Wednesday, December 24, 2008

News: Mumbai and terrorism

  • Senators call for review of role in war on terror

Senators on Tuesday called for a review of Pakistan’s role in the ‘war on terror’ and suggested the redeployment of troops from the country’s western border to the eastern border in the light of provocations by India.

Taking part in the discussion on security situation, they underlined the need for launching a diplomatic initiative to tell the world that Pakistan was a responsible country and expose ‘baseless allegations’ being hurled by India in the aftermath of the Mumbai carnage.

They rejected as a cock and bull story the claim by India that a group of 10 people had travelled on a boat from Karachi to reach Mumbai for carrying out the attack.

“How was it possible for a group of 10 to split and engage the entire security apparatus of a country for three days,” they questioned.
Senators call for review of role in war on terror
Pakistan Dawn

  • Will Pakistan admit Qasab's nationality? Zardari to reply

Although Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sought to banish all war clouds and put an end to speculation of a possible Indian strike against Pakistan, much will depend on what Pakistan has to say about 26/11 terrorist Qasab's letter.

The Zardari government is expected to respond on Wednesday to the letter written by Qasab, the lone terrorist captured during the Mumbai attacks.

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi sent a copy of the letter, dated December 19, to Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday.

In that letter, Qasab, currently in custody of the Anti-Terror Squad in Mumbai, has sought legal help from Pakistan and also details the circumstances of his arrest.

However, Islamabad is yet to admit that Qasab is a Pakistani national.
Will Pakistan admit Qasab's nationality?
NDTV.com


  • India's media blasted for sensational Mumbai coverage


Emerging from decades of government control and regulations, India's media are quickly evolving into a boisterous, zealous fourth estate, most observers agree. But coverage of the 67-hour Mumbai (Bombay) terrorist attacks has caused unprecedented condemnation, especially toward 24-hour television news channels. Critics describe it as "TV terror" for showing gory scenes, being too aggressive, and often reporting incorrect information as fact.

"They don't need to apologize as much as they need to introspect – figure out how to operate in a time of crisis," says Dipankar Gupta, sociology professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

India's media blasted for sensational Mumbai coverage.

Christian Science Monitor