90% area of Orakzai Agency cleared, repatriation of IDPs from tomorrow: Maj Gen FC
By Mohammad Saleem Mehsud
HANGU, Oct 26 : IG Frontier Constabulary Maj Gen Nader Zaib on Tuesday said that 90 percent area of Orakzai Agency has been cleared from militancy and repatriation of the IDPs of Orakzai Agency will be started from tomorrow (Wednesday).
Nadir Zaib during a press briefing here at the recovered area of Orkazai Agency which was considered strong hold of the militants said that some 654 militants were killed and 250 were arrested during the operation launched in the area against the militants while 67 security forces personnel got martyred and 213 sustained injuries.
Nadir Zaib said that at least two to three percent total damaged was estimated in the area as a result of operation and the operation was conducted with slow pace due to presence of civilians and also to avoid huge damages in the area.
IG FC added that some 32,000 families were displaced as a result of operation against the militants whose repatriation process will be started from tomorrow (Wednesday) as 90 percent of the area is clear, adding, security forces have destroyed several hideouts of the militants in the area which were used to plan various terrorists attacks in Pakistan.
“We have received information regarding presence of Al-Qaeda members in the area but they were either killed in the operation or move to other places and safe places,” Nadir Zaib said that recently we were facing low level resistance in Mamozai area which will be cleared also.
Nadir Zaib further said that 95 percent schools were destroyed in the area and we were trying to restore the buildings of schools in makeshift shelters.
During the press briefing he said that the cleared area of Orakzai Agency is bordering Afghanistan and the Valley of Tirah and to claim complete peace in the regions will require time as security forces will also start operation in the Valley of Tirah where militants were hiding and also operation is underway in Mamozai area of Orakzai Agency which will be completed soon.
Reports say that in Mamozai area of Orakzai six militants and a Pakistani soldier were killed in a gunbattle which started when insurgents attacked troops stationed there.
Security forces have been targeting militants in Orakzai since March when Pakistan dispatched troops there to kill or capture insurgents belonging to or allied with the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The Pakistani military declared victory in Orakzai in June, but violence has continued.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Fehmida condemns US drone strikes, says some parliamentarians not against strikes in FATA
Fehmida condemns US drone strikes, says some parliamentarians not against strikes in FATA
By Mohammad Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Oct 23 : Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza on Saturday vehemently condemned the US drone strikes in the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan and blamed some parliamentarians for supporting such attacks which are counterproductive.
Speaking in talks show at private TV channel, Dr Fehmida, first Woman Speaker of parliament in the Muslim world, said when the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came to Pakistan in July 2010 on state visit, she met with parliamentarians and held discussions with them over various current issues and also learned about their view point on various issues.
Dr Fehmida said that during our meeting with Hillary Clinton we condemned strongly drone attacks in the tribal belt and also urged her to convey our message to the US government for stopping such attacks which were contributing to anti-Americans sentiments in the region.
Hillary Clinton on the occasion said that she had met parliamentarians and also seek their viewpoint over various hot issues including US drone attacks but there was mix response as some of the parliamentarians favored US drone attacks while others were against drone attacks. “All the parliamentarians were not against US drones,” Hilary said that your demand lacks unanimity.
When asked to identify names of the parliamentarians who are not against US drones, Dr Fehmida responded negatively and said that it is not good to identify names of those parliamentarians.
Dr Fehmida further said that opposition was performing its role efficiently in the parliament and refuted the blame that government is enjoying with friendly opposition. She said that our party is strictly following the policy of reconciliation and did not want confrontation with any party or state-institutions.
Responding to question about general view prevailing in the country at large that political parties were not democratic as one and same leader leads the party while such parties were claiming for strengthening democratic instructions in the country Dr Fehmida Mirza said that such allegations were wrong and baseless because only person of qualities could lead a political party.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
FATA MNA demands govt to stop drone attacks
FATA MNA demands govt to stop drone attacks
--- Pay heed towards solution of core problems
By Mohammad Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 : Fata MNA Kamran Khan on Wednesday critically hinted upon the role of both, those sitting on the ruling benches and the opposition, saying that people at large were facing numerous problems and government failed to redress their sufferings which may lead the country to terrible situation in future.
Independent candidate of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) Kamran Khan during a talk show at private TV channel has said that innocent people were being targeted by US drone attacks in NWA and government was not paying heed to the core issue.
“The government is just committing hollow claims,” MNA added that being part of the recent government nothing fruitful could be expected from the government in future.
Responding to a question regarding the next coming session of the national assembly and strategy of the Fata representatives, MNA said that we can’t hope better from the floor of the house as we have already submitted our demands to the house but despite hollow commitments nothing was gained from the house.
MNA said that Nato helicopters were violating airspace of Pakistan and recently in a village in NWA at least 21 people including 18 of a family were critically injured in an attack carried out by Nato-choppers and I personally went there to met them. This incident of violating airspace of Pakistan by the Nato-helicopters was not reported in any news channel nor any newspaper had reported the incident, MNA added.
Kamran said that we have time and again informed the government to take stern action against the airspace violation by the Nato-choppers and also to stop the US drones attacks in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan but government had turned deaf ear to the issue.
Kamran further said that US drone in the past were targeting the suspected areas rarely which was counterproductive and contributing towards anti-American sentiments in the area but recently US drone had doubled its attacks and claimed lives of several innocents in few days.
“Being tribal our people will never accept attacks conducted by foreigners and if the same situation continued in the region this would create unbearable condition for the fragile government which had been confronted with many problems already at hand,” MNA added.
Kamran had also criticized members of the opposition as they were just criticizing the government and not coming with any written and result-oriented agenda regarding solution of core problems which the country is facing such as price hike, target killing in Karachi, unemployment, economic problems and the prime issue of fight against terrorism on the behalf of US and several other problems.
“Opposition should put suggestion on the table regarding solution of the core problem which could be discussed unanimously,” MNA added that only then we could seek their solution.
Kamran strictly criticized the government for not solving the issues and its involvement in fight against media and judiciary and also demanded government for stopping drone attacks in tribal areas.
--- Pay heed towards solution of core problems
By Mohammad Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 : Fata MNA Kamran Khan on Wednesday critically hinted upon the role of both, those sitting on the ruling benches and the opposition, saying that people at large were facing numerous problems and government failed to redress their sufferings which may lead the country to terrible situation in future.
Independent candidate of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) Kamran Khan during a talk show at private TV channel has said that innocent people were being targeted by US drone attacks in NWA and government was not paying heed to the core issue.
“The government is just committing hollow claims,” MNA added that being part of the recent government nothing fruitful could be expected from the government in future.
Responding to a question regarding the next coming session of the national assembly and strategy of the Fata representatives, MNA said that we can’t hope better from the floor of the house as we have already submitted our demands to the house but despite hollow commitments nothing was gained from the house.
MNA said that Nato helicopters were violating airspace of Pakistan and recently in a village in NWA at least 21 people including 18 of a family were critically injured in an attack carried out by Nato-choppers and I personally went there to met them. This incident of violating airspace of Pakistan by the Nato-helicopters was not reported in any news channel nor any newspaper had reported the incident, MNA added.
Kamran said that we have time and again informed the government to take stern action against the airspace violation by the Nato-choppers and also to stop the US drones attacks in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan but government had turned deaf ear to the issue.
Kamran further said that US drone in the past were targeting the suspected areas rarely which was counterproductive and contributing towards anti-American sentiments in the area but recently US drone had doubled its attacks and claimed lives of several innocents in few days.
“Being tribal our people will never accept attacks conducted by foreigners and if the same situation continued in the region this would create unbearable condition for the fragile government which had been confronted with many problems already at hand,” MNA added.
Kamran had also criticized members of the opposition as they were just criticizing the government and not coming with any written and result-oriented agenda regarding solution of core problems which the country is facing such as price hike, target killing in Karachi, unemployment, economic problems and the prime issue of fight against terrorism on the behalf of US and several other problems.
“Opposition should put suggestion on the table regarding solution of the core problem which could be discussed unanimously,” MNA added that only then we could seek their solution.
Kamran strictly criticized the government for not solving the issues and its involvement in fight against media and judiciary and also demanded government for stopping drone attacks in tribal areas.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
FATA MNA Maulana Abdul Malik urges Govt to pressurize US to stop drone attacks in tribal belt, initiate development schemes
FATA MNA Maulana Abdul Malik urges Govt to pressurize US to stop drone attacks in tribal belt, initiate development schemes
By Mohammad Saleem Mahsud
ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 : MNA Wana Maulana Abdul Malik on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the drone attacks in the tribal belt wherein several innocent people lost their lives and urged the government to take concrete steps to stop US drones strikes and initiate developmental projects in area along Pak-Afghan border.
Talking to newsmen here at Parliament lodges Maulana Abdul Malik who is representing Wazir tribe of South Waziristan Agency said that government should put pressure on America to stop drone attacks in the tribal belt where the dwellers were living fearful life.
The MNA lamented upon the issue of drone attacks and said that such attacks were giving strength to anti-American sentiments in the tribal belt which in return proved better for the Taliban fighters in gaining sympathies of the locals.
“Nato forces should respect Pakistan territorial sovereignty and refrain from attacking Pakistani forces,” the MNA said . He said attack which was carried out by Nato helicopters killing three security personnel was an unbearable offence.
Maulana Abdul Malik argued that government should initiate development projects on war-footing in the area after ending prevailing tense situation in tribal area.These projects wold not only bring in much needed facilities but also provide a source of income to the people who are turning to the Taliban to earn a source living for their families.
By Mohammad Saleem Mahsud
ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 : MNA Wana Maulana Abdul Malik on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the drone attacks in the tribal belt wherein several innocent people lost their lives and urged the government to take concrete steps to stop US drones strikes and initiate developmental projects in area along Pak-Afghan border.
Talking to newsmen here at Parliament lodges Maulana Abdul Malik who is representing Wazir tribe of South Waziristan Agency said that government should put pressure on America to stop drone attacks in the tribal belt where the dwellers were living fearful life.
The MNA lamented upon the issue of drone attacks and said that such attacks were giving strength to anti-American sentiments in the tribal belt which in return proved better for the Taliban fighters in gaining sympathies of the locals.
“Nato forces should respect Pakistan territorial sovereignty and refrain from attacking Pakistani forces,” the MNA said . He said attack which was carried out by Nato helicopters killing three security personnel was an unbearable offence.
Maulana Abdul Malik argued that government should initiate development projects on war-footing in the area after ending prevailing tense situation in tribal area.These projects wold not only bring in much needed facilities but also provide a source of income to the people who are turning to the Taliban to earn a source living for their families.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
One driver killed, 40 Nato-oil tankers torched in Quetta, TTP claimed responsibility of attack
One driver killed, 40 Nato-oil tankers torched in Quetta, TTP claimed responsibility of attack
By Mohammad Saleem Mehsud
QUETTA, Oct 06 : Banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility of the attack wherein one driver was killed and some 40 Nato-oil tankers were set ablaze by armed men here at Akhtarabad Terminal of Quetta Bypass on Wednesday while Torkham border remained closed on the seventh consecutive day, official sources said.
Talking from undisclosed location spokesman TTP claimed responsibility of the attack on Nato-oil tankers in Quetta and said that attacks were reaction of drone attacks in North Waziristan Agency.
“Up to 40 Nato-oil tankers were parked at Aktharabad Terminal when a group of militants opened indiscriminate fire at the tankers, killing a driver on the spot and setting 40 oil tankers on fire,” sources said.
Law enforcement agencies officials and fire-brigade arrived at the scene and started extinguishing fire to save the remaining tankers. After four and half hours of hectic efforts fire-brigade officials succeeded in controlling the fire.
IG Balochistan Police Malik Mohammad Iqbal told a private TV channel that police officials with its limited resources were not responsible for the security of the tankers stationed in the terminal. He said they were investigating the incident to nab the criminals involved.
Meanwhile Torkham border, main land supply route for Nato forces in Afghanistan remained closed for the seventh consecutive day, after a cross-border Nato helicopter attack that officials blamed for the death of three Pakistani soldiers.
Scores of oil tankers and trucks loaded with supplies for Nato forces are parked at Torkham border, Ring road Terminal Peshawar, Azakheil Camp Nowshera and other camps due to closure of the vital Torkham border crossing. The standing tankers and trucks owners are impatiently waiting for crossing the border as they fear more attacks from the militants.
“Chaman border is open for Nato-oil tankers and trucks and only Torkhum border, the main supply route, was closed a week earlier by Pakistani officials due violation of Nato helicopters,” officials added.
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has urged Pakistan to reopen the vital route "as soon as possible".
Since the key route was closed, on Thursday last local Taliban militants have claimed three raids in which nearly 60 trucks were torched, and vowed more attacks.
Three people were killed in one incident when about 20 Nato-oil tankers were set ablaze by attackers armed with Molotov cocktails near Islamabad.
In a similar incident on Friday in the south, heavily armed gunmen set fire to more than two dozen trucks and tankers carrying fuel for the 152,000-strong foreign forces fighting the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan.
Two NATO trucks were also torched by unknown assailants in the Qalat district of Baluchistan on Monday.
“The attacks on Nato-oil tankers were to avenge US drone attacks and halt the Nato supply route through Pakistan,” spokesman Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Azam Tariq said while claiming responsibility of dual attacks a few days earlier.
On the other hand, United States has massively increased its drone campaign in Pakistan's lawless northwest tribal region on the Afghan border, which it calls the global headquarters of Al-Qaeda and is a hub of militants fighting in Afghanistan.
(Published in frontier post)
By Mohammad Saleem Mehsud
QUETTA, Oct 06 : Banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility of the attack wherein one driver was killed and some 40 Nato-oil tankers were set ablaze by armed men here at Akhtarabad Terminal of Quetta Bypass on Wednesday while Torkham border remained closed on the seventh consecutive day, official sources said.
Talking from undisclosed location spokesman TTP claimed responsibility of the attack on Nato-oil tankers in Quetta and said that attacks were reaction of drone attacks in North Waziristan Agency.
“Up to 40 Nato-oil tankers were parked at Aktharabad Terminal when a group of militants opened indiscriminate fire at the tankers, killing a driver on the spot and setting 40 oil tankers on fire,” sources said.
Law enforcement agencies officials and fire-brigade arrived at the scene and started extinguishing fire to save the remaining tankers. After four and half hours of hectic efforts fire-brigade officials succeeded in controlling the fire.
IG Balochistan Police Malik Mohammad Iqbal told a private TV channel that police officials with its limited resources were not responsible for the security of the tankers stationed in the terminal. He said they were investigating the incident to nab the criminals involved.
Meanwhile Torkham border, main land supply route for Nato forces in Afghanistan remained closed for the seventh consecutive day, after a cross-border Nato helicopter attack that officials blamed for the death of three Pakistani soldiers.
Scores of oil tankers and trucks loaded with supplies for Nato forces are parked at Torkham border, Ring road Terminal Peshawar, Azakheil Camp Nowshera and other camps due to closure of the vital Torkham border crossing. The standing tankers and trucks owners are impatiently waiting for crossing the border as they fear more attacks from the militants.
“Chaman border is open for Nato-oil tankers and trucks and only Torkhum border, the main supply route, was closed a week earlier by Pakistani officials due violation of Nato helicopters,” officials added.
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has urged Pakistan to reopen the vital route "as soon as possible".
Since the key route was closed, on Thursday last local Taliban militants have claimed three raids in which nearly 60 trucks were torched, and vowed more attacks.
Three people were killed in one incident when about 20 Nato-oil tankers were set ablaze by attackers armed with Molotov cocktails near Islamabad.
In a similar incident on Friday in the south, heavily armed gunmen set fire to more than two dozen trucks and tankers carrying fuel for the 152,000-strong foreign forces fighting the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan.
Two NATO trucks were also torched by unknown assailants in the Qalat district of Baluchistan on Monday.
“The attacks on Nato-oil tankers were to avenge US drone attacks and halt the Nato supply route through Pakistan,” spokesman Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Azam Tariq said while claiming responsibility of dual attacks a few days earlier.
On the other hand, United States has massively increased its drone campaign in Pakistan's lawless northwest tribal region on the Afghan border, which it calls the global headquarters of Al-Qaeda and is a hub of militants fighting in Afghanistan.
(Published in frontier post)
Monday, October 4, 2010
TTP claims attacks on Nato-tankers in Islamabad & Shikarpur
TTP claims attacks on Nato-tankers in Islamabad & Shikarpur
=======Torkham route remains closed on fifth day for Nato-supplies
By Mohammad Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Oct 04: Banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan on Monday claimed responsibility for the two recent attacks on Nato supply convoy in Pakistan while Nato supply through Pak-Afghan border of Torkham remained suspended for the fifth dayon Monday.
TTP spokesman Azam Tariq Mehsood told a private TV channel from undisclosed location that fighters of TTP carried out both the attacks in Islamabad and Sindh and threatened to carry out more attacks in the future.
He further said that Taliban will not allow the Nato forces to use Pakistani soil as supply route. “This is also to avenge drone attacks,” he added.
Sihala Police Station officials have registered a case against five unidentified militants and also arrested five suspects and shifted them for interrogation.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik taking notice of the burning of Nato supply tankers, directed IG Islamabad Syed Kalim Imam to submit a report of the incident within 24 hours.
Two of the injured in the attack on NATO tankers in Rawalpindi were lying in critical condition in DHQ Hospital Rawalpindi.
According to the sources at Torkham border, the containers packed with Nato supplies are not being allowed to cross the border; their clearance is hitherto suspended. Sources said around 200 Nato containers are standing in the area and waiting clearance to cross the border into Afghanistan.
It should be mentioned here that Pakistan suspended the supply line after the martyrdom of security personnel in a shelling from helicopters of the allied forces, which violated the country’s airspace.
A high-level team of Pak Army was sent to Afghanistan for probe into the violations of Pakistani airspace by Nato forces. The Pak team is probing the incident along with Nato officials.
The incidents of attacks on Nato containers are on the rise in Pakistan. Some days back, Nato oil containers were attacked in Shikarpur, where several oil tankers were destroyed. Nato supply oil tankers were attacked in Islamabad during Monday night.
Reports say that 12 people were reportedly killed when 28 Nato oil tankers were torched by alleged militants early Monday morning in Rawalpindi, a city near Pakistan's capital Islamabad.
According to local media, nine men on motorcycles opened fire at a NATO convoy near the DHA Phase II area of Rawalpindi, an area which is only about half-an-hour ride south of Islamabad.
This is the third attack on Nato supply trucks over the past three days following the air strikes by NATO helicopters in Pakistan's territory on Thursday, which killed three Pakistani troops and injured three others.
=======Torkham route remains closed on fifth day for Nato-supplies
By Mohammad Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Oct 04: Banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan on Monday claimed responsibility for the two recent attacks on Nato supply convoy in Pakistan while Nato supply through Pak-Afghan border of Torkham remained suspended for the fifth dayon Monday.
TTP spokesman Azam Tariq Mehsood told a private TV channel from undisclosed location that fighters of TTP carried out both the attacks in Islamabad and Sindh and threatened to carry out more attacks in the future.
He further said that Taliban will not allow the Nato forces to use Pakistani soil as supply route. “This is also to avenge drone attacks,” he added.
Sihala Police Station officials have registered a case against five unidentified militants and also arrested five suspects and shifted them for interrogation.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik taking notice of the burning of Nato supply tankers, directed IG Islamabad Syed Kalim Imam to submit a report of the incident within 24 hours.
Two of the injured in the attack on NATO tankers in Rawalpindi were lying in critical condition in DHQ Hospital Rawalpindi.
According to the sources at Torkham border, the containers packed with Nato supplies are not being allowed to cross the border; their clearance is hitherto suspended. Sources said around 200 Nato containers are standing in the area and waiting clearance to cross the border into Afghanistan.
It should be mentioned here that Pakistan suspended the supply line after the martyrdom of security personnel in a shelling from helicopters of the allied forces, which violated the country’s airspace.
A high-level team of Pak Army was sent to Afghanistan for probe into the violations of Pakistani airspace by Nato forces. The Pak team is probing the incident along with Nato officials.
The incidents of attacks on Nato containers are on the rise in Pakistan. Some days back, Nato oil containers were attacked in Shikarpur, where several oil tankers were destroyed. Nato supply oil tankers were attacked in Islamabad during Monday night.
Reports say that 12 people were reportedly killed when 28 Nato oil tankers were torched by alleged militants early Monday morning in Rawalpindi, a city near Pakistan's capital Islamabad.
According to local media, nine men on motorcycles opened fire at a NATO convoy near the DHA Phase II area of Rawalpindi, an area which is only about half-an-hour ride south of Islamabad.
This is the third attack on Nato supply trucks over the past three days following the air strikes by NATO helicopters in Pakistan's territory on Thursday, which killed three Pakistani troops and injured three others.
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