Friday 28 June 2013

Tourism and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

Tourism and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir
Dr Shabir Choudhry              29 June 2013

For many countries in the world tourism is the main source of their national income. Nearly all countries make great efforts to encourage tourism and provide appropriate facilities that more and more people come and spend money in their countries to boost the national economy.

Recently I visited Istanbul, Turkey, and saw tens of thousands of tourists from various countries. These people were not only impressed what Istanbul had to offer to the tourists, but they also spent millions of dollars that provided jobs to the local people. All tourists eat, drink, use transport, stay in hotels and pay visa fees and entrance fees etc.; and that provides employment to the local people and boost economy.

However, that is not what happens in the divided State of Jammu and Kashmir. It is sad that some forces with vested interest not only discourage tourism in the State of Jammu and Kashmir; but they also make special efforts to commit acts of violence and terrorism to frighten tourists and prospective tourists.

The government of India makes serious efforts to encourage tourism in the part of Jammu and Kashmir under their control. They do this not only to support the local economy; but also to give this message to the world that the worst is over in Kashmir and normalcy is returning. To counter that, the Pakistani government, their agencies and proxies make sincere and concerted endeavours to discourage, frustrate and frighten tourists in all parts of Jammu and Kashmir State.

People may remember that Pakistani backed religious fanatics systematically targeted tourists, killed them, harassed them; and in some cases kidnapped them. Idea was that non Kashmiris must stay away from Jammu and Kashmir; and that people of Jammu and Kashmir must not benefit from fruits of tourism. These fanatics did all these non - Islamic acts in name of religion. Islam does not allow acts of violence and terrorism, promotion of religious hatred, or killing of innocent people. Islam commands to respect guests and visitors and these fanatics killed them and harassed them in name of Islam.

Islam says no compulsion in religion and strictly demands that religious minorities must be protected; and that there must be no interference in their religious matters. These fanatics, in name of religion, declared to stop Amar Nath Yatra and persecuted religious minorities. They closed beauty parlours and in some cases threw acid on faces of women who went to these beauty parlours. It is strange that these fanatics did not ask their mentors to close beauty parlours in Pakistan, from where they were getting training, arms and directions, but felt appropriate to implement their orders in Jammu and Kashmir.

A few years ago I met a man in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. During conversation with me he explained his experience of a visit to Neelam Valley, situated in Pakistani Administered Kashmir. He lived in Lahore and went to the Neelam Valley with his family for a holiday. He said police check posts on the way to the Neelam Valley and the attitude of the security men was harassing and intimidating. He said wherever they went they were followed by two motor bikes all the time. He had his wife, sister and children with him. They felt so insecure that after two days they cut short their holiday and went back to Lahore.

The authorities in Islamabad DONOT like people to visit areas of the Jammu and Kashmir State under their control, especially areas adjacent to the LOC and Gilgit Baltistan. People of these areas live behind ‘Iron Curtain’; and the authorities don’t like even the Pakistanis to know what actually goes on in these areas. Apart from that they know tourism will promote the local economy, and will give people economic independence which will ultimately reduce their reliance on those who control and plunder these areas.

Furthermore, interaction with the outside world, even with well off and liberal minded Pakistani is not tolerated, as that could jeopardise their game plan and loosen their grip. People have to see the recent barbarous and inhuman attack on the Mountain climbers in Gilgit in the light of the mind-set explained above. I agree, there might be some other motives too, but the fact remains that authorities do not even like people of so called Azad Kashmir visiting Gilgit Baltistan and interact with each other.

The killed Mountain Climbers, who came from various countries, were our guests. All civilised people respect visitors. Their presence there was not threat to any state secrets or defence installations. They were spending their hard earned money there, which was helping the local people. Why kill them? It is crystal clear that the local people will never kill them.

Killers were not ordinary people. They were highly trained individuals who could not have reached that area without some ‘official’ support. The attack was well planned, and they were appropriately equipped with arms. The camp was at the height of 4,200 Meters; and the attackers knew exactly where to find them and what to do. One commentator said, “It takes two to three days to reach (the camp). The body needs to acclimatise for climbing up. How they went undetected is a big question."

It is a known fact that extremist groups in Pakistan get some official support. They were set up, trained, armed and financed to advance a certain policy that the men in uniform could not officially do. It is widely believed that different extremist groups have official patronage in Pakistan; and Western reputable writers and Think Tanks have extensively written on this subject. Mark Bowden, a famous author of many books related to South Asia and terrorism wrote:

‘But the issue of Pakistan was delicate. That unstable nation was critical to the war efforts in Afghanistan. It was a nuclear power in one of the world’s most volatile regions, and yet elements of its government, particularly its powerful intelligence agency, the Inter – Services Intelligence (ISI), were known to be in bed with all manner of Islamist radicals. Pakistan’s President Musharraf had been walking a narrow thin line with the Bush administration, providing enough cooperation to avoid being branded an enemy but falling well short of routing extremists hold in Pakistan’s lawless northwest.’   Source: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden, page 79-80

It was because of Pakistan’s hobnobbing with the extremist groups that many experts on terrorism said ‘Pakistan was part of the problem’ and ‘not part of the solution’ in fighting terrorism. The American intelligence sources believed that ‘Pakistan had become the new safe haven for the terror groups after the fall of Taliban’. As the result of this double play America also got frustrated, and due to lack of distrust, President Obama had to say: “If we have actionable intelligence about high – value terrorist targets and if President Musharraf won’t act, we will.” It was as a result of this policy that America unilaterally conducted a secret operation in Abbottabad to kill Osama Bin Ladin. Despite the fact that Pakistani sovereignty was violated, Pakistani government congratulated America for this success.

The brutal killing of mountain climbers has further tarnished Pakistan’s image at the international level. The fanatic killers were wearing police uniform. This was the worst attack on foreign nationals for many years; and it will have very serious impact on tourism in this region. Naik Nam Karim, General Secretary of the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators said:

‘The killings were a "disaster" for Gilgit-Baltistan, where tourism is the main source of income. "It will destroy tourism in our area," he told AFP, saying that he had already received a slew of cancellations by email and telephone’. "We used to be able to convince foreign tourists that there was peace in Gilgit-Baltistan but this incident has ruined everything."

Foreign tourists were of two kinds: climbers and trekkers – those who wanted to see stunning natural beauty of the region. On average non-trekking tourists used to spend $3,000; and trekkers used to spend between $8-10,000 because they stayed here longer.

It must be pointed out that before the war on terrorism more than twenty thousand foreign tourists visited Gilgit Baltistan each year, which greatly helped the local people run their kitchens. The number of visitors has dropped dramatically to around 5,000 a year now. After this tragic incident who would like to risk their lives and go there; and it will hurt the local people immensely.

If the authorities in Islamabad are serious in combatting and eradicating terrorism and encouraging tourism, then they will have to take some bold steps which may not be popular in certain quarters. However, if they continue with their old policy, then I am afraid these fanatics will lead Pakistan to a disaster.

Writer is a political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com 
View: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com           www.k4kashmir.com     


Sunday 23 June 2013

New episode of Speakers Corner: Kashmiri struggle and role of the British born Kashmiris

New episode of Speakers Corner
Kashmiri struggle and role of the British born Kashmiris

Afzal Tahir’s reply to a Pakistan agent

Afzal Tahir’s reply to a Pakistan agent

There is 90% support for united and independent state of Kashmir both in so-called Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. To suggest that pro-Independent opinions in PoK (AJK+GB) are in minority, is the best joke of 21st century. This is the reason that no person in PoK (AJK + GB) is allowed in participate in political activities for United and Independent Kashmir. It is criminal offence as per the imposed law by the colonial army of Pakistan. The following facts prove the case that more than 90% are for United and Independent State of Kashmir, that is from Lakhanpure to Hunza and from Oksichin to Mangla:

1: Army action to suppress the pro-independent voices during 1955 where thousands put behind bar including late Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan.

2: Pakistan Military maintaining files against Kashmiri leaders who apparently known as pro-Pakistan that they are secretly working for Independent Kashmir such as late KH Khurishid, late Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, Choudhry Noor Hussain, late Col Husson Khan of Gilgit and many more. These leaders are openly known as pro-Pakistan but no Kashmiri want merger with India or Pakistan but a treaty of accession. Accession is always with two or more independent states such as European Union. 

3: To manipulate and distort the ground reality and project secret agents of Pakistani agencies to the world community is going on since 1948. For example, during 1948 late Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan was part of Pakistani official delegation but Pakistani secret service was distributing handbills and pamphlets with the picture of Dr. Deen Mohaamd Tasir, father of late Sulman Tasir with the name of Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan as Kashmiri leader. It mean, they were presenting Dr. Tasir as Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan to the diplomatic community. Why they choose to fraud with international community if Sardar Ibrahim Khan was for Pakistan and not for Independent Kashmir.   

4: Artificial Pakistani Political Parties been created by ISI and  Army in PoK (AJK+GB). Why they did this if majority population prefer slavery over freedom? It mean the whole picture that has been created in PoK is fake and it is due to bribing political workers or using force of intimidation/fear of terror, torture, force disappearance and extra Judicial killing. 

5: Thousands of cases registered against pro-Independent political workers and finally they forced out of their motherland. Hundred of thousands Kashmiri from PoK (AJK+GB) who mange to escape the death in the hands of Pakistani sponsored terrorists are political refuges in Europe, North America or escaping in Middle East. If there is no discontent against Pakistan then why they run away and took refuge thousands of miles away from their mother land, near and dears?

6: No pro-Independent political parties can stand in so-called election or get any government job. Why?

7: A case registered against myself under 124 APC which is high treason for one of my TV interview. As per the subject FIR that was registered at Rawalakot Police Station by direct orders from Islamabad not from Muzfarabad , that I said in my TV interview that "Pakistan is using Kashmir for it's own interest not for freedom of Kashmiri people, which is detrimental to the states ideology of accession to Pakistan".
8: I am facing high treason in Pakistan just because of my interview and I am not allowed by India for unknown reason to visit IoK. How on earth Kashmir International Front would prove that it don't enjoy popular support for its program?  

The world is not fool, they know every thing. Before raising the question that who enjoy popular support, let the foreign armies, both Indian and Pakistani and let the UN Peace Keeping to take charge of the security situation and then people would elect their representatives to formulate their constitution to settle their future. That would prove black and white. Fooling Pakistani and Indian ruling tugs and pocketing poor masses money and issuing distorting statements would never help.
Thanks. Afzal Tahir 
 Afzal Khan Tahir 



Stance of APNA on Arif Shahid and Gilgit Baltistan, Tara Khan

Stance of APNA on Arif Shahid and Gilgit Baltistan, Tara Khan

·       Physically very robust and broadly well built, mentally extremely determined and exceptionally dynamic; this very unique sudhan and punchi martyred leader of the disputed state of Gilgit Baltistan laddakh (Bolor) and  Jmmu Kashmir will be infinitely remembered in the annals of history. At the same time the brute, inhumane and shameless creatures of the security forces at the top will never be forgotten for his state sponsored murder in the same leafs of history. He was an impressive forceful speaker, a vivid writer, meticulous organizer with foresight and a vibrant spearheading dedicated soul. Since childhood, he was recognized as a leader in the making and even Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan was impressed by the political oratory of young Sardar Arif Shahid. The Punjabi nucleas nervous system’s dwindling and Punjabi interests suiting; fluctuating, monopolized Kashmir policy of Pakistan Army; once saw Sardar Arif Shahid in an armed position within an airport of an Arab land alongwith another stalwart and this change of their heart at the last moment was the start of Sardar’s increasing mistrust on them. He was put in the dungeons of Arab lands many a times and also suffered humiliation and torture several times in the underground torture cells of the intelligence agencies of the GHQ of Pakistan army and made to sign this and that document.

He himself narrated the recent ordeal and indescribable physical and mental torture meted out to him by GHQ’s ISI / MI elements in isolation in Mirpur jail, during the Feb 2013, meeting of APNA.  He had spent many jail terms and police station detentions in various jails of Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir jails and police stations. He was also taken into custody and deported from Giglit before holding a public gathering to condemn 28 Apr 1949 infamous Karachi Agreement.

He along with many a times APNA chairman, Mirza Wajahat Hassan and many political leaders and activists of Pakistan occupied Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu Kashmir in 2001, demonstrated effectively in Islamabad for restoration of the declaration of the only weekly K.2 newspaper with motto “The voice of the land without constitution- Sarzameen-e-Baeaien ki Awaz”, and implementation of withheld with ulterior motives State Subject rule in GB. All of them were hauled up and jailed in death cell of Adiala jail – Rawalpindi. He was the backbone of the struggle to bring into limelight disputed Gilgit Baltistan (Northern Area) factor in the international, regional and local dispute political equations and thus at least achieve the partial identity factor. He was pivotal in a realistic portrayal of European parliament’s adopted resolution on, “Kashmir dispute- the present position and future prospects”. He also played a basic role in organizing gatherings and devising ways to introduce, promote and establish facts on the prison days written book based on autobiography of late Colonel Mirza Hassan Khan. It is worth mentioning here that Col Hassan of Gilgit and his family has been an enigma to the GHQ, from the very beginning till todate.

·       It is very strange to note that the GHQ’s spokesman is now of the unnerved opinion that Sardar Arif Shahid’s murder cannot be put into the category of martyrdom. He opines that it was carried out by either a Muslim or a RAW agent. This spokesperson is an accomplice in this murder and the country he is residing now is suppose to hold him accountable. Initially, he said that a relative of Sardar Arif committed this crime, than a business partner did that (no name, no details). Thereafter, he was of the view that Sardar Arif Shahid’s APNA and other colleague nationalists were collaborating with India and than he was eulogizing Sardar Arif Shahid and now he is again downplaying the murder. What he means by “either”?

This signifies the fact that the tentacles of GHQ Rawalpindi were not expecting this much reaction and were simply not ready for it, in their overconfidence and arrogance about state sponsored murders and a fashion of competition in the higher up butcher intelligence operatives that I have done up so many and how much have you done? These blood thirsty beasts need to be boldly chained now, in their present state of nervousness and reactionary behavior. Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), Hazrat Ali  (A.S), Hazrat Usman (R.A) and numerous other revered personalities of Islam were killed by so called Muslims. Similarly, legendary Agha Zia Shaheed of Gilgit was also conspired and killed by the so called muslims of the so called Islamic GHQ. These two GHQ sponsored murders in disputed Gilgit Baltistan and now in Pakistani Occupied Jammu Kashmir have put these two disputed identities in the phase of armed struggle of the masses against colonizing forces. Purely from the Islamic Shariah point of view, very comfortably Sardar Arif Shahid can be put into the category of martyrdom, as he was engrossed in Mujahidana (jihadi) activities against oppression, tyranny and injustice, besides; he was a person much above religious and sectarian notorious bigotries and had an open humane heart and mind. He was practically for the lofty sacred Islamic ideals.

·       APNA-BJK, very strongly and openly; beyond any doubt is striving very hard to achieve complete independence, liberty and justice for the enslaved, oppressed and befooled people of the disputed state, this and that side of the artificially divide for the last 65 years; from the clutches of the dominions of India and Pakistan. These two dominions were entrusted with these colonial prizes of the State of Kashmir in a wickedly well planned and far reaching scheming of the colonial master brains. This continuing slavery in an updated form and the slavish attitude of the masses goes much beyond these 65 years of so called independence of these dominions and the biggest challenge to APNA is this indigenous aborigine slavish behavior, attitude and lack of revolutionary thought. However, APNA has the legacy of those, who have beaten, arrested and made smarter moves than those and these imperialists. APNA is befittingly maneuvering in the international arena and has a superior and bull hitting religio political strategy caring for the wishes and aspirations of all religions, sects, linguistic, cultural and ethnic identities and communities. It has a good number of leaders having military experiences and knows how to ensure and enhance security parameters, know the enemy and resort to all other possible peaceful means before final militancy. It is building up psychological aspects of struggle. We can assure the state subjects that the difference for the good is being achieved with each passing day. All people of the disputed State are and should be NATIONALISTS. Is there any other terminology; except for being bootlickers of the dominions of India and Pakistan? Why the hell the dominions of India and Pakistan are our contenders like husbands? Who has given them this right? Offcourse! All this fuss is without our consent. As far as the independence or a separate country or a union of countries is concerned; this very opinion was given to us by Muhammad Ali Jinnah of United Pakistan and was also inbuilt into the 15 Aug 1947, Standstill Agreement concluded, between Maharaja Kashmir and Jinnah.

·       The overwhelming Punjabi domination of Pakistan Army with 95% officers, 98% generals and 80% Punjabi troops is in actual fact a mercenary army of those with money and dominating global influence. However; they have kept some checks on them. From the very beginning of her first and second English Commander in Chiefs, to the present day chief of army staffs; almost all are their lackeys and following the footsteps as black Englishmen (angraiz). Some non Punjabi chiefs at the topmost level have been there because of absolute dearth of leadership qualities among them but even they had to listen and function according to the wishes of 98-100 % Punjabi under command generals.

The Punjabi elites are extremely self centered and short sighted to the extent that they have even damaged their own masses and their country named Pakistan. They have never ruled in history and creation of Pakistan has provided them an opportunity to misrule. Their perception and version of Pakistan is strange and self suiting. Kashmir dispute has provided them an opportunity to keep a fat army and thus rub all other non Punjabis and keep the dispute alive, so as to keep in turn their interests and perk and privileges alive. The Muslim Punjabis prefer the Sikh Punjabis more than the Pathan, Kashmiri, Gilgiti, Balti, sindhi and Baloch Muslims.

This Punjabi Army’s illegal presence in disputed Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu Kashmir is spread over all walks of life i.e. political, religious, sectarian, cultural, economic, security and psychological. They have been given a free hand because they are the best bootlickers of those who pay them. Gilgit Baltistan is virtually a prison with a singular road to Pakistan, which is under effective control of Army and its dearest covert inhuman assets.

·       This Punjabi army’s stranglehold over all important spheres of life, coupled with the twisted English manufactured Islamic version of the kings of Saudi Arabia has damaged the basis of Pakistan beyond repair now. The Pakistan army chief and Chiefs of its premier intelligence agency are declared “The brothers of Saudi Royal Family”. The previous DG ISI, Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha- from a deserter family of East Punjab is now chief security advisor to the lord of UAE. They have also constructed a hospital for him there to earn.

Where are the state secrets and official secret act of the Govt of Pakistan? This very General Headquarters covertly and criminally operates through three lines of actions. Firstly; through the Chain of command and the commanders at various levels have intelligence outfits at their disposal and some at sensitive places they occasionally carryout murders, kidnappings, blasts and ambushes e.g. the Force commander of Northern Area at Gilgit, General officer commanders at Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar etc. The second line of action is through its inbuilt faster to report to the chief and act i.e. Military Intelligence e.g. Adiala road action. The third one is the ISI.

·       In Gilgit, the covert chain of command operations are going on for very long and we have ample recorded proofs with timings, events, responsible officials etc. e.g. Kohistan and Babusar Ambushes of the year 2012. For such daredevil actions against innocent civilians; the army commanders and intelligence operatives stationed in Gilgit Baltistan, at various levels have been given standing operative procedural promotions. The commander FCNA named Maj Gen Ikram ul Haq was elevated to a promotional appointment like many before him, after 2012, Gilgit Baltistan; teaching a lesson to the innocent civilian- covert operations. The present one – Mr Hafiz of Pothowar- Punjab is a very dubious character placed on that appointment. Nobody operates at his own in army and the canny, chameleon and a character having collective traits of a fox, jackal and a wolf is calling the shots, shamelessly. He has also given incentive promotions to the three consecutive ISI sector commander Brigadiers, one after the other; for all the sectarian massacres, ethnic cleanings and other forms of violence going on in Quetta- Balochistan.

This devil worshipper has the same modus operandi in Karachi, Peshawar and other places. We have undeniable recorded proofs. We are picking up the courage to check this sophisticated serial killer. This shameless creature should clarify that as Corps Commander 10 Corps, responsible for Gilgit situation; till little before the state sponsored murder of Allama Agha Syed Zia ud Din Rizvi Shaheed on 8th Jan 2005, and then at that time as DG ISI ! Was he involved in this heinous crime? We know for sure that another liar and coward; army chief, Gen Pervez Musharraf ordered this killing in a presentation session in 2004.

These generals’ carryout acts of sectarian murders and then engulf the local population into sectarian clashes and tensions through their agents.  It is simply divide and rule within the prison atmosphere of Gilgit Baltistan. General Heardquartes tried its level best and is still endeavoring to disfigure, twist and change the concerned political history of Gilgit Baltistan, downplay the 1 Nov 1947, interim Islamic republic established in Gilgit for the liberated disputed territories and disguise its true disputed status; but all this has failed now. The local authority government established at Muzafarabbad is much short of the real local authority govt and is being increasingly punjabiased, transformed into a rag tag form and the high standards of ethics and morality of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are degenerating very fast.

·       All Parties National Alliance- Bolor Jammu Kashmir has maintained itself very well for well above a decade, despite very heavy odds and uphill circumstances. It has no dearth of leadership, capable people belonging to all walks of life and takes into account all shades from extreme left to extreme right. It has an enviable history and background. It is all representative and has an undefeatable superior strategy from North to South and East to West of the disputed state and for the World to solve this international problem. It has achieved a grand geostrategic equilibrium in the disputed state and believes that the unimportant considered people of the disputed State should be transformed into the most important people of the important regions. It firmly believes that all powers of the region, Asia and West should become agents of the people of disputed state and serve their interests.

The UN should restart its dwindled work on the disputed state and some necessary amendments should be incorporated into the agreements of India, Pakistan and the World on the basis of the opinions of the sons of the soil, which was not earlier taken into consideration i.e. change in the composition of UN commission, inbuilding of complete independence option, full withdrawl of Pakistan army as agreed and also full withdrawl of the Indian army instead of the bulk of Indian army as agreed by Pakistan. An appropriately composed UN force in good number should be stationed on both sides of the ceasefire line to implement the solution of resolution of dispute. The state subject rule in Gilgit Baltistan is considered enforced. The cheating and hoodwinking in Gilgit Balistan be stopped and it should be brought at par with Muzaffarabbad and Srinagar. The real local authority governments in Gilgit and Muzaffarabbad be established in real sense of the term and the local armies be reverted back to these local authority govts. No Pakistani or Indian political parties should be allowed to participate in elections in the entire disputed State. No international agreements around the disputed State involving disputed territories be allowed without the consent of UN and approval of the real local Authority governments.

 23 June 2013 03:50




CHAIRMAN APNA- BOLOR JAMMU KASHMIR (GILGIT-BALTISTAN LADAKH) SARDAR ARIF SHAHID SHAHEED’S MARTYDOM- MOURNFUL MAYHEM AND STANCE/ STRATEGY OF APNA (ALL PARTIES NATIONAL ALLIANCE)


Nine tourists shot in Gilgit Baltistan mountain base camp

Nine tourists shot in Gilgit Baltistan mountain base camp
Gunmen have killed 10 people, including nine foreign tourists after storming a hotel in far northern Pakistan.
Officials say five are from Ukraine, one from Russia and three from China. A Pakistani guide also died in the attack.
It happened at the base camp of Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth highest mountain, in Gilgit-Baltistan.
It is the first such attack on tourists in the region. The Pakistani Taliban has told the BBC it was responsible.
A spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of its second-in-command, Waliur Rehman, who died in a suspected US drone strike in May.
Part of the Himalayan Range, Nanga Parbat, standing at 8,126m (26,660ft), is popular with trekkers and mountaineers, especially during June and July.
The assault is seen as a significant blow for Pakistan's already struggling tourist industry, the BBC's Shahzeb Jillani reports from Islamabad.
Gilgit-Baltistan forms part of the larger disputed Kashmir region, which has been the subject of conflict between India and Pakistan since both countries declared independence in 1947.
In recent years, the region has suffered a spate of attacks by militants targeting Pakistan's Shia Muslim minority.
'Very remote'
Police initially said 10 tourists had died. A Chinese tourist has survived the assault.
Up to 20 attackers, reportedly dressed in military uniforms, stormed the hotel at the base camp in the foothills of Nanga Parbat shortly after midnight.
"Unknown people entered a hotel where foreign tourists were staying last night and opened fire," Ali Sher, a senior police officer, told Reuters.
File photo of Nanga ParbatThe mountain is a popular tourist destination in June and July
The gunmen allegedly took the foreigners' money and passports before shooting them.
A senior official said the area, in Diamer district, had been sealed off and police were hunting for the killers.
"Since the area is very remote with no roads or transport, their bodies will have to be retrieved by helicopter," he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have condemned the attack.
Mr Sharif, who was re-elected earlier this month, said "such acts of cruelty and inhumanity" would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile Gilgit governor Syed Mehdi Shah is set to hold a meeting with regional law enforcement agencies on Sunday to discuss the security situation in the area, Radio Pakistan reports.
"A lot of tourists come to this area in the summer, and our local people work to earn money from these people," he said.
"This will not only affect our area, but will adversely affect all of Pakistan."
Gilgit-Baltistan is famous for its natural beauty and the main city of Gilgit is seen as a gateway to the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges.


Hillary Clinton acknowledges that the USA promoted Wahabi brand of Islam.

Hillary Clinton acknowledges that the USA promoted Wahabi brand of Islam.
One wonders, if the brand of Islam promoted by the USA is for the interest of Muslims?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=437579816290619&set=vb.135766969904197&type=2&theater

TTP claims responsibility for killing tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan

ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility on Sunday for the killing of nine foreign tourists and their guide in Gilgit-Balitistan.
The incident took place near a camp base, where the tourists were staying.
TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan called The Express Tribune and said the group’s faction named Junud-e-Hafsa carried out the brutal attack.
He said the killing was revenge against the US drone attacks and killing of TTP chief Waliur Rehman Mehsud.
“This will tell the international community about our feelings and sentiments against the killing of our fighters,” he said.
Government officials said five Ukrainians and a number of Chinese were killed. One Pakistani also died and one Chinese survivor has been recovered.
The climbers were staying at a first camp, around 4,200 feet from Nanga Parbat, one of the highest mountains in the world, in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan.


Stance of APNA on Arif Shahid and Gilgit Baltistan, by Tara Khan

Stance of APNA on Arif Shahid and Gilgit Baltistan, Tara Khan

·       Physically very robust and broadly well built, mentally extremely determined and exceptionally dynamic; this very unique sudhan and punchi martyred leader of the disputed state of Gilgit Baltistan laddakh (Bolor) and  Jmmu Kashmir will be infinitely remembered in the annals of history. At the same time the brute, inhumane and shameless creatures of the security forces at the top will never be forgotten for his state sponsored murder in the same leafs of history. He was an impressive forceful speaker, a vivid writer, meticulous organizer with foresight and a vibrant spearheading dedicated soul. Since childhood, he was recognized as a leader in the making and even Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan was impressed by the political oratory of young Sardar Arif Shahid. The Punjabi nucleas nervous system’s dwindling and Punjabi interests suiting; fluctuating, monopolized Kashmir policy of Pakistan Army; once saw Sardar Arif Shahid in an armed position within an airport of an Arab land alongwith another stalwart and this change of their heart at the last moment was the start of Sardar’s increasing mistrust on them. He was put in the dungeons of Arab lands many a times and also suffered humiliation and torture several times in the underground torture cells of the intelligence agencies of the GHQ of Pakistan army and made to sign this and that document.

He himself narrated the recent ordeal and indescribable physical and mental torture meted out to him by GHQ’s ISI / MI elements in isolation in Mirpur jail, during the Feb 2013, meeting of APNA.  He had spent many jail terms and police station detentions in various jails of Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir jails and police stations. He was also taken into custody and deported from Giglit before holding a public gathering to condemn 28 Apr 1949 infamous Karachi Agreement.

He along with many a times APNA chairman, Mirza Wajahat Hassan and many political leaders and activists of Pakistan occupied Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu Kashmir in 2001, demonstrated effectively in Islamabad for restoration of the declaration of the only weekly K.2 newspaper with motto “The voice of the land without constitution- Sarzameen-e-Baeaien ki Awaz”, and implementation of withheld with ulterior motives State Subject rule in GB. All of them were hauled up and jailed in death cell of Adiala jail – Rawalpindi. He was the backbone of the struggle to bring into limelight disputed Gilgit Baltistan (Northern Area) factor in the international, regional and local dispute political equations and thus at least achieve the partial identity factor. He was pivotal in a realistic portrayal of European parliament’s adopted resolution on, “Kashmir dispute- the present position and future prospects”. He also played a basic role in organizing gatherings and devising ways to introduce, promote and establish facts on the prison days written book based on autobiography of late Colonel Mirza Hassan Khan. It is worth mentioning here that Col Hassan of Gilgit and his family has been an enigma to the GHQ, from the very beginning till todate.

It is very pertinent to mention that the Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir factor, rightly in the basic equation on both sides of the ceasefire line, dilutes and dispels the artificially created satanic sectarian divide and rule by the evil monger and disciples of satan elements of Pakistan Army. Sardar Arif Shaheed played a leading role in breaking apart the iron curtain imposed over the real issue of the Gilgit Baltistan factor of Kashmir dispute and thus simplified the otherwise intentional compoundingly misunderstood Kashmir dispute. He was a man much larger than life and was unifying the disputed regions through the platform of APNA. He was a man of divine forces pitched against evil forces. He was instrumental in breaking apart the iron curtain installed over Gilgit Baltistan and thus checked the evil. APNA is demanding the resolution of Kashmir dispute starting from the north i.e. Siachen glachier and Indian and Pakistan armies to demilitarize northern area province, so as to facilitate the solution of the dispute.

·       It is very strange to note that the GHQ’s spokesman is now of the unnerved opinion that Sardar Arif Shahid’s murder cannot be put into the category of martyrdom. He opines that it was carried out by either a Muslim or a RAW agent. This spokesperson is an accomplice in this murder and the country he is residing now is suppose to hold him accountable. Initially, he said that a relative of Sardar Arif committed this crime, than a business partner did that (no name, no details). Thereafter, he was of the view that Sardar Arif Shahid’s APNA and other colleague nationalists were collaborating with India and than he was eulogizing Sardar Arif Shahid and now he is again downplaying the murder. What he means by “either”?

This signifies the fact that the tentacles of GHQ Rawalpindi were not expecting this much reaction and were simply not ready for it, in their overconfidence and arrogance about state sponsored murders and a fashion of competition in the higher up butcher intelligence operatives that I have done up so many and how much have you done? These blood thirsty beasts need to be boldly chained now, in their present state of nervousness and reactionary behavior. Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), Hazrat Ali  (A.S), Hazrat Usman (R.A) and numerous other revered personalities of Islam were killed by so called Muslims. Similarly, legendary Agha Zia Shaheed of Gilgit was also conspired and killed by the so called muslims of the so called Islamic GHQ. These two GHQ sponsored murders in disputed Gilgit Baltistan and now in Pakistani Occupied Jammu Kashmir have put these two disputed identities in the phase of armed struggle of the masses against colonizing forces. Purely from the Islamic Shariah point of view, very comfortably Sardar Arif Shahid can be put into the category of martyrdom, as he was engrossed in Mujahidana (jihadi) activities against oppression, tyranny and injustice, besides; he was a person much above religious and sectarian notorious bigotries and had an open humane heart and mind. He was practically for the lofty sacred Islamic ideals.

·       APNA-BJK, very strongly and openly; beyond any doubt is striving very hard to achieve complete independence, liberty and justice for the enslaved, oppressed and befooled people of the disputed state, this and that side of the artificially divide for the last 65 years; from the clutches of the dominions of India and Pakistan. These two dominions were entrusted with these colonial prizes of the State of Kashmir in a wickedly well planned and far reaching scheming of the colonial master brains. This continuing slavery in an updated form and the slavish attitude of the masses goes much beyond these 65 years of so called independence of these dominions and the biggest challenge to APNA is this indigenous aborigine slavish behavior, attitude and lack of revolutionary thought. However, APNA has the legacy of those, who have beaten, arrested and made smarter moves than those and these imperialists. APNA is befittingly maneuvering in the international arena and has a superior and bull hitting religio political strategy caring for the wishes and aspirations of all religions, sects, linguistic, cultural and ethnic identities and communities. It has a good number of leaders having military experiences and knows how to ensure and enhance security parameters, know the enemy and resort to all other possible peaceful means before final militancy. It is building up psychological aspects of struggle. We can assure the state subjects that the difference for the good is being achieved with each passing day. All people of the disputed State are and should be NATIONALISTS. Is there any other terminology; except for being bootlickers of the dominions of India and Pakistan? Why the hell the dominions of India and Pakistan are our contenders like husbands? Who has given them this right? Offcourse! All this fuss is without our consent. As far as the independence or a separate country or a union of countries is concerned; this very opinion was given to us by Muhammad Ali Jinnah of United Pakistan and was also inbuilt into the 15 Aug 1947, Standstill Agreement concluded, between Maharaja Kashmir and Jinnah.

·       The overwhelming Punjabi domination of Pakistan Army with 95% officers, 98% generals and 80% Punjabi troops is in actual fact a mercenary army of those with money and dominating global influence. However; they have kept some checks on them. From the very beginning of her first and second English Commander in Chiefs, to the present day chief of army staffs; almost all are their lackeys and following the footsteps as black Englishmen (angraiz). Some non Punjabi chiefs at the topmost level have been there because of absolute dearth of leadership qualities among them but even they had to listen and function according to the wishes of 98-100 % Punjabi under command generals.

The Punjabi elites are extremely self centered and short sighted to the extent that they have even damaged their own masses and their country named Pakistan. They have never ruled in history and creation of Pakistan has provided them an opportunity to misrule. Their perception and version of Pakistan is strange and self suiting. Kashmir dispute has provided them an opportunity to keep a fat army and thus rub all other non Punjabis and keep the dispute alive, so as to keep in turn their interests and perk and privileges alive. The Muslim Punjabis prefer the Sikh Punjabis more than the Pathan, Kashmiri, Gilgiti, Balti, sindhi and Baloch Muslims.

This Punjabi Army’s illegal presence in disputed Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu Kashmir is spread over all walks of life i.e. political, religious, sectarian, cultural, economic, security and psychological. They have been given a free hand because they are the best bootlickers of those who pay them. Gilgit Baltistan is virtually a prison with a singular road to Pakistan, which is under effective control of Army and its dearest covert inhuman assets.

·       This Punjabi army’s stranglehold over all important spheres of life, coupled with the twisted English manufactured Islamic version of the kings of Saudi Arabia has damaged the basis of Pakistan beyond repair now. The Pakistan army chief and Chiefs of its premier intelligence agency are declared “The brothers of Saudi Royal Family”. The previous DG ISI, Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha- from a deserter family of East Punjab is now chief security advisor to the lord of UAE. They have also constructed a hospital for him there to earn.

Where are the state secrets and official secret act of the Govt of Pakistan? This very General Headquarters covertly and criminally operates through three lines of actions. Firstly; through the Chain of command and the commanders at various levels have intelligence outfits at their disposal and some at sensitive places they occasionally carryout murders, kidnappings, blasts and ambushes e.g. the Force commander of Northern Area at Gilgit, General officer commanders at Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar etc. The second line of action is through its inbuilt faster to report to the chief and act i.e. Military Intelligence e.g. Adiala road action. The third one is the ISI.

·       In Gilgit, the covert chain of command operations are going on for very long and we have ample recorded proofs with timings, events, responsible officials etc. e.g. Kohistan and Babusar Ambushes of the year 2012. For such daredevil actions against innocent civilians; the army commanders and intelligence operatives stationed in Gilgit Baltistan, at various levels have been given standing operative procedural promotions. The commander FCNA named Maj Gen Ikram ul Haq was elevated to a promotional appointment like many before him, after 2012, Gilgit Baltistan; teaching a lesson to the innocent civilian- covert operations. The present one – Mr Hafiz of Pothowar- Punjab is a very dubious character placed on that appointment. Nobody operates at his own in army and the canny, chameleon and a character having collective traits of a fox, jackal and a wolf is calling the shots, shamelessly. He has also given incentive promotions to the three consecutive ISI sector commander Brigadiers, one after the other; for all the sectarian massacres, ethnic cleanings and other forms of violence going on in Quetta- Balochistan.

This devil worshipper has the same modus operandi in Karachi, Peshawar and other places. We have undeniable recorded proofs. We are picking up the courage to check this sophisticated serial killer. This shameless creature should clarify that as Corps Commander 10 Corps, responsible for Gilgit situation; till little before the state sponsored murder of Allama Agha Syed Zia ud Din Rizvi Shaheed on 8th Jan 2005, and then at that time as DG ISI ! Was he involved in this heinous crime? We know for sure that another liar and coward; army chief, Gen Pervez Musharraf ordered this killing in a presentation session in 2004.

These generals’ carryout acts of sectarian murders and then engulf the local population into sectarian clashes and tensions through their agents.  It is simply divide and rule within the prison atmosphere of Gilgit Baltistan. General Heardquartes tried its level best and is still endeavoring to disfigure, twist and change the concerned political history of Gilgit Baltistan, downplay the 1 Nov 1947, interim Islamic republic established in Gilgit for the liberated disputed territories and disguise its true disputed status; but all this has failed now. The local authority government established at Muzafarabbad is much short of the real local authority govt and is being increasingly punjabiased, transformed into a rag tag form and the high standards of ethics and morality of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are degenerating very fast.

·       All Parties National Alliance- Bolor Jammu Kashmir has maintained itself very well for well above a decade, despite very heavy odds and uphill circumstances. It has no dearth of leadership, capable people belonging to all walks of life and takes into account all shades from extreme left to extreme right. It has an enviable history and background. It is all representative and has an undefeatable superior strategy from North to South and East to West of the disputed state and for the World to solve this international problem. It has achieved a grand geostrategic equilibrium in the disputed state and believes that the unimportant considered people of the disputed State should be transformed into the most important people of the important regions. It firmly believes that all powers of the region, Asia and West should become agents of the people of disputed state and serve their interests.

The UN should restart its dwindled work on the disputed state and some necessary amendments should be incorporated into the agreements of India, Pakistan and the World on the basis of the opinions of the sons of the soil, which was not earlier taken into consideration i.e. change in the composition of UN commission, inbuilding of complete independence option, full withdrawl of Pakistan army as agreed and also full withdrawl of the Indian army instead of the bulk of Indian army as agreed by Pakistan. An appropriately composed UN force in good number should be stationed on both sides of the ceasefire line to implement the solution of resolution of dispute. The state subject rule in Gilgit Baltistan is considered enforced. The cheating and hoodwinking in Gilgit Balistan be stopped and it should be brought at par with Muzaffarabbad and Srinagar. The real local authority governments in Gilgit and Muzaffarabbad be established in real sense of the term and the local armies be reverted back to these local authority govts. No Pakistani or Indian political parties should be allowed to participate in elections in the entire disputed State. No international agreements around the disputed State involving disputed territories be allowed without the consent of UN and approval of the real local Authority governments.

 23 June 2013 03:50




CHAIRMAN APNA- BOLOR JAMMU KASHMIR (GILGIT-BALTISTAN LADAKH) SARDAR ARIF SHAHID SHAHEED’S MARTYDOM- MOURNFUL MAYHEM AND STANCE/ STRATEGY OF APNA (ALL PARTIES NATIONAL ALLIANCE)