement had no comment that deserves sedition charge, he said.
He condemned filing of the sedition case and demanded immediate withdrawal of all cases including the sedition one.
The Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Monday summoned Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia to appear before it on March 3 in a sedition case for her recent remarks about the figure of martyrs of the 1971 war of independence.
newagebd.net/196979/sedition-case-against-khaleda-aimed-at-keeping-her-away-from-politics-bnp/#sthash.ETAfNJhY.dpuf
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Peace talks only with Taliban groups renouncing violence: Afghan govt
By KHAAMA PRESS - Mon Jan 25 2016
The Afghan government on Monday said peace talks will only take place with the Taliban groups renouncing violence as efforts are underway to revive the stalled peace process amid rampant Taliban-led insurgency.
Deputy presidential spokesman Syed Zafar Hashemi told reporters that trilateral and quadrilateral meetings between Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and United States will continue as part of efforts for the Afghan peace process.
Insisting on immediate end to war and violence by the militant groups as key condition to revive peace talks, Hashemi further added that the quadrilateral meetings focus on creation of a roadmap for peace talks with the Taliban group.
Hashemi also added that the achievements of the Afghan people including freedom of speech would be considered as the government, emphasizing that the militant groups entering peace talks with the government must adopt international norms and standards as the key principle of the reconciliation process.
The remarks by comes as the Taliban-led insurgency have been rampant during the recent months with the Taliban group offering pre-conditions for the revival of the peace talks.
The group issued a statement following Pagwash Conference held from 23rd to 25th January in Doha, the capital city of Qatar.
Taliban demanded establishment of official office for the group, removal of blacklist and prize list, and release of prisoners were among the key demands of the group before the formal start of the peace process.
http://www.khaama.com/peace-talks-only-with-taliban-groups-renouncing-violence-afghan-govt-0046
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10 policemen martyred in Urozgan ‘Insider attack’
By KHAAMA PRESS - Tue Jan 26 2016,
10 policemen have embraced martyrdom in an ‘insider attack’ at a security post in central Urozgan province.
Officials suspect that Taliban had established links with a policeman at the same security post in Chinartu District for coordinating the attack on Monday night.
The policeman reportedly had mixed chemicals in the dinner to make his colleagues unconscious.
Local officials say the policeman alone or together with Taliban have sprayed bullets on the unconscious policemen.
Ammunition and weapons are also missing from the check post and a police vehicle burned following the attack.
Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.
It comes about a week after a policeman martyred nine colleagues in a similar attack in another part of Urozgan province.
Four policemen were martyred in an ‘insider attack’ in Urozgan’s neighboring Kandahar province about 10 days before.
This part of the country has been the scene of most of the insider attacks.
In the middle of 2014, policemen from inside a security post in Gezab District of Urozgan province had established links with Taliban which led to attack on the same post leaving 10 policemen martyred.
http://www.khaama.com/10-policemen-martyred-in-urozgan-insider-attack-4517
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Three Taliban killed in Kandahar attack
By KHAAMA PRESS - Mon Jan 25 2016
Three Taliban militants have been killed in attack on police in Spin Boldak District of southern Kandahar province.
Samim Khpalwak, spokesperson for the governor of Kandahar province while confirming the attack said it started with a suicide blast at a police center about 01:30 PM this afternoon.
He added that other militants started a gun battle with security forces following the suicide bombing which lasted for about 30 minutes.
Officials had not released details of possible casualties to security forces by the time this report was filed.
Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Kandahar is comparatively a restive province where armed militants are operating in its far flung areas but they often hit targets in the provincial capital as well. The province has seen some deadly Taliban attacks in the past.
http://www.khaama.com/suicide-bombing-rocks-spin-boldak-district-of-kandahar-4515
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Taliban commander among four killed in Nangarhar
By KHAAMA PRESS - Tue Jan 26 2016
A Taliban commander and three other militants have been killed by military and police in eastern Nangarhar province.
A statement released by the 201st Selab Military Corps in the country’s east states that Qari Rafiullah, a prominent commander of Taliban, was killed during operation Shaheen 13 in Koz Behar area of Khogyani District on Monday.
The statement adds that two companions of Qari Rafiullah sustained injuries in the operation.
Operation Shaheen 13 has been jointly launched by military, police and personnel from the National Directorate of Security (NDS).
Meanwhile, police have rebuffed a militant attack in Hesarak District of Nangarhar province.
A statement released by the police headquarters of Nangarhar states that militants launched a coordinated attack on a number of security posts in Hesarak District which faced a befitting response by police.
“Including group commander Mustafa, three armed opponents were killed in the clash,” the statement adds.
Nangarhar which comparatively had better security has become the most restive province in the country’s east.
The province’s security worsened when Daesh emerged in its remote areas about a year ago.
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Taliban driven out of Badakhshan’s Tagab District
By KHAAMA PRESS - Tue Jan 26 2016
Officials say Taliban militants have been driven out of Tagab District of northeastern Badakhshan province.
Ahmad Naweed Ferotan told Khaama Press on Tuesday that the operation to clear all parts of Tagab from Taliban took two days. He said people returned to normal life since yesterday.
“Taliban have been completely driven out of Tagab District,” Firotan said, adding that 15 Taliban were killed and 20 others wounded in the operation that ended yesterday.
Those killed include Qari Mahmood, the so-called governor of Taliban for Warsaj District of Takhar province, and two other commanders of the group namely Qari Mahboob and Talha.
Ferotan further said that two security men also embraced martyrdom in the operation.
According to the governor’s spokesperson Taliban fled to other areas of the province but security forces following them.
“They {Taliban} have fled to Yamgan and Teshkan districts but security forces have been following them,” he said.
http://www.khaama.com/taliban-driven-out-of-badakhshans-tagab-district-4518
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Afghan Security institutions ordered to use every mean in protecting journalists
By KHAAMA PRESS - Tue Jan 26 2016
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has ordered the security institutions to use every mean in protecting media organizations.
President Ghani told this to a visiting delegation of Moby Group at the Presidential Palace ‘ARG’ on Tuesday.
He further said that media is independent and its government’s responsibility to maintain security of the media organizations and their workers.
“Terrorists want to harm freedom of speech and its open atmosphere,” President Ghani said, adding that he has ordered security institutions to use every mean in protecting media organizations.
The President also promised that government would extend assistance to the families of journalists who lost lives in last week’s Taliban attack.
http://www.khaama.com/security-organs-ordered-to-use-every-mean-in-protecting-journalists-4518
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Afghan NDS busted six terrorist groups in past two weeks
By KHAAMA PRESS - Tue Jan 26 2016
The National Directorate of Security (NDS) – Afghanistan’s intelligence agency has busted six terrorist groups in past two weeks.
According to a statement released by NDS on Tuesday, the groups were busted in Logar, Helmand, Kandahar, Takhar, Paktika and Faryab province.
“The terrorists planned to kill people and carry out other terrorist and destructive activities in the mentioned provinces,” the statement adds.
According to the information released, two of the 23 terrorists detained were planning to carry out suicide attacks.
NDS press release further states that three huge depots weapons belonging to the terrorists were also discovered during the past two weeks in which several different types of heavy and lights weapons, ammunition and bombs were found.
http://www.khaama.com/nds-busted-six-terrorist-groups-in-past-two-weeks-4518
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US wants BD political parties to make their voices heard
January 25, 2016
New Age Online
US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat met Khaleda Zia on Monday evening, and urged all political parties to make their voices heard in a peaceful manner.
‘I appreciated the opportunity to hear Khaleda Zia’s thoughts on the political situation in Bangladesh,’ she said in a statement after the meeting.
The US envoy also said Bangladesh’s commitment to democracy has played an essential role in the country’s development. ‘I urge all political parties to make their voices heard in a peaceful manner.’
The two-hour meeting between Khaleda Zia and Bernicat was held at the BNP chief’s Gulshan residence from 6:30pm.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, BNP senior leader Abdul Moyeen Khan said the country’s latest situation, including politics, economics, law and order and democracy, came up for discussions at the meeting.
Noting that Bangladesh carries a great importance to other countries in the era of globalisation of politics for its geographical location, he said, ‘This is why the world’s most powerful country is a little bit worried about Bangladesh.’
newagebd.net/196681/us-wants-bd-political-parties-to-make-their-voices-heard/#sthash.4juHUCFT.dpuf
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Southeast Asia
Najib Got $681 Million Personal Donation From Saudi Royals, Malaysia Says
By YANTOULTRA NGUI and TOM WRIGHT
Updated Jan. 26, 2016
KUALA LUMPUR—A nearly $700 million transfer to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s alleged private bank account before a 2013 election was a “personal donation” from Saudi Arabia’s royal family and not illegal, a Malaysian investigating body said.
The nation’s top prosecutor, Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali, said all but $61 million of the $681 million transferred in March of that year was returned to the Saudis five months later.
Mr. Apandi said he ordered Malaysia’s anti-corruption body to close its probe into the transfers, which sparked mass street protests against the prime minister after they became public last summer.
Still, Tuesday’s finding is unlikely to quell controversy about the funds.
The four-page statement didn’t address several issues that Malaysians have sought answers to, such as: Who specifically donated the money?; Why was it donated?; And what happened to the money that wasn’t returned?
Although the statement said that the Saudi donor didn’t expect anything in return from Mr. Najib “in relation to his capacity as a prime minister,” the finding could raise questions about the extent of foreign influence over Malaysia’s political establishment. The funds were received shortly before a closely-contested general election in 2013.
Mr. Najib, who came to power in 2009, has made efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s diplomatic and business ties with Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a center for Islamic finance. The two nations are also majority Sunni Muslim though Saudi Arabia practices a more austere version than moderate Malaysia.
“This is a no-win situation for Najib. Despite the AG decision, public perception will not be on his side,” said Wan Saiful Wan Jan, chief executive of Malaysia-based think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs.
“This issue has been an unnecessary distraction for the country,” Mr. Najib said in a statement. “Now that the matter has been comprehensively put to rest, it is time for us to unite and move on.”
A spokesman for the Saudi Foreign Ministry said they were looking into the allegations and couldn’t now comment further. The alleged donation was made under the kingdom’s previous monarch, King Abdullah, who died a year ago.
The Wall Street Journal reported in July that an earlier Malaysian government investigation found almost $700 million had entered Mr. Najib’s accounts via banks, companies and entities linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd., or 1MDB, a state fund that Mr. Najib set up in 2009 to foster economic development.
That investigation didn’t name the funds’ source or how they were used. Malaysia’s central bank, the nation’s anti-graft body, a parliamentary committee and the auditor general went on to probe 1MDB and the transfers.
The fund is now saddled with over $11 billion in debt it is having trouble repaying. It was used to help finance Mr. Najib’s victorious 2013 election campaign, the Journal reported in December. Mr. Najib didn’t respond to questions about this.
Critics of Mr. Najib, who say the prime minister has stymied official investigations at home into 1MDB and the transfers, weren’t satisfied by the attorney general’s conclusions.
Mr. Apandi “has provided no new or convincing information or arguments” to show the fund transfers were “bona fide” and not used for corruption, said Tony Pua, an opposition lawmaker.
Malaysia’s former attorney general, who was coordinating investigations into 1MDB, stepped down in July. The government cited health reasons for his departure and Mr. Najib named Mr. Apandi as his successor. Mr. Najib fired a deputy prime minister who had been calling for stepped up investigations into 1MDB’s activities and promoted the head of the parliamentary committee into his cabinet, delaying its probe into the fund.
The committee’s probe, and an investigation of 1MDB by the auditor general, are ongoing.
Malaysia’s central bank in October said it had recommended the attorney general begin criminal proceedings against 1MDB’s management for allegedly breaking foreign-exchange rules. Bank Negara Malaysia said 1MDB had given inaccurate information when seeking to invest $1.83 billion overseas.
But on Tuesday, Mr. Apandi declined to take action, saying there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
Attempts to reach 1MDB for comment weren’t successful. The fund has denied wrongdoing and said it was cooperating with probes being conducted by the central bank and other investigating bodies.
The 1MDB fund had moved the $1.8 billion overseas to invest in a joint venture with a Saudi oil company, PetroSaudi International Ltd., which is owned by a Saudi prince.
The auditor general, in a draft version of its report into 1MDB, a copy of which was viewed by the Journal, found that $700 million of 1MDB funds meant for that venture instead were transferred to another company. Two 1MDB board members resigned in 2009 and early 2010 over the matter, the draft report found. What happened to the funds is unclear.
The 1MDB fund has said it made a profit from the venture. PetroSaudi called the venture profitable for the Malaysian fund.
Overseas, investigations into 1MDB’s activities are continuing in at least five countries. A U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation probe is looking at assets owned by Mr. Najib and his family, including luxury real estate in New York and Los Angeles, according to people familiar with the matter.
The earlier Malaysian government investigation found the $681 million had entered Mr. Najib’s account in 2013 from the account of a British Virgin Islands-based company. The owner of that company wasn’t made public. The firm held its account at the Singapore branch of a Swiss bank owned by an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund which had done business with 1MDB.
The attorney general also said Tuesday there was no evidence that Mr. Najib was aware of—or had approved—separate transfers of around $14 million in late 2014 and early 2015 into his private accounts.
That money entered his accounts from SRC International, a unit of the Finance Ministry, which Mr. Najib also heads, via Ihsan Perdana, which carries out corporate social responsibility for 1MDB, the earlier Malaysian government probe found.
Ihsan Perdana was used as a conduit to send money from 1MDB to politicians from Mr. Najib’s ruling coalition ahead of the 2013 elections, the Journal reported in December.
The former head of SRC International, which formerly was a unit of 1MDB, Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, had power of attorney over Mr. Najib’s accounts, according to a document that formed part of the earlier Malaysian government investigation. Attempts to reach Mr. Kamil were unsuccessful.
wsj.com/articles/malaysias-attorney-general-najib-razak-received-681-million-personal-donation-from-saudi-royals-1453780909?tesla=y
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After Jakarta Attacks, Indonesia Blocks More Than 780,000 Websites That Include Extremism, Porn
BY JACKIE SALO @JACKIE_SALO ON 01/25/16
Indonesia has ramped up efforts to block websites that include pornography or extremist views, officials from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics said Monday. The ministry has now blocked more than 780,000 websites in its efforts to curtail the spread of radicalism, the South China Morning Post reported.
The initiative is a response to Indonesian leaders’ calls for a more comprehensive plan to fight the Islamic State group, Channel NewsAsia reported. Earlier this month, Indonesia faced its first major terrorist attack since 2009 when militants linked to the extremist group, also known as ISIS, attacked the capital, Jakarta. At least two people were killed in the attacks, which unfolded at a Starbucks coffee shop and in the streets.
Rudiantara, the minister of communication and informatics, said even though the initiative was launched last year, radical posts continue to be pervasive on the internet.
The websites and social media accounts containing radicalism have kept emerging sharply since December 2015,” Rudiantara said. “When we blocked one website, another website will emerge with different performance.”
To combat radicalism, the ministry will continue to review social media posts and websites. The ministry also coordinates with the government’s security division. “The panel in the information and communication ministry keeps conducting monitoring,” said Rudiantara.
When the initiative was first announced in April, only 19 websites had been blocked. Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla said the government would be careful to review each website to ensure it blocks only those with radical content.
“Not all of them [will be blocked],” he told Antara News. “We will not block a website simply because it has an Islamic name. Only those clearly promoting radicalism consistently [will be blocked]. If they only carry interpretations or content that are not binding, they will not be selected among those to be blocked.”
ibtimes.com/after-jakarta-attacks-indonesia-blocks-more-780000-websites-include-extremism-porn-2279592
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Saudi envoy boosts cultural ties with Malaysia universities
RODOLFO C. ESTIMO JR.
26 January 2016
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Rasheed recently held talks with Malaysian university administrators on ways of engendering cultural cooperation and scientific research.
The meeting was held to “bolster bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, particularly in the cultural and scientific fields, and to serve Saudi as well as Arab students in the Asian country’s colleges and universities.”
Zayed Al-Harthy from the Saudi cultural attaché’s office, members of the diplomatic corps and other invited guests attended the meeting.
He inquired about Saudi students doing various courses in different universities and colleges in the country and discussed the challenges faced by them and the assistance that could be extended to them.
Records show that there are 2,500 Saudi students in different universities in Malaysia, many of whom are studying under the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program.
The event was a culmination of Al-Rasheed’s efforts in meeting with the Asian country’s officials, with the “end in view of facilitating the issuance of visas for scholarship students.”
Talking about the meeting, the Saudi envoy described it as “good.”
“The meeting was fruitful. We had effective communication and interaction with the Malaysian university officials who promised to extend every assistance possible to Saudi students,” he said.
http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/870606
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Probe clears Malaysian PM Najib
Reuters. Kuala Lumpur / New Age Online
January 26, 2016
Malaysia’s attorney-general cleared prime minister Najib Razak of any criminal offence or corruption on Tuesday, and said a controversial transfer of $681 million into his personal bank account was a gift from Saudi Arabia’s royal family. The leader of the main opposition party denounced the findings, which came after months of pressure on Najib to resign over the scandal, saying the appointment of the attorney-general by the prime minister himself suggested a conflict of interest. The involvement of the Saudi royal family is an unexpected twist in the saga over the mysterious funds transfer and the troubles of indebted state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), whose advisory board Najib chairs. ‘I am satisfied with the findings that the funds were not a form of graft or bribery,’ Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali told a hastily called news conference. Apandi said in a statement that $620 million was returned to the Saudi royal family in August 2013, about five months after the transfer, because it had not been utilised. ‘There was no reason given as to why the donation was made to PM Najib, that is between him and the Saudi family,’ he said. Apandi said no criminal offence was committed by Najib in relation to three investigations submitted by Malaysia’s anti-graft agency and that no further action would be taken. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had earlier said the funds were a political donation from an unidentified Middle Eastern benefactor. The attorney-general said in a statement he would return to the MACC papers pertaining to the three separate investigations with instructions to close all three cases. At the height of the scandal in mid-2015, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail – who had led probes into 1MDB – was replaced by Apandi, a former federal court judge with strong ties to Najib’s United Malays National Organisation party. ‘The attorney-general should not have been involved in the decision affecting the PM because he was appointed by the PM,’ said Lim Kit Siang, parliamentary leader of the opposition Democratic Action Party. ‘It was very controversial circumstances when Gani Patail was sacked. It is a conflict of interest,’ he said. Najib, who has weathered repeated calls from opposition leaders and establishment figures to quit, has denied any wrongdoing and says he did not take any money for personal gain. His office declined to make any comment on the attorney-general’s findings. The scandal has shaken investors in Southeast Asia’s third-biggest economy and rocked public confidence in the coalition led by UMNO, which has held power since independence in 1957. However, Najib still enjoys the backing of most of UMNO’s powerful division chiefs. Even his fiercest internal critics, such as influential former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, accept that he cannot be unseated. Two of the anti-corruption commission papers that Apandi reviewed related to SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary that is being probed for an alleged misappropriation of funds worth 4 billion ringgit ($932 million). A Wall Street Journal report, which Reuters has not verified independently, had said 42 million ringgit ($9.79 million) of the funds channelled into Najib’s account originated from SRC. 1MDB is under investigation by law enforcement agencies in Switzerland, Hong Kong and the United States, media and sources have said. There was no need for Malaysia to seek legal assistance from any foreign state in respect of the donation made to the prime minister’s account, Apandi said, given his findings that no criminal offence had been committed. - See more at: http://newagebd.net/196961/probe-clears-malaysian-pm-najib/#sthash.1JplNagh.dpuf
http://newagebd.net/196961/probe-clears-malaysian-pm-najib/
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Pakistan
Battle for interfaith harmony in Islamkot, Pakistan
SAHER BALOCH — 26 January 2016
ISLAMKOT: Two guards stand right outside the Sant Nenuram ashram in Islamkot, Tharparkar, as former nazim of the area Ghansham Das leads me and a group of elders from the area inside the gates of the sanctuary. Spread over a 10-acre plot with temples and resting places constructed side-by-side, the ashram is a 45-kilometre drive away from the district headquarters Mithi. There are a few people around, some busy in prayer and others making use of the afternoon by taking a nap on a podium besides the main veranda.
The former nazim looks anxious as he starts giving out details of a recent incident at the ashram that made the headlines. On Jan 9, three men — two from Kunri and one from Islamkot — broke through the back door of the ashram after midnight. The three — Ashfaq Bhatti, Arbab Kapri and Sattar Bajeer — were arrested by police after being caught on a CCTV camera inside the temple.
Leading us inside a small temple where a statue of Sant Nenuram is kept behind a glass door with a chador around its shoulders, Das points out that, “the men came after this silver statue”. Though, he says, what he knows is based on the initial statement the police got from the suspects, “it seems like a possible alibi”.
“The glass door is hidden behind the nazrana trunk which they broke open when they couldn’t find the lock of the door, and stole Rs23,533 which is the total sum given to us by the police,” he adds.
Usually, after a day of serving food and water to around 300 people, the doors of the ashram are closed around11:30pm. The first people to witness the broken locks of the nazrana trunks were the usual worshippers who get in around 5am every day. Later, another worshipper recovered a wrench from the water basket after he used it to fetch water from the nearby well. Both instances were shared with the patron of the ashram, Kaka Khushal Das, who informed the police.
Another elder from around the area, Veerji Mal, was informed who then called the local MPA, Mahesh Malani, adds one of the devotees. All of this helped in gaining the timely attention of authorities, who Das says, “needed to be informed before the situation escalated, as the area has a sizeable yet balanced population of Hindus and Muslims of up to 100,000 people”.
The quick response from the caretakers of the ashram and the ministers around the area is the result of an incident that occurred in 2010. Das recalled how “a man from the Bajeer caste from nearby Niyaari village had gotten inside the ashram and vandalised the property. He was arrested soon after local politicians made a lot of hue and cry. The police kept him with them after getting a 14-day remand. Eventually, he was pronounced mentally unstable by the court and let off”.
Soon after the incident, Das installed CCTV cameras while the government sent two guards to ensure security at the ashram. The CCTV cameras, which can be seen on top of various doorways of the ashram, stand out in contrast to the old structure of the building.
Keeping the earlier incident of vandalism in mind, politicians were quick to respond this time around, says Das, 77, who is among the oldest patrons. He was sleeping when the men broke in. “They came from the back door and we know one of them. He used to be a mechanic. We haven’t said anything against anyone and keep to ourselves. We have always had good relations with our Muslims neighbours. However, there are a few reckless people in every community,” he adds.
Though the men have been taken away for the time being and patrons of the ashram hope that they’ll be produced in court for a proper conviction, there is discomfort in the way they speak about the incident. “Such instances make one uncomfortable preaching something the majority does not agree with,” says Das. “We are doing exactly the same thing for the past many years and I hope it continues,” he adds.
Sant Nenuram preached interfaith harmony and as a result majority of his devotees at the annual congregation in September are Muslims, says Kaka Khushal Das. Every day after people are fed inside its premises, those with nowhere to go can sleep on a podium next to the main gates.
Has the recent incident made them raise their guard? “We welcome people of all faiths and don’t want incidents such as the one that occurred recently to dictate our behaviour,” adds Das.
dawn.com/news/1235405/footprints-battle-for-interfaith-harmony-in-islamkot
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Bomb attack on school averted in Peshawar, BDS defuses explosive device
DAWN.COM, 26 January 2016
PESHAWAR: An improvised explosive device was defused by Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) personnel in Bashirabad area of Peshawar on Tuesday, DawnNews reported.
According to details, unidentified suspects gave an improvised bomb fitted in a pressure cooker to a child and asked him to take it to his school. However, the little boy instead of taking it to the school brought the IED home.
A Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) slogan was written on the pressure cooker, upon seeing this the family members alerted the police and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) personnel were called on, it added.
DawnNews reported that water charger technique was used by bomb disposal squad to defuse the explosive device. According to BDS officials, around five kilogrammes of explosives were used in the device.
It is pertinent to mention that the frequency of attacks have increased since the beginning of the year, at a time when the Pakistan Army is conducting the Operation Zarb-i-Azb against militants in the tribal areas, having cleared most of the areas in the region previously under the control of militants, both foreign and local.
National Action Plan (NAP) was also implemented following the tragic attack on Army Public School (APS) Peshawar, which led to a sharp decrease in terrorist attacks across the country; with the army operations in tribal areas combined with intelligence-based operations in urban areas which had a noticeable impact on the operational capabilities of the militants.
dawn.com/news/1235518/bomb-attack-on-school-averted-in-peshawar-bds-defuses-explosive-device
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MQM announces protest against ban on Altaf’s speeches
By Web DeskJanuary 26, 2016
KARACHI: Muttaihta Quami Movement (MQM) has announced to hold protest demonstrations at various locations of Karachi against ban on party chief Altaf Hussain’s speeches.
According to the statement issued from MQM headquarters 90, protest demonstrations would be held at Numaish Chowrangi, 2 Talwar, Korangi, Saddar, Liquatabad No. 10, Hussan Square, Star Gate. Johar Mor , Five Star Chowrangi and others.
Members of Coordination Committee, members provincial and national Assembly and party workers will participate in the protest.
thenews.com.pk/latest/93913-MQM-announces-protest-against-ban-on-Altafs-speeches#sthash.Q8NAtkF7.dpuf
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Foreign Office summons Afghan diplomat over BKU attack
DAWN.COM 26 January 2016
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Monday summoned the Afghan Charge d'Affaires, Syed Abdul Nasir Yousafi, to convey Pakistan's concern regarding the use of Afghan soil by terrorist elements in the Bacha Khan University attack, said a statement issued from the FO.
It said the diplomat was summoned on Monday and was told that investigations revealed the perpetrators of the deadly attack on the varsity were operating from Afghan territory and used the Afghan telecommunication network.
Related: APS mastermind claims Bacha Khan University attack, 21 killed
The statement further said relevant evidence had also been shared with the Afghan diplomat. It was conveyed to the Afghan government that they must take action against the perpetrators of the terrorist attack and extend cooperation to Pakistani authorities in order to bring them to justice, it added.
At least 21 people were killed when unidentified gunmen entered the university in Charsadda town last week and opened fire on students and faculty members.
The mastermind of the APS Peshawar attack, Umar Mansoor, of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Geedar group claimed the attack through a post on his Facebook page, adding that four attackers were sent to the university.
Related: Afghanistan should act against elements plotting terror in Pakistan: PM
Authorities say the Bacha Khan University attack was planned and orchestrated by Pakistani Taliban militants based in neighbouring Afghanistan, and has called on the Afghan government to co-operate in its investigation.
Five suspects have so far been arrested for acting as “facilitators” to the attack, Pakistan Army's media wing said Saturday .
dawn.com/news/1235516/foreign-office-summons-afghan-diplomat-over-bku-attack
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95 suspects, including 12 Afghan nationals, held in Peshawar
By ONLINEJanuary 26, 2016
Peshawar: As many as 95 suspects including 12 Afghan nationals were arrested on Tuesday during a search operation in various areas of Peshawar.
On a tip-off, police accompanied by law enforcing agencies conducted search operations in Hayatabad, Faqirabad, Kotwali and other areas of Peshawar early Tuesday morning and rounded up 95 suspected persons including 15 Afghanis.
The police officials said that Afghan nationals were living in the city illegally. The police claimed to have recovered weapons including Kalashnikovs pistols and hundreds of cartridges from the possession of suspects.
thenews.com.pk/latest/93922-95-suspects-held-in-Peshawar#sthash.265vrUeI.dpuf
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Balochistan: FC kills four criminals in encounter
By Web DeskJanuary 26, 2016
KARACHI: The Frontier Corps (FC) killed four accused in Vander area of Balochistan on Tuesday morning.
According to the security sources, exchange of fire between the FC and criminals took place in Vander where four accused were killed.
The identity of the criminals could not be ascertained. The dead bodies have been shifted to Karachi.
Large quantity of weapons was seized from possession of the accused.
thenews.com.pk/latest/93918-Balochistan-FC-kills-four-criminals-in-encounter#sthash.I3HdX1id.dpuf
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Arab World
22 Dead, over 100 Wounded in ISIL Double Bombing in Homs, Syria
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- At least 22 people were killed and over a hundred wounded in two terrorist blasts in a residential area of the Syrian city of Homs, state TV reported.
The ISIL terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the two explosions which took place minutes apart from each other in the residential areas of Al-Zahra.
According to provincial Governor Talal al-Barazi, first explosion happened when a car, stuffed with explosives and parked in a densely populated quarter, was blown up, then almost on the same spot a suicide bomber blew himself up.
"The aim of the terrorists was the checkpoint of the Syrian security forces," he said, and added, "Among the dead there were several on duty policemen at the checkpoint, but most of the victims are civilians."
The terrorist group calling itself "The Islamic State in Iraq and Levant" has claimed responsibility for the attack. The terrorist group said in an online statement that one of its fighters drove a car loaded with explosives to a security checkpoint in the Al-Zahra neighborhood and blew himself up.
Late last month two terrorist attacks hit the Al-Zahra area, killing 19 civilians and injuring over 40.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941106001198
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Saudi Officer, 5 Soldiers Killed in Yemeni Forces' Ambush in Najran
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior Saudi army officer and five of his forces were killed in an ambush of the Yemeni army and popular forces in Najran province in Southern Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi officer and five of his companions were killed in Al-Sharfa region in Najran province when they came under the Yemeni forces' ambush on Monday.
In a relevant development on Monday, the Yemeni army and popular forces thwarted an attempt by the Saudi-led coalition forces to prevail over the al-Rabou'a region in Asir province.
The Saudi troops launched an attack to take control of al-Rabou'a region which is under the control of the Yemeni forces, but they were pushed back by the army and popular forces.
The Yemeni forces also set fire to several military vehicles of the Saudi army.
Saudi Arabia has been striking Yemen for 305 days now to restore power to fugitive president Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. The Saudi-led aggression has so far killed at least 8,000 Yemenis, including hundreds of women and children.
Hadi stepped down in January and refused to reconsider the decision despite calls by Ansarullah revolutionaries of the Houthi movement.
Despite Riyadh’s claims that it is bombing the positions of the Ansarullah fighters, Saudi warplanes are flattening residential areas and civilian infrastructures.
Over 3,750 schools have been closed and at least 1.2 million Yemeni people have been displaced so far.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941106000443
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Militants Suffer Heavy Casualties in Syrian Army's Missile Attacks North of Dara'a
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army' missile units shelled the terrorist groups' positions in the Northern part of Dara'a province, inflicting a heavy death toll on the militants, informed sources said Tuesday.
"Concentration centers of two terrorist groups, which had fled the battlefields near Sheikh Meskeen to evade more casualties, and had deployed forces along the road towards the city of Nawa were massively shelled by the Syrian missile units," the sources said.
"Scores of the terrorists were killed or wounded and their military hardware and vehicles also were damaged in the attacks," the sources said.
Earlier reports said that the Syrian army alongside the popular forces, backed up by the Russian and Syrian fighter jets, drove the militant groups back from the entire districts of the strategic city of Sheikh Meskeen in the Northern part of Dara'a province following hours of heavy battles.
"The Syrian army troops and the National Defense Forces continued to advance against the militants in Sheikh Meskeen and took full control over the strategic city after killing and wounding scores of the terrorists," the army said.
"The Russian and Syrian fighter jets, in a series of join operations, targeted the militant groups in various districts of the city and paved the way for the rapid advances of the pro-government force," the army further added.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941106000970
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Al-Nusra Confiscates People's Houses, Properties in Syria's Idlib
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Al-Nusra Front terrorist group has started seizing the homes, assets and properties of the people, specially their opponents in Idlib province, media reports revealed on Tuesday.
"The Al-Nusra Front is confiscating people's homes after looting their properties," the Arabic-language Ara news website reported on Tuesday.
The terrorists raided people's homes in the town of Kafr Nabl to the South of the Idlib city on Wednesday.
Reports said the Al-Nusra Front has distributed the looted properties among its militants.
The Al-Nusra move comes as the Syrian army, popular force and Hezbollah resistance fighters have made remarkable victories in Idlib province.
Earlier today, the Hezbollah fighters in a successful operation in Idlib province opened their way into the areas controlled by the terrorists of Jeish al-Fatah (the Army of Conquest) and inflicted heavy losses on them.
After receiving intelligence about the exact location of Jeish al-Fatah terrorists and monitoring their movements, the Hezbollah fighters laid mines near Al-Mohadatha school where the militants were stationed.
Two terrorist commanders named Al-Rezvan Wahib and Abdel Razzaq were killed after they hit the landmines.
Scores of terrorists were killed and many more were injured during the Syrian army's operations in Idlib province.
The Jeish al-Fatah terrorists took full control of Idlib province with the exception of the two Shiite cities of Kafraya and Fuaa in the spring of this year which came under the terrorists' siege.
In a relevant development on Monday, the Russian fighter jets pounded the venue of a meeting held between Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham terrorist groups in Idlib province to discuss overcoming their differences, killing nearly two dozen militant commanders.
At least 20 militants from Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham were killed in the Russian airstrike hitting their meeting in Salqin region of Idlib province, the Arabic-language service of Russia Today reported.
The Faliq al-Sham terrorist group had organized the meeting between the Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham in a bid to mediate between them and urge them to put aside their differences.
Also on Friday, Scores of terrorists, including two senior field commanders of Jeish al-Fatah and Ahrar al-Sham, were killed in the Syrian Army attacks in the Southern part of Idlib province.
"Over 20 terrorists of Jeish al-Fatah, including their commander al-Sheikh Ghali, were killed as a result of the Syria arm's offensive near the village of Hzano in the Northwestern province of Idlib," military sources said Friday.
"In the meantime, Hassan Barabo, an Emir within Ahrar al-Sham military ranks, was killed by the Syrian soldiers near the village of Kafr Oweid in the Western side of Maarat al-Mu'man," the sources further added.
Also on Wednesday, 15 members of the terrorist groups were killed in two special operations carried out by the Syrian commandoes in the Southern part of Idlib province.
"The Syrian commandoes, in a special operation, targeted the terrorists' gathering near Saraqib, killed eight militants and wounded several more," an army officer said.
"At least seven members of Ahrar al-Sham terrorist group were killed by another unit of the Syrian commandoes in the village of al-Hamidiyeh, while some other were wounded and their military grid sustained major damage," the source further added.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941106001092
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Report: ISIL Transfers Cash from Nineveh Banks
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The ISIL terrorist group transferred all its assets from state and private banks in Nineveh province to other places, media reports said.
"A senior ISIL commander named Zol-Qarnayn supervised transfer of the militant group's assets to unknown places," the Arabic-language al-Sumeria news channel quoted an unnamed informed local source as saying on Tuesday.
The source noted that the ISIL's move came after the terrorist group sacked a large number of bank employees on the suspicion that they helped the Iraqi forces to hit the ISIL's banks.
The Iraqi forces have pounded and destroyed the two banks of Al-Rafedin and al-Zahour in Mosul city.
The ISIL Takfiri terrorists currently control shrinking swathes of Syria and Iraq. They have threatened all communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Ezadi Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.
Senior Iraqi officials have blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some Persian Gulf Arab states for the growing terrorism in their country.
The ISIL has links with Saudi intelligence and is believed to be indirectly supported by the Israeli regime.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941106000861
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Gov't Forces Complete Control over Key City of Sheikh Meskeen South of Syria
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army alongside the popular forces, backed up by the Russian and Syrian fighter jets, drove the militant groups back from the entire districts of the strategic city of Sheikh Meskeen in the Northern part of Dara'a province following hours of heavy battles, the army said Tuesday.
"The Syrian army troops and the National Defense Forces (NDF) continued to advance against the militants in Sheikh Meskeen and took full control over the strategic city after killing and wounding scores of the terrorists," the army said.
"The Russian and Syrian fighter jets, in a series of join operations, targeted the militant groups in various districts of the city and paved the way for the rapid advances of the pro-government force," the army further added.
The Syrian army has been marching on terrorists' positions in Sheikh Meskeen region in Dara'a province in recent weeks.
In relevant development in the Southern battlefields of the country on Monday, the Syrian army made significant advances in Sheikh Meskeen and gained control of more than 90 percent of the city.
"The pro-government troops have already won back more than half of the region and are now engaged in fierce clashes with the terrorist groups in western districts of the city to liberate the city completely," FNA dispatches from the region said at the time.
During the battles to liberate the city, the Syrian army forces killed dozens of Wahhabi-Takfiri terrorists, who were equipped with an array of heavy and light weaponry.
en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941106000256
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Iraqi Kurdish Forces Advance in Kirkuk Province, Approach ISIL Stronghold in Huweija
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iraqi Peshmerga forces advanced towards ISIL's main strongholds in the Southern part of Kirkuk province on Tuesday.
The Peshmerga forces backed by the Iraqi volunteer forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) headed to retake the ISIL's headquarters in the Huweija region in Kirkuk province, the Iraqi media quoted Kirkuk Governor Nejah Hossein as saying today.
The Kurdish forces have taken control of the hilltops overlooking the Southwestern parts of Kirkuk and they are only 18 kilometers from Huweija city.
Huweija city is located 45 kilometers to the Southwest of the province of Kirkuk and it has a population of over 400,000. The city has been under the ISIL control for over one year now. Huweija is one of the last areas that are still under ISIL's control in Kirkuk province.
Iraq's political figures have warned against Ankara's plans to annex Iraq's Nineveh and Anbar provinces to Turkey with the help of the ISIL.
"The presence of Turkish troops in Northern Iraq takes place with the US support and it is a prelude to separate these regions from Iraq and pave the way for the creation of a Sunni emirate stretching from Saudi Arabia to Turkey," a senior Sunni cleric of Anbar province, Sheikh Ibrahim al-Issawi, told FNA in mid-December.
Meantime, Baghdad University Professor Sadeq al-Moussavi said that Turkey is eyeing the city of Mosul and other cities of the Nineveh province.
"Ankara is seeking to annex Iraqi and Syrian soils to Turkey as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is still thinking of reviving the Ottoman Empire," Al-Moussavi told FNA.
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Hezbollah Fighters Enter Terrorist-Controlled Areas in Syria's Idlib Province
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Hezbollah fighters in a successful operation in Idlib province opened their way into the areas controlled by the terrorists of Jeish al-Fatah (the Army of Conquest) and inflicted heavy losses on them.
After receiving intelligence about the exact location of Jeish al-Fatah terrorists and monitoring their movements, the Hezbollah fighters laid mines near Al-Mohadatha school where the militants were stationed.
Two terrorist commanders named Al-Rezvan Wahib and Abdel Razzaq were killed after they hit the landmines.
Scores of terrorists were killed and many more were injured during the Syrian army's operations in Idlib province.
The Jeish al-Fatah terrorists took full control of Idlib province with the exception of the two Shiite cities of Kafraya and Fuaa in the spring of this year which came under the terrorists' siege.
In a relevant development on Monday, the Russian fighter jets pounded the venue of a meeting held between Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham terrorist groups in Idlib province to discuss overcoming their differences, killing nearly two dozen militant commanders.
At least 20 militants from Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham were killed in the Russian airstrike hitting their meeting in Salqin region of Idlib province, the Arabic-language service of Russia Today reported.
The Faliq al-Sham terrorist group had organized the meeting between the Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham in a bid to mediate between them and urge them to put aside their differences.
Also on Friday, Scores of terrorists, including two senior field commanders of Jeish al-Fatah and Ahrar al-Sham, were killed in the Syrian Army attacks in the Southern part of Idlib province.
"Over 20 terrorists of Jeish al-Fatah, including their commander al-Sheikh Ghali, were killed as a result of the Syria arm's offensive near the village of Hzano in the Northwestern province of Idlib," military sources said Friday.
"In the meantime, Hassan Barabo, an Emir within Ahrar al-Sham military ranks, was killed by the Syrian soldiers near the village of Kafr Oweid in the Western side of Maarat al-Mu'man," the sources further added.
Also on Wednesday, 15 members of the terrorist groups were killed in two special operations carried out by the Syrian commandoes in the Southern part of Idlib province.
"The Syrian commandoes, in a special operation, targeted the terrorists' gathering near Saraqib, killed eight militants and wounded several more," an army officer said.
"At least seven members of Ahrar al-Sham terrorist group were killed by another unit of the Syrian commandoes in the village of al-Hamidiyeh, while some other were wounded and their military grid sustained major damage," the source further added.
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Syrian Army, NDF Continue to Crush Militants in Dara'a
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian army announced on Tuesday that its soldiers alongside the National Defense Forces (NDF) hit the militant groups in one of the main neighborhoods of the Southern city of Dara'a heavily.
"Scores of the militants were killed or wounded as a result of the Syrian government forces' continued offensives in Bajabja and surroundings of Um al-Darj Wells in the neighborhood of Manshiyeh," the army said.
"The attacks also ended in the destruction of the militant groups' military equipment in large scale," the army went on to say.
Sources said earlier today that the Syrian army' missile units shelled the terrorist groups' positions in the Northern part of Dara'a province, inflicting a heavy death toll on the militants.
"Concentration centers of two terrorist groups, which had fled the battlefields near Sheikh Meskeen to evade more casualties, and had deployed forces along the road towards the city of Nawa were massively shelled by the Syrian missile units," the sources said.
"Scores of the terrorists were killed or wounded and their military hardware and vehicles also were damaged in the attacks," the sources said.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941106001125
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Terrorists Attack Alalam News Crew in Syria
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- Al-Alam news crew, who were filming Syrian Army’s military operations in the village of al-Qatr, on the eastern outskirts of Aleppo, were hit by terrorist shelling and missiles on Tuesday.
According to the international news network, the trio sustained no injuries. However, their photographer broke his scapula when he was being transferred into a safe area by the Syrian Army. He is now receiving first aid in a nearby hospital and his condition is stable.
This is not the first time that the network’s news crew has come under attack by the terrorists. Pro-Syria activists and foreign journalists are normally are exposed to attacks by different terrorist groups.
Syrian government condemns these attacks as a crime committed by terror groups and the states which are sponsoring and equipping them in a desperate attempt to keep the truth from the world.
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ISIL Pulls Back Forces from More Lands near Aleppo North of Syria
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian pro-government forces hit ISIL's positions badly in the Eastern part of Aleppo province and forced them to retreat from more territories, the army announced Tuesday.
"The Syrian Army and the National Defense Forces stormed the ISIL defense lines near the strategic airbase of Kuweires and seized control of the village of Ein al-Hanesh in the Southern side of Tal al-Hatabat," the army said.
"Tens of the ISIL fighters were killed or wounded in the attack and the group fled the battlefield to evade more losses," the army further added.
The Syrian army, popular forces and Hezbollah have had very good joint offensive against the ISIL in Eastern part of Aleppo province in the recent days.
On Monday, the Syrian army, the NDF and Hezbollah fighters liberated an important district Northwest of Kuweires airbase in Aleppo province.
"Pro-government troops set Arbid al-Judaydah district free following several hours of heavy fighting in the region," the source said, adding that the ISIL terrorist group sustained several casualties in the attack.
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North America
Report: Americans Dodged Sanctions by Buying Iranian Machinery
Jan 26, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- American companies found a way around their own sanctions to purchase Iran-made machinery while the US administration was forcing other countries to implement them and punishing those who didn’t.
While the sanctions regime also included bans on the sale of food, agricultural commodities, and medicines, a number of American companies dodged the international measures to purchase Iran-made doughnut makers as well as bread and bakery machineries from UAE-based companies.
And that’s not all. During those years, Iran became increasingly more creative in dodging the illegal measures, managing to sell the same machinery to at least 42 other countries, including one in Europe.
At the time, many experts in the west were of the opinion that sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States and its allies were immoral and illegal – and cowardly. In their words, the US-led sanctions were warfare without military involvement.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941106000897
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Arfrica
Recognized Libya Parliament rejects UN-backed unity govt
REUTERS
26 January 2016
BENGHAZI: Libya’s internationally recognized Parliament voted on Monday to reject a unity government proposed under a UN-backed plan to resolve the country’s political crisis and armed conflict.
Of 104 members attending the session in the eastern city of Tobruk, 89 voted against backing the government.
Since 2014, Libya has had two competing parliaments and governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in the east. Both are backed by loose alliances of armed groups and former rebels who helped topple Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
Eastern lawmakers said the proposed 32-member government had been rejected because it included too many posts. They said that the Tunis-based Presidential Council now had 10 days to put forward a new, shorter list of ministers.
Lawmaker Mohamed Al-Abani told Reuters that the proposed administration also did not represent the interests of the Libyan people but had been formed “according to the demands of militia leaders.”
In a second vote, the Tobruk parliament approved the UN-mediated agreement that sets out a political transition for Libya and under which the Presidential Council operates. However, lawmakers rejected a clause that transfers power over the armed forces to the prime minister.
Representatives from both sides of Libya’s political divide signed the UN-backed plan in Morocco in December, but the agreement has faced stiff opposition from many members of the two parliaments and from factions on the ground.
arabnews.com/middle-east/news/870506
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