At least three people were killed
and 30 injured in a suicide attack targeting Shia pilgrims in
Akhtarabad area of Balochistan's provincial capital Quetta.
Police said a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle
into the bus carrying Shia pilgrims who were coming from Iran
to Quetta.
PTI protests that had blocked
the NATO supplies has almost come to an unannounced end. The
party has wound up four out of five protest camps set up in
Nowshera, Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat Districts and at Peshawar
Motorway Toll Plaza. The Imran Khan's party officially denies
it and insists it is as committed as it was in disallowing NATO
supplies through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, ground reality
at the site of the lone sit-in is not what Khan claims.
The Special Court constituted
to try former President General Pervez Musharraf for treason
ordered him to appear for the hearing of the case on January
3, 2013. The bench initiated the hearing without Musharraf's
presence and while ordering for his production in court also
warned of issuing a ruling in case he failed to appear in the
court for the next hearing.
The authorities concerned decided
to further enhance security for Musharraf as he could not appear
before the Special Court after a kilogram of explosive material
was recovered and defused near his Chak Shahzad farmhouse residence
in Islamabad. Around 1600 police and Rangers personnel would
provide security to him from his farmhouse resident to Special
Court on January 2, 2013.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan asked 'some' TTP factions opposing the
peace process to grow out of their mindset and respond positively
to the gestures of both the Government and the entire political
leadership of the country. Expressing the Government's resolve
to establish peace in the affected areas through talks with
the TTP during a meeting with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman
who called on him, the Minister said that the Government was
sincerely pursuing the path of dialogue. "It is incumbent upon
the other side to react positively," Nisar said.
MWM and SIC opposed the proposed
talks between the Government and TTP. SIC Chairman Sahibzada
Hamid Raza, MWM Secretary for Political Affairs Syed Nasir Abbas
Sherazi and Voice of Shuhada-e-Pakistan spokesperson Senator
Faisal Raza Abidi expressed their opposition to the talks while
addressing a joint press conference at the MWM office. The MWM
and SIC central leadership claimed that they would not allow
the Government to hold talks with the terrorists at the cost
of the Constitution.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
said that he planned to strengthen the NSC and make it an institutionalised
forum with the power to take relevant decisions. In the past,
he said, stakeholders spoke differently, but now everyone should
come and speak at this forum and then implement decisions taken
there. He said that the Government was moving in accordance
with decisions taken by an all-party conference about a peace
initiative. The best option is to achieve peace through talks.
But "when we start dialogue, drones derail everything", he added.
January 2
Three alleged gangsters, identified
as Attaullah (35), Adil Khattak (30) and Hamid alias Mota (36),
were shot dead during an ambush by a rival group in Ibrahim
Hyderi's Ilyas Goth area in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
Two alleged militants of the
TTP were killed in an encounter with the Rangers in Manghopir.
An unnamed Rangers official claimed that both the suspects were
affiliated with the Wali-ur-Rehman group of the TTP. "One of
them was their explosives expert."
Two dead bodies were found near
the Tonga stand on Tannery Road in Lyari Town.
One person identified as Tahir
Siddiqui (28), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near
Naseerabad on Sharea Pakistan.
A Policeman, identified as Azizul
Allah, was killed and three others were injured in a remote-controlled
blast in the Tank town of Tank District.
A girl's school was partially
damaged in an explosion in the Dhub Banda area of Charsadda
city in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A doctor, identified as Dr Ahmad
Zia, was abducted by unidentified militants in the Peshawar.
SFs foiled a terrorism bid by
recovering and defusing an anti-tank mine concealed in a handcart
in the Sakarosare area of Taal tehsil in the Hangu city of Hangu
District.
Pakistan Army carried out search
operation for more than 16 hours in the Peshawar Central Prison
after receiving information that some militants had passed on
suicide jackets to TTP prisoners in the jail.
January 3
Two ASWJ cadres, including Secretary
General Mufti Muneer Muavia and his colleague Qari Asad Mehmood
were killed in an attack in Islamabad.
IHC directed the Government
to provide a bulletproof car to former SC Chief Justice Iftikhar
Muhammad Chaudhry, saying even those who violated the Constitution
were being given foolproof security. Justice Shoukat Siddiqui
of the IHC issued the directive while hearing a plea filed by
former Rawalpindi High Court Bar Association President Sheikh
Ahsanuddin for providing security to justice Chaudhry.
IGFC Balochistan Major General
Mohammad Ejaz Shahid said that 60 to 70 Farari camps,
or insurgent camps, were operating in the province. However,
he added that it was difficult to crack down on these camps
because they keep changing location according to the weather.
January 4
At least three Shia men were
killed and four others were injured in an incident of firing
by armed assailants Maskan Chowrangi in Gulshan-i-Iqbal area
of Karachi.
Two brothers, also seminary
students, identified as Abid Mavia (25) and Sajid Mavia (28),
were shot dead by unidentified assailants on Rashid Minhas Road
within the jurisdiction of Jauharabad Police Station.
Two Policemen were killed and
another was injured in an armed attack within the precincts
of Peerabad locality in Orangi Town.
A Policeman, identified as Mohsin
(37), was shot dead in Shahnawaz Shar Goth area within the precincts
of Sacchal Police Station in Gulshan Town.
An unidentified person was killed
by unidentified assailants in Pak Colony area of SITE Town.
A peanut seller, identified
as Syed (40) was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Hyderi
area of North Nazimabad Town.
An unidentified dead body of
was found dead from Link Road of Gulshan-e-Hadeed within the
remits of Shah Latif Police Station.
Two persons were killed and
nine others were injured in a blast in Bakhtiarabad area of
Sibi town of the same District. The bomb was attached to a motorcycle
and detonated by remote control.
Four persons, including the
advisor to the Balochistan Chief Minister Majid Abro, were injured
in bomb attacks in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
Quetta Police Chief Abdul Razaq
Cheema claimed that Police has arrested four UBA militants and
seized a huge cache of bomb-making material from their possession
in Bakra Mandi area of Quetta. CCPO Cheema said that the accused
have confessed of carrying out 15 terrorists acts in 2012-13
in which 12 persons were killed and dozens others were injured.
January 5
Unidentified armed assailants
hurled a hand grenade at the shop of ANP leader Abdul Razzak
Buneri and also opened fire in Madina Colony of Baldia Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, killing two Policemen
identified as Abdul Raheem and Khan Muhammad.
Two persons, identified as Ameer
Bukhsh (65) and Shafi Muhammad (60), were shot dead and another
was injured in Mawach Goth in the precincts of Mochko Police
Station.
A senior worker of the PTI,
identified as Qari Jaffar, was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in SITE Town.
A worker of the PML-F, identified
as Nazar Shaikh, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in
Surjani area of Gadap Town.
A prayer leader of Masjid-e-Khizrul
Islam was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Baldia Town.
A factory owner, Muhammad Iqbal,
was shot dead while he was on his way on a car in Qasba Colony
of SITE Town.
A person, identified as Muneeb
Ahmad was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Ashfaq Colony
of Kiamari Town.
One Asif, who had sustained
injuries during an attack on a police van in Pirabad locality,
succumbed to the injuries.
Rangers and Police claimed to
have arrested over two and a half dozen suspects during separate
targeted raids and operation across the Karachi.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel
Inam Memon said that the targeted operation in Karachi will
continue till the elimination of criminals and terrorists.
LEAs recovered three dead bodies
from Killi Maryam in Qamarud Din Karez area of Zhob District
in Balochistan.
The house of a Policeman was
partially damaged when it was targeted with an IED in the limits
of Kaki Police Station of Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Police recovered explosives
in the limits of Mandani Police Station of Charsadda District.
According to PIPS Security Report
2013, A downward trend in the number of overall incidents of
violence, which had started in 2010 and continued in the two
subsequent years, could not persist in 2013. According to the
report, militant, nationalist insurgent and violent sectarian
groups carried out a total of 1,717 terrorist attacks across
Pakistan in 2013, claiming the lives of 2,451 people and causing
injuries to another 5,438.
The President of the MWM Rajanpur
District, identified as Doctor Azhar Hussain (59), was shot
dead by unidentified armed assailants in a sectarian attack
at his residence in the District. Hussain was a doctor by profession.
January 6
At least nine persons, including
three suspected militants and three children, were killed and
several others were wounded in a bomb blast targeting the house
of tribal elder Hakeem Khan Akakhel in Tirah Valley of Khyber
Agency in FATA.
A passerby, identified as Hussain
Turi, was injured in roadside bomb explosion in Pewar area of
Kurram Agency. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two people, including a woman,
were killed while Police constable Farzand Ali and FC official
Gula Khan were injured when unidentified militants opened fire
at them in a market in Matani area of Peshawar in KP.
Frontier Constabulary official,
identified as Wahid Mir, was killed and three other FC personnel
were injured during a routine patrol in a roadside bomb explosion
in Regi Lalma Housing Scheme area in Peshawar. “Being close
to Khyber Agency, the area provides militants a golden opportunity
to escape to the tribal areas safely after such attacks,” said
a Police official.
A Police constable, identified
as Manfarullah, was shot dead outside City Hospital on Kohat
Road in Peshawar.
A teenage boy, identified as
Aitazaz Hassan (14), was killed when a suicide bomber blew himself
up outside a Government school Ibrahimzai area of Hangu District.
An activist of the MQM, identified
as Shahid Sheikh, was killed in a targeted attack on M.A. Jinnah
Road near Jama Masjid in Jamshed Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Unidentified militants attacked
the office of LDA at Civic Centre in Gulshan Town and set the
office furniture on fire.
Law enforces during their ongoing
drive against criminals and gangsters claimed to have arrested
94 suspects during separate targeted raids and operations across
Karachi. In the first incident, Karachi Police claimed to have
detained around 69 suspects during 73 raids and three encounters
in different parts of the city. In addition, Pakistan Rangers
Sindh claimed to have arrested 25 criminals during separate
targeted raids conducted in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Korangi Town,
Landhi Town, New Karachi Town, Gadap Town, North Nazimabad Town
and other areas.
Pakistan Rangers, Sindh prepared
an elaborate security plan to meet any eventuality during the
forthcoming Chup Tazia and 12th Rabi-ul-Awal celebrations.
Security Agencies claimed that
they have arrested a key suspect, identified as Rahim Khan,
from Federal Capital Islamabad for his involvement in the June
22, 2013 Nanga Parbat attack on 10 foreigners in Diamer District
of Gilgit Baltistan.
A Policeman was injured when
armed assailants hurled a hand grenade at Satellite Town Police
Station in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
Terming reports about presence
of Afghan Taliban as baseless and far from reality, Balochistan
Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said that there is no Taliban
Shura in Quetta. “No sign of Afghan Taliban factor in the province,”
he said, adding that foreign hands were involved in the prevailing
unrest in Balochistan. The Home Minister’s statement has come
two days after the foreign press reported the killing of two
Taliban leaders in Quetta. “I have no information about the
killing of Taliban leaders,” Bugti said.
The Special Court trying Pervez
Musharraf again exempted him from personal appearance for a
day and summoned a medical certificate from the AFIC. Pervez
Musharraf failed to appear before the special court for the
fourth time in a row. Special Prosecutor Muhammad Akram Sheikh,
stressing the court to issue non-bailable arrest warrants, said
the accused was flouting the orders of the august court.PML-Q
chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain presented himself for trial under
Article 6 of the constitution for having supported Musharraf’s
decision to proclaim the state of emergency on November 3, 2007.
January 7
At least six dead bodies were
found near the Sufi shrine of shrine of Ayub Shah Bukhari in
Gulshan-e-Maymar area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Two of the victims were beheaded, while the
rest had their throats slit, said a Policeman. The Police found
a bloodstained knife and note, written by TTP, which read, “Stop
visiting shrines — from the Pakistani Taliban”. “People visiting
shrines will meet the same fate,” the note read.
Two security guards, identified
as Muhammad Shafiq (40) and Dilshad Ansari (27), posted at United
Bank Limited in Korangi Town were killed, while three people,
including Branch Manager, cashier and another employee sustained
injuries when six masked robbers opened fire at them and looted
around PKR 1.7 million.
An unidentified Police Officer
was killed in firing incident in Pak Colony area of SITE Town.
Another unidentified man was
shot dead in Quaidabad area of Bin Qasim Town.
An unidentified dead body was
recovered near Malir checkpost in Malir Town.
Police arrested a target killer
from Musharraf Colony in Baldia Town and recovered two Kalashnikovs,
two hand-grenades and two home-made bombs from his possession.
Police alleged that the arrested suspect was wanted in the killings
of 28 people and that he hailed from a political party.
A FC official and a Policeman
were killed while one FC sustained injuries during an exchange
of fire in Chatkan Bazaar of Panjgur District.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a former Naib Nazim of Union Council Shahdara, identified
as Shah Zaman, at his shop in Mingora city of Swat District
in KP.
A proclaimed offender, identified
as Aalam Khan, was killed in Musazai village while 45 suspects
were arrested in a search operation conducted within the jurisdiction
of Badhaber and Bhanamari Police Stations in Peshawar.
A grocery shop was destroyed
in an explosion near the house of levies official Major Rekhmeen
at Bahadur Bandha in Hangu District. However, no casualties
were reported. Rekhmeen said that he had not been threatened
by anyone, but militant groups kept on issuing warnings to Security
Force officials to quit their jobs immediately or face the consequences.
A low-intensity bomb blast occurred
in front of the house of Dr Razaullah in Saro Village of Shabqadar
tehsil in Charsadda District. However, no casualty was
reported.
The NAB got 14 days physical
remand of two accused after arresting them for alleged involvement
in the multi-billion scam concerning the procurement of weapons
and vehicles for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. The NAB officials
produced Raza Ali Khan, said to be related to former Chief Minister
Ameer Haider Hoti, and the latter’s un-notified special adviser
on police affairs Niaz Ali Shah, and sought their 14 days physical
remand. The NAB special prosecutor Lajbar Khan informed the
bench that the accused had played a vital role in the scam.
At least seven people were injured
in an explosion in Sadda Bazaar of lower Kurram Agency in FATA.
Saudi Arabia made it clear that
it has nothing to do with former President General Pervez Musharraf’s
high treason case and Riyadh does not want to interfere in internal
matters of Pakistan. Saudi Foeign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal
denied he had brought any message for the Pakistan Government
with regard to Musharraf’s trial. “Musharraf’s trial is an internal
matter of Pakistan,” Prince Saud said.
The US Department of State declared
Qari Saifullah, a Quetta-based Taliban ‘commander’, a specially
designated global terrorist. Qari Saifullah is the Taliban’s
shadow ‘deputy governor’ and an operational ‘commander’ in Zabul
province of Afghanistan, but the designation identifies him
as a resident of Quetta.
Pakistan is planning to enlist
Saudi Arabia’s help in brokering a peace deal with the TTP in
its quest for peace in the long term. According to the initial
report, when Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal meets
Pakistani officials during his two-day visit beginning on January
6, 2013, one of the key agenda items would be to explore the
possibility of Riyadh’s role in the Government’s peacemaking
efforts. Both JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as well as Maulana
Sami-ul-Haq, who is known as the father of the Afghan Taliban,
are considered close to the Saudi rulers, and are intensifying
efforts to bring the TTP to the negotiating table as most of
the militants have studied at their seminaries.
January 8
At least 10 militants and three
SFs were killed when militants attacked Green Ridge check post
in Ladha subdivision South Waziristan Agency of FATA. The military
claimed “inflicting heavy casualties to the militants.”
Lyari remained tensed as Lyari
gangster Abdul Jabbar alias Jabbar Jhengu and his companion
Abdul Ghani were killed in a road accident in the Bella area
of Balochistan on January 7, 2014. However, Jhengu’s comrades
claimed that they do not believe he was killed in a road accident.
“Jhengu’s killing was pre-planned,” one of his associates said,
adding, “The law enforcers are behind his killing. They abducted
him and then killed them in this way.”
Police released sketches of
two suspects it believes were involved in the January 7, 2014
slaughter of six men at a shrine in Gulshan-e-Maymar area of
Gadap Town.
HRCP strongly condemned the
killing of six men at a shrine in Karachi and demanded meaningful
steps to put an end to killing of citizens by the extremists.
HRCP Chairperson Zohra Yusuf said in a statement that the brutal
killing of six young devotees in Karachi apparently for visiting
a shrine was a proof that staying alive in Pakistan today was
a privilege reserved for those who unthinkingly and without
question comply with the whims of cold-blooded killers who are
religious fanatics.
At least one Policeman was killed
and another was injured when unidentified militants opened fire
on two Policemen deputed at a checkpost on Canal Road in University
Town of provincial capital Peshawar.
SHO of Bhana Mari Police Station,
identified as Hameed Khan, and two of his bodyguards were injured
when unidentified militants opened fire on their vehicle within
the limit of Paharipura Police Station in Peshawar.
LeJ claimed responsibility for
the January 6, 2014 suicide blast in Ibrahimzai area of Hangu
District. Ibrahimzai is a Shia-dominated area of Hangu District.
A College Professor and a Shia
religious leader, identified as Nazir Hussain Imrani, was shot
at and critically injured by unidentified assailants in a targeted
sectarian attack in Dhoke Kashmirian area of Rawalpindi District.
Imrani was an imam of Qasr-e-Sajjad Imambargah
in Iqbal Town and a Professor at Government Hashmat Ali College.
A source in Balochistan Home
and Tribal Affairs Department said that the Commission on enforced
disappearances has received 209 cases of missing Baloch political
workers from Balochistan. He said that 61 missing persons
have been recovered and 24 mutilated dead bodies found in different
parts of Balochistan up till now. He said 44 cases of missing
persons were disposed off following lack of required documents.
Apart from this, 144 cases of missing persons were under trial
before Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Adviser to Prime Minister on
National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz during a book
launch at the Institute of Strategic Study in Islamabad said
that America is fighting the “wrong war with wrong methods against
the wrong people”. Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan has been protesting
against the drone attacks at all levels, as these are un-productive
and violate Pakistan’s sovereignty.
January 9
CID of Karachi Police claimed
killing a trio of TTP militants in Manghopir area of Gadap Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. "The Policemen,
who busted a terrorist hideout in Manghopir area, following
a promising lead, were met with heavy armed resistance",
said Chaudhry Aslam, a senior CID official.
Three Policemen, CID SP Chaudhry
Aslam Khan was killed and 10 others were injured when a suicide
bomber smashed his car into Aslam’s convoy near Essa Nagri at
the Lyari Expressway. Two others were identified as Farhan (27)
and Kamran (34). TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.
TTP Mohmand Chapter ‘spokesperson’, Sajjad Mohmand said that
the group has carried out a “successful” attack to take revenge
for several Taliban members killed by the Police.
AIG of Police Sindh Shahid Hayat
said that targeted operation against the anti-social elements
would continue to maintain peace in Karachi.
PTI Chief Imran Khan reiterated
his stance of negotiating with TTP following the killing of
SP CID Chaudhry Aslam Khan in Karachi, which was claimed by
the terrorist group. While condemning the attack he said that
prevailing violence and killings in the country would not end
without pulling out from ‘someone else’s war’. “Dialogue is
a better option than fighting against Taliban.” “At least those
(Taliban) groups which are ready to negotiate peace should be
contacted for talks,” he said.
The three-judge Special Court
led by Justice Faisal Arab in a hard-hitting order summoned
former President General Pervez Musharraf on January 16, 2014.
Musharraf had been excused from court three times for health
reasons.
January 10
Three TTP militants were killed
in an alleged Police encounter within the jurisdiction of Mauripur
Police Station in Musharraf Colony of Baldia Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. The dead were identified as
Mirza Ali (45), allegedly the TTP Amir for Ittehad Town;
Sher Muhammad (35), allegedly the TTP Amir for Landhi
Town, and Amanullah (22).
Three people, including prayer
leader Maulana Iqrar and two students of the seminary, identified
as Salahuddin (16), and Naseer (17), were injured in a bomb
blast at the rooftop of Jannat Masjid (mosque) in Gulshan-e-Ghazi
area of Al-Falah Society in Malir Town.
Two people, including ANP leader
Aziz Khan, was injured when his house in Future Colony of Quaidabad
area in Bin Qasim Town was attacked with a hand grenade. Quaidabad
Police said that Khan blamed extortionists for the attack as
he failed to pay an amount of PKR 5 million.
Two Police Officers were injured
when unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at a Police
mobile in Karachi. The Police retaliated and injure done of
the attackers.
An alleged suicide bomber who
detonated his explosive-laden vehicle to target SP CID Chauhdry
Aslam on January 9, 2013, was identified as Naeemullah (26),
a resident of Banaras Colony in SITE Town.
Unidentified militants shot
dead two workers at Ghazi Shah Baba Shrine in Mardan District
of KP.
One militant was killed when
unidentified militants attacked the Manzoor Shaheed checkpost
in the limits of Badbher Police Station near Matani area in
Peshawar. The militant was killed in retaliatory firing by the
Security Forces.
Two passengers were killed when
unidentified armed assailants opened fire at a passenger van
in the Dukki tehsil of Loralai District of Balochistan.
No outfit claimed of responsibility for the attack.
Unidentified militants blew
up a gas pipeline in Dera Murad Jamali area of Naseerabad District
suspending gas supply to many districts.
Abductors released the eight
coalminers abducted from Harnai District on December 25, 2013.
Sajjad Gul Kakar, a levies official, said, "Miners are
back and they are safe.” He, however, declined to comment on
the ransom amount paid to the kidnappers for release of the
coal miners.
Hearing the high treason case
against former President General Pervez Musharraf, the Special
Court stated that the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is applicable
in this matter. The applicability of CrPC will allow the court
to issue an arrest warrant against the accused (Musharraf) over
his non-appearance before it. One member of the defence team
said that Musharraf would not appear before the court on January
16, 2014 and another medical report might be furnished regarding
his inability to appear before the court.
The Government’s non-compliance
of its December 10, 2013 order to produce 35 missing persons,
led the Supreme Court to order the Secretary to the Prime Minister
Javed Aslam to bring the matter into the notice of Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif. In its December 10 order, the apex court said
the army authorities had taken away 35 internees from the Malakand
internment centre, but only seven of them were produced before
the court. It ordered action against the authorities concerned
in the case involving non-compliance of the verdict. The court
directed the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister to submit
by January 17, 2014 their replies explaining reasons why the
December 10, 2013 judgment had not been complied with.
January 11
Anti-Terrorism Court-II adjourned
the hearing of March 16, 2014, Arshad Pappu murder case till
January 29, 2014 after investigation officer failed to produce
witnesses in the court. All accused nominated in the murder
cases of Arshad Pappu were produced in an APC before ATC-II
Judge under tight security.
January 12
Five persons, including three
Policemen and two security guards were killed in an IED blast
targeting the convoy of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s senior
aide Amir Muqam in Shangla District of KP. Muqam was unhurt.
Unidentified militants opened
fire on ANP leader Mian Mushtaq’s vehicle in Badhpir area of
Peshawar, killing three people including him.
Unidentified militants opened
fire in Dashti Bazaar area of Turbat District in Balochistan
and killed two people. Imam Bakhsh, a police officer said,
"Both victims were dead on the spot".
Unidentified militants shot
dead a levies constable, identified as Murad Bakhsh, in Mand
Soro area of Kech District. The militants took away the weapon
of the constable after killing him.
Armed militants snatched weapons
from levies personnel in Panjgur District. A levies official,
on condition of anonymity, said that more than two dozen armed
militants stormed a check post and snatched weapons from levies
men. "I have no information about the exact number of
levies men," he said, adding that the levies men did not
resist the attackers. The militants managed to escape after
the attack and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Police and ATF conducted a raid
at the private jail of JUI-F member and former Provincial Minister
Education and Member of Balochistan Assembly, Sardar Abdul Rehman
Khetran and rescued seven abducted people, including two women
and three children in Barkhan District. Police also arrested
six suspects and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.
A gangster, identified as Mulla
Nisar, was killed in clashes between rival groups and hand grenade
attack in Jhat Pat market, Rangewara and Kalakot areas of Lyari
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified dead body was
recovered from Mewashah graveyard in SITE Town. The victim was
subjected to torture before killed.
Law enforcers arrested 160 suspects,
including members of banned outfit, target killers and gangsters
in the ongoing-targeted operation across the city.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stated that negotiations with the TTP
were the Government’s top priority and serious efforts are being
made in this regard, but warned that the militants unwilling
to hold talks will be dealt with sternly. The Interior Minister
called upon the Taliban factions opposing the peace process
to grow out of their mindset and respond positively to the gestures
of the Government. “I urge Taliban groups who are refusing to
hold dialogue that the path of Islam is the path of welfare
and peace, and not of bullet,” Nisar said. He said that both
talks and military operation against the Taliban are difficult
tasks, as they are not a party or force which is in front of
us.
A tortured and bullet-riddled
dead body of a boy (10) was found in Turbat District. According
to sources, the victim’s elder brother is a campaigner for the
Baloch separatist movement. A BSO-A spokesperson accused Security
Agencies of being behind the incident. However, Security Agencies
denied charges of their involvement in any illegal detention
or dumping of bodies.
January 13
Two suspected gangsters were
shot dead and four others were wounded when unidentified militants
opened fire at two gangsters near Zonal office within the jurisdiction
of Chakiwara Police Station in Lyari Town. Tension prevailed
in Lyari Town.
A woman, identified as Gulshan
Bibi, was shot dead for her alleged links with Baba Ladla group
in Shah Baig Lane within the precincts of Baghdadi Police Station
in Lyari Town. She is accused of being an informer for Baba
Ladla group.
A Police Inspector, identified
as Mohammad Iqbal alias Bijju, was shot dead at his son's hardware
shop in MPR Colony within the limits of Orangi Town Police Station
in Orangi Town. According to officials, the Iqbal was involved
in investigating extortion cases.
Four people were injured at
Jumma Shah Plot when gangsters of two rival groups fired RPGs
in Lyari Town. Routine and commercial activities were suspended
in Lyari following the cross firing. The Rangers were unable
to curtail firing.
Police arrested 29 suspects
during raids in different areas of the city and confiscated
weapons, stolen goods and drugs. Under the supervision of Superintendent
of Police Kiamari, 29 suspected criminals were arrested in Shershah,
Mauripur, Machchar Colony, Sultanabad, Mawach Goth areas of
Karachi.
A large quantity of anti-Pakistan
literature as well as maps of a separate Balochistan were recovered
during a raid of Attashad Degree College in Turbat District.
A Baloch student had reportedly taken over a hostel in the college
and a FC spokesperson claimed he was brainwashing students to
conduct acts of terrorism in the country.
The recovered material included
separatist leaflets, banners and posters. The books include
Nehru and Gandhi’s biographies as well as books about Baloch
separation. The books were printed in Karachi and neighbouring
countries. The FC had conducted the raid after receiving a tip
about the operation. No arrests were made and the student in
question fled before the FC arrived.
In Swabi District, an official
of the intelligence agencies, Amjad, was shot dead in Swabi
bus stand area where he was on duty.
BDS thwarted an attempt of terrorism
by defusing a 20kg bomb planted in congested Bana Mari area
of Peshawar. According to BDS official Shafqat Malik, passers-by
spotted the explosive device in Bana Mari area and informed
Police.
A remote-controlled explosion
occurred in Sulemankhel area of Badbher area in Peshawar where
the funeral prayer of slain ANP leader Mian Mushtaq Ahmed was
scheduled to be held, leaving one Policeman injured.
The BDU thwarted an attempt
of terrorism by defusing a 20 kilogram of bomb planted in the
Bana Mari area of Peshawar.
The NASC on Interior and Narcotics
Control approved a draft of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance
2013, with some members expressing reservations and writing
dissenting notes. The Committee, however, did not approve the
Protection of Pakistan Ordinance 2013 which was termed by some
members ‘a black law’ and similar to the Indian law called Protection
of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2002.
Some members of the committee,
including Arif Alvi of the PTI and Nabeel Gabol of MQM, strongly
opposed the PPO 2013 and wrote dissenting notes on the ATO 2013.
“Under the proposed PPO bill presented by the Government no-one
can raise his/her voice against any act of the Government,”
said Mr Gabol.
“The main objective of discussing
the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013, bill was to
take effective measures to protect life and property of the
people in the face of increasing acts of terrorism in the country,”
the head of the committee MNA Rana Shamim Ahmed Khan said.
The KP Assembly unanimously
passed a resolution asking the Federal Government to direct
the Federal Minister of Interior to give the assembly a briefing
about measures and progress on policy aimed at eradication of
terrorism in the country. The resolution was jointly moved by
MPA both from treasury and opposition benches.
According to a report, titled,
‘Drone Wars Pakistan: Analysis,’ compiled by the think tank
New America Foundation, at least 370 US drone strikes have occurred
in Pakistan since 2004. The report also gives a breakdown of
the number of casualties of the drone strikes. The year in which
the most number of people who were killed in the strikes is
2010. There is a downward trend of the drone strikes since 2010.
The total number of people who were killed in these strikes
is between 2,080-3,428 people. Of these, 1,623-2,787 are reportedly
militants and 258 – 307 civilians. The highest number of drone
strikes occurred in North Waziristan Agency (267 out of the
370).
The report further states that
there were fewer number of drone strikes during former US President
George W Bush’s term, as compared to the current administration
of President Barack Obama. The number of strikes for 2013 is
26.
January 14
Police found four unidentified
men's bodies near a riverbank in the Amagarh area of Nowshera
District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Unidentified militants shot
the four and dumped their bodies in the Amagarh area, Police
said.
One Policeman was killed whereas
another sustained injury when an explosion took place in Regi
Model Town area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial
capital of KP.
A bomb explosion took place
near a Police van, injuring seven Policemen on Rohri road near
the Kolachi tehsil area of Dera Ismail Khan District.
The bomb was remotely detonated. The SHO of Kolachi Police Station
was among those injured in the blast.
The Federal Ministry of Interior
informed Sindh Government that MQM leaders are on the hit list
of terrorists and, therefore, appropriate security measures
should be made. A special communiqué sent to Sindh Government,
the Federal Ministry of Interior has expressed fear that extremist
might target MQM leaders.
The Director General Rangers
Major General Rizwan Akhter expressed concern over the news
circulating in the media regarding high-level postings in the
Police department, and said that the Rangers wanted that present
Police setup in the city should continue for a year.
January 15
Two Policemen were shot dead
in a firing incident near Police post situated at Gulberg area
within the limits of Yousuf Plaza Police Station in Karachi
(Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Police
said the incident took place when unidentified armed riders
arrived at the Police post and opened fire on the cops.
The law enforcement personnel
also killed two alleged gangsters during an encounter in Lyari
area.
A traffic police warden was
gunned down near Matric Board office within the jurisdiction
of North Nazimabad Police Station. Police said that unidentified
armed men riding on two motorbikes waylaid their target, Mehmood
Raza, son of Manaan halaak and shot him dead.
Lyari remain tensed as an armed
clash occurred between rival groups of gangsters of the area.
Two gangsters were killed in a joint encounter of police and
rangers in the same locality. Police sources said that the clash
started at Jhat Phat Market, Lyari between the members of Baba
Ladla Group and defunct PAC over the dispute of extortion money
collection from vendors of the area.
Police and Rangers conducted
a targeted operation against criminals involved in the clash,
where gangsters group resorted to fire on the law enforcers’
vans near Khada Market area. In retaliation by the LEAs, two
gangsters were killed in the alleged joint encounter while three
were apprehended in the operation.
Police conducted another raid
at the CHK and arrested injured gangsters and shifted them to
an undisclosed location.
The decomposed bodies of a young
boy and a girl were found from a water tank of empty plot Sector
16-A, Orangi Town within the vicinity of Pakistan Bazaar Police
Station.
A bullet-riddled body of a man
was found from garbage dump in Gulistan Society within the limits
of Chakiwara Police Station in Lyari Town.
The Federal Finance Minister
Ishaq Dar vowed to continue the targeted operation in Karachi
against criminals. At a meeting with members of the KCCI, he
shrugged off the rumours about halting the operation in Karachi.
Three suspected militants were
killed while five others arrested by the SFs during a search
operation in Zaidi area of Khuzdar District in Balochistan.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Abdul Waheed Shah said that the security
forces and Levies force had been conducting a joint search operation
in Zaidi area when armed men opened fire on them.
Supreme Court directed the Government
of Balochistan to ensure security to the doctors’ community
in the province. A three-member bench of the apex court headed
by Justice Nasir ul Mulk and comprising Justice Saqib Nisar
and Justice Ameer Hani Muslim heard the Balochistan law and
order situation and missing persons’ case. The court directed
Nasruallah Baloch, Chairman Voice of Missing Persons, Balochistan
to appear before the court on the next date of hearing, stating
as to whether he wanted to proceed further with the instant
case or not.
The Balochistan Government has
approached all political forces in the province for an all parties’
conference which is likely to be held at the end of January
in Quetta, a provincial Government spokesperson said. The APC
was scheduled to be held in December, 2013 but could not take
place due to the local Government elections in the province.
At least two volunteers of Amn
committee lost their lives in a bomb blast in Zakhakhel Bazaar
of Landi Kotal tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.
The PM Nawaz Sharif said it
was not imperative that only the Government will hold talks
with the TTP, and it will welcome Imran Khan, Maulana Samiul
Haq, Munawar Hassan and others if they can make progress in
this regard. Speaking to Saleem Safi, the host of the Geo News
programme ‘Jirga’, which is to be telecast today (January 16),
the PM said he will contact other leaders, including Imran Khan,
over the issue of talks with the TTP.
PM Nawaz Sharif, during his
visit to Swat, approved in principle and announced a brigade-level
cantonment for Swat and Malakand. The PM gave the approval during
a briefing given to him. He also lauded the role played by the
Pakistan Army in restoring peace and stability in the area.
January 16
At least ten people were killed
and more than 60 others were injured in the evening when a bomb
exploded at a Tablighi Markaz (religious centre) on Pajaggi
Road in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the capital of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. Eyewitnesses said the bomb exploded at Tablighi
Markaz run by the Tableeghi Jamaat, just before Maghrib
prayers.
Bomb disposal experts defused
a bomb planted outside a Tablighi Markaz mosque in Nowshera,
around the same time the bomb exploded in the Peshawar.
Eight Policemen sustained injuries
in two blasts in Daowat area of Chakisar tehsil in Shangla District.
Police defused four hand-grenades
in Mustaffaabad forests area under Gomal University Police Station
in Dera Ismail Khan town of same District. Sources said unidentified
persons had planted four hand grenades in bucket in Mustaffaabad
forests area.
Two Policemen, identified as
Head Constable Mohammad Javed (40), and Constable Asif Khan
(30), were killed and two persons, including Constable Saleem
(28), and a passerby, identified as Khano Ada (40), were injured
in an armed attacked on the Police van near Shafiq Mor within
the jurisdiction of New Karachi Police Station in Gulberg Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A man, identified as Syed Junaid
Akhtar (43), was shot dead on Manghopir Road within the precincts
of SITE-A Police Station in SITE Town.
An officer of a spy agency,
identified as Captain Ehtesham Haider, was injured in a targeted
armed attack near Jauhar roundabout within the limits of Shahrah-e-Faisal
Police Station in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
Police claimed to have arrested
around 85 suspects during 94 separate targeted raids and seven
encounters conducted across the city. According to Sindh Police
spokesman, those detained include 25 absconders, 19 drug peddlers,
four robbers, one terrorist, two target killers and two extortionists,
while 27 have been arrested for possession of illicit weapons.
A Khasadar Force personnel killed
while two others injured in a bomb blast near the vehicle of
Khasadar Force in Zakhakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber
Agency of FATA.
PM Nawaz Sharif directed the
authorities that the Karachi operation should continue at all
costs till the restoration of peace in the city. While talking
to the Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan
at the PM House, Nawaz Sharif observed that the targeted operation
in Karachi was fruitful in restoring peace in Karachi.
The Government will provide
resources needed for continuation of the operation and next
phase would be conducted in accordance to the plan. It is understood
that the two have also discussed the situation arising due to
difference of opinion between the civil administration and authorities
carrying out the operation.
Pakistani media professionals
are vowing to maintain a free press in the face of the TTP's
recent threats against them, and the country is calling for
broad support of the media, given their key role in the war
against terrorism. "Several journalists have lost their
lives for the truth," KP Inspector General of Police Nasir
Khan Durrani said.
"The media have to convey
a true picture to the masses," Peshawar-based senior journalist
and Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) President Nisar Mehmood
told Central Asia Online. "No doubt journalists,
particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [KP] and the Federally Administered
Tribal Areas [FATA], are facing death threats, but still we
have to depict a true picture of society and convey the truth,"
he said.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while addressing 170 senior civil and
military officers participating in the National Security and
War Course at the National Defence University in Islamabad said
that the National Security Policy was in final stages of formation
which will help the Government in effectively combating militancy
and eradicating extremism in Pakistan.
The Minister said that enemy
of the country was vague and divided, adding that the security
policy is proactive in nature which will address the problems
being faced by Pakistan. He said the new security policy will
have three components covert, strategic, and operational.
The Interior Minister said that
the Government has again started the process of dialogue with
the militants. He said the Government wants a durable solution
to eradicate terrorism from the country and the use of force
will only be the last resort.
January 17
Three people, including Mufti
Usman Yar, the Secretary General of JUI-S, were killed when
unidentified militants opened fire on a car near Awami Markaz
in Shahra-e-Faisal Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. The other two killed were his driver and a personal guard.
TTP militants killed three Express
News staffers, including a technician, guard and driver,
by opening fire on a DSNG vehicle near Matric Board Office in
North Nazimabad Town. TTP Karachi Chapter ‘spokesman’ Sajjad
Mohmand claimed responsibility for the attack.
A roadside vendor, identified
as Shafi Muhammad (50), was shot dead in a targeted attack near
Fancy Bakery on Tannery Road in Lyari Town.
A “wanted criminal”, identified
as Ashraf Khan, was shot dead near the Paposh Nagar graveyard
in Nazimabad Town. Investigators claimed Khan was affiliated
with a political party and was wanted by the police in a number
of cases.
Security was put on high alert
at Central Jail in view of the risk of terrorist attack. According
to the Police, heavy contingent of Police and Rangers have been
deployed at the jail while the roads around the jail have been
closed for traffic.
A report by the HRCP stated
that the year 2013 was the deadliest one for Karachi so far
with as many as 3,251 fatalities. The city has seen a sharp
increase in killings in the past few years with 1,981 people
killed in 2010, 2,382 killed in 2011 and 3,105 killed in 2012.
Of the entire year, August was the bloodiest month with 334
killings or deaths.
Four people were killed and
65 others were injured when Khushaal Khan Khattak Express passenger
train carrying around 400 passengers derailed following a bomb
explosion on its tracks in Omar Kot area of Rojhan sub-district
in Rajanpur District. The train was en route to Karachi in Sindh
from Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. BRA claimed responsibility
for the attack.
PTI chief Imran Khan expressed
his reluctance to hold peace talks with TTP saying he lacks
authority to do so. Speaking at a press conference, Khan said
he cannot hold talks with TTP as neither his party is in power
at the centre nor he has any authority over the services.
January 18
Three persons were killed when
unidentified assailants opened fire on a car carrying ASWJ leader
at Noori Gate in Sargodha area of same District. According to
Police, the incident occurred at Noori Gate in Sargodha when
ASWJ Deputy Chief of Punjab chapter Maulana Abdul Hameed Khalid
along with others was on his way from Bhakkar District to attend
the hearing at an anti-terrorism court in Sargodha.
A man who was injured during
a shooting incident in the Gulbahar area of Liaquatabad Town
succumbed to his injuries.
Six people were injured in a
hand grenade attack in the Khadda market area of Lyari Town.
Two persons were killed and
another was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire
at a car showroom on GT Road in Shaidu area of Nowshera District.
A bomb planted by unidentified
militants at an unpaved road to target FC troopers supplying
rations at check posts went off in the Landikotal tehsil of
Khyber Agency. No loss of life was reported.
The Peshawar High Court Chief
Justice Dost Muhammad Khan said that despite the complexity
of missing person’s cases, the Government, through court orders,
has ensured at least 1,270 of them reached their homes. Another
1,086 have been identified at notified internment centres in
KP and the FATA. Some 3,033 people have been traced to various
locations in the region.
Justice Khan said that the Human
Rights Directorate set up by him for those who cannot afford
to hire a lawyer, has received more than 9,000 cases so far.
Of these 7,000 were decided instantly, with the aggrieved getting
justice in less than 72 hours.
January 19
At least 20 soldiers were killed
and another 30 were injured when a bomb ripped through a military
convoy in the Bannu Town (Bannu District) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
at 8:45 am. “A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device caused
the blast,” a senior military official said. The convoy was
about to leave for the Razmak town in North Waziristan Agency
of FATA when the blast hit one of the civilian vehicles hired
to move troops. The TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid claiming
responsibility, said, “It was part of our fight against a secular
system. We will carry out more such attacks in future.” He added
that the TTP were seeking revenge for the deaths of their former
‘chief’ Hakimullah Mehsud and ‘deputy chief’ Waliur Rehman –
both killed in US drone attacks.
A Police Constable, identified
as Noman Ahmed (26), was killed while two passers-by and an
ASI, identified as Sohail, were injured in an armed attack targeting
the Police van near Dow Medical College in the Arambagh area
of Saddar Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified dead body of
an old man was found from Mureed Jhokiyo Goth, within the jurisdiction
of Steel Town Police Station area in Malir Town.
Rangers claimed to have detained
at least 20 suspects belonging to TTP during a targeted raid
conducted at Kunwari Colony area of Manghopir in the Gadap Town.
The third phase of the operation is against banned outfits'
militants, target killers, terrorists, extortionists and others
criminals. Kunwari Colony area of Manghopir is said to be a
stronghold of TTP, and a number of TTP militants operate from
there to carry out terror activities across the city.
Two FC officials were injured
when an IED went off at a roadside in the Ghari Gal area of
Mamond tehsil in the Bajaur Agency of FATA. Political
administration official from Mamond, Abdul Haseeb Khan, said
he was informed by a tribesman around 12:30pm about a canister
spotted on the roadside in Ghari Gal area of Mamond.
Two people, including the driver
and cleaner of a NATO container carrying equipment for troops
in Afghanistan, were injured when unidentified militants opened
fire at the NATO container in the Choto area of Mastung District.
No outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.
TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah
Shahid said that TTP were ready for a “meaningful dialogue”.
However, the militant group asked the Government to “prove its
authority and sincerity with dialogue process”. In a letter
issued to the media on January 19 the TTP also said, “TTP wants
to give clear-cut message to people of Pakistan that our war
is for implementation of Sharia’h and we will never give up
principles of Sharia’h.”
Chairman of PTI, Imran Khan,
held Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, responsible for the terrorist
attacks on Security Forces of Pakistan, and said, "Maulana
Fazl-ur-Rahman or Sami-ul-Haq alone cannot get the Taliban peace
talks off the ground. The Prime Minister should take the lead
in this regard”. He said that if he were the Prime Minister
he would be spearheading the peace talks. "Had I been Nawaz
Sharif, I would have taken the charge long ago", said Khan.
January 20
Army helicopters pounded several
militant hideouts in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan Agency
in FATA killing at least 24 persons and injuring 15 others.
Fear and panic gripped the area after the overnight blitz after
which locals began to migrate out of the volatile area to safer
places.
A TTP suicide bomber killed
13 persons, including eight soldiers and three children, and
wounded 29 others in Royal Artillery Bazaar close to General
Headquarters in Rawalpindi District. An Army statement said,
"13 persons including eight security forces personnel, three
schoolchildren and two civilians embraced shahadat while 29
were injured in this cowardly act of terror." TTP 'spokesman'
Shahidullah Shahid claimed responsibility for the attack as
payback for a deadly military raid on the Lal Masjid
in Islamabad in 2007. "It was carried by one of our suicide
bombers to take revenge for the Red Mosque massacre," he said,
adding, "We will continue our struggle against the secular system."
Police arrested four suspected
TTP militants during a raid in a house located in Tarnol area
of Islamabad and seized a huge quantity of explosives from them.
Police also seized more than 130 kilogram of explosives. The
terrorists were shifted them to an undisclosed location for
interrogation.
At least two persons were killed
when a roadside remote-controlled explosion occurred in Loni
area of Kolachi tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan District of
KP. The deceased persons were identified as Zainullah and Shamsur
Rahman. Following the explosion, a tip-off was received regarding
more bombs in the area. The BDS team personnel reached the site
of explosion and defused four bombs. Meanwhile, security personnel
cordoned off the area and a probe into the incident went underway.
Unidentified assailants killed
a Shia Muslim scholar Allama Alim Al-Musvi who was walking to
the mosque in Kissa Khwani market of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP. "Two gunmen opened fire on the scholar and escaped
in the narrow streets when he came out of his house and walked
towards the mosque," local Police official Fazal Jan said. Al-Musvi
was a locally respected scholar and used to deliver sermons
at special Shia gatherings, he added.
The death toll in January 19's
attack on a military convoy in the Bannu Town (Bannu District)
at 8:45 am rose to 26 as six more soldiers succumbed to their
injuries at hospitals. 20 soldiers were killed and another 30
were injured when a bomb ripped through a military convoy as
their convoy was about to leave for the Razmak town in North
Waziristan Agency of FATA.
At least two persons were reportedly
injured when an explosion took place in Kala Dher area of Charsadda
District. According to the police, explosive materials were
concealed in a pile of gravel at a roadside on Mardan Road which
blew up, creating a loud explosion. Police said two cars were
passing by at the time of explosion and the intensity of the
blast smashed their windows.
Two persons, identified as Aqil
Shah and Kamil Khan, were arrested by Anti-Terrorist Squad from
Mattani area of Peshawar and taken to an undisclosed location
for further investigation. Official sources said that they were
detained because of their alleged links with militants. "These
people have been arrested for their alleged links with militants
and it is not the first time members from their families were
picked up," said an official. "Previously, Shah's father and
brother were arrested by Security Forces. They were released
after eight months of captivity."
A house was partially damaged
when a rocket was fired in its direction in Masho Khel village
of Peshawar in the night. Police said the artillery rocket was
fired from several kilometers away near Khyber Agency in FATA.
It struck Murad Khan's house and damaged the boundary wall.
Police said no loss of life was reported.
Three unidentified dead bodies
were found near Baba Wilayat Shah Shrine located within the
vicinity of Sharafi Goth Police Station in Baldia Town. Police
said the victims were first kidnapped.
A worker of PPP, identified
as Noor Khan (32), was shot dead in MPR Colony of Orangi Town.
A man, identified as Mohammad
Saleem (35), was shot dead in Daryabad area within the precincts
of Kalri Police Station in Lyari Town. Police said the deceased
had no affiliation with any political party or gang.
An ASI, identified as Kamran
Naqvi (40), was shot dead in Chakra within the jurisdiction
of Zaman Town Police Station in Korangi Town of Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh.
One official was wounded when
unidentified militants hurled a cracker on a Ranger's vehicle
in Nusrat Bhutto Colony of Manghopir in North Nazimabad Town.
Later, Rangers launched a grand targeted operation in Manghopir
locality and detained around 20 suspects, which included four
TTP militants.
At least three armed bandits
robbed PKR 270,000 from a branch of private bank in Gol Market
area of North Nazimabad Town. Police, while quoting initial
investigation, said that they suspect the involvement of security
guards and a cashier in the bank heist. "We are sure the guards
and one of the cashiers helped robbers to loot the booty from
the bank," claimed SHO Ejaz Lodhi.
Unidentified militants blew
up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti
District.
A clear divide between the liberal
and conservative elements was witnessed in the Senate during
a debate on two major attacks on SFs by the TTP over the past
two days and functioning of the Council of Islamic Ideology.
Senators from the PPP, ANP and the MQM lashed out at the Government
for its inaction and asked it to order an Army operation against
TTP in the wake of terror attacks on SFs in Bannu and Rawalpindi.
Pakistan expressed disappointment
over the Consolidated Appropriations Bill 2014 approved by the
US Congress, which links USD 33 million in assistance to Doctor
Shakil Afridi's detention. According to a statement from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Government said that Dr Afridi's
case was sub-judice and that he remains entitled to due process
under the law.
The Consolidated Appropriations
Bill 2014, approved by US Congress, was signed into law by US
President Barack Obama on January 17, 2014. As an omnibus legislation,
it contains respective Appropriation Bills for all Government
Departments, including the Department of Defence and the Department
of State. The State Department will now undertake the process
of making allocations, including those for Pakistan.
January 21
At least 24 Shia pilgrims returning
from Iran were killed and 40 others were injured in a bomb attack
targeting their bus in the Khusak area of Kanak in Mastung District.
Local Government official Shafqat Shahwani said that 51 passengers
had been on board at the time of the blast and that nine passengers
were still unaccounted for.
Three abductors were killed
while three people, including a Police Official, one ATF official
and one passerby, were injured in an operation near Sariab Road
in Quetta. CCPO Abdul Razzak Cheema said, "We don't know who
the kidnappers are as yet, investigation is still ongoing on."
At least 12 suspected militants
were killed when fighter jets bombed their hideouts in the Inzar
Kor area of Kukikhel in Khyber Agency of FATA. A security official
claimed that four militant hideouts were flattened in the blitz.
Six Police officers and a 13-year-old
student were killed and nine others injured in a bomb blast
near a police mobile in Sardheri Bazaar of Charsadda Town (Charsadda
District) in KP. There were eight police officers in the mobile
at the time of the blast. The Police officers were on their
way to provide security to a polio team. The explosive material
was planted in a bicycle which exploded when the Police mobile
passed by it.
One polio campaigner was killed
when unidentified motorcycle-bourne assailants opened fire in
Sher Garh area of Mansehra (Mansehra District).
Feeling the growing pressure
from the sympathisers of those affected by the crippling polio
disease, the TTP has officially distanced itself from some of
the recent attacks on polio vaccinators in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
and Karachi, saying it has nothing to do with these killings.
TTP 'spokesperson' Ehsanullah Ehsan said that the militant outfit
was "in principle" not targeting polio workers.
Three anti-polio workers were
shot dead when unidentified militants opened fire on them in
Qayyumabad area of Korangi Town. The attacks came just days
after the World Health Organisation warned that Peshawar was
the world's "largest reservoir" of the polio virus.
Two alleged gangsters, identified
as Jan Mohammad alias Janu and Jawad alias Current, were killed
during an encounter with the Police near Phool Chowk area of
Kharadar in Saddar Town.
ASWJ leader Maulana Zarin escaped
an attack by unidentified militants in Labour Colony of Landhi
Town.
Rangers recovered a hostage,
identified as Qamar Mehmood, during a raid in Kunwari Colony
of Manghopir area in Gadap Town and arrested at least nine suspects.
Qamar was abducted on January 20, 2014 from Kati Pahari area
in Orangi Town.
Law enforcers claimed to have
arrested around 126 criminals during separate targeted raids
and operations conducted across Karachi. In the first raid,
Pakistan Rangers Sindh arrested around 19 suspects, including
gangsters and militants, during separate targeted raids conducted
in Kunwari Colony, Sherpao Colony, Federal B Area, Rozi Goth,
Mehmodabad, Manghopir, Kalakot, Gul Goth, Khokrapar and Bahadarabad.
Weapons of different calibres were also recovered from their
custody.
On the direction of military
officials the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board decided to permanently
close the RA Bazaar Road, where several military installations,
including GHQ, National Logistics Cell (NLC), Canteen Stores
Department (CSD) head office, Military Intelligence office and
residences of military officers, are located, while security
was also put on high alert in the twin cities.
In 2012 on the direction of
military authorities RCB had closed this link road for public
traffic but due to resistance it was compelled to take back
its decision. RCB Cantonment Executive Officer Rana Manzoor
Ahmad Khan said that due to the prevailing law and order situation
and threat of terror attacks the road has been closed. He said
public would not have to face any inconvenience as there are
alternative roads for traffic.
SFs are also trying to ensure
the safety of various installations in Islamabad, like the Diplomatic
Enclave, Parliament House, and have sought the assistance of
other Law Enforcement Agencies in this regard. SSP Islamabad
Muhammad Rizwan directed all SPs, SDPOs and SHOs to ensure strict
checking at all entry and exit points and keep a close watch
on suspicious persons.
The National Assembly's Standing
Committee on Interior approved the PPO Bill. A meeting of the
Committee, presided over by its chairman Rana Shamin Ahmed,
approved the bill with majority votes. Some of the members gave
dissenting notes, saying the bill, presented by the Government
to enable it to effectively tackle the issue of terrorism, could
be misused against innocent people and political parties.
The ordinance empowers Police
and Security Agencies to arrest anybody on the basis of 'credible'
information that he/she is involved in anti-state activities,
terrorism and treason. However, the term 'credible information'
has not been defined in the bill. The PPO allows anybody to
file an appeal in the Supreme Court within 15 days of his arrest.
The PPO protects victims of
terrorism, assault, kidnapping-for-ransom, personnel of armed
forces and law enforcement agencies, parliamentarians, media
persons, members of judiciary and executives, important personalities,
foreign officials and visitors, official guests, tourists, internationally
protected persons, social welfare workers, health personnel,
aid workers and volunteers but it does not provide protection
to witnesses in terrorism cases.
January 22
SFs claimed to have killed about
32 militants in Tora Waila, Darota area of Kukikhel in Tirah
Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Unconfirmed reports said that
the 'chief' of the TTP Orakzai Chapter, Hafiz Saeed, was among
those killed in the strikes.
Security officials on January
22 confirmed that the leader of the TTP's Supreme Shura,
Asmat Shaheen Bittani, and 'master trainer' of suicide bombers,
Wali Mohammad, as well as dozens of foreign fighters were amongst
those killed in air strikes in NWA on the night of January 20,
2014. A senior security official said that that most of those
killed in the offensive were foreign fighters, including 33
Uzbeks and 3 Germans.
Soon after the military operation
Maulana Sami-ul-Haq who has close ties to the Taliban said that
he would no longer act as a government-backed peace broker with
the militants after airstrikes killed 40 people in a tribal
District.
At least five people, including
a woman, identified as Raquiya (35), her son and a relative,
were killed and several others were injured in a grenade attack
during a clash between gangsters near Juna Masjid in Zikri Mohalla
of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Four unidentified dead bodies
were found an empty plot near Link Road, within the jurisdiction
of Memon Goth Police Station in Bin Qasim Town. SHO Naeem Khan
said all the four victims were clad in shalwar kameez, and appeared
to be young while one of them was believed to be in his 50s,
he added.
SI of Police, identified as
Nazeer Khaskheli, was killed in a targeted attack near Shama
Shopping Centre in Shah Faisal Colony of Shah Faisal Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead and several people, including women and children were reportedly
injured because of firing in Lyari Town.
A man, identified Bashir Ishaq
(40), was shot dead in Rabbani Mohalla in Frontier Colony within
the precincts of Peerabad Police Station in SITE Town. Police
said the deceased was hailing from Swat and had arrived in a
city a couple of days ago.
A old man, identified as Azad
Gul (60), was killed and a rickshaw driver, identified as Hameed
Gul (24), was injured in an armed attack in Gulshan-e-Bunair
area within the vicinity of Quaidabad Police Station in Landhi
Town. Police said the deceased hailed from Bajaur Agency and
lived in Gulshan-e-Buner area.
A man, identified as Zar Lal
(30), was shot dead in Siddiq-e-Akbar Colony within the limits
of Iqbal Market Police Station in Orangi Town.
A suspected gangster was killed
in an incident of firing within the limits of Chakiwara Police
Station in Jhat Pat market of Lyari Town. An extra contingent
of law enforcers including Police and Rangers was unable to
control the situation and to take any reliable action against
the gangster groups.
A Lyari gangster, identified
as Behram, affiliated with Waliullah Lakho group was killed
in an alleged encounter during a targeted operation conducted
by Police and Rangers at Super Highway. Police officer said
that the encounter took place when they along with the Rangers
conducted a joint raid on a tip-off about criminal's hideout.
In the same area, SIU Police
claimed to have killed an alleged criminal, identified as Gulab
Jatoi, during an encounter. According to SIU officials, the
raid was conducted on a tip-off at the criminals' hideaway near
Super Highway.
At least eight persons, including
seven Levies personnel and one militant were killed, while ten
others, including a Spanish tourist, were injured when a militant
kidnapping bid was foiled in Darin Garh area of Koshak in Mastung
District.
A militant and a Levies official
were killed during an operation launched by SFs, including Police,
Levies and Frontier Corps in Darin Garh area.
Armed militants torched one
NATO container carrying equipment in the Western Bypass area
of Quetta. A police official who requested anonymity said that
the militants opened fire at the NATO container which was on
its way from Kandahar in Afghanistan to Port Qasim in Karachi
(Sindh). However, the driver and cleaner managed to escape unhurt.
Unidentified militants opened
fire at an anti-polio team in Bukhari Muhalla area of Sibi District.
However, no casualties were reported. There was no immediate
claim of responsibility for either of the attacks.
A cleric, identified as Maulana
Qazi Azizullah Athar, was shot dead in front of Committee Bagh
near DHQ Hospital in FR Tank.
A Sikh, identified as Bhagwan
Singh, was shot dead by unidentified militants while he was
on his way home in Tangi Bazaar area of Charsadda District.
Tangi Police Official Noorullah said that Singh owned a medicine
shop in the bazaar for many years and had no dispute with anyone.
Two people, including an anti-polio
lady health supervisor and her driver were injured when unidentified
militants attacked the anti-polio team in Bahal area of Bhakkar
District.
The Sabzi Mandi Police claimed
to have arrested two extortionists, identified as Asif Khan
and Dost Muhammad, and recovered extorted money from them. A
police team headed by Industrial Area SP Muhammad Hassan Iqbal
arrested both of them for extorting money from traders.
FC IG Major General Ejaz Shahid
while briefing the Senate's Standing Committee said that 360
paramilitary personnel were martyred in Balochistan since 2007.
IG FC said those fighting with Security Forces should not be
called as 'enraged elements' but as 'militants'. Major General
Ejaz Shahid said the FC arrested a politician from Quetta and
recovered 1.5 tones of explosive material.
He further warned the Government
that lack of equipment and scarcity of funds may deal a devastating
blow to his force's fight against separatists in Balochistan.
"We are struggling to establish the writ of the government along
Balochistan's western border. We are quite far away from even
playing the national anthem in state-run schools in Panjgur,
Turbat [Kech] and adjacent cities in Makran Division," he said.
January 23
At least six persons were killed
and eight injured when a bomb exploded in a vehicle at a car
workshop near Scheme Chowk area of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP.
BDS defused a five-kilogram
bomb planted near an under-construction flyover on Charsadda
road of Peshawar. A Police source said that the BDS was called
in after information of a bomb was received.
The driver of Jinnah Postgraduate
Medical Centre ambulance service, identified as Muhammad Ali
(30), was killed and the patient in the ambulance, identified
as Waseem Abbas, suffered gunshots in a targeted attack near
the Federal Urdu University in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town campus in
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A Bohra community member, identified
as Mufasil Zohaib (35), was shot dead at his stationery shop
at Jhatpat Market in Lyari Town.
Two Policemen, identified as
Constables Rab Nawaz (35), and Abdul Hafeez (28), were injured
when an IED exploded near a mobile van of the Jamshed Quarters
Police Station in Lasbela Morr of Jamshed Town. BDS officials
said that the IED had been hidden in the ground.
Two Policemen, identified as
Constables Rab Nawaz (35), and Abdul Hafeez (28), were injured
when an IED exploded near a mobile van of the Jamshed Quarters
Police Station in Lasbela Morr of Jamshed Town. BDS officials
said that the IED had been hidden in the ground.
Karachi Police and personnel
from the CID arrested 93 suspects during raids conducted in
different areas of the city on June 23. According to a statement
issued, Police arrested 93 suspects, including 25 absconders
and three robbers, during 104 raids and eight encounters.
A court in Rawalpindi sentenced
a self-proclaimed prophet to death on January 23 after convicting
him of blasphemy. Additional District and Sessions judge Naveed
Iqbal also imposed a fine of PKR 1 million on Mohammad Asghar,
a 65-year-old British national.
The section reads: "Whoever
by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation
or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or
indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad,
shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life, and shall
also be liable to fine."
After killing thousands of members
of various state organs, as well as others, the violent TTP
has decided to extend its war by declaring the country's media
as "party" to the conflict. For the first time since its inception
in 2005, the outfit has not only issued a fatwa (religious edict)
against the media but has also prepared a media hit-list - a
copy of which is available with Dawn.
"Murjif is someone who engages
in propaganda against Muslims during a war between Islam and
disbelief," explains Sheikh Khalid Haqqani, 'deputy chief' of
the TTP and one of the main authors of this fatwa. "Muqatil
is someone who incites disbelievers and their allies to act
against Muslims while the third category includes those who
corrupt Muslim society through different means such as replacing
the Islamic ideology with secular ideologies." "The media has
continuously been lying about us and about our objectives,"
Haqqani added.
The Government has decided in
principle to launch a military operation against anti-State
groups and the PM will announce the operation in the next session
of parliament. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting,
chaired by PM Nawaz Sharif, on internal security following a
wave of deadly bombings in the country.
President Mamnoon Hussain has
summoned the National Assembly's eighth session on January 27.
According to officials, the Government is likely to promulgate
the Protection of Pakistan (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 and debate
options for dealing with the threat of militancy.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard
G Olson said that United States will be supportive of Pakistan
whatever course of action it takes against the Taliban and other
terrorist groups. Olson said it was the internal matter of Pakistan
whether to take military action against the Taliban or to hold
peace talks with them.
Officials used a secret counterterrorism
fund to buy wedding gifts, luxury carpets and gold jewellery
for relatives of Ministers and visiting dignitaries, according
to documents seen by AFP. The revelations cast a spotlight on
high-level corruption in Pakistan as the impoverished but nuclear-armed
country battles a surge in Taliban violence. The NCMC received
some 425 million rupees (USD 4.3 million) from Government coffers
from 2009-2013, according to files obtained by Umar Cheema,
an investigative journalist for Daily News, and seen by AFP.
During that time the Federal Minister of Interior was headed
by Rehman Malik, a flamboyant loyalist of former President Asif
Ali Zardari's PPP.
Many of the documents deal with
payments to intelligence sources, routine maintenance of vehicles
and overtime for employees. But the files also include receipts
for gifts for US and British embassy officials, as well as flowers
and sweets for journalists. One receipt for 70,000 rupees (USD
700) is itemized as a "Pair of wrist watches for marriage of
nephew of minister for interior".
Islamabad ATC, hearing the case
of seven men, including LeT 'commander' Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi,
charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks has adjourned
the hearing till January 29. According to court sources, a banker
of Muslim Commercial Bank Gujranwala District, some 80 km from
Lahore, testified in the Islamabad anti-terrorism court on January
22 declaring that one of the accused had made transactions.
A three-judge Supreme Court
bench headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja suggested setting
up of a fund for assisting the needy whose near and dear ones
have gone missing and they appear in courts regularly to pursue
their cases.
The suggestion came during the
proceedings of a missing person's case instituted on the application
of one Saadia Bibi whose husband Khawar Mehmood went missing
from Fort Abbas in Bahawalnagar District of Punjab on June 26,
2013.
Pakistan ruled out the possibility
of releasing Doctor Shakil Afridi, who had helped the CIA in
tracking down slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at the request
of the US. "There is no possibility of Dr Shakil Afridi's release
at the US' request. The matter is sub judice," said Foreign
Ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam. Her reaction came in response
to a recent move by US Congress withholding USD33 million aid
for Pakistan until the release of Afridi. "If the courts exonerate
him, that would be a different matter. But he has been convicted
and the review process is taking place," she said.
In response to a question, Tasnim
said that Pakistan might raise the issue of linking aid with
Afridi's release at the upcoming ministerial level strategic
dialogue scheduled to take place in Washington next week. "This
issue [of Afridi] could be taken up in the context of the linkage
that has been made between the allocation of USD33 million with
Dr Shakil Afridi's detention," she said.
A spokesman of the Government
said that Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, the head of JUI-S, had not been
given any "specific mission" by the Government regarding measures
to address the issue of terrorism. He said, "Instead, he was
asked in general to use his good offices and cooperation in
this regard". He dispelled the impression created by the Maulana
that the Government had not paid heed to him. "Even three weeks
after the meeting, he did not inform (the Government) about
any progress," the spokesman added.
The Prime Minister's House also
clarified that the Government had not tasked the JUI-S chief
with initiating dialogue process with TTP. The statement issued
by the Prime Minister's House denied that the prime minister
had assigned the Maulana any task to initiate dialogue with
Taliban militants.
Sami-ul-Haq on January 22, 2014
announced that he was dissociating himself from the proposed
peace talks between TTP and the Government, saying the Centre
was not serious in holding dialogue. He said that the Prime
Minister had assigned him the task of initiating talks with
Taliban and the process of dialogue had begun on January 1,
2014.
January 24
District President of PPP, identified
as Mujeebur Rehman (50), was shot dead in a targeted attack
near Banaras Chowk in Peerabad locality of Orangi Town in provincial
capital Karachi.
A torture-marked unidentified
dead body of a man was found from Supper Highway within the
limits of Gadap City Police Station in Gadap Town. Police while
quoting initial investigation said that unidentified assailants
kidnapped the victim and later threw his body after torturing
him to death.
Lyari gangster, identified as
Akbar Baloch alias Dada, was killed in retaliatory firing during
encounter with law enforcers in Nawlane area of Kalakot in Lyari
Town. However, the remaining suspects managed to escape. Police
claimed to have recovered a Kalashnikov and hand grenade from
his possession. According to SHO Shahjahan Baloch the gangster
was wanted in 26 cases including target killings of Policemen,
extortion and kidnapping-for-ransom.
A Policeman, identified as Kashif,
and three passersby were injured when unidentified militants
hurled a hand grenade at Civic Centre within the vicinity of
Aziz Bhatti Police Station in Guslahn-e-Iqbal Town.
At least 23 crackers attacks
were reported in different parts of the province, including
Hyderabad, Dadu, Larkana, Jamshoro and Karachi Districts soon
after the Sindh's nationalist party, JSMM, gave a strike call
across Sindh for January 25, 2014 (today) against the recent
statement of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain over partition of Sindh.
At least seven attacks were carried out in Hyderabad, eight
in Jamshoro, three in Dadu, two in Matiari District and three
in Karachi. However, no injuries were reported in any of the
attacks.
The Hyderabad and Jamshoro Police
claimed to have arrested four suspects of JSMM. According to
Hyderabad SSP Syed Irfan Bahadur, a party activist Kamran Bughio
was arrested along with a cracker and a pamphlet. Jamshoro SSP
Syed Wasee Hyder also claimed that three suspects had been arrested
- two from Jamshoro's Kotri town and the third one, Mukhtiar
laghari, from Sehwan.
A District Security Branch official,
identified as Muhammad Sabir, was shot dead by unidentified
assailants while he was travelling on Swabi-Mardan Road in Swabi
District.
A Medical Officer at Gandaf
Basic Health Unit, identified as Doctor Yar Muhammad, was shot
dead by unidentified militants at his private clinic in Topi
Bazaar of Swabi District.
The office of the Expanded Programme
for Immunisation and three rooms of a dental block in the District
Headquarters Hospital were destroyed in a bomb explosion in
Swabi District. The Police believe that unidentified militants
detonated the bomb which was kept inside the DHQ hospital.
PDMA chief Tahir Orakzai said
that at least six thousand families have moved out of North
Waziristan Agency of FATA after the Government forces began
retaliating to the recent militant attacks on national security
installations.
At least six people were injured
when a bomb targeting the van of FC exploded near a petrol pump
on Sariab Road in Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan.
According to the sources, the SFs vehicle remained undamaged
while glasses of nearby shops smashed as a result of the blast.
SFs detained at least 25 suspects
during a full scale operation in Kanak and Derringer areas of
Mastung District. The operation was by SFs, which included personnel
from the FC, Police, the ATF, Levies and recruits from Balochistan
Constabulary.
Officials said that Pakistan
suspended buses carrying Shia Muslim pilgrims from travelling
through Balochistan Province to neighbouring Iran due to security
concerns. "We have temporarily suspended the movement of buses
on the highway until the security situation improves," a senior
official of the Provincial Government said.
A high-level meeting chaired
by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and attended by Army Chief General
Raheel Sharif and other senior officials discussed and decided
that the Government is all set to launch a ground offensive
in North Waziristan Agency in FATA.
One official, who asked to remain
anonymous, disclosed that there was a 'greater realisation'
among all stakeholders that certain groups will never enter
into dialogue and will have to be dealt with the use of force.
Sources said the decision to initiate a ground offensive in
March is believed to be taken on account of the challenge posed
by the harsh winter in North Waziristan to security personnel
operating in the Agency.
"We [the army] have the capacity
and the will to eliminate all such groups which are not willing
to reconcile," said the official. One retired officer, who is
still closely connected with the security establishment, said
the Haqqanis by now probably understand that the operation in
North Waziristan is inevitable. "The Haqqanis have strongholds
in Afghanistan's three provinces and they will definitely move
out of North Waziristan before the start of any operation,"
the retired Army Officer said.
The US Secretary of Defence
signed an authorisation for the payment of USD 352 million to
Pakistan under Coalition Support Fund.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard
Olson‚ during his meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in
Islamabad‚ said the Congress has been notified and the amount
is expected to be released to Pakistan by February 6, 2014.
January 25
At least 12 persons were killed
in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. Unidentified assailants, riding motorcycles,
attacked a Police van near Afaq House in Landhi town with a
hand grenade and opened fire on the other. The attacks left
six Policemen injured who later succumbed to the injuries at
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
A worker of the PPP and a boy
were shot dead near Sindhi Hotel in the Liaquatabad Police Station.
An ASI, identified as Sabir
Ali, was shot dead in Taiser Town in the jurisdiction of Surjani
Town Police Station.
An activist of MQM was shot
dead by unidentified assailants in Orangi Town.
Two dead bodies were found from
near Rasbella Bridge in the Gulbahar Police Station.
Four militants were killed and
seven others arrested by the Balochistan FC during a search
operation in Shabood area of Panjgur District. A huge cache
of weapons, abducted children and weapons were also recovered
from the custody of militants.
January 26
Around 25 dead bodies were found
buried in the Totak area of Khuzdar District in Balochistan.
Digging is under way to locate more bodies, according to Deputy
Commissioner Abdul Waheed Shah. He said that the bodies were
dumped in different areas.
Two bullet-riddled bodies of
two men were found in Basima area of Washuk District. Bodies
were shifted to the hospital for autopsy and identification,"
Levies officials said, adding that the victims were 25 to 30
years old.
A gas pipeline was blown up
in Dera Bugti District disrupting the gas-supply to the Sui
plant from well number 15 in Pir Koh gas field. A Levies official
said that unidentified miscreants had planted an explosive device
on the 16 inch-diameter pipeline in Pir Koh gas field.
Six children were killed and
one injured while playing with a hand grenade in Babar Mela
area of Hangu town (Hangu District) in KP. The children, aged
seven to 12, were playing near their house in the town of Hangu
when the grenade exploded, local Police Chief Iftikhar Ahmed
said.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a member of the peace body at Rang Mohalla area of Swat
District. The sources said the member, Salman Khan, was on his
way home when unidentified assailants opened fire on him at
Rang Mohalla, killing him on the spot.
Also in the Swat District, Police
arrested three militants and recovered arms from them in the
Barikot tehsil. Sources said that after receiving information,
a Police party of the Barikot Police Station raided some houses
at Kota Abuha village and arrested three militants identified
as Asghar Khan, Fazal Rabi and Akbar Ali.
Two unidentified militants shot
dead a Policeman standing guard outside a Hindu temple in Jhanda
Bazar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP, and fled
the scene on a motorcycle.
Unidentified assailants hurled
a hand-grenade into a house at Wanda Khaliq Shah in the limits
of Bandkoorai Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan town of same
District. However, it caused no casualty.
The Police arrested 11 suspected
persons in a search operation in Dera Ismail Khan town. The
sources said a Police team led by Assistant Superintendent of
Police Sadiq Hussain Baloch launched a search operation at Dera
town and arrested 11 suspected persons, whose identity could
not be ascertained. The Police recovered arms, including two
guns, pistol and several cartridges, from their possession.
The anti-polio campaign in KP
has been postponed due to security concerns, officials said.
According to reports, the campaign, which was postponed after
attacks on polio worker, will start from next Sunday (February
2).
Following serious threats to
the immunisation workers, around 3,500 Policemen will be deployed
during coming campaign in Peshawar as part of unprecedented
security to be provided to the volunteers. "There will be 3,000
to 3,500 Policemen deployed during each immunisation campaign,"
CCPO Ijaz Ahmad said.
Two suspected persons were shot
dead by Kotwali CIA in an alleged encounter in the Shadbagh
area of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab.
At least 82 suspects were arrested
during the continuing targeted action in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. According to officials, Police
conducted a raid in different parts of Landhi after the killing
of six police officials in the area and arrested 26 suspects.
The Sindh Chief Minister Syed
Qaim Ali Shah said that Pakistan Protection Ordinance is to
curb the terrorists and to control the miscreants who believe
in creating chaos and fear among the masses through crackers
and hand grenades.
The TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah
Shahid said that it once again offers 'serious' and 'meaningful'
dialogue to the Government. The TTP, however, demanded that
the Government ensure a "conducive environment" for talks. In
a statement, TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid expressed TTP's
desire to hold "serious and meaningful talks" with the Government.
The President Mamnoon Hussain
said the Army is fully ready for an operation against the terrorists,
and only awaiting a green signal from the Government. Talking
to a senior journalist, the President regretted obduracy on
TTP's part which, he said, had hampered the Government's sincere
efforts for dialogue.
KP CM Pervez Khattak said his
party would oppose a military operation if the Government failed
to implement the resolution of the All-Party Conference regarding
talks with militants.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman
has called upon the Government to stop using force against militants
and hold negotiations for restoring peace in the country. Addressing
a large public meeting in Hashtnagri on the G.T. Road on January
26, the Maulana said his party set up a Fata jirga which could
play an effective role if all other efforts for peace in KP
and the tribal region failed.
Thousands of people have fled
their homes in North Waziristan Agency of FATA fearing a military
offensive against Taliban insurgents is imminent, residents
and officials said. Residents said some 1,500 families or about
13,000 people left their villages around the towns of Mir Ali
and Miranshah, to migrate to relatively safe areas outside the
tribal areas in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Peshawar.
January 27
A Policeman was killed and four
others were injured when an explosion targeted a Police vehicle
in the Gomal area of Tank District in KP. Tank Police Control
said the Police mobile van was targeted with a remote controlled
IED and the vehicle was badly damaged. SHO Gomal Police Station
Jameel Khan was killed by the explosion, officials said. Police
said the injured Policemen were Shafiullah, Asmatullah, Irfan,
and driver Allauddin.
Unidentified militants attacked
the house of Senator Saleh Shah Qureshi of the JUI-F in Gomal
area. However, there was no loss of life.
The bodies of three persons
were found in Badhaber area on the outskirts of Peshawar, the
capital of KP. Police officials said the victims were affiliated
with Mian Mushtaq, an ANP leader who was gunned down in the
same locality a couple of weeks ago.
The officials warned that the
TTP may be planning attacks on tourists in Chitral District
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. "The Interior Ministry
has officially informed Gilgit-Baltistan that the Pakistani
Taliban can strike the region," a senior official of the Gilgit
Baltistan administration said on condition of anonymity.
Two brothers affiliated with
PTI, identified as Mohammad Ibrahim and Mohammad Riaz, were
shot dead during a robbery in Qasba Colony within the precincts
of Peerabad Police Station in SITE Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
An alleged criminal, identified
as Tahir Mehmood Khokhar alias Pappu, was killed while two Rangers
personnel, identified as Rashid and Zaheer, and two passersby,
Abu Zar and Altaf were wounded during an encounter in their
hideout in Karnal Basti area of Old Sabzi Mandi within the limits
of PIB Colony Police Station in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
A former assistant producer
at Samaa TV, identified as Syed Mohammad Arif Rizvi, was picked
up by Rangers on January 20, 2014, and his family is still looking
for his whereabouts.
Law enforcers claimed to have
detained around 101 criminals during 98 raids and eleven encounters
across Karachi. According to the officials nine dacoits, 36
suspects under Arm Ordinance, seven under Narcotics Act, 12
absconders and 35 others criminals were among the detainees.
Weapons and drugs were also recovered from their possession.
A Policeman was killed and four
others were injured when an explosion targeted a Police vehicle
in the Gomal area of Tank District in KP. Tank Police Control
said the Police mobile van was targeted with a remote controlled
IED and the vehicle was badly damaged. SHO Gomal Police Station
Jameel Khan was killed by the explosion, officials said. Police
said the injured Policemen were Shafiullah, Asmatullah, Irfan,
and driver Allauddin.
Unidentified militants attacked
the house of Senator Saleh Shah Qureshi of the JUI-F in Gomal
area. However, there was no loss of life.
The bodies of three persons
were found in Badhaber area on the outskirts of Peshawar, the
capital of KP. Police officials said the victims were affiliated
with Mian Mushtaq, an ANP leader who was gunned down in the
same locality a couple of weeks ago. Sources said that some
unidentified persons, dressed up in security personnel uniforms,
had picked the three men from their homes. The men were later
found shot dead with their hands and feet tied with ropes.
The Rawalpindi Police claimed
to have arrested 34 Afghan nationals under Section 14 of the
Foreign Act during search operations, while 12 other suspects
were also arrested. According to a Rawalpindi Police Spokesman,
the search operations were conducted on the special directives
of RPO, Akhtar Umar Hayat against Afghan nationals residing
illegally in the city. The operations were conducted in different
areas of the city under the supervision of Senior Superintendent
Police (operations).
The officials warned that the
TTP may be planning attacks on tourists in Chitral District
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. "The Interior Ministry
has officially informed Gilgit-Baltistan that the Pakistani
Taliban can strike the region," a senior official of the Gilgit
Baltistan administration said on condition of anonymity. "The
Interior Ministry has warned of suicide bombings and attacks
on tourists in the region." Another official, also speaking
anonymously, confirmed the warning. Police in Gilgit Baltistan
said they were not aware of any specific threat by the Pakistani
Taliban but were remaining vigilant. "We have enhanced security
as part of a routine exercise, keeping in mind the latest bout
of violence throughout the country," the Deputy Chief of Gilgit
Baltistan Police, Sher Ali said.
In the trial of former President
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, the prosecution rejected
Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology's medical report as hypothetical,
inconclusive and unsatisfactory. "The report contains conjectures
and hypothetical situations, which are inapplicable to the accused
and as such do not deserve a serious consideration," said the
prosecution in its written objection.
It said the Special Court had
directed the constitution of a medical board comprising senior
doctors of the AFIC to verify Musharraf's state of health in
light of his continuous non-appearance before this Special court.
"The instant medical report, with respect to any outcomes, is
virtually a duplication of the previous medical report dated
January 7, 2014. The findings of the medical report are inconclusive
and deliberately vague," it said.
It further said that the court
did not gain anything from this second medical report. "Rather
the time of the court had recklessly been wasted at the cost
of the reputation of a premier institution of cardiac disease,"
it added. "Even if the accused needs medical supervision that
does not render him unable to make attendance before this Special
Court and it is now manifest that the accused is prolonging
stay in hospital in order to evade the judicial process," it
added.
Federal Minister for Interior,
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan apprised the National Assembly that
the Government was decisively consulting all stakeholders including
the politicians and security agencies to heed afresh offer of
dialogue from TTP. "As the nation seemed to be forging unity
on the issue of terrorism, they once again showed willingness
for dialogue. We will have to decide as how to move forward.
But for this, we should set aside our political motives and
associations," he said.
The PTI Chief Imran Khan extended
support to the Government on countering terrorism but demanded
repeatedly to take all political forces in the country into
confidence on the progress. "I second the stance of Chaudhry
Nisar. His sincerity to resolve the issue is above board. Terrorism
has been swelling over last nine years and it is a complicated
issue," he said in National Assembly in response to the Interior
Minister's speech.
TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah
Shahid stressed the need for taking serious steps instead of
indulging in politics of allegations and deceit. In a statement,
the TTP spokesman warned that the country could descend into
severe chaos in case wars continued to be waged against tribes.
He regretted that similar to the previous regimes the incumbent
Government also used the option of negotiations as a weapon
for war.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that we
have to rebuild the image of Pakistan as a peace-loving country
and this can be achieved only through hard work and combined
efforts of all the stakeholders, including parliamentarians,
civil society, executive, judiciary and defence forces. Prime
Minister Nawaz said that the Government would take every possible
step to bring peace and stability in the country to save the
future generations. "Without eliminating terrorism and extremism,
we cannot place Pakistan on fast track of development," the
PM said.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that we
have to rebuild the image of Pakistan as a peace-loving country
and this can be achieved only through hard work and combined
efforts of all the stakeholders, including parliamentarians,
civil society, executive, judiciary and defence forces. Prime
Minister Nawaz said that the Government would take every possible
step to bring peace and stability in the country to save the
future generations. "Without eliminating terrorism and extremism,
we cannot place Pakistan on fast track of development," the
PM said.
US Secretary of State John Kerry
told Pakistan it had the potential to become a future economic
tiger as he backed reforms and inclusion of women and minorities.
The US and Pakistan were meeting for the first time since October
2010 for their "strategic dialogue."
January 28
Police defused a half-kilogram
bomb in the Bhana Mari area of Peshawar, provincial capital
of KP. According to the Police, the bomb was installed near
the Ghazi Baba shrine next to a house. The BDS said a timer
was fitted with the bomb.
A woman was killed and her two
daughters were injured when two landmine explosions occurred
in the Sarsarang area of Upper Kurram Agency of FATA.
Thousands of villagers have
fled their homes in North Waziristan Agency, fearing a major
military operation by armed forces after they said dozens of
people had been killed in air strikes targeting Taliban militants
on January 21, 2014. Fearing another offensive by armed forces,
a wave of refugees left the region to take shelter in schools,
private homes and veterinary clinics in areas FR Bannu and FR
Dera Ismail Khan on the edge of the tribal belt.
Police killed a suspect, who
was allegedly involved in murders and extortion, during an encounter
at Sukhia Ground in Old Sabzi mandi area of Jamshed Town in
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Rangers' personnel conducted
a targeted operation in different areas of Karachi and arrested
29 suspects, including Lyari gang-war elements and criminals
affiliated with political groups as well as members of defunct
groups involved in heinous crimes.
Police defused a half-kilogram
bomb in the Bhana Mari area of Peshawar, provincial capital
of KP. According to the Police, the bomb was installed near
the Ghazi Baba shrine next to a house. The BDS said a timer
was fitted with the bomb.
Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain
Jillani said that it was clear from the Supreme Court's July
31, 2009, verdict that the constitution was violated by imposition
of emergency on November 3, 2007. A 14-member larger Supreme
Court bench, headed by the Chief Justice, was hearing the review
petition filed by former President General (retired) Pervez
Musharraf against the Supreme Court verdict which maintained
the sacking of superior court judges and other actions taken
by him, under imposition of emergency, null and void.
People like the late al Qaeda
leader Osama bin Laden do not die but stay alive in the hearts
of people, stated JeI Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan in Islamabad.
Hasan added that death of the al Qaeda leader was considered
a big victory for 60 per cent of the countries around the world,
but the US is afraid that bin Laden will come back alive after
the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan.
PM Nawaz Sharif during a meeting
with COAS General Raheel Sharif said that no decision on launching
an offensive in NWA FATA would be taken without consensus of
all stakeholders and any such decision would be taken in the
best national interest. Sources said the Prime Minister exchanged
views with the COAS on matters of national security, future
course of action over dialogue with the Taliban, Karachi operation,
missing persons and other issues. Nawaz Sharif said, "Cancer
of terrorism needs to be treated before it eats up our country".
He said that no concession would be given to those who challenge
the writ of the state and are creating lawlessness in the country.
JUI-S chief Maulana Sami-ul-Haq
opposed a military operation against the Taliban and said the
government "does not seem serious for dialogue with the Taliban".
A military operation never resolves problems but it multiplies
them, he said. He said that dialogue with the Taliban was the
only way to restore peace in the country, adding that Nawaz
Sharif has apparently been stopped from holding talks with the
TTP.
January 29
Unidentified militants killed
a journalist, Bakht Taj Yousafzai, affiliated with a Mardan
District Newspaper, in Bakhshali village of Mardan District.
Yousafzai was abducted while he was travelling to a pharmacy.
Police found his body dumped near a canal in the village.
Unidentified persons fired two
rockets at the Miran Sugar Mills in Dera Ismail Khan town (Dera
Ismail Khan District) in the night. Sources said that unidentified
persons had been demanding extortion money from the owner. It
was reportedly the second attack at the sugar mills.
The KP Government approved two
draft ordinances to check the movement of suspected militants,
according to an official statement. In view of the repeated
incidents of terrorism in the province, the provincial Government
has laid down certain rules for guests in hotels and in private
residences, the statement said.
Five persons were killed in
simultaneous attacks in the North Nazimabad Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Two Rangers and the security
guard of a nearby telephone exchange were killed while two passersby
were wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the
main entrance of the Headquarters of Pakistan Rangers Sacchal
Wing.
A bomb, planted by the roadside
under the Nazimabad No 7 flyover, exploded but resulted in no
casualties. However, 15 minutes later, as Rangers and Police
personnel were collecting evidence from the site, the second
bomb exploded. One Ranger was killed while four other Rangers,
a Policeman, rescue worker and bystander were injured in the
blast.
TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah
Shahid claimed responsibility for the attacks.
At least 16 people, including
a local leader of the ANP, were injured in a series of three
explosions that took place in the Mohammadpur area of Qasba
Colony in SITE Town. Police sources said that Mohammad Ali,
a local ANP, appeared to have been the target of the attack
and that the incident seemed to be a result of personal enmity.
However, other angles are to be investigated.
Orangi Town Pilot Project's
head on research and training, Saleem Alimuddin, was injured
after his car came under a bomb attack in the Peerabad area
of Orangi Town. He was returning home from his office when unidentified
militants hurled a low intensity IED at his car near Pashtun
Bazaar in Peerabad. This was the third attack on officials associated
with the OPP.
Shia leader and a member of
the Jamia Ali Akbar Trust, identified as Ghulam Mustafa, was
shot dead by unidentified militants near his house in the Khanpur
area of Rahim Yar Khan District. He was accompanied by his friend
Kafayatullah, who remained unharmed. The incident was followed
by several protest rallies organised by members of the Shia
community.
Unidentified militants killed
a journalist, Bakht Taj Yousafzai, affiliated with a Mardan
District Newspaper, in Bakhshali village of Mardan District.
Yousafzai was abducted while he was travelling to a pharmacy.
Police found his body dumped near a canal in the village.
Unidentified persons fired two
rockets at the Miran Sugar Mills in Dera Ismail Khan town (Dera
Ismail Khan District) in the night. Sources said that unidentified
persons had been demanding extortion money from the owner. It
was reportedly the second attack at the sugar mills.
The KP Government approved two
draft ordinances to check the movement of suspected militants,
according to an official statement. In view of the repeated
incidents of terrorism in the province, the provincial Government
has laid down certain rules for guests in hotels and in private
residences, the statement said. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak
signed the KP Hotel Restriction (security) Ordinance 2014 and
KP Rent Restriction (security) Ordinance 2014 and sent them
to Governor Shaukatullah Khan for formal issuance and promulgation.
Militants blew up two gas pipelines
in the Pir Koh area and near the Loti gas field in Dera Bugti
District, suspending gas supply from well no 41 and 3 respectively.
BRA claimed responsibilities for the attacks.
Balochistan High Court gave
an order allowing JWP's provincial chief Shahzain Bugti to go
to Dera Bugti. "The Government of Dr Abdul Malik Baloch had
ordered law-enforcement agencies to provide foolproof security
to the convoy and allow it to enter Dera Bugti safely," a senior
official said.
The administration of an oil
refinery in Rawalpindi District of Punjab has received a threatening
letter from terrorist outfit demanding USD five million as Bhatta,
the intelligence agency sources said. The terrorists asked the
administration of the oil refinery to pay the amount within
three days otherwise the refinery would be blown up, the sources
maintained.
Sharifuddin Pirzada, former
President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf's leading counsel
in the review petition against the Supreme Court's July 31,
2009, judgment, said that ex-Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad
Chaudhry's hostility towards Musharraf influenced July 31, 2009,
judgment against Musharraf. "There was hostility between General
Musharraf and former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. The judge
who influenced others was chief justice Chaudhry," he added.
PM Nawaz Sharif announced a
new four-member non-political team to help Government in its
efforts for peace with TTP. "Entire nation will stand by Government
if it decides to eliminate terrorists by force, I know it. However,
we want to give peace another chance since offer of talks has
come from the other side," the PM told the National Assembly.
The committee announced by the PM comprises his Adviser on National
Affairs Irfan Siddiqui, Major (retired) Aamir, senior journalist
Rahimullah Yousafzai and former ambassador to Afghanistan Rustam
Shah Mohmand - two journalists, one former intelligence man
and a former diplomat.
Welcoming Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif's decision to form a four-member committee for talks,
TTP 'spokesperson' Shahidullah Shahid said that the peace can
be achieved if dialogue is carried out in every sense of the
word, avoiding blame games and politics of deception. He reiterated
that the TTP had always wanted to resolve disputes through dialogue.
US President Barack Obama has
declared that he has imposed "prudent limits" on the use of
drones that target militants in Pakistan's tribal areas. Obama
linked the use of drones to America's efforts to "actively and
aggressively pursue terrorist networks" but said that the time
had come for reviewing the policies that began after the September
11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the US soil. He also outlined
his plan to wind down the war in Afghanistan by removing most
troops and completing the mission by the end of this year.
A BBC report named two men allegedly
involved in senior MQM leader Imran Farooq's murder on September
16, 2010. The report revealed information about their stay in
the UK. The British media also claimed that the UK prosecutors
have demanded of the Pakistani Government to trace the men.
However, later, news channels reported that Karachi City Police
Chief Shahid Hayat said the Police do not have any record of
the arrest of the two suspects.
January 30
Two persons, Rashid (11) and
Tufail (20), were shot dead at Urmar area of Peshawar (Peshawar
District), the provincial capital of KP. Police said unknown
motorcyclists opened fire on Rashid and Tufail, when they were
going for treatment to a private clinic at Urmar area.
A Policeman, Head Constable
Muhammad Tahir, who had sustained injuries in an attack in Khazana
area of Peshawar on January 29, succumbed to his injuries.
Two unidentified men were killed
in an incident of firing on Superhighway in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Caretaker, identified as Akbar
Hussain (30) of an Imambargah, was shot dead when unidentified
militants opened fire at him in Ajmer Nagri area of North Karachi
in New Karachi Town.
One Mansoor Ali, was killed
when unidentified armed assailants opened fire at him in Gulshan-e-Bihar
Colony area of Orangi Town.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead an unidentified man at Northern Bypass in Manghopir area
of Gadap Town.
Two children were killed when
a toy bomb they were playing with accidently exploded in the
Zakhakhel Bazaar area of Landikotal tehsil in Khyber Agency
of FATA.
Two persons, Rashid (11) and
Tufail (20), were shot dead at Urmar area of Peshawar (Peshawar
District), the provincial capital of KP. Police said unknown
motorcyclists opened fire on Rashid and Tufail, when they were
going for treatment to a private clinic at Urmar area.
A Policeman, Head Constable
Muhammad Tahir, who had sustained injuries in an attack in Khazana
area of Peshawar on January 29, succumbed to his injuries.
A house was partially damaged
in an explosion at Mohallah Sakligaranwali in Dera Ismail Khan
town. However, it caused no loss of life. Lodging a case with
the City Police Station, owner of the house, Yasir Abbas said
unidentified persons were demanding PKR three million through
telephone. "I flatly refused to pay the extortion and the accused
triggered an explosion beside my house when I woke up for Fajr
(Morning) prayer," he added.
A person was killed and 12 others
were injured when a bomb explosion occurred destroying a pickup
truck at a petrol pump in Naseerabad District. "A pickup was
waiting in a queue for its turn to fill petrol at a pump when
suddenly a bomb exploded in it," local Police Official Jan Muhammad
said.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a worker, identified as Bakht Muhammad of Pakhtunkhwa Milli
Awami Party, while he was on his way to home with his colleague
on the Bypass Road area of Qilla Abdullah District. However,
his friend remained unhurt.
Geo News received a video
of January 22, 2014 attack on Levies force, escorting Spanish
cyclist in Darin Garh area of Mastung District. The video shows
Levies personnel engaged in firing with militants. It also shows
occurring of the blast during the attack.
PM Nawaz Sharif directed the
authorities to form a committee for initiating reconciliation
process and negotiations with disgruntled Baloch nationalists.
He said the committee should be constituted in consultation
with the political leadership of Balochistan to initiate peace
dialogue with the nationalists as part of the reconciliation
process. He said that both civil and military leadership would
play a joint role and evolve a comprehensive strategy to restore
peace in Balochistan. He also underlined the need for offering
job opportunities to angry Baloch youth, besides launching mega
development projects to remove the sense of deprivation among
people.
The Supreme Court rejected former
President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf's review petition
against its July 31, 2009 judgment which had declared the November
3, 2007 emergency and Provisional Constitutional Order unconstitutional.
Dismissing Musharraf's review petition, a 14-member larger bench
of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain
Jillani, said that the reasons of the short order would be recorded
later as the court finds that the review petition filed by Musharraf
is time-barred and the precedents extinguishable.
The Government told the National
Assembly that Pakistan's armed forces would not lower their
guard against terrorism and would continue their "high alert"
despite a new move for dialogue with Taliban militants. The
assurance came from Minister of State for Interior Mohammad
Balighur Rehman who said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's
announcement of giving the militants "another chance" to a peaceful
settlement did not mean that "our forces will become negligent
of their mission" and "move back". "That will not happen" and
the forces would maintain their "high alert", he said.
Nawaz Sharif gave guidelines
for holding negotiations to the four-member committee formed
to facilitate talks with TTP militants. The first meeting of
the committee, chaired by Sharif, discussed in detail the framework
and strategy for the talks. Nawaz Sharif had only one precondition
for talks, that there should be no terrorist attacks during
negotiations.
TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah
Shahid said that their objective is enforcement of Sharia'h
in the country. He said what mattered was enforcement of Sharia'h,
"whether through peace or war". He expressed satisfaction over
the formation of a four-member team by the Government for talks.
He said that a session of the central Shura of the TTP had been
in progress since January 29, 2014, on the Government's offer.
PM Nawaz Sharif urged the civil
and military leadership to devise a joint strategy to ensure
durable peace in Balochistan. During his visit to Corps Headquarters
in Quetta Cantonment, he said SFs were playing a commendable
role for securing peace and tranquility in the province. He
called upon the military and civil leadership to adopt a collective
approach in this regard.
CoAS, General Raheel Sharif,
Balochistan CM Abdul Malik Baloch, Balochistan Governor Mohammad
Khan Achakzai, Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali
Khan, Federal Minister for SAFRON General (retired) Abdul Qadir
Baloch were present on the occasion. Southern Command Commander
Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua gave a detailed briefing
to the prime minister on the overall law and order situation
in Balochistan.
Nawaz laid a wreath at the Yadgaar-e-Shuhada
to acknowledge the contribution of the martyrs of Army, FC and
Police. Addressing the provincial assembly members, he said,
"The federal government has already allocated funds amounting
to PKR 8 billion for completion of Gwadar-Rato Dero and Khuzdar-Naag
highways," he said, adding that work on these projects would
be launched soon and completed within a year.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif said
that the Pakistan Army would provide maximum assistance in enhancing
the capacity of Balochistan Police to ensure peace in the province.
General Sharif said another three courses would be run by the
Pakistan Army this year for Police and Balochistan Constabulary.
Southern Command Commander Lieutenant General Nasir Khan Janjua
and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
Earlier in 2013, Pakistan Army
provided 5,000 weapons and 500,000 rounds of ammunition to Balochistan
Police besides imparting training to 200 policemen to enhance
their capacity in anti-terrorism. The trained force now comprises
Anti-Terrorist Force Balochistan, which has displayed good performance
in the last few months after the training.
Newly appointed British High
Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton described terrorism a
big challenge for Pakistan and pledged to work jointly with
the militancy-torn country to cope with the challenge. The British
envoy also pointed at 'weak' judicial system in Pakistan which
is often exploited by the terrorist elements to skip the clutches
of law. "We are helping Pakistan to make its judicial system
effective so that arrested terrorists get convicted," Barton
commented. He also outlined his agenda during the expected three-year
stay in Pakistan.
January 31
Unidentified assailants killed
one person, identified as Professor Azhar Ali Zaidi and injured
his wife near the Aysha Manzil area of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Unknown persons fatally shot
ASI, Manzoor in Orangi Town.
Assailants also killed Maulana
Akbar Hussain, a prayer leader, in the Manghopir area, and Ikram,
a rickshaw driver, near in Orangi Town-12.
The driver of a NATO oil tanker,
Syed Nabi Shah, was shot dead by unidentified assailants riding
on motorcycles at Bhirya on the Indus Highway in Sukkur town
(Sukkur District).
A local leader of ANP, Noor
Mohammad, survived a bomb attack in SITE area.
Two people were injured when
unidentified persons threw explosives on a Police mobile, busy
near Sohrab Goth within the limits of Federal B Industrial Area.
Two people were injured when
unidentified persons threw explosives on a Police mobile, busy
near Sohrab Goth within the limits of Federal B Industrial Area.
Around 150 people lost their
lives in Karachi, due to violence in January, 2014. Karachi
remained unstable due to targeted operation with political and
religious killings of different people and bomb attacks by extremists
and extortionists.
Three FC personnel were killed
and four others sustained injuries in a roadside IED explosion
near Awaran town (Awaran District) of Balochistan. "The FC vehicle
was on a routine patrol from Awaran to Lasbela on the national
highway when it was hit by an IED planted by miscreants," Frontier
Corps Spokesperson Mohammed Wasay said. The BLF claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Two children were killed when
a mortar shell went off in Tabay area of Zakhakhel Bazaar in
Landikotal tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA.
The political administration
during a search operation recovered four abducted persons, identified
as Haji Sabz Ali, Syed Zaman, Rogh Muhammad and Qari Shad and
arrested two alleged abductors in Prang Ghar area in Mohmand
Agency.
February 1
Four militants were killed in
an encounter with the Police during a search operation in Yar
Hussain area of Swabi District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police
also claimed to have recovered weapons and explosives after
the encounter.
Two Policemen were injured when
unidentified motorcycle-mounted attackers hurled a hand grenade
at the main gate of Peerabad Police Station located in Orangi
Town of Karachi (Karachi District). According to officials,
unknown miscreants riding on two motorbikes lobbed a hand grenade
at the gate of the Police Station and fled the scene after abandoning
their vehicles and weapons.
Police officials in the Federal
Capital Islamabad confirmed to have received a bailable arrest
warrant for former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf
and said the warrant might be served on February 3. A Special
Court constituted to try Musharraf for high treason had issued
a warrant on January 31, 2014. The court had also ordered the
Islamabad Police to submit a compliance report to the court
on February 7, 2014. Since the start of the trial, Musharraf
has not appeared before the court. The proceedings against him
started in December 2013.
Inspector General of Islamabad
Police Sikandar Hayat said that Police have received the bailable
arrest warrant from the court. Hayat said a Police officer from
the force will now serve the warrant to Musharraf. "He will
be given two options: either to be arrested or to submit a surety
bond for his bail," the Police Chief said. The bond set by the
Special Court for Musharraf's pre-arrest bail is PKR 2.5 million.
February 2
At least five persons were killed
and 30 others injured in the night when unidentified attackers
hurled two grenades at Picture House cinema on Cinema Road near
Qissa Khwani Bazaar in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial
capital of KP. Police said the attack on the Picture House cinema
took place as some 90 people were watching a late night show
of the film 'Ziddi Pakhtun'. "At least four people have been
killed and 31 injured.
SFs arrested two militants,
Zakirullah and Faiz, during a raid in Mardan town (Mardan District).
The officials said the raid was conducted on confirmed intelligence
reports that the suspected terrorists were planning suicide
attacks inside Mardan. Suicide jackets and explosives were recovered
from the possession of arrested militants.
A woman, identified as Zulekha
(25r), was killed and a man, identified as Sohail (30), was
injured during an armed clash between two rival groups in Moosa
Lane area of Baghdadi in Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
A man, identified Mohammad Tanveer
(26), was shot dead within the jurisdiction of Mominabad Police
Station in Orangi Town. SHO Ahmed Butt said that the victim
was a factory worker and hailed from Mansehra District in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh claimed
to have detained around 23 suspects including suspected militants
and gangsters during a targeted operation in Gulshan-e-Ghazi
area of Baldia Town. Rangers also recovered weapons from their
possession.
The 18-inch-diameter pipeline,
supplying gas to Uch power plant, was blown up in Allawariya
village of Dera Murad Jamali in Naseerabad District, suspending
gas supply to Uch power plant.
Thousands of IDPs, including
women and children, who had migrated to Sindh and Punjab because
of a military operation in Dera Bugti nine years ago, are waiting
at Doli check post and Kashmore District for the Government
permission to return home. Having started their journey back
home on January 17, 2014 they were stopped at Kashmore District
on January 18, 2014. Security officials said they could move
ahead only after getting themselves registered.
A massive rally organised in
PoK by the banned outfit JeM led by Masood Azhar "raises questions
about the state's policy towards militancy", a media report
said. About 10,000 people attended the rally organised in PoK
capital Muzaffarabad by JeM to launch a book authored by Mohammad
Afzal Guru, who was executed on February 9, 2013, for his role
in the December 31, 2001, attack on the Indian parliament.
TTP offered to provide security
and protection to members of the negotiating committees in areas
under its control. In a statement issued to the media TTP 'spokesman'
Shahidullah Shahid said the political Shura of Taliban would
guide the five-member committee nominated by it. He said that
Taliban sincerely wanted peace talks with the Government.
The committee comprises Maulana
Sami-ul-Haq, PTI chairman Imran Khan, Lal Masjid Khateeb Maulana
Abdul Aziz, Jama'at-e-Islami's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief Prof
Muhammad Ibrahim and former MPA Mufti Kifayatullah of the JUI-F.
Federal Minister for Interior
Nisar Ali Khan termed Taliban's announcement of dialogue committee
a positive development, but said it still needs to be explained
what is the mandate and powers of the committee and to what
extent the Taliban would follow its decisions. In a statement,
the Minister said that there were still some issues which needed
to be explained before the dialogue starts formally.
A soldier of the FC, identified
as Shana Gul, was shot dead by unidentified motorcyclists in
Ghundi area in the Jamrud tehsil of the Khyber Agency in FATA
in the night. The sources said that Shana Gul was going home
after buying grocery from a local shop when unidentified motorcyclists
opened fire on him, leaving him dead.
A four-year-old boy was reported
abducted from Samanabad area of Lahore District. Police said
that the kidnappers have demanded PKR 500,000 from the family
of the child. The father of the abducted boy Shakeel Siddiqui
said that his son was playing in front of the house when he
was kidnapped.
February 3
Four Police Officers were killed
when unidentified militants attacked their vehicle in Ibrahim
Hyderi area of Bin Qasim Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
Two suspected TTP militants
were shot dead in an encounter in Allahu Akbar Colony of Baldia
Town.
The Anti-Terrorist Wing of CID
arrested LeJ militant, identified as Nadeem Iqbal, from North
Karachi Town. ATW Chief Mohammed Fayyaz Khan said that the CID
Police came under fire in North Karachi and after a shootout
Iqbal was arrested.
CID published the picture of
the most wanted TTP militant, Azizullah alias Shamzai. According
to CID officials, Azizullah is involved in more than 30 cases
of target killings of Policemen and bomb attacks. The officials
also said that they have been raiding different areas for the
arrest of Shamzai and his companions Qari Shakir and Waqeel.
CID has also appealed to the Provincial Government to set reward
money for the arrest of Shamzai.
Three soldiers were injured
in a roadside blast at Kharsar area in Ladha subdivision in
South Waziristan Agency. The sources said that a convoy of the
SFs was on its way to Asman Manza when an explosive device planted
by unidentified militants on the roadside at Kharsar went off
and caused injuries to three soldiers.
No loss of life was reported
in two roadside bomb attacks on the SFs’ convoys in different
parts of North Waziristan Agency. The sources said that unidentified
miscreants had planted explosives along the roadside in Khar
Qamar area in Dattakhel tehsil and another on the Miranshah-Dattakhel
road.
The SFs also defused a roadside
bomb in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency.
The political administration
of Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency placed a ban on display
of weapons in Jamrud Bazaar and directed tribesmen to form a
committee to curb law and order. Addressing Kokikhel, Mullagori
and Jhandakhel tribesmen at Jamrud Jirga Hall, Khyber Agency
Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah said the ban is unprecedented
in the tribal areas, but was a necessity as Government officials
were relentlessly being targeted in the sub-division despite
tribes’ assurances of ensuring peace in their areas.
Former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf was served with an arrest warrant at the Armed
Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi District of Punjab,
two days after they were issued by a Special Court, formed for
his trial. A Special Court constituted to try Musharraf for
high treason had issued a warrant, carrying a bail bond of PKR
2.5 million.
The expenditure on his security
has crossed the PKR100 million thresholds in just nine months.
Over 400 Police and Rangers personnel are guarding him. Police
sources say that the extraordinary security given to a single
person has taken a heavy toll on the overall performance of
the Islamabad Police, which is facing an acute shortage of security
staff.
PTI Chairperson Imran Khan will
not formally be a part of the TTP peace talks, the party’s Core
Committee decided. However, Rustam Shah Mohmand will represent
PTI in the talks. Though Imran Khan won’t be a part of the talks,
it was announced that the KP Government will provide full cooperation
in carrying out the talks peacefully.
JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman
said that JUI-F will not be part of negotiations with the TTP.
JUI-F will support the Government’s effort to establish peace,
and if the Government wants the party’s cooperation they will
cooperate depending on the need and the situation, he said in
his press conference.
TTP regretted the decision of
Imran Khan and JUI-F leader Mufti Kifayatullah to disassociate
themselves from the five-member committee it had nominated for
talks with the Government. TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid
said over phone from an unspecified location, “We regret the
decision of PTI and JUI leaderships about distancing their representatives
from the proposed peace talks.”
TTP ‘spokesman’ said that two
more names of senior journalist Orya Maqbool Jan and Investigation
Editor, The NewsInternational, Ansar Abbasi are
likely to be finalized soon for its committee tasked to hold
talks with the four-member Government-appointed panel, reported
The News. He said the names are still being reviewed for nomination.
To this, Ansar Abbasi said he
had never had any contact with the Taliban over his becoming
part of the talk process. However, he said that Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif had sought his advice in connection with the dialogue
and also offered him to join the Government-appointed panel.
PM Nawaz Sharif expressed optimism
about the outcome of peace talks with the TTP. “I will personally
supervise the talks process, while Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali will assist me,” said the. He added, “It
is my utmost desire that the committees formed by the government
and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan make headway in the talks.”
President Mamnoon Hussain expressed
the hope that dialogue with TTP would start soon as the entire
nation was looking towards holding of successful and meaningful
talks to ensure lasting peace and security in the country.
Federal Minister of Information
Pervaiz Rasheed said that no conditions have so far been set
by TTP. Rasheed said both sides have expressed good intentions
about talks and hoped that as a result of this Pakistan would
become a safe and secure place. He said the PM was overseeing
the process of peace and dialogue himself.
The PM Nawaz Sharif and Army
Chief General Raheel Sharif exchanged views on the security
situation and peace talks with militants. The meeting took place
as the teams nominated by the Government and the TTP prepared
for the talks.
Federal Minister of Interior,
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the American Ambassador to Pakistan,
Richard Olson that Pakistan’s interests in regional security
in the post-2014 scenario must be respected. In a statement
the Minister and the American Ambassador discussed issues pertaining
to bilateral relations with particular reference to the security
situation in the region and review of the recently concluded
strategic dialogue.
February 4
At least nine people were killed
and over 40, including children and women, were injured when
a suicide bomber blew himself up at a restaurant in the Koocha
Risaldar area of Qissa Khawani Bazaar in Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP.
Unidentified militants shot
dead the Provincial President of a Shia organization, Tehreek-Nifaz-e-Fiqah
Jafria (TNFJ-Mousavi Group), Syed Asghar Ali Shah (75), in a
targeted attack in the Donga Gali near Kohati locality Peshawar.
Two unidentified militants shot
dead one Kashif Ali Shah near a local market in the limits of
the Cantonment Area in Bannu District.
Unidentified militants shot
dead one Naseem Gul in the limits of Domail Police Station in
Bannu District.
Two blasts were carried out
near Miran Sugar Mills in the Dera Ismail Khan District. However,
no casualties were reported.
Government Primary School in
Kanr Colony in the Shabqadar tehsil (revenue unit) of Charsadda
District was blown up. However, no casualties were reported.
A Government Girls Primary School
at Norar village in the limits of Miryan Police Station in Bannu
District was blown up. However, no casualties were reported.
Three unidentified armed assailants
opened fire at a Police check post in the Juhi area of Dadu
in Sukkur District, killing one Police Officer, identified as
Younus Shahani, and injuring another. The incident took place
when there were three Police officers on duty at the checkpoint.
A bomb blast on a railway track,
ten kilometers outside Ghagar Phatak of provincial capital Sind,
Karachi (Karachi District), derailed at least 10 bogeys of the
Shalimar Night Coach Express leaving one child dead and at least
20 people injured. A passenger said that they were travelling
to Lahore (Punjab) from Karachi.
In an exchange of fire, Rangers
killed a suspect in the Mujahid Colony area of North Nazimabad
Town in Karachi District. According to officials, two suspects
on a motorcycle, who were signalled to stop by Rangers personnel
positioned at a nearby check post, started firing at the check
post. In retaliation, Rangers personnel also fired, killing
one suspect on the spot while his companion managed to escape.
A man, identified as Zulfiqar
Jafer, was injured in a ball bomb hurled by unidentified militants
on Manghopir Road within the precincts of Orangi Town Police
Station. The injured person was receiving threats from extortionists,
said Police, adding that assailants attacked on him over refusal
to pay the extortion money.
Unidentified militants lobbed
a cracker bomb at an oil shop in Qasba Colony area within the
jurisdiction of Peerabad Police Station in Orangi Town. However,
no casualties were reported in the attack. Police said that
the incident occurred over refusal to pay extortion money, however
further investigations are underway.
Two persons, identified as Syed
Wajid Hussain and Syed Iftikhar Hussain, sustained injuries
in a bomb blast in Ali Shari area of Kurram Agency in FATA.
A 12-year-old boy, identified
as Syed Razi Shah, was injured in an explosion in Ali Shari
area of Kurram Agency.
Pakistan’s former President
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf “intends” to appear before
a Special Court set to try him for high treason, his spokesman
Raza Bukhari said, after speculation he could escape trial by
going abroad for medical treatment.
According to the press statement,
Musharraf wrote on the bail bond “I do not recognize the authority
of this special treason court, but I am complying for the greater
good of the rule of law.” He said, “It is extremely relevant
to note the formation, composition, jurisdiction, impartiality,
independence and lawful authority of the special treason court
is itself under question and under review in superior courts
of Pakistan.”
Former United Kingdom Independence
Party Commonwealth spokesperson Mujeebur Rehman Bhutto (35)
admitted to being the leader of a kidnapping gang in Pakistan.
He confessed to being the ‘boss’ of the gang in order to avoid
the risk of being deported to Pakistan and being given the death
penalty. He made his confession in 2005 at a UK court and was
given a seven-year-sentence.
The planned peace talks with
TTP stumbled as they began, with Government negotiators missing
a preliminary meeting citing doubts over the militants’ team.
Teams representing the Taliban and Government had been due to
gather in Islamabad at 2:00 p.m. on February 4 to chart a “roadmap”
for talks. But the Government delegation did not show up.
The head of the TTP team, Maulana
Sami-ul-Haq, accused the Government of not taking the talks
seriously. “Today it has been exposed how serious the Government
is about talks,” Haq said, adding, “They are making a joke of
talks and joking with the nation. On one side they are saying
they are talking to the Taliban and on the other side they are
making joke of these talks.”
The TTP’s ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah
Shahid said that Haq and his two colleagues had their blessing.
“The three-member committee is final now and we have our full
confidence in it to hold talks,” he said.
February 5
A local Taliban ‘commander’,
Shafiq, and three of his bodyguards were killed when unidentified
assailants opened fire on their vehicle on Miranshah-Mir Ali
road in the Pir Kallay area of NWA in FATA. Further details
regarding the incident were not available as the access of media
in the region is restricted due to security worries and Government
restrictions.
Four tribesmen were killed by
unidentified militants in the Norak area of Mir Ali tehsil
in NWA. An official of the political administration said the
incident occurred around 6:30pm when four tribesmen, whose identity
could not be ascertained, were sitting at a roadside near their
houses in Norak.
A JeM militant, identified as
Mast Gul, who escaped after Charari Sharief gunfight near Srinagar
in Jammu and Kashmir in 1995, was seen with TTP militant at
a press conference in North Waziristan Agency of FATA, according
to The Hindu. Not long after JeM ‘chief’ Maulana Masood Azhar
addressed a rally in Muzaffarabad (Pakistan occupied Kashmir)
by telephone, Mast Gul, surfaced at the press conference.
Police claimed to have killed
an alleged criminal, identified as Javed alias Bakri, during
an encounter in New Karachi Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Police also claimed to have recovered a TT
pistol and motorbike from his possession.
ASWJ President of District Malir
Mohyuddin Shah was injured in a firing incident in the Landhi
area of Landhi Town.
Police claimed to have recovered
weapons from Taiser Town near Northern Bypass within the limits
of Surjani Police Station in Malir Town. According to Police
officials the recovery was made when locals informed Police
about some abandoned bags in the area.
BRA claimed responsibility for
the February 4, 2014, bomb explosion targeting Lahore-bound
Shalimar Express at the main railway track near Karachi. BRA
‘spokesman’ Sarbaz Baloch informed the media in Quetta, “It
was a reaction to the killing of political activists and dumping
their bodies in Tootak area of Khuzdar District.”
A suspected TTP ‘commander’,
identified as Shakir Bhittani along with an Aman committee
member, Wahid Jan, were killed during a clash in Kari Hyder
Khel village of Tank District in KP in the night. A SF official
was also injured in the incident. SFs and Aman committee members
carried out a joint raid on the house of Bhittani, who opened
fire after seeing his house surrounded. A firefight ensued in
which Bhittani and Wahid Jan, were killed. Bhittani was said
to be associated with the Bahawal Khan Bhittani faction of TTP,
linked with the Haqqani network.
A revenue official, Sohail Ahmad,
was allegedly abducted by unidentified militants in Rodi Khel
area of Tank District in the night.
A TTP militant, Mufti Hasaan
Swati, claiming to be the Peshawar District ‘chief’ of the outfit
has accepted responsibility for February 4-evening’s suicide
attack at a restaurant in the Koocha Risaldar area of Qissa
Khawani Bazaar in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Mufti
Hasaan Swati said that the bombing had been carried out to avenge
an attack on a seminary in Rawalpindi in November 2013.
The TTP’s ‘central spokesman’
Shahidullah Shahid had earlier stated that his group had nothing
to do with the attack. Nine people were killed and over 40,
including children and women, were injured in this sectarian
attack.
There is no chance of peace
in Pakistan until the Government embraces Sharia and US-led
forces withdraw completely from Afghanistan, said negotiators
representing TTP. Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, the head of the TTP’s
three-man talks team, said there could be “no peace” in the
region while there were still US troops across the border.
Another TTP negotiator Maulana
Abdul Aziz, said, “Without Sharia law, the Taliban won’t accept
(the talks) even one percent. If some factions accept it, then
the others won’t accept it. Their real agenda is Sharia. All
secular courts based on the common law system be abolished.
I don’t think the Government will accept this but they should,
because war isn’t the way forward.”
The head of the caretaker committee
of the TTP, Qari Shakil, said that the roads were too hazardous
and a helicopter should be used to protect the dialogue committee
from any danger. "I do not want any force to harm them
on their way or any kind of delay to take place in the holding
of dialogue", he said.
The committees constituted by
the Government and Taliban agreed to hold talks within 72 hours
in Islamabad and the clauses for the talks would be finalized.
The Government sources revealed that both sides would give a
written guarantee that they would not resort to any kind of
violence against each other until something conclusive comes
out of the peace process.
PM Nawaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s
firm support to the people of J&K in their ‘legitimate struggle’
for their inalienable right to self-determination. Addressing
the legislative assembly of Pakistan occupied Kashmir on Kashmir
Solidarity Day, he stated, “The peaceful people of Jammu and
Kashmir continue to suffer. Not only the right to self-determination
is being denied to them but they are also being subjected to
the worst kind of human rights abuses, violence and suppression.
The United States has cut back
sharply on drone strikes in Pakistan after the Islamabad Government
asked for restraint while it seeks peace talks with the TTP.
The Washington Post quoted a US official as saying, “That’s
what they asked for, and we didn’t tell them no.”
February 6
A man, identified as Anwar Ali,
was shot dead in Frontier Colony within the jurisdiction of
Peerabad Police Station in SITE Town.
One unidentified bullet-riddled
dead body was found within the vicinity of Zaman Town Police
Station.
Another bullet-riddled dead
body was found from within the limits of Jackson Police Station.
BDS defused a bomb at the Karachi
Water and Sewerage Board Head Office in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
BDS defused a bomb in the SITE
area. The SITE area bomb was found in a bottle on a footpath
near Habib Bank Chowrangi. According to BDS, 10 kilograms of
explosives were used in the bomb.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh during
search operation in Garden East Lyari Nazimabad Usmanabad Quaidabad
and Paposh Nagar areas arrested 12 suspects. According to the
Rangers sources a criminal identified as Irfan Baloch was also
arrested from Lyari Town.
A gas pipeline was blown in
Dera Allahyar area of Jaffarabad District, disrupting gas supply
to Sohbatpur.
The Obama administration, under
pressure from Congress to act against Pakistan-based insurgents
blamed for fuelling violence in Afghanistan, moved on January
5 to freeze the assets of three suspected members linked to
the Haqqani Network.
US citizens are also barred
from doing business with the three men. “Today’s action underscores
our resolve to continue targeting any potential means of support
for the Haqqanis,” David Cohen, a senior Treasury official,
said in the statement.
Foreign Office Spokesperson
Tasneem Aslam, said Pakistan wants complete halt of US drone
attacks instead decrease in the frequency. She said Pakistan’s
stance on drone attacks is they are unacceptable, kill innocent
people and violate the country’s sovereignty.
The Government and TTP committees,
in their first meeting, expressed the resolve to continue dialogue
and vowed that the violent acts of the recent past would not
hamper the peace process. The Government-nominated committee
consists of Irfan Siddiqui, Rahimullah Yousafzai, Rustam Shah
Mohmand and Major (retired) Amir, while Maulana Samiul Haq-chief
of JUI-S Maulana Abdul Aziz-chief cleric of Lal Masjid and Ibrahim
are members of the committee announced by the TTP.
Addressing a joint press conference
at KP House, Irfan Siddiqui and Maulana Samiul Haq said the
committees agreed that both sides should stop giving statements
against each other and the process of talks should not be long,
as the nation is hoping for good news.
The US designated LeJ ‘chief’
Malik Ishaq in its list of most wanted international terrorists.
“The Department of State has designated Malik Ishaq as a Specially
Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224,”
said a statement issued by the US State Department. The US Government
also decided to keep his outfit on the international terrorist
organisation list.
American citizens and companies
are now prohibited for engaging in transactions with Ishaq after
the announcement. The US authorities can now act in freezing
all his financial assets and properties in the US as well, said
the statement. “The Department took these actions in consultation
with the Departments of Justice and Treasury,” the press release
added.
February 7
At least 15 persons were injured
when unidentified militants opened fire at two passenger buses
in Kashmore District. According to details, the militants had
attacked the buses with the intention of looting the passengers.
BDS defused a two kilogram bomb
planted outside the house of a local leader of the ANP in the
Baldia Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Four hundred Rangers personnel
of the ATS during a targeted operation arrested many suspects
from the Hasan Noman Colony in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town.
According to the Rangers spokesman, in the operation the entry
and exit routes were sealed off. The spokesman added that during
the operation, a huge quantity of arms and drugs were also recovered
from the possession of the suspects.
Five officials were injured
when a suicide bomber blew himself up during a search operation
jointly launched by Police and Intelligence Agencies in Khanewal
District. Two of his accomplices were also arrested. According
to reports, three alleged militants opened fire and hurled a
hand grenade as law enforcers tried to stop a car. One of them
traveling in the car blew himself up, injuring five officials.
The Special Court trying former
President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf for treason has
given him until February 18, 2014 to appear before the court
or a non-bailable arrest warrant could be issued against him.
On January 31, 2014 the three-judge court headed by Justice
Faisal Arab had issued a bailable warrant for Musharraf’s arrest
due to his persistent reluctance to face the treason charges
and ordered him to appear on February 7, 2014.
Justice Faisal granted Musharraf
10 more days on the personal assurance of Anwar Mansoor, one
of the members of the defence team, who assured the bench that
his client would appear on February 18.
TTP said that the negotiations
with the Government will be aimed at imposing Sharia
in the country. Shahidullah Shahid, the central ‘spokesman’
for the TTP, told media from an undisclosed location that they
had fought for Sharia. He said that had any other law except
Sharia been acceptable to TTP, they would not have waged war.
Maulana Abdul Aziz, one of the
TTP intermediaries, has refused to attend future meetings with
Government negotiators until the implementation of Sharia law
is on the agenda. “I’ll remain part of this [Taliban intermediary]
committee — but, yes, I will not sit for future talks until
my demands are met,” Aziz told journalists in Islamabad on February
7 after a meeting of his Shura in Lal Masjid.
PTI Chairperson Imran Khan told
Bloomberg that the peace negotiations between the Government
and the TTP will probably fail and a resulting military operation
would lead to more violence.
The Sindh Assembly passed the
Sindh Emergency Procurement Bill, 2014 on a temporary basis
for the period of one year, allowing law enforcers to bypass
normal authorities in emergency situations. The Sindh Emergency
Procurement Bill, 2014 was not on the order of the day however;
during the proceedings Sindh Minister for Parliamentary Affairs
Dr Sikandar Mandhro moved supplementary agenda and sought permission
from the chair to table the Sindh Emergency Procurement Bill,
2014 for urgent introduction and consideration.
MQM lawmakers supported the
spirit of the bill, but they also demanded some means of ensuring
transparency in emergency procurement for Police and other law
enforcing agencies. It was also suggested to form a committee
of MPAs to ensure transparency and fair deal in this regard.
February 8
Three persons were killed and
several others injured in a fresh spate of violence in different
areas of Karachi city. Police said unidentified gunmen shot
dead a person in Baghdadi area of Lyari. Further, a body, wrapped
in a gunny bag, was also recovered from Lee Market. Police said
that the deceased was kidnapped and then killed, adding that
his body was dumped in Lee Market. In a separate incident, rescue
personnel also found the body of a newborn in Korangi area.
Security personnel also arrested 23 suspects, including two
foreigners, during a search operation and recovered weapons
and drugs.
Firing incidents continued across
Karachi resulting in injuries to more than 10 persons. Rangers
arrested eight suspects, including two foreigners, and recovered
weapons from them during a search operation in Patel Para. The
arrested suspects included six members of Lyari gang war.
The shrine of a popular Sufi
poet of Balochistan, Mast Twakali, was set on fire by unidentified
militants in Mawand area of Kohlu District. However, no casualties
were reported. Kohlu’s Deputy Commissioner Ejaz Haider said
that after the incident Levies personnel launched a search operation
in Tomboo tehsil of Kohlu District and took five suspects into
custody.
As many as 79 Police Officers
and troopers were killed in the wake of the ongoing operation
against criminals and terrorists in Karachi. In September 2013,
when the operation was launched, 15 Police men were killed and
further 12 were killed in October, 11 each in November and December,
25 in January 2014 while during February until now, 5 died at
the hands of the outlaws and terrorists. In a report, submitted
by the Police Department to Inspector General of Police, Sindh,
Shahid Nadeem Baloch, on the performance of Karachi District
Police and CID, it was said that during this period 10,254 raids
and 804 encounters, a total of 131 miscreants were killed while
15,671 were arrested.
February 9
Unidentified armed militants
attacked the house of a pro-government tribal elder, Gazeen
Khan Bugti, killing him and eight members of his family, including
three women, three children and two adult males, in Dera Bugti
District. Provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said that
the members of the peace committee retaliated and killed two
of the attackers and wounded three others. The Minister said
that it was BRA that had attacked Khan’s house.
Unidentified militants set a
NATO container-carrying truck on fire while it was on its way
from Karachi (Sindh) to Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District,
killing two persons, including the driver of the vehicle in
Sibi District. The firing also caused the truck to catch fire
which partially damaged the container.
Unidentified militants opened
fire on a Quetta-bound private container in Dhadar area of Bolan
District, killing two people, including the driver Shamsullah
and another man, identified as Lal Muhammad.
At least nine people, including
an infant, were killed and 10 others were injured when unidentified
militants opened fire on a shrine of Meharban Ali Shah alias
Jalali Baba in Saeedabad area of Baldia Town in Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh. Police said the attackers also
hurled a grenade before firing at the people with automatic
weapons.
A prayer leader, identified
as Nadeem Qadri (38), was shot dead in a targeted attack while
he was returning after evening prayer at a mosque in Raees Amrohi
Colony in Orangi Town.
BRA militant outfit bombed three
main gas pipelines in Rahim Yar Khan District, killing a woman.
"In a major terror hit, BLA blew up three major gas arteries
late on Sunday night in Yousafabad area, which sparked so big
a fire that it engulfed the populated area located nearby",
officials said.
According to sources, the pipelines,
carrying highly inflammable methane also called natural gas,
burst into a massive ball of fire after the blasts. "The
blasts triggered an inferno that covered the nearby fields,
while Basti Afzal Hamid Khumbara was evacuated immediately",
the sources added. The rescue sources say a woman was killed
in the blaze.
The BDS defused a remote-controlled
IED planted near Chatochok in Pishtakhara village in Sarband
area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
AIG of Peshawar's BDS, Shafqat Malik, said that information
was received of a suspicious item on the roadside in Chatochok.
The “political Shura”
and negotiations committee of the TTP met at an undisclosed
location in North Waziristan Agency for the second consecutive
day and produced as many as fifteen demands to be put forward
to the Government’s negotiation committee. TTP Shura had been
meeting since February 8 under its Deputy Ameer, Sheikh
Khalid Haqqani. Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Khan and Maulana
Yousuf Shah who are in Waziristan for a meeting with the TTP
Shura are likely to convey these points to the committee formed
by the Government for mediation.
The TTP commanders and the members
of their committee formed to holds talks with the Government
kept changing the venue of their meeting amid continued flights
of unmanned US drones in the tribal area. The committee members
had reached North Waziristan in a military helicopter to apprise
the TTP’s political Shura of the demands put forth by the committee
representing the Government.
The Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that any external attempt to sabotage
the dialogue process will be considered as hostility against
Pakistan. According to sources, the Interior Minister was speaking
to Maulana Samiul Haq, leader of the TTP committee for peace
talks.
Amidst the ongoing unrest in
the country, the Government is all set to place administrative
control of the premier counter-terrorism body under its newly
established National Security Division (NSD) in an effort to
stem the tide of violence. Senior officials familiar with the
development told The Express Tribune that the counter-terrorism
Rapid Deployment Force will also function along with the National
Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) under the NSD.
February 10
Four women were killed and three
others were injured in a suicide blast near a house in the Essa
Khel Garhi area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial
capital of KP.
Unidentified motorcyclists shot
dead three school teachers in the Kach Banda area of Hangu District
when they were on their way home following school duty.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a former US consulate employee, Faisal Saeed, in Peshawar.
Three people were killed in
the Malir Town of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. Police said that two extortionists came to
the meat market at Malir 15 and demanded money from a shopkeeper,
who refused to pay and instead opened fire on the extortionists.
During the exchange of fire from both sides, an extortionist
died on the spot while two passers-by, identified as Karim and
Haji Noor Mohammad, were also killed in the incident. The other
extortionist fled from the incident site.
One Abdul Samad Tabani (35)
was killed when unidentified armed extortionists opened fire
at a rickshaw at the mobile market in Saddar Town.
Unidentified armed assailants
opened fire in Khada Market of Lyari Town, killing one Raheel
(25).
Unidentified militants hurled
a hand grenade in the Sher Shah area of Kiamari Town, injuring
two people, identified as Fahim and Jan Mohammad.
A man, identified as Ali (35),
was shot at and injured by unidentified armed assailants in
the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
Police claimed to have arrested
61 accused, including eight absconders and an extortionist,
and recovered arms and drugs from their possession during 82
raids.
At least 19 FC personnel were
injured when a bomb exploded while their vehicles passed through
the Sibi and Tali areas of Sibi District. “An IED was used to
target the convoy and it was detonated with remote control,”
the sources said. Azad Baloch, a spokesman for BLA claiming
responsibility for the attack said that 10 security personnel
had been killed and 17 injured in the attack, but FC and Provincial
Government sources denied the BLA claim.
Six soldiers and one officer
were injured in two acts of terrorism in the Dattakhel area
of NWA in FATA. Sources said that an improvised explosive device
exploded near a military truck in Dattakhel near Afghan border,
injuring six soldiers. The truck, part of a convoy, was destroyed
in the blast.
Three personnel of Khasadar
Force escorting polio workers were injured when an improvised
explosive device planted by suspected militants along a road
went off in the Khugakhel area of Landi Kotal tehsil (revenue
unit) in Khyber Agency. The Khasadar team later defused an explosive
device in the same area.
Militants opened fire at a security
picket in the Khar Kamar area of Dattakhel subdivision. One
officer was injured.
An anti-drone campaigner, Kareem
Khan, from North Waziristan Agency of FATA, has “disappeared”
from Rawalpindi District in Punjab on February 5, 2014, days
before he was due to testify before European Parliaments, his
lawyer Shahzad Akbar said, accusing the country's Intelligence
Agencies of illegal kidnapping.
Kareem Khan’s brother and teenage
son were killed in a drone attack in December 2009.
The TTP sees no urgency to reach
an agreement with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Government,
Maulana Abdul Aziz, one of the three negotiators representing
the TTP, said. In an interview at his Islamabad seminary, where
some 1,300 female students are studying, Aziz said, “You should
know that at the moment they (TTP) have at least 400 to 500
female suicide bombers in Waziristan and other tribal areas”.
The political Shura of
the TTP said that it gave a “positive response” to the Government’s
list of demands, which had been handed over to it by the Taliban
team during a meeting at an undisclosed location in North Waziristan
Agency of FATA.
Parliamentarians in the Senate
strongly reacted to the TTP’s stance of not holding peace talks
under the constitution of Pakistan. Opposition senators claimed
that it was decided that there would be no terrorist activities
during peace negotiations but the recent incidents clearly revealed
that “third forces” are involved in such acts.
February 11
At least 13 persons were killed
and 19 others injured when three back-to-back explosions occurred
inside Shama Cinema in Bacha Khan Chowk area of Peshawar (Peshawar
District), the provincial capital of KP. CCPO, Ejaz Ahmed said
three grenades were used and up to 80 people were in the cinema
at the time of the explosions. The blast at the cinema came
11 days after a similar attack at Picture House Cinema situated
in Kabuli Bazaar area of Peshawar.
Nine persons were killed after
unidentified assailants attacked a house by opening fire and
hurling hand grenades in Badhaber area of Peshawar.
Three suspected militants were
killed in an explosion in the Bacha Khan locality of Kolachi
area in Dera Ismail Khan District. The suspects were reportedly
planting explosive material on the side of a road when the explosives
accidentally detonated, killing all of them on the spot.
A Policeman was killed and another
was injured when a polio immunisation team was attacked in Purwa
tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan District. The two Policemen
were assigned to provide security to the vaccination team working
in Purwa tehsil.
SFs arrested key local militant
‘commander’ Umarzada alias Dildar from the Galiga area of Matta
tehsil in Swat District. 13 detonators and 15 cartridges were
recovered from Dildar’s possession. The militant commander’s
father Bacha Gul was already in Police custody.
SFs arrested 27 suspects and
recovered arms and ammunition from their possession along with
a vehicle with forged documents from Sarband area of Peshawar.
Two alleged criminals, identified
as Atif (20), and Akram (25), were shot dead in an encounter
with Rangers in Nawa Lane area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified man was killed
by unidentified armed assailants near Gazi Town graveyard in
Malir Town.
Unidentified militants opened
fire in Bihar Colony area of Lyari Town.
MQM accused Police of extra-judicial
killings. MQM’s Haider Abbas Rizvi claimed that a party worker,
Muhammad Adil, died of Police torture on February 10, 2014,
adding that 45 other workers are still missing. “We don’t know
where are they, no one knows about them. Police is involved
in torturing and disappearance of our workers,” he accused.
The Islamabad High Court referred
to the District and Sessions judge of Islamabad a case relating
to registration of a FIR against CIA Station Chief Jonathan
Banks over the death of two tribesmen in a US drone attack in
2009. The directive was issued by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui
of the IHC on a petition filed by Karim Khan, a native of NWA
in FATA.
Khan has been allegedly picked
up by security agencies from Rawalpindi District of Punjab.
He was making preparations to go to Brussels (Belgium) to narrate
his ordeal before the European Parliament on February 15, 2014.
A petition against the disappearance of Khan has been filed
by his brother-in-law in the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi
bench. Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan will take up the petition
on February 12.
The committees, formed by the
Government and the TTP to broker a peace pact between the two
sides, held an informal meeting at an undisclosed location in
Islamabad. During the meeting, agenda for February 12, 2014’s
formal meeting was discussed, said a press release issued after
the meeting. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National
Affairs, Irfan Siddqui, who is coordinator of the Government
committee, said that response from the TTP Political Shura over
the Government’s conditions was ‘satisfactory.’
JUI-S Chief Maulana Sami-ul-Haq,
who is a member of the committee nominated by the TTP, said
that Taliban’s demands were placed in front of Government negotiators,
adding that attempts at a ceasefire would be made in the first
stage of dialogue. The meeting was held after Professor Ibrahim
and Maulana Yousuf Shah returned from North Waziristan Agency
after meeting with the TTP’s political Shura and receiving their
response regarding the demands of the Government.
US Ambassador Richard Olson
in a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar revealed that the
US has released second tranche of USD 352 million out of a total
of USD 1.4 billion CSF that Pakistan is budgeted to receive
during the current fiscal year. According to Finance Ministry,
the Ambassador assured the Financial Minister that the remaining
amount will be disbursed soon. The money that the country spends
on defense and logistics while rendering services in global
war against terrorism is later on disbursed by the US under
the CSF.
US released the second tranche
after Pakistan repaid 27th installment of USD147 million to
IMF as per the arranged programme. The releases were on account
of expenses that Pakistan incurred during the period of January-March
2013. For the current fiscal year, Pakistan has budgeted USD
1.4 billion on account of CSF disbursements.
February 12
Two unidentified dead bodies
bearing torture marks were recovered from Memon Goth area of
Malir Town.
Two suspects were killed in
an exchange of fire between Police personnel and Lyari gangsters
in Salar Goth area of Malir Town. Police also recovered two
hand grenades from their possession.
Rangers arrested 41 suspects
during a targeted operation in Pathan Colony area of SITE Town.
At least 40 medical practitioners
of Karachi have received threatening emails from certain extortion
mafias demanding hefty protection money, claimed Dr. Idrees
Adhi, President of the Pakistan Medical Association Karachi
Chapter. “Our community is under immense pressure. We are frightened
because of threats against the backdrop of the killing of some
of our colleagues in the recent past,” said Dr. Adhi.
TTP announced an ‘armed struggle’
against an indigenous tribe-Kalash and Ismaili Shias in Chitral
Valley of Chitral District, calling on Sunnis to support their
cause in a video released. A charitable organisation headed
by the Aga Khan, the Ismailis’ spiritual leader, is singled
out for condemnation. “The Aga Khan Foundation is running 16
schools and 16 colleges and hostels where young men and women
are given free education and brainwashed to keep them away from
Islam,” the narrator says.
The narrator warns the Kalash,
who are thought to number only 3,500, to convert to Islam or
face death. “By the grace of Allah, an increasing number of
people from the Kalash tribe are embracing Islam and we want
to make it clear to the Kalash tribe that they will be eliminated
along with their protectors, the Western agents if they don’t
embrace Islam,” he says. The video also accuses international
NGOs of creating an “Israel” like state in Chitral by attempting
to protect the Kalash culture and take people away from Islam,
and vows to foil their plans.
A report by the Committee to
Protect Journalists said that at least five journalists were
reported to be killed for their work in Pakistan in 2013. According
to the report, Pakistan was ranked as the fourth most dangerous
country, behind countries such as Syria, Iraq and Egypt in terms
of journalists killed. Earlier in 2012, seven journalists were
killed for their work in Pakistan.
February 13
At least 13 Policemen were killed
and 58 others were injured in a suicide blast targeting a bus
carrying 50 Police officers near the gate of Razzakabad Police
Training Center in Shah Latif Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. TTP claimed responsibility for the suicide
attack Claiming responsibility for the “revenge” attack, the
TTP said the suicide bombing was in retaliation for the killing
of their militants by Law-Enforcement Agencies in Karachi, Swabi
(Swabi District of KP) and Peshawar (provincial capital of KP).
TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah
Shahid said, “We carried out the attack against the Police because
they are killing our people”. “Our defensive war will continue
until an agreement is reached on a ceasefire” between negotiation
teams representing the Government and the Taliban.
At least four suspected militants
were killed during an operation conducted by SFs in Chap Garh
area of Dera Bugti District. Moreover, weapons, ammunition and
bombs to blow up railway tracks were also recovered from their
possession.
Gunmen in Tump town of Kech
District snatched the Deputy Commissioner and the Assistant
Commissioner of Kech District after overpowering their subordinates.
According to Provincial Home Secretary, Adil Gilani, gunmen
overpowered at least 18 staff and security personnel accompanying
the two officials and ordered the convoy to follow them. No
group has so far claimed responsibility of the incident.
The Police claimed to have foiled
a major terror bid and arrested two suspected militants, identified
as Daud Khan of Mardan District (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Hassan
Khan alias Lehsan of Bajaur Agency (FATA) during a raid
at a house in Ittefaq Colony in Tarnol area of Islamabad. The
Police team also recovered explosives, detonators and detonating
cord from them.
Irfan Siddiqui, coordinator
of the committee formed by the Government to hold talks with
the TTP, said that they had told the Taliban committee through
a letter that terror activities will adversely affect the atmosphere
needed for negotiations. Earlier, the Taliban committee complained
that they had not received the letter sent by the Government
committee. However, the letter was faxed to the Taliban committee
and Maulana Yousuf Shah had received it.
TTP’s political Shura
agreed to directly meet the Government talks committee in Islamabad
on February 14, 2014. Sources said the Government negotiators
would meet the Shura either at the end of this week or at the
start of next week. The meeting will most likely be held in
North Waziristan Agency of FATA but the exact location is not
known as yet. The main agenda will likely be regarding a ceasefire
which the TTP and Government Committees said was important as
any activity from either side could potentially harm peace efforts.
February 14
Four people were injured when
a suicide bomber attacked the patrolling vehicle of Rangers’
Sector Commander, Brigadier Basit, in Qayyumabad area of Korangi
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
CID arrested three suspects,
identified as Junaid Alam, Armaan and Hassan, belonging to of
al Qaeda affiliated outfit Ashaab. The CID also recovered explosive
material and a large quantity of ammunition from their possession.
CID anti-terrorism cell in-charge, Raja Umar Khattab said that
the suspects were active at the University of Karachi and other
private universities of Karachi from where the group recruits
religiously-inclined students. The group, whose chief is currently
in Waziristan, carries out its activities in Karachi, Khattab
said, adding that the arrested men did not employ mobile phones
in their operations.
The team of six persons that
went for the rescue of two senior government officials, who
were earlier kidnapped on February 13, 2014 by unidentified
militants from Tump town of Kech District, were also abducted
from Gomazai in Turbat District. The recovery team was headed
by Assistant Commissioner, Dasht Naeem Ghichki and comprised
two Tehsildar and three Levies’ personnel. BLF had claimed responsibility
for the February 13 incident.
The Balochistan Government contacted
BLF to secure the release of its abducted officers. “Chief Minister
Dr Abdul Malik Baloch wants to avoid an operation by Security
Forces,” Provincial Government Spokesperson Jan Buledi said.
“Our priority is to secure the release of the kidnapped officials
through peaceful negotiations,” he said, adding, “The use of
force will be the last option.”
Pakistan anti-drone campaigner,
Karim Khan, who had disappeared from Rawalpindi District on
February 5, 2014 was rescued. Karim Khan whose brother and teenage
son were killed in a December 2009 drone attack had disappeared
days before he was due to testify before European parliamentarians.
The Government and TTP negotiators,
expressed concern over a wave of deadly attacks in the country,
agreeing that both militants and SFs should refrain from actions
which undermine ongoing peace efforts. “Both the committees
expressed deep grief and regret over anti-peace activities and
declared that such incidents would have a negative impact on
the peace efforts,” a joint statement said after Government
and Taliban committees meeting.
“Referring to the recent incident
in Karachi, the Government committee adopted the stance that
it would become difficult to continue the peace talks when anti-peace
activities continue,” it said. “Therefore the Taliban must be
asked to make an announcement that they are stopping all kinds
of anti-peace activities and implementation of this announcement
should be ensured,” the statement quoted the Government side
as saying. It said that the Taliban committee “agreed” to the
demand and asked the Government to also make an announcement
that it will not take any action which would create unrest.
“For lasting peace no side should use force,” the statement
quoted the Taliban side as saying.
The Taliban committee and TTP
‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid made telephonic contact during
the meeting of committees. According to reports, the Taliban
committee apprised Shahidullah of the demand of Government committee
for ceasefire. Shahidullah also said he would apprise the Taliban
Shura (council) of this demand and would get back to the committee.
February 15
Five persons were killed when
unidentified militants opened fire at a van near Dattakhel town
in North Waziristan Agency in the night. According to reports,
the five persons whose identity could not be ascertained were
going to Shawal from Dattakhel when gunmen opened fire on their
van near Dattakhel bazaar.
Four persons, including a supporter
of the MQM, were killed in different parts of Karachi city (Karachi
District). A young man identified as Arif Hanif (30), who had
gone missing a couple of days back, was found shot dead in Manghopir.
He was blindfolded and trussed up before being killed. The MQM,
in a statement issued to the media later, claimed that he was
their supporter. Meanwhile, two unidentified young men who looked
Pashtuns were found shot dead in Memon Goth. Four spent bullet
casings fired from 9mm pistol were also found at the crime-scene.
The Memon Goth Police said the victims, in their mid-20s, had
long beards. Separately, a vendor identified as Tanveer (50)
was gunned down by assailants in Ranchhore Line Area. Police
said that Tanveer was returning home with a pushcart when assailants
attacked him and fled.
At least five people were injured
in two successive bomb blasts near Mominabad Police Station
in Orangi Town. According to Police sources, the first attack
was by a hand grenade hurled at a street vendor near the police
station while the second explosion which occurred within a few
minutes was by a bomb planted at a taxi-stand.
Unidentified militants blew
up a Government high school in Tora Warai area of Hangu District.
According to Police, explosive material was planted in three
classrooms of the school which went off with a loud noise.
The attack also left the school's watchman injured.
Unidentified persons attacked
an Imambargah in Kuchi bazaar area of old Peshawar city
with a hand grenade, damaging the place. No loss of life was
reported, but caretaker of the Imambargah was wounded in the
attack.
February 16
The TTP claimed to have killed
23 FC personnel kidnapped in June 14, 2010 from Shoonkri Post
of Mohmand Agency in FATA. According to reports, the TTP Mohmand
Agency ‘spokesman’, Omar Khurasani said that the kidnapped FC
personnel were killed as revenge because the Government was
continuously killing their men in different parts of the country,
including Karachi, Peshawar and Swabi. He said if the Government
does not stop killing the TTP supporters, they would also continue
to kill Security Forces’ personnel.
After the TTP claim, it was
decided that the Government committee and TTP negotiators will
not be meeting on February 17. Senior journalist Rahimullah
Yousafzai, who is one of the members of the Government committee,
said it was necessary to discuss the killings with the Government
before the state committee meets TTP negotiators. TTP also confirmed
that the meeting, which was scheduled to take place at 11am
today, will not be held.
At least six people, including
four children, were killed and more than 35 were injured when
two coaches of the Peshawar-bound Khushhal Khan Khattak Express
derailed after a bomb attack on the tracks near a canal in Thull
town of Jacobabad District.
Rangers shot dead five alleged
terrorists in shootouts near Afghan Basti in Sohrab Goth area
of Gadap Town and in Ittehad Town of Baldia Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. A Rangers spokesperson said
that two terrorists attacked a vehicle of the Paramilitary Force
on Super Highway near Afghan Basti. In the ensuing gun battle,
Rangers killed the two militants.
The Paramilitary Force conducted
a search operation in Mohammad Khan Colony, Ittehad Town, during
which they were attacked. The terrorist fired gunshots at the
soldiers and also attacked with a grenade injuring one of them.
Three terrorists were killed in the encounter.
Baba Ladla group gangsters shot
dead gangster Anees Memon (24), who was affiliated with the
Uzair Baloch gang in the Kameela stop locality in Lyari Town.
An unidentified Uzair Balcoh
gangster was found in the bushes near the Mewa Shah graveyard
in Pak Colony area of SITE Town. According to residents of the
locality, gangsters from the Baba Ladla group had brought the
victim to the locality on a motorcycle and then shot him dead.
One Kamran Baloch (34), was
shot dead by unidentified gangsters while he was passing through
Jhat Pat Market in Lyari Town. Police said the victim was affiliated
with the Uzair Baloch gang and was also related to notorious
gangster Rehman Dakait.
One Taj Muhammad (60), was shot
dead outside his house in Umer Marvi Goth area of Shah Latif
Town.
An unidentified dead body of
a man was found in Gulshan-e-Buner area of Landhi Town.
Rangers arrested 21 suspected
criminals in raids conducted in several parts of the city, including
Baghdadi, Chakiwara and Noor Muhammad Goth. The paramilitary
force seized 54 weapons in the raids.
A local tribal elder, identified
as Bashir Ahmed Zarakzai, and a minor girl, identified as Robina,
were killed and six others were injured in an exchange of fire
at the house of Sardar Inayatullah Zehri in Zehri Ghat village
in Khuzdar District. According to the FC sources, the raid
was carried out to capture some criminals. A tribal elder of
Zehri, Mir Batay Khan Zarakzai, alleged that Security Forces,
supported by some tribal elders, had attacked the house of Sardar
Inayatullah Zehri, adding that innocent people were killed and
injured in the firing.
A bomb killed at least one Policeman
and wounded another during a vaccination campaign for polio
and other diseases among children in Budhni area on the outskirts
of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The
police team was being deployed in Budhni area before the start
of the campaign when a remote controlled bomb exploded near
their van, killing one police official and wounding another
one,” local senior administration official Zaheerul Islam said.
According to the World Health Organisation, Pakistan recorded
91 cases of polio last year, up from 58 in 2012. The World Health
Organisation has warned that Peshawar was the world’s “largest
reservoir” of polio.
The TTP sought written assurances
from the Government regarding end to actions against the Taliban,
prior to any ceasefire. Sources close to the official committee
have disclosed that the TTP has serious reservations over Government’s
actions against the TTP in all major cities of the country.
The group has sought written guarantees from the Pakistan Army,
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and
Federal Minister Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and has warned
that it would not stop its actions unless actions against it
are stopped.
TTP political shura has
decided in principle to hold a ceasefire and the announcement
in this regard is expected in the next 24 hours. According to
sources, TTP political shura held a meeting on February 16 to
deliberate on the Government’s demand for the ceasefire. In
the meeting, sources said, the Taliban shura agreed to observe
a ceasefire, which is expected to be declared within the next
24 hours. The sources further said that the TTP Shura has demanded
withdrawal of Army from North Waziristan besides release of
their non-combatant companions.
Terrorist outfits in Pakistan
like the TTP are increasingly using social media networks, including
Twitter and Facebook to spread their propaganda and as a means
of intimidation. A number of Twitter accounts allegedly managed
by members of the banned TTP have emerged, on which they post
messages and engage in dialogue with their followers. Facebook
pages are used to upload statements and videos.
February 17
A former Minister of the Afghan
Taliban, Mullah Abdul Raqeeb, who was in favour of peace talks
with the Kabul Government, was shot dead in Nasir Bagh Road
of Tehkal in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital
of KP. He was a commander during the Afghan jihad against the
Soviets and a minister for refugee affairs during the Taliban
regime in Afghanistan. In Peshawar, he taught at his own seminary,
Madrassa Munbahul Uloom located on Nasir Bagh Road in Tehkal.
13 children were among 15 persons
injured in an explosion outside a private school in Dhab area
of Karak District. Police said the explosive material was placed
outside the private school's gate in Dhab.
An explosion in a three-star
hotel in Namak Mandi area of Karak Town left its guard, Allah
Baksh injured. The blast occurred on the first floor of hotel
near the lobby.
An alleged militant, Jalat Khan
was arrested in Kurrum Par area in the limits of Dadiwala Police
Station in Lakki Marwat District. The Police had been after
the militant for various cases since 1988.
Two employees of a media house,
identified as driver Abdus Sattar and guard Rasool Bux, were
injured Nawa-e-Waqt Group when two unidentified militants hurled
a hand-made bomb at the gate of The Business Recorder office
near Guru Mandir Chowrangi in Jamshed Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Another home-made bomb was hurled
at the office of the Nawa-e-Waqt Group on M.A Jinnah Road in
Jamshed Town.
A soldier, Mehrab, was killed
in an attack by unidentified militants on a SFs checkpost in
Ladha area of South Waziristan Agency in the night around 11:00pm.
Six members of an anti-polio
team were abducted by unidentified militants in the Pang area
of the FR Tank in FATA. Assistant Political Agent, FR Tank,
Khalid Mehmood Marwat, said the team, including Dr Khandad,
in-charge of the Union Council Siddiqullah, driver Kalim, three
Levies personnel, Lance Naik Daulat Khan, Sepoy Amanullah and
Sepoy Minhas. He said the team members were kidnapped at 3 pm
when they were on their way back after finishing the task.
The peace talks with TTP broke
down following execution of 23 FC soldiers by Mohmand Agency
Chapter of TTP. The four-member government negotiating committee
cancelled a scheduled visit to Akora Khattak for a meeting with
the TTP committee.
The 'spokesman' of the TTP Shahidullah
Shahid said that the Taliban in Mohmand Agency might have avenged
the killing of their colleagues. Shahid said custodial killings
could further complicate the dialogue process. He alleged that
23 people who were in Government custody had been killed over
the past three days 16 in Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
and seven in Karachi (Sindh).
A letter posted on the social
media, by 'chief' of Mohmand Agency chapter of TTP, Umar Khalid
Khurasani claimed that the soldiers had been slain to avenge
what he called killing of their fighters in custody in several
parts of the country. The security official rejected the claim
by TTP, termed the allegation unfounded and baseless.
Umar Khalid Khurasani, is a
journalist-turned-jihadi 'commander' whose declared objectives
as a staunch follower of Osama bin Laden are to overthrow the
Government of Pakistan, impose Sharia, seize nuclear weapons
and wage jihad until the Caliphate is established, reported
The News quoting journalist Amir Mir.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
condemned the killing of FC by terrorists and termed it a "heinous
and brutal" act. He said the incident would have a negative
impact on the talks process, initiated for a peaceful resolution
of the issue.
Army described the killing of
23 FC soldiers, a "blatant" and "highly provocative" act of
terrorism. "The martyrdom of security officials is a blatant
act of terrorism. It's highly condemnable and provocative,"
a security official said on condition of anonymity.
The Opposition leader in the
National Assembly Khursheed Shah on February 17 said it is high
time to take a firm decision regarding the talks with the Taliban
because they are continuously attacking citizens, civilians
and damaging public installations. Shah criticised the Taliban
for continuously attacking security personnel despite being
in dialogue with the Government.
The Barrack Obama administration
is making contingency plans to use air bases in Central Asia
to conduct drone missile attacks in northwest Pakistan in case
the US is forced to withdraw all forces from Afghanistan at
the end of 2014. A report in the Los Angeles Times by Ken Dilanian
said even if alternative bases are secured, the officials said,
the CIA's capability to gather sufficient intelligence to find
al Qaeda operatives and quickly launch drone missiles at specific
targets in Pakistan's mountainous tribal region will be greatly
diminished if the spy agency loses its drone bases in Afghanistan.
According to current and former
officers, CIA analysts operating from fortified outposts near
the Pakistani border evaluate electronic intelligence, while
case officers meet sources who help them identify targets. They
pay people to place GPS trackers on cars or buildings to help
guide the drone-launched missiles.
February 18
Police recovered four dead bodies
from Surjani Town area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Three of the victims were identified as Sami-ul-Haq,
Hafeez, and Muhammad Faisal, while the fourth dead body could
not be identified. All four were affiliated with an unspecified
banned outfit.
Two people were shot dead by
unidentified armed assailants in Orangi Town.
A man was shot dead in Gulistan-e-Johar
area of Gulshan Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead by militants in Mehran Town area of Korangi Town.
An unidentified bullet-riddled
dead body was found in Shah Faisal Town.
Rangers and Police arrested
23 suspects during targeted operations in various areas, including
Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Dhobi Ghat, Faqeer Goth, Kausar Town, Frontier
Colony, Qayumabad, Gulshan-e-Buner, Shanti Nagar and Lyari Town.
According to a Rangers spokesman, a large amount of arms and
ammunition was also recovered from the suspects.
An ATC remanded in Police custody
two TTP militants, identified as Muhammad Kashif and Muhammad
Irfan, over charges of demanding extortion and issuing life
threats. They were remanded in Police custody till March 4,
2014. The Taliban-linked accused face charges of demanding extortion
of PKR 200,000 from a woman and threatening to kill her son
in case she failed to pay the money.
An Army Major, Jahanzaib, and
three militants were killed in an exchange of fire in FR Peshawar
of FATA. "(The) exchange of fire continues," the ISPR said in
a statement.
Unidentified militants on a
motorcycle fired on a vehicle being used by French aid organisation
Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development at Jarma near
Kohat town of same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, injuring
the driver. There were two staff members, both Pakistanis, in
the vehicle.
Former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf was not indicted despite his appearance in
the Special Court for the hearing of treason case. Instead,
the Special Court issued a short order stating that the former
President would face indictment upon his second appearance in
court and that he would soon be ordered to appear in court again.
The hearing was postponed till February 19, 2014 (today). Musharraf's
advocate Ahmed Raza Kasuri stated that a decision will be made
on February 21, 2014, about whether Musharraf should be tried
by a military court or a civil court.
The coordinator of TTP-appointed
negotiation committee, Yousuf Shah, cautioned that there could
be a surge in acts of violence in case peace negotiations were
not held. "The Government committee does not appear to be serious
in holding the talks," he said, adding, 'the violent acts may
witness a surge in case the dialogue was not held'. "If the
Government and Taliban committees remained at distance, it could
lead to an increase in the acts of terror," he cautioned.
The TTP claimed that it is serious
about peace talks with the Government. TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah
Shahid said the Taliban leadership was in constant contact with
all factions on the issue of ceasefire and a decision in this
respect would be taken soon. He said all Taliban factions unanimously
backed the dialogue process and there would be no problem in
implementing TTP's decisions, including the issue of ceasefire,
claiming the TTP practised Sharia'h and any decision endorsed
by the chief of the Tehreek was final and obligatory for all
factions to abide by.
PM Nawaz Sharif chaired a meeting
of the Government's committee formed to hold talks with negotiators
representing the TTP, during which the committee expressed its
inability to carry forward peace talks. The committee said the
talks could not progress without any solid steps and also asked
the TTP to unconditionally cease all violent activities without
any delay.
The Government mediators demanded
a ceasefire from the Taliban before they resumed peace talks
as another two soldiers were killed in separate attacks.
February 19
A bomb blast targeting the residence
of former KP Minister Haji Javed in Javed Town in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP, was reported. However, no casualty
was reported.
Two people were killed and two
others were injured when a 36-inch gas pipeline of the Qadirpur
gas field exploded in the Mir Kosh area of Ghotki District.
The deceased were identified as security guards of the gas pipeline.
An IED bomb was defused by the
BDS near Naurus Chowrangi in SITE Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Police claimed to have arrested
93 suspects in 81 raids and recovered arms and narcotics from
their possession. According to a Karachi Police report, a total
of 93 criminals were arrested during raids and six encounters
in various areas of the city. One accused was held in a murder
case, one in extortion case, three in kidnapping-for-ransom
cases, four for their involvement in robberies, 15 under the
Arms Ordinance, 19 under the Narcotics Act, and 34 in miscellaneous
cases, said a Police spokesman.
The VMBP head, Mama Qadeer Baloch,
and his Long March from Quetta (Balochistan) to Islamabad (Punjab)
has been threatened. Mama Qadeer has received a threatening
telephone call from an unlisted number informing him of the
decision to prevent the marchers from entering Rawalpindi and
Islamabad and warning them that they will not be allowed to
present their demands to the UN.
The march was undertaken to
demand accountability for the 18000 missing persons from Balochistan,
which VMBP organisation has documented.
Islamabad is under severe threat
of terrorism from TTP, LeJ and al Qaeda, a report of the Interior
Ministry presented in the Standing Committee of National Assembly
on Interior revealed. According to the report, Islamabad is
the most dangerous city as the "sleeper cell" of banned TTP,
LeJ and al Qaeda are posing a grave threat to the security of
the city. In Punjab, LeJ and TTP were the most dangerous groups
and in Sindh, the presence of LeJ, al Qaeda militants and target
killers was reported.
About the security situation
in PoK, the Interior Ministry said certain evidences have 'proved'
that India was involved in the deteriorating law and order situation
in the region. It revealed that illegal weapons and terrorists
were penetrating Pakistan through its western and eastern borders.
At least 460 people have been
killed in terrorist attacks across the country since the Government
held an APC on September 10, 2013, to mull ways and means to
end bloodshed in the country, an unnamed security official said.
"The dead include 308 civilians, 114 military personnel and
38 Policemen," the official said. He said that some 1,264 people
were injured in the terrorist attacks by TTP in the same period.
"The injured include 684 civilians, 531 military personnel and
49 Policemen," he added.
The TTP offered to observe a
ceasefire to allow the resumption of stalled peace talks provided
Security Forces stop killing and arresting them. "We are ready
for the ceasefire if the government assures us that bodies of
our colleagues will not be found in gunny bags and they will
not be killed in encounters and arrested in raids," TTP 'spokesman'
Shahidullah Shahid said. "The Government has killed more than
60 TTP cadres since the start of the peace talks, in Karachi
and the rest of Pakistan, under a secret operation codenamed
Operation Root Out," Shahid said. "The killings of soldiers
in Mohmand were in response to the onslaught on TTP cadres by
Security Forces during the talks between Government and TTP
committees," he added.
Government mediators suspended
negotiations on February 17 just weeks after they were announced
following weekend claims by a TTP faction that it killed 23
kidnapped FC soldiers. The mediators set a ceasefire as a precondition
for another round of talks. The reconciliation effort was launched
on January 29.
Government mediators suspended
negotiations on February 17 just weeks after they were announced
following weekend claims by a TTP faction that it killed 23
kidnapped FC soldiers. The mediators set a ceasefire as a precondition
for another round of talks. The reconciliation effort was launched
on January 29.
The US said that it would continue
its security assistance to Pakistan in order to keep bilateral
relations on "solid footing". The commitment was conveyed by
US CentCom Commander General Lloyd J. Austin III to his Pakistani
interlocutors. The CentCom commander was quoted by the Defence
Ministry as having told the defence secretary that "continued
support in training, education and CSF will act as tools necessary
to keep relations on solid footing".
According to the US Embassy,
in his meetings General Austin "reaffirmed the importance of
the US-Pakistani security relationship to regional stability
and agreed to continue to work together in order to build a
stronger partnership and further common objectives". He told
the defence secretary that US viewed Pakistan as a "vital partner
for regional security" and praised Pakistan's role in facilitating
the drawdown of US and ISAF forces from Afghanistan.
February 20
At least 35 militants were killed
as fighter jets targeted suspected insurgent hideouts in Dattakhel,
Shawal and Mir Ali tehsils (revenue unit) of the North Waziristan
Agency of FATA. The bombardment comes a day after TTP said a
ceasefire can be negotiated upon if the Army stopped targeting
its members. Other military sources said that the in second
attack, militants involved in the Peshawar cinema blast (February
10) and killing of an Army officer (February 18) in frontier
region Peshawar two days ago were targeted in their hideouts
situated in Khyber Agency. Around seven militants were killed.
IED making factories and prepared explosives were also destroyed
in the strikes.
After being convinced by the
top Army leadership, PM Nawaz Sharif gave a go ahead for the
airstrikes. High level civil military consultations continued
for three days which culminated on these strikes. Army Chief,
General Raheel Sharif and intelligence heads briefed the PM
over rapid developments in the tribal areas and also shared
images of militant hideouts procured through their own spy drones.
Authorisation of the PM was sought for more strikes at other
locations, which according to the sources has been granted.
Federal Minister for Information
and Broadcasting, Pervaiz Rasheed, on February 20 said the TTP
in unequivocal terms commented "If you talk with us, we will
respond with greater enthusiasm. But, if you would strike once,
we would strike twice". Pervaiz Rasheed said in a statement,
soon after the Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar
announced that PM Nawaz Sharif in consultation with the military
leadership has linked the peace talks to a halt to the bloodshed.
Referring to the talks with
the TTP, Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar said,
"Dialogue and violence cannot take place side by side. The military
has been asked to retaliate in self-defence, which is their
right. This [self-defence] is the right of the armed forces,
which cannot be taken away from them," he said. Members of the
government's peace committee were also consulted in this regard,
the interior minister added. "We have burnt the midnight oil,"
he said, explaining how the Government had worked overtime on
how to resolve the issue.
JeI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief
and member of the TTP talks committee Mohammad Ibrahim on February
20 condemned the shelling in North Waziristan Agency and Khyber
Agency and described it as an action against innocent citizens.
In a statement issued by the JeI, he said that the air strikes
would further complicate the situation, adding that the ultimate
sufferers would be the innocent people because random firing
and shelling could never prove useful for restoration of peace.
Earlier on February 19, TTP
granted the authority to JUI-S Chief Maulana Samiul Haq decide
on ceasefire between the Government and the TTP. Haq is heading
the TTP intermediary committee. The JUI-S central information
secretary said that if there was a consensus between the Government
peace talks committee and Haq, then a ceasefire can be announced
between the two sides.
Eight persons, including seven
BLF militants and one pro-Government militia member belonging
to Baloch Musala Difa Army were killed while two others were
injured in a gun battle between the two in Bessema area of Washuk
District. "Two armed groups opened fire at each other in the
Bessema area of Washuk," Washuk Deputy Commissioner Qadir Baksh
Purkani said, confirming the fatalities.
Two women were killed and another
injured by militants on suspicion of indulging in immoral activity
at Loralai Bazaar in Loralai town of Loralai District. The incident
follows the stoning of a couple in the same area on February
15, 2014 after a cleric issued a fatwa against them on suspicion
of having illicit relations.
A boy was killed in an IED blast
during the preparation of the Sibi Mela near the Mir Chakar-e-Azam
Stadium in Sibi District. Sibi Deputy Commissioner, Sohailur
Rehman Baloch said it was an IED blast and refuted media reports
that it was a suicide bombing. However, DSP Ali Nawaz said that
the boy was a suicide bomber who entered into the Sibi festival
hall and blew himself up missing his intended target. "The strength
of blast blew body pieces of suicide bomber into the air", the
DSP said.
A railway track was blown up
in an IED attack in Mangoli area of Dera Murad Jamali in Naseerabad
District.
A 220kV power pylon supplying
electricity to districts in Punjab was blown up in Sohbatpur
District. No outfit claimed responsibility for the blasts.
Unidentified militants opened
indiscriminate fire on the car of Israr, a doctor, killing him
and four others in the car on the spot in MPR Colony of Orangi
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The other
four victims were identified as, Razimullah (40), Jamsheed Khan
(30), Iqbal Hussain (37), and Sajjad (12). ANP spokesman Abdul
Malik said that Israr, Razimullah and Jamsheed were his party
workers and belonged to ANP MPR Colony ward. Following the incident,
at least 67 suspects, including foreigners, were arrested by
the Police during a targeted operation in different areas of
Karachi on February 21 (today), reported Dawn.
Two unidentified tortured dead
bodies of were found from Northern Bypass on Link Road in Baldia
Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead in Qaimkhani Colony of Baldia Town.
Acting on tip of a Federal Intelligence
Agency and the CID Sindh Police foiled a terror attack by arresting
three suspects, identified as Humayun, Saeed Ayub and Umar Farooq
alias Faridullah from Mauripur area of Kiamari Town. CID officials
claimed Faridullah was an expert in preparing explosive laden
vehicles for carrying out terror activities. Police also seized
a 100 kilogram explosion-laden vehicle from the area reportedly
prepared for targeting a key political or Police figure.
28 suspects were arrested during
an operation in the Sharafi Goth area of Bin Qasim Town.
Five suspects were arrested
by the Police after raids in Clifton area of Saddar Town and
Azizabad area of Gulberg Town.
Police arrested an alleged target
killer, extortionist and gang-war suspect Amir arf Marchi from
the Malir Town. He belonged to the Wasiullah Lakho group.
A survey by Geo News team has
revealed that many Government-run schools in Karachi face illegal
occupation of mafias. These mafias have not only occupied the
school premises but converted them into retail shops, factories
or razed the school buildings and built new residential apartments.
The land of these schools is worth billions of rupees. The Provincial
Department of Education colluded with the land grabbers and
put many schools under the control of illegal occupiers.
The Police claimed the arrest
of the alleged mastermind of the blasts at the Shama Cinema
in the Bacha Khan Chowk area of Peshawar, the provincial capital
of KP, on February 11, 2013, which killed 14 people. SSP (Operations),
Najeebur Rehman said they arrested Hasan alias Israr, resident
of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency in FATA, who was presently
living at a place near the Bakhsho Bridge on Charsadda Road
in Peshawar. He said Hasan was the mastermind of the attack
on Shama Cinema and was injured in the incident.
The Police claimed the arrest
of the alleged mastermind of the blasts at the Shama Cinema
in the Bacha Khan Chowk area of Peshawar, the provincial capital
of KP, on February 11, 2013, which killed 14 people. SSP (Operations),
Najeebur Rehman said they arrested Hasan alias Israr, resident
of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency in FATA, who was presently
living at a place near the Bakhsho Bridge on Charsadda Road
in Peshawar. He said Hasan was the mastermind of the attack
on Shama Cinema and was injured in the incident.
Security has been increased
at the Charsadda Sub-Jail (Charsadda District) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
amid fears of militant attacks on the detention facility. According
to the reports, 97 Police and FC personnel equipped with automatic
weapons have been deployed for the security while APCs have
also been called in. The local administration has also made
security arrangements at the Government buildings near the prison.
AAG Tariq Khokhar told the Supreme
Court that another missing man Khawar Mehmood had reached home.
Three others have been found detained in different internment
centres, the Supreme Court was informed. The total number of
people whose whereabouts have been traced during the week stands
at five. According to a Punjab Police investigation report,
Mehmood was allegedly picked up by the personnel of Intelligence
Agencies on June 26, 2013 from a distribution company in Fortabbas
area of Bahawalnagar District. The ISI and the MI had rejected
the allegation and said he had never been in their custody.
His younger brother Amir Mehmood,
an activist of LeT, was earlier arrested by intelligence agencies,
convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Later the Peshawar
High Court acquitted Amir and since then he and his wife have
been missing.
The Special Court, constituted
to try former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf on
high treason charges, will announce on February 21 whether it
will hear the case or will he be tried by a military court under
Army Act. Musharraf who appeared before the Special Court in
the last hearing on February 18, 2014 avoided indictment on
the request of his legal team, pleading that the jurisdiction
of the Special Court should be decided first and the case be
referred to a military court.
The court in its order ruled
that they will first decide the application challenging the
jurisdiction of this court before further proceedings. The court
adjourned the hearing till February 21, ruling that the decision
on the two applications, including jurisdiction of the court
as well as transferring the trial to a military court, will
be announced on February 21, 2014.
Sartaj Aziz, Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif's adviser on foreign affairs, assured India that
Islamabad was looking at expediting the November 26, 2008 (26/11)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) terror attacks trial and that the whole
process could be brought to an end in the next two months. Sartaj,
who met Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid during the SAARC
Foreign Ministers' conference in Male (Maldives), also discussed
various aspects of India-Pakistan ties, including NDMA for Indian
goods, cross-LoC trade, the visa regime and observations of
the Judicial Commission for Prisoners were also discussed during
the meeting, sources said.
India in 2013 handed over five
key documents running into nearly 600 pages for use in the trial
so that prosecutors could proceed against the accused. The documents
include a certified copy of the Indian Supreme Court's judgement
on the case, depositions by two doctors -who conducted the autopsy
of the nine slain terrorists- and the chief investigating officer
who probed the case.
February 21
Unidentified militants hurled
two cracker bombs near a house located in Jamshed Colony area
of Jamshed Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
However, no casualties were reported.
The BDS defused a ten-kilogramme
bomb on a railway track near Kot Mithun in Rajanpur District.
Reportedly the target of the attack was a Khushal Khan Khattak
Express train that was due to pass over this track.
The Special Court, constituted
for trial of former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf
under Article 6 (the High Treason Act) of the Constitution,
summoned him on March 11, 2014 and rejected his counsel's appeal
to shift the case to military court. The court also rejected
the plea regarding jurisdiction of the Special Court, saying
that it had complete authority to try Musharraf for high treason.
The three-member bench, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, resumed
hearing of the case and remarked that only the Special Court
was entitled to hear the treason case, on the grounds that Musharraf
retired in 2007 and he is not part of the army now so the case
could not be proceeded under the Army Act. The court also observed
that the Army Act of 1977 was declared null and void in 1981
by the courts therefore, under the law only the Special Court
is subjected to hear the case of high treason against Musharraf,
under Article 6.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
made it clear that the Government is ready to hold dialogue
only with those who have respect for the Constitution and integrity
of the country. "We are ready for talks for stability and peace
in Pakistan but let me make it clear we are willing to hold
a dialogue only with those who have regard for the Constitution
and integrity of the country..." he said.
Rahimullah Yousafzai, a member
of Government's committee, said that the Taliban, during the
talks, did not abnegate the Constitution and had agreed to hold
talks within the framework of the Constitution. He said that
the Taliban later changed their view and expressed will to hold
negotiation in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah. However,
Yousafzai said that talks were not halted over the issue of
the constitution or Quran and Sharia'h.
The TTP refused to announce
a ceasefire, calling on the Government to do so first. TTP 'spokesman'
Shahidullah Shahid said a ceasefire cannot be announced as the
Government has been fighting against the Taliban. "We have been
waging war for several years," Shahid said. "If the Government
cannot negotiate a ceasefire, how can talks be held with a handful
of people" Shahid questioned.
He said, "Our doors are open
for talks… [but] the government needs to stop killing our comrades,"
the TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said in a joint news conference,
alongside TTP South Waziristan Chapter leader Azam Tariq Mehsud,
adding, "Since the Government started the war against us, it
should declare ceasefire before asking us to do so."
A Grand jirga was organised
in the wake of TTP threats to Ismaili and Kalash tribe at Bumborat
in Kalash Valley of Chitral District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting was presided over by Commandant Chitral Scouts Colonel
Naeem Iqbal and was attended by Deputy Commissioner Chitral,
Muhammad Shoaib Jadoon, District Police Officer Ghulam Hussain
and Major Murtaza as well as elites from Kalash, Ismaili and
Sunni Muslim communities.
In a 50-minute long video released
on February 2 on the TTP media wing's website, the militants
had announced an "armed struggle" against the Kalash and Ismaili
Muslims. The narrator warned the Kalash, who are thought to
number only 3,500, to convert to Islam or face death.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
maintained his force was ready to counter any internal or external
threat. "Let there be no doubt that Pakistan's armed force are
battle hardened and fully capable to counter any internal or
external threat posed to the integrity and sovereignty of our
beloved country," the Army commented.
General Raheel recounted successes
of the security forces in various operations against Taliban
wherein several affected areas were cleared of the terrorists.
"With the help of local population and support of the entire
nation, security forces cleared vast areas," the Army chief
said, and added that efforts and determination of all troops
and law enforcement agencies were commendable. "We are fully
prepared to confront any challenge in future as well," the Army
chief reaffirmed.
February 22
At least nine suspected militants
were killed when SFs carried out shelling on their hideouts
in Thall tehsil (revenue unit) of Hangu District. "Gunship helicopters
engaged the hideouts after confirmed reports of the terrorists'
presence," a security official said.
Three people, including local
QWP leader Adalat Khan, were killed and two others were injured
in a remote-controlled explosion targeting his car in Gokand
area of Buner District. No outfit claimed responsibility for
the attack. A local intelligence official said that Khan had
supported an anti-Taliban village militia in 2009.
Unidentified gunman shot dead
a Shia leader and administrator of an Imambargah, Sher Muhammad
Tori, at Gari Nawaz Khan in Kohat.
A militant was killed in Juma
Khan Village of Nasir Bagh area of Peshawar (Peshawar District),
the provincial capital of KP, when the explosive device he was
planting at a nullah accidentally went off in the morning. Police
said the man was initially mistaken to be a suicide bomber because
his body was reduced to pieces. However, upon inspection of
the site by the BDU, no evidence of a suicide vest was found.
The main gate of a contractor's
house was damaged in a low-intensity blast in Garhi Qamaruddin
on Kohat Road of Peshawar. Fortunately, no loss of life was
reported in the attack.
Police have arrested 10 suspects
during a targeted operation in Kanwari Colony area of Manghopir,
in Gadap Town. SSP West Irfan Baloch said the operation was
being carried out on a tip off about presence of criminal elements
in the area. As many 100 policemen were taking part in the operation.
Entry and exit points of the locality were sealed during the
search.
The ISPR dismissed TTP's allegations
of Security forces having the custody of women and children
of TTP members. Rejecting the allegations levelled by the TTP,
ISPR spokesperson said that these allegations against security
forces are unsubstantiated and false, further stating that it
was a baseless propaganda by the TTP.
February 23
At least 38 militants, including
key commanders, were killed in early morning air strikes the
Ghaibi Nika area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. Six
hideouts were also destroyed. Security sources said that fighter
jets bombed the hideouts as well as landmine-making factories
in the Ghaibi Nika area where mostly militants from LI group
are based. Factories and several stockpiles of explosives were
also destroyed in the blitz.
A Government official, Sadif
Hussain Tori, a technician at a Government veterinary hospital,
was abducted by unidentified militants from Alizai tehsil of
Kurram Agency. Sadif Hussain Tori was on his way home when militants
intercepted his vehicle and abducted him.
The residents near the Pak-Afghan
border have started migrating to safer places in fear of a possible
military operation in NWA. People from Seegi, Ghulam Khan, Mandi
and Datta Khel tehsil are leaving their homes. People belonging
to Mir Ali are also shifting to Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Karak and
Peshawar of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to persisting fears of a
widespread bloodshed between militants and Pakistan Army.
Amidst growing chatter of a
military operation in NWA, security sources on February said
the task of purging the area of all violent groups could be
over in a "matter of weeks." "It would take the military four
to six weeks to clear the agency of fighters," security sources
said, insisting that it was not difficult for Pakistan Army
to re-establish the writ of the Government in NWA. The officials
also quashed the impression that the operation had only 40%
chance of success, as claimed by some politicians in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa.
At least 13 persons - among
them a woman and a child - were killed and 14 others wounded
in a bomb blast at the main gate of Usterzai Suzuki Stand on
Hangu Road near Peshawar Chowk of Kohat town (Kohat District)
in KP. The bomb which was remotely triggered was concealed in
an empty crate placed near a passenger van with six persons
on board. BDS official Akbar Khan told journalists that it was
an improvised explosive device and weighed around five kilogrammes.
Several vehicles were also damaged in the blast which took place
near where key Government buildings, including Police Club,
Cantonment Police Station, Girls Degree College and C&W Office,
are situated.
Three unidentified men were
killed and two others were injured in a firing incident in Jhatpat
Market area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
A man, identified as Ali Yar
(50),was killed and two others, identified as Ishaq (8) and
Muhammad Shahid (35), were injured in a firing incident at a
mosque in Peerabad area of Orangi Town. According to Police,
a suspect, Waheed, was arrested after the shootout.
A man, identified as Ameer Khan
(50), was found dead in Gulshan-e-Hadeed area of Bin Qasim Town.
An unidentified man was killed
in a firing incident on Super Highway near New Vegetable Market.
A man, identified as Naseer
(28), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Banaras
area of SITE Town.
One Nasir (35), was shot and
injured by unidentified militants on Jamshed Road in Jamshed
Town.
One Shah Nawaz (40), was injured
in a firing incident by unidentified armed assailants in Nusrat
Bhutto Colony of North Nazimabad Town.
One Zia (36), was injured in
a firing incident in Baldia Town.
Rangers arrested 25 suspects
during targeted operations in different parts of the city and
recovered 42 weapons. The suspects were arrested from Bhittaiabad,
Mehran Town, Bilal Colony, Gulzar Colony, Model Town, Baloch
Goth, Mianwali Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Shah Faisal Town.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan
will resume hearing of Karachi law and order case on February
24. The Sindh Government, the Rangers, Police and Intelligence
Agencies, the PTA and the FBR will present their reports about
their performance in improving the law and order situation in
the metropolis in the light of Supreme Court orders issued in
the last hearing on November 29, 2013.
At least five alleged militants
were killed during an exchange of fire with SFs in Turbat District.
A police officer, who requested anonymity, said that armed militants
attacked the convoy of FC in Chah-e-Sar area of Turbat. He said
the FC personnel quickly retaliated and five militants were
killed on the spot. The officer stated that the FC recovered
weapons from the possession of militants. He said that there
were no reports of fatalities on the part of the FC.
A landmine blast killed one
woman and injured seven others in Dera Bugti District. A Levies
Official said on the condition of anonymity that a pick up carrying
eight people, including seven women and a male, for a wedding
party hit a landmine Zain Koh area of in Dera Bugti. "When the
vehicle hit the land mine, there was huge blast, killing one
woman on the spot", he said. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the blast.
Journalists threatened to lay
siege of the National Assembly and all Provincial Assemblies,
if political parties failed to put forward legislation protecting
the lives and jobs of media men in Pakistan before March 20,
2014. The announcement was made by PFUJ, Afzal Butt while addressing
a seminar with regard to threats made against the media. According
to Balochistan Union of Journalists more than 30 journalists
were killed in the insurgency-hit province during the last seven
years. "We will mount pressure on the rulers to protect the
media in Balochistan."
February 24
Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani,
a senior 'commander' of TTP and supporter of peace talks with
the Government, was killed along with his three colleagues in
Darga Mandi village near Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency.
TTP sources said Asmatullah Shaheen was coming to Miranshah
in a car along with three other militants when another vehicle
coming from the border area with Afghanistan overtook them and
armed men sitting in it opened fire from AK-47 (Kalashnikov)
assault rifles at them.
Two unidentified dead bodies
bearing torture marks were recovered from Pak Colony near Rexer
Bridge in SITE Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified man, associated
with an unspecified religious party, was killed in firing incident
in Chishti Nagar of Orangi Town.
An unidentified man succumbed
to his injuries after being shot by unidentified armed assailants
in Orangi Town.
The Karachi ATC sentenced three
accused, identified as Shujaat Ali, Shehzad Memon and Mohammad
Farhan, to death for the kidnapping and murder of trader Muhammad
Nawaz in 2010. They had demanded PKR 10 million in ransom and
killed Nawaz despite receiving the ransom from the Nawaz's family.
A suicide bomb attack outside
the Iranian consulate in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial
capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killed two FC soldiers and injured
ten others. The bombing took place in the upmarket University
Town area of the city, where many non-government organisations
are also based.
BLF militants abducted a polio
worker and three Levies personnel after an armed attack on the
convoy of the Deputy Commissioner of Awaran Rasheed Baloch while
he was returning home after supervising an anti-polio campaign
in Gishik area of Awaran District.
The SC while hearing a case
related to the implementation of Supreme Court's earlier order
(in 2013) over Karachi's law and order situation expressed its
dissatisfaction over a report submitted by the Karachi Police
and chided jail officials for installing jammers around the
Central jail premises which has caused inconvenience to residents
of the surrounding areas. The bench also sought a report from
revenue officials by February 26, 2014 pertaining to the recovery
of encroached lands in the city.
During the hearing held at the
Supreme Court's Karachi Registry, AIG Karachi, Shahid Hayat,
submitted before the bench a report over the performance of
Police, according to which 13,000 suspects were arrested since
September, 2013. The report further said that charge-sheets
against 175 accused were filed in Anti-Terrorism Courts whereas
charge-sheets against more than 7,000 arrested persons had been
filed in Sessions Courts.
February 25
Pakistani fighter jets and gunship
helicopters bombarded hideouts of TTP militants in the North
and South Waziristan Agencies of FATA killing at least 30 militants.
"The death toll from the air strikes has risen to 30," a security
official told, updating the earlier death toll of 27. "Fifteen
were killed in the South Waziristan side of the border, while
15 were killed in North Waziristan." The attacks were the fourth
in a series of air strikes by the PAF since February 20.
Two unidentified men were shot
dead in the Mominabad area of Iqbal Market Orangi Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified man was killed
in a shooting incident near Ath Chowk in Lyari Town.
An unidentified dead body of
a man bearing torture marks was found in the Alam Pride area
of North Karachi Town.
The ATC-III remanded two TTP
militants, identified as Sajid Hussain and Meraj, until March
4, 2014 to Police custody in extortion case. According to the
prosecution, the suspects demanded PKR 1500,000 protection money
from Mohammad Akram, a trader, and extended him threats of killing
in case of non-payment. The accused were arrested during a raid
conducted by the Police on February 24, 2014.
The Sindh Rangers arrested 11
suspects during targeted raids in MPR Colony of Orangi Town.
The Rangers also recovered 43 types of weapons including, submachine
guns and mixed ammunition.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead a man, identified as Saleh Mohammad, in the precincts
of Satellite Town Police Station in Eastern Bypass area of Quetta.
Three Levies personnel and a
polio worker who were abducted on February 24, 2014, from Gishik
area in Awaran District were set free on the night.
Five rockets were fired in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP, around midnight, from an undisclosed
location. Police said two rockets landed inside Bacha Khan International
Airport, but no damage was reported. The three other rockets
hit Tehkal, Regi Model Town and University Town. However, no
casualty was reported.
Three militants were arrested
near Swabi Interchange in Swabi District who were attempting
to target Security Forces' personnel. Official sources said
three militants were preparing to launch an ambush on a Police
official.
An explosion was reported at
KP Chief Minister House in the Cantonment area of Peshawar,
capital of the provincial, in the evening. The exact nature
of the explosion has not been determined. BDS has been called
to the scene. So far there have been no reports of injury or
death.
Official sources disclosed that
a major attack on Central Jail at Peshawar was planned to free
key TTP prisoners kept there. Sources have confirmed that a
group of five suicide bombers with an explosive-laden Toyota
Corolla Car were dispatched to Peshawar to target Central Jail
Peshawar in order to free TTP inmates held in captivity.
February 26
A man, identified as Sajawal,
sustained injuries when an explosive device detonated outside
the house of one Jahangir Khan, in the Ratta Amral area of Rawalpindi
District. Ratta Amral Police SHO Chaudhry Zulfiaqar said that
between 100 and 150 grams of explosives was used in the blast,
which was later confirmed by the BDS.
An un-named security official
said that Iranian border guards fired mortar shells in the Peshak
area of Panjgur District. However, no casualties were reported.
Bannu, Kohat, Peshawar, Swabi
and Mardan could face terrorist attacks the Police is now on
high alert, said IGP Nasir Khan Durrani. According to a handout
issued from the CPO, the IGP shared that KP's Police lost 79
personnel to terrorism in last six months and remains to be
the most vulnerable target due to the nature of its duty.
The former administrator of
Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Mir Ali was abducted from North
Waziristan Agency of FATA while he was heading home in Hisokhel
from work in the evening.
DIG Police, Hyderabad Sanaullah
Abbasi suspended 23 Police officials in Hyderabad District,
working within jurisdictions of various SHOs and SDPOs, because
of their suspected involvement in extortion-related activities.
The 23 Police officials were previously posted in AVCC Hyderabad.
They were allegedly involved
in extortion in their respective remits in entire Hyderabad
Range and were directed to report to SSP, Matiari Amjad Shaikh
with immediate effect. The order said that they should remain
confined to Police Lines till finalisation of the inquiry pending
against them.
The TTP claimed that its popularity
is on the rise in Pakistan. "An ever increasing number of Pakistanis
are joining hands with us adding more and more firepower to
our jihadist capabilities. The graph of our popularity is going
north", Shahidullah Shahid, the TTP 'spokesman' said in a statement.
TTP 'committee member' Maulana
Sami-ul-Haq conveyed some of the committee's requests to TTP's
political Shura, the coordinator of the Taliban committee Maulana
Yousaf Shah said. A member of the Government's four-member negotiating
committee Rustam Shah Mohmand confirmed that on February 24,
2014 Government negotiators had an 'informal' meeting with the
TTP intermediaries in the presence of Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
At least 50 Barelvi school of
thought groups at a multi-party conference held under the banner
of Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Risalat Mahaz in Lahore District in Punjab
demanded the Government to declare extremists as well as their
supporters, whether political or religious, as enemies of the
state and traitors.
The Government presented National
Security Policy in the National Assembly with the aim of military
retaliation against any violence and attack from the TTP militants
in the future. Federal Minister of Interior Nisar Ali Khan,
however, did not announce a full-fledged military operation
against the militants.
The country's top civil and
military leadership met to discuss the possibility of a military
operation in the North Waziristan Agency of FATA. An official
statement said that "they discussed matters relating to national
defence and security". However, sources familiar with the high-level
huddle disclosed that discussions were focused on 'evaluating'
various aspects of a possible military operation against militants
in North Waziristan, following the breakdown of the Government's
peace initiative.
The Washington Post reports
that the Pakistani Government is on the verge of launching a
major military offensive in the North Waziristan. The Washington
Post noted that recent brutal TTP attacks and the apparent failure
of peace talks with the militants forced Pakistan to opt for
the operation. "It could be any day," a senior Pakistani official
told the newspaper, adding that the plans had been shared with
senior US officials.
February 27
Two persons, including the administrator
of a seminary Qari Ali Hassan and his son were shot dead outside
a seminary located at Abul Hassan Isphahani Road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Two unidentified people were
killed when unidentified armed assailants opened fire on a car
in Hussainabad area of Malir Town.
A Shia scholar, identified as
Allama Taqi Hadi Naqvi, was shot dead in an incident of target
killing near board office located in North Nazimabad Town.
An unidentified man was killed
and another injured when militants opened fire on a vehicle
near Gharibabad Underpass in Malir Town.
Police arrested three accused
during an operation in Garden area of Saddar Town. Police also
recovered arms and hashish from their possession.
Police arrested 20 suspects
during targeted operation in Saeedabad, Gulshan-e-Ghazi and
Ittehad Town areas of Baldia Town.
An Afghan Government official,
identified as Sardar Mohammad, was shot dead on Roghani Road
area of Chamant town in Qilla Abdullah District. According to
sources, Mohammad was an important official and was considered
a close associate of Afghan commander Abdul Raziq Khan, the
in-charge of Spin Buldak District, the first Afghan District
after zero point at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Unidentified armed assailants
barged into the house one Kahir Mohammad in Etihad Colony of
Quetta and killed his son Abdul Zahir.
Unidentified militants killed
a man, identified as Ghulam Nabi, in Mastung District.
At least three militants were
killed and three others were injured in an exchange of fire
between security officials and militants in Shalobar area of
Khyber Agency of FATA.
Several suspected militants
were feared dead on morning when helicopter gunships attacked
their hideouts in the mountainous area of Zarkani Luni and adjoining
areas in FR Dera Ismail Khan bordering South Waziristan Agency.
However, there was no formal confirmation of the shelling from
the administration.
Three BLA militants were arrested
from the Rojhan sub-District of Rajanpur District. It was reported
that the militants admitted to being involved in February 16,
2014 Khushal Khan Khattak Express blast in Jacobabad District
of Sindh. Six kilogrammes of explosive material were also recovered
from their possession.
The PTI, which has been staging
sit-ins to block the NATO supply to Afghanistan in protest against
covert US drone strikes in the country, announced an end to
its campaign. The decision of the PTI came after a local court
ruled on February 25, 2013 that no private individual has a
right to block or check vehicles on roads. "Given PTI's commitment
to rule of law and respect for the senior judiciary, the Party
will end its blockade of NATO supplies," said a statement issued
by the party.
"The Core Committee felt that
the pressure of the blockade had already resulted in a shift
in the Obama Administration's drone policy and as a result drones
had been stopped for the present," it added.
Pakistan expressed the hope
that Afghanistan, as per international understanding and bilateral
understanding, would not allow any terrorists fleeing from tribal
areas to take refuge on its territory. Foreign Office Spokesperson,
Tasnim Aslam said military action against terrorists is in progress
on this side and Pakistan expects the Afghan Government and
those managing security in Afghanistan to fulfil their responsibility
in this regard.
About terrorist hideouts in
Afghanistan, he said, "We have raised our concern with the countries
concerned and hope they would take it seriously." The spokesperson
said Pakistan has repeatedly emphasised the need for better
border management.
Federal Minister for Interior,
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that if the peace dialogue with
the TTP fails the Government will use other options to establish
durable peace. Nisar said that the Government was in contact
with some militant groups, as talks with the main TTP faction
remained stalled.
Three officials of the FIA presented
evidence in an ATC of financial transactions done by LeT operative
Younus Anjum, one of the seven suspects charged with planning
and financing the Mumbai (Maharashtra) November 26, 2008 (26/11)
attacks. Anjum was arrested in Lahore District of Punjab in
2009.
February 28
Two senior workers of the MQM,
identified as Khalid Matin (45), and Hamid Ayub (55), were shot
dead when they walked out of a mosque after offering Friday
prayers at Gol Market in North Nazimabad Town of Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh. A beggar, identified as Abdul Aziz,
was also injured in the incident.
In a sectarian attack, a salesman,
identified as Manzar Ahmed (55), working at a sanitary shop
was killed while another salesman Imran was wounded within the
limits of Rizvia Police Station in Petal Wali Gali in Liaquatabad
Town. SHO Hassan Haider said that the victims were attacked
on sectarian grounds.
Unidentified militants blew
up an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline in Abdal Raheem Bajarani
village in Kandhkot city of Kashmore District, suspending gas
supply to Karachi and other cities of Sindh.
Police claimed to have arrested
three gangsters and recovered arms from their possession during
an operation in SITE Town.
Nine persons, including six
Policemen and one ASI Muhammad Anwar Ali, were injured when
an unidentified militant hurled a hand grenade at their van
in Sanawan area of Kot Addu area in Muzaffargarh District.
According to the details given
by DPO Ghazi Salahuddin, a Police team from the Chobara Police
Station in Layyah District had come to the rural area of Kot
Addu to arrest a kidnapper Qayyum. He along with his accomplice
was arrested and was being taken by the Police in their van
when it came under attack.
The relatives of Balochistan's
missing persons, led by Abdul Qadeer Baloch (72) under the banner
of VBMP, reached the end of their protest march from Quetta,
the provincial capital of Balochistan to Islamabad. Qadeer started
his long march with some families of missing persons from Quetta
on October 27, 2013. He is to present a petition to UN officials
in Islamabad and meet foreign diplomats to raise awareness of
their cause.
Promising minimum possible collateral
damage, the Government said that surgical airstrikes against
hideouts of militants will continue in FATA. No military operation
was going on in FATA and only targeted action was being carried
out.
About 20,000 people, mostly
women and children, have been displaced during the Army operation
against the TTP in North Waziristan Agency of FATA and the United
Nations is ready to help them. UN Secretary General's Spokesman
Martin Nesriky told reporters at a briefing.
March 1
12 Security Force personals
(Khyber Khasadar Force), who were providing security to a polio
team, were killed in two separate blasts in the Lashora area
of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. A child was also
killed in the firing by the militants after the blasts.
Three FC personnel were killed
and six others wounded in a remotely controlled IED blast along
RCD Highway in Sorab area of Kalat District.
Officials said that they had
rescued 11 kidnapped foreigners including eight Iranians, two
Tunisians and one Yemeni national from Turbat District. Iranian
security officials confirmed that their kidnapped border guards
were among those recovered. They had been abducted on February
5, 2013 from Sistan-Balochistan border.
March 2
At least 10 militants were killed
during an exchange of fire in Darinjan and Rustam Bazar areas
of Sui tehsil in Dera Bugti District. FC Spokesman Khan Wasay
said "Forces quickly responded and 10 militants were killed
on the spot." He said that the forces also recovered a huge
cache of arms and ammunition from their possession.
Unidentified militant blew up
an 18-inch Sui gas pipeline in Dera Murad Jamali area of Naseerabad
District, disrupting gas supply to Quetta and various other
areas of the province.
In response to the militant
attack on a polio team in the Lashora area of Jamrud tehsil
in FATA which left at least 13 persons dead on March 1, Security
Forces launched an assault on March 2-morning on militant hideouts
in Kalanga and surrounding areas of Bara tehsil and killed five
militants. Security sources confirmed that gunship helicopters
struck the Ayubi Markaz of Mullah Tamanchey involved in the
attack on polio workers.
At least two people were killed
and two others were injured in an incident of firing between
two rival Lyari gangsters in Ali Muhammad area of Lyari Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Markets and business
outlets were also reportedly closed. As soon as the Rangers
personnel reached the area, the assailants hurled grenades on
the forces. The Rangers arrested three injured criminals after
retaliating to their firing.
An unidentified man was shot
dead in Maripur area of Kiamari Town.
Another unidentified dead body
of a man was found from Maripur.
An unidentified dead body of
a man was found from Khuda Ki Basti in Surjani Town area of
Gadap Town.
Police claimed to have arrested
three gangsters and recovered arms from their possession during
an operation in SITE Town.
ATC in Shikarpur District convicted
six suspects of murdering Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar
on January 13, 2011, and handed out death sentences to two and
life imprisonment to four others. Faisal Mehmood, Mohammed Ali
Rizvi, Mohammad Shahrukh Khan, Syed Tahir Naveed Shah were sentenced
to life imprisonment. Mohammed Shakeel was acquitted. Two of
the accused were sentenced to death in absentia as they were
never caught.
ATC in Shikarpur District convicted
six suspects of murdering Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar
on January 13, 2011, and handed out death sentences to two and
life imprisonment to four others. Faisal Mehmood, Mohammed Ali
Rizvi, Mohammad Shahrukh Khan, Syed Tahir Naveed Shah were sentenced
to life imprisonment. Mohammed Shakeel was acquitted. Two of
the accused were sentenced to death in absentia as they were
never caught.
The TTP announced a month-long
'unconditional' ceasefire, a move that would help resumption
of suspended peace dialogue. "Following a positive response
from the Government, an appeal from religious scholars, in honour
of the representative committee and in the greater interest
of Islam and Pakistan, we have decided not to carry out any
activities for one month," TTP 'central spokesman' Shahidullah
Shahid said in a statement.
Federal Government announced
to suspend airstrikes in the tribal areas that have left more
than 100 terrorists dead so far. The Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said Government considered TTP's announcement
of ceasefire as a positive development.
Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a militant
leader of Gul Bahadur Faction based in NWA, distanced himself
from peace talks. His 'spokesman' Ahmadullah Ahmadi said in
a statement that the peace agreement signed in 2006 by the Government
and local TTP was still intact, although its certain clauses
had been violated. The deal was renewed in 2008.
March 3
At least 11 people, including
Additional District and Sessions Judge Rafaqat Awan, a woman
lawyer, and a Policeman, were killed and 25 others were injured
when militants attacked the courthouse complex in Islamabad.
According to details, the militants sprayed bullets at everyone,
hurled hand grenades and later exploded their suicide vests.
TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid while distancing itself from
the attack said, "We have already declared a ceasefire and we
strictly adhere to our deal with the Government. Our colleagues
in the organisation also cannot violate this agreement". He
further suggested that some Mujahideen groups or agencies could
be involved in the terrorist activity.
The 'spokesman' of Ahrar-ul-Hind
(AH), a splinter group of TTP, Asad Mansoor claiming responsibility
for the attack alleged that judicial system in the country was
'un-Islamic' and that they would continue their 'struggle' till
enforcement of Sharia'h law. He further said, "We we are an
independent group and have no links with TTP. We were a part
of TTP earlier but now we operate independently".+
Two SF personnel were killed
and seven others were injured when a remote-controlled IED targeted
a SFs' vehicle at Sadukhel area of Landi Kotal tehsil in Khyber
Agency of FATA. According to sources, a convoy of FC personnel
was travelling from Landi Kotal tehsil to Jamrud.
The members of eight tribes
from Orakzai Agency held a Grand Jirga to welcome the announcement
of a ceasefire from the TTP. They demanded the TTP should also
include tribal elders in its negotiation committee. The jirga
was led by tribal elder Malik Hafiz Habib Noor, Malik Jan and
Malik Muhammad Rahman.
The HRCP expressed concern over
Government's refusal to allow right activists and media personnel
to visit Totak area where human bodies were found in unconventional
graves. "Concerns and apprehensions of human rights organisations
and civil society have increased after the discovery of mass
graves in Totak and denial to these institutions to visit Totak
and quake-hit areas of Awaran," the meeting of the HRCP Presided
over by its Balochistan Chapter Chairman Tahir Hussain Khan
observed.
The VBMP long march participants
reached the UN country office in Islamabad to present a memorandum.
VBMP leader Mama Qadeer Baloch said they now planned to return
home after presenting their plea to UN. "... This is our last
resort," he said, adding, "Where are these missing people? We
fail to believe the Government. We have failed to get answers
from them. The positive response from the UN gave us hope."
The senior officials briefed
Parliamentary party leaders about the law and order situation
and said 39 militant outfits were operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
while 20 other groups functioning in the garb of TTP were involved
in extortion, kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities.
IGP Nasir Durrani and Home and Tribal Affairs Secretary Akhtar
Ali Shah briefed political leadership about the Provincial Government's
counter terrorism strategy.
The US Principal Deputy Special
Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Beth Jones said that
however Pakistan chooses to deal with the issue of militancy
- through negotiations or the use of force - it remains an 'internal'
issue and the United States is primarily concerned with curbing
the menace of terrorism in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Jones,
who is also her country's ambassador to Pakistan, said Washington
is 'supportive of the Pakistani Government's efforts in counter-terrorism'.
When asked how Washington views the dialogue with the TTP, Jones
said the US 'does not take sides'. Jones said, "We are very
much in support of counter-terrorism."
March 4
Two persons were killed when
unidentified gunmen attacked four vehicles carrying NATO supplies
for Afghanistan in the Jamrud area of Khyber Agency in FATA.
"The four containers were on their way to Afghanistan when four
gunmen riding two motorbikes opened fire at them in Jamrud,
killing two helpers and wounding one driver and one helper,"
a senior local administration official, Jehangir Azam Wazir,
said.
Balochistan Union of Journalists
staged protest demonstration against the killing of Ibrar Tanoli,
a photographer of Reuters, and demanded of the Government to
nominate a judge for heading the Judicial Commission to probe
into the murder of more than 30 newsmen in the Province.
An explosion occurred on a railway
track near Maachi Goth area in Rahim Yar Khan District. However,
no casualties were reported.
Police released sketches of
two accused involved in the March 3, 2014 attack on the Court
Complex in F-8 area of Islamabad. According to the details given
by the Police, both the attackers, who are 18 to 22 years of
age, had beard. One attacker had curly hair while another was
wearing a cap, Police said.
A terror alert was issued in
Rawalpindi District on March 4 after intelligence report warned
that there was a possibility of a massive attack in the city
within 48 hours. The sources said that the Intelligence Agencies
have warned Law Enforcement Agencies against potential terrorist
strikes in Rawalpindi in the next 48 hours. They further said
that intelligence reports have stated that a terrorist group
is expected to launch a massive terrorist attack at Rawalpindi
within two days. It is feared that groups linked to defunct
organisations have devised a plan to carry out terror strikes
in parts of Rawalpindi after Islamabad.
Police arrested a suspected
target killer, identified as Roshan alias Bengali, from Ibrahim
Hyderi area of Bin Qasim Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. According to Police, the suspect has political links.
The Sukhan Police Station DSP said the suspect has confessed
to five instances of target killing and about 20 extortion and
robbery cases.
Police authorities admitted
that no clue has been found so far in the high-profile murder
case of Perween Rehman and no arrests had been made in the murder
cases of the Orangi Pilot Project Director and PTI Sindh Chapter
Vice President Zahra Shahid Hussain. Perween Rehman was killed
in Qasba Colony area of SITE Town on March 13, 2013, while Zahra
Hussain was shot dead in Defence area of Saddar Town on May
18, 2013.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that a
durable and permanent peace was the top priority of the Government
for which all-out efforts would be continued. The PM stated
this while talking to members of the Government's negotiating
committee, which called on him at the PM's House. The meeting
was attended by Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar
Ali Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National
Affairs Irfan Siddiqui, Major (retd) Mohammad Amir, Rustum Shah
Mohmand and Rahimullah Yusufzai. Earlier, a meeting of the Government
negotiating committee was held. The committee reviewed Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan's ceasefire announcement and attacks in Khyber Agency
and Islamabad.
The TTP invited Government peace
negotiators to visit the Waziristan Agency for a 'direct sitting'
with them, a TTP member said. A member of the Government's four-member
negotiating team also confirmed the invitation, saying the trip
would materialise if 'progress' was made in talks with the TTP
intermediaries. "We've formally invited the government negotiators
and will welcome them whenever they want to meet us," a TTP
member said.
March 5
Six FC soldiers were killed
and eight others sustained injuries when an IED detonated through
a remote control targeted a SF's convoy near Warmagal area in
Hangu District of KP. Military sources confirmed that a SFs'
convoy was travelling from Hangu to Kurram Agency in FATA when
it was targeted near Warmagal area. The sources said the vehicle
was also damaged in the attack.
A Policeman was killed by firing
of unknown motorcyclists in Yakatoot area of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP.
A person was killed in a grenade
attack in Prang area of Charsadda town (Charsadda District).
Police said the victim was collecting sand when a grenade concealed
in a pile of sand went off and killed him.
District West and Central DIG
Javed Odho revealed that the two suspected target killers who
were killed in an encounter with the Police on March 3, 2014,
were also involved in the attacks on the office of Express Media
Group. "The cross-matching of ballistics reports has confirmed
the two suspects were involved in the first two attacks on Express
Media group last year," he said. The suspects were identified
as members of SMP, an outfit believed to be involved in over
300 target killings. DIG Odho said that Police investigators
had confirmed that the suspects were involved in 17 target killing
cases and the majority of their targets had been Policemen.
Two bullet riddle dead bodies
in gunny sacks were recovered from the Shah Kas area in Jamrud
tehsil.
Two Sui gas pipelines were blown
up, suspending gas supply to the plant from the wells, in Loti
and Pirkoh area of Dera Bugti District.
During a discussion jointly
organised by SDP) and IHI in Islamabad, the participants of
the long march from Balochistan made the demand for the recovery
of missing persons, expressing disappointment over the response
of the Government and the Courts.
Mama Qadeer Baloch, who started
the long march under the VBMP banner from Quetta on October
27, 2013 and reached Islamabad on February 28, 2014, revealed
that they were being threatened to end their campaign. However,
they have decided to continue their journey. The march also
included people from Karachi and Hyderabad Districts of Sindh
Province in search of their missing relatives.
Special Court lawyers representing
former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf in the high-treason
case claimed that they have been threatened with beheading and
have called for a new venue for the trial. Musharraf's counsel
Ahmed Raza Kasuri while presenting the threatening letter, allegedly
sent by the TTP, to the Special Court, said that the defence
team feared for its safety and wanted the trial to be shifted
to another location. "We cannot go ahead with this case in these
conditions," he said, before reading out aloud from the letter.
The two-page handwritten letter,
addressed to lawyers Kasuri, Sharifuddin Pirzada and Anwar Mansoor
Khan, read: "Dear Sirs, we request that the three of you stop
representing Musharraf otherwise we will destroy your children
and behead all of you." It accused Musharraf of handing over
hundreds of Muslims to the United States, "earning billions
of dollars and becoming the richest person in the world". "You
should stop representing him or be prepared for war…He is an
infidel, hypocrite, and… he must be hanged," the letter added.
The letter was signed by the 'people of South and North Waziristan'
but its authenticity could not be verified.
The Government and TTP negotiators
resumed peace talks and said they were ready to move to a decisive
"second phase" even as a militant attack killed six military
personnel in Hangu District of KP. A joint statement read out
after the meeting in Akora Khattak, 50 kilometers east of Peshawar
that the talks had entered a "crucial stage". Lead Government
negotiator Irfan Siddiqui told they had made "satisfactory"
progress. "We are now launching the second phase of the dialogue
after completion of the first one, which focused on mutual consultations,"
he said. "The second phase will be of decision-making and we
have to make important and far-reaching decisions."
The Chairman of Pakistan Ulema
Council, Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Ashrafi, asked the TTP leadership
to identify the renegade groups. Ashrafi said the suggestion
would help Government differentiate between those who want to
negotiate and those who didn't. "The simple policy should be
to talk with those who want to hold talks and go for operation
against those who do not want to talk with the government,"
Hafiz Ashrafi said.
The leader of Opposition, Khursheed
Shah while addressing the National Assembly said that it was
dangerous to include a serving Army official in the peace negotiations.
He stated that the inclusion of such an official in the peace
talks will have serious consequences if the negotiations failed.
The Government was considering reconstituting its four-member
negotiating committee in a bid to make the nascent peace process
more 'effective and result-oriented'.
The 'Chief' of the PAC, Uzair
Jan Baloch reached Europe to take up Lyari issues during his
meetings with different delegations. Uzair is worried about
the current state of Lyari and wants to go back to his people,
said Habib Jan, the convenor of Friends of Lyari International,
after he met Uzair. "I advised him not to go to Pakistan now,"
Habib added. Habib had managed to escape Pakistan during the
launch of the April 2012 operation in Lyari. Uzair fled the
country in July 2013 soon after the court issued arrest warrants
against him for being involved in the murder of Lyari gangster
Arshad Pappu.
Habib was reluctant to share
whether or not Uzair was in London. "We met outside of London,"
he said, denying that Uzair was living with him. Habib explained
that Uzair was in Europe to meet human rights organisations
in different countries, adding that the issue in Lyari was very
critical. "We are going to decide very soon the future of the
Pakistan People's Party in Lyari," he said. "We will ask Javed
Nagori, Sania Baloch and Shah Jahan Baloch to resign as the
voters are not satisfied with their representatives. Lyari is
burning again," he said. A close aide of Uzair, back in Pakistan,
said, "Uzair will be in London soon and is in a comfortable
position now". "It is better for him to be in a safer country.
I hope Habib and Uzair will do something for the people of Lyari."
March 6
An ASI, identified as Naseer
Ahmed, was shot dead in a targeted attack at Nushki bazaar in
Nushki District.
An unidentified man was shot
dead in firing incident in Haji Camp area of Lyari Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Three people were injured when
unidentified assailants hurled hand grenade near Lyari General
Hospital area in Lyari Town.
The Rangers arrested five suspected
militants during operations in Atta-u-Rehman Goth area of Landhi.
The death toll in the terrorist
attack on an Islamabad District court on March 3 rose after
a survivor died from his injuries, bringing the death toll to
12. Chaudhry Maqsood Ahmed (50) was among 29 injured victims
died at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Kurram Agency Political Agent,
Riaz Khan Mehsud and three other officers sustained injuries
when their vehicle was hit by an IED near Torghar in Thall area
of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hangu District Police
Officer Iftikhar Khan said that the condition of the political
agent and other officers is out of danger and they are stable.
Police said Mehsud, Alizai Assistant Political Agent Akbar Khan
and Tehsildar Fazal Qadar and Naeem Khan were coming from Parachinar
to Hangu when their vehicle was targeted.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan revealed that Additional Sessions Judge
Rafaqat Ahmed Awan, who was believed to be killed by terrorists
in the gun-and-suicide attack at the Islamabad District Courts
premises on March 3, 2014, was accidentally hit by the bullets
of his own guard. The guard himself confessed to the incident
and witnesses also recorded their statement.
Talking about the Government's
counterterrorism strategy, the Interior Minister said that specialised
counterterrorism equipment worth USD 12 million is being imported
from China. Similarly‚ 65 vehicles to defuse IEDs are being
imported and 1,600 security cameras are also being installed
in Islamabad.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced that direct peace negotiations
would be held with TTP to make the process result-oriented.
He said the Government's target is to start direct negotiations
from next week. He said a new Government negotiating team is
being constituted which will also have one representative of
the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, as the province has been
bearing the brunt of terrorism. The Minister said the Committee
would contact the other side to make parameters of the dialogue
absolutely clear so as to remove the misconception that the
talks are taking place at the expense of the constitution or
from a weaker position.
The Interior Minister said that
the desired objectives were achieved through precision strikes
and the Government position would continue to be the same in
case any terrorism activity by the militants. He told the House
that the Government has asked the TTP to condemn the Islamabad
attack and help identify the perpetrators. Nisar said that majority
of the militant groups have supported negotiations as the only
way to maintain peace in the country. He said Parliament would
be taken into confidence as and when a positive development
takes place with regards to the talks with the TTP.
Al Qaeda continues to operate
from FATA, Commander of the USCentral Command General Lloyd
J. Austin said on March 6 in his testimony before House Armed
Services Committee while adding that the long-lasting tensions
between India and Pakistan over Kashmir are a threat to regional
stability. "Long-standing tensions between Pakistan and India
also threaten regional stability as both states have substantial
military forces arrayed along their borders and the disputed
Kashmir LoC," General Austin said.
He said that the US faced a
host of challenges in Pakistan that have long hindered the efforts
of the Pakistan Government to fight terrorism and America's
ability to provide needed assistance. "Central to Pakistan's
struggles is its poor economy and burgeoning 'youth bulge'.
Given these conditions, radicalism is on the rise in settled
areas and threatens increased militant activity and insurgency
in parts of Pakistan where the sway of the state traditionally
has been the strongest," he said, adding, "At the same time,
terrorist attacks and ethno-sectarian violence threaten the
Government's tenuous control over some areas. Further compounding
these internal challenges are Pakistan's strained relationships
with its neighbours".
Pakistan said that while it
would facilitate reconciliatory talks in Afghanistan, it clarified
that it was playing no role behind the scenes. The Foreign Office
spokesperson Tasnim Aslam Khan said that the reconciliation
process has to be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. "We will give
whatever assistance Afghanistan requests us for and whatever
we can possibly do," he said.
She pointed out that Pakistan
was not involved behind the scenes. "Behind the scene, we are
not involved," she clarified. Asked about securing the Western
border with Afghanistan about the post-2014 scenario, the spokesperson
said it is not clear what will happen beyond 2014 but Pakistan
hoped to see reconciliation efforts that would stabilise the
country. "Whether there will be a draw down or complete withdrawal.
Elections are going to take place, hopefully peaceful elections,"
she said.
She further added, "We do not
want to see and it is our hope as well there will be no civil
war in Afghanistan which would have very serious impact on Pakistan.
We are in contact with the Afghan authorities as well for better
management of our border. Our Secretary Interior was in Afghanistan
and he had very useful discussions and both are working on initiatives
that would ensure that our border is managed and monitored better."
March 7
Four persons, two of them brothers,
were shot dead in Lyari area of Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh, in the night. Kalakot Police
said Rizwan alias Sunni was gunned down in Gul Mohammed Lane.
Later, a body stuffed in a gunny bag was found in Sarbazi Mohalla.
The deceased was identified as Waqas Baloch, brother of Rizwan.
A Police official said there were reports that Rizwan had 'sympathies'
with the Uzair Baloch group. Subsequently, gunmen resorted to
heavy firing on Mirza Adam Khan Road, leaving two people dead
and injuring two others, including a passerby Policeman, Imran
Beg.
The BDS prevented a terrorist
attack by defusing a two kilogramme bomb planted alongside the
road in Orangi Town.
The Model Town Police of Lahore
and personnel of an intelligence agency arrested a terrorist
from a house near Soay Aasil and seized explosives from his
custody. Police raided a house in cooperation with the officials
of intelligence and arrested the alleged terrorist, Sarfraz.
Police seized six bags of detonators, 10 rolls of detonator
wire and seven bags of TNT.
The Supreme Court directed the
Balochistan Government to submit a reply with explanation about
prosecution and trial of arrested FC officials in a civil or
a military court. The two-member bench comprising Justice Amir
Hani Muslim and Justice Athar Saeed resumed hearing of the case
about law and order situation in the province and mass graves
found in Khuzdar Disrict. During the course of proceedings,
the court was informed that Shahid Hamid, the counsel for the
Balochistan Government, could not appear because of illness.
A full-scale military operation
against the TTP in the tribal areas near the Afghanistan border
can be launched as early as this month in case of violation
of ceasefire by the militants, Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad
Asif said. The Minister told "It will not take months now. We'll
have to march in the month of March. If there is a ceasefire,
it has to be complete. Without that, we just can't afford to
have talks with the Taliban. We won't just take this lying down."
"If we are attacked, the state is attacked, civilians are attacked,
military personnel are attacked, we will retaliate. We will
retaliate in kind", he added.
Asif said that dialogue would
be held only with the factions of the TTP who wanted peace in
the country. He said the Government would hold consultation
with all political parties and stakeholders before taking any
"hard step" against the elements disturbing the peace process.
The joint opposition in the
Senate accused the Federal Minister of Interior for defending
the TTP and calling them 'not anti-state' elements. The matter
became intensive when PPP's Raza Rabbani pointed out that the
autopsy report of the judge martyred in Islamabad court massacre
had indicated the bullets entering and exiting his body were
either of a Kalashnikov or SMG Ironically, the guard had a pistol
in his hands, he said. He said the statement of Interior Minister
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan that the judge was hit by bullets of
his guard came when the joint investigation team was busy in
probing the incident.
The Army nullified the talk
of its involvement in peace talks with militants as its top
brass reportedly observed that holding the dialogue was a Government
initiative. The 170th corps commanders' conference took place
as the Government prepared for the second stage of the dialogue
with militants in which it is planning to open a direct channel
with the TTP from next week. The conference took a comprehensive
review of the prevalent internal and external security situation
of the country and weighed options in the peace talks with the
TTP. Media had speculated that the Government wanted Army representation
in the team that would negotiate with leaders of TTP.
A total of 1,710 people have
been killed in sectarian strife across the country since 2008,
the Federal Interior Ministry said in a written reply to a question
in the Senate. The figures covering all provinces and collated
year-wise from 2008 to February 15, 2014 seem to be missing
a number of high profile killings, according to opposition members
in the upper house. Pakistan People's Party's Senator, Sughra
Imam, who had filed the question and other members from opposition
benches protested against what they called 'misleading and incomplete'
reply.
According to government's figures,
Balochistan remained the worst hit province with 675 sectarian
killings, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 431, Sindh 204,
Punjab 146 and FATA with 194 sectarian killings recorded during
the mentioned period. Around 100 people became victims of sectarian
violence in Gilgit-Baltistan while five in the national capital
territory Islamabad.
March 9
Unidentified militants opened
fire near Vita Chowrangi and shot dead two unidentified people
and injured two others in Korangi Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Police and Rangers conducted
targeted operations in several areas of the city during which
police claimed to have arrested 66 suspects whereas Rangers
officials claimed the arrest of 15 suspects. A large number
of weapons and ammunition was recovered from their possession.
More than PKR15 million were
looted from 10 banks across the city during three months of
2014. According to a data available from police sources, four
bank robberies were reported in January, three in February and
three in first nine days of March. On January 7, armed men looted
PKR 1.8 million from a bank in Awami Colony, Korangi and killed
two guards on resistance. A bank heist was reported on February
20, 2014, in North Karachi. The armed men looted PKR 350,000
from that bank. March proved to be a more fruitful month for
the looters as three banks were looted within a span of nine
days in the month. The first incident was reported within the
limits of Garden Police Station where PKR 1.5 million was looted
in a day light bank heist.
Two people, including a local
leader of the BNP, who was also the chief of the trader's community,
Attaullah Muhammadzai, and his bodyguard, were shot dead on
Chakar Khan Road in Khuzdar District.
An unidentified man was shot
dead on in Fatima Jinnah Road in Quetta.
A seven year old girl was killed
and two others were injured in a landmine blast in Koh area
of Dera Bugti District.
Unidentified militants blew
up a bridge on National Highway near Mach area of Bolan District,
cutting off the land-link between Punjab and Balochistan.
Provincial Home Minister Mir
Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said that Balochistan Chief Minister Dr
Abdul Malik Baloch is in contact with some of the 'angry Baloch
leaders' for initiating a process of dialogue to resolve issues
faced by the Province. He said that the Federal Government and
Balochistan Assembly had empowered the Chief Minister to approach
Baloch insurgent leaders and work out a process of dialogue
for reconciliation. He said the Chief Minister had contacted
some of the leaders and was trying to bring them to the negotiating
table.
Worried over perceived threat
posed by the national security policy to seminaries, the secretary
general of Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia, Maulana Hanif Jalandhari,
has said no compromise will be made over the independence of
madrassas. He announced that rallies would be organised across
the country to protect the independence of madrassas and spread
awareness about the syllabus being taught there. Maulana Jalandhari
said that the syllabus met the requirements of modern age and
had nothing to do with extremism and terrorism. Announcing the
schedule of the rallies, he said the first public meeting would
be held in Multan on March 20, the second in Karachi on March
23, the third in Quetta on March 25 and the fourth in Peshawar
on March 27. These would be followed by rallies in Muzaffarabad
and Gilgit whose dates would be announced later. "The final
public gathering will be held in Islamabad on April 24.
The Federal Government is quietly
pushing for peace deals with individual militant groups after
some members of its peace committee have concluded that reaching
an 'all inclusive agreement' with the TTP may not be possible.
At least two members of the committee, who wished not to be
named, told The Express Tribune that they expect the Government
to reach an understanding only with parts of the TTP.
March 10
Five people were found dead
in the Brohi Mohalla area of Mawach Goth area in Baldia Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The victims were
relatives of a suspected gangster, Lala Orangi-wala, one of
the main characters of a gang led by Noor Mohammed alias Baba
Ladla, said City SSP Faisal Bashir Memon. They were allegedly
killed by the Sheraz Comrade Group, which was supposed to be
a rival gang of the Ladla group, he added. The SSP said that
so far they had not found any criminal record of the victims.
The complainant Munir told the Police that his brothers, Ismail
and Shoaib, as well as their maternal uncle, Taj Mohammed, were
boxers who played for different Government and non-governmental
organisations in the city. The Police investigators linked the
five killings with the ongoing gang warfare in Lyari.
Lyari, which is the hub of footballers
in the country, is losing of its athletes to the Government’s
inability to control the unrest. “We are losing our best sportsmen
to violence,” complained Ali Akbar Shah, a national boxer, adding,
“The Government should have to play its role to safeguard the
country’s future.”
With the increase in weapons
and crime in Karachi, the concerned citizens took to the streets,
demanding de-weaponisation and the depoliticising of the Police.
The protest was organised by the Citizens Trust against Crime
(CTAC) in which members of varying segments of society, including
retired army officials, members of human rights organisations,
politicians and students urged action against the deteriorating
law and order situation.
Daily Times in its six
months report on crime in Karachi stated that despite the claims
of arresting over 17,000 criminals during six months in the
ongoing targeted operations of paramilitary force, security
agencies were unable to stop the proportional increase in terrorism,
where some 928 people were killed during September 5, 2013 to
March 4, 2014. In a recent issued crime statistics, law enforcement
agencies in last couple of months conducted 1,002 raids excluding
848 encounters held, whereas, the security agencies claimed
to arrest 17,743 criminals while killed 135 in encounters. Police
conducted 11,002 raids in various localities of the city.
Head Constable, identified as
Manzoor Ahmed, was shot dead on Sariab Road in Quetta (Quetta
District). SP Imran Qureshi said that unidentified militants
opened fire at the vehicle of head constable Manzoor Ahmed on
Sariab Road, killing him on the spot. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
The Information Secretary of
the ASWJ Rawalpindi Chapter, Mohammad Sohail Muavia, was killed
and two of his companions, identified as Ammanullah and Nasir,
were injured when unidentified militants opened fire at the
car of Mufti Tanveer, Rawalpindi President of ASWJ, near Zia
mosque in Sharkial area of Islamabad.
A woman, identified as Palwasha
Khan, and claiming to be the mother of a suicide bomber who
blew himself up during the attack on Islamabad District Court
on March 3, 2014, revealed on March 10 that her son Fidaullah
went missing on January 9, 2014, and was involved in the attack.
A report was also lodged with the Iqbal Town Police Station
in Lahore District about Fidaullah’s disappearance. She further
revealed that the mastermind of the court attack owned a restaurant.
A three-day anti-polio drive
started across the FATA except in North and South Waziristan
Agencies and parts of adjoining FR Bannu due to a TTP ban. The
drive targets about 713,051 children below five years of age.
Meanwhile, in Mohmand Agency, the campaign will begin on March
11, while it was deferred till March 17 in Khyber Agency due
to an ongoing Army action against militants there. Secretary
social sector FATA Captain (retired) Sardar Mohammad Abbas inaugurated
the campaign by administering oral polio vaccine to children
at the FATA Secretariat.
According to a press release,
the vaccinators will not visit the areas where militants had
banned drops due to threats. A total of 2,324 mobile, 245 fixed
and 72 transit teams comprising volunteers and vaccinators would
administer drops to targeted children in the tribal areas under
strict security arrangements, said the press release. FATA recorded
24 polio cases of the nationwide 27 cases in 2014. Of them,
21 are from North Waziristan and one from South Waziristan while
three children are from whole of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In 2013,
FATA accounted for 67 polio cases of the total 93 recorded in
Pakistan. North Waziristan again recorded the highest number
of 36 cases followed by Khyber with 20 and South Waziristan
one, as children couldn’t be vaccinated due to a ban slapped
by TTP in June 2012.
TTP and al Qaeda terrorists
have planned an assassination attempt on former President General
(retired) Pervez Musharraf, the Interior Ministry said in a
letter sent to the Home Secretary Punjab, the Islamabad Police
Chief, the Chief Commissioner and other officials. In the letter,
the Interior Ministry warns that terrorists affiliated with
the TTP and al Qaeda have planned to target Pervez Musharraf
in the near future. According to the letter, the ministry warns
that the attackers have planned to assassinate Musharraf inside
or outside the Court.
The Special Court formed to
conduct treason trial against Musharraf is likely to indict
him on March 11. Musharraf’s lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri said that
his client will not appear before the Court. However, prosecution
said that a request would be moved for issuance of non-bailable
arrest warrants against the accused if he didn’t appear before
the Court.
The two member bench of the
Supreme Court headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk gave the Federal
Government time until March 14, 2014, to present suspected HM
militant Tasif Ali and adjourned the hearing of the case to
the said date. The bench heard the case relating to the disappearance
of Tasif, believed to be a HM activist who went missing on November
23, 2012. AAG Shah Khawar said the accused was present in the
‘operational’ area.
The Supreme Court bench had
taken up the case on the application of Abida Malik, wife of
Tasif Ali alias Danish. Her application had accused a serving
Military Intelligence officer, Major Ali Ahsan, earlier known
as Major Haider, for allegedly being behind the enforced disappearance
of her husband whose immediate production before the court has
been sought.
Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on March 10 that no Army representative
will be included in the new committee for talks with the TTP.
He, however, added that the armed force backed the panel, which
he said would be announced within two to three days. He said
that the committee will consist of three or four bureaucrats
to hold direct talks with the TTP. The minister clarified that
the Army at no stage had expressed concerns over the talk committee
or negotiation process. “Army’s behaviour has always been positive,”
he said and added that Maulana Samiul Haq’s committee will move
forward the process.
March 11
A MQM activist, identified as
Itrat Hussain Rizvi, succumbed to his injuries after he was
shot at by unidentified armed assailants at a video shop in
North Karachi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
He was injured on March 9, 2014, and was a member of MQM Unit
173.
Unidentified armed assailants
killed one person, identified as Manir (30) on March 11 in Lasbela
Colony of Baldia Town.
A man, identified as Nisar Ahmed
(30), was shot dead by unidentified militants in Rehri Goth
area of Landhi Town.
Two alleged gangsters associated
with the Shakeel Badhshah group of the Uzair Baloch gang, identified
as Saddam and Faisal Baloch, were killed in a joint raid by
the Police and Rangers in Lyari Town.
A gangster, identified as Nasir
Baloch, allegedly involved in the abduction and murder of three
Lyari boxers and two of their family members on March 10, 2014,
was killed in an alleged encounter with the Police.
Another gangster, identified
as Nazeer, was killed during a Police raid at Ali Mohammad Mohalla
of Lyari Town. Though Police officials believe Sheraz Comrade
to be the mastermind behind the killings, they have no evidence
to link him directly to the incident as he has not been seen
in the area for the last six months. “Two of the nominated suspects
have been killed so far by Police in separate encounters while
the remaining will be killed or arrested soon,” said DSP Sohail
Afzal.
At least eight suspects were
arrested during targeted raids conducted by Rangers.
Two persons, including one FC
soldier, were killed as a result of firing by unknown motorcyclists
within the limit of the Hoyad Police Station in Janikhel area
of Bannu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Police,
the two persons, who were brothers, sustained severe injuries
when they were fired. The victims were shifted to the District
Headquarters Hospital in a critical condition where they succumbed
to their injuries.
Two Policemen escorting a polio
vaccination team for security, were shot dead in Garo Ahmed
area of Dera Ismail Khan District. The two cops were returning
to their homes after performing their duties when they were
targeted by unknown assailants in Garo Ahmed area, killing the
two on the spot.
Two people were killed and three
others were injured when unidentified militants opened fire
in Pedrak area of Turbat District.
The Army assured the Government
its full support on the talks with the TTP. This assurance was
held out in a meeting that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired
to review national security. According to sources, the dialogue
process with the TTP was discussed during the meeting. The military
leadership provided assurance that the decisions of the government
would be implemented. The meeting was attended by Chief of Army
Staff General Raheel Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif,
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and ISI Director General
Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam. Earlier, the Prime Minister
held a one-on-one meeting with the Army Chief General Raheel
Sharif and Nisar Ali Khan briefed the prime minister during
the meeting.
TTP’s Mohmand Agency chapter
'chief' Umar Khalid Khurasani vowed to abide by the ceasefire
negotiated between the Government and TTP despite the outfit’s
claim of killing 23 FC soldiers. Peace talks had reached a deadlock
after the killing of the soldiers. In a written statement to
the media, Khurasani said the outfit did not have any plan to
attack former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf or
anyone else for that instance. He also said the militant outfit
was obeying ceasefire as negotiated by the central leadership
of the TTP. He said security and intelligence agencies were
misguiding people. “We abide by ceasefire and have no plan to
attack Musharraf or anyone else,” said Khurasani.
March 12
At least 19 civilians, including
10 women and four children, were killed and more than 50 others
were injured in gang war clashes among rival gangsters, Uzair
Baloch, Ghaffar Zikri and Baba Ladla in Gahribshah locality
of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Violence
triggered after the March 10, 2014, killing of five relatives
of Baba Ladla. However, violence continued on March 12 after
the killing of a brother of Ghaffar Zikri, the head honcho of
another powerful gang allied with the Baba Ladla group, in an
alleged encounter with the law enforcers. According to details,
the two gangs suspected that their rival, Uzair Baloch, the
head of the PAC, was behind these killings.
Gangsters from Baba Ladla and
Ghaffar Zikri groups, armed with RPGs and automatic weapons,
decided to avenge the deaths of their cadres, said the insiders.
“They mounted the attack after reaching the Rangiwara locality,
the stronghold of Baba Ladla group, on Gahribshah, the bastion
of the Uzair Baloch group,” said one of the insiders. “However,
stiff resistance checked their march and the two sides rained
bullets and rockets on each other from a distance.” Most of
the casualties were caused when shoppers in the busy Jhatpat
Market, which serves as a buffer between Rangiwara and Gahribshah,
were caught up in the cross-fire. “Jhatpat Market is a Line
of Control between the two gangs,” said another insider. “Innocent
shoppers and traders in Jhatpat Market had fell victim to the
gang war,” he added.
The Rangers claimed to have
killed at least nine suspects and arrested 56 others in Lyari
after the clash. According to sources the suspects killed by
Rangers were affiliated with Baba Ladla group.
Sindh Chief Minister, Qaim Ali
Shah during a meeting with members of KCCI and Karachi SITE
Association said that the Sindh Government was successfully
heading towards strengthening the Sindh Police with latest weapons,
vehicles and equipments and controlling the crime rate in Karachi.
He said during the target operation Karachi Police killed 180
harden criminals in encounters. Shah said the Sindh government
was working on the plan to strengthen the Sindh Police more
and it was engaged in negotiations with the companies in America
and other European countries to get the explosive/metal detecting
latest equipment in addition to 100 APC vehicles more than 500
Police mobile and other deterrence for Sindh Police.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead four people, including three militants, in Miranshah Bazaar
of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. “Several gunmen opened fire
on a vehicle in Miranshah Bazaar, killing four people,” a senior
security official said. He said the gunmen also fired rockets
at the vehicle, adding “those killed in the attack included
three militants and a passerby”.
Balochistan FC arrested nine
suspects and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including
four sub machine guns, two MMGs, 10 hand grenades, 10 magazines
and a large number of rounds, during a raid at Kirani Road area
in Quetta.
Islamabad Police claimed to
have arrested three Afghan nationals who were residing illegally
in Islamabad. Police recovered parts of stolen bikes and weapons
from their possession, a Police Spokesman said. Following orders
from senior officials of the Islamabad Police, patrolling and
security measures have been enhanced in the city.
The three-member Special Court
bench, headed by Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh High Court,
that is trying former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf
for high treason, summoned the head of the Intelligence Agency
that reportedly informed the Interior Ministry about the possibility
of an attack on him. The bench remarked that Justice Arab had
witnessed some documents which stated that not only the accused
but the courtroom and the lawyers were also under threat of
an attack. He said that some documents were presented to him
in which the Interior Ministry was the complainant.
Justice Arab said that the courtroom,
prosecution head and the defence counsel were also threatened.
Tariq Hassan, a member of the prosecution team said that the
TTP has denied a plan to attack Musharraf and said it has not
threatened him. The court directed the intelligence agency’s
head to appear before the court on the next hearing and adjourned
the proceedings till March 13, 2014.
The KP Government informed the
Supreme Court that any Afghan Taliban incursion into Pakistani
territory from the Afghan Province of Nuristan to force the
Kalash in Chitral District to convert to Islam was almost impossible
because the Pakistan Army was regularly patrolling the border.
In reply to a suo motu notice taken by the Supreme Court on
February 20, 2014, KP Advocate General Abdul Latif Yousafzai
submitted a two-page report explaining that the army and other
Law Enforcement Agencies were regularly keeping a strict vigil
through 16 check posts from Arandu to Lutkoh areas. They were
ready to counter any attempt by the Taliban, the report said.
Moreover, the border with Nuristan is inaccessible and presently
snowbound.
The Malakand Commissioner visited
Chitral District on February 21, 2014, and held a meeting with
the Kalash community in Bumburet Valley, the report said, adding
that the threat issued by the Taliban was nothing new. The video
clip issuing warning to the Kalash to convert to Islam, which
was cited by the local and international media, had not been
circulated among the people of Chitral, the report claimed.
It said the administration and the army had taken steps to beef
up security in the area.
Funding will not be an issue
if the Government decides to go for a military operation because
terrorism has to be eradicated from the country, regardless
of the cost, says Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar. “Funding is no
issue to get this nation, this country and the people out of
this menace but we want to give peace a last chance. We cannot
tolerate this (terrorism) to continue,” he said. He said all
institutions of the state, military or civilian agreed with
the Prime Minister that they would have to work hard to cope
with the security challenge and to solve economic and energy
problems. He said the Government had not yet taken a decision
about a military operation in Waziristan because it wanted to
give peace process a chance before opting for an operation,
the cost of which would depend on its extent and scope.
The Government announced its
four-member reconstituted committee for holding negotiations
with the TTP. According to official sources the committee’s
members are: Ports and Shipping Secretary Habibullah Khattak,
who will head the committee, while the other three members are
FATA Additional Secretary Arbab Arif, Rustam Shah Mohmand and
Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Fawwad Hassan Fawwad.
The sources further said that the Government committee will
hold direct talks with the TTP and it will also visit North
Waziristan Agency for this purpose. The newly formed committee
will resume the negotiations process in the next few days.
TTP negotiating committee met
Federal Minister of Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and discussed
progress in the peace talks and the future strategy. Chaudhry
Nisar said the Government was seriously pursuing the dialogue
process with the TTP and it had already taken a decision to
set up a new committee for the purpose. He said the Government
would welcome those militants who desired peace, but action
would be taken against those who wanted to sabotage the peace
process.
In a meeting between Maulana
Samiul Haq and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, it was decided that
TTP committee, during its visit, will pave way for a visit by
the newly formed Government panel to hold formal talks with
the militants. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the Government
will provide helicopter to the TTP committee.
The Government and the Army
both saw the TTP as an existential threat to their State and
were committed to dealing with it, the commander of US and international
forces in Afghanistan informed Congress. General Joseph Dunford
also told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif was committed to talks with the TTP but it’s not
clear if conditions were right for a constructive engagement
with the TTP.
At a hearing on the current
situation in Afghanistan, General Dunford said the US military
could wait till August for a bilateral security agreement with
Kabul after which it would start preparing for a withdrawal
from that country, if a pact was not signed. During the hearing,
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen asked the general to explain
how the situation in Pakistan could affect what happens in Afghanistan.
“I find it difficult to envision success in the region without
cooperation of Pakistan and without an effective relationship
between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” General Dunford said.
“I believe that Pakistan also
recognises the existential threat of extremism to their own
security, and they also recognise that it’s not in their best
interest to have anything other than a stable, secure and unified
Afghanistan.” He noted that since August, Pakistani and Afghan
rulers had met four times, indicating that Prime Minister Sharif
had “come to a new resolve” to improve the relationship with
the neighbouring country. This cooperation focused on two areas:
to have a common definition of extremism and cooperate on dealing
with it and to come up with a broader border management framework
that would address the political, economic and security issues
between the two countries, he added.
No Pakistani civilians were
killed by US drones in 2013, said UN Investigator Ben Emmerson
while presenting his latest report on drone strikes to the UNHRC
in Geneva. “I am pleased to be able to report a very significant
de-escalation in the use of armed drones by the United States
in… Pakistan,” said Ben. The total number of recorded strikes
in 2013 was down to 27 from a peak of 128 in 2010, he said,
adding, “But perhaps most significantly, for the first time
in nine years there were no reports of civilian casualties during
2013 in the FATA area of Pakistan,” he added.
Last May, US President Barack
Obama raised the bar for launching attacks. But despite the
change of tack in Pakistan, Emmerson said that the picture in
Afghanistan and Yemen was “much bleaker”. Citing a report by
the UN Mission in Afghanistan, he said that there was a threefold
increase in drone-related civilian casualties between 2012 and
2013. A total of 45 Afghan civilians died in drone strikes in
2013, he said, adding, “And the picture in Yemen remains cause
for serious concern. The frequency of armed drone strikes appears
to have intensified, particularly during the closing months
of 2013, with a sharp escalation in the number of reported civilian
casualties,” Emmerson informed.
March 13
Two gangsters affiliated with
Baba Ladla group, identified as Asif Niazi and Imran Niazi,
were killed in an exchange of fire with the Rangers in Lyari
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The Police
said that Asif Niazi was brother-in-law of Baba Ladla and was
booked for his involvement in a grenade attack in Jhat Pat Market
on March 12, 2014.
Sindh Chief Minister, Qaim Ali
Shah directed the heads of Sindh Police and Rangers to prepare
a comprehensive contingency plan for conducting a specific surgical
operation with full force to root out gangsters from Lyari.
He said that any delay in this action would cause a negative
impact on the achievements made during the ongoing targeted
operation in Karachi. “Enough is enough! The government will
not tolerate killing of innocent people,” the Chief Minister
said.
Five people, including four
children and a woman, were wounded in a bomb blast outside their
house at Ghandi village near Jamrud town in Khyber Agency of
FATA.
The ISI confirmed the seriousness
of the threats that former President General (retired) Pervez
Musharraf’s lawyers claim he is facing. A representative of
the ISI said that it had intercepted a phone call on the night
of March 12, 2014, which confirmed that Musharraf was susceptible
to attack. They cautioned that there was a clear and present
danger from militants who were looking to target Musharraf’s
convoy somewhere along the route between the AFIC and the court’s
premises. According to sources, “an official informed the judges
about phone calls, reports and technical analysis which revealed
that al Qaeda is planning to target Musharraf”.
A three-member bench of the
Special Court headed by Justice Faisal Arab upheld its order
to produce Musharraf before the court so that the Court can
indict him in the high treason case for abrogating the Constitution
while issuing proclamation of emergency on November 3, 2007,
reports The News. Justice Fisal Arab ruled that the order pertaining
to production of the accused on March 14, 2014 remained intact.
A member of Musharraf’s legal
team Chaudhry Faisal Hussain said, “We fail to understand why
the court is in hurry to indict our client, even after security
agencies have admitted that he is facing a serious security
threat from within and outside”.
Adviser to Prime Minister on
National Affairs, Irfan Siddiqui said that the talks had entered
a crucial stage and the-two member Taliban talks committee would
give a report about its talks with the Taliban leadership after
its return from Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency of FATA
within two days. He said that after the report from the Taliban
committee, a decision would be taken on how to take forward
the talks process. Irfan Siddiqui said after the report it would
be clear whether the Taliban would hold direct or indirect talks.
The Taliban would make some demands and some demands would come
from the Government, he explained.
Before arriving in Miranshah,
the TTP negotiating committee met Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali on March 12, 2014, to discuss the future
strategy for peace talks. Irfan Siddiqui said the first stage
of establishing contact with the Taliban had been completed
despite various hurdles.
US Marine Corps and current
Commander of the ISAF and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A),
Major General Joseph Dunford said that allied and Afghan forces
are putting a greater focus on the Haqqani Network, which has
threatened to disrupt Afghanistan’s Presidential elections scheduled
for April 2014. He said that the effort includes a move by the
US to "crank up the heat" on the group’s financing
and freedom of movement.
Dunford said that Haqqani militants
have been more active in the past few months. The US has repeatedly
pressed Pakistani authorities to move more aggressively against
the militants, who are based in North Waziristan Agency of FATA
and routinely conduct attacks against US and coalition troops.
March 14
At least 11 persons were killed
and 45 others injured in a suicide attack targeting Police in
Sarband area of Peshawar (Peshawar Disrict), the provincial
capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. DSP-city Banaras Khan said the
blast appeared to have targeted Police mobile van and was carried
out by a suicide bomber. Superintendent of Police Faisal Kamran
said that due to the sensitive nature of the area, which is
situated on the border of the tribal areas, Police personnel
were using APC to conduct routine patrolling when they were
targeted by the suicide bomber who was on foot. According to
Shafqat Malik, AIG of the BDS, at least eight kilograms of explosives
were used in the blast. According to Reuters, TTP splinter group
Ahrar- ul-Hind (AH) claimed responsibility for the attack. “We
claim both Peshawar and Quetta attacks," said its 'chief'
Umar Qasmi. “We don't abide by these talks and will continue
to stage attacks", he added.
The TTP negotiators said that
the TTP leadership was ready to hold direct talks with the Government
and condemned the terrorist incidents in Quetta (Balochistan)
and Peshawar calling them a conspiracy being hatched to derail
the peace process. “The TTP strongly condemns the Peshawar and
Quetta blasts,” said TTP ‘central spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid.
“We have no connection to these attacks because we are observing
a ceasefire.”
At least 10 persons, including
nine civilians and one SF, were killed and 35 others were injured
in a bomb explosion targeting FC vehicle at Science College
Chowk area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
A Police Official, who requested anonymity, said that target
of the blast was FC vehicle that narrowly escaped the attack.
TTP distanced itself from the
attack. However, its splinter group Ahrar-ul-Hind (AH) claimed
responsibility for the attack. “We claim both Peshawar and Quetta
attacks,” AH ‘chief’ Umar Qasmi said, adding, “We don't abide
by these talks and will continue to stage attacks.”
A part of the 16-inch diameter
pipeline was blown up in Pir Koh gas field area of Dera Bugti
District, suspending supply to the purification plant. BLA claimed
responsibility for the blast.
An unidentified man was killed
when armed assailants opened fire at Yusuf Goth in Saeedabad
area of Baldia Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified dead body was
found from Garden area of Saddar Town.
Unidentified dead body was found
at Rheri Goth area in Landhi Town.
One person was injured when
unidentified assailants opened fire at Shah Faisal Colony of
Shah Faisal Town.
An unidentified man was injured
when militants opened fire in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town.
Five suspects, including a Lyari
gangster, identified as Saddam Shahikh, were arrested from Bukhari
Muhalla area of Thatta District. According to SSP Haseeb Baig,
they were all wanted for committing crimes in Karachi.
Rangers personnel produced a
suspect, identified as Abdul Razzaq, before an ATC-III Judge
amid tight security. The paramilitary force had information
about his alleged involvement in target killing, extortion and
other criminal activities. According to Rangers, Razzaq belonged
to a political party and was arrested during a raid from Garden
area of Saddar Town.
A Special Court hearing the
treason case against former President General (retired) Pervez
Musharraf ordered him to appear in person on March 31, 2014
or face arrest. “It is further directed that the (arrest) warrant
would be executed early in the morning of March 31, if the accused
refuses to appear before this court on his own volition,” the
three member panel headed by Justice Faisal Arab said. The Court
was due to indict Musharraf on March 14, 2014 over his 2007
imposition of emergency rule, but Musharraf’s lawyers said he
was unable to appear because of the threats to his life.
‘Missing’ suspected HM militant
Tasif Ali has now been traced. AAG Shah Khawar told a three-judge
Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, “I am directed
to refer the pending adjudication in the Supreme Court and to
submit that Tasif Ali was apprehended on March 5, 2014, and
has been interned at Internment Centre, Lakki Marwat, under
Action (in Aid of Civil Powers) Regulations 2011.” The letter
was written by legal director of the defence ministry and addressed
to the AAG.
The custody of Tasif Ali alias
Danish was not being acknowledged by any of the Intelligence
Agencies. The court ordered the authorities concerned to make
arrangements for a meeting between Ali, his wife Abida Malik
and father-in-law within a week. The case will be taken up again
on March 20, 2014. “Now that his whereabouts have been traced,
we will pursue his case in the relevant court of law,” retired
Colonel Inam-ur-Rahiem, the counsel for Abida Malik said. He
also wondered how a man of Kashmiri origin arrested in Rawalpindi
District of Punjab could be detained in an internment centre
in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Ali went missing on November
23, 2012, and was allegedly picked up by Major Ahsan, who was
then Captain and posted at the MI-918, Mangla Cantonment in
Punjab Province. The matter was reported to the Sadiqabad Police
Station on December 5, 2012, and later was heard by the Lahore
High Court on March 19, 2013.
While chairing a high-level
meeting to review the law and order situation in Karachi, provincial
capital of Sindh, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the
operation in Karachi will continue and that he would himself
monitor it. “Karachi operation will continue. The sacrifices
rendered by our security agencies are invaluable. Karachi operation
is not a routine issue for the government and I will regularly
monitor and supervise operation and will help the provincial
government in resolving their issues,” the Prime Minister said.
He directed that the ban on recruitment in the Civil Armed Forces
be lifted. On the recommendation of Rangers Director General,
Prime Minister Nawaz directed that in order to ensure merit
and transparency, army recruitment centres be engaged to facilitate
recruitment in Police. “Recruitment should be purely on merit,
without any favouritism,” he said.
He directed the Sindh Government
to expedite the establishment of isolated high security prisons
in Sindh for internment of terrorists. The meeting agreed in
principle that additional Police Stations would be established
in Lyari Town of Karachi. The Prime Minister directed the Interior
Ministry to expedite the blocking of illegal mobile phone SIMs
and use of biometrics system for issuance of SIMs in the future.
He also asked the Sindh Government and Rangers to take action
against land mafia, which is illegal occupation of state lands.
He said Police and Rangers should use new anti-terrorism laws
to combat terrorism, extortion and land-grabbing.
Prime Minister’s Advisor on
National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that
the US had not stopped drone attacks in tribal areas as part
of any reconciliation between the two countries. He said that
the US had not stopped the drone attacks as a facility for Pakistan
to hold talks with TTP. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
during his visit to US had told President Barack Obama about
ineffectiveness of drone attacks. “Although the US has not announced
formally to stop drone attacks and it will not do so, it seems
Barrack Obama has understood Pakistan views on use of unmanned
aircraft”, he added.
The US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher
called on the Government to stop Pakistan’s aid as “Islamabad
is not a US ally”. In his address at the US House of Representatives,
the Congressman said that Pakistan’s aid should immediately
be stopped as the US funds were used against Washington or its
friends in Afghanistan. Reacting to Secretary of State John
Kerry’s appeal for financial aid for Islamabad, Rohrabacher
dubbed Pakistan’s war against militants as bogus and a ploy
to receive US dollars. He was quoted by US media as saying that
behaviour of Pakistan’s military establishment had not been
friendly with regard to US interests.
Uighur militants hiding in Pakistan
are gearing up for retribution against China to avenge the deaths
of their comrades in Beijing’s crackdown on a separatist movement.
In an interview to Reuters, Abdullah Mansour, leader of the
rebel Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), said it was his holy duty
to fight the Chinese. “The fight against China is our Islamic
responsibility and we have to fulfil it,” he said from an undisclosed
location. “China is not only our enemy, but it is the enemy
of all Muslims … We have plans for many attacks in China,” he
said, adding. “We have a message to China that East Turkestan
people and other Muslims have woken up. They cannot suppress
us and Islam any more. Muslims will take revenge.”
According to Afghan Taliban
sources, there are reports of about 250 Uighur militants in
Afghanistan’s Nuristan and Kunar Provinces. “They live here
with us but are always concerned about their people and mission
in China. They are nice people, good Muslims and the best fighters,”
a senior Taliban ‘commander’ said. He added that Uighur militants
were not fond of guns and resorted mostly to knives and daggers.
“The Chinese militants in the tribal areas are mostly clerics
and fighters. They have their families here and are mostly focused
on Afghanistan,” said one TTP 'commander'.
March 15
Karachi ATC-III extended remand
of an accused, identified as Shahid Bikik, to Police custody
till 18 March 2014 for his involvement in a bomb attack case
on former President Asif Ali Zardari’s security guard on July
10, 2013. Police had arrested Bikik from on February 11, 2014.
SFs arrested two suspected militant
‘commanders’ on Grand Trunk Road in Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP. The arrested militants belong to a Khyber Agency
(FATA) terror outfit.
March 16
The Federal Interior Ministry
approved a new security plan for Islamabad, giving Rangers the
responsibility for providing additional security. The plan,
which calls for the Rangers and Police to conduct joint patrols,
should be visible by April 15, 2014 said Federal Minister for
Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Nisar ordered various reforms
to implement the strategy, such as recruiting retired army veterans
to join the Police and giving Police better training.
March 17
A Policeman and his father were
shot dead by unidentified assailants at Gara Mehraban in the
limits of Chodwan Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan District
of KP. Sources said that Constable Delawar Gandapur along with
his father Rehmatullah Gandapur was on his way home on his bike
when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Gara Mehrban.
Two unidentified dead bodies
bearing torture marks were recovered from two different locations
in the Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District. According to Levies
personnel, the victims had been subjected to torture before
being killed.
An ATC Judge, Justice Tariq
Anwer Kasi, issued arrest warrants for former President General
(retired) Pervez Musharraf’s guarantors, Mumtaz Hussain and
Nazeer Ahmed, during the hearing of the August 26, 2006, murder
case of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. However, Musharraf, the prime
accused, remained absent during the hearing. “Prime accused
Musharraf had never appeared before the court,” court observed
while issuing the arrest warrants. The hearing was adjourned
till April 7, 2014.
The TTP asked the Government
to earmark a “free peace zone” where militant leaders could
come without any fear for holding peace talks with the Government
committee. Talking to BBC Urdu in Akora Khattak, head of TTP
negotiators’ committee Maulana Samiul Haq said FCB and other
law-enforcement agencies had set up checkposts in many areas,
leaving the TTP unable to move about freely.
TTP negotiating committee member
Professor Muhammad Ibrahim said that the TTP’s list of 300 women
and children prisoners has been given to Federal Minister of
Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. He cautioned that the release
of women and child prisoners can be the biggest issue in the
dialogue process. He said the TTP have provided a 300-person
list of women and children of TTP members who are assumed to
be in the custody of law enforcement agencies. Prof Ibrahim
said that most of these women and children belong to the tribal
areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The spokesman of the TTP, Shahidullah
Shahid, said that the Security Forces had established hundreds
of secret detention cells in FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
He said that they had handed over a list of their non-combatant
prisoners to the TTP negotiation committee. Shahidullah Shahid
said that confirming the names in the list was the responsibility
of the government. He said that the TTP would give another list
with more names of the detainees once progress was made in the
peace talks.
Shahidullah Shahid said that
Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was unaware of the persons
held in detention by security agencies. He said that if the
Defence Minister was unaware about the location of detention
centres in the country, then how he could be informed about
the number of people being held at such facilities. Khawaja
Asif earlier on March 16 had rejected a major demand of the
TTP — release of non-combatants – saying there were no women
and children in the custody of Security Forces.
The Punjab Law Minister Rana
Sanaullah called on the TTP to provide evidence of incarceration
of women and children. Sanaullah says if there are any prisoners
they will be released, and that this issue will not be allowed
to become the reason for a deadlock in the talks.
KP CM Pervez Khattak announced
a raise in the salaries of the provincial Police. The CM said
he is proud of provincial police, as hundreds of Policemen have
sacrificed their lives for the security of the people, and they
remain steadfast. He announced incentives and measures for improvement
in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. The CM affirmed that recruitments
in the Police department would be done on merit. He said that
all the Police system will be computerised. CM Khattak said
that to make patrolling and vigilance better, PKR 50 million
have released for the purchase of sniffer dogs. He stressed
upon making model Police stations and asked Policemen to serve
the masses well.
The Washington Post report
said that with the war in Afghanistan winding down the US may
dispose USD 7 billion in military equipment by handing it over
to Pakistan. According to WP, the potential move could be, "part
of an effort by the Pentagon to unload excess military supplies
to US allies at no cost". Pentagon leaders have said it
would potentially cost more than USD100, 000 per vehicle to
ship MRAP vehicles back to the US. The report said that discussions
on this issue have been taking place over several months between
American and Pakistani officials.
One motive for this potential
transaction is that the US does not want to pay to ship out
leftover military hardware from the conflict in neighboring
Afghanistan. The Washington Post report states that although
a final decision on this issue has not been taken, Pakistan
has particular interest in acquiring the US Army’s MRAP vehicles.
The MRAP vehicles could be used by Pakistan's military in its
fight against TTP militants within its tribal areas bordering
Afghanistan. The Washington Post report describes the
MRAP as, "the backbone of the US military’s vehicle fleet
in Afghanistan...designed to protect American troops from explosive
devices".
March 18
11 villagers who were abducted
earlier on March 15 from Mashokhel village, on the outskirt
of Peshawar, were released by the captors following the intervention
of a local jirga (tribal council of elders). Nasir Khan, the
Khyber Agency assistant political agent, confirmed the tribesmen’s
release. “They have been handed over to the jirga,” he said.
Bajaur Levies Force defused
an IED planted along a road in Kharyan area of Nawagai tehsil
in Bajaur Agency. The officials said that the personnel of the
BDS rushed to the site after receiving information from the
locals, and the bomb was safely defused.
The Balochistan Government extended
special powers granted to the FC for another two months. According
to an announcement by the Provincial Home Secretary Syed Asadur
Rehman Gilani, the paramilitary force will continue to exercise
police powers for two more months to maintain law and order
in the province. The FC was first given the powers to carry
out raids and detain and interrogate suspects in January 2012
after the provincial coalition Government led by Nawab Aslam
Raisani was sent home and Governor rule was imposed in Balochistan
on the demand of Hazara Shia community.
The Registrar Office of the
Islamabad High Court returned the petition of former President
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf that he had filed before
the court, seeking his trial in high treason case under Army
Act. The registrar office held that since the Special Court,
seized with his high treason trial, has rejected the identical
petition for transferring the high treason case to the military
court therefore being the appellate forum such petition could
only be filed in the Supreme Court. The three member bench
of the Special Court headed by Justice Faisal Arab of Sindh
High Court had rejected the plea for transferring the high treason
case to the military court on February 21, 2014. In its ruling,
the Special Court said: “the offences under the High Treason
(Punishment) Act, 1973 are exclusively triable by the Special
Court established under the Criminal Law Amendment (Special
Court) Act, 1976 as its Section 3 (2) ousts the jurisdiction
of all other courts.”
The Supreme Court gave the deadline
until March 19 to the Federal and KP Governments for the recovery
of missing persons, failing which notices will be issued to
the Prime Minister, KP Governor and Chief Minister for the recovery
of 35 missing persons. A three-member bench of the apex court,
headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, heard the case of 35 missing
persons of the Malakand Interment Centre. During the hearing,
the court observed that 34 hearings had been conducted in the
case but the authorities concerned had made no progress. Attorney
General Salman Butt sought an adjournment in the case, saying
that they would show some progress in the matter. Meanwhile,
the court adjourned the hearing till today. The Attorney General
informed the court the Government had constituted a one-man
commission, headed by Justice (retired) Mian Muhammad Ajmal,
to trace out the missing persons. He appraised the court that
the inquiry would be completed within a month, while funds would
be provided to the families of missing persons.
Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the political and military
leadership has held a detailed discussion on the Internal Security
Policy. The Minister said the leadership was informed about
the dialogue with the TTP and the participants expressed their
confidence in the process. He said that the political and military
leadership are on the same page on issues of national security.
He added that the Internal Security Policy would be implemented
according to the set timelines. Nisar said the leadership focused
on issues of capacity building of Security Forces and increasing
coordination among 26 intelligence agencies working in the country.
A joint intelligence directorate would be set up to coordinate
activities of the intelligence agencies, he added. The minister
said the objective of all the efforts was to make Pakistan secure.
PM Nawaz Sharif has directed
immediate establishment of a National Intelligence Directorate
(NID) under the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA)
to pool national and provincial intelligence resources. The
PM also approved establishment of a Rapid Response Force at
the Federal and Provincial levels, having highly trained and
skilled manpower. Sharif also directed fast-track establishment
of high security prisons in all provinces. He directed the provinces
to utilise the options available in the Protection of Pakistan
Ordinance, saying this law had made electronic evidence admissible,
allowed video link trial with provision for transfer of trials
and prisoners to other provinces, and preventive detention of
enemy aliens.
Nawaz Sharif asked the TTP to
deal with the militant groups opposing the Federal Government’s
peace dialogue with them.
Federal Minister for Information
and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid said the Government committee
will contact the agencies concerned about the list of prisoners
given by the TTP and then a reply would come up about their
fate. He said the committee would collect information on the
list of prisoners handed over by the TTP and then the TTP and
the media would be informed about the response. To another query
about the possibility of action against the TTP in the Punjab,
Rashid said this issue was being confronted by the entire Pakistan
and not a particular province.
Head of the TTP dialogue committee
Maulana Samiul Haq said the Army is with us for the success
of talks and the TTP have not yet put up their demands. He said
both TTP and Government committees are in contact to mark out
a “peace zone” for the sake of continuation of talks. “Both
committees are likely to reach an agreement on a peaceful location
for continuation of talks,” Haq said. He added both committees
are likely to meet in the next 48 hours to discuss certain things.
He expressed concern over statement
of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that no women and children
are in custody of the country’s armed forces, as claimed by
TTP. Haq urged both sides to avoid such statements which may
vitiate conducive atmosphere for talks. He said there is no
formal announcement from the Government to reject any demand
of TTP. “We are hearing a lot through media that TTP demands
have been rejected but it’s not true,” he said. Asked should
military operation be carried out against militants if talks
fail, he strongly opposed the option of military operation and
said it should never be launched and efforts should be made
to revive the dialogue.
March 19
At least six persons were killed
in the morning when a mortar shell exploded in a house in the
Shawal tehsil of the North Waziristan Agency in FATA. The dead
in the incident included four women, a man and a child.
A NATO container was destroyed
in rocket attack by unidentified militants in Shagai area of
the Khyber Agency in FATA. No casualties were reported in the
incident.
Three mutilated dead bodies
which were recovered 20 days ago from Nooriabad area near Super
Highway that lies between Karachi and Hyderabad Districts were
identified as that of the workers of the MQM. The victims who
were abducted from different parts of Karachi were identified
as Yawar Abbas, Shamshad Haider and Farooq. According to details,
Abbas was kidnapped from PIB Colony in Gulshan Town in November
2013, followed by Shamshad, and Farooq who went missing since
January 2014.
Senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar
said that the Government must fulfil its responsibility of recovering
missing workers of the party. He said that the writ of the state
and Government was not visible in Karachi. The senior MQM leader
mentioned the recovery of three MQM workers' mutilated dead
bodies from Nooriabad and Hyderabad.
An ATC-III ordered to release
a suspect, Shahid Bikik, for his involvement in a bomb attack
case on former President Asif Ali Zardari’s security guard Bilal
Sheikh and three others on July 10, 2013. The Police produced
the suspect in court and also submitted a report that the suspect
may be released under Section 169 (release of accused when evidence
deficient) of the CrPC as no evidence was found against him.
In addition, the JIT report also declared him clear which forced
the Police to file report under section 169 of the CrPC, said
the court sources.
An IED planted by unidentified
assailants killed a man and injured two others in Gul Bacha
Mohala near Sirki gate in Shah Qabool area of Peshawar (Peshawar
District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A bomb was neutralised outside
Express News Peshawar Bureau Chief Jamshed Baghwan’s house in
Murshidabad area of Peshawar, in the night. Bhagwan had travelled
out of the city and when returned home around 11 pm he found
a suspicious bag placed outside his house. Bhagwan called Police
and BDS. Police said that the device weighed around two kilogram
and it had been placed just outside the main gate of the house
in ghee tin.
A cement factory van was blown
up in a remote controlled bomb attack and a Police mobile passing
nearby was also damaged in Nowshera town of same District. No
casualties were reported in the incident.
The Federal Government decided
to register a case against Army officials allegedly involved
in the illegal removal of 35 undeclared inmates from an internment
centre in Malakand Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. When a three-judge
bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja resumed the hearing,
AGP Salman Aslam Butt came to the rostrum and said that he wanted
to make one submission. “It was the KP Government’s responsibility
to lodge an FIR – but since it hasn’t done that, the Federal
Government has decided to register the FIR today (March 19)
in view of the Supreme Court’s judgment,” AGP Butt submitted.
“This is a significant development. Now, there will be no immunity
for anyone,” Justice Khawaja said in his remarks.
On November 26, 2013, the Malakand
jail superintendent had submitted before the Supreme Court that
army authorities, through Naib Subedar Amanullah Baig, had taken
away 35 internees on February 4, 2012.
The Government and TTP shortlisted
two venues for face-to-face talks. The possible venues for the
maiden meeting between Government negotiators and the TTP include
the little-known Shaktu area in South Waziristan Agency and
FR Bannu. But given the TTP’s reservations over the Government-suggested
venue, the first meeting is likely to take place in the Shaktu
area, said a source privy to the development. The venues were
shortlisted during a meeting of the Government’s reconfigured
negotiating committee chaired by Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who also consulted the TTP’s chief
intermediary Maulana Samiul Haq.
The KP Government launched a
project to provide digital arms licences to overcome the use
of fake licences. KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak inaugurated
the project at the Home and Tribal Affairs Department in Peshawar
(provincial capital of KP). Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khattak
expressed the hope that the computerised arms licences would
help check corruption and use of fake licences. “Now the people
instead of waiting for months will receive arms’ licences in
a few days, while sale and purchase of both arms and cartridges
will also be simplified and legalised,” he said.
According to The New York
Times, ISI Chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha knew
where the slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was hiding.
The Newspaper states that a Pakistani official stated that US
had direct evidence about the ISI Chief knowing Bin Laden’s
presence in Abbottabad at the time. “He knew of Osama’s whereabouts,
yes,” the official said. According to an inside source of the
paper, there was a special desk for the Bin Laden case at the
ISI. The desk worked independently and was led by an officer
who did not report to any higher authorities.
The New York Times also
reported that the Pakistan Government was providing a haven
to the Taliban. Further, it alleged that former President General
(retired) Pervez Musharraf was involved in the conspiracy to
remove former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto from power.
Slain al Qaeda leader Osama
bin Laden claimed responsibility for masterminding September
11, 2001 (also known as 9/11) attacks on the night of the incident,
his son-in-law Suleiman Abu Ghaith (48) said as he testified
at his federal trial in New York city on terror charges. Abu
Ghaith, who married bin Laden's daughter Fatima, recounted a
meeting with Laden in an Afghanistan cave complex on the night
of September 11, 2001. “Did you learn what happened? We are
the ones who did it,” Bin Laden declared, according to Abu Ghaith.
Abu Ghaith also denied trying
to recruit people for al Qaeda, as prosecutors have alleged.
“There is no one recruiting, but Osama Bin Laden. My intention
was not recruiting anyone,” he said. And, asked by his lawyer
if he ever wanted to kill Americans, he responded “No.” “My
intention was to deliver a message I believed in,” he said.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while meeting United Kingdom High Commissioner
to Afghanistan Richard Stagg said that the international community
should come up with an integrated and coherent policy regarding
Afghanistan in the post-2014 scenario. The Minister added that
the situation in Afghanistan is complex and calls for thorough
debate among members of the international community. Nisar said
Afghanistan will be undergoing massive transformation during
2014, adding that the solutions to the problems being faced
by the country must come from within. He reiterated that Pakistan
is maintaining a non-partisan policy in regional matters.
March 20
A former SHO Anwar Jaffri was
killed and his driver was injured, in an incident of firing
in Korangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A Policeman, identified as Mehboob,
was killed and another Policeman Farooq was injured when unidentified
armed assailants opened fire at them at the signal stop in Orangi
Town.
A man, identified as Mushtaq,
was killed in firing by unidentified armed assailants in Korangi
Town.
An unidentified dead body of
a man was found from bushes in Jam Goth area of Malir Town.
Two persons, identified as Saqib
and Adnan, were injured in an alleged retaliatory firing by
Rangers in SITE Town. According to Rangers official, both the
men opened fire on Rangers personnel first. DG Rangers formed
a committee to probe the incident. The committee will submit
a report by March 21, 2014. A Rangers Spokesman said that those
personnel who were involved in the shooting would remain in
detention until completion of the inquiry.
Five robbers looted a bank in
Federal B area near Gul Plaza in Gulberg Town. According to
Police, robbers entered Habib Bank Limited, Gul Plaza branch
after its closing time. They looted PKR eight million and decamped
with booty to unknown destination after swift operation. DIG
West, Javed Alam Odho said that security guards were involved
in the robbery.
A Lahore High Court division
bench headed by Justice Shahid Hameed Dar granted bail to Malik
Ishaq, the leader of LeJ, in two cases where he is accused of
delivering provocative speeches. The division bench granted
the bail subject to furnishing two bail bonds of PKR 200,000
each. Ishaq’s counsel said such FIRs were registered on applications
of aggrieved parties, but in this case the Police registered
FIRs on its own to victimise him over his religious views. He
said Ishaq was detained in April 2013 under the Maintenance
of Public Order and arrested in June under these FIRs. He asked
the court to grant him bail.
Investigation Police Officer
said that they had lodged two cases against Ishaq, who was accused
on August 8, 2012 and February 2, 2013 for making provocative
speeches at public gatherings. He added the petitioner had tried
to spread hatred and to create unrest in the area.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan
ordered federal authorities to appoint permanent IGP Sindh within
24 hours. Three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan
Tassaduq Hussain Jilani showed grave concern over non-appointment
of permanent IGP Sindh and said that they were shocked that
Province had no permanent IGP since February 20, 2014. The bench
directed secretary establishment division to appoint a regular
IG in Province and issue notification in this regard within
24 hours.
The DG Rangers Sindh Major General
Rizwan Akhtar on March 18 said that the power granted to the
Rangers was a mere ‘piece of paper’. He said that the power
of the paramilitary force, granted after a suo moto notice of
the Supreme Court on August 24, 2011 does not hold any significance
due to lack of proper proceedings, the criminals held in raids
by the force are handed over to the Police who later let them
go. He further said that Lyari was not the only area rife with
criminal elements, adding that Karachi has various areas where
the law and order situation resembled that of Lyari.
Tassaduq Hussain Jilani said
that he was shocked that DG Rangers Sindh had complained that
he had limited powers. He said that DG Rangers statement gave
an impression that Law Enforcement Agencies were not on same
page. Major Ishfaq, Law Officer of the Rangers told the court
that Rangers had no power of investigation. He said that it
was proposed to set up five stations in each District of Karachi
for investigating the criminals but neither station was set
up nor they were provided with investigation powers. He added
that during the past six month, 517 people arrested by the Rangers
were released by local courts. The bench directed DG Rangers
to submit a report within 3 days, highlighting their reservations
regarding their limited powers.
An appellate forum under the
FCR directed the Political Agent of Khyber Agency in FATA to
prepare a case against Shakil Afridi over his involvement in
anti-state activities in collusion with CIA, for further proceedings
before the competent court. The direction has been issued in
the detailed verdict on the appeal of Shakil against his conviction
for involvement in anti-state activities by supporting the Bara-based
LI. The details of the verdict given by the FCR Commissioner,
who upheld Shakil’s conviction by an APA over links with a proscribed
organisation in Bara, Khyber Agency, were released on March
20.
“(The) Political Agent Khyber
(Agency) is directed to further adduce the evidence in consultation
with the concerned Intelligence Agencies and prepare a case
against the appellant, both under Federal and Provincial laws,
for further proceedings in the competent court of law,” Commissioner
Captain (retired) Munir Azam wrote in the verdict.
Earlier on March 15, Munir Azam
announced his decision to reduce Afridi’s sentence by 10 years.
“The tribunal has reduced the 33 year imprisonment to 23 years
and also reduced the fine of PKR 320,000 to PKR 220,000” defence
lawyer Samiullah Afridi said. However, Samiullah said that he
would appeal against the decision as he wanted to have a new
trial, as stipulated by the authorities in August 2013. “We
will appeal against this decision, because it is unjust,” Samiullah
said.
Political parties of Balochistan
demanded of the Federal Government to include the name of the
abducted ANP leader Arabab Zahir Kasi in exchange of prisoners'
list with the TTP. They urged upon Islamabad to help the Provincial
Government in an unhurt recovery of Kasi. “Arbab Zahir Kasi
has been shifted to a region where Balochistan Government has
no writ,” Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, the PML-N Provincial President
said. He hinted that abductors might have shifted the ANP leader
to Waziristan area bordering Afghanistan after kidnapping him
from Quetta. “We have also formed a committee, which will seek
TTP's help to release Arbab Kasi,” said Zehri. Kasi was abducted
on October 23, 2013, from Patel Road area of Quetta. His family
has received telephone calls of kidnappers demanding heavy ransom
for his release.
The CM of Balochistan Malik
Baloch announced the formation of a STF to arrest culprits involved
in the murder of journalists in the Province. Over 30 journalists
were killed in the Province during the last seven years, according
to the Balochistan Union of Journalists. “I order the formation
of a task force to bring the killers of journalists to the book,”
the Chief Minister assured the protesting journalists outside
the Assembly. However, the President of Balochistan Union of
Journalists Irfan Saeed said “Despite repeated assurances, the
killers of journalists are still at large”.
The Balochistan Assembly, chaired
by the Deputy Speaker Mir Qaddus Bizenjo, adopted four resolutions
with its members discussing issues like job quota for locals
in private companies. Of these, a joint resolution seeking allocation
of 70 per cent job quota for local youths in private industrial
units and other companies was tabled by Sardar Saleh Muhammad
Bhootani. The quota would serve to ease the unemployment crisis
in the Province, said the resolution.
The venue for face-to-face talks
between the Government and the TTP will be finalised within
the next 24 hours, the coordinator of the TTP intermediary committee
Maulana Yousaf Shah said. “The [Government and TTP] committees
have achieved their goal of persuading the sides to meet at
a jointly-agreed venue, which will be announced within the next
24 hours,” he said. Shah also said the TTP was still awaiting
a reply from the Federal Ministry of Interior over the list
of ‘non-combatant’ TTP prisoners it had handed to the Government.
Terming their release a crucial step for moving the peace process
forward, he said the move would help build the TTP’s confidence.
Responding to a question, he
rejected the impression that the TTP were demanding the enforcement
of Shariah (Islamic Law) all over Pakistan. “The Taliban have
made no such demand… it has been constructed by the media,”
he said, adding that the ‘demands’ moved by the militant group
were ‘suggestions, not conditions’. At the same time, however,
the TTP intermediary said the enforcement of Shariah in the
country was already mandated by the Constitution and was a part
of several political parties’ manifestos.
The Foreign Office revealed
that there were at least five Pakistanis who were being detained
at US’ Guantanamo Base in Cuba. During the weekly briefing,
the Foreign Office Spokesperson, Tasnim Aslam Khan revealed
that a two member delegation that had visited the facility in
August 2006, had found six Pakistanis among the 164 people detained
at the facility. Khan added that the Pakistani mission in Washington
had in 2011 sought consular access to these detainees. One of
the six detainees had been released, but five still remain in
detention. The five Pakistanis detained in Guantanamo Bay include
Saifullah Piracha, Majid Khan, Ghulam Ahmed Rabban, Muhammad
Ahmed Rabbani and Ammar Ali Balochi.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan
was not sending its military troops to other countries. The
PM dismissed the impression that some countries have asked Pakistan’s
Armed Forces for operations on their land. PM said the recent
visits of the leadership of brotherly countries, including Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, were testimony of their friendship
and must not be linked with such assumptions.
March 21
Two JSQM leaders, identified
as spokesperson Maqsood Qureshi and Salman Wadho, were killed
in a targeted attack near Bhiria city in Naushehro Feroze District.
Wadho was the Secretary General of Latif Sangat - the literary
wing of JSQM. After the attack, the assailants set the vehicle
on fire and escaped from the scene. The killing has triggered
widespread unrest in many towns and cities of Sindh, with business
activity coming to a halt.
Sources said that the MQM has
decided to join the PPP Government in Sindh. The sources said
that the Government had offered five Ministries to the MQM.
They said that both the parties had agreed four days ago that
two Advisors will also be appointed from MQM besides five Ministers.
An Afghan doctor, Haji Daud
Jan, was abducted by four armed persons from Phase IV area of
Hayatabad in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital
of KP. Local Police said that Haji Daud Jan had locked himself
in his car after armed men intercepted him. The gunmen, however,
broke the car window before hauling the doctor into their own
vehicle. This is the second kidnapping incident of the week
as an Afghan paediatrician disappeared from Board Bazaar, except
an FIR was not lodged in the latter case because Police wrote
it off as a ‘disappearance’.
Senior bureaucrat Dr Amjad Shahid
Afridi was feared to have been abducted after his car was found
abandoned at the Chach interchange that lies between the Swabi
and Burhan interchanges on the motorway in Peshawar. Police
said Dr Afridi was staying at the shahi mehman khana, a government-run
guest house in Peshawar, following his transfer from Islamabad
to Peshawar. Dr Afridi has held the positions of KP’s Secretary
Education and Provincial Secretary for Information Technology.
A resolution moved by the ruling
PTI for creating a new Hazara Province was adopted with majority
vote by the KP Assembly. However, opposition MPAs belonging
to PPP, ANP and QWP opposed the resolution calling it a conspiracy
to divide the Province. Sardar Idrees of PTI tabled the resolution
which was subsequently adopted by the house by majority vote.
The resolution read that the Provincial Assembly should request
federal government to pass a bill for National Assembly for
creation of new units including Hazara within the ambit of Constitution
with the objective of easing administrative affairs.
A three-member bench of the
Supreme Court, headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, directed
relevant authorities to submit a report within 30 days on the
Malakand missing persons’ case which concerns the disappearance
of 35 people from an internment centre in Malakand division
of KP. During the hearing of the case, Advocate General KP,
Abdul Latif Yousafzai submitted a copy of the FIR registered
against Naib Subedar Amanullah in the Supreme Court.
The bench was due to rule on
the case concerning the unaccounted persons from the list of
35 missing men on March 21 but it postponed the order to March
22, 2014 (today) following a disclosure by the KP Government
that no formal FIR had been registered. The court had then directed
the Provincial Government to ascertain the situation on the
ground and inform the court. The bench directed authorities
to submit a copy of the charge sheet to the apex court once
the investigation was completed.
Lawyers for former President
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf called for his treason trial
to be suspended because they claim the Government is colluding
with elements of the judiciary to “fix and manipulate” the proceedings.
The legal team said it based its claim on “leaked secret communication”
from an unnamed source in the office of Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif. In a statement issued in London, the lawyers called
for an “immediate and unconditional suspension of the Special
Court and a comprehensive investigation” into their claims.
The lawyers said that Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif has “manipulated the Pakistani legal process
and used unlawful influence on the... judiciary to bring a barrage
of unsubstantiated charges” against Musharraf, his long-time
political rival. They gave no specific details of their new
claims, but said they had submitted them to the office of UN
Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay. Musharraf's lawyers have already
written to the UN urging it to intervene to stop what they call
a “show trial”, claiming Sharif has handpicked the three judges
hearing the case.
Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that preliminary but formal direct
talks between the Government committee and the TTP would take
place during the next few days. “All initial homework and consultations
have been completed for the first direct contact with the TTP,”
he informed, adding “some forces still want to sabotage the
dialogue process by way of terrorist activities”. Addressing
a news conference after chairing a meeting of NADRA board, the
Interior Minister said that there had been progress in the TTP-Government
talks, which have entered a sensitive stage. Direct mediation
between the two sides would take place shortly.
One of the members of the Government’s
first committee formed to negotiate peace with the TTP, Major
(retired) Amir said that Army are the real stakeholders on the
matter and their leadership should decide the future course
of the dialogue for achieving better results. He added that
the Army should be on the driving seat in the peace process
because they are not only “affected but also capable.” Amir
said that after the formation of new Government committee, the
previous one has been dissolved as it was an uphill task to
keep it going due to continuous attention of the media on its
members.
March 22
Three gangsters associated with
the Faisal Pathan group of Lyari were killed in an encounter
with Police and Rangers in Aath Chowk area within the remits
of Kalakot Police Station in Lyari Town. The gangsters were
identified as Bilal, alias Bilawal, Abid and Akbar, alias Seti.
Officials claimed they had recovered radio sets, hand grenades
and weapons from their possession.
DSP Agha Jameel, who was active
during the infamous 1992 Operation Clean-up and also nominated
in the Murtaza Bhutto murder case, was at a restaurant near
Sharfabad Chowrangi when he was shot at, said the New Town Police
official. He was taken to a private hospital, where he expired.
Police said a passerby, Faizan (10), was also killed and his
mother injured in the incident.
A Police Constable, identified
as Naeemuddin (40), was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in Korangi town.
A Shopkeeper, identified as
Shujaat Hussain (24), was shot dead and his friend Taufiq was
injured in Rizvia Society of Liaquatabad Town.
A person, identified as Haroon
Raees (30), was shot dead in Sector 11-L in North Karachi.
A person, identified as Ghulam
Shabir (31), was shot dead on Mirza Adam Khan Road in Gulistan
Colony of Lyari town.
Three dead bodies were found
in different parts of the Karachi. A body was found in the Mewa
Shah graveyard of Pak Colony another in Slaughter House of Lyari
area and a person, identified as Jawad Hassan’s body in Lyari
River of Sher Shah area.
Police arrested a gangster belonging
to Uzair Jan Baloch gang, identified as Hussain, alias Abuzar,
after an exchange of fire with the Police on Mirza Adam Khan
Road within the limits of Chakiwarha Police Station in Lyari
Town.
The MQM and the PPP announced
a formation of a coalition Government in Sindh as five ministries
are likely to be handed over to the MQM. According to sources,
the Ministries of Health, Information Technology, Auqaf, Industries
and Commerce are likely to be offered to the MQM. Two advisers
will also be appointed from the MQM. The names of the potential
ministers have been sent to MQM chief Altaf Hussain for approval.
March 23
At least five militants were
killed and eight others were arrested during a search operation
by SFs in Turbat District. An un-named official said that SFs
launched a search operation in the Pidrak area of Turbat that
led to an exchange of fire between militants and SFs. "The
forces quickly responded and killed five militants during the
exchange of fire,” he added. He further stated that eight suspects
were arrested up from the same area and are being interrogated
by the security personnel.
Two dead bodies of ASI of Police
who had been abducted on an unspecified date were found from
two different areas of Sanda and Chow-Burji in Lahore District.
According to Police sources, both the Policemen were associated
with the Anti Car Lifting Cell (ACLC).
Two members of Sikh community,
Savendar Singh and Anand Singh, who were abducted from Dera
Ismail Khan on February 11, have been released and have reached
their home in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Anand
Singh said he and Savender were running their herbal medicine
business in Dera Ismail Khan when they were abducted on gunpoint
by masked gunmen riding motorbikes. He said the kidnappers shifted
them to an unknown place later.
National Assembly opposition
leader Syed Khursheed Shah demanded Altaf Hussain to withdraw
his statement in which he invited the Army to take over the
reign of power and said that Altaf’s statement was unconstitutional
and PPP, which is a democratic party, would not take MQM in
the Government of Sindh because of the MQM’s track record of
inviting Army to run the affairs of the country.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
announced that his Government is working day and night for peace
and would be holding direct talks with the TTP, and the process
would kick-start in a day or two. “The country needs peace to
put economy on the right track,” he stressed. Nawaz opined terrorism
in the country was a result of wrong policies of the past. “Even
those countries who were lagging behind Pakistan in development
have taken a lead, as we are engulfed in terrorism,” he added.
“For the last 10-15 years not a single considerable developmental
project was launched in any part of the country,” he regretted.
Sharif noted that the economy has lately shown signs of improvement,
and exports are on the rise.
The Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) during
the celebration of Pakistan Day at the Tahaffuz-e-Pakistan (Security
of Pakistan) Convention in Nishtar Park of Jamshed Town in Karachi
demanded for an ‘Islamic Pakistan’. “Despite a myriad of experiments
involving democracy and dictatorships during the last 65 years,
we have failed to honour our pledge to God and the people for
the creation of an Islamic state,” said JeI Chief Syed Munawar
Hasan as he addressed the participants.
Chief of the party’s Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province and a key player in the Taliban negotiating
team, Muhammad Ibrahim said that those calling for a military
operation against the Taliban wanted to destabilise the country.
“Their demands are against the national consensus and all political
parties want to initiate peace talks with the Taliban,” he said.
Number of civilian’s deaths
from US drone attacks in Pakistan is far bigger than Washington
admits, Russian media said. In a documentary on US drones, the
Russian media said over 3000 people half of them civilians have
been killed in 350 aerial strikes in Pakistan. The Russian media
called US term ‘Signature Strikes’ as worrying since in this
procedure suspects are killed in US drone attacks without any
substantial evidence. They said the US drone attacks are tantamount
to war crimes and sheer violation of international laws.
March 24
A female polio vaccinator, Salma
Farooqui (30), who was abducted from her house in Gulozai village
in the suburbs of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial
capital of KP in the night of March 23 had been killed. Her
bullet-riddled and severely tortured body was found in a field
in the morning of March 24. Salma Farooqui played an active
role in the ‘Sehat Ka Insaf’ anti-polio campaign recently launched
by the KP Government despite having been threatened by some
callers for doing so.
The bullet riddled body of a
man, Faisal Imran Masih (60), who had been abducted by unidentified
assailants from Akora Khattak on March 21, was found in Kaka
Sahib area of Nowshera District in the evening.
Peshawar has topped the list
with respect to cases of kidnapping for ransom in the province.
In 2013, alone, more than 70 people were reportedly kidnapped
for ransom from the city, according to Police records. After
the abduction of Federal Secretary Amjad Shahid Afridi from
Peshawar on March 21 it’s clear that this is the city of choice
for kidnappers, said a high-ranking Police official. Out of
the 70 abducted, 48 were recovered. It is not clear, however,
if they were recovered by the Police or released by their captors
after ransom was exchanged.
At least three persons were
injured in a blast in the Landi Kotal Bazaar of the Khyber Agency
in FATA. According to Khasadar officials, the injured in the
attack were the members of a religious group named as Tawheed
ul Islam.
The Islamabad High Court summoned
the DG of the ISI, Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam, in a missing
person case. Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan directed the ISI chief
to appear before the court next week in response to a petition
filed by Parveen Bibi, the spouse of Mohammad Arif, who went
missing in February 2014.
According to details, Arif,
who owned two branches of ‘Dar-i-Arqam’ School in Iqbal Town
and Dhamial Camp of Rawalpindi, was a resident of Peshawar Road
in Rawalpindi Cantonment, and went to Khushab District (in Punjab)
along with three others, Ishtiaq Ahmed Aasi, the Secretary General
of the Pakistan Railways Mazdoor Union, Dr Uzair and Hafiz Rauf
to condole the death of a friend.
Former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf filed a petition challenging the Special Court’s
February 21, 2014 decision of going ahead with the high treason
trial against him instead of referring it to a military court.
The Special Court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh
High Court, had dismissed Musharraf’s application seeking trial
by a military court under the Pakistan Army Act 1952.
The petition in the Supreme
Court was filed by Musharraf’s lawyers Sharifuddin Pirzada,
Dr Khalid Ranjha, Anwar Mansoor Khan and Barrister Mohammad
Ali Saif. The court has been asked to accept the plea and declare
the February 21 judgment of the Special Court constituted under
the Criminal Law Amendment (Special Courts) Act, 1976 as illegal
and unlawful. The Special Court should be directed not to proceed
with the trial, it said.
In his petition, Musharraf contended
that at the time of proclaiming the emergency on November 3,
2007, he was serving as a regular member of the armed forces
and that the alleged offense of high treason attributed to him
was to be tried only under the PAA 1952, a law also framed by
Parliament as much as the High Treason Punishment Act 1973 and
the Special Courts Act 1976.
The Government negotiators and
the TTP Political Shura (Advisory Council) will not meet face-to-face
on March 25, 2014 due to bad weather conditions. TTP intermediary
Mohammad Ibrahim confirmed that the meeting was delayed. Officials
had said on March 24, 2014 that the first face-to-face meeting
between the committee and TTP members was expected to take place
on March 25 at an undisclosed location.
Afghanistan accused ISI of staging
the attack, adds Reuters. The NSC, which is chaired by Afghan
President Hamid Karzai, also alleged that a Pakistani diplomat
was seen scoping out the corridors of the Serena Hotel ahead
of the March 20, 2014 night raid. “Another information of the
NDS shows that earlier when one Pakistani diplomat entered the
Kabul-Serena hotel to use its sport club, he filmed the corridors
of the hotel which the hotel staff raised objections to,” it
added.
March 25
A man, identified as Abdul Aziz
(35), was shot dead in Photo Lane area of Lyari Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead another man, identified as Yaseen (44), in Korangi
Crossing of Korangi Town.
A man, identified as Younis
(60), was shot dead near Electronics Market in Baldia Town.
Two abductees kidnapped by a
Policeman, who was deployed at Special Investigation Unit, were
released and the accused Policeman was arrested near Jinnah
Mausoleum in Jamshed Town. The abductees were kidnapped on March
24, 2014. The Police mobile and weapons used in the kidnapping
were also recovered from his possession.
At least 13 suspects were arrested
and weapons were recovered from their possession during raids
conducted by Rangers personnel in Mohammad Khan Colony and Ittehad
Town of Baldia Town.
Police booked seven suspects,
including MQM Zonal Committee member Farhan Ali Shaikh, for
killing JSQM cadre, Manzoor Channa on March 21, 2014. However,
the MQM District Chapter strongly condemned the registration
of the FIR against Shaikh.
AIGP, Karachi range, Shahid
Hayat said “1,500 more phones were snatched in the city when
compared with the corresponding period before the operation”.
He said that mobile snatching is on the rise in Karachi and
the situation could improve if supply was curtailed and those
individuals selling the phones were arrested. He further said
that the targeted operation had brought the number of homicides
in the city down, which would further decrease by 50 per cent
at the end of 2014.
Police arrested two extortionists
from the limit of Pishtakhara Police Station in Peshawar, provincial
capital of KP. They hailed from Hangu District of the Province.
Police said that both of them were brothers and the SIM used
for demanding extortion money was also recovered from their
possession.
The Supreme Court was informed
that the Federal Government wanted two serving military officers,
Major Moheen and Major Saif, tried under the Pakistan Army Act
(PAA) 1952 for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances
of Baloch people.
An unnamed ISI Brigadier, during
a session of the National Assembly’s (NA) Standing Committee
on Defence on March 25, briefed the Parliamentarians on NISP
and asked lawmakers to formulate strong laws to defeat terrorism.
The official said that sectarian terrorist organisations were
posing a renewed threat to the country’s peace.
The MNA and PML-N member Shaikh
Rohail Asghar said that the briefing was satisfactory. “Problems
and grey areas have been pinpointed in the meeting, which is
a good sign. We hope this would be a productive addition in
our efforts for the elimination of terrorism,” he said.
The unnamed sources in the National
Assembly Defence Committee said that the ISI official said strong
laws were required so that the missing persons’ issue was resolved.
“Missing persons are those people who are involved in heinous
kinds of terror activities,” sources quoted the Brigadier as
saying.
The Pakistan Education Atlas
(PEA) 2013, launched by State Minister for Education, Trainings
and Standards in Higher Education Balighur Rehman, reported
that for the last few years Pakistan’s adult literacy rate has
stagnated at 58 per cent as almost half the country’s adult
population is unable to read or write.
During the launch, Rehman reiterated
the Government’s pledge to improve education in the country.
He said that even though education has been devolved to Provinces,
they ‘have agreed to the Constitution of a National Curriculum
Commission to bring the education system on the same page across
Pakistan’. In addition, the WFP Representative and Country Director
in Pakistan Lola Castro said that the WFP had contributed to
the report as it wished to ‘support and promote this important
educational undertaking’ in the country.
Members of the State-Committee
for peace talks with the TTP have left for NWA in FATA. The
Government’s representatives include Habibullah Khan Khattak,
Arbab Muhammad Arif, Fawad Hassan Fawad and Rustam Shah. However,
the location of the meeting with the Taliban Shura has been
kept a secret.
March 26
A two-member bench of the Supreme
Court, comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Mushir
Alam, while hearing the cases on the law and order situation
in Balochistan, missing persons and the Khuzdar mass grave case
observed that Balochistan Chief Secretary was visiting the US
while people in the province were dying.
The court directed the Balochistan
Chief Secretary to hold a meeting on his return from the US
and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
Direct peace talks were held
between the Government and the TTP in Orakzai Agency of FATA.
The talks were mainly focused on an extension in the ceasefire
and release of non-combatant detainees. The face-to-face meeting
lasting seven hours was held in the Bilandkhel area in Spin
Thall in the Orakzai Agency near the boundary with North Waziristan
and the Kurram Agencies.
The four Government negotiators
led by Secretary Ports and Shipping Habibullah Khan Khattak
and the three TTP negotiations committee members headed by Maulana
Samiul Haq were first flown in two separate helicopters to Thall
town in Hangu District and then driven in vehicles to Bilandkhel
in Orakzai Agency.
The TTP-nominated negotiators
Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, who is provincial head of the Jamaat-e-Islami,
and Maulana Yousaf Shah, who is an aide to Maulana Samiul Haq
and is coordinator of the committee, also attended the talks.
The TTP Shura was represented in the talks by Qari Shakil, who
belongs to Mohmand Agency, Azam Tariq, who is from the Mehsud
tribe in South Waziristan, Qari Bashir, Hussain, who is a pharmacist
and cleric, and a fifth person whose name could not be ascertained.
Maulana Yousaf Shah and Prof Ibrahim had earlier said that Maulana
Zakir too would be representing the TTP Shura, but it wasn’t
clear if he attended the meeting.
Dozens of militants, including
some mid-level planners, have travelled to Syria from Pakistan
in recent months in what American intelligence and counterterrorism
officials’ fear is an effort to lay the foundation for future
strikes against Europe and the United States. “We are concerned
about the use of Syrian territory by the al Qaeda organisation
to recruit individuals and develop the capability to be able
not just to carry out attacks inside of Syria, but also to use
Syria as a launching pad,” John O Brennan, the CIA Director.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim
Ali Shah, on March 26 announced that in order to ensure safety
of Policemen in Karachi, the Karachi Police, according to the
Sindh Emergency Procurement Bill, 2014, will purchase security
related equipments, including 300 bombproof APCs, bullet-proof
vans and jackets, worth PKR 8 billion.
The Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on March 26 informed the National Assembly
that Punjab recorded the highest number of kidnapping-for-ransom
cases that were registered over the past one year among all
Provinces and territories.
Referring to the abduction and
killing of one of the five Iranian guards the Foreign Office
Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam on March 26 said, “Our investigations
have neither corroborated nor established the entry into or
presence within Pakistani territory of the Iranian border guards”.
Her comments followed remarks by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Marzieh Afkham that her Government considered Pakistani Government
responsible for the safety of the kidnapped guards.
According to details, five Iranian
border guards were abducted on February 6, 2014 from Pakistan-Iran
border by an Iranian militant group Jaish al-Adl which is accused
of having sanctuaries in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province. The
outfit claimed to have killed one of the guards, identified
as Jamshid Danaeefar. The Iranian Foreign Ministry called for
immediate capture of the terrorists and their extradition to
Iran.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
called Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and demanded “serious
and swift action” by Pakistan to secure the release of the soldiers.
“We expect to hear good news in this regard,” he said, while
calling for “joint action by both countries against terrorists.”
To this, Nawaz Sharif said the issue was of “utmost importance”
to his Government and that he was “prepared to boost action
to free the soldiers.
March 27
A Policeman guarding the polio
team workers was killed when unidentified militants attacked
the team in Nasirabad area of Loralai District. No outfit claimed
responsibility for the attack.
Sardar Sanaullah Zehrion, PML-N
Parliamentary leader made an announcement that the Balochistan
Government is setting up the Shuhada Foundation to assist the
families of security personnel killed in the war against terror.
NDS personnel of Afghanistan
arrested a key 'commander' of the TTP in Kamdish District of
Nuristan Province. TTP ‘commander’ Muftauddin alias Mansoor,
a resident of Chitral District, Pakistan, was sent to target
the April 5, 2014 Afghanistan polls.
The KP Police Department blacklisted
an arms supply firm, M/S Majeed and Sons for its involvement
in a major scam concerning supply of substandard weapons, ammunition
and other gadgets to the Police force. Through the tender, he
said, the firm had got the contract. Later, allegations of embezzlement
in the procurement of different items started surfacing in media
and thus the NAB KP, conducted investigation into the matter.
The major supplier during procurement in 2008-09, he said, was
Arshad Majeed, the owner of the firm. He was arrested by NAB
and during investigation he not only admitted to his involvement
in malpractices, but also entered into an agreement for voluntary
return of the embezzled amount.
The talks between Government
and the TTP have hit a stalemate and unless some quick decisions
are taken, it will be difficult to prolong the ceasefire. The
ceasefire is to expire on March 31. According to an insider,
the TTP has set two conditions for continuation of the peace
talks. One is the creation of a demilitarised peace zone in
mountainous Shaktoi in South Waziristan Agency of FATA, to allow
freedom of movement and two, the release of non-combatants.
The insider said the five-member
militants’ committee sought written guarantees before they could
commit to an extension in the month-long ceasefire. “For nearly
seven hours, we talked to them about the destruction wrought
by over a decade of violence, the loss of lives and property
and displacement of people. We said ‘let bygones be bygones,
let’s bury the hatchet and make a new beginning’,” the insider
said.
He described the situation as
a stalemate, adding it was now for the federal government to
reply. He said that militants had handed them over a list of
250 non-combatants. The list includes names of women, children
and the elderly. The military has already denied they have women,
children and the elderly in their custody. “We told them we
will investigate the matter,” the insider said. The militants’
committee also handed the committee representing the state a
list of some seven hundred combatants for a possible release.
The Chairman of PPP Bilawal
Bhutto Zardari, in a message on the micro blogging site Twitter,
said that he had received a threat letter from LeJ and would
hold Punjab Government responsible in case of an attack on him.
He further said that the threat was not just for him but for
all PPP leaders, the Government of Sindh and officers of Police
and Rangers.
Taking notice of the tweet,
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif directed the IG Punjab
Police to contact Bilawal and launch a swift probe into the
incident.
Justice Faisal Arab of the Special
Court trying former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf
for high treason case ‘quit’ the trial over accusations of bias
by the defence team. Justice Arab remarked, “If someone thinks
that we are demonstrating partiality then we too are not interested
in hearing of the case,” adding, “I did not say that Pervez
Musharraf does not intend to come to court. I had said Musharraf
could not appear in the court due to security concerns. The
court also accepted security threats being faced by the accused.
He was granted exemption after his plea for security threats
was accepted. Issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants is not
matter of joke.”
He further said, “If there is
any objection over the court’s order then it can be rectified.
If you think the court is not neutral then we too don’t have
any interest in the case.” He announced, “There is no shortage
of judges in the country and I cannot hear the case further.”
A Lahore High Court division
bench adjourned the hearing of an appeal moved by a Christian
woman, Asia Bibi (45), against her death sentence on blasphemy
charges till April 14, 2014, due to unavailability of complainant
Mullah Qari Muhammad Salam’s counsel. According to details,
Salam accused Bibi of speaking against Prophet Muhammmad on
June 14, 2009 and subsequently the Nankana Police registered
a blasphemy case against her. Later, a Sessions Court had handed
down death penalty to her on November 8, 2010. Her appeal was
filed with the LHC on November 11, 2010.
March 28
Two alleged gangsters, identified
as Arshad and Abdullah, were killed in a joint encounter by
Rangers and Police in Baghdadi area of Lyari Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Two unidentified dead bodies
were found packed in gunny bags near Bagh-e-Korangi in Korangi
Town.
A member of an unspecified political
party, identified as Anwar (40), was killed in firing incident
near Allah Wala Town in North Karachi Town.
A man, identified as Abdul Waheed
(30), was killed in an incident of firing by unidentified armed
assailants in North Nazimabad Town.
An attempt by unidentified criminals
to run away with the pulled out ATM machine of a private bank
was foiled near NIPA Chowrangi in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Gulshan
Town. According to details, the accused successfully pulled
out an ATM machine of a private bank and were about run away
with the machine, when the guard of the bank foiled their attempt
by switching on the siren causing panic among the accused who
threw the machine on the road and fled away.
Three armed assailants entered
the temple belonging to the Hindu scheduled-caste community
and desecrated it in Latifabad area of Hyderabad District. The
men prayed for two minutes and then broke Hanuman’s idol before
setting the temple on fire. This temple is located in the same
compound as the more popular temple of Kali Mata. “They asked
me to let them in because they wanted to pray,” said Darshan,
a student of class five, who has been looking after the temple
for the last five months. “But, once they entered, they broke
the idol, sprayed kerosene oil and set everything ablaze.”
MQM’s senior leader Saleem Shahzad,
soon after his suspension from the party for an indefinite period,
said that that several elements within the party were involved
in extortion, killings and smuggling. “The party leadership
knew I have decided to resign from the basic membership,” Shahzad
said while reacting to news of his suspension in London. “There
is a corrupt lobby in the Muttahida which is against the ideological
workers…These elements are involved in extortion, murder, smuggling
and other illegal activities,” he said.
The driver of NATO oil container
was killed and his companion was injured when unidentified militants
set ablaze the tanker in Bypass area of Dhadar tehsil in Bolan
District. An un-named levies official said that the militants
escaped from the spot after torching the container. No outfit
claimed responsibility for the attack.
The driver of Express News anchor
Raza Rumi was killed while he was injured in a targeted attack
on his car near the Express News office in Raja Market
of Lahore District. Soon after the incident Rumi said that although
he had not received any direct threats, he was reportedly on
the hit-list of some extremist groups. Eleven bullet casings
were recovered from the crime scene, the CCPO said.
The Punjab Union of Journalists
announced that it would hold a protest in front of the Punjab
Assembly on March 29, 2014 (today). “We [journalists] will
continue to speak the truth and not back down,” Rumi said, adding
“Politicians will not benefit from remaining quiet while journalists
are muzzled…these bullets will target them tomorrow if they
do not take notice today.” He further said, “There will be no
security or governance left in Pakistan.”
The Supreme Court Registrar
returned a petition of Shah Jan Khan, saying the petitioner
was not an aggrieved party in the proceedings of the Special
Court set up for treason trial of former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf. “The petitioner (Shah Jan Khan) is not an
aggrieved party and, therefore, cannot file the petition in
the matter,” the Supreme Court Registrar said while rejecting
the petition. Shah Jan Khan, the petitioner, had requested the
Supreme Court to summon judges of the Special Court, Musharraf’s
lawyers and the media to clear their position about proceedings
on Musharraf’s treason case.
On March 27, 2014, unusual rising
of the three-judge Special Court sparked rumours that the court
had been dissolved and it’s Chief Judge, Justice Faisal Arab,
had refused to proceed with the case. But the court later clarified
in its order that it had risen only for the day and said it
would take up the case on March 31, 2014 as scheduled to frame
charges against Musharraf for imposing the 2007 emergency.
TTP negotiating committee member
and JeI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Muhammad Ibrahim said that
there was no deadlock in the dialogue process. He said that
the TTP and Government had not refused demands put forward by
each side, adding that confidence will increase if prisoners
were released.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan convened a meeting of the committees
representing the Government and the TTP. Informed sources said
the meeting would discuss the future course of action and was
expected to be followed soon by another round of direct talks
between the Government Committee and the TTP Shura.
An un-named official source
said that the first round of direct talks was held at an undisclosed
location in FATA and the second might take place at some other
place. He said ‘reasonable’ demands of the TTP would be considered
and efforts would be made to take the peace process to its logical
conclusion. Sources confirmed that the TTP had sought release
of hundreds of their prisoners and said “they will be asked
to soften their position”, indicating that a rigid position
on the issue would not be acceptable.
Police force of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
is ready to respond to any security threat in case peace negotiations
with the TTP fail, said KP IGP, Nasir Durrani. He said that
the Police force in the Province possessed the capabilities
to spring to action if needed and face any sudden blowback if
peace talks were to fail.
Highlighting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s
security concerns compared to the rest of the country, Durrani
said that his Police force knew how to tackle militancy and
ensure the safety of its people. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
is different from the rest of the country when it comes to law
and order. According to him, the Province faced three major
security threats – militancy, kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion,
which were “interlinked”.
Prime Minister’s Advisor on
Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz said that
the US has not formally announced to stop drone attacks in Pakistan.
He said that Nawaz Shahrif had told President Barack Obama that
the drones were causing damage instead of any benefit. However,
the US officials had not informed Pakistan about as to how long
the drone attacks would not be launched, he said.
The UN called on all states
to ensure that the use of armed drones complies with international
law, backing a proposal from Pakistan seen as taking aim at
the US. The Council "urges all states to ensure that any
measures employed to counter terrorism, including the use of
remotely piloted aircraft or armed drones, comply with their
obligations under international law...in particular the principles
of precaution, distinction and proportionality".
Pakistan’s Ambassador Zamir
Akram while talking to the UNHRC said, "The purpose of
this resolution is not to shame or name anyone, as we are against
this approach,” adding, "It is about supporting a principle."
The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 27 states in favour
to six against, with 14 abstentions. The United States, Britain
and France voted against.
KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak
inaugurated the Provincial headquarters of Rescue 1122 Emergency
Service situated on Sher Shah Suri Road in Cantonment area of
Provincial capital Peshawar. Spokesperson of the emergency service
said the building was completed by the C&W Department at
the cost of PKR150 million, which was taken from the funds of
Rescue 1122 allotted to it by the Provincial Government. The
project was approved by the ANP Government in 2011.
“The emergency service has become
one of the exemplary service providers of the Province,” said
the Chief Minister, adding, the service will be expanded to
other areas of the Province like Dera Ismail Khan, Swat and
Abbottabad Districts. Currently, Rescue 1122 is active in Peshawar
and Mardan Districts.
The IMF, while reviewing Pakistan’s
performance under a USD 6.7 billion bailout loan package, on
March 28 said in its report that Pakistan’s key economic indicators
were showing modest improvement but warned that militancy and
crime could threaten growth and investment. “For the fiscal
year 2014-15, growth is forecast to accelerate to about 3.7
percent, and will continue to accelerate in the medium term,”
the report said, adding, “Security conditions in Pakistan remain
difficult with significant terrorist activity, as well as sectarian
violence and urban criminal activity, which could depress investment
and growth.”
The report was prepared after
the IMF team met Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other
officials in Dubai during a meeting from February 1 to 9, 2014,
to discuss the economic performance, approval and release of
the USD 550 million third installment of the loan. The meeting
was held outside Pakistan because of security worries, the fund
said. The State Bank of Pakistan spokesman confirmed that USD
550 million had been transferred from the IMF to bring foreign
exchange reserves USD 9.1 billion.
The IMF confirmed its recent
forecast of 3.1 percent growth this year, which was revised
up from an earlier 2.8 percent. “The overall economic situation
in Pakistan is gradually improving,” said Jeffrey Franks, the
IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan, adding, “That 3.1 percent may
still be a bit on the conservative side, so we see indicators
of growth that are relatively strong considering the fiscal
adjustment that has taken place.”
March 29
A bomb blast targeting a vehicle
carrying SFs killed a minor girl and injured 15 others on the
outskirts of Quetta city in Balochistan province. Militants
targeted the vehicle of FC through an IED on Quetta's Sariab
road area. The militants planted the IED in a rickshaw parked
on the road. There was no immediate claim of responsibility
for the attack. However, Police suspect that Baloch militants
operating in the area carried out the attack.
Unidentified militants disguised
in SFs’ uniforms attacked the Pasni radar-post in Mekran Belt
near Gwadar town (Gwadar District), killing a Balochistan Constabulary
official and injuring another. An official in the province’s
home and tribal affairs department, who requested anonymity
owing to sensitivity of the matter, told a private television
channel that eight militants stormed inside the Pasni radar
post and killed personnel deployed there. “The militants took
eight security personnel hostage,” he said, adding that the
insurgents killed one of them for offering resistance.
The Police have arrested a suspected
suicide bomber during search operation in Kohat District of
the KP. Police officials were searching vehicles at a check
point in Nasrat Khel area of Kohat District when they arrested
a suspected suicide bomber, Amjad Ali and recovered explosive
material and a suicide vest from him. The bomb disposal unit
was called in which successfully defused the suicide jacket
containing 13 kg of explosives, ball bearings, prima-card and
two MV2 fuses.
March 30
Three more dead bodies were
recovered from a mass grave in Totak area of Khuzdar District.
The mass grave was discovered on January 25. So far, 16 dead
bodies have been recovered from the grave. Two dead bodies were
identified by their relatives, whereas the remaining corpses
are yet to be identified.
At least two persons, identified
as Zafar Ali and Liaquat Ali were killed and three sustained
injuries as some unidentified assailants opened fire in the
morning at Gomal Bazar Sekotkhadaq in Tank District of KP.
Police said that five persons were on way back to their home
located at Gomal Bazar Sekotkhadaq after attending a wedding
ceremony, when unidentified assailants targeting them opened
fire.
A suspected militant was killed
in an encounter with the Police in the limits of Ghauriwala
Police Station in Bannu District. Deputy Superintendent of Police
(Headquarters) Sanaullah Khan said that the encounter took place
in the limits of Ghauriwala Police Station, where the cops had
put up barricade for checking vehicles and people. He said the
cops manning the barrier signalled a motorcyclist to stop, but
he opened fire on the Policemen and sped away. He said the cops
from the Ghauriwala and Mandan police stations chased the fleeing
militant, who fell from the bike during the mayhem. “The attacker
sustained injuries during the fall, but hurled two hand-grenades
at the approaching cops, who remained unhurt,” the official
said, adding that the militant then blew himself up.
12 persons sustained injuries
when unidentified persons hurled a hand-grenade at a workshop
in Bara Qadeem in the limits of Sarband Police Station in Peshawar
(Peshawar District), the provincial capital of KP. The condition
of one of them was stated to be critical.
Unidentified militants hurled
a hand-grenade at a shrine in Kulachi tehsil in Dera Ismail
Khan District. The people were preparing meal at the langar
or free food in connection with the Urs in Atal Sharif when
the incident happened. Unidentified motorcyclists lobbed a hand-grenade
into the building. However, no loss of life occurred in the
blast.
A house suffered partial damage
in an explosion in Bagota area of Hangu District. The sources
said unidentified persons had planted an explosive device near
the house of Sajidullah in Bagota, which went off early in the
day causing partial damage to the building. However, it caused
no loss of life.
A convoy of SFs escaped two
explosions caused by remote-controlled devices on the Miranshah-Dattakhel
Road in NWA of FATA. However, the blasts caused no human or
property losses as the convoy of the SFs had passed the targeted
area shortly before the explosions.
PM Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
said the talks with the TTP are moving forward in the right
direction and the nation will soon be given good news. The PM
hoped that the dialogue process with the TTP would bring about
the desired results. He said that development of the country
was connected with peace, which would be restored at all costs.
The PM directed the Punjab Chief Minister to improve the law
and order situation of the province, adding that it was the
first priority of the Government.
Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, chairman
of the Pakistan Ulema Council, claimed that the TTP had suggested
to the Government to set up a judicial commission to ascertain
facts about detention of what it called non-combatants. “This
is one of the recommendations of TTP that there should be a
judicial commission on the issue of TTP prisoners,” Maulana
Ashrafi said. He said the TTP had made the suggestion during
their first meeting with Government negotiators in tribal areas
last week.
TTP’s negotiating committee
member, Mohammad Ibrahim, said on March 30 that the TTP had
expressed willingness to release some high-profile people as
a goodwill gesture. Ibrahim did not rule out release of Ali
Musa, Shahbaz Taseer and Ajmal Khan, the former vice-chancellor
of Islamia College University, Peshawar. He criticised the PPP,
MQM and ANP for their stance on the ongoing talks between the
Government and the TTP and claimed that these parties did not
want the process to succeed so that a situation arose for a
military operation in North Waziristan. He said these parties
advocated use of force to solve problems in tribal areas, though
such actions had always proved to be an exercise in futility
in the past.
The rising incidents of cross-border
terrorism by some Pakistan-based militant groups not only in
Afghanistan and India but also in Iran and China, are increasingly
bringing Islamabad into conflict with most of its neighbouring
states. Pakistan’s Tribal Areas are being blamed for harbouring
non-state actors by almost all its neighbours, with Delhi, Kabul,
Tehran and Beijing expressing concern about the links between
global terrorism and sanctuaries located in the lawless regions
of the FATA.
March 31
Two passengers of the Akbar
Bugti Express were killed and 10 others were injured when unidentified
armed assailants attacked the train with two rockets in the
Bolan District. The attackers fired two rockets which hit the
bogies of the train, said officials of the Pakistan Railways.
The FC and Railways Police personnel retaliated.
A dead body was found in the
Totak area of Khuzdar District.
Unidentified militant shot dead
a lady polio worker, Fehmida Yasmin, in Sukari Zabita Khan in
the limits of the Cantonment Police Station in Bannu town (Bannu
District) KP. Yasmin, who had been privately hired for the anti-polio
campaign, was on her way to a house to administer anti-polio
drops to children when an unidentified militant opened fire
on her. She died on the spot. The accused managed to escape
from the scene.
Anti-Terrorism Court convicted
a Police Constable, Syed Ali Badshah and sentenced him to life
imprisonment with fine of PKR 100, 000 in a case of firing at
a procession, on November 22, 2013, which had left nine persons
injured. The procession was part of demonstrations staged across
KP against sectarian violence on the occasion of Ashura in Rawalpindi.
A driver, Syed Ajmal Hussain,
was critically injured in a roadside blast in Parachinar, headquarters
of Kurram Agency, in FATA. Sources said that Syed Ajmal Hussain
was going to his village in a vehicle when a roadside explosive
device planted by suspected militants near a checkpoint went
off.
Pakistan has released 1,801
Indian prisoners including 74 civil and 1727 fishermen during
the last five years, following the successful negotiations,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials said. Around 100 Indian
prisoners were released in the year 2009, 474 in 2010, 118 in
2011, 706 in 2012, and 403 in 2013. The official said on the
other side India has released 725 Pakistani prisoners from 2009
to 2013 including four in 2009, 293 in 2010, 231 in 2011, 131
in 2012 and 66 in 2013.Replying to a question, he said under
various agreements, 72 Pakistani prisoners (42 from Sri Lanka
and 32 from Thailand) have been transferred back to Pakistan.
The HRCP expressed alarm over
a number of developments, including the assault on journalist
Raza Rumi and attacks on temples in Sindh, and termed the same
a new wave of intolerance. According to a press statement issued,
“HRCP has grave concerns over a number of recent incidents,
including an attack on Raza Rumi in Lahore, a spate of assaults
at Hindu temples, the most recent one being in Hyderabad, and
the death sentence for Sawan Masih.”
The members of the TTP are said
to be divided over an extension in the one-month ceasefire that
expired. “There are differences among various factions of the
TTP on an extension in the ceasefire it had announced on March
1. Some of the factions are in favour of extending it as long
as the peace talks are under way with the Government. Others
want to resume the attacks and seek revenge for the crackdown
on Taliban militants and torture on their prisoners in Sindh
province,” a senior leader and Shura member of the TTP
said.
TTP sources claimed that the
PPP and the MQM in Sindh are engaged in making alliance in a
bid to thwart peace talks. The TTP sources said that during
their one-month ceasefire Sindh Government continued to arrest
TTP activists and tortured them in prison.
The Federal Government may set
free during the current week around half a dozen TTP prisoners
against whom there is lack of strong evidence of having been
involved in terrorism. A source, who was present in March 29,
2014, joint meeting of the Government committee and TTP intermediaries,
chaired by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, said,
“Six to ten such detained persons are likely to be released
in the first phase.”
The HuT has once again started
its activities in Islamabad, with its cadres distributing pamphlets
among the citizens asking them to support the outfit for the
establishment of caliphate in the country. In one of its pamphlets
written in Urdu, the HuT requested the people of Pakistan to
ask their relatives serving in the armed forces to help the
organisation achieve its mission so that the US “meets its doom
in the region.”
April 1
At least two torture bearing
dead bodies of MQM activists, identified as that of Sanaullah
and Masrur, were recovered from Ghagar Phatak near National
Highway in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According
to Police sources, they were abducted from Gulistan-e-Jauhar
area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town and then tortured to death.
A seminary student, identified
as Muhammad Ahsan (25), was shot dead and another student, identified
as Saad (24), was injured when two unidentified armed assailants
wearing surgical masks opened fire on them in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
At least four persons were injured
in two separate explosions in Karachi. The first incident took
place near NIPA Chowrangi area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal town where
bomb went off that left one person injured. Police said that
the militants tried to enter an identified seminary, however,
the guard succeeded to stop them after which militants left
the bomb outside the seminary and managed to flee.
Two unidentified persons were
injured in a firing incident in Sharafi Goth area of Landhi
Town.
A bomb exploded outside a Mosque
in Gulshan-e-Hadeed area, leaving two children injured.
The dead body of an Iranian
national, identified as Mohtaj Ubair, was found hanging from
a tree in the Mashkail town of Kharan District. Balochistan
Levies personnel found a piece of paper from the body that read
“death to the informer of Iran”.
According to official sources
the number of dead bodies found from a mass grave in Totak area
of Khuzdar District reached 17. Balochistan Home Secretary Asad
ur Rehman Gailani said that during last two days four bodies
were recovered from the mass grave in Totak area of Khuzdar.
"They are yet to be identified," Gailani stated.
The Commander of the Southern
Command, Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua said that the
process to resolve the Balochistan issue through talks is under
way and the Army has been cooperating with the Provincial Government
in its efforts to restore peace. He said steps had been taken
to end unrest because development of the province was linked
to peace.
An allegedly gangster, identified
as Rambel Khan, was shot dead in an encounter with the Police
during an operation in Mattani area, on the outskirts of Peshawar
(Peshawar District), the provincial capital of KP. At around
6 am Police started a search operation in several villages including
Mattani, Adezai, Zakhel and Yousaf Khel. Around nine people
were arrested on suspicion and are being interrogated.
The PPP called upon the Punjab
Government to take action against ‘150 sleeper cells’ of the
LeJ in the Province. Fawad Chaudhry, the media adviser of PPP
Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the party had taken
serious notice of a threatening letter sent by the LeJ to Bilawal
Bhutto. Ali Sufian who claimed to be a 'spokesperson' of LeJ
threatened in the letter that his group would kill the Bilawal
for his hostile stance against militants.
Fawad Chaudhry said: “The LJ
was involved in the attack on Bilawal Bhutto’s security guards
in Karachi and we believe that members of this group were hiding
in Punjab.” He further said that the presence of ‘150 sleeper
cells’ of LeJ had been disclosed by the Federal Ministry for
Interior.
PPP Punjab’s Information Secretary
Raja Amer accused the Punjab Government of having close links
with the LeJ and, therefore, not interested in acting against
the banned group. He accused Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah
of working as the mouthpiece of the LeJ.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
and ISI DG Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam Janjua paid a visit
to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss former President General
(retired) Pervez Musharraf’s possible exit from Pakistan. There
are speculations that Musharraf is likely to leave the country,
as the GHQ reportedly presses the Government to pave way for
the ex-general’s safe exit from Pakistan given that he has been
indicted in the high treason case.
According to sources, the majority
of PML-N leaders opposed removing Musharraf’s name from the
ECL, arguing that punishing him would ensure that there would
be “no future violations of the constitution”. The PML-N leaders
reportedly said that allowing Musharraf to leave the country
would be perceived as a covert and controversial deal and it
would be difficult for the Government to defend this move.
According to an unnamed Federal
Minister the Government is planning to allow safe passage to
Musharraf out of Pakistan on “humanitarian grounds” after direct
possible diplomatic intervention from the Saudi Arabian authorities
as a part of a covert deal. “The modalities are being given
final touches,” he said.
The senators demanded with one
voice that the issue of polio vaccination be included in the
agenda for talks between the Government and the TTP. Members
from all parties unanimously adopted a resolution, moved by
PPP Shazia Marri to make Pakistan a polio-free country. Members
of religious parties called for harsher punishments for those
who create hindrance in achieving this milestone. Marri termed
the surge in polio cases ‘alarming’, particularly from the FATA.
She said 96 polio cases have been reported in the last six months
out of which, 89 emerged in FATA.
The Government has claimed a
modest increase in the boys’ and girls’ literacy rate in the
FATA. “Literacy rate for girls stands at a modest 10.5 per cent
compared to 36.66 per cent for boys despite considerable expenditure
incurred by the FATA Secretariat to improve education statistics
in the area,” said a handout while quoting an official document.
Earlier, the girls’ and boys’ literacy rate was three per cent
and 29.51 per cent respectively.
According to the handout, Kurram
Agency tops other tribal agencies in the girls’ enrolment as
21.3 per cent girls have been enrolled there followed by Khyber
Agency with 16.13 per cent such enrolment. Giving agency-wise
breakup of the girls’ enrolment, the handout said the FATA Education
Atlas 2011-12 reported that the proportion of girls enrolled
in educational institutions stood at 7.5 per cent in South Waziristan,
4.26 per cent in North Waziristan Agency, 21.03 per cent in
Kurram Agency, 4.7 per cent in Bajaur Agency, 5.72 per cent
in Mohmand Agency, 5.15 per cent in Orakzai Agency and 16.13
per cent in Khyber Agency.
The proportion stands at 5.88
per cent in FR Dera Ismail Khan, 1.81 per cent in FR Lakki Marwat,
2.28 per cent in FR Tank, 1.07 per cent in FR Bannu, 24.09 per
cent in FR Kohat and 16.66 per cent in FR Peshawar. According
to the handout, around 124,424 girls are enrolled in 1,551 primary
schools, 19,614 girls in 158 middle schools, 13,837 girls in
42 high schools and 1,134 girls in five higher secondary schools
in FATA. It said the recent militant activities and poor law
and order situation in tribal areas had badly hampered the girls’
education in the region but the government was taking steps
to provide education across FATA.
April 2
Unidentified militants opened
fire at a car and killed three people and injured two women
inside it in Satellite Town area of Quetta. SP Sariab, Imran
Qureshi said, "The victims are yet to be identified".
No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two unidentified dead bodies
were recovered from Mianwali Colony in Manghopir area of Gadap
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According
to Police, the victims had been tortured before being shot dead.
Police arrested the salesman
of Al Badar Bookshop, identified as Khuda Bakhsh, and seized
‘objectionable’ material, including books, during a raid at
the store in Gwadar District. “Police raided the bookshop after
receiving information about objectionable books and other material
kept there,” District Police Officer Pervez Umrani said. According
to details, the Policemen also confiscated two books on Balochistan’s
history, Lala Hatu Ram’s ‘Tareekh-e-Balochistan’ and Dr Shah
Mohammad Marri’s ‘Baloch’.
Police arrested the owner of
a CD shop and also seized a number of CDs from the shop located
on Airport Road in Quetta.
The Judicial Tribunal tasked
to investigate the discovery of 17 dead bodies from mass graves
in Tutak area of Khuzdar District is expected to produce its
findings within a month. The Tribunal, headed by Balochistan
High Court Judge Justice Noor Mohammed Meskanzai, sought eight
more weeks on February 28, 2014, as it wanted to record the
statements. “The extension of eight weeks will help the tribunal
to record the statements of maximum number of people,” Home
Secretary Balochistan Asad Gilani said.
Spokesperson of Balochistan
Government Jan Mohammed Buleidai said, “High Court judge is
investigating this case and we hope that responsible will be
brought to justice.” The DNA tests of 13 dead bodies are yet
to be submitted to the tribunal. Officials have only identified
one body as that of Naseer Ahmed through a piece of paper recovered
from the body. All the bodies were decomposed beyond recognition.
In response to the former President
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s request for removal of
his name from the Exit Control List, the ruling PML-N, after
two days consultation with party members and military leadership,
refused to give Pervez Musharraf a safe passage. “The Federal
Government is unable to accede to your requests in public interest,”
according to a statement released by the Federal Ministry for
Interior, adding, “The requests have been considered on the
basis of record pronouncements of the superior courts on the
cited subject and pending criminal cases in the various courts.”
Ahmed Raza Kasuri, counsel of
Musharraf, claimed that an attempt had been made to lure his
client with a secret deal to stay away from the country for
a period of five years. “President Pervez Musharraf was offered
to sign a 5-year bond and not return (till the date of its expiration),”
Ahmed Raza Kasuri said. However, he went on to say that his
client, Musharraf had turned down the deal of secret agreement.
Information Minister Pervaiz
Rashid refuted Ahmed Raza Kasuri's claim that the Government
attempted to lure Pervez Musharraf with a secret deal to stay
away from the country for a period of five years. "Ahmed
Raza Kasuri tried to gain attention of former military ruler
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf by telling a lie," Rashid
claimed. The minister further said that the Government made
no offer to Musharraf, claiming that the former President ousted
Kasuri from his defence counsel team that is why he lied to
gain Musharraf’s attention.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
in a meeting with UK National Security Advisor Kim Darroch in
Islamabad assured that its soil will not be used against Afghanistan
and that it supports the democratic process in Afghanistan.
He said, “Our soil will not be used against Afghanistan and
we support the democratic process in Afghanistan”.
Prime Minister Nawaz said that
Pakistan believed in policy of non-interference, especially
with regards to Afghanistan. “In order to tackle the issue of
terrorism we have evolved consensus, amongst all the stakeholders,
for dialogue,” he said, adding that that Pakistan do not wish
to fall into arms race and want peace and stability in the region.
In his meeting with Federal
Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Sir Darroch said
that the British Government is committed to provide more support
to Pakistan in all fields, particularly countering terrorism.
Talking about post 2014-Afghanitsan, Nisar said the two neighbouring
countries have to work together, with the support of the international
community, to ensure peace and stability in the post-2014 Afghanistan.
Nisar said that Pakistan has adopted a holistic regional approach
by following a non-partisan policy in Afghanistan as well as
improving relations with India.
Federal Defence Minister Khawaja
Muhammad Asif during his meeting with Sir Darroch said that
both political and armed forces’ leadership was on the same
page over all matters including the internal security situation
of the country. He said, “This unanimity is proving as our strength
and will help bring us out of our problems”. He said that violence
in any form was undesirable and Government was privy to it,
adding, “We want to give peace a chance.”
Citing security reason, the
DG of the ISI Lieutenant-General Zaheer-ul-Islam did not appear
before the Islamabad High Court in a missing person case. The
IHC, however, disposed off the matter after the spy agency denied
the custody of the missing man. Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan of
the IHC on March 24, 2014 had directed the DG ISI, Zaheerul
Islam, to personally appear before the court in a petition filed
by Parveen Bibi, the spouse of Mohammad Arif, who was picked
up from December 17, 2013 from Khushab District in Punjab Provicne.
Before being picked up, Mohammad Arif, a former activist of
JeI, was running a printing press and private schools in Rawalpindi
District.
DG ISI, in an affidavit submitted
to the IHC, denied the custody of the missing men. AAG Tariq
Mehmood Khokar submitted an application on behalf of the ISI
seeking exemption of the DG from appearance. In the application
the spy agency contended: “For operational security and secrecy
reasons his (DG ISI) whereabouts are kept classified.” The
application also stated that the “DG ISI is not in Islamabad
on the date fixed for the hearing of the matter. It further
said that the DG of the spy agency was not “the relevant officer
in the matter in question”.
Justice Khan expressed annoyance
over the lethargy of the spy agency in dealing with the court.
He said: “It was not our desire to summon the DG ISI but the
conduct of the dealing officials was tantamount to making a
mockery of the courts.” “A person files the petition for the
recovery of his relative and the dealing official instead of
submitting report suggests the court for adjourning the proceedings
for 6 weeks” he said. “It was an insult for the judiciary” he
added. However, Colonel Fayyaz, Deputy Director Legal of the
ISI tendered an apology before the court.
TTP ‘commander’ in Mohmand Agency,
Khalid Omar Khurasani said that the TTP has not announced an
extension in the ceasefire and that the war will start again.
In a statement, Khalid Khurasani claimed that the Government
had breached its promise during the period of ceasefire and
held the state, military and political parties responsible for
‘the losses suffered’. He said all the influential sections
of the society are in favour of the persistence of war. On Pakistan
cricket team’s recent defeat against Bangladesh in World Twenty20,
he said ‘Allah has always let this nation cry without a break’.
TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah
Shahid said that TTP has not extended a month-long ceasefire
but are still open to pursuing peace talks with the Islamabad
Government. He accused the government of continuing to kill
Taliban during the ceasefire, especially in Karachi. “We gave
this list and names of our civilian prisoners as a test case
and wanted to see if the Government was serious,” one commander
said, adding, “But we felt that the Government is either powerless
or not serious in talks.” However, Government negotiators were
not available to comment on whether talks would continue.
The authorities in South Waziristan
Agency of FATA have released 16 members of the TTP as a ‘goodwill
gesture’. An unnamed TTP leader said that they “are frustrated
at the Government’s inaction” over their two demands but the
group would not carry out big attacks despite the end of ceasefire.
“We will not carry out any big attacks as our intermediaries
are still engaged in talks with the Government,” he said, requesting
anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media
on TTP’s behalf. He confirmed the Taliban were seeking a secure
place in South Waziristan that was previously under their control.
A member of TTP Political Shura
Azam Tariq said that the statements of TTP ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah
Shahid and Mohmand Agency ‘commander’ Khalid Khurasani regarding
ceasefire do not reflect the stance of the whole outfit. Tariq
said that the statements of Taliban leader on the matter of
ceasefire are their personal opinions and media would be informed
about the TTP's stance soon.
Iran said that the five border
guards kidnapped by militants are in good health, disputing
a report that one of them had been killed. The guards were abducted
by Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militants while patrolling
the frontier with Pakistan on February 6, 2014. “The kidnapped
Iranian border guards are safe there is no verified information
to substantiate the terrorists’ claim of murder of one of the
kidnapped soldiers,” official news agency IRNA quoted Deputy
Foreign Minister Ebrahim Rahimpour as saying on April 2.
April 3
A 10-year-old boy was killed
and four others were injured when an explosive apparently hidden
inside a toy they were playing with detonated in Khaki, a suburb
of Nowshera town (Nowshera District), of KP. The boy who was
killed in the blast was Afghan.
In a bid to help restore peace
and end sectarian violence in Hangu District, a jirga of Sunni
and Shia was convened at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Malik
Farman, Zaheer Hussain, Rahmat Hussain and Maulana Abdul Sattar,
Rahim Umar and Noor Khan represented the two sects at the office
of Deputy Commissioner Syed Ahmad Jan and discussed multiple
issues regarding law and order.
Former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf narrowly escaped an assassination attempt as
a bomb exploded shortly before his convoy was due to pass. Musharraf
was on his way to Chak Shahzad farmhouse in Islamabad from the
Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, where he has been staying
since January 2, 2014. “Four kilogrammes of explosive material
planted in a pipeline under a bridge exploded around 20 minutes
before the former President was supposed to cross the spot,”
said senior Police Official Liaqat Niazi.
At least 23 mortar shells fired
from Afghanistan fell into North Waziristan Agency of FATA.
The mortar shells landed into Ghulam Khan and Bagi Dar areas
of North Waziristan. No casualties or loss of life was reported
due to the targeted areas being uninhabited.
Police seized a vehicle loaded
with a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 7 Kalashnikovs,
7 repeaters, 17 pistols and thousands of bullets, from Naseerabad
area in Rawalpindi District.
At least 19 non-combatant TTP
prisoners have been released by the Government. However, there
was confusion on the release of the non-combatant TTP prisoners,
as the PM’s Secretariat initially denied that it ordered the
release of any prisoner, apparently due to massive pressure
from the military establishment. The PM Secretariat, however,
retracted this statement later following a meeting between Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif and Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry
Nisar Ali Khan. It said Sharif had indeed ordered the release
of the non-combatant TTP members.
The TTP had reportedly handed
a list of prisoners to the government demanding their release,
during different rounds of the peace talks. On the other hand,
the military establishment is opposed to the release of TTP
prisoners, both combatants and non-combatants, due to their
alleged involvement in terror attacks across the country. The
prisoners were released in phases. “Three prisoners were released
on March 21, five on March 25 and 11 on March 28,” Federal Interior
Ministry sources confided. The Interior Ministry Spokesman confirmed
that all the prisoners belonged to the Mehsud tribe. Sources
said that in the coming days about another 100 non-combatant
detainees would also be released.
The newly appointed chief of
JI Sirajul Haq said that the next stage of peace talks with
the TTP should be held in Islamabad. “Maulana Samiul Haq, 80-year-old
man, cannot be expected to go into the mountains to negotiate,”
he said, adding that if the Federal Government could not arrange
for this, the KP Government could facilitate the talks.
The proceeding in the November
26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case (26/11) has come to a standstill
as the special judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Atiqur
Rehman, has expressed his inability to conduct the trial of
seven Pakistani suspects in the Adiala Jail of Rawalpindi District
of Punjab due to security reasons. Sources close to the proceedings
revealed that since March 3, 2014, when terrorists attacked
the District Courts in Islamabad, there has been no progress
on the trial with the ATC unable to complete the cross examination
of even a single witness. The ATC judge demanded that the Federal
Government should deploy Rangers for his security. However,
the Government has not done anything for his security so far.
Advocate Raja Rizwan Abbasi,
who is representing the accused Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and other
suspects, when contacted, confirmed that there was no progress
on the case for about a month. He said the Federal Government
was responsible for the delay as the ATC judge had refused to
conduct the jail trial of the accused persons because of security
reasons. “Had the Federal Government provided the requisite
security to the judge, the proceedings would not have been delayed,”
he added. However, Advocate Mohammad Azhar Chaudhry, the special
prosecutor of the FIA said the prosecution was trying to complete
the trial as early as possible.
Former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf began consulting his legal team to adopt a
future strategy after the Federal Government said that it was
‘unable’ to remove his name from the Exit Control List. “He
met Anwar Mansoor Khan and he would meet another senior lawyer
of his team Dr. Khalid Ranjha on April 4, 2014 morning to discuss
the future strategy about his case,” one official said.
Advocate Shah Jahan moved a
petition in the Supreme Court requesting to remove his name
from ECL. He should be allowed to visit Dubai to see his ailing
mother in the interest of justice, the petitioner, advocate
Shah Jahan, submitted. The lawyer is not associated with the
former general’s legal team.
Minister for Information and
Broadcasting, Pervaiz Rasheed on April 3 brushed aside reports
as unfounded of Government’s consultations with COAS in connection
with Pervez Musharraf’s application for removal of his name
from the ECL list.
Non-vaccination of children
in the FATA could spoil the anti-polio initiative in KP. The
immunisation of children through Sehat Ka Insaf programme can’t
protect children against poliovirus for long as far as children
in FATA would stay without oral polio vaccine. Two new cases,
one each from North Waziristan Agency and Bannu, were recorded
on April 2, bringing the total number of nationwide cases to
41. This also worried the authorities in KP, who are carrying
out immunisation campaigns.
According to the National Institute
of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan had recorded only six polio cases
till this date in 2013 against 41 this year, which reflects
an increase of 900 per cent. Children in KP will remain at risk
of polio despite immunisation till the Government makes arrangements
to administer OPV to children in North Waziristan and Khyber
Agency. The rapid increase in polio cases in 2014 poses a serious
challenge to the health authorities and the UN agencies engaged
in immunisation campaigns. Of the country’s total tally so
far this year (2014), FATA has 33 polio cases, KP six and Sindh
one.
Two serving officers, Major
Tariq Malik and Brigadier Riaz Ali Qazi, submitted separate
applications along with affidavits before the LHC Rawalpindi
Bench seeking exemption for ISI DG Lieutenant-General Zaheerul
Islam and MI DG Major-General Sarfraz Sattar from appearing
in person in the court proceedings of a missing person case
on April 7, 2014. The LHC had on March 19, 2014 issued summons
for ISI DG and MI DG along with the chief of the IB and the
Punjab IG during the hearing of the case of Khan Badshah’s enforced
disappearance. Later, on March 27, 2014, the bench directed
the defence secretary to ensure the spy chiefs appeared in court.
April 4
Heavy clashes were reported
among the TTP and Afghan Taliban militants in Paktika province
of Afghanistan. Afghan intelligence, NDS, officials said that
the incident took place when a group of TTP militants were looking
to storm the election sites in Paktika province. However Afghan
Taliban militants opposed them which erupted heavy gun battle
between the two sides. Defence Ministry spokesman General Zahir
Azimi said at least three TTP militants were killed along with
an Afghan Taliban militant during the clashes. Several TTP militants
were forced to flee the area and return back to the other side
of the Durand line.
Rangers claimed to have arrested
three alleged target killers from Musa Lane area of Lyari Town.
According to Rangers sources the accused were affiliated with
PAC.
A local court in Toba Tek Singh
District sentenced a Christian couple, identified as Shafqat
Maseeh and Shagufta Maseeh, to death for blasphemy and fined
them PKR 100,000 each. According to details, the Maseeh’s were
arrested on July 25, 2013, under Section 295C on the charge
of sending blasphemous text messages to the complainants, shopkeeper
Malik Mohammad Hussain and Gojra tehsil bar’s former President
Anwar Mansoor Goraya. The couple confessed to have sent the
messages.
A total of 5,573 acts of terror
across the country have cost the lives of 8484 people, including
ten foreigners, during the last four years, disclosed the Government
in the National Assembly. Also among the terror victims are
185 children, the Federal Ministry of Interior told the Lower
House of Parliament in a written reply to the queries of PPP
Dr Nafeesa Shah.
The province-wise breakup of
terror acts revealed that Balochistan was most affected, leading
with 3098 acts of terrorism followed by 1499 in KP and FATA
with 648 incidents. In number of human loss, FATA topped the
list where 3240 persons lost their lives in these terrorism
acts followed by KP with 2311 human lives losses and 1985 in
Balochistan. The number of persons killed in Punjab stood at
643 and in Sindh the number was 313.The most tragic figures
came about the children in these terrorists attacks that came
to 185 in last five years based on the data received from KP,
Islamabad, PoK and Gilgit Baltistan.
The Government also informed
the House that 60 proscribed organizations are being kept under
watch and its cadre enlisted under Schedule IV of Anti-Terrorism
Act (ATA) are being strictly monitored.
The Pakistan-Afghanistan border
at ‘Friendship Gate’ in Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District
was closed, a day before the Afghan Presidential elections are
scheduled to take place, reported Dawn while quoting an unnamed
official. An official of the FC, a para-military force said
that the border was completely closed by the border forces of
the two countries. He said the major reason behind closure
of the border was to avert any untoward incident on the eve
of Afghan polls. "The border will remain closed on April
5, 2014(Saturday)," he said.
According to details, personnel
of paramilitary troops were deployed on the Pakistani side of
the border to maintain order on the eve of historic Afghan elections.
Similarly, the Afghan border force has also strengthened security
to ensure peace on the eve of polls. "
A directive by the Punjab Government
issued on March 31, 2014, to enhance security for minorities’
places of worship has resulted in SHOs passing the responsibility
by issuing a long list of measures to be taken by the administrations
of temples and churches. After a recent directive issued by
the Home Department for the security of minorities’ places of
worship, Christian and Hindu worshippers complained that no
steps had been taken on ground.
According to a notice issued
by various SHOs to temples and churches of Rawalpindi District,
the administrations have been asked to take nine steps for their
protection. These include, the installation of CCTV cameras,
storing one month’s footage, securing the place with barbed
wire, eight-foot high boundary walls, setting up a police post
on the roof, proper lighting and hiring security guards from
a registered company which is verified by the Police. Entry
gates and barriers should be installed as well. Also, the Police
should be informed before the start of a ceremony so that they
can make security arrangements.
The representatives of minorities
said that the provision of security is the responsibility of
the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). “ETPB is the guardian
of all temples and it is their responsibility to provide funds
for security requirements,” said Hindu-Sikh Social Welfare Council
President Jag Mohan Arora.
In 2010, we received the same
notice and we informed the Police as well as EPTB officials,
but the latter paid no heed despite repeated requests and visits,
he added. “We are in the habit of lamenting after a tragedy
occurs but who cares.” One Ashok Chand asked, “We cannot even
arrange sufficient funds for religious ceremonies, how can we
set aside such a huge sum to implement these steps?
Former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf will approach SHC against the Federal Government’s
decision to reject his application seeking removal of his name
from the Exit Control List, said sources privy to the matter.
According to sources, Musharraf’s legal team has decided to
file a petition in SHC against the Federal Ministry for Interior’s
refusal seeking an explanation. The petition in this regard
will be moved in the next few days. They further revealed that
Musharraf’s legal aides are reluctant to directly approach the
Supreme Court and therefore have decided to first submit an
application in the High Court.
“The (legal) team is still undecided
whether to file the petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) or
SHC since most of the members believe that the IHC’s behaviour
has been hostile with their client in the past and they should
challenge the Federal Government’s decision in SHC,” the sources
added. The Interior Ministry, while responding to Musharraf’s
request on April 2, 2014, had refused to remove his name from
the ECL.
Pakistan ranks among the least
religiously diverse countries in a religiously diverse Asian
region according to the Religious Diversity Index published
by the Pew Research Centre on April 5, reports The Express Tribune.
The 10-point index, which ranks each country by its level of
religious diversity, is divided into four ranges, “very high”,
“high”, “moderate”, and “low”. Pakistan ranked among the 136
“low diversity” countries, the largest range on the index indicating
that most countries in the world are not religiously diverse.
According to the data, Pakistan
had the 23rd largest proportional Muslim population at 96.4%,
smaller than immediate neighbours Afghanistan and Iran, but
larger than Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. Pakistan had
a Religious Diversity Index score of 0.8 ranking. It featured
an overwhelming Muslim population of 96.4%. Hindus constituted
largest religious minority with 1.9% of the population with
Christians a close second comprising 1.6% of the population.
Others including, Buddhists, Jews, and those belong to ‘folk
religions’ comprised at least 0.1 per cent of the population
each.
Of the 232 countries in the
study, Singapore with a population of more than 5 million had
the highest score on the Religious Diversity Index. About a
third of Singapore’s population is Buddhist (34%), while 18%
are Christian, 16% are religiously unaffiliated, 14% are Muslim,
5% are Hindu and less than 1% are Jewish. Interestingly, the
United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) did not rank
very high on the overall index with both countries falling in
the “moderate” diversity range.
The Geo News got hold
of a letter from the TTP addressed to the newly elected Amir
of JI Maulana Sirajul Haq which stresses that an armed struggle
is a must to enforce an Islamic system in the country, reports
The News. “Our destination is the same but the difference is
in the modus operandi to achieve it,” said the letter from TTP
Mohmand Agency head Umer Khalid Khurasani addressed to JI Amir.
It further said ‘it is hoped that you (Sirajul Haq) would carry
forward the mission of Syed Munawar Hassan without making any
compromise’.
The TTP extended the ceasefire
until April 10, the outfit's spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said
in a statement, adding that the TTP shura would be meeting after
the 10th to decide a future course of action. The extension
comes a day after the interior ministry announced that it had
released 19 non-combatants TTP as a goodwill gesture for bolstering
the peace process with the TTP. In a statement issued to the
media, Shahid said the group was awaiting the Government's reply
on its demands. Shahid said the TTP shura has extended the deadline
and would sit after April 10 to decide about the future of talks.
PM Nawaz Sharif met his national
security team on April 4 to discuss steps to be taken for the
dialogue process with the TTP. Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel
Sharif, Director General of ISI Lieutenant General Zaheerul
Islam and PM’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi attended the meeting
held at the PM’s residence. According to an unnamed PM Office
official “the Government has a set of parameters against which
it is measuring the progress in the talks’ initiative. The meeting
took stock of the situation”. “The meeting was updated about
the next steps that the Government would be taking to keep the
process continuing,” the official added.
The release of 19 ‘non-combatant
but criminal’ members of the TTP may draw fault lines between
the relations of Army establishment and the ruling civilian
Government vis-à-vis peace dialogue with the TTP. The matter,
security insiders said, was taken up at a meeting chaired by
PM Nawaz Sharif on April 3 to review security situation in the
country that was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel
Sharif, ISI Director General Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam,
Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and PM’s
Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi. The
military command is said to have conveyed to the PM its reservations
regarding the release of the TTP prisoners.
April 5
At least four people were injured
when unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at a shop
in Osta Mohammad tehsil of Jaffarabad District. No outfit claimed
responsibility for the attack. A Police Official, Muhammad Ayub
suspected that Baloch separatists could be behind the attack.
April 6
Two TTP militants, identified
as Abdullah and Zikaria, were killed in an alleged Police encounter
in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Police also recovered weapons from their possession.
A suspected gangster, identified
as Mullah Nazir, was shot dead in a Police encounter in Kiamari
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According
to SSP South Nasir Aftab, Police also recovered two hand grenades
and other weapons from his possession.
Unidentified assailants hurled
a hand grenade at the house of Jamshed Baghwan, the Express
News Bureau Chief of Peshawar, in the Murshidabad neighbourhood
of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, at around 6:25am. The main gate of the house was
damaged in the attack which happened just over two weeks after
an explosive device was found and subsequently defused by the
BDS near Baghwan’s house on March 19.
SFs foiled a terror attack to
blow up a gas pipeline in Bhong of Rahim Yar Khan District by
arresting three BRA militants. Intelligence Agencies had informed
the Police about the threat beforehand and the area was monitored
for suspicious activity. According to details, four BRA militants
arrived in the area on April 6 with advanced weapons and explosive
material with the alleged intention to damage the pipeline.
However, the Police thwarted their attempt and arrested three
of the suspects while one managed to escape.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan
would not only help and support Afghanistan strengthen democracy
but would also work in collaboration with the new leadership
in that country to bring peace and tranquility in the region.
Sharif congratulated Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the people
of Afghanistan on successfully holding and completing the election
process for the President’s office. He said that the Afghan
people’s effort to make decisions through the ballot boxes reflects
their determination and keen interest in adopting a democratic
culture. “Participation in the democratic process by the Afghan
people would play a significant role in bringing peace and stability
in the region,” Nawaz emphasised.
The authorities started repatriating
people of Ali Sherzai tribe to their native area in the Kurram
Agency of FATA. Kurram Agency political agent Riaz Mahsud said
that 55,000 tribal people had been displaced in June 2010 following
a military operation to cleanse the area of militants. He said,
“So far 7,500 people have been sent to their area and the rest
would be repatriated over the next couple of weeks...We intend
to complete the process by April 24”. He added the returnees
were being provided free transportation and food for six months,
although the area had been cleared of militants. It was because
of hectic efforts made by the FATA administration that PKR five
million had been arranged for the purpose.
The Government is considering
setting up a special panel to investigate the cases of ‘non-combatant
TTP prisoners’ amid reports that the military leadership is
reluctant to support the release of such inmates. “A group or
committee may be set up to investigate the cases of those in
detention,” an official privy to developments said. He added
that the proposal has been discussed but a final decision on
the matter has yet to be taken. However, a TTP intermediary
also confirmed the development. “The proposal to set up a committee
to exclusively deal with the issue of non-combatants is among
several suggestions under consideration,” said Muhammad Ibrahim.
“But no decision has been taken so far in this regard,” he added.
TTP launched its ‘official’
website hosting videos, a magazine, and its leaders’ interviews
and statements, a news release issued by Umar Media, the 'information
and publication wing' of the TTP. Umar Media has sponsored the
website, which would serve as the central information portal
of the outfit. “Statements, videos, announcements and magazine
released by the TTP will be available on the website,” the news
release said. It added that Umar Media was the only authorised
body to issue messages and statements of the TTP.
The website carries e-mail addresses
of 'central spokesman' of TTP Shahidullah Shahid and other sections.
The website contains the TTP flag, verses from the Holy Quran,
statements and videos containing sectarian, hate and propaganda
material, especially against Security Forces, a message of TTP
‘deputy’ Sheikh Khalid Haqqani for the people of Balochistan,
and pictures of slain TTP 'chief' Hakimullah Mehsud and his
successor and current 'chief' Maulvi Fazlullah.
Iranian Parliament approved
the Tehran-Islamabad enhanced Security Cooperation Act, intended
to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in combating
terrorist groups operating in border areas. The Iranian Parliament
approved general terms of the Bill with 187 votes in favour,
14 against and six abstentions. It had earlier been adopted
by the Iranian cabinet and submitted to Parliament on March
31, 2013. The bill contains working methods, costs and other
issues.
Four Iranian soldiers abducted
by Jaish-al-Adl (Army of Justice) militants on February 6, 2014,
returned home after being held for two months. A spokesperson
for FC in Balochistan on April 5 rejected the notion that the
kidnapped Iranian guards were present on Pakistani soil, reports
The Express Tribune. He further said that the guards were released
inside Iran after mediation by an elder of the Shah Bakhsh tribe.
“They have not been released in Pakistan. We don’t know where
they were kept or released. We have no indication that these
Iranian border guards were kept in Pakistan,” said Foreign Office
Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam.
According to details, on April
4, 2014, it was reported that the Iranian border guards captured
by Jaish-al-Adl militants were freed. According to a media report,
only four of the five abducted guards were handed over to Iranian
officials in Pakistan alive. They were accompanied by the body
of the fifth, which the rebels had executed. “The soldiers were
handed over some hours ago by the small terrorist group Jaish-al-Adl
to Iranian representatives in Pakistan,” said the Fars News
Agency (FNA), quoting an unnamed security official. However,
Pakistani officials could not confirm the release.
April 7
FC claimed to have killed more
than 30 militants in Parodh area of Kalat District. Khan Wasey,
the FC Spokesman said that the forces launched an operation
against militants in Kalat District's Parodh area.
The FC Spokesman claimed that
the targeted militants were involved in recent attacks on passenger
trains, SFs and other vital installations in different parts
of the province.
Political and religious leaders
urged the committees representing the Government and the Taliban
in peace talks to include the name of ANP leader Arbab Zahir
Kasi in the list of people TTP Shura is being asked to release.
They said that Zahir Kasi should not be ignored when the Government
and the TTP exchanged captives. Kasi was kidnapped from Quetta
on October 23, 2013.
An ATC in Quetta ordered former
President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf to appear before
it on April 21, 2014, in a case relating to the August 26, 2006,
murder of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti. ATC Quetta
1 Judge Tariq Ahmed Kasi directed Musharraf to appear before
the court otherwise his bail would be cancelled.
At least four TTP militants,
including a local 'commander' of the Hakimullah Mehsud group,
identified as Kashed Khan Mehsud were killed and another was
injured in Shaktoi area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.
The official sources stated
that unidentified militants attacked a car in the Shaktoi area,
killing four people and injuring another.
Unidentified armed assailants
attacked the house of Special Public Prosecutor, Advocate Abdul
Maroof, the prosecutor in the Wali Khan Babar murder case, in
Akhtar Colony of Jamshed Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi
bench ordered Punjab IG of Police Khan Baig to submit a report
on the whereabouts of Khan Badshah, a missing person and resident
of Waziristan, by April 23, 2014. When the hearing started in
the court of Justice Ibadur Rahman, petitioner's counsel Sardar
Taufiq Asif expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the
spymasters to appear in person and brought the issue to the
court's notice.
Deputy Attorney General Tariq
Khokhar replied that a commission is already working on missing
persons' case. The court, however, questioned the status of
the commission and asked under which law the commission was
set up and to what extent it can implement its decisions.
The 'official' website, UmarMedia.com,
launched by the TTP on April 5 was taken down. According to
investigation into the domain's registered records on April
7 revealed that the website was hosted by a company from Punjab.
The owner of the company, said that he had no idea who the client
was.
The website is now inaccessible
and shows a '404 - Not Found' error. The public DNS records
which were updated on April 6, 2014, shortly before the website
went down now list an inactive phone number and an address,
most likely fake, from Buffer Zone in Karachi.
The National Assembly passed
Protection of Pakistan Amendment Bill 2014 amid strong protest
from the opposition benches. The Protection of Pakistan Bill
2014 also contains provisions from the 2013 Bill. It states
that Special Courts will be established for disposing of cases
against terrorists while JITs will undertake probe into the
terror-related cases. Under the new Bill, a person declared
convict by a court could be kept in any prison of the country.
PPP leader, Aitzaz Ahsan called
upon the TTP militants to set free Ali Haider Gilani, the abducted
son of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and slain Punjab
Governor Salman Taseer's son Shahbaz Taseer. "I don't think
the ongoing negotiations with the Taliban will yield a positive
result," he said, adding, that the Taliban should also release
the non-combatants. Ali Haider Gilani was abducted on May 9,
2013, while Shahbaz Taseer was kidnapped by TTP on August 26,
2011.
April 8
At least 17 people, including
a woman and five children, were killed and 44 others were wounded
when a passenger train, Jaffar Express was bombed at Sibi Railway
Station in Sibi District. The UBA claimed responsibility for
the attack on the train which was en route from Quetta to Rawalpindi
District in Punjab.
A complete shutter-down strike
was observed in parts of Balochistan on April 8 in response
to a strike called by the BNF protesting the military operation
in Kalat District on April 7, 2014. A BNF spokesperson said
that SFs had launched the operation against locals after suffering
a defeat 'at the hands of the BLA in Kalat and Nushki Districts'.
BLA 'spokesperson' Mirak Baloch
said his armed men brought down a gunship helicopter in Kalat
and killed several SFs personnel in response to the operation.
"After facing tough resistance, the SFs carried out shelling
on the local population and targeted innocent Baloch people,"
Mirak said. He claimed that none of the BLA's members were killed
in the operation. A BRA 'spokesperson' also issued a similar
statement.
At least 14 TTP militants were
killed in clashes between two factions of the militant outfit
in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. According to Police and
militant sources, a total of 34 people have been killed since
fighting broke out April 6, 2014 in South Waziristan Agency
between supporters of Khan Said Sajna and followers of the slain
leader Hakimullah Mehsud.
According to militant sources,
the differences emerged after Khan Said Sajna, a senior 'commander',
was rejected for leadership of the TTP umbrella group, after
its former leader Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone
strike on November 1, 2013.
"At least 12 people have been
killed in a firefight between militant groups in the Shaktai
area of South Waziristan. The fighting still goes on," added
a security official in Miranshah town of North Waziristan Agency.
Sources from both militant groups confirmed the clashes and
death toll.
An unnamed senior TTP 'commander'
said that efforts were being made to resolve differences between
the Sajna and Hakimullah Mehsud groups but the former refused
to reach any agreement. "There are always differences among
the people. There are fights also, some people fight for money,
some for other interests", he added.
A gangster affiliated with a
Lyari group, identified as Navid Baloch alias Nazir, was arrested
from Garden area of Saddar Town. The Police claimed to have
seized a hand grenade and pistol from his possession.
Elsewhere in the Town, another
gangster from Lyari, identified as Danish, was arrested from
Mithadar area. The Police said that the accused was involved
in various crimes.
At least 24 low intensity bomb
blasts hit different cities of Sindh as JSMM announced a strike
for April 9, 2014 against Protection of Pakistan Ordinance Bill
and the March 21, 2014, killing of JSQM leader Maqsood Qureshi.
According to reports, hand-grenade
explosions took place in Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Nowshero
Feroz and other Districts. SSP Hyderabad, Pir Farid Jan Sarhindi
said that Police and Rangers had arrested 13 suspected cadres
of a nationalist party after attacks. However, no outfit has
so far claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Unidentified militants hurled
a hand grenade near shops at Zamzama market in Karachi District,
the provincial capital of Sindh. However, no casualties were
reported in the attack.
PTI announced it will challenge
the PPO Bill that was passed in the National Assembly on April
7, 2014, in the Supreme Court. The law permits the SFs to shoot
suspects on sight, detain them at secret locations for up to
90 days and carry out raids without search warrants. The SFs
can also carry out secret trials.
The opposition termed the Bill
as regressive and extra-constitutional. "This law will turn
Pakistan into a Police State," said PTI Vice Chairperson Shah
Mehmood Qureshi. "We have decided to take this law to court
and challenge its anti-human rights stance." Qureshi said, adding
that his party had the support of the JeI and the MQM. The main
opposition, the PPP, also led protests against the law in the
National Assembly.
TTP said that it is a matter
of concern that the Government is delaying on TTP's three key
demands while the Taliban are seriously holding a ceasefire.
The TTP has called for the establishment of a 'peace zone',
release of 'non-combatant prisoners' and an end to crackdown
against Taliban members across the country, TTP 'spokesperson'
Shahidullah Shahid said in a two-page letter addressed to the
media on April 8, 2014.
"We handed over a list of our
non-combatant prisoners to the Government [negotiating] committee
but still no prisoner has been released while statements of
Government negotiators and senior officials on 'peace zone'
show a lack of confidence among Government Departments," he
said.
The coordinator of TTP's intermediary
committee, Maulana Yousaf Shah, appealed to both the TTP and
the Government to extend the ceasefire for an indefinite period
for fruitful dialogue. He said the committee has succeeded in
the first two phases of peace initiative - the coordination
stage and the face-to-face meeting.
"In the last meeting, the Government
assured us that it'll release Taliban non-combatants before
the second round of face-to-face talks," Shah said. "[But] the
19 prisoners the Government freed didn't figure on the list
provided by the TTP.
Secret Agencies have alerted
the Police that militants opposed to the Government and TTP
peace talks are planning terrorist activities in Islamabad,
Peshawar and Quetta, Police and Interior Ministry Officials
said. They did not know when the militants would strike, but
the officials said that a new group Ansar-ul-Hind would claim
responsibility for the attacks.
April 9
At least 23 people were killed
and many others were injured in a bomb explosion at Pir Wadhai
area near Sabzi Mandi locality in Islamabad. Police said that
the explosives were planted in a guava box, which at the time
of auction exploded, killing and injuring many people. The guava
boxes were brought from market places in Punjab, including,
Burewala city in Vehari District and Arifwala tehsil in Pakpattan
District.
TTP 'spokesperson' Shahidullah
Shahid condemned the blast and said that it was haram
and illegal to attack innocent people in public places. Later,
Police arrested a suspect from the location of the blast. Earlier,
on April 3, secret agencies had alerted the Police that militants
opposed to the Government-TTP peace talks are planning terrorist
activities in Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta. The ceasefire
will end on April 10, 2014.
Nine more Persons were killed
in a fourth day of fighting between two feuding factions of
the TTP in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. A total of 43 people
have now died in clashes which erupted on April 6 between supporters
of Khan Said Sajna and followers of the late Hakimullah Mehsud
group. Both factions are part of the TTP umbrella group, which
has been waging a bloody seven-year insurgency against the State.
Unidentified militants killed
three unidentified students of an Islamic seminary near Continental
Bakery in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town in
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A Shia doctor, identified as
Haider Raza, was shot dead while another man accompanying him
was injured when unidentified militants opened fire at his car
in front of Darul Sehat Hospital in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of
Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
An attempt of terrorism in Karachi
was foiled when a bomb planted in busy commercial area of city
was defused. According to details, a major disaster was prevented
in the metropolis when a 14-kilogramme bomb was recovered and
defused at Khalid Bin Waleed Road in PECHC Block 6.
April 10
A lawyer, Syed Waqar Shah (42),
was killed when unidentified militants opened fire at his car
in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town. Police said
Waqar was en route to the court from his house. He was the Vice
President of PML-N Lawyers' Wing.
An unidentified man was shot
dead by armed assailants in Block 7 area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead by armed assailants in Block 7 area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town.
One Aqeel (25) was shot and
injured when unidentified militants opened fire on him near
Meera Naka Bridge in Lyari Town.
Unidentified militants killed
the driver of a NATO container near Jamrud Bypass in Jamrud
town of Khyber Agency in FATA while it was carrying supplies
for NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan. Ali Sher, a local
administration official, confirmed the incident. A convoy of
seven oil tankers was on its way to Afghanistan, according to
security officials.
Two children were injured in
a low intensity bomb blast that occurred near the residence
of JeI MPA Saeed Gul in Dir Colony within the jurisdiction of
Chamkani Police Station in Peshawar. Police said that the target
was MPA Gul's neighbour Syed Qayum Shah.
The detailed order of former
President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf's review petition
of the July 31, 2009 judgment released by the Supreme Court,
maintains that the judgment under review does not stand vitiated
by any bias or error in law to warrant review.
Defending its July 31, 2009
ruling, the Chief Justice in his 45 pages judgment said that
the July 31, 2009 judgment has narrated with a measure of dismay
the frequent constitutional deviations in the country. "The
spirit which underpins the judgment is a strong realisation
that we should not remain trapped by mistakes in history and
turn a new leaf towards constitutionalism and the rule of law."
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto
Zardari warned that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may himself
one day become a victim of the PPO if it is passed in its current
form. The anti-terror law gives comprehensive powers to Security
Agencies to infringe the fundamental rights of the citizens
guaranteed under the Constitution.
MQM also criticised the legislation,
tabling a resolution in the Sindh Assembly against it. "The
MQM rejects the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance. We will continue
to protest against this black law as long as our workers are
alive," said MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.
The PML-N Government argues
that the legislation is necessary to curb the rising terrorism
and militancy across the country. The Bill was passed late on
April 7, 2014.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan said,
"Impose martial law if you want destruction in Pakistan". He
said that martial law would be destructive for Pakistan, adding
that martial law is imposed for a brief period in a country
in the wake of problems but in reality the military coup aggravates
the problems.
The TTP's ceasefire of 40 days
which it announced to initiate peace talks with the Government
expired on April 10. The TTP had declared ceasefire on March
1, 2014, after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced to hold
talks with the militant outfit in a bid to establish peace in
the country.
Pakistan said that peace talks
with the TTP were its "internal matter" and dismissed the allegations
of the Afghan Military Commander Major General Muhammad Sharif
Yaftali about cross-border export of terrorism from Pakistan
to Afghanistan and the adverse implications of the peace parleys
on Afghanistan.
Earlier on April 9, Afghan National
Army's Commander Major General Muhammad Sharif said during his
visit to a military base in Paktia Province of Afghanistan that
Taliban militants in Pakistan have established an increasingly
close relationship with insurgents from across the border in
Afghanistan, supplying them with explosives and well-trained
fighters.
Tasneem Aslam Khan further said
that Pakistan was looking forward to resuming the stalled peace
talks with India. So far, India has been reluctant to resume
the full spectrum of dialogue linking the process with Pakistan
successfully prosecuting the suspects of the Mumbai 2008 (also
known as 26/11) terror attacks.
April 11
At least 10 militants were killed
in the ongoing infighting in the TTP in Shawal tehsil of Miranshah
in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. A local security official
said that fighting erupted in the night of April 11 when militants
belonging to Wali-ur-Rahman Group ambushed a vehicle carrying
members of the Hakimullah Group close to the border of North
and South Waziristan.
Several militants (unspecified
numbers) were killed in infighting between two factions of TTP
in South Waziristan Agency. The cause of clash is said to be
over interference in matters inside one another's domains. The
fighters from both sides have been launching attacks in the
areas of Shawal, Shaktoi, Makin and Tank with heavy ammunition
and artillery in an attempt to destroy one another's sanctuaries.
According to independent sources,
at least 43 militants from both factions have been killed in
clashes which erupted on April 6, 2014 in South Waziristan Agency
and later escalated to neighbouring North Waziristan Agency
and Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Three Haqqani Network militants
were killed and two wounded when a vehicle hit a roadside bomb
in the Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency. A local security
official said that the dead belonged to the Haqqani Network
and were en route to Dattakhel in a four-wheeler when an IED
exploded. A source identified one of the dead victims as Sher
Amanullah, a 'commander' of the Haqqani Network based in North
Waziristan Agency.
A Shia lawyer, identified as
Advocate Syed Ghulam Haider (52), was shot dead in Martin Quarters
on Martin Road in Jamshed Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. According to the Police, Haider was attending a majlis
at Shah Najaf Imambargah (Shia place of commemoration), on Martin
Road, when two unidentified armed assailants opened fire at
his car, killing him on the spot.
At least 17 people were injured
in an IED blast targeting a shop located in a market in Pakistan
Chowk area of Lahore District. The shop that was attacked provides
home appliances and other goods on installments. The shop's
owner later revealed that he had been receiving threats for
not paying extortion money.
CCPO Lahore said that it is
premature to say anything and they are investigating the matter.
The BDS said that the blast was caused by the detonation of
an IED that contained between 200-400 grams of explosives.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif during
his visit to the Sonmiani firing Ranges near Karachi said that
due to the multidimensional threats faced by the country, the
military needed to have a "high state of preparedness at all
times". According to a statement from the ISPR, the Army Chief
had gone to view the Air Defence Firing Exercise. Full range
of air defence weapons including Guns and surface to air missiles
were used in the exercise.
Appreciating the professionalism
and standards of the participating units, General Sharif emphasised
that highest standards of training and professionalism must
remain the military's hallmark to accomplish the given mission.
Appreciating the professionalism
and standards of the participating units, General Sharif emphasised
that highest standards of training and professionalism must
remain the military's hallmark to accomplish the given mission.
According to sources, the Taliban
were not satisfied with the negotiations and that some TTP 'commanders''
had reservations over what they perceived as the Government's
'non-serious' attitude to the dialogue. They are said to be
insisting on calling off ceasefire. The TTP have presented two
conditions for further progress. The first is an immediate release
of non-combatant prisoners and the second calls for declaration
of a "peace zone" for talks in tribal area where militants can
freely move about.
Locals said that drones kept
hovering over the sky in different areas of Ghulam Khan, Dattakhel,
Shawal, Miranshah, Mir Ali and Razmak tehsils of the Agency.
They said that the drones first appeared early in the morning
and continued to operate till late in the night.
April 12
Two bus passengers belonging
to Shia Hazara community were killed in an incident of target
killing on Sariab Road in Quetta. SP Imran Qureshi said that
militants singled out two members of Hazara community from a
passenger bus and opened fire on them from a very close range.
"The incident as an act of targeted killing," said Qureshi,
adding, the passenger bus was preparing to leave for Karachi
when intercepted by militants. Police said, "It is an act of
sectarian terrorism".
An alleged gangster affiliated
with Sheraz Comrade group, identified as Arshad, was killed
during a joint raid conducted by the Police and the Rangers
in Kalakot area of Lyari Town in Karachi.
According to HRCP Vice Chairperson
Tahir Hussain Khan, nearly 30,000 members of the Hazara community
have migrated in the last five years from Balochistan to other
parts of the country. Khan said that the flow of migration increased
as nearly 1,000 members of the Hazara community have been killed
in targeted attacks since 2009. Members of the Hazara community
leaving Quetta and other parts of the province comprise businessmen,
highly educated workers and senior government officials, amongst
others, he added. While discussing sectarian violence in the
Province, Khan warned, "This conflict can turn into a civil
war if it is not addressed properly at this stage."
Khan, who is also the President
of HRCP's Balochistan Chapter, added that more than 10,000 Hindus
have also fled the province as abductions-for-ransom have become
routine over the last three years here.
April 13
At least five TTP militants,
including a key commander, were killed in Darra Adam Khel area
of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Intelligence sources
said that five militant were killed in Darra Adam Khel's border
area with FR Peshawar adding that further details regarding
the incident were not available. The slain TTP commander was
identified as Jangraiz, according to intelligence sources.
At least three suspects, identified
as Amjad Farooqui, Shahid Qadri and Shakeel Qadri, were killed
when two unidentified militants opened fire at a car near Gulfam
Sweet in Cant Bazaar area on Drigh Road within the limits of
Shahrah-e-Faisal Police Station in Shah Faisal Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Police claimed that Farooqui
was associated with ASWJ, while the other two were the members
of ST.
A shopkeeper, identified as
Badaruddin (50), was shot dead in New Karachi Town.
A security guard, identified
as Shah Fahad, was found dead near Safoora roundabout in Guslhan-e-Iqbal
Town.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot and injured a man, identified as Abdul Shakoor (45), on
Northern Bypass in Surjani Town.
Two bullet-riddled dead bodies,
identified as that of Fareed and Mohammad Saleem, were found
in Mand area of Turbat District. According to Police, Saleem
was kidnapped before being shot dead.
A terror attack was averted
when a small bomb planted in the Fruit Mandi of Quetta failed
to explode. A senior Police Official said that the IED was concealed
in tomato crates. "Only the fuse of the IED went off causing
panic and stampede in the market," SP Mohammad Jaffar said.
BDS officials said the bomb
weighed around two kilogrammes. "There have been no casualties
because the IED did not explode," a BDS official said. However,
no outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nearly 108 tribesmen from Khyber,
Kurram and Orakzai agencies, who were kidnapped on April 12
from Haider Kandao Drugs Fair in Khyber Agency of FATA by unidentified
militants, were set free. 15 tribesmen belonging to the Qamber
Khel tribe from Tirah Valley, who have been associated with
AI in the past, have yet to be released.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the Government had held consultations
with the Army over the issue of freeing TTP prisoners. He said
that the Government wanted the immediate release of non-combatants
held captive by the TTP and added that the TTP had not demanded
the release of militant's and neither would they be freed. He
said that the release of combatant prisoners would take place
at a later stage, adding that the holding of talks with the
Taliban, which had entered its third stage, was a difficult
task. Nisar said that there was no deadlock between the Taliban
and the Government and it had been decided earlier only that
the next round of talks would take place after April 13, 2014.
The Government acknowledged
that there were certain misunderstandings between it and the
Army, but the issue was never as serious as depicted by the
media. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that coordination
and harmony between the Government and the armed forces in the
past ten months has been historically the best ever. He further
said that both the institutions were on the same page on national
affairs. He also said that the Government and military were
in agreement on the issue of talks with the TTP.
Dispelling the impression that
the army was not happy with the release of Taliban prisoners,
Nisar said: "Let me tell you, the release of non-combatant prisoners
was not possible without the consent of the military. All 19
prisoners were released from army's internment centre. Can it
be possible to free people from army's custody without its assent?"
Nisar asked while promising that 13 more non-combatant Taliban
prisoners will be released soon. He, however, said that their
release will not come before the next direct talks between the
Government and Taliban representatives.
April 14
A woman was injured when unidentified
militants hurled a hand grenade at the residence of a local
PML-N leader Shakeel Durrani in Khuzdar District.
Afghan SFs killed two Pakistani
nationals who had mistakenly entered into Afghanistan near Badini
area of Qilla Saifullah District. A Levies official said that
two shepherds had mistakenly slipped into Afghanistan from Badini.
The Afghan SFs deployed at the border opened unprovoked fire
without any warning killing the two shepherds on the spot. However,
a levies officer, who was negotiating the return of the dead
bodies said, "Afghan forces claim that the victims were Taliban
insurgents". Home Secretary Balochistan, Syed Asad Gilani said,
"I have ordered inquiry into the incident".
At least two people were injured
when unidentified militants attacked a NATO supply convoy on
the Pakistan-Afghanistan Highway in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber
Agency in FATA. According to official sources, militants fired
two rockets on the trucks and used heavy machine guns and rifles
to target the supply convoy. Security Forces and militants also
exchanged gunfire for half an hour following which the militants
managed to flee.
At least two people were injured
when unidentified militants attacked a NATO supply convoy on
the Pakistan-Afghanistan Highway in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber
Agency in FATA. According to official sources, militants fired
two rockets on the trucks and used heavy machine guns and rifles
to target the supply convoy. Security Forces and militants also
exchanged gunfire for half an hour following which the militants
managed to flee.
A pamphlet attributed to the
Afghan Taliban and distributed in parts of North Waziristan
Agency on April 14 confirmed serious differences among the TTP
factions and the infighting which has left a number of militants
killed on both sides. The Pashto language Pamphlet, with letter
head of Afghan Taliban's 'chief' Mullah Umar, has not only mentioned
the conflict among the Mehsud Taliban groups which forms major
part of TTP but also appealed to the local tribesmen to pray
and resolve the conflict.
The pamphlet also appealed to
the Taliban groups to play their role in defusing the tension
and stopping the infighting between Hakimullah Mehsud group
led by Shehryar Mehsud and Khan Said Sajna group, affiliated
earlier to Wali-ur-Rehman Mehsud group. The authenticity of
the letter, however, could not be verified from the Afghan Taliban.
A report by the HRCP revealed
that between January and March 2014, around 71 men have been
killed in Police encounters while 44 were killed by paramilitary
soldiers in provincial capital Karachi. According to the report,
the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi has led to a sharp
rise in incidents of Police encounters as 115 suspects have
so far been killed by LEAs in the last three months. It is reported
to be a significant rise from 2013 where around 189 suspects
were killed over 12 months. In 2012, around 118 suspects were
killed by Police and paramilitary soldiers.
HRCP Chairperson Zohra Yusuf
feared that if the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance is enforced,
it will result in an increase of Police encounters and extrajudicial
killings. "Initially, the LEAs did not have the permission to
open fire," she said, adding, "Now if this law comes in, they
can shoot over suspicions. It will legalise such killings and
the situation may get worse."
The Shura of the TTP
met at an unknown location in North Waziristan Agency of FATA
to discuss the fate of the peace talks and the extension in
ceasefire. According to sources, key Taliban leaders, including
peace committee head Qari Shakeel and Azam Tariq, attended the
meeting while the TTP's 'deputy Ameer' Khalid Haqqani chaired
it. The key issues being discussed during the meeting were the
extension of ceasefire and the exchange of non-combatants. Apart
from these, infighting among two rival TTP factions was also
on the agenda.
In a statement issued on April
13, 2014, TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid said that the differences
and clashes between the two groups had been blown out of proportion
in the media, adding that these were not of much importance.
He had also said that the various groups of the TTP were united
and on one page when it came to talks with the Government. However,
independent as well as intelligence sources said that the delay
over the ceasefire issue was due to internal strife within TTP
ranks.
April 15
At least two unidentified persons
were killed and a child was injured when unidentified militants
opened fire at a barber shop on Sariab Road in Quetta, provincial
capital of Balochistan. Imran Qureshi, the SP said that the
victims belonged to Punjab and were working on Sariab Road for
a long time. "This was an act of targeted killing," the SP added.
Unidentified militants blew
up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti
District, suspending gas supply to the Sui plant from five pipelines.
An official of the Levies personnel said that militants planted
explosives in the pipeline of wells number 12, 15, 21, 23 and
29 in Dera Bugti. The explosive device was detonated via remote
control, thereby damaging the pipeline and suspending gas supply
from the wells to the Sui plant.
A SF official was injured when
an IED exploded on Ghulam Khan Road near Saidgee checkpost near
Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan Agency of FATA.
Security personnel cordoned off the area and started looking
for the suspects. The search continued for about 30 minutes
during helicopter gunships attacked suspected militant hideouts.
No group claimed responsibility
for the blast which took place at a time when the Shura of the
TTP was meeting to decide the future of peace talks. A Taliban
leader said it appeared that some unscrupulous elements were
trying to create a misunderstanding between the SFs and the
Taliban to derail the peace process.
Gunship helicopters of the Pakistan
Army pounded the hideouts of militants in the mountain ranges
of Shankrabi in FR Peshawar. "These are highly wooded mountains
where there is no human habitation and militants have hideouts
in these ranges," said an official of the political administration.
"We can see them bombing their targets in these hills but can't
say anything about the militant casualties," said a local elder,
adding that in some areas large contingents of the Army had
taken positions on mountain tops but there was no attack by
foot soldiers. There is no official word from the ISPR about
the operation.
A leader of the TTP Karachi
Chapter, Haji Dawood, said that a delegation of senior Taliban
'commanders' would soon visit Afghanistan to meet TTP chief
Maulana Fazlullah to seek his directive about the infighting
between the Mehsud Taliban groups. He said the Shura took the
decision after three days of deliberations. He said the infighting
between the groups of Sheryar Mehsud and Khan Said alias Sajna
was an urgent issue for the Shura which decided to refer the
matter to Maulana Fazlullah. He said the delegation would put
forward opinions of both groups and the decision of the TTP
'chief' would be acceptable to them.
According to Police, a pamphlet,
with letter head of LI 'chief' Lutfullah, was distributed in
Pahari Pura's Manzoor Colony, a Shia populated neighbourhood
of Peshawar, threatening them to vacate the area in the next
10 days. The residents of the area were warned of serious consequences
failing to follow the militants warning. The threatening pamphlet
said that the militant outfit's Shura (council) has decided
to act against the colony, without elaborating what caused to
offend it. Police said that they have launched an investigation
to ascertain the pamphlet's authenticity. They said Police contingent
has been increased with more patrolling in the area.
Governor of KP Sardar Mehtab
Khan Abbasi, affiliated with the PML-N, during his oath taking
on April 15 said that there is no harm in granting amnesty to
militants if they submit to the Constitution. He said that people
involved in militancy had become hostage to the situation and
their families were facing severe hardship. Many of them might
be fed up with the situations, but were not able to find a way
out, he added. "I think the Government should grant a general
pardon," the Governor suggested.
Unidentified assailants blew
up a 16-inch gas pipeline near Karundi town in Khairpur District,
disrupting gas supply in several areas of Sindh.
The two judge bench in the Supreme
Court, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, during the hearing of
the Balochistan target killing case directed the Defence Ministry
to submit a report on the steps taken by military authorities
for the trial of army officials involved in the Baloch 'missing'
persons' cases. It asked the Deputy Attorney General Sajid Bhatti
whether the Army has started any proceedings against the officials
allegedly involved in enforced disappearances. Bhatti submitted
that they have not received any kind of information from the
Defence Ministry in this regard.
According to details, the Balochistan
Government has agreed to refer 14 'missing' persons' cases to
the Army for the trial of Frontier Corps and Intelligence Agency
officials under the Army Act. Advocate General of Balochistan
Nazimuddin Baloch submitted a report on behalf of the Chief
Secretary of the province Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad regarding
the 'missing' persons' issue. The detailed report suggests that
as regards the prosecution of army officers, the Provincial
Government suggests that the officers be tried under Pakistan
Army Act.
According to a new documentary,
titled Drone, the US Air Force pilots, and not CIA operatives,
carry out drone strikes in Pakistan. The documentary reveals
that US Air Force pilots at Creech Air Force Base, around 75
kilometers from Las Vegas, are carrying out drone attacks for
the CIA. "The CIA might be the customer but the air force has
always flown it," Brandon Bryant, one of the pilots who appear
in the documentary said.
The documentary confirms the
claim made in an earlier documentary on the subject that despite
all technological and human assets, there's a lot of room for
error in the strikes. Thousands of people have been killed in
the drone strikes, including many children. "This calls into
question the credibility of the kill-list methodology" as the
vast majority of strikes in Pakistan were "against people whose
identities the government doesn't know", the documentary revealed.
The US media pointed out that "the revelation that US Air Force
pilots were carrying out targeted drone strikes in Pakistan
at the behest of the CIA, once again brought into question the
legality of the largest targeted killing programme in history".
Pakistan's former President
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf said that he imposed the
November 3, 2007 emergency on the advice of the then Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz, after consultation with civil and military aides
and that not in his discretion. In a statement issued through
his lawyers, Musharraf claimed, "imposition of emergency by
the Army Chief was merely a legal understanding of Ibrahim Satti
and he was not asked to submit that before the top court on
behalf of his client".
Ibrahim Satti, one of the lawyers
from the legal panel of Musharraf, submitted a clarification
with the Supreme Court, backing off from his earlier contention
that his client had imposed the emergency in his personal discretion.
Satti prayed the court to make his clarification a part of record.
April 16
In the case of 35 persons, who
went missing from Army's internment centre in Malakand Fort
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Federal Government submitted a statement
in the Supreme Court suggesting that the main accused, a junior
Army officer, identified as Naib Subedar Amanullah Baig, would
be court martial under the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952. Deputy
Attorney General Waqas Dar submitted a one-page statement on
behalf of the Defence Ministry, informing the court that the
main accused was a serving member of the Armed forces and subject
to punishment under the PAA.
In accordance with the court's
directions, the statement explained, the Malakand District Coordination
Officer was approached to settle the criminal case against the
soldier, registered at the Malakand Levy Post. Jurisdiction
over the accused was then shifted to army authorities for investigation
and trial under the Army Act.
Justice Khawaja observed, "This
amounts to closing the case". "Could Amanullah move the missing
persons from the internment centre without approval," he asked,
adding that the court had heard a similar case of one Tasif
Ali alias Danish. There, the judge said, it was held that civilian
authorities have a right to investigate the matter once an FIR
is registered. Justice Khawaja said the court would seek assistance
from Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt in deciding the matter
and adjourned the case to next week.
The Chairman of the Organising
Committee of the BNP-M, Jehanzeb Jamaldini, said that Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif has failed to honour his commitment to
resolve the Balochistan issue according to the wishes of Baloch
people. He said that BNP-M leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal and the
Prime Minister had discussed the Balochistan issue at a meeting
and the PM had assured Mengal that the issue would be resolved
in a political and peaceful way.
Jamaldini regretted that during
the nine months of the PML-N Government, no change had been
witnessed in conditions prevailing in the province. Rather,
he said, the situation had deteriorated. He said they had expected
that Sharif and Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch would resolve
the Balochistan issue but their performance had caused disappointment.
He said if the federal and provincial governments could not
satisfy the BNP-M leadership, how they could engage militants
in negotiations.
He further said that "hidden"
elements wanted to isolate the BNP-M, adding that party workers
were being harassed and attacked in different areas of the Province.
"Recently some activists have been killed in targeted attacks
in Khuzdar, Panjgur and Naseerabad areas."
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
met former President Asif Ali Zardari and agreed to review the
controversial Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) along with
other anti-terrorism laws after taking the parties in parliament
on board. The law, which has generated much debate and attracted
considerable criticism, has been passed by the National Assembly
and presented in the upper house, where it does not stand much
chance because the PML-N does not have a majority in the Senate.
The opposition parties in the Senate, including the PPP, ANP
and PML-Q, have made it clear they will not let the bill pass
in its current form.
The TTP said they would not
extend a ceasefire called to help peace negotiations with the
Government, but insisted they were still committed to the talks
process. The TTP announced a one-month ceasefire at the start
of March as the Government sought a negotiated end to their
bloody seven-year insurgency. The TTP extended the ceasefire
to April 10, but complained there had been "complete silence"
from the Government since then and hinted that the military
was trying to thwart talks. "TTP's central shura has unanimously
agreed not to extend the ceasefire...However, the talk's process
will continue with complete sincerity and seriousness, and whenever
a clear development comes from the Government side, the TTP
will not hesitate to respond with a serious move", the group
said in a statement. Inside sources familiar with the developments
told Daily Times that the decision to not extend the ceasefire
was taken in a bid to win over the anti-dialogue camp of TTP
led by Shehryar Mehsud which had been recently caught in a bloody
feud with a pro-dialogue camp led by Khan Said Sajna, another
TTP leader of Mehsud origin.
The owners of cinema halls in
Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have
increased security around cinema halls on the advice of Police
and District administration. The security has been strengthened
as suicide attacks in two different cinema halls located in
heart of the Peshawar city deserted the cinema halls. The owners
have installed close circuit cameras walk through gates and
deployed private security guards in and around the cinema halls
that have restored the confidence of visitors.
FIA suspects a significant role
was played by Zahid Hamid, the incumbent Minister for science
and technology, and at least two dozen other top officials and
political aides of former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the
imposition of emergency rule in 2007. The FIA has mentioned
this in a preliminary report and sought permission from the
Government to expand its probe to others possibly involved in
the case. However, the Government is yet to respond to the FIA's
request. "Other than Pervez Musharraf, the FIA wants to question
Shaukat Aziz's top aides who played a direct or indirect role
in the imposition of emergency rule in November 2007," the FIA's
preliminary report stated. The FIA panel concluded that Zahid
Hamid was allegedly involved in preparing a draft of the declaration
which was presented to Aziz's cabinet.
The Special Court trying former
President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf for high treason
was told by the prosecutor, Akram Sheikh, that "there are no
co-accused" in the matter nor has any evidence been found to
this effect. He said the matter was investigated and material
for prosecution was available only against Musharraf hence the
complaint was filed against him. Sheikh said that the FIA "found
evidences only against the former President" regarding proclamation
of November 2007 emergency.
While submitting his written
answer to the Special Court, the chief prosecutor said that
in accordance with the law "the person signing a document is
solely responsible for the act", and in this matter the FIA
found no documentary evidences or summary signed by the then
Prime Minister regarding the imposition of emergency in November
2007.
He further submitted that "no
record of the cabinet's approval was found" and if Musharraf
was advised by someone to impose emergency in 2007, then he
should inform the court. Sheikh said it was the responsibility
of the accused to provide evidences to verify the claim regarding
the involvement of abettors or facilitators during imposition
of emergency. The chief prosecutor said that implicating someone
without any evidence was unconstitutional and against the fundamental
right of a fair trial. The court adjourned the hearing of the
treason case to April 24, 2014, and said that the decision regarding
the appointment of the prosecutor would be announced on April
18, 2014.
According to CPJ's 2014 Global
Impunity Index, Pakistan showed a modest improvement with the
conviction of six men for the assassination of Geo News Journalist
Wali Khan Babar on January 13, 2011. CPJ while referring to
Wali Khan Babar's case, noted that Pakistan has shown improvement
with regard to punishing the culprits responsible for slaying
journalist and moved to 9th place on Impunity Index Rating,
where it had ranked 8th last year.
The report highlighted that
despite six people being convicted in the case, justice is far
from complete as two convicts are still at large and mastermind
of the killing is yet to be identified. The report also mentions
that during the trial, five more people linked to the case were
also murdered including witnesses, informants, and investigators.
The conviction seems to have had scant impact on those who are
targeting the media in Pakistan.
April 17
A man, identified as Sabir (45),
was killed and another man, Muhammed Ali (20), was injured when
unidentified armed assailants opened fire on them in Nazimabad
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Larkana Police arrested a few
suspects and recovered 10,900 Kalashnikov bullets buried under
a mosque in Golo Khan Chandio village within the limits of Mahi
Makool Police Station in Qamber Shahdadkot area of Larkana District
on the night of April 16. However, the main suspect Shahnawaz
Chandio escaped long before Police came and left behind 10,900
Kalashnikov bullets hidden in the debris of a demolished mosque
near his house.
Sindh Government decided to
put PKR100 million as head money on PAC leader Uzair Baloch
and Baba Ladla. The Government has also decided to get the red
warrants issued for the criminals from Interpol.
A Police Constable, identified
as Muhammad Amil, was injured when unidentified militants opened
fire at a Police van in Hangu District. According to Saddar
Police SHO Abid Khan, a Police team was patrolling the area
to check on security arrangements for a polio drive when unidentified
militants ambushed them at Barabaskhel Bridge in the morning.
Following the incident, Police
and Security Forces launched a search operation in the area
and arrested 15 suspects. A large cache of weapons were also
recovered from their possession.
Unidentified militants opened
fire at a polio team in Ghareza area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber
Agency of FATA. However, no casualty was reported. Later, the
political administration imposed a ban on motorcycle riding
across the tehsil and residents were warned of strict action
in case of non-compliance.
Militants launched a major attack
on a SFs' fort in the Landikotal area of the Khyber Agency.
The attack came one day after TTP revoked its 40-day-long ceasefire.
Official sources said that the militants had fired bullet rounds
and mortars from the adjoining mountains at a weapons depot
situated inside the fort that is controlled by the SFs. The
residents heard several explosions caused by the exchange of
fire between the militants and the SFs. Some of the locals added
that they had seen flames rising high from the fort.
According to sources, some unspecified
numbers of suicide bombers were reported to be among the attackers.
The SFs also returned the fire and targeted the militants' positions
with mortars and artillery rounds. The extent of material damage
and the number of casualties could not be ascertained due to
a lack of access to the area. No official version of the incident
has been issued so far.
In response to TTP's decision
to not extend the ceasefire, the Government after a meeting
of the Cabinet Committee on National Security decided to 'slow
down' the dialogue process and adopt the 'wait and see' policy.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The
committee decided that dialogue with militants would only be
held if held peacefully without terror attacks launched by the
TTP, otherwise force would be used. This was confirmed by an
unnamed high ranking official.
Head of TTP negotiation committee,
Maulana Sami-ul-Haq termed delays and arguments as part and
parcel of talk process and those efforts were afoot for an extension
in ceasefire and achieving progress in other issues. In a statement,
Haq urged the TTP and Government to observe patience and magnanimity
in the prevailing circumstances, as 'ups and downs, arguments
and delays are a usual phenomenon for dialogue processes.
TTP intermediary Muhammad Ibrahim
said that the peace talks will not be successful without a ceasefire.
Muhammad Ibrahim said that they will contact the Government
regarding the TTP concerns which have come forward through the
media. He reiterated that they will meet the TTP leadership
to persuade them to extend the ceasefire.
A Pakistani immigrant, identified
as Mohammad Hassan Khalid (20), who was convicted of US terror
charges was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading
guilty to taking part in a plan to kill a Swedish artist. Khalid,
who committed the crime when he was 15 and has been in custody
for three years for his role in the "Jihad Jane" conspiracy,
will receive credit for that time and serve an additional two
years in prison to finish his sentence, said the sentencing
judge, Petrese Tucker, of US District Court in Philadelphia.
He was arrested in 2011 on charges
that he provided material support to terrorists working with
a suburban Philadelphia housewife who went by the nickname Jihad
Jane. Her real name is Colleen LaRose. Prosecutors had asked
for a stiff sentence for Khalid, arguing that his translations
of extremist propaganda helped explain violent ideologies to
potential recruits on the Internet.
According to details, LaRose
admitted to following orders in 2009 from alleged al Qaeda operatives.
She travelled to Ireland that fall to meet an Algerian, Ali
Damache, who she believed would train her. The plot was not
carried out and Damache is fighting extradition from Ireland
to the US on terror charges. Prosecutors said Khalid helped
Damache recruit others and helped LaRose destroy evidence. Officials
said Khalid "worked tirelessly" with two other American men
now serving long prison terms on terror charges in other failed
plots, Emerson Begolly and Reed Stanley Berry. Prosecutors say
he helped them translate violent jihad videos from Urdu to English.
The Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education informed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly
that at least 160 primary and middle schools had been closed
down across the province due to lawlessness, natural disaster,
unavailability of teachers and land disputes. The Provincial
Government admitted that 13 primary and middle schools for boys
and girls had been shut down on the outskirts of Peshawar due
to militancy.
According to the details, 28
schools have been closed down in Battagram, 14 in Charsadda,
24 in Kohistan, 15 in Hangu, 15 in Dera Ismail Khan, three in
Swabi and two in Tank. It said 39 schools had been shut down
in Swat since 2010 when flash floods played havoc with the area,
while two more schools had been abandoned due to militancy in
the District.
Opposition MPA Mufti Syed Janan,
said figures provided by the Department were incorrect. He said
that 47 schools had been declared dysfunctional in Peshawar
only due to militancy and shortage of teachers. Further, he
pointed out that the Department had submitted written reply
to the Assembly Secretariat in February, 2013, in which 385
schools, including 295 for girls, were declared dysfunctional
in the Province. Janan demanded action against officials for
producing wrong data about schools. The Education Department
came under fire for providing wrong information about schools
to the Assembly and its poor performance.
Pakistan warned the Haqqani
Network and the Afghan Taliban not to co-operate with the TTP.
The warning was prompted by the alleged growing co-operation
among the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani Network and the TTP. The
TTP already have admitted their financial support from the Afghan
Taliban, TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said.
April 18
At least three seminary students
were shot dead at Sakhi Hasan Chowrangi in North Nazimabad Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to sources,
unidentified armed assailants opened fire on them while they
were coming out of a mosque after Friday prayers.
Two trussed-up bodies of missing
MQM workers, identified as Mohammad Ali and Syed Kashif Bukhari
alias Qasim Ali, were recovered from Qayyumabad area near Korangi
Creek in Korangi Town. Both victims belonged to Orangi Town.
MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari said that they had been missing for
the last four months.
Police officials said that two
local workers of the UN, identified as Sami Nawaz and Farrukh
Saleem, have gone missing from Gulshan-e-Maymar area of Gadap
Town. According to initial reports both UN officials are residents
of Hyderabad District who were visiting Karachi for leisure.
Police said that their mobile phones are switched off which
implies that they have been abducted. They Police and CPLC are
looking into the incident.
In addition, three people, including
two political activists, were taken away by unidentified men
in plain clothes from Shah Faisal Colony in Shah Faisal Town
to an undisclosed location.
One soldier was killed and two
others were injured as militants attacked an Army vehicle on
Frontier road in Aziz Market, on the outskirts of Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP.
Federal Government handed over
control of KP Province's polio drive to the Army. The campaign
has been handed over to the Army per the directive of Prime
Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Previously, medics, the
KP Government and KP Police handled the effort. Representatives
of the World Health Organisation, the Federal Government and
KP met to co-ordinate details of the campaign at Army General
Headquarters. They focused on the security of polio teams in
troubled areas.
The recurring polio cases in
North Waziristan and no vaccination there since 2012 has prompted
the Pakistan Army to extend a helping hand to the Government
in eradication of the deadly poliovirus from North and South
Waziristan agencies and Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. The Army
personnel will provide security to health workers to ensure
administration of oral polio vaccine to children in the militancy-stricken
areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
CCPO Chaudhry Shafiq on April
18 said that Police have arrested six LeJ suspects, including
the mastermind behind the March 28, 2014, attack on Express
News anchorperson Raza Rumirom Lahore District, the provincial
capital of Punjab. According to details, the mastermind of Express
News attack, identified as Abdul Rauf Gujar, belongs to LeJ
and was a resident of Badami Bagh area of Lahore. Shafiq said
that the six suspects were involved in assassination attempts
on various political and religious persons, adding that they
were also involved terrorism, kidnapping and dealing drugs.
The Police statement said, "These
cruel criminals are involved in these heinous crimes by pretending
to be a religious group, including crimes like murder, attempted
murder, kidnapping-for-ransom, illegal armament and drugs,".
The statement further said that "Gujar, who is the main hitman
in the killings, came to this direction through LeJ leader Malik
Ishaq".
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
while addressing the Cabinet Meeting in Islamabad said that
USD 1.6 billion will be spent on different development projects
in Balochistan, with Gwadar being developed as a model city.
The Prime Minister said that the development in Balochistan
was a priority for the Government and development plans to put
the most neglected Province on road to progress, "were being
implemented expeditiously." He said that Gwadar was being developed
as a model city and a socio-economic package has been planned
for it, adding that Gwadar Airport and Sea Port were being developed
on modern lines. He told the Cabinet that USD 1.6 billion will
be spent on these projects and added that he himself will monitor
these projects.
The Government is planning a
fresh round of talks with TTP negotiators at the weekend, Federal
Interior Ministry official said, despite the militants' refusal
to extend a ceasefire called to help peace efforts. Federal
Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said in a statement
that he has called a meeting with the TTP's talks committee
on April 19 to decide how to proceed. He said only dialogue
could overcome reservations and objections, but warned there
was little chance of progress without a ceasefire. "If Taliban
have certain objections, we also have reservations," he said,
adding the government pushed forward the peace process against
serious logjams. "(But) I don't think the talks process will
move forward in the absence of a ceasefire," said Khan, who
has been an ardent supporter of the talks. He will meet the
TTP's three-man talks committee, led by Maulana Samiul Haq.
Members of the Government negotiating team are also likely to
attend Saturday's talks, a senior official said.
Cautioning the Government that
certain forces may take advantage of its decision to call off
the ceasefire, the TTP said that it will not be responsible
for any attacks on public places. At the same time, however,
the group said it reserved the right to act in 'self defence'.
"I want to caution the government… some forces may carry out
attacks on public places while taking advantage of our refusal
to extend the ceasefire," TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid
said. "The Taliban will not be responsible for attacks on public
places… [but] we have the right to launch attacks in self defence,"
he added.
JI Amir Sirajul Haq says
the Government should give serious consideration to the TTP
demands if it does not want more bloodshed in the country. He
said the TTP were simply demanding a peace zone for talks where
there was no danger of attack and the release of about 300 non-combatants.
He said there was no harm in accepting these demands for freeing
the country from terrorism.
PML-N Senator Mushahidullah
Khan said that the Government will opt for tit-for-tat response
if the TTP carry out their activities. He said that the Government
would not let anybody to challenge its writ.
April 19
At least four people, including
a Police officer and a 14-year-old girl, were killed in separate
incidents of violence in Quetta.
Militants shot dead a Police
officer and critically injured his son in Sariab road area.
Imran Qureshi, the SP said two militants on a motorcycle sprayed
bullets at the vehicle of ASI Police Kudratullah. He said the
son of the ASI suffered serious wounds as a result of the attack.
In another incident of targeted
killing armed men gunned down an Afghan national in the Satellite
Town area. Police said two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire
at an Afghan national and killed him on the spot.
Two people were killed in a
firing incident in the city's Kasi road area. Armed men opened
fire at a house in Kasi road area and killed the two people
including a 14-year old girl. "This was an act of tribal dispute,"
said a Police official.
A passer-by died after he stepped
on a landmine planted by unidentified people in Pelough area
of Dera Bugti District. "He sustained splinter wounds and died
at the state-run hospital," a local official said, reports The
Tribune.
A four-inch diameter gas pipeline
was blown up in Sibi, suspending gas supply to Khajak Town which
is the second largest village in the District.
Unknown gunmen on motorcycles
opened fire on Hamid Mir in Karachi, Sindh province, injuring
the senior reporter and television anchorperson. The incident
took place on Sharae Faisal near Natha Khan area when the gunmen
opened fire on his vehicle around 5:30 pm. The journalist was
on his way to his office from the airport when he was attacked.
"Four gunmen riding on motorbikes started firing at the car
near Karsaz (around six kilometers from Jinnah International
Airport) when Mir's car was passing through, he received three
bullets in the lower parts of his body," said senior Police
official Peer Muhammad Shah.
April 20
Three unidentified militants
were killed in an exchange of fire with FC troops in Tasp area
of Panjgur District in Balochistan. According to an FC Spokesman,
the miscreants fired on an FC patrol party in Tasp area of Panjgur.
As the forces retaliated, the militants left three motorcycles
on the spot and entered a hideout. An exchange of fire took
place, during which three miscreants were killed and their bodies
were recovered. A few other militants were injured and managed
to flee.
Unidentified militants attacked
the house of slain ANP leader Mian Mushtaq in the Mashokhel
area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to locals, the attackers also
destroyed his hujra (guest-house) situated in the Mashokhel
area of the city, and abducted two of his cousins, Mian Bashir
and Abdul Baqi.
PM Nawaz Sharif ordered a judicial
inquiry into the attack on senior journalist and Geo news anchorperson
Hamid Mir. In this regard, the PM decided to constitute a three-member
judicial commission to probe the murder attempt on Hamid Mir.
A formal request would be sent to the Chief Justice of Pakistan
to nominate three members of the commission.
The Government also announced
a reward of PKR 10 million for any information leading to the
arrest of the culprits. Meanwhile, journalists and civil society
members held countrywide protest demonstrations against the
attack on Hamid Mir and demanded of the Government to take immediate
measures to provide protection to journalists.
April 21
Five Policemen and a civilian
were killed in an attack at Zangli checkpost on Kohat-Peshawar
road in Badhaber area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial
capital of KP. Unidentified militants fired at a Police van
at Zangli checkpost leaving two Policemen injured. When more
Policemen arrived there, militants attacked them too, killing
five Policemen, including a Sub-Inspector, and a passer-by.
Bullets also hit an ambulance, leaving two people injured.
The CPLC and AVCC rescued two
abducted UNICEF employees after four days of captivity from
the outskirts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Unidentified
persons kidnapped Sami Nawaz and Farrukh Saleem on April 17
from Gulshan-e-Maymar area.
PM Nawaz Sharif presided over
a meeting on law and order and the ongoing operation against
terrorists in Karachi. According to a brief statement issued
after the meeting, the PM was briefed on the situation by Additional
Inspector General Shahid Hayat Khan and Sindh Rangers Director
General Major General Rizwan Akhtar. But sources said the meeting
mainly focused on progress in investigation into the attack
on senior journalist and Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir.
Senate Functional Committee
on Human Rights asked the Government to devise a strict policy
against terrorism ensuring safety of citizens, especially journalists.
The committee, which met with Senator Afrasiab Khattak in the
chair, condemned the attack on anchorperson Hamid Mir.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister
Pervez Khattak announced that women Police desks would be established
at all 500 Police Stations of the province to facilitate the
province's female population. Khattak announced the establishment
of Model Police Stations at Gulbahar, Faqirabad and University
Town areas under a pilot project which would be later extended
to other Police Stations across the province.
Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif has
earmarked funds for modern resources, such as forensic laboratories,
in the province, which prove the government's commitment to
dealing with terrorists. The Punjab government has detained
and prosecuted about 700 militants involved in sectarian violence
over the last six months. In 2013, law-enforcement agencies
in the province registered nearly 3,500 cases on charges of
misusing loud speakers, delivering hate speeches, disseminating
incendiary material and trying to cause divisions among different
segments of society.
The information was released
by the DGPR Punjab in response to a story carried in Dawn, calling
attention to the presence of proscribed organizations' sleeper
cells in and around Lahore and the provincial Government's lukewarm
response to these developments. Referring to the arrest of a
group of militants involved in high-profile attacks, including
last month's attempt to assassinate TV anchor Raza Rumi, the
statement claimed, "All terrorists involved in high-profile
sectarian attacks committed in Punjab have been arrested, including
sectarian target killers in Lahore." "Sectarian attacks reported
in cities such as Chakwal, Bhakkar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad
were successfully investigated and the perpetrators arrested
over the course of the past few months. "By keeping these terrorists
off the street, incidents of sectarian (violence) in Punjab
have also been significantly reduced," it said.
The Member of TTP talks committee
Professor Muhammad Ibrahim has held the Government responsible
for deadlock in peace talks, saying that delay in release of
non-combatant TTP prisoners gave rise to the crisis. He said
that as per announcement Government's committee for peace talks
hasn't yet held meeting with TTP committee due to which the
deadlock emerged.
April 22
At least four persons, including
a Policeman, were killed and 30 others injured in an explosion
near a Police vehicle in Farooq Azam chowk of tehsil Bazaar
in Charsadda town (Charsadda District) of KP. District Police
Officer Charsadda, Shafiullah Khan said that the explosive material
was planted in a motorcycle and the Police mobile van was the
primary target, adding that the dead also included a shopkeeper.
Eight persons, including two
Balochistan Frontier Corps personnel, were injured in a bomb
explosion on the Mall Road of Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah
District of Balochistan. District Police Officer Abdul Sattar
Khan said that unidentified militants had planted an explosive
device on a motorcycle which exploded as FC patrolling vehicles
went past.
The Police arrested several
injured people from Peshawar hospitals in connection with the
killing of their personnel in a militant attack in Badbher area
on the outskirts of the provincial capital of KP. Sources in
local Police said all suspects had bullets injuries and belonged
to Khyber Agency of FATA.
KP Police seek authority from
the Federal Government to carry out operations in the tribal
areas outside the province. The long boundary from Bajaur Agency
up to South Waziristan Agency poses a serious problem for the
settled towns of KP. Anybody can enter the settled areas and
launch a terrorist attack, but Police pursuing them have to
stop when they reach the tribal belt, the FATA, KP IGP Nasir
Khan Durrani said.
The Peshawar High Court summoned
the Secretary Defence and Secretary Interior in the missing
persons' cases on May 14 to explain the non-compliance of the
court orders in the enforced disappearance cases. A two-member
bench comprising Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice
Ikramullah Khan directed the two Federal Secretaries to appear
in person in the court.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Pervez
Khattak warned that the "third unseen power" can take benefit
of the suspension of peace negotiations and end of ceasefire
between the Government and TTP. Though he did not mention the
"third unseen power", he referred to the recent terrorist incidents
in the country in this respect.
Balochistan CM Abdul Malik Baloch
conceded that there are law and order problems in Panjgur, Kech
and Kacchi Districts and said that the Government is taking
measures to curb the lawlessness. He was speaking during a session
of the Balochistan Assembly.
The Federal Ministry of Interior
told the sub-committee of the PAC that 50 per cent of arms licenses
were yet not verified in Pakistan and it is expected the process
of verification would be completed by next month. The sub-committee
took up audit par as relating to Interior Ministry for fiscal
year 2009-10 as the AGP revealed that PKR 551.510 million related
to arms licences was not reconciled with the Government receipt.
During the examination of the
audit para, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed observed that all the weapons
in the country are illegal as not a single weapon license was
attested. The officials of the Ministry told the sub-committee
that the Government imposed a ban on issuance of weapons license
in 2002 and since then around 126,000 license forms were printed
and 71,000 license booklets were also issued, 35,000 of which
were verified.
Pakistan imposed a travel ban
on Afghan Taliban 'operational commander' Qari Saifullah Al-Tokhi.
Authorities suspect the Afghan national of hiding in areas bordering
Afghanistan and Pakistan. He is the Afghan Taliban's shadow
deputy governor and operational commander in Zabul Province.
He is responsible for roadside bombings and suicide attacks,
according to an April 11 Ministry of Foreign Affairs notification.
The UN's al Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee asked the
Government to impose the restrictions on Saifullah and freeze
his assets found in Pakistan.
The KP Police Department blacklisted
four firms in connection with supply of substandard weapons,
ammunition and other gadgets to the Police force. The KP Police
have carried out the procurement of weapons, ammunition and
other gadgets for operational policing in 2008 and 2009 through
tender. Besides the firm M/S Majeed and sons which is already
blacklisted, the name of its other sister firms have also surfaced.
They included M/S Shayan-e-Sarhad Enterprises, Peshawar, M/S
Al Moiz Trading Cooperation Peshawar, M/S Shahid Traders Peshawar
and M/S Shaheer Trading Company Peshawar, said an official communiqué.
April 23
Two dead bodies were discovered
in Mewashah Graveyard near Malang Darbar whereas another body
was discovered from a river below the Lasbela Bridge. All three
were first kidnapped and later tortured, however, none of the
bodies have been identified yet, Police sources said.
One person was also shot dead
in Mianwali Colony of Manghopir area.
Dead body of a woman bearing
torture marks was also found in a gunnysack in Rashidabad area
of North Karachi.
An assistant professor was kidnapped
from the limits of Obaro Police Station in Sukkur District.
Police said that at the National Highway in Obaro unidentified
assailants intercepted the car of Assistant Prof Younis Jatt
and abducted him, his driver Ghulam Mustafa Kazi and Nazir Ahmed.
Police said that the kidnappers later freed Ghulam Mustafa Kazi
and Nazir Ahmed.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead two persons, identified as Muhammad Ayub and Muhammad Asif,
in Bulaida area of Turbat District in Balochistan. The victims
were on way home when armed assailants riding a motorbike opened
fire on them and fled from the scene. As a result, they died
on the spot after receiving multiple bullets wounds.
Unidentified militants blew
up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti
District. Spokesman for the Levies force said that unidentified
militants attached explosive devices with the gas pipeline and
blew it up. The gas supply was suspended to some areas after
the blast.
The death toll in the April
22 bomb blast in the Charsadda town (Charsadda) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
increased to four when another injured person, Zahirullah, of
Fazlabad locality, succumbed to his injuries. Two civilians
and a Policeman were killed in the attack on a Police van.
The Senate was informed by the
Federal Ministry of Interior that the sectarian violence had
claimed at least 2,090 lives over past five years, with militancy
hit FATA on top with 867 killings. The figures were revealed
in a written reply from the Federal Ministry of Interior during
the question hour. Balochistan, which has seen deadly attacks
on the resident Shia Hazara community, witnessed 737 killings.
Sindh, where a number of doctors, professors religious leaders
belonging to their sect have been targeted in recent years,
252 were killed over sectarian differences between January 2008-January
2009. Punjab, which saw some of the worst riots in the country
last year following a clash of two groups in Rawalpindi on Ashura
that resulted in a curfew, 104 people were killed in sectarian
violence over five years. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 22 killing.
Gilgit-Baltistan, which has belied its largely peaceful outlook
with incidents of sectarian violence, saw 103 people falling
victim to sectarian violence. Five people lost their lives in
Islamabad in sectarian attacks.
Legislators were surprised when
the Government informed the Senate that only 15 religious seminaries
received financial aid from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.
PPP Senator Syed Sughra Imam was unhappy over the 'incomplete
information' provided to the House by the Federal Ministry of
Interior about the number of seminaries that received aid from
abroad. She had also sought data about clerics, teachers and
curriculum development and training being supported by foreign
Islamic states. She protested that the question was extremely
important and had been already deferred twice still information
was incomplete and claimed according to estimates there were
more than 12,000 seminaries in Punjab alone.
The senator lamented the Government
that it shared information about only 15 seminaries and other
part of the question was overlooked. In response to volley of
questions by Senator Sughra, State Minister Muhammad Balighur
Rehman told the House that details had been obtained from the
State Bank of Pakistan and clarified that preparation of curriculum
was not the job of his Ministry. However, the Minister said
under the National Security Policy, a mechanism to monitor the
seminaries had also been prepared. The question was deferred.
April 24
Thirty-seven militants were
killed and more than a dozen injured in air strikes by the PAF
fighter aircraft in Bara and Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency of
FATA. The sources said fighter aircraft bombarded the suspected
positions of TTP in Wache Wanay, Sra Vela, Dwatoi and Tordarra
in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency. The jets also targeted some
hideouts of the TTP in Spera Dam area of Bara tehsil (revenue
unit). 10 hideouts of militants were destroyed in the bombardment.
The official sources said the dead militants belonged to Orakzai
Agency and Darra Adamkhel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At least seven members of a
family were killed and seven others injured in firing incident
in Yar Hussain area of Swabi District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Police said unidentified assailants open fire on a vehicle,
resulting the death of seven people and injuries to seven others.
Police said all the dead and injured belong to one family and
were going to Peshawar airport to see off a relative.
Four persons including a senior
Policeman Inspector Shafiq Tanoli were killed in a suicide attack
in Old Sabzi Mandi area of Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh, in the morning. According to DSP Nasir Lodhi, Inspector
Shafiq Tanoli was killed along with his friend when a blast
occurred in old vegetable market near his house when he was
sitting inside a shop. Shafiq Tanoli was the SHO of Mawach Goth
and was demoted and suspended from his post after he allegedly
raided a house at Sea View in Defence area illegally. Shafiq
Tanoli joined the Police force in 1989. He was also associated
with the CID for some time and also had a role in the arrest
of Arshad Pappu. Tanoli was also involved in the investigation
of the Wali Khan Babar murder case and had previously escaped
attempt on his life at least seven times before. He had been
attacked twice in Pak Colony, twice in Mauripur, once each in
Liaquatabad, Sachal and Old Sabzi Mandi.
Unidentified militants fired
a rocket at and then opened fire on a Police mobile in Chhattar
area of Dera Murad Jamali town in Nasirabad District of Balochistan,
leaving four Police personnel dead. Police said that the personnel
in a Police mobile were on patrolling duty on Chhattar road
when militants attacked their vehicle.
The intermediaries of TTP have
been told that 13 TTP prisoners who were to be released have
been handed over to the Government by the Army for the purpose.
"However, they will be freed only after knowing how and when
the Taliban would reciprocate," a source quoted the Government
side as telling the TTP representatives led by Maulana Samiul
Haq, who held a session with Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry
Nisar Ali Khan on April 23.
The central Shura of
JI appealed to the TTP not only to extend ceasefire but also
make a categorical announcement that they would not take any
unlawful step till the conclusion of talks. According to a press
release, the JI central consultative body which met at Mansoora
with its new Ameer Sirajul Haq, in the chair, urged the Government
and the law enforcement institutions to release the non-militants
in their custody and take other necessary measures that could
make the talks result-oriented, and avoid such steps which could
hinder the progress in talks.
Sectarian killings rose by more
than a fifth in Pakistan in 2013, HRCP said on April 24, warning
of an alarming increase in violence against religious minorities.
HRCP said 687 people were killed in more than 200 sectarian
attacks last year, a rise of 22 per cent on 2012, while 1,319
people were injured, a 46 per cent rise on 2012. The HRCP warned
that ongoing peace talks between the Government and the TTP
could make minorities even more vulnerable. Violence against
Shias, who make up around 20 per cent of the population, has
been growing in recent years, much of it led by extremist sectarian
groups such as LeJ. The country's small Christian, Hindu and
Ahmadi communities also suffer discrimination and occasional
outbursts of violence.
As the Government team prepares
for another meeting with the TTP, many of the foreign militants
based in and around NWA of FATA feel they are facing an uncertain
future and are not only seeking assurances from their hosts
but are also weighing options for moving out to others places,
like Afghanistan and Syria, to continue their 'jihad'. This
emerged during a series of interviews conducted by Dawn correspondent
mainly around NWA, on getting exclusive access to various groups
and to some of the most wanted fugitives in the country.
April 25
A bomb explosion took place
on the Chaudhry Khalique-uz-Zaman Road in Gizri area of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh, leaving six persons, including
a woman, dead and 30 others injured. Police said the explosion
was caused by an IED and suspected the involvement of LeJ. Inspector
General of Police, Sindh, Iqbal Mehmood, said that the bomb
blast took place in a rickshaw and the intended target seemed
to be a bus of worshippers coming from an Imambargah.
PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said
that the Balochistan people faced huge excesses in the past
but it would not happen now. He termed democracy a self-regulated
system of accountability and said the democratic norms were
flourishing in the country. He said the Government wanted to
ensure economic and political independence of the people and
vowed to eliminate unemployment, inflation, illiteracy and sense
of insecurity from the country. "Pakistan free from these evils
is our goal," the PM said.
Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the one-sided media trial
of the Army and ISI should end. Nisar said it was the Federal
Government's constitutional and legal responsibility to protect
the dignity of the Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies,
and there should be no ambiguity or fallacy in that respect.
The Minister said media should show responsibility regarding
sensitive issues.
The Government confirmed that
it had received a video message of Ali Haider Gilani the abducted
son of former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and that Ali
Haider Gilani's abductors are not TTP militants. Federal Minister
of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the abductors
had demanded PKR 500 million for the release of Ali Haider Gilani
after an earlier demand of PKR two billion. Nisar said Ali Haider
could be seen in the video bound by chains. According to Nisar,
Ali Haider Gilani said in the video that his abductors were
not affiliated with the TTP and his family was not taking serious
steps for his release. Ali Haider Gilani further says in the
video that if measures are not taken for his release within
one month he will be killed. Ali was earlier kidnapped from
Multan (Punjab) on May 9, 2013 from outside a PPP office.
April 26
Four persons were killed in
different incidents of violence in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. Shahnawaz (35), son of Ibrahim, was killed by unidentified
armed motorcyclists in Malir 15. Maula Bux (44), son of Muhammad
Ramzan, was shot and killed by unidentified armed men in Zia
Colony of Orangi Town. A 35-year-old, Gul Nawab, son of Mir
Ahmed, was killed by unidentified armed motorcyclist in Nata
Khan Goth. Separately, a man was found dead near Kati Pahari
area of Orangi Town. The identity of the body could not be ascertained.
Four people were injured in
a grenade attack in Lyari town of Karachi. According to local
Police, unidentified men hurled grenades near Gabol Park, injuring
four people. Rescue teams rushed to the scene soon after the
incident and moved the injured to the Civil Hospital. Police
also reached and started investigation.
April 27
At least three soldiers were
killed and three others sustained injuries in an IED explosion
in the Bobar area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA. "At least
three security forces personnel, including an officer embraced
shahadat (martyrdom) and three others sustained critical injuries
after an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists along
the road went off," the military said in a statement.
One TuI peace committee member
was killed and three others were injured in a bomb blast in
Zakhakhel area of Landi Kotal tehsil in Khyber Agency. Official
sources say that the vehicle of TuI peace committee activists
was targeted in Zakhakhel area destroying the vehicle completely.
The peace committee holds LI militant group responsible for
the attack.
After threats from the LI, scores
of Afghan and Zakhakhel tribesmen from Bara area of Khyber Agency
started shifting to safer places. Tribal and the official sources
confirmed that the Mangal Bagh-led LI had warned Afghan refugees
and the Zakhakhel Shinwari tribes, a sub-tribe of the Afridi's,
living in the area to announce allegiance to the Lashkar or
leave Bara where the banned group is still known to have stronghold.
Most of these people were settled in Akakhel, Sipah, Malikdinkhel
and Shalobar areas in Khyber region who were given the deadline
of April 27, 4 pm to take either of the options as their decision.
A Police Constable, Siraj Gul,
was killed while another constable, Akhtar Ali, injured when
unidentified militant attacked them near Bakhshu Pul area under
the jurisdiction of Khazana Police Station in Peshawar, the
provincial capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SSP-Operations,
Najibur Rehman said that both Policemen were fired upon while
eating out near Bakhshu Pul area. Rehman lamented that Police
personnel are deployed at spots where they can become easy target
of the terrorists due to lack of protective gear including helmet
and bullet-proof jackets.
A key 'commander' of TTP, Hakimullah
alias Matti, was killed during an encounter in the Kulachi area
of Peshawar. Sources said Hakimullah was one of the masterminds
behind the Dera Ismail Khan jailbreak of July 30, 2014. Acting
District Police Officer Sadiq Baloch said that the house of
Hakimullah in Rohri village of Kulachi tehsil was raided on
a tip-off. Baloch said Matti opened fire on the Police, injuring
an Elite Force official. The encounter, Baloch said, was continued
for 30 minutes.
One person was killed and two
others were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire
at a house in Daudzai area Peshawar.
Militants threw explosive material
in front of the house of a C&W official in Peshawar. The bomb
disposal squad said that 500 grams of explosives material was
used in the blast, which damaged the house.
Militants fired two rockets
from an area near the airport in Peshawar which exploded within
the airport limits. No injuries or damage were reported in the
incident.
Security Forces recovered two
plastic canisters, containing 30 kilograms of explosives each,
and a suicide vests near Wadpaga Police checkpost in Shapur
area of in Chamkani area Peshawar.
Two suspects were arrested and
huge quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from a pick
up on Ramak Road in Dera Ismail Khan town of same District.
Police claimed to have seized pistols, five Kalashnikov rifles
and 25,000 rounds of bullets.
Police foiled a terror bid by
recovering arms and ammunitions including a suicide jacket from
a house in Shabqadar area of Charsadda District. The recovered
weapons include a large quantity of explosives, seven rocket
launchers and two fuel tanks of motorcycles. According to Police,
the owner of the house is wanted in different terrorism-related
cases.
Two people were arrested for
possessing a huge amount of explosives and illegal weapons from
Boni area of Chitral District.
The Federal Government directed
the PTA to curtail the operations of Afghan cellular phones
in FATA and parts of KP because of security issues. Informed
sources said that more than 40,000 SIMs of Afghan mobile telephone
companies were operating inside Pakistani territory and using
international roaming services. Apart from this, the SIMs also
works on their local Afghan networks in certain regions of FATA
which are close to the Afghan border. It was revealed that the
Afghan SIMs have been used in many kidnapping-for-ransom cases
in Pakistan.
"PTA has been directed to curtail
these operations," said Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry
Nisar Ali Khan, adding, "During December 2013, around 17,000
Afghan SIMs were recovered by FIA after a raid on an illegal
VoIP set-up in Peshawar". He confirmed that Afghan cellular
SIMs were being used inside Pakistani territory and were suspected
of being used in serious crimes such as extortion threats, illegal
VoIP activity and by terrorist networks for communication.
DGPR Punjab informed that the
Punjab Government has detained and prosecuted about 700 militants
involved in sectarian violence over the last six months. In
2013, Law-Enforcement Agencies in the Province registered nearly
3,500 cases on charges of misusing loud speakers, delivering
hate speeches, disseminating incendiary material and trying
to cause divisions among different segments of society.
The DGPR statement claimed,
"All terrorists involved in high-profile sectarian attacks committed
in Punjab have been arrested, including sectarian target killers
in Lahore." It further stated, "Sectarian aIf the Government
enforced Sharia'h in accordance with the Constitution, the TTP
would abide by the Constitution, claimed member of the Taliban
peace committee and Provincial Chief of JeI Muhammad Ibrahim
Khan in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He refuted the view that one cannot negotiate with a group that
does not recognise the Constitution.
ttacks reported in cities such
as Chakwal, Bhakkar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were successfully
investigated and the perpetrators arrested over the course of
the past few months. By keeping these terrorists off the street,
incidents of sectarian (violence) in Punjab have also been significantly
reduced."
An unnamed senior official of
the Punjab Police said that tracking down and arresting the
proclaimed offenders involved in sectarian crimes was primarily
the job of DPOs. "In almost every meeting on the state of law
and order in the Province chaired by the Punjab Inspector General
the arrest of those wanted for sectarian violence topped the
agenda," he said. However, because of religious sensitivities
around these incidents and the attackers' links to various religious
organisations, Police always encounter resistance when pursuing
such criminals. There is a need to proceed with caution in all
such cases because these people have sympathisers among powerful
politicians, which also affects the ability of the Police to
do its job, he added.
If the Government enforced Sharia'h
in accordance with the Constitution, the TTP would abide by
the Constitution, claimed member of the Taliban peace committee
and Provincial Chief of JeI Muhammad Ibrahim Khan in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He refuted the
view that one cannot negotiate with a group that does not recognise
the Constitution.
He further said that formal
talks between the Government and the TTP are yet to start. He
said that the negotiation process was under way but formal talks
had not started yet which had caused a deadlock. Both the government
and the Taliban were responsible for the stalemate, he added.
April 28
Three seminary students were
killed and nine others were injured in a hand grenade attack
that occurred inside the Jamia Masjid-wa-Madrassa Islamia Tahiria
seminary located in Frontier Colony of Orangi Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Police said that the bomb was
not hurled from outside but was in someone's possession inside
the seminary. According to details, a student, identified as
Salman (11), had brought grenade inside the classroom in a paper
bag. The grenade exploded while he was playing with it, killing
him and two other classmates, identified as Omar Khan (12) and
Zahid Zada, (14).
Two gangsters, identified as
Bilal and Sajjad, were killed during an exchange of fire between
the Rangers and criminals in Lyari Town.
Six persons were injured when
a NATO container was attacked by unidentified militants on the
Pak-Afghan Highway in the Khyber Agency. The two nearby vehicles
were also damaged as a result of the incident.
At least four people were injured
when unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at the house
of a polio health worker, identified as Nazia, in Sro Kalay
area of Shabqadar tehsil in Charsadda District. All four injured
were family members. Nazia's husband Falaknaz told the Police
that Nazia could be the target of the attack as she works at
Ekka Ghund Hospital as a polio worker.
A bomb explosion occurred outside
the residence of a local businessman in Guldara area on Kohat
Road in provincial capital Peshawar. However, no casualties
were reported.
Several protestors were injured
when Police resorted to baton-charge and tear gassing of demonstrators
protesting over the missing persons issue at D-Chowk in Islamabad.
The protesters were attempting to approach the Parliament house
in Islamabad's Red Zone area.
Several protestors were injured
when Police resorted to baton-charge and tear gassing of demonstrators
protesting over the missing persons issue at D-Chowk in Islamabad.
The protesters were attempting to approach the Parliament house
in Islamabad's Red Zone area.
Taking notice of the incident,
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the authorities concerned
to release the detained protesters at the earliest. He said
protesting peacefully was every citizen's fundamental right
which cannot be taken away from them. He also ordered the authorities
to look into the incident and punish the culprits of manhandling
rights activists and journalists with an iron hand.
During a meeting of Government
functionaries and Army high command, including CoAS General
Raheel Sharif and ISI Director General Lieutenant General Zaheerul
Islam, in Islamabad Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that dialogue
and violence cannot go hand in hand. The meeting expressed the
resolve to continue with dialogue with the TTP with a "concise
agenda" under "well-defined parameters".
Nawaz Sharif lauded the role
and efforts of the ISI in protecting the country and ensuring
its defence. An official at the Interior Ministry revealed that
the Prime Minister said that the Government was determined to
carry on talks with the Taliban, but any violent activity would
be paid in the same coin and that the talks without a ceasefire
would not be possible.
According to official sources,
the Federal Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said,
"It is high time to make talks with the TTP successful." There
was consensus among the participants of the meeting that the
dialogue process with the Taliban should have a concise agenda
and dialogue should take place under well-defined parameters.
KP Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad
Khan during his first visit after assuming his office to Sadda
in Kurram Agency of FATA said that repatriation of all internally
displaced tribal families will be his top priority for normalisation
of the region. "Whether it is a single family or in hundreds,
it is a humanitarian problem and we are fully conscious of the
difficulties with which they are faced," he said.
The Governor said the day was
not far away when they all would be able to live normal life
in their homes. "It will also be my utmost effort to ensure
equal treatment to all the affected people of Kurram Agency
as far as provision of compensation is concerned," he said,
adding, "It is the earnest desire of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
too to witness the people of FATA living normal life. I am here
to evaluate the situation on ground".
According to unnamed TTP sources,
many TTP militants, fearing that a military offensive will finally
be launched, have vacated the areas surrounding Mir Ali and
Miranshah towns of NWA in FATA and shifted towards the border
with Afghanistan and into the Afghan Provinces where anti-Pakistan
elements are strong.
"Around 6,000 militants, including
locals, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Chechen and Turkmens, shifted towards
the border with Afghanistan and into the Afghan provinces of
Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Nuristan and Kunar," sources said, adding
that nearly 400 fighters have left for jihad in Syria.
The unnamed sources also said
that expectations of the militant leaders of talks succeeding
are too low. Although the 'commanders' of the TTP have not formally
refused to call off the dialogue, but they are convinced that
it would lead nowhere, and finally a military operation will
be imposed on them, the sources said.
One of the key state-nominated
negotiators, former ISI official Major Muhammad Amir, quit the
dialogue process, giving a blow to the dialogue process. Amir
sidelined himself from the talks, saying that some members of
the Taliban committee were exploiting the process for their
own political interests.
April 29
Three militants were killed
and two FC officials injured in an encounter in Khujal Khel
area of Landikotal tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. A SFs official
said that after receiving intelligence reports, an operation
was carried out around midnight in Khujal Khel when SFs came
under fire. A cache of explosives was also recovered from the
militants' hideout. According to the official, the slain militants
were wanted for the attack in April, 2014 on the Landikotal
cantonment.
Army helicopters and artillery
attacked militants' hideouts in the Bobar area of South Waziristan
Agency. According to sources, three helicopters carried out
the attack on the hideouts from 3 pm to 4 pm. However, SFs did
not confirm the attack till late April 28-midnight. Sources
said SFs also used artillery to shell the area from Mir Ali
and Sara Rogha camps at 6 pm. No casualty was reported from
the remote area where the media has no access. Tribal people
said several hideouts had been destroyed by the shelling.
The death toll of the April
28, 2014, hand grenade blast that occurred in a seminary in
Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh rose
to four as one more victim, identified as Ismail (11), succumbed
to his injuries. Earlier it was reported that three students
were killed and nine others were injured.
At least six persons were injured
when an IED exploded in Sarozi of Doaba in Hangu District in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the afternoon. Thall DSP Ashraf Khan said
a high-intensity bomb was spotted by a pedestrian in Sarozi
after which Police rushed to the site, cordoning it off. However,
BDU had not reached when the device exploded and injured pedestrians.
At least six persons were injured
when an IED exploded in Sarozi of Doaba in Hangu District in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the afternoon. Thall DSP Ashraf Khan said
a high-intensity bomb was spotted by a pedestrian in Sarozi
after which Police rushed to the site, cordoning it off. However,
BDU had not reached when the device exploded and injured pedestrians.
ATC Quetta, Judge Justice Anwar
Kasi had dismissed Musharraf's application for exemption from
appearing in person, after which the petitioner had approached
Balochistan High Court. ATC Quetta had issued five orders to
Musharraf to appear in the case, but he is yet to make an appearance.
The charge sheet in the case been submitted but a trial is yet
to begin as Pervez Musharraf has never appeared in court to
hear the charges.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that stability
of Pakistan would be protected and expressed the hope that the
dialogue process with the TTP would yield positive results.
He said the dialogue process was started with sincerity as it
was good for the country's stability. "If peace is established
through talks and the lawlessness and carnage are controlled,
then it is a good thing," said PM.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that stability
of Pakistan would be protected and expressed the hope that the
dialogue process with the TTP would yield positive results.
He said the dialogue process was started with sincerity as it
was good for the country's stability. "If peace is established
through talks and the lawlessness and carnage are controlled,
then it is a good thing," said PM.
It further states that the violence
is not limited to killings, many more journalists have escaped
assassination attempts or been threatened, harassed, abducted
or tortured. The threat by the militant groups, including the
TTP, spreads from Karachi (Sindh) to KP and the tribal areas.
In those conflict-ridden regions as well as Balochistan, these
groups and ethnic Baloch armed groups openly threaten reporters
with death and attack them.
The report describes how the
Pakistani authorities have almost completely failed to stem
human rights abuses against media workers or to bring those
responsible to account. "The government has promised to improve
the dire situation for journalists, including by establishing
a public prosecutor tasked with investigating attacks against
journalists. But few concrete steps have been taken," said David
Griffiths, Amnesty International's Deputy Asia-Pacific Director.
Griffiths added, "The range
of threats means that journalists are placed in an impossible
position, where virtually every story could put them at risk
of reprisal from several sides. It also has a chilling effect
on freedom of expression and is increasingly leading to self-censorship".
April 30
Four unidentified dead bodies
were found from Memon Goth area in Gadap Town of Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh. According to the Police, the victims
had been shot dead.
An unidentified dead body bearing
torture marks was also recovered from Zaman Town area of Korangi
Town.
An unidentified man was killed
in a firing incident in Data Nagar of Orangi Town.
An unidentified Policeman was
shot dead near Sindh Government Hospital in Korangi Town.
Six persons abducted during
a vaccination drive on February 17, 2014, from Peeng area of
FR Tank in FATA were set free. An official of FR Tank's political
administration said that Khan Dad Dawar, a polio circle officer,
and his colleague Sadiq Khan were kidnapped during a vaccination
drive along with their driver and three levies personnel providing
security.
TTP claims that SFs have launched
an operation in South Waziristan Agency and fighting has been
ongoing for the last two days. "The security forces are using
helicopter gunships and heavy artillery to target TTP positions
in the Bobar area," TTP Political Shura member Azam Tariq Mehsud
told journalists by the phone from an undisclosed location.
A petition seeking the recovery
of a missing person, identified as Hafiz Iqrar Abbasi, who went
missing on April 14, 2014, from the suburbs of Islamabad, was
filed in the Islamabad High Court. Iqrar Abbasi, a local leader
of ASWJ, was the Chairman of Iqra School System, and a prayer
leader at Jamia Masjid Bilal situated in the Jinnah Town suburb
of Islamabad.
The petition for Abbasi's recovery
alleged that certain officials from secret agencies picked him
up from Rawat while he was on way home. "His cell phone was
last traced to Sihala," said Abdul Rehman, the petitioner and
Iqrar's elder brother. Sihala is a heavily Policed area which
also houses a Police training college.
According to the petition, Iqrar
has been kept somewhere in the jurisdiction of Sihala Police
Station. The petitioner said a FIR in this regard had been lodged
with the Police Station but his whereabouts were still not known.
The petition requested the court to direct the respondents,
Interior and Defence Secretaries and IG Islamabad Police, to
produce Iqrar Abbasi before the Court and subsequently order
them to release him from unlawful custody.
The prosecution team in the
high treason case filed an application before the Special Court
for commencement of the trial against former President General
(retired) Pervez Musharraf. The prosecution alleged that Musharraf
was trying to delay the trial and he had filed 21 applications
since December 2013 to linger the matter.
It appeared from the conduct
of the accused that his interest was in delaying the commencement
of the evidence stage and ultimately frustrating culmination
of the trial, it said. The application said it was a settled
proposition that an accused in a case should be punished or
acquitted expeditiously.
The British Prime Minister,
David Cameron described Pakistan's enemy as his enemy and that
Pakistan's progress is in the interest of the world. Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif who is on a three-day official visit to the United
Kingdom on the invitation of Prime Minister David Cameron had
a meeting with his British counterpart here at 10 Downing Street
and discussed matters of bilateral interest, the regional situation
as well as other issues of international importance.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
said militants to surrender or get ready for operation. He reaffirmed
support of the Armed Forces to any efforts for restoration of
peace in country, but warned that the security institution is
fully capable to crush 'rebels of the state' if they fail to
surrender unconditionally and express allegiance to law and
constitution of the country.
According to sources in civil
and military intelligence agencies, seminaries operating inside
the capital are reportedly assisting TTP with the collection
of extortion and ransom money by arranging deals between militants
and their victims. The sources also revealed that the seminaries
are providing courier services to the TTP by arranging for the
money to be transported to pre-determined locations easily accessible
for TTP militants.
Intelligence officials said
that an analysis of the calls made in cases of extortion and
ransom demands revealed that most of them came from Miranshah
in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. While citing instances the
officials said that the role of the religious seminaries in
collecting extortion for the TTP was established and action
against them has been suggested.
Groups such as the Haqqani Network
and the Afghan Taliban continued to find 'safe haven' in Pakistani
territory in 2013, the US State Department claimed in its Annual
Global Report on Terrorism that it submitted to the Congress.
It accused Pakistani authorities of not taking "significant
military or law enforcement action against these groups."
The report claimed that that
al Qaeda's core group in Afghanistan and Pakistan has been "seriously
degraded", but the group's global leadership continues to operate
from safe haven in the region. Despite its struggles to communicate
effectively with affiliate groups outside of South Asia, al
Qaeda continued to maintain ties with other organisations in
the region, such as TTP and the Haqqani Network. These alliances
continued to provide the group with additional resources and
capabilities.
May 1
An influential pro-Government
tribal elder, Malik Qader Khan, and his two guards were killed
in an attack near Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.
Officials said one of the attackers was also killed in retaliatory
fire by Qader Khan's gunmen. Officials said Qader Khan was travelling
from Miranshah to Bannu when assailants in a non-customs paid
car opened fire on his vehicle at the Chashma Bridge on the
main Miranshah-Bannu road.
Two schools, one girls primary
school while the other one was for boys, were blown up in the
Drwazgai area of Mohmand Agency. However, no loss of life was
reported in the assault. The school building was damaged as
a result of the blast.
Two bullet-riddled dead bodies,
identified as that of Adil Ayath Issazai and Mohammed Imdad
Issazai, were found in Besima area of Washuk District. According
to hospital sources, "The bodies bore bullet wounds and multiple
marks of torture".
Another tortured dead body,
identified as that of Fazalur Rehman, was found dumped in Kehkan
area of Turbat District. The victim went missing on the night
of April 30, 2014.
A dead body, identified as that
of Mujeebullah Abdul Rasheed, was found from Muslim Bagh area
of Qilla Saifullah District.
Militants blown up a girls'
primary school in the Saro Kalley area of Charsadda District
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. No loss of life was reported in the assault
on the school.
Police arrested six suspects,
including two extortionists, and confiscated PKR 225,000 cash
from their possession during a raid within the remits of Sir
Syed Police Station in North Nazimabad Town of Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh.
Police arrested two alleged
target killers and recovered a G-3 rifle, hand grenade and other
ammunition from their possession after an encounter within Risala
Police remits in Saddar Town. The accused were involved in murder,
attempt to murder and other heinous crimes, said Police.
The MQM is reported to observe
mourning day on May 2 against the killing of four of its workers
whose dead bodies were found from Memon Goth area in Gadap Town
on April 30, 2014. The victims were identified as Sameed, Ali
Haider, Faizan and Salman Qureshi. MQM Spokesman Khalid Maqbool
Siddiqui claimed that all four were party workers and were arrested
by Rangers and Police from the Country Tower and Gulshan-e-Maymar
area on April 13, 2014. He alleged that they were brutally tortured
to death.
TTP said that "talks and war
cannot go together" and that they are ready to face any situation.
"The government on one hand says it wants the dialogue but on
the other it has adopted the policy of threats," said TTP 'spokesperson'
Shahidullah Shahid. Shahid alleged that operations were being
intensified against the TTP across the country.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif while
addressing the Youm-e-Shuhada at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi
District of Punjab said that Kashmir is the "jugular vein" of
Pakistan and the issue should be resolved in accordance with
the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris and in line with UNSC
resolutions for lasting peace in the region.
The Commander of the US CENTCOM
General Lloyd Austin met CoAS General Raheel Sharif for discussions
on Afghanistan and bilateral military-to-military cooperation
with special emphasis on regional security. However, no details
about the Sharif-Austin meeting were given, but a source privy
to the agenda said that the two were to discuss on the post-2014
situation, particularly in the context of the Afghan-US Bilateral
Security Agreement, the size of the residual force in Afghanistan
and the retrograde movement of equipment.
KP IGP, Nasir Khan Durrani said
that a specialised combat unit, based on the pattern of Pakistan
Army's SSG and the US Marines, would be set up in the province
by the end of 2014. The Nasir Khan Durrani said that an elite
Anti-Terrorist Force comprising 1,050 elite commandoes had been
set up while the combat unit would be set up for anti-terror
operations.
KP IGP, Nasir Khan Durrani said
that a specialised combat unit, based on the pattern of Pakistan
Army's SSG and the US Marines, would be set up in the province
by the end of 2014. The Nasir Khan Durrani said that an elite
Anti-Terrorist Force comprising 1,050 elite commandoes had been
set up while the combat unit would be set up for anti-terror
operations.
Drone attacks have stopped since
the peace negotiations with the TTP started, said JUI-S Chief
Maulana Samiul Haq while addressing a tribal jirga in Peshawar.
Haq, who is also heading the TTP intermediary committee, stated
that US President Barack Obama supported the peace talks while
on the other hand Pakistani politicians and anchors, instead
of encouraging them, were showing resistance. Haq remarked that
every time they start "the car" of the negotiations a "breaker"
comes in front of it.
May 2
Three people, identified as
Haqdar Khan Niazi, Sultan Khan Niazi and Yousuf Khan Niazi,
were killed in a clash between two groups, following a protest
call by the MQM against extra-judicial killings of its party
members, at Daryaabad area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Fear and tension gripped the area after the
clash.
Two unidentified dead bodies
were found within the jurisdiction of the Mauripur Police Station
in Musharraf Colony area of Baldia Town.
Police claimed to have arrested
two extortionists, identified as Ishaq and Bakhtiar, during
a raid in Gizri area of Saddar Town. Both extortionists had
sought extortion from a local trader through means of intimidation,
said CPLC chief Ahmed Chenoi.
A convoy of SF, comprising 25
vehicles, escaped a landmine blast in Naag area of Washuk District.
The convoy was going to Panjgur District from Washuk when one
of the vehicles narrowly escaped the landmine explosion. The
vehicle was partially damaged but no casualty was reported.
A convoy of SF, comprising 25
vehicles, escaped a landmine blast in Naag area of Washuk District.
The convoy was going to Panjgur District from Washuk when one
of the vehicles narrowly escaped the landmine explosion. The
vehicle was partially damaged but no casualty was reported.
An IED planted along the outer
wall of Panhwar Sinari Police Station in Jaffarabad District
was defused by Police. BDS official said the IED was packed
with around 9 kilogram of explosives.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry
Nisar Ali Khan, during a ceremony held at NADRA headquarters
in Islamabad, lashed out at all those involved in criticising
the Government's peace talks with the TTP, saying the dialogue
process cannot move forward amid "needless rhetoric,". He dispelled
the notion of a deadlock in peace talks with the TTP.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry
Nisar Ali Khan, during a ceremony held at NADRA headquarters
in Islamabad, lashed out at all those involved in criticising
the Government's peace talks with the TTP, saying the dialogue
process cannot move forward amid "needless rhetoric,". He dispelled
the notion of a deadlock in peace talks with the TTP.
The TTP negotiating committee,
Maulana Sami-ul-Haq hinted that the next round of direct talks
would be held on May 5, 2014.
According to officials in the
Police, the recent grouping within the TTP may help the Government
and SFs to deal with the militants but it has created more trouble
for businessmen in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The sources said that the businessmen had paid extortions to
the TTP but a few days later they again received calls for payment
of more money. The second calls, they added, came even though
middlemen of the militants had given assurances that the businessmen
would not be threatened.
The officials said the TTP groups
worked under Shehryar Mehsud and Khan Said alias Sajna. The
differences among them cropped up in the run-up to the selection
of the successor to Hakimullah Mehsud who was killed in a US
drone attack in 2013. An official of the capital Police said
that now the TTP groups were separately approaching businessmen
to pay them extortion.
A few days back the owner of
a food outlet in the city received a telephone call demanding
extortion equal to the amount he had already paid, he added.
The businessman told the Police that he approached the middleman
operating from the capital city as he had assured him that no
one would harm him after he made the payment. However, when
the businessman told the middleman about the call after the
payment of extortion, the latter sought time to probe the matter.
May 3
A local TTP 'commander', Irfan
Mehsud, and six other militants were killed in a fighting with
SFs in the Babor Mountains of Ladha sub-division in South Waziristan
Agency of FATA. Irfan Mehsud is said to be the son of Azam Tariq
Mehsud, a key member of the Political Shura of the TTP. He is
also said to be the 'spokesperson' of TTP's South Waziristan
chapter.
Two tribesmen were injured when
an IED was blown up using a remote control in Sadda area of
Kurram Agency. An official of the political administration said
the IED, planted on a roadside, exploded near Sadda Bazaar,
injuring two tribesmen who were on their way to the market.
A lawyer, identified as Mohammad
Idris and his driver Noman Shah were killed in Karachi's Orangi
Town. Member of MQM's Rabita Committee Saif Yar Khan said that
the driver was a MQM worker. Khan also requested the Chief Minister
and Governor of Sindh to take immediate measures to stop such
killings. He further stated that members of the MQM were being
targeted continuously.
Two people, including a school
principal and his son were killed in firing near Metroville
SITE graveyard in SITE Town of Karachi.
An unidentified man was shot
dead near Anda Mor in North Karachi in New Karachi Town.
An alleged extortionist was
also killed in a Police encounter in Baldia Town. Police claimed
to have arrested 15 suspects, including six criminals during
raids in Baldia Town and Orangi Town. CPLC personnel arrested
two extortionists after receiving information of the criminals
present in the area. CPLC Chief Ahmad Chinoy said the extortionists
had demanded PKR 1 million from a person living in Gizri area.
One FC official was killed and
another was injured in a bomb explosion in Dhadar area of Bolan
District. Khan Wasey, a spokesman for the FC, said that a SF
vehicle was on routine patrolling when it was attacked in Bolan's
Dhadar area in the morning. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack. However, Wasey said he suspected that the attack
was the work of Baloch separatists operating in the area.
May 4
Firing from Afghanistan side
of border killed one Pakistani security person at the Pak-Afghan
border area near Bajaur Agency, statement issued by the ISPR
said. It was not clear whether the cross-border firing was conducted
by Afghan security personnel or militants.
SFs, along with officials of
the Kurram Levies and BDU helped defuse 22 bombs in Dama Khwaro
area near Badama check post in Alizai tehsil of Kurram Agency.
The BDU unit safely removed the explosive devices and defused
them at the bank of Kurram River nearby. According to BDU officials,
15 of the planted bombs were landmines, five were remote-controlled
devices and two were connected to a device which was ready to
blow up when it was neutralised.
SFs recovered 40 suicide vests
at the Torkham border which were being smuggled into Pakistan
from Afghanistan. Official sources said the suicide jackets
did not contain any explosives, but were being transported to
Pakistan with the intention of being used for suicide missions.
The sources said that this was going to be done with the aid
of local operators who were to fill the jackets with explosives.
Rangers arrested at least 10
suspects involved in extortion and other crimes from different
areas of Karachi. According to the Rangers' spokesman, the three
arrested extortionists belong to political party. The suspects
were shifted to undisclosed location for further interrogation.
The member of the TTP negotiating
committee Yousuf Shah said the TTP has given a list of 765 'non-combatant'
prisoners they want to be released. He said dialogue was the
only solution to the problem. However, he said, there were some
obstacles which needed to be removed for the success of the
peace process.
The JI provincial chief and
member of TTP negotiation committee Prof Mohammad Ibrahim said
that there were a lot of hurdles in holding direct dialogue
between the Government and TTP. However, the negotiation committee
would continue its struggle to assist both the sides to achieve
the objective of restoration of peace, he added.
A businessman, identified as
Rashid Wasim, received threatening calls from extortionists
asking him to pay PKR 40 million in Mohanpura area of Rawalpindi
District. Wasim owns a factory in the industrial area of Islamabad
and complained to the Ganjmandi Police that since March 19,
2014, his family has received three calls by TTP militants.
The complaint said the caller threatened him that his family
members would be kidnapped and killed if he failed to pay the
money. Wasim claimed that the threatening calls were made from
Waziristan.
May 5
FC personnel claimed to have
killed at least 10 militants during an operation in Panjgur
District. Tree FC soldiers were injured in the exchange of fire.
FC spokesman, Khan Wasey confirmed the incident. Khan said that
the FC also destroyed three suspected militant hideouts and
two vehicles. He said the forces initially faced resistance
from the militants who were hiding in the mountains adding that
the exchange of fire between the Security Forces and militants
continued for more than two hours. "The dead militants
belong to a banned Baloch militant group", he said.
The militants belonged to LeB
and BLF. According to details, the operation took place after
Latif Johar, a member of the separatist BSO-A, went on a hunger
strike 11 days ago to demand the release of the group’s chairman
and more than 100 detained members.
A retired army officer, identified
as Rasool Khan, was shot dead by unidentified militants at Kanwari
Colony in Manghopir area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Unidentified armed assailants
opened fire and killed a man in Liaquatabad Town.
A dead body, identified as that
of Gujjar Khan, was found at City Railway Station Colony within
the limits of Mithadar Police Station in Saddar Town.
Two people, identified as identified
as Akbar and Wajihuddin and affiliated with a political party
were shot at and injured near Shah Faisal intersection in Orangi
Town. SSP Orangi Town said that later the Police conducted raids
in Pakistan Bazaar area of Orangi Town and arrested an accused,
identified as Noor Alam alias Munna, who was involved in attacking
them. The Police also recovered arms from his possession.
A man, identified as Ateeq (20),
was shot at and injured in Northern Bypass area near Janjal
Goth within limits of Gulshan-e-Maymar Police Station in Saddar
Town.
A US citizen was arrested while
carrying ammunition in an Islamabad-bound flight at Jinnah International
Airport. The ammunition included 15 bullets of 9 millimeters
along with a magazine. According to SP Rao Anwar the bullets
recovered from the US citizen would be checked whether they
were the same being used in killings in Karachi. Anwar said
the possibility of even flight hijacking could not be ruled
out.
Two people, including the driver,
identified as Tariq, and the cleaner Rehman Ali, of a NATO truck
carrying goods for the NATO forces in Afghanistan were killed
and two others were injured when unidentified armed assailants
opened fire on the vehicles near Wazir Dhand area in Jamrud
tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. There were reports that two
truckers were also missing after the attack and were feared
to have been kidnapped by the militants.
FDMA Director General Arshad
Khan said that they would start rehabilitation process of 7,706
IDPs of Bagh Maidan area of Tirah valley from May 7, 2014. He
said that some 3, 42,000 people belonging to the Khyber Agency
were displaced and of them 1, 65, 000 IDPs were rehabilitated
and the remaining would also return home gradually.
He said the people would be
provided ration for six months and on their return they would
get non-food items and shelter kits. The IDPs, he said, were
supposed to return earlier but rains and dilapidated roads were
main hurdle in their return. The government would also pay PKR
25,000 to each family in addition to house subsidy after disaster
assessment, he said. He added the remaining IDPs would also
return homes till July 2014 as the situation improved.
A militant was killed in a clash
with SFs during a search operation launched on the in Banjot,
Sar Sarday and Azbaka areas of Mingora town in Swat District.
Two other injured militants escaped. According to official sources,
“A group of around 25 militants had been spotted in the mountains
and the forces launched search operation to arrest them”. Also,
the Police arrested 30 suspects during the search operation
launched at the junction of Swat, Buner and Shangla Districts.
Unidentified militants blew
up a 500 KV Tarbela Sheikh Mohammadi transmission line in Badbher
area of Peshawar. However, no casualties were reported. NTDCL
said that five towers were destroyed in the area, including
three towers of Sheikh Muhammdi transmission line which created
a short fall of 150 megawatts to the national grid.
Rawalpindi Police busted a gang
of criminals and arrested four members of the gang getting extortion
from top businessmen of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad
impersonating themselves as leaders of TTP. RPO Akhtar Umar
Hayat Lalika said that the gangsters used to make telephone
calls to businessmen after conducting detailed recce and pressurized
them to provide them extortion, threatening that they were TTP
leaders and would kill or kidnap their children if they failed
to fulfill the demands.
A businessman, identified as
Haji Naeem, was arrested from Rawalpindi District on the charge
of helping a group of TTP militants in extorting money from
traders and other wealthy people in the city. RPO Omer Akhtar
Hayat Laleka said that Naeem, a hosiery trader and a resident
of Mohanpura locality, had also staged a kidnapping-for-ransom
drama a couple of days ago. The RPO said after the police tracked
down the suspect, he confessed to working as an informer for
the TTP. “He used to provide the TTP group in Waziristan mobile
phone numbers of wealthy people and businessmen. Later, the
group members would call victims to extort money from them,”
RPO Laleka said.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,
while talking to BBC Urdu, said that he is still hopeful
that talks with the TTP can succeed, despite the militants ending
a ceasefire, and that talks offered the “best option” of ending
the country’s long conflict. He said that he believed his talks
strategy could “bring peace without any further bloodshed”.
“If we can make this process somehow successful, I think it
will be the best option.”
He said the militants had to
respect the constitution and lay down their arms. “This of course
is the number one condition that has to be met,” he said, adding,
“We are making progress on these issues. Let us see if the next
round of meetings is successful and we can find a way to make
headway in the talks we are holding with each other.”
He further said that some elements
were not happy with the ceasefire with the TTP, adding that
such elements “were not our friends”. He said that such elements
opposed peace and wanted to destabilise the talks’ process.
He said the same elements were involved in the Islamabad fruit
market blast. “We are trying to identify these elements.”
TTP intermediary and JeI Provincial
Chief Muhammad Ibrahim said in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial
capital Peshawar, “TTP should not act as a hurdle in permanent
peace”. He said that the negotiation committee will urge the
Taliban to cooperate with the Government and not act as an obstacle
to the objective of restoration of peace.
The two member Commission of
Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, headed by retired Justice
Javed Iqbal and appointed by the Supreme Court claimed that
it had resolved 27 missing person cases last month, saying that
most of these persons were found detained at various “internment
centres” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The figures released by the
Commission revealed that the number of missing persons had been
increasing constantly, 1,846 cases had come to light since January
1, 2011, the day the commission started its work. The Commission
said there were 138 missing person cases pending before it on
January 1, 2011, and since then it had received 1,846 new cases,
bringing the total to 1,984.
According to the list of traced
persons, six are detained at an internment centre in Lakki Marwat
District, four in Kohat and five in two internment centres in
Swat Valley, from where most of the persons have gone missing.
Six persons have returned home on their own while one named
Hafiz Hassan Akbar is in “judicial custody”. It is also not
clear whether these centres are being run by the military or
civilian authorities. There is also no answer to two key questions
— who had picked them up and who disclosed their whereabouts.
The Commission reiterated its “commitment and determination
to make all-out efforts to trace the missing persons”.
May 6
At least 13 militants were killed
as infighting between rival TTP groups restarted in Shawal tehsil
of North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Official and tribal sources
confirmed that clashes started between Shehryar Mehsud and Khan
Said alias Sajna. According to official sources, the infighting
between the two groups has claimed more than 50 lives during
the last few weeks. Sources said that the death toll is likely
to rise.
According to details, the rival
factions have accused each other of grabbing power in order
to control South Waziristan’s Mehsud tribal area. Sajna had
been considered the right hand man of Waliur Rehman, whereas
Shehryar was a confidant of Hakimullah Mehsud. Their slain leaders
were reportedly at loggerheads after the death of TTP founder
Baitullah Mehsud.
Two people belonging to TI group
were killed, while three others sustained injuries when a remote
controlled device exploded in the Zakhakhel Bazaar of Landikotal
in Khyber Agency.
Two militants belonging to TTP
Punjab chapter were killed and one person was injured when a
bomb exploded in Miranshah bazaar of North Waziristan Agency.
Intelligence sources confirmed the identity of the victims.
SFs killed seven militants in
Banjot area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after an
attack left two soldiers injured on May 5. It was a search operation
using sniffer dogs to reach the people who carried out the improvised
explosive device attack on May 5, wounding two soldiers. “Heavy
weapons were used after the terrorists challenged the soldiers,”
the sources added, saying that a house-to-house search was launched
after the IED attack, using sniffer dogs.
KP would be setting up Pakistan’s
first high security prison having three-layered security besides
establishing high security zones in six sensitive jails of the
north-western province housing more than 1,000 terrorists and
high profile prisoners like Dr Shakil Afridi. The authorities
have also announced to form a special prison force which would
guard the province’s sensitive jails while a plan has also been
initiated to establish a separate prison for FATA to keep tribal
prisoners as well as a women jail for female folk.
Advisor to the Chief Minister
on Jails Malik Qasim Khan, speaking to the media, said that
the prison force of 850 personnel, equipped with latest gadgets
and equipment, would be responsible for jail security. To a
query about shifting alleged CIA operator Dr Shakil Afridi,
he said that KP has approached the Federal Government as Dr
Afridi was convicted in a federal crime, adding that so far
Islamabad has not responded to the request.
Two people, identified as Moiz
Ullah Khan and Irtaza Jaffri, were shot dead in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town on Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A man, identified as Aziz Bakhsh
was killed and his brother, identified as Bilal Bakhsh, was
injured in an incident of firing in Pak Colony area of SITE
Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead while another person sustained injuries when armed assailants
opened fire in Malir Town.
An unidentified dead body was
recovered from Mehmoodabad area of Jamshed Town.
Another dead body of a woman
was recovered from Sohrab Goth of Gadap Town.
An unidentified dead body was
recovered from Orangi Town.
Three people, including two
constables and ASI Farooq, were injured in when unidentified
militants hurled a hand grenade targeting patrolling Police
mobile in Surjani Town area of Gadap Town.
Two explosions occurred targeting
oil tankers in Kiamari Oil Field while another blast occurred
in Gulbai area of Orangi Town.
US officials said that the US
national arrested at Karachi airport on May 5, 2014, for carrying
ammunition in his bag is a FBI agent. He appeared in court on
charges that he had violated anti-terrorism laws that prohibit
the carrying of weapons or ammunition on a commercial flight.
A judge ordered that the agent be detained until May 10, 2014,
so security officials can investigate the matter.
The US officials in Washington
confirmed that the agent, who is assigned to the FBI Miami Field
Office, was in Pakistan on temporary duty. They requested that
the agent’s name be withheld, citing the sensitivity of the
situation. Meghan Gregonis, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy
in Islamabad, said U.S. officials are working to resolve the
matter.
May 7
Five militants were killed and
three injured as clashes between two factions of TTP continued
in Shawal area of NWA in FATA. As reported earlier, 13 militants
were killed in the fighting that erupted between the groups
led by Shehryar Khan and Khan Said alias Sajna in Shawal, a
mountainous area near Afghan border on May 6. The militants
killed on May 6 were from the Shehryar group. Rockets and mortars
were used in the fighting.
A militant was killed when a
bomb he was attempting to plant at Shalobar peace committee’s
compound in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency exploded prematurely.
A FC official was shot dead
and another injured when unidentified motorcycle borne assailants
opened fire on then at Ashna Market in Ghundai area of Jamrud
tehsil in Khyber Agency.
The main gate of the residence
of Saeed Torkhel was destroyed in an explosion around 3am in
Ghreza area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency. The explosion
also damaged the boundary wall.
The second phase of repatriating
displaced people of Tirah Valley began as FDMA has sent back
301 families. Over the next 33 days, more than 7,000 families
are expected to return to their homes in the valley in Khyber
Agency. FDMA Director General Arshad Khan said that the second
phase started from Jarma Camp in Kohat and 1,343 individuals
have been repatriated. Khan said returning families were provided
with PKR 25,000 in cash and their travelling costs were taken
care of by the authority. Furthermore, they were provided with
standardised non-food item kits, hygiene kits, vaccines for
children and other child protection and nutrition services.
Two people, identified as Yasir
(35) and Haroon (30) were killed when unidentified militants
opened fire on them near Kalapul in Jamshed Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP Faisal Bashir Memon said
that patrolling Police returned fire on the attackers, injuring
one of them while others managed to flee.
An unidentified man was killed
when armed assailants opened fire on him near Purana Truck Adda
in Mauripur area of Kiamari Town.
A man, identified as Kamran
Shah (36), was killed when unidentified militants opened fire
on him in Bilal Colony of Korangi Town.
A man, identified as Allah Rakha
(40), was injured when unidentified armed assailants opened
fire on him near Junejo Jamaat Khana in North Karachi Town.
An unidentified man was shot
at and injured near Ausaf Training centre North Karachi Town.
A man, identified as Altaf (25),
was injured when unidentified armed assailants opened fire on
him in Buffer Zone area of North Nazimabad Town.
One Babar (18) was injured in
firing by unidentified militants near Dr Ziauddin Hospital in
Shireen Jinnah Colony of Clifton in Saddar Town.
A man, identified as Zahid (22),
was injured when unidentified militants opened fire on him in
Saifi Lane area of Lyari Town.
The BDS defused a magnetic bomb
in a controlled explosion at the Kiamari Oil terminal of Karachi.
The bomb contained one kilogram of explosives and ball bearings
and it was aimed at creating more fatalities, BDS official Mustafa
said.
Human Rights Advocate Rashid
Rehman Khan was shot dead and his two lawyer friends, identified
as Nadeem Parwaz and Afzal, were injured by unidentified militants
inside his office at Kachehri Chowk in Multan District. Advocate
Khan was a coordinator for the HRCP. He was defending a Bahauddin
Zakariya University lecturer Junaid Hafeez, accused of blasphemy
and had complained that he had been receiving threats on his
life.
A FC official was killed and
three others were wounded when militants fired rocket propelled
grenades and opened fire at their convoy in the Sunt Sar area
of Gwadar District. The militants escaped after a brief exchange
of fire. “The Baloch militants belonged to the banned BLF,”
said an unnamed security official in Gwadar.
A group of militants, identifying
themselves as Tanzeem-ul-Islami-ul-Furqan (TIF), based in Panjgur
District, threatened 23 English Language Learning Centres to
shut down and stop imparting co-education and teaching in English,
which they say is ‘Haram (prohibited) in Islam’. Masked militants
barged into one language centre and threatened the teachers
and the young male and female students. “Co-education and learning
English language is Haram,” they told the teachers, according
to one instructor who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The
militants destroyed the school’s furniture and tore textbooks
during the incident.
At least four persons, including
a child, were injured in an explosion at Mina Bazar in Peshawar
(Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
BDS, AIG Shafqat Malik said that three hundred grams of explosives
was used in a timer device. The Station House Officer of Kotwali
Police Station Ihsan Marwat said the bomb was planted to target
a cold drinks shop.
Peshawar Police and SFs conducted
a joint operation in Badbher Salman Khel Sheikh Mohammad Mashogagar
and Kagawala areas of Peshawar and arrested 21 suspects with
weapons. A Police contingent headed by SP-Rural, Rahim Shah,
backed by SFs conducted search operations.
Irfan Siddiqui, Prime Minister’s
Special Adviser on National Affairs, said that it’ll be difficult
for the Government to pursue peace talks, if the TTP do not
take immediate and concrete steps for taking the dialogue process
forward. “The government is facing public pressure on the issue.
People are now demanding results of the [peace] process,” said
Siddiqui. He added that protracted talks did not augur well
for the process. “We had made it clear in the beginning [of
the process] that we would try to take the process to a logical
conclusion as soon as possible because this sensitive matter
cannot continue for an indefinite period,” said Siddiqui, who
was the coordinator of the first four-member negotiating committee
formed by the premier to make peace with the TTP.
May 8
An IED exploded killing at least
nine FC personnel and injuring several others near the Miranshah
road in Ghulam Khan Tehsil of NWA of FATA. The IED was
planted on the roadside which was detonated as the SF convoy
came near the Miranshah road. A statement issued by the ISPR
confirmed that at least nine SF personnel were killed and several
others were critically injured.
A roadside bomb was defused
by the BDS in Khyber Agency. According to the sources, the bomb
was targeted at the polio team.
Within hours of the killing
of nine FC soldiers, CoAS General Raheel Sharif and PM Nawaz
Sharif held a meeting to discuss the security situation. Officials
said the Army Chief conveyed his decision to the PM about the
likely response from the military. A senior military official
said that the Army would respond to the provocation by militants
as “terrorism and peace talks cannot go hand in hand...The attack
is a clear act of provocation and is a serious blow to the peace
process. This will have serious repercussions." He added,
“Naturally there will be a response from our side. We will go
after those who are responsible for the terrorist attacks".
The Army is likely to launch ‘massive air strikes’ in the militant
strongholds in retaliation for the roadside blast.
At least two people were killed
and 16 others were injured in an explosion near a NADRA office
on Double Road in provincial capital Quetta. So far, no outfit
claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two children were injured when
they touched a bomb planted on a roadside in Muslim Ittehad
Colony area of Quetta.
The FBI agent who was arrested
on May 5, 2014, from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh for trying to carry ammunition
in an Islamabad-bound flight was released from a Karachi Police
Station after District and Sessions Judge Malir granted him
bail against surety bonds of PKR 1 million. Police officer Rao
Anwaar said the court had directed the man to submit a surety
bond of PKR one million (USD 9,800) for his bail.
PM Nawaz Sharif and CoAS General
Raheel Sharif stressed that irrespective of whether peace talks
are held or not, violence and bloodshed by militants must stop.
General Sharif said that the recent attacks on the SFs are not
likely to stop unless some hostile groups of the TTP are neutralised.
Amid no let-up in the terror attacks, the military establishment
has reportedly told Nawaz Sharif that the use of force against
the miscreants has become unavoidable. “The policy of inaction
costs us dearly,” said an intelligence insider while quoting
the CoAS in the briefing to the Prime Minister, adding, “Soon,
there would be a change (in policy), a visible one”.
The Prime Minister and the Army
Chief shared unanimity in the view that the terrorists would
not be allowed to keep striking with impunity. “Peace talks
or no peace talks. Bloodshed has to stop,” the intelligence
insider said while disclosing the meeting’s agenda. The source
said that certain TTP factions were against the peace talks.
“They need to be neutralised even if the peace talks are to
be proceeded ahead,” the source said.
TTP 'chief' Mullah Fazlullah
sacked Khan Said alias Sajna as Ameer of SWA (FATA).
Umar Khurasani would command the movement in both North and
South Waziristan Agencies. Hakimullah Mehsud’s group 'spokesman'
Daud Mehsud said that TTP’s 'vice-Ameer' Shaikh Khalid Haqqani
has been made Ameer of South Waziristan Agency. Daud Mehsud
said that they respect decisions taken by the Mullah Fazlullah.
May 9
At least four people were injured
in a remote-controlled bomb blast in Goth Muhammad Usman area
of Jaffarabad District. No outfit claimed responsibility for
the attack.
BDS defused two hand grenades
in Muslim Ittehad Colony of Quetta.
US Deputy Secretary of State
William Burns during his meeting with the civil and military
leadership to discuss regional security situation and exchange
views on matters of bilateral interest said that Pakistani should
“destroy terrorist sanctuaries located in North Waziristan and
complete the operation before installation of the new political
administration in Kabul”.
During the meeting the Adviser
to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj
Aziz, reiterated Pakistan’s support for the democratic process
in Afghanistan and stressed that smooth security and economic
transitions were also fundamental for stability in Afghanistan
and the region.
Karachi Police Chief Shahid
Hayyat said that militant wings of political parties are present
in Karachi. He said that the Supreme Court had also mentioned
involvement of political parties in terrorism.
May 10
A NATO container was charred
and two were damaged by unidentified militants at Hawaldari
checkpost in Sur Kamar area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency.
According to officials, masked men on motorcycles and a car
opened fire at the containers hardly 100 metres from Hawaldari
checkpost, manned by Khasadar and Levies personnel, on the Peshawar-Torkham
highway. The drivers and cleaners of the three vehicles ran
away, while the attackers took away one of the containers and
set it on fire. The two other vehicles were damaged.
A man was killed when unidentified
gunmen opened fire in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town.
One tortured dead body was found
near Radio Station in Quaidabad area of Bin Qasim Town.
Another tortured dead body was
found near Gulshan City in Quaidabad area of Bin Qasim Town.
May 11
Two unidentified people were
killed in two separate incidents in unspecified areas of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead a man, identified as Shahbaz Khan, at Masan Chowk
in Kiamari Town.
An unidentified man was found
dead in Gulshan-e-Zia area of Orangi Town.
A suicide attack targeting internally
displaced persons from the Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in
FATA killed at least five persons and injured 14 others in the
Arbab Niaz Stadium of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial
capital of KP. The bomber was believed to have been targeting
a group of refugees from Tirah Valley who had gone to a government-run
camp in the Arbab Niaz Stadium to fill out paperwork ahead of
their journey home. The suicide bomber first opened fire at
the Police guarding the registration point for the IDPs from
Tirah Valley before blowing himself up. “It was a suicide attack,”
Police official Najeebur Rehman said adding that around 10 kilograms
of explosives were used. Senior Police official Faisal Mukhtar
said the bomber blew himself up near a small mosque inside the
stadium and the dead included one Khasadar (Tribal Policeman)
personnel. The blast caused one of mosque’s walls to fall down.
At least four persons were injured
in an explosion in Kohati Gate area of Peshawar. According to
SP-City Faisal Mukhtar, the IED exploded outside the house of
a local trader.
Town Levies personnel were killed
when unidentified militants opened fire at a Levies check post
in Khuzdar District. The militants reportedly fled from the
scene taking away with them the weapons of the slain security
personnel.
At least 19 persons, including
Police personnel, were injured in a hand-held bomb blast targeting
a Police checkpost at Chakar Khan Road area in Khuzdar District.
“The militants sped away on their motorcycle after the attack,”
said Police Official Majeed Marri. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the blast. However, Police suspected that Baloch separatists
could be behind the attack.
A pro-Government peace committee
was shot dead one of its opponents on May 10 over suspicions
that he was a spy in Landi Kotal tehsil of Khyber Agency
FATA. According to sources, volunteers of the TI group kidnapped
Miraj and Waris a few days ago on suspicion of their involvement
in two explosions and secretly working for LI. The sources said
that Waris was shot dead after he ‘confessed to his crimes’.
The fate of Miraj was not known, but according to the sources,
a shura of TI had ordered his killing too.
A roadside bomb killed one paramilitary
trooper and injured four others in the Kitkoot area of Bajaur
Agency. The officials said the vehicle used by the paramilitary
troops was on a routine patrol when hit by the blast.
At least four security personnel
were injured in a remote controlled IED attack on a Security
Forces vehicle near Khajuri checkpost on Mir Ali Road in North
Waziristan Agency. Official sources confirmed that the vehicle
was targeted with a remote controlled bomb injuring four personnel.
A senior leader and member of
the TTP Political Shura, Azam Tariq Mehsud, said that his group
is still serious in pursuing peace talks with the Government
which, according to a TTP intermediary, is maintaining a ‘surprising
silence’ on the matter. “The date and venue for a second face-to-face
meeting will be decided only when the Government and the Army
come on the same page,” Azam Tariq Mehsud said. However, he
claimed that the Army was not serious in pursuing peace talks.
“The use of military force has failed to restore peace [in the
troubled areas] because peace comes through dialogue. And when
peace prevails, the country will automatically come on the road
to progress and development,” he said. He added that the TTP
was serious in pursuing peace talks. “We are constantly in touch
with the TTP even though the government is keeping mum on the
issue,” he added.
Samiullah Afirdi, the legal
counsel of the alleged US spy, Doctor Shakil Afridi who had
led the Navy Seal to the compound of slain al Qaeda chief Osama
bin Laden in Abbottabad District of KP, has quit citing security
threats to his life and undue pressure from the US on Pakistan
to release Afridi, thus manipulating the courts proceedings.
During the hearing, Samiullah
Afridi said that they were fighting the case in the court of
law but undue pressure from US on Pakistan is an indirect interference
in the courts proceedings and that is the main reason he decided
to quit. “The pressure tactics by the US on Pakistani Government
for extra judicial release of Dr Shakil Afridi was impacting
the Pakistani courts, though I do not consider the FCR laws
humane and we are fighting for amendments, but still the case
has to be left to the courts for decision,” he added
He further said that he had
decided to fight Dr Shakil’s case on humanitarian grounds but
since then he and his family was being threatened from different
quarters so it was no more possible for him to continue and
that’s why he decided to quit. “The threats are very real, and
they are coming for the last almost two years but the last few
days remained very difficult for me and family so there was
no option but to quit,” he said.
May 12
Two Shia workers of the MQM,
identified as Gauhar Ali Abidi and Syed Rizwan, were shot dead
in North Karachi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. DSP Altaf Hussain said both men were Shia and suspect
it was a targeted attack.
A Shia Pakistan Navy officer,
identified as Ghulam Akbar, was shot dead near Karasaz Market
in Shara-e-Faisal area of Shah Faisal Town. Akbar belonged to
Jhang District of Punjab and was working as a cook in the Pakistan
Navy. Police sources said that the incident appeared to be sectarian
motivated.
A grocery shop owner, identified
as Imran, was killed while two others, identified as Pervez
and Afzal, were injured when unidentified armed assailants shot
at them within the jurisdiction of the Al-Falah Police Station
in Shah Faisal Town. They also set his shop on fire.
A suspected militant, identified
as Imran, was found dead in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town.
SHO Muhammad Shoaib said that a hand grenade, pistol and bullets
were also found with the body.
One soldier was killed when
a water fetching party of the SFs reached near Whol Top area
along the Pak-Afghan border in Mohmand Agency of FATA where
it struck a landmine.
An Afghan National Army official
was arrested near the Pak-Afghan Torkham border in Khyber Agency
after he crossed into Pakistan without any valid documentation.
SFs shifted him to jail for further investigation.
In a bid to reconcile the two
warring factions of TTP, the group's central leadership appointed
Khalid Sheikh Haqqani as the new 'interim chief' of the SWA.
A source within TTP said the move aims at ending the ongoing
conflict between TTP Hakimullah group led by Shehryar Mehsud
and Waliur Rahman group led by Khan Syed alias Sajna. According
to the source, the TTP 'central chief' Fazlullah has send Khalid
Sheikh Haqqani as the new interim chief and directed both Sajna
and Shehryar to come to the negotiating table to resolve the
issue. The source further said Haqqani had taken over and the
main shura of the TTP would now decide about the new chief for
South Waziristan. He said a new chief, to be appointed within
two months, will be accepted by both the groups. "Fazlullah
has warned members of both the groups that if any member acted
against the other group, he would have to face severe consequences,"
he added. However, Sajna's spokesperson Azam Tariq refuted the
report and said no one was appointed as chief of SWA.
The WHO contested Pakistan's
claim that UN agencies were used in the CIA's fake vaccination
campaign in Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
in 2011 to track down slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
The public health arm of the UN took exception to the statement
by FM Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam during a weekly news briefing
on May 8, 2014, and insisted that the world body had nothing
to do with the Shakil Afridi controversy. The foreign office
Spokeswoman had claimed that Pakistan's efforts to eradicate
the poliovirus were undermined by the fake vaccination campaign
in which some UN agencies were also used.
In a statement issued in Islamabad,
WHO officials said that the UN has formally objected to Islamabad's
contention, following which it immediately received assurances
that the statement made by the FM Spokesperson was categorically
incorrect and made in error. "WHO welcomes this clarification
by the Government and trusts that the erroneous statement will
be fully retracted," it stated. The WHO reaffirms its position
that all health programmes, including immunisation campaigns,
must be used only for protecting and promoting health. "WHO
continues to categorically deplore the use of health interventions
for any other reason and reiterates that there is absolutely
no connection whatsoever between WHO and the 'fake vaccination
campaign' conducted by Dr Afridi," read the statement.
May 13
At least five militants were
killed and three others were injured as rival TTP militants,
belonging to Shehryar Mehsud and Khan "Sajna" Said factions,
clashed in Shawal area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.
A senior leader of the group
revealed that Khan Said alias Sajna refused to accept his dismissal
as head of the militant group's South Waziristan Chapter. "Sajna
was removed last week through a special order by the respected
Ameer," a Taliban leader said on the condition of anonymity,
adding, "The Taliban leadership council had also endorsed the
decision," he added.
Safi peace committee leader
Subidar Safi's nephew Jahangir Khan was killed and his driver
was injured in an IED blast in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency.
TTP Mohmand Agency Chapter spokesperson Omar Khurasani claimed
responsibility for the attack. Later, a search operation was
launched and 20 suspects were arrested.
Unidentified militants shot
dead two teachers, identified as Shamim Badshah and Liaqat Ali
Khan, near the Government High School in Chasma Jaat area of
Hangu District. Protesters blocked the Hangu-Kohat Road near
Alizai to protest the killing of Liaqat Ali who was a member
of the Shia community.
Two unidentified dead bodies
bearing torture marks were recovered in gunny bags dumped in
drainage in Hayatabad area of Peshawar.
A former Union Counselor of
ANP and present member of ANP's District Organising Committee
in Peshawar, Anwarul Haq, was shot dead by unidentified militants
while he was in his shop in Kohati area of Peshawar.
Unidentified militants blew
up a Shia mosque in an Imambargah (Shia place of commemoration)
of Hazrat Ali in Bafa village of Mansehra District. However,
no casualty was reported.
Doctor Manzoor Memon (45), the
medico-legal officer (MLO) at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical
Center (JPMC), and his driver, Ashiq (40), were shot dead in
Delhi Colony area of Orangi Town in provincial capital Karachi.
A Police constable was killed
and 13 others, including ASI Adam Ali Khushak sustained injuries
in a sectarian clash between two groups within the limits of
City Police Station in Hyderabad District. Police said that
two groups opened fire after quarrel during a procession, taken
out in connection with birth anniversary of Shia Imam Hazrat
Ali.
BDS defused 25 kilogram of bomb
found at a bus-stop in Saeedabad area of Baldia Town in Karachi.
According to the Police, if the bomb exploded it would have
caused massive destruction.
Karachi's Lyari gangster Noor
Mohammed, also known as Baba Ladla, was reportedly killed by
Iranian border guards near the Pakistan-Iran border. "Baba Ladla
was crossing the border when Iranian border guards opened fire
at him. He received three bullet wounds and had died on the
spot," source across the border said, adding that the guards
had opened fire after Baba Ladla's car failed to stop for routine
security check. His body is currently in the custody of Iranian
border guards. Some sources said the incident took place at
the international border crossing point Border 250 near Chahbahar,
while other sources put the location at Mund Bullo. However,
officials in Gawadar District said they did not know about the
incident, nor had any Iranian officials approached them.
Police recovered five foreign
nationals during a search operation in Turbat District. DPO
Bashir Brohi said that a Police party conducted a raid in Overseas
Colony in Turbat and recovered five foreigners. The foreign
nationals include three Tanzanians, one Nigerian and one Kenyan.
"The foreigners were chained inside a room in an abandoned house,"
Brohi added.
He further stated that two foreign
nationals were abducted in 2012, two in 2013 and one was kidnapped
in 2014, most probably from Karachi District of Sindh Province.
"We are also interrogating the recovered foreign nationals,"
he said, adding that it was being probed as to how they had
entered into Pakistan.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq
Hussain Jillani while chairing a three member bench in a suo
motu case over September 22, 2013 Peshawar Church bombing and
rights of minorities remarked that according to Pakistan Penal
Code's Article 295, offence against any religion comes under
the blasphemy law while expressing annoyance for non-registration
of cases against culprits involved in setting Hindu temples
ablaze in Sindh.
The Chief Justice directed the
minorities' representatives to submit a report that indicates
sections where the material has been used to abuse the minorities
and identify areas where law enforcing agencies failed to secure
their lives and property. Justice Jillani said that the court
would share grievances of the minorities, hinting establishment
of a new force to safeguard the minority communities.
PML-N MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar apprised
the court that during last two months six untoward incidents
happened with the Hindu community where their temples were set
ablaze and their religion was not properly honored and miscreants
were not brought to book. He said that four of the incidents
come under the blasphemy law.
May 14
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
while chairing a high-level meeting over the law and order situation
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, stressed that the
operation being conducted in Karachi to cleanse it of criminal
elements should be continued and be above politics. The Prime
Minister said that terrorists and criminals should be brought
to justice without any political prejudice. "We started the
operation in Karachi with the agreement of all political parties
and stakeholders," he said, adding, "Being the economic hub
of the country, Karachi holds special significance for me."
"We want cooperation of all stakeholders in Karachi and I see
no one who will not want to improve the law and order situation
of Karachi, therefore, a joint solution is the only option,"
he added.
Nawaz emphasised upon the capacity-building
of the Sindh Police and appreciated acquisition of services
of retired Army personnel for maintaining law and order in Karachi.
He said it was very natural that there will be retaliation from
extremists and terrorists, but the Government is prepared for
that, and all possible support will be provided to LEAs to counter
the retaliation.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar
Ali Khan said that state-of-the art equipment was being provided
to the LEAs and revealed that about seven hundred thousand illegal
mobile SIMs have been cancelled. He further said that "once
the 3G mobile technology is in place, we will further carry
out a crackdown against illegal SIMs."
FIA has "irrefutable proof"
that former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf illegally
declared a state of emergency in 2007, according to a 237-page
report it released. Musharraf now faces a high treason trial
over the declaration. The report quotes former Governor of Punjab,
Khalid Maqbool and a former Attorney General, Malik Muhammad
Qayyum as saying they had not been consulted by Musharraf before
he declared the emergency on November 3, 2007.
The report also quotes former
Cabinet Secretary Masoom Alam Rizvi as saying Aziz never gave
any advice to Musharraf about declaring a state of emergency.
The report said investigators believe that there is "irrefutable
proof and concrete documentary evidence" that Musharraf illegally
declared the state of emergency. It also accused him of taking
the decision "for his ulterior motives."
The court adjourned the hearing
until May 22, 2014.
The KP Police recommended the
Home and Tribal Affairs Department to put head money on key
terrorist commanders. Nine known militant outfits are operating
in the province, KP Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani
told that investigators during the past six months have detected
about 150 militants operating just in Peshawar. The Police recommended
placing about 430 terrorists, including key TTP, LI and other
militant leaders who had been charged under the Anti-Terrorist
Act on the head money list, he said. "The Police submitted the
request about a month ago and are awaiting proper notification,"
he said. Once the Home Department approves the list, authorities
will disclose the names. "It will help in [their] trials, and
the rate of conviction of militants will definitely increase,"
he stated.
Militants have carried out 3,275
attacks of various magnitudes across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during
the last nine years, killing 2,794 civilians and 1,381 security
personnel, ASP Sohaib Ashraf said. It is impossible to calculate
the financial and infrastructural losses incurred, ASP Sohaib
Ashraf at the Peshawar Central Police office said. This period
of instability has driven foreign direct investment and capital
out of the province, Sohaib Ashraf said.
May 15
Bakht Rawan, a member of the
reconciliation committee was shot dead by unidentified assailants
on Kas Road in Mingora town of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
in the evening. DPO Sher Akbar Khan said that Rawan was on returning
home after visiting a market when two assailants riding a motorcycle
shot at him.
At least 19 people, including
a child, were injured bomb in a motorcycle bomb near a restaurant
on the College Road in Rawalpindi District. However, no loss
of life was reported.
At least 19 people, including
a child, were injured bomb in a motorcycle bomb near a restaurant
on the College Road in Rawalpindi District. However, no loss
of life was reported.
LEAs claimed to have arrested
a doctor from Bhimbher Road near Qadir Colony in Gujrat District
on the suspicion of having links with the recently captured
militants belonging to a network of the outlawed outfits. The
LEAs had picked up a doctor who practices at his private clinic
along on the basis of clues given by other arrested suspects.
The law enforcers are quizzing the arrested men who had been
found involved in targeted killings during the last six months
of 2013.
Due to threats and intimidation,
all private educational institutions have remained closed for
the past eight days in Panjgur District. Earlier on May 7, 2014,
the private schools were shut down in the aftermath of threats
by a newly surfaced militant outfit TIF. It had threatened to
target private educational institutions, especially the English
Learning Centers imparting co-education in Panjgur. "For the
first time, we have heard about this militant organisation,"
a Police Officer said on condition of anonymity.
Haji Islam Baloch, a legislator
from the ruling National Party, said that under a pre-planned
conspiracy, children of Panjgur were being deprived of education.
"They are destroying the future of our young generation," Baloch
lamented during the session of the Balochistan Assembly on May
14 2014. An office bearer of the Panjgur Private Schools Association
said, "We strongly condemn fanaticism and stand for a tolerant
society." There were protesters who demanded that the Government
provide security for male and female students studying in educational
institutions.
Rangers Director-General Major
General Rizwan Akhtar and various other senior Police Officers
devised a strategy for the next phase of the ongoing operation
in Karachi. It was decided that the next phase of the operation
will focus on door-to-door searches that will be conducted in
sensitive areas of the city. "Each DPO will be asked to provide
the latest details of the criminals wanted by the Police in
his areas," said one of the Police Officers. Rangers' spokesperson
revealed that the modus operandi of the next phase of the operation
was discussed in detail. "We have also finalized the targets
and will begin the next phase of the operation shortly," he
said.
The list of sensitive areas
was also discussed in the meeting. Lyari Town, Orangi Town,
Sohrab Goth and Manghopir areas in Gadap Town, Landhi Town,
Malir Town, Korangi Town, Shah Faisal Colony in Shah Faisal
Town and Federal B Area of Gulberg Town were among the areas
that were earmarked for the door-to-door operation. A police
official reiterated that no specific area, group or party will
be targeted. Rather, the operation will only be against the
suspects involved in targeted killings, extortion, kidnappings
and other criminal activities, claimed the Police.
May 16
Two unidentified dead bodies,
bearing torture marks, were found in Memon Society of Lyari
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According
to Police sources, the victims were first kidnapped and then
tortured to death.
An unidentified man was shot
dead by unidentified armed assailants near Gulbai Chowrangi
in Sher Shah area of Kiamari Town.
Rangers and Police killed one
terrorist, identified as Mohammad Hussain, and injured his accomplice
during joint search operation in Mianwali Colony within the
limits of Peerabad Police Station in Orangi Town.
Police conducted a search operation
near Kati Pahari area within the limits of Manghopir Police
Station in Orangi Town and arrested 22 suspected criminals.
According to SSP West, five pistols were recovered from the
possession of arrested suspects.
A Sindh Rangers Spokesman said
that the force had arrested over 2,295 suspects during the operation
against criminal elements in the past seven months. He said
that during the operation, which started on September 5, 2013,
Rangers conducted 2370 raids and arrested 2,295 suspects, including,
12 terrorists, 142 target killers, 102 extortionists and 27
kidnappers. He further said that 4102 weapons were recovered
from their possession.
Iranian border guards killed
one Pakistani national and injured another near the Pakistan-Iran
border in Panjgur District. Commissioner Mekran Division, Fateh
Bhangar said that Iranian border guards had opened fire on Pakistani
territory. "The Iranians resorted to unprovoked firing, killing
one Pakistani national and injuring another," Bhangar said.
The victims were identified as local Pakistani tribesmen. The
border was temporarily closed after the incident.
A teenager shot dead an Ahmadi
man, identified as Khalil Ahmad, over blasphemy inside Sharaqpur
Police Station in Sharaqpur tehsil (revenue unit) of Sheikhupura
District. According to details given by Saleem ud Din, the spokesman
of Ahmadi community, the victim, Khalil Ahmad, and three others
had asked a shopkeeper in their village to remove inflammatory
stickers denouncing their community. In retaliation, the shopkeeper
filed blasphemy charges against the four men on May 12, 2014.
Ahmad was in Police custody when the teenage boy walked in,
asked to see him, and shot him dead. "They told us the person
who shot Khalil is just a boy," Saleem ud Din said, adding,
"The hate campaign carried out against us is going on and on
and on."
Police claimed to have busted
a network of terrorists-cum-target killers associated with the
TTP and LeJ from Lahore District. The Police arrested eight
terrorists and seized a huge quantity of explosives, suicide
jackets, laptops and illegal weapons from their possession.
Police claimed to have busted
a network of terrorists-cum-target killers associated with the
TTP and LeJ from Lahore District. The Police arrested eight
terrorists and seized a huge quantity of explosives, suicide
jackets, laptops and illegal weapons from their possession.
At least eight persons, including
three Policemen were injured, when a bomb strapped on to a motorcycle
exploded in Mandan Chowk area of Bannu town (Bannu District)
in KP. DSP-Headquarters Sanaullah Khan said that the incident
occurred while a City Police van was patrolling on Railway Road
and when it reached the main square, Mandan Chowk, one of the
Policemen spotted a motorbike suspiciously parked in a corner.
DSP Khan said they went to check on the motorcycle and just
then the bomb went off, leaving eight people injured.
The Commission of Inquiry on
Enforced Disappearances has so far disposed of 657 of a total
of 1,948 complaints about missing persons, the Peshawar High
Court was told on May 15. Additional Attorney General Syed Attique
Shah told Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Malik
Manzoor Hussain that 209 people had filed complaints with the
two-member commission in Islamabad last month. He said several
applicants had filed petitions with the commission, the Supreme
Court and the Peshawar High Court simultaneously. The bench
asked Syed Attique Shah to produce a detailed report on the
enforced disappearance cases pending with different forums simultaneously
to ensure early disposal.
Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the Government wanted to make
next round of talks with the TTP meaningful and result-oriented.
Addressing a news conference, he said any progress towards next
round of direct talks with the TTP, was expected to be made
in few days. The Minister said the Government's broader agenda
was focused on restoration of peace in the country. Nisar said
he wanted that the next meeting of the TTP-Government committees
should be decisive and both sides should put their agendas on
the table. He said the Government was not responsible for the
delay in the dialogue process, as it had been decided during
the last two rounds that TTP would convey the date and venue
of the next round.
The chief of his own faction
of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and head of TTP negotiation committee
Maulana Samiul Haq on May 14-night said that the negotiation
process between the Government and TTP has been suspended for
the time being. He said that some powerful elements were trying
to derail the peace process to pave the way for operation in
tribal areas. The JUI-S chief said that operation was no solution
to any problem. He said that negotiation was the only way for
restoration of peace in the country. He added that bringing
the Government and TTP to negotiation table was their great
success.
According to the figures released
by the Karachi Police to share their 'performance' from September
5, 2013 to May 5, 2014, at least 360 suspects have been killed
by the LEA during the operation in Karachi since September 5,
2013. It stated that at least 60 Policemen were killed in the
line of duty. They were mostly targeted when they were on patrol
though a few were killed in encounters with militants, bandits,
gangsters and other criminals. The figures showed a total of
1,277 'encounters' leading to the arrest of some 1,000 'heinous
crime' suspects and killing of 253 others. Suspects shot dead
by paramilitary Rangers numbered 115. The suspects were wanted
in 'heinous crimes' from murders to 'terrorism acts' and kidnapping-for
ransom-to extortion.
"The situation describes police
strategy," said the Spokesman for the Karachi Police when asked
about the reasons behind an unprecedented surge in deadly encounters
which left 253 suspects dead. "The current leadership of the
Karachi and Sindh Police has focused more on training and capacity
building of the serving Policemen, considering the challenges
and ongoing targeted operation, which has resulted in better
firing skills and much better reaction time of our Policemen
challenging the criminals," he said. "There is no shoot-at-sight
order. The number of killings in encounters rose only because
criminals face much stronger and quicker reaction from the Police
party whenever they challenge it. The encounters were also held
in the past but a sluggish response from the police party helped
suspects to escape unhurt," he added.
While the Police 'performance'
has brought down the number of killings on sectarian, ethnic
and political grounds to a large extent, it has raised questions
about the growing number of deadly encounters drawing criticism
from human rights activists. Zohra Yusuf of the HRCP said that
such a high figure of killings in 'encounters' acknowledged
by the LEAs was highly alarming. The killings also confirmed
our worst fears over the Karachi operation, she said.
May 17
Seven people were killed and
one teenager was injured in separate incidents of violence in
Karachi. Four unidentified men, aged 25, 35, 30 and 40, were
killed when some armed men opened fire on them in Khamesa Goth,
New Karachi. Separately, two unknown people, aged 20 and 25,
were shot dead by unidentified armed men near Singo Lane in
Lyari. Meanwhile, a four-day-old mutilated body of a man, Ijaz
(30) was found near Filter Plant in Steel Mill area. In another
incident, a teenager identified as Rashid (17) was injured when
unidentified gunmen opened fire on him near Siddiqui Autos in
Hijrat Colony.
May 18
An unidentified man was shot
dead in an incident of firing in Hussainabad area of Federal
B Area of Gulberg Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh.
A dead body, identified as that
of Roshan Marri (14), was found from Birohi Goth within the
limits of Manghopir Police Station in Gadap Town.
Another bullet-riddled unidentified
dead body of man was found near a graveyard at Qaddafi Town
in Landhi Town. According to the Police, the man was first kidnapped
and later shot dead.
One Khasadar Force personnel
was killed and five others were injured in two landmine blasts
at Safi Tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA.
Seven persons were injured in
a roadside explosion in Rashakai area of Khar Tehsil of Bajaur
Agency.
The Khushal Khan Khattak Express
escaped a blast that blew up the railway track in Rojhan Mazari
Tehsil of Rajanpur District. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
The of 'chief' of TTP Mullah
Fazlullah called upon the Government, the Armed forces and the
Intelligence agents to akin to the TTP will have to accept writ
of Allah Almighty. In a video message released by the TTP Chapter
of Darra Adam Khel, the TTP 'chief' did not comment over the
peace talks with the Government. He had however been opposed
to the talks in the past. His statement came out at a time when
there is a deadlock of peace talks between the Government and
the TTP. Talking to BBC, 'spokesperson' of the TTP Darra Adam
Khel chapter also claimed the seven minutes video message is
a fresh statement of TTP 'chief'. In the video, Mullah Fazlullah
was welcomed by armed militants when he came down from a mountainous
area and he recorded his message. Mullah Fazlullah asked his
suicide bombers to be ready against tanks and artilleries of
inimical forces. Those who have received this message should
disseminate to other suicide bombers who are not in a direct
contact. He vowed enforcement of Shariah and will continue his
efforts in this connection.
TTP central shura refused
to endorse Mullah Fazlullah's verdict about the sacking of senior
militant 'commander', Khan Said alias Sajna, in South Waziristan
as some TTP leaders feeling it may further divide the group.
"After some meetings, the shura finally refused to endorse Mullah
Fazlullah's decision. Mullah Fazlullah behaved like a dictator.
First he made a decision and then asked the shura to endorse
it. Under the rules, the Ameer can ask the shura for advice
before making important decisions. But in this case, he made
the decision and then asked the shura to endorse it," said a
senior member of the TTP shura. "Most of the senior commanders
of the TTP are not happy with Mullah Fazlullah for this and
some other decisions and are now supporting Khan Said," the
TTP leader said. He feared that there were strong indications
that 'commander' Khan Said may form his own faction separate
from the TTP.
May 19
Two Shia men, identified as
Shaukat Sherazi (45) and Qaiser Hussain (50) were killed when
unknown armed assailants opened fire on them at Mithadar near
Sherazia Imambargah (Shia place of commemoration) in Saddar
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SP City Sheraz
Nazir said that Shaukat Sherazi was the caretaker of the Imambargah
and also a member of JAP South Wing. Qaisar was Sherazi's guest.
A Shia man, identified as Mohsin
Agha (50), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants near
Dakkhana bus stop in Liaquatabad Town.
A man, identified as Farhan
Afzal (40), was shot dead by unidentified militants at Mianwali
Colony within the limits of Manghopir Police Station in Gadap
Town.
Unidentified armed militants
shot dead an unidentified teenager boy near Baradari in North
Karachi Town.
Paramilitary Forces and Police
detained several suspected criminals during search operations
in different areas of Karachi. According to Rangers Spokesperson,
a high profile criminal Jaan Alam was arrested in a targeted
operation at Labour Colony area of Landhi Town. Alam was affiliated
with a political party and was wanted by the Police in several
criminal activities. Also, two suspects along with several others
were arrested during search operations by Rangers in Metroville
area of Gulshan Town and Orangi Town. More than 300 personnel
of Paramilitary Forces took part in the operation. They sealed
off entry and exit points of the areas during the operations
and started house-to-house search.
The Federal Government has sent
back red warrant summaries of various most-wanted Lyari gang-war
criminals, including Uzair Baloch and Baba Ladla, to the Sindh
Government over having objections due to incomplete records.
Pakistan's Ministry of Interior returned the Sindh Government's
requests for issuance of red-warrants of at least 83 most-wanted
criminals including Uzair Baloch, Noor Muhammad alias Baba Ladla
and Taj Muhammad alias Taju.
A Chinese tourist, identified
as Hong Xu Dong, travelling from Lahore to Balochistan via Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa has been kidnapped from Darban area of Dera Ismail
Khan District. Sources said that Dong was travelling from Lahore
to Quetta when he went missing near Garah Mehmood area of Darban.
The Security Forces have recovered a cycle from Garah Mehmood
and launched a search operation in the area.
FC and Balochistan Police intercepted
a truck carrying a stockpile of weapons and ammunition during
a raid in Jungle Pir Alizai area of Qila Abdullah District.
The security personnel impounded the truck and seized its illicit
cargo. According to the FC, Police and Security Forces in a
joint search operation recovered 100 SMGs, three G-3 pistols,
136 single-barrel shot guns and one Kalashnikov, telescopes,
and thousands of bullets.
The FC Balochistan said that
credible intelligence has led them to conclude that Afghan intelligence,
NDS is supporting miscreants in Balochistan. "After receiving
information from the Intelligence Fusion Cell that a huge quantity
of arms and ammunitions are being smuggled to Balochistan from
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the FC and Police carried out successful
raids near bordering areas," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz
Bugti said.
Thousands of people took to
the streets in Panjgur District to protest against the attacks
on private schools which remained closed for the fifth consecutive
day. More than four thousand people were estimated to have joined
in demonstrations-including women, children, teachers and activists
of BNP-Mengal and BNP-Awami. The protesters were carrying placards
inscribed with slogans in support of their demands, primarily
seeking security for the private schools.
Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch
advised insurgent groups to 'revisit their approach' in order
to lessen the sufferings of their brethren. "Historically, insurgency
has given the Baloch people nothing save death and destruction
and triggered forced migrations. This 12-year-long insurgency
has destroyed the economy and disrupted social services in Balochistan,"
said Malik.
Jurors in the New York trial
of British hate preacher Abu Hamza aka Mustafa Kamel Mustafa
found him guilty of kidnapping and terrorism offenses. The former
Imam of the north London Finsbury Park mosque, showed no reaction
to the verdict, which carries a possible life sentence. He is
to be sentenced on September 9, 2014. The charges against him
pre-dated the 9/11 attacks on New York and were over the 1998
abduction of 16 Western tourists in Yemen, four of whom were
killed in a military rescue operation. He was also accused of
trying to set up a terrorist training camp in the United States
in 1999, and of promoting "violent jihad" on a global scale.
The jury deliberated for 12 hours over two days before reaching
a verdict, after a four-week trial in which Abu Hamza took the
stand for three days of testimony in his own defense.
An ATC in Quetta, the provincial
capital of Balochistan granted exemption to former President
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, from appearing in court
for the hearing of Nawab Akbar Bugti murder case while ordering
him to appear in court for the next hearing adjourned until
June 16, 2014. Musharraf is on bail in the case. This is the
sixth time that the Court has ordered for his appearance in
court, but he has remained absent from all hearings despite
assurance provided by his guarantors.
Two of the co-accused in the
case, former Federal Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao and former
Provincial Interior Minister Shoaib Nausherwani appeared in
the hearing. Both submitted their requests for their acquittal
from the Bugti case. The ATC issued notices to the relevant
authorities.
The IHC issued notices to Information
Secretary, PEMRA Chairman, ARY Chief Executive, anchors Mubashir
Lucman, Nida Yasir, Shaista Lodhi, Amjad Sabri Qawwal, poet
Aqeel Mohsin Naqvi, the CII and Cable Operators Association
of Pakistan Chairman in connection with the Geo TV blasphemy
case. A single-member bench of Jusice Noorul Haq Qureshi issued
the notices while hearing the blasphemy petition filed by Shuhada
Foundation's lawyer Tariq Asad.
The HRCP in a statement issued
voiced "concern over a malicious campaign seeking to close down
a media channel and called for unity among media ranks" demanding
that the present situation be de-escalated to protect media
freedom and reduce risks for journalists. The Commission said,
"HRCP can no longer stay silent on the malicious campaign unleashed
against Geo and the manner in which pressure is being brought
to bear to close down the channel." Further, the HRCP statement
added, "Irrespective of what HRCP or anyone else might think
about Geo's editorial judgment, instigating people to come out
on the street following charges of blasphemy is an extremely
dangerous trend."
FBI Agent Joel Cox left for
Dubai after the Malir Judicial Magistrate Court dropped the
case. Joel Cox's lawyer told the court that his client was on
special mission in Pakistan and he was permitted to keep arms
with him. A special letter of the US Embassy was also presented
in the court in this regard. The court ordered for verification
of the letter from Interior Ministry and later on certification
from the Sindh Home Department, the court dismissed the case.
KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak
wants the Federal Government to convene another APC if it is
unable to implement the unanimous decision of giving peace a
chance through talks with the TTP. "The APC had authorised the
Government to hold dialogue with the TTP. If for some reason
it is unable to act in accordance with the decision, it should
gather all the political parties to discuss the options it has
been left with," Khattak said.
KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak
wants the Federal Government to convene another APC if it is
unable to implement the unanimous decision of giving peace a
chance through talks with the TTP. "The APC had authorised the
Government to hold dialogue with the TTP. If for some reason
it is unable to act in accordance with the decision, it should
gather all the political parties to discuss the options it has
been left with," Khattak said.
May 20
Two persons, identified as Mohammad
Ali (35), and Aleemuddin (38), were shot dead in a sectarian
attack in Hasan Noman Colony of Sohrab Goth area in Gadap Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Ali was the activist
of ASWJ while Aleemuddin was the supporter. ASWJ 'spokesperson'
Umar Mauviya confirmed their affiliation.
Two cadres of ST, identified
as Amanul Haq and Aminul Haq, were shot dead on sectarian grounds
in Orangi Town.
A Shia man, identified as Syed
Hassan Zaidi, was shot dead when unidentified militants opened
fire at his car in Korangi Town.
An unidentified dead body of
a man was found from Surjani Town in Gadap Town.
An unidentified woman was killed
amid firing in Bihar Colony of Lyari Town.
A passer-by was killed during
a shoot-out between rival Lyari gangsters in Lyari Town.
An unidentified man was injured
when he was hit by a stray bullet at his home near Gole Market
in North Nazimabad Town.
Rangers arrested three alleged
militants of the TTP in a raid conducted in the Quaidabad area
of Bin Qasim Town.
Over 150 private schools in
Orangi Town and SITE Town will remain closed on May 21 to protest
the growing threats of extortion in the area. The members of
the All Private Schools' Orangi Town and SITE association will
hold a demonstration at Bab-e-Khyber in Metroville along with
school owners and parents to pressurise the Government into
providing security. The Islamia Public School in Metroville's
Block 3 has been closed since May 3, 2014, after the school
owners, Pervez Alavi, and his son Zahid, were killed inside
the school despite the payment of more than half the extortion
money. The extortionists had demanded PKR 600,000. Pervez had
paid them PKR 400,000 in two installments and they had come
to collect the third installment on that day. When Pervez failed
to give them the money, they barged into his office and shot
him and his son dead.
One man was killed and another
was injured in a landmine blast on Sui-Dera Bugti Road in Dera
Bugti District. According to the levies sources, some unidentified
militants had planted a landmine on the Road.
Police shot dead a suspected
militant at the main gate of Shah Mansoor Police Lines in Swabi
town (Swabi District) in KP. Police sources said that the suspected
attacker opened fire at the main gate, injuring one Policeman
on guard at the gate. The Police personnel retaliated, killing
the attacker on spot. Swabi District Police Officer Sajjad Khan
said that the attacker was carrying a pistol and ammunition
but was not wearing a suicide vest.
A school was slightly damaged
in an IED attack situated on Ring Road area of Peshawar, the
provincial capital of KP. The IED was planted near the school's
boundary wall. The bomb disposal squad cleared the school after
conducting a search operation and no casualties were reported.
A faction of the TTP claimed
responsibility for the kidnapping of a Chinese tourist, identified
as Hong Xu Dong, from Daraban area of Dera Ismail Khan District
on may 19.
A division bench of the Sindh
High Court headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the arguments
of the AGP Salman Aslam Butt on May 20 regarding maintainability
of the petition, filed by General (retired) Pervez Musharraf
against the restriction on his travelling out of the country
with regard to jurisdiction of the SHC. The AGP contested that
the High Court had not territorial jurisdiction to hear the
matter as Musharraf's name was placed on the ECL on the orders
of the Supreme Court. It was stated that Musharraf should approach
the Supreme Court to get his name withdrawn from the ECL.
Musharraf's counsel Barrister
Farogh Nasim while forwarding his arguments said that order
regarding placing his client's name on the ECL was against 'principles
of natural justice' as no show-cause notice, as required by
the law, was issued to his client. He said that earlier on April
8, 2013, the Supreme Court had issued directions to the Federal
Government for placing the name of petitioner on ECL but later,
final order of the apex court did not maintain the condition
of ECL. Barrister Farogh was of the view that the trial court
was competent to impose any restriction on movement of the petitioner
if it considered necessary. Since the court had not barred the
petitioner from traveling out of the country, any restriction
by the Government on his movement was "sheer violation of the
fundamental rights," he added.
The KP Governor Sardar Mehtab
Ahmad Khan set up another FATA FRC to frame strategic objectives
for the volatile tribal areas for the next 25 years. The five-member
commission comprising retired civil and military officers, a
former provincial minister and a serving civil officer has been
asked to produce a comprehensive report within 10 months. The
successive Governors had formed several commissions and task
forces for the purpose but administrative and legal reforms
are missing in FATA. Former Chief Secretary Ejaz Qureshi has
been appointed Chairman of the FRC, whose other members are
Lieutenant-General (retired) Syed Sabahat Hussain, former bureaucrat
Mir Laiq Shah, former Provincial Minister Mossarat Qadeem, who
runs an NGO, and Additional Secretary to the Governor Muddassir
Riaz Malik.
The commission may corporate
another member with the approval of the Governor, said a notification.
The body will submit short and long term reforms initiatives
to the governor for his approval. Mandate of the FRC is to formulate
and propose strategic objectives, strategic policies and action
plans which will be submitted to the Governor for approval.
The FRC will overview the implementation of the reform initiatives
and propose "mid-course corrections" as and when required. The
commission has been given 18 Terms of Reference (ToRs) and will
develop strategic and detailed action plans for realizing strategic
objectives of reforms agenda in different sectors including
economic in FATA.
JUI-F Senator Hafiz Hamdullah
alleged that there is an "Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)
within the ISI" which is involved in kidnapping and killings
of innocent people across Pakistan. He also said that the ISI
was behind the incidents of missing persons and mass graves
in Balochistan.
May 21
At least 60 militants including
foreign fighters were killed when Air Force warplanes bombarded
militant hideouts in Mir Ali and other areas of North Waziristan
Agency in FATA in the early hours.
At least 15 persons including,
11 militants and SF personnel were killed during a clash in
Mir Ali area.
Following massive airstrikes,
TTP militants met at an undisclosed location to reconsider a
non-aggression treaty with the Government. Ahmadullah Ahmadi
, a 'spokesman' of Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of TTP condemned
the airstrikes and said the group "cannot remain silent over
bombardment on people," calling it a clear atrocity on the civilians.
He said that the Shura has convened this important meeting to
assess the situation and hinted that the peace accord with the
Government might get revoked. The spokesman warned that the
Government would be responsible for any destruction in case
it did not stop the military offensive.
Six people, including a government
school teacher, were shot dead when unidentified militants entered
the residence of a school teacher, identified as Master Hameed,
and opened fire at his five relatives in Dasht area of Turbat
District.
The owner of a roadside hotel,
identified as Mohammed Hussain, was killed when unidentified
militants fired a rocket targeting FC camp in Oshab area near
Turbat District. Later, SFs launched a search operation in the
area.
Police killed two gangsters
belonging to Sheraz Comrade Group during a raid in Jodia Bazar
at Prethan Square in Kharadar area of Saddar Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. When Police party reached the
site the accused opened fire and later in retaliatory firing
the two accused were shot dead. Police claimed to have recovered
weapons and hand grenade from their possession.
Police shot dead two unidentified
criminals near Lyari Expressway in Garden area. According to
Police, four accused including two gangsters of Lyari gang war
have been killed in two separate Police encounters. SSP AVCC
Nasir Aftab said a Police party on searching for criminals encountered
the alleged highwaymen on Lyari Expressway. The suspects seeing
Police party opened fire on them, Police in retaliation opened
fire and killed them, he said.
A man, identified as Muhammad
Tariq (35), was shot dead by unidentified militants near Alhamd
Medical Store in Dastagir Block 16 area of Federal B Area in
Gulberg Town.
At least five people were injured
in an explosion near the Rangers Headquarters in North Nazimabad
Town.
A blast ripped through an office
of a courier company in Guru Mandir area of Saddar Town. However,
no casualties were reported.
Rangers detained several suspects
during a raid in Maria Apartment Block 3 near Nagan Chowrangi.
Prosecution lawyers asked the
ATC trying the seven accused in the 26/11 (November 26, 2008)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) attacks case to increase their security
saying JuD activists had been threatening them and the witnesses.
The lawyers along with Chief Prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar submitted
an application in the ATC in Rawalpindi informing it that "We
and the witnesses have been receiving threats from the JuD activists
who want us to stop representing and pursuing the case, respectively".
In the application they alleged that a JuD activist was present
in every court hearing in the courtroom and hurled threats at
the witnesses outside the courtroom. Court sources further told
PTI that the prosecution chief also submitted in the court a
cellphone number from which the prosecution lawyers have been
receiving threats from a JuD activist. The court adjourned the
hearing till May 28.
The annual report by the Jama'at
Ahmadiyya, issued, stated that the situation for Ahmadis deteriorated
over the past year as seven Ahmadis were killed and 16 faced
murder attacks. According to the Report, in 2013, there was
increase in fabricated news stories against Ahmadis published
in the Urdu press.
The Report said that Ahmadis
had faced political, social and legal discrimination since the
promulgation of the ordinance against them in 1984. It said
237 Ahmadis had been killed since the ordinance had been passed
and 193 attempted murders had taken place. It said as many as
27 places of worship had been demolished, 31 had been sealed
by the authorities and 16 others had been illegally appropriated.
It further said that as many as 37 bodies of Ahmadis had been
exhumed after burial, and the burial of 61 bodies in common
cemeteries had been denied. The report also called attention
to widely distributed literature that promoted the social and
financial boycott of Ahmadis and incited violence against them.
May 22
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead two people, identified as Zulfiqar (40) and Shakir
(35), near La Rosh Restaurant in North Nazimabad Town of Karachi,
the Provincial capital of Sindh.
Two suspects were killed in
Police encounter near Cheal Chowk in Lyari Town. According to
the Police, the suspects opened fire when Police stopped their
vehicle during snap checking in Lyari. As a result Police retaliated
and opened fire on them. The Police claimed to have recovered
arms from their possession.
Unidentified militants shot
dead one person, identified as Ibrahim (40) near Dhobi Ghat
area in Lyari Town.
Armed assailants shot dead an
unidentified man near Ijtimagah Road in Manghopir area of Gadap
Town.
A man, identified as Athar (35),
sustained injuries when unidentified militants opened fire on
him near Old Muzaffarabad Colony in Landhi Town.
A unit in-charge of ASWJ, identified
as Nasir Abbasi, was killed while another person, identified
as Ishtiaq, was injured when unidentified militants opened fire
on them in Shamsabad area of Rawalpindi District. Police said
Abbasi and Ishtiaq were going home on a motorcycle after attending
a seminar organised by ASWJ Rawalpindi Chapter at Sangam Marriage
Hall.
Several hideouts of militants
in Machis Camp, Kharwani and Mir Ali areas of NWA in FATA were
neutralized as troops, backed by artillery and helicopter gunships,
resumed their retaliatory action against TTP militants for the
second consecutive day. The latest action came a day after air
strikes and ground fighting killed at least 71 suspected militants
and four security officials in the same area. Thousands of people
have started fleeing towards Bannu in the wake of the attack,
local residents and officials said. However, it was not clear
how many people were killed in May 22's assaults.
LEAs arrested an arms smuggler
and seized a huge cache of arms, including 100 pistols, 10 rifles
and 5000 rounds, from his truck during routine checking in provincial
capital of Balochistan, Quetta. The identity of the accused
was not disclosed who had been taken to some unknown location
for interrogation.
The Special Court, on the request
of former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf's legal
team, ordered the prosecution team in his high treason trial
to provide the missing FIA investigation report and all relevant
documents regarding the treason trial to the accused till May
23, 2014.
The defence lawyer had earlier
complained that the papers and record already handed over was
incomplete. Earlier on May 14, 2014, the prosecution on the
court's direction provided copies of all the material pertaining
to the investigation done by the FIA regarding the November
2007 emergency to Musharraf's lawyer. During the proceeding
of the case Musharraf's lawyer Shaukat Hyat submitted an application
in the court and asked for the provision of relevant documents,
including the minutes of the 44th session of the National Assembly,
list of members of the then cabinet (Shaukat Aziz and cabinet),
list of Advisers and Attorneys General of the Federal Government
and the list of Provincial Governors.
Pakistan said it wants uninterrupted
and uninterruptible dialogue process with India to resolve all
the issues, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign
Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, said, "Pakistan will bring
all outstanding issues on the table with India if any meeting
of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif takes place at anytime with Narendra
Modi." The Spokesperson said Pakistan had expectations that
India will come forward for the resumption of meaningful and
constructive composite dialogue process, so that both the countries
could focus on sustainable peace and development of the region.
Fearing a backlash from TTP
in Islamabad, the PML-N Government decided to use both the SFs
and the Police on high alert to maintain peace in the capital-
Islamabad as well as other parts of the country. Sources in
SFs informed that an operation of sorts had been started with
air strikes on the militant hideouts on May 21, 2014.
Federal Minister for Information
Pervez Rashid confirmed that an operation had been launched
against the militants. "Security Forces will carry out their
operation where the life of the citizens is in danger." Asked
whether talks between the Government and the TTP had failed,
the Minister replied, "We will talk with those who are ready
for it and the operation is being launched against those who
are not ready to come to the negotiating table."
In reply to another question
regarding the deployment of army in Islamabad in view of the
possible reaction from the TTP, Rashid did not deny the reports.
He said, "It is the duty of the Government to protect the citizens
not only in Islamabad but also across the country. Such arrangements
are part of the Government's precautionary measures."
The KP's new anti-terrorist
force, the Special Combat Unit, began training. KP Chief Minister
Pervez Khattak in April 2014 announced the formation of the
new force during a ceremony in Attock. "We are going to raise
a force that will operate exclusively in extraordinary situations,"
he said. The KP Police set up SCU to counter terror attacks
and handle extraordinary hostage situations, officials said.
More than 1,000 Elite Force personnel applied for the 150 slots.
The commandos will go through a specially designed training
course to prepare them for the toughest challenges.
May 23
Four suspected militants were
killed and several others were injured when SFs intensified
military action in the Machis Camp area of North Waziristan
Agency. The SFs neutralized militant bases in the area while
artillery and jet fighters struck another insurgent base in
Sokhel Wazir. Later, the SFs arrested five militants from the
Machis Camp area. The death toll rose to 79 since the operation
began on May 21, 2014. At least 75 militants and four SFs have
been killed so far.
In the first ever conviction
in a missing person case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Magistrate Zafarullah
Mohmand sentenced Peshawar SHO Arshad Khan to three years imprisonment
after he was found guilty of taking Khairur Rehman into custody
on February 9, 2009, which led to his enforced disappearance.
Soon after conviction, the SHO filed appeal with the court of
Additional District and Sessions Judge Kaleem Arshad, who admitted
the appeal to the hearing and suspended his conviction under
Section 426 of the CrPC. The convict was arrested on August
29, 2013, in the case after his pre-arrest bail was dismissed
by the Peshawar District Judge. Later, he was set free on bail
by the Peshawar High Court.
Provincial Assembly Speaker
Asad Qaisar said that the Provincial Government will allocate
70 per cent of the new educational institutions to be opened
in the Province to girls in order to improve female education.
He said that the Provincial Government wanted to provide modern
education to girls and create job opportunities for them to
address their economic necessities.
May 24
At least eight militants, including
a 'commander' and two SF personnel were killed in the evening,
in a clash in Landi Kotal tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA, after
a security vehicle was ambushed by the militants. "Two soldiers
embraced shahadat (martyrdom) and three others injured this
evening in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Landikotal,
Khyber," said an Pakistan Army's ISPR, statement issued to media.
"Eight terrorists including one of their commanders were killed
in exchange of fire," it added. Pakistani military sources said
that the FC vehicle was targeted near Hamza Baba Chowk by militants,
killing two personnel and injuring the third. The SFs repulsed
the attack killing eight attackers including a commander. A
militant was arrested in wounded condition.
At least six SF personnel were
killed and three injured in an IED blast in Mohmand Agency.
The blast took place in the Shati Kandao area of Pandyali tehsil
of the agency. Confirming the explosion, political administration
official and security forces sources said that an IED, planted
on the roadside, exploded when a vehicle of the SFs was passing
by.
May 25
As many as eight officials of
Balochistan Levies were killed and three others injured as unidentified
assailants attacked Jauhar check-post along Quetta-Karachi Highway
in Wadh tehsil of Khuzdar District in Balochistan. According
to Wadh assistant commissioner, unidentified armed assailants
attacked with heavy weapons the Jauhar post of Levies in the
area, leaving eight officials killed and three injured. The
assailants escaped after the attack.
An eight-year-old boy was killed
while 12 others including five children were wounded in back-to-back
explosions near Jafria Imambargah in Qasba Colony within the
limits of Pirabad Police Station in Orangi Town of Karachi in
the night. SHO Fasiuz Zaman said the first two explosions were
caused by hand grenades thrown by motorcyclists near the Imambargah
while the third was an IED. Zaman said the victims of the blast
were residents of Orangi Town and were on their way to a wedding
function on a bus when the blast took place. The Bomb Disposal
Squad experts said that the IED contained around half a kilogramme
of explosives, including ball bearings, and was hidden in a
garbage dump.
Five militants were killed in
a clash with SFs in the Manro Jangal area near the Pak-Afghan
border in Bajaur Agency of FATA. The sources said the militants
operating from Afghanistan fired at a check-post of security
forces in Manro Jangal and caused injuries to five security
personnel. The sources said the soldiers manning the checkpost
returned the fire and killed five militants, including three
'commanders'.
The CIA has been bombing Pakistan's
domestic buildings more than any other targets over the past
decade of the drone war launched by the US, the Russia Today
news channel reported while quoting a latest research by the
Bureau of Investigative Journalism. "Almost two thirds, or over
60 percent, of all US drone strikes in Pakistan targeted domestic
buildings," the channel reported with reference to the joint
research conducted by the BIJ, a London-based non-profit news
group, along with the Forensic Architecture, a research unit
based at Goldsmiths University, London, and Situ Research in
New York.
The authors of the paper analysed
thousands of media reports, witness testimonies and field investigations
to obtain the data on drone strikes in the FATA of Pakistan.
According to the study, at least 132 houses have been destroyed
in more than 380 strikes over the past decade with at least
222 civilians being among the 1,500 or more people killed. "On
average, 6.2 people and 0.9 reported civilians died per strike
on domestic buildings," the paper said, adding that these numbers
may be conservative because the Bureau "has found the deaths
of women are dramatically underreported." The seclusion of women
and children in the country which orders them to spend more
time indoors make them more vulnerable to drone strikes, according
to the BIJ's 'Naming the Dead' project.
May 26
Five dead bodies were discovered
in Uthmanzai area in the Pandyali tehsil of the Mohmand
Agency in FATA. The bodies were discovered in the Uthmanzai
area where a recent surprise attack on the SFs left six soldiers
dead on May 24. All of the deceased appeared to have been shot
dead, however, this could not be independently verified, official
sources added. The area is under curfew and the bodies could
not be identified as a result.
Panicked by the ongoing military
action in North Waziristan Agency, the tribal people have preferred
to take refuge in neighbouring Afghanistan instead of shifting
to settled areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to reports,
many families have migrated to Khost and Paktika provinces of
Afghanistan from different areas of the volatile tribal region.
Eid Mohammad Khan, a local tribesman, said that many foreigners
also moved to Afghanistan from Waziristan before the launch
of military action.
Three dead bodies were recovered
from Surjani Town area of Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh, in the morning. According to sources, the bodies were
found dumped near Northern By-pass in Surjani Town. The deceased
were shot to death by unidentified assailants.
Three Lyari gangsters were shot
dead in an encounter in Ittehad Town area of Karachi. The Police
said that the suspects opened fire on Police mobile party and
were killed when the law enforcers returned fire while three
of their accomplice managed to flee. Two motorcycles, two hand
grenades and three pistols were recovered from the possession
of the slain gangsters.
One person was shot dead near
a hospital near Chowrangi in Landhi Town of Karachi.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a US-based Ahmadi doctor, identified as Mehdi Ali (50),
outside the Ahmadi graveyard in Chenab Nagar (also known as
Rabwah) city of Chiniot District.
May 27
At least six militants were
killed and seven others sustained injuries in a fierce clash
between rival factions of TTP at Taunda Darra in Shawal tehsil
of NWA in FATA. The Hakimullah faction is led by Shehryar Mehsud
while the Wali-ur-Rahman Group is under Khan Said alias Sajna.
The leader of TTP splinter group,
Abid Muchar, is still alive, Police said. Police had earlier
claimed that Muchar was killed in an encounter with SFs. Police
stated that he managed escape from the Peerabad area of Orangi
Town in Karachi District of Sindh and was injured at the time
he was fleeing.
The Abid Muchar group was behind
the attack that killed Inspector Shafiq Tanoli in Old Sabzi
Mandi area of Jamshed Town in Karachi on April 24, 2014. The
SIU said that Muchar, the leader of the group was originally
from Waziristan area in FATA and moves around in Karachi and
keeps changing his residence mostly in the area of Sohrab Goth
area of Gadap Town.
The Federal Ministry of Interior
sent a security alert to the Government of Gilgit Baltistan
warning that terrorists may target the region’s Ismaili community
and foreign tourists. “A terrorist organisation is planning
to carry out a vehicle-borne suicide attack at a prominent venue
in Gilgit,” reads the statement which has been addressed to
Gilgit Baltistan’s IGP and Chief Secretary, adding, “The likely
targets are the Ismaili community or foreigners staying in the
city.” The letter adds that the attack has been planned by an
outfit based in Miranshah town of North Waziristan Agency in
FATA with instructions to suspects in Gilgit to undertake the
task.
Following the alert, security
has been tightened in the city with Law Enforcement Agencies
are checking people entering GB. “We are keeping a close watch
on the situation and the security plan for the region is being
revisited daily,” said Home Secretary Attaur Rahman, adding
that security has also been beefed up along the Karakoram Highway
to ensure safe passage.
US forces will complete their
withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of 2016, completing 15
years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, said US President
Barack Obama. "We will only sustain a military presence
after 2014 if the Afghan Government signs the Bilateral Security
Agreement (BSA)," said General Martin Dempsey, Chairman
of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, adding, "Assuming a BSA
is signed, at the beginning of 2015, we will have 9,800 US service
members in different parts of the country, together with our
NATO allies and other partners."
Talking about Pakistan’s response
on the decision, Dempsey while referring to Pakistan's General
Rashad Mahmood said, "My Pakistani counterpart, the first
words out his mouth was that he was deeply relieved. He too
felt that the certainty was important, not only for Afghanistan
but for the region." Pakistan and Afghan military chiefs
expressed appreciation and relief at the decision to keep thousands
of US forces in the country in 2015 and into 2016, ending months
of uncertainty.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
during his visit to the headquarters of two infantry divisions
in North and South Waziristan Agencies of FATA emphasized that
the whole nation has rejected the misplaced ideology of the
terrorists, ‘who have clearly lost their cause already and are
being marginalised’, a press release issued by the ISPR said.
The army chief reiterated the ‘whole hearted support for tribal
brethren’ during his visit to the all important field formations
of army, close to the area where it has been engaged in targeted
crackdown in the recent days.
British Police investigating
the September 16, 2010, murder of the founding member of MQM,
Imran Farooq in Edgware, London, named two Pakistani men, identified
as Moshin Ali Syed (29) and Muhammad Kashif Khan Kamran (34),
who they want to trace in connection with the killing and are
living in Pakistan. The two men left Britain hours after the
murder, said Scotland Yard Police Headquarters in a statement.
According to the detectives Syed was in Britain from February
2010 and Khan Kamran came to Britain in early September 2010.
“The two men are believed to be in Pakistan at this time and
officers continue to liaise with Pakistani authorities,” said
the Scotland Yard. They also released the pictures of the two
men.
Faisal Sabzwari, a senior MQM
leader, insisted that they knew nothing of Syed or Kamran. “We
don’t know about the existence of those two men whose pictures
have been released,” Sabzwari said, adding, “They are not members
of the MQM or any of its affiliate groups.”
Afghanistan President Hamid
Karzai said that Taliban ‘chief’ Mullah Omar is hiding in Pakistan.
Karzai didn't rule out the possibility that the terrorist is
under protection in Pakistan. He also added that Taliban could
be involved in May 23, 2014 attack on the Indian Consulate in
Herat Province of Afghanistan.
May 28
Three ‘commanders’ of the Lyari
gang war, Abdul Waheed alias Pappu (32), Zubair Baloch alias
Bhaiyya and Arif Patni (30), were shot dead in an alleged encounter
with the Police and Rangers near Gabol Park area within the
limits of the Kalakot Police Station in Lyari Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. The Police and Rangers conducted
a raid in the area after they received a tip-off. SHO Haji Sanaullah
said that when they reached the alleged gangsters opened fire
at them. The Police retaliated and as a result, the gangsters
were killed. Police said that they were associated with Ustad
Taju, Mullah Nisar and Omar Kutchi groups and were involved
in murder, kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion cases.
Another Lyari gangster was killed
during an encounter at City Railway Colony within the limits
of Mithadar Police Station in Saddar Town. The Police officials
claimed that two gangsters from Lyari were busy mugging pedestrians
when the on-duty Policemen tried to intercept them. This led
to an exchange of fire in which a suspect was killed, while
the other managed to escape.
A Police Constable, identified
as Shahid Shah, was shot dead near Matric Board Office in North
Nazimabad Town.
An unidentified man was killed
when armed assailants opened fire in Mominabad area of Orangi
Town.
The AIG (Karachi) Ghulam Qadir
Thebo on May 28 directed DIG to present reports on illegal activities
and all other reports regarding different crimes and cases which
had reached to their logical end during the current year. He
also directed to take action in collaboration with CPLC to ensure
safety and security of business community and other related
personalities at Districts level. Whereas, SHOs must ensure
coordination with anti-extortion cell, AVCC and other specialized
units, he added.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during a meeting with Sindh Rangers
DG Major General Rizwan Akhtar gave a clear indication that
the Government was ready to up the ante in Karachi with operations
against extortionists, target killers and organised crime. Saying
that the Karachi operation was “heading in the right direction”,
Chaudhry Nisar said it was time to raise the level, and expand
the scope, of the action. “The momentum achieved over the past
few months must not be allowed to diminish,” he said.
Unidentified militants abducted
five children belonging to Hindu community from Dera Allah Yar
area of Jaffarabad District. Syed Zafar Ali Shah, the Deputy
Commissioner Jaffarabad said that the children were coming back
from school when they were abducted by the militants near Dera
Allah Yar and are suspected to have shifted all five of them
to Ratodero area of Larkana District in Sindh Province. “The
age of the children is five to 10,” said Syed Ashfaq Ahmed,
the DPO Jaffarabad. No outfit claimed responsibility for the
kidnapping.
Law Enforcement Agencies arrested
three suspects after registration of FIR against a tribal elder,
identified as Mir Shafiq-ur-Rehman Mengal, and 100 others in
connection with the killing of eight Levies personnel on May
25, 2014 in Wadh area of Khuzdar District. “Law Enforcement
Agencies have arrested three suspects, including an injured
man, in connection with the deadly attack on Levies check-post,”
Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said.
The Mehsud group ‘spokesperson’
Azam Tariq announced its separation from the TTP under the leadership
of Ameer Khalid Mehsud. He said that the group has decided to
break away from the TTP as under the current system of the TTP,
extortion and burglaries were being carried out. He said that
the group tried to stay united but failed due to various conspiracies.
US President Barack Obama made
it clear that he will continue to authorize CIA-operated drone
strikes and covert operations abroad to capture terrorists based
on "actionable intelligence", moves that are controversial
in countries like Pakistan. Obama said there still would be
times when America must go alone "when necessary to protect
ourselves."
He reiterated his administration's
policy unveiled in May 2013 that no drone strike should occur
unless there is "a near certainty" that no civilians
will be harmed. "But as I said last year, in taking direct
action, we must uphold standards that reflect our values. That
means taking strikes only when we face a continuing, imminent
threat, and only where there is near certainty of no civilian
casualties. For our actions should meet a simple test: we must
not create more enemies than we take off the battlefield,"
Obama added.
May 29
Four persons including Levies
Force official were killed in a sectarian attack as militants
attacked a convoy of Sipah Tribe, a predominant Shia clan returning
from a funeral in Lal Pura area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Tehsildar
Lower Orakzai Agency, Sher Bahadar Khan said that a terrorist
has also been gunned down while at least five others managed
to escape the site.
Three security officials were
killed while two others were injured in an IED explosion in
Seen Tanga Towda Chena area of Frontier Region Bannu in the
morning. The security officials were patrolling in the area
when an IED device planted by unknown militants went off at
around 10:30am. The deceased security officials were identified
as Nasir Ali, Jaffar and Frontier Crops official Muzafar while
the injured include Captain Obaid and Sepoy Safarash.
Three soldiers were killed and
another two wounded in a roadside IED blast near Miranshah in
North Waziristan Agency. The incident took place when a patrolling
team was inspecting the Bannu-Miranshah road to build a military
check post when they stepped on an IED.
Two unidentified men aged between
30 and 35 were killed when unidentified militants opened fire
on them in Gulshan-e-Iqbal of Gulshan Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead two unidentified persons in Sachal Goth near Mosamiat
in Gulshan Town.
A man, identified as Faran Qureshi
(30), was killed and another Imran (35) was injuried when unidentified
armed assailants opened fire on them in Jamshed Quarters in
Jamshed Town.
A Police Constable, identified
as Muhammed Pervaiz Abbasi (55), was shot dead by unidentified
militants near Pakistan Masjid in Ramswami Ranchorr Line within
Eidgah Police Station jurisdiction in Saddar Town.
Police found a 10-day-old unidentified
mutilated dead body in Rehmanabad area of Surjani Town in Gadap
Town.
Two people, identified as Khawar
(25) and Sikandar Ali (30), were injured when unidentified armed
assailants opened fire on them in Liaquatabad Underpass in Liaquatabad
Town.
SSP (SIU) Muhammad Farooq Awan
claimed to have busted an inter-provincial gang of criminals
and arrested three criminals, identified as Aftab Dahar alias
Ustad, Zahiruddin and Anwar Domki, from Gulshan-e-Maymar area
of Gadap Town. He said arrested accused were involved in 15
cases of crimes in Sindh and 12 cases in Punjab including kidnapping-for-ransom.
Rawalpindi ATC acquitted LeJ
‘chief’ Malik Ishaq in three cases relating to terrorism. Judge
Rana Masood Akhtar issued acquittal orders for Ishaq in the
cases, saying the evidence against Ishaq was not sufficient
for further proceedings. The case had been registered against
Ishaq at Police Stations in Hazro town of Attock District and
Talagang town of Chakwal District in Punjab and he was also
previously arrested over charges relating hate-speech and inciting
violence.
May 30
The dead body of a central leader
of the JSMM, Munir Choliani, was found lying by the road on
the outskirts of Shahdadkot in Qamber-Shahdadkot District of
Sindh. A shutter-down strike was observed in Warah and Naseerabad
towns in the interior of Sindh against the murder of Munir Choliani,
who was kidnapped along with his wife, daughter and driver on
May 29 while he was travelling to Sehwan. His wife and daughter
were released by the kidnappers later.
At least 10-12 unidentified
militants, carrying Kalashnikovs, and pistols, set a van carrying
the copies of The News to Islamabad on fire after creating
panic among the people at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi. The
people who witnessed the scene confirmed that the assailants
were carrying lethal weapons and acted as professional fighters.
“Their delivery was not like normal citizens or agitators but
they seemed trained people,” the witnesses said.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
said that Pakistan Army, in unison with other services, is fully
prepared to deter and defeat any aggression across the entire
spectrum of threat, a press release issued by the ISPR said.
The COAS said that Pakistan Army has the unique accomplishment
of having been employed on various fronts against two different
types of threats - conventional and sub-conventional - for the
last over one decade and is respected for its achievements and
sacrifices the world over. General Raheel exhorted the need
for future leadership to remain abreast with the latest global
and regional developments and focus on their professional grooming.
The TTP North Waziristan chapter
led by Hafiz Gul Bahadar formally revoked the peace accord with
the Government, a pamphlet distributed by the group in the area
said. The faction, as the pamphlet sent to media by Bahadur’s
‘spokesman’ Ahmadullah Ahmadi said, is now preparing to fight
against what it said was the Security Forces’ planned operation,
giving locals time until June 10, 2014 to leave the area and
move to safety. The pamphlet distributed on May 30 read that
the Government had broken the peace accord with the North Waziristan
TTP by launching air strikes with a full-fledged operation being
planned for the tribal region. “The shura Mujahideen has decided
not to tolerate this aggression anymore and has opted to fight
and defend Waziristan,” the pamphlet added.
May 31
At least 16 militants were killed
as SFs backed by gunship helicopters thwarted a cross border
militant attack on a checkpost situated on Nao Top in Bajaur
Agency. During the gun battle and airstrikes, one soldier was
killed and two were critically injured.
The attack came a day after
the Shura Mujahideen Waziristan group, led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur,
in North Waziristan Agency asked local residents to move to
safe locations close to the Afghan border to avoid being caught
in crossfire in the event of a military operation in the area.
A pamphlet issued by the group alleged that the Government had
practically revoked an agreement with them without making any
announcement to the effect, by attacking ‘innocent people’ and
destroying property. “We continued to tolerate this repression
but now it has exceeded limits,” the pamphlet had alleged.
An unidentified man was killed
when armed assailants opened fire near a hotel in Khamosh Colony
area of Gulbahar in Liaquatabad Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
An unidentified headless body
was found from near a mosque in Garden area in Saddar Town.
Four persons were injured in
an explosion that occurred near the Muhammad Khan Police checkpost
in Baldia Town. Police said that the explosive material was
planted in a donkey-cart.
Unidentified militants abducted
PML-N MPA Rana Jameel Hasan from near Pindi Bhattian city in
Hafizabad District. Hasan had gone there to attend a funeral
and he was kidnapped along with his wife, who was later ped
at a petrol pump, at gunpoint. The kidnapping took place on
Friday around 10:30pm. According to sources, the kidnappers
have demanded PKR 50 million from the MPA’s wife.
June 1
Two men, indentified as Abdul
Ghaffar (35), and Hafeezuddin (27), were killed when unknown
armed assailants opened fire on them near Karela Morr in New
Karachi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A man, identified as Khadim
Hussain (40), was killed while two others, identified as Asif
(35) and Atiq (40), were injured in a hand grenade attack at
a shop near Tariq Road in Bahria Town near Saddar Town.
A security guard was shot at
and injured by unidentified armed assailants in Korangi 3 area
within the limits of Awami Police Station in Korangi Town.
The driver and guard of a Deputy
Commissioner were injured when unidentified armed assailants
opened fire at his car near Nasir Jump in Korangi Town. The
Deputy Commissioner escaped unhurt.
June 2
At least ten persons, including
seven TTP militants, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi
(Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Seven TTP
militants were found shot in the head in an execution style
near a graveyard in Manghopir area.
A Government employee from Shia
community, identified as Syed Ahmed Ali Zaidi (35), was shot
dead in an apparent sectarian attack on a newly-constructed
bridge on Sharea Pakistan near Dak Khana in Liaquatabad area.
Police said the murder appeared to be sectarian in nature.
A trader from Shia community,
identified as Sajid Ali Jafri (38), was shot dead by unidentified
assailants in Bangoria Goth of Azizabad area. Police said the
murder seemed to be motivated by sectarianism.
A SI, identified as Muhammad
Saleem (40), was shot dead near Bilal Chowrangi in Korangi Industrial
Area.
Two soldiers were injured in
a roadside blast in Dawezai area in Pandyali tehsil of Mohmand
Agency in FATA. The sources said the SFs were carrying out a
search operation in Shish Mahal Mamazi in Dawezai when landmines
planted on the roadside went off. As a result, two soldiers
Shoaib Khan and Mustafa sustained injuries.
The Police arrested 10 militants
from various areas of Islamabad city (Islamabad District), the
National capital city of Pakistan and recovered weapons from
their possession.
During the last 13 years, the
direct and indirect cost incurred by Pakistan on the War on
Terror and the losses due to terrorist attacks amounted to USD
102.51 billion, which is equivalent to PKR 8,264.4 billion.
This includes a loss of USD 24.86 billion in over two years,
a Government document revealed. The Economic Survey 2013-14
reveals that Pakistan suffered economic loss of USD 28459.89
million from January 2011 to March 2013. The figures jointly
compiled by the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Interior,
and incorporated in the survey suggest that of the USD 102.51
billion loss, USD 23.77 billion loss was reported in 2010-11,
USD 13.56 billion in 2009-10, USD 11.98 billion in 2011-12 and
USD 9.97 billion in 2012-13.
June 3
Eight persons were killed and
seven others, including a woman and two children sustained injuries,
in a roadside bomb explosion in Khumasa area in Kurram Agency
of FATA. Assistant Political Agent Maqsoodul Hassan said that
a van carrying passengers was heading to Parachinar from central
parts of Kurram Agency when it hit an IED in Khumasa area. The
dead included Janan, Taj Muhammad, Sanaullah, Said Imran, Abid
Rehman, Abdul Qayyum, Said Anwar and Ibrahim.
Two Rangers personnel were killed
while five others were injured in an attack by unidentified
militants in Bhittai Colony of Kashmore town (Kashmore District)
in Sindh. Police sources said that assailants opened fire at
a convoy of Rangers when it was on a routine patrol in Bhittai
Colony. The assailants managed to flee after the Rangers fired
in retaliation.
An unidentified man (30) was
killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on him near
Nagan Masjid in Slaughter House area of Lyari town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
A youth, Imran (25), son of
Iqbal, was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on
him in Baldia Town.
A man, Waseem Niazi (30), son
of Abdul Ghafoor Niazi, was killed when unidentified assailants
opened fire on him near Ayub School in Baghdadi Mira Naka area
of Lyari town.
Hafiz Nasrullah (28), son of
Izzat Gul, was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire
on him near Darpan Bazaar in Patel Para.
A man, Shehzad Karim (35), son
of Haji Mian Guldad, was killed when unidentified assailants
opened fire on him on Bijli Nagar Road in Metroville of Orangi
Town.
A youth, Muheed (20), son of
Mushtaq Ahmed, received bullet injuries when unidentified assailants
opened fire on him near Fawara Chowk in Garden area.
Two men, Anwar (45), son of
Ismail, and Hanif (55), son of Yousuf, were injured when unidentified
assailants opened fire on him near Godhra Stop in New Karachi.
A woman, Shazia (32), daughter
of Ahmed Ali, was injured when unidentified assailants opened
fire on her near Fatima College on Jamshed Road No 3 in Jamshed
Town.
A man, Umer (25), son of Pervaiz,
was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire in Natha
Khan area.
A man, Abdullah (30), son of
Nawab Khan, was shot injured by unidentified assailants in Valeeka,
Site Area.
A Policeman and a security guard
were killed in an attack on the Kohat Road near City Hospital
in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Reports
said the attackers first killed the guard and then shot dead
the constable when he tried to chase the assailants. The slain
were identified as Constable Mohammad Ali and Irfan.
Armed motorcyclists opened fire
on two traffic police sergeants, Sabz Ali and Rasheed, in Bhanamari
Chowk on the Kohat Road in Peshawar. The two, however, remained
unharmed. The attackers escaped the scene.
One of the two cops wounded
in attack in Hayatabad area of Peshawar in the night of June
2 succumbed to injuries at the hospital.
The officials of the intelligence
agencies said that mostly the Afghan nationals were behind the
extortion and target-killings in Peshawar. Briefing a meeting
held in the Home Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an official
of the Special Branch said security situation was quite discouraging
due to sporadic terrorist activities in various parts of the
province, particularly in the provincial metropolis. He said
die hard criminals had joined terrorist groups and carrying
out terrorist activities to disturb the peaceful environment.
An official of the Intelligence Bureau said FR Peshawar, Bara
and Qambarkhel were the potential threat to Peshawar.
June 4
10 militants were killed while
at least 50 suspects were taken into custody when SFs launched
an operation in Jani Bheeri village of Kashmore District in
Sindh to arrest the militants who had killed two Rangers and
wounded seven others, including a Rangers Colonel, near the
Bhittai Colony Road in the limits of the Tangwani Police Station
in Kandhkot town on June 3.
Police rescued five abducted
persons from Shikarpur town (Shikarpur District). SSP Shikarpur,
Javed Sonharo Jiskani said Police after a successful raid recovered
Farman Leghari, Bilawal, Ramwzan Kakepoto, Noor Muhammad Mahar
and Waheed Leghari. Four of the victims had been kidnapped from
Ghotki District by unidentified persons while one of them was
abducted from the limits of Hyderabad 20 days ago.
Five persons, including two
Pakistan Army Officers, were killed and two soldiers sustained
injuries when a suicide bomber targeted an Army vehicle at the
Qutbal railway crossing near Fatehjang, some 28 kilometers from
Tarnol, in Rawalpindi District of Punjab. Director General of
ISPR, Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa in a message said two
military officers, Colonel Zahir Shah and Colonel Arshad and
three civilians were killed when a suicide bomber hit their
twin cabin vehicle. The TTP has claimed responsibility for the
suicide attack. The TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid said
the attack was the reaction to the killing of imprisoned TTP
militants. He said a week before, seven TTP cadres were killed
in Karachi.
Four soldiers were killed and
four others sustained injuries when Afghanistan-based militants
carried out suicide attack targeting SFs’ check posts on Manro
Zangal and Makha Top in the Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency in
FATA. The sources said the militants attacked the check posts
in Manro Zangal and Makha Top with heavy weaponry at 4am.
The SFs foiled a sabotage bid
and defused a 40 kilogrammes IED, planted beside a railway track
near Duzan Railway Station area of Bolan District in Balochistan.
Senior journalist and anchorperson
Salim Safi while speaking in The News programme ‘Aaj
Kamran Khan Kay Sath’, said differences among the TTP had
not reduced their fighting power.
June 5
Security Forces killed at least
30 militants during a search operation in Dera Bugti District
of Balochistan. During a press conference, Provincial Home Minister
Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said that security personnel conducted raids
in different areas of Dera Bugti. He said one SF personnel was
killed and eight others were injured during an exchange of fire
with militants."Security personnel also faced resistance
from the miscreants," Bugti added.
A suspected militant and his
purported accomplice were killed while four others were injured
in an explosion outside the Al-Mustafa Mosque near Katti Pahari
area of Orangi Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh,
in the evening. Body of the suspected militant who was riding
an IED-fitted motorbike was recovered from the incident site,
while his purported accomplice injured in the incidents, died
later.
An unidentified man (30), was
killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on him near
Nagan Masjid in Slaughter House area of Lyari.
A youth, Imran (25), son of
Iqbal, was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on
him in Baldia Town.
A man, Waseem Niazi (30), son
of Abdul Ghafoor Niazi, was killed when unidentified assailants
opened fire on him near Ayub School in Baghdadi Mira Naka area
of Lyari.
Hafiz Nasrullah (28), son of
Izzat Gul, was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire
on him near Darpan Bazaar in Patel Para.
A man, Shehzad Karim (35), son
of Haji Mian Guldad, was killed when unidentified assailants
opened fire on him on Bijli Nagar Road in Metroville area of
Orangi Town.
A youth, Muheed (20), son of
Mushtaq Ahmed, received bullet injuries when unidentified assailants
opened fire on him near Fawwara Chowk in Garden town.
Two men, Anwar (45), son of
Ismail, and Hanif (55), son of Yousuf, were injured when unidentified
assailants opened fire on him near Godhra Stop in New Karachi.
A woman, Shazia (32), daughter
of Ahmed Ali, was injured when unidentified assailants opened
fire on her near Fatima College on Jamshed Road No 3 in Jamshed
Town.
A man, Umer (25), son of Pervaiz,
was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire in Natha
Khan area.
A man, Abdullah (30), son of
Nawab Khan, was shot injured by unidentified assailants in Valeeka,
Site Area.
A senior ‘commander’ of TTP,
Ashiqullah Mehsud along with two other militants, was killed
in the armed clash of two groups of TTP in Mir Ali area of North
Waziristan Agency in FATA. The sources said that Ashiqullah
was sitting with some members of the TTP when he was assaulted
by the unidentified assailants who escaped in a car after firing.
Mehsud was considered the master trainer of suicide bombing
after Qari Hussain Mehsud who was the top expert and the inventor
of suicide blasts.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a FATA Secretariat employee, identified as Ehsanullah,
while he was travelling with his driver, who was also killed
in Dir Colony of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa.
Police rescued three kidnapped
persons, including a woman, in two raids in Peshawar. In the
first raid, an official said the Police recovered Malik Haroon
and his father Malik Habibullah. The official said the father
and son were kidnapped on April 20, 2014 from Haripur. In the
second raid, City Police had recovered Hina, wife of Dr Haroon,
who was kidnapped from the limits of Pishtakhara Police Station
on June 4.
The TTP said that they will
now use force to reciprocate any attack launched by the Government.
A senior TTP leader said that the outfit was interested in carrying
the peace talks forward. “If the Government wants to negotiate
with seriousness, sincerity and will, we’re still ready for
talks. But, we will respond to attacks with further attacks,”
he remarked.
June 6
Fresh clashes between the TTP
and a breakaway faction killed at least seven militants in the
Wacha Mela area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. “The fresh
clashes left seven militants dead, five of them belonging to
Hakimullah group,” a local intelligence official said.
A landmine explosion in the
Nawagai area of Bajaur Agency left one security official dead
and two others injured on the morning. The explosion occurred
near the vehicle of the security officials, which was reportedly
the target of the attack.
A Policeman was gunned down
and another was injured by two unidentified assailants riding
a motorbike on Fatima Jinnah Road near SP Chowk under Makki
Shah Police Station in Hyderabad town (Hyderabad District) of
Sindh in the night. Both the Policemen, identified as Riaz Ahmed
Awan son of Kalai Khan and Aijaz Tanoli son of Ali Asghar Khan,
were shifted to the Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad where
one Policeman succumbed to his injuries, while another was being
treated.
An ASI, Taj Mehmood (40), son
of Bakht Rehman was killed when he was standing near his house
and unidentified bike riders opened fire on him at Frontier
Colony near Metroville in Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
One Muhammad Jabbir (30), son
of Shakoor Ahmed, was killed when unidentified assailants men
open fire on him in New Karachi Industrial area.
Chaman Haider (50), son of Amin
Haider, was shot dead when unidentified armed men opened fire
on him near Lal Flats in Gulistan-e-Johar.
A man 30 years old man was killed
by unidentified assailants in Shah Latif Town. The identity
of the victim could not be ascertained yet.
A man was shot dead by unidentified
assailants near Malir Naddi area of Malir town. The identity
of the victim could not be ascertained till last reports.
Ameer Rehman (45), son of Ashraf
Khan, was shot at and injured by unidentified assailants in
Banaras area of Orangi Town.
One woman, Shama (35), daughter
of Abdul Rehman, was injured when a stray bullet hit her in
her house in Mohammedi Goth area of Machhar Colony.
Two dead bodies were recovered
from Jhwan area of Kalat District in Balochistan. Kalat’s Assistant
Commissioner Sultan Bugti said some passersby spotted the bodies
and informed the Balochistan Levies. “We recovered a computerised
national identity card from one of the bodies, which made it
possible to identify one of the slain men as Khaliq Dad, a resident
of Karachi, but the other person has not been identified as
yet,” Sultan Bugti said. He said the security personnel recovered
two small notes from their bodies in which the BLA and UBA claimed
responsibility for the killings.
A bullet-riddled body of a teacher
was found in Pedarak area of Kech District. Some people of the
area spotted a body and informed the paramilitary force. The
cause of his death could not be ascertained.
Police arrested a militant,
who was trying to enter Bannu District in the guise of an IDP
in Bannu Town (Bannu District) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. DPO Abdur
Rasheed Khan said that acting on a tip-off the Police party
started searching the vehicles heading to Bannu District from
North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Police stopped one of the vehicles
(KB-7691) and after thorough search recovered two American guns,
two repeater guns, two hand-grenades, several pistols, hundreds
of cartridges and three kilograms of hashish. The Police arrested
one Naseerullah, who was travelling along with the IDPs, the
DPO said, adding, the arms were being shifted to either Karachi
or Punjab.
The Senate was informed that
the Government would use force against those factions of the
TTP which had adopted the path of violence instead of coming
to the negotiating table. “The Government’s policy is very clear.
Those interested in holding dialogue will be welcomed but those
resorting to violence will be taken to task,” Senator Raja Zafarul
Haq informed the Senate. Responding to points of order raised
by PPP’s Mian Raza Rabbani and ANP’s Afrasiab Khatak during
the brief proceedings, he said there were three to four dozen
groups within the TTP and they took their own decisions.
June 7
Five persons were shot dead
while three others were injured in separate incidents in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. A person named Sajjad (32)
was seriously injured when unidentified militants opened fire
on him at Khyber Chowk in Tauhidi Mohalla in Ittehad Town area
within the limits of Mochko Police Station in Karachi. He was
taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he succumbed to injuries
during treatment.
A person identified as Yousuf
(55) was shot dead by unidentified militants near Garden Signal
in Garden area. The body was shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi
for medico-legal formalities.
A youth, Ali aged 25, was shot
dead by unidentified militants near Jinnah Square in Malir.
The body was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center for
an autopsy.
A person named Fazal Hussain
Zaidi (50) was shot dead by unidentified militants at his residential
area. The body was shifted to ASH for postmortem examination.
Another person, Raheel (30),
was shot dead near Sindhi Hotel in Liaquatabad. The body was
shifted to ASH for an autopsy.
Three youths were injured in
a shootout by unidentified militants near Crown Cinema on Mauripur
Road. The injured were taken to CHK for medical treatment.
Two soldiers were killed in
separate bomb blasts in Bara Kamangara area and also near a
Pakistani post on Pak-Afghan border respectively in Bajaur Agency
of FATA.
June 8
As many as 23 Shia pilgrims
were killed and many injured in bomb explosions and firing in
Taftan tehsil of Chaghai District in Balochistan. The attackers
barged into the Al-Murtaza hotel and Hashmi hotel located in
Taftan minutes after the pilgrims arrived at the hotels. They
hurled hand grenades and opened indiscriminate fire with modern
weapons killing 23 persons on the spot.
10 BLA militants were killed
in an operation by the FC in the Kandiari area of Dera Bugti
District. Three hideouts of the militants have also been destroyed.
The SFs also recovered explosives, IEDs and landmines from the
possession of militants. According to the IG FC, the militants
were involved in attacks on Sui-gas installations and the railway
track.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a man in the Sariab area of Quetta, the provincial capital
of Balochistan, in the morning.
Unidentified militants torched
a tanker carrying fuel for NATO troops near Dera Allahyar in
Jaffarabad District. The tanker caught fire after firing. However,
the driver and cleaner managed to escape unhurt from the spot.
At least 33 persons, including
14 SFs, 10 militants and nine civilians, were killed during
a clash when TTP militants attacked the old terminal of Jinnah
International Airport in Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh. Authorities said all 10 militants had been killed and
that the bodies of 14 victims, including security personnel
and four airport workers, had been identified at the city´s
main hospital. TTP accepted the responsibility of the attack.
Officials said the gunmen entered from two sides of the airport
the terminal used for the hajj pilgrimage, and an engineering
section close to an old terminal that is no longer in use -
at around 11:00 pm on June 8. After the attack was quelled,
a bomb disposal expert was seen walking from the site carrying
a suicide vest and a bag full of hand grenades."Seven terrorists
were killed by the security forces while three blew themselves
up," Rizwan Akhter, Director General of Sindh Rangers said.
Militants, some dressed in Army
uniform, clashed with the airport´s security forces that were
backed by Police, paramilitary squads and elite commandos. Smoke
was seen billowing from the airport as fires raged close to
planes parked on the runway. A senior intelligence official
said it appeared the militants had aimed to hijack a plane that
passengers were boarding at the main terminal, but that when
they were repelled they went on the rampage. "The passenger
plane at Jinnah terminal was their target and when they failed
to reach there they destroyed two private terminals in frustration,"
he commented.
A pro-government peace committee
member, Malik Inayat Khan was killed in a roadside blast in
Ambar tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA. Sources said
Malik Inayat Khan, was on way to the bazaar in Ambar
tehsil when his bike was targeted with an IED. While
he was killed, another person sustained injuries in the explosion.
The TTP, Mohmand chapter, claimed responsibility for the blast.
Two target killers were killed
during a Police encounter at Mattani Bazaar of Peshawar, the
provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SHO Mattani Police
Station, Fazle Wahid confirmed that four militants opened fired
on Police personnel after which they counterattacked the militants,
killing two suspects on the spot and injuring the other two.
Six passersby including a woman were also injured in the incident.
Police and Security Forces conducted
a search operation and arrested four suspects in Mattani and
surrounding areas. Police also recovered hand grenades and weapons
from their possession.
Sindh CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah
said that the timeframe to end the operation against criminals
in Karachi could not be given and it could continue for the
indefinite period. He said that the operation was moving ahead
positively and had started giving dividends. CM further said
that the Provincial Government would do its utmost to provide
the people of the province with maximum relief. He said that
the ‘targeted’ operation would also be extended to other parts
of the province.
Balochistan Home Minister Mir
Sarfaraz Khan Bugti said that talks were not possible with those
who challenged Government’s writ and took up arms, but dialogue
would be held with those who lay down their arms. He said that
the Federal Government was cooperating for the establishment
of peace in the Province. He added that solid steps were being
taken for establishing peace in Balochistan. He said that a
foreign hand was behind terrorism in Balochistan while there
were 34 terrorist camps in the neighbouring country where terrorists
were being given training and sent to Balochistan.
June 9
At least three Paramilitary
soldiers and a child were killed and many others injured in
a suicide attack near Boya checkpost on Datta Khel road in NWA.
ISPR confirmed that at least four people including three soldiers
and a child were killed in the vehicle bound suicide attack
on the security checkpost. A statement issued to the media further
said that at least 12 people including two women have also been
injured in the blast.
Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of TTP
in NWA extended cease-fire till June 20, 2014. Following massive
airstrikes by Pakistani jet fighters that killed at least 60
militants in NWA in May, TTP commanders met to reconsider a
non-aggression treaty with the Government. The TTP group later
warned the tribesmen to flee the area by June 10 and also warned
to take up arms against the Pakistani SFs. The statement came
days after tribal elders from NWA were asked by Governor of
KP, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi and Corps Commander Peshawar
Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani to oust foreign militants
from their area.
Earlier, NWA tribal elders on
June 6 agreed to help the Government evict foreign fighters
from their agency within 15 days. The agreement is being hailed
as a triumph for KP authorities, with officials expressing their
determination to crush terrorism with the local tribes' help.
"We will stand by the tribes to restore the writ of the
state and rehabilitate ... the agency as we did in Swat and
the rest of FATA," Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani said
at the June 6 meeting. A 59-member tribal delegation, led by
Atmanzai Wazir, assured KP Governor of the tribal elders' commitment
to restore peace in the agency.
Two brothers from Shia community,
identified as Nazeer Ali and Basheer Ali, were killed by unidentified
assailants in Nazimabad area of Karachi.
One Policeman, identified as
Hasnat Hussain (30), was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in Bijli Nagar area of Orangi Town.
A Policeman, identified as Faiz
Muhammad, was on his way to work when two men on a motorcycle
opened fire on him near the Abdullah College roundabout in North
Nazimabad.
At least two personnel, identified
as Jan Mohammad and trooper Saleem Kakar of the FC were killed
and five others were injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast
in Awaran District. FC Spokesperson Khan Wasey said that the
bomb hit an FC convoy that was moving from Awaran to Mashkey
area. No group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
The death toll on June 8 suicide
attacks in Taftan town located at the Pakistan-Iran border in
Chaghai District rose to 30. Earlier reported, 23 Shia pilgrims
were killed and many injured in bomb explosions and firing in
Taftan.
As many as 21 suspected persons
were arrested during a search operation in areas close to the
Bacha Khan International Airport that falls in the limits of
the Pishtakhara and Badaber Police Stations in Peshawar, the
provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Police said a
search and strike operation was carried out in the limits of
the Pishtakhara Police Station while another was conducted in
the jurisdiction of the Badaber Police Station.
June 10
25 militants were killed and
another 15 wounded in air strikes by fighter aircraft in Tirah
Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.
The Governor of KP Sardar Mehtab
Ahmed Khan Abbasi announced a PKR 3.5 billion uplift package
for the Tirah Valley, which had remained out of the administrative
writ of the Government since the establishment of Pakistan.
The Governor visited the valley which had been a safe haven
for militant outfits. The Governor said it is time for action,
adding that no one should be allowed to challenge the writ of
the Government and vowed to end terrorism with the support of
tribesmen.
TTP Shura asked foreign militants
and supporters of the TTP to either live peacefully or leave
North Waziristan Agency. The Shura, headed by 'commander' Hafiz
Gul Bahadur, which met at an unspecified location, gave the
ultimatum in view of a 15-day deadline recently given by the
Government to elders of Uthmanzai tribe to flush miscreants,
including foreigners, out of the area or face action. The Shura
had held a meeting with a tribal jirga led by Haji Sher Mohammad
on June 9.
At least two Levies personnel
were killed when unidentified militant open fired at the Khawar
checkpost in Malakand District of KP. The Levies personnel were
targeted when they were performing their duty at the Khawar
checkpost.
Two unidentified militant attacked
the residence of Attaullah Khan Mehsud who is a member of peace
committee in Dera Ismail Khan town of same District. According
to Police sources, the assailants were killed in the incident
whereas Attaullah Khan escaped unhurt from the attack.
The militants fired rockets
and hurled hand grenades at the IDPs camp in Togh Serai Muhammad
Khwaja area of Hangu District. However, it caused no loss of
life.
The security of the Bacha Khan
International Airport and other important installations all
over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been enhanced after the reports
of second attack at the Karachi airport. The Home and Tribal
Affairs Department directed all the administrative officers
to boost security at the airports and other important installations
in the wake of the second reported attack on the airport in
Karachi. Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs Department Syed Akhtar
Ali Shah, through a communiqué, directed the officials concerned
to alert the commandos all over the province. He said special
arrangements be made for the security of the airports, railway
stations, bus stands and public places.
At least seven more bodies were
recovered from Karachi airport. At least 24 persons including
10 militants, seven Security personnel and civilian each were
killed during a clash when TTP militants attacked the old terminal
of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on June 8. According
to sources, the deceased were employees of a private cargo company.
Around three to four gunmen
mounted a fresh attack on a security check post near the ASF
Girls’ Hostel outside the Jinnah International Airport in Bhitai
Abad locality of Pehlwan Goth area of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh, a day after 32 persons were killed after an
all-night battle on June 8-9 with militants who besieged Karachi
airport’s old terminal. No casualties were reported in the latest
incident. Flight operations at the Karachi airport were suspended
for at least an hour and all incoming flights were diverted
to other airports. Attackers managed to flee as a heavy contingent
of SF reached ASF camp number 2. A massive joint operation was
launched near the ASF headquarters while troops were also called
out for assistance.
The TTP claimed responsibility
for the second attack near the Karachi airport. A Twitter account
allegedly operated by Omar Khurasani of TTP Mohmand Agency chapter
tweeted claiming that the group carried out the second attack.
A FIR of June 8-attack on Karachi’s
international airport was registered against TTP. The FIR was
registered in Airport Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism
Act, nominating the top brass of the banned militant outfit
including its 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid.
The Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the NA that the country was in
a state of war and six security alerts were issued to the Sindh
Government. The Minister said the Sindh government was sent
a security alert in March specifically mentioning that the entry
gates of old airport, from where the terrorists entered, were
vulnerable but no measures were taken to make them secure. Syed
Naveed Qamar of the PPP, however, clarified that security of
airports was the responsibility of the ASF and not of the Provincial
Government.
NACTA said that Karachi attack
is actually a failure of intelligence agencies responsible for
keeping an eye on terrorists and terrorist activities. The sources
said that the LEAs, after failure of intelligence agencies,
faced hard time to intercept the raiders and to counter the
act of terrorism at such a big scale.“After the Karachi attack,
the intelligence agencies have indicated Karachi-type attacks,
specifically at Islamabad and Cantonment areas of the major
cities. But, they didn’t mention the mechanism of terrorism,
however, they asked the federal capital and provincial authorities
to strengthen safety measures,” the sources maintained.
The military and national security
aides presented options to PM Nawaz Sharif for responding to
TTP terror attacks across the country. Those who attended the
meeting included Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar
Ali Khan, CoAS General Raheel Sharif, Chief of General Staff
Lieutenant General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad and head of counter-intelligence
at ISI Major General Nasir Dilawar Shah. A brief statement issued
by the PM’s Office said: “Matters relating to internal and regional
security, including FATA, Karachi and Balochistan were discussed.”
June 11
Six suspected militants were
killed in the US drone attack in the area considered a stronghold
for the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network in Dargah Mandi village
in NWA. “Four of them were Uzbeks and two were Punjabi Taliban,”
said an intelligence official in Miranshah. Officials said militants
had parked their pick-up truck against the outer wall of the
compound. “Both compound and truck were completely destroyed.
Local informers told us that both are still on fire,” he added.
A pro-Government tribal elder
and chief of peace committee, Malak Juma Gul and his son were
killed and two others wounded when suspected militants opened
fire on them when they were offering prayers in a mosque in
Kitkoot area of Mamond tehsil in the Bajaur Agency in
the evening. Political administration officials confirmed the
incident and said that Gul and his son were killed on the spot
while two other worshipers Shakirullah and Samiullah were injured.
A little known al Qaeda Taliban
Tanzeem claimed killing 25 NATO soldiers in Afghanistan. Talking
to reporters by phone from an undisclosed location, Yousaf Raza
Mujahid, 'chief' of the al Qaeda-Taliban Tanzeem, Mohmand and
Bajaur chapter, said that his group had killed 25 NATO soldiers
to avenge the killing of 11 militants in a prison in Afghanistan.
They were killed in the border area in Afghanistan adjacent
to Bajaur Agency. He warned Afghan President Hamid Karzai and
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to stop actions against
the Taliban or else revenge attacks would launched against them.
The Khyber Agency-based, LI,
asked owners and principals of private schools in Bara to make
Quran recitation compulsory for students and adopt uniform education
system. On the call of LI 'commander' Qandahar Zakhakhel, around
300 teachers, principals and owners of the private schools gathered
in Mandi Kas area of Bara, the sources added. Addressing the
gathering, Zakhakhel said the LI had received complaints of
overcharging by private schools. He also asked the management
of private schools to adopt uniform system of education and
reduce their fees. He said reciting the holy Quran should be
atop the schools’ curricula.
Two Policemen were killed in
an armed attack within the precincts of Mominabad Police Station
in Orangi Town. According to Police, unidentified armed men
opened fire on a Police vehicle, injuring the two. The injured
were taken to a hospital where they succumb to their injuries.
The assailants managed to flee after the attacks.
The mutilated body of an unidentified
woman was found on Sachal Goth Road.
A youth, Inzimam (22), son of
Tariq, resident of Korangi, was shot dead by unidentified assailants
near Mushtaq Hotel in Awami Colony of Korangi.
A man, Ismail (30), was shot
dead near Nala Stop on Mauripur Road in Shamsi Muhalla.
A seven-day-old body of an old
man, Raesal, son of Koral, resident of Mehmoodabad, was found
from a closed shop in Mehmoodabad No 2.
Sindh Home Secretary Niaz Ali
Abbasi said that six point SOP has been issued to ensure foolproof
security of important places and vital installations. Addressing
a press conference, he said that the SOP was required to be
adopted by all the vital installations, Federal or Provincial,
in consultation with the District administration and law enforcement
agencies at the earliest.
Unidentified militants ambushed
a car of local pro-government militia member in the Kooza Bandi
village of Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing three
people including a Police Guard.
One FC soldier, identified as
Nasrullah Mehsud was killed in firing on the gate of FC Fort
Shabqadar in Charsadda District. DPO Shafiullah Khan confirmed
that two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire
on Mehsud deployed on the main gate of the fort on Matta Road.
June 12
A US drone fired eight missiles
in Dandy Darpakhel area of NWA that killed at least 10 militants
while four others were wounded. According to locals, at least
four different compounds and a pick-up truck were targeted in
the second drone attack.
Over 6,000 people from Ahmedzai
Wazir and other clans have taken refuge in Khost province of
Afghanistan’s in the aftermath of the recent targeted military
action, suggesting the NWA tribesmen consider the neighbouring
country safer than their own. “Keeping in view the long stay
and plight of thousands of IDPs of FATA in and off relief camps,
I have made my mind to take my family to Afghanistan instead
of keeping them in grimy tents in the adjacent Bannu District,”
said a tribal elder from Miranshah. Several families have already
crossed over to Afghanistan due to uncertainty. Afghan official
says 6,642 reach Khost from NWA, ready to welcome more IDPs
from other tribal agencies, including South Waziristan, Orakzai,
Kurram and Khyber, have been living in awful conditions in and
off camps for seven years. Over 160,000 displaced families from
FATA have been registered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The TTP North Waziristan chapter
chief Hafiz Gul Bahadur has already asked the local residents
to move to areas close to Afghan border instead of proceeding
to relief camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. When contacted, an official
of the Afghan Government confirmed the arrival of 6,642 people,
including 1,492 children from North Waziristan Agency in Khost
province, where, he said, basic facilities have been provided
to them.
The chief of JeI-F, Maulana
Fazlur Rehman, said that the decision to launch a full-fledged
operation in NWA had been taken and feared that action would
start soon. He expressed dismay that all his efforts for bringing
peace in the country had gone down the drain. He said that he
had been extremely disappointed with the situation in the country.
The English translation of Ajmal
Kasab’s statement was submitted in a Pakistani Anti-Terrorism
Court conducting the trial of the seven accused in the 26/11
Mumbai attack that had claimed 166 lives.
The Intelligence agencies and
the NCMC of the Federal Government have warned the Sindh government
of more deadly attacks on the pattern of Karachi International
Airport attack in the coming days, advising law enforcing agencies
to tighten the security at certain important places. Although,
no specific target or timing of the possible terrorist activity
was given by the Federal authorities to the Sindh Government
but they were warned that terrorists on ‘suicide mission’ were
planning to take hostages at certain important places or installations
and create fear and panic among the citizens.
A senior security official who
survived the June 8 terrorist attack on Karachi Jinnah International
Airport has revealed that arms for the attack had been smuggled
inside the airport a day earlier and some insiders were helping
the attackers.
The terrorists wanted to attack
the main terminal, damage any aircraft or hijack it with passengers
but these designs were foiled, the official said on condition
of anonymity.
Karachi-based industrialists
have asked Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
and other high-ranking officials to carry out operations against
terrorists in Karachi's industrial areas to protect them from
threats and extortion. The businessmen's forum, Voice of Karachi
Industrialists, made the appeal. It claimed that terrorists
and militants are extorting huge sums of money and threatening
business owners and their workers with dire consequences for
non-compliance.
Two top Government officials
told Reuters that the two drone strikes on June 11-12
in North Waziristan Agency of FATA were carried out as a coordinated
“joint Pakistan-US operation”. A Reuters report said: “Two top
government officials said Pakistan had given the Americans ‘express
approval’ for the latest strikes — the first time Pakistan has
admitted to such cooperation.” “Baseless” was the one word comment
when a correspondent for The News contacted the Foreign Office
after Reuters released this report. “The attacks were launched
with the express approval of the Pakistan Government and Army,”
said a top Government official, requesting not to be named as
he was not authorised to discuss the issue with the media.
The FO spokesperson Tasnim Aslam
did not confirm the pre-dawn strikes in North Waziristan as
drone attacks, but said that Pakistan’s position on drones is
clear. During a briefing of the Foreign Office, she said that
the facts surrounding the attack are being determined. “The
nature of the attacks is being ascertained,” she said, without
clarifying whether the strike was carried out by a US drone
or Pakistani military machinery. “Pakistan’s position on drone
attacks is clear.”
June 13
A 35-year-old Head Constable
Mohammed Aslam was shot dead by unidentified assailants on motorcycle
in Sector-11-E near a telephone exchange in Orangi Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. “It was a targeted attack carried
out by militants of banned outfits,” said Karachi West SSP Irfan
Baloch. He added that the Police had carried out a targeted
operation against militants in Orangi Town and in retaliation
they were targeting Policemen. During the past one week, five
Policemen had been shot dead in the Mominabad and Pirabad Police
Station areas, added the SSP.
Kareem Jan (28), son of Abdul
Samad, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pak Colony.
Aslam (50), was shot dead by
unidentified assailants in No-04 area of Orangi Town.
A man was killed by unidentified
assailants near Edhi Ambulance Centre in No 13 area of Orangi
Town.
The dead body of a man, Asif
(55), son of Hussain, was found from a house at Mehmoodabad
in Junejo Town.
Four persons, including a woman
and a child, were injured by motorcycle borne unidentified assailants
in Lyari.
Unidentified assailants opened
indiscriminate firing in the Sawkano area of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing a Policeman, identified
as Farooq deployed on the security of a mosque.
A man, identified as Jamshed,
was shot dead in front of a mosque in the Gulbahar area of Peshawar.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a shopkeeper in Faqir Abad area of Peshawar.
Unidentified assailants opened
indiscriminate firing and injured two Policemen in Badaber area
of Peshawar.
Three persons were injured in
incidents of firing in Mathra and Pishtakhara areas of Peshawar.
At least one Policeman was killed
and two FC men were injured when an explosion occurred in Salarzai
area of Bajaur Agency in FATA. The explosive material was planted
along a roadside which blew up resulting in casualties.
One peace committee member,
identified as Rafiq Khan Orakzai was killed in an explosion
apparently due to a remote controlled blast in Bara Qamberabad
area of Khyber Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
SFs and militants clashed in
Bakarabad area of the Khyber Agency during a search operation.
No further report was available.
Curfew has been imposed on main
Pak-Afghan Highway from Jamrud to Torkham apparently due to
a cleanup operation launched by SFs. The military sources said
that SFs were carrying out sanitization of the area along Jamrud
- Torkham Road in Khyber Agency that was why curfew has been
imposed and it would remain closed until 5 pm.
A PML-N leader, identified as
Mohammad Alam, was shot dead in the early hours when unidentified
assailants opened fire at him in Khuzdar District of Balochistan.
The Washington has launched
renewed efforts to pressurize Pakistan for a military operation
in NWA and now much depends on the Pakistani civilian and military
top leadership to respond to the demand, which would have an
extremely seriously fallout for Pakistan. The recent move by
US Congress to link military assistance to Pakistan in the next
fiscal year with military operations in North Waziristan is
seen as a frustrated effort by Washington to do what Pakistan
has been successfully resisting for the last several years.
Although, neither the Government nor the military has as yet
shown any reaction on this move from the US, the PTI chief Imran
Khan has strongly condemned this and called it a US effort to
bribe Pakistan to launch military operation in NWA.
Reiterating his party’s stance
on peace talks with militants, PTI Chief Imran Khan said that
an offensive in North Waziristan would unite militant forces
against the Pakistani state. "Conducting such a military
operation when most of the groups in NWA want talks is suicidal,"
Imran said in a statement, adding that most groups in North
Waziristan desire peace talks with the Government.
The elders of the Uthmanzai
Wazir tribe and a militants’ council plan to meet at Miranshah
in NWA on June 14 to discuss a 15-day deadline given by the
Government to local tribes for flushing out militants from the
area. According to sources, a jirga led by Haji Sher
Mohammad and TTP NWA chapter 'chief' Hafiz Gul Bahadur will
meet at an undisclosed place to discuss the situation amidst
an exodus of non-combatants from the area during the past couple
of days. The Government had given the 15-day deadline to a jirga
which visited Peshawar on June 6 and met the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Governor and Peshawar Corps Commander.
Foreign militants are quietly
slipping away from NWA ahead of military operation. The exodus
began in late May after Pakistani air strikes, AFP reported
locals as saying, but it has been hastened by the recent Karachi
airport attack. As pressure builds for a fuller response to
the airport assault, residents and officials in NWA's main town
of Miranshah said the majority of foreign and local fighters
had already left. "Most of them have gone deep into the
mountains toward the Afghan border," a senior security
official told AFP.
The Security of Balochistan’s
prisons have been increased to avoid any untoward incident.
Inspector General of Balochistan Prisons Bashir Bangulzai said
additional personnel of law enforcement agencies had been deployed
at and around all six jails of the province. “On the directives
of the Home Department, a new security plan has been chalked
out for the jails,” he said. He noted that the Central Jail
Mach, District Jail Quetta, Central Jail Gadani and Central
Jail, Khuzdar, have been declared sensitive where security men
equipped with the latest weapons are on high alert. “We have
requested the deployment of the Frontier Corps outside the Mach
jail from the provincial government,” he said, adding that the
response from the Home Department is awaited in this connection.
About the number of prisoners in Balochistan, the IG said that
there are over 300 hardened criminals in the jails while other
inmates numbered over 3,000.
June 14
Handery Masieh, member of the
Balochistan Assembly and Balochistan National Party leader,
was killed by his guard in the Nawan Killi area of Quetta, the
provincial capital of Balochistan. Jan Muhammad Buledi, the
spokesperson of Balochistan Government, said that Masieh’s security
guard opened fire on him outside his residence as a result of
which he suffered serious bullet wounds. “Masieh succumbed to
his injuries in the hospital,” Buledi added. “Yes this was an
act of targeted killing”, he said. Buledi stated that initially
the accused opened fire at the nephew of Masieh who is also
injured in the incident. “Then the accused opened indiscriminate
firing at the slain legislator,” the spokesman stated.
Three mortar shells were fired
from Afghanistan which fell in Lowai Shalman area of the Landikotal
tehsil of the Khyber Agency near the Pak-Afghan border. No casualty
has been reported in the incident.
June 15
At least 105 militants were
killed in NWA of FATA as Pakistan Army lunched aerial as well
as ground offensive during the operation Zarb-e-Azb (sharp and
cutting).
The Pakistan Army on June 15
launched a comprehensive operation against foreign and local
terrorists who were hiding in sanctuaries in NWA. “The operation
had been named Zarb-e-Azb,” said an ISPR) statement. “Using
North Waziristan as a base, these terrorists had waged a war
against the state of Pakistan and had been disrupting our national
life in all its dimensions, stunting our economic growth and
causing enormous loss of life and property… They had also paralysed
life within the agency and had perpetually terrorized the entire
peace loving and patriotic local population,” the ISPR statement
quoted DG ISPR Major General Asim Bajwa as saying.
The commencement of the military
operation was welcomed by most major political parties and PM
Nawaz Sharif is expected to take Parliament into confidence
over the operation on June 16. According to sources in the PM
Office, Sharif will be attending Monday’s session at the National
Assembly, where he is expected to make a policy statement over
Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
The TTP said they will give
a tough reply to the operation. In a statement, the TTP ‘spokesman’
Shahidullah Shahid said they were keeping an account of the
‘dozens of innocent people’ killed in Sunday’s (June 15) military
strikes. Shahid said they had not closed the doors of dialogue
with the Government and were still ready for meaningful talks.
However, he insisted that the Government should adopt a serious
approach to revive the process.
Fresh clashes between rival
factions of TTP left seven dead in the Shawal tehsil
of NWA in FATA. Two persons were also injured in the militant
infighting. Officials and tribals confirmed that the clashes
erupted between Shehryar Mehsud and Khan Said alias Sajna. Over
the last two months, the infighting within TTP factions has
left over 100 dead and many injured.
The brother of a militant ‘commander’,
who was kidnapped a few days ago, was found dead near a petrol
pump in the Akakhel area of Khyber Agency. The sources said
that Khyal Mohammad, who was the brother of ‘commander’ of TI,
had been reportedly kidnapped by another militant group a few
days back. His throat-slit body was found with a note, saying
those who didn’t back Kandahar, a local ‘commander’ of the LI,
would meet the same fate.
The volunteers of Lashkar
and Security Forces launched a search operation in Nakhtar,
Lagharai, Katkot, Ghakhi, Khorchai, Tarkho, Gawati and other
border villages in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency.
One gangster, identified as
Ghaffar Niazi the ‘commander’ of Sheraz Comrade Gang was killed
while two others sustained injuries in an exchange of fire between
the Police and a gang in the Musa Lane and Baghdadi areas of
Lyari in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The Police received information
about the presence of gangsters belonging to the Sheraz Comrade
group, which is one of the gangs involved in Lyari gang war,
in these areas. When the Police reached the sites, the suspects
opened fire at the Police. In retaliatory firing, one gangster
was killed while two others were injured critically. The deceased
was identified as Ghaffar Niazi who is one of the main ‘commanders’
of the Sheraz Comrade gang.
Sindh Government said that it
had done its home work to face any possible backlash from the
militants and stop free flow of IDPs or militants in their guise
from the tribal badlands after the Operation Zarb-e-Azb was
launched in North Waziristan Agency. “We were already on alert
for terrorist attacks after the carnage on Karachi airport,
but now after the launching of the operation we are extra alert
and vigilant,” said Sharfuddin Memon, adviser to the Chief Minister
on Home Affairs. He said all sensitive installations had been
doubly protected and the intelligence network had been further
consolidated to check any possible violent reaction against
the military operation.
The MQM Chief Altaf Hussain
said that they must accept that Pakistan has become home to
terrorists from all over the world who are now entrenched in
cities as well as in tribal areas of Pakistan, mounting attacks
on Pakistanis as well as others. Altaf Hussain called on civilian
and military leadership to stop the charade of talks with the
terrorist groups and launch military strikes against those who
are challenging the writ of the state through audacious attacks
on Pakistani national installations. “What have we achieved
during 8 months of talks with the TTP and allies? The terrorists
have used this time to train further, amass more weapons to
kill more Pakistanis. They have attacked without a care and
have hit every installation they wanted as seen during attack
at the Karachi airport,” said Altaf calling for action against
militants without any further delay.
At least 140 militants were
killed in NWA of FATA as Pakistan Army lunched aerial as well
as ground offensive during the Operation Zarb-e-Azb (sharp
and cutting).
June 16
27 militants were killed in
fresh bombings by jet fighters that targeted militant hideouts
in Shawal area of NWA in FATA. At least six militant hideouts
were destroyed in the attack.
Six soldiers were killed while
3 others were injured due to IED explosion between Afghan border
and Ghulam khan in NWA.
Seven militants were killed
in exchange of fire when trying to flee from cordoned off area
in NWA. Two soldiers were also killed.
Three militants were killed
by SFs while the militants were laying IEDs in the area close
to Miranshah. One soldier was also sustained injuries.
PM Nawaz Sharif, during a speech
delivered in the National Assembly justified Government's decision
to initiate a full-scale operation in NWA and said that Operation
Zarb-e-Azb would continue until terrorism is eliminated
from the country.
The COAS, General Raheel Sharif
reiterated that all terrorists along with their sanctuaries
will be eliminated without any discrimination. “The operation
is not targeted against our valiant tribes of NWA but against
those terrorists who are holed up in the agency and have picked
up arms against the state of Pakistan,” the Army Chief said
during his visit to the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar of KP.
Opposition legislators in the
Upper House of Parliament on June 16 extended full support to
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the military operation in NWA.
But they asked for special arrangements for the IDPs of the
areas concerned. “The opposition supports the military operation
launched in NWA and stands fully behind the government,” opposition
leader Aitzaz Ahsan told the House after Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif’s address to the Senate over the start of a full-fledged
military operation in NWA. The entire House supported the military
operation.
At least eight persons including
two women were killed when unidentified militants barged into
a house and opened indiscriminate fire in the Hangu town (Hangu
District) in KP. Motive behind the killings and identities of
the deceased were yet to be ascertained.
Unidentified persons hurled
a hand-grenade in a house in Hayatabad Phase-V in which five
people were injured in Peshawar of KP.
The MQM Parliamentary leader,
Muhammad Farooq Sattar Peerwani, claimed that TTP control 25
percent of Karachi (the provincial capital of Sindh) and warned
that, if immediate steps are not taken, the commercial hub of
the country could slip into a bigger crisis. “Taliban are running
a state within the state,” he said. Peerwani further stated
that militants and their sympathisers had made transactions
of around PKR 1.25 billion in various banks of Karachi, but
the state was not paying any heed to this important issue. “We
require a national counterterrorism policy and coordination
among the agencies and community,” he added.
June 17
At least 25 foreign and local
terrorists were killed in aerial strikes in Hasokhel area of
NWA in FATA. Six militants’ hideouts including a training camp
and an IED factory were destroyed. An ISPR statement said the
operation is progressing as per plan. The cordon around all
terrorists’ hideouts including in the town of Mir Ali and Miranshah
has been further tightened and reinforced.
The NACTA Act was passed in
March 2013 but not a single meeting of the authority’s high-powered
Board of Governors, headed by the Prime Minister and comprising
all the key Government players including spymasters, has been
held as yet. With terrorism haunting the country, NACTA direly
needs a push from its board of Governors to take major counter-terrorism
policy decisions besides ensuring close coordination of agencies
and improving the capacity of law enforcing agencies to check
the terror attacks.
June 18
15 militants were killed in
Zartatangi mountain heights in the east of Miranshah by Army
gunship. It was one of the main communication centers of terrorists.
Eight Uzbek militants were killed
around Miranshah while planting IEDs on the road Miranshah-Mir
Ali.
Cordoned off in areas housing
terrorists in NWA continues. Continuous terrorists attempt to
flee from area have been foiled.
Six militants were killed in
a US drone strike in the early hours in Dargah Mandi village
of Miranshah tehsil in NWA. Intelligence sources said
six missiles fired by a drone hit a compound and a vehicle in
Dargah Mandi village. The identities of those killed in the
strikes have not yet been ascertained.
The SFs took control of border
areas of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency hoisting Pakistani
flag in the areas after almost a decade. Official sources said
that the SFs have set up posts in the border areas while locals
have also expressed their support for the Army.
The KP CM Pervez Khattak said
the province had received 70,000 people displaced by the military
operation in North Waziristan Agency. He said his Government
had released PKR 350 million, the Federal Government PKR 500
million and the FATA Disaster Management Authority PKR 100 million
for handling the crisis of displacement. Khattak also said the
Government had pitched 1,000 tents in FR Bannu and provided
electricity, water and other facilities. He said intelligence
agencies warned that keeping IDPs in schools would not be safe
that led the Government to set up tent camps, but he hastened
to say that his administration was ready to open schools for
displaced people if the need was felt.
The Balochistan Government deployed
more Frontier Corps troops in the area connecting the province
with South Waziristan to check the influx of people fleeing
North Waziristan where the military has launched an operation
against militants. A meeting held at Quetta, provincial capital
of Balochistan and presided over by CM Malik Baloch discussed
the possibility of terrorist attacks in the province and measures
to cope with the threat. It revised a security plan for the
provincial capital and other towns in the province.
Police during a search operation
in Peshawar neutralised a gang of extortionists and arrested
its five members and recovered three IEDs from them, said SSP
Operations Peshawar, Najibur Rahman Bugvi. The SSP said the
group was involved in making calls for extortion and bombing
houses of those who refused to pay up.
Law Enforcing agencies killed
a TTP 'commander', identified as Zohair alias Salman and rounded
up a number of TTP militants during separate operations in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Zohair was killed in an encounter
with Police and Rangers during a joint operation, carried out
in the Mauripur area of the city on a tip-off. Two hand grenades
and a Kalashnikov were also recovered from his possession. The
deceased 'commander' was said to be associated with the TTP’s
Maulvi Khalid group.
“He was involved in killing
of around 15 army and FC personnel in North Waziristan. He was
also involved in kidnapping for ransom and extortion,” the Rangers
Spokesperson claimed. Law enforcers claim also to have recovered
from him a hit-list comprising names of several political leaders
including MQM Farooq Sattar and Hyder Abbas Rizvi, ANP’s Bashir
Jan and PPP Faisal Raza Abidi.
Over one dozen suspects including
TTP militants were also arrested during an operation conducted
by Rangers in Kunwari Colony of Karachi’s Manghopir area. The
Rangers Spokesperson claimed that a huge cache of weapons were
also recovered from their possession. The suspects were shifted
to undisclosed location for further questioning.
June 19
At least 12 militants, including
foreigners, were killed when the Army’s Cobra gunship helicopters
pounded three militant hideouts in Qutub Khel area on the outskirts
of Miranshah, administrative headquarters NWA. It was an integrated
action by cobra gunships, artillery and snipers. While the Operation
Zarb-e-Azb progresses as per plan, militants inside cordoned
area are making desperate attempts to flee from area. 6 attempts
were foiled last night. Three locals who did not have any identity
proof were apprehended while trying to flee from the cordon.
Around 164,000 IDPs who fled
from the conflict zone of NWA reached Bannu in KP. While a top
Government official confirmed the arrival of 164,000 refugees
in Bannu, political sources in FATA said that several thousand
residents of NWA have opted to leave for Afghanistan’s province
of Khost in search of shelter. According to eye witnesses, refugees
arriving in Bannu are greeted by a plethora of problems ranging
from lack of transport to shortage of food and medicine and
rude attitude of law enforcing agencies. “Several thousand vehicles
carrying displaced people could be seen crawling from Mir Ali
to Bannu. The journey which normally takes one and half hour
is taking 12 to 15 hours today owing to crowded roads and increased
number of check-posts,” said Liaqat Ali, a local resident of
Bannu.
At least five persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. Two persons, identified as,
Sameer (30), and an unidentified person, aged 35, were shot
dead near Malik Bakery in Nanakwara area of Lyari Town.
A person, identified as Farhan
(20), was shot dead by unidentified assailant near Supermarket
in Liaquatabad.
A person Saeed Ahmed (40) was
shot dead by unidentified assailants near Tibet Center in Saddar
town.
Suspected militants Imran alias
Umar Qari was killed in an encounter with Rangers in Baldia
Town.
Two persons Mehrab (10) and
Arshi (43) were shot and injured by unidentified assailants
in Daryabad area of Lyari Town.
Five suspected criminals were
also arrested during raids in Ramswami area.
Two persons were killed in a
suicide attack on the residence of Adezai peace Lashkar’s
chief Farmanullah Khan in Adezai area on the outskirts of Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP. In addition, five others were
also injured in the incident. Farmanullah Khan confirmed the
incident saying two people including the suicide bomber died
in the attack on his hujra. "Suicide bomber entered my
hujra and exploded himself," he added. Farmanullah took
over as the chief of Adezai Peace Committee after the death
of his elder brother Dilawar Khan who had survived a number
of attacks on his life as well.
Shamsul Islam, the son of JUI-F
Senator Saleh Shah, was shot dead on Wana road in Tank District
of KP. Shamsul Islam was on his way to the South Waziristan
Agency when he was attacked.
Pashto singer Gulnaz alias Muskan
was killed in the Gulburg area of Peshawar. Police said unidentified
assailants entered the Gunaz's house and shot her dead. The
singer originally hails from Par Hoti area of Mardan District
of KP.
The KP CM Pervez Khattak inaugurated
KP's first school of investigation, at Hayatabad in Peshawar.
The school will train KP Police officers to conduct investigations
along scientific lines to help convict perpetrators.
Pakistan sought extradition
of TTP 'chief' Mullah Fazlullah from Afghanistan and dismantlement
of the militant outfit’s longstanding hideouts in Kunar and
Nuristan Provinces. The request for the extradition was made
by Mahmood Khan Achakzai on behalf of the Prime Minister, Nawaz
Sharif in a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul
on June 18, said a well-informed Government official in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, the foreign office confirmed that Achakzai visited
Afghanistan as a special envoy of the Prime Minister to seek
Kabul’s cooperation in eliminating terrorism.
June 20
At least three persons including,
two TTP 'commanders' were killed in separate incidents in Karachi
(Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Rangers’
killed two TTP commanders, identified as Abid 'chotu' and Fakhruddin
Mehsud in the Manghopir area of Karachi.
A person, identified as Abdul
Hannan (60) was shot dead by unidentified assailant near Jamali
Gothon area on Superhighway.
Two Rangers’ Nasir Ali (32)
and Najam (30) were shot and injured in an encounter with criminals
in Sultanabad in Manghopir.
Environmental Tribunal Judge,
identified as Sakhi Sultan, was killed in a firing incident
in Jinnah Town area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial
capital of Balochistan.
A traffic Police Official, Sub-Inspector,
Sattar Khan, was shot dead by motorcycle bourne unidentified
assailants on the Pajaggi Road area of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP.
The Peshawar Police successfully
repulsed an attack on a Police mobile van in the jurisdiction
of Khazana Police Station and arrested one of the attackers
in injured condition. ASP Sohaib Ashraf said that the Police
van came under attack while it was on routine patrol in the
area. Police said the attack was carried out by three armed
men. CCPO Ijaz Ahmad said Police responded promptly and arrested
an attacker in injured condition while two others managed to
escape.
At least 52 persons were injured
in an IED explosion during Urs (the annual religious congregation
at the shrine) celebrations at Darbar Nangay Shah Pir Badshah
in Pind Parian area in the jurisdiction of Shahzad Town Police
Station of Islamabad, the federal capital. According to BDS
the IED was planted underneath the internal wall of the tomb.
232 militants and eight SFs
personnel were killed since the start of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
SFs have destroyed 20 militant hideouts, including two major
terrorist communication centres and a bomb-making factory.
The number of civilians fleeing
an expected ground offensive passed 200,000. Nearly 150,000
people have left NWA on the Afghan border this week after the
military launched a long-awaited assault against militant’s
hideouts.
Yet another amendment to the
US Defence appropriations bill was offered asking the lawmakers
to stop any and all financial assistance to Pakistan. The amendment
argued by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher states that Pakistan’s
Government had undermined efforts to counter terrorism. “It
is a farce to believe that our aid, sometimes deceptively labeled
as ‘reimbursements,’ is buying Pakistan’s cooperation in hunting
down terrorists,” the introduction to the amendment said. Defending
the amendment, its supporter accused that Pakistan’s establishment
sheltered Osama bin Laden, and continued to jail Dr Shakeel
Afridi, who helped the CIA locate bin Laden. They criticised
weak human rights situation in the country as well, adding that
US money was not buying the required cooperation.
“Pakistan is not an ally, and
any money we send them only strengthens their ability to act
against us and against Afghanistan as we withdraw our military.
We cannot buy friendship of a government whose strategic interests
are not aligned with ours,” the statement issued by the office
of Congressman Rohrabacher said.
Out of more than 400 large US
military drones that have crashed in major accidents around
the world since 2001, Pakistan has accounted for six of them,
a year-long The Washington Post investigation report
said. More than half of those accidents occurred in Afghanistan
and Iraq. Almost a quarter happened in the US. That figure is
almost equivalent to the number of major crashes incurred by
the Air Force’s fleet of fighter jets and attack planes during
the same period, even though the drones flew far fewer missions
and hours, according to Air Force safety statistics.
The military divided the major
accidents into two categories of severity, based on the amount
of damage inflicted to the aircraft or other property. (There
are three other categories for more minor accidents.) According
to the records, 194 drones fell into the first category - Class
A accidents that destroyed the aircraft or caused, under current
standards, at least USD 2 million in damage.
June 21
At least 20 militants were killed
in targeted strikes by jet aircrafts in Hassu Khel in NWA. Three
militant hideouts were destroyed in the attacks.
10 militants were killed and
six others injured in air strikes in Malikdinkhel area of Bara
tehsil in Khyber Agency in the early morning. Official
sources said that the militants had occupied a Government school
in Malikdinkhel area which was targeted by the gunship helicopters
in an attempt to destroy it.
The teams of Pakistan Rangers
and the Islamabad Police conducted a joint search operation
in the Tarnol area of National capital, Islamabad and arrested
51 suspected persons, including 22 Afghan nationals. On the
direction of Islamabad SSP Muhammad Ali Nekokara, a search operation
was conducted in Tarnol by the teams of Pakistan Rangers and
the Islamabad Police. The operation was supervised by SP – Saddar
- Muhammad Ilyas, SDPO Saddar, SDPO Ramna, all SHOs of the Saddar
Zone Police Stations, and Pakistan Rangers.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar
Ali Khan directed Police and security agencies to gear up their
resources to fully secure twin cities Rawalpindi-Islamabad and
its residents in wake of the Zarb-i-Azb operation against militants
in North Waziristan. The Minister said this while chairing a
meeting to review the security situation of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
June 22
10 militants and two soldiers
were killed during an exchange of fire while militants were
trying to flee cordoned off area in Spinwam of NWA in the night.
At least nine persons, including
three TTP militants, were killed in separate incidents of violence
and target killing in different areas of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Police killed three militants
affiliated with the TTP in the ongoing operation against militants
in different parts of Sohrab Goth, including Pioneer Homes,
Deluxe Town and Afghan Basti. Police arrested around a dozen
suspected persons, including five foreign nationals. Police
also claim to have recovered around 15 kilogrammes of explosive
material, four hand grenades and a large cache of ammunition.
An unidentified person was shot
dead by unidentified assailants near Qalandaria Chowk in North
Nazimabad.
One 22-year-old youth, was killed
unidentified assailants in Surjani Town Sector 36-B.
A 50-yearold woman, Shahmin,
was shot dead near Sindh Qatar Hospital Chowrangi in Orangi
Town.
A tortured body of a woman was
found from Malir Nadi near Qayyumabad area.
A youth, Shah Nawaz Khan (22),
resident of Orangi Town, was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in Raja Tanveer Colony area of Ittehad Town.
A youth, Manzoor (22) was shot
dead by unidentified assailants near Abul Hassan Asphani Road
in Teachers Society area Gulistan-e-Johar.
One Akram (22), son of Shahi
Taj, was shot at in the Pir Colony area of Orangi Town.
A man, Anwar (25), was shot
at by unidentified assailants in Orangi Town No 13.
An unidentified man, aged 30,
was shot at by unidentified assailants near Metro Shopping Center
in Safari Park area.
A girl, Kulsoom (10), was injured
when unidentified assailants opened fire on her near Paracha
graveyard in Kati Pahari area in Orangi Town.
Over 100 ulema from various
schools of thought declared Operation Arab-e-Azb, the
ongoing military operation against terrorists and militants
in NWA, as Jihad. The meeting of ulema, which was organised
by the Sunni Ulema Board, in its decree referring to
the verse No 33 of Surah-e-Almaidah of the holy Quran, which
says: “Crushing of the attempts to disrupt peaceful atmosphere
in a Muslim state is jihad.” The decree said the nation was
bound to support the ongoing operation in North Waziristan Agency
and the people opposing the operation were rebels as per Islamic
Shariah. It added that the state had the right to deal rebels
with iron hands as the militants had murdered hundreds of innocent
people and targeted various schools, shrines, hospitals, and
innocent people. Islam, it said, did not allow individual jihad.
A total of 31,264 families,
or 394,319 individuals, have been registered at the Registration
Point of PDMA at Saidgai checkpost in Bannu District of KP.
The IDPs have also brought along with them a large number of
livestock. According to chief secretary of the Control Room
at the PDMA the number of displaced persons of North Waziristan
Agency has reached 31,264 families or 394,319 individuals. Furthermore,
in Bannu District, a relief camp has been established which
would work under the PDMA and will support the district administration
in the relief activities. The Provincial Government has released
PKR 349 million to PDMA for establishment of camps in Bannu
city, however, in the wake of the ongoing military operation,
a decision was taken by the Federal Government to establish
camps inside frontier regions which fall within the jurisdiction
of FATA administration.
The PTI chairman Imran Khan
said the military should temporarily halt bombardments in areas
of North Waziristan Agency where the civilian population has
not been evacuated. “The operation should not be conducted in
villagers where women and children are present as they are currently
stranded,” Imran said. He also said that according to information
available with the party, militancy will spread to areas bordering
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the wake of the operation and that the
police and security should be beefed up. He urged the Federal
Government to meet with the Provincial Government and chalk
out a plan to facilitate the influx of IDPs as well as growing
security concerns.
June 23
At least 15 militants were killed
in the air strikes on eight hideouts in Mir Ali area of NWA
in FATA in the early hours. The ISPR statement said tunnels
were spotted in the area that came under attack by the aircraft.
However, it didn't mention the name of the village or the area
in Mir Ali.
The Government so far registered
435,429 IDPs affected due to the ongoing operation in NWA with
the help of the NADRA. According to the latest official data
available on June 23, the Government registered 35,381 families
including 114,596 males, 137,301 females and 183,532 children.
Consistent to the earlier instructions, Government assigned
the task to the SAFRON to make necessary rehabilitation arrangement
of IDPs. However, this time the government decided to engage
the NDMA too in the process which is in line with the mandate
of the organisation. Upon instructions the NDMA now engaged
with the Ministry of SAFRON, Federally Administrative Tribal
Areas Disaster Management Authority, Provincial Disaster Management
Authority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Army, Civil Administration
and other partners to coordinate and implement the plan for
efficient management of all IDPs' issues.
At least 14 persons were killed
in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Karachi Police claimed to have
killed seven criminals during the last 24 hours, in which 65
more criminals were also arrested in 80 different raids. According
to Karachi CPO report, Police conducted 80 raids in different
areas of the city and arrested 65 criminals including proclaimed
offenders and absconders. The police also claimed recovering
25 handguns, six hand grenades, drugs and liquor from the arrested
accused.
One person, identified as Saeed
Gul (40), was shot dead by unidentified assailant near Qasba
Morr area in Orangi Town.
A girl Nazia (18) was killed
by unidentified assailants in Lines Area of Saddar town.
A person was killed by unidentified
assailants near Babar Weight Balance Scale in Surjani Town.
Sindh Rangers arrested two alleged
militants of TTP and recovered a motorcycle laden with explosive
material and IED from them in Muslimabad Colony.
One person was killed by unidentified
assailants at Fida Mohammad near the FC Qilla on the Pak-Afghan
Road in Qilla Abdullah District.
The house of the Member of National
Assembly from NA-16 Khayal Zaman Orakzai in Phase-2 area of
Hayatabad in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP, was attacked
with hand grenade. The building was slightly damaged but did
not cause any casualty.
The house of one Attiqur Rahman
was also attacked with hand grenade in Khushal Town in the limits
of Bhanamari Police Station. No casualty was reported.
An Iraqi style IED was defused
in Hayatabad while a hand grenade was defused in Naguman.
One sabotage bid was foiled
by defusing explosives in Itwar Bazaar Chowk in Hayatabad.
Another 14 kilograms remote
control IED was defused in the jurisdiction of Saro Police Station
in Charsadda town (Charsadda District).
KP Police has been directed
to launch crackdown on the hideouts of militants across the
province after identifying their hubs and vulnerable places.
"We have no other option but to win this war at all costs. The
tempo of the ongoing search and strike operation must be reflected
in the Police action against the terrorists in the settled areas,"
stressed the IGP Nasir Khan Durrani. He termed the ongoing military
operation in North Waziristan as a matter of survival of the
country.
The prominent cleric Tahirul
Qadri landed in Pakistan after his plane was diverted from the
capital Islamabad where his supporters clashed with Police amid
Government concerns about the return of a man who describes
himself as a revolutionary. Tahirul Qadri, a Pakistani preacher
turned political activist who usually lives Canada, is a divisive
figure in Pakistan where he made headlines in 2013 when he led
mass rallies against the previous Government. The plane carrying
Qadri circled above Benazir Bhutto International Airport near
Islamabad for an hour and a half before it was diverted to Lahore.
"We want no corruption, we want no terrorism in our country,"
Qadri said adding that "We want total transparency of institutions."
June 24
At least 47 militants were killed
and about 23 hideouts were destroyed in the ongoing operation
by SFs in Khyber Agency and NWA of FATA. Military sources said
the hideouts of TTP militants were targeted in the aerial strikes
in NWA as part of Zarb-e-Azb operation, whereas the hideouts
of LI militants were separately targeted in Khyber Agency. The
terrorists' death toll in the ongoing military action so far
is said to have crossed 300.
Three persons, including two
soldiers and one civilian were killed in a suicide bombing in
NWA.
On June 24, the Government sent
a letter requesting the humanitarian community to extend humanitarian
assistance to the newly displaced IDPs from NWA, in addition
to the already displaced 930,000 people. According to the OCHA
update, the Federal Government has announced USD five million,
the KP Government USD 3.5 million and the Punjab Government
USD five million for IDPs support. The donors have committed
USD 14.5 million in support of the over 455,000 people displaced
from NWA as of June 25.
Four dead bodies were recovered
from Baldia Town area. Nine MM shells were also discovered near
the bodies. The victims could not be identified.
Four dead bodies were recovered
from Baldia Town area. Nine MM shells were also discovered near
the bodies. The victims could not be identified.
A TTP militant 'commander',
identified as Jamshaid Ali, was killed in a shootout with the
Manghopir Police in Kunwari Colony. Around 16 suspects were
also arrested on suspicions of having links with militants.
A suspected TTP militant, identified
as Merajuddin alias Hafiz (30) was killed in a joint Police-Rangers
raid in the Musharraf Colony.
LEA foiled a potential terrorism
bid by defusing an explosive device on Quetta-Sibi highway in
the outskirts of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
According to Levies sources, the remote-controlled device contained
some 15 kilogram of explosive material.
Karachi leads the rest of Pakistan
in terms of the number of cases being heard at its ATCs With
more than 17,000 cases only from 2014 pending at the five functional
ATCs, the number is at least 50 times higher than other provinces,
especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which has the lowest number. According
to the figures obtained from prosecution departments of all
the four provinces, out of the 17,000 cases in Sindh, around
11,000 are only from Karachi.
June 25
The fighter aircraft PAF continued
pounding hideouts of alleged militants in the Mir Ali subdivision
of NWA in FATA, killing 13 militants. The aircraft had struck
five sanctuaries of militants in Mir Ali, where the militants
were still hiding, despite the fact that local residents had
already vacated their houses and villages.
12 militants surrendered to
the SFs in NWA. The identities of the surrendered militants
are yet to be disclosed by SFs.
At least eight persons were
killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. A MQM worker, identified as Abdul Razzaq (45), was
shot dead by unidentified assailants near Bilal Colony in Bangali
Para area of Korangi town.
A person, identified as Nawaz
(45), was shot dead near Urdu Chowk in Orangi Town.
A person was shot dead by unidentified
assailants in Kunwari Colony of Orangi Town.
A person, identified as Syed
Saeed Shah (45), was killed and another, Muhammed Asif (30),
was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on them
on Chundrigar road.
An unidentified man, aged 30,
was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Janjal Goth area
of Gulshan-e-Meymar.
A person, Bilal (28) was shot
dead on Khyaban-e-Rumi road in Defence Housing Authority.
An unidentified person, aged
23, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Netti Jetti
Bridge in Keamari.
A dead body of an unidentified
man, aged 35, was found near Jawedan Factory in Manghopir.
Four persons were injured when
motorcycle bourne unidentified assailants threw a grenade at
a Police picket in the Sadiqabad area of Rawalpindi town of
Rawalpindi District in Punjab. Four injured persons were identified
as Atiq (21), Nabeel (22), Nasir (27) and Ajab (65). The injured
were reported to be in stable condition. The attackers however,
managed to escape from the scene.
The US added LeT affiliates,
including the JuD, its frontal organization, to its list of
designated terror organisations and slapped sanctions against
two LeT leaders. The State Department has amended LeT's designations
to add the aliases: Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Al-Anfal Trust, Tehrik-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool
and Tehrik-e-Tahafuz Qibla Awwal, an official statement said.
Simultaneously, the Department of Treasury targeted the financial
and leadership networks of LeT by designating Nazir Ahmad Chaudhry
(Ahmad) and Muhammad Hussein Gill as SDGTs. Ahmad and Gill are
being designated for acting for or on behalf of LeT. Treasury
and the Department of State have designated 22 individuals and
four entities associated with LeT. "In targeting LeT leadership,
on Wednesday's action demonstrates our unrelenting commitment
to combating terrorism by disrupting terrorist groups' financial
activities," said the Under Secretary of Treasury for terrorism
and financial intelligence David S Cohen. "We will continue
to target LeT's financial foundation to disrupt and impede its
violent activities," he added.
June 26
At least eight persons were
killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Two suspected militants were killed by Sindh
Police in Madina Colony of New Karachi. According to the sources,
a huge cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from
the possession of the suspects.
One person was shot dead by
unidentified assailants in Sohrab Goth area.
A person was shot dead by unidentified
assailants in Malir town.
One person was shot dead in
Federal B area near Hussainabad, where as another person was
killed in Orangi Town due to firing.
One suspected militant was killed
in a Police encounter while he was caught looting the citizens
in Sohrab Goth's Al-Asif Square.
A dead body stuffed in a gunny
sack was recovered from Landhi town.
Five suspects belonging to a
banned militant outfit were arrested in Gulshan-i-Buner area.
At least five militants were
killed and six hideouts were destroyed as the Pakistan Army
continued its assault in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb in
NWA of FATA.
Four militants and three khasadar
officials were killed in a clash between SFs and militants in
the Sur Qamar area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency.
Unidentified militants fired
on a PIA plane as it was landing at the Bacha Khan International
Airport of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP, in the night,
killing a woman and injuring two others, including a crew member.
PIA flight PK-756 with 178 passengers and crew members on board
was travelling from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "Unknown gunmen fired
a volley of bullets at the airplane when it was preparing to
land at the airport," SP Cantonment Faisal Kamran said. "The
gunmen fired at the airplane from outside the airport vicinity,"
he said, quashing speculation that the airport might have been
attacked. The PIA official added that the plane was attacked
while flying at low altitude near Landi Akhum Ahmad area. He
added that the plane was damaged in the attack.
The initial investigation to
the attack revealed the involvement of banned TTP Shahid group
in the incident. According to the contents of the report prepared
by the Police authorities, foreign made M-16 gun was used by
the TTP terrorists to fire on the PIA flight. The investigating
team has found 24 spent shells of the foreign made gun from
Mashu Khel and Suleman Khel areas of Peshawar during the post
attack search in the adjoining areas.
Another source said that the
Tariq Geedar group of the TTP was behind the attack. The source
said the group was based in Darra Adamkhel and was headed by
one Khalfa. "We have some important leads," claimed an official.
He said that the roof of a school in Sulemankhel, an area near
Peshawar, was used for targeting the Airbus when it was landing
at the Bacha Khan International Airport.
Army troops have been deployed
in Torghar District of Hazara division in KP to thwart movement
of militants. "Yes, the Army has been deployed to restrict the
entry of militants from neighbouring Malakand division into
Hazara through Torghar, which borders Swat and Shangla," said
Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur, the DIG, Hazara Range.
The Chief Justice of Peshawar
High Court, Mazhar Alam Miankhel, asked the security agencies
to release all those against whom no charges could be proved.
Hearing the cases of 51 missing persons, he expressed concern
over the replies of intelligence agencies working under the
Ministries of Defence and Interior and stressed that innocent
people should not languish in prisons for years. "We are receiving
stereotype replies from the agencies. The court will summon
complete ground check record in the missing persons' case if
the ministries concerned and agencies don't cooperate with the
courts," the Chief Justice said.
President Mamnoon Hussain said
the Government and Armed Forces are fully determined for the
complete elimination of terrorism from the country and the whole
nation stands united to support the action against terrorist
elements. "Despite enormity of challenges, the nation and Armed
forces have stood together and made invaluable sacrifices for
the country," the President said.
Terming the Operation Zarb-e-Azb
as war for the survival of Pakistan, the Pakistan Army on June
26 pledged to tackle all terrorists, including the Haqqani Network.
DG of ISPR Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said 327 hardcore
terrorists had been killed while 45 hideouts of terrorists were
destroyed in the North Waziristan Agency during the ongoing
operation launched on June 15. He said 19 terrorists surrendered
before the security personnel. He also said 10 soldiers laid
down their lives while seven were injured in the line of duty.
The UNHCR Bo Schack said that
thousands of displaced Pakistanis arrived in Afghanistan from
NWA needing urgent humanitarian assistance. The military operation
has forced about 65,000 individuals from 9,200 families to seek
refuge in Khost Province, living there with their relatives
and friends, while a number of others are inhabiting makeshift
camps in Gurboz District, Bo Schack said, adding that more than
2,000 families travelled to Paktika Province.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed
to launch indiscriminate action against the terrorists on both
sides of the border. This was decided during a meeting of Rangin
Rahimi Dafdar Spanta, Afghan National Security Adviser, with
Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif at the PM House. Matters relating
to mutual and bilateral interest came under discussion.
Pakistan asked Afghanistan to
take necessary measures on its side of the border to stop the
fleeing terrorists from NWA from finding sanctuary on the Afghan
soil. FO Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, in her weekly briefing said
that the purpose of the visit of special envoy Mahmood Khan
Achakzai to Kabul was to seek Afghanistan cooperation in the
management of the border. She said the visit of Afghan National
Security Adviser Spanta was also aimed at taking the discussion
forward on the matter. The Spokesperson recalled that Pakistan
had taken extraordinary measures, including restriction of movement
and deployment of additional troops on the border, when presidential
elections took place in Afghanistan.
June 27
11 militants were killed when
PAF Jet aircrafts targeted six confirmed militants' hideouts
on the outskirts of Mir Ali in NWA of FATA in the evening.
TTP 'commander' of Miranshah,
Commander Umer was killed by Security Forces on the outskirts
of Miranshah in the night.
One prominent al Qaeda 'commander'
has been arrested while trying to flee from surrounded area
in NWA. Initial interrogation shows him as an explosive, IED,
suicide belt expert.
Three militants were arrested
by Security Forces while they were trying to escape from war
hit zone of FATA to Punjab by crossing Indus River near Mianwali.
All crossing places along the River are currently manned to
seal any escape for the militants.
The SFs arrested two suspects
and seized a huge cache of weapons during the search operation
in various areas of Hangu Districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three
machine guns, seven SGP-9 machine guns, 98 rocket shells, two
rocket launchers, 10 sophisticated machine guns, 10 detonators,
explosive materials used in IEDs, five suicide vests, huge quantity
of explosives, six masks, hundreds of hand grenades and thousands
of cartridges had been recovered from their possession.
Pledging full support to the
IDPs from NWA, PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that new houses
would be constructed on the return of the IDPs. Addressing the
IDPs in the Bakkakhel area in Frontier Region Bannu, he said,
"If required, billions would be spent for the rehabilitation
of the NWA's displaced persons."
June 28
Seven militants were killed
when militant's concentrations were targeted by integrated fire
of Artillery, Tanks and Heavy weapons outside Miranshah in North
Waziristan Agency in the early morning.
A Government Primary School
for girls was blown up in Ekka Ghund Tehsil of Mohmand Agency.
However, no causality was reported.
Three persons were killed and
one other injured in separate incidents of violence in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Two bullet-riddled bodies of
unidentified men, aged 22 and 30, were recovered near Mono-technical
Institute in Korangi No 4.
An unidentified man, aged 20,
was shot dead by unknown assailants beneath Nipa Bridge.
A man named Sameer (30) was
seriously injured due to bullets fired on him by unidentified
gunmen near Brookes Chowrangi in Korangi Industrial Area.
A blast took place outside the
office of a private courier company at Raza Square near Malir
Courts. However, no casualties were reported. A BDS official
said that one-kilogramme explosive was used in the blast.
A Government Primary School
for girls was blown up in Shabqadar Tehsil of Charsadda District.
However, no causality was reported.
Unknown militants kidnapped
five men in the Kachai area en-route to Hangu in a private vehicle.
The kidnapped persons are identified as Abdul Rauf, Qadim Khan,
Mehmood, Faizullah and Muhammad Usman.
June 29
Four persons were killed after
a passenger van came under a fire attack in the suburban area
of Kohat District in KP. Two terrorists opened fire on the pickup
van en route to Khyber Agency from Kohat at Kuchai Zera Road,
killing four persons and hurting three kids and two women of
a family.
An independent candidate of
2013 General Elections from the constituency NA-198, Akhtar
Abbasi was killed at Regent Colony in Sukkur city of Sukkur
District. He died of a bullet injury in his head. Police said
that some unknown persons shot dead Abbasi, who had participated
in the General Elections-2013 as an independent candidate.
Police arrested two persons
while stopping a truck on a check post at Lahore's entry point
in Shahdara Town. When searched, at least 40 bags of explosive
material were recovered from the vehicle. Police arrested truck
driver and cleaner belonging to northern areas of Pakistan.
Police arrested 12 terrorists
from an un-disclosed location while they were entering Punjab
from Attock city near Peshawar through a van. Police said the
terrorist, hailing from KP, were entering Punjab with a major
terror plot. Police recovered suicide vests, bomb-making material,
automatic weapons and huge quantity of explosives from the terrorists.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad
Asif said that the operation in North Waziristan will be continued
till complete elimination of terrorists.
June 30
The ISPR statement said that
15 militants were killed in exchange of fire with the troops
during house-to-house search operation in Miranshah, the headquarters
of NWA, of FATA. The Army's infantry troops and SSG conducted
door-to-door searches in Miranshah town to ensure that the civilian
population had evacuated the area. Troops have recovered underground
tunnels and IEDs making factories inside the so far cleared
area. Three soldiers got injured in exchange of fire.
Artillery, tanks and other heavy
weapons were used in the action against militants. Since start
of Operation Zarb-e-Azb on 15 June, 376 militants have been
killed while 19 have surrendered to the SFs. 61 militant Hideouts
have been destroyed in the operation during last 15 days. 17
Soldiers have died in the ongoing Operation.
One criminal was killed and
78 criminals were arrested by Karachi Police in 77 different
raids in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital
of Sindh.
Judicial Magistrate, Ziarat
Jam Saka Dashti was abducted by militants near Saranan area
of Pishin District.
The Senate, controlled by the
opposition, passed the Protection of Pakistan Bill in view of
the ongoing military operation against terrorists, releasing
considerable pressure on the Government. The Bill provides for
protection against waging of war against Pakistan and prevention
of acts threatening the security of Pakistan. It was unanimously
passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior last week
and was approved by the Senate.
July 1
Two security officers were killed
and another injured when unidentified militants ambushed a security
convoy near Ippi village in Mir Ali tehsil of NWA in
FATA. The security convoy was travelling from a Khajuri check-post
to Miranshah. The attackers managed to escape.
Army unearthed landmines manufacturing
factory in Miranshah during ground operation. At least 225 cylinders
filled with explosive material weighing from 80 to 100 kilogram
have also been seized from the factory. One hundred and fifty
incomplete cylinders meant for manufacturing landmines, 10 anti-tank
landmines, 700 pipes filled with explosive material, and equipment
for physical training and welding were also seized.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
said that several TTP ‘commanders’ were entrapped in the NWA.
“They are locked in the security forces trap and they don’t
know where to go,” the Minister said, adding that the security
commanders were regularly updating Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
on Operation Zarb-e-Azb’s progress. “There would be a remarkable
improvement in the security environment once the terrorists
are wiped out from the NWA. They (TTP) have to pay for what
they have done to the people of Pakistan.”
The monthly security report
of the Conflict Monitoring Centre (CMC) said that militants’
activities have drastically decreased after the launch of Operation
Zarb-e-Azb, not only in FATA/KP but also in Balochistan. According
to the CMC statistics, SFs conducted 127 actions across Pakistan
(including those conducted under the NWA operation) in which
517 suspected militants were killed, 25 others injured and 1,167
suspects arrested. Severity of the security forces’ actions
can be gauged from the fact that the number of deaths has witnessed
an almost 189pc increase as compared to the previous month.
Over 251 pc increase in the number of arrests clearly suggests
that security forces have also tightened the noose around the
neck of the militants in various parts of the country and arrested
many of their operatives as well as supporters while making
an effective use of intelligence.
Two traffic Policemen, including
an ASI, were killed in a firing incident in Orangi Town of Karachi
(Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. The victims
were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Abdul Karim and Head
Constable Rashid Yousuf.
A Hindu trader, identified as
Bhagwan Das, was killed by unidentified assailants in Khuzdar
District.
Assigning political ownership
to the ongoing military Operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ in the NWA to
weed out terrorists from the soil of Pakistan, Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif stated that Pakistan will enforce its writ in the
tribal areas. He stated afterwards that the decision pertaining
to the Operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ was taken after careful deliberations
and weighing all options. He further said that all the foreign
fighters and local terrorists would be wiped out without any
exception and no sanctuary would be spared by the Armed Forces.
Prime Minister Nawaz is personally
committed to the operation. He vowed that “as the full-fledged
offensive has now started, victory and ultimate success is the
only option now.” “We have planned for the extensive development
of tribal areas after the successful operation,” assured the
Prime Minister.
Pakistan asked the Afghanistan
Government to either eliminate TTP ‘chief’ Mullah Fazlullah
or extradite him to Pakistan. ISPR DG Major General Asim Bajwa
said that the Army will eliminate Fazlullah whenever he comes
to Pakistan. Bajwa urged Afghanistan to do more to track down
Fazlullah, who took over the TTP leadership in 2013 after previous
'chief' Hakimullah Mehsud was killed by a US drone. “This is
something we have been crying hoarse – this has been raised
at every level,” he said. “The leader of the TTP, Mullah Fazlullah
is sitting across the border in Kunar or Nuristan and Afghanistan
needs to do something about it.”
Bajwa further said that terrorists
of all hues and colors are being killed in the military operation
in NWA. Ruling out any discrimination in the operation against
terrorists in NWA, Pakistan on July1 made it clear that it will
never allow anyone to use its territory against any other country.
The bombing of houses, rocket
attacks, extortion calls and the target killings are taking
place all over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa particularly in the provincial
capital of Peshawar in the absence of proactive policing. Peshawar
has been under attack from extortionists, target killers and
kidnappers for the last many months. Robbers and street criminals
are taking advantage of the situation as the Police force seems
to be struggling hard against extortionists and militants, mostly
carrying out attacks from the tribal areas or the adjacent settled
towns. Houses of people are being bombed almost every day after
they either fail or refuse to pay extortion money. Some of the
gangs involved in these crimes were neutralised but the major
ones are yet to be eliminated. The provincial Police have sent
a detailed report to the Interior Minister and have pointed
out that a key militant group was behind most of the extortion
cases.
July 2
10 militants were killed when
military helicopters pounded militant’s compounds as part of
the Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the Khar Warsak area, 12 kilometers
north of Miranshah, the main town in NWA of FATA. Nearly 500,000
people have fled the offensive in NWA, which is aimed at wiping
out longstanding militant strongholds in the area, which borders
Afghanistan.
Army claims that three more
IED making factories with large quantity of explosives, anti-tank
mines, a suicide bomber training center, a media facility and
a rocket cache were recovered from the cleared area in NWA during
the military offensive. A spokesman for the ISPR said that Operation
was progressing successfully as planned as six IEDs attached
with four computers in a ready position were also recovered
from a private hotel in the area. “Forces are making swift progress
in NWA as forces are hitting and shelling militant hubs and
hide outs,” he said. Sources said sniffer dogs are also being
used in the cleared areas to find hidden explosives.
Former DG ISPR Major General
(retired) Athar Abbas demanded that the military should give
access to the media to such areas which have been ‘cleared’
by the troops, reports Dawn.
At least eight persons were
killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. Four militants were killed
in a Police encounter near Northern Bypass of Aliabad area.
A senior Police official confirmed that four militants were
killed by the Police in an encounter. He said that the slain
militants were affiliated with the TTP.
An unidentified person was killed
by unidentified assailants at Gareeb Shah Road in Lyari.
One person, identified as Syed
Mohsin Ali, was killed by unidentified assailants near Water
Pump at Federal B area.
A person, identified as Habib
Ullah (24), was killed by unidentified assailants in Malir.
According to Police, Habib Ullah was the member of religious
organization, while further investigation is underway. However
spokesman of ASWJ said that deceased was the member of their
organisation and resident of Daud Goth Malir.
A dead body was recovered from
Frontier Colony of Pirabad area.
Rangers and Police arrested
at least 55 criminals including four militants during joint
operations in different areas of the city. According to Police,
search operation was carried out in different areas including
New Karachi, Lyari, Bhense Colony and Mochko.
The house and car of the Bureau
Chief of the Express News, Jamshed Baghwan, were damaged
in an explosion in Murshidabad locality on the Kohat Road in
Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This
is the third bomb attack on the house of Jamshed Baghwan over
the past few months. The bomb disposal unit experts had defused
the explosives in the first attack while the second one damaged
the main gate and a portion of the house.
The National Assembly passed
the Protection of Pakistan Bill 2014, which allows the Police
to shoot down a suspect, arrest them without warrant or keep
them in custody for 60 days. The Bill was earlier passed by
the Senate on June 30. The majority approved it in the NA. However,
the JI opposed the legislation while the PTI abstained from
voting. The Bill would become an Act of Parliament once it is
signed by the President. It will remain in force for two years
after it comes into force.
Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad
Asif said that terrorists will be chased and eliminated in all
parts of the country. Khawaja Asif said civilian and military
leaders were on the same page regarding the ongoing operation
in the NWA. “The operation will continue till the elimination
of last terrorist. The Parliament, Government and the military
are on the same page,” said the Minister.
Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the military operation in
NWA should not be made controversial. The Minister said the
Army was fighting the war against terrorism to secure the future
of Pakistan and unnecessary comments on the decision of the
military leadership could create confusion and make the situation
tense.
July 3
Six bullet-riddled dead bodies
were recovered from the Hurmaz village in Mir Ali area of NWA
in FATA. Official sources said unidentified assailants had shot
dead six persons and placed their bodies on a road in the Hurmaz
village.
Unidentified militants fired
six rockets at the camp of the Security Forces in Mir Ali on
the night. The rockets were reportedly fired from somewhere
in Spalga but didn’t cause any loss.
Two persons were killed as a
result of firing in Tasap area of Panjgur District in Balochistan.
One of the victims was identified as Ilyas son of Muhammad Islam
resident of Tasap, the official said, adding that the motive
behind the killing could not be ascertained.
Balochistan Home and Tribal
Affairs Department sources said that over 800 bodies were found
in Balochistan during last three-and-a-half years, with most
of them being found in Quetta, Khuzdar and Makran belt. The
sources said that 466 victims were identified as ethnic Baloch,
123 as Pashtuns, and 107 from other ethnicities. Meanwhile,
107 bodies remained unidentified. Of the 466 Baloch killed in
the Province, most were political workers while the remaining
were killed in incidents of targeted killings, tribal disputes,
domestic violence etc, the Home Department sources explained.
One person was killed while
another one was injured in a firing incident in Sultanabad area
of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.
A SI posted at the Bin Qasim
Police Station, identified as Abdur Rasheed Sarki (40), was
killed by unidentified assailants near Marvi Goth in Shah Latif
Town.
Rangers killed gang-war suspect
Suhail Dada in an encounter near City Station who turned out
to be PPP leader Irfan Durrani’s brother. Rangers also recovered
weapons from his possession. Police said that suspect was wanted
in over a hundred cases including murder, kidnapping for ransom
and extortion.
A bomb was defused by the Bomb
Disposal Squad in Manghopir area. The bomb contained 10 kilograms
of explosives and was planted in a box outside a marble factory.
More than 40 groups of banned
TTP are active in Karachi and involved in extortion of one to
two billion rupees daily in addition to other terrorist activities.
According to report, Taliban are the top most extortionists
in Karachi these days and they are acting as financiers of their
mother organization in FATA.
Three alleged militants were
arrested in Saeedabad area of Charsadda District in KP. Police
also recovered five kilograms of explosives, one rocket launcher,
one Kalashnikov and two pistols from them.
Police claimed to have arrested
a second suspect involved in an attack on a Pakistan International
Airlines (PIA) aircraft at Peshawar Airport on June 24. According
to Police, Security Forces and Police jointly carried out a
raid in Suleman Khel area of Peshawar and arrested Waliullah,
a 'militant commander' of Dara Adam Khel and associated with
Shahid Group working under the umbrella of TTP. Earlier on July
2, Police had also arrested a 'militant commander' of Shahid
group, Ali Haider for his alleged involvement in the plane attack.
According to data collected
by Police, the incidents of targeted killings have increased
by 30.3 per cent in KP during the current year (2014). It said
that 129 cases of targeted killings were recorded during the
current as compared to 99 incidents of the last year. Similarly,
rockets attacks have also increased by 450 per cent as about
22 rockets landed in parts of the province during 2014 as compared
to four rocket attacks during the previous year.
The Intelligence agencies have
warned of a potential terrorist attack in Islamabad during the
holy month of Ramazan. According to the report, around 10 to
12 terrorists have entered the capital city, which can carry
out terrorism activities and bomb attacks in the twin cities.
Strict security arrangements have been made by the Police on
the entrance points while search operations have been started
in villages of Tarnol, Doray Village, Sara-e-Harboza, Ittefaq
Colony and several surrounding areas.
Minister for Information and
Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid said the historic passage of the
Protection of Pakistan Bill (PPB) would help eliminate terrorism,
violence and sectarianism in Pakistan. The Minister felicitated
the nation, parliamentary leaders of parties in Senate and the
National Assembly, lauding their acumen for the smooth passage
of the bill. He said the Parliament had proved that the nation
was united against terrorism and extremism. He said that the
unanimous passage of the bill from Senate, despite Government's
insufficient numerical strength there, showed the seriousness
and maturity of political parties' regarding the issues of national
importance.
July 4
At least six persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. Two suspected terrorists were
killed and three others were injured when an IED they were carrying
exploded in a motorcycle accident on New Preedy Street in Sadda.
Two persons were killed by unidentified
assailants in Landhi area within the remit of Sukhan Police
Station. Police identified the deceased as Momin Khan (30) and
Mirza (28).
A Constable of the Sindh Police,
identified as Allah Dino (35), was shot dead by unidentified
assailants within the remit of Gulshan-e-Maymar Police Station.
A dead body was found inside
a gunny bag lying near the Shershah Bridge Kiamari Town.
Two polio vaccinators were injured
in Shah Latif town in Khairpur District. According to Police,
unknown attackers beat up the members of the polio vaccination
team with sticks.
A local PML-N District leader
was killed by unidentified assailants in Kalat District.
A militant was killed in an
encounter with Police in Shinkiari area, a Union Council of
Mansehra District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. DSP Malik Ayaz said
that the militant, Muhammad Siraj, was killed and his two aides
managed to escape after an exchange of fire.
About 40 percent area of Miranshah,
the main town of the NWA in FATA, has been cleared from terrorists
during the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb. A military official
told that 40 percent area had been cleared in Miranshah. However,
he did not give any deadline for the completion of the ground
operation in the area. The Army is facing some firing incidents,
rocket attacks and explosives, but so far it has not faced any
major resistance during the operation.
July 5
At least five suspected militants
were killed and five militant hideouts were destroyed as jet
fighters pounded parts of the NWA in FATA. Most of the militants
killed in the strikes were reportedly Uzbeks.
July 6
At least three Policemen were
killed and two others were injured by unidentified assailants
in Latifabad area of Hyderabad city of Hyderabad District.
Two ASWJ activists, identified
as Qari Abdullah Raheem (30) and Nawaz Khan (35), were shot
dead near old Sabzi Mandi area.
A Tablighi Jamaat activist,
identified as Khurram Shahzad (35), was killed in Sujrani Town.
Muhammad Saleem (30) was shot
dead by unidentified assailants in Mobina Town.
An unidentified person was shot
dead in Korangi Town.
The BDS defused a bomb weighing
one kilogram near a mosque situated in Frontier Colony in Rabbani
Mohalla within the limits of Pirabad Police Station.
Hundreds of TTP militants rushed
to disguise themselves, cut hair and beards to escape operation
in NWA of FATA. Azam Khan was one of the top barbers in Miranshah
town said his business boomed in the month leading up to the
Army assault as the militants sought to shed their distinctive
long-haired, bearded look. “I have trimmed the hair and beards
of more than 700 local and Uzbek militants ahead of the security
forces’ operation,” he said while.
Even Uzbeks and Tajiks with
little knowledge of the local language came to him asking him
to shave their beards to nothing so they could go to Islamabad.
“Knowing little Pashto, they used to utter four words: ‘mulgari
(friend), machine, zero, Islamabad’,” added Azam Khan.
July 7
At least four persons including
two Policemen were killed in two different incidents of firing
in Quetta. Two persons were killed by unidentified assailants
at a tailor's shop in Killi Bangulzai area of Quetta. There
was no claim of responsibility for the attack.
Two Policemen were killed by
unidentified assailants in Kuchlak area of Quetta.
At least three suspected militants
were shot dead in an encounter in Pak Colony area of Karachi
(Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.
Two suspected militants affiliated
with the TTP were killed in a Police encounter in Baldia Town
area.
At least two persons were injured
when unidentified assailants opened fire on them near Qudsia
Masjid in Nazimabad area.
During the three weeks of Operation
'Zarb-e-Azb' by SFs in the NWA, 400 terrorists were killed,
while 20 soldiers of Pakistan Army were also killed, Defence
Minister Khwaja Asif. In an interview to The Wall Street Journal,
Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said that he could not give a time-frame
for ending the operation. He added that they would not rest
till the elimination of every terrorist from the country. Khwaja
Asif added that they would try to complete the operation as
soon as possible.
Khwaja Asif said that "We will
eliminate all sorts of terrorists from our area without any
exception. If there are exceptions made, then the purpose of
this operation will be defeated. It has to be without making
any differentiation between our Taliban and their Taliban, or
good Taliban and bad Taliban." About the past Afghan and US
allegations, Khawaja Asif insisted that Pakistan had changed
its policy.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif
said terrorists will be chased till their total elimination.
He told the troops in North Waziristan to "eliminate all local
and foreign terrorists and their sanctuaries" in the tribal
region. Sharif visited the troops on the frontlines for the
first time since the launch of a major offensive against the
terrorist groups in North Waziristan. Talking to the troops
in the middle of the operation in Miranshah, the headquarters
of NWA, General Raheel lauded them for their courage, dedication
and high state of morale and expressed his satisfaction over
the progress achieved so far since the start of the operation.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government
sought PKR 10 billion from the Federal Government to cope with
the urgent health and food requirements of the families displaced
from North Waziristan as a result of the military Operation
Zarb-e-Azb. Provincial Minister for Revenue and Estate Affairs
and focal person of the Provincial Government for the IDPs from
North Waziristan Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur said that the Provincial
Government had been forced to face an unprecedented load of
IDPs.
He said the provincial authorities
had provided relief in shape of cash and food to over 70 percent
of the IDPs who have shifted to the southern Districts of the
province. He admitted that there were difficulties for the provincial
authorities at the outset of the exodus of the IDPs as the verification
and other matters without a proper mechanism in place was an
uphill task. He said around 0.7 million IDPs from North Waziristan
were lodged in different districts with main thrust in Bannu
where around over 0.5 million of them have been provided shelter.
He added that 10 percent of
the IDPs have been provided shelter in Dera Ismail Khan, 10
percent in Karak, 15 percent in Lakki Marwat and around four
percent have settled in Hangu. The Provincial Government has
already started distribution of relief package of PKR 8,000
to each IDP family from today - PKR 3,000 as house rent and
PKR 5000 for food items. He opposed the timing of Zarb-e-Azb.
July 8
At least 13 militants were killed
when the Air Force fighter jets pounded seven suspected hideouts
of militants in the Degan village of North Waziristan Agency
in FATA. The ISPR issued a brief statement to the media about
the latest air strikes in the Degan village, which had been
attacked earlier as well. The press release didn't provide further
details about the air strikes and the identity of the slain
militants. Degan is located in the Dattakhel tehsil, near the
Afghan border, and is considered a stronghold of the North Waziristan
based Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.
The Government has so far registered
around 751,986 IDPs moved out from North Waziristan Agency due
to the ongoing operation against terrorists. Final figures would
be available after the verification from NADRA to cut any duplication
depriving the deserving IDPs of their plight. Besides Bannu
District, Internally Displaced Persons from NWA have moved to
Dera Ismail Khan District, Lakki Marwat District, Karak District,
Hangu District while seven percent moved to areas all over the
country.
NADRA had established four registration
points including Sports Complex Bannu, Government College Mamash
Khel, Teacher training Institute Ghoria Wala and Durrani college.
Four mobile vans are also providing registration facilities
to IDPs. Two distribution points have also been established
at Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat. Around 82 families consisting
of 575 individuals entered Kurram Agency via Khost Afghanistan
from North Waziristan Agency. Around 736 families consisting
of 9,440 individual IDPs of NWA have passed District Kohat and
migrate to other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
Around 2791 IDPs individuals have arrived in Karak District
and accommodated. Around 772 families have reached District
Hangu via Kurram Bridge Thall out of which 402 families have
migrated to other Districts while 370 families have been accommodated
in Hangu District.
At least four persons were killed
in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. Three unidentified persons, aged between 30
and 35, were shot dead by unknown assailants in SITE Area.
A dead body, identified as Javed,
was found in a drain in Ibrahim Hyderi area of Korangi Town.
At least two militants, identified
as Saim Ali and Fahim, belonged to Al Qaeda linked Ahmed Farooq
group, were killed in a "shootout" between a Police party and
the suspected militants in the Alipur town of Muzaffargarh District.
A suspected militant, identified
as Saudullah (40), was arrested from a private airline landing
at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, the provincial
capital of Punjab.
July 9
The Anti-Violent Crime Cell
and the CPLC said that six abductors were killed in shootouts
in joint raids in different areas of Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. Six abductees were also rescued
during the operation.
Six persons, including a Policeman
and a 'gang war' accused were killed and several others were
injured in separate incidents. In one of the incidents, an accused
of gang war was killed in an alleged Police encounter in Lyari.
In another incident, Muhammad Ali Jan, an Assistant Sub-Inspector,
was killed in shoot out by an unidentified assailant in Shah
Latif Town at National Highway. A man was killed in firing in
Gulshan-e-Jamali area of the metropolis. In yet another incident
of firing in Creek Chowk of Lyari one person was killed. The
Police recovered a riddled body from the seashore.
Two persons were killed in separate
incidents of violence in Orangi town and F B Area. Bashir Ahmed
(35), was critically injured by firing of unidentified gunmen
riding a motorcycle near Kakar Hotel, in sector 4-F of Orangi
town. He died later. A young man identified as Mudassir Hussain
(23) was shot dead by robbers near Rehmat Bakery in Block 18
of FB Area.
Firing incidents continued in
different areas of the city during which more than a dozen persons
sustained injuries.
At least 11 militants were killed
when Air Force jets pounded militant hideouts in the Zoi Darasaidgi
and Shawal tehsil areas of NWA in FATA. Three militant hideouts
were also destroyed in the aerial bombardment.
At least two Policemen were
killed in a firing incident within the remit of Chamkani Police
Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to Police, a Police mobile was on routine patrol when
it was fired upon by unidentified motorcyclists near Waheed
checkpoint. Subsequently, three Policemen sustained severe injuries.
Police resorted to retaliatory firing as a result of which one
of the assailants was killed. However, the other attacker succeeded
in escaping. The injured Policemen were shifted to a hospital
but two of the wounded succumbed to their injuries on the way.
A member of the peace committee,
identified as Khanzeb alias Sahib, was shot dead in Shakar Darra
area of Matta tehsil in Swat District. The assailants managed
to escape after committing the crime.
Police took three women into
custody after defusing three explosive devices from a house
in Pajagi Road area of Peshawar. However, the house owner, Ilyas,
a suspected militant accused of involvement in a recent attack
on a junior immigration officer, escaped.
Unidentified persons allegedly
kidnapped a boy from outside his house in Dub area. Azaz Ahmad
(17) was present outside his residence when four gunmen bundled
him into a vehicle and drove away.
The Pakistan Railways to deploy
commandos on trains which will soon be seen on all Railways
trains. The Government released PKR one billion to the Railways
Ministry to strengthen security at railway stations and on trains.
A total of 54 newly recruited commandos will carry out the task
after completing their training. Pakistan Railways will also
recruit more retired army commandos for the purpose and equip
them with weapons and other essential instruments to protect
passengers.
More than 800,000 people have
fled in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb against the TTP in NWA of FATA,
FDMA officials said. Tens of thousands of families have left
the North Waziristan tribal area for the nearby town of Bannu.
Hundreds more have moved further afield to the towns of Lakki
Marwat, Karak and Dera Ismail Khan since the attacks began in
mid-June. Officials from the FDMA said they were checking registrations
for duplicates, meaning the figure may come down. The military
is using troops, tanks and jets in NWA and has vowed to wipe
out strongholds which insurgents have used to mount countless
deadly attacks in recent years. "Some 833,274 people or 66,726
migrating families from North Waziristan were registered in
cities of Bannu and Peshawar until Tuesday evening," Arshad
Khan, FDMA Director General said. Khan said 361,459 of the displaced
were children and 248,633 women.
While Pakistan has not made
a fresh request to the UN and the rest of the international
community for the provision of assistance to the IDPs of NWA,
it has requested the world body to extend its ongoing operations
in the north-west to facilitate the IDPs. In this regard, the
SAFRON has written a letter to the OCHA, requesting the UN humanitarian
agency to extend its humanitarian assistance already being provided
to the 930,000 IDPs of the previous emergencies to the NWA IDPs,
it has been learnt. Responding to the request, the UN has extended
its humanitarian operations for the NWA IDPs, with three UN
agencies WFP, WHO and UNHCR mainly engaged in the provision
of humanitarian assistance to the IDPs in Bannu, Dera Ismail
Khan, Kohat and other parts.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that on
the completion of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb, there will be peace
in the country. Talking to the COAS General Raheel Sharif, who
called on the PM at the PM House, Nawaz Sharif said: "Insha'Allah,
this operation will be instrumental in bringing peace and security
to Pakistan."
The ISPR Director Major General
Asim Bajwa and Operation Commander Major General Zafar Khan
said that the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb has forced locals
and militants to flee, leaving the town and one of the major
bases for the militants, deserted. He said that as many as 400
terrorists have been killed while 130 have been injured in the
operation so far. Over 2,000 IEDs were found from the 11 IED
factories discovered by the military. Major General Bajwa said
they had also discovered the underground tunnels that the militants
had constructed in the area. At least one of the tunnels made
by the militants was a kilometer long.
July 10
Six unidentified militants were
killed in a US drone missile strike in Doga Madakhel village
of Dattakhel tehsil in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. "The
drone fired four missiles and hit a mud-built house in the Doga
Madakhel village of Dattakhel tehsil. Six people, all believed
to be militants, were killed in the drone attack," a security
official said.
Six unidentified militants were
killed in a US drone missile strike in Doga Madakhel village
of Dattakhel tehsil in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. "The
drone fired four missiles and hit a mud-built house in the Doga
Madakhel village of Dattakhel tehsil. Six people, all believed
to be militants, were killed in the drone attack," a security
official said.
At least four persons were killed
in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. A shopkeeper, identified as Asif Ali (40),
was shot dead in a suspected sectarian attack in the Empress
Market area of Saddar Town.
Three dead bodies were recovered
from Afshani Gali of Lyari area.
At least 31,336 alleged criminals
were arrested in several targeted operations conducted by Police
and Rangers since September 2013. According to a media report
acting Inspector General Sindh Police Hyder Jamali presented
the report at a high-level meeting of law enforcement agencies.
Jamali chairing the meeting also looked at the efficiency of
the ongoing operation in Karachi that has been underway for
the past 10 months. According to the report, in 1,627 Police
operations, some 1,586 suspected of involved in dacoity, 336
in extortionists, 83 abductors, 7,155 fugitives and 590 wanted
in murder cases, were arrested. The SFs also recovered a huge
cache of arms and ammunition from the possession of the arrested,
which included 1,026 explosive materials, 264 arms and ammunition
and a huge quantity of drugs and narcotics. Forces had managed
to seize 643 hand grenades, 3 light machine guns, 186 sub-machine
guns, 7,201 pistols, 116 rifles and 125 shot guns from the possession
from those arrested. Some 392 suspected of criminal activity
were killed in encounters that occurred in the metropolis during
the stipulated time period.
The entire business community
asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to deploy the Army in the
Karachi and shut down all prepaid SIMs to control the law and
order situation.
Four persons were injured when
a bomb planted on a motorbike exploded in the limits of City
Police Station in Bannu town (Bannu District) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The sources said that Maroof Khan, Noor Sali Khan, Niamatullah
and Latifullah sustained injuries when a remote-controlled bomb
planted on a motorcycle parked near the vehicle of Khasadar
Force on Railway road went off at about 9:45am.
The Director General of ISPR
Major General Asim Bajwa said that the tribesmen of North Waziristan
Agency will never allow the terrorists to return to the area.
On his Twitter account, he said the state too will never allow
the terrorists to return to North Waziristan.
July 11
A person and his son were shot
dead by unidentified assailants in Kalat town of Kalat District.
The victims were identified as Raheem Bakhsh and Sanaullah.
A person and his son were shot
dead by unidentified assailants in Kalat town of Kalat District.
The victims were identified as Raheem Bakhsh and Sanaullah.
Two motorcycle-bourne unidentified
assailants killed a man and his son in Hassan Town on Kakul
Road in Abbottabad town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The sources said
that one Ghulam Mustafa Sherazi and his son Waseem Sherazi were
leaving home for a local Imambargah for offering Friday prayers
when they were gunned down. It was learnt that Ghulam Mustafa
Sherazi, who hailed from Sahiwal District in Punjab, belonged
to the Shia community and had been residing in Abbottabad for
14 years. Police sources said Waseem Sherazi came out of his
home in his car accompanied by his father when the armed men
opened indiscriminate fire on them with sophisticated weapons.
They died on the spot. The wife of Ghulam Mustafa Sherazi was
standing at main gate of her house when the incident took place.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police
launched the School of Intelligence in Abbottabad to impart
training to the cops on intelligence gathering. An official
statement said the training would increase the efficiency of
police intelligence personnel working in the Counter-Terrorism
Department, Special Branch and respective district security
branches. "The KP police have established the School of Intelligence
from its own resources and it would be headed by a director
who will look after the administration and training affairs,"
said the communiqué. Colonel (retd) Ishtiaq Warraich has been
appointed as the first director of the school, it added.
Two gangsters were killed in
separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. Lyari gang war accused Rashid
alias Mullah (40) was killed in Police and Rangers encounter
in Kalri area of Lyari town.
A gang war accused Malik Mushtaque
(30) was killed in encounter with Police and Rangers in Kalakot
area of Lyari town.
Unidentified militants set ablaze
three vehicles of the Frontier Works Organisation in the Shagaye
area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency. Official sources said
the vehicles set alight were meant for a road construction project
in the agency. Sources added that two vehicles were completely
destroyed while one was partially damaged.
The Gilgit Baltistan Inspector
General of Police Mohammad Saleem Bhatti said that Police had
information that a group of terrorists linked to the banned
TTP was present in Diamer District, and a search operation to
arrest them had been intensified. He said that the group had
kept contacts with the TTP in South and North Waziristan Agencies.
He informed that two members of the group had taken shelter
in North Waziristan Agency.
President Mamnoon Hussain signed
the Protection of Pakistan Bill 2014 into a law. The new law,
which HRW says violates Pakistan's international legal obligations,
is tough on terror and doubles the maximum sentence for terror
offences to 20 years. It also allows security forces to hold
suspects for up to 60 days without disclosing their whereabouts
or allegations against them. The PPB will be applicable for
the next two years. The National Assembly passed the bill on
July 2, two days after it was unanimously passed in the Senate.
Army captured a top TTP ‘commander’,
Adnan Rashid, in the Wana area of South Waziristan Agency. Adnan
Rashid was living with his family in the mountainous region
bordering Afghanistan, the officials said. He was injured in
a shootout during his arrest.
July 12
Militants attacked a security
checkpost along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Mamond area
of Bajaur Agency in FATA in the early hours, killing three Security
Force personnel including a captain. Official sources say that
militants from across the border in Kunar province of Afghanistan
attacked the security check-post. The attack also injured two
other persons.
July 13
At least 13 militants were killed
when Army jets and artillery pounded alleged militant hideouts
in Mosaki area, 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of Miranshah,
the main town of NWA in FATA. Six terrorist hideouts and a huge
ammunition cache were destroyed and at least 13 militants, most
of them Uzbeks, were killed, a security official said.
The Government is assisting
IDPs under a comprehensive plan to ensure their better look
after at the camps and their rehabilitation in NWA when Operation
Zarb-e-Azb is over. According to the official data, the Federal
Government has so far released around PKR 8 billion for the
IDPs while PKR 358.236 million has already been distributed
among 29,853 families. So far, 929,859 IDPs belonging to 80,302
families have been registered. The Federal Government also announced
the donation of one-day salary of its employees to the IDPs
amounting to 200 million rupees. An agreement has been signed
between a cellular company and the Fata Disaster Management
Authority for further distribution of cash among the IDPs in
a transparent and efficient manner.
Militants distributed a pamphlet
in parts of Khyber Agency warning the Khasadar Force, security
personnel and Government officials to give up their jobs or
else they would be targeted. According to locals, the pamphlet
was distributed by Jaish-i-Khorasan outfit.
At least seven persons were
killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two Lyari gang-war
criminals, identified as Asim Dada and Dadu Memon, were killed
in an encounter in Lyari area. SSP Shiraz Nazir said that in
a joint encounter of Police and Rangers, two Lyari gang-war
members were shot dead.
A person, identified as Nadeem
(30), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Ilyas Goth
area within the limits of Ibrahim Haidry Police Station.
An unidentified person was shot
dead at Memon Goth in Malir town.
A dead body was found near the
shrine of Juman Shah in Quaidabad area.
A dead body was found in Korangi
area.
An abductor was killed and another
was arrested while their one cohort managed to escape during
Police operation in Maripur area of Kiamari Town.
Syed Salahuddin, the 'chairman'
of the United Jihad Council, asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
to take the feelings of Kashmiris into account and avoid showing
"unilateral tilt" towards his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi,
reports Dawn.
Salahuddin at a gathering in
Muzaffarabad District of PoK said to Sharif, "You should not
take any decision against our will we will never accept any
such decision." Salahuddin also said Kashmiris would welcome
"any force" that would help them eject Indian soldiers from
their soil. "If al Qaeda, Taliban or any other organisation
or country extends a helping hand to the oppressed Kashmiris,
we will welcome it," he said. He said Indian army had let loose
a reign of terror in Kashmir and 6,000 unmarked graves, daily
killings, molestation of womenfolk and incidents of arson bore
testimony to it. "We do not have any say at any international
forum. In such a situation, we are left with no choice but to
greet anyone and everyone that can help us overthrow our enemy."
Tehreek-e-Khilafat, a Pakistan-based
militant outfit, has become the first militant outfit in the
South Asia region to break ranks from al Qaeda and declare its
allegiance to the Islamic State that has seized power across
Iraq and Syria. Foreign media reports said the outfit, which
has claimed responsibility for a string of attacks in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh, has pledged allegiance to IS
chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and vowed to raise the Islamic State's
flag in South Asia. "We are praying from the Almighty Allah
to give us chance in our lives to see the expansion of Islamic
State boundaries towards the Sub-Continent and Khorasan region
in order to hoist the flag of Islamic State here," the group
said. The group is believed to be the first outfit beyond the
Middle East to have offered support to Islamic State.
July 14
At least nine persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. ASI, Yousuf (45) was shot dead
by unidentified assailants at Zia Colony in Korangi Town.
A person Meer Ali (43) was shot
dead by unidentified assailants in Port Qasim area.
Rashid (25) was shot dead by
unidentified assailants at Johar Chowk in Orangi Town.
A person, identified as Basheer
(35), was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Memon Goth
in Malir Town.
An alleged criminal, identified
as Noor Mohammad (40), was killed in an encounter in Surjani
Town.
An alleged criminal was killed
and his accomplice seriously injured in shootout with Police
in Orangi Town. Arms were also recovered from the possession
of the accused.
Another alleged criminal was
killed in an encounter with Police at Link Road within the limits
of Steel Town Police Station.
A dead body was found from Mandi
area in Keamari Town.
A dead body was found from Northern
Bypass in Baldia Town.
A Policeman, identified as Salahuddin
(35), was shot and injured at Ali Garh in Orangi Town.
Fighter jets struck militant
hideouts around the Mir Ali tehsil of NWA in FATA in
the earlier hours of killing five militants. Official sources
said that a number of terrorist sanctuaries were destroyed in
the raids and also stated that a huge quantity of arms and ammunition
has been destroyed in the strikes. They added that at least
five bases have been destroyed.
The Policemen repulsed an attack
by three target killers at a picket on the Kohat Road in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and killed one
of them. “The attack was carried out by three armed men, who
were riding a motorcycle, during the Iftar time,” said SP at
the Central Police Office, Sohaib Ashraf.
A session court of Punjab handed
down the death sentence and imposed a fine of PKR 100,000 on
a blasphemy accused after charges were proved against him. The
accused, Zulfikar, was arrested while writing blasphemous remarks
on the walls of Afghan Park in Lahore's Islampura area in 2008.
At least 91 Police officials
and nine Rangers personnel have been killed so far in 2014.
The report stated that 25 Police officials were killed in January,
19 in February, four in March, seven in April, nine in May,
19 in June and eight in the first half of July. Most of the
Police officials were targeted in the West Zone. According to
sources, members of a banned outfit target Police officials
in the area.
Sindh Government admitted in
the Sindh High Court that despite hectic efforts, Law Enforcement
Agencies could not track down the network of a large number
of terrorists who shifted to Karachi after various operations
in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sindh Advocate General Abdul Fatah
Malik made this statement in a report submitted to SHC division
bench which was hearing half-a-dozen identical petitions against
the extra-judicial killings of MQM activists during the ongoing
operation in Karachi.
Punjab CM Mian Shahbaz Sharif
said that fight against terrorists will continue till elimination
of the last militant in the country. Addressing a tribal jirga
of North Waziristan Agency at Bannu, he said that disaster in
North Waziristan would be turned into an opportunity that would
lay foundation for economic revolution in the tribal areas.
Shahbaz Sharif said that after
Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the IDPs from NWA should not consider
themselves abandoned as the Government would utilise all available
resources to help them. He added that the Government could start
health and education programmes and create job opportunities
after defeating the terrorists across the country.
The Director General FDMA Arshad
Khan said that the authority has been actively supporting the
IDPs from the very outset. Talking to a private news channel,
he said that free transport was provided to those who were unable
to travel on foot. He said that they distributed about 400 million
rupees among some 30,000 displaced families.
Political and military authorities
have decided to launch a targeted operation in Mamond tehsil
of Bajaur Agency in FATA. The decision has been taken in view
of intelligence reports that militants are present in the area,
according to the Assistant Political Agent of Nawagai subdivision,
Shah Naseem Khan. Another official, however, said that the decision
to launch a targeted operation was prompted by July 11 killing
of three security personnel in a cross border attack claimed
by the TTP.
July 15
11 militants and five soldiers
were killed and eight others were injured in two separate encounters
with the militants in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA.
In an exchange of fire with terrorists in and around the Mir
Ali area, two soldiers, including an officer Captain Akash Rabbani,
were killed and two others sustained injuries. Four terrorists
were also killed in the exchange of fire.
The military have already announced
that they had taken control of two major towns, Mir Ali and
Miranshah, and expelled the militants from these areas without
facing any major resistance.
A woman was killed and four
other persons injured in a hand grenade attack on a house in
the Sheikh Baba area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency.
The DG of FDMA Arshad Khan has
been removed from his position for failing to provide adequate
facilities to IDPs. The DG has been removed from his post in
light of numerous complaints from IDPs regarding inadequate
facilities and poor living conditions in the camps set up for
them.
Three family members were shot
dead when unidentified assailants barged into a house and killed
Iqbal Shah, his wife and daughter in Yakatoot area of Peshawar,
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A Police Constable, identified
as Adnan, deployed at the residence of Deputy Commandant of
FRP, Gul Wali Mohmand, in Gulbahar No 3 area of Peshawar was
killed when unidentified militants opened fire.
An unidentified militant was
shot dead during an encounter with Police in Bhana Mari area
on Kohat Road. Officials said two motorcycle bourne unidentified
militants attacked the check post. Police in return killed an
attacker while his accomplice managed to flee.
At least five suspected militants
were shot dead by Law Enforcement Agencies in an encounter in
Gulshan-i-Buner area of Malir Town in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim
Ali Shah said that militants and criminals were better trained
and had more weapons than the law enforcement agencies.
July 16
SF killed 35 militants who were
trying to escape from the remote mountainous Shawal Valley in
NWA of FATA. Security official said those killed in air strikes
by the Pakistan Air Force jet fighters included members from
the TTP, Uzbeks, Chechens and Arabs.
At least 20 suspected militants
were killed when US drone fired missiles on a compound in Saidgai
area of Dattakhel in NWA.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
briefed PM Nawaz Sharif on the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Speaking on the occasion, PM said the Government would provide
all resources for the resettlement and rehabilitation of the
IDPs, according to a statement issued by the PM House.
At least six persons were killed
in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. Two unidentified persons, aged 30 and 40,
were shot dead and three others, aged 30, 35 and 40, were shot
and injured by unidentified assailants near Abbas Imambargah
in Gulistan-e-Johar.
Two unidentified men were shot
dead by unidentified assailants on Superhighway in Jamali Goth.
An unidentified person was shot
dead by unidentified assailants in Lyari.
The dead body of an unidentified
man, aged 40, was recovered near Boat Basin of Clifton area.
A person, identified as Faizullah
(25), was shot and injured by unidentified assailants near Khattak
Chowk in Bilal Colony of Korangi Town.
SFs foiled a major terrorist
attack and defused three kilograms of explosives material planted
on the roadside in Bogi area of Dera Bugti District and arrested
six suspected militants.
SFs arrested more than 500 suspected
terrorists belonging to banned outfits from across the country,
including the Federal capital Islamabad. An official of the
Federal Ministry of Interior said the detainees would be treated
under the newly introduced PPA 2014. The arrests have been made
against the backdrop of the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb
in NWA to curb the likely backlash from the militants.
July 17
At least eight persons were
killed and three others were injured in two consecutive explosions
in Dorri Banda area of Hangu town of Hangu District. Officials
said that the incident took place when a roadside bomb hit a
passenger vehicle. No group or militant organisation has claimed
responsibility for the attack.
At least seven suspected militants
were killed and one trooper was killed and five others were
injured in an armed clash between SFs and suspected militants
during a search operation in a compound situated in Raiwind
Road area of Lahore city (Lahore District).
At least seven persons were
killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two persons were
shot dead and one other was injured by unidentified assailants
at DHA Morr near Akhtar Colony.
Two persons, Qadri Hassan Waheed
(30) and Sami Qadri (25) were shot dead by unidentified assailants
outside Lal Flats in Ghulistan-e-Johar.
A person, identified as Abdul
Aziz (18), was killed by unidentified assailants at Joghi Morr
in Cattle Colony of Landhi.
An eight day old dead body was
found near Rexser flyover.
Four day old dead body of a
man was found near Pakistan Chowk.
Saleem Badshah (25), was shot
and injured at Awami Colony in Korangi near Chowrangi area.
A Policeman, identified as Ikhtiyar
(32), was injured by unidentified assailants in Quaidabad.
Kamran (40) was shot and injured
by unidentified assailants in North Karachi.
An alleged member of Lyari gang,
identified as Bilal Sheikh, was killed in an encounter within
the jurisdiction of Airport Police Station in Hyderabad city
(Hyderabad District). His accomplice received bullet wounds
and was also arrested.
July 18
At least eight paramilitary
soldiers were killed and three others were injured as militants
mounted an assault on a FC check-post at Ghundi area of Jamrud
tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. The sources said that four
militants were also killed when the forces returned fire while
three others were arrested.
At least six persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. Muhammad Saad (28) was shot
dead by unidentified assailants at Johar Morr in Gulistan-e-Johar.
A person, identified as Hashim
Raza (45), was killed by unidentified assailants near Labour
Square Gate No-1 in Landhi.
Muhammad Baseer (41) was shot
dead by unidentified assailants in Naseerabad area.
A person, Zia Masood (24) was
killed by unidentified assailant in North Nazimabad near Landikotal
Chowrangi.
The bodies of two persons aged
around 32, were found from ICI flyover and traffic license office
Nazimabad.
Four persons were killed in
firing outside a mosque as they came out after offering the
Friday prayers in the area of Satellite Town in Quetta (Quetta
District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.
One FC personnel was injured
when the FC convoy he was travelling in came under attack at
on Mastung road, the outskirts of Quetta.
A convoy of Pakistan Navy was
attacked by unidentified assailants in the Dasht area of Kech
District.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead two cadres of ASWJ, the frontal organisation of SSP, identified
as Raja Saifullah and Mohammad Aslam, on Chakri Road in Rawalpindi
city (in Rawalpindi District) of Punjab. The attackers however
managed to escape.
A roadside bomb in the Bagh
area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
killed one Policeman and wounded three others.
A suspected militant was injured
in an exchange of fire with Police in the limits of Jabbar Police
Station in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police sources
said that a Police party headed by ASI Yasar Khan signaled two
suspected motorcyclists to stop at Gaddar Chowk.
Three Policemen and a passerby
were killed and three others were injured when unidentified
militants attacked a Police party in Pishtakhara area on the
outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Superintendent of Police (SP, Cantonment) Muhammad Faisal confirmed
the incident.
July 19
A US drone strike targeting
a TTP compound killed 11 militants in Mada Khel suburb of Dattakhel
town in NWA of FATA. "The drone fired eight missiles on
the compound around 2:00am (2100 GMT) on Saturday killing eleven
members of the Punjabi faction of the TTP," a senior security
official said. The official said the dead included two "important"
‘commanders’ of the TTP, but he refused to reveal their identities.
July 20
28 local and foreign militants
were killed in air strikes when fighter aircraft hit hideouts
in the Shawal Valley of NWA in FATA. The fighter aircraft pounded
six separate hideouts of the militants in the forest-covered
Shawal Valley, a mountainous area that divides NWA and South
Waziristan.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead two Khasadar personnel in Shahkas area in Jamrud
tehsil of the Khyber Agency. The sources said Havaldar
Wahab and Khasadar Gul Rahman were on their way in a car in
Charmari Road in Shahkas area when unidentified assailants opened
fire on them, leaving both dead on the spot.
A total of 92,702 families displaced
from NWA have been registered as the FDMA closed the registration
process on July 15, an official said. Addressing a press conference,
FDMA’s Director General Abid Majeed said the NADRA had verified
49,857 families and an amount of PKR 759 million had been distributed
among the IDPs so far while PKR 1226 million were transferred
to Askari Bank Limited for the electronic payment through Zong
SIMs.
At least six persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. A man was killed in Sector 11 area of Orangi
Town when he was targeted by unidentified assailants. Separately,
a man identified as Zia Mehsood was gunned down near Karachi
Medical and Dental College. An activist of Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen
was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on a shop
in PIB Colony. According to reports, three other persons were
killed separately in Landhi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Baldia Town
areas of the city.
At least three persons, including
one FC personnel were killed and 27 others, including five FC
personnel, were injured when IED attached to a motorcycle exploded
in Seerat Chowk area of Khuzdar town (Khuzdar District) in Balochistan.
A Police official, Muhammad Anwar, said that the target of the
explosion was the FC vehicle. The FC vehicle was slightly damaged
and most of the victims were civilians.
Two security guards of the industrial
estate in Hayatabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were shot dead after unidentified militants
apparently mistook them for Policemen. “The security guards
were performing duty at a barrier between Hayatabad and the
Industrial Estate when they were attacked,” SP (Cantonment),
Mohammad Faisal Kamran said.
July 21
At least four persons, including
three Policemen, were killed in different incidents in Karachi
(Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two Policemen,
Niaz Ahmed (47) and Habib Durani (45), were shot dead by unidentified
assailants in Quaidabad area.
Unidentified assailants killed
a Sub Inspector (SI) Muhammad Rafiq on July 20 near Shah Bhattia
Hall in Lyari area while he was returning from his duty.
A person, identified as Qutubuddin
(55), was shot dead and two others, Nawab (40) and Kareem (38),
were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on them
at Islamia Colony No-1 in Qasba Colony.
Chief Minister of Sindh Syed
Qaim Ali Shah said that people from Swat valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Province were involved in deteriorating law and order in Karachi.
Qaim Ali Shah said, “Several IDPs of Swat refused to return
to their homes after the end of military operation even they
were asked to do so. He said these people are involved in deteriorating
law and order in the port city”.
The al Qaeda has confirmed that
the US drone strikes had killed six of its leaders in the Doga
Madakhel area of Dattakhel tehsil of NWA in FATA. Those
killed included Mustafa Abu Yazid, chief ‘operational commander'
of al Qaeda and a close aide of Osama bin Laden, who had claimed
responsibility for the 2007 murder of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan assured the United
States that Islamabad was addressing the threat of terrorism
through Operation Zarb-e-Azb which will ensure that there is
no discrimination or distinction between the several terrorist
groups in NWA. Voices have been raised in Washington that the
army here is giving a safe passage to the Haqqani Network.
On the other hand, Pakistan
sought the US intervention to stop the infiltration of militants
into its territory from the Afghanistan. The US intervention
was sought during a meeting between James Dobbins and Adviser
to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs
Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Office.
KP Police authorities are adding
armour to many of their vehicles. "Presently, the Peshawar
Police … have seven armoured personnel carriers (APCs) used
for patrolling and operations and two bullet-proof cars for
officers," Peshawar Capital City Police Officer Ijaz Ahmad.
The KP Police decided to fortify its operational vehicles by
installing steel sheets in the same way the army has done.
July 22
At least three persons were
killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. A tailor, identified as Sakhi
Dad (40) was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Garam
Chashma situated in the Manghopir area.
A dead body, identified as that
of one Fida Hussain Solangi (60), was found inside a school
in Ferozabad area.
The dead body of a woman, identified
as Farhat Zafar (30), was found near Madrassah Al-Arabia in
Awami Colony.
Rangers rescued a trader, allegedly
kidnapped by a TTP militant, in an operation near Al-Asif Square
in Sohrab Goth.
Minister for SAFRON Lieutenant
General (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch admitted that the Government
has failed to mobilise the public to facilitate and support
the influx of IDPs. “I accept this as my failure,” he said.
He later clarified that he meant that the Government has failed
to mobilise the public as was done during the 2005 earthquake
and the 2010 epic flood, but this does not mean the government
lacks resources. The number of IDPs according to the report
has crossed one million mark.
Baloch also said that terrorist
sanctuaries in interior parts of the country will be dismantled
after the conclusion of the military operation in FATA.
The US Embassy announced an
additional contribution of USD 9.3 million to help the Government
meet the health, water, sanitation, and livelihood needs of
the IDPs from the FATA. This new funding brings the total US
contribution benefiting the IDPs from North Waziristan to USD
17.3 million, said a press release issued from the US Embassy.
The US had announced USD 8 million in food assistance for the
IDPs on June 26, 2014.
July 23
At least 20 militants were killed
and their hideouts were destroyed when fighter jets pounded
sanctuaries in the mountainous Shawal Valley of NWA in FATA.
According to military officials, local and foreign militants
had established sanctuaries in the Shawal Valley.
A soldier was killed and two
others were injured in an IED blast in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand
Agency.
Two brothers identified as Fareed
Khan and Waheed Khan, were injured in a blast in Manzari Cheena
area in Baizai tehsil.
SFs arrested five suspected
militants and seized weapons from them in a search operation
in the Bara tehsil area of Khyber Agency.
SFs seized an ammunition factory,
stockpile of arms, IEDs and foreign currency during a search
operation at the Mir Ali bazaar as part of the on-going Operation
Zarb-e-Azb. So far, troops have found six IED factories in Miranshah,
ISPR said.
Six people were killed and many
others were injured in separate incidents of violence in Karachi
(Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.
Two youths, Liaquat (25) and
Moeen (25), were shot dead by unknown assailants near Fancy
Bakery, Liaqat Chowk, in Gulbahar area.
A woman, Huma (35), was killed
and her husband, Bilal, aged 45, and son, Hassan (17), were
injured when unidentified armed men opened fire on their car
in Karimabad.
A youth, Mohammad Hussain (25),
son of Mohammad Younis, was shot dead by unidentified armed
men in Phool Patti area, Lyari.
A man, Abdul Malik (34), was
killed and two others, Syed Muhammed Hussain Rizvi (34) and
Hafeezul Rehman (30), were injured when unidentified armed men
opened fire on them near Jahangirabad.
An advocate, Syed Mubarak Raza
Kazmi (52), was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire
on his car in Block 13, D-2, Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
A youth, Atif (24), son of Gulzar,
was shot and injured by unidentified armed men in Bhains Colony.
A Police Constable deployed
at the house of a judge was killed while a DSP along with his
gunman and driver was injured in an attack by TTP militants
on Frontier Road in Badaber Village of Peshawar in KP.
The Police foiled a terror bid
after arresting militants with an explosive-laden vehicle in
Rawalpindi city of Rawalpindi District. Rawalpindi Police Spokesperson
informed that the Police was on high alert and special checking
of the vehicles is underway on all the entry and exit points
of the city.
July 24
A senior ‘commander’ of the
TTP, Amir Salam, was among five militants killed in the night
in a blast at a compound in Out Mela area of Orakzai Agency
in FATA.
Two soldiers were killed after
an IED blew up near their vehicle close to the Pak-Afghan border
in the Ghulam Khan area of NWA.
The senior members of TTP rejected
media reports about the capture of bomb-maker and suicide bombers’
trainer Adnan Rasheed by the SFs. A section of the media had
earlier reported that he was the first high-profile militant
commander captured during the ongoing military offensive in
North Waziristan on June 15.
A Police Constable, identified
as Aleem Khan, was shot dead and another officer injured when
motorcycle bourne unidentified militants opened fire on them
while they are guarding the Shah Qabool shrine in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Former Sindh IG, Iqbal Mehmood
Khan proposed and developed the new security unit, which officials
established on July 8, 2014. Iqbal said, "I want to develop
a strong but independent intelligence unit in the Police to
monitor the areas where the Federal Government regularly needs
assistance. The wing will be headed by a superintendent of police
and comprise between 50 and 60 personnel.
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain said
that the Federal and Provincial Governments have left the people
of Karachi at the mercy of ruthless militants. Altaf Hussain
said the law and order situation is worse in the city and the
number of target killing, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and
street crime incidents have increased, which is raising questions
on the role of the Federal and Provincial Governments for providing
security to people of Karachi.
July 25
Three terrorists were killed
and two others were arrested in an injured condition in a joint
operation by the Police and Rangers near the Ijtima Gah Road
in the Manghopir area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. SSP Irfan Baloch said, “The killed militants
belonged to the banned TTP and were planning to carry out attacks
against the law enforcing agencies and other targets in Karachi.”
Two people were killed and five
others were injured in different violence incidents in Karachi.
A man was found dead from a storm-water drain near Decent Garden
in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. An unidentified six-day-old body of a
man was found from Lyari Expressway in Lyari. Four people, Kaneez
Zehra (20), Sheharbano (15), Hameeda (22) and Iqbal (23), were
injured when unidentified armed assailants opened fire on a
bus on Shahrah-e-Faisal near Fine House.
Two butchers were killed in
a landmine explosion in the Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The victims were, identified as Irfanullah
and Abdul Majeed.
Unidentified militants blew
up an under construction Police post in the limits of Ghari
Kapura Police Station in Mardan District. However, no casualty
was reported.
Two Police Constables, identified
as Munir Ahmed and Naseebullah, were killed by unidentified
assailants on Sariab Road in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial
capital of Balochistan.
A farmer was killed and four
others were injured when a mortar shell exploded at Sarwani
Banglow village near Rangpur town in Khushab District of Punjab.
Five farmers – Qasim Chandio, Muhammad Akram, Iqbal, Ramzan
and Muhammad Qasim - were working in the field when they recovered
a mortar shell from the depth of earth.
The security of the Federal
Capital Islamabad will be handed over to the Army, Federal Minister
of Interior Chaudhry Nisar said. The Army will take control
of Islamabad’s security from August 1 for three months under
Article 245 which states that the Army can be called in to assist
civilian administration in heightening security arrangements.
The Federal Minister for SAFRON
Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch revealed that the
military operation in NWA, Operation Zarb-e-Azb, will be concluded
within two weeks while the action in tribal areas will be completed
within a month since the troops engaged in yet another small
adjoining area of FATA.
Little known militant group
Ahrar-ul-Hind, which had defected from the TTP during its efforts
to pursue peace talks with the Government earlier this year,
announced that senior TTP leaders have joined its ranks. The
information could not be verified from the TTP. In a statement
issued to this correspondent, Ahrar-ul-Hind ‘spokesperson’ Asad
Mansoor said, the group has "a well organised structure
now and some founder TTP commanders and close aides of Amir
Baitullah Mehsud are its members."
July 26
At least seven persons were
killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. An ASI Mohammad Ali and a Lady
Police Constable Kiran, posted at Women Police, were killed
by unidentified assailants in Firduos Shoping Centre of Sarafa
Market.
Two persons, Moulana Haroon
and Moulana Hafeez were killed and two others were injured when
unidentified assailants opened fire on a Fitra donation stall
at Masjid Ibrahin in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
Waheeduddin (30) was shot dead
while Mohammad Nisar Nasir (50) was injured when unknown armed
persons opened fire on their car near Garam Chashma in Manghopir
area.
Haider Ali (35) was shot dead
by armed men at Naziamabad area.
A political worker, Nazir Ahmed
was killed by unidentified assailants in Orangi Town.
July 27
Eight militants were killed
during ground Army operation in NWA of FATA. According to reports,
five hideouts of the militants were also destroyed in various
areas of Mir Ali sub-division. The troops have now started advancing
towards Khushali and Hasokhel area of Mir Ali to flush out terrorists.
A passenger coach driver, identified
as Aziz Khan Ghaljay was killed in an IED explosion at a roadside
in the Mirokas area of Kurram Agency. The passengers onboard,
however, remained unhurt.
At least seven persons were
killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two Rangers personnel,
identified as Sanaullah (30) and Saif-ur-Rehman (30), were killed
when unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle sprayed bullets
on them in Landhi area. Two passers-by, identified as Ayesha
Riaz (12) and Nisar (35), also suffered bullet wounds in the
incident. However, Ayesha succumbed to her injuries later.
Two militants associated with
the TTP were shot dead in an encounter with the LEAs in Frontier
Colony in the jurisdiction of Peerabad Police Station.
Two TTP militants were killed
in an encounter with the LEA in Musharraf Colony in the jurisdiction
of Mauripur Police Station.
LEAs arrested at least five
suspects during a door-to-door search operation in Frontier
Colony and Musharraf Colony and claimed to have seized Kalashnikovs,
20 kilograms of explosive materials with detonators, 25 hand
grenades and TT pistols from them.
Two people were gunned down
on link Badini Road area of Sariab while a bullet-riddled body
was recovered from Kuchlak in Quetta.
One person was killed and at
least 13 people were injured in a bomb explosion at the Sharah-e-Iqbal
(Kandahari Bazaar) locality of Quetta. Police said “It was an
IED and planted near an open sewage line passing in front of
a shoe shop.”
SFs recovered 10 kilogram of
explosives from a house in the Dera Bugti town of Quetta. Acting
on a tip off, the SFs raided at a house and seized the explosive
devices along with detonators and fuse in Bugti Colony.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
said that the Operation Zarb-e-Azb will continue till the achievement
of its objectives. He said the operation has been launched for
the elimination of terrorists and the armed forces of the country
will clear NWA in FATA of the terrorists. He further said that
the success of armed forces in the Mir Ali town is the reflection
of their strong will and determination.
A Spokesman for ISPR claimed
that 70 percent of Mir Ali town in NWA and its neighbouring
villages have been cleared by the SFs. The spokesman said “Operation
Zarb-i-Azb continues to achieve its objectives and is progressing
well in North Waziristan.” The spokesman further claimed that
a total of 570 terrorists have been killed since the start of
Zarb-i-Azb operation, 98 terrorist hideouts and 30 an IED factories,
three ammunition making factories and a number of suicide bomber
training centres were destroyed during the operation.
An angry mob killed two young
girls and a woman when they set fire to a number of Ahmadi homes
in Arafat Colony of Gujranwala District. The mob set fire to
the homes after hearing accusations that an Ahmadi youth had
posted a blasphemous picture on Facebook. Later, Police on July
28 registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 550
people for the attack. The case was registered on the application
of Munir Ahmad, who belonged to a non-Muslim minority community.
July 28
A woman was killed and her son
as well as three SF personnel were injured in a cross firing
incident during a search operation in Timergara area of Lower
Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Official sources said SFs
were conducting a search operation in Timergara when residents
of the house of local property dealer, Israruddin opened fire
on them during a raid. Subsequently, three security personnel
were injured during the cross firing whereas Israruddin's wife
was killed and his son sustained injuries.
Suspected militants beheaded
a trooper, Attaullah, who was on leave, in Shingari area of
Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. The sources said local
tribesmen recovered the beheaded body of Attaullah, in the seasonal
stream in Shingari area.
At least seven persons were
injured in a blast targeting a bus in the Garisha area of Khuzdar
District. However, there was no claim of responsibility for
the attack.
A passenger train escaped a
bomb explosion in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital
of Balochistan. SP Imran Qureshi said that the bomb went off
in Mosa Colony, damaging the railway track prior to the arrival
of Quetta Express. Qureshi said that two persons were injured
in the blast. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
However, Police suspect Baloch separatists to be behind the
incident.
The provinces can summon military
troops under Article 245 of the Constitution to meet an emergency
situation and for maintenance of law and order, the Federal
Ministry of Interior said in a letter. Federal Interior Ministry,
in an advisory to the provinces, said that a province would
have to bear the expenses during the deployment of troops in
that federating unit. The provinces will also be responsible
for the arrangements for deployment of military, the ministry
further said. The provinces can summon the required strength
of the military for assistance to the civil administration,
which will be decided with mutual consultation, the advisory
added.
July 29
One person, identified as Ahsan
Manzoor, was shot dead near Muhammad Ali Shaheed Chowk in Al-Falah
area of Malir Town in Karachi of Sindh.
Two persons, identified as
Zakir Hussain and Ghulam Hussain, were killed by unidentified
assailants in Sabzal road area of Quetta (Quetta District),
the provincial capital of Balochistan. The victims belonged
to the Shia Hazara community. The banned outfit Jaesh-ul-Islam
(JuI) has claimed responsibility for the killings.
July 30
At least seven militants were
killed and nine others were injured as a Pakistan Army check
post was attacked in Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The check post is located between the Ankalsar and Tarpaman
areas of Lower Dir. According to the sources, 70 to 80 militants
attacked the check post in the cross-border attack at the Pakistan-Afghanistan
border. Militants were forced to flee after the Pakistan Army
retaliated, military sources said.
At least four persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. One person was shot dead by
unidentified assailants in Bihar Colony of Lyari Town.
One person was shot dead by
unidentified assailants in Shah Faisal Colony of Lyari Town.
One person was shot dead in
Sheesh Mahal area of Liaquatabad Town. The victim's attacker
was later arrested and weapons were seized from his possession.
A dead body was found near Polytechnic
Institute in Korangi Town.
Four persons were injured in
an explosion that took place in a car near Musarrat Cinema in
Nazimabad area. Police suspect that the explosive materials
were present in the car.
Sindh Rangers conducted a targeted
operation in Jamali Goth area and arrested seven militants.
The Rangers had launched the targeted action upon receiving
a tip-off. A huge cache of arms and ammunition, including mortars,
were recovered from the possession of those arrested.
July 31
The Police Constable deputed
at the Korangi Industrial Area Police Station in Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh, was shot dead by
unidentified assailants near Chamra Chowrangi area. The victim
was identified as Abdur Razzaq Ishaque.
Special Investigation Unit arrested
33 criminals and recovered heavy ammunition including cracker
bombs and Kalashnikovs in different area of the city. The operation
was carried out under the supervision and directives of SSP-SIU
Farooq Awan.
One Saifullah Malikdinkhel was
shot dead when unidentified assailants opened fire on him at
Nullah Yousaf Talab in Khyber Agency of FATA. He suffered severe
injuries and was shifted to a local hospital where he succumbed
to his injuries.
The beheaded body of one of
the two persons, who had been kidnapped a few days ago, was
found in Orakzai Agency. Two persons had been kidnapped by unknown
people from Kacha Pakka area for ransom some time back. They
added that the kidnappers had slaughtered Rahib Ali for not
paying ransom and dumped his body at Tanbi area of Orakzai.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a FC soldier, Naik Shehnaz Gul of Platoon No 418 Dosli,
FATA, at Lon-Bacha Abad on the Link Road in Dera Ismail Khan
town (Dera Ismail Khan District) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Naik
Shehnaz Gul was returning to Loni checkpost after dropping his
colleague Zaman Khan at his home in Kulachi. The attackers escaped
from the scene after killing Naik Shehnaz Gul and took along
his motor bike, cash and other items.
August 1
Three persons, including a woman,
were killed in Panjgur District of Balochistan Province. According
to reports, unidentified armed men barged into a house in Prom
tehsil of Panjgur District and killed two men, identified as
Anwar Baloch, Firdos and a woman.
Two persons including a child
were killed in a firing incident in Pashtunabad area of Quetta,
the provincial capital of Balochistan. Police told that unidentified
gunmen opened fire at a rickshaw and killed its driver. A child
playing in the street was also killed when a stray bullet him.
Two militants were killed and
another sustained injuries in a clash between two groups in
Akakhel area of Bara subdivision in Khyber Agency of FATA. The
sources said the militants affiliated with Abdul Wali and Ghulchakai-led
groups exchanged gunfire. A militant belonging to Abdul Wali
Group was killed on the spot while two militants from each group
were wounded. One of the injured militants succumbed to his
injuries later.
One security official was killed
when militants attacked a Security Forces' check post in border
area of Ghakhai pass in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency. According
to ISPR, a group of militants entered Pakistani territory from
Afghanistan's Kunar province and attacked the border post in
Ghakhai pass area. The assault was carried out using heavy weaponry,
killing one FC official.
An alleged gangster was killed
and another injured during separate raids conducted by the Rangers
and Police in Lyari of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. Police said that they and Rangers personnel
conducted a raid at Cheel Chowk in Lyari where unknown criminals
opened fire on them and in retaliatory fire, a criminal was
killed. Police claimed that the killed man was member of Lyari
gang war.
Police claimed that a Lyari
gang war accused Saad alias Baba (20), son of Abdullah, was
injured during an encounter with them and Rangers at Nawa Lane
area of Lyari. The accused was arrested in injured condition.
Arms and one hand grenade were also recovered from the possession
injured accused.
In charge of Counter Terrorism
and Financial Crime Investigation Unit, CID, Sindh Police, Raja
Umar Khatab claimed to have arrested six kidnappers. He further
said that the arrested criminals had confessed to their involvement
in over 50 activities of kidnapping for ransom and extortions
from different areas of Karachi including North Karachi, Bafarzone,
SITE area, and Lyari.
August 2
Three suspected militants were
killed during the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation in the Mir Ali
tehsil of NWA in FATA. According to official sources,
a huge quantity of arms was also recovered from the killed militants.
August 3
At least five persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. A person, identified as Aamir
Azhar (45), was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Sakhi
Hassan area in Chowrangi.
Maulana Mohammad Faisal (35),
was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Pakistan Masjid
in Ranchore Line area.
An activist of a political party
was killed and another was injured at Majeed Colony in Landhi
Town.
Nadeem (30) was shot dead by
unidentified assailants along with Mirza Adan Khan Road in Lyari.
A gangster, identified as Nabeel
(24), was killed an encounter in Lyari. SSP City Shiraz Nazir
said that on a tip-off, a Police party conducted a targeted
raid at Kalakot in Lyari, where criminals opened fire on them.
In retaliatory firing, one criminal of Lyari gangwar was killed.
A person, identified as Imran
Maseeh (21), was injured in a firing by unidentified assailants
near Mianwali Colony.
A person, identified as Iqbal
(50), was shot and injured by unidentified assailants at Old
Vegetable Market.
Saddam Ali (40) was injured
by unidentified assailants at Gaddafi Town in Landhi. A local
leader of PML-N was shot dead in his home on the outskirts of
Khuzdar town in Khuzdar District.
A commander of peace force Ajab
Khan Shambani Bugti was killed in a landmine blast near Dera
Bugti town of Dera Bugti District.
Unidentified armed motorcyclists
attacked Levies force personnel identified as Muhammad Ejaz
in Tump area of Turbat as he was returning home after routine
duty. He sustained bullet wounds and breathed his last on the
spot.
Unidentified armed men opened
fire and killed Muhammad Ramzan in Dasht Mughalzai of District
Kalat and fled.
August 4
Seven Uzbek militants and two
soldiers were killed during the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb
in Data Khel area of NWA of FATA. The soldiers were identified
as Subedar Mashkoor and Lans Naik Zaheer.
During search operation an IED-making
factory has been destroyed in Mir Ali and nearby places as well
as 75 rockets and suicide vests were recovered. Operation Zarb-e-Azb
in NWA is being continued successfully as Mir Ali, Miranshah,
Boya, Degan and Baka Khel have been cleared of militants, ISPR
reported.
The majority of Government schools
and colleges formally reopened in Bajaur Agency after a gap
of one and a half months. However, several educational institutions
continue to be closed with their teachers absenting themselves
from duty. All government and private schools and colleges in
the agency were closed in June for security reasons.
A Christian school principal,
identified as Haji Ishaq, was shot dead in a firing incident
in Baldia Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A man, identified as Faqeer
Mohammad (38), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants
on Street No. 4 in New Muzaffarabad area of Landhi Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead near Mewashah Road in Lyari Town.
A ST cadre, identified as Mohammad
Rais (35), was beaten to death by unidentified assailants while
he was sitting outside his house in Rashi Ghat area of Hyderabad
District. Soon after his death armed men fired into the air
and forced traders to shut their businesses at some places in
the city.
Two people, identified as Shahzeb
(25), and Farooque Naeem (30), were injured in firing incident
near Baldia Jungle School in Baldia Town.
One Ghazanfar (30) was injured
in an incident of firing near Shafeeque Mor in New Karachi Town.
An explosion on Muddhi road
of Kulachi area in Dera Ismail Khan town (Dera Ismail Khan District)
of KP killed former provincial election candidate for KP and
PTI member Faqir Jamshed and two others. The explosion occurred
near the vehicle in which Jamshed was travelling. The former
candidate was travelling from the Kulachi tehsil towards the
town of Dera Ismail Khan when the roadside bomb exploded, killing
Jamshed and his two companions. The other two killed with Jamshed
were his guards.
Unidentified militants targeted
a SFs vehicle with an IED on Barawal Road in Sorbatt area of
Upper Dir District. Fortunately, the officials escaped unhurt.
A law-enforcement official said that a vehicle of the 21-Brigade
Dir was on Barawal Road when an IED planted nearby exploded.
He added the officials onboard remained unhurt, but the vehicle
was damaged. Following the blast, a search operation was launched
in the area and 12 suspects were arrested.
KP BDS averted a terror plot
by defusing a 35kg bomb planted alongside the road in the Saboney
area of Shangla District.
The Khuzdar Press Club was closed
after unidentified people issued threats to local reporters.
An official of the Khuzdar administration said that the club's
office-bearers had decided to close the facility after receiving
threats over the past two weeks. He said journalists associated
with different media groups had stopped working.
August 5
At least 30 militants were killed
in airstrikes carried out by fighter jets in Dattakhel, Marsikhel
and Kamsham areas of NWA in FATA. ISPR stated that six terrorist
hideouts were destroyed in the airstrike.
At least 30 militants were killed
in airstrikes carried out by fighter jets in Dattakhel, Marsikhel
and Kamsham areas of NWA in FATA. ISPR stated that six terrorist
hideouts were destroyed in the airstrike.
During a search operation Rangers
arrested a target killer, identified as Noor Muhammad, from
Northern Bypass area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Police investigations revealed that the target killer was involved
in killing 23 people, including political opponents and Police
officials. According to the Ranger's spokesperson, 94 Police
officials and nine Rangers have been killed during the last
six months.
Judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso of
the ATC remanded two suspects, identified as Shamshad Ali and
Ahmed Yasir, in Police custody till August 12, 2014, for their
alleged involvement in unlicensed weapons and explosive substance
cases. Both the suspects are political activists. Earlier, on
August 4, Rangers raided a house in PIB Colony Gulshan Town,
near the house of MQM leader Farooq Sattar and arrested the
suspects.
The Sindh Cabinet expressed
satisfaction over the achievements made by the Sindh Police
and Paramilitary Rangers under the targeted operation against
extremists, hit men, extortionists and kidnappers in Karachi
and decided to further expedite the action against criminals
with greater force. It decided to further strengthen checkpoints
at all entry and exist points in the Province on roads and railway
stations to avoid any possible entry of terrorists in the Province.
The cabinet gave approval for recruitment of over 10,000 Policemen
in Sindh Police this year and they would be trained by Pakistan
Army Officers.
TTP in a message titled, "The
global war of ideologies and the behaviour of media", sent to
media advocacy groups across the world, including to the "heads
and members of organisations working for the rights of media
members around the world," warned the Pakistani media that if
they did not stop criticising the mujahedeen (holy warriors),
they will be attacked and "no crying and sobbing" will prevent
the holy warriors from punishing journalists.
The KP Government directed the
law enforcement agencies to prepare a comprehensive security
plan for the Independence Day (August 14) celebrations across
the province. The Home and Tribal Affairs Department said that
sanctity of the Independence Day merited a high degree of vigilance
to thwart the evil designs of extremists to sabotage the festivities.
It was stated that terrorists had focused on targeting public
places and gatherings to create uncertainty and fear.
The Elementary and Secondary
Education Department has asked the IDPs, taking shelter in the
buildings of the Government schools, to vacate the schools till
August 10 as academic activities would resume from September
1. The students would start coming to their schools from September
1 at the end of three-month summer vacations, said an official
in the District Education office at Bannu. However, he said
that the deadline set for the IDPs to vacate the schools was
August 20.
August 6
At least six suspected militants
were killed and two others were injured when a drone fired two
missiles in a house in a village in Dattakhel area of NWA in
FATA. The intelligence sources add that the militants killed
were foreigners.
Three militants, including two
LI militants and one TI militant were killed as the two rival
militant outfits clashed in Zakhakhel area of Tirah Valley in
Khyber Agency. Three LI militants were captured by TI militants.
The two LI militants were identified as Aqeel and Baghi.
One Sikh shopkeeper, identified
as Jagmohan Singh, was killed and two of his friends, one identified
as Paramjit, were injured when unidentified armed assailants
opened fire at them at Khushal Bazaar in Hashtnagri area of
provincial capital Peshawar. According to a witness, there was
only one attacker who was wearing a mask and had a pistol in
his hand.
A bronze trader was injured
when unidentified extortionists opened fire at his shop situated
on Lawrence Road in Jamshed Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. According to details, the trader had received
an extortion slip during the month of Ramazan and had
failed to pay the amount.
A hand grenade was lobbed at
the residence of a trader in Hyderi Market area of North Nazimabad
Town. However, there was no loss of life reported in the incident.
According to Police sources, the attack was carried out to threaten
the trader into paying extortion money.
Armed abductors barged in to
the house of BNP-M member Mullah Yousuf and kidnapped four people,
identified as Mohammad Musa, Khair Bakhsh, Rasheed and Sabir,
at gun point in Kolanch area of Pasni town in Gwadar District.
Yousuf was elected member of the District Council in the local
government elections held in December 2013.
Unidentified militants kidnapped
two people, identified as Muhammad Azim and his driver, after
intercepting his vehicle in Jusak area of Turbat District.
August 7
At least seven militants and
two security personnel were killed and more than 20 others were
injured in an operation in Turbat District after unidentified
militants opened fire at a SFs convoy in the same area. Home
Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed that seven
militants were killed and more than 20 injured in the clashes,
adding that weapons were also recovered from the possession
of militants. SFs launched an operation in the area in the aftermath
of attack at forces' convoy by militants in Nasirabad area of
the District.
Unidentified militants opened
fire and killed a Balochistan Constabulary officer, identified
as Aziz Ahmed, near the Governor House in GPO Chowk in Quetta,
provincial capital of Balochistan.
At least 12 persons, including
two Police Officials, were injured when an IED exploded near
the Deputy Commissioner Office on Mall Road in Chaman town of
Qilla Abdullah District.
Private schools and language
centres in Panjgur District which were closed in mid May 2014
because of threats from an unknown religious organisation have
reopened after the Government assured them of providing protection
to them against such threats. "All the 23 private English medium
schools and language centres started functioning from August
6, 2014 in the entire Panjgur District," a senior official of
the local administration said, adding that all possible protection
would be provided to teachers and students of these institutions.
Two people, including the former
President of District Chapter of PTI, identified as Taufiq Ali
Hoti, and another member of the same party, identified as Arif,
were shot dead by unidentified militants near the zoo in Garden
neighbourhood of Saddar Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
A Police Official, identified
as Sajjad, was killed in a firing incident in Kati Pahari area
of Orangi Town.
An unidentified dead body was
recovered from Steel Town close to Gulshan-e-Hadeed area of
Bin Qasim Town.
A Policeman, identified as Farhan
Baig, was shot dead at point blank distance in Latifabad city
of Hyderabad District. Baig was a jail department's Policemen
and the gunman of Hyderabad DIG prisons, Muzaffar Ali Siddiqui.
He was on his way to DIG's prison to perform his duty and was
intercepted by four unidentified militants near Ayesha Masjid
unit-6 Latifabad on main road.
Three people, identified as
Farooq (25), Abdul Wahab (28), and Tariq (32) were injured when
unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade in Sango Lane area
of Lyari Town in Karachi District.
One Muqadar Ali (28), was shot
at and injured in firing incident near Nadeem Medical in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town.
Karachi Police and CIA in the
joint operation raided different parts of the city and arrested
two accused involved in terrorism case and 16 suspects involved
in illegal weapons cases.
The Government of Pakistan condemned
the August 6, 2014, US drone strike that took place in Dattakhel
area of NWA in FATA. According to a Foreign Office statement,
Pakistan regards such strikes as a violation of its sovereignty
and territorial integrity. "These strikes also have a negative
impact on the Government's efforts to bring peace and stability
in Pakistan and the region. We therefore expect immediate cessation
of such strikes," the statement said.
August 8
The Baloch National Voice accused
SFs and intelligence personnel of abducting two of its workers,
identified as Ohran Marri and Nadir Marri, during a raid on
their houses in New Kahan area of Quetta.
At least 22 mortars fired from
Paktia Province in Afghanistan landed in different parts of
Dattakhel tehsil of NWA in FATA. However, no loss of
life was reported.
The residents of Ediak in NWA
refused to evacuate over the imminent military offensive against
militants in the area. The refusal comes two days after the
administration served notices on hundreds of the residents of
Razmak, Spinwam, Shewa, Shawal, Eidek and adjoining areas of
the tribal agency to shift to Bannu without delay. They were
even offered free transport for Bannu. The elders of tribesmen
called a jirga to decide about the future course of action.
The participants unanimously decided not to vacate their homes
but said they would continue to be in contact with the administration
on the matter.
Four companies of Pakistan Rangers
(Punjab) were deployed at vital security points of the city
after the Provincial Government requisitioned it to cope with
law and order situation in the provincial capital Lahore. A
Police source said that up to four companies comprising 160
personnel took their positions at sensitive government buildings
and establishments. He said the Rangers had been put at the
disposal of Lahore Police for future line of action.
Section 144 of the CrPC has
been imposed in Islamabad over 'security concerns' ahead of
planned rallies by the Chiefs of the PTI and PAT in the capital
A notification in this regard has been issued by the Deputy
Commissioner Islamabad. Section 144 bans a gathering of more
than four people at one place for rallies and protests and also
bans carrying weapons.
August 9
Taliban militants from
Afghanistan stormed the house of Nazmeen Khan, chief of a local
anti-Taliban militia, and killed him along with his two sons and
a nephew, in Tenai Dara village in Upper Dir District of KP. The
local militia and the Army later retaliated and killed two militants,
while two other family members of Khan, were also injured in the
attack, Senior Police official Javaid Aziz said.
August
10
A Shia man, identified as Syed
Kazim Shah (60), and his daughter, identified as Aroosa, was
killed, while his wife and another daughter sustained injuries
in a sectarian attack outside his home in Khuda Ki Basti area
of Surjani Town in Gadap Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. His wife was identified as Naeema and daughter as
Rida (9). SSP Irfan Baloch said that Kazim had received threat
from a sectarian organisation.
A milk shop owner, identified
as Jamil Ahmed, was shot dead at his milk shop located in Block
17 within the limits of the Samanabad Police Station in Gulberg
Town.
A Police Officer, identified
as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Hameed Khattak (34), who was
shot at and injured on August 9, 2014, near Khyber Hotel within
the limits of the SITE-A Section Police Station in Baldia Town
succumbed to his injuries.
A cadre of ASWJ, identified
as Farazuddin, was shot dead in a targeted attack near Jhanda
Chowk in Liaquatabad within the limits of the Super Market Police
Station in Liaquatabad Town.
Law enforcers claimed to have
arrested 33 suspects in separate raids across the city. Rangers
conducted a targeted raid in Bund Murad Goth, Manghopir area
of Gadap Town, based on an intelligence report, and arrested
two TTP militants. The Rangers spokesperson claimed that the
personnel also seized weapons from their possession, including
four hand grenades, six rockets and ten detonators.
Rangers arrested two suspects
allegedly involved in extortion at Nayabad area of Lyari Town.
The Rangers spokesperson said that the raid was conducted in
response to a complaint, adding that the two suspects were arrested
when they came to collect extortion money. The spokesperson
also claimed that the personnel seized weapons and extorted
money from their possession.
An alleged extortionist was
arrested during a targeted raid in Khadda Market of Lyari Town.
The Rangers spokesperson said that the raid was conducted acting
on the information provided by the already arrested culprits,
adding that a huge cache of illegal weapons including automatic
rifles were also seized.
In a targeted operation in Landhi
Town, the Rangers arrested nine suspects allegedly involved
in extortion, target killings and other crimes. Weapons of various
calibres, including SMGs, 7mm rifles, grenades, repeaters and
pistols were also seized.
Two people, including a woman,
identified as Rehana Bibi, and a boy, identified as Inzimam
Khudabaksh Baloch (11), were killed after being caught in crossfire
between militants and Security Forces (SFs) in Kharan District.
According to Balochistan Levies official, a group of armed militants
opened fire at FC check post on Quetta Road near Sheikh Masjid
in Kharan District, sparking retaliatory fire. SFs launched
a search operation in the area following the attack.
Two unidentified decomposed
dead bodies were found dumped in Mandrani area of Sui in Dera
Bugti District. According to Levies officials, the victims were
shot after being tortured and their identities could not be
determined till the filing of this report.
Despite the first reported case
of polio in over a year in Balochistan surfacing in July 2014,
the Government postponed its immunisation drive in parts of
the province since it cannot provide security. A three day anti-polio
drive scheduled for provincial capital Quetta and Pishin District
from August 11 to August 13, 2014 has been postponed.
At least three militants were
killed in a joint operation carried out by the Security Forces
and peace militia in Sonai Darra Barawal area of Upper Dir District
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During a media briefing, ISPR spokesperson
Lieutenant Colonel Aqeel Ahmad showed the bodies of the militants,
who were killed in the pre-dawn raid targeting a peace militia
member's house.
The Sabzi Mandi Police arrested
15 suspects during a raid on Eastern Oil Company located in
Islamabad and recovered arms and explosives, including 10 pistols,
four guns, three triple-two rifles, explosives, and thousands
of bullets, from their possession.
August 11
Three people travelling in a
motor rickshaw sustained injuries when a bomb exploded on Maal
Road in Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District. Police said
that unknown men had planted an explosive device in a motorcycle
and parked it on the Road near a market.
At least three people were injured
in an IED blast near Sarozai area of Doaba in Hangu District
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the Police, a passenger
van en-route to Peshawar from Hangu when it hit a homemade IED
planted roadside in Sarozai area. SHO of Doaba Police Station,
Aainullah Khan said that three people were injured in the blast
and added that the bomb might have been planted to target Security
Forces or Police.
Police and BDS foiled a bid
to blow up the local tribal elder’s residence in the Mohallah
Khudrianwala in Tank town (Tank District). The Police on getting
information reached the scene along with the BDS that defused
the bomb.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
said that the Operation Zarb-e-Azb would reach its logical end
and it would succeed with the help and support of the valiant
nation. He said the Army would not allow the terrorists to return
and regroup in the country. He expressed these views while chairing
the corps commander’s conference. The meeting expressed the
resolve that the terrorists would not be allowed to regroup
and return and nor would they be allowed any space across the
country. Presiding over the conference here at the General Headquarters,
COAS General Raheel Sharif expressed complete satisfaction at
the progress made in the operation so far. He paid rich tributes
to the courage shown and sacrifices rendered by the troops during
the ongoing operation.
The National Assembly unanimously
adopted a resolution to condemn the “brutal” killings of religious
minorities and to reject all forms of discrimination against
them in the country on the occasion of National Minorities Day.
The resolution, tabled by Religious Affairs Minister Sardar
Yousaf, urged the Government to take concrete steps to establish
and maintain interfaith harmony in order to safeguard fundamental
rights of minority communities as enshrined in the constitution.
PPP Shazia Marri said that non-Muslims
were feeling severe sense of insecurity in the country. She
called for holding accountability of those committing crimes
against non-Muslims. She said that lip service would not serve
the purpose, as Pakistan did not belong to Muslims only but
that it was also a country of non-Muslims living here.
August 12
Ghazanfar Ali Kazmi, the SHO
of Preedy Police Station, was shot dead in Garden area of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh, in the night. According to
Police, unidentified assailants attacked him near Anklesaria
Hospital when he was going in his private car to his home in
Garden Police headquarters. He was taken to the Civil Hospital
where doctors pronounced him dead. The victim had taken part
in the 1992 operation against criminals in Karachi.
ASI Jamil (45) was shot dead
and two passersby injured in an attack at Gul Ahmed Chowrangi
in Quaidabad area of Karachi. According to Police, ASI Jamil
was sitting with his friends near his home at Gul Ahmed Chowrangi
when motorcycle bourne unidentified assailants opened fire on
him and fled.
One doctor, identified as Amir
Mehdi (56) was shot dead in a sectarian attack in Landhi area
of Karachi in the evening. Amir Mehdi was sitting at his ‘Rifah-i-Aam
Clinic’ in Landhi-2 when two assailants riding on a motorcycle
emerged there, fired shots and rode away. The doctor and his
compounder brother, Nihal Ali, suffered bullet wounds. Amir
Mehdi later succumbed to his injuries.
40-year-old Abbas Haider Zaidi
was travelling in a car when four assailants riding two motorcycles
intercepted him at the Kamal petrol pump near Bara Board in
the Pak Colony area and fired at him. Police said it’s a sectarian
attack.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead three brothers, including a Constable, near Yarak area
of Dera Ismail Khan town (Dera Ismail Khan District) in KP in
the night. Two persons were also injured in the incident. Police
said that the assailants were riding motorcycles, adding that
the victims were identified as Sadullah, Constable at the City
Police Station, and his brothers- Ali Rehman and Faizullah.
The injured were named Hakim Jan and Yousaf. The dead and the
injured belonged to Wanda Abu village.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a member of the peace body in Koz Sherpalam village of
Matta tehsil in Swat District. The sources said the member
of the Peace Committee, Sahibzada, was standing on roadside
in Koz Sherpalam village when occupants of a car opened fire
on him, killing him on the spot.
Unidentified militants blew
off a private school in Achini area of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of KP. However, the explosion did not cause any casualty.
At least 22 persons were injured
when a bomb went off near a market in Quetta, the provincial
capital of Balochistan. “The bomb was detonated with a timer
and was planted near a small roadside stall, Quetta Police Chief
Abdul Razzak Cheema said.
August 13
A FC official was killed and
another was injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast close
to a SF vehicle that was on routine patrol near Sharifabad Chowk
in Hazarganji area of provincial capital Quetta.
A tribal elder, Malik Abdul
Hakeem, survived a roadside bombing in Gulu Shah area of Khar
tehsil in Bajaur Agency of FATA. Malik Abdul Hakeem was
driving in the Gulu Shah area when an IED detonated near his
vehicle. However, he remains unhurt in the incident.
The Chief of the Army Staff
General Raheel Sharif said that the Army will try to complete
the Operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA soon. The Army Chief said that
the event was good sign for national solidarity.
Pakistan rejected Afghan Government’s
allegation that Pakistani forces had launched an attacked in
a border District of eastern Kunar province. Top Afghan security
adviser Rangin Dadfar Spanta said that the country’s security
forces have “repulsed attack by Pakistani forces” in eastern
Kunar province this week. Spanta told the meeting of Council
of Ministers, presided over by Afghan President Hamid Karzai
on August 11 that, “Pakistani forces have increased rockets
fire on Afghanistan’s border areas,” Afghan state news agency
Bakhtar reported.
August 14
At least 12 militants, wearing
suicide vests and armed with RPGs and automatic weapons were
killed and 11 SFs were injured in an 11-hour gun battle near
Khalid Aviation Airbase and Samungli Airbase in Quetta. The
SFs also detained five suspects in a search operation conducted
in connection with the attack targeting the Samungli airbase.
TTP Ghalib Mehsud faction claimed
responsibility for the attack on the Airbases in Quetta. Ghalib
Mehsud is the leader of Fidayeen-e-Islam which is the suicide
wing of TTP. Commander Southern Command, Lieutenant General
Nasir Khan Janjua said, "They all seemed to be foreign
nationals." SP Imran Qureshi Police said, "All dead
terrorists seem to be Uzbeks.” The Balochistan Government has
decided to conduct DNA tests of all 12 terrorists killed.
TTP spokesperson Azam Tariq
said that the attack was in retaliation for Operation Zarb-e-Azb
in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Speaking to the media via
telephone, he said the attacks on both airbases were carried
out by militants from different groups, including Khalid Mehsud
alias Sajna’s Ishtehadi Group, Umar Khalid Khorasani’s Afia
Brigade and IMU suicide bombers under TTP Commander Salar Mehsud.
“The Government initiated the drama of peace talks and later
held the Taliban responsible for its failure,” the TTP spokesperson
said. “In fact, it was the government’s plan to initiate military
action and displace tribesmen.”
One FC official was killed and
another was injured after their patrolling vehicle was bombed
with an IED in the Sariab area of Quetta. “An FC man was killed,
while another is critically wounded,” senior Police Officer
Imran Qureshi said.
August 15
At least four suspected militants
were killed when SFs opened fire on an explosives-laden vehicle
in the Fort Slope area of Bara tehsil in the Khyber Agency
of FATA. SFs signalled a suspicious vehicle which was approaching
their base, directing it to stop but opened fire on it after
the vehicle failed to accord with the directive. The vehicle
was completely destroyed in the incident. Suspects killed in
the attack were reported to be affiliated with the Gangriz Group
of the TTP.
Maulvi Halim Khan has replaced
militant ‘commander’ Hafiz Gul Bahadar as the chief of Shura
Mujahideen NWA. According to the sources, the decision, taken
in a meeting of the group’s Shura, has been supported by both
the TTP and the Afghan Taliban, though none of them has issued
a formal statement to declare support for Maulvi Halim Khan.
Two men, identified as Iftikhar
(40), and Faizan (45), were shot dead near KDA flats in Surjani
Town area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of
Sindh.
A man, identified as Syed Badshah
(35), was shot at and injured at Mansehra Colony in Landhi Town.
A man, identified as Salman
(30), received bullet injuries when unidentified armed assailants
opened fire on him at Korangi Crossing near Shamim Masjid in
Clifton Cantonment of Saddar Town.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
said SFs should continue to remain vigilant and soon they would
eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country forever.
The COAS praised the valour of SFs, who successfully foiled
terrorist bid to attack PAF and Army Aviation Base in Quetta.
General Raheel Sharif said that after Operation Zarb-e-Azb,
terrorists were on the run and making desperate attempts to
cause damage to Pakistan.
August 17
A man, identified as Farhan
(30), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants near Sindhi
Hotel in Liaquatabad Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
An unidentified man was found
dead from Yousaf Goth area in Baldia Town. Police also recovered
three empty bullet shells at the crime scene.
A man, identified as Muhammad
Haseen (40), was killed by unidentified armed assailants near
the Sunday Market in Baldia Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead in Manghopir area of Gadap Town.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a Policeman, identified as Wakeel, in Baldia Town.
A man, identified as Samiullah
(22), was shot at and injured near the Alfalah Society in Malir
Town.
A bomb weighing 10 kilograms
was defused near Bakra Peri in Orangi Town. SSP West, Irfan
Baloch said that according to the initial investigation report,
the bomb was planted in a rundown rickshaw to target the Security
Forces vehicles.
Over a dozen teenagers who were
being trained by militants in NWA of FATA returned to their
native village of Sheikhan on the outskirts of the provincial
capital Peshawar, on instruction from their ‘trainers’. While
their families are delighted to see them, a fear lingers that
the mindset of these boys may have been changed forever. Elders
told The Express Tribune that around 25 boys, aged between
14 and 18, were taken from the village over the last five months,
leaving their families in a state of despair. Half returned
after the start of the military operation in NWA.
August 18
Two people, identified as Jaffer
(40) and Kashif (45), were shot dead in Kati Pahari area on
North Nazimabad-Orangi Link Road in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
The IDPs from NWA of FATA refused
to vacate schools in Bannu District. Hundreds of IDPs sheltering
in schools demonstrated outside the Bannu Press Club to demand
the withdrawal of the deadline. Holding placards and shouting
slogans, they said they won't vacate schools until they were
provided with shelter at some other place. The protesters also
demanded their early repatriation saying the army claimed to
have cleared most North Waziristan of militants.
The administration had asked
IDPs occupying school buildings in the District to shift to
camps in Bakkakhel by August 20, 2014, saying these educational
institutions will resume classes on September 1, 2014 after
summer vacations. Earlier, August 10, 2014, was the deadline
for the purpose. Currently, 7,322 IDPs have taken shelter at
313 government schools for girls in the District and 16,522
at 531 government schools for boys. Overall, the district has
685 government schools for girls and 747 for boys.
August 19
At least 48 suspected militants
were killed, seven hideouts, nine vehicles and several motorcycles
were destroyed in fresh air strikes carried out by fighter jets
and Cobra gunship helicopters in the Khyber and North Waziristan
Agencies of FATA. The ISPR press release said that the airstrikes
were carried out in the Kukikhel area of Tirah Valley in Khyber
Agency in which 18 suspected militants and seven suspected hideouts
were destroyed. Later, 30 more suspected militants were killed,
nine vehicles and several motorcycles belonging to suspected
militants were destroyed in fresh strikes carried out by Cobra
gunship helicopters in NWA.
Six persons were killed when
a remote-controlled explosive device went off in the Tangi area
of Salarzai tehsil in Bajaur Agency. The deceased include three
female teachers, two children and a driver. The explosive material
was planted along a roadside in the Tangi area which exploded
when the school van was passing through it.
Two Policemen, identified as
Head Constable, Azhar Abbas and Constable, Azam, were shot dead
by unidentified militants while on duty at Dakkhana near Gul
Ahmed Textile Mills in Quaidabad area of Bin Qasim Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Quaidabad Police SHO, Amanullah
Marwat claimed that it was a targeted attack. He said that the
assailants also stole the Police Officers official weapons.
Another Head Constable Tahir
Mehmood (46) was shot dead within the limits of Ittehad Town
Police Station in Shanti Nagar area of Baldia Town. Police officials
believe that the Police are being targeted in retaliation to
the ongoing military operation in NWA of FATA.
A Quran teacher and a member
of JeI, identified as Qari Muhammad Ishaq, was shot dead in
his house within the limits of the Surjani Town Police Station
in Gadap Town.
The Judicial Commission, headed
by Justice Noor Muhammad Maskanzai of the Balochistan High Court,
formed to probe the 13 mass graves discovered in Totak area
of Khuzdar District on January 27, 2014, absolved the Armed
Forces and Intelligence Agencies of responsibility in the case.
Chief Minister Malik Baloch had established the Commission to
conduct an inquiry into the mass graves on February 1, 2014.
The report said, "No one has
recorded any statement against the Armed Forces and Security
Agencies." It further stated, "No evidence of involvement of
Intelligence Agencies has been found in connection with the
mass graves." The Commission recorded the statements of 57 individuals
in connection with the case but stated that only witness number
38 had recorded statements against intelligence agencies but
that could not be verified.
The Commission, however, mentioned
that it was the core responsibility of the administration to
protect the lives and properties of the people, and that the
recovery of mass graves was the result of negligence on part
of the civil administration. "There has to be no private check
posts in the area," the report recommended, asking the Provincial
Government to step up efforts to ensure rule of law in the region.
However, the VBMP has rejected
the report and termed it an effort to conceal facts. "Security
Agencies are involved in killing and dumping of people in Balochistan,"
Chairman VBMP Nasrullah Baloch said.
Operational and administrative
measures implemented by the KP Police have improved the province's
security situation, KP IGP Nasir Khan Durrani said. KP has been
mostly peaceful for the last few months. Unlike the last few
years, Police recorded only a few major terrorist attacks during
the first seven months of 2014 and militants failed to commit
a major attack during the holy month of Ramadan and during Eid
ul Fitr.
The measures are paying off
as violence is falling, according to reports kept by the Police.
Terrorist attacks between July 2012 and June 2013 totaled 456,
Peshawar SP Sohaib Ashraf said. That number fell to 401 the
following year. Police reported 25 suicide bombings in KP in
July 2012-June 2013. That number fell to eight in the next cycle.
The number of IED bombings also decreased from 321 to 237. Casualties
dropped from 380 to 310. However, two categories saw higher
numbers: rocket attacks (22, up from 4) and targeted killings
(129, up from 99).
August 20
Two Constables, identified as
Khurshid and Majeed, were shot dead while patrolling on Sakran
Road in the industrial town of Hub in provincial capital Quetta.
"The Police personnel were targeted when they were on official
duty," said a senior Police Officer, Zia Man-dokhel.
FC personnel foiled a terror
bid during raids in Quetta and Chagai District. In the first
raid, a huge cache of arms and ammunition that was dumped underground
in a compound was recovered during the operation in Quetta.
Home Minister, Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said that the
SFs had received a tip off regarding the presence of arms and
ammunition and conducted operations in the two areas.
In the second raid, FC personnel
arrested three suspects in an operation conducted at a house
in Faisal Colony of Dalbandin area in Chagai District. The suspects
were accused of dumping weapons to carry out terrorist activities
in several areas of the Province. Arms and ammunition seized
by SFs included anti-tank mines, rockets, hand grenades, detonators
and other weapons.
One man, identified as Qasim
(38), was shot dead near the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium in North
Nazimabad Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The BDU defused a home-made
explosive device recovered in the Chamkani area of Peshawar,
the provincial capital of KP. Assistant Inspector General of
Police and BDU in-charge Shafqat Malik said the bomb, which
was fixed in a pressure cooker and weighed 10 kilograms, was
placed in the jurisdiction of Chamkani Police Station.
BDU defused an IED planted by
unidentified militants near the residence of a QWP leader, Sher
Bahadur Khan in Umarzai area of Charsadda District. A Police
official said they were informed of a suspicious gas cylinder
lying near the house of Khan after which they rushed to the
site and called in the BDU to decommission the explosive device.
Police said the militants had planted the remote-controlled
IED inside the cylinder.
A bomb was defused outside a
house near Qazi pump in Hangu town (Hangu District). BDU in-charge
Asadullah said the bomb was planted by unidentified militants
outside the residence of Anwar Asghar. Asad added they were
informed about the device, at around 6 am, which weighed around
one kilogram.
Bannu Police foiled a terror
bid and defused a remote-controlled bomb planted along Jani
Khel Road.
KP Home and Tribal Affairs Department
has set up a complaint cell, particularly for those receiving
extortion demands and threatening calls. Many victims fear lodging
complaints against influential offenders, but the cell will
protect their identities, the press release said. The first
centre opened in Peshawar, but the centres gradually will spread
to other Districts, Home and Tribal Affairs Secretary Syed Akhtar
Ali Shah said.
August 21
Two drivers, identified as Juma
Khan and Mohammad Ayaz, were killed and two cleaners, identified
as Zabit Khan and Moin Khan, were injured when Jaish-e-Khorasan
(JeK) militants attacked the oil tankers at Sur Kamar area in
Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. JeK 'spokesman' told
the reporters over phone that its `fighters' had carried out
the attack.
The FATA Tribunal directed the
Political Agent of Khyber Agency to produce record of Shakil
Afridi's trial and conviction for links with LI. Shakil has
moved the tribunal against the upholding of his conviction by
an appellate forum of the FCR Commissioner. The Tribunal fixed
the next hearing into the petition for September 18, 2014, after
directing the political agent to produce the record of the case.
The two-member bench of Justice
Malik Manzoor Hussain and Justice Ikramullah Khan at the Peshawar
High Court issued a show-cause notice to KP's Secretary for
Home and Tribal Affairs as he failed to submit a report in a
missing persons' case. He was ordered to appear before the court
on September 23, 2014. The bench was informed by Advocate Mohib
Jan that Intelligence Agencies, with the help of the Police,
allegedly picked up Musafar and Arif from Haji Camp in Peshawar
on July 25, 2011.
In the petition, the family
accused ASP Muhammad Faisal of picking up the two men. It said
Musafar was a truck driver, and Arif his assistant, a cleaner
neither had any links with a militant organisation. The counsel
for the petitioner stated on June 24, 2014, relatives of the
two missing men were informed that both were being kept at an
internment centre in Kohat District of the Province. Early in
July, Musafar's body was handed over to his family without any
information about the cause of death. Arif is still being detained
at the centre.
In a separate case, the same
bench issued a notice to Kohat internment centre in charge.
The court was informed by Advocate Gul Nazir that six family
members of his client, Naek Muhammad Shah, were allegedly picked
up by Intelligence Agencies in 2012. They included Barkat Shah,
Tahir Shah, Bakhtawar Shah, Ismail Shah, Hazrat Shah, and Nazar
Shah. Nazir said the bodies of Barkat, Tahir and Bakhtawar were
handed over to the family, while the remaining people were still
at Kohat internment centre. The court issued a notice to the
in charge of the internment centre to submit a comprehensive
report on the three missing persons.
The US offered a total USD 30
million in return for information on key leaders of the Haqqani
Network that is blamed for numerous attacks in Afghanistan.
"The Department has authorised rewards of up to USD 5 million
each for information leading to the location of Aziz Haqqani,
Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani, Yahya Haqqani, and Abdul Rauf Zakir,"
the State Department said in a statement. It also increased
its previous reward offer of up to USD 5 million for information
on the group's leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, to up to USD 10 million.
This brings Haqqani into the same group as the likes of Afghan
Taliban 'commander' Mullah Omar and JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed.
The State Department said, "The
group is allied with al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban and cooperates
with other terrorist organisations in the region." It said that
the Haqqani network was "the most lethal insurgent group" targeting
the US-led NATO coalition and Afghan personnel in Afghanistan.
August 22
FC claimed to have killed 16
militants during an operation in Dasht area of Turbat District.
Khan Wasey, the spokesman for FC said that SFs launched an operation
against miscreants in Dasht, adding, "At least 12 militants
were killed in armed clashes." Later, four more suspected militants
were killed in the exchange of fire. "Gun battle is ongoing
in Dasht since afternoon," a levies official said on condition
of anonymity.
A paramilitary soldier, identified
as Naik Mohabat Khan, was killed in an exchange of fire with
militants who entered from Afghanistan into Muslim Bagh town
in Qilla Saifullah District. "Around 70 to 80 armed men, smugglers
and militants, tried to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan near
Muslim Bagh in Qila Saifullah. FC personnel, primarily responsible
for guarding border, tried to stop them when they opened fire,"
said Khan Wasay. No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
At least two people, identified
as Muhammad Javed (30) and Fateh Muhammad (30), were killed
and two others, identified as Zahid, 35 and Akbar (32), were
injured when unidentified militants opened fire at them within
the limits of Malir City Police Station in Malir Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Two people, identified as Nasreen
(40), and her husband Mubarak (45), were shot dead at Shah Faisal
Muhallah in Orangi Town.
One Khaliq Ahmed (40) was killed
by unidentified armed assailants in Orangi Town.
A man, identified as Suiraj
Uddin (50), was shot dead by unidentified militants near Total
Pump along Super Highway in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town.
A PAF official, identified as
Abubakar (35), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants
near Robi Cinema in Baldia Town.
A man, identified as Saeed Hussain
(31), was injured when unidentified armed assailants opened
fire on him near Metroville site area.
A man, identified as Dawood
(18), was shot at and injured near Urdu Chowk in Orangi Town.
One Saqib (30) was injured when
unidentified armed assailants fired shot at him near Model Colony
in Malir Town.
One Ali Akbar (40) was shot
and injured in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town.
LI militants killed a tribesman,
identified as Nek Mohammad, for spying on the outfit in Speen
Drand locality of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency. According to
details, the man was shot dead and then his body was displayed
in an open area for several hours before being handed over to
his family.
The khasadar force recovered
the dead body of a man, identified as Salim Khan, dumped in
a house in Pump House locality near Ghundi in Jamrud tehsil
of Khyber Agency. The officials said that the man belonged to
Sikanderkhel sub-tribe of Kukikhel.
Later in the same Agency, the
administration sealed at least 90 shops of Turkhel tribesmen
over failure to check militant attacks on NATO vehicles in Sur
Kamar area of Jamrud tehsil.
The elders of NWA in FATA warned
that they will march on Islamabad and observe a protest sit-in
outside Parliament if they are forced to vacate school buildings
before August 30 according to the Government's decision. NWA
Peace Committee Chief Haji Sher Mohammad told a press conference
at Peshawar Press Club that about one million people had been
displaced due to military operation in the tribal agency, but
the Federal Government had failed to provide them adequate shelter
in KP.
Malik Noor Rehman said that
almost 25,000 displaced families had been accommodated in various
Government schools in, but now they had received a notice to
vacate the schools before August 30. He said that it was a great
injustice with IDPs and they could not tolerate it. He said
that FDMA had set up a helpline to solve the problems being
faced by IDPs, but there was no one to respond to the callers.
Female health workers won't
take part in the three-day anti-polio drive starting across
Bajaur Agency of FATA from August 25 due to security reasons.
This was informed by field supervisor medical officer Dr Inayatur
Rehman while talking to reporters on August 22. He informed
that 694 teams had been formed to vaccinate 223,286 children
in the agency during the anti-polio drive.
Determined to fight terrorism
and violence, a jirga of the Salarzai tribe from Bajaur
Agency vowed to continue denying shelter to militants. The jirga
reiterated its stance against militancy to Political Agent Syed
Abdul Jabbar Shah and Commandant of Bajaur Scouts Colonel Amir
Ali.
August 23
Thirteen people were killed
in different incidents of violence in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
Six people were killed when
unidentified armed men opened fire on Malik Agha Hotel along
Super Highway. The identities of the victims could not be ascertained
yet.
Three persons were killed when
unidentified armed men opened fire near Nasir Jump in Korangi
within the limits of Zaman Town Police Station. Police said
that unidentified armed bike riders opened fire on the Nazar
Shah Shrine near Nasir Jump area. As a result three persons
Zakir Hussain Shah (50), Nawaz (45) and Younus (35) were dead.
Two persons, Shakeel (35) and
Asif (28) were shot dead by unidentified armed men at Drigh
Road along Shahrah-e-Faisal.
In an incident of firing, unidentified
armed men at Bilal Colony in Korangi gunned down a man.
Paramilitary Force Rangers claimed
to have killed an alleged gangster of the Lyari gang war in
an encounter at Asfahani Gali in Lyari. According to rangers
spokesman, "Rangers personnel conducted a targeted raid on a
tip-off in Asfahani Gali, Lyari where criminals opened fire
on them, in the retaliatory firing a notorious gangster Umair
alias Saddam alias Bablu, was killed."
A youth, Umer (22) was injured
when unidentified gunmen opened fire in Junejo Colony, Sohrab
Goth.
Mehtab (50) was injured when
unidentified assailants opened fire in Rashidabad, Baldia Town.
Five militants were killed and
three others were injured in a clash with a tribal militia in
Dana Khola area of Lower Orakzai Agency in FATA. The Officials
said that the local peace militia and militants exchanged fire
because militants attacked villagers residing in the area. According
to sources, the militants belonged to Momin Khan Group of Darra
Adamkhel Chapter of TTP.
A former spokesman of the Lashkar-e-Islam
(LI), Zar Khan, was killed in Sipah area of Bara tehsil of Khyber
Agency in FATA.
Police and the Bomb Disposal
Squad personnel foiled an attempt to attack a government installation
by defusing an IED planted in a rickshaw near a transmitter
of Radio Pakistan in Musa Colony area on Sariab Road in provincial
capital Quetta.
August 24
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead two people, identified as Muhammad Shakeel (45) and
Muhammad Asif (30) near Sadaqat Colony in Shah Faisal Town of
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified man was shot
dead by unidentified assailants near Eight Chowk in Lyari Town.
Two men, identified as Muhammad
Saeed (25) and Muhammad Adnan (22) were injured when unidentified
armed assailants fired at them in New Karachi Town.
A man identified as Ghulam Mustafa
(24) was shot and injured near Petrol Pump in Gulbai area of
Baldia Town.
Paramilitary Force claimed to
have arrested two criminals during a targeted raid in Moosa
Colony of Gulberg Town.
The political administration
of Bajaur Agency thwarted a terrorist bid and arrested two suspected
militants. Assistant Political Agent Sohail Ahmad said levies
officials stopped a car near the Pak-Afghan border at Zalam
check post and recovered explosives from the vehicle. He added
that 200-metre cables used in remote-controlled bombs, 800 fuses
and 200 kilogrammes of explosive were recovered from the militants.
Ahmad said the vehicle was impounded and the two men in the
car were shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation.
Two militants involved in an
attack on a Police team, among other terrorist acts, were arrested
in Kaki Police Station area of Bannu District in KP. SHO Mashal
Khan said they received an intelligence report about the whereabouts
of two militants, Muhammad Qasim alias Abu Hamza, and his accomplice
Zar Ali, residents of Kaki. The two are said to be involved
in an attack on the police in 2007 and other murder cases.
August 25
At least six suspected militants
were killed during a search operation conducted by Police in
Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. During the operation, the militants opened fire on
the Police contingent. The Police repulsed the attack that led
to an exchange of fire during which the militants used heavy
arms and ammunition.
The provincial authorities did
not grant sanction in the cases pertaining to explosive substances.
Police have sent many letters on different occasions to the
Home Department, seeking permission as required under Section
7 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, for trial of 33 cases
pending before the Anti-Terrorism Courts in Karachi. However,
instead of granting permission, the Home Department sought wide-ranging
details about these cases for what it said to determine whether
the accused were hardened criminals or otherwise.
A truck driver and a cleaner
were killed as unidentified assailants attacked a tanker near
Wazir Dhand area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency of
FATA. The tanker was transporting goods for NATO forces deployed
in Afghanistan.
A 'commander' of the TTP was
killed and two others were injured in a remote-controlled IED
blast in the Mehrban Kalley area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency.
Official sources said that the TTP 'commander' who was popularly
known as Khabare was the target of the blast.
Two levies personnel were injured
in a hand grenade attack on a check post in Parsh area of Khar
tehsil in Bajaur Agency. The political administration
launched a search operation after the incident but no arrests
were made.
Khyber Agency MNA Alhaj Shahji
Gul Afridi claimed that a pamphlet supposedly issued by the
TTP Darra Adam Khel chapter, warning Kukikhel tribesmen not
to meet him was fake as it bore no signature or stamp. The pamphlet,
circulated in Jamrud, warned of attacks against Afridi and told
tribesmen to stop meeting him.
At least one person was killed
and 15 others were injured in a hand grenade explosion at a
hotel on Prince Road in the provincial capital Quetta. Razaq
Cheema, the CCPO Quetta said that all victims in the blast were
civilians who had gathered in the hotel for breakfast. No outfit
claimed of responsibility for the attack.
At least three people were injured
when an IED planted inside the bathroom exploded inside coach
number 8 of the Quetta-Rawalpindi passenger train Jaffar Express
at Sibi Railway Station in Sibi District. Three people were
reportedly injured in the blast but were discharged after getting
first aid. However, no loss of life was reported. The 'spokesperson'
of BRA Sarbaz Baloch called Quetta Press Club and claimed the
responsibility for the attack.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a local ANP leader, Walayat Shah, in Tarnab area of Charsadda
District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
August 26
A man, identified as Abdul Khaliq,
was shot dead in a firing incident on the Lyari Expressway within
the limits of the Soldier Bazaar Police Station in Jamshed Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An alleged gangster identified
as Shoaib, was killed and three others managed to escape during
an encounter with the Police in Chakiwara area of Lyari Town.
SSP Sheeraz Nazeer said that he was involved in several targeted
killings, kidnappings and extortion cases.
Another gangster associated
with the Jabbar Jhengu group, identified as Taj Muhammad alias
Sunny, was killed during an exchange of fire with the Rangers
in Lyari Town.
Three target killers associated
with a political party, identified as Sarfaraz alias Nikka,
Wasim Khan and Shahid Wazir, were arrested during separate raids
in Landhi Town. According to the Rangers spokesperson, the suspects
were involved in various target killing cases.
The political administration
of the Khyber Agency made public a list of 70 wanted militants
who the authorities say were involved in terrorist activities
in the Agency. The administration officials confirmed that the
list of wanted militants was prepared and that it had been made
public at the political authorities' offices in Jamrud tehsil
of the Agency.
The sources further said that
the move was intended at motivating the locals to help arrest
these elements who may be involved in militancy and other criminal
activities. The tribal elders have also been warned to hand
over the suspected militants nominated in the list to the administration
and failing to do so would attract strict action against their
tribes under collective responsibility laws.
The tribal elders of North Waziristan
Agency demanded the Government to give a time frame for return
of IDPs to their ancestral areas. “Whether we are going to go
home after two days or two years, we are ready to sacrifice
for our country but we should be given a date so we know when
we are going home,” said Nisar Khan, a tribal elder who is also
President of North Waziristan Mutasireen (affected) Committee.
A woman was wounded when militants
blew up the shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Taqi Baba in Mastung
District. No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
At least 29 shops were destroyed
when an explosive device planted by unidentified militants exploded
in China Market of Timergara Bazaar in Lower Dir District. However,
no casualties were reported as the market was closed at that
time. Timergara SHO Roshanzada said the device was planted in
a pressure cooker adding that a search operation was under way
to arrest the militants. The Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) said that
10 kilograms of explosives were used in the device.
At least 78 suspects were during
an operation by Pishtakhara and Sarband Police in provincial
capital Peshawar. Police officials said that the operation was
meant to establish the writ of the Government in the areas.
“The operation was conducted in several villages of both Police
Stations, where female police officers and the BDU also assisted
us,” said a Pishtakhara Police Official, adding that the suspects
had been taken for interrogation and FIRs registered against
them.
Gulbahar Police registered an
FIR against unidentified extortionists who are demanding PKR
30 million from the Chief Executive of Khyber Tea and Food Company
and Qaumi Watan Party leader, Jan Alam Paracha.
The Vice-Chancellor of Islamia
College University Peshawar Professor Ajmal Khan, who was abducted
on September 8, 2010, from Peshawar in KP was recovered by SFs
during the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation in NWA. He is the cousin
of ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan. TTP had claimed responsibility
for the abduction and had demanded PKR 500 million as ransom
in addition to release of dozens of militants held in various
jails of KP.
Key 'commanders' belonging to
the outlawed TTP announced the formation of a new group by the
name of TTP-Jama'at-ul-Ahrar, with Maulana Qasim Khurasani as
the new Ameer and also comprising of other 'commanders'.
Former TTP 'spokesperson' Ehsanullah Ehsan, who has been nominated
as the 'spokesman' for the splinter group, mostly comprising
the Mohmand Agency TTP Chapter said from an undisclosed location
that the new group was not willing to take sides in the current
political tussle in Islamabad as they only wanted the Shariah
system to prevail in the country.
August 27
Two Policemen, Khurram (40)
and Junaid Akram (38), were shot dead and another pedestrian,
Saddam (14), was injured when unidentified armed assailants
opened fire at them at Naggan Roundabout in New Karachi Town
of the provincial capital Karachi.
One Sub-Inspector, identified
as Sahib Dino (50), was shot dead at Matkay Wali Pulia in Korangi
Town.
A Shia doctor, identified as
Dr. Naseem Hussain Jaffri (50), was shot dead by unidentified
militants in Korangi Town.
An assistant producer, identified
as Nadir Ali Shah (42), was shot dead in Korangi Town. Shah
worked for private TV channel, Jaag.
A man, identified as Abdullah
(35), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Orangi
Town.
A man, identified as Hafiz Mehboob
Shah (45), was killed by unidentified militants at Bilal Roundabout
in Korangi Town.
A man, identified as Muhammad
Zahid (50), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants at
Qasba Colony in Orangi Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead by near Ghreeb Shah Shrine in Lyari Town.
The CPLC, Karachi, the CIA and
a Sukkur-Shikarpur-Kashmore Police force rescued a private engineer,
identified as Mansoor Soomro, from the captivity of three gangs
of kidnappers who were demanding PKR 5 billion for his release
in Sukkur District. Soomro was abducted in the Defence area
of Saddar Town in Karachi District on June 3, 2014. His father
is a business man in Karachi.
Sukkur Range DIG Jawed Alam
Odho, along with Sukkur SSP Tanveer Hussain Tunio, said that
the hostage was got freed safely without payment of any ransom.
He described the kidnapping as the biggest ever case of its
kind in Sindh in terms of the amount of ransom.
Seven criminals involved in
extortion and other crimes were arrested during search operations
by Rangers in different areas, including Muhammad Nagar, Liaquatabad,
FC area, Kala bridge Lyari and adjoining areas of Karachi.
A senior militant commander,
Waleed Akbar, associated with TTP and the LeJ was killed and
one of his accomplices injured during a Police encounter in
the Hari Mor area of Prova tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan
District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The commander was killed in
the encounter that ensued when militants attacked DPO Sadiq
Baloch in the Chodwan area of Prova tehsil following which Police
repulsed the attack.
Akbar had several charges on
him, including planning suicide attacks on funeral processions
and law enforcement agencies' personnel. The TTP commander was
also allegedly involved in the killing of Shia community leaders
and police personnel during the Ashura bombing near a Muharram
procession in Dera Ismail Khan on November 25, 2012.
The chairperson Defence of Human
Rights Amna Janjua has alleged that 91 missing persons have
been killed in the detentions centres across KP. Addressing
a press conference in the National Press Club, she claimed that
an individual, Hammad Amir, was killed in Kohat detention centre.
She said there were 43 detention centres in the KP province,
where around 2,000 people were imprisoned.
Despite the continuing process
of voluntary repatriation of Afghans, the number of registered
refugees in Pakistan is growing steadily as approximately 50,000
children are born to refugee families every year. The UN refugee
agency said that the NADRA would register some 150,000 children
born to the registered parents in past five years and issue
birth certificates to over 330,000 Afghan children below the
age of 18. UNHCR spokesperson Dunya Islam Khan said that around
182,000 refugee children who had reached the age of five would
get their separate Proof of Registration (PoR) cards by the
end of the year.
Unidentified militants torched
a private school in Panjgur District and threatened to close
down all the 23 private schools if the co-education system continued
in the region. The militants entered the school, which was closed
due to a strike, and doused petrol and set the principal’s office
on fire. “A group called Tanzeem-ul-Islam-ul-Furqan had been
threatening us. The group had also beaten up the driver of the
school van and harassed two students,” said Major Hussain, the
school’s principal.
He added that the DPO Panjgur
Samiullah Soomro informed them that close aides of these groups
had been arrested and Police made progress in investigation.
“The DPO said the incident was a reaction to the arrest of the
close aides of the miscreants,” informed Major. He further informed
that he received a threatening call on August 14, 2014, asking
why the school did not organise a special function on the eve
of Independence Day.
The Pentagon has said Pakistan
continues to be a safe haven for terrorists. “Extremists and
the safe haven pose a challenge and the sanctuary that they
continue to enjoy in Pakistan,” Pentagon Press Secretary Rear
Admiral John Kirby said. He, however, added that “the Pakistani
military has taken action against some of those extremist threats
inside their own country. They’ve conducted operations not too
long ago, just this summer.”
August 28
A man, identified as Abdul Qayum
(23), was shot dead while Haji Adam (25) was injured in a firing
incident near Memon Society at Kharadar Market in Saddar Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A man, identified as Shah Rasool
(28), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants near Qabar
Chowk in SITE Town. Police said that he hailed from Buner District
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Unidentified militants shot
dead one Asif (36) at Mir Jam Goth in Malir Town.
An unidentified man shot dead
near Boat Basin in Clifton area of Saddar Town.
Two people, identified as Haris
(7) and Naseer Ahmed (40), were injured when unidentified armed
assailants opened fire on them at Essa Goth in Malir Town.
A man, identified as Abdullah
(20), was injured in a firing incident near Nazimabad No. 2
in North Nazimabad Town.
One Qaid Johar (49) was injured
when a stray bullet hit him near Dolmen Mall at Hyderi in North
Nazimabad Town.
Two injured suspects, identified
as Shakeel Ahmed (35) and Mohammad Shafi (30), were arrested
in during an encounter at Tipu Sultan Signal in Shahrah-e-Faisal
area of Shah Faisal Town. The police recovered 2 TT pistols
from their possession.
Senior journalist and Secretary
General of BUJ Irshad Mastoi, trainee reporter Abdul Rasul and
an accountant Mohammed Younus of a news agency were shot dead
in Kabir Building near Jinnah Road in Quetta. According to SHO
Bijli Road Police Station, Hashim Shah, two militants barged
into the office of the news distribution agency Online News
and opened fire at the people inside.
Three SFs personnel were injured
when militants attacked a SF convoy that was guarding gas fields
in Harnai District.
Two unidentified militants opened
fire on three NATO tankers near Mastung Bazar in Mastung District.
No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two security personnel were
injured when their vehicle was targeted in a remote-controlled
IED blast near Elbow Kandaow area of Mohmand Agency in FATA.
August 29
Unidentified militants opened
fire on worshippers at a shrine in Awaran District of Balochistan,
killing at least six persons and wounding seven others. The
attack came at a shrine of the Zikri community in the Awaran
District. “Three gunmen came on two motorbikes and fired at
the worshippers, praying at sunset. “At least six people have
been killed and seven others are injured,” Akbar Harifal, the
senior administration official in the area said.
Three missing Baloch men, two
of them said to be related, were found shot dead on the outskirts
of Malir town of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. Two bodies were found behind the bushes by
the roadside near Jam Goth, according to Memon Goth SHO Azam
Hayat. Both bodies, each with a single bullet wound in the head,
were wrapped up in a blanket and a bedspread. Another victim
with a single gunshot wound in the head was spotted in the Malir
riverbed in Shah Latif Town, said Shah Latif SHO Arshad Awan.
The victims were identified as Rafiq (28), Ismail (30), and
Pervez Saleem (35). An examination of the crime scene showed
they had been kidnapped and gunned down somewhere else before
their bodies were dumped there, said SHO Hayat. He added that
no spent bullet casings were found at the crime scene.
An official of the Sindh government,
Nadeem Ahmed (43) was gunned down in Shah Faisal Colony. Nadeem
Ahmed, a grade-16 officer, was going to office in the secretariat
building on a motorbike when he was targeted, said Shah Faisal
SHO Abdul Khaliq.
Police Constable, Lutfullah
(45), was gunned down near Al Asif Square in the Sohrab Goth
area. Lutfullah, was going to his workplace in Sohrab Goth on
a motorbike when he came under attack. Five Policemen have been
killed during the past three days in Karachi, according to the
officials. With the latest incident, the number of Policemen
killed in the city this year (2014) has raised to 116.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
vowed that with such high quality, professional and skilled
troops, all terrorists would be rooted out from their hideouts
even from the most treacherous and far-off areas. He made these
remarks while talking to the SSG troops after witnessing a joint
Field Training Exercise of Pakistan and Chinese Special Forces
at the headquarters of the SSG, near Cherat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The COAS commended their outstanding performance in the war
against terror, particularly in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Army stepped into the political
crisis by talking to two protesting organizations but delivered
a snub to the beleaguered Government which had claimed that
it had not sought military's mediation. Army Chief General Raheel
Sharif talked to PTI chief Imran Khan and cleric Tahir-ul- Qadri
of the PAT in the presence of Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry
Nisar.
Hours after General Sharif's
mediation, the protesters and the Government were trading charges
on who was responsible for Army's mediation. PM Sharif told
the National Assembly that "neither had I asked army nor
the armed forces sought a role in the present political crisis".
Sharif sought to scotch media reports that it was he who had
"requested" the Army to come to his rescue, saying
that he approved the military chief's meeting with the two opposition
leaders after they had requested it. Both Qadri and Khan contested
Sharif's statement.
Contradicting Sharif's statement,
Army spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted, "COAS
(chief of army staff) was asked by the govt to play facilitative
role for resolution of current impasse, in yesterday's meeting,
at #PM House."
In a bid to save face, Federal
Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar claimed that it was the
PM who had approved Army's role. "The statement released
by the ISPR (Inter Services Public Relations) first came to
me," Nisar said. "ISPR's statement is echoing the
government's view," he said. Explaining the government's
decision of engaging the army, he said "We asked who the
protesting parties trusted to which they said they trusted the
army...on this the government gave the army the responsibility
to facilitate the process within the constitutional and legal
ambit."
August 30
At least 32 militants were killed
when SFs targeted the suspected hideouts of militants as a part
of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA of FATA. The ISPR spokesman said
that the Army aviation gunship helicopters targeted the suspected
hideouts of miscreants in different areas of the tribal areas.
A private container’s driver
was shot dead and a cleaner was injured by unidentified assailants
on the National Highway in Dera Murad Jamali area of Nasirabad
District.
August 31
At least 12 militants and one
FC official were killed in exchange of fire in Gomazai area
of Turbat District in Balochistan. An FC spokesperson said the
security personnel, on secret information, launched a search
operation in Gomazai area of Turbat. The militants present in
the area offered resistance which led to exchange of fire.
An official of the Khassadar
Force, identified as Hamidullah was killed and five others sustained
injuries when a group of unidentified militants opened indiscriminate
fire on a Khassadar check post in the Jamrud subdivision of
Khyber Agency.
Three protesters were killed
and around 534 others injured as violent clashes between PTI
and PAT activists and personnel of the law-enforcement agencies
continued in the ‘Red Zone’ of Islamabad, the National capital,
till the evening. Around 249 injured persons, including 36 women
and five children, were brought to PIMS, while Polyclinic received
over 275 injured persons, including 51 women, 11 children and
54 Policemen.
A cargo plane escaped attack
just before landing at the Bacha Khan International Airport
in Peshawar in the night. “The plane carrying NATO cargo has
landed safely at the airport for refueling as per schedule.
It was hit with a single bullet. The location from where it
might have been fired is being confirmed,” SSP Peshawar Najibur
Rahman said. An official confirmed they were carrying out a
search operation in the limits of the Badaber Police Station.
The ‘chief’ of TTP Mullah Fazlullah
claimed that three TTP prisoners were released in exchange for
Vice Chancellor of Islamia College Professor Ajmal Khan. Fazlullah,
delivering a speech to his followers at the alleged reunion
of the three released TTP prisoners, claimed that "our
colleagues are back with us without any legal formalities or
signatures". He further said that other prisoners would
also be released soon. Pakistani authorities have not responded
to the TTP's claims of the prisoner swap so far.
The TTP ‘chief’ Maulana Fazlullah
said that launching an attack on Islamabad won’t be a difficult
task for his fighters after having observed how unarmed protestors
were able to lay siege to the seat of power in the federal capital
and paralyse the Government. “About 30,000 people have besieged
the capital of Pakistan for the last two weeks and the Government
is unable to deal with them,” he said in an audio clip received
by The News. He said, “Taliban fighters could easily seize the
Parliament House as our numbers are far bigger than these people
and we are well-equipped with sophisticated arms.”
PM Nawaz Sharif said that he
would not in any case resign from the position of the Chief
Executive of the country. PM Nawaz Sharif said he would not
succumb to the pressure of a few thousand people who have made
the capital hostage. The premier ignored the advice of close
aides to remain at his residence in Lahore in view of the increased
tension in Islamabad’s ‘Red Zone’ and returned to the Capital
on August 31 afternoon to take stock of the developing situation.
Earlier on August 30, Sharif
said that a few thousand people could not hold hostage the mandate
given by millions of people to the. Government. He said, “Few
thousand people have gathered in Islamabad and are asking the
government, with the mandate by millions of people, to wind
up, dissolve assemblies and hold fresh elections. Is not it
a step against democracy,” he told a private TV channel.
The Afghanistan President, Hamid
Karzai told the Pakistani refugee elders from the NWA during
a meeting in Kabul, capital city of Afghanistan that they should
consider Afghanistan as their home. “You are living in your
own home and you would live as an owner here,” Karzai reportedly
told the elders. The Afghan Islamic Press quoted a press release
issued by the President’s office as saying that he hoped peace
would be restored in the region and the people would start living
a peaceful life.
While reaffirming support to
democracy, the Corps Commanders Conference reviewed with serious
concern the existing political crisis and the violent turn it
has taken, and called for its political resolution. The conference,
presided over by COAS, General Raheel Sharif, held at General
Headquarters, observed that further use of force would only
aggravate the problem.
September 1
At least two Policemen were
killed when unidentified assailants opened fire at them in the
Bakra Mandi area of Malir Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. Both the officials were performing their duties when
they were attacked in the Bakra Mandi. The tally of Policemen
killed in this year has reached 127.
A person, identified as Farzana
(35), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Malir Bakra
Piri area.
Akbar Ali (30) was shot dead
by unidentified assailants in MPR Colony of Orangi Town.
Temoor (20) was killed in firing
by unidentified assailants near Mujahid Crown area of Orangi
Town.
Mueen (20) was injured by firing
of unidentified assailants in Machhar Colony.
Another person, Yousuf (40)
was injured by firing of unidentified assailants near Burhani
Hospital in Arambagh area.
Rioters of the PAT and PTI got
hold of the state buildings, including the Parliament House,
PM’s House, Pakistan Secretariat and state-run PTV News with
PTV headquarters by gate crashing in Islamabad, the national
capital city of Pakistan. The rioters staged a sit-in in front
of the PM House in the presence of SFs after multiple clashes
between the violent aggressors and the Police.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan
remarked that it would not play the role of a mediator and will
decide the case after examining the facts as it directed the
lawyers of PAT and PTI to submit proposals regarding the solution
to on-going political standoff after consulting leadership till
September 2.
PM Nawaz Sharif and COAS General
Raheel Sharif exchanged concerns over internal security situation
arising out of sit-ins by PTI and PAT. Reports said that during
the meeting internal security situation, among other issues,
came under discussion. Both civilian and military leadership
also discussed ways and means to resolve the prevailing political
impasse.
The Defence Secretary Lieutenant
General (retired) Alam Khattak said that Security Forces were
conducting Operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA of FATA to cleanse terrorism.
“It is an across the board operation which is targeting all
terror groups,” he said. He said that Pakistan had an important
place in the region and its Armed Forces were playing a key
role in stopping the spillover of war in Afghanistan. “We are
the affectees of terrorism, yet not only fighting it, but protecting
the region,” he added.
The FDMA has asked the Federal
Government to give it PKR 1.5 billion to cater for IDPs of NWA.
According to the relevant officials, the authority requires
funds to distribute cash to IDPs and fulfil their basic needs
during the current month. The Federal Government had announced
payment of PKR 12,000 monthly assistance to every IDP family
of NWA. Only the families, whose cases are okayed by the National
Database and Registration Authority are getting cash assistance.
Until now, the NADRA has verified 55,183 families. The FDMA
had initially registered a total of 95,830 displaced families.
Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif
said the Government was in the process of constituting a negotiation
team that will engage PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT leader Tahirul
Qadri tonight. In a statement, he said the talk’s team will
have representation from all the political parties. “The negotiation
team will contact Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri tonight,” Khawaja
Asif said. Earlier, six rounds of talks held between the Government
appointed panels and the protesting parties – PTI and PAT –
remained inconclusive.
Making startling disclosures,
the President of PTI Javed Hashmi quoted the PTI chief Imran
Khan as saying ‘the badge bearers’ wanted the PTI protesters
to move along with PAT leader Tahirul Qadri. The disgruntled
PTI President while talking to media representatives outside
the Parliament House, maintained: “Imran Khan said we can’t
move forward without the army.” “Imran Khan also said that all
the matters had been decided and there will be elections in
September,” Javed Hashmi claimed, adding, it appeared as if
everything had been planned in advance.
Javed Hashmi said he is still
the President of PTI, as Imran Khan did not follow the provisions
of the ‘constitution’ in sacking him. “Imran Khan should have
gone through the party’s constitution first.” Making one disclosures
after another, he said that Imran Khan did not even have regard
for the Constitution of Pakistan. The PTI President said Imran
Khan is driven by whims and that he maligned the Supreme Court
of Pakistan. He said the PTI’s core committee had warned Imran
Khan to beware of Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Shaikh Rasheed.
Hashmi said he would even sacrifice his life for upholding the
sanctity of the Parliament, Supreme Court and other institutions
of the country.
The ISPR categorically rejected
the assertions that the Army and ISI were backing PTI or PAT
in any way in the current political standoff. A statement released
by the ISPR rejected the assertions being made and added that
the “Army is an apolitical institution” that has “expressed
its unequivocal support for democracy” on numerous occasions.
The press release concludes, that “it is unfortunate that [the]
Army is dragged into such controversies.”
September 2
At least three persons were
killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Raja Amanullah (40),
a MQM activist and an employee of the defunct Karachi Development
Authority, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Ghaus
Pak Road in Korangi Town.
An MQM activist, identified
as Aqeel Abbas (45), was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in Hassan Colony of Gulbahar area.
A Hindu businessman, identified
as Raja Chawla (55), was shot dead near Zamzama Park in Clifton
area.
Some armed religious fanatics
of a hitherto unknown Al Jihad organisation set a private English
medium school on fire in Turbat area of the Kech District. They
also left pamphlets with the name of Al Jihad in the school
and in the area, warning the people of Balnigore to desist from
sending their children to English medium schools to study English
or risk unspecified repercussions.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry
Nisar Ali Khan’s said in Parliament that nearly 1,500 trained
militants, belonging to militant outfits, are among the participants
of the sit-ins organized by the PTI and PAT. The Interior Minister
did not name the terrorist group. However, these elements are
part of Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s ‘revolutionaries’ and not
Imran Khan’s crowd, dreaming to have a ‘new Pakistan’. “They
are armed with axes, wooden batons, nails, hammers, cutters
and slingshots. This is not protest but rebellion against the
State of Pakistan” he added.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan claimed
that the PTI was wrongly being accused of having been “launched
by the army” and following its dictates. He said this was nothing
more than a cruel allegation to undermine the long and tedious
political struggle he and his party had gone through. “I will
rather prefer to die if I fail, as I have vowed either it will
be liberty or death,” he told his party supporters.
September 3
A member of the Sikh community
was stabbed to death inside his shop in Shaheedan Bazaar of
Mardan Town (Mardan District) in KP. Gagan Singh, son of Aamarjeet
Singh, told the Police that he was at the family-owned cosmetics
shop until 2 pm, when his father came to work and sent him home.
When Gagan returned at 5pm, he found the shop’s shutters pulled
halfway down. His father was missing. Gagan said he went to
the shop’s adjacent warehouse, where he found his father’s body.
Police rescued a kidnapped cardiologist
from Gulabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP,
and detained one of the suspected kidnappers. Miscreants on
August 31 abducted Dr. Muhammad Asghar on Warsak Road while
he was going home, Peshawar SSP Operations Najeeb-ur-Rehman
Bagvi said.
A grenade attack on a check-post
in Karachi, (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh
injured at least four Policemen. Police said that two unidentified
miscreants on a motorcycle hurled a hand grenade at the check-post
under the Nursery Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal Road.
The ISIS is trying to expand
its influence in Pakistan, with pamphlets titled 'Fatah'
(victory) in Pashto and Dari languages being distributed in
Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and border
provinces of Afghanistan, seeking support for jihad.
The United States State Department
spokesperson Jen Psaki said Pakistan’s May 2013 elections was
free and fair, there has been no change in its position on the
polls. The spokesperson said the United States was closely watching
the situation in Pakistan, in the face of marches in Islamabad.
“As I understand, in Pakistan, the protests have died down and
things have calmed a bit in the streets.” She added, “I also
want to make clear that our (US) embassy is fully open there
in Islamabad. I know there was confusion about that yesterday.”
A press release by the ISPR
said that 910 militants had been killed in the operation Zarb-e-Azb
that was launched in NWA of FATA on June 15. ISPR stated that
since the start of operation 82 soldiers had embraced martyrdom
in the entire country in the fight against terrorism and another
269 were injured. The 82 martyred soldiers include 42 in NWA,
23 in rest of FATA other than NWA and 17 in the remaining parts
of the country, including Balochistan and Karachi.
The ISPR said 88 kilometers
long road, Khajuri-Mir Ali-Miranshah-Dattakhel, and the Gharyom-Jhallar
road had been cleared. It stated that the SFs had cleared five
town including Miranshah, Mir Ali, Dattakhel, Boya and Degan,
which were considered the strongholds of terrorists. As many
as 27 factories making IEDs and rocket and ammunition factories
had also been destroyed, it stated. It said a huge cache of
arms and ammunition, communication equipment and other logistics
facilities used by terrorists had been destroyed, uprooting
their ability to attack as a coherent force. It said that 2,274
Intelligence-led coordinated counter terrorism operations had
been carried out throughout the country to forestall any blowback
of the operation.
With regard to the relief work
for the IDPs, the press release said that about 19,376 tons
ration had been distributed among 97,570 IDP families at six
relief distribution points in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank.
The ISPR said about 113,209 patients including 32,979 females
had been treated at field medical hospitals established by the
Army Medical Corps at Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital in Bannu. It
stated that about 32,226 cattle had been treated whereas 73,338
cattle and 12,9141 poultry had been vaccinated.
The Jamaat al-Ahrar, the new
faction of the TTP, has claimed that only 30 fighters were killed
so far in the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb by the Pakistan Army
in NWA. In a statement sent to the media, the Jamaat al-Ahrar
‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said the SFs’ claim of killing
910 militants was baseless and unfounded. He said the media
had been presenting one-sided reports to the people without
confirming these from independent sources. He claimed that some
five dozens civilians had been killed during the shelling on
the populated areas in NWA.
September 4
Unidentified militants shot
dead a BNP leader, Eid Muhammad, near Pak Quran Chowk, an intersection
in Sarawan area of Panjgur town (Panjgur District) in Balochistan.
Police said Muhammad shopped at a market and was on his way
home when the assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on him
near Pak Quran Chowk. The attackers managed to flee from the
scene.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that he
appreciates the efforts of the opposition-held jirga
to resolve the political crisis and said that he was ready to
for a give and take in order o resolve the ongoing crisis. The
Government wants more time to legislate laws for electoral reforms
and thinks PTI’s demand to complete the whole process by a legal
experts committee which is to come to being through a presidential
ordinance will be an exercise in haste, the secret Government’s
reply to PTI’s draft proposal says. The Government also wants
the PTI to be more specific on the terms of reference as well
as the ambit of investigation (number of National Assembly constituencies)
that the proposed Supreme Court Commission will undertake under
an agreement with the PTI, Daily Times has learnt reliably.
The PTI wants the Supreme Court Commission as well as the election
reforms to be completed within 30 days.
The strife in the ranks of TTP
escalated on September 4 as its 'chief' Maulana Fazlullah and
his shura expelled the Mohmand Agency chapter 'chief' Omar Khalid
Khurasani and terminated his membership for indiscipline and
for patronizing ‘suspicious’ militants groups such as Ahrar
ul Hind and Junood Khorasan. Omar Khalid Khurasani, whose real
name is Abdul Wali, reacted through his aide and spokesman Ehsanullah
Ehsan, who said Maulana Fazlullah and some of his men having
vested interest had been expelled from the TTP.
Ehsan is now spokesman of TTP
Jamaat al-Ahrar, which was recently launched by Khurasani and
other 'commanders' after accusing Fazlullah of failing to run
TTP as a disciplined organisation due to lack of leadership
qualities. The TTP statement was issued by its ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah
Shahid, who said Fazlullah had endorsed the shura decision to
sack Khurasani as the head of the TTP Mohmand Agency chapter
for aligning with a suspicious organization like Ahrar ul Hind
and patronizing Junood Khorasan inside the Afghan Taliban movement
to harm its shadow government of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
The statement charged Khurasani and his men of conspiring to
create differences in TTP and weaken its cause.
September 5
At least six persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. Two MQM activists, identified
as Syed Yasir and Ahmed were killed by unidentified assailants
in Humaira Town of Model Colony.
A person, identified as Syed
Mohsin Raza (50), a member of the Shia community, was killed
by unidentified assailants in Federal B Area in Gulberg Town.
Syed Kashif Hussain (35), a
member of the Shia community, was shot dead at his electronics
shop in Nazimabad No-1 of Rizvia area.
A suspected gangster, identified
as Amanullah (25), was shot dead in Nawa Lane area of Kalakot.
A dead body was found in Old
Sabzi Mandi area.
AIGP claimed that the East and
West Zone Police have arrested eight criminals including five
target killers involved in the killing of Policemen and sectarian
violence in the Karachi.
A bomb went off near a Motorway
Police car in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital
of Balochistan, leaving the vehicle badly damaged. However,
no causality was reported.
Punjabi Taliban 'chief' Ismatullah
Muawiya on September 5 said it would abandon insurgent activity
inside the country and redirects its energies towards Afghanistan.
Muawiya said the faction will operate in Afghanistan under the
guidance of Mullah Omar, the spiritual leader of Afghan Taliban,
while its activities in Pakistan will be confined to preaching
Islam. Punjabi Taliban is an influential militant faction of
the TTP.
September 6
One person, identified as Amjad,
was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Washbod area of
Panjgur District.
A prominent Shia leader, identified
as Allama Ali Akbar Kumaili and his guard were shot dead by
unidentified assailants near Bhangoria Goth in Azizabad area
of Karachi.
Imran Khan claimed massive poll
rigging in Balochistan and revealed that incumbent CM Abdul
Malik, General Abdul Qadir and former PM Zafarullah Jamali were
elected through “match fixing” and ballot stuffing. Imran said
“those responsible for this pre-planned poll rigging” were PM
Nawaz Sharif, former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and journalist
Najam Sethi.
PAT head Allama Tahirul Qadri
threatened, to declare a war against rulers if marchers were
not provided with justice. “If we declare a war, whoever comes
in front of us will be swept away,” Qadri said while addressing
the participants of sit-in here on Sunday. “We will continue
this struggle for rights even at the cost of our lives,” he
said. The PAT chief warned that if these unarmed protesters
became ‘hungry lions’, nobody would be spared from their wrath.
He rejected foreign media reports that people were brought to
the sit-in on rent. Not a single person was paid for joining
the Inqalab march, he stated.
Three unidentified militants
were killed and four others arrested when Pakistan Navy's security
personnel foiled an attempt by unidentified militants who tried
to target Pakistan Navy (PN) Dockyard in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. During their engagement with the terrorists,
one Navy official was martyred while an officer and six sailors
sustained injuries. During these raids, large quantity of arms
and ammunition was also recovered. No material loss has taken
place, said the spokesperson, adding the area was cleared for
normal activities the same day.
An Army Brigadier and two other
persons were killed, and six others were injured when unidentified
assailants stormed Darbar Astana Fazal Shrine in Sargodha Cantt
area of Sargodha town (Sargodha District) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
in the evening and opened fire.
September 7
Three militants belonging to
the banned TTP (Swat group), were killed in an ‘encounter’ with
Police in Site area of Karachi in Sindh. Police conducted a
raid in Metroville on a tip that militants were present in the
area.
At least three militants were
killed and three security personnel were injured in an armed
clash in Ahmedwal area of Noushki District.
Two militants were killed and
five others sustained injuries in a clash with the members of
pro-Government peace committee in Milward area of Akkakhel in
Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. The sources said
on receiving information that a group of militants were hiding
at a place in Milward area, the armed members of the peace body
besieged it, triggering an exchange of fire. The sources said
two militants identified as ‘commander’ Siddique and Parrak
were killed in the exchange of fire while Saeed, Noor Gulab,
Luqman, Kimya Gul and Kimya Khan were wounded.
The IDPs from NWA threatened
to march on Islamabad if they were not repatriated within a
week. Speaking at a press conference at Bannu, the tribal elders
including Sherpao Mahsud of Tehrik-e-Mahsud Qabaail, Tribal
Students Society, Bannu University, president Asmatullah Wazir,
Malik Khalid Khan, Muhamamd Raza Dawar, Malik Noora Jan Mahsud,
Tehseen Dawar and Rahimullah said that the tribal people had
always stood by the Government and the Pakistan Army through
thick and thin.
A 28-year-old Sikh man, Harjeet
Singh, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Nauthia
Bazaar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Harjeet Singh, who owns a grocery shop, was attacked by motorcycle-borne
assailants outside his shop in the Nauthia Bazaar.
Eight mortar shells were found
in Koza Bandai in Kabal tehsil in Swat District. The
sources said one Shah Zamin was working in his field when he
found the mortar shells.
Police foiled a terror plot
by seizing a suicide jacket and bomb-making material during
a raid at a house in the Zafarabad colony of Dera Ismail Khan
town (Dera Ismail Khan District). According to Police, the raid
was conducted on a tip-off that member of a terrorist group
named Numan Adil Gandapur had set up a factory for making explosives
in the house at the Zafarabad colony and also possessed illegal
weapons.
The building of Geo News
once again came under attack from activists of the PAT and PTI
when the staffs of Geo, Jang and The News
were busy in their work in Islamabad, federal capital of Pakistan.
PM Nawaz Sharif asked the nation
“to take notice of those elements who are staging sit-ins and
creating hurdles in the path of national progress and prosperity”.
Talking to people gathered during his visit to flood-affected
areas of Sialkot in Punjab, the PM said that “It is your duty
and the duty of nation to take notice of such elements who cannot
tolerate their progress and they should not allow anyone to
stage sit-ins”.
The 11th round of
ongoing dialogue between Government and PTI ended on September
7 with positive note to hold another round on September 8 with
a claim that the meaningful dialogue has started to bring the
country out of the existing political impasse. The PTI team
comprises Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Jehangir Tarin while Government’s
delegation consists of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Zahid
Hamid.
September 8
Army killed 10 militants, destroyed
an explosives cache and five vehicles in fresh air strikes as
part of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in Boya Degan area of NWA in FATA.
"The Army Aviation gunship helicopters struck in the area ahead
of Boya Degan in North Waziristan.
A Government-run school for
girls was blown up in Kamangara area of Nawagai tehsil in Bajaur
Agency.
Federal Government, which had
promised unconditional support to people displaced by the ongoing
military operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA, has not released a single
penny to enable provision of medical relief to people who have
been dislodged from their homes and hearths in the wake of the
military operation.
European Union has agreed to
provide five million Euros for the welfare of IDPs of NWA. The
Radio Pakistan quoted the FATA Disaster Management Authority
officials that the EU will undertake a number of welfare projects
for the IDPs in collaboration with the World Food Programme,
World Health Organisation, International Committee of the Red
Cross and Pakistan Red Crescent Society. The main focus will
be on providing shelter, food, drinking water and healthcare
to the IDPs.
A 24-inch diameter gas pipeline
was blown up in Lunda Nullah area of Pir Koh area in Dera Bugti
District of Balochistan that suspended gas supply to the main
Sui plant from the Pir Koh purification plant. According to
Dera Bugti Police, unidentified militants planted explosives
to the main gas pipeline in Lunda Nullah area, about three kilometers
from the Dera Bugti Police Station, which exploded.
September 9
Six militants, a civilian and
a soldier were killed in the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb in
Datta Khel area of NWA of FATA. According to the ISPR, clearance
operation would continue in the village and end soon once all
militants would be flushed out.
Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar
approved release of PKR 1.059 billion for the IDPs who had to
flee their homes as a result of operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA.
"Rehabilitation of the displaced people is the top priority
of our Government and we have a firm commitment to restore the
normal life of the people who have been supporting the government
in its struggle against terrorism," Ishaq Dar said. "Our government
has so far released a total of PKR 2.8 billion to FATA Disaster
Management Authority in four tranches," he said.
At least four persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. A person, identified as Zubair,
and his son were shot dead by unidentified assailants near Cheel
Chowk in Lyari area.
One person was shot dead near
University Road in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.
An unidentified person was shot
dead in Orangi Town.
The TTP claimed responsibility
for the September 6 attack on the Naval Dockyard in Karachi
that killed one Pakistani naval officer and wounded seven other
personnel.
According to recent Police reports,
Karachi Police have killed at least 477 criminals, including
militants, during the 2013. Since July 1, 2014, 195 criminals
have been killed in 5,174 raids conducted across the Sindh province.
Some 1,238 suspects have been arrested. Comparing the number
of killings in August 2013 with August 2014, the figure has
come down from the over 275 to around 150, which shows a considerable
reduction. Similarly in July 2013, 246 were killed while in
July 2014 such deaths were 48.
A high-level inquiry committee
recommended severe punishment and dismissal of 58 officers and
officials of the civil and Police administrations after holding
them responsible for July 29 jailbreak in Dera Ismail Khan (Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa). In its nine-page report submitted to the administration
department, the committee also recommended departmental inquiry
against 97 Policemen deployed inside the jail.
September 10
Sixty-five terrorists were killed
and five terrorist hideouts destroyed in air strikes by the
PAF jets in the NW) of FATA. ISPR said that the military first
carried out air strikes early on September 10 in the Dattakhel
area of NWA, killing 35 terrorists and later targeted a village
in the Shawal Valley, killing another 30. The PAF jets carried
out precision strikes after getting credible intelligence about
the presence of militants there.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
said that the Operation Zarb-e-Azb would continue till the elimination
of last terrorist. He emphasised that terrorists would be pursued
even in the remotest areas and all their sanctuaries would be
taken out during the Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Unidentified militants killed
a member of the Levies Force, identified as Nawab escorting
an anti-polio team in Damadola area in Mamond tehsil in Bajaur
Agency. The sources said the attack took place on the last day
of a three-day anti-polio campaign in Bajaur Agency. The immunisation
drive continued after the attack under stringent security.
At least six persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. Eminent religious scholar,
Maulana Masood Baig, son-in-law of renowned scholar and head
of Jamia Binoria Mufti Naeem, an international Deobandi Islamic
educational institute, was shot dead in Hyderi locality of North
Nazimabad area. According to reports, four suspected militants
on two motorcycles stopped his vehicle near Hyderi Market when
he was heading home from Karachi University and fired at it
indiscriminately. Baig died on the spot while his driver was
injured.
Two persons, identified as Ghulam
Hyder (26) and Shabbir Hussain (50), were killed by unidentified
assailants at Irani Camp in Orangi Town.
A person was shot dead near
Liaquat Market of Malir Town.
A person, identified as Yasir,
was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Islam Chowk in
Orangi Town.
A dead body was found from Orangi
Town.
Police banned pillion (shared
motorcycle) riding in Karachi to reduce the growing incidence
of targeted killings in the city.
The FC started digging 480-Kilometre-long
trenches along the border with Afghanistan in order to curb
incursions across this border into Pakistan. Colonel Faheem
Babar, Commandant Qila Saifullah Scouts said, "We want to check
incursions of terrorists and smugglers into Pakistan and the
trenches will help control the situation along the Afghan border."
According to the FC, there is
no 'frequent route' along the 1,270-kilometre-long Pak-Afghan
border which also includes the rough terrain of mountains. Terrorists
and smugglers often take advantage of these infrequent routes
to enter Pakistan illegally. "They easily smuggle goods into
Pakistan without paying taxes and custom duties," an FC official
said.
September 11
Two persons were killed in separate
incidents of targeted killings in Orangi Town of Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh.
A militant who had escaped from
Swat was killed in the Police operation in Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh.
Unidentified gunmen opened fire
at Akram aka Shahji in Ghaziabad area of Orangi leaving him
dead on the spot.
Armed men shot dead another
man at Rehmat Chowk of Baldia Town within a span of one hour
from the first killing.
Paramilitary Rangers arrested
five suspects in raids conducted in Sharafi Goth, Zaman Town
and Karnal Basti areas with hand grenades and other munitions.
Police also conducted raids
in Khuda Ki Basti in which 20 accused were arrested, which were
transferred to undisclosed place for interrogation.
Al Qaeda's new South Asia branch
claimed responsibility for a weekend raid on a Karachi naval
yard that left a sailor and three attacker's dead, saying former
military officers had helped in the attack. It is the first
attack claimed by the terror network's new wing, whose creation
was announced by chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a peace committee member in the Tank Bazaar of Tank Town
(Tank District) of KP. According to reports, the militants ambushed
the peace body committee as he came out of his house near Tank
Bazaar. He died on the spot while the militants fled from the
scene.
One militant was killed and
another sustained injury during an encounter with the Police
near the Mashogagar Police post in the limits of Badaber Police
Station in Peshawar, the provincial KP. Police said a group
of militants opened fire on the APC of police and mobile van
near the Mashogagar Police post. Police repulsed the attack
and killed one of the militants identified as Qaiser. Another
militant sustained injuries.
A soldier was killed in exchange
of fire with unidentified militants in Charbagh tehsil (revenue
unit) of Swat District in the night. The sources said unidentified
militants stormed the house of Hazrat Rehman in Salanda village
at night in which he and his daughter Rabia Bibi sustained injuries.
Unidentified militants blew
up a railway track in the Bala Nari area of Bolan District in
Balochistan. According to the official sources, the militants
had planted explosives close, which resulted in blowing up of
two-foot track. The train service was suspended temporarily
following the blast.
A head of a Seminary, identified
as Maulvi Sadiq Khan (65), was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in Sandal Bar Police Limits of Faisalabad city (Faisalabad District).
The District administration
slapped Section 144 in Islamabad, the federal capital and banned
pillion riding for seven days after Intelligence Agencies reported
that the PTI and PAT sit-ins in the Red Zone face a serious
terror threat. Highly-placed sources said that Intelligence
Agencies had informed the Federal Ministry of Interior that
five to six Khyber Agency-based militants were attending the
twin sit-ins and were looking for an opportunity to strike.
Teams comprising the Islamabad
Police and paramilitary forces launched a campaign to arrest
pillion riders. Sources in the district administration disclosed
that the ban was imposed to arrest the violent activists of
PAT and PTI. They said the bike riding activists would be arrested
within a week and their bikes impounded.
September 12
Police killed a LI 'commander'
while apprehended an injured accomplice after an encounter in
Badhaber area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. Police said the killed and injured were involved
in attack on DSP Abid Abdul Rehman. The DSP and his driver were
wounded during an attacked on Frontier Road on July 22, 2014.
The BDU defused a 20-kilogram
IED, which was planted on a roadside in Shero Jhangai in the
limits of Khazana Police Station in Peshawar.
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain said
that if any MQM worker or leader was involved in sectarian killings,
he should be hanged in public but if the allegation could not
be proved, then those leveling such baseless allegations should
be hanged instead.
A Police Sub Inspector, identified
as Tariq Mehmood, was killed by unidentified assailants in the
Batapur Police Limits in Lahore.
Three cadres of Amr Bil Maroof
Wa Nahi Anil Munkar sustained injuries in a roadside blast in
Bar Qambarkhel in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. The
sources said that the cadres, identified as Reshad, Haroon and
Mumtaz, were on their way to a village in a car when an explosive
device planted on roadside went off in Bar Qambarkhel.
Three watchmen of a market sustained
injuries when unidentified assailants lobbed a hand-grenade
into a room in Anjani Bazaar area of Orakzai Agency. Sources
said Suleman, Gul Khan and Nadir Khan were sitting in a room
in Anjani Bazaar when unidentified assailants persons hurled
a hand- grenade into the room around 5am early in the morning.
As a result, the sources said, all the three watchmen sustained
critical wounds in the attack.
A grid station was attacked
with an IED in Kalaya in Orakzai Agency. Source said a shopping
bag containing four kilogram of explosives had been placed near
the main entrance to the grid station.
Security Forces raided a house
near Landikotal College in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency
and arrested four terrorists. According to security officials,
during the raid, they also seized a suicide jacket.
The Army emphatically stated
that it was not the "scriptwriter" of the PTI and PAT protest
marches. ISPR DG Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said that the
Army supports constitution and democracy and has nothing to
do with the present political situation in the country. "Army
has no role or involvement in the situation and assumptions
and speculations in this connection are regrettable," Bajwa
said while answering questions by media persons at a briefing
on September 12.
To a question he rejected reports
of differences within the Army and said that it was united and
cohesive institution under the command of Chief of Army Staff
General Raheel Sharif. "Issues are frankly discussed and debated
in the army but the final decision is made by the army chief,"
he added.
About security and safety of
important buildings in the Red Zone, he informed the media that
the army was tasked with providing security to five buildings
in Islamabad and PTV was not included in the list. He added
that when the army was summoned it was successful in evacuating
the attackers from the PTV building. To yet another question,
he said, "While we are only supposed to look after the physical
security of the Parliament building, we also ensured the safe
and secure evacuation of parliamentarians. This we did as protesters
had encamped themselves in the parliament lawn."
September 13
At least three persons including
one FC personnel were killed and 22 others were injured in a
remote controlled bomb explosion in Satellite Town area of Quetta
(Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.
Two persons were injured as
NATO container was attacked by militants in Bypass area of Chaman
in Qilla Abdullah District. There was no immediate claim of
responsibility for the attack.
Unidentified militants killed
a Khasadar force personnel along with his wife in Shalobar Qamberabad
of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. Official sources said the Khasadar
personnel was going out of his house in Shalobar Qamberabad
when the assault left him and his wife dead on the spot.
A homeopathic health practitioner,
identified as Khalid Hussain (52), was shot dead by unidentified
assailants at his clinic in North Karachi.
TTP Punjab Chapter (also known
as Punjabi Taliban) leader Asmatullah Muawiya announced that
it will be ceasing its militant activity in Pakistan and would
limit its militant activity to Afghanistan. According to Muawiya
the decision was taken after consultations. He also urged other
groups of TTP to stop their militant activity in Pakistan.
September 14
At least three militants and
a civilian were killed and another sustained injuries in cross-fire
erupted after attack on the convoy of the SFs in Dogra area
in Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency in FATA.
Three FC personnel were killed
and two others were injured in a rocket attack at Spinwam area
of NWA. Sources said that militants fired 20 rockets at an FC
fort due to which three FC personnel were killed and two others
were injured.
A prayer leader of the FC was
shot dead by unidentified assailants in Nasir Bagh area of Hayatabad
in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According
to the Police, Maulana Qari Javed Afridi, a resident of Mullagori,
Khyber Agency, was shot dead on his way home from Ghundai Pump
House.
A TTP 'commander', Salim Shah
Je, was killed by the Police, while his accomplice was injured
in Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan District. It was stated
Salim Shah Je was the right-hand man of TTP Kulachi 'commander'
Amir Jan Malang.
A supporter of the ASWJ, identified
as Malik Fayyaz (50), was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in Baldia Town of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh.
The head of a local Shia organisation,
identified as Mohsin Raza, was shot dead by unidentified assailants
in Latifabad Locality of Hyderabad city (Hyderabad District).
An alleged militant was shot
dead while another was injured in an encounter on Manghopir
Road of Karachi.
SFs arrested three Navy officials
involved in an attack at West Wharf Naval dockyard in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh, from the Lak Pass area of Quetta,
the provincial capital of Balochistan. A security official,
who requested anonymity, said that acting on intelligence reports,
SFs conducted raids in the outskirts of Quetta and picked up
three suspects.
Karachi Dockyard attackers planned
to hijack Navy frigate PNS Zulfiqar in their attempt on West
Wharf on September 6. According to informed sources, the attack
was carried out entirely by serving Navy personnel, along with
Owais Jakharani, a former Navy cadet who could have been given
access inside without too much trouble. "It seems the intention
was to hijack PNS Zulfiqar [a frigate purchased from China and
inducted in July 2009]," said one of these sources.
Naval Commandos of PNS Iqbal
rushed to the scene and a gunbattle ensued. One naval officer
was killed and seven others were injured. Two or three of the
attackers were shot dead, one of them being Jakharani, who the
Police claimed had drowned. Four attackers who had taken refuge
in one of the ship's compartments were locked in and later captured.
According to another source,
no fewer than 17 more individuals, all Navy personnel, including
the three arrested from Quetta in Balochistan while reportedly
trying to make their way to Afghanistan have been rounded up
based on information extracted from those apprehended. It is
believed the suspects are currently being interrogated at one
of the military's interrogation centres.
Al Qaeda's South Asia branch
on September 11 had claimed responsibility for the September
6 raid on the West Wharf Naval dockyard in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh, that left a sailor and three attacker's dead.
A statement in Urdu from the group sent to AFP claimed that
the target of the raid was a "US supply ship" and said the dead
attackers included former Pakistan Navy officers. Al Qaeda said
the officers quit their jobs and joined the militants after
becoming radicalised.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
had voiced concerns while addressing Parliament on September
10, saying: "We cannot rule out the inside help in this attack
because without it the miscreants could not breach security.
The operation near Karachi shore was an attack by al Qaeda in
the subcontinent."
It is the first attack claimed
by the terror network's new wing, whose creation was announced
by 'Chief' Ayman al Zawahiri on September 3. The claims, made
on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York, will likely
add to concerns about extremist infiltration of the Pakistani
military's ranks after the TTP, who also claimed to be behind
the attack, said they received inside help.
Two brothers of a senior Policeman
were killed and another sustained injuries when militants attacked
his house in Rora village in the limits of University Police
Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. The sources
said a group of militants affiliated with a banned outfit forced
their entry into the house of Saifur Rehman, Station House Officer
(SHO) at Kulachi Police Station, at 10 pm and fired at his brothers
identified as Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ismail and Asghar Khan.
TTP rejected Asmatullah Muawiya's
statement on cessation of militancy in Pakistan. TTP 'commander'
Abu Baseer, termed Muawiya to have been a wrong choice stating
that Muawiya had presented himself as a Mujahid (warrior),
alluding that he was not. Baseer in his statement said that
Asmatullah Muawiya was and remains to be an ISI spy.
September 15
Military air strikes killed
at least 15 suspected militants in the NWA of FATA. A statement
released by the ISPR said that Army Aviation combat helicopters
in precise attack strikes in Tabai area of NWA also destroyed
10 explosive-laden vehicles. Five terrorist hideouts were also
destroyed in the action.
Police in Ghoryan District of
Herat Province claimed to have killed five Quetta Shura militants
during a clash. The Provincial Police Chief General Abdul Baqi
Behsudi said that the militants were involved in drug trafficking
and the Police recovered 320 kilogram of opium from their possession.
Three militants, a suicide bomber
among them, and a Policeman were killed in a fierce clash which
followed an attack on Thall Police Station in Hangu District
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Police, 30 to 40 militants
using heavy weapons and grenades stormed the Police Station
at about 5:45am. A Policeman was killed and four others were
injured. Police fired back and a suicide bomber who had failed
to enter the police station because of stiff police resistance
blew himself up after having been injured. The Ansarul Mujahideen,
wing of the outlawed TTP, which operates in Hangu, Thall and
Kohat, has claimed responsibility for the attack on Thall Police
Station.
A member of the peace body was
killed by unidentified gunmen in the Kabal tehsil of
the Swat District. The sources said that the member of the peace
committee and schoolteacher Zahir Shah was on his way to the
Government High School in Kabal when unidentified gunmen shot
him dead near the Defence Ground.
The FC (Balochistan) IG Major
General Ejaz Shahid urged for cooperation among the LEA’s to
be improved in order to achieve ‘durable’ peace in Balochistan.
Shahid said that every institution needs to play its role adequately.
“FC will always be there to help the civil administration in
any part of the province,” he added.
According to the report, he
was reviewing the law and order situation and possible spill
over of terrorists to Zhob District of Balochistan in the wake
of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA of FATA.
September 16
At least 20 militants and four
SF personnel of the Tochi Scouts Wing of the paramilitary FC
were killed and another sustained injuries when Afghanistan-based
militants attacked the Dandi Kach checkpost in Spinwam tehsil
in NWA of FATA. Sources said that some 700 Afghanistan-based
militants stormed the Dandi Kach checkpost near the Afghan border
at around 6:20am and killed four soldiers manning the picket.
The slain soldiers were identified as Lance Naik Hamid Akbar
from Kohat, Lance Naik Abid Jan from Charsadda, Lance Naik Sajid
from Kohat and Abdul Rahman.
SFs claimed to have killed 23
militants in air strikes by the PAF jet fighters in the Tirah
Valley of Khyber Agency. The ISPR press release said that the
jet fighters pounded the positions of militants in Dwa Toi,
Tor Darra and Wacha Wano areas in Tirah Valley. It said about
23 militants were killed and five others injured in the bombardment.
Three hideouts and two ammunition dumps were also destroyed
in Tor Darra and Kukikhel areas during the bombardment. Official
sources said the dead and injured militants were affiliated
with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.
About 12 unidentified militants
attacked a pro-government tribal leader, Malik Khaista Gul's
house at midnight in Babi Khel area of Ghallanai tehsil in Mohmand
Agency. Militants lobbed a hand grenade and also fired rocket
shells at his house, a political administrator said. The tribal
leader’s guards put up resistance and an exchange of fire ensued.
Khaista Gul’s 12-year-old grandson was injured and the house
partially damaged. Another grandson of Khaista Gul had been
killed by an unidentified militant in 2013.
In Safi tehsil, marble mine
owner and tribal leader Malik Bakhtpoor was attacked in a similar
manner. A hand grenade was lobbed inside his house at night
but no casualties or damage to property was reported.
A former counsellor and his
son were shot dead near a hotel in Sabri Chowk area of Orangi
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified dead body was
recovered from Memon Goth area of Gadap Town.
Another unidentified dead body
was recovered from Zaman Town locality of Korangi Town.
An unidentified dead body of
a woman was recovered from Gulbahar area of Liaquatabad Town.
CID arrested five LeJ militants
during raid in the SITE Town. The CID also recovered weapons
from their possession.
At least four personnel of Levies
and Balochistan Constabulary were injured in a clash with militants
in Naal area of Khuzdar District. Later, the Levies authorities
claimed they seized two vehicles and 25 sub-machineguns after
the clash.
Police officials in Sardheri
area of Charsadda District in KP arrested two suspects and recovered
a large quantity of ammunition. According to a Sardheri Police
official, the Police stopped a car and found dynamite, 40 detonators
and 90 safety fuses inside. Two suspects, Maroof Shah and Haji
Haya Khan, were arrested.
PM Nawaz Sharif said the Government
was trying its best to ensure the early repatriation of the
IDPs of NWA so that they could start afresh in an atmosphere
of peace and stability. The PM held a meeting with a large Jirga
delegation from the NWA, led by Maulana Fazlur Rahman, at the
PM House. Nawaz said the brave people of the tribal areas, especially
those belonging to NWA, had given great sacrifices for long-term
peace in Pakistan for which the entire Pakistani nation was
proud of them. He said NWA would soon be cleared and expressed
confidence that permanent peace would be restored in the area.
A preliminary report on the
naval dockyard attack in Karachi on September 6, 2014, revealed
that the TTP’s Sindh Chapter was involved in the attack. The
report said that TTP's Sindh Chapter had penetrated into various
departments of the Provincial Government. It further stated
that at least 21 suspects, including 14 servicemen, were also
taken into custody. Three Government employees were arrested
from Larkana District and two from Jamshoro District of Sindh.
According to the probe report,
the attackers intended to destroy the navy workshop and other
key installations in the vicinity. It added that timely action
by the Naval commandos had foiled the attempted terror attack.
Pakistan Government announced
a financial embargo on six al Qaeda militants, identified as
Abdul Rahman Muhammad Zafir Al-Dabidi, Abdul Mohsen Abdullah,
Abu Muhammad Al Adnani, Hajjaj Bin Fahd Al-Ajmi, Hamid Al-Ali
and Said Arif. The Securities and Exchanges Commission issued
the order, telling financial companies and stock exchanges to
bar the militants from access to the country's financial system.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also ordered immigration authorities
to keep the six from entering Pakistan.
Pakistan rejected Afghanistan’s
accusations regarding involvement of Pakistani intelligence
agencies in terrorism across the border. “We express our dismay
at the latest allegations levelled in the statements issued
by Afghanistan’s National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. Repeated attempts by the Afghan side to implicate Pakistan’s
intelligence institutions in terrorist activities are both unfounded
and counter-productive,” FO said in a statement. “It has been
stressed by us, time and again, that Pakistan remains committed
to disallowing its territory to be used against any country.
We would not allow anyone to breach Pakistan’s laws in this
regard or to undermine our goals of fostering friendly and cooperative
relations with neighbouring countries,” it said.
“At the same time, we believe
that the threat of terrorism is best addressed through mutual
cooperation,” the statement added. The Foreign Office said,
“Pakistan’s firm resolve to combat this menace, without any
distinction or discrimination, is concretely manifested in the
ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb. It is imperative that
complementary actions are taken by the Afghan authorities on
their side of the border. Elimination of terrorist sanctuaries
and handing over of TTP elements that have taken refuge in Afghanistan
are the first important step s in that direction,” the FO said.
September 17
PAF airstrikes destroyed five
militant hideouts and killed at least 40 suspected militants
as part of the on-going Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the Kiza Madakhel,
Datta Khel and Ezark areas of Datta Khel tehsil in NAW
of FATA.
Police claimed to have killed
seven TTP’s militants and arrested one in injured condition
in a raid conducted following firing and a blast in Afghan Basti
near Sohrab Goth in Gadap Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh. Speaking to media representatives, SSP, Malir Rao
Anwar said the TTP militants belonged to Waliur Rehman faction.
Two other militants managed to escape.
A Shia man, Ali Haider who is
an employee of Central Prison in Peshawar, the provincial capital
of KP was shot dead by unidentified assailants in an incident
of sectarian violence in Sarki area under Shah Qabool Police
Station in Peshawar.
Al Qaeda's South Asia wing claimed
responsibility for hijacking a Pakistani naval ship, PNS Zulfiqar,
and trying to use it to fire rockets at US vessels in the Arabian
Sea. The SITE monitoring service quoted its 'spokesman', Usama
Mahmoud, as saying a group of militants had succeeded in seizing
control of the PNS Zulfiqar and tried to use it to attack nearby
US vessels. "These mujahidin [holy warriors] had taken
control of the Pakistani ship, and they were advancing towards
the American fleet when the Pakistani army stopped them,"
he said.
"As a result, the mujahidin,
the lions of Allah and benefactors of the Ummah (community),
sacrificed their lives for Allah, and the Pakistani soldiers
spoiled their hereafter by giving up their lives in defence
of the enemies of the Ummah, the Americans," he added.
Al Qaeda announced the formation
of the new group on September 4, 2014 with its 'chief', Ayman
al-Zawahri, promising to spread Islamic rule and "raise
the flag of jihad" across South Asia, home to more than
400 million Muslims.
September 18
At least 23 militants were killed
in fresh airstrikes on militant hideouts in Ismail Khel and
Zerom areas of NWA in FATA. A statement issued by ISPR said
that Pakistan Army in an aerial action targeted militant hideouts
in Zerom and Ismail Khel area, killing at least 23 militants.
These claims, however, could not be independently verified as
journalists have limited access to the restive tribal agency.
The IDPs of NWA alleged that
Police and customs officials had been impounding their vehicles
on refusal to pay bribes at different checkpoints. “Police in
different Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have impounded our
21 vehicles in the name of checking,” said tribal elder Malik
Zafarullah Wazir. He further claimed that the Security Forces
had already provided them the NOC for use of NCP vehicles till
their stay in the camps, but the Police and customs officials
were teasing them for obvious reason to pay them money.
An activist of JeI, identified
as Ashraf Salam, was shot dead and two others, Akhter Ansari
and Salman Matin, were injured while they were sitting near
the JeI office in sector-7-D of Surjani Town area in Gadap Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The Dean of Islamic Studies
at Karachi University, Professor Shakeel Auj was shot dead over
blasphemy charges at Baitul Mukarram Masjid in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town. According to his colleague, Auj had been receiving threats
following complaints that his teaching was too liberal.
A man, identified as, Ibrahim
(22), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants near Niazi
Chowk in Lyari Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead in an incident of firing in Mohammad Ali Mohallah of Lyari
Town.
A Lyari Gang War Ghaffar Zikri
Group gangster, identified as Naseer Gul (20), was shot dead
in a joint encounter by Police and Rangers at Eido Lane in Lyari
Town. Police recovered 1 pistol (9mm) with 10 rounds from his
possession.
A security official was killed
in a remote-controlled bomb blast targeting SFs vehicle in Shapuk
area of Kech District. No outfit claimed responsibility for
the attack.
An unnamed Police ASI was shot
dead by unidentified militants in the Double Road area of Quetta,
provincial capital of Balochistan.
SFs claimed to have foiled a
terror bid by seizing 250 kilogram of explosives during a raid
in Hazarganji area of Quetta. An unnamed security official said
that the explosives and other weapons were dumped into a valley
and were recovered following intelligence reports.
KP authorities will soon shift
militants from various prisons from around the province to a
new high-security prison in Mardan town (Mardan District). "Final
touches are being made, after which prisoners will be shifted
to its cells," KP Home and Tribal Affairs Secretary Akhtar
Ali Shah said. Authorities are withholding specific dates for
the completion of the prison's construction and the transfer
of prisoners for security reasons, but the completion and transfers
are expected to take place this month, Shah said.
The KP Government started construction
on the high-level facility after two major jailbreaks in Bannu
and Dera Ismail Khan Districts. The PKR 1.78 billion (USD 17.3
million) prison features a three-layered wall and more support
for guards in the form of closed-circuit TV cameras, alarms,
watch towers and isolation rooms. As an added security measure,
the outer wall surrounding the facility is made of bomb-proof
material. Workers also built an 18-foot-wide road to facilitate
round-the-clock patrols. And the prison will have a solar power
system to prevent any blackouts. It'll be able to hold 3,000
inmates, most in a barracks, though the prison has 127 cells
set aside for high-profile prisoners.
The KP Government has introduced
a number of other initiatives to improve the security at prisons.
Last year it announced plans to form an 800-strong security
force focusing on prisons. "The special force will be responsible
for the security of the prisons all over the province,"
Malik Qasim, an advisor to the KP government on prisons, said.
"They will be provided with the latest gadgets and sophisticated
ammunition." Workers are setting up high-security zones
at five other sensitive prisons in Timergara, Bannu, Dera Ismail
Khan, Kohat and Karak to segregate hard-core militants from
the other inmates, KPIG of Prisons Kifayatullah Khan said recently.
Militants have assassinated
about 20 members of various peace committees in Swat District
in 2014. Militants also killed five Policemen and 15 civilians
whom they targeted. Sher Shah Khan, president of the Awami National
Party's Swat chapter and a former member of the Parliamentary
Assembly, condemned the slayings. The assassination of the peace
committee members will have grave repercussions on the law-and-order
situation in Swat, which is returning to normality after years
of chaos resulting from Taliban misrule, he said.
September 19
Two persons identified as Sunny
(22) and Ashraf (30), were killed and one another, Akhtar Ansari,
was injured when unidentified armed assailants opened fire their
car in Surjani Town area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. The victims were workers of a religious-political
party.
One Nadeem Abbas (30), was shot
dead by unidentified militants in North Karachi Town.
Police shot dead Lyari gangster,
Makhdoom alias Don, in an encounter near Do Darya in Seaview
area of Clifton Town in Saddar Town. Anti-Violent Crime Cell
SSP Nasir Aftab said that the deceased belonged to a Lyari gang.
A man, identified as Sultan
(25), was injured in a firing incident by unidentified armed
assailants near Soorti Factory in Bhains Colony of Bin Qasim
Town.
Karachi SITE Police claimed
to have recovered a huge cache of explosive material, including
seven IED containing total 50 kilograms of explosives, two dynamites,
five crackers and three rifles, near a graveyard. The recovery
was done after a lead provided by suspected militants who were
arrested in the city some days ago.
At least three LI militants
were killed in a remote-controlled blast in the Sipah area of
Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. The militants were travelling
in their vehicle when they passed the area where they were hit
by an IED planted along a roadside. The vehicle was of LI ‘commander’
Shams who was not present in it at the time of the explosion.
A woman was killed and three
others — a woman, a man and a child — were injured when unidentified
militants opened fire at a vehicle in Janikhel area of Bannu
District in the KP. SHO Janikhel Police Station Imran Aslam
confirmed the firing incident and added that an investigation
was underway into the motives and circumstances surrounding
it.
KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad
Khan said that phased return of 6,000 internally displaced families
of Bar Qambar Khel area of Khyber Agency in FATA to their homes
would start from September 23. According to a handout issued,
the Governor said that 11,265 IDPs had already returned to their
homes in different areas of Khyber Agency which had been cleared
of militants. He said the government was utilising all means
to ensure return of the affected families to their homes at
the earliest.
The JuD, the frontal organisation
of LeT resurfaced in the World Wide Web and launched its websites
www.jamatdawa.org and www.jamatdawa.net hosted from a server in
the USA. However, this is not the first time when JuD has managed
a return to the World Wide Web as in the past the banned outfit
has changed its identity, floated various charity organisations
and tweaked names to launch websites.
Police sources said, Hafiz Mohammed
Saeed, the JuD ‘chief’, along with Zafar Iqbal and Abdullah
Yusuf Azam had joined hands to form a charitable organisation
under the name Markaz al-Dawa Wal Irshad (MDI) (The Centre for
Religious Learning and Propagation) in 1986, and soon floated
a website under the name www.markazdawa.org. However, after
the 9/11 attack, the United States of America mounted pressure
on Pakistan to dismantle its terror network, imposed sanctions
on MDI, and ensured that the organization, which acted as a
front for LeT, shut down its website.
However, US could do little
when MDI shifted the entire content of its website to another
online portal named www.dawacenter.org. The website remained
active till Saeed re-christened his organization as Jamat-ud-Dawa
in 2001 and launched a website in Urdu and English under the
name www.jamatuddawa.org, added police sources.
The site voiced the opinion
of JuD’s senior leadership, including head of JuD’s department
of political affairs, Hafiz Abd-ur-Rahman Makki, as well as
Maulana Ameer Hamza, Yahya Mujahid, Hafiz Abd-ur-Raoof, Hafiz
Khalid Waleed, and Abdullah Muntazir till Mumbai 26/11 terrorist
attack in 2008. Soon after the attack, the United National Security
Council once again declared JuD to be front of LeT, the terrorist
wing that plotted the Mumbai terror attack, and levied sanctions
on the outfit.
September 20
At least 13 people, including
two children and a woman, were wounded when an IED that was
fitted to a cycle exploded outside the Khilji Mutton restaurant
on Samungali Road in Punj Fitti area of Quetta. No outfit claimed
responsibility for the attack.
September 21
Three people, identified as
Imran, Naveed and Sajid, were shot dead and another injured
when unidentified armed assailants opened fire at people present
in a hotel located in Federal-B Area of Hussainabad in Malir
Town of the provincial capital Karachi.
Two gangsters, identified as
Aziz alias Chwani, and Zakir alias David, were killed
and four others were arrested in an encounter conducted by Rangers
in Musharraf Colony of Baldia Town and Rangiwara locality in
Lyari Town. Rangers' spokesperson said that the killed gangsters
were affiliated with Mullah Nasir of Uzair Baloch group of Lyari
gang war. He said that they were involved in various target
killings, kidnapping, extortions and other crimes. Rangers also
recovered weapons from their possession.
IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali directed
the concerned officials to devise contingency plan for the security
of permitted cattle markets in the city and in other parts of
the province. He instructed the Police officials to maintain
close liaison with other Law Enforcement Agencies. Jamali ordered
to carry out survey of all the ways leading to super highway
cattle market by concerned police stations and to ensure effective
targeted actions in crime affected areas.
The deputy caretaker of Taleem-ul-Quran
seminary, identified as Mufti Amanullah (34), was shot dead
while his student, identified as Mehmood (18), sustained injuries
in a targeted attack near the high security Qasim aviation base
on Dhamyal Road in Rawalpindi District. RPO Akhtar Umar Hayat
Laleka said it was a targeted killing. Some protesters also
set on fire an imambargah (Shia place of commemoration) in the
old tyre market near the Taleem-ul-Quran Madrasa in Raja Bazaar
area of the District.
The dead of a man, identified
as Amir Ahmed alias Samandar Khan, was found from the rooftop
of the Imambargah. However, his association with the Imambargah
could not be ascertained. According to the details, Khan operated
was owned a tandoor shop in the vicinity of the Imambargah.
District Leader of JUI-F Maulana
Sher Alam Farooqi was killed in Tor Gundai area in Hangu District
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. JUI-F Information Secretary Jalil Jan
said that armed militants opened fire on Farooqi outside his
residence. He died on the spot. Farooqi graduated from Haqqania
Madrassa and was the Deputy Emir of Thall tehsil in Hangu
District.
Police arrested key militant
commander Gul Manan who is allegedly involved in a number of
terrorists activities from Adezai area of Peshawar, the provincial
capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three Kalashnikov, rifles and
hand grenades were recovered from his possession. Superintendent
of Police Shakir Bangash said that Manan is being questioned
and interrogated so that more information is extracted from
him.
The TTP said that one of its
senior commanders Mohammad Hasan was killed in a recent clash
with Army during Operation Zarb-i-Azb in NWA of FATA.
In a statement issued by TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid
said Hasan, who hailed from Kabul, was killed in clashes in
Boya area of NWA. The statement added that Hasan had recently
been released from an Afghan prison and had "reunited with
his comrades" in Pakistan.
Pakistan welcomed the agreement
signed by the two presidential candidates in Afghanistan regarding
the establishment of a government of national unity. Foreign
Office spokesperson said in a statement, “Consistent with our
support for a peaceful democratic transition, we regard the
signing of this agreement as a positive development. “ The spokesperson
said this outcome has been possible due to the wise and sagacious
leadership of Dr Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah Abdullah.
September 22
At least 23 militants were killed
in shelling by jet fighters and gunship helicopters in the Bangidar
area in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Ten explosive stores
and several terrorist hideouts were also destroyed in the action.
Two SFs were killed and another
injured when an IED planted along the roadside exploded in the
FR Bannu.
Two bullet-riddled dead bodies
were found in a deserted place in Ashrafabad area of Baizai
sub-division of Mohmand Agency.
At least 11 people were killed
during an armed clash between two rival militant outfits in
Bal Gitar area of Turbat District in Balochistan. An unnamed
security official said that armed militants attacked the convoy
of Yaqoob Balgatheri, a militant 'commander' in the Bil Gitar
area of Hoshap, killing him and 10 others in the attack. "The
assailants belonged to a defunct Baloch separatist group,"
added the security official.
Three dead bodies were found
in Wadh tehsil of Khuzdar District. One of the victims
was identified as Aziz Mengal, while the other two are yet to
be identified.
Three militants were shot dead
and four others arrested by Security Forces in the Lop area
of Wadh in Khuzdar District. “FC killed three militants and
arrested four belonging to LeB and banned UBA,” said the FC
spokesperson.
Unidentified persons abducted
five persons, including an official of the Revenue Department,
from the Maro area of Dera Bugti District.
Three Policemen, identified
as Shahid Umar, Rehman and Khurram Shahzad and a teenager, Ismail
were killed when militants fired at a Police van near a roadside
security check post in Qazi Pump area of Hangu District in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa The 'spokesman' of TTP, Shahidullah Shahid, claimed
responsibility for the attack.
An explosive device weighing
about three kilograms, planted by suspected militants near the
house of Muhammad Jalil in Lakhti Banda of Hangu, exploded.
However, there was no loss of life in the incident.
An unidentified man was shot
dead in Korangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
The CoAS, General Raheel Sharif
called on PM Nawaz Sharif and exchanged views on Operation Zarb-e-Azb
in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. The Army said the SFs have
cleared some 90 per cent of areas of the militants in major
towns in the region, including its headquarters Miranshah and
Mir Ali.
September 23
At least 19 militants were killed
in aerial strikes on militant hideouts in the Dandi Kachkol,
Ghulam Khan, Gurbaz, Mana, Pasht Ziarat areas of North Waziristan
Agency in FATA.
A bomb planted near the house
of one Naimatullah by unidentified militants was defused by
the bomb disposal unit in Wazir Dhand area of Khyber Agency.
At least 27 persons, including
six wanted militants, were arrested in a targeted search operation
in the Lashora and Wanu Mela areas of Jamrud tehsil in
Khyber Agency.
Five persons, including a woman
and a soldier, were killed while 25 others sustained injuries
when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a
convoy of FC on the Shershah Suri Road near the Peshawar Press
Club in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
FC Deputy Inspector General, Brigadier Khalid Javed, was the
prime target of the suicide attack. However, he survived the
attack but was wounded. TTP claimed responsibility for
the suicide attack. The TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid said
the attack on the SF convoy was a reaction to the Operation
Zarb-e-Azb.
A doctor from the Ahmadi community,
identified as Mubashar Ahmad Khosa, was shot dead in Mali Colony
of Mirpurkhas District of Sindh.
CID in-charge, Raja Umar Khattab,
claimed to have killed a militant, identified as Bhaloo, during
a raid in the Katti Pahari area of Orangi Town in Karachi District.
Khattab said that two of Bhaloo’s aides were arrested and a
huge cache of arms were also recovered during a raid in the
area. The official further added that the CID officials came
under hand grenade attack during the raid at Bhaloo's hideout.
AIG, Karachi, Ghulam Qadir Thebo
said that five target killers involved in various killings had
been arrested in the city. AIG said that 200 target killers
had been killed in targeted operations in Karachi.
Levies personnel found two bullet-riddled
dead bodies in the Pidark area of Turbat District of Balochistan.
The victims remain unidentified.
According to sources in Balochistan
Home and Tribal Affairs Department, more than 50 bodies were
recovered in Quetta and other towns of Balochistan during this
year (2014). However, Baloch nationalists contradict the official
figure and claim that the number of bodies recovered was more
than what was being quoted by the home department.
September 24
At least 13 militants were killed
in air strikes by the PAF jets in the Surkas, Dwatoi and Gharbay
Kandao areas of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. Local
sources said an Uzbek ‘commander’ was among those killed in
the air strikes. The targeted areas were inhabited by the Kukikhel
tribe.
10 Uzbek militants were killed
when a US drone hit a vehicle in the Lowra Mandai area of Dattakhel
tehsil in North Waziristan Agency. Government condemned
the drone strike. “The government of Pakistan condemns the incident
of US drone strike that took place in Dattakhel, North Waziristan
on Wednesday, 24 September 2014,” a statement from Foreign Office
said.
SFs recovered arms and explosives
from the Ashkhel mountain Range in Landikotal tehsil
of Khyber Agency.
A man, identified as Muhammad
Kashif (30), was shot dead by unidentified militants near Bhains
Colony in Bin Qasim Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
An unidentified man was shot
dead by some unidentified armed assailants near Gate No. 6 at
Truck Terminal in the Mauripur area of Kiamari Town.
A dead body, identified as that
of Soomro (45), bearing severe tortured marks, was recovered
near Hub River within the Hamdard University jurisdiction.
A suspect was killed during
a Police encounter in the Mauripur area of Kiamari Town. However,
his accomplice managed to escape.
Two persons, identified as Zakir
(46) and Osman (40), were shot at and injured at Mazedar Food
Street at Anda Mor in North Karachi Town.
One Afzal (30) was shot at and
injured by unidentified armed assailants near Dhobi Ghat in
Usmanabad area of Lyari Town.
An unnamed security official
revealed that FC and personnel of the anti-terrorists force
in a joint raid recovered 800 hand grenades, 200 kilogram of
explosives, 13 RPG launcher, electric detonators from Al Gilani
Road area of Quetta. “We foiled a major bid of terror. Forces
found weapons dumped in a water tank near the residence of JWP
leader Nawabzada Shah Zain Bugti,” CCPO Abdul Razzaq Cheema
said.
Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant
General Khalid Rabbani called for action against terrorist groups
in southern Punjab and Balochistan, saying the ‘successful’
Zarb-e-Azb operation was not enough to end the terrorist
threat in the country. “Terrorism cannot be eliminated without
intelligence-based operations throughout the country – particularly
in Southern Punjab and Sindh,” he said. He called for greater
focus of these operations in Southern Punjab and Balochistan
and a stronger political backing for these actions.
September 25
Police recovered three mutilated
dead bodies from Rakhshan Nadi and Washbud areas of Panjgur
District in Balochistan. A Police Officer Murad Buledi said,
“All victims have received multiple bullets.”
Two persons, identified Abdul
Ghaffoor (60) and Kaleemullah (30), were killed and at least
seven others were injured, in a bomb blast targeting chief of
the CID SIU, Farooq Awan, in Gizri locality of Clifton Cantonment
in Saddar Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Awan escaped unhurt. It was the third attempt on his life.
There were some sources that
pointed towards the Abid Mucchar group of the TTP, while CID
pointed at Jundullah's involvement in the attack.
Police arrested at least one
suspect involved in the murder of PTI leader Zahra Shahid Hussain
who was killed on May 18, 2013. "We have arrested one suspect,
while there are others who will soon be arrested," said
Karachi Police Chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo.
A Policeman shot at two prisoners
in Adial Jail of Rawalpindi District, killing Christian pastor
Zafar Bhatti, who was accused of blasphemy and wounding Briton
Muhammad Asghar (70), who is condemned to death on the same
charge. Zafar Bhatti later succumbed to his injuries. Bhatti,
worked to protect the human rights of the country's Christian
minority, and was on trial after he was accused in 2012 of sending
blasphemous text messages.
Punjab Rangers announced the
arrest of a suspected terrorist, identified as Taj Ali, near
Chesham Barrage in Lahore District of Punjab and recovered a
large cache of weapons and ammunition. Ali hails from Bannu
District of KP.
SF took into custody four persons
from a house during a search operation in the Landi Kotal area
of Khyber Agency in FATA. During the raid, a huge cache of arms
and ammunition was also recovered from the possession of the
suspects.
Additional Secretary Ministry
of Interior, Mukhtar Ali Khan, told the SSC on Interior that
KP issued nearly 79,256 arms licenses having countrywide validity
over the past one year. The committee chairman, Talha Mehmood,
accused the KP Government of concealing facts and claimed that
it had issued licenses for prohibited bore.
British Police arrested nine
suspects, including leading a radical preacher of Pakistani
descent, Anjem Choudary (47), in London on suspicion of links
with the banned extremist group Al-Muhajiroun. Anjem said that
he does not "feel sorry" for British hostage Alan
Henning, who is being held by Islamic State (IS) militants,
because he is not a Muslim, and has called IS leader Abu Bakr
al-Baghdadi the "prince of believers".
September 26
A man, identified as Mohammad
Sadiq (35), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants near
Tahir Villa in Aisha Manzil area of Gulberg Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified militant, was
shot dead by Police in the Pak Colony area of SITE Town. Police
said that unidentified militants opened fire on Pak Colony Police
mobile when it was patrolling in the area. In retaliatory firing
by Police one of them got killed. Another of the militant managed
to escape.
An unidentified bullet riddled
dead body of a man was found from Bhawan Shah Mazar near Memon
Goth in Malir Town.
A boy, identified as Sharif
(17), was shot at and injured near Firdaus Market in Liaquatabad
Town.
Two activists of an anti-Taliban
peace committee were killed and another seriously injured in
an IED blast in the Dawezai area of Pandyali tehsil of
Mohmand Agency in FATA. JuA claimed responsibility for the attack.
The 'spokesman' of JuA Ehsanullah Ehsan said that they have
targeted the peace committee members for fighting and spying
against Taliban. He said that such attacks on ‘pro-government
paid people’ would continue as they were enemies of Taliban.
The four suspected militants
killed in the Fort Slope area of Bara tehsil in Khyber
Agency on August 14, 2014, were identified as TTP and LI militants.
While three of them were identified as TTP 'commanders', Jamil
alias Jangrez, Shahid and Balage, another one was identified
as LI 'commander', Raid Khan.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
told the UNGA that a veil cannot be drawn over the core issue
of Kashmir. He stated, "Our support and advocacy
of the right to self- determination of the people of J&K
is our historic commitment and a duty, as a party to the Kashmir
dispute. More than six decades ago, the UN had passed resolutions
to hold a plebiscite in J&K. The people of J&K are still
waiting for the fulfilment of that promise. We cannot draw a
veil on the issue of Kashmir, until it is addressed in accordance
with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir."
CoAS General Raheel Sharif visited
troops deployed in forward localities along the LoC near Jhelum
and reiterated that any provocation along the LoC will be responded
effectively.
The PTI Government in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa decided in principle to remove ‘objectionable material’
from the textbooks of local primary schools in their attempt
to please their coalition partner, JeI. An unnamed senior official
of the Education Department said that JeI leaders had voiced
reservations about the printing of pictures of minor girls without
dupatta, Christmas cake and a Cross emblem on an ambulance
instead of Crescent, the mention of good morning instead of
Assalam-u-Alaikum, and presence of some other ‘objectionable’
stuff in textbooks for primary schools.
September 27
SFs thwarted militants attack
on a check-post in Jamrud Bazaar in Khyber Agency of the FATA
and killed at least six militants in retaliatory fire. The SFs
have launched search operation in the area.
An unidentified man was killed
when unidentified armed assailants opened fire in Faqeer Colony
area of Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Meanwhile, a body bearing torture
marks was recovered from Kiamari gate no.1 in Kiamari Town.
A drowned dead body of a woman
was recovered from Kiamari Town.
Separately, another body of
a man, identified as Syed Akhtar Manzoor was recovered from
Yusuf Plaza in Federal B Area of Gulberg Town.
An unidentified man was injured
in firing incident that occurred in Ancholi in Federal B Area
of Gulberg Town.
Another was injured in North
Nazimabad Town.
At least two persons were killed
and 15 others injured when an explosion occurred in Sibi town
in Sibi District of Balochistan.
September 28
At least 15 terrorists were
killed in air strikes by SFs in the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation
in Shawal area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.
US drone strike killed four
suspected militants, including two Arab militants, in a compound
in Wana area of South Waziristan Agency.
TTP militants shot dead the
leader of Qaumi Lashkar, Gul Akbar, and injured his driver,
Noudiyar, in Dara area of Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur Agency.
TTP 'spokesperson' Shahidullah Shahid claimed responsibility
for the attack.
At least eight people were killed
and 10 others, including two girls were injured in a remote-controlled
bomb blast targeting Muhammad Khawjah's IDPs camp in Togh Sarray
area of Hangu District in KP.
At least 85 militants belonging
to the Bugti tribe surrendered themselves to law-enforcement
personnel in Sui area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan.
Khan Wasey, spokesman for the Frontier Corps, Balochistan, said
in a statement that the men belonged to various Bugti clans
living in Sui area of the District. They had been involved in
attacks on SF and national installations in Dera Bugti and other
areas of the Province.
September 29
Five militants were killed and
four others were injured in a blast that occurred at the Lashkar-e-Islam
base in Kandao area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA.
Two SFs were injured in a roadside
remote-controlled IED blast in Spinwam area of North Waziristan
Agency.
Two people, identified as, Zeeshan
(32), and Saqib, were killed and their cousin, Faisal, was injured
in a firing incident near Samanabad FB Area of Gulberg Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified dead body of
a man was found in Ittehad Town area of Baldia Town.
An unidentified man was injured
when unidentified armed assailants opened fire at him in Baldia
Town.
Unidentified militants opened
fire at one Amin (30), injuring him critically near Meetha Chowrangi
in Korangi Town.
One Shehan Shah (21), was shot
and injured by unidentified armed assailants near Sher Muhammad
Village Mauripur area of Kiamari Town.
Faizan (25), was injured by
unidentified armed assailants in Korangi Town.
Colonel Tahir Mehmood of the
Sindh Rangers told the Senate Standing Committee on Interior
Affairs that over two thousand criminals have been arrested
in the Rangers-led operation in Karachi. According to sources,
the report claimed that suspects arrested included those belonging
to the TTP, the PAC, the MQM, ANP, and hundreds belonging to
banned outfits.
373 raids were carried out on
MQM offices in which 560 MQM workers were arrested and a large
cache of weapons was recovered. 18 raids were carried out on
offices of the ANP in which 40 people were arrested and 21 weapons
were recovered, he said. 396 raids were carried out against
the PAC, in which 539 suspects were arrested and 591 weapons
were recovered. 403 raids were conducted against the TTP, in
which 760 terrorists were arrested and a large cache of weapons
and explosives was recovered. 159 raids were carried out against
other banned outfits, in which 352 suspects were arrested and
463 weapons were recovered.
A Policeman, identified as Abdul
Raheem, was shot dead near Kuchlak area of Quetta.
The detention of the chief of
anti-Shia outfit LeJ, Malik Ishaq, who masterminded the attack
on the Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009, was extended on
September 25 for further three months by Pakistani authorities
citing “big risk” to the law and order situation during the
coming month of Muharram (first month of the Islamic calendar
that is marked as a mourning period for the Shia community).
A fresh murder and terrorism
case was slapped on Nawaz Sharif and 10 others, including his
brother and Ministers, over the death of three protestors during
anti-government demonstrations in August 2014, the third criminal
case filed against the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
September 30
One unidentified dead body was
recovered from Rexor Bridge in the Pak Colony area of SITE Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Unidentified dead body was recovered
from near the railway tracks in the Kala Pul area of the city.
CID DSP, Chaudhry Safdar, narrowly
escaped a gun attack on his vehicle near Lyari expressway in
the Garden area of Saddar Town.
Two people, identified as Arif
(50) and Javed (30), were injured in a firing incident in Malir
Town.
An unidentified man was shot
and injured by unidentified armed assailants near Millennium
Mall in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
Four alleged extortionists were
arrested red handed by a team of SIU from SITE area.
Sindh Police claimed to have
arrested four suspected target killers who were allegedly involved
in incidents of killing in East and Central Districts of the
city.
Three people were injured when
a polio team was attacked in Gujranwala District.
A gas pipeline was blown up
in the Zain Bugti area of Dera Bugti District, suspending gas
supply from Well No. 10 to the Sui plant in the area. BRA claimed
responsibility for the attack, and its spokesperson vowed to
continue targeting gas pipelines and Security Forces in the
District.
US Treasury Department added
three Pakistani nationals associated with HuM and LeT. According
to an announcement updating the Treasury Department’s list for
Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) the three individuals added
to the SDN list include HuM founder Fazlur Rehman Khalil, Muhammad
Naeem Sheikh linked to LeT and Umair Naeem Sheikh linked to
Abdul Hameed Shahabuddin. The Abdul Hameed Shahabuddin group
has also been sanctioned.
October 1
Former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf approached the Supreme Court to adjourn the
appeal filed against the Sindh High Court’s (SHC) decision to
remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).
Four people including two teenage
boys were killed and ten others injured when unidentified militants
hurled a hand grenade at a barber shop near the Sirki Kalan
area on Double Road in Quetta.
Two people were injured when
unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at a photographer's
shop on Sariab Road.
A female school teacher, identified
as Honey, was killed and two children were injured when a hand-grenade
was hurled on Askari Public School and College located in the
Shabqadar tehsil (revenue unit) of Peshawar.
A polio team was attacked in
the Khanpur area of Rahim Yar Khan District.
Unidentified militants shot
dead two persons in Sufaid Dheri area in Peshawar.
October 2
At least 15 militants were killed
in jet strikes in the Jamrud and Bara areas in Khyber Agency
of FATA.
At least seven persons were
killed and eleven others were injured due to an explosion in
a passenger coach in Bazid Khel area on Kohat Road in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Three suspected militants were
killed and four others, including a key commander, were arrested
in a clash with SFs during combing operation in Wali Noor Jan
Khel area of Bannu Frontier Region.
An ASI, identified as Asif Mehmood,
was shot dead by unidentified militants near Wazir Bagh area
under Yakatoot Police Station in Peshawar.
At least three persons were
killed and several others injured when an explosion ripped through
a passenger van on Aalam Bridge on Karakoram Highway, near Haramosh
area in Gilgit-Baltistan.
October 3
At least three persons were
killed and six others were injured in separate incidents of
violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital
of Sindh. Two extortionists were killed during encounter with
Police in rice godown area in Gulshan-e-Maymar.
A person, identified as Muddasir
(28), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Kamran Chorangi
near Jauhar Morr in Gulistan-e-Johar.
Four persons were injured in
a hand grenade attack by unidentified assailants in Gharib Shah
Shrine of Sadirbar Lanes.
A person, identified as Pervez
(25), was shot and injured by unidentified assailants in Lyari.
A person, identified as Shahid,
was shot and injured by unidentified assailants in SITE area.
At least 29 suspects were arrested
by Police and SFs from the Killi Kirani area and Ethiad Colony
of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan
in connection with hand grenade attacks on shops in Quetta on
October 1, 2014 that killed four people and wounded over a dozen
others.
October 4
A peace committee member, identified
as Ashraf Khan, who was also a local leader of the ANP, was
shot dead in Matta tehsil (revenue unit) of Swat District.
Five persons of Hazara Shia
community were killed and dozens injured when a suicide bomber
blew himself up in Hazara Town in Quetta (Quetta District),
the provincial capital of Balochistan, where people were shopping
for Eid.
A PPP activist, identified as
Abdul Qadir Baloch, was shot dead in Madhu Goth near NIPA Chowrangi
under Gulistan-i-Jauhar Police Station in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
A young man, identified as
Rahmat Ali, was killed in Manghopir area of Karachi (Karachi
District), apparently on sectarian grounds.
Rangers in a search operation
in Banaras Colony arrested 11 suspects with weapons.
TTP declared allegiance to IS
and ordered militants across the region to help the Middle Eastern
jihadist group (religious war groups) in its campaign to set
up a global Islamic caliphate.
October 5
Police killed seven members
of the banned TTP in an encounter in the Sohrab Goth area of
Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.
The personnel of the Sectarian
Cell of the CID gunned down two members of TTP, including Mufti
Jawed, Karachi Naib Ameer (Deputy Chief).
At least five militants were
killed in a US drone strike in Shawal area of South Waziristan
Agency in FATA.
Three dead bodies were found
in Jhal Magsi District.
Unidentified assailants gunned
down a local journalist, Yaqoob Shahzad, while he was sitting
in a showroom in Hafizabad District of Punjab Province.
October 6
At least eight militants were
killed and four others were injured in a US drone strike in
Bari Mail area of Shawal Valley in North Waziristan Agency of
FATA. It was the fourth drone strike in last two weeks in the
tribal belt.
At least three persons were
killed and two others were injured in a firing incident in Zehri
area of Khuzdar District. Levies officials said that it was
not yet confirmed whether the attack was an incident of targeted
killing or the result of a tribal dispute.
One person was killed and two
others were injured by unidentified assailants at a seminary
situated in Multani Mohalla area of Quetta (Quetta District),
the provincial capital of Balochistan.
One person was killed and another
was injured by unidentified assailants at Bilal Masjid in Quetta.
Pakistan Army Chief General
Raheel Sharif announced that 14,000 youths will be inducted
into the Army from tribal region of Waziristan over the next
five years.
October 7
At least three militants were
killed and five others were injured in a US drone strike in
Madakhel Kunar Sar area of Dattakhel tehsil in NWA of FATA.
At least two persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. An activist of the ASWJ, identified
as Maulana Masood, was killed by unidentified assailants in
Hyderi area of North Nazimabad.
A JUI-F activist, identified
as Maulana Sajidullah, was shot dead in Peerabad Muslim Colony.
PIPS reported that 212 persons
were killed in 2013 in 132 sectarian-related attacks in Pakistan,
mostly in Karachi.
October 8
One person was killed by unidentified
assailants in New Karachi Area of Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr
Malik Baloch said that he cannot rule out the presence of ISIS
militants in the province.
Regarding missing persons' issue,
the Chief Minister said that his Government was determined and
its top priority was to recover the missing persons. He, however,
admitted that so far “no considerable progress has been made
with regard to missing persons.”
October 9
At least five persons were killed
in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. A SI of the Sindh Police, identified
as Haider Bhatti, and a drug peddler, identified as Attaullah,
were killed in an armed attack near Katti Pahari area.
Two dead bodies, identified
as Inayatullah (22) and Shams-ul-Arfeen (25), were found near
Northern Bypass within the remit of Gulshan-e-Maymar Police
Station.
A dead body was found from a
pumping station in Ayub Goth.
Mauripur Police claimed to have
arrested 22 accused including alleged target killers, terrorists
and street criminals, and recovered hand grenade and others
weapons from their possession.
At least four suspected militants
were killed and three others were injured in a US drone strike
in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.
At least three persons, including
a polio worker, were killed in a blast in Alemgar area of Safi
tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA. Official sources said
that suspected militants had planted the IED in front of the
house of a local named Taj Gul, killing one of his sons Sakhi
Gul and his nephew Maskeen on the spot while his other son Muhammad
Agul, who is a Union Council polio worker, was left injured.
The administration officials said the injured polio worker was
shifted to Camp Hospital in Muhammad Gat where he succumbed
to his wounds.
Six persons, including a pro-government
tribal chief, were injured in Ghakhi area of Salarzai tehsil
in Bajaur Agency when a vehicle was attacked by militants via
a remote-controlled bomb. No group or individual has claimed
responsibility the attack.
A roadside bomb exploded near
a Police vehicle on Mastung Road in Quetta (Quetta District),
the provincial capital of Balochistan. No one was hurt in the
explosion.
October 10
Three suspected militants and
a security official were killed in an exchange of fire between
SFs and militants during a search operation in Prang Dara area
of Haleemzai tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA.
One person, identified as Baa
Khan, was killed and another, identified as Mashal Khan, was
injured in an IED blast in Landi Noor Village of Wana Town in
South Waziristan Agency.
At least nine persons were injured
in four consecutive blasts in Lyari area of Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh.
October 11
At least four suspected militants,
including a local Taliban ‘commander’, were killed in yet another
US drone strike in the Shawal tehsil of NWA in FATA,
raising the toll from a series of attacks this week to 29. Intelligence
sources said that a US drone fired two missiles at a vehicle
in Maraga area of Shawal tehsil in which the four suspected
militants, including the Taliban ‘commander’, identified as
Mustafa, belonging to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction of TTP,
have died in the strike.
An unidentified person was killed
and another injured when a roadside IED went off on Dolat Moosa
road in the Sipah area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Sources said
that a car was also damaged in the explosion.
October 12
According to ISPR, 11 militants
were killed in the airstrikes and two hideouts were also destroyed
in the Bangidar area of NWA in FATA.
At least 10 militants were killed
in the Kukikhel area of Khyber Agency. Three hideouts were also
destroyed.
Three militants were killed
and one soldier was reported injured during a search operation
in Khadang area of Charbagh tehsil in Swat District of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa.
Militants killed a peace committee
member by indiscriminate firing, in Charbagh tehsil. According
to Police, armed men entered the house of Ayub Khan, a member
of the local peace committee and fired at him indiscriminately,
killing him.
The Ministry for Interior Affairs
expressed fear of suicide attack at the PPP rally to be held
on October 18 at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. The ministry has issued a statement
saying a suicide bomber has entered in Karachi aiming to attack
PPP Patron-in-Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during the October
18 rally.
A rally organised by the JuD
condemned what it described as unprovoked Indian firing along
the working boundary and the LoC and called upon the Pakistan
Government to declare jihad against India.
Zohra Yusuf, the chairperson
of the HRCP said that Balochistan has been made a fertile place
for armed religious extremists under a plan and as a result
about 300,000 Shias, Zikris, and Hindus have migrated to other
areas of the country. She expressed concern over the migration
of Shias, Zikris, settlers and Hindus due to lack of security
in Balochistan.
October 13
A Police constable and a woman
were killed in a firing incident in Badhaber area of Peshawar
(Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to initial details, the victims were in a car when
an unidentified assailant fired at them for reasons not known
yet. The constable was reportedly travelling from his village
to his Police Station.
A major jailbreak plan was thwarted
by the Rangers when they arrested eight militants who had nearly
completed digging a tunnel to the barracks inside the central
prison from an adjacent house to free their high-profile jailed
accomplices in Ghausia Colony of Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh.
Meanwhile, One target killer
accused of 14 murders was arrested by Karachi Police in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
area.
October 14
At least three persons were
killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi
District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A person, identified
as Abdullah (18), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near
Gul Ahmed cloth shop in Landhi area.
A lady, identified as Shakeela
(30), was killed by unidentified assailants in Baldia Town.
A dead body, identified as Hashim
(40), was found from the shrine of Samandari Baba of Bhens Colony.
A Police Constable Wazir Ahemd
(36), was shot and injured by unidentified Assailants near his
house at Sector-36/A Taiser Town.
Ali (22), Attaullah (23), and
Raj Muhammad (28), were injured by unidentified assailants near
Hashmi Public School of Pathan colony in SITE area.
At least two militants including
a suicide bomber were killed by SFs in Doaba area of Hangu District.
Official sources said that SFs conducted operation against extremists
in Doaba area. A suicide bomber was between two militants killed
in the operation while several militants were reported injured.
The extremists also offered strong resistance but the security
personnel remained unhurt.
October 15
Seven people were killed and
17 others sustained injuries when a suicide bomber blew himself
up at a Jirga of the Zakhakhel Amn Lashkar in
the Pir Mela area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA.
The sources said the Jirga of the Zakhakhel Amn Lashkar was
taking place in the main bazaar when a suicide bomber arrived
there and detonated the explosives strapped to his body. Five
persons were killed on the spot and 19 others sustained injuries
in the explosion. Two of the injured later succumbed to their
injuries, raising the death toll to seven. Members of the Zakhakhel
Amn Lashkar said four of the dead, including a child, belonged
to the Zakhakhel tribe while three came from the Shalobar tribe.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
A volunteer of a peace committee
was killed and another sustained injuries as militants attacked
a post in Qandaharo area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency.
Sources said that the alleged militants attacked the post of
the volunteers of the peace committee in Qandaharo area in Safi
tehsil with automatic weapons. As a result, the sources said,
a volunteer Sajid Khan was killed while Irshad Ali sustained
injuries. The attackers managed to escape after the incident.
Four soldiers were injured in
a bomb blast in Warsak area of North Waziristan Agency. The
blast occurred when a forces vehicle was passing through Warsak.
A bomb went off at a shrine
of Sheikh Abdul Qadoos in the limits of Pishtakhara Police Station
in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. No casualty was reported in the blast.
Police arrested seven suspected
persons, including two militants, during a search operation
in Gul Bagh Killay area of Hangu District. Sources said a search
operation was launched in Gul Bagh Killay after the Police was
tipped off about the presence of militants in the area. During
the search operation, the Police arrested Saeed and Fazal Shah
and five other suspects. The Police also recovered three Kalashnikovs,
hand-grenades and several rounds during the search.
Militants attacked a Police
check-post in Gharibabad area of Kalat Town in Kalat District.
However, personnel inside the check-post remained unhurt.
An investigation team of Karachi
East Police arrested the owner of a house that was used in the
Jail Tunnel case from Ghausia Colony of Karachi (Karachi District),
the provincial capital of Sindh. A major jailbreak plan was
thwarted by the Rangers on October 13 when they arrested eight
militants who had nearly completed digging a tunnel to the barracks
inside the central prison from an adjacent house to free their
high-profile jailed accomplices in Ghausia Colony.
Police arrested the key suspect
behind the deadly June 2013 bombing which killed nine people
and injured senior Sindh High Court judge Justice Maqbool Baqar
from in Afghan Basti near Sohrab Goth. The TTP had claimed attacking
the senior SHC judge for his "anti-Taliban and anti-Mujahideen
decisions".
Six top ‘commanders’ of the
TTP, including ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid, have announced
their allegiance to Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi of the Islamic State
and an allegiance statement was also issued in this regard.
Shahidullah Shahid in the statement said he along with five
TTP District chiefs have announced their allegiance to IS, also
known as Daish, and would be their lead fighters in Pakistan.
The statement did not elaborate on the stance of the six on
Mullah Omar, chief of the Afghan Taliban widely regarded by
militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan as the Amir ul
Momineen (leader of the faithful).
“I am confirming my allegiance
to Amir ul Momineen Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi and would abide by
all his decisions, whatever is the order, and whatsoever the
circumstances, I shall be loyal to him and obey his orders,”
Shahidullah Shahid said in a statement issued in Arabic and
Urdu. Shahidullah said he along with TTP Amir for Orakzai Agency
Saeed Khan, TTP’s Kurram Agency chapter chief Daulat Khan, Fateh
Gul Zaman, who heads TTP in Khyber Agency, TTP’s Peshawar Amir
Mufti Hassan and TTP’s Hangu chief Khalid Mansoor, was announcing
allegiance to Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi Al Qureshi Al-Hussaini.
Shahidullah further said that the statement was on his and the
five commanders’ behalf and had nothing to do with TTP.
October 16
Twenty-one militants were killed
and several others sustained injuries when jet fighters pounded
their hideouts in the Tirah Valley and Bara tehsil of
Khyber Agency in FATA. The ISPR said the jet fighters pounded
the militant’s hideouts in Akakhel, Sipah, Kamarkhel and Akakhel
Zawa areas of the Khyber Agency, destroying five hideouts.
SFs recovered arms, ammunition,
and body of a suspected militant who was killed last week during
a clash with the forces in Sahib Cheena area of Halimzai tehsil
in Mohmand Agency.
A soldier sustained injuries
while defusing a roadside bomb in Safi tehsil. The sources
said militants had planted explosives at the roadside near the
Said Khan Kor where the SFs were conducting a search operation.
One person was injured when
unidentified motorcyclists hurled a hand-grenade into a medical
store in Sikandarpurah area of Peshawar (Peshawar District),
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A police official
said that the motorcyclists hurled hand grenade at Imperial
Medical Store owned by Fayyaz.
SFs arrested 20 suspected persons
during a search operation in Charbagh Bazaar of Charbagh tehsil
in Swat District.
JuA, a splinter group of TTP
has released video of a renegade Army doctor, asking military
officers and soldiers to join Taliban. Sitting beside JuA ‘spokesman’
Ehsanullah Ehsan in the video, the man with black beard and
wearing black turban is introducing himself as Capt Dr Tariq
Ali who claimed to have served in Frontier Corps Balochistan,
80 Brigade Siachen, and various places in Punjab. He cited posting
in Waziristan the reason for leaving the Army. He said in fluent
English that he had spent two tenures in North and South Waziristan
agencies and refused order of the Second in Command official
when he was asked to go for the third time. “I refused to obey
the orders of 2-IC (Officer Second in Command) and a few days
later I took a flight to London,” he said. He is critical of
the media and blames it for spreading a bad image of Taliban.
He called upon officers to join Mujahideen for the enforcement
of Shariah and Islamic system.
Simultaneously, he said he used
to call non-Muslims to Islam. “Allah blessed me with the passion
of Jihad. I left Britain with an intention to go to Iraq and
join Islamic State, but I was arrested on the way and sent to
prison in Croatia,” said Dr Tariq. Then he was deported to Pakistan
and initially he faced some difficulties in the beginning. Later
he joined JA. “May be it was the will of Allah that I should
join the Mujahideen of Khorasan instead of Iraq and Syria,”
he said. There was no independent confirmation of the doctor’s
claim.
A high-level security meeting
of the civil and military leadership on October 16 decided to
chase and eliminate terrorists in every nook and corner of the
country. The meeting, which was held here at the PM House, was
chaired by PM Nawaz Sharif where the regional and domestic security
situation was discussed threadbare. The PM expressed satisfaction
over the achievements by the valiant armed forces in the Operation
Zarb-e-Azb, which is believed to be in the final phase.
October 17
Eight militants and a soldier
were killed as SFs launched the “Operation Khyber-1” in the
Akakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.
The sources said three hideouts of the militants were also destroyed
in the operation.
A FC official was killed and
three others were injured when Iranian border forces opened
fire across Pakistan border in the Mand town of Ketch District
in Balochistan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister
for Information Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani said that Provincial Government
has allocated PKR 1,000 million for the improvement of the Police
department performance.
October 18
Two Dir Scouts officials were
killed and two others injured when their vehicle struck an IED
in Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur Agency.
October 19
At least 37 militants were killed
and 50 others, including important ‘commanders’, were surrendered
to the SFs in operation Khyber-I, which successfully continued
for the third consecutive day in Bara tehsil of Khyber
Agency in FATA. SFs have launched military operation Khyber-I
in the Agency to eliminate militants amid Zarb-e-Azb operation
in North Waziristan.
At least eight Punjabi poultry
farm labourers were found dead in the Sakran area of Hub tehsil
in Lasbela District. Police sources said that unknown armed
men had kidnapped nine labourers from a poultry farm in Sakran
on October 18 and killed eight of them after checking their
identity cards.
The CIA drones strikes in Pakistan
have killed as many as 2,379 people since 2004, but only 84
of the victims have been named al Qaeda militants. On October
11, the US carried out its 400th drone strike in northwest Pakistan
since its strikes started there in 2004. In almost a decade,
2,379 people have been killed. “Only 704 of the 2,379 dead
have been identified, and only 295 of these were reported to
be members of some kind of armed group,” the UK-based Bureau
of Investigative Journalism found out.
October 20
Four bullet-riddled bodies were
recovered from Akakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency
of FATA.
Unidentified militants abducted
a FC soldier from Akakhel area of Bara in Khyber Agency. The
official had come home on leave from Karachi.
A group of 80 militants renounced
insurgency and laid down their weapons. The group, led by ‘commander’
Haji Faqeer, was associated with LI and was active in the Shalobar
area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim
Ali Shah said that notorious militants have been apprehended
by the LEAs during the ongoing targeted operation against criminals
in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh
and he will soon publicly reveal the evidence as well as the
party and community affiliations of the arrested criminals.
While declaring that Mullah
Fazlullah remains loyal to the Ameer of the Afghan Taliban Mullah
Mohammad Omar, the TTP has said in a baffling announcement that
“Shahidullah Shahid had been replaced as the TTP ‘spokesman’
long ago and another brother will be named later to replace
him”. Shahidullah Shahid had abandoned the TTP on October 15,
2014 along with five other TTP leaders while pledging allegiance
to the Islamic State (IS) led by Abu Bakar Al Baghdadi, the
self-proclaimed Caliph.
The move came as a major setback
not only for Mullah Fazlullah but also for Mullah Mohammad Omar
and Dr Ayman Al Zawahiri. But Mullah Fazlullah, the fugitive
TTP Ameer, took five days to manage the issuance of a confusing
statement on his behalf, denying that the group’s spokesman
had defected to the Islamic State, adding that Shahidullah Shahid
is merely a nom de guerre (fictitious name) that is shared by
every TTP spokesman. The statement added that the person who
defected in Shahidullah Shahid’s name [and pledged allegiance
to the Islamic State] to is no longer a member of TTP.
The TTP statement, which was
released and produced by the Long War Journal, then claimed:
“Long ago, another brother had replaced Sheikh Maqbool as the
TTP spokesman. But we did not announce that due to our policy.
Sheikh Maqbool, who previously served as the group’s spokesman,
defected under the name of Shahidullah Shahid, although he had
no right to do so as he was replaced long ago by another brother
who will be named at a later date”. However, one wonders as
to why the TTP leadership is still not making public the name
of the incumbent group spokesman if he has already been appointed.
The bewildering TTP statement
added: “We want to make it clear that Sheikh Maqbool is not
Shahidullah Shahid and he is not our spokesman anymore.” Strangely,
the TTP statement is also silent about five more TTP commanders
who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State along with Sheikh
Maqbool including Saeed Khan, the TTP chief in Orakzai Agency
Hafiz Quran Dolat, the TTP chief in Kurram Agency Gul Zaman,
the TTP chief in the Khyber Agency Mufti Hassan, the TTP chief
in Peshawar and Khalid Mansoor, the TTP chief in Hangu.
October 21
The PAF fighter jets blitzed
suspected terrorist hideouts in Madakhel, Dattakhel and Shawal
Valley of North Waziristan Agency in the FATA and reportedly
killed 30 militants, including a TTP ‘commander’ Daud Wazir,
and injured dozen others. Sources said that ‘commander’ Daud
was a resident of Doga Madakhel and was an important commander
of Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction of TTP.
A man was killed when a mortar
shell fired from Afghanistan hit a house in Charmang Babra area
of Nawagai tehsil in Bajaur Agency. The sources said
that two mortar shells were fired from Kunar province of Afghanistan
and one of the shells hit a house in Charmang Babra and killed
one local, identified as Sher Ali.
Three security forces personnel
were injured in Ghakhi area in Bajaur Agency when unidentified
militants opened fire from across the border in Afghanistan.
A tribal elder Malik Muhammad
Jamal was on his way home from the mosque when an explosive
device planted by militants went off in Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur
Agency. He sustained critical injuries.
Militants had threatened to
target polio teams participating in the ongoing polio drive.
Pamphlets were distributed in different areas of Bajaur Agency
warning the tribesmen of dire consequences for continuing the
anti-polio campaign.
The US designated Khan Said
Sajna, the deputy leader of TTP, a global terrorist. The designation
list also includes Ramzi Mawafi, a former physician of al Qaeda
‘chief’ Osama bin Laden. Both have been designated under an
executive order targeting terrorists and those providing support
to terrorists or acts of terrorism. The consequences of these
designations include a prohibition against US persons engaging
in transactions with Said and Mawafi, and the freezing of all
property and interests of Said and Mawafi in the United States,
or come within the United States or the possession or control
of US persons. The US Treasury Department, which keeps a record
of these designations, also deleted some key al Qaeda and Taliban
leaders from the list, as they are believed dead.
October 22
Two security personnel were
killed and three others injured in a rocket attack by the militants
on a fort in Dattakhel area of NWA in FATA. Official sources
said that the militants fired five rockets on the SFs camp and
the SF responded to the attack with fire.
Two children died as a mortar
shell hit a house in the Sipah area of Bara tehsil of
Khyber Agency.
Three persons were injured when
a remote-controlled blast targeted a polio team in Dabara area
of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency. The injured included two
Levies personnel on security duty and a driver.
Unidentified militants abducted
six persons from Rodnejo area of Kalat District in Balochistan.
The militants seized the men while they were heading home in
the Rodnejo area.
October 23
Nine members of the Hazara community
were shot dead in sectarian target killings in different parts
of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.
Eight of them were killed in a single incident, which took place
early in the morning in the Hazarganji area. The men were gunned
down by unidentified militants as they were about to leave the
area’s vegetable market. “The five masked men boarded the bus
in which the victims were seated, forced the driver off, and
shot them,” Sariab SSP Imran Qureshi said. “They killed one
man outside the bus and the others inside it before fleeing
on their motorcycles,” he said. “Eight men were killed and another
one was wounded in the sectarian attack,” confirmed Quetta CCPO
Abdul Razzaq Cheema. “All of them had come from Hazara Town
to buy vegetables for their shops,” he said. An hour after the
Hazarganji killings, armed men on a motorbike shot dead another
member of the Hazara community in Kirani Road area.
One person was killed and 22
injured in suicide blast targeting JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rahman
on Meckangi Road of Quetta, moments after he ended his address
at a rally in Sadiq Shaheed football ground. The JUI-F chief
remained unhurt as he claimed to be the target of the suicide
bombing. “My car was damaged but we remained unhurt as my car
was bullet-proof,” Fazl told reporters after the blast. This
attack was the third attempt on Maulana Fazlur Rahman.
Two persons were killed while
another 12 were injured in an explosion on Qambarani road of
Quetta.
Six militants, two civilians
and a soldier were killed in fresh clashes during Operation
Khyber-1 in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. The
militants killed in clashes were reported to be affiliated with
LI. The sources said unidentified militants opened fire on a
soldier with sniper gun in the Aziz Market in Akakhel area,
leaving him dead on the spot. Two soldiers sustained injuries
in a roadside blast in the Seyal Khan Killay in Akakhel, the
sources added.
Two persons were killed and
another was injured when SFs fired at them in Seyal Khan Killay.
It was learnt that the soldiers mistook them for militants.
Two persons were wounded when
a mortar shell hit a vehicle carrying the displaced persons
in the Alamgudar area. The injured Sawab Khan and Alam belonged
to the Qambarkhel tribe.
According to reports, more than
50 terrorists have been killed in Bara and Tirah Valley during
the seven days of Operation Khyber-1. Moreover, a total of 6,000
families have moved to safer places.
During the quarter of a century
between 1989 and 2014, more than 4,900 Pakistani citizens have
perished in around 3,000 incidents of sectarian violence and
close to 9,500 have sustained injuries, The News research
said. Approximately 525 Pakistanis had lost lives in 128 incidents
of sectarian violence during 2013, 509 people had died unnaturally
in 57 such incidents during 2010, as many as 507 humans (in
173 incidents) were made to travel towards their eternal abodes
during 2012 because of their religious beliefs and 441 citizens
had succumbed to this mode of terrorism in 341 incidents during
2007.
More than 160 Pakistanis have
fallen victim to the monster of sectarianism in well over five
dozen incidents till date during the ongoing 2014. Following
Wednesday’s unsuccessful suicide attack aimed at killing the
JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Quetta, it is hence worthwhile
to peek into the chronology and timeline of anti-state violence,
sectarian killings, election-related feuds, tribal shootings,
ethnicity and terrorism etc in Balochistan during the last 11
odd years.
Research reveals at least 125
major incidents have rocked this unfortunate province since
June 8, 2003, or the day when some 11 police trainees hailing
from the Hazara Shia branch were shot dead at Quetta’s Sariab
Road. While many residents of Balochistan have lost lives since
2003 after their vehicles had unfortunately hit land mines,
even schools, hospitals, mosques and courts have not been spared
by the merciless terrorists.
October 24
Rangers killed two Lyari gangsters,
identified as Farooq and Samad, during a raid in Lyari area
of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.
Both were members of a Lyari gang and were allegedly involved
in 16 target killing.
Authorities seized an explosive-laden
vehicle meant for a terror attack at Landi Kotal Bazaar of Khyber
Agency in FATA. The vehicle contained 250 kilogrammes of explosives
and the bomb would have been devastating if detonated, security
officials said.
The DG of ISPR, Major General
Asim Bajwa said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is going well, adding
that 1100 militants have been killed so far. Moreover, Bajwa
said that the operation does not have a specific timeline and
will end once all militants are eliminated. Addressing the issue
of the IDPs, Bajwa said that the army is working towards making
a ‘comprehensive plan’ to rehabilitate them.
October 25
Three Lyari gangsters, identified
as Hanif Nagori alias Kela, Sameer Baloch and Balach Sindhi,
were killed during two raids jointly conducted by Rangers and
Police in areas along Tughlaq Khan Road and Adam Khan Road in
Lyari Town. A number of other suspects were arrested. The Police
also seized huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosives from
their possession.
The dead body of a criminal,
identified as that of Shahjehan Baloch alias Ayaz (30), was
found in Baldia Town. “We believe he was killed after being
kidnapped by a rival gang from his residential area in Madina
Colony,” said an official at the Baldia Town Police Station.
Balochistan Police Department
constituted three teams headed by two senior officers to probe
the recent acts of terrorism in the capital. CCPO Quetta, Razzaq
Cheema formed investigation teams headed by SSP Asad Raza and
SSP Operations Aitzaz Goraya, to probe the recent incidents
in Quetta. According to a senior police officer, the CCPO entrusted
the task of investigation to both officers and directed them
to submit reports as early as possible.
SFs foiled a major terrorism
plot when they seized a huge cache of arms and explosives during
a raid at a house in Kanak area of Mastung District. An unnamed
official said that a suspect was arrested during the raid and
was shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation. He
further said that the intelligence suggested that the explosive
material and weapons were being brought to Quetta to carry out
terrorism activities during the holy month of Muharram.
October 26
Nine militants, belonging to
TTP and al Qaeda were killed in a Police encounter, targeting
their hideout near National Highway in Mian Khan Goth area of
Shah Faisal Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
However, over half a dozen militants, including their ring-leader,
identified as Irshadullah Waziri, managed to escape during the
exchange of fire. “Waziri is an expert in making vehicle-borne
VBIED.” He is also TTP’s Sindh Chapter Chief, added Rao.
Police claimed to have killed
the militants plotting to conduct terrorist activities during
Muharram processions. An extra contingent of Police headed
by Malir SSP Rao Anwar led the raid and claimed to have killed
nine TTP militants. “The raid turned into a fierce gun battle
between the Police and the militants as the Police came under
heavy fire during the raid,” said DSP Qamar Ahmed.
Unidentified militants opened
fire at a vehicle and killed two civilians near Pakistan-Iran
border town of Mashkail in Washuk District. According to Levies
officials, "The pick-up was loaded with Iranian diesel
and petrol and caught fire. Both persons inside the vehicle
were burnt to death". No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Three illegal injured Afghan
nationals were arrested by Balochistan Levies personnel in Zhob
District. According to details, “A pickup was on its way to
Dera Ismail Khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province when
it was stopped by security personnel near a check post in Zhob.
Upon search, Police found three Afghan nationals injured with
bullet wounds,” Zhob Deputy Commissioner Nazir Mohammed Kethran
said.
CCPO Quetta, Razaq Cheema while
addressing a press conference said that 71 pickets manned by
525 Policemen were established in Quetta during Muharram. He
said a ban was also imposed on pillion riding from 7th to 10th
Muharram.
The Punjab Government banned
the entry of 158 religious leaders, including 62 from the Deoband
school of thought, 65 from Shia community and 31 from the Barelvi
sect, in the Rawalpindi Division belonging to the Districts
of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum during Muharram.
Besides, gagging orders have also been issued against 76 clerics
to avoid sectarian violence. The Government had received reports
from the Special Branch that these clerics would disturb peace
and harmony in the Rawalpindi Division.
Federal Government directed
Provincial Governments to make adequate security measures to
prevent any untoward incident during Muharram and also sought
army’s assistance to maintain law and order.
Islamabad Police decided to
ensure elaborated security arrangements on the eve of Muharram
and a total of 5,000 security personnel would be deputed to
guard various gatherings in the city. According to details,
Islamabad Police has finalized comprehensive security arrangements
for the processions and religious gatherings during Muharram
and have decided to launch combing as well as search operations
in various slum areas of the city including Afghan habitats,
to ensure foolproof security.
Foolproof security arrangements
were finalised to cope with any untoward incident in the Provincial
Capital Lahore during the month of Muharram. Lahore Capital
City Police Officer Muhammad Ameen Vance said that a modern
network of close circuit TV had been installed at all important
routes of the Zuljinah (horse procession) besides walk-through
gates at all processions and Majalis (gathering). He
said video would also be made during the main procession passing
through different areas.
Pakistani officials claim to
have found evidence of ‘new sanctuaries’ set up by the TTP and
its affiliates in the Afghanistan territory near the border
with North Waziristan Agency. A senior security official said
that the new sanctuaries have been established to create difficulties
for Pakistan’s military and disrupt Operation Zarb-e-Azb
in the troubled agency. “It is a worrying development that the
TTP is regrouping close to the border right under the nose of
the Afghan security forces,” said the official, who did not
wish to be named.
When asked, the official did
not rule out the possibility of ‘tacit support’ from Afghan
security agencies for the new TTP sanctuaries. Despite repeated
requests, Afghan authorities have done little to dislodge militants
from their side of the Durand Line, he added. ‘The lack of action
from Afghan authorities has encouraged the terrorists to carve
out new sanctuaries.” Pakistan has long urged Afghanistan to
eliminate what it calls ‘safe havens’ of the TTP in northeastern
Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nuristan. Fugitive TTP chief Mullah
Fazlullah is also believed to be hiding in those areas. Islamabad
has sought Fazlullah’s extradition from Afghanistan, but Kabul
is not forthcoming to such a demand.
A Mehsud tribal jirga,
likely to be headed by the father-in-law of the slain TTP leader
Baitullah Mehsud, will negotiate for peace talks between the
TTP’s Mehsud faction led by Khan Said ‘Sajna’ and the Government.
Well placed sources confirmed that the jirga will comprise of
eleven key Mehsud tribal elders and that a consensus has been
reached on its name. The sources also said that a secret meeting
was held on October 25 by the Mehsud tribal jirga in Tank, where
they agreed to negotiate between the government and the Mehsud
Taliban. Khan Said became TTP deputy leader following the death
of Wali-ur-Rehman in May 2013.
TTP warned villagers in Pasani
under the jurisdiction of Mattani Police Station in Peshawar,
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to stop shaving
their beards and listening to music. In pamphlets pasted on
the exterior of a mosque, militants also threatened thieves
with dire consequences if they fail to stop their activities.
Locals said that two pamphlets were pasted on the wall during
the wee hours of the night which they saw in the morning. The
literature was in Pashto and was quoting an unnamed TTP commander.
October 27
A journalist associated with
Dawn, identified as Hafeezullah Sherani, was picked up from
his residence around 3:00 a.m. in the morning and beaten up
by Quetta Police. Sherani said police constables hit his face
and tore off his clothes. No comment of police high ups was
available and telephone calls to CCPO Quetta Razzaq Cheema went
unanswered despite several attempts. “They didn’t even tell
me why they came to pick me up and why they resorted to torturing
me in front of my family members,” Sherani said. “Seven policemen
led by ASI Shahzad used their weapons to hit my face without
listening to anything I had to say,” he added.
Chief Minister Dr. Malik Baloch
said that some elements want to impose their agenda on the people
through the use of force and that he had no information about
the presence of ISIS in the Province. However, he said that
there are fundamentalists whose approach is similar to that
of ISIS. The Chief Minister termed past policies of rulers
as the underlying reason behind the unrest in Balochistan, plagued
by growing sectarianism and violent attacks by Baloch separatists.
October 27
At least 33 militants were killed
when jets and helicopter gunships attacked suspected militant
hideouts in Dattakhel and Gharlamai Districts of North Waziristan
Agency in FATA. “In two different aerial engagements in North
Waziristan today, nine terrorist hideouts were destroyed killing
a total of 33 terrorists,” a military statement said. Local
security officials said the militants killed in the Dattakhel
area were mostly Uzbeks and others belonged to the Haqqani Network.
At least nine FC soldiers were
injured when militants targeted a Security Forces vehicle with
an IED in Charmang tehsil of Bajaur Agency.
Unidentified militants blew
up Government Primary School, Sultan Khel, in Akakhel area of
Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. However, no casualties were reported.
Three dead bodies of ‘missing’
Baloch activists, two of them belonging to the Marri tribe,
were found in Abdullah Goth area of Baldia Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. According to the VBMP, one
of the deceased was Amal Marri who had been taken away with
his two brothers Ali Jan and Mohammed Umer from Hub Chowki in
Balochistan’s provincial capital Quetta a couple of years ago.
An ASI Rahim was killed and
a constable Nadeem was injured when unidentified militants targeted
a Police van in North Karachi area of Karachi.
Police arrested 40 suspected
persons during a search operation in the New Karachi and Godhra
areas.
Police recovered two charred
dead bodies, identified as that of Sabzal Reki and Abdul Rauf,
from a car in the Maskhail area of Washuk District. Police said
that the victims were shot dead before their bodies were set
on fire.
A kidnapper and an abductee,
identified as Juma Khan, were killed after a group of people
resisting the kidnapping opened fire on the six armed abductors
in the Dasht-e-Laila area of Mashkail town in Washuk District.
A journalist associated with
Dawn, identified as Hafeezullah Sherani, was picked up
from his residence around 3:00 a.m. in the morning and beaten
up by Quetta Police. Sherani said police constables hit his
face and tore off his clothes. No comment of police high ups
was available and telephone calls to CCPO Quetta Razzaq Cheema
went unanswered despite several attempts.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr
Abdul Malik Baloch said that alongside other parts of the region
Balochistan is facing sectarian terrorism, extremism and insurgency
but his Government is taking all possible steps to solve these
problems. He said that with the capacity building of Police
and other provincial forces, the Government had succeeded to
improve law and order in the Province.
Chief Minister Dr. Malik Baloch
said that some elements want to impose their agenda on the people
through the use of force and that he had no information about
the presence of ISIS in the Province. However, he said that
there are fundamentalists whose approach is similar to that
of ISIS. The Chief Minister termed past policies of rulers
as the underlying reason behind the unrest in Balochistan, plagued
by growing sectarianism and violent attacks by Baloch separatists.
October 28
A nine-month-old girl died and
eight people suffered injuries in an explosion caused by a hand
grenade hurled outside an Imambargah in the Federal B area of
Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh,
in the night. The blast occurred when a Muharram congregation
of women was underway at around 9pm. Unidentified militants
come from the Karimabad side who hurled an explosive device
from a newly built flyover.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a former Swat peace committee member, 70-year-old Saadullah
Khan, in Sher Palam village in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Khan served as a peace committee member in 2009-2010 when the
Pakistani Army was fighting militants as part of Operation Rah-e-Rast.
The driver of a NATO container
was injured in an ambush near Samungli in Quetta (Quetta District),
the provincial capital of Balochistan. According to Police,
a Karachi-bound container from Afghanistan was on its way when
assailants opened fire on it and fled. Driver Muhammad Kashif
received injuries.
SFs arrested four suspected
militants during a raid from undisclosed location of Lahore,
the provincial capital of Punjab. The detained militants are
members of a banned outfit and planned to attack Muharram
processions.
Lahore District Police have
appointed 1,751 Policemen for the security during Muharram.
All Police Stations would be responsible for the security of
the processions to be taken out in their respective areas. 251
Policemen would perform duty with 11 processions while 1,600
Policemen would perform duty on the routes of the processions
and at Majalis of 4th Muharram. As many as seven
processions fall in Category ‘A’ and four in Category ‘B’, the
Police sources added.
Four Imambargah (Shia place
of worship) have been declared sensitive in the Gujranwala District
of Punjab. They include Imambargah Gulistan Market, Imambargah
Sajjad and Imambargah Rasoolnagar. The security of the four
Imambargahs has been further beefed up to avoid any untoward
incident.
Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan called for a permanent end to US drone
attacks which he said was ‘a difficult element’ in relations
between Islamabad and Washington. “It is important that the
US understands Pakistan’s viewpoint,” he said while talking
to US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Dan
Feldman.
October 29
At least 21 terrorists and eight
soldiers were killed during a ‘clearance operation’ codenamed
Khyber-I in the Spin Qamar area of Khyber Agency in FATA. “Twenty-one
terrorists were killed and several others injured during a major
clearance operation in Khyber Agency by Security Forces on Wednesday,”
the ISPR said in a statement.
SFs claimed to have arrested
nine suspects in connection with the kidnapping and killing
of eight Punjabi labourers in Sakran town of Hub tehsil
in Lasbela District on October 19, 2014. According to officials,
the suspects were detained during an operation launched by police
and personnel of other law-enforcement agencies in Sakran and
adjoining areas.
BNP-M leader Lal Jan Baloch
went missing from Uthal area of Lasbela District. “Lal Jan was
present on his farmland in Uthal when Security Forces whisked
him away along with two of his farm labourers,” BNP-M’s acting
chief organiser Dr. Janzeb Jamaldini alleged.
The CID Police chief Saqib Ismail
Memon claimed to have arrested four suspects belonging to al
Qaeda and the TTP accused of providing logistical support, funds
and weapons to the attackers involved in the June 8, 2014, Karachi
airport attack. The suspects were identified as Sarmad Siddiqi,
Nadeem, alias Burger alias Mullah, Asif Zaheer and Master Essa.
They are accused of arranging accommodation in Shah Faisal Colony
for the militants.
CID official Raja Umer Khattab
said that suspect Zaheer was arrested in the 2002 Sheraton bomb
blast case in which French technicians working on a submarine
project were targeted. He said he remained in prison for eight
years and became a close friend of Ahmed Omar Saeed Shaikh,
alias Shaikh Omar, who was convicted of kidnapping and killing
US journalist Daniel Pearl.
The Government extended Section
144 imposed in Rawalpindi District for two more days with immediate
effect due to security concerns and terrorism threats in the
District. According to DCO Rawalpindi Sajid Zafar Daal, Section
144 has been imposed in the entire District for the next 48
hours during which pillion riding will also remain banned. Gathering
of more than five persons, display of weapons, use of loud speaker
and pillion riding are prohibited under Section 144.
Government of Punjab banned
pillion riding on 9th and 10th Muharram
in the provincial capital Lahore to ensure law and order.
The ISPR DG Major General Asim
Saleem Bajwa said that the hideouts of terrorists would be targeted
where found and intelligence-based operations would continue
without any discrimination. He said that operations Zarb-e-Azb
and Khyber-I are successfully underway in North Waziristan Agency
and Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. He said while over
1,100 terrorists have been killed in Zarb-e-Azb, 44 terrorists
have been eliminated and 100 surrendered to Security Forces
in Operation Khyber-I.
He added that though the Pakistan
Government had sought the cooperation of Afghan Government in
countering terrorism from the region “we are not receiving as
much support as we required from the Afghan Government”.
October 30
At least 20 militants were killed
and five militant hideouts were destroyed during targeted aerial
strikes by fighter jets in Akakhel, Tirah and other areas of
the Khyber Agency in FATA. The ISPR, in a statement said that
the fighter aircraft struck militant hideouts as part of ongoing
Khyber Operation-1. The details, however, could not be verified
as access for journalists is restricted in the area.
A US drone strike killed at
least seven militants, including the important ‘commander’ of
the Haqqani network, Abdullah Haqqani, in Nargas village of
Birmal area in SWA. “At least seven militants were killed in
the drone strike,” an intelligence official based in Wana said,
adding that the dead included four foreigners and Abdullah Haqqani.
“Abdullah Haqqani (the commander) was responsible for sending
suicide bombers to Afghanistan”.
Foreign office spokesperson
Tasnim Aslam said that out of the total 67,120 people who migrated
to Afghanistan since the launch of operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA,
38,000 have returned. Aslam told journalists that 3 million
Afghan refugees are currently in the country and Pakistan would
like to see them return to their country willingly and in a
respectful manner adding that the understanding with UNHCR on
the matter is expiring in 2015.
Three persons, including two
Lyari gangsters and a Rangers official, identified as Syed Asghar
Shah, were killed and another Ranger official, identified as
Abdur Rahim, was injured during an encounter with the ‘criminals’
in the Nawa Lane area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. The two gangsters were members of the Uzair
Baloch group and were identified as Sarwar Baloch alias Commando
and his accomplice Owais Baloch.
A man, identified as Javeed
(25), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants at Murtaza
Chowrangi in the Sarafi Goth area of Landhi Town.
An auto parts dealer, identified
as Mehboob Rehmani (50), was killed by unidentified militants
near Noorani Kabab in the Shahrah-e-Quaideen area of Jamshed
Town.
One Jan Muhammad (40) was shot
dead in the Qasba Islamia Colony of SITE Town.
ASI Sartaj (48), was killed
by unidentified armed assailants in the Gushan-e-Iqbal area
near NIPA Chowrangi in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
One Abdul Rauf (35), was injured
by a stray bullet in Korangi Town.
Around 3,500 boy scouts aged
between 11 years to 25 years have been deployed across Karachi
to assist police and Rangers for security of mourners in particular
and public in general till Ashura.
During a review meeting regarding
law and order situation in Central Police Office in Karachi,
the IGP Sindh Ghulam Hyder Jamali was informed that due to targeted
police actions, 572 criminals, dacoits, terrorists were killed
in different encounters, whereas 16,986 have been arrested,
from September 5, 2013, to October 29, 2014. The detail of the
total arrested revealed that 1233 target killers, 342 terrorists,
424 extortionists, 95 kidnappers and 15892 other criminals were
arrested. The report further disclosed that as much as 10156
arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of the
criminals and terrorists. The report further added that during
the current year (2014) a total of 170 police personnel were
killed while fighting against the crimes.
SFs escaped a bomb blast that
occurred in the Shalkot area of Quetta. However, no casualty
was reported.
FC foiled a terror bid, ahead
of Muharram processions by seizing a huge cache of arms and
ammunition during a search operation from Gulistan tehsil
of Qila Abdullah District. FC personnel recovered 4,000 kilograms
of explosive material, 31 small machineguns and arrested an
Afghan national, identified as Mohammed Aslam.
Central leader and ex-MNA of
the BNP Sardar Abdul Rauf Mengal appealed to the Supreme Court
and Balochistan High Court to take suo motu notice of the kidnapping
of people and dumping of mutilated bodies in Balochistan. He
said that in the past 18 months 162 mutilated bodies had been
found and 218 people were killed in targeted attacks. About
3,000 people were still missing.
October 31
Police claimed to have killed
three TTP militants in an encounter in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP Malir,
Rao Anwar said that a suicide bomber and amir of TTP
Karachi Chapter Sultan were killed in the shootout. The Police
recovered heavy arms, detonators and suicide vest during the
encounter.
Three of their accomplices who
were planning to attack the main procession during Ashura
were arrested. “These militants were definitely busy preparing
for an attack on the main procession at Tibet Centre during
Ashura,” SSP Anwar said. One of the escaped militants was identified
as TTP’s local ‘commander’ Qari Noorullah.
Quoting a report prepared by
the intelligence agencies, Sindh Home Secretary Dr Niaz Ali
Abbasi said the militants are planning on using vehicles belonging
to the media, welfare and rescue organisations, such as Police
vans, ambulances, fire trucks and oil tankers, for deadly attacks.
In a press statement issued on Friday, Abbasi urged the Police
and Rangers to monitor such vehicles thoroughly. “The terrorists
have planned to hit explosives-laden vehicles to majalis (gathering)
and processions,” he said, asking the traffic police to keep
an eye on such vehicles.
Two people were killed when
unidentified armed assailants opened fire on them Bangali Para
area of Korangi Town.
A security guard Sohail (28),
resident of Punjab Colony, was shot dead by unidentified persons
in Khayaban-e-Mujahid, Defence Housing Authority.
One Nazeer Baloch (45), who
is said to be a former union councilor and a resident of Lyari,
was gunned down by unidentified accused on Brohi Chowk, Lyari.
The beheaded body of a woman
aged about 25 was found from Broke Pump, Sohrab Goth.
A Policeman sustained injuries
in a grenade attack on a Police Station in Chakiwara area of
Lyari Town.
Two Policemen were injured when
unidentified militants targeted a Police van near Nagan Chowrangi.
A Policeman and a volunteer
were injured in a grenade attack on a Police mobile at NIPA
Chowrangi area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town. The officials were performing
security duty at an Imambargah.
Unidentified youth aged about
25, was shot and injured by unknown accused near Indus Plaza,
Sohrab Goth.
A five year old baby Rooma,
daughter of Abdul Rehman, resident of Baldia, was shot and injured
by firing of unidentified accused in Baldia Yousuf Goth.
SSP Usman Bajwa while speaking
at a press conference at CID Office in Garden area of Saddar
Town claimed to that two TTP militants, identified as Jamshed
Khan alias Khutki and Mohammad Abid alias Abdullah, who were
involved in the 2007 Karsaz attack were arrested near Manzil
petrol pump along the National Highway within the limits of
Shah Latif Police Station in Bin Qasim Town. He said a target
killer, identified as Junaid Zaidi, was also arrested. Further,
SSP Bajwa said that the accused have made important disclosures
about the attack at Benazir Bhutto’s rally that took place on
October 18, 2007and a suicide attack on former President Asif
Ali Zardari’s security official Bilal Sheikh.
Pakistan’s Intelligence Agencies
warned the Government about possible terror attacks by TTP on
specific targets in Karachi during the holy month of Muharram.
Three unidentified bullet-riddled
dead bodies were found in Khanozai tehsil of Pishin District.
“The victims have received multiple bullets from close range,”
said a levies official.
Speaking at a press conference
in London, MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that Islamic State (IS)
militants are bigger threat to Pakistan than Taliban and al
Qaeda. He said that Pakistan was facing a devastating threat
in the shape of IS, citing sudden appearance of its flags in
the country specifically from southern Punjab to Islamabad.
Pakistan Army’s DMO reportedly
asked Afghan National Army DMO to enhance cross-border surveillance
on their side of the international border in order to stop unauthorized
cross-border movement ahead of Ashura. The demand was made in
the backdrop of the purportedly unchecked movement of ‘suspicious’
elements who were allegedly crossing the border and tried to
make unauthorised entries from Torkham to Pakistani side of
the border but were intercepted by Pakistani officials.
According to the official, the
said persons were not stopped by the ANA Afghan Border Police
and the immigration authorities from leaving Afghanistan and
allowing them to make unauthorised entry into the Pakistani
territory. “Strangely, nobody stopped them and that rings alarm
bells for us.” The security official said that the people in
question were detained by the Pakistani security officials for
interrogation.
Pakistan handed over 29 Afghan
nationals, apprehended during Operation Zarb-e-Azb from different
areas of North Waziristan Agency in FATA, to Afghanistan as
‘goodwill gesture’. The Afghan nationals were in custody of
Pakistani security forces and were handed over to Afghan authorities
at Ghulamkhan on Pak-Afghan border, said a statement issued
by the ISPR.
November 1
At least 20 militants and six
personnel of SFs were killed and three others were injured in
an attack against a check post in Lower Orakzai Agency of FATA.
The militants attacked the Zwan security checkpost, killing
six SFs.
A soldier of Bajaur Levies forces
was killed and another was injured in an IED explosion while
they were on routine patrolling in Qamar Sar area of Mamond
tehsil in Bajaur Agency.
Eight persons kidnapped in Orakzai
Agency four months ago were safely released by their captors
on October 30in Orakzai Agency. The Political Agent of the Agency
Zubair Khan said that these people were abducted when they were
travelling through the Marai area of the region.
November 2
Sixty one persons, including
three Rangers officials, were killed and over 150 received injuries
when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the third Rangers checkpost,
around 500 yards away from the Wagah international border in
Punjab. The DG Rangers (Punjab), Major General Tahir Javed Khan,
confirmed that a suicide bomber had carried out the attack who
was trying to enter the parade venue at the border crossing.
DIG, Operations, Dr Haider Ashraf said the crime scene implied
that the suicide bomber was carrying around 15 kilograms of
explosives and a bag. He ruled out the impression of the use
of an explosive device, saying the blast created only a one-inch
crater.
Three militant outfits claimed
the responsibility of the attack. The Jundallah group was the
first to take responsibility. It was followed by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar,
the breakaway faction of the TTP) The JuA ‘spokesman’, Ehsanullah
Ehsan, claimed a suicide bomber Hanifullah carried out the Wagah
attack. “It was a suicide attack and the target were the Pakistani
security forces protecting the Shia community,” he said. “We
learnt that a so-called militant organisation Jundallah has
claimed responsibility but it’s not true. This is not the same
Jundallah engaged in targeting the Shia community in Iran. This
is a fake group that doesn’t even have a single suicide bomber,”
the spokesman insisted. And finally, a group introducing itself
as the TTP’s Mahar Mehsud faction phoned reporters to claim
responsibility for the attack.
The Federal Minister of Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the Ministry of Interior had
issued a warning of a suicide bombing in Lahore and an investigation
would be initiated against those who had not taken the necessary
steps to avert this tragedy, reports The News. He directed the
police and other security agencies to show a high level of alertness
on Ashura day. He said that after the Lahore incident, the Army
had been called out in 54 cities as around 33,000 SFs personnel
had been deployed in different towns and cities to ensure law
and order.
Five LI militants and a soldier
were killed in a clash during the Operation Khyber-1 in the
Akakhel area of Khyber Agency in FATA.
Five militants were killed when
SFs pounded their hideouts in the Shireen Darra mountains of
Orakzai Agency with heavy weapons. Sources said the militants
fired 10 rockets from the mountain peaks in Shireen Darra and
one of the shells landed close to the Levies Force check post
adjacent to the Headquarters Chowk. A civilian identified as
Din Gul died and four Levies soldiers sustained injuries in
the attack. SFs killed five militants in retaliatory fire.
Three civilians, including two
women, were killed and five others sustained injuries when mortar
shells fired from unknown location hit houses in the Daroadda
area in Akakhel of Khyber Agency.
One person was killed in another
firing incident in Alamgudar area of Akakhel. Sources said Muhammad
Ali along his friend was on his way home from Alamgudar when
unidentified people fired at them, killing Muhammad Ali on the
spot while his friend sustained injuries.
Two persons, including personnel
of Khasadar Force, were killed and three others, including a
child, also sustained injuries when two mortars landed in Kalaya
town of Orakzai Agency.
One eight-year-old girl named
Beena was killed when she stepped on an IEDs near a rainwater
nullah in Badnikhel area of Tank District in KP.
A man was killed when a mortar
shell landed at a house in the Sheikhan village under the limits
of the Badaber Police Station in Peshawar (Peshawar District),
the provincial capital of KP.
Police claimed to have arrested
nine militants during a search operation in the limits of Badaber
and Matani Police Stations in Peshawar. The arrested militants
were said to be involved in several attacks.
The personnel of AEC of the
CID, Sindh, foiled a terror bid and arrested five cadres of
the banned LeJ including a bomber in Kanwari Colony of Manghopir
area in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of
Sindh. During the search of their hideout, the Police recovered
60 kilograms of explosives, IED concealed in a motorcycle, 10
ball bombs, four Kalashnikovs, six locally-made bombs, five
TT pistols and hundreds of bullets.
Cellular phone service will
remain suspended in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur Districts
on Muharram 9 and 10 November due to security reasons.
According to Punjab Home Department,
as many as 25,463 civilians and security personnel have been
killed in terrorist attacks from 2003 to October 19, 2014 across
the country. Punjab Interior Ministry data revealed that in
2014 (till October 19) a total of 1,809 people were killed including
1,369 civilians and 440 security personnel. Data revealed that
in 2003, a total of 164 people were killed which included 140
civilians and 24 security personnel. In 2004, 619 people were
killed including 435 civilians and 184 security personnel, in
2005 about 511 people were killed including 430 civilians and
81 security personnel.
Data showed that 933 people
were killed in 2006 out of which 608 were civilians and 325
were security personnel, in 2007, as many as 2119 people were
killed which included 1,522 civilians and 597 security personnel
and in 2008, 2,809 were killed out of which 2,155 were civilians
and 654 security personnel. Data further showed that 3,315 people
were killed in 2009 out of which 2,324 were civilians and 991
were security personnel. It said 2,265 people were killed in
2010 which included 1,796 civilians and 469 security personnel
while in 2011 some 3,503 people were targeted which included
2,738 civilians and 765 security personnel.
As many as 3,739 people were
killed in 2012 which included 3007 civilians and 732 security
personnel while in 2013 some 3677 people were killed out of
which 3001 were civilians and 676 security personnel.
According to the information
gathered by Pakistani security agencies, Jundallah, which has
claimed responsibility for the bloody attack at Wagah border
post, is one of the dozen-plus anti-Shia franchises of the TTP,
that operate under different names in different parts of the
country including Tehrik-e-Islami, Lashkar-e-Muhammadi, Lashkar-e-Islami,
Mehdi Militia, Hezbollah, Kharooj, Tawheed Brigade, Al Mukhtar
Group, Punjabi Mujahideen, Asian Tigers, Jundul Hafsa and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
Al-Alami and the profiles of most of its cadres is their past
association with the JI and the IJT.
November 3
Five bodies were found in the
Manghopir area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial
capital of Sindh. The bodies were recovered from bushes near
the Northern Bypass and could not be immediately identified.
According to Edhi Foundation, the deceased were kidnapped, tortured
and then shot to death. Considered a no-go area for security
forces, Manghopir is notorious for harbouring militants.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead Sardarzada Wali Khan Mengal, the son of tribal chief, Sardar
Asif Mengal in Nushki bazaar in Nushki town of same District
in Balochistan. According to the Levies Force, unidentified
assailants attacked and opened fire at the vehicle of Sardarzada
Wali Khan Mengal, leaving him injured. Later, Wali Khan Mengal
succumbed to the injuries at hospital.
The National Counter Terrorism
Authority issued two threat alerts that the TTP groups (Jandullah
and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar) were planning to carry out terrorist attacks
on Muharram 10 processions in Karachi (Sindh), Bannu and Dera
Ismail Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) as well as the shrine of Bibi
Pak Daman and the railway station in Lahore (Punjab).
Security Forces and BDS foiled
two more terror plots near the Wagah border parking area by
defusing IED near the site of November 2’s suicide terrorist
attack. The BDS also recovered a 10-kg suicide jacket from the
fields during a search operation. Sources said that at least
twelve suspected people were arrested from the areas around
the incident place and were sent to an undisclosed location
for interrogation.
Federal Minister for Information
and Broadcasting Pervez Rasheed said that no terrorist activity
could weaken the high morale of Pakistani nation. He said slogan
of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ (Long Live Pakistan) at Wagah border
is evidence that no terrorist could suppress the patriotism.
“No doubt, the loss of innocent lives was big at Wagah border
but such terrorist activity cannot suppress our national enthusiasm
or morale.” “Zarb-e-Azb operation to eliminate terrorism was
continuing with success and this is the victory that suicide
attacks have decreased as compared to the past,” he added.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard
Olson said that his country remains steadfast in its commitment
to the people of Pakistan in their efforts to counter terrorism,
uphold the rule of law, and build a peaceful future for themselves
and their children.
November 4
At least five suspected militants
were killed and eight others were injured as SFs targeted militant
hideouts in the Drewand, Aarinam Wanra, and Zor kaley areas
of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. According to sources,
the SFs destroyed four militant hideouts that belonged to the
LI.
Two SFs and two TI peace committee
volunteers were killed in two consecutive bomb blasts in Paindi
Cheena area of Zakhakhel in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber
Agency.
A Christian couple has reportedly
been burnt to death in a brick kiln over blasphemy charges in
Kot Radha Kishan city of Kasur District. The couple was accused
of desecrating the holy Quran, however, some news reports contradicted
the allegation by claiming that there was some dispute between
Shahzad and Shama, the couple and the kiln owner.
The HRCP had also reported an
increase in attacks on minorities and mentioned 2013 as one
of the darkest years for the Christian community in Pakistan.
The incident in Kot Radha Kishan appears to be another outcome
of blasphemy law, which has already resulted in many innocent
deaths in the past. The Pakistan Institute of Labour Education
and Research (PILER) had condemned the murder of the couple.
The death toll in the November
2 suicide attack at Wagah Border has reached 61 with the death
of one Shahid Mahmood (40), a resident of Hafizabad, who had
been severely injured in the suicide bomb attack.
A Joint Investigation Team is
probing into the blast as per the directions of Punjab Chief
Minister Shahbaz Sharif. CCPO Lahore confirmed the arrest of
two terrorists belonging to a banned outfit suspected to be
involved in planning a number of attacks at the Wagah Border.
‘Spokesman’ of the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar,
one of the three outfits which have claimed responsibility for
the November 2 suicide attack at the Wagah border crossing,
Ehsanullah Ehsan, while claiming the responsibility sent out
a sinister warning: India is in its sights too. In a message
posted on Twitter, Ehsan said, “This attack was a message to
the Governments on both sides of the border. If we can carry
out an attack on this side, then we can attack the other side
too.” In another tweet, Ehsan claimed Prime Minister Narendra
Modi was the “killer of hundreds of Muslims” and that his group
would “take the revenge of innocent people of Kashmir and Gujrat
(sic)”.
In a blunt assessment of terrorist
safe havens in Pakistan, the Pentagon told the US Congress that
the country is using militant groups as proxies to counter the
superior Indian military. "Afghan - and India - focused
militants continue to operate from Pakistan territory to the
detriment of Afghan and regional stability. Pakistan uses these
proxy forces to hedge against the loss of influence in Afghanistan
and to counter India's superior military," the Pentagon
told the Congress in its latest six-monthly report on the current
situation in Afghanistan.
November 5
At least 10 LI militants were
killed when SFs pounded their hideout in Tirah Valley of Khyber
Agency in FATA.
Two mourners, identified as
Mir Ahmed Khan and Ghulam Akbar, were killed and 28 others were
injured when militants fired rockets at Ashura (10th day of
Muharram) procession that was taken out from an Imambargah (Shia
place of commemoration) in Merazai area of Lower Orakzai Agency.
10 suspected militants have
been arrested during a search operation by security forces in
Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency.
30 militants, including LI 'commanders'
surrendered to the authorities in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.
They said that 'commander' Kandahar, the chief of his own militant
group of Zakhakhel tribe, had surrendered along with dozens
of his companions in the Agency. The sources said that commander
Kandahar and his companions laid down arms and vowed not to
challenge the writ of the state.
At least three people, identified
as Inayat Baloch, Ijaz Baloch and Shakoor Baloch, and associated
with PPP, were killed and another injured when unidentified
militants opened fire in Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. PPP Karachi Division President Abdul Qadir
Patel confirmed that all the three deceased were affiliated
with his party.
Three unidentified armed assailants
shot dead a local journalist, identified as Jeewan Arain, in
Khairpur District. According to reports, Arain was on his way
to Gambat city of the District from Khohra with a friend on
a motorcycle when armed assailants intercepted his bike on Link
Road and shot him dead.
Unidentified militants killed
one Adnan (25) was killed in Gulzar Hijri area near Sohrab Goth
in Gadap Town of Karachi District.
Adviser to the Prime Minister
on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz summoned
US Ambassador Richard Olson to the Foreign Ministry and clearly
told the envoy that the recent comments in a report by the US
Department of Defence against Pakistan were not only “unwarranted”
but “unsubstantiated allegations”. The Foreign Office has said
that the allegations were leveled without any evidence and the
facts were mutilated.
On November 3, 2014, the US
Department of Defence sent a report to Congress under the title
“Progress Towards Security and Stability in Afghanistan,” in
which it was alleged that terrorist “sanctuaries” inside Pakistan
were operating against Afghanistan and India. “Afghan and Indian-focused
militants continue to operate from Pakistan territory to the
detriment of Afghan and regional stability. Pakistan uses these
proxy forces to hedge against the loss of influence in Afghanistan
and to counter India’s superior military,” the report, which
is an assessment of the current situation in Afghanistan, claimed.
Sartaj Aziz did not mince his
words and was quoted by the spokesperson at the Foreign Office
as saying, “The Government of Pakistan takes serious exception
to comments contained in the report,” which interestingly also
notes Pakistan’s cooperation with the US in areas of mutual
interest. However, the same report also points to unsubstantiated
allegations of the existence of terrorist “sanctuaries” or that
proxy forces are operating from this country against Afghanistan
and India.
November 6
One Policeman and a militant
were killed in an exchange of fire after militants’ attack a
Police van in Mashogagar area of Peshawar (Peshawar District),
the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The deceased militant
was identified as Amir after the police recovered an identity
card from his possession. “We have also recovered weapons from
the killed militant,” the Police official said.
Police foiled a major terrorism
bid as it defused explosives weighing six kilogrammes in the
area adjacent to Ring Road under Pishtakhara Police Station
of Peshawar.
A Police officer Mukhtar Ahmed
revealed that a Shia man, identified as Syed Tufail Hyder, was
killed by Police Officer Sarfraz Naveed in police custody on
grounds of blasphemy in Gujrat city of the same District. Hyder
was detained on November 5, 2014, following a street fight.
Ahmed said that Naveed killed Hyder with an axe, gave himself
up and said he did it because Hyder allegedly repeatedly insulted
companions of the Prophet during questioning.
Two Policemen were injured after
their Police mobile was bombed in Asiabad village of Tump area
in Kech District of Balochistan. According to a Turbat Levies
official, “The IED was planted by unidentified men and was detonated
through a remote controller when the vehicle reached Asiabad”.
The injured personnel were identified as constables Mohammed
Arif and Mohammed Asif.
The COAS, General Raheel Sharif,
said that Pakistan and Afghanistan must jointly cope with the
menace of terrorism as terrorism is the common enemy of the
two countries. He said that the elimination of terrorists was
in the best interest of both the countries and the entire region.
A top US general in command
of international forces in Afghanistan said that Pakistan’s
ongoing military operation in North Waziristan Agency has helped
disrupt the Haqqani network’s ability to launch attacks on Afghan
territory. Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson, a senior commander
for US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, noted in a Pentagon-hosted
video briefing from Afghanistan on Wednesday that the Haqqani
network is now fractured like the Taliban.
Accusing Washington and Kabul
of lack of cooperation in its ongoing drive against terrorism,
Islamabad said it does not “object to any countries presence
in Afghanistan”. It has also rejected any conditionality on
Pak- India dialogue on Kashmir. “At the time of when Operation
Zarb-e-Azb began, the Afghans and the Americans were asked to
take corresponding action on other side of the border, who may
flee. You would have seen the briefings by DG ISPR, confirming
the unfortunate fact that we did not receive cooperation which
we expected and which would have been in the interest of making
safe not only Pakistan but also Afghanistan,” Foreign Office
spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told the journalists in weekly briefing.
November 7
Seven peace volunteers were
killed and two injured in twin bomb attacks on peace militia
volunteers in the Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA.
The first IED planted by the roadside was detonated when two
volunteers of a peace committee drove past on a motorcycle in
the Chinari area. The volunteers, identified as Mussawar and
Nazeer were critically wounded. When the injured were being
shifted to a nearby coach, a second IED went off, killing Mussawar,
Nazeer and five others, including coach driver Akhtar Gul, Muswair
Vilayat Khan and Ali Saeed. Mussawar, Nazeer are said to be
relatives of peace committee leader Darya Khan. The Jamaatul
Ahrar fraction of TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.
Six suspected militants were
killed and 10 others injured when jet fighters pounded Akakhel
and Sepah areas of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency. The sources
said the jet fighters targeted hideouts of the militants affiliated
with the Mangal Bagh-led LI and the TTP in which two of their
hideouts were also destroyed.
A passenger van hit an explosive
device in which four persons including the driver, Ali Muhammad,
Akhtar Gul, Qahar and Wilayat were killed on the spot at Ghallanai
area of Mohmand Agency. Two other persons Nawaz and Aqeel Said
were wounded in the blast.
November 8
Dead bodies of 17 militants
were recovered from the Spin Qabar area of Tirah valley in Khyber
Agency of FATA. However, these claims could not be independently
verified as journalists have limited access to the restive tribal
agency.
One militant was killed and
four others arrested during a search operation conducted by
SFs in the Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency. The SFs also
seized large cache arms and ammunition during the search operation.
Two children, identified as
Abdul Majeed (7) and Nabila (6), were injured in a landmine
blast outside the residence of a Balochi folk singer Sabz Ali
Bugti in Dera Bugti District. An unnamed police official said
that Majeed was Ali's son and Nabila was his niece.
FC foiled a major terror bid
by seizing an explosive-laden motorcycle in Pat Feeder area
of Sui tehsil in Dera Bugti District. FC spokesman Khan Wasey
said that unidentified militants had planted 19 kilogram of
explosives in a motorcycle and parked it near the Pat Feeder
canal. He said the FC foiled the terror bid by timely defusing
it in the light of intelligence reports.
Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar
Hussain Durrani admitted an increase in wall-chalking with slogans
in support of militant group Islamic State (IS) but denied claims
of the presence of its militants on ground in the Province.
“The letter regarding the activity of IS was routine information
of officers which had been passed to the Federal Government.
There was nothing serious about IS in Balochistan,” Durrani
said, referring to media reports that the Provincial Government
has conveyed a report to the Federal Government and Law Enforcement
Agencies warning of increased footprints of IS in the Province.
November 9
At least 27 militants were killed
while two soldiers also died as SFs carried out aerial strikes
in Akakhel and Tirah areas of Khyber Agency in FATA. Ten militants’
hideouts and an ammunition depot were also destroyed, an ISPR
statement said, adding that those killed included a key militant
commander and two suicide bombers.
With SFs targeting hideouts
of LI in Khyber Agency, TTP ‘chief’ Maulvi Fazalullah announced
his group will cooperate with the LI. “Some of the TTP fighters
have already been dispatched to Khyber Agency and others should
wait for further instructions. They should arm themselves and
start physical and spiritual preparations,” said Fazalullah.
With the Operation Khyber-1
against the LI in Khyber Agency completing its three weeks,
the number of displaced families from both Tirah and Bara has
reached 34,054. According to the FDMA data released on Friday,
245,482 people, including 136,713 children and 55,229 women,
moved out of Akkakhel, Sipah, Akkakhel and Kamarkhel areas of
Tirah and Bara during the last three weeks. The FDMA had established
four registration points for the dislocated Bara and Tirah families
soon after the start of the Khyber One operation.
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
opened a key road in the South Waziristan Agency that will facilitate
trade with neighbouring Afghanistan. The Central Trade Corridor
(CTC) is a strategic road link to facilitate trade between Pakistan
and Afghanistan and will directly and indirectly help revive
the local economy in the country’s tribal regions and Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, the Amy said. An international standard, 705-km-long
road network through the southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
and FATA, the CTC is being built by army engineers and funded
by friendly countries, an Army statement said.
A Lyari gang war criminal, identified
as Khalil alias Lalu (20), was killed in a Police encounter
at Faqeer Mohammad Road in Nawa Lane area of Lyari Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. One TT pistol with 5 rounds
was recovered from his possession.
A man, identified as Liaqat
(45), was killed by unidentified armed assailants at Korangi
crossing in Allah Wala Town area of Korangi Town.
An unidentified dead body was
found on Raxor Bridge in the limit of Pak Colony in SITE Town.
A man, identified as Hamid (25),
was shot and injured by unidentified armed assailants in Gulshan-e-Noor
area of Surjani Town in Gadap Town.
Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police led by
SHO Inspector Shabbir Ahmed Awan arrested six suspects, including
a target killer, dacoits and alleged street criminals, and recovered
arms from their possession. The Police party raided five different
sites and arrested in one of the raids an alleged target killer,
identified as Tariq alias Khayal and recovered a pistol from
his possession. In other raids, five suspects allegedly belonging
to street criminal groups were also arrested.
The IG Sindh Ghulam Haider Jamali
directed his force to devise a foolproof security plan to protect
the health workers during the polio campaign that is due to
restart on November 15, 2014. He said that all available resources
should be used while a bigger number of security personnel and
special commandos should be deployed in high-risk areas.
One militant was killed and
four SF personnel were injured in a clash in the Chakdara area
of Lower Dir District in KP. According to sources, the militant
— who was a suicide bomber — blew himself up when he was rounded
up for a security check. Four security personnel also sustained
injuries.
A blast outside the house of
a lawmaker of PTI in Hazar Khwani area of Peshawar (Peshawar
District), the provincial capital of KP, in the evening left
his daughter injured.
A house was partially damaged
in Hayatabad when a rocket, fired from unspecified location,
hit it.
Police foiled two sabotage attempts
by defusing two bombs in different areas of Peshawar. According
to an official, a five-kilogram improvised explosive device
was planted at Jamander graveyard at Faqirabad village in the
limits of Badbher Police Station, however, police defused it.
Another bomb planted in agricultural fields in Pishtakhara was
also defused by bomb disposal unit.
November 10
At least four militants and
two soldiers were killed in an exchange of fire during clearance
operation near the Afghan border in Gharlamai area of North
Waziristan Agency in FATA.
Two persons were killed and
two others were injured in two separate IED blasts that took
place in the Narai Baba area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency.
According to official sources, the first blast occurred near
a peace committee post and left one person dead, who was said
to be a peace volunteer of Tauheedul Islam. Two other TI activists
also sustained injuries in the explosion. In the second explosion,
another peace committee volunteer was killed.
Three key ‘commanders’ of LI
surrendered to authorities after laying down their arms. Official
sources say that the newly appointed ‘spokesman’ of the LI Saifullah
Saif, Commander Ilyas and Commander Wajid announced that they
were leaving the LI and have surrendered. Saifullah Saif belongs
to the Qambar Khel tribe, Ilyas to Sipah area, while Commander
Wajid is from the Malik Din Khel tribe.
Khyber Agency Political Agent
Shahab Ali Shah said that the security of militants who surrendered
during Operation Khyber-I is the Government’s responsibility.
While addressing a news conference at Khyber House, Shah said
the Government would provide security to militants and members
of banned outfits who surrendered.
The JuA fraction of TTP confirmed
the death of one of its key ‘commanders’ in latest air strikes
in Khyber Agency. JuA ‘spokesperson’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said their
commander Abu Jandal was killed in the bombing on November 9.
“Abu Jandal belonged to Mohmand Agency and had been operating
from Khyber agency,” said Ehsan. “Yesterday on 9/11/14, enemy
indiscriminately bombed the area and as a result Commander Abu
Jandal of TTP Jamaatul Ahrar embraced shahadat,” Ehsan said
in a statement.
At least two Police Officers
were killed and another was injured in a grenade attack targeting
their police mobile in Gul Plaza Market on M.A. Jinnah Road
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to details,
one Police Official was killed and two others were injured.
Later one of them succumbed to his injuries. The mobile van
caught fire after the attack.
A school van driver, identified
as Imran (44), was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants
near Time Square in Surjani Town area of Gadap Town.
An unidentified man was shot
dead near Chakiwara in Lyari Town.
A man, identified as Uzair (25),
was shot at and injured near Khan Hospital in Baldia Town.
A girl, identified as Maria
(18), was injured after being hit by a stray bullet in Ayesha
Manzil area of Gulberg Town.
Two Police Constables, identified
as Muhammad Waheed and Qamar Shah, were killed and two others,
identified as Adeel and Yasir, were injured when unidentified
militants opened fire on them while they were stationed outside
an Imambargah within the limits of Sadiqabad Police Station
in Rawalpindi District. A passer-by, identified as Muhammad
Rizwan, was also injured in the attack. According to Police,
the armed assailants tried to attack Shia mourners during a
congregation at Rizvia Hall in Sadiqabad.
A dead body, identified as that
of Rasheed Cheema (36), was found from his house located near
Naya Muhala in Bara Market area of Rawalpindi District. The
victim was PPP Punjab Additional Secretary Haji Salim Cheema's
son. DSP Sardar Babar Mumtaz said that the body bore torture
marks and appeared to be two days old.
Scanning and checking in residential
localities in and around eight Central Jails of Punjab and its
internal and external security, which contain prisoners involved
in terrorism and sectarianism cases, has recently been done
by Police and jail officials on the orders of the Punjab Government.
The exercise has been done after the Karachi Central Jail break
plot in October 2014. Seven of the eight jails include, Kot
Lakhpat jail (Lahore), Faisalabad jail, Mianwali jail, Adiala
jail (Rawalpindi), Sahiwal jail, Multan jail and Bahawalpur
jail. A senior jail official said that around 200 prisoners
belonging to different militant organizations had been languishing
in these Central Jails.
An ATC in Quetta rejecting a
medical report of former President General (retired) Pervez
Musharraf ordered him to appear before the court in the next
hearing of the case over the murder of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar
Bugti on August 26, 2006. The court rejected the medical report
of the former President and asked his lawyer to ensure his presence
in the next hearing. Judge of the ATC in his remarks warned
that bail of the former President would be cancelled if he failed
to appear before the court on December 10, 2014.
Pakistan's security agencies
have warned the Government about the increasing threat from
the (Islamic State) ISIS militant group. A classified report
by the Provincial Government of Balochistan conveyed to the
Federal Government and law enforcement agencies warning of increased
footprints of the Middle Eastern terrorist group, also known
by its Arabic acronym of "Daish".
The Dawn reported on
its website that the 'secret information report' dated October
31 states that ISIS has claimed to have recruited a massive
10,000 to 12,000 followers from the Hangu District of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa and Kurram Agency of FATA. "It has been reliably
learnt that Daish has offered some elements of LeJ and ASWJ
to join hands in Pakistan. Daish has also formed a 10-member
Strategic Planning Wing," the report from the Home and
Tribal Affairs Department of Balochistan said.
The report states that the ISIS
plans to attack military installations and government buildings
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in retaliation to the army-led Operation
Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan Agency of FATA and also plans
to target members of the Shia community.
November 11
At least 15 militants were killed
and six security personnel injured during a clash between militants
and SF personnel in the Shirin Dara area of Orakzai Agency in
FATA.
SF personnel in precise aerial
strikes in Daras area of Khyber Agency killed 13 militants including
some foreigners. “Strikes were carried out on credible intelligence
about presence of terrorists involved in Wagah border suicide
attack,” said a statement issued by the ISPR. During the strikes,
fighter jets destroyed three militant hideouts including an
ammunition depot. Intelligence sources believe that the mastermind
and handlers of Wagah border incident might be among the dead.
The information, however, could not be verified independently
due to restricted access for journalists in the area.
Nine militants were killed and
12 others injured in a clash between SF personnel and militants
in the Akakhel area of Bara tehsil. According to sources,
four key militant commanders have also surrendered to the authorities
following the clash.
The SF personnel are successfully
moving forward with their military offensive operation ‘Khyber-1’
which is aimed at flushing out militants from Khyber Agency.
According to ISPR, approximately 135 militants have been killed
whereas 250 have been arrested, including some key commanders,
since the start of the operation.
Six militants were killed in
a US drone strike in Doa Toi area of Dattakhel tehsil in NWA.
Intelligence sources said that US drone fired two missiles on
a compound and a vehicle in Doa Toi area killing six suspected
militants and destroyed the compound.
Three Levies officials were
killed while two other officials injured when an IED planted
by the roadside blew up in Chargo area of Salarzai tehsil in
Bajaur Agency while escorting polio teams. A political administration
officer, Sahibzada was also hurt in the blast.
At least two soldiers were killed
and four others were injured in a bombing targeting a SF personnel
vehicle near Bannu town (Bannu District) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to sources, the vehicle was travelling from Bannu
towards the Frontier Region of Jani Khel when it was targeted
by what appears to be an IED.
The Peshawar High Court disposed
of six habeas corpus petitions after learning from the Government
about the presence of the relevant ‘missing persons’ at the
internment centre of Ghalanai in Mohmand Agency (FATA). The
petitions were filed by relatives of the internees. A bench
comprising Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Haider
Ali Khan observed that the detainees had been interned under
a law, the Action (in aid of civil power) Regulation 2011, and
had been declared ‘black’ suggesting that evidence were available
against them of involvement in acts of terrorism and therefore,
it could not proceed in their cases.
An unidentified man was killed
when unidentified armed assailants opened fire in Usmanabad
area of Garden area of Saddar Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
An unidentified man was also
shot dead in Sharafi Goth area of Korangi Town.
PPP leader Shehla Raza said
that she received an anonymous letter that threatened to blow
up her car. Raza received the letter on the address of the Sindh
Assembly Secretariat. Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani said that he
would ask Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to provide
Raza and a few others, including MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi,
Shia scholar Allama Abbas Kumaili, former PPP leader Faisal
Raza Abidi and Hasan Zafar Naqvi who are said to be under threat,
with foolproof security.
One person was killed and 20
others were injured in an explosion targeting a vehicle carrying
ATC Judge Nazeer Ahmed Langove on Double Road in Quetta. Judge
Langove remained unhurt in the blast. Senior Police Official
Imran Qureshi said that the target of the attack was the judge's
vehicle.
Hussain Khar, son of former
Punjab Governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar was abducted by unidentified
militants near his Askari V residence within Naseerabad Police
Limits in Lahore District.
Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan ruled out the presence of IS militants
in Pakistan. “No organisation of this name exists in Pakistan,”
the Interior Minister said. The statement comes days after the
provincial government of Balochistan conveyed a confidential
report to law enforcement agencies warning of increased footprints
of IS, also known by the Arabic acronym Daish, in Pakistan.
The recent ‘wall chalking’ in
support of IS fighting in Iraq and Syria has led the security
administration to begin an investigation into the possible presence
of the militant outfit in the city. “Police have started a probe
into the wall chalking in the city,” said Karachi East DIG Munir
Ahmed Shaikh.
In connection with the wall
chalking, the DIG admitted that such chalking had been seen
within the jurisdiction of the Jamshed Quarters and Sohrab Goth
Police Stations. It merely stated that IS had arrived in the
city, he added. “No concrete evidence has been found so far
that could suggest the presence of IS, or Daish, in the metropolis,”
he said. Nor any person had been detained for having links with
the outfit, added. However, DIG Shaikh said the Police had started
a probe into it to know about the possible presence of the outfit.
November 12
At least 19 militants were killed
during air strikes in Sandapal and Akakhel areas of Khyber Agency
in FATA. According to the ISPR, an important militant 'commander'
was also killed. Furthermore, the air strikes destroyed at least
five militant hideouts and an ammunition depot in the area.
COAS General Raheel Sharif during
the 176th Corps Commanders Conference decided to further scale
up the two major military operations simultaneously underway
in North Waziristan Agency and Khyber Agency, in order to derive
maximum results before the advent of tough weather. According
to an intelligence official privy to the meeting’s details,
the COAS gave a go-ahead to scale up the military operations
in the two tribal agencies in order to secure control of the
major part of the respective areas before snowfall in FATA.
At least five people, including
a Hindu vendor and a teenage boy, were killed while two others
were critically wounded when unknown armed assailants opened
fire at multiple shops on Usman Road in Balochi Street of Quetta.
According to an official of Gawalmandi Police Station, masked
militants on motorbikes opened fire at a barber shop, a tailor
shop, and a Hindu vendor in downtown Quetta. The victims were
identified as Sunil Jani (the Hindu vendor), Khalid Bila, Irfan,
Shakir (14) and Naveed Qureshi. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a tribal elder, Malik Qasim, in Ornach area of Khuzdar
District.
A bullet-riddled dead body of
a man, identified as that of Roshan Ali (27), was found from
Bugti Goth of Marium Bagh in Gulshan-e-Hadeed area of Bin Qasim
Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
A man, identified as Dolat Khan
(25), was shot dead and another Baz Mohammad, (30), was injured
by unidentified armed assailants within the jurisdiction of
KIA Police Station in Korangi Industrial Area of Korangi Town.
Four civilians were injured
when an IED targeting the vehicle of SFs exploded in Baldia
Town. The injured were identified as Shafi Muhammad, Arif Gul,
Waheed, and Sajjad.
One Aftab (35), shot and injured
by in FB Area of Gulberg Town.
A man, identified as Zahid Hussain
(23), was shot and injured in Fareed Colony of Orangi Town.
Police raided an office of a
US-based NGO located in building named ‘Horizon Tower’ in Clifton
area of Saddar Town and arrested seven of its staff members.
The Police seized their equipment including laptops and arrested
seven staff members. Sources said that the NGO was involved
in digital mapping of sensitive installations of Karachi including
PAF air base and nuclear plant. The NGO named ‘IMap’ is run
from Washington and Police said it was operating illegally.
A Policeman and a militant were
killed while four other SFs and a militant were injured during
an exchanged fire between the militants and Police in Wazir
Bagh area of Peshawar. The exchange of fire took place when
Police raided a house in Wazir Bagh following a tip off. The
inhabitants of the house fired at the Police, killing one Policeman.
Jandullah 'spokesman' Fahad
Marwat claimed a 'delegation' from the IS group has visited
Jundallah’s leaders in Balochistan Province. He said that the
visit took place this week in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan
Province. He further said that the purpose of visit by the IS
was to see how it could work to unite various Pakistani militant
groups.
Law Enforcement Agencies confiscated
four flags of the militant outfit known as the Islamic State
fighting in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or IS) from Taxila city in
Rawalpindi District. The flags were fixed to electricity poles
in a closely guarded part of Taxila, near the POF, and an investigation
has been initiated to root out any sympathisers of the terrorist
organisation from areas near the Federal Capital.
November 13
Five militants were killed,
including a key LI 'commander' Spinbat, in a clash with peace
committee members of TI in Narai Baba area of Tirah valley in
Khyber Agency of FATA. Official sources said that the militants
attacked the peace committee volunteers which led to a gun battle
between the two groups. Seven TI peace volunteers were injured
in the clash.
Chairman of the NDMA Major General
Mohammad Saeed Aleem said that the reconstruction of installations
damaged during the ongoing operation against militants in North
Waziristan Agency would take two years and in separate phases
to complete and would cost PKR 75 billion. He said, "In
the first phase, the urban areas would be made hospitable, which
includes construction of houses and markets and the repair of
roads, schools and hospitals. Large-scale reconstruction of
the region would take place in the second phase."
An unidentified man was shot
dead by unidentified armed assailants near Bismillah Chowk in
Gulshan-e-Zia area of Orangi Town in Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh.
One Zeeshan (32) was shot dead
by unidentified militants near Usman Hotel on Abul Hassan Isphani
Road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
A woman, identified as Nayab,
was shot and injured in Shahrah-e-Quaideen area of Jamshed Town.
A teenager, identified as Suleman
(14), was shot and injured by unidentified armed assailants
at Jungle School in Baldia Town.
One Inamul Haq (18) was shot
and injured by near Madina Hotel in Qasba Morr of Orangi Town.
Two IDPs from North Waziristan
Agency were killed and 11 others were injured in Bannu District
when the IDPs clashed with the local Police during a ration
distribution. “Two IDPs died of bullet wounds after Police resorted
to aerial firing to discipline the unruly crowd,” said a senior
government official. He said that at least 17 Policemen were
wounded during their clash with the IDPs. “The IDPs stormed
the distribution points looting all the goods available for
them and unfortunately two of them succumbed to bullet wounds,”
he added.
TTP claimed responsibility for
the murder of a former nazim and PPP leader, Fazal Hayat
Chattan, who was shot dead late in Qambar area of Swat District.
According to Rahimabad Police, Fazal Hayat Chattan was returning
home after Isha prayers when the militants who were waiting
for him opened fire.
Footprints of the IS also known
as Daish, appeared in Bannu District, days after similar reports
of the extremist group’s presence were received from other parts
of the country. Wall-chalking welcoming IS have appeared in
various parts of Bannu city including its cantonment area. The
wall chalking was reported to be seen on City Road, Cantt Road,
Dera Ismail Khan Road and Miranshah Road in the District.
“We welcome the head of Syrian
Daish Group Abu Bakkar Al-Bagdadi and pay him tributes,” raid
the graffiti in Urdu language in various parts of Bannu. The
message was from little-known group ‘Awami Baghi Group Bannu
Waziristan’. The group appears to endorse a reported threat
alert issued earlier by the Balochistan Home Department that
the group has recruited more than 10,000 fighters from Kurram
Agency in FATA and Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
TTP’s JuA wing released the
pictures of the suicide bomber who allegedly attacked Wagah
border in Lahore District of Punjab on November 2, 2014, killing
at least 61 people. The group’s spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan
emailed and tweeted pictures of the bomber, identifying him
as Haneefullah alias Hamza. The pictures showed the alleged
bomber sitting in front of a green backdrop with two automatic
weapons, a pistol, two copies of the Quran along with white
and black militant flags.
November 14
At least 30 suspected militants
were killed and a number of militant hideouts were destroyed
in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. According
to the ISPR, foreign militants were among the 30 who were killed
when jet fighters carried out airstrikes in the area.
Militants beheaded a tribesman
in public after accusing him of spying for SFs in Mehraban Kalay
area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency. According to sources,
the militants ordered local people not to remove the body till
evening.
Volunteers of the pro-government
TI abducted two sympathisers of LI, identified as Niaz and Mehrab
Gul, and took them to an unspecified location.
SFs and local political administration
extended the deadline to November 15, 2014, for Sipah and Malikdinkhel
tribes to vacate their homes. The deadline was extended after
tribal elders sought more time to shift families to safe places.
SFs in Kamar Khel area ordered
residents to stay indoors at night and warned that anyone violating
the order would be shot.
At least 39 LI militants, including
their two leaders Akbar and Javed, surrendered to SFs in Khyber
Agency.
The FDMA said that 53,819 families
comprising 364,960 people have so far moved out of Bara and
Tirah valley. There are 213,195 children and 77,319 women among
them. The authority said that each family had been provided
with one meal, free transportation and emergency health care.
Children under the age of five have been vaccinated against
polio.
A statement issued in Peshawar
(provincial capital of KP), the FATA Secretariat said that the
Pakistan Government is set to launch FM radio stations in all
seven Tribal Agencies with a plan of disseminating information
to counter militant propaganda in the area bordering Afghanistan.
It also said that a central production house will also be set
up at the Secretariat. Additional Chief Secretary FATA, Azam
Khan directed the authorities to make arrangements for setting
up the radio stations in all tribal agencies of FATA.
SFs claimed to have killed at
least six militants during several raids conducted in Bolan
District. Eight other militants were also arrested during the
raids. The SFs also recovered rocket launchers and other weapons
from the militants' possession.
A Balochistan Levies official,
identified as Abdul Razzaq, was killed and another, identified
as Noorullah, was injured when unidentified militants attacked
a check post in Khanozai area of Pishin District. Later in an
exchange of fire, one of the attackers was also killed, while
another was arrested. A Kalashnikov was recovered from his possession.
A Policeman, identified as Sultan
Mohammad, was killed when unidentified militants attacked a
check post in Nasarabad area of Hana in Quetta. The militants
also snatched weapons from police. Police said the assailants
managed to escape unhurt.
Police killed five TTP militants
in an encounter in Gulshan-e-Buner area of Landhi Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Senior Police official Rao
Anwar said, “Police asked the militants to surrender, but they
opened fire, after which police responded,” he added. “Five
terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire,” Anwar said,
adding that a large stash of weapons was recovered from the
scene.
At least two Policemen were
killed and three others were injured when unidentified armed
assailants hurled a hand grenade on a Police mobile van of Preedy
Police Station in Lines Area of Jamshed Town.
An ASI, identified as Mohammad
Rasheed, was shot dead by unidentified militants near Faqeer
Colony in Orangi Town.
A man, identified as Tahir,
was killed by unidentified armed assailants near Chawla Market,
Madina Masjid in North Nazimabad Town.
A Police head constable and
three civilians were injured in a hand grenade attack on a Police
mobile van near Japan Plaza along MA Jinnah Road in Saddar Town.
A man, identified as Ayan was
shot and injured by unidentified armed assailants in Gulshan-e-Ghazi
area of Baldia Town.
Unidentified motorcyclists threw
a cracker on Police personnel who were deputed at UP Morr in
New Karachi Town. However, no explosion occurred but the assailants
managed to escape.
Chakwal Police arrested a Christian
man from Lahore District over an alleged act of blasphemy. According
to Police sources, the man was booked for blasphemous remarks
made by him. He used derogatory language against the Holy Prophet
in his blogs.
On July 4, 2010, a man posted
a comment on the website of a private TV channel and alleged
that the accused was committing blasphemy in his blogs. On June
9, 2011, Mohammad Saeed, a resident of Talagang in Chakwal District,
filed an application in the City Police Station against the
accused and a case was registered under Section 295C. According
to Police, the accused went into hiding after the registration
of the case. He was arrested from Lahore after about three and
a half years.
Pakistan’s military told Afghan
President Ashraf Ghani who is on his first state visit to Pakistan
that the security of the two countries was 'inextricably linked'.
A tweet from Major General Asim Bajwa, head of the military’s
public relations wing, said Ghani’s trip took place amid a positive
atmosphere and that border cooperation was “in focus”. “Tribute
to Pakistan sacrifices, Bodes well for region,” he said, adding,
“Security, stability a shared goal. Our security inextricably
linked.”
Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim
Aslam said discussions between Ghani and Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif would be wide-ranging. “Peace and stability, everything
to do with bilateral cooperation, political engagement, economic
cooperation, the training program - everything is on the table,”
she said.
The Operation Zarb-e-Azb has
boosted US confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to combating
terrorist groups operating within its borders. Army chief General
Raheel Sharif’s visit to the US will be marked by greater optimism
and trust between the two countries, according to the WP report.
It said the army chief’s first visit to the US taking place
at the invitation of Chairman Joint Chiefs Staff Gen Martin
Dempsy cited an improved environment with upward trajectory
of Pakistan-US relations, Pakistan’s disruption of militant
groups in North Waziristan Agency with its major Zarb-e-Azb
Operation as well as improving relations between Islamabad and
Kabul.
Referring to the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb
operation in North Waziristan, the Post noted that the US officials’
statements show that the offensive has boosted their confidence
in Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorist groups operating
within its borders. The report quoted Lieutenant General Joseph
Anderson, a senior commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan,
who told reporters that the Haqqani Afghan insurgent group “is
now fractured”. “That’s based pretty much on the Pakistan operation
in North Waziristan this entire summer-fall,” the Post quoted
Anderson’s remarks.
November 15
At least five militants and
two Afghan security personnel were killed in a militant attack
at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Arandu area of Chitral
District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two Pakistani civilians, including
a woman were injured, while two Pakistani SFs personnel were
also injured in attack. Officials said that the militants targeted
ANSF on a border post.
One person, identified as Abdul
Hanan, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Turbat District.
November 16
At least 34 terrorists were
killed during the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb in Dattakhel
area of NWA in FATA. According to ISPR, some important militant
'commanders' and foreign terrorists were among those killed.
Seven militants were killed
in an encounter with SFs during a search operation in Datta
Khel area.
Four soldiers were killed and
at least eight were missing after militants using rockets and
grenades stormed Spara Gher checkpoint in Dattakhel area. Three
unnamed military sources said a major was among those killed
in the attack. 11 others soldiers were injured in the attack.
One child was killed and 13
others were wounded in a blast near Arbab Complex in Khuzdar
District. "The number of injured is likely to be increased,"
said Majeed Marri, a Police Officer. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Three security officials were
injured when militants opened fire at a convoy of FWO in Beri
Dasht area of Turbat District. According to the Balochistan
Levies, the FWO convoy was travelling from Turbat to Gwadar
District when a group of militants opened fire at them in Turbat.
The injured were identified as Naik Munir Ahmed, Naik Mohammed
Iqbal and Sepoy Abdul Sattar. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
An ATC-I remanded two Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) suspects, Muhammad Abid and Jamshed, to jail
custody till 28 November 2014 in an explosive materials case.
The Investigation Officer submitted before the court that both
the accused were no more required for investigation. According
to the Police, the accused belonged to TTP and were involved
in bomb blast on Benazir Bhutto procession on October 18, 2007.
The accused were arrested on October 31, 2014, and Police claimed
to have seized hand grenades from their possession.
November 17
At least 27 terrorists, including
key 'commander' and foreigners, were killed in an air raid carried
out by SFs in Dattakhel area. Three soldiers, including an Army
officer were also killed in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
The Army said that 10 militants
surrendered to SFs along with their weapons and ammunition in
Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. In a short statement
to media, the ISPR said 350 militants have so far surrendered
to SFs since the start of Operation Khyber-1 last month. The
total number includes more than 20 key militant commanders,
said the statement. On November 14, 39 militants belonging to
LI surrendered to SFs – the largest group of militants to give
up arms since the launching of the intelligence-based operation.
The military launched the offensive on October 16 with air strikes
against LI hideouts in the areas of Tirah and Bara controlled
by militant ‘commander’ Mangal Bagh. The Tariq Afridi group
of TTP also controls several parts of Tirah valley, but the
outfit joined hands with LI chief Mangal Bagh after he invited
all militant groups to come to Bara and fight against SFs following
the launch of the military operation.
According to ISPR sources, at
least 135 militants have been killed and at least 250 arrested
since the start of the operation. The FDMA says 53,819 families
comprising 364,960 people have so far moved out of Bara and
Tirah valley. There are 213,195 children and 77,319 women among
them.
ISPR said that the Haqqani Network
in the tribal areas is a thing of the past. Talking to Voice
of America, ISPR Director General Major General Asim Bajwa said
SFs are now engaged in clearing peripheral areas of the agency.
Ruling out any discrimination in the operation he said sanctuary
of Afghanistan’s Haqqani Network in Pakistan’s tribal areas
is a thing of the past.
A Professor of German Department
in NUML, identified as Khalid Bilal Ahmad Khan, was shot dead
in an incident of targeted killing near Tarnol in Islamabad.
Khan was travelling towards his home with his wife who sustained
injuries. The attackers fled towards Rawalpindi.
Policemen in Lahore arrested
two suspects for plastering IS stickers on walls in various
localities in the District. Earlier on November 3, 2014, stickers
bearing the IS flag were found plastered on walls in Lahore’s
Canal Road, Nawab Town and some other areas.
A man, identified as Samiullah
Ghazi (35), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in
Manghopir area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
One Muhammad Nasir was shot
at and injured at Allah-Wala Chowk in New Karachi Town.
A man, identified as Ali Muhammad
(55), was shot and injured in Landhi Town.
Rizvia Police-District Central
claimed to have arrested 58 accused and recovered arms from
their possession during different raids in areas within its
jurisdiction in the last 20 days. The arrested accused include
three target killers, 18 street criminals, nine extortionists
and 15 nominated in other crimes, said a statement.
At least three students at Government
High School Number-1 in Bannu Town (Bannu District) of KP were
injured in a grenade attack. The explosion occurred inside a
classroom, Police said.
Issuing security alert, the
Charsadda District Police asked the administration of private
schools to tighten security of their respective institutions
to avert any untoward incident. The security alert was issued
on the directives of District Police Officer Shafiullah Khan.
The Police started assessing the security arrangements taken
by the administration of the private schools and directed the
principals about the security arrangements.
Policemen recovered 9,000 detonators
during a November 15 raid in Kharkhano Market of Peshawar, the
provincial capital of KP. Officials conducted the raid in Kharkhano
Market said that the detonators were concealed in metal box.
Graffiti supporting the IS appeared
in Gilgit-Baltistan. According to details, a message reading
‘Welcome to GB ISIS’ was spray painted onto a wall in the densely
populated area of Konodas in Gilgit District, prompting concern
among residents about the group’s presence in the region. The
wall-chalking supporting the militant group was removed by the
authorities shortly after being reported.
A local resident claimed that
a similar pro-IS message was spotted on a wall in another area
near Gilgit airport on November 14, 2014, but was reportedly
removed. “Some people noticed it was written on the wall but
nobody knew who really did it,” Essa Khan, a resident of Konodas
said, adding, “As far as I know, it is not coordinated, supported
by the IS. Someone inspired by their philosophy might have done
that.” Commenting on the message, a security official said,
“Such messages are aimed at fuelling panic in the area.” He
added that people affiliated with certain militant groups were
spreading such messages to breed fear in the community. Regardless
of the motive behind the message, many in the area said the
message was unsettling.
Jundullah, an al Qaeda affiliated
anti-Shia terrorist group, pledged support to IS. The outfit’s
‘spokesman’ Fahad Marwat announced the pledge after meeting
a three-man IS delegation led by al Zubair al Kuwaiti. “All
anti-Shia groups in Pakistan will welcome and support IS in
Pakistan, though most of them will not announce it openly due
to their allegiance to Mullah Omar,” an unnamed militant said.
The departure of NATO forces
from Afghanistan could push India and Pakistan towards a proxy
war in the troubled state, warned Pakistan’s former President
General (retired) Pervez Musharraf in an interview with AFP.
He said that calming tension between India and Pakistan — running
high at the moment after some of the worst cross-border firing
in years — is key to peace in Afghanistan.
"The danger for Pakistan
is... the Indian influence in Afghanistan," Musharraf adding,
"That is another danger for the whole region and for Pakistan
because Indian involvement there has an anti-Pakistan connotation.
They (India) want to create an anti-Pakistan Afghanistan".
"If Indians are using some elements of the ethnic entities
in Afghanistan, then Pakistan will use its own support for ethnic
elements, and our ethnic elements are certainly Pashtuns,"
Musharraf said. "So we are initiating a proxy war in Afghanistan.
This must be avoided."
Adviser to the Prime Minister
on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz said that
Pakistan should not target militants who do not threaten the
country’s security. “Why should America’s enemies unnecessarily
become our enemies,” Aziz said during an interview with BBC
Urdu. "When the United States attacked Afghanistan, all
those that were trained and armed were pushed towards us. Some
of them were dangerous for us and some are not. Why must we
make enemies out of them all?” he said when speaking about the
Haqqani Network. He further said that the Afghan Taliban are
Afghanistan’s problem and Haqqani Network is a part of it. “It’s
the job of the Afghan Government to negotiate with them...We
can try to convince them, however things are not the same as
they were in the nineties,” Aziz added.
November 18
At least six militants, including
an alleged ‘key commander’, were killed in military air strikes
in Malikdin Khel area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency of FATA.
Military jets targeted suspected militant hideouts in various
areas of the region killing six militants and wounding several
others. The identity of the commander killed in the strikes
was being ascertained.
Two persons, including a student,
were killed and another injured in a roadside blast in Nastikot
area near Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency. The
sources said that a school van was carrying children to school
when it hit a landmine planted at the roadside in Nastikot area.
Official sources said that a student identified as Mehdi Hussan
and driver Qaiser Hussain were killed on the spot while another
student Rahila, who is also daughter of the driver, sustained
critical injuries.
A man identified as Javed Hussain
was injured in another blast in Pewar area in Kurram Agency.
Javed, who returned home from abroad, stepped on a mine and
sustained injuries in the subsequent explosion.
Unidentified militants killed
two Government officials in Labach area of Awaran District.
Muhammad Rafiq, a Police Official said that one official was
working in the NADRA and the other was an employee of Balochistan
Constabulary. The assailants managed to escape unhurt from the
spot.
Unidentified militants opened
indiscriminate fire at a shop in Burma Hotel area on Sariab
Road of Quetta, killing two people on the spot. The victims
were identified as father and son.
A Levies official was killed
when unidentified militants opened indiscriminate fire at a
Levies check post in Khanozai area of Pishin District.
A journalist identified as Manzoor
Ahmed Bugti, working for Pakistan Television and based in Dera
Bugti District went missing from Quetta on November 7. Imam
Bukhsh, who works for a news agency, said that Manzoor Ahmed
Bugti reached Quetta from Dera Bugti on November 6, 2014 and
went missing the following day.
A local leader of the TTP, identified
as Ameer Abdullah, was reportedly killed during a joint raid
conducted by the police and the Rangers in Raees Goth within
the limits of Saeedabad police station in Baldia Town. According
to the Police, Abdullah was the TTP ''commander'' for Ittehad
Town and was associated with the Khan Zaman Mehsud group of
the TTP.
Police Constable was killed
near Badar Chowk in Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
An unidentified person was shot
dead by unidentified armed assailants near Chatai Bagh area
in Korangi Town.
At least 21 people, including
two Policemen were injured in a hand grenade attack within the
vicinity of Mithadar Police Station in Mithadar area of Saddar
Town. “Mithadar is one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs
and a large number of people were present in the area at the
time of the attack,” said Old City SSP Sheeraz Nazeer. “Initially,
we thought that it was an attack at the Police Station but we
were wrong,” explained SSP Nazeer.
The CPLC, in collaboration with
the Police, rescued six kidnapped persons from captivity during
a raid near Northern Bypass in Manghopir area of Saddar Town.
CPLC chief Ahmed Chinoy said that Kashif Rahmen, Rehan, Khurram,
Salman, Wajid and Feroz, all of whom worked for Balochistan
Wheels Limited, were going home from the factory when their
vehicle was intercepted by armed militants.
The Anti-Violent Crime Cell
Police claimed to have arrested three alleged abductors after
an encounter near Hub Chowki.
Two target killers, identified
as Mobin and Sheraz, were arrested during a raid in Landhi Town.
Police officials said that both of them were involved in the
murder a trader from Landhi.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad
Khan said that the Government’s on-going efforts to improve
law and order situation were bearing fruit, as visible reduction
has been witnessed in the incidents of terrorism, extortion
and kidnapping-for-ransom in the city.
The city’s Police Department
decided to enhance intelligence sharing within its various operational
wings, expand the force and acquire closed-circuit (CCTV) cameras
and new vehicles to rein in terrorists and other criminals.
The goal is to further improve law and order in the city, said
unnamed officials.
A grenade attacked killed two
Policemen and wounded another one in the Shabqadar area of Charsadda
District in KP. “Two men riding a motorbike threw a hand grenade
on a Police vehicle patrolling the area, killing two policemen
and wounding another one,” District Police Chief Shafiullah
Khan said. He said one of the policemen died on the spot and
the second in hospital. ‘Spokesman’ of the JuA faction of the
TTP, Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the attack
in a statement issued to local media in Peshawar.
PTI chairman Imran Khan said
that KP cannot sustain the burden of three million IDPs alone.
He said that a single province cannot sustain an additional
three million people on limited resources. Slamming the Federal
Government for lack of support in assisting millions of IDPs,
he alleged that it was a move to weaken the PTI led KP Government.
Khan also slammed the ANP and said the party should refrain
from commenting on corruption, ‘since corruption was rife during
its five year tenure’.
The Foreign Office clarified
that a statement made by the National Advisor to the Prime Minister
on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz was reported out of context.
“The Advisor made the statement in a historical context, “FO
spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in a statement. A day earlier,
Aziz in an interview to BBC Urdu had said that Pakistan was
not going to target militant groups that do not “pose a threat
to the state". The country’s premier spy agency has long
been accused of harbouring the “good“ and “bad“ Taliban narrative
“As for [the] present, Pakistan has launched operation Zarb-e-Azb
and taking action against all groups without any distinction
or discrimination,” Tasneem Aslam, foreign office spokesperson,
said in a statement.
She added that Sartaj Aziz’s
interview with BBC''s Urdu service has created confusion in
the official stance of the country. Pakistan’s policy and actions
should be seen in the light of its commitment in fighting terrorism
in all forms and manifestations, she added. Aziz had said that
Pakistan should not target militants who do not threaten the
country’s security.
A new global study by London-based
Institute for Economics and Peace has ranked Pakistan third
on the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) list. The report said Iraq
was the country hit hardest by terrorism, with 2,492 attacks
that killed more than 6,300 people. It was followed by Afghanistan
and Pakistan, with Nigeria and Syria in fourth and fifth place
respectively. With 10,000 worldwide attacks in 2013, the report
says Pakistan in particular saw a 37 per cent increase in deaths
and 28 per cent increase in injuries since 2012. The report
also said that deaths resulting from terror incidents in Pakistan,
Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Syria account for more than 80
per cent of the total deaths from attacks. The report also says
that the TTP between 2000 and 2013 has claimed 778 attacks,
of which 12 per cent were carried out by suicide bombers. It
also says that the Taliban have the highest number of fighters,
estimated to be between 36,000 to 60,000.
November 19
The CoAS General Raheel Sharif
said that Indian violations of ceasefire along the Line of Control
and Working Boundary are undermining Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate
terrorists. The COAS told US officials that India’s aggressive
position on the border is negatively affecting Pakistan Army’s
efforts, which is fighting militants in North Waziristan Agency.
About 9,300 more families have
been displaced during the ongoing military operation ‘Khyber-I’
launched in Bara and Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.
Director General FDMA Anila Durrani said a summary for according
uniform status to all IDPs had already been put up to the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Governor for approval. She said after the approval,
Khyber IDPs would start getting relief like other displaced
persons from FATA. The DG FDMA said approximately 63,300 families
had been dislocated from Bara.
November 20
Six militants were killed and
three others sustained injuries in a US drone attack on a house
in the Madakhel village of NWA in FATA. Official sources said
the drone fired two missiles at a house where local and foreign
militants were reported to have been hiding.
The spokesman of AQIS, Osama
Mahmood confirmed that his organization’s No. 2 key leaders
Major (retd) Adil Abdul Quddus, Dr Sarbuland alias Abu Khalid
and his two sons were killed in a US drone strike in Pak-Afghan
border area on November 9. According to details, Major (retd)
Adil was brother in law of Dr Sarbuland alias Abu Khalid. It
is relevant to mention here that mastermind of 9/11 attack,
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, had been arrested from the residence
of Major (retd) Adil’s brother from Rawalpindi in March 2003.
Major (retd) Adil had also been nabbed after the arrest of Khalid
Sheikh Mohammad and later sentenced in Pakistani prison for
six years. Major (retd) Adil was court-martialed and released
in 2008 after completing his term in prison. The release further
stated that Dr. Sarbuland was a competent surgeon, as well as
a finest instructor of battlefield. He fought both against the
Russia and the US,” said the group’s spokesperson.
Two gangsters identified as
Faiz Muhammad alias Lala Orangi and Nameem Kaloo, were killed
in a Police Encounter in Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Sources said that Lala Orangi was wanted in
50 cases.
A TTP militant, identified as
Abdur Rehman, was shot dead by the law enforcement agencies
during an alleged encounter conducted by Rangers and Police
in Gulshan-e-Buner area of Landhi Town. Landhi SHO Amanullah
Marwat said that the Rangers received a tip-off on Rehman’s
presence in a house located near Hanafi Masjid in Gulshan-e-Buner
area. The Rangers, accompanied by a police team, raided the
house. Upon seeing the officials, Rehman opened fire at them.
He was killed in retaliatory fire. Sindh Government had placed
head money worth PKR1.5 million on him.
A Lyari gangster affiliated
with the Baba Ladla group, identified as Nabil (30), was killed
in an encounter with the Napier Police near Baraf Khana in Lyari
Town. According to Police, first Nabil opened fire on the Police.
The Police retaliated and Nabil was injured during the exchange
and later succumbed to injuries.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a man, identified as Bahadar Ali (59), near Ibrahim Ali
Bhai Auditorium within the jurisdiction of the Soldier Bazaar
Police Station on Nishtar Road in Garden area of Saddar Town.
Unidentified militants burnt
a Hindu temple behind Barrage Colony area in Tando Mohammad
Khan District. A deity and religious books in the temple were
reduced to ashes in the suspected arson attack. Police have
confirmed the incident while local Hindu community leaders informed
that a case has been lodged against unidentified persons who
were seen fleeing from the area on two motorbikes.
An ATC-III remanded an accused
Syed Arsalan Ali to Police custody for seven days in Preedy
SHO Ghazanfar Ali Kazmi murder case, who was shot dead in a
target attack on August 13, 2014. Police produced the accused
before ATC-III judge amid tight security. Investigation officer
requested the Court to allow the physical remand of accused
as the Police wanted to investigate him to trace his connections
and the whereabouts of his absconding accomplices, Umar Zaman
and Muhammad Anwar, in this case.
The NACTA informed the Punjab
Home Department and Regional Police Officer, Rawalpindi that
TTP might target Fauji Foundation Hospital on Jhelum Road in
provincial capital Lahore. It has received intelligence that
some militants in the garb of female patients would shift arms,
ammunition and explosive to the hospital.
The hospital administration
informed that it has also received an anonymous letter in which
it was threatened that the Taliban would hit the hospital. The
one page letter written in Urdu was received by the hospital
management through ordinary mail some two weeks ago. When the
RPO Akhtar Umar Hayat Laleka was contacted, he confirmed that
a threatening letter had been received by the Hospital.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
vowed that the phenomenon of DAISH or the ISIS (also known as
IS) will not be allowed to flourish in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The army chief re-emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to root out
all kinds of terrorists, stating that the determination to eliminate
the militants exceeds the limits of any particular area and
is not confined to any particular group. COAS said Operation
Zarb-e-Azb is being carried out without any discrimination,
“whether it is the Haqqani Network or the TTP or any other group.
He added that the operation to hunt down the terrorists was
“not taking place in just North Waziristan or South Waziristan
but throughout the country”.
The chief of JUI-S, Maulana
Samiul Haq accused western countries of creating Daish or IS
militant group and said that they are now trying to build its
image in Pakistan. The JUI-S chief said that Daish did not exist
in Pakistan. “America and its allies are trying to project Daish
in Pakistan through wall chalking,” he said, adding, “In fact
America is trying to blackmail Saudi Arabia and Iran by creating
Daish to establish its hegemony in the region.” He accused the
US of protecting Daish to justify its presence in Afghanistan
and achieve its other objectives.
November 21
At least 22 militants were killed
as targeted aerial strikes struck militant hideouts in various
parts of Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. The ISPR confirmed
that the jets strikes destroyed many of the militant hideouts.
Two SF personnel were killed
and two others were injured in a bomb attack targeting SFs vehicle
on Warsak Road in Mathra Bazaar area of Peshawar. Superintendent
of Police (Rural), Shakir Bangash confirmed the incident and
casualties. He added that four to five kilograms of explosive
material was used in the blast. TTP-JuA claimed responsibility
for the attack. Ehsanullah Ehsan, ''spokesman'' of the TTP-JuA
said the attack was revenge of one of their members who was
killed in an operation by the Army. “We will continue to target
the Pakistani military in the future,” he said.
Authorities in Peshawar finalised
arrangements to transfer high profile prisoners, including Shakil
Afridi, from Central Prison to a high security prison in Mardan
District. The prison in Mardan is bomb-proof and has been built
on modern lines. Afridi is accused of helping the CIA by running
a fake vaccination campaign in Abbottabad District a month before
the US raided on a compound that killed al Qaeda leader Osama
bin Laden on May1-2, 2011.
At least 23 people, including
three MQM MPA were injured in a cracker blast at a membership
camp of the MQM in Orangi Town. The MPAs who sustained injuries
were identified as Mohammed Hussain, Sheikh Abdullah and Saifuddin.
MQM chief, Altaf Hussain, said, “MQM is being punished for raising
its voice against Talibanisation,” adding, “We have been informing
the intelligence agencies about the Taliban hideouts in the
city, but they did not pay any attention.” Meanwhile, TTP-JuA
claimed responsibility for the attack on the membership camp
of MQM in Orangi Town. TTP-JuA ''spokesman'' Ehsanullah Ehsan
on his twitter account said the attack on MQM is the part of
their drive against ANP, MQM, PPP and PMLN. He added such attacks
on these parties will continue.
Two people, including a SF official,
were injured in an IED blast targeting SF's vehicle on Sariab
Road in Provincial town of Quetta. Imran Qureshi, a Senior Police
Officer said that militants had planted the IED in a cycle,
which was parked on the roadside. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Unidentified militants fired
a rocket targeting the residence of Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, the
provincial leader of PML-N in Anjeera area of Khuzdar District.
However, no casualties were reported. Levies sources said that
the rocket landed almost 400 meters away from Zehri's residence.
Dutch authorities re-arrested
a Dutch-Pakistani al Qaeda suspect, Sabir K. (27), wanted by
the US, from undisclosed location, saying that all obstacles
in his long-running extradition case had been cleared. “Sabir
K. was detained again last Thursday (November 20, 2014) night
on the order of the public prosecutor’s office for extradition
to the US,” the office said in a statement.
In July 2013 a Dutch court blocked
his extradition to stand trial for alleged acts of terrorism
including planning a suicide attack on a US military base in
Kunar province of Afghanistan in 2010. The Dutch court in its
verdict said that “certain questions were raised about the role
played by the United States in Sabir K.’s arrest in Pakistan”.
Without proof that the US was not involved in his alleged torture,
extradition would be illegal, the court said. However, the Dutch
authorities on November 21 said that they received a letter
from the US Department of Justice last month which denied any
involvement in Sabir K’s detention in Pakistan.
The Special Court trying former
President, General (retired) Pervez Musharraf on high treason
charges accepted his appeal to include alleged co-conspirators
in the case against him. The Court has ordered inclusion of
former Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar, the then
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the then Law Minister and incumbent
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid who
stepped down after the court’s decision came.
The Government promulgated an
ordinance, “Establishment and Regulation of Security Zone 2014”
for security measures in the Red Zone of the Federal Capital,
Islamabad. Under the ordinance there will be a ban on the assembly
of five or more persons in the Red Zone. The violators of the
ban will face three years imprisonment and PKR 10,000 fine.
Imprisonment of three years and fine of PKR 50,000 will be imposed
on those who carry batons or damage the public property in the
Red Zone.
Pakistan sees no problems with
India’s future presence in Afghanistan if New Delhi mends its
fences with Islamabad, former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud
Kasuri said after a two-day Track II meeting of India-Pakistan
delegations in New Delhi. “I am saying as much in my forthcoming
book,” Kasuri said, adding, “If there is a paradigm shift in
India-Pakistan relations, and we become normal friendly neighbours,
I foresee no difficulty for us to accept India having as much
access to Afghanistan as it wants.”
November 22
Two alleged gangsters belonging
to Baba Ladla Group were killed in an exchange of fire with
Rangers at Kashti Chowk in Lyari Town of provincial capital
Karachi. A spokesman for the paramilitary force said that the
suspects were involved in various crimes including extortion.
A MQM worker, Abdul Jabbar,
who was injured in an attack on MQM membership camp in Orangi
Town on in November 21, 2014 succumbed to his injuries.
An ATC-I remanded three accused,
identified as Sarmad Siddiqui, Asif Zaheer and Nadeem alias
Burger, to jail custody till November 29, 2014 in Karachi Airport
attack case of June 8, 2014. The CID of Police arrested suspects
belonging to al Qaeda and the TTP on October 29, 2014 for allegedly
providing logistical support, funds and weapons to attackers,
who attacked the Karachi Airport.
Police conducted raids in the
industrial area in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh,
and detained eight suspects and recovered arms from their possession.
SP, Gulberg Division Asad Chaudhry told that Police conducted
search operation in the industrial area on the tip off regarding
presence of suspected militants in the area. While searching
the houses, eight suspected persons were held while two pistols
and bullets were also recovered from their possession. The detained
persons were shifted to undisclosed location for interrogation.
November 23
District West President of the
ANP, identified as Dr Ziauddin (50), was shot dead while travelling
back to his home from the mosque from the mosque after offering
Isha prayers in Orangi Town. TTP had reportedly threatened
to kill Ziauddin, who was also a former Union Council nazim
of the area, after he refused to pay them PKR1 million in extortion.
TTP had threatened him to quit the party and had warned of dire
consequences if he did not comply.
According to other details,
Ziauddin hailed from Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He
was among the several ANP leaders and party workers to be targeted
this way. Many of them have been killed in the past in bomb
blasts and target killings in District West, mainly in Orangi
and Baldia Town.
A MQM worker was shot dead in
Orangi Town. MQM leader Altaf Hussain condemned the killing
and said the Government had failed to prevent such attacks from
taking place.
At least three LI militants
were killed and two others were injured in a clash between LI
militants and a local peace committee member of TI in Naraye
Baba area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. Sources
added that the death toll from the skirmish is likely to rise.
One person was killed while
two civilians were injured after a bomb blast in Mand area of
Turbat District.
The Police claimed to have arrested
10 suspects on charges of running an extortion ring during a
raid on a house in the limits of the Pabbi Police Station in
Nowhere District.
The Police said the accused
have links with the Darra Adamkhel Chapter of the TTP and other
militant groups. The cops also seized cell phones, SIM cards,
computer, metal detector, handcuffs and two Kalashnikovs rifled,
pistols and 3000 rounds during the raid.
A local ATC acquitted chief
of the TNSM Sufi Mohammad and around 30 of his associates in
two more terrorism cases. The cases were about attacks on a
FC convoy and a Swat Police Station around 19 years ago. However,
Sufi Mohammad will continue to be behind bars for facing two
more cases.
The trial of Sufi Mohammad in
different terrorism cases have been conducted inside the Peshawar
Central Prison for security reasons. He has been kept in that
prison since his arrest in 2009 when final phase of military
operation against militants was launched in Malakand Region.
Pakistan has the fastest growing
nuclear weapons programme in the world and by 2020 it could
have enough fissile material to produce more than 200 nuclear
devices, an American think tank CFR said in its report 'Strategic
Stability in the Second Nuclear Age'. "Though many states
are downsizing their stockpiles, Asia is witnessing a buildup.
Pakistan has the fastest-growing nuclear programme in the world.
By 2020, it could have a stockpile of fissile material that,
if weaponized, could produce as many as 200 nuclear devices,"
the CFR said.
The report, authored by George
Mason University's Gregory Koblentz, has identified South Asia
as the region "most at risk of a breakdown in strategic
stability due to an explosive mixture of unresolved territorial
disputes, cross-border terrorism, and growing nuclear arsenals."
Pakistan, the report said, has deployed or is developing 11
delivery systems for its nuclear warheads, including aircraft,
ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. "Pakistan has not
formally declared the conditions under which it would use nuclear
weapons but has indicated that it seeks primarily to deter India
from threatening its territorial integrity or the ability of
its military to defend its territory," the report added.
November 24
A key commander of LI, Noor
Zadin, was beheaded by unidentified assailants in Tirah Valley
of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. Sources said
that Noor Zadin was beheaded and his body dumped in a hilly
area in Akakhel. However, the reasons behind the killing could
not be known. No group has claimed responsibility for the beheading
so far.
The SFs and the pro-Government
peace committee based in Bara launched a search operation against
the militants in Akakhel area and arrested 100 suspects. According
to the sources, the security forces and the peace body led by
Haji Faqir, a former commander of the LI, jointly launched search
operation against the militants belonging to various tribes,
including Shalobar, Malikdinkhel and Akakhel. The search operation
has been going on for the last five days.
Polio vaccination began in South
Waziristan on November 24 after a break of two-and-a-half years.
WHO has termed it a positive development for the eradication
of polio virus from the country. TTP had imposed a ban on polio
vaccination in June 2012 after it was revealed that a physician,
Dr Shakeel Afridi, had helped CIA run a fake hepatitis vaccine
programme in Abbottabad, to confirm Osama bin Laden’s presence
in the city by obtaining DNA samples.
One person sustained injuries
when a polio vaccination team came under fire in the Khawaja
Was area of Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda District in
KP. Health workers accompanied by Policemen were administrating
polio vaccination drops to children in the Khawaja Was area
when gunmen opened fire on them.
The house of MPA Babar Saleem
in Maneri Bala village of Swabi District was attacked by unidentified
militants by explosion. Explosives planted near the gate of
their house, went off at 3 am when his family members were asleep.
The explosion damaged the gate and the boundary walls of his
house. However, it didn’t cause any harm to the inmates. Babar
Saleem is son of late Dr Muhammad Saleem, founder of the Swabi
Qaumi Mahaz. He was elected from the provincial assembly constituency,
PK-31 Swabi, in the May 2013 general election on the ticket
of the Swabi-based AJIP. However, he later developed differences
with the party leadership.
Confronted with official figures
of the state of worsening law and order situation, the KP Government
admitted increase in incidents of extortion, targeted killings
and grenade attacks in the province. Also, a senior minister
speaking on a point of order in the provincial assembly acknowledged
that financial irregularities were taking place in government
departments, including communication and works and local Government
ones.
Shah Farman however claimed
that there was decline in suicide attacks, car bombs and explosions
in current year as compared to 2013 and 2012. He said a total
of 14 suicide attacks, 218 bomb blasts and three car bomb explosions
had been reported in 2014 while in 2013, 18 suicide attacks,
284 bomb blasts and six car bomb blasts had occurred across
the province.
Giving data about acts of terrorism
and other crimes occurred in the province between January and
October 15, the QWP Sikandar Khan Sherpao said a total of 520
acts of terrorism, 291 cases of extortion, 1102 cases of abduction,
and 831 cases of car lifting had taken place during the period.
“A total of 190,454 crimes have been registered in the period,”
he said. Sikandar said 150 workers administering polio vaccines
had come under attack, while 532 civilians had died in acts
of terrorism in the same period, while targeted killing of Shias
and Sikh was on the rise.
Police foiled a terror attack
and arrested Mariah Khan, the group leader of a militant outfit
that is based in South Waziristan Agency of FATA, from Islamabad.
Police sources said that Mariah was in possession of explosive
material that was to be used for explosion in Aabpara. The Aabpara
SHO Khalid Awan confirmed the report, saying that Mariah Khan
was shifting the explosive material to a hideout near Masjid-e-Shohda
when he was intercepted by Police. Explosive material included
two hand grenades, detonators, 7 batteries and remote control.
Punjab Home Department issued
a warning about a possible second attack at the Wagah Border
and directed the Law Enforcement Agencies to take precautionary
measures. The letter reads: “Reportedly, terrorists are planning
to attack Wagah Border again and also (the) Sikh pilgrims who
are visiting their holy places in various parts of Punjab.”
It further says that the terrorists are planning to target ISI
set-up in Bhara Kahu near Islamabad as well.
Asia Bibi, the Christian woman
sentenced to death for blasphemy, her final legal recourse filed
an appeal in the Supreme Court. She was found guilty of the
Prophet Mohammed and has been on death row since November 2010.
Earlier on October 16, 2014, a Lahore High Court confirmed the
death sentence of Asia Bibi, rejecting the appeal against her
death sentence.
The leader of House in the Senate
Raja Zafarul Haq expressed his concern over growing cases of
blasphemy in the country and stressed the need for a long-tem
solution to the problem. “There is a need to set up interfaith
committees at the District level to deal with the issue,” he
said at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious
Affairs, but regretted that his party, PML-N, was not taking
the proposal seriously.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
during his meeting with ISI Director General Lieutenant General
Rizwan Akhtar in Islamabad lauded the services of ISI, describing
it as the country’s first line of defence against the enemies
of the State. Matters pertaining to internal and external security
were discussed. The Prime Minister said the ISI was playing
a vital role in curbing terrorism in the country and its sacrifices
would not go waste.
During a briefing given to Balochistan
Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch it was said that over 1,400
CCTV cameras will be installed at more than 250 points in Provincial
capital Quetta as part of the Government’s efforts to curb terrorism
and other heinous crimes. The meeting was also told that X-ray
machines would be installed at six exit and entry points of
the city.
Two command and control centers
have been set up that will monitor with the help of CCTVs the
movement of suspects and vehicles leaving or entering the city.
The Chief Minister directed the authorities concerned to execute
the project in a transparent way. “The Government will use all
resources available to it to rid Quetta and other parts of the
Province of crime,” he said.
November 25
At least 20 militants were killed
and eight others were injured in air strikes in the Dattakhel
area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. According to ISPR,
the airstrikes were carried out in the Dattakhel area where
Operation Zarb-i-Azb is under way.
Two personnel of the FWO went
missing near the Pak-Afghan Torkham border area in the Khyber
Agency. Sources in the political administration confirmed that
the two personnel had gone missing. They also suspect that the
missing personnel may have crossed the border into Afghanistan.
At least one person was killed
and four others, including a young girl and a woman, were injured
in an explosion near Korangi Crossing in Korangi Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Initial reports suggest that
the explosion took place in an auto-rickshaw. However, a Police
Official claimed that the explosives were planted in a motorcycle
and Rapid Response Unit of the Police was the target of the
attack.
Dr. Rubina Khalid (55), a senior
professor of the Dow University of Health Sciences and a Sunni,
was shot dead by unidentified assailants on University Road
in Guslhan Town of Karachi.
An unidentified bullet-riddled
dead body was found from Taisar Town area in Surjani Town area
of Gadap Town.
A man, identified as Amir (35),
was shot at and injured by unidentified armed assailants near
Johar Chowrangi in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
SFs said that al Qaeda and Ansarul
Aseer, the militant wing of TTP were behind the jailbreak plan.
The target of the militants was to set 125 terrorists of TTP
and other banned outfits free from the Karachi Central Jail,
the sources said. The security sources further added that some
jail officials, directly or indirectly, were part of this conspiracy,
adding that financial assistance of approximately PKR 90 million
for this plan was transferred from Afghanistan. It was also
revealed that the next target of the terrorists was Sukkur and
Hyderabad jail, if the plan of Karachi jailbreak was not foiled.
Unidentified militants attacked
polio vaccination team and injured a Tehsildar who was monitoring
the workers of the polio team in Kali Muhammad Umar Khan area
of Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District.
Balochistan Additional Secretary
Education Mohammad Tayyab Lehri while speaking at the concluding
ceremony of the five-year project ‘Balochistan Educational Program’
carried out by Save the Children with support from Embassy of
the Netherlands said, “Out of the 13,000 schools in Balochistan,
only 2,500 are for girls,” and there was a need to provide education
to children closer to their homes. “We have divided the Province
in 23000 pockets but there are only 13,000 schools in the Province.
Another 10,000 schools should be built,” he said.
The Oman Army announced that
it will recruit Baloch youths in its army from the Gwadar, Kech
and Panjgur Districts of Makran Division. According to sources,
an official delegation from Oman Army would be visiting Gwadar
soon to complete the recruitment process.
The CJP, Nasirul Mulk observed
that the Supreme Court could not overlook the problems being
faced by the minorities and issued notices to the Attorney General
of Pakistan and the four Provincial Advocate Generals seeking
their respective reports on the implementation of the apex court’s
directives for the protection of minority rights. A three-member
bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice, resumed
hearing related to the implementation of its June 19, 2014,
directives for protection of minority worship places in the
country. The court was informed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
had directed the Departments concerned to ensure protection
of the constitutional rights of minorities in the country.
Representative of Minorities
Dr. Ramesh Kumar alleged that the Federal and Provincial Governments
had failed to implement the landmark judgment of the apex court
in the instant matter, adding that nobody was ready to address
their issues in the Government offices. Chief Justice Nasirul
Mulk asked Dr. Kumar to file a written application in this regard.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till December 16, 2014.
Former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf while talking to British BBC said that he had
allowed only one drone strike and the charges of high treason
against him are political in nature. He said the charges of
high treason were leveled against him to get revenge from him.“Revenge
is being sought and I am being targeted. I believe truth and
justice will prevail,” he said.
He further said that Western
democracy could not be implemented in Pakistan, adding that
the system needs to be in accordance with the local environment.
“You want to impose democracy like yours on every place. It
is not workable because every country has its own problems.
Every country should move according to its environment,” said
Musharraf. He said that he believed in democracy but democracy
like London or the United States could not be imposed here.
He also said that he was not
against relations with India but interests of Pakistan should
be safeguarded. He said no one in Pakistan was ready to be humiliated
on account of relations with India. “They (India) are weary
of our attitude. Neither they nor us are ready to give in,”
he concluded.
The uneasy truth of Pakistan’s
less-than-trusting relationship with the US was acknowledged
by a key member of the Federal Cabinet when Defence Minister
Khawaja Asif drew a large question mark on the reliability of
Washington as a friend of Pakistan. “The Americans have been
our friends for a long time – since the 60s and the 70s – but
their reliability is relative,” he told a packed audience at
the Institute of Strategic Studies.
The chief of the TTP has escaped
a US drone strike in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province close
to the border with Pakistan, officials said. Highly placed intelligence
sources had told Dawn that the unmanned aircraft fired
four missiles on a compound in Nazyan village in southeastern
Afghanistan in the night of November 24, killing at least five
Pakistani and Afghan militants near the Pak-Afghan border.
The Investigation Wing of the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police told the IGP that terrorist attacks
have recorded a decrease during the current year compared to
2013. IGP Nasir Khan Durrani held a meeting at the Central Police
Office to review the overall crime situation and the working
of Investigation Wing of KP Police during 2014. The meeting
was held after Lutfur Rahman, Opposition Leader in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Assembly, said on Monday 900 percent increase was reported in
extortion cases.
The Investigation Wing claimed
there has been a substantial decrease in instances of IED blasts,
vehicle-borne IEDs and suicide attacks in 2014 with the total
number of terrorist attacks having reduced to 438 in the said
period compared to a total of 468 cases of terrorism reported
during the corresponding period in 2013. With an overall 7 percent
decrease in the total number of terrorism incidents reported
during 2014, there has been a staggering 45 percent decrease
in suicide attacks that have come down to 10 in comparison to
18 suicide attacks in the last year.
Around 50 percent decrease was
recorded in vehicle-borne IED attacks that have come down to
3 compared to 6 vehicle-borne IED attacks in the last year,
25 percent decrease in IED blasts which have come down to 218
compared to a total of 284 IED attacks during the past year
and 30 percent reduction in rocket attacks that have come down
to 14 compared to 20 attacks in 2013. The report identified
an increase in the incidents of target killing during the said
period. The target killers of individuals have increased from
113 to 131 compared to the corresponding period in 2013.
According to the details, during
the said period, KP Police successfully repulsed 103 terrorist
attacks, diffused 316 suicide jackets and IEDs and arrested
174 terrorists. Similarly, 26 hardened terrorists were killed
during encounters with the police. However, during the current
year, a considerable increase was observed in the registered
cases of extortion as a total of 285 cases of extortion were
registered in the province during the current year. Reportedly,
extortion is an offence which was deliberately underreported
during the past five years. The IGP urged all SP Investigations
to give special attention to the cases of extortion. The Additional
IG Investigation informed the IGP that during the current year
KP police worked out 154 cases of extortion.
According to data analysis by
human rights group Reprieve, the CIA killed a whopping 221 people,
including 103 children, in Pakistan in the hunt for just four
men (three of whom are still alive and a fourth of whom died
from natural causes) on Barack Obama’s secret Kill List – a
covert US programme that selects individual targets for assassination
and requires no public presentation of evidence or judicial
oversight. The report revealed that the Obama administration
may have killed as many as 1,147 people during attempts to kill
41 men in Yemen and Pakistan – accounting for a quarter of all
possible drone strike casualties in both countries.
Each was targeted and/or reported
killed more than three times on average before they were actually
killed. In one instance, a person was targeted seven times before
eventually being killed. Two others were killed six times and
one is believed to still be alive today, said the report. In
Pakistan, 24 men were reported killed or targeted multiple times.
Missed strikes on these men killed 874 other people, and account
for the 35% of all confirmed civilian casualties in Pakistani
drone strikes. They also resulted in the deaths of 142 children.
Each person was killed an average three times.
November 26
Seven militants were killed
when US drone fired two missiles at a house in the Shawal area
of NWA in FATA. “According to intercepts of the internal conversations
of militants, seven militants died in the drone strike,” one
official said on condition of anonymity. There was no further
information about the identity of the militants due to a lack
of communication in the area.
Two bullet-riddled bodies were
found from Kalanga area in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.
The dead bodies were identified as Musawir Khan and Fazal Rahman.
The ISIS distributed pamphlets
in Wana area of the SWA, demanding cooperation of the people.
According to details, the pamphlets issued warning to the authorities
who are against extremist activities. Pamphlets by the ISIS
also made an appeal to the residents of the area to cooperate
with ISIS. According to the pamphlets, ISIS would counter its
opposition in every district and village. Furthermore, pamphlets
also state that they have got permission of the chief of the
ISIS to conduct counter attacks.
Unidentified militants shot
dead four polio workers, including three female health workers,
and injured three others on the Eastern Bypass in the outskirts
of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Police officials
said that the members of the polio team were travelling in a
pick-up towards the BHU, Mengalabad, on the Eastern Bypass when
unidentified militants intercepted their vehicle and opened
indiscriminate firing on the health workers. The deceased were
identified as Hameeda Malik, Imam Bibi, Hameeda Bibi and Ijaz.
The assailants managed to flee. The injured were identified
as Fareeda, Sumera and Salma Bibi.
In an incident of target killing,
a religious leader, Guam Nadal Irfan (45), was shot dead in
Sector E-11/4 of the federal capital Islamabad in the night
of November 26 when he was going to E-11 from G-11. The victim
hailed from Gilgit. He was a ‘Zakir’ in an Imambargah. Guam
Nadal Irfan, son of Gul Aman was going to meet a family living
in House no. 290, Street 20, Sector E-11/4 after setting off
from G-11/2 when a group of unidentified assailants intercepted
him and riddled him with bullets.
A Shia cleric and senior leader
of MWM, Allama Muhammad Nawaz Irfani, shot dead in a drive-by
shooting in the limits of Golrah Police Station in the Federal
capital Islamabad. According to the Police, Allama Nawaz Irfani,
was targeted on way to Islamabad from his home town Parachinar
in Kurram Agency of FATA.
November 27
The Police and Rangers arrested
over a dozen suspects from various parts of the city. A man,
identified as Shahab, was shot dead in Bangali Para locality
of Korangi Town in Karachi of Sindh.
An unidentified bullet-riddled
dead body was found near a water drain in Surjani Town area
of Gadap Town.
Over 30 suspects were arrested
during a search operation conducted to arrest assailants involved
in the killing of four polio workers in Quetta on November 26,
2014. A Police Official said that most suspects were taken into
custody at Mohalla Khelabad area, adding that arms and ammunition
were also seized from their possession.
The Supreme Court said that
no compromise can be made on the killings of polio workers and
asked the Provincial Governments to improve security arrangements
for them. The Court rejected affidavits filed by Government
of Punjab and KP Government on regularizing LHWs within 24 hours
and payment of salary to them. The court while giving last chance
to Government of Punjab, KP, Balochistan and Sindh to file the
affidavits afresh has made it clear that contempt of court proceedings
will be initiated against the officers concerned if affidavits
are not filed.
November 28
Eleven militants were killed
and five of their hideouts destroyed in air strikes in Kukikhel
area of in Tirah valley of FATA. Official sources said that
eight militants belonging to the Tariq Afridi faction of TTP
were killed when military planes bombed their hideouts in Tor
Darra, Sur Kas, Sra Vela and Wacho Wany areas. Three LI militants
were killed in similar attacks in Naakai area of Malikdin Khel
and Gaary area of Qambar Khel. Five hideouts were destroyed.
SFs put on fire some houses
of militants affiliated with the LI. An unspecified number of
civilians, including three teenagers, were released by SFs after
questioning.
Two persons including one SF
trooper were killed and three others wounded in a blast in Phase-3
area of Hayatabad in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP.
Security officials said a vehicle of the SFs came under attack
in a roadside blast in Phase 3 Hayatabad, killing two personals
including a sepoy Jamal Hussain and one Abdul Basit, an official
in the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education. Another
civilian Javed and two soldiers Noor Saeed and Said Marjan were
also wounded in the attack.
A bomb went off at around 6:30
pm near the house of Aman Ullah, a retired banker, in Faqirabad
area of Peshawar. The bomb damaged the building and injured
three passersby, Masood, Sikander and Ashfaq.
A pro-Government peace committee
chief remained unhurt while his bodyguard sustained injuries
in a remote-control blast near Gara Mhito on the Tank-Wana Road
in Tank town of same District.
Three Lyari gangsters were killed
in a shootout in Gul Muhammad Lane of Lyari Town in Karachi,
the provincial of Sindh. The accused were involved in firing,
extortion and kidnapping-for-ransom.
Two workers of the MQM, identified
as Shahid Hussain (20) and Shahbaz (32), were shot dead while
they were sitting at Cafe Tahsin in Chishti Nagar area of Orangi
Town. MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil said that the two MQM men
fell victim to targeted killing.
Jundullah claimed responsibility
for the November 26, 2014 attack on anti-polio campaigners in
Quetta in which four vaccinators were killed and three wounded.
Ahmed Marwat, the 'spokesperson' for Jundullah, told a foreign
news agency correspondent in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa that the group was responsible for the killings.
“They were Yahood-o-Nasara, western Jews agents, and such attacks
will continue on polio workers in the future,” he said.
November 29
Secretary General of JUI-F Sindh
Chapter Khalid Mehmood Soomro was shot dead while he was leading
prayers at a mosque attached to a madrassah in Khosa Goth area
of Sukkur District.
A boy was killed while five
others were injured after two unidentified assailants lobbed
hand crackers on a police mobile within the jurisdiction of
GOR Police Station in Hyderabad District. A police officer said,
“The attackers missed the target and resultant explosions caused
injuries to pedestrians.” No outfit claimed responsibility for
the attack.
A blast occurred when a Police
armoured vehicle was passing through Frontier Road near Aziz
Market area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to SSP, Operations, Najeeb-ur-Rehman, the blast apparently
targeted the Police vehicle but fortunately it remained safe
in the attack and no loss of life was reported.
November 30
Two key TTP ‘commanders’, Abubakar
and Wajid, were killed in a clash with the SFs in Lashora area
of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.
Several militant hideouts were
destroyed in Hassan Khel area of FR Peshawar during a SFs operation.
The operation was launched after midnight of November 29 when
a large contingent of the Pakistan Army, armed with mortar batteries,
stealthily entered the area and surrounded the hilly terrain.
Army targeted militant hideouts deep within the mountain ranges
by early morning. The militants offered some resistance before
disappearing into the heavily-forested hills.
Unidentified militants opened
indiscriminate fire killing an unidentified man and injuring
two others in Nazimabad Town of Karachi District.
15 police officials, including
the SHO of Lakhi Dar Police Station were injured when a mob
of over 100 people, including armed assailants, attacked the
Police Station in Shikarpur District.
CPLC and the AVCC arrested a
kidnapping gang which included two men, identified as Nadeem
Abbas and Muzammil Hussain, and a woman from Nazimabad Town.
The accused were involved in the kidnapping of bankers. Meezan
Bank Limited Federal B Area Branch Manager Arif Khan was kidnapped
and ransom of PKR 9 lac was given for his release.
Wall chalking against the Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ also known as Islamic State,
IS) have emerged in Karachi, following the recent discovery
of graffiti in support of the militant organisation in parts
of the country. The anti-IS wall chalking consist of slogans
stating, "Those who support Daish (IS) are traitors of
Pakistan...Death to Daish."
A paramilitary soldier, identified
as Shireen ul Islam, was killed and two others were wounded
when unidentified militants fired a RPG at a FC vehicle in Tump
area of Kech District. No group claimed responsibility for the
attack.
Two mutilated dead bodies of
JSMM cadres were found in the Nooriabad Industrial area in Jamshoro
District in the night. One of them was identified as Sarwech
Pirzado (24), who had gone missing from Saddar Town in provincial
capital Karachi on September 11, 2014.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead a Shia doctor, identified as identified as Shamim
Raza, in his private clinic located in Korangi Town of Karachi.
Following the incident SSP Korangi suspended the SHO of the
area.
A FC soldier, identified as
Shireen Khan, and a suspected militant were killed in a roadside
bomb attack in Tump are of Kech District. The FC troops fired
back and killed a militant after an exchange of fire. Earlier
it was reported that a paramilitary soldier was killed in RPG
attack.
Three FWO security personnel
were injured in an ambush with militants in Vashaap area of
Panjgur District. The injured were identified as Mohammad Farooq,
Mohammad Afzal and Din Mohammad.
December 1
The CID’s AEC recovered bombs
and other explosives in a raid on militants' hideout in Mominabad
area of Orangi Town in Karachi. DSP Ali Raza, who heads the
AEC, said that the raid was conducted on the basis of information
they received about the presence of TTP.
Initial reports suggest that
around 100 kilograms of explosive material was recovered from
the hideout along with three suicide jackets which were ready
to be used, one bottle bomb, three hand grenades, 18 packet
bombs, one Kalashnikov, 30 detonators, wires, six batteries,
13 cell phones, three remote controls, two vehicles with government
number plates, three pistols, six uniforms belonging to security
forces, including the Police.
At least 14 suspects were detained
and weapons were recovered during an overnight targeted operation
in Bilal Colony of New Karachi Town. The suspects were taken
to an undisclosed location for further questioning.
The Police recovered 24 awan
bombs and weapons, including four pistols and more than 800
ammunitions for sub-machine guns, during a targeted operation
conducted near Gabol Park in Kalakot area of Lyari Town. Police
officials claimed that the operation was conducted on information
they received about the presence of gangsters in the area. They
added that a gangster was injured but managed to escape.
SFs seized a truck carrying
around 5,000 kilograms of explosives as it was attempting to
enter Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. They also
recovered a large number of weapons during raids and searches
conducted in Quetta, Panjgur and Zhob District.
Two Policemen and one student
were injured during sectarian clash at Government Degree College
in Gilgit District. The students had gathered to mark a religious
day when the clash erupted.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
said that the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb would hopefully help
purge the country of terrorist elements. The Prime Minister
reiterated his Government’s concerted support to operation Zarb-e-Azb
in the tribal areas of the country, till its logical conclusion.
He said that securing its sovereignty was the foremost obligation
for an independent country.
During a meeting with the CoAS
General Raheel Sharif at the State Department the US Secretary
of State, John Kerry, said that the Pakistan Army is a real
force keeping the country united. While praising Pakistan Army’s
professionalism, he termed it as a truly binding force, according
to the DG ISPR.
KP IGP Nasir Khan Durrani claimed
that the ransom and extortion money collected in the Province
was being used for militant activities. He was distributing
cash and commendation certificates to Karak and Tank Police
personnel over the recovery of three schoolchildren kidnapped
in Bannu District.
A spokesman for the Police said
that the kidnappers had demanded PKR 90 million for the release
of kidnapped students and the families were ready to pay PKR
30 million ransom for their children’s release. It said after
an encounter, the Police arrested a kidnapper and two targeted
killers.
Khyber Rifles commandant Colonel
Tariq Hafeez while addressing tribal elders at Jamrud Jirga
Hall of Khyber Rifles said that “Operation Khyber-1” is successfully
under way in Bara tehsil and most of the militants from
various groups have surrendered. He said that most of the areas
had been cleared of militants and the rest would be cleared
soon.
The official said the forces
were committed to flushing out all anti-state elements from
their soil. He urged the elders and Maliks to unite against
anti-state elements and form a peace committee to help restore
peace. Colonel Hafeez said the military operation might affect
the other areas in Khyber Agency as the militants were taking
refuge in Jamrud or Landikotal tehsils.
The NCMC fears that around 1,000
proclaimed absconders have joined militant groups operating
from Awaran District in Balochistan, North Waziristan Agency,
other tribal regions of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These absconders
are either wanted by Islamabad Police or ATCs within Islamabad,
officials claimed. A senior official who prepared a list of
these absconders said that one Sharif Khan (31), joined Haji
Namdar group for jihad in North Waziristan Agency after he was
declared a absconder by the ATC-I, Islamabad in 2011.
His brother, Junaid Khan (29),
joined LI of Mangal Bagh in Khyber Agency after Islamabad Police
declared him a proclaimed absconder. Both brothers were wanted
by Secretariat Police and numerous ATCs due to their involvement
in planning several suicide attacks in Islamabad, Peshawar and
Rawalpindi, he said. NCMC officials claimed that both brothers
are now believed to be fighting against Law Enforcement Agencies
in North Waziristan and other tribal agencies.
Pakistan's military and spy
agency, ISI, lodged complaints with the Government against fake
accounts of their chiefs on social networking site Facebook.
The complaint, according to a report, was made to the Ministry
of Information and Technology and the PTA, a telecom regulator,
stating that barring the account of military spokesman Major
General Asim Saleem Bajwa, the rest were fake.
Khurram Mehran, a PTA spokesman,
said that whenever such a complaint is received, it is taken
up with the relevant organisation for appropriate action. Another
official said the material hosted by the website was operated
from the United States so the PTA cannot delete a specific link
on its own and has to depend on cooperation from Facebook management.
"The Government, however, can block an entire website as
it did with YouTube," he added.
A military official said after
the appointment of General Raheel Sharif as army chief in November
2013, at least 37 accounts were created on Facebook posing to
be his. He said PTA took up the matter and Facebook management
subsequently deleted most of them but the fake accounts resurfaced
again after a few weeks. The report said these accounts update
statuses put up pictures, military's press releases, army medals
and famous quotes to appear authentic.
December 2
At least 17 militants, including
foreign fighters, were killed and several of their hideouts
were destroyed when military warplanes targeted the hideouts
of militants in different areas of Datta Khel tehsil
in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.
SFs successfully repulsed a
pre-dawn militant attack on a check post they were manning in
the Sherin Dara area of Orakzai Agency. Security forces said
they retrieved seven bodies after the attack. Tribal sources,
however, said that 15 militants were killed in the clash and
that the fleeing militants took away eight bodies with them.
Orakzai Agency shares a border with Khyber Agency where a security
operation has been ongoing since mid-October. It was the 4th
militant attack on the Sherin Dara check post.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan said
that he would not have sent the Army to the tribal areas had
he been in power. He said the Government does not know how many
plans he had. He said the people would have to sacrifice for
the shutdown of Pakistan, as freedom could not be won without
rendering sacrifices.
KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad
Khan promised to facilitate the return of the IDPs within a
few weeks if the tribal elders take responsibility for maintaining
peace in the respective areas in Khyber Agency. The Governor
said the objective of the ongoing military operation in the
tribal areas was the restoration of peace. The Governor said
the Prime Minister knew the sufferings of the tribesmen.
A militant was killed and seven
ATF personnel were injured during a joint encounter conducted
by Police and Frontier Corps in Eastern Bypass area of Quetta.
The militant killed was allegedly involved in the November 26,
2014, attack on polio workers. Three suspects were also arrested
from the area and Police claimed to have recovered arms and
ammunition from their possession.
At least two people were injured
in a blast targeting the Adviser to Chief Minister on Education
Sardar Raza Mohammad Barech on Joint Road in Quetta. Barech
belongs to the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and is an elected
legislator in the Balochistan Assembly. No outfit claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Unidentified armed assailants
kidnapped a Hindu doctor, identified as Dr Manoj Kumar, from
Quetta. Kumar is a medical officer at the District Headquarters
Hospital Dadhar, and also teaches students in the provincial
capital. “Police have found the abandoned car of Dr Kumar at
the parking lot. It seems an apparent case of kidnapping-for-ransom,”
SSP-Operations Quetta, Aetizaz Goraya said.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr
Abdul Malik Baloch has admitted that there has been no progress
in his efforts to initiate talks with Baloch leaders living
abroad. He said that the self-exiled Baloch leaders were not
willing to engage in dialogue.
Dr Malik said he had a mandate
from the Federal Government and major political parties for
initiating the dialogue, but he could do it only if other party
was also ready for that. He vowed to persevere in his efforts.
He further said that he would not rule out the involvement of
a foreign hand in the law and order situation in Balochistan.
The foreigners were using local people for fulfilling their
nefarious designs, he added.
US authorities agreed to step
up air strikes, including drone attacks, on Pakistani militants
sheltering across the border in Afghanistan. According to sources,
in their meetings with US and Afghan officials, Pakistani officials
repeatedly raised the issue of Taliban militants using the northeastern
Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nuristan as a launching pad for
attacks on its Security Forces in the border regions.
The sources further added that
the Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani, who visited Islamabad
from November 14-15, was also shown documentary proof of activities
of Pakistani militants on Afghan soil. They say that fugitive
TTP chief Mullah Fazlullah and his loyalists have been sheltering
across the border in Afghanistan after they were routed from
Swat in a military operation in 2009.
Sources said that US authorities
have finally realised the gravity of the situation and started
a hunt for three top Pakistani militant commanders, Mullah Fazlullah,
Maulvi Faqir Muhammad and Mangal Bagh Afridi. Maulvi Faqir is
said to be in custody of the Afghan government, while Mullah
Fazlullah and Mangal Bagh freely roam around in Afghanistan
and mastermind terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the Chief
of JuD, the front organisation of the Pakistan based LeT said
that thousands of people will be attending and participating
in the congregation starting on December 4, 2014 at Minar-e-Pakistan
monument in Lahore District of Punjab Province. The Pakistan
Government is running two special trains to transport people
to Lahore for the terror group's two-day congregation. Pakistan
Railways is operating the first train from December 2 from Hyderabad
District in Sindh Province that will arrive in Lahore in the
night of December 3. Another train will leave from Karachi and
arrive here on December 4.
The two special trains will
also take the people back to their hometowns on the conclusion
of the congregation. The JuD leadership had spoken to railways
minister Saad Rafique for his permission to run special trains
for its congregation. Spokesman for the country's railways Rauf
Tahir said there had been a "uniform policy" to run
special trains on the request of political and religious parties.
"The railways has a uniform policy for everyone. Pay and
hire a train. Two special trains will be run for JuD congregation
but not free of cost," he said.
Imran Khan's PTI also postponed
its call to block Lahore on December 4 on the request of the
JuD leadership. "Yes we have changed Lahore's plan on the
request of JuD. The JuD told us that thousands of people are
coming to Lahore on December 4 and it cannot afford any hurdle
in it," a senior PTI leader said on condition of anonymity.
December 3
At least 15 militants were killed
during airstrikes conducted by military fighter jets in the
Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. According
to ISPR, at least 15 suspected militants, including two key
commanders belonging to TTP were killed in precision airstrikes
carried out by the military.
Eight bullet-riddled bodies
of suspected militants were recovered from Tirah Valley in Khyber
Agency. Five bodies were recovered from one place and three
from another, a senior Government official said on condition
of anonymity.
Two LeI cadres were killed in
a clash with pro-Government militia TuI in the Naray Baba area
of Tirah Valley. Seven TuI fighters were also wounded in the
clash.
A bomb planted near the main
gate of Government High School for Boys in Mali Khel area of
FR Bannu was defused by Security Forces.
Police killed two target killers
in an encounter that took place in Manghopir area of Gadap Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
An unidentified woman was killed
and three others were injured in a firing incident at Mominabad
area of Orangi Town.
A gangster was injured when
a group of rival gangsters opened fire on him at H Block area
of North Nazimabad Town.
STP Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi
appealed to the chief of JSMM, Shafi Burfat to give up armed
struggle as the Province cannot bear the burden of a “guerilla
war” at this juncture. He claimed that JSMM’s strategy was not
only leading to killings of innocent youths at the hands of
‘state organs’, but it was also damaging Sindhi nationalists’
movement in the Province, who he said were working for a peaceful
co-existence through democratic struggle.
Unidentified militants in an
act of target killing killed two Policemen in Shalkot area of
Quetta. Sariab SP Imran Qureshi said that armed men opened fire
at Policemen and killed one personnel on the spot. He said the
other policeman was shifted to a hospital where he succumbed
to his injuries. "It seems to be a targeted killing,"
Qureshi said.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a man, identified as Gull Muhammad, in Surkhab area of
Pishin District.
Three shops were destroyed when
a homemade bomb planted by unidentified militants went off in
front of a market in Kahi area of Hangu town (Hangu District)
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported
in the incident. Saddar Police official Abid Khan said the device
was planted just outside Habib Khan Market and was detonated
via remote control.
City Police finalised a security
plan for the two-day Jama'at-ud-Dawa (JuD) ‘convention’ set
to start at Minto Park in provincial capital Lahore on December
4, 2014. Over 3,000 Policemen including 34 SHO, 15 DSPs, two
SPs will be deployed at the park to secure the venue. Nearly
60 snipers would remain on-guard at 60 rooftops in its vicinity.
Officials from the Special Branch, the Mujahid and the Elite
Combat force will also be posted at the venue.
Security SP Malik Liaqat said
Police had briefed JuD officials on how the law and order situation
was not conducive to holding rallies. Also, JuD has established
nearly 70 camps across the city to meet and greet those converging
on Lahore to participate in the convention. A JuD spokesperson
said nearly 18 tent cities had been established at the venue
to provide the participants with lodging facilities.
Disputing the numerical claims
of HRCP on Baloch migration, the National Assembly was informed
that an estimated 5,000 people have migrated from the Province
to other parts of the country under the threat of attacks on
their families. Parliamentary Secretary for Interior and Narcotics
Maryam Aurangzeb informed the House in response to a calling
attention notice that these migrated people included Punjabis,
Urdu speaking and Hazaras.
Earlier on October 12, the chairperson
of Zohra Yusuf had said that Balochistan has been made a fertile
place for armed religious extremists under a plan and as a result
about 300,000 Shias, Zikris, and Hindus have migrated to other
areas of the country. The migrants, according to the HRCP report,
included 200,000 Shias of the Hazara community, 10,000 Hindus,
300 Parsi families, 400 members of the Zikri sect and the remaining
about 90,000 people belonging to Punjabi- and Urdu-speaking
communities who left the Province to avoid violence. She said
strengthening of religious extremists had caused the migration
of innocent citizens but the real objective was to weaken the
Baloch nationalist militants.
The ICBL report said that Pakistan
is one of only four countries in the world which still produces
anti-personnel landmines and has the second largest stockpile
of such mines. ICBL report “Landmine Monitor 2014”, identified
11 states namely China, Cuba, India, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea,
Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam as potential
producers of anti-personnel mines. The report said that although
most of these countries are not actively producing mines but
they reserve the right to do so. Of these, Pakistan, India,
Myanmar, and South Korea still believed to be manufacturing
the mines.
According to the estimates of
the monitoring body, out of the 35 states who are not party
to the Mine Ban Treaty, as many as 31 are stockpiling the weapon.
It stated that Pakistan has the second largest stockpile of
mines with an estimated six million anti-personnel landmines,
behind Russia which has a staggering 26.5 million mines. India,
Pakistan’s arch rival, is third on the list with an estimated
4-5 million anti-personnel landmines.
Federal Information Minister
Pervaiz Rashid’s remarks on the status of Gilgit Baltistan caused
an outcry among political leaders in the region. Earlier on
December 2, 2014, Rashid claimed that Gilgit Baltistan is only
geographically a part of Pakistan whereas it is legally a separate
entity. The information minister’s remarks earned the ire of
many regional leaders who censured him for isolating GB from
the country.
“Pervaiz Rashid has clarified
GB’s position in relation to Pakistan’s Constitution,” said
Muhammad Javed, Central Chairman of Karakoram National Movement.
Javed insisted that the region should be granted autonomy. Furthermore,
he also voiced objections over Pakistan’s decision to develop
a railway track connecting Gwadar District in Balochistan Province
with China via GB. “Pakistan has no right to make agreements
about the region with any foreign country without the consent
of the local people,” Javed added.
December 4
At least 18 suspected militants
were killed during air strikes conducted by PAF fighter jets
in Madakhel area of Dattakhel tehsil in North Waziristan
Agency of FATA.
Three people, including a member
of village defence committee, identified as Siraj Khan, and
his wife and daughter, were killed in an IED blast in Karani
area of Nawagai tehsil of Bajaur Agency. The wife and daughter
were identified as Gul Pari and Laila, respectively.
Two activists pro-government
TI activists were killed in an IED blast in Nari Baba area of
Bazaar Zakhakhel in Khyber Agency.
At least one person was killed
and 13 others were injured in an explosion near Sabzi Mandi
area in Satellite Town of provincial capital Quetta. Akbar Hussain
Durrani, the Provincial Home Secretary, said that the target
of the remotely-detonated bomb was a SF’s vehicle. No outfit
claimed responsibility for the attack.
A private school principal,
identified as Zahid Askani, was shot dead by unidentified armed
assailants near Oasis school in Gwadar District. Askani was
the founder of the school which was primarily a co-education
institution and an English language teaching centre.
FC personnel foiled two major
terror bids during separate raids in Mastung District and Chaman
town of Qilla Abdullah District. The DIG FC, Brigadier Tahir
Mehmood said that the forces conducted a raid in Rehman Kahol
area of Chaman and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition.
Two gangsters affiliated with
Baba Ladla group were killed in Police operation launched near
Mujahid Park in Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
Unidentified armed assailants
opened fire at the residence of Shahbaz Gormani, a lawyer defending
a university lecturer accused of blasphemy, and dropped a letter
warning him to withdraw from the case in Multan District. However,
Gormani escaped unhurt. Gormani had been appointed defence lawyer
in the case after gunmen shot dead Rashid Rehman, a defence
counsel for Junaid Hafeez. Hafeez, a lecturer at Bahauddin Zakariya
University, was accused of making derogatory remarks against
the Prophet Mohammed in March 2013.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
during his address at the London Conference on Afghanistan said
that Islamabad and Kabul are in agreement on fighting terrorism
without discrimination. While reiterating Pakistan’s strong
solidarity with the people of Afghanistan he urged the international
community to do more to help the Afghan leadership realize its
vision. He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan were committed
to advance their common goal of a peaceful, stable, united and
prosperous Afghanistan.
With Pakistan Army fighting
militants in North Waziristan Agency of FATA, CoAS General Raheel
Sharif while addressing the eighth International Defence Exhibition
and Seminar (IDEAS) 2014 in Karachi said that the presence of
non-state elements in Pakistan has complicated the internal
security situation. He said that solving Kashmir issue was necessary
for maintaining peace in the region.
Speaking at the Youth Parliament
Convention in Karachi, former President General (retired) Pervez
Musharraf termed recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan
a blunder on part of Pakistan but blamed the West and US for
the birth of al Qaeda and leaving Pakistan high and dry after
the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. He said Pakistan suffered
due to wrong policies of the US as the country had to fight
on two fronts simultaneously in 1979, which led to an increase
in the size of the armed forces. Musharraf said efforts have
been made to destabilise Pakistan right from 50s and 60s era.
“Some say Taliban are our children and we created them… but
it’s not true,” said the former President. He said Islamic Mujahidin
were introduced to fight against the Soviet Union in 1979 and
subsequently the Soviets were defeated and evacuated Afghanistan
in 1989. Musharraf regretted that Mujahidin were not looked
after following their ‘utilisation’ against the Soviets. He,
however, admitted that recognising the Taliban regime in Afghanistan
was a blunder on Pakistan’s part.
Further commenting on prevailing
political situation, the Musharraf said that Army must have
a constitutional role in Pakistan. Political parties do not
take better decisions in the greater interest of the nation
and democratic Governments have never performed well in Pakistan,
he claimed. “Progress was only made during Ayub Khan’s regime
besides mine.” Musharraf claimed.
Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson
Tasneem Aslam during a weekly news briefing in Islamabad said
that there is no immediate breakthrough expected in resumption
of bilateral dialogue with India. Foreign Office said Pakistan
believes that peace and stability in the region is important
for development. However, there is no immediate breakthrough
expected in resumption of bilateral dialogue with India.
A congregation organised by
the JuD that started called for reviving the struggle for complete
enforcement of Sharia'h, protecting and promoting Islamic ideology
of Pakistan and jihad against the enemies of Islam to uphold
Muslim nationhood across the world and liberating the occupied
Muslim territories. The two-day event is being participated
by the top leaders of all religious parties of the country.
The conference was chaired by JuD amir Hafiz Muhammad
Saeed. He said that it was time that Pakistanis should revive
the pledge their ancestors had made at the same place in 1940
about not living under the hegemony of Hindus by creating Pakistan
for practicing Islamic Sharia'h.
Addressing the conference, they
expressed their resolve for protecting the Islamic ideology
of Pakistan against the conspiracies of enemies and secular
elements, and holding that deviation from Pakistan’s ideology
resulted in the country’s break up in 1971. They stressed that
Kashmir and Pakistan could never be separated as Father of the
Nation described the disputed state as jugular vein of the country.
According to officials, the
TTP militants holed up in Afghanistan are being squeezed by
US drone strikes and a revolt against them, a trend that could
disrupt the insurgents’ capability to strike in Pakistan. For
years, TTP 'commanders' fighting the Pakistani state have been
hiding in remote areas of east Afghanistan, plotting attacks
and recruiting. But in recent weeks, officials say the insurgency
has been weakened by a spate strikes by US drones and a rebellion
by tribesmen in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province. The Pakistani
and Afghan Taliban are allied and share the goal of toppling
their respective Governments and setting up an Islamic state
across the region.
Four TTP 'commanders' told media
that drone strikes and tension with tribesmen had forced them
to move from small Afghan towns to mountainous border areas.
Two of them said they narrowly missed being hit by US drones
last month.
The US Congress extended the
CSF for Pakistan for a year but has also included some new conditions
in its final budget proposals. The fund reimburses US allies
for the efforts they make in the war against terror. The final
budget proposal, however, clarifies that Pakistan cannot receive
more than a billion dollars in a year from this fund. Pakistan
received USD 370 million from this fund in October, 2014. The
annual imbursements are made in four installments. The final
text, issued by the US Senate Armed Services Committee, shows
that the support fund for Pakistan has been extended till US
fiscal year 2015.
Of the total amount of reimbursements
and support authorised for Pakistan during fiscal year 2015,
USD 300 million shall not be eligible for the waiver unless
the US Secretary of Defence certifies to the Congressional Defence
Committees that Pakistan has “undertaken military operations
in North Waziristan that have contributed to significantly disrupting
the safe haven and freedom of movement of the Haqqani Network
in Pakistan.”
December 5
One soldier, identified as Subedar
Sanobar Khan was killed and six others, including a civilian,
were injured when the militants fired rockets at the Tehsil
Headquarters in Kalaya town of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Sources
said the militants from Shireen Darra and Khwa Darra areas fired
dozens of rockets at the Tehsil Headquarters, killing one soldier
and injuring six others.
The US Congress has set the
limits of military operation in North Waziristan without any
knowledge and information of Parliament. While the Pakistani
Parliament was never consulted on this military offensive, the
US Congress has set new conditions as how this operation should
be conducted to pave the way for military aid for Pakistan.
Every time parliament here was
consulted during the recent years on the issue of the so-called
US war on terror, it had opposed the war on terror and sought
formation of policies independent of foreign influence particularly
that of the US. However, while extending Coalition Support Fund
for Pakistan for a year, the US Congress of late set new conditions
in its final budget proposals to achieve the objectives of the
US war on terror.
As reported in the media, “Of
the total amount of reimbursements and support authorised for
eligible for the waiver unless the US Secretary of Defence certifies
to the congressional defence committees that Pakistan has ‘undertaken
military operations in North Waziristan that have contributed
to significantly disrupting the safe haven and freedom of movement
of the Haqqani network in Pakistan’.”
Pakistan suffered loss of almost
USD 80 billion as well as 50,000 lives of civilians and law
enforcement agencies during the decade long war against terrorism,
Government told National Assembly. In a written reply Ministry
of Interior informed the house that Pakistan has been victim
of terrorism for the last ten years. The Parliamentary Secretary
for Interior, Maryam Aurangzeb said extremist groups have been
active throughout the country with their own ideology and motives.
Maryam Aurangzeb said several policy steps have been taken for
controlling and improving law and order situation in the country.
She said the Government has prepared a new policy for strengthening
internal security and to improve law and order.
Answering to another question,
she told the house that NARA has registered a total of 14369
aliens from January 2008 to August 2014 without biometrics.
Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan
told the House that Government’s negotiations with IMF have
been succeeded and last tranche has been approved. To a question,
he said the FBR is striving for a uniform rate of Sales Tax
on all commodities. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs,
Sheikh Aftab Ahmed told the House that 66,555 contract employees
of grade one to fifteen have been regularized according to the
Cabinet’s decision of the previous Government.
Three unidentified dead bodies
were found dumped near a river in Pishin District. Doctors revealed
that when the bodies were found, their hands were tied behind
their back and their eyes were blindfolded. There were multiple
marks of torture on the bodies, which are three to four days
old. “They look like Baloch,” an official at Pishin Levies Control
Room said.
December 6
Pakistan’s military killed Adnan
el Shukrijumah (39), a Saudi national and senior al Qaeda commander
along with his associate and a local facilitator in Wana, the
headquarters of South Waziristan tribal region of FATA in a
predawn ground raid on a militant hideout close to the border
with Afghanistan. One soldier was also killed and another wounded
during the raid.
10 people were injured in two
separate hand grenade attacks in the parts of Lyari Town of
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The hand grenade attacks
were reported from Kalakot and Baghdadi areas of the locality,
in which at least ten people sustained injuries.
December 7
The ISPR said that up to 30
militants were killed when militants’ hideouts were pounded
in Mra Panga and Masdaq villages of the Dattakhel area in NWA
of FATA on strong intelligence reports about the presence of
Hafiz Gul Bahadur and his deputy Maulvi Sadiq Noor there.
Four soldiers and 12 militants
were killed while four troops sustained injuries when militants
attacked a bunker of SFs in the Akakhel area of Tirah Valley
in Khyber Agency. Sources said that dozens of LI and the TTP
militants stormed the bunker from two directions with heavy
weapons in the Akakhel area.
The Afghanistan Government has
delivered three senior TTP ‘commanders’ including Latifullah
Mehsud to Pakistan. “Yes, it’s true. Afghanistan finally delivered
these three hardcore terrorists to us. The ISAF had seized them
last year when they were coming out of a safe-house of the National
Directorate of Security in Afghanistan,” said a senior Pakistani
military official who wished not to be named as he was not authorised
to talk to the media on the issue. Latifullah Mehsud was deputy
to Hakimullah Mehsud. Military officials said two other TTP
commanders, Arafat and Jaffar, have also been delivered to Pakistan.
A man, identified as Umair (18),
was killed in Memon Goth area of Gadap Town.
One Amir (23) was shot dead
by unidentified armed assailants in Green Town area of Shah
Faisal Town.
A man, identified as Saeed Ahmed,
was shot dead and another, identified as Sadiqui (30), was injured
in a firing incident near Farooq-e-Azam mosque in Sakhi Hassan
Colony of North Nazimabad Town.
One Muhammad Imran (20) was
shot at and injured near Dakkhana Road in Liaquatabad Town.
Sindh Police IG of Police Ghulam
Haider Jamali said that coordinated efforts are being made at
every level to nab alleged terrorists, suspects and elements
fanning religious hatred so as to avert any untoward incident
on the eve of Chehlum mourned by the Shias. He said that
intelligence sharing, picketing and police patrolling had already
been activated in all the sensitive areas of the city.
According to unnamed officials,
one of the four terror suspects who had undergone plastic surgery
in an attempt to escape overseas from Lahore International Airport
was arrested.
The TTP announced the appointment
of Muhammad Khurasani as the group’s new spokesperson. “The
TTP leadership council, today, formally sacked spokesperson
Shahidullah Shahid and appointed Muhammad Khurasani as the new
spokesperson,” a TTP statement said.
December 8
The CID during an encounter
killed a terrorist, identified as Firdous Khan, who was involved
in Karsaz attack of 2007 in Manghopir area of Gadap Town in
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The Karsaz attack
was targeted at the welcome procession of the then PPP chairperson
Benazir Bhutto and had killed 150 people in two successive blasts
SSP CID Usman Bajwa said that the accused had played the role
of facilitator for the suicide attack. “Firdous Khan was associated
with banned outfit TTP-Mehsud group,” he said. Bajwa claimed
that Khan had brainwashed and equipped a bomber with explosives.
PML-N Member of Provincial Assembly,
Rana Jamil Hasan, who was kidnapped on May 31, 2014, crossed
over to Khyber Agency from Afghanistan on December 8 after being
released the Afghan Taliban. Official sources said that later,
he was shifted via Warsak to Peshawar, the provincial capital
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the escort of Security Forces on
the way to Islamabad. The sources further said that Rana Jamil
Hasan’s family members managed to contact the abductors and
negotiated his release. The terms of his release weren’t known.
Rana Jamil will be shifted to Peshawar on December 9, 2014.
The TTP Punjab Chapter chief
'commander' Qari Asmatullah Mauwiya safely attended his father’s
funeral prayer in a remote village near Katcha Khu in Khanewal
District and openly left the village despite tight police vigilance
and security measures. Mauwiya has been placed on top in the
lists of most wanted terrorists of the Punjab Police and the
Security Agencies. “Everyone knew that Asmatullah Mauwiya was
reaching the village expect the Police,” said a witness.
Khanewal DPO Rana Ayaz Salim
denied Asmatullah’s arrival in the District for the burial of
his father. He said the entire Police force had cordoned off
the area and he could not reach village. The DPO said the District
Police had activated the informers’ network but failed to find
him at the burial ceremony.
According to a document, marked
‘secret’ and bearing the subject, ‘threat alert’, which was
submitted to the Punjab Government warned the Punjab Government
that a group of activists from the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria (ISIS or Islamic State-IS), also known as ‘Daish’, are
currently in Pakistan. The document read that certain Daish
leaders from the Middle East are said to be travelling between
Lahore, Multan and Rahimyar Khan Districts. According to the
document, intelligence agencies believe that they are being
supported by members of Jundullah, a terrorist outfit that has
already pledged allegiance to IS leader, Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi.
The document, which was sent
to RPO Rawalpindi Akhtar Umar Hayat Laleka and other senior
Police Officers across the Province, names Zubair Al-Kuwaiti,
who is believed to be from the Middle East, and warns local
law enforcement to beef up vigilance at entry and exit points
to try and capture the suspects before they have a chance to
activate their network inside Pakistan.
TTP confirmed the handover of
three TTP 'commanders', including Lateefullah Mehsud, to Pakistan
by Afghanistan calling the move as “contrary to Afghan culture”.
“It is a shameful act by the Afghan Government,” the TTP spokesman,
Muhammad Khurasani, said in his email sent to media offices
days after Kabul announced it handed over three TTP 'commanders'.
US officials believe that the
TTP must also be using drug money to finance their activities.
“The logic is rather overwhelming. Drug traffickers have a substantial
presence in the region where the Taliban also operate,” said
a senior US official, adding, “They cannot move through that
area without support from the Taliban.”
Ambassador William R. Brownfield,
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs, is leading this delegation While US
officials see logical evidence for TTP’s involvement in the
drug trade, they say that so far they have not seen any evidence
to suggest that madrassa's are also being used for this purpose.
The official noted that the
drug trade was the single biggest revenue maker for Taliban,
which was a direct problem for Pakistan. “Obviously, TTP is
earning revenue, when an illicit drug moves through their areas.
We are almost 100 per cent certain that they are,” the official
added.
According to various sources,
the number of illegal weapons has crossed the 60 million mark
in the country. Though the Police and other Departments concerned
claim to have a tight check on unlicensed weapons, the illegal
weapons have been increasing in the country, including Punjab
with the passage of time. The data collected from various sources
reveal that the number of prohibited and non-prohibited weapons
is about 65 million in the country. Of these weapons, only 5
million weapons have licences while over 60 million are being
carried by people without licences.
According to the 1998 census,
there were two million licensed and 18 million unlicensed weapons
in the country. On the contrary, the present number is worrisome.
The sources say that there are about 17 million legal and illegal
weapons only in Karachi, whereas their number is over four million
in Lahore. A huge number of illegal weapons are present in the
suburbs of Peshawar and tribal areas. There are also factories
making big and small weapons including mausers, pistols and
Kalashnikovs. The sources said that most of the weapons found
in Pakistan are brought from the Federally Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA), Peshawar and Afghanistan’s Kunar Province via
Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies. The illegal weapons are smuggled
to Punjab from Afghanistan’s Paktia Province via North and South
Waziristan.
December 9
At least 11 militants were killed
and 12 others injured as jet fighters struck militant hideouts
in Kukikhel, Malikdin Khel, and Akakhel areas of Tirah Valley
in Khyber Agency of FATA. A statement issued by the ISPR said
that jet fighters targeted and destroyed three militant bases
in the fresh airstrike.
The PRO and FC spokesman Balochistan
Khan Wasey was injured in a firing incident on Double Road in
Quetta. No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
The CM of Balochistan, Dr Malik
Baloch termed extremism as a major threat to peace in the province.
"Extremism is now deep-rooted in Balochistan," the
Chief Minister. Senior journalists, human rights activists,
intellectuals from across the country participated in the seminar
to discuss Provincial Autonomy and the 18th Amendment and its
implications. The chief minister also said that extremism was
posing a serious threat to development in Balochistan, which
has been plagued by violence carried out by Baloch separatists
along with growing sectarianism. "This extremism is not
on the surface rather is it is deep rooted," he added.
Unidentified militants shot
dead a polio vaccinator, identified as Sarfraz Ahmad (48), in
Peoples Colony of Faisalabad District. Jundullah claimed responsibility
for the killing. “These people [polio workers] are not safe
anywhere as our mujahidin are present in every corner of the
country,” the Jundullah 'spokesperson', Amadullah Marwat said.
To strengthen its counter-terrorism
and Elite Police Forces, the KP Government has decided to add
reinforcements to KP Police—women commandos. Around 35 commandoes
are in training at Nowshera Police training centre. The task
is being carried out under the directives of IGP Nasir Durrani
who feels there is a need for female commandos to curb militancy
in a province under attack by unconventional warfare.
Investigations by officials
at internment centres concluded that six more previously missing
person’s maintained close ties with anti-state elements and
the inmates were placed in the black category. This was revealed
by the Home and Tribal Affairs department to the division bench
of Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Musarrat Hilali
as the Peshawar High Court heard eight petitions related to
enforced disappearances.
When the bench took up the cases
for hearing, Qaiser Jamal informed the court that his brother
and three cousins were picked by a peace militia and handed
over to the police around four years ago in Kohat. However,
authorities later handed over the bodies of his brother Khalilur
Rehman and cousin Muhammad Sohaib from the Kohat and Lakki Marwat
internment centres.
PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said
that Operation Zarb-e-Azb had inflicted a fatal blow to terrorists
and Pakistan’s armed forces had given exemplary sacrifices in
this operation. Peace was restored as a result of this operation
and it would also contribute towards ensuring peace in the entire
region, he added. The PM was chairing a high level meeting to
discuss formulation of a comprehensive strategy for the rehabilitation
of IDPs and reconstruction of areas in which operation Zarb-e-Azb
is going on.
National Security Committee
Secretary Muhammad Sadiq during the concluding session of a
two-day conference on ‘Flashpoints of the South Asian security
– A review of political and security architecture in the Subcontinent'
while referring to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS/
also known as Islamic State-IS / Daish) said, “It would be dishonest
to say Daish is not a threat, knowing the contacts between it
and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Afghan Taliban”.
He further said, “Daish has
not challenged the security scene here, but sees this region
as a potential recruitment ground,” adding “With the weakening
of TTP after operations in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency
and displacement of Haqqanis many foot soldiers of terrorism
would be looking for new leadership and resources and Daish
is a natural source of attraction for them.” Moreover, he said,
anti-Shia forces were attracted towards Daish, which was viewed
as an effective player that could counter their influence in
South Asia.
The CIA’s interrogation of al
Qaeda suspects was far more brutal than acknowledged and did
not produce useful intelligence, said a US Senate report. The
CIA also misled the White House and Congress with inaccurate
claims about the program's usefulness in thwarting attacks,
the Senate Intelligence Committee said. As the 500-page declassified
summary of the committee's report was released, President Barack
Obama admitted that the CIA's actions had been counterproductive
and “contrary to our values." The report said, “The interrogations
of CIA detainees were brutal and far worse than the CIA represented
to policymakers and others.”
The report, a review of more
than six million pages of documents, concluded “the use of the
CIA's enhanced interrogation techniques was not an effective
means of obtaining accurate information or gaining detainee
cooperation." Seven of the 39 detainees known to have been
subjected to the enhanced interrogations “produced no intelligence
while in CIA custody,” while others “provided significant accurate
intelligence prior to, or without having been subjected to these
techniques."
However, the current CIA director
John Brennan defended his agency's adoption of tough tactics
under the president George W. Bush in the aftermath of the September
11, 2001 al Qaeda attacks on US cities. He insisted that, while
mistakes were made, brutal techniques like waterboarding “did
produce intelligence that helped thwart attack plans, capture
terrorists and save lives."
December 10
A suspect was shot dead while
another arrested after an ‘encounter’ in Malir town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. Two men were riding a motorcycle
and a Police party on patrol indicated them to stop near the
Malir Bridge. Instead of pulling up they sped up and opened
fire on the Police. During the exchange of fire, a suspect was
gunned down while another arrested, said Malir City SHO Abdul
Khaliq Marwat. The deceased was identified as Shahab Sheikh
according to the information provided by detained suspect Farhan
Gul.
A young man was shot dead in
Kalakot area. Unidentified gangsters had kidnapped the man and
brought him to the Gul Mohammed Lane near the Naghman mosque
where they shot him dead, said Kalakot SHO Safdar Mashwani.
A JI activist was shot dead
while resisting a robbery bid in Orangi Town. “Apparently 27-year-old
Shayan Yunus was killed by robbers outside his home for putting
up resistance to robbers,” said Karachi-West SSP Azfar Mahesar.
However, the JI spokesperson in a statement said that the victim
was killed by ‘terrorists’.
Two LI militants were killed
in clashes with pro-government peace committee TI in Bara tehsil
of Khyber Agency in FATA. Also, the sources said the peace body
volunteers captured the bunker of the militants.
A constable, who was shot and
injured by armed motorcyclists outside the Central Prison, Peshawar,
on November 23, succumbed to his injuries. Aftab, who was performing
duty outside the jail, suffered bullet wounds.
The Gulbahar Police arrested
a resident of Faisalabad with two hand-grenades. Police said
Ali Noor of Faisalabad was arrested from near the bus stand
on GT Road on a tip-off. The officials said two hand-grenades
were recovered from his baggage after which he was arrested
and case registered against him.
A man was injured in a blast
in the Sariab Road area of Quetta, the provincial capital of
Balochistan. Senior Police Officer Sariab, Imran Qureshi, while
speaking to APP, said unknown men had fitted an explosive device
to a bicycle and parked it near the Awami Petrol Pump in the
precincts of the New Sariab Police Station. It went off leaving
a passer-by injured.
Unidentified armed assailants
shot dead MQM District Vice President Bao Muhammad Anwar outside
a restaurant at Shahabpura Road in Sialkot District.
Punjab Chief Secretary Naveed
Akram Cheema said polio teams will be provided with foolproof
security for making the ongoing polio campaign successful in
the province. He was chairing a meeting for the provision of
security to polio teams. Home Minister Shuja Khanzada, Home
secretary, IGP, Commissioner, Information secretary and DCO
were present. The chief secretary said all possible steps are
being taken for making Punjab polio-free province and security
is being provided to polio teams. He said the duration of campaign
has been extended from three days to five days.
The Punjab Home Department is
reported to have warned the Provincial Police Force that some
Chechen and Uzbek militants who left Waziristan in the wake
of the Zarb-i-Azb military operation are trying to join the
Islamic State militant group in the country. In a letter to
Divisional Police Chiefs, Intelligence Agencies and the Counter-Terrorism
Department of Punjab, the Home Department said there were reports
that some militant groups of Pakistan were joining the IS, also
known as ‘Daish’, because of its anti-Shia policies. But it
also revealed that there were groups which were resisting the
IS.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police chief
Nasir Khan Durrani said that for the last one decade the Police
force has been playing a “remarkable” and “unparalleled role”
in withstanding the onslaught of terrorism. “(The KP) Police
have been able to prevent terrorists from taking control of
any part of the settled area. Terrorists nonetheless have caused
huge loss of life and damage to public property and the threat
is far from over,” he said while speaking at the opening ceremony
of the Elite Police Training Centre in Nowshera District. “More
than 1,100 KP Police officers and men have sacrificed their
lives in this war against terror. It is, therefore, impelling
that the preparedness and capacity of Police Department is enhanced
to enable it in dealing with the challenges of terrorism in
a more professional and effective manner,” he went on to add.
PTI leader Imran Khan was booked
under terrorism act for allegedly inciting violence against
Punjab's former law minister Rana Sanaullah during a rally in
Faisalabad. The case was registered on December 9 after Sanaullah
said that Imran and other people incited the attack at his place
after a person was killed in clashes during the protest on December
8. The case has also been registered against PML-A chief Sheikh
Rashid, other PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Arif Alvi and
Asad Umer as well as hundreds of unnamed protesters.
Violent clashes between workers
of the PTI and ruling PML-N in different areas of Faisalabad
on December 8 left activist Haq Nawaz dead and at least 17 people,
including Policemen, injured. Imran and his party are protesting
for alleged rigging in 2013 General Elections.
The PTI which has been holding
anti-government protests in the country is ready to hold talks
with the government. "The government is yet to contact
formally or informally the party for a resumption of dialogue,"
said party spokesperson Shireen Mazari. He also stressed that
the PTI would not accept 'conditional talks'.
Pakistan is placed eighth in
the list of the most dangerous countries in the world which
is led by Iraq, according to a US-based intelligence think tank.
Afghanistan, the only other South Asian country in the list,
is placed fourth in the Country CTI compiled by IntelCenter,
a Washington-based company working for intelligence agencies.
The other countries in the top 10 are Nigeria (second), Somalia
(third) followed by Yemen (five), Syria (six), Libya (seven),
Egypt (nine) and Kenya (10).
The rankings were prepared after
examining the volume of terrorist and rebel alerts, messaging
traffic, videos, photos, incidents and the number of killed
and injured in a country over the past 30 days. There are a
total of 45 countries with a CTI greater than zero. The average
CTI for these countries is 74 and the global CTI is 3,313.
Missing lawyer Zaheer Ahmed
Gondal has links with terrorist organisations and currently
is in North Waziristan Agency of FATA, the Rawalpindi Police
reported to the Supreme Court. “Therefore the case of Zaheer
Gondal does not fall in the category of enforced disappearance,”
said the report submitted to the apex court on behalf of CPO
Humayun Bashir Tarar.
After receiving the Police report,
Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, heading the three-judge bench seized
with the issue, separated the case of Zaheer Gondal and set
it for hearing on January 13, 2015. Zaheer Gondal’s alleged
kidnapping by unidentified militants from Rawalpindi District
in July 2013 had also come up before a bench headed by the former
Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry in October 2013 when
the Punjab Government had told the court that the CDR of the
missing person led the Police to a safe house owned by the ISI.
Former President General (retd.)
Pervez Musharraf has said he believes in a tit-for-tat policy
on all fronts and claimed that 1999 Kargil conflict was in response
to India's role in the creation of Bangladesh. Musharraf, who
masterminded the Kargil conflict, claimed that India had played
role in creating Bangladesh and trying to seize Siachin. "They
also undertook such operations so Kargil also happened,"
he told Samaa TV channel.
December 11
Unidentified assailants shot
dead MQM activist, Qadir Bux Laasi, in Chanesar Goth area of
Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to MQM statement
issued, Qadir Bux Laasi was standing outside the residence of
deceased Noman Laasi with mourners when armed men opened fire,
killing him instantly. Four other people sustained injuries
in the firing.
Police claimed to have arrested
five militants belonging to the newly formed al Qaeda India
group allegedly involved in the terrorist attack on Navy’s dockyard
in September 6, 2014. They were arrested during a raid in old
Haji Camp, Napier, by personnel of the CID’s anti-extremism
cell. Police said 10 kilograms of explosive material, two rifles,
three pistols and some ammunition had been recovered from their
possession. The suspects were identified as Qari Shahid Usman,
Asad Khan, Fawad Khan, Shahid Ansari and Usman alias Islam.
A CID official said Qari Shahid Usman was chief of AQI in Karachi.
The group’s country head is Asim Umer.
10 persons were injured when
a bomb planted on a motorcycle went off near Farhan Hotel in
Sibi town (Sibi District) of Balochistan. Nobody has claimed
responsibility for the attack and the target of the blast is
unknown yet.
The Police recovered arms and
explosives from a suspect during a search of his vehicle in
Besham area of Shangla District in KP. Besham SHO said that
the Police during search of the vehicle recovered arms including
five pistols, hundreds of rounds of different bores and explosives.
Former Federal Minister of Interior
Rehman Malik warned that the ISIS (also known as Daish) was
expanding its tentacles in Pakistan with Gujranwala becoming
its main hub. In a statement, he said one person from Gujranwala
and another from Bahawalpur were operating for the organisation,
adding that the ISIS was a subsidiary of al Qaeda, while its
leader Yousaf Salafi had travelled between Iraq and Pakistan.
TTP criticised Nobel laureate
Malala Yousafzai, saying the teenage activist has entered into
an agreement with “satanic forces” to promote Western culture
and destroy Pakistan. In its first reaction after the 17-year-old
peace activist was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Wednesday,
TTP ‘spokesman’ Muhammad Khurasani said in a statement that
the award was given to her to “promote Western culture and not
education”.
He also criticised Malala’s
father, Ziauddin, for working against Islam and said he was
using his daughter against the religion and Islamic society.
Khurasani said both the father and the daughter have entered
into an agreement with the “Western satanic forces” to destroy
Pakistan and Pashtun society. The TTP spokesman lashed out at
the democratic system and termed it “worse than worst systems
ever witnessed by the world”. He said democracy was responsible
for all the worries and anxieties faced by the world.
December 12
A bid to smuggle a large consignment
of weapons to Sindh's provincial capital Karachi to be used
in a terrorism activity on the eve of Chehlum was foiled by
the Police in Sukkur District. Police arrested two suspects
for Punjab Province, identified as Muhammad Iqbal Baloch of
Bahawalpur District and Muhammad Ibrahim of Multan District.
The Police found 12 live detonators, 12 Kalashnikovs, one US
made machine gun, one rocket launcher, three 7mm riffles, four
Repeaters, eight other pistols of different bores and one hundred
bullets.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr
Abdul Malik Baloch speaking during a session of the Balochistan
Assembly claimed that crime graph in the Province has dropped
by 22 per cent during the current year. He said security situation
in the province could not be improved overnight. On the law
and order issue, he said that in 2013 a total of 234 incidents
of crime occurred, 357 people were killed. And in 2014, he added,
151 incidents of crime had occurred and 156 people were killed.
Kidnapping and targeted killings have decreased by 30 per cent.
He said there was reduction also in the cases of dumping of
mutilated bodies.
The Chief Minister said that
600 people had been recruited in law-enforcement agencies. Bullet-proof
vehicles had been provided to Deputy Superintendents of Police
and hundreds of Police personnel were being trained by the Army,
he added. He, however, admitted that there were law and order
problems in Quetta, Panjgur and Turbat Districts.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif
while presiding over the 177th Corps Commanders Conference
at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi District of Punjab
stressed for an effective integration of efforts of all Intelligence
Agencies to achieve the optimum results against the terrorists.
The conference participants were briefed on the next phase of
the operation.
December 13
At least six unidentified dead
bodies bearing bullet wounds were recovered along the River
Indus shore near Darwazgai Nizampur in Nowshera District.
A female health worker was injured
when unidentified militants opened fire on her Sherojangi area
near Charsadda Road in provincial capital Peshawar.
Police foiled a major terror
attack by killing at least four TTP Punjab Chapter militants
in Muzaffargarh District. The militants belonged to Abu-Ubaida
group of Punjabi Taliban. Two Police Officers were injured in
the exchange of fire. The Police recovered heavy weapons and
explosives, including four suicide jackets, 12 rockets, 40 hand
grenades, 328 kilogram of gun-powder, from their possession.
“We received information from intelligence officials about the
movement of militants in the area. The gunfight started when
police signaled a car to stop for checks and militants fired
at the cops, “Rai Zamir-ul-Haq, Police Chief in the District
said.
A Policeman was killed and two
others were injured when unidentified militants opened fire
at a police check post at Zero Point in Khuzdar District.
Unidentified militants targeted
a Police mobile with an IED in Hazarganji area of provincial
capital Quetta. However the Police mobile narrowly escaped the
blast and no casualty was reported.
December 14
Five suspected militants were
killed and 10 others sustained injuries in a clash with SFs
in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. The sources said
the militants belonging to the LI and TTP equipped with heavy
weapons attacked a bunker of SFs in the Tirah Valley in the
night of December 13. The soldiers at the checkpost repulsed
the attack, killing five militants and injuring 10 others.
Unidentified militants kidnapped
and killed a retired Levies Hawaldar, Jamal Hussain, belonging
to Tori tribe, in Tangey area of Kurram Agency.
A 20 inch diameter gas pipeline
was blown up in Gobpat area of Sui in Dera Bugti District, suspending
gas supply to Karachi and interior areas of Sindh Province.
Security Agencies warned PTI
Chairman Imran Khan and other prominent leaders of the party
of possibility of attack by the TTP and asked them to use bullet
proof vehicles, jackets and bullet proof rostrum.
Doctor Shakil Afridi (50), who
was sentenced to 33 years in jail for helping the CIA track
down former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, may be
rescued or killed in a "covert or overt operation",
warned officials in a letter written by Provincial Home Secretary
to the Federal Authorities. In the letter, the KP Government
warned of a severe life threat to Dr Shakil Afridi, lodged in
the Central Prison in the Provincial capital Peshawar.
The letter read, "Focus
of all the international media and superpowers is on him (Afridi)
due to his suspicious role in Osama operation — plans to either
kill him by his adversaries or his supporters (or) to rescue
him through overt or covert operations have been hatched."
The letter further asked the Federal Government to shift Afridi
to Punjab's Attock Jail or to any other prison held by Pakistan
Army and other forces. The letter claimed that militants have
planned to carry out a vehicle-borne attack on this prison.
December 15
A man, identified as Shehzad
(40), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants near his
house in New Karachi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital
of Sindh.
A man, identified as Rashid
(32), was shot dead by unidentified militants near Fareed Colony
in Orangi Town.
Unidentified militants hurled
a hand grenade at the house of a Shia doctor, identified as
Dr Anwar Naqvi, in Defence area of Saddar Town. However, no
casualties were reported in the blast.
A suspect, identified as Nooruddin,
was arrested while another escaped during an encounter with
Police party of Tipu Sultan Police Station near Chensar Halt
in Jamshed Town.
Two Policemen, including DPO
Kharan Muhammad Anwar Badini, were seriously injured when unidentified
militants opened fire on their patrolling vehicle in provincial
capital Quetta. However, the assailants managed to escape unhurt
from the spot.
A two-storey building of Miss
Sonia Public School run by an NGO, Human Development, was blown
up with an IED in Kangra area of Charsadda District.
According to data provided by
the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, at least 12 members of the Shia
community and four Sunnis have been killed in sectarian attacks
in the first 10 months of 2014, which is lower that the data
of previous years. In 2012 57 people were killed in targeted
sectarian attacks, including 12 members of the Sunni sect and
45 Shias. In the corresponding period in 2013, 43 Shias and
nine Sunnis were among the 52 people killed. A Police Official
said that a major reason for the decrease in targeted sectarian
killings was the dismantling of extremists’ safe havens by military
operations in FATA.
“Attacks on Shias were considerably
higher and that is probably because some elements among the
militants provided sanctuary to such terrorists in the past,”
he said, adding, “FATA has served as a breeding ground for all
types of criminals and militants as it remained ungoverned for
many decades after the creation of Pakistan.” “There is widespread
corruption among authorities and these are the causes identified
by the Post Crisis Need Assessment (PCNA)."
Afghanistan has asked Pakistan
to play a more ‘visible’ role in persuading the Afghan Taliban
to come to the negotiation table. The request for Pakistan’s
proactive role in a possible peace deal, comes from the new
administration in Afghanistan led by President Ashraf Ghani
and Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdullah Abdullah, said diplomatic
sources.
December 16
At least 150 persons, including
134 children, nine school staff members and all seven suicide
attackers, were killed by when TTP militants stormed and opened
fire at the school children in Army Public School located on
Warsak Road in provincial capital Peshawar. Another 121 persons,
including 118 students and three staffers sustained injuries.
TTP claimed responsibility for
the attack saying that the attack was in retaliation to the
military operations in North Waziristan Agency and Khyber Agency
of FATA. “Our six fighters successfully entered the army school
and we are giving them instructions from outside,” TTP 'spokesman',
Muhammad Khorasani said over phone. The Government, however,
claimed that there were seven attackers.
ISPR Major General Asim Saleem
Bajwa while addressing a press conference in Peshawar said that
the aim of the terrorists was to inflict maximum damage as they
did not try to take any hostages. He said that the terrorists
entered the school from the lesser guarded rear entrance backside
using a ladder. He added that the militants started to fire
their weapons indiscriminately as soon as they entered the school
auditorium. The children were killed in groups, he said. “This
shows that they [terrorists] did not want to take any hostages.”
He further said that within
15 minutes of the attack, a Quick Response Force (QRF) of the
military had reached the school and started an operation against
terrorists. Bajwa said that a total of 1099 students and staff
were registered in the school, and that security forces managed
to rescue 960 of them. Of these 132 children and nine staffers
were killed in the attack and all seven militants were killed
in the operation, he added.
A US drone strike killed at
least 11 militants, including four TTP militants, in Sherzad
District in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. Mahlem Mashuq,
the Governor of Sherzad District said the drone’s missiles hit
a pickup truck killing all 11 occupants.
An unidentified tortured and
burnt dead body was found from a flat in Shamsi Society in Malir
Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
Separately, a man, identified
as Khuda Bux (50) was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants
near Akbar Shaheed Market in Orangi Town.
An unidentified man was shot
at and injured by unidentified armed assailants near Jodia Bazaar
in Saddar Town.
A man, identified as Saeed (28),
was shot at and injured near Ajmer Nagri in North Karachi Town.
Two guards and the driver of
PML-N leader Amir Muqam, who visited victims of Peshawar Army
Public School attack, were injured while they survived the roadside
bomb blast in Pishtakhara area on Ring Road.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
expressed his firm resolve to continue operation Zarb-e-Azb
till the elimination of extremists and terrorists, appealing
to the nation to stand united for thwarting their designs. Referring
to the terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar, he
said, “Such acts of cowardice will not deter our resolve to
end terrorism. The operation will continue till the extermination
of the last terrorist.” He further said, “ There should not
be any fissures, differences and divisions in the nation at
this critical juncture,” adding that the Government, the nation
and the armed forces stood determined to wipe out the scourge,
once for all.
He said unless Pakistan was
totally cleared of extremists and terrorists, the war against
terrorism would continue. Earlier, the Prime Minister also announced
a three-day national mourning to express solidarity with the
families of those who lost their loved ones in the attack.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif said
that Pakistan Army was a symbol of national unity and induction
of Baloch youth in its ranks from every corner of the Province
showed that it belonged to them as well. “I am confident that
the youth of Balochistan will not lag behind in defending their
motherland,” General Raheel said while addressing a passing
out parade in Quetta. The army chief said each and every Baloch
citizen was the country's pride, adding that the army wished
to promote education in the province. “Maintaining law and order
is the Government's top priority and the army provides its full
assistance to them,” he said.
The COAS also highlighted the
development work carried out by the army in the Province. He
said the army had completed work on more than 700 kilometres
of tracks and construction of another 500 kilometres of tracks
was under way. “The completion of these corridors will pave
way for the development of the Province,” the CoAS said, adding
that Pakistan's prosperity depended on Balochistan's progress.
December 17
The DG ISPR, Major General Asim
Bajwa said Pakistan Army launched 20 air strikes including “dynamic
targeting” killing 57 terrorists in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency
in FATA. The attacks were carried out in Garhi, Dars, Dwa Thoe
and Thor Darra areas of Tirah Valley.
Five TTP militants were killed
in an encounter with Rangers that was followed by a raid at
heir hideout in Manghopir area of Gadap Town in Karachi, the
provincial capital of Sindh. The militants opened fire when
Rangers raided their hideout in the Manghopir area of Karachi,
Rangers spokesman Sibtain Rizvi said. “The Rangers retaliated;
as a result five terrorists were killed. The Rangers also recovered
automatic weapons and explosive materials from the hideout,”
Rizvi said.
The Capital Police arrested
the owner of the vehicle used by terrorists in their December
16, 2014, attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, said
officials. The officials said the man had been under investigation
to determine if he had any links with terrorists. When contacted,
IG of Police Tahir Alam Khan confirmed that the suspect had
been arrested.
Some sources said that the suspect
worked at a Government Department but Police officials declined
to confirm or deny this. Other sources said the suspect and
his son ran a travel agency which had office on the University
Road in Peshawar. They said that during interrogation it was
revealed that the vehicle was in the suspect’s possession for
the last five years. However, the suspect expressed ignorance
about the vehicle’s use by the terrorists and said that one
of his relatives had borrowed it from him. Efforts are under
way to verify the suspect’s claims, according to the sources.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
said that there is now no distinction between ‘good and bad
Taliban’ and that the country was united to fight the menace
of terrorism. “This conference expresses profound grief over
the tragedy which has no equal in history…Terrorism and the
fight against extremism is our fight.”To defeat it we must unite…our
armed forces have given many sacrifices to defeat terrorists
and root out their hideouts," the Prime Minister said,
adding, “This fight will continue until all terrorists are defeated”
He further said that a counter-terrorism
plan will be formulated by next week. “We have decided that
all parliamentary and political leaders will decide a national
consensus to defeat terrorism,” he said.
The TTP released the photos
of its militants who carried out December 16 attack on the Army
Public School in Peshawar. The images were taken at an undisclosed
location.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif
got assurances from the Afghanistan Government and ISAF for
action against a Kunar-based TTP. General Sharif, accompanied
by ISI Chief Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar, made an unscheduled
visit to Afghanistan for sharing vital elements of intelligence
with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Commander of ISAF in
Afghanistan General John Campbell. ISPR said in a statement
on General Sharif’s meetings in Afghanistan: “Afghan president
assured Gen Raheel Sharif that Afghan soil will not be allowed
for terrorists’ activities against Pakistan and any signature
found in this regard will be immediately eliminated.” The ISAF
[International Security Assistance Force] commander also assured
the COAS of ISAF’s complete support in “eliminating terrorist”
in his area of responsibility, the statement added.
The lack of progress on tackling
terrorism is evident from the fact that in 2014, the conviction
rate in the three ATCs of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and
Islamabad remained low. In the two ATCs of Rawalpindi, 205 cases
were heard but there were convictions in less than ten. However,
even this was a success compared to the Islamabad ATC which
did not convict a single accused.
There is no one reason to explain
why terrorists are rarely convicted by the courts. Be it the
flawed investigation, the lack of evidence or the fear of the
terrorists, all these reasons lead to those accused of terrorism
being freed by the courts. Since 2007, over 2,000 alleged terrorists,
who have been accused of having been involved in high profile
terrorism cases, have been freed by the ATCs of the country.
And if the Security Agencies are to be believed, a large number
of them have rejoined terrorist outfits.
The ATC Rawalpindi acquitted
LeJ chief Malik Ishaq from three cases of terrorism for want
of evidence. Ishaq was facing three charges under separate FIRs
registered under sections 9 and 11 of the ATA (which deal with
whipping up sectarian hatred) and section 16 of the Maintenance
of Public Order.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
lifted the moratorium on executions and allowed capital punishment
for those sentenced to death in the cases of terrorism. Sources
said that Prime Minister lifted the ban on capital punishment
of convicted terrorists on the demand of Army Chief made in
a meeting in Peshawar on December 16, 2014. Implementation on
the death penalty of convicted terrorists will start within
48 hours. CoAS General Raheel Sharif suggested to PM Nawaz to
lift ban on all the terrorists serving time in jail whereas
similar sentiments were expressed by prominent political figures
through social media. More than 8,000 prisoners were sentenced
to death by the courts but the punishment was not implemented
as capital punishment was barred in the country.
The Prime Minister has approved
abolishment of the moratorium on the execution of death penalty
in terrorism-related cases, Prime Minister’s Office confirmed.
There was a moratorium on executions in the country since 2008.
December 18
Twenty militants, including
an important Uzbek commander, Islamuddin, were killed when the
PAF jet fighters blitzed their hideouts in the Akakhel, Sepah
and Kukikhel areas of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA.
The sources said the jet fighters targeted the hideouts of LI-led
by Mangal Bagh and TTP-Tariq group, in different areas of Tirah
valley.
10 militants were killed and
two were seriously injured in a ground action at Malak Shaga
Nullah near Warwandu Mella and Hossai Nullah in Bajaur Agency.
Six-eight militants managed to escape. Two security personnel
were wounded and others were chasing the fleeing militants.
Earlier in the day, three personnel
of FC were killed in a remote controlled bomb blast in the Damadola
area in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency. Sources said
that militants had planted an IED on roadside in the Damadola
area and targeted the personnel of FC when they were returning
after performing duty at a checkpoint. Three personnel identified
as Hanif, Awal Khan and Gul Said were killed on the spot. The
TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.
Levies personnel recovered three
mutilated dead bodies from Kan Mehtarzai area of Killa Saifullah
District.
SFs arrested four suspected
militants, including an Uzbek national, near Eastern Bypass
area of Quetta. SFs also recovered weapons and explosives from
their possession.
A man, identified as Hidayatur
Rehman (52), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants
near Hawks Bay Road on Mauripur Road of Gadap Town in Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh.
One Syed Hussain Shah (38) was
shot dead near United Bakery in Sharifabad area of Liaquatabad
Town.
An unidentified man was killed
near Mewashah Graveyard in SITE Town.
A man, identified as Imtiaz
(35), was shot at and injured in Korangi Town.
A Shia man, identified as Syed
Jaffar Naqvi (40), was shot at and injured by unidentified armed
assailants in Sohrab Goth area of Gadap Town.
A man, identified as Dadu Khan
(25), was shot at and injured in North Karachi Town.
Paposh Nagar Police arrested
three alleged criminals, identified as Kaleem, Khidmat Ullah
and Arif, in an encounter near Paposh Nagar Graveyard in North
Nazimabad Town. Police also recovered two hand grenades, a ball
bomb and two TT pistols along with rounds from their possession.
At least six convicts whose
black warrants have been issued after the rejection of their
mercy petitions by the President will be executed any time.
The six prisoners on death row in terrorism cases are militants
belonging to LeJ, Ataullah alias Qasim and Mohammad Azam alias
Shareef Bahram Khan, Shafqat Hussain, Jalal Morejo and Abdul
Razzaq Chauhan who had been convicted of assault and murder,
according to IG for prisons Nusrat Mangan. In all, the IG prisons
said, there were 457 inmates on death row across Sindh.
A FC Subedar, Mujeeb, a resident
of Station Korona, was shot dead on Charsadda Road in the jurisdiction
of Daudzai Police Station in Peshawar. Subedar Mujeeb was en
route to his home from Balahisar Fort when unidentified motorcyclists
ambushed his vehicle and opened indiscriminate fire near Chara
Pul, Naguman.
Three Policemen were injured
when an IED went off at Daulat Band in Dera Ismail Khan town
of same District. The Police personnel were en route from Hethala
to Kulachi on Dera Ismail Khan-Tank Road when the bomb went
off at Daulat Band. Driver Sher Jan and constables Asif and
Mumtaz were injured while the vehicle was partially damaged.
An ATC granted bail to Zakiur
Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 2008 terror attacks in
Mumbai, prompting India to demand an appeal. Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi,
the commander of LeT, who was allegedly involved in planning,
financing and executing the attacks on Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai,
was granted bail by ATC judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi against
submission of surety bonds worth PKR 0.5 million.
Special prosecutor FIA Chaudhry
Muhammad Azhar confirmed the court had granted bail to Lakhvi.
“We moved a bail application with the Islamabad anti-terror
court on December 10, today the judge granted bail to my client
after hearing arguments from both sides,” said Lakhvi’s lawyer
Rizwan Abbasi. Lakhvi and six other accused Hammad Amin Sadiq,
Shahid Jamil Riaz, Younas Anjum, Jamil Ahmed, Mazhar Iqbal and
Abdul Majid are currently serving time in Adiala Jail.
At least 14,115 persons have
been acquitted in terrorism-related cases by the Anti-Terrorism
Courts between 2008 and 2012 while some 10,387 people booked
in similar cases were granted bail during this period, according
to the data compiled by Federal Ministry for Interior to formulate
National Internal Security Policy 2014-2018 reveals. The policy
says that the criminal justice system is ill-equipped in dealing
with the internal security threats. Inability to successfully
prosecute cases of terrorism remains a matter of serious concern.
Also, the absence of basic investigation and case preparation
skills of Police results in lack of convictions by the courts.
There were at least 35,106 under
trail prisoners in terror cases in the country while some 28,325
have been challenged by Police. The document says that there
are 1,175 pending investigations while of the total 13,053 registered
terrorism cases, 6,661 have been decided. The data says that
there are 48 Anti-Terrorism Courts in the country with 14 in
Punjab, 11 in Sindh, 11 in KP, 2 in Islamabad and 10 in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Total cases under anti-terrorism
laws registered in the country from 2008 to 2012 were 13053.
Most of them, 4627 cases were registered in Sindh (1810 under
trail and 1809 decided cases) 3372 in Punjab (1560 under trail
and 2485 decided) 2975 in KP (1417 under trail and 1261 decided)
and 2001 in Balochistan (557 under trail and 980 decided). In
Islamabad 78 (25 under trail and 42 decided) cases were recorded
and some 311 cases are under trial in GB while 84 have been
decided.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif tweeted,
"Asked PM Nawaz Sharif to hang all terrorists. More than
3,000 terrorists should be hanged in next 48 hours". He
announced, "Enough is enough, now strict action should
be taken against those who speak in favour of terrorists."
He further announced on Twitter that the army "has launched
massive air strikes in Khyber on the intelligence reports. More
than 10 air strikes have been carried out in last 1 hour."
In another tweet, General Sharif
threatened TTP, saying, "Message to TTP. You kill our child.
Now you will see the deadly consequences and (be) ready to pay
the price. Pak Army will revenge (sic) each & every single
of blood of little departed angels. It's my promise."
The KP Government issued a threat
alert, warning that militants could stage a ‘massive’ prison
break in the province in addition to targeting more schools
in the province following Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s announcement
ending moratorium on the death penalty in terror-related cases.
The KP Home and Tribal Affairs sent a communiqué carrying the
warning to all deputy commissioners and central and district
jails across the province, officials said.
“We received terror alert today
about a possible prison break in four major prisons of KP,”
a senior prison official in the province who saw the letter
revealed on condition of anonymity. “The letter warned of a
massive jailbreak,” he said, adding that the Home Department
has advised prisons to collaborate with the local police to
increase security around all high-profile inmates charged with
terror-related offences.
CoAS General Raheel Sharif signed
death warrants of six terrorists. According to a statement issued
by military’s media wing ISPR, the terrorists, whose executions
were pending, were convicted by Field General Court Martial.
The statement, however, did not identify the convicts. Sources
said these convicts are most likely to be hanged at Rawalpindi’s
Adiala Prison at 3:00 am on December 19, 2014.
Ministry of Interior also sent
list of 63 death-row prisoners to IGPs of all Provinces for
their execution. The Ministry’s legal wing cleared the names
of these prisoners, who were awarded death sentences under the
Anti-Terrorism act. Sources said Federal Minister for Interior
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has directed all Provincial Home Departments
to furnish to the Interior Ministry reports of all prisoners,
who were awarded death sentence under the terrorism act by next
December 22, 2014. According to official sources, the number
of inmates awaiting death sentence in different jails of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa is around 300, including 80 in Central Prison Peshawar,
100 in Central Prison Dera Ismail Khan and 120 in District Jail
Haripur. “The gallows are being repaired as no capital punishment
had been awarded for many years,” an official said, while requesting
anonymity.
Sources said that in an efforts
being made by the Federal and Provincial Governments and Law-Enforcement
Agencies to hunt down terrorists, the Punjab Government is amending
the Prisons Rules 1978 to allow execution of a convicted terrorist
a day after his black warrant is issued. Sources said that under
the existing rules, the execution of a convict was carried out
14 to 21 days after the issuance of a black warrant. The amendment,
they said, would rid the Government of many unnecessary burdens
and help it to divert funds and extraordinary security arrangements
for convicts to the protection of civilians.
“A convicted terrorist costs
the Government PKR10, 000 a day in terms of special security
arrangements in jails. This means we are using public money
to protect a potential threat to people and the country,” an
official said. According to the sources, the execution of convicts
will help speed up trials in courts and also give a message
to Police to properly investigate terrorism-related cases to
catch up with the efforts to deal sternly with them under the
law.
Sources in the Regional Directorate
of Prisoners revealed that there were six District and three
Central jails located in Punjab, while the central jails were
located in Multan, Rahimyar Khan and Bahawalpur Districts. “At
least 94 executions, including 86 murder and eight terrorism
cases, are pending in the region. Their execution is pending
due to the decision on mercy appeals filed with President Mamnoon
Hussain. The convicts involved in terrorism cases belong to
the LeJ, SSP and SMP,” they said.
The sources revealed that over
a dozen terrorists involved in the terrorism cases would be
executed in Multan Central Jail after the completion of the
process. “The lifting of ban on death penalty requires at least
one-month process to implement the execution. The prisoners
on death row having the Presidential stay after rejection of
their mercy appeals will be hanged early,” they added.
It was reported that the Punjab
Government is likely to get at least 80 top terrorists executed
in coming days after it sought details about all condemned prisoners
who had been awarded death penalty by various courts in the
past. At present, there are over 530 condemned prisoners in
all Punjab jails that include around 80 terrorists of banned
militant organizations/groups who were awarded death sentence
under murder and terrorism charges by Anti-Terrorism Courts,
it is learnt.
“These terrorists (about 80)
fall under extremely high-profile category in the list of 530
culprits awarded death penalty. Their execution was halted after
all of them filed mercy petitions before the president, who
under the law is empowered to cancel such punishment,” an official
said on the condition of anonymity. He said that since the Government
looked to be serious to execute at least the top terrorists
in the phase-1, the Home Department had sought urgent details
from the quarters concerned in this regard in view of the Government’s
decision.
The Federal Government sought
assistance of the US anti-terrorism experts to help craft an
anti-terror action plan. Federal Ministry for Interior approached
American Embassy to send some counter-terrorism experts who
are proficient in South Asian security affairs to assist Pakistan’s
top counter-terrorism body, the NACTA, said a senior official.
American security experts, if
available in rapid response, will not only assist our security
agencies but most likely brief representatives of all political
parties at the NAPC next week, added an unnamed Interior Ministry
official. The experts associated with American National Counterterrorism
Center will assist Pakistan in preparing components of its counter-terror
strategy which will lead Islamabad to form a new National Anti-Terrorism
Headquarters either at Prime Minister Secretariat or Military
Headquarters in Rawalpindi with a dedicated ‘War Room’ functioning
around the clock, he added.
They stated that the meeting
will not be open for the media. The committee will form a National
Action Plan within seven days and present it to the Government.
The plan will also be presented to the public after the approval
of political leadership, they added.
The Afghan Taliban condemned
the TTP attack on Army Public School in Peshawar saying killing
innocent children was against Islam. “The Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan has always condemned the killing of children and
innocent people at every juncture,” the Afghan Taliban, which
often target civilians, said in a statement. “The intentional
killing of innocent people, women and children goes against
the principles of Islam and every Islamic government and movement
must adhere to this fundamental essence." “The Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan (the official name of the Taliban) expresses
its condolences over the incident and mourns with the families
of killed children.”
JuA, a TTP splinter group quickly
sided with their Afghan patrons. “Like them, we condemn the
attack on the school and killing of innocent children,” said
‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan.
LeJ said it stood alongside
the military in response to the attack. “We strongly condemn
the attacks on schoolchildren in Peshawar and believe that there
is no religious, ethical or any other social reason for this
cruel act,” said Ghulam Rasool Shah, a deputy for Malik Ishaq,
leader of LeJ. “We stand with the Pakistan army and political
leadership in this critical situation.”
December 19
Eight militants, including a
local TTP 'commander', were killed by SF during an operation
conducted in the Chotair area of Ziarat District. SFs also claimed
to have recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.
Sources said that the deceased militants were involved in acts
of kidnapping and other terrorist incidents in the area. They
added that the militants who were killed appeared to be foreigners.
A Police Inspector, identified
as Muhammad Amin Shahwani, was shot dead by two unidentified
armed assailants in Mastung Bazar area of Mastung District.
The assailants managed to escape from the scene after the attack.
Security was tightened in and
around all eleven prisons in Balochistan in the aftermath of
the Federal Government's decision to lift a moratorium on death
sentences across the country. Sources in Balochistan Prisons
Department said that four prisons including District Jail Quetta,
Khuzdar, Gaddani and Mach were declared sensitive in the Province.
The number of prisoners sentenced to death in Balochistan was
97, out of which 14 had filed a mercy petition before the President.
Most of the prisoners with death sentences were imprisoned in
Mach and District Jail Quetta.
At least five militants including
a key 'commander', identified as Mustafa were killed in a clash
between SFs and militants in the Mattani area of Peshawar, the
provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mustafa belonged to
Darra Adamkhel chapter of TTP. Two security personnel were also
injured in the clash.
At least two militants and two
Policemen were killed during an operation in the Saro Kalley
area of Charsadda District. Two Policemen were also injured
during the operation.
Three terrorists were killed
during in an exchange of fire with Rangers in Bin Qasim Town
of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to a
spokesman for the Paramilitary Force, the Rangers conducted
a raid on a tip off in Bin Qasim. He said the suspects opened
fire and hurled hand grenades. Three militants were killed when
the Rangers returned fire.
Two suspects were killed in
a late night operation by Law Enforcement Agencies in Lyari
Town.
Five militants, including the
brother of one of the masterminds of the APS attack in Peshawar,
were killed in the night in an encounter with Security Forces
in Koi Hassan Khel area of FR Peshawar. An official of the political
administration said that the SFs handed over to them the dead
bodies of the militants killed in an exchange of fire in a cricket
ground in Koi Hassan Khel. “One of them has been identified
as Mustafa alias Manan, a resident of Adezai and brother of
Orangzeb alias Umar alias Naray, the current Amir 'chief' of
TTP-Darra Adam Khel Chapter, who is said to be one of the many
masterminds of the APS attack,” the official said.
“Another has been identified
as Hidayat alias Saleem, while three bodies are yet to be identified,”
he added. Further, the official said that the militants were
on the run following the recent military operations and the
group’s head was hiding somewhere in Afghanistan. “These people
used the cover of the night for their movement and security
forces had information about it so they intercepted then,” the
official said.
Two terrorists were killed near
Lalamusa area in Gujrat District. According to details, the
Lalamusa Saddar Police were bringing Qari Muhammad Afzal alias
Fauji on remand for investigation when seven armed militants
ambushed the Police near Mauza Khawaspur Chowk. Qari Afzal in
handcuffs ran towards the armed assailants. However, he and
his accomplice Hafiz Ahmed fell victim to the firing of their
other accomplices. The Police recovered a Kalashnikov, two magazines
and 20 rounds from the scene of firing.
Due to the current security
situation, Police declared 17 religious seminaries sensitive
in the capital. According to Police sources, close check will
be kept on the said seminaries. All these seminaries are located
in different sectors of Islamabad whereas Police is collecting
data about it. Moreover, it is reported that these seminaries
can be targeted any time.
Two convicted terrorists, identified
as Mohammed Aqeel alias Dr Usman and Arshad Mehrban, were hanged
at the Faisalabad District Jail after prison officials received
their death warrants. Aqeel was a former member of the Army’s
Medical Corps and was among the seven people convicted for their
role in the attack on Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi on October
10, 2009. Mehrban had been convicted for his involvement in
the attack on former President Genera (retd.) Pervez Musharraf
on December 25, 2003 in Rawalpindi District. Security had been
tightened at Faisalabad’s central and district prisons ahead
of the executions. The black warrant for Dr Usman was signed
by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on December 18, 2014.
The Government gave the go-ahead
to all Inspectors General to execute 22 prisoners on death row
for terrorism-related acts. An official said prison chiefs have
been asked to further proceed with the 22 cases cleared by the
Interior Ministry for execution. “With the addition of these
prisoners, the number of those to be executed has now reached
85,” the official said. The mercy pleas of the 22 prisoners
were rejected by then President Pervez Musharraf. “The law wing
of the Interior Ministry is now looking into 378 more such cases,”
the official added.
Police, arrested at least four
suspects, including a woman, from Gharibabad area of Hasilpur
in Bahawalpur District in connection with December 16, 2014,
killing of APS children in Peshawar. The four were tracked through
a mobile SIM which was reportedly used by terrorists during
the attack on the school. The SIM was registered in the name
of the woman who was taken into custody along with three others.
A local mobile franchise dealer was also included in the scope
of investigations.
An unnamed senior military official
said that militants were in direct communication with their
handler in Afghanistan, Umar Naray, alias Umar Khalifa Adinzai,
a well-known 'commander' of the TTP’s Tariq Geedar group. “He
was directing the suicide bombers and the attack group,” the
official said.
SFs claimed to have identified
the militant who had carried out the November 2, 2104, suicide
bombing on Wagah border crossing and took his family into custody.
According to sources, the suspected terrorist was identified
as Hanifullah (23) of Mohmand area in Bajaur Agency of FATA.
Security agencies have taken his family into custody and started
interrogation. Hanif had reportedly received training from a
Hizb-ul-Ahrar group in Afghanistan, sources said.
A day after an ATC granted bail
to LeT 'commander' Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of
the 2008 Mumbai (Maharashtra) terror attacks (26/11), the Government
detained him under Maintenance of Public Order. Lakhvi was granted
bail by ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi against submission
of surety bonds worth PKR 0.5 million.
An ATC issued black warrants
for two LeJ militants, identified as Attaullah alias Qasim and
Mohammad Azam alias Sharif, who had been given death sentence
by an ATC in July 2004 for killing Dr Ali Raza Peerani on sectarian
grounds in June 2001 in the Soldier Bazaar area of Jamshed Town
in Karachi, provincial capital of Sindh. The court directed
the jail authorities at the Sukkur central prison to carry out
the hanging of Attaullah and Azam on December 23, 2014, at 6:30
in the morning till death.
The jail authorities in Karachi
requested another ATC-III to issue fresh black warrants for
two condemned prisoners, Behram Khan and Shafqat Hussain, in
separate cases. The court had issued black warrants for both
the convicts but their hanging was deferred by the Presidency.
Behram was sentenced to death for murder, while SI Pir Bux was
awarded life imprisonment for abetting the killing in 2003.
Behram along with SI Pir Bux killed lawyer Ashraf inside the
courtroom of the courtroom of Justice Zawar Hussain Jaffery
in the Sindh High Court in a case of mistaken identity, while
Shafqat was found guilty of kidnapping-for-ransom case in which
he killed a boy named Umair (7) in New Karachi Town area in
2004.
President Mamnoon Hussain warned
terrorists to surrender or be ready to face justice. “Terrorists
should accept the writ of the state or be ready to face dire
consequences” of what they were doing in the name of Islam,
the President said at the launching ceremony of a book written
by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The title of the book is “The
Governance of China”. The ceremony was organised by the Pakistan-China
Institute in collaboration with the Chinese embassy at the Pak-China
Friendship Centre.
The President said that the
Peshawar school attack incident had not demoralised the nation,
rather it had strengthened its determination to root out terrorism
from the country. “All martyred children and their parents are
benefactor of the entire nation as their great sacrifice has
given us a new resolve to fight these terrorists and rid the
nation of this scourge for good,” he declared. Hussain pledged
to eliminate each and every terrorist to make the country a
cradle of peace, love and harmony so that it could resume its
journey towards progress. He said the entire nation had now
stood up in support of armed forces in war against terrorism
and extremism. “The entire nation now wants to make the country
stable, prosperous and every hurdle in achieving this objective
will be demolished.”
Minister for Defence Khwaja
Asif said that military courts were being established for trials
of terrorism-related cases. He said that the Government had
consciously decided to lift the moratorium on capital punishment,
adding that carrying out of death penalty against terrorists
would begin soon.
Founder leader of MQM Altaf
Hussain while condemning Peshawar school attack during a rally
organised in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh demanded
the arrest of Maulana Abdul Aziz and closure of Jamia Hafsa
for remarks supportive of Taliban insurgents after Peshawar
school attack.
The IG of KP prisons Kifayatullah
Khan said that the KP has seven prisoners sentenced to death
under the ATA and are likely to be hanged after Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif lifted the moratorium on the death penalty. IG
Kifayatullah Khan said that the total number of prisoners sentenced
to death and are currently imprisoned, is 192, out of which
six or seven are those who had been charged and punished under
the ATA. According to jail statistics, the total number of prisoners
in KP jails is 8,955 with Haripur having the highest number
with 1,941, Peshawar Central jail with 1,859, Bannu with 718
and Dera Ismail Khan with 340 prisoners. The remaining prisoners
are kept in other jails of the province.
Former President of the Supreme
Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir in a statement issued said
that the hanging of a few convicts will not absolve the Government
of taking some hard policy decisions on the security paradigm
or to revamp the criminal justice system. She said that the
Government decision to execute prisoners who were awarded death
penalty for terrorism could well be understood under the present
circumstances where emotions were high and there was anger against
terrorists. However, she said, such a measure was simply sidetracking
the issue. “Terrorism does not disappear with revenge tactics
but through making justice and equality before law a reality,”
she added.
TTP in a threatening letter
warned the Federal Government that it will start eliminating
children of politicians, including Sharif's family, and Army
officers, if the Pakistan Government keeps its commitment to
hang militants owing allegiance to the terror outfit. The letter
was received by Pakistan authorities on December 19, 2014. Sources
said that they were trying to verify if the letter was genuine.
The letter justified the killing of young children saying the
kids were committed to following in the footsteps of their parents.
The letter says that if any
incarcerated terrorist is killed, TTP will take revenge by killing
more young children. "Let us make it clear to Pakistan
establishment that if any of our associates is harmed, we will
avenge ourselves by targeting your children. We would ensure
that houses of army generals and political leaders become centers
of mourning," said the letter. It further read, "Why
the human rights organizations, which are not aware of the reasons
of the attack on Army Public School, silent on this decision
of the infidel Government. We, in light of Islamic teaching,
consider the killing of the children of army personnel as justified
as they are not opposing the anti-Islam role of their parents
and are committed to follow the path of their parents. We are
giving an open invitation of debate to religion leaders who
are issuing decrees in favor of the Government."
The top civil and military leadership
resolved to expand the ongoing military Operation Zarb-e-Azb
and take forceful action against terrorists and their abettors.
The resolve was made in a meeting of the civil and military
leadership chaired by PM Nawaz Sharif at the GHQ. The Chief
of the Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, and other senior military
and civil officials attended the meeting. Director General of
ISI Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar briefed the PM on the security
situation in Pakistan and the steps taken to eliminate the terrorists.
Umar Mansoor, a key TTP commander
and a close aid of Mullah Fazlullah was the mastermind of December
16 militants’ attack on Peshawar Army Public School. A video
posted on a website used by the TTP shows a man with a luxuriant
chest-length beard, holding an admonishing finger aloft as he
seeks to justify the December 16 attack. The caption identified
him as Umar Mansoor. “If our women and children die as martyrs,
your children will not escape,” he said. “We will fight against
you in such a style that you attack us and we will take revenge
on innocents.”
Six TTP cadres interviewed by
Reuters confirmed that the mastermind was Mansoor who is close
to TTP ‘chief’ Mullah Fazlullah. “He strictly follows the principles
of jihad,” one said. “He is strict in principles, but very kind
to his juniors. He is popular among the juniors because of his
bravery and boldness.” Mansoor got a high school education in
the capital, Islamabad, two TTP members said, and later studied
in a madrassah. “Umar Mansoor had a tough mind from a very young
age, he was always in fights with other boys,” said one TTP
cadre.
Mansoor has two brothers and
spent some time working in the city of Karachi as a labourer
before joining the Taliban soon after it was formed, in late
2007, said one commander. His nickname is “nary,” a word in
the Pashto language meaning “slim”, and he is the father of
two daughters and a son, said another commander. “(Mansoor)
likes to play volleyball,” said one of the Taliban members.
“He is a good volleyball player. Wherever he shifts his office,
he puts a volleyball net up.”
The Taliban video describes
him as the “amir”, or leader, of Peshawar and nearby Darra Adam
Khel. Mansoor deeply opposes talks with the Government, the
commanders said. “He was very strict from the start when he
joined,” a commander said. “He left many commanders behind if
they had a soft corner (of their heart) for the government.”
Pakistan, Afghanistan and the
US-led ISAF have agreed to launch a trilateral operation against
Taliban on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border, a senior Pakistani
official said. “It will be a coordinated trilateral operation
launched jointly by Pakistan, Afghanistan and ISAF on both sides
of the border,” National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz told The
Anadolu Agency’s Turkish service in an exclusive interview.
Aziz said the three sides agreed to inform each other of future
targeted operations against Taliban. The proposed operation
would be launched on the basis of intelligence sharing between
all sides, he added.
Aziz ruled out the possibility
of hot pursuit by either side that would breach Pakistan or
Afghanistan’s sovereignty. “There will no hot pursuit by Pakistani
or Afghan forces. When we launch a targeted operation on our
side of the border, we will inform them, and when they do that,
they will inform us,” he said. Aziz did not say exactly when
or where the proposed operation would take place. A senior Foreign
Office official said on condition of anonymity that the decision
was taken recently during Army chief General Raheel Sharif’s
meeting with his Afghan counterpart, and ISAF Commander-General
John Campbell in Kabul.
The US President Barack Obama
signed an annual defence Policy Bill which grants USD one billion
to Pakistan for the expenses made by its Army in support of
the US military operations in war-torn Afghanistan. The National
Defence Authorization Act for the fiscal year 2015, signed by
Barack Obama, sets overall defence spending at USD 578 billion
which has provision for release of Coalition Support Fund amounting
to USD one billion to Pakistan. CSF is not a military aid but
a reimbursement to Pakistan for the expenses made by the Army
in support of the US military operations in Afghanistan.
According to a statement issued
from the office of the Chief Minister security has been beefed
up in sensitive areas of Gilgit-Baltistan in the wake of the
attack on APS in Peshawar on December 16, 2014. The security
situation has been further exacerbated by the execution of terrorists
on death row in Faisalabad, the statement read. “The measures
have been taken to avoid an untoward incident in the region,”
it added. Chief Minister House, Governor House and Secretariat
are among the sensitive places where security has been tightened.
According to a security official, security agencies have warned
that militants may carry out similar attacks on other educational
institutions in the country. “For this reason, the Government
has asked us to increase security in the region,” said the official.
December 20
At least 21 militants, belonging
to TTP and LI, were killed and six others were injured when
PAF fighter jets bombed the militants’ hideouts in Tirah Valley
of Khyber Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Also,
seven hideouts were completely destroyed in the aerial strikes.
US drone strike fired two missiles
and killed at least six suspected terrorists in Mada Khail neighborhood
of Datta Khail in North Waziristan Agency. "The death toll
is expected to rise," said an unnamed senior security official.
The incident was confirmed by local intelligence sources.
Two security officials, including
a soldier of the FC and a Policeman, along with two TTP militants
were killed when Security Forces hit their hideout in Mechani
area of Shabqadar tehsil in Charsadda District. Local
Police officials confirmed the incident.
Two TTP terrorists were killed
in an encounter with personnel from the Police's CID in Mauripur
area of Kiamari Town. CID's AEC raided a location Mauripur area
on a tip off regarding the presence of suspected terrorists
in the locality. The suspected militants resorted to firing
when the Police party reached the scene, Police said, adding
that in retaliation, Police personnel also opened fire, killing
two of them. CID AEC In-charge Ali Raza said that both of them
were engaged in terrorist activities and were “associated with
the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's Khan Zaman group".
One of them was identified as TTP's 'operational commander'
Abid Mucchar, who is accused of carrying out several attacks,
including bomb blasts on the MQM and the ANP during the 2013
elections.
Six suspected militants were
arrested during a series of targeted operations conducted by
Rangers in several areas, including Majeed Colony in Landhi
Town and Frontier Colony in SITE Town of Karachi, the provincial
capital of Sindh. Various kinds of weapons were also recovered
during the raids.
A soldier, identified as Mohammad
Shabbir, was injured in a clash with unidentified militants
after the convoy of the FWO was attacked with an IED in Gogkdan
Mai area of Turbat District.
An FWO convoy was also targeted
in Chattkan area of Panjgur District. However, no casualties
were reported.
Heavy contingents of Police
and paramilitary troops were deployed at Mach (in Bolan District)
and Quetta District jails in a move to increase security around
prisons. The prisoners on death row do not belong to any banned
organisation but four of them were charged with terrorism acts,
such as targeted killings and murder charges over personal disputes.
December 21
At least 25 militants were killed
and three soldiers sustained injuries in a clash at Baghzai
check post in the Shawal area of South Waziristan Agency in
FATA. The sources said about 200 militants, equipped with light
and heavy weapons, in the small hours of Sunday attacked the
Baghzai check post manned by the Pakistan Army 30-Baloch Regiment
in the Shawal area.
Unidentified assailants shot
dead a tribal elder, Malik Faqir Jan, in Mundan area of Kurram
Agency. The sources said that Malik Faqir Jan was on way to
Sadda bazaar from central Kurram Agency when unidentified assailants
opened fire on his vehicle in Mundan area. Malik Faqir was killed
on the spot while his driver sustained critical injuries.
Police shot dead four alleged
kidnappers in an encounter and safely recovered an abductee,
identified as Dr Riaz Bhatti, who was held hostage by them in
Khairpur District. The SSP of Khairpur, Nasir Aftab, said that
a Police team had besieged the gang of abductors when they were
attempting to shift the hostage to another place. He said that
the kidnappers opened fire on the Police team, and in the ensuing
encounter four abductors were killed while the police team managed
to secure the release of Dr Bhatti.
Two unidentified persons were
found dead in Baldia Town of provincial capital Karachi.
Two men, identified as Naveed
(23) and Toseef (25), were shot dead by unidentified armed assailants
in Khokrapar area of Malir Town.
A man, identified as Amjid (25),
was killed by unidentified armed assailants near a graveyard
in Baldia Town.
A man, Mohammad Saeed, 25, son
of Abdul Salam, was gunned down and Muhammad Ayub, 24, son of
Noor Mohammad, was injured by unidentified armed assailants
near Saeed Electric Shop in Noorani Basti of Korangi Town.
The 'commander' of TTP, identified
as Amjad alias Sajjad Langra, was killed in an encounter with
the Rangers during a raid at a militant hideout in Ittehad Town
of Baldia Town. A Rangers spokesperson said that the raid was
conducted on the basis of information received about the presence
of a large cache of weapons and explosives prepared for militant
activity.
A doctor, identified as Dr.
Junaid Siddiqui, was shot at and injured by unidentified militants
in Buffer Zone area of North Nazimabad Town.
The Rangers claimed to have
arrested eight militants during ongoing targeted raids in Baldia
Town and Gulshan-e-Buner area of Orangi Town. The arrested suspects
belonged to TTP-Sultanabad, Karachi, and weapons and explosives
were confiscated from their possession.
Pakistan Bazaar Police arrested
two suspects, identified as Wasim Bashir and Farrukh Wakeel,
during a raid conducted in Orangi Town. The police claimed to
have seized toxic liquor from their possession.
Hyderabad SSP Irfan Baloch while
speaking at a press conference in his office in Karachi said
that there are high value targets (HVTs) within the Hyderabad
Central Prison and attempts could be made to get certain inmates
freed. The SSP said that jailbreak was feared in view of the
recent hanging of convicted terrorists at various prisons in
the country.
Sindh Police has set up a highly
equipped SSU with an aim to counter the threats posed by terrorists.
It was reported that there are
382 prisoners in five Divisions of Sindh who were awarded capital
punishment for their involvement in different heinous crimes.
As many as 115 prisoners are in Karachi Central Jail, 178 in
Hyderabad prison, 73 in Sukkur prison, and 19 in Larkana Central
Prison. The appeals of mercy of six prisoners have already been
rejected. After rejections of their appeals for mercy, Muhammad
Azam, Attaullah and other two local prisoners Jalal and Abdul
Razaq would be hanged. Seven prisoners in Sukkur jail belong
to LeJ, SSP.
An ATC issued non-bailable arrest
warrants for TTP 'chief' Mullah Fazlullah, 'spokesman' Shahidullah
Shahid and nine others for storming the Karachi airport on June
8, 2014.
At least five bullet-riddled
dead bodies were found dumped in Kalzai and Khanozai areas of
Pishin District. Three bodies found in Kalzai area of the District
were of Afghan nationals and two bodies found in Khanozai area
were of Baloch identity.
Three dead bodies, identified
as that of Afghan nationals, were found dumped near a river
in Baghao area of Ziarat District. “One of the victims identified
was a resident of an Afghan refugee camp in Ziarat, whereas
others were also Afghan refugees,” the official added.
The Inspector General of Prisons
in Balochistan Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai said that none of the
death row inmates currently lodged in the Province’s detention
centres are members of terrorist outfits. He revealed that all
of the 14 prisoners were awarded death penalties over murder
cases related to personal disputes. “One prisoner each is in
Quetta and Gadani jails while 10 are in Mach Jail, one of the
largest jails in Pakistan,” he said.
Four terrorists, identified
as Ghulam Sarwar Bhatti, Zubair Ahmed, Rasheed Qureshi and a
Russian citizen Akhlaq Ahmed alias Roosi, who were awarded death
penalty for carrying out attack on former President General
(retired) Pervez Musharraf in December 2003, were hanged till
death at Faisalabad District Jail. After execution, the bodies
of Zubair Ahmad, Ghulam Sarwar Bhatti, Rasheed Qureshi and Akhlaq
Ahmad were handed over to their heirs. The convicts advised
their companions not to kill any Muslim. They advised the TTP
not to target children and women. Security was tightened in
the city to avoid any untoward incident.
Security was increased at Kot
Lakhpat jail in Lahore District. Heavy contingents of Punjab
Rangers officials and Punjab Police were deployed at the Kot
Lakhpat jail as law enforcement agencies placed barricades and
barbed wires on roads leading to the jail. The Quick Response
force has also been deployed at the central jail and were patrolling
the area on a regular basis throughout the day.
According to sources in the
jail, four high-profile terrorists are expected to be hanged
anytime after the jail administration receives death warrants
from the court. Convict Muhammad Zahid, who was involved in
an attack on a sensitive building in Multan District could be
hanged anytime, sources added. The jail administration has also
finalised arrangements for three other terrorists, Nadeem, Azeem
and Kamran, who had been sentenced to death by the courts.
A number of unregistered Afghans
were among over 70 suspects arrested during a search operation
in the vicinity of the Army Public School in Warsak Road of
Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Heavy
contingents of the Peshawar Police along with other security
agencies carried out the operation in Abshar Colony, Bihari
Colony, Tehkal and other areas of the Warsak Road, close to
the military-run school that was attacked on December 16. Sniffer
dogs, experts of the BDU and lady constables accompanied the
policemen during the search operation.
The law-enforcement agencies
have arrested five Afghan nationals during the search operation
outside the Mansehra District jail. “The law-enforcement agencies
conducted house-to-house search around the district jail and
taken into custody five Afghan nationals,” said Zulfiqar Khan
Jadoon, Deputy Superintend Of Police.
The Police with the help of
intelligence and prison officials conducted a joint search operation
in the Lakki Marwat District jail. “Heavy contingent of police
force, led by SP Investigation Muhammad Saddique Khan reached
Mohallah Bamozai in Lakki City in the morning and surrounded
the area where the district jail is situated,” said a Police
official.
Intelligence Agencies personnel
arrested a man, identified as Muhammad Arshad, from Khurshaidabad
area of Kamalia tehsil in Toba Tek Singh District over his alleged
involvement in terrorist activities. Kamalia Police sources
said a suspicious call to the mobile phone of Arshad, was traced
and he was suspected of having ties with terrorists.
LEAs freed a woman and a mobile
franchise dealer of Hasilpur area in Bahawalpur District who
were arrested for their alleged role in December 16, 2014, Peshawar
school killings. They were arrested on December 19, 2014. Shazia
Parveen, a resident of Khairpur Deh village near Qaimpur in
Hasilpur, had been taken into custody four days back after a
mobile phone SIM on her name was allegedly recovered from a
terrorist who had attacked the Army Public School.
Sources in the know of things
said both of them told the LEA personnel that the SIM was activated
by some NADRA officials who visited the place in their mobile
van. They told the agency that they had no role in handing over
of the disputed SIM to any terrorist.
The CM of KP Pervez Khattak
asked the Federal Government to start repatriation of the Afghan
refugees. The CM said Afghan refugees were burden on the economy
of the province and were responsible for the poor law and order
situation. The CM said the Government should not wait for December
2015 after the KP cabinet approved the repatriation of Afghan
refugees and suggested that the Government should change the
repatriation’s timeframe to send them much earlier.
The KP Provincial Information
Minister Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani said that the KP Government will
expel all registered Afghan refugees from major towns and other
urban areas of the province if the Federal Government failed
to positively respond to the one-month deadline given by the
provincial cabinet for the expulsion of these refugees living
in Pakistan.
Former Federal Minister for
Interior and PPP leader Rehman Malik said that the Afghan intelligence
agency is supporting TTP 'chief' Mullah Fazlullah. In an interview,
he said the fugitive TTP chief found refuge in Afghanistan whenever
he wanted. “I have repeatedly been saying a foreign hand is
involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan,” said Malik.
Afghan Army Chief General Sher
Muhammad Karimi said that his Pakistani counterpart General
Raheel Sharif has not asked for handing over of the fugitive
chief of TTP, Mullah Fazlullah, who is believed to be hiding
in Afghanistan. General Raheel had shared “vital elements of
intelligence with concerned authorities, with regard to the
Peshawar incident,” the army spokesman said. However, the Afghan
Army Chief said that the top Pakistani military officials didn’t
ask for custody of Mullah Fazlullah.
The United States has said that
after January 2, US forces in Afghanistan will not target Mullah
Omar and other Taliban leaders unless they posed a direct threat
to the US. “Being a member of the Taliban doesn’t mean that
the United States is going to prosecute operations against you
for that reason alone,” Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John
Kirby told a recent news briefing in Washington.
Federal Minister of Interior
Nisar Ali Khan indicated at stringent measures to counter the
menace of terrorism in the country and said that terrorists
are planning to carry out a Peshawar massacre-like activity
again. Addressing a press conference, Nisar disclosed that intelligence
reports point towards another brutal act that terrorists are
planning to undertake especially after some convicted terrorists
have been hanged.
The spokesman for AQIS, Usama
Mahmood, released a statement condemning the TTP’s attack on
the Army Public School in Peshawar. AQIS’ four-page statement
was released on Mahmood’s official Twitter feed. In an accompanying
tweet, Mahmood writes that the “massacre of innocent children”
makes “our hearts burst!” Mahmood stresses in the statement
that al Qaeda only learned of the attack through the media,
and his statement is based on the assumption that those reports
are accurate.
In particular, Mahmood says,
it is al Qaeda’s understands that the attackers targeted children
on purpose and that most of the victims were children. Mahmood
argues that al Qaeda carefully selects its targets inside Pakistan
“so as to avoid unnecessary civilian casualties”.
He said that the group focuses
on “American targets,” the “puppet rulers” in Pakistan, and
America’s “mercenaries” in the Pakistani security and intelligence
services. In harsh terms, Mahmood condemns the TTP’s attack
as “un-Islamic” and says that al Qaeda’s scholars have already
set forth the rules for engaging the enemy, which were not followed
in Peshawar. The attack violates the jihadis’ version of Sharia
law, Mahmood claims. Mahmood also portrays al Qaeda as the defender
of Muslims inside Pakistan. Addressing “our beloved Pakistani
Muslims,” Mahmood says their defense is “our responsibility”.
December 22
A Police team of District Malir killed 13 militants
belonging to al Qaeda and the TTP during a shootout in Deluxe
Town bungalows of Sohrab Goth area in Gadap Town of Karachi,
the provincial capital of Sindh. According to details, on a
tip-off about the presence of TTP 'commander' Khan Zaman Mehsud
and his associates in Sohrab Goth, Police took action. Seeing
the Police, the militants opened fire which was retaliated.
The police after a brief shootout said they managed to arrest
13 militants in injured condition who later succumbed to their
injuries, while their 'commander' Khan Mehsud with some of his
aides fled under the cover of fire.
Police claimed to have arrested a would-be suicide
bomber who was wearing a suicide jacket and had failed to explode
himself. SSP Rao Mohammed Anwar of District Malir said the Police
arrested a suicide bomber. During the search of their hideout,
the Police recovered three Kalashnikovs, four TT pistols, two
repeater rifles, one sniper rifle, three 9mm pistols, five kilograms
of explosives, 10 kilograms of ball bearings and hundreds of
bullets from their possession. SSP further said that four of
the 13 terrorists were wearing Police uniforms. He said two
of the terrorists belonged to al Qaeda while the others TTP
militants. Two terrorists were identified as Abdullah Mehsud
of the TTP and Imran Behari of al Qaeda.
At least 117 suspects, including 20 Afghans,
were detained by the Police during a successful operation in
Islamabad. As per details, SFs and Police Officers conducted
a search operation in various areas of Islamabad and took 117
suspects into custody. Sources reported that as many as 20 Afghan
nationals were among those arrested. Police have revealed that
these Afghan nationals were having no legal documents for their
stay in Pakistan due to which they were arrested. Also, the
security agencies have vowed to continue the search operation
till the elimination of last terrorist from the country.
SFs arrested five suspected militants, including
a 'commander' of unspecified Taliban faction, from the Kuchlak
area of Quetta. The SFs also recovered heavy weapons from their
possession. The militants are being interrogated at an undisclosed
location. "At this point in time, we can not disclose the identity
of the militants," an unnamed security official said. It is
not yet clear if the militants belonged to the Afghan Taliban
or the TTP.
LEAs arrested three TTP militants from Jhang
and Faisalabad Districts for their involvement in terror-related
cases in Gujrat District. A senior security official said two
suspects were captured from the Jhang District and third from
Faisalabad District. He did not disclose the identity of the
three suspects as they were handed over to intelligence agency
for further investigation.
The Lahore High Court and the Sindh High Court
suspended implementation of death penalty of seven prisoners
by a military court. As per media reports, Justice Arshid Tabassum
of LHC's Rawalpindi bench took up miscellaneous petitions for
hearing in respect of death convicts. Laiq Khan Swati, counsel
for Adiala jail prisoners on death row including Ahsan Azim,
Asif Idrees, Omar Nadim, Kamran Aslam and Aamir Yusuf took up
the plea during the course of hearing of petitions that military
court cannot court-martial civilians, and despite this his clients
were convicted and sentenced by military court against the law
of land.
The court heard the stance of the petitioner,
sought the details of all the prisoners on death row and summoned
reply from Federal and Provincial Governments till January 12,
2015. The court has suspended execution of these five death
convicts till the next hearing of this case. The Sindh High
Court suspended the black warrants of two inmates citing that
the proper legal procedure was not followed. The suspension
of the warrants came after the SHC heard appeals filed by the
families of these inmates.
Pakistan Government failed to file a plea challenging
the bail to LeT 'commander' Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind
of 2008 Mumbai attack (also known as 26/11). Lakhvi filed a
petition in the High Court against a court's decision to make
a judicial panel's record a part of evidence in the 26/11 case.
The prosecution, which was supposed to challenge the Islamabad
ATC's decision to grant bail to Lakhvi in the High Court, could
not do so as it failed to get a copy of the ATC's order.
"We are facing problems in getting the ATC's
order copy. I cannot say whether we will be able to file the
appeal tomorrow. After going through the court's order, we need
time to prepare the petition," said prosecution chief Chaudhry
Azhar. ATC Islamabad judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi on December 18
had granted bail to Lakhvi, citing lack of evidence against
him. But before the terror accused could be released from jail,
the Government detained him for three more months under Public
Maintenance Order (PMO) in Adiala Jail of Rawalpindi District,
where the trial is being held.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that the second round of
operation Zarb-e-Azb would target terrorists hiding in cities
and villages as part of renewed strategy on security for the
elimination of terrorism and maintenance of law and order in
the country. He expressed these views while chairing a meeting
to review the anti-terrorism strategy during which he emphasised
that decisive action would be taken against terrorists.
PM Nawaz directed immediate drafting of bill
on anti-terrorism and to be circulated and debated through provincial
and national conferences, political parties, civil society and
legal fraternity. The PM also agreed in principle to constitute
a parliamentary committee for developing consensus on this legislation.
The problems being faced by the law enforcement agencies due
to absence of a potent and meaningful system and the problems
caused due to low rate of conviction. The PM stated that existing
judicial system and helps the judiciary to focus on non-compoundable
and other serious offences.
The Punjab Government confirmed in Punjab Assembly
that the process of capital punishment in the Province has been
started and as many as 5,419 terrorists are detained in different
jails of the Province, and about 57 appeals of mercy of terrorists
have been rejected. Parliamentary Secretary Nazar Gondal further
told the House that the government had withdrawn the initial
notification regarding ban on capital punishment to the accused
persons in jails so now the process to give death penalty to
the terrorists have been restored.
Gujranwala Jail Superintendent Kamran Anjum
revealed that there is no terrorist in Central Jail. He said
that there were only two condemned prisoners in jail whose mercy
petitions had been rejected by President Mamnoon Hussain. He
said that Mushtaq, son of Ali Bahadar of Jhelum, and M Iqbal,
son of Ghulam Rasool, of Gujranwala were on death row.
Security in jails across Punjab has been strengthened.
No visitor is allowed to enter jail premises without original
identity card. The record of all the visitors is maintained
daily and no meeting with any prisoner is allowed other than
the scheduled time Metal detectors, screening machines and close-circuit
television sets have been installed in all jails to check the
entry of authorised items as well as arms and ammunition. All
deputy superintendents and assistant superintendents are paying
at least two visits daily to barracks assigned to them for maintaining
discipline. All regional DIGs have also been directed to ensure
strict compliance of the directive by paying surprise visits
to jails in their jurisdiction.
DIG, Operations, Dr Haider Ashraf said a special
security plan on the occasion of Christmas had been devised.
He said six SPs, 35 DSPs, 83 Inspectors and 5000 Police Officials
would be deployed for the security of celebrations and churches
on December 24-25, 2014. He said the security plan had been
divided into three categories A, B and C. There were 153 Christian
settlements in the Lahore city. He said there were total 481
churches in the city and there were 69 churches in category
A, 94 in Category B and 318 in category C. Churches would be
guarded by barriers, barbed-wires, sniffing dogs, walk-through
gates, metal detectors and scanners, he added. Search sweep
operations would be conducted in the Christian communities as
well, he said. The participants would be allowed to enter after
thorough checking.
Political activist Muhammad Jibran Nasir, who
has been spearheading protests against Lal Masjid cleric, Maulana
Abdul Aziz, was allegedly threatened by TTP-JuA 'spokesperson'
Ehsanullah Ehsan. Jibran Nasir said that he recorded the conversation
and verified the voice of the caller with the help of media
contacts who were familiar with Ehsan's voice.
Nasir, however, made it clear that he would
not back down from their planned protests scheduled for December
22, 2014 outside the Lal Masjid in Islamabad. "We are not afraid.
We are not backing out," Nasir said, adding, "We are here to
save our mosques. Our mosques should preach love and peace.
They must present the right spirit of Islam." Further, Jibran
said that the mobile number being used by the caller originated
from Afghanistan.
The 'spokesman' of TTP Mohammad Khurasani threatens
media of dire consequences by claiming the killing of 120 of
its men in past 2 days. According to a statement issued, Muhammad
Khurasani blamed media and intellects for, what they said, insensitively
ignoring the killings of TTP men. "Media will have to face dire
consequences for backing the security forces", he threatened.
The ATCs in the Federal Capital have not convicted
even a single terror suspect whereas the conviction rate remained
the highest in Balochistan from 2008 to 2014 followed by Sindh,
the Punjab and KP, an analysis of official statistics of terrorism
cases revealed. As far as the number of under-trial cases is
concerned, Sindh stands at the top, and the Punjab, KP, Balochistan
and the Federal Capital follow. There are three ATCs in Islamabad
and they received 62 cases in seven years. All of them were
disposed of by acquitting the suspects due to want of evidence.
As many as 47 cases are under trial.
Balochistan has six courts for dealing with
terrorism offences. Of the 416 cases admitted in seven years,
67 have been decided, handing conviction in 76 per cent cases
(51) and acquitting 10 per cent cases (seven). Sindh comes second
in terms of high conviction rate. As many as 14 ATCs are operational
in this Province that dealt with 9,451 cases from 2008 to 2014.
So far, 2,214 cases have been decided. Terror suspects were
convicted in 30 per cent cases (669) and acquitted in 70 per
cent cases (1,545). Another 7,237 cases are still under trial.
Punjab has 15 such courts that received 5182
terrorism-related cases. Of them 3228 have been decided by conviction
in 28 per cent cases (895) and acquittal in 72 per cent cases
(2333). KP clinched fourth position in terms of conviction in
terrorism related offences. As many as 18 courts are taking
up these matters and they received 3231 cases in seven years.
Of them 2716 cases were disposed of by handing down conviction
in nine per cent (246) cases and acquittal in 91 per cent (2470)
cases.
A three-member review board of the Lahore High
Court (LHC) dismissed the Provincial Government's application
seeking an extension of LeJ leader Malik Ishaq's detention.
Ishaq has been detained for the past six months. The Home Department
detained him on July 4, 2014 under the Maintenance of Public
Order (MPO) law for inciting violence through hate speech. After
90 days the Provincial Government produced Ishaq before the
LHC's review board and asked for an extension of 90 days. As
the extension is about to expire, the Government once again
produced him before the review board requesting an extension.
The request was denied as the Government failed to provide reasonable
justification for the extension of detention.
Pakistan plans to execute around 500 militants
in coming weeks, said unnamed officials, after the Government
lifted a six-year moratorium on the death penalty in terror
cases. So far six militants have been hanged. "Interior Ministry
has finalized the cases of 500 convicts who have exhausted all
the appeals, their mercy petitions have been turned down by
the president and their executions will take place in coming
weeks," a senior unnamed Government Official said. A second
official confirmed the information. Of the six hanged so far,
five were involved in a failed attempt to assassinate the former
President General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf in 2003, while
one was involved in a 2009 attack on Army Headquarters. "Prime
Minister has also issued directions for appropriate measures
for early disposal of pending cases related to terrorism," the
spokesman said without specifically confirming the plan to execute
500.
Human Rights Watch earlier on December 20 had
termed the executions "a craven politicized reaction to the
Peshawar killings" and demanded that no further hangings be
carried out.
A three-year-old girl, Aleeza Ahmad, the daughter
of Ahmad Tauseeq, is said to be missing in the wake of the carnage
at Peshawar Army Public School on December 16. According to
officials at the Home Department, Aleeza Ahmad was in the playgroup
at APS on the day of the attack. The father has approached several
official departments in hope of locating Aleeza. After he contacted
the Provincial Government, the Police was directed to search
for the child and submit a finding as soon as possible. An official
from the counter terrorism department said that they have received
no such report as yet. "If we do receive any such information,
we will thoroughly investigate the matter."
The anti-terrorism experts pored over several
spanking new proposals including the formation of a "national
council for the prevention of terrorism" in the country and
introducing a "new criminal justice system" to deal with terrorism-related
cases. These experts represent more than a dozen security and
intelligence outfits. They presented their recommendations to
the NAPC who will discuss the proposals on its Tuesday's (December
23) meeting. "We recommended formation of a 'national council
for prevention of terrorism', 'new criminal justice system'
and creation of some two dozen new 'anti-terrorism courts' for
speedy trial of terrorists," a member of the group, requesting
anonymity said.
NAPC also considering setting up special courts
in the tribal areas for the trial of terrorism cases, full gear
activation of the NACTA and regulation of religious schools
(Madaris) to check growing terrorism and extremism in the country,
reports The News. According to sources, the committee that will
meet to discuss the recommendations prepared by a sub-committee
of technocrats has no proposal under consideration to take any
extreme step against the Madaris as sought by certain elements.
These sources said that with the consultation of religious scholars
from different schools of thought, the Government may be asked
by the committee to introduce Madaris-specific legislation to
regulate these institutions and organise their working.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Department
issued security guidelines to Government colleges and universities
across the province asking them not to reopen campuses at the
end of the ongoing winter vacation until proper security checks
are in place. The higher educational institutions were also
told to consult their respective District Police Officers and
Deputy Commissioners before reopening the campuses.
According to the officials in the know, the
Department has asked universities and colleges in the guidelines
to restrict the movement of visitors to the administration block
only and stop them from visiting academic blocks. They're also
told to evict those, who are not their own students, from hostels.
Under the guidelines, the department called for thorough examination
of vehicles entering educational institutions.
The Department also directed colleges and universities
to increase the number of security guards manning main gates.
It said the colleges should use funds for providing students
with the best possible security on campus. Ironically, the elementary
and secondary education department has yet to issue fresh guidelines
for the security of the students of 28,500 Government schools.
No Government Department has issued any security
directives to private educational institutions of the province.
Administratively, private schools totaling around 7,000 are
overseen by the respective educational boards. Officials at
the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Peshawar insisted
they were tasked only with supervising private schools academically.
They said it was the responsibility of law-enforcement agencies
to consult with private schools to ensure their security.
When contacted, Private Educational Institution
Management Association president Khwaja Yawar Naseer said the
association had decided that big schools won't hold morning
assembly. He said many private educational institutions had
already deployed security guards on campus in good number besides
installing closed-circuit television cameras to counter terrorist
threats. Naseer insisted it was the state's responsibility to
provide schools with security.
Two sons of Mohammad Ashfaq, who is accused
of carrying out the 2008 Marriott Hotel attack in Islamabad,
were expelled from a Kamalia town seminary in Toba Tek District.
The sons, identified as Suhaib (17) and Suhail (10), were in
the seminary to memories the Holy Quran. Qari Ghulam Rasool
of Madrassah Abdullah Bin Abbas said he was not aware that they
were sons of Ashfaq. "We came to know about their relations
when their maternal uncle Arshad was arrested on December 21,
2014," he said. According to details, Ashfaq had absconded to
Afghanistan after the 2008 Marriott attack. Two years ago his
son Suhaib was arrested when he was going to Afghanistan to
see him. He was released after six months of interrogation.
December 23
Six militants were killed in a clash during
a search operation in Halki Gandhab area of Mohmand Agency in
FATA. Sources said that personnel of the Swat Scouts were conducting
a search operation in Halki Gandhab when militants attacked
the search party. The soldiers repulsed the attack and killed
six militants in the retaliatory fire.
Security personnel recovered six bullet-riddled
bodies from the Yakagund area of Mohmand Agency. Official sources
said the victims had been shot dead and their bodies were dumped
in Yakagund.
A body bearing torture marks was found in Naye
Abade area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency.
One person was killed and three others sustained
injuries in a firing incident outside the BISP office on the
Peshawar Road in Charssada town of same District in KP. The
sources said that unknown persons opened indiscriminate fire
on the people waiting outside the BISP office. Four persons
Saida Khan, Hazrat Shah, Gul Zada and Asif Khan sustained injuries.
However, Hazrat Shah succumbed to injuries at Hospital.
Unidentified assailants shot dead a senior medical
technician in Landikas area of Mingora in Swat District. Sources
said that the gunmen opened fire on a senior medical technician,
Muhammad Nazir while he was on way home from his private clinic
in Landikas area, leaving him dead on the spot.
At least 16 suspected persons were arrested
during a search operation in Dera Ismail Khan town of same District
while sensitive installations were put on red alert to avert
terror activities. District Police Officer Sadiq Hussain Baloch,
City Deputy Superintendent of Police Tauheed Gandapur, DSP Bahawal
Khan and other officials participated in the operation. Central
Prison, High Court building and Police Line were put on high
alert in view of the terror attack on Army Public School in
Peshawar.
Security of sensitive installations and public
places in the provincial capital Peshawar and other parts of
the KP has been beefed up after fresh threats from the militants
to carry out the December 16-like attack. A source said the
security of jails, courts, Bacha Khan International Airport
and other important buildings in the city and cantonment have
been upgraded. The cops have been directed to stay alert to
thwart any attack, the source added.
Unidentified militants blew up an eight inch
diameter gas pipeline in Pir Koh gas field area of Dera Bugti
District.
SFs conducted a raid and arrested five TTP militants
from Nassai area of Killa Saifullah District. An unnamed security
official said, "Militants belong to banned TTP", adding that
the militants were also involved in kidnappings for ransom in
the area. SFs also recovered weapons and explosives from their
possession.
More than 150 suspected terrorists were arrested
in various parts of the country during a countrywide operation
against terrorists. According to reports, Police, Rangers and
Intelligence Agencies carried out a joint operation in Shehzad
Town Islamabad and arrested an alleged Afghan terrorist along
with eight other suspects. Documents and fake stamps were recovered
from the terrorist suspected to be Afghan who has now been given
in the custody of an Intelligence Agency for interrogation,
whereas weapons were recovered from eight other suspects. Police
and Security Forces also arrested at least 32 suspects across
Faisalabad District.
Police and Elite Force detained dozens of suspects
from Fakir Killey in Peshawar (KP) during a joint search operation.
Police besieged the area and carried door-to-door search to
check the documents of the locals and Afghan migrants residing
in the area. Dozens of suspects were detained as a result of
the operation.
At least 24 suspected persons were also arrested
by law enforcement agency in some areas of Abbottabad District
in KP. Weapons were also recovered from possession the suspects.
In Sindh, at least 35 suspected people were
arrested during a search operation in Gizri area Clifton Cantonment
of Saddar Town in Karachi.
Islamabad's Benazir International Airport was
put on red alert, reportedly due to security reasons. The airport
was cleared roughly an hour later and resumed normal operations
Police, the Airport Security Force, Rangers and Army were called
in after the airport was put on high alert and all the entry
and exit points of the airport were sealed off. There was a
security threat, airport officials confirmed and said it was
cleared after a search operation was conducted.
Justice Arshad Mahmood Tabassum of the LHC,
Rawalpindi bench, issued notices to the legal counsel for five
terrorists convicted by a military court after the Federal Government,
through Deputy Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti, filed an
application for recalling the orders. The LHC Rawalpindi Registry
suspended the death warrants of five persons convicted by a
military court for their alleged involvement in attacking armed
forces personnel in Gujranwala and Gujrat Districts of Punjab.
The five convicts include Ehsan Azeem, Asif Idrees, Amir Yousaf,
Kamran Aslam and Umar Nadeem. Currently, they are detained at
the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Punjab's provincial capital Lahore.
Soon after the court orders, the Federal Government filed the
application that was fixed for hearing. On Monday, the same
court directed the military authorities to provide trial documents
to the convicts on December 24, 2014, when the court resumes
the hearing.
An ATC convicted a gangster, identified as Prem,
affiliated with a Lyari-based gang on charges of extortion and
terrorism. The ATC-III sentenced Prem to five years in prison
after he was found guilty of taking extortion from a shopkeeper
at Light House in Saddar Town of Sindh's provincial capital
Karachi. According to the prosecution, Prem had demanded PKR
200,000 as extortion on April 10, 2013, from the complainant,
Khizar Siddiqi, who runs a paper shop on MA Jinnah Road, and
had threatened to kill him if he did not pay the money. The
shopkeeper had insisted he could not pay such a large amount
and after negotiations, the amount was settled at PKR 20,000.
Subsequently, Siddiqi had informed the Aram
Bagh Police, who formed a team to arrest the extortionist red-handed.
On April 12, when Prem arrived at the designated site to collect
the extortion money, he was arrested. Judge Saleem Raza Baloch,
of ATC-III, observed that Prem was found guilty of the offence
under Section 6(2) (k) of the ATA and had been convicted under
Section 265-H of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The judge also
ordered the convict to pay PKR 10,000 as fine, which on default
would result in three months of additional imprisonment.
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON)
retired Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch rejected a perception
that Afghan refugees will involuntarily be sent back to their
country after the December 16 Peshawar school attack. Speaking
at a news conference along with Maya Ameratunga, acting representative
of the UNHCR, the Minister claimed that the registered Afghan
refugees had never been found involved in terrorism-related
incidents in the country and said they would not be repatriated
against their will.
There are fears that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Government's tough stand against registered and unregistered
Afghans will expose refugees to harassment and exploitation
at the hands of the Police. After the December 16 Peshawar school
attack, the Provincial Government had held a cabinet meeting
on security on December 19. The cabinet had declared the presence
of a large number of Afghan refugees in the province a burden,
which, it insisted, affected security situation in the province.
They had decided to ask the Federal Government to send Afghan
refugees home and finalise a repatriation plan in 30 days. "The
cabinet's decision was totally unrealistic. It can only encourage
the police to extort money from Afghan nationals in the province,"
said an official.
On the heels of an the all-important military
action against TTP in Afghanistan's Kunar province, ISAF and
Afghan army chiefs landed on a daylong visit to exchange notes
with Pakistan's military command in line with coordinated military
action at the borderlands. Commander ISAF General John Campbell
and Afghanistan's Chief of General Staff General Sher Muhammad
Karimi held a detailed meeting with CoAS General Raheel Sharif
to review progress on the ongoing coordinated drive against
the TTP, LI and their affiliated organisations at the respective
sides of the Pak-Afghan border.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) gave the last opportunity
to the Foreign Affairs Ministry to submit its reply on a petition
challenging US act of announcing bounty on JuD 'chief' Hafiz
Muhammad Saeed and his deputy, Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki. Deputy
Attorney General stated the Ministry had sought details of the
matter from the US State Department and their response was awaited.
He said the Ministry would be able to submit a reply after getting
the required details from US. The law officer sought more time
to come up with the Ministry's reply. Justice Masood Abid Naqvi
adjourned hearing till February 26, 2015, directing the law
officer to ensure submission of the reply on the next date.
The Ministry had told the court that US announcement
of bounty on the petitioners (Hafiz Saeed and Makki) was not
a binding for Pakistan. The petition was pending adjudication
since 2012 when US Under-Secretary of State Wendy Sherman stated
that the both JuD leaders carried USD 10 million and USD three
million head money, respectively. However, the petitioners,
through their counsel, submitted the JuD was a charitable organisation
and had no nexus with any banned outfit.
The NAPC took up the 17 recommendations of its
working group and deliberated upon them in detail. The seventeen
recommendations of working group emphasized strong military,
administrative, legal measures spanning from military courts
in FATA to reforms in religious seminaries to banning of hatred
material in the country.
During the committee meeting, opinions differed
on various issues. Members from FATA in the committee objected
to setting up the military courts in the area by excluding the
others. The representatives of religious political parties showed
concerns over the reforms in religious seminaries. According
to sources, JI opposed establishment of the military courts.
The party representative argued that the existing judicial system
has punished the culprits and opposed formation of military
courts in presence of the constitution and the law. JI leader
also argued that the military courts will bypass the existing
judicial system.
The working group recommendations proposed formation
of the ATC to be chaired by the Prime Minister and represented
by Federal Ministry for Interior, the Army, the ISI, IB and
other organizations as well as strengthening the NACTA and formation
of a STF to combat terrorism. It proposed that militants included
in schedule fourth of the Anti-Terror Act be arrested and a
ban be imposed on the militant organizations and their leaders
as well as ban on hate speech and literature and underscored
the need for reforms in the religious seminaries.
It also called for action through monitoring
internet activities of terrorists by the Federal Investigation
Agency and also suggested that protection to religious minorities
and cancelling all the licenses for explosive material. It also
suggested the ban on glorifying the terrorist' elements on national
electronic and print and urged that it should be considered
as criminal offence. It was also recommended that act of praising
terrorists through electronic and print media should be considered
as a crime.
Accusing the Government of failing to take quick
action after the December 16, 2014, Peshawar school terrorist
attack, legislators in the Upper House of Parliament demanded
the Government ban foreign funding to those madrassas who were
involved in any type of militant training. They said that after
the Peshawar incident, it was right time for the Government
to "clean" those madrassas who were involved in preparation
of jihad in neighbouring countries, especially India and Afghanistan.
They said then Government must top interference in other countries
if it wants to wash out terrorism from the country.
PPP central leader Senator Aitzaz Ahsan said,
"The helplessness of Government begins when it fail to take
action against Lal Masjid chief Maulana Abdul Aziz, who openly
supports Taliban," adding that instead of registering a case
against Abdul Aziz, the Government registered a case against
civil society activists who protested against him over his support
to terrorists. He asked why the Government was not cleaning
the 10 per cent madrassas which the Federal Minister for Interior
claimed were involved in terrorist activities.
The Army Public School and College of Peshawar
attackers used cellphones to stay in touch with each other and
also with two of their commanders during the attack. The source
said at least three of the attackers used cellphones that were
activated two days before the attack. The SIMs were probably
purchased and activated in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber Agency
in FATA, said a source from the initial investigation by the
Police. The source added that the attackers called each other
and their command several times while butchering innocent students
at the auditorium, classes, corridors and other places.
These SIMs were registered with fake names of
people belonging to the Punjab and Sindh. Thousands of SIMs
are sold daily in the country without any proper procedure.
Mostly unregistered SIMs have been used in terrorist attacks
and heinous crimes. Some reports said that the attackers were
supported by at least four facilitators who dropped them before
managing their escape. The reports also added that two of the
attackers were Afghans, another two were from Swat while at
least one was from Bara. The report said the attackers stayed
at a local mosque before carrying out the attack via the Bihari
Colony. However, it could not be confirmed.
The KP IG of Police Nasir Khan Durrani has requested
the Federal and Provincial Governments to enact stringent laws
for curtailing use of illegal and fake SIMs by criminals and
terrorists in the country. He said that unregistered SIMs, issued
on fake names, were one of the main instruments in the hands
of terrorists and criminals operating across the country, according
to a press release issued. The IGP said that investigations
into a number of cases revealed that terrorists and criminals
used unregistered SIMs for their nefarious designs. "It in turn
makes it difficult for the investigative agencies to track them
down," he added.
December 24
Three suspected militants belonging to TTP were
killed in an `encounter' in Surjani Town in Karachi. The deceased
were identified as Anwar, Shere Raheem and Nasrullah, who belonged
to TTP (Khan Zaman group), said Karachi West SSP, Azfar Mahesar.
At least 26 persons, including two children,
were injured in a bicycle-bomb blast on one of busiest streets
in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.
"At least 26 civilians were wounded and three of them are in
critical condition in the bicycle bombing on Prince Road," CCPO
Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema said. An IED weighing five kilograms
was fitted on a bicycle before being parked outside a hotel,
the CCPO added. The blast caused a fire to erupt in six shops
and fire tenders had to be called in to extinguish the blaze.
A Special Court remanded LeJ leader Malik Ishaq
in judicial custody for two weeks in a murder and terrorism
case lodged with Airport Police Station in Rahim Yar Khan District
on the complaint of one Husain Abbas on October 14, 2014 over
the sectarian killing of his son Allah Ditta. Ishaq was produced
before Special Magistrate Ghulam Mujtaba Baloch in a murder
and terrorism case. The case was lodged under Pakistan Protection
Act 2014.
December 25
One tribal elder, Malik Badshah Khan Sikandar
Khel, was shot dead in Malak Shaga locality of Ghundi when he
was going to Jamrud bazaar in Khyber Agency of FATA. SFs reached
the area swiftly and shot dead a suspected militant and arrested
five of his accomplices. "One suspected militant, Saddam Jan,
was killed and five more attackers, one of them with bullet
wounds, were apprehended during the shootout," the security
sources said. SFs combed the Ghundi area after the incident
and picked up at least 45 suspects.
One Zai Khan Kattakhel was killed by unidentified
assailants on a motorcycle in Shah Kas area of Jamrud.
A joint raid by Police and the Army led to the
arrest of at least 35 men in an injured condition from a clandestine
hospital from Nothia area of Peshawar, the provincial capital
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Acting on a tip-off from security agencies,
authorities raided a house in Nothia area of Peshawar and found
that it doubled as a hospital.
The FC during a search operation arrested seven
BLF militants near the coastal highway in Chakwali and Shadi
Khor in Gwadar District. According to the FC statement, officials
seized three Chinese-made automatic weapons, one pistol, two
8-MM Rifles, one 12-bore Rifle and 600 rounds of different caliber.
DIG Police, Larkana Range, Sain Rakhio Mirani,
head of the investigation team of the high profile murder case
of JUI-F leader Dr Khalid Mahmood Soomro, said that Dr Soomro's
assassination was a sectarian killing and five suspects were
arrested from Site area in Sukkur District while they were attempting
to flee to Punjab.
The suspects were identified as Muhammad Haneef
Bhutto, Altaf Husain Jamali and Darya Khan, Sarang and Mushtaq
Mahar. He said it was detected in the preliminary investigation
that it was a sectarian killing and all of the killers were
from a rival Sunni sect. He said the police produced them at
the ATC Sukkur to obtain remand. He further said that the eye-witnesses
present at the time of the assassination in the mosque identified
them during the identification parade.
SP Khairpur Sajid Husain Khokhar said that two
militants, identified as Muhammad Haroon Dahari and Halimullah
Dahari, surrendered before Khairpur Police. He said both of
them were wanted by Police in 20 different cases. He further
said that Khairpur Police was determined to provide relief to
those criminals who would surrender. The Police would distribute
the head money if any such money was announced for them.
Intelligence Agencies after tracing a suspicious
call carried out a raid in Farid Colony near Kot Lakhpat area
of provincial capital Lahore and arrested three suspected terrorists,
including two women, who were allegedly planning to attack the
Central Jail Kot Lakhpat. During the raid, the Intelligence
Agencies personnel also found in upper portion of the house
a rocket launcher, uniform of the armed forces, bow and arrows,
latest weapons, maps of the central jail as well as other documents.
"Women were to be used in the jail attack," one of the sources
said, adding that the suspects were moved to an unknown place
for interrogation. Later, the SFs carried out raids on indication
of the terrorists.
There are 63 convicts, who have been awarded
death sentence in cases of terrorism, confined in the central
jail. These death-row prisoners include five convicts, Ehsan
Azeem, Asif Idrees, Amir Yousaf, Kamran Aslam and Umar Nadeem,
who were awarded capital punishment by Field General Court Martial
and the stay order against their executions has been vacated
by Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench.
According to statistics revealed at least 28
activists of political parties, banned religious organisations
and sectarian outfits are among the 458 convicts on death row
in Sindh Province. Of these, the mercy appeals of eight convicts
are pending before the President and one before the Army General
Headquarters. Consolidated statistics show that the major prisons
in Karachi, Larkana, Hyderabad and Sukkur Districts house 458
such prisoners, who were awarded death sentences by the Sessions
Courts and the Special ATC over the years. The appeals of 379
condemned prisoners are pending before the SHC while another
25 appeals are pending verdicts at the Supreme Court.
The figures further reveal that the appeals
of two members of a banned militant outfit, Mohammad Rehman
alias Mani and Anwar-ul-Haq, who had challenged the death sentences
awarded to them by the ATC, are awaiting decision before the
SHC. A member of a banned sectarian outfit, identified as Syed
Mohammad Tehseen alias Rashid, was awarded capital punishment
by the ATC on March 22, 2007. Another convict Rehimullah alias
Naeem was also awarded the death sentence by the ATC on January
19, 2010, whose appeal is still awaiting decision in the SHC.
Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique
said that there was a difference between martial law and establishment
of military courts in the prevailing circumstances. He said
that military courts were imperative to punish terrorists and
they were not aimed at singling out political opponents. He
said that the decision to setup military courts was taken by
the political leadership for the betterment of Pakistan. The
Minister said that the Government, opposition and the army were
united against terrorism. He said that no politician should
invite martial law.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting
Pervaiz Rashid while addressing a candlelight vigil at National
Broadcasting House in Islamabad in memory of the victims of
December 16, 2014, terrorist attack on Army Public School in
Peshawar said that no armed group would be allowed to dictate
its agenda and disturb the peace of the country. Rashid said
the country has resolved that it would not allow the formation
of armed groups to dictate to the nation about its way of life
and relations with neighbours. He said consensus reached during
the meeting of parliamentary leaders would serve as a journey
'from darkness to the light'.
The information minister said only those institutions
authorised by the Constitution have the right and responsibility
to possess the gun and use it to defend the country and its
people. "No other group or militant organisation can be given
this right," he said, adding "The militants have spared neither
bazaars, mosques, defence installations nor hospitals."
The COAS General Raheel Sharif expressed the
resolve that terrorism and extremism would be rooted out from
the country. He paid rich tributes to the political leadership
of the country for their spirit and unwavering resolve to rid
Pakistan of the menace of terrorism through reforms and administrative
measures, says an ISPR press release.
Army command reviewed its role as envisaged
in the newly launched National Action Plan aimed at eliminating
terrorism, and took decisions accordingly, including the upcoming
deputation of army officers in the special trial courts being
set up in the FATA. In a top-level meeting of the command and
staff officers at the General Headquarters, COAS General Raheel
Sharif and his military aides discussed the upcoming formation
of special trial courts in the FATA, and exchanged notes on
the relevant specifications.
The NACTA asked all the Provinces to conduct
a social audit of all the 60 banned organisations to find out
which of them are working under new names so that the law and
the latest decisions announced by the Prime Minister after parliamentary
parties meeting can be implemented. "Not only all the 63 organisations
(three were placed under observation in 2012) mentioned in the
NACTA list of proscribed organisations as available on its official
website are banned, their affiliates cannot work with any other
organisation or with a new organisation using different names.
Also, these persons can't freely move. So, we have issued instructions
to Police heads across the country to immediately restrict the
movement of all such people who have ever remained associated
with any of these 63 banned organisations," NACTA chief Hamid
Ali Khan said.
He said, "The list of 63 organisations banned
by the Government as available on the NACTA official website
is correct and updated." Hamid Ali Khan said that a social audit
of all the organisations and their leaders and activists would
be conducted on a war footing and any banned organisation found
working with a new name would also be immediately banned. Any
organisation found having individuals who previously remained
a part of any of the proscribed organisations would also be
banned. He said that the social audit had already begun.
Ali further disclosed that the Punjab and Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Provinces were cooperating with regard to controlling
and handling the proscribed organisations and their operatives,
whereas Sindh was not extending cooperation on the pretext that
law and order was a provincial issue. "We have informed them
that anti-terrorism laws are federal laws and have to be obeyed
by the Provincial Governments," Hamid said. He said that implementation
in Sindh was almost zero. On the other hand, he said that there
was partial implementation in the province of Balochistan.
December 26
At least 23 militants were killed during airstrikes
conducted by military fighter jets targeting militant hideouts
in Madakhel, Lataka and Basikel areas of Dattakhel in NWA of
FATA. At least six hideouts were destroyed. The airstrikes targeted
the hideouts of Uzbek militants and there are reports that a
key 'commander' is among the dead.
At least seven terrorists were killed and five
others sustained injuries in two US drone attacks targeting
two compounds of TTP-Punjab Chapter militants (also known as
Punjabi Taliban) in the Shawal area of NWA. According to sources,
the first drone fired two missiles and struck a compound at
Kand Ghar area in Shawal Valley. "Four militants were killed
and three others sustained critical injuries in the first attack,"
said an unnamed official. In the second attack, the sources
said, the drone fired two missiles and hit a house in the Mangroti
area in the Shawal Valley where Punjabi Taliban militants were
hiding. According to official sources, three militants were
killed and two others were injured in the missile strikes. Some
reports suggested that three Uzbek militants were also killed
in the two drone strikes carried out by the US drone.
SFs seized a huge quantity of arms and explosives,
including 22 mortar shells, 66 landmines and 35 kilograms of
explosives, from a house during a search operation in Lakaro
area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency. Sources added that the
SFs have also recovered rockets from the house.
Unnamed official sources said that the SFs have
formally cleared most of Bara tehsil of militants setting the
stage for the repatriation of around 100,000 displaced families
next week. The sources said that last week, the Civil Secretariat
(FATA) withdrew the notification, which was issued some years
ago to declare most parts of Khyber Agency's Bara tehsil conflict
zone, after the SFs restored peace there by eliminating militants.
They said the FDMA had sought PKR 3.5 billion
from the Federal Government for the repatriation of IDPs to
Khyber Agency. An official said the FDMA had asked the finance
division to release the required amount of money immediately
to start repatriation of IDPs from January 15, 2015.
A driver of the MOL Oil Company, identified
as Meenadar, was killed and two Policemen, identified as Zafarullah
and Hilal, sustained injuries when unidentified militants opened
indiscriminate fire at a checkpoint in Sarki Mela area of Hangu
District.
41 Afghans illegally living in the Province
were arrested under 14 Foreigners' Act during a search operation
in Peshawar. Police said the arrested Afghans would be handed
over to the authorities for deportation through the Torkham
border.
Police claimed to have arrested 13 suspects,
including Afghans, during a search operation in the limits of
Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan Police Station of Darra Pezu town of
Lakki Marwat District. An unnamed official said that Afghans
were among the arrested men and that they were shifted to the
Police Station for identification and interrogation. "Cases
were also registered against the possessors of illegal arms
and ammunition," he added.
An unnamed official source said said that the
authorities have compiled a list of around 135 suspects who
are to be arrested for supporting militancy and terrorism. The
source said that the list has been sent to the concerned District
Police Officers for action. The source said that these suspects
would be held in the coming few days for supporting militants.
Most of those on the list belong to Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat
Districts of the Province, the source added.
A confidential intelligence report revealed
the names of militants killed in the APS massacre on December
16, 2014. According to the report, Abuzar, Omar, Imran, Yousaf,
Aziz, Chamnay and Qari, have been identified as the militants
involved and killed in the attack. "The group involved in the
attack is active in the 25 disputed villages of Michni, Shabqadar
as well as Bannu, Karak and Lakki Marwat," stated the report.
The technical committee on law and order formed
by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak ordered a crackdown against
all illegal Afghan refugees in the Province. Police have been
directed to arrest and deport them with immediate effect. According
to those familiar with the matter, the Police has been asked
to closely monitor activity at bus stands, railway stations
and markets. Plain clothes policemen have been deployed in various
areas to avoid any untoward incident.
A gangster, identified as Shakeel Dad alias
Grenade, who was involved in more than 50 target killing cases
was shot dead during an encounter with the Police within the
limits of the Mochko Police Station in Mawach Goth area of Lyari
Town in provincial capital Karachi. According to the Police,
he was associated with the Uzair Baloch group of Lyari gangsters.
SSP Sheeraz Nazeer said that the he was wanted by the Police
for various murder and extortion cases.
Five suspects, affiliated with political and
religious parties, were arrested during two separate targeted
raids conducted by LEAs in Korangi Town. The suspects were identified
as Fahim, Imtiaz, Irfan alias Chand, Mushtaq and Shoaib. A large
cache of weapons was also recovered from their possession.
Five suspects were arrested during a targeted
operation in Block-12 Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Town.
Four target killers, belonging to a political
party, were arrested during a raid conducted near Sindhi Hotel
in Liaquatabad Town. Sources claimed that the suspects were
wanted in several target killing cases.
Three TTP militants were arrested during a targeted
raid in Korangi Industrial Area of Korangi Town. Their identities
were not disclosed.
Four Lyari gangsters were arrested during a
targeted operation conducted by the Police in Afshani Gali of
Lyari Town. The Police said that the gangsters hurled three
Awan bombs at the Rangers and Police while law enforcers were
busy in preparing for the raid. However, no casualties were
reported.
Wall-chalking, carrying the name of Islamic
State (IS, also known as Daish), appeared in a youth hostel
located in Sachal Colony of Larkana District. Following the
emergence of the wall-chalking, locals in the area voiced their
concerns after which Police started an investigation.
At least 12 suspected militants, including two
TTP 'commanders', were arrested during a raid conducted by SFs
in house in Kuchlak area of Quetta. Arms and ammunition and
suicide jackets were recovered from the house.
Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to
the Government as Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind
of the 2008 Mumbai attacks (also known as 26/11) and LeT 'commander',
challenged his detention orders. On December 19, 2014, authorities
had detained Lakhvi under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public
Order (3MPO) in Adiala jail of Rawalpindi District in Punjab
Province for 30 days, shortly after he was granted bail by an
ATC.
Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi issued notice to
the federation and directed it to file a reply by December 29,
2014. Lakhvi, through his counsel Raja Rizwan Abbasi, had challenged
his detention orders, contending that they are 'illegal'. He
argued that the ATC had granted his client bail, but the Government
had flouted the ATC's orders by not releasing his client. He
requested the court to annul the detention orders.
The ATC Islamabad stated in its written order
on December 26 that legal loopholes in the Mumbai attacks case
led to the grant of bail to Lakhvi. The order added that weak
evidence, the registration of the FIR invoking irrelevant sections
against the suspect, the 'never-ending' trial and hearsay evidence
went in favour of the accused. Lakhvi was arrested by the FIA
in February 2009 on the basis of the confessional statement
of the lone surviving attacker Ajmal Kasab and detained at the
Adiala Jail.
A non-bailable warrant for the arrest of Lal
Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz was issued by Senior Civil
Judge Saqib Jawad while hearing a case filed by civil society
members in Islamabad. During the hearing, the investigation
officer of the case requested the court to issue an arrest warrant
for Maulana Abdul Aziz for investigation, based on a FIR that
was previously registered against him at the Aabpara Police
Station. Judge Saqib accepted the investigation officer's request
and an arrest warrant was issued, which will be followed by
the Police taking legal procedures to arrest Aziz for further
investigation. The SHO of Aabpara Police Station, Khalid Awan,
said that the non-bailable arrest warrant for Maulana Aziz had
been received.
Police Officers said that they were finding
it hard to implement the orders in the case of Abdul Aziz, and
feared that his detention under the Maintenance of Public Order
(MPO) may create a law and order situation. The cleric has already
threatened to launch a countrywide protest if he is arrested.
If the cleric voluntarily becomes part of the investigation,
Police cannot execute the arrest, officials said, adding that
even in that case, he would be bound to prove his innocence
and was liable to arrest if he failed to do that.
An unnamed senior Police Officer said that after
Police obtained the arrest warrants, they approached Abdul Aziz,
who acceded to their request to join the investigation. However,
the officer said that Aziz had denied the allegations leveled
against him, insisting that he was not physically present at
the Lal Masjid on the day the complainants claimed they were
threatened.
According to official statistics as many as
56 more prisoners, including 11 convicted on terrorism charges
by military courts, are likely to be hanged after rejection
of their mercy petitions by the President of Pakistan. Of the
17 prisoners convicted in terrorism cases by military courts
and imprisoned in Provincial jails, six have been hanged in
Faisalabad District Jail so far. Through an ATC in Lahore issued
death warrants of two more condemned prisoners convicted on
terrorism charges, jail sources claimed no such warrants were
received by Faisalabad District Jail officials.
Official statistics available show that as many
as 5,722 condemned prisoners, including 43 females, are languishing
in 32 Provincial Jails out of which 56, including one woman
and 11 convicted by military courts in connection with terrorism,
are awaiting executions. There are 455 condemned prisoners whose
appeals are pending with the President, while appeals of two
others are in the army's General Headquarters and of one prisoner
is with the Federal Shariat Court. There are some 897 condemned
prisoners, including four females, whose appeals are pending
with the Supreme Court, while appeals of 4,273 male and 38 female
prisoners are pending with the high court.
An ATC finalised January 13, 2015 as the date
for execution of two convicts held at Faisalabad Central Jail.
UN chief Ban Ki-Moon is pressing Pakistan to
end capital punishment and restore a moratorium on the death
penalty the Government lifted in terror cases following the
December 16, 2014 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar
District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. "While fully recognizing
the difficult circumstances, the Secretary General urged the
government of Pakistan to stop the executions of convicts and
re-impose the moratorium on the death penalty," Ban's office
said in a statement, adding that Sharif promised "all legal
norms would be respected."
PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry said that
Punjab should be the focal point for eliminating terrorists
in the light of multi-party conference recommendations and consequent
approval by the National Action Committee. Chaudhry said that
the Punjab Government should make a Provincial Action Plan against
terrorists as terrorism had not plagued Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or
Balochistan only, but was also rooted in many areas of Punjab.
Until Punjab focused on improving the law and order situation
and stopped providing indirect support to banned organisations,
he said, the menace of terrorism could not be eliminated.
In order to stop the flow of funds to terror
outfits, PM Nawaz Sharif constituted a Special Committee for
the implementation of the National Action Plan on counter-terrorism,
the specifications of which would be finalised in a follow-up
meeting scheduled for December 27, 2014 at the Prime Minister's
House in Islamabad, while the State Bank of Pakistan and Ministry
of Finance have been directed to stop terror funding.
While chairing a high-level meeting at the PM
House, Nawaz directed the Ministry of Finance and SBP to pull
the plug on the terrorists' finances by enhanced financial scrutiny
to make sure that the public funds did not reach any terror
outfit. The SBP has been directed to supervise anti-terror financing
in Pakistan and freeze all accounts which were being used for
funding terrorists. The PM has also issued directives to Finance
Minister Ishaq Dar and the State Bank to start investigating
accounts in an effort to stop financial assistance being provided
to terrorists.
Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan would not survive
if terrorists were not eliminated from the country. As per his
earlier pronouncement that he would lead the war against terrorism
personally, the PM dedicated yet another full day for the execution
of the National Action Plan to counter terrorism that was agreed
upon and adopted by all the political parties. "I will personally
supervise the implementation of the plan and will make sure
that it is a swift and effective execution," PM Nawaz vowed
at a consultative meeting at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad.
He announced that besides the Operation Zarb-e-Azb,
another operation would be launched in major cities and streets
to wipe out the terrorists. He further said that an irreversible
process of elimination of militants had started. He announced
that he would go to each and every province to meet their respective
Governments, law enforcement and Intelligence Agencies to supervise
the implementation plan. "We now have a roadmap that will be
easily guided by the historic national consensus that was reached
on December 24, 2014" he said.
December 27
At least 12 militants were killed and five SFs
were injured when SFs repulsed attacks on two check posts in
Shindara and Khazana Kandao area of Orakzai Agency in FATA.
Two terrorists were killed in an alleged Police
encounter in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According
to Police, the shootout with terrorists took place within the
limits of Mominabad Police Station. Police recovered weapons,
hand grenade and a snatched vehicle from the possession of the
militants.
Gunmen shot dead a member of the Ahmadi religious
minority. Luqman Ahad Shehzad was shot in the back of the head
near Bhiri Shah Rehman village, a small community of Ahmadis
in the Gujranwala district of Punjab Province.
December 28
At least eight militants and one FC soldier
was killed while seven soldiers were injured in clash between
militants and SFs that erupted after the militants attacked
the FC vehicle, killing one soldier in Loti area of Dera Bugti
District. Eight militants were in retaliatory attack. No outfit
claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two suicide bombers were killed during a search
operation in Gawal Ismailzai area of Zhob District. One suicide
bomber blew himself up while the other one was killed by security
forces," said an unnamed security officer. SFs and militants
also exchanged fire during the operation. SFs also recovered
500 bombs, 200 kilograms of explosives, 50 jackets, 13 rocket
launchers and other weapons during the operation. The officer
stated that the SFs also defused bombs planted by militants
in the area.
Police foiled a major terror bid by defusing
two bombs planted on railway track on Sariab Road in provincial
capital Quetta. Razzaq Cheema, the CCPO confirmed the incident,
adding that the Rawalpindi bound Jaffar Express was saved from
being attacked.
FC and Police arrested four suspected militants,
including a key 'commander' of an unnamed militant outfit, during
a joint operation on Sariab Road area of Quetta. SFs also recovered
arms from their possession. The militants were involved in acts
of targeted killings, kidnappings and other saboteur activities,
said Imran Qureshi, a senior Police Officer.
Police and SFs also foiled a major terror bid
on Brewery Road in Quetta. Police sources said that the SFs
defused a suicide jacket, which was kept close to a drain. The
suicide jacket weighed 10 kilograms, Police said.
Two Policemen, identified as Abdul Hafiz (40)
and Khuda Dad (35), were killed in Jehanabad area of Lyari Town
in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
One Bilawal (20), was shot at and injured near
Usmanabad area in Lyari Town.
A man, identified as Muhammad Rafiq was shot
at and injured by unidentified armed assailants on Shershah
Akbar Road.
A man, identified as Iftikhar (22) was injured
near Islamia Hall in Soldier Market of Jamshed Town.
One Fahad Shaikh (25) was injured by unidentified
armed assailants on University Road in Guslahn-e-Iqbal Town.
Seven suspected extortionists and abductors
were arrested during a raid conducted by Rangers in Akhtar Colony,
Mehmoodabad areas of Jamshed Town.
The Rangers arrested three suspects, including
one belonging to a militant outfit, during a raid conducted
in Golden Town area of Malir Town.
Police investigators found out that growing
use of licensed arms in targeted killings and terror attacks
in Karachi in recent months, including the June 2014 attack
on Karachi airport. The officials arrived at this conclusion
during the course of investigations into the airport attack.
An alleged militant commander, Dilfaraz Jan,
was killed in a shoot-out between SFs and militants during a
search operation at Bachki in Jani Khel area of Bannu District
in KP.
A suicide jacket was recovered from a house
in Mian Jee Kala, in the jurisdiction of Mathra Police Station
in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP, in the evening.
Four suspected persons, including a father and
two sons, were arrested by SFs during an operation in Nisata
area of Charsadda District. Sadiq Shah, a resident of Nisata
was arrested along with two sons while the fourth suspect, Kishwar,
is said to be an Afghan national.
Around 120 suspects, including numerous Afghan
refugees and tribesmen were arrested during search operation
from various areas of Swabi District. Swabi DPO Sajjad Khan
said Police launched a crackdown in an Afghan refugee camp,
Baragai Salim Khan, Chota Lahor and Rajar areas.
SFs also conducted an operation in Zarkai area
of Kolachi tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan District in the afternoon.
At least 35 houses were searched in a door-to-door raid and
over a dozen suspects were arrested. Furthermore, seven pistols
and a large cache of weapons were also seized in the crackdown.
Security of the Bacha Khan International Airport
at Peshawar has been enhanced while patrolling has been increased
in its funnel area after threats that the militants may carry
out attacks on the airports in the country. There were reports
that all the provinces have been alerted to increase security
in and around the airports as militants may carry out attack
on any of the facility in retaliation to the ongoing military
action against their network.
The missing person's cases and decisions of
provincial and national importance remained the focus of the
Peshawar High Court during 2014 as 1,990 people were traced
out and 12 of them got released through political administration
and Police. As per record of the PHC, the law enforcing agencies
submitted a list of 934 missing persons in the court in October,
who had been traced and shifted to various internment centres
being run under the Home Department KP and FATA Additional Chief
Secretary under the special law called Action (in Aid of Civil
Power) Regulations 2011, for FATA and PATA. The law enforcing
agencies also submitted another list of 80 missing persons the
same month in the court, who were shifted to various internment
centres. In the list of missing persons submitted to the court
in September, 42 such people were traced out. Similarly, the
agencies also submitted a list of 96 missing persons in the
same month, who were shifted to the interment centres. A list
of 130 missing persons was submitted in June this year to the
court and of 708 missing persons in May 2014, who were traced
out and shifted to different interment centres.
Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz will neither
surrender to the Police nor will he seek pre-arrest bail, a
statement issued by the mosque's spokesperson Mufti Tehseenullah
said. Mufti Tehseenullah said that the case was "politically
motivated" and that a few members of the "so-called civil society"
had exerted pressure on the Police to register a "baseless case"
against the cleric.
"Maulana Abdul Aziz has decided in principle
that he will neither surrender to the Police nor get a pre-arrest
bail in the baseless case." He also rejected claims made by
civil society members about threats by guards of the mosque
and said Maulana Aziz had condemned the Peshawar attack and
that there was no justification to register a case with the
Police. "We will not tolerate if the administration takes any
action under pressure," Tehseenullah warned.
Top security agencies are drawing up a list
of militant organisations that will be banned as part of the
new anti-terror strategy approved recently by the civil-military
leadership in the wake of the December 16 attack on Army Public
school in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. According
to the list, the IS, known as Daish in Arabic - a militant outfit
that has made significant strides in parts of Syria and Iraq
- is likely to be proscribed in Pakistan. Despite denials from
the Federal Government, the Islamic State is believed to be
engaged in a recruitment drive in Pakistan. One intelligence
report suggested that the militant organisation is trying to
establish its network in Balochistan, which is already in turmoil
due to insurgency.
Although there is no clear evidence of the IS's
presence in the country, wall-chalking supporting the militant
outfit has recently appeared in several major cities, including
Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Earlier this month, the Foreign
Ministry said the Police had arrested some people linked to
the IS graffiti in various cities. Also some members of the
religious right, including Lal Masjid chief cleric Maulana Abdul
Aziz, have publicly supported the IS agenda.
A KP select committee approved the draft of
the Security of Sensitive Installations and Vulnerable Places
Bill. The handout said committee members at a meeting reviewed
the draft bill and approved it based on the recommendations
of lawmakers. It will now be tabled on the assembly floor for
enactment. The meeting was held at the KP Assembly Secretariat
and led by the select committee's chairperson, Chief Minister
Pervez Khattak. He told participants that reviewing the Government's
policy on Afghan refugees and foreign affairs was essential
for overall security.
December 29
Two men, identified as Shahid (22) and Irfan
(28) were shot dead by unidentified armed assailants near Nasir
Colony in Korangi Town of provincial capital Karachi.
A man, identified as Hazrat Iqbal (22) was shot
dead near Mauripur Road in Macchar Colony of Kiamari Town.
One Mahir (30) was shot dead near Singo Lane
in Lyari Town.
Five LeJ militants were arrested from Ittehad
Town in Baldia Town in a raid conducted by CID Anti-Terrorism
Cell. The CID also recovered weapons, including five hand grenades
from their possession. Sources revealed that the arrested militants
had received jihad training in Waziristan area of FATA.
Kashmore Police arrested three alleged terrorists,
identified as Haneef, Jafar Husain and Mir Khan Jakhrani, and
recovered seven kilogram of explosive material, including a
live bomb, four hand grenades, fuses, circuits, devices and
wires, from their possession. SSP Kashmore Umar Tufail confirmed
the arrests. SSP revealed that the terrorists admitted of planning
explosions in Rahim Yar Khan or Dera Ghazi Khan Districts of
Punjab Province. He said that the Police foiled their attempts
of carrying out explosions.
Three Iranian soldiers were killed in an ambush
with Pakistani militants in southeastern Iranian Province of
Sistan-Balochistan. The militants fled over the nearby Pakistani
border after killing the three soldiers, said a senior official.
"Terrorists carried out an ambush against a military patrol
and, after killing three Revolutionary Guards, fled into nearby
Pakistan," the Province's Deputy Governor Ali Asghar Mirshekari
said.
Four Pakistani transporters were injured when
the Iranian border guards retaliated and fired 42 mortar shells
into Zamuran town of Turbat District. Two pickup cars were partially
damaged in the explosions which took place at the Jalgi area
of Buleda tehsil in the District. "The explosions were
heard several kilometers away, causing fear and panic," said
an unnamed official, adding, "At least four Pakistani transporters
or drivers sustained minor wounds."
Three SF personnel were injured in an IED explosion
near a vehicle of the SFs carrying oil on Khapakh Road of Safi
tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA on the afternoon. The vehicle
was also partially damaged. After the explosion, the political
administration demolished the house of a suspect identified
as Arif, while six tribesmen were arrested under the collective
responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulations.
SFs arrested 14 suspected militants, including
a key 'commander', during an operation in the Eastern Bypass
area of provincial capital Quetta. "Forces acted on an intelligence
tip-off," said an unnamed intelligence officer, adding that
a militant belonging to Jundullah, who was the mastermind of
the November 26, 2014 attack on polio workers in Quetta was
among the arrested militants. The SFs also recovered arms and
ammunition from their possession.
The leader of PAC Uzair Jan Baloch alias
Sardar Uzair was arrested by the Interpol in Dubai, officials
confirmed. Baloch is the main accused in the killing of rival
gangster, Arshad Pappu. Officials did not confirm when Uzair
Baloch would be brought to Karachi but said that the Dubai authorities
would hand him over to the FIA first and then he would be handed
over to the Sindh Police. "Yes, Uzair Baloch has been arrested
in Dubai," confirmed Sindh Home Secretary Dr Niaz Ali Abbasi.
Justice Noorul Haq N. Qureshi of the Islamabad
High Court passed an interim order suspending the detention
orders of LeT 'chief' Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of
November 26, 2008 (also known as 26/11) attacks in Mumbai. The
bench allowed Lakhvi's conditional release with directions that
he deposit PKR1 million bail bonds with the ATC and ensure his
presence on every hearing. The bench directed the standing counsel
representing the federation to submit a detailed reply on Lakhvi's
petition against detention before January 15, 2015.
Lakhvi's legal counsel Raja Rizwan Abbasi said
the detention of his client was unlawful. The judge observed
that "the standing counsel seeks time to reply to the allegations
leveled by the petitioner (Lakhvi) as he is not in a position
to assist the court properly therefore I have been left with
no option but to suspend the detention order of December 18,
2014."
Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar is
alive and hiding in Karachi, said acting Afghanistan intelligence
chief Rahmatullah Nabil. "There is a lot of doubt whether he
is alive or not. But we are more confident that he is in Karachi,"
Nabil was quoted as saying in The New York Times regarding
Omar's whereabouts. An unnamed European official said in the
NYT report that there is a "consensus among all three branches
of the Afghan Security Forces that Mullah Omar is alive".
"Not only do they think he's alive, they say
they have a good understanding of where exactly he is in Karachi,"
read the report. The report said that Mullah Omar has always
functioned more as the spiritual and ideological leader of the
movement than as an operational 'commander'. "But now one man,
Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, has risen to the No 2 role and
become the main link to Mullah Omar, allowing him to place his
loyalists up and down the ranks," Nabil said in the report.
According to the report, Maulvi Najibullah,
a senior Taliban military 'commander', said in a telephone interview
from Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), that he has "not seen Mullah
Omar in a very long time". Taliban 'spokesman' Zabihullah Mujahid
credited Omar's reclusiveness with his survival, claiming that
al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found because he had couriers
coming and going with videos and letters. "We are attempting
to eliminate any possible opportunity that could end up helping
our enemies find our leader," the report quoted Mujahid as saying.
The US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson
informed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in a meeting that the US
is to disburse USD 532 million to Pakistan under the Kerry-Lugar
assistance package and Islamabad hopes to use half of the amount
for the rehabilitation of tens of thousands of tribesmen displaced
by the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan Agency
of FATA. Olson also discussed the agenda for the scheduled visit
of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Pakistan in January 2015.
The Finance Ministry didn't clarify when the
money will be disbursed nor did it explain the sectoral breakup
of the financial assistance. It said the money would be given
under the civilian assistance package, Kerry Lugar Act of 2010
which expired in September 2014. Ambassador Olson said the USD
532 million aid would be given for energy, counter-terrorism,
economic growth, community building, education and health.
"The government of Pakistan should spend a large
amount of this assistance for the rehabilitation of the temporarily
displaced persons (TDPs) of North Waziristan Agency," Finance
Minister Dar said. He said the government would brief foreign
donors on the rehabilitation work being undertaken for restoring
the life of the displaced Waziristan tribesmen and the flood-affected
population.
The TTP released a new video accusing the Pakistani
Army of attacking the 'Mujahideen' even after using them for
"blood game" and "proxy war" in Jammu and Kashmir in the name
of "so-called freedom" and in Afghanistan. The video purportedly
of its senior 'commander' Adnan Rashid, calls upon the soldiers
of Pakistani Army to join the TTP listing the atrocities committed
by force including "killing of millions" and "raping of own
sisters" during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
In his little over 15-minute long video released
before December 25, 2014, Rashid accuses Pakistan Army officers,
the "Brahmins" of the force, of treating their juniors as "Shudras".
Rashid, in what appears to be British-accented English, says
in the video released by TTP's media wing 'Umar Media' that,
"you may remember when people from tribal areas fought for you
the war of 1948 and liberated for you the Azad Jammu and Kashmir".
"You remember when thousands of Pakistani youth fought your
proxy war in Afghanistan and in Indian Kashmir...." He then
asks what the Pakistani Army has given in return and cites numerous
examples of "ungratefulness" including killing of "thousands
of your Baloch brothers".
"And then you went into the dollar game and
you earned millions from the proxy war in Afghanistan and you
deceived the nation in the name of jihad. The Muslims have not
forgotten the blood game you played in Indian Kashmir exploiting
youth in the name of so called freedom," he said. He accused
the Pakistani Army of taking a "U-turn" and labeling jihad as
terrorism and Mujahideen as terrorists. He also announced a
"general amnesty" for all those Pakistani soldiers wanting to
join the TTP.
Not every Afghan living in Pakistan is a refugee,
said representative for the UNHCR Maya Ameratunga during a group
discussion held in Karachi about the UN's mandated role and
operations in Pakistan. The discussion mainly revolved around
the repatriation of the Afghan refugees from Pakistan after
the December 26, 2014, attack on Army Public School in Peshawar.
She argued that there was no criminal involvement of the registered
refugees living in Pakistan but they could not give any guarantees
about the unregistered ones. She, however, added that the UNHCR
was in close coordination with the Government over the issue.
Speaking in the context of Sindh, the representative
informed the audience with the help of slides about the refugee's
presence and status and said there were 67,000 refugees in the
Province at present. Their number continues to increase and
decrease depending on the number of people making their way
and returning through the porous border Pakistan shares with
Afghanistan. There were 72,000 Afghan refugees in the Province,
till 2013, and by the end of this year 5,000 reportedly returned
to their homes. Apart from the Afghans, the number of Somalian
refugees in Karachi is around 200.
The management of educational institutions across
the Province been directed to ensure foolproof security to forestall
December 16-like attacks as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police launched
One-Click Sensor Observation Service (SOS) service for schools
in Peshawar. "We have held meetings with the representatives
of the owners and principals of schools who were given Standard
Operating Procedures for security of buildings. The owners were
urged to make sure that proper security guards are deployed
at entrance and other points of the schools," CCPO Ijaz Ahmad
said.
The execution of two convicts, Muhammad Niaz
and Amanullah, in terrorism related cases is expected in a day
or two in the Central Prison Peshawar said sources. The sources
said that the Central Prison security has been put on high alert
as visitors were not allowed to meet prisoners because the execution
of the two convicts was expected in a day or two.
Niaz is a member of a terrorist outfit and was
convicted in the December 14, 2003 case of the attack on former
President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, while Amanullah
had killed his wife in the premises of the District Court in
Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The District
and Sessions Judge, Peshawar, on December 27, 2014, signed the
first black warrant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to hang Amanullah
who was convicted for murdering his wife, who was a lawyer and
social worker.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ also
known as Islamic State-IS or Daish has sent out a book in Urdu
language through emails to Pakistanis, especially journalists.
The book in the PDF format is the first of its kind of literature
in Urdu which in detail sheds light on the ISIS, its history,
motives behind formation and its policy. "I'm not aware of any
such effort or practice through which ISIS propaganda literature,
translated into Urdu-language being distributed or delivered
in Pakistan," Director of the FIA Shahid Hayat Khan said.
"We are already working on curbing the propagation
of hate material, especially the sites spreading sectarian hatred
in Pakistan but we have not come up with any information regarding
the spread of ISIS propaganda in Pakistan so far," he said.
December 30
Levies personnel recovered three bullet-riddled
dead bodies from Mand area of Turbat District. "The victims
had received multiple bullet wounds," said Levies sources, adding
that the victims were shot from a close range. Two of the victims
were identified as Waleed Chakar and Muhammad Raheem Shahmurad.
Unidentified militants blew up a railway track
in an IED attack in Mashkaf area of Bolan District. However,
no casualties were reported.
According to a Home Department report, a total
of 164 dead bodies have been found in the Province in the year
2014, including the three dead bodies found in Turbat District.
Of them, 80 were found in Quetta, 41 in Kalat Division - comprising
Khuzdar and Mastung Districts - 41 in Makran Division - comprising
Panjgur, Gwadar and Turbat Districts - six in Naseerabad Division,
13 in Zhob District and eight in Sibi Division, says the report.
The report adds that out of the 164 dead, 71 have been identified
as ethnic Baloch, 35 Pashtun, 19 people of other ethnicities,
while 41 victims could not be identified. Home Secretary Akbar
Hussain Durrani said the unidentified victims could be either
militants or anti-state elements.
According to Police Officials, a large number
of suspected criminals hauled in terrorism-related cases are
set free as Law Enforcement Agencies fail to substantiate evidence
against them before the court. "Merely 20 per cent of terror
suspects have been convicted during the last three years in
Balochistan," a senior Police Officer said. In all, 308 criminals
had been arrested but 80 per cent of them were acquitted, he
added.
A tortured dead body of a Shia man, identified
as Sikandar Rizvi (40) was found from Hub River Road in Mawach
Goth area of Baldia Town in provincial capital Karachi.
A man, identified as Muhammad Ismail (30), was
shot dead and another man, identified as Muhammad Akbar (40),
sustained injuries near Khayaban-e-Badiban DHA Phase-4 in Saddar
Town.
One Naseer (40) was shot at and injured by unidentified
armed assailants near Johar Morr in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of
Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.
Sources in the Police Department said that a
Police team headed by Karachi's SSP Investigation South Zone
has been constituted with the mandate of bringing back PAC leader
Uzair Jan Baloch to Karachi. Uzair had been arrested in Dubai
by the Interpol on December 29, 2014 while he was crossing into
the UAE from Oman by road.
Rabita Committee in-charge Qamar Mansoor, during
a press conference said that since March 2013, at least 20 of
the MQM workers have been missing and till date their whereabouts
are not known. He warned that the MQM reserved its right of
protest if the targeted crime against its workers did not stop.
A Division Bench of the Sindh High Court headed
by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah on December 30 directed the Rangers
and Police to make efforts for recovery of two missing persons.
The petitioner, Muhammad Idrees submitted that his son Abdul
Basit (34) was picked up from Babar Market in Landhi Town on
June 26, 2014, by unknown persons and since then there was no
information about his whereabouts. He requested the court to
direct the authorities to recover his son. The Rangers' official
filed its comments, stating that they had neither arrested Basit
nor kept him in detention.
Another petitioner Muhammad Yousuf stated that
his son Muhammad Umair (29) was picked up from Landhi Town on
June 25, 2014. Since then his whereabouts were still unknown.
He added that he had approached the officers of the Law Enforcement
Agencies to trace his son but they had failed to locate him.
One SFs personnel was killed while two others
were severely injured in two separate IED blasts in Qandharo
area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA.
Unidentified militants set fire to two primary
schools at Manndan and Kanddali Baba areas of Kurram Agency.
Amjad Ali Khan, the Agency's top administrative official, said
that the attackers had doused furniture with petrol before setting
it ablaze. All the wooden benches and desks along with school
records were destroyed and buildings were damaged, Khan said.
Niaz Mohammad, a former Pakistan Air Force junior
technician, convicted in the former President General (retired)
Pervez Musharraf assassination attempt case, was executed. He
was hanged at the Peshawar Central Prison. Niaz was sentenced
to death for making an attempt on the life of Pervez Musharraf
near Jhanda Chichi Bridge in Rawalpindi on December 14, 2003.
Niaz Mohammad was a resident of Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He was kept at the Haripur Central Prison until December 29,
from where he was shifted to the Peshawar Central Prison in
a helicopter.
LeT 'commander' and the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai
terror attacks (also known as 26/11) Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi was
arrested on December 30 in 2008 kidnapping case of Anwar Khan
who refused Lakhvi to join him in jihad. His arrest was made
a day after IHC had suspended his detention order. The complainant
in the case is one Muhammad Dawood who said that his brother-in-law,
Anwar Khan was kidnapped by Lakhvi and his accomplices when
he refused to join jihad, and is missing since then. The complainant
had not reported to the Police when the incident took place
because he alleged that Lakhvi had threatened that he would
kill Anwar if he registered a case.
According to details, Lakhvi was granted bail
on December 18, 2014 by an ATC but was immediately detained
by the Islamabad administration under Section 3 of the Maintenance
of Public Order (MPO). Subsequently, he challenged his detention
in the IHC, which on December 29, 2014 granted him conditional
bail against surety bonds of PKR 1 million. Hours after he was
released from the high-security Adiala jail in Rawalpindi District,
Lakhvi was arrested by the capital Police for his alleged involvement
in a kidnapping case registered with the Golra Police Station.
Shortly after his arrest, he was presented before a Duty Magistrate,
Malik Aman, who sent him on a two-day physical remand.
Lakhvi's lawyer, Rizwan Abbasi, opposed a physical
remand of his client, saying it was surprising that the FIR
of an alleged abduction was lodged more than six year after
the incident. "It is not written anywhere in the FIR that Anwar
Khan was forcibly picked up," he argued. "Wherever he [Anwar
Khan] went, he went on his own choosing," the lawyer said, adding
that Lakhvi was arrested in a concocted case
The judge sent Lakhvi on a two-day physical
remand and directed the Police to present him before the court
on January 1, 2015.
Announcing the parameters of the proposed Speedy
Trial Courts (STC), PM Nawaz Sharif made it amply clear that
only those cases of terrorism will be referred to the special
courts which relate to hardcore terrorists responsible for the
mass murder of innocent civilians, children and jawans
of the law enforcement agencies. Addressing the high level meeting
to review the 20-point National Action Plan (NAP) for countering
terrorism at the PM House that continued for six hours, the
PM said that special courts are part of the NAP and it's an
extraordinary solution to an extraordinary problem. All institutions
will carefully scrutinise cases before prosecution in the special
military tribunals. The national plan is a manifestation of
national consensus and we will ensure its swift implementation,
he said.
The legal framework for setting up of STCs headed
by Army officers will be adopted by the National Assembly emergency
session that has been summoned for tomorrow (January 1, 2015)
by the Government. It is likely that the draft for certain amendments
in the laws will be placed before the House on the opening day.
The decision has been taken in the high level meeting at the
PM House on internal security and discussion pertaining to the
NAP for eradicating terrorism chaired by PM Nawaz Sharif.
A Government committee observed that the law
enforcing personnel lacked proper training and knowledge to
track and investigate terrorist financing channels. Finance
Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the need for improving coordination
between the Federal and Provincial Governments and law enforcing
agencies to deal with the problem of terrorist financing. Dar
chaired a meeting of the sub-committee formed by Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif to recommend ways and means to choke finances for
terrorists and terrorist organisations. The participants, including
representatives of Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Ministry of Interior, FBR, SBP, SECP, NACTA, security
agencies and legal consultants, discussed all the relevant issues
and impediments with regards to investigation and gathering
of information about funding of terrorist activities.
December 31
At least 23 militants were killed when PAF fighter
jets pounded suspected militant positions in the Shawal area
of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. The ISPR in a statement
said four terrorists' hideouts were destroyed through what it
termed "effective and precise aerial strikes" in the Shawal
area.
A militant was killed in a clash with the SFs
in Ghundi area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency. Sources
said that a group of militants attacked a checkpost in Ghundi
area. The SFs repulsed the attack and killed a militant identified
as Fazlur Rehman in the ensuing clash. The sources said that
another militant, who sustained injuries in the clash, managed
to escape from the scene.
Three Policemen were killed in a clash with
militants near the mountainous areas of Katkala and Shoprang
in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The sources said the
Police were tipped off about the presence of militants in the
Katkala and Shoprang areas. A Police party reached the area
and launched a search operation to locate the militants. The
militants attacked the Police and killed three cops identified
as Assistant Sub-Inspector Waris Khan and constables Taj Muhammad
and Ghani Rehman in the clash. Station House Officer of Jawar
Police Station Noorul Anwar sustained injuries in the clash.
Police raided markets in Faqirabad locality
of Provincial capital Peshawar for selling uniforms of the SFs.
An official said Police raided markets in Faqirabad after reports
that uniforms of SFs were being sold openly. During the raid
11 persons were arrested while uniform of different forces were
also taken into custody.
Unidentified assailants shot dead a man and
his son in Sariab Road area of Quetta, the provincial capital
of Balochistan. "A man and his son received bullet wounds when
some unidentified armed men sprayed their car with a volley
of bullets," Police said, adding that the injured succumbed
to their injuries on their way to a hospital.
In order to implement the National Action Plan
to root out the menace of terrorism, the SECP has decided to
re-validate the licences of hundreds of NGOs to curb terrorist
financing. "Yes, the SECP has decided to confirm the licences
of over 600 NGOs registered under Section 42 of Companies Ordinance
1984," official sources in the Ministry of Finance confirmed
to The News. The SECP, the sources said, started issuing notices
to all registered NGOs as most of them did not comply with the
rules to submit audited accounts and get renewal of their licences
after a lapse of five years. The SECP had edited certain clauses
in 2008 binding the NGOs to renew their licences after five
years in 2013 but most NGOs did not comply with the instructions
of the regulator.
In an attempt to bring improvements in existing
laws and fix loopholes in the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010,
the Government on December 31 moved a bill in the Senate which
seeks to make it mandatory for financial institutions to report
any suspicious transaction that could be used to finance a terrorist
activity. In the Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill 2014,
the scope of suspected transactions has been enhanced. It will
include fund "derived from any illegal activities or intended
or conducted in order to hide or disguise proceeds of a crime".
The funds having no apparent lawful purpose could also come
under anti-money laundering regulations once the authorities
examine background and possible purpose of the transactions.
It will also include transactions involving "financing of terrorism,
including funds collected, provided, used or meant for, or otherwise
linked or related to, terrorism, terrorist acts or organisations
and individuals concerned with terrorism".
The year 2014 remained deadly for Pakistan with
over 4070 casualties in terrorism related activities including
killings of 2851 terrorists, 327 security personnel and 892
civilians as compared to the year 2013 which had seen 3268 deaths
including 1448 civilians, 360 security officials and 1460 terrorists.
Army Public School Peshawar attack remained the deadliest one
by TTP on December 16 which claimed 148 lives including 134
schoolchildren in retaliation Pakistan security forces killed
as many as 178 terrorists in air strikes and special operations
only in five days until December 21. Hence, the year also remained
worst for the terrorists as a total 2841 terrorist were killed
while in the year 2013 as many as 1460 terrorists were killed.
According to the data compiled with the help from the SATP and
ICM, in addition to over 4070 killings as many as 2114 others
were injured in terrorism incidences.
A total of 925 suspects were killed across Karachi
in shootouts and 160 personnel of Police and Rangers fell in
the line of duty during the year 2014. According to official
figures, 701 suspects were killed in 'encounters' with Police
and 224 were gunned down in shootouts with the paramilitary
Rangers while 143 personnel of police and 17 of Rangers were
killed in targeted attacks in the metropolis, said spokespersons
for police and Rangers.
The fallen Policemen included CID SSP Chaudhry
Aslam Khan, who died in a suicide attack on his vehicle and
five inspectors, sub-inspectors and constables, said Police
spokesman Atiq Ahmed Shaikh. In addition, 111 suspected terrorists
and gangsters were arrested and 50 Rangers' men suffered injuries
during the ongoing targeted operation, said the Rangers spokesman.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that the banned outfits
would be banned in letter and spirit. Winding up the debate
over the Peshawar School attack, Nawaz Sharif said the Government
has taken concrete measures to address the challenge of terrorism.
He vowed that the sacrifices of schoolchildren would not be
wasted. Taking the Upper House of parliament into confidence
over measures taken for addressing the menace of terrorism,
the PM said operation Zarb-e-Azb has delivered a fatal blow
to terrorists, saying that evil designs of terrorists should
be foiled at the earliest.
The PM said that more than fifty thousand Pakistanis
have been killed in the "war against terror". He said the Government
had called on all political parties for the formation of the
National Action Plan. He said the meeting of parliamentary leaders
had unanimously approved a 20-point agenda after a long meeting
of 10 hours. The PM reiterated that Pakistan is in a state of
war and invited all political parties to form the National Action
Plan. "If we fail to take extraordinary measures, we may not
be able to stop brutalities in time to come," the PM said.
PM Nawaz Sharif has said that the year 2015
will clearly establish that Pakistan has decisively turned a
page in its history and embarked upon its national journey with
a resolve to overcome extremism and terrorism. In a message
on New Year's Eve, the PM extended good wishes to the nation
on commencement of 2015, saying it marks a new beginning and
will augur well for Pakistan. "I undertake to resolutely pursue
the national programmes my government has undertaken and steadfastly
vouch to deliver upon all the plans my government stands for.
The dawn of 2015 will make us reflect on the year gone by, with
a view to analyse the high points and shortcomings experienced
in national life," he added.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad
Khan has said that the FIWA will be formed to improve infrastructure
facilities in tribal areas, especially the transportation, power
generation and public services. He said this during a presentation
on concept clearance paper on the establishment of FIWA at the
provincial Governor's house. FATA Additional Chief Secretary
Muhammad Azam Khan briefed the Governor on the concept paper.
The Governor said that FATA region needed to be developed, adding
that FIWA should be established. He also stressed certain priority
aspects to ensure sustainability and maintenance of the infrastructure
in FATA.
The Government's infrastructures worth one billion
rupees have been turned into rubble in the conflict-stricken
NWA of FATA, a damage need assessment report said. The Line
Departments of Civil Secretariat, FATA have carried out damage
need assessment survey of the Government owned properties in
Mir Ali and Miranshah sub-divisions of NWA. Survey of the damaged
infrastructure was conducted after security forces cleared these
areas of militants. The report said that 115 facilities including
education and health and 102 kilometres roads had been either
completely or partially damaged in the affected areas. Officials
said that assessment was carried out in August 2014.
Militancy and disproportionate use of force
have caused massive collateral damage to the properties in other
tribal agencies too. Earlier, damage need assessment survey
carried out under the supervision of FDMA revealed that over
60,000 houses had been damaged in Orakzai, Khyber, South Waziristan
and Kurram agencies.
The report said that reconstruction of the damaged
facilities required Rs1.79 billion. Sector-wise breakup is that
total 31 educational institutions (six 100 per cent, nine 50
per cent and 16 20 per cent), eight health facilities, two buildings
of the works and services department, 13 facilities of livestock,
seven agriculture, eight public health engineering, 35 municipal
committee including 21 shops, two sport facilities and 19 irrigation
department have been damaged.
According to the report, 102 kilometres road
have been damaged in different areas and repair cost is PKR
229 million. The report said that estimated cost of the reconstruction
of educational institutions was PKR 67.135 million, facilities
of irrigation department PKR 181 million, buildings of works
and services PKR 200 million and health facilities PKR 288 million.
The Federal Government is considering bringing
necessary amendments in the Army Act 1952 to empower the special
trial courts to try and execute the terrorists involved in different
kinds of terrorist activities, including political violence.
In the wake of reservations shown by MQM over setting up of
special trial courts or military courts comprising serving Army
officials, the Government has decided to amend the Army Act
1952 instead of introducing a fresh amendment in parliament,
credible sources in Prime Minister's Secretariat said. Some
political parties, they said, want the scope of military courts
confined to the cases of religious terrorism only, while excluding
the political violence because several members of the militant
wings of these parties are involved in heinous terror activities
and many of them are on death row.
The primary reason behind expressing reservations
to creation of military courts by some political parties is
their strong apprehension that these forums might be used against
politicians. Whether any political party has publicly aired
such fears or not, every one of them has substantial worries
in the back of their mind that politicians may fall victim to
such courts.
PM Nawaz Sharif said in the Senate that each
drop of blood of the innocent schoolchildren spilled in Peshawar
would be taken into account as he could not stop the establishment
of military courts for the fear of being tried in these courts.
He said that the parliament and the entire leadership firmly
stood behind the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism,
as the nation had risen to crush the menace, root and branch.
Winding up the debate on the Peshawar school carnage, the PM
made it clear that there could be no stepping back from the
establishment of military courts despite the fear that one day
a trial could be held against him.
Pakistan has been the most dangerous country
for journalists in the world, with 14 journalists killed in
2014, International Federation of Journalists said. Syria was
second on the list with 12 journalists killed throughout the
year. Overall, the number of journalists who died in targeted
killings, bomb attacks or shootings around the world rose to
118 in 2014 from 105 the year before, the press group said.
Nine killings each occurred in Afghanistan and the Palestinian
territories, the federation said. Eight journalists each were
killed in Iraq and Ukraine. Among those killed were American
journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff. Both were beheaded
by Islamic State militants, who have seized parts of Syria and
Iraq. The IFJ said its figures were a reminder of the growing
threats to journalists, and it called on Governments to make
protecting members of the media a priority.
As many as 1,265 cases of missing persons are
still pending with the CIED as of December 31, 2014, says a
report. The commission - while submitting summary report on
cases of alleged enforced disappearances to Interior Ministry
and 12 other departments - has said it has disposed of 1,098
missing persons' cases from March 2011 to December 2014. The
report has also revealed that 28 cases of missing persons have
been registered and 52 cases have been disposed of during December
2014. CIED has been working in the country for last four years.
In September 2013, the Federal Government appointed Justice
(retired) Javed Iqbal as its chairman. However, Defence of Human
Rights (DHR) has claimed that number of missing persons is 5,149.
The organisation, which is working on the enforced disappearance
in the country, has also stated that 252 cases of missing persons
surfaced in 2014.
PM Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Afghanistan
were committed not to allow their territories to be used against
each other. "Our two countries want to make this region peaceful,
progressive and prosperous," the PM said this while talking
to an 18-member delegation of Afghanistan's parliament at the
PM House. The delegation is in Islamabad to attend the 12th
session of the dialogue between parliamentarians of Pakistan
and Afghanistan, arranged by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative
Development and Transparency (PILDAT). The premier said that
a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan was in
Pakistan's vital interest. He mentioned the visit of President
Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan and the London Conference on Afghanistan
saying that the two countries were committed to transform mutual
relationship.
PM Nawaz Sharif telephoned Afghanistan President
Ashraf Ghani and discussed the ongoing coordinated action against
TTP at the respective sides of Pak-Afghan border. According
to the PM's spokesman, the two leaders also discussed bilateral
relations and regional security.
Source:Compiled from news reports
and are provisional.