SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: An armed clash is reported to have occurred between two groups of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during its meeting in Sourth Waziristan, sources said.An important Taliban commander is reported killed in the above clash.TTP’s Shura meeting was underway to appoint successor of Baitullah Mehsud after his reported killing in S Waziristan when the clash erupted between two groups of Hakimullah Mehsud and Wali-ur-Rehman, sources said.Reports said an important commander of TTP was killed in the incident while the state TV has reported that TTP commander Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in the clash.
August 8, 2009
Web attack blogger blames Russia
A blogger who was targeted in a co-ordinated attack against websites such as Facebook and Twitter has told the BBC he blames Russia for the assault.------------------------------------------------
The pro-Georgian blogger, known as Cyxymu, said he had been targeted for "telling the truth about the Russian-Georgian war" in his writings.
The attack caused a blackout of Twitter for about two hours on Thursday.
Despite the blogger's claims, security researchers say there is "no suggestion the attack was state-endorsed".
Google, Facebook and blogging platform Live Journal - all sites where Cyxymu had accounts - were also affected.
"I write the truth about the Russian-Georgian war and somebody did not like these truths - these people in Russia," the blogger told BBC News.
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The attack caused a blackout of Twitter for about two hours on Thursday.
Despite the blogger's claims, security researchers say there is "no suggestion the attack was state-endorsed".
Google, Facebook and blogging platform Live Journal - all sites where Cyxymu had accounts - were also affected.
"I write the truth about the Russian-Georgian war and somebody did not like these truths - these people in Russia," the blogger told BBC News.
Taliban chief 'not dead'
A close associate of Pakistan's most wanted man, Baitullah Mehsud, who was reportedly killed in a US drone attack, has told the BBC he is alive.-------------------------------------
Commander Hakimullah Mehsud said reports of the Taliban leader's death three days ago in an attack on a house in South Waziristan were "ridiculous".
The US said on Friday it was increasingly confident its forces had managed to kill Mr Mehsud.
Neither side has provided evidence to back up their claims so far.
Pakistan's foreign minister said on Friday he was "pretty certain" Baitullah Mehsud had been killed.
But Commander Hakimullah Mehsud - who some analysts suggest may be positioning himself to succeed Baitullah Mehsud - told the BBC the reports of his death were the work of US and Pakistani intelligence agencies.
The US said on Friday it was increasingly confident its forces had managed to kill Mr Mehsud.
Neither side has provided evidence to back up their claims so far.
Pakistan's foreign minister said on Friday he was "pretty certain" Baitullah Mehsud had been killed.
But Commander Hakimullah Mehsud - who some analysts suggest may be positioning himself to succeed Baitullah Mehsud - told the BBC the reports of his death were the work of US and Pakistani intelligence agencies.
Terror suspect 'killed in Java'
One of South-East Asia's most wanted terror suspects is reported to have been killed by Indonesian police.------------------------------------------
An official in Jakarta and local TV say Noordin Mohamed Top died when police stormed his hideout in central Java after a 17-hour siege.
Bodies were seen being removed from the house but police have not confirmed Noordin was one of those killed.
Malaysian-born Noordin is suspected of orchestrating the Bali bombings of 2002 and other major attacks.
They include the bombings of two Jakarta hotels last month that killed nine people and injured scores of others.
Police said the anti-terror operation in the Temanggung district followed the arrest on Friday of several suspected militants loyal to Noordin.
Bodies were seen being removed from the house but police have not confirmed Noordin was one of those killed.
Malaysian-born Noordin is suspected of orchestrating the Bali bombings of 2002 and other major attacks.
They include the bombings of two Jakarta hotels last month that killed nine people and injured scores of others.
Police said the anti-terror operation in the Temanggung district followed the arrest on Friday of several suspected militants loyal to Noordin.
UK 'may have 40-year Afghan role'
The UK's commitment to Afghanistan could last for up to 40 years, the incoming head of the Army has said.----------------------------------------
Gen Sir David Richards, who takes over on 28 August, told the Times the Army's role would evolve, but the process of "nation-building" would last decades.
Troops will be required for the medium term only, but the UK will continue to play a role in "development, governance [and] security sector reform," he said.
"There is absolutely no chance of Nato pulling out," Gen Richards added.
Gen Richards commanded 35,000 troops from 37 nations when he was head of Nato's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan between May 2006 and February 2007.
He will take over from Gen Sir Richard Dannatt as the UK's chief of the general staff.
'Campaign winnable'
Gen Richards' comments come a day after it emerged that three servicemen, from the Parachute Regiment, had been killed north of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, on Thursday afternoon.
Their deaths - in an attack on a Jackal armoured vehicle which left a colleague critically injured - take to 195 the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
The Army has suffered its heaviest losses of the entire campaign in recent weeks, but its soon-to-be chief said he strongly believed the campaign was "winnable".
"Demanding, certainly, but winnable," he said.
Troops will be required for the medium term only, but the UK will continue to play a role in "development, governance [and] security sector reform," he said.
"There is absolutely no chance of Nato pulling out," Gen Richards added.
Gen Richards commanded 35,000 troops from 37 nations when he was head of Nato's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan between May 2006 and February 2007.
He will take over from Gen Sir Richard Dannatt as the UK's chief of the general staff.
'Campaign winnable'
Gen Richards' comments come a day after it emerged that three servicemen, from the Parachute Regiment, had been killed north of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, on Thursday afternoon.
Their deaths - in an attack on a Jackal armoured vehicle which left a colleague critically injured - take to 195 the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
The Army has suffered its heaviest losses of the entire campaign in recent weeks, but its soon-to-be chief said he strongly believed the campaign was "winnable".
"Demanding, certainly, but winnable," he said.
He added: "The end will be difficult to define; it won't be neat and clear-cut like the end of some old-fashioned inter-state war might have been."
He said it would take "a long time and considerable investment", adding: "We must remember, though, that we are not trying to turn Afghanistan into Switzerland."
Gen Richards said great efforts must be made to expand the Afghan National Army and build up the police force - only then could the UK's military role "decline".
Equipment
"I believe that the UK will be committed to Afghanistan in some manner - development, governance, security sector reform - for the next 30 to 40 years," he said.
"It is not just reconstruction; jobs and simple governance that works are key, and there has to be a strong reconciliation element to the latter."
Gen Dannatt has called for the government to commit more troops and equipment to Afghanistan, but Gen Richards said he would not be presenting a "shopping list" to ministers.
However, he said the Army and the government needed to "continue to respond flexibly and quickly to the evolving requirements of our campaign in Afghanistan".
BBC NEWS
He said it would take "a long time and considerable investment", adding: "We must remember, though, that we are not trying to turn Afghanistan into Switzerland."
Gen Richards said great efforts must be made to expand the Afghan National Army and build up the police force - only then could the UK's military role "decline".
Equipment
"I believe that the UK will be committed to Afghanistan in some manner - development, governance, security sector reform - for the next 30 to 40 years," he said.
"It is not just reconstruction; jobs and simple governance that works are key, and there has to be a strong reconciliation element to the latter."
Gen Dannatt has called for the government to commit more troops and equipment to Afghanistan, but Gen Richards said he would not be presenting a "shopping list" to ministers.
However, he said the Army and the government needed to "continue to respond flexibly and quickly to the evolving requirements of our campaign in Afghanistan".
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