Attack in Mohmand Pentagon insists Pak strike legitimate

The US defence department on Thursday insisted that its air strike that killed 11 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghanistan border was a "legitimate" act after an angry Islamabad summoned the American ambassador to protest against the "unprovoked and cowardly" attack.

"I will say this: Although it is early, every indication we have at this point is that this was, indeed, a legitimate strike in defence of our forces after they came under attack," Pentagon Spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters in Washington.

The US State Department had on Wednesday termed it as a "regrettable" incident and "a reminder that better cross-border communications between forces is vital."

"Every indication we have at this point is that the actions that were taken by US forces were in -- were legitimate, in that they were in self-defence, after US forces, operating on the border of Pakistan in Afghanistan territory, came under attack from hostile forces, and, in self-defence, they called in an air strike, which took out those forces that were attacking them," Morrell insisted.

He said the US forces will work in close coordination with the Pakistanis to find out what exactly happened and expressed the hope that the incident would not affect anti-terror cooperation between the US and Pakistan.

"We hope not. It's a vitally important relationship in an extremely dangerous part of the world. We have shared goals, and that is to take on terrorists who may be plotting, training in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas," the official said.

"And so it is incumbent upon both of us not to let an incident like this or any other interfere with that fundamental shared goal of making sure the FATA is not a refuge for terrorists who may be plotting attacks against the Pakistani government, the United States government, or any of our allies," Morrell said.

The senior official maintained that the operations along the border are done in close coordination between US forces, coalition forces and the Pakistani military.

"We are aware of some of the concerns that have been expressed by the Pakistani Army and other elements of the Pakistan government. And I can tell you that we are working with the Pakistani government to try to get to the bottom of this incident so that they have a better understanding of it, so that we have a better understanding of it," Morrell added.

As there is a new government in charge in Pakistan, the US government, including Pentagon, is "exercising a great deal of patience as we allow them the time and the space necessary to get on their feet," the official said and pressed that any negotiated settlement with the militants should be "enforceable" and not allow FATA "to become a safe haven for Al Qaeda [Images]."

"We are hopeful that the efforts that have been undertaken thus far by this new Pakistani government will be fruitful. They've made attempts or are in the midst of attempts to work out some sort of negotiated arrangement with militants in the FATA. It is our insistence, our belief, our urging, that any kind of arrangement they come to be enforceable and that the FATA not be allowed to become a safe haven for Al Qaeda," he said.

Twenty Three Students Expelled From Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad #237 by majumdar

Referring to my post about Gandhi's statues being everywhere you say this:

So do Lenin, Stalin, Marx, Kim and Mao's I guess.

Of course Majumdar bhai, which is why it is so sad. These murderers had their statues put up but no one gave thought to the only one from the subcontinent who could match them (tears down the cheeks wala icon).

Twenty Three Students Expelled From Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad #219 by majumdar

The true Great Man from Gujarat hardly had any following in India in 1984. It is only lately that the Great man is being recognised while the charlatan is being shoved by the dustbin, quite literally.

Of course, a man like Advani praising him isn't a mean achievement at all, but only a scounderel recognizes another, so there!

As for the Tussauds thing, you're making too much out of one incident Majumdar bhai. There are thousands of places where the great man's statues stand tall and millions (perhaps more) still look to him for inspiration. No such luck for the..ummm...true charlatan.

Twenty Three Students Expelled From Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad #219 by majumdar

The true Great Man from Gujarat hardly had any following in India in 1984. It is only lately that the Great man is being recognised while the charlatan is being shoved by the dustbin, quite literally.

Of course, a man like Advani praising him isn't a mean achievement at all, but only a scounderel recognizes another, so there!

As for the Tussauds thing, you're making too much out of one incident Majumdar bhai. There are thousands of places where the great man's statues stand tall and millions (perhaps more) still look to him for inspiration. No such luck for the..ummm...true charlatan.

Twenty Three Students Expelled From Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad #211 by majumdar

Can you explain the Gujarat murders of 2002 or the Sikh riots of 1984 in the land of the (alleged) Mahatma?

Majumdar bhai, you might have noticed that the other illustrious son of Gujarat and the founder of a neighboring country has been increasingly beginning to gain approval from Indians. Maybe that should explain it.

Pakistan\'s Nuclear Test - Ten Years Later #442 by majumdar

Majumdar bhai, you're getting more desperate by the day. There's a saying in Telugu which crudely translates into: "When asked who robbed the pumpkin, the thief was the only one who shrugged his shoulders".

Pakistan\'s Nuclear Test - Ten Years Later #54 by Urstruly

The civilian casualties are a fact of modern warfare; it is impossible to avoid them. Personally, I don't understand why they should be avoided at all.

And yet you don't hesitate to shed crocodile tears for civilians killed by USAF jets in Iraq/Afghanistan or Predator drones in FATA. Is it because the civilians are Muslims and not Kafirs?

Pakistan\'s Nuclear Test - Ten Years Later Pakistan's whole nuclear program is based on the false premise that India is out to gobble it up, but today it is the US that regularly attacks Pakis inside Pakistan. What are the nuclear weapons going to do to the US? The Jihadis have almost completely destabilized the country but is there anything the nukes can do about it? Billions of dollars and years of scandals and opprobrium later, Pakis aren't any safer than they were before the nukes.

Dancing on Broken Glass #175 by majumdar

While I dont see the Pakistanis being thrilled with a mid-term poll, I don't see them again welcoming a military coup again. If not for anything else, for Lal Masjid.

Majumdar bhai, the public has a short memory. All the next army chief needs to do to appease the public is try Mushy for the Lal Masjid killings and people will welcome him with open arms.

After all, Zia hanged Bhutto who was supposedly Pakistan's most loved leader and still continued to rule the country till his death.

Dancing on Broken Glass #173 by majumdar

If the present govt falls and new elections throw up another govt it is no great cause for concern. India has had three premature elections in the 1990s - 1991, 1998, 1999 in addition to the regular ones and was none the worse for it.

Majumdar bhai, please do not compare the situations in India and Pakistan. Before the 1991, 1998, and 1999 premature elections, India had about 4 decades (barring the emergency) of stable elected governments. Pakistan is just finding its democratic feet after about 6 decades. If the present govt falls due to the bickering between NS and Zardari, Pakis being an impatient people will not take it too kindly and who knows that might be the toehold that the next army chief needs to wrestle back into power? And then Pakis will jump onto the streets in wild celebrations as we saw when Mushy kicked out Nawaz in '99.

Were Buddhists and Jains Persecuted in Ancient India? #116 by masadi

Minus the insults, a great post Masadi sahib!

India-US Nuclear Deal #5 by majumdar

Majumdar bhai, well said!

But what else did you expect from the traitors who held India responsible for the 1962 India-China war?

Were Buddhists and Jains Persecuted in Ancient India? #37 by majumdar

Majumdar bhai, I know at least Brahmins in Bengal eat fish but wasn't aware that they do so in some other places too, but overwhelmingly they are vegetarian and were perhaps so from times immemorial.

AFAIK vegetarianism is not widespread; most Hindus are non-vegetarian. Jains are vegetarian (assuming they belong to a distinct religion Jainism) but you are right in saying it perhaps influenced some non-Jains into vegetarianism.

Were Buddhists and Jains Persecuted in Ancient India? #36 by vengatramanan

When Murad Saab's job is to demystify the saatvik qualities we associate with the present day Hinduism, where is the question of him searching for the goodness in it.

Vengat garu, Murad's area of expertise I believe is automobiles and he should have stuck to that. I guess this is what happens when you try your luck with something you know nothing about.

Were Buddhists and Jains Persecuted in Ancient India? #33 by majumdar

Ahimsa and vegeterianism is to a great extent Jain import, Vedic Hindooism is rife with reference to meat eating and animal sacrifice. And Buddha became a Vishnu avatar.

Vegetarianism was already a part of Hinduism even before Buddhism and Jainism were founded but the only practitioners were the Rishis (again, not all of them) and saints and highly spiritual people. Non-vegetarian food is not considered Satvik and Satvik food is considered very essential for highly spiritual pursuits, which is why Brahmins do not (or at least they're not supposed to) consume non-vegetarian food.

Ahimsa IMHO was never a part of Hinduism. It was the "racist, casteist, misogyinst, and fascist bigot" who brought it into vogue.

Were Buddhists and Jains Persecuted in Ancient India? Majumdar bhai, Vengat garu etc., Adi Sankara played a huge part in revitalizing Hinduism at a time when Buddhism and Jainism were gaining ground all across India. He engaged in debates with scholars from these religions on the condition that the loser will adopt the winner's religion. And sure enough, no one could trump him.

Half-a$$ed folks like this Baig dude will never mention Sankara's peaceful conquests.