UN chief condemns Kabul killings

N Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned as "shocking and shameless" a Taliban raid which killed at least five UN workers in the Afghan capital Kabul.
But Mr Ban said the UN would not be deterred from its mission there.
Three Afghans also died when suicide bombers stormed a UN guesthouse in the city. The three attackers were killed in a long battle with security forces.
The Taliban said the attack was the first step in its bid to disrupt next week's presidential run-off election.
In a separate attack, rockets were fired at the city's five-star Serena Hotel, but no-one was injured.

25 more extremists killed: ISPR

SLAMABAD: Pakistani troops massed outside a key Taliban base and killed 25 militants, fighting back in a major tribal belt offensive after a devastating market bomb attack, the military said Wednesday.

The latest death toll brings to 264 the total number of insurgents reported to have been killed since the operation was launched in the rugged tribal terrain of South Waziristan on October 17.

No information provided by the army can be verified, however, as communication lines are down and access to the area on the wild Afghan border is banned to journalists and aid workers.

"Security forces have surrounded Kanigurram from three sides," military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told a news conference.

The town was considered the "operational centre" of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), he said. It was a major terror stronghold and an important base for Uzbek fighters in the area, he added.

Abbas also said troops were within four kilometres (2.5 miles) of another major Taliban hub, Sararogha, which lies to the east.

The military spokesman condemned Wednesday's carnage in the northwestern city of Peshawar where a bomb killed 92 people in a crowded market frequented mostly by women. "This cowardly act shows their desperation," he said.

Despite the attack, which was apparently calculated to exact maximum casualties, Abbas insisted the militants were on the defensive as troops were making steady gains into TTP territory.

"Their leadership is on the run," he said, claiming that 25 training centres and nine caves had been recently destroyed.

Around 30,000 troops are taking part in the offensive against an estimated 10-12,000 militants in the semi-autonomous and lawless tribal belt. Relief workers say more than 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.

Numerous previous offensives in the tribal belt have had limited success, costing the lives of 2,000 troops and ending generally with peace agreements that critics say gave the insurgents a chance to re-arm.

Clinton Pak visit not vital: Elahi

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Wednesday said the meeting between the two big personalities were held to please US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was meant to give message that they have turned into ‘tame kids’.

Talking to media after offering condolences to former Cricket team captain Wasim Akram on the demise of his wife, he said he sees no importance for Hillary Clinton’s Pakistan visit.

Condemning the Peshawar blast which claimed over 85 lives, he said it is inefficient of the rulers that schools have to be closed down today.

Peshawar blast toll mounts to 94

PESHAWAR: The total death toll from Peshawar blast has mounted to 90 while rescue sources say that more people could still be buried under the debris. Over 150 people sustained injuries in the blast.

Hospital sources have confirmed that 160 were brought there, and a list of 136 of these injured has been made visible inside the hospital premises.

According to details, the powerful blast occurred at Peepal Mandi ripped near Meena Bazar, Peshawar. The explosion triggered fire in nearby shops while an old building came to ground with the heavy impact which also caused damage to other surrounding buildings.

Most of the buildings in the area had already been declared to be in poor condition.

AIG Bomb Disposal Unit Shafqatullah Malik said that explosives, weighing 150 kilograms, were planted in a vehicle.

DCO Peshawar Sahibzada Anees has confirmed 87 deaths in the tragic incident while the hospital sources confirmed 89 people dead, majority of them are women and children.

Condition of many injured is said to be serious and the toll is feared to rise further.

Senior NWFP Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour reiterated the commitment to bringing the terrorists to justice.

President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in Peshawar bomb blast, while denouncing the incident, Prime Minister (PM) Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani directed concerned officials to provide the injured with all the possible medical relief. NWFP Chief Minister (CM), Amir Hyder Khan Hoti has ordered inquiry of the blast.

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, NWFP CM Amir Hyder Hoti, Governor NWFP Owais Ahmed Ghani, CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad, CM Balochistan Aslam Raisani, Governor Balochistan Zulfiqar Magsi, Federal Ministers Farooq Sattar and Babar Ghauri, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan and Qazi Husain Ahmed strongly condemned the blast.

Pakistan 'takes key Taliban town'

akistani troops have captured the key Taliban town of Kotkai in South Waziristan, security officials say.
Troops took the town after days of bombardments, officials said. Three soldiers and four Taliban were reported killed in the fighting overnight.
Kotkai, home to top Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, has seen fierce fighting since Pakistan launched its South Waziristan offensive last week.
Journalists are being denied access to the area and cannot verify the reports.
Up to 100,000 civilians have fled the conflict zone, the army says.South Waziristan is considered to be the main sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan.
Pakistan launched its offensive after a wave of militant attacks, believed to have been orchestrated from South Waziristan, killed more than 150 people.
'Breakthrough'
Pakistani troops - backed by artillery, helicopters and fighter jets - were reported to have briefly taken control of Kotkai in the course of fighting earlier this week.
But on Tuesday morning the Taliban hit back, destroying army checkpoints and killing seven soldiers, local officials said.However Pakistan's army subsequently said it had secured the tactically important heights around Kotkai.
On Saturday, AFP quoted an official as saying: "Security forces took control of Kotkai overnight and a clearance operation is in progress.
"It is a major breakthrough because it was the stronghold of Taliban and hometown of Hakimullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain," he added, referring to a reputed trainer of suicide bombers.
The BBC's Mark Dummett, in Islamabad, says the fighting is now expected to move into more remote and mountainous areas, as the army continues its drive deeper into this militant stronghold.
Meanwhile, at least 13 people were reported to have been killed by a US drone missile strike targeting a Taliban commander's house in the tribal region of Bajaur.
Officials said the strike had hit the house of Maulvi Faqir in Damadola village.

Afghan bombs kill eight US troops

Eight US soldiers have been killed in bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan, say Nato-led forces.
An Afghan civilian was also killed in what were called "multiple complex IED attacks" - or improvised bombs.
The deaths make October the deadliest month for American forces in the eight-year war in Afghanistan.
On Monday 11 soldiers were among 14 Americans killed in multiple air crashes. In total 55 US troops have died in October, the Pentagon says.
Like many deaths in Afghanistan, Tuesday's bloodshed was blamed on the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that pose the biggest threat to foreign forces operating in the country.


Adam Brookes, BBC News, Washington

The news of eight more casualties in Afghanistan comes at a time when President Obama is pondering what to do next in Afghanistan.
Americans are still waiting to hear whether the president is planning to increase troop levels. And this incident will contribute to the perception that the situation there is deteriorating, not improving.
The use of improvised explosive devices in these attacks seems to be part of a trend towards fewer conventional direct-fire engagements and more guerrilla-style attacks. It looks like these tactics are migrating from Iraq to Afghanistan, where we are seeing the Taliban increasingly using roadside bombs to attack coalition forces.
"Additionally, several service members were wounded in these incidents and were transported to a regional medical facility for treatment," said a statement from the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).
Military spokesmen said there had been two attacks in the south of the country - one which killed seven soldiers and the civilian, and a second attack that killed one soldier.
But few other details were given, pending the notification of the soldiers' next of kin.
The sharp increase in the US death toll in Afghanistan comes amid a review of policy in Afghanistan by US President Barack Obama.
He is under pressure to reinforce the US military presence by tens of thousands of US troops - but many Americans are likely to oppose such a course in light of October's succession of deadly incidents, says the BBC's Andrew North, in Afghanistan.
The attacks also come amid heightened tension in Afghanistan in the run-up to the second round of a presidential election marred by widespread fraud in favour of incumbent President Hamid Karzai.

Five die as Majorca block tumbles

At least five people died when a residential building collapsed overnight in Majorca's capital Palma, in the Spanish Balearic Islands.
The three-storey structure, said to be at least 50 years old, collapsed at about 0030 (2230 GMT on Sunday).
Rescuers are searching for more people who are unaccounted for, and believed to be in the rubble. Four others were injured in the collapse, two seriously.
The local gas supplier has ruled out a gas leak as a possible cause.
There is nothing to indicate that Britons or other foreigners are among the dead.

Saudi sex TV producer spared lash

The Saudi king has waived a sentence of flogging on a female journalist working for a TV channel which aired graphic accounts of sex in the kingdom.
King Abdullah cancelled the sentence of 60 lashes against Rozanna al-Yami, after being briefed on the case.
The programme broadcast by Saudi-owned Lebanese channel LBC caused a huge scandal in the conservative kingdom.
Three men who bragged about their sexual adventures in the show, as well as the cameraman, have been jailed.
No reason has been given for the king's decision. It is the second time he has intervened in a high-profile flogging sentence in two years.
The original programme was part of a series called Red Lines, examining taboos in the Arab world, including extra-marital sex in Saudi Arabia.
Mazen Abdul Jawad provoked outrage by describing his techniques for meeting and having sex with Saudi women.
He has apologised and claimed LBC tricked him, but he was jailed for five years and sentenced to 1,000 lashes.
Three of his friends who appeared on the show got two years each and the cameraman was jailed for two months.
The station's offices in Saudi Arabia were closed down and two of its producers - both female - put on trial.
LBC has made no comment about the cases.

Turkish PM for joint struggle to stamp out terrorism

Updated at: 1723 PST, Monday, October 26, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday stressed the need for putting up a joint struggle against the scourge of terrorism and extremism.

Delivering a historic address to the joint session of Pakistani Parliament, the Turkish PM said Turkey understands the challenges and problems being faced by the people of Pakistan. “Turkey stands with Pakistan in the war against terror,” the Turkish PM said.

The Turkish PM’s speech at the joint session of the Parliament is a first ever address made by any foreign diplomat.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, senior military officials including Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and members of parliament attended today’s session.

The first lady of Turkey was also present along with the Turkish diplomats.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was not only the great leader of Pakistan but also of the entire world. When Ms Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, the members of Turkish parliament representing all the political parties of the country expressed grief, he added.

He described the relations shared between Pakistan and Turkey as extraordinary.

“Pakistan holds a special place in the hearts of Turkish people right from the day the former became independent 62 years ago,” the Turkish PM said, adding “the Turkish people still remember the freedom movement spearheaded by Jauhar brothers.”

Zardari-Nawaz meet at Presidency

Updated at: 1956 PST, Monday, October 26, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has begun here at the Presidency.

Nawaz Sharif is accompanied by Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, Mamnoon Hussain, Javed Hashmi, Ishaq Dar, Ghaus Ali Shah and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra while Farhatullah Babar, Khursheed Shah, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Raza Rabbani, Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Qamar Zaman Kaira are attending the meeting from President’s side.

Both the leaders had last met on July 17 this year in Raiwind.

Afghan crashes kill 14 Americans

At least 14 Americans have been killed in a series of air crashes in Afghanistan, military officials say.

Four US soldiers died and two were hurt when two helicopters collided mid-air in the south, Nato-led forces said.

In a separate helicopter crash, in western Badghis province, seven US soldiers and three US civilians died.

The US said hostile fire was not believed to be to blame for either incident, but the Taliban said it was behind the Badghis crash.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf Ahmedi told the AFP news agency militants had shot down the US helicopter in the Darabam district of the province.

Another 12 Americans and 14 Afghans were also reported to have been injured in that crash.

Col Wayne Shanks, a spokesman for the Nato-led force in Afghanistan, said the authorities were still investigating the incident in Badghis, but "do not believe that enemy action was responsible".

He said the crash happened as troops were carrying out a successful anti-drugs trafficking operation in which 14 "enemy fighters" were killed.

The exact location of the crash in the south of the country has not been confirmed by the US military.

This year has seen the highest death toll of international troops in Afghanistan since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001.

There have been dozens of American soldiers among those killed, making up more than half the total foreign troop deaths in the country.

The worst single loss of US life in Afghanistan occurred in June 2005, when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in eastern Kunar province, killing 16 military personnel.

US issues new policy on medical marijuana

The Obama administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they conform to state laws, under new policy guidelines to be sent to federal prosecutors today.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to the Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state laws.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal antipot laws regardless of state codes.

Fourteen states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

California is unique for the presence of dispensaries – businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services.

Attorney General Eric Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice.

A 3-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent today to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The memo, the officials said, emphasizes that prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing which cases to pursue, and says it is not a good use of federal manpower to prosecute those who are without a doubt in compliance with state law.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the legal guidance before it is issued.

At the same time, the officials said, the government will still prosecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity. The memo particularly warns that some suspects may hide drug dealing or other crimes behind a medical marijuana business.

The memo, officials said, is designed to give a sense of prosecutorial priorities to US attorneys in the states that allow medical marijuana.

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NRO became inevitable due to pending cases: Musharraf

Updated at: 1552 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
NEW JERSEY: Former President Pervez Musharraf said National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) had become inevitable since judiciary did not decide the corruption cases against Benazir Bhutto and other leaders.

Talking to Pak American Cultural Society in New Jersey, US Sunday, Musharraf said Pakistan is a country highly rich with talent and resources; however failure of leadership has brought up the current crisis faced by the nation.

“I did neither make any deal to leave Pakistan, nor will stay out of country any longer, but will go back home very soon”, he said.

“I will expect justice, if Supreme Court (SC) proceeds any case against me”, Musharraf added.

90 killed, 600 injured in Baghdad twin suicide attacks

Updated at: 1649 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
BAGHDAD: At least 90 people were killed and more than 600 wounded in twin suicide attacks, one a truck bomb and the other a car bomb, in central Baghdad on Sunday.

The two blasts shook buildings and smoke billowed from the area in central Baghdad near the Tigris River. The first blast targeted the justice ministry and the second, minutes later, was aimed at the provincial government building, police said.

The blasts were so powerful that buildings around the area were shaken and being severely damaged while several cars were destroyed.

Several people died on the spot in these blasts and more deaths are feared as many persons are seriously injured.

Today’s suicide attack was bloodiest attack in the capital for two months.

Earlier on August 19, some 100 people were killed in a suicide truck bomb explosion while the electricity system was also severely damaged.

Balochistan Education Minister Shafique shot down

Updated at: 2027 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
QUETTA: Balochistan Education Minister Shafique Ahmed was killed in firing incident by some unidentified miscreants; also, his relative was injured in the incident, Geo News reported Sunday.

Shafique Ahmed died on the spot in front of his house, where he was shot down in the head, as he was heading for his residence after getting down from his vehicle.

The attacker has been said to be aged around 45.

Hidayatullah Jafar, who is close relative of the deceased, was injured, as he received a bullet in his thigh.

Shafique Ahmed Khan belonged to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

According to police sources, the deceased received no previous threats of any sort.

Baghdad blasts 'kill at least 38'

At least 38 people have been killed and 75 wounded in two car bomb attacks in central Baghdad, reports say.
The blasts hit the ministry of justice and another government building near the Green Zone, causing severe damage.
They came in quick succession at 1030 local time (0730 GMT), and were followed by sporadic gunfire.
Correspondents say these are largest attacks since 19 August, when truck bombs hit two ministry buildings and killed at least 100 people.
Iraq then blamed foreign fighters and accused Syria of involvement, demanding a UN investigation.

Protesters demand UK withdrawal from Afghanistan

Updated at: 0828 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
LONDON: Protesters marched through London on Saturday to demand a British military withdrawal from Afghanistan -- among them a serving soldier facing court martial for refusing a second tour of duty there.

Police said "around 5,000" people took part in the demonstration from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, while a spokesman for organisers Stop The War Coalition put the figure at 10,000.

Among those on the march was Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, 27, a member of the Royal Logistics Corps who has served in Afghanistan before, but now is facing a court martial for refusing to return.

"It is distressing to disobey orders, but when Britain follows America in continuing to wage war against one of the world's poorest countries I feel I have no choice," he said in a statement issued before the protest.

Britain has 9,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of an international coalition following the US-led invasion in 2001. Most are deployed in southern Helmand province, battling Taliban insurgents.

So far 222 British personnel have died in the Afghan operation.

Ten days ago Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans to send an extra 500 troops to Afghanistan, on condition that Kabul show a greater commitment to the effort and that NATO allies step up their contributions.

But an opinion poll released Saturday suggested falling public confidence in the mission, with 48 percent saying British troops cannot defeat the Taliban, up from 36 percent in August 2007.

Taliban expand Pakistan war to sabotage offensive

Updated at: 1059 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may be claiming early successes but Taliban guerrillas who confound the military time and again are likely to defy the army's pledge to write them off, outsmarting them in their homeland.

After eight days of painstaking advance, siege and bombing, the military hailed the first major gain of its latest ground offensive -- the capture of Kotkai, the hometown of Pakistan Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud.

Troops overran Kotkai, in South Waziristan, on two previous occasions only to retreat after signing the kind of peace deals that Western critics have savaged for granting sanctuary to Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Witnesses among more than 120,000 civilians displaced by the conflict speak of heavy bombing and long-distance artillery, tactics that maximise collateral damage and undercut modern counter-insurgency doctrine.

While the army says more than 160 militants and 23 troops have been killed, it is impossible to assess the advance, resistance or casualties -- civilian or otherwise -- because the area is cut off to journalists and aid workers.

Washington, which has grown increasingly alarmed at the security situation in nuclear-armed Pakistan, has praised the operation whose progress is likely to feature heavily in a looming visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Regional envoy Richard Holbrooke said the United States was "very impressed with the Pakistani resolve" but cautioned it was too early to assess.

"We know where the troops are going; they're in the early phase. But it'll take a while before we know whether the enemy they're fighting has been dispersed or destroyed or some mixture of the two," he told reporters.

In an early acknowledgement of difficulties, commanders said the offensive, originally earmarked for six to eight weeks, could drag into the desperately cold winter because of landmines and the forbidding terrain.

Security officials said troops are advancing carefully, capturing strategic heights and roads, guarding their rear and protecting their flanks but that the Taliban have yet to mount stiff resistance.

Akram's wife dies at the age of 42

Updated at: 1351 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
CHENNAI: Huma, the wife of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, has died in a hospital in Chennai on Sunday after developing heart and kidney complications.

According to sources, she was admitted to the Apollo Hospital last Tuesday after her condition deteriorated on board an air ambulance flying from Lahore to Singapore, where she was due to be treated.

Huma, 42, is survived by two sons, and arrangements are underway to fly her body back to Pakistan, hospital sources said.

Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, also expressed his grief over the demise.

"We are with Wasim and his family at this hour of need and pray to God to give them strength to bear this great and irreparable loss," he said.

A trained medical practitioner herself, Huma had a brief stint as psychologist of the Pakistan team in the mid 1990s.