SOUTH ASIA: PAKISTAN                                                                                                                       News Briefs

News Briefs

26 militants killed as military launches operations against Taliban in Dir: At least 26 Taliban militants, including an important commander, and a trooper were killed after Security Forces (SFs) launched an operation in the Maidan area of Lower Dir in NWFP on April 26, 2009. "At least 26 bodies of Taliban were found from Lal Qila. The FC [Frontier Corps] has taken control of Lal Qila," said the SFs, after the Government decided to establish the writ of the state in areas bordering Swat. An Inter-Services Public Relations statement said, "On the request of the provincial government and the people of Dir, the Frontier Corps launched the operation early on Sunday against suspected Taliban positions in Islampura and Lal Qila in Lower Dir. An exchange of fire took place in Kala Dag and scores of Taliban were killed." It said that a soldier was also killed and four others were injured.

The NWFP Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain told Daily Times, "The situation was such that the security forces had no option but to launch an operation … the district police officer (DPO), the district nazim and other officials have already been killed and a number of troops and people kidnapped." The minister, however, said that the operation would not affect the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009, and SFs were still present in Malakand. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Dir chapter, said the military operation in Dir was unjustified and against the Swat peace deal. Talking to a private TV channel, Mullah Mansoor Dadullah, the TTP spokesman for Dir, said the Taliban would retaliate to the SFs with full force. In addition, the TNSM spokesman Izatt Khan said the operation by SFs in Lower Dir is a ‘violation’ of the Swat peace deal. Daily Times; The News, April 27, 2009.

86 persons killed in FATA during the week: Five members of a family, including three women, were killed and four children sustained injuries when an explosive device went off inside a vehicle in the Smalkhel area of Datakhel sub-division in the North Waziristan Agency on April 26, 2009.

46 militants were killed and 26 injured in the four-day military operation in the Orakzai Agency, tribal and official sources said on April 23. Sources said jet fighters and gunship helicopters targeted the militants’ hideouts in Balozai area of the Kalaya Tehsil (revenue division) on April 23 at 2:00 pm, killing five militants and a civilian. A number of hideouts and bunkers of the militants were destroyed on Shawazar mountain. Several Government and private installations were also damaged during the shelling by the jet fighters and gunship helicopters on April 22. The Inter-Services Public Relations media cell said the Security Forces (SFs) had killed 11 militants in the Orakzai Agency on April 23 after striking militants’ hideouts in the Chapri, Ferozkhel, Khwajakhizar and Bizoti areas. It further said that the SFs in operations on April 21 and 22 killed 27 militants in Ghiljo Tehsil.

Nine members of a family, including two women and seven children, were killed when a house in the Storikhel area of Khyber Agency was allegedly attacked by jet fighters and gunship helicopters on April 23. Sources said jet fighters and gunship helicopters, which were busy in the operations against militants in the neighbouring Orakzai Agency, fired two missiles at a house owned by Gul Zarin, Shah Zarin and Niaz Amin in Storikhel, killing two women and seven children.

Helicopter gunships and jets targeted Taliban positions in the Orakzai Agency on April 20 killing 11 militants and injuring five others. The military operation against militants has reportedly been expanded to the Mamozai, Maidan, Jabba, Samma and Buda Khel areas. Security Forces SFs launched operations on April 19 after the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the April 18 suicide attack in Doaba in which at least 23 soldiers and five civilians were killed. Earlier, two women were killed on April 19-night as militants blew up a house in Kalaya, headquarters of the Orakzai Agency, to punish a girl and a boy in an honour-related case. The Taliban militants had reportedly planted explosives in the house of the alleged paramour of the girl where she was also living. The boy had fled the area leaving behind the girl with his parents after the Taliban got involved in the case.

The Taliban on April 20 attacked bases of SFs hours after a drone attack targeted suspected Taliban hideouts in South Waziristan. Three persons, including a woman and a child, were also killed in crossfire between the Taliban and SFs, said locals. According to foreign news agencies, the Taliban attacked at least four security check-posts. The SFs also reportedly shelled and launched air strikes against Taliban positions in Wana, killing eight suspected Taliban militants, said officials. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, April 27, 2009.

16 militants killed in military operations in Orakzai Agency: Fighter planes and gunship helicopters on April 19, 2009 targeted suspected hideouts of militants in different areas of the Orakzai Agency, killing 16 militants, while 10 others, including a soldier and two teachers, sustained injuries. Sources told The News that the militants had occupied a rest house, a women’s community centre, the Government Primary School in Ghiljo sub-division and the Government High School in Dabori area. The militants had been using these places as their bases, which came under severe air attack by the Pakistan Air Force fighter planes and gunship helicopters. Suspected hideouts of militants in the Khadizai and Mamuzai areas of Ghiljo were also heavily bombed. The News, April 20, 2009.

27 Security Force personnel killed and 55 injured in suicide attack in NWFP: 27 Security Force (SF) personnel were killed and 55 others injured in a suicide attack on a security check post in the Doaba area of Hangu District on April 18, 2009. Locals told Daily Times that the attack on the checkpoint, about 45 kilometres southwest of Hangu, took place at around 4:15pm (PST) when SF personnel were visiting the area for the inspection. Two Police vehicles were passing by the check post when the suicide bomber driving a double-cabin pickup rammed the vehicle into the structure, they said. The explosion destroyed the check post, adjacent building housing troops and Police, and eight SF’s vehicles. Daily Times, April 19, 2009.

1,395 persons killed in 1842 terrorist attacks from January 2008 to March 2009: The National Assembly was informed on April 17, 2009 that there were 1,842 terrorist attacks from January 2008 to March 2009 that killed at least 1,395 people. Replying to two identical questions by Members of National Assembly Marvi Memon and Nighat Parveen, the Interior Ministry told the Lower House that Balochistan was the worst-hit by terrorism – with a total of 1,122 terrorist attacks that killed 436 people, followed by NWFP with 692 attacks that killed 732 people, Punjab with 12 attacks that killed 119 people, Sindh with nine attacks that killed 21 people and Islamabad with seven attacks that killed 87 people. Replying to a supplementary question, Parliamentary Interior Secretary Captain (retired) Rai Mujtaba Kharral said no inquiry report had been submitted to Parliament, but promised that the Government would soon table inquiry reports on all incidents. Daily Times, April 18, 2009.

18 persons killed as suicide bomber targets Police post in NWFP: At least 18 persons, including nine Policemen, were killed and five others injured when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Harichand Police Post in Charsadda District on April 15, 2009. The NWFP Inspector General of Police, Malik Naveed, said Police wanted to stop the suicide bomber’s speeding car and fired at it, but it had reached close to them by the time the explosives went off. The blast also left a crater about three metres wide, damaged windows in nearby buildings and severed power cables, plunging the area into darkness. Naveed said Police had intelligence reports of a possible suicide attack, adding that security had thereafter been heightened. "We had intelligence reports that a car bombing could take place in any of three districts of the province," he said. District Police Officer Riaz Khan said the attack might be in retaliation to the killing of a suicide bomber by the Charsadda Police a few days ago. The suicide attacker was shot dead by Station House Officer Jehangir Khan, when the bomber was on his way to blew himself up at a public gathering being addressed by the provincial president of the Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao faction) Sikander Sherpao in Charsadda. Daily Times; The News, April 16, 2009.

President signs Nizam-e-Adl Regulation: President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009 for Swat on April 13, 2009, after the National Assembly passed a resolution in favour of the draft regulation. "Yes, the president has signed the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation before leaving for Dubai on a two-day visit," said presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar. Earlier on April 13, the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution recommending the President sign the regulation to be imposed in the Malakand Division in accordance with a peace agreement between the NWFP Government and the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM). The Muttahida Qaumi Movement had expressed its reservations over the resolution but abstained from voting to allow it to be passed unanimously. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told the National Assembly that the issue had been brought before the House to build a broad national consensus and establish the supremacy of Parliament. Daily Times, April 14, 2009.

Taliban announces enforcement of Sharia in Bajaur Agency: The Taliban on April 10, 2009 announced the enforcement of Sharia (Islamic law) in the Bajaur Agency and stopped women from going outside without male relatives, banned shaving of beard and warned the people against availing assistance from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The announcement was made by Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, Taliban chief in the agency, in his 40-minute speech delivered through his group’s illegal FM radio channel. He said he and his men would spare no efforts to strictly implement the Islamic laws in the region.

In this regard, the Taliban has reportedly prepared a special armed force named "Action Group" to ensure the enforcement of Sharia and punish the violators. Faqir said shaving of beards and walking of men without having cap on their heads were practices of the Jews and their followers, which, he warned, the Taliban would not allow in Bajaur. Faqir said he would not allow the BISP to operate and "mislead" simple women of the tribal region. He said work on preparation of lists of people supporting the BISP and other NGOs had already been initiated. Faqir threatened that the Action Group would soon produce such people before their Sharia Court. In addition, he strictly warned women against coming out of their homes and acquiring Computerised National Identity Cards, which is reportedly mandatory for getting monetary benefits from the BISP. The militant commander said if the people were found guilty of supporting the BISP or getting its monetary benefits, the violators would be punished according to Sharia in which minimum fine would not be less than PKR 10,000. The News, April 11, 2009.

16 Taliban militants among 21 persons killed in clash in NWFP: 21 people, including 16 Taliban militants, were killed in an overnight clash when local volunteers and Police personnel tried to enter the Gokand Valley to flush out militants who had infiltrated into Buner area on April 4, 2009 from the neighbouring Swat District. Three policemen and two Lashkar (militia) volunteers were among the dead. When the combined force attempted to enter the area via Rajagaly Kandow from the Pir Baba side and dislodge the militants, Taliban militants took position and reportedly refused to go back. Sources said that the militants had sent 16 bodies and taken 13 of their wounded colleagues to Swat via Kalil Kandow on April 7-morning. Dawn, April 8, 2009.

Taliban warn of suicide attacks twice a week: The Taliban on April 5, 2009 vowed that they would carry out two suicide attacks per week in Pakistan. Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud’s deputy Hakimullah told Associated Press that the Taliban had carried out the April 4 suicide attack against a paramilitary camp in Islamabad and vowed more assaults unless the US shelved drone attacks in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He also said Pakistani troops should withdraw from parts of the northwest. "The Islamabad attack was in retaliation for a drone attack in Orakzai," Hakimullah told AFP.

Meanwhile, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on the Interior, Rehman Malik, has said that those involved in the suicide bombings are Pakistanis and that they are playing with the lives of innocent people for the sake of a few pennies. Talking to the media after the suicide attack at Chakwal on April 5, he said that "the price of a suicide bomber is from Rs 0.5 million to Rs 1.5 million while the family of the bomber gets Rs 0.5 million". The News; Daily Times, April 6, 2009.

24 persons killed in suicide bombing at Shia place of worship in Chakwal: A suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of an Imambargah (Shia place of worship) at Chakwal in Punjab province on April 5, killing 24 people, including three children, and injuring 140 others, at a religious gathering, The News reported. The target was a gathering of about 800 people, who were attending a Majlis-e-Aza (a gathering to mourn Imam Hussain) at an Imambargah in Muhallah Sarpak. The Majlis ended at 12:15 pm and the people were preparing to leave the Imambargah when a 15-year old boy, who looked to be an Afghan, stormed into the crowd and blew himself up, after private security guards tried to stop him. The Inspector General of Police Shaukat Javed confirmed that the suicide attacker was a single person and said the incident was in continuity with the recent wave of terrorist attacks. He also said the suicide bomber appeared to be a 15-year-old boy whose legs and head, with damage to the face, had been found at the blast site. Daily Times, April 6, 2009.

Eight persons killed in Miranshah suicide bombing: Seven civilians, including two schoolchildren, and a soldier were killed when a suicide attacker blew up his explosives-laden vehicle after being intercepted near a security check post and an approaching military convoy at Miranshah in the North Waziristan Agency of FATA on April 4, 2009. "Five private cars were also damaged in the suicide attack. Security forces opened fire in all directions, pre-empting a possible follow-up attack by the insurgents," said a doctor at the nearby state-run hospital. 12 schoolchildren and six soldiers were among 39 persons injured in the suicide attack. Daily Times, April 5, 2009.

Eight Frontier Constabulary personnel killed in suicide attack in Islamabad: Eight Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel were killed and seven others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at an FC check post on the Margala Road in national capital Islamabad on April 4, 2009. The blast, which took place at 7:35 pm, was followed by an exchange of fire between FC personnel and unidentified accomplices of the suicide attacker. The crossfire continued for around 20 minutes, said an eyewitness. However, Police denied any exchange of fire, saying security officials had been firing in the air to scare away other attackers. Daily Times, April 5, 2009.

Baitullah Mehsud threatens attack on White House: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief, Baitullah Mehsud, on March 31, 2009, claimed responsibility for a series of recent terrorist attacks, including the March 30 assault on a Police Training Centre in Lahore. He also threatened to show his power to the world when his people would attack the US capital as a reaction to frequent drone attacks in the tribal areas and the reward on his head. "By the grace of Allah Almighty, I am claiming responsibility for the attack on the Police training school in Lahore with eagerness, honour and love and will continue similar strikes across the country, if the US drones were not stopped from killing innocent people in the tribal areas," Baitullah Mehsud said in his telephonic conversation with reporters. Baitullah also claimed responsibility for two other suicide attacks, including one on a military convoy near Bannu in the NWFP on March 30 and another on the Police intelligence office in Islamabad on March 23. Baitullah said his men were out to target Government installations against its failure to protect tribesmen against non-stop drone attacks. About the recent reward of $5 million on his head by the US State Department, he said that he would love to be martyred, but threatened that his men would soon attack Americans in their own country, not in Afghanistan. He said his men would soon teach a lesson to the Americans in Washington and the White House. An Associated Press report added that Baitullah said his group was planning a terrorist attack on the White House that would "amaze" the world. "Soon we will launch an attack in Washington that will amaze everyone in the world," said Mehsud. The News, April 1, 2009.

Eight Police recruits and a civilian killed in attack on Police Training Centre near Lahore: Eight Police recruits and a civilian were killed when a group of 10 terrorists attacked the Police Training Centre in Manawan near Lahore with guns and grenades on March 30, 2009. Security Forces regained control of the facility in an operation that lasted for more than eight hours. About 93 cadets and civilians were injured. One of the attackers was arrested, another was able to flee after being hit by a bullet and three blew themselves up to avoid arrest, Punjab Police Inspector General Khawaja Khalid Farooq said. He believed the other attackers might have fled unhurt in the densely populated neighbourhood. There were about 1,000 Police personnel in the facility at the time of the attack. Later in the day, a Taliban operative who identified himself as Omar Farooq told The Associated Press by telephone that a little-known group called Fedayeen al-Islam was behind the attack and that he was speaking on their behalf. "As long as the Pakistani troops do not leave Tribal Areas, these attacks will continue," he said. Interior Adviser Rehman Malik told journalists that the terrorist attack was planned in South Waziristan. Addressing a Press Conference, he said the arrested attacker belonged to the Paktika province of Afghanistan and preliminary interrogation revealed he is linked to Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud. Daily Times, March 31, 2009.

Seven persons killed in suicide bombing in NWFP: Seven persons, including five Army soldiers, were killed and nine others sustained injuries when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a military convoy near a filling station on the Bannu-Miranshah Road on March 30, 2009. The dead also included an Assistant Engineer of Radio Pakistan’s Razmak station, Basharat Afridi, and a woman travelling in a passenger coach. However, military spokesman and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Athar Abbas said the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device planted in a roadside car. The News, March 31, 2009.

[South Asia Intelligent Review]