Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog

Article from Musa Farhad via Islamic Emirate

Since the birth of their Islamic movement, the Taliban have faced a great number of challenges in their 22 year long struggle. Out of these, the greatest were two. The first being when in 2001 the crusader alliance under the leadership of USA attacked Afghanistan and pushed the Islamic Emirate to back foot consequently scattering and dispersing the Taliban. It was at this time, when the local and international analysts and media representatives thought that the Taliban have been eliminated from the face of the earth and there is no chance for them to consolidate together again.

The second big challenge came when the Mujahideen received news of the demise of Ameer ul Mumineen Mullah Muhammad Umar. Like previously, this time also it was assumed that the boat of Islamic Emirate is sinking and there is no power to save them now.

If we analyze on realistic grounds, both these two situations were so sensitive and critical that people’s fears were indeed actually did hold a lot of weight and the Taliban should not have existed anymore.

But the question remains, how did the Taliban manage to resurface after this first challenge and how did they manage to organize their ranks again after the second one. The credit for this goes mostly to the influential personality of Ameer ul Mumineen r.a., his political foresight, his loyalty to religion and nation, steadfastness on the path of truth, strong courage in the face of challenges and his honor and protective jealousy for his faith which held the Mujahideen together and prevented differences from arising. He organized the Mujahideen once again and strengthened the ranks of Mujahideen like “Bunyaanum Marsoos” (A strong solid wall) in such a way that their sacrifices brought an unforgettable historic defeat to the enemies of Islam. While he himself gave his life in the dry Rocky Mountains to his Beloved – who bestows Life – and left the world desiring for martyrdom like Khalid bin Waleed R.A.

Ameer ul Mumineen spent his entire life fighting in the path of Allah but his desire to be a martyr could not be fulfilled. He left the world with his name carved in the history among those who spent their lives standing firm against the enemies, sacrificing for the freedom of their nation. Thus, he added a new chapter to the pages of history like Ghaznavi, Abdali and Mirwais Khan. May Allah reward him with the highest place in Jannat ul Firdaus and continue bestowing his heirs and Mujahideen and his successor with his blessings and influence. Ameen

The second time when Taliban faced a great difficulty was when suddenly they found themselves standing before the tragic news of the demise of their leader and the loss of the spiritual leadership of their beloved guide forever. Benefiting from this situation the satanic international media did not leave a single stone unturned in their venomous propaganda and even succeeded to a small extent in capturing the minds of some Muslims. Seeing these circumstances, all the Mujahideen, the selfless warriors of Mullah Umar Mujahid r.a demonstrated great wisdom and political foresight by unconditionally selecting a new Ameer, thereby filling a great vacuum and putting an end to the upcoming trials and confusion. The person selected as the successor to Ameer ul Mumineen was none other than the one who was most trusted by Ameer ul Mumineen himself in his life and had chosen him as his deputy. This way, the phase of bayah (allegiance) for every person whether elite or common and the Mujahid started.

The death of Ameer ul Mumineen was confirmed by the Leadership Council of Taliban a few weeks before and a day later, Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansoor was selected as the new Ameer. Some individuals after this announcement raised their voices in opposition to this decision and after a secret meeting they announced their opposition on the western media. They said:

1. The selection has been done in haste
2. Secondly their opinion has not been sought after in this selection
3. Thirdly, the majority was not present at the time of selection

In short, their demands clarify that they seek to hold a meeting again for the selection of the new Ameer. Let us discuss briefly as to what extent their objections are valid and how much of a solution is possible for them.

• Concerning the first objection i-e the selection was done in haste, the respectable and esteemed Ulama say that it should have been done even more quickly since this is a very important matter in Islam. When an Ameer is demoted or passes away then the second Ameer should be selected as quickly as possible because the absence of Ameer affects the administrative affairs of the Muslims as well as their Jihadi endeavors. This was precisely the reason why the Sahaba R.A. rushed towards choosing a new Ameer even before the burial of RasoolAllah S.A.W.

• Now, with regards to their second objection i.e. that their opinion was not sought after in this decision. According to my information, utmost effort was made that every member of the Leadership Council, the Ulama and the People of Intellect should be invited and this was accomplished to a great extent. Only a minority who were too far or those who’s circumstances hindered their way were unable to participate.

• The third objection was that the majority were not present during the selection process. In my opinion the situation was totally the opposite. If we count every person from both sides then certainly the number of people present in the meeting would become a long list while those who were not present would not even go up to a dozen. Especially those who are not the part of Shura would almost be none in the latter.

Also another important matter to consider is that even if we assume that their objection that the majority was not consulted and the consent of all the Mujahideen and masses should have been sought in this decision as legitimate, the answer lies in the fact that in such difficult and critical situations it is not practically possible for everyone to agree on a single opinion. The only option is that a public referendum is done in which people can either accept or reject the new Ameer. But then, even this was done with a lot of efficiency and the opinion of all Mujahideen was sought and one after the other all of them supported and gave bayah (allegiance) to the new Ameer. The governors of 34 provinces, their 34 deputies, their military and national commanders for 34 provinces, 350 district leaders, dozens of battlefield commanders and several Mujahideen commanders, many national and jihadi leaders, the students of universities and colleges, thousands of students of Madrasahs and different movements and common folk declared their support and bayah to the new Ameer. All these people are people of influence and authority and each one of them is representing several rather thousands of people. No one has forced them to give their bayah but instead they have made their pledges independently with their freewill.

So, in our opinion, the objections of the opposition do not hold much weight. And the issue has been resolved even better than they anticipated. If the objections like these continue to go on even after this, then obviously people will start doubting the intentions of those who object and might think that maybe the real reason behind their opposition is to get hold of authority. Or maybe they are in disagreement due to some racial grudge or that they are working on the orders of some foreign secret agencies. We hope that their objections are with intentions for improvement and not because of malice because objections based on malice do not result in anything but failure and humiliation.

The second important thing is that the opinion of the family and close companions of Ameer ul Mumineen, like the chairman of the political office Tayyab Agha, is also only to the extent of reservation and they have resorted to keeping out of this matter. According to my knowledge the Leadership Council with the help of Ulema is giving utmost attention to this matter since any objections from the family of Ameer ul Mumineen can cause worry to the Mujahideen precisely because the Mujahideen as well as the common masses hold a lot of regard for Ameer ul Mumineen, his son and his family. Their unhappiness with the matter does not please any Mujahid. Similarly, his close companions who have exerted great efforts for the sake of the system of Shariah in extremely hard conditions are praise-worthy. Therefore, based on all the information I have, the new Ameer and Leadership Council are working endlessly to resolve this issue so that their objections can be removed by convincing them through the way of Shariah.

The above mentioned writing does not mean at all that the new Ameer or the members of Shura who have chosen him have never committed any mistake and neither do they think of themselves infallible because Allah S.W.T has said:

فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَى   32: النجم

They are also human and they can make mistakes and maybe they also could have made better decisions on some matters. But this does not mean that they do not review their decisions or consult in their matters and consequently pave way for hatred to spawn in others which God forbid could result in causing disunity in the ranks of Jihad. However, their decisions so far have demonstrated great political foresight and they have fought like men in these challenging times with great courage. They are working hard sincerely for the consolidation of the ranks of Jihad. Hence none of us should doubt the intentions of those who have objections, neither the new Ameer, until we see a clear matter against Shariah. Otherwise we would render ourselves worthy of the torment of Allah SWT.

End

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Mullah Omar, leader of the faithful (Image via Taliban)

A rare photo has emerged of Islamic Emirate Emir Mullah Omar, spiritual leader to Afghan Taliban which was forwarded to me by “a soldier of Islamic Emirate”. Message reads,

“the most rare pic of Ameer ul Mominen Mulla Umar رح in 1978”

Mullah Omar was 11th head of state from 1996 to late 2001, under the official title “Head of the Supreme Council”. Taliban governance of Afghanistan was overturned by a controversial invasion and occupation of the country by NATO, US forces following the attack on the Twin Towers, World Trade Center, September 11th 2001. Many questions have been raised regarding the legality of this action by foreign forces. No Taliban participated in 9/11 attack. Osama bin Laden, founder of Al Qaeda who claimed responsibility for 9/11 did however seek refuge in Afghanistan which prompted the invasion.

Since 2001 thousands of civilians have died caught up in the fighting, human rights violations are rife and US and allies are now said to be supporting alleged war criminals according to reports from human rights organizations.

Mullah Omar “leader of the faithful” was rarely photographed and largely disappeared from public view in 2001.

A biography of Mullah Omar released by the Taliban can be read here.

“Afghanistan: Islamic Emirate release article commemorating 19th anniversary of the historical gathering and selection of Mullah Omar in Kandahar.”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/afghanistan-islamic-emirate-release-article-commemorating-19th-anniversary-of-the-historical-gathering-and-selection-of-mullah-omar-in-kandahar/

A further photo has emerged posted on Twitter by Mutmaeen

“Taliban leader late Mullah M. Omar wth TB senior commander Mullah Mazullah. Photo taken when they were young.”

Mullah Omar’s death was confirmed recently by Islamic Emirate in a series of tweets from official spokesperson on July 30th 2015… he stated,

the family of Ameerul Mominin Mulla Omar رح confirms his death. It was due to illness. (But he is a Martyr. since, he was waging Jihad).

Mullah Omar’s death in 2013 from tuberculosis was concealed for 2 years, see following link for more information on his death

“Mullah Omar declared dead via Taliban statement, likely successors and responses”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/07/30/mullah-omar-declared-dead-via-taliban-statement-likely-successors-and-responses/

He has now been replaced by Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour see article below

“Taliban appoints Mullah Omar deputy Mohammad Mansour as its new Afghan leader”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/taliban-appoints-mullah-omars-deputy-akhtar-mohammad-mansour-as-its-new-afghan-leader-10427082.html

Links

“Time for a complete withdrawal in Afghanistan, we should never have invaded in the first place”

http://londonprogressivejournal.com/article/view/1704/time-for-a-complete-withdrawal-in-afghanistan-we-should-never-have-invaded-in-the-first-place

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Aftermath of attack targeting foreigners in front of Shinozada Hospital (Image Khaama Press)

Kabul residents are once again on alert as an explosion was heard near to the US Embassy. According to Karim Haidari, the blast occurred in front of the Shinozada Clinic. A website for the facility states, “Shinozada Hospital was firstly started as a Medical Clinic, which later on 1999 established as first private hospital in Afghanistan.” The explosion thought to be a car bomb targeting a foreign convoy resulted in yet more casualties in the city.

Islamic Emirate, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted that they deny involvement in today’s suicide car bomb in Macrorayon area of Kabul city as follows,

دکابل پيښه داسلامي امارت دمجاهدینولخوا نده ترسره شوې، په دې اړه زموږ تحقیقات بشپړشول، دا برید په موږ پورې اړه نلري.

According to Reuters news agency, “Saturday’s bomb was placed in a Toyota sedan, a security official at the scene said. Flames billowed from the car and parts of it were ripped apart by the blast and scattered along the street.”

Wahidullah Mayar Spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) tweeted,

#12 dead including a foreigner and a woman, and 66 injured including 6 women and 5 children in today’s suicide attack in Macrorayan, Kabul.

Eltaf Najafizada tweeted

Heartbreaking! School minibus hit by a suicide blast in #Kabul while taking students home.

ITV Kabul posted the following video, Suicide Attack in Mekrorayan, Kabul

The BBC reported, “a senior Nato official said that three of its contractors had been killed in the attack in the Macrorayan district, but gave no further details.”

Earlier attack targeting foreigners near airport (10th August 2015)

Smoke rising at Kabul international airport (Image via Mirwais Afghan)

The latest explosion following on from a series of attacks recently in Afghanistan, some as part of the Taliban’s operation Zarb-e-Asb (Resolve) though they denied involvement in the incident in Shah Shaheed area of Kabul city, see following link,

“Afghanistan: Taliban investigate and deny Shah Shaheed explosion Kabul”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/08/14/afghanistan-taliban-investigate-and-deny-shah-shaheed-explosion-kabul/

On the 10th August 2015, a suicide bomber allegedly drove a vehicle into a checkpoint near Hamid Karzai international airport. Five people were killed and 16 wounded. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the vicinity with flights delayed as emergency services dealt with another major security incident. A US- NATO convoy of foreigners was the target of that attack.

Abdulqahar Balkhi a spokesperson affiliated with Islamic Emirate tweeted

Martyrdom Operation against Foreigners Invaders near #Kabul Airport Carried out by #Taliban Mujahid Abdul Kabir تقبله الله

US-nato convoy hit bay car bomb at gate of #Kabul airport today, 2 APCs destroyed, all aboard killed/wounded #Azm

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

The monastery was originally built in the fourth century

(Image, Catholic Herald)

Islamic State (IS) have posted images on social media alleging that they have bulldozed the Saint Eliane Monastery, near the town of Qaryatain. The Guardian reports,

“a Christian clergyman, who spoke on Friday on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said Isis militants also wrecked a an Assyrian Catholic church inside the monastery that dates to the first Christian centuries.”

The Catholic Herald also raises concerns for the wellbeing of Fr Jacques Mourad, one of six clergy kidnapped in Syria and states,

“ISIS has also kidnapped 230 people including dozens of Christian families after taking Qaryatain. Of those captured, 48 had been released and 110 were transferred to Raqqa province, the headquarters of the Islamist group.”

Last week, Khaled al-Asaad (82) a renowned antiquities scholar was allegedly beheaded in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra and according to the Guardian, militants “hung his mutilated body on a column in a main square of the historic site because he apparently refused to reveal where valuable artefacts had been moved for safekeeping.”

Although there is much condemnation, this is hypocritical given the numbers of civilians deliberately killed by Britain and US allies in World War II. At that time also, the destruction of churches was part of British policy to distress the enemy, Germany.

The burning cathedral in Lubeck – the Nazis sought to make a propaganda issue out of the burning of the historic heart of the city

(Image WW II today website)

Take a look back at history, three main churches in Lubeck, were destroyed as part of an Area Bombing Directive issued to the RAF on 14 February 1942 which authorized the targeting of civilian areas. This directive “ordered RAF bombers to attack the German industrial workforce and the morale of the German populace through bombing German cities and their civilian inhabitants.” The government did not care that the elderly, the sick and children would be annihilated or that old and treasured buildings would be razed to the ground. A British air raid attacked the city on 28–29 March 1942 which was the night of Palm Sunday when many would be at worship. St Mary’s Church located in the Hanseatic merchants’ quarter was caught up in a firestorm which also destroyed much of Lubeck city centre including the Cathedral and St Peter’s Church. This struck at the heart of those living within this region which was the stated intention. What Bashar al -Assad is doing now in bombing Syria, Britain also did during the 2nd world war.

Frauenkirche struck by Allied bombing in February 1945

(Image Deano World Travels)

Neither must we forget the controversial bombing of Dresden in which an estimated 22,000 to 25,000 people lost their lives, many of them civilians. Critics argued that the attacks were “indiscriminate” and “not proportionate to the commensurate military gains”. Dresden Cathedral, pride of the city was also targeted and much of the building demolished. The Washington Post reported that,

“for 47 years, Dresden residents had known the Frauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, as a 43-foot-high mound of rubble flanked by two jagged walls. That was all that remained after British and U.S. planes strafed the city with firebombs on the night of Feb. 13-14, 1945.”

After standing as a ruin and memorial site, the Frauenkirche was finally rebuilt and reopened on 30th October 2005.

Britain and US must be careful when moralizing… whatever atrocities IS is carrying out, it is usually a variation on what has gone before. First we must examine our own history and remember the crimes of the state.

Links

“Beheaded Syrian scholar refused to lead Isis to hidden Palmyra antiquities”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/18/isis-beheads-archaeologist-syria

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Remarks of spokesman regarding fabricated report attributed to leader of Islamic Emirate by “Ummat” Pakistani newspaper

A Pakistani newspaper ‘Ummat’ published a report yesterday attributing a letter to the leader of Islamic Emirate concerning the passing away of General Hamid Gul. No such thing has occurred and neither has the leader of Islamic Emirate released anything in this regard.

It is true that the former head of Pakistani intelligence, General Hamid Gul, was a close aid for Jihadi organizations during the era of Jihad and the Islamic Emirate also appreciates the services lent by all individuals and parties to the just demands and Jihad of the Afghans against the invasion of Soviet Union.

However news outlets should recognize their responsibilities. They should strive to only publish the truth and not work for mischievous objectives by heaping such slanderous accusations upon leaders and pass it off as news because such reports will only cause damage to their own reputation.

Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Zabihullah Mujahid

05/11/1436 Hijri Lunar

29/05/1394 Hijri Solar    21/08/2015 Gregorian

End

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Reham Khan… was she appointed to child ambassador role on merit or celebrity status? (Image, Reham Khan, Twitter)

Reham Khan, journalist and TV talk show host who claims to speak out against domestic and child abuse in Pakistan is confusing and lacking in consistency in her rhetoric. In a tweet posted on August 17th 2015, Khan stated,

“If a woman who is attacked hides away & doesn’t show courage other women will continue to be attacked. #misogynist culture must be changed”

“Rape victims do not report as they fear the consequences but that means the rapist is free to attack others. Raise your voice for others.”

This is a surprising U- turn from Khan who admitted she kept quiet regarding alleged abuse within her first marriage. According to Express Tribune, (January 2015) Reham Khan only opened up during a TV interview after divorce stating,

‘Thanks to Allah, I am not scarred by my experience. Domestic violence is a big issue and no attention is paid to it in Pakistan. [It] happens in many shapes and forms” 

“I have never spoken about my personal experience of domestic violence because I was in [the] media and I felt it would be unfair to expose the other party”

Khan’s former husband, Dr Ijaz Rehman an NHS psychiatrist living in Lincolnshire vehemently denies the allegations and was reported in the Daily Mail as stating, ‘what Reham said about domestic violence was in order for her to be seen in good light and come out as an innocent victim to cover her deeds, at my expense.’

Khan appeared to choose silence during her marriage but now expects other alleged victims to speak out against their abusers. At a recent conference she said, “women should resist domestic violence because if your son observes abuse in his house, he will take a negative message and might also abuse his wife in the future.” Khan does not seem very good at following her own advice given her comments regarding her own family revelations.

It is interesting to reflect on the words of Erin Pizzey, world renowned campaigner who has helped change attitudes on violence within the home. Pizzey highlighted that both sexes are capable and can be involved in physical and emotional abuse within a relationship, she states,

“in 1971 I opened the first refuge in the world for victims of domestic violence.  I was running a small community project in Chiswick, a London suburb, when a woman came in and showed me her bruises.  I took her home that night, and from then on women with their children poured through the door.  My little community centre became the first refuge in the world for all victims of domestic violence.

Because from the beginning I was aware that domestic violence was not a gender issue, I opened a refuge for men in North London.  It closed for lack of support and funding.  I was aware that of the first hundred women who came into the refuge, sixty-two were as violent or, in some cases, more violent than the men they left behind.  I wrote up my findings in A Comparative Study of Battered Women and Violence-Prone Women, as yet unpublished.  I believe that violence in interpersonal relationships is a learned pattern of behaviour that is acquired in early childhood.

Some children who are exposed to violence at the hands of their primary carers, usually their mothers and fathers, internalise the abusive behaviour and thereafter use violence and abuse as a strategy for survival.”

All victims of domestic violence should be heard but they must be supported and in a safe environment to do so or they may be exposed to even greater personal risk. Male rape victims are as much in need of support as females. In Pakistan young women that are abused fear being exposed for loss of virginity, especially where their religion may consider purity entering marriage as important. Young boys fear how they will be perceived having been violated by men especially if their faith regards same sex contact as inappropriate, forbidden.

Recently, Channel 4 “Pakistan’s Hidden Shame documentary” highlighted that in the north-western city of Peshawar, “9 out of every 10 street children have been sexually abused” many are young boys. As 9 year old Mohammad pointed out, “I get bothered a lot. The bus driver, the van guy, sometimes they tell me to climb on the roof of the bus and do bad things with them.”

Reham Khan who is now married to Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was recently appointed as an Ambassador for Street Children by provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Khan tweeted the following highlighting her role after he and Reham came under criticism for alleged “family politics” from PTI supporters that accuse the party of double standards.

“Reham Khan will not contest elections on a PTI ticket”

“Reham Khan already has too much on her plate, esp working with street children. In future, she will not attend any PTI function/event”

There have been numerous press reports globally in recent years of celebrities being co-opted to campaign for kids without appropriate checks being made. Given Reham Khan’s recent “misinformation” over her qualifications, it is essential to ask whether she has been cleared officially to work with vulnerable adults and children and does she have the relevant qualifications and experience for the job?

For example a basic degree in general education is not the same as having specific training in dealing with child abuse. Interviewing well known personalities on TV is different to being trained in counselling of juveniles. Misguided individuals believe that because a person isn’t being paid, background checks, qualifications and relevant experience don’t matter. They do…

As the late Jimmy Saville, TV presenter demonstrated in the UK, it was exactly this type of situation that enabled him to allegedly exploit and abuse hundreds of children who were wrongly believed to be safe in his presence! Those who claim to be advocates for the abused should let trained professionals (who claim they are being sidelined and are underfunded) do their job. Celebrities should stop pretending to be overnight experts outside their field, this is of little help to abused children. There is no incentive for individuals to study and work hard to learn skills in working with abused children if a celebrity can be appointed to a post at a whim over those with years of dedication and experience in their vocation. The public has become so obsessed with celebrity status they are now blind to those that do the grassroots hard work.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender, Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Scene of explosion (Image via Richard Barrow)

Reports of 27 dead, many injured (Image Eric Parpart)

Erawan Shrine, aftermath of alleged bomb blast (Image via Trac)

Kushan Mitra

Rachaprasong is pretty much the heart of Bangkok. Wow, must have been the evening rush hour too!

Richard Barrow

7:46pm Some really graphic images now being tweeted of body parts. It must have been a massive explosion. Very sad day for #Bangkok

Andrew Brown

Here is the power of #periscope at its finest: live streaming of aftermath of #Bangkok explosion https://www.periscope.tv/w/aKHJpjIxNzZ8NjMzMzI2NjcUAlOP1w6fyFf89iTzAbreVcl2d_y7UD7z0_MwP3K5QA== …

So far there have been no claims of responsibility. Bangkok has seen protests and battles on the streets in recent years between supporters of rival political parties. Southern Thailand has also suffered an ongoing insurgency centred on the 3 mainly Muslim provinces bordering Malaysia, see following,

“The smouldering Thai insurgency”

https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-smoldering-thai-insurgency

Links

“Why is Thailand under military rule?”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25149484

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Rescue workers listen for signs of life following aftermath of bombing, Attock (Image Reuters)

Despite efforts of the military in the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Asb to clear insurgents from North Waziristan, today’s suicide attack in Attock shows that Pakistan Tehreek- e- Taliban Jamaat -ul-Ahrar (TTP JA) are still a major force to be reckoned with in AfPak region. Taliban spokesperson, Ehsanullah Ehsan took to Twitter claiming responsibility for the incident. 

DAWN media reported 17 dead including Punjab home minister Colonel (retd) Shuja Khanzada and 23 injured in the bombing at a political office in Shadi Khan village. An estimated 50 to 60 people were said to be in attendance at a jirga when the explosion hit, demolishing buildings and shattering windows. Khanzada and others were buried under rubble. DAWN stated, “Deputy Superintendent of Police Hazro Syed Shoukat Shah was among the dead recovered from the site. Ten other policemen who are yet to be rescued were present at the scene when the blast occurred.”

Shuja Khanzada (Image via GEO TV)

Today TTP JA spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan stated that they “accepted responsibility for attack on Shuja Khanzada who was killed in the attack and gave thanks for the co-operation of a brother Jihadi organization.” Khanzada led an anti-terror campaign in Punjab province see following link,

“Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada killed in terror attack”

http://www.dawn.com/news/1200807/punjab-home-minister-shuja-khanzada-killed-in-terror-attack

Ehsan Ehsanullah tweeted,

We want to tell government of Pakistan And his army that you lose this battle of Ideologies 

TTP JA are fighting for Sharia system to be fully implemented. Ehsan also said,

The ATTOCK attack is revenge for the martyrdom of Malik Ishaq shaheed and other mujahideen brothers.

Malik Ishaq killed in July (Image, News on Sunday)

Malik Ishaq was the leader of banned Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. He was killed in July 2015 along with his two sons Usman and Haq Nawaz and 11 alleged attackers during an “encounter” with police personnel. DAWN reported,

“Ishaq and his sons were arrested by the Counter-Terrorism Department a week ago. Following their recent arrest, the police had interrogated them and had subsequently taken them to Shahwala in Punjab’s Muzaffargarh district to aid the police in recovering weapons and explosives, sources in the CTD said.

The encounter appears to have taken place as militants attacked security forces and tried to free Ishaq who was killed in the ensuing exchange of fire, security sources say.”

Despite media reports of so called “peace talks” with Taliban representatives in Murree, TTP JA seem in no hurry to give up their guns. On 15th August 2015, Ehsanullah Ehsan announced that the group are with Afghan Ulema and agreed with their statement declaring jihad against Pakistan. Pakistan Taliban have long been in conflict with state entities accusing agencies and military of disappearing people, fake “encounters” and resorting to torture and extra-judicial killings of detainees in custody which most political parties choose to ignore. See following link also.

“Anti-Pakistan sentiments growing in Taliban ranks”

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2015/08/16/anti-pakistan-sentiments-growing-taliban-ranks?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

There were other claims of responsibility for Attock bombing alongside the claim from TTP JA, Reuters reported,

“a Taliban-affiliated militant group, Lashkar-e-Islam, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was retaliation for military operations against it.

‘Such types of attacks will continue in the future,’ its spokesman Saluddin Ayubi told Reuters.”

There will be a 3 day mourning period to remember those who lost their lives.

Condemnation of attack on Twitter

AsimBajwalSPR

Condemning terrorist attk on Pb Home Min,#COAS directed int agencies help find perpetrators.Such dastardly coward attempts cant dent our-1/2

national resolve 2 eliminate the menace.Khanzada Shaheed was bold Offr whose sacrifice 4 greater cause of cleansing Pak won’t go waste-2

Imran Khan PTI

Grieved to learn of Shuja Khanzada’s martyrdom. He was one of the founding mbrs of PTI & travelled with me in the early days galvanising ppl

Out of respect for shaheed Shuja Khanzada PTI will not put up a candidate for the bye election in his constituency.

JAAG TV tweeted,

CM KPK Pervez Khattak visits #AttockBlast site, demands operation against terrorists in Punjab

Pervais Khattak

Last picture of #ShujaKhanzada & Shaheed DSP Shaukat Ali Shah taken few mins prior to the blast #BraveSonsOfPakistan

Govt of the Punjab

CM Shehbaz Sharif attended the funeral of Shaheed Shuja Khanzada and Shaheed DSP Shaukat Shah.

Air strike on militants

There were reports that 40 “terrorists” had been killed in an air strike on Shawal also on Sunday. Details could not be independently verified as journalists have great difficult in gaining access to the region due to restrictions. (See link below)

http://www.dawn.com/news/1200813/40-terrorists-killed-in-shawal-air-strikes-says-ispr

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

سم الله الرحمن الرحمن الرحیم

!الحمدلله رب العالمين ، والعاقبة للمتقين ، والصلاة والسلام علي خير خلقه محمد وعلى آله وصحبه  اجمعين وبعد

:یقول الله عزوجل

وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوَارِثِينَ (5) القصص

I feel a great sense of pride to be addressing you at a time when the infidel coalition under the leadership of America has been defeated in Mujahid Afghanistan and its subdued forces are leaving Afghanistan disgraced and humiliated.

لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ ۚ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ(4) الروم        

We unequivocally believe that this great victory is firstly from Allah and then due the countless sacrifices of the Muslim Afghan nation and the complete spiritual and material support of the entire Islamic Ummah.

Our fourteen year sacred Jihad in the face of foreign invaders which has reached its final stages of success, all praise is due to Allah, has been waged under the leadership of the late Amir ul Mumineen, Mullah Muhammad Umar Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) and this glory shall forever be written in his name in the annals of Muslim history.

Now that he (RA) has passed away as was decreed by Allah Almighty and the heavy burden of leadership is placed upon my shoulders by scholars, Jihadi commanders, Mujahideen and the entire Mujahid nation then I pray to Allah Almighty to assist me in properly discharging this burdensome duty.

Availing this occasion I want to wholeheartedly thank all those respected brothers who have sympathized with us in this critical juncture of the Islamic Ummah, have sent messages of condolence about the passing away of Amir ul Mumineen or have pledged allegiance with us as the new Amir (leader) of the Islamic Emirate and servant of the Muslims.

Among these respected brothers, I first and foremost accept the pledge of allegiance of the esteemed Dr. Ayman ad-Dhawahiri, the leader of international Jihadi organization (Qaedatul Jihad) and thank him for sending a message of condolence along with his pledge and pledge of all Mujahideen under him. Similarly those Mujahideen protecting the Jihadi frontlines, Madaris (religious seminaries), teachers of universities and centers for learning, national figures and all Islamic and Jihadi personalities as well as Jihadi organizations spread throughout the globe who have sent messages of condolence or pledge allegiance with us as leader of Jihad, I reciprocally thank them and implore Allah Almighty to grant me and all our brothers success to properly serve Islam and Muslims.

Wasalam

Hopeful of your prayers

Amir ul Mumineen Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansur

29/10/1436 Hijri Lunar

23/05/1394 Hijri Solar                       14/08/2015 Gregorian

End

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Report of Investigation team of Islamic Emirate regarding the incident in Kabul’s Shah Shaheed

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.