>Cancerous Pakistan’s Ambidextrous Taliban & Jihadist Policies: Threat to the subcontinent

Taliban ‘openly raising funds’ in Pakistani Punjab

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BBC – A Pakistani intelligence report says militants are publicly raising funds in Punjab province, the BBC has learned. The disclosure comes amid reports of an increased Taliban presence in this politically important province.

The report says at least 17 banned militant groups are operating in the province under different names.

They are raising donations through religious gatherings, certificate award ceremonies and meetings held in the name of social welfare, it says.

Pakistan police arrest German man in burqa

SIFY News – A German man wearing a burqa and carrying a pistol was arrested in northwest Pakistan Monday after travelling from an area known as a hub for Al-Qaeda-linked militants, police said.

"A German man, wearing a burqa, was intercepted at a checkpost in Bannu while coming from Miranshah with a six-year-old girl,” local police station chief Farid Khan told AFP.

Two tribesmen travelling with him in the vehicle were also detained, he said.

Miranshah is the main town of lawless North Waziristan tribal district, a known hotbed of Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants.

Most women in the area wear a burqa, which covers the body from head to toe, if they are out in public.

Blast kills one person in Chitral, N Pakistan

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PDO – At least one person was killed and another wounded on Thursday in an explosion in Chitral city of northern Pakistan, local media reported.

The blast took place in Ashtangol area of Chitral, the private TV Express reported. The initial report failed to say any other details about the incident.

Chitral is a tourist destination but had felt the effects of militancy and extremism that have gripped the northwest tribal areas of Pakistan.

A greek social worker was abducted by Taliban militants for ransom last year in this region. He had been safely recovered almost a month ago.