Security forces shot and killed self-professed al Qaeda murderer Mohammed Merah after a 33-hour seige. Authorities in France, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the US are unclear about Merah’s past. An Internet posting by Jund al Khilafah claimed the killings at the Jewish school, but the post was quickly withdrawn.
No leads on French shooter in Afghanistan, Pakistan
But a popular web forum removed the statement within an hour after posting.
General Allen said in testimony before Congress that US was scaling back its planned operations in Eastern Afghanistan due to reduced forces available.
US must respect Pakistan’s sovereignty for effective ties
A third Taliban commander, who was not previously named, was among those killed in the March 13 airstrike.
In Toulouse, authorities are trying to arrest Mohamed Merah, a suspect in the killing of seven people. Merah admitted to police negotiators that he trained with al Qaeda in Pakistan and wanted to “avenge” Palestinians and punish the French military for its role in Afghanistan. In Paris, a bomb exploded outside the Indonesian embassy; no […]
President Sarkozy wants the suspect captured alive. Authorities are scrambling to determine how he escaped notice after returning from Afghanistan.
Pakistan committee calls for end to US drone strikes
The sovereignty mantra: Pakistan says no accord with US on drone strikes
Four “insurgents” were killed after one of them, who was hiding behind women and children, opened fire on special operations forces.
China bank pulls out of Pakistan-Iran pipeline project
Pakistan – Abbottabad commission findings contradict US version: report
Hindu girls are forced to marry Muslims: Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari’s sister
Ayman al Zawahiri released yet another videotape via As Sahab, al Qaeda’s propaganda arm. Zawahiri called for the US to release al Qaeda prisoners in exchange for captive American Warren Weinstein, and called for a a popular revolt agains the government of Pakistan.
Ustad Ahmad Farooq, al Qaeda’s spokesman for Pakistan, mentions Ilyas Kashmiri with Baitullah Mehsud, Ibn Amin, and Badr Mansour, who were all killed in drone strikes. “May Allah have mercy on all of them,” Farooq said.
Afghanistan : the creeping enemy within
Pakistan: Bin Laden wives fighting, causing problems
Pakistan – Indian guru wants Taliban to de-stress
Pakistan – Ruling coalition decides in principle to reopen NATO supply route
A district court convicted Afghan citizen Haji Bagcho of drug and terrorism charges. From his base in Nangarhar province, he sold 20% of the world’s heroin in 2006, and provided cash, weapons, and supplies to the Taliban. Bagcho was arrested in Pakistan in 2009, turned over to Afghanistan, and extradited to the US.
Two commanders and six fighters loyal to Mullah Nazir, a favorite of the Pakistani establishment who has pledged his support for al Qaeda, were killed in the first strike. Seven other fighters were killed in the second strike.
Unnamed Obama Administration officials assert “Afghan good enough” in RC East.
Pakistan ‘revising’ list of banned terror groups
The US has carried out three airstrikes in Yemen from March 9 to March 11. Two took place in Jaar, a city controlled by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Pakistan’s ISI behind Indian mission blast in Afghanistan: UK intel ex-chief
The target of the attack appears to have been the deputy speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial assembly, who has also raised an anti-Taliban militia.
Pakistan – New ISI chief not related to Bollywood star: ISPR
US drones are suspected of conducting the strikes in Al Baydah and Jaar, but the reports are unconfirmed.
Ustad Ahmad Farooq, al Qaeda’s spokesman for Pakistan, confirmed that Badr Mansoor was killed in a drone strike on Feb. 2012. Farooq accused the Pakistani military and government of supporting the US’s drone campaign.