After five long years of advent of suicide terrorism in Pakistan (a recent estimate indicated about around 30 suicide bombing incidents with well above 160 fatalities have taken place since 2002), suddenly the erstwhile supporters/believers (somehow tacitly) of suicide (Fidayeen) attacks voiced against this most lethal terror tactic. Although, the use of suicide bombings in Pakistan never caused a public backlash in general, some liberal and progressive Muslims do oppose the tactics irrespective of their targets, but their voice never posed a deterrent.
Bhutan’s King will hand over power to the elected government in 2008. The country's first-ever new Constitution, drafted in March 2005, aims to establish a two-party democracy after a century of absolute monarchy established with British help in 1907. Leaders of Bhutan’s political parties established in exile (in neighbouring India and Nepal) have welcomed King Jigme Singye Wangchuk’s announcement to abdicate the throne in 2008.
More than 60 people were killed and over 200 injured in one of the bloodiest-ever terrorist attacks that shook New Delhi with three synchronized explosions on October 29. The first blast occurred in the evening at 5.38 p.m. outside a Jewelers shop in the Paharganj area, close to Delhi’s main railway station. At 5.52 p.m., a bag was spotted inside a public transport bus in Govindpuri, which exploded when thrown out. A powerful explosion hit Sarojini Nagar’s crowded mini market at 5.56 p.m.
Wasting no time after the ban was imposed in Andhra Pradesh, Naxals launched an attack in Chhattisgarh early this month by triggering a landmine, which left at least 23 security personnel dead. This blast, near Padeda village in Dantewada district, was powerful enough to awaken the State government from deep slumber and complacency. A ban on the Communist Party of India –Maoist (CPI-Maoist), the perpetrator, and its front organizations followed after an emergency meeting of the Cabinet in the State capital, Raipur.
Thailand had witnessed its bloodiest day in recent history on April 28 this year in which more than 120 suspected militants were killed. Even after almost four and a half month have passed, the country is still reeling under Islamic militancy. Most recently, on August 26 a powerful bomb ripped through a food market in the Sukhirin district of Narathiwat province, bordering Malaysia. Coincidentally the blast occurred on the eve of a Prime Ministerial visit to the area that killed one person and injured at least 30 people.