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Times Square Terror Plot
1 more held for Nitin’s murder
N-capability a ‘compulsion’ for Pak
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Sikh group asks US lawmakers to stop racial profiling
UK premier to visit India
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Times Square Terror Plot
Shahzad, 30, son of a retired Pakistani Air Force Vice Marshal, was charged with conspiring to use weapon of mass destruction, attempting an act of terrorism and transportation of an explosive. The indictment alleged that Shahzad was trained in Pakistan by the affiliates of Tehrik-i-Taliban. The prosecutors also claimed that he received the money for the attack from the Pakistani militants. If found guilty, Shahzad could be in prison for life. The US authorities had suspected the hand of the Pakistani Taliban in the attack since the beginning of the investigation. "The facts alleged in this indictment show that the Pakistani Taliban facilitated Faisal Shahzad's attempted attack on American soil," Attorney General Eric H Holder Jr said. "Our nation averted serious loss of life in this attempted bombing, but it is a reminder that we face an evolving threat that we must continue to fight with every tool available to the government," he added. US Attorney Preet Bharara said Shahzad conspired with the Pakistani Taliban "to wreak death and destruction in Times Square." Shahzad was apprehended at John F Kennedy airport while trying to escape to Pakistan via Dubai on May 3 and has been cooperating with the federal authorities by providing them with information. The indictment states that on February 25, Shahzad allegedly received $5,000 in cash in Massachusetts from a "co-conspirator," who's identified only as "CC-1." The first round of money was followed by another $7,000 that was picked up in Long Island also allegedly from "CC-1."
— PTI
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1 more held for Nitin’s murder
The police said the boy has been charged with accessory to murder and has been bailed to appear at a Children's Court at a date to be set. The boy, who was not identified for legal reasons, replied, "okay" after the magistrate outlined the schedule of dates for his case. The police yesterday arrested and charged a 15-year-old Australian boy with the murder of Garg. The breakthrough in the high-profile case, which threatened to derail India-Australia ties, came when the homicide detectives knocked on the doors of the boy's Melbourne home last morning. Garg, 21, was stabbed to death while walking to work through a park on January 2, and the incident was one in a series of violent attacks against Indians in Australia. The crime which came in for strong condemnation both in New Delhi and Canberra, with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna describing it as a "heinous crime on humanity" and "an uncivilised brutal attack on innocent Indians". However, the Victorian police, who made both the arrests, said there was no racial motive found in the killing of Garg investigation so far.
— PTI
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N-capability a ‘compulsion’ for Pak
The retention of an essential nuclear capability is a "compulsion" for Pakistan because of the growing imbalance created by India's massive military build-up and "assertive posturing", a top Pakistani military commander has said.
General Tariq Majid, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, made the remarks while addressing a convocation ceremony at the National Defence University on Thursday. Though Majid did not name India in his speech, it was obvious he was referring to the neighbouring country as he referred to Indian military doctrines and the India-US nuclear deal. Pakistan has to be mindful of the "blatant pursuit of military preponderance in our neighbourhood" and the build-up of conventional and nuclear forces, Majid said. "Growing power imbalance due to continuing build-up of massive military machine, including both hi-tech conventional and nuclear forces, adoption of dangerous Cold Start doctrine and proactive strategy, more assertive posturing especially after the very exceptional civil nuclear deal and notions of two front war are all destabilising trends, carrying implications for Pakistan’s security," he said. "Therefore, retention of essential nuclear capability to maintain credible minimum deterrence against any possible aggression is our compulsion and not a matter of choice," Majid said. His comments come barely a week before the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan are to meet to find ways to bridge the trust deficit between the two countries. Majid said Pakistan rejects "discriminatory policies" and demands its "rightful place as a nuclear weapon state." As a "responsible nuclear weapon state and despite being a non-NPT country, Pakistan has always supported non-proliferation efforts, and our position on disarmament issues has remained consistent and pragmatic," he contended. Referring to Fissile Material Treaty discussions, he said the move is "only Pakistan-specific" and unacceptable to the country. "Countries of the world need to be sensitive to our security concerns rather than attempting in vain to browbeat us or riding roughshod over our concerns," he said. On recurring concerns expressed by the West over the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and materials, the General said that "nuclear security within a state is a national responsibility that we are shouldering with utmost vigilance and assurance."
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Sikh group asks US lawmakers to stop racial profiling
Washington, June 18 “It’s not fair. It’s not safe,” complained Amarjeet Singh, programme director of advocacy group Sikh Coalition, in his testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Asking them to intervene to end their ordeal, the Sikh leaders have urged the US lawmakers to take immediate steps to end this profiling. The sub-committee held rare Congressional hearing on racial profiling amid increasing complaints of incessant and increasing marking in the US of minorities and coloured people, particularly at airports. A Congresswoman Judy Chu from California introduced a written testimony on behalf of United Sikhs, another advocacy group, which addressed the concerns of racial profiling of Sikhs at US airports.
— PTI
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Cameron, who has expressed determination to establish a new “special relationship” with India, will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on June 27 in Toronto on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, the sources said. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders, since Cameron took over as the British Prime Minister last month. Like the previous Labour government, the new coalition government is also keen to build a “special relationship” with India. This was reflected in Queen Elizabeth II's address to joint session of Parliament. — PTI
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Manisha ties the knot
Kathmandu, June 18 Dressed in a yellow saree, Manisha garlanded Samrat and exchanged wedding rings as priests recited Vedic mantras in the presence of her father Prakash Koirala and mother Sushma. Besides her family members, close relatives and friends, those attending the function were Bollywood actress Suman Rajnathan, Manisha’s co-star in her debut film ‘Saudagar’ Bibek Mushram and Govinda’a wife Sunita. Jackey Shroff and Govinda are also expected to attend the wedding reception to be held at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza on Sunday.
— PTI
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