As I mentioned in my previous articles India should not expect any change in US policy. CIA and US have only one agenda just keep their control on Pakistan to stay in this area. Neither they are serious to eliminate Alquida nor Terrorism.
Although they are confirming that terrorist have no Nuclear weapon but Inputs from ISI assures that Osama had already managed such technology and they are capable to use it. Alquida is running a top secret lab and preparing weapons which are more harmful and easy to carry and deploy.
Now they are concentrating on systems which can be used as weapon like Dams, Water supply, Electricity supply etc. For example conducting a direct attack on US is not so easy but it is possible to conduct an artificial Earthquake which can generate a Psunami and this PSunami can destroy more area.
Today Alquida is on low profile and all their core members are spread in all over world to save themelves because if they are alive then they can do every thing.
India must be cautious about it. PoK (Pak Occupied Kashmir) is being used as shelter for terrorists. They are regenerating their strength in this area and the easiest target is India.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Terrorist Activities in Bangladesh and Global Terrorism
Introduction
The security environment of Bangladesh is and was always peaceful in comparison to many other countries of this region. In respect to terrorist activities the country was in very low profile threat. If we consider the population density and diversity of the population the incidents are very normal and negligible. Last few years terrorist activities in this country got new dimension. Initially those were in very primitive type and gradually things are becoming complex, difficult to encounter/control/neutralize. Incident of 17 august 2005 was a massive shock in our peaceful existence and it reminded us that we need to do something to stop and finally come out of this evil cycle. Though the number of incident was more but the magnitude and the casualty was not that much. We may still call this as the beginning of the coordinated terrorist activities and with our utmost sincerity and devotion the country still can come out of this unwanted and unpleasant situation.
In last six years we are observing bomb incidents in the country and the trend was going up. It was curved down by the appropriate authority and the sincerity of the law enforcing agencies of the country by adopting adequate counter measures. In the beginning there were many unexploded bombs placed in different places. Explosives were there but the bombs were not functional. Some bomb threats were also there but the casualty related to this types of incidents were not significant. Ten persons were killed in the bomb incident that took place in 6 march 1999. We may take that as the beginning of successful terrorist attempt to destabilize existing peace and tranquility.
Unlike other countries of the world the terrorist activities like this type of bomb incidents will have devastating effect in our country. Our country is over crowded and densely populated. If some incident of this type takes place number of casualty will be more and destruction of
properties will be also more as everything is constructed in a smaller area. Then there comes the secondary hazard. All these will actually act as problem multiplier because we don’t have sufficient equipment and trained manpower to combat these type of situation.
This article will primarily focus on bomb related terrorist activities highlighting the major incidents occurred during the period from 1980 to 2000’s in global perspective. There after recent trend of growing terrorism in Bangladesh specially bomb related incidents will be covered to reveal few measures for combating such incidents effectively.
Brief History of Terrorism
The words ’terrorism’ and ‘terror’ were adopted from a French word ‘terreur’ which originates from the Latin word ‘terrere’ which means to frighten. During French revolution these were widely used for the first time to indicate the reign of terror. Terrorism in present context is a specialized and sometimes sophisticated and large scale criminal conduct. It is mainly done to generate casualty of innocent and defenseless civilian, destruction of properties, infrastructure and cultural sites.
In the past terrorism was there in many form. Between the end of second world war and the 20th century total 120 armed conflicts occurred. In 20th century a person was killed in every 21 second for 100 years from terrorist related activities. By the end of the 20th century, the world had witnessed several new and horrifying forms of terrorism, some even by the State, such as genocides, collectivization, purges, crimes against humanity and mass casualty incidents.
Today, the terrorist is largely perceived as an unknown, obscure and shadowy murderer, sometimes a religious fanatic, who sets off bombs causing loss of life and great destruction in civilian population centers. It is very sad that Islam is being exploited to legitimize terrorist
actions by different organizations, religious and spiritual leaders. They try to legalize these in the name of jihad. The origin of all these types of terrorism is mainly unstable middle east region. Terrorist may belong to any religion though all the religion is against it. Currently Muslim fundamentalism has got wide publicity in the western media.
Terrorism is carried out in many names besides religion including politics, freedom, environment, racial supremacy, animal rights etc. Terrorism and its motives are sometimes concealed and it is necessary to appreciate that the motive for a given terrorist act, whether declared by the terrorists, government or by media, may not always reflect the truth.
There is no geographical boundaries for terrorism. Almost in all the region of the world with different magnitude terrorist activities are taking place. For combating terrorism existing police force alone can no longer combat the magnitude of terrorism. Elements of armed forces, special forces, national intelligence and security organizations are employed against terrorism. Government of many countries have signed and confirmed agreements, to suppress and combat terrorism as its magnitude is increasing gradually.
After 11th September 2001 incident, many countries have intensified their anti-terrorism efforts. Legislation is a useful mechanism for legalizing special preventative measures taken by the security forces. Anti-terrorism efforts have practically doubled in many countries. In United Nations many new Resolutions against terrorism were passed. Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) is effectively implementing the efforts of UN against terrorism.
During cold war era the face of terrorism was different. Those were mainly supported and manipulated by WARSAW pact countries in the form of guerrilla warfare. Then the middle east problem came up and still it is continuing between Israel and other Arab nations. As a result whole middle east is in a state of unrest and the other parts of the world is getting the heat of
that. After the end of cold war new types of ruthless terrorism emerged which is characterized by religious, political, ethnic and social intolerance. General people normally come to know about the terrorist act through media after the incident.
In today’s world some Islamic terrorist group or coalition are considered as most dangerous. These groups distort Islam to justify their actions. Their objective is to change the existing world order and establishment of Islamic state in the world by terrorizing the world.
Essential Elements of Terrorism
There are some common and essential elements in all cases of terrorism. Those are:
a. Cause or motive.
b. Ends and means.
c. Ability.
d. Calculation.
e. Terror.
f. Victim(s).
g. Target(s).
4
Some other elements may also be there like:
a. Publicity.
b. Demand(s).
c. Coercion.
d. Recognition.
In broader term most terrorism have four interlinked factors. Those may be called as four pillars of terrorism. Those are :
a. Motivation.
b. Objective.
c. Target.
d. Destruction of asset and properties.
Motivation can be considered as a sleeping partner. The objective of terrorists is the most important factor to them. Objective comes first and motivation acts as driving force to attain that. The other two pillars are, asset harm and target are the outcome of that object. Mainly for attaining any object terrorist need to select targets and the asset harm or destruction of property is the outcome of the terrorist incident.
Terrorist Weapons, Resources, and Equipment
Terrorists use a wide range of military weapons and equipments. They collect those by illegal purchase, smuggle or by other unorthodox ways. The most common military weapons that terrorists frequently use are pistols, revolvers, rifles and submachine guns. Terrorists also use light machine guns, time-bombs, mortars, mines, rocket propelled grenades and hand-grenades.
Most of the terrorists bombs are improvised. They are termed as Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs. It consists of a power source, initiator, switches, explosive charge and a suitable container. Vehicles can be converted easily to an IED. IEDs vary in quality and effect according to the technology used and the explosive content. The mechanism can be made complicated and sophisticated integrated circuitry can be incorporated in the IEDs.
The devastating effect comes from the explosion/ detonation of explosive charges used in it. Besides using conventional explosives most terrorist use locally available chemicals or commercial explosives. These are called Home Made Explosives(HME). Depending on mixing ratio they give incendiary or explosion effect.
Assembling IEDs is dangerous. Accidents may occur while assembling the IED and the assembler may even be blown up and killed. Detonating IEDs is not as hazardous as constructing. IEDs may accidentally explode while being transported by terrorists.
Suicide bombers are just another weapon in the armory of terrorists . There is little protection from suicide terrorists equipped with bombs. This type of terrorist is very dangerous and is able to strike where terrorists who seek escape would not normally venture. They are usually extremists motivated by fanatic interpretations of religion or ideology, those on the edge of despair, or a combination of both. The aircrafts used on 11 September 2001, were used as weapons by suicide terrorists.
The Media and Terrorism
Media can play vital role against terrorist activities. Media gives terrorists their desired publicity. This publicity sometimes install widespread fear among the common mass. This sometimes favors the terrorists who wish to instill fear. Some media sources strongly condemn terrorism for what it is. Some media sources intentionally minimize the publicity afforded to
terrorist groups and highlight successes and failures of security forces. We can say that media can play duel role.
Media is having enough flexibility to report terrorism in a responsible fashion, especially when they know that most terrorists seek publicity to attain their object. Role of media in September 2001 incident was well appreciated and appropriate and helped security forces of the world to take necessary action against that heinous acts.
Bomb Related Incidents and Deaths in Last Two Decades
In 1980’s we saw that the incidents took place mainly in Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan ,USA, Vietnam and Palestine. During this period political unrest prevailed in these countries. In some countries transition of political power were going on. We just cannot draw a conclusion that middle east or Palestine was the only problem prone area.
Terrorist incidents were less in 1990’s than that of 1980’s. Because , during this period states took effective measures to counter terrorism. The effectiveness of anti terrorist force were improved. They were well trained and equipped by the government. Terrorism gets the exposure to explosives, small and medium arms more easily after the end of cold war. They are using those explosives to terrorize the world.
Most of these incidents took place in Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and other places. In 2002 explosion took place in Israel, Kenya, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Chechnya AND Tunisia etc. Many incident took place in European countries like Spain, Italy and UK(Northern Ireland); South American countries like Argentina, Columbia and Peru etc. From January 2006 till June 2006 total of 6000 personal died in different terrorist incident in Iraq. (BBC, This Week, 11 June 2006) It clearly says that the unrest is not confined in a region rather whole world is in a state of unrest.
Bangladesh Incidents
Since independence the first bomb explosion took place in a public meeting in 1981. In that incident one person was killed. That was the beginning of terrorist attack using the bomb culture in Bangladesh. Though there was no significant upraise of the trend immediately after the incident. However, suddenly in 1999-2000 a total of six bomb explosions took place in various parts of the country. During the year 2001 the situation aggravated to a great extent. Only in two incidents 32 people were killed in 2001.
On 07 Mar 1999’s explosion 8 people were killed and 150 injured. In same month in another powerful explosion two persons were killed on the spot and more three were injured. On 08 October 1999, another powerful bomb explosion took place at Kadiani Mosque in Khulna where 06 person’s were died on the spot and 40 were critically injured.
On 20th Jan 2001 in two separate bomb incidents total six persons died on spot and several others were injured. Ramna Botomul incident on 14 April 2001 snuffed out nine lives and injured many. Seven individual died on spot and almost 30 others were injured on 3 June 2001 in Catholic Church at Baniarchar in Gopalgonj district. 22 persons were killed and nearly 100 injured in a massive bomb explosion at a political party office in Narayanganj.
Total 438 Improvised Explosives Device (IED)/Bombs were exploded at different places of 4 Metropolitan Cities and 63 district headquarters of Bangladesh on 17 August 2005. In those incidents; 02 people died and approximately 150 were injured. The bombs/IED's were locally prepared with a timer circuit but with less lethality. The power source of the bombs were four pencil AA batteries. The circuit was timed, controlled by a switch and the detonator was electric. A small amount of Gunpowder (GP) and Aluminum based Home Made Explosive (HME) was used for sound & igneferous effect.
From 1999 to 2005 there were approximately 492 bomb, grenade and cocktail incident where 271 people died and more than one thousand were injured. The above mentioned incidents clearly reflects a sharp and alarming rise of bomb related terrorist activities in Bangladesh which can no more be ignored. To combat all these terrorist activities we need to know regarding terrorism and terrorist activities, chronological development, their logistical backup, method and the weapon they use to attain their objectives.
In Bangladesh in most of the cases the terrorist exploited Islam to justify their misdeeds. But actually Islam means peace and it really mean so. That’s why the terrorists are not getting popular support. The reasons for rise of terrorism in Bangladesh may be summarized as following :
a. Poor financial backup.
b. Ever-continuing economic crises.
c. Extreme poverty.
d. Illiteracy.
e. Unemployment.
f. Uncertainty regarding future.
g. Exploitation of simple religious believe.
Threat assessment
Present time is always best time. Without delay we must prepare ourselves to counter the terrorist acts that are growing in our country. If we can suppress and eradicate these types of act in the beginning then we will be able to revert the fate of country and can tell that we are still peaceful and our people will be living in peace and harmony.
Assessing the threat profile and continuously monitoring and updating is the first step. Next step is to prepare the security and intelligence organization. It can be done by creating special cells and train personnel on different aspect of terrorist acts including tracking, preventing , forensic activities and data management. Then, Identify and motivate the potential/ vulnerable
groups and prevent them from joining in terrorist groups/activities. Finally, existing laws if required to be updated for quick disposal of the cases. Exemplary punishment may be awarded so that people are aware and terrorists are cautious.
A threat assessment is necessary to evaluate the potential loss in these situations. This will help to examine what action can be taken to prevent or minimize those loss. Whether such action is an affordable option in financial and political terms to be also evaluated. Prime requirement is to precisely identify the threat. A typical threat assessment might include the following:
a. Detailed profile of potential or actual threat, hostile forces and likely outcome.
b. Character, disposition and vulnerability of all human resources.
c. Nature and disposition of fixed structures and moveable assets.
d. Preliminary assessment of potential loss.
The conclusion of a threat assessment often concludes with a change of level in a security alertness plan. It may be higher, lower or be maintained at the same level. There are several different levels or phases in such plans or systems.
Joint Efforts to Counter Terrorist Acts.
Terrorist activities (Bomb/IED situation) can not be tackled in piecemeal by a single agency. It necessitates a well coordinated effort of all fractions of the society. Under the prevailing IED situation in our country and appreciating the future trends following joint efforts are recommended :
a. A well coordinated interaction between the law enforcing agencies (intelligence and police) and the military experts need to be established and maintained throughout.
b. Security Forces need to be trained both at home and abroad. They must be proactive. Modern equipments should be used to combat the increasing threat. Use of resources may include:
(1) Overall budget and financial expenditure.
(2) Human resources e.g. Close protection officers.
(3) Equipment resources e.g. bomb detection devices, vehicles.
(4) More powerful and task-orientated weaponry.
c. The intelligence network to be made effective in maintaining information related to availability of explosive for a bomb threat. Increased security intelligence can be gathered from:
(1) Human Intelligence e.g. Open Source collection and Covert Operations.
(2) Satellite Intelligence e.g. Imaging Intelligence.
(3) Signals Intelligence e.g. Electronic Intercept.
(4) Information Warfare e.g. Propaganda / disinformation and IT attack.
d. Trans frontier intelligence activities must be geared up so that it enables concern people to become pro-active to blast incident.
e. Restriction need to be imposed on selling and buying of readily available ingredients of home made explosive i.e. gasoline, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate etc.
f. Awareness of general people needs to be increased through various electronic media and news paper.
g. Media to be used to project the heinous act and motivate people not to support terrorism. To minimize panic, motivational broadcasting in radio and TV, telecasting of documentary films, social campaign like posters, placards, holding seminars etc can be arranged.
h. Fastest investigation, quick trial and exemplary punishment of the miscreants to be ensured.
j. Intellectuals have great role in countering the bomb culture. This society must put their magic to build an intimated social bond all over the nation.
Conclusion
The terrorist groups normally do not get any support from the society. For preparation of the Bomb/IED they try to exploit the technology and collect the raw materials from the readily available chemical substances. The trend of bombs and the attacks in the developed countries and least developed countries may vary in technology, dimension and in different places but all such attacks are obviously against the humanity. The result is surely loss of life, serious injury, damage of property and an unsafe environment.
IED or Bomb incidents throughout the world have become a great concern to the peace lovers. It is for sure that the attackers resort to such heinous act to achieve their unjust demands. At times they launch suicidal attack being highly motivated by their group. In this new millennium the frequency and dimension of the bomb/IED attacks has attained its peak. Thereby the environment of peace and tranquility is under tremendous risk.
The synchronized bomb blast at 63 District Headquarters of Bangladesh is a rare incident. Possibly the IED's were intentionally made less harmful because even with the use of good amount of Home Made Explosives it could have been very dangerous. May be to avoid check and detection by Security Forces the size of the IED's was not increased. It's a clear alarm for every one that the terrorist can attack at any place at their desired time with their desired devastation as the expertise they have shown in preparation of these IED's.
In 2006 after massive effort by the security forces specially RAB, bomb incident was controlled to a satisfactory level and the people are a bit relaxed. Our beloved Bangladesh was in low profile bomb threat, but last few bomb incidents shook our peace and tranquil environment. But our peace loving people are always against this type of destructive activities. It is not too late for the Bangladesh to stand against these terrorist threats. The priority and urgency to fight against terror has gained the apex of general conscientious. So, we may say that present time is the best time to think, plan and execute the perfect countermeasures to stop and eliminate all types of terrorist activities from our country. Even if we achieve to control such activities; it will help us in the long run to bring normalcy in our civic life.
The security environment of Bangladesh is and was always peaceful in comparison to many other countries of this region. In respect to terrorist activities the country was in very low profile threat. If we consider the population density and diversity of the population the incidents are very normal and negligible. Last few years terrorist activities in this country got new dimension. Initially those were in very primitive type and gradually things are becoming complex, difficult to encounter/control/neutralize. Incident of 17 august 2005 was a massive shock in our peaceful existence and it reminded us that we need to do something to stop and finally come out of this evil cycle. Though the number of incident was more but the magnitude and the casualty was not that much. We may still call this as the beginning of the coordinated terrorist activities and with our utmost sincerity and devotion the country still can come out of this unwanted and unpleasant situation.
In last six years we are observing bomb incidents in the country and the trend was going up. It was curved down by the appropriate authority and the sincerity of the law enforcing agencies of the country by adopting adequate counter measures. In the beginning there were many unexploded bombs placed in different places. Explosives were there but the bombs were not functional. Some bomb threats were also there but the casualty related to this types of incidents were not significant. Ten persons were killed in the bomb incident that took place in 6 march 1999. We may take that as the beginning of successful terrorist attempt to destabilize existing peace and tranquility.
Unlike other countries of the world the terrorist activities like this type of bomb incidents will have devastating effect in our country. Our country is over crowded and densely populated. If some incident of this type takes place number of casualty will be more and destruction of
properties will be also more as everything is constructed in a smaller area. Then there comes the secondary hazard. All these will actually act as problem multiplier because we don’t have sufficient equipment and trained manpower to combat these type of situation.
This article will primarily focus on bomb related terrorist activities highlighting the major incidents occurred during the period from 1980 to 2000’s in global perspective. There after recent trend of growing terrorism in Bangladesh specially bomb related incidents will be covered to reveal few measures for combating such incidents effectively.
Brief History of Terrorism
The words ’terrorism’ and ‘terror’ were adopted from a French word ‘terreur’ which originates from the Latin word ‘terrere’ which means to frighten. During French revolution these were widely used for the first time to indicate the reign of terror. Terrorism in present context is a specialized and sometimes sophisticated and large scale criminal conduct. It is mainly done to generate casualty of innocent and defenseless civilian, destruction of properties, infrastructure and cultural sites.
In the past terrorism was there in many form. Between the end of second world war and the 20th century total 120 armed conflicts occurred. In 20th century a person was killed in every 21 second for 100 years from terrorist related activities. By the end of the 20th century, the world had witnessed several new and horrifying forms of terrorism, some even by the State, such as genocides, collectivization, purges, crimes against humanity and mass casualty incidents.
Today, the terrorist is largely perceived as an unknown, obscure and shadowy murderer, sometimes a religious fanatic, who sets off bombs causing loss of life and great destruction in civilian population centers. It is very sad that Islam is being exploited to legitimize terrorist
actions by different organizations, religious and spiritual leaders. They try to legalize these in the name of jihad. The origin of all these types of terrorism is mainly unstable middle east region. Terrorist may belong to any religion though all the religion is against it. Currently Muslim fundamentalism has got wide publicity in the western media.
Terrorism is carried out in many names besides religion including politics, freedom, environment, racial supremacy, animal rights etc. Terrorism and its motives are sometimes concealed and it is necessary to appreciate that the motive for a given terrorist act, whether declared by the terrorists, government or by media, may not always reflect the truth.
There is no geographical boundaries for terrorism. Almost in all the region of the world with different magnitude terrorist activities are taking place. For combating terrorism existing police force alone can no longer combat the magnitude of terrorism. Elements of armed forces, special forces, national intelligence and security organizations are employed against terrorism. Government of many countries have signed and confirmed agreements, to suppress and combat terrorism as its magnitude is increasing gradually.
After 11th September 2001 incident, many countries have intensified their anti-terrorism efforts. Legislation is a useful mechanism for legalizing special preventative measures taken by the security forces. Anti-terrorism efforts have practically doubled in many countries. In United Nations many new Resolutions against terrorism were passed. Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) is effectively implementing the efforts of UN against terrorism.
During cold war era the face of terrorism was different. Those were mainly supported and manipulated by WARSAW pact countries in the form of guerrilla warfare. Then the middle east problem came up and still it is continuing between Israel and other Arab nations. As a result whole middle east is in a state of unrest and the other parts of the world is getting the heat of
that. After the end of cold war new types of ruthless terrorism emerged which is characterized by religious, political, ethnic and social intolerance. General people normally come to know about the terrorist act through media after the incident.
In today’s world some Islamic terrorist group or coalition are considered as most dangerous. These groups distort Islam to justify their actions. Their objective is to change the existing world order and establishment of Islamic state in the world by terrorizing the world.
Essential Elements of Terrorism
There are some common and essential elements in all cases of terrorism. Those are:
a. Cause or motive.
b. Ends and means.
c. Ability.
d. Calculation.
e. Terror.
f. Victim(s).
g. Target(s).
4
Some other elements may also be there like:
a. Publicity.
b. Demand(s).
c. Coercion.
d. Recognition.
In broader term most terrorism have four interlinked factors. Those may be called as four pillars of terrorism. Those are :
a. Motivation.
b. Objective.
c. Target.
d. Destruction of asset and properties.
Motivation can be considered as a sleeping partner. The objective of terrorists is the most important factor to them. Objective comes first and motivation acts as driving force to attain that. The other two pillars are, asset harm and target are the outcome of that object. Mainly for attaining any object terrorist need to select targets and the asset harm or destruction of property is the outcome of the terrorist incident.
Terrorist Weapons, Resources, and Equipment
Terrorists use a wide range of military weapons and equipments. They collect those by illegal purchase, smuggle or by other unorthodox ways. The most common military weapons that terrorists frequently use are pistols, revolvers, rifles and submachine guns. Terrorists also use light machine guns, time-bombs, mortars, mines, rocket propelled grenades and hand-grenades.
Most of the terrorists bombs are improvised. They are termed as Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs. It consists of a power source, initiator, switches, explosive charge and a suitable container. Vehicles can be converted easily to an IED. IEDs vary in quality and effect according to the technology used and the explosive content. The mechanism can be made complicated and sophisticated integrated circuitry can be incorporated in the IEDs.
The devastating effect comes from the explosion/ detonation of explosive charges used in it. Besides using conventional explosives most terrorist use locally available chemicals or commercial explosives. These are called Home Made Explosives(HME). Depending on mixing ratio they give incendiary or explosion effect.
Assembling IEDs is dangerous. Accidents may occur while assembling the IED and the assembler may even be blown up and killed. Detonating IEDs is not as hazardous as constructing. IEDs may accidentally explode while being transported by terrorists.
Suicide bombers are just another weapon in the armory of terrorists . There is little protection from suicide terrorists equipped with bombs. This type of terrorist is very dangerous and is able to strike where terrorists who seek escape would not normally venture. They are usually extremists motivated by fanatic interpretations of religion or ideology, those on the edge of despair, or a combination of both. The aircrafts used on 11 September 2001, were used as weapons by suicide terrorists.
The Media and Terrorism
Media can play vital role against terrorist activities. Media gives terrorists their desired publicity. This publicity sometimes install widespread fear among the common mass. This sometimes favors the terrorists who wish to instill fear. Some media sources strongly condemn terrorism for what it is. Some media sources intentionally minimize the publicity afforded to
terrorist groups and highlight successes and failures of security forces. We can say that media can play duel role.
Media is having enough flexibility to report terrorism in a responsible fashion, especially when they know that most terrorists seek publicity to attain their object. Role of media in September 2001 incident was well appreciated and appropriate and helped security forces of the world to take necessary action against that heinous acts.
Bomb Related Incidents and Deaths in Last Two Decades
In 1980’s we saw that the incidents took place mainly in Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan ,USA, Vietnam and Palestine. During this period political unrest prevailed in these countries. In some countries transition of political power were going on. We just cannot draw a conclusion that middle east or Palestine was the only problem prone area.
Terrorist incidents were less in 1990’s than that of 1980’s. Because , during this period states took effective measures to counter terrorism. The effectiveness of anti terrorist force were improved. They were well trained and equipped by the government. Terrorism gets the exposure to explosives, small and medium arms more easily after the end of cold war. They are using those explosives to terrorize the world.
Most of these incidents took place in Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and other places. In 2002 explosion took place in Israel, Kenya, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Chechnya AND Tunisia etc. Many incident took place in European countries like Spain, Italy and UK(Northern Ireland); South American countries like Argentina, Columbia and Peru etc. From January 2006 till June 2006 total of 6000 personal died in different terrorist incident in Iraq. (BBC, This Week, 11 June 2006) It clearly says that the unrest is not confined in a region rather whole world is in a state of unrest.
Bangladesh Incidents
Since independence the first bomb explosion took place in a public meeting in 1981. In that incident one person was killed. That was the beginning of terrorist attack using the bomb culture in Bangladesh. Though there was no significant upraise of the trend immediately after the incident. However, suddenly in 1999-2000 a total of six bomb explosions took place in various parts of the country. During the year 2001 the situation aggravated to a great extent. Only in two incidents 32 people were killed in 2001.
On 07 Mar 1999’s explosion 8 people were killed and 150 injured. In same month in another powerful explosion two persons were killed on the spot and more three were injured. On 08 October 1999, another powerful bomb explosion took place at Kadiani Mosque in Khulna where 06 person’s were died on the spot and 40 were critically injured.
On 20th Jan 2001 in two separate bomb incidents total six persons died on spot and several others were injured. Ramna Botomul incident on 14 April 2001 snuffed out nine lives and injured many. Seven individual died on spot and almost 30 others were injured on 3 June 2001 in Catholic Church at Baniarchar in Gopalgonj district. 22 persons were killed and nearly 100 injured in a massive bomb explosion at a political party office in Narayanganj.
Total 438 Improvised Explosives Device (IED)/Bombs were exploded at different places of 4 Metropolitan Cities and 63 district headquarters of Bangladesh on 17 August 2005. In those incidents; 02 people died and approximately 150 were injured. The bombs/IED's were locally prepared with a timer circuit but with less lethality. The power source of the bombs were four pencil AA batteries. The circuit was timed, controlled by a switch and the detonator was electric. A small amount of Gunpowder (GP) and Aluminum based Home Made Explosive (HME) was used for sound & igneferous effect.
From 1999 to 2005 there were approximately 492 bomb, grenade and cocktail incident where 271 people died and more than one thousand were injured. The above mentioned incidents clearly reflects a sharp and alarming rise of bomb related terrorist activities in Bangladesh which can no more be ignored. To combat all these terrorist activities we need to know regarding terrorism and terrorist activities, chronological development, their logistical backup, method and the weapon they use to attain their objectives.
In Bangladesh in most of the cases the terrorist exploited Islam to justify their misdeeds. But actually Islam means peace and it really mean so. That’s why the terrorists are not getting popular support. The reasons for rise of terrorism in Bangladesh may be summarized as following :
a. Poor financial backup.
b. Ever-continuing economic crises.
c. Extreme poverty.
d. Illiteracy.
e. Unemployment.
f. Uncertainty regarding future.
g. Exploitation of simple religious believe.
Threat assessment
Present time is always best time. Without delay we must prepare ourselves to counter the terrorist acts that are growing in our country. If we can suppress and eradicate these types of act in the beginning then we will be able to revert the fate of country and can tell that we are still peaceful and our people will be living in peace and harmony.
Assessing the threat profile and continuously monitoring and updating is the first step. Next step is to prepare the security and intelligence organization. It can be done by creating special cells and train personnel on different aspect of terrorist acts including tracking, preventing , forensic activities and data management. Then, Identify and motivate the potential/ vulnerable
groups and prevent them from joining in terrorist groups/activities. Finally, existing laws if required to be updated for quick disposal of the cases. Exemplary punishment may be awarded so that people are aware and terrorists are cautious.
A threat assessment is necessary to evaluate the potential loss in these situations. This will help to examine what action can be taken to prevent or minimize those loss. Whether such action is an affordable option in financial and political terms to be also evaluated. Prime requirement is to precisely identify the threat. A typical threat assessment might include the following:
a. Detailed profile of potential or actual threat, hostile forces and likely outcome.
b. Character, disposition and vulnerability of all human resources.
c. Nature and disposition of fixed structures and moveable assets.
d. Preliminary assessment of potential loss.
The conclusion of a threat assessment often concludes with a change of level in a security alertness plan. It may be higher, lower or be maintained at the same level. There are several different levels or phases in such plans or systems.
Joint Efforts to Counter Terrorist Acts.
Terrorist activities (Bomb/IED situation) can not be tackled in piecemeal by a single agency. It necessitates a well coordinated effort of all fractions of the society. Under the prevailing IED situation in our country and appreciating the future trends following joint efforts are recommended :
a. A well coordinated interaction between the law enforcing agencies (intelligence and police) and the military experts need to be established and maintained throughout.
b. Security Forces need to be trained both at home and abroad. They must be proactive. Modern equipments should be used to combat the increasing threat. Use of resources may include:
(1) Overall budget and financial expenditure.
(2) Human resources e.g. Close protection officers.
(3) Equipment resources e.g. bomb detection devices, vehicles.
(4) More powerful and task-orientated weaponry.
c. The intelligence network to be made effective in maintaining information related to availability of explosive for a bomb threat. Increased security intelligence can be gathered from:
(1) Human Intelligence e.g. Open Source collection and Covert Operations.
(2) Satellite Intelligence e.g. Imaging Intelligence.
(3) Signals Intelligence e.g. Electronic Intercept.
(4) Information Warfare e.g. Propaganda / disinformation and IT attack.
d. Trans frontier intelligence activities must be geared up so that it enables concern people to become pro-active to blast incident.
e. Restriction need to be imposed on selling and buying of readily available ingredients of home made explosive i.e. gasoline, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate etc.
f. Awareness of general people needs to be increased through various electronic media and news paper.
g. Media to be used to project the heinous act and motivate people not to support terrorism. To minimize panic, motivational broadcasting in radio and TV, telecasting of documentary films, social campaign like posters, placards, holding seminars etc can be arranged.
h. Fastest investigation, quick trial and exemplary punishment of the miscreants to be ensured.
j. Intellectuals have great role in countering the bomb culture. This society must put their magic to build an intimated social bond all over the nation.
Conclusion
The terrorist groups normally do not get any support from the society. For preparation of the Bomb/IED they try to exploit the technology and collect the raw materials from the readily available chemical substances. The trend of bombs and the attacks in the developed countries and least developed countries may vary in technology, dimension and in different places but all such attacks are obviously against the humanity. The result is surely loss of life, serious injury, damage of property and an unsafe environment.
IED or Bomb incidents throughout the world have become a great concern to the peace lovers. It is for sure that the attackers resort to such heinous act to achieve their unjust demands. At times they launch suicidal attack being highly motivated by their group. In this new millennium the frequency and dimension of the bomb/IED attacks has attained its peak. Thereby the environment of peace and tranquility is under tremendous risk.
The synchronized bomb blast at 63 District Headquarters of Bangladesh is a rare incident. Possibly the IED's were intentionally made less harmful because even with the use of good amount of Home Made Explosives it could have been very dangerous. May be to avoid check and detection by Security Forces the size of the IED's was not increased. It's a clear alarm for every one that the terrorist can attack at any place at their desired time with their desired devastation as the expertise they have shown in preparation of these IED's.
In 2006 after massive effort by the security forces specially RAB, bomb incident was controlled to a satisfactory level and the people are a bit relaxed. Our beloved Bangladesh was in low profile bomb threat, but last few bomb incidents shook our peace and tranquil environment. But our peace loving people are always against this type of destructive activities. It is not too late for the Bangladesh to stand against these terrorist threats. The priority and urgency to fight against terror has gained the apex of general conscientious. So, we may say that present time is the best time to think, plan and execute the perfect countermeasures to stop and eliminate all types of terrorist activities from our country. Even if we achieve to control such activities; it will help us in the long run to bring normalcy in our civic life.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Why US is Ignoring Dawood ?
US is talking about Osama or Baitulla or Mulla Omar but ignoring Dawood Ibrahim. Its strange because he is the person facilitating entire supply of terrorist.
Actually Taliban is just producing drugs but the key player is D Company. You can destroy Drug producers but D company will arrange another place to produce. The entire Kashmir and surrounding area is very convenient to produce drugs. People are poor so they are ready to produce drugs.
Dawood network is involved not only in drugs but also in human trafficking, Hawala, Arms supply etc. and all of them are being used by terrorists to execute their activities.
Until the Dawood and ISI are destroyed US will not succeed to eliminate Alquida and Taliban. Alquida is not cornered rather it is gaining strength and I suppose developing new bases far away from Afghanistan. Its sure that Osama is neither in Afghanistan nor in Pakistan because Afghanistan is not safe and he does not believe on Pakistan.
By some Unconfirmed sources we have Information that Top Alquida Leaders shifted themselves from Afghanistan and restricted their activities. Even they are not using phones.
Alquida is planning Divide and Conquer Policy. They want to create several fronts such that US can not concentrate. Although CIA knows it but can not accept. As per CIA history it could be assumed that some how they want Alquida alive because it provides a ground to stay in this area.
Actually Taliban is just producing drugs but the key player is D Company. You can destroy Drug producers but D company will arrange another place to produce. The entire Kashmir and surrounding area is very convenient to produce drugs. People are poor so they are ready to produce drugs.
Dawood network is involved not only in drugs but also in human trafficking, Hawala, Arms supply etc. and all of them are being used by terrorists to execute their activities.
Until the Dawood and ISI are destroyed US will not succeed to eliminate Alquida and Taliban. Alquida is not cornered rather it is gaining strength and I suppose developing new bases far away from Afghanistan. Its sure that Osama is neither in Afghanistan nor in Pakistan because Afghanistan is not safe and he does not believe on Pakistan.
By some Unconfirmed sources we have Information that Top Alquida Leaders shifted themselves from Afghanistan and restricted their activities. Even they are not using phones.
Alquida is planning Divide and Conquer Policy. They want to create several fronts such that US can not concentrate. Although CIA knows it but can not accept. As per CIA history it could be assumed that some how they want Alquida alive because it provides a ground to stay in this area.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Profile: Mullah Umar
FAMILY BACKGROUND AND BIRTH
Ameer-ul-MumineenMulla Muhammad Umar Mujahid belongs to a respected family of religious
scholars. His family is renown for the religious services offered by it for centuries. His full name is Muhammad Umar Mujahid bin Maulwi Ghulam Nabi Akhwand bin Mulla Muhammad Rasool
Akhwand bin Mulla Muhammad Ayaz Akhwand. He belongs to a well-known branch of the Hootak tribe, which has been living in Kandahar for about a hundred years.Mulla Muhammad Omar was born in 1960 in the 'Noori' village in Kandahar Province. Kandahar used to be the capital of the Indo-Subcontinent when it was justly ruled by the great Afghan Mujahid conqueror, Ahmad Shah Abdali. Mulla Umar's father, Maulwai Ghulam Nabi, was a religious scholar and the Imam at a mosque in Noori. His predecessors lived in the province ofZabul, in the districts of Shakay and Beirut, where, even today, a water stream is remembered by the name of one ofMulla Umar's respected elders.Mulla Umar's family has produced religious scholars in every generation, who have rendered countless services to Islam for centuries. His family is well known to have a great fervour for Islam. Almost all of his predecessors have been religious scholars, rendering religious services in the southern provinces ofKandahar, Zabul and Uruzgan. The people of Afghanistan have consulted his elders for centuries, seeking guidance on religious, economical and social issues.
ORPHAN AT THE AGE OF THREE
Mulla Omar was just three when his father, Maulwi Ghulam Nabee Akhwand, passed away at the age of forty. He was the only child of his parents. His younger brother and three elder sisters had passed away at a young age. Therefore, after his father's demise, he was not only an orphan but also the only child of his mother. Who could have thought at that time that this poor boy would go on to become the Ameer-ul-Mumineen of Afghanistan and a symbol of bravery, valour, patience, humbleness and Jihad in the Way of Allah (SWT)? After his father's death, his eldest paternal uncle, Maulwi Muhammad Anwar, married his mother and remains the head of the family. Allah (SWT) gave the family three sons and four daughters, who are still alive and waging Jihad in the Way of Allah (SWT). One of his brothers was martyred in 1998 when a massive bomb went off outside his office in Kandahar.
It was an assassination attempt on his life planned by both the CIA and the Northern Alliance
Commander, Ahmad Shah Masood, who by the will of Allah (SWT), was assassinated on 9
September 2001. Other paternal uncles of Mulla Umar are Haji Mulla Muhammad Hanafiyyah
Akhwand, Haji Mulla Muhammad Jumma Akhwand and Haji Mulla Muhammad Wali Akhwand. All of his uncles are known to have great fear of Allah (SWT) but Mulla Wali Muhammad Akhwand stands out for his excessive prayers and remembrance of Allah (SWT). All his family members live under the same roof with love and unity. The young men in the family are all participating in Jihad and are sacrificing their life and wealth to rid the world of Disbelief and Evil.
ISLAMIC EDUCATION
Mulla Umar received primary education from his benign guardian, loving stepfather and generous uncle, Maulwi Muhammad Anwar, who was a religious scholar and Imam at a mosque in the Beirut district of the Uruzgan province where he taught a mass of religious students. Other than his under his uncle, he studied the Quran, Hadith and Fiqh from many accomplished scholars whose names are not available. For a period he also remained a student of his other uncle,Mulla Muhammad Jumma Akhwand.
FAMILY HOUSE, LAND AND ESTATE
Mulla Muhammad Umar's family, a family of tribal scholars, never went after the attractions of this world. Instead they chose to devout their lives for the propagation of Islam and the imparting of religious knowledge. Their lives are a living symbol of patience and gratefulness towards Allah (SWT). Upholding the name of Islam and following its laws staunchly were goals superior to all worldly gains. Wealth and material possessions were never able to weaken their resolve. It was due to this disregard for the luxuries and life of this world that neither Mulla Umar nor any of his uncles own any houses, land or estates.
MARCHING TOWARDS THE BATTLEFIELDS AT EIGHTEEN
It was 1978CE (1398 AH) andMulla Umar was studying the highest-level book of the Hanafi school, the 'Hidayah', when Afghanistan was stormed by Communist aggressors, followed by the Soviet Red Army in December 1979. Thousands of young Muslims with the fear of Allah (SWT) and honour, decided to quell the Red insurgence. Among these soldiers of Allah (SWT) was an energetic young man of no more than eighteen years of age:Mulla Muhammad Omar. Filled with religious fervor and love for Islam, he took up weapons and headed for the battlefield. At the height of his youth, he stepped forward against the disbelievers and terrorised their ranks. He had resolved to revive the forgotten duty of Jihad that Allah (SWT) and his Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) adored so much and whose real meaning was bygone for the Muslim Ummah. He actively participated in the Jihad from the very beginning and it was then that the foundations of the Taliban Islamic Movement and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan were laid, which were to serve as the source of light, hope and life for the dejected Muslim Ummah drowned in the darkness of apathy. It was, in effect, the beginning of the Islamic renaissance.
INJURIES SUSTAINED IN URUZGAN DURING JIHAD
At the onset of the Jihad against the Communists and the Russians, he was fighting the enemies of Allah (SWT) in the Beirut district of Uruzgan Province. It was whilst he was wrecking the ranks of the disbelieving invaders that he sustained serious injuries on two occasions. The first time was when his leg was badly inured by rocket shrapnel and the second time was when he came under intense machinegun fire, which left his body riddled with bullets. He received medical treatment for the extreme wounds inflicted on his body, which, though they wounded his body, never scratched his incessant will to wage Jihad against the forces of Satan. Soon, by the grace of Allah (SWT), he regained his health and was back in the battlefield to devastate the enemies of Allah ( SWT).
His valour and gallantry filled the enemies with terror and his ceaseless attacks on the Communists raised alarm. His experienced and perceptive uncle anticipated the designs and conspiracies of the Communists and advised him to move the centre of his guerrilla operations to the South-Western district of Panjwai. Another reason for selecting this area was that the Kandahar-Herat highway passed through this district, which was a crucial supply line for the Communists. This busy road was an excellent target for guerrilla activities, so Mulla Umar moved his unit of Mujahideen to Panjwai.
His excellence as a leader, competence as a tactician and unmatched fearlessness made him emerge as an exemplary guerrilla commander. His fellow Mujahideen admired him for his humble ways, good manners and virtuosity, whereas the oppressed Afghans adored him for being an honest and generous man. On the other hand, his presence was a nightmare for the Communists and the Russians. He paid occasional visits to his parents in Uruzgan during this period of Jihad.
GETTING INJURED FOR THE THIRD TIME
It was during the period when he was fighting the Russians in the area of Sangsar, that he was badly injured for the third time, in an intense encounter with the Soviets. This time he sacrificed his right eye in the Way of Allah (SWT). His companions said that he was taken to a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, due to the severity of his injury. After surgery, he was advised by the doctors to make Tayammum (ablution without water) instead of making Wudu (ablution with water) since water could have aggravated his wounds. Against the doctors' advice, he always used water for ablution and never prayed without properWudu. He used to say: "It is not possible for me to stop makingWudu for such minor wounds."
ON THE SIXTEENTH RPG, IT WENT UP IN FLAMES
Mulla Umar's companions during the Jihad against the Soviets and Communists included the
Talibans' first and foremost Commander-in-Chief, Shaheed Mulla Muhammad (RA), Shaheed Mulla Naik Muhammad (RA), Shaheed Mulla Borjan (RA) and famous commanders,Mulla Bradar, Mulla Yaranah, Mulla Ubaidullah and Mulla Akhwandzadah. At that time he was associated with Maulwi Nabi Muhammad's group, Harakat-ul-Inqelab-al-Islami. He was the group's local commander and a sure shot with the RPG-7 (antitank weapon). Refreshing his memoirs of those days, one of his old time friends described an encounter with Russian armour. It was in the district of Panjwai where the Mujahideen under Mulla Umar's command were fighting the Russians. One of the Russian tanks was expertly hidden in the terrain and had inflicted substantial damage on the Mujahideen. This tank had martyred many of theMujahideen therefore imposing on them considerable pressure. The tank was placed in its position with such skill thereby making it lethal for the Mujahideen to target. In order to tackle this hurdle and to ensure the safety of his fellow Mujahideen, Mulla Umar took the challenge.
Armed with a RPG launcher and a supply of rockets, he moved to a position from where he could
attack the menacing armour. He fired a sequence of rockets on the tank and at last, on the sixteenth RPG, by the will of Allah (SWT) it went up in flames.
INTERACTION WITH THE WORLD DURING JIHAD
During the Jihad neither Mulla Umar nor any of his family members migrated to Pakistan, Iran or any other country. They stood firm and chose to defend their faith and honour at the cost of their lives and wealth. On the rugged mountains they made their stand and from here they swooped on the Red Soviet Bear. During 14 years of Jihad against the Russians and after their defeat, Mulla Umar rarely travelled outside Afghanistan except for receiving medical treatment in the border town of Quetta. It was common practice among Afghan commanders to visit Pakistan every year and enjoy the luxuries of city life while they consulted their supporting governments and received aid. Mulla Umar, on the contrary, never made any such trips, which probably saved him from foreign influence and prejudice.
Being a low-level commander, the needs of his unit were fulfilled locally and never demanded his
absence from the battlefield. This turned out to be truly beneficial for the future of Islam and Jihad. Fortunately for the Muslim Ummah, all throughout his life he was exposed to only two elements: pure Islamic education and practical Jihad in the way of Allah (SWT). These exemplary fourteen years of his life are filled with purpose, chivalry, courage, vigour and perseverance in the way of Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) willed for him a country life filled with Islamic knowledge and Jihad battlefields. The
Almighty never exposed him to the outside world filled with greed, egocentricity and corruption. He was gifted with a true understanding of Islam and Shariah (Islamic laws), which, upon
implementation, transformed war torn Afghanistan into a depiction of the Islamic society during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his Companions (RAAH).
MARRIAGE AND RETURN TO EDUCATION
After the defeat and subsequent evacuation of the Soviet forces from Afghanistan, Mulla Umar went back to his religious studies. In a quiet and simple fashion, he got married at the age of 31. Allah (SWT) blessed him with two sons, Yaqub and Idris. There have been reports of Yaqub's martyrdom in the recent barbaric bombing by the Americans on Kandahar. While the Mujahideen commanders initiated a power struggle for Kabul, he started to teach at the local mosque.
POST-COMMUNIST ERA
With the passage of time, the post Communist era in Afghanistan saw even more destruction and
oppression perpetrated by the so-calledMujahideen leaders. As the situation of law and order
deteriorated, and the honour and property of the common man became even more insecure, the
Afghans became dismayed with the power hungry commanders. Most of these commanders were Communists who had infiltrated the ranks of the Mujahideen to take advantage of their success. It was the survival of the fittest and the weak had no one to turn to for justice. The honour and chastity of women was neither safe inside their homes nor outside. Sick women were abducted from hospitals, never to be seen again. Parents smuggled their young sons to Pakistan just to save them from the paedophile commanders. The Governor ofKandahar, Gul Agha, married a boy in a well-set and publicised wedding. After every few kilometres was a commander's check post set up to dispossess the people of their livelihood and honour. Robbery and looting was commonplace. Human life became so cheap that people were killed on minor issues. Homes and businesses were ransacked and burned down. Allah (SWT) earth's was ravaged and plundered; there was no peace and all hopes of tranquillity were at an end. Then it seemed the blood of the Martyrs and the fruits of Jihad were going to be lost.
The following account was received from a reliable source and it unveils the Satanic face of the post
Russian era commanders in Afghanistan:
A man was travelling in the province of Kandahar when he was stopped at a looting point set up by a Communist commander. When the poor man was harassed for money, he asked the commander's men why they were looting him and if Allah (SWT) and His Prophet, Muhammad (SAWS), had permitted them to do so. They said they would ask Allah (SWT) and Muhammad (SAW). He was taken inside the check post and one of the harassers addressed a satanic clean-shaven man as Allah (SWT) and asked if he had given him permission to loot the poor man. The man replied yes. Then another ugly clean-shaven man was addressed as the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who also granted their claim. Then the commander's men told the unfortunate man to hand over his money as he had witnessed Allah (SWT) and the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) affirm their demand.
STARTING THE TALIBAN ISLAMIC MOVEMENT
Mulla Muhammad Umar's heart bled as he saw the misery of the Afghans. It was unbearable for him to sit in his mosque and teach while the land of Jihad was transformed into a living hell for his people. Islam was kicked aside by the commanders and the sanctity of Muslims were torn. Afghanistan was burning and the West warmed hands over it.
It was in 1993-94; at the age of 33, that Mulla Muhammad Umar Mujahid, with a group of around 15-30 religious students started the Tehreek-al-Islami-at- Taliban (the Taliban Islamic Movement).
They attacked the local commanders' check posts in Kandahar and after securing them, took the
border town of Spin Boldak in an amazing operation. After securing the area in and aroundKandahar, they implemented the Shariah Laws and chased the Communists out of the province. More students joined them and the people welcomed the Taliban everywhere they went. Soon the oppressed people of other provinces invited them and the Taliban answered to their requests. One after the other, the Taliban took over the provinces of Afghanistan and by implementing Shariah, restored peace and order.
In 1996, the Taliban took over Kabul andMulla Muhammad Umar was unanimously accepted as the 'Ameer-ul-Mumineen' (the Leader of the Believers) of Afghanistan. Thus the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan came into existence.
CONCLUDING GLIMPSE OF HIS CHARACTER
Once a delegation of guest came to visit Mulla Umar. Fresh bread, cream, tea and other delicacies were brought for the guests and they all began to eat heartily. All except Mulla Umar that is. He refused to touch the cream or the bread. His guests ushered him to eat with them but he refused. His advisors also urged him to eat with the guests, indicating that there was nothing wrong with him eating this food since it had not been brought especially for him; it was brought for the guests and he was the host. He still refused. A few moments later, a worker brought in a bowl of plain soup together with some hard, stale bread.Mulla Umar proceeded to break the hard bread with his hands and eat it with the soup. Upon being asked the reasons for his refusal to eat the cream, Mulla Umar said: "When the lowest person in my country eats this food, then I will eat it."
Ameer-ul-MumineenMulla Muhammad Umar Mujahid belongs to a respected family of religious
scholars. His family is renown for the religious services offered by it for centuries. His full name is Muhammad Umar Mujahid bin Maulwi Ghulam Nabi Akhwand bin Mulla Muhammad Rasool
Akhwand bin Mulla Muhammad Ayaz Akhwand. He belongs to a well-known branch of the Hootak tribe, which has been living in Kandahar for about a hundred years.Mulla Muhammad Omar was born in 1960 in the 'Noori' village in Kandahar Province. Kandahar used to be the capital of the Indo-Subcontinent when it was justly ruled by the great Afghan Mujahid conqueror, Ahmad Shah Abdali. Mulla Umar's father, Maulwai Ghulam Nabi, was a religious scholar and the Imam at a mosque in Noori. His predecessors lived in the province ofZabul, in the districts of Shakay and Beirut, where, even today, a water stream is remembered by the name of one ofMulla Umar's respected elders.Mulla Umar's family has produced religious scholars in every generation, who have rendered countless services to Islam for centuries. His family is well known to have a great fervour for Islam. Almost all of his predecessors have been religious scholars, rendering religious services in the southern provinces ofKandahar, Zabul and Uruzgan. The people of Afghanistan have consulted his elders for centuries, seeking guidance on religious, economical and social issues.
ORPHAN AT THE AGE OF THREE
Mulla Omar was just three when his father, Maulwi Ghulam Nabee Akhwand, passed away at the age of forty. He was the only child of his parents. His younger brother and three elder sisters had passed away at a young age. Therefore, after his father's demise, he was not only an orphan but also the only child of his mother. Who could have thought at that time that this poor boy would go on to become the Ameer-ul-Mumineen of Afghanistan and a symbol of bravery, valour, patience, humbleness and Jihad in the Way of Allah (SWT)? After his father's death, his eldest paternal uncle, Maulwi Muhammad Anwar, married his mother and remains the head of the family. Allah (SWT) gave the family three sons and four daughters, who are still alive and waging Jihad in the Way of Allah (SWT). One of his brothers was martyred in 1998 when a massive bomb went off outside his office in Kandahar.
It was an assassination attempt on his life planned by both the CIA and the Northern Alliance
Commander, Ahmad Shah Masood, who by the will of Allah (SWT), was assassinated on 9
September 2001. Other paternal uncles of Mulla Umar are Haji Mulla Muhammad Hanafiyyah
Akhwand, Haji Mulla Muhammad Jumma Akhwand and Haji Mulla Muhammad Wali Akhwand. All of his uncles are known to have great fear of Allah (SWT) but Mulla Wali Muhammad Akhwand stands out for his excessive prayers and remembrance of Allah (SWT). All his family members live under the same roof with love and unity. The young men in the family are all participating in Jihad and are sacrificing their life and wealth to rid the world of Disbelief and Evil.
ISLAMIC EDUCATION
Mulla Umar received primary education from his benign guardian, loving stepfather and generous uncle, Maulwi Muhammad Anwar, who was a religious scholar and Imam at a mosque in the Beirut district of the Uruzgan province where he taught a mass of religious students. Other than his under his uncle, he studied the Quran, Hadith and Fiqh from many accomplished scholars whose names are not available. For a period he also remained a student of his other uncle,Mulla Muhammad Jumma Akhwand.
FAMILY HOUSE, LAND AND ESTATE
Mulla Muhammad Umar's family, a family of tribal scholars, never went after the attractions of this world. Instead they chose to devout their lives for the propagation of Islam and the imparting of religious knowledge. Their lives are a living symbol of patience and gratefulness towards Allah (SWT). Upholding the name of Islam and following its laws staunchly were goals superior to all worldly gains. Wealth and material possessions were never able to weaken their resolve. It was due to this disregard for the luxuries and life of this world that neither Mulla Umar nor any of his uncles own any houses, land or estates.
MARCHING TOWARDS THE BATTLEFIELDS AT EIGHTEEN
It was 1978CE (1398 AH) andMulla Umar was studying the highest-level book of the Hanafi school, the 'Hidayah', when Afghanistan was stormed by Communist aggressors, followed by the Soviet Red Army in December 1979. Thousands of young Muslims with the fear of Allah (SWT) and honour, decided to quell the Red insurgence. Among these soldiers of Allah (SWT) was an energetic young man of no more than eighteen years of age:Mulla Muhammad Omar. Filled with religious fervor and love for Islam, he took up weapons and headed for the battlefield. At the height of his youth, he stepped forward against the disbelievers and terrorised their ranks. He had resolved to revive the forgotten duty of Jihad that Allah (SWT) and his Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) adored so much and whose real meaning was bygone for the Muslim Ummah. He actively participated in the Jihad from the very beginning and it was then that the foundations of the Taliban Islamic Movement and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan were laid, which were to serve as the source of light, hope and life for the dejected Muslim Ummah drowned in the darkness of apathy. It was, in effect, the beginning of the Islamic renaissance.
INJURIES SUSTAINED IN URUZGAN DURING JIHAD
At the onset of the Jihad against the Communists and the Russians, he was fighting the enemies of Allah (SWT) in the Beirut district of Uruzgan Province. It was whilst he was wrecking the ranks of the disbelieving invaders that he sustained serious injuries on two occasions. The first time was when his leg was badly inured by rocket shrapnel and the second time was when he came under intense machinegun fire, which left his body riddled with bullets. He received medical treatment for the extreme wounds inflicted on his body, which, though they wounded his body, never scratched his incessant will to wage Jihad against the forces of Satan. Soon, by the grace of Allah (SWT), he regained his health and was back in the battlefield to devastate the enemies of Allah ( SWT).
His valour and gallantry filled the enemies with terror and his ceaseless attacks on the Communists raised alarm. His experienced and perceptive uncle anticipated the designs and conspiracies of the Communists and advised him to move the centre of his guerrilla operations to the South-Western district of Panjwai. Another reason for selecting this area was that the Kandahar-Herat highway passed through this district, which was a crucial supply line for the Communists. This busy road was an excellent target for guerrilla activities, so Mulla Umar moved his unit of Mujahideen to Panjwai.
His excellence as a leader, competence as a tactician and unmatched fearlessness made him emerge as an exemplary guerrilla commander. His fellow Mujahideen admired him for his humble ways, good manners and virtuosity, whereas the oppressed Afghans adored him for being an honest and generous man. On the other hand, his presence was a nightmare for the Communists and the Russians. He paid occasional visits to his parents in Uruzgan during this period of Jihad.
GETTING INJURED FOR THE THIRD TIME
It was during the period when he was fighting the Russians in the area of Sangsar, that he was badly injured for the third time, in an intense encounter with the Soviets. This time he sacrificed his right eye in the Way of Allah (SWT). His companions said that he was taken to a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, due to the severity of his injury. After surgery, he was advised by the doctors to make Tayammum (ablution without water) instead of making Wudu (ablution with water) since water could have aggravated his wounds. Against the doctors' advice, he always used water for ablution and never prayed without properWudu. He used to say: "It is not possible for me to stop makingWudu for such minor wounds."
ON THE SIXTEENTH RPG, IT WENT UP IN FLAMES
Mulla Umar's companions during the Jihad against the Soviets and Communists included the
Talibans' first and foremost Commander-in-Chief, Shaheed Mulla Muhammad (RA), Shaheed Mulla Naik Muhammad (RA), Shaheed Mulla Borjan (RA) and famous commanders,Mulla Bradar, Mulla Yaranah, Mulla Ubaidullah and Mulla Akhwandzadah. At that time he was associated with Maulwi Nabi Muhammad's group, Harakat-ul-Inqelab-al-Islami. He was the group's local commander and a sure shot with the RPG-7 (antitank weapon). Refreshing his memoirs of those days, one of his old time friends described an encounter with Russian armour. It was in the district of Panjwai where the Mujahideen under Mulla Umar's command were fighting the Russians. One of the Russian tanks was expertly hidden in the terrain and had inflicted substantial damage on the Mujahideen. This tank had martyred many of theMujahideen therefore imposing on them considerable pressure. The tank was placed in its position with such skill thereby making it lethal for the Mujahideen to target. In order to tackle this hurdle and to ensure the safety of his fellow Mujahideen, Mulla Umar took the challenge.
Armed with a RPG launcher and a supply of rockets, he moved to a position from where he could
attack the menacing armour. He fired a sequence of rockets on the tank and at last, on the sixteenth RPG, by the will of Allah (SWT) it went up in flames.
INTERACTION WITH THE WORLD DURING JIHAD
During the Jihad neither Mulla Umar nor any of his family members migrated to Pakistan, Iran or any other country. They stood firm and chose to defend their faith and honour at the cost of their lives and wealth. On the rugged mountains they made their stand and from here they swooped on the Red Soviet Bear. During 14 years of Jihad against the Russians and after their defeat, Mulla Umar rarely travelled outside Afghanistan except for receiving medical treatment in the border town of Quetta. It was common practice among Afghan commanders to visit Pakistan every year and enjoy the luxuries of city life while they consulted their supporting governments and received aid. Mulla Umar, on the contrary, never made any such trips, which probably saved him from foreign influence and prejudice.
Being a low-level commander, the needs of his unit were fulfilled locally and never demanded his
absence from the battlefield. This turned out to be truly beneficial for the future of Islam and Jihad. Fortunately for the Muslim Ummah, all throughout his life he was exposed to only two elements: pure Islamic education and practical Jihad in the way of Allah (SWT). These exemplary fourteen years of his life are filled with purpose, chivalry, courage, vigour and perseverance in the way of Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) willed for him a country life filled with Islamic knowledge and Jihad battlefields. The
Almighty never exposed him to the outside world filled with greed, egocentricity and corruption. He was gifted with a true understanding of Islam and Shariah (Islamic laws), which, upon
implementation, transformed war torn Afghanistan into a depiction of the Islamic society during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his Companions (RAAH).
MARRIAGE AND RETURN TO EDUCATION
After the defeat and subsequent evacuation of the Soviet forces from Afghanistan, Mulla Umar went back to his religious studies. In a quiet and simple fashion, he got married at the age of 31. Allah (SWT) blessed him with two sons, Yaqub and Idris. There have been reports of Yaqub's martyrdom in the recent barbaric bombing by the Americans on Kandahar. While the Mujahideen commanders initiated a power struggle for Kabul, he started to teach at the local mosque.
POST-COMMUNIST ERA
With the passage of time, the post Communist era in Afghanistan saw even more destruction and
oppression perpetrated by the so-calledMujahideen leaders. As the situation of law and order
deteriorated, and the honour and property of the common man became even more insecure, the
Afghans became dismayed with the power hungry commanders. Most of these commanders were Communists who had infiltrated the ranks of the Mujahideen to take advantage of their success. It was the survival of the fittest and the weak had no one to turn to for justice. The honour and chastity of women was neither safe inside their homes nor outside. Sick women were abducted from hospitals, never to be seen again. Parents smuggled their young sons to Pakistan just to save them from the paedophile commanders. The Governor ofKandahar, Gul Agha, married a boy in a well-set and publicised wedding. After every few kilometres was a commander's check post set up to dispossess the people of their livelihood and honour. Robbery and looting was commonplace. Human life became so cheap that people were killed on minor issues. Homes and businesses were ransacked and burned down. Allah (SWT) earth's was ravaged and plundered; there was no peace and all hopes of tranquillity were at an end. Then it seemed the blood of the Martyrs and the fruits of Jihad were going to be lost.
The following account was received from a reliable source and it unveils the Satanic face of the post
Russian era commanders in Afghanistan:
A man was travelling in the province of Kandahar when he was stopped at a looting point set up by a Communist commander. When the poor man was harassed for money, he asked the commander's men why they were looting him and if Allah (SWT) and His Prophet, Muhammad (SAWS), had permitted them to do so. They said they would ask Allah (SWT) and Muhammad (SAW). He was taken inside the check post and one of the harassers addressed a satanic clean-shaven man as Allah (SWT) and asked if he had given him permission to loot the poor man. The man replied yes. Then another ugly clean-shaven man was addressed as the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who also granted their claim. Then the commander's men told the unfortunate man to hand over his money as he had witnessed Allah (SWT) and the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) affirm their demand.
STARTING THE TALIBAN ISLAMIC MOVEMENT
Mulla Muhammad Umar's heart bled as he saw the misery of the Afghans. It was unbearable for him to sit in his mosque and teach while the land of Jihad was transformed into a living hell for his people. Islam was kicked aside by the commanders and the sanctity of Muslims were torn. Afghanistan was burning and the West warmed hands over it.
It was in 1993-94; at the age of 33, that Mulla Muhammad Umar Mujahid, with a group of around 15-30 religious students started the Tehreek-al-Islami-at- Taliban (the Taliban Islamic Movement).
They attacked the local commanders' check posts in Kandahar and after securing them, took the
border town of Spin Boldak in an amazing operation. After securing the area in and aroundKandahar, they implemented the Shariah Laws and chased the Communists out of the province. More students joined them and the people welcomed the Taliban everywhere they went. Soon the oppressed people of other provinces invited them and the Taliban answered to their requests. One after the other, the Taliban took over the provinces of Afghanistan and by implementing Shariah, restored peace and order.
In 1996, the Taliban took over Kabul andMulla Muhammad Umar was unanimously accepted as the 'Ameer-ul-Mumineen' (the Leader of the Believers) of Afghanistan. Thus the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan came into existence.
CONCLUDING GLIMPSE OF HIS CHARACTER
Once a delegation of guest came to visit Mulla Umar. Fresh bread, cream, tea and other delicacies were brought for the guests and they all began to eat heartily. All except Mulla Umar that is. He refused to touch the cream or the bread. His guests ushered him to eat with them but he refused. His advisors also urged him to eat with the guests, indicating that there was nothing wrong with him eating this food since it had not been brought especially for him; it was brought for the guests and he was the host. He still refused. A few moments later, a worker brought in a bowl of plain soup together with some hard, stale bread.Mulla Umar proceeded to break the hard bread with his hands and eat it with the soup. Upon being asked the reasons for his refusal to eat the cream, Mulla Umar said: "When the lowest person in my country eats this food, then I will eat it."
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Taliban Entering India's Kashmir Valley
Is it true ?. Yes because entire ISI led group is trying to initiate a war with India. They can not attack directly so they are using another way. ISI is protecting Taliban and facilitating their movement towards India which is considered much safe as compared to Afghanistan border.
Actually ISI is caged in their own net and they have no way to cut it. Today If they support US then Terrorist will hit and if not then US will hit. Now they have a safe way just initiate a war with India which will provide a instant relief and some time to manage the situation.
Mumbai attack was well planned but they failed to gain real success because some of Key Indians ( Not Politicians ) managed the situation so that a war was avoided.
Media reports Sunday quoted the intelligence agencies as saying well-trained militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and Pakistan based militant group Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) have sneaked into the region from Pakistan with the aim to disrupt Indian general elections.
Why ?. Actually they are loosing control in Afghanistan and want a new area from where they can run their mission.
Actually ISI is caged in their own net and they have no way to cut it. Today If they support US then Terrorist will hit and if not then US will hit. Now they have a safe way just initiate a war with India which will provide a instant relief and some time to manage the situation.
Mumbai attack was well planned but they failed to gain real success because some of Key Indians ( Not Politicians ) managed the situation so that a war was avoided.
Media reports Sunday quoted the intelligence agencies as saying well-trained militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and Pakistan based militant group Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) have sneaked into the region from Pakistan with the aim to disrupt Indian general elections.
Why ?. Actually they are loosing control in Afghanistan and want a new area from where they can run their mission.
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