tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post3752630268145541917..comments2024-03-18T16:01:13.871-07:00Comments on Haq's Musings: Pervez Hoodbhoy on MumbaiRiaz Haqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-33502366244494813732013-09-21T22:12:54.471-07:002013-09-21T22:12:54.471-07:00Here's a Hindustan Times report on India's...Here's a <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Army-spook-unit-carried-out-covert-ops-in-Pakistan/Article1-1125008.aspx" rel="nofollow">Hindustan Times</a> report on India's special intelligence unit for covert ops in Pakistan:<br /><br /><i>The military intelligence unit set up by former army chief General VK Singh was involved in sensitive covert operations in Pakistan and was even on the trail of 26/11 mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, officials associated with it have told HT.<br /><br />“Our main task was to combat the rising trend of state-sponsored terrorism by the ISI and we had developed contacts across the Line of Control in a bid to infiltrate Hafiz Saeed’s inner circle,” an official who served with the controversial Technical Services Division (TSD) said.<br /><br />Asked for an official response, an army spokesperson said, “The unit has been disbanded. Details of the unit, which was the subject matter of an inquiry, are only known to the Chief and a few senior officers. It is for the defence ministry now to initiate any further inquiries.”<br /><br />related story<br /><br />Govt vetting report on ex-Gen VK Singh's snoop unit<br />CBI probe likely into functioning of secret unit set up by VK Singh<br />The spook unit was set up after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks on a defence ministry directive asking for the creation of covert capability.<br /><br />Army documents, perused by HT, reveal the senior-most officers signed off on the formation of this unit. File No A/106/TSD and 71018/ MI give details of approvals by the Director General Military Intelligence, vice-chief and chief of army staff.<br /><br />The TSD — disbanded after allegations that it spied on defence ministry officials through off-the-air interceptors — was raised as a strategic force multiplier for preparing, planning and executing special operations “inside depth areas of countries of interest and countering enemy efforts within the country by effective covert means”.<br /><br />But it then got caught in an internecine battle between army chiefs. The TSD – which reported directly to Gen VK Singh — used secret service funds to initiate a PIL against current chief General Bikram Singh. As reported by HT in October 2012, secret funds were paid to an NGO to file the PIL, in a bid to stall Bikram Singh’s appointment as chief.<br /><br />However, covert ops were the unit’s essential mandate and deniability was built into it and it reads, “The proposed organization (TSD) will enable the military intelligence directorate to provide a quick response to any act of state-sponsored terrorism with a high degree of deniability.”<br /><br />Its task was to carry out special missions and “cover any tracks leading to the organisation”.<br /><br />Though covert operations were formally shut down by IK Gujral when he was PM in 1997, sources reveal the TSD carried out several such operations within and outside the country — such as Op Rehbar 1, 2 and 3 (in Kashmir), Op Seven Sisters (Northeast) and Op Deep Strike (Pakistan).<br /><br />Controversy is dogging the unit once again after disclosures in The Indian Express that secret service funds were also used to destabilize the Omar Abdullah government in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has raised questions over the timing of the disclosures. While the defence ministry has had the inquiry report since March, the revelations have come soon after Singh shared the stage with the saffron party’s PM candidate Narendra Modi last Sunday.</i><br /><br />http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Army-spook-unit-carried-out-covert-ops-in-Pakistan/Article1-1125008.aspxRiaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-36562759851066251532010-09-14T23:09:04.048-07:002010-09-14T23:09:04.048-07:00Here's an excerpt from a post by Soutik Biswas...Here's an excerpt from a post by Soutik Biswas of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/09/kashmir_on_the_brink.html" rel="nofollow">BBC</a> on rising Kashmir protests against Indian rule:<br /><br /><i>This is clearly beginning to look like the biggest challenge to Indian rule in Kashmir in more than a decade. The protests have also begun to spread outside the valley - some recent ones have taken place in Muslim-dominated pockets of Jammu, the bit of Kashmir where Hindus are in the majority and which has been peaceful so far.<br /><br />Most believe that the government has itself to blame for the current mess in Kashmir. The common perception is that it didn't fix the leaking roofs when the sun was shining in the valley - the months of relative peace, booming tourist traffic. Now the authorities are groping around for administrative solutions to fix the festering wounds - they are under pressure to water down or even scrap the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act or to move security forces out of the bigger towns.<br /><br />But most believe that this kind of tinkering, however important, would not be enough. The time has come for the government to think big - and be imaginative - and launch the beginnings of a political solution to bring peace to the valley. Bringing the hardline separatists on board will be key to any solution - the octogenarian separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, by default, is the only leader with credibility among people in the valley because of his consistently obdurate pro-Pakistan, pro-secessionist stand. Some believe that India's cussedness in refusing to talk to Mr Geelani is costing Kashmir dear - the leader appeared to have mellowed, leaving Pakistan out of the equation in his recent roadmap to restore peace in the valley. Pakistan could perhaps be worked into the matrix of a political solution at some later stage. But for the moment, India needs to show initiative and come up with some guarantees and time-bound plans to foster political reconciliation and sow the seeds of a political solution. Without this, the stone-throwing protesters may give way to Kalashnikov-wielding rebels from within the valley and across the border, in a return to full-blown bloody militancy.</i><br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/09/kashmir_on_the_brink.htmlRiaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-3730452186556572772009-02-28T11:48:00.000-08:002009-02-28T11:48:00.000-08:00I had always admired how Mr.Pervez Hoodhbhoy for s...I had always admired how Mr.Pervez Hoodhbhoy for speaks truth even in extreme conditions.manojhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00094065661100699595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-34666001542878664092008-12-28T22:50:00.000-08:002008-12-28T22:50:00.000-08:00In a perfect world, India would follow policies th...In a perfect world, India would follow policies that would support democratic forces in Pakistan, since a truly democratic Pakistan (where the Army, ISI, etc. are under civilian control) is in the long term interest of India, South Asia and the rest of the world.<BR/><BR/>However, the response from Pakistan so far is simply too much to stomach. Instead of acting against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attach they ask for "evidence" and "proof".<BR/><BR/>Some commentators have suggested that the way for India and Pakistan to climb down from their current positions is for India to provide the "evidence". Pakistan could then act without seemingly being bullied into doing so. But what has happened so far? The surviving terrorist, Kasab, has already spilled the beans. British and Pakistani newspapers (including Dawn) have spoken to Kasab's parents and confirmed his identity. The authorities in Pakistan have simply ignored this inconvenient fact and have cordoned off Kasab's village to prevent further questioning. To this day, they claim that he is not Pakistani. Whoever is calling the shots in Pakistan clearly has no intention of acting against the perpetrators. Any "evidence" that India provides will be labeled as suspect and rejected. (Imagine if no terrorist survived!)<BR/><BR/>Pakistani men were trained – over many years -- on Pakistani soil. The training was provided by elements in Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies. The training and recruiting centers operate openly across Pakistan. The terrorists were given guns, bombs, ammunition, maps, electronics and intelligence. They were transported across the ocean and dropped off a few miles away from Mumbai onto inflatable boats. While they killed innocent civilians, they (verifiably) spoke to their handlers in Pakistan on cell phones.<BR/><BR/>Rational citizens (like Mr. Hoodbhoy) would be disgusted that this could happen in their country and would take all necessary action to prevent it from happening again. But instead of being disgusted by the terrorist acts, Pakistanis are coming up with wild conspiracy theories and deflecting attention towards irrelevant issues. No doubt, India has many problems that it must address (including mistreatment and inequities among minorities) – but these are for India to address and Pakistan has no business in these affairs.<BR/><BR/>There are a few (very few) rational voices in Pakistan's media, but mostly they are espousing the same rhetoric as the politicians. Taken together, the voices from Pakistan’s media, politicians, retired generals, analysts, etc., must be taken as the attitude of Pakistan as a nation. At best, Pakistan is in complete denial. At worst, Pakistan will not act against forces they see as assets against their perpetual enmity towards India. Even if these forces come into Indian cities to wreak havoc and kill indiscriminately.<BR/><BR/>India should call a permanent end to dialogue with Pakistan and assume the same hostile stance that Pakistan takes towards India. All trade, travel and other connections should end permanently. Open warfare is not an option as long as Pakistan still has nuclear weapons. So India should seek to weaken Pakistan by all available methods (including political pressure, trade, covert operations) until Pakistan changes in some demonstratable fashion, or until Pakistan is un-fanged of its nuclear weapons. There are really no other alternatives that will protect India and its citizens.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-62352162924666068822008-12-19T10:54:00.000-08:002008-12-19T10:54:00.000-08:00In Greek mythology, Cassandra is cursed. She alway...In Greek mythology, Cassandra is cursed. She always speaks the truth, but she is not believed.<BR/><BR/>Andy Grove, the successful former CEO of Intel where I worked for many years, talks about the value of Cassandras in his book titled "Only the Paranoid Survive." I concur with Andy and I believe both India and Pakistan need more Cassandras like Arundhati Roy and Pervez Hoodbhoy to loudly speak what they see as the truth to us in South Asia.<BR/><BR/>We can disregard Cassandras at our own peril.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-8538969244033777262008-12-19T10:32:00.000-08:002008-12-19T10:32:00.000-08:00I find that in this interview, "Pervez Hoodbh...I find that in this interview, "Pervez Hoodbhoy on Mumbai" Mr. Hoodbhoy has again made a 'collection of claims' (as he often does) without ever giving any of these a rational thought:<BR/> <BR/>>> "Pakistan's government has moved against the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT), the jihadist organization that is almost certainly behind the attacks..."<BR/>-- "Almost certainly"? What does that mean? Is it almost? Is it certain? How do you know if it is, Mr Hoodbhoy? Please Sir, give us those solid proof that you happen to have up your sleeve, will you?<BR/> <BR/>>> "Popular TV anchors, and their guests, [are] invoking far-out conspiracy theories..."<BR/>-- Oh, right. You know the real truth. How about we listen to it from you, for a change?<BR/> <BR/>>> "It is sad to see intelligent persons losing their marbles..."<BR/>-- Yes, indeed. But it's a lot more sad a sight to see a marble-less guy desperately trying to prove himself intelligent. That's down-right pathetic.<BR/><BR/>>> "US defence strategists, belonging to various think tanks and war colleges, have been simulating conflicts between Pakistan and India ..."<BR/>-- Okay thus far. And why are you always repeating the exact words that they put in your mouth? If they told you that Pakistan and India can go into a nuclear war, do you really have to be that dumb to tell others that it will happen because they said so ?! Any 2nd-grader knows that two nuclear-armed countries can get into a nuclear war. Thank you for sounding scared as a kitten. Time to grow some organs!<BR/> <BR/>>> "More accurately, deterrence has worked only thus far. No guarantees can be given for the future."<BR/>-- Thank you Sir. But we never asked your kind services for being a guaranter. Stop putting your posterior where it doesn't belong, will you? And again, a 3rd-grader out there, would take less time to comprehend that a nuclear bomb is a weapon and not just for use in fireworks. It shouldn't take a grown-up idiot to tell Cristina that!<BR/> <BR/>>> "... but LeT, like other militant groups in Pakistan, sees a nexus between Indians, Americans, and Israelis. Hence they are all seen as enemies and fair game..."<BR/>-- And you happen to know those details, because... ?<BR/> <BR/>>> "Mumbai attack ... the goal was to kill foreigners, particularly Jews and Americans, although Muslims were also collateral casualties."<BR/>-- Are you implying, Muslims are expendable? Or, that, it is in nobody's strategic interest to kill Muslims? Strange claim professor! For, from the looks of global news more muslims are killed all around the globe every year by non-muslims than the otherway around! Since more Muslims died, how about showing some humility to the dead? If somebody kicks it, would you use the word "collateral" for your own sorry ass? How about accepting that ALL of them were EQUALLY targeted? How about coming out of your shell of inferiority-complex and your hatred towards Islam?<BR/> <BR/>>> "On a personal note: soon after the terrible October 8, 2005 earthquake, I had gone to various areas of Azad Kashmir for relief work ... there were Lashkar-i-Tayyaba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Sipah-i-Sahaba, and other banned jihadist organizations"<BR/>-- Nice work. I did that too and so did thousands (if not millions) of Pakistanis from all parts of Pakistan. Please tell me, were we there to judge others? Were we there to see who's pulling whom out and who's wearing what and driving which vehicle? I thought that working in a relief effort is a noble cause, far higher than passing petty judgements, far higher than to be used for making political claims. I thought, the whole idea of volunteer work is to NOT take credit. But then, that's me. And thousands of other 'ordinary' people. I should have known better that, 'special' people don't even go to relief efforts unless they have something to make out of it, right? I saw some of these very men, that you are so hatefully spitting at, work 24-hour non-stop. I saw them share their own food and shelter with the victims. I saw them cry with tears at the sight of evacuation of dead bodies as if the ones who died were their own. I saw them as helping hands of mercy and NO, I did not see them as militants or the military, and NO, I did not see them as terrorists or islamists, and NO, I didn't immediately classify them into brand-name groups and jihdists ...<BR/>But then, I guess, I was too busy being a volunteer in a relief effort, while you probably had more time at your hands and other priorities in your mind!<BR/> <BR/>>> "This is the first time in my life that I feel the Army should be supported ..."<BR/>-- Oh, I see. And when did your life begin, yesterday? What were you "feeling" like before you had this "kind" change of heart? And just by the way, I am yet to see a memo from the Army stating how much they were dying to get the support of a self-serving elitist. <BR/> <BR/>>> "Pakistani soldiers are not fighting well at all in FATA."<BR/>-- So, that's the support you're talking about? Right. I can see now, why has Army never needed your enthusiastic support. How about you stop being so girlish and go fight "well at all" instead of being a mouth-piece for Indian press infront of confused westerners?<BR/> <BR/>>> "This false differentiation is the real reason for the Army's ambivalence and inability to deal effectively with the Taliban menace."<BR/>>> "I am more worried about extremists having access to nuclear materials, particularly highly enriched uranium..."<BR/>>> "The unusability of nuclear weapons by national states is being recognized even by mainstream politicians in the US and Europe..."<BR/>>> "I think India's demand for action against jihadist groups is entirely legitimate..."<BR/> <BR/>-- Stop licking, professor. Enough, Sir. I can tell you this much that the foreign masters you so are bending over to please, aren't making you the next Zardari.<BR/> <BR/>IMHO, this interview smells of I, I and I. And that's the most pungent smell there is.<BR/>Regards,<BR/>Waqqas.Waqqas Akhtarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06602645515848557613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-9252078543113321752008-12-15T17:08:00.000-08:002008-12-15T17:08:00.000-08:00At least Dr. Parvez is able to provide world a neu...At least Dr. Parvez is able to provide world a neutral and true view of pakistan to the world. He's flogged by pakistan's general population but he's far better than intellectual morons like Zaid Hamid. i would say he's definitely a courageous man in such a polarised pakistan's radical society.<BR/> please watch his extremely real documentary over kashmir issue:<BR/>http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5799288985759968523Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-80800534986620346832008-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:002008-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:00Good guy, I like him but on some issues in this in...Good guy, I like him but on some issues in this interview he has gone tangential...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-45373107664566482252008-12-14T07:25:00.000-08:002008-12-14T07:25:00.000-08:00I know and admire Dr. Hoodbhoy as a Pakistani inte...I know and admire Dr. Hoodbhoy as a Pakistani intellectual and an idealist striving for peace and end of terrorism in Pakistan, South Asia and the world. He has contributed well to the debate about higher education in Science and Technology in Pakistan. He is very independent, articulate, fearless and highly respected by many in Pakistan and the rest of the world. Though I do not always agree with him, I do think his voice adds to an intelligent and useful discussion and debate that is good for Pakistani and Muslim societies. He makes us all think about what we are doing and why and forces us to understand the consequences of our actions.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-37151636612383724602008-12-14T05:20:00.000-08:002008-12-14T05:20:00.000-08:00Here is one smart analysis. Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy sho...Here is one smart analysis. Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy should be brought in to serve for Pakistan's diplomacy with India.Ray Lightninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08882462553270746059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-82837018290305495602008-12-13T21:38:00.000-08:002008-12-13T21:38:00.000-08:00I only hope Pak establishment has more people like...I only hope Pak establishment has more people like Pervez and India too listen to sane voices like his, rather then engage in dialogues with fanaticsUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06045909171833356191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-1772364256100025632008-12-13T20:35:00.000-08:002008-12-13T20:35:00.000-08:00I would like to know that what should India do at ...I would like to know that what should India do at present?Wait for another blast?For u it might be queston of rason and sanity but for me it is question of challenge.Those terrorists are challenging us,mocking us that we will bomb u and u can not do any thing about it.It is not time for sanity.Even Sri krishna lost is his patience after 100 mistakes.We are only humans.I do not mean that we should attack Pakistan?But if Pakistan wants to go to war with india for 20 terrorists it is their problem. Their is a time to be humanitarian and a time to be patriotic.Now is time to be patriotic.And for all Pakistanis,they do not feel any remorse all ur misconceptions will be blown if u see an indo-pak debate on Youtube comments.We hate each other.If pakistan wants to curb terrorism it should give Daud and masood azhar to us it will be huge gesture and if they are not giveing them to us than this means that average pakistani also wants to save them(as pakistan is a democracy or is it).And what proof does pakistan wants we will give them statement of live terrorists they will say heis lying,we will give them locaton of terrorist camps they will be moved,come on how can pakistan who is accused can become judge.Now comes my anwser to what india should do.Complete isolation of pakistan.India should propose that pakistan be expelled from UNO if not India should quit from it.Sme should be case for NAM,SAARC,Commonwealth,ICC etc.India should not trade wit any country who dealing with pakistan.Every pakistani artist should br thrown out of india.We should nationalise companies who are working in pakitan.This caan become biggest attack on them without firing abullet.prateekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15508356739562970328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-43499674669428375142008-12-13T20:16:00.000-08:002008-12-13T20:16:00.000-08:00Dear Sir,I had the opportunity to meet Dr Pervez H...Dear Sir,<BR/>I had the opportunity to meet Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy when he was giving lectures all over India. As a scientist, he came across as a brilliant man and as a peace activist, a very thought full man. We need more people like him on both sides.<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/>Your blog readerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com