Where is my Buddy – Hemant Karkarey?

Ishaal Zehra

It seems that investigation to the Mumbai tragedy is re-opened. And so are the queries in my mind. Some unanswered questions that still haunt the investigation authenticity are laying bared open with no one serious enough, or more preciously, daring enough to search for the answers. Death of Hemant Karkery who was about to expose the Hindu-Israeli terrorism in India and the long-forgotten lethal case of Colonol Prohit are two of those serious questions.

All this remembers me of a joke which was circulated widely condemning the absurdity of Iraq war. It went like this… On a campaign the (former) US President George Bush visits a school and explains his political actions. Afterwards he invites the children to ask him questions. One little boy raises his hand and say, “Mr. President my name is Joe and I have three questions from you. 1- How come you invaded Iraq without the support of the United Nations? 2- Where is Osama bin Laden actually hiding? And 3- Don't you think that the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima was the biggest terrorist attack of all times?”

Just as the President Bush begins to answer, the recess bell rings and he says they’ll continue afterward. 25 minutes later the kids come back to class.

“Where were we?” says Bush. “Oh, yes... do you kids have any questions?”
Another boy raises his hand and says, “sir my name is John and I have 5 questions: First, why did you invade Iraq without support from the U.N.? Second, where is Osama bin Laden actually hiding? Third, don’t you think that the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima was the biggest terrorist attack of all times? Fourth, how come the recess bell went off 30 minutes early? And last where is my buddy Joe?!!”

Similarly, the number of times the Mumbai case will be re-opened, the questions will increase with the same magnitude. Who benefited from Mumbai carnage? How come Hemant Karkery died? Why his death is not being investigated properly specially from the point of view that he died just after unearthing rich and credible material about the involvement of a section of Hinduised army officers in the Malegaon and Modasa blasts? Why the case has not been investigated as a “False-Flag Operation” rather simply putting the blame on Pakistan? Why BJP Inclusion in the whole drama is being missed out? What has happened to the case of Col. Prohit, who is a Symbol of Hindu Terrorism? Why the findings are not being made public? The real motives behind this terror act and the actual beneficiaries are still not apprehended by the authorities. The case is being mishandled intentionally.

These dilly-dally tactics regarding the Mumbai incident investigations simply cannot hide the reality. Keeping own eyes shut doesn’t mean that every one else is blind as well. Some serious questions have to be investigated and answered if fair trail is to be done. How is it that ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, his associates Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar and his entire team of about seven, who were tracking the case of Col Prohit, were gunned down in a narrow lane near Cama hospital about 12.5 miles away from the Taj Hotel? The Marathi papers in Mumbai have reported that the killers of Hemant Karkare and his associates spoke to them in Marathi before killing him and the others. The connection between Hemant Karkarey death and the Col Prohit case must be deeply probed, as there is much more underneath than what is present at the surface.

The death of ATS squad during the carnage has remained controversial as there are many loop ends in this regard. The wives of killed Policeman keep issuing statements suspecting hands of some vested interest Hindu organization in killing their husbands. Vinita Kamte, wife of slain police officer Ashok Kamte who was killed during the operation, wanted to depose some points before the Ram Pradhan committee panel but was not allowed to do so. She alleged that certain portions of the call records of the police control room on November 26 were deleted. "There are at least 10 minutes of conversation that has been deleted. I have sought call records of my husband, Ashok Kamte through RTI," Vinita said but was ignored completely.

Again, Quoting his captors’ conversation in his interview with Aaj Tak, a TV news channel, one of the hostages who escaped from room # 630 following his brief captivity said “One terrorist asks the other: How much amount of money these Indian politicians have?” The other terrorist answers, “You have received your payment isn’t it, then why are you worried?” why not this lead was taken forward? The election in India is over. The new government has taken the charge well and we all now expect fair trail of Mumbai carnage from them, evaluating all the leads which were left earlier. The loopholes must be probed properly.

One thing for sure, whether today or tomorrow, every time the case will be proceeded further the same question will haunt the court; where is our buddy Hemant Karkarey? And how was he and his whole team was cold bloodedly gunned down at a distant place from the main terror venue before he could proceed further the case of Col Prohit with some concrete proof about which he gave a hint in his interview to a TV channel before his tragic death? Surely, the case will only solve when this mystery will be cracked.

PAKISTAN’S NEED FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY

Amjed Jaaved

Our country is in throes of a full-fledged energy crisis. There is a discernible upsurge in enthusiasm for nuclear energy worldwide. Industrial production and household routines are being regularly disrupted by outages and planned power cuts (euphemistically called load shedding). The country’s backbone that is textile mills, steel smelting operations, shoe factories, small businesses and other key components operate on a limited schedule.

It is the poor who have to bear the brunt of power cuts. They do not have uninterrupted power supply units to beat load shedding. Besides, they lose jobs as the result of power-induced layoffs. Ordinary hospitals have no generators. As such, it is difficult for them to take care of the country’s ill.

At present, nuclear power accounts for only about one per cent of the country’s energy consumption. The country has two civilian-use nuclear reactors. Construction on a third one is underway. The country generates only about 450 MW of nuclear electricity. It has plans to increase the current capacity to about 8,800 MW by year 2020!

The technologically- advanced West has paid only lip service to Pakistan’s voracious need for nuclear power. They have extended the benefit of civilian nuclear energy to India, but not to Pakistan. During the former president Bush’s visit to Pakistan in March 2006, Pakistan’s prospective energy requirement was a topic of discussion. The communiqué issues at the end of the Bush trip committed the two countries to inaugurating `an energy working group, which will explore ways to meet Pakistan’s growing energy needs and strengthen its energy security’ and to working together `to develop public and private collaboration on a broad range of energy sources’. Unfortunately, there has been no tangible follow-up to the sanguine communiqué.

Ignoring Pakistan's dire need for energy, the USA has not signed a similar agreement with Pakistan. Stephen Cohen, Brooking Institution's South-Asia expert, echoed Pakistan's principled position on civilian-use of nuclear energy while addressing the United States’ Homeland Security Sub-committee. Key points of Cohen’s address are: (a) The 123 agreement should have been criteria-based instead of one-time India-specific bonanza.

The preferential benefits, envisioned in the deal, should have been extended to other eligible countries. Focusing, in particular on Pakistan, Cohen Called upon Washington to offer a similar deal, akin to European Union's criteria-based membership to the Union, to Pakistan. Cohen suggested that because of Washington's nonchalance to Pakistan's request, Pakistan has been forced to seek nuclear cooperation with China. In his view, Pakistan could be offered civilian nuclear cooperation in exchange for some reasonable nuclear restrictions.

There is worldwide enthusiasm for tapping the source of nuclear civil energy. This enthusiasm is outcome of over two decades of disappointing growth, coupled with economic recession. Industry leaders are forecasting a nuclear renaissance. The `nuclear renaissance' envisions a doubling or tripling of nuclear capacity by 2050. It is predicted that nuclear power would spread to new markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. A host of new fuel-reprocessing techniques and reactors would be developed.

The big push for nuclear power plants is expected in Asia, particularly from China, India, Japan and South Korea. In Europe, Italy is reconsidering nuclear energy. Besides, countries such as Germany and Sweden might delay or abandon phasing out nuclear power to meet climate change goals. Other countries (such as Canada, South Africa, and South Korea) have also planned to expand their programs to include uranium enrichment, plutonium reprocessing, or both.

Over two dozen additional states mostly in developing countries, including Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, have ardent interest in taping nuclear energy to meet their power deficiency. It is predicted that if the demand for nuclear energy continues to rise, the number of states with nuclear reactors could double.

A few more words about Pakistan’s current nuclear-power status. Pakistan has two pressurized-heavy-water reactors. One is the 125MWe Karachi Nuclear Power Plant. The other is Chashma Nuclear Power Plant with 325 MWe. Construction of Chashma-II is in progress with China’s assistance.

The project is expected to be completed in year 2,011. Because of political and feasibility constraints, it is not possible for Pakistan to tap new sources of hydel energy. As such, nuclear energy remains the only avenue to be tapped. The government is willing to design necessary policies and provide funds to implement nuclear-energy projects. The benefits of nuclear energy outweigh its costs. That's the reason the USA and India have signed the 123 agreement to benefit from cooperation in the field of civilian use of nuclear energy.

An energy-deficient Pakistan will be poor, politically unstable and environmentally-unsustainable. Impoverished Pakistanis would be an easy prey to the blandishments of preachers of religious bigotry or xenophobia. It is time the major powers shunned discriminatory policy towards Pakistan.

The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, members of international business community should see Pakistan as a potential investment target. The international financial institutions and the developed countries should extend cooperation in field of civil nuclear energy to speed up industrial activity in Pakistan. Faster economic growth will provide jobs to frustrated youth. As such, the unemployed youth would no longer find the extremist ideologies alluring.

You Asked fir It Col. Harish Puri

A majority of Indian authors including this Col (R) Harish Puri, are always keen to convey their loaded messages from across the border with laden sarcasm. Indian writers have a convincing way to convey the message in a very subtle manner which appeals to the sensibilities of the liberal class and pro-Indian segment in Pakistan and hence cook stories quite well to defame Pakistan internationally. Even here how tactfully he incited the sentiments of people of Bangladesh by blaming that Bengalis were never considered as Pakistanis and he makes a fake story of how Pak army had inflicted immense atrocities on the Bengalis without any remorse or inhibitions. Pardon me… but what happened in 71 is a published and established fact now. What was done by the Indian army is revealed to the world… Even the best army under best General would not have done any better at that time. The catastrophe was a foregone conclusion since it was an international conspiracy to detach East Pakistan from the rest of Pakistan.

Indians are real masters when it comes to false propaganda or cook stories. This article gives an absolute idea of how astounded and disgusted the Indians are feeling after seeing their sinister scheme of pitching Pak army against its own people failed which they had successfully implemented in former East Pakistan in 1971 (where it had worked strenuously in creating bad blood between the Bengalis and West Pakistanis) and today, is keen to repeat the same story to dismember Pakistan. India has been investing heavily in stoking insurgencies in Balochistan, FATA and Swat and is now eager to reap the harvest it had been sowing since 2002. And the peace deals in Swat and Bajaur have actually disillusioned them having tried various means to disrupt peace. In desperation the said video clip of flogging was flashed and drum beaten all over the world by their some friends (if not them - I wonder) so much so that our friend colonel also got affected and is shedding tears of sympathy. This letter was initiated after the so-called victim Chand Bibi poured cold water on the sinister designs of vested groups by stating that she wasn’t flogged. Despite her statement and that of the Swat Taliban, Commissioner Malakand and Chief Minister NWFP stating that no such incident took place in Swat and it was a fake video, the mischievous people are not appeased. They have no love for Chand Bibi but their sole interest is to get the peace deal derailed and to discredit Islam and Taliban.

The sole purpose of this piece of writing is to stimulate the liberal brigade within Pakistan, tarnish the image of the army and overturn Swat peace deal which would never happen Mr. Col…. Not before dismemberence of India at least where dozens of liberation movements and insurgencies are creating havoc. Just try n do something for your own country if u really want to save the region than tittle-tattle about some fantasy of degrading Pak Army or Pakistan.

Terrorism, Islam and Pakistan: The Fault-Line

Dr. Raja Muhammad Khan

According to famous Roman historian Josephus; terrorism has existed in one or the other form, ever since the origin of human being. However the act was formally known to be called as, ‘Reign of Terror’ (terrorism) during the French Revolution (1789–1799), in the Christen and Jewish dominated Country, as cited by Jacobins. At that time it was neither labeled as Christen nor Jewish terrorism.

However, in the ensuing history of mankind, this act of violence has been committed by people from various religions, areas, communities and casts/ creeds, but never ever, it was linked with a religion to call it either; Jewish, Islamic or Christen terrorism. Unfortunately it was only after the incident of 9/11, that the term was dubbed as the ‘Islamic Terrorism’.

While analyzing the Islamic dictate on the subject, it is very clear that; Mischief comprises all forms of anarchy and terror that remove security, comfort and peace. Whereas Islam teaches peace and tolerance and orders its believers to compassion and justice; thus “Islam and terrorism cannot stand side by side”. Islam forbids terrorism and aims to bring peace and security to the world. Indeed, no divine religion permits terrorism and violence. As Holy Quran says, “If someone kills another person - unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth - it is as if he had killed all mankind”. Thus, the teaching of Islam is that, ‘a person who kills even a single man indeed commits a crime as if he had murdered all mankind on earth and such people will have a painful punishment’. In no part of the Quran does God command believers to "respond to violence with violence", but commands Muslims to "respond to evil with goodness".

These directives from the Holy Quran are enlightening for a better understanding of the Western disinformation in the name of, “Islamic Terrorism”. In reality those conduct and harbor these acts of terrorism in the name of Islam cannot be regarded as Muslims, as Islam do not allow such inhuman acts. In fact, whether a conspiracy or otherwise, against the essence of Islam, these militants try to make Islam, a tool of barbarism. In fact the beginning of this barbarism, which may well be called, “third world fanaticism” is the benighted initiatives of people who are devoid of love for human being. In 11th century, the way Crusaders distorted and misconstrued the Christianity as a teaching of brutality, some tainted groups might have budded in the Islamic world to get the wrong impression about Islam through brutal acts of terrorism. The commonalities of Crusaders and these so called Islamic terrorists are their "Bedouin" nature, that; “they were ignorant, unrefined, uncultivated, vulgar, and isolated people”. The violence they resorted resulted from this social structure, rather than the religion to which they claimed to adhere. The true message of a religion or another system of belief can be at times exposed to distortion by its pseudo-adherents. The Crusaders, who constitute a dark episode of Christian history, set a good example of this.

Created on the ideology of Islam, the terms like; extremism, violence, terrorism and suicide attacks were alien for the peace loving society of Pakistan. It was never the panorama of nonsensical violence and unpitying massacres even until 2003. Ever since the start of global war on terror in the post 9/11 scenario, this peaceful nation has lost innumerable innocent civilians and security forces personnel while acting as a frontline state. These losses have been caused by so called Islamic militants; the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and their accomplices, during their terror attacks either on security forces, innocent masses or else due to collateral damages caused in the process of combating the militancy. In fact the number of causalities Pakistan has suffered during this so called war on terror is much more than what we afforded during combat operations in all wars with India. The inopportune incident of 9/11 was a milestone in our current history and has caused inconceivable domestic turbulence in Pakistan. In reality, the incident was fallout of Western sponsored Jihad against the invasion of former Soviet Union in Afghanistan (1979 -1989). After disintegration of Soviet Union, the Western backed former Jihadis were left out of work, as US lead West left the region in haste. A majority of them kept itinerant along Pak- Afghan border until 9/11. Thereafter their presence in tribal areas was mulled over as a budding risk; therefore security forces launched operations to flush them out, to which they resorted to terrorist attacks on innocent civilians and security forces. Starting from Waziristan in 2004, they successfully made inroads into our major cities and carried out terrorist attacks across the length and breadth of the country. Over the years these militants were strengthened by acquisition of latest weaponry and equipments and an unending financial support by forces operating from outside the Pakistani borders, having historical rancor against us. In 2008 alone, over 5000 innocent Pakistani have lost their lives in the ongoing wave of terrorism.

The question arises who caused this all? Essentially these are those elements, fighting under the wrong pretext of promoting their version of Islamic ideology which is contrary to true spirit of Islam. It is worth mentioning here that Islam preaches peace and tranquility not violence and killings. These militants kill the innocent people indiscriminately, basing on which one can safely say that they are pursuing a philosophy contrary to Islamic one. Infact the militants fighting against the world in general and Pakistan in particular are sloppily damaging the Islamic ideology and impression of Islam, which cannot be done by a Muslim. All tangible evidences and analysis are indeed leading to the coherent conclusions that; camouflaged like Muslims, these militants are operating against Islam. It will be impulsive to say that who’s cause they are promoting? But indubitably none is follower of Islam or well wisher of Muslims in general and Pakistan in particular.

It is beyond doubt that, Pakistan is suffering, mainly because of its historical alliance with US and West whose policies and actions against Muslims have created the so called Islamic militants in Pakistan and elsewhere in the Muslim world. Time has come where Pakistani nation has to understand these so called Islamic militants, damaging the very basis of existence of the only ideological Muslim country in the world by promoting terrorism and extremism. Their uninterrupted flow of finances and munitions and secured hideouts has to be questioned and ceased consequently. It was unimaginable until a few years ago to target mosques that were known to be place of protection for every Muslim, but recent attacks on religious congregations in mosques/imam bargahs etc. have become a routine. These terrorist and immoral acts, violence and armed assaults on national, social and religious congregations are seriously leading towards their long term out of sight un-Islamic intentions. Their activities have made everyone and any one insecure in Pakistan. They have seriously hampered the economic progress of the country by encumbering the foreign investment through acts like; kidnapping and terrorizing the foreigners. They are openly torching the educational institutions specially girls schools and colleges, the very basis of our intellectual growth and quintessence of Islam. They are publicly butchering and beating the innocents including women and all those who question their true motives and ideology. They are promoting sectarianism, ethnicity and factional divide among the nation. In short, these militants are at war with all the peace loving people of Pakistan for motives better known to them or their abettors.

As in Islam, every divine religion, commands love, justice, mercy and peace. Violence turned into terrorism on the other hand is divergent to the religion and promotes; brutality, carnage, misery and unscrupulousness. This being the case, the origins of a terrorist act should be sought in disbelief rather than in any religion. Irrespective of their native religion, people with fascist, racist or materialist ideologies should be alleged as possible perpetrators. The name or the identity of the triggerman is not important. If he can kill innocent people without blinking an eye, then he is a nonbeliever, not a believer. Therefore, the misinformation that Islam promotes terrorism is rather a flawed concept which contradicts its basic teaching as referred above. The religion of Islam can by no means countenance terrorism, rather, terror in Islam is a great sin, and Muslims are responsible for preventing these acts and bringing peace and justice to the world. And this is what Pakistani as a nation is doing to save itself and the world from terrorists.

Terrorist are carrying out attacks in all corners of the world. Sadly, the fact that the perpetrators of various terrorist acts carry Christian, Muslim or Jewish identities cause some people to put forward claims which do not concur with divine religions. The truth is that even if terrorists have Muslim origin, the terror they perpetrate cannot be labeled "Islamic terror", just as it could not be called "Jewish terror" if the perpetrators were Jews or "Christian terror" if they were Christians. Therefore, it is felt that media, think tanks and intellectual should report to the real motives and un-Islamic practices of the terrorists. As terrorists attacking the Mosques (House of Allah) cannot be considered Muslims. Their motive is not supremacy of Islam rather they are actually playing in the hands of anti-Islamic and anti Pakistan elements.

The writer is a South Asian analyst. Email; drmk_edu@yahoo.com

MY BLOOD IS NOT FOR SALE

ALI SUKHANVER
alisukhanver@hotmail.com

What else could innocent Marry do? She lost her parents, her brothers, her Barbie-doll and even her small wooden house in Tsunami. So one day, standing along the beach, she pricked her finger with a pen knife, took a white piece of paper and wrote a line with her dripping blood, “Sea! I will never forgive you even if your waves touch my foot a million times.” The next moment the paper was hovering away some where towards an unknown destination along with the helpless Marry on merciless torrents. The people of Pakistan are never going to forget the reward of joining the American war against terror because this war has snatched away all their peace and prosperity and pushed them into an unfathomable dark sea of distress and destruction.

Obama, the Black Prince of USA has recently announced his new policy regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan. He seems sterner, more determined and more inflexible in his approach towards the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is also in the air that in near future the US drones might be searching for the militants in Baluchistan.President Obama has also stated that Pakistan is no more going to get blank cheques. The freshly announced US policy has given birth to so many apprehension fears and anxieties among the Pakistani nation. In the junk of their memories the people of Pakistan are searching for the day when Obama was taking oath as the newly elected president; they were celebrating the occasion in their own way; so many welcoming statements, so many well-wishes, all for Obama. They were dreaming Obama as their savior. Might be their dreams were their expectations, their hopes and desires but the most significant was their belief that Obama would surely take care of them. The tone and the words used in the recently announced US policy have shattered and scattered their confidence regarding president Obama.Their lips are silently asking Obama ; did you ever give us a blank cheque-----do you think you can pay for the passions----can you buy sincerity???

In his statement on the 29th of March the US defense minister Robert Gates has blamed the ISI of having close cordial relationship with the terrorist groups in Afghanistan. He said that the ISI would have to break its ties with the extremist groups in Afghanistan. Such a ridiculous statement from a responsible US authority has surely widened the already growing distances between the people of Pakistan and the USA.. It is certainly not a gentle way to treat a true friend, to reward a time- tested ally. Pakistan has always been the most sincere supporter and promoter of the US policies in the South Asian region. Without the moral and military support of Pakistan, the USA would never have been able to fight against the menace of terrorism. It is only Pakistan who remained the most consistent ally of the USA in the war against terror since the very first day. As a result of this support Pakistan had to face very grievous consequences. It had to sacrifice hundreds of it soldiers in the northern tribal areas, its economy had to bear serious setbacks and its innocent people had to face the reaction of the extremists in form of horrible suicidal attacks. The most important is the fact that in spite of all these trials and tribulations, Pakistan never backed out of its support to the US mission against terrorism. How strange; America has forgotten all that assistance and comforting support! The US fingers are astonishingly pointing towards the ISI and the Pakistan army in suspicion. The American think-tanks are calling in question the honesty of both these sacred institutions with a particular reference to the US struggle in Afghanistan. What would be the out come of these groundless and childish allegations? Why don’t the Americans judge the commitment of Pakistan in fighting terrorism from the sacrifices rendered by its security forces including Intelligence Organizations? Such an attitude is nothing but a part of a malicious campaign supported by the hidden Indian elements in the US society. The only aim of all this propaganda is to discredit and bring disrepute to the security organizations of Pakistan.

The intelligence agencies of every country are considered the front defense line. Their role is same as that of an OP, the Observational Post or of the Observer in the battlefield. Posted at a high point, the task of an observer is to keep an eye on the position of the enemy and inform his fighting corps. Be it the CIA or the MOSSAD or any other intelligence agency, the role never changes; then why all guns targeting the ISI. The Inter Services Intelligence is doing nothing new or different. It is simply doing what it is meant for. If RAW is financing and supporting the foreign militant groups in FATA and the Non-Pakistani separatist elements in Baluchistan; what does the Western world expect from the ISI; should it just sit quietly and wait for the successful achievements of RAW?

The ISI is not a terrorist organization as usually portrayed by the Indian influenced Western media sections and Indian patronized think tanks. It has never been involved in any objectionable commotion regarding the human rights violation or in any terrorist activity. The only work assigned to this organization is to look after the purely national interests of Pakistan. This organization is constantly pinching in the eyes of those who are afraid of a strong Pakistan, who fear that a prosperous Pakistan could give them a tough time. The ISI is simply the name of a very patriotic mechanization which is very true to its salt. Those are living in a fool’s paradise who expect from the ISI, the role of rubber-stamp. The US authorities should try to understand that the ISI is not playing a different role from the other intelligence agencies of the world. However, luckily or unluckily, this organization does not have the ability of doing what RAW is doing in the South Asian region. The recent mutiny in the Bangladesh Riffles, the continuous disturbance in the border areas of China, the nefarious activities of LTTE in Sri Lanka, the Maoist movement in Nepal, the brutal slaughtering of the Muslim and the Christian minorities in India, the maltreatment with the Sikhs, the human rights violations in Kashmir and above all the poisonous flames of terrorism blazing in the tribal areas of Pakistan; RAW is always behind the scene. Moreover the involvement and support of the Indian army in all these terrorist activities adds salt to the injuries. The ISI and the Pakistan Army can never behave like that.

The blameful statement of Mr. Gates seems something very strange .It is quite hard to believe that a country itself facing the worst outcome of terrorism is held responsible for supporting the terrorist activities in another country. All this is nothing but a biased, prejudiced and hostile propaganda against Pakistan. It is just an attempt to keep the fake accusation vibrant and provide false information to key communicators and world opinion makers. Pakistan is a peace loving country. It has nothing to do with terrorism. If Pakistan were a terrorist country, it would never have been the US ally in the war against terror. Before blaming Pakistan Army and the ISI, the US hi-ups should cast a look at the past when the US authorities were very much thankful to the ISI and the government of Pakistan for giving them a helping hand against the Russian invasion in Afghanistan.

Now it would be much better to end up the blame game against Pakistan. No attempt for the US supremacy in Afghanistan and no effort for the reign of peace in the South Asian region could be lucrative if Pakistan is not treated honorably and trustfully. We the Pakistanis are not the innocent and helpless Marry. We are never going to push ourselves into the unfathomable dark sea of distress and destruction. We are a very passionate friend as well as a very zealous enemy. We can donate even the last drop of our blood to a friend but we never sell it to anyone at any cost.

It is not Pakistan’s U Turn on Mumbai Attack

By Afshain Afzal

Various articles have been contributed on Mumbai attacks to acquaint the readers with various possibilities and latest developments. Basing our analysis on the statements of Indian Army, Police and eyewitnesses as well as Indian and foreign media reports, it appears to be a conspiracy of RAW with other foreign intelligence agencies. The latest breakthrough by Pakistani authorities in Mumbai attacks is a proof that an honest effort has been made to investigate into the attacks. Many people got perturbed when they found that initially Pakistan, due to absence of Ajmal Amir Kasab’s record in NADRA, was even doubtful of the his Pakistani citizenship despite the fact that Pakistani news channels telecasted the interview of his father from Okara in which he accepted Ajmal Amir as his son. Later it further surprised them when Pakistani authorities not only admitted Kasab’s Pakistani citizenship but also accepted that its soil had been used by militants involved in Mumbai attacks. However, instead of appreciating Pakistan’s efforts in the probe, the Indian media started projecting that Pakistan has accepted the blames leveled by Indian government. While Pakistani media and some international channels which were denying Pakistan’s involvement in the attacks started questioning why they were kept ignorant of latest developments while same stuff was shared with foreigners and handful of CIA-RAW sponsored Pakistan channels?

Leaving aside the propaganda, it is crystal clear that Pakistani authorities have nowhere accepted the blame of Mumbai attacks. It is true that Islamabad arrested three individuals from Karachi and also located the compound where allegedly Ajmal Amir Kasab along with other militants stayed before the Mumbai attack but where is the acceptance? Indian media and some Pakistani channels with anti Pakistan designs are wrongly projecting Pakistani efforts to nab the actual hands behind the attack as Pakistan’s “U Turn” and acceptance of Indian charges. In fact Pakistan is carrying out a thorough investigation on Mumbai attacks during the course of which it found that Mumbai attacks were linked with other terrorist activities in India. In the same regard Pakistani Foreign Minister said on February 15, 2009 that Mumbai attacks are linked with Sahjhota Express blasts. Pakistan has shared its probe report on the attacks with many countries including G-8. The efforts of Pakistan in this regard have been appreciated not only by India but the whole world. Pakistan wants India’s cooperation in the probe and is presently waiting reply of 30 questions it raised to India.

While analyzing the present situation, it is important to keep our minds open as in the mist of anti-Pakistan propaganda it is difficult to differentiate between truth and lie. Pakistan has made a major breakthrough by unearthing part of Mumbai attackers’ network in Karachi as well as successfully tracing links of Mumbai attacks with Sahjhota Express blasts. It is still possible that Mumbai attacks have been staged by some intelligence agency to make things appear real. It may also be a conspiracy of RAW-CIA or some local intelligence agency that may have vested interests. We have before us fake encounters by Indian Army and security forces against those who hold extremist views. One such event took place in Indian held Jammu and Kashmir last year when a student was killed by Indian Army personnel while infiltrating with weapons from Pakistan to India. However, his teachers in Rajouri confirmed that he attended the college that morning. Another event is Malegaon and Modasa blasts which took place few days ahead of Eid ul Fitr, in which 5 Muslims were killed. BJP issued a statement in which it leveled the responsibility on the Muslims and blamed SIMI and Indian Mujahideen for the blasts. But Mumbai Police despite extensive pressure from Hindu extremists unveiled the Hindu terrorists were behind the blast. Police also disclosed that Islamic stickers were pasted on the motor cycle used in the blast to prove that Muslims are behind the blasts. It is too early to say anything with confidence that what would be the final shape of investigations being carried out by Pakistani authorities. It depends on level of Indian cooperation which might lead to unearthing of further evidences with regard of Mumbai attacks links with Samjhoata Express blast. It is on record that slain Indian Terrorist Squad Chief Hemant Karkare put Samjhoata Express blast on the score card of Lieutenant Colonel Srikant Prasad Purohit and his Hinduvta outfits. In the light of recent developments, it appears that Mumbai attacks may end at Indian Military Intelligence and RAW who would finally come up with the whole truth regarding Mumbai attack.

Research and Analysis Wing [RAW]

The Cabinet Secretariat Research and Analysis Wing [RAW], India 's most powerful intelligence agency, is India 's external intelligence agency. RAW has become an effective instrument of India 's national power, and has assumed a significant role in formulating India 's domestic and foreign policies. RAW has engaged in disinformation campaigns, espionage and sabotage against Pakistan and other neighboring countries. RAW has enjoyed the backing of successive Indian governments in these efforts. Working directly under the Prime Minister, the structure, rank, pay and perks of the Research & Analysis Wing are kept secret from Parliament.

Current policy debates in India have generally failed to focus on the relative priority given by RAW to activities directed against India 's neighbors versus attention to domestic affairs to safeguard India 's security and territorial integrity. The RAW has had limited success in dealing with separatist movements in Manipur and Tripura in the northeast, Tamil Nadu in the south, and Punjab and Kashmir in the northwestern part of the country. Indian sources allege the CIA has penetrated freedom fighters in Kashmir and started activities in Kerala, Karnataka, and other places, along with conducting economic and industrial espionage activities in New Delhi .

In 1968 India established this special branch of its intelligence service specifically targeted on Pakistan . The formation of RAW was based on the belief that Pakistan was supplying weapons to Sikh terrorists, and providing shelter and training to the guerrillas in Pakistan . Pakistan has accused the Research and Analysis Wing of sponsoring sabotage in Punjab, where RAW is alleged to have supported the Seraiki movement, providing financial support to promote its activities in Pakistan and organizing an International Seraiki Conference in Delhi in November-December 1993.

RAW has an extensive network of agents and anti-government elements within Pakistan , including dissident elements from various sectarian and ethnic groups of Sindh and Punjab. As many as 40 terrorist training camps at Rajasthan, East Punjab, Held Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India are run by the RAW's Special Service Bureau (SSB).

Throughout the Afghan War, RAW was responsible for the planning and execution of terrorist activities in Pakistan to deter Pakistan from support of Afghan liberation movement against India 's ally, the Soviet Union . The assistance provided to RAW by the KGB enabled RAW to arrange terrorist attacks in Pakistani cities throughout the Afghan War. The defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan did not end the role of RAW in Pakistan , with reports that suggest that India has established a training camp in the town of Qadian , in East Punjab , where non-Muslim Pakistanis are trained for terrorist activities. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has blamed India for funding the current upsurge of terrorism in Pakistan , and senior ministers have blamed the Research and Analysis Wing for the sectarian violence between Shias and Sunnis which has resulted in thousands of deaths every year.

RAW executed a hijacking of an Indian Airliner to Lahore in 1971 which was attributed to the Kashmiris, to give a terrorist dimension to the Kashmiri national movement. However, soon the extent of RAW's involvement was made public.

RAW has a long history of activity in Bangladesh , supporting both secular forces and the area's Hindu minority. The involvement of RAW in East Pakistan is said to date from the 1960s, when RAW promoted dissatisfaction against Pakistan in East Pakistan, including funding Mujibur Rahmanh's general election in 1970 and providing training and arming the Mukti Bahini.

During the course of its investigation the Jain Commission received testimony on the official Indian support to the various Sri Lankan Tamil armed groups in Tamil Nadu. From 1981, RAW and the Intelligence Bureau established a network of as many as 30 training bases for these groups in India . Centers were also established at the high-security military installation of Chakrata, near Dehra Dun , and in the Ramakrishna Puram area of New Delhi . This clandestine support to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), some of whom were on the payroll of RAW, was later suspended. Starting in late 1986 the Research and Analysis Wing focused surveillance on the LTTE which was expanding ties with Tamil Nadu separatist groups. Rajiv Gandhi sought to establish good relations with the LTTE, even after the Indian Peace Keeping Force [IPKF] experience in Sri Lanka . But the Indian intelligence community failed to accurately assess the character of the LTTE and its orientation India and its political leaders. The LTTE assassination of Rajiv Gandhi was apparently motivated by fears of a possible re-induction of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and a crackdown on the LTTE network in Tamil Nadu.

The RAW and the Ministry of External Affairs are provided Rs 25 crore annually as "discretionary grants" for foreign influence operations. These funds have supported organisations fighting Sikh and Kashmiri separatists in the UK , Canada and the US . An extensive network of Indian operatives is controlled by the Indian Embassy in Washington DC . The Indian embassy's covert activities are reported to include the infitration of US long distance telephone carriers by Indian operatives, with access to all kinds of information, to r blackmail relatives of US residents living in India . In 1996 an Indian diplomat was implicated in a scandal over illegal funding of political candidates in the US . Under US law foreign nationals are prohibited from contributing to federal elections. The US District Court in Baltimore sentenced Lalit H Gadhia, a naturalised US citizen of Indian origin, to three months imprisonment. Gadhia had confessed that he worked as a conduit between the Indian Embassy and various Indian-American organisations for funnelling campaign contributions to influence US lawmakers. Over $46,000 from the Indian Embassy was distributed among 20 Congressional candidates. The source of the cash used by Gadhia was Devendra Singh, a RAW official assigned to the Indian Embassy in Washington . Illicit campaign money received in 1995 went to Democratic candidates including Sens. Charles S. Robb (D-Va.), Paul S. Sarbanes (D -Md.) and Reps. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) and Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md. )