Kurram tribal clashes, gunships shelling death toll rises to 36

Staff Report

KURRAM AGENCY: The death toll of fierce clashes between two rival tribes and gunship helicopters’ shelling in Kurram Agency has risen to 36 on Sunday.

According to sources, clashes continue to take place among armed members of Tangi and Shalozan tribes over a water dispute for the last 16 days in the Shalozan area of Upper Kurrram Agency.

In fresh clashes, 19 people were killed and scores of others injured as the 16-day death toll rose to 138, leaving 180 injured.

The gunship helicopters of the agencies targeted terrorist hideouts in the area. 16 people, including three children, have been killed while many others sustained injuries.

The political administration managed to hold a ceasefire with the help of local jirga members on one occasion. However, fighting started again after security forces asked them to withdraw their

23 militants perish in Lower Dir: forces

DIR: At least 23 militants have been killed while many others injured in fierce clashes with security forces here on Monday morning, Geo news reported.

Meanwhile, curfew is put in place in Yel Balam Butt and Medan Road.

Security forces re-launched attack on militants in Upper Medan and Kalpani areas after a suicide attack on a scouts’ security checkpost occurred late on Sunday night, security forces told media.

According to forces, as many as 23 militants have been killed while scores others wounded while search operation is also underway in many adjoining areas to determine the militants’ hideouts.

Curfew is clamped in tehsil Balam Butt and in Medan Road since yesterday.

US oil spill clean-up boats recalled after crews fall ill

NEW ORLEANS: All 125 commercial fishing boats helping oil recovery efforts off Louisiana”s Breton Sound area have been recalled after four workers reported health problems, officials said.

The crewmembers aboard three separate vessels “reported experiencing nausea, dizziness, headaches and chest pains” mid-afternoon Wednesday, the US Coast Guard said in a statement.

“No other personnel are reporting symptoms, but we are taking this recall action as an extreme safeguard,” said Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Robinson Cox.

The move raises questions over the safety of the clean-up operation in and around the Gulf in Mexico, in particular the protection workers have been given as they mitigate the oil, and the toxicity of the controversial chemical dispersants being used by BP in an attempt to break up the slick.

Afghans probe reports Pakistani militant leader killed

ASADABAD: Afghan authorities were Thursday investigating reports that a Pakistani militant commander was killed while fighting in eastern Afghanistan, police said.

Border police units in Nuristan province reported that Maulana Fazlullah, a hardline Taliban cleric who masterminded a two-year uprising in Pakistan”s Swat valley, was among seven militants killed in fighting earlier this week.

“Our units have reported that Fazlullah has been killed. We don”t yet know if it”s true or not. We”re investigating this right now,” senior police official General Mohammad Zaman told foreign news agency. His men killed seven militants in fierce clashes in the troubled Bargi Matal district, he said. The bodies were recovered by the police, he said, adding: “We”re investigating to find out if Maulana”s body is among those seven.”

15 killed,Politician Arrested In Iran:State Media

TrendPK.com 15 killed,Politician Arrested In Iran:State Media :TEHRAN: Iranian state television said on Monday that more than 15 people were killed in riots which rocked Tehran, of whom more than 10 were members of “anti-revolutionary terrorist” groups.
The other five who died during Sunday’s fierce clashes in the Iranian capital were killed by [...]

Police Expect Mumbai-Style Attack on London

LONDON: Scotland Yard has warned businesses in London to expect a Mumbai-style attack on the capital.

In a briefing in the City of London 12 days ago, a senior detective from SO15, the Metropolitan police counter-terrorism command, said: “Mumbai is coming to London.”

The detective said companies should anticipate a shooting and hostage-taking raid “involving a small number of gunmen with handguns and improvised explosive devices”.

The warning — the bluntest issued by police — has underlined an assessment that a terrorist cell may be preparing an attack on London early next year.

It was issued by the Met through its network of “security forums”, which provide business leaders, local government and the emergency services with counter-terrorism advice.

During a “commando-style” raid by 10 gunmen on hotels and cafes in Mumbai in November 2008, 174 people were killed and more than 300 injured over three days.

Officials now report an increase in “intelligence chatter” — communications captured by electronic eavesdropping agencies. One senior security adviser said the police warnings had intensified and become much more specific in the past fortnight.

“Before, there has been speculation. Now we are getting what appears to be a definite plot to carry out a firearms attack on London,” he said.

Earlier this year, police, military and intelligence services held an exercise in Kent to see whether they could defeat a commando raid in London by terrorists.

Clashes in Malakand, 4 Militants killed

MALAKAN, Pakistan News : Four militants were killed in fierce clashes with security forces here in Malakand Division on Sunday morning.

According to sources, security forces carried out search operation and later attacked on suspected hideout of insurgents on seeking intelligence in regard to their presence in Tota Kaan area and as a result, terrorist ambushed forces’ personnel, but however, four extremists lost their lives in retaliatory shooting from security forces.

Later, the dead bodies of killed miscreants were deposited to Butt Khela District Headquarter Hospital, sources added.

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Clashes in Malakand, 4 Militants killed was first posted on December 20, 2009 at 11:55 am.

15 Militants killed in Kurram Agency

KURRAM AGENCY, Pakistan News: At least 15 miscreants lost their lives while 17 others sustained injuries during fierce clashes with security forces here on Saturday morning.
According to security forces sources, the offensive took place as militants launched gun attack on security forces convoy but during retaliatory action, 15 militants were killed and 17 others were wounded.

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15 Militants killed in Kurram Agency was first posted on December 12, 2009 at 2:28 pm.