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--- South Asian News, September 19, 2002 --- (International)

Pakistani police arrest Sharib Zubair, the mastermind behind two deadly suicide bomb attacks and an attempt to assassinate President General Pervez Musharraf, and six others believed to belong to Harkat-ul Mujahideen al-Alaami, an Islamic extremist organization. Meanwhile, Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire over their de facto border in Kashmir as 17 people, including two ruling party activists, are reported to be killed in violence.

Africa

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Americas

* Police arrest militants, huge quantity of arms recovered (The News Mexico) (Globe and Mail)
* India, Pakistan exchange fire as 17 more die in Kashmir (The News Mexico)
* Kashmir strife kills 13 as elections continue (Globe and Mail)

Asia-Pacific


* Assassination attempt on Musharraf foiled (Malaya Star) (Japan Today) (Channel News Asia)
* Suspected militants kill 2 political activists in Kashmir polls (Channel News Asia) (Malaya Star)
* Pakistan stresses importance of defense production of conventional nature (Xinhuanet)
* Turnout in Kashmir polling reaches 47.97 percent (Xinhuanet)
* Colleges closed for next three phases of polls in Kashmir (Xinhuanet)
* India assists Nepal in fighting anti-gov't guerrillas (Xinhuanet)

Europe


* Pakistan arrests bomb 'mastermind' (BBC) (Ananova)
* Gandhi begins Kashmir campaign (BBC)
* Bangladesh jails children, report says (BBC)
* More than 100 parties in Nepal election (BBC)

Middle East


* Mastermind of bomb blasts arrested (Gulf News) (Gulf Daily News) (IRNA)
* Kashmir ruling party workers killed by rebels (Gulf Daily News)
* India reacts to Pak charge that polls in J&K were a "sham" (IRNA)
* UNMOGIP calls for cessation of violence in Jammu and Kashmir (IRNA)
* Parties' skirt foreign policy issues in poll campaigns (Arab News)
* Imran launches attack on government (Gulf News)
* Muslims 'integral part of north-east' (Gulf Daily News)
* Peace bid 'will divide country' (Gulf Daily News)

Editorial


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Business/Technology


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Americas


* Police arrest militants, huge quantity of arms recovered

Karachi, Pakistan -- Pakistan police have arrested seven people, including the suspected masterminded in the April suicide bombing that killed 12 French nationals, the Ministry of the Interior said Wednesday. In a statement issued in Islamabad, the ministry said all of the suspects were Pakistani. A suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden vehicle into a bus assigned to the French nationals in Karachi on April 14, also killing two Pakistanis. The seven persons arrested were believed to belong to the Harkatul Mojahidin al-Aalmi militant organization. An official said a large quantity of arms was recovered. The most recent arrests follow apprehension of the al-Aalmi organization chief and four suspected co-conspirators. They were arrested in connection with the June suicide bombing at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi and for an abortive attempt on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's life in April. They are facing terrorism and murder charges in an anti-terrorism court.

http://www.thenewsmexico.com/noticia.asp?id=35480
http://www.globeandmail.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20020919/UPAKKN/Asia/
internationalAsia/internationalAsia_temp/2/2/5/

* India, Pakistan exchange fire as 17 more die in Kashmir

Srinagar, India -- Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire over their de facto border in Kashmir Wednesday, while 17 people, including two ruling party activists, were killed in violence linked to ongoing elections, police said Wednesday. Police charged that Pakistani troopsd "unprovoked fire" at Indian forward positions in the Keran sector of the northern Kupwara district. The Pakistani troops fired small arms and artillery, which was returned by Indian troops, said police, who did not report any casualties.

http://www.thenewsmexico.com/noticia.asp?id=35477

* Kashmir strife kills 13 as elections continue

Srinagar, India -- Days before a second round of voting in disputed Kashmir, gunmen suspected of being Islamic rebels shot political workers and clashed with security forces, police said yesterday. There were 13 deaths.

http://www.globeandmail.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20020919/UREPON-6/Asia/internationalAsia/internationalAsia_temp/5/5/5/

Asia-Pacific


* Assassination attempt on Musharraf foiled

Karachi, Pakistan -- Pakistani security forces have arrested two Islamic militants suspected of planning to assassinate President Gen Pervez Musharraf, a senior police official said yesterday. The two men are believed to be members of the militant organization Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen al-Alami and were arrested yesterday morning near a convention centre here where Musharraf visited a day earlier, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. However, the home secretary of Sindh province, Brig Mukhtar Ahmad, said he was unaware of the arrests.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/9/19/asia/assfoiled&sec=asia
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=7&id=230940
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/19358/1/.html

* Suspected militants kill 2 political activists in Kashmir polls

Violence surrounding the state assembly election in Indian-ruled Kashmir has continued after suspected militants shot dead two activists from the ruling National Conference party. Ali Mohammad Dar and Ghulam Rasool Mir were both shot in downtown Srinagar within hours of each other. Just hours earlier, an opposition party worker was also killed in another incident in north Kashmir. Militants have threatened to kill anyone who takes part in the vote, and so far they have made good on that threat. More than a dozen separatist militant groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir's independence or merger with Pakistan.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/19363/1/.html
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/9/19/asia/shotdead&sec=asia

* Pakistan stresses importance of defense production of conventional nature

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Muhammad Aziz Khan on Wednesday said that Pakistan is not in arms race with any country but defense production of conventional nature is imperative for the survival of the country. While addressing at the international defense exhibition 2002 in the country's southern port city of Karachi, the general said that Pakistan's defense exports have registered 100 percent increase during the last two years, rising from 40 million US dollars in 2000 when the first international defense exhibition was held to the present 80 million US dollars. Among the developing countries, Pakistan has achieved a top position in defense production and attained a credible level of deterrence, General Aziz said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-09/19/content_566587.htm

* Turnout in Kashmir polling reaches 47.97 percent

September 18 -- India's Election Commission Wednesday said turnout in the first phase of elections in the India-controlled Kashmir area had improved by over three percentage points, going up to 47.97 percent. Following reports from remote areas of Rajuri, Poonch, Kupwara, Baramulla and Kargil, the five border districts which went to polls on Monday, the latest figure for the first phase of polling went up to 47.97 percent. The previous reports said the turnout in the first phase reached 44 percent. "The polling percentage improved significantly following reportspouring in from far flung areas," Deputy Chief Electoral Officer B.S. Jamwal told the local media Wednesday.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-09/18/content_566378.htm

* Colleges closed for next three phases of polls in Kashmir

September 18 -- The Indian government has ordered closure of colleges in all the districts in the India-controlled Kashmir area which are going to elections in the remaining three phase, the Press Trust of India quoted official sources as saying Wednesday. Colleges in Srinagar, Budgam, Jammu, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kathua,Udhampur and Doda would remain closed as their staff have been deputed on poll duty during the remaining three phases of elections in the area, the sources said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-09/18/content_566383.htm

* India assists Nepal in fighting anti-gov't guerrillas

September 18 -- India has reiterated its commitment to assist Nepal in its fight against the anti-government guerrillas, a senior Indian diplomat said here Wednesday. "India will continue to stand by Nepal in its steps taken to maintain peace and security in the Himalayan kingdom and face the challenge of terrorism," Ashok Kumar, charge d'affaires of the Indian Embassy to Nepal, said at a seminar. The Indian government has provided military assistance to Nepalfor its fight against the anti-government guerrillas, including two helicopters, light weapons, ammunition, transport and communication equipment as well as training to the Nepali army, henoted.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-09/18/content_566520.htm

Europe


* Pakistan arrests bomb 'mastermind'

Pakistani police have arrested seven suspected Islamic extremists in Karachi, one of whom is believed to have masterminded two deadly suicide bomb attacks in the city. Sharib Zubair was taken captive during a raid on a house in the Bahadurabad district in Karachi. Police say Sharib Zubair is wanted in connection with a bomb attack on Karachi's Sheraton Hotel in May, which killed 11 French nationals and three Pakistanis, and a blast outside the US Consulate in June, in which 12 people died. Police are also reported to have foiled a plan to assassinate Pakistan's President, General Pervez Musharraf, when he visited Karachi on Tuesday. Sharib Zubair is believed to belong to Harkat-ul Mujahideen al-Alaami, which officials say is an offshoot of Harkat-ul Mujahideen - one of the main guerrilla groups fighting Indian rule in the disputed region of Kashmir.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2266956.stm
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_673900.html?menu=news.latestheadlines.worldnews

* Gandhi begins Kashmir campaign

Heavy security is in place in the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir where Indian opposition leader Sonia Gandhi is due to address a campaign rally. It is her first visit to the troubled state since elections were announced in August. An earlier rally was cancelled after a Kashmiri minister was assassinated while campaigning, by suspected Islamic militants. Sonia Gandhi is due to address a rally in a sports stadium in the state's summer capital, Srinagar. Bomb squads and special paramilitary soldiers have been deployed in and around the site.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2268011.stm

* Bangladesh jails children, report says

Hundreds of Bangladeshi children are sent to jail every year and kept with convicted criminals in complete violation of the country's laws, a report says. It describes Bangladeshi prisons as "units of suffering, pain and disease". The report has been published jointly by Save the Children UK and a Bangladeshi human rights group, Odhikar. The report strongly criticises Bangladesh's juvenile justice system for failing to take into account international norms while trying child offenders. Latest available official figures show more than 1,000 children are being held in 81 prisons across Bangladesh.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2267118.stm

* More than 100 parties in Nepal election

The Nepalese Election Commission has granted permission to more than 100 political parties to contest the parliamentary elections to due to be held in November. The number has increased by 23% since the last election. Meanwhile, the Commission has given Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba one week to register a new party. The key election battle is expected to centre on less than a dozen parties including the two main rivals, the Nepali Congress and the left-wing United Marxist-Leninist (UML) party.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2266375.st

Middle East


* Mastermind of bomb blasts arrested

Pakistani police announced last night that they had arrested the alleged mastermind behind the spate of suicide car bombs that rocked the port city of Karachi earlier this year. Sharib was nabbed from an apartment in Karachi, bristling with guns and ammunition, after intelligence agencies swooped in and took him and six others into custody early yesterday. The alleged mastermind was behind the car bomb that killed 11 French engineers and three others on May 8, as well as the June 14 attack on the U.S. consulate that claimed 14 Pakistani lives. He was also behind the two failed assassination attempts on President Pervez Musharraf's life in April, sources said. The mastermind, who is a member of the shadowy Harkatul Mujahideen Al Alaami was caught along with another militant Mufti Zubair and four others from apartments in Bahadurabad district in the port city of Karachi.

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=63485
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=32865&Sn=WORL
http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

* Kashmir ruling party workers killed by rebels

Two ruling party workers were gunned down in the heart of Indian Kashmir's main city yesterday and a ruling lawmaker was attacked ahead of the second round of voting in a state election dogged by anti-poll violence. National Conference party workers Ali Mohammed Dar and Ghulam Rasool Mir were shot dead within hours of each other on the streets of Srinagar. A little-known separatist group, Al-Arfeen, said it killed Dar. Al-Arfeen is one of two groups that claimed responsibility for killing Law Minister Mushtaq Lone last week. An opposition party worker was killed in another incident in north Kashmir overnight.
On the de facto border, Indian and Pakistani troops

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=32869&Sn=WORL

* India reacts to Pak charge that polls in J&K were a "sham"

India dismissed as false Pakistan's charge that the first phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir was a "sham," saying it showed how "completely isolated" Pakistan has become on the issue. India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Nirupama Rao expressed India's assessment to reporters on Wednesday evening when asked about Islamabad's view of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) elections. She said: "It is a graphic illustration of how one country, Pakistan, is using not only terrorism but also falsehood as an instrument of state policy." "It is replete with untruths. It shows how completely isolated Pakistan is on this issue," she further said, asserting that "the whole world has welcomed the manner in which the first phase has been conducted."

http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

* UNMOGIP calls for cessation of violence in Jammu and Kashmir

In a significant statement, the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) called for cessation of violence and tensions in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and asked all parties involved in the Kashmir issue to encourage a "ceasefire" among themselves. In a statement on the occasion of `International Day of Peace' to be observed on September 21, UNMOGIP said on Wednesday that the day would be "a unique opportunity for cessation of violence and tensions throughout the world, more particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, creating the possibility of participating in a global cease-fire and day of non-violence," reported Press Trust of India.

http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

* Parties' skirt foreign policy issues in poll campaigns

Many may have opposed Pakistan's support to the US-led anti-terrorism war, but as the October polls approach, political parties seem to be skirting foreign policy issues in their campaigns. High on their agenda are corruption, the provision of basic amenities, law and order, and constitutional matters like curtailment of Parliament's authority by the military regime. The general election will be held on Oct. 10 and the run-up to the polls this time has been quite subdued as compared to previous years. But Pakistan's contentious foreign policy is not a campaign issue, reportedly because leaders here are keen to curry favor with international powers.

http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=18733

* Imran launches attack on government

Imran Khan, Pakistan's cricketer- turned-politician, yesterday launched a scathing attack on the military-led government and the politicians who are backing them over the manner in which they are violating election rules. President General Pervez Musharraf's "principal secretary, Tariq Aziz, is trying to steal the elections," Khan told a news conference. "He is supporting candidates of the 'king's party,'" he said. Khan, who is under fire from the pro-government politicians, was once considered an ally of the Musharraf government. In recent weeks, he, however, has just not distanced himself from the government, but intensified his criticism of Musharraf's constitutional amendments, which give him sweeping powers to dismiss parliament and formalise the role of the army in running government's affairs.

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=63483

* Muslims 'integral part of north-east'

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels made a dramatic conciliatory gesture towards minority Muslims yesterday in a move that further boosts Norway's bid to broker ethnic peace in the war-torn island. The chief negotiator of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Anton Balasingham, acknowledged that Muslims were an integral part of the island's north-east, earlier claimed by the rebels as their exclusive homeland. "The north and the east is the traditional homeland of the Tamils and the Muslims," he said.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=32870&Sn=WORL

* Peace bid 'will divide country'

Sri Lanka's peace bid with Tamil Tiger rebels will lead to a divided country, a Marxist Sinhalese nationalist group warned yesterday, but said its opposition to the process would be expressed democratically. "There is not any kind of peace process. There is only a process to separate the country," Bimal Rathnayake, a spokesman for the People's Liberation Front (JVP), said. The JVP has led two armed uprisings in the past 30 years against administrations it felt were too accommodating to the Tigers, who are fighting for a separate state in the country's north and east for minority Tamils.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=32871&Sn=WORL

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