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Baitullah Mehsood

Baitullah Mehsood

Wazir Taliban

India-Pakistan

Pakistani

20060530

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India-Pakistan

List of 110 most wanted terrorists

2015-03-13

[DAWN] LAHORE: Police on Wednesday issued a list of 110 most wanted snuffies belonging to various banned outfits. The top ten snuffies on the list were allegedly involved in high-profile suicide kabooms, besides sectarian violence. One of the most wanted terrorists, Matiur Rehman, was involved in the attacks on former president retired Gen Musharraf, former prime minister Shaukat Aziz and suicide kaboom on Sheraton Hotel, Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... . He carried Rs10 million head money. Mansoor alias Choota Ibrahim Hasan and Qari Ehsanul Haq alias Shahid were also involved in the suicide attack on Musharraf on Dec 25, 2003, in Rawalpindi. Rs5m reward had been announced for their arrest. The head money on Ikramullah, who was associated with Baitullah Mehsood group and involved in the suicide attack that killed Ms Bhutto in Rawalpindi is Rs2 million. Rs5 million reward was announced for providing information leading to arrest of Rana Mohammad Afzal, who belonged to the Masood Azhar group of the TTP. He had close links with Al Qaeda's Arab commanders. He had been carrying out terrorist activities along with Al Qaeda and Talibs. The head money for Qari Abdullah, who is associated with TTP's Ameer Lashkar-e-Khurasan group, was the criminal mastermind of a suicide kaboom at the ISI office in Qasim Baila, Multan, is also Rs5 million.

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India-Pakistan

Benazir killed for backing Lal Masjid operation

2012-02-13

ISLAMABAD — Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was killed because she supported the Lal Masjid operation, an anti-terrorism court was told in Rawalpindi on Saturday. Magistrate Taufiq Ahmed, who had recorded confessional statements of accused Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul and Aitzaz Shah on February 13, 2008, said they told him that they wanted to kill only Benazir and because of the deaths of 23 other people in the attack, which they regretted, they would accept any punishment awarded to them. During the hearing of the Benazir assassination case in Adiala Jail, the magistrate read out the confessional statements before ATC Judge Shahid Rafique. According to the statements, the accused received Rs360,000 from Baitullah Mehsood while his associates, Abdullah alias Saddam and Qari Ismail, provided them two suicide bombers Saeed alias Bilal and Ikramullah. They purchased a pistol to be used by the suicide attacker because the plan was to kill Benazir near the stage during her rally in Liaqat Bagh on December 27, 2007. The accused, along with the suicide bomber, visited the venue on the night before the rally and took him to their residence in Quaid-i-Azam Colony in Rawalpindi. The accused brought the bomber to the venue early in the morning only to learn that because of tight security arrangements, it was difficult to get inside and near the stage. Then they deployed the bomber in front of the gate of Liaqat Bagh and another attacker Ikramullah at another exit point. After carrying out the crime, the accused reassembled near Fawara Chowk, Raja Bazar, and later went to their residence.

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India-Pakistan

Baitullah Mehsood has no choice but to lay down arms: Malik

2009-07-17

[Geo News]Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Thursday that operation against militants will continue till elimination of last terrorist and no compromise would be made on the government's writ. Talking to media persons here at police rest house after his detail visit to DI Khan city, he said that operation is only against militants and terrorists and it is not against a particular group or sect. He said that militants' back has been broken in Swat and Malakand Division. He commended the supreme sacrifices of security forces and law enforcing agencies in Malakand Division and said that the whole nation is united against militancy and terrorism. The Interior Minister said that the country's is passing through difficult time and it is the need of hour to promote inter-faith harmony, demonstrate unity and cohesion among our ranks to frustrate the nefarious designs of anti-state elements. Rehman Malik said that the government's utmost obligation is to maintain peace and law and order in the country and the government is utilizing all available resources in this regard. He said that no compromise would be made on government's writ. Rehman Malik said that military operation is only against terrorists and has rejected the impression that it has been launched against a particular tribe or sect. He said that Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsood has no choice but to lay down arms in his own interest. The government will come hard against militants and they will not be allowed to challenge the writ of government. NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi, Senior Minister Bashir Bilour, Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, IGP NWFP Malik Naveed, elites of the area, leaders of the sunni and shia community and members of Amn jirga D I Khan were present on the occasion. Earlier, he met with the delegation of peoples belonging to various segments of the society and reviewed the law and order situation in DIKhan.

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India-Pakistan

Forces kill 18 extremists in last 24 hours: ISPR

2009-07-01

[Geo News] The security forces killed at least 18 terrorists were killed in the ongoing operation during the last 24 hours. While, 23 extremists were apprehended from Swat and Dir. Also, three soldiers embraced shahadat and 8 others including 3 officers were injured. Security forces also recovered one explosive-laden vehicle. During clearance of Biha valley, 18 wounded terrorists, who could not have been taken to safety, were slaughtered by their own people on orders of their commanders. According to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), it has been reliably learnt that during clearance of Biha valley, 18 wounded terrorists, who could not have been taken to safety, were slaughtered by their own people on orders of their commanders. Does that count as shahadat (martyrdom), with all its benefits, or simple murder? Security forces commenced operation to secure Swat's Shah Dheri from two directions. From north, Samai Killile was secured. In the process 3 soldiers embraced shahadat and 5 soldiers including 2 officers got injured. From the east security forces secured Bhoka, Dande and Yakh Tangai Sar. During this operation 3 soldiers including an officer were injured. Security forces commenced clearance and search operation around Rahatkot, and Jukhtai south east of Fatehpur and recovered 1 explosive laden vehicle from the house of Dua Khan and 1 red colour Double Cabin vehicle was also blown up. During exchange of fire with terrorists, 8 terrorists were killed. Security forces conducted search and sweep operation in areas around Matta and Wanai. On a tip off by locals, 8 terrorists were engaged and killed. Security forces conducted clearance and search operation at Balasur and apprehended two suspected terrorists Mian Afil Zada and Aziz Ahmed. Security forces conducted clearance and search operation at Sambat in which terrorist Muhammad Raheem alias Bhai son of Gulpur Jan was apprehended. Lashkar conducted house to house search and burnt 15 terrorists hideouts. During exchange of fire with terrorists 2 terrorists were killed and 20 were apprehended. An IED exploded near traffic police check post at Swari Bazaar in Buner, resultantly 2 policemen and 2 civilians were injured. Reportedly, parents of young boys, who were forcibly taken for suicide training by Baitullah Mehsood group, have demanded release of their siblings. However, Baitullah Mehsood has flatly refused to release them at any cost. What kind of perverts steal only young boys? Everyone knows normal jihadis steal both boys and girls. The ISPR pres release also reported that 8-10 individuals impersonating as army officials searched luggage of IDPs at Fazal Kallay Camp, Mardan and took away gold ornaments, Rs. 25,000/- and other valuables on 18 June 2009. In another incident, at Garhi Gohati, Swabi, unknown persons reportedly checked cards of IDPs on 23 Jun 09. IDPs are requested to contact on following telephone numbers on any suspicion and help. The security forces continued the relief activities, as at least 16 trucks carrying food and relief items dispatched for IDPs to Bunnu. As many as 1000 IDPs residing at Rawalpindi / Islamabad have been provided food items. Electricity, PTCL, Mobile service and Sui Gas facilities have been made functional in Besham, Darmal, Shung and Darmang in Shangla District. Most of the IDPs of Buner have returned to their villages.

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India-Pakistan

All Swat cleared: Defence Minister

2009-06-19

[Geo News] Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar Thursday said the picturesque Swat valley has been cleared from the miscreants, the operation is virtually over and targets have been achieved. In an Interview with a local news channel, he said initially armed forces were unable to take any serious action because of the presence of population there. Once the trouble zone is vacated there was no stopping and the whole operation in Swat valley is virtually ended. He was optimistic that internally displaced persons (IDPs) would start moving to their native places from Saturday the June 20.The process of returning home would take about a month and a half. The next offensive would be against Baitullah Mehsood. The Mehsood threat is not very serious but he is creating chaos and unrest by sending suicide bombers across Pakistan. Right now government does not have any specific information about the whereabouts of Baitullah Mehsood. As soon as information is received, forces will hit him with the support of F-16 and precise laser guided bombs, he concluded.

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India-Pakistan

Taliban's nexus with militant outfits in J-K

2009-06-07

The latest report by a US Think Tank has warned Pakistan that if it fails to take action against the terrorist outfits operating from its soil in Jammu and Kashmir and rest of India, New Delhi might consider the option of propping separatist outfits in both Balochistan and Sindh. It says there is no evidence of India doing so thus far though Pakistan has been blaming New Delhi on this account for the past five years or more. Islamabad has gone to the extent of saying that Indian Consulates in Afghanistan are indulging in this task only. Whether India will do tit for tat is a moot question because India is not Pakistan where Generals decide the foreign policy options and counter-insurgency plans. Whether India will do tit for tat is a moot question because India is not Pakistan where Generals decide the foreign policy options and counter-insurgency plans. Yes, despite the grudge that Pakistan is not doing anything to deal with the outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammad. (JeM), and the growing feeling that the release from house arrest of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed Hafeez demonstrates Pakistan's lack of seriousness in the fight against terrorism, Pakistan looses no occasion to impulsively charge India for all the ills it is facing. Soon after the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, there were accusations against India, by responsible persons, that there was an Indian hand in this. A minister of North West Frontier Government recently said all the militants getting killed in Swat were Indians. He ignores the fact that the Taliban has joined hands with other militant outfits in Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as the outfits operating from Pakistan in Kashmir. Recently there were reports about presence of Taliban in Kashmir that raised a lot of dust across the board. There were firm denials from all quarters saying the reports could not be relied upon in the absence of any evidence. Even the militant arrested by the Security Forces from Gurez area, who was one of the group of 31 militants trying to cross over from across the LOC last month, denied such a presence. A section of local media in Kashmir thought that such reports were being circulated by those interested in spoiling the tourist season in the state. But the matter does not end there. It may be true that so far there is no Taliban presence in Kashmir. That can not rule out the nexus between the two. As early as November 2008, noted Pakistani Journalist Amir Mir wrote in 'The News' that the trouble stricken Waziristan region had become the new battlefield for the militants operating in Kashmir as they are joining hands with anti-US and pro-Taliban elements. His report appeared after British terror plot suspect Rashid Rauf was killed in a missile attack in Waziristan in which four other Al-Qaeda militants were also died. Rauf was a close relative of Maulana Masood Azhar, who the readers may recall, was released by NDA government in exchange for passengers of Indian Airlines plane hijacked to Kandahar in 2002. Amir said that the presence of Jaish-e Mohammad militants in the Waziristan region has been confirmed by the death of Rashid Rauf in the missile attack. Another eminent Pakistani writer, Ahmad Rashid, also pointed out in his book 'Descent to Chaos' that the erstwhile Harkat-ul-Ansar, responsible for kidnapping foreigners in Kashmir had links with the Taliban. He said "Harkat was a key ally of Taliban and Al-Qaeda, helping in running training camps in Afghanistan for Kashmiri Militants." The possibility of some Kashmiri militants being a part of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda can not be ruled out, considering that the outfits share fundamentalism and Jihadi tendencies. It is estimated that at least 50 percent or more militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir are foreigners. According to Indian Army Chief Deepak Kapoor, when militants get into a radicalized or fundamentalist mode they do not worry about national boundaries or nationalities at all. They will wage a so called Jihad anywhere alongside Taliban in Afghanistan or in Jammu and Kashmir. So if there are foreign Militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir there is always the possibility of some Kashmiri militants operating within Taliban and Al-Qaeda anywhere else. Basically, there are three Pakistan based militant outfits operating in Kashmir-Harkat-ul- Mujahideen, Jaish-e- Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba. Hizbul Mujahideen chief Yousuf Shah alias Pir Syed Salahauddin, a resident of Srinagar, is also based in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. In September 2008, US forces in Afghanistan targeted a training camp of Al-Badr, a militant outfit operating in Jammu and Kashmir, much before the International media had reported the arrest of three Hizbul Mujahideen cadres in south Waziristan. After Pakistan banned the organizations in the wake of 9/11 incident they are now operating under various other names. The question that is being asked is whether Pakistan is sincere in dealing with these outfits. It appears Pakistan wants to act against them to convince the world community that it is one with them in the war against terror. At the same time it also wants to protect the terror outfits, for use against India. The practice of releasing militants soon after their arrest under international pressure also raises doubts about Pakistan's credentials. Even after a month long operation in the Swat valley and the nearby Buner and Dir, no Taliban leader worth the name has been arrested. Waziristan, the hotbed of Talibanism has been spared. There are reports about the killing of Baitullah Mehsood and Maulana Fazulullah but these reports are not independently corroborated. There is a growing view that the refugee crisis in Pakistan has been stepped up to earn international sympathy and shift the focus away from the real problem. Given its track record, the conjecture may not be wide off the mark. The point is the terrorist originations in Pakistan may be down for the time being in view of the military operation against them but surely they are not out. Even today they are whisking away the youth from relief camps. The suicide attacks across the length and breadth of Pakistan are a chilling message that Pakistani state has to travel a long distance before it can claim to eradicate terrorism from the country.

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India-Pakistan

'Sufi Muhammad should wear bangles'

2009-06-03

Sufi Muhammad should wear bangles if he is hiding like a woman, the Tahafuz Namus-e-Risalat Mahaz (TNRM) said on Tuesday. The TNRM organised a rally from Data Darbar to Regal Chowk. Dr Sarfraz Naeemi, Peer Fazal Qadri, Mufti Muhammad Khan Qadri and others spoke on the occasion. They said Taliban had damaged the reputation of Islam. They said Sufi Muhammad, Fazlullah and Baitullah Mehsood were the enemies of Islam and traitors. The government should continue operation in Swat to eradicate Taliban who were working for the enemies of Pakistan, they added.

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India-Pakistan

20 Uzbek terrorists reportedly enter Punjab

2009-03-25

LAHORE: It has been reliably learnt that 20 Uzbek terrorists have entered Punjab, Geo news reported on Tuesday. According to Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sargodha region, Mukhtar Gondal, nearly 20 suspected Uzbek terrorists have entered Punjab who could target Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Bhakkar and Sargodha. Gondal said that security has been beefed up following the tip-off and search operation is underway. He said Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsood has dispatched the Uzbeks.

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India-Pakistan

Red Book with names of wanted terrorists issued

2008-12-25

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) has issued the 12th edition of its 'Red Book' of high profile cases -- including the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and attempts on the life of former president Pervez Musharraf and former prime minister Shaukat Aziz -- police sources told Daily Times on Wednesday. The sources said that Rawalpindi police had been given 164 copies of the book that contains the names of more than 43 proclaimed offenders, 'most-wanted terrorists' and 'highly dangerous sectarian terrorists' along with the sums to be paid as head money. The sources said the five most-wanted alleged terrorists in the Bhutto case were Baitullah Mehsood, Ubaidur Rehman, Faiz Muhammad, Abdullah alias Saddam and Ikramullah. They said the government had put up Rs 2 million as head money for each of these men. They said the book also includes the names of four men wanted for an attempt on Musharraf's life: Matiur Rehman, a resident of Bahawalpur, with Rs 10 million as head money; Mansoor alias Chota Ibrahim with Rs 5 million as head money; Umar Aqdas, a resident of Sheikhupura with Rs 5 million as head money; and Qari Ehsanul Haq alias Shaheed also with Rs 5 million as head money. They said the book also mentions would-be suicide bomber Sikandar Sultan from Hangu -- who was part of an assassination attempt on Shaukat Aziz but did not blow himself up. The sources said the suspected sectarian terrorists -- linked to a banned organisation -- include Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, wanted in the 'Church attack case'; and Sajjad, wanted in the 'Iran Cadet College' case and the 'Shah Najaf attack' case. They said that four proclaimed offenders wanted for Pakistan Air Force Sargodha base attack were Muhammad Haroon, Muhammad Tayyab, Bilal alias Raheem and Hafiz Saeed Ghani. The sources said the book also mentions the names of other most-wanted suspected terrorists: Nafeesur Rehman with Rs 2 million as head money; Rana Muhammad Afzal; and Abdul Hameed and Muhammad Imran -- both wanted in the Lahore General Post Office suicide attack case.

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India-Pakistan

Pakistani Taliban quits peace talks with gov't

2008-04-29

(Xinhua) -- Pakistani Taliban said Monday they had suspended peace talks with the government as "the government has refused to accept their demand of troops withdrawal from the tribal regions." The News Network International news agency quoted Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar as saying that the dialogue process had been deadlocked as "the government has refused to accept key demands." The army spokesman did not comment over the Taliban statement. Maulvi Umar said Taliban representatives who were holding talks with the tribal elders, mediating between the two sides, had quit the talks due to the government's attitude. Maulvi Umar said that Taliban wanted troops be withdrawn from the tribal regions and the Swat valley before a formal agreement but the government did not agree to the proposal. He said Taliban had attached expectations to the new government but now "we have realized that the statements of goodwill from the government side were hollow slogans". Maulvi Umar claimed that the government was not sincere and serious in the talks. He warned that the government would be responsible if the militants took any action. He also said that some government institutions do not want success of Taliban-government dialogue process. The Pakistani Taliban, led by Baitullah Mehsood, declared a ceasefire with the government and entered into dialogue with the government to end violence. The new government announced to hold talks with the militants who would lay down arms. Taliban presented four demands to the government including withdrawal of army from South Waziristan tribal region and Swat valley, exchange of prisoners, compensation to the affected people in Waziristan and Swat and free movement of Taliban activists. Tribal elders have been mediating between the Taliban and the government to broker a peace deal and to end violence in the tribal regions and the restive Swat valley in the country's northwest.

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India-Pakistan

'Suspects in 6 Pindi attacks arrested'

2008-03-18

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Punjab, Syed Azhar Nadeem said on Monday that police had arrested suspects in six of the eight suicide bomb attacks in Rawalpindi. Speaking at a press briefing, the IGP said the police had yet to investigate two suicide attacks including February 25 attack in which Lt Gen Mushtaq Ahmad and six others were killed. Nadeem said police had also investigated December 27, 2007 suicide-bomb attack in which Benazir Bhutto was killed. Police had also chalked out a strategy to arrest absconders like Baitullah Mehsood, he said avoiding sharing details of the strategy with reporters. He asked the people to cooperate with police in overcoming acts of terrorism in the city. “People should inform police if they found unattended things, deserted vehicles and suspicious persons around them,” he added. The IGP said police and other law-enforcement agencies were collectively fighting against terrorism. As far as the intelligence reports were concerned, he said police had been receiving positive response from the intelligence agencies. “The Punjab government has upgraded the department of police and its other branches to cope with the situation,” the IGP said, adding the police were utilising all available resources to maintain law and order in the city. Nadeem said the police force had been directed to keep a close eye on the anti-social elements to avoid any untoward incident. He urged media men to cooperate with police in war against terrorism. The IGP did not rule out possibility of foreign hand in the current wave terrorist attacks on law-enforcement agencies. He said organised networks were working behind the increasing activities of terrorists in the country.

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India-Pakistan

Benazir was very unpopular with army: Perv

2008-01-14

President Pervez Musharraf, in a US magazine interview, has said late PPP chairwoman Benazir Bhutto was very unpopular with the military. Setting us up for something down the road, is he? In a wide-ranging interview with Newsweek published online, he said someone who the religious lobby thought was “an unreligious person” and who was seen as a US ally, could not have been the right person to fight terrorists. ‘Militants want to take over Pakistan’: He said Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism were working in case of the Taliban, and the country was now dealing with local extremists, mostly from South Punjab, and foreigners. Baitullah Mehsood was training suicide bombers targeting political leaders. The president said militants were turning against Pakistan because they were against him. “They are against anyone who is supporting me. So therefore, they want to weaken the government, they want to weaken me. [Perhaps] they think they can take over Pakistan.” ‘Pakistani troops can do better in FATA’: The president said tribal agreements did not solve the problem in FATA, but insisted that negotiations must continue. He said if the US undertook a unilateral operation inside Pakistan, they would “curse the day they came here. I know these areas, and I know American troops. I know our troops. This is not easy.” He said Pakistani troops were tougher and could go on roti (bread) and water, while the US troops would need chocolate. “We are totally in cooperation on the intelligence side,” he said. “But we are totally against (a military operation). We will ask for assistance from outsiders. They won’t impose their will on us.” ‘Benazir’s body should be exhumed’: The president called for the body of late Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairwoman Benazir Bhutto to be exhumed, as he rejected charges that the government was complicit in her assassination. “Yes, exhume it. A hundred percent. I would like it to be exhumed,” he said. “Because I know for sure there is no bullet wound other than on the right side.” But he ruled out ordering a post-mortem without the agreement of Bhutto’s family. “It would have very big political ramifications.” He said Bhutto’s supporters had not agreed to a post-mortem “because they know it’s a fact there is nothing wrong.” “Everybody is trying to gain political advantage; the entire opposition is trying to take political advantage,” he said. He said the superintendent of police who was in charge of her security was “her own handpicked”. Bhutto was told about intelligence reports of a possible attack, he said. UN probe: “There cannot be a UN investigation,” Musharraf told Newsweek. “There are not two or three countries involved. Why should there be a UN investigation? This is ridiculous.” The president said he was ready to work with the PPP if they won the February general elections. “I can work with anyone,” he said.

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