Showing posts with label militant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label militant. Show all posts
Gov. Paterson against 911 trial in NYC
New York Governor David Paterson who usually supported Pres. Barack Obama on many issues criticized the president for agreeing to hold the trial of the 911 mastermind and 4 other suspects in the courthouse of New York City (NYC.) The democrat governor joined ex-Mayor Rudolf Guiliani and many other New Yorkers in condemning the civilian trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed who was accused of orchestrating the killing of almost 3,000 innocent civilians and destruction of the World Trade Center. They wanted the Muslim militant and four other co-conspirators--- Waleed bin Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi and Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali 2001 to be tried in the military court.
"Our country was attacked on its own soil on September 11, 2001 and New York was very much the epicenter of that attack. Over 2,700 lives were lost," he said. "It's very painful. We're still having trouble getting over it. We still have been unable to rebuild that site and having those terrorists so close to the attack is gonna be an encumbrance on all New Yorkers." ---wcbstv.com (11/16/09)
But Attorney General Eric Holder wanted to have the suspects in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to stand trial in New York because of certain undisclosed evidence. Since the alleged crimes happened in the United States, Holder, like his supporters, wanted to showcase the workings of America’s “superior” justice system to the world. But even the families of the victims are not pleased with the idea.
Among many objections, critics argued that bringing the terrorists in the Big Apple opens old wounds of the horror of 911. Why not in other venue? War criminals must be tried by military tribunals, not in civilian courts. New York City is likely to spend huge money to put them to trial --- a “circus” the accused terrorists desire. The 911 attack is an act of war against humanity and any concessions given to barbarism will put to waste the effort to arrest and put terrorists to trial.
With the media coverage, the trial will redirect NYC as a terrorist target and distract the public on the controversies of water-boarding and techniques of interrogation which have been useful in protecting the United States. Critics of the Obama administration believe there is a hidden agenda to investigate the Bush Administration’s policies on its war on terror. (Photo Credit: Long Island Business News) =0=
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America as a war zone: terrorism in Fort Hood bloodbath?
The gunman-killer Major Nidal Malik Hasan is now recovering in a hospital talking to his lawyer after the massacre he pulled in Fort Hood Base, a huge military base serving more than 50,000 soldiers in Texas. His shooting rampage raises questions on the motive of the killer who in the fit of hate and anger killed 13 and wounded 30 of his army comrades.
Subsequent information tended to make more people to believe Hasan’s attack was more than an isolated criminal act, but an act of terrorism. Yet, only a thorough and unbiased investigation could substantiate the truth.
There had been observations which could be regarded as warning signs---a prelude to the despicable massacre ironically committed by a member of the healing profession. In hindsight, if something was done differently, the 13 people who were killed could have been saved.
Here below are parts of the jigsaw puzzle:
*Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Army investigated the communications between a Yemen-based militant Muslim prayer leader and the army major, but they thought Hasan was not a significant terrorist threat. The violent psychiatrist tried to contact the Al Qaeda and contacted the militant imam with links to some hijackers of 911.
*The gumman was openly opposed to sending Muslims to fight the war on terror. In the Islamic Community of Greater Killeen, the mosque where he worshipped, he expressed his view that Muslim must not serve the US military.
*Hasan, an unmarried 39-year old was not happy about his forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan this November. He could have been under extreme stress.
*Investigators are reviewing emails of Hasan with radical spiritual leader Anwar Al Awlaki, a US citizen believed to be in Yemen. The Islamic preacher supports the Jihad war against USA. He had links with at least two of the Twin Tower suicide bombers.
*Witnesses like Pvt. Robert Foster who was injured in the attack heard Hasan shouted "Allahu Akbar" --"God is great" –- an Islamic terrorist’ battle cry during shootings and suicide bombings.
*Hasan, on a presentation on a medical topic during his final year during residency at Walter Reed Medical Center lectured his audience on Islam, homicide bombing, and threats military personnel faces with people of Islamic faith--- especially those who are averse to fighting against other Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. His audience thought it was upsetting and strange that Hasan gave such lecture instead of a relevant topic in psychiatry.
* A classmate of Hasan said prior to the killing, the doctor had been mouthing justifications of homicide bombings, hostility against Americans as he tried to get contact with Al Qaeda. With these overt warnings, no one worked to kick him out the military service. Though Hasan was being watched, no significant action was pursued to prevent the shooting rampage.
*In the weekend, Sen. Joe Lieberman suggested that a congressional investigation is needed to ferret out the truth if the shooting is really terrorism committed right at the US military base and against American servicemen.”
Given the above, one strongly suspects terrorism. Whether the army psychiatrist who is now being treated in Brookr Medical Center in San Antonio acted alone or in cahoots with other Islamic militants and Al Qaeda, more details of the probe has to be analyzed. The incident however speaks of the real threat and vulnerability of Americans to the ferocity of Islamic radicals. They have no qualms of killing innocent people in the name of religion at the heartland of USA. (Telegraph.col.uk; NYT/ Spillers, L; AP/ Kileen Daily Herald/ Morris, D.) =0=
RELATED BLOGS: "Fort Hood Muslim Army MD being investigated as a terrorist" Posted by mesiamd at 11/09/2009; "Army major massacres 11 and injures 31 people in Fort Hood, Texas" Posted by mesiamd at 11/06/2009
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Fort Hood Muslim Army MD being investigated as a terrorist
Major Nidal Malik Hasan recuperates from the gunshot wounds inflicted to stop him form his shooting rampage at Fort Hood Military Base. The medical army officer is being investigated for terrorism. Operatives are trying to know if he has deep ties with radical groups espousing violence and mayhem in the Western world.
The 39–year old unmarried gunman took the lives of 13 fellow soldiers and injured 30 innocent victims. Relatives and friends pointed to Hasan as a benign peaceful man with no criminal records. But others saw him as a troubled medical professional with religious fanatical views who was upset of being deployed to Afghanistan. The vicious killer shouted “Allahu Akhbar” (God is Great,) a signature battlecry of militant Muslim suicide bombers.
Later inquiries suggested that Hasan was a devout Muslim who talked stridently against the war. He believed Muslims are justified to rise against aggressors like the Americans. Born and raised in Virginia, he went to in Dar-al-Hijrah mosque in Virginia, a worship house led by a radical Muslim preacher said to be a "spiritual adviser" to three of the hijackers who attacked the United States on Sept 11, 2001. Hasan has great respect for Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born Yemeni imam accused of supporting terrorist organisations including Al-Qaeda.
These emerging clues raised the need to dig deeper into Hasan’s background. Exercising political correctness, civilian and military authorities seemed slow and hesitant to explore the terrorist angle, but this needed to change quick to protect America.
Endorsing a thorough investigation, Sen. Joe Lieberman talked of his suspicions that a terrorist link is possible given Hasan’s story. The Obama administration had been criticized for not giving enough focus on the tragedy that befell men and women in the service of the country.
For fear of a backlash among the radical Islamists, authorities preferred to think the attack was a criminal event rather than an attack of a terrorist. Those in denial had the tendency to push key questions under the rug. Part of a feeling of dread and tendency to accommodate, they were dismissive of violent people in the ranks of Muslims. They seemed unprepared to accept the truth that terrorists had entered in US soil. (Photo Credit: Telegraph.co.uk) =0=
RELATED BLOG: "Army major massacres 11 and injures 31 people in Fort Hood, Texas" Posted by mesiamd at 11/06/2009
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Suicide bomber kills 16 military recruits in Swat Valley
A suicide bomber who trespassed a training compound for military recruits blew himself, killing 16 would-be police officers in Swat region of Pakistan. The bloody attack which wounded an undetermined number of trainees came three days after 27 security men died in another attack in the country’s Khyber region.
The violence in unstable Mingora, Swat’s major village may be an attempt of Taliban militants to reclaim the area they control after their stronghold of three years was disrupted by military forces early in May 2009.
It was estimated 1,800 Islamic rebels and suicide bombers died during the offensive. A million civilians escaped the area, but returned when some measure of stability was achieved by the anti-Taliban forces.
Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the attack, vowing to continue the fight against the Taliban insurgents who caused the senseless deaths of about 3,000 people in the last two years. (Photo Credit: Nizam Khan) =0=
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Basilan gunbattle kills 23 government soldiers
Twenty three (23) military men died in a recent bloody clash with Abu Sayyaf fighters in Basilan, Mindanao on Wednesday, August 12, 2009. Government troops attacked the Moslem stronghold of Abu Sayyaf and engaged more than a hundred rebels in a day-long gunbattle leaving at least 21 militants dead.
Two young officers from the Army died among the 23 soldiers and another 22 were reported to have been wounded. The two were identified the junior Army officers as First Lieutenant Chester Barela of the Philippine Military Academy Class 2004 and First Lieutenant Dhel Jhun Evangelista (PMA Class 2006). The family of the officers have been informed.
The recent casualties bring to mind the fatalies on July 20, 2007 when 14 Marines were killed while trying to rescue Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi. Military men also died during attempts to rescue three Internatioal Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers kidnapped in Jolo, Sulu in January 2009. The three were eventually released by Abu Sayyaf captors after months of hostage negotiations.
The Abu Sayyaf is a notorious group of Islamic bandits with obscure socio-poliical objectives and mantains ties with the terrorist group Al Qaeda. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda) =0=
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5 killed in Cotabato blast
Part of the bombings that caused renewed fear in various parts of Southern Philippines is the explosion which occurred on Sunday, July 5, 2009 rocking the nearby Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Cotabato, Mindanao.
A bomb detonated in a store close to the church claimed the life of 5 people and wounding about 45. The explosion which prompted people to flee inside the church coincided the morning mass that was being celebrated by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo.
“The bombing occurred 14 hours after an explosion rocked Barangay Poblacion in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province, wounding three civilians.” Inquirer (07/06/09, 2009, Uy, J.)
No one accepted any responsibility for the blasts that Vatican's pontiff Pope Benedict XVI condemned. The holy father said nothing good could be achieved by hate and acts of violence. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division of the military suspected the spate of treaths and bombing are workings of the militant elements of the MILF. (Photo Credit: Carlie Saceda) =0=
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Iraqi troops take over US military servicemen in major cities
After the successful surge spearheaded by Pres. George Bush, the time is now to pull out the US military servicemen who serve in major cities---This has stabilized a dangerous country before it is turned over to the Iraqi people.
It’s a kind of victory for peace that this is happening, but it will take time to know if the Iraqi military will be able to maintain the advance of peace and order in the area. This is a time to recall the great men and women of the US armed forces who put their lives in line to help a troubled country.
As thousands of Iraqi troops and police take over check-points, the barbaric elements of society raised their challenge to the Iraqi government by exploding bombs and killing people.
“A car bombing devastated a food market in the city of Kirkuk, killing at least 33 people and wounding 90. The early evening attack, which bore the hallmarks of Sunni extremist groups like al-Qaida in Iraq, was the second in the Kirkuk area since a truck bombing killed 82 people on June 20.”-----AP/ Yahoo News (06/30/09, Gamel, K; Barzanji, Y.; Gearan, A.)
Because militants still operate Iraq, it is hard to say what will be the outcome of the take over. The Iraqis are optimistic that the future is in the hands of their people. The world shares the people’s optimism that a regime of peace and democracy will usher in growth and prosperity for the country. If they slid back to the path of violence, a fresh round of social upheaval will waste the effort of those who make peace possible. (Photo Credit: Mccalibur) =0=
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Militants bombed luxury hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan
The bombing that killed about 50 people last year in Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was reminiscent of the recent carnage in Pearl Continental Hotel a plush and popular hotel, the hang-out of foreigners and well-to-do Pakistanis.
Using a truck carrying deadly explosives, the suicide bombers brought down portion of the luxury hotel into rubble and caused a huge crater on the parking lot. The destruction claimed the lives of at least 11 people, injuring about 70 others, at least 9 individuals in critical condition. Several foreigners were among the dead and wounded.
“The violence was the latest in a string of powerful bomb attacks and ambushes in Pakistan's major cities while the country continues to wage an offensive against Taliban militants in the Swat Valley and surrounding regions. Pakistani authorities have characterized the attacks as retaliation by the Taliban for major gains made by Pakistani troops against militants since the military operation began in late April.” The Chicago Tribune/ LA Times (06/09/09 Zulfiqar Ali, Alex Rodriguez)
“U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "heinous terrorist attack" in "the strongest possible terms," U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said at U.N. headquarters in New York.”-----The Huffington Post / AP (06/09/09 Khan, Riaz)
The gunmen with their explosives barged into security at about 10 PM on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 as nightlife started in Peshawar, Pakistan’s largest Northeast city with a population of 2.2 million. The chaos that followed brought extensive loss of property, injuries, and senseless deaths.
The attack by terrorists was linked to the threats made public by the Al Qaeda-linked Taliban fighters who sought revenge against the bloody campaign they face against Pakistani security forces in Swat valley, a location close to the cities of Peshawar and Islamabad.
For the past weeks, about 15,000 Pakistani troops battled 7,000 Taliban Islamic militants prompting thousands of civilians to flee as the number of the dead mounted. A militia composed of civilians had been formed to kick out the Talibans in the area. (Photo credits: AFP Graphics; Reuters/ Ali Imam) =0=
Perseveranda So, a Filipina among the casualties in the Peshawar bombing
The 52-year-old Filipina Unicef worker devoted to education was unlucky to have been killed during the explosion that damaged the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Before her death, So, a dedicated Unicef Chief of Education helped in large measure the schooling of Filipinos through a program called Child Friendly School System. Her demise was announced by authorities of Unicef where she worked since 1994. =0=
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Fighting between government troops versus Abu Sayyaf kidnappers brings 6 dead
After unsuccessful negotiations to free the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC,) humanitarian workers who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, Philippines, a firefight erupted between the rebels and government forces bringing death to at least 3 kidnappers and 3 military men and hurting at least 19 soldiers. Albader Parad, the leader of the notorious kidnappers with links to Al-Qaeda was suspected to have been wounded in the gunfight.
The bloody encountry was sparked by armed Abu Sayyaf bandits who tried to cross the cordon set in the area by government forces.
Airing concern that the hostages--- Swiss Andreas Notter, Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba and Italian Eugenio Vagni must not be harmed, the head of ICRC Southeast Asia-Pacific operations Alain Aeschlimann said, “"Their safety is paramount. We repeat our call that no action should be taken that could put (their lives) in danger,"----Yahoo News/ AP (03/17/09, Gomez, J)
The kidnapped victims have been held since January 2009 by the Islamic extremists who seek the withdrawal of government troops from the area and insinuate on a payment of P50 million ransom. =0=
RELATED BLOG: "Abu Sayyaf kidnappers asks for P50 milllion ransom for ICRC workers" Posted by mesiamd at 3/12/2009
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Abu Sayyaf kidnapped victims appeal for help; their fates still in limbo
Three weeks after the three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were abducted while doing humanitarian work for Sulu prisoners in Southern Philippines, they sent an appeal to the world, particularly the local authorities to work on their release. The Abu Sayyaf Islamic group with Al Qaeda ties had been holding them in an undisclosed forested location while demanding that the military with a force of about 1,000 soldiers pull out from the area.
"Please try to... deal with them, try to find a way to pull us out," Eugenio Vagni, the 62-year-old engineer, said in an interview aired by a local radio. "We call on concerned authorities to choose to negotiate with the group, to negotiate and we hope that they will take this effort seriously," said Swiss Andreas Notter, 38, the head of ICRC team abducted in Jolo island on Jan. 15 after a prison sanitation project inspection.----GMA News.tv / Xinhua (02/05/09)
The initial maneuvers to secure their freedom have not worked. Italian Eugenio Vagni, Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba are reportedly treated “well,” but this doesn’t guarantee that this situation will hold until a happy end.
The public reception of the abduction is tepid; there's practically no outrage from Filipinos and people abroad who have been numbed by banditry in this location. Military officers pin on secrecy and news black out “to protect the safety” of the abducted victims. Behind the scene however, there are those who question the competency of the government in handling the hostage situation. The US embassy in Manila has offered their help and ICRC officials mulls on how the three victims could be rescued.
The longer the abducted workers are held, the public sees clearly the brutality and evil terrorism inflicts on the world. The Abu Sayyaf militants speak of “guest treatment,” on their victims, but it won’t be long when their real motivation comes to light. Nobody will be surprised if ransom, intimidation, and physical harm become the center piece of their familiar modus operandi. (Photo Credit: JezICRCGeneva; Charlie Salceda)=0=
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Three kidnapped Red Cross workers still missing in Mindanao
A week after 3 members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were kidnapped in Patikul, Sulu by heavily armed unidentified men on motorcycles, there had been little news on their whereabouts. Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba were snatched in Southern Philippines on January 15, 2009 during their field inspection of a water sanitation project in Sulu Provincial Jail in Southern Philippines.
Abu Sayyaf, the extremist Islamic group under Albade Parad with Al Qaeda ties had been suspected to be behind the abduction. On Monday, January 19, the kidnapped ICRC workers placed a phone call to their office asking that the military rescue operation be suspended.
Gen. Alexander Yano of the Armed Forces of the Philippines heads the search and rescue operation which show no progress. The military officer keeps a controversial news blackout which he believes is needed so as not to compromise the life of the kidnapped victims.
“Thursday's abduction was the most high-profile kidnapping of foreigners since 2001, when Abu Sayyaf gunmen snatched nearly two dozen tourists from a resort, including three Americans. One of the Americans was beheaded, a second was killed during a military rescue operation and the third was rescued. The incident prompted Washington to deploy troops in the south starting in 2002, but they are barred from combat.” ---Yahoo News / AP (01/17/09, Teves, O)
“Alain Aeschlimann, head of the ICRC’s operations for Asia Pacific in Geneva, said their main concern is to ensure that they continue to be unharmed and that they are let go, without any conditions, as quickly as possible." ---Malaya (01/20/09, Reyes, V)
There is increasing clamor to step up the search. Conflicting rumors heighten the anxiety and feeling of helplessness of hostages’ relatives. With no progress in finding the missing workers, the US Embassy in Manila has offered help to the Philippine authorities. If mishandled, this crisis can quickly degenerate into another round of ransom-giving, then body injuries, and even deaths. Unintended results bring back the old questions on the competence and integrity of the military authorities in solving this kind of dilemma. (Photo Credit: AFP/ ICRC file; Charles Saceda) =0=
UPDATE: As of April 18, 2009 two ICRC humanitarian workers namely Mary Jean Lacaba and Andreas Notter were freed by the Abu Sayyaf bandits. Only Eugenio Vagni had been left with the terrorists in the forested jungle of Jolo, Sulu. The military had been working to secure the freedom of Vagni.
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India’s 911 & the reminder of the ugly nature of terrorism
“Terrorist activity is continually recurring in various parts of the world, sowing death and destruction and plunging many of our brothers and sisters into grief and despair.”---Pope Benedict XVI
The gruesome killing spree by militant Islamic radicals in the financial district of India on November 27, 2008 brought a toll of at least 195 dead and more than 300 injured. Many lives were lost senselessly; many homes were broken. After a 60-hour bloody rampage, one could ask if these terrorists could be expected to follow the standards of Western justice and fair play.
Suspected to be Muslim extremists from neighboring Pakistan, the brutal killers left 22 foreigners and 15 Indian security officers among the dead. Their barbarity is their hallmark; their cruelty is incomprehensible.
“Terrorism is carried out purposefully, in a cold-blooded, calculated fashion. The declared goals of the terrorist may change from place to place. He supposedly fights to remedy wrongs -- social, religious, national, racial. But for all these problems his only solution is the demolition of the whole structure of society. No partial solution, not even the total redressing of the grievance he complains of, will satisfy him -- until our social system is destroyed or delivered into his hands.
“When I say that terrorism is war against civilization, I may be met by the objection that terrorists are often idealists pursuing worthy ultimate aims -- national or regional independence, and so forth. I do not accept this argument. I cannot agree that a terrorist can ever be an idealist, or that the objects sought can ever justify terrorism. The impact of terrorism, not merely on individual nations, but on humanity as a whole, is intrinsically evil, necessarily evil and w holly evil.”---Benjamin Netanyahu
The question about justice and fair play of terrorists is more significant as Pres. George W. Bush, the leader of the war on terror leaves office. In spite of his gains with America’s allies, many people forget his credit of foiling of reckless radicals who want to bomb US cities as they did with India. Demonized in a greater scale than his shortcomings, Bush still reminds the world of complacency, the evil of terrorism, and the costly war required in stopping it.
“Never give in. Never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” ---Sir Winston Churchill
Terrorists are determined to strike in a date, time and place of their choosing. They will do it in their own terms. Security and safety can only be achieved if they are vanquished and eradicated. It appears this is a battle that can last longer than the lifetimes of people of the present generation. Changing a warped and immoral ideology takes time especially if linked with radical religious beliefs among people with failing governments and cultures.
"We can't accommodate terrorism. When someone uses the slaughter of innocent people to advance a so-called political cause, at that point the political cause becomes immoral and unjust and they should be eliminated from any serious discussion, any serious debate." ---Mayor Rudolf Guiliani
There are those who think that the terrorists are reasonable and fair. They believe they can be made to embrace peace and be taught good moral conduct. Yet by choosing violence and seeking the destruction of their enemies (i.e. Israel and USA) how can they be trusted? The people of the world are caught between their freedoms and living in a bubble of a society on edge, raising security to avoid an attack. “This might sound arrogant, but I told the terrorist, 'You can harm my body, you can harm my mind, but you can't harm my soul. That is mine.' ---Terry Waite
It’s at this juncture that President-elect Barack Obama thinks deeply on how he’ll deal with cold-bloodied killers whose basic belief is to spread hatred and cause destruction of Western world. It is increasingly clear that those who want to destroy civilization will not stop at causing damage and physical harm. They are bent to inflict suffering, confront the world, until they gain control. “The Republic was not established by cowards; and cowards will not preserve it ... This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.---Elmer Davis
The war on terror isn’t an electoral campaign issue anymore. Rather, it’s a problem that all Americans and their allies have to tackle with undiminished resolve. Obama needs to balance diplomacy, the use of force, pragmatism, and rational judgment. It remains to be seen whether his diplomacy will open a future world order that is peaceful and prosperous.
"While we must remain determined to defeat terrorism, it isn't only terrorism we are fighting. It's the beliefs that motivate terrorists. A new ideology of hatred and intolerance has arisen to challenge America and liberal democracy."--- Sen. John Kerry
To expect enemies to abandon their violent agenda in a diplomatic negotiation table is naïve and foolhardy. Not to use force against them when it is necessary may be courting defeat. The terrorists know how to exploit any sign of weakness. With the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attack, those who are soft on the radicals have something serious to think about. (Photo Credits: Madalena Pestena; Reuters/Stringer; AP/Gurinder Osan; AFP/Pedro Ugarte; Harpagonis; AFP/Indrabil Muherjee; AFP/Prakash Singh) =0=
At least 82 killed & hundreds injured in terror attacks in Mumbai, India
The fire rages in Taj Mahal and Oberoi, the two luxury hotels attacked by terrorists. The dead and wounded are at least 82 and 200 respectively and the numbers are expected to rise. There are reports that about 40 westerners mostly British and Americans are feared to have been seized as hostages by an obscure militant Islamic group called Decca Mujahideen.
It isn’t ascertained how many are stuck in the hotels. The number of hostages and their identities are not known at this time. Six (6) terrorists have been killed so far. The number of those injured may reach 700.
The bloody attacks have been carried out simultaneously in at least 7 different sites including places like the Chhatrapati Shivaji rail station, Leopold restaurant, Cama, Albless, and G.T. Hospitals.David Miliband, Britain’s foreign secretary strongly condemning the violence asserted, "Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists." Similar condemnation came from White House spokesman Tony Fratto who said, "We condemn these attacks and the loss of innocent life.”---AP (11/27/08, Badam, RT
Although the motive of the senseless carnage which occurred on Wednesday night on November 26, 2008 isn’t known, the world can just watch in horror the barbarity of terrorist groups who prey on the innocents to gain attention and advance their warped agenda for the world. As of this writing, guns are fired and bombs are detonated without clear end. This violent incident makes the fight against terror unrelenting---ever more real today and in the future.
Cascade of Terrorist Attacks in India Killing Scores of Innocent People (Source: IBN Live, 11/27/08)
• Mumbai, Nov 26, 2008: Several killed and many more injured in seven terror attacks targetting mostly foreigners' hangout places.
•Assam, Oct 30, 2008: At least 45 killed (figure can change) and over 100 injured in 18 terror bombings across Assam.
• Imphal, Oct 21, 2008: 17 killed in a powerful blast near Manipur Police Commando complex.
• Kanpur, Oct 14, 2008: Eight people injured after bomb planted on a rented bicycle went off Colonelganj market.
• Malegaon, Maharashtra, Sep 29, 2008: Five people died after a bomb kept in a motorbike went off in a crowded market.
• Modasa, Gujarat, Sep 29 2008: One killed and several injured after a low-intensity bomb kept on a motorcycle went off near a mosque.
• New Delhi, Sep 27, 2008: Three people killed after a crude bomb was thrown in a busy market in Mehrauli.
• New Delhi, Sep 13, 2008: 26 people killed in six blasts across the city.
• Ahmedabad, July 26, 2008: 57 people killed after 20-odd synchronised bombs went off within less than two hours.
• Bangalore, July 25, 2008: One person killed in a low-intensity bomb explosion. • Jaipur, May 13, 2008: 68 people killed in serial bombings.
• Hyderabad, Aug 25, 2007: 42 people killed in two blasts, at a popular eatery and a public park.
• Samjhauta Express, Feb 19, 2007: 66 people killed after two firebombs went off on the India-Pakistan friendship train.
• Malegaon, Maharashtra, Sep 8, 2006: 40 people killed in two blasts.
• Mumbai, July 11, 2006: 209 people killed in seven blasts on suburban trains and stations.
• Varanasi, March 7, 2006: 21 people killed in three blasts including one at a temple and another at a railway station.
• New Delhi, Oct 29, 2005: 61 people killed in three blasts on the eve of Diwali.
• Mumbai, Aug 25, 2003: 46 people killed in two blasts including one near the Gateway of India.
• Gandhinagar, Sep 24, 2002: 34 people killed in the attack on the Akshardham temple. (Photo Credits: AP/GautamSingh; AP/GautamSingh; Reuters/ArkoDatta; AFP; AFP/IndraniMukherjee; AP/GautamSingh) =0=
UPDATE: The rising death toll and number of people injured are as follows: November 26, 2008 10:40 PM (Eastern US Time) Death toll---101; AP November 27, 2008 8:41 PM---104 dead; 314 wounded.
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