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India-Pakistan

Maulvi Nazir group decides to stay neutral

2009-10-19

The Ahmedzai Wazir tribe has succeeded in convincing Taliban leader Maulvi Nazir to stay neutral and not to side with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's new leader Hakimullah Mehsud in the recently-launched military operation in South Waziristan, elders said on Sunday. "Nazir is completely neutral," tribal elders told Daily Times after meeting the Taliban leader, two days before the military launched Operation Rah-e-Nijat in the agency. Last week, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani called a 20-member jirga of elders and clerics to devise a strategy to neutralise warring tribes. Maulvi Nazir said he had told Mehsud Taliban that they were not welcome in areas controlled by the Ahmedzai Wazirs. Maulvi Nazir controls Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan Agency, along with southern parts of the agency, while the military has launched its offensive against Hakimullah from the western, eastern and northern parts of the agency. "We have told them not to come to our areas during the military operation," Nazir told Ahmedzai Wazir elders at a meeting in Wana last week. "I have snapped ties with them," he went on to assure the elders, adding that he would not support Hakeemullah or give the military an "excuse" to expand the operation into Wazir areas. But Maulvi Nazir's "support" to the military comes at a price. Before the ceasefire could be brokered, the NWFP government agreed to a number of demands forwarded by the Ahmedzai Wazirs, including the reopening of blockaded roads and the launch of several development schemes worth millions in their areas. But a delay in the fulfilment of their demands is annoying the Wazir elders. "The government has honoured no single demand so far," elders said. Experts say the ceasefire guaranteed by Maulvi Nazir would help the military gain ground against the Taliban sooner. They said military planners would also be looking to "managing or neutralising" Taliban commander Hafiz Gul Bahadar in North Waziristan Agency to keep the northern front safe and secure against Hakimullah's TTP.

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India-Pakistan

Waziristan operation given go-ahead

2009-10-17

[Dawn] The country's top civil and military command and most of the major opposition parties' leaders decided in principle on Friday to launch a military operation in South Waziristan, terming it 'imperative' to eliminating terrorism and extremism from the country. According to sources, participants of a meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, agreed that a recent spate of suicide bombings in different parts of the country had roots in South Waziristan and suicide bombings and terrorist attacks could not be curbed without crushing terrorists' leaders hiding in tribal areas. Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, gave a detailed briefing and the meeting is reported to have decided about the timing of the operation, but it was not officially disclosed to the media. According to the sources, the operation might be launched within 24 hours. President Asif Ali Zardari did not attend, but he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Gilani shortly before the meeting. Security sources said it was going to be a three-pronged operation supervised by the corps commander concerned with the aim to block all routes of militants present in the region, particularly the Mehsud area. The operation will be supported by the air power, including helicopter gunships and jet bombers. The army has reportedly sent two divisions totalling 28,000 men and blocked different routes in the area. Analysts said an immediate push would be needed with winter approaching. It was learnt that military authorities had completed all arrangements for the operation. Over 8,000 families of South Waziristan moved to Dera Ismail Khan on Friday to seek shelter. There was no significant opposition to the operation in the meeting, except some concerns expressed by leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-N. A source quoted PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar as saying: 'We were invited to discuss the law and order situation, but the whole discussion focused on South Waziristan.' The army chief said the situation had become so 'dangerous' because of terrorist activities being planned in South Waziristan that a military operation had become unavoidable. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha briefed the meeting about intelligence reports and said: 'You cannot imagine how many people are on the hit list of terrorists. They are not only important personalities and politicians but some ordinary people in different professions.' Interior Minister Rehman Malik gave a separate briefing when Chaudhry Nisar asked why the operation had become necessary. He presented an overall picture of militant organisations and their activities in South Waziristan and claimed that not only the current spate of terrorist attacks, but also those that took place in the past had links with Taliban in the region. The PML-Q supported the decision to launch the operation. 'We condemn slaughter of innocent people by terrorists and support any operation to be launched in South Waziristan,' said the party's chief, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. A PML-Q leader, Ameer Muqam, said the meeting had extended complete support to the army in the war against terror. 'Our forces are fighting against militancy and we know that there is no other way to deal with the situation.' In reply to a question, he said the timing of the operation would depend on the government, its resources and the military authorities, 'but one clear message the political leadership gave in the meeting is that the entire nation is behind the army in this war'. The meeting was attended by Awami National Party's Asfandyar Wali Khan, PML-N's Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Muttahida Qaumi Movement's Dr Farooq Sattar, Balochistan National Party-A's Senator Israrullah Zehri, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao of the Pakistan People's Party-S, Munir Khan Orakzai from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Mian Raza Rabbani of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Pir Sadruddin Shah of the PML-F, Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, Chief Minister Amir Haidar Khan Hoti, the chief of the Intelligence Bureau and other officials. 'It has always been our stand that whatever resources and economic support are required would be given in the war on terror,' Senator Rabbani of the PPP said.The meeting decided that the writ of the government would never be compromised in any part of the country. 'There was consensus that all efforts to eradicate extremism and terrorism will be taken forward,' Rabbani said. The army has spent months softening targets in the region with air strikes, but refuses to set a timeframe for a ground offensive. A handout said the political leadership noted that there already existed an across-the-board consensus to root out extremism and restore the writ of the state. The leadership acknowledged the army's successes in Malakand and Swat, condemned the recent upsurge of terror incidents and agreed that militancy posed a serious threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the state. In the given circumstances, the national consensus was reaffirmed to establish and maintain the writ of the state and weed out those elements. The sources said that the first draft of the statement was rejected on the suggestion of the army chief, who wanted some applause for the armed forces' personnel who had sacrificed their lives in the war on terror. 'The political leadership assembled together appreciated the sacrifices and the ongoing efforts of the Pakistan Army in this regard,' the handout said.

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India-Pakistan

18 Taliban killed in Buner, Swat, Dir

2009-07-26

Security forces on Saturday said they had killed at least 14 Taliban in Buner and Swat in last 24 hours during operations across Malakand. "During last 24 hours, search and clearance operations were conducted in Swat and Malakand division", the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. It said 10 Taliban were killed in Buner, while four were killed in Swat, and the forces also arrested 29 terrorists from various areas of the two districts. "Security forces conducted a search operation at Sappari Kandao, Koto Banda and Shadas and killed nine terrorists at Koto Banda and one at Zohaib post," it said. The ISPR said the forces also killed two terrorists and arrested four during a search operation at Torshe Khan Sar. A terrorist training camp and a cave was also destroyed in the area and forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition. The forces also conducted a search operation at Akhun Kalle, killing a terrorist and apprehending another. During a search operation at Utror near Kalam, security personnel killed a terrorist, arrested another and recovered a number of arms and ammunition, the ISPR said. It said the forces also conducted search operations in Bararai area of Khawzakhela, Malakand and Qambar and apprehended 21 suspected terrorists. In neighbouring Dir, fighter jets pounded a suspected Taliban base, killing at least four, AFP quoted local police chief Ejaz Ahmed as saying. "It was a key Taliban stronghold in the area which has been totally destroyed," Ahmed said. Local administration chief Javed Marwat said, "It was heavy bombing and the toll may go up." Bomb: Meanwhile, six personnel of the bomb disposal squad and a civilian were injured while trying to defuse a bomb on the Indus Highway near Godi Banda. Upon receiving information regarding the bomb, the officials rushed to the spot to defuse the device. However, it exploded while being defused, APP reported. The injured include Sub-Inspector Muhammad Akbar, Technician ASI Sadat Habib, constables Javaid Iqbal, Qaisar Khan, Khalid Mehmood and driver Ahmed Ali. A tractor driver, Abdul Munaf, was also injured. A police motorcycle and two vans were also damaged. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Inspector General Police Malik Naveed Khan have announced financial assistance for the injured.

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India-Pakistan

Operation only against terrorists, Wazirs assured

2009-07-17

NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani visited Wana on Thursday to seek the support of Ahmedzai Wazir tribes against Baitullah Mehsud, the chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. "No action is being taken against Mehsud tribes. Instead certain steps are underway against those elements who have not only been openly challenging the writ of the government but also have accepted the responsibility of terrorist activities in various parts of the country," the governor told a jirga of Ahmedzai Wazirs. The governor sought the tribes' support for peace, offering fast-track development in their areas, suggesting they should stand up against the militancy. "Maintenance of law and order is a must to ensure (fast-track) development," the governor told the jirga.

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India-Pakistan

Bomber killed, 36 injured in Rawalpindi suicide attack

2009-07-03

[The News (Pak) Top Stories] Thirty-six persons were injured, some critically, when a lone suicide bomber rammed his cycle of violence motorcycle into a bus carrying employees of the Army-run Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) at the Peshawar Road near Chur Chowk, Rawalpindi, here on Thursday at around 4.15 pm, police said. The suicide bomber was the only reported fatality. Initially, the death toll had been given as six but it was revised to one killed (the bomber himself) by the law enforcing agencies. Additional Inspector General of Police, Rawalpindi, Nasir Khan Durrani, confirmed that it was a suicide attack, saying that body parts of the suicide bomber and other evidence had been collected. Eight vehicles, standing around the targeted bus, were completely destroyed while the windowpanes of buildings and shops in a radius of over half-a-kilometer were shattered. Considering the traffic congestion in the area, the death toll could have been higher but fortunately it was not to be a perfect kill for the terrorists. While Baitullah Mehsud remains the usual suspect, no group had claimed responsibility of the attack till the filing of this report. Teams of police, Rescue-1122, and Edhi Trust rushed to the scene and shifted the body and wounded people to different hospitals of the city. Eyewitnesses told this correspondent that a young bike rider, aged between 20-22, hit the left side of the bus and almost immediately blew himself up. The explosion sound, according to one witness, was deafening and immediately the entire area was covered in dark clouds. The road was covered with glass shreds, scattered pools of blood, flesh pieces and broken bones, while a strong stench of burnt flesh and gunpowder hung over the area. Another witness said he saw the bike-riding young bomber coming from a street, adding that he came straight towards the bus as it stopped at the traffic signal and came in between a car and the bus. He said the youngster blew himself up after a couple of seconds. Body parts of the suicide bomber and the bus scattered in a radius of hundreds of meters, he added. Local volunteers rushed to the scene to rescue the people trapped in the bus and other vehicles affected by the blast and started shifting them to hospitals, he maintained. The witnesses said the bus was carrying employees of the Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC).Additional IG Rawalpindi Nasir Khan Durrani, while talking to a group of media persons at the crime scene, said that the government bus, carrying about 30 staff members, coming from the Islamabad side and heading towards Mandra was hit by the suicide attacker at about 4.15 pm when it stopped at the signal. He said that the attacker hit the bus from the fuel tank side, causing more damage. The additional IG had initially told reporters that six people had been killed in the blast, but he later revised that figure. "I was at the spot and was told that the toll was five to six, but later we checked with hospitals and they confirmed only one dead and 36 wounded." The additional IG said the terrorists failed to hit the installations of sensitive agencies due to effective security measures and now they had chosen to hit moving targets.Durrani said the bombers adopted a new strategy for suicide attacks and now they had started using motorcycles for attacks. "Obviously, the attack is a reaction to the military offensive in the tribal regions and other parts of the NWFP," he said.Durrani said security agencies focused on checking vehicles and the terrorists used a motorcycle to hit their target, adding that security would be further strengthened. "All vehicles are being checked at various checkpoints and sniffer dogs are also being used, but motorcycles were not checked in similar manner in the past." "There is a high state of alert. All vehicles are being checked at various checkpoints and sniffer dogs are also being used, but motorcycles were not checked in similar manner in the past," Durrani said. A joint investigation team has been constituted, he said adding the key terrorists involved in suicide blast of Pir Wadhai Chowk on March 16, had been arrested. He said that local terrorists were also involved in this act. APP adds: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani in their separate messages strongly condemned the bomb blast in Rawalpindi. Both expressed sorrow over the plight of the injured victims and the damage to property and ordered an inquiry into the matter. Both also asked the concerned authorities to ensure the provision of immediate relief and best medical care to the injured. Others who condemned the attack included Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira and NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani.

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India-Pakistan

Turis accused of fomenting insurgency in Kurram Agency

2009-06-27

[The News (Pak)] Elders of six tribes of the Kurram Agency have demanded of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani to take serious notice of the activities of the Turi tribe allegedly involved in fomenting insurgency in the violence-hit area. Addressing a joint press conference at the Sadda Press Club on Thursday, former MNAs Haji Zareen Khan Mangal and Zulfikar Ali Chamkani and other elders of the tribes including Haji Saleem Khan Orakzai, Malik Mir Badshah Masozai, Haji Rai Khan Khoidadkhel, Malik Mir Akbar, Malik Saifullah Khan Masozai, Haji Sher Khan, Haji Gul Zaman, Fazal Hameed and Abdul Kareem Abid alleged that the Indian consulates in Afghanistan were supporting the Turi tribesmen, who were involved in the endless violence in the area. They alleged that hundreds of Turi tribesmen had been recruited in the Indian consulates in Afghanistan where they were being trained, funded and supplied sophisticated arms. The elders alleged that they were not only involved in insurgency and terrorism in the Kurram Agency but also across the country. They said the Turi tribesmen was trying to hide their anti-state activities by claiming themselves as innocent in the media but it was on the government record that they had deliberately spoiled the peaceful atmosphere in the area. They said the six tribes of the Kurram Agency never challenged the writ of the government in the past while the Turi tribe took law into their hands and there was no sign of governance in Upper Kurram. They asked as to who killed Political Agent Taj Muhammad Khan, Assistant Political Agent Masoodur Rehman and other officials in the past. They said the Turi tribe was trying to prove itself innocent. They alleged that the Turi tribe had expelled thousands of innocent people of the six tribes from their own villages and homes in the past. They said they had not closed the main road but the armed men of the Turi tribe were behind the blockade for the last two years in Alizai and Marukhel areas and even the government officials were not allowed to travel. They said the people of the six tribes had been travelling to Kohat and Peshawar through the mountainous areas. It's all the fault o'them damned Turis. It's time we had us a proper feud!

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India-Pakistan

Government successful in restoring peace in FATA, says Ghani

2009-03-14

The government, in collaboration with tribesmen, has successfully implemented its strategy to restore peace in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) where life is limping towards normalcy, said NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani on Friday. "A new era of development and prosperity will soon dawn in FATA," he said while addressing a 26-member tribal jirga comprising elders of FR Lakki Marwat. This was the first ever-tribal jirga of FR Lakki Marwat that called on the governor. Ghani said President Asif Zardari during his recent visit to Peshawar announced increase of Rs 3 billion in the FATA development budget. He said the development budget would be doubled in years to come. The jirga elders, including Ishfaq Bhittani and Malik Qadir Khan Bhittani, said FR Lakki Marwat required attention of the authorities concerned, as it was lagging far behind with regard to development. They pointed out inadequate facilities in education, health and communication sectors and demanded that the government launch special development schemes to facilitate the tribesmen. Upon this, the governor directed the officials concerned to prepare a detailed report on development requirements of the area.

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India-Pakistan

NWFP governor ratifies Swat surrender

2009-03-12

NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani on Wednesday signed the draft of Nizam-e-Adl (Shariat) Regulation 2009, for forwarding it to the president for a final approval, official sources told Daily Times. The sources, however, did not confirm if the draft had been sent to the president. Prob'ly President Ten Percent will put off signing it as long as he can, but odds are 100 percent he will sign. NWFP Law Minister Arshad Abdullah said the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009, was expected to be implemented in Malakand division and Kohistan district by March 15, and would have a retrospective effect from February 16, 2009. The minister said President Asif Ali Zardari had verbally agreed with the NWFP government to sign the draft as soon as he received it. "But, really, it's not here yet. It may be lost in the mail..." He said that the government had begun a two-day workshop in Swat for training area qazis and district qazis in accordance with the new law. He said 23 qazis were participating, who would be trained by scholars from the International Islamic University. The Nizam-e-Adl regulation will repeal the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance 2001, the law through which the executive magistracy was abolished across the country on August 14, 2001, and will revive the former system including the offices of district magistrate, additional district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate and other executive magistrates.

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India-Pakistan

US will assist Pakistan in curbing militancy, says Holbrooke

2009-02-12

US Special Representative on Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke met military and civilian leaders on Wednesday to discuss operations against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the Tribal Areas, and pledged 'all out US assistance' to help Pakistan maintain law and order in NWFP. He was also flown over Bajaur Agency, Darra Adam Khel and Khyber Agency for an aerial view of the areas, said officials. Holbrooke separately called on Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Muhammad Masood Aslam and NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani to discuss the situation in the Tribal Areas, the officials told Daily Times. His assurance to help Pakistan rein in the Taliban came at his meeting with Ghani. US embassy spokesman Lou Fintor declined to give details of Holbrooke's meetings. The envoy also visited Landikotal, and later flew to Lahore.

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India-Pakistan

18 cops injured in Bannu suicide attack

2009-02-10

At least 18 security forces personnel were injured when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a security checkpost in Baran Pul area of Bannu city on Monday, police said. A police official told Daily Times one policeman and 17 Frontier Constabulary (FC) troops were injured. Following the attack, FC and police cordoned off the area and started investigations. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti have condemned the attack and assured justice, APP reported. Separately, Online reported, suspected Taliban blew up a girls' school near Marian police station. Police also arrested a man and recovered 10kg of explosives in the area.

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India-Pakistan

Ceasefire in Hangu after sectarian festivities kill 30

2009-01-12

A ceasefire between rival factions was reached in Hangu late on Sunday, after 30 people were killed and 50 injured in sectarian clashes that broke out on Friday. Twenty houses -- including that of the district Zakat committee chairman -- were set ablaze in fresh clashes despite an earlier truce on Sunday afternoon, as Helicopter gunships pounded 'miscreant' hideouts. A private TV channel said the house of local Awami National Party leader Yahya Qureshi was also torched. The second ceasefire was reached in a jirga (tribal council) headed by Kohat Division Commissioner Umar Afridi around midnight, Hungu District Coordination Officer Syed Mujibur Rehman told a private TV channel. Rival groups would vacate bunkers they have captured in each other's areas and there will be a ban on the display of weapons according to the pact, jirga member Shah Hussain told the channel. An earlier truce was rejected by one of fighting groups. The TV channel said tribal elders held talks with Taliban to persuade them to leave the district, but the Taliban refused to comply unless instructed to do so by their commander. Officials told Daily Times that security forces would take positions in the city on Monday (today), as reinforcements arrive. "We targeted the hideouts of miscreants with helicopter gunships," Mujibur Rehman told AFP, without giving any details about the results of the operation. "The troublemakers have set up bunkers on hilltops and in some houses, and were firing on each other to trigger sectarian violence," he added. The supply of electricity to the city remained suspended for the third day. Earlier on Sunday, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani appealed to the warring factions in Hangu to stop fighting and "demonstrate a spirit of tolerance to pave the way for restoration of peace in the area", according to a statement issued in Peshawar. "It is the need of the hour that both the factions must lay down arms and let the normal administrative process work to restore peace and resolve the grievances of the respective people."

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India-Pakistan

Pakistain: ANP big turban believed to be target of suicide attack

2008-11-12

(AKI) - By Syed Saleem Shahzad - A senior minister from Pakistan's North West Frontier Province's government, Bashir Ahmed Bilour, is believed to have been the main target in a suicide bombing that killed at least three people on Tuesday. Several others were wounded in the attack in which a suicide bomber blew himself up outside Qayyum Stadium after the closing ceremony of the inter-provincial games in Peshawar. Bilour, the senior leader of the Pushtun sub-national Awami National Party, had left the stadium minutes before the powerful blast struck the stadium. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, who also attended the closing ceremony, had also left the stadium minutes before the attack. Although the Senior Provincial Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour left the Stadium, the main target being the senior leader of Pushtun sub-national Awami National Party, a powerful blast rocked the Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar at the closing ceremony of the Inter-provincial games on Tuesday evening. "Two main reasons could be behind the blast. One the attendance of high level government officials in the event and second the participation of women athletes in the event in Peshawar," a source said. "This is a suicide attack. We ensured foolproof security arrangements but given it was a sports event we could not restrict the movement of people," said NWFP's Inspector General Malik Naveed. No one had claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday in Peshawar but several attacks in recent months have been blamed on Al-Qaeda or Taliban factions. "It will be premature to put the blame on any group," Malik Naveed told Adnkronos International (AKI). Earlier, three-day 3rd Inter Provincial Games started with a colourful ceremony at the Qayyum Stadium Peshawar on Sunday. More than 1200 athletes and officials, under the banner of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), participated in 18 different events at the games that included eight women's events.

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