Islamabad, February 16
Pakistani today claimed to have foiled attempts by militants to carry out attacks, including suicide bombings, here and in Karachi by arresting five persons having links with the Al-Qaida and the Taliban.

“Three suicide bombers, belonging to the Qari Zafar group, which has close links with Al-Qaida, were arrested.” Superintendent of Police Fayyaz Ahmad said.

Another two militants, Rashid Mahmood Satti and Chita Usman were arrested in a raid on the outskirts here.

A huge cache of arms-hand grenades, an explosives-laden jacket, Kalashnikovs and pistols-was recovered from them. The police also recovered a compact disc (CD) containing guidelines to use the jacket.

These arrests came a day after security agencies recovered and defused a high-intensity remote-controlled bomb, which was planted alongside the Domail road in Bannu town, aimed at a military convoy.

Mr Ahmad said the police, acting on a tip-off, raided Gulistan-e-Johar, one of the most populated areas of the city, and arrested the trio-Shahid, Farhan and Ghani-after a brief encounter. He added that six other terrorists, hiding in the same area, managed to flee.

“During interrogation, they (bombers) revealed their links with militants of the South Waziristan tribal region,” Mr Ahmad said.

25 foreign militants and their local supporters were killed early last month in an air strike by Pakistan in Zamazola village of South Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan’s Paktika province.

The arrests set off ripples across the country, especially among security agencies that have feared more terror strikes in retaliation to the Zamazola air strike.

From January 26 to February 6, around 20 people, mostly officials of law enforcement agencies, were killed in five suicide attacks. The pattern followed in all the five attacks showed security personnel to be the targets.

Meanwhile, security was tightened and a red alert declared here today following an intelligence tip off that four suicide bombers might try to penetrate the Pakistani capital and carry out attacks with the help of a local person.

The suspects, identified as Noor Mohammad, Arungazaib, Sher Gul and Hashim, belong to a banned militant group and planned to enter Islamabad to carry out the attacks, media reports quoted police officials as saying. — UNI, PTI 

Moscow, February 16
Sergei Ivanov is a former KGB career spy with a taste for espionage novels who longs for a strong Russia -- just like his close friend Vladimir Putin who promoted him on Thursday.

He is more hawkish than the other leading contender to succeed President Putin in 2008, Dmitry Medvedev, and now shares the rank of first deputy premier with his rival after his step up from plain deputy premier.

Putin appointed his modest friend as defence minister in 2001 to bring order to Russia's chaotic armed forces and on Thursday praised his successful record in the job he now leaves.

Ivanov appears to have successfully dodged the considerable political risks of the portfolio, including the military's accidents with ageing equipment and problems with widespread bullying 
of conscripts.

He has built a power base in the military industrial complex and Putin said on Thursday he will preserve his influence over the sector. He will also gain responsibility for some civilian parts of the economy.

"It was a long time (at the defence ministry) but time flew by," Ivanov told Putin. "I will still be occupied with questions about the military industrial complex."

Despite his spying past, Ivanov is never shy of journalists, unlike many of the former agents Putin has brought to the Kremlin's corridors of power.

In December he hosted a dinner for foreign correspondents at a Swedish restaurant where he chatted to reporters for around two hours in English.

Journalists note his frequent appearances on Russian state television and a makeover to a smoother image in recent years -- sharper suits, a new hairstyle and even, some say, attempts to smile more frequently.

Ivanov is one of few Russian officials outside the Foreign Ministry ready to speak his mind publicly on foreign policy.

As head of Russia's military sector, he has brushed aside concerns about arms sales to Iran and stressed Russia's right to defend and expand her interests in the face of U.S. criticism. — Reuters

Tokyo, February 16
Japan decided to impose sanctions on Iran today including freezing some financial assets in an effort to block the Islamic state’s nuclear development programme, Tokyo’s top government spokesman said.

“Resolute action is needed over the Iran nuclear issue from the viewpoint of maintaining nuclear non-proliferation, and in view of the impact on the North Korean nuclear issue and peace in West Asia,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a news conference.

The measures approved by the Cabinet include freezing the financial assets of 10 entities and 12 individuals deemed to be involved in Iran’s nuclear programme and bans on transfers of materials, technology and funds that could enhance its nuclear activity. Tokyo also decided to ban Iranian imports of materials related to nuclear activities.

Shiozaki said the measures, which will take effect tomorrow are based on a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in December to impose sanctions on Iran’s trade in nuclear materials and technology. — Reuters

Kathmandu, February 16
Nepal’s Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today told the Army to “change its role and conduct” in view of the political developments in 
the country.

''It is now time for the Army to change its roles, duties, conduct and practices, according to the changed context,'' Mr Koirala said in his message on the occasion of Army day coinciding with Maha Shivratri.

Koirala observed the Army band and Army parade at the Nepal Army pavilion. Traditionally, the King attends the celebrations, but he stayed away from the function today.

Koirala expressed confidence that the Nepal Army “would make contribution for the protection of democratic values by respecting the people’s aspirations in the days ahead.” — PTI

Kathmandu, February 16
Thousands of policemen were deployed at a pilgrimage site in Nepal’s capital today over fears that religious groups could use a festival to demand the country revert to being a Hindu state, officials said.

Organisers of the Hindu festival of “Mahashivratri”, celebrated today, said about 300,000 pilgrims from Nepal and neighbouring India were expected at Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple.

Local media reports said some religious groups were planning protests on the occasion to demand Nepal-about 80 percent of whose 26 million people are Hindus-return to being a Hindu state.

“Some people could create trouble. The government is fully prepared to stop anyone who tries to indulge in violence,” Baman Prasad Neupane, a senior home ministry official, told Reuters.

About 2,000 policemen would be on guard and more forces were on standby for deployment in the event of trouble at one of Hinduism’s holiest sites, police said. — Reuters