Pakistani Students Arrested in UK on terrorism charges

[roadrunner]

Could be ISI. Could be RAW. You pick. Neither is dismissed yet.

 

[godsavetheworld]

The fact every major news source said there was a tip off from a foreign agency that led to the arrests.

I would love to see your "major source".
Here is mine.

Terror bomb plot intelligence came from MI6's Pakistan operation

Key intelligence that led to security officials fearing a terrorist cell was to launch a large-scale bomb attack on British soil came from MI6 operations targeting Pakistan, the Guardian has learned.

Sources with knowledge of the investigation say the intelligence gathered first from abroad and then in Britain before Wednesday's raids, left counterterrorism officials believing there was too high a risk of an "imminent" attempt to bomb targets in Britain and cause mass casualties.

However, subsequent, intensive searches of at least 10 addresses linked to the suspected al-Qaida plot in northern Britain have so far failed to turn up any clear evidence of a terrorist conspiracy, despite the huge resources devoted.

Forty-eight hours after the arrests, sources close to the inquiry say no evidence has been found of bombs, bomb-making parts, precursor chemicals to make explosives, a bomb factory, weapons or ammunition.

The jigsaw of intelligence studied before the Wednesday raids left all agencies - from the police, to security services to Whitehall officials - convinced they had to arrest the 12 people detained. Yesterday they were still in custody. Investigators say the operation is at an early stage.

Examination of computers recovered from raids in Manchester, Liverpool and Clitheroe and their hard drives has only just begun. In past cases, data recovered from computers has been a source of incriminating evidence. Other forensic tests are also at an early stage.

One senior source said "nothing of huge significance" had been found, and accepted it was possible that no evidence could emerge before the 28-day limit to hold terrorism suspect expires.

But the source added: "There is lots of material that when put together may take us somewhere. It will be a long and drawn out investigation.

"If we don't charge it will look bad, but we had to take action. Was there any alternative; no there wasn't."

A central mystery remains how counterterrorism officials could believe such a serious plot existed when they were unsure of seemingly basic elements of the alleged conspiracy, such as the targets.

The Guardian has spoken to several informed sources with knowledge of the case, who paint a picture of fragments of intelligence coming in and fuelling a mounting concern that Britain was facing one of it's worst terrorist atrocities. They spoke on condition of anonymity.

Two to three weeks ago, intelligence from operations carried out in Pakistan by MI6, Britain's foreign intelligence agency, provided names of suspected members of an al-Qaida trained network in Britain.

That intelligence as well as the interception of calls and emails led UK security officials and police to fear a large terrorist attack was being planned in Britain.

The monitoring of calls and emails also led officials to believe a link existed between suspected al-Qaida commanders in Pakistan and the people in the UK.

An informed source said the plot was "al-Qaida driven". "There was concern [al-Qaida] was directing operations ... recruiting people to travel to this country, direct their operations and tell them what to do."

A large surveillance operation was put into place.

Some of those arrested were seen taking photographs near a Manchester nightclub, the Birdcage, and the Trafford shopping centre. The suspects were also seen taking photographs near other places in and around Manchester which are usually crowded.

The source said the suspect's behaviour was consistent with the way terrorists carry out reconnaissance ahead of an attack. But it was also consistent with a group of students in a new area taking photographs of themselves to show friends and family.

"There is no way we would use these [counterterrorism] powers for a bunch of people going around Manchester taking photographs," said the source.

Photographs of the nightclub and shopping centre have been recovered in the raids, but three separate sources continue to insist this can not be taken as evidence of targets.

A Whitehall source said: "They were not observed doing much suspicious."

Compared to other counter-surveillance operations carried out before arrest, the suspects were not seen buying materials that could be used to make explosives or other equipment known to have uses in making improvised explosive devices.

Then, several days ago, the surveillance operation targeting the 11 Pakistani nationals and one Briton heard a discussion about dates, including the Easter bank holiday weekend, taken as a reference to a possible date to stage the attack.

The decision was reached that the intelligence pointed to an imminent attack.

All agencies involved believed the men being watched had to be arrested.

One driving factor was the scale of feared casualties. "Is this territory where you can take a risk; no it's not," said the source.

Police activity was scaled down yesterday at the addresses being searched.

The procession of forensic officers with crates and bags from the houses, flats and internet cafes in Manchester and Liverpool came to halt early in the day.

In Liverpool, neighbours expressed their fears. Mother-of-five Marie Lee, 37, said: "People are reading stories about bomb factories but we've had nothing official to put our fears at rest."

Terror bomb plot intelligence came from MI6's Pakistan operation | UK news | The Guardian

Even if I were to somehow believe that RAW was involved, then I appreciate their effor in preventing the loss of life of innocents.

 

[roadrunner]

^^

"Two Whitehall sources indicated the surveillance operation began a fortnight ago when a foreign intelligence agency passed information to British security services"
Student visa link to terror raids as Gordon Brown points finger at Pakistan | UK news | guardian.co.uk

And the post referred to, was Batman's on page 1 where he goes on about RAW or whatever.

 

[muse]

An editorial From Khalej Times:


Behind the UK Terror Plot

13 April 2009
A heated diplomatic exchange between Pakistan and Britain has quickly escalated over the arrests of 12 men, 11 of whom are Pakistanis, in an Al Qaeda-terror plot allegedly targeting shopping centres and nightclubs in north England.

The arrests were made nine hours before the original operation, due to the inadvertent leakage of a classified dossier by Assistant Commissioner at Scotland Yard Bob Quick. It is reported that ten of the arrested were in Britain on student visas.

The tensions between Pakistan and British government have arisen in the face of these arrests that throw up yet again the issue of Pakistan’s links to terror acts within Britain. Pakistan has been a key factor in the past terror plots in Britain, including Al Qaeda plot of the July 2005 London bombings as well as later foiled plots.

Even as the British authorities have extended interrogation time by another seven days, Pakistan has sought detailed information from the British government over the alleged Pak connection. Pakistan has, in fact, expressed its annoyance for not being apprised of details and has asked Britain to divulge all information of the suspects to ascertain whether they are Pakistanis. To top it all, harsh words have been exchanged between the two countries over what respective states should be doing to counter terror. Pakistan’s High commissioner to UK, Wajid Shamsul Hassan, has asserted that it is Britain’s responsibility to implement more effective immigration procedures to check incoming students from Pakistan. It remains to be seen how accurate the allegations of links between the arrested suspects and Al Qaeda are. The issue at stake is the credibility of the British immigration screening process for international students. Though British authorities are staunchly defending that the system is foolproof in screening potential students, there has been growing criticism inside the country that it may not be so. For Pakistan, it has raised 
a whole new debate on an illegal practice that provides fake degrees and documents to 
enable them to seek admission to educational institutions abroad.

Often the prospective students seek admissions in order to seek employment opportunities abroad, while there are cases of genuine students seeking part time employment in order to meet the costs of their education and living. The fact that some of the students arrested recently are reportedly from the Northwest Frontier province may not bode well for them, considering the current concern often bordering on hysteria surrounding the region.

While the charge of Al Qaeda or similar outfits using the student channels for their designs is very plausible, care should be taken to conduct investigations independent of all bias and prejudice. Pakistan and Britain should work closely and not at cross purposes to face the threat they both face.

 

[Always Neutral]

For RR,

This is what Batman also said.

You have to do some research on influx of indians in Europe in last 3-4 years.
You need to know how they approach every single Pakistani living in Europe.
Some times they are following Pkistanis in their fords. They go to prey in Mosques.
The ignorants like u are of an advantage to them. All they need to exploit you is your email address. Laws and perception is already in place to charge you without grounds and facts.
You will never get a fair trial because judges are also inflicted with propaganda.

 

[SSGPA1]

Recent reports suggest that these guys will be deported as their is no evidence against them.

This will be a major embarrassment for the British govt.

 

[muse]

Another clear case of islamophobia:


Terrorist’ groom thrown off flight to wedding

LONDON: A man was thrown off the flight to his wedding in Lahore this week after his best man allegedly joked to airport staff: “Don’t let him on – he’s a terrorist!” Hassan Shah, 25, was due to take an Emirates flight to Pakistan on Thursday with brother Musa, 21, and cousin Amar, 23. They were allowed to board the crowded flight – but later hauled off by armed police who told them they were considered a security threat and barred from travelling. Shah recalled: “All these police officers appeared and told us we would have to get off immediately. I saw at least two officers with guns and there were another 10 in suits. I asked one what was going on and he said, ‘You cannot fly because Emirates have deemed you a security risk’.” After missing the 10am flight, Shah had to reschedule his wedding to fashion designer Sehrish Rubab, 23. Emirates Airlines said: “All three passengers were deemed a security risk. As a result of this incident, the passengers in question will not be allowed to travel on another Emirates flight.” daily times monitor


Don't ever visit or study in the UK and don't fly emirates!

 

[Rafael]

Well, here you go...Now what? dont you guys think UK govt should apologise and pay them a heavy claim because their whole career has been literally ruined??


The arrested Pakistani students in Britain, accused of posing terror threats, are likely to be deported to homeland from United Kingdom (UK), Geo news quoted a UK daily newspapers as quoting early on Monday.

According to British media reports, no evidences in regards to plot terrorist attacks were traced from arrested Pakistani students following which, they will soon be deported by UK officials.

Sources said, Britain sought assurance from Pakistan government over non-violence on these Pakistanis after they will have been sent back to Pakistan.

Earlier, one of those 12 arrested students was released by UK police officials and is now in custody of British immigration officials, sources added.

The investigative agencies, probing into this matter, are concerned that UK government will have to pocket insult if they failed to detect arrested students’ links to terrorism, sources warned.

Pakistani Student Arrested in UK likely to be deported | PakPoint Network |

 

[IceCold]

And even then they are deporting the students back even when no link to terrorism is found. What a shame, and then these are the role models some of us would like to follow very proudly.

 

[fatman17]

And even then they are deporting the students back even when no link to terrorism is found. What a shame, and then these are the role models some of us would like to follow very proudly.

icecold - their visa's has expired, and they were drop-outs (as a majority of pakistani students) and working illegally in the UK - so there were two strikes already against them and as they say three strikes and you are out! - whether they were involved in terror plots - i dont think they were!


dropping-out of college happens a lot - a lot of young men apply for student visa's but their real intention is economic and not education.

i went to the US for higher education and there were 10 pakistanis in my freshman class at SFState - within 3 months they had dropped out of college and were working illegally in the shopping center nearby, in restaurants as dishwashers and busboys - thank God i completed by degree program and came back to my own country but only one in ten are able to complete their studies - so its a big issue and a big shame!

 

[Patriot]

icecold - their visa's has expired, and they were drop-outs (as a majority of pakistani students) and working illegally in the UK - so there were two strikes already against them and as they say three strikes and you are out! - whether they were involved in terror plots - i dont think they were!


dropping-out of college happens a lot - a lot of young men apply for student visa's but their real intention is economic and not education.

i went to the US for higher education and there were 10 pakistanis in my freshman class at SFState - within 3 months they had dropped out of college and were working illegally in the shopping center nearby, in restaurants as dishwashers and busboys - thank God i completed by degree program and came back to my own country but only one in ten are able to complete their studies - so its a big issue and a big shame!

Agreed Sir!We should not Bash UK Authorities.There are several thousands illegal Pakistanis (Without valid visa) living in UK.

 

[MZUBAIR]

Good news attatched copy

 

[IceCold]

icecold - their visa's has expired, and they were drop-outs (as a majority of pakistani students) and working illegally in the UK - so there were two strikes already against them and as they say three strikes and you are out! - whether they were involved in terror plots - i dont think they were!


dropping-out of college happens a lot - a lot of young men apply for student visa's but their real intention is economic and not education.

i went to the US for higher education and there were 10 pakistanis in my freshman class at SFState - within 3 months they had dropped out of college and were working illegally in the shopping center nearby, in restaurants as dishwashers and busboys - thank God i completed by degree program and came back to my own country but only one in ten are able to complete their studies - so its a big issue and a big shame!

I wasn't aware of the above mentioned details about their visa's being expired. Thanks sir for updating sir. However my point is related to the links between them and terrorism, i mean the kind of stunt played by the UK has brought a huge bad name to Pakistan and i would also add here that these pakistanis who were living there with expire visa's are partially responsible for this. Today i think on BBC or CNN a Pakistan embassy spokeman said the same thing and also refuted that UK should stop giving student visa's to Pakistanis. I think he is right after all if this is what we do, its better we stay at home.
I agree with the rest of your post, it happens all the time with Pakistanis. They drop out and start doing illegal jobs.

 

[roadrunner]

Were they all on these fake visas or just one or two? It's justifiable to send those on fake visas back asap. In their cases deportation is fine.

In any case, these fake colleges need closing. Reminds me of those degrees for sale.

 

[zeeshan809]

The banned George Michael Video aired on MTV few years back showed George Bush carrying his dog that had the face of Tony Blair. It was probably made to show British government's unfathomable desire and un-edning desperation to be of service in one way or the to the United States. It seems like Gordon Brown, just like Tony Blair, has taken upon himself to appease the Americans. In a recent event, it seems like Brown attempted to help the Americans achieve their agenda of arm twisting Pakistan. The latest failed tour by Holbrook and Mike Mullen to Pakistan regarding pushing the country to "do more" in war on terror and probably asking for permission to land American troops in the country did not go well within the US administration. It was followed by a much hyped media event in which it was reported that twelve "AL Qaeda" men were arrested in the UK who were planning to carry out bombing in the country and that ten of them were Pakistanis students. Britain's most senior anti-terrorism officer, Bob Quick, had to resign after losing the trust of MI5 as reported media leak caused by his blinder forced police to carry out raids earlier than planned.

Soon after the incident, Gordon Brown in an over-zealous approach, phoned President Zardari and asked Pakistan to "do more" in war on terror.

Interestingly one of those arrested has been released into the custody of immigration service and police has not been able to provide any concrete evidence to the court against the rest so far. North West Counter Terrorism Unit has been given seven days to question seven of the remaining men and 48 hours to question four of the rest.

Pakistan, on the other hand summoned the Political Secretary of British High Commissioner in the country to explain why Pakistani students were arrested and why they were not given access to consular services. British government has insisted so far that the students have not asked for such services and Pakistan, in turn, has asked them to provide the same in writing on behalf of the arrested students.

This incident has resulted in a diplomatic row between UK and Pakistan at a time when Pakistan is fully cooperating in the war against terror and intelligence sharing provided by Pakistan has helped in the arrests of many wanted operatives. It is an embarrassing situation for the UK' s government and their media as they are always over-excited in purposely spreading any negative news about Pakistan without prior investigation. However, they never report with the same enthusiasm when such accusations are proved to be false or mere propaganda.