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Afghanistan

15 kidnapped de-miners released in Herat province

2016-04-03

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] At least 15 de-miners kidnapped by unknown gunnies in western Herat ...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns... province have been released from the captivity, local officials said. Provincial police chief General Majeed Rozi said the de-miners belonged to HALO Trust and were kidnapped on Friday from Kohsan district. The de-miners were released during an operation which was launched immediately after they were kidnapped by the gunnies. No group including the Talibs has so far grabbed credit behind the incident. Local officials earlier blamed Taliban group commanders Mullah Haidar and Mullah Toofan for kidnapping the de-minders. However, Caliphornia hasn't yet slid into the ocean, no matter how hard it's tried... the Taliban group has not commented in this regard so far. Herat is among the relatively peaceful provinces in west of Afghanistan but the anti-government armed myrmidon groups have increased insurgency activities during the recent months. This comes as murderous Moslems loyal to Mullah Akhtar Mansoor and dissident Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Rasool killed nearly 200 murderous Moslems of each other during an infighting that lasted for almost a week last month.

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India-Pakistan

Threat of militancy affecting election campaign in Hangu

2013-03-24

[Dawn] Prospective candidates of political parties in Hangu district ... Hangu is famous for its greenery, hills, beauty and water. Most of the people of this area are Bangash & Orakzai Pashtuns. Part of the Bangash are Shia. The Orakzai and the Sunni Bangash are determined to kill them... have so far restricted their election meetings to hujras (private guesthouses), while some of them have been demanding that elections should be held under the supervision of army in this volatile district due to threat of Taliban attacks. Local people say that the decision by Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat ...which is the false nose and plastic mustache of the murderous banned extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain, whatcha might call the political wing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi... to take part in the elections has brought a positive change in the political environment, but the threat of terrorism remains as usual. It may be recalled that in 2008 elections, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain had forcibly taken away ballot boxes full of votes from Kahi, Shana Wari and Zargari areas and attacked a cop shoppe in Ghlo Chenna, while terming the elections un-Islamic. The outgoing public representatives of the district include Haider Ali Shah (MNA) of Awami National Party, MPA from KP-42 Atiqur Rehman and JUI-F's Mufti Syed Janan, who was MPA from KP-43, Hangu-II. This time Atiqur Rehman has decided to take part in the elections from JUI-F platform. He was elected in 2008 elections on the ticket of PPP-Sherpao. His father, Ghaniur Rehman -- who remained irrigation minister in Aftab Sherpao's cabinet -- was killed two years back by Taliban. This year new entrants include Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf ...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations.... and Sunni Supreme Council whose candidates are Maulana Khayal Zaman and Farid Khan, respectively. They would contest the elections on both the National and provincial assemblies' seats. Hazrat Mohammad Jalali of JUI-F, Haider Ali of ANP and Khayal Zaman of PTI are said to be the main contestants in coming election for NA-16, Hangu. From time to time the Hangu district remained dominated by beturbanned goon groups, including that of Mullah Toofan, Maulvi Nabbi Hanfi and Zewar Mullah. Sources said that the Death Eaters were active in the area and nobody was safe from them. Besides, the contestants would be required to take permission for launching open campaign through holding jirgas with beturbanned goon groups.

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India-Pakistan

Challenges remain in Kurram after ouster of militants

2012-12-20

[Dawn] The military said on Tuesday that central Kurram had been purged of turbans, but troops would stay till the civil administration become capable to perform its duties. "The security forces have done their job and the area has been cleared off the Islamic fascisti except few small pockets," Operation Commander Brigadier Tariq Aman told a group of journalists at a makeshift Brigade Headquarters in Sadda town, lower Kurram Agency ...home of an intricately interconnected web of poverty, ignorance, and religious fanaticism, where the laws of cause and effect are assumed to be suspended, conveniently located adjacent to Tora Bora... He said that objectives of the operation "Mamozai" had been achieved to secure the entire areas in central Kurram adjacent to the troubled Orakzai and Khyber agencies. He said that troops had reached Saama Bazaar and Joggi areas, demarcation points separating Kurram and Orakzai. A substantial number of troops are still in the area to assist the Frontier Corps and Levies Force, and displaced families have been sent back to their homes. "It was a coordinated operation conducted by the army, Frontier Corps and Pakistain Air Force," said Brig Aman. Political agent Yousaf Rahim and Commandant Kurram Militia Col Sher Jeel also briefed media about return process of internally displaced persons and rehabilitation activities in the conflict-stricken valley. The first phase of operation was launched in July 2011 and second in October 2011 that lasted till May 2012. The officials said that forces had suffered 75 casualties, while 220 soldiers were maimed and 90 personnel suffered because of frostbite. They said that about 500 turbans, including foreigners, had been killed in the operation. But like Mullah Fazlullah ...son-in-law of holy man Sufi Mohammad. Known as Mullah FM, Fazlullah had the habit of grabbing his FM mike when the mood struck him and bellowing forth sermons. Sufi suckered the Pak govt into imposing Shariah on the Swat Valley and then stepped aside whilst Fazlullah and his Talibs imposed a reign of terror on the populace like they hadn't seen before, at least not for a thousand years or so. For some reason the Pak intel services were never able to locate his transmitter, much bomb it. After ruling the place like a conquered province for a year or so, Fazlullahs Talibs began gobbling up more territory as they pushed toward Islamabad, at which point as a matter of self-preservation the Mighty Pak Army threw them out and chased them into Afghanistan... of Swat ...a valley and an administrative district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistain, located 99 mi from Islamabad. It is inhabited mostly by Pashto speakers. The place has gone steadily downhill since the days when Babe Ruth was the Sultan of Swat... the most wanted man in the area, Mullah Toofan, who was leading local and foreign turbans, has escaped. A security official said that a hardened turban from Azerbaijan named Zahoor Aslanov had been killed in action. "Mullah Toofan might be in Orakzai or Khyber, but he has been routed from central Kurram," said Brig Aman. He said that one of the objectives of the operation to put brakes on frequent movement of Islamic fascisti from one tribal area to another had been materialised. "Central Kurram was described as 'don't go area' because of its tough terrain and militancy. Now people can move freely because state's writ has been restored," he maintained. He said that security forces had now been deployed almost at all unfrequented routes to block such movements. He said that Thall-Parachinar Road which remained closed for four years had been reopened after the turbans' defeat. MAIN CHALLENGES: Though the military authorities claimed victory over Taliban in central Kurram, revival of the tribal system, rehabilitation of displaced families and reconstruction of infrastructure are main challenges faced by the government. Conflict in this mountainous part of Kurram Valley has left trail of destruction, and according to officials and rustics, Islamic fascisti had set on fire hamlet of houses in Masozai, Alisherzai and other areas. Over 30,000 families were displaced when troops launched campaign and many of them sought shelter in New Durrani Camp in lower Kurram. Political agent Yousaf Rahim told media that according to preliminary survey around 2,400 houses had been destroyed in the area. The administration and Fata Disaster Management Authority had started return process of the IDPs and 1,200 families had been rehabilitated in Mosazai, he said and added that relief agencies had provided temporary shelter, food and non-food items to returnees. He said reconstruction of government infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, required about Rs717 million. Mr Rahim said that with the assistance of donor agencies the FDMA and local administration would carry out damage need assessment survey of the area and the federal government would be asked to compensate affected people.

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India-Pakistan

NW Pak 'suicide' attack kills nine

2012-07-21

At least nine people were killed and 16 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive laden car in northwest Pakistan's tribal region Saturday. The bomber blew up the vehicle just outside the compound of anti-Taliban militant commander Maulana Nabi, in the Kurram tribal area. Senior administration official Zakir Hussain said, "It was a suicide attack, the target was militant commander Nabi's center." Local residents said he survived the attack. Nabi's security stopped the vehicle and the attacker blew up his car after he was unable to enter the compound. More: There has been significant infighting over turf and leadership positions within the Pak Taliban, an umbrella organization set up in 2007 to represent roughly 40 cut-thoat groups, many of whom are waging a bloody campaign against the government. They're Paks. When they're not out-fighting they're in-fighting... The compound that was attacked in Spin Dal village in the Orakzai Agency ... crawling with holy men, home to Darra Adam Khel, the world's largest illegal arms bazaar. 14 distinct tribes of beturbanned primitives inhabit Orakzai agency's 1500 or so square kilometers... was owned by myrmidon commander Mullah Nabi, said senior tribal police official Amjad Khan. Nabi was once a lover close friend ally to a prominent Pak Taliban capo from Orakzai, Mullah Toofan, but the two are now heated rivals. "Stop looking at the bitch Mullah Mahmoud!" "Stop telling me what to do! You don't own me!" No one has grabbed credit for the attack, but suspicion will likely fall on Toofan, a lover close ally to the head of the Pak Taliban, Hakimullah Mehsud. "Sometimes when you're with me you're thinking about Mullah Nabi! I can see it in your eyes!" The bomber tried to enter the guest quarters in Nabi's compound "Special delivery for Mullah Nabi!" and detonated his explosives when he was challenged by guards outside, said Khan, the tribal police official. "Buzz off, Mac!" [KABOOM!] Three dancing boys children were among the nine killed, and 15 other people were maimed, said Sabar Gul, another tribal police official. So-o-o-o! He wants to play rough, does he? Mullah Mahmoud!" "Yes, darling?" "Send for... Mullah Kaboumi!"

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India-Pakistan

Internal differences weakening militant groups

2012-06-25

Good. It couldn't happen to a more deserving group. [Dawn] Internal differences within terrorist organizations, surveillance by law-enforcement agencies, arrests and deaths The latter due to those American drones, right? of faceless myrmidons are among reasons making faceless myrmidons to quit militancy and weakening cut-thoat groups, according to experts. "Some of the faceless myrmidons voluntarily withdraw from their organizations because they can't tolerate hardships that one suffers by joining cut-thoat groups," Brig. Saad Mohammad, former Pak defence attaché in Kabul, told Dawn. In some instances, faceless myrmidons withdraw because they get tired of leading a life as a runaway. "Deep-rooted fears infect them as they lead the life of a runaway, making some to give up the militancy," said Mr Saad. A recent case in point is that of Ilyas Shinwari, a Khyber Agency-based Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain commander who surrendered on May 31, 21012. An official of the Landi Kotal sub-division told Dawn that Shinwari surrendered out of fear of arrest. "His brother and father -- also associated with beturbanned goons -- were incarcerated Drop the rosco and step away witcher hands up! some time back, making him vulnerable," said the official. A local tribal jirga (council of elders) negotiated his surrender, said the official. Shinwari was wanted by the Khyber Agency administration in several cases of attacks on oil tankers that his men destroyed in the area. Besides, he was alleged to be a key financier of Abdullah Aezam Brigade, a cut-thoat outfit. He was also involved in kidnapping for ransom cases. In 2008, Haji Abdul Maalik, a TTP local commander in Adaizai tribal area, near Beautiful Downtown Peshawar, abandoned militancy after police incarcerated Drop the rosco and step away witcher hands up! him in a crackdown. "After his (Maalik's) arrest, we negotiated a deal with him convincing him to secure his freedom in exchange for giving up militancy," said Dilawar Khan, head of a strong Aman Lashkar (peace force). Maalik and his son, who had also been incarcerated Drop the rosco and step away witcher hands up! , chose freedom, said Khan. Later, they joined the Aman Lashkar and fought against Taliban. "Maalik was made Aman Lashkar head, causing severe blow to the Taliban," Dilawar told Dawn. In a reprisal suicide kaboom, Taliban assassinated Maalik in 2009 near Peshawar. About the cut-thoats' reasons for withdrawal, Brig Saad said some of them gave up militancy because they didn't have that character in their personality. "They feel guilty, their conscience does not allow them to continue, making them to return to their normal life," said Saad, a security expert. The weakening position of terrorist groups, according to Saad, also at time plays a role in drifting away the cut-thoats. "Seldom anybody stays on a sinking boat," he said, adding "it's in the tribal society's psyche." "The beturbanned goons leave their groups when they see that they are losing. Militant groups, said the ex-military officer, acted like military units as far as their discipline was concerned. They worked as closely knitted units and are governed by discipline, he said. "If a cut-thoat is not happy about any particular issue or has a disputes with his colleagues, it undermines the organization's unity," said Saad, adding "in many instances the disputes go deeper because of weaknesses on the leader's part, making the group members to run away." Leadership weaknesses and internal disputes have left several al-Qaeda associated groups divided, making the faceless myrmidons to vanish rendering the groups ineffective. "One third of the 130 cut-thoat groups that exist in Federally Administered Tribal Areas have become non-entities," Ashraf Ali, director, Fata Research Centre, an Islamabad-based think tank, told Dawn. Internal disputes, he added, caused dents to several TTP groups in Fata. "Only the major groups survive, small outfits become non-entities as the disillusioned faceless myrmidons abandon militancy." In Bajaur Agency, aka Turban Central ...Smallest of the agencies in FATA. The Agency administration is located in Khar. Bajaur is inhabited almost exclusively by Tarkani Pashtuns, which are divided into multiple bickering subtribes. Its 52 km border border with Afghanistan's Kunar Province makes it of strategic importance to Pakistain's strategic depth... , cut-thoat commander Wali-ur-Rehman's entire group surrendered (some time back) after negotiating a peace deal with the local authorities, according to Mr Ali. Similarly, TTP's Mohmand ... Named for the Mohmand clan of the Sarban Pahstuns, a truculent, quarrelsome lot. In Pakistain, the Mohmands infest their eponymous Agency, metastasizing as far as the plains of Peshawar, Charsadda, and Mardan. Mohmands are also scattered throughout Pakistan in urban areas including Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta. In Afghanistan they are mainly found in Nangarhar and Kunar... Agency chapter became non-existent after its chief Abdul Wali alias Umer Khalid bravely ran away after most of his group members deserted him due to a military crackdown against them in 2008-09, he said. In Orakzai Agency ... crawling with holy men, home to Darra Adam Khel, the world's largest illegal arms bazaar. 14 distinct tribes of beturbanned primitives inhabit Orakzai agency's 1500 or so square kilometers... , he added, infighting between Nabi Mullah and Mullah Toofan, two rival commanders, had eventually benefited the government. "In several instances, infighting rendered the cut-thoat groups weakened, forcing them to enter into negotiations with the authorities," said Mr Ali. He said that Taliban foot soldiers usually got dejected once their leaders entered into negotiations with the authorities. "The more committed among the faceless myrmidons who join cut-thoat organizations to fight against foreign troops or those with a criminal background stick around despite internal disputes," said Mr Ali.

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India-Pakistan

Seven of the 35 kidnapped tribals feared killed

2011-04-22

Seven of the 35 tribals who were kidnapped in an attack on a civilian convoy in Kurram Agency ...home of an intricately interconnected web of poverty, ignorance, and religious fanaticism, where the laws of cause and effect are assumed to be suspended... last month, are feared to have been killed by their suspected myrmidon kidnappers. "Members of a jirga that met in Islamabad on Tuesday were told about the killing of the seven captives," said a source privy to the first round of talks. Bodies of the hostages killed were likely to be handed to the jirga on Thursday, according to the source.The jirga was convened to discuss ways to secure the release of the kidnapped tribals and salvage the peace agreement that two warring sects of the restive area signed recently. Both sides are represented in the jirga and stand by the agreement. "During (the Islamabad) talks we were told about the killing of the seven but whereabouts of the remaining kidnapped persons are still unknown," said the source. It was believed that they were in the custody of Mullah Toofan group, an offshoot of the banned but still somehow murderously active Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistain myrmidon group operating in parts of Orakzai and Kurram agencies. Armed men had attacked three passenger coaches going from Beautiful Downtown Peshawar to Parachinar in Beggan, lower Kurram on March 26. Three people were killed and two injured in the attack, while 47 were kidnapped. Twelve women and kiddies among them were set free the same day while 35 people, four of them belonging to Mardan district, were kidnapped. Sources said that faceless myrmidons had demanded huge ransom for the release of the kidnapped passengers. However, The essential However... they didn`t disclose the ransom figure. They said that the jirga would decide its future line of action after the recovery of the hostages. Under the peace agreement the jirga will recover Rs2 billion as fine from the tribe, which violates the accord. The jirga comprising elders of the rival factions, parliamentarians and notables from other agencies of the tribal areas met Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central... Governor Barrister Masood Kausar here on Wednesday evening. However, The essential However... details of the meeting could not be ascertained. An official said that statement about the meeting would be released to media on Thursday. Prior to the meeting an elder told Dawn that the jirga would ask the governor to take action for the release of the kidnapped persons and ensure security on Thall-Parachinar Road and adjacent settled areas, where passengers had been frequently attacked in the past few weeks. The Thall-Parachinar Road, the only route linking Kurram with the rest of the country, was reopened to traffic after the peace deal was implemented in February last. Sources said that rival factions had agreed to deploy army on the main road and in lower Kurram. The jirga, according to sources, has agreed that paramilitary forces cannot address the situation and suggested deployment of army to stem the tide of violence. "People of the area don`t trust paramilitary forces anymore and want army troops," said one source. He alleged that paramilitary forces instead of providing security to people were extorting money from transporters carrying goods to Kurram at checkposts. They were involved in cross border smuggling, he alleged.

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India-Pakistan

Lashkar kills six more Taliban in Kurram Agency

2010-03-18

HANGU: At least six Taliban were killed and five arrested in a clash with a lashkar in Kurram Agency on Wednesday, officials said. Political administration officials told Daily Times that six Taliban were killed and five others arrested during a clash with the local armed lashkar at Dagar area of Kurram Agency. Separately on Tuesday, a local lashkar killed 10 terrorists belonging to the Mullah Toofan group of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in Kurram Agency. According to official sources, the clash occurred after the terrorists attacked a lashkar, aiming to abduct some of its members. In retaliation, the lashkar killed 10 of the attackers.

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India-Pakistan

Six militants killed in Kurram Agency

2010-02-18

[Dawn] Six militants were killed as unknown gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the Ali Sherzai area of central Kurram Agency on Wednesday. Witnesses revealed that the vehicle was completely destroyed. According to official sources, the deceased belong to Mullah Toofan's faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban. Central Kurram is the main strong hold of Mullah Toofan and his group of crazed Taliban fighters. Their leader, Mullah Toofan is one of the people who have been considered as a replacement for the TTP's leader, Baitullah Mehsud.

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India-Pakistan

New video shows Taliban flogging men in Pakistan

2010-02-06

[Dawn] Taliban militants flog two men and a teenage boy in a video that has emerged from Pakistan's tribal belt along the Afghan border, showing the hold of insurgents in at least one area there despite army offensives and intensified US missile strikes in the region. The video was shot on a mobile phone on Feb. 3 and passed to a local journalist who occasionally provides video to Associated Press Television News. The man who provided the clip said it was taken in the Mamozai area of the Orakzai tribal region, though there was no way of verifying that because travel there is dangerous for outsiders. The tribal elder requested anonymity out of fear for his life. The Taliban are known to beat people in areas they control if they are suspected of criminal acts, spying or violating the militants' ultra-strict interpretation of Islamic law. People accused of serious crimes are often reportedly killed. Using a piece of rope or leather, a militant repeatedly strikes a man who wears trousers but no shirt, and who looks to be covered in dirt or soot. The man at times has to be restrained. He falls to the ground repeatedly, but is hauled back up during the beating. The tribal elder who provided the footage said the man was being punished for allegedly ''working against the Taliban'' by speaking out against the militants. The second victim appears to be a teenage boy, who the tribal elder said was being blamed for not growing a beard. The third victim was said to be punished for not praying. A crowd of men and boys watched the beatings, mostly in silence. As the audience rise to leave, a man announces that an ''old man with the white beard'' is to be detained for five days and ''if he improves'' during his detention the militants would take another look at his case. His crime was not announced. The tribal elder identified the militant doing the beating as Mullah Toofan, believed to be a local Taliban commander. The Pakistani army has carried out occasional air raids in Orakzai over the last few months, but it has not been the target of a major ground offensive like one under way in South Waziristan tribal region. The government has little or no presence in Pakistan's tribal belt. Before the Taliban rose to prominence in the region over the past decade, tribal elders dispensed justice.

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