Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog

Aftermath of attack on lawyers at Quetta’s civil hospital (Image, Reuters) 

At least 70 people died and many others were wounded when a suicide bomber targeted a group of lawyers gathered to mourn fellow legal professional Bilal Kasi at Quetta’s Civil Hospital in Balochistan region of Pakistan on Monday. Both Islamic State (IS) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (TTP JA) claimed responsibility for the attack. Akbar Harifal, Balochistan Home Secretary stated “the blast took place after a number of lawyers and some journalists had gathered at the hospital following the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a separate shooting incident this morning.”

Graphic footage showed a courtyard full of bloodied and dismembered bodies, distraught men dressed in smart suits ran towards ambulances carrying their dying colleagues.

Dawn media highlighted, “lawyers have been targeted several times in the last few months in Balochistan”. The men were Jahanzeb Alvi, shot on August 3rd, Bilal Kasi gunned down today and Barrister Amanullah Achakzai shot in June.

“Irreparable loss to Pakistan/Balochistan. Heart-breaking. A whole generation of lawyers is no more” Quetta blast (Murtaza Ali Shah, Geo)

Waheed Jan posted the following image on Facebook,

One of my friends and activist Adv Chakar Rind has succumbed to his injuries.Allah bless the departed soul.#Quettablast (Kiiya Baloch)

Naseem Khan Achakzai tweeted, Keeping in mind Balochistan’s literacy, killing of 70 educated activists and lawyers is a death of a society. #QuettaAttack

Journalists were also among the victims. Shehzad Ahmed of Aaj News and Mehmood Khan who worked for Dawn media succumbed to their injuries. Hamid Mir (Geo News) said he was “grieved on the loss of precious lives in Quetta blast including my friends Bilal Kasi and Baz Muhammad Kakar we need unity today.”

Lawyer Jameel Ahmed, 48, was on his way to the Quetta hospital after hearing of the death of Kasi and told the Guardian,

“I heard a loud blast, then a colleague of mine called me from hospital. I have lost so many friends in a single attack. This is horrific. Many of those who have died were with me last night. We had dinner together and now they are all dead. I think the terrorists planned it so – they knew that lawyers would gather in large numbers at the hospital after the killing of Kasi, and so they sent a bomber to attack.”

Bystanders react at the site after a bomb explosion at Civil Hospital premises in Quetta on August 8, 2016. (Image AFP)

Omar Khalid Khorassani (Founded TTP) 

Pakistan Taliban Jamaat -ul-Ahrar (TTPJA) claim of responsibility (sent to media from spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan)

“Today in the morning in the provincial capital of Balochistan the mujahideen of Jamat ul Ahrar first targeted President Bar Association Bilal Anwer Kassi and sent him to hell after that when the lawyers were processing the killing, a fidai attack was launched on them. We  were successful in killing many lawyers and government employees and there were many casualties and many wounded. We the TTP JA take responsibility for this attack with this aim and ambition that we will keep doing such attacks until the imposition of an Islamic system in Pakistan and we will share video soon as well.”

Tehreek -e-Taliban Jamaat -ul-Ahrar

End

The group had earlier claimed responsibility for an attack on a children’s park in Lahore in March, see following link,

“Pakistan: (Taliban) TTP JA hardens stance killing Muslim and Christian families in Lahore blast near children’s play area”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/pakistan-taliban-ttp-ja-hardens-stance-killing-muslim-and-christian-families-in-lahore-blast-near-childrens-play-area/

Ball bearings were found in the March attack and were used in explosives today according to local news reports. Dawn reported,”the bomber (at Quetta) had strapped some eight kilograms of explosives packed with ball bearings and shrapnel on his body,” according to bomb disposal unit chief Abdul Razzaq.

Amaq the news agency linked to IS also released a statement according to Al Jazeera.

The statement read,

“A martyr from the Islamic State [of Iraq and the Levant] detonated his explosive belt at a gathering of justice ministry employees and Pakistani policemen in the city of Quetta.”

Syed Anser Abbas tweeted, that the blast “was reminiscent of DI Khan hospital blast on 19th August 2008 in which our 21 family members were killed, 50 injured and I became both arms amputee.”

Balochistan is a troubled region with a number of militant groups present, some are fighting for independence from Pakistan accusing the government of monopolizing local resources such as oil and gas. There is also a long history of alleged state human rights abuses by the military with enforced disappearances, cases of torture and extra-judicial killings. The minority Shia and Hazara community also come under threat from different factions.

Many at the scene in Quetta and on social media showed anger and concern that security measures to prevent militant attacks had once again been breached.

Nawaz Sharif expressed, “deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives” and later visited the wounded in hospital.

Imran Khan, chairman of opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said, “condemnable cowardly terrorists strike Quetta targeting bar president then civil hospital. Even in war hospitals not deliberately targeted.”

The White House issued the following statement condemning the attack,

According to Sputnik, “Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered assistance to Pakistan in the fight against terrorism”. He said, “we decisively condemn this cynical, inhumane crime… I’d like to reiterate that the Russian side is ready to bolster cooperation with Pakistani partners in the fight against terrorism.”

Links

“Pakistan: Talking to Taliban on new splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and how it came into being!

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/pakistan-talking-to-taliban-on-new-splinter-group-jamaat-ul-ahrar-and-how-it-came-into-being/

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 Military Counsel of Jaysh Al-Fath published a statement about the battle for Aleppo City

Summary, English Translation

We felt compelled to answer to cry of thousands of besieged people in Aleppo while the international community stayed silent contradicting their own so-called principals of human rights and the like. So the battle started six days ago, it united the ranks and the hearts so Allah sent down His victory in a matter of days. The regime and its allies did not expect that the siege they were working on for years would be broken in just six days by the Mujahideen. We congratulate the Ummah who stood by our side with the break of the siege and we give them the glad tidings that a new stage has begun to liberate Aleppo in its entirety. And we give them the glad tidings of multiple times the amount of fighters in this coming battle. We will not stop until we place the banner of victory in the citadel of Aleppo. We thank the scholars, the media activists and truthful media channels, who showed the world the justful righteousness of our cause. We have a couple of final messages:

First: To the various residents in Aleppo, Muslims and Christians and others; the goal of Jaysh Al-Fath is supporting our oppressed people in Shaam and removing this tyrant regime sitting on our chests. And everyone who does not help this criminal regime and does not harm our people in Shaam, we will also not harm him, he will only see security and safety from us. His live, belongings, house and business will be safe. Allah told us to fight those who fight against us and not to trespass. If they want they can stay in the liberated territories and if they want they can leave. Second: We say to the regime forces, the door for repentance is still open but the days it will stay open are numbered, so start repenting and defect from the army before our armies reach you, then it will be too late. Third: To our Mujahid brothers, treat our people in Aleppo good, show mercy to their young and respect their elders, and be humble towards them, because you are helped by Allah through the weak. And finally, Jaysh Al-Fath did not liberate Aleppo alone it was a join effort by various factions, so the victory should not be ascribed to Jaysh Al-Fath Exclusively.

By Al-Maqalaat

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”.

Islamic Emirate issued a statement claiming responsibility for a huge truck blast which went off in the early hours of Monday morning local time targeting a compound in Kabul, Afghanistan which houses foreign contractors. The incident happened at around 01:25 local time (20:55 GMT Sunday). Soon after Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson tweeted,

North Gate guest house/hotel in #Kabul city under martyr attack, tens of foreign invaders killed/wounded so far

A BBC report stated, “North Gate, which is close to the US-run Bagram air base, is a heavily guarded compound. The facility was attacked by militants three years ago.”

Bashir Safi, Vet-Adviser Media and Information Operation to Regional Command East and US Forces in Afghanistan tweeted,

“Hopefully Afghan Civilians, US Military contractors from @DynCorpIntl & SP3O are safe in Kabul tonight blast on Camp North-gate”

An account under Abdulqahar Balkhi affiliated with Islamic Emirate who tweets in English posted the following updates,

At around 1am, a martyrdom seeker blew up entrance & security barriers to key hotel (North Gate) in #Kabul frequented by foreigners

Multiple martyrdom seekers armed with heavy/light arms have entered hotel & are targeting foreigners (b/w 300-400 visited every night)

Tens of invaders reportedly killed/wounded inside the hotel so far, more details later

A nice hotel/camp for foreign invaders goes up in flames

An official Statement was later released by Islamic Emirate as follows,

“Key guest house under attack in Kabul, tens of invaders killed and wounded”

KABUL, Aug. 01 – Amid the ongoing rapid ‘Omari’ spring operation, a key American guest house – Northgate Hotel – located close to Charkhi Pul area in PD9 of Kabul city was targeted by a martyrdom seeker with a truck bomb at around 01:00 am local time today.

As the powerful explosion destroyed all security barriers and a large part of the building, a team of martyrdom seekers armed with heavy and light weapons, flame throwers, rocket launchers and machine guns entered the hotel and began engaging the remaining foreigners.

Initial information shows that the martyrdom seekers are bravely continuing their operation which has so far killed and wounded over 100 invaders. Complete details about the casualties will be updated later as clashes are still underway at the moment.

As the Mujahideen began frequently targeting guest houses of foreigners especially those of American invaders throughout Kabul, this hotel (Northgate) had become the latest place of vulgar and profanity for the foreigners as about 300-400 stayed there every night.

It must also be mentioned that there are no civilian compounds and buildings close to the said area and no losses have been inflicted upon the common people.

More details about the ongoing situation will be updated as information arrives.

Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

27/10/1437 Hijri Lunar

11/05/1395 Hijri Solar               01/08/2016 Gregorian

End

At present the operation is ongoing to clear the area of insurgents and there is no indication of the number of casualties from official state or military sources. This latest attack comes at a time when security appears to be getting worse. Taliban are gaining considerable ground in Afghanistan with increased operations each day. See latest post from ongoing Operation Omari for 31st July 2016,

https://justpaste.it/wu7h

There are also regular reports of defections from militia to the Taliban and growing concern over serious human rights violations linked to members of the Junbish militia loyal to First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum. The notorious general was alleged to have connections to the Dasht-e Leili massacre where hundreds of detainees were “stuffed into sealed cargo containers and left to asphyxiate” in sweltering heat.

“The Death Convoy Of Afghanistan”

http://europe.newsweek.com/death-convoy-afghanistan-144273

Links

“Afghanistan: Forces Linked to Vice President Terrorize Villagers

Prosecute Militia Members for Killings”

https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/31/afghanistan-forces-linked-vice-president-terrorize-villagers

“Rights Group Demands Prosecution of Afghan Militia”

http://www.voanews.com/content/rights-group-demand-prosecution-of-afghan-militia-forces-for-abuses/3442899.html

“Watchdog: Afghanistan Has Lost Control of More Than One-Third of Nation”

http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/07/30/watchdog-afghanistan-has-lost-control-of-more-than-one-third-of-nation/

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”.

Post via Islamic Emirate

For almost four decades now the Afghan refugees have been living  in Pakistan. Throughout this entire period they have co-existed with the people of Pakistan in an atmosphere of Islamic fraternity, participating in ceremonies of festivities and mourning of each other. No big security problem has ever arisen among them. The reason is that they have shared religious, lingual and cultural bonds with the local people.

As the time elapsed, they started to take spectacular part in economic movement of the host country, especially in infrastructure i.e. roads’ macadamizing and dams’ construction, land reclamation and other construction-related works. Similarly, they are active in the business sector. All these positive economic activities unequivocally contribute to the development of the host country.

But unfortunately, enemies do not want the mutual relations between the two Muslim countries – which are based on brotherhood and good neighborliness – continue steadily. They always try to cleavage between the two brother people by misusing any opportunity that crops up.  Everyone understands that maintenance of law and order is the duty of security forces of a country however this must be done within the framework of law. The Afghan refugees should not bear the brunt of maltreatment of the security forces or become victim because of ephemeral political expediencies. Circumstances and governments come and go however nations stay and endure.

It is to be mentioned  that the Afghans’ mass  exodus to  Pakistan as refugees took place when the Red Army of the former Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on December 1979, installing a puppet government and raising slogans to usher in a Red Revolution. Back then everyone believed that the Red Army was an invincible force hence the region was gripped with fear and apprehension. But the Afghan  Mujahid people rolled up their sleeve to obtain their independence and stymie the danger, then referred to as the Red Threat. By offering  over 1.5 millions martyrs, the Afghan Mujahid people were able to put an end to the Red Threat, so much so that it could not retain its foothold in the region and the world. This is a historical favor of the Afghan people on the region and the world.

It is an open secret that Afghanistan is now an occupied country. Foreign and their lackey internal troops carry out night raids and bombardment against houses of innocent Afghans. They detain civilians under one pretext and another and people  have been robbed of an environ to lead an ordinary life.

We urge the Pakistani government to take steps to stop the maltreatment of the Afghan refugees at the hands of the policemen and provide facilities for free movement of the refugees and their normal living so that the relations of Islamic brotherhood between the two nations  will  enhance further.

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”.

Post via Islamic Emirate

Of late the secret visitations of high ranking American Generals to Afghanistan has increased. Two weeks ago the American Secretary of Defense secretly visited Afghanistan and met with officials of the Kabul regime. Later it was announced that American forces will have more freedom to bombard and raid locations in Afghanistan. Similarly the mandate of top commander in Afghanistan – General Nicholson – was increased giving him more leeway to conduct his brutal business. This was met with much acclaim within the regime circles.

Last week it was reported that the American Joint Chief of Staffs – General Dunford – also secretly and unexpectedly arrived at Afghanistan and made statements to the effect that Taliban operations have reduced of late and they are not able to face Afghan and American troops in the battlefield.

Prior to this the top American commander in Afghanistan – General Nicholson – had stated that they were increasing their activities against the Taliban to compel them towards the negotiation table.

All this obviously runs counter to the truth. Did the Americans really increase their activities against the Islamic Emirate to force them towards the negotiation table?

It is mutually contradictory that on the one hand the Americans are granting their troops more freedom to attack the Taliban and reversing their drawdown while on the other hand claiming that Taliban are unable to face regime forces in the battlefield. If the Taliban were facing military defeat then the Americans would have simply continued with their planned drawdown and simply watched the war from afar.

The truth of the matter is that the Americans are highly perturbed by the rapid collapse of the regime forces in the battlefield and have concluded that unless American troops stay and increase their attacks, the Taliban will overrun large parts of the country and precipitate the collapse of the dual-headed regime.

Over the past year American hawks have been significantly disturbed by the rapidly deteriorating situation and the imminent collapse of their favorite regime. Last year the soldiers of Islamic Emirate overran Konduz city, a provincial capital. According to American admissions, the Taliban now control more territory in Afghanistan than at any point since the 2001 US-led invasion. Recent estimates put Taliban controlled or highly contested areas at 40 per cent.

It is ironic that the estimates of Taliban controlled territory has increased since the martyrdom of the esteemed Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour. All this while the American generals are claiming that the Taliban have lost their mettle since the death of their previous overall leader.

In reality the American commanders have been exasperated and confounded by their longest war. They are tired and infuriated by their failure to defeat the Taliban. Every strategy put in place has only strengthened their enemy. Their decision to target the late Amir ul momineen was driven by nothing more than lack of better ideas. They have arrived at the same conclusion as Stalin who famously said that ‘death solves everything’.

Unfortunately for the Americans, this death only made matters worse for them. So now – on the one hand they have to increase their troops levels and once again actively take part in the war long declared over, while on the other they have to rebuke criticism of their failed strategy by making naïve statements that the Taliban have somehow been miraculously defeated after the martyrdom of their late leader.

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”.

Democratic rights activist Mohammad Jibran Nasir and his colleagues at Never Forget Pakistan have launched a campaign to raise awareness about institutionalised State oppression from India in Kashmir and the use of pellet shot guns on civilians. Since the killing of militant leader Burhan Wani, the clampdown against Kashmiris has increased with many eye injuries reported including in young children. See following link,

“Pellet guns cause severe eye injuries in Kashmir”

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2016/07/pellet-guns-blinding-eye-injuries-kashmir-160713083300883.html

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) sources told Indian Express, “pellet guns are most effective because the cartridge contains hundreds of small pellets which spread out after being fired and cover a large part of the crowd.” However according to Dr Sajjad Khanday SMHS Opthalmology Ward, “an entire generation is being quietly blinded and maimed. We have seen hundreds of these cases in the last five years and it is continuing without any hitch.”

The campaign uses images of celebrities photoshopped with eye injuries and includes messages highlighting the injuries to Kashmiris calling on the world to stand against this brutality.

Mohammad Gibran Nasir wrote the following to introduce the campaign on Facebook,

“Never Forget Pakistan is a welfare society which works to create positive narratives and do advocacy on human rights. We do not suffer from any misplaced sentiment of nationalism. We speak against abuses be it by any state or government including our own.

Campaign: You know these faces. Does that make the tragedies more important? The stories in the letters are real. The names signed under the letter are real. Just the victim you see in the picture is not real. But do you care what is the profile of the victim for you to sympathise and empathise with them? For you to speak for them? Why do we need to glamourize a tragedy in order for people to pay attention. Have we all become that numb.

This campaign is designed to highlight the atrocities and abuses carried out by the Indian Armed forces and Police who enjoy complete immunity under the Armed Forced Special Powers Act which has made a mockery of India’s claim to be a secular democracy. Scores have been blinded, several killed and hundreds injured by what India describes as a “non-lethal” weapon i.e. the pellet gun. We condemn and lament the criminal silence and inaction of the Indian Government and Cultural icons of India. Furthermore we strongly condemn the pick and choose policy of Facebook which convenient censors posts highlighting the plight of the Kashmiris and later excuses itself by calling the censorship a “mistake”.

This campaign is not about jingoism. It is about trying to create empathy. We live in a sad world where we have to present genuine tragedies in a creative way just to make people pause and think for a moment.

As advocates for human rights we believe that Kashmir, independent of any force and influence from India and Pakistan should have the right to determine its own identity and future.”

End

A senior CRPF officer defended the use of pellet guns to Indian Express he said, “If there were no pellet guns, we would be using real guns as happened in 2010. There would be far more deaths and injuries. Given the kind of violent mobs security forces are facing in the Valley, there is little option among the available weapons. And therefore, the pellet guns,” see following link,

“Kashmir unrest: Of 317 with pellet injuries in action by CRPF, over 50 per cent have been hit in eye”

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-unrest-of-317-with-pellet-injuries-in-action-by-crpf-over-50-per-cent-have-been-hit-in-eye-2932343/

Khurram Parvez, Programme Coordinator Jammu Kashmir Coalition Civil Society (JKCCS) and Chairperson at Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) spoke of the many wounded with pellets stating,

“Just only at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar from 9th to 22nd July around 450 persons have been brought from various areas. Out of these 450 persons, 142 have eye injuries. 123 persons have gone through eye operations and among them 40 have both eyes affected. Doctors worry that many of the eye injured may lose their eyesight. He gave his approval of the campaign adding, “this needs to spread across. We hope more such campaigns will be undertaken by friends in India, Pakistan and elsewhere.”

Daily Tameel – i – Irshad shows injuries including pellet wounds in Kashmiris

Eye injuries in a young boy (Image via Rising Kashmir)

Syed Ali Geelani APHC Chairman, Chairman Tehreek-e-Hurriyat stated yesterday,

“intense clashes erupted in Anantnag town on Monday evening between protesting youth and armed forces. Scores of youth have also been injured in the clashes, many have pellet injures and are being treated at district hospital Anantnag. Occupation is a disease and atrocities are its symptoms. Treat disease, symptoms shall withdraw. End the Occupation, Free Kashmir. Detentions, Curfews, Killings, Pellets, Rapes; they are manifestations of occupation. When occupation ends the manifestations will end itself.”

Links

“What are pellet guns and why are they so lethal?”

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-violence-what-are-pellet-guns-and-why-are-they-so-lethal-2913917/

“Kashmir and the Inheritance of Loss”

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 Saturdays blast targeting a protest (China Xinua News)

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a suicide attack aimed at a protest in Kabul of mainly Hazaras a minority group within Afghanistan. This is the worst blast since the Afghan war started in 2001, 80 people died and over 260 were injured. The news was conveyed by Amaq a media outlet linked to IS which claimed “two fighters of the Islamic State detonated their explosive belts in a gathering of Shiites.” One attacker was shot dead according to Haroon Chakhansuri, a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani with a third person believed to be still at large.

IS first emerged in the country in the summer of 2014 and is also known as Wilayat Khorasan see following link,

“Are IS gaining a foothold in AfPak, new video shows some allegiance in the region”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/are-is-gaining-a-foothold-in-afpak-new-video-release-shows-some-allegiance-in-the-region/

Central government had earlier warned of a terrorist threat which could affect the march. Prior to the demonstration, police blocked access routes with containers to prevent those participating from reaching the city center or the presidential palace. Organizers decided to go ahead in order to draw attention to the rerouting of the TUTAP (Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan) power line through the Salang Pass which would miss out Bamyan region depriving many of much needed electricity. Hazara feel they suffer discrimination as a minority group and are often deprived of their rights.

As Alex Wheeler wrote in IBT in May 2016, “only around 30% of Afghanistan is connected to electricity, and modernising the insufficient power supply has become one of the country’s top priorities”. The project is backed by the Asian Development Bank connecting 5 countries and would supply power provide to 10 provinces. Re-routing was planned to save time and money.

Devastation following the blast with many dead and seriously injured

(Images via Zakaria Hassani)

First responders met a devastating scene of burnt and dismembered protesters with security forces firing in the air to warn there could be further explosions targeting those helping survivors. Protester Mehdi Ali told Al Jazeera, “I was in the crowd just a few meters away from the blast, it was so loud that I am still in a state of shock. I saw dead bodies lying all over the area. Is this the value of human blood here?” News was starting to emerge of the identity of the victims, Bilal Sarwary tweeted, “Afghan journalist Hussiani Mohammadi was among those killed in yesterday’s terrorist attack in De Mazang” while Kawoon Khamoosh posted”one of the victims of yesterday Kabul Attacks was a dentistry student” with relatives having the grim task of searching for remains.

One of the yesterday’s Kabul protester’s slogans reads “death to the racial discrimination” via Zakaria Hassani

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the nation on TV promising to “take revenge against the culprits” and has “ordered the attorney general to set up a commission to investigate this incident.”

The Taliban moved quickly to distance themselves from this attack issuing a statement from Islamic Emirate which reads as follows,

Blasts in Kabul have nothing to do with Mujahideen, it is a plot to ignite civil war

Today 3 blasts targeted a large demonstration in Kabul city, inflicting casualties on a large number of our countrymen.

We wish to make clear that the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate have no hand in this incident. At the same time we strongly condemn all acts of cynicism which seek to divide the nation into ethnic groups and sides and then pushed into war. Such incidents are carried out by enemies of the nation and is a deplorable step.

Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Zabihullah Mujahid

End

——————-

Gen. John W. Nicholson, NATO Resolute Support Commander sent his condolences to those affected and stated in Khaama “we strongly condemn the actions of Afghanistan’s enemies of peace and remain firmly committed to supporting our Afghan partners and the National Unity Government.”

Bulldozers are brought in by the Afghan Govt to dig 85 graves for the Kabul blast victims via Aziz Koshan 

Price of justice in Afghanistan (Aziz Koshan)

A day of mourning is to be observed with Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry issuing a ban on public gatherings during the next 10 days. Journalist Ali M Latifi tweeted that Dehmazang Square, where the blast at Saturday’s protest took place would be renamed Martyr Square, by President Ghani, Latifi said, “so that our generations remember how much it cost citizens to achieve democracy.”

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”.

Thousands turned out for funeral of rebel leader Burhan Wani fighting Indian occupation (Image via Khurram Parvez)

SOLIDARITY STATEMENT BY JAMIA TEACHERS’ SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION

Understand the outpouring of grief and rage in Kashmir

India and its politicians must introspect as to why there has been such a mass outpouring of grief and support for Burhan Wani, a militant who was killed in an ‘encounter’. Already news reports confirm that over 30 unarmed protestors have been killed by the police and scores more have been injured. The death toll itself indicates and reports confirm that the lethal force used by the security forces were absolutely disproportionate. Some reports suggest that even hospitals and ambulances are being targeted. This only shows that even that those wishing to express solidarity with Burhan Wani are willing to do so under the gravest of risks.

How can any democracy allow the killing of unarmed protestors? And not spend a moment to reflect on and mourn the situation? Sadly this is not an aberration in Kashmir’s history. Only in 2010 over a hundred were killed while protesting.

In an extremely tense, volatile, tragic and dangerous situation, such as we are witnessing today in Kashmir, what is called for is extreme caution and empathy for those who have lost their loved ones. This would naturally include the family and relatives of the one policeman who has died and the three who have gone missing and to date remain untraced. However, vitriolic voices in the media calling for the burning of so-called terrorists with garbage, and ghoulish celebration of Wani’s killing only serves to escalate an already fragile situation. It leads to the brutalizing logic of merely sending in more troops. Greater militarization of an already extraordinarily militarized zone is surely not an answer to mass protests.

Those screaming about the ‘natural justice’ that ought to be meted out to militants as well as those who have already passed judgment on Wani and others would do well to listen to the voice of the highest court of the land. In the recent ruling on AFSPA, the Supreme Court has clarified that “It does not matter whether the victim was a common person or a militant or a terrorist, nor does it matter whether the aggressor was a common person or the state. The law is the same for both and is equally applicable to both…This is the requirement of a democracy and the requirement of preservation of the rule of law and the preservation of individual liberties”. Rejecting the government’s submission that any arms bearing person in the “disturbed area” was to be defined as an enemy under section 3(x) of the Army Act, the Supreme Court held that “Each instance of an alleged extra-judicial killing of even such a person would have to be examined or thoroughly enquired into to ascertain and determine the facts.”

In deference to this ruling by the apex court, the security forces must therefore be required to demonstrate that the force used against militants, as well as unarmed protestors, was proportionate and justified. Hospitals and nursing homes must remain out of bounds for the security forces or police. We should not be condemned to witness yet more violence and greater militarization.

Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association

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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”.

One of many lives lost during years of unrest in Indian occupied Kashmir

“Aamir Nazir Lattoo (Bijbehara) the young man for whom we appealed last night for B negative blood, today at 3 a.m lost his battle for life… One more family shattered. 33 and counting…” (via Khurram Parvez)

COORDINATION OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS

Press Release

11.07.2016

Stop the senseless killing in Kashmir

Coordination of Democratic Rights Organizations, (CDRO), expresses grave concern at the situation in Kashmir which has seen the death of 23 people and injuries to more than 300 persons over the last three days at the hands of Police and the Para military forces. The killing of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, a young leader of an armed opposition group and icon for the youth in Kashmir, by security forces on the 8th July, 2016 saw thousands of protesters descending on the streets of various towns in Kashmir, especially in the southern districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Bijbehera. Burhan Wani had caught the imagination of the Kashmiri youth, who are caught in an endless cycle of violence and repression by Indian security forces. Although the ADG of police S.M. Sahai has publicly stated that the police action was “restrained”, numerous reports from the ground speak of police tear-gassing and then shooting bullets and pellets at protesters to kill. Many of the killed protesters have been found with bullet injuries in the chest and pellet injuries to eyes showing that the police shot to kill, rather than incapacitate the protesters.

These incidents are reflective of the ground situation in Kashmir, which is one of the most militarized areas in the world today, where six lakh Indian army and paramilitary personnel are deployed against sixty lakh highly aggrieved people. The rise of Burhan Wani as a popular leader of armed resistance is a result of this process, as he embodied and gave expression to the deep frustrations of the Kashmiri youth, suffering for long under the repression of the Indian security forces. The deliberate failure of the Indian state to recognize these frustrations, the constant attempt to externalize the causes of the conflict by claiming that it is fomented by Pakistan and the extreme repression let loose on the population by the Indian army and paramilitary forces has led to this situation that the pent up anger is expressed in these mass protests. And the violence with which these protests are met, give rise to further anger and frustration among the Kashmiri youth, who know that there are no democratic means for venting their grievances or meeting their aspirations. Contrary to claims by the security forces that the militancy in Kashmir is fomented by a handful of militants who have crossed over from Pakistan, Burhan Wani was a local youth who joined armed opposition for the same reasons that thousands of young Kashmiris have been coming out on the streets to pelt stones at Indian security forces. It is no wonder that 200,000 people assembled at his funeral in his home village in Tral.

CDRO condemns the repression by the security forces in Kashmir and calls for a sensible handling of the situation by the state and central governments such that further deaths do not occur. The events in Kashmir have shown repeatedly, (for example in April this year when five people were killed in police firing on unarmed people who were protesting against the alleged molestation of a teenage girl by security personnel in Handwara), that it is the high-handed action by the security forces which aggravate an already volatile situation which is marked by absence of politics sans bloodshed. CDRO reiterates that these wars, and never ending military suppression must give way to a political process which alone can bring about a democratic solution and bring peace to a people who have suffered grievously for nearly seven decades under Indian tutelage.

Constituent Organizations: Association for Democratic Rights (AFDR), Punjab; Association for Protection of Democratic Rights APDR), West Bengal; Bandi Mukti committee (BMC), West Bengal; Campaign for Peace & Democracy in Manipur(CPDM), Delhi; Civil Liberties Committee (CLC), Andhra Pradesh; Civil Liberties Committee,(CLC)Telengana; Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR), Mumbai; Coordination for Human Rights (COHR), Manipur; Human Rights Forum (HRF), Andhra Pradesh; Jharkhand Council for Democratic Rights (JCDR), Jharkhand; Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS), Assam; Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR); Organization for Protection of Democratic Rights (OPDR), Andhra Pradesh; Peoples Democratic Forum (PDF), Karnataka; Peoples Union For Democratic Rights (PUDR), Delhi; Peoples Union for Civil Rights (PUCR), Haryana, Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR),Tamil Nadu.

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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”.