Kashmir Liberated, Others Languish

its good to see an innocent man released!!!

Why would someone serve a kanjar and ungrateful nation that abandons its soldiers and citizens?

Pakis got their 90000 soldiers, and Hinjras couldn't get a few back............they should commit suicide by drowning in their own moot

Nobody claimed India as a land of milk and honey. Pl dont mix-up issues here.

I think the way Khalid Mahmood was treated is a travesty. It is sad and ironic for a country that claims to be the land of milk and honey.

http://thepost.com.pk/IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=149823&catid=17

Khalid Mehmood died of illness, says Indian HC

Not tortured during trial | Was caught with sensitive documents | Pakistan HC informed Mehmood's family 22 days after his death

Press Release

ISLAMABAD: The High Commission of India has said Khalid Mehmood, an under-trial prisoner in India whose body arrived in Pakistan on March 10 (Monday), died of illness on February 12, 2008.

A statement issued by Indian HC says politicising the case and suppressing the facts serves no purpose other than to heighten the anguish of the bereaved family. Mehmood went to India on a four-day cricket visa in April 2005. He then disappeared and was apprehended by the Faridabad Police on May 17, 2006, more than a year after his visa had expired, it said.

The statement said sensitive documents were recovered from Mehmood's possession which he was carrying to Delhi to deliver to some persons who were traveling to Pakistan by Samjhota Express.

As per standard practice, an FIR was filed and a case registered against Mehmood under various sections of the law, including the Foreigners Act, the Passport Act, the Official Secrets Act and the Indian Penal Code, it said.

He was produced before a court in Faridabad and trialed in a jail in Gurgaon till May 25, 2006, according to the statement.

Currently, neither country officially notifies the other when its nationals are arrested, it said, adding, however, it is strange that Mehmood's family also did not bring to the Pakistan Government's attention the fact that Mehmood had been missing for almost three years and did not return from India in April 2005.

This has been confirmed by the MFA's spokesman Wednesday, the press release said. Someone must explain why he disappeared and what the real purpose of his travel was, since he did not return to Pakistan along with hundreds of other cricket fans, it said.

While in prison, Mehmood was provided medical treatment as per his symptoms from time to time, the statement said.

According to the Indian high commission, he was also referred to General Hospital, Gurgaon, last December. When he developed abdominal distension on February 1, 2008, he was treated at this hospital.

Later, on February 11, 2008, he was referred to Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi and then transferred to AIIMS for further treatment. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his ailment on February 12, 2008.

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was immediately informed of Mehmood's death and requested to intimate his next of kin to collect the dead body, the statement said.

The Pakistan HC acknowledged this on February 13, 2008, but only conveyed to the Indian Government on March 5, 2008, 22 days later, that the relatives had been contacted and they had desired that the body be transported to Pakistan for burial as per Islamic rites.

Accordingly, the body was brought to the Wagah border on March 10, 2008.

It is emphasised that no torture was inflicted on Mehmood while he was an under-trial prisoner. Necessary post-mortem reports were also handed over to his relatives along with the dead body, the statement concluded.

Wrong title. There is nothing about land and people of kashmir.

thanks bulleya #20

This si the most common shortcoming in the reportage of Khali'd news in Pak media:

'Mehmood had visited India to watch the Pak-India cricket series, and was reportedly picked up by Indian secret agencies.'

Nobody mentions that Khalid was untraced for an year in India. Nevertheless, it's not an excuse to torture him.

police treat

It's time to reflect on the shock the ppl of Pakistan underwent when Khalid Mahmood's body's delivered at Attari-Wagah border. It was very amusing to see the Pak channels going LIVE showing the release of Kashmir Singh. Within a week they received Khalid's deadbody (LIVE, I guess). It needs thourough investigation on Indian side to ascertain the facts behind the demise of Khalid.

I know how police treats anybody who enters the premises of a police station as an accused in India. Many lock-up deaths happen in India and police are never punished for such crimes.

We dont need spin but admission of guilt, if there's any. I hang my head in shame for this tragic death/murder of Khalid. I can understand how a noble soul like Ansar Burney is feeling @ this strange moment of truth.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=100493



Assault on sovereignty







Monday, March 10, 2008

The reports regarding the new demands put forward by the US to the Pakistan government for the posting of military and auxiliary personnel within the country are shocking. They indicate that the US is eager to see Pakistan shedding an unacceptable degree of sovereignty and granting a licence to these armed personnel to wander across Pakistan, in their uniforms, doing more or less what they please. Two of the demands are especially galling. The first is that the personnel posted in Pakistan be exempt from Pakistan's laws and instead be covered by the US criminal system. Tied to this is a demand for waiver from any claim to damages for loss of property or death caused by US personnel. This implies that the US troops would not be asked to account for killing Pakistani citizens, whether military or civilian, or destroying their homes, villages or fields. A license to kill in a way.



The brash list of eleven demands also includes those for visa-free entry for US personnel, recognition of US driving and arms licences, exemption from taxation, free import and export of equipment without inspection of goods, unhampered movement of vehicles, tax exemptions for US contractors and free use of telecommunication systems. Quite obviously, Pakistan cannot even consider granting most of these demands. If it were to do so, it may as well raise the Stars and Stripes over the country, and accept a status as the 51st state of the United States. The demands made are obviously absurd and the question arises why they have been put forward at this time. It has been reported that the list, seeking the kind of freedoms the US enjoys in 'conquered' countries such as Iraq, has created a considerable flurry in official corridors.



Certainly, the actions of US private mercenary outfits, such as Blackwater, given contracts in Iraq are enough to cause shivers to run down collective spines. Blackwater's obviously trigger-happy men were involved in the shooting of Iraqis including women and children. They were then whisked out of the country. Crimes by US military personnel in Japan and South Korea, including rape, have also caused intense local hostility, since the personnel were exempted form local laws. While it is assumed the US, in its misguided notion of the 'war on terror', believes that through direct involvement in Pakistan it can help root out militancy, the opposite effect is more likely. Any US presence, particularly under any agreement giving personnel a blanket cover to do what they please, would only heighten the strongly felt anti-US sentiments that have fuelled extremism in the first place. This would mean only greater and more prolonged violence. It is time for the Pakistan government to firmly put the US in its place and advise Washington to act as a true friend rather than a would-be-conqueror. After all, any victory over terrorism will take brain and not just brawn, and it is wisdom the US today needs to show rather than might.

Re: # 19
Mr. drlokraj:
You have to exercise a bit of patience. Soon all spies of the world will unite and a charter of rights for spies will be laid down.

Kamath

Re: # 16
Yes...Pakistan should release that also. J & K should be united.

Ras,

(One Kashmir has been released from prison. How about the other? )

Our side of Kashmir is already free - its people can elect their own state and national govt, they can freely practise their religion and their territory and soldiesr are not used for killing Momins in the name of the fraudulent WOT.

But the other half is not free as you have rightly pointed out. I am glad to know that not all Pakis are unconcerned about the Kashmiris they have kept in prison for 60 years.

Regards

Re: # 22 Urstruly Bhai,
Strange, I hated what you stood up (because of your religiously oriented views - since i had been on chowk for the last good 5-6 years) but somehow, all you said make sense - thinking from a moderate,fundo or anyone's point of view.

Your are so right on leaving someone just because Fauran-e-Azam says so!

Just as I do not like people being kidnapped by dictator's intelligence agencies, I do not like people being released without a due judicial process. In other words a dictator cannot be given such powers to manipulate human lives as he wishes. That is the reason that Pakistan must have an independent judiciary and constitutional rule of law. Say no to banana republic.

Re: # 13

Why not call it 'Matarwa Gardi'?

...being a spy is the ultimate patriotic duty any individual can carry out for his/her country.....because spies have no rights....if you get caught, your government denies your existence.......being a spy, unlike being in a normal war, is actually a crime.......and one foregoes the normal rights granted by geneva convention to combatants.....this is, infact, the argument usa used to torture taliban in guantanemo (incorrectly, as they were normal combatants and not spies)....

Article 5 of the Geneva Conventions states:

"Where in occupied territory an individual protected person is detained as a spy or saboteur, or as a person under definite suspicion of activity hostile to the security of the Occupying Power, such person shall, in those cases where absolute military security so requires, be regarded as having forfeited rights of communication under the present Convention.

In each case, such persons shall nevertheless be treated with humanity, and in case of trial, shall not be deprived of the rights of fair and regular trial prescribed by the present Convention. They shall also be granted the full rights and privileges of a protected person under the present Convention at the earliest date consistent with the security of the State or Occupying Power, as the case may be.

is there any international law about the treatment of spies who get caught?

Zee,

It is all elimentary. It was only you guys talking about the end of mushy, the PPP and company getting two third mjority etc etc ..and a golden era for pakistan. You all have failed to ask the basic question, has anything changed. Has there been a value shift in the political demands, did any party talk about law and order, jobs and water shortages. It is all personal politics in pakistan, you can see that even on chowk by the educated like you..the name calling, abuse and teh un-mentionalble in urdu and these are done primarily by the pakis. That is your mind set, you all cannot talk in a sensible manner without bringing the personalities in.

Irrelevant non-sense that si what the pakis are famous for, while the jihadis are blasting your doors apart.

For decades the Pakistan has been calling for Kashmir to be liberated. So this is all it was about!! :-)

Great job Mr. Ansar Burney...

I hope that this is a beginning of sorts.

One Kashmir has been released from prison.

How about the other?

It is normal for India and Pakistan to send spies to each other's countries and then deny their presence; the spies also understand that this is the condition of their employment.

Now, unless these spies commit some serious crimes, like murder, they should be treated as normal prisoners. Their govts. also owe it to them to secure their release through prisoner swaps or other such deals.

Kashmir Singh's story powerfully illustrates that the prison system in Pakistan (and perhaps India) is akin to a big black hole where people simply disappear. The lack of proper record-keeping takes a toll on the poor prisoners of all nationalities, ethnicities, religions etc and their loved ones. I'm glad to see people like Ansar Burney working to alleviate the situation.
Aside from the sad truth of lives destroyed, I am a little concerned about the admission by Kashmir Singh of his role as a spy would likely reinforce the hawks in Pakistan. I hope I am wrong on this. I think Pakistan (and India) need to address the issues by agreeing on the treatment of all prisoners, regardless of the nature and the veracity of charges.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Kamath,

In pakistans case, it is not lawlessness, it is the absence of any law, or any legal system.

Take the case of muktaran mai. Typically nothing should happen to the rapist in pakistan, that is what happened initially to muktaran mai rapist. Then there was global publicity, mushy got involved, and if recall three men are sentenced to death.

This is not lawlessness, this is absence of a system and arbitariness.

Take the case of chief justice of pakistan, one man was fired and another set appointed, they reversed every decision of the earlier court. Where is law, where is precedence, in pakistan every thing is arbitary.

It is not a case of corruption, or lack of professionalism, it is simply the absence of a system, completely arbitary. There is no concept of what should be, some kind of an ideal to which one can strive, and that is what is completely lacking in every aspect of pak society.

#11 Posted by NangaPir on March 8, 2008 3:11:06 pm

Wow, what a riveting account!

All said and done we need to treat the prisoners with minimum human dignity (unless the person is charged with serious crimes for eg. murder).

Keeping Kashmir Singh for 17 years in a dark cell is unfathomable. If Kashmir still maintains normal composure, it's something superhuman.

Whatevah, Mr. Ansar Burney is a god incarnate and I expect Indian govt to reciprocate.

It was early 1965 when Pakistan was preparing to liberate Kashmir. This was because Pakistan army was dominated by mirzai officers. Ahmedi Khelifa made prophecy in 1955 that Kashmir would be liberated in ten years. After careful planning commandos were ordered to be ready. It was one cold night way up in mountains when Abdul Rehman received a guest. A policeman who brought him orders to immediately report to his center. Rehman was on two months vacation and only 21 years old. He put on his clothes walked 24 miles to catch the early bus and reported to his center. He was order to join armed commandos to enter Kashmir because Kashmir Mujahideens were waiting for them. He never returned. We never heard of him again. His mother wept day and night, became blind and died hoping her son would return. He is probably rotting in some Indian jail if alive. This is true with many others but he is whom I personally know. I never met him as I was too young but he was my first cousin.
What went wrong?
The so called Kashmir Jihad was well kept secret except Indians well knew about it.
India always had better spies inside Pakistan mostly Mohajir army officers with links to relatives in India. ISI agents mostly get caught that is why we hear a lot about them. An Indian army major, Richpal Singh crossed over from Ori and reached Muzaffarabad. He met the then AK president Sardar Qayoom Khan and posed as Kashmiri mujahid. Qayoon took him to GHQ and he was fully briefed. He officially stayed in government guest houses and allegedly married with Qayoom’s sister. He was ready to infiltrate valley exactly when my cousin was ordered ‘go ahead’. Qayoom also handed over the list of his contacts who were supposed to join the uprising. Richpal Singh was given about two laks rupees too. He successfully infiltrated back into valley. When Pakistani commodes entered from dedicated routes, Indians were waiting for them. The same night they apprehended those Mujahideens whose list was provided by Qayoom. Qayoom blamed mirzai generals and later declared them kaffirs first time in history. Now Kashmir Singh is free we question to Sri Pervaiz Ramstein, where is Abdul Hamid? Was Kashmir Singh also married to Pervaiz’s sister and was known as Muhammad Ibrahim? Why a hard core spy was released without any account of Pakistanis missing in actions. These bhia thugs will not rest till they destroy the entire region.

Re:#5 bulleya,

Yes. That's true.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/08/stories/2008030860060100.htm

Re: # 7
Jayp:

Before you comment on lawlessness and disorder in Pakistan, open your eyes and look at what is happening in India first.

Murderous riots and killings of Sikhs-innocent ones at thgat after the death of Indira Gandhi, destruction of Babri Mosque,planned pogroms against a copule of thousands Indian citizens who hapopen to be born Muslims most of them totally innocent- set by your hero Modi in the land of Gandhi and now goonda raj run amok by Shiv sena thugs.

There many more all over India smaller in size but very identical. Add to this list-fanatical Hindus-RSS, Bajrang Dal and other tribal gangs!

Pakistan and Afghanistan has had Talibanis and let us admit In India we have these cursed Hindu-Talibani, exactly the mirror image of murderers on the other side of the border.

Oh , I forgot there ar smaller variants in Tamilnadu and Orissa too!

Kamath

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/60667/principal-beaten-abuse-charge-against-teache r.html

jayp,

U need to see how Bombay/Maharastra and India are lawless. Ponder over our own lawlessness, esp Marathi type.

Re: # 4

VRV,

the [point is that whether it is spying or corruption or murder, there has to be some law and some procedures to be followed. Pakistan has none. It is all arbitary, and hence what is the bog issue with spying.

Beena, I had always been a keen follower of your work – although I had read the article in Dawn, reading it on our very old chowk is a different experience altogether (thore ke apnaheyat hain yehan).

Some points,

a) Kashmir Singh was arrested with another person in Rawalpindi – the chap was jailed for 10 years – he completed his punishment, went to India to say he ‘spied’.
b) Kashmir Singh was definitely a spy – there’s no doubt – he accepted this in an interview in India – he even stated that he used to get paid ‘Rs.400/month’ at that time when he was spying in Pakistan.
c) GoP knew everything about Kashmir Singh – he was realsed on humanitarian grounds and nothing more. I had always maintained that there should be a difference between us and them and the realease of Kashmir Singh is one of the examples of how we stand.
d) Ansar Burney’s NGO is probably one of the best kept secrets of Pakistan – he’s done so well for Pakistan and Pakistanis on the issue of Pakistani Camel Jockeys in UAE and Saudi Arabia – on releasing scores of Pakistanis detained in Eastern European Countries and whole of Asia.

the news on pakistani tv channels is that kashmir singh has stated, after reaching india, that he, actually, was indian spy.......

any truth in that....

jayp,

U are mixing up a lot of issues. Lets talk abt the PoWs & spies in the jails of India and Pakistan.

Beena,

You have absolutely no idea about the pak reality. You are talking about some indians crossing into pakistan and being arrested, well prima facia there is a case, How about zardari being arrested and being in prison and one fine day he is released and all changes being dropped for no reason.

First make a statement in bold letters as a preface to your article taht pakistan is a failed state, there is no concept pf law in pakistan, and everything is negotiable.

Beena, what are you trying to say, there some kind of rationale in pakistan. Pathetic.

Well written, Beena.

I only hope that ther'd be some movement on this issue of prisoners.

Good gesture.
Great Pariotism.
Great inner struggle by this man who had to suffer the torments of Mohammedanism for 30 years.
This is epitome of Great Sikh struggle by hindus.

Sat Sri Akal!!

Raj Karega Khalsa!!!