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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


March 2004 Pakistan Special Weapons News

  • W-M-D/NONPROLIFERATION VOA 30 Mar 2004 -- A top U-S official says the Bush administration is pressing ahead with efforts to learn all it can about the details and extent of the nuclear proliferation network of Pakistani scientist, A. Q. Khan. Undersecretary of State for arms control, John Bolton, appeared (Tuesday) before a congressional committee examining U-S nonproliferation policy and ongoing efforts with Iran and North Korea.
  • PAKISTAN / ANTITERRORISM VOA 30 Mar 2004 -- In a just-completed operation, Pakistani army troops launched a massive offensive against suspected terrorist hideouts in a remote border region. Officials have declared the operation a success and the troops have been withdrawn from the area. But expectations may have been too high about the operation.
  • Pakistan: Offensive Against Suspected Militants In South Waziristan Ends RFE/RL 30 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan has started withdrawing its troops from the tribal region near the border with Afghanistan after a major offensive. No major Al-Qaeda or Taliban militants appear to have been captured or killed, however, and analysts say the operation cannot be termed a success.
  • PAKISTAN/AL-QAIDA VOA 30 Mar 2004 -- Authorities in Pakistan say suspected Islamic militants have shot dead two government hostages in a remote tribal region near the Afghan border. The mountainous area has been the scene of bloody clashes between security forces and armed fighters linked to the al-Qaida terror network for nearly two weeks.
  • Pak gov`t plans tribal areas` disarmament IRNA 29 Mar 2004 -- The Pakistan government plans to launch a disarmament campaign in the country`s tribal areas shortly.
  • Pak forces achieve "major objectives" in tribal area operation IRNA 29 Mar 2004 -- The Pakistan government has wounded up its operation in Kaloosha South Waziristan region, saying it has achieved its "major objectives."
  • Al-Qaeda intelligence chief killed in tribal operation: Pak spokesman IRNA 29 Mar 2004 -- A key member of al-Qaeda was killed during the 12-day operation in tribal region, bordering Afghanistan, a military spokesman said Monday.
  • PAKISTAN/AL-QAIDA VOA 29 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan says its troops have killed the spy chief of the al-Qaida terror network in the recently concluded military operation near the Afghan border.
  • PAKISTAN / MUSHARRAF VOA 28 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan's president, General Pervez Musharraf, is downplaying concerns about his safety, saying he is not losing any sleep over recent terrorist threats against his life.
  • Pak tribes hand over 12 military captives IRNA 28 Mar 2004 -- Militants in Wana, South Waziristan tribal agency, handed over 12 of the 14 officials they had captured to representatives of the local jirga comprising tribal elders and religious leaders.
  • 500 Pak mariners to leave for Iraq next week: report IRNA 28 Mar 2004 -- A contingent of the Pakistan Navy will leave for Iraq next week, a local publication reported Sunday.
  • PAKISTAN/AL-QAIDA VOA 28 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan says a two-week military campaign against suspected al-Qaida militants near the Afghan border is now in its final stages. The military says it has killed more than 60 foreign militants and their local supporters, and detained about 160 others.
  • Ex-Pak PM Bhutto decries "corruption" in military IRNA 27 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan`s Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Saturday expressed shock at the reports of a forty billion rupees massive corruption scandal within the army which was tabled to the Parliament following an audit report.
  • Terrorists serving nothing to Islam, harming Pakistan: Musharraf IRNA 27 Mar 2004 -- Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf says that tribal operations are being carried out against terrorists who are harming Islam.
  • Pak tribals agree to handover 12 captives Sunday IRNA 27 Mar 2004 -- The militants in Wana, South Waziristan tribal agency on Saturday agreed to hand over 12 of the 14 officials to the representatives of Jirga comprising on tribal elders and religious leaders.
  • PAKISTAN / AL-QAIDA VOA 26 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan has condemned as malicious and baseless a taped message said to be from a senior member of the al-Qaida terror network, calling for the overthrow of the government of President Pervez Musharraf, a close U-S ally in the war on terrorism.
  • Pakistan: Clashes Continue As Islamabad Maintains Offensive Against Suspected Militants RFE/RL 24 Mar 2004 -- Pakistani forces are continuing to fight suspected Al-Qaeda militants and their supporters in the country's tribal area near the Afghan border, while internal opposition to the offensive appears to be growing.
  • Pakistan`s missile, N-program continuing: scientist IRNA 23 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan`s nuclear scientist Samar Mubarakmand has said Pakistan`s missile and nuclear programs are continuing as the government has provided necessary budgetary resources.
  • Chinese Defence Minister for furthering Pak-China ties IRNA 23 Mar 2004 -- The Defence Minister of China, General Cao Gangchuan, has said that Beijing wants to further enhance and strengthen its relations with Islamabad in all areas concerning the three services, it was officially announced Tuesday.
  • 3 Pak troops killed, 4 wounded in missile attack IRNA 23 Mar 2004 -- At least three Pakistan Army troops have been killed and four others injured when unidentified gunmen attacked their check-post with rockets in tribal belt, raising the number of soldiers, casualties to 15 in less than 24 hours.
  • PAKISTAN / TRIBAL AREAS VOA 22 Mar 2004 -- The border areas where al-Qaida militants are battling Pakistan army troops have long been lawless regions where the central government has no control. In moving troops into the region, the Pakistan government is breaking a mutual understanding with the fiercely independent tribesmen who live there.
  • PAKISTAN/AL-QAIDA VOA 22 Mar 2004 -- Authorities in Pakistan say some suspected members of the al-Qaida terror network may have escaped a weeklong siege near the Afghan border through a series of secret tunnels. Thousands of Pakistani troops have surrounded the heavily armed militants, many of the foreigners, in a remote mountainous tribal region known as South Waziristan.
  • Non-NATO US ally status to benefit Pakistan: Spokesman IRNA 22 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan said Monday it would benefit from military sales, training and in research and development programmes after being notified as a non-NATO US military ally.
  • US paying Pakistan $100m monthly for logistics support: report IRNA 22 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan receives almost $100 million per month, on account of logistics support, it provides to the US troops in the war against terrorism, reports said Monday.
  • Pakistan protests airspace violation by US chopper IRNA 22 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan has lodged protest on air space violation by an American chopper across border with Afghanistan in Waziristan tribal region, local media reported Monday.
  • Anti-Al Qaeda tribal operation to continue: Pak Military Spokesman IRNA 22 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan said on Monday the operation in tribal area is going on and will continue till all the terrorists and those giving them refuge surrender voluntarily, apprehended or evicted.
  • Pakistan Probes Suspects Arrested In Al-Qaeda Battle RFE/RL 21 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan intelligence officials are today interrogating over 100 fighters arrested in the battle with Al-Qaeda suspects and their local tribal supporters near the frontier with Afghanistan.
  • 100 arrested in anti Al-Qaeda operation: Pak military IRNA 20 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan military said Saturday that 100 miscreants, including foreign militants, have been arrested in four days in operation against Taliban and al-Qaeda suspects and those harbouring them in tribal area, bordering Afghanistan.
  • US-led coalition `mistaken" fire pounds Pak territory IRNA 20 Mar 2004 -- Helicopters of US-led coalition forces, engaged in operation against Taliban and al-Qaeda along Pak-Afghan border, have pounded Pakistani territory "mistakenly", a government official said Saturday.
  • PAKISTAN/AL QAIDA VOA 20 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan says a fierce military offensive has captured dozens of suspected al-Qaida militants, and the operation is continuing in a remote mountainous region near the Afghan border. Military officials say the militants may include a senior Chechen or Uzbek leader.
  • PAKISTAN / AL-QAIDA VOA 19 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan says its forces have surrounded as many as 400 foreign and local militants in a remote tribal region near the Afghan border. As Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad, officials say the gunmen possibly include a top member of the al-Qaida terror network.
  • Rice Adopts 'Wait and See' Mode Toward Action in Pakistan AFPS 19 Mar 2004 -- Whether al Qaeda's second-in-command is, indeed, surrounded in a firefight near the Afghanistan border in Pakistan remains unknown, the president's national security advisor said in television interviews today.
  • Pakistan: U.S. Rewards Islamabad For Antiterrorism Alliance RFE/RL 19 Mar 2004 -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell gave Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf an unexpected sweetener during his visit to Islamabad yesterday. He said that the United States will recognize Pakistan a "a major non-NATO ally."
  • Pak military: 2 `foreigners` killed, 8 arrested in operation IRNA 19 Mar 2004 -- At least two "foreigners", apparently Arab and Chechen, were killed as Pakistani troops used gunship helicopters and artillery on the fourth day of operations in tribal regions against al-Qaeda suspects and local tribesmen whom the government says have given shelter to suspected militants, a military spokesman said.
  • PAKISTAN/AL-QAIDA VOA 19 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan's military forces have continued to pound suspected hideouts of the al-Qaida terror network near the Afghan border. The militants are said to be putting up fierce resistance, leading to suggestions they may be trying to protect a senior al-Qaida leader.
  • Powell Praises Musharraf's Commitment to Oppose Terror, Proliferation Washington File 18 Mar 2004 -- The status of Pakistani military operations in the northwestern border provinces and the unfolding story of the A.Q. Khan nuclear proliferation network were among questions fielded by Secretary of State Colin Powell en route to Kuwait March 18.
  • Pakistan May Have No. 2 Al Qaeda Leader Surrounded AFPS 18 Mar 2004 -- Pakistani officials believe they have the No. 2 man in al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, cornered.
  • PAKISTAN/AL-QAIDA VOA 18 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf says government forces may have surrounded "a high value target" in a remote tribal region bordering Afghanistan. Pakistani troops are engaged in a major operation in the region aimed at flushing out suspected
  • AL ZAWAHARI / AL QAIDA VOA 18 Mar 2004 -- Senior Pakistani officials say they believe troops may have surrounded a top al-Qaida member in a remote tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say troops believe they have cornered Osama bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahari. President Pervez Musharraf said in a pre-recorded interview with C-N-N today (Thursday) that a high valued target could be among the militants because of the stiff resistance by those fighting government troops. U-S officials have not speculated on the identity of the high value target.
  • U.S. Will Designate Pakistan a Major Non-NATO Ally Washington File 18 Mar 2004 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States will designate Pakistan as a "major non-NATO ally," signaling closer military relations between the two countries.
  • Pakistani President Says 'High-Value Target' Surrounded RFE/RL 18 Mar 2004 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in an interview with CNN today that Pakistani forces have a "high-value target surrounded" in a security operation in northern Pakistan.
  • POWELL / PAKISTAN VOA 18 Mar 2004 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Kuwait after a three-nation South Asian tour, capped by talks Thursday with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on the A-Q Khan nuclear proliferation network and military operations on the Pakistani-Afghan border.
  • Pak forces launch helicopter operation in tribal areas IRNA 18 Mar 2004 -- Pakistani troops have used helicopter gunships in operation in tribal region against al-Qaeda suspects and local tribesmen who the government says have given shelter to foreign militants, military spokesman said.
  • Pak military: Anti Al-Qaeda operation progressing smoothly IRNA 18 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan military has said that a major operation launched on Thursday in tribal belt to nab miscreants and foreign elements hiding in the border area is progressing smoothly.
  • POWELL-PAKISTAN VOA 18 Mar 2004 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell met President Pervez Musharraf and other senior Pakistan officials in Islamabad for talks on terrorism, nuclear-non-proliferation and India-Pakistan peace efforts. Underlining the increasingly-close bilateral relationship, Mr. Powell said Pakistan is being designated as a major non-NATO U-S ally.
  • Pakistan/U.S.: Powell, Musharraf to Discuss Terrorism, Proliferation, Kashmir RFE/RL 17 Mar 2004 -- America's top diplomat, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, is due to arrive in Pakistan later today for talks with President Pervez Musharraf.
  • POWELL/PAKISTAN VOA 17 Mar 2004 -- U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Islamabad for talks with President Pervez Musharraf and other officials Thursday on military efforts against Taleban and al-Qaida remnants along the Pakistan-Afghan border. He will also seek more information on the proliferation ring of Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan.
  • PAKISTAN / TERROR VOA 17 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan says fierce clashes between security forces and suspected terrorists near the border with Afghanistan have left at least 40 people dead, including 15 paramilitary troops.
  • Powell to arrive in Islamabad amid "fears of talks on N-program" IRNA 16 Mar 2004 -- Amid apprehensions by all opposition parties over Pakistan`s nuclear program, United States Secretary of State Colin Powell is to arrive here on Wednesday.
  • Pakistan rules out compromise on N-program IRNA 16 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan on Tuesday categorically ruled out any compromise on the national nuclear program.
  • PAKISTAN / AFGHAN REBELS VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan says four of its paramilitary soldiers were killed and two injured during a day-long operation in the country's semi-autonomous tribal region Tuesday. Three suspected militants were also killed.
  • PAKISTAN / U-S BOMB VOA 15 Mar 2004 -- Pakistani police have defused a large car bomb planted outside the U-S Consulate in the port city of Karachi. The attempted bombing comes as U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell prepares to visit the country.
  • PAKISTAN/LIBYA VOA 15 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf says a Libyan member of the al Qaida terror network was behind two attempts on his life in December.
  • U.S. Urges Pakistani Restraint in Nuclear and Missile Tests Washington File 10 Mar 2004 -- Answer to question taken at March 9 State Department briefing
  • U-S / PAKISTAN VOA 10 Mar 2004 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to leave Sunday (3/14) (has left) for a trip to South Asia, including stops in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The trip to Islamabad is expected to involve discussions on hunting down the remnants of the al-Qaida terrorist organization and cooperation on crushing a recently revealed proliferation network run by Pakistan's top nuclear scientist.
  • Pakistan testfires N-capable Shahin-II missile IRNA 09 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan said Tuesday it "successfully" testfired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile.
  • Pak missile test to relax roll-back compromise apprehensions IRNA 09 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan Tuesday test-fired its first intermediate range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads deep into distant targets, which aimed at satisfying the opposition at home and also airing a message to the international community of continuation of its strategic arms program.
  • PAKISTAN MISSILE VOA 09 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan has successfully test-fired an intermediate-range missile that is capable of reaching all of neighboring India's major cities. The missile is also capable of carrying nuclear payloads.
  • Pakistan to retaliate against Indo-Israel radar deal "soon" IRNA 06 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan said Friday it will shortly retaliate against India`s deal to purchase three Falcon airborne early warning radar systems from the Zionist regime, saying this would disturb the strategic balance in South Asia.
  • IAEA/LIBYA/IRAN VOA 06 Mar 2004 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency opens several days of top-level meetings Monday, and Iran and Libya will be high on the agenda. The agency's board of governors also is expected to discuss the nuclear technology network run by Pakistan's top nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan.
  • Pakistan rejects report about N-transfer to Nigeria IRNA 05 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan has rejected a news item issued by an international news agency, attributing to General Muhammad Aziz Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, regarding unspecific military assistance including nuclear power to Nigeria, local media said Friday.
  • POWELL / SOUTH ASIA VOA 05 Mar 2004 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell will visit India, Pakistan and Afghanistan on a week-long South Asian trip later this month. He'll lend support to revived peace talks between India and Pakistan and discuss reconstruction and counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan.
  • PAKISTAN / BRITAIN / NUCLEAR VOA 04 Mar 2004 -- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is praising Pakistan for its crackdown on nuclear proliferation. His statement, made on a visit to Islamabad, follows calls by France for Pakistan to join an international forum on nuclear issues.
  • Pak puts 5,000 soldiers along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir IRNA 03 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan has moved about 5,000 soldiers to the line of Control (LoC) to back up, for the first time ever, its claims of doing its best to prevent cross-border militancy.
  • Pakistan to test series of ballistic missiles soon - spokesman IRNA 03 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan Wednesday announced the testing of its series of ballistic missiles Shaheen `soon` as part of President General Pervez Musharraf`s recent announcement that Islamabad will continue improving its strategic arms for self defense.
  • PAKISTAN: Authorities arrest suspect in connection with Quetta attacks IRIN 03 Mar 2004 -- Pakistani authorities have arrested a man suspected of being involved in a deadly attack on Tuesday on a religious procession in the city of Quetta, capital of the south-western province of Baluchistan which borders Afghanistan, according to the country's information minister.
  • PAKISTAN BOMBING VOA 03 Mar 2004 -- Officials in Pakistan say the death toll has reached at least 43 in Tuesday's attack on a Shi'ite religious procession. The dead include six police officers reported to have been killed in the cross-fire.
  • PAKISTAN / ATTACK VOA 02 Mar 2004 -- In Pakistan, gunmen have killed at least 37 people in an attack on a procession of Shi'ite Muslim mourners marking a major religious holiday. More than 100 worshippers were injured; hospital officials say the death toll could rise because some of the wounded are in critical condition.
  • Pakistan rejects report of deal with US on Osama hunt PLA Daily 02 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan Monday categorically rejected reports that it would allow US troops to use Pakistani territory to hunt for Osama bin Laden, the elusive al-Qaeda leader.
  • Eight Al-Qaeda men held in Pak province IRNA 01 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan`s law-enforcement agencies have arrested eight Al-Qaeda suspects in the last 48 hours in Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP).
  • Pakistan rejects deal with US on Bin Laden hunt IRNA 01 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan has rejected reports that it would allow American troops inside Pakistani territory to hunt for Osama Bin Laden.
  • PAKISTAN TRIBAL AREA VOA 01 Mar 2004 -- Pakistan plans to investigate the reported deaths of 11 civilians in its semi-autonomous tribal area, following what the army says was a shoot-out with suspected militants. The military also denies a report that U-S forces will be allowed to search for alleged terrorists in the region.



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