SOUTH ASIA: PAKISTAN                                                                                                     News Briefs

News Briefs

101 militants and 18 civilians among 124 persons killed during the week in FATA: Fighter jets bombed Taliban hideouts in the Swoi and Damadola areas of Mamoond tehsil (revenue unit) in the Bajaur Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas on January 31, killing nine Taliban militants.

A suicide bomber killed 16 persons, including 14 civilians and two Police officers, and wounded 20 others at a police check point in the Bajaur Agency on January 30. The attacker, on foot, struck a market area in the region’s main town, Khar. In addition, suspected US missiles killed nine alleged militants in the Mohammad Khel area of North Waziristan Agency.

SFs killed 24 Taliban militants in air strikes and clashes in Bajaur Agency on January 29. In one incident, the fighting erupted when militants attacked a check post manned by the Frontier Corps and members of an anti-Taliban militia in the Chinar town. Troops retaliated and killed 14 militants. A paramilitary soldier was also killed and three others were wounded in the clash. Also, fighter jets bombarded a Taliban hideout in the town of Sewai in the Mamoond tehsil killing 10 terrorists and injuring 15 others. Further, five suspected militants were killed and four others sustained injuries in a drone attack in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency.

SFs killed nine militants and injured five others in a clash in the Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur Agency on January 28. Three SFs were injured in the clash. Separately, four Taliban militants were killed in Operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Salvation) in South Waziristan Agency.

12 Taliban militants were killed and three others injured in clashes between Salarzai laskhar (militia) and militants in the Chinnar village of Bajaur Agency on January 27. One trooper was also killed in the attack.

Three militants were killed and several others sustained injuries when gunship helicopters fired at suspected hideouts of insurgents in Mamond and Salarzai tehsils in Bajaur Agency on January 26.

SFs killed 15 militants in a gunfight in Kurram Agency in FATA on January 25. Also, air strikes by the jet fighters killed 10 terrorists and destroyed several in the Khar area of Kurram Agency. The Hindu; Dawn; Daily Times; The News, January 25-31, 2010.

2072 persons killed in 1,780 incidents of terrorism across the country since April 2009, says Interior Minister Rehman Malik: As many as 2,072 persons have been killed in 1,780 incidents of terrorism across the country since April 2009, the National Assembly (NA) in Islamabad was informed on January 25. Speaking during the question hour in the NA, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the people killed included 565 individuals from various law enforcement agencies. He added that 6,253 persons had been injured in these attacks, including 1,590 Security Force personnel. Times of India, January 27, 2010.

Investigators admit LeT ‘operations commander’ Lakhvi’s role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks: Pakistani investigators on January 27 said that there is "sufficient incriminating evidence against" the seven arrested terrorists for their involvement in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai (India) terrorist attacks (also known as 26/11). The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) report presented to an anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of seven accused, including the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) ‘operations commander’ Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, states that there is "sufficient incriminating evidence on record against those arrested for orchestrating the Mumbai attacks." It also corroborated the statement made by Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone LeT terrorist arrested by the Mumbai Police during the attacks in Mumbai.

The report aired by Dawn News said there is enough evidence to prosecute all the seven accused, who are in custody. Among them is Hammad Amin Sadiq, who gave out funds and safe houses for the terrorists. Lakhvi has been named as the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack. Abu-al-Qama has been identified as the terrorists’ handler, who trained Kasab and the nine others who attacked Mumbai. Zarar Shah has been named as the Lashkar's facilitator and is also an expert in computer networks. Report identifies Shahid Jamil Riaz as a crew member of one of the boats used by Kasab and gang to travel from Karachi to Indian waters. Jami Ahamd has been identified as the man who partially financed the Mumbai terror plot and Muhammad Younas Anjum has been named as the chief financer of the terrorist strikes. The 61-page report, which was compiled by a team of experts led by FIA officials, was presented to the anti-terror court in Rawalpindi in July 2009.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani denied Indian accusations that his Government was dragging its feet on booking the prime accused of the 26/11 attacks, saying the alleged chief architect Jama’at-ud-Da’awa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed was very much on trial and the court had to decide when to order his arrest. But Gilani also reiterated that India was not giving it enough information to act against Saeed. Times of India, January 29, 2010.

85 militants and 13 civilians among 105 persons killed during the week in FATA: Terrorists killed seven persons across the North Waziristan Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on January 24, on suspicion of spying for the US. Five bodies were found in Kum Sarobi, one in Norak and another in Haihur. Notes attached to the bodies read "anyone spying for the US will meet the same fate".

14 Taliban militants and three Security Force (SF) personnel were killed while 12 Taliban militants were injured in clashes in Orakzai Agency on January 23. Local sources said three SFs and nine Taliban militants were killed when Taliban attacked the SFs in the Chapri Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency. 12 Taliban militants were also injured in the clash. The sources also said that five Taliban militants were killed and 20 were arrested after a clash with the SFs in Khoedakhel area of Upper Orakzai Agency.

Troops attacked the stronghold of local and foreign Taliban militants, killing 15 and arresting 25, in the Machis camp near Miranshah in North Wazristan on January 22.

At least nine terrorists were killed in clashes between the SFs and terrorists in Mohmand Agency on January 21. The SFs engaged terrorists at several hideouts with helicopter gunships in Matta and Bahadar Killi in Suran Valley, and the Mathai Chaqorai Markaz, Methai Markaz, Jarobai Dara, Gulmain, Shamshah and Shandara areas of the Agency. A terrorist was killed while planting an improvised explosive device (IED) on the Narai-Zara Road.

Five Taliban militants, including Ghulam alias Adil, a key ‘commander’, were killed and two others injured in a raid conducted by members of the peace committee at Khewzai area of Mohmand Agency on January 20.

Six Taliban militants were killed when a US drone fired two missiles at a compound in Degan village of North Waziristan's Dattakhel tehsil (revenue unit) on January 19.

Also, during a search operation, SFs exchanged fire with Taliban militants near Kunar Sar area in Admi Kot area of South Waziristan. 10 Taliban militants were killed and five others arrested during the operation. In Jandola Sector, two soldiers were killed in a bomb blast near Janata, where the SFs defused three roadside bombs.

Separately, five Taliban militants, including ‘local commander’ Hamad, were killed when militants opened fire at members of a peace committee in Baizai tehsil in the Mohmand Agency. Two committee members were also killed and two others injured in the clash.

SFs killed 10 Taliban militants and arrested five in a clash in North Waziristan on January 18. The clash occurred when the militants opened fire on a checkpoint in the border town of Lwara Mandi, a bastion of Taliban and al Qaeda fighters. Troops retaliated and killed 10 militants. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, January 19-25, 2010.

Seven militants and four civilians among 12 persons killed during the week in NWFP: At least four persons, including a Security Force (SF) trooper, were killed in a suicide car bombing near a Police Station at Gomal, about 25 kilometres south of Tank District in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), on January 23. "The bomber struck outside the Police Station, killing one Policeman and three passers-by, including two children," District Police Chief Ejaz Abid said. He said 11 persons, including five Policemen, three passers-by and three prisoners in the Police lock-up, were also injured.

Meanwhile, the bodies of two tribal elders, who were shot dead by unidentified militants, were found dumped under a bridge on Tank-Wana Road near Pattar village on January 22.

Five militants, including a 'commander', were killed in a clash with Security Forces (SFs) in Madyan area of Swat District on January 21.

Eight terrorists shot dead two Awami National Party (ANP) activists in Pir Baba area of Buner District on January 19. They were abducted from Beshonai village and were subsequently taken to the Ellam Mountain, where the terrorists opened fire on them, killing them on the spot. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, January 19-25, 2010.

62 militants and 7 civilians among 71 persons killed during the week in FATA: A United States (US) drone strike on January 17 killed at least 20 Taliban militants, including foreign militants, at Shaktoee in the South Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Separately, two anti-Taliban elders were killed by the militants in the Bajaur Agency. Further, the Security Forces (SFs) killed three Taliban militants in the South Waziristan Agency.

Five militants were killed in clashes with the Security Forces (SFs) in the Khyber Agency on January 16.

Two US drone strikes killed at least 11 Taliban militants in the North Waziristan Agency on January 15. Also, a tribal malik (leader) and head of the Kukikhel Qaumi Jirga (council), Ibrahim Kukikhel, was shot dead while his wife and a son were injured in the Wazirdand area of Jamrud tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber Agency.

A US drone targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakeemullah Mehsud in South Waziristan Agency on January 14 and killed 10 militants. Reports indicated that Asmatullah Muaviya, one of the main ‘commanders’ of the TTP’s Punjab chapter, was among the 10 persons killed the attack. Qari Hussain, who had a 50 million head money and believed to be a "master trainer" of suicide bombers, and Muhammad Mehsud were also among the killed. "What is confirmed is that Hakeemullah was targeted ... but the strike took place in a remote area where communication lines are very poor ... we don’t have confirmation yet if he is dead," the official sources said. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Chief Major General Athar Abbas said the military was investigating reports of Hakeemullah’s death, adding, "So far, we do not have confirmation of him either getting killed or getting injured. It will take a little more time." The TTP spokesman Azam Tariq, however, said, "Hakeemullah Mehsud was present at the same place in Shaktoee where the drone struck ... but he had left the area already when the drone attack took place. He is alive and completely safe."

Also, the chief of the pro-Government Khwazai Peace Committee, Muhammad Akbar, and one of its member, Gulistan, were killed and seven others persons sustained serious injuries in a roadside blast at Dorbakhel area of Halimzai sub-division in the Mohmand Agency.

Four Taliban militants and a soldier were killed in a gun battle when dozens of Taliban militants attacked a check post in the Mohmand Agency on January 12.

Eight Taliban militants and one trooper were killed during a clash between Taliban militants and SFs in the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Salvation) in South Waziristan Agency on January 11. Meanwhile, the Taliban militants fired on a check post at Pash Zairat in Razmak sector of South Waziristan Agency, killing a trooper and injuring three others. Separately, a Jordanian Taliban ‘commander’, who moved to Afghanistan in 1999 and stayed on to fight US-led forces, was killed in a US drone attack in Waziristan, extremist websites monitored by US-based Search for International Terrorist Entities (SITE) intelligence said.

Meanwhile, a US drone strike killed one of Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) most-wanted terrorists, a Palestinian suspected in a 1986 plane hijacking with a USD five million bounty on his head, said three Pakistani intelligence officials. The intelligence officials said a January 9 missile strike in North Waziristan Agency killed Jamal Saeed Abdul Rahim. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, January 12-18, 2010.

12 militants and two civilians killed during the week in NWFP: The bullet-riddled dead bodies of seven Taliban militants were recovered from different areas of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) on January 15. "The dead bodies of five militants were dumped in two different areas of Darra Adam Khel," said Major Fazalur Rehman. Meanwhile, two dead bodies, including that of Taliban ‘commander’ of Khawazakhela area Mohammad Rehman, were recovered from Khawazakhela in Swat, official sources said. In addition, an anti-Taliban leader was killed at an unspecified location.

At least three Taliban militants were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) during the ongoing Operation Rah-e-Rast (Path to Truth) in the Swat District on January 13. Separately, a teenager, Muhammad Shoaib, was killed and six other boys were injured when an explosive device exploded at a playground in the Civil Lines area of Tank, the headquarter of Tank District. Meanwhile, a headless dead body of a man was recovered by the Police in the Peepal Kalay area of Hangu District. The militants had attached explosives to the dead body which exploded as soon as the Police team went near the body. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, January 12-18, 2010.

‘Swat Taliban have fled to Karachi, South Waziristan’, says Operation Commander Major General Ashfaq Nadeem: A large number of Taliban militants in the Swat area of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) have fled to Karachi and South Waziristan Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to escape Operation Sherdil (Lion Heart) launched by the Army in the Malakand Division. "I think these militants have fled to Karachi and Waziristan," Operation Commander Major General Ashfaq Nadeem told Daily Times in an interview. Nadeem said intelligence agencies were on the hunt for these suspected militants in Karachi and some of them had already been arrested. "It is because Karachi is a big city and it is not easy to find someone so easily. Secondly, you can find shelter among fellow Pashtuns who number in tens of thousands," said a man in Matta tehsil (revenue unit), whose militant relative was traced in Karachi. Security officials in Peshawar said the Swat Taliban, loyal to Fazlullah, were being hunted in Karachi where they might set up a command and control structure to gain a foothold in the country’s financial hub. "Some signs of the Swat Taliban have already been seen in Karachi and the security personnel are working on these leads to arrest them," intelligence officials added. Daily Times, January 9, 2010.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani announces relief package for NWFP and FATA: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on January 7 unveiled a relief package for militancy-affected areas of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), announcing tax concessions, rebates in duties and relief in utility bills – in addition to allocating an additional one per cent share to the Province from the Federal Divisible. Under the relief package, the Province would be divided into three categories: ‘the worst affected’, ‘affected’ and ‘least affected’ areas. Bajaur Agency, Mohmand Agency, Khyber Agency, Orakzai Agency, Kurram Agency, South Waziristan and North Waziristan from FATA; Malakand, Swat, Buner, Shangla, and Upper and Lower Dir from FATA; and Hangu, Bannu, Tank, Kohat and Chitral, from settled areas, have been categorised as the worst affected areas. The Federal Government announced an exemption from withholding income tax for areas falling in ‘the worst affected’ and ‘affected’ categories until June 30, 2011. Also, areas in the first category have been given total exemption from Sales Tax and Federal Excise Duty on commodities manufactured in these areas between January 1 and June 30. Areas falling under category two would be given a 50 percent concession in these taxes. Gilani announced that no penalty or surcharge would be payable by registered taxpayers from areas in the first and second category if they paid the principal amount of outstanding customs duties, sales tax, federal excise duty and income tax by June 30. Daily Times, January 8, 2010.

80 per cent of Mohmand Agency cleared, say Army sources: Security Forces (SFs) on January 5 said they flushed out most of the militants from the Mohmand tribal region of Mohmand Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). "Mohmand is a big agency and up till now 80 per cent of the area has been cleared," commander of the Mohmand Operation, Colonel Saifullah, said. Around 350 militants were killed while 300 others were severely injured, he added. Regarding the SFs causalities, he said around 65 soldiers had been martyred in 2008 and 2009. He said resistance was still being faced in the Safi tehsil (revenue unit) and Khwazai tehsil but now the SFs were shifting towards the next phase that entailed bringing stability to the area. Colonel Saifullah did not give any tentative date for wrapping up the operation, but said the Army wants to wind it up as soon as possible. Due to normalisation of the situation, schools and some bazaars had opened in the cleared areas and Government offices also started their operations. He also said that operations near the Afghanistan border were necessary as militants take refuge in the region. He, however, denied reports of NATO penetrating Mohmand and other tribal areas, and said Pakistan’s borders were being tightly guarded. Dawn, January 6, 2009.

49 militants and 17 civilians among 69 persons killed during the week in FATA: A US drone strike on January 9 killed at least four terrorists in the North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), security and intelligence officials said.

Eight persons were killed and 11 others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of the headquarters of the militant outfit Ansar-ul-Islam (AI) in the Tirah area of Khyber Agency on January 8. Sources said that a meeting of the AI Shura (central committee) was in progress when the suicide bomber struck. An AI spokesman said the suicide bomber blew himself up when he was stopped from entering the gate. He said the attacker’s target was the AI Shura, but he failed, as he was not allowed to enter. He said AI ‘chief’ Qazi Mehboobul Haq was also at the madrassa (seminary) when the attack occurred. He said the head of the bomber was recovered by the volunteers, and he was identified as a member of the Qambarkhel tribe who lived in Bara. He said the bomber was a member of a rival militant outfit, Lashkar-e-Islam (LI).

Six militants were killed and three others injured in air strikes on suspected militant hideouts in upper Orakzai Agency. In addition, four Taliban militants were killed and two injured when drones fired two missiles, one at a car and the other at a house, in Palali village in the Tappi area of North Waziristan Agency.

At least 10 Taliban militants were killed and several were injured as helicopter gunships bombed militant’s hideouts in the Mamonzai, Ghaljo and Dabori areas of Orakzai Agency on January 7.

13 persons were killed when three US drones targeted a house in Sumzalai, 50 kilometres west of Miranshah, in the Dattakhel tehsil (revenue unit) of North Waziristan Agency on January 6. Two of the three missiles fired hit the house in Sumzalai at around 4 pm (PST), killing seven persons, while the third missile struck the same house at around 4:50 pm, killing six people. Separately, five militants were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in, exploded in the Darr village of Kurram Agency in the night of January 6.

The Security Forces (SFs) killed three Taliban militants in the continuing operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Salvation) when they tried to attack SFs at the Pungai checkpost in the South Waziristan Agency on January 5.

The SFs neutralised two militant hideouts on January 4, killing seven Taliban militants and arresting two others in Operation Sherdil (Lion Heart) in the Bajaur Agency. Sources said that the SFs targeted Taliban hideouts in the Jani Shah area of Mamoond tehsil (administrative division), killing four militants. Another three terrorists were killed in Laywai area, as the bomb they were manufacturing exploded in their hands. The SFs also arrested two militants in the Khar and Laghrai areas. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, January 5-11, 2010.

15 militants and one SF among 16 persons killed during the week in NWFP: Four Taliban militants were killed and an equal number of them were arrested by the Security Forces (SFs) in different parts of Swat and Malakand in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) during Operation Rah-e-Rast (Path to Truth) on January 7. An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Press Release stated that SFs conducted search operations in Pul Bela near Bahrain, Kuz Bama Khela, Mera Mai, Muz Durshkhela, Langar, Mashkomai and Chiakolai, and killed four militants in the gun battle. The SFs also conducted search operations at Panr, Allahabad, Titawali, Dakorak, and Chbaghand Fazagat.

The SFs killed seven militants in separate encounters in the Kabal area of Swat District on January 6. The sources said SFs claimed to have killed three militants in an exchange of fire in the Kokaray area.

The SFs killed three Taliban militants in the continuing Operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Salvation) at Mora Kandao in the Swat District on January 5. The ISPR said that one trooper was also injured in the clash. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, January 5-11, 2010.

650 militants killed during operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan Agency, says ISPR Director-General Major-General Athar Abbas: The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major-General Athar Abbas said Security Forces (SFs) had killed some 650 militants in the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Salvation) in South Waziristan Agency of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) in October-December 2009. Major-General Abbas said militants had been flushed out of South Waziristan, while their hideouts had also been neutralised. The SFs have defeated militants in Malakand and South Waziristan due to professional strategy and public support. The militants are on the run. He rebuffed reports about the presence of Quetta Shura, terming it baseless. He said insurgency had started again in Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies after allied forces removed their security posts along the border areas in Afghanistan. The military spokesman said the remaining few terrorists were carrying out terrorist activities in the country. "We will overcome them soon," said Abbas. To a question, he said Pakistan had not accepted any foreign pressure or help for the launch of military offensive in Malakand and South Waziristan. The News, January 1, 2010.

10 journalists killed in line of duty in Pakistan during 2009, says report: At least 10 journalists were killed in 163 cases of direct attacks on journalists in the line of duty. Of these 10 journalists, four were killed in Punjab, three in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and one each in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Balochistan and Islamabad, according to the annual research on the state of media in Pakistan, released on December 30 by Intermedia, a Pakistani media development organisation that focuses on media research, advocacy and training. The total of 163 cases included murders, assaults, abductions, explicit threats, censorship cases and attacks on media properties and establishments. Punjab bore the brunt of these attacks with 54 cases and the NWFP a close second, with 52, while Islamabad was the third biggest victim of attacks on media with 28 cases. Sindh recorded 12 attacks, six attacks each were recorded in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and FATA, and three in Balochistan.

Ten journalists were kidnapped in 2009, four in NWFP, two in Islamabad and one each in Balochistan, FATA, Punjab and Sindh. The report also documented at least 24 cases of assaults on working journalists across the country, in which 70 journalists were injured — 36 in Punjab, 12 in Islamabad, 10 in the NWFP, seven in Sindh and five in PoK. At least 28 journalists received threats in person or over the phone. Of these, nine journalists were in Islamabad, eight in the NWFP, seven in Sindh, and one in FATA. The Intermedia report also documented at least 35 cases of official gag orders, censorship or restrictions on publication or broadcast in 2009. Of these, the highest number of cases, 23, was in the NWFP, four in Punjab, three in Islamabad and one each in Sindh, Balochistan, FATA and PoK.

Ten cases of physical and armed attacks were reported on media property and establishments, exemplified by the suicide attack on the Peshawar Press Club on December 22, 2009. Of these attacks, four were in the NWFP, two each in Fata and Punjab and one each in Islamabad and PoK. "At least 45 journalists have been killed in Pakistan in the last five years, several by suspected militants, but this is the first time that suicide squads of terrorists have targeted media persons as a specific, overt target, indicating a dramatic increase in the level of threats facing the media in the country," Adnan Rehmat, executive director of Intermedia, said. Dawn, December 31, 2009.

43 persons killed in suicide attack in Karachi: A suicide bomber on December 28 targeted Pakistan's largest procession of Shiite Muslims on their holiest day of Ashura, killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 63 persons. The death toll increased to 43 as 13 injured persons succumbed to their injuries on December 29. The incidents occurred on the M.A. Jinnah Road near the Light House area of Karachi. The blast sparked riots in Karachi, where angry mourners went on the rampage, throwing stones at ambulances, setting ablaze cars and shops and firing bullets into the air. Interior Minister Rehman Malik blamed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) for the suicide attack. It was the third attack on Muharram commemorations in Pakistan in 2009. Dawn, December 29-30, 2009.

84 militants and 31 civilians among 122 persons killed during the week in FATA: The Security Forces (SFs) killed seven Taliban militants in the South Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on January 3. In addition, missiles fired by a suspected US drone killed five militants in the Mosakki village, about 25 kilometres east of Miranshah, in the North Waziristan Agency. SFs also killed three militants during an encounter carried out in the Shuza Algad area near Sararogha.

Eight Taliban militants were killed when fighter jets destroyed four of their hideouts in the Orakzai Agency on January 2. In addition, four Taliban militants were killed in the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Salvation) in South Waziristan Agency. Three volunteers of a local lashkar (tribal militia) were also killed in a clash with militants in the Sturikhel area of the Orakzai Agency.

Six persons, including an anti-Taliban tribal elder, were killed when a remote-controlled bomb exploded in the Mandal area of Salarzai tehsil (revenue unit) in the Bajaur Agency on January 1. Also, five Taliban militants were killed and another seven injured in different parts of Orakzai Agency. Three US drones fired two missiles at a car in North Waziristan Agency, killing three Taliban militants and injuring another three persons.

The SFs killed four foreign Taliban militants and a woman during a raid on a private hospital in Wana, the capital of South Waziristan Agency, in the morning of December 31. The three dead terrorists appeared to be Arabs and one of Sudanese origin. Also, a US drone strike killed at least four persons in North Waziristan.

12 Taliban militants were killed in a clash between SFs and militants in the Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies on December 30. 10 Taliban militants, including ‘commander’ Shahabuddin, were killed and 18 injured in clashes between SFs and Taliban militants in Chamar Kand of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency. Two Taliban militants were killed and another injured during an encounter between SFs and Taliban militants at Mamoond tehsil in Bajaur Agency. In addition, a would-be suicide bomber and his three accomplices were killed before reaching the intended target after their explosive-laden vehicle exploded due to mishandling of the explosive material in Orakzai Agency.

Five civilians, including four children and a woman, and two SF personnel were killed in an exchange of fire and shelling in Mohmand Agency on December 29.

At least 15 militants were killed in South Waziristan Agency on December 28. The militants raided Boya Narai Post. The SFs retaliated and as a result 15 militants were killed, including militant ‘commander’ Zainual. Two Security personnel, Lance Havaldar Sikandar and Havaldar Aftab, were killed while three others were injured during the gun battle. Meanwhile, the clash, which was started, between Taliban and a tribal militia in Orakzai Agency on December 27, killed 15 persons on December 28. The clashes broke out when Taliban fighters attacked homes and trenches dug by the anti-Taliban militia in the Sturikhel area of Orakzai Agency. Also, two SF personnel were killed when suspected militants attacked a check post in Chamarkand with rockets in the night of December 28. Five SF personnel were also injured. Troops retaliated quickly and killed one militant and injured several others. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, December 28, 2009-Janury 3, 2010.

90 civilians and 14 militants among 108 persons killed during the week in NWFP: A roadside bomb on January 3 killed at least four people in Hangu District, including former North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Irrigation Minister Ghaniur Rehman. The explosion took place in Bagto village, about 10 kilometres from Hangu.

At least five Taliban militants were killed in an encounter with the Security Forces (SFs) in Kullachi tehsil (revenue unit) of Dera Ismail Khan District on January 2.

At least 90 persons were killed and more than 60 were injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden pickup truck in the middle of a volleyball game in the Shah Hasan Khel village of Lakki Marwat District in the Bannu Division on January 1. Local Police chief Ayub Khan told Reuters, the bomber blew himself up in an SUV in the middle of the field and there was believed to be a second vehicle, which fled the scene. Khan said the bomber drove a vehicle loaded with around 250 kilograms of high-intensity explosives into the field, which lies in a congested neighbourhood. Some nearby houses collapsed and "we fear that some 10 or so people might have been trapped in the rubble", he added. Another Police official said that some 300 people were on the field when the incident took place. A large number of them are said to have been elderly residents and children. Meanwhile, the NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the death toll might rise further, adding, "The locality has been a hub of militants. Locals set up a Lashkar (tribal militia) and expelled the militants from this area. This attack seems to be a reaction to their expulsion."

The SFs killed four Taliban militants during a search-and-clearance operation in the Bangai Banda near Barikot of Swat on December 31. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, December 28, 2009-Janury 3, 2010.

[South Asia Intelligent Review]