Four people were killed and 10 others were injured in clashes during the day, raising the death toll to 12 in three days. Doctors said that 32 injured people had been admitted to the agency headquarters hospital in Parachinar. However, the exact casualty figures could not be ascertained.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>Frontier Corps fort attacked</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->QUETTA, Dec 25: A fort of the Frontier Corps in Wadh came under rocket attack on Tuesday<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
EARLY next year, US special forces are expected to vastly expand their presence in Pakistan, as part of an effort to train and support indigenous counter-insurgency forces and clandestine counter-terrorism units, according to American defence officials involved with the planning, reports Washington Post.
These Pakistan-centric operations will mark a shift for the US military and for US-Pakistan relations. In the aftermath of Sept 11, the US used Pakistani bases to stage movements into Afghanistan. Yet once the US deposed the Taliban government and established its main operating base at Bagram, north of Kabul, US forces left Pakistan almost entirely. Since then, Pakistan has restricted US involvement in cross-border military operations as well as paramilitary operations on its soil.
But the Pentagon has been frustrated by the inability of Pakistani forces to control the borders or the frontier area. And Pakistanâs political instability has heightened US concern about extremists there.
According to Pentagon sources, reaching a different agreement with Pakistan became a priority for the new head of the US Special Operations Command, Adm Eric T Olson.[
Olson visited Pakistan in August, November and again this month, meeting with President Pervez Musharraf, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Tariq Majid and Lt Gen Muhammad Masood Aslam, commander of the military and paramilitary troops in northwest Pakistan. Olson also visited the headquarters of the Frontier Corps, a separate paramilitary force recruited from Pakistanâs border tribes.
Now, a new agreement, reported when it was still being negotiated last month, has been finalised. And the first US personnel could be on the ground in Pakistan by early in the new year, according to Pentagon sources.
US Central Command Commander Adm William Fallon alluded to the agreement and spoke approvingly of Pakistanâs recent counter-terrorism efforts in a recent interview.
âWhat weâve seen in the last several months is more of a willingness to use their regular army units,â along the Afghan border, Fallon said. âAnd this is where, I think, we can help a lot from the US in providing the kind of training, assistance and mentoring based on our experience with insurgencies recently and with the terrorist problem in Iraq and Afghanistan, I think we share a lot with them, and weâll look forward to doing that.â
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->BENAZIR BHUTTO SUCCUMBS TO INJURY
Rawalpindi: Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto died on Thursday from her injuries sustained in a suicide attack, a party aide said.
''At 6:16 pm she expired,'' said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital where Bhutto died.
A senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, confirmed that Bhutto had died.
A suicide bomber had struck shortly after Bhutto addressed a political rally in Rawalpindi on Thursday, killing at least 25 people, witnesses said.
An Associated Press reporter at the scene could see body parts and flesh scattered at the back gate of the Liaqat Bagh park where Bhutto had spoken. He counted about 20 bodies, including police, and could see many other wounded people.
Another police official, Saud Aziz, said it was a suicide attack.
Farahtullah Babar, spokesman for Bhutto party, said her vehicle was about 50 meters away from blast, just after leaving the rally venue in Rawalpindi.
"She had just crossed the gate when we heard a deafening sound. We could feel its impact but by the grace of God she is safe," he said. "She has been moved to a safe place."
Party supporter Chaudhry Mohammad Nazir said that two gunshots rang out when Bhutto's vehicle pulled into the main street and then there was a big blast next to her car.
Police cordoned off the street with white and red tape, and rescue workers rushed to put victims in ambulances as people wailed nearby.
Body parts, pieces of clothing and party banners scattered on the street. The clothing of some of the victims was shredded and people put party flags over their bodies. Police caps and shoes littered the asphalt.
It was the second suicide attack apparently targeting the former prime minister in two months.
Her homecoming parade in southern city of Karachi from an eight-year exile on October 18 was also targeted, killing more than 140 people.
On Thursday, hundreds of riot police had manned security checkpoints to guard the venue. It was Bhutto's first public meeting in Rawalpindi since she came back to the country.
Rahman Malik, Bhutto's security adviser, told Pakistan's Geo news channel that she escaped unhurt just because she was in a bulletproof vehicle.
"She was the prime target," he said. "I have been told by eyewitnesses that someone first opened fire and then detonated the bomb ... We had information that Benazir Bhutto's life is in danger."
Malik said one of the vehicles in Bhutto's convoy was badly damaged.
In November, Bhutto had also planned a rally in the city, but President Pervez Musharraf forced her to cancel it, citing security fears.
In recent weeks, suicide bombers have repeatedly targeted security forces in Rawalpindi, a city near the capital where Musharraf stays and the Pakistan army has its headquarters.
Earlier Thursday, pro-government party supporters clashed with backers of opposition leader Nawaz Sharif a few kilometers from Rawalpindi, killing four people and wounding three. http://www.ibnlive.com/news/benazir-bhutto...ry/55114-2.html<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hmm... seems like everybody is blaming musharaf, things might get tad interesting now, lets see how musharaf, mullas, and mainly Kiyani reacts in next couple of weeks. If there is much ruckus between PPP, mulla's, things will deteriorate and Kiyani would need to act.
Wahhabi Sunnis don't want to see any woman as figure head of Islamic nation.
Paki Army plans are on dot, now they will be in baracks for very short duration.
Very sad, she was smart politician and better than any paki man.
She died of head wound, shot at head, chest and neck.
Ms Bhutto had been addressing crowds at the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where is security in Pakistan, if they can't even secure Army den. Looks like Mushy name is written on this.
Question is what India should do.
First protect Modi.
Secure border, not by BSF but by Army.
Somebody please wake up Moron SIngh from sleep and defense ministry from slumber.
''We are traumatised. People all over are crying. Everyone is saying that this<b> Army has killed Benazir</b>. There is going to be more bloodshed. Will the world now finally wake up? said a distraught Asma Jehangir, Chairperson, Pak Human Rights Commission.
WHat Pakistan Army children fora is saying -
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->She was clean bold. Terrible days ahead for Pakistan but it may be a clean start for Pakistan.
..........
There is now a serios threat to the country so a new beginning of sorts I guess..
This is not good. Things are going to get worst before getting any better.
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It is always sad with the loss of life. It maybe a loss for the democratic process in Pakistan.
But i must admit that i don't feel it is a loss for Pakistan.
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Shouldn't this be in "Good news all the way" thread?
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<b>15-17 leaders of ppp dead - PPP ki cream urha di hai</b>
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Sindh, baloch & nwfp is start blaming to punjab for all the shyt. More hate for punjab. When status-quo breaks it has consequences
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Dec 27 2007, 07:56 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Dec 27 2007, 07:56 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Question is what India should do.
First protect Modi. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Already being done. IB alert about an suicide bomber who may try to assasinate Narendrabhai has led to increased survelliance.
Border Routes along India-pakistan,bangladesh and nepal border that terrorists may use to smuggle in weapons and ammunition are under constant survelliance.
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Dec 27 2007, 07:56 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Dec 27 2007, 07:56 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Secure border, not by BSF but by Army.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Beg to differ here. The primary responsibility of guarding borders during peace-time is of the BSF. Asking the Indian army to guard the border will needlessly lead to less than ideal situation were its primary responsibility of repelling an invasion will be effected.
Moving the army to the border will also cause the reserves to be called in.
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Dec 27 2007, 07:56 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Dec 27 2007, 07:56 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Somebody please wake up Moron SIngh from sleep and defense ministry from slumber.[right][snapback]76470[/snapback][/right]
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The PM is sleeping but the Defence minister Anthony is pro-active. Under his guidance Indian military is planning a major restructuring of its force.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Already being done. IB alert about an suicide bomber who may try to assasinate Narendrabhai has led to increased survelliance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Can't trust Soniaben. But I can trust SPG.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Asking the Indian army to guard the border will needlessly lead to less than ideal situation were its primary responsibility of repelling an invasion will be effected.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Whenever Pakistan is unstable they create problem in Indian border to divert attention. At this stage only attacking India will unite Pakistan, otherwise also as signs are, they are heading for civil war.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> Defence minister Anthony is pro-active. Under his guidance Indian military is planning a major restructuring of its force.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
they should keep powder dry and complete procurement. Restructuring is not important when next door is in fire.
<b>India expresses shock and horror at Bhutto's assassination</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->India on Thursday expressed "shock and horror" over the assassination of former Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto, whom it described as a brave and outstanding woman leader of the sub-continent.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the late Pakistan leader had contributed to improvement of Indo-Pak relations  <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo--> and it was tragic that she should fall to a barbarous terrorist attack.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
India is doing its karvahi.
Now candle kisser should march towards Wagah.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Karachi, 27 Dec. (AKI) - (by Syed Saleem Shahzad) - A spokesperson for the al-Qaeda terrorist network has claimed responsibility for the death on Thursday of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
â<b>We terminated the most precious American asset which vowed to defeat [the] mujahadeen,â Al-Qaedaâs commander and main spokesperson Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid told Adnkronos International (AKI)</b> in a phone call from an unknown location, speaking in faltering English. Al-Yazid is the main al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan. It is believed that the decision to kill Bhutto, who is the leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was made by al-Qaeda No. 2, the Egyptian doctor, Ayman al-Zawahiri in October.
Death squads were allegedly constituted for the mission and ultimately one cell comprising a<b> defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangviâs </b>Punjabi volunteer succeeded in killing Bhutto<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Dec 27 2007, 08:58 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Dec 27 2007, 08:58 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Can't trust Soniaben. But I can trust SPG.[right][snapback]76482[/snapback][/right]
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Some elite elements of Gujarat police protecting Narendrabhai are trained by national security organisations like NSG. After the Akshardham terror attacks the gujarat security have been overhauled with more importance being given to intelligence collection and monitoring of terror groups.
Like the Mumbai ATS has its agents in pakistan to track pakistani terror groups, the gujarat police have also deployed sufficient amount of trained intel manpower shadowing the pakistani terror groups.
In the present time the most capable intelligence agency in India is the Gujarat intelligence wing. Note that rest of india is suffering from cross border terror attacks while gujarat inspite of being a border state has successfully foiled every attack aimed against it.
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Dec 27 2007, 08:58 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Dec 27 2007, 08:58 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Whenever Pakistan is unstable they create problem in Indian border to divert attention. At this stage only attacking India will unite Pakistan, otherwise also as signs are, they are heading for civil war.[right][snapback]76482[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You are correct when you mention that 'attacking India will unite Pakistan' but there are not enough forces on pakistan's eastern front to attack India. If pakistan attacks India at this juncture when majority of it's forces are trapped in an counter-insurgency operations in baluchistan and NWFP then the pakistan will be routed within days and no unity in pakistani society can stop it.
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Dec 27 2007, 08:58 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Dec 27 2007, 08:58 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->they should keep powder dry and complete procurement. Restructuring is not important when next door is in fire.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The restructing is going on in the eastern sector which is facing increasingly facing a chinese threat. Fresh Strategy, Four-Pronged
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The restructing is going on in the eastern sector which is facing increasingly facing a chinese threat.
Fresh Strategy, Four-Pronged <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks Harshvardan, Gujarat is doing lot of right thing.
Even chini role in current situation in Pakistan should not be ruled out.
Riots --
Banks, trains, govt. offices are in fire.
Hyderabad, Karachi is on fire.
