FBI raids 2 homes of Pakistanis

Washington Times ^ | 11/14/01 | Jerry Seper and Steve Miller

[kattracks]

FBI agents armed with search warrants raided two houses in a southwestern suburb of Philadelphia yesterday, backed by members of a hazardous-materials squad wearing full protective gear.

Located less than two blocks apart in Chester, Pa., some 15 miles southwest of Philadelphia, the houses are owned by Dr. Irshad Shaikh, a Pakistani physician and specialist in epidemic diseases who is Chester's city health commissioner, and by Asif Kazi, the Chester city accountant, who also is a Pakistani native.

[Southack]

Interesting profile...

[Travis McGee]

bttt

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

It was not clear yesterday whether Dr. Shaikh also lived in the Edgmont Avenue house.

There are several things that come to mind here - either this guy is a long-term sleeper or at the very least an "associate" of some of the perps (or the FBI wouldn't have raided the place) or he's a dupe or stooge. Considering his academic record, my guess would be for the former.

[kcvl]

The Bureau of Health

Dr. Irshad Shaikh, MD, MPH, Phd. - Commissioner of Health

Dr. Shaikh PhD. has been the Commissioner of Health since 1994. He received his undergrad and postgraduate diplomas in Community Medicine in Pakistan. He received his Masters and PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

He is fellow of the Public Health Leadership Institute (PHLI). PHLI is an executive leadership program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Shaikh also holds a faculty appointment at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

[kcvl]

Fall 2001 - John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

[Don Myers]

b

[knak]

Dr. Irshad Shaikh, MD, MPH, Phd. - Commissioner of Health

Dr. Shaikh PhD. has been the Commissioner of Health since 1994. He received his undergrad and postgraduate diplomas in Community Medicine in Pakistan. He received his Masters and PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

He is fellow of the Public Health Leadership Institute (PHLI). PHLI is an executive leadership program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Shaikh also holds a faculty appointment at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

his picture

[TUX]

Technical consultant, advisor, and supplier perhaps.

[M. Thatcher]

Rather blue.

[knak]

woops, I was reading while you were posting. sorry 'bout the double post.

[Lion's Cub]

Indexing.

Dr. Irshad Shaikh, a Pakistani physician and specialist in epidemic diseases

Adding the Smallpox index because of the CDC connection in #5. Good find, kcvl!

[ikanakattara]

Fifth column kingpin or innocent victim of prejudice?

[sheik yerbouty]

That's funny. He doesn't look bluish.

[sheik yerbouty]

That's funny. He doesn't look bluish.

[shezza]

And of course the researchers and manufacturers of bio-terrorism in their homelands are the brightest and the bestest. ;o) Not saying anything against the good doctor, mind you, just pointing out that in Iraq and Russia and North Korea and any other country that has a bioweapons program the heads of such programs are physicians and researchers and experts in their fields. The CDC connection combined with the idea that the FBI found him questionable enough to actually raid his home make this something worth investigating further, IMHO.

[aristeides]

Yes, because of that specialty in epidemiology, he would have an excuse to look around the CDC's smallpox virus stores.

It would be interesting to know if Dr. Shaikh and Dr. Malik may both belong to some regional medical association.

[Fester Chugabrew]

"I would be extremely surprised if Dr. Shaikh has any connection to anything the FBI might be investigating," the mayor said.

Would he be extremely surprised if a few highly educated Saudis rammed some of our jetliners into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon?

[aristeides]

It was the first known raid of private residences in the FBI's ongoing investigation into an anthrax attack on America that has killed four persons.

These Washington Times reporters seem to be unaware of the raids in Trenton, and the FBI seems not to have told them.

[RnMomof7]

FBI agents armed with search warrants raided two houses in a southwestern suburb of Philadelphia yesterday, backed by members of a hazardous-materials squad wearing full protective gear. Located less than two blocks apart in Chester, Pa., some 15 miles southwest of Philadelphia, the houses are owned by Dr. Irshad Shaikh, a Pakistani physician and specialist in epidemic diseases who is Chester's city health commissioner, and by Asif Kazi, the Chester city accountant, who also is a Pakistani native.

WAIT..hasn't the offical office of US propaganda been telling the press that" it is most probably a 'home grown' terrorist (read member of the VRWC)?"...Haven't they been telling us they didnt 'believe" it was connected to 9/11.......

LIARS!

[blam]

" The CDC connection combined with the idea that the FBI found him questionable enough to actually raid his home make this something worth investigating further, IMHO."

Yup. Wonder how he is connected to the VRWC? (How many 'right-wingers' houses have been raided?)

[kcvl]

Could he(Dr. Irshad Shaikh)be related to these people?

MASSOUD ANSARI
> in Karachi

> DOZENS of people gathered at the home of Dr. Moazim Shaikh in an > upmarket locality of Karachi on hearing the news of his > death. None of them was crying; in fact they appeared relaxed. > Moazim's father, Hafeez Shaikh, proudly hugged everyone who > entered the house and served them sweetmeats, as was desired by his > son. This was followed by a feast in the evening. Hafeez > Shaikh, an engineer, believes that Moazim, his only son, is a shaheed > (martyr). Shaheeds never die; they pass from one world to > another. "I'm glad that my son departed like a true Muslim," he told > those who came to condole the death.

> > > Twenty five-year-old Moazim was involved in an encounter on April 7 > with the Indian troops near Doda Baniyal district in the Jammu > sector. (According to his family, about 18 Indian soldiers died in > the battle that lasted 10 hours.) He is one of the hundreds of young > militants who have died in Kashmir, one of the world's hottest spots > of Islamic jehad (holy war). He was motivated to join the "holy > warriors" in Kashmir when he was studying in Chandka Medical College, > Larkana. He became a member of the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Recalls Hafeez > Shaikh: "In fact he wanted to go for jehad when he was in his third > year of MBBS, but his mother convinced him to postpone it till he had > graduated."

> > Moazim did not return home after he appeared for the final year > examinations. He went to the rugged mountains of > Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) to get trained as a militant. He came > home six months later, only to seek his parents' permission > to go to the Valley for jehad.

> > Moazim, who operated in Kashmir under the name Abu Hamza, had crossed > the Indian border at least twice and returned > successfully. But this time, he was selected for a fidai (suicide) > mission by the Lashkar high command. His mother says that when > he left he asked her to do two things - to put henna over his hands > and to pray for his martyrdom. "He was all set to sacrifice his > life for the cause of Islam."

[blam]

I had a black, female Wal-Mart clerk tell me yesterday that the culprit was a 'McVey(sp) type.' Wonder where she got that idea?

[FReethesheeples]

Interesting profile.

[bimbo]

Interesting profile...

I suppose the next spin cycle will have these guys as part of the homegrown "vast right wing conspiracy." Otherwise, their "impeccable credentials" will be expounded from Johns Hopkins to Berkeley ... from Chester Pa. to the CDC in Atlanta.

[rolling_stone]

Very interesting!

[rebdov]

Assuming for a moment that these fellows may actually be part of a terror cell, wouldn't they try to look and act respectful with anyone they meet? Then why would the mayor say the following:

Mr. Pileggi said Dr. Shaikh had served as the city's health commissioner since 1994 and described him as "well respected." He added that Dr. Shaikh had done "a fine job" for the city and doubted he would be involved in anything nefarious.

Why does Pillegi have doubts? Has he been in contact with terrorists before and hence knows their profile? Has this very small town mayor really become an expert in the field? You always hear the same thing-MrX, a mass murderer of dozens and a cannibal, is described by his neighbors as such a nice man, all the children loved him, he couldn't be a mass murderer and a cannibal because he went to church every Sunday, blah,blah,blah...The mayor has to ask himself, did the FBI pick out Chester's phone book from all the gazillion books across the country and then started looking for Pakis. names? Rather than being a character witness when no one asked for one, the mayor should try sucking a pacifier.

[Fred Mertz]

These Washington Times reporters seem to be unaware of the raids in Trenton, and the FBI seems not to have told them.

The Pakistani connection seems to have grown overnight. I heard about this on the news last night, but with sparse details.

[TheOtherOne]

2nd story with mostly the same facts.

FBI, hazardous materials team search houses near Philadelphia, but won't say why
By DAVID B. CARUSO

06:40 ET
Associated Press Newswires
Copyright 2001. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - About 30 FBI agents and a hazardous materials team seized several items from the houses of two city officials who are natives of Pakistan, but authorities wouldn't say why the homes were searched.

FBI spokeswoman Linda Vizi refused to identify what items were seized. Federal court documents used to obtain search warrants were sealed.

Neighbors told The Philadelphia Inquirer that some agents had their guns drawn as battering rams were used to break through the front doors at both homes.

Agents entered a house owned by Dr . Irshad Shaikh , a Pakistani native who has been city health commissioner since 1994 and teaches part-time at Johns Hopkins University. He and his brother, Masood Shaikh , who works in Chester's lead abatement program and lives with Shaikh , were interviewed by the FBI.

Agents interviewed both men and searched the home.

"They were here, they asked some questions, they left. I fully cooperated from this side and they left," Dr . Shaikh said. He declined to reveal what he was asked about.

"There's nothing to be found," Masood Shaikh said.

The FBI also searched a house occupied by Asif Kazi, the city accountant. Mayor Dominic F. Pileggi said Kazi is a native of Pakistan. There was no listing for Kazi and he could not be reached for comment.

Vizi said the searches were conducted without incident and nobody was arrested. Decontamination tents were set up in the area, but Vizi would not say why they were needed.

"We are very concerned about the safety of people who make entry into any facility. I'm not going to be specific as to what we're looking for," she said.

She said there was "no public safety issue" and that neighbors were safe.

Agents were seen removing stuffed green trash bags from both houses, and they searched at least one vehicle parked behind the home where Kazi lives.

Irshad Shaikh , 39, is a faculty associate at Johns Hopkins University's school of public health, where he has taught since last year, Hopkins spokesman Dennis O'Shea said.

Shaikh , who earned a master's and doctorate in international health at Hopkins, has no access to labs where biological agents were present, university officials said.

"Not only is he not in labs, our labs do not have anthrax," O'Shea said.

Chester is about 15 miles southwest of Philadelphia.

AP Photo PADL101

[gumbo]

WOW!!! Thanks for the ping!

The route from Chester, PA to Franklin Park, NJ, would be pretty easy - cross the Delaware right below Chester, and get on I-295 toward Trenton.

On the way, take a little stop in Bellmawr to mail a letter!

Then once you reach Trenton, stop off and visit some friends in Hamilton.

Get back on Route 1 and drive straight up the road to the Islamic Center in Franklin Park to visit more friends!

A cakewalk.

[aristeides]

Shaikh , who earned a master's and doctorate in international health at Hopkins, has no access to labs where biological agents were present, university officials said.

But would he have had no access to CDC facilities?

Note how the AP is now reporting this story. I guess that now, with the Afghanistan campaign winding down, the government feels able to let the public in on some of the facts about the anthrax investigation.

[Clovis_Skeptic]

"I would be extremely surprised if Dr. Shaikh has any connection to anything the FBI might be investigating," the mayor said.

...duh...He has some type of connection to something....the FBI searched his home Mayor!

[Tennessean4Bush]

Wow. Do they know something or are they (FBI) merely flailing?

[gumbo]

now, with the Afghanistan campaign winding down, the government feels able to let the public in on some of the facts about the anthrax investigation

Wonder when they'll let us in on the anthrax swab results of those PREVIOUS "private residence" raids?

Like the one on Tonnele Ave in Jersey City (Azmath and Khan) on October 15. And the two apartments in Hamilton a couple of weeks ago.

[twigs]

My husband and I saw the doctor interviewed on local TV last night. Several impressions. The house was large and beautiful, yet located in one of the worst areas in the Philly area. One risks their lives driving through Chester. I had to make a sells call there about 10 years ago and I was frightened the entire time. Why would someone with the money choose to live there if they had other choices, the historic-looking home notwithstanding?

The second thing we noticed is how he smiled during the whole interview, seeming not at all perturbed at the FBI presence in his home. If I were innocent of such a suspicion and was entirely innocent, I'd be incredibly angry. It just didn't smell right.

[NautiNurse]

Oh my...he looks positively glowing. Irradiation, perhaps?

[caddie]

It would not be that surprising to me.

Have known a lot of Pak physicians, many rabid muslim.

They keep a lid on their craziness because you have to to function as a physician.

Always and above all, their loyalty to other muslimes is paramount and their contempt for the United States is unfathomably deep.

Just so happens some of them can pass tests.

What are they doing here?

Deport this affirmative-action goon raghead.

[Nogbad]

What has happened to the Pakistanis who were taken into custody in NJ?

(Supposedly seen mailing suspicious envelopes.)

We have heard nothing about this story for several days.

Was it a false alarm??

Why do these stories NOT get followed up?

[OrioleFan]

Rather blue.

Smurf Terrorist?

[Campion]

Deport this affirmative-action goon raghead.

If he's the perp (or one of the perps), we execute, we don't deport.

[demnomo]

What has happened to the Pakistanis who were taken into custody in NJ? (Supposedly seen mailing suspicious envelopes.) We have heard nothing about this story for several days.

My thoughts exactly. And what about that FBI profile of the "right-wing loner-type?" This whole anthrax business smells funny. The government better not lie to us for fear of harming the economy or putting us into a panic. If they want support for this war and the suspension of certain rights, I want the truth. I'm still not convinced that Flight 587 was an accident. The Feds better have a really plausible explanation for that one, too...

[Elenya]

Smurf Terrorist?

LOL! He sure looks like one!

[riri]

Why do these stories NOT get followed up?

It´s called reporting via press release. Following up on a story would take initative and thinking outside the box...Can´t have that

[Eva]

Do you remember the Middle Eastern men that were picked up on Ridge Pike in Plymouth township? The men and one woman were dumping furniture from a moving van and had in their possesion a video camera with a detailed video of the Sears Tower. They were questioned by the FBI and who knows what happened after that.

The Blue Route runs between Chester and Plymouth Township. Maybe that furniture was contaminated with anthrax.

[Elenya]

Wow! Looks like the investigation is moving along nicely... Now can they find a link between the 2 and Nguyen? Such a possibility doesn't seem farfetched.

BTW, it just occurred to me after reading the article that another explanation for the specific misspelling of "penacilin" is that it could also have been noticed (and subsequently borrowed for the letter) by foreign teachers or TAs correcting American students term papers or exam answers.

[harpseal]

Possibly the enemy within.

Stay well - stay safe - stay armed - yorktown

[Elenya]

The CDC is FULL of people with Pakistani and Arabic name. It might not mean anything of course, but it did bother me. Let's hope they're all clean or we're in deep doo-doo...

[Lee'sGhost]

He's a RIGHT-WING muslim. (Hahahahahaha!)

[Hillary 666]

"Hello, my name is Satan and I am here to help you."

[small voice in the wilderness]

The Pakistani connection seems to have grown overnight

Pakistani Schmakistani. This guy obviously has direct connections with the VRWC. Just look at the similarities between he and McVeigh: Both are male. Both smiled when interviewed. Both drive vehicles. AND both live(d)in the United States. Never mind that he is Middle Easterner and has access to biological items. The media KNOWS a VRW conspiracy when they invent, er, see one. IF he is guilty, it's because he was recruited by some yet undiscovered deeply underground conservative nut group who spread their hate in and around Trenton. Not all good old boy terrorists spell their name B-O-B, you know. I think we need to look at the new face of the VRWC:They spell their names B-A-H-B:- BOB. Please don't confuse the media with facts at this point. They have a theory. And dammit, they are going to make it fit.