South Asian Outlook : An Independent e-Monthly | South Asia: Pakistan

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Darkness over Orakzai

Tushar Ranjan Mohanty
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management

At midnight on March 23, 2010, the Pakistani Security Forces (SFs), including the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC), backed by jets, helicopter gunships and artillery, started Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham (I will see you) also known as Operation Orakzai in the Orakzai Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Media reports indicate that the top leadership and commanders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) moved into the Orakzai area in 2009, after Operation Rah-e-Nijat (path to salvation) flushed out the Hakeemullah Mehsud-led TTP from their strongholds in South Waziristan.

The SFs reportedly launched operations in Hashmat Khan Kili, Qeematkhel, Mirobak, Shna Naka, Anjani, Ferozkhel, Stori Khel and Khalil Kalay areas. Operation Orakzai also covers the bordering regions of the Khyber Agency. On the very first day of the Operation, at least 21 ‘Taliban militants’ were killed and another 24 sustained injuries in the Southern areas of the Orakzai Agency [there is no independent verification of the kills or of the identity of those killed, as media access is severely restricted in Pakistan’s conflict zones]. Sources claimed that, unlike other troubled tribal regions in the country, militants in Orakzai were not able to put up any strong resistance against the SFs, and were fleeing to safer places. Tribesmen holding national flags in their hands reportedly accorded a warm welcome to SFs entering the area. Major Fazal-ur-Rehman, spokesman for the FC, confirmed that the SFs were battling insurgents in Orakzai and that there had been "militant losses", but did not give any numbers.

Earlier, on December 12, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had said that the Government was ready to launch a military operation in Orakzai, if efforts for a ‘peaceful resolution’ failed. "We will first try to convince elements in Orakzai to accept a peaceful resolution," he had said, referring to proposals for a negotiated settlement made by some politicians, including former cricketer Imran Khan, leader of the Tehrik-i-Insaaf (Movement for Justice). According to Reuters, the Prime Minister declared, "The Operation has finished in South Waziristan. Now there is talk of Orakzai."

Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham, to regain control over the Orakzai Agency and its border areas, is of crucial significance since TTP militants fled back to their old strongholds in this region following their expulsion from South Waziristan. Orakzai has also been a crucial launching pad for numerous suicide bomb attacks conducted across Pakistan, and is the location of many terror training camps, including some run by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) and other al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist outfits.

At least 751 persons, including 644 militants, 83 civilians and 24 SF personnel (till May 2), have died so far in Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham. Some 82 ‘militant hideouts’ have been bombed and neutralised. Actual numbers may be significantly higher, as media movement has been extremely restricted, and will definitely increase as the Operation progress. Meanwhile, the whole of FATA continues to remain a conflict zone, with rapidly augmenting casualties. Till April 30, a total of 1,799 persons, including 1,542 militants and 147 civilians, have died so far in 2010, as compared to 841 killings, including 563 militants, 227 civilians and 51 SFs, during the corresponding period in 2009. The writ of the State, always fragile in FATA, has now vanished, with levels of violence rising continuously over the years.

Annual Fatalities in Terrorist Violence in FATA, 2005- 2010

Year	Civilians	SF Personnel	Militants	Total	Injured	Incidents
2010*	147	110	1579	1836	617	391
2009	636	350	4252	5238	1909	3836
2008	1116	242	1709	3067	1315	1154
2007	424	243	1014	1681	NA	NA
2006	109	144	337	590	NA	248
2005	92	35	158	285	NA	165

Source: South Asia Terrorism Portal
*Data till May 2, 2010

[Fatalities are bound to be much higher than the numbers available, and the categories are certainly suspect, since independent and open source reportage from FATA is severely restricted].

Extremist retaliation against the Operations manifested itself in suicide bombings in adjacent areas, including the attack at the Kacha Pakka Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp on the outskirts of Kohat in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (formerly the North West Frontier Province) on April 17, 2010, which killed 44 persons and injured more than 70. Two burqa (veil)-clad suicide bombers had targeted a crowd of IDPs waiting to be registered and to receive relief goods. Locals said the IDPs were from Kalaya, Sipah and Maraye areas of Orakzai Agency, and were principally Shia.

As the Operation gained momentum, TTP wrath also fell on tribal elders who either supported Security Forces (SFs) or denied refuge to escaping militants. On April 25, two headless bodies of missing tribal elders were recovered days after they were abducted by suspected TTP militants. The militants had abducted six elders and had killed at least three of them. Elsewhere, a pro-government lashkar (tribal militia) leader, Sakhi Rahman, was among seven people killed in a shootout, when militants from the Orakzai chapter of the TTP attacked his home in Shahu Khel on April 7. Rahman was a former TTP commander in Orakzai, who split with the TTP eight months earlier and declared his intention to aid the Government at the beginning of the Orakzai operation. Tribal elders in the regions were increasingly apprehensive about their future. Mindful of this, the Political Agent for Orakzai, Riaz Mehsud, on April 6, claimed that 90 per cent of the area in the lower subdivision of the Tribal Agency had been ‘cleared’ of militants, and the writ of the Government had been re-established. He claimed that the cleared areas included Storikhel, Sultanzai, Utmankhel, Ferozkhel, Zayara and Anrkhel. He added that a Grand Jirga (council) would soon be convened to take all tribal elders into confidence to discuss issues of reconstruction and joint operation against the militants.

Reports indicate that the LI, founded in 2004 by Mufti Munir Shakir and currently headed by Mangal Bagh Afridi, a militant group active in and around Khyber and Orakzai Agencies, is presently feeling the heat of Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham. On April 15, LI spokesman Zarr Khan called on the Government to stop the ongoing military operation in the tribal region of Bara tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber Agency, and declared that the outfit was willing to hold talks with the administration. Zarr Khan said the LI had not challenged the writ of the State, and should, therefore, not be attacked by the Armed Forces. He claimed his group was not involved in anti-State activities and was not fighting Security Forces, and that, "Many civilians and local tribesmen have been killed in the operation, and we appeal to the Government to stop it immediately." LI is one of the groups affiliated to the TTP. When TTP militants fled the South Waziristan Agency under pressure from Operation Rah-e-Nijat, the LI provided both logistic and cadre support.

Civilians, however, are the worst hit by past and ongoing SF Operations, with indiscriminate force characteristically used against uncertain targets. Thus, jets bombed a compound in the Sara Vela area of Tirah Valley in the Khyber Agency on April 10, where military officials claimed a meeting of LI cadres was being held, killing 61 persons. Local tribal sources disputed the military’s claim and insisting that only civilians were killed in the air strikes. Many of the fatalities occurred in a second wave of bombings, while rescue workers were removing bodies from the rubble. Local tribal leaders denied that there were militant hideouts in the area, and said that civilians had built bunkers for self-defence. Tribal sources also added that the destroyed house belonged to three brothers, one whom serves in the Army, while the other two were serving in the FC. After a week’s denial and delay, the Army eventually apologised for the bombing, conceding that an ‘error’ had occurred. The Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, on April 17, issued an official apology to the Kokikhel tribe for the April 10 air strikes at the Sara Vela village, and also confirmed that two FC soldiers were among those killed in the bombardment. This episode demonstrates clearly the dangers of trying to fight terrorism from the air, with little intelligence available on the specific targets that are being attacked in blind bombings.

With violence escalating, the number of IDPs in the tribal regions of FATA and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa continues to augment. A UN report on April 9 indicated that more than 200,000 civilians had fled a military offensive and violence in the tribal Districts near the Afghanistan border. The UN said the mass exodus began in November 2009 from Orakzai and Kurram Districts, which had been hit by TTP, Taliban and al Qaeda militants, as well as by sectarian violence. "More than 35,000 families or approximately 210,000 individuals from Orakzai and Kurram Agencies have been registered as IDPs since November last year," UN refugee agency spokeswoman Ariane Rummery disclosed. She stated, further, that, of the 35,000 families, 16,376 had been registered as IDPs since February, mostly in the north-western towns of Hangu and Kohat. Pakistani authorities had also registered fresh IDPs fleeing to Peshawar, from Kurram and Orakzai. If Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham escalates and extends further into the tribal region, the number of IDPs will definitely grow up. As many as 800 families have been fleeing Orakzai and Kurram Agencies per day, over the past month, most them to either Kohat or Hangu. A report by the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) indicates that funding for relief to the nearly 1.3 million IDPs living in the country is "drying up". Aid agencies requested USD 537 million for relief efforts in Pakistan, but have so far only received USD 170 million. Many IDPs continue to go without basic supplies such as food, medical care, tents, and bedding.

Pakistan’s tribal areas have, over the past two years, witnessed a succession of military operations, each of them declared a great ‘success’ by Islamabad. However, each operation has simply seen the militants ‘squeezed out’ into adjacent areas, with the quantum of violence across the tribal territories and the country at large mounting consistently.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in Peshawar has now announced that militants had begun ‘fleeing’ to the Tirah Valley of the neighbouring Khyber Agency, and to other areas of FATA, and Afghanistan, due to the success of Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham. According to the ISPR, militants have established hideouts and training centres in the Tirah valley, a region that also hosts the LI. ISPR spokesman Major General Athar Abbas, on April 14, stated that around 7,000 ground troops had taken Lower Orakzai, but gave no indication when the Operation would end. Brigadier (Retd.) Mahmood Shah, a security expert from Peshawar, however, stated "Once the Orakzai operation ends, which will be soon, the military will start an offensive in North Waziristan."

However, going by past trends it can safely be argued that the militants will simply escape to ‘open a new front in another region’. Commenting on the ‘success’ of the South Waziristan Operations, an April 22, 2010, report in Dawn thus noted, "They (TTP) were never routed, no matter what Pakistan claimed. Instead, the Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters have merely relocated. They're still near the Afghan border". Months after Pakistani troops chased them from South Waziristan; these militants established a new base farther north under the protection of insurgent leader Gul Bahadur, who had cut past deals with the Pakistani Army, according to residents, militants and reports from Associated Press correspondents who visited the area recently. The influx of these militants into North Waziristan in recent months has added to the pressure on the military to launch an offensive there. The North Waziristan operation now appears imminent as reports indicated that Pakistan has shifted 100,000 troops from its Indian frontier to spearhead an unprecedented crackdown on the ‘Taliban’ along the Afghanistan border. Significantly, virtually all Pakistan’s operations have exclusively targeted the TTP, and the Afghan Taliban, long recognized as Pakistan’s own cat’s paw against Kabul, has remained strictly outside the purview of military action.

FATA and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have already seen four major military operations since the launch of Operation Rah-e-Haq (True Path) was lunched in Swat on October 25, 2007. Thousands have since been killed, millions have been displaced, but the prospects of peace appear only to recede further in Pakistan.

[South Asia Intelligent Review]

News Briefs

250 militants and four SFs among 257 persons killed during the week in FATA: The Security Forces (SFs) backed by fighter jets killed 42 Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP) militants and injured another 13 Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham (I will see you) in various parts of Orakzai Agency in Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) on May 30.

At least 44 Taliban (TTP) militants and two soldiers were killed in clashes and shelling during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in upper tehsil (revenue unit) of Orakzai Agency) on May 29.

The SFs backed by fighter jets and helicopters gunships killed at least 80 Taliban (TTP) militants and injured 60 others during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in Orakzai Agency on May 28.

53 Taliban (TTP) militants and one SF killed in various clashes during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in Orakzai Agency on May 27. In addition, Taliban (TTP) militants armed with rockets and grenades stormed the home of a pro-Government tribal elder, killing him, his wife and son before blowing up the house in Asghar village, about 40 kilometres northwest of Khar, the main town in Bajaur Agency.

At least 15 Taliban (TTP) militants were killed and 10 others injured when PAF fighter jets bombed several militant hideouts during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in various parts of the Upper Orakzai Agency on May 26.

At least 13 Taliban (TTP) militants were killed and several others injured when PAF fighter jets bombed several militant hideouts during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in the Orakzai Agency on May 25. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, May 24-31, 2010.

95 civilians and five militants among 103 persons killed during the week in Punjab: At least 80 worshippers killed and 92 others injured as seven assailants including three suicide bomber attacked Ahmadiyya place of worship in Model Town and Garhi Shahu areas of Lahore in Punjab on May 28. The death toll rose to 95 on May 29. Terrorists wearing suicide vests stormed two places of worship of the Ahmadiyya community a few minutes before special Friday worship initiating an over three-hour-long standoff that resulted in the killing of 80 worshippers. The Punjab chapter of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility for the attack, reports The News.

At least three Policemen, including a sub inspector, were killed when unidentified assailants opened indiscriminate fire at a police checkpost in Samanabad area of Lahore in Punjab on May 29. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, May 24-30, 2010.

Swat Taliban Chief Maulana Fazlullah suspected killed: Maulana Fazlullah, the Swat Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP) ‘chief’, has apparently been killed along with six other militants in a clash with Afghan border forces in Nuristan province of Afghanistan on May 26, intelligence sources said on May 27. Fazlullah, who was known as ‘Radio Maulana’ for his fiery sermons broadcast on an illegal radio station, apparently died during May 26’s clash with Afghan border forces, the sources said. Six others militants are also believed to have been killed in the gun battle in Nuristan. However, the report of Fazlullah’s death is yet to be officially confirmed, the sources added. Maulana Faqir Muhammad, the ‘chief’ of the Taliban (TTP) in Bajaur Agency, denied that Fazlullah had been killed in a gun battle. In an interview to BBC in November 2010, Fazlullah had said he had escaped to Afghanistan after fleeing a Pakistan Army offensive against the Taliban (TTP) in Swat valley. Fazlullah and his militants had established a parallel administration that controlled most parts of Swat District, located just 160 km from Islamabad. Indian Express, May 28, 2010.

Pakistan Supreme Court rejects LeT militant Lakhvi's acquittal plea: Pakistan's Supreme Court on May 27 rejected a petition filed by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) ‘commander’ Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, seeking acquittal in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks case, after his counsel withdrew the plea. The Hindu, May 28, 2010.

US seeks Pakistan crackdown on Taliban: Two top United Sates President Barrack Obama administration officials have told Pakistan that it has only weeks to show real progress in a crackdown against the Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP), a senior US official said on May 26. The US has put Pakistan "on a clock" to launch a new intelligence and counterterrorist offensive against the group, which the White House alleges was behind the Times Square bombing attempt, according to the official. Dawn, May 27, 2010.

Supreme Court rejects Government pleas against release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed: A three-member Supreme Court bench on May 25 dismissed pleas of the Federal and Punjab Governments against the release of Jama'at-ud-Da'awa (JuD), the frontal organisation of Lashkar-e-Toiba, ‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed, maintaining that it was not a live issue. Daily Times, May 26, 2010.

ISI hand in attack on NATO, says Afghanistan intelligence agency spokesman: A spokesman for Afghanistan’s intelligence agency on May 24 accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence’s (ISI) involvement in the suicide bombing in Kabul on May 19 that killed six NATO soldiers. Indian Express, May 26, 2010.

229 militants and five SFs among 238 persons killed during the week in FATA: At least 71 Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP) militants, including four ‘commanders’, were killed when Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet fighters bombed targets in upper parts of Orakzai Agency in Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham (I will see you) on May 23.

The Security Forces (SFs) backed by fighter jets killed at least 34 Taliban (TTP) militants in the on going Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in various parts of Orakzai Agency on May 21. In addition, a US drone attack on a militant compound killed six Taliban (TTP) militants in Miranshah, the capital of North Waziristan Agency.

At least 24 Taliban (TTP) militants were killed and 29 others injured when PAF fighter jets bombed different parts of Orakzai Agency on May 20 in the on going Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham.

At least 60 Taliban (TTP) militants and four soldiers were killed in a clash between the Taliban (TTP) and SFs during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency on May 19. Also, the jet fighters bombed Taliban (TTP) militant hideouts in Dabori area, killing five Taliban (TTP) militants and injuring several others.

Six Taliban (TTP) militants were killed and 10 others injured in a clash with SFs during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in Kol area of Dabori tehsil (revenue unit) in Orakzai Agency on May 18.

At least 26 Taliban (TTP) and a soldier were killed in a clash between SFs and the Taliban (TTP) militants during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in Orakzai Agency on May 17.

Six Taliban (TTP) militants were killed and seven others injured in a clash with SFs in Shoti area of Upper Orakzai. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, May 17-23, 2010.

13 civilians and 10 militants among 26 persons killed during the week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: At least three Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP) militants were killed and others injured during a clash with Security Forces (SFs) in Gangro and Gambat areas of Maidan tehsil (revenue unit) of the Lower Dir District on May 23.

Three Taliban (TTP) militants, identified as Alam Sher, Khan Wali and Muhammad Ameen, were killed during a clash with the SFs in the Matta tehsil of Swat District on May 21.

Four suspected TTP militants were killed and seven houses destroyed during an encounter with the SFs in Amakhel village of Tank District on May 19.

A remote-controlled bomb targeting a Police patrol killed 13 persons, including Kullachi Deputy Superintendent of Police Muhammad Iqbal, his gunman and driver, in Kachi Paind Khel area of Dera Ismail Khan on May 18. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, May 17-23, 2010.

Taliban trying to overthrow Government in Islamabad, says US Defence Secretary Robert Gates: The Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP) is not only trying to overthrow the Government in Islamabad, but is also launching attack against other countries, including the United States, said the Defence Secretary Robert Gates. Times of India, May 21, 2010.

Taliban and Afghanistan Government hold talks in Maldives: The representatives of the Taliban and the Afghanistan Government held talks in the Maldives, officials said on May 20. Maldives Government spokesman Mohamed Zuhair said 15 representatives of the Afghan Government and seven Taliban militants met and would meet again over the weekend. However, a spokesman for Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, Waheed Omar said the Government did not send any official representatives. "We do not have any representation and we do not think it will be very helpful for the peace process in Afghanistan," Waheed Omar said.. Daily Times, May 21, 2010.

Pakistani Army Major arrested for links to New York bomb plot, indicates report: A Pakistani Army Major has been arrested in connection with the May 1 failed bomb plot in New York’s Times Square. Daily Times, May 19, 2010.

Agencies warn of TTP plans to attack Parliament House: Intelligence agencies, on May 18, warned that the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) militants have recruited a suicide bomber to attack the Parliament House or any other important building. According to the report, the TTP has prepared a 24 or 25-year-old bomber named Amer Aaqa Hadifa, belonging to Jhang in Punjab for the purpose. Meanwhile, militant outfits have formed two separate groups to target senior law enforcement officials and Shia leaders in Punjab. Daily Times, May 19, 2010.

LeT trained Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad in PoK, indicate reports: The Canada’s weekly current affairs magazine, Maclean, quoting an unnamed Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) ‘commander’ on May 19 claimed that Faisal Shahzad, the confessed bomb plotter of Pakistani origin, had received terror training in one of the ‘jihad’ (Holy War) camps of the LeT in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The LeT commander, however, denied any direct involvement of his outfit with New York bombing plot.Macleans, May 19, 2010.

166 militants and nine SFs among 178 persons killed during the week in FATA: The Security Forces (SFs) backed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships, killed 58 Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban, TTP) militants in the Orakzai Agency of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) on May 16.

At least 15 persons were killed and others were injured as eight missiles, fired from across border in Afghanistan, struck an encampment in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency on May 15. However, another television channel reported five killings in the missile strike.

Seven Taliban (TTP) militants were killed when the SFs shelled suspected militant hideouts with artillery in Kasha, Khawray and Teer Angar areas of the Orakzai Agency on May 14.

At least nine Taliban (TTP) militants were killed and 10 others injured when the PAF fighter jets bombed suspected militants hideouts in Tirah Valley of the Khyber Agency on May 13.

The US drones killed 21 Taliban (TTP) militants in two separate strikes at North Waziristan on May 11. In the first air strike, a drone fired 10 missiles at a vehicle and tents in Doga Maza Khel area of Datta Khel tehsil (revenue unit), 50 kilometres west of Miranshah, killing 14 Taliban (TTP) militants.

The helicopters gunships pounded suspected Taliban (TTP) hideouts in various areas of Orakzai Agency, killing eight Taliban (TTP) militants and injuring five others during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham (I will see you).

At least 40 Taliban (TTP) militants and nine soldiers, including two lieutenants were killed in a fierce clash between the Taliban (TTP) and SFs during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in Orakzai Agency on May 10. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, May 11-17, 2010.

Next mass casualty terrorist attack on the United States will be postmarked Pakistan, says former CIA analyst: A former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst Bruce Riedel, who helped President Barack Obama formulate his Pakistan-Afghanistan policy, said that "a very serious possibility that the next mass casualty terrorist attack on the United States will be postmarked Pakistan". Times of India, May 15, 2010.

Militants find safe haven in Karachi: Hundreds of militants fleeing from the restive northwest have taken refuge in Karachi. A huge Pashtun population, mostly in the suburbs of the city of 18 million people, provides shelter to these militants. The arrest of dozens of low-key members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from the metropolis is evidence of their presence, officials say, and they have developed close ties to banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) and Jundullah as well as criminals. Daily Times, May 15, 2010.

LeT plans to attack US Army shipment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: The Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) plans to attack a convoy of US military shipment en route from Karachi to Afghanistan, Daily Times quoting intelligence agencies sources reported on May 14. Sources said the shipment consists of approximately eight to 10 containers, and is likely to leave within a couple of days. The attack might be carried out in the vicinity of Dera Ismail Khan City in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Daily Times, May 14, 2010.

Cancer of terror, not India, a threat to Pakistan, warns US President Barack Obama: The United States (US) President Barack Obama on May 12 warned that extremists pose a serious threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and pointed out that Islamabad had realised that it was not India but the "cancer" of terrorism emanating from its own territory that was its primary concern. The Hindu, May 13, 2010.

"Some Pakistani officials know where Osama, Mullah Omar are", says US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: "Some Pakistani officials know more about al Qaeda and Taliban than they actually claim", the CBS television channel quoted United States (US) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as saying on May 10. "I’m not saying they’re at the highest levels, but I believe somewhere in this Government are people who know where Osama Bin Laden, al Qaeda, Mullah Omar and the Afghan Taliban leadership are," she said. Daily Times, May 11, 2010.

119 militants and two SFs among 121 persons killed during the week in FATA: The Security Forces (SFs) and drone strikes killed around 43 Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP) militants in various areas of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) on May 9.

At least nine Taliban (TTP) militants were killed and several others sustained injuries during clashes with SFs in Orakzai Agency on May 8.

Five Taliban (TTP) militants were killed as choppers pounded militant hideouts during operation Khwakh Ba De Sham (I will see you) in various areas of Orakzai Agency on May 7.

27 Taliban (TTP) militants and a trooper were killed during operation Khwakh Ba De Sham in various areas of Orakzai Agency on May 6.

At least 13 Taliban (TTP) militants and two troopers were killed during clashes in Orakzai Agency, while helicopter gunships fired heavy artillery at militant hideouts in Bajaur Agency, killing another 18 Taliban (TTP) militants on May 3. Officials said that the Taliban (TTP) attacked a check-post in Qamber Khawas village in the Lower Orakzai Agency. The SFs retaliated and killed 13 militants. Two SF personnel were also killed.

US missiles fired from a drone killed four suspected Taliban (TTP) militants in North Waziristan. The three missiles were fired minutes apart at a moving vehicle in the Marsi Khel area. The attack came just hours after TTP ‘chief’ Hakeemullah Mehsud vowed to attack US cities in two purported new videos released on May 3. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, May 4-10, 2010.

'40 terror camps near Af-Pak border’, says Russian ambassador to India Alexander M. Kadakin: The Russian Ambassador to India, Alexander M. Kadakin, has said that around 40 terror camps are still active in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas, adding, this information was based on Russian satellite imagery and intelligence. "From the information we have, there are about 38 to 40 such terror camps. Earlier they would have these bright green boards declaring the name of the organization like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), they have now removed them. However, the camps still remain,’’ Kadakin said, adding that Pakistan had not done enough to get rid of these camps. Times of India, May 10, 2010.

Tehreek-e-Taliban expanding alliances, says New York Times report: A New York Times report on May 7 claimed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which American investigators suspect was behind the attempt to bomb Times Square, has in recent years combined forces with al Qaeda and other groups, threatening to extend their reach and ambitions. New York Times, May 7, 2010.

Severe consequences in case of proven bomb attack, says US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: The United States (US) has warned of "severe consequences" if a successful extremist attack in America were traced back to Pakistan, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in an interview on May 7. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had earlier been linked to a failed bid to bomb New York's Times Square on May 2. The News, May 7, 2010.

500 militants and about 30 civilians killed in two years of drone strikes, says US report: A United States estimates show Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas over the last two years have killed more than 500 militants — a fraction of whom are considered top-tier leaders — and fewer than 30 civilians, US officials said on May 3. Daily Times, May 4, 2010.

Pakistan economic woes linked to war against terror, says Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani: Pakistan’s economic challenges are directly linked to the war on terror, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on May 3, and called on the US Congress to facilitate his country in addressing the root cause of terror. Daily Times, May 4, 2010.

105 militants and one civilian among 106 persons killed during the week in FATA: At least 21 Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP) militants were killed and another 29 were injured, when helicopter gunships bombed Taliban hideouts in two consecutive waves in the Orakzai Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on May 2.

At least 15 militants were killed when the fighters heavily bombed militant hideouts during Operation Khwakh Ba De Sham (I will see you) in Orakzai Agency on May 1.

The Security Forces (SFs) killed 21 militants, while two SF personnel were injured in clashes in Esa Khel Pahar and Mir Garh areas of Orakzai Agency on April 30.

At least 15 militants were killed and several others were injured in clashes with SFs in Orakzai Agency on April 29. Sources said the clashes took place in Sheikhan and Shati Maila areas of Lower Orakzai. A security official was also injured in the clash.

SFs killed four Taliban (TTP) militants in North Waziristan Agency on April 28. Taliban attacked the security check post at Esa, 10 kilometers east of Miranshah on the Bannu-Miranshah road. Four militants were killed and two troopers were injured in the gunfight that followed.

The SFs killed 13 Taliban (TTP) militants during a fresh offensive in the Orakzai Agency on April 27. In Lower Orakzai, the SFs, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, killed eight terrorists after a battle over a checkpoint in the Beezot area. The Forces also arrested five militants from the Mashti area. Air strikes killed five more in the Kasha area of Orakzai. In addition, the SFs killed five Taliban militants, including two ‘commanders’, and arrested another 18 during an operation in Bara tehsil (revenue unit) of Khyber Agency. The Operation was launched in the Akakhel area, in which two commanders and five militants of the Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) were killed.

Six Taliban militants were killed as a US drone pounded three missiles into a Taliban compound at Khushhali Toori Khel village of the Mir Ali sub-division, 30 kilometers east of Miranshah, the headquarters of the North Waziristan Agency, on April 26. Most of the dead were Taliban militants from the Mehsud tribe in neighbouring South Waziristan, from which top leaders and many foot soldiers of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are drawn, security official added. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, April 27-May 3, 2010.

13 militants and six civilians among 23 persons killed during the week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Seven persons, including three Taliban militants, were killed and 16 people, including seven Security Forces’ (SFs) personnel, were injured in a suicide blast and a retaliatory clash between SFs and Taliban (TTP) at a commercial plaza in Mingora city of Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 1.

At least four Policemen were killed and 15 others were wounded as a suicide car bomber attacked a check post in the Pir Bala area on the outskirts of Peshawar on April 28. The attacker apparently wanted to enter the city, but detonated the explosives when he was stopped at the check post.

Four Taliban militants were killed in clashes with the SFs in Swat. SFs said the deceased, included a close aide of Swat Taliban ‘chief’ Fazlullah, identified as Irfan Tarabi.

Six key Taliban ‘commanders’ of Swat Chapter were killed in two separate clashes with SFs in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 26. Dawn; Daily Times; The News, April 27-May 3, 2010.

[South Asia Intelligent Review]