Date
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Incidents
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January 1
|
The CTD arrested a militant affiliated
with Jundullah-Haji Aqakhel group, and identified as Abdul Aziz
alias Aziz Rehman, from Orangi Town in Karachi, who was accused
recruiting young men for the Islamic State (IS/ also known as
Daesh) and had sent three militants to Syria. He was collecting
funds for the IS in Karachi and Quetta (Balochistan).
The official revealed that the
Aziz had confessed during initial investigation to having sent
three trained young men to Syria. One of them, Jaffer, has been
killed there, while the whereabouts of Hamza and Rasheed are not
known.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif while
addressing tribal elders of Gwadar, Talar and Turbat areas of
Makran Division said that the nation would get rid of terrorism
this year. “The new year will be the year when terrorism will
end,” he said. He also said that the “elements involved in the
bad practice of financial misappropriation” should also be dealt
with strictly.
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January 2
|
Two ‘criminals’, identified as
Mam Dost (24) and Jehangir (23), were killed in a Police encounter
within the Mawach Goth Police Station in Baldia Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
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January 3
|
Four SF personnel injured in two
separate bomb attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two soldiers suffered
injuries when their convoy was damaged in a roadside bomb blast
near the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway Toll Plaza in Peshawar, the
provincial capital of KP. SSP-Operation Dr Mian Saeed said that
a remote-controlled IED weighing around four kilogrammes was used
in the attack.
Two Constables, Muhammad Ali and
Faqeer Muhammad, were injured when Police mobile van comes under
grenade attack in Par Hoti Police Station area of Mardan District.
The mobile was parked near a CNG station when unidentified motorcycle
bourne assailants lobbed a hand grenade at it.
The Upper Dir District Police
conducted 1,838 operations and arrested over 2,000 alleged criminals,
including terrorists, during 2015. This was stated by District
Police Officer Syed Israr Bacha on January 2 while briefing media
persons about record of the Police to maintain law and order in
the District. He said that the Police arrested 28 terrorists,
653 proclaimed offenders and 1,335 suspects in search operations
in 2015. He said that they had also seized 103 kilogrammes of
charas and 204.5 liters of wine during raids at different places.
The main accused in the May 13,
2105, Safoora carnage of Karachi, identified as Umer Kathio, was
arrested in joint raid conducted by Police and Rangers. The raid
was conducted on a lead from Saad Aziz, another accused who has
been in Police custody. According to sources, Umer Kathio had
formed a network of terrorists in 2011. His task was to facilitate
the terrorists of the al Qaeda. The sources further said the he
later joined the Islamic State (IS/ also known as Daesh) while
his wife runs a network of Daesh in Sindh.
Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign
Affairs Sartaj Aziz said during an interview to Radio Pakistan
that the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet on
January 15, 2016, to draw up a roadmap for the Bilateral Comprehensive
Dialogue for the next six months to carry forward the bilateral
engagement and the Pakistan Government will focus on the revival
of peace process in Afghanistan and the consolidation of the process
of improvement of relations with India.
The dialogue will cover all issues,
including Kashmir, Siachen and water, he said. Talking about the
policy of a peaceful neighbourhood, he said it ultimately paid
back as there is "visible improvement" in relations
with India and Afghanistan.
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January 4
|
Two Policemen were killed when
unidentified armed assailants opened fire at a Police check post
in Bibi Nanai area of Sariab Road in provincial capital Quetta.
"Armed assailants opened fire at Sariab road," said
a police official.
A special unit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Police foiled a terror plan by arresting six suspected militants
in an intelligence-based operation in Bannu District. Based on
prior intelligence, special Police unit Bannu raided an under-construction
house in Pir Dil Khel Sorani area of Bannu where the armed militants
were busy in terror-planning. The arrested militants were named
as Shamsur Rehman, Abidullah, Anwar Kamal, Safdar Iqbal, Mansoor
and Qudratullah.
Five gangsters were arrested by
Rangers during a targeted raid in Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Weapons were also recovered from their possession.
The Law Enforcement Agencies also raided Social Security Hospital
and retrieved weapons hidden in the hospital premises.
Security Forces have established
new check posts in areas of Bajaur Agency in FATA along the Pakistan-Afghanistan
border to boost security and stop militants from entering through
the porous boundary. While briefing the media, Bajaur Scouts Commandant
Colonel Nair Zaman said these check posts have been set up in
Mamond, Salarzai and other areas along the border. The step has
been taken to boost security as militants in Afghanistan would
enter Bajaur and attack locals, pro-Government elders and security
forces. “We have also succeeded in finding militants’ weapons
dump with the help of locals.”
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January 5
|
A five kilogram of bomb with 2.5
kilogram of ball bearings and two gallons petrol along with a
remote control device was found under the stairs of the Samsani
overhead bridge on Canal Road in provincial capital Lahore, sometime
after Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan drove
through the area. Sadar Division SP Haroonur Rasheed said that
the bomb had been placed to harm the Interior Minister who crossed
the bridge on his way to Islamabad.
Special Police Unit foiled a terror
bid and arrested three alleged terrorists having ties with a banned
outfit during a raid at a hideout [of terrorists] on Muddi Road
near Shaheedabad area of Dera Ismail Khan District. However, the
name of the banned organisation has not yet been disclosed. Three
kilograms of explosive along with two hand grenades, 25 feet Primacord,
wire and 12 volts battery were also recovered from their possession.
Those arrested were identified as Khawaja Mohammad, Sakhawat Khan
and Asfandyar.
Sindh Police arrested two suspects
involved in various cases, including an attack on an Express
News DSNG van on January 17, 2014, which resulted in the death
of three media workers. “The arrested men belong to a group of
10 people that have been active in Karachi since 2014 and were
involved in various target killing cases and attacking media persons,”
DIG West Feroz Shah said. “The group mainly operated from Orangi
Town area of Karachi and consisted of accused Saqib, Naveed, Kashif,
Imran, Sarfaraz, Javed Afridi, Qari Rasheed, Qari Mohsin, Rehan
and Kamran,” he added. IG Sindh Police announced a prize money
of PKR 1 million for the Police officials who carried out the
raids to arrest them.
PM Nawaz Sharif assured his Indian
counterpart Narendra Modi that Islamabad would not hesitate to
take “prompt and decisive action” if the involvement of Pakistan-based
elements in the attack on an Indian airbase in Pathankot was proved
beyond doubt. “PM Nawaz Sharif assured PM Modi that his Government
would take prompt and decisive action against the terrorists,”
the Indian Prime Minister’s office said in a press statement after
Sharif called Modi from Colombo. “Our (Pakistan) government is
working on the leads and information provided by the Indian government.
We would like to investigate the matter,” PM Sharif said.
During the telephonic conversation,
PM Modi called for “firm and immediate action” against those involved
in the Pathankot strike. “Specific and actionable information
in this regard has been provided to Pakistan,” Modi was quoted
by the Indian External Affairs Ministry.
The number of deaths in terrorist
attacks declined by 48 percent in 2015 compared to 2014, said
an annual report issued by PIPS. According to the report, 625
terrorist attacks were witnessed in the country in which at least
1,069 people lost their lives, while 1,443 people sustained injuries.
The report said deaths in sectarian violence in 2015 surged by
7 percent with 272 people killed as compared to 225 such killings
in year 2014. A total f 630 civilians, 318 personnel of security
and law enforcement agencies and 121 militants were killed in
year 2015, the report added.
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January 6
|
Five TTP militants were killed
in an exchange of fire during Police encounter at a graveyard
in Machar Colony area of Sohrab Goth in Gadap Town of provincial
capital Karachi. SSP Rao Anwar said, "The militants had set
up a hideout in the graveyard and on police's arrival, they opened
fire." Two of the attackers were identified as Naeem and
Hafeezullah, while identities of the other have not asceratined
thus far. Police also claimed to have recovered 2.5 kilograms
of explosive material and other arms and ammunition from the hideout.
Four TTP militants, identified
as Hanif alias 'Nadeem Kala', Ashraf Ali alias 'Bhaloo', Rehmat
Shah and Zahid Hussain, were arrested during a Police operation
in Defence Housing Authority-Phase 1 neighbourhood. Karachi-South
DIG Dr Jamil Ahmed said that the Police recovered a shopping bag
containing ball bearings, suicide jackets and four kilograms of
explosive material. They also recovered bomb-making material and
four pistols from their possession
Sindh Rangers and CTD claimed
to have arrested a close aide of slain TTP leader, Baitullah Mehsud,
in a joint raid carried out in Kotri area of Jamshoro District.
AIG CTD Sanaullah Abbasi said the terrorist identified as Meherban,
son of Badshah Khan, was a close confidante of Mehsud and was
placed in the Red-Book.
Unidentified militants abducted
six locals while they on their way to Gandoi area of Sui tehsil
in Dera Bugti District. No group has claimed responsibility for
abduction.
SFs arrested four TTP militants
during a raid in Gawal Ismailzai area of Zhob District. The spokesman
for the FC Khan Wasey said that weapons were also recovered from
their possession. Wasay alleged the weapons were being smuggled
into interior Balochistan for use in subversive activities.
The FC arrested three suspects
from Mangochar area of Kalat District. Wasey said that that weapons
and explosives were also recovered from their possession.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said
that Pakistan has dismantled terrorists’ network and its war against
terror has entered in the final phase. Speaking to the Sri Lankan
businessman and journalists, Nawaz Sharif once again expressed
resolve to end energy crisis in the country by 2017. Inviting
the Sri Lankan business community to invest in Pakistan, PM Nawaz
said, CPEC and TAPI projects would change the fate of the region.
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan offers attractive investment regime
to the investors and Sri Lanka could take full benefit from it.
He said, “We will also encourage our investors to invest in Sri
Lanka.” The Premier went on to say that Pakistan desires good
economic relations with Sri Lanka.
The SBP has frozen bank accounts
of over PKR one billion as they were allegedly being used for
financing terrorism. This was disclosed by Governor SBP, Ashraf
Wathra and his team at a press conference on January 6. Wathra
said 121 bank accounts of more than PKR one billion were frozen
over evidence of being used for funding terrorist activities in
the light of a resolution of UNSC.
In order to choke the funding
of terrorists, he stressed the need for making the NACTA functional
besides enhancement of cooperation between federation and provinces.
He said effective measures were being adopted for putting tabs
of transfer of money through ‘Hundi’. The SBP Governor further
said that about 20 to 30 percent imports were taking place without
the letter of credit (LC). “We are binding such importers to identify
their sources of funding,” he added.
Federal Government is considering
new policy measures to make the NACTA effective in tracking proscribed
organisations and individuals amid criticism over slow implementation
of the NAP. Fresh recommendations have been made for choking terrorism
financing and making NACTA more effective, said SBP Governor Ashraf
Wathra. He was responding to questions regarding the anti-terrorism
financing regime after attending a meeting. Finance Minister Ishaq
Dar chaired the meeting of the subcommittee on choking terror
financing constituted under the Prime Minister’s NAP implementation
committee.
The Schools Education Department
has issued directives to District Education officers to put up
material discussing anti-terrorism efforts, tolerance and co-existence
in all schools of the Province. The material was created by the
Punjab Textbook and Curriculum Board and contains topics ranging
from definition of terrorism to the importance of tolerance in
the society. The material is in Urdu. The document lists external
conspiracies, anti-state actors, lack of education, misinterpretation
of religious texts, sectarianism, provincialism, racial discrimination,
poverty and Indian infiltration as reasons for terrorism. The
document classifies forms of terrorism into suicide attacks, bombings
and shooting and kidnapping of citizens.
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January 7
|
Four tribesmen, including a tribal
elder Malik Wali Khan Mehsud, were shot dead by unidentified militants
in Shaktoi area of Ladha tehsil in SWA of FATA. Two other tribesmen
were identified as Malik Akbar Khan Mehsud and Jawad Mehsud. The
third remained unidentified. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack, but residents claimed that commander Said Khan
alias Sajna, who is affiliated TTP, had warned the IDPs a few
days ago not to return to their homes, otherwise they themselves
would be responsible for consequences.
Two soldiers were injured in a
roadside blast at Shaheedano Dand in Kurram Agency.
The Sindh Police’s CTD claimed
to have recovered 50 kilograms of explosives, two Kalashnikovs,
two rifles, eight grenades, and four pistols, in a raid in the
Manghopir area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. In a statement, the CTD said that a TTP terrorist, Meharban
Badshah, who had been arrested in Hyderabad District, had disclosed
the storage location.
Pakistan Customs Intelligence
recovered 22,000 kilograms of explosive materials from a container
that had been stored at the Karachi Port since November 20, 2015.
A Customs spokesman said the container (CBHU-8570130) came to
Karachi from China and had been stored at the port for over a
month now. It was meant to be shipped upcountry but, according
to the official, was not sent as the Peshawar Customs Intelligence
had, some time back, caught two containers which had arrived at
the Karachi Port along with this one and found explosives in them.
KP's SPU claimed to have arrested
three suspects for campaigning for proscribed militant organisations
in Dir Colony of provincial capital Peshawar. The arrested suspects,
identified as Raheemullah, Sibghatullah and Sajjad, were found
distributing pamphlets in support of banned militant’s outfits.
However, the SPU did not specify the name of the outfit.
The Islamic State (IS/ also known
as Daesh) militants broadcast four interviews of TI militants
abducted by them in Afghanistan on its FM radio channel The Voice
of Khilafat. Those interviewed included Pakistanis who said they
were members of the group. They said they were captured by the
IS. The other men who were in the IS custody said in the interview
that they were Afghan Taliban aligned to the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan.
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January 8
|
At least 38 terrorists were killed
and five others were injured in fresh air strikes on militant
hideouts in Meezar and Sherani areas along the Afghanistan border
in NWA of FATA. A large number of local and foreign militants
were killed in air strikes, said ISPR. Those killed include 15
militants of Uzbek origin associated with Islamic Movement of
Uzbekistan, the officials said. Five hideouts and three explosive-laden
vehicles were also destroyed in the air strikes, the officials
added.
Pro-Government Tribal Chief Wali
Jan Mehsud escaped a roadside bomb blast near Moley Khan Sarai
in SWA. Security Forces said that Mehsud was on way to Shahur
High School when a remote-controlled bomb went off at a roadside
near Moley Khan Sarai. The blast slightly damaged the car of Mehsud.
Two Police personnel, Constable
Mushtaq and constable Wajid, were shot dead by unidentified assailants
outside a mosque in Multani Mohala of Quetta, the provincial capital
of Balochistan. The assailants managed to flee the scene of crime.
Unidentified assailants shot dead
a senior Afghan Taliban ‘commander’, Maulvi Muhammad Alam, in
Kuchlak area of Quetta. Maulvi Muhammad Alam, loyal commander
to Taliban supremo Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, was shot dead, Taliban
leaders said on the condition of anonymity, as they were not authorised
to speak to the media. “I can confirm that Maulvi Muhammad Alam
has been killed.
The United States said that Pakistan
knows well the threat of terrorism and its Government has vowed
that they are not going to discriminate between terrorist groups
as part of its counterterrorism operations. US State Department
Spokesman John Kirby, in a media briefing said, “Pakistan itself
has condemned Pathankot air base attack and made clear that they
are committed to investigate it. US, obviously, would like to
see it investigated too as completely and as thoroughly as possible.”
Kirby said terrorism is a regional challenge that requires real
regional solutions, and the US wants Pakistan to be a part of
those solutions.
The US State Department said that
it was up to the Pakistan Government to determine how long it
would take to investigate the attack on the Pathankot airbase
following information provided by India. The spokesman John Kirby
said Pakistan has condemned the attack and has made clear its
commitment to investigate it. “It’s not for us to ascribe a timeline
to somebody else’s investigation,” spokesman John Kirby said in
response to a question at a regular briefing.
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January 9
|
At least five suspected militants
were killed in a US drone strike carried out in Mangroti area
in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. This was the second US drone
strike of the day in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.
Two Coast Guard personnel were
killed and three others were wounded when their vehicle hit a
landmine in Kaldan area of Jewni tehsil in Gwadar District.
SFS claimed to have foiled a major
bid of terrorism by seizing weapons and arresting a suspected
militant from Dera Murad Jamali area of Naseerabad District.
SFs launched a search operation
in various parts of provincial capital Quetta, including Kasi
Road, Balochi street, and arrested 25 suspects. “25 suspects were
arrested from various parts of Quetta,” said an unnamed police
official.
On a tip-off, Police conducted
a raid at the Kalakot area in Lyari Town of Karachi and arrested
two alleged target killers whose identity was not disclosed. The
Police also claimed to have recovered weapons from their possession.
In a bid to root out extremism
and maintain peace under the NAP, the Gilgit-Baltistan Government
during a high level meeting decided to audit financial matters
of seminaries operating in the region. An unnamed Government official,
“There are 162 registered madrassas in the region which have been
receiving financial assistance from various sources over the years,”
adding, “Accounts of these seminaries will be audited to make
sure funding isn’t spent on terrorist activities.”
Another unnamed official said
that security agencies have listed at least 50 clerics as a “threat
to the region’s peace”. “The government is thinking of listing
those clerics under schedule 4 [of the anti-terrorism act].” In
addition, the Government has also decided to issue notices to
clerics involved in hate speech. “If these clerics don’t refrain
from making such speeches, they would be dealt with according
to the NAP,” said the official.
|
January 10
|
A man, identified as Umair Khan
(25), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Qasba
Colony of SITE Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Seven Afghan nationals were abducted
and two others were injured in an exchange of fire with kidnappers
in Talab area of Taftan in Chagai District. Taftan Assistant Commissioner
Murad Kasi said, “It is not known who was behind the kidnapping
of the Afghan nationals.”
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January 11
|
The shop owner of an officially
sanctioned wine shop, identified as Moti Ram, was injured when
unidentified militants lobbed a hand grenade at the shop located
on Muneer Mengal Road in provincial capital Quetta.
Frontier Corps on the basis of
intelligence reports arrested a TTP militant during a raid in
Chanjan area of Killa Saifullah District.
The ATC allowed CTD to detain
an al Qaeda suspect, identified as Abdur Raqeeb, for 30 days for
questioning. The department told the judge that they have credible
information about suspect that he is involved in providing financial
assistance to terrorists and in other offences came within the
ambit of ATA. Raqeeb, alleged to be Hyderabad's Ameer of
al Qaeda, was picked up in a targeted operation in PIB colony
of Gulshan Town on January 8, 2016.
Police registered a terrorism
case against leaders of the Tanzeemat-e-Ahle Sunnat, an alliance
of several religious parties of the Barelvi school of thought,
for allegedly inciting people to violence against the state and
its institutions by raising the case of Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the
self-confessed and convicted killer of Punjab Governor Salman
Taseer, during a rally in Nishtar Park located in Soldier Bazar
of Jamshed Town on January 10, 2016. At the January 10 event,
speakers demanded a fresh trial of Mumtaz Qadri by the Federal
Shariat Court, termed the death sentence handed down to him ‘un-Islamic’
and warned that they could go to any extent if the Government
failed to change its attitude.
As many as ten oil tankers carrying
fuel supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan reached Torkham border
in Khyber Agency of FATA amid tight security, resuming the service
over a year after its suspension. Officials at Torkham while requesting
anonymity said the tankers with no apparent NATO related marking
on them reached the border at around midday and were later parked
near the crossing point for necessary checking.
DG Rangers of the Sindh Rangers
Major General Bilal Akbar during a meeting with traders said that
the targeted operation in Karachi will continue as per the instructions
of the heads of the armed forces and the Federal Government. “Despite
the ongoing pushing and shoving, I have been clearly instructed
by the heads to go on with the operation,” said Major General
Bilal Akbar.
“The future of Karachi operation
is bright and it will continue until it reaches its logical conclusion,”
a KCCI press release stated. Siraj Kassam Teli, the chairman of
Businessmen Group and a former KCCI President, said the business
community would support the Rangers efforts. “The business community
hopes the Government and Rangers will continue working to restore
peace in Karachi,” he added.
|
January 12
|
A labourer was killed when unidentified
militants opened fire at a FWO Camp in Hoshap area of Turbat District.
Unidentified militants opened
fire at a FWO vehicle that was carrying officials, injuring at
least five personnel in Turbat District.
Two death row convicts were hanged
till death in Toba Tek Singh and Bahawalpur jails early on Tuesday.
A death convict, Muhammad Sardar, was hanged till death in the
District Jail Toba Tek Singh. He was accused of killing one Amanullah
in 1993.
Another convict, identified as
Rasheed Ahmad, was hanged till death in the New Central Jail in
Bahawalpur District. He was accused of murdering a man in 2004.
Law enforcement agencies claimed
to have arrested seven LeJ suspect allegedly involved in attacks
on different media houses during a raid in Samanabad area of
provincial capital Lahore. Quoting intelligence sources, some
television news channels reported that prime suspects Saifullah
and Waheed and their five accomplices were arrested. Arms and
ammunition, maps of some media houses and jihadi literature were
recovered from their possession.
Special Police unit arrested an
Afghan terrorist, Hamidullah alias Hamzaullah, involved in the
attack on Pishtakhara Police Station van in Academy town on September
11, 2015, during a raid at Board bazaar bus stop in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP. Police constable Ajmal Khan was
killed, while ASI Jamal Shah, head constable Tahir and constable
Shehzad had received injuries.
Observing that "instability
will continue for decades" in many parts of the world including
Afghanistan and Pakistan, US President Barack Obama said both
al Qaida and ISIS pose a direct threat to the US during his final
State of the Union Address to the Congress. "Both al-Qaida
and now ISIL pose a direct threat to our people, because in today's
world, even a handful of terrorists who place no value on human
life, including their own, can do a lot of damage," Obama
said.
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January 13
|
At least 15 people, among them
13 Police personnel, a FC soldier and a civilian, were killed
while 25 others were injured when suicide bomber blew himself
up near a Government health centre in Satellite Town area of Quetta.
Earlier, it was reported that 14 persons were killed in the attack.
TTP and JuI claimed responsibility for the attack. TTP spokesman
Muhammad Khurasani sent an email to journalists, claiming responsibility
of the suicide attack. But Azam Tariq, a spokesman for the JuI,
made a similar claim and said the attack had been carried out
by his group to avenge the act of torturing the people in custody.
An employee of ARY TV channel
was injured when unidentified militants hurled hand grenades and
opened indiscriminate fire at the office in Islamabad. The attackers,
before fleeing from the scene, left pamphlets which said Daesh
(also known as Islamic State/IS) claims responsibility for the
attack.
Assistant Sub-Inspector, Mohammed
Akram, along with his eight accomplices, was arrested for their
alleged involvement in kidnappings-for-ransom, during a raid in
Gharibabad area of Malir Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. The officials added that the gang had been active for
the past one month. They used to kidnap people by posing themselves
as officers of the CTD of Police, said Karachi-West DIG Feroze
Shah. The paramilitary force also seized the police van used for
kidnapping people, he added.
The JeM ‘Chief’ Maulana Masood
Azhar, his brother Mufti Abdul Rauf and close aides were taken
into protective custody in connection with the January 2, 2016
attack on Pathankot airbase in Indian Punjab. They were all shifted
to an undisclosed location. The sources further said that the
concerned authorities were interrogating them over the armed attack
on Pathankot airbase. Prime Minister’s office said in a statement
that the Government has made "considerable progress"
in investigating the attack. "Based on the initial investigations
in Pakistan, and the information provided, several individuals
belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad have been apprehended," the
office of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said.
“We will keep them (Azhar and
brothers) for as long as we need to carry out our investigation
over India’s claims about the attack. We are resolved to take
this investigation to its conclusion,” said an unnamed senior
intelligence official. Another senior Government official close
to the investigation said that Azhar, who has been placed under
house arrest in the past but never prosecuted, would be prosecuted
this time if evidence connected him to the attack on the Pathankot
air base.
Three suspects, including a student
of a private university, were arrested by LEAs in connection with
the Pathankot airbase attack. According to Intelligence Agencies,
a student of the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Usman
Sarwar of Arifwala tehsil of Pakpattan District Saad Mughal
of Sahiwal District and Kashif of Karachi (Sindh) were arrested
in connection with the Pathankot incident. Indian authorities
had shared five mobile phone numbers with Pakistan in connection
with investigation into the attack. Acting on the leads, the authorities
took the three students into custody because the numbers provided
by India had been issued in their names.
|
January 14
|
SFs claimed to have killed at
least three militants during a search operation in Sami and Tabjan
areas of Kech District. A spokesman for the FC Khan Waey said
that the militants were allegedly involved in attacks at the FWO.
Weapons and ammunition were also seized by the SFs.
FC personnel also foiled major
terror bid by defusing three IED in Solani area of Kech District.
The FC spokesman said that the militants had planted the IEDs
to target SFs and FWO workers in the area.
The CTD sealed a mosque-cum-seminary
run by JeM and detained 14 JeM cadres from Mundeyki Goraya village
in Sialkot District. An unnamed senior official said that a contingent
of CTD and Police raided and sealed Jamia Masjid and Madrassah
Al-Noor.
The US declared Islamic State
(IS/ also known as Daesh) Afghanistan-Pakistan wing a FTO. “The
US Department of State has announced the designation of ISIL-K
as a FTO under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act”, says a statement issued in Washington. The Department of
State took this action in consultation with the Departments of
Justice and the Treasury, the statement added. The group, known
as Islamic State Khorasan or ISIL-K, announced its formation on
Jan 10, 2015 and is composed primarily of former members of Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban.
US Under-Secretary of State for
Civilian Security Sarah Sewall during a seminar in New Delhi urged
Pakistan to take the fight to all terrorist outfits working along
its borders, without any exception. “We will continue to work
with the government of Pakistan to take the fight to all terrorist
networks in the border region and do everything in their power
to help India achieve justice for the Mumbai attacks,” she said
in her speech, which the State Department also released in Washington.
“That is what partners do — we help each other overcome shared
struggles and face hard truths,” said the US official.
|
January 15
|
Four persons were killed and many
were wounded in separate incidents of firing in different parts
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The firing incidents
took place in Korangi crossing and Qasba Colony resulting in death
of three persons. Another three men were shot and injured in Lyari,
Maripur and Shershah.
Pakistan Rangers killed a suspected
gangster, identified as Nasir Wachani, in an ‘encounter’ in Lyari
area of Karachi. Nasir Wachani was ‘very close’ to Uzair Baloch,
as he looked after his ‘financial and land affairs’.
The CTD officials said that three
suspects allegedly involved in an attack on a constable were apprehended
during a raid on Nishtar Road. Two of the three suspects were
identified as Aaqib Murgi and Qasim Baji. The third accused was
yet to be identified. According to CTD, they used to collect extortion
from traders.
Caught in Iran while travelling
illegally to Syria to join the militant Islamic State group before
being repatriated to Pakistan, two youngsters have turned away
from ‘armed struggle’ after being ‘rehabilitated’ with the support
of their families and security administration, officials said.
Although still under surveillance, the men in their early 20s
have no more militant tendencies according to the psychiatrists
who evaluated their condition, said official in charge of the
CTD Raja Umer Khattab. The two men belonging to the middle and
upper middle class families of Karachi were handed over to the
FIA by the Iranian authorities before being given into the custody
of the Quetta Police.
During question hour in the Senate,
the Government disclosed that five unidentified persons had been
arrested in Sindh for allegedly financing terrorism, but failed
to explain when they had been taken into custody or if their cases
were under investigation or would be tried in court. This was
revealed in a written reply to a question regarding the number
of people arrested under the NAP on charges of financing terrorism.
According to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, five people had
been arrested in Sindh, four in KP and 28 in Gilgit-Baltistan
on these charges. No arrests have been made on this account in
Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Islamabad
and Balochistan. It was also revealed that while cases of those
arrested in GB and KP were being heard in the ATCs, there was
no mention of the status of the cases from Sindh.
Unidentified militants attacked
the residence of an Afghan consulate official in cantonment area
of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Consulate
official Humayun Yousafzai is unhurt. Initial investigation revealed
a sub-machine gun was used to fire at the house and 29 bullet
casings have been recovered from the site of the attack. Photos
from the crime scene show the boundary wall of the house marred
with bullets. A FIR has been registered against unidentified individuals
and an investigation is under way. No one has claimed responsibility
for the attack as yet.
The CTD arrested a key wanted
terrorist, identified as Raees Khan, during a raid in Chakora
area of Lower Dir District. CTD conducted a raid on a tip-off
on a hideout and recovered hand grenades, pistol along with rounds
from his possession.
A parked vehicle was damaged in
a blast in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.
According to Levies sources, Unidentified militants had planted
improvised explosive devices in a vehicle and had parked it near
a house that went off. A vehicle was damaged in the blast while
no loss of life was reported.
Punjab CTD conducted a raid on
a Madrassah run by JeM in Razaabad of Faisalabad city in the Punjab
Province and arrested eight JeM militants. The arrestees were
shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation. Among those
taken into custody include JeM Regional Chief Muhammad Hassan
Alias Abu Jandal whereas the identification of the others could
not be confirmed so far.
The Government shut down several
religious schools run by the JeM militant group accused of masterminding
the attack on Pathankot air base in India, Punjab Law Minister
Rana Sanaullah said. The crackdown in Punjab, Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif’s power base and the headquarters of JeM, follows the arrest
this week of several members of the militant group, including
its leader, Maulana Masood Azhar, a hardliner and long-time foe
of India. The Government has said it is clamping down on Azhar’s
group while it investigates Indian assertions that the January
2 attack on the Pathankot air base was the work of the Pakistan-based
militants.
At least 79 militants, including
three commanders, given up their armed struggle against the state
after a successful operation carried out by Security Forces in
Miranshah of NWA in FATA.
Ministry of States and Frontier
Regions has facilitated the return of 447,544 registered families
of IDP, NADRA report said. NADRA has so far verified 447,544 IDPs,
out of which 265,214 have returned, while 182,330 remain. As per
agency-wise updates till January 2, in Khyber Agency 91,689 IDPs
were verified by NADRA, of which 73,767 returned, and 17,922 remain,
in NWA 104,002 IDPs have been verified of which 33,725 returned
and 70,277 remain, while in SWA the number of NADRA-verified IDPs
is 71,124, of which 13,997 have returned and 57,127 remain.
Similarly, NADRA has verified
35,823 IDPs of Orakzai Agency, of which the number of registered
returnees was 16,102 and 19,721 remain. For Kurram Agency the
number of NADRA-verified IDPs was 33,024 of which 16,117 registered
have returned and 16,907 remain. For Frontier Region Tank 2,228
have been verified by NADRA, with 1,852 registered returnees.
The data further revealed that for Bajaur the number of NADRA
verified IDPs was 72,895 and all of them were returned while for
Mohmand the number of NADRA verified IDPs was 36,759 and all of
them were returned to their respective agency. The long-awaited
return of TDPs of FATA was initiated in March 2015 and till date
around 90,000 NADRA-verified families have been processed with
cellular companies for provision of Transport Grant at the rate
of Rs 10,000 and Return Cash Grant at the rate of Rs 25,000 per
family.
|
January 16
|
At least nine children were injured
in hand grenade attack in Chakiwara area of Lyari Town in Karachi
of Sindh. The police have launched a search operation in the area
after the attack but no significant development has been reported.
Sindh Rangers Director General
Major General Bilal Akbar while talking to a delegation of Pakhtun
Jirga led by ANP Senator Shahi Syed pledged to take the ongoing
operation in the city to a logical end. He said the indiscriminate
operation, that has gained public support due to its positive
results, would be taken to its logical end.
Four constables were injured when
suspected militants lobbed a hand-grenade into a Police van on
the Swabi-Mardan Road in Dagai area of Swabi District. The injured
constables were identified as Arshad Ali, Imtiaz Ahmad, Aftab
and Mohammad Ishaq.
Police arrested a terrorist along
with explosive and ammunitions in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Province. On a tip-off, Police conducted a raid at a hideout in
Tarnab Chowk Charsadda and arrested the suspected terrorist identified
as Yarmat Shah who hailed from Khyber Agency. Police said that
the terrorist was a commander of a banned terrorist outfit. The
suspect was shifted to undisclosed location for further investigation.
|
January 17
|
Three bullet-riddled dead bodies
were recovered from Gorkop area of Kech District. The dead bodies
were identified as those of Noshad alias Nodo, Abdul Ghani and
Maqsood. "All victims received multiple bullet wounds,"
Levies sources said.
SFs foiled a major terror bid
on a roadside in Sui tehsil of Dera Bugti District, defusing
an IED weighing around 17 kilogram. Khan Wasey, spokesman for
the Frontier Corps said, "Miscreants wanted to target security
forces through the IED."
SFs arrested three TTP militants
from Nassai area of Qilla Saifullah District.
SFs arrested a TTP militant during
a raid in Karbala village of Pishin District.
A brother of a local leader of
the PML-N, identified as Mir Ishtiaq Baloch alias Mulla Pappu
(35), was shot dead on Ahmed Shah Bukhari Road in Baghdadi area
of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh ahead
of a planned ‘peace rally’. A passerby was also shot at and wounded
in the attack. The victim had also contested the recent local
government election on a Union Council chairman seat in Lyari.
“It appeared to be a targeted killing incident,” said City SSP
Fida Husain. Baghdadi SHO Rao Dilshad said that the victim was
the younger brother of PML-N leader Mir Ashfaq Baloch.
A man, identified as Shan (25),
was shot dead outside his residence near Old Golimar area of Lyari
Town.
Three JeM cadres, who were among
the 31 arrested suspects as part of a crackdown on the outfit
in the aftermath of the January 2, 2016, Pathankot terror attack,
were charged in an Anti-Terrorism Court of Sialkot District for
possessing jihadi literature. The three suspects, however, were
not charged in connection with the Pathankot attack and instead
were charged for possessing jihadi literature.
Graffiti welcoming Islamic State
(IS/ also known as Daesh) was seen in at least two places in Gilgit
District, stirring panic among locals and law-enforcement agencies.
“At least two walls were painted with slogans welcoming IS in
Gilgit,” a resident said, a day after the graffiti was found spray-painted
in Amphari area of Gilgit. “Nobody knows who did this; people
saw it in the morning and reported to the Police,” said the local.
The wall-chalking was removed
by authorities immediately after it came to their notice, but
finding such graffiti in Gilgit perturbed residents who believed
it could be the work of someone aiming to create unrest in the
region. The graffiti also gave authorities in the region a reason
to scramble in worry. “This is to create panic in the region,
[or so] it seems to be at least for now,” an unnamed security
official said.
JeM rejected claims that its leader
Maulana Masood Azhar has been arrested for his alleged role in
the January 2, 2o16, terror strike on the Pathankot airbase in
India. “Disbelievers and hypocrites across the world are celebrating
our arrest,” a statement in Urdu said, “but the arrest never happened.”
“Even if they happen, what difference will it make? No difference,
except one. Allah willing, there will be more enthusiasm and excitement
among people of the faith, and the work of jihad will gather more
strength and energy,” said the statement, posted on a Facebook
community used by the JeM to communicate with media and followers.
“Those taking the Mujahideen as
helpless and weak are greatly mistaken. You made the children
of the martyr Afzal Guru cry, and since then, you have been crying,
screaming and shrieking everyday,” it stated. In its statement,
the Jaish also lashed out at Pakistan’s government “which is friends
with (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, (former Deputy Prime Minister
Lal Krishna) Advani, and (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee”.
“We will settle all scores… We are not polytheists, who were born
on the railway tracks, but the followers of Muhammad the Arab
and the enlightened ones of Medina, suffused with the unity of
Allah and intoxicated by the desire for martyrdom,” the Jaish
said.
|
January 18
|
Six FC personnel were killed and
one was injured in an IED blast near FC’s Margat Checkpoint in
provincial capital Quetta. No outfit claimed responsibility for
the attack.
An ATC in Quetta acquitted former
President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf in the case of the
murder of JWP leader Nawab Akbar Bugti who was killed on August
26, 2006 in a military operation in Dera Bugti District. The court
also acquitted former Federal Home Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao,
and former Provincial Home Minister Shoaib Nosherwani. During
the hearing, the court also rejected the request by Nawabzada
Jamil Akbar Bugti, son of Akbar Bugti, to order exhumation of
his father’s body to ensure the body buried in Dera Bugti was
that of his late father.
Pakistan's Permanent Representative
to the US Maleeha Lodhi in a letter to the UN Security Council
(UNSC) President Elbio Rosselli expressed confidence that the
UNSC will deliver on its pledge to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir.
The letter said that it is a matter of the determination of the
Kashmiris' future.
The Sindh Government announced
that it would issue uniform Friday sermons to mosques to curb
extremism and promote sectarian harmony in the province. Abdul
Qayyum Soomro, the Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Religious
Affairs, said that the Government would issue Friday sermons to
mosques across the Province. “One of our key objectives is to
promote sectarian harmony,” Soomro said. “The Sindh Government
has been planning to legislate it and a bill on the issue will
soon be presented in the Provincial Assembly,” he added.
However, religious leaders belonging
to different schools of thought said the government’s decision
was impractical. Mufti Muhammad Naeem, the principal of the Jamia
Binoria International, a key Deobandi seminary in Karachi, wondered
how the decision would work. He said that Government had not
taken religious leaders into confidence while making the decision.
“These are only suggestions without practical steps which are
not enough to curb sectarianism and will only create more confusion
among the masses,“ Naeem said, adding, “We don’t know how the
government will enforce it. It hasn’t explained it yet.”
Adviser to the Prime Minister
on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the Upper House of Parliament
that the US policies were responsible for instability in South
Asia and urged the Obama administration to analyse its role and
that of its allies in the region. Winding up discussion on an
adjournment motion moved by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed about
US President Barack Obama’s remarks that instability will continue
for decades in Pakistan, Aziz said: “Pakistan’s answer to instability
is the strengthening democracy in the country.” He said that “the
US created ‘holy warriors’ in our tribal areas during Afghan Jihad
and then left them as soon as the war was over, a factor which
contributed to decades of instability in Pakistan and the region.”
About any external threats to
the country’s stability, the adviser said that since 2013, Pakistan
was pursuing a policy of non-interference and was not taking part
in other nations’ wars. “We have decided that we are not going
to indulge in fighting other countries’ wars now, and this policy
is being pursued vigorously by the government,” Aziz said, adding
that “Pakistan has also taken a strong stance against terrorism.
|
January 19
|
Twelve persons, including a journalist,
were killed while 39 others sustained injuries when a suicide
bomber targeted the tribal Khassadar force in the Karkhano Market
of Khyber Agency in FATA. The incident occurred hardly 30 metres
from the Karkhano checkpost, the entry-point to Peshawar from
Khyber Agency. The security sources said the bomber parked his
motorbike and walked towards the Line Officer Nawab Shah of the
Khassadar Force and his Khassadar Force and his guards. “The bomber
detonated his explosives vest. The car of the Line Officer and
another vehicle caught fire while the roof of a nearby shop caved
in after the blast,” said an official. Those killed in the blast
included Line Officer Nawab Shah and Mehboob Shah Afridi, president
of the Tribal Union of Journalists, Khyber Agency chapter, who
was talking to him at the time of explosion. Others who lost their
lives were Gul Sahib, Raziq Khan and Waris Khan, all members of
the Khassadar force, and civilians Taimur Khan, Mubarak Shah,
Malik Khan, Mohammadullah, Ashfaq Khan and the wife of one Shoaib.
A child was also among the dead. Meanwhile, the TTP claimed responsibility
for the attack.
The Rangers, after being tipped
off about the presence of terrorists at Super Highway and Northern
Bypass areas of Karachi, conducted a raid at a hideout and in
the ensuing shootout shot at and injured three terrorists who
later succumbed to their injuries. They were identified as Shamsher
Khan, Ataullah alias Daud Pathan and Zaheer alias Zafeer Pathan.
Ranger's spokesperson said that the terrorists were members of
a banned outfit and involved in target killing, extortion, rape,
robbery, and kidnapping-for-ransom cases. The terrorists had killed
Policemen and were also involved in bomb attacks on Rangers. The
Rangers recovered weapons from the hideout.
Two gangsters of the Baba Ladla
(Rauf Nazim) group, identified as Adil alias Rind alias Salman
and Moeed, were shot dead in an encounter in Gul Muhammad Lane
of Lyari Town. A Rangers soldier also suffered injuries. The two
gangsters were. The spokespersons said the two men were involved
in many murder, kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion cases. Weapons
and ammunition were found at their hideout.
The CTD AEC detained 10 suspected
terrorists affiliated with a banned outfit in Mohammed Khan Colony
of Manghopir area in Gadap Town. A Police constable, identified
as Kashif, was injured in the shootout. They were found in possession
of a vehicle-based Improvised Explosive Device. Arms and ammunition,
including bomb, repeater rifles, and pistols were recovered from
the hideout.
Rangers arrested a suspected terrorist
during a raid in Gulshan-e-Hadeed area of Bin Qasim Town.
Another suspect was arrested during
a raid in Frontier Colony area of SITE Town.
Rangers claimed to have detained
two suspects during separate raids in the Defence Housing Authority
area who were allegedly involved in providing arms to ‘separatists’.
The suspects were detained. The paramilitary force also seized
weapons from their possession. According to the Rangers spokesperson,
the two suspects were involved in providing weapons to ‘defunct
separatist outfit’. However, he did not name the organisation
and the held suspects.
Pakistan is considering a ban
on FIF, a charity run by LeT founder and JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad
Saeed. "Officials said the Government is likely to ban FIF.
The Federal Ministry of Interior, these officials said, had started
serious consultations with all the stakeholders before banning
FIF and a final decision would be taken in next few days".
A former US Navy SEAL kept an
unauthorised photo of Osama bin Laden's corpse on a computer that
he turned over to investigators. The discovery came after Matthew
Bissonnette, who shot Osama in the infamous 2011 raid on the al
Qaeda leader's compound in Pakistan, gave investigators a copy
of his hard drive. He had been under investigation for allegedly
revealing classified information in his book about the incident,
"No Easy Day". Bissonnette gave investigators his hard
drive as part of a deal to avoid prosecution over the material,
two people familiar with the deal told The Intercept.
|
January 20
|
The TTP militants stormed the
Bacha Khan University in Charsadda District of KP, killing at
least 21 persons and causing injuries to 35 others. Victims included
17 students, two gardeners, a caretaker and a professor, adds
BBC. Eyewitnesses said the four attackers broke into the university
from the back by using the sugarcane fields as a cover. They cut
the barbed-wire that fenced the university perimeter and then
shot dead a security guard. The militants made it to the hostels
and other buildings amid thick fog and began killing people randomly.
“The police, army personnel and security guards on duty responded
promptly to engage the attackers. However, the terrorists kept
hiding and hurling grenades while taking advantage of the thick
fog,” DIG, Mardan Range, Mohammad Saeed Wazir, who led the operation
said. “Our cops fought bravely to shoot dead all the four attackers
one by one. They were wearing suicide jackets but none of them
could succeed in blowing himself up,” DIG Police Saeed Wazir maintained.
The mastermind of the December
16, 2014, APS Peshawar attack, Khalifa Umar Mansoor alias Aurangzeb,
of the TTP Geedar faction has claimed the attack through a post
on his Facebook page, adding that four attackers were sent to
the university. However, the ‘central spokesperson’ Muhammad Khorasani
denied any involvement in the attack. Refuting Khalifa Umar Mansoor’s
claims, Khorasani in an email sent to media men said, “The TTP
and its amir Maulana Fazalullah have nothing to do with the attack.”
“We consider these youth studying in non-military educational
institutes as our future, they are Muslims and their protection
is our responsibility,” he stated. “Those people who used the
name of the Taliban in the attack will be tried in Sharia courts,”
the email added.
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Asim
Bajwa said that there were a total of four terrorists who were
contained and killed at the hostel’s stairs and rooftop. He said
two cell phones which were in terrorists’ use have been seized.
He said even after the terrorists were killed, one of the mobile
phones were still getting calls from an Afghan SIM. “We are in
hold of information, confirming who the terrorists were and where
they were operating from,” he said, adding, more clues are being
gathered from the seized mobile phones. "We also have information
where the instruction to the terrorists was being made,"
he said.
An improvised explosive device,
weighing three to four kilograms, was defused by BDS personnel
near the Haji Camp Bus Stand in Peshawar, the provincial capital
of KP. BDS personnel said that the three to four kilograms of
explosive material was used in the making of the bomb which was
also fitted with a remote controlled detonator. Police also claimed
to have arrested a suspicious person from the vicinity.
SFs killed nine terrorists in
air raids in Khyber Agency of FATA.
At least five BLA militants, including
'commander' Suhbat Baloch, were killed during a raid in BLA hideout
in Chapar area of Barkhan District. Three BLA militants were arrested.
“The arrested persons have been shifted to an undisclosed location
for interrogation,” FC spokesman said. Two persons kidnapped six
months ago were also recovered from the hideout where Light Machine
Guns, AK-47 assault rifles and anti-Pakistan seditious material
were also found.
FC detained 16 suspects in Turbat
District, Panjgur District and Sui area of Dera Bugti District
for questioning.
Unidentified militant robbed of
PKR 375,000 from JS Bank branch in Block-7 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar
area of Gulshan Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
SSP Jawed Jiskani said that seven men riding motorcycles arrived
at the Gulistan-e-Jauhar and held the two security guards hostage
at gunpoint. The SSP said the CCTV footage of the robbery clearly
showed the faces of the robbers and they would soon be arrested.
The ATC handed over 11 suspects
of al Qaeda to CTD on a seven-day physical remand. The Police
department claimed that the suspects were planning to spread terror
in the city and produced the suspects Qari Muhammad Moshin, Qari
Muhammad Akram, Moshin Khan, Syed Muhammad Riaz, Anas Muhammad,
Muhammad Arshad, Abdul Wakeel, Abdul Wahab, Muhammad Owais and
others before ATC Administrative Judge Farooq Shah amid tight
security. According to CTD, the suspects belonged to al Qaeda
and LeJ and seized a rickshaw with explosives, rocket launchers,
rifles, detonator and bombs from their possession.
The bank accounts of 30 seminaries
and over 300 NGOs have been frozen in Gilgit-Baltistan for failing
to provide details of sources and activities. An official document
signed by Assistant Commissioner Rana Waqas Anwar, who also has
registration authority in GB, stated that the registration of
NGOs and seminaries will be cancelled if they fail to submit required
documents by the second week of February this year. “For the last
eight years these madrassas and NGOs haven’t submitted their audit
reports, details of projects implemented so far, and sources of
funding,” the document stated. The orders have been communicated
to banks operating in the region, it added.
|
January 21
|
Four civilians died and two others
received injuries when one of six rockets fired from the Afghan
side of the border hit a shop in Angoor Adda in South Waziristan
Agency of FATA. According to officials, four of the rockets fired
at about 2pm landed in open fields while two hit the market.
The political authorities in Bajaur
Agency claimed to have completed the long-awaited documentation
of the religious seminaries operating in the region in order to
ensure better education and facilities there. Sources in the political
administration said that important data of all the religious seminaries
operating in the agency had been collected during the process,
which continued for over a year. The sources said a joint committee
of local administration and various religious organisations carried
out the task, adding heads of seminaries showed full cooperation
with the administration in the documentation process.
Security Forces arrested dozens
of suspects in a search launched in the aftermath of the Charsadda
university attack in KP. Search operations in Charsadda are ongoing
as Police comb the area around the University. Several suspects
have been arrested. During initial investigations, four grenades,
16 magazines and 240 cartridges were recovered from the site of
the attack. Several schools were closed last weekend after intelligence
suggested militants were planning an attack, according to Muhammad
Amir Rana, director of the private Pakistan Institute for Peace
Studies. A KP Government spokesman said they were closed as part
of a security drill.
The COAS, General Raheel Sharif
said that the armed attack on Bacha Khan University was managed
from Afghanistan. According to ISPR, the COAS telephoned Afghan
President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and
US commander in Afghanistan General John Campbell and shared the
details of gathered information in connection with the attack
on the university. The COAS said an operative of TTP issued instructions
to the terrorists in Charsadda from a location in Afghanistan.
COAS General Raheel Sharif sought cooperation of Afghanistan in
tracing and hunting down the militants, who perpetrated the attack.
Pakistan and Afghanistan need
to work together to effectively overcome the Taliban challenge,
the White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. "The
conclusion that we've drawn here is...that the Taliban poses a
security threat to both countries, and that the nations of Afghanistan
and Pakistan are going to be able to more effectively confront
that threat if they're able to more effectively cooperate,"
Earnest said.
US Vice President Joe Biden held
a tri-lateral meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Davos to discuss the recent reconciliation
efforts. During the meeting, Biden reaffirmed US support for reconciliation
and improved bilateral ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Any sort of decisions about how the continuation of those
talks and any sort of agreement that could be produced by those
talks about whether or not that's in the interest of those countries
to pursue those are decisions that will be made by the leaders
in those two countries, as it should be," he said.
|
January 22
|
At least six militants were killed
while a soldier embraced martyrdom and two other injured during
a search operation in Mashkey area of Awaran District in Balochistan.
Balochistan Home Minister Mir
Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti narrowly escaped an attempt on his life when
his convoy hit a roadside bomb in Baker tehsil of Dera
Bugti District. The Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti was on an
official visit to his hometown in Baker tehsil. However, no casualties
were reported in the blast. It exploded moments after Bugti’s
vehicle crossed the site. One vehicle in the convoy was partially
damaged as a result of the blast. No group has so far claimed
responsibility.
Police killed three al Qaeda terrorists
in a shootout in Azam Chowk in Layyah District of Punjab Province,
thwarting a major terror attack. According to a CTD spokesman,
“a team of Police personnel on January 22 night raided a house
in Azam Chowk. The terrorists present in the house opened fire.
The police returned the fire killing three terrorists.” “Three
of their accomplices, however, managed to escape,” he said, adding
that a huge quantity of explosives was recovered from the house.
Unidentified militants shot dead
personnel of Police Elite Force Unit in Rasheed Ghari area of
Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. SP Imtiaz said that Elite
Force Policemen Shahzeb and Ihsanullah were riding a motorcycle
en route their office when unidentified militants opened fire.
The SP said that both the victims were well trained in the use
of security scanners. The motorcycle-riding assailants escaped
from the attack site.
The CTD of Peshawar arrested a
terrorist wanted for attacks on Police personnel. According to
CTD Peshawar, the force took action in Bannu and arrested a terrorist
named Sadaqat Ullah who is a resident of Suleman Khel Peshawar.
The arrested terrorist was involved in bomb attacks on Badhaber
Police back in 2012 and destroyed electricity towers.
A leader of Geedar faction of
TTP released the video footage of four militants who, he said,
had carried out January 20’s assault on Bacha Khan University
in Charsadda. The footage strengthened indications of a possible
split in the TTP whose ‘central spokesman’ Mohammad Khorasani
had issued a written statement that evening disassociating the
group from the attack and calling it un-Islamic. But the same
day, a Geedar faction’s leader Umar Mansoor said his fighters
had attacked the campus. Mansoor is considered close to Mullah
Fazlullah, the embattled leader of TTP.
The footage shows the four attackers,
two of them in their mid-teens, practicing shooting as part of
their training before carrying out the Charsadda attack. The video
which spread rapidly on Facebook but was not released on media
accounts of the TTP. The fresh attack had chilling echoes of a
2014 assault on a school in Peshawar, also claimed by Mansoor’s
faction. Mansoor had issued a similar video in the wake of the
Peshawar attack on December 16, 2014. The authenticity of the
video could not be independently verified.
Pakistan has asked Washington
to drone Mullah Fazlullah and others involved in terrorist activities,
including the most recent Bacha Khan University attack. Security
official sources said that Washington has been conveyed through
its Islamabad mission that it must play its role in targeting
the TTP terrorists, who are using the Afghan soil for their nefarious
designs against Pakistan. The US authorities have been told that
they should at least now be serious in targeting the TTP men in
Afghanistan as Kabul continues to be under the influence of New
Delhi. India is said to be involved in destabilising Pakistan.
Only a few months back, Islamabad had shared dossiers of Indian
involvement with the UN and Washington.
|
January 24
|
At least 17 terrorists were killed
in aerial raids conducted by the SFs in Shawal and Dattakhel areas
of North Waziristan Agency in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.
Four persons suffered injuries
when a roadside bomb exploded near Phandu Chowk area of Peshawar,
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said the
bomb was planted near a bridge with an aim to target the vehicle
of Salahuddin, the caretaker of a local Masjid.
Three people, identified as Asghar,
Majeed and Sher Agha, were shot at and injured by unidentified
armed assailants near Kalapul area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh.
Another man, identified as Muhammad
Faisal was shot at and injured near Fawara Chowk in Garden area
of Saddar Town.
The MPA Javed Nagori escaped a
gun attack while passing through the Kharadar area of Saddar Town.
No casualties were reported.
Police arrested 17 suspects during
search operations in Mahmoodabad, Shah Faisal Colony, Baldia Town
and Defence areas. A large cache of arms and ammunitions was recovered
from their possession. The Police arrested suspects hailing from
Waziristan, including three injured after an exchange of fire
with the Police. The Defence Police also arrested three suspects
while the Baldia Town Police arrested three Lyari gangsters. The
Karachi police also claimed that they had arrested three gang
war criminals from Ittehad Town and weapons were also recovered
from their possession while eight suspects were arrested during
a raid in Natha Khan Goth.
According to the Federal Ministry
of Interior and Narcotics Control report issued CTD arrested 64
suspects in parts of the country under the National Action Plan
for allegedly providing financial assistance to terrorists. The
province-wise details stated that 41 such cases were reported
in Punjab with 57 people involved. 51 arrests have been made so
far in the province.
In Sindh, five people were arrested
for their alleged involvement in facilitating terrorists by providing
them financial assistance and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa four cases
were reported to the CTD in which eight suspects were arrested.
Some cases were registered in Diamer District of Gilgit Baltistan
and 28 suspects were arrested for allegedly providing shelter
and meal to terrorists.
Balochistan Government decided
to establish a special force to be deployed at university campuses
across the Province. “The new force would be subservient to vice
chancellors,” said Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani.
He further said that the administrative powers over the force
would be with Police. Durrani said 60 personnel will be deployed
at each university, adding that the force will be well equipped.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pledged
to continue operations against terrorists of all hues while admitting
that progress on the revised national counterterrorism strategy
has been slow. “We will fulfill this responsibility,” the PM said,
adding, “In certain areas of NAP, progress has been slow, but
in many other areas work has been started.”
US President Barack Obama in an
interview with the Press Trust of India published urged Pakistan
to show it is “serious” about crushing extremist networks operating
on its territory, saying the latest mass killing of students underlined
the need for more decisive action, reports Dawn. He said that
the crackdown on extremists was “the right policy” but was quoted
as saying that Pakistan “can and must” take more effective action.
“Pakistan has an opportunity to
show that it is serious about delegitimising, disrupting and dismantling
terrorist networks,” Obama said, adding, “In the region and around
the world, there must be zero tolerance for safe havens and terrorists
must be brought to justice.”
According to authoritative sources,
around 130,190 combing and search operations were conducted till
the middle of January 2016 throughout the country as part of the
NAP. Giving the details of operations, the sources said that in
the Islamabad Capital Territory and Gilgit-Baltistan, 6,580 search
operations were conducted since January 15, 2015, 3,455 arrests
were made and one terrorist was killed. Similarly, in the Punjab,
the number of operations carried out was 38,038. During these
operations, 6,346 arrests were made and 62 terrorists were killed.
The highest numbers of operations were carried out in the KP i.e.
55,634. The arrests made were 3,223 while the number of terrorists
killed was unavailable.
In Sindh, 28,003 operations were
carried out and 29,818 arrests were made. The number of those
who were killed during the operations was 946. Around 1,935 operations
were conducted in Balochistan and 4,115 arrests were made. Also,
423 terrorists were killed during the operations. Overall, 46,957
arrests were made and 1,432 terrorists were killed (excluding
KP) in some 130,190 countrywide operations since January 15, 2015,
the sources added.
Authoritative sources have revealed
that while the Operation Zarb-e-Azb had started much earlier in
2014, since January 2015, during operations in Fata, 1,359 terrorists
have been killed and 916 injured. These include 440 killed during
Zarb-e-Azb, 308 killed in Operation Khyber, 1, 454 killed in Operation
Khyber II, and 157 killed in Shawal. Also, 80 terrorists were
injured in Zarb-e-Azb, 393 in Khyber, 1, 422 in Khyber II and
21 in Shawal. During this period, the armed forces had 78 Shaheeds
in Zarb-e-Azb, 45 in Khyber, 1, 57 in Khyber II and eight in Shawal.
Also, 203 armed forces personnel were injured in Zarb-e-Azb, 55
in Khyber, 1, 190 in Khyber II, and 17 in Shawal. In all, there
were 188 Shaheeds and 465 Ghazis during the one year of operations
in FATA.
|
January 25
|
Five people including TTP Chief
Mullah Fazlullah has reportedly been killed in a drone strike
in Afghanistan. According to reports, a drone strike was conducted
on Fazlullah’s house in Afghanistan, killing at least five people,
including a woman said to be TTP chief’s wife and his son.
Police arrested a terrorist of
TTP in a raid at an under construction petrol pump on the Super
Highway in Jamshoro District of Sindh. The terrorist was identified
as Qamar Zaman Mehsud who hails from North Waziristan. Police
recovered 10 kilograms of explosive material, a bundle of wire,
three hand grenades and an automatic rifle with 50 rounds from
the his possession.
The Islamabad High Court dismissed
the Government's petition seeking voice samples of Mumbai terror
(also known as 26/11) attacks mastermind and LeT 'commander' Zakiur
Rehman Lakhvi and six other accused in the case. The prosecution
had filed an application in the Islamabad High Court seeking voice
samples of the suspects to compare it with the communication intercepted
by Indian intelligence and then present it before the ATC as evidence
against the seven accused. But, the IHC dismissed the petition.
In 2011 and 2015, the issue of
obtaining voice samples of Lakhvi had been dismissed by the trial
court on the grounds that "no such law exists that allows
obtaining of voice sample of an accused". In the recorded
intercepts, the suspects are alleged to be instructing the terrorists.
|
January 26
|
FC killed four suspected militants
in an exchange of fire during search operation in Winder area
of Lasbela District. FC Spokesman Khan Wasey said that SF also
recovered weapons from their possession, adding that the suspects
were involved in carrying out bomb blasts, kidnapping-for-ransom
and attacks on SFs in the Province.
SFs killed two militants in Pasni
area of Gwadar District. Illegal arms and ammunition were also
recovered. The militants were identified as Mohammad Younus Kolanchi
and Mohammad Hanif Kolanchi. “Their accomplices managed to escape,”
a police official said.
The FIA arrested two suspects,
identified as Asmatullah and Muhammad Ramzan, for selling and
possessing Afghan SIM cards in Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District.
"FIA also recovered a large number of Afghan SIM cards from
the possession of the accused, the duo were shifted to FIA's Chaman
centre for interrogation," said an unnamed official.
The body of a khasadar
official was found in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA, after
he was abducted in the night of January 23. An official of the
political administration confirmed Rehmatullah, a resident of
Alingar in Safi, had been murdered and his body dumped. His body
was found in a search operation. The slain khasadar officer was
the son of a former peace committee leader, Saifur Rehman.
Unidentified militants lobbed
a hand grenade outside Balochistan Minister Changez Khan Marri’s
house in DHA Phase II in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
However, the grenade failed to explode. No casualties were reported.
Police booked militants affiliated with BLA for the attack. The
Minister had arrived in Karachi on the night of January 25, 2016.
Rangers arrested of six suspects,
including four officials of the Fisherman Cooperative Society
(FCS), who were allegedly working as facilitators for Lyari gangsters,
during raid in Kalri area of Lyari Town. The spokesman for the
Sindh Rangers said Saleem Deedak, Mehar Bux, Mohammad Saeed Baloch
and Dil Murad were arrested during raids in the Kalri area. The
suspects were moved to the Rangers headquarters for interrogation
and later taken to an Anti-Terrorism Court, which allowed their
preventive detention for 90 days. The initial interrogation showed
that the four were affiliated with the Aziz Jan Baloch and Baba
Ladla groups and were working as their facilitators.
Rangers arrested an alleged target
killer, identified as Mohammad Farooq alias Lendi, in Kharadar
area of Saddar Town. The ATC allowed the Rangers to keep him in
preventive detention for three months. Farooq was said to have
admitted that he belonged to the militant wing of a political
party and was involved in a number of target killings.
Rangers arrested a target killer,
identified as Mohammad Adnan Siddiqi, during a raid in the Ramswami
area of Saddar Town. The Rangers got his 90-day Preventive detention
from the ATC. The spokesman said Siddiqi belonged to the notorious
militant wing of a political party and admitted murdering six
people in attacks.
Rangers arrested four suspected
criminals, including Lyari gangsters during raids in Korangi Town
and Tharu Lane area of Jamshed Town. Weapons, including SMGs,
uni-barrel rocket launchers, pistols, hand grenades and Avan grenades
were seized from their possession.
An IED, allegedly meant to target
a school, was defused by BDS personnel in Bashirabad area of Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP. Officials say unidentified suspects
handed over the improvised bomb, fitted in a pressure cooker,
to a child, asking him to take it to his school. But the little
boy instead of taking it to school brought the IED home. A TTP
slogan was written on the pressure cooker, officials said. On
seeing the explosive, family members of the child alerted Police
and BDS personnel were called in. According to BDS officials,
around five kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the
device.
|
January 27
|
Police claimed to have killed
four TTP militants, identified as Amirullah Mehsud, Khan Wali
alias Khanewal and Khoni Khel, in an encounter near Safoora Goth
area of Gulshan Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
SSP Malir Rao Anwar said that Police conducted a raid in Safoora
Goth area after receiving a tip-off about the presence of suspected
militants.
A joint team comprising Police
and Intelligence Officials recovered a huge cache of weapons and
ammunition from warehouses on GT Road and Kohat Road areas of
provincial capital Peshawar. Officials claim militants wanted
to carry out a major act of terrorism in the area, for which they
were dumping dangerous weapons at the locations raided. Recovered
arms include over a thousand M4 and M6 rifles, telescopes and
a large numbers of bullets, officials said. An unnamed official
said that the arms were foreign made.
SFs arrested four suspects, demolished
three hideouts of terrorists, and recovered arms and ammunition
from Harnai District. Khan Wasey, the spokesman for Frontier Corps,
said that 500 kilograms of explosives, four IEDs, one hand grenade,
and a number of other weapons were recovered during the raid.
Journalists and activists in Pakistan
faced an increasingly hostile climate in 2015 due to harassment,
threats and violence from both the state and militant groups,
according to HRW Report released. In the 659-page World Report
2016, which has reviewed human rights practices in more than 90
countries, HRW says the Government imposed new restrictions on
free speech and funding of civil society groups in 2015 due to
the security situation faced by the country.
Asia Director of HRW Brad Adams
said that Pakistan should not curb freedom of expression and association
under the threat of extremism. “Pakistan should reverse course
and repeal or amend laws curbing freedom of expression and association,”
he said, adding, “The Government should never use the threat of
extremist violence as a pretext to violate the rights of independent
voices.”
The Report further added that
media was also deterred from reporting on or criticising human
rights violations in the country’s counter-terrorism operations,
it added. “Pakistan’s Government should take urgent steps to
create an enabling environment for free expression and association,”
Adams said. “Pakistan needs to fight terrorism, but denying its
citizens fundamental freedoms and due process rights is an unlawful
and extremely misguided approach.”
|
January 28
|
Four Policemen were killed when
TTP militants open fired at them while they were sitting inside
a mini gas station situated on Munir Mengal Road in Satellite
Town of provincial capital Quetta. TTP spokesperson Mohammad Khorasani
said, “The TTP’s special unit STF’s commandos successfully carried
out the attack at a police mobile at Quetta’s Satellite Town.
The commandos disappeared after the attack”.
Two bogies of the Jaffar Express
were partially damaged in an explosion near railway tracks in
Mithri area of Sibi District. However, no casualties were reported.
A terror bid was foiled by Police
when a terrorist during an encounter with Police blew himself
up in Domeli Mor area of Jhelum District. The terrorist who was
allegedly targeting the Rawalpindi to Lahore Pakistan Express
tried to plant explosives on railway tracks near Grand Trunk Road
when some passerby reported about this to Motorway Police. The
terrorist lobbed a hand grenade at security personnel upon sight
and then blew himself up, security sources said. Police recovered
four hand grenades and two pistols, as well as two National Identity
Cards and a vehicle from his possession.
Police defused five bombs planted
under a 132KV electric tower in provincial capital Peshawar. The
bombs, comprising 20 kilograms of explosive materials, were packed
into four pressure cookers and a canister in Phando area the main
transmission lines powering Peshawar.
KP CM Pervez Khattak while talking
to the head of Department for International Development (DFID)
Joanna Reid at CM Secretariat in Peshawar said that border between
Pakistan and Afghanistan is not safe and without securing it cities
in the country can’t be made safe for people. The CM said that
entry points at Miranshah, Angoor Adda and Torkham were open for
any sort of movement and terrorists involved in the recent Charsadda
incident came from across the border. “The incidents of suicide
bombing have dropped visibly as there is no hideout for training
of terrorists,” he added.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign
Affairs Sartaj Aziz while speaking to India Today said that they
are still waiting for India’s response. Sartaj Aziz said, “We
are still waiting for India to suggest the dates for the foreign
secretary-level talks. The ball is in India’s court.” The talks,
which were scheduled for January 15, 2016, in Islamabad, were
called off after the January 2, 2016, Pathankot terror attack.
The head of Council of Islamic
Ideology (CII), Muhammad Khan Sherani said that he is willing
to review the blasphemy laws that critics say are regularly misused
and have led to the deaths of hundreds, to decide if they are
Islamic, reports Daily Times. Chairman Sherani said that he was
willing to reopen the debate and see whether sentences as harsh
as the death penalty were fair.
“The Government of Pakistan should
officially, at the government level, refer the law on committing
blasphemy to the Council of Islamic Ideology. There is a lot of
difference of opinion among the clergy on this issue,” Sherani
said, adding, “Then the council can seriously consider things
and give its recommendation of whether it needs to stay the same
or if it needs to be hardened or if it needs to be softened”.
Terrorist safe havens inside Pakistan,
providing shelter to terrorist outfits like the Taliban and the
Haqqani Network, is a serious problem, US General John "Mick"
Nicholson told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee
during his confirmation hearing as commander to the US and NATO
forces in Afghanistan. "I view it (terrorist safe havens
inside Pakistan) as a serious problem," he said. If confirmed
by the Senate, he would replace General John Campbell as commander.
"One of the biggest problems
has been the sanctuary, particularly for the Haqqani Network,
particularly the involvement of the ISI in Pakistan, which in
many cases have been supporting the Haqqani Network. Have you
seen any progress in this whole problem?" Senator John McCain,
Chairman of the SASC asked General Nicholson.
In response, General Nicholson
said that continued presence of the terrorist safe haven has been
a major problem. "This has been one of the principal challenges.
It's a sanctuary that our enemies, in particular the Haqqani Network,
have enjoyed inside Pakistan," he said. The US is not satisfied
that there's adequate pressure put on the Haqqanis, he asserted.
|
January 29
|
The dead body of a polio worker,
identified as Shah Faisal, who had gone missing from Jamrud tehsil
of Khyber Agency in FATA on January 27, 2016, was found in Regi
area of provincial capital Peshawar. Political Tehsildar at Jamrud,
Asmatullah Wazir, said that Shah was a contractual employee with
the Health Department.
Two suspected militants were killed
in an exchange of fire with SFs in Mastung District late. Official
sources said that unidentified assailants attacked a convoy of
SFs in the Kanak area of the District. They fired rockets and
shots. SF personnel in the convoy retaliated and the exchange
of fire continued for about three hours.
Six soldiers of Pakistan Army
and a child were injured as a suicide bomber blew himself near
Cantt area of Zhob District. The attacker attempted to enter Cantt
area when the Friday prayers were underway, said Provincial Home
Secretary Akber Hussain Durrani. TTP-Mehsud faction claimed responsibility
for the attack. The spokesman Azam Masood called Radio Free Europe
Mashal correspondent in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
and claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Government of Balochistan
during a meeting held with Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri in the
chair pledged that the responsibility of providing security to
people would be fulfilled at all costs and actions against terrorists
and anti-social elements and their facilitators would continue
to purge the province of all terrorists. He decided to pursue
a `tit-for-tat policy’ to deal with terrorists and their facilitators
to ensure fool-proof security in the Province. There was consensus
among participants that terrorist attacks on police and other
security personnel were a reaction to successful anti-terror operations
being carried out by law enforcement agencies.
Unidentified militants hurled
a hand grenade at a Rangers check post in North Nazimabad Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. However, no casualties
were reported.
A hand grenade was lobbed in a
market in Liaquatabad Town. No casualties were reported.
Police arrested six TTP militants
after a shootout in Rizvia Society of Liaquatabad Town and found
an IED planted inside a motorcycle. SSP Central Muqadas Haider
said acting on a tip-off a police team raided a hideout in Rizvia
Society. After an encounter, Police arrested six terrorists and
shifted them to their headquarters. Four TT pistols, grenades,
a Kalashnikov and an IED concealed inside a motorcycle were found
at their hideout. Two of the arrested men were identified as TTP
'commander' Sayd Alam Mehsud and Sayd Ameen Mehsud. He added that
the six terrorists were members of the TTP network in Dera Ismail
Khan District of Afghanistan and Afghanistan.
Rangers arrested a target killer,
identified as Adnan alias AD alias Danish, in Kharadar area of
Saddar Town. The paramilitary force said that Danish was a member
of a militant wing and an ATC had granted his 90-day preventive
detention.
PM Nawaz Sharif while chairing
a meeting at PM House has reiterated that Karachi operation would
continue till its logical conclusion. PM Nawaz expressed government’s
resolve saying, “War against terror will continue till elimination
of last terrorist.” He said, “Eliminating the menace of terrorism
and ensuring a peaceful Pakistan for our future generations is
the top most priority of PML-N Government and our successes against
terrorism and achieving economic stability have created a new
hope in people.”
|
January 30
|
Dr Manan Baloch, a senior leader
of the BLF, and four other suspected militants were killed in
an encounter with SFs in Mastung District of Balochistan. Addressing
a press conference at the Chief Minister Secretariat in Quetta,
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said Manan headed
the BNM, an organisation supporting militants. Bugti said SFs
conducted a search operation in Killi Datu area of Mastung during
which an exchange of fire took place between the SF personnel
and militants hiding in a house. He said Manan and four other
men were allegedly involved in subversive activities, including
attacks on law enforcement agencies.
The local administration along
with tribal elders demolished 12 houses of suspected militants
during a search operation in the Haleemzai tehsil of Mohmand Agency
in FATA. Political Naib Tehsildar Mehmood Shah said that the local
administration conducted the operation in Ghalanai Mian Gan, Adin
Khel and other villages of the tehsil. The militants, whose houses
were demolished, were identified as Sheraz, Mohammad Shah, Haroon,
Aziz, Adnan, Ziarat Shah, Sazono, Ibrahim, Yasir, Akhtar Ali,
Khatir and Subhan. Earlier, the local administration had handed
over a list of 22 wanted militants to the Haleemzai elders to
demolish their houses. An official statement said the administration
conducted the operation with the help of Haleemzai elders.
Sindh Rangers claimed to have
arrested Uzair Baloch, leader of the Lyari gang and chief of proscribed
PAC, in a targeted operation on the outskirts of Karachi. Rangers
arrested Baloch while he was attempting to enter the city, said
a press release issued by the paramilitary force. The press release
also claimed the recovery of weapons from Baloch. His family members
claimed that Baloch was arrested by Interpol at the boarding lounge
of Dubai airport on December 27, 2014, and the Security Forces
after keeping him under arrest illegally since then, has declared
his arrest now.
|
January 31
|
Sindh Rangers Chief Major General
Bilal Akbar stated that Karachi operation has not slowed down.
“Some people say the Rangers operation in Sindh has slowed down.
It has not. You have to understand that we will be more prominent
and active when there are more enemies to overpower. You will
not see much action when the criminals have been weeded out as
we don’t bother law-abiding citizens,” he explained.
Notwithstanding Pakistan Government's
ban on the media coverage of terrorist groups such as the JuD
and LeT, Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has appeared on
a private Pakistani channel's talk show. The PEMRA on November
2, 2015 had restrained all Pakistani television channels from
"all kinds of coverage" of the JuD, its front FIF and
about 60 other proscribed organisations and their leaders. However,
Saeed made an appearance on a talk show on Channel 24 on January
27, 2016. He glorified his organisation's "public welfare"
works and talked about how India and the US were "pressuring"
the Pakistani Government to take action against organisations
like the JuD and JeM. Saeed, in reference to the Pathankot terror
attack, dismissed the suggestion that the government was "patronising"
some "non-state actors and banned organisations".
Law Enforcement Agencies arrested
banned outfit 'commander', identified as Yaseen alias Papu, from
Baghdadi area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
Ghosia Girls and Boys Elementary
School in Paposh Nagar area of Nazimabad Town received a written
threat from TTP asking for immediate closure.
|
February 1 |
Three madrassas were raided
and sealed over alleged involvement in 'suspicious' and 'illegal'
activities in Eastern Bypass area of provincial capital Quetta.
The sealed seminaries include Madrassah Hussainia, Madrassah Taleemul
Quran and Madrassah Abu Bakar Siddique. The raiding party also
detained four clerics, identified as Qari Saifur Rehman, Surat
Shah, Habibullah, and Qari Wali, for interrogation. Police said
that the madrassas were sealed under the National Action Plan.
|
February 2 |
At least 18 TTP militants were
killed in a drone strike along Pak-Afghan border in Gomal District
of Paktia province in Afghanistan. Afghan officials confirmed
the TTP militants were killed in the strike. Nabiullah Peerkhel,
the Paktika Governor's spokesman said that the militants were
heading to the border region in Afghanistan when the drones rained
down missiles on them. While the exact identity of the militants
killed could not be determined, reports from Wana town of South
Waziristan Agency in FATA of Pakistan suggested that 14 militants
were from the Mehsud tribe and four from the Ahmedzai Wazir tribe.
In a major breakthrough, intelligence
agencies claimed to have arrested the main facilitator of the
attack on the Bacha Khan University on January 20. According to
intelligence agencies, Waheed Ali alias Arshad, categorised as
"Terrorist A", was arrested in Nowshera last week. "He had made
arrangements to flee to Afghanistan and hired a taxi to take him
to the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham. Had there been any further
delay, the man would have slipped away," the sources said. "He
had shaved his beard and had packed up. His taxi was intercepted
and he was picked up after positive identification," said the
sources, requesting they not be identified.
In his initial statement, according
to the sources, the alleged facilitator who is in his early 30s
said the planning of the attack on the university had been in
works for six months in Achin District of Afghanistan, the base
of the militant commander Khalifa Omar Mansoor alias Omar Naray.
He said he had surreptitiously made videos of the Punjab Regiment
Centre and a police station in Mardan as possible targets and
taken the footages in a memory chip to Omar Naray, but the plans
had been dropped because of heavy security in the two places.
The mastermind and planners, Waheed
said, later opted for Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan and
prepared a group of four militants to carry out the attack. He
said that he was the one who had made the video of the four attackers
with Khalifa Mansoor and that was the reason why the Abdul Wali
Khan University was mentioned in the video. He said Khalifa Mansoor
had provided him PKR one million to execute the plan and procure
arms and ammunition for the attack. The plan to attack the Abdul
Wali Khan University was also cancelled because of better security
arrangements and the mastermind was informed about the new target
in Charsadda.
Pakistani authorities have sealed
182 madrassas since the December 16, 2014, Peshawar school
attack, in a countrywide crackdown under the NAP on religious
seminaries allegedly involved in extremism, a report of the Associated
Press of Pakistan said. The madrassas were closed in Punjab, Sindh
and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because of their involvement in promoting
extremism and other suspicious activities.
As part of the strategy to choke
terror financing, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has so far
frozen PKR 1 billion in 126 accounts which have a link to banned
militant groups. Law-enforcement agencies have also recovered
around PKR 251 million in cash. The Government has put names of
8,195 people in the fourth schedule and 188 on the Exit Control
List while movement of 2,052 hardcore militants has been restricted.
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab
Sanaullah Khan Zehri during the concluding session of a two-day
seminar on Prospects of Peace and Prosperity in Balochistan once
again invited self-exiled Baloch leaders to the negotiating table
for resolving their issues. He said that the Government was ready
to hold dialogue with the estranged leaders within the constitutional
framework. "I empower Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed to approach
self-exiled angry leaders and initiate talks with them," Zehri
said, adding that he believed negotiations, and not bullet, was
the solution to the concerns of disgruntled Baloch leaders.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
said that Balochistan has become a hotbed of proxy wars for regional
and global grand strategy by many powers. "This is a battle that
we all are fighting, and we shall continue to fight, till peace
prevails across the width and breadth of the Province," General
Raheel said, adding that Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, Police,
Coast Guards, Levies and above all, the people of Balochistan,
have defended the integrity of Pakistan with unflinching resolve
for which they deserve special appreciation.
|
February 3 |
Three militants were killed when
a suicide bomber detonated the explosives he was wearing, killing
himself and two accomplices, in Giddir area of Kalat District.
Three FC personnel were injured. According to official sources,
FC personnel on a tip-off about the entry of an explosive-laden
pick-up in Giddir area launched a search operation. They spotted
a suspected vehicle carrying three persons and tried to stop it.
In retaliation, the suicide bomber detonated the bomb.
India and Pakistan are in touch
on a daily basis on investigations into the January 2, 2016, Pathankot
air base attack and will continue to remain engaged, the Indian
Government said at the International Counterterrorism Conference
in Jaipur (Rajasthan). "Since the Pathankot attack, we have been
in touch with Pakistan. We have been in touch at my level and
the NSA [National Security Advisor] level and will continue to
do so because only by remaining in touch, we can expect them to
progress on issues of terror on the basis of information which
we have provided to them," Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar
said.
The Indian Home Minister Rajnath
Singh asserted that the nation would stand by Pakistan if it takes
action against terrorists. "Our Government will stand by Pakistan
if it takes decisive action against terrorists and their organisations.
For India, Mumbai and Pathankot terror attacks have signified
a tectonic shift," Singh said.
|
February 4 |
The JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed praised
January 2's terror attack at Indian Air Force's base in Pathankot
and encouraged similar attacks against India. Addressing a rally
of around one thousand people in the PoK, Saeed said: "800,000
Indian troops are committing genocide on Kashmiris. Don't they
have a right to carry out Pathankot-style attacks for their defence?"
Saeed also lauded Kashmiri militant leader Sayed Salahuddin, who
heads the UJC that has claimed responsibility for the attack.
"You have only seen one attack on Pathankot. Matters could easily
escalate." Crowds at the rally shouted slogans including "The
war will continue until the liberation of Kashmir" and "We are
ready for jihad" Strategic analyst Ayesha Siddiqa said Saeed's
praise of Salahuddin could be part of a "deflection strategy"
to steer blame away from JeM, and by extension Pakistan, where
it is based.
|
February 5 |
PM Nawaz Sharif voiced hope that
the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue process between Pakistan
and India would move forward in days to come as he underlined
that "differences" on all outstanding issues, including on Kashmir,
can be resolved only through talks. PM Sharif also said that Pakistan
is ready to cooperate with India on every matter, including terrorism.
"Pakistan is most affected by
terrorism. Who wants eradication of terrorism more than Pakistan?"
he questioned. "Difference of opinion between two countries is
not unheard of. What is unusual is that for 6-7 decades, we have
not been able to get rid of these differences," he added. "I brought
this up with the Indian leadership and would like to reiterate
that the solution to our problems lies in dialogue. Unless we
sit together and talk about these issues, they won't be resolved,"
the PM said.
|
February 6 |
At least 12 persons, including
four FC officials, were killed and another 38 persons injured
in a suicide blast in Multan Chowk area of Quetta. According to
report, the attacker targeted a security vehicle close to Liaquat
Park. Heavy firing was also heard in the area following explosion.
Three Policemen were reportedly injured in the attack. Balochistan
Home Secretary Akbar Durrani said that a biker collided with the
FC car that caused a massive explosion. Several cars including
FC truck and motorcycles were completely destroyed in the attack.
A splinter group of the outlawed TTP claimed responsibility for
the attack in an e-mail sent to local media. However, the name
of the group is not mentioned by the local media.
|
February 7 |
FC personnel killed two TTP militants
during an encounter on Sariab Road in provincial capital Quetta.
Police detained 35 suspects during
raids on Sariab Road and in surrounding areas.
According to official documents,
some 625 militants have already surrendered before the state in
the past six months started under the reconciliation process of
NAP. Negotiations are currently under way with 125 insurgents
in Balochistan over their possible surrender of weapons. Militants
who give up violence have been offered cash support and jobs to
help them lead a violence-free life. Balochistan Home Secretary
Akbar Durrani said that the Provincial Government was committed
to its reconciliation policy and the militants who have already
surrendered were being rehabilitated. Under the scheme, each pardoned
militant would be awarded PKR 500,000 in installments besides
getting the compensation for his guns.
The SIT constituted by Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif to investigate January 2, 2016, terror attack on
an Indian airbase in Pathankot (Punjab), concluded that there
is no substantive evidence to suggest Maulana Masood Azhar, the
head of the JeM militant group, ordered or masterminded the assault.
According to media reports based on information from officials
privy to the SIT investigations, Pakistani authorities have conveyed
to New Delhi that there was no substantial evidence that could
prove the involvement of Maulana Azhar in the Pathankot assault.
The SIT informed the civil and
military leadership that the Indian evidence was insufficient
to implicate Maulana Azhar. The SIT has sought further information
from India, which it refused to share. However, the team did not
rule out involvement of some low cadre members of the JeM, saying
that too could be established only if New Delhi shared the information
they have asked for.
|
February 8 |
At least two persons were killed
in an IED blast in the Havid area of Bannu District in KP. According
to Station House Officer of Havid Police Station, Rizwan, the
IED went off in front of a shop as a shopkeeper was about to open
the door. The shopkeeper, Dilnawaz, and a rickshaw driver were
killed on the spot.
A Shia elder was shot dead while
his son escaped unhurt in an attack near the Kohati Gate area
of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Locals said Malik Iftikhar
Ali along with his son Hasnain was on the way in Kohati Gate when
armed motorcyclists opened fire on them. Iftikhar Ali died on
the spot while his son remained unharmed in the attack.
Two suspected militants were killed
in an exchange of fire during an operation launched by Frontier
Corps in Zhob District. Two submachine-guns and two hand-grenades
were recovered from their possession.
A constable of the FIA, identified
as Muhammed Ali Khanzada, was found dead in a car parked on Lyari
Expressway in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SP-Jamshed
Dr Fahad Ahmed said that it appeared that Khanzada was killed
somewhere else and later the car and his body were abandoned at
the expressway.
The Czech Government paid USD
six million in ransom in March 2015 to secure the release of two
women, Czech psychology students Hana Humpalova (24) and Antonie
Chrastecka (24), kidnapped in Balochistan in March 2013. According
to details, the women had entered from Iran as tourists and were
escorted into Pakistan by a tribal Policeman. In a video released
shortly after their kidnapping, the two young women had pleaded
for the release of Aafia Siddiqui, jailed in 2010 in the United
States. After two years in captivity, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav
Sobotka announced the women's release and return to Prague on
March 28, 2015.
They both said they did not know
who abducted them, because nobody introduced themselves or gave
them any explanation for the kidnapping. Negotiations with the
kidnappers on the payment of a ransom were carried out by the
Czech state's Security Council. "The talks weren't easy, but in
the end, none of us wanted to assume responsibility for the death
of two young girls," said an unnamed official involved in negotiations.
"The decision to hand over the ransom was taken unanimously,"
the source added.
|
February 9 |
Traders' leader, identified as
Haji Abdul Haleem Jan (70), was killed in a targeted attack in
his shop located in Qissa Khwani Bazaar of provincial capital
Peshawar. "He had received extortion calls last year. However,
the motive of the killing will be determined after investigation,"
Capital City Police Officer Mubarak Zeb said.
Two sons of a retired Major General
Chaudhry Ahmad Khan were abducted from provincial capital Lahore.
One of them, identified as Hammad (34), was kidnapped from outside
his home on Sarfaraz Rafiqui Road and the other son, identified
as Nauman, from his office on Walton Road.
A BLA militant, identified as
Chuthal Magsi, was arrested during a raid by Police in Lasi Goth
area of Malir Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh,
for his involvement in an attack on a shrine in Korangi Industrial
Area on September 18, 2015. Police recovered a pistol and grenade
from his possession. Two of his accomplices, Mir Hazaar Bughti
and Bilal Malik, managed to escape.
The Supreme Court stayed the execution
of two suspects, identified as Taj Muhammad and Aliur Rehman,
convicted by military courts for facilitating the December 16,
2014, Army Public School attack in Peshawar.
A two-judge bench headed by Justice
Dost Muhammad Khan also stayed the execution of two other convicts.
Notices have been issued to the Attorney General of Pakistan as
well as Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch to appear in the court
on February 16, 2016. The bench observed that military courts
should give a reason in their judgment. The Peshawar High Court
had rejected the appeals of the four convicts following which
their counsel Latif Afridi took up their petitions to the Supreme
Court.
COAS General Raheel Shareef during
a Special Apex Committee meeting of KP and FATA held at the local
corps headquarters in Peshawar said that the State is entering
the most difficult phase of the military operation against terrorists.
"After successfully evicting terrorists form their sanctuaries
and restoring writ of the state, we are in the most difficult
phase of the operation physically rebuilding the war-damaged areas,
resettling of Internally Displaced Persons and eventually establishing
an administrative system that focuses on the needs and aspirations
of the people," he said.
|
February 10 |
Unidentified militant shot dead
six people after barging into a house in Bonistan area of Panjgur
District. The victims were identified as Muhammad Ismail, Noor
Shoaib, Muhammad Nazar, Momin Ghulam Jan and Islamil.
One ASI, identified as Sultan
Mehmood, was killed and another, identified as Constable Shoaib,
was injured in an exchange of fire during a raid in the Sajan
area of Mardan District. Police were conducting a raid on the
house of a wanted individual, Imran, when they were ambushed,
said District Police Officer Faisal Shahzad.
The DG of the IB, Aftab Sultan,
informed the Senate Standing Committee (SSC) on Interior that
the IS was emerging as a threat in the country because several
militant groups had soft corner for it. He named LeJ and SSP as
examples. Though IS and Afghan Taliban were rivals, the TTP coordinated
with it, he added.
The Federal Ministry of Interior
has been denying the presence of IS in Pakistan, saying that it
was an Arab organisation. But DG Sultan said that the IB had busted
a big IS network after several members reached Punjab following
Karachi's Safoora Goth carnage in May 2014. He said that terrorists
were reorganising and stressed the need for a border control mechanism,
particularly with Afghanistan, enhanced regional cooperation,
implementation of the National Action Plan and de-radicalisation
policy with a focus on counter-narrative. The IB chief called
for a comprehensive policy for "rehabilitation of jihadi elements"
and effective implementation of policy for monitoring social media
and cyberspace.
COAS General Raheel Sharif while
addressing the Corps Commander Conference at the General Headquarters
in Rawalpindi District said that terrorists are being funded externally
by hostile foreign intelligence agencies, and their sympathisers
at home providing shelter and refuge. He said that Pakistan had
achieved significant successes in operation Zarb-e-Azb, and the
war against terror required unified response. The General reiterated
that all efforts and resources would be employed to bring about
lasting stability and socio-economic revival for prosperity and
well-being of displaced people of affected areas.
The US administration proposed
USD 860 million in aid for Pakistan, including USD 265 million
for military hardware, which it said would help the country fight
terrorists, secure nuclear weapons and improve ties with India.
Secretary of State John Kerry in his proposals said that the budget
includes USD 859.8 million towards sustaining ties with Pakistan
and making progress to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat violent
extremist groups".
"The requested funding will support
the country's counter-insurgency missions, and bolster stability,
energy access, economic growth, and social reform," Kerry said
in a letter accompanying his proposals. "Pakistan lies at the
heart of the US counter-terrorism strategy, the peace process
in Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation efforts, and economic
integration in South and Central Asia," State Department said
making its case for the aid to Pakistan under the Overseas Contingency
Operations (OCO) Fund.
|
February 11 |
Two bank robbers, identified as
Arsalan Iqbal and Dilawer alias Murad alias Tiger, were shot dead
in a shootout with SIU Karachi personnel in Korangi Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. The two were allegedly involved
in the three bank heists that took place in Karachi this year
and the Sindh Government had announced a reward of PKR 1 million
for their arrest.
SSP Mohammed Farooq Awan of the
SIU Karachi said that investigations regarding bank heists were
underway during which he was tipped that members of a dacoit gang
were expected to attempt a robbery in the Korangi Industrial Area
(KIA). Acting on the tip-off, an SIU team was deployed in the
KIA for surveillance, during which the officers witnessed three
suspects on two motorcycles, who engaged the personnel in an encounter
after they were signaled to stop. Two of the robbers were arrested
in injured condition, while the third one managed to escape.
An Assistant Professor of Balochistan
University, identified as Para Din, was shot at and injured when
unidentified armed assailants opened fire on his vehicle in the
Almo Chowk area of Quetta. No outfit claimed responsibility for
the attack.
Former President General (Retired)
Pervez Musharraf confirmed to an Indian TV channel that the "ISI
trains JeM and LeT terrorists". While describing Masood Azhar
of JeM as a "terrorist", Musharraf said Hafiz Saeed of LeT was
nothing short of a national hero in Pakistan. "LeT is not involved
in terror in Pakistan," said Musharraf, adding, "I don't believe
anything that Headley had said... Pakistan intelligence should
interrogate Headley."
Despite intelligence warnings
that the IS is an emerging threat, the FO insisted that the terrorist
group has "no organised presence" in the country. "Let me reiterate
that there is no organised presence of Daesh, the Arabic acronym
for IS, in Pakistan," FO spokesman Nafees Zakaria said.
|
February 12 |
A head constable of capital city
police was killed and two others injured in firing by two motorcycle
bourne unidentified assailants at Pindora Chungi of Industrial
area Police Station in Islamabad. The slain Policeman is identified
as Head Constable Imtiaz and injured personnel were Police Constable
Zahid and FC Constable Bismillah Jan.
Unidentified assailants abducted
Afghanistan's former Governor of Herat province. Sayed Fazalullah
Wahidi had arrived in Islamabad along with his family to get visas
to travel to UK, diplomatic sources said. The former envoy had
gone to a restaurant with his 12-year-old grandson when unidentified
assailants arrived in two vehicles and kidnapped him, leaving
the child. According to a Police official, the former governor
was staying at a guesthouse in Islamabad's F7 sector and was near
Rana Market when he was abducted. Fazalullah Wahidi was considered
an influential Governor as he remained very close to former President
Hamid Karzai and also served as Governor of Kunar province.
Three separate hand grenade attacks
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, created panic among
the masses. However, no loss of life has been reported. According
to details, unidentified men hurled hand grenade at the main entrance
of Mobina town Police Station. No loss of life was reported. Separately,
unknown persons hurled hand grenade near APWA Girls College Karimabad.
SSP Central Muqqadas Haider said the hand grenade was hurled from
Karimabad flyover. Further, armed men launched hand grenade attack
near a private school in North Nazimabad.
The ISPR Director General Lieutenant
General Asim Saleem Bajwa revealed that the law enforcement agencies
have successfully broken the nexus between al Qaeda (subcontinent
chapter) and LeJ. Briefing media persons, the army spokesman said
security forces have achieved a major success during the ongoing
Karachi operation by arresting over 97 hardcore terrorists, including
three high-value targets (HVTs). "We have broken the overall network
and nexus of terrorists belonging to al Qaeda subcontinent chapter
and LeJ. They were backed by Tehreek-e-Taliban… This is a major
achievement, but we have much more to do," Bajwa said. He said
the terrorists were involved in almost all major incidents of
terrorism in Karachi, adding that all of them are in army's custody.
|
February 13 |
The SFs to have killed 10 suspected
militants during a targeted operation in Sibi District of Balochistan.
The security personnel reportedly conducted an operation in Sangaan
area of Sibi district and apprehended 12 suspected militants following
an exchange of fire in which 10 suspects were killed. An official
informed that SFs also demolished three sanctuaries being operated
by militants in Sangaan.
The Spokesman for Balochistan
Government, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, told that a key commander of BLA
Aslam Acho was reportedly killed by SFs in Sibi.
A Jewellery shop owner, identified
as Wahidullah, was shot at and injured in Gulbahar area of provincial
capital Peshawar. According to Police sources, the attack was
perpetrated by extortionists. "Wahidullah received a letter from
unidentified militants who were demanding millions in extortion,"
said an unnamed Police official. "When he did not pay any heed
to these letters, his house was attacked with a hand grenade in
Javed Town - now he has been attacked and injured."
|
February 14 |
The bullet-riddled dead body of
a man, identified as 50-year-old Liaquat Ali Baloch (50), was
found from under the Lasbela Bridge, situated within the jurisdiction
of the Rizvia Police Station, in Liaquatabad Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. His body bore torture marks and
had three bullet wounds. Baloch was the brother of Lyari gangster
Barkat Baloch, who was actively involved in Lyari gang war.
Police and LEAs, in a joint operation,
arrested a militant, identified as Usman Khan, who belonged to
al Qaeda Barr-e-Sagheer, from the area of Saddar Town. The arrested
militant has revealed his connections with the facilitators and
masterminds of May 13, 2015, the Safoora attack. According to
investigative sources, Khan is a dentist by profession and he
was delivering to the al Qaeda the extortion money, collected
from various areas of the city. One Kalashnikov and nine bullets
were recovered from his possession.
Police on a tip-off regarding
presence of militants arrested three militants during a search
operation in Smarty Baiyan area of Kohat District. The Police
also recovered of weapons from their possession.
As many as 56 of the 13,849 religious
seminaries geo-tagged by the PITB have been put in Category A
for their suspected links with banned organistions. Documents
show that most of these seminaries identify themselves with the
Deobandi. An unnamed Home Department official said that updated
information on seminaries across the province was now available
to the authorities concerned. "We have information about their
sectarian affiliation and number of students and teachers at each
facility," he said.
It was further reported that the
Provincial Government is also working on geo-tagging all of 256,000
Afghan refugees in the Province. A PITB official said that so
far geo-tagging of 66,100 Afghan refugees had been completed.
He said the process involved information gathering using biometric
technology.
Terrorist groups don't have a
base in Pakistan to fall back on, according to the ISPR chief
Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa, who also said that sporadic
attacks by frustrated terrorists could not dent the military's
resolve to eliminate the malady once and for all. "We have seen
how the rate of terrorist incidents declined during the past one
and a half years, and how it brought dividends to the entire nation,"
said Asim Saleem Bajwa in an interview. The recent uptick in terrorist
violence in the country came after a long hiatus, triggering a
media guessing game about the effectiveness of the new national
strategy against terrorism and extremism.
|
February 15 |
At least nine militants, belonging
TTP and LI, were killed and five others were injured in air strikes
in Rajgal and Kukikhel areas of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency
of FATA.
At least one soldier was killed
and four others were injured by an IED near Talai village in Wana
town of South Waziristan Agency.
Police killed four criminals during
an ongoing operation against criminals in the Katcha areas of
Khanpur and Ghouspur in Shikarpur District. One Policeman, identified
as Ali Gul Mahar, was also killed two others were injured in the
exchange of fire. The operation was launched to recover three
abductees, including a minor girl, from Thull abducted over eight
years ago. However, the Police a woman, who along with five friends
was kidnapped from Sehwan area two years ago. During the operation,
the Police torched over ten houses and detained more than 10 suspects.
Moreover, The suspects have been shifted to an undisclosed location
for interrogation.
Unidentified armed assailants
raided the residence of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, Pakistani scientist
imprisoned in US over charges of terrorism, and tortured the watchman
in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town of provincial capital Karachi.
Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah
while speaking to the media in Khairpur District said that there
is no presence of the militant Islamic State group, saying that
its name is being used to terrify people. The CM categorically
stated that "the IS doesn't exist in any part of Sindh". According
to him, some banned outfits and terrorist organisations were using
the name of the IS for their ulterior motives.
SFs arrested two militants, including
'commander' of TTP Zewar alias Zewar Mulla, during a raid in a
house in Fateh Jang tehsil in Attock District. Mulla is stated
to be a close associate of late TTP head Hakimullah Mehsud and
a TTP 'commander' Tariq Afridi, who too is dead. Zewar was also
associated with Saeed Khan, a Pakistani commander of Islamic State,
or Daesh. Zewar, who had been collecting funds for the TTP, was
a resident of Dabori in Orakzai Agency of FATA.
SFs arrested another militant,
identified as Ziaur Rehman, during a search operation in Shahu
area.
LEAs found a homemade explosive
device near a girls school in Kot Lakhpat area of provincial capital
Lahore.
|
February 16 |
The CTD, Sindh, Intelligence Wing,
claimed to have arrested three accused, including a TTP militants,
who were alleged to be involved in target killings and killing
of armed forces personnel. According to details, SSP Amir Farooqi
of CTD Intelligence Wing said that the CTD personnel on a tip-off
raided the outskirts of the city and after an encounter arrested
Hanif Khan alias Fazalullah Mehsud. The Police also recovered
weapons, including Kalashnikov, from his possession. However,
the associates of Khan managed to flee. During investigation,
it was found that the accused belonged to TTP-Sajna Group and
recently came to Karachi to form a network.
The CTD personnel arrested Mohammed
Kasif along with a Kalashnikov in Yousuf Goth area of Gadap Town.
Later, the Police also arrested Mohammed Farooq and recovered
a Kalashnikov and 10,000 bullets from his possession. Further
investigations are underway.
The CTD personnel arrested Mohammed
Kasif along with a Kalashnikov in Yousuf Goth area of Gadap Town.
Later, the Police also arrested Mohammed Farooq and recovered
a Kalashnikov and 10,000 bullets from his possession. Further
investigations are underway.
The CTD detained three alleged
terrorists from Torghar District and recovered six kilograms of
explosives, including four feet safety fuse, three detonators
and one hand-grenade from their possession. The press release
said the three terrorists were coming to Torghar from Shangla
District. They were planning to use the explosives in a sabotage
act in Torghar.
The CTD arrested a suspected terrorist,
identified as Ghulam Qadir, from Pir Bala village in the limits
of Mathra Police Station in provincial capital Peshawar. According
to the CTD, Qadir was associated with a banned organisation and
was involved in collecting extortion from the locals and handing
it over to other members of his group in Torkham.
|
February 17 |
Seven militants, belonging to
TTP and LeJ, who were on their way to launch an attack in Sharaqpur
area, were killed in an exchange of gunfire during a Police encounter
in Sheikhupura District. According to a statement from the Provincial
CTD, a dozen or so militants were riding motorcycles and were
on their way to attack Police when they were intercepted. "When
the firing stopped, seven unknown terrorists were found dead,"
it said, adding that the men were killed "by firing from their
accomplices who fled from the scene taking benefit of darkness".
Shahzad Sultan, a senior local Police Official confirmed the incident.
Two Police Constables, identified
as Muhammad Asif and Mubashir, manning a security check post in
Chanab Pulli area of Iqbal Town in provincial capital Lahore were
shot dead by three unidentified militants.
Two Police Constables, identified
as Muhammad Asif and Mubashir, manning a security check post in
Chanab Pulli area of Iqbal Town in provincial capital Lahore were
shot dead by three unidentified militants.
At least five Khasadar force officials
were killed when unidentified militants attacked a Khasadar check
post at Mohmand-Peshawar Highway in Pandyali area of Mohmand Agency
in FATA.
Unidentified militants killed
two Khasadars near sub-divisional headquarter Ekka Ghund in Darwazgai
area near Mohmand-Charsadda border in lower Mohmand Agency. Following
the attacks, the solar tube-well in Darwazgai was also set on
fire, soon after which the attackers fled from the scene.
At least three persons of the
Marri tribe were killed and four others were injured in a firing
incident in provincial capital Quetta. The victims were identified
as Marri tribal leader Mozai Mari and his two sons.
Three security personnel were
killed and two others were injured when militants launched an
attack on a Levies check-post in Kahan area of Kohlu District.
After the attack, Security Forces launched a search operation.
During a meeting held between
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Corps Commander of
Karachi Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar in Karachi it was decided
that the ongoing operation against terrorists in Karachi will
be extended to the interior of Sindh to strengthen the operation
further and eliminate terrorists' cells in these areas. These
cells, according to sources, exist in the interior of Sindh in
areas bordering Balochistan.
During the discussion, according
to sources, the incidents of terrorism that occurred recently
in Jacobabad and Shikarpur Districts also came up for consideration
and it was stated that such acts were not possible without the
presence of facilitators in the interior of Sindh.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Government
has decided to allocate a substantial piece of land to Pakistan
Army in Thak Das area of Diamer District so it can set up headquarters
and ensure security for the CPEC. Diamer Deputy Commissioner Usman
Ahmad said, "The army will make its headquarters in Thak Das this
will help provide security to CPEC installations."
|
February 18 |
Two personnel of the Khasadar
force were killed in Machni area of Mohmand Agency in FATA. The
incident occurred late in the night when the deceased personnel
Taj Ali and Bilal were on duty at a solar tubewell in the area.
The JuA, a faction of TTP, claimed
responsibility for the February 17 attack on Khasadar force at
a security checkpost in Karapa area of Pandyali tehsil in Mohmand
Agency in which seven personnel were killed.
The CTD Punjab Police lodged Indian
airbase Pathankot attack case of January 2, 2016. Sources said
the case has been lodged against unknown terrorists on the plea
of Deputy Home Secretary Aitzaz-ud-Din. Murder, attempt to murder
and terror charges have been included in the case.
Earlier, the special investigation
team formed by Pakistan to investigate the Pathankot incident
has formally recommended to the Federal Government to lodge an
FIR on the basis of the information provided to the National Security
Adviser Lieutenant-General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua by his Indian
counterpart Ajit Doval, background interviews and documents available
with The News revealed. The Interior Ministry, on its notification
issued on January 13, 2016, had constituted a six-member team.
The team was headed by a convener named Rai Tahir, a reputed chief
of the CTD, Punjab Police.
Pakistan hanged 324 people last
year to rank third worldwide in terms of executions, but the vast
majority of those put to death had no links to militant groups
or attacks, The Reprieve report said. According to the report
prepared by the Reprieve, an international human rights group,
and Justice Project Pakistan, of the 351 executions that followed,
only 39, or about 1 in 10, involved people linked to a known militant
group or guilty of crimes linked to militancy. The Government
lifted a moratorium on executions in late 2014 as a measure to
deter militancy after TTP militants attack Army Public School
in Peshawar on December 16, 2014.
Pakistan now ranks after China
and Iran, carrying out 324 hangings in 2015 alone, the report
says. Juveniles, mentally ill prisoners, and prisoners who had
been tortured or had not received fair trials were among those
executed, shows an analysis of media reports and data from courts,
prisons and legal teams. "The numbers show that government's claims
do not match the reality," said Maya Foa, Director of the death
penalty team at Reprieve. "Those going to the gallows are too
often the poor and vulnerable," she said in a statement. "It is
hard to see how hanging people like this will make Pakistan safer."
|
February 19 |
At least five militants were killed
during search operation, conducted by SFs in Karapa area of Pandyali
tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA. The security personnel also
seized explosive material from their possession.
Afghan religious scholar Abdul
Haleem was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Sultan Khel
area of Khyber Agency. According to SFs, unidentified attackers
opened fire on Afghan religious scholar leaving him seriously
injured and was rushed to hospital where he could not succumb
to his injuries.
Militants blew up part of a newly
constructed Government school in the Tiarza tehsil area of South
Waziristan Agency. A splinter group of the TTP, Sajna group, claimed
responsibility for the attack. "We have blown up the school because
it was a government installation," said Azam Tariq, a spokesman
of the group, warning the group would continue to attack government
targets.
Law Enforcement Agencies shot
dead four militants who were seen planting an IED in the Abdul
Rehman Zai area of Gulistan town of Qilla Abdullah District. "A
large quantity of arms and explosives were also confiscated from
their possession.
At least three bullet-riddled
dead bodies were recovered from Shakha Dara area of Chaman town.
Another bullet-riddled dead body
was recovered in Toba Achakzai area of Qilla Abdullah District.
Two people were shot dead when
unidentified militants opened fire at them in the Dilsora Karez
area of Chaman town. No outfit claimed responsibility for the
attack.
FC troops foiled an act of terror
in Dera Murad Jamali city of Naseerabad District. The militants
were planning to use the IED weighing 8 kilograms against the
security forces guarding gas pipelines.
FC arrested four alleged militants
and recovered arms from their possession in Mastung area of same
District in Balochistan. According to an FC spokesman, acting
on a tip off, FC personnel carried out a search operation in the
area and apprehended four alleged militants.
At least three Policemen were
killed in a gun attack near Miran Wala Bangla Bypass in Faisalabad
District of Punjab. The suspected miscreants opened fire at Policemen
when they were stopped by patrolling Police near Miran Wala Bangla
Bypass, resulting in the killing of three Policemen. However,
the suspects managed to escape.
|
February 21 |
Three civilians were killed and
one injured when an IED blew up their car in Navi Mandi area of
Data Khel tehsil in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. The four
were returned IDPs traveling to Bannu to retrieve their belongings.
Unidentified militants hurled
a grenade at the building of the District Education Office in
Gwadar District. However, no casualties were reported.
Rashid Baloch, a member of the
Baba Ladla gang in Lyari area of Karachi, was arrested in the
Bhana Mari area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. Peshawar's CTD and IB jointly raided houses in Bhana
Mari along Kohat Road and arrested Rashid Baloch, alias 'Chichi'
after receiving a tip-off that the gangster was currently in Peshawar,
waiting for a new passport to flee abroad. According to initial
investigations, Baloch had fled to Peshawar because of the Rangers-led
Karachi operation, which began in 2013.
|
February 22 |
The Sindh Police killed 12 terrorists,
belonging to AQIS and LeJ, in two separate encounters in Pipri
area and Gadap Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
In the first encounter, at least eight militants were killed in
Pipri area of Bin Qasim Town. "Eight militants were killed on
the spot while four others, who fled the scene, were killed in
Gadap area," said SSP Rao Anwaar of Malir District. In the second
encounter, at least four militants were killed in Gadap Town.
He further said that the encounters, which lasted several hours
in a slum off the National Highway, occurred during a raid on
a hideout after police received intelligence-based information
that terrorists belonging to banned outfits had gathered there.
The terrorists had been working jointly and targeting law enforcement
agencies in Karachi, Rao added. Five of the deceased suspects
were identified as Sohail, Khalil, Bilal, Talha and Abdul Salam.
During the search operation the Police they found four pressure
cooker bombs, suicide jackets, detonating cords, five hand grenades,
ball bearings, five submachine guns, three 9mm pistols and hundreds
of bullets.
The Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, disclosed
the arrest of two suspects affiliated with PAC who were said to
be involved in a number of extortion cases. As per a spokesman
of the paramilitary force, a team conducted an intelligence-based
raid in Landhi Town and, after an encounter, arrested Munawwar
and Rafiq with weapons. Both were shifted to the headquarters
for interrogation during which they confessed to their affiliation
with the PAC and to have extorted more than 24 traders and industrialists.
Police arrested four Policemen
among nine people allegedly involved in 'kidnapping, extortion
and robbery' and a suspected gangster linked with the Lyari gang
war, who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates,
said Karachi-West SSP Azfar Mahesar.
Police, acting on a tip-off, detained
Abdul Rehman alias Khan Bhai, in Jehanabad area of SITE Town.
"He was wanted in 12 murder cases and 20 cases pertaining to kidnapping-for-ransom
and extortion," said the SSP-West. After the launch of a Rangers-led
operation, the suspect escaped to the United Arab Emirates, where
he was working at a police workshop in Sharjah. He had recently
returned to the city and was a close associate of two gangsters,
Fahim and Naseem, linked with the Uzair Baloch-led gang, added
the officer.
A JIT 'reinvestigating' the Baldia
factory fire case that claimed the lives of 259 workers and caused
injuries to 50 labourers in Karachi on September 11, 2012 has
come to the conclusion that it was a "planned sabotage and terrorist
activity". The JIT report said: "Based upon available evidence
and expert opinions, the JIT has come to conclusion that factory
fire was a planned sabotage/terrorist activity and not an accidental
fire." It added that the alleged terrorist act was carried out
"due to refusal to pay extortion (Bhatta) of Rs20 (Twenty) crores
and partnership in factory profits by factory owners to office-bearers,
namely Rehman Bhola and Hammad Siddiqi of MQM-A".
A drone strike, targeting suspected
militant hideouts in the Shahidano Dhand area of Lower Kurram
Agency, wounded one unidentified suspected militant. The drone
fired four missiles at militant hideouts, as a result of which,
one militant was injured and three hideouts were destroyed.
SFs arrested several suspects
and seized a huge cache of arms when they enforced curfew and
carried out a search operation in Mohmand Agency. The curfew was
clamped and the search operation was started early in the day.
During the search operation, several persons who couldn't prove
their identification were detained. Their identity wasn't revealed
by the authorities. The troops also recovered arms from their
possession. The detained men were shifted to another, undisclosed
place for interrogation.
An indefinite dusk-to-dawn curfew
was imposed across Mohmand Agency as SFs stepped up operations
in the region.
A key operative of the LeJ, identified
as Asif Chotu, was arrested during a search operation in Dera
Ghazi Khan District. Chotu was wanted by the Police in the Justice
Baqar Maqbool attack case and other crimes. The suspect was carrying
head money of PKR 2.5 million.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign
Affairs Sartaj Aziz revealed that one of the mobile phone numbers
linked to those who attacked the Pathankot airbase on January
2, 2016, had been traced to the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur
District of Punjab. Aziz called the lodging of the FIR in connection
with the Pathankot assault a "logical and positive step" in bringing
the perpetrators to justice. Aziz further confirmed that JeM chief
Masood Azhar had been under "protective custody" since January
14, 2016.
Pakistan was the 10th largest
arms importer in the world in 2015, down one spot from number
nine the previous year, The SIPRI database revealed. Pakistan
spent USD 735 million on arms imports in 2015. The largest exporter
of arms to Pakistan in 2015 was China, with arms transfers worth
USD 565 million, followed by the US with USD 66m in arms transfers.
Pakistan is also China's largest buyer for arms, accounting for
35 per cent of total arms sales in the country, followed by Bangladesh
and Myanmar.
The HRW report released in Istanbul
stated, "Rangers, a paramilitary force, were given complete control
over law enforcement in the city of Karachi, where there were
reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and
torture". The report further read, "The security forces are engaged
in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances to counter
political unrest in the province of Balochistan and in the port
city of Karachi in the Sindh province."
HRW South Asia Director, Meenakshi
Ganguly said that the HRW believed that there were serious security
challenges in Karachi, and the State had the responsibility to
ensure public order. However, she added, it appeared that the
security forces, unwilling to do the hard job of actually investigating
crimes and building evidence-based cases to ensure convictions,
had instead chosen to be judge and executioner. She added that
these were short-term gains and could lead to a cycle of violence.
"The Pakistani government should initiate police reforms and training
to ensure that law enforcement is rooted in due process," Ganguly
noted.
In its report, the HRW also questioned
the transparency of military courts. It read, "At least 15 people
were sentenced to death in proceedings shrouded in secrecy, giving
rise to fair trial concerns. Neither the Pakistani government,
nor the military articulated any criteria for the selection of
cases to be tried in military courts, giving the impression of
arbitrariness. No independent monitoring of the process was allowed,
and the news of death sentences was often given by the Inter-Services
Public Relations, a military communications agency, through the
social media."
|
February 23 |
Twenty-four militants were reportedly
killed in airstrikes by the PAF jet fighters in the Dattakhel
subdivision of NWA in FATA. Security officials said the aircraft
started bombing the suspected militant positions early in the
day, destroying eight sanctuaries in the remote and mountainous
Shawal Valley of the Dattakhel subdivision near the Afghan border.
The sources said that some of the sanctuaries established by the
militants in Alwara, Khar Tangi and Maizar areas of Dattakhel
were targeted by the airstrikes.
15 militants were killed and eight
of their hideouts destroyed near the Pak-Afghan border area after
cross-border mortar shelling targeted a security checkpost in
the Alwara Mandi, Khar-Tangi and Maizer areas of Kurram Agency.
An IED explosion injured seven
FC personnel in Tayarza tehsil of SWA. The FC vehicle was on routine
patrolling of the area when it came under attack.
Two educational institutions in
Islamabad received threats, one through a letter and the other
over a telephone call. The Police are investigating the matter
and trying to establish if the threats were a hoax. An administration
officer at a law college in Aabpara, Jahangir Khan, lodged a complaint
with the police and said he was at the office on February 19,
2016, when he received a landline call from an unknown number.
The caller said a bomb had been placed in the college which will
go off in 30 minutes.
The principal of a college in
G-10 also lodged a complaint with the Police saying that a letter
had been sent to the college through the post on February 18,
2016, saying the institute will be attacked on February 19. A
senior police officer told Dawn that the cases were being investigated
and efforts were underway to trace both the caller and the person
who sent the letter.
An ATC sentenced two JeM terrorists,
Kashif Siddique and Rashid Iqbal, to 10 years in prison for raising
funds for the outfit. They were arrested by the Punjab CTD in
Attock District on August 7, 2015, along with a money box placed
near a mosque. The CTD officials found PKR 210 in the box and
seized empty cash receipts, membership cards, books and pamphlets
related to JeM.
Pakistan has confirmed that JeM
chief Masood Azhar is in its "protective custody". Pakistan Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser Sartaj Aziz told a news channel
that Azhar has been in custody since January 14, 2015.
|
February 24 |
Three suspected terrorists were
killed in a shootout with Rangers in Manghopir area of Gadap Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to details,
Rangers personnel started a search operation in Manghopir on reports
about the presence of some terrorists. The raid turned into an
exchange of gunfire. "The armed men in the hideouts attacked the
Rangers team when they were taking positions following a tip-off
about the presence of terrorists in the area more forces were
called in to join the operation and after an exchange of gunfire
three terrorists were killed. They all belonged to a banned outfit.""
said the spokesman.
At least five FC personnel were
wounded in an IED blast near a security check post in Wana town
of SWA. FC vehicle was on routine patrol when the IED, planted
along the roadside, exploded.
The CoAS, General Raheel Sharif
directed the military commanders to begin the last phase of Operation
Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan Agency.
The Government has shut down 254
suspected and unregistered madrassas across the country, Minister
of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Balighur Rehman told
the National Assembly. He said that 167 suspected seminaries in
Sindh, 13 in KP, two in Punjab, and 72 unregistered madrassas
in Sindh have been closed. "The government is countering hate
speech and banning dissemination of extremist material," he added.
Regarding registration and regulation
of seminaries, the State Minister said that the Government had
completed 100 per cent mapping on agreed parameters in Islamabad
and Punjab. Eighty per cent of the mapping exercise has been completed
in Sindh, followed by 75 per cent in KP and 60 per cent in Balochistan.
"There are 190 foreign-funded seminaries in the country, of which
147 are in Punjab, 30 in Balochistan, seven in KP and six in Sindh."
|
February 25 |
Former Afghan Governor Sayed Fazlullah
Wahidi was recovered who was abducted in Islamabad on February
12. "Wahidi has been found and handed over to Afghanistan consulate
in Peshawar," his son, Nemat Wahidi said. Unidentified persons
had abducted Afghanistan's former Governor of Herat province in
Rana Market area of F-7 sector in Islamabad. The former envoy
had gone to a restaurant with his 12-year-old grandson when unidentified
persons arrived in two vehicles and kidnapped him, leaving the
child. The former Governor and an influential Afghan leader had
earlier arrived in the Islamabad along with his family to get
visas to travel to UK as British embassy in Kabul does not directly
issue visas to Afghan nationals.
The Police claimed to have arrested
40 suspects including 11 Afghans and recovered arms and ammunition
from their possession during search operations in Hayatabad and
Nasir Bhag areas of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. The Police also claimed to have recovered 24 unregistered
motorcycles, two pistols, a cache of bullets and drugs from suspects'
possession.
The Punjab Government constituted
a five-member JIT to carry out investigation into the Pathankot
airbase attack of January 2, 2016. The JIT was constituted after
Punjab CTD registered a FIR against the alleged attackers and
abettors of the attack. The JIT would also be visiting the airbase
next month to gather evidence subject to permission by the Indian
Government. The JIT comprises Punjab CTD Additional IGP Muhammad
Tahir Rai (convener), Lahore DDG Intelligence Bureau Mohammad
Azim Arshad, ISI Lieutenant-Colonel Tanvir Ahmed, Military Intelligence
Lieutenant-Colonel Irfan Mirza and Gujjaranwala CTD Investigating
Officer Shahid Tanveer (members).
Undeterred by scuttling of its
previous attempt to get JeM Chief Masood Azhar banned by the United
Nations, India will again move the world body with the demand.
"We will be moving the 1267 Sanctions Committee to also include
the name of Masood Azhar on the sanctions list. It is a great
anomaly that the organisation JeM is listed, but not its leader,"
Indian External Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. He also
noted that India had already submitted to the UN's Sanction Committee
a fresh list of what he called 11 terrorists from Pakistan-based
groups affiliated to al Qaeda, Taliban and other outfits responsible
for terrorism in the country. On February 18, a list of 11 individuals
and one organisation "linked to terrorism in India", was submitted
to the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (the militant Islamic State group)
and al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
|
February 26 |
A death row convict, Saeed Khan,
involved in attack on Sialkot cantonment, was hanged till death
at the Central Jail of Adiala in Rawalpindi District.
Two Lyari gangsters, identified
as Sami Yousuf (30), Adnan Moin (25), were injured in a Police
encounter near Mirza Adam Khan Road in Lyari Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. They were arrested after the
encounter.
Law enforcement agencies arrested
Inspector Chand Khan Niazi, the prime accused in the March 17,
2013, murder case of Lyari gangster Arshad Pappu, during a raid
in Lyari Town.
Rangers produced Chand Khan Niazi
before Anti-Terrorism Court and informed it about 90-day preventive
detention for questioning. The Rangers told the judge that they
had credible information about suspect's involvement in offences
that come within the ambit of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
|
February 27 |
At least 19 suspected militants
were killed and four security forces personnel, including a captain,
lost their lives during a gunbattle near the Pak-Afghan border
in Mangroti area in Shawal valley of NWA in FATA. The ground forces
surrounded a group of fleeing militants in Mangroti area killed
19 of them during an intense exchange of fire, the army's media
wing, ISPR, said in a statement. The ISPR said that the deceased
security personnel have been identified as Capt Umair, Havaldar
Hakim, Sepoy Hameed and Sepoy Rashid. On February 24, Pakistan
Army launched its final phase of Operation Zarb-e-Azb to go after
the terrorists still holed up in the strategic valley.
Air Force jets pounded militants'
hideouts in the in the Maizer area of the Dattakhel tehsil in
NWA and killed at least 15 TTP militants. "As many as four hideouts
were destroyed in the strikes this morning. Among the 15 killed
militants six were Uzbeks," a security official in the area said.
Levies force recovered three unidentified
dead bodies from Mashkay area of Awaran District.
FC detained three alleged militants
and recovered arms from their possession during a search operation
in Wahdat Colony area of provincial capital Quetta. The recovered
arms included nine pistols, thee shotguns and two rifles.
Police and law enforcement agencies
apprehended a wanted terrorist among 60 suspects during search
operations in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According
to Police, the law enforcement agencies carried out targeted search
operations in Muslim Town, Khushhal Colony and Hakimabad area
of Nowshera District. At least 20 suspects including 11 Afghan
nationals were taken into custody. The suspects were shifted to
unknown location for interrogation. Similarly, CTD also arrested
a suspected terrorist from Mingora area of Swat. The suspect is
accused of remote control bomb attack on Security Forces in Sarband
area in 2008. In another operation in Peshawar, the police and
officials of the law enforcing agencies arrested 45 suspects including
Afghan nationals from different areas of the provincial capital.
Police carried out search operations in Faqirabad, Pathang Chowk
and Ring Road area. At least 45 suspects including five Afghans
were arrested during the search operations. The police also recovered
weapons and drugs from some of the suspects.
|
February 28 |
Malik Mumtaz Qadri, an Elite Force
commando convicted of killing former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer
on January 4, 2011, was executed at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi
District at around 4.30 am. Qadri was sentenced to death for assassinating
Taseer on October 1, 2011. Qadri said that he killed Taseer over
what he called the politician's vocal opposition to blasphemy
laws of the country. His mercy appeal was rejected by President
Mamnoon Hussain. "I can confirm that Qadri was hanged in Adiala
jail early Monday morning," senior local Police Official Sajjid
Gondal said.
Police detained 11 more suspects
during a search operation in Pakistan Bazaar area of Orangi Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The Police said arms
were also recovered from their possession.
Police and intelligence Agencies
arrested two activists of a political party, identified as Rizwan
alias Bayya and Khurram, on charges of extortion, during a raid
in an unspecified location in Karachi.
A suspect, associated with a banned
organization, was arrested, on charges of distributing literature
against the Government and for seeking enforcement of Shariah
in the country, from Murree in Islamabad. Shaukat Ali, an official
of the Bhara Kahu Police, said that the suspect was distributing
literature in front of Farooqia Masjid on Murree Road when he
was arrested. "The literature was against the Government and it
stressed that Shariah should be enforced in the country. As the
accused belongs to a banned outfit, he was arrested," Ali added.
|
February 29 |
SFs killed 12 militants, including
a TTP-Shehryar faction 'commander' Hezbollah, in Shawal Valley
of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. Officials said that ground
troops were advancing into the militants' strongholds and had
captured Kund Ghar and Jung Top.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead a local office bearer of PPP, Abdul Rasheed, near his
residence in Korangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. "A 15 year old passerby girl was also injured as assailants
resorted to aerial firing while fleeing the scene, however, her
condition is out of danger," said Landhi SP Afnan Amin.
Rangers were directed by a two-judge
bench headed by Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh to arrange a meeting
between Uzair Baloch, the chief of PAC, and his family members
as per the jail manual. Baloch is currently in Rangers custody.
Samina, wife of Uzair Baloch, had filed a constitutional petition
through her attorney, Advocate Saify Ali Khan, asking the court
to also allow her counsel to have an exclusive meeting with Uzair
on a weekly basis. The matter was disposed of after the law officers
of the provincial government and the paramilitary force submitted
in court that they had no objection to the meeting of the suspect
with his family members assuring the judges that the meeting would
be arranged as per jail rules and regulations.
Unidentified armed assailants
targeted the convoy of Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti
in Dera Bugti District. However, he escaped the attack. The attackers
managed to flee.
|
March 1 |
Two USAID officials were killed
and two others, including a tehsildar, sustained injuries when
an IED exploded in Ambar tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA. According
to the political administration officials, tehsildar Faramosh
Khan was on an anti-poppy drive in Ambar tehsil area along with
Anti-Narcotics Force officials and USAID campaigners when an IED
device planted on the roadside exploded. TTP-JuA, claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Activists of various religious
organisations and religio-political parties staged protest rallies
across FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the execution of Malik
Mumtaz Qadri for killing Punjab Governor Salman Taseer. The cadres
of ASWJ and Pasban Pakistan Town-I gathered near the Peshawar
Press Club to record protest over the hanging. The speakers alleged
that the Government executed Mumtaz Qadri to appease the United
States and other imperialistic powers.
Documents seized by United States
Special Forces personnel during the May 1-2, 2011 raid on Osama
bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
have revealed that al Qaeda leaders were increasingly worried
about spies in their group, drones patrolling the skies and secret
devices tracking their movements, said translations released by
Intelligence Agencies to media. The document - part of a cache
of 113 documents - has been described by intelligence officials
as Bin Laden's will. The documents are mostly dated between 2009
and 2011 and comprise the second cache from the raid to have been
declassified.
In one of the declassified documents,
bin Laden outlines how at least USD 29 million stashed in Sudan
should be apportioned after his death, requesting that most of
it be used to continue global jihad. He writes, "I hope for my
brothers, sisters and maternal aunts to obey my will and to spend
all the money that I have left in Sudan on jihad, for the sake
of Allah."
Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime
Minister on Foreign Affairs, while making comment at Council on
Foreign Relations in Washington regarding Islamabad's considerable
influence over the Taliban, said, "We have some influence over
them because their leadership is in Pakistan and they get some
medical facilities. Their families are here". He further added,
"We can use those levers to pressurise them to say, ''Come to
the table''. But we can't negotiate on behalf of the Afghan Government
because we cannot offer them what the Afghan Government can offer
them."
"We have to use these levers and
[have] restricted their movements, restricted their access to
hospitals and other facilities, and threatened them that ''If
you don't come forward and talk, we will at least expel you'',"
he said of the tough message Islamabad sent to Taliban leaders,
most of whom are believed to be operating out of Quetta, the capital
of Balochistan Province. "[We told the Taliban leaders that] we
have hosted [them] enough for 35 years, and we can't do it anymore
because the whole world is blaming us just by [their] presence
here," he said.
Further he said that Islamabad
pressured Afghan Taliban leaders to participate in the first-ever
direct talks with the Afghan Government on July 7, 2015.
|
March 2 |
Security Forces killed four suspected
militants during an exchange of fire in Kohlu District. The spokesman
for Frontier Constabulary, Khan Wasey, said the miscreants killed
in Kohlu district belonged to an outlawed militant organisation
operating in the area. He said that five sanctuaries were also
demolished during the search operation and a cache of arms and
ammunition was also recovered from their possession.
Three suspects, including a key
'commander' of the BRA, were killed and two others were injured
in Kech District. Wasey said that the SFs recovered weapons from
their possession. The spokesman further said the militants were
involved in killings of labourers working at Shadi Kor Dam.
Two Lyari gangsters, identified
as Younas alias Obama, and Muhammed Farooq alias Farooqa, were
killed and one Rangers personnel was injured during an intelligence
driven raid conducted by Sindh Rangers in Tharu Lane of Lyari
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. "When the paramilitary
force reached the Tharu Lane to arrest the culprits, they started
firing at the personnel in a bid to escape. The Rangers retaliated,
resulting in the killing of the two terrorists," Rangers spokesperson
said. They were allegedly involved in targeted killings, extortion
and firing and grenade attacks on Policemen.
Law enforcement agencies arrested
a suspect, identified as Waseem Ahmed, who is considered to be
a close associate of PAC leader Uzair Baloch, during a raid at
Karachi Fisheries. The law enforcers reportedly took him into
custody on charges of financing gangsters. The money used to finance
the gangsters was allegedly misappropriated from the Fisheries
Department. The accused is a former Joint Secretary of the Collective
Bargaining Agent Union of the Fish Harbour and also was an active
member of the Lyari gang war.
An Ahmadi, identified as Qamarul
Zia (35), was killed for his faith in Kot Abdul Malik city of
Sheikhupura District. Zia was killed while he was leaving his
house to fetch his children from school. Mazhar Ali, the brother
of Zia, said that one of the men had stabbed Zia in the neck as
he was mounting his motorcycle. Ali said a shopkeeper in the area
had tried to rescue Zia but he also got injured by the assailants.
Zia's murder marks the first killing of an Ahmadi in 2016. Zia
was earlier attacked by some religious clerics in 2012. Some members
of the Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat had again attacked
him six months ago.
A Division Bench of the Peshawar
High Court issued notices to the Federal Ministries of Defence
and Interior, asking them to explain why three brothers from Swat
District were allegedly detained by Security Forces and why their
property was confiscated. Justice Nisar Hussain and Justice Roohul
Amin heard a writ petition filed by Zahida, the mother of Shujaat
Shah, Syed Asmat Shah and Masood Shah, through her counsel Bashir
Khan. Bashir argued the Security Forces had arrested Zahida's
husband Daulat Shah and her sons a few years ago. "They remained
missing for a long time. In November 2014, Zahida was informed
her son Shujaat was in Lakki Marwat and husband in Kohat internment
centre while whereabouts of Asmat and Masood were still unknown
to her," the counsel told the court. "She was told her husband
had died in the internment centre while Asmat had been placed
in the proven militant or black category," Bashir added.
The Bench heard another petition
in a missing persons' case and sought replies from CTD and Gulbahar
Station House Officer. The accused allegedly picked Khan Wahid's
a resident of Afridi Garhi in Peshawar. His counsel Khalid Afridi
told the Bench that Wahid was a student of B. Com. and was arrested
after CTD personnel raided his house on May 6, 2015. Afridi argued
Wahid has been missing since then.
|
March 3 |
Personnel of the AVCC personnel
killed five kidnappers during an encounter in Gulshan-e-Bilal
area of Surjani Town in Gadap Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh and rescued a man kidnapped on February 28, 2016.
According to the officers Zahid Khan, a trader was kidnapped from
his shop situated in Shadman Town, District Central. The kidnappers
had initially demanded a ransom of PKR 2 million which was later
settled at PKR 0.5 million. The police after registering a case
referred it to the AVCC for investigation. The police officers
claimed that the accused had opened fire on the law enforcers
however, they were killed following an encounter. The abductors
were identified as Mazharuddin (gang leader), Mohammed Tanveer,
Fahim, Ain Ali and Rasheed.
Three Lyari gangsters, identified
as Khalil Baloch, Sagheer Baloch and Ala Daad, affiliated with
Uzair Baloch gang, were killed in a Police encounter during a
raid at a hideout in Machar Colony area of Kiamari Town. Weapons
were also recovered from their possession. The police claimed
that they were involved in recent grenade attacks in the Old City
area and Lyari and were also wanted for over one a dozen cases
of target killings, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.
A girl, identified as Khateeja
(6), was killed while four others were injured in a grenade attack
at a medical store located at Meera Naka near Lee Market in Lyari
Town.
|
March 4 |
Sindh Rangers killed three criminals
during an encounter near Barohi Chowk in Kalakot area of Lyari
Town in provincial capital Karachi. Weapons were recovered from
their possession. The gangsters were identified as Gul Nawaz (20),
Bilal (22), and Naeem (20).
A woman, identified as Mehreen
(35), was shot dead unidentified armed assailants near Siddiqui
General Store in PIDC area of Sultanabad Colony of Liaquatabad
Town.
A man was shot at and injured
in a firing incident near Shalimar Bus Stop in Saddar Town.
Elsewhere in the Province, mobs
clashed with Police, attacked a media office and a press club
in Karachi and Hyderabad District as protesters took to streets
after Friday prayers against the hanging of Malik Mumtaz Qadri,
the assassin of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer. The protesters
pelted the office of a private TV channel with stones and damaged
vehicles parked outside the office. In a statement PBA said, "PBA
terms this act as an attempt to curb freedom of expression and
to discourage media from performing its constitutional responsibilities."
Also, some enraged people took to the streets in parts of Karachi
on Friday, manhandling media teams, closing shops and beating
up Police.
In addition, as many as 106 accused
were arrested in a crackdown against criminals in different areas
in the jurisdiction of South Zone Police. The Police also recovered
one hand grenade, two Kalashnikovs, one repeater gun, eight magazines,
three kilogrammes of drugs and allegedly looted valuables from
the accused, said a police statement. It added that target killers,
terrorists, robbers, street criminals, wanted men and absconders
are among the arrested accused.
The CPLC, Pakistan Rangers, Sindh,
and Police during a meeting decided to jointly fight the menace
of street crime in Karachi with the help of volunteers. "The participants
in the meeting noted that heinous crimes had been reduced after
the launch of the Rangers-led operation in Karachi. However, citizens
were concerned about street crime. A strategy was chalked out
at the meeting to bring down street crime," said sources. According
to sources, some 'hot spots' in Karachi South and East Districts
were identified for a targeted operation against street crime.
A joint team of Abbottabad and
Mansehra Police arrested two TTP militants from Mansehra District.
"We have arrested two militants of the banned TTP. They were wanted
in connection with many cases of extortions and other subversive
activities in the Province," DIG, Hazara Range, Akhtar Hayat Khan
Gandapur said. He said that a Police party led by DSP Amjad Hussain,
raided a hideout on the outskirts of the city and arrested two
terrorists belonging to North Waziristan."We will not disclose
the names of the arrested militants at the moment as the investigation
is in progress," he added. The official said that the terrorists
had written a letter to Munir Khan, a businessman in Abbottabad,
asking him to pay them PKR two million for jihad or else his entire
family would be eliminated.
|
March 5 |
Police claimed to have killed
four militants belonging to AQIS and LeJ during an encounter near
Inara Garden in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Malir SSP Rao Anwar said that suspects were
allegedly involved in the killing of security personnel and members
of Shia community. "Suspects on seeing the police resorted to
firing and in an ensuing encounter, four gunmen got gunned down,"
claimed the SSP Anwar. Two of them were identified as Noman Akhter
and Sohail alias Kanga. The militants were involved in the killings
of traffic officials, Policemen and Shias. Police also claimed
to have seized a cache of weapons from their possession.
Four unidentified militants attacked
a Police post near Al-Asif Square in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap
Town. According to Malir SSP Anwar Rao, "They opened fire on the
Police check post from some distance but Policemen manning the
bunker retaliated with return fire, forcing the attacker to flee."
An ASI, identified as Syed Ali
Ahmed, was killed when unidentified militants opened fire at a
Police checkpoint near Kili Ghirsheenan in Pishin District. "Another
constable of the check-post retaliated and fired several shots
at the attackers, but they managed to escape," Police said. No
outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
AQIS and the LeJ are hiring Karachi-based
militants of HuMA, and are planning attacks on major important
installations in the city, said the Home Department letter issued
to Police and Rangers. According to the letter, "During the interrogation
of some recently apprehended high-value terrorists, it was learnt
that on the directives of AQIS and the Tehreek-s-Taliban Pakistan,
they had gathered information about some important installations
and targets in Karachi, but the attacks could not be carried out
because their leaders were arrested". The targets were American
employees of an oil refinery in Keamari, the US consulate Saddar
Division, the Sindh Assembly building, the Police Club, the residence
of senior police officials, Rangers vans, and Police check posts.
An Intelligence Agency informed
the Sindh IGP through a letter that "AQIS, the TTP, the JuA and
the LeJ are planning to attack Counter Terrorism Department official
Raja Umar Khattab". Khattab said that continuous operations against
banned outfits had resulted in a decrease in terrorism-related
cases and many key terrorist leaders, including Naeem Bukhari
of the LeJ and Farooq Mussana of AQIS, had been arrested. However,
he added, a cell of AQIS still existed in Karachi and operating
in small groups as after the Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the tribal
areas, their network had been dismantled and now they were showing
their presence by attacking Rangers, police and schools. "But
that doesn't mean that they will be unable to carry out major
attacks. But if the crackdown against them continues, such attacks
can be prevented."
|
March 7 |
A teenage suicide bomber killed
at least 17 people, including six women, two children and two
Policemen, and injured 23 others at a court complex in Shabqadar
tehsil of Charsadda District in KP. The JuA faction of the TTP
claimed the responsibility calling it the revenge for last week's
hanging of Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed killer of former Punjab
governor Salmaan Taseer. DPO Sohail Khalid said that the bomber
appeared to be in his teens. "He was carrying six to eight kilogrammes
of explosives in his suicide vest."
PRO DIG Saeed Wazir said that
the bomber shot dead the Policeman standing guard at the gate
before entering the complex where he was intercepted by two more
Policemen. "In the ensuing scuffle the bomber detonated the explosives
strapped to his chest," DIG Wazir said. The bomber wanted to target
the judges, lawyers and police inside the courtrooms.
Three security guards sustained
injuries and PKR 9 million were looted during a bank robbery within
the Masti Gate Police limits in Rang Mahal Chowk area of provincial
capital Lahore. The investigation officer said that the incident
occurred when security guards were shifting cash in the security
van from a private Bank. The injured guards were identified as
Naeem, Khalid and Noor. This is the third big bank robbery in
the last three months. In the second week of November 2015, robbers
had looted PKR 90 million from a private bank in Gulberg and fled
the scene. About PKR 4 million were looted from another private
bank in Qila Gujjar Singh area.
Sindh Rangers DG Major General
Bilal Akbar urged the five-member bench of the Supreme Court to
allow the paramilitary force to set up its own 'police stations'
as he criticized the Police for its poor investigation. "If this
is done, obviously after registering FIR and conducting investigation,
challans shall be filed in normal courts or Anti-Terrorism Courts
established under the judicial system of Pakistan," Major General
Akbar said.
Presenting a progress report before
the court at its Karachi Registry, the Rangers DG said that between
September 2013 and March 4, 2016, the paramilitary force had arrested
5,096 suspects who had been handed over to the Police for prosecution.
Of these 168 had been convicted while 83 had been acquitted by
the courts while 1,156 had been released on bail. The report,
filed by Advocate Shahid Anwar Bajwa on behalf of DG Rangers,
claimed that over 1,100 suspected criminals had been let off the
hook over the past 18 months owing to faulty Police investigations.
|
March 8 |
The law enforcement agencies recovered
Shahbaz Taseer, the abducted son of former Punjab Governor Salmaan
Taseer, from Kuchlak town near Quetta, the provincial capital
of Balochistan, five years after he was kidnapped by unidentified
gunmen from Lahore. A statement released by the ISPR confirmed
that the intelligence agencies have recovered Shahbaz Taseer from
an area near Kuchlak. Shahbaz was kidnapped from Lahore on August
26, 2011 near his company's head office few months after the assassination
of his father. A senior police official confirmed that Shahbaz
was recovered during a raid jointly conducted by the Counter-Terrorism
Department and intelligence agencies near Quetta. Quoting a Frontier
Corps officer, a TV channel confirmed the development. "An intelligence-based
operation was conducted by FC and police, resulting in his (Shahbaz)
safe recovery."
The ATC in Karachi indicted 26
workers of MQM in more than 50 cases. The MQM activists were accused
of possessing explosives and illegal weapons. They were arrested
by Rangers during raid at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in March
2015. The accused have pleaded not guilty. The court has summoned
investigation officers and witnesses on next hearing.
|
March 9 |
At least 21 militants were killed
in fresh airstrikes and ground operations in the Shawal Valley
of NWA in FATA where the military is conducting the last phase
of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The military claims to have gained control
of strategic positions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in
the snow-covered mountainous regions of NWA. Administration officials
said the air raids targeted hideouts of militants while ground
troops were going ahead with a cleansing operation in the area.
Chief military spokesman Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa
wrote on Twitter that helicopter gunships carried out the strikes,
which began Monday night and continued into Tuesday. "Operations
continue as important heights and passes along the Pak-Afghan
border are secured. The valley's sanitisation [is] in progress,"
he wrote on the micro-blogging website. "Ground forces continue
their hunt for fleeing terrorists through chase, cordon and search
operations."
Eight BLA militants, including
'commander' Aslam Achou alias Merick Baloch, were killed in an
exchange of fire during an encounter with Security Forces in the
Sangan area of Sibi District. Two FC personnel were also killed
during the gun battle. A spokesman for the Balochistan Government,
Anwar-ul-Haque Kakar, said that the BLA 'commander' Aslam Achou
alias Merick Baloch was an Afghan Tajik.
The District Malir Police claimed
to have shot dead three TTP terrorists in Northern Bypass area
of Malir Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According
to details given by SSP Rao Anwaar, a Police team was attacked
by four gunmen on motorcycles near a snap-checking picket in the
Northern Bypass area. The Police retaliated and arrested three
terrorists in injured condition, while the fourth one escaped.
They later succumbed to their injuries. Three pistols and two
motorcycles were recovered from their possession however their
identities could not be ascertained immediately.
SITE Super Highway Police arrested
TTP extortionist, identified as Kamran Bajouri, during an encounter
in SITE Town. Bajouri used to take extortion money from traders
to generate funds for the militant outfit. He said that the attack
was in reaction to Bajouri's arrest.
An alleged target killer, identified
as Naeem Ahmed alias Nanah, was arrested by the CTD in Korangi
Town. During preliminary investigation, the accused confessed
murdering people, including a person near the Inquiry Office in
Korangi, during the years 2005 and 2006.
|
March 10 |
Unidentified militants kidnapped
eight FDA employees while they were heading to inspect an under
construction dam in Toi Khula area of SWA. "Gunmen kidnapped these
eight men when they were heading to the dam site," said Islam.
No outfit claimed responsibility for the abduction.
LEAs arrested 14 Afghan Taliban
militants during a raid from a compound in Pashtoonabad area in
provincial capital Quetta. "It is premature to say something about
the arrest of any high profile leader among them", the official
said. Sleeping bags, boots and administrative objects were also
recovered from their possession.
The Special Police Unit of CTD
arrested a woman who has been accused of facilitating the attack
on September 18, 2015, on Pakistan Air Force base in Badabher
area of Peshawar. "During the investigation, Zari Zadgai alias
Perveen, a resident of Telabanad village, [was] arrested. She
[is accused of] providing terrorists with food and supplying empty
bottles to them, which were later used to assemble explosive devices,"
the handout added.
|
March 11 |
Lieutenant Colonel, Tariq Ghafoor,
was shot dead while he was on his way to a nearby mosque to offer
Friday prayers near Ring Road in Hayatabad area of provincial
capital Peshawar. TTP spokesman, Muhammad Khorasani, claimed responsibility
for the attack in an email sent to journalists.
A Lyari gangster, identified as
Mustafa alias Lal Golden, was killed when paramilitary troops
shot at him during a raid at a multi-storey building in Singu
Lane area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. Mustafa was wanted in ransom cases and targeted killings.
The raid was conducted after receiving intelligence about the
presence of at least three suspected gangsters. According to official
details, the gangsters opened fire on paramilitary officials and
tried to escape. However, one gangster was killed during an exchange
of fire while his accomplices managed to escape. Automatic weapons,
ammunitions and drugs were recovered from his possession.
Rangers carried out search operations
in Lyari and Orangi Town and arrested 35 suspects and recovered
a huge cache of ammunition, including 10 SMGs, one LMG and bullets,
from their possession.
Authorities arrested 22 tribesmen
in SWA of FATA in a "collective responsibility" punishment a day
after eight government officials were kidnapped. Eight officials
of the FDA, were kidnapped in South Waziristan on March 10, 2016.
"We have arrested 22 tribesmen to put pressure for the release
of the eight FDA officials as the kidnapping took place in their
area and it is their collective responsibility to help authorities
in the recovery," Masood Khan, a political officer, said.
The political administration of
SWA has given 24 hours to the Suleman Khel and Dottani tribes
to rescue nine workers. An unnamed official said that action would
be taken under the FCR if the tribes failed to recover the abducted
individuals. "If the deadline expires [without the rescue of kidnapped
men], the political administration will launch a crackdown against
both tribes," the official said, adding, "They will not be issued
CNICs (Computerized National Identity Card's) and their domiciles
will be suspended. Their business centres will also be shut down."
|
March 12 |
SFs arrested a suspected person
in an action in Gul Kach area of Zhob and recovered arms from
his possession. According to reports, SFs seized five grenades,
walkie-talkie and hundreds of rounds from his possession.
|
March 13 |
Five militants were killed and
one arrested during a security operation carried out by FC along
with other law enforcement agencies in Dera Bugti District of
Balochistan. An FC spokesman said that on a tip-off, FC teams
along with other law enforcement agencies raided a place in Dera
Bugti. Exchange of fire took place between FC personnel and the
armed men, he said adding "five militants were killed and one
arrested in Dera Bugti operation. He said that the militants killed
in the operation were involved in attacks on security forces,
damaging gas pipelines, extortion and kidnapping for ransom. The
militants belonged to a banned militant organisation, Baloch Republican
Army; he said adding that the camps of the militants were also
destroyed while further probe is underway.
At least five militants were killed
in an encounter with CTD forces in Nankana Sahib District of Punjab.
CTD forces raided a house on a tip-off in a village and an encounter
took place. During the crossfire, five terrorists were killed
while two others managed to escape. Explosive material and ammunition
were recovered from their possession. The identity of the suspects
could not be ascertained immediately.
Police claimed to have arrested
five key gangsters of Lyari gang from Dhok Kisan area of Attock
District. On a tip-off, the Police headed by Regional Police Officer
Fakhar Sultan raided a hideout and arrested the alleged gangsters
identified as Noor Zaman, Hameed Khan, Safdar Hussain, Ansar Hussain
and Ghulam Hussain. The police also impounded a cache of ammunition,
bullets, four carat gold and PKR 30 million from their possession.
Two alleged terrorists linked
to al Qaeda were killed during an encounter with CTD in Quaidabad
area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, on the morning.
On a tip-off, CTD personnel raided a hideout and an encounter
took place resulting in death of two terrorists. They were identified
as Arshad and Umair who were linked to al Qaeda sub-continent
chapter. Arshad had PKR five million and Umair had PKR 500, 000
head money, CTD officials said.
|
March 14
|
At least five alleged terrorists
were killed in exchange of fire with the personnel of CTD in Samasata
area in Bahawalpur District in Punjab. According to reports, the
CTD personnel, on a tip-off, launched action in Samasata area.
Exchange of fire took place at Bahawalpur overhead bridge in which
five terrorists were killed. The officials also seized hand grenades
and explosives from the possession of the militants, affiliated
to a banned outfit.
Sindh Rangers thwarted a major
terror bid by killing four terrorists in Manghopir area of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh, in the night. According to Rangers
spokesman, the paramilitary force, on a tip-off, raided a house
in Sultanabad area, where terrorists opened fire. In retaliatory
fire, four terrorists were killed. Two Rangers personnel also
sustained injuries in the shootout.
An explosion occurred on early
morning at a shrine located in an isolated graveyard in Athmaqam
area of Neelum Valley District in PoK. The explosion caused no
loss of life but Police recovered a dozen of unexploded hand grenades.
Athmaqam SHO Raja Ansar Sajad said that upon a tip-off from the
local villagers about the explosion at Kundal Shahi a team of
police reached at the shrine of Syed Rasool Shah and recovered
12 hand grenades. He said that some unknown miscreants threw the
local made hand grenades at shrine located in a graveyard early
in the morning and blasts were heard in the area but no loss of
life was reported as they fell in an open area.
Two AQIS militants, who were killed
on March 12, 2016, in an encounter in Quaidabad area of Bin Qasim
Town, were planning a suicide attack at Drigh Road Railway Station
to target ordnance supply to the military, said Additional Inspector
General of the CTD Dr Sanaullah Abbasi. The AQIS had done complete
reconnaissance and prepared a suicide bomber and a vehicle to
hit the target, as arms were being brought from the Wah ordnance
factory to Karachi by train or road in a military container for
their onward supply to the Malir cantonment.
Pakistani officials threatened
to expel Afghan Taliban from bases in Pakistan if they did not
join peace talks this month, but the militants rebuffed their
traditional patron, two officials said, casting doubt on how much
influence Islamabad retains over them. After the secret meetings
with Pakistani officials about two weeks ago, the Taliban's Supreme
Council met at an undisclosed location and voted to reject the
talks scheduled for early March with the Afghan government, according
to a council member. Instead, the insurgents are now pouring back
into Afghanistan for what they say will be a fierce spring offensive
to be launched soon. Pakistan's influence over the insurgents
is the lynchpin to the peace plan developed over last few months
by Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States and China to bring
an end to the 15-year-old war in Afghanistan. A Pakistani official
in Islamabad said that the Taliban's recent success on the battlefield
inside Afghanistan had changed the equation. “They no longer need
their Pakistan bases in the same way, so if Pakistan threatens
to expel them, it does not have the same effect,” said the official,
a retired military officer close to the talks.
Pakistan witnessed a decrease
of 34 percent in terrorism activities during the year 2015 as
compared to 2014, official sources said. According to reports,
incidents of terrorism reduced from 5,496 in 2014 to 3,625 in
2015 and the New Year has so far witnessed 80 percent decline
in terror acts and extremism by breaking network of terrorists
in FATA, Karachi and Balochistan after developing much needed
consensus among the political parties. The sources said this achievement
is due to the fact that all political forces clustered around
National Action Plan (NAP) to take it to logical conclusion. The
sources said NAP has also brought relief to the nation as the
country has witnessed overall decline in heinous offences.
|
March 15
|
At least 15 persons were killed
and 25 others injured when a powerful bomb ripped through a Civil
Secretariat bus, carrying Government employees, near Sunehri Masjid
in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The
bus was carrying Government employees from Mardan to Peshawar.
SP (Cantonment Circle) Muhammad Kashif said the blast was caused
by explosive material planted inside the bus.
Lakki Marwat DSP Kifayat Hussain
was found dead in his official residence. An official source said
the residence of the deceased police official was located in the
congested urban locality. “After spending the day in office Mr
Hussain had reached his residence in the evening where he was
found dead in mysterious circumstances,” he added.
A Police head constable, identified
as Muhammad Sarwar, and a private security guard Abdul Qayyum,
were killed during a bank robbery in Kuchlak town of Quetta, the
provincial capital of Sindh. At least three other security guards
and a civilian were injured in the shootout. The robbers looted
PKR 4 million.
Sindh Rangers along with the RTF
arrested three kidnappers during a raid in Datageer area of Gulberg
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to
the official sources, a boy, identified as Kashan (12), was abducted
on March 12, 2016, while he was going to take his tuition classes
on Bukhari Commercial in Darakhshan police area. The kidnappers
demanded of his family to pay a ransom of PKR 10 million for his
release however, it was later reduced to PKR 0.3 million. When
the deal was finalised on a phone call, the kidnappers told the
family to come to the Queens Road where they released the boy
after receiving the ransom money. After the family approached
the RTF, it raided a house near Dastageer area and arrested one
kidnapper, Adnan, who disclosed the names of his associates during
an investigation. The RTF along with the accused raided a hideout
in Defence Phase VIII and arrested the leader, Tafeeq Jagrani,
and his other accomplice and found weapons and ransom money on
them.
The Chief of Army Staff General
Raheel Sharif confirmed death sentences of 13 ‘hardcore militants’,
including one involved in the killing foreign tourists in Nanga
Parbat. According to the ISPR, the condemned terrorists were tried
by military courts for their involvement in Nanga Parbat attack,
Saidu Sharif airport, destruction of schools, attacks on armed
forces, law enforcement agencies and civilians. Earlier on January
1, the Army Chief had confirmed death sentences for nine terrorists
convicted by military courts.
|
March 16
|
Three lady health workers of a
polio team were shot at and injured by unidentified militants
in Garhi Yasin area of Shikarpur District.
While addressing a press conference
at the Karachi Press Club BRP Ailaaf Baloch and Afshan Baloch
said that more than 70 members of the party had been missing for
several months and emphasised that the situation in Balochistan
could only be normalised if aspirations of Baloch people were
kept supreme. They urged the authorities concerned to give their
right arm to solve the simmering problem in Balochistan.
They recalled that Balochistan
had plenty of natural resources, yet its people were unable to
have clean drinking water, education and healthcare facilities.
They pointed out that giving Baloch people their rights on a priority
basis would be a huge step. They said the BRP had been raising
its voice for the recovery of its members who, they claimed, were
victims of enforced disappearances.
|
March 17
|
At least two soldiers and two
women were killed in a suicide explosion in the Smagal area of
Darel Valley in the Diamer District of the Gilgit-Baltistan region
in PaK. Acting on an intelligence tipoff, SFs had laid siege to
the house of a ‘commander’ of TTP’s Diamer faction, identified
as Hazrat Noor. An unnamed security official disclosed, “The terrorist
blew himself up to avoid arrest. Besides his wife and daughter,
two soldiers were also killed in the blast.” The slain militant
also reportedly had opened fire at the Forces before blowing himself
up.
An exchange of fire between SFs
and militants in the Gayyal village area of Tarel Valley in Diamer
District resulted in five fatalities. ISPR, the media wing of
the Pakistan Army, stated, “Three wanted terrorists were killed
by security forces in a successful IBO [intelligence-based operation]
in Tarel Valley in Gayyal Village near Chillas in Gilgit-Baltistan
today. Two security personnel also embraced shahadat (martyrdom)
in the exchange of fire.”
At least five terrorists were
killed in an exchange of fire when militants besieged a security
check post in Dara Darmodrab area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency
of FATA. The ISPR confirmed the incident.
A 'commander' of IS, identified
as Kamran Aslam Gujjar, was killed in a Police encounter in Manghopir
area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
According to a press release issued by Sindh police, District
West Police and CIA personnel, acting on a tip-off, launched a
search operation in Ittehad Town area where the raiding party
came under fire. One of the attackers and two policemen were severely
injured during the encounter. Police claimed to have recovered
a sub-machine gun, three hand grenades and explosive material
from his possession.
According to the Police statement,
Gujjar is a 'trained Daesh commander' who had also worked for
AQIS in the past and was carrying a bounty of PKR 2.5 million
on his head. The accused had also confessed to his involvement
in target killings, grenade attacks and bank robberies and claimed
to have recently joined Daesh.
The CTD arrested four suspected
militants while distributing pamphlets of banned militant organisation
on the Pajagi Road near Tableeghi Markaz in provincial capital
Peshawar. The raid was conducted after receiving information from
the secret agencies. The suspects were identified as Muhammad
Anas, Muhammad Tayyeb, Attaullah and Syed Akbar Shah.
The CTD Mardan arrested a suspected
terrorist along with explosive material from Mardan District.
Zarri Zadgai alias Perveen, the
woman facilitator of the attack on PAF base in Badaber on September
18, 2015, was sent to jail after she confessed to the crime at
the Anti-Terrorism Court.
The IGP Nasir Khan Durrani reiterated
his pledge that extortion in the Province will be eliminated at
all costs.
Balochistan Home Department announced
head money for 99 militants, ranging between PKR 500,000 and PKR
15 million. CM Nawab Sanaullah Zehri vowed ‘not to pardon’ people
involved in terrorist activities. The militants belong to the
BLA, BRA, BLF, BRG and LeB.
But the names of Nawabzada Brahamdagh
Bugti, Nawabzada Hairbyar Marri, Nawabzada Mehran Marri and Mir
Javed Mengal, who are accused of instigating terrorist activities
in Balochistan, have not been included in the list. The CM said
that it was not clear whether the BLF chief (Dr Allah Nazar) was
dead or alive. However his name has been included in the list.
|
March 18
|
A ST cadre, identified as Muhammad
Iqbal Hanif (32), was shot dead in a targeted attack when he was
with his friends by a roadside near Qatar Hospital in Sector 8
area of Orangi Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
His companion remained unhurt.
Three Rangers personnel were injured
when unidentified armed assailants hurled hand grenade at their
check post near Korangi Crossing in Korangi Town. They were identified
as Manzoor, Kalimullah and Abdul Ghafoor. Director General Sindh
Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar said that the four suspects
involved in the attack have been arrested but their names could
not be disclosed. He said Police and Rangers were being targeted
in three types of bomb attacks in Karachi by three different groups.
"Groups from Lyari are involved in the first kind of attacks
on Police and Rangers. Bombs made of plastic containers are being
used in the second type of attacks, which lead to suspicion that
a political party might be involved. While the third type of blasts,
he said, are carried out by terrorists."
The Police and Security Forces
arrested three suspected militants and seized weapons and ammunition
in a joint operation in Jabar area in Usheri Darra in Upper Dir
District. DPO of Upper Dir Syed Israruddin Bacha said 400 kilograms
of explosive powder, four IEDs, six rocket-launchers, one LMG,
one rifle, seven magazines and 200 bullets were seized. He said
the operation was launched on the basis of information divulged
by arrested militants Bacha Hussain and his son Farmanullah, who
were arrested from Lahore District in Punjab a few days ago.
|
March 19
|
Four suspected BLA militants were
killed and a senior leader of a banned organisation was injured
in an encounter with SF personnel in Chattar area of Nasirabad
District. The injured militant leader and 13 other suspected militants
were taken into custody. According to official sources, personnel
of Frontier Corps launched a search operation in the area close
to Dera Bugti and Lehri Districts after a tip-off about the presence
of militants.
|
March 20
|
The Sindh Police CTD chief Sanaullah
Abbasi in a letter sent to the Government requested the Provincial
Government to take steps to de-radicalize Karachi, including removing
the flags, posters and graffiti of religious and political parties,
reducing media coverage of their rallies and other gatherings,
and integrating madrassas with the regular school system. “These
suggestions have been prepared on the basis of research and interrogation
reports of high-profile terrorism and extremism cases,” he said.
The DG of Sindh Rangers Major
General Bilal Akbar while talking to a delegation of the APSSA
vowed, “The Karachi operation will carry on until all criminal
elements have been eliminated”. He made it very clear that the
Karachi operation was not against any party or group in particular,
and stressed that its purpose was to curb criminal elements in
the city. He urged political and religious parties not to allow
criminals or terrorists into their ranks. “In spite of a difficult
situation, we are committed to protecting lives and property of
people in the metropolis,” he said.
|
March 21 |
At least 12 suspected militants,
including two BLA 'commanders', identified as Jamir and Baloch
Khan, were killed in an exchange of fire during an operation
with FC personnel in Nasau area of Kohlu District. The FC recovered
large cache of arms and ammunition from their possession. "Exchange
of fire is still underway".
Brother of Lyari gangster Arshad
Pappu, was arrested in Hub tehsil of Lasbela District. He was
identified as Hamid alias Aamir. Security Forces recovered a
large quantity of illegal weapons.
Brother of Lyari gangster Arshad
Pappu, was arrested in Hub tehsil of Lasbela District. He was
identified as Hamid alias Aamir. Security Forces recovered a
large quantity of illegal weapons.
A soldier of the Bajaur Scouts
was killed when unidentified militants across the border attacked
a check post with automatic weapons in Ghakhi Pass in Mamond
tehsil of Bajaur Agency in FATA.
President Mamnoon Hussain during
his visit in Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan Agency
said that Pakistan's armed forces were fighting a decisive war
against terrorism in the tribal areas as. "Anti-state elements
are out to weaken the country through subversive activities
but their evil designs are being foiled by the armed forces,"
he said.
Unidentified militants hurled
a cracker bomb at Rangers check post in Korangi Town. However,
no casualties were reported. Zaman Town Police said that the
explosion damaged a wall of the check post. This was the third
attack on Rangers check post in the last week.
Two suspected criminals involved
in blasts on railway tracks and other heinous crimes were arrested
during a raid in Gohram Bugti Goth in Orangi Town. The Rangers
recovered weapons from their possession.
Three suspected gangsters were
arrested in Lyari Town.
An unidentified target killer,
affiliated with a militant outfit, was arrested during a raid
in Orangi Town.
Pakistani authorities have detained
the 'chief' of a breakaway faction of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah
Muhammad Rasool, claimed two unnamed Taliban leaders. They did
not say when Mullah Rasool was taken into custody but confirmed
that he had fled recent infighting in southern Afghanistan.
"I can confirm that Mullah Rasool has been arrested by authorities
in Pakistan after he crossed the border," one Taliban leader
said. He declined to share details. A Taliban leader in Rasool's
camp also confirmed his detention.
|
March 22 |
The CTD of Sindh Police claimed
to have arrested three suspected militants, including an engineer,
who were allegedly associated with the banned AQIS. "The three
were identified as Usman Naeem, Umair and Imamdin alias Mavia,"
The CTD's Additional Inspector General Dr Sanaullah Abbasi said.
"They are associated with the AQIS and were arrested after an
encounter with a CTD team in Karachi West. We have also seized
two AK-47 rifles and a TT pistol from their possession."
The PHC suspended the execution
of a death-row inmate, who was sentenced to death by a military
court for involvement in terrorism. A two member bench of the
PHC, comprising Justice Mahzar Alam Main Khel and Justice Younis
Thaheem, heard the application of convicted militant Bakhat
Amir, staying his execution. The bench asked the Interior and
Defense Ministries to submit details of the case in the next
hearing. The application filed by the convict's brother prayed
that Amir had surrendered himself to Security Forces in 2009
in Swat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after which there was no information
about him. A few weeks ago the family was informed that Amir
had been awarded the death sentence by a military court, his
brother maintained in court.
The Supreme Court was informed
that as of February 2, 2016, as many as 353 convicts had been
executed since the lifting of moratorium on the death penalty
by the Federal Government. The information was laid before a
two-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal
Khan, on behalf of the Interior Ministry by DAG Sajid Ilyas
Bhatti. The report was, however, quiet about whether the executed
convicts also included militants who were convicted by military
courts and whose executions began soon after the Army Public
School Peshawar attack on December 16, 2014.
The Supreme Court was hearing
a petition filed by Barrister Zafarullah Khan of the Watan Party
seeking swift disposal of appeals and petitions filed by around
7,124 inmates, currently on a death row in different prisons
of the country. Zafarullah Khan said that of the cases, the
Supreme Court was hearing 1,031 appeals, whereas 5,378 similar
matters were pending before various high courts. At least 21
cases are awaiting adjudication before the FSC and six are with
the GHQ. A brief report also stated that mercy petitions of
444 convicts had been rejected since Dec 2014 and 38 mercy petitions
were pending with the Interior Ministry. A set of another 33
appeals are currently under process.
Chief of Army Staff General
Raheel Sharif said tribal elders in North Waziristan Agency
in FATA were "happy" with improved security and peace and had
requested the army to stay in the area till the process of reconstruction
and resettlement was completed. On a visit to the tribal agency
where the Army has been conducting an air and ground offensive
against outlawed militants since June 2014, General Raheel claimed
"good progress had been made in the Shawal operation." The Army
chief also attended the earth breaking ceremony of a sports
complex in the agency. He said tribal people in the area were
"keen to resume a productive life," said Lieutenant General
Asim Bajwa, head of the ISPR. Bajwa quoted the army chief as
saying the "farthest edges of the agency [North Waziristan]
were now being cleared" and that around "650 square kilometres
had already been cleared in the final phase so far." The ISPR
chief said General Raheel had also directed to ensure complete
return of all TDPs by the end of 2016.
|
March 23 |
A former regional director of
ISI was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Phase 7 area of
Hayatabad in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Abdul Latif, who was also a professor at Qurtaba University,
had gone to Phase 7 to meet his relatives when assailants on
a motorcycle shot him dead, Police said. Tatara SHO Abid Afridi
said Latif (61), had retired as a regional director from the
ISI three years ago. During his career, Latif served on key
positions, including as the first secretary in Pakistan's embassy
in Afghanistan in the 90s, he added. "He was a resident of Tehkal
but was on a visit to Hayatabad to meet his relatives when unknown
attackers riding a motorcycle opened fire at him just outside
the house, killing him on the spot," SHO Afridi added.
Unidentified motorcycle bourne
assailants shot dead two Policemen in Dera Ismail Khan of same
District.
Police arrested 32 suspected
persons including 12 Afghans during a search operation in the
Faqirabad area of Peshawar. The Police searched houses with
the help of sniffer dogs and arrested several suspects, besides
seizure of weapons and hashish from them.
The CTD Malakand Division arrested
a suspected terrorist during a targeted operation in Matta tehsil
of Swat District. According to CTD officials, the alleged terrorist
identified as Bahadar Shah who was arrested during an operation
by CTD in the limits of Matta Police Station. The accused Bahadar
Shah was wanted by Matta Police Station as a case under section
380, 448,148, 149, and 7ATA was registered against him in 2009.
Police claimed to have killed
three abductors and recovered three hostages in a joint raid
carried out by SIU and CPLC in Ibrahim Haideri area of Korangi
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Police claimed to have killed
three abductors and recovered three hostages in a joint raid
carried out by SIU and CPLC in Ibrahim Haideri area of Korangi
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The Madrassa Reforms Project,
which was initiated during the regime of Pervez Musharraf, is
still incomplete despite the lapse of many years. Under the
project, some 8,000 Islamic seminaries, about 1.6 million students
and approximately 120,000 teachers of these madrassas were to
be registered, but even after almost 12 years only 432 madrassas
have been registered and out of them only 36 are getting funds
from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
|
March 25 |
Balochistan Home Minister
Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said Operation Zarb-e-Azab was bearing fruit
and Balochistan soon would become a completely peaceful region.
He was addressing a ceremony held in connection with Yaum-e-Shuhada.
Southern Command Commander Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz, Advisor
to Chief Minister on Information Sardar Raza Muhammad Baraich,
Home Secretary Cap (retd) Akbar Hussain Durrani, Balochistan Frontier
Corps IG Major General Sher Afgun, Police IG Ahsan Mehboob and
senior officials were present. The Minister said the Government
and Security Forces have been taking practical measures to root
out terrorism from Balochistan on permanent basis, adding that
the sacrifices of martyrs would not go waste. |
March 26 |
Four terror suspects were allegedly
killed in an encounter with the personnel of the CTD in the
Adam Wahan Village in the Lodhran District of Punjab. CTD officials
had a report that up to seven suspects were hiding in the village.
They raided the terrorist hideout in the Sadar Police precincts
in the Lodhran District and the terror suspects threw two hand
grenades at them. The CTD officials retaliated, killing four
suspected terrorists at the scene. A suicide vest, a hand grenade,
a rifle and other weapons were recovered from the suspects.
The suspects are yet to be identified.
A polio worker and supervisor
in EPI, identified as Akhtar Khan, was shot dead by an unidentified
militant in his private clinic in Khuga Khel area of Khyber
Agency in FATA. LI claimed responsibility for killing the EPI
supervisor over telephone from an Afghan mobile number. The
LI spokesman, however, did not specify as to why an EPI worker
was targeted.
Later, the Khasadar officials
said that they took a local resident into custody after a son
of the deceased polio worker told officials that he saw the
a man, identified as Hayatullah, entering his father’s clinic
and later heard gunshots being fired there. The officials took
the suspect in custody for interrogation.
|
March 27 |
At least 74 people were killed
and more than 300 injured when a suicide bomb ripped through
the parking space in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park situated near Allama
Iqbal Town in provincial capital Lahore when Christians were
celebrating Easter. JuA (Group of the Free), a breakaway faction
of the TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack. "We claim
responsibility for the attack on Christians as they were celebrating
Easter," a spokesperson said.
ST cadres manhandled journalists
in Islamabad as they gathered outside Parliament House at the
Red Zone to protest against the hanging of Malik Mumtaz Qadri,
the assassin of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer. Many journalists,
including cameramen, were injured.
An unidentified 22-year-old
youth was killed in the firing incident by unidentified armed
assailants near Ghareeb Nawaz colony in Golimar area of SITE
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A man, identified as Noor Salim
(43), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants near Philips
Company office in SITE Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead near Habib Chowrangi in SITE Town.
An unidentified suspect was
killed while another one injured in an exchange of fire with
Police during a raid in Saudabad area of SITE Town.
Two journalists were injured
when activists of the Anjuman Talaba Islam subjected them to
physical violence while attacking the Karachi Press Club with
petrol bombs and resorting to arson. The assailants tried to
enter the club and set vehicles on fire. Later, the attackers
managed to flee the scene. According to details, the ATI activists
were protesting against the hanging of Malik Mumtaz Qadri outside
the Karachi Press Club when its workers attempted to enter the
premises of the club. Upon failure to enter the KPC premises
due to resistance, the ATI workers resorted to arson and hurled
petrol bombs inside the club.
At least four suspects, identified
as Sharjeel, Naveed, Dilshad and Faisal Motta, were arrested
during search operation in Sachal area of Gulshan Town. The
suspects were allegedly involved in extortion and street crimes.
The police claimed to have recovered three pistols from their
possession.
The Sindh security administration
found no existence of a total of 2,096 registered seminaries
on ground which they believe were brought on Government record
only to collect donations and funding from different sources,
Additional Inspector General of Police, CTD Dr Sanaullah Abbasi
Said. This has been revealed during a recent survey jointly
carried out by police’s two units namely the Special Branch
and the CTD. This ongoing survey was being conducted to ascertain
the number of seminaries allegedly involved in promoting extremism
and sectarianism in order to keep check on their activities.
“We have detected a total of
2,096 seminaries, which on papers have been shown as registered
in Sindh, but actually they are closed or are not available,”
disclosed Dr Abbasi. The senior police officer described these
seminaries as ‘ghost’ and said that they had been registered
merely to get donations and funding from different sources.
Out of such ghost seminaries,
at least 639 seminaries have been detected in Karachi Division
only followed by Hyderabad (843), Mirpurkhas (192), Sukkur (364)
and Larkana divisions (58). The Police Counterterrorism Unit
chief pointed out that there were a total of 10,222 seminaries
in Sindh.
|
March 28
|
The Police arrested Samiullah,
the mastermind of the 2007 suicide attack on senior politician
Aftab Sherpao during the Eid prayers that killed 67 persons,
in Utmanzai town of Charsadda District.
11 Uzbeks were detained during
a raid as by FC and intelligence agencies personnel in Nushki
District.
A man was arrested on suspicion
of having links with a banned outfit in Nushki District.
FC troops recovered 5 kilograms
of explosive material from Goth Hazaro area of Sui in Dera Bugti
District.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif during
a high-level meeting in Rawalpindi ordered intelligence-based
operations against terrorists in Punjab and made it clear that
these operations will not be “joint actions” as conducted in
the past along with the Police and Provincial Intelligence Agencies.
The overnight operations, which the army chief is personally
monitoring, were conducted by army units, paramilitary Rangers,
the ISI and MI personnel. He ordered crackdowns against militants
with the focus on finding linkages and perpetrators of the attack.
Subsequently the military conducted several raids in Lahore,
Faisalabad, Muzaffargarh and other Districts. One of the operations
reportedly lasted for over five hours and yielded several arrests.
The US has helped Pakistan in
securing its nuclear weapons and materials, US Assistant Secretary
of State for International Security and Nonproliferation Thomas
Countryman said, ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit to be
held in Washington on March 30, 2016. "Without question,
Pakistan takes very seriously its responsibility to provide
security for both nuclear weapons and nuclear materials. As
a consequence of the summit process as well as our bilateral
co-operation they have taken important steps forward in providing
that security," he said.
Hundreds of ST cadres spearheading
support for Malik Mumtaz Qadri, a police guard hanged for assassinating
Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, demanded Sharia’h in Pakistan
and declaration of Qadri as a national martyr. The Tehreek's
demands included conversion of Qadri's jail cell into a national
heritage site, the execution of blasphemy accused Aasia Bibi
in whose support Taseer had stood, guaranteeing that the blasphemy
laws will not be amended, and the removal of Ahmadis and other
non-Muslims who have occupied key Government positions.
Police registered four separate
cases against 501 religious workers, including their leadership,
under the ATA for creating terror and violence in society and
formally arrested those booked in Rawalpindi District during
clashes between workers of religious parties and police on March
27. “Yes, cases have been registered against the protesters,
including their leadership who were involved in violence, under
Anti-Terrorism Act,” City Police Officer Israr Ahmed Abbasi
said.
|
March 29
|
Five terrorists were killed
and over 600 suspects were arrested in an extensive operation
launched by the SFs across the Province following March 27,
2016, suicide attack in Lahore. According to details provided
by private TV channels, five terrorists, belonging to a banned
militant group, were killed in separate shootouts with during
search operations in Rajanpur District and Muzaffargarh District.
In addition, 250 suspects were detained in Sialkot District,
200 in Gujranwala, 80 in Faisalabad, 34 in Rahimyar Khan, 18
in Kasur, 10 in Bhakkar, six in Attock and one in Bahawalpur,
while several others were also arrested from other Districts
of the province.
One of the main leaders of protesters,
identified as Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri, at Islamabad’s D-Chowk
has been on the Fourth Schedule of ATA for over a year, yet
he made his way to the capital unhindered. Afzal Qadri is the
chief of Aalmi Tanzeem Ahl-e Sunnat. Sources in the District
Government and Police said that around two months ago authorities
had besieged Qadri’s residence and seminary in Mararrian village
and stopped him from marching to Lahore to press the Government
against executing Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of former
Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.
A Shia Special Security Unit
(SSU) commando, identified as Zahid Jaffri (31), who had been
doing security duty, at the State Guest House was shot dead
in the Kareemabad area of Gulberg Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. According to DIG of Police (West) Feroz Shah,
Jaffri was deployed at the State Guest House where President
Mamnoon Hussain would stay during his visit to Karachi.
A gangster belonging to Uzair
Baloch gang, identified as Muhammad Ashraf (32), was shot dead
by a gangster of Baba Ladla rival group outside his residence
on Daryabad Street in Lyari Town. Arshad belonged to Uzair Baloch
gang and was killed by a member of Baloch’s rival group run
by.
One Arshad (23), was shot at
and injured in a firing incident near Sherpao Colony in Landhi
Town.
A man, identified as Tanveer
(25), was shot at and injured near Naz Plaza on MA Jinnah Road.
The death toll of March 27,
2016, suicide blast in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park of Lahore rose to
74 after two more injured persons succumbed to their injuries.
The victims were identified as Anas Ayub (17) and Moshin (18).
The 74 dead include 29 children and 10 women 20 Christians.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah
while addressing a press conference on Lahore claimed that there
are no safe havens, organised terrorist networks or any no-go
areas in any part of the Province. He said that civil-military
agencies were carrying out the operation across the Province
under the continuing NAP. He said the military crackdown on
terrorist activities in Punjab was a national operation and
the country’s entire political leadership, religious parties,
opposition and the Government were backing the crackdown. He
further said, “As 5,221 people were initially rounded up from
different parts of Punjab out of which 5,005 have been released
after verification of their documents,” adding, “However, 216
suspects are still under custody for further investigation.”
Regarding investigations in the attack, he said that a JIT has
been formed to probe the incident, which will be headed by the
SSP CTD.
JuA, the breakaway faction of
the TTP, warned the Government that the Lahore terror attack
was a "message" to the Government about their "arrival"
in Punjab. "Also, this is a message to the Pakistani Prime
Minister that we have arrived in Punjab," the group's spokesman
Ehsanullah Ehsan said.
The spokesman even taunted Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif on Twitter. "After the Lahore attack,
Nawaz Sharif repeated old words to give himself false assurances,"
he wrote. "Nawaz Sharif should know that war has reached
his doorstep, and God willing the Mujahideen will be the winners
in this war." In a post in Urdu on its Facebook page,
the group released the bomber's photo, identifying him as Salahuddin
Khorasani. "The Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians in Pakistan
have neither converted to Islam nor paying Jizya. Under these
circumstances, Christians, Hindus, etc, are not at peace, nor
are their places of worship safe," it said.
|
March 30
|
At least five terrorists were
killed in an encounter with CIA Nawankot Police in LDA Avenue
Society of Jubilee Town Chung area in provincial capital Lahore.
The CIA claimed to have recovered two Kalashnikovs, three pistols,
10 grenades, 10 time devices and maps from the their possession.
CIA Nawankot Sub Inspector Khalid Farooqi raided a house on
information about the presence of terrorists in house where
Police cordon off the area. Police said the suspects opened
fired on police party and there was an exchange of fire that
lasted for one and a half hour.
Two terrorists, identified as
Mehmood and Rab Nawaz, convicted by military courts for involvement
in attacks on security officials and civilians were executed
at a jail in Kohat District. The ISPR in September last year
issued the names of nine ‘hardcore terrorists’ whose death sentences
had been approved by the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel
Sharif. The convicts executed today were among them.
Mehmood belonged to the TTP
and was found involved in attacking security personnel in the
Province, killing two soldiers and injuring 13 others. Rab Nawaz
also belonged to the TTP and was involved in killing of two
civilians, processing firearms and abetting attack on military
in Peshawar which resulted in death of two soldiers.
Seven houses of alleged militants
and their facilitators were razed to the ground by a lashkar
from Ahmedzai Wazir tribe in different areas of Wana town in
SWA of FATA. The houses of Ghulam Jan and his relatives were
demolished in Shalam Dana and those of Toor Hafiz and Wari Khan
in Shin Warsak. The houses of Gul Mir in Tiarza and Sattar Khan
and his cousin in Samar Bagh were also razed to the ground.
The accused terrorists belonged to the Hakimullah and Maulvi
Nazir groups of the banned TTP.
According to sources, the decision
to demolish the houses was taken by a 120-member jirga
after “proofs” of the suspects’ involvement in terrorist activities
were obtained through an investigation.
An ATC handed down Muhammad
Hussain 18 years and Ahmad Shah alias Mehdi four years imprisonment
for possessing explosive materials and unlicensed weapons among
other charges.
An alleged terrorist, Muhammad
Imran Saeed, was remanded to the Rangers for a 90-day period
to interrogate over charges of involvement in target killings
and other crimes.
Three suspected terrorists,
Usman Naeem, Syed Muhammad Umar alias Talha and Imamuddin, were
sent to the central prison on a judicial remand after the court
was informed that the accused were activists of a banned terrorist
outfit and had carried out terrorist activities.
The US has “a very solid cooperation”
on nuclear security with Pakistan and plans to continue this
collaboration, said US Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control
and International Security Rose Gottemoeller during the fourth
and final Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. She also said
that Pakistan now “has quite a mature capability” of defending
its nuclear weapons and installations. “We have a very solid
cooperation with Pakistan on nuclear security” and the country
“has quite a mature capability now”, she said when asked to
spell out US concerns on Pakistan’s nuclear program. She pointed
out that Pakistan had developed its own Nuclear Security Centre
of Excellence in recent years and the US continued to work with
the Pakistanis on the nuclear security front.
She, however, identified one
cause of concern, the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons,
but clarified that this concern was not focused on Pakistan
alone. “Our concerns regarding the continuing deployment of
battlefield nuclear weapons by Pakistan relate to a reality
of the situation: When battlefield nuclear weapons are deployed
forward, they can represent an enhanced nuclear security threat,”
she said. “It’s more difficult to sustain positive control over
systems that are deployed forward. We found this lesson ourselves
out in Europe during the years of the Cold War.” “Wherever battlefield
nuclear weapons exist, they represent particular nuclear security
problems,” she said.
|
March 31
|
At least five people were killed
and several others injured when a blast occurred inside a vehicle
on Kashmir Road in Jani Khel area of Lakki Marwat District in
KP. DPO Lakki Marwat Ali Akbar said the people were travelling
from North Waziristan to Lakki Marwat when a blast occurred
in their vehicle. “Initial reports suggest that the bomb was
planted on the vehicle,” he said. However, the exact nature
of the blast is yet to be ascertained.
The CTD arrested a target killer
of banned outfit and recovered arms near Charsadda Bus Terminal
in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. CTD sources said
that reacting to an intelligence tip-off regarding presence
of terrorist, operation was conducted near Charsadda Bus Terminal
during which an alleged target killer of banned outfit was arrested.
The detainee identified as Shahidullah hailing from Agha Mir
Jani locality of Peshawar was involved in attacks on police,
incidents of target killings and other crimes. A 9MM pistol
was also recovered from his possession.
Two Lyari gangsters were killed
in a Police encounter in Moachko area of Baldia Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Police said on a tip-off police
launched an action in the area. Over a hundred Police personnel
took part in the operation where they used armoured personnel
carriers. The accused opened fired at the Police when they entered
the area, police said. In the shootout, two Lyari gangsters
identified as Shahbaz and Shakeel alias Commando were shot dead.
Shahbaz belonged to the Uzair Baloch group while Shakeel belonged
to the Baba Ladla group, Police added.
|
April 1
|
An ASI, identified as Shakeel,
was shot at and injured by unidentified armed assailants the
Lasbela bridge located in Lasbela locality in Liaquatabad Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Sindh Rangers conducted a series
of raids in different areas of the city and arrested 21 alleged
criminals, including 13 terrorists, affiliated with proscribed
groups. A spokesman said weapons were found on those arrested.
According to details, Rangers personnel conducted raids in Saddar
Town and Lyari Town and arrested three gangsters involved in
extortion and target killings. In other raids in Jahangir Town,
Orangi Town and Ranchore Line, five criminals, including target
killers and extortionists, affiliated with a notorious militant
wing, were arrested. Elsewhere, Rangers arrested three terrorists
of banned outfits in Manghopir area of Gadap Town and Landhi
Town.
ATC released seven accused due
to the non-availability of evidences against them in a cases
pertaining to attack on KPC. The Police submitted the report
of 497 (2) CRPC to the administrative judge of ATC stating concrete
evidences against the above-mentioned accused. The Police report
stated that the witnesses also did not identify the accused
persons. While accepting the Police report, the court released
all the accused.
Karachi law enforcers in a report
identified according to reports, as many as six wings of TTP
that are on the verge of being active by establishing 'Special
Task Force' to target Police and Rangers personnel. SFs have
alerted all the Departments and claimed that TTP has started
assigning missions to their workers against security officials.
The law enforcers said that a chain of raids is already underway
on the identification of arrested terrorists. However, the militants
also leveled rare revelations during investigation.
An intelligence agency with
the help of local police arrested an alleged terrorist wanted
by Karachi Police in acts of terrorism and attacks on security
personnel from Bazidkhel area of Kohat District in KP. The District
security branch got the information that a wanted terrorist
was present in a house in Bazidkhel area. He was hiding since
2012 and declared proclaimed offender by Karachi Police. The
alleged terrorist, identified as Mohammad Iqbal was arrested
in a raid on the house. He was also wanted to Police in a murder
case of Policemen and the Sindh Government had issued his arrest
warrants.
An anti-terrorism court remanded
a suspected target killer into the CTD custody for 10 days on
charges of murdering a former intelligence official. Abdul Latif
was a former ISI regional head and was shot dead on March 22
in Hayatabad in the city. Haris Naseem, his nephew who was arrested
on March 31, also recorded his statement before special judge
Salim Jan Khan and revealed the name of his accomplice. Officials
requested the court to remand the suspect into physical custody
for interrogation. The judge accepted the plea and handed Naseem
over to CTD.
SFs have killed 92 militants,
including a key 'commander', and have conducted 417 targeted
operations in the province during the last four months, said
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti. “Security forces
in the province have also seized more than 10,000 kilograms
of explosives and other arms and ammunition,” said Bugti. He
added that during the last four months, 22 FC personnel have
been killed and 65 others have been injured.
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab
Sanaullah Zehri during a session of Balochistan Assembly denied
that military operation is being carried out in any part of
the Province by the Federal Government and said that SFs under
the Provincial Government were only conducting targeted operations
wherever required. “The Provincial Government itself is conducting
operations against terrorists,” he said.
The State of Human Rights in
2015, an annual report by the HRCP issued, pointed out those
provinces continued to use expanded legislative authority under
the 18th Constitutional Amendment to enact several important
laws, but implementation mechanism lagged behind. The report
stated that the parliament made 20 laws, while the president
promulgated 12 ordinances during the last year. On the other
hand, the provincial legislatures adopted 120 laws with highest
legislative output (40) by KP, followed by Sindh (32), Punjab
(31) and Balochistan (17). Important legislation included Sindh
Commission on the Status of Women Act, Balochistan Prevention
and Control of Thalassaemia Act, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bonded Labour
System (Abolition) Act, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prohibition of
Employment of Children Act. Sindh and Punjab adopted laws with
regard to employment of physically challenged citizens.
The legislation was also adopted
to set up eight universities across Pakistan while laws were
enacted to regulate the conduct of local government elections
in all the provinces, in the federal capital and in cantonments.
The 21st Constitutional Amendment and corresponding amendments
to the Army Act 1952 gave military courts jurisdiction to try
all persons, including civilians and juveniles, in offences
related to terrorism under military tribunals.
Last year, 324 people, most
with no links to terrorism, being put to death by the state.
Another 8,000 prisoners stayed on death row. The report said
there was significant positive change in application and opinion
of the judiciary, in cases of blasphemy law. “Dispensation of
justice remained protracted with 2,700 cases pending before
the Supreme Court and 60,000 each in Lahore and Sindh high courts,
and 9,000 cases in Balochistan and 28,487 in Peshawar high court,”
it said.
The report revealed a 40 percent
decrease in violence as compared to 2014. In 2015, 4,612 people
died in violence as compared to 7,622 violence-related deaths
last year. Anti-state violence dropped below 2008 levels: 706
militant attacks took place, in which 1,325 people including
619 civilians, 348 security forces personnel, 325 militants
and 33 pro-government razakars were killed. HRCP noted killing
of 2,108 men and seven women through police encounters across
Pakistan.
Punjab reported 382,932 cases
of crime in 2015, 6,622 less than 389,554 cases in 2014. Sindh
saw a 42 percent reduction in the number of murders in 2015
as compared to 2014. KP and Balochistan witnessed 10 and one
percent surge respectively in total crime in 2015 as compared
to 2014. The report also stated that five doctors and three
lawyers were killed because of their faith. In 2015, 419 persons
were awarded the death penalty while 327 death penalty convicts
were hanged, making Pakistan one of the highest executing states
in the world.
About 1,390 cases of enforced
disappearance remained pending with the commission of inquiry.
The HRCP data suggested that least 151 cases of disappearances
were reported in Balochistan between January and November 2015.
Amid reforms, about 65,000 names were removed from the exit
control list (ECL) during the last year. In March, some Baloch
activists were restricted from travelling to the United States
to attend a seminar. Subsequently, Farzana Majeed and Mama Qadeer
were removed from the ECL by orders of the Sindh High Court.
The report also revealed that attacks on buses and killing and
abduction of passengers restricted freedom of movement of certain
ethnic and sectarian groups.
|
April 2
|
The Inspector General FC Balochistan
Major General Sher Afgun said Indian spy agency RAW and Afghan
intelligence agencies were involved in militancy and terrorism
in the province. Talking to media, he said Indian consulates
in Afghanistan are involved in random acts of terrorism in Balochistan.
He said security situation has improved in the province as a
result of targeted operations. He said the enemy was traced
out and defeated due to good interaction and cooperation of
people with security forces. He said that peace has been restored
and now there is no “No Go Area” in Balochistan.
Police killed four suspected
militants in an encounter in Quaidabad area of Bin Qasim Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Malir Senior SSP
Rao Anwar said that contingents of Police, acting on a tip-off
provided by held suspects, conducted targeted raid on an alleged
hideout of the militants. On seeing the Police, the suspects
resorted to firing and during exchange of fire, four of them
were killed.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh arrested
a target killer, identified as Najeeb Alam. A Rangers statement
said Najeeb Alam was produced before the Anti-Terrorist Court.
The Court sent him for 90 days remand to Rangers for interrogation.
The accused during initial interrogation has admitted burning
to death lawyers at Tahir Plaza in 2008.
|
April 3
|
Since the last phase of Operation
Zarb-e-Azb kicked off in February 27, at least 252 militants
have been killed and 160 severely injured, while SFs have cleared
640 square kilometres of so far uncontrolled area in Shawal
Valley of NWA in FATA, the ISPR said in a statement. Major terrorist
hubs in Mana, Gurbaz, Lataka, Inzarkas and Magrotai areas have
been cleared of militants, the ISPR said. “The battle to clear
the last pocket close to the Pak-Afghan border continues,” it
said, adding that all heights over 9,000 feet have been cleared.
“Terrorists’ hideouts were destroyed, a cache of arms and ammunition
seized and there was virtually no communication infrastructure
remaining in the Shawal area once the operation was launched
in February this year,” the statement said.
In a joint operation, conducted
by Army, Rangers and Police, as many as 25 suspected terrorists,
were detained from 34/2L (Balochan wali) village in Okara District
and illegal weapons recovered from their possession. The weapons
recovered included three Kalashnikoves, 3 8MM rifles, two 303
bore rifles, one 30 bore pistol and 1000 bullets. Besides, five
motorcycles and cell phones were also seized.
|
April 4 |
Feroze Shah, the personal assistant
to MQM leader Mohammad Ateeq, his daughter Tasbiha (8), and
a city warden, Abid, were killed in a targeted attack while
they were travelling in a van that looked like a Police vehicle
near Furniture Market in North Karachi Town of Sindh.
Mullah Omar's elder son, Mullah
Mohammad Yaqoob, has been 'appointed' as the in-charge of Afghan
Taliban's 'Military Commission' in 15 of Afghanistan's 34 Provinces,
the group said in a statement. The 'Military Commission' is
responsible for overseeing all military affairs of the Taliban
and is headed by Mullah Ibrahim Sadr. In addition to being handed
the key military position, he has also been included in Taliban's
top decision-making council, the Rehbari Shura. The Taliban
have also inducted Mullah Abdul Manan, Mullah Omar's brother
and Yaqoob's uncle, into the leadership council. The statement
added that both Yaqoob and Manan had formally assumed their
offices at a meeting of Taliban leaders, members of the leadership
council and senior 'commanders'.
|
April 5 |
Unidentified militant shot dead
an IDP, identified as Musa Khan, from North Waziristan Agency
of FATA in Tanzeem Bazaar within the limits of Basiakhel Police
Station in Bannu District.
An IDP, identified as Dure Kamil,
was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants while he was
on his way home in Jhandokhel area within the limits of Township
Police Station in Bannu District.
One 19-year old Nadar Khan was
shot dead within the limits of Basiakhel Police Station in Bannu
District.
A Policeman, identified as Ali
Badshah, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants while
he was on his way to attend his duty near an Imambargah in Bannu
District.
Police arrested two alleged
militants, identified as Muhammad Zeb and Hairan Zada, and recovered
arms and explosives from their possession in Sardaryab area
of Charsadda District. Zeb belongs to Mohmand Agency while Hairan
Zada is an Afghan national.
Two passengers of Quetta-bound
Jaffar Express were killed and five others were injured when
a bomb hit at a railway track near Mithri area of Sibi District.
"It was an IED which was detonated by a remote control. The
blast blew up a major portion of the track," Railway Police
said.
Six robbers looted PKR eight
million from Dubai Islamic Bank in Meena Bazaar area of Korangi
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. This was Karachi's
fifth bank heist this year.
Police detained six suspects
during a search operation in Lines Area locality of Jamshed
Town. The detained suspects are accused of violent acts during
a political party's rally.
Sindh Police chief AD Khowaja
decided to empower the CTD to register cases of terrorism incidents
at its own three designated Police Stations so as to make the
fight against terrorists more effective. Additional Inspector
General Sanaullah Abbasi, who heads the CTD, said that the proposal
to authorise the CTD to lodge FIRs of terror attacks was floated
in the meeting after the Provincial Police Chief was informed
that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also following the same
process. According to the notification issued by IGP Khowaja,
all cases pertaining to sabotage activities, including exploding
railway tracks, gas pipelines and electricity towers, suicide
bombing (except minor cases of cracker attacks) and target killings
of law enforcers would be registered at the CTD Police Stations
and investigations would be conducted by the heads of the Police
Stations.
The first analysis report of
the PFSA about the identity of the suspected suicide bomber
indicates that Khorasani group - the JuA - an offshoot of TTP,
was behind the March 27, 2016, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park attack.
The PFSA was engaged by the CTD after a damaged head of the
suspected suicide bomber was found at the site of the blast.
"After performing morphological
analysis for forensic image comparison it was concluded that
the "ear" seen in the questioned photo matches with the "ear"
seen in the reference photo", the PFSA's report disclosed, further
stating, "The forensic image comparison was inconclusive for
other facial features due to extremely damaged condition of
facial features in the questioned photograph."
JeM 'chief' Maulana Masood Azhar
was allowed to preach extremist ideology at several British
mosques during a month-long visit to UK in 1993 on the invitation
of Islamist scholars when young Muslims were asked to seek weapons
training at terrorist camps in Pakistan, said BBC Investigation
report. According the investigation, senior representatives
of the Deobandi sect that controls nearly half of Britain's
1,600 mosques, hosted Azhar during the visit in which hundreds
of young Muslims were urged to seek weapons training at terrorist
camps in Pakistan. During his UK tour - until now kept under
wraps - Azhar delivered "sermons on jihad" to large audiences
in London, Birmingham, Yorkshire and Lancashire and the message
was of hatred for Christians, Jews and Hindus. Witnesses said
that large sums of money were donated after each talk.
|
April 6 |
SFs claimed to have killed 15
militants during a raid in Johan area of Kalat District in Balochistan.
Two SFs were injured in the operation. The SFs recovered a large
cache of arms and ammunition, and destroyed two sanctuaries
used by the militants, said Government spokesperson Anwarul
Haq Kakar.
Six TTP militants belonging
to belonging to the Ustad Aslam faction were killed in an encounter
conducted by CTD near Tallat Park in Kachi Abadi Sherakot area
of provincial capital Lahore. A CTD spokesperson said that weapons
and explosives were also recovered, including "four to five
kilograms of explosives, four detonators, two Kalashnikov rifles,
three motorcycles, four pistols, and 97 bullets." He further
added that the Police "received information that nine to ten
suspects of the banned TTP". "They were planning to attack law
enforcement agencies' offices and prominent personalities in
Lahore," said the CTD spokesperson.
An ISPR statement said, "Coordinated
operations are underway against terrorists, hardened criminals
and ferraris by law enforcement agencies including Rangers,
Punjab police, CTD, assisted by Pakistan army in southern Punjab".
The statement added that the terrorists have fled from different
parts of the country as a result of operation Zarb-e-Azb, and
have taken refuge in the remote areas of Rohjan and District
Rahim Yar Khan. The operation is being looked after by Corp
Commander Lahore, Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali, with army troops,
Punjab Police, CTD and Rangers participating.
Two Islamic State (IS/ also
known as Daesh) militants, as Mohammad Mujahid alias Talha and
Abdullah alias Kuna, were killed in a an exchange of fire with
the CTD of Police in Gulshan-e-Maymar area of Gadap Town in
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP Junaid Shaikh
said that the raid yielded a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
The Daish operatives were said to be planning major terror attacks
in Karachi. "They were planning attacks on consulates of different
countries in Karachi. They also planned targeting shopping malls
and sensitive installations," SSP Shaikh said. According to
details, Mujahidullah was a key player for Daesh in Karachi
and carried a head money of Rs1 million. He was earlier associated
with the LeJ and the TTP but he swore allegiance to IS while
serving as 'cook' of Daesh leader Jahanzeb in Buner District
of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Three people sustained injuries
when Lyari gangsters threw an explosive device in Kaghzi Bazaar
of Kharadar area in Saddar Town. Shopkeepers said that lately
they had been receiving threats for payment of extortion and
the incident could be linked with it. An unnamed Police Officer
said that gangsters linked with Lyari were involved in the attack.
The officer added that one known figure of the Uzair Baloch
gang had recently returned from Muscat and was living somewhere
in the city though not in Lyari. This gangster had started criminal
activities in the old city areas recently "to make their presence
felt" after arrest of their ringleader Uzair Baloch, the Police
Officer added.
More than two dozen IS-inspired
militants have been found operating and planning some major
terror attacks in the metropolis, said an officer of the CTD
of Police. "There are 25 IS-inspired militants operating in
the metropolis. They are planning to target foreign missions,
law enforcers and shopping centres," said CTD SSP Junaid Shaikh.
When asked about the Federal Minister of Interior Nisar Chaudhry
Ali Khan's denial of the presence of IS, the officer said the
militants were 'ideologically' linked with the IS and remained
in contact with the Middle East-based outfit through social
media only. "Previously, these militants belonged to the banned
LeJ, TTP and al Qaeda but now they have jumped on the IS or
Daesh bandwagon," the officer added.
Three death row prisoners, including
two brothers, were hanged till death in Kot Lakhpat Jail in
Lahore. The dead bodies were handed over to their families after
completing legal formalities. The hanged persons have been identified
as Imran, Nauman and Raheel. Police said Imran and Nauman, two
real brothers, had killed one Awais in Islamabad in 1996. They
were convicted in 1997.
The third convict had killed
a man in Dera Ghazi Khan District.
The GoC Malakand Division Major
General Nadir Khan said "The militants have been defeated and
durable peace restored in the region after tremendous sacrifices
by forces and the people". "The security forces have completed
the job of breaking the militants' network and restoration of
peace in Malakand," he added.
PAF wants to upgrade its ageing
fleet of fighter jets in anticipation of a prolonged battle
against militants, although the purchase of fifth-generation
planes would only be a last resort, PAF second-in-command Muhammad
Ashfaque Arain said in an interview. "Our concern is that we
don't know how long these anti-terrorist operations will continue,"
he said, adding, "We have weakened them (militants) to a great
extent, but I don't see an end in the very near future, so all
the burden is being shared by the F-16s and its pilots."
|
April 7 |
SFs repulsed an attack on a
checkpost in the Mangora Sar area on the Pak-Afghan border in
Kurram Agency of FATA, killing around 18 militants in the subsequent
clash. Sources said that a group of 50-60 militants stormed
a security checkpost in the Mangora Sar area with heavy arms
early in the day. The SF personnel manning the checkpost returned
the fire and 18 militants were killed in the ensuing gunbattle.
Six militants were also injured in the clash which continued
for quite some time. The SFs forced the militants to retreat,
leaving behind their weapons and ammunition. However, they said
the fleeing militants took along their injured accomplices.
The FDMA will begin the third
phase of the return of internally displaced persons to five
FATA agencies. An official concerned said that around 84,553
displaced families would go back to their homes in the third
phase to be completed by the end of August. He said under the
plan, the authority was starting the programme of the IDPs'
return to Orakzai Agency from April 11 and that 15,553 families
would be facilitated to go back to their homes. The official
said 22,000 families would be repatriated to North Waziristan,
30,000 families to South Waziristan, 12,000 families to Kurram
and 5,000 families to Khyber Agency.
Three Shias were shot dead in
a sectarian attack at the Najaf Imambargah in North Karachi
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP Central
Investigation Arab Mahar said, "The victims were riding a motorbike
and were attacked near Shafiq Mor".
A Policeman was killed while
two others - a civilian and a Police official - were injured
in a roadside blast in Badhu Samar Bagh area of Peshawar, the
provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SSP, Operations, Abbas
Majeed Marwat said initial reports revealed a remote detonator
had been used to detonate the device. Faqirabad ASP Waseem Riaz
said two policemen were patrolling the area on foot when the
device went off. "A policeman was killed," he said. "Another
policeman [and a civilian] were injured." he said. Around 500
to 750 grammes of explosives used in attack. The deceased was
identified as Saeed, a police constable who hails from Mathra,
while the injured civilian was identified as Ihsanullah. Another
Policeman sustained minor injuries.
The Peshawar CTD arrested an
alleged Afghan terrorist, identified as Ismail, during a search
operation in provincial capital Peshawar. CTD said that the
suspect was wanted in an IED attack on a cycle rally on January
24, 2016.
Police arrested an alleged arms
trafficker and recovered a huge cache of arms from him in Saddar
Police Station area of Bannu town in the same District. DSP
Inayat Ali Shah said that the Police received information that
arms traffickers were planning to smuggle a huge cache of arms
to Bannu. The Police, he said, put the security on high alert
and established various checkpoints on the entry and exit points.
59 Kalashnikovs, 164 pistols, two repeaters and 48,000 cartridges
were recovered from a truck and arrested an arms trafficker.
The LeT founder and JuD chief
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has set up a Sharia'h court in provincial
capital Lahore to dispense "speedy justice", taking up citizens'
complaints and issuing summons carrying a warning of strict
action in case of non-compliance. This is the first such parallel
judicial system in Pakistan's Punjab province. The JuD claimed
the court only offers arbitration and resolves disputes in accordance
with the Islamic judicial system, but failed to justify the
summons. The court has been established at the organisation's
headquarters, Jamia Qadsia, Chauburji, under a Qazi (judge)
assisted by Khadmins or court associates. "The complaints are
addressed to the chief of the religious organisation who later
refers them to the Qazi for further proceedings," the report
said.
|
April 8 |
A low intensity blast caused
panic near in Nar Haideran village in Naurang town of Lakki
Marwat District in KP. However, no casualties were reported.
"The law enforcers also launched search operation in the area
but there are no reports about any arrests," said an unnamed
official source.
JuD clarified that that it has
complete trust in the judicial system of the country and the
Arbitrary Council, Darul Qaza Sharia, established by it merely
provides arbitration services to consenting parties in the light
of the Quran and Sunna. "The arbitrary council is not a parallel
court and does not issue any kind of summons or seek money for
arbitration," the JuD clarified.
|
April 9 |
SFs claimed to have killed 34
suspected militants, including a key 'commander' in Kalat District
of Balochistan. One SF official was killed while two others
sustained injuries during the exchange of fire. Home Minister
Sarfaraz Bugti in a press conference said "A key militant commander,
Abdul Nabi Bangulzai, was also among the dead. Abdul Nabi was
involved in the assassination of Balochistan High Court Justice
Nawaz Marri in 2000." The operation was launched by personnel
of SF and intelligence agencies against elements involved in
target killings and bombings in the Johan area of Kalat District.
SFs also recovered a large amount of arms and ammunition from
the militants, and Bugti added that those killed were also involved
in attacking passengers in the Mastung area of the Province.
The CTD and Police, in a joint
action, killed at least three militants in Khanewal District
of Punjab. The fourth terrorist detonated his explosive vest
killing himself on the spot. The Police and CTD, on a tip-off,
carried out joint action and exchange of fire took place near
Lakhi Tibbi Adda. Two to three others managed to flee taking
advantage of the darkness. CTD sources said the terrorists were
affiliated to TTP and Al Qaeda and were plotting to target sensitive
installations in Multan. The law enforcers recovered suicide
jackets, two pistols and automatic rifle from the possession
of the militants.
|
April 10 |
ANP local leader Syed Jamshaid
Ali was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Manglore area
of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Police,
two unidentified men approached Jamshaid Ali when he was present
at the site of an under-construction school building at Telegram.
"One of the attackers met him and the other opened fire, killing
him on the spot," said Manglore Station House Officer Fayaz
Khan.
Police arrested four AQIS terrorists
after a shootout near Jehnagir Park within the limits of Preedy
Police Station area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
According to details, the four terrorists opened fire at a Police
mobile near Jehnagir Park. Police chased and arrested them after
shootout. Police claimed the arrested terrorists are affiliated
with AQIS. Weapons including four SMGs and a motor cycle were
recovered from them. Preedy Station House Officer Kamal Naseem
said that all four terrorists are educated and residents of
Karachi.
Three abductors were killed
and one abducted child was rescued in a Police encounter in
the Eastern Bypass area of the provincial capital Quetta. The
kidnapped boy was identified as Aimal Khan (12). The Quetta
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Syed Imtiaz Shah said that
the kidnappers had demanded PKR 200,000 as ransom for the release
of Aimal. According to details, Police raided a house in the
Rind Garh area of Eastern Bypass area. During the raid, the
kidnappers opened fire on police, triggering a heavy exchange
of gunfire which continued for an hour. "The kidnappers were
using an Afghan SIM for calling parents of the kidnapped boy,"
Shah said, adding that the kidnappers had links with criminals
in Afghanistan. The kidnappers killed in the encounter were
identified as Ghulam Ahmed, Fazlur Rehman and Shakir.
|
April 11 |
At least nine terrorists were
killed in military air strikes in Barmand area of North Waziristan
Agency in FATA.
An activist of the MQM was shot
dead in a target killing incident while he was sitting at a
tea hotel in Sector 8/B of North Karachi Town in Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh.
The CTD announced the arrest
of three female suicide bombers near the Lahore Road area in
Sargodha District. The officials claimed to have recovered two
suicide jackets and three hand grenades from their possession,
said to a CTD statement. While conducting a raid in the Bypass
Sem Nala area, CTD officials were shot at by two attackers,
the statement said, adding that CTD officials fired back in
self-defense. The attackers fled and three female suspects were
arrested while trying to escape, the CTD added.
The process to repatriate displaced
families to SWA in FATA started amid protests by journalists
against how they were treated during the recent visit of Governor
Iqbal Zafar Jhagra. The repatriation will continue till May
14, 2016. Officials said that at least 100 families were repatriated
to Manzakai, Raghzai and Kat Kai villages on the first day.
Around 20 hubs (points) have been set up at the camp for the
verification of the displaced families. They added in the first
phase, at least 7,348 families will be repatriated to 39 villages
of SWA.
Each family was provided PKR
25,000 as well as PKR 10,000 for transportation and other costs.
They were also provided with six months of ration to help them
settle in their native villages. When contacted, a member of
a displaced family Haji Muhammad informed, "Though, I don't
know the condition of my house, I am happy to go back after
seven years." He added, "We faced a difficult time as IDPs and
were living in a rented house. Now, I want to [go back]."
An inquiry Commission, led by
Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali, ruled out the
involvement of the ISI in the attack on journalist Hamid Mir
on April 19, 2014, in Karachi. The 41-page report observed that
allegations on ISI's possible involvement in the attack were
based on 'suspicions, assumptions or apprehensions'.
After investigating the incident
for nine months, the inquiry commission drafted a report which
stated that, prima facie, there was a tug of war among some
journalists and the ISI, because some media persons had told
the commission that the spy agency was unhappy with their reporting.
The report also observed that there was a complete failure on
the part of law enforcement agencies to investigate the attack.
It mentioned that CCTV footage viewed during in-camera proceedings
of the commission clearly showed two individuals at Karachi
airport behaving in a suspicious manner at the time of Mir's
arrival. Despite this, law enforcement agencies were unable
to catch actual culprits, it added.
|
April 12 |
The TTP militants killed DSP
Shangla Muhammad Ilyas and injured two police officer's' guards
in Sabzi Mandi area of Mingora in Swat District. TTP spokesperson
Muhammad Khorasani claimed responsibility for the attack in
an email sent to journalists.
Sindh Rangers detained five
suspects, including four affiliated with a political party,
for 90 days, after informing ATC about their preventive detention
for questioning. The Rangers along with its counsel produced
the suspects belonging to a political party, Naveed Anwar, Abdullah
Mehtab, Nadir and Muhammad Asif alias Dunba, before the administrative
judge of ATC amid tight security. The fifth suspect was identified
as Muhammad Muneer.
The paramilitary force submitted
the papers in the court according to which they have credible
information about suspects' involvement in target killings,
extortion and offences that comes within the ambit of Anti-Terrorism
Act. The court directed the provincial authorities to form a
joint investigation team within 15 days for interrogating the
suspects. The Rangers will keep the suspects in their custody
for the period of 90 days considering legal provision 11 EEEEE
(1) of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
Concerned over reports of an
increase in civilian casualties from the Johan area of Kalat
District and the Isplingi area of Mastung District allegedly
as a result of an operation by Security Forces, chairperson
of the HRCP Zohra Yusuf said that the authorities needed to
ensure excessive force was not being used, as it would further
alienate the people of Balochistan. The recent increase in casualties
from these two areas being reported at the Quetta's Civil Hospital
has become a cause of concern for the HRCP whose representatives
say it is difficult to identify those getting killed in the
military operation due to its inaccessibility to rights activists.
Yusuf said that 27 bodies were
brought to the Civil Hospital in Quetta over the past few days
that she said was alarming. "Since the areas mentioned are inaccessible
to journalists and activists, it is difficult to identify the
dead. But, according to our activists who spoke to the people
in the surrounding areas of Quetta, these are civilian casualties,"
she added.
|
April 13 |
At least 10 Policemen and five
gangsters were killed while another 25 were taken hostage, leading
to the suspension of the operation against the Chhotu Gang in
Rajanpur District. It was learnt that two boats carrying 42
Policemen advanced on positions of the dacoits who fired at
them. 15 gangsters and four Policemen were injured in the operation.
The IGP-led Operation Zarb-e-Aahan (Strike of the dawn)
that was launched on April 5, 0216, in the District against
the gangsters was suspended till the formulation of a new strategy.
Rajanpur DPO Ghulam Mubashir Mekan said around 200 criminals
had rendered the 30-kilometre island-like area into a no-go
area. They are armed with sophisticated weapons.
Two AQIS terrorists were shot
dead in a Police shootout and another was arrested in Barfat
Goth area of Gulshan-e-Maymar in Gadap Town of Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh. The slain terrorists were identified
as Abdul Saboor alias Hamad alias Hassan alias Younus and Mohammad
Mujtaba alias Rehan alias Aslam alias Kashif alias Abdul Rehman.
Their arrested companion was identified as Mohammad Murtaza
alias Abu Hurairah.
Raja Umer Khattab, the Chief
of the CTD's Anti-Transnational Terrorist Intelligence Group,
said that the Police also found an explosives factory and a
huge cache of weapons and explosive material at the terrorists'
hideout. While searching their hideout, the police came across
an underground water tank where 80 kilogrammes of explosives,
circuits, ball bearings, bottle bombs, ball bombs, and other
material used for preparing bombs were found. Besides, they
also found a laptop, memory cards, USBs, jihadist literature,
target lists, two motorcycles equipped with improvised explosive
devices, two Kalashnikovs, a 9mm pistol, bullets and grenades
there.
A bullet-riddled dead body,
identified as that of one Zahid (30), was found in within the
Memon Goth Police limits in Bin Qasim Town. The victim was a
watchman at a PSO petrol pump.
Another unidentified dead body
was found in an empty plot situated in Allahwala Town within
the Korangi Industrial Area police jurisdiction.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
while chairing a security meeting at the Corps Headquarters
in Karachi said that a terror-free and peaceful Karachi is the
ultimate aim of the operation and all efforts must be directed
with a focused approach to achieve this objective, reports Daily
Times.
|
April 14 |
At least four more Policemen
were killed in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Aahan in
Rajanpur District. The dead bodies came with a threat to kill
24 captive Policemen if safe passage is not provided to leaders
of Chotoo gang. The gangsters also handed over four injured
Policemen to representatives of Police.
Federal Interior Ministry accorded
approval for launching a military operation against the criminals
of Rojhan tehsil in Rajanpur District. An unnamed Police official
said that an army battalion from Okara and two platoons of the
SSG, an independent commando regiment/corps of the army, has
been called in to launch a large-scale operation. A strike force
with paratroops from Rangers would also take part in the joint
operation along with regular policemen and commandos of the
force, the official added.
A murder convict, Imtiaz Ahmad,
was hanged till death in Haripur Central Prison of Haripur District.
Ahmad was convicted in a murder case of a man in 2005. According
to jail sources, District and Sessions Judge Mansehra awarded
the capital punishment to the convict which was subsequently
upheld by the High and Supreme Court.
The Sindh Rangers interrogated
senior leader of PPP Abdul Qadir Patel for his alleged involvement
in serious crimes and links with criminal gangs operating in
Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Sources
said that the interrogation, which continued for over five hours
at the Rangers' Karachi headquarters, took place with Lyari
PAC chief Uzair Baloch sitting in the same room. After failing
to give satisfactory answers to the investigating officer, Patel
was transferred to an undisclosed location for further investigation,
with sources saying that the PPP leader was expected to be remanded
for 90 days in Rangers' custody.
The FO rejected the notion that
the peace process between Pakistan and India was suspended,
saying it remained engaged with Delhi. "We need to look ahead
and not think in terms of foreclosing any options. Both sides
are in contact with each other," FO spokesman Nafees Zakaria
said. "Dialogue is the best option. Diplomacy is for interaction
and engagement between countries," he added.
|
April 15 |
The Army officially launched
a ground and aerial operation, codenamed Zarb-e-Aahan, in Rajanpur
District, leading to the surrender of 40 gangsters. The gangsters
said that they never wanted to fight against Pakistan Army.
Curfew has been imposed in four kilometer area and soldiers
have also been assisted with gunship helicopters. Addressing
officers at the Central Police Office in Lahore, Punjab IG Mushtaq
Sukhera said the Zarb-e-Aahan operation had been launched in
collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. "During training
sessions, 50,000 rounds were fired and use of mortars and other
equipment were demonstrated," the IG said, adding that two retired
colonels from the Special Services Group were on board in the
operation.
An administrative judge of the
ATC accepted a seven-day physical remand request of AQIS, terrorist,
Syed Murtaza. Producing the accused before the ATC, an official
of the CTD informed the court that he was involved in cases
pertaining to possession of explosive materials, illicit weapons,
attempted murder and firing at police officials. The court ordered
for the accused to be produced in court following expiration
of the remand period.
An activist of the MQM, Irfan
Sheikh alias Irfan Sindhi, was handed over to the Rangers on
a 90-day remand. He was said to be involved in cases of target
killings of a number of people, demanding extortion and carrying
out kidnappings-for-ransom. The court was also presented with
a letter empowering the Rangers to keep anyone suspected of
having committed heinous crimes for 90 days. The court endorsed
the order and sent the accused on remand.
Defence Secretary Alam Khattak
while briefing the Senate Committee on defence told the Parliament
that Pakistan received at least USD 13 billion from the US since
the September 11, 2001 (also known as 9/11) attacks for logistic
and other support in the war against terrorism. Khattak said
that his country got "USD 13 billion under the CSF since 9/11",
while another USD 200 million is due to be reimbursed by the
US.
According to a declassified
US Government document obtained by National Security Archive,
a non-governmental research institute at George Washington University,
a Pakistani intelligence officer paid USD 200,000 to an extremist
network to facilitate a suicide bomb attack on CIA operatives
on Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost District of Afghanistan
on December 30, 2009. The heavily redacted document suggests
that Pakistan's spy agency, the ISI Directorate, and the Haqqani
Network were involved in facilitating the attack.
Later, the State Department
spokesman John Kirby said, "We have been consistently clear
with the highest levels of the Government of Pakistan that it
must target all militant groups, including the Haqqani Network,
al Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba'. "The government of Pakistan itself
has repeatedly said it's not going to discriminate against a
terrorist group regardless of their agenda or affiliation,"
he said.
Pakistan's Foreign Office termed
allegations of its involvement in the attack as preposterous,
saying the country itself was the biggest victim of terrorism.
Pakistan was shocked and saddened when American lives were lost
at the Chapman facility in 2009 in an attack later claimed by
TTP, a statement said.
|
April 16 |
The guard of a pro-government
Lashkar leader, Bilal Afridi, was killed when a suicide bomber
attacked the hujra of Said Jamal in the Kharko Sarhgi
area in the Zakhakhel tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA in the
night.
The CTD of Police claimed to
have arrested two fishermen over their alleged links to the
Indian spy agency RAW. Acting on a tip-off, the Police detained
Saddam Husain and Mohammed Bachal in the Shah Bander area in
Thatta, said CTD Investigation officer Naveed Khowaja. He added
that the suspects revealed that they had been persuaded by another
Pakistani fisherman, Mohammed Khan, to work for RAW in return
for permission to fish in Indian waters and money. The two suspects
entered India through Shah Bander and met RAW operatives, Kiran
and Arjun, at the Bhuj Police Station. They were provided a
camera and tasked to take pictures of sensitive installations
of Pakistan Navy and Coast Guards in Thatta and Karachi.
|
April 17 |
The Levies forces and political
administration officials averted a major disaster by defusing
improvised explosive devices and rockets that were rigged to
blow Usmania Plaza, located in Kurmi Bazaar area of Parachinar
in Kurram Agency of FATA.
FC and sensitive agencies in
their joint action in Panjgur District arrested a militant 'commander'.
Huge arms and ammunition were also recovered from his possession,
which included seven LMGs, seven rocket launchers, seven RPG-7,
three SMGs, three hand grenades and thousands of bullets. According
to sources, arms and ammunition were brought through N-85 Highway
to Hoshab.
Security agencies detained six
Baloch sardars in Rajanpur District for allegedly backing the
Chotu gang and other criminals. The detained sardars were believed
to be the 'major facilitators' and listed in the 'Black Book'
Punjab Police. Punjab Police Chief Mustaq Ahmed Sukhera said
that over 100 facilitators of the Chotu gang had been arrested
in Rahim Yar Khan District. He said that a list of Police officers
who had allegedly facilitated the notorious criminals had also
been prepared and they would face an exemplary punishment if
found involved.
Chotu gang released a few of
the two dozen hostage Policemen and demanded a safe passage
in return for the release of the remaining hostages. However,
the details about the Policemen released were not disclosed.
According to unnamed official sources, the demand that also
included the release of the family of the ringleader of the
Chotu gang was rejected and the gangster was given a final warning
to surrender along with his accomplices.
|
April 18 |
The Law enforcement agencies
arrested Lyari gangster Riasat Baloch along with his two accomplices
from Golimar area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Riasat Baloch was wanted to Police in more than 60 heinous crimes
including murder of the Police personnel. Arms were recovered
from the possession of the arrestee.
As many as 144 Baloch militants
laid down their arms by accepting Government's amnesty scheme
in Khuzdar District of Balochistan. Four commanders of different
militant organizations were also among the militants to give
up arms. "We will fulfill all the promises we have made to the
militants who have surrendered," said Commissioner of Kalat
District in Balochistan. The government has promised financial
assistance to youths who laid down weapons and abandoned violence
against the State.
Army helicopter gunships pounded
the island hideout of Chotu gang that has been holding 24 hostages
on a 10-km (six-mile) long island in the centre of the Indus
River in Rajanpur District of Punjab. The operation involving
more than 2,000 SFs has been ongoing for two weeks and the Army's
push to deploy troops, artillery and helicopter gunships is
an unprecedented use of force by the military in Punjab. "We
(army) had given the Chotu gang until 2 pm today to surrender
but they did not abide by the deadline," said a military official
based in the district of Rajanpur where the battle is taking
place. "Now there is no option left but a full-scale operation,
which has started."
The Army declared operation
in Shawal area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA successful
and started clearing improvised explosive devices and other
unexploded ordnance in the area. The ISPR said in a statement
that Army Chief General Raheel Sharif visited the embattled
area near the Afghan border and he was briefed by formation
commanders about operational gains achieved so far. More than
800 kilometers area has been secured in Shawal and heavy casualties
have been inflicted on terrorists since the start of the last
phase of Operation Zarb-i-Azb in February, it said. A security
official said the ongoing phase of the operation had been accomplished
successfully and troops were holding all important locations
near the border.
|
April 19 |
At least two people, including
suicide bomber, was killed and 18 others were injured in a suicide
attack in the Mardan Excise and Taxation Department located
in Cantonment Area on Mall Road in Mardan District. Eyewitnesses
saw the attacker walking into the building, the District Police
Office (DPO) Faisal Shahzad said, adding that the attacker's
suicide vest contained 8-10 kilograms of explosive material.
Members of the Chotu gang released
hostage Policemen and surrendered to the Army in Rajanpur District,
Police sources said. The Chotu gang, led by Ghulam Rasool, alias
Chotu, was given a deadline by the Army to surrender on April
18, 2016, failing which, the Army said it would begin a full-scale
operation in the area. A source in the Police Department said
that Chotu had demanded safe passage for himself, his family
and some loyal accomplices to proceed to Dubai in return of
safe release of the captive Policemen.
Terrorists have been driven
out of their last bastion in NWA of FATA, the military said,
announcing the completion of the final phase of Zarb-e-Azb operation
and launching of "combing operations" in areas other than FATA.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
emphasised on consolidating the gains and resettling the TDPs
in their areas to the best of our abilities, the ISPR said in
a statement. He called for breaking the nexus between terrorists
and their facilitators sitting outside the tribal areas. General
Raheel ordered large-scale "combing operations" immediately
to seek out terrorists, their sleeper cells and facilitators
in areas other than the FATA, and to enhance the reach of the
Law Enforcement Agencies. An unnamed senior security official
said that large-scale force would be sent to the areas with
the presence of terrorists and their facilitators. "This will
be applicable to the whole of Pakistan," he added. "The areas
not accessible to the Police would be brought under the control."
|
April 20 |
Seven Police officials guarding
polio workers were killed in two separate attacks in Orangi
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. DIG West Feroz
Shah said that eight gunmen riding four motorcycles carried
out the killings in two separate attacks in the neighborhood.
"The gunmen first opened fire on three Policemen in the streets
of Orangi Town, killing them all," he said, adding: "Later they
shot dead four Policemen, who were sitting in a police mobile
van" a few streets away.
The Leader of the Chotu gang,
Ghulam Rasool, along with 13 gang members has 'surrendered unconditionally
to the army', the ISPR announced, bringing to non-violent end
the 21-day long operation in the riverine area of Rajanpur District
of Punjab. Addressing a press briefing regarding the ongoing
operation in Rajanpur area, ISPR Director General Lieutenant
General Asim Bajwa said, "The military has successfully completed
operation Zarb-i-Ahan." He confirmed that the 24 policemen taken
hostage by the Chotu gang had been rescued. "However, the army
will not vacate the area until all the miscreant elements are
neutralised," Bajwa maintained.
The alliance of the political
parties in NWA urged the Government to expedite the return of
the displaced tribes and ensure completion of the rehabilitation
process before Ramazan. Chairman of the alliance, Malik Akbar
Khan representing the represents the Qaumi Watan Party said
that the Security Forces had been making tall claims about clearing
North Waziristan. However, he said the Government was showing
lethargy in the rehabilitation process. He demanded the Government
to ensure provision of basic facilities to the affected tribal
people before their return to native towns.
The educational institutions
and hospitals should be reopened and staff and facilities made
available there, he added. The tribesman asked the government
to conduct proper survey of the damages caused during the prolonged
military operation and substantial compensation should be given
to the affected people.
|
April 21 |
Four TTP terrorists, including
their 'commander' Munshi, were killed in a Police encounter
at the Super Highway in Malir Town area of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. According to SSP Malir Rao Anwar, on the intelligence
information about the presence of the terrorists in the area,
Police carried out raid at a house where exchange of fire took
place between the Police and terrorists, killing four terrorists.
Police also seized weapons and explosives from their possession.
A 16-year-old wounded girl,
identified as Marriyum, who sustained injuries during the March
27, 2016, blast in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park of provincial capital
Lahore succumbed to her injuries in Jinnah Hospital, raising
the death toll to 78. According to hospital sources, several
injured persons of the blast are still admitted in different
hospitals of the city, of which some are in critical condition
and it is feared that the death toll might increase further.
The CTD arrested a terrorist,
identified as Alam, from Khwazakhela area of Swat District for
kidnapping Policemen. He was involved in kidnapping of five
Policemen in 1994 form Swat.
Speaking on adjournment motions
regarding the "terrible incident of suicide blast in Gulshan-i-Iqbal
Park, Lahore" on March 27, 2016, the Senators called for a full-fledged
military operation on militants' hideouts in Punjab. Initiating
the debate, PPP parliamentary leader, Saeed Ghani, recalled
that before this incident, the Punjab Government had always
opposed a military operation, claiming that there were no organised
militant groups in the province. He said the incident had proved
the existence of terrorist groups in Punjab. He called for a
military operation in the province similar to those initiated
in Karachi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Another PPP Senator Taj Haider
termed the war against terrorism a "battle between extremist
and democratic forces." He alleged that the sympathisers of
militants were present within the state. "Is it not true that
insiders were involved in the attacks on the GHQ and Mehran
Base?" he questioned, calling for the removal of such elements
from the institutions.
|
April 22 |
The Special Assistant to KP
Chief Minister on Minorities' Affairs MPA Sardar Soran Singh
was shot dead in a targeted attack near Pir Baba in Buner District.
The District Police Chief Khalid Hamadani said, "Gunmen riding
on two motorbikes came in front of the car and started indiscriminate
firing, killing minister on the spot".
Four more members of the Chotu
gang surrendered to Army in Rajanpur District of Punjab, raising
the number of surrendered gangsters to 17. The Army and Police
have launched an operation against the gang to clear Kacha Jamal
riverine area from the outlaws. Gang leader Ghulam Rasool Chotu
and his 12 accomplices had surrendered to the Army two days
ago and freed 24 Policemen the gang had taken hostage.
Meanwhile, Chotu and his 12
accomplices had been shifted to Islamabad for interrogation.
Sources said intelligence agencies would interrogate Chotu and
members of his gang In Islamabad. The Punjab Government has
also set up a JIT headed by Atta Muhamamd Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan
District Police Officer, to interrogate Chotu.
|
April 23 |
At least 12 militants were killed
and two SF personnel injured in a clash along Pak-Afghan border
when unidentified militants attacked a security check post in
Baizai area of Mohmand Agency in FATA in the night. The check
post came under attack once again April 24-morning, this time
with heavy weapons, the officials said. "Both attacks were successfully
repulsed. The militants faced heavy casualties," one security
official added.
Unidentified armed men shot
dead National Party leader Mir Ghulam Hussain Sarpara in the
Gardigap area of Mastung District in Balochistan Province. According
to Levies Force, Sarpara was fired at by the attackers riding
on a motorcycle at his agriculture land in Gardigap area. The
assailants managed to escape from the scene.
The SF personnel destroyed more
than 30 bunkers and caves during a search operation in Tora
Cheena area of Darra Adam Khel District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
in the night. According to officials, the SFs carried out the
day-long operation after getting a tip that militants had turned
the region, known as Tora Cheena, into a sanctuary from where
they carried out attacks on SFs.
|
April 24 |
One FC official was killed and
another one was injured an IED blast near a FC bomb-disposal
unit which was patrolling the Soran area of Baizai in Mohmand
Agency. The IED was possibly planted by the militants while
they were retreating following the attack on the Baizai security
check post.
The JuA, a splinter group of
the TTP, claimed responsibility for the attacks on SFs in Baizai
area of Mohmand Agency.
Afghanistan officials accused
Pakistani forces of shelling a border post in Goshta District
of Nangarhar Province and claimed an Afghan soldier was killed
in the alleged attack.
The Afghanistan Government asked
Pakistan to take practical steps to eradicate terrorism and
persuade the Taliban to come to the peace talks, otherwise Kabul
will not trust Islamabad. President's Deputy Spokesman Dawa
Khan Mina Pal said that Islamabad's role was very essential
in combating terror on its soil. "Pakistan's measures to eradicate
terrorism are very important. We will not trust Pakistan until
it fulfills its commitment," Pal said. The HPC says it sees
slim chances of the Taliban joining the peace process and the
Afghan government has no expectations that Pakistan will work
for peace in the war-torn country.
The Sindh Government decided
to extend special powers of Rangers for the next 90 days. The
Rangers had asked for the extension of powers on April 21 through
a letter to the Sindh Home Department as its policing powers
will expire on May 3. The Home Department has sent a summary
in this regard to the Chief Minister who is expected to grant
the extension.
|
April 25 |
The CTD arrested three alleged
target killers belonging to a political party and seized huge
quantity of arms and ammunition from their custody in North
Karachi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP-CTD
Intelligence Wing, Amir Farooqi said that the Police detained
Mudasir Ali, Shafqat Ali and Mohammed Faiz from North Karachi.
The Police claimed to have seized one machine gun, two LMGs,
three 7-MM rifles, one Kalashnikov and other arms and ammunition
from their possession.
Levies personnel recovered three
bullet-riddled dead bodies from Hoshab area of Kech District.
An unnamed Levies official said that the victims were laborers
and were killed in an act of target killing.
The CTD arrested three alleged
target killers belonging to a political party and seized huge
quantity of arms and ammunition from their custody in North
Karachi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP-CTD
Intelligence Wing, Amir Farooqi said that the Police detained
Mudasir Ali, Shafqat Ali and Mohammed Faiz from North Karachi.
The Police claimed to have seized one machine gun, two LMGs,
three 7-MM rifles, one Kalashnikov and other arms and ammunition
from their possession.
Afghanistan's President Ashraf
Ghani warned that he would lodge a complaint with the UNSC if
Pakistan refuses to take military action against Taliban 'commanders'
operating from its soil to wage insurgency across Afghanistan.
"I want to make it clear that we do not expect Pakistan to bring
the Taliban to talks," Ghani said during the joint session of
the two houses of the Parliament.
He said that in quadrilateral
talks over the past year that involved the US and China, Pakistan
had pledged "in writing" to go after Taliban leaders who refuse
to join the peace process.
"We want the Pakistanis to fulfill
their promises in the quadrilateral and take military action
against those who have their centres in Pakistan and whose leaders
are in Pakistan based on our security organisations, the intelligence
of our international partners, and the words of Pakistan officials,"
Ghani said, adding, "If we do not see a change, despite our
hopes and efforts for regional cooperation, we will be forced
to turn to the UNSC and launch serious diplomatic efforts."
Malakand Police claimed that
PTI MPA Soran Singh was killed on April 22, 2016, over political
rivalry, and the claim made by TTP is false. DIG Malakand Azad
Khan said that a fellow PTI leader Baldev Kumar was behind the
murder of Soran Singh as he wanted to avenge political rivalry.
"Baldev Kumar wanted to contest the election instead of Singh...
after failing to get the party ticket, Kumar planned the murder,"
said DIG Khan. The officer said that Police had arrested six
people in connection with the murder, including Baldev, and
the assassins hired to kill the PTI lawmaker, and registered
cases against them. DIG Khan further said that Anti-Terrorism
clauses have been included in the cases as the murder invoked
fear among the people of the area and minority community.
According to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya
(JA) annual report released, the year 2015 proved to be yet
another taxing year for the Ahmadi community in Pakistan. Over
the year, two Ahmadis were killed, the houses of scores of others
were set ablaze and a concerted anti-Ahmadiyya campaign continued
relentlessly, the report stated. The documents further states
that at least 248 Ahmadis have been killed because of their
beliefs, 323 have been the victims of attempted murder 27 Ahmadiyya
worship places have been demolished 32 have been 16 illegally
appropriated 39 graves of Ahmadis have been desecrated and the
bodies of 65 have been refused burial in mixed cemeteries to
date. JA spokesperson Saleemuddin said the community had been
denied permission to hold religious assemblies in Chenabnagar.
The JA, he said, was not even allowed to organise sporting events
in the Ahmadi-majority town. On the other hand, he said, the
community's persecutors were given a veritable free hand. He
said they routinely staged mass rallies, spewed venom against
Ahmadi stalwarts and incited people to kill members of the community.
No action has been taken against such elements, Saleemuddin
added.
|
April 26 |
Pakistan Rangers Sindh claimed
to have arrested a target killer associated with the MQM during
a search operation in Azizabad area of Gulberg Town in Karachi
of Sindh. "Mohammad Kashif alias David, who belongs to the MQM,
is a most wanted criminal in multiple targeted killing and terrorism
incidents," Rangers official Colonel Faisal said. He said the
operation was carried out close to MQM's Nine Zero headquarters.
A cache of weapons and ammunition, including Kalashnikovs, LMGs
and RPG-7, and Rangers uniforms were recovered from his possession.
An alleged facilitator, identified
as Musa, of a 'commander' of the IS in Afghanistan, identified
as Abdullah alias Cheeta, was arrested from Regi Lalma area
in provincial capital Peshawar. DSP Saifullah said the suspect
was wanted by the local Police for various crimes and was arrested
during a search operation in Regi Lalma. Musa belonged to an
inter-provincial criminal organisation, said the DSP.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh claimed
to have arrested a target killer associated with the MQM during
a search operation in Azizabad area of Gulberg Town in Karachi
of Sindh. "Mohammad Kashif alias David, who belongs to the MQM,
is a most wanted criminal in multiple targeted killing and terrorism
incidents," Rangers official Colonel Faisal said. He said the
operation was carried out close to MQM's Nine Zero headquarters.
A cache of weapons and ammunition, including Kalashnikovs, LMGs
and RPG-7, and Rangers uniforms were recovered from his possession.
Pakistan FS Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary
accused India of trying to defame Pakistan in international
forum by persisting with the listing of JeM 'chief' Maulana
Masood Azhar in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson
was quoted as saying that the Azhar block is "in line with Security
Council resolutions and the 1267 committee's rules of procedure
for China to place a technical hold on the listing ... the committee
encourages communication between countries that ask for the
listing and countries where individuals or entities covered
in the listing come from or live in. We encourage all parties
related to the listing of Masood Azhar to have direct communication
and work out a solution through serious consultation."
Under the political reconciliation
scheme launched in Balochistan, 1,025 militants, belonging to
various outfits, have surrendered before the Provincial Government
during the past year, said Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs,
Akbar Hussain Durrani. Among the surrendered militants are a
dozen key militant 'commanders', who have laid down their arms
before provincial officials. "Those who surrendered under the
reconciliation police were paid a sum of Rs0.5 million," he
said.
"A total of 2622 IBOs were carried
out during the last year, during which 12,234 criminals and
miscreants were arrested," said Durrani, referring to the operations
carried out after the implementation of the NAP. The Home Secretary
added that 323 criminals and miscreants were killed in skirmishes
with security forces, with 72 other injured in the gunfights.
|
April 27 |
The Lyari gangster Uzair Jan
Baloch, leader of the PAC, confessed his involvement in at least
198 murders, according to an unnamed Rangers official. Investigators
reveal that Baloch has made several startling disclosures before
the joint interrogation team. "Uzair Baloch has so far confessed
to the murder of 198 people, directly or indirectly," claimed
a Rangers official, adding, "Baloch has also admitted his involvement
in politico-ethnic targeted killings, anti-state activities,
extortion, kidnapping for ransom, drug peddling and possessing
arms and explosives."
Kashif alias David, a target
killer associated with the MQM confessed of killing more than
30 people including PML-N leader Zaheer Akram Nadeem and a leader
of Bihari Qaumi Movement. Sindh Rangers spokesman, in a statement
issued in Karachi, said, "Kashif aka David has confessed to
killing more than 30 people." The spokesman said that the accused
was part of Ajmal Pahari group since 1995. Later, Kashif, on
the directives of MQM Rabitta Committee and Tanzeemi committee,
was running a team of assassins since 2005.
At least three people were killed
in a landmine explosion in Hamzani village of Sui tehsil in
Dera Bugti District of Balochistan. Levies sources said, the
incident took place when three people who were traveling on
tractor hit the roadside bomb. In the explosion, all the three
died on the spot.
Two BRA militants were killed
and another was wounded in an operation carried out by SFs after
receiving information about their presence by the Intelligence
Agency in Prome area of in Panjgur District. Arms and ammunition,
including three Kalashnikovs, five 7mm rifles, hundreds of
live rounds and two pistols and wireless sets and motorcycles
were seized from the camp which was destroyed by SFs.
An ASI of the Phandu Police
Station, identified as Qaisar Ali Shah, was shot dead in a targeted
attack in Yakatoot area of provincial capital Peshawar.
As many as 11 suicide bombers
entered Pakistan from Afghanistan for terrorism some 22 days
ago, and two of them blew themselves up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
recently, Intelligence Agency and Police sources said. According
to the sources, the bombers were affiliated with Sajna Group
of the TTP. The information about them and their entry in the
country was gathered by the IB and shared with the authorities
concerned, sources added. "They may strike in the Punjab, especially
in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore," the sources revealed.
The Lyari gangster Uzair Jan
Baloch, leader of the PAC, confessed his involvement in at least
198 murders, according to an unnamed Rangers official. Investigators
reveal that Baloch has made several startling disclosures before
the joint interrogation team. "Uzair Baloch has so far confessed
to the murder of 198 people, directly or indirectly," claimed
a Rangers official, adding, "Baloch has also admitted his involvement
in politico-ethnic targeted killings, anti-state activities,
extortion, kidnapping for ransom, drug peddling and possessing
arms and explosives."
Kashif alias David, a target
killer associated with the MQM confessed of killing more than
30 people including PML-N leader Zaheer Akram Nadeem and a leader
of Bihari Qaumi Movement. Sindh Rangers spokesman, in a statement
issued in Karachi, said, "Kashif aka David has confessed to
killing more than 30 people." The spokesman said that the accused
was part of Ajmal Pahari group since 1995. Later, Kashif, on
the directives of MQM Rabitta Committee and Tanzeemi committee,
was running a team of assassins since 2005.
The Afghan Taliban confirmed
that they have sent a high-level delegation to Islamabad for
talks with Pakistani officials, saying they hope the visit will
have "fruitful results" and will be "in the interest of both
countries". An Afghan Taliban delegation had travelled from
its political office in Qatar to hold discussions in the light
of "close relations, long border and commercial transactions"
between the two neighbouring countries. Diplomatic sources say
the Taliban delegation is on an "exploratory discussions" mission
as part of Islamabad's efforts to facilitate peace talks between
the Afghan government and the Taliban. Taliban's political office
in the Qatari capital of Doha is solely authorised to hold political
talks. "The esteemed leader of the Islamic Emirate (the Taliban)
has instructed the delegation to discuss issues relating to
Afghan refugees and some problems relating to the Afghan border
provinces of Helmand and Nangarhar," reads a statement.
|
April 28 |
A man, identified as Bahram
Khan, and his son, Muhammad Siddique, were killed in a landmine
blast in Lehri area of Sibi District.
The CTD arrested a suspected
terrorist, identified as Mukhtiar, resident of Dogdara Bazaar
in Lower Dir District, for his involvement in an attack on a
mosque at Hayagai, in which 33 persons were killed and 10 others
were injured.
The CTD also claimed to have
arrested another suspected terrorist Noor Khel, resident of
Peshawar, from Haripur District. The police claimed to have
recovered one hand grenade, one pistol and its rounds from his
possession.
National Adviser to Prime Minister
on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz while addressing the Fifth Conference
on Interaction and CICA held in Beijing said that the core dispute
of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved in accordance with the
resolutions of the UNSC and the wishes of the Kashmiri people
for durable peace and stability in South Asia.
A report of Dawn said
that the number of madrassas (Islamic seminary) in the country,
as well as the number of students enrolled in them, has been
on the rise. Even though seminary boards offer different reasons
for the growing number of students and institutions in the country,
the administrators of all five mainstream seminary boards believe
that a lack of a clear policy was augmenting negative growth
as well. "The Government is not doing anything, but it wants
the five boards and the seminaries registered with us to be
as perfect as a polished shoe," said Sahibzada Abdul Mustafa
Hazarvi, Nazim-e-Ala (President) of the Tanzeem-ul-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat,
the board for seminaries affiliated with the Barelvi school
of thought.
"It was only due to misconduct
that Wifaqul Madaris al-Arabia delisted Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad
in 2007, in wake of anti-state political activities. But what
have the authorities done? The seminary still continues to hold
classes, is increasing its branches, enhancing the number of
students and even criticises the board for not registering it
- this is the writ of Government in Islamabad," Sahibzada Abdul
Mustafa exclaimed. He said that there were around 9,000 madrassas
affiliated with the Barelvi school of thought, imparting religious
education to more than 1.3 million students. He said that there
has been an increase of 10 per cent in the number of seminaries
and students as compared to the previous year.
|
April 29 |
The CTD arrested two suspects,
identified as Asim and Azhar, on suspicion of having links with
the TTP, from Samanabad area of provincial capital Lahore. One
of them was an office bearer of a religious party.
The CTD arrested a TTP suspect,
identified as Soahil, during a search operation at Shaheenabad
Road of Sargodha District. Police also recovered a suicide jacket,
a pistol and maps of airbase from his possession.
Three terrorists, involved in
killing of tourists at Nanga Parbat base camp in June 2013,
were shifted to Islamabad from Gilgit District. Unnamed sources
said that the alleged terrorists were brought to the federal
capital through flight PK-606.
President Mamnoon Hussain while
talking to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra
said that the Zarb-e-Azb operation was progressing successfully
and would continue till complete elimination of the last terrorist.
The President said that the government was committed to bring
FATA at par with other areas of the country by completing ongoing
development projects and providing socio-economic amenities
to improve the standard of life of the people.
|
May 1 |
Four Lyari-gangsters in a Police
encounter in Dalmia area of Mujahid Colony in Liaquatabad Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Gulshan SP Dr.
Fahad Ahmed confirmed the incident. Six grenades, one AK-47,
one repeater and two pistols were recovered from their possession.
The JIT report has found that
PAC leader Uzair Jan Baloch had worked for an Iranian intelligence
agency, and it further recommended that he be tried by a military
court for 'espionage'. The JIT report signed by representatives
of the Sindh Police, Rangers and Intelligence Agencies was sent
to the Home Department on April 29, 2016, for "perusal and necessary
action". According to the JIT report, Uzair Baloch was involved
in "espionage activities by providing secret information regarding
army installations and officials to foreign agents (Iranian
intelligence officers) which is a violation of the Official
Secret Act 1923". The report quoted him as telling the members
of the JIT that he fled to Iran after the Rangers launched an
operation in Karachi in 2013.
At least 13 people were injured
when unidentified assailants threw a hand grenade outside a
private guest house in Tehkal Bala area of provincial capital
Peshawar. SSP-Operations Abbas Majeed Marwat confirmed the incident.
Marwat claimed the two suspected attackers were arrested.
The US Congress is considering
a new aid cut to persuade Islamabad to release Dr Shakil Afridi,
who is serving a 23-year prison term for allegedly helping the
CIA run a fake hepatitis vaccine program in Abbottabad to confirm
slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's presence. According
to Congressional sources, a group of Republican and Democratic
lawmakers were working on a new measure to use aid cuts to get
Dr Afridi out of prison.
The sources further revealed
that this year the lawmakers want a more substantial cut to
force Pakistan to release Dr Afridi. "I would not be surprised
if Congress made a big portion of this [fiscal 2017] aid contingent
on the release of Dr Afridi and his family," Congressman Brad
Sherman said. Congressman Matt Salmon, who chairs the House
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, also supported the suggestion.
Pakistan needed to know that its treatment of Dr Afridi "is
the single biggest impediment to members" wanting to support
the country, he said.
|
May 2 |
A man, identified as Abdul Moeen
(35), was shot dead by Lyari gangsters in an incident of firing
on the Sheedi Village Road at Lea Market in Lyari Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
A Police constable, identified
as Sher Muhammad, was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants
while he was on duty at Police Lines in Mardan District of KP.
15 people, including three children,
were injured in a grenade attack on JuD madrassa, Baitul Mukarrama
Al-hadees, in Tehkal area of provincial capital Peshawar. SP
Cantonment Peshawar Kashif said that the assailants opened fire
and lobbed grenades at the seminary.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif while
chairing a meeting of Corps Commanders at the General Headquarters
in Rawalpindi approved a comprehensive plan to carry out combing
operations aimed at pre-empting potential sleeper cells and
hideouts of terrorists across the country. The development comes
after the military had announced conclusion of the Shawal operation
in Shawal Valley of North Waziristan Agency in FATA on April
18, 2016.
The US administration asked
Pakistan to "put forward" its "national funds" to buy F-16 fighter
jets, because some top American Senators have put a hold on
the use of US tax payers' money to subsidize Pakistan's purchase.
"While Congress has approved the sale, key members have made
clear that they object to using FMF (foreign military financing)
to support it. Given Congressional objections, we have told
the Pakistanis that they should put forward national funds for
that purpose," US State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
|
May 3 |
The MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar's
coordinator Aftab Ahmed (42), who was under Rangers' 90-day
preventive detention, died in provincial capital Karachi. The
party alleged extra-judicial killing and demanded for probe
in the incident. The pictures and video clips of the dead body
revealed wounds that suggest he was brutally tortured to death.
Speaking at Ahmed's funeral, Sattar said Ahmed was picked by
Rangers from his home in Federal B Area on May 1, 2016, while
he was with his family even though there was no case registered
against him at any Police Station. However, the paramilitary
force maintained that Ahmed died due a heart attack.
Acting on a summary moved by
the Sindh Home Department, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah
extended powers of paramilitary Rangers in Karachi for another
77 days. The government extended the Rangers' powers with the
same mandate, which the force has been enjoying since 2013.
The special powers have been extended till July 19, 2016. With
these additional powers, Rangers are allowed to seal exit/entry
points and conduct searches in all Districts of Karachi.
Four convicts were hanged till
death on May 3 in the Kot Lakhpat jail of provincial capital
Lahore. The four convicts were identified as Nadim Aslam, Mohammad
Ishfaq, Mohammad Arif and Shahzad. They were convicted in the
murder of five persons in separate incidents.
Five Police personnel were injured
in an IED blast in Eastern Bypass area of Quetta, the provincial
capital of Balochistan. No outfit claimed responsibility for
the attack.
Police arrested an alleged militant,
identified as Muhammad Shah, in Peuchar area of Matta tehsil
in Swat District of KP. Sources said Muhammad Shah was involved
in terrorism related cases in Swat.
JuD chief and founder of LeT
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, rejected allegations that his organisation
is promoting extremism in Thar area of Badin District by opening
seminaries in the poverty stricken region. He said that it was
Muslims' responsibility to safeguard holy places of their Hindus
brethern. "We will not allow destruction of temples and other
holy places of non-Muslims in the country," he warned. He further
said that his support for Kashmiri Muslims was unwavering. "We
were and are with Kashmiris."
The Federal Government decided
to give the status of town and municipal committee to all the
tehsils and agency headquarters of the FATA in order to ensure
provision of better civic facilities to the people there. The
meeting was informed that 23 tehsils and Agency headquarters
had been identified to be elevated to town level.
The return process of the displaced
families continued on the fourth day as 300 more displaced families
returned to their native villages in upper parts of Orakzai
Agency. Talking to reporters, Assistant Political Agent Iqbal
Wazir said that 300 more families were sent back to their homes
in Ismailzai tehsil on fourth day of the return process, which
started on April 30.
|
May 4 |
The CTD killed at least eight
suspected militants in an exchange of gunfire at Sharaqpur Road
in Sheikhupura city of Sheikhpura District in Punjab. On seeing
the law enforcers, the terrorists opened fire on them. In retaliatory
fire, eight terrorists were killed and four of their accomplices
escaped. Huge quantity of weapons including four Kalashnikovs,
as many pistols and six kilograms of explosives were recovered
from their possession.
Two men and a woman belonging
to a banned sectarian organisation and one personnel of a law
enforcement agency were killed in a clash in Pind Ghakhara village
in Rawalpindi District.
The LEAs killed three TTP militants
during a search operation in Tofkian tehsil of Haripur District
in KP. A Policeman was also killed and another injured during
the operation.
The LEAs and sensitive agencies
personnel arrested 15 outlaws including three terrorists of
a banned outfit besides recovering weapons including hand grenades
from their possession during separate actions Lines Area and
Surjani Town of Karachi.
The Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah extended
the period of stay of the paramilitary Rangers force in the
city for another 77 days. The period of stay was extended under
Article 147 with the signature of the CM. The Rangers' period
of stay was extended as it was set to expire at midnight on
May 3.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif confirmed
the death sentences of 11 convicts tried by military courts.
The 11 hardcore terrorists were involved in committing heinous
offences related to terrorism which include killing and kidnapping
civilians' attacks on the armed forces and LEAs and destruction
of schools and communication infrastructure, ISPR said.
|
May 5 |
A Revenue Assistant Officer,
identified as Anwar Zeb, was shot dead by unidentified armed
assailants while he was travelling home on Dalazak Road in provincial
capital Peshawar.
MQM worker Aftab Ahmed Hussain
(4), who died in the custody of the paramilitary Rangers on
May 3, 2016, was subject to torture 'before his death' with
around '35 to 40 per cent' of his body bearing bruises, his
post-mortem report stated.
HRCP, in its annual report for
2015, launched in Karachi Press Club on May 5 observed that
despite a marked decrease in overall violence in the metropolis,
"a few steps taken to restore law and order have instead left
a broad trail of human rights violations". Expressing concerns
over rising cases of extrajudicial killings in the province
and the metropolis, HRCP Sindh Vice Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt
observed that the accused must be presented before the courts
of law if there were any charges against them, as 'murdering'
them extrajudicially would only pave way for anarchy.
|
May 6 |
Two Shia school teachers, identified
as Mukhtiar Hussain and Akhtar Hussain, were shot dead by unidentified
militants in a targeted killing incident in Miryali area of
DI Khan District of KP.
Two Shia lawyers, identified
as Atif Zaidi and Ali Muntazir, were shot dead in a targeted
attack on Gird Road in DI Khan District. Police said all the
four were victims of target killings and belonged to Shia community.
The KP Police suggested that
former KP IGP Fayyaz Toru should be made a member of the Cabinet
Committee constituted by the Chief Minister to review the proposed
draft of Police Act, 2016.
|
May 7 |
Unidentified militants killed
two people, including Shia religious scholar and rights activist
Syed Khurram Zaki and his Shia journalist friend Rao Khalid,
in a sectarian attack in North Karachi Town of Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh. A passer-by, identified as Aslam,
sustained injuries in the attack. Both the victims belonged
to the Shia community. TTP-Hakeemullah faction, claimed responsibility
for the attack, saying Zaki had been targeted for his stance
against radical cleric of Lal Masjid Maulana Abdul Aziz.
Frontier Corps recovered a huge
cache of arms and ammunition from the hideouts of BLA militants
during a raid in Kodan area of Kohlu District in Balochistan.
|
May 8 |
A gangster affiliated with Baba
Ladla group, identified as Naqeeb alias Mama, was killed in
Police operation in Kalri area of Lyari Town of Karachi in Sindh.
In another Police operation,
a gangster affiliated with Uzair Baloch gang, identified as
Mustafa, was killed in Napier locality of Lyari Town. SSP City
Fida Hussain said that the accused were involved murder, hand
grenade attacks and extortion.
At least 12 persons, including
two alleged gangsters, were injured in a grenade explosion near
the residence of arrested leader of the PAC Uzair Jan Baloch,
in Chakiwara area of Lyari Town. City SSP Fida Hussain said
that one suspected gangster, identified as Kamran, was carrying
a hand grenade in Singulane-5 when it fell from his hand on
the road and exploded. He added that Kamran and his accomplice
Zohaib Hasan belonged to PAC.
Police arrested six accused,
including Lyari gangster Anees and Yasir alias Mama, from various
areas of the city.
A 'commander' of the BLA, identified
as Ahmed Nawaz, surrendered before the Frontier Constabulary,
the civil administration and the local elders in Kharan District
of Balochistan. According to FC spokesman Nawaz laid down his
arms before the security agencies, wrapped himself in the national
flag and sung national anthem.
Four levies personnel, who were
kidnapped by militants from Gaishkoor area of provincial capital
Quetta on an unspecified date, were recovered from the outskirts
of Awaran District. The levies officials were identified as
Sher Muhammad, Abdul Malik, Saeed and Allah Bakhsh.
|
May 9 |
Four persons were killed in
a firing incident in Shrengal area of Lower Dir District (KP).
Five personnel of Balochistan
Constabulary were injured in a bomb blast, which targeted their
mobile van at Eastern bypass area in Quetta (Balochistan).
|
May 10 |
Two Policemen were killed and
five persons, including three Policemen, were injured in an
explosion outside the gate of Balochistan University in Quetta
(Balochistan).
An IED attached to a bicycle
exploded near a government employees’ residential colony in
Jamshoro District (Sindh). However, no casualties were reported.
Three wagons of a goods train
overturned and six others derailed when two bombs exploded on
a track near Goth Mureed Sipio Railway Crossing in Tandojam
area of Hyderabad District. However, no casualties were reported.
Hyderabad DIG Khadim Hussain Rind said that a pamphlet written
in Sindhi was found at the place, but declined to share its
contents.
Sindh Rangers detained three
more suspects, who were involved in killing dozens of people
after informing ATC about their preventive detention for questioning.
The suspects were identified as Jan Muhammad, Muhammad Asif
and Faraz Qureshi.
Five officials of the paramilitary
Rangers force were arrested in connection with the death of
Aftab Ahmed – the coordinator of MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar
– under the custody of Sindh Rangers on May 3, 2016.
Ali Haider Gilani, the son of
former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was kidnapped
on May 9, 2013, from Multan District, was recovered from Taliban
captivity in a joint operation carried out by US and Afghan
forces in Ghazni Province of Afghanistan.
US Resolute Support Mission
in Afghanistan Commander General John Nicholson during a meeting
with CoAS General Raheel Sharif at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi
on acknowledged ‘the far reaching effects’ of operation Zarb-e-Azb
in bringing peace and stability in the region.
|
May 11 |
A dead body of an unidentified
man was found in the Gulbahar area of Liaquatabad Town of Karachi
(Sindh). Gulbahar SHO Ghulam Asghar Abbasi said that from his
appearance the victim looked Baloch.
Four members of the Tablighi
Jama’at (TJ) were shot at and wounded in a sectarian attack
while they were preaching in Block-17 of F. B Area in Gulberg
Town.
Police and LEAs arrested three
alleged terrorists and seized arms from their custody during
a joint action Manghopir area of Gadap Town. The accused
were involved in attacks on the security forces.
PAC leader Uzair Jan Balcoh
was sent to prison on judicial remand over charges of possessing
illegal arms.
CTD Malakand Division claimed
to have arrested a terrorist, identified as Ibrahim, during
a search operation in Buner Usmanabad area of Mingora city in
Swat District (KP).
|
May 12 |
In a targeted killing incident
unidentified assailants shot dead a SI of the Traffic Police
in Peshawar (KP). A Police official said that two unidentified
motorcyclists opened fire on SI, Aftab Khan of the Traffic Police,
when he was going for duty on a motorcycle.
CTD claimed to have foiled an
attempt by Afghanistan-based militants to carry out a terror
act in Shangla and Swat Districts in KP. On a tip off, the CTD
raided a hideout in Shangla where several militants had holed
up and plotting a major terror attack in coming days. The CTD
also recovered 10 kilograms of explosives material from them.
COAS General Raheel Sharif confirmed
death sentences awarded to the five hardcore terrorists involved
in the May 13, 2015, Safoora Chowrangi bus attack. According
to ISPR, the convicts, active members of al Qaeda, were also
involved in IED blast near Saleh Masjid, Karachi, and in the
killing of a social worker, Sabeen Mahmud.
Several activists of the MQM
and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) were injured in political clashes
between the two parties in Hyderabad District (Sindh). Police
opened fire into the air to scare away the embattled activists
and create a buffer zone between the two sides.
A total of 20,000 Policemen,
including 8,000 for Karachi, will be added to the Sindh Police
force to sustain peace, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah approved
during the apex committee meeting in Karachi. Karachi Corps
Commander Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar assured Shah that
he will make the necessary arrangements to train the new recruits
by the Pakistan Army.
US State Department official,
Elizabeth Trudeau, during a news briefing in Washington said
that the US administration wanted Pakistan to act against the
Haqqani Network and some important members of the US Congress
are not prepared to support military aid to Pakistan without
these specific actions. “Key members of Congress have been clear
they’re not prepared to support US military aid to Pakistan
absent some specific actions,” she said.
National Adviser on Foreign
Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the Senate that there was deadlock
in Pakistan-US relations at the moment due to different reasons
but the deal of sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan had not
been scrapped yet. “We have told US that Pakistan would not
compromise on its nuclear program, have not made any commitment
to release Dr Shakeel Afridi and third of its demand about action
against Haqqani Network had not been met as it had not provided
any concrete evidence against the militant group,” he said while
mentioning some of the demands of US.
|
May 13 |
The Afghan Police claimed to
have killed three TTP militants in Narai District of Kunar Province
in Afghanistan. TTP militants attacked a base of Afghan SFs
in Jangal Bosha area of Narai District on the night of May 12,
2016, Abdul Habib Saidkhel, Police Chief of Kunar Province said.
The Police Chief further said that those killed by the SFs belonged
to TTP and hailed from the Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At least four persons, belonging
to MQM and MQM-H, sustained injuries during armed clashes between
the two groups in Landhi Town of Karachi (Sindh). The clashes
began when militant outfit MQM-H attacked the office of the
political party MQM in early hours of the morning. Following
the incident, MQM activists and members staged a protest against
the MQM-H cadres.
State Department Spokesman John
Kirby said that US has an important and vital relationship with
Pakistan as both the countries have shared threats, concerns
and interests in the region. Kirby said ties between the two
countries are complicated at times but it is an important relationship
that “we continue to work at very, very seriously, and we are
going to remain committed to”.
|
May14 |
A member of peace committee,
identified as Barkat Ali, was killed at Gomal area of Tank District
of KP.
ATC administrative judge allowed
Police to investigate incarcerated PAC gangster Uzair Jan Baloch
in three more cases pertaining to murder and attacking law enforcer,
reports. Baloch is currently in jail on judicial remand in an
illicit weapons case. In the three new cases he has been accused
of murdering two people and attacking police personnel to evade
arrest. The judge directed police to furnish a progress report
after completing the suspect’s interrogation.
|
May 15 |
Eight abducted workers, including
three from FDA were released on in Dera Ismail Khan District
of KP. They were abducted on March 10, 2016 from Toi Khula tehsil
in Wana town of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.
A man, identified as Abdul Ramazan
(25), was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants in
a targeted attack in Surjani Town of Gadap Town in Karachi (Sindh).
Sindh Rangers raided sector
offices of the MQM in Hyderabad District and arrested three
senior party members, including former provincial minister Syed
Sohail Mashhadi. The others were identified as Rafique Ajmeri
and Raheel Fahim.
In another raid, Police and
Rangers in a joint operation detained three alleged terrorists
from DHA area within Darakhshan Police limits. The suspects
were identified as Muslim Khan, Nadir Ali and Shaukat Ali, and
the Police claimed to have recovered three Awan bombs and a
rifle from their possession.
LEAs arrested a suspect, associated
with the Uzair Baloch group, from the Bara Board area in Pak
Colony Police limits of SITE Town.
Two SHOs were suspended from
their posts in an effort to bring all police officials involved
in unlawful activities after Uzair Baloch revealed alleged links
with them during his interrogation. SHO Shah Faisal Colony Babar
Hameed and SHO Brigade Haji Sanaullah were dismissed from their
posts after Baloch’s disclosure.
Three Government officials and
a contractor were kidnapped from Dasht area of Kech (Turbat)
District in Balochistan. According to sources, Fida Ahmed, a
Sub-Divisional Officer in the Road and Building Department,
and Mohammad Ibrahim and Rahim Jan, sub-engineers of the Irrigation
Department, accompanied by contractor Mehboob Dashti, were returning
to Turbat after inspecting development projects in a nearby
area. When they reached Dasht, unidentified militants intercepted
them and took them away.
FC Balochistan seized huge cache
of explosives and weapons from the hideout of militants in Shayban
area of Dalbandin in Chagai District. Frontier Corps Balochistan
spokesman said that the militants had planned to use the explosives
against security forces adding that there sabotage plot was
timely foiled.
|
May 16 |
At least four soldiers were
injured in a roadside bomb blast in Sandana area, near Nari
Baba locality of Bazaar Zakhakhel in Khyber Agency of FATA.
Seven FDA workers kidnapped
in South Waziristan Agency were freed a political agent Zafrul
Islam said, after Government representatives detained 22 local
villagers under “collective responsibility”. “They are safe
and sound and now I am taking them to South Waziristan's headquarters,
Wana,” Islam said.
Shahbaz Taseer, the son of former
slain Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, who was recovered on March
8, 2016, after being held captive for over four years, said
he was with IMU who tortured him badly during captivity. Shahbaz
revealed that he was with IMU until the group fought with Afghan
Taliban on the dispute over allegiance as IMU did not consider
'Khilafah' established by Afghan Taliban as legitimate and wanted
to ally with the IS. "They abducted me from Lahore and
took me to Waziristan's Meer Ali area and used to shift my location
every month from there," said Shahbaz.
|
May 18 |
Eight al Qaeda affiliated terrorists
were killed during an encounter in Nawabpur village of Multan
District of Punjab. A CTD official said that they had information
from credible sources that al Qaeda ‘commanders’ Muneeb Javed
alias Qandhari, Tayab Nawaz alias Hafiz Abdul
Mateen, Muneeb Razaq alias Abdur Rehman and Zeeshan alias
Abu Dajana were coming to Multan to hold a meeting in the city
suburbs with al Qaeda ‘commander’ Bilal Latif alias Yasir
Punjabi and others including two suicide bombers to plan attack
on a university in Multan.
A Policeman was killed and 19
others, mostly security personnel, were injured in twin IED
blasts in the Mathra area of Peshawar, the provincial capital
of KP.
JUI-F local leader Haji Alam
Shah was killed at his residence by unidentified assailants
in Paroda tehsil in DI Khan District.
A target killer, identified
as Rameez Sheikh alias Faizan, was arrested from Hyderi
area of North Nazimabad Town. He confessed for more than 50
murders, including killing some of the Police officers.
|
May 19 |
A Balochistan Constabulary personnel
was killed and four others injured in a remote-controlled bomb
blast in Eastern Bypass area of Quetta (Balochistan).
FCB and intelligence agencies
foiled a major terror bid and seized a huge cache of weapons,
explosives and ammunition during a joint search operation in
the Panjgur District.
At least 20 suspects were arrested
during search operations by Rangers and Police in different
areas of Karachi, including Chakiwara area of Lyari Town where
three suspects were arrested. SFs recovered weapons, hand grenades
from their possession. They were affiliated with the Uzair Baloch-led
PAC. 17 others were detained in other areas of the city.
US House of Representatives
voted 277 to 147 in favour of a defence policy bill seeking
to increase restrictions on military aid for Pakistan unless
certain conditions are met. The House, expressing frustration
over what they term Islamabad's failure to crack down on the
Haqqani Network, passed the USD 602 billion National Defence
Authorisation Act 2017 on May 18, 2016. The NDAA will block
USD 450 million in aid to Islamabad unless it does more to fight
the militant group.
|
May 20 |
Six militants, including al
Qaeda leader Bilal Lateef alias Yasir Punjabi, were shot
dead in an encounter with the CTD of Police in Mondka Chowk
area of Muzaffargarh District in Punjab.
A source in an Intelligence
Agency said that the suspected terrorists were arrested by the
Bahawalpur CTD in joint operations with the MI and the ISI from
different parts of Punjab and had been in the custody of law
enforcement agencies for the past four months.
Three militants were killed
after the explosive vest one of them was wearing accidentally
exploded on Sufidsang Road within the jurisdiction of Regi Police
Station in provincial capital Peshawar (KP).
SFs and Police arrested 24 suspects
during a search operation in Jaroba and Spin Khak and Mera Jalozai
areas of Nowshera District. DPO Wahid Mehmood said, “About 24
persons were arrested and huge cache of arms and ammunition
was recovered during the search.”
Two traffic Police Officers,
identified as, Shakeel Ahmad and Muhammad Kamran, were shot
dead near Aisha Manzil area on MA Jinnah Road in Gulberg Town
of Karachi (Sindh).
A worker of the MQM, identified
as Fahad Zaki, was shot dead and another, identified as Kamran,
was wounded in targeted attacks in within the limits of the
Khokhrapar Police Station in Benazir Sports Ground of Landhi
Town in Karachi (Sindh).
Brigadier Shabbir Narejo of
the Pakistan Army said that it had cleared the last militant
stronghold in the Shawal Valley of North Waziristan Agency of
FATA after a three-month long operation. “We have cleared the
Shawal valley completely of militants,” said the Brigadier.
“There were up to 2,000 trained militants in the valley, but
we surprised them by launching the operation in the peak of
winter in minus 12 degrees Celsius,” he said, adding that that
six soldiers and up to 120 militants died in the fighting.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
during a groundbreaking ceremony in Gilgit District on May 19
said that the CPEC will bring prosperity to the region and help
end extremism and terrorism.
While acknowledging that Afghan
Taliban have not responded positively to the four-nation peace
initiative, Islamabad urged Kabul to come with ‘more unified
and coherent’ approach in favour of reconciliation, also dispelling
the perception that Afghan Taliban were under Pakistan’s thumb.
Provincial Education Department
Secretary Education Saboor Kakar that as part of the NAP, Balochistan
Government has decided to register all madrassas in the Province
with the Education Department. The Provincial Government has
constituted a four member High Level Committee to review the
registration process and perform legislation for the proposed
amendment in the Societies Registration Act.
|
May 21 |
Afghan Taliban leader Mullah
Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US drone strike in Kuchaki area
of Naushki District. According to sources, Mansour entered Pakistan
from Iran at Zero Point in Taftan, a town in Chagai District,
which shares border with Iran, and hit by US drone while traveling
in a rented car to take him to Quetta. The crime scene is identified
as Kuchaki in Nushki District. The driver, identified as Muhammad
Wali, who also died in the attack, was a civilian who worked
for a local rental company.
The son of Provincial Local
Government Minister, Sardar Mustafa Khan Tareen, was abducted
by unidentified militants from the Cadet College area of Pishin
District.
ISPR said that Pakistan has
handed over the Angoor Adda check post in South Waziristan Agency
of FATA to Afghan Security Forces to strengthen the relations
with Afghanistan. DG ISPR General Asim Bajwa tweeted “This gesture
will act as a catalyst and is envisioned to bring momentum for
establishing peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan Border.”
|
May 22 |
Three unidentified dead bodies
were recovered from an area near Muhammad Khan Colony in Manghopir
area of Gadap Town in Karachi (Sindh).
Police arrested two suspects,
identified as Amjad Khan and Abbas, in an injured condition,
during an operation in Gulshan-e-Shiraz area of Surjani Town
in Gadap Town. Police also confiscated weapons from their possession.
In another raid, Police arrested
a suspect, identified as Imam Bakhsh, from Madina Colony area
in Baldia Town. Bakhsh was a fugitive from the Anti-Terrorism
Court.
A Ukrainian national, identified
as Katrina (31), allegedly kidnapped in 21013 from Rawalpindi
District was recovered by law enforcement officials from the
village of Katho in the limits of the Khensar Police Station
in Tharparkar District.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a FC soldier, identified as Jahangir Khan, in Nar Jaffar
area of Bannu District (KP).
US Secretary of State John Kerry
said that he notified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the telephone
of a US drone strike that 'likely killed' Afghan Taliban leader
Mullah Mansour. "Yesterday, the US conducted a precision
air strike that targeted Taliban leader Mullah Mansour in a
remote area of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Mansour posed
a continuing, imminent threat", Kerry said.
A senior leader of the Afghan
Taliban, Mullah Abdul Rauf, confirmed that Mansour had been
killed in the drone strike. However, a Wall Street Journal report
quoted the Taliban officials in Afghanistan as saying that their
leader was alive. A member of the Taliban who is close to the
militant leadership distributed a message to some associates
promising to release an audio message proving Mansour was still
alive.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
criticised the drone strike which the US carried out in Balochistan
on May 21, 2016, that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar
Mansour saying that a strong protest had been lodged with the
US over the attack.
|
May 23 |
At least five people were killed
when militants opened fire at their vehicle in Mand area of
Kech District. No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Police averted a bid of
terrorism by defusing two low- intensity IED bombs near Police
lines in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A Navy tribunal sentenced five
officers to death in the September 6, 2014, Karachi Naval Dockyard
attack case, Retired Major Saeed Ahmed, father of one of the
convicts, identified as Sub-Lieutenant Hammad Ahmed, said. The
other four convicts were identified as Irfanullah, Muhammad
Hammad, Arsalan Nazeer and Hashim Naseer. Saeed Ahmad said that
the five were charged with having links with the IS, mutiny,
hatching a conspiracy and carrying weapons in the dockyard.
“I wrote a letter to the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the
navy on August 15, 2015, asking him to provide the opportunity
of a defence counsel to my son,” he said. “The navy JAG on September
21 replied that the option of defence counsel would be available
at the time of trial.”
US President Barack Obama confirmed
the death of Afghan Taliban leader Mulla Akhtar Mansour in a
US air strike and said American forces would continue to go
after threats in Pakistan. “We have removed the leader of an
organisation that has continued to plot against and unleash
attacks on American and coalition forces, to wage war against
the Afghan people, and align itself with extremist groups like
Al-Qaeda,” the US president said in a statement issued by the
White House. “We will continue taking action against extremist
networks that target the United States. We will work on shared
objectives with Pakistan, where terrorists that threaten all
our nations must be denied safe haven,” he added.
|
May 24 |
An IED blast killed two Policemen
and wounded six others in a roadside attack in the Spiny road
area of Quetta, the provincial capital Balochistan, in the evening.
A Police contingent patrolling the area was targeted with an
IED, police official said. "Four police officials and three
passers-by were injured in the blast, which also damaged the
police vehicle." The injured were taken to Civil Hospital
Quetta, where two police officials succumbed to their injuries
and were pronounced dead.
The US said that it had conveyed
to Pakistan that they need to pursue actively terrorist organizations
that are using their soil, their territory to find refuge. In
a media briefing, Mark Toner, Deputy Spokesman for the US State
Department, said, “We have conveyed to the Pakistani government
and authorities before that they need to pursue actively terrorist
organizations that are using their soil, their territory to
find refuge.”
Toner also said, “We’ve also
said before that Pakistan is a country that unfortunately knows
the effects of terrorism, the tragedy of terrorism. It’s suffered
multiple terrorist attacks, mass casualty terrorist attacks,
so it understands the stakes here.” The spokesman went on to
say that “US has been very clear-eyed and very clear in interaction
with Pakistan where we’ve believed that they need to do more
to root out terrorists, who find safe haven on some of their
territory.”
|
May 25 |
Three FC personnel, including
District Officer Ameer Badshah and two constables, Gul Rehman
and Gul Rasool, were killed when three unidentified militants
opened fire on their vehicle at Patang Chowk in provincial capital
Peshawar. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack in an
email sent to journalists.
Official statistics revealed
a slight decrease in terrorist attacks in Peshawar from January
1 to May 18, 2016 as compared to the same period last year.
According to the official figures, 46 terrorist incidents were
reported in Peshawar till May 18 against 49 in the same period
in 2015. The number of IED blasts reduced to eight against 15
in 2015. Also, no suicide attack has been reported as compared
to one during the same period last year. However, the number
of target killings almost doubled. A total of 18 target killing
incidents have been reported in Peshawar during the current
year while nine were reported last year.
A member of the Jama’at Ahmadiyya,
identified as Dawood Ahmad (55), was shot dead in a targeted
attack while he was sitting outside his home in Metroville-Block
II area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. Gulshan SP Dr Fahad Ahmed said, “It appeared to be
an incident of targeted killing.” “Dawood Ahmed was targeted
on account of religious hatred. Thirty Ahmadis have been killed
in Karachi and not a single murderer has been brought to justice
till now, making extremist elements feel encouraged,” said Saleemuddin,
a spokesman for the Jamaat Ahmadiyya in a statement.
An alleged terrorist of TTP
among four criminals was arrested and arms recovered during
a crackdown in an unspecified area of Karachi. Spokesman of
Sindh Rangers said that the paramilitary troops conducted operations
against wanted criminals in different areas of the metropolis.
He said that during separate actions four criminals including
a terrorist of banned TTP were arrested besides recovery of
weapons from his possession.
Officials interrogating the
May 19, 2016, attack on traffic Policemen said that the militant
outfit involved in their killing has been identified. Officials
said that a 22-member terrorist group linked with a banned organization
is said to be behind the killing of Policemen in Karachi. 12
of the militants have been sent to jail, while 10 are still
at large. Qari Mohsin is the ameer of this group, which
has become active after his release on bail.
Two suspects were arrested after
a heavy quantity of arms and ammunition was seized from a car
loaded onto a truck being transported to Punjab from Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa near the Kotmomin Motorway Interchange in Sargodha
District. A police team headed by Kotmomin SDPO Muhammad Riaz
stopped the truck and, upon checking the car loaded onto it,
recovered two Kalashnikovs, nine repeaters, 70 pistols of 30
bore and 9MM, 2,120 bullets of Kalashnikov, 25,400 of pistol
and 1,000 of rifle besides 56 magazines.
Police arrested truck driver
Malik Aman of Najna Mansehra and another accused while their
two accomplices managed to escape. The arrested driver told
police that the ‘innovative method’ of transporting arms and
ammunition to Punjab was adopted to dodge the Police. He said
the smuggled arms and ammunition were to be used in terror activities
in different parts of Punjab.
The spokesman of the Afghan
Taliban Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the death of the group's
chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a US drone strike. In a statement
sent to media, the insurgent group said its new leader is Mullah
Haibatullah Akhundzada, a former head of the Taliban's judiciary
and one of two Mansour's deputies. It said he was chosen at
a meeting of Taliban leaders. Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of Haqqani
network blamed for many high-profile bombs attacks in Kabul
in recent years, and Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, son of former leader
Mullah Mohammad Omar, will serve as deputies.
Haibatullah Akhundzada, in an
audio recording vowed that there would be no return to peace
talks with the Government. “No, no we will not come to any type
of peace talks,” Akhundzada said in the recording. However,
the Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid denied issuing
the audio message. Two Taliban ‘commanders’ had provided the
audio to reporters, saying it was an official statement. One
of the ‘commanders’ said that he had received the recording
directly from Mujahid, who earlier announced Akhundzada’s elevation.
Mujahid later issued an email from his official account denying
the movement had issued an audio.
During a meeting with US Ambassador
David Hale in Islamabad, the COAS General Raheel Sharif said
that drone attacks carried out by the US inside Pakistan were
detrimental to bilateral relations. He said that such acts of
sovereignty violations were detrimental to relations between
both the countries and were counter-productive for the ongoing
peace process for regional stability.
The US designated two Pakistan-based
and Taliban linked groups, TGG and the JDQ, as “Specially Designated
Global Terrorists”. US citizens are forbidden from associating
with the TGG and the JDQ. Any assets owned by the groups in
places under US jurisdiction will be frozen, and US law enforcement
will be authorised to investigate their activity.
According to the US State Department,
the TGG is linked to the TTP and is led by Umar Mansoor. The
outfit is based in Darra Adamkhel town of Kohat District in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The faction, US officials believe, was responsible
for the December 16, 2014 massacre at Army Public School in
Peshawar. The JDQ is said to be based in Peshawar but to have
sworn allegiance to the late leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah
Omar. According to the State Department, JDQ has alliances with
al Qaeda and LeT.
Former Afghan Taliban ‘chief’
Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour was tracked down by US spy agencies
when he was visiting his family in Iran. Iran, however, denied
that Mansour entered Pakistan from the Islamic Republic. The
WSJ report claims that US surveillance drones don't operate
in the Iran-Pakistan border area, due to which intercepted communications
and other intelligence allowed agencies to track Mansour down
and lay a trap for him as he crossed the border into Balochistan
in a white Toyota Corolla. Armed drones were sent across the
Afghan border to lock on to the car and take down the target,
officials told WSJ, before the Taliban leader could reach Quetta.
The WSJ said the killing of Mansour in Balochistan was a warning
to Pakistan that the US would take action on Pakistani soil
without prior notification, if necessary.
US President Barack Obama and
State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said that American forces
will continue carrying out strikes on Pakistani soil to "remove
terrorists who are actively pursuing, planning and directing
attacks against US forces," reports Dawn. Toner during
a State Department briefing denied having knowledge of where
exactly Mullah Mansour was eliminated. "I don’t have any
more clarity of where the actual strike took place. What I can
say was in that border region. I just can’t say on which side
of the border it was," he said.
Expressing grief over the killing
of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, leader
of HIG, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in statement available with the
Afghan Islamic Press said that his ‘party’ is ready to ink agreement
with the Taliban. Hekmatyar urged the Taliban to join hands
with him for finding a solution to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.
“At this critical stage, my advice to Taliban is let us adopted
a joint stance and policy on [finding] solution to the crisis
in the country, peace, jihad and future of the country. If it
is not possible, then let us at least agree on adopting policy
to avoid fighting against each other and stop those who are
fueling enmity between Taliban and Hezb-e-Islami,” he said.
|
May 26 |
At least three suspected militants
were killed and four others injured during an exchange of fire
with SFs personnel near Pak-Afghan border in Shawal valley of
North Waziristan Agency in FATA.
The bodies of two missing Government
officials were found in Turbat District. Five officials of the
Irrigation and Communication Department were abducted by unidentified
militants in Dasht area of Turbat on May 21, 2016. Three dead
bodies have been recovered during a search operation while two
other officials are still missing.
The CTD of Police claimed to
have foiled a terror attack on a shrine in Bahawalnagar District
and arrested three alleged TTP and LeJ terrorists. A CTD spokesman
said that the suspects were identified as Muhammad Asif of Khushab
District, Muhammad Jamil of Lahore and Muhammad Sadiq of Toba
Tek Singh District. He said the police team also recovered three
IEDs, arms and ammunition and the shrine was saved from destruction
with the help of bomb disposal squad.
In another raid, an alleged
terrorist of banned SSP was arrested from Faisalabad District.
The CTD spokesman said that after receiving information, a CTD
team raided PSO pump near Roshanwali Jhal at Sumundari Road
and arrested suspect Shakeel Ahmad Khan. He said police team
also recovered 575 grams explosives, 9 feet 6 inches prima cord
and 8 electric circuit, detonators from him.
A CTD team arrested two suspects
of a banned outfit from Alipur tehsil (revenue unit) in Muzaffargarh
District. The CTD personnel found Jehadi literature from their
possession.
The SFs conducted raids in Sirband,
Hayatabad, Faqeerabad areas of Peshawar, the provincial capital
of KP, and rounded up 95 suspects including 20 Afghans. Two
hand grenades, four pistols and two rifles were recovered from
their possession.
The officials of the CTD arrested
a militant, identified as Karimullah, a resident of Matta tehsil,
from Mingora town of Swat District. Karimullah was involved
in attacks on the security forces and other terrorism related
cases in Swat.
SFs freed 98 reformed militants
from an interment centre in Swat. The reformed youth, mostly
involved in petty crimes, were released from an interment centre
established at the PAITHAM. Major General Asif Ghafoor said
the reformed people had been imparted various skills to enable
them to earn decent livelihood for their families. He hoped
the freed people would play a constructive role in the development
of the country.
Days after Taliban leader Mullah
Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US drone strike in Balochistan,
Pakistan finally confirmed his death. All indicators confirm
that the person killed in the drone strike was Mansour who was
travelling on a fake identity when targeted in a drone strike
near Nushki District in Balochistan, Adviser to Prime Minister
on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, said during a press briefing.
Aziz, however, said DNA reports of Wali Muhammad, the man suspected
to be the Taliban leader, will further confirm the killing of
Mansour. “His body will be handed over to his family after DNA
tests,” the premier’s senior aide said. “Mullah Mansour was
not opposed to peace talks,” Aziz further reiterated.
“The death of Mullah Akhtar
Mansour in a drone strike on 21 May has added to the complexity
of the Afghan conflict,” Aziz said while adding that the drone
strike was a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty as well as
breach of principles of the United Nations Charter governing
the conduct of states. “We have conveyed our serious concern
to the United States on this issue, PM’s adviser on foreign
affairs said. According to Aziz, the drone strike has undermined
the Afghan peace process. Referring to the ongoing peace process,
Aziz said, “On May 18, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the US and China
agreed that politically negotiated settlement was the most viable
to continue to bring Taliban on the table.
The US State Department deputy
spokesperson Mark Toner urged Pakistan to cooperate with the
Indian authorities to fully investigate Mumbai 2008 (also known
as 26/11) terror attacks. He said, “Mumbai attacks were terrible
tragedy. We continue to urge the Pakistani government to cooperate
with the Indian authorities to fully investigate these attacks.
US wants to see justice done and we continue to urge Pakistani
cooperation.”
Mark Toner said, “Pakistan needs
to address all groups operating on their soil – Taliban groups
that are operating on their soil and their territory. We’ve
urged them to do so in the past. We continue to urge them to
do so and have worked with them on addressing the very real
threat on their own soil.”
|
May 27 |
Two Shias, identified as Malik
Asim and Ameer Haider, were killed and another, identified as
Hasan, sustained injured when unidentified armed assailants
opened fire at them in Jaffar Tayyar Society of Malir Town in
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. DIG East Dr Kamran
Faisal said, “The murder took place using a 9 mm pistol. It
seems like a target killing.” MQM spokesperson claimed that
Asim was their worker.
An unidentified man was shot
dead in Mujahid Colony of Orangi Town.
A man, identified as Aqeel (22),
was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Landhi Town.
Two suspects were arrested in
injured condition after a shootout at Super Highway.
SFs arrested 15 suspects during
a search operation at Old Sabzi Mandi area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town.
Four suspected Afghan terrorists
were killed in a clash with SFs in Khwezai tehsil of Mohmand
Agency in FATA. "Terrorists attacked a security check post
in Khwezai area, which borders Afghanistan," said a security
official. The security official added all four terrorists were
killed in retaliatory action by SFs.
Three terrorirst were killed
during an intelligence-based operation by Rangers in Manghopir
area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
According to details, the suspects were reportedly preparing
for terrorist attacks in Karachi and had completed reconnaissance
to target Rangers and police locations. The terrorists resorted
to firing from their hideout. In retaliatory fire, three suspects
were killed. One suicide jacket, a huge amount of ball bearings,
explosive material and detonators were found at the hideout.
The CTD arrested two alleged
terrorists belonging to Afghanistan from Tehkal area of Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP, who were projecting a terrorist
organisation in the city and are suspected to have been planted
by a foreign intelligence agency. The source said the two terrorists
had obtained Pakistani computerised national identity cards.
The two were living in the area since long and used to distribute
literature and videos of a banned militant organisation.
The JuD, the frontal organisation
of LeT, held funeral prayers in absentia for the deceased Afghan
Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP. JuD provincial spokesperson Ghazi Inamullah said
that the funeral prayers in absentia were offered at Jamia Masjid
Khyber Markaz in Peshawar and attended by hundreds of JuD activists
and general public.
The NAP informed the security
intuitions that banned outfits are still recruiting jihadis
who have become a serious internal security threat to Pakistan.
“Major banned outfits are still recruiting the students of madrassas
to wage Jihad in the Indian-Held Kashmir and Afghanistan. Such
non-state actors have become very dangerous for Pakistan,” senior
security officials dealing with counter-terrorism warned the
Government in a confidential document titled “Proscribed/Jihadi
Organizations”. In the secret document, consisting of 111 pages,
the CTD, Punjab, revealed that 32 proscribed organizations with
nine splinters groups have now become “a nursery of terrorism
in Pakistan.”
Banned organizations like Islamic
State (Daesh) and HuT are also gaining ground by establishing
a special wing in the country where their ‘commanders’ are recruiting
militants, reveals the document. Adjacent areas of Bahawalpur,
Muridke, Sialkot and some southern Districts of Punjab have
now become a breeding ground for these banned outfits, it further
revealed.
|
May 28 |
Two SF personnel were killed
in an IED blast in Awaran District in Balochistan. Official
sources said that personnel of the FC were checking the Jhaho
area in the district to clear it of landmines when an IED exploded
near an FC vehicle. Following the blast, armed men opened fire,
they added. “Two soldiers of the Frontier Corps lost their lives
and three others were seriously wounded in the blast,” a spokesman
for the FC said. He also confirmed firing after the blast. The
sources said that the FC men were the target of the IED, which
was exploded by a remote control.
Bullet-riddled bodies of two
more government employees, who had been abducted along with
their three colleagues two weeks back from the Dashat area of
Kech District, were found in the mountainous Saijee area. Official
sources in Gwadar said that the SFs found the bodies and shifted
them to a Turbat hospital. The victims were identified as Fida
Ahmed and Muhammad Ibrahim. Hospital sources said that they
were shot in the head and chest. Earlier, the bodies of three
other missing Government officials in Turbat District on May
26.
FC claimed to have killed three
suspected militants, including an alleged ‘commander’ of the
BRA, and arrested their two accomplices during a search operation
in Barkhan District. A spokesman for the FC said that armed
militants opened fire on SF personnel when they were searching
an area in Barkhan. The FC men returned fire. A heavy exchange
of gunfire continued for some hours and when the guns fell silent
three militants were killed. “Three militants including a commander
of the banned Baloch Republican Army have been killed,” the
FC spokesman said, adding that two suspected militants were
also arrested and arms and ammunition was also recovered.
|
May 29 |
Police killed three al Qaeda
terrorists in an exchange of fire after raiding their hideout
in Gulshan-e-Buner area of Landhi Town in provincial capital
Karachi. According to the SSP Malir Rao Anwar, the suspects
were involved in attack on Police officials and Security Forces.
One of the militants was identified as Riaz Raju, who was wanted
over the killing of policemen and murders of Shia Muslims in
Karachi, Anwar said. “A huge cache of explosives, suicide jackets,
arms and ammunition were recovered from possession of the terrorists,”
he added.
Sukkur Police claimed to have
arrested two trained facilitators of the TTP, identified as
Abdul Jabbar Soomro and Ajmal Awan, and seized hand grenades,
suicide jackets and other material from their possession during
an operation in the Kutcha area of Bagarji in Sukkur District.
Sukkur SSP Amjad Shaikh said that four hand grenades and material
for preparing suicide jackets were seized from their possession.
The SFs conducted an operation
in Chirangida and Karibai areas of Mansehra District in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa and seized 20 kilograms of explosive material. According
to the ISPR, SFs conducted an operation and also arrested two
alleged militants. As many as twenty kilograms of explosive
material were recovered from the alleged militants.
|
May 30 |
At least 12 people, including
three Policemen, were injured in suicide bombing near the City
Police Station in Mardan District. According to Mardan RPO Tahir
Khan, the bomber was about to target a Police vehicle standing
outside the City Police Station at the District Courts Square
when two Policemen signaled him to stop. The bomber opened fire
on the Policemen, said the official. He said that Policemen
returned the fire, which prompted the bomber to explode his
suicide vest.
At least three people, including
a Chinese national, identified as Finche, were injured in a
remote-controlled bomb blast near Steel Town in Gulshan-e-Hadeed
area of Bin Qasim Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. SSP Rao Anwar said that a pamphlet written in Sindhi
and bearing the name of a group called 'Sindhudesh Revolutionary
Party' was recovered from the site of the blast. The pamphlet
read [Translation]: "We consider China, rising as a global
power, to be an ally of Pakistan, and also consider it an accomplice
of the Punjabi Establishment in making Sindh slave to loot its
resources, and therefore we accept the responsibility of bomb
attack on Chinese in Gulshan-e-Hadeed."
Unidentified militants blew
up a portion of a gas pipeline in the Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti
District, suspending supply from well No 10 to the Sui gas plant.
No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
The relatives of a taxi driver,
who was killed in the US drone strike targeting Afghan Taliban
leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Nushki District, have registered
a case against US officials for the killing. “I seek justice
in this case. Legal action should be taken against all those
US officials responsible for killing my innocent brother in
a drone strike near Nushki,” read a statement in the FIR lodged
by Muhammad Qasim, the brother of the deceased Muhammad Azam
at Nushki Police Station.
The chief of JUI Maulana Samiul
Haq said after a DPC meeting in Islamabad, “Those who think
that Haibatullah [Akhundzada, the new Afghan Taliban leader]
is a mere cleric and a seminary preacher will soon bear witness
to his skill as a militant commander”. He further said that
the US was to blame for this. “It was America that resorted
to violence again the assassination of Mullah Mansour is nothing
short of murder,” he added. “The martyrdom of Mullah Mansour
will eventually help unite all the Taliban, since everybody
will realize that talking peace with the US is futile,” Haq
added.
|
May 31 |
The CTD conducted an operation
in the Chaubara area of Layyah District in Punjab and killed
six alleged terrorists. As per details, CTD Multan raided the
Chaubara area and were involved in an alleged battle with terrorists.
In the exchange of fire, six suspected terrorists were killed
by the CTD officials. Two pistols, two rifles and two hand grenades
were confiscated from the slain terrorists.
Two soldiers embraced martyrdom
and three others injured in two different incidents of bomb
blasts triggered through remote-controlled devices in Mohmand
Agency of FATA. The first incident occurred at Baizai area close
to Pak-Afghan border, the IED planted close to a check post
exploded, martyring two soldiers of FC. The forces cordoned
off the entire area and started combing operation to nab the
culprits. In another incident, three soldiers sustained minor
wounds as the vehicle of FWO hit a planted IED on Peshawar-Ghalani
road in Mohmand Agency.
The Federal Interior Minister
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said body of slain Afghan Taliban leader
Mullah Mansour has been handed over to his family. “Family of
Taliban leader took his body to other side of the border,” said
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. “How could we have identified body
of Mullah Mansour before DNA test which requires time,” he added.
He further said all those who verified travel documents and
identity card of Mullah Mansour have been arrested. “Man who
issued ID card to Mullah Mansour in 2002 has also been taken
into custody,” he said.
|
June 1 |
A Police SI, identified as Mukhtihar
Mulgani, was shot dead on Sabzal Road in provincial capital
Quetta. No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif while
speaking to media after President Mamnoon Hussain's address
to the Joint Session of the Parliament said that drone attacks
were a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, adding that there
was no option of failing in the war against terrorism. He also
said that he had also said it in the past that the current year
would be the last for terrorism in Pakistan. "Terrorists
would not be allowed to go back to cleared areas again,"
said CoAS Sharif. "I have given assurance to the people
of FATA that terrorists would not return," he added.
|
June 2 |
A man was killed and six others
were injured during a clash between two rival gangs in Landi
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead a retired non-commissioned officer of Pakistan Army,
identified as Raj Wali, in the limits of Faqirabad Police Station
in provincial capital Peshawar.
The FIA arrested a retired Deputy
Superintendent of DC office Killa Abdullah, identified as Sher
Ali, who allegedly certified the local certificate for slain
Afghan Taliban leader Mulla Akhtar Mansour under the fake identity
of Wali Muhammad. Ali was arrested from his home in Khanozai
area of the Pishin District. “We have initiated an investigation
into the issuance of the certificate,” an FIA official said.
Around four government officials have been arrested for issuing
the CNIC, passport and local certificate to Mullah Mansoor.
The former Deputy Commissioner of the Pishin District, Hafeez
Tahir, is also under investigation by FIA authorities.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
said that intelligence-based raids and combing operations were
being intensified as the Operation Zarb-e-Azb enters its final
phase. He said, “Zarb-i-Azb is now successfully transiting into
final phases”.
The U.S. State Department said
that the number of terrorist attacks around the world declined
last year for the first time since 2012, and that such attacks
were becoming more decentralised and diffuse. Terrorist attacks
fell by 13 percent compared with 2014, while fatalities caused
by terrorist activity declined by 14 percent, the agency said
in its report on global terrorism, which tracks trends in political
violence. The State Department's acting coordinator for counterterrorism,
Justin Siberell, said the drop was due to fewer attacks in Iraq,
Pakistan and Nigeria.
More than 55 percent of attacks
attributed to terrorists last year occurred in five countries:
Iraq, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Nigeria, he said. Terrorist
attacks and deaths increased in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt,
the Philippines, Syria and Turkey, according to Siberell. "The
global terrorist threat continued to evolve rapidly in 2015,
becoming increasingly decentralized and diffuse," the report
said. "Although terrorist attacks took place in 92 countries
in 2015, they were heavily concentrated geographically, as they
have been for the past several years." Data compiled by
the University of Maryland for the State Department showed there
were 11,774 terrorist attacks worldwide during the year, in
which more than 28,300 people died and roughly 35,300 others
were wounded.
|
June 3 |
Four suspected militants were
killed and two Police personnel sustained injuries in a gun
battle between SFs and the militants on Quetta-Mastung road
in New Sariab area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan,
in the evening. The Police sources said that Police personnel
signalled to a motorcycle to stop on Quetta-Mastung road near
Sheikh Zaid Hospital in New Sariab area of the provincial capital
who opened fire at the police van, leaving two personnel injured.
The police and other law enforcement agencies chased the armed
men and found them in an orchard, where a gun battle took place
between the armed men and the law enforcement personnel, the
police officials said. The exchange of fire resulted in killing
of four militants while two of their accomplices managed to
flee the scene.
Home Minister, Balochistan,
Mir Sarfaraz Bugti briefed the legislators during the requisitioned
session of the Provincial Assembly about the non-involvement
of the state institutions in abduction of people. He further
established that banned militant organisations were abducting
people to mint money in order to strengthen themselves. He also
said that Taliban militants were trying to make their roots
in Quetta and added that “our security forces would foil their
designs in this regard. The government and security forces are
able to deal with kidnappers and militants with.
|
June 4 |
Unidentified gunmen killed a
65-year-old Ahmadi man in Darul Islam of Attock District in
Punjab. The deceased Abdul Hameed Khan, a retired accountant
was standing outside his house when two unidentified motorcyclists
shot him in his face. Police said that Hameed belonged to the
Ahmadi community and was running a pharmacy in the area after
his retirement.
The CTD arrested a suspected
militant, identified as Tawab Gul, along with explosives near
Pishtakhara in provincial capital Peshawar. The CTD defused
the explosives the militant was allegedly carrying. Gul ailed
from Landikotal in Khyber Agency of FATA.
|
June 5 |
Three people, including manager
of a wine shop, an employee and a security guard, were killed
in a targeted attack on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The dead were
identified as Tara Chand (manager/40), and two Hera Lal (employee/35),
and Shahid Khan (security guard/30). According to Police, Tara
Chand had recently received an extortion letter demanding PKR
2.5 million.
An unidentified rickshaw driver
was shot dead near the Enquiry Office situated in Nazimabad
No. 2 in North Nazimabad Town.
A decomposed dead body of a
man, identified as that of Muhammad Waris (35), was found in
a water drain opposite the Urdu University in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town. The body was at least three days old and had three bullet
wounds while there were some torture marks on the body too.
Pakistan Rangers, Sindh seized
a huge cache of heavy weapons during a raid at Inami Ground
in Landhi Town. The weapons included a light-machine gun, a
G-3 rifle, two .222 rifles, grenade launcher, and hundreds of
bullets.
Unidentified militants blew
up a portion of the railway track, a two-feet portion of the
track, in an IED attack in Kolpur area of Bakhtiarabad in Bolan
District of Balochistan.
|
June 6 |
A local commander of Islamic State (IS, also
known as Daesh) was killed in an alleged Police encounter near
Nowshehra town of same District in KP in the evening. According
to Police, during the encounter a terrorist affiliated to Daesh
was killed while three others managed to flee. A suicide vest
and two kilogrammes explosives were seized from the possession
of the militant.
A school building was partly damaged in a bomb
blast in Dera Allah Yar town of Jaffarabad District in Balochistan.
According to Police, unidentified miscreants had planted explosive
devises in an under constructing school building which went
off. The building was partly damaged in the blast. However,
no loss of life was reported.
|
June 7 |
Two workers were killed and other two were injured
when unidentified armed assailants opened fire at them while
they were working at Manjho Shori Police Station in Naseerabad
District of Balochistan.
Two security guards of pro-government tribal
elder Malik Ayaz Khan, identified as Amjad Khan and Siraj Khan,
were killed while another, identified as Ibrahim Khan, was injured
in an IED attack in Ziarat area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency
of FATA. Khan escaped the attack unhurt.
A high-level meeting between the civil and military
leadership at the GHQ in Rawalpindi expressed concern over the
May 21 US drone strike, saying it was a clear violation of Pakistan's
sovereignty affecting mutual trust, and undermined the spirit
of the Afghan peace process under the mutually-agreed quadrilateral
framework. The meeting resolved to protect the core national
interests and effectively counter any negative outside influence.
|
June 8 |
The principal of University Law College Quetta,
identified as Barrister Amanullah Achakzai, was shot dead by
unidentified militants on Spiny Road in provincial capital Quetta.
The local administration along with Haleemzai
tribal elders demolished over 12 houses of suspected militants
during a search operation in Haleemzai tehsil of Mohmand Agency
in FATA. According to details, the houses of wanted militants
Aman, Aziz, Yasir, Ziarat Shah, Adil Bacha, Adnan, Munsif, Yaseen,
Ameen Taj and Pir Zada and Mian Shakir were demolished. The
demolition operation was conducted MianGan, Shanikhel, Sami
khel, Khwa-jawas and Durbakhel areas of the Agency. An official
of the political administration said that they conducted the
operation with the help of tribal elders of Haleemzai. They
demolished houses of suspected militants with explosive materials.
The SSP-Operations, Abbas Majeed Marwat said
that Peshawar has been divided into 58 zones to ensure security
of people during Ramazan to avert any untoward incident in the
holy month, reports Pakistan Observer. As per the security plan
for Ramazan, policemen have been deployed at major Masjid during
prayers and Namaz-e- Traveeh.
The SSP said that over 400 Policemen besides
Police mobile rider squads would patrol in the city round the
clock. All the DSPs have been directed to supervise patrolling.
In first of Ramazan, he said, all SPs and DSPs participated
in police patrolling in their respective areas. Women police
were also deployed in busy markets while Policemen in plain
clothes were directed to remain vigilant in the markets.
|
June 9 |
National Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign
Affairs Sartaj Aziz while addressing a press conference at the
Foreign Office in Islamabad said that the US was a "selfish
friend" that always curried favor with Pakistan when self-interest
pressed it and left it in the lurch after having its interests
served. He said that the growing US-India proximity was a cause
of worry for Pakistan. He said if the US could not bring peace
in war-torn Afghanistan, why it was expecting Pakistan to do
this difficult job within the shortest-possible time.
He termed the May 21, 2016 drone strike in Balochistan
unfortunate, saying that the incident had damaged Pakistan's
relationship with the US. "The drone strike killing the Afghan
Taliban leader Mulla Mansour has not only violated our sovereignty
but also damaged the level of trust with the United States,"
the Adviser said.
About the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi to the US and his efforts for India's inclusion in the
NSG, Sartaj said the US tilt towards India would disturb the
strategic balance in the region. "We have been constantly reminding
the United States to be mindful of maintaining a security balance
for peace in the region," he added.
|
June 10 |
The CIA shot dead a terrorist, identified as
Khurram Latif, and rescued an abducted Intelligence Agency officer,
Akbar Zaman, during a raid at terrorist hideout in Kahina area
of provincial capital Lahore. Two of Latif's accomplices managed
to escape. Kalashnikovs, hand grenades and other weapons were
recovered from the hideout. Zaman had been abducted two years
ago.
Two TTP militants, identified as or Wali alias
Talha and Noor Khan, were arrested by the CTD Police in a raid
in Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The accused were shifted to their headquarters for investigation
during which it was revealed that the arrested men were affiliated
with the TTP's Khan Saeed Sajna and Baitullah Mehsud groups.
According to CTD, Noor Khan was the mastermind
of money exchange robbery that took place in 2008 within the
jurisdiction of the Airport Police Station. The militants had
looted about PKR 10.5 million that was later used to fund terrorist
activities. Whereas Noor Wali belonged to the Khan Saeed Sajna
Group of the TTP and was operating a network of militants in
Miranshah town of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif, in a meeting
with senior US officials during a meeting at General Headquarters
raised the demand of targeting TTP militants and their chief
Mullah Fazlullah in their hideouts in Afghanistan. Talking to
Commander Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan General John
Nicholson and US Special Representative for Afghanistan and
Pakistan Richard Olson, General Raheel said, "Pakistan will
not allow Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies to foment
terrorism in the country".
|
June 11 |
One suspected militant was killed when he blew
himself up during an exchange of fire with SFs in Kakhao area
of Zhob District in Balochistan. SFs also arrested two militants
during the operation. The spokesperson for FC, Khan Wasey said
that a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from
the possession of militants, adding that they were planning
a major terror activity in the area.
|
June 12 |
A Pakistani soldier was injured during a cross-border
firing incident between Afghan and Pakistani forces at Shamshad
Mountain near Torkham border crossing in Khyber Agency of FATA.
The forces exchanged fire over the contentious fencing issue.
"Afghan Security forces resorted to unprovoked firing on Pakistani
side at Torkham Gate. A Pakistani soldier was injured due to
Afghan firing," said the ISPR statement.
Police arrested 27 suspects in a search operation
in in Gur Mandi, Sukhera Ram, Kalu Ram areas of Peshawar. Police
also claimed to have recovered one Kalashnikov, a semi-automatic
pistol and dozens of rounds of ammunition during the search.
Police arrested four suspects, including a woman,
in a raid in Azam Goth area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town. The suspects
were wanted in several cases related to criminal activities.
In another raid, Police conducted a search operation
in Boat Basin area of Clifton in Sadar Town and arrested three
suspects allegedly involved in street crimes.
A Lyari gangster, identified as Moosa, was arrested
in a search operation in Dalmia area of Mujahid Colony in Liaquatabad
Town. |
June 13 |
16 Pakistani citizens and six
SFs were injured in the cross-border firing between Pakistani
and Afghan SFs in Bacha Khel and other areas adjacent to Torkham
border crossing in Khyber Agency of FATA. A curfew is also in
effect between Torkham and Landikotal bazaar as the area falls
within range of mortar shells, said security officials. Nearly
200 families were evacuated to Landikotal. The clashes have
halted for now, with armoured vehicles standing face-to-face
at the border.
Unidentified militants abducted
two coalminers, identified as Muhammad Imran and Bakht Nabi,
in Killi Juma Khan near Mach area of Bolan District.
Six facilitators of a militant
outfit surrendered themselves to the FC at a ceremony in Nushki
District. They used to help militants carry out subversive and
anti-peace activities in different parts of the province, a
spokesman for the FC said.
At least 15 families escaped
their hometown over the last few days in Dasht area of Kech
District and moved to Karachi (Sindh) because of clashes between
Security Forces and insurgents. A majority of them have settled
in Orangi Town, Sabzi Mandi and Federal B Area of Gulberg Town.
Four of families moved to Hyderabad District and Kotri area
of Jamshoro District.
District West Police seized
a huge cache of weapons and explosive material during a raid
on a hideout of TTP militants in the Manghopir area of Gadap
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Senior Superintendent
of Police Pir Mohammed Shah said the raid followed a tip-off
that TTP militants were present in their hideouts on the outskirts
of District West. A Police team led by SP Syed Ali Asif swooped
on the hideout of Ahsanullah Mehsud, ‘commander’ of the TTP
in Mir Mohammed Goth. However, the suspects managed to escape
from the place, leaving behind a haul of weapons.
|
June 14 |
Police claimed to have killed
five suspects, including four militants and one Afghan Intelligence
Agency spy, during an exchange of fire with SFs in Chashma Achozai
area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. One constable
was injured. The militants had opened fire at a patrolling Police
van. Police personnel retaliated and five suspected militants
were killed during the exchange of fire. Four of the dead militants
were identified as Najeeb, Aijaz, Yousaf and Abdul Khaliq. Police
recovered weapons from the compound that included Kalashnikovs,
rocket-launchers, pistols, bombs and explosives.
Three militants were killed
and three Policemen injured during a joint operation of SFs
and Police in the Totano Bandai area of Kabal tehsil
in Swat District of KP in the morning. According to Police,
the operation was launched after militants opened fire on a
Police van in the area on June13-night, leaving three policemen
injured. They were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Rafiullah
and Constables Azizur Rehman and Jahangir. Soon after the incident,
SFs cordoned off the area and started search operation. The
militants opened fire seeing SFs and three militants were killed
in the retaliatory firing.
The CTD thwarted a major terror
bid and recovered two suicide jackets and explosives from an
alleged terrorist in Shabqadar area of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP. CTD official said a search operation was carried
out in Shabqadar during which one suspect was rounded up and
two suicide jackets, 10 kilograms of explosives, six batteries,
two hand-grenades, as many Kalashnikovs and ammunition were
recovered from him.
The CTD arrested two facilitators
of terrorists, identified as Ejaz-ur-Rehman and Tahir Ullah,
during a raid in Shangla town of Same District. Both the accused
were allegedly involved in providing logistic support to terrorists.
A bullet-riddled dead body
of a man, identified as that of Amjed (28), was found at the
Shah Baig Lane in Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
Another dead body, identified
as that of Wakeel Zaman (35), was found within the Jackson Police
jurisdiction in Kiamari Town.
Sindh Rangers arrested two
target killers, affiliated with a banned outfit, during a raid
in Orangi Town. The suspects were carrying weapons and ammunition.
Tensions mounted at the Torkham
border crossing as exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan
security forces continued on June 14, resulting in injuries
to two more Frontier Corps personnel. Major Jawad Ali Changezi,
who was injured in the border violence on June 13, succumbed
to his injuries at the CMH in Peshawar. The death of the army
officer is likely to ratchet up tension between the two neighbouring
countries, who sources said were beefing up troop numbers on
either side.
The Pakistan army has moved
heavy weaponry and additional troops to the Afghan border June13-night,
said Pakistani security officials, who wished not to be identified
because they were not authorised to speak to the media. The
conflict also prompted bitter recriminations on both sides,
with Islamabad and Kabul summoning each other’s diplomats to
lodge strong formal complaints. Three people have been killed
so far in the clashes that started on June 12, forcing the closure
of the main border crossing. A Pakistan army officer and two
Afghan policemen were among those killed. At least 18 people
from the Pakistani side, many of them civilians, were wounded,
while nine Afghans also received injuries in the gunfights.
The border is now closed until the tension subsides.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
said that terrorists will not be allowed to stage a comeback
in the tribal regions as he reassured tribesmen that the “army
will not go back until the job is fully done”. “Our focus within
Fata (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) will now be on more
efficient border management to prevent cross-border movement.
For enduring stability, IBOs [intelligence-based operations]
and combing operations will continue with same vigor across
the country,” General Raheel said during a visit to forward
locations in North and South Waziristan agencies.
The Army Chief spent the whole
day with tribesmen and troops busy in the consolidation phase
of Operation Zarb-e-Azb which was launched in mid-June 2014
to indiscriminately flush out local terrorists and their foreign
cohorts. The army chief was given a detailed briefing on ongoing
operations and rehabilitation work and its effects on the social
landscape of the area, according to a statement issued by the
ISPR.
President Mamnoon Hussain while
talking to MNA Muhammad Nazir Khan said that North Waziristan
Agency including Shawal Valley had been completely cleared of
terrorists and peace was restored due to sustained operations
of the army. The President said that the repatriation and rehabilitation
of IDPs was being carried out on priority.
|
June 15 |
At least one person was injured
in an explosion outside the Mardan residence of former Chief
Minister of KP Ameer Haider Khan Hoti.
The ISPR DG Lieutenant General
Asim Bajwa said that 490 soldiers of the Pakistan Army have
died in the line of duty during Operation Zarb-i-Azb and work
is still left to do – including improving the border management
mechanism with Afghanistan as well as clearing restive pockets
in areas of Swat. The ISPR DG Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa
was addressing a press conference on the two-year anniversary
of Operation Zarb-i-Azb and presented major achievements of
the operation so far – listing progress made on various fronts.
Bajwa said some 3,600 square kilometres were cleared initially
in the operation, which has gone up 4,304 sq km in the FATA
and North Waziristan, adding that 992 hideouts have been destroyed
thus far, with 253 tons of explosives seized. "There was
recruitment going on in North Waziristan, suicide jackets were
spreading throughout the country. That has been controlled.
There are just the last few pockets remaining in the Shawal
valley," said Bajwa.
ISPR DG Lieutenant General
Asim Bajwa made it clear that Pakistan would not stop construction
of a check-post at the Torkham border crossing, as it was 37
metres inside the Pakistani territory. Bajwa said that AFGHAN
government’s objections to the check-post were totally unjustified.
He said that ISAF and the Afghan Government were informed before
the operation that terrorists might flee to Afghanistan, but
they did not man the border to help the Pakistan Army catch
or kill the fleeing terrorists. He said that Afghanistan could
not take a stand on Torkham because it was in Pakistan. He said
that Pakistan would never give up construction of the check-post
at Torkham because it was its right.
The US Senate passed its USD
800 million draft of the National Defence Authorisation Bill,
including a provision to set up a new fund to reimburse Pakistan
for its efforts in the war against terrorism. The Senate version
that authorises USD 800 million is called the `Pakistan Security
Enhancement Authorisation’. It also fences USD 300 million behind
a similar Haqqani Network provision that has existed in the
Annual Defence Authorisation Acts since the Fiscal Year 2015.
The proposed reimbursement
mechanism for Pakistan replaces the CSF, which was used to reimburse
both Afghanistan and Pakistan for their efforts to combat terrorism.
While adopting the new provision, the Senate Armed Services
Committee used the CSF model to restructure security support
for Pakistan. But it focuses specifically on Pakistan’s own
security needs instead of tying it to a broader coalition. In
doing so, the new provision delinks Pakistan from Afghanistan,
by recognising it as a country with its own strategic value
for US interests.
While speaking at a the UNHRC
meeting in Geneva Pakistan’s permanent representative Tehmina
Janjua urged the council to respond to loss of lives, human
rights violations and breach of its territorial sovereignty
because of drone attacks. According to the press release issued
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan pointed out that
the drone strikes were also a violation of the UN charter and
international law, including human rights and humanitarian law.
Pakistan, it said, had been repeatedly saying that the use of
armed drones or remotely-piloted aircraft was a breach of human
rights, particularly the non-derogable right.
|
June 16 |
Official sources confirmed the
killing of Two TTP militant ‘commanders’, identified as Sher
Alam Khan and his deputy Said Mula Khan, were killed in a United
States (US) drone strike in Khost Province of Afghanistan. They
were heading the TTP in FR Bannu in FATA.
The Counter Terrorism Department
with the assistance of Intelligence Agencies arrested a militant
‘commander’, identified as Khaliq Dad, during an operation in
Nawakali area of provincial capital Quetta. The Government had
placed PKR 1 million as head money. Weapons were also seized
from his possession.
JeM handler who gave directions
over phone to the terrorists during the attack on the Pathankot
airbase has reportedly managed to flee to Afghanistan from Pakistan,
said an unnamed official. "The alleged JeM handler who
communicated by telephone more than two-dozen times with the
terrorists in Pathankot before they carried out the attack on
the airbase on January 2, 2016, has managed to cross into Afghan
border," a member of the JIT probing the attack said. He
said the JeM handler was in the tribal area of Pakistan when
he communicated about 18 times with the terrorists. "The
law enforcement agencies tried to trace him (in the tribal belt)
but there are reports that he managed to escape to Afghanistan,"
the official said, without disclosing the JeM leader's identity.
During the weekly press briefing
in Islamabad, the FO spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that border
management was part of Pakistan’s strategy to counter terrorism
and the border with Afghanistan would be fenced off while more
gates will be constructed. “Other than Torkham, gates would
also be installed at other border crossings and there would
be no going back in this regard,” Zakaria said.
He said that in future there
should be no communication gap between Islamabad and Afghanistan
and all issues should be resolved through dialogue, especially
since the Afghans were being misguided. Without naming those
behind misguiding the Afghans, the spokesman said, “Afghans
are being misguided by those not interested to see peace in
Afghanistan. We have a very special relationship with Afghanistan
and we want to resolve all our issues through dialogue. The
objective of this dialogue is that there should be no communication
gap in future.”
The National Adviser to Prime
Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said told the National
Assembly that Pakistan is not breaching any agreement by constructing
a gate on Torkham border and will go on with the project to
make effective border management possible. In his policy statement,
Aziz claimed that Pakistan had informed the Afghan authorities
about its intention to build the gate and the construction work
had started back in November 2014. "When Afghan authorities
expressed their reservations, we took them into confidence and
told them that the gate is constructed inside Pakistani territory,"
said the Adviser. He said such border management steps will
also help both countries in their combined efforts to combat
terrorism as "unregulated movement allows infiltration
of terrorists and smugglers", adding that all the other
border crossings with Afghanistan will also be regulated in
near future.
|
June 17 |
Two children, identified as
Ejaz and Ayesha, were killed in a landmine explosion in Goth
Eid Muhammad Bugti area of Sohbatpur District.
A local peace force member,
identified as Shambani, was killed when he stepped on a landmine
while searching for militants in the Loti area of Dera Bugti
District. The militants had attacked the tribal force a few
days ago and also kidnapped a member while injuring others.
The peace force launched a rescue operation when the landmine
blast took place.
An unidentified man was killed
in an incident of firing in Bihar Colony of Lyari Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
A gangster, identified as Tahir
alias Killer, was arrested in an injured condition after
an exchange of fire with Shahrah-e-Faisal Police during a raid
in Rabia City of Shah Faisal Town. Tahir was affiliated with
Baba Ladla group and was wanted in more than 45 cases of murder,
attempt to murder and extortion.
Law enforcement agencies arrested
five suspects during a raid in Block 19 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar
area of Gulshan Town.
Police recovered a kidnapped
boy, identified Hayan Ali, son of Constable Sadaqat Ali, and
arrested the kidnappers, identified as Abdul Mateen and Taj
Bibi, near the Mingora bypass in Swat Valley. Hayan was abducted
on June 2, 2016, from Saidu Sharif area of Swat District. District
Police Officer Muhammad Salim Marwat said that the kidnappers
had shifted the boy to Abbottabad, Mansehra and Attock and had
been demanding PKR 20 million.
Ruling out Washington’s interference
in Afghanistan and Pakistan Torkham border dispute, the State
Department spokesman John Kirby said, “We are obviously very
concerned by the border clashes, particularly around the Torkham
crossing. We want both the sides to ratchet down the violence
and begin a dialogue to try to reduce the tension, keep the
crossing open, and have it done peaceably”.
“Underlining that the US believes
that the right approach is an Afghan-led reconciliation process,”
he said and added, “We continue to support Afghan President
Ashraf Ghani as he continues to try to get that process back
on track. Now what effect the border clashes are having on reconciliation,
I don’t know.” “I haven’t seen any practical effect of it to
date. These clashes have only just popped up in recent days.
But that aside, we still want to see the reconciliation process
move forward,” Kirby said.
“We have not taken a mediation
role, and we have talked about this before. This is an Afghan-led
process. We obviously support it and we want to see it succeed.
We have expressed that support privately and publicly,” Kirby
said, adding, “But this is President Ghani’s initiative he’s
taking it on. We know he wants to get it back on track and we
fully support him in that effort, but this is not for the United
States mediating between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
|
June 18 |
Pakistan-Afghanistan border at
Torkham (FATA) reopened for trade and visitors after Kabul and
Islamabad reached an agreement, following six days of cross-border
tension. After the lifting of curfew, people are being thoroughly
checked and those with complete travelling documentation are being
allowed to enter Pakistan at Torkham. “To reopen the pass there
were central and regional level negotiations," said Attaullah
Khogyani, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Provincial Governor.
The new gate which Pakistan set
up on its side of the border has been named after Major Jawad
Ali, who killed in cross-border firing on June 14, 2016 at Torkham.
Officials in Pakistan maintained that the gate was being put up
to prevent the flow of visitors from Afghanistan into Pakistan
without complete documents.
The continued existence of terrorist
safe havens in Pakistan and its inability to take action against
them affect the US-Pakistan bilateral ties, including security
assistance, the Pentagon said in its six-monthly report on Afghanistan
sent to the Congress. According to the report, “The US continues
to be clear with Pakistan about steps it should take to improve
the security environment and deny safe haven to terrorist and
extremist groups”. “These conversations continue to affect not
only US dialogue with Pakistan on security and stability in Afghanistan
but also during discussion of other issues in the US-Pakistan
bilateral relationship such as security assistance,” the Pentagon
report read.
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter
has not given certification that Pakistan has taken action against
the Haqqani Network. As a result, the Pentagon has withheld USD
300 million in Coalition Support Fund to Pakistan for the current
fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. The Pentagon in a blunt
message to Pakistan said the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region
remained a sanctuary for various groups. “These include the Taliban,
al Qaeda, AQIS, the Haqqani Network, LeT, TTP, Islamic State-Khorasan,
and the IMU. This sanctuary and these groups remain a security
challenge for both countries and pose a threat to regional stability
and security,” said the report.
|
June 19 |
Five militants were killed in
an operation in Mashkay area of Awaran District. SFs claim to
have recovered a sizeable amount of arms and ammunition from their
possession. Forces also recovered anti-state literature and laptops
from their safe haven.
A senior MQM worker, identified
as Sohail Rasheed (30), was shot dead near his home in Naeemabad
in Korangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. MQM
spokesperson Amin-ul-Haq described it as a ‘targeted killing’
of the worker and said that the victim was a joint unit-in-charge
in Union Council-29.
One Zahid (21) was shot dead
near Al-Noor Masjid in Yousuf Goth area of Saeedabad in Baldia
Town.
Sindh Rangers during targeted
raids in different parts of the city arrested seven suspects and
recovered weapons from their possession. According to details,
three criminals were arrested in targeted raids in Sachal (Gulshan
Town), Mehran Town (Korangi Town) and Baldia Town. Weapons and
ammunition were also seized. Later, four suspects were arrested
during snap checking in Malir Town, Mochko (Baldia Town) and Lyari
Town. Weapons, ammunition and hashish were recovered from their
possession.
Three boys sustained injuries
when a landmine went off in Atmar Khel area of Baizai tehsil
in Mohmand Agency of FATA. The landmine was planted by unknown
persons at a place used by the people for taking rest underneath
trees in Atmar Khel area. Security sources identified the victims
as Arif Khan (18), Noor Ullah (10), and his brother Abdullah (11),
who were playing when the blast struck.
Six key commanders of TTP, including
the brother and uncle of the slain TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud,
surrendered to the law enforcement agencies in Upper Kurram Agency
after they pledged to denounce militancy and live peacefully.
However, according to the sources, who wished not to be named,
the surrender had taken place in Kurram Agency a few days ago
where Hakimullah Mehsud’s brother Ijaz Mehsud and uncle, Khair
Mohammad Mehsud, had presented themselves before the law enforcement
agencies. They were later shifted to security forces’ fort in
Tall area of Hangu District in KP.
The IDPs belonging to different
localities of Khyber Agency refused to go back to their homes
unless the Government provides them basic facilities. They have
been sitting at a protest camp along the Sher Shah Suri Road of
Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP for past 34 days in favour
of their demands. Talking to Dawn on Saturday, Haji Iqbal Afridi
said the tribal people had left their homes in a hurry, but now
everything was missing and the buildings were badly damaged. “There
are still over a number of areas like Ghulam Ali, Nahqai, Sukht,
Amidi, Garhi where operation against terrorists is still going
on and in the prevailing situation no one can return home,” Mr
Afridi made clear.
There have been 626 search and
strike operations in Peshawar District alone in the first half
of 2016. This is a tactic devised to curb urban violence in the
post-military operation scenario. In background briefings, security
officials reveal that the spiral of threat from militants is concentrated
in the three main districts of Peshawar, Mardan and Dera Ismail
Khan as far as urban areas are concerned. At the same time, it
is stressed that innovative measures, which are preemptive rather
than preventive, are needed to tackle with the matter. The search,
strike and combing operations are part of a larger plan not just
keep the militancy at bay, but clamp down on criminal groups which
facilitate terrorism in one way or another. There are 31 checkpoints
in the city that keep a watch on all vehicles and passers-by.
Official statistics of the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Police show that 258 proclaimed offenders were arrested
within the jurisdiction of 32 Police Stations. More than 15,000
arms and ammunition were also seized across the city since January
1. These operations were categorized into three different types,
explains SSP Operations Abbas Majeed Marwat. He said a total of
118 were conducted jointly with the army, 124 were intelligence-based
operations and more than 365 were conducted solely by the police.
Around 4,000 places, including houses, hotels and hostels, were
searched. These resulted in the arrest of 3,287 suspects.
|
June 20
|
A homeopathic Ahmadi doctor,
identified as Dr Chaudhry Abdul Khaleeq (50), was shot dead
in his clinic in the Abul Hasan Isphani area of Sikander Goth
in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. Malir SSP Rao Anwar confirmed the incident.
Sindh High Court lawyer Awais
Ali Shah was abducted when he left the SHC for Clifton in Sadar
Town to meet a friend. Awais is the son of Chief Justice Sajjad
Ali Shah.
A Police constable, identified
as Gulzar, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Maqsoodabad
within the jurisdiction of Khazana Police Station on the outskirts
of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police
suspected it was an act of targeted killing since Gulzar. Gulzar
was an ex-serviceman hired by the Police in 2008 at Khazana
Police Station on a contract basis following his retirement.
Four Police constables were
injured in a roadside bomb attack while they were on a foot
patrol on Shakarpura Road, within the jurisdiction of Daudzai
Police Station in Peshawar. The officers were identified as
Tariq, Gul Baz, Mukthiar and Abdur Rahim.
The CTD foiled an attack on
a shrine in Uch Sharif area of Bahawalpur District and arrested
three LeJ terrorists. The arrested suspects were identified
as Javed, Maulvi Asif and Maqsood Ahmad. Two IEDs and two kilograms
of explosives were recovered from their possession.
The National Adviser to PM on
Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that Afghan refugee camps within
Pakistan turned into safe havens for terrorists after the country's
armed forces destroyed the militants' infrastructure in tribal
areas. In an interview with SAMAA TV, he said the issue of Afghan
refugees has become a security issue for Pakistan as these refugee
camps have become "safe havens for terrorists" due
to unregulated movement. "We have re-established our writ
over FATA but if Afghan border remains unregulated, our tribal
areas can't stay safe," he said.
|
June 21
|
The CTD of Sindh Police killed
two suspects in an alleged encounter at Gulshan-e-Maymar area
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The CTD had raided
a farm house in Karachi after receiving information of the presence
of militants. SSP Junaid Shaikh revealed that the activity was
carried out at a house. Upon seeing the Police, the suspects
opened fire on the law enforcement personnel. Police retaliated
by firing upon the suspects as well, killing two of them. The
killed suspects were yet to be identified.
In a separate encounter, Police
killed one Lyari Gangster, Allah Bakhsh alias Chachu, in Lyari
Town area. According to details, the encounter commenced when
police began a search operation in the area and Allah Bakhsh
opened fire at them. The suspect was a key suspect of the Lyari
gang-war and Police claimed that he had been involved in the
killing of 20 persons.
Police have recovered a suicide
jacket from a van and arrested the driver at a petrol pump on
Sanghar Road in Nawabshah town of Shaheed Benazir Abad District.
The DSP Sakrand Anwar Durrani said that the suicide jacket had
five pockets which contained explosive devices. The driver of
the van was identified as Ashraf Jatt. DSP Sakrand Anwar Durrani
said that the weight of jacket was around three kilogrammes,
and it was attached to batteries. The jacked was later defused
by the bomb disposal squad.
|
June 22
|
Renowned Qawwal (Sufi singer)
Amjad Sabri (45) was shot dead in a targeted killing incident
in Liaquatabad Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The TTP-Hakimullah Mehsud faction spokesperson Qari Saifullah
Mehsud claimed responsibility for the attack. In 2014, Islamabad
High Court had issued a notice in a blasphemy case to Amjad
Sabri along with two TV channels for the playing of a qawwali
during a morning show. The traditional qawwali sung by Amjad
Sabri had mentioned religious figures, which was deemed offensive.
Prominent Shia noha khwan (one
who recites dirges) Farhan Ali Waris said that he escaped an
assassination attempt in Teen Hatti area of Liaquatabad Town
in Karachi. Waris said that his car was surrounded by unknown
assailants near Teen Hatti. "They were about to open fire
but my guard opened fire upon them, forcing them to flee,"
said Waris. "I was not in the car but the manner in which
they surrounded the vehicle makes me think that they thought
I was inside," Waris added.
A Civil Secretariat officer,
identified as Nawab Safi (34), was shot dead by unidentified
militants in a target killing incident while he was coming out
of the mosque after Maghrib prayers in Yakatoot area
of provincial capital Peshawar. He was the officer of the Provincial
Management Service and was presently serving as Section Officer
in the Establishment Department.
SFs defused five live RPG-7
rockets in Akhorwal area of Darra Adam Khel in Kohat District.
The Anti-Terrorism Court indicted
six accused in the March 3, 2009, terrorist attack case on the
Sri Lankan cricket team. All the suspects pleaded not guilty
and decided to contest the case during an in-camera hearing
in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. The suspects were identified
as Obaidullah, Javed Anwar, Ibrahim Khalil, Abdul Wahab, Zubair
and Adnan Arshad. The first three suspects are on bail, while
others are behind bars. Presiding judge Chaudhry Azam summoned
prosecution witnesses on June 30, 2016.
|
June 23
|
A Police Sub-Inspector was killed
and six other Policemen were injured, in a bomb blast inside
a Police Station in Nothal area of Naseerabad District.
US Embassy in Islamabad in a
statement posted on the website advised its citizens to remain
vigilant and avoid travelling to Quetta due to a “heightened
threat in and around the city”. “The Consulate General wishes
to advise US citizens about a heightened threat level in the
near term affecting Pakistani government and military installations,
hotels, and western interests in and around the city of Quetta,”
said of statement. “US citizens are reminded that there is an
active travel warning for Pakistan issued on April 7, 2016,
and the worldwide caution, issued March 3, 2016,” it added.
The CTD produced a militant,
identified as Fazlur Rehman, in the Anti-Terrorism Court who
for sending three would-be suicide bombers to Peshawar for attack.
Rehman hails from Mohmand Agency and is affiliated with a terrorist
outfit. Rehman confessed to have committed the crime. The would-be
suicide bombers were killed before reaching the target after
the vest of one of went off accidently.
Political Agent Khyber Agency
Khalid Mehmood said that peace has been restored in militancy-hit
areas in Bara and Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency while the Government
has launched development projects in health, roads and education
sectors. Mehmood said that the top priority of the political
administration was to serve the masses in the affected militancy-hit
areas. "I directed all the field-officers of the political
administration to solve the problems of the tribesmen on their
door-step and resolve the issue in days, not months," he
added.
During a weekly briefing, the
Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that Pakistan is
hosting more than three million Afghan refugees and some of
them have become a security risk for the country because terrorists
are using refugee camps as hideouts. He said that the international
community and Afghan Government should take steps for repatriation
of refugees to their own country.
The DG of the ISPR Asim Saleem
Bajwa during an interview with Germany’s Deutsche Welle said
that the international community had left Pakistan alone to
fight terrorists. “I would say that the international community
has not done enough for us,” he said. Bajwa said that Pakistan
army was conducting Operation Zarb-e-Azb without preference
to any militant organisation. According to him, the Haqqani
Network was also being targeted in the operation. “The military
has no preferences. We are targeting terrorists from all groups,”
he said.
|
June 24
|
At least 14 militants died as
Afghan Taliban and TTP clashed in Gula Pari area of Sarkano
District in Kunar province of Afghanistan. According to Afghanistan’s
Defence Ministry, eight fighters from TTP and six Afghan Taliban
fighters died in the clashes. Several others on both sides were
wounded. The Afghan Taliban denied involvement in the incident
when asked, with the group’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claiming
that the clash was “just some locals fighting over personal
matters.” The TTP has yet to respond to the query.
At least three people were killed
and 32 others were injured in an IED attack on the Airport Road
in provincial capital Quetta. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Three dead bodies, identified
as that of Inayatullah, Abdul Waheed and Mohammad Aslam, were
recovered from Dasht area of Balnigore in Kech District.
An unidentified dead body was
recovered from Cheetkan area of Panjgur District. Some sources
alleged that the bodies were of the men who had surrendered
themselves to the authorities after denouncing militancy a few
months ago. They said the militants had kidnapped them about
two months ago and now their bodies had been found.
BRA militant 'commander', identified
as Sakhirdar alias Toofan, along with two of his fighters,
surrendered to Frontier Corps in Gwadar District.
BLA ' commander', identified
as Ganhoor Khan, surrendered to Security Forces in Kohlu District.
SFs destroyed five militant
hideouts during a search operation in Dera Bugti District.
Three TTP militants were shot
dead during a raid in Malir Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. SSP Rao Anwar of District Malir said that
on seeing the Police approaching, the terrorists opened fire.
The Police retaliated and after a brief encounter arrested three
suspects in an injured condition. Later, three of the suspects
succumbed to their injuries. A Kalashnikov and two pistols were
recovered from their possession. SSP Anwar said one terrorist
was identified as Iqbal Swati. They were wanted in a number
of cases of target killings and kidnappings-for-ransom.
The paramilitary force seized
a huge cache of weapons in Surjani Town area of Gadap Town during
a raid. The spokesman for the Sindh Rangers said the arrested
suspect belongs to the militant wing of the MQM. During the
search of the hideout, a light machinegun, a .22 rifle, 11 sub
machineguns, a 7mm rifle, three 30-bore pistols, two 32-bore
pistol, a binocular and 12,817 bullets were found and seized.
The SFs repulsed an attack on
their check posts in border areas of Nawagai tehsil in Bajaur
Agency of FATA by militants from Kunar province of Afghanistan.
“At least two militants were injured as security forces successfully
repulsed the cross-border attack in several areas of Nawagai
in the small hours of Friday,” security officials said.
CoAS, General Raheel Sharif
during his visit to National Defence University, in Islamabad
emphasised that Pakistan is opposed to using proxies against
other countries and will also not allow any other country to
use proxies against Pakistan. “Remaining steadfast, and with
an enhanced awareness and participation, we as a Nation must
pursue our national objective of zero presence of terrorists
and total peace at any cost.” he said, adding, “The contours
of future war are fast changing. While our enemies are stoking
terrorism to demoralise us and destabilize our country, we are
united, fully determined and capable of defeating their nefarious
designs.”
|
June 26
|
Three militants and one soldier
killed during a clash in Khwar Pattay village of Malam Jabba
area in Swat District of KP. The official sources said the incident
occurred during a search operation in Khwar Pattay village.
“The security forces and the police imposed a curfew and launched
a search operation in Khwar Pattay in Malam Jabba after the
forces received information about the presence of militants
in the area,” the sources said. During the search, they said,
the militants opened fire on the soldiers and killed one of
them identified as Javed. The sources said the security forces
killed three militants in retaliatory fire.
Unidentified militants lobbed
a hand-grenade into a house in Jatti Payan area under Daudzai
Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. The
blast damaged the house but did not result in any casualty.
There were reports that another explosive device that did not
go off was later defused by the bomb disposal unit.
KP Government made a drastic
cut in the funds for minorities, allocating a whopping PKR 300
million for the Darul Uloom Haqqania. In the last year’s budgetary
allocation made for the Department of Auqaf and Minority Affairs,
52.70% was earmarked for the welfare of minorities in the Annual
Development Programme in contrast with 23.49% this year, an
examination of the budget documents and discussion with relevant
officials reveal. While a disproportionate increase has been
registered in funds for Auqaf and a major chunk went to the
Darul Uloom Haqqania, the funds reserved for textbooks and fees
for deserving students in Christian institutions like convent
schools have been reduced. The cuts in allocations for medical
grants and dowry fund for minority members are separate from
this. This reduction has occurred in the absence of any Minister
holding the portfolio of Minority Affairs. Suran Singh, murdered
in April 2016, was the last in-charge of this Ministry.
Two shops were destroyed when
an explosive device planted in the Kamar Sar bazaar in Loi Mamond
tehsil in Bajaur Agency of FATA went off at night. Official
sources said that unidentified persons had planted explosives
at the Kamar Sar cloth market in Loi Mamond, which went off
at 1am. As a result, two shops were completely destroyed while
six others were damaged. The political administration officials
defused another bomb at the market and arrested the watchman
of the bazaar.
CTD arrested two terrorists,
identified as Tariq and Esa Khan, from Bhatti Gate area of provincial
capital Lahore. In another raid, the CTD officials arrested
a terrorist, identified as Ghulam Nabi, from Ravi Road area
in Lahore. Explosive material and hate literature were seized
from their possession. According to CTD officials the terrorists
belonged to Daesh and wanted to target the Government installations.
Pakistan has decided to introduce
‘tougher policy’ for Afghan refugees days before the deadline
(June 30) for repatriation of over three million refugees living
here since 80s. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with consultation
of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif will finalise terms
of new policy next month a road map for the institutions concerned
to send Afghan refugees back to their homeland at all cost.
“We’ve decided to review our national policy 2016-17 for Afghan
refugees. New tougher policy is ahead with new border management
laws,” said SAFRON Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch.
"Badly bruised and isolated"
terrorists will go for softer targets for their survival, said
CoAS General Raheel Sharif while directing senior security officials
to hunt the terrorists and “pre-empt their moves to frustrate
their designs,” during a meeting at the Corps Headquarters in
Karachi. The Army Chief said that the Karachi operation has
brought about a noticeable improvement in the law and order
situation of the city. “However as we progress to target the
crime and terror syndicate network, we need to keep our focus
on actionable human and technical intelligence and totally dismantle
their support structure,” he said.
“The operation has now entered
a phase where terrorists and their abettors are badly bruised,
isolated and hence will go for softer targets so as to find
their survival and undermine the society psychologically,” General
Raheel said, adding, “We must continue our mission unabated
to consolidate and not let anyone reverse our gains”.
Former Foreign Minister Hina
Rabbani Khar in an interview with Geo News said that
Pakistan cannot "conquer Kashmir through war" and
progress on the issue can only me made in an environment of
mutual trust with India. "I believe that Pakistan cannot
conquer Kashmir through war and if we cannot do that, the option
we are left with is dialogue, and dialogue can only proceed
with a partner with which we have normal relations and a certain
level of mutual trust," Khar said, maintaining that the
Kashmir issue can be resolved, "If we continue to talk
on the issue, then we will reach somewhere".
Answering a question regarding
the military's influence on Pakistan's foreign policy, she said
that it is a diplomat's job to carry forward the military's
perspective on issues where the military is a relevant stake
holder.
|
June 27 |
Police arrested an outlaw, identified
as Riffat Mehmood, during a raid in Bilitang bazaar of Kohat
District. Mehmood was wanted to the Provincial Police in various
crimes including murder, attempted murder and kidnapping cases,
said DSP, Saddar Circle, Hussain Ghulam Bangash.
Police arrested an alleged extortionist,
identified as Faizullah, during a raid in Nari Kak and area
of Kohat District.
Over two dozens of other suspects
were arrested during raids at various areas in Bilitang area
of Kohat District. Police also recovered arms from their possession.
These search and strike operations were led by SHO of Bilitang
Police Station, Muhammad Afzal Awan under National Action Plan.
The CTD arrested two TTP terrorists
during a raid in SITE Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. The two were Afghan nationals and during the initial
investigations, thy confessed their affiliation with the TTP
and providing medical treatment to injured terrorists. The CTD
has also recovered fake identity cards from their possession.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim
Ali Shah while presiding over a special cabinet meeting on the
law and order situation in Karachi said “Now, we have to recover
the barrister [Ovais Ali Shah] and arrest the killers of Amjad
Sabri to regain that confidence and foil terrorists’ nefarious
designs,”
IG of Police A.D Khwaja said
that the Police have conducted a number of raids and have arrested
some suspects. “We still believe that he [Ovais Shah] has been
kept in Karachi and with the help of all agencies and using
the technology available to us we would recover him safe and
sound shortly,” the IG assured. Talking about the killing of
Amjad Sabri, the IG said LEAs were very close to his killers.
“Police and other agencies are working closely and would give
results very soon,” he added.
The Federal Ministry of Interior
decided to extend for two years the Anti-Terrorist Act and the
Protection of Pakistan Act. The President endorsed these two
laws on January 7, 2015. Parliament approved these two laws
giving special powers to the Rangers, police and other law enforcers
to achieve success in the war against terrorism. A summary for
an extension of these two laws has been sent to the Prime Minister.
A final approval in this regard will be sought from Parliament.
Under the Protection of Pakistan Act, the Rangers, police and
law enforcement institutions can shoot terror suspects, keep
them in custody for 90 days and put suspect from a certain province
on trial anywhere in the country.
|
June 28 |
At least four Policemen were
shot dead in two separate targeted attacks in Quetta, the provincial
capital of Balochistan. Two Policemen, identified as Constable
Faiz Muhammad and driver Nameed, were killed when unidentified
armed assailants opened fire at the Police vehicle in Quetta.
No group claimed responsibility for attack.
Two Policemen, identified as
driver Muhammad Ali and guard Muhammad Ayub, were killed when
unidentified militants opened fire at a Police mobile van near
Hazara Ganj area of Quetta.
The Sindh Rangers claimed to
have shot dead two TTP terrorists during an encounter near Khairabad
Northern Bypass in Manghopir area of Gadap Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. According a spokesman for the
Rangers, one of the suspects killed was identified as Akram
Mehsud, while the identity of the second man was yet to be ascertained.
Police recovered an Improvised Explosive Device, suicide jackets
and weapons from their possession.
District Malir and Central Police
claimed to have arrested five suspects during a crackdown against
criminals in Malir Town. According SSP Rao Anwar Ahmed of the
District Malir, investigations regarding target killing and
terrorism cases are underway during which an informant tipped
him off about members of “target killers” of a political party.
He further said that the accused belonged to a political party’s
militant wing and they were involved in the killings of police
officers.
Brigadier Ali Khan, a senior
army officer who was court-martialled over links with a HuT,
was released from Adiala Jail. Khan was awarded five years rigorous
imprisonment by the Field General Court (FGCM) in 2012. He was
also accused of being involved in a conspiracy to topple the
Government, trying to instigate a mutiny within the army and
planning an attack on GHQ. The former official has been released
less than four years after he was convicted, even though he
was facing “serious allegations” which would lead to capital
punishment if proven. Since most of the charges levelled against
him were not proved in the court-martial proceedings, he was
sentenced to five years in prison and was scheduled to be released
in August 2017. However, he got the benefit of a remission in
his sentence and was released on June 27, 2016.
Out of the 3,028 seminaries
in various parts of KP, the Government’s registers have information
on only 1,208. The information was shared by officials of Auqaf
Department with The Express Tribune. The officials said
the Provincial Government, with the help of intelligence and
law-enforcement agencies, has also collected information about
over 1,800 seminaries that are not registered. These unregistered
seminaries were either functioning in mosques or were based
on one or two classrooms.
As per official data, the strength
of students in registered seminaries is around 300,000, including
6,928 foreigners. Most of these foreigners belong to Afghanistan,
but are living is different parts of KP, along with their family
members and relatives. The seminaries also house orphans who
have lost bread earners of their families in different acts
of violence. Many students in the seminaries are also those
who belong to low income backgrounds in neglected districts
and tribal agencies.
KP Government on June 28 formally
advised the Federal Government not to give further extension
to Afghan refugees to stay in Pakistan, as their official stay
period is going to expire on June 30 (tomorrow). The KP Government
has sent its recommendations, saying the province has been suffering
a lot because of Afghan refugees and is unable to bear their
burden anymore, official sources told The Nation on condition
of anonymity.
|
June 29 |
Four FC personnel were shot
dead by unidentified armed assailants on Double Road in provincial
capital Quetta. Deputy IG Police Chaudhary Manzoor Sarwar said
the incident appeared to be an act of targeted killing. No outfit
claimed responsibility for the attack.
Rangers shot dead two suspected
gangsters during a raid at a building located in Nawa Lane area
of Baghdadi in Lyari Town. The two gangsters are yet to be identified
but it has been ascertained that they were members of the Wasiullah
Lakho gang. Automatic weapons, ammunition and drugs were found
from their hideout.
An Intelligence Officer of the
Chakiwara Police Station, identified as head constable Perwez,
was shot dead while patrolling the area with other Policemen
in Maula Madad area of Pathani Mohallah in Lyari Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
The paramilitary force arrested
eight criminal suspects, including two target killers affiliated
with the MQM militant wing, during raids in Lyari Town, Orangi
Town, Shah Faisal Town and Jamshed Town. Weapons and ammunition
were seized.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a man, identified as Nawaz Khan (45), on Gamal Khurd Road
in DI Khan District.
Police arrested 28 suspects,
including 15 proclaimed offenders, during a crackdown in Tangi
area of Charsadda District. Police said they recovered a machinegun,
a Kalashnikov, ammunitions, two kilograms opium and a kilogram
of hashish during the raids.
Two former members of peace
committee, identified as Khyal Badshah and Fazal Wahid, were
injured in an IED attack in Dawizai area of Lower Mohmand Agency
in FATA. Badshah is the brother of a political administration
official of lower Mohmand Agency and a local tribal elder, Malik
Ibrahim, who also confirmed the incident.
Pakistan Government on the request
of UNHCR Filippo Grandi, extended the deadline for voluntary
repatriation of registered Afghan refugees until December 31,
2016. According to the sources, Grandi had asked the Government
to extend the stay of the Afghan refugees in the country for
another three years. The Government however told him that it
could not host the Afghan refugees for another three years due
to security and economic reasons.
Dr Imran Zeb, Chief Commissioner
for Refugees said that the Government of Pakistan extended the
deadline for the refugees for six months. He said that Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif approved the extension in the stay of
the Afghan refugees. Now, registered Afghan refugees’ PoR card
will be renewed for six months.
|
June 30 |
A Police constable, identified
as Farmanullah, was killed and six other civilians were injured
in a roadside bomb blast on Pajagi Road in Peshawar, the provincial
capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Exact target of the bomb has
not been determined at the moment but the explosion killed a
policeman identified as Farmanullah, who was deputed guard of
a retired judge and was on his way to duty,” said Wasim Riaz,
a senior police official.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a CTD official, identified as Deputy Superintendent of
Police Noor Muhammad Khan, on the Diyal Road in Dera Ismail
Khan town of same District. Sources said unidentified persons
opened fire on Noor Muhammad Khan as soon as he stepped out
of a mosque in Khairabad Colony near his residence after the
Maghrib prayers.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a Policeman, Shahzeb, near his house after he withdrew
money from an automated telling machine in Madina Colony of
Peshawar. However, the assailants escaped after killing the
cop without touching the money in his pocket.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a member of Afghan Taliban on Nasir Bagh Road in Peshawar.
Sources said that the deceased Qari Said Murad was a member
of Afghan Taliban’s military commission for eastern Nangarhar
province. The deceased was running a local seminary near to
his residence. The assailants fled the scene after the crime.
FC forces killed three LeJ militants
during a crackdown in provincial capital Quetta. The crackdown
was launched following a spate of attacks targeting Security
Forces. LeJ had claimed responsibility for killing four Policemen
on June 28, 2016, and four FC soldiers on June 29, 2016. “Three
terrorists belonging to LeJ have been killed in an armed clash
with Frontier Corps and intelligence personnel,” said FC spokesperson
Khan Wasey.
The SFs defused three IEDs in
Inayat Killay area of Bajaur agency in FATA. Sources said that
unidentified miscreants planted three remote controlled bombs
at various points on a road in Inayat Killay. The bomb disposal
squad defused the IEDs and saved the area from a devastating
terror plot. Later, the SFs started a search operation in the
adjoining areas and arrested two suspects.
Counterterrorism Department
of Police claimed to have arrested a gang of six “foreign-funded
sectarian “hitmen” allegedly planning to assassinate religious
leaders and scholars during Ramazan (Islamic months of fasting)
in Karachi. The Sindh CTD chief, Dr Sanaullah Abbasi, said that
this gang had done reconnaissance of 200 people for killing.
“They are funded by foreign actors for a proxy war in Pakistan,
particularly in Karachi,” said the CTD head. The officer identified
the suspects as Mohammed Ali, Syed Sheeraz Ali, Syed Hamid Abbas,
Syed Israr Ali, Pervez Husain and Mohammed Mumtaz. “This group
has been working as a sleeper cell over the past five years,”
said the officer.
Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan acknowledged a spike in street crime
in Karachi. However, he claimed a significant decline in terrorism,
extortion, targeted killings and kidnapping cases since the
launch of the Karachi operation in September 2013. Nisar said
that capacity-building of Police personnel was urgently needed,
for which authorities had been asked to involve Pakistan Army
for recruitments. He said 20,000 Police personnel would be hired
— apart from the induction of some 2,000 retired soldiers into
the Police force.
|
July 1 |
A man, identified as Basher,
was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants while he
was on his to a local market in Dera Murad Jamali town of Naseerabad
District. The assailants fled the scene.
The mutilated body of an unidentified
man was found in the Harnai Phatak area of Sibi District in
Balochistan. The body, which was almost three days old, was
lying at a roadside when a passer-by spotted it and informed
the Police.
A ban has been placed on pillion
riding and display of weapons in provincial capital Quetta under
Section 144 by the Provincial Government’s Home and Tribal Affairs
Department. The decision has been taken because of a surge in
incidents of targeted killing and terrorism in the city.
Sindh Rangers claimed to have
arrested two suspected extortionists from DHA area of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. According to a statement issued
by the Rangers, two people belonging to a banned outfit were
arrested for extorting people in the name of 'Fitra'. The two
suspects, Mohammed Ilyas and Mohammed Yasir, were arrested during
a raid.
The White House released a report
claiming that US drones killed only 64 to 116 civilians in 473
strikes launched between January 20, 2009 and December 31, 2015.
The drone strikes also killed 2,372 to 2,581 combatants during
this period, the White House added. The report covers strikes
only in areas “outside of active hostilities”, which include
Pakistan, Yemen, Libya and Somalia. Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria
are not covered because they fall in “areas of active hostilities”.
Along with the report, President Barack Obama issued an executive
order, requiring annual reporting on civilian deaths in drone
strikes and outlining how the administration tries to protect
civilians. “Civilian casualties are a tragic and at times unavoidable
consequence of the use of force in situations of armed conflict
or in the exercise of a state’s inherent right of self-defence,”
said President Obama. “The US government shall maintain and
promote best practices that reduce the likelihood of civilian
casualties, take appropriate steps when such casualties occur,
and draw lessons from our operations to further enhance the
protection of civilians,” he added. Several independent organisations
that have been tracking American drone strikes offer higher
casualty numbers than disclosed in the report, ranging from
at least 200 to 1,000 deaths. The London-based Bureau of Investigative
Journalism has estimated that the drones have killed 492 to
1,100 civilians in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia since 2002.
|
July 2 |
Unidentified armed assailants
killed three SFs personnel in two separate incidents of violence
in Mastung District of Balochistan. Two Levies personnel were
killed when attackers opened fire at them in Al Falah Road area
of Mastung city.
In another incident, armed men
opened fire and killed Head Constable Ashfaq Qazi in Killi Sheikhan
area of Mastung District. Police described the killings in Mastung
as acts of targeted killings.
|
July 3 |
FC recovered two Kalashnikov,
pistols and rounds in Gullgach area of Zhob District in Balochistan.
According to FC spokesman, working on a tip off, FC personnel
carried out a search operation in the area and recovered two
Kalashnikov, two pistols and 2500 rounds from a house.
The Pakistan Rangers vowed that
they would take action against elements helping activists of
‘political or militant wings’ infiltrate Government institutions
and the ‘ghost employees’ in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh, which the paramilitary force suspected might be involved
in terrorist activities and lawlessness. A Rangers spokesperson
in a statement issued to the media said that a decision to take
action against such political activities in institutions and
against ghost employees was taken at a recent meeting of the
Apex Committee. The supreme body on law and order had decided
that there would be no office of any political party or militant
wing in any Government institution. In the light of this decision,
the Ranges official said that all official institutions should
ensure closure of all offices or activities of political or
militant wing on their premises. Otherwise, the Rangers warned,
legal action would be taken against all responsible people.
|
July 4 |
A suicide bomber who blew himself up near the
United States consulate in Jeddah has been identified as a Pakistani
citizen, the Saudi Arabia Interior Ministry said. The Ministry
identified the man as 35-year-old Abdullah Gulzar Khan, who
worked as a driver in Saudi Arabia. Khan had been living with
his wife and her parents in Jeddah for 12 years, the Interior
Ministry said in a tweet. Security Officers became suspicious
of a man near the parking lot of Dr Suleiman Faqeeh Hospital
in Jeddah, which is directly across from the US diplomatic mission.
When they moved in to investigate "he blew himself up with a
suicide belt inside the hospital parking". Two security officers
were slightly injured in the incident.
Four persons were injured in a bomb blast on
Sariab road of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
A senior Police official said a bomb went off just as a vehicle
of paramilitary force passed by. According to eyewitnesses,
the gun shots rang out following the blast. However, the Police
said the shots were fired by paramilitary officials. Two motorcycles
and four cars were partially damaged.
|
July 5 |
The CTD foiled a major terror bid, while recovering
huge cache of weapons and explosives during a raid in Malir
area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The CTD claimed
that the alleged terrorists were going to use these weapons
to target a shopping centre and installations of intelligence
agencies.
Another search operation was conducted in Phuktunabad
area of Manghopir. Police rounded up 44 suspects including two
foreigners. Similarly, the law enforcement agencies conducted
search operations in Shireen Jinnah Colony and Baldia Colony
and arrested three suspects and two alleged gamblers.
At least 11 persons including two Police officials
sustained severe wounds in a bomb blast in a shop near Toro
Chowk in Mardan town of same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Police officials said that 600 kilograms of explosive material
was used in the bomb whereas no loss of life has been reported
yet.
The CTD foiled a major terror bid, while recovering
huge cache of weapons and explosives during a raid in Malir
area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The CTD claimed
that the alleged terrorists were going to use these weapons
to target a shopping centre and installations of intelligence
agencies.
Another search operation was conducted in Phuktunabad
area of Manghopir. Police rounded up 44 suspects including two
foreigners. Similarly, the law enforcement agencies conducted
search operations in Shireen Jinnah Colony and Baldia Colony
and arrested three suspects and two alleged gamblers.
|
July 7 |
At least two militants of TTP Swat Chapter were
killed in exchange of fire with Police in Manghopir area of
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. One Police personnel
also sustained injuries in the shootout.
Nineteen people, including 12 Pakistani nationals,
have been arrested in Saudi Arabia following suicide attacks
on July 4, including one near Islam´s second-holiest site in
the city of Medina, the Saudi Arabia Interior Ministry said.
Seven people are believed to have been killed and two wounded
in the Medina attacks, at a mosque in Qatif and in western Jeddah,
the economic capital, not far from the US consulate. A 26-year-old
Saudi man, Naer Moslem Hammad al-Balawi, who had a "history
of drug use" had been identified as the perpetrator of the Medina
attack, the Ministry said in a statement. Four people were killed
in the Medina explosion near the Prophet´s Mosque, which came
as Muslims prepared for this week´s Eid al-Fitr festival marking
the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. The body parts
of three people were found after another suicide bombing in
the Shiite-populated Gulf city of Qatif, the Ministry said earlier.
Two police officers were wounded the Jeddah attack. The US embassy
in Riyadh reported no casualties among consulate staff during
the attack, which coincided with the US July 4 Independence
Day holiday.
|
July 8 |
The COAS General Raheel Sharif said that all
efforts will be committed to ensuring peace and stability along
the Pak-Afghan border that is the Army's priority. General Raheel
Sharif said this on a visit to the forward lines in North and
South Waziristan agencies. He spent the first day of Eidul Fitr
with troops in the forward positions of the tribal agencies,
where the military has been involved in an extensive operation
since June 2014. Pak-Afghan relations hold key to regional peace,
General Raheel tells US.
General Raheel Sharif said the Nation and its
Army had paid a huge price for eliminating terrorists and restoring
peace in the country. "We will not let these sacrifices go to
waste," he said. "With Fata cleared and terrorists being chased
across the country, we are determined not to allow them to return
and reverse our gains." He said stability along the Pak-Afghan
border remained the army's priority and all efforts would be
committed for it. "Border management and dignified repatriation
of Afghan refugees are important enablers for lasting peace,"
he added. "Our efforts for peace in Afghanistan have been acknowledged
while we are committed to facilitating the reconciliation process
with sincerity, commitment and resolve. We expect Afghanistan's
territory is not used against Pakistan," he added further.
The mastermind of the December 16, 2014, Army
Public School massacre, identified as Umar Mansour, alias Khalifa
Mansour, alias Umar Naray, was killed in a US drone strike in
Bandar area of Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan. Two unnamed
senior security officials confirmed the killing of Umar Mansour
and his accomplice Qari Saifullah in the drone attack. “What
we have is pretty credible,” said an officer. There was, however,
some confusion over the death of Qari Saifullah. The US State
Department had on May 25, 2016, designated Umar Naray a global
terrorist, thus clearing the path for his inclusion in the hit-list.
|
July 10 |
A man, identified as Mehrab Khan, was shot dead
by unidentified assailants in Qambrani area of Quetta, the provincial
capital of Balochistan. As per reports, Mehrab Khan, a resident
of Dera Murad Jamali, was returning home when armed assailants
opened fire on him and fled. As a result, he died on the spot.
The Police and FC personnel recovered huge cache
of weapons during search operation in Kalli Shahozai area of
Quetta. According to sources, SFs conducted door-to-door search
operation and confiscated four 9-mm pistols, one 12-bore pistol,
five 30-bore pistols and several cartridges. However, no arrest
was made while the arms have been handed over to Barori Police.
|
July 11
|
Two suspected militants were
killed in a remote-controlled IED attack on Dherakai-Pashat
road in Salarazai tehsil of the Bajaur Agency in FATA.
|
July 12
|
The Kurram Agency PPP President
Hamid Hussain Toori was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in Parachinar town of Kurram Agency in FATA. The motive behind
the target killing is yet to be ascertained as the assassinated
leader of the PPP had no enmity with anyone.
For the last few months, the
FATA have been at relative peace. Incidents of violence have
seen a noticeable decline with the exception of one region –
Mohmand Agency. At least 11 incidents have taken place in the
area during May and most of them were related to terrorism.
IED planted by the roadside have been a nightmare for locals
and law-enforcement agencies. In comparison, the rest of the
tribal belt has witnessed a period of calm as such incidents
decreased by a whopping 48%. In the more than eight IED attacks
in May, three of the devices were defused.
A prayer leader, identified
as Maulana Habibur Rehman (42), was shot dead inside Siddiq-e-Akbar
Masjid in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Gulshan Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. According to DSP Nasir Lodhi,
one of the two unidentified armed assailants went inside the
office and asked Rehman for a marriage registration form from
the office’s window, after which the victim allowed him to come
inside. “The man then fired at least twice and one bullet hit
the victim’s chest.” Later, the Police arrested a suspect, identified
as Mairaj, after the prayer leader’s minor son identified him.
Rangers officials arrested MQM
coordination committee member Izhar Ahmed Khan from Federal
B. Area in Gulberg Town.
A poster campaign across Pakistani
cities urging CoAS General Raheel Sharif to impose martial law
and form a Government of technocrats has been launched. The
posters appeared on major thoroughfares in at least 13 cities,
including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, Peshawar,
Quetta, Faisalabad, Sargodha and Hyderabad, besides several
cantonment areas, urging the general to take over. Move on Pakistan
(MoP), a largely unknown political party, claimed the campaign.
"Jaane ki baatein ho gayee puraani, khuda ke liye ab ajao
(talk of leaving office is old now for God's sake appear on
the scene now)," read the posters.
"Dictatorship is much better
than this corrupt government," said Ali Hashmi of MoP that
was founded in 2013. "The way General Sharif has dealt
with terrorism and corruption, there's no guarantee that the
next man would be as effective as him," he said. While
the military's media wing is silent on this, observers suspect
the involvement of intelligence agencies. Insiders said that
Prime Minister will not extend army chief's term but the campaign
in areas with several security checkpoints and Police patrolling
is rattling the Government.
There has been a considerable
decrease in incidents of terrorism from January to June in KP.
IED attacks and firing incidents have also dwindled during this
period. This was said by the CTD Additional IGP while addressing
a meeting of Police officials at the Central Police Office on
July 12. According to a handout issued on the same day, the
meeting was chaired by IGP Nasir Khan Durrani. The moot was
held to review efforts taken to combat terrorism. During the
year, there were 99 terrorism incidents, whereas the number
of terrorism incidents reported in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were
281, 292 and 134, respectively. “This revealed a significant
decrease of 65% in number of incidents in 2016 as compared to
2013 and a decrease of 26% as compared to 2015,” the document
quoted the additional IGP as saying.
|
July 13
|
Six al Qaeda militants were
killed and two police personnel were injured in an encounter
followed by a raid at a hideout in Okara District. The Police
had received intelligence reports that militants hiding there
were planning attacks on sensitive government sites, including
the office of the DPO, said SP Saud Magsi. Police also recovered
explosives, detonators, Kalashnikovs and a map of the DPO's
office from the militant hideout.
Police arrested ‘commander’
of Arshad Pappu gang, identified as Agha Jami, along with two
accomplices during a search operation in Hub area of Lyari Town
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Weapons were seized
from their possession.
The SSP operation Abbas Majeed
Marwat said that the outgoing year saw a sudden decrease in
murders, street crimes, extortion and other crimes in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SSP operation
claimed that in Peshawar in 2015, 221 cases have been registered
while in 2016 it reduced to 91 owning to best planning and police
operation in the city. According to official figures, more than
675 search and strike operations have been carried out in the
urban and rural area of the district during the course of seven
months.
|
July 14
|
CoAS General Raheel Sharif approved
death sentence awarded by the military courts to 12 LeJ and
TTP terrorists. The convicts were involved in committing heinous
offences related to terrorism, including killing of civilians,
attacking armed forces of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies,
destruction of schools and communication infrastructure. Three
convicts, identified as Muhammad Asif, Shahadat Hussain and
Yasin, were active members of LeJ. The other nine convicts,
Muhammad Qayyum Bacha, Muhammad Tayyab, Said Akbar, Muhammd
Ayaz, Barkat Ali, Azizur Rehman, Hussain Dar, Ishaq, Behram
Sher belonged to TTP.
|
July 15
|
Campaigners and families, who
lost their loved ones in US covert drone strikes in Pakistan,
have rejected the figures on drone strike casualties in Pakistan.
Shahzad Akbar, a senior lawyer, who is leading a legal battle
for the civilians killed in the US drone strikes in Pakistan's
tribal regions, says the data collected from the media reports
and people on the ground put the civilian death toll at over
3,000 against 116 as claimed by the US. Akbar mentioned a 2013
court's judgment in the Peshawar in which the judge mentioned
deaths of 1,490 civilians in the US drone attacks in Waziristan
Agency of FATA.
Akbar mentioned at least three
US drone strikes that killed many civilians, including nearly
80 children in an attack on a religious school in the Bajaur
Agency in October 2006, 60 in an attack on a funeral in South
Waziristan Agency in June 2009, and 40 in a drone strike on
a Jirga or assembly of tribal elders in North Waziristan Agency
in March 2011. "These are just a few of the major US drone
strikes which killed hundreds of civilians, including children.
So I would say that the latest White House figure of up to 116
civilian casualties is ridiculous and just a political gimmick,"
said Akbar.
The US probed links between
the Government of Saudi Arabia and the 9/11 (September 11, 2001)
terror attacks, finding multiple suspicions but no proven ties,
documents declassified. Part of a Congressional report that
had been kept under wraps for more than a decade showed US intelligence
believed that Saudi officials may have had multiple contacts
with some of the 9/11 hijackers. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers
were Saudi citizens. The findings, however, show no smoking
gun for Saudi involvement, but rather an inability to "identify
definitively" Saudi links to attacks on US soil and global
terror. President Barack Obama decided to declassify the 28
pages.
"While in the United States,
some of the 9/11 hijackers were in contact with, and received
support or assistance from, individuals who may be connected
to the Saudi government," the declassified document said.
One individual on the US East Coast, believed to be from the
Saudi Interior Ministry, raised suspicions when appearing to
fake a seizure during FBI questioning about his links to a hijacker.
He was later released from hospital and managed to flee the
country before he could be questioned again.
|
July 17
|
SFs claimed to have killed a
militant during a security operation in Nimargh area of Kalat
District in Balochistan. Five suspected militants were also
arrested during the operation, said Khan Wasay, spokesperson
for the FC. A cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered
from the possession of the miscreants, added Wasay.
|
July 18 |
At least seven people, including
the head of a pro-government peace committee, identified as
Khan Muhammad, were killed and three others were wounded in
a remote-controlled IED attack in Doag Dara area of Upper Dir
District. Khan Muhammad was the District Chairman of the PPP
and another man accompanying him, identified as Adil Khan, was
PPP tehsil Councilor Police Official Yar Muhammad claimed
that the target of the attack was, Malik Mutabar Khan, the head
of another peace committee, who was not present in the vehicle
at the time of the explosion. “It was just by chance that Malik
Mutabar Khan got off the vehicle at a nearby place before the
explosion,” the Police Official said.
Former MPA of the ANP Haji Shoaib
Khan was shot dead while he sitting in his hujra in Yarhussain
village of Chota tehsil Lahore in Swabi District. TTP claimed
responsibility for both the attacks.
CTD arrested a wanted terrorist,
identified as Sher Rehman, and recovered two bombs from his
possession during snap checking at Ring Road Achini Cross locality
in provincial capital Peshawar. Rehman was wanted in several
incidents of terrorism, target killings and extortion.
Four LeJ militants, including
a ‘commander’ and two would-be bombers, were shot dead in a
Police encounter in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town in District
Malir of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Two police
officials suffered injuries in the operation. A huge cache of
explosives were recovered, along with two prepared suicide-bomber
jackets that were of Afghan make. Two Kalashnikovs, two 9mm
pistols, hand grenades and 25 kilograms of explosive materials
were also seized. According to SSP Malir Rao, one of the four
suspects killed had been identified as Saleh Mohammed Rehmani,
a wanted member of the LeJ who was a cousin of under-detention
LeJ Ameer Naeem Bukhari. Saleh Mohammed was wanted by the Police
in several bombing cases, killing of law enforcers, including
Police Officials and also attacks on Shias.
Rangers arrested seven suspects
armed with weapons in separate raids conducted in Lyari Town
and Baldia Town. Two men said to be involved in targeted killings,
extortions while a third associated with a banned group were
arrested following a targeted raid. They had also recovered
weapons and ammunition from their possession.
Advocate Awais Ali Shah, kidnapped
son of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was recovered
after an IBO at Tank District of KP. DG ISPR Lieutenant General
Asim Bajwa disclosed Shah's recovery. Three terrorists were
also killed during the operation. "Awais Shah, son of Sind
Chief Justice, recovered through an IBO from custody of terrorists
from near Tank, 3 terrorists killed," read DG Bajwa’s tweeted.
Awais was abducted on June 20, 2016, from Clifton area of Saddar
Town in Karachi.
The FATA tribunal, comprising
chairman Sange Marjan Khan and members Hussainzada Khan and
Atif Nazir, received the record of the Dr Shakil Afridi case
and fixed August 23, 2016, for arguments on his petition challenging
the upholding of his conviction by an appellate forum for having
links with militant outfits. For the past two years, the petition
of Dr Afridi, who was arrested in May 2011 on suspicion of helping
the American CIA track down the then al Qaeda chief Osama bin
Laden has been lingering mostly because of the unavailability
of the relevant record. Following repeated notices by the three-member
tribunal, which is the third and final judicial forum under
the FCR, the record was finally produced by the Tribal Administration
of Khyber Agency.
|
July 19 |
The Sindh Government moved to
consolidate its position amid the ongoing debate on its strained
relations with the Pakistan Rangers when CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah
insisted that the paramilitary force was given powers only to
establish peace in Karachi and not to operate in the whole province.
He also said that “investigations” were going on to determine
whether the paramilitary force had moved beyond its power in
the Asad Kharal affair in Larkana. The CM’s stance emerged challenging
the paramilitary force’s viewpoint about the powers as Pakistan
Rangers, Sindh, Director General Major General Bilal Akbar had
asserted only a few days ago that Rangers could move in any
part of the province to chase criminals using their special
powers given under the defined laws. “One should say that the
Rangers are here to assist the police in maintaining law and
order,” he said while speaking at a press conference in Larkana.
“The Rangers were given powers for four heinous crimes — terrorism,
targeted killing, extortion and kidnapping for ransom. They
were authorised under certain circumstance to curb these crimes.
Furthermore, they were given powers to operate only in Karachi
and not in the entire province.”
Earlier, the Federal Minister
of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan wrote a letter to the Sindh
CM, asking him to extend the policing powers of Rangers in the
province. “Unnecessary delay in extension of power to Rangers
in Sindh will not only disrupt operation against terrorists
but also negatively impact the morale and performance of the
civil armed forces,” the minister said. The policing powers
of the paramilitary force in Sindh, last extended on May 4 for
77 days, expire on July 21. The deployment of Pakistan Rangers,
Sindh, in Karachi is requisitioned under Article 147 of the
Constitution and Clause 1 of Sub-section 3 of Section 4 of the
Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, authorising the paramilitary force
to prevent the commission of terrorist acts or scheduled offences
in the notified area for the punishment of terrorists in accordance
with the provision of the ATA, 1997.
|
July 20 |
CTD Police shot dead two militants,
identified as Ashraf Joonu and Shaukat Sardar alias Usman alias
Azam, belonging to LeJ and AQIS during a raid in their hideout
at Shah Latif area of Bin Qasim Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Both the men were wanted in a number of terrorism
cases and carried a bounty of PKR 1.5 million each, which was
announced by the Sindh Government. During the search of the
hideout, the Police found a suicide jacket, explosive material,
ball bearings, a Kalashnikov and two 30-bore pistols. SSP Junaid
Shaikh said that the men killed several members of the Ahmadi
community in Nawabshah District in 2014 and they were also involved
in murdering five Shias between 2010 and 2014.
The ongoing Karachi operation
came to a halt as the Sindh Government did not recommend that
the Federal Government to extend the Rangers’ stay in the Province
and its special policing powers in Karachi, reports The News.
All the wings of the paramilitary force have been stopped from
carrying out raids because of the lack of extension in its powers.
A bomb exploded near Governor
House in Gwadar District. However, no casualties were reported.
CM Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri,
while addressing the students of Punjab educational institutions
who were on a visit to Quetta, remarked that as much as 95 percent
of terrorism had already been rooted out from Balochistan. The
CM said, "Civil and military leadership of Balochistan
has the same dream of an educated and peaceful Balochistan,"
further adding that the joint efforts made by the civil and
military had effectively eliminated terrorism from Balochistan
by 95 percent. "Remaining five percent terrorism will also
be eliminated soon," he added. "(Several) armed men,
who had gone to mountains, would have to join mainstream otherwise,
they would have to face stern action.
The third phase of the repatriation
of IDPs from SWA of FATA displaced due to operation Zarb-e-Azb
began. A total of 373 families were returned to their native
areas in Sararogha tehsil of SWA on the first day of the process.
Political Agent South Waziristan Zafar Islam Khattak and Colonel
Imran of the Pakistan Army saw off the IDPs at the camp.
|
July 21 |
Two TTP-Swat Chapter militants,
identified as Hazrat Bilal and Niaz Muhammad, were killed and
one SF official was injured during an intelligence-based operation
in Karo Darra valley of Upper Dir District. A minor child, identified
as Samira (11), was killed in the crossfire. The militants opened
fire when the security personnel reached the area and in the
retaliatory fire two fleeing militants were killed.
Police arrested four Lyari gangsters,
including a Police constable, allegedly involved in target killings
of Police officials and workers of political parties, during
a raid at a hideout near Adil Bus Stop in Federal B Area of
Gulberg Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The
arrestees were identified as Police constable Shakir Baloch,
and Jabbar Jhengu-affiliated gangsters Ubaidur Rehman, Asghar
and Akram Lasi. Police recovered two rifle grenades and two
pistols.
Pakistan Rangers issued a statement
highlighting the targeted operation conducted by the paramilitary
force since 2013. According to the statement, acting under powers
bestowed on the paramilitary force under Article-147, the Pakistan
Rangers Sindh arrested 533 suspects out of whom 478 suspects
were handed over to the Police for processing while 55 suspects
were handed over to various law enforcement agencies including
FIA, ANF, Pakistan Customs, FC and the Irrigation Department.
The paramilitary force detained 127 illegal Afghan nationals,
34 members of banned organizations, 16 members of separatist
groups, 4 members belonging to MQM’s militant wing, 18 dacoits,
10 smugglers, 11 poachers, 24 drug dealers and 234 suspects
involved in various crimes, the statement added.
Commander Southern Command,
Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz while addressing a tribal jirga
in Zhob District said that war on terror would continue till
the end of last terrorist and called upon tribesmen to play
their due role in the efforts being made to make Balochistan,
a peaceful province. The jirga was attended by tribal chiefs
and elders from Pashtoon and Baloch tribes.
|
July 22 |
A soldier, identified as Arif,
was killed, while two others were wounded when one IEDs exploded
when an Army vehicle reached the Bahan area of Kalam tehsil
in Swat District of KP at around 2pm.
A roadside IED exploded at about
11am when a vehicle was passing through the same area. Three
people — Ghagra tehsil Nazim Syed Salar Jehan and his two relatives
Syed Imad Jehan and Shehzad Niazi — were wounded in the explosion.
The sources said that it was not clear whether the nazim was
the target of the IED.
|
July 23 |
Mangal Bagh, the fugitive head
of the LI, was killed in a US drone attack on a compound in
the mountainous Bandar Khudi Khola area in Nangarhar province
of Afghanistan along with his two close aides, intelligence
sources said. The sources said Mangal Bagh had reportedly sustained
injuries when a drone struck the compound during the small hours.
The sources maintained that the LI chief was reportedly provided
medical assistance in the Bandar area of Nangarhar, but later
succumbed to his injuries. “Two of his close aides were also
killed and a third one was injured in the precise drone strike,”
the sources claimed.
Sources in the intelligence
agencies and among the Taliban confirmed his death. However,
the LI denied the reports about the death of its chief. The
Government had placed a bounty of PKR 20 million on the head
of Mangal Bagh, who for several years was based in the Khyber
Agency and ran his private prison and court. He belonged to
the Sepah Afridi tribe and hailed from Bara tehsil of
Khyber Agency.
|
July 24 |
Unidentified militants killed
JUI-F leader Mufti Ehtishamul Haq and his son in Tump tehsil
of Kech District in Balochistan. Levies sources said armed assailants
opened fire on the former JUI-F District Chief, killing him
on the spot along with his son.
FC personnel conducted search
operations and arrested three insurgents from the Khudabadan
area of Panjgur District. One sub-machine gun, four magazines,
two rifles, two hand grenades and an air gun were recovered
from their possession.
FC personnel arrested four insurgents
during a search operation in Dadshah area of Barkhan in Kalat
District and recovered two SMGs, pistols, rifles and six magazines.
Two persons including an activist
of the MQM were gunned down in separate incidents, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Thirty-year-old Muhammad Faisal
was shot dead by two men while he was sitting outside his residence,
situated in sector 51-C of Korangi town. The men, on a motorcycle,
opened indiscriminate fire at him with an automatic weapon.
He was taken to the JPMC where he died during treatment.
Twenty-eight-year-old Sajid,
son of Abdullah, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants
right outside his residence in Orangi Town. He passed away while
being taken to the Abbasi Shaheel Hospital. According to officials
of the Iqbal Market Police Station, they found empty 9mm bullet
casings from the spot.
Dispelling media reports, the
Karachi Police Chief Additional IG Mushtaq Mehar said on July
24 that nobody had been arrested in connection with the murder
of renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri yet. A day earlier, TV news channels
had reported a suspect had been held in connection with the
killing and he had confessed to not only his involvement in
the crime, but also disclosed the names of his accomplices.
“Several people were detained on the suspicion of their involvement
in the murder but they were later released after no evidence
was found against them,” Additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Mehar
said.
Police arrested 78 suspected
persons from various localities of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP, including Hayatabad residential area during a
search operation. The authorities also recovered drugs from
their possession. According to the Police control, Peshawar
Police have arrested 78 suspected persons including 13 suspects
wanted in different crime and 35 others who did not possess
proper documentation for the residing on rental basis.
At least 60 suspects were arrested
during search and strike operations in Matta, Charbagh and Kabal
tehsils of Swat District.
KP CM Pervez Khattak said that
Police Order 2016 would soon be presented at the provincial
assembly for approval, which would empower the Police force
in KP. While addressing a gathering at the Armoured Colony No.2
in Hakimabad area, the CM said that his Government is also empowering
the Police complaint and public safety commission. He added
that the District nazims across the province would now
prepare the ACR of the police officials as well as district
administration officials to keep an eye on their performance.
Nearly a thousand bullet-ridden
corpses have been recovered from various parts of Balochistan
in the past six years, official documents revealed, indicating
a disturbing sign that the security of the country's largest
province is worsening yet again. More than 51 percent mutilated
bodies were identified as ethnic Baloch. Official figures continued
to reveal shocking figures further as stating that 22 percent
dead bodies belonged to Pashtuns while rest of the bullet-ridden
corpses either remained unidentified or belong to Punjabis,
Afghan refugees or non-Muslims. More than 940 dead bodies were
recovered from various Districts of Balochistan whereas Quetta
remained the worst-hit district with 346 dead bodies were recovered
since 2010, revealed figures prepared by senior officials assigned
to swiftly execute the NAP.
The confidential data, also
exclusively available with Geo News (ASKKS Programme)/The News,
further revealed that over 112 persons were still missing in
the province. With these rights violations, official figures
further shocked that over 658 innocent people lost their lives
in sectarian incidents where total 1, 837 were killed either
in target killings or other disputes after 2011 in the province.
Over 3, 470 people were injured in terror or sectarian related
incidents during this period. SFs, with help of intelligence
agencies and operators of newly established IFC recovered over
498 dead bodies of Baloch during this period in the province
which already lags behind other provinces in terms of over nine
key social indicators.
Around 159 dead bodies of Pashtuns
were recovered from various parts of the province while SFs
could not identify 175 bullet-ridden corpses as their faces
were completely burnt and spoiled. The Police also recovered
around 108 dead bodies of other people where some of them were
identified as Afghan refugees and Punjabis. The report also
revealed that Kalat was the second largest District after Quetta
where 268 dead bodies were recovered by law enforcing agencies.
After Quetta and Kalat, over 171 dead bodies were recovered
in this District by the Police. In terms of worst rights violence,
2011 witnessed recovery of 203 dead bodies, 129 in 2015, 165
in 2014, 168 in 2013, 166 in 2012, 102 in 2010 and 17 bullet-ridden
bodies were recovered this year (2016). Official data further
revealed that over 2,654 intelligence based operations were
conducted by the law enforcement agencies soon after the Army
Public School massacre in December 2016.
According to CPLC official report,
the criminal activities and street crimes are on the rise despite
operation against the criminal elements by the LEAs in the metropolis
in past six months. The report said the city witnessed around
233 murders during this period that makes 7/8 killings a day
in the metropolis. The CPLC reported that 34 killings were recorded
in January and 27 in February this year and the highest killing
of 46 people in separate incidents occurred in March this year.
There were 29 killings in the month of April and 47 in May while
in June around 50 people were killed, the report said. According
to the report, about 95 vehicles were stolen from different
parts of metropolis while 796 stolen cases were reported to
CPLC.
The numbers of snatched motorcycles
stood at 1,273 while 10,380 mobile phones were snatched besides
7,900 citizens were deprived of their wallets in street crimes
whereas the victims of the criminal activity reported 9,211
cases to CPLC, the report said. According to CPLC, 140 incidents
of street crimes and robberies were reported on daily basis
in 2014 that further increased in 2015 to 163 incidents which
were recorded on daily basis. The CPLC officials said that street
crimes, including vehicles snatching, motorcycles and mobile
phone theft were on higher side this year. The claims of City
Police are declining in number of killings and other criminal
activities remained same as these report were not correct, said
CPLC.
|
July 25
|
The FC arrested four suspects
with weapons and narcotics in Kharotabad and Killi Bangulzai
areas of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The
team recovered two SMGs and two pistols from their possession.
Another team of FC raided a
place in Zhob District and took two suspects into custody for
possessing narcotics.
Police arrested three suspects
and seized weapons from their possession in Pasni, coastal area
of Gwadar District. Police recovered weapons and other items
which include two Kalashnikovs, repeating rifles, other rifles,
satellite phone, laptop, bullets and two vehicles.
The coordinator for the NACTA
Ihsan Ghani on July 25 said that a total of 1,808 terrorists
had been killed and 5,611 arrested since the NAP was launched
in 2015. About 951 of the terrorists were killed in the FATA,
455 in Sindh, 197 in KP, 135 in Punjab, 68 in Balochistan and
two in GB, he added. Talking to the media after a monthly meeting
of NACTA about the implementation status of 20 points of the
NAP, Ihsan Ghani said a majority of the terrorists was arrested
in Sindh, KP and FATA, where their number was 1,665, 1,572 and
1,256, respectively. Giving details about the operations under
the NAP, he said 122,772 ‘combing operations’ were carried out,
while 142,335 suspects were arrested.
Besides conducting 2,012,765
stop-and-search operations, around 4,230 IBOs were carried out,
while 119,794 calls were received at Helpline 1717, he added.
The coordinator said some 411 executions had been carried out
under the NAP – 380 in Punjab, 18 in Sindh, six in KP, five
in Balochistan and two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Regarding
establishment of special trial courts, he said 11 courts had
been notified.
|
July 26
|
At least two Army personnel
were killed when TTP militants opened fire on their vehicle
near Parking Plaza in Saddar town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. “They were the soldiers of the security agency
who were critically injured,” Karachi Police Chief Mushtaq Mehar
said. “One was later martyred,” he said. Later, the injured
security personnel succumbed to his wounds in hospital. “We
have collected some empty bullet casings of 9mm pistol from
the scene, however, further investigations are still underway,”
he added. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR),
the deceased personnel were identified as Sepoy Abdul Razzaq
and Lance Naik Khadim Hussain.
Ehsanullah Ehsan, the spokesperson
for the TTP faction JuA claimed responsibility of the killing.
The officers were killed as they were on the Pakistani Taliban
faction’s “target list”, Ehsanullah Ehsan said.
Rangers arrested five suspects
during an overnight search operation in the Dhobi Ghat and Tauhid
Chowk areas of Lines area in Karachi on and recovered weapons
from them as well. According to the details, Rangers conducted
a house-to-house search operation from where five suspects were
arrested along with armaments.
The CTD arrested two IS cadres
and recovered explosive material from them a house in Khan Colony
of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. A CTD spokesman
said they received intelligence report about the presence of
suspected terrorists who were planning attack on Government
installations. The arrested militants were identified as Yaqoob
Shah and Abdullah Moavia.
CTD personnel arrested a suspected
terrorist and recovered two hand grenades from him in Multan.
According to the CTD sources, Jaan Muhammad, allegedly affiliated
with IS, who was earlier affiliated with banned Hizb ul Tahrir
and Sautul Ummah outfits, was arrested with two hand grenades
and IS literature.
CTD arrested another suspect,
Naeem Jaan, a member of banned LeJ with explosive material in
a raid near Nasarullah Chowk on Head Muhammadwala Road in Multan.
They said the suspect was about to target a worship place.
|
July 27
|
At least one person was killed
while five others were injured in a bomb blast at Sariab road
in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. According
to the BDS, the bomb was detonated through a remote-controlled
device. Over two kilogramme of explosive material was used in
the explosive, the BDS added. Sources said that a rickshaw driver
who sustained injuries during the blast succumbed to his wounds
during treatment at a hospital.
A tribal elder, Mir Bashir Ahmed
Bizenjo, was shot dead in Hub town of Lasbela District. Unidentified
assailants barged into the house of Mr Bizenjo near Asad Chowk
and opened fire on him. He suffered multiple bullet injuries
and died while being taken to hospital. He was cousin of former
Balochistan Assembly deputy speaker Mir Abdul Qadoos Bizenjo
and brother of Awaran District Council Chairman Naseer Ahmed
Bizenjo.
The Chairman of the US Senate
Committee on Armed Services, John McCain, urged the US, Pakistan
and Afghanistan to overcome their differences and get down to
the business of fighting terrorists. In an opinion piece published
in The Financial Times, Senator McCain argued that without Pakistan’s
cooperation, the US mission in Afghanistan would become “immeasurably
more difficult”. “The sooner the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan
get down to the business of fighting their common terrorist
enemies together, no matter where they hide, the better off
the nations, the region and the world will be,” he wrote.
After a significant drop in
crime rate in the wake of Rangers-led operation in the city,
the incidents of kidnapping, gang rape and riots have registered
an alarming rise not only in Karachi but also in the rest of
Sindh, said data compiled by CTD. The data showed that 557 murders
took place between January and July last year while 371 killings
were reported during the same period this year, marking a difference
of 186 lives. A total of 737 kidnappings took place in the city
during last seven months this year as compared to 722 kidnappings
during the same period last year, registering an increase of
15 cases. Since these kidnappings did not lead to payment of
ransom as per Police’s terminology, the data was silent about
the motive of the crime.
The CTD head, Additional Inspector
General of Police Dr Sanaullah Abbasi, told Dawn that most of
the victims were women who were kidnapped for a host of reasons.
Police had arrested 301 suspects involved in such kidnappings,
he said. Police believed the incidents of kidnapping for ransom
had dropped significantly as the data revealed that 32 incidents
of kidnapping for ransom took place during seven months last
year but this year so far, 15 such incidents had been reported.
The other disturbing trend the data showed pertained to gang
rape, with a total of 21 incidents reported during last seven
months this year as compared to eight such incidents during
the same period last year, a rise of 13 cases.
The Rangers authorities have
revealed that target killers in Karachi are receiving financial
assistance from South Africa, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
While briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights,
the Rangers authorities informed that 7950 operations were conducted
across the metropolis since September 2013. Around 6361 suspects
were handed over to police and 221 were handed over to FIA and
other law enforcement agencies. 1158 suspects were released
without registration of the FIR, 1,313 were released on bail
while 188 were convicted in various cases. A total of 1,236
alleged terrorists, 848 target killers, 403 extortionists and
143 kidnappers were among those arrested during these raids.
Alleged target killers confessed
to targeting 7224 persons in the city, the paramilitary Rangers
stated. 1,313 operations were conducted against the MQM, 1,035
against Peoples Aman Committee and 28 operations were carried
out against ANP. The Rangers authorities further reported that
there was an 80% decline in terror related incidents, 75% in
target killings, 85% in extortion cases and 83% reduction in
incidents of kidnapping. The report comes a day after two army
men, Lance Naik Abdul Razzaq and Sepoy Khadmin Hussain were
shot dead when motorcycle gunmen opened fire on their pick-up
truck near parking plaza in Saddaq area of Karachi.
|
July 28
|
Two unidentified armed assailants
hurled a grenade outside the residence of businessman Aga Hashim
in Khayaban-e-Badbaan area of Defence Phase VIII within the
Darakhshan Police limits of Karachi the provincial capital of
Sindh. However, no casualties were reported.
Joint teams of the Sindh Police
and Rangers arrested three suspects belonging to MQM during
two raids in MQM unit offices in Surjani Town area of Gadap
Town and Shah Faisal Colony in Shah Faisal Town. The suspects
were identified as Samad, MQM sector in-charge, Imran and Irfan.
There were reports that the raids were conducted on information
gathered from suspects already under detention, and that all
three apprehended men were shifted to an undisclosed location
for interrogation.
A vehicle of the SFs was damaged
in an IED attack in Qandeel Kas area of Bahrain tehsil
in Swat District. However, no casualties were reported.
According to official Police
statistics, at least 1,210 personnel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police
have been killed in the war against militancy since 2006. According
to the data available, at least 340 personnel have lost their
lives in Peshawar during this period. This is followed by Swat
where 123 Police officials have died. In Bannu, 120 personnel
have lost their lives while 100 others have died in DI Khan
till July 21, 2016.
An unnamed Police Official said
that Peshawar as a front line district has been bearing the
brunt of the war against militancy. According to him, around
50 per cent of terrorist attacks have been taking place in the
city for the past several years. “This is evident from the fact
that the total number of policemen slain in Peshawar is 340
while many more have been injured,” he said, adding, “Over the
years, roadside and suicide attacks at the police were the most
favoured means used by terrorists. But these have been replaced
with target killings recently.”
The Punjab Home Department directed
Punjab Police to take strict action against activists of Hafiz
Mohammad Saeed-led JuD. In its directions issued to the Additional
Inspector General of Police-Operations Punjab and to Divisional
Police Chiefs across the Province, the Home Department asked
for details of fundraising by JuD and other proscribed organisations
as the activity is against the law. According to the directive,
JuD is making efforts to collect funds through Islamic charity,
including fitrana, zakat and sadkaats.
|
July 29
|
Unidentified Afghanistan-based
militants killed two shepherds in Bamburet valley of Chitral
District and herded their 300 sheep to their country. The slain
shepherds were identified as Noor Ahmed and Khushuli. According
to sources, two Kalash shepherds grazing sheep in Ghari were
attacked by a group of 30 militants who crossed over to Pakistan
from Nuristan Province of Afghanistan. The shepherds reportedly
opened fire on the militants, leading to an exchange of fire.
However, the shepherds ran out of ammunition and were killed
in the cross-fire. The militants abducted the shepherds and
herded their sheep to Afghanistan.
At least seven people, including
a traffic Police warden, identified as Sajjad Khan, were injured
in a remote controlled bomb blast near Charsadda Bus Stand within
the jurisdiction of Faqirabad Police Station in provincial capital
Peshawar.
Two bullet-riddled dead bodies,
identified as that of Mohammad Naveed (28) and Mohammad Latif
(42), were found in the Sharak area of Kech District.
A Lyari gangster, identified
as Akhter Baloch (35), was killed in a targeted attack while
he was sitting outside his relative’s house on Darya Khan Road
within the Chakiwara Police limits in Lyari Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified bullet-riddled
dead body of a man was found near the Lyari River within the
Mauripur Police limits in Kiamari Town.
People in Neelum valley in PoK
took to the streets to protest against rigged elections of July
21, 2016, which was won by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's
PML-N party. The PML-N bagged 31 out of the 41 seats up for
grabs, while the MC and PPP bagged three seats each. The protesters
had to face the Police wrath as they burnt Pakistani flag and
raised slogans against the Government.
Widespread protests have been
witnessed in major PoK towns, including Muzaffarabad, Kotli,
Chinari and Mirpur, after members of the PML-N killed a MC supporter
in Muzaffarabad District. Locals allege that the elections in
PoK are always fixed in favour of the ruling party in Pakistan.
The HRCP confirmed the allegations of corrupt practices, involving
money and muscle power.
|
July 30
|
A soldier was killed and 15
others, including five Rangers personnel, were wounded in two
back-to-back bomb explosions targeting a vehicle of the paramilitary
force on Mirokhan Road in Larkana city of Sindh. A remote-controlled
bomb weighing half a kilogram and fitted to a bicycle went off
when the vehicle drove past it, followed by the explosion of
another device hidden in a pile of garbage nearby, said Larkana
DIG Abdullah Shaikh.
Meanwhile, the blasts were claimed
by the SRA in pamphlets found by Police at the scene. The pamphlet
said the SRA has taken responsibility for the attack. DIG Abdullah
Shaikh said Police are investigating the pamphlet but no arrests
have been made as yet. "It is premature to say anything
at this point in the backdrop of this pamphlet," he said,
adding that "responsibility for the blast is certainly
claimed through this pamphlet."
|
July 31
|
Seven suspected LeJ and the
TTP militants were killed during an exchange of fire with CTD
personnel near the Parrianwala railway crossing in Sheikhupura
District of Punjab. A CTD Punjab spokesman said Sheikhupura
Police "received information from a credible source that
nine to ten suspects belonging to the TTP and LeJ were present
near the Parrianwala railway crossing at around 1am. He claimed
they were planning to attack sensitive installations and personnel
belonging to law enforcement agencies in the city. Weapons and
ammunition were allegedly recovered from the suspects, including
5 kilograms of explosive material, two detonators, three motorcycles,
three Kalashnikov rifles, four pistols and 150 bullets.
Pakistan Rangers have arrested
7,950 suspects since the execution of NAP on September 5, 2013
among which 6,361 were handed over to Police and 221 to FIA
with evidences, said Pakistan Rangers official Colonel Qaiser.
The Rangers also recovered a large amount of weapons and ammunition
from the arrested persons. "We have arrested 848 target
killers who confessed more than 7,000 killings", said Colonel
Qaiser. While giving a detailed briefing to Senate Functional
Committee on Human Rights, he said that among the arrested persons,
1,236 were terrorists, 848 target killers, and 403 were kidnappers
for ransom. He informed that 5,518 were released without registering
FIR against them, 1,313 got bail whereas 188 were convicted.
The Rangers official further stated that as result of these
operations, 80 percent terrorism was reduced in the country
while 75 percent target killings were decreased. Besides that
extortion, kidnapping for ransom and other crimes were also
reduced to significant level, he said.
|
August 1 |
Two Hazara Shias, identified as Ghulam Nabi
and Mohammad Nabi, were killed in a targeted attack near the
Government Boys Degree College while they on their way home
on Sariab Road of provincial capital Quetta. "Gunmen on a motorcycle
stopped the rickshaw and then opened fire on them and fled the
scene," Abdullah Jan Afridi, a senior police officer said. Both
the victims were labourers in a coalmine.
JuA, the breakaway faction of TTP claimed responsibility
for the killing. "The TTP-JuA members fired at two Shias," said
spokesperson, Ehsanullah Ehsan.
Two Hazara Shias, identified as Ghulam Nabi
and Mohammad Nabi, were killed in a targeted attack near the
Government Boys Degree College while they on their way home
on Sariab Road of provincial capital Quetta. "Gunmen on a motorcycle
stopped the rickshaw and then opened fire on them and fled the
scene," Abdullah Jan Afridi, a senior police officer said. Both
the victims were labourers in a coalmine.
JuA, the breakaway faction of TTP claimed responsibility
for the killing. "The TTP-JuA members fired at two Shias," said
spokesperson, Ehsanullah Ehsan.
An IB official, identified as Usman Gul, and
a passer-by, identified as Iftikhar, were killed when unidentified
militants opened fire at the officer on Wazir Bagh Road in Tauheedabad
locality within the limits of Yakatoot Police Station Police
Station of provincial capital Peshawar.
The PPP-led Provincial Government decided to
keep the arrangement unchanged and stated that the Rangers will
enjoy Special Powers for three months to be applicable to Karachi
Division. Twelve days after the authority of the paramilitary
force to Police the provincial capital expired, CM Syed Murad
Ali Shah signed a summary prepared by the Home Department, allowing
the Sindh Rangers to continue to conduct raids and arrest criminals
in Karachi's six Districts for the next 90 days.
The CM also approved another summary, allowing
the Rangers to stay in Sindh for another year.
US commander General John W Nicholson, who commands
the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, while briefing Washington-based
journalists at the Pentagon, Virginia said that almost 70 per
cent of Daesh or IS fighters in Afghanistan are TTP militants.
Nicholson said a "significant proportion, a majority of fighters"
with IS in Afghanistan come from Pakistan's Orakzai Agency,
over the border from Nangarhar, and are former members of the
TTP. He said that many of the fighters were Pakistani Pashtun
from Orakzai Agency and had been forced out of Pakistan by the
ongoing military offensive, Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
"In the case of the IS fighters in southern
Nangarhar, we see that many of them come from the Orakzai Agency,
which is south of Nangarhar - actually, south of the Khyber
Agency. And they were former members of the TTP, complete with
their leadership, who wholesale joined Islamic State, pledged
baya (allegiance) to Islamic State and joined them earlier this
year," General Nicholson said.
The reconstruction and rehabilitation process
of 80 per cent of the 183 schools destroyed by militants in
Khyber Agency of FATA has been completed, an Education department
official said. Khyber Agency Education Officer Abdur Rashid
informed that the terrorists had destroyed 183 schools in the
agency, including 153 schools in Bara tehsil alone. These schools
included 94 schools that were completely raised to the ground.
He said that Government had completed construction work on 80
per cent schools but education department of the agency was
yet to take charge of the school and let them open for learning.
"However, alternate places have been managed to keep the education
activities alive in the area and let students undertake their
learning activities," Abdur Rashid added.
|
August 2 |
Three suspected militants were killed in an
exchange of fire with FC personnel during a search operation
in Hoshab area of Kech District. The FC personnel destroyed
four hideouts of the militants after seizing a huge quantity
of arms and ammunition, said FC spokesman Khan Wasey. The weapons
seized from the hideouts included four rifles, two sub-machineguns,
three shotguns and thousands of rounds. Anti-state literatures
were also found in the hideouts.
Three suspected militants were killed in an
exchange of fire with FC personnel during a search operation
in Hoshab area of Kech District. The FC personnel destroyed
four hideouts of the militants after seizing a huge quantity
of arms and ammunition, said FC spokesman Khan Wasey. The weapons
seized from the hideouts included four rifles, two sub-machineguns,
three shotguns and thousands of rounds. Anti-state literatures
were also found in the hideouts.
During a meeting chaired by CII Chairman Maulana
Muhammad Khan Sheerani, the top Islamic legislative advisory
body, called upon the Government to include jihad-related verses
of the Holy Quran in the syllabus. According to details, the
Federal Education and Professional Training Ministry had finalized
the curriculum for public educational institutions, making a
strong pitch for all federating units to introduce teaching
of the Holy Quran as a compulsory subject from grade 1 to 12.
The final draft of the recommendations was submitted to the
top religious body for review. However, when the CII took up
the matter, it found that the Ministry did not include jihad-related
verses in the curriculum, and they demanded that the Government
include these verses in the syllabus. "There are 484 jihad-related
verses in the Holy Quran, but they were deliberately not included
in the syllabus so that students are not taught this (jihad),"
CII member Maulana Zahid Qasmi said.
The Federal and Sindh Governments were at loggerheads
over the issue of Rangers' Special Powers, with the Centre rejecting
the Province's summary restricting policing powers of the paramilitary
force to Karachi. The Centre wanted the extension of Rangers'
policing powers to the whole of Sindh - an idea not acceptable
to the Provincial Government. A source said the summary would
be sent back to the Sindh Government with an advice to prepare
a fresh summary equipping the Rangers with policing powers for
the entire Province.
But the Sindh Government said Islamabad had
not officially communicated its rejection of the summary. "We
have not sent the summary about Special Powers (of Rangers)
to the Federal Government, but we have sent a letter to Islamabad
informing it about the government's notification," said a spokesman
for the CM House quoting Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.
|
August 3 |
Five persons, including three SF personnel,
were injured in a remote controlled IED blast that hit their
vehicle on Spiny Road in provincial capital Quetta.
At least five Afghan militants were killed in
an intelligence-based operation by SFs in the border area of
Bumburate village of Kalsh valley in Chitral District of KP.
"Security forces spotted movement of militants from Afghanistan
in the border area of Bumburate village," said security officials.
Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a targeted
operation in the area to hunt the militants, added the security
officials. "Five militants were killed in an exchange of fire,
we also recovered heavy weapons from the militants after a search
operation in the area," confirmed the officials.
Five people sustained injuries in two bomb blasts
at a police check post near the local courts in Charsadda town
of same District. The sources said the first blast occurred
early in the day and caused no casualty. They added that the
employees of the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) were
cleaning the nullah near the Police check post after the first
explosion when the second blast happened and injured five workers.
The injured were identified as Fawad, Haidar Ali, Jan Muhammad,
Jan Wali and Javed Islam.
Five persons, including three SF personnel,
were injured in a remote controlled IED blast that hit their
vehicle on Spiny Road in provincial capital Quetta. The US placed
TTP-JuA, a breakaway faction of the TTP, and its leaders on
a list of specially designated global terrorists. "The imposition
of sanctions by the United States against terrorists is a powerful
tool," the State Department said in a statement announcing the
designation. "Designations of terrorist individuals and groups
expose and isolate organisations and individuals, and result
in denial of access to the US financial system. Moreover, designations
can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other
US agencies and other governments," it added.
The US State Department announced that the designation
automatically imposed on the group and its leaders all sanctions
that applied to foreign persons and groups determined to have
committed, or posing a significant risk of committing acts of
terrorism. Designated entities are also considered a threat
to the security of the US and its nationals and to its foreign
policy and economy. As a result of these designations, all property
subject to US jurisdiction in which JuA has any interest is
blocked and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging
in any transactions with the group.
The Federal Ministry of Interior issued two
notifications on the request of Sindh Government in connection
with the powers of Rangers, extending the special policing powers
of paramilitary force in Karachi for 90 days, and also extending
Rangers deployment in Sindh Province for another year to continue
to discharge functions and assist the Sindh Police in the maintenance
of law and order within the province.
"Pursuant to the request made by the Home Department,
Government of Sindh, dated 1st August, 2016 and in continuation
of this Ministry's Notification No.9/1/95-R (Sindh) dated 9th
May, 2016 the powers conferred upon Pakistan Rangers (Sindh)
in Karachi Division under clause (i) of sub section-3 of section-4
of Anti Terrorism Act, 1997, (XXVII of 1997), are extended for
another period of 90 days with effect from 20th July, 2016,"
said the notification extending the force's special policing
powers in Karachi.
The terms of both special policing powers of
the Sindh Rangers in Karachi under the Anti-Terrorism Act and
the stay of the paramilitary force in the province in aid of
civil administration and the police had ended on 19 July, 2016.
|
August 4 |
Provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti
during a press conference in Quetta said that the Security Forces
arrested six militants believed to be involved in two bomb blasts.
He said that the arrests were made during raids jointly conducted
by police and personnel of intelligence agencies at two places
in the Eastern Bypass and Killi Shabo areas of Quetta. Mr Bugti
said the arrested militants belonged to the UBA and added, "They
carried out a bomb blast in a bus carrying people of the Sariab
area a few months ago, killing 11 people. "Besides, they exploded
a bomb fitted to a cycle at Almo Chowk two months ago that left
five people dead. They were also involved in other subversive
activities."
A Punjab Government Mi-17 helicopter crash-landed
in Mati area of Azra District in Logar Province of Afghanistan
where Afghan Taliban took the seven people onboard hostage before
setting the helicopter on fire. The helicopter was on its way
for maintenance to Uzbekistan. The seven people included retired
military officers and a Russian navigator. However, conflicting
reports from Afghanistan reported that the helicopter belonged
to Pakistan military.
Provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti
during a press conference in Quetta said that the Security Forces
arrested six militants believed to be involved in two bomb blasts.
He said that the arrests were made during raids jointly conducted
by police and personnel of intelligence agencies at two places
in the Eastern Bypass and Killi Shabo areas of Quetta. Mr Bugti
said the arrested militants belonged to the UBA and added, "They
carried out a bomb blast in a bus carrying people of the Sariab
area a few months ago, killing 11 people. "Besides, they exploded
a bomb fitted to a cycle at Almo Chowk two months ago that left
five people dead. They were also involved in other subversive
activities."
CTD Police arrested three TTP-Swat Chapter terrorists
during an encounter in Manghopir area of Gadap Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. The Police said that the accused
were involved in a Police encounter and an attack on army soldiers
in Waziristan. The Police recovered a suicide jacket, three
TT pistols, four hand grenades and two kilograms of ball bearings
from their hideout.
The accused were identified as Saif-ur-Rehman
alias Buddah, Taj Muhammad alias Salman and Adil. During
the initial interrogation, they admitted that they were experts
in laying landmines and firing rockets and also recruited youngsters
in Karachi and took them to Afghanistan for training. They added
that after training, the youths were handed over to various
TTP wings, which used them to carry out their fight against
with the Pakistan Army and the NATO forces in Afghanistan.
An Oslo court sentenced a Pakistani-origin man
Hasan Ahmed (46) to six years in prison for joining the ISIS.
Hasan Ahmed, a Norwegian citizen of Pakistani origin, was found
guilty of vowing allegiance to ISIS and taking part in ISIS
training programmes. Ahmed's son Ishaq was also sentenced to
eight years in prison by a Norway court 2015 for joining the
jihadist group.
A Pakistani-Italian, Aftab Farooq has been deported
from Italy for allegedly plotting to join ISIS in Syria, the
Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said. According to
reports, Farooq (26), was captain of the Italian youth cricket
team and had captained the Italian Under-19 cricket team back
in 2009. Farooq had reportedly been living in a town near Milan
with his family for 13 years.
Afghan refugees, residing in KP for decades,
have appealed to the Government for an extension in their stay
in Pakistan. The refugees, citing difficulty in wrapping up
their businesses, have stated that six months given earlier
is not sufficient. A refugee jirga, addressing a press conference,
stated that they were thankful to Pakistan for its hospitality
and hosting the refugees for 35 years. "What we want is extension
our stay in Pakistan," Habibullah Gulbuddin, son of Hikmatyar
Gulbuddin said, adding the situation in Afghanistan was not
suitable for their return. Gulbuddin added they were facing
difficulties and cannot move freely due to police harassment.
"Afghan refugees are heavily invested in their business and
thousands of Afghans are studying in Pakistan," elaborated Gulbuddin.
He said it is impossible for them to wrap up their businesses
over night, which has been established after years of struggle.
The Pentagon will not pay Pakistan USD 300 million
in military reimbursements after US Secretary of Defence Ash
Carter decided not to tell Congress that Pakistan was taking
adequate action against the Haqqani network, Pentagon spokesperson
Adam Stump said. Relations between the two countries have been
frayed over the past decade, with US officials frustrated by
what they term Islamabad's unwillingness to act against extremist
groups such as the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network. "The
funds could not be released to the Government of Pakistan at
this time because the Secretary has not yet certified that Pakistan
has taken sufficient action against the Haqqani network," Adam
Stump said.
The USD 300 million comes under the CSF, a US
Defence Department programme to reimburse allies that have incurred
costs in supporting counter-terrorist and counter-insurgency
operations. Pakistan is the largest recipient. "This decision
does not reduce the significance of the sacrifices that the
Pakistani military has undertaken over the last two years,"
Stump added. According to Pentagon data, about USD 14 billion
has already been paid to Pakistan under the CSF since 2002.
The decision by the Pentagon is a sign that while it sees some
progress by Pakistan in its military operations in North Waziristan,
much work remains. Pakistan rejects harbouring militants but
says there are limits to how much it can do as it is already
fighting multiple extremist groups and is wary of a "blowback"
in the form of more terror attacks on its soil.
The US said Pakistan has gone after militant
groups selectively, urging Islamabad to eliminate all groups
and shut down their safe havens. Responding to a question whether
US was satisfied with Pakistan as far as fighting against terrorism,
State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said Islamabad has taken
and is taking steps to counter terrorist violence, and certainly
focusing on those groups that threaten its stability. "They
have shut down some of these safe havens. They've restored government
control to parts of Pakistan that were used as terrorist safe
havens for years," he said. He said "these important steps have
contributed to security interests in the region and have come
at a cost of Pakistani lives lost.
|
August 5 |
A 56-year old doctor belonging to the Hindu
community, Dr Pireetam Das, was shot dead in the Pak Colony
area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. "Dr Pireetam
Das was sitting in his clinic located in Hasrat Mohani Colony
at midnight when someone attacked him," said Akhtar Farooq,
SSP Investigation West. The Police official added the doctor's
attendant had gone to buy a mobile card when the doctor was
attacked.
|
August 7 |
As many as 160 suspects have been shot dead
in 'encounters' in different Districts of Sindh in just five
months - March to July - according to Sindh police statistics.
"During the last five months of this year (March to July), a
total of 732 encounters took place in various districts of Sindh
in which 160 suspects were killed," according to Sindh police
statistics which were released to the media by Assistant Inspector
General of Police (operations) Arif Aslam Rao on August 7. The
police spokesperson clarified that these encounters were led
by different Police Stations of different Districts, including
Karachi. The official added that suspects killed by the Police's
special units like the counterterrorism department were not
included in the list. Among the killed suspects, 52 were alleged
terrorists, 103 involved in robberies and other crimes, and
five were alleged kidnappers.
The Police also claimed to have busted 225 "criminal
gangs" through encounters, raids and other actions during the
same period. The Police also seized 23 suicide jackets, 120
hand grenades, 12 rocket launchers, 102kg of explosive materials,
one anti-aircraft gun, six LMGs/G-3, 366 shot guns/repeaters,
103 MP-5/rifles, 2,681 pistols/revolvers, and 17,983 bullets
during the encounters from the custody of terrorists, robbers
and kidnappers, according to the police report.
The Supreme commander of the HuM Syed Salahuddin
urged Pakistan on August 7 to find a peaceful solution to the
ongoing violence in India-held Kashmir. Speaking during a press
conference at the JI's headquarters, Idara Noor-i-Haq, in Karachi
Salahuddin, who is also the head of the MJC, said that if a
peaceful solution is not reached then Pakistan should consider
cutting off diplomatic ties with India over the killing of Burhan
Muzaffar Wani in Kashmir. The young commander's killing gave
"new meaning to the struggle for India-held Kashmir". Salahuddin
spoke for the entire duration of the one-hour press conference,
with members of the JI, including its Karachi Amir Naeem-ur-Rahman,
sitting next to him. The reporters were informed that Salahuddin
had come on a short visit to Karachi from Muzaffarabad to "especially
speak to the media". Pakistan termed as 'misplaced and self
contradictory' the remarks by the US that it was being selective
in targeting terrorists and did not go after the groups threatening
its neighbours. "We have taken a serious note of the remarks
made by the US Department of State's deputy spokesman Mark Toner
which are self-contradictory and oblivious of the fact that
Pakistan has taken concrete measures to counter terrorism in
a phase-wise manner keeping in view Pakistan's national security
concerns," the Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said
in a statement. Nafees Zakaria said during their recent visit
Senator John McCain and other US legislators and congressmen
were unanimous in acknowledging the remarkable achievements
made by Pakistan in its counterterrorism drive. "They visited
Miranshah and observed the situation on ground for themselves,"
he added, noting that Senator McCain on his return also wrote
an article on his experience in Pakistan. The FO spokesperson
reiterated that terrorism was more of a concern to Pakistan
than its neighbour.
|
August 8
|
At least 74 persons were killed
and over 100 others wounded in a suicide bombing at the emergency
ward of Quetta’s Civil Hospital, where scores of people had
gathered to mourn the death of BBA President Bilal Anwar Kasi
in a gun attack earlier in the day. Law enforcement officials
said that the two attacks were connected and the blast was carried
out by a suicide bomber. They said that the body of Kasi, who
was shot dead by two armed assailants, was brought to the Civil
Hospital and a number of his friends, colleagues and relatives
as well as a posse of press photographers and television cameramen
also reached there as soon as they got the news. The 55 slain
lawyers include BBA’s former President Baz Muhammad Kakar; former
Supreme Court Bar Association Vice-President Syed Qahir Shah;
Advocate Sangat Jamaldani, son of Jahanzeb Jamaldani, Secretary
General, BNP-M; and Advocate Dawood Kasi, son of Former Federal
Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Kasi. Two cameramen — Shahzad Khan
and Mehmood Khan— working for Aaj TV and Dawn,
respectively, were also killed.
The JuA, a splinter group of
the TTP, claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of
Advocate Kasi and the subsequent blast. JuA ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah
Ehsan vowed more attacks “until the imposition of an Islamic
system in Pakistan”. The IS group also claimed responsibility
for the suicide attack, Reuters quoted the IS’s Amaq news agency
as saying. “A martyr from the Islamic State detonated his explosive
belt at a gathering of justice ministry employees and Pakistani
policemen in...Quetta,” the Amaq report said released from Cairo,
Egypt.
Following the blast, the CoAS
General Raheel Sharif chaired a high-level security meeting
and ordered the intelligence agencies to initiate special combing
operations to target those involved in terror attacks, said
a tweet by ISPR spokesperson. The Army Chief chaired the meeting,
with the Balochistan Chief Minister, Provincial Chief Secretary
and Commander Southern Command in attendance. ISPR quoted the
Army Chief as saying that after their defeat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
terrorists are shifting their focus to Balochistan. The attack
is an attempt to undermine the improved security situation of
Balochistan, and the effort is specially targeting the CPEC,
he said. All resources will be employed to control the situation.
|
August 9
|
Two soldiers were killed in
an IED explosion in the border area of Nawagai tehsil in Bajaur
Agency of FATA. According to officials, Havildars Khurshid and
Mushtaq were taking water to their post on mules from a nearby
place when an IED planted along the way went off. The bomb was
detonated by a remote control.
The top Army Generals believe
that the terrorist threat is transforming because of a growing
nexus between hostile actors in the neighbourhood and ‘facilitators’
within the country. At a corps commanders’ conference held at
the General Headquarters on August 9, the Generals reviewed
the threat perception and discussed measures for countering
the imminent security challenges. “Participants of the conference
were given detailed briefings on ongoing military operations
and overall external and internal security situation in the
country with particular reference to counterterrorism domain,”
the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
|
August 10
|
The FC arrested an alleged militant
and his facilitators from Kalat and Killa Abdullah Districts
of Balochistan in search operations. According to reports, the
FC personnel, acting on a tip, carried out a search operation
in Juhan area of Kalat District and apprehended two facilitators
of a militant. Meanwhile, the militant was also arrested from
Gulistan area of Killa Abdulla District in another operation.
SFs launched a combing operation
in Quetta against banned organisations suspected of involvement
in terrorist attacks. According to official sources, the operation
was carried out in different areas of the provincial capital
on the directives of the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel
Sharif. Around 500 personnel of the Frontier Corps, over 250
Police personnel and officials of intelligence agencies took
part in the crackdown.
|
August 11
|
Fourteen people were injured
in a roadside blast targeting a vehicle belonging to the ATF
accompanying Justice Zahoor Shahwani's vehicle on Zarghon Road
of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Justice Zahoor
Shahwani is judge of the Federal Shariat Court. The bomb was
planted along the side of the road and exploded as the ATF's
vehicle passed by. According to rescue officials, 10 civilians
and four security officials were injured in the blast.
As result of combing operation
in parts of Rawalpindi District in Punjab, six terrorists inclusive
of two most wanted commanders were arrested. According to ISPR,
during the operations carried out in Gujar Khan and Kallar Syedan
areas, the raiders also recovered arms and ammunition including
prepared IEDs.
The political and military leadership
has agreed to set up a task force to review the pace of implementation
of the NAP. A meeting with PM Nawaz Sharif in the chair continued
discussions on implementation of the NAP in a befitting manner
on the third consecutive day on August 11. Ongoing counterterrorism
operations also came under discussion during the meeting. Army
Chief General Raheel Sharif, Federal Ministers Chaudhry Nisar
Ali Khan, Ishaq Dar, National Security Adviser Lieutenant-General
(Retd) Nasir Janjua and ISI Director General Lieutenant-General
Rizwan Akhtar were prominent among those who attended the meeting.
The task force will consist of representatives of the Federal
and Provincial Governments and heads of security agencies. Task
force members will compile a report on implementation of all
26 points of the NAP. Internal and external security threats
to the country, regional security issues and activities of anti-Pakistan
intelligence agencies came under discussion in detail during
the meeting, which continued for almost six hours. It was decided
at the meeting that scope of the counterterrorism operations
would be expanded to all parts of Pakistan.
The Supreme Court assailed the
Sindh Government for not taking proper steps in ensuring maintenance
of law and order situation in the provincial capital Karachi.
During the proceedings of the Karachi law and order case, the
Chief Justice inquired about the status of the CCTV cameras
to be placed at different locations in the city. To which the
Chief Secretary replied that an amount of rupees ten billion
had been allocated for new CCTV cameras. The court responded
by stating that the Government had failed to take action hence
the Supreme Court had taken up the issue of law and order. "The
issue is not allocating funds but also spending them where they
are required to be spent," said the Chief Justice. "We
want full implementation on the orders of the Karachi law and
order case," he added.
|
August 12
|
Four suspected militants were
killed in a shootout with SFs in the Kahan area of Kohlu District
in Balochistan. The FC action in Kohlu was part of a combing
operation in Quetta and other areas of the province launched
on the directives of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.
The Islamic State (Daesh) leader
in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hafiz Saeed, was killed in July
26 in a strike in the border region between the Afghanistan
and Pakistan, a US defence official said. "They got him,"
the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead
of any official announcement. Details of the strike were not
immediately available, but a US official told the BBC that Saeed
was killed in a July 26 drone strike in the Kot District of
Nangarhar province. The death of Saeed represents a major setback
for the IS group as it tries to establish itself as a serious
force in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The SFs arrested four suspected
suicide bombers from Shaks area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber
Agency of FATA and also recovered five suicide bomb vests from
them.
As the military launched its
first combing operations in Punjab targeting the TTP splinter
group JuA, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif publicly
vented frustration over the Government’s poor progress on the
NAP against terrorism. He said the military’s gains during Operation
Zarb-i-Azb were being lost. “The National Action Plan is central
to achievements of our objectives and its lack of progress is
affecting the consolidation phase of Operation Zarb-i-Azb,”
he said at a special security meeting at the General Headquarters.
The meeting was attended by ISI Director General Lieutenant
General Rizwan Akhtar, 10th Corps Commander Lieutenant General
Malik Zafar Iqbal and principal staff officers.
The Commander of Southern Command
Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz alleged that India had launched
an unconventional war against Pakistan and its agencies were
involved in acts of terrorism in the country. He was speaking
to journalists at the press club which he visited to offer his
condolence over the killing of two cameramen — Mehmood Khan
of Dawn and Shehzad Khan of Aaj TV — in August
8’s suicide bombing in Quetta which had claimed the lives of
over 74 people. Lieutenant General Riaz alleged that some countries,
including India, were behind acts of terrorism in Pakistan and
said they were trying to create hurdles for development projects
in Balochistan. Some foreign powers and their local agents are
against the development of Balochistan and they are hatching
conspiracies to achieve their nefarious designs. Some misguided
people were playing in the hands of country’s enemies, he added.
|
August 13
|
Hundreds of people gathered
in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of PoK demanding release of activist
Baba Jan. As many as 500 youngsters were earlier arrested following
protests against the CPEC during the visit of Pakistani officials.
The protesters were also accused of raising anti-Pakistan slogans
and demanding that the Pakistan Army leave Gilgit. Protests
have been going on in the region for months, fuelled by the
raging problem of unemployment among the youth. The protest
on August 13 focused on demanding the release of Baba Jan, a
member of the AWP of Pakistan. He was sentenced to 40 years
in prison and fined PKR 500,000 by the Supreme Court of Appeal
on June 8, 2016.
|
August 15
|
Pakistan has formally invited
India for talks on IoK dispute that has been the main bone of
contention between two neighbours. According to Pakistan’s Foreign
Office, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry has written a
letter to his Indian counterpart and invited him to visit Pakistan
for talks on occupied Kashmir. “The Foreign Secretary called
in the Indian High Commissioner this afternoon (15 August 2016)
and handed over a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart,
inviting him to visit Pakistan for talks on Jammu and Kashmir
dispute that has been the main bone of contention between India
and Pakistan,” according to the foreign office. It said the
letter highlights the international obligation of both the countries,
India and Pakistan, to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,
in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
The Sindh Police is raising
a new unit of 1500 personnel in the CTD that was set up after
the initiation of the NAP, the IGP Sindh A.D. Khawaja said.
He pointed out that the new unit is aimed at bringing further
improvements in the CTD which has performed well so far. The
unit will include 500 ASIs who will be inducted through the
Sindh Public Service Commission, he added. A separate school
is being established for imparting anti terrorism training to
selected manpower, the IGP disclosed. The IGP informed that
the Provincial Government has allocated Rs. 320 million this
year for revamping Sindh Police’s Special Branch.
|
August 16
|
The SFs killed at least 15 militants
and injured more than a dozen during air strikes carried out
in Sattar Killay, Kharaiba and Rajgal – the remote areas of
Kuki Khel in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Official
sources said that during the operation, five militant strongholds
were destroyed.
An ISPR statement said the operation
was launched “to reinforce troop deployment in Rajgal Valley
to effectively check and guard against” movement across the
porous border in Khyber Agency. The operation targets “movement
on high mountains and all-weather passes in Khyber Agency”,
the statement said. After security forces’ operations in Khyber
Agency, most of the militants, including those affiliated with
the TTP and Bara-based LI, had fled and reportedly taken refuge
in Tirah.
The JuA, a breakaway faction
of TTP who claimed responsibility for the suicide attack of
August 8 Quetta hospital, claimed that it had no links with
Daesh/Islamic States, whose leadership also said it was behind
the attack. JuA, which briefly declared allegiance to Daesh
in 2014, said in an audio statement that its fight was solely
against the Pakistani State and that linking it to trans-national
militant networks was wrong. "We want to make it clear
that our movement has no connection to Daesh or al Qaeda,"
the group's leader, Omar Khalid Khurassani said. "Those
in Daesh or al Qaeda or any other Mujahideen movement are our
Muslim brothers. But we do not have any organisational link
with any of them. With Daesh and al Qaeda we have never had
an organisational link before, and even today we have no organisational
link with them," Khurassani added.
The LEAs have carried out 122,772
combing operations under NAP while 142,335 suspects were arrested.
The LEAs conducted 56,834 combing operations in Punjab, 39,485
in Sindh, 21,087 in KP, 2,935 in Balochistan, 653 in ICT, 996
in GB, 310 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and 472 in FATA. Besides
conducting 2,012,765 search operations, around 4,230 IBOs were
carried out and 119,794 calls were received at helpline, 1717.
NAP is a manifestation of national consensus and the government
would ensure its swift implementation to eliminate terrorism
and extremism from the country.
As per statistics regarding
implementation of NAP since launch of its 20-point agenda, a
total of 1,808 terrorists have been killed and 5,611 were arrested.
As per reports, about 951 of terrorists were killed in FATA,
455 in Sindh, 197 in KP, 135 in Punjab, 68 in Balochistan and
two in Gilgit Baltistan. Majority of terrorists were arrested
in Sindh, KP and FATA where their number was 1665, 1572 and
1256 respectively. In order to establish special trial courts,
11 courts have been notified, while funds had been provided
for National Counter Terrorism Authority with allotment of premises
for it.
COAS General Raheel Sharif confirmed
death sentence to another 11 hardcore terrorists. According
to the ISPR, the convicts were involved in heinous offences
like terrorism and killing of DIG Fayyaz Sumbal and ASI Raza
Khan of Balochistan Police and Inspector Kamran Nazir of the
ISI in Quetta. Those involved in sectarian killings, kidnapping
and slaughtering civilians and personnel of the Frontier Constabulary
and murder of Major Abdid Majeed of the Pakistan Army are among
the convicts.
The Senate’s Functional Committee
on Human Rights rejected a report submitted by Sindh Rangers
regarding the human rights violations in Karachi Operation,
declaring it “fake and phony”. In the report, prepared by a
relatively unknown human rights organisation called “Human Rights
Commission on South Asia”, Sindh Rangers were given a clean
chit. Sindh Rangers, while referring to the report, claimed
that no human rights violations were done by the paramilitary
force during ongoing Karachi Operation. “I have tried to find
out the whereabouts of the said organisation, however, it has
no office in Pakistan,” Senator Farhatullah Babar said during
the senate panel meeting. Sindh Rangers has obtained a false
report by a dubious NGO in a bid to convince the parliamentary
body that “it [Rangers] is not involved in human rights violations
while conducting operation in Karachi”, asserted Babar.
|
August 17
|
Sindh Rangers arrested two target
killers, identified as Kashif Qadir alias Kashif Tinda and Junaid
Iqbal alias Bota from Bahadurabad area of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. The accused have confessed to target killing
of lawyers, murder and extortion. They targeted Advocate Sohail
Anjum along with his companions on March 17, 2010 at Tipu Sultan
Road, Advocate Waheed Qureshi on October 01, 2011 at Tariq Road
and also confessed to taking part in May 12, 2007 bloodshed
in Karachi, said the spokesman. The Rangers spokesman added
that besides killing six activists of Sunni Tehreek, the accused
were also involved in forced extortion at Tariq Road and Bahadurabad.
An alleged terrorist was captured
and arrested during an operation in the Ferozwala Chowk bridge
in Gujranwala city of same District in Punjab. According to
CTD sources, the suspected terrorist by the name of Wilayat
alias Kashi was affiliated with a terrorist group. Two bombs
were recovered from the suspect at the time he was arrested.
|
August 18
|
At least 11 militants were killed
in a joint aerial and ground operation Babar Kachkol, Toor Sapar
and adjoining areas of Khyber Agency in FATA. According to ISPR
statement, eight militant hideouts were also destroyed during
the operation.
Two employees of a private TV
channel were injured after unidentified armed assailants opened
fire on them in Quaidabad area of Bin Qasim Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Law enforcement agencies arrested
three suspects affiliated with MQM during raids in Jamshed Quarters
and Teen Hatti Bridge.
|
August 19
|
Levies recovered four bullet-riddled
dead bodies from Nimargh area of Kalat District in Balochistan.
All the victims had received bullet injuries.
Security Forces claimed to have
arrested 27 militants, including nine foreigners, during a combing
operation in the Kanak area of Mastung District. Arms and ammunition
were also recovered from their possession.
In a sectarian attack, two members
of a family of Afghan origin were killed while the female member
of the family got injured in a firing incident at a car in Phandu
area Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Maulana Ghulam
Hazrat, who was settled in Akora Khattak area of Nowshehra District,
was travelling along with his father Sheikh Khwaja Muhammad
Hazrat and mother, when unidentified gunmen opened fire at them
while they were passing from the Phandu area. The deceased Sheikh
Ghulam was well known for his debates condemning the “Wahhabis,
Salafis and Ahl e Hadis” sects of Islam, who have the most extreme
interpretation of Islam, and distance themselves from their
fellow Shiite, Sunni, Brelvi, Hanafis and Sufism Muslim schools
of thought.
An Afghan cleric Naseem Khan,
a resident of Lond Khwar, was killed inside Abu Hanifia Mosque
in Ibrahimabad within the jurisdiction of Khazana Police Station
in Mardan District. The attackers were unidentified and they
managed to escape after committing the crime.
An Afghan cleric identified
as Sheikh Rahimullah, who was a teacher at a seminary, was shot
and injured in Dir Colony of Peshawar. Speaking to the Police,
Rahimullah said a man visited him and before he left, he pulled
out his pistol and shot him. However, the attacker managed to
flee the site.
A security official was killed
and a civilian was injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast
in Salarazai area of Bajaur Agency in FATA.
Two soldiers, identified as
Ghulam Yasin and Sajid, were injured when unidentified militants
opened fire from across the border at troops in Jungle area
of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency.
|
August 20
|
SFs killed three suspected militants
in an exchange of fire during a search operation jointly launched
by Police, Frontier Corps and Intelligence Agency in Tartej
area of Awaran District in Balochistan. The militants killed
were identified as Noor Bakhsh, Shah Murad and Dildar. According
to an FC spokesperson, 13 suspects were arrested in the operation
launched in Kharotabad area on the outskirts of Quetta and its
surrounding areas. He said 24 pistols and two rifles were seized
from their possession.
|
August 21
|
The chairman of a village council
and three other people were killed as unidentified motorcycle
bourne assailants opened fire on a car in Shakardarra area of
Kohat District in KP. The deceased also included a man and his
two young sons, while four people, including two girls, were
injured.
Unidentified militants blew
up an eight-inch gas pipeline in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan,
suspending gas supply from well no.7. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
|
August 22 |
One person was killed and five
others were injured in violent clashes between Police and MQM
workers during protests at ARY News office near Zainab Market
in Saddar Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Police confirmed that "MQM workers pelted stones at police
officials and the ARY office", adding that they also resorted
to aerial firing outside the office. ARY News has alleged that
the protesters were members of the MQM.
According to TV channels, MQM
chief Altaf Hussain in his speech on the same day told protesters
"to storm the offices of TV channels". Senior ARY
anchor Kashif Abbasi said, "They are Muttahida people.
He (Altaf) ordered them to do it and within 10 minutes all this
happened." A Samaa DSNG van was also attacked. Additionally,
a police van and motorcycle of a traffic police official were
reportedly set on fire.
However, eyewitnesses at the
Karachi Press Club said Rangers men with their faces covered
ransacked the MQM camp in the area and arrested workers of the
political party. Alluding to a conspiracy against the MQM, MNA
Syed Ali Raza Abidi tweeted, "MQM has been protesting since
past 3 years non-violently. Regretfully masked men pre-present
at Fawara Chawk created these deplorable scenes." People
were protesting peacefully at ARY office against biased media
coverage when suddenly police started firing on peaceful protestors,
claimed MQM leader Wasay Jalil.
SFs are consolidating their
positions after securing key mountainous passes in the Rajgal
Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA in what is being described as
a major success in the ongoing operation Khyber-III that was
launched on August 16, 2016, as part of the military’s efforts
to check the movement of terrorists along the porous border
between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to ISPR statement,
“Security Forces have occupied passes and are now consolidating
their positions up in high mountains in Rajgal.” It further
added, “During search in Damo Drub [area] huge cache of arms
and ammunition, including improvised explosive devices, were
recovered.” At least 40 terrorists have been killed and 21 wounded
in air and ground actions since the start of the operation,
according to the ISPR. “In the treacherous terrain of Rajgal,
43 terrorist hideouts have also been decimated.”
There has been a 73 per cent
decline in US security assistance to Pakistan since 2011, reveal
statistics released by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
The report, prepared for the US Congress, covers both military
and economic assistance given between 2002 and 2015 as well
as those earmarked for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. It also shows
a 53 per cent decrease in economic assistance since 2011 when
relations between the two countries began to deteriorate. Security
aid fell 73 per cent from nearly USD 1.3 billion in 2011 to
USD 343 million in 2015. Economic aid had declined from nearly
USD 1.2 billion in 2011 to USD 561 million in 2015.
|
August 23 |
Two cadres of ASWJ, identified
as Mufti Kamran (46), and Mufti Ghulam Akbar (50), were killed
when unidentified militants opened fire at them inside the Medina
Masjid in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
A Shia, identified as identified
as Qasim Abbas Raza (34), was shot dead in targeted killing
incident near the Sughra Imambargah in Korangi Town.
According to a press release
by the paramilitary force, Pakistan Rangers Sindh have arrested
654 target killers affiliated with the MQM’s armed wing since
September 4, 2013. Rangers claim the 654 target killers arrested
were involved in 81.16 per cent of the total incidents of target
killings in the metropolis, which stands at 7,224. The target
killers, said to be affiliated with MQM, have confessed to being
involved in 5,863 incidents of target killings, read the statement.
Out of the total number of target killers arrested, 95 were
affiliated with militant wings of other political parties and
Lyari gangsters and are said to be involved in 804 incidents
of target killings in the metropolis. The number of arrested
target killers affiliated with banned outfits stands at 99,
are said to be involved in 557 incidents of target killings.
A militant was killed after
an exchange of fire with the CTD personnel in Rakh Pabbi village
of Gujrat District. According to details, his other accomplices
fled, while the one found dead was killed by the firing of his
own accomplices. A spokesperson for the CTD said the CTD received
information that some militants in a house in Rakh Pabbi village
of Gujrat were planning to attack law enforcement agency officials.
A CTD team ordered them to turn themselves in but they started
indiscriminate firing on them. The team took cover and when
firing stopped, one of the militants was found killed by the
firing of his own accomplices. Other militants escaped while
two hand grenades and other weapons were found at the scene.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif while
addressing the troops engaged in combing operations in Kurram
Agency said that terrorists and their facilitators are being
eliminated due to combing operations of SFs. “As we consolidate
gains of emphasis is on rooting out all their sleeper cells
and a network of facilitators from Fata and across rest of the
country,” General Raheel said. He reiterated that the operations
would continue across the board without any discrimination and
Pakistan will not allow any terrorist to use its soil for terrorism
against any other country.
The US State Department, while
removing all ambiguities about its stance on the issue, categorically
assured Pakistan that it did not support independence for Balochistan
and is committed to Pakistan’s territorial integrity and distanced
itself from India’s effort to stir an international controversy
over the region. “The US government respects the unity and territorial
integrity of Pakistan, and we do not support independence for
Balochistan,” said a State Department official in a statement.
But the official also expressed US concerns about the human
rights situation in the province. “We do have concerns about
the human rights situation there, and have reported that for
several years in our Human Rights Report,” the State Department
official said, adding, “However, we have consistently urged
all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably
and through a valid political process,” the official added.
|
August 24 |
Elders of tribal areas at a Loya Jirga organised
by PTI tribal belt chapter at the Peshawar Press Club urged
the Government to take steps for complete abolishment of the
Frontier Crime Regulations and merge the FATA into KP. Dost
Muhammad Mehsood, PTI chief organiser FATA said that tribesmen
had rendered sacrifices for the sake of durable peace in the
country and millions of tribal people had become IDPs. He said
that there was no need of a referendum on the issue of FATA.
He added that more than 75 per cent Pashtun people were living
in Hazara division therefore Hazaris should not have any reservation
on merging of FATA into KP. "We are Pakistani people according
to the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan then why a separate law
is imposed on tribal people. If FCR is a good law then why not
it implement into the rest of the country" he asked.
Five unidentified dead bodies
were recovered from Chattar area of Naseerabad District and
were handed over to the family. The bodies were identified as
that of Noroz, Mir Hasan, Tariq, Haleem and Kareem Bakhsh.
At least 11 people were injured
in a hand grenade attack near a mini bus stand in Awaran District.
In another search operation,
two suspects, identified as Ahsanullah and Abdul Kabeer, were
arrested from Sariab Road area in provincial capital Quetta.
Elders of tribal areas at a
Loya Jirga organised by PTI tribal belt chapter at the
Peshawar Press Club urged the Government to take steps for complete
abolishment of the Frontier Crime Regulations and merge the
FATA into KP. Dost Muhammad Mehsood, PTI chief organiser FATA
said that tribesmen had rendered sacrifices for the sake of
durable peace in the country and millions of tribal people had
become IDPs. He said that there was no need of a referendum
on the issue of FATA. He added that more than 75 per cent Pashtun
people were living in Hazara division therefore Hazaris should
not have any reservation on merging of FATA into KP. "We
are Pakistani people according to the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan
then why a separate law is imposed on tribal people. If FCR
is a good law then why not it implement into the rest of the
country" he asked.
|
August 25 |
At least six Levies personnel
were killed and three others were injured in rocket attack targeting
their convoy Gurdan area of Jiwani Town in Gwadar District of
Balochistan. No group immediately claimed responsibility for
the attack.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh announced
a PKR 5 million award for information leading to the arrest
of LeJ-Alami chief Syed Safdar. The chief of LJA is “wanted
in several acts of terrorism”, said the spokesperson. Safdar
operates under various aliases, such as, Khurassani and Mowavia.
“If anyone has information about him, he should inform the Rangers
through WhatsApp, phone number, email or helpline,” added the
spokesperson.
During a detailed news briefing
at the Foreign Office, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs
Sartaj Aziz said that the Government has proposed a plan to
replace the FCR in the FATA with a new Tribal Areas Rewaj Act.
“Today I met Senate chairperson and speaker of the National
Assembly, and now the reforms will be debated in Parliament,”
he said. Aziz heads a committee, constituted by Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif in November 2015, to work out a viable reform package
to integrate FATA into the mainstream.
Aziz said that they had devised
a five-year transition period so that tribes can work with jirgas
and rewaj (cultural dispute resolution) systems. Under the proposed
reforms, the existing FCR will be repealed in favour of the
jirga and rewaj systems under the new Tribal Areas Rewaj Act
– to be introduced in phases in the areas where it is convenient.
“You cannot change the customary way of justice easily, so it
will continue to function along with the newly introduced justice
system,” Aziz said, adding that under the rewaj, people can
lodge appeals with the formal justice system.
|
August 26 |
One FC officer and one militant
were killed while three FC personnel were during an exchange
of fire in Sariab Road area of provincial capital Quetta. FC
Spokesman Khan Wasey stated that security personnel were on
routine patrolling close to a railway track when they were attacked
by "miscreants". "One security personnel was
killed in the attack," the spokesperson informed, adding
that one "miscreant" was killed as a result of timely
retaliation.
A terror bid was foiled when
an eight kilogram of bomb was defused at Bakhtiarabad area of
Lehri District. However, the railway track was damaged.
A dead body of a Baloch man,
bearing torture marks, was found in Gharib Nawaz Colony of New
Karachi Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Another dead body was found
near Miskin Para within Manghopir Police limits of Gadap Town.
PTI leader Faisal Vawda escaped
an attack on him in Delhi Colony of Baldia Town. "Unknown
assailants opened fire on my car upon which my guards retaliated,"
Vawda said. "Total six bullets were fired at the car,"
said senior PTI leader Imran Ismail.
Pakistani forces are engaged
in a "tsunami of human rights violations" in Balochistan,
said Switzerland-based BRP President Brahamdagh Bugti while
seeking help from the international community, including India,
in Baloch nationalist movement. Brahamdagh Bugti. "Pak
forces are engaged in tsunami of human rights violations. We
do not want to live with Pakistan anymore," said Bugti
as he demanded a referendum of Baloch people under the supervision
of the United Nations.
He said that he is ready for
a dialogue with the Pakistani Government but insisted that there
is no going back on freedom movement. Use of aerial bombardment,
use of gases have become routine, he claimed and added that
Balochistan is the world capital of missing people. "We
are political people. We want to solve this with peaceful means.
But there is no way we are going to be part of the Pakistan
any more. We want freedom from Pakistan. We are not fools to
try our luck again and again with Pakistan. We are ready to
negotiate through peaceful means," Bugti added.
|
August 27 |
The CTD killed four suspected
terrorists in a shootout in Manawan area of Lahore, the capital
city Punjab. The suspects opened fire on CTD officials as they
raided a hideout. Four suspects were killed and three others managed
to flee in the ensuing shootout. Laptops, prohibited literature
and large cache of explosives were also recovered during the raid.
The dead were identified as Zubair, Abdul Wahab, Adnan and Atiqur
Rehman. |
August 28 |
A shopkeeper, identified as
Shamshad, was shot dead while he was sleeping outside his shop
in Chanda bazaar of Halimzai tehsil in Mohmand Agency
of FATA. The accused was identified as Saddam, an off-duty Levies
official.
Police arrested three suspected
terrorists and recovered a sizeable cache of arms and ammunition
from their vehicle in Chilas town of Diamer District. “A team
of Diamer Police stopped a white Toyota Corolla at a post in
Chilas and recovered one SMG, one shotgun, a M-16 assault rifle
and around 850 bullets,” said a security official.
According to SSP Diamer Shoaib
Khurram Janbaz, “The arrested individuals are the brother and
close relatives of wanted terrorist Mujibur Rehman, and the
Government has announced head money of Rs 2 million for his
arrest.”
SFs sealed a seminary in Eastern
Bypass area of provincial capital Quetta and took 100 Afghan
students into custody. The arrested students were studying in
seminary without any valid documents. "A search operation
was conducted inside the seminary and the Afghan students were
arrested under Foreigners Act," said a security official.
SFs also recovered suspicious literature and other material
from the seminary.
Balochistan Government claimed
to have either eliminated or coerced into surrender the second
and third tier leadership of rebel organisations and is now
focusing on disassociating their exiled top leaders from the
outfit cadres on the ground. According to the official figures,
over 600 rebels were killed in 1, 234 combing operations jointly
conducted by the law-enforcement agencies in last 13 months.
At least 15 key commanders of banned outfits were also killed.
Around 500 refugee families
are returning to Afghanistan every day, said UNHCR spokesman
Duniya Aslam Khan. "When refugees return, their identity
is verified through the latest IRIS test and then they are issued
registration forms," said the spokesman. Every person who
leaves is given USD 400 of financial assistance, he said, adding
that two centres have been established to facilitate the return
of refugees. One located in the Chamkani area of Peshawar, which
assists refugees returning from the areas of Sindh, KP, Azad
Kashmir and Islamabad. The other is located in Quetta, where
refugees from Sindh and Balochistan can establish contact to
get a date for their return and complete other formalities.
|
August 29
|
At least three people, including
a brother of JI’s District councilor and two Policemen, were
killed after militants attacked their vehicle in Rabaat Bazar
area of Lower Dir District in KP. According to reports, Shad
Nawaz remained unhurt in the attack while one assailant was
injured in the crossfire. Police said that Shad Nawaz, an active
member of the JI, was travelling along with his entourage when
heavily armed men opened fire at him. “Three people were first
injured and later succumbed to their injuries,” an official
said. He identified the victims as Sohail Khan who is brother
of JI’s District Council member while two Policemen Fazle Wahab
and Zubair Khan.
An official of the Special Branch
Police, Iftikhar Khattak, was killed near his house at Chughulpura
in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP, when unidentified
motorcycle bourne assailants opened fire on him.
A man was killed and another
sustained injuries when unidentified motorcyclists fired at
them in Raisan area of Hangu District. Sources said that unidentified
motorcycle bourne assailants shot and injured Hanif Jan and
Muhammad Karim. They were taken to the District Headquarters
Hospital in Hangu where Muhammad Karim succumbed to his injuries
while Hanif Jan was referred to a hospital in Peshawar due to
his precarious condition. Following the incident, the police
launched a search operation in the area and arrested 10 suspected
persons. The police seized four hand grenades, Kalashnikov,
two pistols and ammunition from their possession.
The Peshawar High Court stayed
execution of another alleged terrorist who had been awarded
death sentence by a military court in the killing of Major Abid
Majeed and other terrorism cases. A two-member bench comprising
Justice Syed Afsar Shah and Justice Mohammad Ishtiaq Ibrahim
suspended the death sentence. It issued a notice to the Federal
Government to submit record of the case before September 8.
The court suspended the death sentence after Fazal Ghafoor,
father of the convict, Fazale Rabbi, hailing from Matta tehsil
(revenue unit) of Swat District, filed a review petition in
the high court.
|
August 30
|
SFs claimed to have foiled a
major terror bid during a joint search operation on RCT Main
Road in Khuzdar District of Balochistan. According to reports,
unidentified terrorists hurled a five kilogramme bomb at the
Road in that was defused by the SFs.
The FIA arrested a tribal elder,
identified as Malik Mehboob Noorzai, for verifying Afghan Taliban's
former ‘chief’ Mullah Akhtar Mansour's CNIC. "Malik Mehboob
Noorzai had verified the documents of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah
Akhtar Mansour," said the FIA official. The FIA team conducted
the raid and arrested Noorzai from Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah
District. "More arrests in connection with Mansour's national
identity card and passports are likely to be made," FIA
official told.
The CTD foiled a terror bid
by arresting militant and recovering explosives from a house
on Samana Road in Orakzai Agency of FATA. The arrested militant
was identified as Abdul Rehman, a resident of Landikotal tehsil
in Khyber Agency. According to sources, the explosives included
a locally-made bomb, three kilograms of ball-bearings and hand-grenade.
The CTD personnel raided the house after receiving a tip-off
about the presence of a suspect along with explosives. Rehman
confessed planning attack on Security Forces.
|
August 31
|
Police Constable Wajid Khan
sustained injuries when an unidentified armed assailant opened
fire at a patrolling Police van in cantonment area of Kohat
District in KP.
Police arrested a suspected
militant, identified as Abdul Samad, and seized two bombs placed
under a bridge in Charsadda District.
Rangers Director General Major
General Bilal Akbar during a meeting of the Sindh Apex Committee
headed by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, informed the participants
that 848 target killers involved in 7,224 cases have been arrested
since September 4, 2013, out of which 654 suspects are affiliated
with MQM. The MQM suspects have confessed to being involved
in 5,863 incidents of target killings.
The US State Department spokesman
John Kirby said that the Haqqani Network and other terrorist
groups that operate inside Pakistan and along the Afghan border
are a continued security threat to the entire South Asian region
and beyond. “We all recognise the continued security threat
that is posed by the Haqqani Network and by other terrorist
groups that operate inside Pakistan and along the border between
Afghanistan and Pakistan,” said Kirby, adding, “The Pentagon
is obviously well aware of that, as we are here, and it’s a
conversation that we continue to have and will continue to have
with our partners in the region. I’m not aware that there’s
any dissonance here in terms of the way we’re seeing it”.
Kirby said the US had held “a
constant conversation” with its Pakistani partners about the
threat posed by the Haqqani and other extremist groups “there
in the region and certainly operating inside Pakistan”. And
“we make these decisions routinely and they’re based on active,
fluid, dynamic conversations that we have with Pakistani leaders,”
he added.
|
September 1
|
One five kilogram IED along
with two hand-grenades was recovered and defused near the Karkhano
Market of Peshawar.
Pakistan reopened its border
crossing with Afghanistan for routine traffic at 8:00 a.m.,
after Afghanistan tendered a written apology for the August
18, 2016, incident. The citizens of both the countries welcomed
reopening of Bab-e-Dosti Gate. ‘Pakistan zindabad’ slogans were
raised at the time of opening. Trade activities resumed after
two weeks of suspension. The situation at the border had remained
tense as the border had been closed for 14 consecutive days
after Afghan citizens staged an anti-Pakistan demonstration
on their side and some angry protesters attacked the border
gate and burned a Pakistani flag, according to officials in
Islamabad.
The Pakistan Army said that
the footprints of the militant IS group had been eliminated
from Pakistan. “They tried to [sneak] into Pakistan but failed
and [were] apprehended,” ISPR Lieutenant General Asim Saleem
Bajwa told reporters during a briefing. In all, 309 people had
been apprehended thus far, including 25 Afghans and other foreign
nationals and 157 “freelancers” and fighters from smaller groups.
He said that major terrorist attacks planned by IS acolytes
on targets including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign
embassies, consulates and their staff, Islamabad airport, prominent
public figures, media persons and law enforcement personnel,
had been averted.
“A proactive approach and the
efforts of law enforcement agencies have forestalled the threat
of Daesh for the time being and the network has been busted.
But the threat is not over yet, as their presence in neighbouring
Afghanistan is still [something] we are worried about,” he
remarked, referring to the IS by its more popular Arabic acronym.
Lieutenant General Bajwa said Daesh was still operating in some
parts of eastern Afghanistan and could still try to make ingress
into Pakistan.
|
September 2
|
At least 13 persons, including
four lawyers and three Policemen, were killed and 41 others
were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the
entrance of District and Sessions Court in Mardan District.
The JuA claimed responsibility for the attack. DPO Mardan Faisal
Shahzad said that the attacker detonated a hand grenade before
exploding his suicide vest.
Two persons, including a civilian
and a Levies official, were killed when a group of four terrorists
attacked Christian Colony in Warsak Dam area of provincial capital
Peshawar. Four terrorists were also killed in the retaliatory
fire of SFs. Two FC personnel, a Policeman and two private guards
sustained injuries in the attack. JuA claimed responsibility
for the attack. According to eyewitnesses, the terrorists detonated
at least five explosive devices before opening sporadic firing
on the unarmed Christians.
The Police defused two explosive
devices in Matta tehsil and Khwazakhela tehsil of Swat
District.
An unidentified dead body was
found on Mauripur Road near the Quaid-e-Azam Truck Stand in
SITE Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A bullet-riddled dead body,
identified as that of an alleged criminal Muhammad Aslam (35),
was found near Coast Guard Road in Korangi Town. Zaman Town
SHO Raheem Khan said that the victim was a criminal.
The paramilitary force seized
a huge cache of weapons during raids in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town
and Landhi Town. According to Sindh Rangers, paramilitary soldiers
conducted an intelligence-based raid on a godown in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
and found weapons, including 8mm rifle, Kalashnikovs and sniper
rifle’s bullets. Later, the law enforcers recovered weapons,
including one light machinegun, five sub-machineguns, a repeater
rifle and hundreds of bullets, from Landhi No-4.
Brahamdagh Bugti, the leader
of BRP, in an exclusive an interview with Navbharat Times
urged India to grant political asylum to the people of Balochistan.
"We need political asylum in India," Bugti said, asking
the Indian Government to open doors for the Baloch community,
which has been protesting against Pakistan's atrocities in the
region. "After PM Modi's statement against the atrocities
meted out to Baloch people, we see a ray of hope," Bugti
added. Citing his sources, Bugti said that the Pakistan Government
is using chemical weapons on Baloch people. "Our children
are dying. Considering the latest turn of events, the Indian
Government should grant asylum to us," he said.
|
September 3
|
Police arrested at least 120
suspects during search operation in Christian Colony of Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP; and its adjacent areas. Police
also seized weapons, including 19 pistols, four guns, three
rifles and a Kalashnikov from many suspects.
Police arrested three suspects
from Karachi’s Landhi area during a search operation. Upon receiving
reports of the presence of suspects in the area, Police conducted
a raid and took into custody three suspects. Police disclosed
that the suspects were wanted in various illegal activities.
Another suspect, who was an accomplice with the three suspects,
managed to flee from the law enforcers. Weapons and drugs were
recovered from the three arrested suspects. Police also conducted
a search operation in Baldia Town’s in Saeedabad area. SP Asif
Raza stated that the operation was being carried out at Saeedabad
since Police had received credible reports of the presence of
criminals in the area. He also said that Police Forces from
all Police Stations were involved in the search operation.
|
September 4
|
Two personnel of the BDS were
killed when two IEDs hit a BDS and local Khasadar force team
in Koz Chamarkand area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency
of FATA. A security official confirmed that a BDS team of MR
203 Wing was on routine patrol when an IED planted by militants
blew up, killing Zarbad Shah Khattak. Another IED exploded in
Nawapas area near the Pak-Afghan border. Khasadar force Hawaldar
Nabi received critical injuries in the explosion and died on
way to hospital. JuA, the splinter group of TTP claimed responsibility
of both the attacks.
One security personnel was killed
and another injured in a mine blast in Chamar Kand area of Mohmand
Agency.
SFs arrested four suspected
facilitators from Corona area of Mohmand Agency who were suspected
to be involved in the terrorist attack targeting Christian Colony
in the Warsak Dam area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of
KP, in the morning of September 2. SFs arrested the accused
in a search operation in Corona area as they made headway into
investigations on Mardan and Christian Colony attacks. The arrested
include Shahid, Aijaz, Ziaur Rehman and Zia.
An unidentified bullet-riddled
dead body of a man was found in the Lyari River, within the
Gadap City Police limits in Malir Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
A gangster, affiliated with
the Uzair Baloch gang, identified as Shamo (25) was shot dead
by unknown armed assailants in Marwari area of Lyari Town. "The
victim was an alleged gangster linked with the Uzair Baloch
led gang in Lyari," confirmed SP Lyari Aftab Nizamani.
Shamo was involved in extortion.
Under the NAP, geo-tagging of
7,724 madrassas has been completed by Sindh Special Branch and
the IT Branch, helping security agencies see the exact location
of seminaries and maintain a strict watch on them. According
to sources, of the total, 3,110 are in Karachi, 1,290 in Hyderabad,
750 in Mirpurkhas, 1,536 in Sukkur and 1,037 in Larkana Division.
The sources said there are 10,030 madrassas in Sindh of which
2,309 madrassas were sealed under different allegations while
1,184 are yet to be registered.
A Policeman was killed while
two other persons were wounded in a bomb attack on a police
patrol near Aslam Dheri on Pajagi Road of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police officials said unidentified
militants had planted explosives in a pressure cooker alongside
a road near Aslam Dheri, which went off as a patrolling party
onboard a Police vehicle passed through the area. The driver
of the patrolling vehicle identified as Naveed Khan, a resident
of Shiekh Killay, was killed in the explosion. Two local residents,
Sudais (10) and Yousaf (40), sustained minor injuries in the
blast.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a man, Umar Zeb, in Qalagay village of Totano Bandai area
in Kabal tehsil of Swat District.
There has been a marked reduction
in terrorist attacks and deaths in Pakistan in 2015, but terrorists
seem to have become more lethal as the ratio of deaths per attack
has increased, said statistics from a comparative study of the
US State Department’s country reports on Terrorism for 2014
and 2015. The statistics also show a greater decrease in the
number of people injured in these attacks.
According to the US State Department,
there were a total of 1,009 terrorist attacks in Pakistan in
2015, compared to 1,823 in 2014, which is a 45 per cent decrease.
The total deaths in the attacks — 1,081 in 2015 compared to
1,761 in 2014 — went down by 39 per cent. The statistics for
Pakistan, however, also indicated that the terrorists became
more lethal in 2015 compared to the previous year. In 2015,
there were 1.10 deaths per attack, compared to 0.99 in 2014.
|
September 5 |
Two labourers, identified as Javed Ali and Muhammad
Asif, were shot dead by unidentified armed assailants while
they were sleeping in their camps at Maraw Chowk in Mastung
District of Balochistan.
Two Policemen, identified as ASI Abdullah and
his constable son, were killed when unidentified militants opened
fire at them on Masjid Road in Mastung District.
Unidentified militants opened fire at a levies
official in Kandao area of Mastung District, killing him on
the spot. No outfit claimed responsibility for the killings.
The CTD Investigation wing claimed to have foiled
a terrorist attack on the eve of Eidul Azha by arresting five
sectarian terrorists Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The five militants were identified as Syed Amir Hussain Rizvi
alias Babar, Zianul Abideen alias Sunny, Faizyab Ali alias Sheraz,
Syed Mohsin Hussain alias Talha alias Pagal and Syed Abbas alias
Ashar alias Hamza. DIG Arif Hanif said that the arrested militants
were involved in sectarian violence in the city. "Besides, they
had been involved in various cases of sectarian violence and
had completed their homework to carry out targeted killings
of religious scholars, leaders and doctors belonging to the
rival sect," Hanif claimed, adding, "They had planned to attack
their newly selected targets on the eve of Eidul Azha."
Rangers claimed to have arrested three Lyari
gangsters during raids in Lyari Town, Keamari Town and Shah
Faisal Town. Arms and ammunition were also seized from their
possession.
|
September 6 |
Two bullet-riddled dead bodies of ethnic Baloch
were the recovered from storm-water drain on Mauripur Road in
Saddar Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The
toll of dead bodies from the same spot has reached seven in
the last one and a half month. The Baloch, victims were found
with their limbs tied with a rope and appeared to be between
30-35 years of age.
The local Police claimed to have arrested 11
terrorists' facilitators, 49 suspects and 30 illegal foreigners
during the month of August this year in KP. Sources said that
the District Police carried out 30 search and strike operations
last month, in which 11 alleged facilitators of terrorists,
49 suspects and 30 illegal Afghan nationals were arrested. The
Police also claimed to have recovered arms and ammunitions.
The UNHCR repatriated about 100,000 Afghan refugees
to Afghanistan via Torkham border in the ongoing voluntary repatriation
programme, said UNCHR spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi. "About
100,000 Afghan individuals or more than 20,000 families have
been verified at the Voluntary Repatriation Centre in Chamkani
so far," he said. A total of 67,057 Afghan refugees had voluntarily
repatriated to their homeland, said Afridi.
Speaking during the Defense Day ceremony, CoAS
General Raheel Sharif said that despite the successes of Operation
Zarb-e-Azb, threats to peace persist. He called for the implementation
of the NAP and wide-ranging legal and governance reforms to
sustain the military's achievements against terrorists.
Asserting that Pakistan must target all militant
groups, including those that target its neighbours, the US State
Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said that it is not planning
any sanctions against the country for not taking actions against
terrorist groups. "Suggestive of any kind of sanctions, we're
not there," the Toner said. This was in response to a recent
statement by the former US Ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad
that the US now needs to seriously consider the option of imposing
sanctions against Pakistan.
He said, "I don't think we're even at that point".
"I mean, we continue to have, conversations with the highest
level of the government of Pakistan and our basic point in all
these conversations is that Pakistan must target all militant
groups, including those that target Pakistan's neighbours and
eliminate all safe havens and that is what I was trying to convey
to you as well," he added.
|
September 7 |
Four passers-by sustained injuries in an IED
blast in Rustam Bazaar in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. According
to official sources, the militants had planted the explosive
device near the wall of a medical store. The owner of the medical
shop, Naik Muhammad, was the resident of FR Bannu.
Police arrested 60 suspects during search and
strike operations in various areas of Bannu District. The Police
seized two Kalashnikovs, three rifles, six guns and 22 pistols
from their possession.
Shafqat Malik, AIG of the BDS, said that IEDs
have become the most common weapon to be used by militants in
KP and FATA. Around 70 per cent of terrorist attacks in KP have
involved the use of IEDs, he said, informing that 5,228 incidents
of IED blasts took place from 2009 to 2015 in the Province.
Another 210 cases have already been recorded this year. Malik
further suggested, "The government needs to establish an inspectorate
to keep a check on factories that are using explosive material
for commercial purposes".
|
September 8 |
A woman was killed when unidentified militants
hurled hand grenade and opened fire at the house of a pro-government
tribal elder Malik Nasir Khan in Shah Alam Sali area of Michni
in Lower Mohmand Agency of FATA. An official of political administration
said that the house had also been attacked in the past but the
occupants escaped unhurt.
Unidentified armed assailants shot dead the
son of a renowned leader, Malik Zebur Rehman, in Jamrud tehsil
of Khyber Agency. Four Khasadar officials were also injured
in the attack. The security officials arrested four suspects
from the area after the incident.
A suspected facilitator, who is believed to
have spearheaded an attack on tribal elders in Ambar, was arrested
by political administration in Mohmand Agency.
Asad Tareen, the kidnapped son of Provincial
Local Government Minister, Sardar Mustafa Khan Tareen, was recovered
from Gulistan area of Qilla Abdullah District in Balochistan.
Asad was abducted from Pishin District on May 20, 2016. It is
not yet clear whether Asad was recovered as a result of a security
forces operation or after the payment of ransom.
The CTD arrested a militant, identified as Sardar
Ali, in Matta tehsil of Swat District in KP.
|
September 9 |
At least nine suspected terrorists were killed
in air strikes in Kukikhel area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency
of FATA. Military officials said two hideouts were also destroyed
in the airstrikes.
At least nine suspected terrorists were killed
in air strikes in Kukikhel area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency
of FATA. Military officials said two hideouts were also destroyed
in the airstrikes.
A SI, identified as Fazal Subhan, was shot dead
when unidentified militants attacked a Police van within the
jurisdiction of Kalu Khan Police Station in Swabi District.
One SI, identified as Ibrahim, was shot dead
in a target killing incident in Akhunabad area of provincial
capital Peshawar.
Unidentified armed militants attacked a Police
Station with an explosive device in Shabqadar, tehsil of Charsadda
District. According to the police, the device did not hit the
police station, but exploded in a nearby irrigation channel.
A terrorism bid was foiled while a militant
was arrested while was carrying a four-kilograms of IEDs in
Hassan Garhi situated within the jurisdiction of Machni Gate
Police Station in Peshawar. The Police believed the militant
was trying to enter Peshawar to carry out sabotage activities
but was caught red-handed.
A cache of arms and ammunition were recovered
during an operation was conducted by Field Intelligence Unit
of Frontier Corps in Spin Qabar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber
Agency.
Three terrorists were killed in an exchange
of fire with Police in Killi Qambrani, within jurisdiction of
Kechi Baig Police Station in Quetta, the provincial capital
of Balochistan.
Law enforcement agencies have arrested seven
suspected terrorists belonging to ISIS and al Qaida who were
hiding in a house at Killi Hazoor Bakhsh area along Pak Afghan
border area Chagai District. Arms, ammunition, hatred inciting
material and suicide jackets were also recovered from them.
A trader, belonging to the Bohra community,
identified as Hakim Feroz, was shot dead while another was injured
when unidentified militants opened fire at them in a targeted
sectarian attack in North Nazimabad Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. "Bohra community members were standing near
Burhan Centre when armed pillion riders opened fire on them
and fled," said North Nazimabad SHO Ghulam Asghar Abbasi.
A large quantity of weapons was seized by the
Sindh Rangers during an intelligence-driven raid at a hideout
in Lyari Town. As per the details, the weapons include are a
Light Machine Gun, six Submachine Guns, three 303 rifles, three
7mm rifles, two 44 Bore rifles, five 12 Bore Pump Action and
nine 30 bore pistols.
The PoK PM Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that
religious seminaries are being registered to stop sectarian
conflicts and other extremist practices. He was addressing a
briefing by officials of NCTA in Muzaffarabad. Raja Farooq Haider
Khan expressed satisfaction over the security and law and order
situation in the State. He said that terrorism has caused huge
loss to the country but due to the effective policies of PM
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif terrorism
incidents have been significantly reduced.
|
September 10 |
At least eight suspected militants and a SF
official were killed during an ongoing combing operation in
the mountainous tribal area of Rajanpur District along the border
between Punjab and Balochistan. According to military sources,
the SFs were carrying out the combing operation in the Gayandari
area on the Provincial border. Several 'feraris' (fugitives)
were arrested and arms and ammunition were also recovered from
them, it said.
Police claimed to foil a terrorism bid in Karachi
ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and apprehended three suspects from Madina
Colony in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of the city. The arrested persons
have been affiliated with TTP and were planning to carry out
a terrorist attack ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Police and CTD carried out joint operation in
different parts of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab
and arrested at least 30 suspects.
Police also carried out search operation in
Shah Rukan-e-Alam area of Multan District and arrested four
suspected persons. Police sources said that arms were also recovered
from the arrested suspects.
|
September 11 |
Two suspects were shot dead by Police in during
an encounter in Phuleli and SITE areas of Hyderabad District
in Sindh. A SHO was injured in the alleged encounter between
the police and suspects.
A TTP terrorist, identified as Wahid alias Saddar
Bush, was killed in Police shootout in Ittehad Town of Baldia
Town in provincial capital Karachi. SSP West Pir Mohammad Shah
said that the Manghopir Police along with Mahee Garri check
post in-charge Malik Sarfaraz Awan were checking vehicles on
Northern Bypass when they were signaled two men on motorcycle
to stop. However, the two lobbed a grenade on the Police van
injuring Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Awan. Following this,
the Police chased the fleeing terrorists and in a shootout killed
one of them while the other escaped.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh claimed to have busted
a gang of alleged extortionists by arresting four suspects in
Liaquatabad Town while they were extracting bhatta from a sacrificial
animal market. "The paramilitary force apprehended four suspects
on complaint of the citizens from Bakra Mandi near Liaquatabad
Flyover," said the spokesperson. The arrestees were identified
as Mohammed Gibran, Fahad, Mohammed Tasleem and Mohammed Akbar.
The Rangers seized arms, looted cash and chits of extortion
from their custody.
A senior member of the polio eradication campaign,
identified as Doctor Zakaullah Khan, was shot dead in a targeted
attack in provincial capital Peshawar. JuA, a breakaway faction
of the TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack. TTP-JuA spokesman
Ehsanullah Ehsan while claiming responsibility for the attack
in a statement vowed to carry out more attacks.
|
September 12
|
At least 13 persons,
including five Policemen, were injured as Police foiled two
separate suicide blasts during Eid prayers in Khanpur tehsil
of Shikarpur District in Sindh. Police sources said four suicide
attackers infiltrated Khanpur during Eid prayers. Two of the
attackers targeted an Eid prayer ground where one assailant
blew himself up, injuring 10 people, two of whom were Policemen.
The other attacker fled, Police sources said. Two other attackers
targeted an Imambargah but were stopped by Police at the entrance
on account of appearing suspicious. One of the attackers blew
himself up after he was stopped by guards for a search, whereas
the other was arrested, Police added.
At least four Police
personnel were injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast in
Karakar area of Swat District in KP. According to reports, the
blast occurred near a police mobile, which was on a routine
patrol. Four personnel were injured in the blast. The Police
mobile was partially damaged in the explosion.
At least four suspected
persons were arrested by SFs during a search operation in various
areas of Golra Police Station in the Federal capital Islamabad.
SFs also recovered illegal weapons and alcohol from the possession
of arrested persons.
The Punjab Police
carried out 402 combing operations during the last three days
all over the province and arrested 443 suspects, besides 76
proclaimed offenders. Most of the arrests were made in Faisalabad,
Kasur, Lahore, Chinot, Bhakar, Nankana Sahib and Hafizabad.
A Senior Police Officer privy to the information said that the
combing operations had been launched in all the Districts of
the province on the basis of the information from the Police
sources about the presence of suspects and criminals. He said
the operations were enhanced in the wake of Eidul Azha. “The
Punjab Police checked 13,230 people in 402 combing operations
during last three days and arrested 443 suspects”, the Police
official said adding that the raiding teams also managed to
arrest 76 proclaimed offenders wanted in many heinous crimes.
During raids, the Police also recovered 139 illegal weapons
from the custody of the arrested criminals, he said. Of the
total, he said, Faisalabad police arrested 98 suspects and three
POs in 46 combing operations carried out in various parts of
the District.
Lahore Police conducted
26 combing operations and arrested 31 suspects, Nankana Sahib
Police arrested 17 suspects in nine operations, Kasur 75 suspects
in 33 operations, Chiniot Police arrested 35 suspects and a
PO in five operations, Bhakar Police arrested 28 suspects and
four POs in 27 operations, Hafizabad Police 17 suspects and
six POs in 32 operations and Sialkot arrested 10 suspects in
14 combing operations. The official further shared that the
Mianwali Police conducted six combing operations, Attock four,
Mianwali six, Sialkot 14, Mandi Bahauddin 17, Gujranwala eight,
Sahiwal, five, Multan, six, Jhang five, Pakpatan seven, and
Rajanpur Police carried out three combing operations, making
arrest of many suspects and criminals.
|
September 13
|
At least two Policemen
were killed and 10 others, including five Policemen, were injured
in an IED blast near a Police training centre on Sariab Road
in provincial capital Quetta. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
|
September 15
|
Two persons, identified
as Ghullam Rasool Gola and Mehmood Gola, the workers of PPP,
were killed when a motorbike hit a landmine planted on the roadside
in Puleji area of Naseerabad District in Balochistan. Ghullam
Rasool died on the spot while Mehmood succumbed to his injuries
on the way to hospital.
The CoAS General
Raheel Sharif made it clear that the Army would not leave the
FATA without bringing peace, completing rehabilitation and transferring
administrative control to an institutionalised mechanism. He
was addressing the elders of Bajaur Agency and soldiers during
his visit to the area.
Pakistan’s permanent
representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi called international
community to intervene in Indian atrocities in Kashmir. Pakistan
has protested at UNHRC claiming that India have presented
wrong figures regarding clashes in Kashmir and it was an act
of disgrace to UNHRC.
The United States
reminded Pakistan that its struggle with terrorism will not
come to an end until it makes a decisive shift in its policy
of tolerance towards externally-focused groups. Richard Olson,
US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, told
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Barrack Obama
administration had also conveyed this message to the Pakistani
Government, reminding Islamabad that there could be no peace
in the region until these cross-border attacks stopped. Mr.
Olson, who was the US ambassador in Islamabad before taking
up his current position, also emphasised the need for a constructive
relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which he said
was essential for bringing peace and stability to the region.
|
September 16
|
A suicide bomber
killed at least 36 people and wounded more than 37 others as
they attended Friday prayers at a mosque in Pekhan Killay area
of Anbar tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA. JuA, breakaway faction
of TTP, claimed responsibility of the attack.
Deputy Chief of
Mohmand Agency administration Naveed Akbar said that the bomber
came in as Friday prayers were in progress, and blew himself
up in the main hall. “The suicide bomber was in a crowded mosque,
he shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greatest) and then there was
a huge blast,” Naveed Akbar said.
An unidentified
dead body of a young Baloch man was found near the Mauripur
Truck Stand area in SITE Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. This is the eighth dead body since the start of August
this year.
A suspected militant
was killed and another injured in a three-hour long encounter
with the SFs during a search operation in Dringen Nullah area
of Sui tehsil in Dera Bugti District. Two SFs were also injured
in the shootout. The FC spokesperson said that the militants
involved in the encounter belonged to BRA. He said that a huge
quantity of arms, ammunition and 400 kilograms of explosives,
an Improvised-Explosive Device, 40-metre-long fuse cord and
300 meter detonating cord were seized from the hideout, which
was later demolished.
Frontier Corps
personnel arrested a local leader of the banned BLA from Sheikhri
area of Kalat District. The FC spokespersons said that two other
militants were arrested from the Sami area of Turbat District,
while five others were taken into custody from Buleda area of
the same District.
Punjab's CTD arrested
four terrorists affiliated Daesh (also known as Islamic State/IS)
terror network in provincial capital Lahore. According to official
details, the arrested militants were planning to target government
buildings and sensitive installations in Lahore. Explosives
were also seized from their possession. The suspects were identified
as Syed Abdul Alam, Hafeezur Rehman, Nisar Ahmed and Tasawur
Ameen.
|
September 18
|
Two men, identified
as Muhammad Khan Sajidi and Juma Khan Sajidi, were abducted
and killed in Naal Gresha area of Khuzdar District in Balochistan.
A target killer,
identified as Nadir, was killed while his accomplice Haleem
was arrested during a Police shootout in the Khudabadan area
of Panjgur District. DSP Panjgur Allah Bakhsh Baloch said that
the Police were on a routine patrol when the two suspects opened
fire at them.
Unidentified armed
assailants killed an Afghan national, identified as Agha Shireen,
in Gul Baghicha area of Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District.
Three Army personnel
were killed when unidentified militants opened fire at their
van in Garhi Sohbat Khan area of Peshawar, the provincial capital
of KP. The victims were identified as Mohammad Iqbal, Mohammad
Farid and Abdur Rehman.
|
September 12 |
The Punjab Police carried out 402 combing operations
during the last three days all over the province and arrested
443 suspects, besides 76 proclaimed offenders. Most of the arrests
were made in Faisalabad, Kasur, Lahore, Chinot, Bhakar, Nankana
Sahib and Hafizabad. A Senior Police Officer privy to the information
said that the combing operations had been launched in all the
Districts of the province on the basis of the information from
the Police sources about the presence of suspects and criminals.
He said the operations were enhanced in the wake of Eidul Azha.
"The Punjab Police checked 13,230 people in 402 combing operations
during last three days and arrested 443 suspects", the Police
official said adding that the raiding teams also managed to
arrest 76 proclaimed offenders wanted in many heinous crimes.
During raids, the Police also recovered 139 illegal weapons
from the custody of the arrested criminals, he said. Of the
total, he said, Faisalabad police arrested 98 suspects and three
POs in 46 combing operations carried out in various parts of
the District.
Lahore Police conducted 26 combing operations
and arrested 31 suspects, Nankana Sahib Police arrested 17 suspects
in nine operations, Kasur 75 suspects in 33 operations, Chiniot
Police arrested 35 suspects and a PO in five operations, Bhakar
Police arrested 28 suspects and four POs in 27 operations, Hafizabad
Police 17 suspects and six POs in 32 operations and Sialkot
arrested 10 suspects in 14 combing operations. The official
further shared that the Mianwali Police conducted six combing
operations, Attock four, Mianwali six, Sialkot 14, Mandi Bahauddin
17, Gujranwala eight, Sahiwal, five, Multan, six, Jhang five,
Pakpatan seven, and Rajanpur Police carried out three combing
operations, making arrest of many suspects and criminals.
|
September 16 |
Punjab's CTD arrested four terrorists affiliated
Daesh (also known as Islamic State/IS) terror network in provincial
capital Lahore. According to official details, the arrested
militants were planning to target government buildings and sensitive
installations in Lahore. Explosives were also seized from their
possession. The suspects were identified as Syed Abdul Alam,
Hafeezur Rehman, Nisar Ahmed and Tasawur Ameen.
|
September 19 |
Rangers recovered weapons, including sniper
rifles, SMGs, explosive materials, bulletproof jackets and G3
guns, from Qasba Aligarh area of Orangi Town in Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh. According to Rangers, the weapons
belonged to suspects affiliated with a political party.
CJP Anwar Zaheer Jamali while addressing the
ceremony of the New Judicial Year 2016-2017 at Supreme Court
in Islamabad said that terrorism is not only generated from
foreign elements but also from within the county, adding, "Regrettably,
such elements also get internal support to perpetrate their
nefarious acts. Unfortunately, some political parties support
terror elements for personal interests".
"This court had observed in cases related to
worsening law and order situation in Karachi and Balochistan
that contact and relations were found between subversive elements
and different political and religious parties," said the CJP,
adding such issues should immediately be addressed. He added
the judiciary and legal community were also being targeted in
acts of terrorism in order to threaten this institution entrusted
with the responsibility of ensuring justice.
CoAS, General Raheel Sharif, while presiding
over the corps commanders conference at the GHQ said that the
armed forces of Pakistan are fully prepared to respond to the
entire spectrum of direct and indirect threats. The forum had
an in-depth review of external and internal security situation
and operational preparedness of the Army.
|
September 20 |
A CTD Police Constable, identified as Shahab
Haider (45), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants
in Jamshed Quarters area of Jamshed Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Head Constable, Muhammad Yousuf (40), was shot
dead at Korangi Family Quarters in Korangi Town.
Sindh Rangers claimed to have arrested five
alleged criminals, including members of banned outfits and one
member of the MQM, and also found a cache of weapons during
targeted raids in Shah Latif, Malir, Gulberg, Landhi and New
Karachi Town.
SFs arrested five alleged facilitators of militants,
including three women, and three militants of Afghan origin
in two different operations in Tangi and Shabqadar tehsil of
Charsadda District in KP. A police official at the Mandani police
station confirmed the arrest of three suspected militants, identified
as Imdad Ullah, Hashim Khan and Muhammad Nabi, in Mandani area
of Tangi tehsil. Moreover, five alleged facilitators of militants
were arrested in a raid on a house in Sro Kali area of Shabqadar
tehsil.
|
September 21 |
A militant, identified as Ahmad Ali, was killed
in a Police encounter after three unidentified armed assailants
reportedly ambushed a Police patrolling van in Belakoroona area
within the limits of the City Police Station in Charsadda District
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the Police escaped unhurt in
the attack. Two other accomplices escaped. According to sources,
SFs arrested three suspected persons in Umarzai area of the
District.
The CTD arrested suspected Islamic State (IS/
also known as Daesh) militant, identified as Muhammad Farid,
from Qazi Kaley area of provincial capital Peshawar. CTD Senior
Superintendent of Police Dr Mian Saeed said that Farid was involved
in plotting large-scale terror attacks and target killings.
The SSP said Farid was involved in 32 target killings, including
the killings of Police officials, in various parts of Peshawar.
According to official reports, the casualty
figures have increased despite an overall decline in the number
of terrorist attacks in the first nine months of this year across
the Province. As many as 146 terrorist attacks took place across
the province this year in contrast to 172 last year. The attacks
included 52 IED, four suicide and 14 grenade attacks in addition
to 76 firing incidents, showing a 26 percent decline in the
number of total attacks. A Police Official said that terrorists
preferred targeted killings this year as 76 incidents were reported
against 66 of last year. "Last year was unusually peaceful for
the province because of military operations and a large-scale
crackdown against terrorists in the shape of NAP. It is, however,
evident now that terrorists have regrouped in Afghanistan and
they have devised a strategy to target policemen in such incidents,"
he said, adding that higher casualty figure was really worrying.
Police arrested five gangsters during raids
in Napier, Baghdadi and Kalakot areas of Lyari Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP City Faizullah Karejo said
the Police raided hideouts in and arrested five gangsters involved
in killings and other crimes. According to details, the Kalakot
Police conducted a raid in Nava Lane, Lyari and after an encounter
arrested Afzal Shah, a gangster of the Uzair Baloch group. In
another raid, the Kalakot Police arrested Owais alias Mulla
Owais, the 'commander' of the Baba Ladla gang, after a shootout
in Eidgah Lane. He was wanted by the police in number of murder
cases and was also an absconder in terrorism cases. The Kalakot
and Mauripur police conducted raids in their respective jurisdictions
and arrested Hafeez alias Ahmed, a 'commander' of the Uzair
Baloch Group.
Sindh Rangers claimed to have seized a huge
of amount weapons and ammunition during a raid at a park in
the Aziazabad area of Gulberg Town. According to the official
statement, an alleged criminal, who belongs to the Muttahida
Qaumi Movement, revealed information about the presence of the
cache of weapons that were buried underground in the park. The
seized weapons included hand grenades, rifles, pistols, a huge
quantity of bullets and other sophisticated weapons, it added.
Two US lawmakers moved a Bill, titled Pakistan
State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act, in Congress seeking
designation of Pakistan as a 'state sponsor of terrorism'. The
Bill was introduced by Chairman of the House Subcommittee on
Terrorism Ted Poe and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. Congressman
Poe termed Pakistan an "untrustworthy ally" which he alleged
"has also aided and abetted enemies of the US for years".
"From harboring Osama bin Laden to its cosy
relationship with the Haqqani Network, there is more than enough
evidence to determine whose side Pakistan is on in the War on
Terror. And it's not America's," Poe said, adding, "It is time
we stop paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for
what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism". He added that US
President Barack Obama must issue a report within 90 days of
passage of the Bill detailing whether or not Pakistan has provided
support for 'international terrorism'.
|
September 22 |
The NBP Vice President Mohammed Sadiq Siddiqui
(51) was shot dead while resisting a robbery attempt in Gulistan-e-Jauhar
area of Gulshan Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Siddiqui had gone to Rado Bakery for routine grocery shopping
where two suspects tried to snatch his car, said Gulshan Superintendent
of Police (SP) Dr. Fahad Ahmed, adding, "As he offered some
resistance, the suspects fired at him and fled the scene along
with the snatched vehicle.
Police claimed to have arrested four suspects
affiliated with MQM who were allegedly involved in five murders
and over 150 robberies in the city during an encounter near
St Marry School in the Raheem Shah Colony area of Mominabad
in Orangi Town. "We have identified them as Mohammed Amjad alias
Babu, Arshad Husain, Mohammed Shakir and Junaid Mehmood alias
Jimmy," said Karachi West SSP Pir Mohammad Shah. The police
official claimed the held suspects have 'confessed' to their
involvement in five murders, including those of Awami National
Party workers and over 50 robberies at jewelry shops and 100
incidents of mugging.
Unidentified persons set on fire the house of
an IDP, Khan Badshah, in Takhtakai area of Tirah valley in Khyber
Agency of FATA. The tribesmen had left the area after the SFs
launched operations against the militants in Bara and Tirah
valley in 2014.
The elders of the Zaoddin Zakhakhel and Storikhel
tribes asked the Government to provide facilities to the displaced
persons returning to Tirah valley in Khyber Agency. They said
that the infrastructure was destroyed after the SFs launched
Operation Khyber-1 in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency after the
tribal people vacated their houses. "We left behind everything
in our houses when the security forces carried out the military
operations against Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) and Tehreek-i-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) in Tirah," Hakim Khan Afridi, an elder of the
Zaoddin Zakhakhel tribe said.
The CTD arrested an alleged militant in Leganai
area in Buner District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and recovered a
hand-grenade and pistol from his possession. The sources said
the alleged militant was identified as Shaheen Baz, a resident
of Khyber Agency in FATA, and had links with the banned militant
organisation LI.
|
September 23 |
SF personnel repulsed two attacks on security
checkposts in the Sheikh Baba area of Mohmand Agency and Nawa
Pass security post in Bajaur Agency in FATA by suspected militants
from across the Pak-Afghan border. SFs repulsed both attacks
by retaliating quickly. No casualties were reported on either
side of the border. The JuA militant group claimed responsibility
for the attacks.
Police thwarted major terror bid by neutralising
three Kilogrammes bomb at Bacha Khan square in Peshawar, the
provincial capital of KP. According to Police, one suspected
militant was arrested while planting a three Kilogrammes bomb
at Bacha Khan square. Police called Bomb Disposal Squad who
defused the bomb.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif confirmed death
sentences of seven terrorists, the ISPR statement said. According
to the ISPR hardcore terrorists were involved in committing
heinous offences related to terrorism including killing of innocent
civilians, police officials and armed forces personnel. "They
were also involved in sectarian killings. Fire-arms and explosives
were also recovered from their possession. These convicts were
tried by military court, it said.
|
September 24 |
The former spokesperson for the TTP, Azam Tariq,
has been reportedly killed in Laman area of Paktika province
in Afghanistan in air strikes carried out by Afghan and NATO
forces. Three other TTP leaders have also been reportedly killed.
Zeeshan Haider Mehsud, an advisor of Khan Saeed Sajna group,
a splinter group of TTP, confirmed the death of Tariq and his
son while fighting Afghan security forces. He added that 10
other militants were killed in the fighting which erupted in
Paktika province.
A Police officer was shot dead by unidentified
gunmen at a bus stop in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
According to Police sources, the victim identified as Sub-Inspector
Muhammad Zafar Wazeer, was on his way to work, when two armed
assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire at him and fled from
the scene, near Dubai Centre.
|
September 25 |
The Frontier Corps shot dead a militant, Zafar
Bugti, during an operation in Dera Murad Jamali area of Naseerabad
District in Balochistan. A huge cache of arms and ammunitions,
including five kilogrammes of IED with detonators wires, remote
and one SMG was recovered from his possession.
Police conducted a search operation in PIB Colony
and Cantonment station's surrounding areas in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh, and took into custody 28 suspected persons,
in the night.
The SBP instructed all the banks to freeze bank
accounts linked with militant organizations and their facilitators.
Following the orders of NACTA, the SBP issued instructions to
all the banks to freeze accounts of over 2000 individuals listed
on the Fourth Schedule of the ATA 1997. The central bank provided
information to the banks and financial institutions about terrorists
and their facilitators 15 days ago.
A woman councilor of PTI, identified as Zainab
Khattak (30), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants
in Khawarai area of Nowshera District in KP. The shooting occurred.
Zainab was elected unopposed and also remained polio worker
in the area.
|
September 26
|
Levies force official, identified
as Muhammad Niaz, was shot dead while he was on his way to work
in Gichak area of Panjgur District in Balochistan.
A man, identified as Ali Hussain,
was shot dead by unidentified militants in Usta Muhammad city
of Jaffarabad District.
Unidentified militants abducted
a man, identified as Haji Khawas, from Chagai Bazaar area of
Chagai District.
FC arrested seven suspects in
combing operation in Balgatar area of Turbat District.
SFs arrested two suspects and
recovered arms from their possession during a search operation
in Degari near Dash area of Mastung District.
One Fazal Manan, the younger
brother of Malik Taj Khan, a well-known pro-Government tribal
elder, was killed in a roadside bomb blast in the Tarkhoo area
of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency of FATA in the evening.
Officials quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Fazal Manan along
with his driver was walking on the road, when an explosive device
placed along the road went off. According to the officials,
the bomb was detonated by remote control. Manan died on the
spot while his companion, Alam Gul, received serious injuries
in the blast.
Pakistani troops deployed at
the Salala Post in Mohmand Agency returned fire after coming
under attack by suspected militants based in Afghanistan. Official
sources said the Pakistani soldiers didn’t suffer any losses
or damage to property.
A 12-year old boy, Ishaq, was
killed when an explosive device went off in a house in Pishtakhara
area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. It was not known
nature of the blast but, later bomb disposal experts declared
it a hand-grenade which was hurled inside the house and the
boy had taken it to his home after mistaking it for a toy.
At least nine people including
four Policemen were injured in an IED blast targeting a Police
van in Sro area of Shabqadar tehsil in Charsadda District.
The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack in an email sent
to journalists.
The federal intelligence agencies
issued a threat alert to the Provincial Government regarding
the terror threat looming particularly on educational institutions
in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. It has been learnt
that unidentified militants are now again planning to carry
out a suicide attack against an Army School in Hayatabad, Peshawar.
Militants are planning to attack on an unspecified date, at
the time when children will be leaving the school. Ibrahim Nawab
and Sher Shah Markets are in the vicinity of the school.
In another threat alert, it
has been learnt that Swat chapter of TTP has dispatched an eighteen
year terrorist to target an unknown place in KP. According to
the sources, the terrorist is brother of terrorist commander
Farman Ismail, resident of Galuch, Swat and may target any location
in Peshawar, Mardan or Charsadda. The sources said that these
details have been shared with the KP Government and other relevant
departments and that they have been asked to ensure extreme
vigilance and heightened security.
Traffic Police Official, identified
as Sub-Inspector Mohammed Arshad, was shot dead in a targeted
attack while he was performing his duty near Five Star Chowrangi
in North Nazimabad Town of provincial capital Karachi. “This
was second targeted killing of a traffic official this year
while last year, several traffic officials were gunned down,”
said DIG-Traffic Dr. Amir Ahmed Shaikh.
Sukkur Police along with other
law enforcement agencies carried out two combing operations
from April to September 2016 and arrested eight TTP militants,
besides hundred others, said Sukkur SSP Amjad Ahmed Shaikh.
The Police recovered two kilograms of explosives, five grenades
and as many packets of ball bearings and wires used in the preparation
of suicide vests from their possession. During the period, a
total of 7,689 suspects were apprehended, of which 198 were
taken into custody after proper investigation, he said. SSP
Amjad Ahmed Shaikh further said that religious seminaries throughout
the District were also checked, adding, that about 237 of them
were registered and 23 were unregistered. Besides this, search
operations were also conducted in 53 religious seminaries throughout
the district to avert any terrorist activity.
HRW accused Pakistan’s Police
of routinely carrying out extra-judicial killings, torture and
arbitrary arrests, and called on Islamabad to implement urgent
reforms of its under-resourced forces. The findings were contained
in a new report based on interviews with more than 30 Police
Officers and 50 victims or witnesses of abuse across three of
the country´s four provinces.
In addition to noting habitual
rights violations including more than 2,000 so-called "encounter"
killings in 2015, which are often believed to have been staged
the report said Police often found themselves in thrall to powerful
individuals who subvert the law for their own purposes. "Pakistan
faces grave security challenges that can be best handled by
a rights-respecting, accountable police force," said Brad
Adams, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch. "Instead, law
enforcement has been left to a police force filled with disgruntled,
corrupt and tired officers who commit abuses with impunity,
making Pakistanis less safe, not more."
|
September 27
|
A soldier, identified as Muhammad
Rehman (22), was killed during a military action against militants
in Wana town of SWA in FATA.
SFs demolished houses of two
militants in Kabal tehsil of Swat District in KP. According
to sources, the SFs demolished the houses of Gul Malik in Bara
Bandai and Musa in Nangolai in Kabal tehsil. The two militants
were wanted to the law enforcement agencies for their involvement
in terrorism-related incidents.
FC seized a large quantity of
arms and ammunition from Panjpai area of provincial capital
Quetta. "The forces conducted a raid in Nullah and recovered
1800 kilograms of explosives, 150 IED and other weapons,"
said FC spokesperson Khan Wasy. Frontier Corps officials added
that each IED weighed 20 kilograms. "The terrorists were
trying to shift the weapons and explosive materials to interior
parts of Balochistan to carry out subversive activities,"
Wasy said, adding, "security forces conducted the raid
on a tip-off."
Two suspects, including a proclaimed
offender, who is said to be involved in a number of kidnapping
for ransom cases, were arrested by the CIA during a raid in
Raees Goth area of Kiamari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. The suspects were identified as Mumtaz Mugheri alias
Imtaiz and his accomplice, Sadiq Brohi. Weapons were recovered
from their possession. DIG Jameel Ahmed of the CIA Karachi said
that Mumtaz was a known criminal and the Sindh Government had
announced reward money of PKR 400,000 for his arrest.
|
September 28
|
Two Lyari gangsters were killed
and eight others arrested during Rangers search operation in
Sangoleen area of Lyari town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. According to the Rangers spokesperson, a raid was
conducted by the paramilitary force in Sangoleen area in which
an exchange of fire took place between Rangers and members of
the Uzair Baloch gang. In the exchange of fire, two persons
were killed who were identified as Naeem Lahoti and Zeeshan
Ganth. Naeem Lahoti was wanted for the murder of sixty-five
persons, demanding extortion money and kidnapping for ransom
crimes.
The SF personnel killed a wanted
militant commander of a banned outfit, Zafar Bugti, near Notal
area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan. Zafar Bugti was
wanted to law enforcers in the murder of six members of a family
and other various extremist activities.
Three mortar shells were fired
into Panjgur District from across the Iran border by the Iranian
Border Guards in the early hours. "Mortar shells fired
by Iranian border guards landed in the district of Panjgur,"
a provincial Government official said. The official added that
two of the shells landed near Frontier Corps check post, with
the third landing at Killi Karim Dad. No property or human loss
was reported in the shelling.
|
September 29
|
Two gangsters affiliated with
Arshad Pappu gang were shot dead in a joint operation by Rangers
and Police in Lasi Mohallah near Mewashah graveyard within Pak
Colony Police limits in Pak Colony of SITE Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. The gangsters were accused
of involvement in the murder of three brothers, whose bullet-riddled
bodies were found from Gulbahar and Shershah Police Limits on
September 24, 2016. SSP West Pir Muhammad Shah said that the
accused were identified as Maula Dad Baloch (30), and Anayat
Baloch (25), and had been involved in around 75 cases of targeted
killings, kidnappings-for-ransom, extortion and other heinous
crimes.
A councilor and his son were
shot dead when unidentified arms assailants opened fire at them
within the Yar Hussain Police Station jurisdiction in Swabi
District.
Abid Abdullah, the executive
of Jang Group of newspapers, was freed by his kidnappers in
Islamabad. He was abducted by unidentified persons from Peshawar
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 28, 2016. “He arrived safely
at the Geo office in Islamabad and is fine,” said an unnamed
journalist.
|
September 30
|
Six bullet-riddled dead bodies
were recovered from a house in Parom area of Panjgur District
in Balochistan.
At least one Police Official
was killed and another injured when two unidentified armed assailants
opened fire upon a Police vehicle in a bid to free prisoners
in Baloch Colony area of Jamshed Town in provincial capital
Karachi. The prisoners who fled after the attack were identified
as Mohammad Imtiaz and Abdul Malik. According to details, the
under-trial prisoners were being transported back in a private
vehicle after attending court proceedings in an ATC. Assailants
also snatched the official weapons of the police officials before
fleeing the scene of the incident.
Sindh IG (Additional) Allah
Dino Khawaja during a press conference in Hyderabad District
said, “From what we have been conveyed through intelligence
reports, information elicited from the arrested terrorists and
the past incidents [of terrorism], we have declared Karachi,
Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur and Jacobabad as sensitive”.
According to the IG, some 60,000 Policemen assisted by the Rangers
will be deployed in the Province while army units will remain
on standby. “Suicide attacks, roadside bombs or incitement of
sectarian clashes are the main security threats [for Muharram],”
he explained, adding that the controversial religious figures
have been banned from giving sermons during the month.
|
October 2
|
An accused, Abdul Maalik Bengali,
who had escaped Police custody and was arrested by the Rangers,
has now been killed in an encounter in Korangi area of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh, SSP Korangi Noman Siddiqui
said. According to SSP Noman Siddiqui, accused Abdul Maalik
Bengali was killed in an encounter when Police party was going
to arrest his accomplice Muhammad Imtiaz Rind. Accused Imtiaz
Rind and another gunman identified as Faisal Bengali opened
fire on police party at the EBM Causeway, ensuing fierce gun
battle during which Abdul Maalik was killed, he said. Both the
attackers fled the scene, he added. On September 30, Abdul Maalik
and his associate Imtiaz Rind had managed to escape after killing
a Policeman at the EBM Causeway. Three policemen – two constables
and a SIO of the Korangi Industrial Area police – were bringing
them back, both accused of involvement in the murder of head
constable Yousuf Lodhi on September 20 – from an anti-terrorism
court hearing in the SIO’s private vehicle.
|
October 3 |
Unidentified armed assailants shot dead a woman
while she was on her way home near Hub area of Lasbela District
in Balochistan.
The BDU defused an explosive device planted
near the boundary wall of Akran Durrani Model School and College
in Bannu District.
|
October 4 |
At least four Hazara Shia women were killed
and one injured when unidentified armed assailants opened fire
on a bus on Kirani Road near Pud Gali Chowk area of provincial
capital Quetta. "The bus was stopped and the women were shot
because of their ethnicity," said Provincial Government's spokesman
Anwarul Haq Kakar. "It was a public transport bus and had eight
women on board, out of which five were hit during the attack,"
said DIG Operations of Quetta Police.
A tribesman, identified as Shamsul Haq, was
killed, while another man, identified as Noor Khan, sustained
injuries in an IED blast in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in
FATA.
The White House shut down an ongoing petition
that sought to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism,
saying that it is doing so on suspicion of fraud. In a blurb
captioned, 'Closed Petition', the White House announced that
the "petition has been archived because it did not meet the
signature requirements. It can no longer be signed." The petition
had, until October 21, 2016, to gather 100,000 signatures to
merit a response from the White House under the rules of the
programme that initiated such petitions.
At closure, the petition had 625,723 signatures,
but the White House said the page might have included fraudulent
signatures. The petition was hosted on a White House web page
called "We the People", which is open to all and, therefore,
does not enjoy the security that protected government web pages
do. The petitioners, mostly US citizens of Indian origin, claimed
that the designation was "important to the people of United
States of America, India and many other countries which are
continuously affected by Pakistan sponsored terrorism".
|
October 5 |
Three suspected militants were killed during
an exchange of fire with FC in Naag area of Turbat District.
Five suspects were arrested after the shootout. FC spokesperson
Khan Wasey said, "Two camps of miscreants were also abolished
by Security Forces and huge quantity of arms and ammunition
were recovered from the abolished camps."
Two unidentified armed assailants were killed
in retaliatory firing in Eastern Bypass area of provincial capital
Quetta.
A huge cache of NATO weapons and ammunition
was recovered by Police during a raid on an empty house in the
Azizabad area of Gulberg Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. The number of weapons included anti-aircraft guns,
SMGs, LMGs, sniper rifles, hand grenades and rocket launchers
hidden in the water tank of the empty house. Bulletproof jackets
and helmets were also recovered during the raid by police.
The raid was conducted after the Police was
tipped off by a political worker already in police custody.
Karachi police chief Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar termed it the "biggest
recovery of arms and ammunition in the history of Karachi".
"In light of disclosures made by a detained suspect, big-wigs
of a political party provided help in procuring these arms and
ammunition," said the AIG Karachi, without naming the party
and its leaders.
The civilian Government has informed the military
leadership of a growing international isolation of Pakistan
and sought consensus on several key actions by the state. As
per reports, at least two sets of actions have been agreed.
First, ISI DG Gen Rizwan Akhtar, accompanied by National Security
Adviser Nasser Janjua, is to travel to each of the four provinces
with a message for provincial apex committees and ISI sector
commanders. The message: military-led intelligence agencies
are not to interfere if law enforcement acts against militant
groups that are banned or until now considered off-limits for
civilian action. General Akhtar's inter-provincial tour has
begun with a visit to Lahore. Second, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
has directed that fresh attempts be made to conclude the Pathankot
(Punjab, India) investigation and restart the stalled 26/11
Mumbai (India) terrorist attacks-related trials in a Rawalpindi
antiterrorism court.
|
October 6 |
Unidentified assailants shot and injured a doctor,
identified as Professor Asmatullah of Hayatabad Medical Complex
(HMC), in a targeted attack outside his house in Phase 4 of
Hayatabad in provincial capital Peshawar.
The CTD arrested a terrorist affiliated with
a banned militant outfit and identified as Muhammad Tariq alias
Qari from Charsadda Road in Peshawar.
The Kohat Division administration decided to
deploy army troops in Hangu District and put them on standby
on Kohat-Hangu Road up to Kurram Agency from 7th to 10th of
Muharram to ensure peace and security in the two cities. Also,
a jirga of Shia and Sunni elders of Hangu and Kohat agreed to
observe peace and harmony during Muharram.
The Kohat Division administration decided to
deploy army troops in Hangu District and put them on standby
on Kohat-Hangu Road up to Kurram Agency from 7th to 10th of
Muharram to ensure peace and security in the two cities. Also,
a jirga of Shia and Sunni elders of Hangu and Kohat agreed to
observe peace and harmony during Muharram.
FC arrested two suspected members of a banned
outfit from Sui area of Dera Bugti District.
In the second raid, FC soldiers arrested two
more suspects and seized a cache of weapons and ammunition from
them in the Panjgur District.
The FC recovered arms seizures from Sherani
area of Zhob District. However, no arrest was reported.
The geo-tagging of religious seminaries in Punjab
has been completed by the CTD while the process to separate
hardcore elements from the fourth schedulers under the ATA is
continuing. Under the geo-tagging, the accurate location of
a building, including its latitude, longitude, name and distance
are documented. A senior police official said the geo-tagging
of seminaries in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal Districts
had been completed with the assistance of the Punjab Information
Technology Board.
"Hardly there will be any madrassa [religious
seminaries] which has not been passed through the geo-tagging
process in Punjab," he said, adding it had become necessary
because of the current security situation in the country and
the use of young boys by Jihadi outfits for terrorism activities.
The official said besides collecting accurate location of the
seminaries, the CTD had been collecting the details of students
and teachers in addition to the eligibility and qualifications
of the teachers.
During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing
Committee on Foreign Affairs held, PML-N lawmaker Rana Muhammad
Afzal asked, "Which eggs is Hafiz Saeed laying for us that we
are nurturing him?". He also said, "The efficacy of our foreign
policy speaks for itself when we couldn't curtail Hafiz Saeed."
Hafiz Saeed is the founder of LeT and the chief of JuD.
|
October 7 |
Two coordinated blasts targeting railway tracks
hit near the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express in the Ab-e-Gum
area of Bolan District in Balochistan, killing at least six
people and leaving 18 others injured. Initial reports suggest
that a bomb was planted along the railway track in the Ab-e-Gum
area. The second explosion took place in the same area 20 minutes
later.
A trustee of an Imambargah and a senior office-bearer
of private schools association, Mansoor Zaidi, was shot dead
while his son was critically injured in a suspected sectarian
attack by unidentified assailants outside their home in Block-8
area of Gulistan-e-Jauhar area in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
The CTD apprehended nine terrorists affiliated
to various banned outfits in Karachi. SSP CTD Omer Shahid said
in a media briefing that arrested terrorists were involved in
attacking Police Stations, political activists and MQM MPA Manzar
Imam. Al Qaeda South Asia commander Faizur Rehman alias Abdullah
alias Danial and his accomplices were among those apprehended.
CTD officials said Faizur Rehman was second in command of al
Qaeda South Asia in Karachi. Other militants were affiliated
to banned outfit LeJ. Suicide jackets, bombs and other explosives
were recovered from the arrested terrorists.
ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Asim
Bajwa said there is not a single hideout of the terrorists in
Pakistan. In an interview with Chinese news agency, he said
Pakistan Army had cleared all areas in North Waziristan and
Khyber Agency. "The security forces have killed nearly 3,500
militants and destroyed 992 hideouts," said Bajwa. "I can confirm
there is presently no physical hideout of terrorists in Pakistan
and areas in North Waziristan including the mountainous Shawal
Valley near the Afghan border and Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency
have been cleared," he added.
The United States assured Pakistan that it does
not want to declare it a state sponsor of terrorism and desires
to work with Islamabad "as cooperatively as we can" to eliminate
terrorist safe havens from the South Asian region. At a Friday
afternoon news briefing, US State Department spokesperson John
Kirby also said that the United States had full confidence in
Pakistan's capability to protect its nuclear weapons and to
prevent terrorists from accessing them. "I have not seen anything
specifically about the… bill and obviously we don't," said Mr
Kirby when asked if the US government would support a congressional
bill and an online petition that seek to label Pakistan a 'terrorist
state'. "We're confident that Pakistan has the security controls
they need to have in place on their arsenal, and I'd let them
speak to that more specifically. I wouldn't get into that,"
said the US official when asked if Washington believed Pakistan
could prevent terrorists from accessing its nukes.
|
October 8 |
A tribal chief, identified as Sardar Wakeel
Ahmed Buledi and his brother, Bahadur Ali Buledi were killed
by unidentified gunmen in the Bhag area of Bolan District in
Balochistan, Levies officials said. They were on their way to
the bazaar in Goth Gamb when their vehicle came under fire.
They received multiple injuries and died on the spot. The attackers
escaped, said sources. The cause of the attack could not be
ascertained. However, Levies officials said the incident could
be the result of tribal enmity.
Police arrested two suspected al Qaeda operatives
in Sargodha District of Punjab who were allegedly planning attacks
during Muharram processions, said police officials. Security
officials also claimed that the two had been trained in Afghanistan.
Law enforcement officials recovered a large cache of arms and
ammunition, which included five hand grenades, 37 RPG rounds,
suicide vests, seven Kalashnikov assault rifles, and 695 bullets.
"Police has been carrying out raids in various areas of Punjab
on the directives of Punjab Inspector-General Mushtaq Ahmed
Sukhera to ensure security for the mourners," said Sargodha
RPO Zulfiqar Hameed.
|
October 9 |
Qari Ajmal, the alleged mastermind of the attack
on the Sri Lankan cricket team at Liberty Chowk in Lahore on
March 3, 2009, was reportedly killed during a joint operation
by NATO and Afghan forces in Argon area of Paktika province
in eastern Afghanistan. According to sources, Ajmal was a commander
of LeJ-Punjab Chapter and in the past had been associated with
TTP.
Police and CTD officials raided two seminaries
and detained five suspects during a joint raid by SITE Police
and CTD officials on Madressah Mehmoodia, located near Qureshi
Goth in Sukkur District. According to the sources, carried out
a search of the rooms where printed literature and personal
belongings of teachers and students were kept. It was not known
whether the raiding team found any objectionable material but
four clerics -Maulvi Hakim Ali Brohi, Hafiz Saddam Hussain Brohi,
Hafiz Ishaq Ali and Ghulamullah - were taken into custody. In
another raid, the joint team carried out a search of some rooms
in Jamia Khulafa-i-Rashideen and arrested one person, Gulsher
Junejo. He was also taken away to an undisclosed place for interrogation.
Banners inscribed with slogans in Urdu 'Kuch
aur Nahin, Bus Pakistan' (Nothing else, Except Pakistan) and
containing the pictures of the CoAS General Raheel Sharif and
the two soldiers martyred at the LoC were displayed in provincial
capital Karachi. "Move on Pakistan" party had displayed the
banners in support of the Army Chief.
KP Home Department issued a high alert on the
basis of intelligence reports that banned outfit LeJ-Al Alami
(International) is planning to strike the Shia community in
Faisalabad District. "They (terrorists) of the banned organization
are in need of weapons to carry out attack in Faisalabad", said
an official quoting the Home Department. He said the outfit
was mainly active in Balochistan and Karachi and its plans to
carry out terror attack in Punjab (Faisalabad) raised eyebrows
of the law enforcement agencies.
|
October 10 |
Seven suspected militants were killed in air
strikes carried out by Pakistan Air Force jets in the Tirah
valley area of Khyber Agency in FATA. Security officials said
three hideouts were also destroyed during the airstrikes. The
details of the strikes could not be independently verified as
access of media personnel is restricted in the region. These
areas have also been considered home to religious extremist
organizations including Al Qaeda and the TTP.
Brother of Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) leader
was shot dead in the Orangi Town area of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Police said that Kashif Sagheer (25) was sitting
along with some other men in sector 12-C of Orangi Town when
four suspects riding on two motorcycles opened fire on him and
fled. Police also said that the victim's elder brother, Asif,
was a local leader of PSP in Orangi Town.
|
October 11 |
A bullet-riddled dead body, identified as that
of Wali Mohammad, was recovered from a water tank in Sohbatpur
District.
A bullet-riddled dead body, identified as that
of Wali Mohammad, was recovered from a water tank in Sohbatpur
District.
Three suspects were arrested during a raid in
Barori area of provincial capital Quetta. Weapons and explosives
were recovered from their possession.
Sources in the Afghan Taliban claimed that Pakistani
authorities have arrested senior members of the Taliban Supreme
council and known Taliban cleric Mullah Ahmadullah Nanay in
Satellite Town area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
The sources claimed that Mullah Ahmadullah Nanay was taken in
to custody from the seminary of Mullah Abdul Hakim in Satellite
Town area. However, the news could not be confirmed with the
Pakistani authorities. Mullah Nanay is one of the senior-most
members of the 23-member strong Taliban Rahbari Shura. He was
also the head of the Dawat-e-Jalb wa Jazb / Auqaf commission
of the Afghan Taliban. The commission is responsible for contacting
and luring opponents to join the Taliban cause. Mullah Nanay
was an ex-Taliban governor in Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif and had
also served as the Minister for Public Works during the Taliban
era between 1996 and 2001. He was also a close aide of the Taliban
commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund. Mullah Baradar
was also arrested by Pakistani agencies in Karachi in 2010.
He was later released in 2013.
|
October 12 |
More than 10 Shia mourners were injured when
armed assailants affiliated with ASWJ opened fire at Ashura
procession in Kotli Loharana Mashriqi area of Sialkot District
in Punjab. None of the mainstream media outlets reported this
incident.
The US State Department urged Pakistan to "shut
down access to areas inside their borders to terrorists". State
Department spokesperson John Kirby in a press briefing, when
asked to comment on recent remarks by JuD chief Hafiz Saeed
on Pakistan, responded by saying, "I'm not going to dignify
the comments of an avowed terrorist one way or the other," adding,
"We continue to work with Pakistan and continue to urge Pakistan
to take steps to shut down access to areas inside their borders
to terrorists, to terrorist individuals and to terrorist groups."
|
October 13 |
Eight terrorists, affiliated with al Qaeda and
TTP, were killed in a joint encounter by CTD Police and intelligence
agencies in Tonmi Road area of Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab.
The CTD spokesman said that terrorists were planning to carry
out attacks in Shujaabad town near Multan on the eve of Ashura
(10th day of Muharram).
Eight terrorists, affiliated with al Qaeda and
TTP, were killed in a joint encounter by CTD Police and intelligence
agencies in Tonmi Road area of Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab.
The CTD spokesman said that terrorists were planning to carry
out attacks in Shujaabad town near Multan on the eve of Ashura
(10th day of Muharram).
Four suspected militants were killed in a shootout
with Rangers during a raid in an isolated area near the Northern
Bypass in Gadap Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
He said Rangers recovered arms and explosives from their hideout.
ASI Shahzad Akhtar was shot dead by unidentified
armed assailants while he was travelling in his vehicle in Korangi
Town.
An unidentified bullet-riddled dead body of
a man was found from a drain in the Gulbahar area of Liaquatabad
Town. According to source, the dead body was that of an ethnic
Baloch.
Pakistan said that Cyril Almeida, a journalist
with Dawn, who reported a rift between the civilian and military
leadership, was barred from going abroad to help in a probe
into how "inaccurate" details of a crucial security meeting
were leaked to the media. Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry
Nisar Ali Khan, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad
for the first time since the controversy over Almeida's name
being put on ECL erupted, said, "We had no other option but
to put his name on the ECL as he was travelling abroad the next
day." "Had we not put the central character on the ECL, we would
have been blamed for letting him go," he added.
Nisar said the action was taken after the journalist
had booked a flight for UAE to leave the country next day after
the story was published. The minister alleged that the news
was "inaccurate". He said, "Who leaked this inaccurate news?
It was published at the behest of someone, and that will be
uncovered ... they will be brought to justice. But how can that
person be brought to justice, if we allow the journalist to
leave the country?" He stated that an ongoing investigation
would be completed very soon.
Almeida was barred from leaving the country
on October 11, 2016, after he reported a rift between the civilian
and military leaderships over the powerful ISI shielding terror
groups like the Haqqani Network and LeT that led to Pakistan's
international isolation.
|
October 14 |
Three FC personnel were shot dead in Sabzal
Road area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
According to Police sources, suspected militants opened fire
at the FC men. Two men died on the spot, whereas the third succumbed
to his injuries on the way to the hospital. The attackers escaped
unharmed. There has been no claim of responsibility for the
attack.
A Policeman, identified as Munawwar, shot dead
by unidentified assailants near Landi Kotal Chowrangi area in
North Nazimabad area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Police took into custody nine suspects from
the Eidgah colony and Saddar areas of Karachi in the night.
Police conducted an operation in the city's Empress Market area,
during which an exchange of fire took place between the law
enforcement agency and the suspects. Four suspects were taken
into custody by police, out of which two were apprehended in
wounded condition.
To eliminate the menace of terrorism, all the
state institutions are on the same page and there was no discrimination
in action against the terrorists, said Foreign Office spokesman
Nafees Zakaria. The spokesman, in his weekly media briefing,
rejected the view about isolation of the country at diplomatic
level, saying that geographically Pakistan is an economic hub
for other countries. Zakaria said, "Pakistan is not being isolated
internationally. All this is propaganda." Pakistan enjoys brotherly
relations with all countries, he added.
Further, he said India was using different tactics
to divert attention from the issue of Kashmir. "Media campaign
against Pakistan and escalating border tension are Indian tactics,"
he said. "India constantly wants to keep the world under an
impression based on lies that do not exist in reality," Spokesman
Nafees Zakaria said in response to Indian Defence Minister Manohar
Parrikar's statement quoting that there was no need to share
proofs of surgical strike. He said India's false claim of surgical
strike and media campaign against Pakistan had now been clearly
exposed. "India is using Afghan soil for terrorist activities
in Pakistan," he said and added that Indian leaders have on
record accepted that India was spreading terrorism in Pakistan.
|
October 15 |
Shahbaz Taseer's alleged kidnapper and five
other suspected militants were killed in an 'encounter' with
a team of the CTD near Sheikhupura Bypass in Sheikhupura District
of Punjab in the night. A CTD spokesperson said that they had
received information that nine to 10 members of the TTP were
present in Sheikhupura, planning an attack on the offices of
law enforcement agencies. At around 12:30am, the CTD team raided
a house near the Sheikhupura Bypass. "Noticing their presence,
the terrorists...tried to flee by a car and two motorcycles."
The CTD team chased them up to a branch road where the suspects
opened fire at the cops, said the spokesperson. The security
personnel retaliated. "When the shootout ended, six of the terrorists
were dead and the rest had fled," he said. The CTD seized arms
and ammunition, including three Kalashnikov rifles, three pistols,
two kilogrammes of explosives, prima cords and a cache of bullets.
A senior police official requesting said that the CTD's investigation
team had identified one of the deceased as Haji Muhammad alias
Pathan, who was accused of being involved in the abduction of
Shahbaz Taseer, son of the late Governor Salmaan Taseer.
Deputy Department Spokesperson of the US State
Department Mark Toner said that Pakistan had suffered at the
hands of terrorists and extremists. In a couple of statements
from his press briefing, Toner said that the USA had always
laid stress on Pakistan to take action against all militants
and terrorist outfits in the country. "We want to help Pakistan
in its war against terrorism," he said. "Pakistan should also
go after terrorist outfits inside its territory," he said.
|
October 16 |
Two security personnel were killed and another
one was injured in firing from across the Afghan border in Angor
Adda area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA. Sources said that
unidentified assailants targeted a check-post at Angor Adda
from the Birmal area in Paktika province of Afghanistan at 9:46am
with light and heavy weapons. Two security personnel, Idrees
Khan and Arshad, were killed and Naek Saeed was injured. The
deceased belonged to the 56th Punjab Regiment.
|
October 17 |
FC shot dead two suspects in combing operation
in Chathar area of Naseerabad District in Balochistan. The FC
spokesman said that they were involved in kidnapping-for-ransom,
attacking on security forces, damaging officials building and
extortion.
A bomb blast occurred near Salahuddin Levies
check post in Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District. However,
no casualties were reported. After the incident, the SFs cordoned
off the area, carried out search operation and arrested several
suspects.
FC recovered huge cache of ammunition, including
five kilogrammes of explosive material, three kilogrammes of
nut bullets, two detonators and several detonators cards, during
a search operation in Sui area of Dera Bugti District.
A boy, identified as Faeaz (13), was killed
and 15 others, including women and children, were injured when
a bomb was exploded outside Dar-e-Abbas Imambargah in Liaquatabad
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Police arrested seven suspects and detained
47 persons during a search operation in Manghopir area of Gadap
Town. TTP-Swat 'commander' Gul Nawab was among the arrested
suspects.
The chief of the CTD informed the Sindh High
Court that one of the 'facilitators' of the May 13, 2015, Safoora
Goth attack, Naeem Sajid, is an al Qaeda operative who is linked
to the attack. The CTD in-charge made the revelation in comments
submitted to the court in relation to petitions seeking the
release of three suspects who were reportedly acquitted of charges
of facilitation in the Safoora Goth attack. Sajid is an arms
dealer and the serial numbers of the arms and ammunition used
in the incident were found from his possession, claimed the
CTD chief.
Federal Ministry of Interior moved to extend
Rangers' special policing powers in Sindh for a 90-day period.
Pursuant to the request made by Sindh's Home Department, the
powers of Rangers have been extended under Clause (1) of Sub-Section-3
of Section-4 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 (XXVII of 1997). The
three-month extension will be effective from October 18, 2016,
a spokesperson for the Ministry said. The powers will remain
valid between October 17, 2016 and January 18, 2017.
|
October 18 |
A tribesman, identified as Muhammad Janan, was
killed while his friend was injured in a landmine blast in Jaar
area of Kurram Agency in FATA.
According to a statement issued by the ISPR,
the fourth phase of the return and rehabilitation process of
the people displaced from South Waziristan Agency will commence
on October 19. The statement further said that 81 villages of
Ladha, Makeen, Sararogha, Sarwakai and Tiarza tehsils will be
rehabilitated during the phase that will continue till December
6, 2016.
Two civilians were injured when unidentified
armed assailants opened fire at them in Block I area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The CTD arrested two militants, identified as
Muhammad Izhar and Abdul Kabir, for distributing Daesh pamphlets
in Palosi area of provincial capital Peshawar. The CTD recovered
Daesh pamphlets from the possession of the suspects that contained
messages in Urdu and Pashto.
At least 43 BRA militants surrendered themselves
to authorities at a ceremony in Dera Bugti District. According
to official sources, the militants announced that they had parted
ways with Nawabzada Brahamdagh Bugti and decided to join mainstream
politics. A spokesperson for the Frontier Corps said that they
had vowed to remain loyal to Pakistan and to work for the development
of the country. "We have decided to abandon armed struggle and
join mainstream politics after Brahamdagh Bugti sought asylum
in India," he quoted the men as saying.
|
October 19 |
Akbar Ali alias Badi, one of the planners of
terrorist attack on the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on
Oct 10, 2009 was killed in an IBO in Gomal area of Tank District
in KP. A Peshawar-based senior security official said that SFs
surrounded a compound where Akbar Ali was present along with
other militants. They were asked to surrender, but instead of
turning themselves in they opened fire on security forces,"
the security official said. "In the ensuing gunfight, Akbar
Ali was killed." Akbar Ali was one of the top commanders of
the Shura-e-Mujahideen Waziristan and had expertise in training
suicide bombers. He was also involved in several attacks on
SFs and installations.
The Pakistan Rangers raided a sector of the
MQM in Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh
and recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition. A statement
by the Pakistan Rangers said that they received a tip after
which they conducted the raid and recovered the weapons stashed
in concealed drawers. The seized weapons include three SMG,
three 8mm rifles, four 7mm rifles, a 22-bore rifle, 30-bore
rifle, repeaters, three 30-bore pistols, three RPG-7, along
with 1,840 G3's bullets, 12,960 SMG's, 8,250 LMG and other weapon's
bullets.
The Pakistan Rangers raided a sector of the
MQM in Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh
and recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition. A statement
by the Pakistan Rangers said that they received a tip after
which they conducted the raid and recovered the weapons stashed
in concealed drawers. The seized weapons include three SMG,
three 8mm rifles, four 7mm rifles, a 22-bore rifle, 30-bore
rifle, repeaters, three 30-bore pistols, three RPG-7, along
with 1,840 G3's bullets, 12,960 SMG's, 8,250 LMG and other weapon's
bullets.
In that regard, she said, Pakistan had supported
the Russian proposal for a bio-chemical terrorism convention.
Participating in a debate on weapons of mass destruction, she
said that Pakistan condemned the use of chemical weapons by
anyone, anywhere, and welcomed milestones that had been achieved
in the destruction of Syrian and Libyan chemical weapons. "We
remain committed to the full and effective implementation of
the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)," she said.
"We attach high priority to the convention's provisions relating
to international cooperation and assistance as well as peaceful
uses of chemical technology," she said.
|
October 20 |
Unidentified motorcycle bourne assailants shot
dead a Police Constable Rahman Ali, a resident of Swabi District,
while he was on duty in Parda Bagh area under the precincts
of Faqirabad Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Police conducted a search operation in Ittehad
Town area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, in the
night and took into custody 20 suspected persons. Ittehad Town
remains one of the most dangerous areas for law enforcement
personnel. Police have conducted numerous search operations
for members of banned militant outfits and taken them into custody.
The UJC chairman Syed Salahuddin asked Pakistan
to extend "military support" to Kashmiri freedom fighters to
help them accomplish their long-cherished goal of freedom from
India. "The festering (Kashmir) issue is not going to resolve
through talks or resolutions… Pakistan should militarily support
Kashmiris by providing resources to the Mujahideen," said Syed
Salahuddin. "If the Mujahideen get military support, not only
Kashmir will clinch freedom but the map of the subcontinent
will also undergo a change," he added. He, however, declined
to elaborate the kind of military support required by the freedom
fighters.
Former Corps Commander Mangla Lieutenant General
Tariq Hayat Khan said during the operation against Taliban in
Swat, a number of deradicalisation centres were established
there for the youth. However, he was of the view that without
bringing a change in society, such an exercise could not bear
fruit. "I used to say that what will be the benefit of the deradicalisation
of youngsters because they would be sent back to the society
which was already radicalised. It was this radicalisation that
people were more close to Osama bin Laden compared to the army,"
he said.
|
October 21 |
Five suspects were arrested during search operations
in different areas of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Rangers conducted a search operation in Azizabad area and took
three suspects into custody. Another search operation was also
launched in Pak colony area in which two suspects were arrested.
The suspects are identified as Nawaz and Salman.
The CTD arrested four terrorists from Karachi
and recovered weapons as well as ammunition from them. The arrestees
are Hafiz Noor aka Ghousia, Zakaria aka Muavia, Muzaffar Ashiq
aka Kaji, and Moiz. According to details, a raid was conducted
by CTD officials in Orangi Town, Korangi and Bilal colony areas.
Four hand grenades and six suicide vests were recovered by CTD.
SP CTD Junaid Shaikh claimed that the alleged militants were
wanted for sectarian killings and had also fought with security
forces in tribal areas.
|
October 22 |
Pakistan Rangers arrested
three leaders of pro-Altaf group of MQM from outside the Karachi
Press Club in Karachi. Two MQM-London's interim Rabita Committee
members were arrested when they reached at the Press Club to address
a press conference, and were shifted to an undisclosed place,
while a third one was arrested while on his way to the club. |
October 23 |
Two Pakistan Coast Guard personnel were killed
while two civilians were injured when unidentified armed assailants
in Jiwani Bazaar area of Gwadar District in Balochistan. No
outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
PST cadre, identified as Maulana Shaukat Nawaz,
was shot dead in Makhan Colony of Haripur District in KP.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb is an example of "war for
peace" which is bringing stability and prosperity to Pakistan
and the region, said CoAS General Raheel Sharif while addressing
the closing ceremony of the first PACES Competition held at
Fortress Stadium in Lahore District. "Operation Zarb-e-Azb is
an example of 'War for Peace' which is bringing stability and
prosperity to Pakistan and the region. Today, our brave men
can tell the world with pride that by eliminating terrorist
networks from the far reaches of Pak-Afghan border, an environment
of peace and prosperity is flourishing," he said.
"This landmark event has brought together participants
from 18 leading armies of the world. As a unique competition
of its kind, the occasion is an opportunity to promote mutual
cooperation and brotherhood. Today, Pakistan stands more integrated
with rest of the world than ever before with such events as
a fine example," Sharif added.
|
October 24 |
At least 61 SF personnel were killed, and 164
others were injured as terrorists stormed the New Sariab PTC,
some 13 kilometres away from Quetta, the provincial capital
of Balochistan, in the night. Three terrorists entered the PTC
and headed straight for the hostel where around 700 Police recruits
were sleeping. The attack began at around 11:10 pm, with gunfire
continuing to ring out at the site for several hours. Major
causalities were done by two suicide bombers blew them up. SFs
killed two terrorists and rescued 250 cadets who were held as
hostages. SFs were able to clear the area after 5 hours and
the entry, exit routes were opened for traffic in the morning.
The Hakimullah faction of the TTP claimed responsibility
for the attack. "TTP Hakimullah group's Karachi unit was behind
the attack," the group said. The Hakimullah group said four
of its militants took part in the attack. However, Major General
Sher Afghan, chief of the paramilitary Frontier Corps in Balochistan,
which led the counter-operation, said the militants belonged
to the Al-Alami (The international) faction of the LeJ - which
is affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban. "They were in communication
with operatives in Afghanistan," he added.
Unidentified militants killed two officials
of Pakistan Customs in the Shamsabad area of Mastung District.
One customs official was critically wounded in the armed attack.
"Armed men opened fire at a customs vehicle in the Shamsabad
area of Mastung city," said Captain (Retd) Farraukh Atiq, Deputy
Commissioner of Mastung District. The militants escaped from
the scene of the attack without facing any resistance.
FC personnel arrested a key terrorist in Tump
area of Quetta. According to details, the FC officials raided
a hideout in Tump and arrested a key terrorist belonging to
a banned outfit. FC officials also seized a cache of ammunition
from him including seven RPGs, six rocket launchers, five hand
grenades, two pistols and explosive materials.
Two motorcycle bourne militants shot dead Akbar
Ali, an Intelligence Sub-Inspector, at a bus stop near his home
in Sardaryab area of Charsadda District when he was on his way
to work in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Suhail Khalid,
Charsadda District Police Chief said that Akbar Ali was hit
by four bullets from the front and was killed on the spot. The
attackers used a 9mm pistol and managed to flee the scene. The
attack was later claimed by Daesh (the Islamist State, formerly
Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham) in a short statement posted
on Amaq, its affiliated news agency. "Islamic State fighters
have killed a Pakistan intelligence agent in the Sardaryab region...
of Pakistan," it said.
A Police Constable deployed for the protection
of polio eradication teams was killed in a bomb attack near
the Muslim Children Academy school area under Daudzai Police
Station on the outskirts of Peshawar. According to the Station
House Officer of the Daudzai Police Station, the Superintendent
of Police was near the Muslim Children Academy School inspecting
security measures when the bomb went off. Police officials confirmed
that the deployment was for the protection of polio workers,
whose lives are under consistent threat.
The Haqqani network continues to enjoy sanctuary
in Pakistan and operates freely from there, John Nicholson -
the top US commander in Afghanistan - said. In an interview
with The Indian Express, Nicholson said, "We see, on the one
hand, a stated aspiration for reconciliation (on the part of
the Pakistan government, by bringing the Taliban to the table
for peace talks). While on the other, the Haqqanis still enjoy
sanctuary and can operate freely from inside Pakistan and this
continues to be a concern." Nicholson, however, said he would
give the Pakistani Government and the Army great credit for
mounting Operation Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists and other insurgents.
One consequence of this operation was that several terrorists,
including the Pakistani Taliban, were forced to migrate to Afghanistan,
thereby allowing the Afghan security forces to target them.
"But we haven't seen that with the Haqqanis. They were not forced
over (into Afghanistan by the Pakistani operation). The Haqqanis
continue to conduct operations from inside Pakistan, against
Afghans and the US-led coalition," Nicholson claimed.
|
October 25 |
Three suspected terrorists were killed in an
exchange of fire with Rangers during an intelligence-based operation
in Ittehad Town area of Baldia Town in Karachi, THE provincial
capital of Sindh. Two Rangers personnel were injured. Police
recovered weapons and ammunition.
An unidentified bullet-riddled dead body was
found Ehsaanabad area of Sohrab Goth in Gadap Town.
A special meeting held at Chief Minister Murad
Ali Shah's House to review the law and order situation in the
Province was told that 93 madrassas in Sindh have solid links
with terrorist or banned outfits and intelligence agencies have
credible information about the activities taking place there.
The Chief Minister directed the Police and Rangers to begin
an operation against madrassas harboring terrorists. "This kind
of attitude will not be accepted," said Shah. "We will not allow
anybody to shed blood of innocent people in the name of religion
or using a sacred place. This operation will also be targeted
and intelligence-based." The operation will be started just
after Chehlum.
BDU officer, identified as Zahid, escaped unhurt
when an IED bomb he was defusing exploded in Peshawar. The BDU
has defused over 6,000 bombs since 2009. "As I was defusing
it by placing a stick close to it, someone from within the crowd
pressed the button to trigger the explosives," Zahid said.
Islamic State (also known as Daesh) claimed
responsibility for October 24, 2016 attack on PTC in provincial
capital Quetta that killed 61 persons. The attack was carried
out by "Islamic State fighters", the group's Amaq News Agency
said.
|
October 26 |
A polio worker, identified as Fazal Amin, was
shot dead by unidentified militants in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber
Agency in FATA.
At least four suspected terrorists were killed
in an exchange of fire with SFs in Hazar Ganji area of Quetta,
the provincial capital of Balochistan, in the night. "Security
forces conducted a raid on a compound in the Hazar Ganji area
of Quetta," said a police official. The security official added
that the terrorists fired upon the SFs, after which the forces
retaliated. Three security officials were injured after the
terrorists lobbed a hand grenade, said the police official.
Balochistan Government demanded pre-1958 powers
under the FCR to curb crimes and prevent acts of terror in the
province. "The provincial administration has no legal powers
in Balochistan that has become a war zone," Home Secretary Mohammad
Akbar told a meeting of the Senate's Functional Committee on
Human Rights. Committee members, especially Senator Dr Jehanzeb
Jamaldini of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, criticised
both the federal and provincial governments for their failure
to stop acts of terror in the province.
The CTD killed three alleged militants in Karachi
during an operation at Korangi causeway in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. According to details disclosed by CTD SSP
Junaid Sheikh, all three militants who were gunned down belonged
to banned outfits.
Police also rounded up 53 suspects, among which
also included two Afghan nationals in Saddar and Baloch colony
areas of Karachi. According to police officials, the operation
was conducted in Baloch colony's Junejo Town and Dada Bhai Town
as well as other areas. After conducting a thorough search of
the area, police officials took into custody thirty-five suspects.
Police apprehended the suspects via door to door searches. The
suspects were taken to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.
|
October 28 |
SFs killed four LeJ militants, linked to October
24, 2016, attack on PTC, during an intelligence-based raid in
New Sariab area of provincial capital Quetta. "A team of ATF
raided the compound and killed four militants after an exchange
of gunfire," said Senior Police Official Abdullah Afridi.
|
October 29 |
The CTD killed five alleged
militants during an operation in WAPDA Town area of Gujranwala
District in Punjab. Three accomplices managed to escape. According
to details given by the CTD spokesperson, eight militants were
inside a house in WAPDA Town area, planning a terrorist attack.
As CTD officials raided the house, the alleged militants opened
fire to which the security officials responded, killing five of
them. Two rifles, two hand grenades, two pistols and explosive
materials were recovered from the place of operation. |
October 30 |
A dead body, identified as that of Manzoor,
was found in the Baghao area of Barkhan District in Balochistan.
According to details, Manzoor had disappeared on October 27,
2016, from Tang Karez area of Baghao.
FC personnel foiled terror bid by defusing two
land mines on Sui Road in Dera Bugti District.
FC troops and Police during a combing operation
in Pashtoonabad area of provincial capital Quetta detained 10
Afghan nationals. According to the FC spokesman, one Kalashnikov
assault rifle and two pistols were also seized from the Afghans.
In another operation, the FC seized three IEDs
and mortar rounds in the Hoki Nullah in Dalbandin area of Chagai
District.
A school guard was injured when two unidentified
armed assailants opened indiscriminate fire while entering a
private school in Haroonabad area of Bahawalnagar District in
Punjab. However, as heavy contingents of Police reached the
site, the assailants escaped. All students were safely evacuated
from the school.
Rangers recovered a large cache of weapons and
ammunition from a house in Musharraf Colony of Baldia Town in
provincial capital Karachi. The weapons were hidden under the
floor of the and included one G3 rifle, five submachine guns,
two 8mm rifles, 14 magazines and 5000 rounds. According to the
statement, the weapons were meant to be used for target killings
and to conduct terrorism activities in the city.
Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja while laying the
foundation stone of a private school in Tando Muhammad Khan
District ruled out the presence of any network of Daesh in Sindh,
stating, "There may be some individuals who are inspired by
the group, but there is no organised network." He informed that
the seminaries allegedly involved in promoting armed struggle
have been identified. "We will take action against them under
the National Action Plan," he added.
Two Pakistanis among the eight IS suspects were
arrested in Saudi Arabia for plotting killings and a car bombing,
said the Ministry of Interior. A Ministry statement said those
arrested included Islamic State suspects who had planned killings
of security officials in the Shaqra District north of the capital
Riyadh. Other militants had planned to attack civilians in the
eastern city of Qatif and stage a car bomb attack on a visiting
UAE football team at a stadium in the western port city of Jeddah,
the statement said.
The statement revealed that the eight arrested
suspects included two Pakistanis, a Syrian and a Sudanese. Eight
Saudis and a Bahraini were among the suspects still at large,
it said.
|
November 1
|
The CTD conducted an operation
and killed nine alleged militants in Chichoki Mallian area of
Sheikhupura District in Sindh. Three accomplices managed to
flee. The CTD officials recovered six kilograms of explosive
materials, five Kalashnikov rifles and five pistols from their
possession.
Two Lyari gangsters, affiliated
with Bab Ladla group, identified as Karan Ganfar (30), and Ramesh
Prem, were shot at and injured when gangsters of a rival group
opened fire at them outside Ramesh’s house located in Marwari
Para in Lyari Town of provincial capital Karachi. However, later
Karan succumbed to his injuries.
Police arrested four suspects
in two different raids in Surjani Town area of Gadap Town and
Jamshed Quarters area in Jamshed Town.
An ATC awarded 28 years’ imprisonment
to five TTP militants. The five, indentified as Suleman, Najmuddin
alias Najibullah, Abdul Jaleel, Imran and Gul Fraz, were arrested
after a police encounter in the Kalri Police jurisdiction in
2014. They were found guilty of possessing explosive material
and illegal arms, and the court ordered confiscating their movable
and immovable properties.
A militant, identified as Noor
Mohammad alias Noray, was killed in a clash with SFs in Maki
Khel area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.
Army Major, identified as Major
Imran, was killed and six other soldiers were injured in an
IED explosion in South Waziristan Agency. According to ISPR,
around 490 soldiers and 3,500 militants have been killed so
far in FATA in Operation Zarb-e-Azab.
|
November 2
|
Four terrorists were killed
in a joint operation by intelligence agencies and Frontier Constabulary
in Dasht area of Gwadar District. Sources said a huge amount
of weapons were recovered from their possession.
A Balochistan Levies official
was shot dead in the Wadh area of Khuzdar District. No outfit
claimed responsibility for the attack.
Rangers and Intelligence Agencies
personnel unearthed a huge cache of arms during a search operation
in Sakhi Hassan graveyard in North Nazimabad Town of Karachi.
Sources disclosed that Rangers had conducted the search operation
based on information provided by arrested suspects.
The administration of Malala
Government Girls Secondary School, located on Mission Road in
Bhimpura area of Sadar Town, has concealed the name of Malala
inscribed at the façade of the school building due to threats.
The administration told that some suspects have threatened the
parents of girl's students to keep them at homes instead of
sending to the school. This move has also terrified the students
of the school. The enrolment has also decreased after these
threats. The school management has informed the concerned authorities
about this situation, but Education Department and LEA are not
taking any concrete steps for the security of the school.
|
November 3
|
A Major of the Pakistan Army,
Major Zeeshan Naseem, was shot dead by unidentified assailants,
who stormed his residence in Sector I-8/4 in Islamabad, the
Federal Capital. Major Zeeshan Naseem’s wife answered the door
and found a man standing outside. He pushed her aside and while
she tried to intercept him, two more persons entered the house
Police quoted the major’s wife as saying. Major Zeeshan Naseem,
who was in a nearby room, rushed to the gate after he heard
the voice of his wife. One of the men pulled out a pistol and
fired on him, the Police added. He suffered a bullet injury
in the chest and fell to the floor, bleeding. He was taken to
a hospital where he died.
Police took into custody 13
suspects during a search operation in Gulshan-e-Ghazi area of
Baldia Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According
to Police, a search operation was conducted to arrest wanted
persons in Gulshan-e-Ghazi area.
The apex committee decided to
launch a crackdown on drug dealers and criminals involved in
street crime besides compiling a list of people, particularly
seminary students, who have been to Afghanistan, Iran and Syria
in recent years. In its 17th meeting held at CM House, the apex
committee also decided that the names which had been put on
fourth schedule and those of 3,023 proclaimed offenders would
be shared with Federal and Provincial agencies to monitor their
activities and arrest them. The CM gave a go-ahead for the upgrade
of 1,000 CCTV cameras to 12 mega pixel and assured the law enforcement
agencies of his support to make Karachi one of the most peaceful
cities in the world.
|
November 4
|
Six persons, including five
associated with the proscribed ASWJ were shot dead in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Three persons, who appeared
to be 'religious scholars', were shot dead in the Shafiq Mor
area of North Karachi, SSP, Muqadas Haider, said.
Two persons were shot dead near
Fatima Bai Hospital in Patel Para area under Jamshed Quarters
Police Station in Jamshed Town. An ASWJ spokesman claimed that
all the five victims were associated with their group. However,
Police officials said they were not affiliated with ASWJ and
were part of a Deoband group.
A prayer leader, Shafiq Rehman
(30), was shot dead in North Nazimabad area in Karachi of Sindh.
Shafiq Rehman was feeding pigeons in Block-H of North Nazimabad
when armed pillion riders attacked him, said Hyderi Market,
SHO, Zulfiqar Haider. "The victim was a Pesh Imam (prayer
leader) of small mosque located at ground floor of multi-storey
Al-Hamra apartment in North Nazimabad, however, his association
with any religious party could not be ascertained immediately,"
Zulfiqar added.
Three suspected militants allegedly
affiliated with banned terror outfits were arrested during a
CTD operation from the Korangi, Orangi and Lyari area. The three
suspected militants were identified as Mohammad Aziz, who was
affiliated with AQIS, Tauseef Zaheer who was affiliated with
LeJ, and Abdul Hafeez who was affiliated with SSP, said the
statement released by the CTD.
|
November 5
|
Two terrorists and a Policeman
were killed in an exchange of fire in Minai area of Swabi District
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the night. Official sources said terrorists
attacked a Police vehicle in Minai area and managed to flee.
"One of them was shot dead and another blew himself up
as Police chased after them," the sources said. Police
also freed four people, including a minor, believed to be taken
hostage by the terrorists. A Policeman was also injured in the
exchange of fire who later succumbed to his injuries. A Kalashnikov,
two hand grenades and ammunition were also seized in the operation.
SFs killed three suspected militants,
who were allegedly involved in passenger train attacks, in an
exchange of fire in Bolan District of Balochistan. "All
three suspected militants were killed during joint raids of
Frontier Corps and security institutions to apprehend the elements
involved in attacks on passenger trains," said spokesman
FC Khan Wasey. FC official also claimed to have recovered weapons
from the possession of militants.
All Pakistan Shia Action Committee
Chief Allama Mirza Yusuf Husain was apprehended from his residence
in Karachi by Police in the night, a MWM spokesperson said.
Husain's residence is attached to Jamia Masjid Noor-i-Iman in
Nazimabad where he is a prayer leader, spokesperson added.
|
November 6
|
A former head of a local Aman
(Peace) committee was found murdered in Mulazi area of Tank
District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Unidentified assailants had
kidnapped him two weeks ago. According to the FIR lodged by
Sifatullah, a resident of Kiri Wadati, his brother, Habibur
Rehman, alias Wata had gone missing two weeks ago. “Rehman’s
body was spotted near a tube well outside the village on Sunday
by some villagers. His throat had been slit. A letter was found
near the body,” the FIR stated. “The letter stated that Rehman
had been murdered because he was a spy of the government,” Sifatullah
stated in the FIR.
SFs arrested an important leader
of a militant outfit who is allegedly involved in the October
24 attack on the Police Training College in Quetta, the provincial
capital of Balochistan. Official sources said that after receiving
information about the presence of some militants, security and
intelligence personnel launched a search operation in the airport
road area of the city and arrested the leader from a house.
However, officials did not disclose his name. The SFs personnel
seized weapons, computers, army uniforms and Jihadi literature
from his possession.
FC personnel arrested six suspected
militants in two separate operations conducted in Mastung and
Mach Districts. An FC spokesperson said that four of the arrested
men belonged to the LeJ. They were arrested during a search
operation in the Shamsabad area of Mastung District.
The Secretary general of the
ASWJ Taj Hanafi and All Pakistan Shia Action Committee Chief
Allama Mirza Yusuf Husain were arrested in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. According to the Rangers, Hanafi was arrested
from Nagan Chowrangi area in the afternoon. An ASWJ spokesman
also confirmed that Hanafi, who was to contest the November
24 NA-298 by-polls, had been arrested.
|
November 7
|
A soldier died and two others
suffered injuries when an Army patrolling jeep drove over a
landmine in the Maidan area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency
of FATA. According to officials, a group of soldiers was on
a routine patrol in the Maidan area when the landmine exploded.
Soldier Jahangir died while Aqeel and Liaqat were injured.
Police arrested dozens of persons
in a crackdown on more than 90 seminaries, following a series
of sectarian shootings in Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. Provincial Police Chief AD Khwaja said that the crackdown
was aimed at both Sunni and Shiite seminaries. The arrests prompted
protests by Shiites in the Malir area of Karachi, where demonstrators
blocked a road and were forcibly cleared by Police firing tear
gas, rubber bullets and automatic weapons.
Around 202 Baloch separatists
belonging to militant organisations surrendered to Provincial
Government authorities in Quetta, the provincial capital of
Balochistan, and pledged their allegiance to the country. Those
who surrendered handed their weapons over to the Government
authorities at the Chief Minister (CM) Secretariat and vowed
to remain loyal to the country during rest of their life. Balochistan
Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri gave them cash prizes
and announced that the Government would provide financial support
to their families. The CM said that so-called nationalists leaders
abroad were enjoying their lives and had pushed the Baloch youth
here to take up arms against the State.
The Chief of Army Staff General
Raheel Sharif confirmed death sentences awarded to another nine
hardcore terrorists, who were involved in heinous offences related
to terrorism including, killing of innocent civilians, slaughtering
of levies officials and attacking Armed Forces personnel. These
terrorist also include those who fired at a PIA plane landing
at Peshawar Airport which resulted in death of a woman and injuries
to two other passengers. They were also involved in cutting
off hands of four police officials. Fire-arms and explosives
were also recovered from their possession. These convicts were
tried by military courts.
|
November 8
|
Unidentified assailants killed
two Policemen in Dera Murad Jamali area of Naseerabad District
in Balochistan. “Armed men opened fire at policemen in Dera
Murad Jamali area of the District, which killed both personnel
on the spot,” said police official. “Policemen were patrolling
on motorcycle when they were attacked by armed militants in
the area. Deceased policemen were identified as Essa Khan Bugti
and Buland Khan Gola,” Police official added.
SFs claimed to have foiled a
major bid of terrorism by demolishing four camps of alleged
militants in Dera Bugti District. “Two suspected militants along
with weapons were arrested during the operation, said Spokesman
for (FC) Khan Wasey. “Two alleged militants belonged to an outlawed
Baloch militant organisation operating in the area,” Wasey added.
Many educational institutions
in Quetta, including Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University and
the BUITEMS, remained closed after a high security alert was
issued by the Provincial Home Department. Official sources said
that the Home Department issued the high alert on November 7
after receiving intelligence information that some suicide attackers,
including a young woman, had entered Balochistan from Afghanistan
and were planning attacks on educational institutions, especially
institutions for women.
The Punjab Home Department issued
a notification giving powers to the CTD of Police to keep an
eye on the suspects placed under the Fourth Schedule. As per
the notification, the CTD will look into all the matters pertaining
to the Fourth Schedule of the ATA. There are some 1,600 terror
suspects on the list of the Fourth Schedule in Punjab. The Fourth
Schedule lists contain names of all known suspects belonging
to banned militant or sectarian organisations, who by their
disposition could pose a threat to public peace and security.
Such suspects have to submit an affidavit to the Government,
pledging they would no more be associated with any banned organisation
in future or engage in any criminal activity.
|
November 9
|
Pakistan Rangers Sindh claimed
to have killed three suspected militants in an encounter at
Manghopir area on the outskirts of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. “The paramilitary force had conducted an intelligence
driven action on suspected hideouts of banned outfit’s hardcore
criminals at Manghopir area who were allegedly involved in terrorist
activities,” said Rangers spokesperson. "During the raid
the suspects, in an attempt to escape, opened fire on law enforcement
agencies. In an ensuing exchange of fire between Rangers and
the gunmen, three suspects got killed," the spokesperson
added. Furthermore, Rangers official claimed that one soldier
got injured in the alleged encounter and weapons were also seized
from suspects' custody.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
vowed that law enforcement agencies and the Sindh Government
would continue to strive till the “complete restoration of peace
for common citizen of Karachi”. General Raheel said this during
his visit to the Corps Headquarters Karachi, where attended
the ongoing exercise ‘Resilient Response’ of the Southern Command.
The Army Chief presided over a security conference after the
exercise, which was attended among others by the Karachi corps
commander, ISI DG, MI DG, DGMO and the Rangers DG.
|
November 10
|
The SFs killed one ‘commander’
of Jundhulla outfit, identified as Arif alias Saqib, during
an action in Hub area of Lasbela District in Balochistan in
the night. According to sources Arif was mastermind of suicide
attacks in Karachi and Balochistan. Huge cache of arms and ammunition
was seized during the action.
More than 20 suspects were rounded
up and detained at various Police Stations in what was described
as a ‘combing’ operation carried out in different villages around
the Shahbaz airbase in Jacobabad District of Sindh. Sources
said that officers and personnel of the District Police and
other law enforcement agencies carried out raids on houses,
hotels and other places to apprehend suspects late on November
9-evening and the following day. A house-to-house search was
also conducted during the operation, Sources added.
Rangers claimed to have seized
190 bulletproof jackets during a raid near Azizaabad area of
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Ranger’s official
statement said the raid was conducted on a tip off in Federal
B Area where the jackets were found hidden at a house. It said
the bulletproof jackets were being used by the “militant wing
of MQM”. It said the jackets were used as shields during acts
of terrorism. The statement didn’t mention whether any arrest
was made during the raid.
Police claimed to have unearthed
buried cache of arms in Old Clifton area of Karachi. This was
disclosed by IGP AD Khowja during his meeting with Chief Minister
Syed Murad Ali Shah today at CM House," said a statement
issued. The IG said that the Police excavated a piece of land
near National Bank of Pakistan and recovered huge cache of arms
which include 3695 rounds, 61 magazines, 23 rifles different
boars, four pistol, 230 rounds and four magazine, according
to the statement.
|
November 11
|
A Karachi University student
and a Policeman were killed while two others critically injured
in a fresh wave of target killing in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
According to details, the unidentified
assailants opened fire at three students from Karachi University,
who were riding on their motorcycle in Block 4 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar
area under Gulshan Town in Karachi. As a result one student
identified as Murtaza died instantly while his colleagues Shahid
and Ehsan were crucially injured. “The dead and injured belonged
to the Shia community and it appeared to be target killing incident,”
said Police official.
A Policeman, identified as Rizwan,
was shot dead near Saleem Centre in North Karachi. The deceased
Rizwan was stationed at Crime Branch.
The Federal Government banned
two more militant outfits, JuA and LeJ - Al-Alami, for their
involvement in terrorist activities across the country, an unnamed
official of Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs said. Referring
to a revised list of banned organisations available on the website
of the NACTA, a senior official in Sindh’s security establishment
said: “The two organisations were added to the banned outfits’
list on Nov 11.” The updated list on NACTA website shows a total
of 63 outfits that have been proscribed by the Federal Government.
|
November 12
|
At least 52 persons were killed
and 102 others were injured in an explosion at the shrine of
Shah Norani in Khuzdar District of Balochistan. "52 people
have died and dozens injured in the incident," confirmed
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti. The Minister
also hinted towards foreign involvement in the attack. It was
not confirmed whether the bombing was a suicide attack or a
remote detonation. The explosion took place at the spot where
the dhamaal (Sufi ritual) was being performed, within the premises
of the shrine. "Every day, around sunset, there is a dhamaal
here, and there are large numbers of people who come for this,"
said Nawaz Ali, the shrine's custodian. At the time of the blast,
there were at least 500 people gathered at the spot to view
the performance, said Abdul Hakim Lasi, a senior Edhi official
in Khuzdar District. The militant Islamic State (IS) group claimed
responsibility for the attack, reported Reuters.
|
November 15
|
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead a professor of Government College of Science, identified
as Professor Rao Altaf Hussain, in a targeted killing incident
in Iqbal Town area of provincial capital Lahore.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif
during his visit to North and South Waziristan said that the
army has made considerable gains in operations against terrorists
and "we have reached close to our objective of total elimination
of terrorism from our soil". "We will give a secure
and prosperous Pakistan to our future generations," he
said. The army chief was given a briefing on the progress of
stabilisation operations, return of the TDPs and development
work in the FATA. As part of a comprehensive rehab and reconstruction
effort, significant rehab projects were commissioned.
|
November 16
|
At least five tribesmen, who
are members of the peace committee, were shot dead by unidentified
militants in the Kamar Khel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber
Agency of FATA. An official of the political administration
said that the targeted persons belonged to Zakha Khel tribe,
and were on their way back from Tirah Valley when attacked.
The militants managed to flee without being noticed.
At least two suspects were
killed and their accomplice managed to flee during an encounter
with Police in Kernal Basti area of PIB Colony in Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh. Police seized huge cache of weapons
from the possession of the accused.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
said 11 Indian soldiers were killed on November 14 after Pakistan
Army ‘responded to unprovoked firing’. The Pakistan Army suffered
the loss of seven soldiers on the day, all casualties were sustained
in the Bhimber sector of the LoC. “The Indian army should man
up and accept their losses,” said CoAS General Raheel Sharif.
He also said that unlike the Indian Army, the Pakistan Army
accepts and owns its casualties. General Raheel added that the
army should be credited with exemplary teamwork. “The army has
given outstanding results while defending the homeland,” added
General Raheel Sharif. He also said a message has been conveyed
to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that aggressive actions
will not bear any results.
Pakistan, along with Afghanistan
and Syria is among the top five countries most hit by terrorism,
The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report said. According to the
report, deaths from terrorism in OECD countries increased by
650 per cent last year despite a marked fall globally as Islamic
State (IS)and Boko Haram militants suffered military defeats
at home but committed more attacks abroad.
The GTI report said that worldwide
there had been 29,376 deaths caused by terrorism in 2015, a
drop of 10 per cent and the first fall in four years, as action
against militants IS in Iraq and Boko Haram in Nigeria cut the
numbers killed there by a third. However, the report said the
groups had spread their actions to neighbouring states and regions,
causing a huge increase in fatalities among OECD (Organisation
for Economic Cooperation and Development) members, most of which
are wealthy countries such as the United States and European
nations.
|
November 17
|
At least two Lyari gangsters
were killed during exchange of fire with Rangers in Musharraf
Colony of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
According to the spokesman, Rangers carried out action against
Lyari gang war suspects on the information provided by accused
arrested. On seeing the Rangers personnel, the suspects resorted
to fire which was retaliated. In the shootout, two Lyari gang
war accused were killed. Two paramilitary personnel also sustained
injuries in the encounter. Rangers also seized huge quantity
of arms, hand grenades and narcotics during the operation.
A Daesh (Islamic State, IS,
previously Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS) militant shot
dead during an encounter in Rawalpindi District of Punjab. According
to details, CTD officials were involved in an alleged encounter
with terrorists during which a suspected militant was killed.
During the exchange of fire, two CTD officials were also injured.
The militant, who has been identified as Ahsan Swati, was killed
by the firing of his associates. Bullets, pistols, rifles and
IEDs were recovered from the suspected slain militant.
A new report by the State Bank
(SBP) has said Pakistan’s ‘war on terror’ has cost $118 billion
so far. The SBP in its annual report showed that extremist violence
cost the country USD 118.3 billion in direct and indirect losses
from 2002 to 2016. “Both economic growth and social sector development
have been severely hampered by terrorism related incidents,”
the report said. Pakistan became a pivotal US ally in the battle
against extremism after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks spurred the
US invasion of Afghanistan. A Coalition Support Fund was approved
by the US to support Pakistan in the war, with an annual release
of around USD one billion since 2002. By last year Pakistan
had received a total of USD 14 billion. The SBP said that apart
from causing immeasurable human suffering, including casualties
and mass displacement, the war had helped drive away foreign
investment, stall domestic investment; freeze exports, and slow
down trade.
|
November 19
|
At least four SF personnel
were killed and a civilian was injured in an ambush on Fatima
Jinnah Road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
Police sources said unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle
opened fire on the SF personnel deployed there resulting in
five injuries – four SF personnel (three Frontier Corps personnel
and a police constable) and a civilian. All the four SF personnel
succumbed to their injuries later.
FC personnel arrested two suspected
militants linked to TTP in the industrial town of Hub in Lasbela
District.
FC arrested six suspects during
a search operation in a bazaar in the Bilangor area of Kech
Turbat in Kech District. The arrestees were suspected to have
links with the banned terrorist organisation BRA.
The FC seized a huge cache
of arms during a raid in Killi Zareenabad area of Dasht Kharan
District. The recoveries included 25 kilograms of explosive
material, eight hand grenades, three SMGs, four pistols, 350
detonators ball bearing, batteries and other destructive items.
The Police arrested 55 suspects
during overnight search and strike operation in Sheikhan village
in the Peshawar District of KP. The police also recovered ten
pistols, two riffles and Kalashnikov from some of the suspects.
Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant
General Hidayatur Rehman said that militancy has been successfully
eliminated from the FATA. “The Frontier Corps (FC) has played
a tremendous role in eliminating militancy in FATA and settled
areas of the country and establishing the writ of the government
in tribal areas,” Rehman said. He also said that but there are
still safe havens for terrorists across the border in Afghanistan
and from these safe havens militants have been known to launch
attacks in Pakistan.
|
November 20
|
The FC arrested three alleged
militants during search operations across Balochistan. “A suspect
has been taken into custody from Killi Geo area of Quetta city
who allegedly has relations with banned militant organisation,
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi [LeJ],” a FC spokesman said. He added that
FC personnel launched a search operation in Kalat (Kalat District)
and arrested a suspected militant from a hotel on National Highway.
The official said FC also carried out an operation in Pishin
(Pishin District) and arrested a suspect allegedly linked with
the TTP.
Three Lyari gangsters were
killed in three separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. One Yousuf, a Lyari gangster war was killed
in an encounter with Police in PIB Colony. A policeman was also
wounded during the encounter. Similarly, Police claimed to have
killed another Lyari gangster during an exchange of fire in
the Mauripur are of Karachi. One policeman was also wounded
during the encounter. The Police also claimed to have recovered
weapons from the possession of the slain gangster. Further,
the Police also retaliated and killed one of the gangsters while
his companion managed to escape at an unspecified place in Karachi.
Three MQM members were arrested
in Karachi. Two workers of the MQM were apprehended during an
overnight targeted operation conducted by paramilitary forces
in Shah Faisal Colony. The workers were later shifted to undisclosed
location for questioning. Similarly, another worker of the MQM,
Nadeem alias Lalu, was taken into custody during a raid conducted
near Jinnah Square in Malir. The suspect was later shifted to
an undisclosed location for further questioning.
The Secret Service Fund, once
considered an integral part of policing, has fallen prey to
typical negligence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the decades. An
unnamed Policeman said that in the past intelligence gathering
was considered a crucial part of policing and therefore sufficient
funds were provided to police officers but the situation has
changed over the years. “Despite an increase in police budget
in recent years we have limited funds,” an unnamed officer said,
adding that police should be provided with enough funds to meet
its day-to-day operation expenditures and also support other
activities like limited intelligence gathering. “Today local
residents are afraid to cooperate with police against criminals
and militancy. This could be reversed if there are financial
rewards for them but unfortunately there is no channel to do
so,” he added.
|
November 21
|
At least three FCB personnel
were killed and seven others were injured in an IED blast targeting
their vehicle in Bashirabad area of provincial capital, Peshawar.
TTP splinter group JuA claimed responsibility for the attack
in an email sent to the media. The deceased have been identified
as Hanif Jamal, Yasirullah and Khalid.
A passerby was killed and two
SF personnel were injured in bomb attacks in Chaman in Qilla
Abdullah District. A bomb was planted under a bridge in Killi
Haji Habib in Boghra area when SF vehicles were moving towards
the Pak-Afghan border. As a result of explosion one passerby
died and two SF personnel were injured.
Unidentified assailants shot
at and killed an Afghan national in Shehbaz Town area of Quetta
District.
Police arrested over 200 suspected
persons during a search operation in the Zaida area of Swabi
District. Police said that the suspected persons were arrested
on suspicion of their involvement in terrorist activities and
weapons were also recovered from them along with other suspicious
materials that could be used in terrorism.
|
November 22
|
A Khasadar force official sustained
injuries in an IED bombing in Safi Tehsil of Mohmand Agency
in FATA, official sources said. They said militants had planted
the explosives in the fields in the Alingar area of Safi Tehsil.
They said the explosives went off as the Khasadar personnel
were moving through the fields.
The CTD Bahawalpur arrested
a terrorist identified as, Muhammad Yaseen, who had planned
to carry out a terrorist activity at an Imambargah in
Bahawalpur District. Officials seized 1,700 gram explosives,
detonators, ball bearings and other articles of Improvised Explosive
Device from his possession.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif
confirmed death sentences awarded to another 10 terrorists.
These terrorists were involved in heinous offences related to
terrorism, including killing of innocent civilians, slaughtering
of Captain Jonaid Khan, Captain Najam Riaz Raja, Naik Shahid
Rasool and Lance Naik Shakeel Ahmed of SSG. They planned and
executed attacks on Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies
of Pakistan which resulted in death and injury to several soldiers,
an ISPR spokesman said in a statement. They were also involved
in destruction of educational institutions and communication
infrastructure. Fire-arms and explosives were also recovered
from their possession. These convicts were tried by military
courts, Director General ISPR said.
PM Nawaz Sharif while addressing
the inauguration ceremony of the 9th International Defence
Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS)-2016 at the Expo Centre in Karachi
claimed that Pakistan has been against the weapons’ race in
the region and such a trend should be discouraged. He claimed
further that “our weapons of war” are used only to promote peace.
JUI-S Chief Maulana Samiul
Haq said the survival of Muslims is linked to the existence
of religious seminaries, scholars and jihad. Haq said that the
United States of America and its puppets have joined forces
against Islam, religious seminaries and scholars to establish
their supremacy and force the Muslims to bow before them.
|
November 23
|
One Khasadar official was killed
in a landmine blast at Karkanai in the Safi tehsil area
of Mohmand Agency in FATA. The sources said that suspected militants
had planted an explosive device near a checkpoint in Karkanai.
SFs recovered a huge cache
of mortar shells during a search operation in central parts
of Kurram Agency, official sources said. The SFs launched a
search operation in Jamal Mela and Zaya Syeed and recovered
mortar shells and other explosive material.
An ATC sentenced five men to
death on two counts for their involvement in the burning alive
of a Christian couple in Kot Radha Kishan Kot tehsil
area of Kasur District in 2014. ATC-I Judge Chaudhry Muhammad
Azam also imposed a fine of INR 200,000 on the five men identified
as Mehdi Khan, Riaz Kambo, Irfan Shakoor, Muhammad Hanif, and
Hafiz Ishtiaq - a local prayer leader - for their involvement
in the lynching prior to burning. A challan submitted in court
claimed the five men awarded the death penalty goaded a mob
by making announcements over a mosque loudspeaker and incited
them to violence with incendiary speech. Eight others have also
been charged with involvement in the lynching. They have each
been sentenced to two years in prison.
A mob of around 400 people
lynched Shahzad and Shama, falsely accused of desecrating the
Holy Quran in November 2014. The woman was pregnant. The mob
tortured the couple before putting them into the kiln's furnace
and held hostage people who tried to rescue the couple.
The Hyderabad ATC sentenced
two ST activists to death for killing the owner of a burger
shop, who had defied their demand of ‘protection money’, in
2014. The activists, Shoaib Attari and Syed Imran, were booked
by the A-Section police of Latifabad in an FIR (3/2015) lodged
by Amir Khoso, brother of the victim, Mohammad Hassan Khoso,
on January 2, 2015. The complainant had stated that his brother
owned a burger shop in Unit-11 of Latifabad. He alleged that
the accused had demanded extortion money from him and on his
refusal, they shot dead him. An unnamed Sunni Tehreek ‘spokesman’
said on November 23 that the convicts were its activists, but
added that they had been politically implicated in the case.
He said the case had been pursued by the convicts’ family members
but now party was coordinating with them to file an appeal in
the Sindh High Court.
An ATC court acquitted on November
23 two men accused in the murder case of as many Police officers
for lack of evidence. Wasiq Mirza and Farhan have been charged
with the murder of Station House Officer of the Sir Syed Police
Station inspector Syed Irfan Haider and his friend Sub-Inspector
Shahbaz Ali of the New Karachi Police Station, who were gunned
down near Anda Mor in North Karachi in October 2013. The ATC-V
judge exonerated the accused after recording evidence and final
arguments from both sides and ruled that eyewitnesses had not
identified them as assailants. The same court had also acquitted
another accused Azhar Mehmood in the present case in March 2016
on similar grounds. The FIR was registered under Sections 302
(premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan
Penal Code read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997
at the Sir Syed police station.
The Pakistan Rangers, Sindh,
claimed to have seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunition
on the outskirts of Karachi, where a ‘militant wing’ had stocked
the weapons to carry out targeted killings, a Rangers spokesperson
said. The paramilitary force conducted the raid on a house in
Gadap Town and seized the weapons. The recovered weapons included
one light machine gun, one 7MM rifle, one 8MM rifle, two submachine
guns, one 9MM pistol, three 30-bore submachine guns, three 12-bore
repeaters, three TT pistols, one 32-bore revolver and thousands
of bullets. The Rangers official claimed that an ‘active militant
wing’ had stored these weapons and ammunition at the hideout.
The officer did not identify the wing. “These weapons were supposed
to be used for spreading lawlessness and carrying out targeted
killings in the metropolis,” said the Rangers statement.
President Mamnoon Hussain called
for taking the ongoing operation in Karachi to its logical conclusion
without any concession for criminals. The president said the
objective of achieving economic stability was possible only
after the elimination of terrorism and unrest for which coordination
between the people and law enforcement agencies was essential.
The CTD claimed to have arrested
a suspected terrorist, Feroz Khan, allegedly involved in October
2009 bomb blast at Khyber Bazaar in the Peshawar area of KP
that claimed lives of 60 people. According to CTD, Feroz Khan
was also involved in the killing of SP (Rural), Khurshid Khan,
in October 2012. He is also suspected of being behind the attack
on a police check post in Mashogugar in 2013, and an attack
on NATO containers on Peshawar Ring Road. Besides, he was also
involved in kidnappings for ransom incidents. CTD took Feroz
Khan, resident of Khyber Agency, in custody from Phase-III of
Hayatabad. He was shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
|
November 24
|
A police constable of the CTD
was killed, while an ASI was seriously injured in an ambush
by unidentified militants in the Razar tehsil area of Swabi
District. The incident took place on the same day DPO Javaid
Iqbal was replaced. In his farewell function, he had lauded
the contributions of the local people to peace in the region
and appreciated the sacrifices rendered by the district police
in the fight against terrorists.
A FC soldier was shot dead
by unidentified assailants in Panjgur town (Panjgur District).
A ‘spokesman’ for the banned Baloch Liberation Front, Sarbaz
Baloch, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Parents of children being immunised
in a polo vaccination drive in Bannu (Bannu District) shot at
a female polio worker after she vaccinated their children. District
Police Officer Qasim Ali Khan said that the parents of the children
shot at the polio worker as she was leaving their house after
vaccinating their children. The parents did not want anti-polio
drops to be administered to their child. Polio remains endemic
in Pakistan after the TTP banned vaccinations, attacks targeted
medical staffers and suspicions lingered about the inoculations.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
termed Kashmir an ‘unfinished agenda' of sub-continent's partition
and said that Pakistan would never abandon Kashmiris in their
freedom struggle. "The world in general and India in particular
should know that the Pakistani nation will never abandon their
Kashmiri brethren and will continue to support them in their
just and UN-mandated freedom struggle," Nawaz Sharif said.
|
November 25
|
Militants blew up a Government
primary school for boys in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency in
the intervening night. “The school was reconstructed in 2012-13
after it was destroyed in 2009-10 by miscreants,” assistant
agency education officer Abdul Sattar Khan said, adding a total
of 75 children were enrolled in it. JuA, a breakaway faction
of the TTP claimed responsibility for the blast. In a statement
issued to media outlets, its ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said,
“Our Mujahideen razed a government school in Koz Chamarkand,
and also separately injured a levies man in a mine blast in
Pandyali tehsil.” He said such attacks would continue in future
too till enforcement of Islamic system in Pakistan. A total
of 127 schools have been destroyed in Mohmand Agency – out of
which some 64 were located in tehsil Safi.
Two unidentified assailants
shot dead the caretaker of an Imambargah and critically
injured his 24-year-old son when the duo was en route to the
Imambargah in 86/6-R village in Sahiwal District. The deceased
was also working as a journalist locally. Farid Town Station
House Officer Sajjad Hyder said he feared it was a targeted
killing.
A Lyari gangster was shot dead
in an ‘encounter’ with the Police in the PIB Colony of Gulshan
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. “The dead
was linked with the Lyari gang warfare and was involved in murder
and other criminal cases,” said PIB Colony Station House Officer
Safdar Mashwani.
Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, claimed
to have detained a suspect allegedly belonging to the “Indian
spying agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) linked” Muttahida
Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L) from the Shoe Market area of Garden
in the Saddar Town of Karachi and seized a large number of arms
and huge quantity ammunition. “The arms cache was hidden to
carry out killings at behest of the MQM-London leadership,”
an unnamed spokesperson for the paramilitary force said. The
seized arms and ammunition included two light machine guns,
four submachine guns, one 22-bore sniper rifle, three 12-bore
repeaters, one 222-bore rifle, three 30-bore Mausers, six 30-bore
pistols, one 22-bore pistol and 5,809 rounds of different weapons.
During pre-dawn raids in Hyderabad,
Police arrested at least two activists of MQM-London.
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pervez Khattak stated that unregistered Afghan refugees were
causing security problems for the Provincial Government. Pervez
Khattak also said that the KP Government has constituted a high
level committee to look after the issues of Afghan refugees.
The Senate passed a bill to
amend various laws with the objective of strengthening the criminal
justice system and enhancing punishments for various offences
to effectively curb terrorism and extremism. The bill, proposing
amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 the Police Act,
1861 the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 the Qanoon-i-Shahadat,
1984 and the Protection of Pakistan Act, 2014 (POPA), was moved
by Minister of State for Interior Baleeghur Rahman. However,
it was pointed out that POPA had lapsed and, therefore, no amendment
to it could be introduced. The bill was approved, dropping the
proposed amendment to POPA, through a voice vote. The statement
of object and reason of the bill says that terrorism, sectarianism
and extremism have gripped the entire country and these acts
have become the order of the day. The country is passing thorough
an extraordinary situation, which requires stringent measures
to be taken to curb this menace that has infiltrated society.
|
November 26
|
At least four militants were
killed in retaliatory fire by the SFs when they (militants)
launched a suicide attack on a camp of the Mohmand Rifles Headquarters
at Ghalanai in Mohmand Agency of FATA. Two soldiers of the
FC were killed in the attack, Director General of ISPR Asim
Bajwa said on Twitter. At least 14 FC men were injured in the
attack, security sources said. According to security sources,
militants attacked the FC camp inside the agency headquarters
at 6:20am [PST]. A heavy exchange of fire ensued between the
militants and soldiers, until all attackers were killed.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead two security guards of a gas exploration company near the
Pasni area of Gwadar District. Levies sources said that the
guards were deployed for security of a survey team of CGC. The
company was conducting a survey for exploration of natural gas
in Pasni. A ‘spokesperson’ of the banned BLA Gohram Baloch claimed
responsibility of the attack. Assistant Commissioner Mansoor
Gichki said, “The guards killed in the firing belonged to a
private security company.”
Two suspected militants of
LeJ were killed and another (also from LeJ) was arrested during
a gun battle with law enforcement agencies in the Kanak area
of Mastung District. “Two militants were killed and another
arrested in the clash which lasted for more than one hour,”
security officials said. The arrested suspect was involved in
incidents of targeted killing in Quetta and Mastung, they added.
Six Pakistanis working for
a Polish oil and gas surveying company were abducted near Dera
Ismail Khan. The six Geofizyka Krakow workers were taken away
from their vehicles on a road near the village of Drazinda,
about 80 kilometers from the city of Dera Ismail Khan, two officials
with security forces in the area said. A Polish foreign ministry
spokeswoman tweeted that there were no Polish citizens in the
group and that the Polish embassy in Islamabad is monitoring
the situation. No militant group has claimed responsibility
for the kidnappings. In 2008, a Polish engineer working for
the firm was kidnapped by the TTP militants near the northwestern
city of Attock, and beheaded several months later.
SFs carried out joint search
and strike operation in Daudzai area of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and arrested over 200 suspects.
The search operation was carried out in Daman Afghani, Madina
Town and Shah Alam area of Daudzai police station. The SFs also
recovered weapons from the possession of some of the suspects.
Sindh Rangers detained a political
worker affiliated with MQM-L in the wee hours. As per details,
the arrest was made after raids conducted by the paramilitary
personnel in the areas of Lines Area and Shoe Market. The law
enforcement agents have allegedly recovered weapons from the
detained activist.
|
November 27
|
A senior traffic police officer,
DSP Faiz Ali Shigri, was shot dead while his driver hurt in
suspected targeted attack in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Gulshan
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, in the evening.
DSP Shigri was travelling in a chauffeur-driven official vehicle
when armed pillion riders attacked him when the vehicle slowed
down near Balochistan Sajji House (restaurant).
A member of Ahmadi community,
Shaikh Sajid Mehmood, was shot dead in suspected sectarian attack
in the Gulzar-i-Hijri area of Gulshan Town in the evening, according
to Police and the community official. “This was third such targeting
killings in the same vicinity during last several months,” said
a spokesperson of Jamaat Ahmadiyya. Previously, Khaleeq and
Daud were shot dead down in Gulzar-e-Hijri.
Police’s Counter-Terrorism
Department official Raja Umer Khattab said that the killing
of DSP Shigri and Ahmadi man were motivated by sectarian considerations.
He suspected involvement of the same group behind the both incidents.
The CTD official said previously, Al Qaeda targeted people in
Gulistan-e-Jauhar whose members later on joined Islamic State
but this gang was busted in 2013. He revealed that prior to
attack on the DSP Shigri, unknown gunmen had attacked a vehicle
of DSP Traffic (Gulberg) Zafar Husain near Samama Shopping Centre
in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, however, he remained unhurt.
Karachi Police conducted a
raid at Shah Faisal Colony in the Shah Faisal Town and arrested
two suspected target killers. The detained suspects were identified
as Shah Nawaz and Jameel. According to police sources, they
were involved in target killing and linked to a political party.
Terrorism-stricken parts of
the FATA require special attention of the government for their
development but they appear to be the least priority of the
authorities concerned. This is the gist of a special report
by a sub-committee of the Senate’s Standing Committee on States
and Frontier Regions released on November 25. FATA people were
initially tormented by terrorism and now by a step-motherly
attitude of the government, the report said.
|
November 28
|
Unidentified gunmen shot dead
a member of the Levies force in Bakakhel area of Frontier Region
Bannu in the FATA. Police said that the masked gunmen opened
fire on Havildar Noor Zaman in Bakakhel, Frontier Region Bannu.
The accused managed to escape.
Unidentified gunmen shot dead
a retired solider and member of a pro-Government peace committee
in Janikhel area. Police said the gunmen fired at Malik Shadir
Gul, a retired subedar, when he was on way to a shop in Janikhel
area, Frontier Region Bannu, leaving him dead on the spot. The
accused managed to escape after committing the crime.
SFs claimed to have killed two
suspected militants in an exchange of fire in Sartaf area of
Dera Bugti District in Balochistan. Frontier Corps (FC) spokesperson
said "Frontier Corps forces launched an operation against
miscreants in Sartaf area of Dera Bugti district. Security forces
also recovered weapons and explosions from the possession of
the miscreants and they were involved in attacks on national
institutions in the area."
An ASI was killed while two
cops and a passer-by sustained injuries when a car of the newly
launched City Police Patrol came under militant attack on the
Ring Road of Peshawar, the capital of KP. According to the officials,
ASI Asmat Shah, who was heading the City Police Patrol Team
No-8, was killed while Constable Fawad and driver Rab Nawaz
were critically wounded. An auto-rickshaw driver Samiul Haq,
who was passing through the vicinity, was also wounded in the
firing.
The officials of the CTD arrested
a suspected militant and seized explosive materials from him
near Dera-Madi Road of Dera Ismail Khan city. They said the
CTD officials stopped a suspected person for search near Dera-Madi
Road and seized two kilograms of explosives, prima card and
electric detonator from him. The militant was identified as
Faizul Islam, an Afghan national. He was residing in Topi tehsil
in Swabi District. The officials registered a case against the
accused and shifted him to an undisclosed location.
Police and law enforcement agencies
jointly raided houses in Manghopir and Korangi areas of Karachi,
the capital of Sindh Province and arrested two suspected militants.
On tip-off the Police carried out door to door search operation
in Orangi, Manghopir and arrested five terrorists and seized
huge cache of ammunitions from their possession. According to
the police sources, the two arrested suspects were said to be
involved in the murder of a police officer and are affiliated
to a militant group headed by Raheem Swati, who is the prime
suspect in the murder case of renowned social worker Parveen
Rehman. While the other three suspects were wanted to Police
in attacks on security forces, ransom targeted killings and
other heinous crimes according to the Police. They have been
shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation.
Elders of Utmanzai tribe of
NWA while addressing a news conference at Peshawar Press Club
demanded of the Government to compensate the affectees of military
operation Zarb-e-Azb in Waziristan Agency, and stop construction
of destroyed shops in Miranshah as it fear to cause civil war.
The tribal elders led by National Youth Organization (NYO) Chairman
Mohsin Dawar said that the tribesmen in 2014 on single call
of the Government had vacated their home town and migrated to
settled areas of the country, whereas some of the families were
shifted to neighboring Afghanistan, and didn't made any resistance.
He said it was aimed to make the military assault against militants
a success and restore durable peace in the region. Flanked by
tribal elders belonging to Utmanzai tribe including Malik Ashraf,
Malik Shahzada Wazir, Malik Naik Zali, Malik Darwin, and Shaukat
Aman, the NYO chairman Mohsin Dawar said that the tribal families
were passing through a difficult time owing to lack of proper
shelter and other basic facilities.
|
November 29
|
SFs killed eight militants and
injured scores of others in airstrikes in Koki Khel, a remote
area of Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Sources said
that warplanes pounded suspected hideouts of the militants in
the Pak-Afghan border area. Two sanctuaries of militants were
also destroyed in the air offensive, sources said. The killed
militants were stated to be volunteers of the Bara-based defunct
organisation LI. However, the casualties could not be independently
confirmed due to lack of communication in the area.
CTD officials raided Korangi
area of Karachi and arrested a target killer. CTD Civil Lines
in a raid in Korangi arrested Asif alias Halaku with arms in
his possession. CTD sources told that the alleged target killer
is presently said to be affiliated with PSP.
ATC awarded 10-year imprisonment
to two extortionists, Adnan and Salman in Karachi. The two men
had demanded PR 500,000 from a citizen, Sajid, on April 18.
They had threatened to kidnap the man if he refused to pay the
extortion money. The accused were arrested and during interrogation,
they admitted the crime. As the prosecution proved the charge
against them, the ATC awarded 10-year jail to both of them.
The Peshawar High Court stayed
the execution of an alleged terrorist who had been awarded death
sentence by a military court on account of attacking the personnel
of the law-enforcement agencies. A two-member bench comprising
Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Muhammad Ibrahim
Khan suspended the death sentence of the alleged terrorist Nisar
Ali. Nisar Ali was a member of TTP and was involved in attacks
on the personnel of the SFs and law-enforcers that caused the
death of Sepoy Fazal Malik and injuries to several soldiers
of the Frontier Constabulary and Police.
|
November 30
|
ATC awarded death sentence to
a suspected Lyari gangster for killing four family members of
Mauripur area in Karachi in 2013. Yaseen Baloch was found guilty
of raping two of the family members and later murdering four
of them along with other accomplice. However, the court acquitted
suspect Wajid Balock over lack of evidence.
The COAS General Qamar Javed
Bajwa while speaking to troops in North Waziristan during his
first visit to field formations after taking over the command
of the Pakistan Army said that the war on terror will continue
with focused approach to take the military operation to its
logical conclusion. He said "We will continue to move ahead
of the gains already made so far." Paying tribute to brave
tribes, officers and men of the Army, FC, Levies and the Police,
General Bajwa vowed that no fleeing terrorist would ever be
allowed to return. He said that defense and security of Pakistan
against external and internal threats would remain his ultimate
objective as the COAS.
|
December 1
|
One person was shot dead in
Federal B Area’s Block-2 in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. Police said that Noman aka Nomi (38), was shot at
by armed motorcyclists after he came out of his home to sit
in his car. The victim was a car dealer.
Rangers carried out a search
operation in Karachi’s Landhi area and recovered a large cache
of arms and munitions buried underground. Rangers searched the
nullah located near Chiragh hotel and recovered weapons including
grenades, Kalashnikovs and several thousands of bullets buried
underground. The recovered weapons had been used in different
crimes so all the arms have been sent to forensic lab by Rangers
for testing.
Police arrested 51 suspects
and recovered huge illegal arms from them in Phandu area of
Peshawar, the capital of the KP, during the Search and Strike
operations. Police said that the area was chosen after the martyrdom
of ASI Asmat Ullah in a recent attack on a Police patrol vehicle
in Phandu. Police added that the arrested persons could have
cause disaster if they were not arrested in time.
|
December 2
|
Unidentified gunmen kidnapped
three officials of Customs from Balochistan’s Gwadar District.
“Gunmen seized the vehicle of customs officials at Zero Point
in Pasni tehsil of Gwadar,” said Tufail Baloch, Deputy Commissioner
Gwadar. Among those kidnapped was Inspector Abdul Malik, constables
Muhammad Yaqoob and Hafeez. Following the kidnapping, security
was tightened at all entry and exit points to aid in the recovery
of the kidnapped individuals. There has been no claim of responsibility.
LeJ, AQIS and other banned outfit
operatives were among 22 suspects arrested by the Sindh Rangers
and Police in raids across Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. A Rangers spokesman said 19 suspects were picked up in
intelligence-based operations, including two LeJ men, an AQIS
operative, two activists of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, six
extortionists, four Iranian diesel smugglers, two unregistered
Afghans and two street criminals. Weapons, ammunitions, and
smuggled Iranian diesel were seized in the raids. All the arrested
men were later handed over to Police for further legal action.
In another operation in the Surjani Town area, the Sindh Police’s
CTD arrested three terrorists associated with a proscribed outfit.
As per details, CTD teams conducted a raid on a hideout and
after an encounter arrested three terrorists identified as Qari
Abid, Qari Nazeer and Zubair Ashfaq. Officials said the men
were working for a banned outfit and had been involved in murders,
extortion and other crimes. Hand grenades and pistols were recovered
from them.
SECP Chairman Zafar Hajazi talking
to journalists about the Companies Ordinance 2016 said that
SECP will conduct investigations against money laundering, fraud
and terror financing. He said the new ordinance was 80 percent
a facilitative law. He further said that under the Companies
Ordinance 2016, if some company provides false information then
it would be considered a criminal offence, with the regulator
being able to impose a punishment of one to seven years of imprisonment
on the company's director. He mentioned that it would be helpful
in addressing illicit financial flows and would help to tackle
corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.
|
December 3
|
Two persons were shot dead by
unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle in Lond Khor area
of Mardan city, headquarters of Mardan District in KP. The incident
took place in Lond Khor area where Abid and Saddam Hussain,
hailing from Mianwali, were returning after attending a wedding
ceremony when unidentified persons intercepted them and opened
indiscriminate firing on them.
Police arrested two suspects
and recovered illegal weapons from Tangi Sar area in Upper Dir
District. The weapons include one LMG, two kalanshinkoves and
one mortar Gola.
|
December 4
|
12 LI militants killed in air
strikes in the Rajgal valley area of Khyber Agency in FATA.
According to security sources, Pakistan Air Force jets precisely
targeted militant hideouts in Rajgal valley in which 12 militants
were killed and several hideouts were destroyed.
|
December 5
|
FC personnel killed five militants
of LeJ in the village of Huramzai in Pishin District of Balochistan.
FC spokesman Khan Wasay told that LeJ works both with IS and
AQIS in Pakistan.
Police arrested 12 suspects
during search operations and recovered arms and ammunition from
their possession in different parts of Peshawar, the capital
city of the KP. Police conducted operation against outlaws in
the Jurisdictions of Khyber Super Market, Nothia Jadeed, university
road and Tehkal-Garib Abad.
The COAS General Qamar Bajwa
okayed death execution of four hardcore terrorists. The terrorists
include Attaur Rehman, Muhammad Sabir, Farooq Bhatti and Gul
Zareen. They were involved in killing of civilians and law enforcers.
They planned and executed attacks on Jinnah International Airport
Karachi, CID building Karachi, ISI Office Sukkur and convoys
of law enforcers. They killed 58 people, including SSP Chaudhry
Aslam and injured 226 others, including SSP Farooq Awan. Firearms
and explosives were also seized from them. The convicts were
tried by military courts.
An ATC sentenced a militant
to 19 years in jail. The convict, Saeedus Salam, had been arrested
in 2015 by personnel of the Special Investigation Unit. The
conviction was based on charges of possessing explosives and
illegal weapons.
Two LeJ militants, Asim alias
Kapri and Ishaq alias Bobby confessed to killing four Rangers
in Ittehad Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The militants, while recording their confessional statements
under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code told the Judicial
Magistrate (West) that they had killed four Rangers in Ittehad
Town. They also admitted they had gunned down two Military Police
personnel near the Saddar Parking Plaza on July 19.
|
December 6
|
Police claimed to have killed
Lyari gang ‘commander’ in an alleged encounter in Gaon Godam
area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The gang war ‘commander’ is identified as Bilal alias Bhaiya
and he belongs to Uzair Baloch group. Bilal was wanted to Police
in murder, attempt to murder and other heinous crimes. Police
recovered arms and narcotics from him.
Police arrested 25 suspected
persons including nine proclaimed offenders and recovered weapons
and narcotics during search operations in various areas of Hangu
District in the KP. Talking to reporters, District Police Officer
Shah Nazar Khan said that the Police launched search operations
in the limits of the City, Saddar and Duaba Police Stations
and arrested 25 suspects and nine POs. Police also recovered
two Kalashnikov rifles, two pistols, a gun and two kilograms
of hashish from them.
An ATC directed the Police to
submit the charge sheets of two LeJ militants linked with high-profile
murder cases, including that of renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri,
by December 10. Asim alias Capri and Ishaq alias Bobby have
been charged with murdering Army, Rangers and Police officials.
They are facing more than two dozen cases pertaining to charges
of murder and possession of illegal weapons and explosives.
The Investigating Officer told the court that the two men had
confessed to killing four soldiers of the paramilitary Rangers.
He said the judicial magistrate concerned had ordered sending
the accused to prison on judicial remand. Upon this the administrative
judge told the Investigating Officer to submit the suspects’
charge sheets along with their confessional statements by December
10.
The COAS General Qamar Javed
Bajwa during a visit to Quetta vowed zero tolerance against
terrorism and directed focused operations against terrorists
of all kinds in coordination with Intelligence and other law
enforcement agencies. Soon after his arrival at Quetta, COAS
laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada to acknowledge the
sacrifices of all martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the
country, notably during his predecessor’s operation against
terror, Zarb-e-Azb.
|
December 7
|
Four militants were killed in
an encounter with personnel of CTD in the vicinity of Machike
Oil Depot of Sheikhupura District in Punjab. According to details,
the CTD team received credible information of 7-8 terrorists
are present in the vicinity of Oil Depot and are planning to
attack sensitive installations. The team raided their hideout
and ordered them to surrender. The terrorists started firing
at the team which defended itself. Four militants were killed
and three-four terrorists fled the scene, taking advantage of
darkness. The terrorists killed in the shootout were affiliated
to the proscribed organizations, LeJ and TTP. Three kilograms
of explosives with detonators, two Kalashnikovs, two pistols,
ammunition and two motorcycles were recovered from the site
of encounter.
Police arrested four terrorists
after an early morning encounter that took place at village
Qazi Patti in tehsil Khanpur of District Shikarpur in Sindh.
The arrested terrorists were identified as Qari Sanaullah aka
Molvi Zahoor, Rasheed Brohi, Riaz Brohi and Muneer Brohi. Police
recovered four TT pistols and a good cache of bullets from their
possession.
Police arrested four Lyari gangsters
allegedly involved in target killing and extortion activities
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The arrests were
made during raids and encounters in parts of troubled Lyari
neighborhood including Chakiwara and Kalakot. Police also claim
to have recovered weapons from their possession. Police said
that the criminals arrested were affiliated with the Wasiullah
Lakho and Ayaz Zehri group of Lyari gang.
The Rangers and Frontier Corps
arrested five key suspects with arms, ammunition and explosive
material from them in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
The suspects were wanted in attacks on Government officials,
targeted killings and ransom cases. The security forces recovered
eight rocket launchers, eight hand grenades, five mortar bombs,
six fuses, four SMGs and explosive material from them.
Maulana Sheerani, Chairman of
CII, speaking at a National Conference on the Ideological Status
of the Country said that sectarian killings are part of politics
not religion. He said “The nation has to decide whether terrorism
and sectarian killings are a part of religion or politics. The
answer is clear that these killings were part of politics and
not religion – let alone speak of Islam.”
|
December 8
|
TTP ‘commander’ Fazal Saeed
Haqqani and his associate were shot dead in Kurram Agency of
FATA. Sources said that one of the security guards of Fazal
Saeed Haqqani fired at him outside his house in Parachinar as
a result the sources said that Fazal Saeed Haqqani and another
militant Sher Zaman were killed on the spot. Idrees Afridi,
the security guard who shot dead the two men, managed to escape
after the firing.
One militant was killed during
an action by the personnel of FC in Lower Kurram Agency on December
when suspected terrorists tried to infiltrate into Pakistani
territory from the Afghan side. One SMG along with five magazines
and 145 rounds, one SMG bandolier and two hand grenades were
recovered from the area.
Two persons killed in separate
incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Masaud
(24) was killed when he received a stray bullet near Karachi
Public School in New Karachi. Another man was killed by unidentified
armed men in the area of Tariq Road.
Police claimed to have foiled
a major terror bid in Orangi Town No.11 of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh and arrested five TTP terrorists. The suspected
militants have been identified as Shahzad, Noor Muhammad, Abdul
Mannan, Arsalan Khan and Salman Khan. Police also recovered
five Kalashnikovs, one kilogram explosive material, half kilogram
ball bearings, five hand grenades, one 9mm pistol and bullets.
One person was killed and four
others were arrested in an armed encounter with Security Forces
in Chatter area of Nasirabad District in Balochistan.
Suspected militants shot dead
a Hazara man in Satellite town area of Quetta, the provincial
capital of Balochistan. The deceased was later identified as
Ali Khan Hazara. Officials have termed the incident as an act
of targeted killing.
An attempt by militants to target
the shrine of Pir Ziarat in Sui area of Dera Bugti District
was foiled by the SFs by defusing an IED. The locally made IED,
weighing about 10 kg, had been planted near the shrine of Pir
Ziarat on the outskirts of the Sui town.
A general councilor belonging
to the PTI was shot at and injured by assailants within the
jurisdiction of the Karachi Company Police Station in Islamabad.
PTI claimed that some “suspected terrorists” were involved in
mysterious activities along the wall of a government girls’
college in the area. When Mr Zeeshan of Union Council 35 in
Sector G-9-1 challenged the suspects, they opened fire at him
and fled on their motorbike.
Police arrested two TTP terrorists
from different locations of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to Police, they in a raid arrested an alleged terrorist
of TTP Swat, Attaullah, resident of Sambat village. The Police
claimed to have recovered anti-government pamphlets from him.
In another such action, Rahimabad Police arrested an alleged
terrorist of TTP Swat identified as Amir Hussain, a resident
of Bilal Colony, Amankot. The Police said he was involved in
terrorist activities in 2008.
ATC declared General (Retd)
Pervez Musharraf absconder due to his continuous disappearance
in the judges' detention case. The Police submitted report with
ATC regarding implementation of arrest warrants for the former
President. Inspector Yaseen Bhutta informed the court that Musharraf
had left the country due to which the warrants couldn't be implemented.
However, the counsel for the accused contradicted the statement
and said that his client was abroad to get medical treatment.
He said Musharraf couldn't attend the proceeding due to security
reasons and health problems. Prosecutor Aamir Nadeem requested
the court to declare former president absconder due to his disappearance
from the court proceedings in the case. Musharraf, who is facing
a number of cases including the Abdul Rasheed Ghazi murder case,
Benazir Bhutto murder case and high treason case, left for Dubai
on March 18, hours after the interior ministry issued a notification,
to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL). He had
already been declared an "absconder" in the Lal Masjid
and high treason case and the court had seized his property
due to his non-appearance. The judges' detention case was registered
by the Secretariat Police Station on August 11, 2009, on the
complaint of Advocate Aslam Ghumman, who had sought legal proceedings
against the former military ruler for confining 60 judges of
the superior courts, for over five months at their homes and
restraining them from administering justice.
The COAS General Qamar Javed
Bajwa said that Pakistan would continue its cooperation with
China to eliminate terrorism from the region. He said this during
his visit to NCTC, Pabbi and spent his day witnessing concluding
sessions of high profile training events. He saw the final day
of two months long Pak-China exercise Warrior-4, which was focused
on high impact counter terrorism operations both in rural and
urban areas using Special Forces of both countries.
|
December 9
|
An IED planted in a bicycle
went off near the Sindh Agriculture University in Tando Jam
town of Hyderabad District in the Sindh province leaving two
persons injured including a Sindh Rangers personnel. Officials
said that two explosive devices were recovered from the crime
scene while a suspect had also been taken into custody.
Rangers conducted a raid and
recovered a huge cache of arms from a house in Old Golimar area
of Karachi. According to Rangers spokesman, the arms and munitions
recovered from the house includes nine SMGs, two repeaters,
one 32-bore pistols, 11 9MM pistols, nine 30-bore pistols, one
air gun, one 30-bore mouser, 76 hand grenades, a bomb, detonators
and at least 5,000 bullets.
CTD of Sindh Police claimed
it has arrested a Special Branch officer for leaking sensitive
information to suspect militants regarding raids conducted by
law enforcement personnel, owing to which the Police failed
in apprehending them. CTD SSP Naveed Khowaja told Dawn that
the officer, identified as Irfan, worked as a 'locator operator'
in the Special Branch.
|
December 10
|
The DSP of CTD, Riazul Islam
was killed and his son was injured as militants opened fire
on them at Charsadda Road under the Faqirabad Police Station
in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Later, the SSP-Operations,
Sajjad Khan confirmed that Riazul Islam was killed in a terrorist
attack. Following the incident, Police cordoned off the area
and began search operation in the vicinity. Meanwhile, TTP has
claimed responsibility for the attack on DSP, Riazul Islam.
|
December 11
|
One FC personal was injured
as an IED detonated in the Shabqadar area near Mohmand Agency
in FATA. The convoy was targeted when it was on its way from
Mohmand to Peshawar. As soon as it reached Dhando Bridge on
main Shabqadar road, explosives planted on the roadside went
off, injuring Subedar Najab Ali.
TTP militants have distributed
pamphlets in tribal regions of South Waziristan in FATA issuing
threats to media persons in the area. The distribution of pamphlets
again highlights the dangers to the lives of the tribal journalists
and the freedom of expression in South Waziristan, the birthplace
of the banned TTP. At least four journalists have been killed
only in South Waziristan while two in North Waziristan over
the past several years.
CTD Terrorists Intelligence
Group in-charge, Raja Umer Khattab said that LeJ-al-Almi is
nothing more than an internet entity. He said Syed Safdar Ali,
the man who claims he’s the outfit’s chief, is abroad and runs
pages on social networking websites merely claiming responsibility
for attacks. LeJ-al-Almi is limited to the internet alone and
operates only through social media websites without any actual
presence on the ground. LeJ-al-Almi was founded by Abid Mehsud,
had who formed a splinter group following differences with the
LeJ.
Sindh Police proposed to the
provincial Government to place 93 seminaries in different cities
and Districts under the fourth schedule of the ATA to monitor
their ‘affairs’ and ‘other’ activities due to their suspected
terror links. The proposal came days after the Sindh Government
directed the law enforcement agencies to crack down on drug
dealers and seminaries which had links with terrorists or banned
outfits. “This move will help us in keeping an eye on these
seminaries which are suspected for their links and activities.
All these seminaries are marked after their Geotagging across
the province and analysis and audit of their finances to trace
the source of their funding and spending in line with the National
Action Plan initiatives, which requires the database of all
madrassas operating across the country. Under this arrangement
placing 93 seminaries under fourth schedule we would be able
to do our work more confidently,” Additional IG of CTD Sanaullah
Abbasi told.
|
December 12
|
One minor girl was killed and
three others sustained injuries in a roadside blast in Spinwam
tehsil of North Waziristan in FATA. Security sources said the
IED was planted next to Abakhel School gate which. The children
were going to the school to play when the bomb planted outside
it went off.
Nine people were injured when
suspected militants attacked the office of NP in Turbat District
of Balochistan. The attackers lobbed a hand grenade inside the
NP office targeting the workers inside. The assailants escaped
unhurt from the spot and no one has claimed the attack so far.
Security personnel and workers of NP have been frequent targets
of attacks in Turbat in the past few years, with several of
these orchestrated by Baloch separatists and sectarian outfits.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
addressing a Seeratun Nabi conference in Lahore urged religious
scholars to help eliminate extremism. Nawaz regretted that 'certain
elements' had distorted Islam's image as a religion of peace
by spreading anarchy and bloodshed. The premier pointed out
that the hideouts of terrorists had been eliminated due the
efforts and sacrifices of the national leadership, religious
scholars, armed forces and police. He added that it is now the
responsibility of religious scholars to reestablish a link between
Islam and peace, taking guidance from the life and teachings
of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
The COAS General Qamar Javed
Bajwa has vowed to break nexus between terrorists in remote
areas and their facilitators in urban centers. General Qamar
Bajwa said “Nexus between terrorists in remote areas and their
facilitators in urban centers will be severed whatever the amount
of effort and time”.
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December 13
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Lahore High Court rejected the
appeals of seven militants convicted by military courts in cases
of targeted killings. An LHC division bench comprising Justices
Shahid Mahmood Abbasi and Shahid Mehmood Sethi dismissed the
writ petitions of the seven convicts associated with proscribed
organisations after going through the record of the military
court’s proceedings and arguments presented in-camera by the
Federal Government. The military courts had awarded death penalty
to Sabir Shah, Abdul Rauf, Awais Gujjar, Suleman Pathan, Rafiullah
and Sheikh Farhan, but the heirs of the convicts challenged
their sentences before the LHC.
Kurram Agency tribal elders
urged the Government to abolish the FCR and merged the tribal
area with KP. Speaking at a press conference, MNA Sajid Hussain
Turi along with the local leaders of all the political parties
and tribal elders asked the Government to implement the proposed
reforms to make an end to the sufferings of the tribes’ people.
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December 14
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A man identified as Basheer
was shot dead near Sindhi hotel in New Karachi area of Karachi.
A 'low-intensity' blast targeted
a Chinese engineer's vehicle in the jurisdiction of Patni Police
Station in Rohri town of Sukkur District. The engineer remained
unhurt in the explosion. "Unknown accused attacked a Chinese
engineer's vehicle near Rohri. Rescue teams moved [to the location],"
said a police statement.
The Chief of the Army Staff
General Qamar Javed Bajwa assured the people of Karachi that
the change of military command would not affect the Karachi
operation as more “efforts will be made to consolidate the gains
achieved so far” for peace in Karachi, reports Dawn. It was
General Bajwa’s first visit to Karachi after taking over the
army command last month. He arrived in the morning and went
straight to the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
to pay homage to the father of the nation.
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December 15
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At least three alleged gangsters
were killed and two paramilitary troops injured during a shootout
in Yousaf Goth area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh,
in the early morning. Heavy cache of automatic weapons and ammunition
was also seized in the operation.
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December 16
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A would-be suicide bomber on
a motorcycle was shot dead by Rangers personnel on Daman-i-Kohsar
road in Hyderabad city of Sindh after he lobbed a 'cracker'
into a nearby graveyard while fleeing. His accomplice fled the
scene of crime. A Rangers vehicle on patrol near the Amani Shah
graveyard signalled for two men on a passing motorcycle to stop.
The men stopped and one lobbed a 'cracker' into the graveyard.
Rangers’ sources said they shot and killed the man who threw
the 'cracker' into the graveyard. Upon examination, they found
he was wearing a suicide vest. The assailant could not be identified,
but Rangers sources claimed he appeared to be in his early 30s.
The sources alleged the would-be suicide bomber had intended
to target the under-construction Imambargah (Shia place of Worship)
nearby.
The COAS General Qamar Javed
Bajwa confirmed the death sentences of 13 'hardcore terrorists',
ISPR press release said. The 13 were involved in heinous offences
related to terrorism, including the killing and slaughtering
of innocent civilians, officials of law enforcement agencies
and the armed forces, ISPR said.
The ISPR statement today said
the suspected terrorists were involved in the planning and execution
of the Bacha Khan, Parade Lane mosque, Marriott Hotel and World
Vision NGO attacks, as well as an attack on an educational institution
at Nawagai, Buner. "On the whole, they were involved in
killing 325 persons and in causing injuries to 366 others. Firearms
and explosives were also recovered from their possession. These
convicts were tried by military courts," ISPR said.
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December 18
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The CTD claimed to have killed
five terrorists in the Choti Bala area of Dera Ghazi Khan District
in Punjab. The suspects opened fire during CTD raid that was
conducted on a tip of about presence of militants in the Choti
Bala area. Five of them were killed while four suspects are
said to have fled during the exchange of fire. Two of the suspects
killed in the operation were identified as Malik Tehseen and
Kamran. Arms and explosive material was also recovered in the
operation.
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December 19
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Two persons, riding a motorcycle,
were killed by a landline explosion in the Kathan area of Dera
Bugti District in Balochistan. Levies sources said unknown miscreants
had planted the landmine on the roadside to target people travelling
on the road.
A team of houbara bustard hunters
from Abu Dhabi, led by Prince Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
came under a gun attack by a group of militants in the Gichk
area of Panjgur District. Two vehicles of the convoy were damaged.
According to the Tehsildar of the area, personnel of Frontier
Corps and other security men retaliated, forcing the attackers
to flee. An unnamed ‘spokesman’ for the Balochistan Liberation
Front claimed responsibility of the attack.
The chairman of the Commission
of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, retired Justice Javed
Iqbal, told a Senate standing committee that only 96 people
are missing in Balochistan and the matter has been politicised.
The claim surprised the Senate Standing Committee on Interior,
and two members from Balochistan – Mir Israrullah Khan Zehri
and Dr Jehanzeb Jamadini – rejected Mr Iqbal’s statements. Both
senators said a large number of people have disappeared in Balochistan,
and are killed and their bodies discarded by agencies. “A few
years ago, some people marched from Quetta to Islamabad and
claimed almost 17,000 people from Balochistan were missing but
they never gave me the list,” Mr Iqbal said.
One militant was killed and
three others were arrested when the LEAs foiled major terror
bid, said to be planning a suicide attack in University of Karachi
and seized huge cache of weapons from their possession at National
Highway near Kathore area in Gadap Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Four militants were arrested during the operation
but one arrested militant was later killed in exchange fire
with personnel of LEAs when he tried to flee from the custody.
He was identified as Abdul Amin. The officials also confiscated
a truck loaded with 10 kilograms of explosives, 5 kilograms
ball bearing and a detonator.
No journalist was murdered in
Pakistan “in retaliation for their work” in 2016, a first since
2001, the CPJ study report said. The CPJ, an independent organisation
working to promote press freedom worldwide, in its special report
said that it “did not identify anyone singled out for murder
in Pakistan because of journalist work” — for the first time
in 15 years. The organisation classifies murder as “the targeted
killing of a journalist, whether premeditated or spontaneous,
in direct relation to the journalist's work”. At least 33 journalists
have been targeted and killed “in retaliation for their work”
since 1992, CPJ further said in its press statement.
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December 20
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A Baloch person of Pakistani
origin, Naveed Baloch, who was an asylum seeker, suspected of
ploughing a lorry into a Berlin Christmas market was released
for lack of evidence. “The accused, detained over the attack
on the Berlin Christmas market on December 19, 2016, was let
go on this evening on the orders of the federal prosecutor,”
prosecutor’s office said in a statement. “The forensic tests
carried out so far did not provide evidence of the accused's
presence during the crimes in the cab of the lorry." German
authorities had earlier said that the Pakistani asylum seeker
may not be the right man, sparking fears the real killer could
be on the run.
The Commander Southern Command
Lieutenant General Amir Riaz said that 700 personnel of the
SFs have been killed while fighting for the “stability of the
country”. Riaz added that around 2,000 personnel were also wounded
in the province. The commander was speaking at a function organized
at the Frontier Corps Headquarters in Quetta. “For the last
10 to 12 years, FC personnel have been fighting against the
enemies of Pakistan,” said the senior officer. “You stood firm
and defeated the enemy.” Riaz added that some elements in Geneva,
Dubai and London were behind acts of terrorism and were involved
in the killing of innocent civilians in Balochistan. “Balochistan
is part of Pakistan, and will always remain so,” reiterated
the commander of southern command.
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December 21
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PM Nawaz Sharif said that there
was no presence of militant Islamic State group (Daesh) in Pakistan
and the country has destroyed safe havens and sanctuaries of
al Qaeda and the Taliban. The PM was speaking to a delegation
of Bosnian parliamentarians. He emphasized on exchange of parliamentary
delegations and sharing of their respective expertise.
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December 22
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The FO dismissed Pentagon’s
latest assessment that the Taliban and Haqqani network were
freely operating from Pakistan and instead accused Afghanistan
of being an epicentre of terrorism in the region. “This is more
of a rhetoric than anything else. Afghanistan is infested with
most terrorist organisations due to the instability there, which
has created space for these terrorist elements,” Foreign Office
Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said.
He was reacting to the recent
biannual report of the US Department of Defence on security
and stability situation in Afghanistan, which had said: “Afghan-oriented
militant groups, including Taliban and Haqqani network’s senior
leadership, retain freedom of action from safe havens inside
Pakistani territory. The United States continues to be clear
with Pakistan about steps it should take to improve the security
environment and deny safe havens to terrorist and extremist
groups.” Mr Zakaria recalled the counterterrorism operations
undertaken by Pakistani security forces in the tribal areas,
which had restored peace there. But he also acknowledged that
a large number of terrorists had moved to Afghanistan after
the start of the operations.
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December 23
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Rangers raided three offices
of a known businessman, Anwar Majeed, who is said to be a close
friend of former President Asif Ali Zardari, and claimed seizing
illegal weapons. The spokesman for the Sindh Rangers said personnel
of the force conducted the swoops on intelligence about the
presence of weapons and miscreants in two offices on the II
Chundrigar Road and at the Hockey Stadium in Karachi. The raids
coincided with PPP Co-chairman Zardari's return to the country
from Dubai, 18 months after he had abruptly gone abroad. The
crackdown led to the detention of five suspects and the seizure
of 17 Kalashnikovs, four pistols, 3,225 bullets of different
calibers and nine ball bombs. The arms and ammunition had been
concealed in secret places in the offices. Some important documents
were also seized. Those detained were identified as Shahzad
Shahid, Rajab Ali Rajpur, Ajmal Khan, Kamran Munir Asari and
Kashif Hussain.
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December 28 |
The CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed
the death sentences of eight 'hardcore terrorists' tried by
military courts, whereas three others were awarded imprisonment,
DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said. The convicts were involved
in the Safoora Goth massacre, the Sabeen Mahmud murder case,
and other heinous offences related to terrorism, including the
killing of innocent civilians, law enforcement personnel and
members of the armed forces, ISPR said.
The Federal Ministry of Interior has prepared
the draft of a new law, integrating the Protection of Pakistan
Act and Anti-Terrorism Act, and has sought opinion of the law
ministry on it. The draft will be presented in parliament after
the final approval by the Minister. According to the Interior
Ministry's spokesperson, the military courts which were originally
set up for two years after December 16, 2014 Peshawar APS attack
will become permanent courts to deal with cases involving terrorism
once the new law is passed.
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December 29 |
Police arrested two notorious Lyari gangsters,
identified as Abdul Karim and Noman alias Nomi, during a search
operation in Kalry area of Lyari town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Sindh Rangers report issued claimed that a total
of 446 'target killers' were arrested in 2016, mostly belonging
to the 'militant wings' of different political groups. According
to the report, which is focused on the ongoing Karachi operation,
Sindh Rangers conducted 1,992 operations across the city over
the year through which more than 2,847 suspected criminals were
taken into custody. A break-up of the numbers shows that of
the 446 target killers arrested by the Rangers, 348 belonged
to various political groups, 87 had links to Lyari gangs, while
11 were affiliated with different sectarian groups.
The report said 26 criminals involved in kidnapping
for ransom were also apprehended, and 13 of their abductees
were safely brought back. In the report, the Rangers also claimed
that murders and targeted killings in the city hit an all-time
low in the year, with 87 people falling victim compared to 199
in the preceding year. About weaponry recovered during the year,
the report says that at least 1,845 arms, including machine
guns, light machine guns, sub-machine guns, rocket launchers,
detonators, pistols/revolvers and explosives, were confiscated
in the year. A total of 194,579 rounds of ammunition of different
calibres were also recovered, it said.
The CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa stated that
Pakistan has successfully defeated terrorism and is now in consolidation
phase. He was speaking after inspecting a Pakistan-Jordan joint
military exercise, "Fajr-ul-Sharq 1", near Attock, according
to a statement released by ISPR. 'Fajr-ul-Sharq 1' is a two-week
joint counterterrorism training program that seeks to share
the experiences of both armies. General Bajwa said that the
nature and character of war has changed, with direct conflict
now becoming a less preferred means of waging war. "Pakistan's
armed forces are fully trained and ready for response to [the]
full spectrum [of] threats, [and] our achievements in counter
terrorism operations are being taken as successful case studies,"
he said.
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December 30 |
At least two persons were injured in a blast
near a mosque in Shafi Town area of Rahim Yar Khan District
in Punjab. Rescue officials claimed there were two attackers,
a man and a burqa-clad individual. The burqa-clad attacker allegedly
blew themselves up while the other fled. Local Police sources
told Dawn the burqa-clad attacker was a man who succumbed to
his injuries after attempting to carry out a suicide attack.
DSP Chaudhry Ashraf also said the explosion was a suicide attack.
He said two people were injured in the attack.
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December 31 |
One suspected militant was killed and 19 others
were arrested during a search operation conducted by SFs in
Kohlu District of Balochistan. According to official sources,
the FC personnel, acting on a tip-off about the presence of
suspected militants in the Jannat Ali area, launched the search
operation. During the operation a gun battle ensued, resulting
in the death of one suspect and arrest of 19 others. "One militant
was killed in the heavy exchange of fire," an FC spokesman said,
adding that four submachine guns, two rifles and six motorcycles
were recovered from the hideout.
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