The FBI has arrested two Indian nationals running an electronics company in South Carolina, and cited two unnamed Indian government officials as "co-conspirators" in the alleged export of sensitive dual-use items to three Indian entities: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), for possible use in production of missiles and missile-launch vehicles; the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), for use in the development of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft; and Bharat Dynamics Limited for various defense projects.

The New York Times reports April 5 that US officials are reviewing an informal request from Tehran for an envoy to visit five Iranians who were imprisoned after a US raid in northern Iraq in January. Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV told at a news conference that the request is "being assessed at this time."

CNN reports April 6 that the US military is providing logistical support for the Mujahedeen Khalq, an Iraq-based Iranian guerilla group—which is on the US State Department list of foreign terrorist organizations. According to the report, the US military "regularly escorts" MEK supply runs between Baghdad and its base, Camp Ashraf. "The trips for procurement of logistical needs also take place under the control and protection of the MPs," said Mojgan Parsaii, vice president of MEK and leader of Camp Ashraf.

ABC News, citing unnamed US and Pakistani intelligence sources, reports April 3 that the ethnic Baluch militant organization Jundullah, responsible for a series of deadly guerrilla raids inside Iran, has been "secretly encouraged and advised by American officials since 2005." Officials say the relationship with Jundullah "is arranged so that the US provides no funding to the group," which would require an official presidential order or "finding" as well as congressional oversight.

Four soldiers were injured April 5 when a US military helicopter crashed 25 miles south of Baghdad. The US did not specify the cause of the crash, but witnesses reported hearing weapons fire from the ground. An Iraqi official speaking anonymously told BBC the chopper is believed to have been brought down by insurgents using an anti-aircraft machine gun. The crash came in the Sunni town of Latifiyah, part of the so-called "Triangle of Death." This makes the ninth US helicopter brought down by Iraqi insurgent attacks since the start of the year. (UPI, Indo-Asian News Service, April 5)

Egypt has tightened the procedures for Iraqis entering the country, seeking to stem a flow of people seeking refuge from the war. Instead of obtaining visas at points of entry such as Cairo airport, Iraqis will now have to apply in advance through Egyptian consulates abroad. Senior Foreign Ministry official Mahmoud Aouf told parliament: "This decision is due to the nature of the security circumstances accompanying the entry of Iraqis into Egypt at this stage. The sensitivities of Egyptian national security requirements must be respected."

Israeli soldiers re-entered the Gaza Strip April 4 for the first time since November, killing at least one Palestinian fighter. Troops in tanks, bulldozers and jeeps moved onto farmland near the village of Beit Hanoun and clashed with Palestinians near the separation barrier. Islamic Jihad said soldiers shot and killed Ramez Awad al-Zaanin, as he was trying to plant an explosive device in the path of oncoming tanks. Israel said it ordered the incursion after three Palestinians were seen trying to plant an explosive charge near the fence. Defense Minister Amir Peretz authorized the army to carry out limited operations in the Gaza Strip, telling reporters that Israel will "not allow the continued strengthening and arming" of Palestinian groups. (AlJazeera, April 4)

The killing of five African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Darfur—the deadliest single attack against the force since late 2004—is being widely condemned and has led to calls in the United Nations for deployment of a hybrid UN-AU force to the war-torn region. The Italian news agency AKI reports the Senegalese soldiers with the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) were shot April 1 by "unidentified men" in an unprovoked attack in Um Baru, about 220 kilometers from the North Darfur provincial capital of El Fasher. On March 31, armed men also fired at an AMIS helicopter as it was carrying staff from Zalingei in West Darfur to El Fasher. The Angola Press reports April 5 that the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) took responsibility for the attacks through its Army Public Relations Division (DIRPA).