<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-rupani-to-continue-as-gujarat-chief-minister-nitin-bhai-patel-his-deputy-bjp-27467" target="_blank">Vijay Rupani to continue as Gujarat chief minister, Nitin Bhai Patel his deputy: BJP</a>

Vijay Rupani will continue as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel his deputy, the BJP announced on Friday. The announcement was made at a meeting conducted by elected BJP candidates under the steer of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who made the announcement.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkar-releases-video-takes-his-disrupted-rajya-sabha-speech-online-27462" target="_blank">Sachin Tendulkar releases video; takes his disrupted Rajya Sabha speech online</a>

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was supposed to initiate a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360">debate&nbsp;</a>in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360">Rajya Sabha yesterday</a>. His speech was disrupted as the Upper House of Parliament was adjourned due to Congress leaders&#39; sloganeering over PM Modi&#39;s remark on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adarsh-scam-bombay-high-court-rejects-governors-sanction-to-prosecute-ashok-chavan-27435" target="_blank">Adarsh scam: Bombay High Court rejects Governor&#39;s sanction to prosecute Ashok Chavan</a>

The Bombay High Court on Friday set aside Governor&#39;s sanction to prosecute senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh scam.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/lashkar-e-taiba-creates-special-security-team-to-protect-hafiz-saeed-27474" target="_blank">Lashkar-e-Taiba forms &#39;special security team&#39; to protect Hafiz Saeed</a>

Lashkar-e-Taiba is reported to have created a &quot;special security team&quot;&nbsp;to provide security cover to global terrorist and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Chief Hafiz Saeed. Saeed&#39;s LeT&nbsp;security agents would also be armed with&nbsp;ammunition.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-president-calls-us-dishonest-mediator-says-will-not-accept-us-peace-plan-27464" target="_blank">Palestinian President calls US dishonest mediator, says will not accept US peace plan</a>

Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine has said that his country will not accept any peace proposal by the United States.&nbsp; He said, &quot;&nbsp;The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States.&quot;

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Here are the top developments this evening

Vijay Rupani to continue as Gujarat chief minister, Nitin Bhai Patel his deputy: BJP Vijay Rupani will continue as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel his deputy, the BJP announced on Friday. The announcement was made at a meeting conducted by elected BJP candidates under the steer of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who made the announcement. Sachin Tendulkar releases video; takes his disrupted Rajya Sabha speech online Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was supposed to initiate a debate in Rajya Sabha yesterday. His speech was disrupted as the Upper House of Parliament was adjourned due to Congress leaders' sloganeering over PM Modi's remark on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Adarsh scam: Bombay High Court rejects Governor's sanction to prosecute Ashok Chavan The Bombay High Court on Friday set aside Governor's sanction to prosecute senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh scam. Lashkar-e-Taiba forms 'special security team' to protect Hafiz Saeed Lashkar-e-Taiba is reported to have created a "special security team" to provide security cover to global terrorist and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Chief Hafiz Saeed. Saeed's LeT security agents would also be armed with ammunition. Palestinian President calls US dishonest mediator, says will not accept US peace plan Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine has said that his country will not accept any peace proposal by the United States. He said, " The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States."

WION evening news brief, December 22, 2017

President Donald Trump<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-talks-about-america-first-national-strategy-welcomes-indias-emergence-as-leading-global-power-27128"> slammed Pakistan while unveiling his</a> national security strategy, even as US administration officials expressed concern over reports of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed running for office in Pakistan next year.

State Department spokesperson <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dont-agree-with-tillerson-have-undertaken-operations-against-terrorists-pakistan-26768">Heather Nauert said Saeed was the</a> &quot;mastermind of the Mumbai terrorist attacks&quot; and leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), adding, &quot;it is a group the US government considers to be a terror organisation.&quot;

&quot;One of the things that happened recently was that Saeed&nbsp;was held under&nbsp;house arrest. Pakistan released him, and now there&#39;s word that he may be running for some sort of office,&quot; she added.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump pressed Pakistan to show results on terrorism, saying: &ldquo;We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help,&rdquo; the president added while addressing the nation from the Ronald Reagan building in Washington.

The US government has been unrelenting towards its pursuit to pressure Pakistan ever since President Trump came out with his Afghanistan policy declaring that Pakistan was using its soil as &quot;safe havens&quot; for terrorists, which was vehemently denied by Pakistan officials.

US administration officials are especially concerned over Jamaat chief Hafiz Saeed&#39;s fate after being released from house arrest last month.

&quot;We have a $10 million reward for information that would bring Saeed to justice. So I want to make that clear,&quot; the State Department spokesman said, adding, &quot;And we would certainly have concerns about him running for office.&quot; 
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The US government has been unrelenting towards its pursuit to pressure Pakistan ever since President Trump came out with his Afghanistan policy

President Donald Trump slammed Pakistan while unveiling his national security strategy, even as US administration officials expressed concern over reports of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed running for office in Pakistan next year. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said Saeed was the "mastermind of the Mumbai terrorist attacks" and leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), adding, "it is a group the US government considers to be a terror organisation." "One of the things that happened recently was that Saeed was held under house arrest. Pakistan released him, and now there's word that he may be running for some sort of office," she added. Meanwhile, Donald Trump pressed Pakistan to show results on terrorism, saying: “We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory." "And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help,” the president added while addressing the nation from the Ronald Reagan building in Washington. The US government has been unrelenting towards its pursuit to pressure Pakistan ever since President Trump came out with his Afghanistan policy declaring that Pakistan was using its soil as "safe havens" for terrorists, which was vehemently denied by Pakistan officials. US administration officials are especially concerned over Jamaat chief Hafiz Saeed's fate after being released from house arrest last month. "We have a $10 million reward for information that would bring Saeed to justice. So I want to make that clear," the State Department spokesman said, adding, "And we would certainly have concerns about him running for office."

We make massive payments to Pakistan, they have to help fight terror groups: Trump

&nbsp;Former Pakistan president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said he was ready to enter into an alliance with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) for Islamabad&#39;s &#39;safety and security&#39;.

This statement has come almost a month after he claimed he was the biggest supporter of the two parties.

&quot;They (LeT and JuD men) are patriotic people, they have laid their lives for Pakistan, who can object if they form a political party,&quot; ARY News quoted Musharraf, as saying.

So far the two parties have not approached him but if they desire to enter into an alliance with his party, he has no objection, he added.

He further said, &quot;I am a liberal and a moderate but that doesn&#39;t mean that I detest religious elements, I am the biggest supporter of Lashkar-e-Taiba and I know that they too like me, the people from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).&quot;

Musharraf, a month back, had said he liked the global terrorist, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, and had met him.

The former president added he was always in favour of terrorist action in Kashmir, and the LeT and the JuD were the biggest forces to take on the Indian Army in the state.

The US had strongly condemned the release of LeT leader Hafiz Saeed from house arrest and called for his immediate re-arrest and prosecution.

Saeed, accused of masterminding the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people, was released on November 24 after a Pakistan judicial body ordered his release from house arrest, rejecting a request from the government of Punjab to extend his detention by three months.

Meanwhile, last month, Musharraf announced to lead a grand alliance of 23 political parties, including the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Sunni Itehad Council, Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek, Muslim Conference (Kashmir), PML-Junejo, PML-Council, PML- National, Awami League, Millat Party, Jamiat Ulma Pakistan (Niazi Group), Aam Loug Party, Aam Admi Party, Pakistan Masawat Party, Pakistan Minority Party, and Social Justice Democratic Party.

Musharraf, a month back, had said he liked the global terrorist, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, and had met him

Former Pakistan president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said he was ready to enter into an alliance with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) for Islamabad's 'safety and security'. This statement has come almost a month after he claimed he was the biggest supporter of the two parties. "They (LeT and JuD men) are patriotic people, they have laid their lives for Pakistan, who can object if they form a political party," ARY News quoted Musharraf, as saying. So far the two parties have not approached him but if they desire to enter into an alliance with his party, he has no objection, he added. He further said, "I am a liberal and a moderate but that doesn't mean that I detest religious elements, I am the biggest supporter of Lashkar-e-Taiba and I know that they too like me, the people from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD)." Musharraf, a month back, had said he liked the global terrorist, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, and had met him. The former president added he was always in favour of terrorist action in Kashmir, and the LeT and the JuD were the biggest forces to take on the Indian Army in the state. The US had strongly condemned the release of LeT leader Hafiz Saeed from house arrest and called for his immediate re-arrest and prosecution. Saeed, accused of masterminding the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people, was released on November 24 after a Pakistan judicial body ordered his release from house arrest, rejecting a request from the government of Punjab to extend his detention by three months. Meanwhile, last month, Musharraf announced to lead a grand alliance of 23 political parties, including the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Sunni Itehad Council, Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek, Muslim Conference (Kashmir), PML-Junejo, PML-Council, PML- National, Awami League, Millat Party, Jamiat Ulma Pakistan (Niazi Group), Aam Loug Party, Aam Admi Party, Pakistan Masawat Party, Pakistan Minority Party, and Social Justice Democratic Party.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa, LeT men are patriotic, says Musharraf

President Trump signed the defense <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-congress-approves-bill-delinking-haqqani-network-from-let-25078">policy bill on Wednesday authorizing</a> $700 billion military spending for the coming fiscal which included reimbursement for Pakistan for its support to US troops involved in military operations in Afghanistan.

US Congress had passed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/freed-canadian-hostage-says-haqqani-network-raped-american-wife-murdered-baby-22456">the National Defence Authorisation Act(NDAA)&nbsp;early </a>last month, allowing up to $700m in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for Pakistan, Dawn newspaper reported.

The Pakistan daily added that half the amount has been withheld and can only be released if the US secretary of defence James Mattis certifies that Pakistan is taking &quot;demonstrable steps to curb the Haqqani terrorist network.&quot;

Former defense secretary Ashton Carter including James Mattis had refused to certify&nbsp;Pakistan earlier over its progress to eliminate the Haqqani Network which the US says is actively involved in terror activities in Afganistan.

The defense law requires Pentagon to monitor Washington&rsquo;s security assistance to Pakistan and ensure that it does not use military aid to support militant groups, the report said.

In the earlier version of the bill, US authorities had included both the Haqqani terrorist network and Hafiz Saeed&#39;s Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) which India accuses is responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

However, in the final version of the bill, US authorities dropped LeT from the list.

The NDAA 2018 also expressed concern about the alleged persecution of various political or religious groups in Pakistan, including Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Sindhis, Hazaras and the Baloch, the Pakistan daily said, adding the bill urged Mattis to ensure that Pakistan does not use &quot;any assistance provided by the United States to persecute minority groups.&quot;&nbsp;

US Congress had passed the National Defence Authorisation Act(NDAA)?early last month, allowing up to $700m in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for Pakistan, Dawn newspaper reported.

President Trump signed the defense policy bill on Wednesday authorizing $700 billion military spending for the coming fiscal which included reimbursement for Pakistan for its support to US troops involved in military operations in Afghanistan. US Congress had passed the National Defence Authorisation Act(NDAA) early last month, allowing up to $700m in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for Pakistan, Dawn newspaper reported. The Pakistan daily added that half the amount has been withheld and can only be released if the US secretary of defence James Mattis certifies that Pakistan is taking "demonstrable steps to curb the Haqqani terrorist network." Former defense secretary Ashton Carter including James Mattis had refused to certify Pakistan earlier over its progress to eliminate the Haqqani Network which the US says is actively involved in terror activities in Afganistan. The defense law requires Pentagon to monitor Washington’s security assistance to Pakistan and ensure that it does not use military aid to support militant groups, the report said. In the earlier version of the bill, US authorities had included both the Haqqani terrorist network and Hafiz Saeed's Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) which India accuses is responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. However, in the final version of the bill, US authorities dropped LeT from the list. The NDAA 2018 also expressed concern about the alleged persecution of various political or religious groups in Pakistan, including Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Sindhis, Hazaras and the Baloch, the Pakistan daily said, adding the bill urged Mattis to ensure that Pakistan does not use "any assistance provided by the United States to persecute minority groups."

Trump's defense bill to reimburse $700 million to Pak for supporting Afghanistan operation: Report

December 13, 2001 shook the very foundations of Indian democracy. A group of terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed sneaked past the security cordon around the Parliament of India. The attack killed six Delhi Police personnel and two Parliament Security Service personnel.

Five terrorists were killed.&nbsp;

The attack left a deep scar on the psyche of the nation. We felt vulnerable but, it also strengthened India&#39;s resolve to take the war to the heart of terrorism.&nbsp;

On the sixteenth anniversary of the attack, WION spoke with Radhey Sham Gupta, the&nbsp;then Special Police Commissioner in-charge of anti-terrorist operations, and Danvir Singh, editor of the Indian Defence Review.&nbsp;

WION: Why do you think an attack was launched on the Indian Parliament?

D Singh: When you look back, you realise the grand sinister design of Pakistan towards India that they have had, or rather they still have.

The attack on our Parliament was of a very high significance. It was designed to send a clear-cut message by Pakistanis to the Indians of their invincibility and ability to strike anywhere at free will with complete impunity.

The proxy war unleashed by them had already started to impact the psychology of the Indian state. Kandahar hijack and our response is the testimony to that argument. In quick succession, Pakistan had managed to seize and maintain the momentum of aggression on India after the Kargil defeat.

They had attacked the Kashmir assembly in November that year killing 38 innocent people. The intention of the enemy in carrying out such audacious attacks was to cripple the nervous system of the state. What could have been a better target other than Parliament which is the centre of gravity of Indian democracy and governance system?

WION: What were your first thoughts when you heard that Parliament has been attacked? What was the immediate action you took?

RS Gupta: I was the Special Police Commissioner in-charge of anti-terrorist&nbsp;operations at that time. My first reaction was to direct resources at the attack location and effectively deal with the terrorists -- arresting and neutralising them. Directions were very clear that in achieving our objective, no harm should be done to the MPs and VIPs at Parliament House at any cost. We were also asked to cause minimum damage on our side, both civilian and police.

Rest of the city was placed under full alert and security of all vital installations was reinforced. All Delhi Police units were placed on full emergency under senior officers. Delhi borders were put on full alert too.

WION: What was the scene at Parliament?

RS Gupta: Commissioner of Police Mr Ajay Raj Sharma had already reached Parliament House to lead the response. I too reached Parliament House shortly thereafter. Parliament House had been surrounded on all sides by police forces and units were involved in exchange of fire with terrorists. All five terrorists were neutralised before they could enter Parliament House and indulge in a&nbsp;shootout. A great role was played by Parliament staff in closing the wooden doors of the main Parliament building in time.&nbsp;Unfortunately, nine people were killed and 16 others injured in the attack by the terrorists.

Investigations were taken up immediately. Delhi Police cracked the case in 48 hours

WION: Can you tell us something about the attack that we came to know of only years later and was not evident then?

D Singh: Well!&nbsp;India realised that no matter how hard they battle with these terrorists and kill them in our own territory, we may continue with our losses in terms of precious human lives and seriously impair our psychology and in turn our will to fight. Thus, succumbing to Pakistani pressures and negotiating the Kashmir issue to their advantage.

We realised after the Parliament attack followed by Operation Parakram that the conventional option may not be a viable option. We had to prevent the attacker much before the LoC and preferably much beyond in Pakistani-held territory itself.

To that effect we did two things: firstly, we increased the pressure on the LoC by escalating artillery fire all across, making the proposition expensive to the Pakistanis both in terms of human and material resources. This forced General Musharraf to his knees literally begging for a ceasefire in 2003.

Secondly, we fenced our Line of Control. This was the game changer. Pakistan is still trying to grapple with this challenge. Today we have an upper hand and we have that initiative. Violence levels have reduced drastically in our favour. Also, the surgical strikes conducted have literally turned the tables. What Pakistan endeavoured by staging an attack on Parliament, we have achieved far much more. Pakistani establishment fears our response. India has changed, and they have realised that well.

WION: How do you think the terrorists managed to get in? What have we done to prevent such future attacks?

RS Gupta: The terrorists were able to enter the Parliament House complex by photocopying a Parliament car-parking label. They had recced the area and watched the entry procedure.

Parliament House security has since been reviewed, studied and strengthened.

WION: What is the most memorable image of that attack which has stayed with you from the event?

D Singh: Images of our CRPF jawans battling with these LeT / JeM terrorists with utmost bravery still linger on and remain totally clear in my memory. &nbsp;It was actually these images that conveyed a message that the terrorists sent by Pakistan who are religiously motivated under the ideology of Islam are in fact no-good fighters, rather they are cowards seen running petrified for cover once cornered. 
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On that day, the Parliament of India -- the very nerve centre of the country's democracy -- was attacked by terrorists from the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed

December 13, 2001 shook the very foundations of Indian democracy. A group of terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed sneaked past the security cordon around the Parliament of India. The attack killed six Delhi Police personnel and two Parliament Security Service personnel. Five terrorists were killed. The attack left a deep scar on the psyche of the nation. We felt vulnerable but, it also strengthened India's resolve to take the war to the heart of terrorism. On the sixteenth anniversary of the attack, WION spoke with Radhey Sham Gupta, the then Special Police Commissioner in-charge of anti-terrorist operations, and Danvir Singh, editor of the Indian Defence Review. WION: Why do you think an attack was launched on the Indian Parliament? D Singh: When you look back, you realise the grand sinister design of Pakistan towards India that they have had, or rather they still have. The attack on our Parliament was of a very high significance. It was designed to send a clear-cut message by Pakistanis to the Indians of their invincibility and ability to strike anywhere at free will with complete impunity. The proxy war unleashed by them had already started to impact the psychology of the Indian state. Kandahar hijack and our response is the testimony to that argument. In quick succession, Pakistan had managed to seize and maintain the momentum of aggression on India after the Kargil defeat. They had attacked the Kashmir assembly in November that year killing 38 innocent people. The intention of the enemy in carrying out such audacious attacks was to cripple the nervous system of the state. What could have been a better target other than Parliament which is the centre of gravity of Indian democracy and governance system? WION: What were your first thoughts when you heard that Parliament has been attacked? What was the immediate action you took? RS Gupta: I was the Special Police Commissioner in-charge of anti-terrorist operations at that time. My first reaction was to direct resources at the attack location and effectively deal with the terrorists -- arresting and neutralising them. Directions were very clear that in achieving our objective, no harm should be done to the MPs and VIPs at Parliament House at any cost. We were also asked to cause minimum damage on our side, both civilian and police. Rest of the city was placed under full alert and security of all vital installations was reinforced. All Delhi Police units were placed on full emergency under senior officers. Delhi borders were put on full alert too. WION: What was the scene at Parliament? RS Gupta: Commissioner of Police Mr Ajay Raj Sharma had already reached Parliament House to lead the response. I too reached Parliament House shortly thereafter. Parliament House had been surrounded on all sides by police forces and units were involved in exchange of fire with terrorists. All five terrorists were neutralised before they could enter Parliament House and indulge in a shootout. A great role was played by Parliament staff in closing the wooden doors of the main Parliament building in time. Unfortunately, nine people were killed and 16 others injured in the attack by the terrorists. Investigations were taken up immediately. Delhi Police cracked the case in 48 hours WION: Can you tell us something about the attack that we came to know of only years later and was not evident then? D Singh: Well! India realised that no matter how hard they battle with these terrorists and kill them in our own territory, we may continue with our losses in terms of precious human lives and seriously impair our psychology and in turn our will to fight. Thus, succumbing to Pakistani pressures and negotiating the Kashmir issue to their advantage. We realised after the Parliament attack followed by Operation Parakram that the conventional option may not be a viable option. We had to prevent the attacker much before the LoC and preferably much beyond in Pakistani-held territory itself. To that effect we did two things: firstly, we increased the pressure on the LoC by escalating artillery fire all across, making the proposition expensive to the Pakistanis both in terms of human and material resources. This forced General Musharraf to his knees literally begging for a ceasefire in 2003. Secondly, we fenced our Line of Control. This was the game changer. Pakistan is still trying to grapple with this challenge. Today we have an upper hand and we have that initiative. Violence levels have reduced drastically in our favour. Also, the surgical strikes conducted have literally turned the tables. What Pakistan endeavoured by staging an attack on Parliament, we have achieved far much more. Pakistani establishment fears our response. India has changed, and they have realised that well. WION: How do you think the terrorists managed to get in? What have we done to prevent such future attacks? RS Gupta: The terrorists were able to enter the Parliament House complex by photocopying a Parliament car-parking label. They had recced the area and watched the entry procedure. Parliament House security has since been reviewed, studied and strengthened. WION: What is the most memorable image of that attack which has stayed with you from the event? D Singh: Images of our CRPF jawans battling with these LeT / JeM terrorists with utmost bravery still linger on and remain totally clear in my memory. It was actually these images that conveyed a message that the terrorists sent by Pakistan who are religiously motivated under the ideology of Islam are in fact no-good fighters, rather they are cowards seen running petrified for cover once cornered.

December 13, 2001: The day the heart of India's democracy was attacked

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/arab-foreign-ministers-say-no-peace-without-a-free-jerusalem-26340" target="_blank">&nbsp;Arab foreign ministers say no peace without a &#39;free&#39; Jerusalem</a>

Arab Foreign Ministers collectively denounced on Saturday President Donald Trump&#39;s acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital. Ministers from across the region met in Cairo to discuss a response to Trump&#39;s announcement on Wednesday (December 6), which overturned decades of US policy towards the Middle East.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dangal-girl-zaira-wasim-alleges-molestation-attempt-in-delhi-mumbai-flight-26352" target="_blank">&#39;Dangal&#39; Girl Zaira Wasim alleges molestation attempt in Delhi-Mumbai flight</a>

&#39;Dangal&#39; Girl Zaira Wasim alleged molestation attempt by a man sitting behind her in a Delhi-Mumbai flight. The man allegedly touched her neck and her back repeatedly with his feet.&nbsp;In an Instagram post, she alleged that a middle-aged man sitting behind her on Delhi-Mumbai Vistara flight tried to molest her.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-arrests-pulwama-youth-with-let-links-26351" target="_blank">NIA arrests Pulwama youth with LeT links</a>

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a man on Saturday for allegedly having links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The arrested person, identified as Tauseef Ahmed Malik, (25), is a resident of Pulwama district, according to the anti-terror investigation agency.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/kohli-rested-india-all-set-to-take-lanka-in-odi-series-opener-26341" target="_blank">Kohli rested, India all set to take Lanka in ODI series opener</a>

As the three-match One Day International (ODI) series between India and Sri Lanka begins on Sunday, the hosts will aim to attain the top spot at the ICC team rankings, whereas the visitors will look forward to tasting a win after the Test series loss.Though the Indian side &#39;run machine&#39; and regular skipper Virat Kohli has been rested for the series, it would still not be easy for Sri Lanka, as they will face the Men in Blue spearheaded by the most successful IPL captain Rohit Sharma, here at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala in &quot;fresh air&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-should-not-harbour-any-illusion-about-gujarat-poll-result-bjp-26350" target="_blank">Congress should not harbour any illusion about Gujarat poll result: BJP</a>

With 68 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday expressed confidence over its victory, and said, now, Congress should not harbour any illusion about the result.

Arab foreign ministers say no peace without a 'free' Jerusalem Arab Foreign Ministers collectively denounced on Saturday President Donald Trump's acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Ministers from across the region met in Cairo to discuss a response to Trump's announcement on Wednesday (December 6), which overturned decades of US policy towards the Middle East. 'Dangal' Girl Zaira Wasim alleges molestation attempt in Delhi-Mumbai flight 'Dangal' Girl Zaira Wasim alleged molestation attempt by a man sitting behind her in a Delhi-Mumbai flight. The man allegedly touched her neck and her back repeatedly with his feet. In an Instagram post, she alleged that a middle-aged man sitting behind her on Delhi-Mumbai Vistara flight tried to molest her. NIA arrests Pulwama youth with LeT links The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a man on Saturday for allegedly having links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The arrested person, identified as Tauseef Ahmed Malik, (25), is a resident of Pulwama district, according to the anti-terror investigation agency. Kohli rested, India all set to take Lanka in ODI series opener As the three-match One Day International (ODI) series between India and Sri Lanka begins on Sunday, the hosts will aim to attain the top spot at the ICC team rankings, whereas the visitors will look forward to tasting a win after the Test series loss.Though the Indian side 'run machine' and regular skipper Virat Kohli has been rested for the series, it would still not be easy for Sri Lanka, as they will face the Men in Blue spearheaded by the most successful IPL captain Rohit Sharma, here at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala in "fresh air". Congress should not harbour any illusion about Gujarat poll result: BJP With 68 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday expressed confidence over its victory, and said, now, Congress should not harbour any illusion about the result.

WION Morning News Brief, 10 December 2017

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a man on Saturday for allegedly having links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The arrested person, identified as Tauseef Ahmed Malik, (25), is a resident of Pulwama district, according to the anti-terror investigation agency.

Two mobile phones have also been seized from his possession.

The role of Malik about his association with the terror outfit had surfaced during the interrogation of LeT terrorist Sheikh Abdul Nayeem, who was arrested by the NIA from Aurangabad in November.

Malik came in Nayeem&#39;s contact in March 2017 when the latter had visited Pulwama and stayed with LeT operatives for three months.

Malik was later produced in Pulwama Chief Judicial Magistrate&#39;s court which granted his transit remand for four days.

The accused will be brought to Delhi and produced before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House soon.

The arrested person, identified as Tauseef Ahmed Malik, (25), is a resident of Pulwama district, according to the anti-terror investigation agency

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a man on Saturday for allegedly having links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The arrested person, identified as Tauseef Ahmed Malik, (25), is a resident of Pulwama district, according to the anti-terror investigation agency. Two mobile phones have also been seized from his possession. The role of Malik about his association with the terror outfit had surfaced during the interrogation of LeT terrorist Sheikh Abdul Nayeem, who was arrested by the NIA from Aurangabad in November. Malik came in Nayeem's contact in March 2017 when the latter had visited Pulwama and stayed with LeT operatives for three months. Malik was later produced in Pulwama Chief Judicial Magistrate's court which granted his transit remand for four days. The accused will be brought to Delhi and produced before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House soon.

NIA arrests Pulwama youth with LeT links

Jammat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed appeared in public for the first time since his release from house arrest in a rally against US President Trump&#39;s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

Addressing JuD supporters in Chauburji near Lahore amid anti-India &amp; anti-US chants, Saeed said: &quot;Any Muslim country if opens its consulate in Jerusalem should be barred from opening their embassies in the Muslim countries.&quot;

The Jammat chief who has been declared a global terrorist said the Pakistan government should convene a session of joint parliament to discuss the Jerusalem issue.

&quot;Since Pakistan is a nuclear power it should lead the Muslim world. It should convene an Islamic summit and give a befitting response to the Trump administration,&quot; he said, adding that the world should also raise the issue of Kashmir along with Palestine.

The rally took place even as US defence secretary Jim Mattis visited Pakistan to gauge the response of Pakistan amid growing terror attacks in Afganistan. Hafiz whom India accuses of being the mastermind behind the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 has openly said he would be fighting for the &quot;Kashmir cause&quot;.

&quot;We will gather the people and launch an organised campaign against the US on the issue,&quot; he said in front of a large JuD gathering.

A Lahore High Court&#39;s Judicial Review Board had unanimously ordered Saeed&#39;s release on November 24 after the Pakistan government failed to provide any evidence related to terrorism.

The Jammat chief who has been declared a global terrorist said the Pakistan government should convene a session of joint parliament to discuss the Jerusalem issue.

Jammat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed appeared in public for the first time since his release from house arrest in a rally against US President Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Addressing JuD supporters in Chauburji near Lahore amid anti-India & anti-US chants, Saeed said: "Any Muslim country if opens its consulate in Jerusalem should be barred from opening their embassies in the Muslim countries." The Jammat chief who has been declared a global terrorist said the Pakistan government should convene a session of joint parliament to discuss the Jerusalem issue. "Since Pakistan is a nuclear power it should lead the Muslim world. It should convene an Islamic summit and give a befitting response to the Trump administration," he said, adding that the world should also raise the issue of Kashmir along with Palestine. The rally took place even as US defence secretary Jim Mattis visited Pakistan to gauge the response of Pakistan amid growing terror attacks in Afganistan. Hafiz whom India accuses of being the mastermind behind the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 has openly said he would be fighting for the "Kashmir cause". "We will gather the people and launch an organised campaign against the US on the issue," he said in front of a large JuD gathering. A Lahore High Court's Judicial Review Board had unanimously ordered Saeed's release on November 24 after the Pakistan government failed to provide any evidence related to terrorism.

In first public address, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed hits out at US

The Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested a terrorist in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-dead-body-of-army-soldier-found-police-investigates-25086" target="_blank">murder of Sepoy Irfan Dar</a>.

The police investigation conducted by the J&amp;K Shopian police have identified the terrorist as Muzamil Ahmad Malik.

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Jammu and Kashmir: One of the co-conspirators has been arrested by Shopian Police, in connection with murder of Sepoy Irfan Dar who was working with 175 Territorial Army <a href="https://t.co/vhrndFHgJf">pic.twitter.com/vhrndFHgJf</a>
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The investigation has revealed that the terrorist was involved in the murder of sepoy Irfan Dar.

The arrested terrorist along with Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT terrorists&nbsp;was involved in the criminal conspiracy for murdering the sepoy.&nbsp;

The conspiracy&nbsp;was plotted by Hizbul Mujahideen&#39;s Saddam Padder, Bilal Mohand and LeT&#39;s Touseef Ahmad and a newly recruited terrorist along with the arrested accused Muzamil Ahmad Malik.

The bullet-ridden dead body of a 23-year-old Territorial-Army jawan,&nbsp;Irfan Ahmad Dar, was found in a remote village of Jammu and Kashmir on November 25.

A resident of Saazan village,&nbsp;Irfan was&nbsp;posted at Guruz.&nbsp;He was in engineering regiment of the Territorial Army.&nbsp;

The army soldier was on a vacation. He went out of&nbsp;his home on Friday and did not return, reports said.

His body was found at Wuthmulla village located in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

The police investigation conducted by the J&K Shopian police have identified the terrorist as Muzamil Ahmad Malik

The Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested a terrorist in connection with the murder of Sepoy Irfan Dar. The police investigation conducted by the J&K Shopian police have identified the terrorist as Muzamil Ahmad Malik. Jammu and Kashmir: One of the co-conspirators has been arrested by Shopian Police, in connection with murder of Sepoy Irfan Dar who was working with 175 Territorial Army pic.twitter.com/vhrndFHgJf — ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2017 × The investigation has revealed that the terrorist was involved in the murder of sepoy Irfan Dar. The arrested terrorist along with Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT terrorists was involved in the criminal conspiracy for murdering the sepoy. The conspiracy was plotted by Hizbul Mujahideen's Saddam Padder, Bilal Mohand and LeT's Touseef Ahmad and a newly recruited terrorist along with the arrested accused Muzamil Ahmad Malik. The bullet-ridden dead body of a 23-year-old Territorial-Army jawan, Irfan Ahmad Dar, was found in a remote village of Jammu and Kashmir on November 25. A resident of Saazan village, Irfan was posted at Guruz. He was in engineering regiment of the Territorial Army. The army soldier was on a vacation. He went out of his home on Friday and did not return, reports said. His body was found at Wuthmulla village located in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K police arrests terrorist in connection with murder of Sepoy Irfan Dar

Former Pakistan Army chief and President Pervez Musharraf has said -- he was asked about his recent statements on Hafiz Saeed -- that he is not scared of Indian or international pressure.&nbsp;

Musharraf had recently said he is the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba&#39;s (LeT) &quot;biggest supporter&quot; and that he is aware that they &quot;like&quot; him too.&nbsp;

He had added then that he is similarly appreciative of LeT co-founder and the man thought to be the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed.&nbsp;

Musharraf&#39;s latest statements were made to Pakistani TV news channel AAJ News.&nbsp;

&quot;Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamat-ud-Dawa should not be banned. They are doing good work. US can&rsquo;t dictate terms to us about who we should arrest. They are not terrorists,&quot; Musharraf told AAJ News. &nbsp;

The Jamat-ud-Dawa is thought to be a front for the LeT, which has been banned by India, the US, and the UN.&nbsp;

Watch interview below:&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FR-mGfUYMtk" width="560"></iframe>

In the interview to AAJ News, Musharraf added that successive Pakistani government knew about the Lashkar&#39;s terror activities in Kashmir.&nbsp;

&quot;Lashkar has been there since 1991. It grew through the successive governments of Benazir Bhuttoo and Nawaz Sharif. They knew what Lashkar was doing in Kashmir. Can they deny it now?&quot; Musharraf told AAJ News. &nbsp;

&quot;I am not scared of Indian or international repercussion. Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamat-ud-Dawa should not be banned. They are doing good work.&quot;

&quot;Lashkar has made maximum sacrifices for us in Kashmir. It&rsquo;s a good organisation, not a terror group. If Lashkar wants to contest elections, why not?&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Musharraf also added that he would welcome an electoral alliance with Hafiz Saeed and his newly-launched Milli Muslim League in the 2018 Pakistani general elections.&nbsp;

&quot;If it has to happen, it will happen. By all means, I would welcome that,&quot; said Musharraf.&nbsp;

Musharraf is currently living in exile in London.&nbsp;

He has also set up a political party -- the All Pakistan Muslims League.&nbsp;

'I am not scared of Indian or international repercussion. Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamat-ud-Dawa should not be banned. They are doing good work.' Musharraf said

Former Pakistan Army chief and President Pervez Musharraf has said -- he was asked about his recent statements on Hafiz Saeed -- that he is not scared of Indian or international pressure. Musharraf had recently said he is the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) "biggest supporter" and that he is aware that they "like" him too. He had added then that he is similarly appreciative of LeT co-founder and the man thought to be the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed. Musharraf's latest statements were made to Pakistani TV news channel AAJ News. "Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamat-ud-Dawa should not be banned. They are doing good work. US can’t dictate terms to us about who we should arrest. They are not terrorists," Musharraf told AAJ News. The Jamat-ud-Dawa is thought to be a front for the LeT, which has been banned by India, the US, and the UN. Watch interview below: In the interview to AAJ News, Musharraf added that successive Pakistani government knew about the Lashkar's terror activities in Kashmir. "Lashkar has been there since 1991. It grew through the successive governments of Benazir Bhuttoo and Nawaz Sharif. They knew what Lashkar was doing in Kashmir. Can they deny it now?" Musharraf told AAJ News. "I am not scared of Indian or international repercussion. Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamat-ud-Dawa should not be banned. They are doing good work." "Lashkar has made maximum sacrifices for us in Kashmir. It’s a good organisation, not a terror group. If Lashkar wants to contest elections, why not?" he added. Musharraf also added that he would welcome an electoral alliance with Hafiz Saeed and his newly-launched Milli Muslim League in the 2018 Pakistani general elections. "If it has to happen, it will happen. By all means, I would welcome that," said Musharraf. Musharraf is currently living in exile in London. He has also set up a political party -- the All Pakistan Muslims League.

Musharraf on Hafiz Saeed statements: Not scared of Indian or international pressure

A security personnel succumbed to his injuries in a gun battle that erupted in Jammu and Kashmir today.

Two other terrorists were also killed in the encounter.

The incident happened in the Qazigund district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The two terrorists killed have been identified as Furkan and Abu Mavia.

Furkan was a Pakistani terrorist who took over as Divisional commander of LeT after the elimination of Ismail.&nbsp;

Another security personnel suffered injuries in the encounter between Army and terrorists.

The encounter is underway.

The gun battle started after terrorists attacked an army convoy that was heading towards Srinagar.

The area has been reportedly cordoned off by the security forces.

Further details are awaited.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

One of the terrorists, Furkan, took over as Divisional commander of LeT after the elimination of Ismail

A security personnel succumbed to his injuries in a gun battle that erupted in Jammu and Kashmir today. Two other terrorists were also killed in the encounter. The incident happened in the Qazigund district of Jammu and Kashmir. The two terrorists killed have been identified as Furkan and Abu Mavia. Furkan was a Pakistani terrorist who took over as Divisional commander of LeT after the elimination of Ismail. Another security personnel suffered injuries in the encounter between Army and terrorists. The encounter is underway. The gun battle started after terrorists attacked an army convoy that was heading towards Srinagar. The area has been reportedly cordoned off by the security forces. Further details are awaited. (With inputs from ANI)

1 Soldier, 2 terrorists killed in J&K encounter

Defence Secretary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/there-can-be-no-tolerance-of-terror-safe-havens-says-us-defence-secretary-james-mattis-in-india-20679">Jim Mattis arrived in Pakistan today</a> amid controversy surrounding the release of Jamaat(JuD) chief Hafiz Sayeed.

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Mattis said he did not plan to &quot;prod Pakistan into action&quot; because he expected Islamabad to &quot;adhere to promises to combat terrorism&quot;.

Mattis landed at Pakistan Air Force base in Rawalpindi, bordering Islamabad.

In October, replying to the US House Armed Services Committee Mattis had said his government would &quot;try to work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorism but if it fails then the US president&nbsp;would be prepared to take whatever steps necessary&quot;.

The Trump administration had earlier notified the US Congress that it was giving $255 million to Pakistan in military assistance only if it cracked down on terror groups.

The US administration had last week condemned Pakistan for the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest.&nbsp;

Soon after his release, Saeed gave a speech in Lahore in which he resumed anti-India rhetoric and promised to mobilise people for the &quot;cause of Kashmir&quot;.&nbsp;

Mattis is set to meet Pakistan PM Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in Islamabad to discuss a range of issues including terrorism and Afganistan strategy.

The US administration had last week condemned Pakistan for the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest.?

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in Pakistan today amid controversy surrounding the release of Jamaat(JuD) chief Hafiz Sayeed. Talking to reporters on Sunday, Mattis said he did not plan to "prod Pakistan into action" because he expected Islamabad to "adhere to promises to combat terrorism". Mattis landed at Pakistan Air Force base in Rawalpindi, bordering Islamabad. In October, replying to the US House Armed Services Committee Mattis had said his government would "try to work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorism but if it fails then the US president would be prepared to take whatever steps necessary". The Trump administration had earlier notified the US Congress that it was giving $255 million to Pakistan in military assistance only if it cracked down on terror groups. The US administration had last week condemned Pakistan for the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest. Soon after his release, Saeed gave a speech in Lahore in which he resumed anti-India rhetoric and promised to mobilise people for the "cause of Kashmir". Mattis is set to meet Pakistan PM Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in Islamabad to discuss a range of issues including terrorism and Afganistan strategy.

Watch: US defence secretary Mattis arrives in Pakistan, set to discuss Hafiz Saeed's release

In a major breakthrough, police have apprehended <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-im-lashkars-biggest-supporter-they-like-me-too-25405">a Jama&#39;at-</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-im-lashkars-biggest-supporter-they-like-me-too-25405">ud</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-im-lashkars-biggest-supporter-they-like-me-too-25405">-Da&#39;wah(JuD)-linked terrorist</a> Mohamad Amir also known as Abu Hamas.

In a video accessed by WION, Aamir openly confessed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hafiz-saeed-files-petition-in-un-to-remove-terrorist-tag-25302">he was trained by JuD handlers</a> who he said &quot;radicalised jobless youth&quot;.

India&#39;s intelligence agencies say Aamir,18, belongs to Karachi and his father is a retired policeman.

Aamir is said to be a &quot;master of small arms fire&quot;. Intelligence agencies believe Aamir is part of &quot;22 anti-India terrorist squads&quot; belonging to Jamat&#39;s front organization the Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT).

Hamas reportedly underwent a fifteen-day training with Jamat at Nuriya Bad, near Karachi where fifteen young Pakistani men belonging to various parts of the country were trained.

Hamas was interrogated by Indian police and intelligence authorities at an undisclosed location.

JuD chief Hafiz Saeed who was released from house arrest in Pakistan two weeks ago had said he would gather people across Pakistan for the &quot;cause of Kashmir&quot; and try to help Kashmiris get their &quot;destination of freedom&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir,&quot; Saeed said soon after walking free, adding,&quot; I fight for the cause of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir and we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom.&quot;

India has accused&nbsp;Hafiz Saeed of being the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attack in which over 160 people were killed.

Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and the UN after the Mumbai attack.

In a video accessed by WION, Aamir openly confessed to being trained by JuD handlers who he said "radicalised jobless youth".

In a major breakthrough, police have apprehended a Jama'at-ud-Da'wah(JuD)-linked terrorist Mohamad Amir also known as Abu Hamas. In a video accessed by WION, Aamir openly confessed he was trained by JuD handlers who he said "radicalised jobless youth". India's intelligence agencies say Aamir,18, belongs to Karachi and his father is a retired policeman. Aamir is said to be a "master of small arms fire". Intelligence agencies believe Aamir is part of "22 anti-India terrorist squads" belonging to Jamat's front organization the Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT). Hamas reportedly underwent a fifteen-day training with Jamat at Nuriya Bad, near Karachi where fifteen young Pakistani men belonging to various parts of the country were trained. Hamas was interrogated by Indian police and intelligence authorities at an undisclosed location. JuD chief Hafiz Saeed who was released from house arrest in Pakistan two weeks ago had said he would gather people across Pakistan for the "cause of Kashmir" and try to help Kashmiris get their "destination of freedom". "I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir," Saeed said soon after walking free, adding," I fight for the cause of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir and we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom." India has accused Hafiz Saeed of being the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attack in which over 160 people were killed. Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and the UN after the Mumbai attack.

Watch: In-camera confession of JuD terrorist from Peshawar

Pervez Musharraf has said that he is banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba&#39;s (LeT) &quot;biggest supporter&quot; and that he is aware that they &quot;like&quot; him too.&nbsp;

In an interview with Pakistan&#39;s ARY News, Musharraf said that he is similarly appreciative of&nbsp;LeT co-founder and the man thought to be the&nbsp;mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed.

Musharraf was quoted as saying <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hafiz-saeed-walks-free-vows-to-fight-for-kashmir-cause-24988" target="_blank">Saeed &quot;is involved in Kashmir&quot;</a> and that he &quot;supports&quot; that involvement.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hafiz-saeed-files-petition-in-un-to-remove-terrorist-tag-25302" target="_blank">Hafiz Saeed files petition in UN to get terrorist tag removed</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-should-ensure-hafiz-saeed-is-arrested-us-25045" target="_blank">Pakistan should ensure Hafiz Saeed is </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-should-ensure-hafiz-saeed-is-arrested-us-25045" target="_blank">arrestedl</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-should-ensure-hafiz-saeed-is-arrested-us-25045" target="_blank">, says </a><a class="gr-progress" href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-should-ensure-hafiz-saeed-is-arrested-us-25045" target="_blank">US</a>

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I am the biggest supporter of LeT and I know they like me &amp; JuD also likes me: Pervez Musharraf to Pakistan&#39;s ARY News, also said &#39;yes&#39; on being asked if he likes Hafiz Saeed, added that, &#39;I have met him (Hafiz Saeed)&#39; <a href="https://t.co/txxT58oPoU">pic.twitter.com/txxT58oPoU</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935710968058822656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Was always in favor of action in Kashmir &amp; of suppressing Indian Army in Kashmir &amp; they are the biggest force (LeT), India got them declared as terrorists by partnering with US. Yes they (LeT) are involved in Kashmir &amp; in Kashmir it is b/w we &amp; India: Musharraf to ARY News <a href="https://t.co/b1fOAyreKl">pic.twitter.com/b1fOAyreKl</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935712835278999557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Hafiz Saeed is a&nbsp;United Nations-designated terrorist who was freed from house arrest last week on an order of Lahore high court.

The US also branded Saeed a terrorist and put a $10 million bounty on Saeed&#39;s head after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Musharraf claimed Saeed was not involved in the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 because Saeed &quot;himself denied the charges&quot; of being the attacks&#39; mastermind.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-if-pakistan-army-wants-nothing-can-stop-hafiz-saeed-from-being-a-free-man-24881" target="_blank">Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man</a>

Musharraf was declared a fugitive from justice by Pakistan in August this year.

 
&nbsp;

Musharraf also said he was appreciative of the man thought to be the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks -- LeT co-founder Hafeez Saeed

Pervez Musharraf has said that he is banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) "biggest supporter" and that he is aware that they "like" him too. In an interview with Pakistan's ARY News, Musharraf said that he is similarly appreciative of LeT co-founder and the man thought to be the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed. Musharraf was quoted as saying Saeed "is involved in Kashmir" and that he "supports" that involvement. Also read: Hafiz Saeed files petition in UN to get terrorist tag removed Also read: Pakistan should ensure Hafiz Saeed is arrestedl, says US I am the biggest supporter of LeT and I know they like me & JuD also likes me: Pervez Musharraf to Pakistan's ARY News, also said 'yes' on being asked if he likes Hafiz Saeed, added that, 'I have met him (Hafiz Saeed)' pic.twitter.com/txxT58oPoU — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × Was always in favor of action in Kashmir & of suppressing Indian Army in Kashmir & they are the biggest force (LeT), India got them declared as terrorists by partnering with US. Yes they (LeT) are involved in Kashmir & in Kashmir it is b/w we & India: Musharraf to ARY News pic.twitter.com/b1fOAyreKl — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × Hafiz Saeed is a United Nations-designated terrorist who was freed from house arrest last week on an order of Lahore high court. The US also branded Saeed a terrorist and put a $10 million bounty on Saeed's head after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Musharraf claimed Saeed was not involved in the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 because Saeed "himself denied the charges" of being the attacks' mastermind. Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man Musharraf was declared a fugitive from justice by Pakistan in August this year.

I am Lashkar's biggest supporter, I know they like me: Pervez Musharraf

Mumbai attack mastermind and JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has &quot;blood on his hands&quot;, and wants to bring extremism into the mainstream politics of Pakistan, a former top American spymaster said on Saturday.

The Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head and LeT founder, who has a $10 million American bounty on his head for terror activities, was freed by Pakistan yesterday.

&quot;Saeed is a terrorist. Worked with the LeT, a Kashmiri militant group, and al-Qaida on attacks,&quot; Michael Morell, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) deputy director, who has also served twice as its acting director, said in a tweet.

Saeed, in his late 60s, was under house arrest for 297 days since January.

The fire-brand cleric&#39;s release after&nbsp;midnight&nbsp;came ahead of the 9th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed.

A deeply concerned US has asked the Pakistan government to re-arrest and charge Saeed for his crimes. It also asked Pakistan to ensure that the LeT leader is behind bars.

&quot;NO! JuD is NOT tied to Islamic State. What a rookie... Seriously. Hafiz Saeed&#39;s Release Completes the Political Mainstreaming of Jihadists in Pakistan,&quot; tweeted Christine Fair, a well-known South Asian expert on terrorist groups.

NBC news said Saeed&#39;s release could once again sour US relations with Pakistan.

The New York Times said, for decades, Pakistan has cast a benign eye on groups like LeT which is perceived as an asset because its attacks target Indian soldiers in Kashmir even as the government battles jihadist groups like the Pakistan Taliban that directly threatens the country.

&quot;But despite its pressure on Pakistan to move against militants like Saeed, the United States has also sent mixed messages. Just a month ago, the United States Senate struck down a provision tying American government funding to Pakistan to the country&#39;s efforts to curb Lashkar-e-Taiba&#39;s operations.

&quot;The provision, part of a broader Pentagon-funding legislation that Congress introduced this past summer, would have forced the secretary of defence to certify that Islamabad was thwarting Lashkar-e-Taiba&#39;s activities inside Pakistan or risk $350 million in American assistance,&quot; the Times wrote.

Meanwhile, in an op-ed, The Washington Examiner said the Trump administration &quot;should work with India&quot; to &quot;capture or kill&quot; Saeed.

&quot;Trump should call Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and offer to work with him to capture or kill Saeed,&quot; the daily said, adding that Saeed intends to lead a new Muslim theocratic political bloc in next year&#39;s parliamentary polls.

&quot;Although Pakistan&#39;s electoral commission has refused to certify the bloc, Saeed&#39;s populist power should not be understated. Charismatic and determined, if left unchecked in his political party or terrorist activities, Saeed could destabilise the region,&quot; the daily added.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai terror attack.

Additionally, an expert on terrorist group, said, 'Hafiz Saeed's release completes the political mainstreaming of jihadists in Pakistan'

Mumbai attack mastermind and JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has "blood on his hands", and wants to bring extremism into the mainstream politics of Pakistan, a former top American spymaster said on Saturday. The Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head and LeT founder, who has a $10 million American bounty on his head for terror activities, was freed by Pakistan yesterday. "Saeed is a terrorist. Worked with the LeT, a Kashmiri militant group, and al-Qaida on attacks," Michael Morell, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) deputy director, who has also served twice as its acting director, said in a tweet. Saeed, in his late 60s, was under house arrest for 297 days since January. The fire-brand cleric's release after midnight came ahead of the 9th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed. A deeply concerned US has asked the Pakistan government to re-arrest and charge Saeed for his crimes. It also asked Pakistan to ensure that the LeT leader is behind bars. "NO! JuD is NOT tied to Islamic State. What a rookie... Seriously. Hafiz Saeed's Release Completes the Political Mainstreaming of Jihadists in Pakistan," tweeted Christine Fair, a well-known South Asian expert on terrorist groups. NBC news said Saeed's release could once again sour US relations with Pakistan. The New York Times said, for decades, Pakistan has cast a benign eye on groups like LeT which is perceived as an asset because its attacks target Indian soldiers in Kashmir even as the government battles jihadist groups like the Pakistan Taliban that directly threatens the country. "But despite its pressure on Pakistan to move against militants like Saeed, the United States has also sent mixed messages. Just a month ago, the United States Senate struck down a provision tying American government funding to Pakistan to the country's efforts to curb Lashkar-e-Taiba's operations. "The provision, part of a broader Pentagon-funding legislation that Congress introduced this past summer, would have forced the secretary of defence to certify that Islamabad was thwarting Lashkar-e-Taiba's activities inside Pakistan or risk $350 million in American assistance," the Times wrote. Meanwhile, in an op-ed, The Washington Examiner said the Trump administration "should work with India" to "capture or kill" Saeed. "Trump should call Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and offer to work with him to capture or kill Saeed," the daily said, adding that Saeed intends to lead a new Muslim theocratic political bloc in next year's parliamentary polls. "Although Pakistan's electoral commission has refused to certify the bloc, Saeed's populist power should not be understated. Charismatic and determined, if left unchecked in his political party or terrorist activities, Saeed could destabilise the region," the daily added. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai terror attack.

Hafiz Saeed a terrorist, Trump should work with Modi to kill him: US media

Congress vice-president fired yet another salvo on&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning when he sarcastically tweeted &#39;hugplomacy fail&#39;. More hugs urgently need.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot; Narendrabhai, it&#39;s not working, Terror mastermind is free. President Trump just delinked Pak military funding from LeT. Hugdiplomacy fail. More hugs urgently needed,&quot; tweeted the official Twitter handle of office of Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

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Narendrabhai, ??? ???? ???. Terror mastermind is free. President Trump just delinked Pak military funding from LeT. Hugplomacy fail. More hugs urgently needed.<a href="https://t.co/U8Bg2vlZqw">https://t.co/U8Bg2vlZqw</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/934270304980889600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Earlier on November 24, Saeed was released from house arrest in Lahore.

Police guards were removed from his residence where a large number of supporters gathered to celebrate the end of his house arrest.

In his first address after being released, Saeed blames India and the U.S. for detention and raked up Kashmir.

Saeed is said to be the head of the U.S.-designated terror outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba and had been under house arrest since January 31 this year.

The decision to put Saeed under house arrest in January was seen as a response to actions by US President Donald Trump&#39;s White House against nations deemed linked to terrorism.

He has been declared a global terrorist by the United Nations and the US for his role in the Mumbai attack which claimed the lives of 166 people and maimed over 300 others.

He has a USD 10 million bounty on his head.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)&nbsp;

" Narendrabhai, it's not working, Terror mastermind is free. President Trump just delinked Pak military funding from LeT. Hugdiplomacy fail. More hugs urgently needed," Rahul tweeted

Congress vice-president fired yet another salvo on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning when he sarcastically tweeted 'hugplomacy fail'. More hugs urgently need. " Narendrabhai, it's not working, Terror mastermind is free. President Trump just delinked Pak military funding from LeT. Hugdiplomacy fail. More hugs urgently needed," tweeted the official Twitter handle of office of Rahul Gandhi. Narendrabhai, ??? ???? ???. Terror mastermind is free. President Trump just delinked Pak military funding from LeT. Hugplomacy fail. More hugs urgently needed.https://t.co/U8Bg2vlZqw — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 25, 2017 × Earlier on November 24, Saeed was released from house arrest in Lahore. Police guards were removed from his residence where a large number of supporters gathered to celebrate the end of his house arrest. In his first address after being released, Saeed blames India and the U.S. for detention and raked up Kashmir. Saeed is said to be the head of the U.S.-designated terror outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba and had been under house arrest since January 31 this year. The decision to put Saeed under house arrest in January was seen as a response to actions by US President Donald Trump's White House against nations deemed linked to terrorism. He has been declared a global terrorist by the United Nations and the US for his role in the Mumbai attack which claimed the lives of 166 people and maimed over 300 others. He has a USD 10 million bounty on his head. (With agency inputs)

'Hugplomacy fail': Rahul's latest jibe at Modi over Hafiz Saeed's release

As<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hafiz-saeed-walks-free-vows-to-fight-for-kashmir-cause-24988"> Lashkar-e-Tayyiba(LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed </a>walked free on Friday after being released from house arrest in Pakistan, the Trump administration said the Pakistan government &quot;should make sure that he is arrested and charged for his crimes&quot;.

The US government had designated <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-gravitas-india-expresses-outrage-at-hafiz-saeeds-release-6914">Saeed a &quot;global terrorist&quot; </a>under an executive order in 2012. The UN had also individually designated the LeT chief a &quot;terrorist&quot;&nbsp;under UNSCR 1267 in December 2008, following the November 2008 Mumbai attack in which six American citizens were killed.

The United States said it was &quot;deeply concerned&quot; that LeT leader Hafiz Seed had been released from house arrest in Pakistan.&nbsp;

In 2012, the United States had offered $10 million&lrm; reward for information leading to the arrest of Hafiz Saeed.

LeT and several of its front organizations including its leaders remain under US State Department and Treasury Department sanctions.

The United States said it was "deeply concerned" that LeT leader Hafiz Seed had been released from house arrest in Pakistan.?

As Lashkar-e-Tayyiba(LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed walked free on Friday after being released from house arrest in Pakistan, the Trump administration said the Pakistan government "should make sure that he is arrested and charged for his crimes". The US government had designated Saeed a "global terrorist" under an executive order in 2012. The UN had also individually designated the LeT chief a "terrorist" under UNSCR 1267 in December 2008, following the November 2008 Mumbai attack in which six American citizens were killed. The United States said it was "deeply concerned" that LeT leader Hafiz Seed had been released from house arrest in Pakistan. In 2012, the United States had offered $10 million‎ reward for information leading to the arrest of Hafiz Saeed. LeT and several of its front organizations including its leaders remain under US State Department and Treasury Department sanctions.

Pakistan should ensure Hafiz Saeed is arrested: US

US today reminded <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hafiz-saeed-released-no-longer-under-house-arrest-in-pakistan-24840">Pakistan that Hafiz Saeed is a &quot;designated</a> global terrorist&quot;&nbsp;by the United Nations, just hours after a Pakistan Judicial Review Board in Punjab refused to extend the detention of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief.

&quot;The US is aware of media reports that Pakistan court ordered release of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-if-pakistan-army-wants-nothing-can-stop-hafiz-saeed-from-being-a-free-man-24881"> Hafiz Saeed from house arrest</a>,&quot; a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

In May 2008, the United States had designated Saeed as a &quot;Specially Designated Global Terrorist&quot; under Executive Order 13224.

India has accused Hafiz Saeed of masterminding the Mumbai attack in November 2008 and the 2001 Parliament attack in Delhi.

&quot;The US reiterates its stance that LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens,&quot; the spokesperson told PTI.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which India accuses of carrying out terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, including the&nbsp;Mumbai attack on November 26th, 2008.&nbsp;

&quot;LeT and several of its front organisations, leaders, and operatives remain under both State Department and Treasury Department sanctions,&quot; the official added.

On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-terrorism Act 1997.

However, Saeed&#39;s four aides were set free last month. Pakistan&#39;s review board had allowed 30-day extension for Saeed last month.&nbsp;

The Pakistan government has reportedly told a judicial body that the country could face international sanctions if Jamaat leader Hafiz Sayeed is released from house arrest.

&quot;We plead the board not to order the release of Saeed as Pakistan may face international sanctions,&quot; the Pakistan government official had requested the judicial board.

&nbsp;

 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mrcbcvswtBw" width="560"></iframe> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In May 2008, the United States had designated Saeed as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" under Executive Order 13224.

US today reminded Pakistan that Hafiz Saeed is a "designated global terrorist" by the United Nations, just hours after a Pakistan Judicial Review Board in Punjab refused to extend the detention of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief. "The US is aware of media reports that Pakistan court ordered release of Hafiz Saeed from house arrest," a State Department spokesperson told PTI. In May 2008, the United States had designated Saeed as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" under Executive Order 13224. India has accused Hafiz Saeed of masterminding the Mumbai attack in November 2008 and the 2001 Parliament attack in Delhi. "The US reiterates its stance that LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens," the spokesperson told PTI. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which India accuses of carrying out terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Mumbai attack on November 26th, 2008. "LeT and several of its front organisations, leaders, and operatives remain under both State Department and Treasury Department sanctions," the official added. On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-terrorism Act 1997. However, Saeed's four aides were set free last month. Pakistan's review board had allowed 30-day extension for Saeed last month. The Pakistan government has reportedly told a judicial body that the country could face international sanctions if Jamaat leader Hafiz Sayeed is released from house arrest. "We plead the board not to order the release of Saeed as Pakistan may face international sanctions," the Pakistan government official had requested the judicial board.

Hafiz Saeed 'designated global terrorist', US reminds Pakistan

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been under house arrest since January this year. 
&nbsp; 
During the nine months of his detention, the Pakistani government&rsquo;s efforts at pursuing the case were at best lacklustre and seemed more cosmetic than anything, just like his house arrest during which he continued with his activities, and ran his charity organisation which many believe acts as a front and a reincarnation of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The JuD chief even managed to launch a political party by the name of Milli Muslim League (MML), but I will come back to that later. First, more on the court case. 
&nbsp; 
The judges hearing the petition &ndash; filed by Hafiz Saeed&rsquo;s lawyer who pleaded that there was no justification for Saeed&rsquo;s arrest &ndash; repeatedly asked the government&#39;s representatives, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to present evidence that would ensure Saeed&#39;s continued captivity but the federal and provincial authorities failed to satisfy the courts. 
&nbsp; 
Does the government have this evidence? From what we know, India claims to have provided enough evidence against Hafiz Saeed for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, which left 166 people dead.

Even the United States of America has put him on the Global Terrorist List.

However, in Pakistan, Indian claims are rejected outright while American labelling is also seen as India managing to convince the US through successful propaganda and nothing more. 
&nbsp; 
But there is another side to why the government has not pursued this case as it should have &ndash; its hands are tied by a powerful military establishment that does not want to share intelligence with its civilian counterparts.

In Pakistan, it is the military agencies that are thought to be responsible for domestic security affairs, especially when they concern&nbsp;intelligence gathering about a group like the JuD that has involvements in regional conflicts and affects Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign policy (which is also controlled by the establishment). 
&nbsp; 
But the military has even larger goals for the JuD &ndash; the MML (which I had mentioned earlier).&nbsp;

A few months ago, when the MML was being formed, a recently retired military general confided to the media that there was a plan by the Pakistan Army to mainstream militant groups into politics. While the idea was initially pushed with the clarification that this was the only way to de-radicalise such groups, it now seems the motives of the architects of the plan are quite different. 
&nbsp; 
The general elections in Pakistan are near and Nawaz Sharif has been on the warpath with the Pakistan Army ever since he was disqualified over the Panama Papers allegations.&nbsp;

Sharif alleges the military engineered his ouster and that there was no fair trial, and many agree with him.&nbsp;

Given that Sharif has been the one who is a big proponent of normalising relations with India, experts say the army does not want this, since no-conflict-with-India will reduce the relevance the military enjoys as the defender of Pakistan from a perceived Indian threat.

And so to stop Sharif&rsquo;s party &ndash; the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) &ndash; from being re-elected, the MML has been launched. The MML shares a voter-base with PML-N and will definitely dent its vote bank.&nbsp;

We saw an example of this in the recent Lahore city by-elections in NA-120, the seat where Sharif was disqualified from. The MML&#39;s performance was exceptional, and PML-N&#39;s Kulsoom Nawaz, Sharif&#39;s wife, did not win by the same percentage margin that Sharif did the last time. 
&nbsp; 
For now there are indications that the provincial government will make an attempt at issuing fresh orders of detention for Saeed but even if they manage to contain him, it is only a matter of time before the next order of freedom comes because there are power centres in the country that are more powerful than the civilian government. And if those powers want him out, no one can stop him from being a free man. 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

The judges have repeatedly asked the government for evidence to ensure Saeed's continued captivity but the authorities has been unable to satisfy the courts

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been under house arrest since January this year. During the nine months of his detention, the Pakistani government’s efforts at pursuing the case were at best lacklustre and seemed more cosmetic than anything, just like his house arrest during which he continued with his activities, and ran his charity organisation which many believe acts as a front and a reincarnation of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The JuD chief even managed to launch a political party by the name of Milli Muslim League (MML), but I will come back to that later. First, more on the court case. The judges hearing the petition – filed by Hafiz Saeed’s lawyer who pleaded that there was no justification for Saeed’s arrest – repeatedly asked the government's representatives, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to present evidence that would ensure Saeed's continued captivity but the federal and provincial authorities failed to satisfy the courts. Does the government have this evidence? From what we know, India claims to have provided enough evidence against Hafiz Saeed for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, which left 166 people dead. Even the United States of America has put him on the Global Terrorist List. However, in Pakistan, Indian claims are rejected outright while American labelling is also seen as India managing to convince the US through successful propaganda and nothing more. But there is another side to why the government has not pursued this case as it should have – its hands are tied by a powerful military establishment that does not want to share intelligence with its civilian counterparts. In Pakistan, it is the military agencies that are thought to be responsible for domestic security affairs, especially when they concern intelligence gathering about a group like the JuD that has involvements in regional conflicts and affects Pakistan’s foreign policy (which is also controlled by the establishment). But the military has even larger goals for the JuD – the MML (which I had mentioned earlier). A few months ago, when the MML was being formed, a recently retired military general confided to the media that there was a plan by the Pakistan Army to mainstream militant groups into politics. While the idea was initially pushed with the clarification that this was the only way to de-radicalise such groups, it now seems the motives of the architects of the plan are quite different. The general elections in Pakistan are near and Nawaz Sharif has been on the warpath with the Pakistan Army ever since he was disqualified over the Panama Papers allegations. Sharif alleges the military engineered his ouster and that there was no fair trial, and many agree with him. Given that Sharif has been the one who is a big proponent of normalising relations with India, experts say the army does not want this, since no-conflict-with-India will reduce the relevance the military enjoys as the defender of Pakistan from a perceived Indian threat. And so to stop Sharif’s party – the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – from being re-elected, the MML has been launched. The MML shares a voter-base with PML-N and will definitely dent its vote bank. We saw an example of this in the recent Lahore city by-elections in NA-120, the seat where Sharif was disqualified from. The MML's performance was exceptional, and PML-N's Kulsoom Nawaz, Sharif's wife, did not win by the same percentage margin that Sharif did the last time. For now there are indications that the provincial government will make an attempt at issuing fresh orders of detention for Saeed but even if they manage to contain him, it is only a matter of time before the next order of freedom comes because there are power centres in the country that are more powerful than the civilian government. And if those powers want him out, no one can stop him from being a free man. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed will walk free tonight if the Pakistan government does not detain him in any other case, his lawyer said today.

The JuD head, who carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January this year.

The Judicial Review Board of Punjab province comprising judges of the Lahore High Court yesterday unanimously ordered Saeed&#39;s release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which will expire midnight.

&quot;Saeed will walk free after midnight if the government does not detain him in any other case. We fear that the Punjab government may detain Saeed in any other case,&quot; Saeed&#39;s counsel Advocate AK Dogar told PTI.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-if-pakistan-army-wants-nothing-can-stop-hafiz-saeed-from-being-a-free-man-24881" target="_blank">Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man</a>

He said a large number of JuD workers have gathered outside Saeed&#39;s residence in Jauhar Town Lahore to welcome him on his release tonight.

The fire-brand cleric&#39;s release may also coincide with the 9th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed.

On the other hand, sources in the home department of the Punjab government are insisting that Saeed will not be released as he is being booked in another case.

&quot;The JuD chief was illegally detained for 297 days. Hafiz Saeed always worked for Pakistan and the government could not prove any allegation against him,&quot; Dogar had said yesterday.

He had warned that they will move the court without any delay if the government does not comply with the order of the judicial board and set him free.

On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the&nbsp;

Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. However, the last two extensions were made on the &#39;public safety law&#39;.

The board refused to give further extension to the detention of Saeed&#39;s aides. They were set free last month.

Under the law, the government can detain a person for up to three months under different charges but for extension to that detention it needs approval from a judicial review board.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack.

Saeed was put under house arrest after Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 but he was freed by court in 2009.

India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and also demanded trial of Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided to Islamabad.

The Ministry of External Affairs today said Saeed&#39;s release confirms the &quot;lack of seriousness&quot; on Pakistan&#39;s part in bringing terrorists to justice and its nefarious designs to shield and support non-state actors.

&quot;India, as indeed, the entire international community is outraged that a selk-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda,&quot; MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in New Delhi.

Ten LeT militants killed 166 people and wounded dozens in Mumbai in November, 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught.

Kasab was executed after a court found him guilty and handed down death sentence.&nbsp;

'Saeed will walk free after midnight if the government does not detain him in any other case,' Saeed's lawyer AK Dogar said

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed will walk free tonight if the Pakistan government does not detain him in any other case, his lawyer said today. The JuD head, who carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January this year. The Judicial Review Board of Punjab province comprising judges of the Lahore High Court yesterday unanimously ordered Saeed's release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which will expire midnight. "Saeed will walk free after midnight if the government does not detain him in any other case. We fear that the Punjab government may detain Saeed in any other case," Saeed's counsel Advocate AK Dogar told PTI. Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man He said a large number of JuD workers have gathered outside Saeed's residence in Jauhar Town Lahore to welcome him on his release tonight. The fire-brand cleric's release may also coincide with the 9th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed. On the other hand, sources in the home department of the Punjab government are insisting that Saeed will not be released as he is being booked in another case. "The JuD chief was illegally detained for 297 days. Hafiz Saeed always worked for Pakistan and the government could not prove any allegation against him," Dogar had said yesterday. He had warned that they will move the court without any delay if the government does not comply with the order of the judicial board and set him free. On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. However, the last two extensions were made on the 'public safety law'. The board refused to give further extension to the detention of Saeed's aides. They were set free last month. Under the law, the government can detain a person for up to three months under different charges but for extension to that detention it needs approval from a judicial review board. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack. Saeed was put under house arrest after Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 but he was freed by court in 2009. India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and also demanded trial of Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided to Islamabad. The Ministry of External Affairs today said Saeed's release confirms the "lack of seriousness" on Pakistan's part in bringing terrorists to justice and its nefarious designs to shield and support non-state actors. "India, as indeed, the entire international community is outraged that a selk-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in New Delhi. Ten LeT militants killed 166 people and wounded dozens in Mumbai in November, 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught. Kasab was executed after a court found him guilty and handed down death sentence.

Hafiz Saeed will walk free tonight: Lawyer

Hafiz Saeed is to be released from house arrest in Pakistan after a&nbsp;&nbsp;Judicial Review Board of Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province refused Wednesday to extend his detention&nbsp; for another three months. 
&nbsp;

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Lahore Court refuses to extend house detention of terrorist Hafiz Saeed: Pakistan media <a href="https://t.co/66qvz3LZVC">pic.twitter.com/66qvz3LZVC</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/933279281014235136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Review board has not found any satisfactory evidence for Hafiz Saeed so it has instructed the government to release him henceforth,&quot; Saeed&#39;s lawyer AK Dogar said.&nbsp;

The board had last month allowed a 30-day extension to the detention of Saeed which will expire next week. 
 
Saeed is a founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and has been blamed for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.&nbsp;

On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-errorism Act 1997.

Saeed&#39;s four aides were set free in the last week of October.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-may-face-international-sanctions-if-hafiz-sayeed-is-released-pak-govt-to-judicial-body-24796" target="_blank">Pakistan may face international sanctions if Hafiz Sayeed is released: Pak govt to judicial body</a>

(With inputs from PTI)

A Lahore court refused to extend his detention

Hafiz Saeed is to be released from house arrest in Pakistan after a Judicial Review Board of Pakistan's Punjab province refused Wednesday to extend his detention for another three months. Lahore Court refuses to extend house detention of terrorist Hafiz Saeed: Pakistan media pic.twitter.com/66qvz3LZVC — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2017 × "Review board has not found any satisfactory evidence for Hafiz Saeed so it has instructed the government to release him henceforth," Saeed's lawyer AK Dogar said. The board had last month allowed a 30-day extension to the detention of Saeed which will expire next week. Saeed is a founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and has been blamed for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-errorism Act 1997. Saeed's four aides were set free in the last week of October. Pakistan may face international sanctions if Hafiz Sayeed is released: Pak govt to judicial body (With inputs from PTI)

Hafiz Saeed to be released from house arrest in Pakistan

A soldier and three Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were killed today in two gunfights in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Kupwara district, police and Army officials said.

Security forces launched a search operation at Magam in the Handwara area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

He said the militants were asked to surrender but they opened fire on security forces.

The troops retaliated and in the exchange of fire, which lasted over an hour, three Pakistani militants of the LeT were killed, the official said.

Later in the afternoon, another encounter broke out between militants and security forces at Zirhama in the Trehgam area of the district.

The police, CRPF and Army strengthened the cordon and tried to flush out the militants. The ultras opened fire, killing a soldier and injuring two other jawans, an Army official said.&nbsp;

Two separate gunfights took place, both in Kupwara district

A soldier and three Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were killed today in two gunfights in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, police and Army officials said. Security forces launched a search operation at Magam in the Handwara area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said. He said the militants were asked to surrender but they opened fire on security forces. The troops retaliated and in the exchange of fire, which lasted over an hour, three Pakistani militants of the LeT were killed, the official said. Later in the afternoon, another encounter broke out between militants and security forces at Zirhama in the Trehgam area of the district. The police, CRPF and Army strengthened the cordon and tried to flush out the militants. The ultras opened fire, killing a soldier and injuring two other jawans, an Army official said.

Soldier, three LeT terrorists killed in Kashmir

A 20-year-old footballer who had joined Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) surrendered before security forces in Kashmir today.

The footballer, Majid Khan who belongs to Kashmir&#39;s Anantnag district is a student of Government Boy&#39;s Degree College.&nbsp;

Khan had reportedly hinted he wanted to join the LeT in a Facebook post last month.

Majid&#39;s decision to join the terrorist outfit had outraged his family, with several members including his mother calling him to come back home.

Reports said Majid&#39;s decision to join the terrorist outfit after his close friend &nbsp;Yawar Nissar was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir in August.

Khan had reportedly hinted he wanted to join the LeT in a Facebook post last month.

A 20-year-old footballer who had joined Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) surrendered before security forces in Kashmir today. The footballer, Majid Khan who belongs to Kashmir's Anantnag district is a student of Government Boy's Degree College. Khan had reportedly hinted he wanted to join the LeT in a Facebook post last month. Majid's decision to join the terrorist outfit had outraged his family, with several members including his mother calling him to come back home. Reports said Majid's decision to join the terrorist outfit after his close friend Yawar Nissar was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir in August.

J&K: 20-year-old football player who joined LeT surrenders to security forces

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-government-set-to-enforce-odd-even-scheme-for-private-vehicles-next-week-report-23820">Odd-even to be in place from Nov 13-17 with same exemptions: Delhi Transport minister</a>

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to start preparing for the odd-even scheme.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/multiple-evms-vvpat-failure-reported-in-himachal-polls-23844">WION Exclusive: Multiple EVM, VVPAT failures reported in Himachal Pradesh polls</a>

At least 58 EVMs and 102 VVPATs were replaced during polling and 167 EVMs and 219 VVPATs had to be replaced during mock polls in the state.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/rajasthan-boy-claims-10-wickets-without-conceding-a-run-in-t20-match-23845">T20: Rajasthan boy claims 10 wickets without conceding a run</a>

A fast bowler from Rajasthan created history of sorts when he took 10 wickets without conceding a run in a T20 match in Jaipur.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-two-dozen-vehicles-collide-due-to-fog-in-haryana-several-injured-23822">Watch: Two dozen vehicles collide due to fog in Haryana</a>

The fog in northern India has triggered another series of horrific vehicle crashes in Haryana&#39;s Palwal district.

?????? 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/security-agencies-release-new-list-of-top-most-wanted-militants-in-the-valley-23828">LeT, Hizbul terrorists in Kashmir Valley&#39;s most wanted list</a>

The chief of Hizbul Mujahideen, Naikoo, and an &lsquo;A++&rsquo; category militant, Naikoo at 29, is one of the most experienced Hizbul commanders and at present its head of operations in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to start preparing for the odd-even scheme

Odd-even to be in place from Nov 13-17 with same exemptions: Delhi Transport minister Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to start preparing for the odd-even scheme. WION Exclusive: Multiple EVM, VVPAT failures reported in Himachal Pradesh polls At least 58 EVMs and 102 VVPATs were replaced during polling and 167 EVMs and 219 VVPATs had to be replaced during mock polls in the state. T20: Rajasthan boy claims 10 wickets without conceding a run A fast bowler from Rajasthan created history of sorts when he took 10 wickets without conceding a run in a T20 match in Jaipur. Watch: Two dozen vehicles collide due to fog in Haryana The fog in northern India has triggered another series of horrific vehicle crashes in Haryana's Palwal district. ?????? LeT, Hizbul terrorists in Kashmir Valley's most wanted list The chief of Hizbul Mujahideen, Naikoo, and an ‘A++’ category militant, Naikoo at 29, is one of the most experienced Hizbul commanders and at present its head of operations in Kashmir.

WION evening news brief, November 9, 2017

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed&#39;s name was not on a list of 75 militants the US had handed over to Pakistan, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said today.

Saeed, who carries a USD 10 million bounty on his head for his role in terror activities, has been under house arrest in Pakistan since January this year.

Foreign Minister Asif told senators during a session of the parliament&#39;s upper house that the US has handed over a list of 75 militants to Pakistan.

&quot;The Haqqani network is on the top of the list but none of the militants are Pakistanis,&quot; Asif was quoted as saying by Express News.

Saeed, a Pakistani citizen, headed the JuD which was listed as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2014.

The JuD is the front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit which is responsible for numerous terror attacks in India, including the Mumbai terror strike of 2008.

The Afghan-based Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan. The group is also blamed for several attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan, including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people.

The US, Asif said, had made a habit of handing over lists of wanted people to Pakistan, which traded them for favours, a matter that needed to be debated.

He said the US had been told that Pakistan no longer had influence over the Afghan Taliban as it did in the past.

&quot;Neither are we supporting them (Afghan Taliban), nor do they need our help,&quot; Asif told the senators during a session of the parliament&#39;s upper house.

&quot;Somebody else is sponsoring them now,&quot; he added, without elaborating on it.

Asif asserted that many of the key Taliban names were now shadow governors in Afghanistan or no longer alive.

On his maiden visit to Pakistan yesterday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson renewed the US demand for tough action against Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network.

The US handed over a list of 75 militants, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif said. Hafiz Saeed's name was not on it

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's name was not on a list of 75 militants the US had handed over to Pakistan, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said today. Saeed, who carries a USD 10 million bounty on his head for his role in terror activities, has been under house arrest in Pakistan since January this year. Foreign Minister Asif told senators during a session of the parliament's upper house that the US has handed over a list of 75 militants to Pakistan. "The Haqqani network is on the top of the list but none of the militants are Pakistanis," Asif was quoted as saying by Express News. Saeed, a Pakistani citizen, headed the JuD which was listed as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2014. The JuD is the front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit which is responsible for numerous terror attacks in India, including the Mumbai terror strike of 2008. The Afghan-based Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan. The group is also blamed for several attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan, including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people. The US, Asif said, had made a habit of handing over lists of wanted people to Pakistan, which traded them for favours, a matter that needed to be debated. He said the US had been told that Pakistan no longer had influence over the Afghan Taliban as it did in the past. "Neither are we supporting them (Afghan Taliban), nor do they need our help," Asif told the senators during a session of the parliament's upper house. "Somebody else is sponsoring them now," he added, without elaborating on it. Asif asserted that many of the key Taliban names were now shadow governors in Afghanistan or no longer alive. On his maiden visit to Pakistan yesterday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson renewed the US demand for tough action against Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network.

Hafiz Saeed's name not on list of militants handed over by US: Pak

A top terrorist of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was today killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmir&#39;s Pulwama district.

A civilian died and another was injured in the crossfire between terrorists and security personnel, police said.

LeT commander Waseem Shah, 23, and Hafiz Nisar, also from the Pakistan-based terrorist group, were both gunned down by security forces in Pulwama&#39;s Little Village, police said.&nbsp;

A top police official said police&nbsp;the terrorists were first asked to surrender but instead started firing. &quot;The troops retaliated and gunned them down,&quot; Inspector General Munir Khan said.

The top cop called Waseem Shah&#39;s killing a &quot;big success as he used to recruit cadre for LeT,&quot; adding that there was &quot;no doubt&quot; that terrorists used social media to lure the youth in South Kashmir.&nbsp;

Waseem Shah,&nbsp;also known as Abu Osama Bhai, was suspected of being the main architect of the unrest in south Kashmir last year.

He was a college dropout and an active supporter of the LeT since his school days when he had doubled up as a courier boy for the outfit, police said.

Protesters pelted security personnel with stones and shouted slogans for Kashmir&#39;s independence from Indian rule, AFP reported.

An AK-47 rifle, one AK-56 and six AK magazines were reportedly recovered by the security forces, as per ANI.

Following the encounter, Telecom companies have been ordered&nbsp;to downgrade Internet speed to 2G in Kashmir, ANI reported.

On October 11, two terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Bandipora district&#39;s Hajin area.

On October 10, three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed when a cordon and search operation turned into an encounter in the Valley&#39;s restive Shopian district.

A civilian died and another was injured in the crossfire between terrorists and security personnel, police said

A top terrorist of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was today killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmir's Pulwama district. A civilian died and another was injured in the crossfire between terrorists and security personnel, police said. LeT commander Waseem Shah, 23, and Hafiz Nisar, also from the Pakistan-based terrorist group, were both gunned down by security forces in Pulwama's Little Village, police said. A top police official said police the terrorists were first asked to surrender but instead started firing. "The troops retaliated and gunned them down," Inspector General Munir Khan said. The top cop called Waseem Shah's killing a "big success as he used to recruit cadre for LeT," adding that there was "no doubt" that terrorists used social media to lure the youth in South Kashmir. Waseem Shah, also known as Abu Osama Bhai, was suspected of being the main architect of the unrest in south Kashmir last year. He was a college dropout and an active supporter of the LeT since his school days when he had doubled up as a courier boy for the outfit, police said. Protesters pelted security personnel with stones and shouted slogans for Kashmir's independence from Indian rule, AFP reported. An AK-47 rifle, one AK-56 and six AK magazines were reportedly recovered by the security forces, as per ANI. Following the encounter, Telecom companies have been ordered to downgrade Internet speed to 2G in Kashmir, ANI reported. On October 11, two terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Bandipora district's Hajin area. On October 10, three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed when a cordon and search operation turned into an encounter in the Valley's restive Shopian district.

J&K: Top LeT commander killed in encounter in Pulwama

Pakistan&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gilgit-locals-continue-to-oppose-land-grabbing-by-pakistans-isi-19221">Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI) has formed a group</a> called &quot;Halal Dasta&quot;(killer squad) comprising of banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) to carry out strikes with its Border Action team(BAT) along the LoC, according to Indian intelligence sources.&nbsp;

Last week Pakistan&#39;s BAT intruders had attempted to enter Kupwara in Jammu &amp; Kashmir as Indian troops opened fire on them.

At least 7-8 armed BAT intruders attempted to cross over into Keran sector in J&amp;K&#39;s Kupwara.

As part of a &quot;new border strategy&quot; the Pakistan establishment intends to use the LeT terrorists in the BAT team to gain moral ascendancy along the Indian border by inflicting heavy causalities on Indian security forces while denying the terror organization&#39;s role behind the operation, intelligence sources said.

In fact, the ISI has held meetings with Syeed Salahudeen and representatives of Hizbul in Kotli in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK) to extend jihadi terror operation in India&#39;s border areas.

The ISI has directed all terror groups in the Kashmir Valley to attack Indian positions along the border including isolated posts and army bridges, sources said.&nbsp;

Indian intelligence has noticed major terrorist activities along the border in Poonch, Uri, Rajouri, Nowshera and Rampur which has been targeted repeatedly&nbsp;by Pakistan troops across the&nbsp;border.

As part of a 'new border strategy' the Pakistan establishment intends to use the LeT terrorists in the BAT team to gain moral ascendancy along the Indian border

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI) has formed a group called "Halal Dasta"(killer squad) comprising of banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) to carry out strikes with its Border Action team(BAT) along the LoC, according to Indian intelligence sources. Last week Pakistan's BAT intruders had attempted to enter Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir as Indian troops opened fire on them. At least 7-8 armed BAT intruders attempted to cross over into Keran sector in J&K's Kupwara. As part of a "new border strategy" the Pakistan establishment intends to use the LeT terrorists in the BAT team to gain moral ascendancy along the Indian border by inflicting heavy causalities on Indian security forces while denying the terror organization's role behind the operation, intelligence sources said. In fact, the ISI has held meetings with Syeed Salahudeen and representatives of Hizbul in Kotli in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK) to extend jihadi terror operation in India's border areas. The ISI has directed all terror groups in the Kashmir Valley to attack Indian positions along the border including isolated posts and army bridges, sources said. Indian intelligence has noticed major terrorist activities along the border in Poonch, Uri, Rajouri, Nowshera and Rampur which has been targeted repeatedly by Pakistan troops across the border.

Pak ISI has formed 'halal dasta' with LeT to target India's border posts: Intelligence report

The Border Security Force has unearthed a tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Arnia sector.&nbsp;

The BSF says the tunnel would have been used to infiltrate militants into India.&nbsp;

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Noticed suspicious movement, surveyed area &amp; found 13-14 ft long tunnel (in Arnia),but its end wasn&#39;t open: Ram Awtar IG BSF, Jammu Frontier <a href="https://t.co/heZF5LaUYX">pic.twitter.com/heZF5LaUYX</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/914107531424817152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Ram Awtar, IG BSF, Jammu Frontier, said they found the tunnel which was about 13-14 feet long after noticing suspicious movement.

But, he added, one end of the tunnel was not &quot;open&quot;.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> of items recovered from tunnel unearthed by BSF in J&amp;K&#39;s Arnia Sector. <a href="https://t.co/eaAtpVQ4k6">pic.twitter.com/eaAtpVQ4k6</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/914115860582735872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLASH</a> Pakistan&#39;s nefarious design to infiltrate terrorists through a tunnel in J&amp;K&#39;s Arnia Sector foiled: Border Security Force
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/914070162961195008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Whatever method Pak uses, Army&amp;BSF capable of foiling it. They&#39;ve full liberty by govt: Jitendra Singh, MoS Home on tunnel unearthed in J&amp;K <a href="https://t.co/CY7alAFUkO">pic.twitter.com/CY7alAFUkO</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/914074408771231744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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ANI reported minister of state for home Jitendra Singh as saying, &quot;Whatever method Pakistan uses, Army and BSF capable of foiling it.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;They have full liberty by government,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

The Border Security Force has unearthed a tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Arnia sector. The BSF says the tunnel would have been used to infiltrate militants into India. Noticed suspicious movement, surveyed area & found 13-14 ft long tunnel (in Arnia),but its end wasn't open: Ram Awtar IG BSF, Jammu Frontier pic.twitter.com/heZF5LaUYX — ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2017 × Ram Awtar, IG BSF, Jammu Frontier, said they found the tunnel which was about 13-14 feet long after noticing suspicious movement. But, he added, one end of the tunnel was not "open". #Visuals of items recovered from tunnel unearthed by BSF in J&K's Arnia Sector. pic.twitter.com/eaAtpVQ4k6 — ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2017 × #FLASH Pakistan's nefarious design to infiltrate terrorists through a tunnel in J&K's Arnia Sector foiled: Border Security Force — ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2017 × Whatever method Pak uses, Army&BSF capable of foiling it. They've full liberty by govt: Jitendra Singh, MoS Home on tunnel unearthed in J&K pic.twitter.com/CY7alAFUkO — ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2017 × ANI reported minister of state for home Jitendra Singh as saying, "Whatever method Pakistan uses, Army and BSF capable of foiling it." "They have full liberty by government," he added.

J&K: BSF unearths tunnel, says would have been used to infiltrate militants

One Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist&nbsp;was killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Samboora area of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Pulwama district, ANI reported.

According to ANI, the terrorist was identified as Umer and was a Pakistani.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash">#UPDATE</a> In the encounter one Pakistani LeT terrorist Umer of Abu Ismail group killed in Samboora <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash">#JammuAndKashmir</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/894363317166235648">August 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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One AK 47 rifle has been recovered from the encounter site, according to ANI.

Internet services in Pulwama have been blocked as a precautionary measure.

The encounter started late Sunday.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jammu-and-kashmir-three-let-militants-killed-in-sopore-gun-battle-18616">Clashes after 3 LeT terrorists killed in Sopore gun battle</a>

It was earlier reported that two terrorists are suspected to be present at the encounter site.

The gun battle is underway.

&nbsp;

According to ANI, the terrorist was identified as Umer and was a Pakistani

One Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Samboora area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, ANI reported. According to ANI, the terrorist was identified as Umer and was a Pakistani. #UPDATE In the encounter one Pakistani LeT terrorist Umer of Abu Ismail group killed in Samboora #JammuAndKashmir — ANI (@ANI_news) August 7, 2017 × One AK 47 rifle has been recovered from the encounter site, according to ANI. Internet services in Pulwama have been blocked as a precautionary measure. The encounter started late Sunday. Also read: Clashes after 3 LeT terrorists killed in Sopore gun battle It was earlier reported that two terrorists are suspected to be present at the encounter site. The gun battle is underway.

J&K: LeT terrorist killed in gun battle in Pulwama

A lost iPhone turned out to be feared Lashkar commander Abu Dujana&rsquo;s Waterloo. Eight months ago, Dujana had lost his iPhone in another part of Kashmir&rsquo;s troubled district, Pulwama. The phone landed in the hands of state police personnel who found a vital link between Dujana and Harkipora village.&nbsp;

From his iPhone, the sleuths discovered that Dujana was using another iPhone. On tracking the second device they realised he was visiting Harkipora village frequently over the past six months. He was killed in an encounter by security forces during one such visit on Tuesday.

On probing further, they confirmed that this was his new bride, Rukkayya&rsquo;s maternal home, and Dujana would often visit her there. They were married six months ago.&nbsp;

The slain terrorist had lost the first phone when he was earlier intercepted by security forces in Pulwama. He had managed to escape but had left his iPhone behind.

His phone&rsquo;s IMEI number gave away his location.

Late last night, security forces received information that Dujana was holed up inside a house in Harkipora.

Security forces had to first evacuate civilians from the house where Dujana was hiding. His wife and in-laws were evacuated safely.

Sources told Zee News Srinagar correspondent that attempts were made to project him as a Kashmiri so that he could be buried in the state which would allow a large number of local residents and militants to attend his funeral. Dujana was actually from Gilgit Baltistan, the source said.

Restrictions were imposed in several parts of Srinagar to prevent violent protests against the killing of Abu Dujana and his local collaborator Arif Lilhaari.

Expecting trouble, Kashmir University exams scheduled for August 2 have been postponed. Fresh dates for the exams will be announced soon.

One of the most feared terrorists in the state, Dujana had taken over the reins of the Lashkar -e-Taiba in Kashmir after the group&#39;s divisional commander Abu Qassim was killed in 2013.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/let-kashmir-chief-abu-dujana-killed-in-gunbattle-18446">Top LeT commander Abu Dujana killed in encounter in Kashmir&nbsp;</a>

 
&nbsp;

Eight months ago, Dujana had lost his iPhone in another part of Kashmir?s troubled district, Pulwama

A lost iPhone turned out to be feared Lashkar commander Abu Dujana’s Waterloo. Eight months ago, Dujana had lost his iPhone in another part of Kashmir’s troubled district, Pulwama. The phone landed in the hands of state police personnel who found a vital link between Dujana and Harkipora village. From his iPhone, the sleuths discovered that Dujana was using another iPhone. On tracking the second device they realised he was visiting Harkipora village frequently over the past six months. He was killed in an encounter by security forces during one such visit on Tuesday. On probing further, they confirmed that this was his new bride, Rukkayya’s maternal home, and Dujana would often visit her there. They were married six months ago. The slain terrorist had lost the first phone when he was earlier intercepted by security forces in Pulwama. He had managed to escape but had left his iPhone behind. His phone’s IMEI number gave away his location. Late last night, security forces received information that Dujana was holed up inside a house in Harkipora. Security forces had to first evacuate civilians from the house where Dujana was hiding. His wife and in-laws were evacuated safely. Sources told Zee News Srinagar correspondent that attempts were made to project him as a Kashmiri so that he could be buried in the state which would allow a large number of local residents and militants to attend his funeral. Dujana was actually from Gilgit Baltistan, the source said. Restrictions were imposed in several parts of Srinagar to prevent violent protests against the killing of Abu Dujana and his local collaborator Arif Lilhaari. Expecting trouble, Kashmir University exams scheduled for August 2 have been postponed. Fresh dates for the exams will be announced soon. One of the most feared terrorists in the state, Dujana had taken over the reins of the Lashkar -e-Taiba in Kashmir after the group's divisional commander Abu Qassim was killed in 2013. Also read: Top LeT commander Abu Dujana killed in encounter in Kashmir

Lost iPhone nailed LeT commander Dujana's location

The US&nbsp;Wednesday&nbsp;listed Pakistan among the nations and regions providing &quot;safe havens&quot; to terrorists, saying terror groups like the LeT and JeM continue to operate, train, organise and fundraise inside the country in 2016.

In its annual &quot;Country Report on Terrorism&quot;, as mandated by the Congress, the State Department said that Pakistani military and security forces undertook operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan such as Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan.

&quot;Pakistan did not take substantial action against the Afghan Taliban or Haqqani, or substantially limit their ability to threaten US interests in Afghanistan, although Pakistan supported efforts to bring both groups into an Afghan-led peace process,&quot; the State Department said.

&quot;Pakistan did not take sufficient action against other externally focused groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in 2016, which continued to operate, train, organise, and fundraise in Pakistan,&quot; the report said.

India, it said continued to experience attacks, &quot;including by Maoist insurgents and Pakistan-based terrorists&quot;.

Indian authorities continued to blame Pakistan for cross-border attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, it said.

&quot;In January, India experienced a terrorist attack against an Indian military facility in Pathankot, Punjab, which was blamed by authorities on JeM. Over the course of 2016, the Government of India sought to deepen counterterrorism cooperation and information sharing with the United States,&quot; the State Department said.

The Indian government continued to closely monitor the domestic threat from transnational terrorist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), which made threats against India in their terrorist propaganda. A number of individuals were arrested for ISIS-affiliated recruitment and attack plotting within India, the report said.

In a separate chapter, the State Department listed Pakistan as one of the safe havens of terrorism. 
The State Department said that numerous terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network (HQN), the LeT and JeM continued to operate from Pakistani soil in 2016.

&quot;Although LeT is banned in Pakistan, LeT&#39;s wings Jamaat- ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FiF) were able to openly engage in fundraising, including in the capital,&quot; it said.

&quot;LeT&#39;s chief Hafiz Saeed (a UN-designated terrorist) continued to address large rallies, although in February 2017, Pakistan proscribed him under relevant provisions of Schedule Four of the Anti-Terrorism Act, thus severely restricting his freedom of movement,&quot; it noted.

The 2015 ban on media coverage of Saeed, JuD, and FiF continued and was generally followed by broadcast and print media, it said.

According to the State Department, the Pakistani government did not publicly reverse its December 2015 declaration that neither JuD nor FiF is banned in Pakistan, despite their listing under UN sanctions regimes, although in January 2017, Pakistan placed both organisations &quot;under observation&quot; pursuant to Schedule Two of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

While not a ban, keeping the outfits under observation allows the government to closely scrutinise the activities of both organisations.

On November 11, Pakistan&#39;s National Counterterrorism Authority published its own list of banned organisations that placed JuD in a separate section for groups that are &quot;under observation&quot; but not banned.

Pakistan continued military operations to eradicate terrorist safe havens in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, although their impact on all terrorist groups was uneven, it said.

In its report to the Congress, the State Department said in 2016, India and the United States pledged to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups including al-Qaeda, the ISIS, JeM, LeT and D-Company (Dawood Ibrahim&#39;s group), including through greater collaboration on designations at the UN.

Indian and US leaders directed officials to identify new areas of collaboration through the July US-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, applauded finalisation of a bilateral arrangement to facilitate the sharing of terrorism screening information, and called upon Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of terrorist attacks against India to justice, the report said.

The United States and India worked together to designate JeM leader Maulana Masood Azhar, although the listing was blocked in the UN 1267 Committee, the State Department said.

Other areas mentioned in the report as safe havens are Afghanistan, Somalia, the Trans-Sahara, Sulu/Sulawesi Seas Littoral, Southern Philippines, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Columbia and Venezuela.

A report by the State Department said India continues to experience attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists

The US Wednesday listed Pakistan among the nations and regions providing "safe havens" to terrorists, saying terror groups like the LeT and JeM continue to operate, train, organise and fundraise inside the country in 2016. In its annual "Country Report on Terrorism", as mandated by the Congress, the State Department said that Pakistani military and security forces undertook operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan such as Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan. "Pakistan did not take substantial action against the Afghan Taliban or Haqqani, or substantially limit their ability to threaten US interests in Afghanistan, although Pakistan supported efforts to bring both groups into an Afghan-led peace process," the State Department said. "Pakistan did not take sufficient action against other externally focused groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in 2016, which continued to operate, train, organise, and fundraise in Pakistan," the report said. India, it said continued to experience attacks, "including by Maoist insurgents and Pakistan-based terrorists". Indian authorities continued to blame Pakistan for cross-border attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, it said. "In January, India experienced a terrorist attack against an Indian military facility in Pathankot, Punjab, which was blamed by authorities on JeM. Over the course of 2016, the Government of India sought to deepen counterterrorism cooperation and information sharing with the United States," the State Department said. The Indian government continued to closely monitor the domestic threat from transnational terrorist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), which made threats against India in their terrorist propaganda. A number of individuals were arrested for ISIS-affiliated recruitment and attack plotting within India, the report said. In a separate chapter, the State Department listed Pakistan as one of the safe havens of terrorism. The State Department said that numerous terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network (HQN), the LeT and JeM continued to operate from Pakistani soil in 2016. "Although LeT is banned in Pakistan, LeT's wings Jamaat- ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FiF) were able to openly engage in fundraising, including in the capital," it said. "LeT's chief Hafiz Saeed (a UN-designated terrorist) continued to address large rallies, although in February 2017, Pakistan proscribed him under relevant provisions of Schedule Four of the Anti-Terrorism Act, thus severely restricting his freedom of movement," it noted. The 2015 ban on media coverage of Saeed, JuD, and FiF continued and was generally followed by broadcast and print media, it said. According to the State Department, the Pakistani government did not publicly reverse its December 2015 declaration that neither JuD nor FiF is banned in Pakistan, despite their listing under UN sanctions regimes, although in January 2017, Pakistan placed both organisations "under observation" pursuant to Schedule Two of the Anti-Terrorism Act. While not a ban, keeping the outfits under observation allows the government to closely scrutinise the activities of both organisations. On November 11, Pakistan's National Counterterrorism Authority published its own list of banned organisations that placed JuD in a separate section for groups that are "under observation" but not banned. Pakistan continued military operations to eradicate terrorist safe havens in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, although their impact on all terrorist groups was uneven, it said. In its report to the Congress, the State Department said in 2016, India and the United States pledged to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups including al-Qaeda, the ISIS, JeM, LeT and D-Company (Dawood Ibrahim's group), including through greater collaboration on designations at the UN. Indian and US leaders directed officials to identify new areas of collaboration through the July US-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, applauded finalisation of a bilateral arrangement to facilitate the sharing of terrorism screening information, and called upon Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of terrorist attacks against India to justice, the report said. The United States and India worked together to designate JeM leader Maulana Masood Azhar, although the listing was blocked in the UN 1267 Committee, the State Department said. Other areas mentioned in the report as safe havens are Afghanistan, Somalia, the Trans-Sahara, Sulu/Sulawesi Seas Littoral, Southern Philippines, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Columbia and Venezuela.

US lists Pakistan among nations providing 'safe havens' to terrorists

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