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Pakistan Timeline - 2011

Date

Incidents

January 01

Three US missile strikes hours apart killed 18 persons in a terrorist stronghold near the Afghanistan border in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. A total of 118 such strikes, carried out by unmanned aircraft, were launched in 2010 in the Tribal areas, killing up to 2,100 people, most of them terrorists, according to the Washington-based policy think-tank New America Foundation.

At least 11 suspected militants were killed in two US drone attacks in North Waziristan Agency. One of the drone attacks fired four missiles at a house and vehicle in Mir Ali tehsil.

January 02

Two militants were killed in an encounter after a roadside bomb went off near a Police mobile van at Samar Bagh Police Station in Timergara town in Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A SI of BC was shot dead by unidentified assailants in his home in Zarghoon Road area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

A Khasadar Force personnel, Raees Khan, was injured during search operation against militants in Ziarai Mountain of Landikotal in Khyber Agency of FATA.

The Police arrested eight suspected high-profile terrorists, along with their leader Tanvir Abbas, involved in series of target killings, from different parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

A suspect associated with the TTP and said to have connection to the November 11 bombing of the CID offices in Civil Lines area of Karachi was arrested by Security officials in Rahimyar Khan District of Punjab while he was returning from Karachi.

January 03

One person was killed and another injured when SFs opened fire on a suspected car in Sheratala area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. The driver, who received bullet injuries, and another person in the car were arrested.

TTP chopped off a hand of a tribesman, Abdul Khaliq, after a Sharia (Islamic Law) court found him "guilty" of committing a theft in Qureshan Chowk in Mamozai area of Orakzai Agency.

TTP attacked a NATO oil tanker with a remote control bomb near Ali Masjid area in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber Agency, destroying it completely. However, no loss of life was reported.

A senior MQM 'leader' Adil Jaffri was shot dead in Nazimabad area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, by unidentified assailants.

Seven suspected SMP militants, identified as Tanveer Abbas Rizvi alias Kashif, Abrar Husain Rizvi, Syed Pervaiz Zaidi, Rifat Raza alias Jehangir, Hasnain Abbas alias Faisal, Syed Sikandar Rizvi and Syed Ali Mehdi, were remanded in Police custody till January 6 in two murder cases.

Police seized a vehicle laden with explosives and arrested two suspected militants, Mohammad Safdar and Azhar Mehmood, on Thatta Khalil Road near Taxila in Punjab.

Former CPO Saud Aziz and former Rawal Town SP Khurram Shehzad charged in former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto murder case filed a bail plea on the grounds of lack of evidence to prove their involvement in the murder in an ATC.

JWP leader Shahzain Bugti and his 26 co-accused, who were arrested on December 22, 2010 by the FC at the Buleli checkpost in Quetta, Balochistan with a cache of arms and ammunition, were remanded to judicial custody by a judicial magistrate.

An anti-terrorism court judge started the trial of TNSM 'chief' Maulana Sufi Muhammad amid tight security in the Central Prison of Peshawar, the Provincial Capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The CoAS General Ashfaq Kayani said strong, stable and thriving Balochistan remained an utmost dream of the Army as it could help make Pakistan prosperous.

A total of 2,043 people, mostly civilians, were killed in US drone attacks during the last five years, while 929 causalities were reported only in 2010 in FATA, the Conflict Monitoring Centre (CMC) research report. The yearly report of CMC released on January 1 reveals some eye-popping details about the CIA's notorious drone hit campaign in north-western parts of Pakistan.

January 04

Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was assassinated by one of his guards, Malik Mumtaz Qadri, in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

Malik Mumtaz Qadri and nine other personnel of the Elite Force were arrested from the scene of the crime and shifted to the Kohsar Police Station.

More than 500 religious scholars belonging to the Barelvi school of thought paid rich tributes to the assassin of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, Malik Mumtaz Qadri, and urged 'Muslims across the country' to boycott the funeral ceremony.

A bomb blast in a school bus, injured at least five children in Turbat of Balochistan. The bus was taking more than 30 children of FC personnel to a school in Turbat.

TTP militants attacked a convoy carrying food items, medicines and other goods to Parachinar at Denari near Sadda town in Kurram Agency of FATA and torched seven vehicles.

A group of militants attacked a checkpoint in the Bhai Corr area of Mohmand Agency along the Afghanistan border, triggering a brief encounter and prompting SFs to arrest 39 militants.

January 05

Three persons were killed when their vehicle hit a roadside IEDs near Badragai village in Shakai tehsil of South Waziristan Agency in FATA in the afternoon.

TTP militants chopped off the hand of a man, Abdul Khaliq (31), convicted of theft in a self-appointed Sharia court in Orakzai Agency. The TTP court found Abdul Khaliq guilty of stealing from a shop on December 23.

SFs bombed suspected positions of militants and arrested 23 tribesmen following an attack on a convoy taking medicines, foodstuff and other goods to Parachinar in Khuram Agency on January 4.

Two bullet-riddled bodies of leaders of the BSO-A were recovered in a deserted place near Pasni Road in Turbat city, around 800 kilometres away from Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The victims were identified as Qambar Chakar, deputy Organiser of BSO-A Shal zone, and Ilyas Baloch, a student of the University of Balochistan.

Police arrested eight suspects involved in target killings in different parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Speaking to the media, Karachi CCPO Fayyaz Leghari said that the suspects had been arrested near belonged to a banned outfit and had so far confessed to killing 12 persons.

Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer's assassin Mumtaz Qadri was remanded in Police custody for one day by the area magistrate.

January 06

Six militants, including three 'commanders', were killed in a clash with the Qaumi Lashkar in Saifaldar town, near the Afghanistan border, of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Three militants were injured in the clash.

A caravan of 500 IDPs families reached their native town Chagmalie from Tank and Dera Ismail Khan Districts in the second phase of repatriation plan, under tight security arrangements by the Government.

The Mardan District ANP Information Secretary Jehar Khan Hoti was killed in an ambush in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A minor child received injures in a bomb blast occurred in Hassan Garhi ground on the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the morning.

A bomb blast on the gas supply line in the Sariab area of Quetta suspended gas supply to many parts of city. The gas supply to the Habibullah power plant and some areas on the outskirts of Quetta city was suspended.

Judicial magistrates at the Karachi city courts remanded seven suspected militants in Police custody in nine murder cases and extended their remand in 11 other cases till January 11.

TTP claimed responsibility for the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer saying that the "man who killed him was from among us".

ATC Judge Malik Akram Awan rejected a Police plea for a 12 day physical remand of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer's killer Mumtaz Qadri and settled for only a five-day physical remand with the direction to have his medical checkup.

January 07

A US drone fired four missiles at a vehicle in Datta Khel town of North Waziristan Agency in FATA, killing six suspected militants.

Unidentified militants set on fire two empty NATO oil tankers at Landikotal bypass in Khyber Agency while they were on the way back to Peshawar after delivering NATO fuel at Bagram airbase of Afghanistan.

SFs arrested 46 militants from the Durrani area of Lower Kurram Agency. Nine hideouts were destroyed and 1,800 bags of fertilizers (used for making explosives) were recovered from their possession.

Three persons, travelling in a car, were shot dead by unidentified assailants on Mastung Road near Sheikh Zaid Hospital of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

At least four persons, including two Police personnel, sustained injuries when a low-intensity bomb exploded in CD market, known as Doozakh Market in Umerzai Bazaar (Market place), in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the evening.

A militant outfit, named, Mawviya group, is planning to launch a suicide attack in the Sheikhupura District prison where blasphemy convict Asia Bibi is under detention.

Lieutenant-General retd Abdul Qadir Baloch of PML-N warned the Government in the National Assembly that its indifference towards Balochistan would augur well neither for the province nor for the country's integrity.

January 8

A senior leader of MQM, Syed Yawar Abbas (32), son of Syed Ali Sardar was shot dead by unidentified militants in Pir Elahi Bux Colony of Karachi.

Four FC personnel were injured in a roadside landmine blast and mortar attack in Qandharo area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA.

One FC trooper was injured when militants fired a mortar shell at the FC camp in Mahmadghat tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

The headless bodies of two local tribesmen were found at a deserted place in Zakhakhel Bazaar area of Khyber Agency. They were identified as Mian Khel son of Gula Khan and Shala Baz Torkhel.

A watchman, identified as Gul Habib, was injured when militants blew up the basic health unit in Khan Banda of Mian Issa area of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police arrested six persons, including two cadres of a banned sectarian outfit, during a raid at the residence of one Mahboob Bareech in the Satellite Township of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

A special committee of the PAC in a meeting informed that terrorist hideouts in the FATA were insignificant in number because terrorists were constantly on the run due to the war on terror by the Government of KP.

January 9

Two gas wells were blown up in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan. Sources said that explosive devices had been planted in well numbers 19 and 83 which were detonated by unidentified militants.

A trailer carrying supplies for NATO forces in Kandahar was set ablaze near Khuzdar. Sources said that unidenfied assailants on a motorcycle intercepted a Chaman-bound trailer and set it on fire.

A Policeman attached to PM Yousaf Raza Gilani's Security detail was detained along with an official of the country's electronic media in connection with Punjab Governor Salman Taseer's assassination on January 4.

Sunni Tehreek activists gathered at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Road and staged a protest at Liaquat Bagh area of Rawalpindi in Punjab demanding release of Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri.

The Tehreek-e-Namoos-e-Risalat and the All-Religious Parties Alliance held a massive rally from Numaish Chowrangi to Tibat centre in Karachi (Sindh), demanding the Government not to touch the country's blasphemy law and to abolish the committee set up to review the law and withdraw the proposed blasphemy bill from the National Assembly.

Saudi Arabia issued global arrest warrants for 47 suspected al Qaeda militants believed to be hiding in Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, or Iraq who it said had tried to build cells inside the top oil exporter.

January 10

Five militants, including a local 'commander', were killed when two rival militant outfits clashed in Zangi area of Kurram Agency in FATA. Sources said that the killed militants belonged to Al Badr outfit.

Unidentified militants blew up two girls' primary schools in Merikhel and Mathakhel areas of Landikotal in Khyber Agency. The total number of destroyed or damaged schools in Khyber Agency has crossed 30.

Three persons, including two minor girls, were injured in a bomb blast under the Pishtakhara Police Station of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants set ablaze a container, carrying goods for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, in Khuzdar District of Balochistan.

The investigation into the NATO containers scam has confirmed the smuggling of liquor and arms in the containers supposed to carry goods for the forces based in Afghanistan.

Malik Mumtaz Qadri, who killed the Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer on January 4, in his official confessional statement accepted that he killed the Governor over his statement regarding the country's blasphemy law and said that he had acted alone.

Police is tracking Qari Hanif and Ishtaque Shah of Attock District in Punjab after the confessional statement of Malik Mumtaz Qadri.

Anti-Terrorist Court Judge Malik Akram Awan awarded 14-day judicial remand of Qadri and sent him to Adiala Jail of Rawalpindi in Punjab.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani said it was the collective obligation of the media to make efforts against extremism and not highlight the ideology and activities of extremists.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of implementation on the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan (beginning of the rights of Balochistan) package with the observation that a lot of work had been done on paper and nothing on the ground.

The NA body was further informed that out of 61 proposals of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package, 15 had been fully implemented, 12 were in the process of being implemented while 34 proposals were in the middle stages of implementation.

January 11

Unidentified assailants shot dead three labourers of Punjabi origin and injured two others in Panjgur District of Balochistan.

A head constable, Mohammad Khan, was killed when unidentified assailants attack a Police checkpoint in Dera Allahyar town in Jaffarabad District in the night.

Three NGO workers were abducted along with their vehicle by unidentified assailants in Tambo tehsil of Naseerabad District.

A gas pipeline was blown up in Loti area of Dera Bugti District, suspending gas supply to a gas purification pant.

A tribal elder along with his driver and security man were shot dead by unidentified militants in Gulshan Abad area of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A girl was killed when a shell landed in the residential area after militants attacked a checkpost in Mohmand Agency. Further, SFs neutralised a landmine, planted by militants in Ghaiba Khwar near Mian Mandi bazaar in Haleemzai tehsil.

Six pro-government tribal elders were injured in a roadside explosion in Katkot area of Loe Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency.

Punjab Home Minister Rana Sanaullah on January 11 said that al Qaeda suspect Qari Saifullah Akhtar was not a terrorist.

ISPR Director General Major General Athar Abbas said that Afghanistan-based militants are behind instability in Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies of FATA.

Acknowledging that Pakistan has been the biggest victim of terrorism, the US Assistant Secretary of State Philip J Crowley reaffirmed its resolve to assist Islamabad in addressing the challenge of violent extremism comprehensively.

Pakistan has indefinitely postponed a full-scale military offensive against the Haqqani Network in NWA of FATA because of the freezing winter there that normally lasts over six months, an unnamed source said.

January 12

At least 20 persons were killed and another 16 injured when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into Miryan Police Station in the Bannu town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Two women were killed and seven others were injured, including four other women and three children, in two roadside bomb blasts in the suburbs of Peshawar.

Unidentified militants blew up a 132 KV grid station in Matani, a suburban area of Peshawar, causing suspension of power supply to 12 feeders in parts of Peshawar District and Frontier Region.

Seven militants were killed and 10 other militants injured when SFs heavily pounded terrorist hideouts near the Afghanistan border in Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Five militants were killed when a US drone targeted a suspected militant compound at Haider Khel village in Mir Ali tehsil of NWA.

Two SF personnel, identified as Abdul Shakoor and Izhar, were killed and another, Jumma Khan, was injured in a roadside landmine blast near Sarokai area on Wana-Jandola Road in SWA.

A soldier, identified as Naik Zamin Khan, was killed when militants fired mortar shells at Bhai Dag FC camp in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

16 militants, six would-be suicide bomber children among them, surrendered to SFs in Ferozkhel area of Khyber Agency.

Political administration and FC officials held a grand tribal jirga for peace at Landikotal Jirga Hall of Khyber Agency. Prominent maliks and elders from Zakha Khel, Koki Khel, Shinwari, Shelmani and Malagori tribes participated.

The Special Investigation Unit of the Sindh Police arrested three former students of Karachi University involved in attacking the ISO with a bomb on December 28, 2010.

The Punjab Police recalled four Policemen, holding extreme religious views, from their active duty and asked them to report to their respective District headquarters.

Pakistan was the deadliest of the 30 countries examined, accounting for 16 deaths, in 2010, the International News Safety Institute (INSI). 97 journalists died worldwide in 2010 as a result of their work, an average of almost two a week, the INSI said.

The US Vice President Joe Biden made it clear that the US patience was running out with Pakistan's indecision on military action against militants' hideouts in NWA.

January 13

Mortar shells fired from across Afghanistan border killed eight persons, including five men and three women, in Tity Mada Khel village in the North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

A Police official, Syed Marjan, was killed and four others were injured in a bomb blast near Qambarkhel checkpost in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.

Unidentified militants ambushed a Police mobile van with a remote control bomb, killing four Policemen and injuring five others in Sardikhel town in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The 'chief' of a peace committee of Mohmand Agency, Malik (head) Mohammad Salam Khan (60), was killed and another elder received bullet injuries in an attack outside a mosque in Tablighee Markaz area of Peshawar.

A Shia man, identified as Anwar Raza, was killed in an incident of sectarian target killing at Moosa Lane of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

Wali Khan Babar, a reporter of a private news channel, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Super Market Police Station area of Liaquatabad in Karachi.

An administrative Judge of the Sindh High Court handed over three accused in Karachi University blast on December 28, 2010, on a seven-day remand (till January 20) to Special Investigation Unit.

A Frontier Constabulary official was killed and three others sustained splinter injuries in a landmine blast near the gas fields of Loti in Bugti tribal territory of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

An Anti-Narcotics Force official was shot dead in Panjgur Bazaar of Panjgur District in Balochistan.

A gas pipeline was blown up by unidentified militants in the Sim Shakh (Outfall Drain) area near Dera Allah Yar in Jaffarabad District in Balochistan, disrupting gas supply to the provincial capital Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.

The Elite Police guard, Mumtaz Qadri, who confessed to the killing of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer on January 4, had previously been assigned to the President and Prime Minister 18 times over the last three years and to two foreign delegations.

January 14

SFs killed 11 militants, including foreigners, and injured many others in Chinarak area near Afghanistan border in Kurram Agency of FATA.

FC personnel killed three militants and injured four others in retaliatory firing when a group of unidentified militants attacked the FC camp in Bhaidaq of Mohammad Agency with rockets and mortar shells.

A Government-run boys' school was blown up in Baizai tehsil along Afghanistan border in Mohmand Agency. With the latest incident, the number of destroyed/torched schools in Mohmand Agency has reached 74.

TTP militants armed with rockets and rifles attacked the house of a woman Police constable, Shamshad Begum (50), early in the morning, killing her and five of her relatives in Tootkas town of the Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Shamshad Begum had been receiving death threats from TTP for sometime, a senior official Khalid Khan said.

A would-be suicide bomber was shot dead in Kohat after SFs opened fire at him near a passport office.

Unidentified militants launched an armed attack on NATO's fuel supply tankers and opened fire on them, setting ablaze at least 20 tankers near Dear Murad Jamali in Nasirabad District of Balochistan.

A gas pipeline and a gas well were blown up in the Bugti tribal territory of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

Unidentified militants planted explosive material on well number 16 in the Uch Gas Field located 60 kilometres east of Dera Murad Jamali which caused complete destruction of the well.

The three abducted workers of an international NGO were rescued after a large-scale search operation carried out by Balochistan Levies Force in Naseerabad District, which shares border with Sindh, Commissioner Muhammad Aslam Jamali said. The NGO workers were abducted from Tambo tehsil of Naseerabad District on January 10.

An appellate bench of the Sindh High Court set aside the conviction of three LeJ cadres, identified as Mufti Shahid Haneef, Haider Ali and Mohammad Talha, in a murder case of Ishrat Hussain in Block D of North Nazimabad town of Karachi in Sindh on July 8, 2001.

An Anti Terrorism Court, ending the judicial remand of arrested Police officers Saud Aziz and Khurram Shahzad, handed them over to Federal Investigation Agency in eight day physical remand.

All major operations have successfully been completed in FATA and momentous success has been achieved, Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik, said.

Pakistan's fight against terrorist leads to record an increase in cases of Polio from 89 in the previous year to 138, according to WHO figures. That made it the nation with the highest incidence of polio in the world. Most cases were in the northwest close to the Afghanistan border, where battles between the US-supported Pakistani Army and TTP make many areas too dangerous to visit.

A would-be suicide bomber was shot dead in Kohat after Security Forces (SFs) opened fire at him near a passport office.

January 15

Six militants were killed when a vehicle carrying militants hit a landmine in the Mamozai area of Orakzai Agency in FATA.

SFs shot dead four militants in a retaliatory firing when a group of militants attacked a security checkpost in the Toda Khora area of Orakzai Agency. Two militants were also arrested.

Three persons, including a senior government official and a woman, were killed in two separate firing incidents in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle entered the Sahiban Community Health Centre near Baloch Colony of Quetta and opened indiscriminate firing, which claimed the lives of Fehmida, a health worker, and watchman Saeed Ahmed.

January 16

A roadside explosion injured five paramilitary personnel of Shawal Rifles in Razmak area of NWA in FATA.

Unidentified militants blew up a basic health unit by detonating an explosive device planted to it in Adezai area of Mohammad Agency.

TTP warned tribesmen of NWA against joining the Army, Frontier Corps or Levies Force. A pamphlet distributed in Miranshah on behalf of the Shura-i-Mujahideen (council of holy fighters) said the Government had been recruiting locals in the army, Frontier Corps and Levies Force to use them against the TTP.

Unidentified militants set ablaze two NATO oil tankers near Sorab area of Kalat District in Balochistan.

Unidentified militants blew up a gas pipeline by using dynamite in the Loti gas field in Dera Bugti District.

Militants fired two rockets at the Uch power plant in Dera Murad Jamali in Nasirabad District in the night.

At least 10 persons were killed and several others injured in an explosion in a passenger bus at Hangu road in Kohat town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The passenger bus was en route to Kohat from Hangu when the explosion took place.

January 17

The bullet-riddled dead bodies of three political activists were found from Ormara, a coastal township, in Gadwar and Khuzdar Districts in Balochistan.

The Balochistan High Court granted bail to Shahzain Bugti, provincial President of the JWP and 26 of his associates in a case of recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition from his motorcade at Buleli checkpost, on the outskirts of Quetta on December 22.

The death toll in the bomb explosion inside a minibus at Jawarza in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reached to 18.

An anti-terrorism court of Peshawar framed charges against TNSM ‘chief’ Maulana Sufi Muhammad in various cases and fixed January 31 for recording evidences against him.

An oil tanker carrying fuel for NATO troops in Afghanistan destroyed completely after a bomb planted in the vehicle exploded at a terminal near the Torkham border crossing in the Khyber Agency of FATA.

The JuD organised rally in Lahore in Punjab and invited clerics to speak during the demonstration spewed hate speech upon targeted minorities, incited people to violence with impunity and roused people to adopt the ‘way of jihad’.

A group of 12 Canadians are reported undergoing militant training at an al Qaeda camp in NWA in FATA in plots to carry out terror attacks back home.

The MQM submitted a draft bill ‘Deweaponisation of Pakistan Bill of 2011’ in the National Assembly Secretariat seeking to rid the country of weapons, in Sindh

MQM’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Farooq Sattar said that his party would also introduce the bill in the Senate and contact other parties to secure endorsement for it.

January 18

At least seven suspected militants were killed when the US drone fired two missiles at a compound in Daska village, about 40 kilometres from Miranshah, in Dattakhel tehsil of NWA in FATA. Three persons were injured in the attack.

Three soldiers were killed and three others injured when militants attacked a camp of SFs in Razmak town of NWA in FATA.

SFs repulsed an attack by unidentified militants on a check post near the Bara grid station in the evening in Bara town of Khyber Agency in FATA.

SFs arrested a high ranking militant ‘commander’ of LI, identified as Mobeen Khan, along with three other associates from Ziyarhai area of Landi Kotal in Khyber Agency in FATA.

The TTP killed four members of an alleged ‘dacoit group’ in Sarkadana area of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Four persons were killed in two separate incidents of bomb and landmine explosions in the Mand area of Kech District and Chamalang area of Loralai District respectively in Balochistan. The BLA spokesman, Sarbaz Baloch claimed the responsibility for the Chamalang attack.

An unidentified bullet-riddled dead body was recovered in Mastung District in Balochistan.

Three militants were arrested and a cache of explosive material was recovered in Usta Muhammad area of Nasirabad District in Balochistan.

Three pre-dawn bomb blasts occurring one after another destroyed two girls’ schools and partially damaged a mosque in Chilas town of Diamer District in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Pakistani paramilitary troops detained over 500 suspected persons for questioning in the wake of a surge in ethnic and political violence in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, witnessed a fresh bout of target killings last week in which some 31 persons were killed. Much of the violence has been blamed on rivalry between the Urdu speakers backed MQM and the Pashtuns supported by ANP.

Britain moved to ban the TTP as a terrorist outfit, making it illegal to belong to or raise funds for the organisation in Britain.

The ‘chief’ of the Afghan Taliban Mullah Mohammed Omar was treated for a heart attack in Pakistan with the help of ISI.

Pakistan strongly denied such charges, and its Washington ambassador Husain Haqqani said the Eclipse report "had no basis whatsoever."

President Asif Ali Zardari had a secret meeting with a group of senior TTP militants in a "secret prison" in Pakistan in April 2010 during which he expressed the Pakistan Government's "support for their mission".

Anti-Terrorist Court, adjourned the hearing of bail applications filed by former CPO, Saud Aziz and former Rawal Town SP Khurram Shehzad, until January 26.

January 19

The bullet riddled dead bodies of three abducted oil tanker drivers were recovered on Torkham Bypass Road in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Militants abducted five tribesmen from Alisherzai area of Khuram Agency in FATA.

Two personnel of Levies Force went missing in lower tehsil of Kurram Agency in FATA.

A bomb planted in a horse cart exploded near a school in Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing two persons and injuring 11 others.

The son of a senior activist of the MQM, an ally of ruling Pakistan People’s Party, was killed when unidentified assailants shot dead in the PIB Colony area under PIB Police Station in Karachi in Sindh.

SIU of the Sindh Police arrested an alleged militant, Tariq Jadoon of the Tehreek-e-Punjabi Mujahideen (TPM), from Mehmoodabad area of Karachi in Sindh.

CID of Sindh Police arrested Chaman Gulzar, an alleged cadre of the TTP from Kharadar, a neighbourhood of Saddar Town in Karachi in Sindh, hiding in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth, a suburb of Gadap Town.

A Police Constable, identified as Muhibullah, was shot dead and another sustained bullet injures in Nawa Killi area under Zarghoon Abad Police Station in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

The Bomb Disposal Squad neutralised three mortar shells in the Qazi Talab area of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police arrested a suspect and recovered huge quantity of dynamite sticks and fuse wires from his possession in Swabi town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistani investigators claimed that over 50,000 containers meant for US and NATO forces in Afghanistan were pilfered within Pakistan with the alleged collusion of authorities from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and National Logistics Cell (NLC).

Supreme Court directed the chairman of the FBR to take action against those involved in siphoning off billions of rupees in taxes in connivance with customs officials by hijacking containers transporting goods to NATO forces.

January 20

Five FC personnel, one foreign oil and gas exploration company’s driver and a security guard were killed in an attack by unidentified militants in a bid to abduct two engineers of the foreign company in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A boy, Shah Zeb (6), who was one of the five schoolchildren, injured in a bomb blast outside Shah Faisal Public School in Nauthia area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa succumbed to injuries.

An anti-terrorism court handed over four sons of Sufi Muhammad, ‘chief’ of the TNSM, to Police on a five-day physical remand.

Three persons were killed when a tractor trolley struck against a landmine in Gram village of Kurram Agency in FATA.

Unidentified assailants shot dead an official of Levies Force, identified as Ali Nabi, outside his home in Zawoon Kallay in Orakzai Agency in FATA.

Two persons, including a doctor, were shot dead in incidents of target killing in different parts of Karachi in Sindh on January 20.

An 18-inch high-pressure gas pipeline of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) was blown up near Hajano village in the Tangwani area of Kashmore District in Sindh.

Security agencies arrested three target killers involved in the killings of ANP workers from Superhighway in the limits of Gadap Town Police station in Sindh.

It was reported that the Sindh police have arrested 89 target killers involved in 254 murders and other criminal cases in Karachi in Sindh in January.

The US blacklisted Qari Hussain, a top ranking leader in the TTP command structure and responsible for training the suicide bomber who killed seven CIA agents in Afghanistan on December 30, 2009 as well as for several suicide attacks in Pakistan.

The Taliban and the ISI denied the report claiming that Mullah Omar had suffered a heart attack and was undergone treatment in Karachi with the help of ISI.

With over 10,000 persons killed in violent incidents across the country in 2010, Pakistan was the most volatile country in the region, pushing war-ravaged Afghanistan which was the most lethal country since the beginning of the US-led global war on terror in 2001 to second position in this regard.

A new report on American journalist Daniel Pearl's killing presents fresh evidence that 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed executed the reporter in Pakistan nine years ago and four men imprisoned for the crime were convicted on the basis of perjured testimony.

January 21

Four militants were killed in a retaliatory firing by SFs when a group of militants attacked a security checkpost in Miranshah, headquarters of NWA of FATA.

Suspected militants shot dead two persons of Bangash tribe in Tooda Cheena area of Kurram Agency in FATA.

A bullet-riddled body of militant ‘commander’ Qari Abdullah was recovered from Tirah in Khyber Agency in FATA.

Several militants were feared dead as gunship helicopters pounded militant hideouts in Dwaizai area of Pindyali tehsil in FATA.

A pro-government tribal elder, Malik Khaista Gul and his driver were injured when unidentified militants ambushed their car near Shal Kor in Yakka Ghund of Mohammad Agency in FATA.

Two SFs personnel were injured in a roadside explosion in Shawa Farsh area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency in FATA.

The SFs conducted a search operation in Akora Khattak area of NWA and arrested six militants, including two important ‘commanders’ belonging to Mohmand Agency in FATA.

Hundreds of tribesmen rallied to demand an end to US drone attacks, which they said were killing innocent people in the Tribal Areas in FATA

Two activists of the MQM were shot dead in an incident of target killing in Joria Bazaar on Mohammad Shah street in Karachi in Sindh.

Two persons were injured when unidentified militants set ablaze NATO containers in two separate incidents in Mastung and Kalat District of Balochistan.

Unidentified militants set ablaze another NATO container in Kalat District of Balochistan in which two persons got injuries.

NATO forces in Afghanistan started using a new type of surveillance aircraft along the Balochistan border.

A British court approved the extradition of a terror suspect wanted in the US over an alleged al Qaeda plot to detonate explosives aboard the New York City subway system in September 2009.

A Pakistani court dismissed a petition seeking annulment of the case against Punjab Governor Salman Taseer's assassin, Malik Mumtaz Qadri.

A militant, identified as Abdul Wahab alias Omar, arrested in the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 in Lahore in Punjab confessed that the outfit LeJ had planned to take the visiting players hostage and bargain for the release of some of its detained members.

The World Bank approved a $250 million loan to assist Pakistan’s recovery efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.

Pakistan’s determined anti-terror effort has helped reduce effectiveness of core al Qaeda group operating along Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the US State Department acknowledged even as it voiced concern over the emerging threat from the terrorist outfits from the Arabian Peninsula.

Seeking an image makeover, the Pakistan Government decided to stop referring to the country as a "frontline state in the war against terrorism" as it does not want to be perceived as the epicentre of the menace.

January 22

Two levies personnel and a civilian were killed while one soldier and six civilians were wounded in an explosion in Lower Orakzai Agency in FATA.

January 23

A series of US drone strikes in North Waziristan Agency in FATA killed at least 13 terrorists, as tribesmen took to the streets to protest against the aerial campaign

At least three people were killed and four others injured in an ambush on the vehicle of former Nazim, Pir Ameer Faisal, in Hangu town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Two people were killed in a land mine blast in Loti gas field area of Dera Bugti District of Balochistan.

Five people were injured in an explosion in Rakhni area of Barkhan District in Balochistan.

Unidentified assailants blew up a section of a railway track near Nautal area of Nasirabad District in Balochistan. Unidentified assailants planted an explosive device on the track, which damaged a section of the track, suspending rail link with other parts of the country.

Former ISI official, Sultan Amir Tarar aka Colonel Imam, was killed on January 23 in North Waziristan Agency of FATA for non-payment of a ransom worth Rs 4.5 million.

January 24

A young boy was killed and two of his sisters sustained injuries when a mortar shell landed in their house in Chora area of Landikotal town in FATA.

Militants destroyed a girls' school in Landikotal town of FATA.

A 24-inch diameter gas pipeline was blown up by unidentified terrorists near the gas purification plant at Sui sub-District in Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

A large quantity of arms and ammunitions were seized from a Karachi bound truck on the National Highway in Sindh.

Anti-Terrorism Court in Punjab will formally indict Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed killer of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, on February 1 after Kohsar Police submitted their investigation report to the court.

Mystery shrouded the death of Sultan Amir Tarar alias Colonel Imam, a former ISI official, amid conflicting reports about the cause in FATA.

January 25

A suicide bomber struck at the Ghora Chowk in the Urdu Bazaar area of Lahore, the Provincial Capital of Punjab, killing at least 10 people, including a woman and three Policemen, and injured at least 85 others.

Three Policemen were killed and several others injured in a bomb attack in Karachi, the Provincial Capital of Sindh.

Two workers of a local NGO, including a woman, were shot dead in Ghanja Dori area of Mastung District in Balochistan.

US President Barack Obama adhering to his plan to begin drawdown of some American troops from Afghanistan in 2011 said on January 25 that al Qaeda havens along Pakistan-Afghanistan border are shrinking and fewer Afghans live under the Taliban control, after yearlong anti-terrorist operations.

January 26

At least 18 suspected militants were killed and 22 others were injured when gunship helicopters and fighter jets bombed militant hideouts in different parts of Mohmand Agency in FATA. At least three people, including a woman, were killed in Shamsha area of Safi tehsil in FATA.

Militants blew up Musa Neeka Public School in South Waziristan Agency of FATA.

A security guard of ANP leader Senator Zahid Khan was killed and his brother injured when some people attacked the leader's hujra (guest house) in Odigram area of Lower Dir District in KP.

Unidentified militants blew up a bridge on the National Highway between Sui sub-District of Dera Bugti District and Jaffarabad District in Balochistan.

The TTP claimed responsibility for bomb explosions that occurred in Karachi (Sindh) and Lahore (Punjab) on January 25 and said the blasts were aimed at killing SFs because they serve the US interests.

January 27

At least 11 terrorists, including one suicide bomber, were killed in separate incidents in the Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan. In one incident, Pakistani troops and helicopter gunships killed 10 terrorists in a raid on their hideouts in Mohmand Agency in FATA.

In Mohmand Agency of FATA, six people, including three women and two children, were killed in Swezai area of Pandyali tehsil when stray shells hit their houses.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in Khar in Bajaur Agency (FATA) when he was challenged by law enforcement personnel. However, no other casualty was reported.

A Levis personnel, Mohammad Jan, was killed by a mortar shell in Sagi Bala area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency in FATA. Two security personnel were injured in a roadside landmine explosion in Qayumabad area of Safi tehsil in FATA.

Two people were killed and eight others injured in a landmine blast at the Rharatshrim area of Musakel locality in Loralai District in Balochistan.

An activist of the MQM-H was shot dead in Jutt Line within the limits of Brigade Police station in Karachi in Sindh.

The house of former Adezai Qaumi Lashkar chief, Noor Malik, who died on January 25, and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), was damaged in a rocket attack by suspected militants in the outskirts of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

An al Qaeda leader, Ustadh Ahmad Farooq, in Pakistan said the terror network is losing territory and fighters amid a US drone strike campaign.

Spanish Police on January 27 arrested a Pakistani national, Malik Imtanan Sarwar, suspected to be linked to a cell that forges passports for al Qaeda-linked outfits.

January 28

SFs bombed terrorist hideouts in a tribal region near the Afghan border on January 28, killing 28 terrorists. It was reported that 30 terrorists were wounded in the operation while eight houses belonging to militants were caught fire.

Five terrorists, including a 'commander', were killed by SFs in different areas of Mohmand Agency in FATA. In Sagai Upper, a shell hit a hideout and as a result local militant 'commander' identified as Kakim and two other militants were killed on the incident site. Stray shells also destroyed several houses in Gurbaz area killing two other militants, identified as Haji Qasim and Deldar Khan.

In Bajaur Agency, the SFs arrested at least 58 suspects during a search operation in different areas of Nawagai tehsil in FATA.

At least four people including two women were killed and 19 others wounded in twin truck bombings that targeted a key Kohat tunnel in Kohat town in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An explosive-laden truck entered the tunnel and blew up, damaging another truck behind it, wounding five people.

An oil tanker packed with explosives hit a joint paramilitary Frontier Corps and army checkpoint outside the tunnel in Darra Adam Khel area of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The checkpoint was empty but four civilians, including two women who were travelling in a passenger van behind the tanker, were killed and 14 others wounded in the attack.

Two gas pipelines and two oil tankers were blown up in Balochistan. Unidentified militants attacked the gas pipelines in the Loti and Bograh colony areas of Sui sub-District in Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

Unidentified militants set ablaze two oil tankers, carrying fuel for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, in the Pinjra Pul area in Dhaddar town of Bolan District in Balochistan.

January 29

SFs, in an air strike, killed nine militants belonging to the TTP in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA.

The SFs arrested six suspected militants from a camp in Nahqi area of Mohmand Agency in FATA.

Two civilians were killed and six were injured as SFs convoy was ambushed by militants in Khyber Agency's Bara tehsil in FATA.

Six civilians and four troopers were injured when a car bomb targeting the SP exploded on Alamdar Road in Quetta of Balochistan by LeJ.

The link between Uch and other areas of Dera Bugti District was cut off after assailants blew up a bridge in Balochistan.

January 30

At least 26 terrorists were killed in separate incidents during an action of SFs in Pandiali, Safi, Banizai and Ambar tehsils of Mohmand and Orakzai Agency of FATA. 16 terrorists were killed and several others were wounded while their four hideouts were dismantled in Mohmand Agecny. SFs killed ten TTP terrorists in Orakzai Agency.

20 TTP militants and six Turi Bangash tribesmen were killed and two TTP militants were injured when militants attacked a village in Kurram Agency in FATA after a grand jirga (tribal assembly) headed by lawmakers had announced a truce between Turi Bangash tribes and TTP.

A person was arrested while planting a landmine in Jhanda Masood area of Safi tehsil in FATA. Two children died when one of the victims stepped on a landmine.

Militants attacked six vehicles taking supplies for NATO forces in Afghanistan and set five of them on fire in two different areas of Balochistan.

The building of a health centre run by an NGO in the border town of Chaman was blown up in a bomb blast in Balochistan.

Ten militants were arrested on January 30 in connection with a bombing incident that occurred on January 29 near the residence of a senior Police officer, Shaban Ali in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Militants blew up a tower of a cellular company in Shni Kallay area of Darra Adamkhel town in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Militants also blew up the house of Malik Rafiq, a tribal elder in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

January 31

Around 21 terrorists were killed when the SFs launched operations in different areas of Mohmand Agency in FATA. This search operation occurred on the pretext of an earlier attack by the militants on the SFs checkpost. At least two SFs were injured as unidentified terrorists fired six rockets on the Aranda Police checkpost in Shabqadar area of Mohmand Agency.

Six people, including a DSP, Rasheed Khan, were killed with his two guards along with 19 others injured in a suicide attack on Kohat road in Kohat District in KP. TTP spokesman Azam Tariq claimed responsibility for the suicide attack .

A Police van was targeted by a remote-controlled bomb in the jurisdiction of Peshtakhara Police Station near Peshawar (KP) leaving one Policeman dead and three others injured.

A Policeman posted at the residence of a senior Police officer on security duty was shot dead in Liaquatabad town of Karachi in Sindh.

Unidentified terrorists blew up a Balochistan Levies Police Station in Kohlu District. An explosive device had been planted at the Jewani Levies Police Station in Maiwand tehsil of the Kohlu District in Balochistan, which was detonated by a remote controlled device.

February 1

Two people were killed, including a driver and a helper, when unidentified terrorists opened fire on an oil tanker, which was carrying oil for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, in Kari Dori area of Dasht tehsil in Kharan District in Balochistan.

A FC trooper was shot dead and five others, including a woman, were injured in a gun battle between assailants and FC forces in a small village of Turbat in Kech District in Balochistan. The two assailants were arrested after an exchange of fire and were taken into custody by Police. FC personnel seized seven pistols, two repeaters and more than 100 bullets during the arrest.

An activist of the MQM was shot dead in Ram Swami within the limits of Garden Police Station in Karachi.

A 21-year-old Junaid Qureshi, an active worker of MQM Unit 27, was sitting with his friends at Ratoji Compound at Ram Swami, Garden area in Karachi, when two unidentified armed assailants opened fire on him, killing him on the spot.

Two schools were partially damaged in two blasts in Peshawar (KP). The first incident took place at the Adezai area in Matani region, where a blast damaged a room in a girls' primary school. The second blast also occurred at a girls' school located in the Mariamzai area.

ATC sent the two Police officers arrested in former PM Benazir Bhutto assassination case to Adiyala jail after the FIA did not seek their further custody.

ATC deferred the indictment of Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the killer of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, after his lawyer asked for the statements of five other members of Elite Force providing security to the Punjab Governor on January 4. Special Judge ATC-II was to formally charge Qadri with the murder of Governor Taseer but put off indictment till February 4.

February 2

18 militants and three SFs were killed as fierce fighting continued in Mohmand Agency in FATA. Clashes started after the militants attacked Anargi security post with heavy weapons, killing three SF personnel and injuring four others. 18 militants were killed and several others were wounded after SFs opened fire in retaliation. The Mohmand chapter of the TTP spokesman Sajjad Mohmand said over phone that only seven militants were killed and three were injured. He claimed killing 17 SFs and injuring four in the clash.

Captain Jehan Zeb of 22-Punjab Regiment was killed and three soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion in Dwezai area of Pandyali tehsil in Mohmand Agency, FATA.

One Pakistani soldier was killed and seven others were injured in an exchange of fire with Afghan troops in Tangarhi area near the border in North Waziristan Agency. A clash erupted after a barrage of mortar shells fired from the Afghan side hit the Bangi Dar post, near Ghulam Khan town (FATA), jointly manned by the army and FC.

Unidentified armed militants shot dead a driver and wounded a conductor of a NATO supply oil tanker in a Landikotal bazaar in Khyber Agency in FATA while coming back from Afghanistan.

At least 10 people, including a woman and four children, were killed and 26 others, including a woman and five children, were wounded in a car bomb blast in a crowded market of Badhaber area of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

BLA militants shot dead a SHO and four other Policemen in a major roadblock on the National Highway close to Aab-e-Gum area near Mach in Bolan District of Balochistan.

Unidentified armed assailants blew up a gas pipeline in Sohbatpur area of Jafarabad District in Balochistan. Unidentified militants attached explosives with the pipeline and detonated it with remote control.

A power transmission line tower was slightly damaged in an attack in Kili Qambrani area of Quetta in Balochistan.

The bomber of the July 7, 2005 suicide bombings on London's transport system received advice from a mystery figure in Pakistan just days before the attacks, reveals an inquest heard.

Al Qaeda is attempting to procure nuclear material and recruit rogue scientists in order to build a radioactive "dirty bomb", reveal Wikileaks documents.

February 3

Three TTP militants and a soldier were killed during a shootout in Kalya tehsil in Orakzai Agency in FATA.

Gunship helicopters heavily pounded terrorists' positions near Afghan border in Kurram Agency killing 10 terrorists.

The gunship helicopters targeted terrorists' hideouts at Alisherzai area in Orakzai Agency, injuring eight terrorists and destroying three of their hideouts.

Terrorists detonated an IED planted at a Government primary school in Saidan Kalay in FATA.

Three persons were killed and 27 others were injured in a bomb explosion outside the Baba Haider Sayeen shrine in Lahore in Punjab Province.

Levies official recovered three bullet-riddled dead bodies in the Ferozabad area of Khuzdar District in Balochistan.

A container carrying military hardware for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan was going to Chaman from Karachi, when unidentified assailants opened fire on it at Maizai Ada area in Chaman town killing the driver on the spot while the cleaner sustained bullet injuries. Unidentified armed militants set ablaze a NATO container on the RCD Highway near Pir Umer area of Khuzdar District.

A case was registered against four commanders, Tariq, Baba Khan, Siar Khan and Arif, of Darra Adamkhel chapter of TTP, suspected to be involved in February 2 car bomb blast in Peshawar. Lashkar-e-Islam LI and TTP joined hands against the LEA, building up pressure on Government to halt military operations in the tribal regions.

Police arrested a suspected militant after exchange of fire here in Passani village of Peshawar in KP. The official said that a Kalashnikov and 22 bullets had been recovered from the militant.

Under pressure from the PPP leadership, former Minister Sherry Rehman decided not to pursue with the draft legislation. Rehman has been advised by the Government to leave the country in view of threats to her life from the militants for drafting a Bill to amend the blasphemy law.

February 4

Two employees of the OGDC were killed and three others were injured in an armed attack at Sohbatpur in Jafarabad District of Balochistan.

Unidentified armed assailants blew up a gas pipeline in Pirkoh gas field in Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

A Police official was gunned down and his companion was injured when unidentified armed men attacked a Police checkpost near Jafarabad Bypass in Jafarabad District of Balochistan.

Unidentified attackers opened fire at a vehicle carrying five people, who were returning home in Mian Ghundi area of Quetta from Hazarganji in Balochistan. Three of the passengers died on the spot while two sustained serious injuries.

Vice President of Shia Ulema Council, Sindh, Allama Altaf Hussain Al-Hussaini, who was injured in firing by unidentified armed militants on February 3 near Hyderabad-Kotri Bridge in Hyderabad (Sindh) succumbed to his injuries.

Three persons were killed in separate incidents of target killing in Karachi, provincial Capital of Sindh. A man was shot dead in Bijli Nagar near Marhaba Medical Store, Orangi Town in Karachi within the limits of Mominabad Police station.

A man was killed in a target-killing incident in Khameeso Goth jurisdiction of New Karachi Industrial Area police station.

Another man was murdered in a target killing incident in Farid Colony, Orangi Town in the remits of Mominabad police station in Karachi.

Police found a body of a young man bearing torture marks and bullet wounds from Noor Mohammad Goth in the limits of Manghopir police station in Karachi. The victim was identified as Richard Mark.

Officials of a sensitive agency took into custody a suspect, Muhammad Qaiser, from Shafiqabad area in Lahore for his connections with a banned outfit involved in some terror activities in the province of Punjab.

The FIA decided to submit a challan against two Police officers, former CPO Saud Aziz and former SP Khurram Shahzad, of the Rawalpindi Police in former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto murder case, after receiving detailed records of Bhutto's mobile phones that were functioning at the time of her assassination in Liaquat Bagh city of Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.

February 5

Three persons were killed and two others were injured when a bomb planted in a car exploded in the Barqambarkhel area of Khyber Agency FATA.

Militants shot dead four men for alleged spying and dumped their bodies outside Karak town of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

Militants ambushed a car of the family of a Federal Government official, Zeenat Shah, on Kohat-Hangu highway and injured three persons in KP.

Lower Dir Police raided a house in Chakdara refugee camp in KP and arrested five suspected Afghan militants.

Hangu Police arrested a militant affiliated with banned TTP following a raid on kiosks run by them in Wutch bazaar in Hangu District of KP.

JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed warned India to 'quit' Jammu and Kashmir or be prepared for a "war" even as the extremist outfits organised protests at several places in Pakistan to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day.

February 6

A Law Enforcement Agency official was killed in a landmine blast in the Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District of Balochistan.

A Hindu man, identified as Rajesh Kumar, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Quetta, Balochistan.

Around 13 people, including two children, were injured in an explosion in Serath Chowk, a busy area of the industrial town of Hub in Balochistan.

An official vehicle of the Uch Gas Field escaped a remote controlled blast in the Jarwar Bridge area in Sohbatpur tehsil of the Jafarabad District in Balochistan.

Unidentified militants blew up the house of a tribal elder, identified as Zahir Shah, of Orakzai Agency in Hangu District (KP) with Improvised Explosive Device.

February 7

Militants fired rockets and bullets at a Police patrol van in Balyamina village of Peshawar in KP, killing two officers and injuring six others. TTP claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Unidentified militants blew up 10 shops in a CD market at Cahto Chowk area of Mardan District in KP.

Police recovered and defused explosive material weighing five kilograms outside the gate of an Imambargah in Bekat Ganj Bazaar in Mardan District of KP.

The bomb disposal squad defused a 122mm rocket which was lying in a children's park in Kohat District of KP.

A bomb attack hit the outer wall of the Eidgah police station in Karachi, injuring two people, including a woman. It was followed by another attack at the Shah Lateef police station in Bin Qasim town of Karachi in Sindh.

The FIA in Punjab named former President Pervez Musharraf as an accused in an interim criminal charge sheet in Benazir Bhutto assassination case of December 27, 2007.

ATC Judge Nisar Ahmed rejected the bail plea of former CPO Saud Aziz and former SP Khurram Shehzad in the Benazir Bhutto murder case.

TTP welcomed a peace agreement between Shia and Sunni groups in Kurram Agency of FATA and pledged to abide by it.

Tehreek Tahaffuz Namoos-e-Risalat (TTNR), an alliance of religious groups formed to oppose the repeal or amendment of Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law, announced that it will launch a protest in Lahore on February 14 to save the country from "secular" forces.

The controversy over the killing of two Pakistanis by a US consulate employee Raymond Davies on January 27 in Lahore District of Punjab province took a new turn with a media report stating that the dead men were believed to be "intelligence operatives".

February 8

An IED exploded, targeting a nearby Police mobile Post in Peshawar (KP) injuring four people.

16 militants were killed as jet fighters bombed their hideouts in different areas of Orakzai Agency in FATA.

Two Policemen were killed and two others were injured when suspected terrorists detonated remote controlled explosives hidden under a bridge targeting a Police patrol at Kala Dag under Mathra Police Station in Peshawar KP.

Two SFs were killed and four others injured in a bomb explosion near Janikhel village in Utmanzai tehsil of Bannu District in KP.

At least 13 vehicles, including four NATO tankers carrying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan, were gutted in a blaze following a blast in Peshawar in KP.

A full bench of the Supreme Court acquitted Asghar Ali who was awarded life sentence on two accounts by ATC on the charge of his involvement in Ichra bomb blast in Lahore on September 22, 2005.

Unidentified terrorists blew up two gas pipelines in Naseerabad District in Balochistan. In one incident, militants blew up the main gas supply pipeline of the SSGC going from Shikarpur District in Sindh to Quetta in Balochistan injuring a watchman.

Elsewhere in the District, unidentified terrorists blew up another gas pipeline of 12-inch diameter.

Unidentified terrorists also blew up a power pylon of 220KV near Dera Allah Yar in Jaffarabad District of Balochistan.

February 9

At least three low intensity explosions have been reported in different areas near Government buildings in Gujranwala District of Punjab. Two explosions took place outside CIA Centre Building while the third explosion occurred near SP Office.

A blast near a cattle market killed one person and injured several others in the Charsadda District of KP.

Two brothers were shot dead and two others sustained bullet injuries when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Shahbaz Town in Quetta, Balochistan. A spokesman of the Baloch Nationalist Liberation Army, Mazarin Baloch, claimed responsibility for the killings.

The Supreme Court directed all the respondents, including spy and law enforcement agencies, to file para-wise comments on a petition against the rising incidents of targeted killing and abduction in Balochistan.

SFs arrested three would-be women suicide bombers along with five other people after a raid on a house in Khar tehsil area of Bajaur Agency in FATA.

Rival Sunni and Shia communities in Kurram Agency have agreed to end a four-year conflict that claimed hundreds of lives.

Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza has directed Sindh IGP Salahuddin Babar Khattak to devise a comprehensive strategy for safeguarding the lives of citizens besides ensuing foolproof security at important Government and semi-Government offices, buildings, consulates and Police offices.

The US military issued its first new statement of strategy in seven years, moving beyond a focus on the war in Afghanistan to address the rise of China and other strategic challenges.

February 10

A suicide blast at an Army recruitment centre in Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed 31, injuring 42 others.

Two young brothers were killed in an explosion in Sarkhali Panda area of Battagram District in KP.

Police claimed to have foiled a terror bid and seized explosives and a cache of weapons from a house in Lakki Marwat District of KP.

Police arrested five militants, Irfan, Nazar Gul, Asghar, Gul Marjan and Shaukat Ullah, and recovered illegal weapons and contrabands from their possession in KP.

Three persons, including two khasadars, were killed by militants in NWA in FATA on charges of spying.

In Bajaur Agency, SFs warned militants to lay down arms within 15 days or face military operation that would be launched against militants if they failed to lay down arms and surrender to SFs by February 25.

A girls' college, Government Degree College for Women, in Merazai area of Orakzai Agency was blown up destroying six rooms and a computer lab.

Political authorities claimed to have averted a terrorist bid by arresting a burqa (veil) clad terrorist from the political compound in Frontier Region Tank in FATA.

An activist of the PPP, Nadeem, was killed while another injured near Jauhar Morr within the limits of Shahrah-e-Faisal Police Station in Karachi.

Elsewhere in the District, a man was shot at and injured near Gulshan-e-Iqbal in the limits of Sachal Police Station. He succumbed to his injuries later.

Two bullet-riddled bodies of missing Baloch persons were found from the Herrnok area in Turbat District.

Four persons were injured in a landmine blast in Pirkoh area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

Elsewhere in the District, three SFs were injured in an attack when the militants blew up their vehicle with a remote controlled bomb in Pirkoh area.

Some unidentified militants fired shots and rockets at Quetta Express near Notal area of Naseerabad District in Balochistan, injuring its driver and a fireman.

Unidentified militants blew up two gas pipelines in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan. The BRA claimed responsibilities of blowing up the pipelines.

Terrorists blew up two high-pressure gas pipelines in Shori area of Naseerabad District in Balochistan.

Former President Pervez Musharraf was aware that the TTP was plotting to kill former PM Benazir Bhutto, but he did not pass on the information to the authorities concerned.

Pakistan-based LeT is increasing its operational role, a US official warned saying Washington is now "focused" on the militant outfit behind the November 26, 208 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

February 11

The Army killed 11 terrorists in Swat District in KP.

Five bullet-ridden dead bodies were recovered from Salim Khan area of Mardan District in KP.

In Charsadda District, six alleged militants were arrested and a huge cache of arms was seized. The Police also arrested 17 other people of the area for alleged links with the arrested militants.

A Levies trooper and a suspected militant were killed in exchange of fire at Dabo Dheri checkpost in Prang Ghar tehsil in Mohmand Agency in FATA.

Malak Sab Khan, head of Ambar peace committee, of Ambar tehsil in Mohmand Agency and three volunteers sustained injuries when their vehicle hit a landmine near Ghaljo Darra as they were returning after attending a jirga of the peace committee.

The SFs during search operation destroyed houses of five militants in Ghaljo Dara and Lowi Shah area of Ambar subdivision in Mohmand Agency.

Two people, identified as Allahdad and Abdullah, were killed in a bomb explosion in Qila Saifullah District. The victims were passing through the Shamalzai village, close to the Pakistan Afghanistan border.

Some armed assailants attacked two trailers carrying NATO supplies to Afghanistan near Wadh area of Khuzdar District of Balochistan.

A former activist of the PPP, Liaquat, was killed, while another injured when two armed assailants opened indiscriminate firing on him in Muslimabad area within the limits of Pirabad Police Station in Karachi.

In the first incident, three people were injured when two low intensity explosive devices went off, damaging a railway track near Omar Colony in Karachi, Sindh.

In other incidents, two blasts damaged railway tracks near Hyderabad District while two additional blasts on tracks were reported from Nawabshah District and another two in Mehrabpur city in Naushahro Feroze District in Sindh.

Police pre-empted terror attacks on military and civilian installations and arrested eight militants of a banned outfit, who had planned to attack Army ammunition, a helicopter and the Parco refinery in Mahmood Kot town in Multan District of Punjab.

Pakistan based LeT was using charity services in the garb of extremism and gained support from Islamabad, US official said.

February 12

10 terrorists, including a suicide bomber were killed in Swat District. Five terrorists were killed in a clash with SFs in an area between Swat and Dir Districts of KP.

Four terrorists were killed in Madayan area in Swat, during a clash with SFs.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in Gumbat area of Batkhela in Malakand region, injuring three soldiers.

Another would be bomber along with four other suspected terrorists were arrested during the search operation in Batkhela tehsil of Malakand District in KP.

Unidentified terrorists blew up three gas pipelines in two separate incidents in Pirkoh and Sui area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan, disrupting gas supply from wells to purification plant in the Sui gas field.

February 13

At least eight militants were killed and five others sustained injuries in a clash with SFs in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA.

A bullet-riddled body of a person, identified as Abdul Jabbar, was found from Sabzal road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

A herdsman and his 24 cattle suffered injuries when a landmine exploded in Merhgarh area of Bolan District in Balochistan.

Unidentified militants planted an explosive device near an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline on Chattar Road in Dera Murad Jamali area in Naseerabad District in Balochistan.

Unidentified militants blew up a gas pipeline with explosive material in Dera Allah Yar area of Jafarabad District in Balochistan.

A railway track near the Sitharja Railway Station in Khairpur District of Sindh was damaged in a low-intensity bomb blast

Unidentified militants blew up an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline supply leading to Hyderabad District near a water filtration plant on Jamshoro road in Jamshoro District in Sindh.

A remote-controlled bomb exploded at the Khichi Canal, a development site at Arabi Tela, 20 kilometres from Rojhan city in Rajanpur District of Punjab.

The TTP demanded that the Government execute Raymond Davis, suspected to be an undercover spy agent, who shot dead two persons on January 27, suspected to be Inter ISI agents or hand him over to them.

February 13

SFs killed seven militants during a search operation in the Zarakhela area of Barikot in Swat District of KP.

Unidentified assailants killed one Khasadar, Afzal Afridi, in Landi Kotal Bazaar of Khyber Agency in FATA.

February 14

Four bullet-riddled dead bodies of unidentified persons were found at a deserted place near Shanawa Hindukash area on Sabirabad-Shakardarra Road in Karak District of KP.

The PHC granted bail to five suspected terrorists charged in attacking Mingora and Khwaza Khela Police Stations in Swat District after the state lawyers failed to produce solid evidence against them.

Unidentified assailants on a motorbike opened fire at Dada Shah Muhammad security check post in Barkhan District of Balochistan, killing one trooper and injuring another.

One more trooper was killed while another injured when they stepped on a landmine planted in the Tuba Notkani area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

The dead body of BNP activist, Saeed Ahmed, was found near a seasonal river known as Kohshak Nadi in Khuzdar District of Balochistan.

Police recovered another bullet-riddled dead body of a person, identified as Harzi Khan, from RCD Highway near Zero Point area of Uthal in Balochistan.

Three cadres of Muqami Tehrik-e-Taliban received injuries when their vehicle was targeted with a roadside explosive device at Sarki Qamar in Qambarkhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Abdul Qayum, a worker of an NGO, received injuries when he was fired at by unidentified assailants in Alamgudar area of Bara in FATA.

The TTP set ablaze the house of a 'commander' of LI in Akakhel area of Khyber Agency.

February 15

Militants publicly shot dead two persons, among them an Afghan national, in New Adda area of Dattakhel in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

Mohmand Agency official, Amjad Ali Khan, said SFs have cleared terrorists from 90 percent of targeted Tribal Areas near the Afghan border in Mohmand Agency during a three-week offensive.

A man, identified as, Arshad Mehmood, was shot dead in Turbat District on Balochistan.

The Shalkot DSP, Sikandar Tarin, escaped a remote-controlled blast on Mastung Road in new Saryab area, on outskirt of Quetta in Balochistan.

A driver was injured in firing on a vehicle carrying officials of Balochistan Rural Support Programme in Zahri area of Khuzdar District.

An electricity tower was blown up while 15 kilogrammes explosives attached with another tower were neutralised in the Ghaffar Goth area of Naseerabad District in Balochistan.

Police neutralised an attempt to attack a procession of Eid Milad-un Nabi and arrested two militants, seizing a large quantity of explosives.

Two bomb blasts damaged parts of railway tracks between Oderolal and Palejani railway stations in Hyderabad District of Sindh, suspending movement of trains for several hours.

A bomb hoax created panic at the CPO within the limits of Mithadar Police Station in Karachi (Sindh).

The intelligence agencies sleuths raided a private hospital in North Nazimabad town of Karachi and arrested a suspected TTP 'commander', Sarzameen Khan, who was under treatment for bullet injuries over there.

The TTP warned the Government that it would punish any move to release the US consulate employee, Raymond Davis, accused of murdering two Pakistanis.

Marc Grossman will be the US new special envoy on Af-Pak.

At least 44 journalists were killed worldwide because of their jobs during 2010, with Pakistan the deadliest country to work.

A former ISI official, Sultan Ameer Tarar alias Colonel Imam, who was reported to have been killed by militants who abducted him on March 26, 2010, is alive and in the custody of TTP in NWA FATA.

The US President Barack Obama administration has proposed to Congress a total of USD 3.1 billion in the 2012 budget for US economic and security assistance and diplomatic operations in Pakistan, according to a senior American official.

As part of the long-term economic and security assistance, Obama is seeking USD1.9 billion in the year 2012.

 

February 16

Unidentified militants attacked Spin Qabar Police check-post at Badh Bair in Peshawar District of KP.

Unidentified militants destroyed a girls` primary school in Bazid Khel area of Qasim Khel in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by planting time bombs at its boundary wall.

Unidentified militants blew up a gas pipeline in Naseerabad District, supplying natural gas to nine Districts of Balochistan.

CIA Director Leon Panetta said to US lawmakers that his country has a very complicated relationship with Pakistan and both the countries often have conflicting view point on different issues.

The United States Counter-terrorism Centre Director Michael Leiter on February 16 said that the Pakistani militant group, LeT, has the ability to strike in Europe or America.

February 17

Ten militants were killed during clashes in different parts of Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Militants blew up three power pylons in Razghar Mela, disrupting electricity to seven villages of Sheikhan tribe in FATA's Orakzai Agency.

A man was killed and two others were injured in a landmine explosion in Marho area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

One civilian was killed when a car loaded with explosives blew off near Police Lines in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Militants attacked Sra Mela Army checkpost in Bazid Khel with mortars and gun fire, which was retaliated by the Security Forces.

TTP Militants blew off up the only telephone exchange in Darra Adam Khel tribal area of Kohat District in KP.

Police arrested a militant 'commander' Wahid Jalal along with 22 other suspected persons during an operation in so-called `no go area` near Lachi town in Kohat District.

Twin explosion damaged railway tracks passing through Shah Latif Town of Karachi in Sindh.

LEA found two suspicious packages containing 30-kilogrammes of explosives from Marir Chowk near a military depot in Rawalpindi and also arrested a terror suspect.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said it is imperative that the Raymond Davis' issue must not be allowed to make bilateral relations between the US and Pakistan hostage, and emphasised the need for positive messaging from both the sides to help build trust and confidence between them.

Former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Raymond Davis, accused of killing two Pakistanis, does not have full diplomatic immunity.

February 18

Two activists of the BSO-Azad were shot dead and more than two dozen were arrested after an alleged exchange of fire between the group members and SFs in Tutak area of Khuzdar District of Balochistan.

FC personnel arrested 17 suspects and seized illegal weapons from them during a search operation in different areas of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

A trooper was killed and three others were injured when militants attacked a Security checkpost in Mohmand Agency of FATA.

Hyderabad DPO Munir Ahmed Sheikh claimed that Police arrested a cadre of the outfit involved in recent series of bomb blasts in Sindh.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency, along with COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to discuss issues related to war against terrorism.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Pakistan risks major instability at home and a hampered war effort in next-door Afghanistan if it does not implement reforms and stop fomenting anti-American sentiment.

February 19

Two Security personnel were killed in a landmine explosion in Gerisni area of the Kohlu District in Balochistan.

Police foiled a terror bid by defusing two bombs attached with a bridge in Khuchlak, on the outskirts of Quetta in Balochistan.

Militants attacked a Security checkpoint in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand Agency near the Pakistan-Afghan border. 20 militants were killed and 25 others injured in the clash that lasted three hours.

The TTTP claimed that it shot dead a retired Pakistani spy who once mentored its Afghan brethren and sided with the US against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

February 20

SFs attacked a hideout of militants, killing 11 militants and injuring six others, near Dabori area in Orakzai Agency of FATA.

A US drone attack killed at least five militants in Kaza Panga village, 15 kilometres west of Wana, the main town of SWA in FATA.

Two tribesmen were killed by militants in NWA on a charge of spying for the US.

The dead body of former ISI official Sultan Amir Tarar alias Colonel Imam was found from a roadside in Mir Ali of North Waziristan in FATA.

Pakistan on February 20 asserted that it was a responsible nuclear weapon state with "impeccable credentials and custodial controls of its strategic assets" after National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon voiced concerns at the Security of nuclear material and weapons in the neighbourhood.

Two khasadars were killed and as many received injuries in an attack by unidentified assailants in Wana town of South Waziristan Agency in FATA in the night.

February 21

Ten suspected militants were killed and another four injured when a US drone attacked a suspected militant hideout in Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan Agency, in FATA in the night.

The SFs arrested three local militant ‘commanders’ during a search operation in Kausar area of Khar tehsil in Bajaur Agency.

SFs demolished four hideouts of militants in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency. SFs and volunteers of a local peace committee launched a joint search operation in Jhanda Masood locality of Safi tehsil and demolished four houses suspected to be used by militants.

An Iraqi al Qaeda operative was believed to be one of the seven militants killed by a US missile strike on a house in the village of Kaza Panga in the Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan Agency on February 20, Pakistani intelligence officials said. The officials said the person, identified as Abu Zaid al-Iraqi, handled the terrorist group’s finances in Pakistan.

A truck driver was killed while another person got injuries in a bomb blast that took place in a roadside hotel in Hazar Ganji area on the outskirt of Quetta. The banned outfit BLA claimed the responsibility for the blast and vowed to continue such attacks in the future.

A civilian was killed and two others sustained injuries in Wadh area of Khuzdar District when unidentified militants opened fire on a container carrying military hardware for NATO forces deployed in Afghanistan.

The Peshawar High Court granted bail to a suspected terrorist charged with blowing up a CD shop some two years back in Charsadda District.

The CIA agent Raymond Davis, the alleged killer of two Pakistanis in Lahore, had close links with the TTP. The New York Times report said that Davis "was part of a covert, CIA-led team of operatives conducting surveillance on militant groups deep inside the country, according to American Government officials."

Former President Pervez Musharraf had cut a secret deal with the US in 2006, allowing clandestine CIA operations in his country. This was done to make the Americans believe that Islamabad was not secretly helping the Taliban insurgents.

"Davis’s job was to trail links of the Taliban and al Qaeda in different parts of Pakistan. But, instead, investigators found that he had developed close links with the TTP," added a source.

The CIA drones killed at least 581 terrorists in Pakistan in 2010, but only two were noteworthy enough to appear on a US list of most-wanted terrorists. The Washington Post reported that the CIA carried out a record 118 drone strikes over the last year, costing more than USD one million apiece.

A Washington think-tank, New America Foundation, reported that US drone strikes soared from 33 in 2008 to 118 in 2010. The increase cost US taxpayers USD 118 million and managed to kill 581 militants. The New America Foundation, however, concluded that 12 "militant leaders" were killed by drone strikes in 2010, compared with 10 in 2008.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani urged the intellectuals, religious scholars, academia and students to join hands in defeating the retrogressive forces and to preserve Pakistan’s identity and national ethos. Addressing the 58th Founder’s Day of the Sadiq Public School, Gilani said "The retrogressive forces are adamant to impose their myopic and narrow-minded agenda," the prime minister said and pointed that terrorism and extremism constituted a daunting challenge to the state and society.

The CoAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that the Army was not conducting any operation in Balochistan. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Kassa Hills Marble Project, about 25 kilometres from Loralai town, he said Army troops were not deployed in the interior of the province, except one battalion in Sui and the personnel were restricted to the cantonment.

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said there were 23,322 Baloch students in schools run by the Army and FC and a large number of students from Balochistan were also in reputed educational institutions across the country. Over 4,000 youths from the province have joined the Army and another 5,000 will be inducted this year.

The JuD, the frontal organisation of LeT, in a protest from Chauburji to Qurtaba Chowk in Lahore demanded that American official Raymond Davis, arrested for gunning down two men in Lahore on January 27, be executed and blamed the US for bomb blasts across the country that have resulted in "large-scale killings".

February 22

At least six persons, including two women and two children, were killed and another 10 injured when militants fired rocket at an Army checkpoint in the Tora Ghundi area of the Hangu District at around 5pm (PST).

Police shot dead a suspected militant involved in the bomb blast targeting a school van on Pejagi Road in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on January 12.

At least four persons were injured when a low intensity device exploded in the Shafi Market area in the limits of the Peshawar Cantonment at around 12:00pm.

Police arrested two close relatives of the TTP ‘commander’ Hafizullah in connection with the attack on ANP Senator Zahid Khan’s Hujra on January 25 from Balambat Police Station area of Timergara town of Lower Dir District.

Two suspected persons were arrested and arms were recovered from their possession during search at Zalampul point near Bajaur-Dir border in Bajaur Agency.

Five SF personnel were injured in a remote-controlled blast in the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan.

Sindh Police arrested two militants, including a close aide of slain TTP ‘chief’ Baitullah Mehsud and a cadre of LeJ, in separate raids at different areas of Karachi.

In Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Police arrested one Sajid, who was stated to be a member of the banned outfit LeJ, and an aide of LeJ leader Qasim Ganjja, in the precincts of Aziz Bhatti Police Station.

Afghanistan's Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar, the spiritual leader of the Taliban movement that operates in Afghanistan and Pakistan, still has a "very powerful" effect on his followers, who are ready to fight on his orders.

Afghan Taliban's mid-level field ‘commanders’ are reluctant to return to some battle zones in Afghanistan despite pressure from their top leaders based in Pakistan. Many Taliban ‘commanders’ had withdrawn to Pakistan after their defeats in Kandahar and Helmand, where American troop presence had increased by thousands.

The American media began authoritatively referring to Raymond Davis as an operative of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a section of the press in Pakistan reported he had close links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan TTP.

The US administration while commenting on media reports that the man was actually the head of a CIA operation in Pakistan said that Raymond Davis` activities in Pakistan do not affect his diplomatic immunity. US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P. J. Crowley said, "We will not comment on his particular activity in Pakistan other than to say he’s a member of the administrative and technical staff of the embassy and has diplomatic immunity."

The CIA lost a chance in 2010 to kill Sirajuddin Haqqani, the head of an anti-American terrorist network that is closely linked to al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban, when it chose not to fire a missile at him from a predator drone because women and children were nearby.

A Pakistani official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said allowing high-value targets to escape reflected a decision by the US since August 2010 to use greater caution in the drone strikes. A strike had destroyed a militant hideout in North Waziristan, killing 13 members of the Afghan Taliban but also four women and three children who were living among them, according to Pakistani intelligence officials.

A joint team of three militant outfits are believed to be planning to target the Provinces’ Chief Ministers and Iranian diplomatic missions in the country, claims a letter issued by the National Crisis Management Cell in light of intelligence reports. Small factions of Jundullah, HuJI and the LeJ have joined hands to carry out terrorist attacks.

The cell’s communiqué said that these groups are led by Hafiz Laiqullah (Jundullah), Hafiz Khursheed Bahadur (HuJI) and Abdullah alias Sher Alam Muavia (LeJ).

February 23

At least 10 militants were killed and several others were injured as SFs targeted militant hideouts in Kurram Agency FATA.

Two mutilated dead bodies of Baloch political activist, identified as Mehboob Wadela of the BNM and Rehman Arif of the BRP, were recovered near coastal town Ormara of Gwadar District.

Unidentified militants blew up the main 18-inch diameter gas pipeline near Sohbatpur tehsil of Jaffarabad District, disrupting gas supply to Uch Power Plant from Uch gas field.

The top level US and Pakistani military commanders held talks in Muscat to coordinate better the war against the Taliban and al Qaeda on Afghanistan border. Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Kayani, met in Muscat, the capital of Oman at a key juncture in US efforts to turn the tide on the nine-year war in Afghanistan.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik informed the National Assembly (NA) that a new strategy was being evolved to tackle the issue of terrorism in a more effective manner. Under the new mechanism, which would be introduced within a few days, there would be a proper check on foreign scholarships offered to students here, visits of Pakistani artists to other countries and particulars of representatives of foreign companies and non-governmental organisations operating in Pakistan, he said while speaking on floor of the House.

February 24

At least six persons were killed when the US drone missiles hit a house and a car in a village in Dilkhel Degan area of the North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

At least 32 militants laid down arms and surrendered to the SFs in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency. Maj Kamran, in charge of military operation in Warr Mamond, said that the militants surrendered unconditionally. He said that they also included four local ‘commanders’.

Five SF personnel were killed and another two injured in a militant attack on a check post in Landi Kotal area of Khyber Agency.

Four bogies of the Economic Cooperation Organisation’s (ECO) freight train were damaged and a 4-feet portion of the railway track was blown up in an explosion near Dalbandin in Chagai District. The blast damaged four sections of the train and blew up four-feet-long section of the track. However, no loss of life is reported in the blast.

Unidentified militants set ablaze two NATO oil tankers in Dhaddar area of Bolan District. However, no casualty was reported in the attack.

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Sindh Police arrested a suspected TTP militant, identified as Rahim Zada alias Sher Muhammad, son of Abdul Wakeel, from Feature Colony in Landhi area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

A TTP ‘commander’, Maulana Abdul Khaliq Haqqani, warned the PPP against freeing CIA agent Raymond Davis who is facing double murder charge for killing two Pakistani nationals in Lahore. "Raymond is killer of Pakistanis and tribal people.

February 25

Four persons were killed when unidentified militants blew up at least 15 tankers carrying fuel for NATO troops in neighbouring Afghanistan at Ring Road of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Two militant ‘commanders’, identified as Abdul Kabeer and Gul Anwar, were killed during a search operation by the SFs in Kabal tehsil of Swat District.

Unidentified militants blew the building of Government primary school for girls in the Mian Essa village near Shabqadar in Charsadda District.

A SF official, identified as Zahid Ali, died and another received splinter injuries in a landmine explosion in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District.

A FC convoy escaped a bomb attack in Mir Hassan area of Jaffarabad District. Sources said that unidentified militants placed the bomb on the road near the Nawaz check-post and it went off after FC vehicles had passed through. The jammers had helped the convoy escape, the sources added.

The Supreme Court directed Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Maulvi Anwarul Haq, to hold a meeting with the Prime Minister Yousaf Raja Gilani regarding the rising incidents of targeted killings and kidnappings in Balochistan and inform it within three days about the policy statement of the premier and steps being taken by the Government to improve the security situation.

PML-N parliamentarian Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch alleged that the security agencies are behind the abduction and killing of political workers and national activists in Balochistan. Abdul Qadir Baloch, who served as the Army's corps commander in Quetta and was also Governor of Balochistan, made the allegation while speaking in Parliament.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani reiterated the Government’s resolve to continue pursuing a policy of three-Ds (dialogue, development, deterrence), assuring talks with those TTP militants who are ready to surrender their arms to local political agents.

February 26

Unidentified militants attacked three parking lots in Garhi Qamardin on the Peshawar Ring Road of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where oil tankers carrying fuel for NATO forces were stationed, killing at least four persons and injuring 17 others before blowing up around 15 such vehicles in the early morning.

Unidentified militants on motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire on a senior politician of PPP, Mir Nawaz Khan, near Rax Cinema in Gilgit. Mir Nawaz was also a senior advocate of Gilgit-Baltistan and known as an advocate of peace and was widely respected for his balanced and unbiased personality.

February 27

Unidentified militants blew up as many as five Government school buildings, including two primaries, one middle and one high school, in Darra Adam Khel. No causalities were reported in these attacks.

The dead body of abducted tribal elder, Haji Abdul Wadud Afridi, chairman of Khyber Agency’s Zakat (compulsory religious donation) committee, was found dumped at a deserted place in Landi Kotal town of Khyber Agency of FATA. Haji Abdul Wadud, who was the former Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami (Khyber Agency), had been abducted on February 19. Sources said that Habib Khan was associated with the militant outfit, LI, in the past.

Unidentified militants blew up a railway track in Mangoli area of Dera Murad Jamali town in Nasirabad District. However, no casualty was reported in the blast. Train service was suspended between Sibi and Dera Allah Yar after the blast.

Unidentified militants set ablaze two NATO containers, carrying goods for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, in Mangochar area of Kalat District.

District and Sessions Judge Jan Muhammad Gauhar and Civil Judge Muhammad Ali Kakar and a driver, Peer Shah, were suspected to have been abducted in Bakhtiarabad area of Quetta.

February 28

An activist of the MQM, identified as Arsalan, was killed by unidentified assailants in Ramzan Kanta area situated at Ghass Mandi under Ran chore lane within the limits of Eidgah Police Station in Karachi.

A five-foot part of main Sui gas supply pipeline was blown up near the village of Muhammad Bux Malik near Thull in Jacobabad District.

A tanker carrying fuel for the NATO forces in Afghanistan set ablaze when it was attacked by unidentified militants near interchange link road in Wah cantonment area of Rawalpindi District.

The FIA arrested 28 illegal African nationals from Mecca Colony in Gulberg area of Lahore. The arrested persons failed to provide legal proof of their stay in Pakistan.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani alleged that there was solid evidence that foreign elements and powers were involved in aggravating the situation in Balochistan. Delivering policy statement in the National Assembly on the law and order situation in Balochistan, the PM said, "We have started the process (of compensation for Baloch people) and coming generations will complete it."

He also said that target killing of settlers in Balochistan could not be overlooked, as it had further aggravated law and order situation. He said solid proofs had been found that organisations like BLA were involved in target killings.

Acknowledging that a sense of deprivation prevails in Balochistan, the PM said that the Government had presented the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan (beginning of the rights of Balochistan) package to address these concerns. Gilani also said the Federal Government had recruited 6,000 Baloch youth in police and allocated PKR 5.15 billion in this regard and PKR 3.4 billion had been spent till December 2010. He said that 10,000 to 15,000 youth from Balochistan would be trained under the National Internship Programme besides giving them relaxation in education and age.

March 1

The TTP militants shot dead four local tribesmen alleged of spying for the US. The bullet-riddled bodies were dumped on a roadside in Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

A roadside landmine planted by militants in Ghalingar area of Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency went off, killing two tribesmen and injuring another.

One Jaffar Khan was killed when he stepped on a landmine planted by suspected militants in Mansor Kor area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency.

In Shalobar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency, a woman was killed when SFs opened indiscriminate firing after an attack on their convoy on Machani check post.

Militants beheaded Aqal Mohammad for his involvement in January 2011 drone attacks in Tirah valley. The locals found the head of Aqal Mohammad in Qambarkhel area while his torso was dumped at Nari Baba area.

Four troopers of Khasadar Force were abducted from Ali Masjid area of tehsil in Khyber Agency. The four tribal Policemen, identified as, Samad Khan, Khewa Khan, Khan Sher and Ibad Gul, were reported "missing" after an attack on Machani check post.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani announced PKR 1 billion in the current budget and PKR 700 million in the next year’s budget for rehabilitation of around 32 thousand residents of the Kurram Agency who left their homes due to sectarian riots and militancy.

At least four persons were injured and 10 houses damaged when militants fired rockets and mortar shells at Adezai, a suburban village of provincial capital Peshawar. Four persons received injuries when shells and rockets landed in their houses.

TTP attacked Lond Khor Girls’ college in Sher Garh locality of Mardan District killing one girl student and wounding 20 other students and one bystander.

Mohammad Akbar, an activist of Imamia Jirga, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants at Jahangir Pura Road in Peshawar.

One person, identified as Kamran Khan, was killed in the agriculture fields at Nasirpur in the limits of Chamkani Police Station.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly expressed dissatisfaction over the official reply of Police department in connection with an inquiry regarding purchase of arms and ammunitions worth PKR 44.690 million.

A coordinator, Naeem Sabir, of the HRCP, in Balochistan was shot dead by unidentified assailants at the Chakar Khan Road in Khuzdar District.

A militant carrying explosive died as the bomb exploded accidentally within the limits of Shah Latif Police Station in Karachi.

A joint team of Police and Intelligence agencies neutralised a terrorist outfit comprising cadres of the TTP and some Afghan nationals, seizing 16 kilograms of explosives, a rocket launcher and pistols in Lahore. A raid conducted led to the arrest of nine militants, Mohammad Zaka Kabli, Gul Shan, Humit Jan, Ustand Zinda, Ziaullah, Raheem Jan, Murad Afghani, Gul Zammen and Ubaid from Bajaur and Afghanistan.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the Law Enforcement Agencies arrested a high-profile terrorist who wanted to hit Islamabad by rockets from the Margalla Hills in Islamabad.

An ATC acquitted Hammad Raza Naqvi saying that the prosecution failed to prove the case of his involvement in the killing of outlawed SSP leader Maulana Azam Tariq in October 2003.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) suspended the sentence of nine terrorists and granted them bail, setting aside their earlier conviction for possessing heavy quantity of explosives’ material. Saddar Barooni Police arrested the militants in January 2009 from Dhoke Lakhan near the Dhamial Army Aviation Base and recovered 100 kg of explosive material, including 20 sacks of potassium chloride and detonators.

The Government launched a countrywide crackdown on the Afghan refugees residing illegally in the country after the deadline they were given to submit their data to the office of Afghan refugees expired on February 28.

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Congress not to cut US aid to Pakistan as lawmakers raised concerns about continued incarceration of a CIA contractor, Raymond Davis in Lahore, Punjab.

Pakistan, with one of the world’s largest out-of-school population, about 7.3 million, spends over seven times as much on arms as on primary schools, reveals a report of the UNESCO.

March 2

Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated in the limits of the Industrial Area Police Station in Islamabad in Punjab. It was reported that the Federal Police’s squad was missing at the time of the incident. Unidentified militants opened fire on Bhatti and managed to escape. However, pamphlets from the Punjab Chapter of TTP were found from the place of the incident that stated "anyone who criticises the blasphemy law has no right to live".

The BBC reported that it received a four month old video recording of murdered Shahbaz Bhatti in which the politician said he had been threatened by religious extremists but was not afraid to die. In the message, Bhatti says he has received threats from the Taliban and al Qaeda, but will not stop "speaking for the oppressed and marginalised Christians and other minorities".

President Asif Ali Zardari said that PPP Government will not be deterred by extremists and militants and continue the fight against them till final victory.

Police arrested five suspected militants linked with a banned sectarian outfit and involved in several bomb blasts and murders, recovering illegal arms including suicide jackets from their possession in Uch Sharif Police Station area of Bahawalpur District.

The Lahore High Court asked the counsel for the Federation to get written comments from the chief of ISI on a petition seeking release of 11 persons detained from FATA after their acquittal in terrorism case of attacking military personnel and installations in 2007.

An employee of the WAPDA was shot dead and another injured in an incident of firing in the Panjgur District.

An encounter took place between personnel of LEA and armed assailants in Qabula area of Jaffarabad District after SFs launched a search operation in different parts of Jaffarabad District to recover the abducted judges and lawyers.

The banned BMDT claimed responsibility for the March 1 killing of human rights activist Naeem Sabir in Khuzdar District. A BMDT spokesman, Mir Jang Baloch, calling from an unspecified location, said that his organisation had carried out the attack and vowed to continue such attacks in the future threatening the Baloch people against participating in the activities of the BSO, BRP, BNP and BNM.

The LEA launched a massive search operation in Tambo tehsil of Naseerabad District for the recovery of two judges who were abducted on February 27.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that the Government should take practical steps instead of issuing policy statements regarding abduction and targeted killings in Balochistan. The court summoned the Balochistan Chief Secretary on March 8 and ordered the ISI and MI to furnish their reports through the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) over the situation in the province.

An activist of Dawat-e-Islami (DI), identified as Abdul Razak, was in the incident of target killing in Taiser Town within the limits of Surjani Police Station in Karachi.

Police recovered a hand grenade from Paracha Graveyard located in the Shershah area in the precincts of Shershah Police Station in Karachi.

Britain announced it was doubling its development aid for Pakistan over the next four years to £446 million a year by 2015, but tied the increase to Islamabad’s progress on the reform agenda.

Pak-Afghan border remains an "epicentre" of global terrorism, the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said. "The downside consequences of a nuclear-capable Pakistan that whose government collapses and is then in the hands of violent extremists or theocratic individuals is a huge, huge danger, globally and certainly for us," Admiral Mike Mullen said.

March 3

At least nine persons were killed and 31 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated his vehicle near a police patrol in a densely populated area of Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Three persons sustained minor injuries when suspected militants blew up a tanker, supplying oil to NATO forces in Afghanistan, near Karkhano Market in the limits of Hayatabad Police Station in Peshawar. The injured were identified as Mohammad Qasim, Shamsuddin and Shamsur Rehman.

A Lashkar fighting the TTP in the Adezai outskirts of Peshawar has threatened it would stop its fight if the Government does not issue the militia ration and ammunition within one week. Dilawar Khan, chief of the Adezai Qaumi Lashkar, told a press conference that the Government had "an ambiguous policy" about the TTP in Adezai and accused local legislators of supporting the TTP.

Six officials of the Khasadar Force were killed and three others injured when their vehicle was ambushed by militants in Aalam Godar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. The six personnel killed in the assault were identified as Islam Gul Malik Deen Khel, Mirab Jan Aka Khel, Noor Wali Zaka Khel, Noor Janan Qamar Khel, Abdul Wahid Aka Khel and Shakoor Satoori Khel.

A Policeman, identified as Saleem Khan, and his friend were shot dead in Orangi Town area of Karachi.

An activist of MQM-H was shot dead in an incident of target killing near Jauhar-e-More in the precincts of Sharah-e-Faisal Police Station in Karachi.

Islamabad Police arrested 18 suspected persons after taking them into custody in the case of Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti’s March 2 assassination.

March 4

At least 10 persons were killed and 40 others injured in a powerful bomb blast at a mosque located in the premises of Akhwand Panju Baba’s shrine in Akbarpura near Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to a senior police official, Muhammad Quraish Khan, a timed device weighing 2.5 kilogrammes was used in the attack.

Two militants, including a local ‘commander’, were killed while 13 of their accomplices were arrested by the SFs in Kamal Khel area in Balitang of Kohat District. The slain militants were identified as Samiullah of Shadi Khal, a local ‘commander’ and Mujtaba, resident of Mian Khel, both belonging to the Darra Adam Khel chapter of TTP.

Senior Minister of Provincial Assembly Bashir Ahmed Bilour said that IDPs coming to the Peshawar, mainly from Mohmand, Khyber and Orakzai Agencies are creating serious problems for the law enforcement agencies.

A Police head constable, identified as Ghulam Nabi Arain of Site Police Station, was shot dead in an incident of targeted killing near a factory in the SITE area of Karachi. It was reported that the constable was on duty at Site for a strike called by Sunni Tehreek (ST).

A SSP cadre, Syed Muzafar Alam Nomani, was shot dead in Burmy Colony within the limits of Landhi Police Station in Karachi.

A person, identified as Mohammad Imran, who had been accused in a blasphemy case and released on February 13, 2010, was shot dead on the outskirts of Rawalpindi

Two local tribesmen, identified as Jaleel Pirkani and Ali Jan Sumalani, were abducted at gunpoint from Mangochar town of Kalat District.

Unidentified militants blew up Government schools for Boys with IEDs at the Shalobar in Khyber Agency. However, no loss of life was reported in the blast.

March 5

SFs killed six militants during an operation near Afghanistan border in Kurram Agency of FATA. According to sources, the SFs pounded militants’ hideouts with artillery in central Kurram. Two hideouts were also destroyed in the shelling.

Unidentified militants attacked a check-post of volunteers in Manzari Chena area of Bezai tehsil in Mohmand Agency in the night. Eight volunteers were injured and taken to hospital where one succumbed to his injuries. Sources said that two other volunteers were also missing.

The SSP ‘leader’ Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Madni, who is also the brother of slain party chief Maulana Azam Tariq, was shot dead along with his son Abu Bakar in an incident of targeted killing in the Khawaja Ajmair Nagri Police Station area of Karachi.

At least five persons, including two Policemen and children, were injured after a Police check-post was blown up in the Shaikhan Chowk area under the Badabher Police Station of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The injured policemen were identified as Fazal Rahim and Raj Wali. Two children and a shopkeeper also sustained injuries.

Unidentified militants blew up two Government schools with IEDs in Kohat and Swabi Districts. However, no loss of life was reported in the blasts.

March 6

Ten militants were killed and another eight injured when the helicopter gunships attacked militant hideouts in Chinarak and Spairkat areas of Kurram Agency along the Orakzai Agency border in Federally FATA. Eight hideouts were destroyed.

One of the four khasadars (tribal police force) personnel abducted on March 1, was found dead near Ali Masjid in Landi Kotal town of Khyber Agency.

Unidentified militants abducted two children, Akbar Hussain and Jalil Hussain, belonging to the Turi tribe from Makhizai area of Kurram Agency.

The Khyber Agency Political Agent Shafeerullah Khan said that a full-fledged military operation would be launched in Bara areas very soon in order to purge the area of militants and anti-social elements.

Five militants were killed and a security official was injured during an encounter when suspected militants were trying to sneak into Swat District from Dir District. Three of the slain militants were identified as Fazal Hussain of Kotta, Sher Ali of Aboha and Mohammad Zeb of Charbagh.

A bomb explosion damaged a house killing at one militant and injuring three others in Ibrahim Haideri area of Korangi town in Karachi. The Police claimed that the militant belonged to an unspecified nationalist party and was preparing bombs to damage railway tracks in the city. "Activists of the Jay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) were running this office or ‘bomb factory’ in a rented house," CID SP Mazhar Mashwani said, adding, "We have also found the portraits of JSMM’s ‘Chief’ Shafi Burfat and other literature from the house."

A SSP cadre, Zeeshan, was killed and his friend Mansoor sustained injuries in an incident of target killing in Orangi Town within the limits of Iqbal Market Police Station in Karachi.

Provincial Minister of the MQM Zubair Ahmad Khan escaped an attack in Lateefabad town of Hyderabad District.

The Directorate of ISI is trying to redefine its terms of engagement with the CIA, before any settlement over immunity for Raymond Davis, the jailed US operative.

The Government has only been able to implement 15 of the 61 proposals contained in a reforms package aimed at redressing Baloch grievances regarding the affairs of their province. A 38-page progress report on the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package states that the Government has not acted on most of the proposals.

March 7

Nine persons, including five MQM workers, were killed in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. A former activist of MQM Hassan Asif was shot dead near Lal Flats of Gulistan-e-Jauhar area within the limits of Sharah-e-Faisal Police Station in Karachi.

Roedad Kahn, the son of a former senator from FATA, was shot dead in Gulshan-i-Iqbal area of Karachi.

A District-sessions judge Jan Mohammad and a civil judge Mohammad Ali Kakar of Sibi, who were abducted from Usta Muhammad tehsil (revenue unit) in Dera Allah Yar area of Jaffarabad District on February 27, were recovered from Naseerabad District.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that 98 per cent terrorists, arrested after hectic efforts and sacrifices of law enforcement agencies, are released by the judiciary owing to lack of evidence. He appealed to the courts to award capital punishment to all arrested terrorists as they became more dangerous for society after release.

March 8

A car bomb explosion at a gas station in Faisalabad District killed at least 32 persons and injured 125 others. The attack took place close to the office of ISI but the building remained undamaged. It was reported that explosives were planted in a car parked at the gas station.

TTP claimed responsibility for attack. TTP spokesman, Ahsanullah Ahsan, said target of the blast was an office of the ISI. Ahsan said the blast was revenge for the killing of a militant by SFs in Faisalabad in 2010.

Iqbal Town Police arrested some suspected militants in Sherakot area of Lahore District in connection with the Faisalabad blast.

LEA arrested three persons of a family, one of them a cleric of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) in Faisalabad District, in connection with the car explosion at a CNG station.

Ten militants were killed in two US drone attacks in North and South Waziristan Agency of FATA.

The Pakistan Army for the first time gave the official version of US drone attacks in the FATA and said that most of those killed were hardcore al Qaeda, Afghan Taliban and TTP militants and a fairly large number of them were of foreign origin. General Officer Commanding 7th Division Major General Ghayoor Mehmood said in a briefing that "Myths and rumours about US predator strikes and the casualty figures are many, but it’s a reality that many of those being killed in these strikes are hardcore elements, a sizeable number of them foreigners.

Major General Ghayoor said that "Well we have over 820 checkposts along the border to stop militant movement and there is strict vigilance, but unfrequented routes are an exception for which alternate means, including intelligence-sharing between coalition troops and the Army, are in place."

Three bullet-riddled bodies of missing persons were found in different parts of Balochistan. The body of Deen Muhammad Marri was found from Liari area in Uthal city of Lasbela District. Another man, identified as, Yasir Nasir, a member of BSO-Azad Turbat Chapter, abducted on October 29, 210 was found dead in Murgap area of Turbat city in Turbat District and the dead body of Nuroze Khan was found from Jiwan area of Kalat town in Kalat District.

Nilofar Abadan, the wife of a former provincial minister Faridoon Abadan was abducted by unidentified militants in the Quivery road area of Quetta. Faridoon Abadan had been abducted over 10 years ago and remains missing till date.

Violence erupted in Orangi Town of Karachi after three people were shot dead. Violence erupted after the killing of central member of Pakhtoon Students Federation (PSF) Imran Afridi in Qasba Colony within the limits of Pirabad Police Station.

March 9

A suicide bomber killed 43 persons and injured another 52 others in an attack on a funeral prayer for the wife of a volunteer of Qaumi Lashkar in Adezai village on the outskirt of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government-run primary school at Darwazgai village, on the suburbs of Peshawar. Sources said that three explosives were planted in the three-room building of the school which went off at about 2am.

Unidentified militants also blew up a Government-run school for boys in the eighth strike during a week in Kohiwal area of Darra Adamkhel town in Kohat District in the morning.

Eight suspected militants were arrested during a joint raid by SFs in Mayar Jandol area of Lower Dir District. Officials said that SFs raided Afghan refugees` camp in Mayar after getting information about the presence of militants there and arrested eight suspected militants.

Six persons, including two women, were killed and 19 others were injured in a landmine explosion near the Pathar Nala in Dera Bugti District.

Five employees of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) were injured when their vehicle was attacked with a remote controlled device in Peshbogi area of Sui in Dera Bugti District. However, no outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.

A worker of the MQM, Mushtaq Ahmed, was shot dead along with four other persons in an incident of target killing in Orangi Town in Karachi.

An MQM sympathiser Mohammad Ali, and his brother Sajid, were sitting in Qasba Colony when two armed assailants shot and injured them. Later, Muhammad Ali succumbed to his injuries.

Sindh Police arrested four alleged members of the TTP. Anti-Extremist Cell and Counter Terrorism Unit of the Sindh Police’s CID disclosed the arrests of four alleged members of TTP and claimed to have recovered one suicide jacket, explosives, hand grenades, one smoke bomb, one detonator, 10-meter detonator wire, three Kalashnikovs, three TT pistols, five kilogram hashish and weapons from their possession during an encounter in Metrovil area of Orangi Town in Karachi. However, TTP Karachi Chapter chief Qari Zaman, LeJ member Qari Abid Mehsud, Tayab Mehsud and Shuja Mehsud, managed to escape.

250 clerics from around 18 countries have declared suicide attacks as haram (forbidden). They issued the declaration on the occasion of the three-day-long Seerat-ul-Nabi (Peace Be upon Him) conference in Lahore, which was also attended by several Pakistani clerics belonging to different schools of thought.

March 10

At least four persons, including a FC official, Niamatullah, and an employee of the OGDCL, Javed Iqbal, were killed in a remote controlled explosion followed by intense firing near Dera Murad Jamali in the Jaffarabad District. 18 persons also sustain injuries. The BRA claimed responsibility for the attack and vowed to continue such attacks in the future as well.

Seven persons, including two Police personnel and a child, were injured in a remote controlled bomb blast planted in a motorcycle in Dera Bugti District.

A man, identified as Talha, was killed in Karachi. According to reports seven vehicles have also been set on fire in different parts of the city, including the limits of Brigade, Taimuria, Shanti Nagar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Burns’ Road and areas including Shipowner College, Saoora Chowk, Abdullah College and College Road.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a Police constable, Dil Nawaz, in the limits of New Town Police Stations in Karachi and managed to escape from the scene.

The former nazim of Sulemankhel union council, Dr Misal Khan, was injured and his driver killed when militants ambushed their vehicle on Tela Band Road in Badhber of Peshawar District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The leader of anti-Taliban militia, Dilawar Khan, threatened to stop cooperating with authorities after a deadly suicide bombing on his men, a warning that highlights the risks Pakistan is taking by using private armies with questionable loyalties in its struggle against insurgents.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government school for girls in Landi Kotal tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. Sources said that militants have so far destroyed about 31 Government schools in Khyber Agency during the last one year.

Jama’at Ulema Pakistan-Noorani announced its support for the militants fighting against the US led NATO forces in Afghanistan, reports Dawn. JUP-N Secretary General Qari Zawwar Bahadur said his party stood with the "Mujahideen" resisting US invasion of Afghanistan.

Pakistan sought Britain's cooperation in arresting former President Pervez Musharraf with its High Commissioner in London forwarding the warrant issued by a court to the British Home Office.

March 11

At least 16 persons were killed in three separate US drone strikes in two different locations in the NWA of FATA. The first drone fired two missiles targeting a suspected militant vehicle in Khaisur town, about 30 kilometres north of Miranshah, the main town in the NWA.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government girls’ primary school in Ali Masjid area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency. According to a source, at least 34 Government-run schools have been destroyed in the Khyber Agency.

Militants destroyed three bridges, a girls’ school in Jamrud and an under-construction room of the technical college in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency during the last 24 hours.

A Barelvi seminary preacher of Jammat Ahle Sunnat, Syed Mahmood Hussain, was killed in an incident of target killing at Korangi in the limits of Zaman Town Police Station in Karachi.

A bomb prematurely exploded inside Shahabkhel mosque in Peshawar shortly before Friday prayers caused no loss of life. Sources said the bomb detonated 90 minutes before the usually 150-strong congregation was due to gather at the mosque in Badabher village in the suburbs of Peshawar city.

The Kohat Commissioner Khalid Khan Umerzai distributed 72 compensation cheques amounting to PKR 10.4 million among the heirs of those who were killed in various terrorist acts in Kohat region.

LEA apprehended a burqa (veil) clad terror suspect near Qasim Market, in the area of Westridge in Rawalpindi. It was reported that traffic Police Muhammad Tauqeer while discharging his duty suspected a burqa-clad woman and tried to stop her. But the woman hurriedly fled leaving her burqa behind which revealed that it was a man.

March 12

Eight militants were killed and three soldiers suffered injuries during an encounter in upper tehsil of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Sources said that militants attacked a checkpost in Ghelju area and injured three soldiers.

Four NTDC officials were seriously injured in a landmine blast in Chethar area of Naseerabad District.

Two NATO oil tankers were torched by unidentified militants in the Karta area of Mach town in Bolan District. The driver of one of the oil tankers, identified as Ehsanullah Khan, a resident of Peshawar, sustained bullet injures. The militants managed to escape from the scene successfully.

Unidentified militants blew up a pipeline supplying natural gas to the gas purification plant in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District.

A CD shop was blown up in the Badabher Police Station area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The blast completely damaged the shop, but no loss of life was reported.

Unidentified militants attacked and injured five young cricket fans with hand grenades as they were watching the exciting India-South Africa World Cup match in the privacy of a room in Badhber suburbs of Peshawar in the night.

March 13

11 passengers were killed and another six injured when unidentified militants intercepted a passenger coach in Mamo Khwar area of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Peshawar-bound coach was coming from Parachinar. Nine of the people killed were Shias, which appears to be a sectarian attack.

Four militants were killed during an encounter with SFs in the border area of Dir and Swat Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

SFs neutralised two hideouts of TTP in Ublan Darra area of Kohat.

Nine persons, including two activists of the MQM and one worker of ANP, were killed in the ongoing wave of violence and target killing in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

A US drone strike targeting a militant vehicle and a compound on March 13 killed six militants and injured five others in mountainous Spalga village, 15 kilometres northeast of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

Three members of khasadar personnel Asil Badshah family were injured when a rocket fired from unspecified location hit his house in Jammu area of Frontier Region Kohat.

Unidentified militants blew up a 12-inch diameter pipeline in the Rabih Canal area of Naseerabad District in Balochistan. According to a levies official, unidentified militants had strapped explosives to the pipeline supplying natural gas to Quetta from Shikarpur.

Pakistan declined an Indian request to allow an inquiry commission to interrogate LeT ‘commander’ Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six other suspects charged with involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. "

A SFs official was killed and his colleague and a child were injured in a rocket attack on a security base in Razmak Town in the night. Officials said that eight rockets were fired at the main base from an unspecified place.

March 14

Eight more persons were killed in different parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, taking the death toll in four days to 36. The target killing claimed eight more lives, including those of the MQM and the ANP, in different parts of Karachi. An activist of the ANP was shot dead at Munawar Chowrangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar within the limits of Sarah-e-Faisal Police Station.

Five militants were killed when a US drone fired missiles on a car at Tapai village in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. This was the third missile attack during the past 24 hours in the area, raising the death toll to 15.

Two officials of the FC were injured in a remote-controlled IED attack on an FC vehicle near Changai area of Khyber Agency.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government primary school for boys at Rehmatullah village in Changai area of Landikotal. The total number of schools destroyed in Landikotal has reached 13.

Agha Mahmood Ahmedzai, a local leader of the BNP-M, was killed when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire on him in Kalat District.

Unidentified armed militants torched two NATO containers carrying military hardware for ISAF and NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan in Surab area of Kalat District.

The Major General (retired) Director General of the Counter-Intelligence Wing of ISI Nusrat Naeem may be interrogated by the Federal Investigation Agency’s joint investigation team (JIT).

Anti Terrorism Court No 3 awarded death sentence to Umer Adeel who was arrested from Baraf Khana Chowk in Lahore District for planning a suicide attack on vehicle of an Intelligence Agency in September 2007. Police recovered two hand grenades from his possession.

March 15

Ten militants were shot dead by SFs in retaliatory attack at San Pakka Kandau area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Two SFs personnel were also sustain injuries.

SFs killed six more militants in retaliation action after militants attacked a security checkpost in Torgar area of Tal tehsil.

Six more persons, including two activists of the People’s Amn (Peace) Committee (PAC), two workers of the MQM and one man of PPP, were killed in the ongoing wave of target killings in Karachi. An MQM activist, Lal Muhammad was installing a flag on an electric pole along with other party men in Korangi when more than half dozen armed assailants opened fire on them, killing him on the spot and injuring two other party activists.

Police found the bullet-riddled body of an MQM activist youth, identified as Azhar, from 100 Quarters, Korangi in the limits of Zaman Town Police Station.

More than a dozen armed assailants entered Fariya Street, Kharadar and opened indiscriminate fire, killing two activists of PAC on the spot and injuring four others.

Another activist, Imran, of PAC was shot dead in Khadda Market. He was sitting with his friend near his house when two unidentified armed militants shot him dead.

A younger brother of Vice President PPP District Central was shot dead near Goal Market in the limits of Nazimabad Police Station.

SHO Mazhar Shah and ASI Mukhtayar Khan, of Par Hoti Police Station and four militants were killed during an encounter at Iranabad area on Fatima Road in Mardan District.

A militant, identified as Rab Nawaz Khan, was killed and three others were arrested in a search operation by SFs in the Adezai area of Peshawar. Official sources said that the Rab Nawaz Khan was facilitator of the suicide bomber, who had blown himself up on March 9 during a funeral in the Adezai village, leaving 43 people killed and over 50 injured.

Police foiled a bid to smuggle a cache of arms and ammunition to down country from tribal area and arrested two arms dealers in Kohat. 10810 cartridges, 12 pistols, one shotgun and one Kalashnikov were recovered fro the car.

March 16

Ten militants were killed and one security man was injured in a clash in Ghaljo area of Upper Orakzai Agency in FATA. A security convoy coming from Bori in Sukkur District of Sindh province to Ghaljo was attacked by militants.

A United States (US) drone fired missiles at a militant hideout at Amboor Shega area in Dattakhel tehsil in North Waziristan Agency, killing six militants.

Three schoolchildren were injured when a mortar shell exploded near Parvera area in Zorbandar area of the Bajaur Agency.

Three NATO helicopters violated Pakistan’s airspace and flew over Angoor Adda, a border town in South Waziristan Agency.

The driver of a NATO tanker was killed and the cleaner sustained bullet injuries when four NATO oil tankers were set on fire by unidentified militants on the National Highway in Ganji Dohri area of Mastung District.

Shamim Qureshi, a cadre of the MQM-H was shot dead at Karimabad Bridge in the limits of Gulberg Police Station in Karachi. It was reported that the victim belonged to Bhola Qureshi faction, and also had links with Lyari gangsters.

Two containers, carrying fuel supply for NATO and allied forces in Afghanistan, were attacked and set ablaze after unidentified militants opened fire at them in Peshawar.

SFs claimed to have arrested eight TTP suspected militants during an operation in the Kohat District. The suspects were arrested for their alleged role in blowing up two telephone exchanges, three educational institutions and a basic health unit a fortnight ago in Darra Adamkhel.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government banned the entry of Afghanistan bound oil tankers carrying oil for the NATO troops.

US authorities charged Ferid Ahmed Imam, a fugitive Canadian with training terrorists linked to al Qaeda in Pakistan ahead of an attempt to mount an attack on New York.

March 17

A US drone missile strike killed at least 41 persons in the Datta Khel of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. The death toll was one of the highest in a drone missile strike. An official said the drone attacked a vehicle in the area that was passing by a house where local tribesmen were holding a meeting, killing them.

The TTP killed an alleged spy and threw his body in Shni Kalay area of Frontier Region Kohat. The deceased was later identified as, Hamid Khan Afridi, a resident of Pirwalkhel village located in Akhorwal area. Tariq Afridi faction of TTP claimed responsibility.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government girls’ primary school in the Alam Khani area of Sheikhmal Khel in Landikotal. The total number of Government schools destroyed in Landi Kotal has reached 14 whereas the figure in the entire Khyber Agency has crossed 40.

Three FC personnel, two Policemen and one militant were killed, while 12 others injured in attacks in different areas of Balochistan. An FC vehicle was patrolling the area along the Rabi canal in Naseerabad District when a bomb exploded near it killing two FC personnel Kaleemullah and Ghulam Sarwar and injuring seven others.

Another FC trooper was killed and another injured when a bomb placed in a car in Badani Cross area exploded.

A head constable was killed and two other Policemen were injured when unidentified militants opened fire on a check-post in Daulatpur area of Jaffarabad District. One militant was also killed during the encounter.

Three Anti-Narcotics Force personnel were injured when a bomb exploded near a bus-stop in Turbat District while the ANF vehicle was passing through the area.

A bullet-riddled body of Syed Mohammad Shah, a head constable was found in a nullah in the Spani road area.

A remote-controlled bomb planted on the railway track near the Dingra station was detonated when Bolan Mail was passing, damaging its engine and injuring three railway employees.

A SI Mohammad Iqbal and his son were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Orangi Town of Karachi.

A Sunni Tehreek activist, Farooq Qadri was shot dead in a target killing incident at Gosht Market in Bhimpura area under Risala Police Station in Karachi.

A former bodyguard of MQM-H leader Amir Khan was shot dead on Suparco road in the jurisdiction of Mobina Town Police Station. The victim was also an activist of MQM-H.

Unidentified militants attacked at a truck terminal located near Karkhano Market in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and torched two containers carrying goods for NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Suspected militants attacked a Police checkpost at Achini Bala area in the outskirts of the Peshawar. However, the attack was successfully repulsed.

A militant, identified as Hafiz Usman Ghani, suspected of detonating a car bomb near the security agency office in Faisalabad District on March 8 was arrested.

March 18

Four persons were killed and two MQM workers injured in different incidents of on going target killing in different areas of Karachi.

Three persons, including two brothers, were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jinnah Town area of Quetta in the night. The deceased were identified as Mobin, Abdul Matin and Didar Ali. Mobin and Abdul Matin were brothers.

Four SFs personnel were injured when their convoy was targeted with a remote-controlled bomb in the Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Reacting to the deadly drone attack on a traditional jirga (tribal council) on March 17 in the Datta Khel of North Waziristan Agency in FATA that killed 41 civilians, the tribal elders announced waging jihad against the US and its allies. Speaking during a hurriedly called press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, head of the North Waziristan’s Peace Committee Malik Jalal Sarhadi Wazir described the March 17’s drone attack as a barbaric and inhuman act against innocent people.

TTP threatened to avenge the death of innocent people in the drone strikes. A statement issued by TTP ‘spokesman’ Ihsanullah Ihsan said the attack was a ‘blind retaliatory’ operation launched by the US government in revenge for imprisonment of Raymond Davis in Lahore.

The US led NATO commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus said ON March 18 that it was ‘hugely important’ that Pakistani Army take action against terrorists in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. General David Petraeus credited Islamabad with battling terrorists elsewhere but said the campaign needed to move to North Waziristan, where members of the al Qaeda and Haqqani networks are based.

March 19

Power supply to 15 Districts of Balochistan has been disrupted, as unidentified militants blew up two electricity towers of 220-KV and 132- KV in Mach area of Bolan District. A QESCO spokesman Shafqat Ali said that the unidentified militants had planted an explosive device with the 132-KV and 220 KV double circuit electricity towers of high transmission lines which detonated, suspending the power supply to 15 Districts of Balochistan.

Unidentified militants blew up a bridge in Shindand area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

March 20

At least 15 persons, including three activists of MQM and two of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP), were killed in the ongoing wave of target killing in Karachi.

Two Police constables were killed by three unidentified militants at a Tape Road picket near Data Durbar area of Lahore District.

Eight tribesmen were injured when a passenger van came under an ambush on the Kurram Agency Highway in Kotki area of the Hangu town in the Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A portion of the railway track was damaged when a bomb went off at Wattar area in the limit of Nowshera Kalan Police Station in Nowshera District.

A militant commander of the Swat chapter of the TTP, Noorani Gul, was handed down a consecutive prison term of 120 years by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Malakand Division in its first-ever verdict. The militant is also liable to pay a fine of PKR two million. Gul was accused of publicly slaughtering Mohammad Iqbal, a class-IV public servant working in the Matta Police Station on July 17, 2009.

Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction of TTP protested against the drone attacks in North Waziristan Agency in FATA and said that if drone attacks were not brought to an end, he would end the peace deal with the Government.

March 21

Eleven persons were killed and two others sustained bullet injuries when unidentified militants opened fire on them at a camp set up by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) in Paleri area some 20 kilometres from Gwadar city in Gwadar District. BLF claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Five militants were shot dead by SFs when they tried to escape from their custody in Matta area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They were identified as Aizaz Rehman, Zarawer Khan, Islam Din alias Osama, Attaullah and Inamullah. They belonged to Matta area near Mingora.

Two would be suicide bombers, riding a motorcycle, were killed when explosives strapped to their bodies went off in Gur Wali area of Dera Ismail Khan District.

Militants shot dead four alleged US spies, an Afghan national among them, in the NWA of FATA. One body was found along a road in Dattakhel, two in Dosali and the body of the Afghan national was recovered from a place in Mir Ali. The sources said that the four men were abducted from different areas of the NWA about two weeks ago. Since January, 17 alleged spies have been killed.

A trooper was injured when he stepped on a landmine in Chinari area of Safi tehsil in Mohammad Agency.

Three persons, including political adviser of the ANP’s minister, an activist of MQM and the younger brother of another MQM activist, were killed in the ongoing spate of target killing in Karachi. Advocate Haji Hanif Khan, who served as ANP Zone West’s General Secretary as well as the adviser to ANP’s Labour Minister Ameer Nawab, was shot dead near Agha Building within the limits of SITE-A Police Station.

An activist of MQM, Sajjad Butt, was shot dead at Madina Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal in the jurisdiction of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police Station when two unidentified assailants opened fire on him killing him on the spot.

One Raza, a brother of MQM activist was shot dead while another injured in Qasba Colony within the limits of Pirabad Police Station while he was standing outside his house with a friend when unidentified armed assailants opened indiscriminate fire, killing Raza and injuring his friend.

Three persons including a Sub-Inspector and a militant were injured in a bomb blast occurred near Rail Bazaar Police Post in Gujranwala District.

Police arrested a group of suspected militants from Jalil town and recovered a cache of explosive material along with some gadgets and weapons from their hideout which included, 14 bags, each containing 20 kilogrammes explosive material, a time-device, electronic gadgets used to detonate explosives, gunpowder, four hand grenades, a Kalashnikov, three pistols, extremist literature and fake beards.

The parliamentary delegation on Kashmir led by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will soon visit Belgium, Germany and Poland to lobby for support on the Kashmir issue. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has approved visits to the three countries by a six-member delegation "to win their support on the Kashmir issue," said a statement issued by Prime Minister Office.

March 22

The bullet-riddled body of Hameed Shaheen, a former chairman the BSO, was recovered at Sardar Karez area within the jurisdiction of Shalkot Police Station in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Hameed Shaheen was abducted allegedly by Security Forces from the outskirts of Quetta on March 19 when he was travelling to Karachi. Police said that local people spotted a dead body at Sardar Karez area and informed Police.

Six SFs personnel were injured and their vehicle was destroyed when their convoy hit a roadside bomb in Alam Godar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. Sources said that the SFs convoy was on its way to Alam Godar for a search operation in the morning.

March 23

Three rocket attacks in Quetta left four persons, including a traffic Police inspector dead and 18 others injured.

Two mutilated and decomposed dead bodies were found in the limits of the Vindar Police Station in Lasbela District. The dead were identified as Arif Noor, a Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) official, and Nawaz Mari, a resident of Vindar.

Three persons, identified as, Mahboob, Usman and Akbar, belonging to the Jhelum District of Punjab province, were injured in a hand grenade attack on a shop in Hazarganji area of Quetta.

Unidentified militants attacked and torched three trailers in an area near Sibi District carrying supplies for NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Rawalpindi-bound Quetta Express was partially damaged in a bomb explosion near Mangoli area of Naseerabad District, suspending train service on the railway track between Sibi and Jacobabad.

A powerful explosive device, planted by suspected militants in the middle of a link road in Matani area of Peshawar exploded and killed Miskin Khan, the owner of an animal cart and his two animals.

12 Police men, sustained injuries when their mobile van was targeted by remote-controlled bomb in Darsamand area of Doaba in Hangu District.

Two power pylons were blown up in Gulo Khan Village of Badhber in Peshawar.

Unidentified militants blew up a power pylon and damaged a telephone exchange in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Officials said that they neutralised another powerful explosive device in Jamrud tehsil.

Malir Cantonment in Malir town of Karachi escaped a rocket attack and damaged a mosque named Jamia Masjid Mustafa near Kala Pul. One rocket hit the wall of a mosque in the limits of Saudabad Police Station, while other hit a crop field in Malir area.

March 24

At least eight persons, including a Policeman, were killed and 25 others injured when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate of the Doaba Police Station in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A TTP spokesman, Ahsanullah Ahsan, claimed the responsibility for the attack over telephone from an undisclosed location.

Four unidentified dead bodies were found in the fields of Gul Bela area within the premises of Daud Zai Police Station in the suburbs of Peshawar.

Eight militants were killed when SFs pounded suspected locations with artillery shelling in Ghiljo tehsil of Orakzai Agency in FATA. The injured SFs personnel were identified as Rehman Khattak and Mohammad Rehman Bhettani.

A power pylon of a high transmission line was blown up near the Sibi District. Unidentified militants planted explosive materials with a power pylon of 132 Sibi-Harnai transmission lines that went off with an explosion destroying the tower.

A terrorist plotting to target the ongoing cricket World Cup has been arrested, Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik claimed. He said there was a "serious attempt" at carrying out a terrorist attack during the ongoing cricket tournament and that a terrorist was arrested. Rehman Malik, who did not identify the nationality or the affiliation of the alleged terrorist, made the revelation at a joint briefing with Interpol chief Ronald Noble in Islamabad, saying that the International Police Organisation had helped to uncover the plot. New Delhi had been informed of the plot, the Pakistan interior minister said, as he also claimed that the Taliban had spread its tentacles to India.

March 25

At least 13 passengers were killed and eight injured, while around 33 were abducted by suspected militants in an attack on a convoy of passenger vehicles in the Kurram Agency of FATA. Sources said that the victims were Turi tribesmen who belonged to the Shia sect. The convoy had entered Kurram Agency after crossing the Chapari check-post via Thall tehsil in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sajid Hussain Turi, the Member of National Assembly from Kurram Agency, has said that the attack on the minibus proved that the agreement signed by the two warring tribes on February 5 is a useless document. The attack on passengers by terrorists was a failure of security agencies and a serious breach of the Amman Jirga (peace deal) that the Sunni and Shia tribes had signed, he added.

Unidentified militants killed one Sajjad Ali (16) on charges of spying and his bullet riddle dead body was recovered from Spin Qabar area of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.

Militants blew up two more girls schools in Landi Kotal and Bara tehsils and demolished with explosives another bridge at Akakhel.

The continuing wave of target killing claimed the lives of five persons including two MQM-H carders, two MQM activists among the 12 others. In one incident, Muhammad Sabih, nephew of an MQM-H chief, was going somewhere on his motorbike when two assailants opened fire at him killing him on the spot. In a separate incident, an MQM-H activist, identified as Anwar, was gunned down in Landhi area in the precincts of the Landhi Police Station in Karachi.

Dead body of an MQM activist, Furqan, was found in a gunny bag near Ice Depot, Bhimpura, in the limits of the Nippier Police Station.

A former nazim (convenor) of the MQM’s Haq Parast group was gunned down near Pan Mandi in the limits of the Risala Police Station.

A Shia man, identified as, Ali Hussain, was shot dead on Nishtar Road in the limits of the Soldier Bazaar Police Station.

Two personnel of Levies Force were killed and two others injured when a roadside bomb ripped through their vehicle near the Toor Afghan refugee camp in Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The slain personnel were identified as Hawaldar Mutabar and driver Hamid Khan. Sepoys Rashidul Haq and Muhammad Inamullah were injured.

Four Policemen were injured in a rocket attack by militants near Darwazgai area of Matani on the outskirts of Peshawar. Four Policemen injured in the attack were identified as Akhtar Nawaz of Badbher, Zahidullah of Sufaid Dheri and Attaur Rehman and Mohammad Asif of Matni.

Unidentified militants blew up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline in Pirkoh area of Dera Bugti District.

A rocket was fired from an unknown location which hit a house in the Satellite Town area of Quetta. No casualty was reported.

A Hindu religious leader Maharaj Lakshmi Chand Garji and his companion Venod Kumar were released without paying any ransom money to the abductors near Surab area of Kalat District. Maharaj had been kidnapped, along with his four companions, on December 21, 2010, near Surab. The abductors released three people within hours after abduction while continued to detain Maharaj and Venod Kumar.

Federal minister for Interior Rehman Malik disclosed that the Government has arrested the militants who plotted the conspiracy to murder PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007 and those who executed it.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said that Pakistan had limited options after the September 1, 2001 debacle and took a decision to join the coalition against terrorism to avoid an international isolation. Addressing Rotary Peace and Goodwill Conference, Kasuri said terrorist attacks in the US and its aftermaths in terms of American policies directly impacted South Asia.

March 26

Eight dead bodies, including that of a student leader, were recovered from various areas of Balochistan. According to official sources, six bodies were thrown near the Sui area of Dera Bugti District. A BRSO organiser Kohdil Bugti and his father Ali Baksh were among the dead, BRP spokesman Sher Mohamad Bugti, said. Two of the victims were identified as Shah Baksh Bugti and Rahmdil Bugti, while identity of the remaining two bodies could not be ascertained. The BRP spokesman accused security forces of the killing. "The victims were kidnapped some few months ago and had been killed during illegal detention at the hands of security forces," he said.

Another body was found from the mountainous area of Turbat. The victim was identified as Mohammad Saleem, a Karachi resident, who was listed missing a few weeks ago. Another body presumed to be that of a 22 –23-year-old-man was recovered near the Killi Almas area of Quetta.

Two Government schools were blown up in separate blasts in the suburban areas of provincial metropolis Peshawar. An official of Matani Police Station said that militants carried out five explosions at Government Boys Middle School Sharikera and as many in Government Boys Primary School Adezai at about 1.30am.

The volunteers of Adezai Qaumi Lashkar escaped a bomb blast in the Matani area. The residents said that a bomb, planted in the middle of Matani-Adezai Road to target volunteers of lashkar, exploded at midnight without causing any loss of life.

The Government will pay compensation to the families of 39 people who died in a US drone strike in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Civilians and Police were among those killed when missiles hit a compound in Datta Khel, 40 kilometres west of Miranshah on March 17. Tribal administration official Asghar Khan said a compensation package was ready for the victims’ families.

March 27

Four persons, including a woman, were killed and several others sustained injuries when unidentified militants fired a rocket at a vehicle in Shahidano village near Kurram Agency of FATA.

Three decomposed and mutilated dead bodies, including that of a zonal organiser of the Baloch Students Organisation-Azad (BSO-A), were recovered from different parts of Balochistan. According to official sources, body of a missing student, Fareed Baloch, a zonal organiser of the BSO-A, was found near a river in Ferozabad area of Khuzdar District.

Another body was recovered from Saryab area of Quetta. However, identity of the victim could not be ascertained.

The Balochistan Levies recovered a bullet-riddled body from Awaran District. The victim was identified as Saleh Muhammad.

Unidentified terrorists blew up an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline near Sui in Dera Bugti District.

An ANP activist, identified as Gul Zameen, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Karachi.

The SFs arrested an Afghanistan militant in a raid on a house in Mamoo Banda area of Hangu District and recovered dozens of local and foreign cellular phone SIMs from his possession.

Maldives Police released Iqbal Mohamed suspected of plotting an attack on the Cricket World Cup taking place in South Asia. Iqbal was arrested on March 10 as he arrived at Male International Airport from Pakistan following a tip-off from the international Police organisation, Interpol. Federal Minister for Minister Rehman Malik and Interpol chief Ronald Noble announced the arrest last week, with Malik saying a "serious attempt" at an attack had been foiled.

The elements within the TTP, based in North Waziristan Agency of FATA, have established a separate vigilance cell to hunt down persons suspected of providing vital intelligence to guide the United States in its drone campaign. Known as Lashkar-e-Khorasan (LeKh), the group’s only purpose is to identify, capture and execute persons allegedly working for what is described as a web of local spies created by the CIA. The LeKh draws it strength from both the Haqqani network and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, two militias that control the regions along the Afghanistan border.

Former President Pervez Musharraf during an interview with Time magazine admitted that Pakistan is a "very dangerous" country. "It is very dangerous, yes, I will have to admit," Pervez Musharraf adds. Being asked, which is more of a threat to Pakistan, extremism or India he said that "At the moment, its extremism and terrorism. But you can't compare. Let's not think this is a permanent situation". "The orientation of 90 per cent of Indian troops is against Pakistan.

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during an interview with ABC News said that US regrets civilian death in drone attack. America had "a very difficult relationship" with Pakistan and relations were far from ideal, adding that "It’s a very challenging relationship because there have been some problems". "We are very appreciative of getting our diplomat out of Pakistan and that took cooperation by the government of Pakistan", she added further.

March 28

At least 14 paramilitary troops, among them two senior officers, were killed in a militant ambush on their convoy in the Akakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. The slain officers were identified as Lieutenant Colonel Sheraz, Captain Islam. The troopers belong to the paramilitary Mehsud Scouts and Khyber Rifles. According to reports, the paramilitary troops arrested about 170 tribesmen for their suspected links with the militants in an operation in the Sipah Yousaf Talab area of Bara in the afternoon. An official source said that many of the arrested tribesmen had links with the TTP.

Unidentified militants blew up a primary school for girls and a high school for boys in Jawaki area of FR Kohat. Sources said that several time devices were planted in the classrooms and boundary walls of both the schools.

Political administration officials neutralised a sabotage attempt by defusing explosive device planted by suspected militants at a Government-run school in Gang area of Salarzai tehsil in Bajaur Agency.

An activist of Dawat-e-Islami, identified as Asghar Ali Attari, was gunned down in Mawach Goth within the limits of Mauripur Police Station in Karachi.

One Jamsheda Bibi and her three children, identified as Shafa Imran, Umar Saeed and Amar Aila, were injured when militants attacked Ara Khel village of Kohat District on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with rockets. Officials said that the rockets were fired from Darra Adamkhel side.

Police arrested a seminary student for his alleged involvement in the bomb blast of Hashtnagri area of Peshawar, which left 18 persons injured on March 25.

The driver of a container, carrying military hardware for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, suffered bullet injuries when unidentified assailants attacked the container near Kalat District.

Unidentified assailants abducted a doctor, Mumtaz Hyderi, near the Golimar intersection on Brewery Road in Quetta.

March 29

A bomb planted by suspected militants went off outside the Khyber Homoeopathic College in Sharifabad area of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police claimed it has arrested six more alleged terrorists belonging to TTP, over the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. Lahore Police reported that the arrested terrorists belonged to the TTP, adding that one of them, identified as Amanullah alias Asadullah, had masterminded the assault on the Sri Lankan cricketers in March 2009. The other terrorists were identified as Ubaidullah alias Zubair, Mohsin Rasheed, Muhammad Javed Anwar alias Chaudhry, Qari Muhammad Ashfaq and Umaidur Rehman Qamar alias Zubair.

A top Indonesian terror suspect, Umar Patek, involved in October 2002 Bali bomb attack was arrested in Pakistan. However, there was no detailed report about the place of his arrest. Patek, a suspected member of the al Qaeda linked militant outfit Jemaah Islamiyah, is believed to have served as the outfit’s ‘deputy field commander’ in the nightclub bombings that left 202 people dead.

About 90 per cent of Orakzai Agency has been cleared of militants and the internally displaced people should now quickly return to the safe areas, said Orakzai Political Agent Riaz Khan Masud said.

March 30

13 persons, including a Policeman, were killed and more that 20 others were injured in an incident of suicide attack in Swabi town, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to security sources, the suicide bomber, riding a motorbike, blew himself up near a Police checkpost on Ambar Interchange on Islamabad-Peshawar motorway, which was close to a camp set up by the JUI-F for a public meeting.

March 31

A suicide bomber struck a convoy carrying JUI-F Chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, near the DCO office on Nowshera Road in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 12 persons and injuring 42 others, reports Daily Times.

Five persons, including a man and his son, were killed in a remote controlled explosion near Tump area of Turbat District in Balochistan. As result of the explosion, Rahm Dil and his son, Bahar, and three of his security guards died on the spot while their pickup was completely destroyed.

Three persons were killed in a landmine explosion in the Duki area of Loralai District. According to official sources, a private vehicle, carrying three persons, was going to Chamalang from Duki when their car hit a landmine placed on the roadside.

Unidentified militants opened fire on a tanker carrying oil for NATO forces in Afghanistan, killing its driver and setting the vehicle ablaze near the Wadh town in Khuzdar District.

A man was injured when four rockets were fired on Khuzdar University of Engineering and Technology in Khuzdar town. According to the Police sources, four rockets were fired on Khuzdar University from an unknown location by unidentified militants.

SFs killed eight militants and injured several others during a search operation in Kurram Agency of FATA. A cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered during search operations in the area.

During a visit to India in 2007, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had hinted at offering his services as a mediator between the US and Taliban, diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks revealed. The cables published by the Indian daily The Hindu say that US Assistant Political Counsellor Atul Keshap reported on May 3, 2007, that officials had met on April 27, 2007 Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind (JUiH) leader Mahmood Madani and Pandit N. K. Sharma, who claimed close ties with the Gandhi family, after Maulana Fazl visited New Delhi from April 22 to 26.

April 1

Nine militants were killed when Security Forces launched a counter-offensive after the militants attacked a checkpost in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Three SFs personnel, identified as Sajid, Mirza Tabassum and Azeem Khan, were injured during the offensive.

Unidentified militants beheaded three watchmen at a NATO trucks’ terminal near Landi Kotal railway station in the Khyber Agency. The slain watchmen, Hijran Ullah, Hafiz Ullah and Amaldar Shinwari, belonged to the local Shinwari tribe.

The under construction portion of Samendar Kot high school was blown up in Dandy Darpakhel area of North Waziristan Agency.

A tube-well was blown up in Doog village in the South Waziristan Agency.

A suicide bomber killed a child and injured 10 other persons after he was identified and shot at in Darra Adam Khel town of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sources said that a would-be suicide bomber was identified as he tried to enter the crowded market in Darra Adam Khel. Tribesmen tried to over power him but he blew himself up when he was shot at, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring 10 people, a senior administrative official said.

Unidentified militants blew up two electricity pylons in Bazid Khel area adjacent to the frontier region of the District. Officials said that due to the destruction of 132KV power pylons, electricity was suspended to Mianwali and Dera Ismail Khan.

A bullet-riddled body of a Baloch missing person was recovered in Barech town on Saryab Road of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The deceased was identified as Rehmatullah Bangulzai.

Four bogies of the Peshawar-bound Quetta Express derailed after a bomb explosion on the railway track near Dera Allahyar in Jaffarabad District of Balochistan.

April 2

Four militants were killed while another 12 injured in the factional clash between Mangal Bagh-led LI volunteers and their opposition force, led by commander Toti Khan, in the far-flung areas of Zakha Khel Bazaar in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. So far, four militants have reportedly been killed, including an LI ‘commander’ identified as Toti Khan, while, 12 others from both sides were injured, local sources of Zakha Khel confirmed. Many prisoners, who were kept for extortion money, fled from the private jails of the LI when the two sides fought each other, a source in Malik Deen Khel tribe in Kata Koshata informed.

11 soldiers were injured when a convoy of SFs was ambushed with a remote-controlled device in the Akakhel area of Khyber Agency.

At least two persons were killed and three others were injured in a remote-controlled bomb explosion in Kushak area of Kohlu District in Balochistan.

Two persons were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at a NATO container in Wadh area of Khuzdar District.

One person injured in the bid to explode the car of Badhber Qaumi Lashkar (community militia) leader in Sulemankhel area on the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Source said that vice-president of the Badhber Qaumi Lashkar, Mukamil Shah, who is also a leader of Awami National Party, just passed through the area when the blast occurred. He escaped unhurt, he source added. Another motorcar, passing through the area, was damaged in the blast, he said. The driver identified as Akbar Khan received injuries.

Police arrested two suspected militants and recovered a truck packed with explosive materials in the jurisdiction of the Chamkani Police Station. The recovered explosives include 2,250 safety fuses and 10,000 detonators. The arrested persons were identified as Dawood of Kamar Bara and Khursheed of Kachori.

April 3

At least 41 persons were killed and more than 100 injured when two suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the shrine of Sufi saint Ahmed Sultan, popularly known as Sakhi Sarwar, in Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab. TTP claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings. "Our men carried out these attacks and we will carry out more in retaliation for Government operations against our people in the northwest," TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said.

Two accomplices of suicide bombers were arrested. The detainees included a suspected suicide bomber identified as Fida Hussain, a 15 year-old Afghan refugee from FATA.

Ten TTP militants, including five top ranking ‘commanders’, were killed during an encounter SFs in Tor Chapar village of Darra Adamkhel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The slain ‘commanders’ were identified as Qari Ikramullah, ‘second in command’ of TTP Amir for Darra Adamkhel and Khyber Agency Sarfraz Ayubi, Qari Mubeen, Qari Javed and Abdul Manan.

SFs killed seven LI militants through gunship helicopter shelling in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.

The factional clash between Mangal Bagh-led LI volunteers and their opposition force, led by commander Toti Khan turns a new turn when the Ansarul Islam joined the Zakha Khel tribe’s militants in Mira Kholey.

Earlier on April 2, it was reported that four militants, including LI opposition force ‘commander’ identified as Toti Khan, were killed. Toti Khan belongs to Zakha Khel tribe. Ansarul Islam militants attacked a secret jail of Lashkar-e-Islam and rescued 20 persons who had been abducted by LI from Peshawar and Khyber Agency for ransom.

Clashes between the two militants groups were reported in other parts of the Khyber Agency as well. The clashes between the Zakhakhel tribe and the LI begun after the LI killed Maulana Muhammad Hashim, a tribe member. The tribe is demanding that LI hand over those militants who were responsible for the abduction and subsequent killing of Maulana Hashim.

The voluntary repatriation of internally displaced families from the conflict-hit Bajaur and Mohmand Agency will start from April 11. The FATA Disaster Management Authority said that the programme of voluntary return would continue till May 20. However, officials said that none of the IDPs would be forced to leave the camps, set up for them in Jalozai and Risalpur.

Presently around 15,000 IDP families have been residing in these camps. The plan of voluntary repatriation is also applicable to around 65,000 displaced families living off-camps. "The return of these IDPs will be in accordance with international standards, which does not allow forced return," said Allah Dad Khan, in-charge of Jalozai camp, situated around 10 kilometres off the G.T. Road from Pabbi town.

The Director General of FATA Disaster Management Authority, Arshad Khan, also said that they had finalised arrangements so that all Bajaur and Mohmand IDPs, who left their homes as a result of operation against militants in their respective areas, could go back with honour and respect. According to FATA Disaster Management Authority, the number of displaced families from Bajaur Agency are 50,000 whereas the displaced families from Mohmand Agency are over 30, 800.

Three dead bodies of BRP leaders were found in Pash-Bogi area, 30 kilometres off Dera Bugti District. The dead bodies were identified as Khatiran Bugti, Ghulam Qadir and Pir Jan.

Chairman of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VFBMP) said that as many as 121 bullet-riddled bodies have been recovered from different parts of Balochistan in the past eight months.

Two persons, including an activist of the ANP and the younger brother of Sunni Tehreek activist were killed in Karachi. Police found body of ANP local leader Nasarullah Niazi in a gunny bag from Bihar Colony, Lyari, within the limits of Chakiwara Police Station.

The CID claimed to have arrested a Lashkar-e-Balochistan (LeB) militant Abdul Qadir Kalmati alias Raketi while he was planting explosives at the Garden Police Headquarters in Karachi. A raid at a place near the Kathore Mor led the Police to the goldmine of weapons, where they found 107 dynamite sticks, four electronic detonators, an anti-tank mine, a BM rocket and 10 remote-control switches.

A Daily Times report said that target killing spree claimed the lives of 160 persons in Karachi in March 2011. The target killings started on the strike day announced by ruling PPP against the dismissal of a high up on the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

April 4

A teenage suicide bomber killed an anti-TTP lashkar leader, Muhammad Akbar (55), and seven other persons near a bus terminal in the Jandol town of Lower Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Two workers of the ASWJ, formerly known as SSP, were shot dead near Liaquatabad underpass in the limits of the Liaquatabad Police Station of Karachi. The slain activists were identified Abu Hashim (28) and Zubair.

Dushmankhel tribe chief, Sardar Amanuddin Mehsood, was killed in Wana, the head quarter of South Waziristan Agency, in FATA. According to sources, unidentified militants had abducted him two months ago and his body was found near the Shewkai Narai area of Wana.

The death toll in April 3 Sakhi Sarwar shrine blasts rose to 49 when eight of the injured died at the Dera Ghazi Khan District Head Quarter Hospital in Punjab.

Intelligence agencies arrested three persons, identified as Mati Jan Afghan, Abdullah and Ustad Fasehullah, in connection with the Dera Ghazi Khan Sakhi Sarwar twin suicide blasts from Chakri Interchange in Rawalpindi. All three of them suspected to be linked with TTP.

Al Qaeda and its affiliated militant outfits based in tribal belts of Pakistan are grooming alternative leaders and splitting into small cells to confuse counter-terror agencies and to survive in the face of sudden fatalities, The Express Tribune quoting intelligence officials in Islamabad and associates of the outfit in South and North Waziristan Agencies reported.

Another al Qaeda-affiliated outfit based in the same region and led by veteran militant leader Ilyas Kashmiri too is in the process of creating several small cells to cause confusion and for the division of labour. The HuJI was converted to al Qaeda’s 313 Brigade and then renamed as Lashkar-e-Zil.

April 5

Three ‘commanders’ of LI were killed in fighting with Zakhakhel lashkar in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Sources said that the lashkar killed Khan Zakhakhel, the suspected head of the LI execution squad, along with his family after torching his house on the second day of fighting. The sources claimed that Khan Zakhakhel carried out executions on the orders of Mangal Bagh.

Two militants belonging to TTP were killed when TTP and Ansarul Islam exchanged heavy fire in Peer Mela Zakha Khel area in Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency. Three other TTP militants were also arrested by the Ansarul Islam.

A TTP ‘commander’, Noor Mohammad Khwaidadkhel, and his bodyguard, Fazl Mahmood, were killed and two civilians injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at a weekly festival in Baggun village of Kurram Agency.

Two government schools and a basic health unit were blown up in different areas of Haleemzai tehsil in Mohmand Agency.

A farmer, Dilawar Khan, was killed when a rocket fired by militants at a military checkpost exploded in a field in Akhorwal area of Darra Adam Khel in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The bomb disposal squad neutralised a mortar recovered near Gulu Bera on a roadside in Junglekhel town.

A NATO container driver, identified as Abdul Hameed, was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on the container in Wadh area of Khuzdar District of Balochistan.

A new White House Report warned that Pakistan still has no clear path to triumph over insurgents, and said Afghanistan’s Taliban was turning more and more to soft civilian targets. The semi-annual White House Report to Congress is designed to judge progress or otherwise towards key objectives of the war in Afghanistan and operations against al Qaeda in Pakistan, now nearly a decade old.

April 6

Four children were killed and three others injured when an explosive device planted near a pond in Jerma village of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa went off.

Three children and a woman were killed and another woman was injured when a shell hit the house of one Toor Mulla in Selai area of Bezai tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA.

Four Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were injured in a remote-controlled explosion in Mashky area of Awaran District. According to details, an FC convoy was heading towards Khuzdar from Mashky when it hit an IED near Nokjo.

Unidentified assailants hurled a hand grenade at a house in Goth Faiz Muhammad, in the limits of the Mir Hassan Levies Police Station in Chattar tehsil of Dera Murad Jamali.

Two NATO oil tankers were set on fire by unidentified terrorists near the Qamabari Bridge in Dhaddar of Bolan District.

Police arrested a TTP militant, involved in several bomb blasts in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir, from outskirts of Islamabad. Police sources said that Faisal Shabbir Abbasi belonged to the Hakimullah Mehsud’s faction of the TTP.

The use of terror groups such as LeT by Inter Services Intelligence came in for a lambasting at the House of Representatives during a hearing on foreign policy priorities and needs amidst economic challenges in South Asia. In a well-attended hearing at the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill, members of the Congress pressed top Obama administration officials on the core question of why, after USD 20 billion had been pumped into Pakistan over the last decade and over a billion dollars had been supplied under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman bill, anti-American sentiment in Pakistan was still so strong.

The Barack Obama administration is offering USD five million for information leading to the Ilyas Kashmiri, described as ‘chief ‘of al Qaeda's shadow army, Lashkar-e-Zil. A statement encouraged anyone with information about Kashmiri’s location to contact a US embassy or consulate, an American military commander or the US government’s "Rewards for Justice" office. The State Department said that Ilyas Kashmiri earlier lead the HuJI.

Expressing apprehension that the United States is being "taken for suckers" and "looked at as patsies" by Pakistan, two American lawmakers called for strengthening ties with India even as a White House report gave a harshly critical assessment of Islamabad's effort to defeat extremism. "After 10 years of hearing the same sales pitch I tend to doubt it. I doubt that our money is buying anything that's deep or durable," New York Congressman Gary Ackerman said at a hearing.

His California colleague Dana Rohrabacher went even further back to frame the situation in a historical context. "I've been hearing that for 50 years. And I will tell you, a realistic relationship, rather than basing the relationship on wishful thinking, is what will bring about peace in that part of the world. What we've had is wishful thinking and what I call irrational optimism," he said at a hearing called to assess U.S foreign policy priorities in South Asia.

April 7

Fifty militants and four SFs personnel were killed in bombings and clashes in different areas of Mohmand Agency of FATA. During the second phase of Operation Brekhna (lightning) in militant-infested areas along the Afghanistan border, SFs backed by warplanes, helicopter gunships and artillery pounded militant hideouts in Suran Darra, Mosakhel, Bahadar Kalley, Matai, Shinwari and Ghalingar areas of Bezai and Safi tehsils (revenue unit).

At least six militants were killed when SFs pounded their hideouts with artillery shelling in Darra Adamkhel town of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

One person was killed while 19 others were injured in a low intensity blast outside the country’s largest video CDs market ‘Rainbow Centre’ in Saddar Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

A suicide attack at the house of DIG Investigations, Wazir Nasir Khan, in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan killed two persons, including the bomber and a Police Constable. Sources said that the attacker entered the Residential colony of Police officers early in the morning at around 8am, in an explosive laden car which he rammed into the house of DIG Investigations.

A man, identified as Meskin Awan (50), was killed in a hand grenade attack near Chaman rail crossing on Jaffar Khan Jamali Road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Four persons were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on a NATO oil tanker in the Rabi Canal area of Dera Murad Jamali in Nasirabad District.

Pakistan rejected the highly critical US White House report of its efforts to defeat Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, saying it would not be held accountable for US-led failures in Afghanistan. "I would like to categorically state that we do not share the assessment of the US," Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua told reporters at a weekly briefing in response to a question on the White House document.

April 8

Two tribesmen and an Afghan national were killed on charges of spying for United States in two separate places in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Sources said that the dead body of Aziz, an Afghan national, was found near Nowrek village in Mir Ali tehsil and those of two local tribesmen, Inayatullah and Shah Wali, were spotted in Pir Kali area near Miramshah.

A person, identified as Abdul Hameed, was killed and 15 others, including nine FC personnel, were injured in a remote controlled blast in Chitkan Bazaar area of Panjgur District in Balochistan.

Unidentified militants blew up a power pylon of 220KV transmission line in Lehri area of Sibi District. Bomb Disposal Squad recovered 20 kilogrammes of explosive materials from another power pylon in the same area.

A person suspected to have links with Afghan Taliban was arrested along with explosives during search of the Quetta-bound Chaman passenger train at the Chaman railway station.

The SHO Shoba Police Station Abdul Satar and his security guard Husnain were injured in a powerful bomb explosion at Rehman Colony in Shoba Bazaar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Crime Investigation Department of Sindh Police arrested two suspected militants belonging to the Qari Shakeel group of TTP from Sohrab Goth of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The arrested militants were identified as Shahid alias Goli and Mohammad Sharif alias Malang.

Umar Fidayee (14), the teenage suicide bomber who was arrested as an accomplice to suicide attackers of the shrine of Sufi saint Ahmed Sultan, popularly known as Sakhi Sarwar, in Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab on April 3, confessed that up to 400 suicide bombers are being trained in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

April 9

SFs killed seven militants in Matta area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to sources, militants were trying to force their way into the Matta area, when SFs opened fire in retaliation, killed seven militants.

A police official, identified as Head Constable Javed Iqbal, and another man, Jan Mohammad, were shot dead in Musa Colony of Sariab Road area in Quetta of Balochistan in the night.

Two more decomposed bodies of missing persons were recovered in Tasp area of Panjgur District in Balochistan. Sources said that both the victims had been shot in the head multiple times.

One Army official died in a clash with militants in Saafi area of Mohmand Agency in FATA.

30 suspected militants were arrested and five land mines were also neutralised by the SFs in Saafi area.

Three suspected militants were arrested by SFs from the Civil Lines Police Station of Lahore in Punjab. Explosives and other items were recovered from their possession.

A total of 3,169 people have been killed and 6,540 others injured in 2,488 terrorist attacks in Pakistan and PoK during the past three years, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said in a written reply to a question in the Senate or upper house of Parliament. Rehman Malik said that 1,579 people were killed in 2008-09 while another 1,590 lost their lives in 2009-10. There were 1,157 acts of terrorism during 2008-09 and 1,331 incidents of terror during 2009-10. The rest of the incidents occurred 2011 year. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bore the brunt of suicide attacks, which killed 1,524 people in the region. Punjab recorded 605 deaths, Sindh 134, Islamabad 125 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 11.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that regional cooperation and trans-national linkages are essential for effectively fighting terrorism and South Asian countries have a collective responsibility to frame strategies to rid the region of militancy. President Asif Ali Zardari made the remarks during a meeting with visiting SAARC Secretary General Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed.

April 10

Four LI militants including a ‘commander’ were killed during the clash with the members of Zakhakhel lashkar in Bazaar Zakhakhel area in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Two SFs personnel were killed and seven others injured when militants ambushed the convoy in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand Agency. Officials said that SFs were engaged in a search operation in Suran Darra area of Baizai when they came under attack.

Behram Khan, the main accused of plotting twin suicide attacks on Syed Sakhi Sarwar’s shrine near Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab on April 3, was arrested from Gharigaal area of Mamond District in Bajaur Agency along with five other associates.

Atleast hundred families have migrated from Bazaar Zakhakhel area in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency to safer places due to fresh clashes between Zakhakhel tribe and LI. Amid the intense gunbattle between Zakhakhel lashkar and Mangal Bagh-led LI, locals have started migrating to safer places in Landikotal, Jamrud and Peshawar via Ali Masjid route. Mehboobul Haq-led Ansarul Islam is also backing the Zakhakhel lashkar in Maidan, Sanda Pal and other areas in Tirah Valley.

Unidentified militants blew up a natural gas supply pipeline in Loti of Dera Bugti District.

Terrorists based in Pakistan do not want the country to normalise its relations with India, says Pakistani Ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani. In a seminar at the Harvard University, Ambassador Haqqani also described the Sub-continent’s partition as "the worst divorce" in history and urged both India and Pakistan to work together to reduce tensions.

April 11

MQM-H Vice-Chairman Akhtar Hussain and three others, including a passerby woman, were gunned down while at least three others were injured in an incident of target killing within the limits of Ferozabad Police Station in Karachi. The incident occurred at Tariq Road traffic signal when MQM-H (Afaq group) VC and other party's workers were returning from the Central Jail after visiting Afaq Ahmed.

Three militants and a Policeman were killed and another official sustained injuries in a clash at Jamrud Road of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. CCPO Liaquat Ali said that a police party led by ASI Sajid Iqbal Khan was on a routine patrol when militants ambushed their vehicle near Hayatabad Industrial Estate at about 2am.

Police neutralised a bomb planted outside the residence of Jamaat-i-Islami provincial General Secretary Shabir Ahmed Khan in Afghan Colony under Faqirabad Police Station of Peshawar.

Three people, including a religious cleric, were killed and 13 others, including a woman and children, were injured in a landmine explosion in Kanrakai area of Kurram Agency in FATA.

Unidentified militants blew up two power transmission towers in Qayum Abad and Bayankhel areas of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency.

Army jet fighters and helicopter gunships pounded suspected militant hideouts in Baizai and Safi tehsils. The artillery also targeted militant positions in Mattani and Suran Darra. However, no casualty was reported.

Three FC personnel, including a Major, were injured when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device planted along with Khysar Bridge in Naushki District of Balochistan. A passer-by, identified as Ghulam Yasin, was also injured in the blast. A spokesman for the Baloch Republican Army claimed responsibility for the blast.

A trooper was injured when a landmine exploded in Neligh area of Dera Bugti District.

A 26 inch diameter pipeline, supplying gas to Guddu power station from Sui, blew up near Guddu in Kashmore District of Sindh.

A Pakistan-born computer engineer, Farooque Ahmed (35), sentenced to 23 years in prison by a US court after he pleaded guilty to charges that he tried to assist suspected members of al Qaeda in planning bombings at Metro rail stations in the Washington area.

The JuD 'chief' Hafiz Mohammad Saeed made a rare public appearance in Islamabad to lead the funeral prayers for Kashmiri leader Maulvi Showkat Ahmed Shah, killed in Srinagar, and used the occasion to rubbish the India-Pakistan cricket diplomacy while vowing for a "jihad" in Jammu and Kashmir.

The US is committed to improving its relationship with Pakistan, despite tensions over the shooting deaths of two Pakistanis by a CIA contractor, said US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter. Speaking at a seminar titled "Pakistan-US: A Way Forward", jointly organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the US embassy, Munter spoke of a "renewal" in Pakistan-US relations and noted America's many humanitarian programmes in the country.

April 12

Eight militants were killed and 12 others injured when jet fighters, helicopter gunships and artillery pounded their hideouts in Mattani, Suran Darra, Wali Dad Kor, Ghanam Shah and Sheikh Baba villages in Baizai and Safi tehsils of Mohmand Agency in FATA.

Unidentified militants blew off Bacha Khan Education Foundation middle school at Khuga Khel in Shinwari area of Landikotal in Khyber Agency in the night. However, no human loss has been reported in the blast.

Militants who were driven out by the 'spring cleaning operation' of FC in the FR of Peshawar in February 2010 are returning to their old strongholds. "Militants fleeing the ongoing operation in Tor Sapari area of FR Kohat have moved back to Maroofkhel, Tauda Cheena, Pakhi Parizi and Aka Khel areas bordering the Peshawar District, FR Peshawar and Khyber Agency," said the sources.

Three MQM activists and one ANP supporter were shot dead in two different incidents of target killings in Karachi. Police officials said unidentified assailants on a motorcycle appeared in Mehmoodabad Gate and opened fire on three MQM workers when they were collecting data for the ongoing census, resultantly all three died shortly after the firing. The victims were identified as Syed Asif Ali (44), Muhammad Naeem (42), and Muneer Ahmed (56).

A supporter of ANP was killed and another was injured in a firing incident in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area. The deceased was identified as Shamsul Haq and injured as Ali.

Two civilians, identified as Imran and Nazir, were injured when militants fired about a dozen rockets at Thall Fort in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A high ranking US General, Admiral Robert Willard, Head of the US military's Pacific Command, expressed concern to Congress about the expanding reach of the LeT, warning it was no longer solely focused on India or even South Asia. LeT, one of the largest and best-funded extremist militant outfits in the region is blamed for the November 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which killed 166 people in India's commercial capital.

April 13

Only a day after a four-hour meeting between the heads of ISI and the CIA of the United States held to reset strained ties between the two agencies, missiles fired by US drones killed seven suspected militants and injured four others near Angoor Adda in SWA of FATA.

Pakistan lodged a protest with the United States over the Angoor Adda drone attack, describing the continued drone raids as a 'core irritant' in counter-terrorism cooperation. "Pakistan strongly condemns the drone attack at Angoor Adda today.

The timing of the latest attack is also being seen as meaningful because it took place at a time when ISI Chief General Shuja Pasha was on his way home from Washington after talks with his counterpart, CIA Director Leon E. Panetta. General Pasha had called for limiting the scope of drone attacks to North Waziristan as a precondition for reviving the stalled counter-terrorism cooperation.

A Washington Post report quoting US defence officials have claimed that there is no plan to suspend or restrict the CIA's drone campaign in Pakistan, and that the agency has not been asked to pull any of its employees out of Pakistan.

Seven more people, including four MQM workers and one ANP activist, were killed in separate incidents of target killings that continued to plague Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Unidentified assailants shot dead three MQM workers and injured another person at an estate agency near Mohajir Chowk in Orangi Town. The dead were identified as Habib (33), Waqas (24), and Zaheer (44) while injured was identified as Irfan.

A MQM activist, Shahbaz Rafiq (45) and an ANP worker, Hazratullah, were shot dead in Sohrab Goth.

A passerby was killed when unidentified assailants attacked the ANP ward office with heavy gunshots.

A driver, Barkatullah (45), was shot dead near Saba Cinema in New Karachi. Police said the victim was a Pakhtoon speaking.

Five officials of BDS received injuries while defusing a 500 kilograms explosive device near Sardaryab area of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police arrested four TTP 'commanders' during a raid in Maskini Darra of Lower Dir District. The four TTP 'commanders' were identified as Nimatullah, Umar Bacha, Saifur Rahman and Abu Bakar.

Unidentified militants blew up a natural gas supply pipeline in the Loti gas field in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan.

Pakistani authorities refuted the Chilean Police's claim of having arrested the brother of JeM 'chief' Maulana Masood Azhar, accused of coordinating the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane on December 24, 1999, saying the Chilean authorities had nabbed someone else.

JuD said that it will give new talks with India a chance but had little faith they will succeed and believe it is only a matter of time before they will have to fight again. For now, many of them are engaged in peaceful pursuits such as small businesses, teaching or social welfare, and they face severe Pakistani restrictions on crossing LoC separating Azad Kashmir (PoK) and Indian held Kashmir.

April 14

At least 18 militants were killed and another 25 injured in clashes with SFs in Baizai and Safi tehsils of Mohamad Agency in FATA. Two soldiers were killed and 10 others injured in the clashes.

Six persons, including two activists each of the MQM and the ANP, were killed ongoing wave of target killings in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

The Sindh Law and Parliamentary Minister Mohammad Ayaz Soomro has condemned the act of terrorism in Karachi and described it a conspiracy hatched by anti-democratic and criminal elements against the present Government.

Religious leader Maulana Abdul Kabir Qadri Qambrani and a student of his seminary, Dur Khan, were killed and his son and another student were injured in an attack in the Sariab Road area of Quetta.

Unidentified militants blew up Khobai Educational Academy, a private high school, in Khobai area of Shabqadar tehsil in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Two suspected militants from France have been arrested in Pakistan after meeting a man accused of having ties to al Qaeda, officials said. The French men, who have not been identified publicly, were arrested at a bus stop in Lahore (Punjab) in January 25 after going there from the airport with a man identified as Tahir Shehzad, a Pakistani intelligence official said. Information from Shehzad led authorities to Umar Patek, an Indonesian al Qaeda-linked suspect detained on January 25, the official said.

COAS, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, appreciated the support extended by tribal elders in the war against terrorism, an ISPR press release reported. Addressing the tribal elders during his visit to Ghulam Khan in NWA and Peshawar, he acknowledged their sacrifices in war against terrorism.

A total of 957 civilians were killed in American drone attacks in the country 2010, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in its annual report. Report said that terrorist attacks in Pakistan left 2,542 people dead and 5,062 others injured in 2010. "Target killings" in the country's port city of Karachi saw the death of 237 political activists while in the southwestern province of Balochistan, at least 118 people were killed, the report said.

Pakistan would back a plan to allow the Taliban to open a political office in Turkey to help with talks to end the war in Afghanistan, a Pakistani official said during a visit by President Asif Ali Zardari to Ankara. "We have no reservations for such an office to be opened," the official said, on condition of anonymity. "We are not against it. As long as there's ownership from the Afghanistan people and the Afghanistan Government we will not oppose it," the official added.

April 15

Two SFs personnel and a militant were killed during a clash when a group of militants attacked a security post in Khapyanga area of Kurram Agency in FATA. The deceased SFs personnel were identified as Wasim Khan and Hakeem Khan.

A Government-run primary school was partially damaged when an explosive device planted by unidentified militants went off in Sholwai area of Malakand District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Supply of natural gas to the purification plant was suspended on April 15 after unidentified militants blew up a pipeline in Loti gas field area of Dera Bugti District.

Iran is building a concrete fence all along its 700-kilometres long border with Pakistan to stop cross-border movements of terrorists, Iran's Defence Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said. The three feet thick and 10 feet high fence, built with concrete and fortified by steel rods, will span the impenetrable mountainous terrain in south eastern Iran, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said.

The European Parliament rebuked Pakistan for the slow progress in the fight against militancy in the country and directed the European Commission to appropriate financial aid to Islamabad based on its sincere efforts to eradicate terrorist groups. The European Union Parliament issued two declarations reprimanding Pakistan about the dangers posed by the Taliban and calling for urgent measures for the security of the European Union (EU).

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, while strongly condemning drone attacks on April 14, said that they were counter-productive in law enforcement operations against terrorists. Talking to Haji Muneer Ahmad Orakzai, a MNA from FATA, Gilani said that the issue was being raised at all forums to convey Pakistan's concerns to NATO forces.

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced understanding for talks with the Taliban as she mourned late diplomat Richard Holbrooke, an avid proponent of reconciliation in Afghanistan. At a memorial service, Clinton credited Holbrooke with setting the troubled US relationships with Pakistan and Afghanistan on the right track as special envoy to the countries.

The CIA has no plans to suspend "operations" in Pakistan against terror suspects despite objections from leaders in Islamabad, a US official said on condition of anonymity. "Pakistan has criticised missile strikes by US drone aircraft in its tribal belt, but CIA Director Leon Panetta has told intelligence officials that he has a duty to prevent attacks on the United States," official said.

The News quoting an unnamed US official reported that the CIA has established its own spy network in Pakistan. According to the US official, the CIA established its spy network in Pakistan's tribal areas during the last two years.

A top Washington think tank, Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), has argued that recent examples of nuclear industry goods being smuggled from the United States to Pakistan highlight the need for closer monitoring and raise questions about how an ostensible "ally" of the U.S. could be involved in this illicit trade. Speaking to The Hindu David Albright, President and founder of the ISIS said the "U.S. Government and the nuclear industry need to be working closer together" if such smuggling rings were to be detected.

April 16

Targeted killings claimed eight more lives, including that of activists of the MQM, ANP, MQM-H and a police officer, in different parts of the provincial capital of Sindh, Karachi.

Three TTP militants and a trooper were killed during an encounter in Tangi Badinzai area of Laddah tehsil in SWA of FATA in the night. The militants attacked a checkpoint in Tangi Badinzai area, killing a member of security forces and injuring two others.

The bullet-riddled body of an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), identified as Muhammad Hamid Baloch, was found in Bhawani area on the RCD Highway in Lasbela District of Balochistan. No group has claimed the responsibility for the killing so far.

Unidentified militants blew up a gas pipeline in Pir Koh area of Dear Bugti District, forcing the suspension of supply to a gas purification plant.

Unidentified assailants set ablaze a tanker, carrying fuel supplies for NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan, on the National Highway in the limits of the Sadar Levies Station of Dera Murad Jamali town.

Federal minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that drone attacks cannot be stopped we are trying to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on the formation of a joint commission to carry forward the reconciliation process, following the withdrawal of foreign troops from the insurgency-torn country. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, who held exhaustive talks here at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, described the parleys as "historic", saying that "the two countries stand together as they have shared destinies."

April 17

Three persons, including two Policemen, were shot dead in incidents of target killing in separate parts of the provincial capital of Sindh, Karachi. A Sub-Inspector (SI), Zulfiqar Qaimkhani (40), was shot dead in New Karachi Police Lane within the limits of New Karachi Police Station.

A Head Constable of Sukkhun Police Station, Ali Bux (35), was shot dead on National Highway in the limits of Shah Latif Police Station. Ali Bux was the resident of Hassan Panhwar Goth of Bin Qasim Town.

Police found a bullet-riddled dead body of an unidentified person from sector 11-A, in front of Nadeem Avenue under Khawaja Ajmair Nagri Police Station in North Karachi.

A Government primary school for boys was blown up by unidentified militants in Speen Kani Khurd street near the shrine of Sufi saint Kaka Sahib in the limits of Nowshera Kalan Police Station of Nowshera District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

At least 600 IDPs families of SWA will return home during the third phase of the repatriation programme starting on April 30. These people belong to Berwand and Maula Khan Serai areas of SWA. Some 900 families comprising 6,133 individuals returned to their homes in the first two phases of the repatriation plan.

Hundreds of cadres of Hizbut Tehrir, a banned outfit, successfully held a rally outside Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi. The activists called for replacing the present Government system in the country with caliphate (an Islamic political system). They raised slogans like "Say no to democracy", "We welcome Khilafah", "Kufar nahi Islam chahiey" (We want Islam, not secularism).

The United States will fail if Pakistan does not succeed in its war against terrorism, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said during an interview to Russian State-run news agency Novosti. Terming terrorism an international issue and highlighting Pakistan's status as a front-line state, Prime Minister Gilani said that US "has now realised that Pakistan is not part of the problem, but it can play an important role in efforts to solve this problem".

The Khyber Agency-based militant outfit AI claimed that Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) 'chief' Mangal Bagh has fled across the border into Afghanistan. The claim was made at a news conference in the Peshawar Cantonment, just a stone's throw from the offices of the Khyber Agency political administration. AI 'senior commander' Haji Akhunzada Kamarkhel and 'spokesperson' Qari Mehboob Khan told reporters that Mangal Bagh and his associates have fled to Afghanistan in the face of growing public opposition, which resulted from the constant vigilantism and repression of LI. "Bagh has taken shelter with Amin Shah Shinwari, a local drug baron in the Nazyan Shinwari area of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan," they added.

The suicide attacks are haram and totally against the teachings of Islam, and the suicide bombers are the enemies of Islam and Pakistan, speakers at a meeting organised by Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) in Islamabad said. Addressing 'Istehkaam-e-Pakistan Sunni Conference' at Minar-e-Pakistan, SIC Chairman Sahibzada Haji Muhammad Fazal Karim condemned the terrorist attacks in the country, especially at mosques and shrines of Sufis, and called for open trial of terror suspects.

April 18

At least four persons, two security guards and two labourers, were killed in separate incidents in Chamalang area of Loralai District and Barkhan Districts of Balochistan. In the first incident, an explosion took place when two personnel of the Marri SFs deputed near Chamalang coalfield stepped on a landmine placed on a non-metal road in Surgari area. Both the security guards received critical splinter wounds and died on the spot.

Unidentified militants opened fire at a camp set up by a construction company in Dada Shah Mehmood area of Barkhan District, resulting in the death of two workers, identified as Muhammad Bakhsh and Sajjad Ahmed, and injuring two others.

Two persons were killed in incidents of target killings in different parts of Karachi. A MQM activist, identified as Mirza Imran Baig was shot dead in Rizwan Society, Gulshan-e-Iqbal area in the jurisdiction of Sacchal Police Station in Karachi.

In another incident, an activist of the PPP, identified as Asghar was shot dead while another, Ahmed Ali was injured in Orangi Town within the limits of Pakistan Bazar Police Station.

Unidentified assailants opened fire on the house of MQM's joint in-charge Central Information Committee (CIC) Saif Abbas in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area within the limits of Gulberg Police Station. However, no casualties were reported.

Sindh Police claimed to have arrested five alleged target killers involved in the recent spate of target killings through separate encounters and the Police recovered one Kalashnikov and three 9mm pistols from their possessions. According to CID Police, four target killers were arrested after a brief encounter within the remits of Eidgah Police Station. The arrested were identified as Owais Baloch, Zahid, Liaquat and Shah Jahan.

New Karachi town Police claimed to have arrested a target killer, one Waqas, who belonged to the MQM-H in the limits of Khawaja Ajmair Nagri Police Station and recovered 30 bore pistols from his possession. Waqas confessed during initial course of interrogation that he targeted three MQM activists in Mehmoodabad and three others at Mominabad area after the killing of his party leader Akhter Hussain.

Two militants were killed and one SF sustained injuries during clashes in Koz Chamarkand area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency in FATA.

Unidentified militants shot dead a tribesman, identified as Imdad Hussain, in Hewas village of Kurram Agency.

SFs arrested a commander, identified as Abdul Akbar, of TTP Chapter of Orakzai Agency belonging to Hakeemullah Mehsud group along with his accomplice from a clinic in Frontier Region Kohat.

An ATC sentenced to death one Maqsood alias Soodi who killed two Christian brothers accused of blasphemy on July 7, 2010.

Police arrested a militant, identified as Behram who allegedly masterminded suicide attacks on the shrine of Sakhi Sarwar in Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab on April 3. Behram confessed to the investigators that Ayub, a resident of Bajaur Agency in FATA planned to kill those worshipping graves.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly demanded immediate halt to US drone attacks in FATA. The resolution also demanded of the US Government to provide drone technology to Pakistan so as precise action could be taken against militants. The drone attacks were counterproductive and also spread hatred against America, it added.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani urged the US to end its drone strikes in Pakistan and said that Washington should share intelligence better to allow the country to wage its own war on terror. While speaking in the National Assembly, Gilani said that the issue of drone strikes was discussed in detail during his meeting with US House Speaker John Boehner and that he appraised Boehner about the growing unrest among the public due to the US unmanned aerial strikes.

Pakistan's Finance Minister dismissed the report that his country is a major recipient of tens of billions of dollars in US aid and termed it as "a myth". Shaikh said in Washington that the US had not delivered what it promised under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Law aid package, which is meant to provide USD 7.5 billion in civilian aid over five years. The law passed in 2009, authorized USD 1.5 billion a year. "There is a perception that there is a lot of money going to Pakistan," Shaikh said, adding, "It is largely a myth that Pakistan is a beneficiary of tens of billions of dollars. The truth is that in the Kerry-Lugar-Berman arrangement this year we have not even received $300 million".

The CoAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said that troops deputed in Balochistan would return to their barracks soon and no operation would be carried out in the province without a permission of the Provincial Government. The CoAS claimed that not even a single Army unit was conducting any operation in Balochistan, adding that only two battalions were present in Sui area of the province. Balochistan chief minister was responsible for maintaining law and order in the province, remarked Kayani, adding that the troops would be pulled out and then responsibility would be taken over by the Balochistan FC.

April 19

A bullet-riddled dead body of a doctor, identified as Mumtaz Haider, who was abducted on March 28 was found in Killi Kamalo area on Saryab Road in Quetta, the Provincial capital of Balochistan.

Suspected militants targeted the offices of two NGO, Tehrik and Mehak with a car bomb, injuring three people, including a Security Guard, on Al-Gilani Street in Quetta. According to Police reports it was a remote-controlled bomb that targeted the offices of two NGOs, which operate with local and foreign help to promote education and creating health awareness in Balochistan.

Two persons on a motorcycle were injured in a landmine blast that took place in Jani Berri area of Sui tehsil in Dera Bugti District.

A cadre of the MQM-H, identified as Amir Ahmed, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Jewellers Market in Korangi within the limits of Awami Colony Police Station in Karachi, the Provincial capital of Sindh. According to the Sindh Home Ministry, 500 murders have taken place during 2011, while 114 lives have been lost due to target killing. Meanwhile, police claimed to have arrested five persons involved in target killings.

The roofs of three rooms of the Civil Lines Police Station in Faisalabad District of Punjab collapsed when the explosive material seized from a militant named Usman exploded accidentally, injuring a constable.

Police claimed to have foiled a potential terrorist attack in Faisalabad after arresting two alleged terrorists, Asmatullah of Bannu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Rehman of Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab, and seized 24 kilogrammes of explosive from their possession.

Fighter jets and helicopter gunships bombed suspected militant hideouts in different areas, including Suran Darra, Walidad Mena and Seem Ghakhi of Mohmand Agency in FATA. However, no casualty was reported.

SFs neutralised four landmines and recovered seven boxes of Kalashnikovs cartridges, 600 cartridges of various calibres during search in Sheshmahal area of Pandyali tehsil.

At least 80 militants, wanted in various cases, surrendered before SFs in Safi tehsil.

A jirga of Masud Safi and Dawaizi tribes in Mohmand Agency assured full cooperation to the SFs and political administration and unanimously decided to impose PKR two million fines and set ablaze the house of tribesman providing shelter to militants in the area.

The interlocutors and guarantors of Kurram peace deal will meet in Islamabad to chalk out a strategy for recovery of 35 passengers, who were abducted from Thall-Parachinar Road in March 26, 2011. They will discuss ways to salvage the peace agreement that collapsed only after month it was put into effect.

Lawmakers and tribal elders of Kurram Agency unanimously decided in Islamabad to take up the issue of 35 passengers abducted from Thall-Parachinar Road on March 26, 2011, with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor besides pressing the SFs for ensuring safety on the route.

US and Pakistani leaders agree they cannot afford to let security ties unravel, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Army Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said, even as he acknowledged persistent strains, including alleged Pakistani links to terrorists staging attacks in Afghanistan. "We're working our way through the relationships that the ISI has with the Haqqani network and the strain that that creates," Mullen said, even as he cited battlefield gains reducing the group's mobility.

April 20

Nine militants and one SF personnel were killed during a clash and shelling in different areas of Mohmand Agency in FATA. In the first incident, the militants attacked security personnel when they were advancing in Suran Darra area, killing one SF and injuring five others. Later, the SFs retaliated, with helicopter gunships and jet fighters targeting militant positions in Suran Dara, Walidad Top and Matai areas, killing nine militants and destroying several hideouts.

The TTP killed a truck driver and his helper in Baizai town of Mohmand Agency for supplying livestock to East Afghanistan province of Nangarhar.

Masked militants slit the throat of a tribesman, identified as Malang Meerak, for assisting SFs in Sheen Drang area of Bara tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber Agency.

A spokesman of militant outfit LI contradicted the news about fleeing of their leader Mangal Bagh to Afghanistan. Talking from an undisclosed place the LI spokesman said that Mangal Bagh was still in Tirah valley leading his volunteers against Zakhakhel lashkar and Ansarul Islam.

Unidentified terrorists blew up a commercial market belonging to a Naib Subedar of the Levies Force in Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency causing a loss of PKR eight million.

Elsewhere in the Khyber Agency, SFs arrested five suspected LI militants, identified as Sher Rehman, Mohammad Rehman, Gulmir Khan, Yaqub Khan and Qabil Shah, from Landikotal Bazaar.

Four persons, including three Shia men and a Policeman, were killed in incidents of target killings in different parts of Karachi in Sindh. Three persons, including son-in-law of Allama Hassan Turabi, were shot dead in the jurisdiction of Aziz Bhatti Police Station.

A Policeman was shot dead in Jalbani Goth in the limits of Malir City Police Station. Police Constable Mohammad Ayub, 40, hailed from Chakwal in Punjab.

Special Investigation Unit (SIU) claimed to have arrested a target killer, Tahir alias Rizvi, from Orangi Town along with a TT pistol from his possession. The officer informed that Tahir was involved in three murders committed in the Manghopir area as well as recky and pointation of targets.

A bullet-riddled dead body of an unidentified person was found in Choko area of Awaran District.

A professor, identified as Abdul Hameed Mengal, of Engineering University in Khuzdar District was abducted by unidentified assailants.

A man, Mohammad Ayub, was abducted when he was on his way to his home.

TTP blew up a private FM radio station in Umer Abad area of Parang Police Station in Charsadda District by planting explosives around the building. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

Militants blew up a Government high school in Bosti Khel village of Darra Adamkhel town with explosives. No loss of life was caused in the explosion.

Police arrested three assailants, identified as Aamir, Shafi and Shabbir, suspected of target killings in Karachi from Laskian area in Sargodha District.

Police arrested three Afghanistan nationals, Liaquat, Badshah and Habib Noor, for illegal stay in Fateh Jang area of Attock District under Foreign Act.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) indicted 21 persons, including Maulana Abdul Aziz, his wife Umme Hassan, his daughter Tayyaba and other seminary students in a case of the murder of a ranger's official on July 3, 2007 Red Mosque operation. The accused pleaded not guilty and the Court adjourned the hearing till May 3.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, in an interview with a private TV channel in Islamabad on April 20 that Pakistan's external intelligence agency, ISI, still has ties to militants fighting in Afghanistan, during a trip to Islamabad on Wednesday that was focused on fence-mending in the wake of diplomatic tensions. "The ISI has a long-standing relationship with the Haqqani network. That doesn't mean everyone in the ISI, but it's there", Admiral Mullen said.

Pakistan's perceived foot-dragging in tackling strongholds in North Waziristan Agency in FATA belonging to the Haqqani network and its continuing relationship with it was 'the most difficult part' of the US-Pakistani relationship, Mullen said in a separate interview. "Haqqani is supporting, funding, training fighters that are killing Americans and killing coalition partners. And I have a sacred obligation to do all I can to make sure that doesn't happen. So that's at the core - it's not the only thing - but that's at the core that I think is the most difficult part of the relationship," Mullen said.

An unnamed senior Pakistani intelligence official told Reuters, "... If he means we're providing them with protection, with help, that's not correct." Claiming that Pakistan had attacked Haqqani's positions and raided his mosques in the past, he added, "Right now, we are not attacking him because we are fully engaged against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)."

The US will not abandon its drone programme in Pakistan but how it goes forward is a matter for the US, Pakistani intelligence and military officials to determine, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff a US official said. "The programme is something that we have said we go ahead on. The question is how. And that process is going to be something that is going to be one of the main tasks that our intel and our military guys have," the official said.

A Pakistani schoolboy, who failed in his suicide bomb bid as his partner launched an attack at a Pakistani shrine April 3, has spoken of the terror mission and how he was brainwashed by the Taliban. "All I was thinking was that I had to detonate myself near as many people as possible. When I decided it was the right time, it was a moment of happiness for me," the BBC quoted 14-year-old Umar Fidai, as saying.

April 21

At least 18 people were killed and 41 sustained injuries in a powerful blast that ripped through Rami Club building near Ghaas Mandi area of Lyari locality in Karachi, the Provincial Capital of Sindh.

Unidentified armed militants shot dead three leaders of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mehaz (JSMM) party at Bakhorri Mori area in Sanghar District. The dead were identified as Sirai Qurban Khuhawar, Rooplo Cholyani and Noorullah Tunio. JSMM Central Leader Hafeez Hakro alleged that the personnel of Law Enforcement Agencies were involved in both the incidents of killings, as the LEA accused JSMM of recent attacks on railways lines.

A PPP activist, identified as Noman Baig, was killed near his house in Rizwan Society, Gulshan-e-Iqbal within the limits of Sachal Police Station in Karachi by unknown armed assailants.

A bomb blast on the railway tracks between Shahdadpur and Lundo railway station damaged one feet piece of track suspending the traffic in the area.

The bodies of eight abducted passengers who were abducted on March 26 were found in Shahidano Dhand area of lower Kurram Agency FATA, were handed to elders of Turi tribes.

TTP in Baizai District of Mohmand Agency killed a truck driver and his helper for supplying cattle to Afghanistan. It was reported that around 20 terrorists armed with automatic weapons opened fire on three trucks soon after they entered the Baizai District dropping supplies across the border in east Afghanistan.

Around 23 terrorists, including some senior commanders of Mamoond tehsil of Bajaur Agency, voluntarily surrendered to the SFs.

Top 'commander' of TTP Waliur Rehman praised Mehsud tribe for not siding with the Government against Taliban in the South Waziristan Agency. "We congratulate the Mehsud tribe for rendering great sacrifices," Rehman said, adding, "Fellow tribesmen would always demonstrate such character in future.

It was reported that the Army claimed to have cleared the Suran sector in Mohmand Agency of militants and initiated the consolidation phase II of 'Operation Brekhna' launched to clear Suran sector adjoining Afghanistan border.

Militants beheaded a sympathiser, Niaz Badshah, of Adezai Qaumi Lashkar, which had been fighting against the TTP since 2008, and threw his body on the main Matani-Adezai Road in Peshawar.

Police claimed to have recovered huge cache of arms and ammunitions from two vehicles and arrested two drivers in the limits of Chamkani Police Station. The drivers of both the vehicles Sartaj Khan and Fahim were arrested on the spot for transporting the arms and ammunitions to Punjab.

A landmine blast in the Rabi Canal area within the precincts of Sadar Levies Police Station of Naseerabad District killed a 12 year old boy, identified as Mahwar.

A shopkeeper was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in the Bus Stop area of Panjgur District.

Unidentified assailants killed a property dealer, identified as Arshid Kurd, in Balochi Street area of Quetta.

Unidentified terrorists blew up a 4-inch diameter gas pipeline near Eastern Bypass, causing suspension of the gas supply to Rind Garh locality.

Two NATO oil tankers transporting fuel for NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan came under fire by unidentified gunmen on the National Highway in Dhaddar area of Bolan District. However, no casualty was reported in the incident.

Two fishermen, Gulam Nabi and Muhammad Ali, were injured in a landmine explosion within the limits of Doda Tiba Police Station in Jaffarabad District.

Pakistan's Army Chief Ashfaq Kayani in response to the top US military officer's accusation of April 20 that Pakistan's main intelligence agency maintains ties with terrorists rejected as 'negative propaganda' the suggestion that it was not doing enough to combat al Qaeda and TTP.

The US will provide Pakistan with 85 small 'Raven' drone aircraft, a US military official said on the condition of anonymity.

US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen told Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that the US linked the halting of the drone campaign in the tribal belt on the condition that the Pakistan military will launch a full-scale operation against the influential Afghan terrorist outfit, the Haqqani network, based in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

April 22

At least 16 SFs personnel were killed when militants attacked a security checkpost in Maskini area of Lower Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to security officials, 11 personnel of Dir Scouts, three of police force and two of Dir Levies were killed in the pre-dawn attack by a group of 500 militants from Kunar across the Durand Line on a hilltop post in Kharkai area of Maskini. Some 20 militants were also killed in the clash, security officials added. Officials said three local Policemen were missing after the incident.

An anti-terrorism court in Peshawar acquitted two persons charged in a bombing case that took place near Bara Qadeem checkpost in Peshawar which had left five persons dead and 20 others injured in 2010.

The Peshawar High Court dismissed bail petition of a suspected militant charged in a case of an ambush on the SFs on July 16, 2009, at Peuchar area in Swat which had resulted in killing of eight soldiers.

At least 25 persons were killed when US drone attack a compound owned by a tribesman, Gul Sharif Wazir, in Yazz Khula village of Spinwam area in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Earlier The News reported that seven people were killed. Out of 25 persons, 18 were militants and seven were civilians. According to local people, four children and three women were among those killed.

TTP militants abducted a pro-government tribal elder Malak Sher Khan alias Sheray from his house in Gakizai area of Lakkaro tehsil in Mohammad Agency. Later, his body was found in the area. The TTP Mohmand chapter 'spokesman' Sajjad Mohmand told reporters that they had killed him for having close links with political authorities. He said the man was going to head a tribal lashkar against TTP.

In another incident in the same area, a six-year-old girl was killed when a landmine planted by unidentified militants in front of her house exploded.

At least 63 militants laid down arms and surrendered to the Security Forces at a jirga at Dwaizai in Mohammad Agency. Sixty-two of them belonged to Dwaizai, Pandyali tehsil and one to Sagai area of Safi tehsil.

Bullet-riddled body of Muhammad Tariq was found from Suparco Road of Mawach Goth in the limits of Maripur Police Station in Karachi.

A former cadre of SSP, identified as Mohammed Nadeem, was shot dead in Sharea Faisal near Star Gate.

The death toll of the bomb blast that occurred on April 21 in Ghass Mandi rose to 19.

Unidentified assailants hurled a hand grenade at the house of a businessman in the limits of Defence Police Station on Tariq Road market. However, no causality occurred in the attack.

Two separate attacks, one near the Eastern Bypass area of Quetta and another in the sub-tehsil Baghbana of Khuzdar District, killed two NATO drivers, identified as Khayal Muhammad and Sahib Dad, carrying supply for forces stationed in Afghanistan.

At least three persons, identified as Punhal, Abdul Majeed and Ismail, were injured in a landmine blast within the limits of Doda Khan Police Station in Jaffarabad District.

Pakistan and the United States voiced confidence in taking their strategic partnership forward even as Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir urged a review of the drone attacks strategy in pursuit of militants who may be hiding on Pakistani side of the Afghanistan border. In a joint media appearance with the US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ambassador Marc Grossman, the top Pakistani career diplomat described talks in the steering group as 'cordial, constructive and engaging,' during which the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to an enduring partnership.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik categorically stated that the ISI was not involved in the Mumbai terror attack and maintained that Islamabad had no issues with New Delhi helping Afghanistan in its development provided there was no presence of the Indian Army on that side of the Durand Line.

The ISI 'chief' Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha has made it to the list of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world along with dignitaries like United States President Barrack Obama and his Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton.

April 23

SFs killed six militants and neutralised two hideouts in Khadezai area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Officials said that a curfew was imposed in the area to carry out a search operation, adding that during the operation an encounter took place between the SFs and militants.

A suicide bomber struck the vehicle of an anti-Taliban militia leader killing him and four others in Salarzai area, 65 kilometres (40 miles) northeast of Khar, the main town of Bajaur Agency. "A suicide bomber blew himself up before the vehicle of Malik Manasib Khan killing him and four others including a paramilitary soldier and wounding five others," Police official Javed Khan said. Malik Manasib Khan was the chief of Salarzai tribe, which had raised a village force and expelled TTP militants from their area. He was on a patrol along with paramilitary officials when the suicide bomber struck.

A person was killed while another sustained injuries in a landmine explosion in Dera Murad Jamali of Nasirabad District in Balochistan.

An eight-year-old child was killed and another person was injured when a remote-controlled bomb went off in the guesthouse of a former head of a peace committee in Shahoowam area of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Anti-drone rally organised by Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) activists halted NATO supply shipments to Afghanistan on April 23 after thousands of protesters rallied on the main road to the border to demand Washington stop firing missiles against militants sheltering inside the country. Police officer Khurshid Khan said supplies had been stopped until April 25 mornings because of the protest. The demonstration was held by the political party of Imran Khan, a former captain of Pakistan's cricket team. He has called for peace talks with the TTP and has long opposed the drone strikes in the border region.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that Pakistani investigators had collected enough evidence against the masterminds of the Mumbai terror attacks (November 26, 2008, also known as 26/11) and that he was confident that the courts would convict them.

The Army had broken the back of militants linked to al Qaeda and Taliban and the nation will soon prevail over this menace, the CoAS General Ashfaq Kayani said in a speech that followed criticism from the United States that it wasn't doing enough to fight militancy. "In war against terrorism, our officers and soldiers have made great sacrifices and have achieved tremendous success," he said in a speech to army cadets at Kakul military academy, north of Islamabad.

April 24

Two children were killed in two landmine explosions in Hamzani area of Jaffarabad District in Balochistan.

A dead body of a Policeman, identified as Naseer Ahmed Ronjho, who was abducted from Hub a few days ago, was found in a garden behind the office of the Lasbela District Police chief in Uthal.

The body of a local trader, identified as Jauhar Ali, who was abducted by unidentified assailants near his hometown Khungi in Dir town of Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was found dead in Alizai area of Arang in Bajaur Agency in FATA.

A woman was killed when a stray shell hit a house in the Kamalkhel village of Kandahari area of Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

Gunship helicopters continued to shell suspected positions in the Sheikh Baba area of Safi tehsil. However, no casualties were reported.

Five accused on suspicion of involvement in the abduction and killing of a tribal elder, Sher Mohammad, were arrested. Mohammad was reported to be abducted on April 22.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said that Pakistan's legitimate security demands must be taken into account on the question of Afghanistan. Legitimate demands of Pakistan on the Afghan question must be given due consideration, he said, adding, "US has great respect for Pakistan and wants to see it as a sovereign and stable state".

Former Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) head Samar Mubarak Mand said that Pakistan has the capability to shoot down CIA-operated drones. Mand said, "Pakistan had F-16 fighter jets, which were capable of shooting down any kind of drone predators," adding, "It was a strategic issue, therefore the final decision in this regard rested with the Government.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said, "We have to stand united against anti-state elements and it will be our greatest success that the nation should unite against terrorism and extremism," adding, "that no country could win a war without the support of people. The Government would not rest until and unless terrorism is eliminated, and all possible steps would be taken to give quality education to the citizens".

Army Major General Athar Abbas said that "There is no evidence that the LeT has global aspirations or was involved in the 2009 attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul," adding, "The LeT is a banned group that is being contained, and there is also no evidence with Pakistani authorities linking the LeT to militant groups operating in Pakistan's tribal areas. At the same time, Abbas said, "militant commander Ilyas Kashmiri, described by Indian and US officials as a key suspect in the Mumbai terror attacks, had played an "instrumental" role in planning an attack on the Pakistan Army's General Headquarters in Rawalpindi in October 2009.

April 25

At least 15 passengers, including eight women, five children and two men, were burnt to death and several others injured in the night when unidentified militants set a Quetta-bound bus on fire at Pirak area of Sibi District in Balochistan.

Five more bullet-riddled dead bodies of Baloch missing persons were found in Kech and Khuzdar areas of Balochistan. According to the Turbat Police, two bodies were found in Banartok Chatri area of Pasni Road, some eight kilometres away from Turbat City. They were identified as Zarif Baloch, resident of Kalatuk area of Kech, and Shameem Baloch, resident of Malikabad area of Tump. Zarif was travelling in a passenger coach from Karachi to Turbat when a group of armed men intercepted the coach and offloaded him near Nalyet area of Turbat on April 20.

Three bodies of activists of BRP were found in Sorgaz Zeddi area of Khuzdar District. Their identities were ascertained from the slips found from their pockets. The victims were identified as Muhammad Ayub Muhammad Hasni, a barber, who was whisked away some nine days ago from Khuzdar city, while two others were identified as Muhammad Hafeez and Ghulam Murtaza.

Militants released a trader, Haji Asghar Hussain Turi, also a former agency councillor, after receiving PKR 5.4 million as ransom in Kurram Agency of FATA. The abducted trader, Haji Asghar Hussain Turi, had been kidnapped along with 35 other passengers when militants attacked a convoy at Beggan area of Kurram Agency on March 26. Three passengers had also been killed and two others injured in the attack. The bodies of seven hostages were found in Shaheedan Dhand area near Afghan border.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik assured the National Assembly that law-enforcement personnel would be deployed within two days to secure the Thall-Parachinar road in Kurram Agency and help the besieged people of the area.

NATO supplying to Afghanistan was resumed after protesters against US drone strikes lifted a blockade. "Peshawar ring road has been cleared and re-opened for vehicular traffic," said a senior local administration official, adding that trucks will only be able to use the route from morning because of security reasons.

A suspect, identified as Mustafa Rehman Orakzai, belonging to Al Mukhtar faction of TTP, was arrested for his alleged involvement in the April 21 Karachi's Rami Club bombing in which 18 people were killed and 41 injured, from a hideout near the Nadiria hospital, off Superhighway, in Karachi.

Four more Pakistani conspirators have been charged by US prosecutors with carrying out the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks on behalf of LeT. In a second superseding indictment filed by the federal prosecutors before a court in Chicago, the four were identified as Sajid Mir, Mazhar Iqbal, Abu Qahafa and one by the name of 'Major Iqbal'. Besides, the indictment mentioned an unnamed individual "Lashkar Member D." All are residents of Pakistan.

The JuD 'chief' Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, mastermind of the 26/11 attacks, claimed India cannot prove his organisation's link to the 2008 terror strike and accused the Pakistan Government of succumbing to pressure from India and the US.

Another blow to already tense relations between the United Sates and Pakistan was dealt when leaked official documents of Guantánamo cables showed that the US administration had placed the ISI on a list of terrorist outfits. In the documents, leaked by the whistle-blowing WikiLeaks website, US officials rank the ISI alongside groups like Hezbollah, al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood. The Egyptian Islamic Jihad, the brainchild of al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman Al-Zawahiri, is also on the list of 70 terrorist entities. In a so-called threat indicator matrix used to determine which of the inmates at Guantánamo Bay can be released, a detainee's link to the ISI is seen as confirming his association with terrorism. The 17-page threat matrix is the first official US documents to have emerged that ranks the ISI among terrorist groups.

April 26

Twin bomb blasts targeting two Pakistan Navy buses, carrying officials to work, in Karachi killed four persons, including one civilian female doctor and injured 56 others. According to sources, the first blast hit a naval staff carrier bus with 50 personnel onboard in Defence area, killing two people, Sub-Lieutenant Iqbal and Doctor Shazia, and injuries 37 others. The second navy vehicle carrying 35 officials was hit by a timed bomb concealed inside a garbage drum placed by the side of a road in Baldia Town near Northern Bypass, killing two others, identified as Umar Farooq and a civilian employee Muhammad Sharif, and injuring nineteen others. Later, TTP claimed the responsibility for the blasts, and vowed more attacks on SFs. "SFs will be targeted in the future as well, because they are killing their own people in Waziristan and elsewhere on the behest of the United States," Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said.

One BC personnel, identified as Faiz Muhammad, was killed and three others sustained injuries in a landmine blast while they were on their routine patrol in Chatter area of Dera Murad Jamali city of Naseerabad District.

Unidentified militants blew up an eight-inch diameter gas pipeline near Loti Gas Field area of Dera Bugti District, damaging the pipeline and disrupting supply to the gas purification plant in Sui area.

FC and other Law Enforcement Agencies recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, which included several light machine guns, sub machine guns, 7.62mm and 7mm rifles, night vision goggles, scanners, radio sets and bullet proof jackets in Pat Feedar area of Jaffarabad District.

Militants blew up a Government-run primary school for girls in Adezai area on the suburbs of provincial metropolis Peshawar.

A tower of 1100 KV transmission line, supplying electricity from Tarbela Dam, was partially damaged when two bombs, planted by unidentified militants, went off in Swabi District.

Security Forces arrested four TTP, identified as Mohammad Zahir, Umair Khalil, Zia and Zakir, from Tarnol area of Islamabad. Sources said that they had a plan to target Islamabad's Red Zone and sensitive installations in Rawalpindi. They are cadres of Qari Zia group of the TTP, Bajaur chapter. The maps of Islamabad's Red Zone and sensitive installations and buildings located in Rawalpindi were recovered from their possession.

Osama bin Laden escaped US and British forces, closing in on his cave-haven hacked into the mountainside, with the help of a Pakistani warlord who provided guides to take him to safety in north-eastern Afghanistan. The al Qaeda supremo's successful flight from Tora Bora mountains in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan has been seen as an early lapse by the international military.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that attempts to defame the ISI internationally have always failed. "The ISI is never been involved in politics. It has served the country and nation tremendously," said Malik while briefing media at the Chief Minister's Secretariat after twin blasts in Navy buses in Karachi.

Algerian involved in Pakistan attacks was double agent, reveals WikiLeaks At least one Guantánamo Bay detainee discovered to be involved in a plot to attack the US Consulate in Peshawar and believed to have carried out a string of bombings in Pakistan in 2002, was also on the payroll for British and Canadian intelligence services, according to secret files on detainees at the Guantánamo Bay prison camp, WikiLeaks reported.

According to Mohammad, Abu Adil was responsible for attacks on two churches in Islamabad and Sialkot, and possibly involved in the May 2002 attack on Karachi's Sheraton Hotel in which 11 French engineers and three Pakistanis were killed. Hamili was recruited by foreign intelligence "because of his connections to members of various al Qaeda linked terrorist groups that operated in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

April 27

Four persons, including two activists of the PPP and one each of the ANP and the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) were killed in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Two PPP workers, identified as Iqbal and Hussain Abid, were shot dead while two activists of the People's Students Federation (PSF) were injured in firing by unidentified armed assailants near Safari Park, within the jurisdiction of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police Station.

One Mohammad Haris, an activist of JSQM was gunned down in Port Qasim Industrial Area within the limits of Sukkhun Police Station.

An ANP activist Asif was shot dead in the limits of Shahrah-e-Faisal Police Station.

Sindh Police and its CID arrested five alleged target killers. According to sources, a CID Police team raided a house in Mauripur and arrested one target killer, Bakht Chandio and recovered a TT pistol and ammunition from his possession.

The dead bodies of three LI militants were found in various areas in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. The body of Mohammad Ayub alias Boda, a local 'commander' of LI, was found in Sepah area of Bara.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a FC soldier, Islam Zada, in front of his house in Angor Korona of Shabqadar in Charsadda District.

Militants hurled hand grenade at the house of Qayum Khan, the headmaster of high school Shabqadar. The house was partially damaged in the attack.

Omar Hayat, an abducted lineman of TESCO, reached his home after he was released by his abductors. Six linemen of TESCO were abducted on January 8, 2011 by unidentified militants from Alamgudar area of Bara. One of them, Jan Mohammad, was released in the first week of February while Sabir Mohammad was freed one week ago. Aftab Hussain, Fateh Mohammad and Niaz Ali were freed on April 24 and Omar Hayat was released on April 27.

A passenger train was attacked and two eight-inch diameter gas pipelines were blown up in two explosions in Jacobabad District and Dera Bugti District. Unidentified assailants had planted an explosive device on the railway tracks near a bordering area between Jaffarabad District and Jacobabad District, and detonated the device by a remote control when the Karachi bound Bolan Mail from Quetta passed by the area. The blast damaged 20-feet-long section of the railway track, derailing the engine and four bogies of the train. However, no casualties were reported.

Unidentified terrorists blew up two gas pipelines in the Loti area of Dera Bugti District, resulting in disruption of the gas supply to the Sui plant. The BRA claimed responsibility for both the attacks.

Police arrested six persons, including three from Railway Police, after seizing a truck loaded with arms and ammunitions, being carried from Peshawar, at a picket near Grassy Lane on Rawal Road in Rawalpindi District.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani rejected the claims that the ISI had ventured into any project without the Government's knowledge, and that the country's intelligence agencies were subservient to the Government and were not involved in any act that was against national interests.

Quoting US military documents posted by WikiLeaks said that the mastermind of 9/11 attacks Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was warned by a senior al Qaeda military commander to not to kill Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in February 2002 and that he should be "returned back to one of the previous groups who held him" or "freed".

April 28

At least 33 militants, two pro-Government tribesmen and one trooper were killed in separate incidents in Kurram, Orakzai and Mohmand Agencies of FATA. Helicopter gunships pounded three militant hideouts in Mirandy, Sangraba and Chinarak areas of Kurram Agency, killing 25 militants and two tribal volunteers while injuring several others.

Eight militants were killed when SFs pounded suspected militant hideouts with heavy artillery in Khadizai and Mamozai areas of Orakzai Agency. Three hideouts were destroyed. SFs recovered a cache of weapons and dismantled several landmines in Ghaljo, Kandi Kalli and Takhshak villages.

A trooper was killed and five were injured when a landmine hit a security patrol in Ghalingar area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency.

A rural health centre was blown up by unidentified militants in Dhand Kodakhel area of the Mohmand Agency.

The Zakhakhel lashkar captured the main mountain tops from the LI militants in their fresh offensive in Khare Mela, Khar Ghot, Maidanak and Mangal Bagh Kandaoe, an official of Khasadar Force said.

At least five persons were killed and eight others injured after a bomb hit a Pakistan Navy bus in the Karsaz area of Karachi. According to sources, a bomb planted on a roadside exploded when a Pakistan Navy bus was passing by, killing five persons including a pedestrian, a female doctor and one naval officer.

Five persons were killed in separate incidents of target killing in different parts of Karachi in Sindh. Two brothers, Kamran and Khalid, who were also cadres of SSP, were shot dead by unidentified assailants at Manzoor Colony within the limits of Baloch Colony Police Station while they were sitting at their furniture showroom.

An activist of Kachhi Rabita Council, identified as Zubair, was abducted and later shot dead near Rehmania Mosque within the limits of Surjani Police Station.

Two persons who appeared to be Afghanis were shot dead in the jurisdiction of Surjani Police Station.

TTP claimed responsibility for the attack on the Navy personnel that killed five persons, including two civilians and three officers, and injured eight others.

Dead bodies of two persons, killed by militants on charges of spying, were found near Masha Mansoor area in the limits of Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan Police Station of Darra Pezu town of Lakki Marwat District. One of the slain persons was identified as Hikmatullah, a resident of Burghu Adamzai, while the other victim is yet to be identified.

Unidentified assailants shot dead two Policemen and took away their official rifles at Nasir Bagh Road of Peshawar in the night. Hayat Mir and Masood Khan, the policemen, were patrolling the road near Police Colony when unidentified assailants on motorcycle attacked and open fire on them, killing them on the spot. The assailants managed to escape along with the rifles of slain Policemen.

Two bullet-riddled dead bodies of missing Balochi persons, identified as Siddiq Edio, a HRCP activist, and member of BSO-A, Yousaf Nazar Baloch, were found at the Jaki area along coastal highway, some 60 kilometres from the Ormara Town of Gwadar District.

The secret files of WikiLeaks reported that Abdul Rabbani Abu Rahman aka Abdul Rahim Ghulam Rabbani admitted to US investigators that he had been directly working for Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, one of the masterminds of the 9/11 attacks, and that one of the sons of Osama bin Laden, Saaed Bin Laden, had been living in Karachi with his wife and son in 2002.

April 29

Three persons, including a former MPA of MQM Shaikh Liaquat Qureshi, were killed in separate incidents in different parts of Karachi in Sindh. Qureshi was going home in his car when unidentified assailants, shot him dead at Maskan Chowrangi in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.

A Pesh Imam of Dua Mosque was shot dead near his house in Garden East by two unidentified assailants.

A body of a youth who appeared to be a Balochi was found from Mewa Shah Graveyard in the limits of Pak Colony Police Station. The identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained.

The death toll of April 27 attack on Pakistan Navy increased to six, when one of the injured officers, Ashraf, succumbed to his injuries.

The Rangers claimed to have detained 11 suspects and recovered illegal weapons from their possession in Baldia Town.

Two Policemen and two militants were killed in an exchange of fire between the two parties in Chattar area of Naseerabad District. Official sources said a Police mobile van was on routine patrol when four unidentified militants opened fire at it near Piro Bridge in Chattar area, resulting in the death of ASI Wazir Ali Abro and Constable Rab Nawaz and injury of a constable, Rustam Khan. In retaliation, the Police killed two militants, who were later identified as Haro and Nabi Dad.

A person, identified as Khawand Bux, received injuries in a landmine blast in Sangsilla area of Dera Bugti District.

Unidentified militants blew up a gas pipeline of eight-inch diameter in Sui area disrupting the gas supply to the Sui Purification Plant.

Three Policemen sustained injuries when suspected militants attacked a checkpost at Milli Khel area in the outskirts of the Peshawar city late in the night.

Unidentified militants torched NATO fuel tanker near Kharkhano Market in Peshawar.

Western powers must be firm with Pakistan about its need to crack down on extremists, but there is no alternative to continuing to work with Islamabad, British MP David Miliband said. Miliband voiced alarm at the influence inside Pakistani society of LeT.

The US Ambassador Cameron Munter said that Pakistan and United States will continue to cooperate in the war against their common enemy in an effort to ensure peace in the region. Talking to media personnel after meeting a jirga headed by former senator Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai in Quetta, Cameron Munter said that cooperation between the two countries was vital for peace and stability in the region.

Repeating US concerns about the safe havens of the Taliban beyond the reach of NATO troops in Pakistan, a Pentagon report said that "to consolidate progress in security in recent months, Pakistan needed to make more headway in eliminating the sanctuaries". In a twice-annual report to the US Congress, the Pentagon said that "a surge of foreign troops into Afghanistan has dealt a blow to the Taliban insurgency but total violence has risen since last fall".

A Pentagon report states the repeated US concerns about the safe havens of the Taliban which are beyond the reach of NATO troops in Pakistan. The Pentagon said, "To consolidate progress in security in recent months, Pakistan needed to make more headway in eliminating the sanctuaries", adding, "A surge of foreign troops into Afghanistan has dealt a blow to the Taliban but total violence has risen since last fall.

General David H. Petraeus who served as commander in two wars launched by the US after the September 11, 2001, attacks will take command of a third war in Pakistan if confirmed as the next director of the CIA, reported Washington Post.

The files of every Pakistani detainee held at Guantánamo Bay were released by WikiLeaks on April 27 which reveal the linkages between political and religious leaders calling on Pakistanis to join the 'jihad' in Afghanistan.

Qazi and Fazl were cited as holding "organised public rallies for the purpose of soliciting supporters and volunteers to participate in the jihad against the US and Northern Alliance". While most detainees appeared to have been recruited by the HuJI, LeT and JeM, others had gone to Afghanistan to look for work and were recruited by the Taliban as cooks and drivers.

April 30

At least three militants were killed during an encounter with SFs after attacking a checkpost in Tora Chinna area of Darra Adamkhel town in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The checkpost in Tora Chinna area, which links Darra Adamkhel to Orakzai Agency, came under attack around 2 am in the night of April 29.

A suspected suicide bomber was arrested in Arakhel area of Kohat. According to official sources, the suspected 17-year-old suicide bomber was arrested as a result of a joint operation launched by Frontier Corps and peace committee of Jawakai area of Kohat. Initial investigations revealed name of the suspected suicide bomber as Noor Muhammad, a resident of Tappi Kohat.

May 01

Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a US operation. US President Barack Obama confirmed that Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US Army operation conducted in Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the US has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children," said President Obama.

At least 25 militants and a trooper were killed and several were injured in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA when SFs destroyed their hideouts by gunship helicopters. According to sources, SFs targeted terrorist hideouts in the rural areas of Baizai tehsil near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border including Soran Dara, Sheikh Baba and Walidad Kor, destroying many hideouts.

Four Policemen were killed and 11 containers transporting supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan were completely destroyed when unidentified militants fired rockets on NATO containers and the Police checkpost on Rawalpindi-Talagang Road near Dhalya Chowk in Pindi Gheb town of Attock District in Punjab. Four personnel, including sub-inspector Ramazan, Constable Muhammad Munir, Constable Asif Mehmood and wireless operator Zafar were killed in the rocket attack.

Drone attacks are counter-productive and have an adverse impact on the military and the political strategy against terrorism, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said. Talking in PTV's live programme "Prime Minister Online", Gilani said that drone technology should be transferred to Pakistan and the US should reconsider its position on use of drones. As a civilised and responsible country, Pakistan is using all the diplomatic channels to put across its viewpoint and there is realisation that drone attacks were creating a negative impact, he added.

May 02

Four persons, including a woman and three children, were killed and five others, including two Policemen, were injured when a bomb exploded near a mosque in the Umerzai Police Station area of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Four persons were reported to be killed along with Osama bin Laden in a compound known as Waziristan Haveli in Abbottabad District. The killed were identified as Osama's son and three bodyguards. Later, Bin Laden's two wives, one of them of Yemeni origin, and a total of nine children, including his 11 year old daughter, were also recovered from the compound. The women and children are now in the custody of Pakistan's security agencies.

A trooper, identified as Abdul Ghafoor, was killed and three others were abducted when militants attacked Paitasun checkpost in the south of Chitral city near the Afghanistan border in the Chitral District.

Six people, including a senior leader of MQM, Farooq Baig, were killed in Babar Market near Landhi within the remits of Awami Colony Police Station in Karachi.

Liaquatabad Police claimed to have detained 31 suspected assailants allegedly involved in riots and violence within Liaquatabad town.

Unidentified militants blew up two eight-inch diameter gas pipelines near Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District disrupting gas supply to the gas purification plant.

Hundreds took to the streets in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan to pay homage to Osama bin Laden, chanting death to America and setting fire to a US flag, witnesses and organisers said. The participants belonging to a religious party in Quetta were led by Federal Lawmaker Maulavi Asmatullah.

The TTP confirmed the killing of Osama Bin Laden and issued a threat that TTP will take its revenge. TTP's spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan in an audio message, said, "Pakistan will be the prime target followed by US", adding, "The US had been on a man-hunt for Osama and now Pakistani rulers are on our hit-list. We had also killed Benazir Bhutto in a suicide attack."

Pakistan's former President General Pervez Musharraf said on May 2 that the news of Osama bin Laden's death was a "positive step", although he criticised the US for launching the raid within his country's borders.

The US killing of Osama bin Laden shows that the Taliban cannot defeat the US in Afghanistan and that it should abandon its ties to al Qaeda, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

The killing of Osama bin Laden by US forces was not a joint operation with Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari said in a column in Washington Post. Zardari, also dismissed any notion that Pakistan was failing to take action against militants on its territory.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik while reacting to a statement of the SCBA President Asma Jahangir informed the Supreme Court that there wasn't any plan to try those terrorists apprehended by law enforcement agencies in military courts.

During May 2's hearing, Jahangir appeared before the court on behalf of the HRCP and stated that according to her information, a plan to amend the Anti-Terrorist Act to try terrorists in military courts was being considered. She asserted that such a recommendation had been given by three retired judges.

May 03

Seven LI militants were killed and two others injured in an aerial firing by the SFs in the remote Bazaar Zakha Khel area near Khar Ghot in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Two blasts hit two NATO oil tankers in separate incidents in Khyber Agency. An oil tanker, carrying fuel for the US led NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, was blown up near Ali Masjid in a bomb blast. In the second incident, a bomb blast hit a NATO oil tanker at Torkham town.

A general store was also destroyed due to a powerful bomb blast near Charwazgai checkpost in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency.

A MNA Sajid Hussain Turi belonging to Parachinar, the capital of Kurram Agency, demanded the Government to launch a military operation against the TTP in Kurram Agency for killing hundreds of innocent people and to restore the Thal-Parachinar road, which links the region to the rest of the country.

A cadre of MQM-H Amir Khan Group, identified as Hyder alias Lamba, was killed and a passerby injured in firing by undefined armed assailants near Sindhi Hotel in the precincts of Liaquatabad Police Station in Karachi.

MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed was accused in the murder of Farooq Baig, a senior worker of MQM, who was killed near Landhi within the remits of Awami Colony Police Station.

The LEAs issued sketches of three more suspects of the Birch Club blast that occurred in Ghas Mandi in Karachi on April 21.

Funeral procession by JuD and funeral prayers by Naveed Qamar were offered for al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden at University Road. Later, JuD workers chanted slogans against the US and vocalised jihadist poems.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government high school in the Pabbi area of Nowshera District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The intensity of the blast was so strong that three classrooms have been completely turned into debris.

Militants blew up a Government high school for boys in Azakhel Payan of Peshawar. However, no casualties were reported in both these incidents.

Twenty five foreign militants, including Pakistanis, were killed and wounded by Afghan SFs after they crossed the border from Pakistan. Jamaluddin Badr, Governor of north-eastern Nuristan province, said the 25 foreign militants which included Arabs, Chechens and Pakistanis were killed and wounded overnight.

Pakistani soldiers arrested a peasant, Shamrez Khan, in Abbottabad District near the compound where al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed in a US raid.

Australia warned of the very high threat of terrorist attacks against Western targets in Pakistan following the killing of Osama bin Laden on May 1 in Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, although security warning levels at home remain unchanged.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said that Islamabad has plenty of questions to answer over Osama bin Laden. "There will be lots of questions about what sort of support system Bin Laden had in Pakistan, and we need those questions answered," added Cameron.

France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said he was not convinced Osama Bin Laden could go undetected in Pakistan until his death and would ask Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to explain. "I find it a little difficult to imagine that the presence of someone like bin Laden in a relatively small town could go completely unnoticed," Juppe said.

Indian Government sources said that a vast majority of Pakistan's military leadership is unhappy about the US operation that killed Osama bin Laden and fears that America will conduct similar raids in the future to target the country's nuclear arsenal.

As per the directions given by Punjab Police Inspector General Javed Iqbal, security stood high alert across the province so as to avoid any incident of violence in the wake of the operation in Abbottabad on May 2.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that the accusations on Pakistan extending safe havens to extremists were "baseless" and insisted the country's long-term help was crucial to the US triumph in gunning down Osama bin Laden. "Some in the US press have suggested that Pakistan lacked vitality in its pursuit of terrorism, or worse yet that we were disingenuous and actually protected the terrorists we claimed to be pursuing," said Zardari, adding, "Such baseless speculation may make exciting cable news, but it doesn't reflect fact."

Criticising the US over the operation that killed Osama bin Laden near its capital on May 1, saying 'unauthorised unilateral' action could threaten international peace. The Foreign Ministry denied that Pakistan had any prior knowledge of the operation and said there was no question of US helicopters taking off from Pakistani bases, despite strenuously pointing out past intelligence cooperation.

CIA Director Leon Panetta said that officials ruled out informing Islamabad about a planned raid against Osama bin Laden's compound, as they feared their Pakistani counterparts might alert the al Qaeda chief. "It was decided that any effort to work with the Pakistanis could jeopardise the mission: They might alert the targets", said Panetta, adding, that the options presented to US President Barack Obama included bombing the compound with B-2 bombers or firing a "direct shot" with cruise missiles.

Panetta alleged Pakistan, saying that it was either incompetent or involved when one look at the country's role in Osama bin Laden's whereabouts. Panetta told lawmakers "either they were involved or incompetent. Neither place is a good place to be."

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that the relationship of the US with Pakistan was complicated but important one, adding, that several critical intelligence provided by Pakistan to the US over a period of time helped them reach Osama bin Laden.

Pakistan has no interest in protecting any terrorist who may be hiding in the country, Ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, said. "What I find incredulous is the notion that somehow, just because there is a private support network in Pakistan, the state, the Government and the military of Pakistan should be blamed," he said.

Osama Bin Laden lived for the past five to six years in the compound deep inside Pakistan, where al Qaeda leader was killed by US forces, President Barack Obama's counterterrorism chief John Brennan said. "Well I think the latest information is that he was in this compound for the past five or six years and he had virtually no interaction with others outside that compound.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the bullet-riddled Pakistani villa that hid Osama bin Laden from the world was put under police control. Bin Laden's hideout had been kept under tight army control after the raid by US Special Forces on May 1 in Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

May 04

Ten militants were killed and as many others injured in a clash between the Hafiz Daulat and Nabi groups in Kurrat area in Kurram Agency in FATA. Both groups used light and heavy weaponry and fired mortar shells at each other's positions.

A soldier was killed and four others were injured when TTP ambushed SFs convoy in Serwakai area of South Waziristan Agency. Sources said that SFs were returning to their base camp after conducting a raid and search operation in the area when they came under attack.

Unidentified assailants killed a local person hours after abducting him from Bara Bazaar of Bara tehsil. Sources said that assailants abducted three persons, including two hailing from Punjab.

Also in Bara, a 10-year-old girl Nazia was killed when a mortar shell fired by SFs fell on the house of Qismat Khan in Zangal Kallay of Malakdin Khel area.

Unidentified armed assailants opened fire on a truck in the Mohsinzai area of Kurram Agency, injuring the driver, identified as Noori. A number of militants have shifted to Kurram Agency due to the military operation in Orakzai Agency and are allegedly engaged in hostilities against the local population and SFs.

Three rockets were fired at Wana scouts camp in intervening night of May 3-4. No loss of life or property was reported. Sources said that soon after the rocket attack security SFs pounded suspected locations in Doag, Korezai, Peer Bagh and Musa Qilla areas with light and heavy weapons.

An activist of the MQM, identified as Arif, was killed near Noor Decoration House within the limits of Surjani Police Station in Karachi.

A bullet-riddled body of an unidentified Balochi man was found from Lyari River in Old Golimar in the limits of Pak Colony Police Station.

A senior leader of the BNP was shot and critically wounded by unidentified assailants in Quetta. However, no outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan authorities arrested Gul Madah, the contractor who built the three-storey mansion in 2005 in Abbottabad District where Osama bin Laden was residing. Gul hailed from Battagram District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and had been living near Abbottabad for some years.

The doctor Qazi Mahmoodul Haq, who sold the piece of the land where Osama Bin Laden's final hideout was built, said that the buyer, a Pakistani who apparently sheltered the al Qaeda chief, was a "modest, humble" man who did not seem to be a terrorist.

An unnamed ISI official told reporters that the compound had been raided in 2003 during a search for the al Qaeda operative. Since then, the compound had not been on the ISI's radar, the official said.

Lawmaker Mufti Kifayatullah of JUI-F during the proceedings of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly termed Osama bin Laden as a 'hero' of Muslims and a great jihadi leader, who sacrificed his life for the glory of Islam prompting a cabinet member of ANP Bashir Ahmad Bilour to call him a symbol of terror.

Groups of Pakistani lawyers held protests over the killing of Laden, denouncing America and saying prayers for their 'hero'. Around 70 lawyers staged a rally in Abbottabad District, condemning the US operation in their city.

In Peshawar, where Bin Laden once lived during the fight to evict Soviet troops Afghanistan, about 200 lawyers offered special prayers for the al Qaeda 'hero' at the courts.

Pakistan's ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani said that he and his embassy were receiving threatening phone calls and emails ever since Osama bin Laden was killed. Haqqani said such threats show how his country's contribution to fighting terrorism was being ignored while only failures are being highlighted.

The HM owned the mansion in the town of Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where Osama bin Laden was killed by US forces, a Canadian newspaper, Globe and Mail, has reported. The report claimed that Pakistan is hushing up the issue of the ownership of the compound.

Charging that elements in the ISI have "dual loyalty", US lawmaker Peter King alleged that the Pakistan intelligence outfits spend more time in chasing CIA agents inside Pakistan rather the terrorists operating inside the country.

Washington worked to establish whether Pakistan had sheltered the al Qaeda leader, which Islamabad vehemently denies. South Florida Congressman Allen West said Government of Pakistan may have aided and abetted Osama bin Laden's lengthy hideout from US forces. Unless the United States gets a clear explanation of what Pakistani officials knew about bin Laden's whereabouts, "all aid from American taxpayers to this nation needs to cease," West wrote in a letter to congressional leaders.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that Pakistan is fighting the war against terrorism and Osama Bin Laden's death is part of the war. Malik said that the Foreign Office of Pakistan has presented a detailed statement about the killing of Osama Bin Laden.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani defended country's 'failure' to spot that Osama bin Laden had been hiding out in a luxury compound near Islamabad, saying that fighting terrorism was the whole world's responsibility.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said that Pakistan alerted the US to its suspicions about a compound where Osama Bin Laden was found hiding as far back as 2009. Bashir also hit out at "disquieting" comments by CIA Director Leon Panetta that US officials had ruled out informing Islamabad in advance about US raid on the Pakistani compound, which led to the al Qaeda chief's death.

The White House said that US President Barack Obama reserves the right to act again against top terror suspects inside Pakistan, following the raid which killed Osama bin Laden. Obama's spokesman Jay Carney said, "President Obama made very clear during the campaign that that was his view, and by the actions he has taken as President, feels that it was the right approach and continues to feel that way".

The US troops were prepared to capture Osama bin Laden alive, but his resistance and use of a woman as shield, forced them to kill the al Qaeda leader, said John Brennan, the National Security Advisor for Counterterrorism and Homeland.

India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai terror attacks, has emerged as the world's second most wanted man, next only to a Mexican drug lord, after the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a report published in The Guardian said.

May 05

A member of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Haji Masood-ur-Rehman, was killed and two other members were injured when unidentified assailants fired at them at Khando Goth area of North Nazimabad in Karachi.

A cadre of Sunni Tehreek (ST), identified as Salamuddin alias Shahzad Lahoti, was killed in Narainpura area within the precincts of Eidgah Police Station. Later, Rangers claimed that they arrested one Mahmood and recovered a TT pistol from his possession.

Atta-ur-Rehman, an imam (cleric) and a member of the Jama'at Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), was shot dead near Mubarak Masjid within the jurisdiction of Mochko Police Station.

Police found a dead body of a youth, identified as Abdul Wahab, belonging to People's Student Federation (PSF), from an abandoned plot in Altaf Nagar within the precincts of Manghopir Police Station. It was reported that Wahab was abducted three days ago.

Police shot dead two would-be suicide bombers during an encounter at Draban checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "They were travelling in an explosive-laden Suzuki pick-up.

Police neutralised a six-kilogram bomb packed in canister along Ring Road in the limits of Pishtakhara Police Station in Peshawar.

One militant was killed and two others were injured when SFs shelled suspected locations in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA. Sources said that SFs pounded militant positions in Baizai area near Afghan border. A militant, identified as Mukamal Shah, was killed while his two accomplices were injured in the action.

A shepherd, identified as Naseer (15), was injured when a landmine exploded in Ashrafabad locality of Khwazai tehsil in Mohmand Agency.

Pakistan warned the United States of "disastrous consequences" if it carries out any more raids against terrorists like the one that killed Osama bin Laden, and hit back at international allegations it may have been harbouring the al Qaeda 'chief'.

Salman Bashir said the US action, which led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, was a covert operation and Pakistan armed forces were not consulted. He said that Admiral Mike Mullen had telephoned COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at about 3am and informed him about the operation.

Pakistan more than ever needs support in its efforts to combat terrorism and bolster democracy following the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the European Union said. While the US operation on Pakistani soil "has raised questions" on the role of the country's Army and intelligence services, "there can be no doubt that we will have to rely on Pakistan's full cooperation as a partner," said Michael Mann, spokesman for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy High Representative Catherine Ashton.

China reaffirmed its support for efforts by its ally Pakistan to combat terrorism after the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by US forces, and urged the world to help Islamabad. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu stopped short of directly criticising the daring raid by US Special Forces on Pakistani soil that ended with Osama bin Laden's death, but said national sovereignty "should be respected" at all times.

The United States relationship with Pakistan is not always easy but has been productive for both sides, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after the killing of Osama bin Laden raised questions about the alliance. Clinton acknowledged that Washington's relationship with Islamabad was awkward at times, but said it was still important.

No US assistance can be provided to Pakistan unless the Obama administration certifies to Congress that Pakistan did not have any information about Osama bin Laden's whereabouts, says a bill introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs but a growing number of both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are urging their colleagues not to take decisions that may hurt US interests.

Congresswoman Kay Granger asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to immediately stop American aid program for flood victims in Pakistan, where al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed by US Special Forces on May 1.

NATO's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged Pakistan to make progress in the battle against terrorism and said the US commando operation that killed Osama bin Laden was justified. "We have encouraged the Pakistani authorities to reinforce the fight against terrorists and extremists, in particular in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region," Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani said that no operation is being conducted in the province and there are no troops or tanks present in the province. "No military operation is being carried out in Balochistan," he said while talking to media persons in the Chief Minister's House.

The COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani ordered an investigation into the intelligence failure in detecting the presence of al Qaeda 'chief' Osama bin Laden in his Abbottabad hideout and for determining how the US carried out the operation 'Geronimo' without the Pakistan military getting wind of it.

In a bid to convey his unease over the operation and that inaction over the raid should not be taken as his tacit endorsement, the Army chief announced a reduction in the number of US military personnel in Pakistan.

COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that any action similar to the Abbottabad operation, violating the country's sovereignty, will warrant a review of the level of military and intelligence cooperation with the United States, and demanded it to reduce the strength of its troops in the country to the "minimum essential" levels.

The United Sates Senator Carl Levin said that 'high levels' of the Pakistani Government knew where Osama bin Laden was hiding, must know where Mullah Omar is too. The Senate Armed Services Committee, Levin said, has already started a preliminary investigation into Pakistan's involvement and, depending on the results of that investigation, will decide whether to hold public hearings to investigate further.

Pakistani Ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani, promised a thorough probe into allegations some of which were reported in the US media, claiming that active or retired Pakistani officials helped Osama bin Laden hide in Abbottabad.

JI urged its followers to hold mass rallies on May 6 to demand their Government to withdraw its support of the US war on militancy. JI said the US had violated the sovereignty of its key ally by sending its own forces into Abbottabad to kill the al Qaeda leader.

US troops were led to al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden by his own deputy, Ayman al Zawahiri, because of internal power struggle between the two, Saudi newspaper al Watan reports. It reported that the top two al Qaeda men had differences and that a courier who led US forces to Bin Laden was working for Zawahiri. The courier was a Pakistan national and not a Kuwaiti as the US suspected.

A US official said that the material seized from Osama bin Laden's compound showed al Qaeda network had planned strikes on US trains on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. As of February 2010, al Qaeda "was allegedly contemplating conducting an operation against trains at an unspecified location in the US on the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001," the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.

Al Qaeda 'chief' Osama bin Laden, who was shot dead in his hideout by special US forces in Pakistan, was a mass killer of Muslims and not a martyr as a few people are trying to portray, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

A legislation was introduced in the US House of Representatives which if passed would cut aid to Pakistan unless the state department can certify that Islamabad was not harbouring al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. "For all these years, we believed that Osama bin Laden was on the run, living in a cave but, apparently, Satan's Pawn has been living for years in a million-dollar compound just yards away from a Pakistani military base, but Pakistan claims no knowledge of Osama bin Laden's whereabouts.

US refrained from drawing a parallel between 9/11 and the dastardly Mumbai attacks, also known as 26/11, and appeared to be unwilling to support any similar "hot pursuit" Indian effort as done by the US Special Forces in Pakistan to kill al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

May 06

The US drones fired missiles into a compound in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA, killing at least 17 militants. Four US drones took part in the attack which came just four days after US commandos shot dead top al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the garrison city of Abbottabad.

Unidentified militants today fired rockets on a group of Shia Muslims in Quetta, killing at least eight and injuring 15 others. It was reported that three rockets were fired from nearby hills, towards the city of Hazara where the Shiites were in a neighbourhood park.

Three people were killed and 21 others were injured in a blast at a gambling den in Jhatpat Market, Chakiwara No-2 in Lyari town of Karachi.

An activist of the MQM-H, identified as Amir Abbas, was shot dead near Gelanabad Kausar town, within the limits of Khokhrapar Police Station.

One Qasim, an activist of Kachi Rabita Council (KRC) killed near the al Makran Hotel, Art Chowk, in the limits of Kalakot Police Station.

An unidentified rickshaw driver who appeared to be an ethnic Hazara was shot dead near Jauhar Mor in Gulistan Jauhar Police precincts.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that keeping in view the longstanding relations, the United States should not have violated Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Reacting to the military operation conducted deep inside the country's territory by a US team of Navy Seals, the Prime Minister said that the issue of violation of its sovereignty was a matter of concern for Pakistan.

The al Qaeda confirmed the death of its leader Osama Bin Laden on May 6 and swore revenge for his killing by elite US commandos the SITE monitoring group reported. "We in the al Qaeda organisation pledge to God and ask his help, support and steadfastness to continue on the path of jihad, the path walked upon by our leaders, and on top of them, Osama," SITE quoted a statement by the organisation as saying.

Investigators engaged in piecing together the life of Osama bin Laden since his dramatic escape from Afghanistan's Tora Bora mountains have discovered the al Qaeda 'chief' had been living in Pakistan's urban centres longer than they had thought.

The CoAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani does not support President Asif Ali Zardari's "no-first-use" nuclear policy, according to US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. "Although he has remained silent on the subject, Kayani does not support Zardari's statement last year to the Indian press that Pakistan would adopt a 'no first use' policy on nuclear weapons.

Afghan intelligence believed Osama bin Laden was in hiding in an area close to Abbottabad District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa four years ago, but no action was taken after the claim was furiously rejected by former president Pervez Musharraf, Afghanistan's former Intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh said.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden "could be a game-changer" that would have a significant impact on the war in Afghanistan. Gates said, "US forces would probably be able to tell within six months whether bin Laden's death has had an effect on the war," adding, "I think that there is a possibility that it could be a game-changer."

Quoting the media reports, rediff.com reported that the ISI chief General Ahmed Shuja Pasha may step down in the wake of widespread criticism of the Pakistani establishment over US Special Forces killing Osama bin Laden near a key military facility in the garrison city of Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

May 07

Police arrested a militant, identified as Mohammad Afzal, in Machikhel area of the Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The TTP challenged the claim by the United States about the killing of al Qaeda 'chief' Osama bin Laden and demanded presentation of circumstantial evidence in the shape of a video to remove doubts. In a message delivered through telephone to journalists from an unknown location, TTP's 'deputy spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan alleged that Osama bin Laden was killed somewhere else and the US staged a drama to put pressure on Pakistan and other Muslim countries and to defame Islam. The TTP spokesman refused to accept the US version of Osama's killing and burial at the sea of such an important man and asked for release of video showing his killing.

May 08

Two FC personnel were killed in an explosion in Asman Manza area of South Waziristan Agency (SWA) in FATA in the morning. Sources said that the FC personnel were going from Kaniguram to Laddah when they were hit by an explosive device. The deceased were identified as Shan and Mashan.

Intelligence sources in Dera Ismail Khan and Wana, headquarters of South SWA, said that a member of the 13-man committee of the Hakeemullah Mehsud led TTP was killed in an attack by the rival Qari Zainuddin faction. Sources said that the slain, Mufti Noor Wali, was an important 'commander' of the Hakeemullah group.

An activist of MQM-H, identified as Rashid Ansari, was abducted and then killed in Korangi area within the jurisdiction of Awami Colony Police Station in Karachi District of Sindh.

Three persons sustain injuries when a bomb exploded outside the house of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agriculture Minister Arbab Ayub Jan in Peshawar. Sources said the explosion took place just after visitors to Minister House had left by car. Three of the guests were injured.

At least two persons were injured in a rocket attack in Awaran District. It was reported that unknown armed militants fired a rocket from a hilly area, which landed at a nearby agriculture field, injuring two farmers.

Czech Police arrested a Pakistani national wanted on an international warrant for murder and terrorism.

Osama bin Laden had a "support network" in Pakistan but it is not clear if the Pakistani Government was involved, US President Barack Obama said in his first public comments. "We think that there had to be some sort of support network for bin Laden inside of Pakistan," Obama told the CBS show "60 Minutes," according to excerpts of an interview released.

White House National Security Adviser Tom Donilon told during NBC's "Meet the Press" show that Ayman al Zawahiri, the Egyptian surgeon long considered al Qaeda's number two, "is not anywhere near the leader that Osama bin Laden was". "Our assessment is that he is not anywhere near the leader that Osama bin Laden was". "They, as an organisation, will have to work themselves through some sort of succession," Donilon said. Killing bin Laden, he added, was "a real blow".

US military commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus said that the killing of Osama bin Laden may weaken al Qaeda's influence on the Afghan Taliban. Even so, General David Petraeus warned that Afghanistan is still a potential refuge for international terror groups, and al Qaeda is just one of those.

Pakistan said if it knew Osama bin Laden was hiding in the country, it would have acted against the al Qaeda leader. "If any member of the Pakistani Government, the Pakistani military or the Pakistani intelligence service knew where Osama bin Laden was, we would have taken action," Islamabad's Ambassador in Washington, Hussain Haqqani said, adding, "Osama bin Laden's presence in Pakistan was not to Pakistan's advantage".

Pakistan should let US authorities question Osama bin Laden's three captured wives, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon said. He said the Pakistanis need to provide us with intelligence from the compound that they gathered, including access to Osama bin Laden's three wives whom they have in custody.

A senior US intelligence official said that computer material gathered by the US forces after the raid revealed that Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad home was a command-and-control centre for al Qaeda. "This is the largest cache of intelligence derived from the scene of any single terrorist," said Donilon.

May 09

Militants killed a tribesman, identified as Shamsur Rehman, from Orakzai Agency in FATA on charges of spying in Khwasi Banda area of Kohat District. Waris Khan, victim's brother, alleged Bilal and Behram for the killing of Shamsur Rehman and said that his family had been receiving threats from TTP for quite long.

Differences which cropped up among the leaders of Adezai Qaumi Lashkar over the deployment of law-enforcers in their area, raised fears that the TTP may exploit the situation. According to official sources Dilawar Khan, who heads lashkar and his deputy Fazal Malik were not ready to accept each other's leadership any longer.

The elders of Khyber Agency in FATA expressed grave concern over military operations and killing of innocent people in drone attacks. They demanded immediate end to military operations in the tribal areas. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Iqbal Afridi said that after killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden there was no logic in continuing drone attacks.

Two unidentified bullet-riddled bodies were found near Khuchlak, around 20 kilometres away from the provincial capital Quetta.

A member of the MQM Aamir Razaq was shot dead in Mehmoodabad area in the limits of the Baloch Colony Police Station in Karachi District of Sindh.

A senior member of the ANP, Faiz Ahmad Kakar, was abducted by unidentified militants from the Labour Square Road at Gulshan-e-Maymar in the limits of Gadap Town.

US President Barack Obama said that he thought that "there had to be some sort of support network for [Osama] bin Laden inside of Pakistan". He said, "We don't know whether there might have been some people inside of government, people outside of government, and that's something that we have to investigate, and more importantly, the Pakistani government has to investigate." He added that there were not only individual terrorists in Pakistan but "also a climate inside of Pakistan that sometimes is deeply anti-American. And it makes it more difficult for us to be able to operate there effectively."

US intelligence sleuths reportedly found one of the accused in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks (also known 26/11) using a cell phone from prison in Pakistan. However, the Pakistani authorities did not act even when provided the information by the US, a media report said. "The Pakistanis try to get out of facing tough questions by anti-American statements in Pakistani media," an unnamed US official as saying in its report.

The report said while willing to avoid placing excessive open pressure on a weak civilian government and often issuing statements that reassured Pakistan, Americans have repeatedly said they felt betrayed. "Soon after the Mumbai attacks, President George W. Bush issued a statement which said that the ISI was not involved in the Mumbai attacks. This was mainly due to the personal efforts of Pakistan's Ambassador to US, Husain Haqqani, who met with senior Bush administration officials to request that statement.

Pakistan struck a clandestine deal in 2001 that allowed the US to carry out a unilateral raid on its territory similar to May 1-2 raid that killed the al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The agreement was finalised between then military ruler Pervez Musharraf and US President George W. Bush after Osama bin Laden eluded capture in Afghanistan's Tora Bora mountains, the newspaper said, citing serving and retired Pakistani and US officials.

The newspaper quoted a former senior US official as saying that "there was an agreement between Bush and Musharraf that if we knew where Osama was, we were going to come and get him." "The Pakistanis would put up a hue and cry, but they wouldn't stop us," the official told.

US officials have released the names of three widows of al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden which were arrested from Abbottabad compound. According to American television, the three widows who were living with Osama Bin Laden have been identified as Umm-e-Hamza, Umm-e-Khalid and Amal al Saada. Umm-e-Hamza and Umm-e- Khalid hailed from Saudi while Amal al Saada is Yemeni national. Fourth widow of Osama lived in Syria. US official said that Pakistan agreed to give access to the US for quizzing Osama's widows.

Rejecting Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani's criticism of the unilateral action through which Osama bin Laden was killed on May 1-2, the US asserted that it would not apologise to the Pakistan Government for the incident. "We do not apologise for the action," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.

Asked whether the Obama Administration had confidence in the leadership of Pakistan, Carney said it thought it important that the Pakistanis did a full investigation. "We are, obviously, doing a full investigation and examining some of the substantial material that our operators collected in bin Laden's compound for evidence of the support network that must have existed to allow Osama bin Laden to continue to live in Abbottabad for so long," he said.

CIA has no intention of bringing home its chief operative in Pakistan despite an apparent attempt by the Pakistani media to unmask his identity, US officials said. While the Pakistani media reports apparently were inaccurate, US officials said they believe the leak was a calculated attempt to divert attention from American demands for explanations of how Osama bin Laden could have hidden for years near Pakistan's principal military academy in Abbottabad.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani asserted in Parliament "the war against terrorism is our own national priority'' and described the ISI as a "national asset'' which has full support of the Government. "Indeed, the ISI is a national asset and has the full support of the government. We are proud of its considerable accomplishments," he added. The premier also mentioned that some 40 key al Qaeda operatives, including Faraj al-Libbi and Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, were arrested by the ISI, and stressed, "No other country in the world and no other security agency has done so much to interdict al Qaeda than our spy agency and armed forces."

About Osama bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad, Gilani's explanation was that asymmetrical warfare had happened to be the tool in vogue against superior conventional forces.

In a related statement, the Inter Services Public Relations said Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had requested Gilani to "consider convening'' a joint session of Parliament for briefing on the security issues related to the "Abbottabad incident''.

Western Governments must work with Pakistan to increase the fight against militants on its border with Afghanistan, NATO's secretary general said. Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he saw "no alternative" to cooperating with Pakistan in the war against terrorism. Though he expressed appreciation for the efforts so far by Pakistan's military to fight militants in its border region with Afghanistan he said, "But I think more could be done." "

The Government is set to announce a defence budget for the upcoming fiscal year that will be just over a quarter of its targeted tax revenues, though a careful analysis of the allocations suggests that the numbers understate the full costs of military spending. The 'stated' defence budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 is likely to be PKR 495 billion, an increase of PKR 53 billion or 12 per cent over the previous year's 'stated' budget, a rate of increase that is nominally below inflation. This, however, masks actual defence expenditures in several ways, including transferring military pensions to civilian expenses and counting 'security' operations separately.

May 10

A bomb attack targeting a court in Nowshera District killed four persons, including two Police constables, and injured four others including two Policemen. "It was a bomb blast. Two police constables, including a policewoman, were killed," Nowshera Police Chief, Qureish Khan, had said.

The SFs killed three militants, including a would-be suicide bomber, during an operation in Mula Banda area of Munda tehsil in Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sources said the militants were planting an IED when Security Forces reached spot.

Nasrullah Afridi, a tribal journalist from Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA, was killed in a car bomb blast in Khyber Super Market of cantonment area in Peshawar.

Three suspected Arab militants were killed when a US drone attacked a vehicle near Angoor Adda in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. Sources said the drone fired two missiles at a pick-up, going from Bagher to Sra Qala, near Angoor Adda. Official sources said the three Arabs were killed on the spot.

A watchman, identified as Risalat, was wounded in a hand grenade attack targeting a plot owned by the Peoples Amn (Peace) Committee chief Uzair Baloch located near Art Chowk in Lyari town in Karachi.

The packing carton of the Global Positioning System (GPS) used by the terrorists in the Mumbai terror attack (26/11) was found in a house in Karachi which was believed to have been used as a control room for orchestrating the strike. India will share with Pakistan all information related to the GPS device, used by the 26/11 attackers to navigate in Indian waters on fishing trawler ''Kuber'', to help authorities in that country establish the role of Pakistani terrorists.

Unidentified armed militants blew up a gas supply pipeline in Pirkoh area of Dera Bugti District.

Six ministers, belonging to the PPP, accused their coalition partner in the Government, the JUI-F, of supporting the Taliban and promoting terrorism. Minister for Communications and PPP's Deputy Parliamentary Leader Mir Sadiq Umrani said the JUI-F was spreading terrorism and setting up and running seminaries with Government funds.

Acting IG of Balochistan Police Ghalib Bandesha denied the presence of the militant organization Quetta Shura, composed of top leadership of the Afghan Taliban in Balochistan. Bandesha was responding to recent media reports which stated that the US and Pakistani intelligence agencies are on a hunt for Osama bin Laden's ally Mullah Omar in Quetta after the successful raid on Osama bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad.

The TTP threatened Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry of "dire consequences" if he does not accept the appeal of their activists convicted of attacking former President General Pervez Musharraf. The TTP militants were sentenced to death by the Lahore High Court in the attack case on former President General Pervez Musharraf. The sources in the Federally Ministry of Interior said TTP 'spokesperson' Shakirullah Shakir Mehsud threatened the Chief Justice that if he does not accept appeals of their nine activists he would suffer "dire consequences."

Al Qaeda again called on Muslims to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden and said Americans will "pay the price" for President Barack Obama's decision to kill him, the SITE Intelligence monitoring service said. Al Fajr Media Centre, which SITE calls the exclusive online distributor of al Qaeda propaganda, said the assassination was a "big mistake" and a "serious sin," and that Obama had brought disaster on the American people.

The statement, made available by the US-based SITE, opened with a lengthy eulogy of bin Laden, killed by US commandos in Pakistan. It said that "despite the stress and the affliction, he continued to smile, certain of the victory of Allah and convinced of His support. He did not retreat nor flatter instead, he incited to jihad and martyrdom and sought that with his person and his money."

Britain asked Pakistan to "dismantle" all terror groups operating on its soil and posing a threat to it as well as to the region and beyond. Foreign Secretary William Hague noted that Pakistan has suffered more casualties from terrorism than any country since September 11, but nonetheless called upon the beleaguered country to do all it can to "dismantle all militant and terrorist groups operating on, and from, its soil", adding, "We continue to urge Pakistan to do all it can to dismantle all militant and terrorist groups operating on, and from, its soil".

One of LeT's most important leaders who was indicted by the US Treasury Department for the July 2006 Mumbai train bombings, Arif Qasmani, is trying to acquire biological weapons and anthrax through his al-Qaida links. The interrogation report of a Pakistani businessman and Guantánamo Bay detainee, Saifullah Paracha, has revealed that LeT was in touch with a US-based "al-Qaida anthrax operative'' as it tried to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

Qasmani is among the four persons whose assets had been frozen by the US for their alleged involvement in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts. The US notification, in fact, had said that Qasmani also facilitated the Samjhauta blast in 2007. Paracha, a businessman from Sargodha, revealed to the US authorities in 2008 that Let's Qasmani might have been discussing ways to acquire biological weapons and anthrax with a US based pharmacist, Nazmut Tariq, identified also as an al-Qaida operative.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it had yet to receive a formal request from the US to question three widows of Osama bin Laden while US said that it expects Pakistan will "soon" let it in this regard. Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not received a formal request from the US." She also said that no extradition requests had been received from the countries of origin of bin Laden's wives - Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

US investigators want to question his three wives as they seek to roll up his global militant network. "Pakistanis now appear willing to grant access. Hopefully, they'll carry through on the signals they're sending," said a US official familiar with the matter in Washington. Bin Laden's Yemeni wife has told Pakistani investigators that they lived in the compound where her spouse was killed in the garrison town of Abbottabad for five years.

May 11

Five mutilated and decomposed bodies of Baloch missing persons, including the bodies of a former leader of the BSO-Azad and the BNM were found from Panjgur area of Khuzdar District, and from Quetta.

Unidentified militants torched two NATO containers that were returning to Karachi from Afghanistan after offloading supplies for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan near Mastung District.

An ASI and a constable were shot dead in an attack by armed militants in the Sultanabad area of Karachi. It was reported that ASI Manzoor Ahmed was patrolling in the area on a motorcycle along with Police constable Saleem Khan when two assailants fired at them killing Ahmed on the spot and injuring the constable. Later, constable Khan succumbed to his injuries.

Two unidentified militants hurled hand grenades at the Saud Arabian Consulate situated within the jurisdiction of Gizri Police Station in Karachi. However, no casualty or material damage was reported in the incident.

TTP fired several rockets at Arakhel residential area in Frontier Region of Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

Police foiled a sabotage bid by neutralising a five-kilogram heavy bomb, planted on G.T. Road in Nowshera District. According to Police, unidentified militants planted a remote controlled bomb on the road to target school buses. However, the bomb was timely and safely defused by Police.

SFs arrested a would-be suicide bomber, who was entering Darra Adamkhel from Khyber Agency, at Spina Thana checkpost. Officials said that 12-year-old Shehzad, a resident of Donga Qambarkhel village of Khyber Agency, was coming to Darra Adamkhel from a mountain situated behind the checkpost. He confessed that he was trained for suicide bombing by TTP, official added.

Three border Policemen, who were abducted by Afghan Taliban during an attack on a Paitasun checkpost in border village Arsoon in Chitral District on the night of May 3, were set free by their abductors. A soldier, Abdul Ghafoor, had lost his lies in the night of May 3 when Afghan Taliban attacked Paitasun checkpost. Three other personnel of border police identified as Mohammad Hassan, Ghaziuddin and Muhibur Rahman were abducted along with their arms and taken to Nuristan province of Afghanistan. District Coordination Officer Rahmatullah Wazir said that he had sent a jirga to Nuristan province of Afghanistan to seek safe release of the abducted Policemen.

Bomb disposal squad neutralised an explosive device planted at a house in Ustarzai village in Orakzai Agency of FATA. Police said that unidentified militants had planted an improvised explosive device, filled with liquid and attached to non-electric fuse and cartridges of 12 bore.

The Intelligence Officers recovered a handwritten journal containing his "operational ideas," during the raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Agents studying the notebook for information on future al Qaeda plots said that it is "just one of many things" found. It doesn't entail where he's been or what he's done."

The United States is expanding sanctions against leaders of the Haqqani network that operates in Afghanistan and Pakistan, blacklisting Badruddin Haqqani, a son of the group's founder, who is believed responsible for abduction and organising high-profile attacks. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton designated the commander as a terrorist and banned Americans from doing business with him.

Congressman Mike Rogers said that the Haqqani network may have had some "logistical role" behind bombings incidents in India. "We believe that they may have some logistical role in helping in the bombings in India," Congressman Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in response to a question at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a Washington-based eminent think tank.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani exhorted political leadership from across the party line to stand united and give a collective strategy on national policy on security to face the serious challenges facing the country. "I request you to stand united and give us a strategy on our national policy on security," said the PM in his address to the Senate, adding, "We shall not allow our territory to be used for terrorism." "Our political leaders may have their differences. But, across the world, they stand united on the issue of national foreign policy," said Gilani as he asked the senators not to give anyone a chance to destabilise the country.

The SC asked Balochistan Chief Secretary to appear in the court on May 12 and respond to queries over the worsening law and order situation in the province. SC, while expressing dissatisfaction over recent incidents of target killings, kidnappings for ransom and other incidents of lawlessness, remarked that the Provincial Government was bound to protect lives and properties of people under Article 9 of the constitution.

Former President General Pervez Musharraf warned in an interview that the United States would be 'a loser' if it alienated Pakistan in the war against al Qaeda and militants. General Musharraf, speaking about the US raid in Pakistan which eliminated Osama bin Laden, also told ABC News there was no deal between his Government and Washington almost a decade ago allowing US forces to conduct a unilateral raid in Pakistani territory, as reported by the British newspaper "Never! And this is the assertion being cast by the Guardian and I rejected that. I condemn such an insinuation," General Musharraf said. "There was no such deal."

General Musharraf said that it is possible that rogue members of ISI and the military knew of Osama bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad. "As a policy, the Army and the ISI are fighting terrorism and extremism, al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The ISI hired US attorneys to pleaded immunity for their clients in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case by questioning jurisdiction of US courts in the matter and arguing that the US government has designated Pakistan "a critical friend and ally," effectively giving it political and diplomatic cover.

The Ministry of Defence sought an increase in the PKR 495 billion defence budget proposed by the Ministry of Finance to PKR 524 billion, or 18.4 per cent more than the budget for the outgoing fiscal year. After a briefing by the Ministry of Defence on 2012's defence and security requirements, the chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance Fauzia Wahab said the proposed defence budget of PKR 495 billion might be increased keeping rising needs in mind. Wahab said the defence budget can be increased up to three per cent of the total size of the economy, while the proposed budget is 2.5 per cent of GDP.

A US lawmaker initiated legislation to stop American aid to Pakistan for its fostering of terrorism. California Congressman Dana Rohrabacher introduced a bill to stop aid to a country whose leadership, he said, ''concealed, protected and enabled'' Osama bin Laden for many years.

Obama administration dismissed demands of a group of lawmakers that US should stop aid to Pakistan in the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden. "They are legitimate concerns. But we believe that our counter-terrorism cooperation and our assistance to Pakistan is in the long-term national security interests of the US, as well as in the long-term interests of building a stronger, more prosperous and more democratic Pakistan," State department spokesman Mark Toner said.

A group of US Senators introduced a legislation that would keep the Guantánamo Bay open. This legislation came in response to Barack Obama Administration's intention to close down the detention camp. The group, comprising five Senators, said US needs a safe place to keep terrorists, as they believe that the death of Osama bin Laden and the materials seized would result in arrests of more terrorists.

Pakistan Government paid British Parliamentarian George Galloway 135,000 pounds from a secret fund for promoting its case on the Kashmir issue. The issue came to light when the PAC of the National Assembly or Lower House of Parliament examined an audit report. The amount was paid to him from the "Pakistan projection fund" by the Pakistan High Commission in London but it was never credited to the Government account.

Pakistan commando-turned dreaded global terrorist Mohammad Ilyas Kashmiri, who is linked to multiple terror plots under the terrorist outfit HuJI including a series of planned "Mumbai style" attacks in key European cities, could succeed Osama bin Laden as the chief of al Qaeda. It was reported that Ilyas Kashmiri, who was at one point a member of the Pakistan military, serving as a commando in a SSG that was once tasked with training Afghan Mujahideen to fight the Soviets is on the most wanted list of the US FBI may succeed bin Laden as Ayman al-Zawahiri the presumed successor, is deeply unpopular in some circles and his elevation is by no means guaranteed. In April this year, the US has announced a bounty of $5 million on the head of Ilyas Kashmiri.

One of Osama bin Laden's sons went missing in the midst of the US Navy SEALs' raid on al Qaeda Chief's Abbottabad hideout on May 2. This fact came to limelight by the three wives of Osama bin Laden who are in the Pakistani custody. The women said that one of bin Laden's sons has not been seen since the May 2 raid, unnamed Pakistani officials were quoted by ABC News as saying. The son was not identified, but Pakistani investigators agreed that it appeared that someone was missing from the compound, the report added.

May 12

A US drone fired two missiles into a vehicle in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA, killing at least eight suspected militants. However, the identities of those killed have not been confirmed.

The CID of Sindh Police claimed to have arrested four alleged militants of TTP Bader Mansoor group, affiliated with Punjab Taliban, including a student of University of Karachi and recovered 25 kilogram of explosives, two suicide jackets, three Kalashnikovs, six grenades, three pistols, a LMG rifle and various sorts of detonators and electronic devices from their possession in a raid in the limits of Pirabad Police Station in Karachi. The arrested were identified as, Habibullah, Habib-ur-Rehman, Babar Iqbal alias Bubbly and their mastermind Maaz alias Irfan.

Pakistan decided to launch an inter-agency process to define the extent of counter-terrorism cooperation with the US amid tensions over the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. The Cabinet's Defence Committee chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani comprehensively reviewed the post-Osama bin Laden situation and decided to institute an inter-agency process to clearly define the parameters of Pakistan's cooperation with the US in counter-terrorism in accordance with national interests and the aspirations of the people.

The private journal and other documents recovered from Osama bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad revealed that he intended to target Americans through trains and planes. "If possible, strike on significant dates, such as US Independence Day on July 4 and the upcoming 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 (also known as 9/11)", reads one of the recovered documents.

The real breakthrough that led to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden came from a mysterious CIA detainee, Hassan Ghul, special report based on interviews with two dozen current and former senior Intelligence, White House and State Department officials said.

The US commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden was "not an assassination", US Attorney General Eric Holder said after the al Qaeda leader's sons denounced the operation on May 11. Holder said that the raid on bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan on May 1 was a "kill or capture mission" and that his surrender would have been accepted if offered, but that the safety of US Navy commandos was paramount.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, in an interview with Time Magazine, revealed that cooperation between the CIA and its Pakistani counterpart, the ISI, had broken down. Gilani said that, continuing to work with the United States could imperil his Government, unless Washington takes drastic steps to restore trust and win over 180 million Pakistanis. Gilani warned that his Government was accountable to an electorate increasingly hostile to the US.

May 13

90 people, including 73 paramilitary forces and 17 civilians, were killed when twin suicide bombers attacked Pakistan paramilitary personnel as they were about to leave from a FC training centre in the Shabqadar tehsil in Charsadda District. "The explosions detonated as newly trained cadets were getting into buses and coaches for a 10-day leave after their course, and they were wearing civilian clothes. The first bomb was a suicide attack. We are investigating the nature of the second bomb," Charsadda District Police Chief Nisar Khan Marwat said. TTP claimed their first major strike in revenge for Osama bin Laden's death, adds Dawn. "This was the first revenge for Osama's martyrdom. Wait for bigger attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan," TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.

Three militants were killed when a US drone fired two missiles into a vehicle in the Kharkamar area, 40 kilometres west of Miranshah, in the North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

Eight tankers carrying oil for NATO forces in Afghanistan were destroyed after a blast ripped through a parking lot at Torkham along the Afghan border in Khyber Agency. Local people said that a magnet bomb fitted with one of the tankers exploded with a bang. A group identifying itself as Abdullah Ezam Brigade claimed responsibility for the blast.

A suspected suicide bomber was killed and two others were injured when a bomb exploded in a house in Dotani village of Loralai District in Balochistan. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Sadiq. The injured included Nizamuddin and Sher Afzal, a 14-year old boy. According to sources, two people, identified as Nizamuddin and Mohammad Sadiq, visited the house of Fateh Mohammad and said they wanted to talk to him. Fateh Mohammad took them to a room where an explosion took place after a few minutes.

Two blasts rocked Saifur Market in the densely polluted area of Yar Hussain in Swabi District the night. However, no casualty was reported because the market was closed at the time of blasts. Officials said that target of militants were five CD shops in the market.

ISI Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha surrendered himself before Parliament for accountability after conceding intelligence failure of the country's premier secret agency in the Abbottabad operation in which al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed by US Special Forces on May 2.

In a rare show of parliament's supremacy over the country's military and intelligence institutions, the ISI head also offered to resign if parliament so decides, and pleaded forgiveness from the nation for the "intelligence lapse" in Abbottabad. He told the House that the United States had used stealth technology on its helicopters that could not be detected. "It was due to the technological superiority that they managed to get in undetected," Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdaus Ashiq Awan quoted the ISI chief as saying.

May 14

At least six persons were killed and 10 others were injured when a bomb concealed inside a bus exploded near Kharian town in Gujrat District of Punjab. According to Police Deputy Superintendent Mian Sultan, a passenger bus was heading to Kharian from Kotlan when a bomb went off near a police station at Chak Kamala.

Five militants were killed and several injured in a clash during the ongoing Army operation Brekhna (Thunder) in Suran Dara area of Mohmand Agency in FATA. The TTP 'spokesman' also admitted that three militants were killed in the exchange of fire with SFs. He claimed that several SFs personnel were also killed and injured. SFs claimed more gains in violence-plagued Baizai and Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

Five SFs personnel and two civilians were injured when a landmine exploded in Bankhel area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency. Sources said that soldiers were patrolling the area when explosive device planted on a dirt track in Bankhel area near Afghanistan border went off. Five soldiers, a girl and a driver received injuries, sources added.

Militants fired seven rockets at the residence of chief of Haleemzai Peace Committee, Haji Mohammad Ali, in Haleemzai tehsil in the night. The committee head remained unhurt.

Bomb Disposal Squad neutralised an eight-kilogram IED in Yakaghund area of Mohmand Agency.

Unidentified militants blew off Haji Mawez Kaley Government Boys' Primary School in Bakarabad area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency in the night. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident. The attack brings to 3, the total number of schools destroyed in Jamrud while the tally stands at 40 in the whole of Khyber Agency.

Two bombs exploded along the G.T. Road at Tarnab Farm in the limits of Chamkani Police Station of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An official said that both the blasts occurred simultaneously with a gap of 10 minutes at about 10.30am. However, people in the area remained unhurt, police said.

The Death toll in the twin suicide attacks on FC training centre in the Shabqadar tehsil in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 13 increased to 90.

A rail track near Jacobabad Railway Station in Jacobabad District of Sindh was damaged in a low-intensity bomb blast. After the explosion, train service was suspended. According to Railway officials there were no causalities in the incident.

Two imams (prayer leaders) of Pakistani origin and a relative were arrested in Florida of US for their alleged links to the TTP. FBI agents arrested Hafiz Mohammed Sher Ali Khan and his son Izhar Khan in South Florida. They will appear before a federal court in South Florida on May 16. The US FBI, which arrested them, is also looking for three other people who are believed to be in Pakistan. Another of Hafiz Khan's sons, Irfan Khan, was arrested in Los Angeles and will appear in court there. Also charged are three Pakistani residents: Ali Rehman, Alam Zeb and Amina Khan. Ms Amina is Hafiz Khan's daughter, and Alam Zeb is her son. The four-count indictment alleges that the three defendants arrested in the US planned to provide 'material support' to a conspiracy to kill, injure and kidnap people abroad. They also allegedly provided support to the TTP. Hafiz Khan is the imam at Flagler Mosque in Miami. Izhar Khan is an imam at the Jamaat Al Mu'mineen Mosque in Margate of Florida.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged Pakistan to stand united with its Western allies to tackle the Taliban, who were behind a double suicide bombing in the country. "It is with shock and sadness that I learned the death of some 80 paramilitary cadets killed in a terrorist attack,".

May 15

TTP militants killed two persons after accusing them of spying for the United States in the Nawi Adda and Boya areas of the Datta Khel areas in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Asim Kurd escaped an attack in Dashat area of Mastung District.

An officer of Balochistan Constabulary Force escaped a bomb attack while he was passing through Maingundi area on the Quetta-Mastung road in a convoy. However, no casualties were reported.

An office of the National Database and Registration Authority and an electricity pylon was damaged when a bomb blast occurred on Airport Road in Quetta.

Two militants were arrested in Dhadar area for their alleged involvement in attacks on tankers carrying oil for NATO forces in Afghanistan. It was reported that the Levies Force personnel signalled six militants to stop on the road linking Sibi to Bakhtiarabad but they opened fire.

Two prisoners, Alauddin and Kashif, who are associated with the LeJ outfit, escaped from civil hospital's jail ward in Karachi. It was reported that the suspects were being treated for the last one month under the court Police's custody. Two unidentified men came to the ward to help the prisoners escape. According to details, Alauddin was arrested by the Orangi Town Police on June 3, 2010, while trying to escape after robbing a private bank. Kashif was also arrested in 2010, by the Azizabad Police and was allegedly affiliated with the LeJ. It was reported that both the militants also have ties with TTP and collect funds for militant outfits in the tribal areas.

One of the militants involved in the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team on March 3, 2009, arrested in Taunsa Sharif city of Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab. Sources said that Police arrested Adnan Khosa for a bank robbery that took place on May 14 in Taunsa Sharif. Upon interrogation, Khosa confessed that he and his father, Qari Irshad, had been involved in the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. Khosa and his father had fled the country after the attack, according to sources, and had only recently returned from Dubai. Soon after the attack, police had arrested a man named Zubair from Hotel Makhan, on the Indus Highway near Shah Saddar Din, another town in Dera Ghazi Khan. Zubair had mentioned an accomplice by the name of Adnan Khosa during his interrogation.

The ISI chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha warned India that any Abbottabad-like attack by it would invite a fitting response from Pakistan as targets inside the country "had already been identified" and "rehearsal" carried out. Pasha's warning came as he addressed the in-camera joint session of the Senate and National Assembly held behind closed doors.

ISI stopped sharing intelligence with the CIA following the unilateral US operation to kill Osama bin Laden, The Sunday Telegraph reported. ISI agents, who had earlier been credited with helping spot targets for drone strikes and give data to the CIA, have now started to withhold crucial operational details about militants. The US said it had not shared information about the daring raid with Pakistan. The media report said the ISI has now broken off relations with the CIA. "They are furious. They handed over telephone intercepts in 2009 that were crucial in leading to bin Laden's courier - the key breakthrough in the hunt," a source was quoted as saying.

May 16

At least 12 militants were killed and another four injured in twin US drone attack in Mir Ali Town, some 40 kilometres east of Miranshah, in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

Two children were killed and another injured when one of them stepped on a landmine, planted by unidentified militants, in the empty house of Shah Nawaz in Wali Kor area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency.

A member of anti-Taliban peace committee was shot dead by militants in Jawaki village of Frontier Region Kohat. Militants claimed that they killed Ghani who had attended a jirga the other day.

Three persons, including a woman, were injured when militants attacked Shalowzan and Khaiwas villages with heavy weapons in Kurram Agency.

A Government-run school was blown up in Mamond area of Bajaur Agency. Locals said unidentified militants planted IED at Government primary school for boys in Gari Yagal area. The number of destroyed schools in Bajaur Agency has reached to 106.

A Quetta-bound car coming from Noshki in Dashat area of Mastung District was fired upon by unidentified militants, killing three people and injuring another. The dead were identified as Abdul Khaliq, Zahoor Ahmed and Abdul Rehman, all from Sasoli community.

Unidentified militants attacked an auto workshop at Sakran road in Hub town of Lasbela District with a hand-grenade, killing a man and injuring three others. 

Unidentified militants blew up a pipeline in Pir Koh gas field area of Dera Bugti District, disrupting supply to the purification plant. 

The Supreme Court admonished Balochistan Chief Secretary Ahmed Bux Lehri over the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan. CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that it was the duty of the Government to provide protection to its citizens in accordance with the constitution. Justice Chaudhry noted that although the army, Frontier Constabulary, Levies and other law enforcement agencies had been working under the command of Lehri, the security situation in Balochistan remained unchanged. The report presented by the secretary stated that 251 people had been killed in targeted killings and 155 in sectarian violence in the last three years in Balochistan. The court directed the secretary to prepare a comprehensive report detailing security situation in Balochistan in the last three years, 2008 to 2011.

A Saudi diplomat was shot dead by unidentified militants on his way to the Saudi Consulate in Khayaban-e-Shahbaz area within the limits of the Darakhshan Police Station in Karachi. The TTP claimed the responsibility for the killing, and warned US against attacking its close ally al Qaeda. 

An activist of MQM, identified as Danish, was shot dead near Crown Garden within the remits of Gulistan-e-Jauhar Police Station. 

One Nizamuddin, an activist of MQM-H was shot dead at Paracha Chowk area of Muhammadi Colony.

LEA arrested two alleged terrorists, identified as Qari Mustafa and Commander Ameen, in connection with the suicide attacks on the Chehlum procession of Hazrat Ali (A.S) near Karbala Gammy Shah in Lahore on September 2, 2010. The arrests yielded explosives, suicide jackets and sophisticated weapons.

Authorities in Pakistan interrogated Alam Zeb wanted in the US on charges of financing and supporting the al Qaeda linked TTP. Zeb is the grandson of the imam of a Florida mosque who was arrested in the US along with his two sons on May 14 on the same charges of creating a network that moved funds from the US to TTP.

Barrister Iqbal Jaffree moved a petition in the LHC calling for the expulsion of the US Ambassador Cameron Munter from the country, ban on transit facilities to the US until it apologises over the Abbottabad operation, and finally to take the matter to the ICJ.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani said that it was the need of the hour that the United States and Pakistan should rebuild the trust and confidence between their governments and institutions. PM said Pakistan desired due recognition and support of the international community, particularly that of the US, at this stage rather than negative messaging and uncalled-for criticism, emanating from there.

Britain and Pakistan need to work closely to further enhance their partnership in diverse areas, mainly in trade, investment and education with a view to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan and promote peace and security of the region and the world, President Asif Ali Zardari said. President Asif Ali Zardari said this while talking to a British delegation led by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Alistair Burt, which called on him at the Presidency.

PoK Chief Election Commissioner Justice Khawaja Mohammad Saeed fixed June 26 as the polling day for the General Election to 41 direct seats of PoK Legislative Assembly. According to the polls’ schedule, nomination papers will be filed by May 26.

May 17

15 militants and two SF personnel were killed during a clash when a group of 100 militants attacked a security checkpost in the Sangu Mera area north of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sources said that the militants from the adjacent Bara area of Khyber Agency in FATA attacked the check post located 10 kilometres north of Peshawar in the morning. The slain SFs personnel were identified as elite force constable, Zahid, and FC Zahiq Shah. Five other SF personnel also sustained injuries. 

SFs arrested a tribal shopkeeper from Shinwari Plaza in main bazaar of Kohat for his alleged links with TTP.

SFs shot dead five suspected al Qaeda linked militants who had tried to carry out a suicide bombing in south western city of Quetta. They were killed in gunfight near a paramilitary check post in Quetta. It was reported that the would-be bombers included three women and were believed to be foreigners. "From the appearance of the attackers, it looked they were either Uzbek or Chechens," a senior security official said, adding, "They had hand grenades and bombs strapped to their bodies." If the attack had been carried out, it would have been the second targeting Pakistan's military since al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a US raid on May 1.  A Police official said at least one of the attackers blew himself up before being shot. No SFs were killed, the officials added.

Bullet-riddled dead bodies of four SFs personnel were found in Degari intersection of Dasht tehsil area in Mastung District. The victims were identified as Muhammad Salim, Muhammad Nadeem, residents of Quetta, Major Riaz and Hawaldar Muhammad Yasin, of Multan District in Punjab.

The dead bodies of two tribesmen, killed on charges of spying for the US, were found in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.  The body of Sakhi Jan was found on Miramshah-Madakhel Road and another body of one Gul Zaman found in Derga Mandai area. Pieces of paper found on the bodies said the deceased were killed because they spied for the US. 

Two soldiers, identified as Basharat and Ajmal, were killed and another received injuries in a landmine explosion in Dabori area of upper tehsil in Orakzai Agency.  

Two NATO helicopters violated Pakistan’s airspace at Admi Kot post in North Waziristan Agency. The troops stationed at the post fired at the intruding helicopters and, as a result of exchange of fire, two of Pakistan Army soldiers received injuries.

Two NATO oil tankers were set ablaze near Khor village on Talagang-Attock Road in Attock District. 

Police arrested three alleged TTP militants for launching attacks on NATO tankers. The three alleged militants were identified as Ali Imran, Shujaur Rahman and Hafiz Aizazur Rahman.

A senior al Qaeda Yemeni operative, Muhammad Ali Qasim Yaqub alias Abu Sohaib Al Makki, was arrested by security agencies in Karachi. An ISPR report stated that the arrest of Al Makki is a major development in unravelling the al Qaeda network operating in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.

Al Qaeda has chosen a former Egyptian Special Forces officer as its leader in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death on May 2. Saif al-Adel, a top al-Qaeda strategist and senior military leader, has been tapped as caretaker ‘chief’ of the group, CNN reported, citing former Libyan militant Noman Benotman, who has renounced al Qaeda’s ideology. The decision to choose Adel, also known as Muhamad Ibrahim Makkawi, came as militants grew increasingly restive over the lack of a formal successor to bin Laden, Benotman told CNN. Bin Laden's long-time deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri, another Egyptian, is considered to be his presumed successor. Benotman said the appointment of Adel on a temporary basis may be a way for the group to gauge reaction to having someone outside the Muslim holy region of the Arabian Peninsula at the helm.

The ISI is trying to convince the Haqqani network to join Afghan peace talks. Officials and tribal elders with ties to the group said that the ISI wants the group to join Afghan peace talks, suggesting that Pakistan was unlikely to heed the US warning that it must act soon, the Journal added. US want Pakistan to crackdown on the militant group, which has carried out several attacks in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been submitting exaggerated and inaccurate bills for the billions of dollars US pays to fight militants along the Afghanistan border and the Pentagon has been rejecting 40 per cent of its claims,. “The billing spat has exacerbated tensions between the countries, which reached a nadir after the US raided the compound of Osama bin Laden without informing Pakistani authorities,” a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report said.

The US paid millions to refurbish four helicopters to help Pakistan’s army transport troops into battle against Taliban and other militants. But the Pakistanis ended up diverting three of those aircraft to peacekeeping duties in Sudan operations for which Islamabad receives compensation from the United Nations, US officials said. A senior Pakistani official termed it as “detrimental to bilateral trust”.

The Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said that the country’s security agencies had caught the terrorists involved in attacks on the Marriot hotel, GHQ and Parade Lane Mosque red handed, but due to lacuna in the Anti-Terrorism Act, the culprits got released.

Former Prime Minister and leader of N Nawaz Sharif urged Pakistan to stop treating India as 'biggest enemy'. He called for reappraisal of ties with its neighbour to move forward and progress, saying Islamabad must stop treating New Delhi as its "biggest enemy".

May 18

At least seven Shia people, including a passerby girl, were killed and six others sustained bullet injuries in an attack near Killi Kamalo area of Quetta. Police termed the incident as sectarian killing and have started investigating it. Meanwhile, LeJ claimed responsibility for the attack and a spokesman of the outfit, Ali Sher Hadri, threatened to carry out such attacks in the future as well against the Shia community.

BLA claimed responsibility for May 17 attack on SF personnel in Mastung District that killed four SFs.

Unidentified militants blew up the building of a Government-run primary school in Gul Bacha Korona under Saro Police Station in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With the latest incident, the number of blown up/torched schools reached 13 in Shabqadar tehsil alone.

Police arrested three suspected terrorists from Jamia Hafsa al-banat madrassa in the Tatlay Aali Police precincts of Gujranwala District. The arrested terror suspects include the madrassa’s Nazim, Qari Iftikhar Ahmed and two others, Qari Bilal Ahmed and Qari Muhammad Akram.

The TTP vowed to fight with “new zeal” in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death to complete the al Qaeda chief’s mission of waging holy war against the West, the ‘deputy commander’ of TTP Waliur Rehman told the Associated Press. Rehman said that terrorists would continue to stage attacks in the coming days. Rehman spoke to the AP along the border between North and South Waziristan. “After the martyrdom of Sheikh Osama, the Mujahideen will continue jihad to complete his mission with a new zeal,” Rehman said, referring to his fighters. “We have the same target, programme and mission,” he added. “Our enemies are NATO, Jews and Christians.” Rehman also questioned details that have emerged about the US raid that killed bin Laden.

May 19

One person identified as Shamsul Qamar, was killed and seven others, including two Policemen, sustained injuries in a roadside explosion at Jehangira Chowk in Nowshera District.  It was reported that a remote controlled bomb was planted by unidentified militants along the road near Jehangira Chowk. 

A security guard identified as Saeedullah was injured in a mysterious blast at Jalozai IDP camp. 

Lawyers, judges and litigants vacated Nowshera courts after a bomb hoax.

Unidentified terrorists blew up a gas pipeline near Pirkoh area of Dera Bugti District. 

Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi said that he has no idea whether the Quetta Shura, a group comprising Afghan Taliban leadership, including top leader Mullah Omar, is in Balochistan, but if it was present then no one could stop the US from carrying out attacks against it.

Asked about the killing of five alleged Chechen terrorists in Kharotabad area, the Governor said it was the provincial Government’s responsibility to investigate the incident and determine if the foreigners were suicide bombers or not and whether they were carrying weapons and explosive materials.

One of the secret internal American Government cables, accessed by Dawn through WikiLeaks, provide confirmation that the US military drone strikes programme within Pakistan had more than just tacit acceptance of the country’s top military brass, despite public posturing to the contrary. In fact, as long ago as January 2008, the country’s military was requesting the US for greater drone back-up for its own military operations.

In a meeting on January 22, 2008 with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral William J. Fallon, Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani requested the Americans to provide “continuous Predator coverage of the conflict area” in South Waziristan where the army was conducting operations against militants. The request is detailed in a ‘Secret’ cable sent by then US Ambassador Anne Patterson on February 11, 2008.

In another meeting with US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen over March 3-4, 2008, Kayani was asked for his help “in approving a third Restricted Operating Zone for US aircraft over the FATA.” The request, detailed in a cable sent from the US Embassy Islamabad on March 24, clearly indicates that two ‘corridors’ for US drones had already been approved earlier.

In a recording made shortly before his death, Osama bin Laden praised the mass protests that have toppled and shaken long-time rulers across the Arab world. Laden’s message, released on militant websites addressed to the Muslim nation, represents an attempt by him to remain relevant following sweeping changes in which al Qaeda and other militant outfits have played almost no role.

Announcing election manifesto, MQM said it will contest all 41 seats of Legislative Assembly of PoK in the General Elections of June 26, 2011. National Press Club, MQM Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar said MQM will continue struggle for the genuine rights of Kashmiris, adding, “MQM wants to resolve the Kashmir dispute as per aspirations of Kashmiris. They should be part of every talk over Kashmir between Pakistan and India.”   

Army Commander Lieutenant General Asif Yaseen Malik hinted at launching a military operation to clear the restive Kurram Agency in FATA of militants and make Thall-Parachinar Road safer for travelling.  

The tribal elders said that Government should replace paramilitary forces with the army in the area. “The government should deploy regular army on the main road,” they added. They alleged that FC had lost the confidence of people as the force failed to provide security to local population.

May 20

16 persons, including 8 members of a family, were killed when NATO oil tankers were set ablaze in two separate incidents at Landikotal and Torkham areas of Khyber Agency in FATA. The sources said in the first incident at 10:30 p.m. the militants torched a NATO oil tanker in Khugakhel area on the Landikotal bypass.

Six persons were killed when missiles fired by a US drone hit their car near Esha Check post in the North Waziristan Agency.  Sources said that two missiles were fired at the vehicle going from Miramshah to Spalga village. 

SFs targeted militant positions in Khadezai area of Orakzai Agency with artillery fire, killing six suspected militants. Two hideouts were destroyed. 

Five TTP militants were killed when a double-cabin vehicle on its way to Sadda in Kurram Agency from Mamozai, went off near the border area of Ghunza in Orakzai Agency. The dead were identified as Rasool Jan, Idrees Jamal, Haider Zaman, Bilal and Akbar Zaman Afridi, the driver.

Two FC personnel were killed and another two injured in a bomb blast in Mand town of Turbat District.  According to sources a bicycle rigged with an explosive device had been parked on a roadside.

One passerby was killed and 11 other injured in a car bomb blast on a US consulate vehicle on Abdarra Road in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at about 8 am. Two consulate personnel in the bullet-proof Land Cruiser also suffered minor injuries. According to Police, the vehicle carrying US personnel was going to the consulate office in the cantonment from the American Club in the posh University Town. US embassy spokesman in Islamabad, Alberto Rodriguez, said in a statement that the vehicle had been hit by an improvised explosive device. The vehicle was damaged, but no US personnel were seriously injured. The TTP, in telephone calls to AFP, claimed responsibility, threatening further attacks against Western targets and indicating that the blast was to avenge the May 2 killing of Osama bin Laden by US Navy SEALs. “Our first enemy is Pakistan, then the United States and after that other NATO countries,” said TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan.

Police arrested a would-be suicide bomber and two of his handlers belonging to TTP who were planning terror attacks in the financial hub Karachi. 

Confidential American diplomatic cables obtained by Dawn reveal new details about the activities of US forces on the ground in Pakistan, an issue that has gained heightened sensitivity in the aftermath of the Raymond Davis incident in Lahore and the American raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad. The reports reveal that US special operations forces were embedded with Pakistani troops for intelligence gathering by the summer of 2009 and deployed with them on joint operations in Pakistani territory by September that year.

By September, plans for the joint intelligence activities had been expanded to include army headquarters. “Pakistan has begun to accept intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support from the US military for COIN operations,” Ms Patterson wrote. “In addition … intelligence fusion centers” had been established “at the headquarters of Frontier Corps and the 11th Corps and we expect at additional sites, including GHQ and the 12th Corps in Balochistan.” In April 2009, the cell at Bala Hisar assisted with the Pakistan military operation then taking place in Lower Dir. “US Special Operations Command Force are assisting the FC at the Intelligence Fusion Cell at FC Headquarters with imagery, target packages, and operational planning,” a cable written that month reveals.

Quoting from a US cable dated April 8, 2008, accessed through the WikiLeaks, reported that the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi told US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher that India-Pakistan relations could not be held hostage to the issue of Kashmir alone.

Qureshi said there was a large constituency on both sides of the border that believed in moving forward, but they were not particularly vocal. In his assessment, the answer to improved relations lay in more confidence-building measures, people-to-people contacts and increased trade.

One of the seven suspects, Jamil Ahmed, arrested by Pakistan authorities for the alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks (also known as 26/11) was detained on the basis of information provided by Saudi Arabia, according to a secret US cable released by WikiLeaks, reported.

May 22

Ten SF personnel and four TTP militants were killed while nine SF personnel were injured in an attack by TTP on the Pakistan Naval Station (PNS) Mehran within Faisal naval airbase Karachi that started in the night of May 22.  The gun battle is still continuing. Two US made surveillance aircraft were also damaged in the attack. Claiming the responsibility for the attack TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said, "We had already warned after Osama's martyrdom that we will carry out even bigger attacks". “The operation still continues. It is not over yet," said one security official. The cordon around the attackers was being tightened and the operation was likely to be completed soon, he added. 

The Pakistan Intelligence had warned the Police and other Security agencies that terrorist outfits, including TTP, were planning to carry out such attacks on army, navy and air force installations. The Federal Interior Ministry had issued an alert, warning Police and other LEA to beef up security across the country.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik while condemning the assault in PNS Mehran said that al Qaeda and Taliban are enemies of Pakistan. “The attack was not on Pakistan navy but on Pakistan,” Malik said.

Eight militants were killed when helicopter gunships pounded their positions in Khadezai and Saigel Darra areas of Orakzai Agency in FATA.  Sources said that four militant hideouts were also destroyed in the shelling. Militants have established hideouts in the upper tehsil, which is still not in the control of SFs.

A joint unit in-charge of MQM, identified as Iftikhar, was shot dead near Model Park in Nazimabad within the jurisdiction of Nazimabad Police Station in Karachi.

Federal Police arrested one Ashraf Jonu, a militant of TTP accused of attacking NATO oil containers and seized four kilogram explosive material and two hand grenades from his possession. The initial investigation revealed that Jonu trained in preparing explosive circuit somewhere in Afghanistan and also had contacts with a Taliban leader Ameer Abdul Salam and visited Helmand in Afghanistan in 2007. He also remained in contact with Taliban Commander Maulvi Khalil in Afghanistan and allegedly owned up to attacking the NATO oil tankers near Mastung, Mach and Chaman along with his accomplices who hailed from Lahore, Quetta, Miranshah, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.

Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the US had a mole right inside Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad hideout and this was how the al Qaeda chief was tracked down.  Top US officials said after the raid that they were only partially certain of Osama's presence inside the $1 million mansion, but Malik says only definitive information could have led them right to the room where bin Laden was killed.

US President Barack Obama said that he would approve an Abbottabad-like operation which killed Osama bin Laden if another militant leader was found in Pakistan. Speaking to the BBC on the eve of his visit to Britain, Obama said that he was mindful of Pakistani sovereignty but said the US could not allow "active plans to come to fruition without us taking some action". Asked what he would do if one of al Qaeda's top leaders, or the Taliban leader Mullah Omar, was tracked down to a location in Pakistan or another sovereign territory, he said the US would take unilateral action if required. He said, "Our job is to secure the United States. We are very respectful of the sovereignty of Pakistan. But we cannot allow someone who is actively planning to kill our people or our allies' people. We can't allow those kinds of active plans to come to fruition without us taking some action." 

Barack Obama said that Pakistan's obsession with India that makes it look at its neighbour as an “existential threat” is a mistake and it would do well to shed this contest mentality. Obama said both he and British Prime Minister David Cameron understood that Pakistan had been “very obsessed” with India. US wants Pakistan to realise that the biggest threat to it does not come from outside but is “homegrown”. He said, “They see that (India) as their existential threat. I think that’s a mistake. I think that peace between India and Pakistan would serve Pakistan very well.”

In a meeting with an American diplomat in July 2009, ANP Senator Afrasiyab Khattak claimed that the Haqqani network, a militant group the US holds responsible for multiple attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan was being protected by the Pakistan military, American diplomatic cables, exposed by WikiLeaks reports. “Khattak described the Pakistani military as treating the Haqqanis ‘separately’ … from other militants,” reported Lynne Tracy, the Principal Officer at the US Consulate in Peshawar. “The Haqqani family, [Khattak] observed, has already moved out of North Waziristan. “Part of the family, he said, is living in a rented house on the Kohat Road on the southern side of Peshawar. The other half is living in a house owned by the Haqqani family in the Rawalpindi cantonment.

Pakistan Army denied a report that US Special Forces were embedded with Pakistani troops for intelligence- gathering missions in the northwest of the country. The Dawn on May 21 said that it had obtained secret dispatches from WikiLeaks that revealed that US Special Forces were deployed with Pakistani troops in joint operations in Pakistan by September of 2009. A spokesman from the Pakistani military’s media relations department categorically denied the presence of American troops in North and South Waziristan. “No US troops are involved in any military operations in FATA,” said the spokesman.

Charities from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates financed a network in Pakistan that recruited children as young as eight to wage “holy war”. A US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks said financial support estimated at USD 100 million a year was making its way from those Gulf Arab states to an extremist recruitment network in Punjab. Asked to respond to the report, Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry spokesman Osama Nugali said: “Saudi Arabia issued a statement from day one that we are not going to comment on any WikiLeaks reports because Saudi Arabia is not responsible for these reports and we are not sure about their authenticity.” The November 2008 dispatch by Bryan Hunt, the then principal officer at the US consulate in Lahore, was based on discussions with local government and non-governmental sources during trips to Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province. The network in Punjab reportedly exploited worsening poverty to indoctrinate children and ultimately send them to training camps, said the cable. Saudi Arabia is seen as funding some of Pakistan’s hardline religious seminaries, or madrassas, which churn out young men eager for “holy war”, posing a threat to the stability of the region. “At these madrassas, children are denied contact with the outside world and taught sectarian extremism, hatred for non-Muslims, and anti-Western/anti-Pakistan government philosophy,” said the cable.

The ISI chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha on May 22 warned the US that Pakistan will be "forced to respond" if it does not stop drone strikes in the country's tribal belt. The ISI chief took a firm stance with the US on drone strikes, as saying "We will be forced to respond if you do not come up with a strategy that stops the drone strikes”. Pasha also described a recent incursion by NATO helicopters into Pakistani airspace as a "shock" for defence cooperation between the US and Pakistan.

There are elements within the ISI and the Pakistani Army who provided support to Osama bin Laden, said American lawmaker and Chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence Mike Rogers. Rogers, who has access to classified US information on bin Laden case, however, said there is no evidence so far which indicates that the top leadership of either of these two Pakistan organisations were aware of the presence of bin Laden in Abbottabad. "But I believe, and I think many believe that there were elements within those organisations that may have provided them safety and at least logistical support to some degree," Rogers said.

Dawood Ibrahim, who tops the list of most wanted Indian fugitives who escaped from Mumbai in 1984 lives in a 20,000 sq ft bungalow on Clifton Road area in Karachi and is guarded by Pakistani Rangers and monitored by the ISI of Pakistan.

May 23

Eight militants and a soldier were killed during a clash in Suran Darra area of Mohmand Agency of FATA. Three personnel of SFs were also injured in the clash.

Seven militants were killed when a US drone strike destroyed a vehicle on the outskirts of Mir Ali, around 30 kilometres east of Miranshah, in North Waziristan Agency.

Three LI militants were killed while six volunteers of the Zakha Khel tribe sustained bullets injuries during a clash between Mangal Bagh led LI and Zakha Khel volunteers in Zakha Khel area of Khyber Agency.

A volunteer of Sultan Peace Committee, identified as Sher Afzal, was injured in a landmine explosion in Utmankhel area of Baizai tehsil.

A truck driver and two labourers were abducted by TTP militants in Bahai Dag area of Khwezai tehsil in Mohmand Agency.

Two bullet-riddled bodies were found from Morgab area in Turbat District. One of the victims was identified as Khalid Hanif, who was picked up along with his younger brother Ghulam Dastagir and nephew Mahzo by personnel of the Frontier Corps from their house in Nasrabad area in Turbat District. "Dastagir and Mahzo are still missing", said a family member.

The other victim, Ahmed was picked up from his house in Gowargo area of Mand, and killed by SFs during his illegal detention, claimed his family.

A cleric and Imam of Eidgah Mosque Maulana Abdul Jalil Mohammad Hasani was killed in Toghi road area.

Five security personnel have been abducted from Sherani area of Zhob District while they were going to Islamabad from Quetta.

The death toll in the attack by the TTP militants on the Pakistan Naval Station (PNS) Mehran within Faisal naval airbase in Karachi rose to 14.

The fatalities included 10 SFs and four militants. Two militants are suspected to have run away. However, earlier it was reported that five militants and five SF s were killed. The militants also destroyed two US-built P-3C Orion aircraft.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir rejected the reports of "security breach" at the Pakistan Navy's airbase that was attacked by TTP, saying the attack on the airbase could not be termed "security lapse". "Terrorists wanted to cause damage to the assets of the navy. And it was clear that they targeted naval forces," said Noman Bashir.

Contrary to Bashir's statement, Pakistan defence and political analysts termed the attack on the Mehran naval air base as a "big security lapse". Security Experts said that "insiders" were facilitating the militants in their deadly agenda and asked the Government and military to wake up to this. The daring attack by the armed militants, who used rockets, grenades and heavy ammunition, has raised serious doubt over the military's ability to protect its key installations.

"It is not possible for these terrorists to have so much creditable information about the presence of the aircrafts on the base without inside help. The fact that these militants have managed to hold off the SFs for 16 hours shows they came well drilled and prepared for the operation," Nasim Zehra, a political and current affairs expert said.

A motorist received minor injuries as a low intensity bomb planted beneath the Rashakai Bridge on Motorway (M-1) went off in Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

MQM-H chief Amir Khan was released from the Central Prison in Karachi. Khan was sentenced life imprisonment by the Additional District and Session Judge in the murder case of Farooque Qureshi, a worker of the MQM.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani said that regional peace cannot be guaranteed until the resolution of Kashmir issue, urging the world's peace loving nations to come forward to resolve the issue that has jeopardised the peace efforts in the region.

David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirator of 2008 Mumbai attacks, testified that Pakistani militant groups that got assistance from the ISI. The trial of businessman Tahawwur Rana is being closely watched worldwide, for what testimony might reveal about suspected links between the Pakistani militant group blamed in the rampage on India's city Mumbai in 2008 and Pakistan's main intelligence agency, which has been under increased scrutiny since Osama bin Laden was killed by US forces on May 2 outside Islamabad.

The Afghan Taliban on May 23 was quick to deny reports of their leader Mullah Omar being killed while being shifted by former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials from Quetta to North Waziristan, reports The Hindu.

A similar denial came from the TTP and was later quoted by Interior Minister Rehman Malik when asked if the Mullah Omar had been killed. This is not the first time the one-eyed militant has been reported dead. News about Omar being killed was aired by an Afghan television channel on the basis of an observation made by the spokesman of Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security, Lutfullah Mashal. Stating that "our sources and senior Taliban members confirm that they can't contact him", Mr. Mashal hoped that Omar was dead but could not confirm it.

Hamid Gul appeared across Pakistan's television networks denying this, adding he was at his home in Rawalpindi. "Was I killed too," was his counter. He said the Afghans may have put out this story to facilitate U.S. troop withdrawal and help President Barack Obama's return-to-White-House campaign.

Pakistan is under tremendous pressure and threat from extremist elements in the country which is reflected in the series of terrorist attacks including the latest one on the nation's naval facilities, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

NATO will protect its troops and Afghans from militants based across the border in Pakistan, the NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, reiterating pledges by the US to target insurgents there who have escalated attacks since Osama bin Laden's death. "We will take all necessary measures to protect the Afghan people and our own troops," he said of the NATO-led ISAF, whose war against the Taliban in Afghanistan has dragged on for 10 years.

May 24

Two dead bodies, identified as that of Abid Saleem and Mehrab Baloch, were found from Morgab area of Turbat District.

Another dead body, found in Majdalo area in Gowargo tehsil of Panjgur District was identified as that of Abdul Hameed Baloch who was picked up from a passenger coach on December 13, 2010, while he was heading to Panjgur from Quetta.

An activist of ANP, identified as Asghar Khan, was shot dead near Ghousia Chowrangi area within the limits of Landhi Police Station.

A militant 'commander', Fareed Marwat, was killed and three tribesmen were injured during clashes in Balishkhel and Khar Kallay areas of Kurram Agency in FATA.

TTP militants, coming from Darra Adamkhel, set ablaze 15 houses in Jammu area in Frontier Region Kohat. The residents of the area had raised an armed lashkar against TTP.

Deadlock was reported in the talks with militants for safe release of 31 abducted passengers. Sources said that TTP demanded PKR 60 million as ransom for release of 31 Turi tribesmen, who were abducted by them on March 26.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani asserted that terrorists by creating uncertainty and chaos wanted to de-stabilise the country but they would never succeed in their indiscriminate aims. Talking to media upon his arrival at Pakistan Navy's airbase PNS Mehran in Karachi, which was attacked by a group of TTP militants, the Prime Minister said that the terrorist attack on the naval facility was a point to ponder over for the entire nation.

May 25

Nine persons were killed and over 39 got injured when militants drove a car packed with explosives into a CID Police Station at University Road in Peshawar. Senior Police Official Muhammad Ijaz said, "It was a huge blast which completely destroyed the three-storey building," he said, noting that there were usually 10 to 15 people present at that time in the Police Station.

Four persons were killed and 18 others received injuries in the Balishkhel area of Upper Kurram Agency of FATA ahead of ceasefire agreement between the warring tribes of Shia and Sunni sects. To bring an end to clashes in different areas of the Agency, the elders of Turi and Bangash tribes during a meeting with the political authorities and FC officials in Parachinar agreed to take urgent steps for a truce and restoration of lasting peace in the volatile tribal region. The elders of six tribes of Ahle Sunnat had already declared a unilateral ceasefire in Sadda tehsil on May 24.

A bullet-riddled body, identified as that of Jamal Khan, was found from Gazgi area in Khuzdar District.

A Balochistan Levies trooper, identified as Muhammad Akram, was shot dead in Mastung District while he was on his way to levies station from Mastung city.

Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley who scouted targets for the attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 (also known as 26/11) testified about conversations he had with a Chicago based Pakistan born businessman Tahawwur Rana accused of helping the attackers and providing support to LeT and a retired Pakistan military officer Abdur Rehman, known as 'Pasha'. Headley said that ISI directorate and elements in Pakistan's military coordinated with Lashkar and other Pakistan militants. Headley told the US District Court jury about secretly recorded telephone conversations he had with Rana and Pasha.

Pakistan suspended a top commander, Commodore Raja Tahir, after the attack on Mehran naval base in Karachi by TTP militants, which killed 10 navy personnel and destroyed two spy planes in Karachi on May 22. Sources said investigators believe a senior militant leader, Ilyas Kashmiri, had organized the plan as he was the mastermind of the deadly TTP attack on the army's headquarters in Rawalpindi in 2009.

The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) that met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister's House resolved to crush terrorists with full might and vigour. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers, JCSC Chairman, Services Chiefs and ISI Director General. The DCC reviewed the security situation arising out of terrorist attacks and issues relating to regional security and stability. The chief of naval staff and secretaries of defence, interior and foreign affairs briefed the DCC on the terrorist attack on PNS Mehran, internal security and regional situation.

After in-depth discussions, it was decided that, coordinated efforts will be made to prevent and pre-empt acts of terrorism. It was decided that security, defence and law enforcement agencies would be authorised to use all means necessary to eliminate militants.

The US Defence Secretary Robert Gates defended the US assistance for Pakistan as he underscored the importance of continued engagement with the key regional country amid strains in the bilateral relationship. "I do not think that the money that we have spent in Pakistan has been a waste. The reality is that Pakistan now has 140,000 troops on the border. Their actions in Swat and in South Waziristan have been helpful to us," he said.

The US military said that it plans to scale back the number of American troops in Pakistan after Islamabad made a formal request, amid tensions over a US raid against Osama bin Laden. There are more than 200 US military personnel in Pakistan serving mostly as trainers as part of a long-running effort to counter al Qaeda and religious extremists. But the uneasy relationship between Pakistan and the United States has come under severe strain following a unilateral raid by US commandos that killed Osama bin Laden on May 2 in the Abbottabad.

May 26

A suicide bomber blew up a car laden with explosives at a checkpoint close to the Hangu Police Station and Hangu DPO Office in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the evening, killing 32 persons and injuring 60 others. A double-cabin pickup packed with explosives was detonated at a barrier outside the Hangu Police Station on Hangu-Thall Road, creating a 10-foot long and foot-deep crater, said a Senior Police Official.

TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claims the responsibility for the attack. "We accept responsibility for this attack. Soon you will see bigger attacks. Revenge for Osama can't be satisfied just with small attacks," he added.

Four persons were killed and five others injured during a clash between a lashkar of Zaka Khel tribesmen and LI in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Sources said that number of casualties might increase as the fierce gunbattle, which started when tribesmen tried to take control of the LI's trenches at Narray Baba, still continued between the two rivals.

TTP fired a mortar shell at a military checkpoint near Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency but there were no casualties.

Unidentified militants blew up a pipeline supplying natural gas to a purification plant in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District. The explosion also resulted in suspension of gas supply from well numbers 15 and 17 to a gas purification plant in Pir Koh area.

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf accused India of supplying anti-aircraft missiles, rocket launchers and mortars to insurgents in Balochistan. Cornered during a BBC TV interview over alleged Pakistani complicity in Osama bin Laden's hiding at Abbottabad, Musharraf brazenly charged India with fomenting trouble in Balochistan to wriggle out of a difficult position.

The Indian high commission in London rubbished Musharraf's allegations, saying they were "totally baseless".

The US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia Robert Blake rubbished the Pakistan's claim of Indian involvement in Balochistan, adding that the separatist movement in Balochistan is fuelled by the country's domestic policies and not India.

The Hizbul Mujahideen 'supreme commander' Syed Salahuddin said that Pakistan still supports militants in Kashmir despite its internal security problems. The Hizbul commander added that till the Kashmir issue is unresolved, Pakistan can never consider itself safe.

TTP vowed to continue attacks against Pakistan, even if the US leaves Afghanistan, till the implementation of the Islamic system in the country. Talking to the BBC, the spokesperson for the TTP in Mohmand Agency Sajjad Mohmand, warned of strikes on high-value targets at an even larger scale to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden.

TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told Wall Street Journal that they have no plans to attack nuclear arsenal. A larger assault by the TTP on Mehran naval base in Karachi renewed fears that Pakistan's sizable nuclear arsenal could be vulnerable.

America's "excuse" to pressure Pakistan's Government into fighting the TTP, who he portrayed as the country's true protectors. "Pakistan is the only Muslim nuclear power state," Ehsan said in a telephonic interview, adding that the TTP had no intention of changing that fact.

Working with Pakistan is a strategic necessity for the United States, even as Washington presses Islamabad to act more decisively on counter-terrorism, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. Pakistan had been a good partner in international efforts to fight terrorism, she said, despite anger in the US over the discovery that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had been living there for years before US commandos killed him in a May 2 raid.

Pakistan has agreed to permit the CIA to send in a forensic team to search Osama bin Laden's compound, the Washington Post reported, citing US officials. The CIA team will arrive at the compound in Abbottabad within days to thoroughly search the residence where US Navy commandos killed bin Laden on May 2 in a unilateral raid that angered Islamabad, the report said.

May 27

At least 23 militants were killed when the Army fighter jets pounded militants' hideouts in Orakzai and Kurram Agencies of FATA. Air strikes were carried out in Mamozai, Akhonkot and Bilras areas in upper tehsil of Orakzai Agency.

The death toll in the car bomb explosion in Hangu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rose to 39 as seven more bodies were recovered from the debris of the destroyed buildings. The number of the injured has reached 56.

Security agencies arrested six militants from Sindh and Punjab Districts in connection with May 22 terrorist attack on PNS Mehran airbase in Karachi. Five of the suspects were arrested from Shah Faisal and Model colonies of Karachi and the sixth identified as Qari Qaiser was arrested from a seminary in Chak 363-GB on Sattiana Road in Faisalabad District of Punjab province.

The United States gave Islamabad a list of terrorist leaders against whom it wants joint operation against. The list includes Osama bin Laden's deputy Ayman al Zawahiri, along with Siraj Haqqani of the Haqqani network, Ilyas Kashmiri, the head of the HuJI and suspected al Qaida leader, and Atiya Abdel Rahman, al Qaida operations chief, the US TV reported, citing unnamed officials from both Governments.

The chief of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman, once considered close to radical militants groups but now hunted by them, has been asked by the authorities to cut down his public appearances for his own safety. Maulana Fazlur has been warned by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) of an imminent threat to his life.

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the US was more committed to Pakistan after the Osama bin laden crisis, but asked Islamabad to take decisive steps to defeat al Qaeda. The top US diplomat affirmed that America had no evidence that anyone in Pakistan at the highest level knew where bin Laden was and she would return to Washington "ever more committed" to the relationship.

Hillary Clinton said there was no evidence of the country's military and intelligence officials knew that Osama bin Laden was hiding in a heavily-fortified compound near the Abbottabad military academy.

Pakistan's sovereignty is the top priority of the elected Government and the allies must respect its mandate, said Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan while briefing reporters on the federal cabinet's meeting.

Osama bin Laden and his top aides had discussed making a deal with Pakistan in which al Qaeda would refrain from attacking the country in exchange for protection inside the country, an unnamed US officials. Documents seized from the slain al Qaeda 'chief's Abbottabad hideout include messages between Osama bin Laden and his top operations chief over the past year which provide the first suggestion that bin Laden considered Pakistan's Government amenable to a bargain.

May 28

Eight persons were killed and 11 others injured when a suicide bomber targeted pro-government tribal elders at a market in Salarzai village of Bajaur Agency in FATA. The TTP 'spokesman', Ahsanullah Ahsan, claimed responsibility, saying the elders were targeted because they were helping the Security Forces.

Matta tehsil ANP President Muzaffar Ali Khan along with a Policeman and a guest were killed when unidentified militants attacked his Hujra at Matta tehsil in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with hand grenades and automatic weapons.

Unidentified militants blew up a telephone exchange in Mandan area in Bannu District.

President Asif Ali Zardari's Chief Security Officer Bilal Shaikh was attacked by unidentified assailants in Karachi. Shaikh was on his way from Firdous Colony to Khamosh Colony when unidentified assailants opened fire.

The US Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton has not given clean chit to Pakistan's ISI over Osama bin Laden's presence in the country, her spokesman Mark Toner said. "I don't think she (Clinton) gave them (ISI) a free chit," state department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference when asked if Clinton has given a clean chit to ISI with regard to its links to terrorists.

Top Pakistani Army officials are concerned that their ranks have been penetrated by infiltrators aiding terrorists in a campaign against the state. The top Pakistani military commander, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, was shaken by the discovery of al Qaeda 'leader' Osama bin Laden close to a Pakistani military academy, said The Washington Post.

May 29

Two Shia Policemen were killed and three other people, including a woman and a Sub-Inspector of the CID were injured in a sectarian attack on Spiny Road in Quetta. Meanwhile, Ali Sher Haideri, spokesman of LeJ claimed responsibility for the attack.

Unidentified militants blew up a gas pipeline in Sui area of Dera Bugti District.

An IED planted by terrorists on the outer wall of a house in Sheikh Maltoon area in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa went off, partially damaging the residence. However, no casualty was reported.

Anti-Extremism Cell of the CID claimed to have arrested four ST activists in connection with target killing incidents across Karachi and recovered a triple two riffle and two TT pistols from their possession.

One Muntazir Imam, an alleged target killer arrested from Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, confessed during interrogation that he was involved in the murder of SSP leader Abdul Ghafoor Nadeem and his son Mawia on March 11, 2010 at Nazimabad, and 11 others. Imam also admitted that he was involved in the murder of LeJ cadre Omar Dhobi at Aram Bagh. During interrogation Imam revealed that the four other militants arrested were involved in the murder of MQM activists.

TTP 'commander' and alleged mastermind of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination plot of December 27, 2007, Baitullah Mehsud, has been placed on top of the list of most wanted terrorists and criminals given by the US despite official claim that he was killed in a US missile attack in Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas in 2009. However, four other militants of TTP, Abdullah Saddam, and Abdul Rehman of Akora Khattak city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faiz Mohammad and Ikramullah of Waziristan in FATA are also wanted by the Police in connection with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistan has decided to launch an air and ground military offensive in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. The United States has long demanded that Pakistan launch an offensive in the region to hunt down the Haqqani network, one of the deadliest Afghan militant factions fighting American troops in Afghanistan.

FBI detectives disregarded multiple warnings that the Pakistani-American David Headley was working with the LeT - two of which came from his own wives. The FBI, intelligence sources said, instead chose to believe Headley's claims that he had only made contact with the jihadist group to further his work as a counter-narcotics informant. FBI officials, the sources said, were long aware of Headley's links with jihadists in Pakistan's north-west, and even interviewed him for information in the weeks after 9/11. But they believed Headley was working for the United States' Drug Enforcement Agency, which he developed a relationship with, after being arrested in 1988 for smuggling heroin from Pakistan. In 1997 Headley was arrested by the DEA again, and this time secured his freedom by becoming a key informant. In a 1998 letter, prosecutors said he "helped the DEA infiltrate the very close-knit Pakistani narcotics dealing community in New York."

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had attended the funeral of Mumbai attacks accused David Headley's father in 2010. This was disclosed by 50-year-old Headley at a Chicago court during the trial of co-accused Tahawwur Rana (50) in the 26/11 attacks case.

PM's office on May 29 rubbished the claim. "The Prime Minister never attended Saleem Gilani's funeral and had only visited Danyal Gilani's (Headley's half-brother) house to condole the death," a spokesman for Gilani's office said.

Taliban leader Mullah Baradar is believed to have informed US whereabouts of al Qaeda 'Chief' Osama Bin Laden. According to the UK newspaper report, in return the US promised to pullout troops from Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan once Osama had been killed or captured.

May 30

Three Punjabi settlers were shot dead and another sustained bullet injuries when unidentified armed assailants opened fire on them in Tasp area of Panjgur District.

A girl was killed and 10 others got injured in bomb blast at a local hotel in Miranshah of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

Humanitarian agencies active in northwest tribal areas have been quietly told to prepare for up to 365,000 displaced people in advance of a military offensive against North Waziristan Agency, a senior official with an international humanitarian agency said.

Local people recovered the dead body of a TTP militant from Akhorwal area in Darra Adamkhel in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Nine suspected terrorists were arrested during search operations in Darra Adamkhel and Hangu District of in connection with bomb blasts. Later, gunship helicopters targeted the hideouts of militants in Jammu area of FR Kohat and Bazidkhel town.

A militant 'commander' surrendered to Police in Lakki Marwat Police Station of Lakki Marwat District. An official said that 'commander' Azizullah of Dhoda village was wanted in several cases.

Law Enforcement Agencies arrested five suspects from a building opposite to the office of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) situated on Guru Mangat Road in Lahore District of Punjab province. The arrestees included a former SSG commando of Pakistan Navy, identified as Kamran Ahmed, and his brother, for allegedly providing maps of PNS Mehran naval airbase to the attackers. Sources report that Ahmed was in regular contact with another suspect involved in the attack, namely Qari Qaiser, who was arrested on May 27 from Sattiana area of Faisalabad District.

Dawn quoting the senior officials of Pakistan Navy reported that terrorists had entered the PNS Mehran base after breaching PAF's security parameters on the southern side, about 800 metres from the naval airbase. One of the officials said that the fact that terrorists did not attack the PAF facilities and rushed towards the PNS base gave credence to the view that they had predetermined targets and were facilitated from within.

The Federal Government refused to defend JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in a US court which summoned him, the ISI chief and some other Pakistan officials on a lawsuit filed by relatives of Americans killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks (also known as 26/11).

American national Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and Rivka had been killed in 2008 Mumbai attacks. The couple's son, Moshe, and others had filed nine claims against Hafiz Saeed being the patron of the banned outfit LeT, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Azam Cheema, Sajid Majid as well as the ISI, its former Director General Nadeem Taj and ISI chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

ATC declared former President General Pervez Musharraf a "proclaimed offender" in the December 2007 Benazir Bhutto assassination case. The court had issued an arrest warrant of Musharraf in February 2011 after FIA investigators declared him an "absconder". The investigators had told the court that Musharraf had not been cooperating in the probe of the assassination case.

The US Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen said that the Pakistani Government would launch a major offensive on militants in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

Describing the US-Pakistan relationship as vital, Admiral Mike Mullen said that he came away from May 27 meeting with Pakistani leaders convinced of their commitment to work with the US on security, intelligence and development.

May 31

Pakistani warplanes attacked TTP militants in Mirkalam Khel and Akhon Kot areas of the north western Orakzai Agency in FATA killing 18 terrorists. It is suspected that TTP commander, Tariq, who leads militants in Darra Adam Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, could also be among the dead.

At least four oil tankers were completely destroyed in a blast in one of the vehicles at the Torkham border while carrying fuel for the NATO forces in Afghanistan.

It was reported that the armed forces will carry out a limited operation in North Waziristan Agency primarily targeting al Qaeda, TTP and foreign militants, as against the widely held belief that the focus will be exclusively on the Haqqani Network. Military commanders ruled out the possibility of a full scale operation like the one launched in South Waziristan and said it was 'unfeasible' because of difference in ground realities. South Waziristan, they said, was a "no-go area" when they launched a major military offensive in October 2009 to flush out terrorists. "But the northern part has a massive presence of military and there are peace pacts with tribes that cannot be ignored."

A senior officer said, "The operation will be very selective and intelligence led." The major target, it is said, will be the TTP militants who took refuge in North Waziristan after having been dislodged from south. "It will indeed be a big achievement if we succeed in neutralising some of the suicide bomber training centres," added another officer.

One member of the JUI-F, Maulana Salimullah, who was also the District Ameer of Karak, was killed in Latambar area of Karak District by unidentified militants.

The body of missing journalist Saleem Shahzad, who worked as bureau chief for the Hong Kong based Asia Times, an online publication, and the Italian News Agency Adnkronos (AKI), was found from Mandi Bahauddin District. In the initial reports after his abduction Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged that Shahzad had been picked up by the ISI and that the ISI had threatened him last year as well when he had reported on the release of Mullah Baradar, an aide to Mullah Omar, who had been captured by Pakistan earlier.

Further investigations revealed that Ali Dayan, a Pakistan researcher for HRW, also made public an e-mail that Shahzad had sent then with the instructions to make it public in case something happened to him. The email provided Shahzad's account of a meeting he held with two ISI officials on October 17, 2010. After he disappeared on May 29, there were allegations that he had been abducted by the ISI because of his recent story on the PNS Mehran base attack of May 22. Shahzad had reported that the attack took place after the Navy identified and interrogated a few of its lower-level officers for their ties with al Qaeda.

At least 10 passengers sustained minor injuries when five bogeys of the Peshawar bound Khushal Khan Express derailed after a low intensity bomb explosion damaged the track near Tangwani Railway Station in Kashmore District.

The Anti-Extremist Cell of Sindh Police claimed to have arrested four alleged militants of LeJ after an alleged encounter on Hub River Road in Karachi. The arrested included Munawar Alam, Mohammad Shahid, Khawaja Talat and Mohammad Ali for their involvement in sectarian killings, kidnapping for ransom and robberies in the city. The Police also recovered two kalashnikovs, one 222 rifle, one TT pistol and a Suzuki Khyber (Q-2814) from their possession. Interrogations reveal that the accused also confessed to the killing of four persons, namely, Barkat Ali, a Shia man in Sharah-e-Noor Jahan Mumtaz Qadri, Pesh Imam belonging to Barelvi school of thought in Godhra Camp, New Karachi and two cadres of Sunni Tehreek, Izzat Gul and Adnan Sheikh in New Karachi Industrial Area.

The CID claimed to have arrested an absconding militant Ghulam Rasool Khoso from Chamra Chowrangi along with a TT pistol accused involvement in two murder cases.

Three bankers were abducted from Bin Qasim area of Karachi while they were returning from a club.

A young industrialist was abducted by armed assailants near Gulshan-i-Ghazi within the remit of the Mochko Police Station when he was driving to his workplace.

Pakistan is home to a large number of militant outfits and can be broadly divided into five groups, one of which specifically targets India and Kashmir that gets the maximum support from the establishment, a United States (US) Congressional report said. India and Kashmir-oriented militants, especially the LeT, JeM, and HuM, are based in both the Punjab province and in PoK. The report said that the Islamist militant groups operating in and from Pakistan territory are of five broad types, namely, globally oriented militants, Afghanistan-oriented militants, India- and Kashmir-oriented militants, sectarian militants, and domestically oriented militants. Globally oriented militants are al Qaeda and its Uzbek affiliates primarily operate out of the FATA and the mega city of Karachi, claimed the report. The Afghanistan-oriented militants, included the 'Quetta shura' of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, believed to operate from the Balochistan provincial capital of Quetta, as well as Karachi, added the report.

The leadership of Pakistan's ISI was not involved in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks (also known as 26/11), self-confessed plotter David Coleman Headley testified.

Further investigations revealed that he was trained by the ISI in safe houses near the airport and on the streets of Lahore in Punjab province. Headley disclosed that he had attended over 50 training sessions. He added that he had been introduced to Major Iqbal by a serving army officer, Major Ali, who he met in the military cantonment in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency in the FATA, adding that he knew where the safe house in Lahore was.

Headley testified before a US court that al Qaeda leader Ilyas Kashmiri had a plan to kill the CEO of Lockheed Martin in frustration over drone attacks along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and had sent men for surveillance.

A diplomatic cable sent under the name of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton states that despite public disavowals, "some officials of Pakistan's ISI Directorate continue to maintain ties with a wide array of extremist organizations," in particular the Taliban and the LeT.

The cable also focussed on the check of illegal finance flows into Pakistan and Afghanistan from some Gulf countries, which was also marked to American Embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.

While the US cleared billions of dollars worth arms sales to Pakistan for the war against terror, including advanced F 16 fighters, it refused the sale of a crucial advanced missile technology due to concerns that it could be used to target India the latest released WikiLeaks cables reported.

June 1

Seven SF personnel were killed when Taliban militants from Afghanistan's Kunar province attacked and overran Shaltalo security checkpost jointly manned by FC and Dir Levies in Berawal area of Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the Pak-Afghan border.

A person suffered injuries when a rocket fired by unidentified militants, from an undisclosed location, hit a tree near Sarbanda Bus Stop in Peshawar.

Unidentified militants blew up three empty houses of IDPs in Frontier Region of Kohat. Officials said that militants, who were targeting members of a tribal lashkar and their houses in Jammu area in FR Kohat, came to the village and planted explosives at three houses.

A power pylon of 500KV transmission line, from Tarbela Dam to Sheikh Mohammadi grid station of Peshawar, was blown up by unidentified militants in Nazar area of Swabi District.

Unidentified militants blew up a community model primary school for girls in Achini area of Peshawar.

Militants targeted FC fort in Shna Warai area in Hangu District with rockets. However, rockets landed in open fields. SFs repulsed the attack and retaliated with firing from heavy machineguns.

The members of Akakhel Peace Committee shot dead two captives of LI to avenge killing of one of their volunteers in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA.

SFs recovered a huge quantity of oil, allegedly stolen from the tankers supplying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan, from the warehouse of Umar Gul in Landi Kotal.

Professor Ghulam Hussain Saba Dashtiari of Balochistan University was shot dead in Sariab area of Quetta. Meanwhile, Saifullah, the spokesman for the AI outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.

Six people were injured in a remote-controlled bomb explosion at Baarboze area of Dera Bugti District.

The Government is not fond of military action and wants to have an exit strategy, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said. The Government, he said, was not taking dictation from anybody, "but it will take action when its writ is challenged [in North Waziristan]". "We will decide if there is any need for [an operation in North Waziristan.] We will not meddle unnecessarily," the premier said.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the Government was ready to hold dialogue with militants on condition that these elements surrendered themselves to the political agents of their areas.

Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik ruled out an imminent offensive in North Waziristan, contradicting a newspaper report that Pakistan had agreed to assault North Waziristan following pressure from the United States. Speaking at a news conference in Mohmand Agency, Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik, commander of the 11th Corps based in Peshawar, said there was no change in his forces' posture in the last weeks.

The Government has decided not to carry out an army operation in North Waziristan, the Senate's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs was told in its June 1's meeting.

The courier who led US intelligence to Osama bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan hailed from the Swat Valley, unnamed Pakistani officials said. The officials identified the courier as Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed. He and his brother Abrar were shot dead in the US Navy SEAL raid on May 2 that also killed bin Laden and two other people.

The United States should delay much of its multibillion-dollar package to Pakistan pending economic reforms as the aid has led to official inaction and public resentment, Centre for Global Development study reported. The report by the Centre for Global Development, a private Washington think-tank, comes as more US lawmakers question aid to Pakistan after US forces discovered and killed Osama bin Laden.

According to a book written by slain Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad the 26/11 Mumbai attacks was scripted by ISI officers and approved before its execution by al Qaeda 'commanders'. The book titled 'Inside Al-Qaeda and the Taliban beyond bin Laden and 9/11' describes the Mumbai plan as one pushed through by Ilyas Kashmiri, a key al Qaeda ally with wide links with the Pakistan defence establishment. Shahzad says in the book that the plan was authored by the ISI officers and embraced and executed by LeT.

ISI issued a rare media statement to deny it was behind the abduction and killing of Saleem Shahzad. The ISI also threatened legal action against media outlets that were speculating that the spy agency was somehow linked to the slaying of the journalist.

Pakistan's leading human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir has described Pakistan Army generals as political duffers who are out to ruin the country by promoting terrorism.

June 2

At least 27 SFs personnel were killed as Afghan Taliban attack Shaltalo security post in the Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghanistan border. 45 militants were also killed in the clash that followed. Three civilians were also killed during the clash. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Malakand Division) Qazi Jameel said that the militants wearing uniforms of the Afghan National Army, NATO troops and Pakistan Army stormed the post in Shaltalo and opened fire with heavy weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. The post and a school building used by security personnel were destroyed. Official sources said 250 to 300 militants had taken part in the attack. The militants had crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan's Kunar region.

Two bullet-riddled bodies, identified as those of Muhammad Tariq Baloch from Turbat District and Abdul Hameed Marri from Winder city in Lasbela District, were found near coastal highway in the Lasbela District.

A leader of the National Party, Nasim Jangian was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Turbat District.

Unidentified armed militants abducted two brick traders, identified as Haji Faiz Muhammad and Haji Muhammad Mandukhail from Dasht area some14 km from Quetta.

A Shia activist of the MQM, identified as Sadaqat Hussain, was shot dead in a sectarian attack in Orangi Town of Karachi.

The CID of Sindh Police claimed to have arrested a suspected TTP militant, Khan Afsar Mohmand alias Jawad, from Manghopir area of Karachi. He is involved in numerous target killings, kidnapping for ransom and extortion cases. A TT pistol and ammunition was allegedly seized from him and a hit list containing the names of senior leaders of Political parties and Police officers was also found on him. Afsar is believed to have joined the TTP in Mohmand Agency of FATA where he conducted militant operations against the Armed Forces. He is said to be closely linked with TTP's Qari Shakeel group based in the northern areas and is charged of killing seven people in 2010 and one person named Farooq Ahmed in January 2011.

A high alert was sounded at the Pakistan Air Force's Chaklala airbase and Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Rawalpindi on May 31 after an intelligence agency warned of possible terrorist attacks.

Pakistan Government will "think whether there is any need" for a military operation in North Waziristan and not take dictation from anyone on launching a campaign against militants in North Waziristan whenever its writ is challenged, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said.

Responding to a question, Gilani said US drone attacks are unacceptable as they are "against Pakistan's sovereignty, public opinion and the spirit of resolutions passed by Parliament". These attacks are counter-productive as they affect Pakistan's strategy to separate tribesmen from militants.

The AIG of BDS, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shafqat Malik, said that provincial BDS officials had diffused 317 IEDs in the current year and foiled 25 per cent of terror acts in the province. Briefing media persons in Peshawar, AIG Malik said that 25 per cent of terror attempts were foiled in the provincial capital by diffusing bombs, suicide jackets, fuses and other explosive material.

The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said that Pakistan needed space to sort out internal problems and that it would be dangerous for the United States to abandon the troubled war partner. Mullen said that Pakistan has been going through "a great deal of introspection" in the month since US forces killed Osama bin Laden.

Admiral Mike Mullen said that the US was not ruling out the possibility of reconciliation with some Haqqani Network militants, while stating that Pakistani and American militaries could undertake joint operations against the militants.

Pakistan is going to reduce sharply the number of US military trainers allowed in the country, Admiral Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. Admiral Mike Mullen declined to offer figures on Pakistani plans to cut the military mission but said the number of US trainers was "not going to zero." "There clearly is an ongoing contraction of that support and it is tied to the difficult time we are going through," Mullen told defence reporters in Washington.

Pakistan said that there should not be "baseless speculation" from any quarters regarding the testimony of David Headley in the US trial of terror suspect Tahawwur Rana, charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks. Headley's case involves a trial in the US and Pakistan has not been given access to him, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua told a weekly news briefing.

June 3

Top al Qaeda leader and 'head' of HuJI, Ilyas Kashmiri, was killed in a US drone strike in Wana Bazaar area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA at 11:15 pm along with another eight militants. A hand-written brief statement in Urdu-language from a 'spokesman' of the HuJI, Abu Hamzullah Kasher, distributed in Wana Bazaar on June 4 afternoon, confirmed that Kashmiri was killed. "Harkatul Jihad al-Islami's 313 Brigade confirms that in Friday's drone attack at 11:15pm our 'commander-in-chief', Muhammad Ilyas Kashmiri, was martyred," the spokesman, Abu Hamzullah Kasher said in the statement. "We have received reports of his death. But we are waiting for conclusive evidence to confirm that Kashmiri has been killed with nine other terrorists," an unnamed security official told Daily Times. "What is confirmed is that he (Kashmiri) was seen two days back at the site of the attack," the officials said. "Testimonies of the injured will clear the situation when they speak out," he added.

Ilyas Kashmiri is believed to having planned the deadly attack on Navy's airbase PNS Mehran in Karachi on May 22. "We will certainly give the US a revengeful reply," added the HuJI spokesman Abu Hamzullah Kasher.

Four persons, including three SFs officials, were injured in a hand grenade attack on a check post in Ghundi area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency.

Six persons, including two SF personnel, were killed and 11 persons, including two Policemen were injured in a clash between armed assailants and law enforcers in Sachal area of Karachi. One of the killed SF personnel was identified as Mumtaz Ahmad, while the two injured Policemen were identified as Nawaz and Khadim Hussain.

Hundreds of militants besieged Nusrat Darra area in the Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the Afghan border, shortly after troops claimed to have regained control after a combat operation that killed 75 persons.

The TTP claimed responsibility for the cross-border attack on the Shaltalo security post. Ehsanullah Ahsan, 'spokesman' for the TTP, told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location that "Up to 40 to 50 of our fighters took part in the operation. None of our fighters were killed." 'Deputy leader' TTP Fakir Mohammed said the group with close ties to al Qaeda had changed strategy and would now focus on large-scale attacks only on State targets like the one in Dir.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government primary school in Darsamand area in Hangu District.

Two persons, facing charges of blowing up a Levies Force Fort at Chakdara and a Police Station in Lower Dir on May 8, 2009, were granted bail by the Peshawar High Court due to lack of evidence.

People were not allowed to go near the monumental structure of Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore because of security reasons. Minar-e-Pakistan Project Director Shafique Raza said people had been barred from going near the Minar-e-Pakistan because militants have threatened to target the monument and consequently the management decided to close it to visitors.

The Federal Government has raised the defence budget by 11.36 percent by allocating PKR 495 billion for the country's three Armed Forces in the upcoming financial year 2011-12 against the upward revised budget of PKR 444.495 billion in the outgoing fiscal year ending June 30. The Government had been requested by the armed forces to make an allocation of PKR 582 billion. But, the Ministry of Defence had proposed to the Finance Ministry an allocation of PKR 524 billion for the three armed forces - Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy.

The Government will spend PKR 56 billion on internal security of the country during 2011-12 as the intensity of terrorist attacks, especially after the killing of al Qaeda 'chief' Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, has made the job of the departments concerned more challenging. The projected allocation includes PKR 5.8 billion for various projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

Al Qaeda has released a two-part 100-minute video apparently produced after the death of Osama bin Laden that calls for individual acts of jihad (Holy war) on "enemy soil," a US-based monitoring service SITE said. Among the several speakers are Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's long-time number two to bin Laden, and American-born Adam Gadahn, who says that Muslims living in the West are "perfectly placed to play an important and decisive part in the jihad against the Zionists and Crusaders."

State Department official Shari Villarosa said that al Qaeda still has the capacity to stage international attacks from Pakistan despite US forces' killing of the terrorist network's 'leader' Osama bin Laden.

Pakistan-based militant group blamed for the assault on Mumbai could also pose a threat to the United States, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said. Napolitano, who visited India, last week for talks on anti-terrorism, renewed her assertion that LeT, was in the same league as al Qaeda in US eyes.

June 4

At least 20 people were injured after unidentified militants threw hand grenades at a hotel in Karachi on Thakkar road. According to some media reports, the hotel also doubles as a gambling den.

Unidentified militants blew up a boys' school at Shalobar area in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency, taking the total number of destroyed schools to 42 in the last two years. However, no casualties were reported in the incident.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has demanded to the Afghanistan President to stop Afghani Taliban from attacking Upper Dir District while criticising the NATO for ignoring terrorists' cross over from Afghanistan.

LeT, an "extremely capable" terror group with a sophisticated regional network continues to plan its operations from within Pakistan, a US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report said, warning that militant safe havens inside that country pose greatest threat to American national security.

June 5

The SFs killed 26 Afghan Taliban militants in the fourth day of fighting close to the Afghanistan border, in the Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police officer Bahadur Khan said the militants crossed over into Upper Dir from Afghanistan's Kunar province and opened fire on troops. In the retaliatory firing 26 of the militants were killed, he said, adding troops suffered no casualties.

19 persons were killed and 45 others were injured when a suicide bomber attacked an Army-run bakery on the Mall Road in Nowshera Cantonment area of Nowshera District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at around 8.45 pm in the night. The condition of 12 of the injured persons was said to be serious. According to an unnamed Police official, those killed in the attack included the wife of an Army major, his son and a daughter. According to bomb disposal squad personnel, the suicide bomber appeared to be a teenager. His head had been found in the debris of the bakery. Seven to eight kilograms of explosives had been used in the bombing. The attack was claimed by the TTP. "It was a remote control bomb which was planted by our men," TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said in a phone call from an undisclosed location.

Six persons were killed and another 11 injured when a bomb ripped through a passenger vehicle parked at a bus terminal near a market in Matani, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Peshawar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militant shot dead a FC official in Junglekhel area of Kohat District. According to Police, FC official, Noman, posted at Hangu was on leave and was going to a market when unidentified militant opened fire at him, killing him on the spot.

Unidentified militant set ablaze a NATO container at Kombripul of Kachi area in Haripur District. However, the driver and cleaner remained unhurt.

Two rockets were fired on the FC and Khasadar Force checkposts by unidentified militants in Zayarai area of Landikotal tehsil in Khyber Agency.

Militants blew up the house of former agency councillor Haji Khiyal Zaman on suspicion of patronising a local peace committee in Akkakhel area of Khyber Agency.

LI pasted leaflets in different parts of Malakdin Khel locality in Bara subdivision of Khyber Agency, warning residents not to allow their women to travel alone or without a close male family member. "Husbands would be penalised heavily if they allow their wives to travel alone in any public transport vehicle," the pamphlet warned. It threatened local residents, especially youth, to desist from shaving and uploading musical ring tones in their cellular phones. "The violators will be heavily fined," it warned further.

The South Punjab chapter of TTP threatens the CD businessmen of Imperial Market in Raza Bazaar in Rawalpindi to shut down movie and CD shops or face the consequences. The letter, written in Urdu on plain white paper, was addressed to the president of Imperial Market, Sheikh Idrees, and claimed to be written by the leader of TTP-South Punjab.

Pakistan Intelligence Agencies uncovered a plot to assassinate President Asif Ali Zardari and arrested several suspects. The Agencies conducted raids over the past few weeks in Islamabad and Punjab and arrested up to 42 suspects.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the Government is ready for political dialogue with the estranged leaders of Balochistan in the larger national interest. Speaking during a briefing at Quetta on security situation in Balochistan, the Prime Minister appreciated efforts of the Balochistan Government to improve law and order situation in the province.

Gilani said progress on the issue of missing persons is quite satisfactory, however, more efforts should be made for finding the remaining 38 persons. The Prime Minister further said that out of a total of 144 missing persons, 41 returned to their homes while false cases against 38 were withdrawn, while many other persons have been located.

The Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said in the meeting that the Government has hard evidence of involvement of foreign agencies in Balochistan.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that he was "98 percent sure" senior al Qaeda operative Ilyas Kashmiri was killed in a US drone strike near the Afghanistan border.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik described David Coleman Headley as a convict who has "no credibility and cannot be trusted". In an effort to discredit Headley's testimony that detailed the alleged links of ISI officials to the Mumbai 2008 (also known as 26/11) attacks, Malik questioned whether Headley could corroborate his claims about Pakistan's spy agency.

There is no evidence of Taliban presence in the provincial capital Quetta and the propaganda in this regard is baseless, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.

The US drone strike that killed top al Qaeda leader and 'head' of HuJI, Ilyas Kashmiri in Laman village, 20 km from Wana, in South Waziristan Agency also eliminated top TTP 'commander' Amir Hamza. Hamza, a resident of Wana, was commander of the Mullah Nazir faction of the TTP. Mullah Nazir has an agreement with the Government and many Punjabi Taliban fighters are believed to be living in Wana and surrounding areas that are controlled by his group.

A Washington Post report said that Pakistan helped the United States locate Ilyas Kashmiri. Washington Post reported that Ilyas Kashmiri was on a list of terrorist leaders the United States gave to Pakistan in May. The New York Times reported that Kashmiri's death "could go some way to alleviating the strained relations" between Pakistan and the US, particularly after the covert raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad on May 2.

June 6

Eighteen militants were killed in three US drone strikes in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. Earlier, Dawn reported that only seven militants were killed. The first strike killed seven terrorists in the early hours in Shalam Raghzai, 10 kilometres northwest of Wana, the Agency’s main town. The second one struck a compound in Wacha Dana, 12 kilometres northwest of Wana, killing eight terrorists. The third hit eight hours later in the Dray Nishtar area, which lies on the border with North Waziristan at 10:45am local time, around 30 kilometres from the site of the other two raids.

TTP threatened to attack American targets abroad to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden. Omar Khalid Khorasani, the top TTP ‘commander’ in Mohmand Agency said that the recent attacks in Pakistan were only the start of bloody reprisals after Osama bin Laden’s death.

Ahmedzai Wazir tribes won local TTP ‘commanders’ support during a Jirga to keep the 2007 ‘peace deal’ going in South Waziristan after a US drone strike killed dreaded terrorist leader Ilyas Kashmiri on June 3, Ahmedzai Wazir tribe elders said. “

Two men, including an activist of MQM, identified as Mateen and Sanaullah, were shot dead, while two others, Salahuddin and Sajid were injured by unidentified assailants near Noor Hotel within the remits of PIB Police Station.

Unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at Lyari Peace Committee Chief Aziz Baloch in Ghas Mandi area injuring 10 people, including associates of Baloch.

Unidentified assailants shot dead an official of Military Intelligence and injured two others in Bannu square in Thall tehsil of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Official sources said that Subedar Naseem Jan and lance Naik Abdullah of Military Intelligence were on their routine duty on a motorcycle when unidentified assailants opened fire.

A special anti-terrorism court in Peshawar has formally indicted Sufi Mohammad, ‘chief’ of TNSM. Special court judge Aasim Imam delivered his verdict in two cases and indicted Sufi Mohammad. The hearing was held in a special court set up in the Peshawar Jail. Hearing of two other cases has been adjourned until June 27 due to absence of the authorities concerned.

People of various tribal regions have refused to form anti-Taliban lashkars and demanded release of the 175 members of a jirga allegedly imprisoned in Mohmand Agency about a month ago. Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, the students of different tribal regions, led by FATA Students Federation vice-president Shafeeq Ahmad Safi, Barhanuddin and Gul Sattar Mengal, rejected the Government’s move to force the tribal people to form anti-Taliban peace bodies.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani extended his unqualified support to the process of reconciliation in Balochistan, encouraging Baloch militants to come to terms with the Government to return peace in the province.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik confirmed the death of al Qaeda leader Ilyas Kashmiri, the mastermind of PNS Mehran in Karachi, in US drone strike on June 3.

Pakistani Law Enforcement Agencies have been put on alert in the Federal capital Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to prevent possible suicide attacks to avenge the killing of Ilyas Kashmiri. The NCMC of the Interior Ministry after receiving an intelligence report on possible attacks reported that the terrorists are plans to launch motorcycle-riding suicide bombers against targets. The LEAs were informed that five to nine TTP operatives have been sent to Islamabad and Rawalpindi to strike targets.

Ilyas Kashmiri was in the process of forming a new terror outfit called the "Lashkar-e-Osama" (LO) for carrying out reprisal attacks to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden. Kashmiri convened a special meeting attended by TTP commanders Asmatullah Maavia, Amjad Farooqui and Badar Mansoor in the Data Khel area of North Waziristan Agency a week ago to constitute the special squad.

June 7

Five militants and one trooper, Nahid Gul, were killed when militants from Afghanistan attacked a check post in Patala area of lower Kurram Agency in FATA near the Pakistan Afghanistan border. Also, another trooper, identified as Azeem Khan was abducted during the attack.

Eight NATO oil tankers were destroyed in an explosion near Torkham Border in Khyber Agency before crossing into neighbouring Afghanistan. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

At least one person was killed when a bomb exploded in Hazar Gunji area near Shalkot Police Station in Quetta.

Pakistan rejected calls by the US to prosecute Intelligence officers and top LeT commanders indicted by a Federal Court for their role in the November 2008 Mumbai attack (also known as 26/11). In meetings conducted in May 2011 with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Pakistani officials said that action against the LeT could spark off a war within Pakistan.

Al Qaeda and outfits linked to it remain the world's biggest Security threat despite the killing of Osama bin Laden, the head of Interpol said. The Interpol claimed that airlines and other forms of public transport are most at risk, with terrorists using fraudulent passports to travel undetected.

The tribesmen of Jawaki area in Frontier Region of Kohat demanded the authorities to launch operation against militants and their harbourers in Tor Chappar locality of Darra Adamkhel town, lying between Peshawar and Kohat District, to stop rocket attacks on their homes.

According to a new report published by the SIPRI, Pakistan is in danger of "losing control of part of its nuclear arsenal" to terrorists.

An ATC granted bail to two suspects of attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on March 3, 2009. The two suspects, Ashfaq and Mohsin, petitioned that they had no role in the attack and the charge sheet submitted by the Police also did not establish their involvement in the incident.

Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana was involved in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks (also known as 26/11) and he and his friend Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley were part of the same team that carried out the 26/11 assault, a US federal attorney told a Chicago court.

Pointing at the ISI's direct involvement in providing arms to militants in Jammu and Kashmir, Tahawwur Rana, the Pakistani-Canadian accused in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks (also known as 26/11), has told FBI that ISI gives weapons to terrorists when they are about to enter the Indian territory. In the interrogation video played for the first time during his trial, Rana knowing well that his statements could be used against him during the trial told FBI investigators that Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley had told him ISI provided weapons to “freedom fighters” in Jammu and Kashmir.

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in Washington that he had “no confirmation” of HuJI’s death when he was asked about Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s remarks.

It has been revealed that a photograph purporting to show Kashmiri after his death — which was posted along with a statement from HuJI on the Shamukh al-Islam jihadist Internet forum — was actually a picture of Abu Dera Ismail Khan, a LeT militant killed during the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks (also known as 26/11).

June 8

US missile strikes hit a militant training facility and a suspected vehicle in North Waziristan Agency of FATA, killing 24 militants. At least 20 terrorists were killed when US drone aircraft fired four missiles at a fortress-like terrorist training camp in Zawai Narai area of Shawal tehsil.

Five militants and two SF personnel were killed when militants laid an ambush on the patrol party with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades in the Shaheedan Dhand area of Kurram Agency.

Maulvi Nazir faction of TTP vows to escalate anti-US fight in Afghanistan in response to intensified drone missile strikes on its territory. Maulvi Younus, one of Nazir’s senior ‘commanders’ said that “Because the United States is launching these strikes we will send more fighters to Afghanistan and step up our operations against US forces”.

Pakistan's paramilitary troopers shot dead a youth at point blank range in Karachi. The victim, identified as Sarfraz Shah, was pleading for mercy after being surrounded by five troopers of the Pakistan Rangers at Benazir Bhutto Park in Boat Basin area of Karachi.

An ANP activist, Javed alias Toti, was shot dead at the Wednesday Bazaar of Qasba Colony in Pirabad Police precincts.

One Khadim Hussain, an activist of PPP was killed when armed men opened fire on him near Teen Talwar area on Clifton Road within the jurisdiction of Frere Police Station.

Army sent home two-thirds of the US military personnel who were training its forces in counterinsurgency skills along the porous border with Afghanistan. An unnamed senior Army official said that 90 of an estimated 135 US trainers have left the country, the latest setback in the deeply troubled relationship between the United States and Pakistan’s Army following the May 2 US raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin laden.

Leon Panetta, Director of the CIA, said that Islamabad must do more to go after militants within its borders who are plotting and directing attacks against troops in Afghanistan.

The US anti-terror cooperation with Pakistan is in American long-term security interest and the cooperative efforts between the two countries have yielded results, the US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

The family of killed al Qaeda leader Ilyas Kashmiri wanted to know about the proofs of his death. His elder brother said, “We haven’t seen his body or any part of his body and unless we get some evidence we can’t accept he’s dead. We want solid proof. So far we have no official confirmation of his death. Even intelligence officials have been coming, asking if we’ve received any information. If he has been killed in jihad we’d appreciate it because it would be martyrdom.”

Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, an adviser to the Prime Minister after his visit to a jail in Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province came up with the observation that jails have become breeding grounds for extremists because outfits like the TTP and the SSP have taken their “ideological campaign” to prisoners.

David Coleman Headley mapped out the hierarchy of LeT and provided valuable information on terrorist leaders inside Pakistan, the US Federal Attorney Vicky Peters told a court in Chicago. This information, given by Headley in the first two weeks after his arrest in October 2009, was passed on to other Governments, Vicky Peters said during closing arguments in the trial of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the Mumbai attacks

Slain Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad in his recently released book, 'Inside al Qaeda and Taliban - Beyond bin Laden and 9/11', wanted to be translated into all Indian languages to familiarize Indians with the direct threat they faced from al Qaida. Just before he went missing in May, he had contacted members of the Indian strategic community seeking help in identifying publishers who could help him in this exercise.

A new academic study from Princeton, Georgetown and the University of Pennsylvania in the US revealed that poverty in Pakistan does not lead to terrorism. The study is based on surveys carried out by four academics that conducted extensive field research in Pakistan by interviewing 6,000 people of varying income groups and geography.

June 9

At least 150 militants armed with rockets attacked a security checkpost in Marubi village near Makeen Town in North Waziristan Agency of FATA, killing eight soldiers. Twelve militants were also killed in retaliatory firing by SFs.

An explosive device planted in the driving seat of a NATO oil tanker went off in Changai area in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency in FATA. During the last one month some 40 oil tankers have been destroyed in blasts in this area.

An activist and a sympathiser of ANP were shot dead near Fancy Tower, Gulshan-e-Iqbal in the remits of Sachal Police Station.

Police found two unidentified bodies of youth from Niazi Chowk, Lyari within the limits of Kalri Police Station.

Two men, identified as Abdul Wahid and Asif, were shot dead near KMC hospital in the jurisdiction of Manghopir Police Station by four armed assailants.

One Imran Masih was shot dead at his house in Christian Colony, Landhi in the precincts of Zaman Town Police Station by unidentified assailants.

CID claimed to have arrested one Chaudhry Mohammad Riaz alias Raju from Saddar area for supplying heavy explosives and ammunition to the terrorist outfits, including the BLA.

Pakistan authorities arrested five Paramilitary troopers for shooting dead a youth, Sarfraz Shah, on June 8 at point blank range in a public park in Karachi. Pakistani Security Forces are often accused of using excessive force and abusing ordinary citizens.

At least four persons were killed and three others were injured when a roadside bomb ripped through a passenger van carrying members of a peace lashkar in a bus stand in Darawar area of Matani near Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Two levies personnel, identified as Sher Ahmed and Muhammad Murad, were killed and another Saeed Mohammad sustained injuries in an explosion in Matohra area of Mastung District.

Two persons, Mangla and Iqbal Khan, were injured in a landmine blast in Jani Bairi area of Sui in Dera Bugti District.

Pamphlets branding members of the minority Ahmadiyya community as "wajib-ul-qatl" (fit to be killed) and inciting people to attack them are being openly circulated in Faisalabad District of Punjab. The pamphlets list the names of several Ahmadiyya industrialists, doctors and businesses. The pamphlets were issued by the All Pakistan Students Khatm-e-Nubuwat Federation and are being circulated at main shopping plazas and important commercial centres in Punjab.

Cooperating with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism is essential to maintain pressure on al Qaeda after Osama bin Laden’s death, CIA chief Leon Panetta said. “Continuing cooperation with Pakistan is critical to keep a tremendous amount of pressure on al Qaeda’s leadership and the networks that provide it support and safe havens at a time when it is most vulnerable,” Panetta said, warning Pakistan to do more to step up in the fight against terrorism.

Panetta added that the US has an extremely ‘frustrating’ and ‘complicated’ relationship with Pakistan and it can’t succeed in Afghanistan without succeeding in Pakistan.

Blaming “a strategic shift of US policy towards India” for an “acute deficit of trust” between Pakistan and US, former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf suggested open and frank talks to restore the trust immediately. “The abandonment of Pakistan after 1989, with a strategic tilt of the US towards India and military sanctions against Pakistan, cost US-Pakistan relations very dearly,” Musharraf wrote in an article for CNN, suggesting in the mind of Pakistanis the US “used” Pakistan and then “abandoned it.”

June 10

Two persons, including a Policeman, were killed near a tool plaza of Dera Murad Jamali town in Naseerabad District. According to sources, a Policeman and two watchmen were deputed near a gas pipeline in Uch Gas Field when some unidentified militants abducted them. Later, the Policeman identified as Karim Bux and the watchman identified as Murad Ali were found shot dead in a nearby area while another watchman, Yasin, was listed as abducted.

One Abdul Hameed, the driver of a NATO oil tanker was killed and his helper received bullet injuries when unidentified armed militants attacked the oil tanker in the Yaro area of Pishin District, while it was on its way to Karachi from Afghanistan.

A man, identified as Ghulam Ali, was injured in a landmine explosion in Patmandrani area of Dera Bugti District.

Unidentified terrorists blew up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline in Pir Koh area, suspending gas supply to the purification plant.

A TTP ‘commander’, Masta Mir, was arrested during a Police encounter in an area near Dhal Bhazadi of Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Automatic weaponry was recovered from his possession.

An anti-terrorism court in Peshawar convicted a TTP Swat chapter cadre, Jamaluddin alias Ghouri, for carrying an improvised explosive devise and sentenced him to 14 years rigorous imprisonment. The accused was arrested by Pishtakhara police in the outskirts of Peshawar on July 5, 2010.

Pakistan and the US resolved to ensure that al Qaeda is "dismantled, disrupted and defeated", though Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani wants a distinction to be made between the Taliban and al Qaeda. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Gilani expressed determination that al Qaeda had to be dismantled, disrupted and defeated, for which both countries should work together.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai repeated his call for Pakistan to help end a 10-year Taliban insurgency. “The brotherly role of Pakistan ... together with us in defeating extremism and terrorism and working with us to bring stability in both countries would go a long way,” Karzai told reporters after meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari.

The US reduced the number of its military personnel in Pakistan following the request of Pakistani Government, a US Defence official said. Chief of the Office of the Defence Representative-Pakistan Vice Admiral Michael Lefever said, “We recently received a written request from the Government of Pakistan to reduce the number of US military personnel here, and we have nearly completed that reduction,” he said.

The US intelligence officials have twice handed Islamabad tips about insurgent bomb-making factories, only to find them abandoned before Pakistani troops arrived. The vacated factories have led US officials to question whether the information had been mistakenly leaked in recent weeks or whether the insurgents had been directly warned by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), according to the report.

June 11

At least 39 persons were killed and 88 others injured in twin bomb blasts in the Khyber Super Market in Peshawar. The bombing took place near a building which houses several newspaper offices as well as apartments and across the street from the offices of the top political agent to Khyber, and only about 100 yards from Army housing units. A small blast preceded a big one which Police suspect to have been carried out by a suicide bomber, said senior Police official Banaras Khan. So far, no one has claimed responsibility.

About 100 TTP militants abducted 18 coalminers from Akhorwal area in Darra Adamkhel town of Kohat District. Official sources said that the Tariq Afridi faction of TTP entered into Akhorwal area in the night from Tora Chinna area, which connects Darra Adamkhel with Khyber Agency of FATA.

Five militants were killed and nine others were injured when jet fighters pounded their hideouts in different areas of Baizai tehsil along Afghanistan border in Mohmand Agency of FATA. Sources said that jet fighters targeted militant positions in Shokrhai, Walidad, Miana and Mettai localities in Baizai tehsil.

A sub-engineer of works and services department, Abul Khair, was abducted by unidentified militants on way to his office in agency headquarters Ghalanai.

Unidentified assailants killed a Security Force accounts officer in Turbat of Balochistan.

June 12

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the Pakistan Army will face deadly suicide attacks if it undertakes operations in North Waziristan. "If Pakistani forces enter North Waziristan, they will face deadly suicide attacks," Maulana Fazlur told reporters in an interaction.

The military is planning to enlist pro-Government tribal elders in a fresh campaign it has devised to flush out al Qaeda militants and its affiliates from North Waziristan, unnamed army officials said. The move is aimed at deflecting growing US pressure for a full-scale offensive against the Haqqani Network. Under the plan, local tribesmen have been urged to form lashkars, to take out ‘hard-core al Qaeda elements and their affiliates’.

Unidentified militants abducted two persons, identified as Haji Wali Muhammad and Sultan, at gunpoint in Dhadar area of Bolan District.

TTP denied responsibility for twin bomb blasts. “We did not carry out this attack in Peshawar. It is an attempt by foreign secret agencies who are doing it to malign us,” TTP ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said.

At least six people were injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted in the Bara Kahu area of Islamabad went off.

Anti-Extremist Cell of Sindh Police arrested two alleged militants, Abdul Razzak alias Omer and Rashid Iqbal alias Basit, belonging to the Punjab Chapter of TTP and recovered 20 kilogrammes of explosives, two hand grenades, two TT pistols, 20 feet detonating wire, 200 bullets from Frontier Colony in Karachi.

Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act was included in the case against Rangers personnel involved in extrajudicial killing of a young man on June 8 at Sarfaraz Shah in the Benazir Bhutto Park in Karachi on the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said that the Indian presence in his country cannot be in any way used against Pakistan, which should be happy that Afghanistan is being "tremendously" helped by another neighbour. "The Indian presence in Afghanistan... cannot be in any manner used against Pakistan," Karzai said in an interview to state-run PTV. India, being an old friend of Afghanistan, was helping it "tremendously and providing financial assistance," he said.

President Hamid Karzai’s top officials said after the visit to Islamabad that Pakistan is more willing than before to play a role in Afghanistan’s tentative peace process with the Taliban and has agreed to target the hideouts of Taliban fighters and other insurgents who attack Afghanistan and refuse to take part in faltering peace talks.

June 13

Unidentified armed militants targeted and killed Shafiq Ahmed Qureshi affiliated with the All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APMSO).

Armed assailants opened fire in some areas of Orangi town killing one MQM worker Akbar affiliated with the MQM sub-organisation Muttahida Organising Committee (MOC) within the jurisdiction of Pirabad Police Station. The violence escalated, killing four more people and injuring several others.

Unidentified armed militants shot dead Zia Alam Advocate, lawyer of Ajmal Pahari in North Nazimabad within the jurisdiction of Sir Syed Police Station.

Police found the body of Asmatullah Kakar, an ANP activist from Malir Market situated within the remits of Malir City Police Station.

Police found a bullet-riddled body of a youth from Nayaabad Khadda Market within the jurisdiction of Baghdadi Police Station. The identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained.

Three Punjab Regiment personnel were killed and four others sustained injuries when a remote-controlled bomb planted by suspected militants hit their vehicle in the Ghundai Sra area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

A Levies Force official was killed and four civilians were injured when their vehicle hit a landmine in Ibrahimzai area of Orakzai Agency. The Levies personnel, identified as Ansar Ali, was going to Kalaya.

At least seven tankers carrying fuel for NATO troops in Afghanistan were burnt to ashes when a bomb planted in one of the vehicles exploded at a terminal in Torkham border area in Khyber Agency.

A Hindu trader identified as Dewan Chand was killed when unidentified armed militants opened fire at him, killing him on the spot in Mastung District.

A man, identified as Abdul Qadir, was shot dead by unidentified militants in Gandawa area of Jhal Magsi District.

A man was killed and another sustained splinter wounds in an explosion near Regional National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office in Shara-e-Gulistan area of Quetta.

Two persons, including the suicide bomber, were killed and six persons were injured in a suicide attack at a bank located in sector I-8 of Markaz area in Islamabad.

It was reported that terrorists have chalked out a plan regarding an attack on the prominent members of the Ahmadi community in the country, starting from Faisalabad District.

President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated the country’s resolve to cooperate with international forces in combating terrorism and militancy which were common enemies of the world. He declared that the fight against terror will continue till the complete elimination of vicious elements and forces involved in killing of innocent people in Pakistan and everywhere in the world.

The judge of the anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of seven Pakistani suspects charged with involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks has been changed for the fourth time, with the current incumbent being transferred to another court in Punjab province. Rana Nisar Ahmed, who had been hearing the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case since he was appointed judge of Rawalpindi's Anti-Terrorist Court no III in November 2010, was transferred on June 11.

June 14

In the ongoing spate of target killing seven more people died on June 14 bringing the death toll to 17 in two days following the killing of two MQM members in Orangi town.                              

An unidentified man was shot dead in Orangi Town, while two others - Wajid Shoaib and Adnan Khan - succumbed to bullet injuries in a firing incident at Qasba Colony.

Four unidentified armed militants opened indiscriminate fire on the people sitting at a scrap shop at Qasba Colony in the limits of Pirabad Police Station killing one Nazar and injuring four others.                                                                                                                                

A sympathiser of MQM, identified as Junaid, was killed and two others Muhammad Amir and Shahida Begun were injured in Pirabad Police remits. 

A labourer, identified as Mukhtiar, was shot dead and another identified as Naveed, was injured near UBL Sports Complex within the limits of Yousuf Plaza Police Station.

Unidentified armed assailants opened fire at the Ladies Park near Old Sabzi Mandi, resultantly killing one Salman and injuring Naseem. 

Three persons, including two women, were injured in firing by unidentified armed assailants near Shahzad Cinema.

Police foiled the plan to blow up a railway track in Mangoli area of Dera Murad Jamali city in Naseerabad District. The Police recovered 40 kilogrammes of explosives and foiled the attack.

Pakistan’s top military spy agency arrested some of the Pakistani informants who fed information to the CIA in the months leading up to the raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden on May 1. 

The fate of the CIA informants arrested in Pakistan is unclear, but American officials said that the CIA Director, Leon E. Panetta, raised the issue when he travelled to Islamabad last week to meet with Pakistani military and intelligence officers. 

The Federal Capital has a total of 153 madrasas but all of them are ‘unauthorised’ and have been built without approval of the Government, said CDA Director General Sarwar Sindu.  The official said each mosque in the city had a madrasa despite the fact that there was no provision for building a seminary in any mosque.

It seems impossible for the Government to take any action against such mosques and seminaries under the prevailing circumstances when TTP, which is allegedly backed by some religious elements in Islamabad, is carrying out terror activities in the country.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a defence spending bill that imposes limits on US aid to Pakistan and creates a special bipartisan group to review the US role in Afghanistan. The panel gave the go-ahead to the bill on a voice vote on June 16. The legislation would provide USD 530 billion for the Defence Department and USD119 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

US said that aid given to Pakistan is in the interest for the National Security of both the countries, for building the democratic institutions and infrastructure and to strengthen economy, said US State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

Akram Khan Durrani, Leader of Opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, said that the UN is about to recognise the Afghan Taliban as a political force. Opening the budget debate in the assembly, he said the UN would soon remove the Afghan Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations and it had already opened doors for negotiations with the group.

June 15

Three US drone attacks killed 18 suspected militants in South and North Waziristan Agencies of FATA. Drone missiles targeted a vehicle and a compound near Wana, the main town in South Waziristan Agency, killing 10 persons. The victims were believed to be allied with Maulvi Nazir, a prominent militant commander in the area. 

Four missiles hit a vehicle carrying suspected militants from Razmak road to Tappi area, some 10 kilometres east of Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan Agency.

Ten more people were killed in separate incidents as violence on ‘ethnic and political grounds’ continued in the Capital city of Sindh, Karachi. The death toll mounted to 27 during the last three days. Orangi Town remained the worst-hit part of the metropolis where most of the causalities occurred. 

The bullet-riddled body of a student activist of the All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation, who had gone missing from the Liaquat National Hospital after an armed attack, was found near Essa Nagri under the Lyari Expressway.

Armed motorcyclists targeted two activists of the MQM in the New Karachi area. Police said that 35-year-old Haroon Shaukat died on the spot after sustaining a bullet wound in the head while 45-year-old Farooq Hanif sustained two bullet wounds in the shoulder and chest and was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment. 

Assailants shot dead a Police constable, 42-year-old Muhammad Arif, near Aziz Millat School in Sector 5F-2 in Orangi Town No 13 when he was riding home after completing his duty hours. 

The dead body of a middle-aged man was found in a storm-water drain near the Bacha Khan flyover in Banaras within the remit of the Paposh Nagar Police post. 

Assailants shot dead 28-year-old Tahir Karim and wounded his 26-year-old friend, Akhtar Khan, when they were travelling in a rickshaw near Shah Faisal Muhallah within the remit of the Orangi Town Police Station.

Assailants shot dead a young man in Qasba Colony within the remit of the Pirabad Police Station. Police said the victim was in his mid-20s and could not be identified. 

Assailants shot dead another man, Shahid Hussain Zaidi who was the administrator of an Imambargah, near Mohammadpur Police post.

Later in the evening, a man was killed and three others wounded when assailants opened indiscriminate fire at a roadside tea stall near Shafiq Morr.

A police mobile of the SITE-A police station came under an armed attack near Qasba Colony that left a Police constable, Javed Shah, wounded, said an official at the Pirabad police station.

Two NATO oil tankers carrying fuel for the NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan were set on fire and a driver injured while on their way from Karachi to Kandahar by unidentified militants near Qamabari bridge area of Dhadar in Bolan District.

Islamabad Police arrested 24 suspected militants during search operation in Shahzad Town, Industrial Area, Bhara Kau, Tarnol, Sihala and Sect areas of Islamabad and also recovered 15 liquor bottles, one pistol and 1.20kg hashish from their possession.                                                                      

Sabzi Mandi Police arrested two accused Rahat Gul and Muhammad Nadeem and recovered one pistol and 1.20kilogramgram hashish from their possession.

The US assistance for Pakistan is in the interests of both countries and Washington remains committed to working with Islamabad on counterterrorism efforts, the State Department said.

Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives and Republican Presidential aspirant for the 2012 presidential elections, said on June 15 that a large element in the ISI have become pro-Taliban and pro-al Qaeda.

Amir Aziz, an army major allegedly picked up by Intelligence Agencies in connection with the Osama Bin Laden raid was not, as reported by the international press, a CIA informant, alleged an official privy to the situation. The major was a doctor in the Army’s medical corps and lived just a couple of hundred yards from the compound where Bin Laden was picked up.

Pakistan’s Security Agencies have rounded up several people who are believed to be working for the CIA in a move that indicates serious tensions between Islamabad and Washington. The official, who requested not to be named, said that the drive against the ‘CIA spies’ was accelerated following the death of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in a top-secret US commando operation on May 1.

Fazle-ur-Rahman Khalil, the head of anti-India militant outfit HM, lives on the outskirts of Islamabad in the suburb of Golra Sharif, a senior Government official said on the condition of anonymity.

June 16

More than 300 militants crossed the border from Kunar province of Afghanistan to Khar area of Bajaur Agency in FATA at around 4:00am, resulting in hours of clashes that left 15 persons dead. The dead included nine militants, three lashkar volunteers, a soldier and two women, sources said. 

A blast in a NATO oil tanker destroyed a trailer and a car in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency. An explosive device fitted to the tanker carrying more than forty thousand litres of fuel to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, was detonated on Landikotal Bazaar bypass.

In the ongoing violence in Karachi, death of seven more persons, taking the death toll to 34. It was reported that that armed assailants took positions in various buildings in Orangi town area and fired bullets resultantly leading to fire in a garbage warehouse located near the Fire Brigade Office where one Zahir Shah, an activist of the ANP, sustained injuries and later became the victim of crossfire and died. Also, two fire fighters, Muhammad Hussain and Ali Manzil, sustained bullet wounds.                                  

Salman alias Dada Baloch, an operative of Ghaffar Zikri gang affiliated with Raja Pathan was shot dead on Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai Road within the limits of Baghdadi Police Station. 

Kalri Police found the bullet riddled body of a man identified as Imran Azam near Niazi Chowk in Bagh-e-Lyari area. 

Former PPP activist Pervaiz Fateh was shot dead in North Nazimabad within the limits of Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan. 

One Jamaluddin was shot dead at MPR Colony, Orangi Town. 

An unidentified bullet-riddled body of a man was found near the Government Boys School, Kala Board within Saudabad Police limits. 

A man was shot dead near Kashti Chowk within the limits of Napier Police Station.

The Pakistan Sports Board Deputy Director General and a former Olympian Syed Abrar Hussain Shah was shot dead near Nawab Nauroz Khan Stadium in Quetta. 

Unidentified terrorists blew up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District, suspending gas supply to the gas purification plant in Sui. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Two NATO oil tankers carrying fuel for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan were on their way from Karachi to Kandahar when armed militants set them on fire near Nautal area of Dera Murad Jamali in Naseerabad District.

Ayman al-Zawahri took over the command of al Qaeda after the killing of Osama bin Laden in a US led operation on May 1, a website Ansar al-Mujahideen affiliated with al Qaeda said. Zawahri vowed to press ahead with al Qaeda’s campaign against the US and its allies.

TTP agreed to back Zawahri as al Qaeda’s new leader and vowed to carry out attacks against Western targets. TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan described Zawahri as a ‘capable person’ and said the former Egyptian doctor would inspire the group to take on the West.

Pakistan indicated that terrorism was not part of the agenda for the Foreign Secretary-level engagement with India that was expected to take place this month (June). This was the categorical response of Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua to a specific question on whether the fresh evidence provided by India on the Mumbai 2008 terror attacks would be discussed at the Foreign Secretary talks.

US expressed apprehension that the nuclear weapons and technology of Pakistan might fall into the hands of terrorists and thus stressed on having the lines of communications open with Islamabad.  "It's a country with an awful lot of terrorists on that border," Admiral Mike Mullen Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at a joint Pentagon news conference with the Defence Secretary, Robert Gates. 

June 17

SFs backed by artillery killed 12 militants during a search operation in the Mamond area of the Bajaur Agency in FATA. Government official Tariq Khan said the operation was launched after fresh intelligence reports on terrorists coming from Afghanistan to the area to target tribal militiamen and troops stationed there.

Four militants were killed and five others were injured when jet fighters bombed suspected hideouts near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Baizai tehsil of Mohmand Agency. 

Three women were killed and two children sustained injuries when a mortar shell fired by a militant group hit their house in Tirah in Orakzai Agency.

Suspected militants abducted and later slit the throat of a telephone lineman, identified as Gul Zamin, in the Bara area of Khyber Agency. 

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry lodged a complaint with the American Embassy about a NATO aircraft incursion around 2.5 km inside Pakistani territory. Officials in Mohmand Agency in FATA said the incursion occurred on June 17 and a few bombs were dropped but no casualties were reported.

Kunar (Afghanistan) Provincial Police Chief General Ewaz Muhammad said that four children were killed in Sirkanay area by a rocket fired from Pakistan. He added more than 100 rockets were fired from Pakistan’s side of the border into Afghanistan territory over the last few days. General Aminullah Amarkhil, an Afghanistan border Police official said that the rockets come from an area where the Pakistani Army is fighting insurgents. He, however, did not name the area.

The driver of a NATO oil tanker carrying fuel for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan was going to Kandahar (Afghanistan) from Karachi (Sindh) was killed when unidentified militants opened fire on the tanker in Akhtarabad area of Quetta. 

Unidentified militants blew up two gas pipelines of 16-inch and 8-inch diameter each near Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District, disrupting gas supply to the purification plant. 

Quetta Police arrested five Afghan nationals who crossed into Pakistan from Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District at Balaili check post without possessing legal travelling documents.

Police killed at least four militants, who attacked Riaz Shaheed checkpost in the limits of Sarbanda Police Station of Peshawar. An official said that a group of militants fired three rockets at Riaz Shaheed police post but they could not hit the target.

Unidentified militants fired upon a passenger van coming from Rawalpindi District of Punjab Province in the Kacha Pakha area in Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing a Policeman and wounding three persons who were travelling in it.  

The Army said it had acted on US intelligence about bomb factories in Waziristan in FATA and neutralised two of them, but denied US media reports that the information was leaked to militants.

ISPR strongly refuted reports in the media quoting unnamed US sources that element in Pakistan security forces tipped off terrorists helping them to escape the purported IED factories in Waziristan.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) West Zone Karachi, Sultan Khwaja, said that an investigation team had completed a probe into Sarfaraz Shah “fake encounter” on June 8 and demanded for the arrest of all the accused persons to jail custody till June 18.

The ISI and Sindh Rangers submitted comments at the Sindh High Court (SHC) about the abduction of Azib Ahmed Qudwai, a student of Hamdard University who was abducted on April 2, 2011. According to sources, Lieutenant Colonel Mirza Waseem Baig on behalf of ISI submitted comments and said, “Qudwai has neither been arrested nor has been kept in the custody of ISI.”

The UN Security Council split the international sanctions regime for the Taliban and al Qaeda to encourage the Taliban to join reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.  The council unanimously passed two resolutions which set up one new blacklist of individuals and organizations accused of links to al Qaeda and a second for those linked to the Taliban militia.

The US vowed to hunt down and kill new al Qaeda “emir” (chief) Ayman al- Zawahri like it did in the case of Osama bin Laden, reports Indian Express.

A top US Senator Diannne Feinstein said that Ayman al-Zawahri, is likely hiding in Pakistan and can be arrested by ISI if it "really wants" to do so.

Al Qaeda suspects Pakistan may have been involved in the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden on May 1 and fears that the Pakistanis may assist future operations as well, said US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

When asked if the US strategy in Afghanistan could succeed without Pakistan Gates said, “I would say that our strategy is succeeding and Pakistan is playing a contributory role to that,” adding, “It is important to remember that they have 140,000 troops on that border that, at a minimum, are stirring things up.”

June 18

A group of militants attacked a Security checkpost in Ladha town in South Waziristan Agency of FATA, triggering a gunfight, which killed one soldier and four militants.

Three persons, including two children, were killed and 17 others, including five FC personnel, sustained injuries in a remote-controlled bomb blast in Bismillah Chowk in Panjgur in Balochistan. Lashkar-e-Balochistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

A Pakistani journalist, Waqar Kiani, working for local and international media houses, was allegedly beaten up by the Police in Islamabad, after he broke his silence about the July 2008 ordeal when he was apparently abducted and tortured by Intelligence Agencies.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that Pakistan is a sovereign state and the CIA is neither conducting any operation inside the country nor will it be allowed to do so.

The Chief of Army staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani told a visiting European delegation that “Pakistan wants a stable Afghanistan but not at the cost of Pakistan,” suggesting that Islamabad wants to remain relevant in any peace initiative and is unlikely to accept a solution that would undermine its strategic interests.

June 19

At least 50 terrorists attacked a paramilitary checkpoint in Walidad area of Mohmand Agency in FATA near the Afghan border, triggering a clash that killed four soldiers and up to 25 terrorists. Warplanes pounded a terrorist stronghold in the Mohmand Agency on the Afghan border in an operation that left 25 terrorists dead, the military said.

The body of a MQM activist, identified as Feroz Iqbal, who was abducted on June 18 was found from Kikri Ground within the remits of Kharadar Police Station in a gunny bag.               

Another body of a MQM member, identified as Shahid Bali, was found from Ghas Mandi area.

Three young men were found dead from Old Haji Camp area within the jurisdiction of Kalakot Police Station.                 

The body of a man was found from Khajji Ground within the jurisdiction of Rizvia Police Station. 

Another body of a man packed in a gunny bag was found from Bacha Khan Chowk within the jurisdiction of Pirabad Police Station.                        

A man, Mohammad Hussain was shot dead near Nullah Stop within New Karachi Industrial Area Police limits.                                     

One Rafiq belonging to Kachhi community was shot dead in Agra Taj Colony within the jurisdiction of Kalri Police Station.                                        

Three-day old body of an unidentified man who was shot dead was found from the sea within the limits of Jackson Police Station.

Unidentified militants blew up an electric tower of Tarbela-Peshawar transmission line of 500KV at tower 265 in Taru Jabba area of Nowshera District, which plunged Peshawar and its adjoining areas into darkness.

Unidentified armed militants killed the driver of a NATO oil tanker carrying fuel for the NATO forces from Karachi (Sindh) to Kandahar in Afghanistan near Mian Ghundi area in the suburb of Quetta. 

A senior Police official and a constable were injured in a remote control bomb attack on the Shaheed Shaukat Ali Police check post in Dera Murad Jamali town of Naseerabad District.

Pakistan announced the setting up of a new commission to ascertain ''full facts'' about Osama bin Laden’s presence in the country and probe the unilateral US raid of May 1 that killed the al Qaeda chief, as a panel constituted previously courted controversy even before it could begin its work. 

According to Pakistan Economic Survey 2010-11, Pakistan’s economy has suffered direct and indirect losses of upto USD 67.93 billion due its role as a frontline State in operations against terrorists, miscreants and militants since 2001. The war on terror has spread especially since 2006, like a contagion into settled areas of the country that has so far taken lives of over 35,000 citizens and 3,500 security personnel.

According to US officials and information retrieved from Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound, al Qaeda in Pakistan has turned to abduction for ransom to offset dwindling cash reserves.

Ambassador to US Husain Haqqani said that the capture of newly named head of al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri is a top priority of Pakistan and US intelligence. He said that Pakistan and US are working together to capture Ayman al-Zawahri, adding that joint operation would be conducted on the information in this regard.

June 20

12 militants, nine of them from the Haqqani network, were killed when US drones hit a compound in Khardand area of Kurram Agency in FATA.

Dozens of terrorists attacked the homes of two tribal elders, killing six persons in Ziarat Masood village of Mohmand Agency.

Three peace committee members were killed and five others got injured in a remote-controlled explosion near the Hujra of a member of the local peace committee in Mathani, a suburban locality of Peshawar.

Police said that terrorists abducted a nine-year-old girl, Sohana Jawed, on her way to school and forced her to wear a suicide bomb vest. The Police quoting the rescued girl said that she managed to escape her captors as they directed her to attack a paramilitary checkpoint in Timergarah town of Lower Dir District.

A man, identified as Naeem, was killed and eight others sustained injuries in a car bomb blast on Saryab Road near Degree College in Quetta.

Pakistan hosts the highest number of refugees, 1.9 million, the UNHCR said. Iran and Syria follow Pakistan with 1.1 million and 1 million refugees, respectively, UNHCR said.

About 80 per cent residents of South and North Waziristan Agencies have been affected mentally while 60 per cent people of Peshawar are nearing to become psychological patients if the problems related to terrorism are not addressed immediately,” a survey conducted by an NGO, Horizon reported.

Pakistan cautioned the US that its peace talks with the Taliban might not make headway without clarity on ‘reconcilable’ and without taking Islamabad and Kabul on board about dialogue with the Afghan insurgency leadership.

Pakistani officials sounded critical over lack of clarity about who the US considered as reconcilable. “On one hand they are talking to Mullah Omar’s aide, but on the other the Taliban leader is on the list of the five men that they want to be taken out,” an official, asking not to be named, said, adding that Pakistan would also like to hear if there could be any space in the political dialogue for the Haqqani network, whose operational commander Sirajuddin Haqqani is also on the list of five most wanted terrorists.

June 21

Unidentified militants blew up a primary school in Hangu city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

Militants tried to destroy a Police mobile van with a remote controlled improvised explosive device on Hangu-Balyamina Road in Hangu. However, the van escaped the blast. 

Syed Naqi Hussain Shah (57), the in-charge of Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust (LRBT), a free eye hospital, was abducted by unidentified militants from his office at Akora Khattak in Nowshera District.

Pakistan Army arrested Brigadier Ali Khan over alleged links to an extremist outfit Hizbul Tahrir. Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas stressed that Khan was not linked to the TTP, which is seen as much more of a threat by the West than Hizbul Tahrir.

A military official, who declined to be identified, ruled out the possibility of the Brigadier’s involvement in any plot. “He just had contacts with the outfit. But he was not involved in any type of conspiracy,” added the unnamed official. 

His wife rejected the allegations against him as “rubbish”, adding, “It’s a fashion here that whosoever offers prayers and practices religion is dubbed as Taliban and militant.” 

Retired General and Defence Analyst Talat Masood said that Hizbul Tahrir tends to attract supporters among the young and the educated elite. Some fear it may have been making inroads into the army. “What we see is that it is trying to infiltrate the military and wanting to bring some sort of a change through the military and that could be dangerous,” added Talat.

The Jinnah Terminal of the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport in Karachi was reportedly closed after a suspicious bag was spotted on the main gate of the international arrival. However, Police, Rangers and bomb disposal squad declared it a hoax after inspection.

Hundreds of Islamic scholars in North Waziristan Agency of FATA declared suicide bombings unlawful and asked all foreign militants hiding in the area to stop such attacks. About 300 religious scholars unanimously agreed on the move to declare suicide attacks as “haram” or forbidden by Islam and condemned all forms of terrorist activities in North Waziristan Agency.

Islamabad Police got orders to stop immediately any unauthorised construction or expansion of seminaries in the territory. As the first step in the campaign, the Islamabad Administration and Police jointly conducted a survey that found 305 seminaries of different schools of thought exist in the city’s rural and urban areas, with 800 teachers and 29,000 students on their rolls.

Senior Police officers say this time the Government is determined to counter illegal activities in the name of religion, they hastily clarify that the motive behind their latest move is “to regulate the seminaries properly to prevent their misuse, intentionally or unintentionally”.

CDA official said each mosque in the city had a seminary despite the fact that there was no provision for building a madrassa in any mosque.

Osama bin Laden was involved in former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination on December 27, 2007 and the perpetrators of her murder have been identified, Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed.

JuD, the frontal organisation of LeT warned India against “striking” Pakistan and asked it to hand over those involved in the Samjhauta Express train bombing of February 18, 2007. The 10-point declaration was adopted at the “Defence of Islam and Pakistan's Stability” conference organised by JuD at the Jamia-al-Dirasat Islamia seminary in Karachi.

The declaration also warned India against “striking” Pakistan and asked it to hand over those involved in the 2007 Samjhauta Express train bombing February 18, 2007, in which 68 people were killed, mostly Pakistanis.

PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said that the Government and intelligence agencies are responsible for ruining the country. He added that no compromise would be made on Pakistan’s sovereignty.

President of Pakistan and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari alleged that PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif wanted to bring Army and the Government face to face.

Pakistan ranked number 12 on a list of the “most failed states”, according to an annual report published in the Foreign Policy magazine. The report titled “The Failed States Index 2011” compiles a list of countries in terms of vulnerability. From refugee flows to poverty, public services to security threats, the list takes together a country’s performance on this battery of indicators to reflect its stability. In both 2009 and 2010, Pakistan took the number 10 spot on this index, whereas in 2008 it was ranked number nine.

The 2011 report states that Pakistan has long been dubbed the “world’s most dangerous country” in Washington policy circles.  The report states that tick off any checklist of US national security concerns, and Pakistan has them all: nuclear weapons, terrorist and insurgent groups galore, and rampant anti-American sentiment.

It also states that the cultivation of militant groups by the Pakistani military and intelligence services  – which the report states is a counterweight to India and a source of “strategic depth” in Afghanistan – has turned Pakistan into a “cockpit of terrorist violence”.

June 22

Six militants were killed in a clash with SFs in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA on the morning. Sources said that the clash ensued when a group of militants attacked a security post in Dabori area with heavy weapons. A trooper was injured in the attack.

Two Khasadar personnel, identified as Naib Subedar Hiran Shah Afridi and his companion Yar Wazir, were killed in a bomb blast at a Police checkpoint in the town of Jamrud in Khyber Agency.

A pedestrian, identified as Maqbool Shah, was injured in another blast on the main road near TD Bazaar in Jamrud.

Police killed five suspected militants during an encounter in Sarbanda area in the suburbs of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Addressing a press conference at Malik Saad Khan Police Lines, the acting Superintendent of Cantonment Circle, Imtiaz Shah, said that about 60 suspected militants attacked the Manzoor Shaheed Police check post after midnight, but police successfully repulsed the attack.

Two persons were killed and five others received injuries when unidentified persons opened firing on a passenger vehicle in Mohammad Khwaja area of Hangu District.

Unidentified armed militants shot dead two brothers, identified as Nasarullah and Habibullah, belonging ANP in Korangi No 1 within the jurisdiction of Awami Colony Police Station. 

A person, identified as Ejaz Ali, was killed in North Karachi within the limits of Sir Syed Police Station.

Police found a body of an unidentified man near Shahzad Morr in Qasba Colony within the jurisdiction of Pirabad Police Station.

Three Shia people were killed and nine others got injured when four armed militants fired at a bus carrying Shia pilgrims to Iran in Akhtarabad area of Quetta.

Pakistan Army said that it had questioned four Majors over links to Hizbul Tahrir outfit. Reportedly, their questioning followed the arrest of Brigadier Ali Khan on June 21, who was serving in military Headquarters in the garrison town of Rawalpindi.

The Hizbul Tahrir continues to freely distribute its propaganda material and promote its events at mosques just yards away from the Police Headquarters in Lahore and Islamabad. Hizbul Tahrir’s objective is to overthrow the current Pakistan Government and establish a worldwide caliphate that encompasses all Muslim majority countries.

David Headley's "valuable information" on the LeT’s hierarchy is of interest not only to America but also to other countries, said US prosecutors. 

Assistant US Attorney Victoria Peters said that Headley "mapped out the hierarchy of LeT, in which Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the Mumbai 2008 attacks (also known as 26/11) was revealed to be the leader of the military wing of LeT", adding, “Headley also gave the FBI a list of 34 targets that he believes are still on the radar for Pakistan terrorist organizations.”

Most Pakistanis see India as a bigger threat than the Taliban and the al Qaeda and disapprove of the US military operation that killed Osama bin Laden, Pew Research Centre poll reported. When asked which is the biggest threat to their country, India, the Taliban, or al Qaeda, a majority of Pakistanis (57%) say India, the poll noted. Although Osama bin Laden has not been well-liked in recent years, a majority of Pakistanis describe his death as a bad thing. Only 14% say it is a good thing, poll released on June 21 by the Pew Research Centre added. 

Pew Research Center survey finds that just 37 percent support using Army to fight terrorists, 16 percent lower than two years ago, reports Daily Times. Domestic support for the Pakistani military’s campaign against terrorist groups has waned in recent years, showing deep-rooted opposition among the Pakistani public to the United States. The survey of 3,221 Pakistanis found that just 37 percent of them supported using the army to fight terrorists, which was 16 percent lower than two years ago, according to Pew Research Center survey.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the future of Pakistan is closely linked to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and assured complete political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris till their complete freedom. Addressing a public gathering in Bagh town of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The US President Barack Obama vowed the US will "insist" Pakistan to fulfil its promises to counter militant sanctuaries on its soil. "We will work with the Pakistani Government to root out the cancer of violent extremism, and we will insist that it keep its commitments," Obama said in a televised speech on troop withdrawal plans for the war in Afghanistan. Obama's comments underscored festering tensions between Washington and Islamabad in the wake of a unilateral US raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in his hideout in Abbottabad on May 1.

June 23

Three persons were killed and four others sustained injuries when unidentified assailants hurled a hand grenade at Juma Khan’s  drug den in Pirangabad area of Mastung District.

Two persons, including one driver Altaf Shah and one cleaner Adil Shah of a NATO oil tanker, were shot dead by unidentified militants while carrying fuel for the NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan in Dhaddar area of Bolan District.

A bullet-riddled dead body of a Baloch Student Organisation-Azad (BSO-A) leader Shafi Baloch was found near Mach area. Shafi was abducted on June 18, 2011 from the Lakpass area of Mastung District. 

Mir Rustam Marri, a social activist and a former BNP District President, was shot dead in Dera Allah Yar city of Jaffarabad District. Rafiq Khoso, a leader of BRP, said that it was a political murder and blamed the Government for extra-judicial killing of Baloch nationalist leader.

At least five persons were killed and three others injured as fighting between volunteers of Zakhakhel Qaumi Lashkar and LI intensified in Tora Vela of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency of FATA.

A khasadar, identified as Ajab Khan, was killed by unidentified militants in Jawaki area of Frontier Region Kohat. 

A 132KV power pylon was blown up by unidentified militants disrupting power supply to Parachinar and parts of Upper Kurram Agency.

Former President General Pervez Musharraf’s ADC Major (Retired) Tanveer Ali was found dead in mysterious circumstances in his suite in the limits of the Shalimar Police Station in Islamabad.

A cell phone found in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan on May 1, 2011 contained contacts to a militant outfit with ties to ISI. The cell phone belonged to Osama’s courier who was also killed in the May 1 raid.

One Raja Sabri Khan, from Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, was developing his own drone technology in his research facility called Integrated Dynamics.

While announcing his plan to withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by next summer, US President Barack Obama issued a stern warning to Pakistan, saying he will never tolerate terrorist safe havens inside the country. “Of course, our efforts must also address terrorist safe havens in Pakistan,” said Barack Obama in his June 23 evening policy speech, which outlined his policies for the Pak-Afghan region.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Congress that Pakistan must be a part of the Afghan peace process while announcing that senior Afghani, Pakistani and American officials would meet next week for further talks on this issue.

Stressing the need for a political solution to the Afghan conflict through a regional diplomatic effort, Senator John Kerry said the US should listen to both Pakistanis and Afghans to protect American interests. Opening a hearing on US goals and progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said by announcing withdrawal of 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by September 2012, President Obama has kept his commitment.

US General David Petraeus has stated that service of Pakistan should be acknowledged in war against terror. In his statement before US Senate Committee for Intelligence, Petraeus stated that thousands of Army personnel, Police and civilian Pakistani have rendered sacrifice of their lives in the war against terror.

The Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that Army would be withdrawn from the FATA when tribal people were able to take up their responsibilities. Addressing two separate jirgas of Ahmedzai Wazir and Mehsud tribes in Wana and Chegmalai areas of South Waziristan Agency, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said the Army had played an important role in eradicating militancy and restoring peace in the region.

June 24

At least 10 militants were killed when the fighter jets of Pakistani Air Force bombarded suspected militant hideouts in Kurram Agency of FATA along the Pak-Afghan border.

Sindh Police foiled a terror attack by recovering a 40 kilogram bomb from Doctors’ Colony of the JPMC where Shia community performed Friday prayers.

The CID claimed to have arrested four alleged terrorists belonging to different religious outfits and recovered explosives from their possession during separate raids in different parts of Karachi. The Anti-Extremist Cell (AEC) of the CID arrested two Jandullah militants, identified as Mohammad Saleem alias Rizwan alias Jihadi alias Taliban and Rizwan Ali and one Commander of Swat Chapter of TTP identified as Nazeer Ahmed alias Waqas in Mauripur and SITE areas. Liaquatabad Town Police claimed to have arrested an accused allegedly belonging to JeM. 

The accused Jandullah militant, Saleem, during the initial course of interrogation confessed that he is associated with Fasihur Rehman group of Jandullah and is an in-charge of the terror activities in the city. He confessed to being involved in various Muharram bomb blasts in the city, including Ashura bomb blast near Light House in December 2009 and other sectarian blasts. 

Police claimed to have recovered two suicide jackets, 25 kilogrammes of explosives, one LMG, ten detonators, 30 feet of detonating wire, T&T blocks, three rifles, four repeaters, 300 rounds of sub-machine gun and four Police uniforms.

Unidentified militants blew up an 8-inch diameter gas pipeline near Loti gas field area in Dera Bugti District.

Explosives and hand grenades were recovered from Islamabad’s fruit and vegetable market. The recovery of explosives and hand grenades was made from a car parked in the market.

A former commando of the Pakistan Navy Kamran Ahmed Malik and his brother Zaman Malik, who were arrested on May 27  for interrogation from Lahore District of Punjab province in connection with the May 22  Pakistan Naval Station (PNS) Mehran attack in Karachi, have been released after being declared innocent.

Pakistan and India while wrapping up Foreign Secretary level talks in Islamabad, agreed to continue discussions on Jammu and Kashmir in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.

President Asif Ali Zardari denied that Pakistan is turning a blind eye to terrorists, and vowed that it will hunt down and eliminate terrorists. In an interview published in Strait Times, President Zardari said Pakistan was determined to wiping out extremism.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan-India Foreign Secretary level talks were a step towards resolution of all outstanding issues between the two countries. Talking to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Azam Jammu Kashmir (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) President Raja Zulqarnain Khan at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said that talks were manifestation of the resolve of the Government to have a peaceful co-existence in the region.

Pakistan Army condemned the June 23 report of The New York Times which stated that a cell phone found in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden contained contacts of a militant outfit, HuM that had ties with the Pakistan’s Intelligence Agency.

June 25

At least 15 militants were killed in the faction clash between the supporters of two TTP ‘commanders’ near the Afghan border in Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Ten Policemen were killed and another five sustain injuries when two suicide bombers, one of them burqa-clad, blew themselves up inside a Police Station in Kolachi Town of Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. TTP claimed the responsibility for the attack, saying it was partly in revenge for the US raid that killed al Qaeda ‘chief’ Osama bin Laden. TTP ‘spokesman’ Ahsanullah Ahsan confirmed that the group sent two attackers, one of them a woman.

A vehicle of UNHCR was attacked by militants in Mastung, some 40 kilometres from Quetta. However, no one was injured.

Four bullet-riddled dead bodies were found from Shahnawaz Chowk of Pak Colony in Khi area of Karachi. The identity of the victims could not be ascertained. 

A bomb partially exploded outside the gate of ICRC office located at Tipu Sultan Road within the limits of Bahadurabad Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

Two bombs weighing eight kilogrammes each were found near the wall of a local madrassa in Awan chowk in Gujranwala town of Punjab. BDS later neutralised the bombs.

June 26

Six people, including three Police officials and three under-trial prisoners, were injured in a blast at Qazzafi Police picket in Multan District.  According to sources, explosives were planted in a motorcycle, which had been parked along the wall of the picket.

Unidentified militants tried to blow up the main gas supply line on Charsadda-Mansehra Road in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

TTP claimed that they had used husband wife duo to attack the Kolachi Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan District on June 25. TTP spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said that “This shows how much we hate Pakistani security institutions’’.  Ahsan claimed it was the first time the militant group had used a woman suicide bomber. However, Pakistani officials said a woman suicide bomber wearing a burqa attacked a World Food Programme food distribution centre at Khar in Bajaur Agency of FATA on December 25, 2010, killing 45 people. The TTP claimed responsibility for that attack in city of Khar but never said it was by a woman bomber. Still, that was believed to be the first attack by a woman.

Law Enforcement Agencies arrested six Afghan Taliban militants from Shern Jogezai area of Qila Saifullah District. A large amount of weapons and explosive material had also been recovered from their possession.

At least 250 families have moved out of central Kurram Agency of FATA after the start of an operation by the Security Forces against militants. According to a private TV channel, a camp has been set up at New Durrani village with a capacity to accommodate 1,500 families.

The PPP won a majority of seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) elections. Those who were declared successful included former AJK Prime Ministers Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, Farooq Haider, Sardar Yaqoob and Sardar Attique. Senior politicians like Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, Sardar Qamaruz Zaman, Siyab Khalid, Chaudhry Ismail and Tariq Farooq also won their seats. 

According to the unofficial results announced late on June 26, elections were postponed in three constituencies after the death of three people in the violence.  Elections were held on 37 seats of the AJK Legislative Assembly and according to the last unconfirmed reports, Pakistan People’s Party was ahead of other contestants with 19 seats, PML-N bagged seven, Muslim Conference four while two independent candidates were also declared successful.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai claimed that Pakistan fired 470 rockets into Afghanistan over the past three weeks, killing 36 people, including 12 children.  The attacks came in areas of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces from where NATO forces have been withdrawn, Afghan border officials said.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, accused the US of supporting terrorism, pointing to American drone strikes in Pakistan and Afghanistan that allegedly have killed scores of civilians. Ayatollah Ali Khomeini said a country whose military forces were responsible for such deaths couldn’t lecture the world about fighting terror.

June 27

At least 27 militants were killed in two drone strikes in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. So far this year (2011), drones have carried out around 40 strikes on terrorist hideouts in the mountainous tribal belt, killing over 300 militants out of which 88 terrorists were killed in June.

Unidentified armed militants shot dead one Shakirullah Shakir, a TTP ‘commander’ who was affiliated with TTP wing of suicide bombers Fidayeen-e-Islam and helped train and deploy the suicide bombers in Miranshah town of North Waziristan Agency.

Militants destroyed a school in Qambarkhel area of Khyber Agency.

SFs foiled an attack on a convoy of local people coming from Peshawar towards Parachinar in Kurram Agency and arrested a militant from the Agency’s Bigan area.  

Curfew was lifted in Qambarkhel area after local elders agreed to dismantle all private jails, run by local militant outfits, and hand over wanted militants to SFs till June 30.

Volunteers of Zakhakhel tribal lashkar have taken control of one of LI strongholds in Baz Garha area in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency. 

SFs established new checkpoints at Jarhobi locality of Bazaar-Zakhakhel area after clearing the area of militants after six years.

Two persons, including a woman, were killed in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel when a mortar shell hit a house.  According to sources, SFs received information that militants were hiding in Pirwal Khel village of Akhorwal.

One Kashif Wakeel, a cadre of ASWJ, formerly known as SSP, was shot dead at Do Minute Chowrangi in the remits of Bilal Colony Police Station in Karachi.  

A hand grenade attack left one person dead and 19 others injured in Lyari within the remits of Chakiwara Police Station.

The Deputy Attorney General of Gilgit-Baltistan, Shahid Ajmal Rao, was found dead at his residence in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Unidentified militants attacked a NATO container carrying fuel for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan while it was on its way to Kandahar from Karachi (Sindh) in Dasht area of Mastung District and critically injured the driver of the container, identified as Mustafa Shah.

Unidentified militants set a NATO oil tanker on fire in Lack Pass area of Mastung District.

TTP threatened to carry out a series of attacks against American, British and French targets to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden. “Soon you will see attacks against America and NATO countries, and our first priorities in Europe will be France and Britain,” deputy TTP leader Wali-ur-Rehman said in a videotape aired on Al Arabiya. “We selected 10 targets to avenge the death of bin Laden,” adding, the first revenge operation was the siege of a Pakistan naval base, PNS Mehran, in Karachi on May 23.

A senior TTP warlord Fazal Saeed Haqqani quit the outfit, saying he had broken with the militia and would form his own anti-American group TTI along the Afghan border. Saeed Haqqani, who was the Taliban leader in Kurram Agency near the Afghan border said that he left to protest against what he said was the outfit’s “brutal” attacks on civilians. Saeed Haqqani will now fight the TTP, and would continue to attack US troops in Afghanistan, said his spokesman, Hafiz Saeed.

The US State Department’s report on human trafficking, released, reveals that the militants in Pakistan use children to carry out their dirty work.  The report places Pakistan in tier 2: Countries which do not fully comply with the minimum standards for dealing this menace but are making significant efforts. The number of countries failing to comply with international standards to prevent human trafficking almost doubled to 23. Pakistan is not among them.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement delivered with the report. “But if we act on the laws that have been passed and the commitments that have been made, it is solvable.” As many as 27 million men, women, and children are “living in a state of modern slavery,” she said.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani reassured the United States that Pakistan remained committed to peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, but appeared little supportive of Washington’s direct contacts with Taliban, bypassing Islamabad.

The US delayed the release of funds meant to fight militancy amid reports that it has threatened to cut off Pakistan’s civil and military aid.  Pakistan was expecting $500 million (PNR 43 billion) in the last tranche of the CSF, which was set up by the US Congress after the 9/11 attacks to reimburse allies for costs in supporting the US led war on militancy.

US has threatened to cut off civil and military aid after Pakistan launched a crackdown against the “CIA network” and appears reluctant to go after one of the deadliest Afghan insurgent groups in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

The CPR Bill, 2011, is against terrorists, and not against the tribal people, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Masood Kausar. “It is meant to protect the basic rights of the people of FATA and the PATA, safeguard their honour and dignity, uphold the supremacy of internationally recognised human rights and bring the terrorists to justice,” Kausar said, adding, The new law will deal with cases linked to the wave of terrorism caused by al Qaeda and the TTP, which has immensely affected the country for the last several years.

June 28

A former union council Naib Nazim, Shaukat Hayat, was shot dead and two others were injured in an attack by unidentified militants within the limits of Paharipura Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A mortar fired from an unidentified location fell on the house of Muhammad Ullah Khan at Saro Kalay area of Upper Dir District, killing his son and injuring three including a woman.

Intelligence officials arrested former LeI spokesperson Misri Khan, now a dissident, from Shami Road in Peshawar along with two other persons. Sources said that Misri Khan, aged between 45 and 50, belonged to the Shalobar clan of the Afridi tribe and had served as LI spokesperson for around three years.

A senior TTP ‘commander’, Shakir, who helped train and deploy suicide bombers was shot dead by unidentified assailants at the Qutab Khel area on Bannu- Miranshah road near Miranshah, the headquarter of North Waziristan Agency, in Federally Administered Tribal Agency at around 4:00 pm.

Two NATO oil tankers carrying logistics for the NATO forces in Afghanistan were set ablaze by unidentified militants near Mach area of Bolan District.

Pakistan ordered Britain to withdraw some of its military training teams from the country. The demand is likely related to fallout from the covert US raid that killed Osama bin Laden on May 1. “The UK has been asked to withdraw some of its training support teams on a temporary basis by the Pakistani Government in response to security concerns,” British High Commission spokesman in Islamabad, George Sheriff said. Following the al Qaeda chief’s death, Pakistan sent home at least 120 US military trainers.

The withdrawal was first reported by the British Newspaper the Guardian on June 25 in conjunction with the UK based Bureau of Investigative Journalism. The Newspaper said Pakistan expelled at least 18 British military advisers, deployed as part of a PNR 15 million pound ($23.9 million) programme to train the paramilitary FC.

An investigation report of the Joint Investigation Team revealed that the Ilyas Kashmiri outfit, 313 Brigade, a unit of HuJI had planned the assassination of the Former Minorities’ Affairs Minister, Shazad Bhatti on March 3, 2011. The outfit had planned to kill Bhatti with the help of Asmatullah Muawiya, the self-proclaimed leader of the Punjab Chapter of TTP.

“[The plan] was executed by elements of Tehreek-e-Islami coupled with the disgruntled lot of ‘Ghazi Force’ stationed at Islamabad,” the JIT report stated. The JIT report continued to reveal that a man calling himself Shabbir Haidri informed MPA Chaudhry Tahir Naveed by telephone about the plan to kill Bhatti. Terrorists Umarul-Bashar and Ameer Muawiya of Faisalabad District in Punjab and Abu Saeed and Tahirul-Hassan of Islamabad had executed the plan, the report claimed. They abided by the directions of terrorist Khilji of Ameer-e-Taliban, it added.

The JIT findings revealed that the actual name of Umarul-Bashar is Abid Malik and he lived in Nai Abadi in Faisalabad District. Abu Saeed’s actual name is Qari Ziaur-Rehman, also from Faisalabad District. According to the findings of the report, both terrorists fled to Dubai, from Karachi via Sri Lanka. The JIT also discovered that the actual name of Shabbir Haidri is Nazar Muhammad, a resident of Narowal District, and had been temporarily residing in Akhtar Colony in Karachi. Haidri was apprehended from Karachi and brought to Islamabad on April 24 for interrogation, which is still in progress.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik Pakistan said that slain al Qaeda ‘commander’ Ilyas Kashmiri ''may also have been part'' of the Mumbai attacks but India’s claim that he may have been supported by Pakistan is misplaced.

Pakistan cannot afford to match the induction of modern weaponry by India, which possibly has a greater capacity to sustain a war, Pakistani Defence Minister Chaudhary Ahmad Mukhtar said.

Brigadier Ali Khan is likely to be released soon after spending more than a month and a half in detention for suspected links with an extremist outfit HuT, officials said. The brigadier and four unnamed majors are in custody for questioning for their suspected ties with HuT, which calls for creating a pan-Islamic caliphate system by ousting, the pro-American Government in the country.

The military spokesperson Major General Athar Abbas also confirmed that Brigadier Ali and four other detained majors have yet to be formally charge-sheeted.

Osama bin Laden was out of touch with the younger generation of al Qaeda commanders, and they often didn’t follow his advice during the years he was in hiding in Abbottabad, US and Pakistani officials said. According to the American Newspaper, Contradicting the assertions of some American officials that bin Laden was running a "command and control" centre from the walled compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, officials say that bin Laden clearly wasn’t in control of al Qaeda, though he was trying to remain involved or at least influential.

A Senior US military officer said that Pakistani leaders show no sign of cracking down the Haqqani militants operating from sanctuaries near the Afghan border, despite repeated US requests. The US has long demanded Pakistan go after the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan Agency of FATA that has staged attacks on NATO-led forces in Afghanistan. But top officers indicated they did not expect any improvement in Islamabad’s cooperation and that Pakistan lacked the will and the resources to move against Haqqani militants.

Two US Generals, including Mc Raven, said that the Pakistanis know that Mullah Omar is in Pakistan and are ignoring US requests to find him, reports Dawn.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that Pakistan had a major role to play in Afghanistan for peace and that his country recognised the sacrifices lay down by Pakistan in the fight against terror. Hague said he was encouraged by his discussion with the Pakistani leadership on a range of issues common to both the countries.

Pakistan called for the “blame game” to stop as the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan met to discuss security in the region amid a Taliban insurgency and heightened tensions over cross border shelling. President Hamid Karzai has condemned the firing of 470 rockets from Pakistan into Afghanistan over the past three weeks. Islamabad says only that “a few accidental rounds” may have crossed the border when it pursued militants who had attacked its security forces. “

Adding to the US State Department report, Trafficking in Persons published it is revealed that militant outfits in Pakistan use children to act as spies, fight and carry out suicide bombings. “Non-state militant groups abduct children or coerce parents with fraudulent promises into giving away children as young as 12 to spy, fight, or die as suicide bombers in Pakistan and Afghanistan,” the report revealed. It said that militants often sexually and physically abuse the children and use psychological coercion to convince them the acts they commit are justified.

June 29

Two persons identified as Masood Janjua and Faisal Faraz, who were abducted on July 30, 2005, were reportedly killed by al Qaeda on an unspecified location. However, Amna Masood Janjua, wife of Masood Janjua, rejected the spy agencies’ report that her husband had been killed and contended that her husband and Faraz were alive and in the custody of spy agencies in Rawalpindi.

The Security Forces neutralised three bombs planted by militants on the roadside of the NHA Colony near the Army camp office in Darra Adamkhel town of Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  

FC troops arrested 108 Afghanistan nationals travelling by two buses to Karachi (Sindh) from Quetta.

Islamabad Police arrested two militants belonging to TTP and recovered suicide jackets from their possession. The terrorists identified as Mohib Ullah and Munawar hailed from Mohmand Agency of FATA.

An ATC indicted six Rangers personnel and a civilian named Afsar in the June 8 Sarfaraz Shah murder case in Karachi. However, the accused plead not guilty.

A TTP commander threatened to carry out attacks on nine more key installations in Pakistan similar to the May 22 strike on Mehran Naval Base in Karachi to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden. "The revenge game has already been started from Pakistan. The attack on Mehran Naval Base in Karachi was the first in the line of 10 that Taliban has planned to avenge the death of bin Laden," Wali-ur Rehman, head of TTP in South Waziristan Agency of FATA told Al-Arabiya in an interview. 

Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband asked the Saudi Arabian Government to ban Ahmadiyyas (Qadianis) from visiting Mecca and Medina to perform Haj (pilgrimage) and Umrah (mini-Haj). Ahmadiyyas have been declared non-Muslims in countries like Pakistan and face persecution.

Senior naval officials admitted before the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence that the terrorists, who had attacked Pakistan Navy’s airbase PNS Mehran in Karachi on May 22, had support from inside. During the meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, opposition members expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of inquiry into the attack.

Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said that Pakistan has told the United States to leave “drone” airbase in Shamsi of Balochistan. “We have told them (the US officials) to leave the Shamsi airbase,” said the Minister while talking to journalists at his office. He said the trust between the US and Pakistan had reduced to a great extent after the May 2 incident.

Human rights violations in Balochistan are getting worse as militants and Security Forces target civilians, while authorities seem unwilling to rein in lawlessness, according to a report released on June 29 by the HRCP. The HRCP said in its report that lawlessness in the province had proliferated at an alarming rate with a growing number of targeted killings, kidnappings, enforced disappearances and attacks on religious minorities. Zohra Yusuf, HRCP chairwoman, said at least 140 mutilated bodies of people gone missing had been found in the past year.

The FIA is still waiting for revenue officials to submit details of movable and immovable assets of former President General Pervez Musharraf, who has been declared proclaimed offender by an ATC in former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s December 27, 2007 murder case, despite court orders to confiscate his property. The ATC had given the FIA until June 25 to comply with its orders and seize the former President’s property.

JuD and JeI leaders on June 26 urged the masses to wage war against America and India if either country violates Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty like in the Abbottabad operation of May 1 that killed Osama bin Laden. Addressing separate protest rallies on June 26, JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed on Mall Road and JeI chief Syed Munawar Hasan on Multan Road said they were ready to fight the US and India for the protection of Pakistan.

June 30

Troops backed by jets and helicopter gunships killed as many as 40 militants in Baizai region under Mohmand Agency of FATA bordering Afghanistan. Brigadier Aftab Ahmad said that his forces had destroyed 17 militant hideouts in Baizai region under his command.

Three more security checkposts have been set up in Loy Shelman and Sheen Pokh areas of Khyber Agency along River Kabul’s bank near the Pakistan-Afghan border. Sheen Pokh is a remote area of Landikotal bordering Afghanistan to the east and west and Mohmand Agency to the north, which is around 40 kilometres from Landikotal Bazaar in the north.

At least nine people, including a woman, were killed while 13 others sustained injuries in various incidents of firing in Karachi on June 30. 

A clash between two religious groups, Sunni Tehreek and ASWJ, formerly known as SSP, claimed three lives, including one woman, and injured 12 others in Godhra area of New Karachi, reported Dawn. 

Unidentified militants shot dead two more men and injured one other near Sindhi Hotel in New Karachi.

A Government servant was also shot dead by unidentified militants in Nazimabad area. Elsewhere in the District, a man was killed in Shah Faisal area. Another man was killed by armed assailants in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area. Meanwhile, a dead body was found in Malir area.

A dead body of a man, identified as Muhammad Ismail Mirwani, was found in Surab area of Kalat District.  

The judicial tribunal on the May 17, 2011 Kharotabad incident of Quetta found Colonel Faisal Shahzad of FC, former Quetta Police chief Daud Junejo and other FC and Police personnel guilty of killing five foreigners and recommended legal action against them.

The report said that FC and Police exceeded their powers in taking action against the four Russian and one Tajik national. The tribunal, however, said that the foreigners were well-trained terrorists and had entered Pakistan illegally. Videos presented before the tribunal confirmed that the foreigners had received terrorism training.

Unidentified militants blew up a primary school building with explosives at the Sharkeerah area in Mattani, a suburban locality of the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar. However, no casualty was reported in the incident.

Seven suspected terrorists charged with possessing explosive, attacking the Danish Embassy and abetting the killing of Army Surgeon General Mushtaq Baig were released from Adiala Central Jail in Rawalpindi. The suspects had been acquitted by the trial court on May 29 due to lack of evidence but on the directive of the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, the Capital Police detained them. However, they challenged their detention in the Islamabad High Court which set aside the detention orders on June 28.

A Lahore High Court sought a “fresh and comprehensive” response from the Foreign Ministry to a petition by JuD chief and LeT founder Hafiz Mohammad Saeed asking it to direct the Government to defend him in a US lawsuit filed by relatives of victims of the 26/11. 

Justice Bandial adjourned the case till September 20. The Federal Government informed the High Court in a reply submitted by Deputy Attorney General Naseem Kashmiri that it could not defend Saeed, a prime accused in the 26/11 attacks, in the US lawsuit.

The United States rejected demands from Pakistani officials to abandon Shamsi Air Base in Balochistan, used by the CIA to conduct drone strikes in Waziristan.

The US President Barrack Obama’s adviser John Brennan said that US determined to pursue the “utter destruction” of al Qaeda, while refocusing its counter-terrorism strategy to combat the threat of home-grown terror. The new strategy, developed after US commandos killed Osama bin Laden on May 2 in Pakistan, is a “pragmatic, not ideological” approach to counterterrorism that “formalises” the administration’s approach since January 2009, said John Brennan.

The United States continues to pay for historical mistakes with Pakistan, such as the decision to walk away from the region after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989 and imposing sanctions on Pakistan in response to its nuclear ambitions, outgoing US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said.

July 01

SSP and Sunni Tehreek cadres exchanged fire over the control of a hospital located near Muslim Stop in Godhra area of New Karachi locality killing seven cadres and injuring seven others.  

One more cadre was killed as JuD and Sunni Tehreek cadres clashed to get control of Jamia Masjid Ummul Qura mosque, which belongs to Jama’at Ahl-e-Hadith, in Landhi area within the limits of the Landhi Police Station in Karachi.

The dead body of a missing Baloch person, identified as Mir Ghaffar Lango, was found near Lakbado area of Gadani in Quetta. According to reports, Lango had been abducted on January 12, 2010 and his family has been protesting in Quetta, Islamabad and Karachi putting the blame on security agencies for his killing.

A man was killed in a landmine explosion in Yaro area of Dera Bugti District. 

A Swiss couple, coming from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab towards Quetta, was abducted from Killi Nigah area in Loralai District.

The dead bodies of two persons, seemed to be dumped after their killing by suspected militants somewhere else, were found in the suburbs of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While the dead body found in limits of Matani Police Station was identified as that of Waheed Murad of Darwazgai village, the other body that was found in Badhber Police Station was identified as that of Major (his name) of Akakhel area.

A person, identified as Shah Zeb Khan, was killed during firing when unidentified militants abducted a local leader of PPP-S, Malik Naseer Khan, along with his relative, Shah Jehan, from Ahmadi Shama village in Kurram Agency of FATA. 

TTP had been trying to lure back senior ‘commander’, Fazal Saeed Haqqani, because he controls strategic routes into Afghanistan and Pakistan and can block off terrorists’ escape paths, his supporters said. TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud has sought help from Haqqani for a truce with Saeed, who quit the group to protest against what he called “brutal” attacks on civilians, militant sources said.

A barrage of 40 rockets fired into eastern Afghanistan from Pakistan led the top border Police Commander for the region, Aminullah Amarkhil, to resign over the Government’s response to weeks of attacks.  General Amarkhil said he was not able to return fire and could not stand by as people were killed by the shells. 

Gul Agha Sherzai, the Governor of Eastern Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan sent a letter to the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad asking for an immediate halt to the attacks, and warned that the attacks could damage ties.

Afghan District Governor Wali Shah said that Taliban rebels fighting US troops and the Kabul Government live and operate in safety from Pakistan.

Two Pakistani-Muslim clerics, Hafiz Muhammad Sher Ali Khan and his son Izhar Khan, accused of providing financial support to a TTP are seeking release on bail in a Miami Federal Court in South Florida in US.

In an attempt to glorify the slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Punjab University in Lahore held a contest in which poems, essays and posters with images of the burning World Trade Centre towers were presented.

HuT, a global Islamist party, said that Pakistanis should take to the streets to call for Islamic rule and join a campaign to end subservience to Washington that was advancing “from Indonesia to Tunisia”.  The party, which claims it is non-violent but is accused by some analysts of seeking a coup in Islamabad, added that “powerful factions” in Pakistan society including the military should also take part, but violence had no place in its work.

New details emerged of how two Western hostages in Afghanistan were freed in exchange for a hefty ransom paid in Pakistan and the release of two brothers who were abducted on December 30, 2009 by Qari Baryal Taliban faction in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province.

The Afghan Taliban announced that there was a prisoner exchange for reporter Ghesquiere and cameraman Taponier, but sources close to the case say it was only about the money.

At least two ‘commanders’ in the Qari Baryal faction, identified as brothers Noor Ullah and Abdullah Haq, were released in exchange. However one of these sources said 15 other Taliban militants from different areas were also released in exchange for the two journalists.

The CIA suspended its long-standing use of an air base in Pakistan as a launch site for drones targeting militants of al Qaeda and other militant groups three months ago. In a report published in Washington Post, Pakistan in recent days has publicly declared that it "ended" all US flights from the base in the wake of the secret US commando raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May 1.

President Asif Ali Zardari and British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed at their meeting that both the countries would continue to fight militancy and promote peace in the region.

July 2

Three children and a woman were injured when an explosive material filled in a torch went off in the hands of children in a house in Shahidano Banda on bypass road in Hangu District.  The inured persons were identified as Ms Lal Jana and the children, including Zeeshan Ali, Fanoos Ali and Nazia Jana.

Afghanistan Army fired 10 mortar shells that landed 800 metres inside South Waziristan Agency in FATA. “No loss of life or damage to property was, however, reported,” said Security sources. “Afghan National Army fired 10mortar shells on civilians in Angoor Adda area (last Pakistani town on border with Afghanistan) between 1030 hours to 1300 hours at Saturday night,” sources spoke on the condition of anonymity. Pakistan lodged “protest” with the Afghanistan Government through military and other channels. 

Despite challenges in the relationship, the US and Pakistani working groups continue to meet regularly under the strategic dialogue but no dates have been set for plenary session of the dialogue, the US State Department said.

July 3

Two unidentified assailants shot dead a worker of the Sindh Nationalist Party (SNP), identified as Khadim, in Bhittaiabad area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. 

An Imam, identified as Gul Khan, was killed outside his mosque in Ayub Goth area.

A youth, identified as Fazlur Rehman, was shot dead by unidentified militants in Qasba Colony.

The body of an unidentified person was found near Ghas Mandi within the remits of Napier Police Station. 

Two men, Saifullah and Salman, were shot dead by unidentified armed assailants at a mobile shop in North Nazimabad.

People belonging to the Shia community and associated with the Hyderabad Chapter of the Jafaria Alliance Pakistan (JAP), held a demonstration outside the Karachi press club against a Sunni militant outfit SSP for creating unrest in Kotri area of Dadu District and Hyderabad District. 

Tanzeem Asatiza Pakistan (TAP) leader Abu Amir Azmi expressed concern over the safety of teacher of Karachi, Ajmal Waheed Khan, and his brother Osama Waheed Khan who were first released from Adiyala prison in Rawalpindi District of Punjab Province and later ‘abducted’ by security agencies from there on the same day, June 30, 2011.

Three Policemen were killed and one injured when terrorists attacked a Police checkpost at Karora on Chakasar Road in Shangla District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The slain Policemen were identified as ASI Aurangzeb, Constables Javed and Fazal Wakeel. Constable Khan Bahadar sustained injuries.

A military offensive has been launched against militants in central tehsil (revenue unit) of Kurram Agency as a result of which families started fleeing the conflict zone. According to official estimates, over 4,000 families are likely to flee their homes because of the military operation. An unnamed senior official in Peshawar confirmed that a ‘full-fledged operation’ had been launched in the valley.

An unnamed senior Government official said that the militants, who abducted two Swiss tourists from Killi Nigah area in Loralai District of Balochistan on July 1, had taken them to a neighbouring South Waziristan. Officials in the neighbouring South Waziristan tribal area have been asked to keep an eye out for “suspicious elements,” said Balochistan Home Secretary Zafarullah Baloch.

A TTP leader, Zia-ur-Rahman, was arrested in Islamabad.  However, there is uncertainty over the exact identity of the TTP leader.  Conflicting reports in Pakistan's local media suggested the arrested leader is in-charge of the intelligence network of TTP. 

Afghanistan’s Intelligence Agency said that a senior commander from the TTP sold a suicide bomber named Sher Hassan to Afghanistan’s Haqqani Network, to carry out an attack on a local commander in Eastern Afghanistan.  The National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan’s Intelligence Agency, said the bomber was a Pakistani national and was detained by NDS agents in Jaji Maidan District of eastern Paktia province before he could carry out his mission. Hassan confessed that he was bought by the Haqqani Network to target “Azizullah”, a commander whose affiliation and rank were not given by the NDS. Hassan then spent a month after his sale training with the Haqqani Network. The detained suicide bomber added that a commander under TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud sells suicide bombers at PNR 6,000,000 to PNR 8,000,000 ($70,000 to $93,000), to the Haqqani Network for suicide missions. 

US Senator John McCain said the role of ties between Afghanistan insurgents and ISI needed to be acknowledged. "We have to deal with Pakistan on a basis of realism, that there are connections between the ISI and the Haqqani network and the Taliban," McCain said in a news conference. Fellow Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also said they he were concerned about Pakistani ties with insurgents.

Osama bin Laden "had some sort of support mechanism" while operating out of Pakistan for six years but there is no evidence so far which indicates that the top leadership in the country knew about it, said US National Security Advisor Tom Donilon.

He said he had not seen evidence that Pakistani "leadership elements" had knowledge of bin Laden's presence in Pakistan. "I've not seen any evidence that the Pakistani leadership elements, neither in the army, military, the intelligence or the political leadership, had foreknowledge of Osama bin Laden's operating in Abbottabad, Pakistan," he added. "

The US military is expanding its Central Asian supply routes to the war in Afghanistan, fearing that the routes going through Pakistan could be endangered by deteriorating US-Pakistani relations, a Washington Post report said. Citing unnamed Pentagon officials, Washington Post said that in 2009, the United States moved 90 percent of its military surface cargo through the port of Karachi and then through mountain passes into Afghanistan. Now almost 40 percent of surface cargo arrives in Afghanistan from the north, along a patchwork of Central Asian rail and road routes that the Pentagon calls the Northern Distribution Network, the report said.

US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon said that the Barrack Obama administration will continue its intense and relentless campaign to debilitate and defeat al Qaeda in South Asia and elsewhere. Tom Donilon said, “Pakistan remains a “very important counter terrorism partner” for the United States and Washington is holding negotiations with Islamabad to sort out issues stemming from the May 2 Abbottabad operation.” 

July 4

Four persons including three militants and one paramilitary soldier were killed when dozens of Taliban from Afghanistan launched a pre-dawn attack on a security post in the Kitkot area of the Mamoond tehsil (revenue unit) in Bajaur Agency of FATA. One paramilitary soldier and four militants also sustain injuries.

Four children were injured when a mortar shell fired from Afghanistan side landed in a house situated in Birmal tehsil of North Waziristan Agency.

The driver and a guard of the chairman of Haleemzai Peace Committee, Mohammad Ali Haleemzai, were injured when his vehicle was targeted with a remote controlled bomb in Sangar Ghaiba Khawar area of Mohmand Agency. However, Mohammad Ali Haleemzai remained unhurt in the attack.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Umer Daudzai condemned the loss of life and destruction of property by militants on either side and stressed on effective measures to curb their activities.

A jirga (tribal council) of all mainstream political parties demanded that Government should hold negotiations with the non-state actors instead of conducting military operations in the FATA.

Police recovered two dead bodies one of them identified as Shakeel Qureshi, from a graveyard situated within the remits of Baldia Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

An activist of MQM, Rafiq Uddin, was shot dead at Golimar Chowrangi within the limits of Nazimabad Police Station.

Two bullet-riddled dead bodies, including one of an activist of the BNF, Zubair Baloch and another Hafiz Baloch, were found from Surab area in Kech District. According to Police reports, the victims had been abducted a few months ago. Voice for Baloch Missing Persons Chairman, Nasrullah Baloch said that as many as 164 dead bodies of Baloch political opponents had been found during the past 10 months. He accused the SFs and Intelligence Agencies of killing the political activists.

Unidentified militants shot dead one Syed Mohammed Notezai at Faisal Colony in Dalbandin town of the provincial capital Quetta.

Another man, identified as Khalid Haji Hatim was abducted by SFs from a check post in Nalant area in Coastal Highway of Kech District.

Portion of the 8-inch diameter pipeline supplying gas to the purification plant in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District was blown up, suspending the supply to the purification plant.

An alleged dacoit, Shahbaz, was killed and a Police constable, Attaur Rehman, sustain injuries when suspected militants threw a hand grenade inside a Police post at Gulabad near Gulberg in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants opened fire on two Policemen in Zargaran Street in Gulberg in the evening of same day. An official said that constables Khan Gul and Adnan received critical injuries and former succumbed to his wounds.

Unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at the guest house of a faith healer, Bacha Saheb, at Daura Road, which caused injuries to two of his guests.

Heavy machinery for road construction was blown up in Afghan area of Shangla when three roadside bomb explosions hit the machinery. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

The volunteers of a tribal laskhar regained control of the Gahreeb Khel Mountain, situated between Darra Adamkhel and Kohat District, after a fierce battle with militants. Official sources said that a large number of militants attacked Jawaki village of Frontier Region of Kohat from the Ghareeb Khel Mountain.

A former unnamed militant commander said that Pakistani generals have not given up the policy of nurturing terrorists. "That system was still functioning," he told the New York Times referring to the Pakistan military's training and protection of terrorists, adding, "The Government is not interested in eliminating them permanently".

He also revealed that Pakistan has 12,000 to 14,000 fully trained Kashmiri fighters, scattered throughout various camps in Pakistan, and is "holding them in reserve to use if needed in a war against India", adding, “Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) continues to support even terrorist groups that have turned against the Government because the military still wants to keep them as tools for use against India.”

Chief of the TTP Hakimullah Mehsud has been in isolation for more than a year and is rapidly losing control over the terror group he once led with absolute command and authority, his associates and intelligence officials reported. Insiders of the TTP outfit and intelligence officials in Islamabad told The Express Tribune that Hakimullah might soon be faced with more rebels from within the TTP after last week's defection by one of his top commanders. Fazal Saeed Haqqani, who was appointed by Hakimullah for the strategic Kurram Agency, announced to separate his group of more than 1,000 fighters from the main outfit in what appeared to be the first serious fracture for the TTP.

The resource-starved FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) sought assistance from UN agencies for people displaced by the Army operation launched on July 3 against militants in Kurram Agency of FATA. An FDMA official said that the authority had requested the World Health Organisation and United Nations Children’s Fund to provide emergency medical kits and other facilities for displaced families, but so far it had received no response.

According to sources, SFs did not face any resistance and cleared three areas, Manato, Domeki and Gawaki, of militants. The operation is named Koh-i-Sofaid (White Mountain) after the famous mountain range Spin Ghar.

July 5

At least 26 people were killed in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, in separate incidents during last 24 hours. 

Five dead bodies of unidentified persons were recovered from a bus in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi in the morning. 

Unidentified assailants opened fire at a passenger bus at Khadda market killing three people and injuring six others. 

A person was killed in a clash between two groups in Shershah Scrape market while six others were injured. 

Two beheaded bodies were found from Baldia and Korangi areas. 

One bullet-riddled dead body was recovered from Khadda market. 

10 people were shot dead and nearly 24 others were wounded in firing in Orangi town. Firing broke out shortly after assailants opened fire at the ANP Rahim Khan Swati in Qasba Colony, critically injuring him. Orangi SP Khurram Waris said that six people were killed and about 10 were injured. He claimed to have arrested two suspects each from the ANP and the MQM and said more arrests were under way. “It’s nothing. There is nothing to worry about,” he said when he was asked about the situation. “It’s just an [ethno-linguistic] scuffle and the people who died are also [from the two ethno-linguistic groups]. A few are affiliated with political parties,” he added. However, ANP Sindh spokesperson Qadir Khan demanded the Government to take action against the assailants attacking Pashto-speaking people. He said that according to initial reports, four ANP activists have been killed and at least six were injured. He said that more killings were expected and the details were being gathered. “They are picking our men off one by one,” he said.  Meanwhile, according to a statement, MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that the citizens of Karachi were being punished as the MQM had left the Government and joined the ranks of the opposition in Sindh. 

A man identified as Javed was killed in Qasba Colony within the limits of the Pirabad Police. Later, an attack on a bus in the same area left one Gul Khan and an unidentified man dead and two others injured. 

A unidentified man was shot dead and two others were injured in Hina Bakery at Qalandria Chowk in Orangi Town. Also, Zulfiqar Pirzada, a private television channel reporter was also shot and injured. 

In Hassan Square, at least three people were injured when unidentified men resorted to intense firing. 

Karachi Police Chief Saud Mirza said that pillion riding would be banned as the killings are in part perpetrated in drive-by shootings.

Dozens of armed militants took up positions at the hilltops in the surrounding areas of Orangi Town and began shooting at everyone in sight. “There are fewer target killings here [Orangi] and more indiscriminate firing that leaves innocent people dead,” said an unnamed resident. 

HRCP Report stated, “June was the most dangerous month in Karachi.” At least 32 people died in just three days as a result of the brawl between the ANP and the MQM, said HRCP chairperson Zohra Yusuf, adding, “The problem lies with law and order and the fact that public opinion often overpowers court decisions. Of the 1,138 people who died this year, 490 were targeted. The MQM sustained the highest casualties: 77 activists. The ANP comes in at a distant second with 29 dead and the PPP lost 26 men. The reports further states, among those targeted and killed, 250 were not affiliated with political parties, 184 were political activists and 19 were members of religious parties. Fifty-six of the killings were based on ethnicity.

Six suspected militants were killed and two others injured when a US drone fired missiles at a guesthouse in Hormuz village of Mir Ali tehsil in NWA of FATA in the night. 

Three Army soldiers were killed and 14 others injured in a roadside bomb explosion near Miranshah, the headquarters of NWA. Sources said an Army convoy was going from Miranshah to Dattakhel when a vehicle hit an improvised explosive device near a private hospital. 

A pro-Government tribal elder and member of Mamond Peace Committee, Malik Gul Rehman, was killed in a remote controlled blast outside his house in Gat Agra area of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency. 

A school and a telephone exchange were destroyed in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. 

In Landi Kotal town of Khyber Agency, a bomb explosion caused damage to the outer wall of a recently established check post at Charwazgai. 

TTP Bajaur Agency chapter ‘chief’ Maulana Faqir Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack on a security post in the Kitkot area of the Mamoond tehsil. Three militants and one paramilitary soldier were killed in that attack. Delivering a speech through his illegal FM radio at night, he said that TTP had also attacked a check post in the Bajaur Agency on June 16. 

At least 28,000 people have fled a tribal region where the military is conducting Operation Koh-e-Sofaid to evict terrorists along the Afghan border. Thousands of families escaped Kurram Agency in a mass exodus after the offensive was launched on July 4, with the Army saying that artillery and fighter jets had swung into action to drive out terrorists. About 4,000 families, with an average seven members each, had already left, said Government official Sahibzada Anis. 

Government has not accepted a request by United Nations about sending its mission to Kurram Agency to assess situation and begin humanitarian services in the wake of military operation in the tribal region. Sources added that the request by UN had not been accepted by the Government owing to security reasons. The World Health Organisation had already dispatched an emergency medical kit to FATA Health Directorate. The kit is enough for treatment of 6,000 persons for one month. “We have also requested WHO to send one more emergency medical kit so that it can be supplied to New Durrani Camp in Kurram,” officials at FATA Health Directorate said.

At least five FC personnel were killed and six injured when their vehicle hit an IED in Tumpt Gozani area of Mand tehsil in Turbat District near the Iranian border. The BLF claimed responsibility for the attack.

A telephone exchange was blown up in Gulshanabad area of Matani on suburbs of provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar. “The blast occurred after midnight and destroyed the exchange completely,” said Jehanzeb Khan, a supervisor of the exchange.

Canada designated the TTP as a terrorist organisation. Putting the TTP on the terrorism blacklist is “an essential part of our efforts to combat terrorism and keep our communities safe,” said Vic Toews, Canada’s minister of public safety.

The United States plans to keep using Shamsi base in Balochistan for non-lethal drone flights against militants near the Afghanistan border despite demands from some Pakistani officials that Washington vacate the base, an unnamed US official said.

ISI asked the CIA to sign a written contract ruling out future attacks inside Pakistani territory. The Scotsman quoting an unnamed senior security official said that the ISI wanted a formal agreement on paper - ruling out future attacks on Pakistani soil, for example - in order to restart the relationship.

US officials believe Pakistan’s spy agency was behind the June 1, 2011 killing of Pakistani journalist, Saleem Shahzad, who reported that militants had infiltrated the military. The report quoted two senior officials as saying that intelligence showed that senior members of ISI ordered the killing of Saleem Shahzad, to muzzle criticism.

Pakistan dismissed the “new classified intelligence” showing a direct hand of the ISI in the murder of journalist Saleem Shahzad as an international conspiracy to malign the country's SFs.

The commission (Abbottabad Commission) assigned to probe the May 1 Abbottabad incursion by US Navy SEALS that killed Osama bin Laden, directed the Interior Ministry and the ISI to ensure that Bin Laden’s family does not leave the country without its permission.

Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said IEDs were a “lethal weapon” that needed to be snatched from terrorists to ensure peace in Pakistan and at the same time in the region. 

Rehman Malik pointed out that around 11,024 people died and 25,291 were injured in incidents involving IEDs, while 1,972 buildings, 79 bridges, 360 electric poles and 231 railway tracks were also destroyed by IEDs in various areas of Pakistan.

According to figures provided by the ISI, the number of IED attacks on Pakistani troops and security forces soared from 413 in 2007 to 1,015 in 2010, an increase of 145 percent. The number of attacks from improvised explosive devices in Pakistan has grown by more than 145 percent in the last four years, as expertise in the crude bombs has flowed from terrorists in Iraq to Afghanistan and eventually to Pakistan, an unnamed intelligence official said.

Afghanistan’s SFs will not respond with military force to weeks of cross-border shelling from Pakistan, said Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, as the Afghan Parliament called on him to sever ties with Islamabad over the issue. Some 300 people also protested against the shelling in Asadabad, the capital of eastern Kunar province, demanding an end to the shelling and calling for revenge.

July 6

Up to 600 terrorists from Afghanistan attacked two Pakistani villages, Nusrat Dara and Kharo in Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, targeting soldiers and pro-Government tribal militia. “According to reports from the two villages, between 550-600 terrorists launched the attack at around 5 in the morning and the fighting continued for several hours,” Police official Abdul Sattar said.  Two schools and a mosque were destroyed Nusrat Dara, while a school was destroyed in the adjoining village of Saro Kili. Pakistani Security Forces killed three terrorists and arrested three others, said Ghulam Muhammad, a Government Official in Upper Dir. In addition, two members of a militia fighting the terrorists were killed and two others wounded, Ghulam added. Another official said four pro-Government tribesmen who fought along with troops were wounded in the attack.

In retaliation to the attack by the Afghan militants, the TTP crossed over from Pakistan and attacked Police posts in the Kamdesh District of Nuristan Province in eastern Afghanistan killing 33 Policemen and five civilians.

US President Barack Obama reviewed the situation in the Pak-Afghan region with his revamped war cabinet. The White House confirmed that President Obama discussed his plans for a gradual transition of responsibilities from US to Afghan authorities with three key members of his new war team.

40 militants have been killed since Security Forces launched the Operation Koh-i-Sufaid in central Kurram Agency in FATA. Brigadier Basharat said that several areas had been cleared of militants and forces were consolidating their positions. He identified some of the cleared areas as Manato, Dombeki, Gwaki and Sungroba and said that forces continued to advance.

According to reports, hundreds of families displaced by the fighting have migrated to the adjacent Hangu district. Officials said that over 4,000 families had been displaced by the conflict. About 500 of such families enrolled themselves at the New Durrani Camp in Lower Kurram.

At least 13 more people were killed on July 6 for the second consecutive day of violence in Karachi. 11 activists of ANP were killed and 15 injured in Orangi town. Elsewhere in the District, two members of the MQM-A were killed. 

Unidentified armed militants opened fire on NATO tanker carrying oil for NATO forces from Karachi (Sindh) to Kandahar in Afghanistan near Dost Wah on the Shikarpur-Jacobabad Road in the Sultankot Police precincts in Shikarpur District, injuring the driver and the cleaner. 

Sachal Police seized 85 Russian made hand grenades near Al-Asif Police check-post in the Khi area of Karachi. According to details, an unknown caller informed Police that scores of bombs were present inside drums near a flood victims’ camp in Gulshan-e-Maymar within the limits of Sachal Police Station.

The dead body of a former President of BSO-A, Hanif Baloch, was found near Chakli area of Pasni tehsil in Gwadar District. Hanif Baloch was abducted from the industrial town of Hub on July 5.     

Two bullet-riddled daed bodies, identified as that of Azam Mehrab and Rahim, were recovered from Juzak in the outskirts of Turbat District. 

Police found a dead body of one Qadir Ahmed from Khanak area of Khuzdar District. 

Unidentified militants blew up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline near the Pir Koh area of the Dera Bugti District.

SFs clashed with TTP militants in Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency of FATA killing one militant and injuring seven persons, including four troopers and three civilians. According to sources, clashes erupted after the SFs started demolishing a private hospital in Miranshah used by the TTP and other militants, one day after a nearby bomb attack killed three troops and wounded another 15.

Russia identified underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, LeT, HuJI and LeJ as financiers of terrorism through money laundering. The list also recognises JuD as a cover used by LeT. The list, published by the Russian Government daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta, said the purpose of publishing it was to help banks and general public while they are entering into normal financial and other deals, because the money launderers often use the normal channels in their activities like sale and purchase of a house.

Terrorists are showing renewed interest in using a bomb surgically implanted inside a passenger’s body to blow up a commercial flight, though there is no indication an attack is imminent, an unnamed US security official said.

Such a threat is likely to come from overseas rather than domestically, but precautions were being taken on both sides, the official said. The possibility of a suicide bomber attacking with explosives implanted in the person’s body has long been a concern for authorities – and a difficult threat to detect.

July 7

36 more people were killed as violence continued for the third consecutive day in Karachi. The death toll has now reached to 75. Apart from firing incidents in other areas of Karachi, the epicentre of intense firing and grenade attacks by unidentified militants remains the hills around Orangi Town. Areas like Banaras, Qasba, Pirabad, Baldia, Saeedabad, Gulistan-e-Johar, North Karachi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Sarjani, Old Subzi Mandi and others are facing a war-like situation. 

At least 10 commuters lost their lives near Banaras Bridge when unidentified assailants riding bikes fired shells at a minibus. In a similar incident, three people were killed and eight others, including women and children, wounded when a passenger coach was targeted by unidentified gunmen in the limits of the SITE Police Station.

In Pirabad area, three people, identified as Akhter, Azam, Shahzad, and two unknown persons, were killed in shooting by unidentified assailants. A six-year-old girl, Laiba, was also killed in the same area.

Three people were killed in Mominabad area.

An MQM activist, Tanveer Hussain, was shot dead in Qasba Colony. In another incident in the same area, one Zohaib was killed while five others received bullets injuries.

An ANP member, identified as Imtiaz Afridi, and Shahrukh Pasha, were shot dead in Baldia Town. In the same town, firing on a bus killed one Ihsan and injured three others.

Two more people were killed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, while another was killed in Kalakot.

A person, identified as Bakhtawar and unidentified man were killed in Orangi Town.

One Muhammad Anwar was shot dead near his house in Raja Tanvir Colony.

A person, identified as Alamgir was shot dead by unidentified assailants. One Yaqoob Pathan sustained burn injuries and later died when some arsonists set ablaze his residence near a Police check post. Further, bullet-riddled dead body of one Zahid Baloch was recovered from Memon Goth.

Unidentified militants fired rockets and hurled hand grenades into residential areas of Gujarat, Turk Muhallah, and KS Mujahid Road of Baldia town injuring four people, including a woman and a child. The Police conducted raids in these areas and held five suspects and recovered weapons and motorcycle from the miscreants.

Political administration came up with an announcement that 1,000 personnel of the FC had been deployed, but the authorities denied planning any ‘major operation’ in the strife-torn areas.

On the special directives of President Asif Ali Zardari Sindh Government gave shoot-at-sight orders to the Police and Rangers for normalising the city’s deteriorating situation and increasing terrorist activities.

Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Maula Bux Chandio said the people of Sindh need to understand that a PPP-MQM alliance is important for stability in the province and that the troubles in Karachi are often aimed at derailing democracy.

At least four persons were killed during clashes between LI and volunteers of Zakhakhel tribal lashkar in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Windscreens of several vehicles were smashed when a powerful bomb, planted along roadside, exploded near Ali Masjid area. However, nobody was injured in the blast.

SFs pounded the hideouts of militants when they fired rockets at Jawaki area of FR Kohat to punish the tribesmen for forming armed lashkar against them. Militants fired three rockets from Gharib Paya Mountains at the residential area in Jawaki adjacent to the Chappar area of Darra Adamkhel to target the local residents. However, there were no reports of casualties or damage.

Two senior Afghan Taliban ‘commanders’ were killed during clashes with SFs in Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The two ‘commanders’, who were identified as Abu Musa and Omar Tariq, were killed during clashes when more than 100 militants from Afghanistan attacked the village of Kharaa in Nusrat Darra area of Upper Dir.

The commander of US forces in Afghanistan has confirmed that Afghan insurgents were crossing into Pakistan to attack Pakistani troops and civilians.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani telephoned Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai to tell him that the Pakistan Army was exercising utmost restraint despite repeated cross border incursions by the 'militants' raids from the Afghan side into Pakistan”.

A man, identified as Ali Hussain, was killed and another identified as Wali Dad, sustained injures in a landmine explosion near the Paila area in Dera Bugti District.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen said that Pakistan’s Government may have sanctioned the May 31, 2011 killing of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad.

One of Pakistan’s most notorious TTP radio voices, Maulvi Faqir Muhammed, is back on the air after the Army raided his stronghold in 2010 and drove him across the border into Afghanistan. Terrorists and their supporters in Pakistan have long used illegal FM radio stations to spread their message and incite violence against the Government. Muhammed was one of the most prominent militant radio personalities before the Army invaded his enclave in 2010 in the Bajaur Agency (FATA), about 200 kilometres northwest of Islamabad. Many of the terrorists in Bajaur, including Muhammed, simply slipped across the border into the Kunar province, an area of Afghanistan where the US has largely withdrawn its troops.

Pakistan said it would give India the voice samples of the “criminals” accused in the Mumbai terror attacks of November 26, 2008 (also known as 26/11) within 24 hours after a court gives a go-ahead.

July 8

At least 35 more people were killed and several others wounded when unidentified assailants attacked passenger buses and went on shooting sprees in several neighbourhoods in Karachi on July 8 – the fourth day of continuing ethnic violence. With this the death toll has increased to 110.

Seven persons were killed in four separate incidents in Saeedabad area of the District. In one of the incidents, Ayub Masih, Bismillah Khan and an unidentified man were shot dead. Also, assailants opened fire on four vehicles, killing two people, Dost Muhammad and Daniyal, and injuring two others. 12-year-old Shahabad was shot dead in another incident. In the same area, one Ahsan Rashid was killed. 

Four persons, three of whom were identified as Hussain, Ghanchi and Maojee, were killed, when the assailants opened indiscriminate firing in Bhimpura area.

Also, firing near Mubarak Mosque killed 19-year-old Usman and wounded three others. A man, Yousuf Jinnah, was killed outside his house, in the same area. Two more persons were killed in two separate incidents in Qasba Colony area.  The victims were identified as Sakhiur Rehman and Ghaniur Rehman. In another firing incident, Abdul Jabbar and Mir Afridi were killed in Ghousia Colony. One Abid alias Baba and Ghulam Sarwar were shot dead by unidentified assassins in Model Colony and Bilal Colony, respectively. Further, one Saifullah was shot dead in Pirabad area, while one Akbar was shot dead in Qasba area. In Orangi Town, one Arshad Khan was shot dead, while firing near a bakery in Iqbal Market killed one Iqbal and wounded his uncle Qadar. A passer-by, Rafiullah, was killed due to the firing in the limits of Sharah-e-Noor Jahan Police. In North Nazimabad, one Arif Ibrahim, was shot dead. In the limits of Kharadar Police, Noor Muhammad got killed.  A watchman, identified as Abdul Qayyum, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Bombay Bazaar. Near Miani Market, Fazlur Rehman, was shot dead.

 In Nazimabad, 7-year-old Salman Siddique was shot dead. A Jamaat-e-Islami activist, Ayub Ali, was shot dead in Lines Area. One passenger was killed and five others wounded when unidentified men fired indiscriminately at a passenger bus near Hassan Square.

Also, two mutilated bodies were found in Baldia Town. Another mutilated dead body was recovered from Old Golimar area. Similarly, a dead body was recovered near Lea Market. 

In Aligarh Bazaar, unidentified arsonists set ablaze a two-storey building while three shops were also set ablaze.  Seven more shops and over a dozen vehicles were set on fire in various localities of the city. As per reports, four rockets were fired in Saeedabad and Baldia areas. Also, unidentified assailants ridding motorbikes lobbed hand grenades at a building in Bhimpura area.

Law enforcement agencies cordoned off and entered Kati Pahari area in a bid to quell terrorists after intelligence reports revealed that the TTP were present there.

Officials sources said that 42 militants and eight soldiers were killed in the four days of air and ground offensive during Operation Koh-e-Sofaid in Jawaki, Mantao and Sarkat areas of central Kurram Agency in FATA.

One person was killed and another injured when Security Forces opened fire on a motorcycle at Easha checkpost, about 10 kilometres east of Miramshah in North Waziristan Agency.

A NATO container truck was partially damaged when a time device went off near Torkham border check point in Khyber Agency. However, no casualties were reported in the explosion.

TTP leadership in North Waziristan Agency denied their hand in July 5 bomb attack on a SFs convoy in Miranshah, adding that  the US agents, not the TTP militants, had attacked the military personnel to achieve their own objectives.  The TTP Shura met at an undisclosed location.

Unidentified militants blew up an 8-inch diameter gas pipeline in the Loti area of Dera Bugti District. 

42 Afghan nationals were arrested for having no valid travel documents when stopped and checked by the Border Security Force in the outskirts of Quetta.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that intelligence reports have identified presence of the TTP in Kati Pahari and other areas of Karachi. “Intelligence agencies have identified presence of the Taliban in Karachi and the Government is working on it,” Malik said. He added that in order to bring the security situation under control, a new strategy had been evolved under which some “grey” areas of Karachi would be handed over to the Rangers and some to Police.

He further said that at least 80 people had been killed in the violence since July 5 while the number of injured was over 100. He said that some 173 suspects had been arrested while two alleged assailants had been shot dead. He also claimed that Security Forces had gained control of two terrorist check posts at Kati Pahari. 

Malik presented details of the raids taking place in various areas, adding that the Baldia Town and Katti Pahari areas were the worst hit by violence.  Malik disclosed that 89 suspects have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the target killings. Out of those arrested, 12 suspects are Urdu-speaking, 19 are Pathan and three are Baloch.

New York Times called upon the US Government to use its influence to hasten departure of Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the chief of Pakistan’s ISI Agency.

The NYT Editorial on Saleem Shahzad’s killing said, “Now the Obama Administration has evidence implicating the ISI in this brutal killing.” US officials say new intelligence indicates that senior ISI officials ordered the attack on Journalist Saleem Shahzad on May 31, 2011 to silence him.

The country’s civil leadership directed the Sindh Government to revive the Commissionerate system in Karachi on urgent basis. It was decided that the Provincial Government, while pursuing the policy of reconciliation with all political forces, would urgently revive the Commissionerate system in the city.

According to the presidential spokesperson, Farhatullah Babar, the decisions about Karachi were taken in the light of the briefing given by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. The meeting also decided that judges would be appointed to the vacant posts of anti-terror courts and prosecution branch would be beefed up to provide an effective legal framework for dealing with the criminals and lawless elements.

July 9

At least seven militants were killed when the SFs pounded their hideouts during the ongoing Operation Koh-e-Sofaid in Kurram Agency of FATA. The SFs also cleared 10 hideouts. 

Three LI militant were killed when a tribal lashkar attacked their positions in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency. Local sources said LI lost two of its strategic hilltops in Bhukar and Nari Baba areas when Zakhakhel tribal lashkar launched fresh attacks on its positions.

At least five persons were killed and 11 others were injured when militants fired on the two vehicles in Jawakai tribal area, some 50 kilometers east of Peshawar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Three persons more killed on the fifth day of the on-going violence in Karachi, taking the death roll to 113. Two bullet-riddled bodies were recovered from Pirabad Police limits. A worker of MQM was shot dead in PIB colony. The Old Sabzi Mandi area and Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 4 were also tense as gunfights continued, in which nine people, including women and children, were injured.

SFs took partial control of the troubled areas of Orangi Town, Qasba Colony and Kati Pahari. Heavy contingents of SFs entered Qasba Colony and Kati Pahari. They did not face any resistance. Police and Rangers claimed arrest of at least 100 miscreants and recovery of weapons from them. The details about the alleged terrorists booked by SFs were not disclosed.

Unidentified assailants shot dead driver and set ablaze a container carrying military hardware for NATO forces in Dasht area of Mastung District in Balochistan. 

Unidentified militants blew up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline near Pir Koh area of the Dera Bugti District.

HuJI warned the Foreign Office to stop Pakistan’s high commission in New Delhi from sharing details and information about the group with the Indian Government, Police sources said. HuJI threatened that it would carry out attacks on the Foreign Office, Foreign Secretary, the high commission in Delhi and High Commissioner Shahid Malik if its demand was not met.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said that he believed Ayman Al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda’s new ‘chief’, was now living in the tribal areas of Pakistan. But Leon Panetta also conceded that the most potent threat of future terrorist attacks in the United States came from an al Qaeda offshoot in Yemen, not Pakistan.

The Barrack Obama administration will hold back about $800 million in aid to the Pakistani military because Washington is unhappy with Pakistan’s expulsion of US military trainers and its campaign against militants. The New York Times, citing three US senior officials, said the United States was suspending or canceling USD 800 million in aid and equipment —more than a third of the USD two billion it gives Pakistan for security assistance. About USD 300 million in US funding is to reimburse Pakistan for deploying more than 100,000 troops along the Afghan border to combat Taliban and other militant forces.

Reports in the New York Times criticising the Pakistan Army and ISI is a “direct attack” on Pakistan’s security, the ISPR DG Major General Athar Abbas said. Major General Athar Abbas repeatedly criticised the New York Times’ reporting and said it was part of a calculated plan by “unnamed officials” to “weaken the state”. “This is a direct attack on our security organisation and intelligence agencies,” he told Reuters in a rare on-the-record in-person interview.

Military officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to hold more high-level talks to defuse a row over a series of attacks across their porous border, the Afghanistan Defence Ministry spokesman Mohammad Zahir Azimi said. Officials from both militaries and from the United States met in Peshawar to discuss a spike in tensions on the lawless border that has allegedly killed dozens of villagers in recent weeks.

July 10

At least 11 militants were killed by Pakistan Army near Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to reports, SFs have established complete control over Soni Darra, Nusrat Darra and Kafira Chinna areas in Upper Dir. Meanwhile, people living near the border areas continued shifting to safer areas. DCO Upper Dir Ghulam Muhammad has said that the situation in Upper Dir is under control and people are not immigrating. 

Locals have started moving to safer places from different border areas of Upper Dir due to the ongoing operation by SFs against the Afghan militants, who attacked these areas. Locals have confirmed that dozens of families have already shifted from the areas. 

21 kilograms of explosive material was found near the Pabbi area from a suspected motorcyclist coming from Darra Adam Khel.

Three persons, belonging to Shia community, were shot dead while coming from Qambrani Road in Quetta. The victims were identified as Ashiq Hussain, Amjad Ali and Abdul Qayyum. No group has claimed responsibility for the killing. However, it is believed that it was an incident of sectarian killing. 

Three armed assailants intercepted a passenger wagon bound for Quetta from Mongechar and killed three persons in Khad Kucha area of Mastung District. 

Three people were killed by a rocket attack on oil tankers in the Rakhni area of the Barkhan District.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a man, identified as Talat, near Paposh Nagar graveyard in Karachi.

Two unidentified bodies, one of a youth and another of a woman, were found bearing torture marks. 

Body of an unidentified woman was found near Super Highway within the jurisdiction of Sachal Police Station.

The body of a young man was found from Firdous Colony within the jurisdiction of Gulbahar Police Station.

In Aligarh Colony of Orangi town, a clash between two ethnic groups led to intense firing however, no casualties were reported. 

A hand grenade was found from Agra Taj mosque road within the jurisdiction of Kalri Police Station. 

The Sindh Government issued notification of restoration of all the five districts of Karachi divisionorted. According to the notification issued from Chief Minister House, stated that according to the Sindh Revenue Ordinance, Karachi division included District South, Malir, Central, East and West District. Hyderabad has been given a status of division and has been divided into five Districts. These Districts included District Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta, Jamshoro and District Dadu. 

Mirpurkhas Division has been divided into four Districts that included District Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Umerkot and District Sanghar.  Districts of Sukkur Division included Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushero Feroz and District Benazirabad. Larkana Division included District Larkana, Qambar/Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and District Kashmore.  Every division has been divided into its old district-format – as at the time of commissionerate system in place before Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001.

Two Policemen were killed and seven other people, including four Policemen, were wounded in a remote-controlled bomb explosion on the outskirts of Peshawar.

July 11

Two persons, identified as Fazal Amin and Jahangir Khan, were killed by unidentified militants in Shakas and Ghundi localities of Khyber Agency.

One Umar Khan was killed and two others injured, when unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at his house in Bar Qambarkhel area of Bara tehsil

Two other tribesmen identified as Shaukat Khan and Maidan Khan received bullet injuries when their car was ambushed by armed assailants in Speen Qabar locality of Bara.

A NATO container was partially damaged when a magnet bomb exploded on the main Peshawar-Torkham Highway in Jamrud tehsil.

At least 10 people were killed and many others were injured in different areas of Karachi, as unrest stemming from lawlessness continued unabated. Three people were shot dead and many injured in a gunfight between the residents of Lyari, belonging to the Kachi community and the Lyari gangsters. Also, two women, identified as Zubaida and Be Rukh Khan, succumbed to their injuries in a hospital in Karachi. Another man was shot dead near Mari Pur Road Grid Station in the limits of Kalri Police Station. In addition, a man was shot dead near Khadda Market.

A bullet-riddled dead body identified as Abdul Sattar was found near the KMC. Another dead body, bearing marks of torture, was found from Khajoor Bazaar in Kharadar area.

Another person, identified as Muhammad Hassan, was found dead within the limits of Pak Colony Police Station.

At least seven people, including a child, two women and two Policemen, were killed and 25 others wounded in a suicide attack targeting a political rally of the PML-Q at a bazaar in Battagram District.  The suicide bomber, who was in his twenties, and was apparently targeting the PML-Q’s public meeting, blew himself up after asked by Police to stop for search at a security checkpoint.     

Police raided the Hujra (guesthouse) of Fazal Amin in Tela Bund area in Peshawar and arrested two persons, Mamoor and Shah Zaman, along with two hand grenades, one rocket launcher, two Kalashnikovs and dozens of rounds.

A driver and his helper were killed when unidentified militants opened fire at a NATO container coming from Afghanistan to Karachi in Sindh in the Eastern Bypass in Quetta. 

A Police constable, identified as Eid Mohammad, was shot dead and another, identified as Shahnawaz, sustained injures while patrolling on a motorbike near Bazaar in Mastung District.

Malik Ishaq, alleged operational head of LeJ, was released from Kotlakhpat Jail in Lahore District after 14 years of detention. Ishaq had been in prison since 1997 and had 44 cases ranging from murder to terrorism lodged against him. The court had acquitted him in 34 cases while granted him bail in the rest. Head of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jama'at (ASWJ), earlier known as SSP, Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi, along with other members greeted Ishaq upon his release. Ishaq said that he would continue to fight for the country. Ishaq was accused of masterminding the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team on March 3, 2009 while in prison.

Casualties from violence across Pakistan since the US killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden on May 1-2 have soared, with many more maimed and injured people going to humanitarian clinics, the ICRC said.

The killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden will force the al Qaeda terror network to back away from his grandiose plans for more 9/11-style attacks in favour of more frequent, smaller strikes on easier targets, former US spy Chief Michael Hayden forecast.

The deployment of remotely controlled drone aircraft to monitor suspected al Qaeda bases in Afghanistan and, unofficially, in Pakistan was “an absolute war-winner,” he added.

The Pakistan military said that it was capable of fighting without US assistance. “The Army in the past as well as at present, has conducted successful military operations using its own resources without any external support whatsoever,” ISPR Director General, Major General Athar Abbas, said.

Soon after the ISPR director general’s statement, the US administration, while defending its decision to suspend USD 800 million of military aid to Pakistan, said its “uneasy ally” needed to make a greater effort in the fight against terrorists. “When it comes to our military assistance, we’re not prepared to continue providing that at the pace that we were providing it unless and until we see certain steps taken,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, adding, the US was particularly “looking to improve our cooperation in counter-terrorism, in counterinsurgency”.

July 12

31 militants were killed and 15 others injured when US drones fired multiple missiles in the border area of Barmal in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. 

At least 17 militants were killed as a US drone strike fired four missiles targeting a compound and a vehicle in the Gorwaik area of Datta Khel town in North Waziristan Agency.

Four LI militants were killed and four volunteers of the Zakhakhel tribal lashkar were injured during the clashes between LI militants and the Zakhakhel tribesmen in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency.

Two mortar shells fired from across the border in Afghanistan slammed into Pakistani village of Gabri, 60 kilometres (40 miles) northwest of Khar, the main town of Bajaur Agency, killing at least two women and injuring 12 other persons. 

Two persons were abducted by the militants from Bara Bazaar of Khyber Agency.

The Government authorities have registered 85,000 persons who fled Army operation in Kurram Agency. “We have registered until today at least 9,023 families - around 85,000 people,” Senior Government Official Sahibzada Anis said.

Three people, including a supporter of MQM, were killed as the gun battle between Kachhi Rabita Committee (KRC) and Lyari gangster group continued in Lyari in Karachi. The dead body of a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) supporter, identified as Majid, who was abducted and subsequently killed, was found from Kalakot area. One Munir, was shot dead in Agra Taj Colony within Kalri Police precincts. Similarly, one Afghan, identified as Wazeer, was shot dead in Bihar Colony in the jurisdiction of Chakiwara Police Station. A heavy contingent of law enforcers, including Police commandos, was unable to enter violence-hit areas, the report added. 

One Aqeel, an informer of Police, was shot dead at Qazzafi Chowk within the remits of Orangi Town Police.

A man identified as Mukhtiar, was stabbed to death in a mill area Korangi within the limits of Korangi Industrial Area Police Station. 

CID claimed to have arrested seven alleged accused involved in incidents of violence in Karachi, including a militant of Swat Chapter of TTP, Ali Imran alias Imran Shah. The Police also claimed to have recovered four Kalashnikov, two shotguns, one 7mm rifle, and eight kilogrammes hashish.

Bolan Express, a Quetta-bound passenger train coming from Karachi (Sindh), was attacked with a remote-controlled bomb in Lal Shah area of Dera Murad Jamali city in Naseerabad District. The bomb explosion derailed five bogies and injured the driver, Hakim Ali.

Pakistan’s Minister for Works and Services Zulfiqar Mirza threatened to kill a Geo News reporter, Shoaib Burney, while disallowing his news crew from covering his tour of the M A Jinnah Road Light House area in Karachi.

US intelligence had launched a fake vaccination drive in the Abbottabad town, where it believed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was hiding, in an effort to gather DNA from members of his family, Guardian reported.  CIA officials recruited a senior local doctor to organise the campaign after it tracked down Osama bin Laden’s courier and located the compound in which he resided. 

Before launching the operation against bin Laden, US officials wanted to test DNA samples from people living at the compound with a sample that they had from his sister. Doctor Shakil Afridi, who has since been arrested by Inter-Services Intelligence, launched the programme in Abbottabad's poorest area to make it appear more credible.

MQM Chief Altaf Hussain said the Government was plotting against the Armed Forces, the ISI and institutions responsible for the National Security in collusion with the US.

Representatives of the Ahmadi community and Human Rights Activists slammed the Government over religiously motivated killing of an Ahmadi advocate, Malik Mabroor Ahmad, while demanding immediate action against the extremists involved.

“I call upon the Government to dispense swift justice against the perpetrators of this crime,” Saleem said, adding, “Malik Mabroor Ahmad had survived another bid on his life in 2008 but no action was taken by the local authorities to protect him from the extremists.”

Rights Activist and Director of Centre for Human Rights Education (CHRE), Samson Salamat, strongly condemned the brutal killing of Malik Mabroor Ahmed in Nawabshah and said that another killing in the name of religion is the failure of the state machinery and has raised the threat for the persecuted religious minorities in the country.

Pakistan could pull back troops fighting militants near the Afghan border if the United States cuts off aid, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said in an interview to Reuters.

Mukhtar later told Reuters Pakistan wanted the money spent on the maintenance of the Army in the tribal areas. “This is what we are demanding,” he said. “It is our own money.”

China pledged its support for Pakistan. “Pakistan is an important country in South Asia. The stability and development of Pakistan is closely connected with the peace and stability of South Asia,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.

Top Army commanders reiterated the resolve to fighting the menace of terrorism in national interest using “our own resources”. The reaffirmation of the decision came during the 140th Corps Commanders’ Conference at the General Headquarters. The Army could do without US assistance by depending on its own resources.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani reiterated his offer of dialogue to exiled Baloch nationalist leaders and said that negotiations are the only way to resolve issues. “We are ready to hold talks with Baloch leaders living abroad to resolve all issues of Balochistan,” he said.

The JuD ‘spokesman’ Muhammad Yahya Mujahid said that “the first condition to bring peace in Pakistan is prosperity”.

July 13

Four persons, including a woman, were killed in Karachi. Lawlessness continued to prevail in Lyari town as militants abducted people and later brought them to some busy street before shooting them dead. Two persons, identified as Sohail Ahmed Baloch and Saeed Baloch, were abducted on July 12 and were later brought to the Napier Road near Sufi Hotel in Lea Market and were shot at. Sohail Ahmed Baloch died on the spot whereas Saeed Baloch managed to flee with two bullets in his legs. Also, a woman, identified as Afshan, was killed by a stray bullet in her house located in Garden East within the jurisdiction of Garden Police Station.

Unidentified terrorists destroyed three more Government primary schools in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. Yara Jan village Government Primary School, Ghulam Sher Government Primary School and Zar Mar Jan village Government Primary School were blown up with explosives in the night. The total number of destroyed schools in the whole of Khyber Agency has reached 46. 

Unidentified militants blew up a bridge in Sheen Dand area of Bara. 

More than 1,500 terrorists surrendered to political administration during military operation in Mohmand Agency, officials claimed.  Official sources said that the arrested terrorists were being dealt in accordance with Frontier Crimes Regulation. During a visit to Wali Dad Top on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was informed by the officials that SFs destroyed seven explosive device manufacturing factories in the region. 

General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani paid tributes to the officers and jawans, who laid down their lives fighting militants in Mohmand Agency. General Kayani also met Mishrans (notables) of Mohmand Agency and thanked them for their wholehearted support to the military operations. He emphasised the need for the tribes to take full responsibility and effective control for ensuring sustainable peace in their area. He directed the military and civil authorities to extend all possible support to the returning IDPs. 

An ISPR statement said that during the Mohmand operations, 69 officers and soldiers were killed and 231 were injured (including 41 critical injuries).

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the Government and people of Pakistan are deeply concerned about recent statements made by some American officials pertaining to reduction in aid to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan should be included in the Afghan-led reconciliation process and the future strategy for Afghanistan should be decided with its consultation. Pakistan supported reconciliation in Afghanistan and the process should be led and owned by that country.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that Pakistan Government should immediately act to end the epidemic of killings of suspected Baloch militants and opposition activists by the military, Intelligence Agencies, and the paramilitary FC in the south western province of Balochistan. Across Balochistan, since January 2011, at least 150 people have been abducted and killed and their bodies abandoned – acts widely referred to as “kill and dump” operations, in which Pakistani SFs engaged in counterinsurgency operations may be responsible. 

Armed militant outfits in Balochistan are responsible for killing many civilians and destroying private property. In the past several years, they have increasingly targeted non-Baloch civilians and their businesses, Police Stations, and major gas installations and infrastructure.

Pakistan informed the Security Council that it was taking action to stop any use of children by extremist groups to promote their “nihilistic” agendas, while taking strong exception to an “unwarranted” reference in a UN report to the situation in the country.

The position taken by Pakistan on the report, which is written for the Secretary-General by his special representative for Children and Armed Conflict Radhika Coomaraswamy, was supported by a number of countries, including Russia.

The Federal Cabinet decided to constitute a judicial commission under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge to probe the August 26, 2006 murder of Baloch Nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti. The commission, however, was promptly rejected by Bugti’s eldest son Nawabzada Jamil Bugti who said he had no expectations from the incumbent Government.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that foreign forces and hostile Security Agencies are involved in creating a law and order situation in Balochistan. The Interior Minister claimed that the situation in Balochistan vis-à-vis terrorism was “comparably better than in other provinces.” Over the past three years, 134 Punjabi-speaking people have been killed while another 45 have been killed in sectarian violence, Malik said.

Al Qaeda is plotting a jihad on the internet against Britain and the West, and has launched teams to target key computer systems, Security officials from Britain said.  Terrorists have even tried to invade Facebook in their "campaign of electronic warfare".  The Google Earth and Street View applications are being used by the terrorists to plan out atrocities, it said. 

Security officials in Britain say cyber terrorism will become an ever growing threat.  A 123-page counter-terror report said a special unit - called the Tariq-bin-Ziyad Brigade (TZB) for Electronic Jihad attacked computers last year. 

July 14

At least 18 persons were killed in Karachi. In one of the incidents, five people fell prey to violence in areas of Jinnahabad, Gulistan-e-Johar, Lea Market, Lyari and Surjani Town. A Sindh Rangers Official was killed due to firing in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. A Policeman, identified as Aftab, died after receiving multiple bullets near Jamia Milia. An unidentified man was killed in Chowrangi area. Earlier it was reported that10 people were killed. The recent fighting was sparked by PPP Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s on July 13 criticism of the chief of the MQM, Altaf Hussian.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik who initially pointed figures at the TTP for raging violence in Karachi, has now blamed "wives and girlfriends" for 70 per cent of the killings in the city. Malik told reporters during an interaction in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, that more people had been killed by those who wanted to get rid of their wives, girlfriends and boyfriends than those responsible for "target killings" in Karachi.

Two SF personnel were killed and three others injured in a bomb explosion in Zengara area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA. The troops were patrolling the area when their vehicle hit the bomb planted on the road.

Unidentified militants shot dead a person, identified as Mohammad Ishaq, on charges of theft and stealing in Shalobar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency.

Unidentified militants targeted the office of NATO fuel supplier with a car bomb near Torkham border. Officials said that the explosion outside the office of Al-Haj group caused injuries to three passers-by and partial damage to four vehicles parked near the site of explosion. Nobody has so far claimed responsibility for the blast but sources said that Al-Haaj group had been receiving threats from militants since long for supplying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan.

United Nations agencies have started relief activities for the internally displaced families in Kurram Agency.

At least four persons were killed and nine others injured in a blast in Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District. The cause of the blast has yet to be determined.

Unidentified militants blew up an 8-inch diameter gas pipeline in Dera Bugti District.

The ISPR DG Major General Athar Abbas said that there are terrorist safe havens inside Afghanistan. In an interview with a British media group, he said terrorists from Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had found Kunar and Nuristan in Afghanistan to be safe havens and from there they launched cross-border attacks inside Pakistan. General Abbas said militants and their leaders – Fazalullah, Faqir Muhammad, Abdul Wali and Hakimullah – had hideouts in these areas, adding that when NATO was pulling out its troops from the areas, Pakistan had conveyed its well-founded concerns.

Commenting on a video showing the killing of 27 troops in a Dir village on June 1, the ISPR chief said the incident was being investigated to trace the culprits.

Philippines is assessing whether to seek custody of a top Asian terrorist suspect, who hid for years in its volatile south and allegedly plotted deadly attacks with Filipino militants before he was arrested in Pakistan on January 25, 2011.

Pakistan has taken steps to relinquish custody of Patek, whose real name is Anis Alawi Jaffar and his Filipino wife after capturing them on January 25 in Abbottabad. Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said authorities were trying to assess if Patek’s presence could strengthen terrorism-related criminal cases lodged against him in Philippine’s courts before deciding whether to seek his custody.

Slain al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was aware of the plot in which al Qaeda militants bombed London transport facilities on July 7, 2005 (also known as 7/7), but it was the last successful operation he played a role in, US Government experts concluded.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that any threat to nukes will be thwarted with full force. The National Command Authority (NCA) underlined that the Government and the people of Pakistan stood solidly behind the country’s nuclear and missile programmes, which would be pursued to maintain effective, reliable and credible deterrence capability, and all attempts to undermine this capability would be thwarted with full force.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi stressed for regular interaction between the political leadership and the people of Pakistan and India to build the bridges of understanding and friendship between the two nations. He also called for the resolution of longstanding issues between the two countries through dialogue.

July 15

At least 15 militants and eight SFs personnel and were killed during clashes in Chamalang area of Kohlu District in Balochistan. 12 SFs personnel were injured in the clashes while two ‘commanders’ were reported to be among the dead militants. A FC spokesman said that the BLA militants had carried out the attack.

Unidentified militants blew up a 6-inch diameter gas pipeline in Bugti Colony of Sui area in Dera Bugti District. As a result of the explosion, gas supply from well number 69 to the plant was suspended.

Balochistan National Party – Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal said that the Government is neither strong enough nor serious to resolve the Balochistan issue. Speaking at a public meeting at the Shahwani stadium in Quetta by telephone from Dubai said that announcement of packages, formation of jirgas and committees were aimed at deceiving the Baloch people.

Dozens of militants ransacked at least 11 Government schools in Shalobar area of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA and took with them furniture, doors and other articles. The collective looting of 11 schools happened within 24 hours of the destruction of four government schools in Akkakhel area of Bara.

A Government school for boys was blown up by unidentified militants in Marghuz area of Swabi District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

SFs arrested two suicide bombers, including mastermind Mullah Basir, from Spin Khak area of Nowshera District. According to details, the law enforcement agencies, acting on a tip off, raided the Spin Khak area and apprehended two suicide bombers, Arshad Afridi and Mullah Basir, who was the administrator of Madrassa Faizul Islam in the Spin Khak area of Nowshera. Mullah Basir has been accused of training suicide bombers and was involved in carrying out terrorist activities in the province.

The UN Security Council committee overseeing sanctions removed 14 Taliban leaders from an international blacklist in order to encourage peaceful reconciliation in Afghanistan. Germany’s UN ambassador Peter Wittig, who heads the Security Council for the month of July, said the decision “sends a strong signal: the Security Council and the international community support the efforts of the Afghan government to engage reconciled Taliban in a political dialogue in order to achieve peace and security in Afghanistan.”

July 16

Unidentified militants ambushed a bus carrying Sunni Muslims and killed all 10 passengers near Parachinar town of Kurram Agency in FATA.

Unidenfied militants opened fire on a NATO oil tanker in the Jamrud town of Khyber Agency, killing the driver and injuring his helper.

Eight people, including a senior member of PPP, were shot dead in a fresh wave of target killings in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Senior PPP activist and President Pakistan International Airline CBA labour union and his friend were shot dead in a target killing incident at Munawar Chowrangi within the jurisdiction of Gulistan-e-Jauhar Police Station. Syed Ahmer Ali Shah alias Amir Shah (42), son of Safdar Ali, was going with his friend Mairaj Khalid Jagirani, son of Ghulam Sarwar, in a car No ATB-661 when unidentified armed motorcyclists intercepted them and sprayed bullets, injuring them.

A man was shot dead near Metrological Department, Gulshan-e-Iqbal within the jurisdiction of Mubina Town Police Station. A 38-year-old man, Gul Mohammad Khan, was sitting at Subhan Allah hotel when unidentified armed men shot him and fled.

Two bodies of teenagers were recovered from Old Haji Camp within the precincts of Nappier Police Station. Police received information that two bodies packed in gunny bags were lying near Timber Market, Old Haji Camp. On reaching the spot, they recovered two bodies from the bags. The victims were identified as 18-year-old Tabraiz and 19-year-old Feroz, both residents of Metroville Site.

In another incident, a young man was shot dead at Islam Chowk, Orangi Town within the limits of Pakistan Bazaar Police Station.

Police found the body of man from Marwari area within the limits of Pak Colony Police Station. The identity of victim is yet to be ascertained. The decomposed body was recovered from Lyari River.

A man was shot dead in Bhains Colony near Chokandi Morr within the jurisdiction of Sukkhun Police Station. The 30-year-old victim, Mohammad Nadeem, was sitting outside a cattle farm when unidentified motorcyclists sprayed bullets on him. He was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment where he succumbed to the injuries.

Police recovered four dead bodies of Baloch missing persons, including a member of BSO-Azad, in Quetta. Police, on a tip-off, found three corpses dumped in separate sacks in Jabal-e-Noor area in the outskirts of the provincial capital. They were identified as Maqsood Qalandarani s/o Sher Mohammad, Ghulam Murtaza s/o Haleem and Nasir Badini.

Police recovered another dead body from an area near Qambrani Road in Quetta.

An official of the FC, identified as Karim Bakhsh, was injured in a remote control explosion on a FC check post in Mir Hasan area in Dera Murad Jamali.

Unidentified assailants threw a hand grenade into a house in Khuzdar. However, no casualties were reported in the grenade attack.

Two persons were killed and 15 injured when militants blew up a NATO supply oil tanker in a market in Peshawar of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The remote-controlled device was planted under the tanker,” said Ijaz Khan, a senior police officer. The blaze also destroyed up to 100 shops. “Two people were killed and 15 other were wounded, terrorists were involved in this attack,” he added.

July 17

Three people, including one Police Constable, identified as Sajid Khan Afridi, were shot dead in Sector 8 of Baldia Town within the jurisdiction of Saeedabad Police Station.  The other two victims were identified as Zahid Baloch and Jahanzeb.  PPP Karachi Division President Najmi Alam claimed that all three victims were affiliated with the party.

One Wali Mohammad Arain, a local leader of Punjabi Pakhtoon Ittehad (PPI), was killed in Kehkashan Society in Al-Falah Police limits. 

An activist of ANP was shot dead near Ayesha Manzil in Federal B area within the jurisdiction of Gulberg Police Station. 

A driver was shot killed when unidentified assailants opened fire at a trawler in Sarjani area. In addition, one Ayaz was shot dead in Sector 5-K of New Karachi within the limits of Bilal Colony Police limits.

A dead body of a man was found from Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik, hinting at the involvement of foreign hands in fomenting unrest in Karachi, said Israeli-made weapons were being used by militants in the city.

The LI militants killed a volunteer of local peace committee by tying his body to a vehicle and dragging it in Mann Talab area of Akkakhel in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Fazal Hadi, ‘commander’ and bodyguard of LI ‘chief’ Mangal Bagh, was killed by the Zakhakhel lashkar in Nari Baba area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency. 

Unidentified assailants attacked a convoy of trucks, abducted 10 persons and set ablaze six vehicles near Charkhel village on Thall-Parachinar Road in Kurram Agency. Sources said that the convoy was going from Parachinar to the south. Officials said the incident might have been a reaction to an attack on a passenger van near Parachinar on July 16 in which 10 persons, including women and children, were killed and three others injured. 

Militants blew up a Government high school in Atari village of Qambarkhel in Khyber Agency. 

Security Forces destroyed three hideouts of militants in Baz Garha area of Bara. Local sources said that a number of suspected militants managed to break the security cordon and escaped to other localities. 

Pamphlets describing former ‘vice-chief’ of TTP Maulvi Faqir Mohammad as agent of anti-Pakistan forces were distributed among peace committees of Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies. The pamphlets in Urdu and Pashto on separate papers carry the title “public notice” and read: “Maulvi Faqir Mohammad is a notorious and immoral bargainer of conscience by character. He is enemy of humanity and playing in hands of those powers who want to destroy our motherland. The number one in these anti-Pakistan forces is RAW of India.”

Unidentified militants shot dead an Afghan refugee, identified as Spen Khan, in an Afghan refugee camp set up in the Muslim Bagh tehsil of Qila Saifullah District. 

Armed militants of BLA abducted five men, who were heading to work at Sorange coal mine, located around 40 kilometres east of Quetta. Basham Baloch, a spokesman of BLA, claimed responsibility for the abduction. He said the men were abducted to force the Government to stop mining.

Mohammad Ilyas Kashmiri, the al Qaeda ‘commander’ who was believed to have been killed on June 3 in a US drone attack in Pakistan, is alive, a Dawn report said.  Kashmiri is still active in the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Dawn said on its website quoting unnamed sources. Media reports had earlier said that Kashmiri was killed in a US drone attack in the Ghwakhwa area of South Waziristan Agency. The US, however, had not confirmed his death.

July 18

Eight militants and a trooper were killed in an encounter in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA.

Khasadar Sameed Khan and cook Noor Badshah received injuries when unidentified assailants attacked the living quarters of Khasadar Force with hand grenades in Landi Kotal Bazaar of Khyber Agency. 

Nine truckers, who were abducted from Thall-Parachinar Road in Lower Kurram Agency on July 17, were released by their abductors, officials said.

SFs neutralised a time device planted at a roadside in Akkakhel area. 

SFs arrested three suspect militants during routine patrolling in Sur Ghar area of Bara tehsil.

Three people, including an activist of PPP, were killed in separate incidents of target killing in Karachi. Two, including a legal adviser of defunct SSP, were assassinated in Gulbahar within the remits of Gulbahar Police Station. Abdul Hafeez (55), son of Abdul Waheed and Sajid alias Mulla (32), son of Arif were standing in the street when unidentified pillion riders approached and opened fire. Resultantly, both sustained multiple bullet injuries and died on the spot.

An activist of PPP, identified as Imdad Baloch (25), was killed while another injured near Bheempura within the precincts of Nappier Police Station.

One Police official was killed while another was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on a Police mobile in Marghuz area of Swabi town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to details, SHO Zaida Police Station, Malook Shah Khan, ASI Javed Khan and other Police officials were on routine patrolling when unidentified assailants opened fire on the Police mobile, killing Police official Mirwali Khan on the spot while injuring driver Asif Shah. The SHO and ASI escaped unhurt. 

The SFs foiled a plan of militants to attack Kohat and recovered huge quantity of weapons from a house and a mosque during a clandestine operation.

At least eight employees of the American Refugee Committee, a NGO, were abducted in Surkab area of Pishin District in the night. “All the Pakistani employees of a US-based aid organisation, ARC, returning from an Afghan refugee camp in Pishin, have gone missing,” officials added.

Police neutralised an explosive device weighing seven kilogrammes placed in the Turbat Bazaar of Turbat District.

The Taliban released a video showing the execution of 16 Pakistani Policemen, captured during a raid in June from Pakistan’s Upper Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The video shows the Policemen lined up on a hillside, their hands tied behind their backs, standing in front of armed Taliban fighters wearing scarves to hide their faces. One of the fighters accused the men of executing six children.

A US Senate House panel unveiled a bill that would impose limits on US aid to Pakistan. The House Foreign Affairs Committee will consider the legislation by Republican chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on July 20. She released an initial draft on July 18. Among the limitations, the bill would require the Secretary of State to certify Pakistan’s cooperation in battling terrorism before Islamabad could receive civilian and security assistance from the US.

The ISI officials knew about a meeting between al Qaeda ‘leader’ Ayman al-Zawahiri and slain TTP ‘head’ Baitullah Mehsud in 2008 but then "lost" track of the terror mastermind, a media report said. The meeting, which reportedly took place during the first half of 2008, might have been a precursor to the CIA's drone attacks against Mehsud, which ultimately killed him in August 2009.

July 19

11 militants and a soldier were killed during an encounter between SFs and militants in Ormegai area of Kurram Agency in FATA. One officer, three soldiers and six militants were also injured during the encounter.

Five persons were killed and two others injured in an explosion in Pir Khel village of Shakai area near Wana, the main town of SWA. Sources said that a pick-up truck carrying seven persons, including a son of TTP ‘commander’ Tehsil Khan, was hit by an improvised explosive device in Pir Khel village. Tehsil Khan is a close associate of TTP ‘commander’ Maulvi Nazir.

Four were killed and two others were injured when the mortar bombs fired across the Afghanistan border slammed in to a paramilitary Frontier Corps checkpost in the Angoor Adda area of SWA.

Militants killed two hostages, including a student, in Charkhel area of lower Kurram Agency. They were abducted on July 17 after an attack on a convoy of trucks coming from Parachinar to Thall. The militants burnt the body of the student identified as Syed Ijlal Hussain while the other hostage, Zakir Hussain, was shot dead. Militants had burnt six trucks and abducted 12 persons including drivers during the attack. They set free 10 drivers after interrogation and kept the two deceased in their custody.

The activists of a local peace committee killed the relative of a local militant ‘commander’ on charges of spying in Akkakhel area of Khyber Agency.

Nine youngsters were injured when militants fired six mortar shells at the local helipad in Landi Kotal town of Khyber Agency.

A tribesman identified as Noor Hussain suffered injuries in a landmine blast in Sharemkhel area in Upper Kurram.

The ongoing violence in Karachi claimed eight more lives, including activist of MQM and a Police official.

A Policeman, 26-year-old Ali Mazhar, a gunman of Bilal Sheikh, who is the Security Officer of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, was targeted while going home.

Police found shot dead body of a young man from Azeempura graveyard Malir in the limits of Al Falah Police Station.

Police found a bullet-riddled gunny bag body from Art Chowk Lyari area in the remits of Kalakot Police Station.

In another incident in Kharadar area near Habib Honey Street, Police found a dead body of a young man.

Police found a bullet-riddled body of a youth from Mohajir Camp Baldia in the remits of Baldia Police Station. Police said the victim appeared to be Baloch speaking.

A pan shop owner, Ghulam Fareed Kalhoro (40), was shot dead in Korangi Bilal Colony in the jurisdiction of Korangi Industrial Area Police Station.

A young man was shot dead while another was found injured near Lal Mosque Firdaus Colony in the precincts of Gulbahar Police Station.

A minor boy, 9-year-old Badar, was killed due to a stray bullet when he was standing outside his home in Muslim Abad Malir Kala Board in the remits of Malir City Police Station.

Unidentified militants killed an official of FC, Taj Alam Khattak, in Peshawar District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Two US citizens have been charged with illegally lobbying the United States for the Pakistan Government and ISI over the Kashmir, US authorities said. FBI agents arrested Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai (62), in Virginia on charges that he failed to register as an agent of a foreign Government. Zaheer Ahmad (63) was also charged but is believed to be in Pakistan. Both are naturalized US citizens. Pakistan has spent at least USD four million since the mid-1990s lobbying the US Congress and the White House through Fai and the Kashmiri American Council, also known as the Kashmir Center, where Fai served as Executive Director, according to an FBI affidavit filed in US court.

The Pakistan Embassy in Washington issued a statement denying any Government knowledge of such an arrangement. "Mr Fai is not a Pakistani citizen and the government and embassy of Pakistan have no knowledge of the case involving him," the statement said.

Promising to lean "hard" on Pakistan terror, the US asked it not to give "safe havens and free pass" to terrorists. This reaffirmation was made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the end of the second annual Indo-US Strategic Dialogue during which she discussed with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna terrorism, nuclear cooperation, situation in Afghanistan and a host of other key issues.

The United Kingdom termed Pakistan’s role as “most important” in ensuring peace in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the US and NATO forces. Addressing a joint press conference at the Lancaster House, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg called for a solution for peace in Afghanistan, generated from within, with the combined support of the United States, United Kingdom and Pakistan.

The killer, of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai’s close ally Jan Mohammad Khan, had received telephone calls before and after the deadly shooting from Pakistan, the Afghanistan Interior Minister Besmullah Mohammadi told parliament.

July 20

The pro-Government tribesmen killed six militants during clashes in Neka Ziarat area of central Kurram Agency.

A caravan of 532 families belonging to different areas of South Waziristan Agency left for their hometowns.

Two militants were killed and a Policeman was injured when militants attacked a Police post in Matani area of Peshawar. 

Unknown assailants shot dead one advocate, Adil Ahmed, in front of his chamber in Ali Plaza on Charsadda-Mardan road in Charsadda District.

Militants blew up a Government school in Shaikhan village in the limits of Badbher Police Station of Peshawar. The source said that three remote controlled explosives were planted at the school that damaged its building.   

Police recovered a rocket, three hand grenades, a wireless set and hundreds of cartridges of Kalashnikov from Badhber in Peshawar.

A former Union Council nazim and the leader of PML-N, Saleem Jadoon, was shot dead by armed militants near his office on Patel Road in Quetta. 

An Afghan security commander was killed in firing in Saranan area in Pishin District. According to some sources, TTP had claimed responsibility for the killing of the Afghan security official.

A man, identified as Ajmal, was shot dead while another identified as Rehmat was injured at Bhutto Nagar in Landhi within the remits of Landhi Police Station in Karachi.

An activist of MQM, Zafar Iqbal, received bullet injuries in Quaidabad while sitting at a polling camp.

An al Qaeda affiliate said that it plans to roll out a Disney-like animated cartoon aimed at recruiting children to the terror network.

News of the animated film was announced by a group called Abu al-Laith al-Yemen on the Arabic-language al-Shamouk jihadist website, reported the London-based Quilliam Foundation. Quilliam, which was formed by former jihadists and now aims to stamp out extremism, said it appears the group is affiliated with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Afghan Taliban’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that their mobile phones, email accounts and a website had been hacked to send out false messages to the media claiming the movement’s supreme leader, Mullah Omar, had died on May 23.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Washington expected Islamabad to press Afghan Taliban insurgents to join the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. Clinton said, “Pakistan must prevent its territory being used for attacks that destabilise Afghanistan or India, and deny al Qaeda the space to regroup and plan new violence,” adding, “We all need to be on the same page for this to work”.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan believed in a policy of non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and that peace there was vital for the stability of the entire region.

A House panel pushed ahead on a bill to block US assistance to Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen and the Palestinian Authority unless the Obama Administration reassures Congress that they are cooperating in the war on terrorism. Overall, the bill would cut USD 6.4 billion from Obama’s request of USD 51 billion for the State Department and foreign operations in the next budget.

Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the intent was to put Pakistan “on notice that it is no longer business as usual and that they will be held to account if they continue to refuse to cooperate with our efforts to eliminate the nuclear black market, destroy the remaining elements of Osama Bin Laden’s network and vigorously pursue our counterterrorism objectives.”

Another mass attack by the LeT militants will derail Indo-Pak talks and can lead to India striking back against Pakistan, a noted American counter-terrorism expert warned.

July 21

Four persons, including two OGDCL officials and two FC personnel, were killed and three others sustained injuries in a remote-controlled bomb blast near Dera Allah Yar Bypass in Jaffarabad District.

BRA claimed responsibility for the attack and vowed to continue such attacks in future also.

Four militants were killed in a US drone strike that fired two missiles in a house in Khushali Toori Khel area of Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency.

Four mortar shells fired from across the border in Afghanistan hit a house in Banda-Gai village in Mamoond tehsil, 60 kilometres northwest of Khar, main town of Bajaur Agency in FATA, killing two persons and injuring six children.

Two employees of Frontier Works Organisation, Hazrat Ali and Hayat Ahmed, were injured in a suicide attack in Kotki area of South Waziristan Agency.

A NATO oil tanker was partially destroyed as an explosive device attached to its rear portion by unidentified militants, exploded near agriculture office in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency. 

Jandakhel peace lashkar and Security Forces in a joint action demolished a hideout of the LI in Chora area of Malik Dinkhel.

A Government middle school in Akkakhel and a primary school for girls in Shalobar were completely destroyed when huge quantity of explosives, planted by militants in the buildings, exploded at midnight. With the destruction of the two schools, the number of destroyed educational institutions, according to official figures, has risen to 56 in Khyber Agency since the start of military operation in September 2009. 

Assistant Political Agent Rehan Khattak distributed cheques worth PKR 11,200,000 among the victims of terrorism in Bara. The recipients included relatives of 27 killed and 26 injured persons.

One person was killed and another injured in separate incidents of violence in Karachi. Police found a bullet-riddled dead body of a youth, identified as Babar Khan, from an empty plot in Korangi within the precincts of Zaman Town Police Station. 

A Policeman, identified as Ali Mohammad, was injured at Qazzafi Chowk Orangi Town within the jurisdiction of Orangi Town Police Station when unidentified assailants fired at him while performing his duties at the security zone.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed that 154 alleged target killers were arrested in Karachi, and out of them, nine with political affiliation were bailed out due to insufficient evidence.

A would-be suicide bomber was shot dead when he allegedly tried to attack the head of the Adezai Peace Lashkar, Dilawar Khan, at Bazeed Khel in Badabher area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A US court remanded Kashmiri propagandist Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, accused of lobbying for Pakistan, to FBI custody till next week. A prosecution lawyer appeared in the court and requested more time to study this “complicated case”. The lawyer said the defence also needed more time to prepare their case. 

“Brylcreem” and “30 plus” were some of the codes used for monetary transactions between ISI and Fai. In the affidavit submitted by the FBI, investigators said in a conversation Fai's Pakistani handler Javed Azeed Khan had asked him if he had received all the goods. In reply, Fai told him everything had been received except “Brylcreem, 75 milligram”. FBI investigators suspect that was a code for transferring the USD 75,000 demanded by Fai from his ISI handlers for spreading propaganda in the US through his Kashmiri American Council. 

Pakistan accused United States of a campaign of slander against Islamabad over the arrest of a US citizen accused of running an ‘illegal front group’ for Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute. The statement voiced concern over what it called ‘slander campaign against Pakistan.’

The ISI sponsors terrorism in Kashmir and it oversees terrorist groups there, the FBI said in the first ever open acknowledgment by a US agency that Islamabad is a 'State Sponsor of Terrorism'.

Pakistan nurtured extremist groups to fight "proxy irregular" war against India, while its military benefited from presenting New Delhi as a threat, a top Pentagon official told US lawmakers.  "Pakistan has viewed India itself and Indian (or any other nation's) domination of Afghanistan as an existential threat, and has taken steps it believes are necessary to counter this threat, including developing nuclear weapons and nurturing extremist groups to fight proxy irregular warfare," Admiral James A Winnefeld, the next Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, adding, "That the Pakistani military benefits from presenting India as a threat, and that there are many in the military who sympathise with the extremist views of these groups, only reinforces this tendency.

A US Congress panel rejected a proposal to cut off all aid to Pakistan due to concerns over the Pakistan’s relationship with terrorists. The House Foreign Affairs Committee rejected the measure, with five lawmakers voting yes and 39 voting no.

Representative Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican from California, had offered the amendment to a spending bill for the fiscal year starting in October that would have barred any US funds to provide assistance to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan considered its relations with the United States as “extremely important” and stressed that victories in the fight against terrorism must be credited to Pakistan.

July 22

13 persons more were killed in the ongoing target killing in Karachi when the MQM- Haqiqi, attempted to stage a comeback in strongholds of the MQM. City Police Chief Saud Mirza said the violence was sparked when “some men of a group entered Khokhrapar area of Malir and targeted their opponents”.

Seven militants were killed and as many volunteers of tribal lashkar injured in a clash between militants and tribal lashkar in Neka Ziarat area of Kurram Agency in FATA. The death toll reached 15 during the last five days, as the military operation continued in different areas of central Kurram for the last three weeks.

Six militants were killed while two militants and a soldier sustained injuries during an encounter in Sheraki area of Orakzai Agency. Sources said that the militants attacked a SFs outpost in the area and in SFs retaliated by killing six militants and injuring two others. One soldier identified as Omar also sustained injuries.

Unidentified militants attacked the compound of renowned Pashto poet Amir Hamza Shinwari in a bid to destroy the complex located in Landikotal of Khyber Agency.

Two houses were partially damaged when militants fired two mortars from mountains of Darra Adamkhel at the residential area of Jammu in the Frontier Region of Kohat.

Senior Army and FATA officials claimed that the reports about the death of Tariq Afridi, the TTP ‘Amir’ of Darra Adamkhel, were correct and he had died when Army jets pounded Eidgah area in Orakzai Agency on the evening of May 31, 2011.

A senior leader of the BNP, Jumma Khan Raisani, and three others were shot dead in Gizigi area of Khuzdar District of Balochistan. According to Police, Jumma Raisani was on his way back home after offering Friday prayers when unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle. As a result, Jumma and his three guards Muhammad Ishaq, Muhammad Zareef and Muhammad Bakhsh died on the spot. Baloch-Musala Defa Army has claimed the responsibility for the killings.

Police arrested a teenaged terror suspect from Ganjmandi area of Rawalpindi and recovered an SSG commando’s uniform, two pistols and PKR 39,000 from his possession. Shahrukh Khan (14), son of Abdul Latif, a resident of Fauji colony, Pirwadhai, was arrested by the Ganjmandi Police during patrolling from Boring Road.

Two Police men have been assigned security duties at the residence of Malik Ishaq, the LeJ ‘chief’, who was recently released from a Lahore prison. Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer Sohail Tajik said that the guards were deployed at the Mohallah Islam Nagar house of the LeJ ‘chief’ in view of the threat posed by a large number of people visiting him everyday He said more officials would be deployed to the place if the need arose.

The US-Pakistan relationship is complicated and important but walking away from the ties with the key regional country is not an option, President Barack Obama’s National Security Adviser Tom Donilon said. Tom Donilon also acknowledged in an appearance in Charlie Rose Show that maintaining ties with Pakistan and working with it serves American national security interests.

July 23

An anti-militant lashkar killed 13 militants during clashes in Parachinar of Kurram Agency in FATA.  

A trooper was injured when an IED exploded in Chinari area of Safi tehsil in Mohammad Agency. Sources said that SFs personnel were on routine patrolling when the IED planted along a roadside went off. 

SFs arrested six suspected militants and neutralised two hideouts and recovered arms during an operation in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. Security officials said that two hideouts of LI were neutralised and at least six suspected militants were arrested during the daylong operation.

A big mortar shell landed in the Hujra of Haji Abdul Shakoor Afridi in Sultankhel area of Khyber Zakhakhel in Khyber Agency in the night, badly injuring his two young sons, Adil Nawaz and Gul Nawaz.  

Five labourers of Punjabi ethnicity were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Kisankuri area of Naushki town in Naushki District in suspected incident of ethnic killing. Sources said that the labourers were taking their mid-day meal at a construction site for a mosque in Kisankuri, about 15 kilometres from Naushki city, when assailants on motorbikes opened fire on them, killing all five on the spot. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Ashfaq, a resident of Ranajpur, Ghulam Hussain, a resident of Dera Ghazi Khan, Munir Hussain, Mohammad Zahid and Habibullah of Rajanpur. 

Two persons were killed and two others injured when a bomb planted alongside a railway track on the outskirts of Quetta went off. 

A bullet-riddled dead body of a teacher, identified as master Saleem, was found in Guna area of Turbat District. According to the Turbat Police, victim received two bullets in his head and chest which had resulted in his instant death. He was whisked away along with his friend from the same locality of Turbat some ten days ago, sources added.

Eight more persons, including an advocate, were killed in separate acts of violence in various parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. An advocate of Sindh High Court, Advocate Mukhtiar Abbas Bukhari, was shot dead near Bohrapir Sheesha Market within the limits of Eidgah Police Station. 

A tea hotel owner was shot dead in New Karachi near Bismillah Mosque in the limits of New Karachi Police Station. The incident took place at New Quresh Akakhel Hotel, where 40-year-old Abdul Bari was sitting at a cash counter, when unidentified assailants opened indiscriminate firing at him. 

Clash between two groups in Juna Market claimed the life of a teenager. During clashes, a stray bullet hit a 13-year-old Bilal on his head. 

A young man, Khalid Mehboob (25), was shot dead in Hijrat Colony at Ahmed Raza Khan Road within the remits of Civil Line Police Station. 

A 30-year-old Tahir was shot dead in Urdu Nagar near Mono Technical College in the limits of Malir City Police Station. 

Three persons were shot dead by unidentified assailants near Iram Shopping Centre within the limits Taimoria Police Station. The victims were identified as Awais, Raheel and Salahuddin. Sources said the victims were the activists of MQM, but police have denied their affiliation with any political party.

A minor girl was killed and two others were injured when a mortar shell fell in a residential area of Jawaki area of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to reports, unidentified militants fired eight mortar shells on a village, which resulted in the death of eight-year-old Noorina, daughter of Abdul Sattar, on the spot while Parwara Bibi, daughter of Ghulam Saddiq, and Taj Bibi, daughter of Noor Baz Khan sustained critical injuries.

A senior cadre of TTP’s ‘intelligence group’ was arrested by security agencies in an operation carried out in the Dhok Kashmirian village, the suburbs of the federal capital, Islamabad. One of his associates was also arrested. The security agencies spotted the senior TTP cadre, QZR, through mobile tracking system. He came to Islamabad with a wedding party comprising the natives of Parachinar and Kurram Agency who stayed at the village. Sources said that QZR was one of the main members of TTP’s ‘intelligence group’ which was setting up a network in the capital and adjoining cities. He had direct links with the ‘commanders’ of TTP and another group operating under it, Sources added.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik emphasised coordinated and concerted efforts to combat terrorism and money laundering from the SAARC region. Rehman Malik expressed these views while addressing the fourth SAARC Interior Ministers’ conference being held in Thimpu from July 21-23. Rehman Malik, who was chairing the conference, suggested that there is need for constitution of a SAARC-pol on the pattern of Interpol.

July 24

Eleven militants were killed and six others were injured during an encounter between militants and SFs in the Ali Sherzai area of Kurram Agency in FATA. The SFs also destroyed several militant hideouts.  

At least nine militants were killed and eight others sustained injuries in clashes between the LI and AI in Sandapal area in Tirah valley in Khyber Agency. 

A trooper was killed as SFs foiled an attempt by a suicide bomber to attack a military checkpost outside the Chag Malai post seven kilometres (four miles) east of Wana, the main town in South Waziristan Agency.

An Afghanistan national, identified as Gul Khan, was killed by unidenfied militants on charges of spying for the US in Qutab Khel of North Waziristan Agency. A piece of paper found with the body said the man was killed because he spied for the US.  

Seven SF personnel were injured when a bomb exploded on a road in Qutab Khel village.  

Three soldiers were injured when militants attacked the convoy of the SFs while it was patrolling the Speen Qabar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. Local residents said a woman was injured when a mortar shell hit her house in Speen Qabar.  

A Government primary school for girls was blown up by the militants in Gudmalang area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. Official sources said that the militants have destroyed 58 government-run schools in Khyber Agency over the last two years.  

Four rockets fired from Afghanistan landed in Mamond area of Bajaur Agency. Residents said that the rockets were fired from Kunar province of Afghanistan, but did not cause any damage.

20 people were killed and over 20 wounded when unidentified militants went on shooting spree in several neighbourhoods of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.  

Three people, namely Ikhlas, Kala Khan and Khalid, were shot dead in Gulberg area. Separately, in Lyari area, two MQM workers, Ali Akbar and Mohammad Hussain, were killed while one Raees was wounded. Another MQM worker, Irfan Ismael, was killed while one Abdul Rasheed was wounded in a firing incident in Quaidabad area.

Three people, Zafar, Iqbal Furqan and Iqbal, were shot dead and one Afnan was injured by unidentified assailants near Disco Mor. Separately, a worker, Noorul Islam, of the ASWJ was shot dead and one Nazeer wounded in an attack inside Siddiq-e-Akbar Masjid in Sarjani area.  

In Nabi Bux area, one Iqbal was shot dead while in Ghas Mandi area one Khalid Baloch was killed. In another firing incident in Liaquatabad area, an unidentified man was shot dead while four others received bullet wounds.  

A passerby was killed during a clash between two rival groups in Quaid-e-Azam Colony. Two people, Saleem Shah and Mohammad Pervez, died while over half a dozen were injured in Malir area. 

Later it was reported that an MQM activist, Badar Afzal, who was injured in a firing incident on July 22, succumbed to his injuries.

In Daud Goth area, residence of a PPP leader and MNA Sher Mohammad Baloch was attacked by unidentified militants. 

Four dead bodies were recovered from different parts of the city.  

Law enforcers claimed to have arrested over half a dozen suspects during search operations in Baldia Town.

Two suspected militants were killed in a clash with SFs near Sanjavi area of Loralai District. SFs arrested a third militant who was injured in the shootout and seized arms and ammunition. The clash ensued when the militants who were coming from Zhob District fired on the SF personnel.  

A minor girl, identified as Bakht Bibi, was killed and one Tareen Ahmed was injured in a landmine explosion in Killi King area of Kohlu District.

An explosive device planted in the house of Haji Ajmal Khan Bugti, a former MPA at Dera Allah Yar in Jaffarabad District destroyed the building completely.

A low intensity explosive device went off during a fashion show at a hotel in Faisalabad District. Members of IJT, the student wing of the JeI, are suspected to have been involved in the attack. The organisers of the show said they had received threats from hardliners and had informed Police about the matter. It was reported that before the show, some activists of IJT and JeI organised a protest at Chenab Club Chowk and demanded that the local administration stop the show.

Months before the FBI arrested Kashmiri separatist leader Ghulam Nabi Fai, it had forced a Pakistani Consulate official in New York, who spied on Pakistanis living in the US in a systematic ISI campaign, to leave the country. Mohammed Tasleem, a clandestine operative of the ISI, had been posing as an FBI agent to extract information from Pakistanis living in the US and was issuing threats to keep them from speaking openly about Pakistan’s Government.

July 25

At least 27 TTP militants and four tribesmen of Peace lashkar were killed in gunfight in Masozai area of Kurram Agency in FATA.

A 15-year-old shepherd, identified as Muhibullah, was killed in a landmine explosion in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

Three militants were injured in exchange of fire with Levies Force in Prang Dara of Haleemzai tehsil in Mohmand Agency.  A child was also injured in the clash.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government school for girls and a primary school for boys in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency.

Six more people, including activists of the SPYO and MQM, were killed in the ongoing violence in Karachi. 

An MQM activist, identified as Fayyaz Hussain, was shot dead in Ramaswami area. Tension simmered in surrounding areas of Old City after the killing of MQM worker. 

An SPYO activist, identified as Liaquat, was shot dead at his pharmacy in Korangi area. 

One Mohammad Nawaz, hailing from Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was shot dead in the limits of the Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan Police Station.

A man identified as Akram, was killed while three others were wounded when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Landhi area.

A sack packed unidentified dead body was recovered from Usmanabad area. In addition, gunny bag body was recovered from Malir’s Jummah Goth area. 

Law enforcers rounded up over 150 people and recovered weapons from them. 

Provincial President of JeI Ibrahim blamed MQM and ANP for bloodshed in Karachi, saying both the parties are fighting for personal interests.

Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan chaired a meeting of the leaders of the PPP, MQM and ANP. A statement said that the leaders of all three parties agreed to undertake concerted efforts for the maintenance of peace in the metropolis and stressed that action be initiated without any distinction between the elements involved in acts of violence and lawlessness.

The US military chief warned that US-Pakistan military-to-military ties were at a ‘very difficult’ crossroads, allowing that a path to progress on that front was not yet clear. President Barack Obama’s administration recently suspended about a third of its $2.7 billion annual defence aid to Pakistan in the wake of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden near the country’s main military academy.

Director General Military Operations Major General Ashfaq Nadeem said to the Abbottabad Commission that the US had not informed Pakistan security organisations about the May 1 operation in which al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed. He, however, said that Pakistan and the US had a close liaison and coordination in the war on terror.

A new legislation will be enacted for the trial of terrorists presently being detained by the Armed Forces in tribal areas. Under the regulation, punishments as severe as hanging to death, life imprisonment, 10 year imprisonment could be awarded depending on the nature of the crime while special detention facilities will be established for the terrorists. The law titled ‘Action In Aid of Civil Power Regulation 2011’ was being introduced for taking action against the terrorists being detained in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and other tribal areas. 

The law will come into force in retrospect from February 2008 which will be applicable in tribal areas being administered by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A board comprising of two civilians and military officials will deal with cases relating to human rights violation. Anyone spreading hate material in FATA will also be considered a criminal who could be handed over to any Intelligence Agency.

A year-long military-led investigation has concluded that US taxpayer money has been indirectly funnelled to the Afghan Taliban under a $2.16 billion transportation contract that the US has funded in part to promote Afghan businesses, The Washington Post reported. Citing an unreleased investigation, The Washington Post said the findings provide seemingly definitive evidence that corruption puts US transportation money into Taliban hands.

Interim steps have been taken to improve oversight and accountability of companies and individuals involved in the shipment of more than 70 per cent of all US military food, fuel, weapons and construction material within Afghanistan, said an official.

Islamabad’s Intelligence Agencies had warned that the HuT was planning an Egypt style uprising in Pakistan by seeking support from ‘like-minded’ elements within the Armed Forces. In a correspondence among the Punjab Police, the Directorate of ISI, and the Government in April 2011, made available to The Express Tribune, there was a clear warning of the outfit attempting a ‘deep infiltration’ of the military and academia.

According to the document, HuT was working on a plan to seek an uprising in Pakistan similar to ones in Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year. “They wanted an Arab spring in Pakistan,” said an official familiar with the letter. HuT had regularly been distributing pamphlets and leaflets in middle and upper-middle class residential areas of large cities.

Muhammad Ikhtiyar, the Commissioner of Loralai District of Balochistan province said that the two Swiss nationals, David Olivier and Widmar Daniela, who were abducted on July 1, 2011 from Killi Nigah area of the District, were still alive.  

The JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed on July 25 vowed to enter India through Jammu and Kashmir.  Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks (also known as 26/11), said: "From the door of Kashmir we will launch Gazwah-e-Hind (battle for Hindustan)". 

Saeed also criticised the US CIA, claiming it had set up offices across Pakistan.  "The CIA had established offices in every city of Pakistan from where they send reports to the US," he said.  On July 22 Saeed visited Bahawalpur District and Multan District of Punjab province to address public meetings and meet JuD activists. 

July 26

At least 12 more people were killed and several others were injured in different areas of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. 

In Orangi Town in Kali Pahari, unidentified militants opened fire on Noman, a member of MQM, injuring him critically. He later succumbed to his injuries. After the incident, armed assailants resorted to heavy aerial firing on Kali Pahari, Gulfamabad, Aligarh Colony, Bukhari Colony, Muslimabad and other surrounding areas. During exchange of firing, a fruit vendor, Darwaish, was shot dead. 

An activist of Sunni Tehreek (ST), identified as Ahmed Raza, was shot dead in New Karachi. 

Two men were shot dead in Gulistan Jauhar near Rabia City in the precincts of Sharah Faisal Police Station. 

Unidentified assailants opened fire on Bilal Hussain and Ghulam Mujtaba, injuring them. The duo died later.

A security guard of a steel factory was shot dead. Also, one Azizur Rehman was shot dead. A militant, identified as Shiraz, was shot dead in Godhra Sector of New Karachi Industrial Area Police Station limits. In another incident, a man was shot dead while one Ashraf, a member of PPP, was injured in the remits of Eidgah Police Station.

Police found a dead body of one Malik Yaqoob in a gunny bag from Faqeer Colony in Orangi Town near Rehmania Mosque in the jurisdiction of Mominabad Police Station.

A trooper was killed and two others were injured when a remote controlled bomb planted by suspected militants along Wana-Angor Adda Road in Sholan area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA went off. The security personnel were clearing the road from mines for movement of convoys. 

Eight mortar and rocket shells, fired from Afghanistan side, landed in Angor Adda area. One of the shells hit a bunker of Security Forces and injured a soldier identified as Atif. 

A public call office, owned by Habib Karekhel, was blown up in Angor Adda at midnight. However, no casualty was reported. 

The Army has successfully completed Operation Tri Star launched at Janata Valley in South Waziristan Agency on July 13 with the objective of flushing out terrorists from the area. According to an ISPR press release, the operation has been successfully completed and Security Forces have gained full control of Janata Valley, inflicting heavy casualties on terrorists and capturing a large cache of arms and ammunition.

Republicans in the House of Representatives on July 26 presented a foreign aid bill that restricts US taxpayer dollars to Pakistan if it should refuse to cooperate in the US effort against terrorist threats. The legislation released would ban giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information, an effort to reverse Obama administration policy. The overall bill totals USD 47.2 billion and is USD 3.6 billion less than President Barack Obama requested.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said his country has been providing help and assistance to Pakistan to make it strong with improved provision of basic needs of life to the people living in different parts of the country. Munter said, “It is our effort to improve education system in Pakistan, especially in under developed areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa...” “More than 700 schools in FATA and Malakand District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been repaired and equipped with books, furniture and other basic needs with training to the teachers.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said his country has been providing help and assistance to Pakistan to make it strong with improved provision of basic needs of life to the people living in different parts of the country. Munter said, “It is our effort to improve education system in Pakistan, especially in under developed areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa...” “More than 700 schools in FATA and Malakand District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been repaired and equipped with books, furniture and other basic needs with training to the teachers. The project started three years ago and continued despite many hardships, especially the security issue in the areas where military started its operation against the extremists,” he added.

July 27

The ongoing killing spree claimed at least 11 more lives in different parts of Karachi. Two activists, Ahmad Baloch and Tariq Baloch, belonging to the Peoples Aman Committee (PAC) were shot dead in Press Quarter Gate near Makrani Mosque.

Two unidentified men were killed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. 

Two unidentified dead bodies were found in gunny bags near Medina Mosque, Nazimabad.

An advocate of Sindh High Court, identified as Junaid, was shot dead outside his house in FB Area.

A man, identified as Khameeso, was shot dead near SPARCO road near MET department in the remits of Mobina Town Police Station.

A teenage boy was shot dead near Bagh-e-Hilal in the jurisdiction of Garden Police Station.

A man was shot dead near Rukhsana Clinic Shah Faisal No 2 by unidentified militants.

Police found a dead body of a man from Nullah near Habib Bank Chowrangi in the precincts of Site A Police Station.

Police detained a dozen people from Shah Faisal Colony. IG Sindh Wajid Ali Durrani said at least 90 suspects are arrested in connection with target killings in Karachi.

Two volunteers of a tribal lashkar and a trooper were killed as the ongoing military operation Brekhna in Mohmand Agency of FATA entered its third phase. SFs launched operation in Manzari Chena, Athamkhel and Zorh Kallay areas of Baizai tehsil along the Afghan border to start third phase of the ongoing military operation Brekhna.

A bomb explosion destroyed a NATO supply oil tanker on Landikotal bypass in Khyber Agency. A powerful explosive device attached to the tanker totally destroyed vehicle. However, no casualty has been reported.

At least 100,000 persons have fled their homes in Kurram Agency due to the ongoing Army operation Koh-e-Sufaid. “We have so far registered at least 9,944 families – up to 100,000 people,” said Sahibzada Anis, the District coordination officer for Peshawar.

At least five people were wounded when unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade near Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park on Manghopir Road within the precincts of Pak Colony Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The victims were identified as Lal Mohammad, Nazar Mohammad, Ramiz, Naseer, and Imran.

A federal judge in Miami denied bail to a young Muslim cleric, Izhar Khan (24), arrested in May on charges of financing and supporting the TTP. The judge cited flight risk and a potential threat to community safety in rejecting bail for Izhar Khan, who has been charged along with his father and brother with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.

The provincial Government sought more time from the Balochistan High Court to contact the centre for former President General Pervez Musharraf’s extradition and others accused of being involved in the August 26, 2006 murder of former Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Arrest warrants were issued against former DCO Dera Bugti, Samad Lasi in the Nawab Akbar Bugti murder case.

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opposed aid restrictions on Pakistan and said that she will urge President Barack Obama to veto a bill which seeks to restrict US assistance to countries like Pakistan.  In a letter to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, she described the bill the panel passed last week as ‘restrictive’ and said she would urge President Barack Obama to veto it if it reached his desk.

Pakistan is likely to deport the main suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings to Indonesia, an unnamed anti-terrorism official said. Umar Patek (41) had been on the run nearly a decade when he was arrested in January in Abbottabad. Patek is the ‘deputy commander’ of al Qaeda’s Southeast Asian affiliate Jemaah Islamiyah. Indonesia’s anti-terrorism agency head Ansyaad Mbai said, on July 25, negotiations are under way with Pakistan to deport Umar Patek to his home country.

America's counterterrorism officials believe that al Qaeda is on the brink of collapse. “United States (US) counterterrorism officials are increasingly convinced that the killing of Osama bin Laden on May1 and the toll of seven years of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) drone strikes have pushed al Qaeda to the brink of collapse,” said US officials.

US officials said that even its demise would not end the terrorist threat, which is increasingly driven by radicalised individuals as well as aggressive affiliates. Officials said that al Qaeda's offshoot in Yemen is now seen as a greater counter terrorism challenge than the organisation's traditional base. 

July 28

Nine militants were killed and six volunteers of a tribal lashkar were injured in a clash in Masozai area of Kurram Agency in FATA.   

A trailer carrying a US army vehicle was set on fire by unidentified militants in a parking lot at the Torkham border in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency.

Tension prevailed in different areas of Karachi as four more people were killed and 12 others injured in separate incidents of violence, while a private TV channel van was set on fire in Kati Pahari area.

A rickshaw driver, identified as Mohammad Arif Khan, was shot dead near Mehfooz Biryani House. Following the killing of the rickshaw driver, tension engulfed several areas of Orangi Town, Qasba Colony, Bukhari Colony, Kati Pahari and surrounding localities, where armed assailants opened aerial fire. 

A young man, Asad, was shot dead at a hotel in industrial area within the remits of Gabol Town Police Station.

One person was killed and three others were injured near Shafiq Morr. Unidentified armed militants opened fire on a bus near Shafiq Morr, injuring four people. The injured were identified as Abdul Sattar, Asif Anwar, Umair Saeed and Saleem Mukhtiar. Later, Sattar succumbed to his injuries.

Police found an unidentified dead body of a Baloch man near Gutter Baghicha in the precincts of Pak Colony Police Station.

In Qasba Colony near Metro Cinema, around six armed militants attacked a bus, injuring five passengers, including Mustafa, Mohammad Nasir, Farhan and Shabbir.

An activist of ANP was injured in firing by unidentified assailants near Al-Asif Square.

Two Policemen Sub-Inspector Zaheer Ahmed and constable Dilawar Khan received bullet injuries when unidentified armed militants attacked them.

A member of a political party identified as Rao Musharraf, received bullet injuries in Kati Pahari area. 

A team of a TV channel and a Police party was attacked by unidentified armed assailants in Kati Pahari area. However, the Police party and the TV channel team managed to flee, while militants set the van on fire.

A prayer leader of Jamia Albadar mosque, identified as Abdul Karim Mengal, was shot dead by unidentified militants in Pishin area of Quetta.

Unidentified militants blew up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline in Goth Noor Khan area of Dera Allah Yar city of Jaffarabad District.

An oil tanker carrying fuel for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan was on its way from Karachi in Sindh to Kandahar in Afghanistan when unknown armed militants opened fire on it near Takri Post area of Mach District.

One doctor Abdul Qayyum, a member of HuT was abducted by the personnel of an Intelligence Agency on the Club Road in Rahim Yar Khan District. Later, the Police refused to register the case. A senior Police officer said since “agencies” had taken Qayyum away, they could not register a case.

Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik reiterated that "nine non-state actors" facing trial in a Rawalpindi court for their involvement in the Mumbai terror attack case (November 26, 2008, also known as 26/11), would be convicted.

July 29

LeJ militants killed at least seven people, including four Shias, waiting to travel to Mashhad in Iran, at Taftan bus terminal on Saryab Road. Claiming responsibility for the attack LeJ said it was done to avenge July 28 death of cleric Karim Mengal in Quetta.  Reports state that it was a sectarian attack.

Two people, including one of the nephews of Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, were killed while 39 others, among them eight officials of the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) and four Policemen, were wounded in a hand grenade attack in a football stadium in Mastung District. 

A Quetta-bound passenger train, Bolan Mail, was on its way to Quetta from Karachi in Sindh when it came under attack near Marri Farm Tentaged village area in Dera Allah Yar town of Jaffarabad District. The bomb explosion derailed the locomotive and four carriages. However, no one was hurt in the attack. BRA claimed responsibility for the attack. “Such attacks will continue in future,” the spokesperson of BRA said over the telephone.

Eleven people fell prey to separate acts of violence in Karachi. Two advocates, identified as Mohammad Saleem and Faheem Riaz, were shot dead near FTC Bridge on Sharah-e-Faisal within the limits of Brigade Police Station. 

Three people were shot dead when unidentified armed militants attacked two teashops located near Sindhi hotel within the precincts of New Karachi Industrial Area Police Station. The victims were identified as Saeed, Ikhlaq, and Subhan. 

A Sunni Tehreek (ST) activist, identified as Zahid Qadri, was shot dead at Rozi Goth within the remit of Surjani Police Station. 

A local businessman, Anwar, was shot dead while his female housemaid, Fatima, injured when armed assailants attacked a car near Nagan Chowrangi within Sir Syed Police limits. 

In Frere Police limits, Faheem-ul-Haq alias Moon, was shot dead near Punjab Colony. 

One Imran was found dead from Khajji ground within Rizvia Police remit.

Two unidentified torture-marked, bullet-riddled dead bodies of young men were found from Kalakot and Orangi Town.

LEA detained and released nearly 70 suspects in an overnight search operation in various parts of Karachi.

Islamabad Police arrested four militants suspected of plotting terrorist activities in Islamabad. Police confiscated suicide vests, hand grenades and pistols from their possession.

The UN Security Council put the TTP on its international anti-terrorism sanctions list in a move highlighting the growing threat from the outfit. The adding of the TTP to the sanctions list also comes as the Security Council eases pressure on the Afghan Taliban in a bid to encourage it to join peace moves in Afghanistan.

The TTP said they were holding Swiss couple, Olivier David Och (31), and Daniela Widmar (28) abducted on July 1 while on holiday in the province of Balochistan. TTP ‘deputy chief’ Waliur Rehman did not provide proof that the outfit had the pair but said they were in good health and demanded they be exchanged for Pakistani scientist, Aafia Siddiqui, jailed in the US.

Former US Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said that the US should stop its drone campaign in Pakistan, and reconsider the USD 80 billion a year it spends to fight terrorism. Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum, Blair said the CIA’s unmanned aircraft operation aimed at al Qaeda is backfiring by damaging the US-Pakistan relationship.

The Pakistan Government should immediately end widespread disappearances of suspected militants and activists by the military, Intelligence Agencies, and the paramilitary Frontier Corps in Balochistan, HRW said in a report released. Several of those “disappeared” were among the dozens of people extra-judicially executed in recent months in the resource-rich and violence-wracked province.

July 30

At least 16 persons more were killed in the ongoing violence and target killings in the provincial capital of Sindh, Karachi. Latest fatalities include activists of MQM, Sunni Tehreek (ST), and a Policeman.

Unidentified militants opened fire on people at a bus stop on Spiny road in Quetta killing 11 people and injuring several others. 

Two bullet-riddled bodies were found from Liari area of Uthal city of Lasbela District. The identities of the bodies were established through pieces of paper recovered from each body, identifying them as Sahrbat, son of Ahmed Khan Marri and Zaman, son of Bangal Marri, both residents of Vindar, a town in Lasbela. Sources at the hospital confirmed that the victims had been tortured and then shot to death.

Pakistan asked the United States to stop the CIA-run unmanned air strikes into its tribal areas, diplomatic sources reported. According to diplomatic sources, ISI chief Lieutenant-General Shuja Pasha told acting CIA Director Michael J. Morell that the raids had become a major source of embarrassment for the Pakistani Government as it was blamed for failing to stop a foreign power from killing its own citizens. Before this, Pakistan had publicly protested the strikes but had never officially asked the United States to discontinue them, although Pakistani leaders often complained that drones were killing too many innocent civilians. The Pakistanis say that since June 18, 2004, when the CIA began the drone strikes, the unmanned aircraft had killed more than 2,500 people, mostly civilians. The CIA has conducted almost 250 strikes since 2004. The strikes have jumped from fewer than 50 in the Bush administration, to more than 200 strikes since President Barack Obama took office.

The White House described the US relationship with Pakistan as “essential” to fighting terrorism, noting that Washington works hard on the ties, which are ‘complicated and difficult’ at time. “Without addressing specific methods, I would simply say that we believe our relationship with Pakistan is essential to fighting terrorism and terrorists, fighting al Qaeda,” US President Barrack Obama’s spokesman Jay Carney said when asked about the call by former US intelligence chief Admiral (retd) Dennis Blair for an immediate halt to drone attacks against terrorists on the Pakistani soil. “We also make no apologies for the need to go after terrorists, members of al Qaeda, wherever they are. And that is certainly true about the mission to eliminate Osama bin Laden,” Carney replied.

July 31

At least 15 more persons, five in Sarjani Town alone, were killed in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh in an ongoing spate of target killing. There was an intense exchange of fire between two ethnic groups, reportedly supported by their patron political parties.

Five people were killed in a clash between Pashtun and Saraiki people in Sarjani town.

Armed assailants abducted and killed a man, Bacha Khan, and his nephew, Sajjad Khan. Later, armed assailants shot dead another Pakhtun, identified as Tahir Khan. All three belonged to ANP. 

One person identified as Zurmai Jan was killed in Orangi Town and dead bodies of two young men were found from Orangi’s Pakistan Bazaar Police remits. 

Tension gripped parts of Sarjani, including Khuda Ki Basti and Taiser Town, as armed outfits resorted to intense firing and suspended routine and commercial activities.  During the clash, two more people, who are yet to be identified, were shot dead, while at least dozen of persons, including Faizan, Allah Noor, Jamil, Abdul Jabbar, Buxullah and Naqeeb were wounded. 

Two dead bodies of young men were found from Urdu Bazaar in Aram Bagh Police remits and Sher Shah Police remits. 

One Munnawar Baloch, who was injured in an incident of firing on July 24 in Sher Shah area succumbed to his injuries.

Four persons, including Sagheer, Khairullah, Shah Wali, Naseebullah and Owais were injured during intense firing in Bukhari Colony, while over 14 others were injured when armed miscreants beat passengers traveling in a bus with sticks in Pirabad area after getting them off the bus. 

CID and Anti Extremist Cell (AEC) claimed to have arrested four militants of TTP, one of LeJ and two Lyari gangsters during separate raids in the city. Four TTP militants Abdul Rehman, Nazrab Khan, Azhar Mahmood and Ahmed Khan were arrested from Sohrab Goth along with one Kalashnikov, one repeater, two hand grenades and three TT pistols during a raid on a tip-off in Sohrab Goth.

In another raid, an alleged member of LeJ, Wasim Channa, was arrested from Jamshed Quarters and one Kalashnikov was recovered from his possession.

At least 12 militants were killed in the ongoing Army operation Brekhna (lightning) in Mohammad Agency of FATA. The Army has taken over the control of more than 90 per cent of areas bordering Afghanistan in Mohmand Agency as the Army’s operation entered a decisive phase, APA of Upper Mohmand Maqsood Khan said on July 31.

A man, identified as Naeem, was killed and nine others were injured in a hand grenade attack in a hotel on main RCD Highway in Hub area of Quetta. “Unidentified assailants came on a motorcycle and lobbed a hand grenade on the people who were taking their lunch at a roadside restaurant,” a senior Police official Muhammad Amin Khosa said. BLA claimed responsibility for the attack.

Unidentified militants shot dead a pro-Government tribal elder, Malik Arsala Khan, in the main bazaar in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police sources said that militants killed Malik Arsala Khan as he was trying to lure back tribesmen who had fled the area because of fighting between militants and the Army.

Four people received burnt injuries as some unidentified militants set NATO tankers on fire while they were on their way from Karachi in Sindh to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at National Highway near Kurram Abad area of Khairpur District.

Police arrested three terrorists in two different operations and recovered two suicide jackets along with several detonators in Lahore District. According to Intelligence sources, Police arrested two terrorists, Muhammad Aqeel and Khuda Bakhsh, from Kot-Abdul Maalik. The alleged terrorists belonged to the Ilyas Kashmiri outfit, HuJI and were planning to target important personalities during the month of Ramazan.

The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said that Haqqani network’s safe havens in Pakistan still posed a risk to the decade-old war effort. “The overall goal has been to make it much more difficult for the Haqqani network to penetrate directly in what has previously been called sort of this ‘jet stream’ between Pakistan, right through Khost (province) into Kabul,” Mullen told a news conference in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. “And it is more difficult (now).”

China said that Islamic extremists were behind an attack on the eve of Ramazan (Islamic fasting month) in Kashgar city of Xinjiang on August 4, 2008 that left 16 persons dead. The attack in Kashgar city was the latest violence to shake the region where Muslim Uighurs have long resented the presence of Han Chinese and religious and political controls imposed by Beijing. An initial Police investigation found that the leaders of the group behind the attack had learned about explosives and firearms in Pakistan at a camp of the separatist “East Turkestan Islamic Movement,” a Kashgar Government statement said.

August 1

Forty people, including activists of the MQM and the PPP, were killed and several others were injured in various parts of Karachi. At least 16 people, including a PPP workers and a Policeman, were killed in separate incidents.

Three people, Habibur Rehman, Imran Hussain, and Naeem Niaz, were shot dead in parts of Sarjani Town, Yousuf Goth, Taiser Town and Khuda Ki Basti while seven people, including two Policemen, were injured during an armed clash between two groups. 

Two dead bodies were recovered from areas of Pak Colony and Old Golimar. One of the victims was identified as Ashfaq Ahmed, an activist of MQM worker.

Two unidentified dead bodies stuffed in gunny bags were found from a park situated in Nazimabad.

Two men were shot dead in Sheesha Market within the precincts of Eid Gah Police Station. The victims were identified as Abdul Qadir and Bilal.

One Zar Lal, and his young son Niaz Khan were shot dead in Sharah-e-Noor Jahan in North Nazimabad.

A PPP< worker Munawar Hussain was killed in Mobina Town. One Hayatullah was killed and Shahid was injured in an armed attack in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area. A Policeman posted to special branch of the Bomb Disposal Squad, Tariq Dad, was killed in Landhi’s Sharafi Goth area. Also, an estate agent, Shah Kareem, was killed while Rab Nawaz and his son Shahnawaz were wounded in an attack at a loading truck in New Karachi. 

Three people, one Abdul Hakeem, Asif Muhammad and an unidentified man were killed in SITE< and Aziz Bhatti area.

One Farhan was shot dead in Safora Chowrangi in the precincts of Sacchal Police Station while a man named Rahim Dad was shot dead within the limits of Maripur Police Station. Another man, identified as Afsar, was shot dead in Korangi in the limits of Awami Colony Police Station. 

Two people, including an MQM worker Kamran Hanif, were abducted and killed in separate incidents in Orangi Town. Later, a firing victim, Saiful Islam, succumbed to his injuries.

90 vehicles — trucks, passenger coaches and 80 motorbike were torched in different strife-hit localities.

The HRCP completed a fact-finding mission in Karachi (July 29-31) to ascertain the causes of the current wave of violence in the metropolis in which heavy losses of life and property have been caused. 

The HRCP mission discovered that the complaints against Law-Enforcement Agencies ranged from dereliction of duty, abandonment of post, long delays in responding to distress calls to downright collusion with criminals. Unless these shortcomings were removed, the people of Karachi could have little hope of peace and security.

Four militants were killed when a US drone fired two missiles on a vehicle in Azam Warsak, 15 kilometres west of Wana, the main town of the South Waziristan Agency, in FATA. 

Unidentified assailants killed three persons in Munda area near the Afghan border in Kurram Agency. Sources said that unidentified assailants attacked a tractor trolley of Turi tribesmen in Munda area and killed three woodcutters.

There has been no truce or ceasefire between the Zakha Khel tribe and LI. The tribal elders Haji Meedak, Ghulam Shah, Ziarat Syed and Fateh Muhammad said in a statement that the Zakha Khel tribe had not inked any truce or ceasefire with the LI in their region and vowed to purge the Zakha Khel region of all terrorists to establish peace.

At least two persons were killed while another was injured in a bomb blast that took place in Sariab area Quetta.

A driver of a NATO oil tanker, identified as Sher Gul, was killed by unidentified militants in Dasht area of Mastung District while the tanker was on its way from Karachi in Sindh to Kandahar in Afghanistan.

Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani advised the Baloch militants to hold talks with the political leaders, preferably with the Provincial Government, for settling the political and other issues. Kayani categorically denied the involvement of Pakistan Army and its Intelligence Agencies in killing and dumping of mutilated bodies, which are being recovered from different parts of Balochistan.

A prayer leader was shot dead and two others were injured in separate incidents in Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Maulvi Mohammad Ismail was offering Maghrib prayer in the limits of Band Korai Police Station when unidentified assailants opened fire on him.

A woman was killed and her son received injuries when a rocket, fired by militants, hit a house in Atariwal village of Darra Adamkhel. Officials said that militants fired six rockets from Aka Khel area of Khyber Agency (FATA) at Zarghun Khel village.

Unidentified assailants shot at two persons, Haroon Qasuria and Mujib Gandapur. 

SFs and members of a peace committee destroyed the houses of two alleged militants in Pirwal Khel area of Darra Adamkhel. The SFs and peace committee said that the two militants belonging to Tariq Afridi faction of TTP were involved in attacking passengers and convoys. Both the alleged militants, Subhanullah and Qari Zakir, were wanted by Government in various cases of terrorism. 

Militants from Afghanistan side once again attacked positions of local lashkar in border areas of Upper Dir District. However, residents of Saro Kallay said that the attack was repulsed successfully. According to the residents of Nusrat Darra and Shahteez, militants have entrenched in a forest along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and are looking for opportunity to launch attacks against the people of these villages. 

SFs recovered 22 rounds of rocket, three Kalashnikovs and two other rifles from a house in Acaar and Jabar area during a search operation.

August 2

The LEAs have been given a go-ahead to launch a search operation in 100 localities of Karachi as 13 more people fell prey to target killings, including two activists of the PPP. The death toll rose to 68 in the last three days of violence.

Two PPP< activists, identified as Waqar and Naeem, were shot dead and Adnan, Waqas and Faisal were injured when armed militants attacked their car in Gulshan-e-Iqbal in Aziz Bhatti Police limits.

Police found two dead bodies stuffed in gunny bags from Northern Bypass near Sui Southern Gas Office and another two dead bodies from Islam Nagar. In another incident, Police found an unidentified dead body from the trunk of a car in Old Golimar within the limits of Rizvia Police Station. 

Five more bodies were found from different parts of the city including two from Sarjani Town, two from Orangi Town and one from Rizvia.

Another man, identified as Farhan Baloch, was shot dead in a drive-by shooting near Safoora Chowrangi in Sacchal Police remits. 

A meeting held under Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah decided to deal with terrorists and anti-social elements with iron hand and Rangers and Police will promptly and indiscriminately act against these elements.

A US< drone strike targeting a vehicle near Qutab Khel village, five kilometres east of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan Agency of FATA killed four militants. 

Two soldiers were killed and another sustains injury when a group of TTP militants attack a roadside military post near Ladha town in South Waziristan Agency. 

Two soldiers were killed in a roadside IED blast in Tengar area of Laddha. Officials said that soldiers were patrolling Tengar area when an IED hit their vehicle. 

Three persons were injured when unidentified militants fired at NATO containers near Government Degree College on Landi Kotal-Torkham Bypass in Landi Kotal town of Khyber Agency.

LEAs arrested about 50 suspects during a search operation in Killi Kamalo and Killi Qambrani areas of Saryab in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

US special regional envoy Marc Grossman called for Pakistan to support reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan as foreign forces were prepared to withdraw after 10 years of war. Addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Jawed Ludin following the fourth meeting of the Trilateral Core Group, the US envoy Marc Grossman said ups and downs in bilateral relations were a normal matter in diplomacy and added that Pakistan and the United States had shared interests to act jointly.

Lauding the Indian leadership's willingness to engage Pakistan despite its failure to bring perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to justice, The New York Times said that the Pakistani Army's use of militants to counter Indian influence in Kashmir is "self-destructive." In the editorial titled 'India and Pakistan, Talking: Even modest progress is to be celebrated and urged forward,' The New York Times said that homegrown extremism and not India is the real threat to Pakistan's survival.

"Before there can be a true reconciliation, and stability in the region, Pakistan's Army must realise that using militants to try to counter Indian influence in Kashmir and Afghanistan is self-destructive and that homegrown extremism, not India, is the real threat to Pakistan's survival."

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik informed the National Assembly that the SFs arrested 3,143 alleged terrorists in the country and recovered 4,240 weapons from them during the last three years. The data presented by the Minister showed that 67 per cent of the arrests had been made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa whereas 84 per cent of the weapons had been seized from Balochistan.

Giving province-wise details, Malik said the SFs arrested 2,103 alleged terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 343 in Balochistan, 231 in Punjab, 145 in Sindh, 130 in Islamabad, 106 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 80 in FATA and five in PoK. Similarly, the data showed that during the last three years the SFs seized 3,554 weapons from Balochistan, 431 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 150 from Sindh, 55 from Punjab, 27 from Gilgit-Baltistan, 15 from Islamabad and eight from PoK. The Minister informed the house that only PNR 500,000 had been recovered from the arrested terrorists.

August 3

At least six more people were killed, including activists of MQM, in separate incidents of violence and target killings in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The killings occurred while the Rangers detained nearly 50 suspects during a search operation in Orangi Town.

A dead body of MQM worker, Abid Baig, was found from Ghazinagar Usmanabad in Garden Police precincts.

MQM and ANP expressed their desire for the deployment of Army personnel in Karachi to restore peace. In a telephonic address, MQM Chief Altaf Hussain asserted that Army should be deployed in Karachi and a stern action should be taken against those destroying peace in Sindh and Karachi. Hussain made an appeal to the top leadership of PPP to stop supporting the Lyari gang and other criminal and land mafia.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that no operation would be conducted in Karachi, but Rangers would take only targeted action on intelligence information. “Peace in Karachi is a must not only for innocent citizens but also for national economy,” Malik said.  “Action will focus on those involved in targeted killings and terrorists. This fight will continue till normalcy is restored in the cosmopolitan city,” he stated.

Six militants were killed and 12 others were injured in SFs action during the ongoing Koh-i-Sufaid operation in different areas of central Kurram Agency in FATA. According to sources, SFs using gunship helicopters destroyed four militant hideouts and one of their vehicles.

One person, identified as Lal Faqir, was killed and two others received injuries when militants fired 25 mortar shells from the border of Orakzai Agency in FATA landed in Darra Adamkhel town of Kohat District. 

Three bombs exploded one after the other as the suspected militants targeted the main 500 KV transmission line from Tarbela Dam to Sheikh Mohammadi grid station in Peshawar, at Khudrai Wand of Kalabat region in the jurisdiction of Topi Police Station in Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the night.

A NATO oil tanker was set on fire by unidentified assailants in Tera Mill of Dasht in Mastung District while it was on its way from Karachi in Sindh to Kandahar in Afghanistan.

Three officers of the Pakistan Navy will be brought before a military court on for their alleged negligence during the May 22 PNS Mehran attack in Karachi. Former PNS Mehran base commander Commodore Raja Tahir and two of his subordinates – one captain and one commander – are to face trial before a court martial.

Authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province barred 23 banned organizations, including the LeT and JeM, from collecting donations for their activities. The Punjab Government warned that those found providing donations or aid to the banned organizations will be charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act.  However, the Government did not include the Falah-e-Insaniyat, a front for the JuD, in the list of groups barred from collecting donations.  

The organizations included in the list are LeT, JeM, LeJ, SMP, SSP, TJP, Millat-e-Islamia Pakistan (MIP), Khuddam-ul-Isla , Islami Tehreek-e-Pakistan  (ITP), Hizbut Tahrir (HT) and Jama’at-ul-Ansar (JA).  The move coincided with the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, when extremist and militant outfits launch special drives to collect funds.

August 4

Five militants and a passer-by were killed when the cadres of LI and AI clashed in a bazaar in Mehraban Kali area of Kukikhel in Khyber Agency of FATA.  The sources said that five militants from both sides and a passer-by were killed on the spot as result of cross firing.

One man, identified as Zaheeruddin, was killed by a bullet fired from unknown location in Airport area in Quetta.

Law Enforcement personnel arrested a suspected person, identified as Ghulam Rasool, from Killi Baro of Sariab area and recovered a Kalashnikov from his possession.

A Policeman, identified as Younus Rafiq, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Misri Khan Village in Old Golimar area within the precincts of Pak Colony Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that anti-terrorist wing of the FIA has been shifted to Karachi to conduct proper interrogation of arrested suspects and maintain a complete record with the support of evidences.

Professor Naeem Khalid, chairman of Department of Physics at ICU of Peshawar, has sought Police protection after receiving threats TTP militants.

Two suspects were arrested from a brick kiln in Tatral village of Chakwal District after a shootout with the Police.

Islamabad High Court directed the MI Director General Major-General Naushad Ahmed Kayani to appear before the court on August 10 along with four missing HuT activists. According to petitions, Imran Yusufzai and Hayyan Dawar Khan were abducted on July 11, Osama Hanif on July 21, Dr Abdul Qayyum on July 27 and Abdul Wajid on July 30.

Deputy Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri told the court that the MI had denied abducting the HuT activists while ISI requested more time for submitting reply. However, Umer Hayat Sindhu, counsel for the petitioners, alleged that the missing activists have been detained by the MI in General Headquarters.

The Pakistan Navy is keeping its main battleships away from Karachi, and has moved them to another port in Ormara of Balochistan, as security threats continue, sources in the navy said. The Navy sent its warships away from its main base in Karachi as a “precautionary measure” after a 16-hour siege of its main naval airbase, PNS Mehran on May 22.

Three officers of the Pakistan Navy are being brought before a military court for their alleged negligence during the attack on a naval airbase in Karachi. Former PNS Mehran base commander Commodore Raja Tahir and two of his subordinates – one captain and one commander – are to face trial before a court martial.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that a plot to target Ministers and key figures with perfume bombs has been foiled. “Terrorists had devised a perfume bottle like bombs as gifts to target ministers and key political figures in the month of Ramazan,” said Rehman Malik in his report.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani denied the media reports about the existence of Quetta Shura or presence of Mullah Omar or Ayman Al Zawahiri in Balochistan. Talking to the US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Quetta, he said that Pakistan’s role was inevitable in maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

According to a report by global analysts Maplecroft, Pakistan is the second most at risk from terrorist attack. Somalia is most at risk from terrorist attack, followed by Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan and the new nation of South Sudan.

August 5

A group of militants shot dead a member of Adezai Qaumi Lashkar, Dawar Khan, after dragging him out of Adezai village mosque in Peshawar during Taraveeh prayer (prayer offered during the holy month of Ramazan).

Unidentified militants blew up a Government primary school in Aka Khel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency in the night. However, due to the timing of the incident, no loss of life has been reported.

Border officials arrested a suspected Indian citizen who crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan without legal documents. Sources said the man entered Pakistan from Bab-i-Dosti border entrance and wanted to go to Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District of Balochistan Province. The man belongs to Amritsar District of the state of Punjab in India and is suspected to be an Indian spy who had entered Pakistan for espionage.

A US federal judge denied bail to the son of a Florida imam arrested on charges of financing and supporting TTP. US prosecutors have charged Irfan Khan (37), along with his father and brother, who is also an imam at another Florida mosque, with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. The three Pakistani-born US citizens were arrested in May 14 and are among six persons indicted on the charges that they conspired to transfer about USD 50,000 and provide other support for the TTP, which the US Government considers a terrorist organisation. In a ruling late August 5, Judge Adalberto Jordan denied bail for Khan, saying he represented a flight risk. The judge had already rejected bail requests by the other two men. Jordan said the evidence against Khan was “substantial” but not as strong as that against his father, Hafiz Muhammed Sher Ali Khan (76), who was an imam at the Miami Mosque at the time of his arrest. All three men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ethnic and politically linked violence in Pakistan’s financial capital, Karachi, has killed 800 people so far this year, the country’s independent Human Rights organisation said.

The HRCP previously said 490 people were killed in the first six months of the year and in a latest report it states that another 300 people died in July. Much of the violence has been blamed on tensions between supporters of the MQM and the ANP. HCRP says the violence in Karachi is the deadliest since 1995, when more than 900 killings were reported in the first half of the year.

The ISPR Director General Major General Athar Abbas said that Pakistan Army have been and would continue operations against ETIM. China has always been appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts in the war against terror, he said in reply to a question by a foreign news correspondent.

August 6

Nine people, including a chief manager of a private bank and an activist of MQM, were killed in different parts of the Karachi. Fifty-five-year-old Muntazir Ali Mehdi Rizvi was shot dead at City Railway Station’s parking area near II Chundrigar Road. The victim was a trustee of Sharikatul Hussain Imambargah situated at Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Police initially revealed that it was a sectarian target killing.

A MQM activist, Syed Aqil Hussain Zaidi (27), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Hyderi Chowk within the jurisdiction of Malir City Police Station. Police said the victim was a MQM activist and also belonged to Shia sect. 

Police found body of an unidentified person packed in a gunny bag near KDA Chowrangi within the limits of North Nazimabad Police Station. 

Police also found body of an unidentified man from Lyari River within the limits of Pak Colony Police Station. Police said the victim appeared to be Balochi-speaking. 

A man, Muslim Ahmed (27), was shot dead near Bakra Piri, within Malir City Police precincts. 

Unidentified assailants shot dead a man of a bus while six others were injured in a clash between two armed groups in Orangi Town. The victim was identified as Sabz Ali. Police officials said that the clash between two groups began shortly after unidentified persons shot and injured two Pashto-speaking people Yasir and Yasin in Qasba Morr. Later, Yasir succumbed to his injuries at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. 

A twelve-year-old boy Adnan was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on a bus in Frontier Colony.

A young man was shot dead near Shahzad Cinema, Qasba Morr, within the precincts of Pirabad Police Station. The identity of the victim was yet to be ascertained. 

Unidentified assailants also opened fire on a mobile van of Pirabad Police Station. However, no causality was reported.

One person was killed when a suicide bomber detonated the explosives at Danish Kol bazaar in Pandyali area in Mohmand Agency of FATA. SFs stopped the suspected person at Pandyali area when he detonated the explosives on his body and killed a passer by. His accomplices managed to flee from the scene. 

A bomb blast destroyed at least 16 tankers, carrying fuel for NATO troops in neighbouring Afghanistan, parked at a terminal on the outskirts of Peshawar.

The head of Aman lashkar survived an attempt on his life when unidentified terrorists fired two rockets that landed near his house at Adezai in Mattani area of Peshawar.  However, no lose of life has been reported in the incident.

August 7

The SHO of New Saryab Police Station, a constable and driver were shot dead in Killi Shahnawaz area of Saryab in Quetta. According to the Police, SHO Manzoor Tareen was returning home from Police Station for Iftari in a Police van when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at him in Killi Shahnawaz. The constable was identified as Usman and the driver as Altaf.

Two persons of Punjabi ethnicity were shot dead in a suspected incident of ethnic killing in Bullo Road area of Mand, a township bordering Iran, Kech District. One of the victims was identified as Zahir Iqbal, a resident of Mandi Bahauddin.

The bullet-riddled bodies of two tribesmen, identified as Umar Khan and Jamal Khan, were recovered from Shalobar area in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Three SFs personnel were injured in a bomb attack at Satrapall area in Ladha tehsil in South Waziristan Agency.

The personnel of FC in a crackdown against outlaws destroyed the houses of three wanted terrorists and arrested 23 suspects under the FCR in the Malikhel area of Kurram Agency. According to the political administration, the crackdown was launched on a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area.

August 8

Tension engulfed several areas of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, as violence erupted. Two men affiliated with the MQM were shot dead in a drive-by shooting on Abul Hassan Isphani Road in the Mobina Town Police precincts.

Two bystanders, one identified as Salman and the other still unidentified, were killed while nearly half a dozen others were wounded during cross-firing between MQM and ANP in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area.

The body of an unidentified man was found from near the Lyari Lake in the Sher Shah Police precincts. 

During the strike call by Jeay Sindh Tehreek (JST) and Awami Tehreek (AT), assailants took to the street on the night and resorted to heavy aerial fire and threatened the shopkeepers to keep the shops shut. Incidents of arson and violence were reported, especially in Mauripur and Gulistan-e-Jauhar where the assailants set ablaze three passenger vehicles. 

A 16-year-old Amir, received bullets in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, when unknown armed militants opened aerial fire to force the shopkeepers to shut their business.                            

Nasir was hit by multiple bullets in Mehmoodabad area in the same violence episode, leaving the inhabitants of Sindhi dominated areas in hysteria. 

Hafiz Saeed, founder of the militant outfit LeT, who now heads the Islamic charity JuD, told a gathering of religious scholars in Karachi that the CIA is behind the recent violence in Karachi that has taken hundreds of lives.

Six militants were killed and four others injured when SFs targeted their hideouts in upper tehsil of Orakzai Agency in FATA.  Officials said that several hideouts were destroyed in the operation. One vehicle was also destroyed in the shelling. 

10 soldiers were injured when a remote controlled bomb was detonated as a military vehicle passed through the Sararogha village area in South Waziristan Agency.

One soldier suffered injuries in a landmine explosion in Meshti Mela area of Orakzai Agency. Officials said that soldiers were heading towards Dabori area when one of them stepped on a landmine. 

An official Javed Ullah said that SFs have killed more than 200 militants over the past month in Kurram Agency during the operation Koh-e-Sufaid

Four people, including to two Bugti tribesmen, were killed in a gun battle between two groups in the Eastern Bypass area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The victims were identified as Haji Nehal Khan Bugti and his son Sadullah Bugti, Abdul Hameed Jatoi and Abid Khan Gajani.

A passenger van was intercepted near Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District and 15 people belonging to the Suleman tribe were abducted by armed militants.                                      

Police launched a search operation in Killi Bangulzai, Killi Shanawaz and Killi Qambrani areas of Quetta in response to the August 7 killing of the three Police personnel including SHO Manzoor Tareen and arrested 159 suspects. The Sayedna Khalid-bin-Waleed group (SKW) claimed responsibility for the August 7 attack. Its spokesman, Umer Abdullah said that Manzoor Tareen was killed for raiding houses and providing security to NATO oil tankers. He said that anybody involved in these activities would die like the SHO.

Police arrested an alleged terrorist from Dera Ghazi Khan District while checking people aboard a passenger bus. The bus was en-route to Karachi in Sindh from North Waziristan Agency in FATA when it was stopped in Dera Ghazi Khan. The Police found a passenger, identified as Imran, in possession of three hand grenades. During initial inquiry, Imran revealed that he had planned a large-scale terrorist activity in Rajanpur District.

US cautioned its citizens from travelling to Pakistan, noting that the presence of al Qaeda, Taliban elements, and indigenous militant sectarian groups pose a potential threat to Americans throughout the country. Terrorists and their sympathisers regularly attack civilians, Government, and foreign targets, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.                                                                  

Observing that the Pakistan Government has heightened security measures, particularly in major cities, the report said threat reporting indicates terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where US citizens and Westerners are known to congregate.

Security Agencies are trying to dismantle a ‘multi-faceted’ communication network of HuT but there has been little headway so far, a senior military official said after some mid-ranked army officers were detained for alleged links with the organisation. The revelation came three months after Brigadier Ali Khan, a serving army officer, and some other unnamed personnel were detained for their alleged links with the HuT, an organisation that seeks to establish a caliphate in Pakistan by overthrowing the democratic Government.

The official said that the organisation’s presence outside Pakistan was a key factor hindering the country’s spy agencies’ attempts to break links of HuT activists among themselves and with other people.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that no arms licences, except issued by NADRA, would be valid after August 31 while all the arms licences issued by the Ministry of Interior would stand cancelled with effect from September 1.

He said the criminals carrying illegal arms would be tried Anti-Terrorism Act and Arms Ordinance 1969 while a special cell, headed by DIG of Police, was being set up to deal with “extortion mafia”.

JuD ‘chief’ Hafiz Muhammad Saeed may face detention again after British diplomats met senior Pakistani officials to convince them to crack down on the organisation, a front for the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba, The Express Tribune quoting an unnamed diplomat reported. Diplomats from the British missions in Islamabad and New Delhi had “successful rounds of talks with Pakistani leaders in the last week of July”,

August 9

Five TTP militants were killed and two others received injuries in a roadside explosion in Mamozai area of Orakzai Agency.  According to sources a vehicle, carrying TTP militants from Arghunjo village to Jabba in Mamozai, a stronghold of militants, was hit by a landmine planted by unidentified militants in Adokhel area. The killed militants were identified as ‘commander’ Bakhtullah, ‘commander’ Mirdad Khan, Kazim Khan, Ghulam Sarwar and Hafiz Mirwais. The injured were identified as Isa Khan and Noor Din.

At least five people, including activists of the MQM and PPP, were shot dead in separate acts of target killing and violence in different parts of Karachi.

An MQM activist, Azeem, was shot dead near Jhanda Chowk in Liaquatabad area within the jurisdiction of the Super Market Police Station. 

A PPP activist, Mehboob Baloch, was shot dead in Rangar Muhalla in the jurisdiction of Saeedabad Police Station.            

Police found the dead body of one Abdul Razzak at Old Haji Camp in the remits of Nippier Police Station.            

Police discovered the dead body of one Aman Ullah in his house in Delhi Colony in the jurisdiction of Frere Police Station. According to sources, unidentified assailants reached his house and opened fire on him, killing him instantly. 

One Abdul Waheed, a caretaker of Taj Baba Shrine was shot dead in Shadman Town in the jurisdiction of Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan Police Station.

Over 110 persons were detained by the personnel of LEAs in search operation in different areas of the city that started from late in the night of August 8 to August 9. The search operation was conducted in Gulistan-e-Jauhar (Rabia City and Faraz Apartment), Malir, Landhi 89, Surjani Town, Ayub Goth, Laasi Goth and other areas.

A senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Safdar Lala, who had recently joined the party, was killed in Peshawar. According to reports Lala was abducted by unidentified militants on July 28, 2011 from Jatyal area of Attock District in Punjab province who demanded PNR 500 million as ransom for his release. 

A tribesman, identified as Bazi Gul alias Akbar Khan Sorae, living as an IDP was shot dead by unidentified militants in Miangan colony near Indus Highway in Manshera District. 

A decomposed body of an unidentified man was found near Taji Kalay in the limits of Faqirabad Police Station in Peshawar.

A bullet-riddled dead body of Amir Khan Marri who was abducted from Lasbela District was found in the industrial town of Hub in Quetta. 

Two FC personnel were injured in a remote-controlled blast in Turbat District. “The Frontier Crops vehicle was going to the FC Camp when they came under attack,” Turbat Station House Officer Imam Bakhsh said, adding that the explosive device was planted on the roadside on the main road near the Post Office.

An unidentified dead body was found from Sabzi Mandi area of Islamabad in Punjab.

At least five persons including General Secretary of PPP District South Zafar Baloch along with his companions were injured in a hand grenade attack in Chakiwara area of Lyari town in Karachi. A child and a man also sustained injuries in the attack.

A family rivalry over property was behind the assassination of Minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, who was shot dead on March 2, 2011, and the killing was not religiously motivated, a media report said. Bhatti's murder in Islamabad was due to a property dispute between relatives and Police investigators have concluded the killing was not religiously motivated in their latest report despite the fact that the Punjab Chapter of TTP had claimed responsibility for the assassination. However, Bhatti's murderers have fled Pakistan and are currently believed to be in Dubai or Kuala Lumpur, according to an investigator.

August 10

A US drone strike killed at least 25 suspected Haqqani Network militants near Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Initial reports said five militants were killed in the attack but officials said the toll had gone up to 25 after more bodies were found from the rubble of the house. 

Nine persons, including five militants, were killed in clashes between local tribesmen and militants in the Shawal area of South Waziristan Agency. Pro-government tribesmen reportedly attacked a militant hideout in the Shawal area and managed to kill five militants. Four tribesmen were also killed in the encounter.

Five more people, including one each of MQM and PPP activists were killed in ongoing wave of target killings in Karachi.                 

Four Police officials were killed and 14 others were injured when Police encountered assailants involved in violence in Karachi.  It was reported that some 1,256 suspects were arrested over the past one-month under the directives of Inspector General of Police Sindh, Wajid Ali Durrani. According to the statement, some 309 police encounters took place in which 565 suspects were arrested red handed. Huge cache of weapons was also seized from their possessions. Police claimed to have seized one LMG, 126 Kalashnikov, 111 rifles, 436 shotguns, 96 hand grenades and eight rocket launchers from the possession of accused. 

Five labourers were injured when armed assailants hurled a hand grenade at a rice godown in Mawach Goth area within the jurisdiction of Mauripur Police Station. Police officials said that two armed assailants riding a motorcycle hurled a hand grenade at the godown that injured Arshad Niazi, Hazoor Bakhsh, Mukhtiar, Abdul Ghaffar and Shabbir.

Two bullet-riddled dead bodies of construction workers were found in Dashti Bazaar area of Turbat District. The victims were identified as Ghulam Yasin and Abdul Razzaq.                                                                                                                      

Two Police constables, identified as Sher Ali and Murad Ali were shot dead and another Shahid Nadeem sustained serious bullet injuries in firing incident on Smungali Road of the provincial capital Quetta.

A schoolteacher identified as Abdul Karim was shot dead by unidentified armed militants in Kechi Baig area of Saryab Road in Quetta. .

FC personnel escaped a remote controlled bomb explosion in Thaleemi Chowk area in Turbat District. According to the Police, a remote control device was planted on a roadside. When FC’s vehicle passed through the area, the device exploded. However, no casualties were reported.

Police arrested three suspects who shot injured two persons in Zhob District.  The Police recovered two hand grenade and arms from their possession.

A Pakistani intelligence officer, who wished to secure American citizenship for his family, gave details of Osama bin Laden's whereabouts to the US, in a deal worth USD 25 million, a Daily Mail report said. The Pakistani officer also informed the US officials that Saudis were paying off Pakistan and ISI to keep bin Laden hidden in the Abbottabad compound. The deal, the Daily Mail said, included the roughly USD 25 million reward offered by the US State Department for information leading to the capture dead or alive of the al Qaeda leader. However, The US State Department said it would not comment on the report.

Pakistan is preparing to extradite the alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings to Indonesia, months after his arrest from Abbottabad. “We have to eventually hand over (Umar) Patek to the Indonesians and practically speaking, it can happen any time. But it is up to the Indonesians to intimate to us when they will take him back,” an unnamed security official said.

August 11

Five persons, including three women and two children, were killed and one minor was injured as a result of a landmine explosion in the house of peace lashkar Commander Shah Jee, in Zaka Khel village in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Unidentified assailants killed two tribesmen in Chapperi village of Kurram Agency and managed to escape. Names of the killed tribesmen could not be ascertained.

Security Forces demolished houses of two militants, Ayub and Kamal Khan. Both the militants are wanted in abduction for ransom and other criminal cases.

At least seven persons, including a child, were killed while 17 others sustained injuries in a suicide attack near Police van in Lahori Gate area under Gulbahar Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A would-be suicide bomber and two of his handlers were killed and a militant ‘commander’ was injured during a clash with Adezai Qaumi lashkar and Police in a suburban area of Peshawar in the morning. 

A businessman received injuries when a man hurled a hand grenade at Al-Mansoor garments shop in the Cantonment area of Kohat.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government primary school for girls in Wale Road union council of Mera Akora Khattak of the Nowshera District at 9:50pm. The building of the school was destroyed completely.

Police found a bullet riddled body of one Muhammad Sohail Khan near Buraq petrol pump on Super Highway, within the limits of Sacchal Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Muhammad was abducted on the night of August 10, 2011.

Pakistan extradited an alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings to Indonesia after his arrest in the town where Osama bin Laden was killed. Indonesia’s Counter-Terrorism Agency Chief Ansyaad Mbai confirmed that Umar Patek had arrived under tight security after an overnight flight from Pakistan, and ahead of an expected trial on terrorism-related charges.

America’s covert drone war on al Qaeda and the TTP has killed up to 168 children in Pakistan over the last seven years, an independent study said. The London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism said its research showed there had been many more CIA attacks on alleged militant targets, leading to far more deaths than previously reported. It said 291 CIA drone strikes had taken place in Pakistan since 2004, and that under President Barack Obama there had been 236 strikes — one in every four days.

Pakistani Law Enforcement Agencies arrested 3,143 terrorists over the past three years, with a majority of the arrests being made in the restive northern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.  A total of 4,240 weapons were seized from the arrested terrorists, including rocket launchers, missiles, suicide jackets, bombs, grenades, mines and anti-aircraft guns.  Of the total arrests, 2,101 terrorists were detained in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 231 in Punjab, 145 in Sindh, 343 in Balochistan, 130 in Islamabad, 106 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 80 in the tribal belt and five in PoK.

Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's Ambassador to Washington, accused the US of alienating Pakistanis by coming into the country in a military fashion “with guns blazing” to conduct the unilateral raid that killed Osama bin Laden in his Abbottabad hideout on May 1. 

US State Department said that US would continue counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan. State Department's Spokesman Victoria Nuland said that both the countries would cooperate with each other on counter-terrorism.

August 12

Fresh violence gripped Karachi after the strike call off by Sindh Nationalist Parties, killing at least five people and injuring five others. According to the Police, unidentified armed assailants shot dead two unidentified people in Nazimabad area. In the same area, some unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade near a hotel, injuring five people.                   

Two dead bodies were found in Pak Colony area. 

Vehicles were set ablaze. One unidentified man was burnt to death when a vehicle was set on fire in Kimari area.

Police claimed that two alleged suspects involved in the burning of vehicles were arrested.

Unidentified militants shot dead three Policemen and drove off with two prisoners who had been taken to a hospital for dental treatment in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

Unidenfied assailants killed a member of tribal lashkar, Malik Jan Afridi, of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA at Hangu-Parachinar road in Hangu. 

Nine suspected militants were apprehended during a joint search operation launched by SFs in two areas of Frontier Region of Kohat, but a militant commander involved in several attacks on the peace militia managed to flee.

The TTP claimed that the suicide bomber who attacked the SFs at Lahori Gate on Circular Road in Peshawar on August 10 was female fedayeen

An army man was killed and three others were injured when five rockets fired from nearby mountains landed in Quetta Cantonment in the Nawan Killi area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Mirak Baloch, the spokesman for the BLA, claimed responsibility for the attack.

ATC awarded death sentence to one Para-military personnel, Shahid Zafar, on charges of murder of a civilian, Sarfraz Shah, on June 8, 2011 at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park Boat Basin in Karachi. The court also imposed fine on Shahid Zafar of PNR 200, 000, while the remaining accused will pay PNR 100, 000 to the victim’s family”.                                        

The seven accused, including six Pakistan Rangers’ personnel were identified as, SI Bahaur Rehman, Lance Naik Liaquat Ali, Manthar, Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Afzal Khan and Shahid Zafar and a civilian Muhammad Afsar Khan.

Pakistan amended the 1901-vintage Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) and extending the Political Parties Ordinance (PPO) 2002 to the FATA. The two orders were signed by President Asif Ali Zardari with the promise that this would help mainstream the tribals living east of the Durand Line that separates Afghanistan from Pakistan

China has not joined India’s stand on terror camps inside Pakistan when it blamed it for a recent militant attack in restive Xinjiang. An article published in China Daily that also confirmed the recent visit of ISI Agency Chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha to discuss the issue of Uighur extremists undergoing training in Pakistan.

US officials strongly rejected allegations of an independent study that a covert drone war in Pakistan has killed large numbers of civilians, saying the numbers are “way off the mark”. US officials slammed the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism report’s finding that there had been many more CIA attacks on alleged militant targets and far more civilian deaths than previously reported.

August 13

Six militants were killed and five others injured during a search operation conducted by SFs in Sholaam area of Sarokai tehsil in South Waziristan Agency (SWA) of FATA. 

Twelve mortar shells were fired from Afghanistan into Birmal tehsil of SWA.

Following the strike call given by nationalist parties of the Sindh against the restoration of Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001, several nationalists supported areas of the city remained tense where eight persons were killed and near a dozen injured while four vehicles and a motorcycle were torched in different parts of Karachi.

The incidents of violence and arson were set off since August 12-night in many parts of the Karachi where armed groups piled up the intensity of vandalism to huddle masses at homes.

All major markets and business centres of Karachi, which remained closed till noon because of highly aggravated violent episodes started since August 12-night, were opened in second half of August 13. The public transport remained thin in many areas, including Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Steel Town, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Sacchal, Baldia Town, Ittehad Town, Safoora Goth, Malir and Ghaghar Phattak.

An American aid expert, identified as Warren Weinstein, was abducted after unidentified assailants stormed through the backdoor of his house in Model Town area of Lahore and overpowered his guards. The US embassy said Warren Weinstein worked for a private company. Warren Weinstein was abducted just two days before he was due to return to the United States after more than four years of his stay in Pakistan. Police said Weinstein had lived in Lahore since 2006, and was associated with JE Austin Associates working in the Tribal Areas. 

Police arrested two persons from Thanda Pani in Nilor of Lahore for their allegedly involvement in a suicide attack on Bari Imam Shrine and assassination of Agha Ziauddin on May 27, 2005. Hafiz Abdul Maroof (27) and Mohammad Nadeem Gilgiti (31) are active members of banned outfits SSP and LeJ.

A bomb hoax in the FIA building on Temple Road prevented Additional Director General Zafar Ahmed Qureshi from attending his `first day` in office after getting reinstated.

Unidentified assailants abducted a Para Medical Association (PMA) official, Finance Secretary Khuda Bakhsh Lehri, from Kalat of Balochistan. 

Police and Frontier Corps (FC) raided the houses of Nawabzada Jamil Bugti, eldest son of Nawab Bugti, and Humayun Marri in Bugti Bolak, a suburb of Quetta, claiming to have recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition. The Police, backed by FC, carried out the raid early in the morning at the residence of Jamil Bugti and the adjoining house of Humayun Marri.

August 14

A blast at a hotel on the National Highway close to Dera Allah Yar town in Jaffarabad District of Balochistan killed 15 persons and injured 23 others. A bomb that was attached to a timer ripped through a two-story hotel, reducing the building to rubble, said Jaffarabad District Police Officer Javed Gharsheen. A little-known organisation, Baloch Liberation Tiger (BLT), claimed the responsibility for the blast. A BLT spokesman, who introduced himself as Miran Baloch, phoned local office of a news agency and said it was a remote-controlled blast and members of his organisation had planted the bomb inside the hotel. He said his organisation will target those people who participate in the celebrations of Independence Day of Pakistan. 

Unidentified assailants shot dead two labourers in Sakran area, some 10 kilometres off Hub town, of Lasbela District. 

A senior journalist and member of the Khuzdar Press Club, Munir Ahmed Shakir, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on the Hospital Road in Khuzdar town of Khuzdar District. 

Two children were injured in an explosion at a bus-terminal in Mastung town. Unidentified assailants placed an explosive material at bus-terminal which exploded, Police said, adding that as a result two children were injured.

Three paramilitary soldiers were killed and 25 others injured in a rocket attack on their camp in Miramshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency. Four rockets hit the camp in Miramshah, where troops were preparing for Independence Day assembly.

A soldier was killed when a landmine planted by terrorists exploded while six terrorists were killed in a retaliatory attack in Orakzai Agency of FATA. 

Over a dozen rockets fired from across the border in Afghanistan hit a populated area in Mamond town of Bajaur Agency, injuring five persons. Two children were among the injured. Sources said the attackers belonged to Kunar province of Afghanistan. 

An Afghanistan-bound NATO oil container was gutted when it caught fire due to an explosion at Pak-Afghan border at Torkham cross point in Khyber Agency. 

Unidentified militants destroyed two more bridges and an office of agriculture department in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil. The destruction of bridges has badly affected smooth flow of traffic in Akkakhel as militants have so far destroyed at least 15 link bridges in the area. 

Unidentified militants abducted a car dealer, Haji Noshad, from his residence near Tedi Bazaar in Jamrud.

At least six persons, including an activist each of the AWSJ, formerly known as SSP, and Kachi Rabita Council (KRC), were killed in different parts of Karachi.

At least six persons were injured, three of them critically, in an explosion on Nowshera road in Charsadda town of Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Government sources said the bomb was home-made and was planted on an electricity pole.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Kashmir was Pakistan's "jugular vein", even as he vowed to resolve all issues with India through dialogue so that both countries can get rid of the blights of poverty, illiteracy and backwardness.

The White House has started putting conditions for billions of dollars in aid to Pakistan based on progress on a secret scorecard of US objectives to combat militancy, a The Wall Street Journal report said.

August 15

Eight people died in separate incidents of violence which occurred in different parts of Karachi. Tension prevailed in parts of Orangi town where intense firing was reported between two groups at Kati Pahari area. A 12 year old boy, identified as Naseeb, was killed whereas another man, identified as Naseem, was wounded in the crossfire.

A young man was killed by a stray bullet in Ammar Yasir Society within the remits of Malir City Police Station.

One Agha Sehar Mehdi was killed with a stray bullet while he was sleeping on the roof of his house.

A barber, identified as Asif, was shot dead in his shop near Fazal Kareem Oil Depot, Orangi town within the precincts of Iqbal Market Police Station. Police said that the victim belonged to Shia sect adding that he may have been killed in sectarian violence.

Police found two dead bodies of, one Liaquat Khan and another Zubair near UBL Sports Complex, FB Area within the precincts of Jauharabad Police Station. Both the victims were abducted on August 14.

Two injured passengers of the bus, which was torched during the nationalists’ strike on August 12, succumbed to their injuries here at the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK). According to Police one of the victims was identified as Salman, and another remained unidentified.

Five oil-tankers, a container and a car were burnt when a time-bomb fixed to an oil-tanker carrying fuel for NATO forces in Afghanistan exploded at the Taru Jaba oil terminal of Landikotal Bypass in Khyber Agency.

Two dead bodies were recovered from Zarrgau area in the outskirts of Quetta. The dead were identified as Abdul Hameed, and Athar Gul. According to Police officials, both of them were killed by the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF). However, no group has claimed responsibility for the killings so far.

Unidentified armed militants attacked a Police check post on Pat Feeder Canal and injured a Police constable, identified as Muhammad Rafiq, in Dera Murad Jamali town of Naseerabad District.

The power shortfall in Balochistan reached 1000 megawatts after unidentified armed militants blew up two power pylons of the 220KV Uch-Sibi double circuit transmission line in Sibi District.

Seven preachers, members of Tableeghi Jamaat, were injured in an improvised explosive device explosion near a car sale centre opposite Tableeghi Markaz in Charsadda town of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Four persons including three children sustained injuries when a bomb exploded at a tent of a displaced family at Jalozai camp in Nowshera District.

A bomb exploded at the entrance to the Karnal Sher Khan Girls Degree College in Swabi District, causing damage to the building.

At least six tankers, loaded with oil for NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan, were burnt at Mianwali-Multan road in Muzaffargarh District.

The trend of violence against Punjabis and other non-Baloch people in Balochistan has forced many of them to flee the region, a Pakistani media report said.  The disturbing trend of ethnic and sectarian violence in Balochistan also shows that the separatists and criminal outfits are also taking advantage of the unrest to mint money.  While the government has been focusing on violence in Pakistan's biggest city of Karachi, the trend of violence against "Punjabis" and other non-Baloch people in the province has forced many of them to flee the province. 

A Pakistani newspaper accused India of covertly helping Baloch nationalists and urged the Government to carry out a diplomatic campaign against New Delhi.  "Not content with misusing its consulates in Afghanistan against Pakistan, India is bankrolling Baloch nationalists abroad, keeping alive a movement which needs government action to stop it from spreading," The Nation said in an editorial.

August 16

At least 12 militants were killed in two bomb blasts in the remote Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Official sources in Jamrud area said that the blasts in Tharkho Kas and Tora Dara hit two vehicles carrying militants belonging to Tariq group of Darra Adamkhel affiliated to TTP.

Four militants, suspected to be of Haqqani Network, were killed when a drone strike fired two missiles, hitting a compound and a vehicle parked outside it in Miramshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

An unidentified man was shot dead near Daak Khana stop in Qasba Colony within the limits of Pirabad Police Station of Karachi. 

Police found dead bodies of six people stuffed in gunny bags, from different parts of Karachi. Three bodies were found in PECHS (Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society) area while one each from the Soldier Bazar, Saddar and Gulbahar areas. 

An aide of Baitullah Mehsud, identified as Fazal Hussain, was arrested along with weapon and live ammunition in the Jackson Police precincts in Karachi. 

A Police officer and four other people were killed in different incidents of firing in Quetta and Mastung Districts.  One ASI Abdul Majeed was shot dead by unidentified militants in the Ghousabad area of Quetta. 

A man, identified as Zahoor Ahmed, was shot dead on the Arbab Ghulam Ali road. 

Elsewhere in the District, a Government employee, Karim Bakhsh, was killed in the Sariab road area. 

One Abdul Nabi was killed when some unidentified assailants opened fire on a van in Mastung District. 

SFs defused explosives found planted on a railway track in Dera Murad Jamali town of Naseerabad District.

The dead body of an abducted man, identified as Mohammad Amir, acquitted by the Lahore High Court in four terrorism related cases including Explosive Substance Act in April 2010 was given to his family in Rawalpindi.

Unknown militants opened fire on a Police check post at Hundak Hayaserai area in Timergara town of Lower Dir District. However, no casualty was reported.

The Barrack Obama administration designated Mullah Sangeen Zadran, a key ‘commander’ in south Eastern Afghanistan as a terrorist, freezing any assets he has in the United States and barring Americans from doing business with him.

The US said it has made good progress in its mission in Afghanistan to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat" al Qaeda and its efforts in the country have left Taliban weakened significantly. 

"The mission is that we have to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and make sure that it never again finds a safe haven in Afghanistan from which to launch attacks to this country," Panetta said at the National Defense University, adding, “We have weakened Taliban significantly, and we''re continuing to work on that". 

Panetta later added that the US has no choice but to keep up its alliance with Pakistan despite concerns over Islamabad’s ties to terrorists. He said that relations with Pakistan were difficult because ‘elements of the Government’ had links with the Haqqani Network, which is staging attacks on US-led troops in Afghanistan, and LeT, blamed for orchestrating attacks in India.

Despite the US declaring a cut in funding to Pakistan, it continues to fund Pakistan military. US President Barack Obama administration has asked for an additional USD 1.5 billion in Coalition Support Funds (CSF) for the 2012 financial year. According to US sources, Congress appropriated USD 1.6 billion for FY2011 and the Obama administration requested USD 1.75 billion for FY2012, in additional CSF for all its coalition partners. Pakistan has in the past received over 75 per cent of these additional funds which are technically meant for all of US'' allies.

According to fresh figures, the US has been reducing security-related aid to Pakistan from USD 2.7 billion in 2010 to USD 1.3 billion in 2011, though it’s projected to go up to USD 1.6 billion in 2012.  The Wall Street Journal reports that the US will be weighing further assistance to Pakistan against four benchmarks or "baskets".

The United States has made it clear it will not lift the hold on its USD 800 million military aid to Pakistan, reiterating that Islamabad needs to takes steps in the war against terrorism.

US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said that Pakistan stood with international community in war against terror. Victoria Nuland said cooperation between US and Pakistan in fight against terror was in the interest of both the countries.

Former Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Humayun Marri said that the SFs, backed by the Police, had planted arms and ammunition at his farmhouse as a part of bigger plot to kill him. 

The ISI and MI told Islamabad High Court (HC) that they were not holding Mohammad Waheed, an abducted activist of HuT. Commander Mohammad Hussain Shahbaz, representing Ministry of Defence and ISI, and Major Tahir Mehmood of MI appeared before the single bench of Islamabad HC hearing the petition of Naveed Mukhtar for recovery of his brother Waheed.

August 17

Former MNA Ahmed Karimdad, alias Waja Karimdad, of the PPP was killed in Karachi in a fresh wave of target killing between ‘criminal gangs’ operating in Lyari. Violence spiked in the area after the killing of Ahmed Karimdad.

Sixteen bodies were found in different parts of Karachi while one man was shot dead in the Baldia Town. Four bodies were recovered from the Shershah area, three each from Baldia Town, Kakri Ground and the Garden area. Two bodies were found in Maripur while one from the Mangoper area.                                                                                                

Five young residents of Lyari were found shot dead in different parts of Karachi while five other people were killed in armed attacks. 

Elsewhere in the District, three other people were also killed in the firing incident.

One body recovered from the Baldia Town was of a fire extinguisher Liaquat Azhar who was abducted by unknown assailants.

An 11 year old boy and a girl were killed in the incidents of firing.

At least 10 militants were killed as two IEDs exploded in Tarkhokas area of Bara tehsil of the Khyber Agency in FATA. 

A senior member of the peace committee, Malik Afsar Khan, was shot dead along with his son by unidentified militants in Chamarkand tehsil of Bajaur Agency.

A Policeman, identified as Arz Khan, was injured in a firing incident in the Cattle Farm area of Jaffarabad District. According to Police, unidentified armed militants opened fire at a Police check post, situated in Cattle Farm, injuring a Policeman. 

Unidentified armed militants set ablaze a NATO container in Mian Ghundi area of Quetta, while it was returning from Kandahar in Afghanistan to Karachi in Sindh. No one claimed responsibility for the attack.

The miners, who had been abducted from Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were released by their abductors after 67 days.  The release was made possible through a deal reached between the local ‘commander’ of TTP and mine owners.

The leaders of at least 10 militant outfits – al Qaeda, TTP and other groups operating under the umbrella of TTP, top the list of the most wanted in Islamabad. These militants are wanted for terrorism activities such as suicide attacks and kidnapping for ransom. A list of five of them is given below:                                              

Momin Khan established the Momin Khan group to support TTP though intelligence reports claim that he has been operating since 9/11. He is wanted for terrorism activities. There are unconfirmed reports of his death in an attack at Kala Dhaka area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.          

Asmatullah Moavia, is credited with establishing the TTP in Punjab, he is said to have remained a member of SSP in the past. He also took part in the jihad in Afghanistan and developed close contacts with al Qaeda and TTP which prompted him to establish the Punjab chapter of TTP and is presently operating from Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. 

Qari Saifullah has close links with TTP and al Qaeda and members of his outfit are believed to have been trained by the Afghan Taliban while they have in turn hosted foreign militants, including Afghan Taliban. It is believed that he is involved in the smuggling of weapons and explosives.

Tariq Afridi, the head of one of the major groups associated with TTP, is based in Darra Adamkhel area near Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

Mullah Rahim and Mullah Faaeez set up the Ghazi Force in Orakzai Agency of FATA and vowed to avenge the attack on Lal Masjid and the killing of Ghazi Abdul Rasheed.

The IDPs from Kurram Agency were directed to start packing as the return journey to their homes will start from August 25, as SFs have cleared their militancy-hit villages of militants. FATA Disaster Management Authority Director General Arshad Khan said that IDPs repatriation programme to central Kurram would start from August 25 as SFs have declared seven villages free of militants.

The fate of over 21,000 displaced families, who had migrated to safer places from their hometowns owing to sectarian clashes in upper and lower Kurram, is still uncertain. The Government is yet to take any concrete measures regarding their repatriation. They were still living miserable life in rented houses or staying with their relatives.

The Government is considering starting a national de-radicalisation programme to combat rising fundamentalism and extremism in the country.  A statement issued after a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet in Islamabad said, “It was decided in the committee that special attention shall be given to a de-radicalisation programme to motivate youth to engage and isolate them from militancy and terrorism and bring them back to peaceful living.”

Federal minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that the Government decided to reactivate a 20-year law and offer amnesty to those who voluntarily surrender illegal arms in a phased campaign to “de-weaponise” the country. 

He said the Provinces had agreed that the NADRA should be asked to computerise arms licences and a drive in that direction had already been launched at the Federal level. The first-ever de-weaponisation campaign was launched in the country by the Government of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in June 2001.

Claiming that Army does not run Pakistan's foreign policy, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said the Army's intentions towards India have been "overrated" and there is a need to break away from this perception.

As much as 50 per cent of the estimated USD one billion in US assistance was given directly to the Government of Pakistan in 2010, Deputy Director for the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs of the USAID David McCloud said during an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune.

August 18

Politically motivated ethnic violence claimed at least 27 more lives in the ongoing violence in Karachi. 

In Baldia Town, the assailants dumped three dead bodies in gunny bags near Saabri Mosque. One of the victims was identified as Liaquat Azhar Farooqi, an employee of Lyari fire station. The other one was identified as Azeemullah, while the third victim is yet to be identified.                    

In the remits of Baghdadi Police Station, three more dead bodies were found from near Kukri Ground. The victims were identified as Rao Hanif, Zubair and Junaid. 

Two bullet-riddled dead bodies were found in Baldia Town. They were identified as Abdul Waheed and Zubair. 

Two gunny bags of dead bodies were found in the limits of Kalri, Mirza Adam Khan Road Agra Taj Colony. Hands and legs of the victims were tied, while their bodies bore marks of torture. 

Two dead bodies were found in the limits of Soldier Bazaar Police Station. One of the victims was identified as Noman. 

Two more dead bodies, identified as Zeeshan and Shazaib, were found from City Railway Station.                             

In Saeedabad, a man, identified as Yasir, was found shot dead. Another bullet-riddled dead body, identified as Mohammad Ejaz, was found in Site B Police limits from a place near Ghani Chowrangi. The bullet-riddled body of one Nabi Bux was found in Manghopir area of Northern Bypass. In the same area, at Chand Bibi Road, the dead body of a youth was found in a gunny bag. 

In Rizvia Police Station limits, near Lasbela bridge, one dead body bearing marks of torture was found. Also, a rickshaw driver, identified as Abdul Rasheed, was found dead within the remits of Sharah Noor Jahan Police Station. 

A cadre of Mohajir Qaumi Movement- Haqiqi (MQM-H), Qasim, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Sherpao Colony in the precincts of Quaidabad Police Station.                   

Ghulam Shabbir was shot dead in Hussain Hazara Goth in the limits of Gulistan Jauhar Police Station. Elsewhere in the District, one Younus was shot dead in New Karachi while he was sitting outside his house.

Unidentified armed militants took hostage a van carrying 13 workers of a private company from Chakiwara Road in the limits of Kalri Police Station.  Later, they released 12 passengers but kept one Yousuf in captivity.

Four more people were killed in firing and torture incidents, The News reported. A man was shot dead in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area while two people injured in PIB and Sheerin Jinnah colony succumbed to their injuries.

A bullet-riddled dead body of a youth was found in gunny bag near Kharadar Jamatkhana area. According to Police, a written message was also found from the gunny bags with bodies inscribed with slogans of 'Peace or war or more bodies'. 

ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed said that the flawed policies of the Government were responsible for continuation of target killings in Karachi. “There is urgent need to devise a sincere policy and make efforts to save Karachi from the fire of lawlessness.

CCPO Karachi Saud Mirza said that more than 100 accused have been arrested and that killers would be brought to justice. Mirza said there is no political pressure on Police and the Police is carrying out its actions without any discrimination.

Four bullet-riddled dead bodies were found in Ganji Dohri area in Mastung District.  The victims were identified as Tariq, Mehmood, Hamid Nasir and Abdul Latif, belonging to the Bangulzai tribe.

Hamid Nasir and Abdul Latif were abducted on August 8, 2011 and their bodies were found from Kush Cut area. Mehmood and Tariq were abducted on August 16, 2011, and their dead bodies were found in Ganji Dohri area. Sources said that Tariq was the worker of the BSO-Azad. Meanwhile, Voice for Baloch Missing Persons Chairman Nasrullah Baloch said that more than 190 bullet-riddled dead bodies were found during the last 11 months. 

Three people belonging to Pakistan’s Punjab province were killed in Splinji area of Mastung District. According to the Balochistan Levies, the people were travelling by a pickup from Sargodha to Quetta when some unidentified armed militants intercepted the van near Splinji area on and shot them dead.

Prayer leader and son of former Provincial Minister of JUI-F Hafiz Hussain Ahmed Sharudi was shot dead on Abdul Sattar Road in Quetta, while he was on his way to the Al Habib mosque.

BNP-M leader Abdul Nabi Mengal, who was allegedly abducted on Aug 11, 2011 from Hub town of Lasbela District was killed.  BNP-M Information Secretary Agha Hassan Baloch claimed that the Intelligence Agency officials had abducted Abdul Nabi Mengal, along with Din Mohammad and Abdul Ghafoor Mengal.

The bullet-riddled body of a TTP ‘commander’, Ali Akbar alias Skarwata, was found in fields in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Two children were killed and eight persons received injuries when a stray mortar shell hit a house. The injured included children and women. Security Forces demolished a hideout of LI in the same locality. 

TTP beheaded a LI supporter, belonging to Qambarkhel tribe, in Tirah valley. Sources said that TTP put on fire at least five houses of their opponents in Kukikhel dominated areas of Mehraban Kallay and Zarmanza.

A bomb blast by a time device partially damaged a NATO container and also caused minor injuries to the cleaner of the vehicle in Jamrud.

An armed clash between the activists of Sunni Tehreek (ST) and SSP claimed two lives, while four others were injured in Godhra within the limits of New Karachi Industrial Area.

Suspected militants abducted a doctor, Dr Javed Ali Shah, along with his driver, Gul Sahib, at gunpoint in Lachi town of the Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The leader of anti-Taliban Adezai Qaumi Lashkar, Dilawar Khan, have alleged that Provincial Government has stopped supporting their volunteers and left them at the mercy of militants. “Militants will get strengthen in the suburban areas of provincial metropolis Peshawar as Government has intentionally stopped supporting our volunteers,” Dilawar Khan told a press conference.

Punjab Police released the sketch of a suspected 25 year militant accused of being involved in the abduction of an American national, Warren Weinstein on August 13, 2011.

The US Congressman Dennis J Kucinich strongly criticised drone strikes by the US against militants in Pakistan and elsewhere, terming these as “summary executions” and “extra-judicial killings”. Kucinich, the Representative from Ohio’s 10th District, who is known for voicing his concerns over America’s war policies, says challenging the legality of drone strikes in Pakistan and bringing to light their “indiscriminate nature” is vital.

The United States State Department annual report said that al Qaeda in Pakistan has become weaker but remains capable of conducting transnational terror attacks, assisted by allied militant groups. In its annual report on global terrorism, the State Department pointed to increased resource-sharing between al Qaeda and Pakistan and Afghanistan-based militants, including TTP and the Haqqani Network. The report covers 2010, before the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. It reports more than 11,500 terrorist attacks in 72 countries during 2010, resulting in more than 13,200 deaths. The number of attacks rose by almost 5 per cent from 2009, but deaths declined for a third consecutive year, ping by 12 per cent from 2009.

August 19

At least 56 persons were killed and 123 injured in a suicide attack during the Friday prayer at Jamia Masjid Madina in Ghundai area of Jamrud area of Khyber Agency in FATA. Locals said that a young boy aged 15-16 years had entered the mosque through a window and exploded himself in the main hall during prayers.

Four militants were killed when a US drone fired two missiles hitting a house in the Shin Warsak area of South Waziristan Agency.

Three SF personnel were killed and three others, including a tribesman, injured when their vehicle ran over a landmine in a border area in Kurram Agency. 

23 more people, including four Policemen, were killed in the ongoing spate of targeted killings on ethnic ground in Karachi.

Unidentified armed militants opened fire at Elite Force Police commando bus in Korangi killing four Police commandos and injuring 30 others, including DSP Quaidabad Badar Shah.

Four bullet-riddled dead bodies stuffed in gunny bags were found at Bakra Piri area in the precincts of Pak Colony Police Station. 

An armed clash between two groups in Chakra Goth Korangi area killed two MQM activists, and injured six others. While one of the dead was identified as Mohammad Hassan, the other remained unidentified. 

Two more people, Mobin Ahmed Ali and Azhar Baloch, were killed in PIB Colony Police Station. In another incident, two people, Anwar Ali and Sheharyar, were killed at Shireen Jinnah Colony in Jackson Police limits. Two men, identified as Amjad and Hashim, were shot dead near Eidgah Ground Nazimabad in the Shamim Shaheed check post precinct.

An activist of PPP, identified as Sharif Gabol, was killed in a shooting at Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. Another PPP activist, identified as Rasool Bukhsh, was shot dead at Orangi Town near Qatar Hospital. One Sindhi person, identified as Hosh Muhammad, was shot dead in the same area.

One unidentified dead body was recovered from Maripur Road. A strangled body of a youth was found near Kharadar Hospital in the limits of Baghdadi Police Station. Police also found an unidentified dead body of a young man near Sakhi Hasan graveyard.

A cadre of Sunni Tehreek (ST), identified as Bilal Qadri alias Sabir, was killed while his two brothers Kaleem and Ejaz sustained bullet wounds in an armed attack in the limits of New Karachi Industrial Area Police.

Two more bullet-riddled dead bodies of Baloch missing persons, including an activist of the BNM, were found on the Coastal Highway near Chakli area in the costal township of Pansi in Gwadar District.  The victims were identified as BNM activist Sajid Baloch and Khalid Baloch.

At least five NATO oil tankers were set ablaze by unidentified armed militants in Tera Mill area of Dasht tehsil in Mastung District while on their way for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan.

Unidentified militants blew up an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline near Malgzar area in Jaffarabad District, disrupting the gas supply to nearby townships and interior Sindh.

August 20

Eight more people were killed in the current wave of ethnic violence on August 20 as the law enforcement agencies had failed to control the situation. At least 54 people were killed in the south zone alone in the current wave of violence, which began after five bodies reached Lyari on August 17.

An air force employee, Zafar Ali Nazeer (36) was shot dead. He was a resident of Nawabshah and was visiting his sister’s house in Faisal Base.

Gunmen intercepted a route Z bus near Daba Chock and shot dead its driver, 30-year-old Sakhi Dad.

In the limits of Jauharabad Police Station, armed men shot dead 30-year-old Gull Alam, a resident of Block 10. He was on his way to home when armed men shot him six times and fled.

Mochko Police found a body form the bus stop.

Another unidentified body was found from Qalandrani Chock.

An injured of Chakra Goth ethnic violence, Rizwan son of Ibrahim, succumbed to his injures in a hospital. The deceased was wounded in the night of August 19.

Gunmen intercepted a bus near Bakra Piri and disembarked Nadeem Haroon and shot him dead.

An officer of water and sewerages board was shot dead in Gulshan-e-Hadeed within the precincts of Steel Town police station. Khalid was going on his car when unidentified armed men sprayed bullets on him, killing him on the spot.

In Orangi Town, an ambulance was attacked, resultantly, two men Mehboob and Fazal received bullet injuries.

At least two Pakistani soldiers and five terrorists died in a shootout in Akakhel village in the Khyber Agency of FATA. The shootout started when paramilitary troops were carrying out a search operation, a day after the suicide bombing in the area.

TTP claimed responsibility of Jamrud suicide attack. At least 56 persons were killed and 123 injured in the suicide attack during the Friday prayer at Jamia Masjid Madina in Ghundai area of Jamrud area of Khyber Agency on August 19. More action will be taken against the members of Kukikhel tribe if they continue to resist to the TTP in Tirah Valley, a senior journalist quoted TTP’s Tariq group spokesman, Talha, as saying.

Four persons were injured in a roadside landmine blast in Kohlu in Balochistan. According to sources, unidentified persons had planted the landmine on a roadside. The victims were identified as Fazil Khan, Nubat Khan, Farooq and Ghulam Rasool.

August 21

Three SF personnel and five militants were killed during clashes after militants attack on two checkpoints Laddah and Pash Ziarat area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA. 

Six LI militants were killed in renewed clashes with rival outfits TTP in Dwa Thoe and Mehraban Kali areas of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency. Sources said the Tariq Afridi group of TTP clashed with supporters of LI in Dwa Thoe and Mehraban Kali areas.

Two tribesmen and a militant were killed in a clash after an improvised explosive device ripped through a military vehicle in Chashma area near Miramshah in North Waziristan Agency. The blast left seven SF personnel injured. The vehicle was part of a convoy going from Miramshah to Bannu (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). The slain militant was identified as Muhammad Hanif, a senior ‘commander’ of Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, an associate of the Haqqani network.

A Government primary school was blown up in the Akakhel area of Bara tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber Agency. 

A Government primary school was blown up in Toorkhel area of Baizai tehsil in Mohmand Agency on August 20. So far, at least 80 schools have been blown up by militants in Mohmand Agency, depriving around 25,000 students of education.

The ongoing violence in Karachi claimed 11 more lives. Six people were reported to be killed in Orangi Town area within the Orangi Police Precincts. Two dead bodies, identified as Zeeshan Sattar and Faisal Qadeer, were found dumped in a cemetery in MPR Colony Graveyard of Orangi Town. A Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) activist, identified as Shoaib, was shot dead while another was injured. In the same area, Police found an unidentified dead body of a young man from a gunny bag. One Adil was also shot dead. Also, a cobbler identified as Gauhar Zaman was shot dead near Qatar Moor.

An unidentified dead body stuffed in a gunny bag was found in the remits of Pak Colony Police Station. In the same area, a rickshaw driver was shot dead near Bismillah Hotel. Another unidentified dead body was found from Teen Hattie Bridge in Super Market Police remits. 

A three-day-old beheaded body was found from Macchar Colony within the jurisdiction of Docks Police Station. 

Armed clash claimed the life of a passerby in Bilal Colony within the remits of Korangi Industrial Area Police Station. 

Prime Minister (PM) Yousuf Raza Gilani said that military operation was not a solution to the Karachi problem as he had strong belief in the abilities of the Law Enforcement Agencies. He said that a military operation could only control the situation for a short period of time, adding that the Rangers and the Frontier Constabulary and the Police were playing their vital role in maintaining law and order in the city.

The dead bodies of two missing persons, identified as Asif Baloch and Abubakar Baloch, were found near the Sohrab area of Kech District. Asif Baloch was the nephew of the slain BNF leader Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and was abducted on May 28, 2011, from Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Abubakar Baloch was abducted from Gwadar District on August 3, 2011.

One Police constable, Bashir Ahmed, was killed and another, Tanveer Ahmed, injured when unidenfied assailants opened indiscriminate fire on their motorcycle on Mills Chowki area near the new bus stand in Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister for Education, Sardar Hussain Babak, was injured in an ambush on his convoy in Changlai area of Buner District. The vehicle, in which Babak was travelling, turned turtle after the attack and the minister and his two security guards were injured. 

Three alleged militants were arrested from Gagai area of Torghar District by SF personnel.  Sources said that SFs personnel raided a house in Gagai area and arrested three brothers — Mukaram Shah, Hikmat Shah and Afzal Shah. The arrested brothers were wanted by law enforcement agencies in several subversive acts in Shangla and Swat Districts, sources claimed. The father of the alleged militants, Dornunu Shah, who was also wanted for subversive activities in Hazara and Shangla, was still at large.

August 22

12 people were killed in the ongoing wave of violence in Karachi in Sindh.  

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon decided to launch a ‘surgical operation’ immediately without discrimination in all areas which have become combat zones because of target killings, extortion, land grab and politicised wars. Asked if the army’s help would be required for the operation, he said.

Three militants and four tribesmen from a same family were killed and three others injured when a US drone targeted a house and a vehicle in Mirkhunkhel area near Mir Ali in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

Two tribesmen were killed when their house was hit by a stray mortar shell in Akakhel area of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.  

In the same area, two bullet-riddled dead bodies of Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) militants were found in a deserted place.  

A journalist was injured when unidentified assailants attacked the team of a private TV channel, AVT Khyber News, near Nishar Hall on Jail Road in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants blew up an electricity tower under Akora Khattak Police Station in Nowshera.

Unidentified militants opened fire on 19 NATO oil tankers near the Dasht area of Mastung District. Around 40 NATO oil tankers were parked near a fuel station close to a Police check post on the National Highway, when a group of armed militants on motorbikes opened indiscriminate fire on the tankers. However, no casualties were reported.

JuD has been holding gatherings at pre-dawn prayers in Lahore District of Punjab during the month of Ramzan to collect donations despite Government orders of August 2, 2011 barring it from such activities. The JuD has been organising speeches by its chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed at various places and advertising them through posters, pamphlets and mass text messages.

HuT, another group banned from collecting donations during Ramzan, too has put up banners on the Mall road in Lahore.

August 23

10 LI militants were killed when landmines planted in a bunker by militants of Tariq Afridi group of TTP exploded in the Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Suspected militants killed an Afghan refugee in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan Agency on suspicion of being a spy for the United States.

Kukikhel elders recovered four miners who were abducted by TTP militants on June 11 from Darra Adamkhel. A local elder said that coalminers Fazal, son of Mohammad Hanif Rahimullah, son of Abdul Hamid Bakhtzada, son of Mohammad Zahir and Qaimooz Khan, son of Abdul Alam all residents of Shangla District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were recovered when the TTP vacated their bases in the Kukikhel area a few days ago.

At least seven persons were killed in the ongoing spate of target killings. Two unidentified bullet-riddled dead bodies were found in the limits of Pak Colony Police Station. Another dead body of an Urdu speaking man was found from Dhobi Ghat. Also, a dead body of a 25-year-old man was recovered from Jahanabad area. One more bullet-riddled dead body of a Pasto speaking man, stuffed in a gunny bag, was found at Qasba Colony in Pirabad Police remits. 

One Faisal was shot dead in at Gharibabad in the jurisdiction of Malir City Police Station. A milk vendor, identified as Bahadur Ali, was shot dead at Quaidabad area near Murghi Khana Chowk in the precincts of Shah Latif Police Station.                                

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP, Central) Asim Qaimkhani and SSP (South) Naeem Sheikh claimed to have arrested four militants belonging to Akram Baloch group of gangsters operating in Layari from North Nazimabad area.

Baldia Police also claimed to have arrested a target killer, Ejaz Chutto, at New Sultan Road. Chutto admitted to have murdered three PPP workers, including Ali Nawaz Baloch.

Police recovered a dead body in Jamali Bypass area of Dera Allah Yar city in Jaffarabad District. The identity of the body was established from a slip which was found in the pocket. The body was identified as that of Bahgia Khan Bugti.

Police recovered a cache of arms and ammunition and arrested two alleged smugglers at Ring Road in limits of Bala Mani Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A spokesman said Police at the PAF canal check point recovered 25 Kalashnikovs, 37 pistols of various bore, and 8,000 cartridges from a Datsun pick-up (D-1156). The alleged smugglers identified themselves as Abdur Rehman and Khan Noor of Bara area of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Police arrested three suspects in the Warren Weinstein abduction case, a Police official on the condition of anonymity said.  However, a spokeswoman for the US Embassy in Islamabad said she was not aware of any arrests.

IGP, Islamabad, Bin Yamin said that TTP was involved in the assassination of Minorities Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti on March 2, 2011.

While the core committee of PPP decided not to call in the Army, Rangers were deployed to carry out ‘surgical operation’ in Karachi to control law and order situation. Rangers started the operation and arrested 18 suspects.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik warned militant outfits, including LeJ and SSP, to end their all activities otherwise action would be taken against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act. “Offices of banned organisations will be sealed,” it was declared.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that any cut in the US assistance would not only impact Pakistan’s existing economic conditions but would also send a negative signal to the public about commitment of the US Government towards the people of Pakistan when they are suffering heavily in economic terms due to unparalleled toll of war against terror. 

August 24

At least three people were killed and three others sustained injuries in an incident of firing in Kangri area of Musakhel District. The victims were identified as Sajad Khosa, Nadeem Khosa and Saeed Khosa and belonged to the Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab Province.                 

Two people were shot dead and four others injured when unknown armed militants opened fire on a bakery in Quetta.

A 16-year-old boy from Punjab Province, identified as Zeeshan, was shot dead near his house in Nusrat Bhutto Colony within the limits of Shahrah Noor Jahan Police Station in Karachi.

Federal Cabinet was informed that nine areas in Karachi had been identified where action would be taken against the target killers. Information and Broadcasting Minister Firdaus Ashiq Awan said that since the law and order was a provincial matter, the Federal Government could not unilaterally call out the Army in Karachi, adding, that the Sindh Government wanted to utilise the services of Rangers, Police and other civil Law Enforcement Agencies to restore peace in Karachi.

Militants attacked several check posts in Karir, Dwajangi, Qayumabad and Hashim Kor areas of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA.

Militants blew up a Government Girls Higher secondary school in Sawaldher area of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants blew up a private school under Kalu Khan Police Station in Swabi District in the night.

During the last two years, Islamabad Police arrested around 135 terrorists and more than dozen would be suicide bombers. Islamabad Police emerged very successful in stamping out the terrorism activities and traced almost all the culprits involved in various terror incidents in the Federal capital. More than 41 officials sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and several got injuries. Unremitting ingenuous efforts bore fruit and more than 135 terrorists have been arrested by Islamabad Police since March 2009. 

Amid reports that militant outfit JeM has resumed full-scale public activity, intelligence agencies have said that other militant groups have also begun recruiting young men from Punjab to fight, particularly in Kashmir.

Another report forwarded by Punjab Home Department said that militant outfit LeJ has also become active, particularly after the release of the group’s founder Malik Ishaq in July.

Balochistan FC IG Major General Ubaidullah Khan categorically rejected the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report regarding the enforced disappearances in Balochistan and said it was an attempt to encourage terrorists and at the same time discourage law enforcement agencies. Khan said that that HRW report was partial, portraying one side of the picture. The IG said that 80 incidents of attacks on gas installations had been reported in February 2010 only, while in June the attacks had come down to just eight. He said that around 900 civilians had been killed, while over 200 personnel of SFs were martyred in terrorist attacks and bomb blasts in the province in the past years.

CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry constituted a five-member bench for hearing a suo motu case regarding worsening law and order situation in Karachi from August 26. The court directed the Chief Secretary and Sindh Inspector General of Police to submit detailed report on target killings, which have been taking place in Karachi for the last several months.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that there is no rift between Islamabad and Beijing over fighting militants, and cast doubt on the reports about a Pakistan link to the Kashgar (China) attack.

August 25

11 militants were killed and four others sustained injuries after the SFs shelled their hideouts in Barlas and Akhun Kot in Mamozai area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. However, the TTP Orakzai Agency chapter ‘spokesman’ Hafiz Saeed rejected the SFs’ claim and argued that it was aimed at misguiding the public.

Two LI militants were killed in clashes with the TTP in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency. The sources said that the groups were firing mortar shells on the positions of each other in Mehraban Killay and Dwatoy when a shell fell on the bunker of the LI, leaving two of its militants dead. The two militant groups have been fighting against each other in Kukikhel area in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency for the last two weeks in which more than two dozens from both sides have been killed.

FC personnel raided the house of Sher Amin Afridi and Sher Afzal Afridi in Jamrud tehsil and arrested them. The sources said that the duo was affiliated with the Tariq Afridi group of the TTP.

At least 12 persons, including some Army and Air Force personnel, were killed and 17 injured when a powerful explosion hit a hotel in Risalpur cantonment area of Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police arrested two TTP ‘commanders’, identified as Abdullah, son of Sherzada and Alam Sher son of Sher Afzal, during an operation in Behar under Khwazakhela Police Station area in Swat District.

A man was killed and 13 people were injured, when a bomb placed by unidentified militants at the Seerat chowk went off in the industrial town of Hub in Quetta.                

A bullet-riddled dead body of a Baloch missing person, identified as Rahim Buleidaai, was found at Gockdan area near Mirani Dam of Turbat city in Turbat District. Rahim Buleidai was abducted by armed militants from Turbat on August 14, 2011.

The Supreme Court received a letter written by Summandar Khan and Oman Khan containing a threat that its building would be blown up on August 26 or 27. The letter dated August 25, 2011 was found from parking area of the SC by a cameraman of a private TV channel near the Digital Satellite News Gathering vans in Islamabad.

The Sindh Government equipped Rangers with special powers to meet the challenge of terrorists, target killers and extortionists and eliminate ‘no-go-areas’ from Karachi. It was decided that Rangers be given Police powers to carry out search without warrant and take action against criminals and elements having intentions to carry out terrorist acts.

August 26

A suicide bomber was shot dead by the peace lashkar in the Kabal area of Swat while his accomplice managed to escape as they were trying to enter a mosque following Friday prayers. Saifullah Khan, head of the Nepkikhel Qaumi lashkar, claimed the bomber was shot down after being sighted by the lashkar.

One person, accused of August 25 bomb blast in Risalpur, a town in Nowshera, has been arrested while another was killed during an encounter with the Police in the Badarshi area of Risalpur.

Three people were killed and eight others injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on two buses in different parts of Balochistan. Two passengers died and six others, including two women and two children, suffered injuries in the attack on a bus in Dera Allahyar town of Jaffarabad District.

Two people were killed in separate incidents in different parts of the city. Police found body of a man near Denso Hall within the limits of Kharadar Police Station. Police said the victim hailed from Punjab and had no affiliation with any political or religious party. 

Tension prevailed in Hussain Hazara Goth due to a clash between two ethnic groups that left a young man dead while an office of the ANP was also set on fire during the clash. On duty officer Siddique Abbasi said that the clash took place between Pakhtoon and Hazara community people.

Sindh Police claimed to have detained 40 more suspects during August 25-night search operation. The sources further said that the Sindh Police claimed to have taken some 40 more suspects into custody during search operation in Bilal Colony, Chakra Goth, Pak Colony, Nishtar Road, Raxer Bridge, Old Golimar, Jehanabad, Saleh Muhammad Goth and Ghattar Baghicha, and recovered weapons and drugs from their possession. According to Police sources, Sindh Police, which launched ‘surgical search operation’ on August 23 with the assistance of Rangers, have so far detained over 100 suspects from different troubled areas of the metropolis.

Shahbaz Taseer, a son of the slain Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, was abducted by armed abductors from Lahore. The abductors intercepted Shahbaz when he was about to reach his office in Gulberg.

Police commandos raided a house in Sector G-6/1 in Islamabad on August 26 and arrested five terrorists. Inspector General of Police Bani Amin Khan said a suspect was picked up from Anwar Hotel in Aabpara at around 3am. His interrogation led to the terrorists’ hideout which was in the use of Sardar Ali Khan Khattak, a Naib Qasid (deputy messenger) in the Ministry of Finance who has been on two-year leave.

Lahore Police claimed to have rescued US development expert, Warren Weinstein (70), who was abducted on August 13 from Lahore. Lahore Police Chief Malik Ahmed Raza says authorities rescued Warren Weinstein during an early morning operation in Khushab city.

The FBI has secretly arrested a Pakistani juvenile, Mohammed K. (15), from Maryland for allegedly participating in a terrorism plot with an American woman, Colleen LaRose aka Jihad Jane, relatives of the juvenile said. Family members said Mohammed was lured by an adult and was too young to understand the consequences.

Mohammed K. (15), of Ellicott City, a Maryland suburb near Washington, allegedly conspired with Colleen LaRose aka Jihad Jane, of Pennsylvania to solicit money and recruits for a jihad, the prosecution claimed. He is now 17.

CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heading a five-member bench, observed that for the last one month situation in Karachi had been out of control and there was a complete breakdown of the Government’s machinery

The Inspector General of Police (Karachi) was directed to proceed against the target killers across the board, irrespective of their party affiliations, and also provide detail of Police Stations and the crimes that take place in their jurisdiction and the manner people were being killed there.

During the course of proceedings, Sindh government submitted a detailed report on the incidents of target killings, which have been taking place in Karachi for the last more than one month. According to the report, 300 people were murdered in incidents of target killings, as 232 cases were registered. The report stated that 117 target killers had been arrested and the challans of 179 accused were submitted in the court. Sindh Attorney General contended that judiciary could not resolve the issue of Karachi, as one target killer, who was involved in 100 cases of murder, had been acquitted by the court.

August 27

25 soldiers and 20 were killed when some 200 to 300 “terrorists” based in Afghanistan attacked seven paramilitary FC checkposts in Chitral District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa early in the morning. The military said both Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Afghan Taliban were involved. “At least 25 security forces personnel embraced shahadat in the attack,” the statement said, adding that the attack was launched “from across the border”. About 20 of the militants were believed to have been killed. The border posts were overrun by militants, but reinforcements have now been sent, it said. The Pakistani military said that those believed to have co-ordinated the raid – including a radical cleric from the Swat valley, Maulana Fazlullah, and a TTP ‘commander’ from Bajaur, Faqir Muhammad - had previously fled into Afghanistan in the face of Pakistani military offensives.

Unidentified militants killed a former Army officer, Colonel (retd) Shakil Khan, in Kohat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Shakil Khan was abducted by militants when he was returning to his home in the Defence area after offering morning prayers. Shakil’s body was later found abandoned in a car. 

A Policeman was killed while two others were injured in an exchange of fire with suspected militants who were trying to enter the Defence area of the Kohat.

Al Qaeda’s new second-in-command, Atiyah abd al-Rahman, was killed in Pakistan, US officials said. Rahman, a Libyan national, rose to the number two spot when Ayman al-Zawahri took the reins of al Qaeda after Osama bin Laden was killed. Officials did not say how Rahman was killed, but said it happened in Waziristan where intelligence officials believe members of al Qaeda are hiding out. “

Two NATO oil tankers were set on fire by unidentified armed persons in Mithri area of Bolan District in Balochistan.

The CID of Sindh Police arrested three Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) militants in the Korangi industrial area of Karachi. A statement issued by the CID said that Tariq, Danish and Shah were captured during a raid conducted in a congested area near Vita Chowrangi. The CID team seized five kilograms of explosive material, six mortar rounds, 15 detonators, nine devices, two electric wire sets, three TT pistols, several bullets and a snatched car.

August 28

Three people were killed in the on going spat of violence in different parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. 

The bullet-riddled body of a youth, abducted earlier, was found near Urdu Bazaar in the precincts of Preedy Police Station. Police said the deceased was later identified as Muhammad Ali (28), a resident of Old Golimar’s Ali Muhammad Village. 

The bullet-riddled body of a person with torture marks was found from Baldia No 2 under Site B Police Station. Police said that the identity of the victim was yet to be ascertained. 

A man was shot dead in Hassan Colony of Liaquatabad within the limit of Gulbahar Police Station. Yar Mohammad Khan (35), a resident of Hassan Colony, Gulbahar, was going home when unidentified armed men shot him dead. 

Rangers unearthed two torture cells, detained 133 suspects and recovered a cache of weapons in an operation conducted in different areas of Lyari Town. Rangers seized two torture cells located in Liaquat Colony and recovered instruments being used for torture, including chairs, chains, knives, ropes and weapons.

Supreme Court will resume the hearing of the suo motu case on the target killings in Karachi from August 29. Special security arrangements have been made and roads leading to the Supreme Court building have been blocked for security reasons. 

Three persons were killed and 19 others were injured in firing and rocket attacks on a passenger train in Mach area of Kachhi District in BalochistanBLA, claimed responsibility for the attack. 

Two trucks laden with explosives and headed towards Harnai in Sibi District of Balochistan, were recovered by Border Military Police after the drivers failed to produce a licence to transport the material.

Unidentified assailants shot dead three youths and injured six others in a suspected sectarian killing at a billiard club in Darya Khan Town of Bhakkar District in Punjab.

The death toll from the cross-border attack on checkposts in Arandu tehsil (revenue unit) of Chitral of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa climbed to 52, as six more bodies of Chitral scouts were recovered. Earlier it was reported that 25 soldiers and 20 militants were killed on August 27 when some 200 to 300 TTP and Afghan Taliban militants attacked seven paramilitary FC checkposts in Chitral.

SFs neutralised a terror plot that were supposed to be carried out on Eidul Fitr by recovering a suicide jacket and a large quantity of explosives during a search operation in Mangaltan and its suburbs in Char Bagh tehsil of Swat District. SFs arrested two militants including one key ‘commander’. Sources said the operation is still underway to capture another militant commander who is also hiding in the area.

A low-intensity bomb, planted in a hotel at Torkham in Khyber Agency of FATA, went off causing partial damage to the hotel building.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will start receiving applications from August 29 for the computerisation and revalidation of arms licences issued by the Federal Ministry of Interior. Arrangements have been completed in this regard as 158 District-level registration centres across the country will initiate the process, which is aimed at ensuring transparency and authenticity of arms licences.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan assisted the United States in the past and would continue to do so in the future, but the Government would not compromise on the national interests.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that the Government has proved that it is possible to conduct targeted operations in Karachi without any discrimination.

Pakistani security officials expressed doubt over reports from the United States that it had killed the al Qaeda second-in-command near the Afghan border. A senior US official said on August 27 that Atiyah abd al-Rahman had been killed in the northwest tribal area of Waziristan on August 22, without divulging the circumstances of his death.

A US senator, Robert Casey, visiting Islamabad said he was pressing Pakistan to reduce the flow of an explosives material used in roadside bombs that wound and kill hundreds of US soldiers in Afghanistan. Senator Robert Casey said in a press conference that his talks with civilian and military leaders as well as senators focused on having Pakistan implement its strategy to cut shipments of ammonium nitrate or fertiliser.

August 29

The Balochistan Levies Force recovered a bullet-riddled body from the Zehri are of Khuzdar District.

Three alleged would-be suicide bombers were arrested by SFs during a search operation in Malangai area of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency. Suicide jackets and other material were recovered during the raid.

SFs neutralised a bomb placed near the parking lot of a Bazaar Zakha Khel in Landikotal.

Unidentified militants blew up a girls’ school at Sher Din Banda under Zaida Police Station in Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The building of the school was partially destroyed. However, no casualties were reported in the incident.

A blast took place at a market in Link Road area of Swabi District and destroyed five shops. However, no casualty was reported in the incident as the explosive device was planted at the backside of the market.

The Army arrested two suicide bombers and recovered a cache of explosive material kept in hiding for use in terror activities from in Qila Iqbal Garh of Dera Ismail Khan District. 200 mortar shells, 100 rocket launchers, 400 anti-aircraft guns and other weapons were recovered.

Militants targeted bunkers of volunteers of a tribal lashkar in Khwezai area along the Afghanistan border with heavy and light weapons.

SFs also arrested a suspected person during a raid on a house in Michni area of Yakaghund tehsil.

Karachi Police neutralised a bid of terrorism by defusing a powerful bomb near Amn Park in the limits of Baghdadi Police Station in Lyari town area of Karachi.

Police and SFs arrested two persons allegedly involved in aborted plots of terrorism in the Chirah village under Nilor Police Station of Islamabad. Sources said that the duo were brothers of Sardar Ali Khan, a Naib Qasid in the Finance Ministry, who allegedly provided accommodation to terrorists affiliated with TTP to carry out a suicide attack at a worship place on Jumatul Wida.  Police detained Lashkari Khan Khattak, the father of Sardar Ali Khan, who during interrogation led the police to the hideout of his two other sons.

The Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction over a report presented by IG of Sindh Police Wajid Durrani on the Karachi situation and directed the Government to expose those behind the spate of violence. The report is neither comprehensive nor has been prepared with serious concentration as the facts are missing in the report, observed a five-member bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani.

The Government believes that the long-term solution to the Karachi problem lies in political dialogue, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said. Addressing the stone-laying ceremony of the Supreme Court Bar Association Complex, he said,

August 30

Two suspected militants were killed in a bomb blast in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area under Mobina Town Police Station in Karachi. According details, two unidentified men were on their way somewhere when their motorcycle skidded off the road and the explosive devise they were carrying exploded. As a result, both the men were killed on the spot and their bodies perished due to high intensity of the blast. Inspector Abid Farooq of the Bomb Disposal Squad said that the device carried some four kilogrammes of high explosive material.

The dead body of a young man found from Khajji ground of Nazimabad under Rizvia Police Station. The identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained. He received two bullets and with his hands and legs tied with ropes. 

Police found a three-day old body near Kallo Chowk Korangi in the limits of Zaman Town Police Station. The identity of victim is yet to be ascertained.

Law enforcement agencies, including FC, conducted a raid in Khawja Ajmair Nagri, New Karachi, Sagheer Centre, FB Area, Block 16 areas and detained some 20 suspects and recovered a cache of weapons from their possession during search operation.

President Asif Ali Zardari assured Islamabad's full cooperation to combat Uyghur militants trained in Pakistan and blamed by China for series of attacks in the restive Xinjiang province and offered its territory and ports to boost bilateral trade and linkages with Central Asia. Asif Ali Zardari, who is currently visiting Urumqi, the capital of China's troubled northwest Xinjiang province as part of a three-day visit to the country, the seventh official tour in the last three years, underlined Pakistan's commitment to root out terrorism and extremism during talks with top officials.

Afghan-trained militants and returnees from the prisons from Afghanistan have surfaced in Punjab and are indulging in terrorist activities, Pakistani intelligence reports said. According to a report by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab, 2,487 militants trained in Afghanistan and 566 returnees from Afghan prisons have been identified.

Amnesty International slammed the Pakistan Government for its failure to resolve hundreds of cases of alleged disappearance in the country. "The Pakistan government has made little progress in resolving hundreds of cases of alleged disappearance, while new incidents are being reported around the country," said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Director.

August 31

A suicide car bomb blast killed at least 11 Shia persons and injured 22 others celebrating Eidul Fitr in Quetta. The bomber was apparently targeting a Shiite mosque but could not get close enough because the road was blocked, said Quetta Police Chief Ahsan Mahboob.

The CID arrested a suspected TTP militant, Akhtar Ayub alias Khan, during a raid in SITE area of Karachi. CID Anti-Extremist cell chief, SSP Chaudhry Alsam Khan said that Akhtar Ayub was linked to the Fazlullah group of the TTP and earlier masterminded suicide bombings. 25 kilogrammes of explosive materials, along with detonators and other materials used in bombs were recovered from the arrested militant.

A US State Department report published last week said that Pakistan was incapable of prosecuting terror suspects, since three in four defendants are acquitted. According to a report in The Telegraph, the US State Department’s 2010 report criticized its frontline ally in the war on terror saying it had had failed to outlaw militant Islamic terror groups, since they escaped bans by changing names.

The report further said that Islamabad had not closed loopholes which allowed terrorist groups and criminals to launder money (hawala), also mentioning former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s unresolved case as an example of how the investigative methods had to improve to collect better evidence, since the post assassination footage clearly showed that the crime scene in Rawalpindi was hosed down before evidence collection.

Mumbai terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed, run JuD has created an offshoot Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation to circumvent the ban on collection of donations in Pakistan and are collecting aid with Police doing nothing to stop them. Moreover, Saeed and his son Hafiz Talha Saeed have also been making speeches and collecting donations at mosques in various parts of Lahore all during Ramazan.

September 1

Seven passengers were killed in lower Kurram Agency of FATA when unidentified assailants opened fire on their vehicle. According to sources, the passenger vehicle was travelling from the Alizai area to Parachinar when the assailants opened fire, killing four people on the spot and severely wounding four others. Six out of the seven persons who lost their lives in the incident belonged to the same family.

Five civilians were killed and 35 others, including 10 Police officials, were injured in a suicide car bombing in the Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The explosion happened after officers signalled a suspect vehicle to stop at a checkpost in the Lakki Marwat District, local Police Chief Gul Wali Khan said. The driver ignored the instruction so Police opened fire and the suicide bomber detonated his device, he added. About 40 shops and 10 houses were damaged in the blast.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that the situation in Karachi has made a marked improvement from before and that there has been no reported target killing during Eid. Rehman Malik said this on the second day of Eid during a surprise visit to Empress Market in Karachi.

September 2

At least seven persons, including a Navy officer and an activist of PPP, were killed in separate acts of target killing and violence in different parts of Karachi over three days of Eidul Fitr.

A lieutenant commander, Nasir (35) and his friend Iqbal (40) were shot dead at sector 11-B within the limits of Sir Syed Police Station in North Karachi. Nasir and Iqbal were going home from Noor Islam Mosque when two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on them, killing Nasir on the spot, while Iqbal received critical injuries. Iqbal succumbed to his injuries later in Hospital. Police recovered empty shells of a 9mm pistol from the spot.

An activist of PPP, Rashid (36), son of Basheer, was shot dead in his shop in sector 9-A in the limits of Orangi Town Police Station in Orangi Town.

A man was shot dead, while his brother was injured near Rado Apartment in the jurisdiction of Gulistan Jauhar Police Station. The victim, 30-year-old Arbab Mirza, son of Tahir Mirza, was the resident of Rado Apartments block 14 Gulistan Jauhar.

Police recovered a dead body of a young man, bearing torture marks, from Maripur Road near Railway Crossing in the precincts of Docks Police Station. The identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained and he appears to be Baloch.

A man was shot dead near Mira Naka under Sher Shah Police Station.

A teenager girl, Areesha (17), daughter of Abdul Rasheed, who received bullet injuries in Chakiwara on Chand Raat, succumbed to her injuries.

LEAs have detained 123 more suspects and recovered arms and drugs from their possession during search operation in different parts of Karachi, including Kharadar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Surjani, Malir and Gulistan-e-Jauhar. According to a handout issued from Rangers head office, the law enforcers recover one 7mm rifle, one 12-bore repeater, one 12-bore rifle, four TT pistols, 161 vine bottles and one motorcycle from the possession of 18 suspects who were arrested from Surjani, Khuda Ki Basti, Ghas Mandi and Khokhrapar areas.

A bank building and several shops were damaged when an explosive device planted in a canister went off in the Omarzai bazaar of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Suspected TTP militants in Afghanistan abducted as many as 40 Pakistani boys after they inadvertently strayed across the border. The boys, from the town of Mamoond in Bajaur Agency of FATA, were trekking when they ended up in Afghanistan on August 31.

A man of Pakistani origin has been arrested and charged in the US with supporting LeT, FBI officials said. Zubair Ahmad (24), of Woodbridge, Virginia, allegedly received religious training from the terrorist group as a teenager in Pakistan and later attended one of its training camps. Zubair came to the United States in 2007 with his family. He’s been under investigation for two years, ever since the US Federal Bureau of Investigation got a tip that he might be connected to the group, the officials said. An affidavit submitted in a Virginia court claims that in September 2010, Zubair produced and uploaded a propaganda video to YouTube on behalf of LeT, after communications with a person named “Talha”. In a subsequent conversation with another person, Zubair identified Talha as Talha Saeed, the son of LeT ‘chief’ Hafiz Mohammed Saeed. Talha and Zubair allegedly communicated about the images, music and audio that Zubair was to use to make the video.

Corps Commander Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik said that large chunk of the Mohmand Agency in FATA has been cleared of terrorists after the successful military operation ‘Brekhna’ there and writ of the Government has finally been restored in the region. Briefing journalists at Mamodgut in Mohmand Agency, Malik said that Army had reclaimed 80 to 85 percent area of Mohmand Agency following successful military operation ‘Brekhna’ in which 72 soldiers, including three officers, embraced martyrdom and around 150 were injured. He said that IDPs belonging to Mohmand Agency had returned to their areas and were living safely.

September 3

Two persons, including a woman, were shot dead in separate incidents in Shah Nurani area of Khuzdar District of Balochistan. Wadh Assistant Commissioner Mir Nasir Merwani said that a woman was shot dead and her body was thrown in Shah Nurani area. The victims belonged to interior Sindh.

A man was shot dead on Saryab Road. According to details, unidentified armed men opened fire on Maula Bakhsh, killing him instantly.

Political authorities arrested 22 tribesmen in connection with attacks on passenger buses in Kurram Agency of FATA. At least seven passengers were killed in an ambush on a passenger bus in Kurram Agency in the night of September 1.

The CID of Sindh Police arrested an alleged terrorist belonging to Hezbollah, involved in bank robberies, street crimes, encounters and snatching of motorbikes and other heinous crimes in a raid at PECHS area near UBL Bank along Tariq Road in Karachi. The arrested man was identified as Abid Hussain Bangash, a member of Hezbollah. The Police recovered a Kalashnikov, two hand grenades and cash from his possession.

The TTP said that they were holding 30 Pakistani boys who were abducted September 1 after being lured across the border into Afghanistan. TTP ‘Spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ahsan said that the boys were abducted because they belong to a tribe that opposed TTP. He said that TTP would decide the boys’ fate and set conditions for a possible release.

The law enforcement agencies arrested six suspects, including officials of Afghanistan National Army, during a raid on a camp of Afghan refugees in Chakdara town in Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The arrested men included Abdul Ghaffar and Khan Mohammad, who are said to be officials of Afghanistan National Army.

The volunteers of various peace bodies in Peshawar and tribal and semi-tribal regions of FATA decided to extend cooperation to each other in their fight against TTP. Sources said that a meeting of the heads of various peace bodies was held at Bazid Khel of Peshawar wherein different issues were discussed. The meeting was also attended by Haji Gul Meran of Madali Chowk, Lal Pur Gul and Javed of Dura Adda of Akakhel and Bazid Khel Qaumi Lashkar chief Fahimur Rehman.

A joint force of the FIA, the Coast Guards and the Frontier Constabulary will be established on the Sindh-Balochistan border to check movement of terrorists and smuggling of arms into Karachi. This was decided in a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Rehman Malik. The minister said that the purpose of the post would be to monitor and control the movement of terrorists and check inter-provincial gunrunning and curb smuggling of fuel from Iran via Balochistan.

ISPR DG Major General Athar Abbas said that just like all other people, Pakistan Army felt concerned about poor law and order situation in Karachi. In an interview to a foreign news agency, he said that Army was seriously concerned over the death of innocent citizens in Karachi.

September 4

At least four people, a woman among them, were killed and two others injured during a clash between Deoband and Barelvi sects in Godhra area of New Karachi area of Karachi.

A MQM activist, Rehan (30) was shot dead in Lines Area within the limits of Brigade Police Station.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a man and threw his body near Chotta Graveyard under Pirabad Police Station.

35-years-old Abdul Kareem shot dead within the precincts of Gulistan-e-Jauhar Police Station. Abdul Kareem was sitting near his home in Hussain Hazara Goth when unidentified assailants shot him dead and fled.

Rangers and Police arrested over a dozen suspects, including four alleged target killers, during search operation in Bakra Piri in Lyari and Pak Colony’s Jehanabad and their surrounding areas in Karachi. 

SFs continued besieging Baish Banar Mountain in Manglawar tehsil of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reportedly killed two terrorists. Two SF personnel were also sustained injuries.

Expressing full confidence in the LEAs operating against lawbreakers in Karachi, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani promised unbiased and across the board action against those found involved in anti-state activities.

Tribal elders from Bajaur Agency of FATA are holding talks with TTP militants in Afghanistan for the release of scores of boys abducted during an outing along the Pak-Afghan border on September 1, ISPR DG Major General Athar Abbas said.

The chief of Pakistan TTP, Hakimullah Mehsud, claimed that his fighters have the upper hand in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Mohmand Agency of FATA, regions that are close to the Afghan border. He urged Muslims to support the group, according to a video monitored by the SITE Intel Group, which tracks militant websites

In October 2009, the Army was ready to launch an operation in Waziristan but President Asif Ali Zardari opposed the move on political grounds, a US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks reveals. The cable deals with a meeting the then US ambassador in Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, had with Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in Islamabad on October 6, 2009.

Two militants were killed when a bomb exploded prematurely in Kalosha area of SWA in FATA in the night. Sources said that two militants were planting an explosive device on the road leading to the house of TTP 'commander' Sharif Wazir in Kalosha area when it went off, killing them on the spot. Sharif Wazir was a confidant of TTP 'commanders' Mullah Nazir and Nek Mohammad. He had played a prominent role in eviction of Uzbek militants from South Waziristan Agency in 2008. Sources said that militants were planting the bomb to target Sharif Wazir.

September 5

Four persons, including an activist of the ANP, were killed in separate acts of target killings as the gruesome trend of gunny bag-stuffed bodies re-emerged in the provincial capital Karachi.

The LEAs have detained over 100 suspects, including several political workers during an overnight search operation in Karachi. According to Police sources, the Godhra search operation, which was triggered after an armed clash between Deoband and Barelvi sects in Godhra area of New Karachi area on September 4.

An application has been filed at the Secretariat Police Station for the registration of FIR against Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik for allegedly being involved in the release of terrorists in Karachi, following Mirza’s allegations. The application was filed by Advocate Tariq Asad in which it was stated that Malik had released at least 25 target killers.

The dead bodies of two brothers, who had gone missing mysteriously, were found in Humrang Beebak area. Sources said that the two brothers had fallen victim to terrorism.

A girl was injured when suspected militants fired rockets and missiles at border areas of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency. Sources said that militants targeted Manro Jangle and Speray localities with rockets and missiles. Six rockets and five missiles were fired by the militants. SFs and tribal lashkar retaliated and forced the militants to flee.

Explosives damaged a house in the border area of Angoor Adda in SWA. Locals said that the explosive went off inside the house of Nazar Jan, a member of Ahmedzai Wazir tribe. The house was partially damaged in the explosion. No loss of life was reported.

A security official and a militant were killed in clashes between the SFs and terrorists in Beesh Banard area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Swat Media Centre informed that the encounter took place when SFs chased the terrorists during a search operation.

Police arrested a wanted terrorist, ‘commander’ Payee Mohammad during a search operation in Kanju area. The Police had received a tip-off that a terrorist ‘commander’, Payee Mohammad, was present in the house of his relatives at Shaheed Baba.

A senior al Qaeda leader, Younis al-Mauritani, believed to have been responsible for planning attacks on the US, Europe and Australia was arrested on an unspecified date in Quetta of Balochistan. Younis al-Mauritani was picked up in the suburbs of Quetta along with two other high-ranking operatives of al Qaeda, said ISPR. Cooperation between the CIA and ISI led to the arrests by the paramilitary, ISPR said.

FIA is to inquire about total number of arms licenses (prohibited bore, non prohibited bore) issued by Ministry of Interior over a period of 10 years, starting from year 2000. This was decided at a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik at the Ministry of Interior.

Senator Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani, former President of PPP, Balochistan, made a startling disclosure in Quetta that a prominent militant leader had approached him agreeing to end his militancy and join the mainstream politics within the framework of one Pakistan.

September 6

The TTP set conditions for freeing 27 abducted youths it has been holding hostage for about a week and demanded that the Government should release children and women languishing in various prisons, stop instigating tribesmen for forming anti-TTP lashkars and disband such lashkars and ‘peace committees’ in Bajaur Agency of FATA.

In an attempt to mount pressure on the Government to release Osama bin Laden’s family from custody, the TTP allegedly plans to abduct high-ranking civil and armed officials from all over the country, says Interior Ministry sources. According to official sources, the Interior Ministry has advised all Government departments and officials of law enforcement agencies to stay vigilant

CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ordered the Sindh Government to appoint the ATCs judges within two days. A larger bench of the Supreme Court, comprising CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, was hearing the suo motu case regarding the target killings and violence in Karachi. Justice Jamali raised a question why the judges had still not been appointed despite the recommendation made by the Sindh High Court chief justice.

The Abbottabad Commission has imposed a ban on travelling abroad for all persons relating to slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s raid in Abbottabad, including Dr Shakeel Afridi, till further orders. No such person should be allowed to leave the country without clearance from the commission, it was officially announced.

The United States will likely seek access to question a senior member of al Qaeda arrested in Pakistan, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said, as he cheered US-Pakistani cooperation in capturing him.

September 7

At least 26 people were killed and over 60 injured in two suicide attacks targeting the residence of the DIG of FC Brigadier Farrukh Shehzad in Quetta. Earlier, it was reported that 15 persons were killed in the twin suicide car bomb blast. The attacks targeted and wounded DIG of Frontier Corps Brigadier Farrukh Shehzad whose force was involved in the arrest of Younis al Mauritani and two other al Qaeda operatives in Quetta in an operation announced on September 5. A woman, her three children and at least 11 troops from the FC and BC were among the dead, Police officer Hamid Shakil said. The TTP claimed responsibility for the twin attacks. “Our fidayeen (suicide bombers) have carried out this attack. It is revenge for the arrests of our brothers in Quetta,” TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location. “If they make more arrests then the reaction will be much more forceful,” he warned.

Sindh Police arrested six persons, including a target killer, in separate raids at various parts of Karachi, the provincial metropolis of Sindh.

Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Hussain Wasan said that the LEAs have arrested 1,249 persons and recovered 188 weapons from their possession since the commencement of surgical operation. He further said the Police had so far arrested 782 criminals and recovered 179 weapons while Rangers nabbed 467 suspects, out of which 19 were handed to the police. Of these, 42 were suspected target killers, he added.

Sindh Law Department posted six judges in provincial ATCs against vacancies on the directives of SC. The SC on September 6 ordered the Sindh Government to appoint judges in the anti-terrorism courts within two days so that cases of extortion and other heinous crimes in Karachi could be tried under the anti-terrorism act.

Sindh Rangers DG Major General Ejaz Chaudhry informed the SC that law and order situation in Karachi is worse than Waziristan. Speaking during the hearing of target killings and violence in Karachi at the SC’s Karachi Registry, he said that militant groups of political and ethnic parties were involved in violence in the city.

US officials imposed financial sanctions on three al Qaeda leaders based in Pakistan, including Libya-born propaganda chief, Abu Yahya al-Libi. The two others named by the US Treasury Department were Younis al-Mauritani, who was arrested in Quetta on September 5, and Mustafa Hajji Muhammad Khan, who was identified by Treasury as a logistical supporter of al Qaeda.

September 8

Two militants were injured when SFs opened fire on a suspected vehicle in Bagun area of Kurram Agency in FATA. Sources said that SFs were providing escort to 300 passengers going from Parachinar in Khurram to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when armed persons travelling in a suspected car approached the convoy from the opposite direction. Sources said that the attackers belonged to the Mullah Toofan faction of TTP led by ‘commander’ Mohammad Ayub.

Officials of Chamkani Police Station in Peshawar recovered 25 kilogrammes of explosives and other materials being smuggled from Muzaffarabad in PoK. Two persons identified as Gul Muhammad, a resident of Nasir Bagh, Peshawar and Bacha Khan, a resident of Charsadda were also taken into custody, CCPO Imtiaz Altaf said.

LEAs detained some 330 suspects, including 14 political workers, two target killers, two extortionists and former nazim of Baldia town, Kamran Akhtar, during search operation at different parts of the provincial metropolis Karachi. The sources said the law enforcers also recovered weapons, including 28 kalashnikovs, 18 pistols, 40 TT pistols, nine snatched bikes and some 3,000 rounds from their possession. Sources said over 2,000 Rangers personnel along with Policemen and sniffer dogs participated in the operation at different parts of the city, including Al-Rahim Apartment, Pehalwan Goth, Yousuf Plaza, FB Area, Baldia Town, Saeedabad, Rangar Mohalla, Banaras, Sohrab Goth and New Karachi.

The inhabitants of Baldia staged a protest demonstration against the search operation outside the camp of Sachal Rangers 60 Wing in Baldia Town. The sources said the Rangers had arrested two target killers, Kamran Lamba and Imran, belonging to a religious party from sector 5 A in New Karachi and recovered two Kalashnikovs, two 9-mm pistol and 300 rounds from them.

CJP Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remark that “all the political parties have formed armed groups and the current situation is very critical”. The Supreme Court was hearing the suo motu case regarding the target killings and violence in Karachi.

Terming Pakistan's ISI as the biggest danger to the Afghanistan Government, US Senator Mark Kirk said that ISI was responsible for the death of several Americans inside war-ravaged Afghanistan. "Pakistan has become the main threat to Afghanistan. Pakistan's intelligence service is the biggest danger to the Afghan government. It is also a tremendous threat to the lives of American troops," Senator Mark Kirk said in his speech after his third two-week Afghan assignment as Naval Reserve Intelligence Commander.

The NATO-led ISAF in Afghanistan is resisting Islamabad’s pressure for a big push against terrorists in eastern Afghan provinces, where most of TTP have set up sanctuaries and have launched multiple attacks from there on Pakistan’s border check posts.

ISAF Commander General John Allen, who was on his first visit to Pakistan on September 7 after taking over the coalition command in Afghanistan, had to listen to protests by Pakistani generals upset over the ease with which TTP who, after fleeing military operations in the country, launched attacks in Dir and Chitral from their sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan.

Pakistan wanted to wind down militancy in Jammu and Kashmir in 2006, but failed due to a stiff 10-day protest by militant leaders, according to a US embassy cable from Islamabad released by Wikileaks. “The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had summoned the leaders of the Kashmiri militancy for a March 8, 2006, meeting in which the Government of Pakistan thanked the militants for their struggle, but then told them to lay down their arms and give the bilateral peace process a chance,” says the cable.

Although the details varied, most accounts agreed on the basic message: time had come for the militants to stop violence to allow space for President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to move forward with peace initiatives.

The cable also stated that JKLF secretary general Mohammed Rafiq Dar said the confusion in the UJC – a conglomerate of leaders of militant groups active in Kashmir – created an opening for Malik to advocate a ceasefire. For instance, Dar said Malik held several conversations with HM leader and UJC chairman Syed Salahuddin, who said he joined the protest in response to Pakistan’s orders out of comradeship.

In 2006, Musharraf had proposed a four-point formula, envisaging self-rule in a Jammu and Kashmir demarcated into provinces.

September 9

Fierce clashes between two factions of the TTP rattled the Talo Kanj, Badsha Kot and Shabak areas of Kurram Agency in FATA. The fighting involved militants loyal to TTP chief Hakeemullah and TTP Kurram chapter Chief Fazal Seed. The latter had parted ways with the TTP and formed his own group, TTIP, on June 27.

A Pakistan-born former Taliban terrorist, Munir Farooqi (54), was given four life sentences after he was found guilty of trying to recruit undercover officers for jihad and fight British soldiers in Afghanistan. Munir Farooqi, a Pakistani-born British citizen was at the centre of a plot to radicalise and persuade young men to “fight, kill and die” in a jihad in Afghanistan.

Federal Minister for Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Shaukatullah Khan said that more FC and Levies personnel will be deployed along the Pak-Afghan border to check infiltration of militants from Afghanistan. Talking to a delegation of Tribal Union of Journalists during his visit to Bajaur Agency, the Federal Minister said the Government of Pakistan had lodged a strong protest with Afghanistan authorities against militant attacks in Chitral, Dir and Bajaur regions from Kunar and Nuristan provinces.

He said 2,000 more youth would be recruited in Levies force from FATA, adding that efforts were being made to impart advanced training to the personnel. The Federal Government had decided to set up levies training centres in all the seven agencies’ headquarters. He said levies personnel would also be sent to Islamabad for special training.

The CJP said that a report, produced by the ISI in the court, could not be made public. A larger bench of the Supreme Court, comprising CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, was hearing the suo motu case regarding the target killings and violence in Karachi.

Alluding to the Supreme Court’s criticism of inherent weaknesses in Police investigations, the Sindh Police Chief IGP Wajid Ali Durrani confessed on September 9 that an incomplete FIR had led to exoneration of alleged attackers.  IGP Wajid Ali Durrani said “Thirty per cent of the police force sympathises with them [criminals],” he claimed.

Pakistan suffered the most in the US-declared "war on terror" after the 9/11 attacks, facing almost 300 deadly suicide bombings and the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto a Jang report said. "It's close to ten years now since 9/11. In the decade of the USA's 'War on Terror', Pakistan has suffered the most, facing at least 290 suicide bombings which have led to the death of 4,700 people, left thousands more injured and caused immense losses," said Jang.

The United States believes Pakistan is vital to stabilising the South Asian region and continues to work with Islamabad, despite differences on issues related to counterterrorism, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said.

September 10

Five persons were shot dead in separate incidents of violence in different parts Karachi in Sindh.

A bullet-riddled dead body, stuffed in a gunny bag, was found in the limits of Baghdadi Police Station. The victim was identified as Nazar alias Jummah. Police said that the deceased was kidnapped, tortured and then murdered.

A 25-year-old man was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in the jurisdiction of SITE-A Police Station. The victim was identified as Usman.

Yet another man was killed and his friend got injured when unidentified armed riders opened indiscriminate firing on them at Lasi Parah in Model Colony remits. The deceased was identified as Mukhtayar Marfaani.

13-year-old boy, a son of unit in charge of MQM Korangi sector, was shot dead in the limits of Korangi Police Station.

A girl, identified as Shumaila, received a stray bullet and died on the spot when she was enjoying heavy shower on the rooftop of her house at Nazimabad.

CID and Anti-Extremist Cell claimed to have arrested 11 suspects, including five alleged target killers, during separate raids in different parts of the city.

Police and Rangers took 40 persons into custody and recovered huge cache of weapons from their possession.

Decomposed dead body of a BSO-Azad activist, Kaleemullah (19), with 14 bullet injuries was found at Naushki Road near Kushak area of Mastung District in Balochistan. Kaleemullah was an activist of BSO-Azad Mastung Zone, and nephew of Mohammad Aslam Baloch, a National Party leader. Sources said that he was abducted from Satellite Town on August 25.

Three soldiers were injured in a roadside bomb blast in Chegmalai area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

An Inspector of IB Wali Khan was allegedly abducted by unidentified persons from the KDA town area of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Official sources said that Inspector Wali Khan, who is posted in Hangu, did not reach home in the KDA town. The inspector belongs to Karak District.

Police arrested four militants in Buner District. Police said that another accomplice of the militants managed to escape. One of the arrested militant was identified as Yaqoob, a resident of Elai village in Buner District. Police said that Yaqoob and his two accomplices were trying to enter Buner District from Malakand when police at Kingar Galai post arrested them. Police arrested two of them while their third accomplice escaped. Police also recovered three hand grenades, magazines of Kalashnikovs and detonators from their possession.

SFs also arrested two suspected militants from the premises of high school in Gerarai.

Pakistan has sealed off all borders with Afghanistan in order curb the massive influx of Afghans into Pakistan, said Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik. Addressing a news conference at the CM Secretariat in Quetta, the Minister said that the Government had imposed a complete ban on the movement of Afghan refugees and other foreign nationals by restricting their movement to the locality where they resided.

When asked if key operatives of al Qaeda and Taliban were in Quetta, he said that after the death of Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda has declared Pakistan to be its enemy. TTP leaders, according to him, have moved from remote tribal areas to Quetta after their defeat by the Pakistan Army.

September 11

At least four militants were killed when a US drone fired two missiles, hitting a vehicle and a house in the Hisokhel village of North Waziristan Agency FATA. A nearby house was also damaged in the missile strike. The identities of the militants killed in the attack were not immediately clear, he said.

A child was killed and three others sustained injuries when three mortar shells landed in a residential area of Kandokhel, sub section of Khugakhel in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber Agency.

Search operation by LEAs was in full swing as around 300 more suspects were taken into custody in various parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to Police sources, over 2,000 Rangers personnel along with Policemen and sniffer-dogs conducted search operation in different parts of the city, including Lyari, Nayaabad, Daryabad, Agra Taj colony, Bihar colony, Baldia Town, Saeedabad, New Karachi, Iqbal Plaza near Radio Pakistan, Jackson, Gul Bahar and Rangar Mohalla. Some 200 suspects were detained along with huge cache of heavy weapons.

LEAs detained some 100 persons from Iqbal Plaza and nearby buildings located along MA Jinnah Road while several suspects were apprehended from Baldia, Sherpao Colony, Shah Faisal Colony, Keamari, Nazimabad and other areas. Sunni Tehreek (ST) headquarters in Risala area and MQM-H office at Sherpao Colony were also passed through search exercise. LEAs also sealed the house of People’s Amn Committee chief Uzair Baloch during the operation.

Karachi Police press release said that have arrested 12,020 accused from January 1 to September 08, 2011, during actions against criminal elements, while 26 Police Officers and Constables embraced martyrdom and 65 others injured during encounters. 12,020 accused including 5,239 dacoits, 6,427 absconders and 354 wanted accused. Police recovered 4,194 illegal weapons, including 38 SMGs, LMGs; 11 shotguns, 54 rifles, 82 repeaters, 3,648 pistols, 210 revolvers, four carbines, 22 mousers, four RPGs and 20 hand grenades from their possession.

September 12

Unidentified masked assailants killed a tribesman and injured three others in Marai area of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police arrested a terrorist from Swat who had been wanted for important sabotage activities since a long time. According to details, Police, on tip off by an informant, conducted a raid in the Koza Bandi area, from where the terrorist, Muhammad Rahim alias Baba Commando was arrested. Rahim was also running a radio station since 2007, which was a source of invoking awareness about the spread of terrorism in the country.

Troops were deployed along the border in Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Chitral to check incursions of militants from Afghanistan.

Unidentified militants attacked a FC checkpost with a hand grenade in Turbat. According to sources, unidentified militants riding a motorcycle hurled a hand grenade at an FC checkpost and managed to escape. However, no casualty was reported in the attack.

National Party leader and former District nazim (mayor) Khair Jan Baloch escaped unhurt in a firing incident in Awaran. According to sources, Baloch was going with his family to Jaho from Awaran when unidentified assailants opened fire on his car. However, no casualty was reported in the attack.

At least 17 suspects, including political workers, were detained by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in targeted search operations at different parts of Karachi. 

Some five suspects namely Janan Khan, Zar Malook, Naveed, Babar and Ismail were detained from Rasheedabad in the limits of Pirabad Police Station. LEAs also recovered one Kalashnikov, four TT pistols, several rounds and narcotics from their possession.

LEAs after a brief encounter at Khawaja Ajmair Nagri Sector 5A-1 arrested Hubul Bengali who is said to be the worker of a religious political party. His other accomplice namely Arshad K-2 escaped under the cover of heavy gunshots. Police official said the accused was involved in the murders of three workers of SSP during a recent clash.

Seven more suspects along with heavy weapons were detained from Pioneer Apartments at Abul Hassan Ispahani Road during a search operation.

AIG of Sindh Police Saud Mirza claimed to have scaled down the target killings to three percent through the ongoing search operations in Karachi, which started from August 23. Mirza at a press conference said that Sindh Police had conducted raids at 2,000 places where some 1,478 persons, including 48 target killers and 21 extortionists were detained and a huge cache of weapons was seized.

AIG Saud Mirza said that Police and Rangers in joint search operation recovered huge cache of illegal weapons, including 36 Kalashnikovs, 476 pistols, 19 rifles, 18 repeaters and 259 grenades. Moreover, he said that 17 target killers and 78 absconded criminals were arrested in joint raids of Sindh Police and CID at Mochko, Pak Colony and New Karachi and 290 different types of weapons, including 253 grenades were recovered. He further said that the Sindh Police have so far arrested 140 target killers, who are allegedly involved in the killing of 245 persons. Mirza said 16 challans of 13 target killers who were arrested from June 18 to August 17 and 52 challan of 48 target killers involved in the killing of 45 persons, were established.

September 13

TTP militants attacked a school van in Matani, a suburb of Peshawar, killing four children and the driver. At least 12 boys, two girls and two female teachers were injured in the attack. TTP claimed the responsibility of the attack.

Two bullet-riddled bodies were found in a canal near Paharkhel Thall village on the outskirts of Lakki city in Lakki Marwat District. The deceased were identified as Sadullah and Rizwanullah.

ANP District President, Sher Muhammad Khan, was killed and four others were injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast at Bandai village of Maidan tehsil in Lower Dir District. 

Two tribal elders and a prayer leader were killed in Akkakhel area of Khyber Agency in FATA. Sources said that militants abducted two tribal elders and a prayer leader on September 11 from near their houses in Akkakhel area.

Two suspected militants were killed when a mortar shell exploded accidentally in a bunker in Zambakhel Bazaar area.

A pro-government tribal elder was killed and his three relatives were injured when militants attacked his house in Mamond area of Bajaur Agency. According to officials and local residents, militants attacked the house of Mlaka Gul Noor in Landi Shah area of Damadola with heavy weapons. Malak Gul Noor had supported Government against militants in the region.

A soldier was killed and two others were injured in a bomb blast in Laddha area of In South Waziristan Agency.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that ‘criminals’ arrested in Karachi during the current operation belonged to all political parties, reports Dawn. The Government has evidences (audio and video tapes) against them which will be made public if permitted by the Supreme Court.

ISI provided protection to slain al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden for a period of time, a report of The New Yorker magazine said. Former Afghanistan intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh told the magazine’ writer Dexter Filkins, that an ISI operative Syed Akbar Sabir had escorted Osama from the Pakistani region of Chitral to Peshawar, passing through Kunar Province, in Afghanistan, along the way.

A report of The New Yorker magazine said that the order to kill Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad came from the Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani's staff, on the suspicion that Indian intelligence tried to recruit him. When Shahzad attended a conference in New Delhi last year, "officers from an Indian intelligence agency offered to put him on a retainer", The New Yorker reported, quoting Roger van Zwanenberg, the publisher of Pluto Press, London, which published Shahzad's book on terrorism recently. 

September 14

Militants shot dead three ISI officials in the Janikhel area of Frontier Region Bannu in the FATA. Another officer sustained injuries. Officials said that the ISI personnel were going to the tribal area when two militant riding a motorbike intercepted their pick-up truck near Sardikhel and opened fire. The attackers managed to escape after the attack.

Militants beheaded a local tribesman in the Tirah valley of Khyber Agency on charges of spying. Sources said that militants abducted Rahim Shah, a resident of Dray-Plar area of Bara Qambarkhel, and later left his beheaded body in the nearby mountains. A letter left with the body alleged that the deceased was involved in spying on militants and desecration of worship places.

The Manzarkhel branch of Akkakhel tribe has extended its full support to the local peace committee in its campaign against militants. The decision was made at a jirga of tribal elders where scores of local armed volunteers joined the peace committee and also established a number of checkpoints to monitor the movements of militants. The jirga also constituted 13 groups, each comprising 10 armed volunteers, to patrol the Akkakhel-Matani Road. The groups were directed to operate under the command of Haji Gul Miran, the head of Akkakhel Peace Committee.

The political administration distributed cheques of PKR 300,000 each to the heirs of slain local tribal members who lost their lives in a suicide attack at the Torkham border on August 27, 2009, where more than twenty Khasadar personnel were killed, and in a NATO oil tanker blast in Khuga Khel in Landikotal, when 15 were killed.  A total of 32 families were compensated out of 36. The compensation ceremony was held at Tehsil office in Landikotal. The Landikotal Assistant Political Agent Iqbal Khattak distributed the cheques among the heirs.

The LEAs arrested over 100 suspects, including three target killers, two robbers and two extortionists, in separate raids in Karachi. Six of the 100 suspects are said to Afghans. The LEAs recovered 100 weapons of different types.

DSP Sohrab Goth Iftikhar Lodhi disclosed that a target killer, Kashif Raza Abidi, was arrested from Gulshan-e-Maymar. DSP Lodhi said that the accused confessed to have murdered two MQM activists.

On the other hand, CID Police arrested a target killer, Rafiq Rangar, from Haryana Colony along with a Kalashnikov. The accused is involved in the murders of two Pakistan People’s Party activists Aamir Baloch and Waseem Baloch.

CID separately arrested a target killer Rehan, accused in several heinous crimes, including firing at police van, robberies and kidnapping from Hyderi area. Five persons Muhammad Riyaz, Shoaib, Asad, Rafiq and Nazeer Hussain were arrested in the limits of Frere Police Station. Police claimed to have recovered several gold biscuits from the accused Shoaib and Asad, who were involved in Glass Tower robbery.

SP Saddar town Naeem Sheikh said that the Police arrested Shahid, an arms dealer, and recovered two Kalashnikovs, eight repeaters, four triple-2 rifles, 45 pistols, thousands of bullets and 45 license punching tools from his possession.

New Karachi Industrial Area Police arrested three persons Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Danish and Rasheed and recovered three TT pistols and several rounds from their possession.

The FBI and Department of Justice said that three Pakistani citizens, arrested in Miami, have pleaded guilty to providing material support to the TTP. In a statement issued by the FBI, the three accused, named Irfanul Haq, Qasim Ali and Zahid Yousuf, pleaded guilty before a US district judge in Washington to the count of “conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.” The three were accused of trying to smuggle a “purported TTP member” into the US. In March 2011, the three were arrested in Miami on the count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Pakistan the United States would “do everything we can” to defend US forces from Pakistan-based militants staging attacks in Afghanistan. “Time and again we’ve urged the Pakistanis to exercise their influence over these kinds of attacks from the Haqqanis. And we have made very little progress in that area,” Panetta told reporters flying with him to San Francisco.

The Federal Government decided not to give Police powers to Rangers in Karachi on a permanent basis and to retain the prevailing arrangement under which the paramilitary force enjoys special powers of search and arrest for three months.

The CJP, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, said that the Supreme Court will extend its full support to the Government to control law and order situation in Karachi so that lives and properties of innocent citizens could be protected.

The CJP also expressed serious concern over a statement issued by Sindh IGP Wajid Durrani in which the IGP had said, “Approximately 30 to 40 percent police personnel are the supporters of terrorists.” The CJP said this won’t help in controlling law and order situation. Chaudhry said it was responsibility of the Government and law-enforcement agencies to provide protection to people.

September 15

A suicide bomber blew himself up during funeral prayers Jandol town of Lower Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 31 persons and injuring 63 others. The attacker struck as mourners were preparing for prayers being held in open ground near cornfields in Jandol town, 100 kilometres from Swat Valley. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for suicide attackThe funeral was for Bakhat Khan, who was a member of a local “militia that is opposed to TTP rule in the region. 

SFs killed four militants after militants attacked their convoy with a remote-controlled explosive device that left two soldiers dead in Gandao area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

An unidentified militant was killed when explosive material he was trying to plant inside a school in Speen Qabar area of Bara exploded. However, other militants later destroyed the school. An adjoining private health clinic was also damaged due to the explosion. 

At least three houses were partially damaged when mortar shells fired by the SFs at the suspected militant positions hit the houses of Azmat Shah and Maulana Abdul Qayyum in Gandao area. 

The SFs neutralised an explosive device planted on a roadside near Charwazgai security checkpost in Landi Kotal.

As many as 60 suspects, including political workers, were detained by the LEAs during targeted search operations in different parts of Karachi. 

CID Sindh Police claimed to have arrested a target killer Mairaj alias Qasai and recovered one Kalashnikov from his possession.   

Clifton Police claimed to have arrested four target killers Asif Ali, Mubarak, Adnan and Zeeshan from Upper Gizri area and recovered two 7mm rifles, one repeater and six TT pistol from their possession.

LEAs also conducted a raid at Old Golimar and Pak Colony areas and arrested four target killers Sohail, Ali, Pervez and Alam recovering huge cache of weapons from their possession. Police sources said that they were involved in target killings and riots.

Saudabad Police conducted a raid at Malir railway crossing area and arrested a target killer Zafar alias Andha and recovered one Kalashnikov from his possession. Police said Andha belongs to a political party. LEAs also conducted raids at Landhi No 1 and Tipu Sultan Allah Wali Colony but as per sources, no one could be arrested from these areas.

Al Qaeda’s chief of operations in Pakistan Abu Hafs al-Shahri has been killed, a senior US official said on condition of anonymity. The death of Abu Hafs in Waziristan follows the killing of al Qaeda’s number two Atiyah abd al-Rahman in August.

Al-Qaeda's new chief Ayman al-Zawahiri is still hiding in Pakistan, Pentagon spokesman George Little said. "We have no information to indicate that he is anywhere else than in Pakistan," Pentagon spokesman George Little said. 

Pakistan's border region remains the most dangerous place in the world and Federally Administered Tribal Areas remains epicentre of the world's worst of global jihad, said Michael Vickers, the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence said.

September 16

Seven militants were killed and two others injured during a clash between two militant groups, separately led by Quwat Khan and Mullah Toofan, in Gawaki area of Kurram Agency in FATA. 

SFs conducted an operation in Chora village of Jamrud of Khyber Agency and destroyed a militant hideout in the area. SFs also recovered an ammunition depot and triggered an explosion to destroy it. However, one soldier was killed and two others were injured in the explosion. 

A 12-year-old girl was injured when a mortar shell fired by SFs from Fort Salop fell on a house in Bara tehsil

Three women were injured when a mortar shell fell on another house in Sipah area.

The death toll in September 15 suicide bombing in Samar Bagh area of Jandol town in Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rose to 45, DCO Mahmood Aslam Wazir said.

The residents of the Neelum Valley in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged protests against renewed militant activity in the area due to fears that the presence of militants could jeopardise a nearly eight-year-old ceasefire with India. Local residents said militants from the Pakistani heartland are flocking to Neelum Valley and crossing into Jammu and Kashmir to launch attacks there. The residents feared that retaliatory fire from the Indian side might threaten life in Neelum Valley and a ceasefire that was put in place in 2003.

Pakistan and Afghanistan discussed ways and means to take effective and concrete measures against extremism and terrorism to ensure peace and security in the region. “Terrorism is a common enemy and both the countries had agreed to take joint and effective measures to curb it and fight the militancy for the safety and security of people of both the countries,” said Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Jaweed Lodin while addressing a joint press conference after the completion of the second meeting of the Joint Peace Commission held at the Foreign Office.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan had already contributed enormously in fight against terrorism and extremism and it was now the United States’ turn to “do more”. “Now it’s the time that they [United States] should do more,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan had sacrificed much in battling the menace of terrorism during the last decade and that Islamabad should not be pressurised to do more.

September 17

Five FC personnel were injured when an IED planted on Charbagh road on the west of Landikotal Bazaar in Khyber Agency of FATA was detonated.

Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri confessed in the Anti-Terrorism Court, that he had killed Punjab Governor Salman Taseer in Islamabad for his `blasphemous` statements. Qadri contended that Salman Taseer had committed blasphemy under the references of Quran and Islamic Jurisprudence and, every person who committed such act or supported a blasphemer or doubted that the punishment of blasphemer was unjustified or practically tried to abolish sentence for commission of blasphemy, was liable to death.

September 18

At least 15 persons were killed when TTP militants attacked a checkpost manned by pro-Government tribesman and SFs in Akakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. Armed with assault rifles and hand grenades, the militants killed four Pashtun tribesmen and Frontier Constabulary solider. Members of a tribal militia and SFs retaliated, killing 10 militants. Two vehicles of the lashkar were also destroyed in the attack.

Three persons were killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on a passenger bus in the Haider Khan area of Kurram Agency. According to sources, the three men were travelling from Parachinar to Alizai when the assailants opened fire on their vehicle. Moreover, it was reported that all three of them were members of the Toori tribe belonging to Shia sect.

Soldiers battled TTP militants in an attempt to seize precious debris from a suspected US drone that crashed at Jangara village in the South Waziristan Agency near the Afghanistan border. TTP claimed that they shot down the unmanned aircraft, which crashed in the night of September 17 near Jangara village. However, a security official in Peshawar said that the American drone crashed in Zangara village, apparently because of some technical faults.

At least 10 militants were killed in a clash with troops after an under-construction security post near the Afghanistan border at Kharkai Kandao in Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa came under attack. Regional ISPR chief Lieutenant-Colonel Arif told reporters that 10 militants had been killed and one soldier injured in the clash at Kharkai Kandao where security personnel were setting up an outpost on a hill.

Militants set ablaze a government primary school in Kachi Nisar village in Arsoon area along the Afghan border in Chitral. The Chitral District Coordination Officer Rahmatullah Wazir said the militants fled towards Afghanistan after torching the school building. It was the first attack on a Government school in Chitral.

Police arrested two men for their alleged involvement in terrorism from Matta area of Swat District. SHO of Mata Police Station, Bakht Khan, arrested the two accused, identified as Nooruddin Khan and Numan, residents of Ashari village.

As many as 52 suspects, including a target killer, were arrested in surgical operation in different areas of Karachi. The major operation was conducted at P&T Colony from where several suspects were apprehended. The colony was located in Gizri where heavy contingents of Rangers and Police, including women personnel, cordoned off the area. They recovered licensed and unlicensed weapons from the area. The operation was also conducted at Zia Colony, Korangi and some areas of Mauripur where Rangers and police recovered weapons and booked several suspects.

LEAs also conducted a raid in Orangi Town, Sector 10 and detained two persons. Sources said they had come from other areas and recently settled in Orangi Town.

LEAs have so far detained over 500 suspects during the surgical operation and raids in several areas of metropolis since August 24, 2011.

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen has restated his strong desire to see the Pakistani military take action against Haqqani network and their safe havens in North Waziristan, Mullen’s spokesman Captain John Kirby said. The top US and Pakistani military leaders met in Spain to discuss ways to shore up strained ties after a US raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and a spike in violence in Afghanistan, he said.

Cameron Munter, the US Ambassador in Islamabad, said in remarks broadcast that there is evidence linking the Haqqani insurgent network to the Pakistani government, a charge that could raise tensions in an already strained anti-terror alliance between Washington and Islamabad. The US and NATO blame the Haqqani network for many of the attacks in Afghanistan, including this week’s strike on the US Embassy. US officials say they are looking for evidence that directly links elements of Pakistan’s ISI to the assault on the US Embassy and coalition headquarters in Kabul on September 13, a sign of just how rancorous relations have become between the two allies in the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The Haqqani network, one of the most feared militant groups in Afghanistan, would take part in peace talks with the Kabul Government and the United States only if the Taliban did, Haqqani network Chief Sirajuddin Haqqani told Reuters.

The Sirajuddin Haqqani rejected several peace gestures from the United States and President Hamid Karzai’s Government in the past because they were an attempt to “create divisions” between militant groups, he said. Any further efforts to do so would fail, added Sirajuddin, son of Jalaluddin Haqqani.

HRCP Balochistan chapter expressed its serious concern over the increasing number of decomposed bodies of missing persons being recovered from different parts of Balochistan. HRCP Quetta chapter Chairman Tahir Hussain and Advocate Zahoor Shahwani, while addressing a news conference, said that situation was going from bad to worse in the province, as security personnel themselves were not secure from attacks.

Pakistan's sacked National Security Adviser Mahmood Durrani claimed he had "written authority and had conferred with the ISI chief before admitting to the media that 26/11 Mumbai terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab was a Pakistani, a US cable revealed by WikiLeaks reported.

September 19

At least eight people were killed and 30 others injured in a suicide car bomb attack targeting SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam in the Darakhshan area of Karachi. The blast occurred outside the house of SSP Chaudhry Aslam. DIG South Commander Shaukat confirmed that six guards, a woman and a child were killed. He said a double-cabin vehicle had been used in the attack. Aslam, who survived the attack, told reporters that he had received threats from militant groups, including the al Qaeda-linked TTP.

TTP claimed responsibility for the suicide car attack on the residence of Chaudhry Aslam, saying Aslam had arrested and killed many of its fighters.

At least five persons were killed and 33 injured when a powerful bomb exploded in the busy commercial area of Nishtarabad Chowk along the GT Road in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified persons blew up an oil tanker, supplying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan, on GT Road near Shaidu area of Nowshera District. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident. 

A driver was killed and his cleaner received injuries when militants attacked NATO containers on Torkham bypass road near Degree College in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Unidentified militants shot dead a tribal elder of pro-government peace committee, Malik Aziz Khan, at Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency. Malik Aziz Khan was on his way to mosque for prayer.

A bullet-riddled body of a missing person, identified as Abdul Ghafoor Rodini, was found in Zero Point area of Khuzdar District. Abdul Ghafoor Mengal went missing on August 11 from Industrial town of Hub. “Ghafoor was abducted along with two other people, including BNP activist Abdul Nabi Mengal,” an official said, adding that the body of Nabi Mengal was found on August 18 near Hub town. 

Three oil tankers were gutted in firing by unidentified militants on Quetta-Taftan National Highway under Sadar Levies Thana in Mastung District.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressed Pakistan in 3-1/2 hours of talks on September 18 to attack the Haqqani network militant group, an unnamed senior US official said.

Intelligence agencies are learnt to have identified as many as two dozen extremist militant and sectarian outfits operating in Karachi who may face a crackdown once the hunt for politically-backed target killers is over, an unnamed senior official of the Federal Minister of Interior said.

According to a report compiled by intelligence agencies, as many as 19 groups — five of them run by Shias — were active in Karachi and their associates were involved in bomb explosions and murders. Among the groups active in Karachi, the biggest is LeJ, an anti-Shia sectarian outfit involved in mass murder and improvised attacks on minority groups, including Ahmadis. It has a strong known al Qaeda link. SSP, HuJI, TTP, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen al Alami, HuM, JeM, Jundallah, Tehreek Islami Lashkar-e-Muhammadi, Sunni Tehreek and Lashkar-e-Islami are the other Sunni groups active in Karachi. Among Shia militant outfits are: SMP, Imamia Student Organisation (ISO), Tehreek-e-Jafaria Pakistan, Mehdi Militia and Hezbollah.

September 20

The LeJ militants shot dead 29 Shia pilgrims travelling to Taftan, a town that shares border with Iran, in two consecutive attacks in Ganjidori area of Mastung District and Quetta city of Balochistan. Militants ordered pilgrims off their bus, lined them up and opened indiscriminate fire on them in Ganjidori area. An hour after the first attack, unidentified gunmen killed another three Shias on the outskirts of Quetta whom Police said were relatives of victims of the first incident en route to collect their bodies. Claiming for the attack, LeJ spokesperson, who introduced himself as Ali Sher Haideri, said his outfit will continue to target people from Shia community.

SFs killed 29 militants during a search operation in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. The operation was carried out after an attack on a checkpost in Arhang village of Dabori by militants in which one Policeman, identified as Hidayatullah Jan, was killed and nine SFs were injured. Officials said the militants had launched a two-pronged attack on the post early in the morning.

16 militants, including Afghan and TTP Punjab chapter, were arrested during a search operation in Wacha Khur area of South Waziristan Agency.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a militant, identified as Jamshed, in Garhi Sarmai area of Darra Adamkhel in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials blamed the local peace lashkar (tribal militia) for the murder of Jamshed, who had left Tariq Afridi group of TTP sometime back.

The LEAs claimed to have arrested over 80 suspects, including two extortionists and two target killers, in the surgical operation conducted in various parts of Karachi, the provincial metropolis of Sindh. 

A two-member bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani, expressed dissatisfaction over the reports submitted by the Karachi Police in compliance with an interim order in a suo motu case on the law and order situation in Karachi.

September 21

The beheaded bodies of three tribesmen, abducted by militants a month ago, were found in Sam Ghakay area of Khwezai tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA. Sources said that Mian Hazrat, Nazeem, and Habib had been abducted by militants about a month ago from Palosai area of Khwezai tehsil. 

25 militants, including three ‘commanders’, laid down arms and surrendered to Security Forces during a tribal jirga in Salarzai tehsil Bajaur Agency.

A Balochistan Constabulary official was shot dead by unidentified militants in Chaman Pattak area of the provincial capital, Quetta. According to Police, Constable Muzafar Hussain Shah, while on routine duty outside the anti-corruption office in Jogezai Street near Chaman Pattak, was shot dead by unidentified militants on a motorcycle.

A top Pakistani military commander, Major General Javed Iqbal, was shot in the thigh when his helicopter came under fire near the mountainous village of Nusrat Darra in the Upper Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Accusing ISI of using the Haqqani network to carry out a “proxy war”, US warned Islamabad to cut ties with the terror group and help eliminate its leaders or it will act unilaterally. The US administration has indicated that the US will act unilaterally if Pakistan does not comply, The Washington Post reported.

A US Senate committee voted to make economic and security aid to Pakistan conditional on its cooperation in fighting militants. The Senate committee did not specify any amount for economic aid to Pakistan for fiscal 2012, leaving it up to the Obama administration to set the level and notify Congress or provide nothing at all. If the administration wants to provide zero, that'd be OK with us, said Republican Senator Mark Kirk, one of the more vocal critics of Pakistan on the panel.

Washington has allocated about USD 20 billion for Pakistan over the last decade. In fiscal 2010, Congress approved USD 1.7 billion for economic aid for Pakistan, and USD 2.7 billion in security aid, the Congressional Research Service says.

The US accused the ISI of using the Haqqani network to wage a ‘proxy war’, hardening its criticism of Islamabad’s ties with Taliban-allied factions fighting NATO and Afghan troops in Afghanistan. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that in a discussion with Pakistan’s Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that lasted about four hours, he had pressed Pakistan to break its links with the group.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik claimed that the Haqqani Network is not in Pakistan. “I assured Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller that the Haqqanis are not on the Pakistani side, but if there was any intelligence, which was provided by the US, we would definitely take suitable action,” Rehman Malik said.

September 22

A powerful roadside bomb targeting an anti-TTP militia ripped through a pick-up vehicle in Chamarkand village of Bajaur Agency in FATA, killing at least five persons and inuring another eight. Three of those who died are members of an anti-TTP militia and one is a 10-year-old boy. The fifth one is the driver.

Two persons, including an official of the Khasadar Force, were killed and another was injured in an armed attack on NATO tankers, carrying fuel for NATO and ISAF forces in Afghanistan, at Sheikhwal area of Landikotal in Khyber Agency. 

Unidentified militants ambushed and injured a senior tribal journalist and former Khyber Agency Tribal Union of Journalists president Khalil Khan Afridi in Landikotal town.

A suicide bomber was killed along with two facilitators and two terrorists were arrested after an hour-long search-and-cordon operation by the Army in Malukabad area of Mingora town in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

At least two children were killed and nine others injured in a toy bomb blast in Khipro, a suburban and desert area of the Sanghar District in Sindh.

Sindh Police claimed to have arrested nine persons, including a target killer, during raids at different areas of the metropolis Karachi.

Mauripur Police claimed to have arrested two extortionists from Mauripur Greeks. According to Police, they conducted a raid at Mauripur Greeks and arrested Kamran and Farman, recovering TT pistols from their possession. They said that the accused belonged to an extortionist group and demanded PKR 0.2 million from Abdul Qayyum, an accountant of Keamari town office. 

Police also conducted a raid at Liaquatabad No 4 and arrested Kashif alias Darzi, recovering three Kalashnikovs, two repeaters and two hand grenades from his possession. 

Khawaja Ajmair Nagri and Garden Police arrested five criminals and recovered five TT pistols and several rounds from their possessions.

The Punjab Government placed Malik Ishaq under temporary house detention because of his attempts to stoke Sunni-Shia conflict since his release from prison on July 14. The Punjab Government ordered that Ishaq remain at home for 10 days, said Sohail Chattha, the Police chief in Rahim Yar Khan District from where Ishaq belongs.

The US CJCS Admiral Mike Mullen accused Pakistan of “exporting” violent extremism to Afghanistan by backing militants that attack American and NATO troops. He said ISI was actively supporting Haqqani network militants blamed for an assault on the US embassy in Kabul on September 13. “The Haqqani network, for one, acts as a veritable arm of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency,” Mullen told the US Senate Armed Services Committee.

Reuters quoted two unnamed US officials as saying that the ISI specifically directed, or urged, the Haqqani network to carry out the September 13 attack on the US embassy and a NATO headquarters in Kabul.  

US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said that Pakistani officials had knowledge of illicit money transfers to Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad, following up serious charges by the US ambassador to Islamabad Cameron Munter to the effect that ''there is evidence linking the Haqqani Network to the Pakistan government". 

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik rejected the US allegations that Islamabad had ties with the Haqqani network, saying if they have some kind of proof they must come forward. Pakistan would not tolerate any incursion on its territory by US forces targeting terrorist groups, the interior minister said, calling for Washington to provide the intelligence that Islamabad needs to take them out itself.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that the US risks losing an ally if it continues to publicly criticise Islamabad’s performance in the war against militancy. “You will lose an ally,” Hina Rabbani Khar told a Pakistan-based television network in New York.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta made it clear that it will not allow safe havens for terrorists in Pakistan which are used to launch attacks on American forces, as Washington mulled options to force Islamabad to confront the issue.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told the United Nations that steps had been taken to augment the safety and security of the country’s nuclear installations and materials in order to provide energy in a safe and responsible manner.

September 23

Two missiles fired by a US drone killed six persons in Khushali Turikhel village in Mir Ali tehsil, about 40 kilometres from Miramshah, headquarter of NWA in FATA. Three others were injured. 

Four LI militants were killed in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency after a time device fitted in their vehicle went off. 

NWA Political Moharrar (in-charge), Muhammad Alam who was abducted from Miranshah Bazaar on September 19, was killed and his body was found from Anzar Kalay area.

Three people from the Hazara community were killed and three others, including a child, sustained injuries when a passenger van was attacked by unidentified assailants on Sibi Road in Sayrab area of the provincial capital of Balochistan, Quetta.

A vehicle of FC survived a bomb blast unscathed in the Mian Gundi localities of Saryab area. According to FC spokesman Murtaza Baig, the remote control device was planted on the roadside, which went off when the FC vehicle passed by.

TTP militants shot dead a Police Sub-Inspector when he was on the way to Naguman Police post after recording his statement in a local court at Bakhshi Pul on Charsadda Road in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A Police constable was shot dead at a bus stop in Dera Ismail Khan. Police said two personnel of Eagle Squad were on duty on Tank road near a bus stop when they signalled a suspected motorcyclist to stop for checking, but instead he opened fire on them, injuring one of the constables, Rashid Irfan. 

A suspected militant, Hashim Khan, was arrested while another managed to escape after Dadiwala Police exchanged fire with them in Wanda Gulapa village of Lakki Marwat District. A Kalashnikov, two magazines and 25 bullets were recovered from the arrested suspect.

The LEAs claimed to have detained around 40 suspects, including six target killers, from different parts of provincial metropolis of Sindh, Karachi and recovered huge quantity of weapons from their possession during the surgical operation.

The LEAs put LeJ’s leader Ghulam Rasool Shah under house arrest in his home town Bahawalnagar in the same District of Punjab. Shah is considered a close aide of LeJ leader Malik Ishaq as well as co-accused in some cases of terrorism registered against Ishaq.

Reacting to recent outbursts by top US officials against Pakistan, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the United States should avoid sending ‘wrong messages’ which would affect the bilateral ties between the two counties.

The Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said that the US accusations about ISI running a proxy war and supporting the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network are “very unfortunate and not based on facts”.

General Ashfaq Kayani has not only rejected his allegations of using the Haqqani network for waging a proxy war in Afghanistan but also pointed out that several countries were engaged with the militant group.

The White House urged Pakistan to break any links it has with the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani militant network and to take action to shut down their safe havens along the Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the Haqqani network was responsible for the September 13 attack on the US Embassy in Kabul and other assaults in Afghanistan that have killed American troops.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani asked the Sindh Government to take an across-the-board action against criminals, target killers and extortionists and bring them to justice.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the head of the Haqqani network, during a conversation with Reuters said that the United States will suffer more losses (in North Waziristan) than they suffered in Afghanistan.

September 24

At least 15 militants were killed in a gunfight with the SFs near Kharkai hills, in the Lower Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A key ‘commander’ of the TTP, identified as Jamal Din alias Jannat Gul alias Qari Abdul Basit, was killed in an exchange of fire with the Police in Tarkhel in Akora Khattak in Nowshera District.

SFs killed 14 militants and neutralised two of their hideouts during operations in Orakzai and Khyber Agencies in FATA. According to sources, SFs bombed the suspected hideouts of militants in Dabori, Alikhel, Mamozai and Mullakhel areas of Orakzai agency with jet planes. During the operation at least 10 militants were killed while two hideouts were also neutralised.

In Tirah valley of Khyber Agency, SFs pounded suspected hideouts of terrorists with heavy artillery fire, killing at least four militants. The areas targeted by the SFs were considered to be strongholds of terrorists.

The Pakistan Rangers recovered a cache of arms buried in an open plot in Surjani Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Five AK-47 assault rifles, five shotguns, three light machineguns, over a dozen pistols, around 3,000 bullets and some 50 hand-grenades were recovered during the raid.

The CID of Police in Karachi arrested a TTP ‘commander’, identified as Masood al Rehman Mehsud, in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, along with a suicide jacket and a Kalashnikov in his possession. The accused Rehman Mehsud is a native of Sararogha region in South Waziristan, where he was made the TTP ‘commander’.

A 12-year-old Afghan boy was caught red-handed while planting a bomb inside an Imambargah Nichari by people in the Alamdar Road area in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that confusion prevailed within the US establishment on the way forward in Afghanistan. Rejecting the assertions of complicity with the Haqqanis or of proxy war, the Prime Minister said that it would only benefit the enemies of peace.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that Pakistan itself has the capability to launch an offensive against terrorists. The Interior Minister said that Pakistan will not tolerate any foreign intervention on its soil.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that the United States must not make someone a scapegoat if its goals are not achieved. There are red lines and rules of engagement with America, which should not be broken, she told a private TV channel in New York. The Foreign Minister warned the United States against sending ground troops to fight an Afghan militant group blamed for attacks in Afghanistan.

Khar also made a strong plea for resolving the two “oldest unresolved disputes on the UN agenda “Kashmir and Palestine to enable the struggling peoples of those lands exercise their right to self-determination.” “We are meeting here at a time when the Palestinian aspirations for a national homeland appear to be entering a decisive phase,” she said.

COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani discussed military relations with top US military commander General James Mattis and demanded a joint investigation into cross-border attacks on Pakistan from Afghanistan, a private TV channel reported.

Poverty and fear of the TTP have forced most girls in the FATA into joining seminaries, says a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report. The report compiled by HRCP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter for the year 2009-10 and seen by Dawn discussed the status of women rights and problems in the restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

According to the report, militancy has led to closure of primary, community and Maktab schools in FATA. It said the disaster management body and directorate of education Fata put the number of educational institutions blown up in tribal areas by the TTP at 440 but the Government had the record of only 330 of them. It added that rehabilitation or reconstruction of the damaged educational institutions had yet to be begun due to lack of access to the conflict-hit areas they were located in.

Declaring health facilities for women the second most militancy-affected sector in tribal areas, the HRCP report said almost 80 hospitals were hit by the TTP militancy and military operations against them.

September 25

At least two militants were killed when SFs repulsed an attack on an Army convoy at Malikdin area of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in. Three vehicles of the SFs were also damaged, but no loss of life was reported.

A boy was killed when a stray mortar shell hit the house of Khawas Khan in Malak Dinkhel area of Bara. The shell hit the house of Khawas Khan killing his grandson on the spot.

Two persons suffered minor injuries as a time device fitted with a NATO container exploded in Torkham border checking point. 

The LEAs continued the surgical operation in various localities of Karachi, including Lyari, held 150 suspects, recovered huge cache of weapons and found two torture cells.

In a raid in Lyari, they cordoned off Gul Muhammad Lane, Nayabad, Slaughter Yard, Singo Lane, Shah Baig Lane, Chakiwara, Kalakot and other areas. Sources said the law enforcers also held Zafar Baloch leader of Aman Committee but released him within couple of hours. However, Rangers did not confirm his arrest.

Rangers also picked up over 130 suspects but released many of them except 17 alleged terrorists including Rashid Rekha, Mullah Nisar, Saeed, Rashid alias Tension, Asif and Hanif. The sources also confirmed that Rangers recovered three dungeons where people were brought for tortures and killing. The two were recovered from Gul Muhammad Lane and one from Nayabad while Rangers was yet to confirm the recovery of dungeons.

The LEAs also seized cameras installed in various locations and mobile jamming devices. Rangers claimed to have recovered a huge cache of weapons, including licensed weapons. The illegal weapons recovered were rocket launchers, SMGs, hand grenades, kalashnikovs and other sophisticated weapons.

Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) of Islamabad Police foiled an attempt to smuggle a cache of weapons and recovered six mini machine guns, 14 kalashnikovs, four 12 bore pump action, one 12 bore double barrel, one sniper rifle and over 30,000 rounds from a vehicle near motorway inter-change of Islamabad.

The Chief of LI, Mangal Bagh, said that officials working to register voters and conduct a census in Khyber Agency will be ‘sentenced to death’ unless they immediately halt their activities. “We will continue opposing Government policies unless the Government or its advisers begin talks with us,” Bagh said, in an address broadcast on his private FM radio channel in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Afghan defence officials warned Pakistan to stop firing rockets and heavy artillery into northeast of the country or the military will respond with force. Pakistani Security Forces have fired 300 rockets into Kunar and Nuristan provinces during the past five days forcing hundreds to flee their homes, the Afghan officials alleged. Afghan Interior Ministry Spokesman Siddiq Siddiqui did not specify who was behind the cross-border shelling but added: “We call on Pakistan, whoever is behind the attacks, to prevent it immediately.”

The CIA created the Haqqani network and trained its members, not Pakistan, Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said. “We will fight the terrorists as our forces are capable of handling them and countering any challenge,” Malik said, adding that it was evident from combating terrorists in Swat and other troubled areas that the law enforcement agencies were making sincere efforts to root out the menace of terrorism.

Pakistan, which used every "legal and illegal" means to go nuclear, shared its secret atomic technology and equipment with countries like Iran and Libya, says an undated ISI report obtained and released by the Fox News, based on Nuclear scientist A Q Khan's questioning, which was circulated among western intelligence agencies. "It is most unfortunate that these things (transfer of nuclear technology) happened due to the peculiar nature of the circumstances and loose arrangements in those early days and because of the personal obligations of previous governments to these countries," says the undated ISI report.

September 26

A woman was killed when a stray mortar shell fell on a house in Star Kaley village of Shalobar area in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency FATA.

A large number of security personnel have been deployed at the mountain tops in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency after continued cross-border shelling from Afghanistan into different areas of Bajaur Agency.

At least 11 personnel of FC were injured in an explosion near FC check post in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan

Unidentified militants blew up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline near Pir Koh disrupting gas supply from wells to purification plant.

Sindh Police arrested 14 people, including ten target killers, along with their weapons during raids in several areas of Karachi.

Pakistan’s Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani scrapped a visit to London as Islamabad refused to bow to mounting US demands for action against al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network holed up in the North Waziristan Agency.

A public acknowledgement by the Army’s chief spokesman Major General Athar Abbas about Pakistan having contact with the Haqqanis also appears to confirm that the security establishment has no intention to go after one of the most feared Afghan insurgent groups.

Even though the Haqqani network is yet to be declared as a foreign terrorist organization, the US has slapped sanctions against several of its leaders, an Obama administration official said

Chinese Vice-Prime Minister Meng Jianzhu said that China stood by Pakistan and reaffirmed his country’s support in fight against militancy and promotion of regional peace and stability.

September 27

A US drone missile strike killed at least three militants in Wana of South Waziristan Agency of FATA.

One Afghan militant, identified as Noorullah Nooristani, was killed by Amaan (peace) Lashkar (tribal militia) at Mandal areas of Bajaur Agency in FATA while three others escaped towards Afghanistan.

Two people, including a child, were killed when an explosive device went off at their house in Jawar area of Buner in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Three NATO oil tankers and a container were set ablaze by unidentified militants in Dhast area of Mastung District in Balochistan

American congressmen were presented with a bill called the “Pakistan Accountability Act”, introduced by Congressman Ted Poe from Texas, “This legislation will freeze all US aid to Pakistan with the exception of funds that are designated to help secure nuclear weapons,” says a transcript available on the Congressman’s website.

China categorically extended full support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and vowed to work with it for progress and peace in the region and the world    

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that Pakistan would attack and remove Chinese militants hiding in tribal areas.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani warned the US to stop accusing it of playing a double game with militants, and said Washington must correct a perceived tilt towards arch-foe India.

The Afghan Taliban attacked US allegations that Pakistan supported the Haqqani network as a plot to undermine the militant unity.

Hundreds of tribesmen threatened the US with “holy war”, lashing out at demands for action against al Qaeda-linked Haqqani Network based in Pakistan.

The Senate’s Standing Committee on Defense said that the US will never dare to attack Pakistan however Pakistan is fully capable to retaliate if ever necessary.

The US rejected reports of disagreement among US officials in Pentagon over Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan. A Pentagon spokesman said Defence Secretary Leon Panetta endorsed the view of Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who told senators last week that Haqqani militants targeting NATO forces were a “veritable arm” of Pakistan’s main intelligence agency.

September 28

Two employees of oil and Gas Company, including an official Jameel Hussain and Ijaz Ali, and a trooper were killed as Baloch militants opened indiscriminate fire on the place where employees were engaged in exploring oil and gas at Sharag in Harnai District of Balochistan. Five others sustained bullet wounds in the shooting incident.

Advocate Abdul Salam, former President of the BNP in Khuzdar District of Balochistan was shot dead and his daughter sustained injures near the Government Model High School at Khuzdar.

A Policeman was killed and three others wounded when unidentified assailants opened fire on a patrolling vehicle of Khazana Police Station in Peshawar District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police claimed to have foiled a terror bid in Peshawar by seizing an explosive laden vehicle.

A low-intensity time device, installed in a lunch box, hanging along the handle of a bike exploded close to a local university in B-Block area of Faisal Town in Lahore District of Punjab.

Police said authorities arrested an employee of the finance ministry on suspicion of links to terrorist groups. The suspect, identified as Sardar Ali Khattak, was on a hilltop near President Asif Ali Zardari’s residence in Islamabad when arrested.

The LeJ founder Malik Ishaq who was released last month after spending 14 years in prison has been re-arrested after making inflammatory speeches against the country’s Shia minority.

US officials imposed financial sanctions on two leaders of Pakistan-based LeT. The US Treasury Department named Zafar Iqbal and Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, leaders and founding members of LeT, a group on the US terrorist list since 2001.

Mike Mullen stood by his criticism saying he could not tolerate casualties caused by militants backed by Pakistan. “I’m losing people, and I’m just not going to stand for that,” said the admiral.

On the directives of the Federal Ministry for Interior, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) extended the deadline for the computerization of arms licenses to October 31.

The abducted gunman of the MNA, Mohammad Raja, in FATA, Munir Orakzai, was found dead in Kurram Agency of FATA.

A trooper was injured when a convoy was attacked with a remote controlled bomb in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA

A local TTP militant ‘commander’ Tehsil Khan and his associates narrowly escaped a roadside blast in the Shakai area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

NATO and Afghan army reportedly targeted bunkers of Security Forces with heavy weapons near Angoor Adda from Macha Dad Kor area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

In Zawa area of Akkakhel in Khyber Agency of FATA, local tribal lashkar set ablaze the houses of six suspects, including a local ‘commander’ of LI.

In Landi Kotal, Khasadars defused an explosive device planted along the main Landi Kotal-Torkham Road in FATA

In Jamrud, troopers seized 15 kilograms heroin from an Afghan national at Bhagiyarhi check post.

A cleaner received bullet injuries when about 12 unidentified militants fired in all directions to scare away khasadars and personnel of Khyber Rifles after they set ablaze a NATO container at Torkham border in Khyber Agency in FATA.

Owners demolished their shops and restaurants in Torkham after expiry of the deadline set for them by political administration.

A US newspaper alleged that Pakistan was involved in an attack on US soldiers in 2007 on the border with Afghanistan. The attack resulted in the death of a US major and injured three other American soldiers, along with an Afghan interpreter.

Support is growing in the US Congress for expanding American military action in Pakistan beyond drone strikes already used to target militants in Pakistani territory, said Senator Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican senator in US.

Islamabad will have to understand that Haqqani Network is not only a threat to America but Pakistan too, US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Grossman said. Emphasizing that Haqqanis are a common adversary, Grossman added that Pak-US amity would endure.

The US government is in its "final" review on whether to blacklist the Haqqani network, which it blames for deadly attacks in Afghanistan, as a terror group, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

September 29

A wagon driver, identified as Mumtaz, was shot dead in at Karkhano Market in Peshawar.

An unidentified body of a 26-year-old man was recovered from a local canal at Fatoha Abdur Rahima in limits of Chamkani Police Station in Peshawar.

One person, identified as Haider Ali, was shot at and injured by unidentified armed men at a bus stand on Jamrud road in KP

An official of Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was killed when a bomb exploded in Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District

A blast ripped through the top floor of a hotel building in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, injuring at least six people late.

Beheaded body of a young man was found at a deserted place in Chora locality of Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA.           

In Sheikhan Kallay of Bara tehsil, unidentified persons blew up a tube well.

Khasadars Force defused a bomb planted in a NATO tanker in Ali Masjid area of the Agency.

MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed was released in Karachi.

US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on five individuals it said are linked to “the most dangerous terrorist organisations operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

The ISI chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha denied US accusations that the country supports an Afghan militant group blamed for an attack on the American embassy in Kabul.

Pakistan has freed a senior al Qaeda ‘commander’, who served as a bodyguard to Osama bin Laden, according to a senior security source, raising fresh questions about the country’s commitment to tackling terrorism.

The Inquiry Commission on Abbottabad Operation conducted interviews of the officers from the civil administration and local police in Abbottabad.

Pakistan’s counter-terrorism measures have failed to yield results in 2011 with insurgent activities gaining ground and operational situation facing the military there continuing to deteriorate, said US President Barack Obama to the Congress in an unclassified report.

US State Department said that US was single-mindedly bent on dealing a decisive blow to Haqqani Network before anything else.

September 30

A US drone strike killed three TTP militants at Baghar village of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

Suspected militants abducted at least 34 coal miners from Kalakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. Both Kalakhel and Adamkhel are strongholds of the TTP affiliated to the Tariq Afridi group. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.  

Three persons including two SF personnel were shot dead in Kalat District of Balochistan.

At least six people were injured in an attack by militants on Quetta Express passenger train in Jaffarabad District of Balochistan.

The Balochistan Union of Journalists staged a demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club to protest threats to media persons from militants and other pressure groups.

The SFs foiled a sabotage attempt and recovered a 30 kilogram bomb and 15 kilogram explosive powder during a search operation near Gomal in Tank District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

An ATC awarded death penalty to Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri.

US President Barack Obama said Pakistan’s relationship to the Haqqani network is unclear, but he urged Islamabad to curb any active or passive support for that Taliban faction.

The US and Pakistan have been bickering publicly during the last week after outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said a violent Taliban faction was a ‘veritable arm’ of the Pakistani spy service.

The top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen, as he stepped down from his post said that there can be no solution to the conflict in Afghanistan without Pakistan.

NATO’s chief piled pressure on Pakistan to step up the fight against “terrorists” enjoying safe havens in the border region with Afghanistan. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called for a “positive engagement” from Islamabad to ensure stability in Afghanistan.

October 1

SFs arrested 50 suspected militants during a search operation in Mandal area of Salarzai tehsil in Bajaur Agency of FATA. The SFs also seized huge cache of arms during the search operation.

October 2

Four Policemen were killed and 15 others injured in a bomb blast on their convoy in Torghar District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

An assistant sub-inspector in IB, Arshad Ghayas, was shot dead by unidentified militants at Mohallah Ismailkhel in Sheikh Jana area of Swabi District in KP.

At least six mobile phone shops were damaged in a blast in Maidan area of Lower Dir District of KP.

In Khyber Agency, two NATO containers were partially damaged when suspected militants targeted them at two different locations on the main Peshawar-Torkham Highway.

At least three stray mortar shells fell on a steal factory in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil in FATA

In Jamrud tehsil of FATA, Khasadar Force seized huge quantity of explosive material at the Takhta Beg check post from a vehicle, coming from Shahkas area. 

Three suspects were arrested from Katti Pahari area in Karachi during a search operation.

Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed assassin of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, was sentenced to death on two counts for murder and terrorism by a Rawalpindi ATC in Punjab.

The killer of the former Afghan President and the Chairman of the Hamid Karazai’s High Peace Council Burhanuddin Rabbani was a Pakistani, a statement from Afghanistan’s Presidential palace said.

Rejecting the earlier allegation levelled by the Afghan Interior Minister Bismillah Mohammadi about ISI involvement in the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, Pakistan indicated that Afghan security agencies might be involved in this and other such killings. 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the Pakistanis have a point when they say that Pakistan alone did not create the Haqqani Network. A  transcript released by the State Department, quoted Clinton as saying that the US relationship with Pakistan was critical to the ongoing stability and peace of the region, as well as the fight against terrorism. 

Referring to Admiral Mullen’s Senate testimony in which he blamed the ISI for encouraging the Haqqani Network for attacking US targets in Afghanistan, Secretary Hillary Clinton emphasised the need to look at the issue from a historical perspective, noting that in the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan, the US Government, CIA funded jihadis like the Haqqanis “to cross the border or to, within Afghanistan, be part of the fight to drive the Soviets out and bring down the Soviet Union”.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the Government was committed to bring peace through dialogue with TTP in FATA.

Regarding the Pakistan-US ties, Gilani said that Pakistan must adopt a moderate approach in its relations with Afghanistan and the US.

Former President Pervez Musharraf accused the US of using Pakistan as a scapegoat for its failure in Afghanistan.

October 3

A schoolteacher, identified as Rehmatullah, was shot dead and a passer-by woman was injured in Khuzdar District of Balochistan.  

A militant, identified as Noko, was shot dead and his two accomplices were arrested during an exchange of fire with Levies personnel who were on a routine patrol in Awaran District of Balochistan.

Eight militants were killed and three injured in a clash with SFs in Dabori area of upper Orakzai Agency in FATA.  

Eight aid workers belonging to a US NGO, who were abducted while returning from an Afghan refugee camp on July 18, 2011 from Surkhab area of Pishin District in Balochistan were released by the TTP in Wana town of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

A 12 year old girl, identified as Fanyaz Bibi, was killed when a mortar bomb exploded in her hands at Lachi tehsil in Kohat District of KP.

The BDS defused a rocket shell, RPG-7 rocket, in the old bus stand area placed by unidentified militants in the busy area of Kohat city.

A tortured body of a man, identified as Moin, was recovered from a grave located at Dir Colony, North Nazimabad in the remits of Sharah-e-Noor Jehan Police Station in Karachi.

The LEAs claimed to have arrested 39 suspects and recovered weapons in raids that were carried out at several areas of Karachi. Pakistan Rangers, also claimed to have arrested at least 22 suspects, including political workers and Lyari gangsters.  

At least 38 weapons, including Kalashnikovs, repeaters, short guns and pistols, as well as 2,000 rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the raids and operation in Karachi.

Pakistan is a major source of makeshift bombs being used by terrorists in Afghanistan, a media report of The USA Today said. "From June 2011 through August 2011, US troops detected or were hit by 5,088 IEDs, the most for any three-month period since the war began in 2001," the report said.  

The TTP welcomed the Government’s offer for peace talks with all insurgent groups. “The TTP welcomes the Prime Minister’s offer,” Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, TTP’s Deputy Commander and Commander-in-Chief in Bajaur Agency of FATA said.

A TTP commander, Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, said that his group will not blindly support Pakistan in the event of an attack by the US.

Pakistan rejected allegations from Afghan officials that its Intelligence Agency masterminded the September 20, 2011 assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, the former President of Afghanistan and Kabul’s chief peace negotiator with the Taliban.

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security reiterated that there would be no compromise on country’s sovereignty and warned US that its intervention will not be tolerated.

Maulana Abdul Khaliq Haqqani, a TTP ‘commander’ of North Waziristan Agency in FATA warned that he will send suicide bombers to target top officials of a state-run power utility if electricity is not restored in the area in 48 hours.

October 4

One soldier, identified as Azizullah, was killed when a missile hit a security check post in Mazak area of Tiarza tehsil in South Waziristan Agency of FATA.

A group of masked militants set ablaze Pakistan Hotel near Gomal Zam Project site near Kajori area in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

In Khyber Agency of FATA, unidentified militants targeted two NATO containers with remote controlled bombs, planted at roadside in Jamrud tehsil.

At least 12 people of Hazara community were killed and seven seriously injured after unknown militants fired indiscriminately at a bus in Akhtarabad area of Quetta in Balochistan. The death toll of the sectarian attack on the Hazara community rose to 14.

Unknown armed militants set ablaze an oil tanker near Bolan District.

A Government school for girls was blown up in Benai Baba area of Shangla District on October 4, reports Dawn. The locals said that it was the first incident of its kind in the District and demanded early reconstruction of the school.

The Pakistani judge of the ATC, Parvez Ali Shah, who awarded the death sentence to Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer is reported to have gone on indefinite leave since October 1 after lawyers attacked his courtroom and a spate of protests and death threats.

Afghanistan accused Pakistan of refusing to cooperate with investigations into the September 20, 2011 killing of Kabul Government peace envoy and former Afghanistan President Burhanuddin Rabbani.

The US linked the resumption of military aid to Pakistan with the latter’s ‘cooperation’ in the war on terror.

ISPR Director-General Major-General Athar Abbas also confirmed that the US had suspended military assistance to Pakistan, but had not conveyed it in black and white.

President Asif Ali Zardari, said that Pakistan had been paying the heaviest price in the war against terrorism and was determined to pursue the struggle till its logical conclusion.

October 5

Militants on a motorbike opened fire at officials of the traffic Police on Joint Road in Balochistan killing two Police officials and two passers-by.

Two suspected militants were killed in a clash with volunteers of a Local Peace Committee in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

The US used “local (Pakistani) contacts” to reach the Haqqani network in North Waziristan Agency of FATA for peace talks, a senior official said.

Unidentified militants blew up two Government girls’ schools with explosive devices in Shamozai area of Mardan District of KP.

US officials had secretly met with leaders of the Haqqani network this summer, the Wall Street Journal reported.

President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated that it was shared responsibility of international community to assist Pakistan in its fight against militants as this ‘Frankenstein’ was once created by the world to meet objective of defeating the rival ideology.

The MQM rejoined the Federal and Provincial Governments and decided to help the PPP solve the many problems that ail the country.

October 6

Four people, including an activist of MQM, were killed in separate acts of violence in different parts of Karachi. An activist of MQM, identified as Kamran, was shot dead at the main bazaar of PIB Colony. A dumper-truck driver, identified as Noor Ali Khan, was shot dead in Sultanabad. Separately, Police found an unidentified dead body of a man from Old Golimar within the jurisdiction of Pak Colony Police Station. An activist of ST, identified as Zubair Zaheer Qureshi, was killed in Samanabad area.

At least eight suspects, including two target killers, were arrested in separate raids in Karachi.

Unknown militants sent two text messages to the staffers of two separate girls’ schools located in Landhi area which resulted in panic among the children and school administration.

Two unidentified persons were killed and another sustained injuries in a landmine explosion at Pehlawagh area in Dera Bugti District.

Separately, two bullet-riddled dead bodies of Baloch missing persons, identified as Arafat and Abdul Karim, were found in Murghab area of Turbat District in Balochistan.

In Turbat District, unidentified militants fired a rocket targeting Mand town.

A bomb exploded at a CD shop situated in Pir Sabaq area of Quetta damaging the building. However, no loss of life was reported.

Four militants, including a commander, were killed in two different incidents in Khyber Agency of FATA.  SFs claimed that LI commander Wahid Afridi and his bodyguard Abid were killed while two other militants were injured. 

In Talo Kunj village of Kurram Agency, an Afghan national was killed and another injured when armed militants attacked a car going to Afghanistan.

SFs foiled a terror bid by defusing explosive device placed behind a student hostel at Landikotal College in Khyber Agency.

At least two SF were injured when bomb exploded outside an NGO office in Muslimabad area of Kohat District of KP.

Pakistan will extend its "full political, moral and diplomatic support" to Kashmiri people, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said underlining the need to resolve the Kashmir issue through negotiations.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that the army had made all arrangements to counter any terrorist attack from across the Afghan border.

US President Barack Obama accused Pakistan of hedging its bets on Afghanistan’s future and warned there were “some connections” between its intelligence services and extremists.

A five-member special bench of the Supreme Court noted that the Government had failed to protect life and property of the citizens in Karachi.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai condemned Pakistan's "double game" on terrorism in Afghanistan. Karzai nonetheless restated the view that negotiations had to go through Pakistan in order to get to the Taliban.

Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf charged that archrival India seeks to "create an anti-Pakistan Afghanistan" as part of a bid to dominate South Asia politically and economically.

Pakistan urged the Afghan authorities to demonstrate responsibility in the complex situation in the region.  “At this defining stage when challenges have multiplied, as have the opportunities, it is our expectation that everyone, especially those in position of authority in Afghanistan, will demonstrate maturity and responsibility. This is no time for point-scoring, playing politics or grandstanding,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said.

Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, the assassin of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer filed an appeal against his death sentence.

October 7

A Government officer was shot dead while his son sustained injuries on Kasi Road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

The IG of Balochistan FC, Major General Obaidullah Khattak, stressed the need for clearing the provincial capital of illicit weapons and registering Afghan refugees and unregistered vehicles.

Police found an unidentified dead body of a young man packed in a gunny bag in Lea Market area within the limits of Nippier Police Station in Karachi.

Crime Branch Police claimed to have arrested a target killer, identified as Naveedur Rehman alias Salar, from Orangi Town in Karachi and recovered a TT pistol from his possession.

ATC-II confirmed interim bail of Muhammad Ibrahim, an accused allegedly involved in an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team on March 3, 2009 at Liberty Chowk in Lahore.

Thousands of people protested across the country against the death sentence handed out to Malik Mumtaz Qadri for the January 4, 2011 murder of former Punjab Governor Slaman Taseer. The rallies were organised by several groups, including JeI, Jama’at-e-Ahle Sunnat and Jama’at-e-Ahl-e-Hadith.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that Taliban “can’t move a finger” without Pakistan’s support. Definitely, the Taliban will not be able to move a finger without Pakistani support,” he said, without specifying if he meant the army, the civilian Government, the feared ISI, or another part of the state.   

PML-N President and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the Government should ban all such political parties who have militant wings and send references against them to the SC.

U.S and Pakistan are working jointly to defeat the menace of terrorism, State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland said.

U.S and Pakistan officials said that ISI has stepped up co-operation with the CIA to hunt al Qaeda, despite string of public criticism by the US officials.

IG of Balochistan FC Major General Obaidullah Khattak alleged that India was using Afghan territory to carry out terrorist attacks in Balochistan.

October 8

SFs during a search operation killed four militants in Charbagh, Mangaltan areas of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Police claimed to have rescued a three-year-old boy, identified as Usman, who was abducted from Alif Khan Kallay area of Mardan District on October 3, 2011 and arrested the alleged abductors.

Police also claimed to have recovered a large number of explosives in two different actions in the limits of Matani Police Station in Peshawar.

Police arrested two alleged militants of TTP in Islamabad. Police also recovered huge cache of deadly weapons from them.

Two bullet-riddled dead bodies were found near Alam Godar in Khyber Agency in FATA. 

A woman and a child were injured when militants fired rockets at residential area of Ara Khel in the Frontier Region of Kohat (FATA)

A NATO tanker carrying fuel for NATO forces in Afghanistan was blown up near Landi Kotal town in Khyber Agency (FATA)

Two leaders of the ANP, identified as Jamal Khan and Khan Zaman, were killed outside the party office, while another activist was injured in Sachal area of Karachi.

October 9

Hundreds of militants from Afghanistan side entered the Barawal area of Upper Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and attacked the Kakar check post killing one soldier. SFs retaliated immediately and at least 15 militants were killed.

Bodies of two unidentified young men stuffed in sacks were found in a village in Maidan area of Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A Policeman, identified as Afsar Khan, was killed when unidentified militants fired three rockets at the residence of the DPO Sajjad Khan in Bannu District.

Four bullet-riddled dead bodies of Baloch missing persons, including that of an activist of Baloch Watan Movement (BWM), were found in Bhagbana tehsil of Khuzdar District, and Kulanch area of Pasni District in Balochistan.

Unidentified armed militants shot dead two men in different incidents in Quetta.

A landmine placed near the tubewell of a tribal elder, Nawab Khan, exploded when a vehicle ran over it in Kohlu District of Balochistan killing Jumma Khan and injuring four children.  

Two security personnel, identified as Qasim Khan and Dildar Ali, were injured seriously when their tractor trolley ran over a landmine in the Barkhan Distict of Balochistan

Another security man, identified as Doctor Khan, was injured in a blast which took place in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan  

Unidentified armed militants set ablaze two NATO oil tankers on the National Highway near Bala Nari area of Bolan District in Balochistan.

Two men, identified as, Haji Akram Sajdi and Ali Zehri, have been missing from Balochistan province for the past three days.

A leader of the Karachi Goods Carrier Association (KGCA), identified as Ghulam Ali, was shot dead in an act of target killing near Gulbai Chowrangi in SITE area of Karachi. 

Rangers, Police and FC detained over 60 suspects involved in unrest in the city but released most of them after initial course of interrogation.  

Rangers during search operation in various areas arrested three alleged target killers and handed over to Police. Police also carried out search operation in various areas of the metropolis arresting six suspects and recovered weapons from their possession.

After about three years, rival factions again signed a peace agreement here to restore peace in Kurram Agency of FATA after the Government promised to provide security on the main highway in the region. 

Three persons, including two Security personnel, were abducted by unidentified militants from the Thall-Parachinar road in Kurram Agency of FATA.

US officials support Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s call for engaging the Taliban through Pakistan.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman underlined the need for Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US to work together against terrorism.

JeI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch said a humiliating defeat was awaiting the US in Afghanistan.

October 7

One web editor of The London Post, identified as, Faisal Qureshi, was found dead at his family house in Johar town in Lahore District of Punjab.

October 10

Unidentified militants shot dead two former members of a peace committee of the Mehsud tribe, identified as Hayatullah and Zakirullah, in Chadrarh village of Tank District of KP.

Two more bullet-riddled dead bodies of Baloch Missing Persons, including that of a BNM official, were found from Arbab Complex area of Khuzdar District of Balochistan. As many as 204 bullet-riddled and mutilated bodies of missing persons have so far been found in different parts of Balochistan during the last 14 months.

ATC remanded five alleged terrorists of TTP to Police for seven days. The accused were arrested for possessing huge cache of arms with intent of terrorism in Islamabad.

Elsewhere in the District, Police claimed to have arrested a wanted terrorist, identified as Qari Inayat, from sector G-6/1 in Islamabad and recovered four hand grenades from his possession.

Former LHC Chief Justice Khawaja Sharif will defend Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer in court on October 11. Qadri’s trial has remained a controversial one, with violent protests being taken out across Pakistan against the verdict.

A blast on the Torkham-Landikotal Bypass Road in Khyber Agency of FATA destroyed a vehicle and two military jeeps carrying oil for NATO forces in Afghanistan. A local militant group, Abullah Ezzam Brigade (AEB), claimed responsibility for the blast and said they would continue attacking vehicles with NATO supplies in the area.

The TTP sent out a second feeler sounding its willingness to accept the Government's offer for talks with “militant groups” albeit with countries like Saudi Arabia playing the role of mediator. TTP commander Maulvi Waliur Rehman Mehsud said, “Our shura [council] will decide whether and when can we enter into talks with the Government, with the military…but I think we will like to involve countries we trust… they are in the Arab world. Let's say Saudi Arabia.”

The Government imposed a ban on People’s Amn Committee (PAC), a day after Sindh’s former Home Minister Zulfikar Mirza announced to revive its activities. The committee has often been blamed for being linked to criminal gangs operating in Karachi’s old areas, including Lyari.

MQM-H chairman Afaq Ahmed was charged in a case of abduction and torture along with three of his party activists, including Raees Topi, Yameen alias Hakla and Ejaz Babu, at Landhi Police Station in Karachi.

Saeedabad Police seized at least five Russian hand grenades dumped in a drain in Dawood Goth, in Baldia Town of Karachi.

October 11

SFs shot dead another 11 militants and injured many others when Afghan Taliban militants armed with rocket launchers resorted to cross border attack from Afghanistan on checkpoints in areas of Laghar and Sparko Dab, close to the Pak-Afghan border in Upper Dir District of KP.

An explosive device exploded outside the house of transporter Javed Khan in Lakki Marwat District of KP. However, no casualties were reported.

A number of items, being transferred to NATO forces in Afghanistan were recovered from a warehouse in Peshawar. The Federal Board of Revenue said that Customs Collectorate Quetta had reported that many NATO containers were found missing from the official record.

Two people were killed when militants torched an oil tanker carrying fuel for NATO troops in Afghanistan in the Dasht area of Mastung District of Balochistan. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but the TTP has in the past said it carried out similar attacks.

KP Governor Masood Kausar escaped a missile attack while six persons were injured in Orakzai Agency of FATA when suspected militants fired rockets on a jirga.

A bus of Cadet College in Wana town of South Waziristan Agency hit an explosive device planted on the Wana Bypass Road, injuring the driver, identified as Hazratullah and two Security Officials, Mohammad Ali and Khalid.

The LEAs claimed to have arrested 10 more suspects from different areas of Karachi and also recovered weapons from their possessions.

New Karachi Industrial Area Police claimed to have arrested an extortionist namely Tariq Ejaz and recovered a TT pistol from his possession. Police said that the accused was involved in several cases of extortion and belonged to a religious political party.

Rangers also conducted raids in several areas of Lyari, including Nayabad, Mama Hotel, Kalri and Daryaabad on a tip off indicating that Wasi Ullah Lakho was present in the area and detained seven suspects.

Pakistan Sindh Rangers, conducted raids in Saddar Bohri Bazaar and Banaras areas and arrested a suspect besides recovering 17 different weapons and more than 1,400 bullets from different locations.

The IHC on October 11 stayed the execution of Mumtaz Qadri who was convicted of killing former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.

Judge and Judicial Magistrate Malik Naeem Shoukat remanded an alleged terrorist, Qari Inayat, of TTP for three days in Police custody. Inayat is an activist of Qari Shakeel group based in Muhammad Agency in the FATA that is believed to be an offshoot of the TTP. Shakeel is a vice commander of TTP in the agency and had been planning terror attack in Islamabad.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the prosperity of Balochistan was linked to peace, and asked the militants to shun violence and work for the progress of Pakistan. Gilani said that the Government wanted reconciliation and was still ready to hold talks with dissident Baloch brethren to find out an amicable solution to the issues of Balochistan.

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the US is waging 'war' in Pakistan against militants. CIA Director pointed to a "complicated relationship" between Washington and Islamabad.

Senior leaders of the PAC planned to challenge in court the Government’s decision to ban it in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. “The move to ban PAC is nothing but succumbing to the blackmail tactics of the PPPs coalition partner,” alleged senior PAC member Zafar Baloch. The Amn Committee now joins the list of organisations that despite being banned continue to operate in the city under different names.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the US remains open to exploring a peace deal, including the Haqqani Network, the militant group that US officials blame for a campaign of high-profile violence that could jeopardise Washington’s plans for withdrawing smoothly from Afghanistan.

October 12

In Ziarat Khazena area of Mohmand Agency in FATA a child was killed and two others were injured after a mortar shell exploded.

Three people, including son of a Police constable, were killed in target killing incidents in Karachi. Two people, including son of a Police constable, were shot dead and another person was injured in Mewashah Road area within the limits of Chakiwara Police Station. A man, identified as Javed, was shot dead near the Telephone Exchange within the limits of Quaidabad Police Station.

Five alleged target killers and an alleged member of the gang war were arrested during separate raids in different parts of Karachi. AEC of the CID claimed to have arrested two alleged target killers, identified as Obaid Khan, alias Burst and Tariq Mustafa alias Arif Burger from a graveyard in Islamia Colony, Orangi Town within the jurisdiction of Pirabad Police Station and also recovered one Kalashnikov and two 9mm pistols from their possessions.

Clifton Police claimed to have arrested at least two alleged target killers allegedly involved in several cases of target killings. The suspects were identified as Daniyal and Faisal Ansari and were arrested from Zamzama area.

An official of FATA Secretariat, identified as Javaid Akhtar, was shot dead by unknown assailants when he was driving his car in Hayatabad area of Peshawar.

Militants from Mohmand Agency in the FATA fired rockets and mortars on the Saro Kalli Police Station in Shabqadar area of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Darra Adamkhel area of KP, militants attacked residential parts with mortar shells injuring four members of a family, including two children.

A journalist, Rehmatullah Khan Derpakhel, abducted by suspected militants on August 11, 2011 was set free after a deal was struck between the abductors and a jirga in Miranshah (FATA).

Saranan Police arrested two suspects, identified as Pir Muhammad and Abdul Wahab, and recovered a NATO oil tanker from their possession in Qila Abdullah District of Balochistan.

A division bench of the BHC sought the issuance of arrest warrants of former President Pervez Musharraf and other co-accused nominated in the August 26, 2006 murder case of the former Balochistan Governor Nawab Akbar Bugti.

The daylight raids and the subsequent attacks are carried out by the “Black Night” group, a unit of the TTP dedicated to raising funds through robberies, kidnappings and extortion, according to a cadre of the outfit and Intelligence Officers. Mohammed Yusuf, a cadre of the TTP who met an AP reporter in Karachi, said two groups - the al-Mansoor and al-Mukhtar handle much of the fundraising for the movement in the city.

MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that the MQM has “no problem” in supporting former President Pervez Musharraf by not running a candidate against him in Karachi for the 2013 elections. Sattar warned that a civil war-like situation was being conspired in Karachi to benefit a criminal nexus including an ‘underworld syndicate’ that had links with extremist element such as the TTP who have entered Karachi from Swat and Malakand Districts of KP, and South Waziristan Agency of FATA.

KP Senior Minister and ANP leader Bashir Ahmad Bilour regretted the repeated demands by head of certain political party for holding negotiations with the TTP and said that such statements could be given by politicians lacking sagacity.

Pakistan has a huge stake in the outcome of the Afghan conflict, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, underscoring that the US could not dispense with its relationship with Islamabad, which must be part of the Afghan solution. “Pakistan has to be part of the solution, or it will continue to be part of the problem. And therefore, as frustrating as it is, we just keep every day going at it, and I think we make very slow, sometimes barely discernible progress, but we’re moving in the right direction”, Clinton acknowledged.

October 13

Six militants - two Afghans and four locals - were killed in a US drone attack on a militant outpost on a hill in Zeba Mountain close to the Afghan border in South Waziristan Agency of FATA.

SFs raided the house of an Afghan militant, Hamza, in Grangi area of Mohmand Agency and killed him in an exchange of fire. In addition, they also besieged MPA Muhammad Ali`s house and in adjoining hujra conducted a search of the premises and arrested six suspects wanted by LEA for criminal activities.

Three tankers carrying fuel for NATO forces in Afghanistan were completely destroyed in two bomb explosions in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency. A local militant group, Abdullah Ezzam Brigade (AEB), claimed responsibility for both the attacks.

It has come to light that the four militants killed in a US drone strike on in Dandey Darpakhel village in North Waziristan Agency belonged to the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani Network. According to details, one of them was a ‘logistics commander’, identified as Jamil Haqqani.

Two boys, identified as Amanullah and Abdullah, out of a group of at least two dozen, managed to escape TTP custody and return home more than 40 days after being abducted. The boys were abducted on September 1, 2011, after they crossed the border into Afghanistan, from the Ghakhi area in Mohmand tehsil of Bajaur Agency. TTP had claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Two people were killed in target killings in different parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. A private bank employee, identified as Salam, was shot dead at Maymar Morr within the limits of Gulshan-e-Maymar Police Station.Police found an unidentified dead body of a man bearing torture marks from Lyari River near Essa Nagri within the jurisdiction of PIB Police Station.

Four NATO oil tankers were set on fire by unidentified militants in Shikarpur District.

Sindh Rangers claimed to have arrested eleven suspects besides recovering weapons from their possession in separate raids conducted in Karachi.

Police recovered two dumped hand grenades from Patel Para within the precincts of Jamshed Town Police. The grenades were of Russian-make.

Two militants, identified as Naeem and Kashif, were killed. SFs in a raid of a house in Bhai Korona area in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda District in KP.

Unknown armed militants abducted a former union council naib nazim, identified as Mehrab Muhammad Ali and his colleague, Muhammad Hassani from Surab Bazaar of Kalat District of Balochistan.

Police averted two terror attacks in Islamabad by timely arresting four alleged terrorists and seized huge cache of weapons including kalashnikovs, pistols, guns, telescopes, ammunition and two cars from their possession.

The US was not sincere about peace in Afghanistan when it signalled it would remain open to exploring a settlement that includes the Haqqani Network, one of the group’s senior ‘commanders’ said. Earlier in September, 2011, Sirajuddin Haqqani said that his group felt secure enough to operate freely in Afghanistan and had no need of safe havens in Pakistan. He said that his group would take part in peace talks, but only if the Afghan Taliban did so as well. “The Haqqani Network is part of Taliban and it cannot hold any separate talks,” he said.

JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the US eyes Pakistan's atomic programme. Maulana said US is playing Haqqani card to destabilize Pakistan, adding, Quetta Shura card can also surface within few days. The US wants dialogue with Taliban while action against the Haqqani group. Haqqanis are a part of the Taliban, JUI Chief said, adding, US is against our atomic programme.

October 14

A US drone fired two missiles and killed four terrorists in Darpakhel village, four kilometres west of Miranshah, in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

Two civilians, identified as Mahmod Khan and Amir Zaman, were killed and six others injured when four mortar shells fired from Afghanistan hit a mosque during Friday prayers in Kharkai village of Lower Dir District.

A suspected militant was killed in an encounter with Police near Manzoor Shaheed Police post in Sarband area of Peshawar.

Police foiled a sabotage bid by defusing two homemade bombs on the outskirts of the Lakki city in Lakki Marwat District.

Three people were injured when armed militants attacked a convoy of NATO tankers in Mianghundi area near Quetta the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Pakistan Medical Association Balochistan President Mazar Baloch and his companion were shot and injured by assailants near Masjid Road in Quetta.

Provincial Minister and Chief of Jalawan, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, managed to escape an explosion near Surab area while he was on his way to Khuzdar District from Kalat District in Balochistan. BLF claimed responsibility for the attack.

Police and FC conducted a joint operation in Godhra Colony in Karachi and demolished the offices of two religious organisations, ST and ASWJ.

An influential US think-tank urged the Obama administration to freeze its aid to Pakistan until the country took actions against perpetrators of the September 13, 2011, US Embassy attack in Kabul and helped shut down the Haqqani Network. The report also proposed establishing a Congressional Commission to oversee US relations with Pakistan.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman agreed to strengthen the dialogue process for peace and security in the region and at global level.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that relations between Pakistan and US must not be transactional, and stressed for a long-term partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

October 15

US drone strikes killed six suspected militants belonging to local ‘Commander’ Mullah Nazir group of TTP in South Waziristan Agency of FATA near the Afghan border.

Officials claimed that warplanes bombed hideouts on hilltops in Baizotkhel and Mistrikhel tehsil of Orakzai Agency in FATA, killing 10 suspected militants and injuring four others.

BDS defused an explosive device weighing around five kilograms planted outside a mosque in Tarakai area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Another bomb planted at the entrance to Quaid-i-Azam Public School, Swabi District exploded. The blast partially damaged the building and injured the watchman, Juma Dad Khan.

The attack on a compound in South Waziristan Agency on October 14 that claimed the lives of at least three suspected militants was the 300th drone attack carried out by the US in the Pakistan’s tribal region, according to a report by an independent London-based group of investigative journalists.

October 16

The identity of the three militants, among four, killed in October 14 US drone missile strike in Darpakhel village, four kilometres west of Miranshah, in North Waziristan Agency was disclosed. Out of the four militants killed in the strike three were Egyptians linked to the Haqqani Network. A fourth militant who was also killed has not been identified.

Unidentified armed militants set ablaze an oil tanker of a private company at Pringabad area of Mastung District in Balochistan.

SFs foiled an attack by defusing a landmine in Pirkoh area of Dera Bugti District of Balochistan

As many as 50 suspected militants were detained in various parts of Karachi.

According to official statistics Karachi tops in murders and other kinds of crimes in Sindh. A report compiled by Sindh Police Department, containing comparative figures of the crimes committed from January 01, 2011 to September 15, 2011 and the corresponding period last year, says the murder cases registered an increase of 328, robberies 16 and abduction 75 in the province. However, in Karachi, the murder cases surged by 382, robberies by 186 and vehicle theft by 329.

Pakistan’s Ambassador in Washington Hussain Haqqani said that the democratic Government in Pakistan was pursuing the country’s national interests while conducting the country’s international relations, while indicating an improvement in Pakistan-US ties after weeks of heated rhetoric appeared to give way to the normal course of diplomacy.

A khasadar was killed and a levies trooper injured when their convoy was hit by an IED in Miran Talab area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

In Jamrud tehsil of FATA, khasadar force recovered the body of a local resident, identified as Alamgir.

October 17

At least nine soldiers of the FC force and 14 militants were killed in an ambush in the Akakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency in FATA. Three soldiers were also wounded in the attack.

Suspected militants killed a chief of the peace committee, identified as Azizur Rehman, of Orakzai Agency and his four associates in an ambush on Dhodha Road in FATA

Three people, including activists of MQM and PPP, were killed in separate incidents of target killing in Karachi. An activist of PPP, identified as Akhtar Raza, was shot dead in front of his house at Siraj Colony, Lyari, within the limits of Baghdadi Police Station. Separately, tension prevailed in parts of Orangi Town after unidentified militants shot and killed an activist of the MQM, identified as Masoom Ali. In another incident, a man, identified as Liaquat Ali, was stabbed to death in front of his house in Zia Colony within the precincts of Korangi Police Station.

The LEAs claimed to have arrested 11 people, recovering weapons from their possession. Crime branch Police arrested an alleged arms dealer, Sher Akbar, after an encounter in a raid at Nishtar Road.

Sources privy to security matter said that Intelligence Agencies have warned of a possible terror activity on October 18.

Police arrested two militants at the Tarnab check post in Peshawar while travelling to Punjab province from Darra Adamkhel town in Kohat District in a car carrying a large quantity of weapons and ammunition.

The US moved hundreds of new troops to the Afghan area bordering Pakistan's militant infested North Waziristan Agency of FATA along with heavy artillery, helicopter gunships and sealed movement on the border.

The abrupt deployment of US forces near the border area with Pakistan has escalated tension in the militancy plagued North Waziristan tribal region as US forces immediately sealed the main road connecting Pakistan border town of Ghulam Khan and Khost for traffic.

American and Afghan soldiers near the border with Pakistan have faced a sharply increased volume of rocket fire from Pakistani territory in the past six months, putting them at greater risk even as worries over the disintegrating relationship between the US and Pakistan constrain how they can strike back.

Many US officers painstakingly tried not to blame Pakistan directly. But other officers rejected Pakistan's official position, and said elements of the Pakistani military or intelligence service were most likely involved.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the abductors are keeping Shahbaz Taseer near adjoining areas of Pak-Afghan border and he is alive.

With the US stepping up drone strikes in the Waziristan region of FATA, Pakistan's Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said that his Government was running out of patience and Washington must not test its limits. Pakistan has repeatedly protested the unilateral strikes, and the Government would unveil a revised policy on drone attacks soon, said Mukhtar.

Afghan Taliban and their Pakistani sympathisers have turned the Kharotabad area in the south western outskirts of Quetta into a safe heaven and a veritable "vacation spot", a media report revealed.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that TTP and al Qaeda, had planned to abduct PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Islamabad said that Afghan and US-led forces had failed to hunt down Maulvi Fazlullah, a TTP cleric responsible for a spate of cross-border raids despite repeated requests from Islamabad.

October 18

Four people were killed in an incident of targeted killing in North Karachi. The victims belonged to the Deobandi School, but they were not very active.

LEAs claimed to have arrested 10 suspects, including three militants of TTP, during separate raids in different parts of the city and also recovered weapons.

SIU of the CIA claimed to have arrested three militants of the Qari Shakeel group of TTP. According to officials, the suspects were identified as Khalid Khan, Mohammad Jan, and Gul Wali.

Sir Syed Police claimed to have arrested three persons Babar, Naveed and Abid and recovered two TT pistols from their possession. In yet another raid in Mehran Town, Korangi Industrial Area Police arrested two suspects and recovered a rifle and a TT pistol from their possession. Super Market Police also claimed to have recovered a huge cache of weapons from Liaquatabad.

At least three persons were killed when mortar shells fired by unidentified militants hit four houses in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. In other similar incident in the same locality, a local tribesman Khiyal Jan and an Afghan minor boy lost their lives.

Two tribal women sustained injuries when another mortar shell fell on the house of Zar Wali in Kalanga-Meri Khel area of FATA. In Landikotal, a mosque adjacent to the house of MNA Noorul Haq Qadri was hit by a rocket fired by unidentified militants from a nearby hilltop.

In Akkakhel area, a prayer leader Mulana Naseeb and two worshippers identified as Shafeeq and Salim Afridi were critically injured when a mortar shell fell on Charsiyano mosque.

Three people, including a transvestite, were killed and two others injured when militants opened fire on a dance party in Topai Union Council of Buner District in KP.

An official of LEA, identified as Ansar Abbas, was killed in a landmine explosion in Pirkoh area of Dera Bugti District of Balochistan.

Unidentified armed militants set ablaze a container of a private company near Dasht in Mastung District of Balochistan injuring a driver, identified as Muhammad Irfan,

The advocate general submitted before a bench of the (BHC) a report of the CID which stated that an important clue had been found in the September 20, 2011 Mastung massacre.

IG of Punjab Police informed the SC that Advocate Asghar Ali Chaudhry had been rescued from the captivity of his abductors as per report of Rahimyar Khan DPO.

Federal Police arrested seven suspects for their alleged involvement in the October 6, 2011 abduction of a trader of Sector F-6/1 in Islamabad and keeping him 'chained' in some area of Punjab while demanding PNR 5 million as ransom from the family members of the abducted man.

Pakistan will only hold peace talks with TTP militants if they lay down their arms first, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said after both sides signalled willingness to consider negotiations.

However, any deals with the TTP could anger Washington, which has been pushing Pakistan to crack down harder on militant groups since American Special Forces killed Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011 in Abbottabad, where he had been living for years. Meanwhile, COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that Pakistan Army had no objection over the Government having dialogues with TTP.

The Army Chief, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani did not rule out the possibility of a US ground offensive in North Waziristan Agency FATA, but told Parliamentarians that Washington will think 'many times' before launching such an attack. "We have made it clear to the US that we will decide the timing of any such action according to our situation and capabilities. We have also told them that the problem lies within Afghanistan. If anyone convinces me that everything will be sorted out if we act in North Waziristan, I will take immediate action," a Parliamentarian, requesting anonymity, quoted Kayani.

A Senior Commander of the Pakistan Army said that private militias also called Amn Lashkars have played a commendable role in maintaining peace and normalcy in some parts of the restive tribal regions. Malik claimed that extremist groups have been weakened as a result of successive military operations, and called upon the tribal elders to not allow the extremists to regroup in their villages and towns.

A report prepared by the Islamabad Police revealed that though the Islamabad Police and the Intelligence Agencies were successful in foiling a well-planned terror attack in Islamabad, the information extracted from the arrested terrorists pointed towards a link between the Ghazi Force, which is associated with Ghazi Abdur Rasheed's followers of the Lal Masjid and the militants based in the North Waziristan Agency.

ISPR DG Major General Athar Abbas said that regular army and FC have been sent to border areas with Afghanistan to stop militants' attacks. Pakistan would not allow militants to carry out attacks on its check-posts, border villages and kill its civilians, Abbas said.

Afghan SF and their NATO allies have launched a new push against the al Qaeda linked Haqqani Network along the Pakistani border, Senior Defence officials said. U.S commanders say the network, a faction of the Afghan Taliban, is their most potent enemy in eastern Afghanistan and increasingly capable of launching high-profile attacks in Kabul.

October 19

At least six terrorists were killed and two hideouts destroyed when SFs shelled them in the Spearkot area of Kurram Agency in FATA. Official sources said that the terrorists killed belonged to the Mullah Toofan group of TTP.

At least five SF personnel sustained injuries when a remote-controlled bomb went off in Jandola town of South Waziristan Agency.

At least three militant hideouts were destroyed when helicopter gunships shelled them in Mera Sar and Baz Garha areas of Qamarkhel in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.

A Government school for girls was partially damaged in Kalanga Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil when militants blew up its building by planting an IED.

An oil tanker carrying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan was partially damaged when a time device fitted in it exploded near Ali Masjid area.

An activist of ST, identified as Nadeem Qureshi, was shot dead near Delhi Darbar Hotel within the limits of Shah Faisal Colony Police Station in Karachi.

A bomb weighing 28 kilogrammes was recovered near a car at joint parking area of a bank and a private hospital near Jauhar Chowrangi in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi

A bomb exploded at the shrine of Mian Karim Shah, situated in Naway Kalay graveyard in Swabi District (KP). However, no casualty was reported.

If US policy makers need proof of how little control Pakistan has over its strategic border region with Afghanistan, they need to watch videos of militants believed to be terrorising the streets of North Waziristan Agency available on YouTube.

Army Chief Major General Ashfaq Kayani told Parliamentarians that the US should focus on pacifying Afghanistan instead of pushing Pakistan to attack North Waziristan and that Pakistan would decide if and when to act there. He said any unilateral US military action in North Waziristan would be risky.

There has been a significant increase in the Haqqani Network's activity in Khost, Paktia, Logar and Wardak provinces of Afghanistan which are used in that order as an infiltration route from Pakistan, to launch attacks on the capital Kabul, a senior NATO official confirmed

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the intelligence reports had revealed that terrorists, including those behind sectarian violence in Balochistan, are operating from prisons in the province and had contacts with banned militant outfits in Punjab.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif that some among the Government allies were corrupt and some were involved in terrorism. In retaliation to Nawaz Sharif's accusation MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi accused the PML-N of supporting militant outfits in the country.

October 20

SFs launched a targeted operation in Malikdeenkhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA and killed 34 militants

Militants killed Captain Abdul Qadir Khan and two military personnel in an attack on a Frontier Corps convoy in the Shalobar area of Bara tehsil.

A Police Constable, identified as Raziq Shah, was killed while another, Usman Ali, was injured in an encounter with armed militants in Matta tehsil of Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. One of the armed assailants, identified as Sabir Khan, was also shot dead in the incident and Police recovered a pistol and two hand grenades from him.

A Professor, Sanaullah Khan Janikhel, was killed by unidentified assailants in Bannu District in KP.

Kohat District Police and SFs in a joint raid seized a truck carrying weapons near Kohat tunnel and arrested two alleged terrorists, Muhammad Raza and Allah Bakhs.

Armed militants shot dead a man, identified as Aneel, in Turbat District of Balochistan.

Nawabshah Police in Sindh arrested three people for posting a threatening letter to President Asif Ali Zardari. According to sources, Police arrested Maulana Abdul Qadeer Daiper, Abdul Wahab Brohi and Aziz Ahmed Bhatti who wrote a threatening letter on May 20, 2011 at madrassa Arabia Khalid Bin Waleed and sent it to the Presidency.

A Maryland teenager was indicted on federal terrorism charges that accuse him of helping the American terror suspect dubbed 'Jihad Jane' with her plot to kill a Swedish artist. 18 years old Mohammad Hassan Khalid, a legal immigrant from Pakistan, allegedly helped recruit women with passports to further the plot of Colleen LaRose of Pennsylvania and others.

Afghanistan-based Taliban leader Maulvi Fazlullah has vowed to return to Pakistan to wage war in his former stronghold Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and doubts the Government is sincere about peace talks with militants.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will plunge into new talks to press US demands for Islamabad to dismantle Taliban safe havens, while appealing to Pakistan's deeply mistrustful public at large.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani called upon US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to give peace a chance as envisaged in the All Parties Conference's resolution, which reflects the sentiments of Pakistani nation.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani said that Pakistan and the US have a shared interest in a stable Afghanistan but the major challenge for both the countries is to find common ground by taking into account political realities within Pakistan as well as Afghanistan.

Former President Pervez Musharraf said that the relationship between Pakistan and the US is at its lowest point and plagued by "total mistrust".

Retired Air Marshal Asghar Khan recalled how bad he felt when he was told many years ago that in Punjab 20,000 people with criminal record were inducted in Police, whereas a large number of dacoits were recruited in Sindh Police.

October 21

Terrorists armed with rockets and hand grenades attacked the house of a prominent anti-Taliban elder in Minzari Chinaa area, 90 kilometres northwest of Ghalanai, the main town in Mohmand Agency of FATA, killing three people, including a woman.

In Bajaur Agency, three militants shot dead a member of a local peace committee in Chinar.

At least 1,000 families of Malikdinkhel and Sipah areas left their homes for 'safer places' as the Security Forces were ready to launch an all-out operation against terrorists in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.

Levies Force recovered an unidentified dead body of a man from Dhadar area of Bolan District in Balochistan.

Four persons belonging to the Peace Force were injured in a remote control bomb attack in Sui area of the Dera Bugti District, reports Daily Times. According to official sources, a convoy of Peace Force Commander Bhai Khan Bugti was patrolling the RD 109 area of Sui, the bordering area of Sindh and Balochistan, when it was hit by a remote-controlled blast. Resultantly, four persons of the force were injured and a vehicle was destroyed.

The JeI asked President Asif Ali Zardari to utilise his special powers to grant amnesty to Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed assassin of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.

October 22

At least 13 commuters of a local factory were injured when their bus came under fire by assailants on Sakran Road in Hub Industrial area of Lasbela District in Balochistan.

Two LEA personnel were wounded in a hand grenade attack in the Margat coal mine in Mach area of Bolan District in Balochistan.

One NATO oil tanker carrying oil for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan was completely destroyed when it caught fire due to two explosions at Bakhtiarabad Oil Terminal in Bakhtiarabad area of Sibi District in Balochistan.

SFs arrested 30 suspects and destroyed 30 militant hideouts in Landikas, Nala and Malikdinkhel areas of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Afghanistan would support Pakistan in case of military conflict between Pakistan and the US, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said. "God forbid, if ever there is a war between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will side with Pakistan," he said.

Afghans have long been suspicious of Pakistan's intentions in their country, Karzai remarked. "Please brother, stop using all methods that hurt us and that are now hurting you. Let's engage from a different platform, a platform in which the two brothers only progress towards a better future in peace and harmony," he said, adding, "Peace talks with the Haqqani Network should take place in Pakistan."

Asking the Union Government to have an "active engagement" with Pakistan, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said without this a permanent and lasting solution to the Kashmir issue is unlikely to emerge.

The Pakistan Army established check posts along the Pak-Afghan border in Upper Dir District to prevent cross border intrusions by the militants, said Operations Commander Dir Brigadier Saqib Rashid.

At least two Intelligence Agencies alerted the Federal Government about a reorganisation of TTP and other militant organisations in Balochistan after the replacement of Police with Levies Force. The crux of the reports was that the rolling back of Police force in most areas had encouraged the militant outfits, including the TTP, to re-organise themselves, taking advantage of loose policing by the Levies which did not have the required training and the will to address such challenges.

The US called on Pakistan to take action within "days and weeks" on dismantling Afghan terrorist havens and encouraging TTP into peace talks in order to end the 10-year-old war.

Pakistan admitted it could cooperate more and achieve better results in clamping down on terrorist safe havens along the Afghan border, ruling out any question of official support for terrorists.

During roundtable talks with anchorpersons of various TV channels, Clinton responded to questions on Pakistan-US relations, particularly their joint efforts to fight the war on terror. When asked if the US was pondering to send its troops inside Pakistan, she categorically said this option was not being considered. "We don't want to take action unilaterally we want to act in concert with our strategic partners like Pakistan and other allies."

The US should be prepared to cut ties with Pakistan if it does not do more to battle Haqqani Network militants blamed for killing US forces in Afghanistan, said Senator Carl Levin. "If the only option Pakistan presents us is a choice between losing an ally and continuing to lose our troops, then we will choose the former," said Carl Levin.

October 23

Two SF personnel, identified as Faraz and Muhammad Hussain, were shot dead by BLA militants in Karati Kach area of Chamalang in Loralai District of Balochistan

A person, identified as Bahadur Khan, was killed and two others, Sher Khan and Hazar Khan sustained injuries in a landmine blast in Behkar area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

Karachi Police claimed to have arrested two alleged suspects, identified as Zakir Hussain and Gul Mohammad, involved in nearly 252 target-killing cases in Karachi Police officials also claimed to have recovered two Kalashnikovs, two 8mm rifles, two 9mm pistols, two TT pistols and a motorcycle from their possessions.

The LEAs have been put on high alert to avert possible terrorist attacks in Karachi following the threats.

The TTP threatened to attack installations of Shell Pakistan and the state-run Pakistan State Oil if the two firms do not pay a total of Rs 400 million within 20 days as extortion money. "I had personally spoken to the managing directors of the Pakistan State Oil and Shell Pakistan and demanded that they arrange to pay us Rs 200 million each. Otherwise, I had warned them that we would start attacking their installations anywhere in the country," an unnamed senior TTP 'commander' said.

The US and Pakistan have 90-95 per cent agreement on a work plan to combat terrorists, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said while reflecting on her two-day visit to Islamabad.

Former President Pervez Musharraf said that Pakistan has "definite reasons" for not acting against the Haqqani Network, as such action may not be in Pakistan's current interest. The former President did not rule out future action against the Haqqanis, but said that he was not privy to any information in this regard.

Pakistan has told the US that it is ready to facilitate its talks with the Afghan Taliban, but cannot become a guarantor to the negotiating process. The report quoted a senior security official as saying that the Afghan Taliban would themselves determine the propriety or otherwise of sitting at the negotiating table with the United States. "Contact with the Haqqani network is there, but they are not in our pocket," was the message put across during a crucial meeting between the two sides.

October 24

A 12-year-old boy, identified as Ali Mohammad Chandio, and a man, Abdul Hameed, were killed while another wounded when unidentified militants opened fire on a private car of CID SI Ashiq Khosa in Chakra Goth, Korangi, within the jurisdiction of Zaman Town Police Station. Khosa escaped the attack. However, his driver-cum-gunman Mutahir Hussain sustained critical injuries.

Police and Rangers jointly carried out search operation in Chakra Goth and its adjoining areas, arresting 53 suspected persons. LEAs claimed to have arrested four suspects from the metropolis in separate raids. SIU arrested an alleged member, Arsalan, of 'abduction for ransom' group from Federal B Area. A TT pistol was also recovered from his possession. In another raid, CID claimed to have arrested an alleged target killer.

Two persons, including a former member of a peace committee, were killed and another was injured in two separate incidents in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the first incident, armed motorcyclists opened firing on Ghulam Ayaz, former member of a peace committee, his son and a friend in Shiekh Utar village. Ghulam Ayaz was killed on the spot while his friend identified as Nawab Gul sustained injuries. Mohammad Imran, the son of Mr Ayaz, escaped unhurt in the incident.

In the second incident, unidentified persons opened firing on a cab driver when he tried to speed up his car after they signalled him to stop on Tank-Pazo Road. The driver identified as Mashkatullah sustained critical injuries and succumbed to his injuries.

Police recovered two hand grenades, detonators and 75 cartridges from the house of a SSP cadre in Dera Ismail Khan. Cantonment SHO Mohammad Nawaz Gandapur said that they were informed that Imran Ali and Jamshed Mohammad, both cadres of SSP, were hiding in the house of Merajuddin Mehsud in Gulshan Jamil Colony.

Unidentified militants attacked a convoy and a camp of SFs with rockets in coalmine fields of Chamalang area in Loralai District and Margat in Mach area of Bolan District.

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Pakistan will face "dire consequences" if it fails to contain terrorists operating from its soil. Clinton made this statement in an interview with Bloomberg News two days after she visited Islamabad, adding that Pakistan requires help from the US and Afghanistan to battle militancy.

Hillary Clinton said that Haqqani network has launched lethal attacks against US and Afghan targets and it may unleash violence inside Pakistan. Clinton said she pressed Pakistan to fully share intelligence with US forces in Afghanistan to prevent attacks and choke off money and supply routes.

October 25

Four people, including an anti-TTP militia member, were killed in a remote-controlled roadside bomb blast in Ghor Ghundai area of Samar Bagh tehsil in Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Among the victims included a patient who was being transported to a hospital, local Police official Sher Hayat Khan said. Aziz-ur-Rehman, the anti- TTP militia member, and his son (12), a son-in-law and a neighbour were killed in the blast ripping through the vehicle they were travelling in, the Police said.

Suspected militants killed a member of a peace body of Bara area of Khyber Agency in FATA at Matani-Shaikhan Road in Peshawar. Sources said that Mohammad Amin, the peace body member, was a pro-government tribesman, who had shifted to Peshawar recently from the tribal region.

Four security personnel sustained injuries in a roadside explosion at Malikhel Khwar area in the limits of Janikhel Police Station of Bannu District. The landmine planted by suspected militants exploded when a vehicle of security personnel, on a routine patrolling. Security personnel were identified as Javed, Muzamil, Amir and Toorkhan.

Four more people fell prey to target killings in different parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Police found bodies of two persons bearing torture marks from an empty plot in Hassan Brohi Goth within the limits of Surjani Police Station. The identities of both victims were yet to be ascertained.

Police found body of a young man from a garbage container in Ibn-e-Seena Lane within the limits of Brigade Police Station. The victim was later identified as 25-year-old Wazir Khan, son of Ameer Jan.

Owner of a PCO, Shahzad Khan (34), was shot dead in Wahid Colony within the jurisdiction of North Nazimabad Police Station in the wee hours. A Police official said the victim was the resident of same area and one of his brothers was an activist of a banned outfit SSP while other was an active worker of PPP.

Sindh Police arrested 10 suspects, including eight target killers, during different raids in the metropolis. North Nazimabad Police arrested an alleged target killer Noman alias Nomi after an encounter in their premises and recovered a repeater from his possession. The Police said Nomi was involved in three murder cases and belonged to a religious political party. The Quaidabad Police arrested two alleged target killers Salman Ali and Salman Shah after a brief encounter at Sherpao graveyard. The Police said the accused were involved in the murders of four persons, including a Police constable, and had confessed to throwing bodies in gunny bags after killing them. Two TT pistols were recovered from their possession. In another raid, Sir Syed Police arrested a narcotics dealer from North Karachi, Sector 11 and recovered two TT pistols and hashish from his possessions. DSP Altaf Hussain said the accused was nominated in several cases of drug peddling and other crimes.

The AEC and Clifton Police arrested five alleged target killers and an alleged member of a Lyari gangster group. The suspects were arrested during separate raids in different parts of the city. The five suspected targeted killers were identified as Mohammad Adil, Mohammad Aslam, Nasir Qadri, Zain-ul-Abideen alias Zainu and Noman Khan. The AEC officials claimed that three of them were associated with Sunni Tehreek and two with Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi. The police said that they were involved in over 30 cases of target killings.

Clifton Police arrested an alleged member of Lyari gangsters group Nauroz Chandio. One TT pistol and 10 kilogrammes of hashish were also recovered from his possession. He is a close aide of Taj Mohammad alias Taju. Police sources said that Nauroz was arrested three days before from Lyari area by Rangers and then they handed over him to Police.

Two bullet-riddled bodies were found in different areas of Balochistan. Sources said that local people informed police about the presence of a body in the industrial town of Hub in Lasbela District.

A FC soldier was killed in a landmine explosion near Sorang coalmine field near Quetta. According to spokesperson of FC, Mohammad Ishaq, the FC man, was clearing a landmine near Sorang area when it exploded, killing him instantly. The banned outfit BLA has claimed responsibility for the killing.

PoK High CJ Ghulam Mustafa Mughal was seriously injured when unidentified assailants opened fire upon him at Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK. DSP City Yaseen Baig told APP that the CJ was strolling at PoK University's recreation ground near his residence when unidentified assailants fired at him and managed to escape.

At least 18,000 people have fled their homes in Khyber Agency of FATA, fearing a fresh onslaught of fighting between the Army and militants, officials said. Families streamed out of the Agency, a flashpoint for TTP and other groups on the NATO supply line into neighbouring Afghanistan, after the Army ordered them to leave because of military action going on in the area. "Around 3,200 families, up to 18,000 people, have arrived in the Jalozai refugee camp and we are making arrangements to facilitate them," Adnan Khan, spokesman for the disaster management authority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said.

The Haqqani Network will not take part individually in any peace talks with the United States and negotiations must be led by the Afghan Taliban, a commander of the Haqqani Network said. "They will not be able to find a solution to the Afghan conflict until and unless they hold talks with the Taliban shura," he said while talking to Reuters from Afghanistan.

October 26

A volunteer of a local peace committee and two cadres of LI were killed in exchange of fire in Meeran Talab area of Akkakhel in Bara subdivision of Khyber Agency in FATA. "The incident took place at Meeran Talab when volunteers of peace committee and activists of Lashkar-e-Islam came face to face as the former were patrolling the area," sources said.

Malak Rahmat Jan, a pro-Government tribal elder and member of peace committee, was killed when militants from across the Afghan border targeted his house with missiles and mortars in Zari area of Lowi Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency. "Malak Rahmat was killed and his house was partially damaged in the attack," officials of political administration said while confirming the report.

Three workers of Frontier Works Organisation were injured when their vehicle was targeted by a landmine on Jandolla-Makeen Road near Manzai Ziarat area. The workers of the construction company were going to Hathala camp from Jandolla when they met the fatal incident at 8:30am (local time).

Khasadar Force arrested an Afghan national at Torkham border in Khyber Agency and recovered arms from his possession. The recovered arms included rocket launchers, mortars and cartridges.

Pakistani officials accused NATO helicopters of violating Pakistan's airspace over the TTP and Haqqani Network stronghold of North Waziristan Agency, along the Afghan border. "Two helicopters intruded several kilometres inside Pakistan territory in Datta Khel town around 2:00 am (2100 GMT Tuesday)," a military official said.

Unidentified assailants shot dead two persons, including chief of a peace committee, Shahabuddin Burki, in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Police, chief of Tank peace committee, Shahabuddin Burki, was in the guestroom of a member of the committee at Civil Lines Colony, when unidentified persons entered and opened fire at them. As a result, Shahabuddin and Asmatullah, the son of peace committee member, died on the spot. A TTP 'spokesman', Maulvi Farhad, claimed responsibility for the murders and said that people who worked against TTP would meet the same fate.

13 persons were injured in a bomb blast in the Rampura area of Peshawar. The blast took in an area which is frequented by daily wage workers. Eyewitnesses said that a man had parked his motorcycle opposite a shop in the area and that the explosion occurred after he left the spot.

Police and FC carried out search operation in Orangi town area of Karachi and arrested four suspects, including an injured TTP 'commander' Usman Ghani.

The ATC Judge, Pervez Ali Shah, who awarded the death sentence to former Governor Salman Taseer's self-confessed assassin, Malik Mumtaz Qadri on October 1, 2011, has sought refuge in Saudi Arabia with his family after receiving death threats from religious extremists.

Several hardline religious groups ransacked his courtroom and offered a bounty to anyone who killed him. "The death threats have forced Shah to leave Pakistan along with his family for Saudi Arabia," said Saiful Malook, who served as special prosecutor during Qadri's trial.

LeT commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the main accused in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attack case (also known as 26/11), has been clandestinely communicating from prison with members of his outfit, according to intercepts by Western Intelligence Agencies.

Hundreds of people, including Hindus, staying in flood relief camps run by Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF), a front organization of the JuD in Sindh province are being "peppered liberally" with Islamic teachings. The 2,000 victims rescued by the organisation are provided meals twice a day "peppered liberally with religious teachings".

ISI provides weapons and training to the Afghan Taliban fighting US and British troops in Afghanistan, despite official denials, a BBC documentary quotes some people it claims to be Afghan Taliban 'commanders'. A number of middle-ranking Afghan Taliban 'commanders', it said, revealed the extent of alleged Pakistani support in interviews for the BBC Two documentary series, 'Secret Pakistan'.

A video has emerged showing a Swiss couple abducted by the TTP nearly four months ago, flanked by four masked gunmen pointing rifles at their heads. In the video, which has been posted on YouTube, the man holds up a Pakistani newspaper dated September 15 and the couple speak Swiss German. Olivier David Och (31), and Daniela Widmer (28), appear in relatively good health and call on the Pakistani and Swiss Governments to give into the demands of their hostage takers.

October 27

Two consecutive drone attacks within a span of one hour killed 11 militants, including the brother of Mullah Nazir, in Waziristan Agencies of FATA. An unmanned aircraft attack killed five militants, including Omar Wazir, the younger brother of Mullah Nazir, the 'commander' of Mullah Nazir group, at Azam Warsak in Bermal tehsil, some 20 kilometres west of Wana, the main town of South Waziristan Agency. Three of the five deceased were identified as Hazrat Umar, Khan Mohammad and Ashfaq, while the identities of the other two could not be ascertained.

Hours after, a second US drone strike killed another six militants at Issakhel village in the Mir Ali subdivision, some 30 kilometres east of Miramshah in North Waziristan Agency.

The beheaded body of a volunteer of an anti-TTP tribal lashkar was found in Bara area of Khyber Agency. Officials said that militants belonging to LI abducted a volunteer of Akkakhel tribal lashkar o October 26. His beheaded body was found at a deserted place on October 27.

Four children including three girls were injured when suspected militants from across the border in Afghanistan fired mortar shells in the Kaza area of the Mamoond tehsil in Bajaur Agency. The children were identified as Munasib, Shazia, Palwasha and Shazia.

A Levies official Hayatullah and a pedestrian identified as Siffatullah received injuries when an explosive device went off near the Khyber Agency Headquarters Hospital in Landi Kotal.

Two NATO containers were destroyed in a blast in a parking lot near the border in Torkham border. Both the containers caught fire and were destroyed.

Unidentified militants blew up Amirzada Government School for girls at Mandani village in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, no causalities or big property destruction was reported.

Several banned militant groups, including the LeT and HM, opposed Pakistan's move to grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, reports Hindustan Times. Leaders of the groups, including Muttahida Jihad Council chairman Syed Salahuddin, told a gathering of hundreds of supporters at Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad about their movement to "liberate" Jammu and Kashmir.

A spokesman who addressed the gathering on behalf of LeT 'commander' Iftikhar Haider said his group would take "revenge" for the killing of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 and the 2007 bombing of the Samjhauta Express cross-border train.

The gathering was held in a market located less than two kilometres from the headquarters of the ISI in the heart of Islamabad. Jihadi leaders, including Salahuddin and Al Badr Mujahideen leader Bakht Zameen, too opposed Pakistan's decision in principle to grant MFN-status to India.

The US has asked Pakistan to squeeze the dangerous Haqqani network, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said as she underlined it has been made clear to Islamabad that trying to distinguish between "good and bad terrorists" is self-defeating and dangerous.

Hillary Clinton told a congressional panel that any Afghan-led peace process would have to include the Quetta Shura and its leader Mulla Omar. "There is no solution in the region without Pakistan and no stable future in the region without a partnership."

The Pakistan Army told the Pentagon that it does not have the capacity to take action against the Haqqani network, US Lieutenant General Curtis Scaparrotti, Deputy Commander of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan said.

Lieutenant General Curtis Scaparrotti said that Pakistani forces are allowing terrorists to launch rocket and mortar attacks on US troops across the border in Afghanistan and may be collaborating with the militants. The rocket fire targeting American forces often originates within sight of border posts manned by Pakistan's Frontier Corps, said Curtis Scaparrotti.

Pakistan has not been taken into confidence on the initiation of the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, Major-General Athar Abbas, the Director General of the ISPR said. In an interview with BBC in Rawalpindi, Abbas said that Pakistan had neither been taken into confidence nor the Pakistani Government had been informed about the objectives of the reconciliation process.

The Director General termed a BBC report, alleging that the Pakistan Army and the ISI supplied and protected the Afghan Taliban and al Qaeda highly biased and one-sided. "We consider that report highly biased, it is one-sided, it doesn't have the version of the side which is badly hit or affected by this report," Major General Athar Abbas said.

October 28

At least 13 TTP militants were killed in US drone attack in Mir Ali area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA. Security sources said there was strong evidence that Taj Gul Mehsud, a senior TTP 'commander' and close aide to TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud, was among the victims in the attack. Six others were injured, Security Forces said.

Ajmeer Shah, a senior Police official, renowned for anti-TTP operations, and his driver were killed and two others were injured when a suicide bomber attacked them in Risalpur Police Station in Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Ajmeer Shah, Station House Officer of Risalpur Police Station in Nowshera District, was the target, according to Senior Police Official Israrullah Khan. Ajmeer Shah led several successful raids against TTP in Nowshera District and his last encounter saw senior TTP leader Qari Basit killed.

Two brothers were killed when militants fired a rocket at a vehicle in remote Shindhand area of Kohat. According to an official, the vehicle bringing passengers from the semi-autonomous tribal area was hit by a rocket fired from nearby mountains. The two brothers, identified as Hazrat Omer and Bilal, died on the spot.

An improvised explosive device planted by militants destroyed a music shop along with three adjoining ones and caused injuries to a tailor in Mehbub Ali Market of Shabqadar area in Charsadda District.

Bannu Police thwarted a sabotage attempt by defusing two improvised explosive devices planted by suspected militants in Saleh Khan Mandeo. The Police were informed by locals that two bombs had been planted along a road by unidentified militants.

Insurgent safe havens in Pakistan are now the biggest threat to NATO forces in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said. Overall, enemy attacks in Afghanistan in recent months were 5 percent lower than the same period a year ago, the Pentagon said in a report to Congress. But high-profile attacks were up in Afghanistan, and the enemy remains resilient, it said. Security has improved in Afghanistan but the insurgency's safe havens in Pakistan and the Kabul Government's limitations pose significant risks to a "durable, stable Afghanistan," according to a Pentagon progress report released on October 28.

October 29

A person was killed and four other arrested after an encounter between the personnel of FC and armed men in Mangoli area of Quetta, the provincial summer capital of Balochistan.

Unidentified assailants shot dead member of a local peace committee, Qazi Marjan, at Rori under the jurisdiction of Kulachi Police Station in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani categorically said there was no permission given to the US to launch any drone strike against any target inside Pakistan's territory. "There is no such permission," Gilani told a large group of Pakistani expatriates in Perth (Australia).

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that the US drone attacks inside Pakistani territory were "unjustified", adding that they were counterproductive and created problems in garnering support against extremists.

"Were we not sincere, why terrorists and extremists would be targeting our people and security forces?" she asked. "We have lost 30,000 people including 6,500 personnel of the security forces. Our financial losses are running in the billions," she told the students.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani said that military operations were not a sustainable solution to the problem of militancy, as political process had to be initiated to bring peace.

Pakistan's top military commander, Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik, said that Pakistan would act against terrorist safe havens and urged NATO and Afghanistan to do the same. Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik, who is supervising military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told reporters that his troops would not leave the area until complete security had been ensured.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti reiterated that if the militants surrendered their weapons, accepted the writ of the State and guaranteed living in peace in the future, then the Government was ready to hold talks with them.

October 30

Six militants were killed when a US drone fired six missiles at a vehicle near the Afghanistan border in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. The high number of missiles used in the attack in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan seemed to indicate an important militant was targeted. But the identities of those killed were as yet unknown, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Four persons were injured when an explosive device went off at the shop of Nek Amal Khan in Tirah Sakorhi village of Kukikhel in Khyber Agency.

The Malir town President of SSP, Jabbar Qureshi was shot dead while his companion, Imdadullah, injured in a target killing incident at Korangi Crossing in Karachi.

One Qasim Ali, the prime witness of July 14, 2006 suicide bombing on Muttahida Majilis-e-Amal (MMA) leader Allama Hassan Turabi, was shot dead in Malir.

JUI-F Panjgur General Secretary Hafiz Ahtishamul Haq was shot dead in Kori Koran area of Panjgur District. Police sources said that unidentified armed militants opened fire at the JUI-F leader while he was standing outside his house

Unidentified armed militants abducted the driver and the cleaner of an oil tanker carrying supply for NATO troops in Afghanistan from Karachi to Quetta near Mach area of Bolan District.

The vehicle of a Police mobile party was partially damaged in a remote controlled blast in Parmuli Police Station area of Swabi District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the Policemen remained unhurt in the blast.

A former SSG commando, Saadullah, the mastermind behind the October 8, 2011, terrorist plot to attack the Pakistan Parliament was arrested in Okara District by Law Enforcement Agencies. SSG is the elite wing of the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

ISI spied on German Security Forces in Afghanistan, raising fears sensitive information could end up in the hands of the Taliban, German weekly Bild am Sonntag reported. Without citing its sources, Bild am Sonntag reported that Germany's foreign intelligence agency BND (Bundesnachrichtendienst) warned its Interior Ministry that Pakistan had spied on 180 German Police officers deployed in Afghanistan to train locals.

October 31

At least four persons including a commander of the pro-government Amn Force, identified as Nabi Daid, were killed and five others injured during a clash with the militants of BRA near Sui area of Dera Bugti District. A BRA spokesperson, who introduced himself as Sarbaz Baloch, said his organisation ambushed the vehicle of the force near Sui.

Three headless bodies were found on Indus Highway in the limits of Domail Police Station in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The deceased were identified as Maulana Qari Hussain Ahmed, a resident of Sarai Naurang, Sirajuddin from Shabak Khel of Lakki Marwat District and Noor Rehman, a resident of Sherakot area of Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.  

Unidentified militants shot dead a Deputy Director of FIA, identified as Ikramullah, near his residence on Kohat Road in Kohat District. They said that the FIA official, Ikramullah, belonged to Tur Dher village of Swabi District but he was presently living at Shahab Flats at Kohat Road and worked as in-charge of its crime circle.                                                           

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Housing and Physical Planning Amjad Khan Afridi of the PPP escaped an attack when terrorists opened fire at him in Kohat District.

Suspected militants blew up a primary school in Adezai on the suburbs of Peshawar.

A US drone fired two missiles killing three militants near Mubarak Shah town about 15 kilometres east of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.                 

A boy identified as Asadullah (18), of Bajaur Agency escaped from the custody of TTP after remaining in their captivity for two months in Kunar province of Afghanistan.  Asadullah reached his home in Erab village of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur. He was among the 27 boys of Bajaur, abducted by TTP on August 31, 2011 after they crossed over to Afghanistan. The Bajaur chapter of TTP had claimed responsibility for abducting the 27 boys and keeping them hostages in Kunar province of Afghanistan.     

SFs blew up four houses of alleged terrorists affiliated to TTP and LI at Nala and Mandi Kas areas of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency.

The LEAs claimed to have arrested ten suspects, including three target killers through separate raids in Karachi.  According to sources, Landhi Police claimed to have arrested an alleged target killer Hassan Dilawar, who is also associated with a political party. Police arrested Dilawar while he was trying to escape abroad, adding that earlier he had visited three countries, including Malaysia, Thailand and Bangladesh. A Kalashnikov, repeater and foreign currency were recovered from his possession. Separately, Shah Latif Police claimed to have arrested a political worker, identified as Maqbool Ahmed alias Maqbola, allegedly involved in 12 cases of target killing. Weapons were recovered from his possession. In another raid, Crime Branch cell arrested at least five suspects, including Ziaullah, Irfan, Asif, Omar and Siddiq in a raid within Jackson Police remit. In yet another raid, an alleged member of Lyari gang war was arrested at Khadda Market in Lyari. Meanwhile, Federal Investigation Agency claimed to have arrested two suspects, identified as Laxman Das and Babu Lal, allegedly involved in the illegal business of hawala and hundi.

Islamabad Court acquitted Abdul Aziz, the chief cleric of Lal Masjid in four of the 12 cases registered against him for crimes including challenging Government writ by keeping illegal arms.

After accusing Pakistan's ISI of supporting the Haqqani Network, the Obama administration is now relying on the spy agency to help it organise and begin "reconciliation talks" aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan.

US asked Pakistan to make sure that intelligence information does not flow to the Haqqani Network as part of efforts to squeeze the terror group that attacked American interests in Afghanistan. A senior administration official said that there were a range of issues that could help to facilitate in squeezing the Haqqani Network from the Pakistani side, and would be very complementary to US efforts on the Afghan side of the border.

Pakistani officials rejected a German newspaper report that the country’s secret service spied on German SFs in Afghanistan. Earlier on October 30 Germany’s Foreign Intelligence Agency warned its Interior Ministry that Pakistan had spied on 180 German Police officers deployed in Afghanistan to train locals. A Pakistani Foreign Ministry official, on the condition of anonymity, described the report as “ridiculous” and “useless”.

November 1

Three people, including an advocate and former councillor, were shot dead in separate incidents of target killing in Karachi. An advocate, identified as Waheed-ur-Rehman Qureshi, was shot dead near Cafe Liberty Chowk on Tariq Road, within the precincts of Ferozabad Police Station.                                          

A former councillor of PPP, identified as Gull Hassan, was shot dead in Shanti Nagar, Dalmia within the juridiction of Aziz Bhatti Police Station.

A man identified as Falak Sher, was shot dead and a minor girl Saro injured when unidentified militants opened fire in Kunwari Colony within the remit of Pirabad Police Station. Officer said victim had several cases of crime registered against him and was also linked to a Lyari gang. 

The LEAs claimed to have arrested five suspects, including a target killer, from several areas of Karachi during different raids. A heavy contingent of Police and Rangers conducted a raid in Sector 4-D of Surjani Town and arrested target killer Raheel alias Bhoora and recovered two Kalashnikovs and a TT pistol from his possession. In addition, Gulberg Police arrested three suspects, including a cop, identified as Kashif Raza, after a brief encounter in Tahir Villa in the limits of Gulberg Police Station.

Militants handed over dead bodies of three SF personnel, who were abducted after the October 26 attack on a check post in Mohmand Agency of FATA, to the political administration in the agency headquarters in Ghalanai, after successful talks with a tribal jirga in Atmarkhel area of Baizai tehsil. 

SFs demolished four hideouts and a key base of militants in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency during an operation. The base of LI was destroyed in Shalobar area. SFs established a check post at the Nala Khwarh house of LI activist Rashid Khan, who is allegedly involved in numerous attacks on SFs in the area. In Jamrud tehsil, the local political administration demolished the house of Stana Gul over his involvement in the abduction of a trader. In addition, peace committee of Akakhel demolished a militant hideout in Madakhel area.                                                                                         

Four of the 34 abducted coal miners were freed by their captors in Kalakhel area in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency on October 31. The coal miners were abducted on September 30, 2011.

Militants blew up the shrine of saint Syed Allah Dad Shah near Kotal Syedan on Zhob Road, seven kilometres from Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. No militant group claimed responsibility for the bombing.

US blacklisted a jailed Haqqani Network Commander Mali Khan in a bid to block funds to suspected terrorists. "All property subject to US jurisdiction in which Mali Khan has any interest is blocked and US persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him," the State Department said, adding, "This action will help stem the flow of financial and other assistance to the Haqqani Network." Mali Khan was detained in Afghanistan in September, 2011 raid by Afghan and coalition forces.

The Balochistan High Court ordered the Government to extradite former President Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and former Home Minister of Balochistan Shoaib Ahmed Nosherwani in the murder case of Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Afghanistan urged Pakistan to “move beyond words” and take concrete steps to curb militants which it said were a threat to both countries. Afghanistan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting in Istanbul that Afghanistan and Pakistan had been trying for several years to build trust “but I think we have failed to see results on the ground”.

November 2

Two soldiers were killed and two others got injured when some unidentified militants attacked a security checkpoint near Afghan border in Miangan Ghundai checkpost in Ghalanai, headquarters of Mohmand Agency, in FATA in the wee hours. Sepoy Rishad Khan and levies soldier Umer Khitab embraced martyrdom in the attack while two levies soldiers were injured. 

LI militants abducted five family members of the chief of Malikdinkhel Afridi tribe Haji Amal Gul from his house in Nala area of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. The sources said the militants reached Amal Gul’s house and abducted his five relatives including his grandson Rehman Gul, Shehzad and Iqbal. 

At least two personnel of Frontier Corps were killed and six others were injured when a convoy consisting of three vehicles while on its way to Tump area in Turbat District was hit by a remote-controlled device planted by unidentified militants. 

Unidentified armed militants attacked a NATO container on its way to Afghanistan from Karachi and injured the driver at Bypass area of Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District. 

An electricity pylon was slightly damaged when an explosive device strapped to it exploded at Samungli Road in Quetta. The device was strapped to the pylon which shouldered a power transformer and was right opposite to the entrance of the Saddar Police Station and about 50 yards off a highly secured security check post manned by paramilitary troops.

Two people were killed in separate incidents in different parts of Karachi. A man, identified as Jumma, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants on Ahmed Ali Shah Bukhari Road in Lyari within the limits of Baghdadi Police Station. Police suspect the killing to be the incident of Lyari war.                       

A youth, identified as Ehsan Ali Abro, was found dead near Faqira Goth, Super Highway within the limits of Sohrab Goth Police Station. Police officials said that the victim hailed from Jacobabad District and lived at the flood victims’ camp at Super Highway.

Rangers during snap checking and raids in different areas of Karachi arrested 26 accused and recovered arms in the last 48 hours. The raids were conducted in Shanti Nagar, Dalmia, Qalandri Hotel Orangi, 89-Excahnge Landhi, Khadda Lyari, Super Market, Hassan Colony Gadap. 

A video of November 11, 2010 suicide attack on a CID office building in Karachi was released showing three young men being trained, filming their target, the heavily-guarded premises, and appearing before the camera for interviews before carrying out the attack.  The 15-minute video has been produced by ‘Umer Studio’, said to be the media wing of the TTP, and posted by the Global Islamic Media Front on different websites.

One person was killed and 10 others were injured in a bomb blast near Police checkpost in Karkhano Market of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Around 10 vehicles were also damaged in the blast. The attack targeted an influential Pakistani tribal elder, Malik Taj, who was wounded in the attack, Police officer Rahim Shah said.

Police defused a powerful improvised explosive device planted near a CD shop at Board Bazaar in Peshawar. 

Police recovered two bombs from two different places in Mardan town of Mardan District. While one was recovered from Shugo Bridge, the other was found planted near the tower of a cellular phone company, on Mardan Bypass Road. Police said that they arrested three suspected persons from the area. 

Police defused an explosive device, weighed 12 kilograms, planted on Torghar-Thakot road near Shalay area in Mansehra District.

Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Masood Kausar urged militants to lay down arms and join political struggle for the sought-after societal change. He further added that restoration of peace in the FATA is the Government’s top priority. 

Police rescued 34 Afghan children, between nine and 15 years old, from the basement of an unregistered madrassa (religious seminary), Jamia Rasheedia in Ghanta Ghar Bazaar of Gujranwala District.  The in-charge of the madrassa Qari Aqeel, escaped during the raid, but Police arrested his assistant, Qari Taj.

November 3

Four bullet-riddled bodies were found in Windar Town of Lasbela District. Two of the dead were identified as Faraz and Umeed Ali. According to the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, as many as 226 corpses of missing persons have been found from different parts of the province since June 4, 2010.              

During the regular patrolling, Police recovered three bodies from Turbat and Khuzdar Districts. The bodies have been identified to be of Abdul Samad from Khuzdar District and Gohram and Ayam from Turbat District.

A man, identified as Naeem Jamali, was shot dead and two others were injured in an armed attack in Mastung District.

A schoolteacher and prayer leader, identified as Qari Yasin Abbasi, was shot at and injured in Kasi area of Quetta.  Abbasi, a teacher in Islamia High School, was passing through the Ibrahim Street when gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire at him. 

CM Nawab Aslam Raisani while talking to a delegation of journalists at the CM Secretariat in Quetta said that an independent Balochistan is not a practical proposition and will lead to bloodbath in the province.

US drone strike killed at least three suspected Haqqani network militants in Darpakhel Sarai, just outside Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. 

A security man was killed and two others were injured when militants attacked a checkpost near Sadda in Kurram Agency.  Sources said that militants attacked a checkpost of Levies Force near Sadda with heavy and light weapons.

A house and a vehicle were partially damaged when militants fired three missiles at Pewar area of Kurram Agency.

Militants forcibly occupied the houses of Jan Khan, Khana Jan and Sial Jan in Sipah area of Khyber Agency. Sources said that militants also stocked huge quantity of arms and ammunition in the occupied houses and were preparing for a showdown with the SFs, busy in an operation in the area. 

In Spin Qabar area, militants destroyed the houses of two school teachers. 

SFs arrested at least six suspected militants and recovered arms and drugs from their possession during a search operation in Arjali Nadi area in Bara.

A Policeman was killed and two others received injuries when unidentified assailants opened firing on them in Surani area of Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

An Intelligence Agency intercepted a call, made on October 21,2011, to an alleged terrorist ‘commander’, identified as Babar, in Khyber Agency of FATA on November 3, by two militants, identified as Ibrahim Ilyas and Qari Waqas, jailed at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Rawalpindi District. The commander reportedly told them that suicide bombers had entered Lahore, “soon you will get good news”. Following this security was put on high alert across the province.

The Barrack Obama administration is pledging robust assistance to Pakistan despite demands on US finances and a sometimes rocky relationship with Islamabad, a status report on Afghanistan and Pakistan reported.

NATO vowed to exert “severe military pressure” on the Haqqani network. NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that despite the recent violence, the NATO mission was heading in the right direction and militant attacks were down in the July-September period, compared with last year.

November 4

A man, identified as Zainul Abideen, was shot dead outside the house of a retired judge of the Sindh High Court, Justice Zawwar Hussain Jafri in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi by militants. Police retaliated and arrested two persons, Jamil and Munir, while the five others escaped. Police also recovered a .222 rifle, a Kalashnikov, a TT pistol and seized their car, which had a fake number plate.

ISI was behind the Mumbai attacks (November 26, 2008, also known as 26/11) as well as the July 7, 2008 bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul, a November 4 BBC report said. In a new two-part series titled 'Secret Pakistan', Bruce Riedel, the CIA officer who served as advisor to US President Barack Obama, said he had informed the then President-elect about 26/11: "Everything pointed back to Pakistan. It was a defining moment.” "I told the President Pakistan was double-dealing us and that the Pakistanis had been double-dealing the US and its allies for years and years, and they were probably going to continue to do so," he said. 

About the car-laden explosives that went off at the Indian Embassy in Kabul, Mike Waltz, who worked in the US Vice President's office while George Bush was the President, said: "Through information and a series of events (not to mention preceding intelligence intercepts) it became pretty clear the Pakistanis were behind the Jalaluddin Haqqani Network, which was behind the bombing."

The CIA agreed to curtail drone strikes without consent of Pakistan. The CIA had made a series of secret concessions in its drone campaign after military and diplomatic officials complained that large-level strikes were damaging the fragile US relationship with Pakistan.

Two US magazines reported that the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), in charge of the storage and security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, has started moving them in low-security vans on congested roads in order to hide them from US spy agencies and Indian agents all the while making the weapons vulnerable to theft by Islamist militants.

November 5

TTP militants launched an attack on a military convoy near Razmak, more than 50 kilometres south of Miranshah in North Waziristan, in FATA, killing five soldiers and wounding three others. Troops retaliated immediately with small and heavy weapons but there was no report of TTP casualties.

Three soldiers were killed and seven others injured in an ambush in Speen Mella area of South Waziristan. Three vehicles of a bomb disposal squad were travelling to Zangara check-post from Zahidullah security post when militants ambushed them with rockets and Kalashnikovs in Speen Mella area.

The wife of pro-government tribal elder Malak Mohammad Omar was killed and he himself, his father and a son were injured when about 25 militants stormed his house in Bara Kaman Gara area of Nawagai tehsil of Bajaur Agency. Political Tehsildar Shah Naseem Khan told reporters that one of the attackers was killed and several others injured when Security Forces and tribal volunteers fired back.

Two Levies Force personnel were killed and four others injured in an armed attack on their checkpost in the coalmine area of Margat and Marwar in Bolan District of Balochistan.

A bullet-riddled body of a journalist, identified as Javed Naseer Rind, was found in Khuzdar. Javed Naseer Rind worked as a senior sub-editor in local newspaper in Mastung. According to doctors, the body had bullet wound in head and multiple marks of torture. Rind was abducted on September 10 near his resident in Mehmoodabad area of Hub Town in Lasbela District.

A person died when explosive materials that he was carrying went off near Hazara Town, a suburb of Quetta. According to a local police official, the man wanted to place the explosive material somewhere in Hazara Town, a township dominated by the Hazara community. “It was a failed suicide attack, the bomber was heading to Shia population area in Hazara town,” Hamid Shakeel, a Senior Police Officer said.

A convoy of FC troops escaped a remote-controlled blast in Mian Ghundi on Sibbi Road on the outskirts of Quetta. However, no one was hurt in the blast as it took place a few minutes after the convoy had passed by.

A militant commander identified as Gull Rehman and his accomplice were killed in an operation launched by the SFs in Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rehman along with his accomplices was trying to flee the SFs’ operation to Bara Bandi via Mangoli. SFs opened fired at them and killed two on the spot, while arrested one.

Two persons were killed in separate incidents of violence that took place in Karachi in Sindh. In the first incident, a youth was shot dead at a cricket ground at Sacchal Goth within the limits of Sachal Police Station by unidentified assailants. The victim was identified as Mohammad Aslam.

A man was stabbed to death at his house in Farooq Colony of Orangi Town. The deceased was identified as Idrees Bengali.

An anti-terror court in Islamabad indicted two Police officers and five alleged Taliban militants over the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (on December 27, 2007).

The Federal Ministry of Interior released a list of 31 banned outfits. Most of the organisations had been earlier but People’s Aman Committee of Karachi, Shia Tulaba Action Committee, Markaz Sabeel Organisation and Tanzeem-i-Naujawanan-i-Sunnat of Gilgit-Baltistan have been added to the list. The list has counted several militant outfits operating under new names as different organisations. JeM and Khuddam-ul-Islam are two names of the same organisation. SSP and TJP have changed their names to Millat-i-Islamia Pakistan and Islami Tehreek, respectively. They have been mentioned as separate entities. LeT is on the list but its changed name — Jamaat ud Dawa — is missing.

The organisations on the list are: al Qaeda, TTP, LeJ, SMP, TNSM, Jamiat-ul Ansar, Jamiat-ul-Furqan, Hizb-ut-Tehrir, Khair-un-Naas International Trust, Islamic Students Movement, LI, Haji Namdar Group, BLA, BRA, BLF, LeB, BLUF and BMDT. Some of the organisations operating under new names have not been listed.

November 6

The leaders of a tribal lashkar, Malak Amanullah, and two other people were shot dead when suspected militants opened fire in Azam Warsak bazaar, about 20 kilometres west of Wana, in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. Three people were injured in the attack and taken to a hospital in Wana where two of them died. Malak Amanullah had played an important role in forcing Uzbeks and their local Ahmedzai Wazir supporters to leave Waziristan. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. One of the attackers was reportedly killed in firing by men accompanying the Malak.

At least 32 suspects were arrested ahead of Eid celebrations from different parts of Karachi. 13 different types of weapons and two vehicles were seized from the suspects. The areas where the suspects were arrested include Suleman Farsi society, Jumma Goth, Kati Pahari, Faqira Goth, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Nayaabad and Maripur Road.

Federal Minister of Interior Minister Rehman Malik invited TTP and all other terrorists to adopt peace. In his message on the occasion of Eid, Rehman Malik told the TTP to throw away weapons and become part of the national stream. The youngsters, who were being misguided, have rejected the TTP, he added.

Former President General Pervez Musharraf said that Pakistan nuclear weapons are very hard targets and can never be attacked by the United States. "I don't think it is possible from my purely military perspective for anyone, including the United States, to attack them that easily," Musharraf told Fareed Zakaria of the CNN in an interview.

Musharraf warned that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan would lead to Pakistan and India struggling over influence in the war-torn country.

November 7

Three persons, including a former ANP tehsil Nazim, Hanif Jadoon, were killed and nine people were injured in a suicide attack in the Malikabad area of Swabi District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Security Agencies exposed an attempted spree of terrorist attacks in which militants had planned to carry out multiple suicide bombings against several key state institutions including the Presidency and the Army headquarters. Intelligence officials received the information about the plan after detaining a suspected militant who belongs to Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency of FATA and is affiliated with the TTP.

Intelligence Agencies compiled a report on the activities of another suspect, identified as Abid, alias Kalia, who is currently active in southern Punjab in recruitment and preparations for a terrorist campaign in Lahore.

The Government placed no restrictions on JuD from collecting donations and animal hides after the Eid-ul-Azha sacrifice. The group says it has set up a hundred camps for hide collection in Lahore alone. Shahid, a member of the JuD Information Department, said that the group was operating roughly a hundred camps in Lahore under the name JuD or the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF).

Under scanner over the security of its nukes, the Pakistani Army said that it will train 8,000 more Security Force personnel to protect the country's nuclear arsenal and vowed to safeguard them 'at all cost'.

November 8

Militants detonated a high school for girls in Derai of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

SFs captured a TTP Swat chapter ‘commander’, Hazrat Bilal, and his accomplice from Mardan.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik linked the release of confessions made by target killers involved in the violence in Karachi with a formal permission granted by the Supreme Court. Mr Malik informed the media that more than 100 hit-men were arrested and all of them had admitted to their crimes.

Another major attack on American interests in Afghanistan by Pakistan-based militant groups would greatly damage the alliance with Islamabad, a senior US official from Islamabad said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the relationship.

November 9

Two persons, a girl and a suspected militant, were killed while a hospital and dozens of medicine shops were destroyed during a clash between SFs and militants in Miramshah Bazaar of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. Locals said that militants targeted Stadium checkpost and Amin post with heavy and light weapons from the roofs of high buildings in Miramshah Bazaar. SFs, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, targeted the buildings where suspected militants were taking shelter. The gun battle continued for over 16 hours. Sources said that SFs blew up the Medical Complex Plaza, destroying more than 50 medicine shops, costly machinery including ultrasound machines, X-ray plants and other valuable electronic equipment causing millions of rupees losses to the owners. Three children were also injured as various blocks including dental block, Operation Theatre and medical ward of the hospital were damaged. 

Militants fired three rockets from Tangi Zaira Raisy Mountain at Paywar village In Kurram Agency. However, no casualty was reported. It was the second attack on Paywar village within one week.

At least five passengers were injured when a bomb planted on Indus Highway exploded in Darra Adamkhel town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Militants also fired 14 rockets at different areas of Darra Adamkhel. However, no loss of life or property was reported.

Six militants along with 25 thousand kilogrammes explosives were arrested from a poultry farm run by one alleged militant Aslam Tarar in the suburbs of Mandi Bahauddin District. The militants were arrested while preparing an explosive device at the time of arrest. Two of them are expert in preparing suicide cars for simultaneous attacks in Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad Districts of Punjab. Four of them belong to Swat, Swabi, Mardan, Dera Ismail Khan Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, one to Bhakkar District in Punjab and another one to Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

The suspected terrorist who was killed while planting explosives near Hazara Town in Quetta on November 5, 2011 was identified as Pervez Ali, son of a local Shia leader Farhan Ali Haideri of the Jaffarabad District. In an attempt to conceal his identity, he had listed the name of his uncle Noor Hassan as his father on his identity card.

President Asif Ali Zardari promised to work with the United States to “eradicate” the Haqqani network, a pledge made during a meeting with visiting American congressmen, according to the head of the Homeland Security delegation, Michael McCaul.

The United States believes that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are in safe hands, a State Department spokesman Mark Toner said, rebutting an earlier report that Islamabad’s atomic arsenal was vulnerable to theft. Two US publications, The Atlantic and the National Journal, citing unnamed sources, last week said Pakistan had transported nuclear weapons in low-security vans on congested roads to hide them from US spy agencies.

Schools in Pakistan are using textbooks that preach intolerance towards non-Muslim religious minorities, a report published by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said. The report has been co-written by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad. The report also states that most teachers view non-Muslims as “enemies of Islam”.

The commission reviewed more than 100 textbooks from grades 1-10 from Pakistan’s four provinces. Researchers in February 2011 visited 37 public schools, interviewing 277 students and teachers, and 19 madrasas, where they interviewed 226 students and teachers. The report found systematic negative portrayals of minorities, especially Hindus and, to a lesser extent, Christians.

November 10

At least six persons, four lashkar members and two LI militants were killed in a clash between militants and local pro-Government militia in Akakhel area of Khyber Agency in FATA. 

The SFs intensified operation against alleged terrorists in Bara, especially during Eidul Azha to dismantle network of militant groups such as LI and TTP to create durable peace and establish the writ of the Government that it has lost for the last more than five years. 

Unidentified militants blew up a boys’ school in Khawaja Was Kor area of Haleemzai tehsil in Mohmand Agency. 

The militants attacked a joint checkpost of Levies and Khassadar force in Sharaf Kor area of Safi tehsil The SFs repulsed the attack and no life loss occurred in the clash.

Two armed militants killed one Nasrullah in Mastung District. However, the Police reached the site and arrested the accused, identified as Ghulam Murtaza and Abdul Khaliq, after exchange of fire.

SFs foiled an attempt of terror by defusing a bomb planted beside the wall of the Bugti Colony of Sui in Dera Bugti District. 

The LEA are trying to trace the militant outfit behind the suicide bomber, Pervez Ali, who tried to attack an Imambargah (Shia place of worship) in Hazara Town of Quetta on November 4, 2011 but blew himself up after failing to reach his target.  The suicide bomber was identified by his father Farman Ali Haideri on November 8 in the morgue of Bolan Medical College Hospital “My son was kidnapped four months ago by unknown people,” said the father.

The LEAs claimed to have arrested six suspects, including four target killers from different areas of Karachi. A target killer and a worker of one of the politico-religious parties, Aqeel alias Tapla was arrested after a brief encounter near Health Care Hospital in the precincts of North Nazimabad Police Station Police said Aqeel, booked in the murder of some 20 persons, confessed to have killed seven, including five workers of SSP and two Pushtoons. He committed crimes along with his six accomplices namely Altaf, Hasham, Abdul Latif, Shahab, Rizwan and Iqbal alias Papita Altaf managed to flee before the arrival of the LEA.

Authorities also claimed to have arrested a target killer Raheel accused in the murder of seven people during a raid at Nayabad in Lyari area and recovered weapons from his possession.

Police claimed to have arrested a wanted terror suspect, Qari Gul Mohammad, allegedly involved in the February 26, 2002, terrorist attack on Shah-e-Najaf Imambargah in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed area of Rawalpindi.  The Government had announced PNR 200,000 head money for the arrest of Qari Gul Mohammad who had links with LeJ. Besides Gul Mohammad, four other terror suspects have been on the Government’s wanted list in the same case as 14 suspects had already been captured and they are being tried.

Police arrested wanted militant Omar Mohammad alias Kaki during a raid in Nangolai area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Police sources, the arrested militant was wanted by the Police in connection with terrorism, murder and other cases.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said that Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving militant of Pakistani origin from the Mumbai terrorist attacks, deserves death sentence.  Talking to Indian journalists in Addu (Malaysia), Malik said the expected visit by a Pakistani judicial commission to India would help quicken the trial of Mumbai attacks accused in Pakistan “Ajmal Kasab is a terrorist He is a non-state actor He should go to (the) gallows,” he said.

November 11

A constable of the Levies Force, identified as Lal Mohammad, was shot dead near Goth Bachal in Gandawah area of Jhal Magsi District.  

Two persons sustained injuries in a landmine explosion in the Loti area of Dera Bugti District. 

A student of Balochistan Residential College Khuzdar and a Government contractor were abducted from Khuzdar District. 

Unidentified militants blew up two CD shops in Yar Hussein area of Swabi District. However, no life loss has been reported. 

SFs defused an explosive device planted on Mingora Road in Sher Plum area of Swat District.  

Rangers conducted a raid at Faqir Colony in Orangi Town area of Karachi and arrested four suspects and recovered two TT pistols from their possession. The Rangers shifted the detained suspects to an unknown place for further interrogation. 

Saeedabad Police claimed to have arrested two suspects, Naeem and Abdul Basit from Baldia Town and recovered two TT pistols from their possession.  

Rangers arrested two suspects, identified as Babar and Sarosh, from Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.

London Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe confirmed the arrest of two alleged killers of MQM leader Imran Farooq on August 25, 2011 in Karachi. Imran Farooq was killed on September 16, 2010 outside his residence in Green Lane of Edgware in London. The two suspects were reportedly arrested from the Karachi Airport at least two months ago but Pakistani Police never confirmed their arrest.

The TTP said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan is a slave of the US and Europe because he labels himself a liberal, a BBC Urdu report said. Speaking to BBC Urdu, TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said that “liberal” was an English word, and that if Khan thinks he is a representative of the people, he should talk in the language of Pakistanis, which is Urdu,” adding, that Khan was not a supporter of the TTP and neither were they his sympathisers.

Building on recent diplomatic efforts to normalise strained relations between Islamabad and Washington, military chiefs from both countries met and agreed to increase cooperation to curtail cross-border movement of terrorists on the Pak-Afghan border.

Pakistan demanded that international forces must take action to dismantle Pakistani militants from Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Bajaur Agency in FATA and prevent them from teaming with militants in Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan.

November 12

Five militants, including one cadre of the TTP, identified as Arshad, and four Intelligence officials were killed in crossfire in Pind Dadan Khan area of Jhelum District in Punjab. It was reported that Police had carried out an operation on Pir Chambal hill with the help of Intelligence Agencies. The militants were hiding inside a shrine located on the hill. The militants killed belonged to the LeJ outfit.

At least four people were killed in a firing incident at Rawalpindi Court. According to sources, three unidentified militants opened fire at a man named Chaudhry Shaukat, his brother and his nephew who were being taken to the court for a hearing. One passer-by, also shot in the incident, succumbed to his wounds. The Police claimed to have arrested two of the suspects and said that the incident was an organised crime. 

At least six persons, including two children and a woman, were killed when a mortar fired by militants fell on a house in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Sources said that the militants wanted to target a nearby check post of SFs but missed the target and fell on the house.

Six LI militants were killed and 10 others wounded at Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency during an encounter at a Frontier Corps check post. SF arrested all the injured militants.

Militants refused to release the 26 labourers abducted from Kalakhel area of Khyber Agency on September 30, 2011. Militants had demanded PNR 1.5 million for release of the abducted workers and the local committee had agreed to pay the amount but later the abductors refused to release the labourers so the money was not paid, a tribal elder said.

A Policeman, identified as Ayaz, was killed and a constable Fazal Rahim injured in a remote-controlled bomb attack on a Police check post near Dhandu Bridge at Saro Police Station in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A former union nazim and local leader of ANP Karimul Hadi Khan, along with his two friends Professor Riaz and Haji Akhunzada were injured in a hand grenade attack by unidentified militants in Kanju Township in Kabal tehsil of Swat District. 

A woman and a teenage boy were injured in a remote controlled blast on a Police patrol near the Bakra Mandi area in Dera Murad Jamali city of Naseerabad District in Balochistan.

Unidentified militants blew up three power-supplying towers with explosive materials in Kohlu District. United Baloch Army (UBA) spokesman Mizar Baloch, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Levis Force recovered three abductees during an encounter with the armed captors in Mach area of Bolan District. Armed militants had abducted them on gun point early on November 12, 2011.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said during a conversation with a delegation of the National Defence University (NDU), “any action of the Armed Forces taken without a direction by the Federal Government will be unconstitutional, illegal, void ab initio and consequently of no legal effect”.

The Leader of TTP North Waziristan Chapter Hafiz Gul Bahadur threatened to abandon an unofficial peace deal with the Government, raising the spectre of more violence.

November 13

Nine volunteers of Zakhakhel tribal lashkar were killed and six others injured when a bomb concealed in a donkey cart exploded near a watermill in Mastak bazaar of Khyber Agency in FATA.  No group has claimed responsibility for the blast. The Zakhakhel tribal lashkar and the Mangal Bagh-led LI are at loggerheads since April 2011.

Two militants were killed as clashes continued between LI and Ansarul Islam in Serhai Kandao area of Tirah valley. Sources said that fresh clashes erupted in Serhai Kandao area where the militants were engaged in fierce fighting to take control of some hilltops under the control of the LI.

In Malikdinkhel area, militants attacked a security post at midnight of November 12. Officials said that troops repulsed the attack which caused minor damage to the post. Nobody was injured in the attack. Troops imposed a curfew in Malikdinkhel area and arrested about 26 suspected militants.

In Bajaur Agency, SF arrested five suspects and neutralised two landmines during a search operation in Mamond tehsil. Officials said that SF launched an operation after a roadside bomb exploded during patrolling of soldiers in Tarkho area of Mamond tehsil. Nobody was injured in the blast.

Bomb disposal squad neutralised a time bomb planted under a bridge in Khar Kallay of Kurram Agency.

Twin bomb blasts destroyed a major portion of Primary Girls’ School, Shewa No 3 under Kalu Khan Police Station in the Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The explosions that occurred one after the other, destroyed five of the seven rooms of the School.

Militants blew off a Girls Higher Secondary School in Bannu. The explosion resulted in damaging doors and windows of the building while the residences of a former nazim union council Barkatullah Khan and his relatives were also damaged.

The law enforcement agencies arrested eight alleged terrorists during a raid at Shindhand camp of Afghan refugees in Kohat District.  Police said that they received information that a group of militants was intimidating tribal families, who were fleeing their homes owing to attacks on their vehicles on Shindhand Road. Police recovered six Kalashnikovs and two light machine guns from their possession.

November 14

Five FC personnel were killed and six others injured when militants first attacked a check-post and later an FC convoy in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. 

A drone strike targeting a house killed five people in Miranshah Bazaar of North Waziristan Agency.

SFs killed three militants and injured four who intruded into Mohmand Agency from Afghanistan overnight. They said that personnel of Khasadar Force and Frontier Corps, manning a checkpost in the Olay area, challenged the militants when they were entering Baizai tehsil at about 8:15 pm.

One person was killed and eight others, including six women, were injured when militants fired mortar shells at Jawaki area of Frontier Region of Kohat.

A mortar shell landed in the house of Khyber Khan Afridi, which reportedly wounded a minor child and two women inside the house at Meri Khel area of Akakhel tehsil in Khyber Agency. 

Five suspected persons were arrested and arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession in a search operation by SFs at Tarkho area of Mamound tehsil of Bajaur Agency. 

Two people were shot dead in separate incidents of violence in Karachi.               

A senior member of ASWJ and Pesh Imam of Al-Manzar Mosque, identified as Maulana Abdul Hafeez, was shot dead and another Qari Hafeez-ur-Rehman was wounded near NIPA Chowrangi Block within the precincts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police Station. 

A cadre of a SSP, identified as Abdul Rehman, was shot dead at his clinic in Babar Market within the limits of Landhi Police Station. Rehman was a resident of Zamanabad Landhi.

Police found an unidentified tortured dead body in a graveyard of Khuchlak on the outskirt of Quetta.

Two persons were injured when an IED went off in a busy market on Punyal road of Gilgit town in Gilgit-Baltistan. The place of the blast is a few yards from the central Imamia mosque, Police said.

Two low-intensity blasts have been reported at Havaid and Miran Akundkhel areas of Bannu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, there were no causalities. The bomb planted at the house of Shehri Khan at Havaid was blasted by unidentified militants with the help of remote-control device, destroying its structure and boundary-wall. The second blast ripped through an auto shop at Miran Akundkhel, destroying it completely. 

The local peace jirga in Swat has demanded arrest of reuniting terrorists, who had fled the District after a military operation, to bring them to justice. The demand was made by chief of Nekpikhel Peace Committee Saifullah Khan during a press conference in Mingora.

TTP Chief Hakimullah Mehsud warned that his fighters were planning attacks against the Government and the military to wrest control of areas that they had lost in the country's northwest.

However, he claimed that the TTP were continuing the "open war" that was declared by slain TTP founder Baitullah Mehsud against the Pakistani state in January 2008 due to the country's alliance with the US.

November 15

At least 28 militants were killed and 12 others injured during clashes with SFs in the Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. At least 11 places said to have been used by militants as hideouts were destroyed.

The death toll in the drone attack in Miramshah town of North Waziristan Agency rose to seven. Earlier, it was reported that five militants were killed.

Police found an unidentified torture-marked dead body from Christian Graveyard in Baldia within the jurisdiction of Saeedabad Police Station in Karachi.

Unidentified armed militants set ablaze a container carrying military hardware for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan near Dasht area of Mastung District. As result of firing, driver Abdul Majeed suffered bullet injuries.

In a joint operation, Police along with Elite Force commandos recovered explosives and other material under the use of terrorists near the shrine of Pir Chambal in Chakwal District. The recovered goods included around five kilogrammes of high explosive, plastic explosives along with live fuse attached to it and items of personal use in four bags.

British Police working on a major counter-terrorism operation linked to Pakistan said that they arrested four suspects in Birmingham for fundraising in Britain and travelling to Pakistan for terrorist training. 

November 16

One Army major, Major Sikandar, and 20 militants were killed during a clash when about 60 militants attacked the Marazan checkpost in the central Kurram Agency of FATA in the night. At least nine hideouts of the militants were destroyed. 

Five US drones fired up to 10 missiles into a sprawling compound in the Baber Ghar area of South Waziristan Agency, killing 18 militants. 

Nine militants were reportedly killed as SFs destroyed six militant hideouts and a double-cabin vehicle in Koranchi and Dapar Parari areas of Upper tehsil in Orakzai Agency. Elsewhere in the Agency, the militants attacked a post in Ghundai Makki. The SFs in retaliatory fire killed two militants.  

Six tribesmen were killed and two others sustained injuries when a vehicle ran over a roadside landmine in Spori area of Khyber Agency. The vehicle was coming from Jani Khel tehsil to Jamrud tehsil. 

SFs launched a house-to-house search operation in Babikhel area of Haleemzai tehsil in Mohmand Agency and recovered at least 303 guns.

At least seven persons, including five terrorists and two Policemen, were killed in a blast in a hi-roof van of suspected terrorists at Sea View at Clifton in Karachi, the Provincial capital of Sindh. 

One Khalid Hussain, who registered abduction and torturing case against MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed and four other activists of his party on October 7, 2011, was wounded in a firing incident in Landhi area within the jurisdiction of Landhi Police Station.

A pathologist at the Hamdard University, identified as Colonel (R) Dr Syed Iftikhar Ahmed Abidi, accompanied with a driver was abducted under mysterious circumstances from Northern Bypass within the jurisdiction of Gulshan-e-Maymar.

One Policeman, identified as Irshad Khan, was injured when militants attacked Riaz Shaheed Police Post in Sarbanda area on the suburbs of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

A low-intensity bomb, explosion took place at Sari Naurang Police Station in Lakki Marwat District. No casualty was reported.

Police neutralised a terror bid by defusing a bomb under a culvert on Tajori Road near Malang Adda in Lakki Marwat District.  

ATC acquitted three sons of the ‘chief’ of TNSM, Maulana Sufi Muhammad. Judge Asim Imam acquitted Abdullah, Abdur Rehman and Fazlullah, who were charged by the Saidu Sharif Police with treason, terrorism and murder, after the prosecution failed to prove its case.

Around 17 suspected terrorists, including three TTP ‘commanders’ were arrested from Lahore, Multan and Okara Districts. Several mobile phones and laptops were seized from these suspects. The TTP ‘commanders’ include Qari Muhammad Ashraf, Dr Abdul Khaliq and Mohammad Sarfraz. Sources said that the arrested TTP ‘commanders’ previously belonged to LeJ.

November 17

22 militants were killed and 10 others injured during the fighting with SFs in Ghaljo and Sheena Warai areas of Upper tehsil in Orakzai Agency of FATA.  

Nine militants were killed during clashes with SF personnel in Amlok village in Central tehsil of Kurram Agency. 

US drones fired four missiles at a home in the Razmak area of North Waziristan Agency near the Afghanistan border, killing eight alleged militants.

Two militants were killed and a Policeman sustained injury in an encounter near Mamrez Police post at Telaband in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

A Government school was blown up by suspected militants in main Charsadda Bazaar of Charsadda District. However, there were no causalities.

A basic health unit was blown up by suspected militants, using improvised explosive device, in Mansooka area of Shabqadar. 

A CD shop was blown up by unidentified militants at Taji Kallay bus stand in the limits of Ghori Wala Police Station in Bannu District.

A bomb was found and defused in Sadar Bazaar in the limits of Ahmad Khan Chowk Police Station. 

A Frontier Corps vehicle escaped a remote-controlled blast in Arbab Complex area of Khuzdar District. No casualty was reported.

The investigators said that the suicide attack of November 16, 2011 at the Karachi sea front that killed two Policemen and five militants was targeting the nearby shrine of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi.

According to details, the militants were preparing at the sea front to attack the Urs (ceremony of saints) ceremony which was to take place at 11:00pm, but they were taken by surprise, when the two Policemen arrived there, and blew themselves up.

November 18

At least eight militants and a Policeman were killed in clashes between SFs and militants in Wacha Wana of Orakzai Agency in FATA. 

SFs killed a militant and injured another during a clash in Spinwam area of North Waziristan Agency. 

A Government primary school for girls was blown up in the Danqol village of Salarzai tehsil in Bajaur Agency. However, no casualty was reported. Officials said militants had blown up 105 schools in the agency since 2007. 

Four suspected burka-clad men of foreign origin were detained at the Saidgi check-post in the Frontier Region Bannu. Dressed as women, the men were coming to Bannu from North Waziristan by car. It could not be immediately ascertained which country the suspects belong to. 

Britain is looking into reports that two UK nationals accused of extremist links were killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan’s tribal region, the Foreign Office said. The men were named as Ibrahim Adam (24), and Mohammed Azmir (37), by their family and friends, Britain’s Press Association domestic news agency reported. They were killed in the Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan at least three months ago, it reported.

A Yemeni national and an alleged al Qaeda ‘commander’ Abdul Moeedul Islam blew himself up with a Russian made hand grenade during a raid by paramilitary soldiers in Rao Israr Apartments of Gulistan-e-Jauhar area in Karachi. At the time of the incident his four children and wife Humaira were also present and sustained injuries. A senior intelligence source claimed that the militant had been operating the al Qaeda network in Pakistan. He carried head money of PKR 150 million.

Investigators of the November 16, 2011 Sea View suicide attack arrested relatives and family members of the identified terrorists from different areas Karachi. According to details, Police conducted raids at the houses of Atiq Bengali and Shoaib-ur-Rehman in Nazimabad and Orangi areas and detained around 10 people, including father of Rehman and his uncle Shafiq, Rehman hailed from Chakwal District of Punjab, and his brother, posted at Police Department Chakwal District, was also arrested for investigation.

The Police on November 18 foiled a large-scale terror bid by recovering a bomb from a passenger van in the jurisdiction of the Serai Naurang Police Station in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

Police arrested the militants involved in the assassination of an ANP leader, Hanif Gul Jadoon, in a suicide attack in his village, Malikabad, in Swabi District. Police sources said that five militants were arrested during separate raids in Jehangira town in Nowshera District and in Katlang tehsil in Mardan District.  Sources said the three militants have their connection with the TTP.

November 19

At least 10 militants were killed and several others injured as helicopter gunships pounded hideouts of militants for hours in Adokhel, Mir Kalamkhel, Jabba, Sama Bazaar and Mamozai areas of Upper Kurram Agency in FATA.

Two tribesmen were killed when a mortar shell fell on a house in Toor Toot area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency.               

Unidentified armed men shot dead two suspected militants in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil. The suspected militants were riding a motorcycle when they were attacked by the gunmen. The attackers managed to escape after the incident.

A senior member of Salarzai Peace Committee, Malik Gul Akbar, escaped an attempt on his life by unidentified militants in Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur Agency.

Two SF personnel were killed and three others were injured in a landmine blast in Janu Berri area of Dera Bugti District.

A prayer leader, identified as Maulana Abdullah Haqqani, was shot dead while his companion sustained serious injuries when unidentified militants opened fire on them while going to a mosque to offer prayer in Shaidu area of Nowshera District.                 

Militants triggered an IED at the house of Gul Azad in the limits of Saddar Police Station in Bannu District, damaging the boundary wall, doors and windowpanes of the house. 

Another explosion occurred in the limits of Hooveed Police Station where militants planted a bomb at a bridge and detonated it. The bridge was partially damaged in the blast.

A house was damaged when a bomb exploded outside the house of Chaudhry Aslam in Darra Pezu Town of Lakki Marwat District. The main gate and a portion of the boundary wall of his residence were damaged.

A man, identified as Ansar, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Hijrat Colony within the limits of Civil Lines Police Station in Karachi.

While addressing the inaugural ceremony of the passport office in Islamgarh town of Mirpur District in PoK, Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik advised TTP to furnish the children with pen and book, instead of preparing them for suicide attacks and asked them to surrender by disarming themselves and refrain from playing into the hands of the enemy.

November 20

At least 10 militants were killed and four others were injured during an operation when SFs shelled the hideouts of terrorists in Mamozai, Addu Khail and Mir Khail areas of Orakzai Agency in the FATA. Sources said that during a search operation in the Tasa locality of Orakzai Agency, some militants offered resistance and opened fire on SFs, injuring a soldier.

Six dead bodies of LI were found in the Qamber Abad area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency.  According to sources, two of the killed were from the Sepah tribe, while the other four were from the Malik Deen Khel tribe.

Two people, including a Policeman, were killed in separate incidents of violence in different parts of Karachi. A Policeman, identified as Sanaullah Niazi, was killed at Essa Nagri within the remit of Aziz Bhatti Police Station.

A dead body of a man, identified as Nasrullah, bearing torture marks was found near power plant along the National Highway within the remit of Steel Town Police Station.

At least eleven people sustained injuries when some explosive material went off at Kumar cinema located in old city area of Kharadar near Lea market in Karachi.

Four suspects belonging to the Lashkar-e-Mehdi (Mehdi Force), allegedly linked to an attack on the Saudi Consulate on May 11, 2011, were arrested from different areas.

Two bullet-riddled dead bodies of missing persons were found from Kalag Kulanch area of Pasni in Gwadar District. The dead bodies were identified as Mula Abdul Khaliq 33, a resident of Palari area Jiwani tehsil of Gwadar District and Zahid Hussain Dashti, a resident of Zarainn Bug area of Dasht in Mastung District.

Unidentified militants set three NATO containers carrying goods for NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan on fire on Sibi Road in Dasht area of Mastung District. As a result, all the containers and cargo were destroyed. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The SFs with the help of bomb disposal squad averted a bid of terrorism by defusing a bomb planted at the bank of a canal in Baha area of Matta tehsil in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

November 21

SFs backed by gunship helicopters pounded militants’ hideouts, killing 11 TTP militants and injuring 25 others in central tehsil of Kurram Agency in FATA.  

Gunship choppers targeted militants’ positions near the Afghan border in the upper Orakzai Agency and killed 10 militants and destroyed five hideouts.

At least 14 personnel of the Frontier Corps, including a Major, identified as Muhammad Amir Shahzad, were killed and 16 others got injured when their convoy was attacked by a group of BLA militants near a coalfield in Bahlol Basti and Kingari area of Musakhel District. The BLA claimed the responsibility for the attack and further claimed that BLA attackers also took away the arms of the Frontier Corps soldiers.

At least one Policeman was killed in a blast that occurred outside the Government girls’ high school in Shahdand Baba area of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the incident, eight others - three Policemen and five civilians - also got injured.

Armed militants abducted two professors, Imtiaz Vigan and Ghulam Muhammad Mehr, of two different medical colleges in Jacobabad District.

TTP is holding exploratory peace talks with the Government, an unnamed senior TTP commander and an unnamed tribal mediator told Reuters. The talks are focused on the South Waziristan region and could be expanded to try to reach a comprehensive deal.

November 22

A trooper and a lashkar were killed when militants attacked a check post in Qambar Abad locality of Bara subdivision in Khyber Agency of FATA.

In Akkakhel area, another lashkar was killed when militants ambushed a patrol party of the local peace body. 

Militants attacked two oil tankers supplying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan near Charwazgai area of Landikotal. 

Bomb Disposal Squad defused a bomb which was placed near a medicine shop in the main market of Landikotal.

An old man, identified as Haya Khan, was shot dead in Ittehad Town within the jurisdiction of Mochko Police Station in Karachi.

Police found an unidentified dead body of a young man from Nishtar Road area within the limits of Garden Police Station. Police officials said the victim appeared to be Irani Baloch. 

An activist of ASWJ, identified as Qari Zafar, was shot dead at his house in Wahid Colony within the limits of North Nazimabad Police Sation.

Police foiled a terror activity plan for coming Muharram as they arrested a terrorist, identified as Haseeb Ullah alias Asif Ullah, from North Nazimabad within the jurisdiction of Paposhnagar Police post.

LEA arrested nine suspects and recovered weapons from their possession. LEAs arrested four suspects over July 16, 2011 target killing of Pakistan International Airlines Collective Bargaining Agent President Amir Shah.

The dead bodies of a member of a peace committee and his companion, abducted by militants on November 13, were found in the market of Pasni under Badhber Police Station, the suburban area of Peshawar.

A meeting of different peace bodies of Peshawar was held at the residence of Badhber Qaumi lashkar chief Fahimur Rehman. The meeting condemned the killing of the two persons and alleged that Police were responsible for the incident.

A prayer leader, identified as Maulana Fazizullah, was shot dead by unidentified armed militants near Moti Raam Road area in Quetta while returning home after evening prayers in Jamia Masjid.  

Workers of a private oil and gas company, BGP, escaped unhurt in a landmine explosion in Pat Feeder area of Dera Bugti District.

Several shops were partially damaged in an explosion near Tariq Hospital area of Sariab Road in Quetta.

Police recovered and defused a suicide jacket found near office of a Secret Agency close to Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad and also issued the sketch of the suspected person whose movement was observed in the area.

It was reported that anti-peace jihadists have launched a hate campaign against India across Lahore. There have been incidents of wall chalking across the city. The slogans were written on different walls, mainly in Model Town and canal areas.

An unnamed ‘commander’ of TTP said that his organisation has declared a ceasefire to the extent of Mehsud-dominated areas of South Waziristan Agency of FATA to build confidence with the Government for holding peace talks. A close aide to Hakimullah Mehsud, the ‘chief’ of the banned organisation, told that the TTP had ceased all combat activities in October and had not been attacking SFs in Mehsud-dominated area of South Waziristan, ‘following talks with the Government’.

Pakistan Army denied news reports that alleged that it was engaged in negotiations with the TTP. A statement issued by the ISPR “strongly and categorically” refuted news reports published by Reuters on November 21 that claimed that the Pakistani Government and Army were engaging in peace talks.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik welcomed the TTP’s ceasefire offer and said the Government also had received the offer. “However, any peace talks with the TTP are subject to disarming themselves,” he added. 

Hafiz Gul Bahadur fraction of TTP, who has a peace deal with the Pakistani military, said his fighters would not stop army engineers building a road through territory he controls in the country’s northwest, but warned locals working on the project would be killed as spies.

November 23

Clashes between SFs and militants occurred in Kurram and Orakzai Agencies of FATA killing at least 45 militants in ground action and air strikes. Clashes erupted after a militant attack in Jugai area of central Kurram killing 20 militants in the ongoing clashes between SFs and militants. Another 16 militants were killed when helicopter gunships attacked militant hideouts in Gawaza and Gawaki areas of the Agency.  Reports claimed that two security personnel were killed and 15 others were injured. Later, bodies of the three missing soldiers were also recovered.    

Nine militants were killed and three injured in clashes in the upper tehsil of Orakzai Agency. A vehicle loaded with weapons and ammunition had been destroyed. According to official claims, over 200 militants have been killed in the offensive. 

A NATO supply oil tanker hit an explosive device in Landikotal town on Torkham Road near Michni check post in Khyber Agency. The driver and the conductor of the oil tanker fled unhurt from the scene. 

An explosion damaged three classrooms in the Government middle school Abdul Latif Kali in Landikotal town. The blast was so huge that it smashed the windowpanes of the whole school and the nearby houses. 

LEA arrested a suspected person, identified as Akhtar Jan, with two hand grenades from sports complex, where Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Masood Kausar was witnessing as chief guest a friendly football match between Parachinar and Sadda teams in Parachinar, the capital of Kurram Agency.

Two people were shot dead by unidentified militants in Jutial area of Gilgit District. One of the victims was identified as Tahir.

The Balochistan Levies recovered two unidentified dead bodies from the Aap Sar area of Turbat District.

TTP attacked a Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan District killing two Policemen and injuring seven others in gunfights. The TTP claimed responsibility for a pre-dawn assault on Police.

The ST expressed serious concerns over the appointment of Sherry Rehman as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US. Speaking to Pakistan Press International (PPI), Central leader of the ST Shahid Ghauri said Rehman was already following “policies of the US and the Jewish lobby as she tried to abolish the country’s blasphemy laws.” “

The TTP spokesman refuted claims by other ‘commanders’ that the outfit had agreed to a cease-fire and exploratory peace talks with the Government, raising the prospect that TTP is splitting into factions.

November 24

Twelve persons, five women and two children among them, were injured in a bomb attack on a passenger bus near Durrani village in the lower Kurram Agency of FATA.

SFs foiled a terrorism bid by recovering two kilogrammes of explosive material from a pick-up van coming from Tri Mangal area of the Upper Kurram Agency at an internal check-post in Parachinar. SFs arrested the five people sitting in the car. 

Eighty Afghan nationals were arrested from Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District for illegally entering Pakistan through the Babe Dosti gate of the Chaman border.

 

The two dead bodies that were recovered on November 23 from Aap Sar area of Turbat District were identified as being those of BRP Central Informational Secretary Jalel Reki, who was abducted on February 13, 2009, by a group of armed militants from Sariab Road in Quetta; and Baloch National Movement (BNM) activist and a resident of Tasp area in Panjgur District Mohammad Younus.

Rangers arrested 12 suspects in a targeted operation in different parts of Karachi. According to reports, Rangers conducted operation in Patel Para, Site, Orangi Town, Nazimabad and shifted the arrested suspects to undisclosed location.

The JuD, the frontal organisation of LeT blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, organised a rally to protest the Pakistan Government's move to give MFN-status to India. JuD leaders who addressed the rally accused India of being behind shortage of water that is affecting Pakistani farmers.

November 25

SFs targeted terrorist strongholds in Kurram Agency of FATA at the midnight, killing 35 and injuring 15 others. Four soldiers were also killed in the firefight, which lasted several hours.

SFs killed 16 militants and arrested two others in Dabori and Khadezai areas of upper tehsil in Orakzai Agency. Sources said that one soldier was injured in clashes with insurgents.

Six militants were killed when an explosive device went off in their vehicle. Sources said a group of militants was going to an unknown location from Dabori area when a powerful blast took place in their vehicle near Gundital village, killing six militants on the spot.

Militants destroyed houses of pro-government tribal elders Malik Amin Badshah and Wazir Gul in central parts of the agency. No loss of life was reported because the two elders had moved to safe areas with their families.

A Shia man, identified as Ghulam Hussain, was shot dead in a sectarian attack at his shop within the limits of North Nazimabad Police Station by unidentified armed assailants. Police suspected that sectarian issue could be motive behind the incident.

Sudden and alarming rise in daring daylight bank robberies with criminals decamping with millions of rupees in a highly professional manner hints at Karachi being infested with militants. Officials conducting investigations into the recent heists, particularly in Defence and Gulshan areas, say that the modus operandi of these criminals show that they are not petty robbers but militants who belong to various outfits which are involved in acts of terrorism. Senior officials suspect that the TTP and various other militant outfits from FR Kohat and Parachinar in Kurram Agency of FATA are committing robberies since they have been facing a serious financial crunch in the wake of the measures taken by the Federal Agencies to cut off their main source of income abroad, mainly Middle East.

Two Policemen were injured in an explosion at Khalabat Township Police Station in Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the Police, they received a tip-off about a suspected car parked outside a seminary, upon which they reached the spot and found a plastic canister fitted with wires.

The Afghan Taliban supreme commander Mullah Muhammad Omar is pushing Pakistani militants based in the tribal areas to strike a peace deal with the Government and has advised the chief of the Haqqani network to mediate between them, an unnamed Taliban associate said.

November 26

At least 25 soldiers were killed in a cross border attack by NATO on a check post in Salala village in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA. At least 12 soldiers were injured, added Express Tribune.

Pakistan’s acting ambassador to the US, Iffat Gardezi, registered a protest against the incident with officials of the US State Department.

Following the release of a hit list including the names of four journalists, the Khuzdar Press Club announced that the journalists of the Khuzdar District would suspend their professional duties by November 27 for an indefinite period of time. An armed outfit BMDA issued a hit list of four journalists belonging to Khuzdar and said it would soon target these journalists.

November 27

At least 12 militants were killed and 15 injured in an ongoing operation launched by SFs in Kundital area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. One SF official was also killed in the attack. 

A man was injured in a bomb blast in Sultankhel area of Khyber Agency. According to an eyewitness, some locals and Khasadar officials were returning after offering funeral prayer of a woman when they saw a two-kilogramme bomb planted on the way between cars. The bomb went off a when they touched it with a bamboo. Resultantly, a local identified as Mehrab Khan was injured.

Two SF personnel, identified as Zain-ul-Abideen and Azhar Hussain were shot dead and 11 others wounded when some participants of a protest rally organized by SSP opened indiscriminate fire on Shia camps at Numaish Chowrangi area while returning from Karachi Press Club in Karachi.

Two activists of MQM were killed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area by unidentified armed assailants. The victims were later identified as Mir Sikander Ali and Naseer who were the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan. Ali was the sector in-charge of MQM Gilgit. 

An unidentified young man was shot dead in a sectarian attack in Ghazi Goth near Murghi Khana stop within the limits of Manghopir Police Station while returning from afternoon prayers from Rehmania Mosque. He said that sectarian killings might be the motive behind the incident. 

A Shia man, identified as Raza, was shot dead near Metro Cinema in the precincts of Orangi Town Police Station. Police said that it was sectarian attack.

Six back-to-back blasts occurred through the railway tracks in Hyderabad District, Naushero Feroze District and Nawabshah District of Sindh, suspending the rail service at up and down tracks. SDLA claimed responsibility for the explosions. No loss of life was reported.   

Balochistan Levies recovered bullet-riddled body of a person, identified as Khair Bakhsh, from Kashari area on the outskirts of Lasbela District. 

Police claimed to have foiled a terror bid by seizing an explosive laden car in the Irrigation Colony at Sayrab Road in Quetta. Police received information about the presence of a suspicious car parked at a roadside in the area and recovered 30 kilograms of explosive from the car.

The TTP said that the NATO attack on Pakistani check posts has proved that America “can never be a friend of Pakistan” and that Islamabad should accept TTP’s stance after this attack, a BBC report said. Mukarrum Khurasani, the assistant of the TTP ‘commander’ in Mohmand Agency Umar Khalid told the BBC over the phone that Pakistan should sever relations with the US.

The JuD, the frontal organisation of LeT, protested in front of the Lahore Press Club– its third demonstration in the city in a week – against the granting of MFN trade status to India and the NATO attack on Pakistani troops. Some 800 protestors from Al Muhammadia Students Pakistan, JuD’s youth wing, gathered at the press club carrying banners and placards calling for, among other things, Pakistan’s withdrawal from its alliance with the United States.

November 28

Six Khasadar Force personnel got injured when a powerful bomb explosion destroyed a Khasadar Force’s vehicle in a mechanic repair store on Torkham road in front of the Landikotal Press Club in Landikotal of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Police arrested a key militant ‘commander’ Badshah Zada during a raid on a house in the Matta tehsil area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Badshah Zada was wanted by Police for the murder of lashkar Chief Pir Samullah, as well as other terror incidents.

About 100 suspects from two outfits were arrested in an overnight operation, following the November 27, 2011 killings of two Security Force personnel at a Shia camp in Numaish Chowrangi area in Karachi. Rangers and Police cracked down on the SSP – that works under the new name ASWJ, and LeJ activists.

Pakistan vowed no more “business as usual” with the United States after NATO strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. In an interview with CNN, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said incidents such as the NATO cross-border attack further alienated the Pakistani masses, leaving his Government isolated in its unpopular alliance with the US.

President Barack Obama sees the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers in a NATO raid as a tragedy, the White House said, but argued that crisis-wracked US-Pakistani ties were vital to both sides. White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama believed the November 26 attack which threw US-Pakistani ties into turmoil was “a tragedy,” adding that “we mourn those brave Pakistani service members that lost their lives.” “We take this matter very seriously,” said Carney, adding that two inquiries by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and US Central Command would examine what took place.

Pakistan denied provoking NATO air strikes and refused to accept expressions of regret over the cross-border attack that has inflamed US-Pakistani ties. While rejecting NATO’s claim that Pakistan forces initiated fire, ISPR Director General Major General Athar Abbas said, “NATO forces should present proof if they were claiming that firing was started from Pakistani side.”

The US military named an Air Force General Brigadier General Stephen Clark to lead an investigation into NATO air strikes. The chief of US Central Command appointed Brigadier General Stephen Clark, from Air Force Special Operations Command in Florida, as the investigating officer for the probe that will also include a NATO representative, officials said.

Pentagon Spokesman George Little said that he could not confirm reports that Pakistan had banned US Government aircraft or ordered the CIA out of the Shamsi air base, which had reportedly been used for US drone strikes against militants.

The FBR unearthed a mega fraud pertaining to the import of 1,000 automatic weapons through mis-declaration and it is feared that millions of sophisticated weapons may already have been imported during the preceding years. A top official of the FBR under the condition of anonymity told to The News that they apprehended two consignments, one coming from Ukraine and another from Turkey, through which automatic machine guns named as “Stichken” and “Zaxina”, which had otherwise been declared as pistols.

FBR has confessed before the Supreme Court that 3,300 NATO containers loaded with defence goods and equipment have disappeared while cases have been filed against the alleged culprits and they will soon be apprehended.  The written reply revealed that the number of missing commercial containers was 28,802. Earlier, after the initial report on 7,922 missing containers, the Supreme Court had handed over the issue of investigation to the Federal Ombudsman, Dr Muhammad Shoaib Suddle.

November 29

A bomb blast that ripped through a funeral prayer of a local tribesman in Shakai road of South Waziristan Agency in FATA bordering Afghanistan killed two persons and injured another three. 

A woman and a girl were killed while three other women were injured when a mortar shell landed in a house at Sheikhan area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. 

Two persons were injured when reportedly a landmine exploded in a field in Kot Azam, a village some 15 kilometres of Tank, of South Waziristan Agency.   

A lecturer of Balochistan University, identified as Mohammad Danish Alam, was killed by unknown militants in the Zarghoonabad area of Quetta. 

A suspected suicide bomber was killed near Quetta when the explosive material that he was carrying went off prematurely. 

Five militants of Jundullah were arrested by the LEAs along with a huge cache of weapons that included five TT pistols and also a map of central jail and a hit list of prominent personalities from their possession. SIU on a tip-off intercepted a taxi near Kamal Hospital, located within Artillery Maidan Police precincts, and arrested five members of Jundullah.

Police claimed to have recovered a live hand grenade from Kalakot Police limits near Al-Fateh School situated in Lyari’s Jhat Pat Market area. 

The LEAs conducted a raid at Mominabad graveyard and recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition stuffed in three bags. Sources said that some suspected militants had concealed a heavy cache of weapons, which were most likely to be used in Muharram to flare up violence.

Pakistan decided to boycott Bonn (Germany) international conference at on Afghanistan in December, widening its protest over NATO cross-border attacks on November 26 and exacerbating a deep crisis in US ties.

JuD vowed to convert Pakistan into a Taliban state and to train young people to wage jihad against America and India. JuD activists as well as school children as young as 10 from various Districts were brought to the Lahore Press Club in buses and vans for the ‘Taleba Jama’at-ud-Dawa’ (Jama’at-ud-Dawa Students wing) protest against the November 26, 2011 NATO attack that killed 25 Pakistani soldiers in FATA.

Students aged 10 to 15 from Jhumra Sandal Islamic School in Faisalabad District, and Tameer-i-Seerat Model School Sharaqpur in Sheikhupura District, said that they had thought they were going to a science exhibition and that’s what they had told their parents.

The Pakistan Army said that ISAF and NATO carried out the cross-border attack on purpose and there are no expectations of any results coming from the inquiry. The statements were made at a media briefing by Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Waheed Arshad and DG Military Operations General Ashfaq.

November 30

Darband Peace Committee chief Haji Hashim Khan was killed while two others sustained critical injuries when a bomb exploded in their vehicle in the Hangu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

ATC in Swat acquitted the sons of Maulana Sufi Mohmmad, chief of the banned TNSM, in another case. Sufi’s three sons – Abdullah, Fazlullah and Abdur Rehman – were charged for involvement in a suicide attack on Mingora Police Station in January 2009.

A 12-year old boy, identified as Yaseen, was injured in a landmine explosion in Kuki area of Dera Bugti District.

Gawalmandi Police arrested a suspect and recovered unlicensed pistol and 25 rounds from his possession.

Anti-Violent Crime Cell, in collaboration with the CPLC, claimed to have arrested two abductors and rescued two abductees, including a professor of the Hamdard University, identified as Iftikhar Abidi, and a businessman, identified as Nisar Soomro. Abidi was abducted on November 16, 2011 from the Northern Bypass while he was on his way to Baqai University. Soomro, a resident of Sacchal Goth area of Karachi was abducted on November 25, 2011.

A cross-border incident involving NATO and Pakistani Forces was quickly defused early with no loss of life, The New York Times quoted Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson, the spokesman for the US-led NATO Force, as saying.

The Pentagon rejected the 'notion' as incorrect that the NATO attack that killed 24 Pakistan soldiers was intentional. Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters: "It is important to let the investigation unfold, but the notion that this was an intentional attack on Pakistani military is incorrect."

Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told the Senate committee on Foreign Affairs that the NATO attack on the Pakistani border posts, and the killing of 24 soldiers was not an accident and that only an apology would not be enough.

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar declared categorically that drones would not be allowed to fly from Shamsi Air Base after December 11, 2011.

The Law Enforcement Agencies claimed to have arrested ten suspects, including two target killers, from different areas of Karachi, recovering weapons from their possession.

AVCC and CPLC claimed to have rescued two more abductees Sher Ali and Amin Lakhani from Bahadur Goth Afghan camp. Ali and Lakhani were abducted on November 26, 2011 from Mobina Town Police precincts. Two more abductors, Rashid Brohi and Bakhtawar Mehsud, were also arrested.

Pakistan said that it was looking at summoning the BBC to demand an explanation over a documentary about the Taliban and blocked the broadcasting. Cable operators pulled the channel amid anger over NATO air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

December 1

Nine militants were killed and several others injured when SFs pounded their hideouts in Akhun Kot, Barlas, Adokhel and other areas of Mamozai in Orakzai Agency of FATA.  At least 180 militants have been killed and 72 others injured in the operation so far, according to the sources. 

Five militants were killed as clashes between two rival groups in Maylo village of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency entered the second day. The Kukikhel support the LI against the Tariq Afridi group of the TTP. The Kukikhel and LI cadres are reported to have taken control of an important TTP base and seized three bunkers on the hilltops overlooking the Maylo village.

Four Constables of Justice Qasim Khan’s squad were shot dead by unidentified assailants at Multan-Khanewal road in Multan District. Four assailants appeared in a white car and opened fire at the squad of Justice Qasim Khan near Pul Rangan causing the casualties.

Three dead bodies of truck drivers were found in Sharag area of the Harnai District in Balochistan. The victims were among the four truck drivers abducted from the District on an unspecified date.

Two persons of Pakistani nationality were shot dead by NATO forces in the Bibi Jan area of Helmand Province in Afghanistan which shares a border with the Chagai District of Balochistan.

Seven Pakistani workers were abducted in Logar Province. The Pakistanis, engineers and workers assigned to a hospital construction project in Logar Province, were returning to their accommodation after work when they were abducted at gunpoint.

An activist of the PPP, identified as Mohammad Waseem, was found dead in Manghopir area of Karachi. Waseem had been missing for the last couple of days. 

Police foiled a terrorist attack on Shia “Imambargahs” during Muharram by arresting four suspected TTP militants and recovered suicide jackets, hand grenades, pistols and other weapons from their possession.

In another raid, the LEAs arrested nine suspects, including an underworld don, Ghulam Patni in Karachi.

Mauripur Police claimed to have arrested three extortionists in a raid at Mauripur Truck stand.

The Sindh High Court allowed MQM-H to continue their political activities under the constitutional rights across Karachi. It said in its verdict: “If any hurdle is created in the party activities, they can get help of relevant authorities.”

Unidentified militants detonated an IED with a remote control outside DCO office at Bacha Khan Chowk on Charsadda Road in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, there were no reports of casualties.

Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the abducting of a 70-year-old American aid worker, Warren Weinstein, from his house in the eastern city of Lahore on August 13, and issued a series of demands for his release. In a video message posted on militant websites, al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri said Warren Weinstein would be released if the United States stopped airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. He also demanded the release of all al Qaeda and Taliban suspects around the world.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan’s decision to boycott the Bonn conference in protest against the NATO attack and violation of its sovereignty was final and taken collectively.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that there was no threat of either “judicial” or “military” coup as both the institutions were pro-democracy and did not want to derail the system. 

The White House ruled out President Barack Obama offering "formal condolences" to Pakistan, as suggested by his top diplomat in Islamabad in a desperate bid to salvage deteriorating ties. 

Pakistan has resumed some cooperation with NATO forces in Afghanistan following NATO strikes by working with the coalition to prevent another cross-border incident from escalating, a NATO spokesman Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson said.

Pakistani military officials gave the 'go-ahead' to November 26, 2011 US airstrikes that inadvertently led to the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers in Mohmand Agency of FATA, The Wall Street Journal report said.

Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani gave his troops "full liberty" to respond to any further cross-border attacks by NATO forces in Afghanistan in the wake of an air strike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

The US warned Pakistani leaders of dangerous consequences if there is another terror attack on India that originates from Pakistan, a former top adviser to President Barack Obama has said, asking Islamabad to give up the policy of supporting extremist elements.

Amid an increasingly souring relationship, the US Senate voted to attach strings to military aid to Pakistan while an independent think tank urged policymakers to continue ‘robust’ civilian assistance.

An independent think tank, called for substantial mid-course changes to the Kerry-Lugar bill, which forms the bedrock of civilian assistance to Pakistan, “to fulfill its goals for both the US and Pakistan.” “Writing Pakistan out of the American foreign policy script is simply not an option,” said Jane Harman, President of the Wilson Center, in a report released on December 1.

Pakistan enraged by November 26, 2011 NATO cross-border attack that killed 24 soldiers, could end support for the US-led war on militancy if its sovereignty is violated again, the Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said warning that “enough is enough”.

December 2

Eight militants were killed and a trooper was injured in a clash in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. The sources said that SFs were carrying out a search operation in Tasakhel area of Dabori, about 68km north of Ghiljo, when militants attacked them, injuring Sepoy Abbas. The SFs in a retaliatory action shelled suspected locations. At least eight militants were killed in the fighting.

A clash between the Zakha Khel Peace Lashkar and LI at Narri Baba area in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency killed two Lashkar members and seriously wounded another two. The clash erupted over the possession of a hill post at Narri Baba.

Militants of Tariq Afridi group of TTP were forced to flee from their stronghold in Tirah Valley after its rival militant group LI took control of the Maylo base after a fierce clash. Sources said that dozens of TTP slipped out of Maylo village through secret routes in the night after the LI militants took control of the TTP base in the area. The LI also had the support of Kukikhel volunteers who were opposing the presence of TTP in their area since long.

Torkham Custom’s officials and the political administration sent back around 68 commercial fuel tankers from the Torkham border, which were crossing to Peshawar.

At least seven militants were killed and five SFs personnel were injured in a clash when TTP militants attacked a security checkpoint at Ursoon area in Chitral District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A shop selling CD was destroyed and four other shops were partially damaged when a bomb planted by the suspected militants exploded in Karnal Sher Kili of Swabi District.

A 10-year-old boy, identified as Bahar Khan Bugti, was killed when a landmine exploded in Hafat Wali area of Dera Bugti District.

Loralai Police arrested three suspected militants including an Uzbek from the Loralai bypass in Loralai District and recovered explosives from their possession.

The LEAs claimed to have arrested 18 suspects and recovered weapons from their possession in different parts of Karachi.

A heavy contingent of Rangers and Police conducted a raid in Naik Mohammad Goth, Orangi Town and detained four suspects, Dost Mohammad, Abdul Khaliq, Kamran and Ishaq Baloch.

LEA personnel conducted a raid at a cricket ground in Government school in Pakistan Bazaar and recovered three Kalashnikovs, three 7mm rifles and several rounds from the water tank.

Mohammad Younis, unwittingly swept up in a failed terror plot to bomb Times Square on May 1, 2010, was sentenced to three year’s probation.  Mohammad Younis had pleaded guilty to charges he arranged an illegal transfer of USD 7,000 to Faisal Shahzad — money Shahzad claimed that the TTP provided to fund his one-man strike against New York City.

A Pakistani man living in the United States faces up to 15 years in jail after pleading guilty Friday to providing material support to the feared Islamist militant outfit LeT. US justice officials said Jubair Ahmad (24), posted a propaganda video for LeT "glorifying violent jihad" in 2010, three years after he arrived in the United States with his parents and two younger brothers.

The Government deputed FIA personnel at the Shamsi Airbase to compile the data of foreigners there. “We have sent FIA personnel to compile the data of feigners,” Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said.

The Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning the NATO attack on Pakistani check posts in Mohmand Agency which killed at least 24 soldiers. The resolution was moved by the Leader of the Opposition in Senate, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri and was backed by all the other Senators.

Pakistan has officially withdrawn from Bonn international conference on Afghanistan, Germany’s Foreign Ministry said, saying that it regretted the boycott. Pakistan said on December 1 that it planned to pull out of the meeting in reaction to a cross-border attack by NATO that killed 24 of its soldiers and plunged US-Pakistani relations deeper into crisis.

US State Department has said that America respects Pakistan’s sovereignty evident form US CENTCOM quick steps to launch a probe into Mohmand tragedy for the very reason.

British Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord Howell of Guildford said that Pakistan remains an important partner in the fight against terrorism.

NATO commanders are planning a substantial offensive in eastern Afghanistan aimed at militant outfits based in Pakistan, involving an escalation of aerial attacks on militant sanctuaries, and have not ruled out cross-border raids with ground troops, a The Guardian report said.

ISAF commander, General John Allen, said the need to confront sanctuaries in Pakistan was “one of the reasons we are shifting our operations to the east”.

The US Defence Department said that Pakistan refused to join an investigation into the cross border NATO bombing of a Pakistani check post.

As a sovereign nation Pakistan has the right to self-defense, so does the US, the Pentagon asserted amid reports from Islamabad that Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani had issued direction that his commanders on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border can return fire without permission.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain John Kirby said that November 26, 2011 NATO bombing that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghanistan border has had a chilling effect on the relationship between the two countries.

A Pakistani military official on December 2 denied a Wall Street Journal report that Pakistani officials gave the go-ahead to a NATO air strike that killed 24 troops, unaware that their own forces were in the area.

A spokesman of ISPR said that remarks of the COAS about PAF had been misquoted in a section of the press. In this context, the exact quote of the COAS was, “The response could have been more effective if PAF had also joined in. However, it was no fault of PAF. A timely decision could not be taken due to a breakdown of communication with the affected posts and, therefore, a lack of clarity of the situation, at various levels, including the Corps Headquarters and GHQ”, the spokesman said.

The Finance Ministry is delaying in releasing funds to the FATA Secretariat which has sought PKR 11 billion for creating 4,545 jobs, a National Assembly Committee was informed. A FATA Secretariat Official informed the Standing Committee on State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) that the Ministry had so far agreed to release funds for 1,000 posts but even those funds had not been released. In 2009, the FATA Secretariat initiated a case for the creation of 4,545 posts for which PKR 11 billion was demanded. Safron Secretary Habibullah Khan said that all formalities had been completed in this regard and only release of funds from the Finance Ministry was awaited.

Speakers at a protest rally titled Defense of Pakistan organised by JuD demanded that intelligence sharing with NATO forces in Afghanistan be stopped to avenge the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in November 26, 2011 attack in Mohmand Agency of FATA.

December 3

At least 20 militants were killed and two soldiers were injured in an operation conducted by the SFs in different parts of FATA. According to media reports, the militants first started indiscriminate firing at the SFs in Anzar Kalay area of Orakzai Agency. The SFs retaliated, and as a result eight militants were killed on the spot, while two soldiers sustained injuries.

SFs shelled five terrorist hideouts in different areas of North Waziristan Agency at Zakhtan, Arhang and Shaker Tangi and killed 12 militants.

Two persons were killed in acts of sectarian violence in Karachi in Sindh. In one incident an activist of the ASWJ, formerly known as SSP, was shot dead near Dawood Chowrangi within the precincts of Quaidabad Police Station. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Fayyaz, was going home on a bus when unidentified armed men on a motorcycle opened fire on him through bus window, killing him on the spot. Separately, another man was shot dead near his house at Chanesar Goth within the limits of Tipu Sultan Police Station. The deceased was identified as Shahid Raza.

December 4

Six persons including three women and three children of a family received injuries when a mortar shell hit a house in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

One soldier sustained injuries when a convoy of SFs came under militants attack in Malikdin Khel area.

Unidentified persons blew up an under-construction house of a transporter in Sado Khel area of Landi Kotal.  Sources said that Sartaj, the owner of the house, was a supplier of fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan. He was receiving threats from local militant groups, they added.

SFs recovered six remote controlled explosive devices, planted along the main road near Mir Ali in North Waziristan Agency. The explosive devices were later defused safely.

A US aircraft arrived in Pakistan for US nationals vacating the Shamsi airbase in Balochistan. Strict security measures were being taken place in the area and residents were told not to leave their homes. According to sources, the process of shifting the US nationals into to the aircraft had started already.

US-led NATO troops in Afghanistan have been ordered not to approach the buffer zone on the Af-Pak border in order to avoid recurrence of November 26 air strike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

PM Yousuf Raza Gilani said that his Government had decided to review the agreements made by the Government of President Pervez Musharraf with the United States, NATO, ISAF and the UN. PM Gilani said the political and military leadership, along with the DCC, saw the strike as an opportunity to revise the entire terms of business (ToBs) on all national and international issues such as war on terror, security of the region, Kashmir, made by the Musharraf Government with the US, NATO, ISAF and the UN.

US President Barack Obama made a telephone call to President Asif Ali Zardari “to personally express his condolences on the tragic loss” of twenty-four Pakistani soldiers in a NATO strike, the White House said.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who arrived at Bonn for international talks aimed at charting a course for Afghanistan after NATO combat troops withdraw, as her aides played down a boycott by Pakistan.

An influential Republican lawmaker John McCain said that the United States should link its military aid to Pakistan’s cooperation on security.

Battered by Pakistani military operations and US drone strikes, the once-formidable TTP has splintered into more than 100 smaller factions, weakened and running short of cash, security officials, analysts and tribesmen from the insurgent heartland.

Set up in 2007, the TTP is an umbrella organisation created to represent roughly 40 insurgent groups in the tribal belt plus al Qaeda-linked groups headquartered in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province.

Turf wars have flared as terrorists fleeing the Pakistani military operations have moved into territory controlled by other terrorists, sometimes sparking clashes between groups.

December 5

Anti-Violent Crime Cell and CPLC in a joint raid killed three cadres of the Punjab chapter of TTP during an encounter in Allahwala Town of Korangi in Karachi, which ensued in a bid to recover an abducted industrialist Ahmed Chinoy. Two Policemen Raees Baloch and Abdul Sattar were also wounded in the skirmish.

At least two Policemen were killed and eleven others, including three Policemen, were injured in a rocket attack in the Main Bazaar of Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants blew up an 8-inch diameter gas pipeline in the Sui area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

Seven Pakistani workers abducted from Pul-i-Alam of Logar province in Afghanistan on December 1, were released after five-day in captivity.

Pakistan Army engaged its 245 operational companies including regular troops and paramilitary wings to maintain law and order during Ashura and the remaining days of the Islamic month of Muharram in security volatile districts and tribal region across Pakistan. The operational companies include 122 from the regular Army while those of 123 from the Frontier Corps, Frontier Constabulary and Rangers, Army's three paramilitary offshoots. As many as 38 Districts have been marked as security sensitive in various parts of the country where the military has deployed troops at brigades and platoons level on the directives of the Government of Pakistan. These Districts include those of 21 in Punjab, six in Gilgit-Baltistan, five each in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Balochistan.

Despite tall claims of authorities about improvement in law and order situation in Mohmand Agency of FATA, only a single school out of the total 83 educational institutions, destroyed during the last three years, has been rebuilt so far.

Pakistan wants to rebuild its ties with the US despite ongoing retaliation over deadly NATO air strikes on its troops in Mohammad Agency, the PM Yousuf Raza Gilani said, stressing that he believes "it won't take long" to achieve a new relationship with its uneasy ally.

PM Yousuf Raza Gilani during an interview with The Associated Press also said the country remained committed to working with Afghanistan to bring insurgent leaders - many of whom are believed to be on Pakistani soil and to enjoy close relations with Islamabad's Security Forces - into talks with the Government and allow the US to begin withdrawing its troops as it is committed to doing.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that it was "unfortunate" Pakistan boycotted the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan, but said that Islamabad still had a crucial role to play.

December 6

Twelve militants and two SF personnel were killed in overnight clashes in the Jogi village of Masozai in Kurram Agency of FATA on the Afghan border.

Militants fired four RPGs near a Shia Ashura procession in the town of Kalaya in the Orakzai Agency. No casualties were reported in the incident.

The Kukikhel tribal lashkar peace committee expelled the TTP militants from their area of the Tirah Valley, bordering Afghanistan. The TTP's Tariq Afridi group had seized the homes and agricultural lands of the Kukikhel tribe in remote Tirah nine months ago.

The beheaded body of one of the two abducted personnel of the Chitral Scouts was found in Darashot forest near Chitral. Afghan militants had simultaneously attacked five check posts of the Chitral Scouts near the Afghan border on August 29, killing 30 personnel.

Three Policemen were injured when militants fired six RPGs from hilltops at buildings in the Hangu town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A person was injured in a rocket attack in Kohat District.

Two rockets were fired in Peshawar. However, no casualty was reported.

Two bombs, placed along the route of an Ashura procession, were defused in Mardan District.

SFs raided house of militant 'commander', Shah Wali, in the Dhok Darra area of Upper Dir District.

Two policemen were injured when SSP militants pelted the Ashura procession in Jhang District.

One person was injured when an explosion occurred on the 10th day of Muharram at Kala Pul bridge in the Clifton area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

The Sindh Rangers detained 17 suspects during raids that were carried out in the last 24 hours in different parts of the city, including Manghopir, Gulshan-i-Maymar, Gadap Town, Singer Chowrangi Landhi and Khayaban-i-Shujaat area in Clifton Town.

Sindh Government deployed around 100,000 Security Force personnel, 80,000 Policemen and 20,000 Rangers men. The Frontier Constabulary will also be present at sensitive locations and the Army has also been put on alert. Inspector General Sindh Police Mushtaq Shah said that about 30,000 Policemen have been deployed for the Ashura procession moving from Nishtar Park.

At least seven aircraft landed at the Shamsi air base in Balochistan to airlift personnel and equipment out of Pakistan.

According to sources in the Washuk District, American officials were likely to vacate the airbase on December 8. The United States is evacuating the Shamsi air base following orders from the Pakistan military incensed by a NATO raid on the border that left 24 soldiers dead, officials said.

The spokesman of LeJ claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on Shia shrine in Afghanistan, reports broadcast by Radio Free Europe in Pakistan and by the BBC's Pakistan service. LeJ is a Punjabi sectarian outfit with a long history of cooperation with ISI, as well as close ties to al Qaeda and the Taliban. However, a Taliban 'spokesman', Zabiullah Mujahid, condemned the attacks and called the perpetrators "enemies."

The US military is working around a Pakistani Government border blockade by shipping small amounts of some supplies for the Afghan war through other countries, US defense officials said. The rerouted supplies, like all that go through Pakistan, are non-lethal items.

A Pentagon spokesman, Navy Captain John Kirby said, "The border closing has had no appreciable impact on military operations in Afghanistan and that senior American commanders believe they are well supplied for now." Kirby said, "The top US commander in Kabul, Marine General John Allen, is comfortable that he's got what he needs right now."

About 30 percent of the non-lethal supplies for US and coalition troops in Afghanistan normally come via two routes from Pakistan - the Torkham border crossing in the northwest Khyber tribal area and at the Chaman gateway in the southwestern Balochistan province, near the city of Quetta.

The US State Department defended aid to Pakistan amid calls from senators for a full review of whether economic and military assistance there serves the US national interest.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik commended the SFs for maintaining peace during Ashura processions. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said he was thankful to everyone, including the TTP, for their cooperation in ensuring peaceful Ashura processions throughout the country during the 9th and 10th days of Muharram.

Pakistan temporarily recalled some troops from border posts meant to coordinate activity with international forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Pentagon expressed hope that Pakistan would restore all posts at Afghan border. He said that Pakistan did not recall all of its personnel, adding that they left one officer in each centres.

Pakistan has an important role to play in the Afghanistan peace process, including in any negotiations with the Taliban, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said. Speaking in Berlin a day after Pakistan boycotted a conference devoted to helping Afghanistan, Karzai said the two countries needed to work closely together.

December 7

A man was shot dead in front of his house in Bhittaiabad within the limits of Sachal Police Station in Karachi. The victim, identified as Haji Mangal Khan (55), was the resident of Street No 6 at Bhittaiabad.

A bomb planted at Kala Pul in Karachi exploded when buses containing a number of Muharram mourners passed the point. At least four passersby were injured in the incident. Another bomb planted at A B Seena Line in Karachi exploded shortly after the Muharram procession passed by. However, no casualty was reported.

Launching a search operation after recovery of two bombs near Haideriah Imambargah in Bikat Gunj Bazaar area, Mardan District Police arrested 28 suspects.

FC detained 54 Afghan nationals who did not have valid travelling document, FC sources said.

Pak Institute for Peace Studies has claimed that deaths from all attacks by militants fell nearly 20 percent. Nearly 1,700 people were killed in "terrorist" or "insurgent" attacks through November, according to the institute, excluding those in Balochistan that were mostly carried out by nationalists, not militants. The number of persons killed during the same period in 2010 were around 2,100.

SFs have handed over 608 detainees to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government for being kept in the notified internment centres, while around 500 more will follow them soon, the Peshawar High Court was informed.

The bench directed him to produce details of the detainees given in the Government's custody and verify if any missing person whose case was being heard by the court had been among them.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet asked the country's political and military leadership to re-examine the country's cooperation with the NATO in Afghanistan.

The United States urged for greater action by Pakistan against a militant group that Afghanistan blamed for the December 6 suicide attack against its Shia minority in Afghanistan. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had LeJ in mind when she urged Pakistan to act against extremists during an October visit to Islamabad.

Pakistan asked Afghanistan to provide evidence to support accusations that LeJ carried out the attack in Kabul. As reported earlier, the spokesman of LeJ claimed responsibility for the suicide attack.

Documents found in the Pakistan home in garrison town of Abbottabad, where slain al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed on May 1-2, show that the al Qaeda leader was no longer had any role in operations, an unnamed US expert who reviewed the evidence said.

The FATA Democratic Movement (FDM) has rejected a proposal of FATA Grand Alliance about awarding status of separate province to the tribal areas. "It will be better to give representation to tribal people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly as status of separate province will further add to the problems of Fata," FDM president Abdur Reheem Afridi told a press conference on December 7.

December 8

Sindh Rangers arrested 14 suspects besides recovering weapons and a snatched motorcycle from their possession in separate targeted operations at Surjani, Gadap, PECHS, Mehmoodabad, Quaidabad and Landhi area of Karachi.

Malir City Police arrested two alleged target killers, identified as Shahnawaz alias 'Shaitan' and Nadeem alias 'Manhoos', during a raid. The two reportedly confessed to being involved in the murder of over 50 persons. Police recovered a cache of weapons in the raid, including two TT pistol and a triple bore rifle.

Five criminals, including two target killers were arrested in a raid in Memon Para area of Hyderabad. The alleged killers were identified as Fahim and Kamran who belonged to Karachi, while the others were identified as Suhail, Adeel and Nimo from Hyderabad. According to sources, Fahim was allegedly involved in the murder of a journalist working for a private news channel.

The Khyber Agency coordinator of the HRPC, Zarteef Khan Afridi, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jamrud town of Khyber Agency in FATA. Sources said two assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire on Zarteef Khan Afridi while he was on his way to a Government school where he worked as headmaster. Abdullah Ezaam Brigade took responsibility for the murder. Family sources said the deceased had been receiving threats because he was opposed to TTP activities in tribal areas and supported women's rights. Zarteef Khan took a courageous step during the general election of 1997 when he allowed womenfolk of his family to cast their vote.

A shopkeeper was shot dead by unidentified assailants in main Turbat bazaar in Turbat District of Balochistan.

A Hindu trader, identified as Dr Ashok Kumar, was abducted along with his driver and two labourers in Ferozabad area, some 30 kilometres away from Khuzdar District.

At least 42 NATO oil tankers and containers were torched after unidentified militants fired two rockets at them in the Kharotabad area of Quetta. As many as 32 oil tankers and 10 containers, carrying fuel and military hardware for NATO forces in Afghanistan, were parked in a terminal on the Airport Road when a group of unidentified militants fired two rockets, followed by intense firing.

Nine suspected militants affiliated with TTP were arrested during separate raids in different parts of the Islamabad's rural area.

The LeJ-al-Alami denied that it was involved in the suicide attack on the Shia shrine of Afghanistan and condemned the carnage.

Director General Military Operations Major General Ashfaq Nadeem termed the NATO airstrike in Mohmand Agency as a "pre-planned attack".

The Government decided to deploy air defence weapons on the country's border with Afghanistan to pre-empt fresh attacks as it re-evaluates the strategy for safeguarding its western borders from air raids, the Director General of Military Operations told the Federal Cabinet and the Senate's Defence Committee.

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security sought details from the Government regarding agreements with the United States in war against terrorism.

The HRCP launched Observatory Annual Report 2011 on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. HRCP Chairperson Zohra Yusaf, HRCP Director IA Rehman and Salima Hashmi were present on the occasion. According to the report, in the year 2010-2011, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances remained rampant, particularly in Balochistan, creating an extremely high-risk environment for human rights defenders.

December 9

Three Rangers personnel were killed while four others sustain serious injuries in a blast that occurred near Safura Chowrangi in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi in the morning.

An activist of the ANP, Sualeh Shah (35), was shot dead in Bengali Market of Korangi area in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

A FC officer was killed when a landmine had exploded near the Sorange coal mines, in the suburbs of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Balochistan Government has decided to send back all trucks and tankers carrying oil and goods meant for the NATO troops in Afghanistan back to Karachi for security reasons.

One trooper sustained injuries as an advancing contingent of SFs stepped on a landmine in the Talai area of the Kurram Agency in FATA.

Unidentified militants abducted 16 poor labourers from the Shelman area of Landikotal in Khyber Agency in the midnight.

Suspected militants blew up a power pylon of heavy transmission line at Gula Khan Zangali village in Mera Balarzai area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the early morning.

Intelligence agencies and the Lahore Police arrested a terrorist, identified as Saad, along with a suicide jacket and explosives weighing 16 kilograms from Raiwind Road near Thokar Niaz Baig area of Lahore in Punjab.

Pakistan upgraded its air defence system along the Afghanistan border to make it capable of shooting down aircraft in a response to future NATO attack on a military outpost.

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani and COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani expressed a firm resolve to protect national sovereignty, and stressed that NATO attacks like the one carried out on November 26 would not be allowed in the future.

The Federal Communication Minister Arbab Alamgir Khan informed Senate that NATO containers movement had caused PKR 40 billion loss to national exchequer in the form of damage to road infrastructure.

The US Army Chief General Martin Dempsey said there still are sanctuaries for militants in Pakistan and that the country's influence in Afghanistan needs to be tackled. "In Pakistan, the sanctuary for these militants persists. We have to work hard to end its influence on our Afghan mission," General Martin Dempsey said.

Addressing a press briefing at the Pentagon, Press Secretary George Little said that the NATO supply routes were important and expressed hope that the routes closed by Pakistan could be reopened in the future.

December 10

An international NGO worker, Shah Faisal Mengal (36), was shot dead near PIDC within the limits of Civil Line Police Station in Karachi.

A bomb blast killed a passerby on the Main University Road within the limits of Mobina Town Police Station.

Police found the strangulated body of a young man from Faqir Mohammad Durra Khan Road area of Lyari within the precincts of Kalakot Police Station.

At least three militants were killed and one soldier sustained injuries during clashes between SFs and militants in the Murghan area of Kurram Agency in FATA.

Unidentified militants killed two tribesmen of Zakhakhel tribe in Kharhy Mela area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency.

The bullet-riddled body of a resident of Shalobar in Bara tehsil was found at a deserted place. The deceased was identified as Gul Badshah. A chit left along the body said that supporters of the tribal lashkar would meet the same fate. However, nobody claimed responsibility for the killing.

Unidentified militants blew up two shrines in the Kam Shelman area of Landikotal. The shrines of Sheikh Bahadar Baba and Sheikh Mosa Baba, which were reportedly a hundred years old, were blown up with explosive material.

Unidentified militants lobbed grenades at the residence of Sandroop Khan, causing damage to the house in Shah Kas of Jamrud tehsil.

Security Forces arrested two suspected militants in Shah Kas. Officials said that the arrested men belonged to Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A child was killed and three women sustained injuries in a landmine blast in the Sham area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a watchman, Ilahi Bakhsh, of a local private hospital near Hub Chowki of Lasbela District. The attackers managed to escape from the scene.

Officials of the investigation team, probing recent remote-controlled roadside blasts in Karachi, revealed that the militant outfit Jundullah was involved in the blasts targeting Rangers.

The TTP confirmed that they are in peace talks with the Government. Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, 'deputy chief' of TTP, said the TTP were negotiating with the help of local tribal elders in the Bajaur Agency (FATA). "Our talks are going in the right direction," he told Reuters from an undisclosed location.

The White House spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said that the White House had seen reports of the TTP entering into negotiations with Pakistan, however, she added, they "do not appear definitive at this point."

December 11

A driver was killed and nine NATO oil tankers parked outside a hotel on the outskirts of Dhadar town in the Bolan District of Balochistan were destroyed in the night when unidentified men opened fire and set ablaze the vehicles. One driver, identified as Noman, a resident of Peshawar, was killed in the attack.

Four NATO oil tankers, along with their drivers, went missing near the Quetta-Chaman highway.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the Government could go to any length to assert the country's sovereignty, saying that "I do not rule out the closure of Pakistan's airspace to US planes".

Unidentified militants blew up a Government school for girls in Shah Dhand village of Sardheri area in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Militants blew up a girls' primary school in the Srekh Banada of Jamal Ghari in the limits of Jabbar Police Station of Mardan District.

Two militants, including a TTP 'commander', Asmatullah, were arrested by Security Forces during a raid at a suspicious house in Hangu city.

One suspected terrorist was arrested during search drive of the law enforcement agencies in Alikheil and Warokai villages of Tank District while a cache of weapons was also recovered.

Nine suspects allegedly involved in several cases of crimes, including target killings, were arrested during separate raids in different parts of Karachi. The CIA made the arrests from Ibrahim Hyderi and Korangi Industrial Area.

American flag was lowered at the Shamsi airbase of Balochistan as the US military personnel vacate the facility. According to sources, the United States troops deployed at the base are collecting their equipment.

Earlier on December 10, Frontier Corps personnel arrived in Washuk to take control of the Shamsi airbase.

TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan denied that the outfit is in peace talks with the Government.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar "denied peace talks with any militant group" as the foreign media reported, saying "it has been consistent policy of the Government that dialogue can be commenced with such elements who have surrendered to the writ of the government and are not involved in any criminal activity".

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik categorically stated that the Government was not holding talks with TTP, as talks could not take place until terrorists surrender themselves before the authorities.

ISAF Commander in Afghanistan General John R Allen said that a repeat of Mohmand-type mishap can't be guaranteed in war against terror. Talking to Khaleej Times, he said: "You simply can't guarantee anything in war. The conditions are difficult at the border, let the investigation play out, we will look carefully. If we find fault on our part, we will resolve that … we will look at every aspect of the circumstances to make sure it does not happen again."

A senior Pakistani official said that Pakistan will shoot down any US drone that intrudes its airspace as per new directives.

December 12

Three bullet-riddled bodies of BNP-M activists were found in the Zero Point area of Khuzdar District. The victims were identified as Bashir Ahmed, his brother Sanaullah Mardoi and Allah Bakhsh Mardoi.

An unidentified bullet-riddled body was found in Killi Sardar area of Quetta.                

A vendor, identified as Khuda Bakhsh, was shot dead by unidentified armed militants at Seraib Patik area. 

The dead body found in Killi Sardar area of Quetta was identified as that of a Hindu trader Ravi Kumar. Kumar, a local trader of Quetta, had been abducted on October 22, 2011 by armed militants from Satellite Town area. The abductors demanded PKR 20 million from the family, and ultimately reduced their demand to PKR 10 million.

One tribesman, identified as Laakho Bugti, sustained serious injuries in a landmine explosion in Looti area of Dera Bugti District.

Mama Qadir Baloch the Vice President of Voice of Baloch Missing Persons said outside the Quetta Press Club that he had received threats from Secret Agencies.

Three Policemen, a pedestrian and one militant were killed in a clash, which ensued when two Policemen were abducted by militants in Karbogha area in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

At least four militants were killed when rival militant outfits clashed in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. The dead belonged to the LI. The clash resulted from LI support for a tribal anti-TTP peace committee in the Tirah Valley, Bara Assistant Political Agent Rehan Khattak said.

Gadap Police rescued more than 50 children, chained in a seminary of Sohrab Goth of Karachi. According to details, all the children hail from the outskirts of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and were kept at underground dungeon.

TTP claimed the responsibility for December 9, 2011 bomb attack on Rangers vehicle in Karachi and said the TTP will continue to target the Security Force personnel.

The members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights have been informed during an in-camera briefing by high-ranking officials of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and the Intelligence Agencies that about 1,100 people have been killed and hundreds of houses burnt in Parachinar area of Kurram Agency in FATA in the past five years and that the operation against “non-local militants” is under way.                                             

The committee headed by Riaz Fatyana of PML-Q had called Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar, Peshawar Corps Commander General Khalid Rabbani, sector commander of the ISI, Federal Defense Secretary and officials of the Federal and Provincial Departments to brief the members on the alleged human rights violations taking place in the Parachinar area due to the closure of various roads by militants.

Federal Tax Ombudsman, Dr Shoaib Suddle, said that arms from 3,400 non-commercial containers had been unloaded in Pakistan. Dr Shoaib said that more than 3,400 non-commercial containers, meant for Afghanistan, disappeared in Pakistan. He revealed that arms from these containers had been unloaded in Pakistan.

The leaders of a US House-Senate negotiating panel said that they had agreed to freeze USD 700 million in US aid to Pakistan until it provides some assurances of assistance in the fight against IEDs in the region.

The US wants “assurances that Pakistan is countering IEDs in their country that are targeting our coalition forces,” Representative Howard McKeon, a House Republican, said. The provision freezing USD 700 million in aid to Pakistan was agreed upon by leaders of the Armed Services Committees from both parties in the House and Senate, including McCain.

 

The Punjab and Balochistan Assemblies passed resolutions, condemning the NATO attack on Salala border post in Mohmand Agency on November 26 in which 24 officers and soldiers were martyred.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti accused American and NATO forces of harbouring the militants who were flushed out from Swat valley in the border areas of Afghanistan.

Hoti said that those militants who escaped from the military action in Malakand District to Nuristan province of Afghanistan were staging attacks in Chitral District. He said the SFs had purged Malakand division of militants. He said those militants who survived the military action would not go scot-free and would be brought to justice.

 

The United States Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said that the Mohmand Agency incident was a setback for the Pak-US relations and the United States wanted to rebuild cooperation in areas of economy, military and intelligence-sharing. 

December 13

Five militants and a Policeman were killed during an encounter at Aziz Market on Frontier Road in Badhaber area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The head of Bazidkhel Qaumi lashkar Fahimur Rehman said that the attackers belonged to Khyber Agency-based militant outfit LI. They have fled Bara owing to military operation. 

A Policeman Sardar Ali Khan, stenographer at DIG Peshawar office, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Yakatoot area of Peshawar when he was returning after offering Morning Prayer from a local mosque. 

A Policeman, Resham Gul, who was injured in a rocket attack in the main market of Kohat on December 5 (Ashura day), succumbed to his injuries. 

Militants blew off a middle school for boys in Kot area of Kohat District. However, nobody was injured in the incident. Sources said that militants planted two time bombs of 20 kilograms each at the building which went off one after another.  

Militants blew up a Government primary school for girls in Imamkhel area of the Tank District. The bomb disposal squad said that 20 kilograms of explosives was used in the attack.

The Peshawar High Court was informed that only four of the ‘missing persons’ could be traced in the lists of around 608 detainees given in the custody of the Provincial Government by the Security Forces and intelligence agencies and that they were kept in the internment centres named by the Government.

Six persons, among them four children, were killed when militants attacked houses in Shalobar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA after Security Forces launched a search operation against militants.

A soldier was killed and six others were injured when militants attacked some Army personnel in Shawal area of North Waziristan Agency. 

At least six people, including two members of a Lyari gang war group, were killed in a violent clash that erupted in the Kalri area of Karachi late in the night of December 12 and continued till nest day morning.

Police recovered an unidentified dead body from Shah Faisal colony No. 2.                

Four people were injured when unidentified armed assailants opened indiscriminate fire in F.B area 

Police rescued 53 madrassa students, some as young as seven, who had been chained in the basement of a Karachi seminary, unearthing gruesome tales of dungeon torture and visits by TTP instructors, who some claimed were starting to prepare them to join the terror group's jihad on the Afghan front. Police said they were probing the institution's possible links to terrorist outfits.

The CID Sindh claimed to have arrested two cadres of Punjab Chapter of TTP and recovered 10 kilograms of explosives, three Kalashnikovs, two pistols, including a 9mm one, and hundreds of bullets from the Superhighway.  The two suspects, identified as Abdul Wahid alias Lala alias Guddu and Mohammed Shakeel, disclosed that they had buried more arms and explosives in Haji Mureed Goth of Khamosh Colony.

One person, identified as Ayub, was killed and another injured in a clash that occurred between two armed groups on Fatima Jinnah road in Quetta.  

Armed militants abducted six officials of Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP) an NGO, working in the water, health and education sector, from Barshor area of Pishin District.

Frontier Corps Inspector General Major General Ubaidullah Khattak claimed that 90 percent of the Baloch missing persons were involved in criminal activities and had been killed by their own organisations.

Police arrested three suspects in sector G-11 in Islamabad for their alleged involvement in stealing explosive material. The suspects were identified as Imran, Umar and Babar.

A US Congressional panel agreed to freeze USD 700 million in aid to Pakistan in a punitive measure that aims to stop the spread of improvised-explosive devices in Afghanistan, raw material for which, US lawmakers say, is smuggled from Pakistan.

Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee Salim Saifullah warned that relations, which are already at a low point, could worsen further following the decision by the US House-Senate panel.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland has said that US has not cut USD 700 million civilian aid to Pakistan while Defence Authorization bill is under discussion in the Congress.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that Pakistan was not responsible for all the ills of Afghanistan and the country would formulate polices keeping in view core objectives and supreme national interest.

She further said that Afghan refugees living in Pakistan were responsible for September 20, 2011 assassination of former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani.

US Defence Secretary Leon E Panetta voiced confidence that the US and Pakistan can patch up their differences, emphasising that “ultimately, we can’t win the war in Afghanistan without being able to win in our relationship with Pakistan as well”.

The top NATO commander in Afghanistan Marine General John Allen said that he is seeing signs of a possible lifting of Pakistan’s communications blackout imposed on the US-led coalition after NATO airstrikes.

December 14

Two men, identified as Jalil Ahmed and Pukar Khan were killed and a woman identified as Samina was injured when unknown armed militants opened fire at a house in Killi Kamalo area on Sariab road of Quetta.                   

Two Frontier Corps personnel were killed and five others sustained injuries in a landmine blast during a routine patrol in Mand area of the Kech District near the Pakistan-Iran border.

Two pro-Government peace lashkar volunteers killed and three others sustained bullets injuries in the encounter between the militants and Khasadars along with peace lashkar volunteers in Shalobar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

A bomb blast injured two tribal elders of Koki Khel tribe at Wache wane area in Tirah valley.

At least 70 suspects were arrested and a torture cell was recovered during separate overnight search operations in different area of Karachi.

In a series of startling revelations, Sabiha Khatton, a widow of a killed TTP Punjab Chapter cadre, Qari Shahid Khan, confessed that her husband was involved in the planning of the May 22, 2011 PNS Mehran attack and that she assisted Khan in the September 19, 2011 assassination attempt on CID Senior SSP Chaudhry Aslam and the November 16, 2011 Sea view blast in Karachi.

Sabiha claimed that her family had links with militant outfit HuM, while her husband was a member of the TTP and was involved in the planning and execution of major attacks from 2009-2011, including the March 3, 2009 Sri Lankan team attack.

The TTP ruled out any negotiations with the Government and claimed to have control over most areas of South Waziristan Agency of FATA.  In an interview with a three-member delegation of senior tribal journalists at a command and control centre of militants in South Waziristan Agency, the key ‘operational commander’ and ‘chief’ of Laddah sub-division chapter of TTP, Shamim Mehsud, rejected any contacts with the Government under the present circumstances.

The journalists were allowed to visit various sections of the centre situated at a distance of about three kilometres from a camp of SFs. They spent a night there and met well-equipped TTP militants whose number remained 30 during the day and 45 at night.

‘Commander’ Shamim Mehsud refuted the claim of security forces that the writ of the government had been enforced in the tribal area. “If there is control of security forces, how will we freely run our training, control and command centres.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti said that talks with TTP are possible only if they lay down arms and surrender to the Government.

SSP (Operations) Tahir Ayub said that law and order situation has improved in the provincial metropolis as the Police, Frontier Corps, FC are doing everything in their power to fight militancy in the city.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said that relations with Pakistan were complicated but that it was important to maintain a relationship with Islamabad. 

The ISPR said the "issue of reopening up of NATO supply route never came under discussion". "It would be appreciated that unnecessary speculation in this regard is avoided", the ISPR said in a statement.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said negotiations between Pakistan and the United States would start soon to resolve thorny issues bedevilling the relationship.

Blaming the former President General Parvez Musharraf regime for most of the problems in Pak-US ties, PM Yousuf Raza Gilani Pakistan will seek "surety and guarantees" for its sovereignty under new terms of engagement with the US during talks that would be held "very soon".  "I need the surety and guarantees for the sovereignty of my country and such (NATO strike) unilateral actions should not be taken in future," Gilani added. 

Contending that US relationship with Pakistan had reached a dead end, an American lawmaker said there was a sense among Congressmen that time had come to "side" with India to "cut off the ISI".

Pakistan has decided we're leaving. Pakistan has decided that they can cripple the civilian Government," he said, adding, The US needs a stable party in the region who has a status quo pro-civilian anti-terror interest, which is India. "And in many ways, this is the ISI horror story, but I would say they picked this, and we should now arrange that fate for them."

December 15

Six militants were killed in retaliatory fire by Balochistan Frontier Corps in Balgudar area of Turbat District. A group of militants ambushed a Frontier Corps convoy proceeding to Panjgoar from Turbat with sophisticated weapons leaving two troopers injured.

Unidentified armed militants shot dead a man, identified as Abdul Hameed, in a PCO shop in Sariab Road area of Quetta. Hameed was the son of a religious scholar Moulvi Abdul Aziz.                     

A man identified as Yasir Arafat Hazara, was shot dead in Alamdar Road area in Quetta. 

Unidentified armed men shot dead a man in Loni area of Loralai District.

Police found an unidentified dead body in Polo Ground area of Quetta. 

Balochistan Levies found an unidentified dead body in Murga Kibzai area of Zhob District. 

Armed assailants stole oil from a NATO tanker after locking up Security Force personnel in a room of the Levies Force’s station in Kosak Top area of Qilla Abdullah District.

Two watchmen, identified as Azeem and Niaz Ameen Sheikhmal Khel Shinwari, were killed by unidentified militants when they were patrolling the graveyard particularly the graves of the relatives of MNA Noorul Haq Qadri in Peero Khel graveyard of Landikotal town of Khyber Agency in FATA in the night

A newly built house was dynamited at Sheikhmal Khel area of Landikotal. The house of Gul Ahmad Shinwari was completely damaged in the blast. However, no casualty was reported in the blast.

Bullet-riddled body of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Khan, was found from the bushes situated near National Highway within the limits of Steel Town Police Station in Karachi. 

A militant was killed as SFs and Police opened retaliatory fire after being attacked by a militant group with hand grenades in Mandakhel village of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police neutralised a terror plan and defused two indigenously made explosive devices in a forest near Hayat Khel village in the limits of Haibat Ali Khan Shaheed Police Station of Darra Pezu town in Lakki Marwat District.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar while giving a briefing to Parliamentary Committee on National Security said that the US would be responsible if Pakistan failed in war against terrorism. She told the committee that the US Senate had stopped USD 700 million aid to Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Khar further said that Pakistan will fight the war on terrorism according to its own terms and conditions and not that of the US Congress. Khar said that she was confident because Pakistan did the internal re-evaluation that was needed.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said that “We believe that the move in the U.S. Congress is not based on facts and takes narrow vision of overall situation hence wrong conclusions are unavoidable”. 

The US Embassy contradicted media reports about “cut” of USD 700 million in military aid to Pakistan by the US Congress. “There have been incorrect and unclear media reports that the US Congress has “cut” $700 million in military aid to Pakistan.

An internal inquiry by the Federal Board of Revenue revealed that around 29,000 containers destined for Afghanistan have gone missing inside the country. Speaking on behalf of the Finance Minister, Minister of State for Production Khwaja Sheeraz informed the Senate that a committee formed by the FBR chairman had found that as many as 28,822 containers carrying NATO and Afghan Transit Trade goods had left Port Qasim in Karachi but never crossed Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District of Balochistan province and Torkham border posts in Khyber Agency of FATA. 

December 16

25 militants and one soldier were killed in clashes between the militants and Frontier Corps in Khanki village in the Upper Orakzai region in FATA. Frontier Corps were attacked by 50 militants while driving through the Mamuzai area of Orakzai, the stronghold of Hakimullah Mehsud, the leader of TTP. One soldier was killed and more than 20 were wounded. The troops retaliated and killed at least 25 militants.                

Three people, including a woman, were killed after mortar shells hit their house in Muslim Dhand area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. 

Two militants and a security official were killed in a clash in Dogra area.  An official of the local political administration said the clash occurred after Security Forces were attacked by militants.

A girl was killed and four of her family members injured when a mortar shell fell on their house in Bara tehsil.

An explosive device went off alongside a road in Kukikhel area of Tirah valley. However, no damage to human life was reported in the explosion.

Gwadar District Hospital CMO Doctor Naseem Baloch was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pasni area of Gwadar District.

Police claimed to have arrested six suspects, including the leader of the TTP al Mukhtar group, which is also linked to al Badar Mansoor group, and recovered a huge cache of arms and explosives from their possession.

According to Anti-Extremist Cell of the CID, the suspects were involved in at least eight cases of terror activities in Karachi, including the April 21, 2011 attack on the Rummy Club in Ghasmandi area of Karachi.

Considering the former leaders of LeJ, Malik Ishaq and Ghulam Rasool, as a threat to law and order in the country, a review board of the Lahore High Court, extended their detention.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani asked the US to respect Pakistan’s redlines, its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Gilani also sought a guarantee from the US for not transgressing Pakistan’s frontiers in the future as happened in the case of November 26, 2011 NATO strike. 

The head of the PTI Imran Khan said the problem of terrorism that Pakistan is facing is "because of its partnership in the American war in Afghanistan". Imran made the remarks during a meeting with US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter and former envoy Robin Raphael.

December 17

Three soldiers, including an official, were killed in an IED blast at Katasarai village in Kurram Agency of FATA.

Unidentified militants blew up a State-run girls’ high school in the night by detonating explosive material in Ghundi area of Jamrud tehsil. The total number of destroyed schools in Khyber Agency has reached to 61 with the latest blast. 

The dead body of Tahsinullah, a student of a seminary in Akora Khattak, who was abducted from outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi District of Punjab province on May 28, 20011, was found at the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.

An ASI, Maraj Khan, was killed when unidentified assailants ambushed a Police mobile of the Rustam Police Station of the Charguli checkpost on Gujrat Road near the Kandarkas village in Mardan District of Khyber Pahtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants blew up a primary school, a house and a tube well in three different incidents in Mandeo area of the Bannu District. 

Police claimed to have arrested a militant, identified as Raeef Khan, who was coming from Orakzai Agency of FATA to Kohat District, at Kaghazai check post and recovered 6.1 kilograms of explosives and hand grenades from his possession.

Former female councillor of PML-N, Fahmida Qadir Bhaksh, was shot dead by unidentified militants in the Sengani Sar area of Turbat District.

December 18

At least 17 militants were killed during an air assault on their secret hideouts by Security Forces in Jawaki and Samaa areas of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Three secret hideouts were neutralised. 

A militant was killed and four tribal people were injured in different incidents. TTP militants killed a cadre of LI in Dwa Thoe area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency.

Elsewhere in the Agency, three members of a family - Abdul Haq, his wife and his teenage son - were injured when a mortar shell fell on their house in Merikhel area of Akkakhel. 

In a similar incident in Sipah area, a minor daughter of Zareef Khan was injured and two rooms of his house were badly damaged.   

The representative Jirga of tribal agencies ‘FATA Grand Alliance’ in Islamabad demanded of the Government for making an end to the ongoing military operation in tribal areas besides initiating peace process through dialogue to restore normalcy in the affected areas. The FATA Grand Alliance (FGA) meeting was held under the chairmanship of Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi MNA Khyber Agency.

Two people, identified as Dost Muhammad and Allah Noor, were shot dead and another injured in a firing incident in the border town of Chaman in Qilla Abdullah District. The victims were standing on the road when unidentified armed militants opened fire, killing the two on the spot. A passer-by identified as Mohammad Mushtaq was injured in the attack.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Khushdil Khan has directed officials to deploy community Police at schools in his constituency, comprising suburban areas of Peshawar, owing to continuous attacks by militants on educational institutions. 

A former Unit in-charge of Sunni Tehreek, identified as Adil Hashim, was killed at Joria Bazar within the precincts of Kharadar Police Station in Karachi. The victim left his house and reached at the corner of his street after receiving someone’s phone call. 

Sharafi Goth Police claimed to have arrested two suspects, identified as Shahid Anwar and Asghar, allegedly involved in various cases of target killings while at least 14 suspects were detained from Orangi Town in a house-to-house search operation. Police also recovered about 12 pistols from their possessions.

In the Difaa-e-Pakistan Conference (‘Defence of Pakistan’ conference) led by JuD and Jama’at-e-Ulema-Islam, about 50,000 Islamists, including chief Hafiz Saeed, staged a protest at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on December 18 to condemn the US and India, while showing support for Pakistan’s military.

Saeed warned the US to avoid creating troubles for Pakistan. Otherwise, he said, the JuD and workers of other like-minded parties knew what action to take.

December 19

A man, identified as Muhammad Iqbal, was shot dead in Killi Fatima area of Mastung District.

Two SF personnel were injured in a landmine explosion in the Katisar area of Kurram Agency in FATA.

Eight cadres of Punjab chapter of TTP were arrested in Kalatoi area of Birmal tehsil in Wana sub-division of South Waziristan Agency during a search operation. 

CID claimed to have arrested six suspects and recovered weapons from their possession from different places including Korangi Industrial Area, Sohrab Goth and Saddar area of Karachi.

Pakistan restored liaison officers at coordination centres along Durand line, NATO said.  But the US-led coalition’s supply lines that run through Pakistan remain closed since the November 26 NATO attacks. 

According to an ISPR press release issued, however, officers were not returning. Only a few officers were called for consultations and had gone back. The border control centres were set up to help NATO and Afghanistan forces and their Pakistani counterparts on the other side of the porous border to coordinate operations against terrorists and avoid the kind of the incident.

Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, said that the madaris which are not registered with Wafaq-ul/Tanzeem-ul Madaris would be considered illegal after January 1, 2012. 

The minister also held a meeting with Information Technology Secretary, PTA chairman to discuss the issue of threatening e-mails and unwanted SMS.

A senior Baloch nationalist leader warned that Balochistan would not "remain with" Pakistan if extra-judicial killings and excesses by SFs in were not stopped immediately in Balochistan. If steps were not taken immediately to halt the extra-judicial killing of Baloch nationalists and to engage them in a dialogue, then "Balochistan will not remain with you", said Sardar Ataullah Mengal, a senior leader of the BNP.

The bodies of over 200 Baloch activists have been found across the province since 2010. Rights groups have alleged the activists were victims of extra-judicial killings by SFs.

A new Senate Foreign Relations Committee report said that “American strategy is focused on Central Asia in part as a response to the challenges of transiting supplies through Pakistan for the Afghan war”. According to report, the US has increasingly relied on the Northern Distribution Network to send non-military supplies to Afghanistan since 2009.

Only 29 per cent of cargo goes through Pakistan, whereas 40 per cent goes through the NDN, and the rest is shipped by air. However, the committee report says that the NDN is not an ideal replacement for current supply routes in Pakistan.

US spending cuts “reduce” not “freezes” aid to Pakistan. US spending plan for fiscal 2012, which began October 1 the House of Representatives approved the bill on December 16, 2011 and the Democratic-run Senate approved it on December 17.

According to a BBC report, Pakistan’s military officials on December 19 blamed an Afghan commander for the November 26 NATO strike on Salala check post in Mohmand Agency. The BBC reported that the accused ANA commander conspired on the instructions of India’s RAW and Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security to dismantle Pakistan’s ties with US and NATO.

According to the report Afghani troops, without any prior notice, were patrolling an area at Pak-Afghan border which required 72 hours prior notice to Pakistani forces.

The Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign report named Pakistan and Mexico, the most dangerous countries to work. At least 106 journalists were killed in 2011, among them 20 who reported on the Arab spring uprisings, a campaign group said. The PEC said 12 journalists died in Mexico, while Pakistan came second with 11 journalists killed, the majority of whom died on the border with Afghanistan, followed by Iraq, Libya and the Philippines.

December 20

Militants blew up two primary schools in separate incidents in the Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The first incident took place in the Matta Mughal Khel area. The second school was blown up in Bareesa Ghundai, where militants placed a time bomb outside a boy’s primary school.

British Police arrested a Pakistani student at Birmingham Airport on suspicion of a terrorism offence. West Midlands Police said the 22-year-old man was arrested after arriving at the central England airport on a flight from Dubai.

The political administration of Khyber Agency (FATA) warned Kukikhel tribe of strict action if it fails to fulfil its collective territorial responsibility by expelling extremist elements from its area.  Addressing a jirga of Kukikhel tribe in Jamrud, Assistant Political Agent Mohammad Jameel made it clear to the tribal elders that situation deteriorated in the area during the last few days as militants shot dead down a human rights activist and later blew up a high school for girls.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai urged Pakistan to open up communications with neighbouring Afghanistan even though it has thorny relations with the United States and Islamabad’s archenemy, India.

The US put its covert air campaign that targets al Qaeda and TTP operatives in Pakistan's tribal agencies "on hold", in the wake of strained ties between the two countries, The Long War Journal report said.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman claimed that drones are still flying over tribal areas despite what he said clear orders issued by the Chief of the Army staff to shoot any intruding aircraft after the NATO attack incident.

Pakistan told the UNSC that November 26, 2011 NATO cross-border air strikes that killed 26 Pakistani soldiers was a “transgression of Pakistan’s territorial integrity and a flagrant violation of the UN Charter”. “We want the international community to succeed in Afghanistan because this success is in Pakistan’s own national interest,” the Pakistani envoy said.

Pakistan remained the deadliest country for journalists for the second year in a row, while coverage of political unrest around the world was "unusually dangerous," a New York press advocacy group The Committee to Protect Journalists said. The Committee to Protect Journalists said in its year-end report that 43 journalists died around the world in 2011. Seven journalists were killed in Pakistan, where 29 journalists have been killed in the past five years.

December 21

At least 30 TTP militants were killed and 18 SF personnel were injured in the ongoing operation in Upper Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Seven SF personnel were injured when a checkpost was hit by a rocket in Kotkai area in SWA. Security officials said SFs were conducting a search operation after receiving information that some TTP militants had entered the tribal agency from across the border. 

Five children of a family received injuries when a mortar shell hit a house in Nala area of Malikdinkhel in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.  

Unidentified militants blew up three shops of narcotics at Safeerullah Market in Ghundi area of Jamrud. The Abdullah Azzam Brigade accepted responsibility for destroying the shops. 

Unidentified militants blew up a private medical store at Karikot area in SWA and managed to escape from the scene. 

A tribesman Malik Noor, a resident of North Waziristan Agency, decided to sue the Government of United Kingdom for extending help to the US in drone attack in the FATA. A legal notice was issued to UK Foreign Minister to reply till January 12 or face litigation, Malik Noor told in a press conference in Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).

One person was killed and seven others were injured in sectarian violence during 25th Muharram procession in Shah Faisal Colony near Jamia Farooqia in Karachi. Some people came out of the Jamia Farooqia and asked the mourners to divert their procession route.

A Government-run middle school for girls’ was blown up in Sheedo area of Nowshera District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the evening.

United States donated four bomb disposal vans and 100 motorcycles to KP Police. The equipment is being provided under ‘Police Assistance Programme’ implemented by the US Embassy’s Narcotics Affairs Section. US Consul General Marie Richards paid tribute to Pakistan’s Security Forces at the event, saying, “I would like to praise the courage and dedication of the Police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. It is their commitment to duty that protects the people of Peshawar and KP from criminals and violent militants.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said his country wanted new rules of engagement with the US with a guarantee to respect its sovereignty and assurance of "no Abbottabad-like unilateral action in future", adding that, “In case any credible and actionable information was available, it must be shared with Pakistan for necessary action.”

Pakistan's former envoy to the US Husain Haqqani said American officials were "intransigent and even threatening" after the May 2 raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

December 22

Three people were killed and two others injured when unidentified armed militants opened fire on a van in the Daring-gar area of Mastung District. The deceased were identified as Nuroz Khan, Nasiruddin and Mohammad Umar. The injured passer-by were identified as, Ahmed Khan and Babul.  

Two gas pipelines were blown up in Sui and Pirkoh gas fields of Dera Bugti District. The BRA claimed responsibility for the attacks. 

A FC official was killed when the FC check post came under militant attack in Malazai area of Tank District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  

Four persons, including a girl child, were injured in a remote controlled bomb blast at the private clinic of a lady doctor in Bahadar Garhi area of Hangu city in Hangu District.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Masood Kausar said that the children in FATA are suffering due to militancy. While speaking at a conference on “Child rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA” organised by the Society for Protection of the Rights of Child (Sparc), KP Governor Masood Kausar told the participants that improving child rights in FATA was priority of the Government.

At least 16 Punjab University students were seriously injured in a sectarian clash between Islami Jama’at-e-Talaba and Imamia Students Organisation in Lahore. The clash occurred over the organisation of a ceremony in connection with Imam Hussain (AS) Day at New Campus.

The trouble began when the IJT and ISO requested the PU administration to organise separate events on Imam Hussain (AS) Day. The administration allowed IJT to organise its event on condition that ISO could stage theirs as well.

The man whose body was found after December 21, 2011 sectarian clash in Shah Faisal Colony of Karachi was identified as Ahmad Baloch. Station House Officer Khalid Nadeem Baig said the victim was the son of Naib Ameer Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam Maulana Qamaruddin Baloch and was studying at Jamia Farooqia.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that Pakistan was committed to pursuing a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement with India, including on the issue of Kashmir. Foreign Minister Khar said that Pakistan continues to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process.

The World Bank said it would provide Pakistan with USD 5.5 billion in development aid over the next two years. “The Bank has responded flexibly in the face of the tremendous challenges Pakistan has gone through over the past year or so,” said its Pakistan country Director Rachid Benmessaoud, adding, “We will continue our strong support to Pakistan, while keeping a keen eye on implementation to ensure that these efforts translate into real results on the ground”.

The US Air Force Special Operations Command’s Brigadier General and investigating officer into the NATO air strike Stephen Clark said that the lack of trust and series of miscommunications contributed to the NATO attack on November 26.

White House said that it accepts responsibility for the mistakes they made, and expresses its “deepest regret for the loss of life and for the lack of proper coordination between U.S. and Pakistani forces that contributed to those losses.”

US State Department’s deputy spokesman Mark Toner said that the US prepared to offer compensation to the families of troops who lost their lives, adding that US offered to send a team to Pakistan to brief the military on the findings of its investigation into the NATO raid.

Pakistani military rejected the conclusions of a US investigation into a NATO air strike. US officials, unveiling the results of their investigation into the Nov. 25-26 incident that has enraged Pakistanis, said both sides were to blame and said the soldiers’ deaths were partly rooted in miscommunication and misunderstandings.

December 23

Militants killed one FC Security Official and reportedly abducted 19 others in an attack on SFs in the Mullazai Fort north of the Tank District. The exact number of abducted militants could not be determined. Sources also said that the initial number of FC personnel missing after the attack was 23 but seven of them had returned back safely. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

Unidentified armed assailants attacked a mobile telecommunication company franchise office at Shadman Town in North Karachi, within the limits of Sharah-e-Noor Jahan Police Station killing two young employees and wounding two others.

Sindh Police claimed to have arrested nine suspects, including three target killers, from different areas of Karachi. Khawaja Ajmair Nagri Police arrested two suspects, Saeed Bazmi and Sabt-e-Rasool alias Khurram, and recovered two repeaters, a 9mm pistol and two TT pistols from their possession.

Surjani Police claimed to have arrested a target killer Safdar alias Kala, belonging to a political party, from Surjani Town and recovered a TT pistol from his possession.

Baghdadi Police conducted a raid in Khadda Market, Sanghar Mohalla’s SM Plaza, and detained six suspects along with recovering weapons from their possession.

One girl was killed and five persons, including children were injured when stray mortar shells fell on three different houses in Shalobar area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Four children were injured in two separate incidents when shells hit two houses.                 

One kukikhel tribesman was injured in a roadside bomb blast in Serhai area of Tirah Valley.                                        

Unidentified militants blew up Bacha Khan Foundation’s middle school in Khugakhel area of Landikotal. The school’s building was razed to the ground.

SFs arrested four suspected militants during a search operation in Shakas area of Jamrud tehsil. Officials said that arrested suspects included two young sons of Haji Najeebullah, a former local ameer of JeI.

SFs imposed ban on pillion riding in Bara tehsil of the Agency and warned that violators would be shot on sight.  Bara Assistant Political Agent Rehan Khattak said that the step was taken to curb attacks against SFs and supporters of the local administration.

Prominent businesswoman Nilofar Abadan who was abducted on March 8, 2011 from Gurdat Singh road area in Quetta returned home.  The abductors had contacted the family and demanded a huge amount as ransom for releasing her.

COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani brushed aside all the speculations of any military takeover. “The Pakistan Army has and will continue to support democratic process in the country,” General Kayani declared when he spoke to troops stationed in the forward posts in Mohmand and Kurram Agencies of FATA.

The US said that it was committed to working with Pakistan and pledged support for democracy, amid friction between the war partners and a political showdown in Islamabad.

He added, “We support the democratic process in Pakistan we support the constitution and the rule of law, as well as the will of the Pakistani people. This is a matter for the Pakistani people to resolve within their own political process.”

December 24

A suicide car bomb attack killed five FC soldiers and wounded 12 others at Tochi Scouts' main office on Kohat Road in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A man and three children were injured when an explosive device disguised as a toy exploded in their house on the outskirts of Peshawar.

Two unidentified militants were killed and five people of Amn Force sustained injuries during a clash in Loti area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan. The identities of the dead could not be ascertained. 

Terrorists blew up a Government school in the Noor Khel village in Landikotal sub-division of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry expressed dissatisfaction over the slow disposal of cases in ATC, delay in submission of charge sheets and frequent adjournments being sought and granted to prosecuting and defence counsel in trial courts.

The CJ said the menace of terrorism and the situation in Karachi came up for consideration in the five-member SC bench that issued categorical directions to the provincial police and the director-general of Rangers for apprehending culprits and timely investigation in the cases and their effective prosecution so that those found guilty were sent behind the bar. Sindh High Court Chief Justice Mushir Alam and the in-charge judge of the ATCs presented the facts and figures in respect of ATCs.

According to the report, 1,124 cases were pending before 11 ATCs in the province out of which some 323 cases are pending in Karachi alone. It said that the meeting was told that since 1998 some 30 convicts under the Anti Terrorism Act and four convicts under the ordinary laws were awaiting execution and on account of such unusual delay in execution, the deterrent effect of the law is missing. Sindh IG Mushtaq Shah produced a record of the past five months from July24 till date submitting that total 240 cases were registered and 291 accused persons under the anti-terrorism law and 130 cases were charge-sheeted in the courts.

The US said that it will continue to work with Pakistan towards improving bilateral relations, which saw significant challenges throughout the year. The State Department’s comments came amid strained relations between the sides following the November 26 NATO cross-border attacks on Mohmand Agency (FATA) checkposts, which resulted in the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers.

The US CIA has suspended drone missile strikes on gatherings of low-ranking militants in Pakistan due to tensions with that country, The Los Angeles Times report said. Citing unnamed current and former US officials, The Los Angeles Times said on December 23 the undeclared halt in CIA attacks is aimed at reversing a sharp erosion of trust between the two countries.

December 25

At least 22 militants and three SF personnel were killed and unspecified number of others got injured as clashes erupted between the two sides in Jogi area in Kurram Agency of FATA.

12 militants were killed and seven others injured when jet fighters pounded militant hideouts in Toor Semat, Jandri and Jabba Killi localities in Muhammadzai, a TTP stronghold, of Orakzai Agency. At least five hideouts were destroyed.  

A LI cadre, Shafeeq, was killed when SFs opened firing after their convoy was attacked in Nala Malikdinkhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency.

Three children and a woman were injured when mortar shells fell on the houses of Ibrahim and Haji Mohammad in Spin Qabar area of Bara. 

A mosque and an overhead water tank were also damaged in Hissar Khan Kallay by the mortar shells.

Two armed militants shot dead two persons, identified as Mohammad Aslam and Shahzad Bashir, in the Manno Jan Road area of Quetta. Aslam and Bashir belonged to Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab province and had come to Quetta in search of work.                  

Two people were killed and two others got injured when armed assailants opened fire on them at a hotel in the Tump area of Turbat District. 

A man, identified as Anwar Maseeh, was shot dead in Shahzab Town of Quetta.

A bullet-riddled body of a man, identified as Mohammad Nasim, was found in the Sarah Kadi area of the Loralai District. A letter found was found on the dead body of Nasim. The TTP claimed responsibility for the killing, saying he was involved in spying and warned that anybody found spying on the TTP would meet the same fate.

An engineer, identified as Hafiz Mohammad Ejaz, of a mobile phone company was abducted in Mastung area of Mastung District while he was coming back to Quetta from Mangocher area.

Unidentified armed assailants shot dead a man at Khyber roundabout in Orangi Town of Karachi.

Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said that red warrants for assassins of former Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti had been issued and soon they would be brought to justice.

British officials believed that senior leaders of al Qaeda in Pakistan had been killed in an intense campaign of drone strikes and others are moving to North Africa, The Guardian report said. The report claimed that the militants are now moving to North Africa, including Libya, to open new fronts, raising fears that the region could become a new battle field.

December 26

Seven militants of an unidentified outfit were killed when Security Forces (SFs) shelled the terrorists’ hideouts in the Mamozai and Khadizai areas of Orakzai Agency in FATA. 

Eight suspected militants were killed in shelling by SFs in the ongoing operation in the Musazai and Jogi areas of Kurram Agency.

Police killed two suspected TTP militants in a successful 24-hour standoff to rescue three abducted Government workers near Dera Ismail Khan town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A prominent member of Shia-Sunni Peace Jirga of Hangu, Maulana Niazbar, was killed and his companion, Maulana Zeenatullah, was seriously injured when unidentified assailants on motorcycle opened firing on them in Kohat. 

Unidentified militants opened fire at Surkamar Frontier Constabulary Fort in Surkamar area, 40 kilometers west from Tank town. 

Unidentified militants blew up the main gas pipeline near a seminary in Shah Mansoor area in Swabi.

Two persons were killed and another sustained injuries in an incident of firing o in Bakra Mandi area of Eastern Bypass in Quetta.

After the safe return of the abducted Parsi businesswoman Nilofar Abadan on December 22, 2011, Rao Amin Hashim, Inspector-General of Balochistan Police said, “Criminal gangs are responsible for these abductions.

In connection with the December 24, 2011 abduction of a colleague, identified as Mohan Lal Meghwadh, from Mirpukha District, the lawyers in several Districts of Sindh boycotted the courts and said that they would continue to do so if law enforcers do not rescue him soon.

Al Qaeda warned America, Pakistan and Afghanistan of attacks to avenge killing of its influential leader Tehsin bin Ali Abdul Aziz and his two aides in a drone strike in the Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA on August 1.

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) met at the Parliament House, with Mian Raza Rabbani in the chair to discuss the situation arising from the November 26, 2011 NATO attack on military outposts in Mohmand Agency of FATA, resulting in the cut-off of the supply route to coalition forces stationed in Afghanistan by the Pakistani Government.

US military’s CENTCOM in its investigation has revealed that it took 45 minutes for a NATO operations center in Afghanistan to notify a senior allied commander about attack on Pakistani check-posts in Mohmand Agency, a report published in The New York Times said. The New York Times report stated that once alerted, the commander immediately halted American attacks on two Pakistani posts.

The head of US CENTCOM urged greater trust and communications with the Pakistani military amid the diplomatic crisis after the NATO air strike. CENTCOM chief General James Mattis made his recommendations after his command released the results of its own investigation into the November 26 incident.

Mattis called for “full disclosure of all border area facilities and installations” on both sides of the border, with s using a shared database and map as well as organizing coordination visits.

ASWJ strongly condemned Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s December 25, 2011 allegations regarding the SSP involvement in the March 2, 2011 murder of former Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti. ASWJ leaders rejected the allegations levelled at their organisation declaring the statement deceiving and misleading.

According to reports, ASWJ had decided to approach the court regarding Malik’s allegations. The organisation claimed that Malik’s allegation, against them, was due to pressure from external forces. They added that this was to create a rift between Muslims and Christians and that the allegations have no credibility.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Amir Haider Hoti, during a day-long visit to Swat, announced a development package for the valley. CM Amir Haider Hoti said good fortune has returned to Swat and people are once again living a peaceful and normal life.

December 27

A member of Tank peace committee, Nizamuddin, was killed and two of his associates received injuries when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Wazirabad area of Tank District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Siraj Khan, assistant director of the Intelligence Bureau, by killed by unidentified gunmen as he was returning home after Isha prayers on the Dora Road under Yakatoot Police Station in Peshawar. 

The Additional SHO of Badbher Police Station, Sub-Inspector Mursaleen Khan, was shot dead as he patrolled Musazai area on the outskirts of Peshawar.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government said that the province is no more up on the ladder of areas around the world with a `chronic crisis` of IDPs. The Government, according to officials, has informed UN relief agencies that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has around 102,000 displaced families (470,000 persons), clarifying that the figure of IDPs in their use for planning purposes is outdated.

The PDMA, according to its chief, carried out a survey in September and October this year after realising that the figure of 1.1 million IDPs used by international organisations for planning purposes was not a true representation of situation on ground.

Two persons were killed in separate acts of sectarian killing and violence in different areas of Karachi. A man, identified as Nayyar Abbas, belonging to the Shia sect was shot dead near Sajjadia Imambargah in Orangi Town within the limits of Mominabad Police Station. 

A Pesh Imam (present prayer leader) of Lal Masjid, Gulbahar, and caretaker of the seminary, identified as Maulana Abdus Samad Soomro, was shot dead in an act of target killing within the remit of Gulbahar Police Station.

Police disclosed the arrest of a suspect allegedly involved in the killing of JUI leader’s son, Hafiz Ahmed Qamar, who was killed after being abducted from Shah Faisal Colony on December 21, 2011.

The bullet riddled body of a missing person, identified as Gulam Qader, was found dumped in Murgap area of Turbat city in Turbat District. Gulam Qader had been abducted from his home in Naseerabad District on an unspecified date. 

 

A pro-Government tribal elder of Mamond tribe and senior leader of peace committee, Malik Fazal Wahid (42), escaped unhurt when a remote-controlled bomb exploded near his car in the Damadola area of Bajaur Agency in FATA.

Terror bid was foiled by SFs who defused two remote control devices, planted at two separate spots on the main highway stretching from Parachinar to Peshawar.

Wah Cantonment Police foiled a terrorism bid by arresting a militant, identified as Naseem Shah, with two hand grenades in Islamabad.

Four LeJ militants, including the leader and senior activist Doctor Arshad, were arrested in Chakwal District in connection with November 12, 2011 killing of four security personnel and a civilian at Pir Chambal in Jhelum District.

Islamabad Foreign Ministry proposed moving heavy artillery away from the LoC. “Pakistan has proposed to India to move 120-millimetre guns some 30 kilometres away from the LoC,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abdul Basit said during talks between Pakistani and Indian experts in Islamabad on Confidence Building Measures between the two countries, adding, “The move would help reduce casualties on both sides”. 

The US military briefed Pakistan’s Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani on its investigation into NATO air strikes on Mohammad check post on November 26,. A report by military investigators was delivered to General Ashfaq Kayani on December 25 by a US officer based in Islamabad, who explained the findings to the General, Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby told reporters.

The IHRC officially rejected the findings of a US-NATO investigation into the attack on a border outpost. “There is nothing new in the report,” said World Chairman and Ambassador at Large IHRC Dr Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan, and added the commission was expecting that US and NATO will conceal the real facts.

 

A month after Pakistan had suspended NATO supplies in the wake of alliance attack on outposts in Mohmand Agency on November 26, Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar said that NATO supplies will not be restored free of cost. He said that the Pakistani roads were destroyed due to movement of heavy vehicles, carrying NATO supplies.

According to HRCP Report on the Federal and Provincial budgets of 2011 the division of resources between Defense and the Social Sector in Pakistan is tilted towards the former, preventing improvements in the welfare of the people. The report titled ‘Budgeting for Rights’ states that the actual difference between the Defense and the Social Sector spending is greater than that reported in the budgets.

The Report mentioned that there had been no improvement in the disparity in health sector spending between rural and urban areas, the latter getting the majority of the funds. It said the health sector was worse off than the education sector. The Report also stated that the PKR 7, 000 per month minimum wage was not enough.

December 28

SFs pounded terrorists’ positions in Mamozai, Khadizai and Chapar Kali areas of Orakzai Agency in FATA and killed seven terrorists besides destroying four terror safe houses. Over 40 rockets and a large number of landmines were recovered during search operation in Arhang, Zakhtun and Gandi Tal areas. 

Five suspected terrorists were killed in clashes with SFs in Kurram Agency.

A man, identified as Haji Feroz Khan, was shot dead at Rufi Bara Market in Sohrab Goth within the precincts of Sacchal Police Station in Karachi.

The bullet-riddled body of a Baloch missing person, identified as Sikandar Ali Bugti, was found in Liari area of Uthal tehsil Lasbela District.

Unidentified armed militants abducted two employees of Health Department from Chathar area of Naseerabad District.

Frontier Corps personnel during checking in Akhtarabad area of Quetta arrested 20 Afghans on travelling without necessary documents.

Unidentified militants blew up the building of Government primary school for girls at Tahir Shah Kalli in Somnat area of Shabqadar in Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Militants blew up two schools in Chalas area of Diamir. 

The AEC of the CID foiled a possible terror bid in the Federal Capital by arresting six alleged TTP militants. A Senior Police Official on condition of anonymity said that six TTP militants were arrested during separate raids in different parts of Islamabad’s rural area Shahzad Town late on the night of December 26, 2011, and was disclosed on December 28 because of the security reasons.

The relief extended to militancy-affected people of FATA has led to increase the number of voters in the region as over one million people have obtained computerised national identity cards (CNIC) in seven agencies.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that his country will support any reconciliation process in Afghanistan that is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and does not destabilise Pakistan. Pakistan does not want a repeat of the situation at the time of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, Gilani said during a meeting with Tholhath Ibrahim, the Defence Minister of Maldives.

JUI leader and Senior Minister Maulana Abdul Wasay severely criticized Interior Minister Rehman Malik over his statement about the demolition of unregistered seminaries and has dubbed him a ‘dubious character’. The Interior Minister was a non-entity and had been imposed on us, said Wasay in the Balochistan Assembly.

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s recent statement in which he declared 2012 as the year of Balochistan, Wasay said that he expected worse days ahead for Balochistan.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said that PML-N will never support the resumption of supplies to NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, and would rather want it to be blocked permanently. Sanaullah said that the people will resist if the Government tries to resume NATO supplies.

The US indicated that it might take action against those involved in the November 26, 2011 NATO attack on Pakistani border posts, but only after receiving the final report of an official US inquiry into the incident.

A Pentagon spokesperson said in Washington that punitive action against those found guilty could not be ruled out, but only the final inquiry report could determine who was responsible.

Bruce Riedel, the former CIA analyst, terming terrorism as the "toughest challenge" for President Barack Obama said that the US needs to reset its policy toward Pakistan to contain the ambitions of the army, the ISI and the flourishing syndicate of terror, like the LeT.

“The group's allies and affiliates in Pakistan, by contrast, are under virtually no pressure," Riedel said, adding, "Al Qaeda is on the defensive in Pakistan, but its many allies and affiliates are on the march".

December 29

Unidentified assailants shot dead a tribal elder of Orakzai Agency (FATA) in Bosti Banda area of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

High profile Police surgeon, Doctor Baqar Shah, was shot dead by two unidentified armed militants while returning home from the Bolan Medical College Teaching Hospital on Sabzal Road in Quetta.

A group of armed men tried to abduct him from a roadside, which he resisted.  He identified them as Policemen and he used to deal with them on and off while handling medico-legal cases.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a member of the Shinwari tribe, Talib Shinwari, the son of Khizar Shinwari, in Jamrud area of Khyber Agency in FATA.

At least ten people, including journalists, were injured in a clash between two sectarian groups in Khairpur District. Armed men from both sects continued aerial fire, though a heavy bout of tear gassing by the police forced many to leave.

According to the report, SSP has a considerable presence in Khairpur District. In 2009, SSP leader Allama Sher Hyderi was killed in the District. SSP leader Malik Ishaq is accused of killing 70 people in over 40 cases. 

Police claimed to have arrested two accused including an alleged target killer and unearthed a torture cell in Karachi. Jamshed Quarter CIA conducted a raid in Chanesar Goth, Mehmoodabad and arrested an accused identified as Jamal Khaskheli and recovered a pistol from his possession.

Senior Pakistani journalist Najam Sethi announced on his television talk show that he has been receiving threatening messages after raising questions about the military's role in politics.  Sethi said he had received "serious" threats from both "non-state and state actors". 

JUI-F Chief and Chairman Kashmir Committee Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while chairing the Committee meeting at Parliament House said that Pakistan will continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support to people of Kashmir.

December 30

At least 14 persons, including women and children, were killed and 35 others got injured in a powerful explosion near the residence of tribal elder Shafiq Mengal, son of former acting Chief Minister and Federal Minister Naseer Mengal on Arbab Karam Khan Road in a suicide attack in Quetta. BLA claimed responsibility for the explosion, saying that it was its first suicide attack.

Five abductors were killed and two Levies personnel got injured during an armed clash in an attempt to rescue four abducted health workers from Malazi and Hailkalzai Basic Health Unit in Pishin District.

An Excise Inspector, identified as Fida Ahmed Badini, was shot dead and his relative sustained serious bullet injuries in Essai area of Panjgur District. 

Frontier Corps recovered one of the abducted health workers, identified as Gulzar Ahmed, and seized 10-kilogrammes of explosives during a raid at a camp in the Chatter area of Naseerabad District.

Six militants were killed and four others were injured when jets bombarded militant hideouts in Garium area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

Two volunteers of a local peace committee, Nawaz Khan (24) and Hazart Khan (22), were killed and three, including a woman, sustained injuries when a remote-controlled bomb exploded in Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur Agency. 

Two persons, including tribal leader Malik Aziz Khan Mehsud, were killed and four others sustained injuries when unidentified militants fired a mortar shell from unknown direction in Shakoi area of Laddah tehsil in South Waziristan Agency. 

A TTP militant was killed and eight others were injured in an attack by helicopter gunships on their hideout in Makeen area of SWA. Sources said that two helicopter gunships shelled the hideout belonging to the TTP.

A militant ‘commander’, Qasim, was arrested in an injured condition from the Government hospital in Wana of SWA. Troops also detained his two brothers and two TTP militants. Commander Qasim was affiliated with the Maulvi Nazir group of TTP and was injured in clashes with NATO forces in Afghanistan, sources added.

A Government primary school was blown up in Ziarat Kaka Sahib area of Nowshera District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A teacher of the school said the explosion completely destroyed the two-room building and its boundary wall.

Suspected militants blew up a State-run high school for girls at Badhber on the suburbs of provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar in the night.

SFs shelled alleged militant hideouts in the Amay Kamay mountain between Darra Adamkhel and Orakzai Agency.

The Paramilitary Rangers started taking possession of highly sensitive US cargo stranded in Pakistan following the blockade of the NATO supply route by Pakistan in protest against the November 26, 2011 air strikes. Pakistan Rangers were directed by ‘high authorities’ to take over the cargo containing military hardware and ammunition till the Government makes a decision about the re-opening of NATO supply route.

JeI leader Asadullah Bhutto, fearing that Balochistan is on the brink of no return, called for “an end to the unannounced military operation and the role of the [Intelligence] Agencies in the province.”

Baloch leader, Sardar Ataullah Mengal spoke about the targeted killings of Punjabi settlers in the province. The “protectors of the country” – the Pakistan Army – has become an army for Punjab only, Mengal added. “If a Punjabi is killed, dozens of Baloch youth are taken away by the agencies illegally. People wait for years to hear about their whereabouts and then receive the bullet-riddled bodies of their loved ones. How can there not be a reaction?”

HRCP in its year-ending report on minorities and the state of human rights in Pakistan stated that the year 2011 had seen the country lose key political figures to religious extremism and this has set an alarming trend for the years ahead. 

The report further stated the issues of law and discrimination against the minority communities and also the issue of forced conversions of Hindu girls in Sindh province. The Ahmadi community was the target of religious extremism. Religious hatred is not something that has emerged suddenly, said Akhtar Baloch, a senior member of the HRCP.

December 31

Four schoolchildren were killed and 21 persons, mostly students, got injured in two incidents in Khyber Agency. According to officials, a bomb went off outside the Hujra of tribal elder Malik Rasool Jan, where a jirga was in progress. Two students of a nearby school were killed and 14 injured. Two elders of Khugakhel tribe were also wounded. The dead students were identified as Mohammad Ilyas and Shah Saud. In Bara tehsil, two children were killed and five others injured when a stray shell fell on the Iqra Model School in Malikdinkhel area. The slain boys were identified as Shah Zeb and Khiyal Mir.

A bomb ripped through a military vehicle killing two soldiers in at Boya village, some 20 kilometres west of Miranshah, in North Waziristan Agency.

A security official was injured when a convoy was hit by a roadside explosion in Malikdinkhel of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency.

SF averted subversive attempt by recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a raid on a house at Sorgar in Bara tehsil. The recovered arms and ammunition included anti-aircraft gun, 75RR gun, 11 rounds, SPG9 gun, 299 rounds of 82mm, 450 rounds of 40mm, 233 rounds of SPG 9, SPG9 gun, 720 fuzzes of 30mm, 168 rounds of 81mm, three mortars of 81mm, two guns of 12.7 range and other explosive and ammunitions.

At least three rockets were fired from a mountainous area on Sabzal Road, Killi Deba and Spini Road in Quetta. However, no casualties were reported.

Levis Force thwarted a terror bid by defusing explosives planted beneath the railway bridge in Sibi District.

Federal Minister for Postal Services Sardar Muhammad Umar while talking to media at the National Press Club said that the Government has fulfilled most of Balochistan’s demands according to the aspirations of Akbar Bugti and the people of the province.

A Shia leader of the Pasban-e-Jaffaria, Askari Raza, was killed and his companion, Ali Mehdi, was injured in an assault on Rashid Minhas Road within the limits of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police Station in Karachi.

CID of the Sindh Police claimed to have arrested five Punjab Chapter TTP militants (also known as Punjabi Taliban) from the National Highway near a thermal factory in Shah Latif Town in Karachi. The suspects were identified as Alauddin alias Shakirullah, Farhan Khan alias Ali, Amir Shahzad alias Mufti Asadullah, Irfan alias Mavia and Shah Jahan alias Adnan Munna. Alauddin is the chief of the Punjabi Taliban group in Sindh. The group is led by Ustad Aslam.

Taxila Police arrested two alleged militants, identified as Amjad Hussain and Tanvir Ahmad, and recovered heavy cache of arms from their possession in Rawalpindi.

The US President Barack Obama signed a wide-ranging defence bill into law, which freezes some USD 700 million in assistance until Pakistan comes up with a strategy to deal with improvised explosive devices.

Timelines Year Wise

Year 2016
Year 2015
Year 2014
Year 2013
Year 2012
Year 2011
Year 2010
Year 2009
Year 2008
Year 2007
Year 2006
Year 2005
Year 2004
Year 2003
Year 2001-2002
Year 1991-2000
Year 1947-1990

Note:Compiled from news reports and are provisional.

 

 

 

 

 
Copyright © 2001 SATP. All rights reserved.