Delhi Police Fights Terrorism

This is what Mr. R.S. Gupta, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Delhi had said in the Annual Review of Delhi Police for 2002.

"Delhi, the national capital, is one of the fastest growing metropolis in India. It has witnessed a spectacular growth of population over the years due to constant influx of migrant population from all over the country for reasons of employment, education and business. Delhi's projected population based on census 2001 today has crossed 1.42 crores with another 30-40 lakhs floating population. The capital also bears a considerable impact of national and international events and reverberates.

Heterogeneous character of population is to be reckoned with as one of the important factors that influences the incidence of crime in Delhi. The floating population too has an impact on crime. Besides, other factors like uncontrolled urbanization, colonization and industrialization, unemployment, disparity, decreasing social and family bonds also influence the crime incident.

Delhi as the national capital, has always been a prime target of the militant activities mainly those sponsored by the ISI. The current year started under the shadow of terrorist activities at its peak in the backdrop of memories of the fall of WTC in USA on September 11th followed by attack on Indian Parliament in New Delhi on December 13th last year. On January 22nd "American Centre" at Kolkata was attacked. We are proud of our achievements in neutralizing a number of terrorists modules in this regard. Delhi police team developed a focused intelligence and conducted a joint operation at Hazari Bagh in which two Pak trained terrorists involved in the Kolkata "American Centre" shoot-out were traced. The success was achieved by sheer perseverance, meticulous follow-up of the leads and information available from different sources about the identity & location of different militants settled in Hazari Bagh. These efforts resulted in the working out of the Kolkata American Centre shoot out case, a national challenge in the year 2002. In the second incident, two Pak trained militants, including one Abu Bilal, who was also involved in the Red Fort shootout case, were killed in an exchange of fire in a park near Humayun Tomb, H.N. Din on June 9th. More recently two other Pak trained militants, who had gone to Ansal Plaza, a busy shopping complex of South Delhi, to kill innocent persons on the eve of Diwali and another two militants, who were planning to target security forces or temples were killed in these two encounters on November 4th and December 14th, 2002. Due to well-planned, innovative and professional approach, 41 militants including 5 Pak nationals and 2 Bangladeshi were arrested during the year 2002. The announcement of judgement in the Parliament attack case within one year of the incident on December 16th and the award of death sentence to three accused Mohd. Afzal, Shaukat Hussain and Sayeed Abdul Rehman Geelani with five year jail term to Afsan Guru @ Navjot Sandhu, is a testimony of the professional brilliance, dedication and industry of the investigation team of the Special Cell. It has also brought in focus the usefulness and effectiveness of the POTA, under which the first trial was completed in the country. The successful and quick prosecution of the accused would deter others from indulging in terrorist activities."

The Age of Terror 

Terror doesn't require an entry pass, it doesn't need a city guide to choose the venue. Terror has acquired an anywhere, anytime banality. It walks into a Moscow theater where hundreds of people were immerse in a musical function, screams "Allahu Akbar", and holds the Muscovites - and the world - captive audience of macabre show for 52 hours. It breezes into the tropical resort of Bali and explodes, killing scores of Saturday night revellers. It attacks a temple in Ahemedabad. It bombs a French tanker off the shore of Yemen. 9/11 may have changed the world, but it hasn't much changed the fighting spirit of the evil that authored 9/11.

 In varying degrees and methods, terrorists with an Islamic slogan are making it deadly clear: the end of Taliban or the ouster of Al Qaeda headquarters from Afghanisthan doesn't mean that the world can holiday in peace. Post 9/11, the world has changed - for worse.

 Editorial, India Today, November 11, 2002

US authenticates Laden tape, accepts he’s alive 

 White House intelligence analysts now believe that an audio tape of Osama bin Laden broadcast last week was in fact the voice of the Al Qaeda leader and its references to recent terrorist attacks in Bali and Moscow support the conclusion that he is still alive.  Intelligence experts do believe that the tape is genuine. 

Asian Age dated 20.11.2002 

Canberra says Qaeda threat real for Australia. 

            The Austrlian Government said that it had received information about a “terrorist” threat to Australia over the next two months believed to be linked to the radical Islamic Al Qaeda network.  Chris Ellison, Justice Minister, has warned the Australian Government to be on the alert although not to panic. He declined to give further details about the threat or its source, but said it was linked to general alerts in the US and Britain. 

Asian Age dated 20.11.2002 

Bin Laden’s new call to arms 

London, November 24 – A new 4000-word letter purportedly from Osama bin Laden, is being circulated among Islamic extremists in Britain, in which he has called for attacks on civilians in this country.  Kashmir is mentioned in the letter as one of the places where Muslims are repressed.  “Any one who tries to destroy our villages and cities, then we are going to destroy their villages and cities” says Bin Laden in the letter.  

Hindustan Times 25.11.2002

Qaeda potent without Laden, says Germany 

The head of Germany’s intelligence agency said the danger from Al Qaeda would not be eliminated even if Osama bin Laden were arrested or killed.  “Bin Laden is a strong symbolic figure for their group, but he doesn’t figure in the operational level,” Germany’s top spy said in a speech to the public in the Bavarian town of Nurembery.  The Federal Intelligence Service head said, “Eliminating him would represent a weakening of Al Qaeda.  But the Al Qaeda problem would not be resolved.”   

The Asian Age 23.11.2002 

6 CRPF men die in suicide attack 

Srinagar/Jammu, November 22 – In the second major terrorist attack after the new PDP-led government assumed power in Jammu and Kashmir, two Lashker-e-Tayyeba (LeT) militants stormed a CRPF camp, triggering a fierce gun battle which left six jawans dead and five wounded.  Both the militants were also killed by the security forces.  

Hindustan Times 23.11.2002 

11 killed in anti-Israeli attack in Kenya  

Mombasa: In simultaneous attacks on Israeli tourists in Kenya, a car bomb exploded at an Israeli-owned hotel on Thursday, killing 11 people, and at least two missiles almost hit an Israeli airliner taking off nearby, in raids swiftly blamed on Al Qaeda.  But a previously unknown group calling itself the Army of Palestine claimed it carried out the attacks to mark the anniversary of 1947 UN Resolution, partitioning Palestine between Arabs and Jews.

The Times of India 29.11.2002

Bush picks Kissinger to lead 9/11 probe 

Washington, Nov.28:  US President, George W. Bush, on Wednesday named Henry A. Kissinger, a Republican who has been one of the most respected but polarizing figures in foreign policy and Washington, to lead an independent investigation into the 9/11 terrorist attack.  His reputation as a towering intellect in foreign policy is matched by the passions he has aroused among critics of his role in the Vietnam War.   
(Note : Mr. Kissinger has later on withdrawn himself from this position.)

The Asian Age 29.11.2002 

Al Qaeda out to rally Muslim world 

London, November 29 – Osama bin Laden for years pinpointed Israeli as an enemy but never succeeded in making a direct attack on its citizens.  By attacking Israel, Al Qaeda has pushed the world a step nearer to a clash of “civilization”.  He wants to characterize the battle as one between the Muslim world and Christians and Jews.  Bin Laden made it clear that the main motivation for his jihad was the presence of US military basis in Saudi Arabia. 

Hindustan Times 30.11.2002 

Terrorists in Thailand 

 Bangkok - Suspected terrorists have sneaked into Thailand over the past 12 months to avoid a clampdown in neighbouring Malaysia, a report on Saturday quoted Thailand’s top military commander as saying.  General Surayud Chulanont’s comments mark the first public admission by Thailand that members of Muslim extremist groups  have sneaked into the country.  

Hindustan Times 1.12.2002 

Australian PM says will act to pre-empt terrorism 

            Sydney, December 1 – Australia said on Sunday it was ready to take pre-emptive action against terrorism, adding that international law was no longer adequate to confront threats to its security.  Speaking on the Nine Network, Howard said the most likely threat to any nation’s security was non-state terrorism, and international laws could no longer cope with the changed circumstances confronting the world. 

The Indian Express – 2.12.2002

Britain plans to introduce sky marshals to fight terror  

  London, December 1  - Britain plans to introduce sky marshals. Home Secretary and Transport Secretary are to work with the main airlines, a plan that  will initially be implemented on trans-Atlantic flights. The airlines might be asked to contribute to the cost.  

The Asian Age 2.12.2002 

Russia, India bolster ties to tackle terror 

New Delhi, December 4.  Russia and India on Wednesday agreed to begin “tactical“ cooperation against terrorism on an unprecedented scale, involving cooperation at operational and diplomatic levels.  An MoU signed by the two countries envisages a Joint Working Group on Terrorism, headed by the two foreign secretaries, to provide a mechanism for such cooperation.  Sharing of intelligence will be institutionalized with regular contacts between the intelligence and security officers of both the countries.  They will share intelligence assessments on groups operating in Pakistan, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan. 

Hindustan Times 5.12.2002

Spy satellite problems could affect US terror war 

Washington, December 9:  A secret programme for developing the next generation of spy satellites is underfunded and behind schedule and could lead the CIA and Pentagaon with gaps in satellite coverage critical to the war on terrorism if the programme cannot be restructured, defence and intelligence officers said.  According to one senior intelligence official, current spy satellites could stop working before the first next-generation satellite is launched in the next few years, leaving the country with a gap in coverage.  US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is so concerned about getting the satellite programme back on track that he met with CIA Director, George Tenet, to review the problem and to discuss how to address it. 

The Indian Express 10.12.2002

Israel is the new target: Al-Qaida 

Washington:  Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network plans to launch suicide attacks against Israel, according to a website that US officials believe speaks for the organization, the Washington Post has reported.  Intelligence officials believe the website (http://www.mojahedoon.net) provides further proof of Al-Qaida’s determination to launch suicide attacks against Israel.  Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that Al Qaeda had established a presence in the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip and in Lebanon and that Israel was a target for Al-Qaeda attacks. 

Times of India 7.12.2002

Al Qaeda recruiting in Holland  

Al Qaeda networks in Europe are targeting Holland for secretly recruiting second-general Muslims in Holland for jehad against the west.  According to Dutch Internal intelligence, AIVD, the network, which is deeply embedded in the Muslim community in Holland, is preparing the young recruits for future terror attacks against Britain, the United States and Israel.  The AIVD has warned that some cells are now ready and can attack any time, although there is so far no information of any specific targets. 

Hindustan Times 12.12.2002

Al-Qaida training suicide squads in Pak 

Peshawar:  Suicide squads are being trained in Pakistan by Al Qaida operatives to hit targets in Afghanistan, and the bombers’ families are being promised $50000, say Afghan and Pakistani sources.  The Pakistani government denies the presence of amps here.  “Nobody will ever be able to either hide here or establish training camps in Pakistan,” said Interior Ministry spokesman Iftikar Ahmed.  The nephew of Maulvi Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s No.3 man, says the training camps are in Bajour and Mansehra, towns in North West Frontier Province where support for the former Afghan regime runs strong. 

The Times of India 14.12.2002

Qaeda developing explosive jackets for flights

Al Qaeda terrorists have been working on a jacket packed with explosives that would allow a suicide bomber to bring down a civilian aircraft, one of the organisation’s most senior members has claimed.

 The plan revealed in the Sunday Times, involves removing the padding in between the outer surface and the lining of an ordinary but thick winter or rain jacket and filling it with plastic explosive before detonating it on board a passenger jet. 

-The Asian Age October 28, 2002

41 killed in Grozny suicide attack

Moscow, December 27: At least 41 people were killed and over 60 injured on the highly protected Chechen government headquarters compound in capital Grozny on Friday. It was a normal working day and there were 250 people inside the building at that time when two powerful truck bombs exploded simultaneously outside the heavily guarded complex. The suicide attackers managed to pass through two checkpoints heavily manned by Russian troops before detonating their bombs. The regional head of the FSB security services, Col. Ilya Shabalkin, said the bombings were carried out by Islamic terrorists headed by Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev.

Hindustan Times 28.12.2002

Paris tense after mosque attack

Paris, Dec.29: Vandals hurled bottles of paint at a mosque in France, sparking fears of an anti-muslim backlash here after authorities dismantled a terror cell with ties to Al Qaeda and plotting attacks. Anti-racism group, MRAP said the "odious act" took place in a "climate of confusion between terrorism and Muslims". Fears have arisen that France's large Muslim community could be targeted following the arrests of nine Islamic militants in at least half a dozen raids over the past two weeks. The home ministry has said the suspects were plotting one or several bomb or toxic gas attacks in France and elsewhere.

The Asian Age 30.12.2002