NATO attack could lead to grave repercussions: Athar
By Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 : The Pakistan Army while expressing its disgust over NATO attacks in the Mohmand Agency in which 24 security forces personnel were martyred, has said that mere NATO’s apologies were neither enough nor acceptable and warned that the action can lead to serious consequences.
“Our future plans of action and decision over the issue of cross-border attack would be formulated jointly by the civil and military leadership of the country,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said.
Athar said that mere NATO’s regret over the martyrdom of 24 security forces personnel was not enough.
He said that such incidents have happened in past that killed 72 soldiers and injured more than 250 troops in the last three years.
“The Saturday action of US led NATO forces in the Pak-Afghan bordering area can lead to utterly grave repercussions,” the ISPR spokesman warned.
He also denied reports that NATO forces in Afghanistan came under fire before launching a cross-border attack that led to the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers.
“This is not true. They are making up excuses. What are their losses, casualties?” Earlier a report, citing Afghan and Western officials, had said that fire from a Pakistani military outpost into Afghanistan prompted the air strikes.
The military spokesman said the Pakistani troops at two border posts were the victims of unprovoked aggression. He said the attack lasted almost two hours and that commanders had contacted NATO counterparts while it was going on, asking “they get this fire to cease, but somehow it continued.”
In an interview on Sunday with British newspaper the Guardian, Athar Abbas said he did not believe ISAF or Afghan forces received fire from the Pakistani side. “I cannot rule out the possibility that this was a deliberate attack by ISAF,” said Abbas. “If ISAF was receiving fire, then they must tell us what their losses were.”
Pakistani army officials said the posts that were attacked were about 300 metres into Pakistani territory. ISAF officers, however, maintain that the border in that area is disputed.
Abbas told the Guardian that the firing lasted for over an hour, and that ISAF made “no attempt” to contact the Pakistani side. “This was a totally unprovoked attack. There are no safe havens or hideouts left there [for militants] in Mohmand,” he said.
“This was a visible, well-made post, on top of ridges, made of concrete. Militants don’t operate from mountaintops, from concrete structures.”
But a report in Monday’s Wall Street Journal — denied by Islamabad — said the NATO jets and helicopters responded to firing from a Pakistani post on the ill-defined Afghan border.
The article, which followed a similar report by the Guardian, cited three Afghan officials and one Western official as saying the air raid was called in to shield allied forces targeting Taliban fighters.
NATO and Afghan forces “were fired on from a Pakistani army base”, the unnamed Western official told the Wall Street Journal. “It was a defensive action.”
An early Saturday morning attack by NATO helicopters killed at least 24 security personnel and injured 12 soldiers on a Pakistani check post in Salala, which is located in the Tehsil Bayzai area of Mohmand Agency on the Pak-Afghan border.
The United States has been told by Pakistan’s military leadership to evacuate a logistically key airbase it operates in Balochistan – Shamsi Airbase – within 15 days. In addition, Pakistan’s fury was driven home with an official statement that it will shut down NATO supply routes operating through its territory – something that has happened for the first time, though supply routes have previously been temporarily blocked unofficially following similar attacks.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Mehsud elders in grand Jirga condemn Mohmand attack, demanded inquiry into barbaric incident
Mehsud elders in grand Jirga condemn Mohmand attack, demanded inquiry into barbaric incident
By Saleem Mehsud
TANK, Nov 28 : Elders of Mehsud tribe in grand jirga condemned the US-led Nato forces attack on the Pakistani troops in Mohmand Agency and demanded international inquiry of the barbaric incident on Monday.
Sources said that elders of Mehsud tribe in large number including Malik Karamat, Malik Sakhi Jan, Malik Bahadur, Malik Hashim and others strongly condemned the Nato attack in which 24 soldiers were martyred.
“We the Mehsud tribesmen will stand side by side of the Pakistan Army and will fight alongside the Pakistani troops against any enemy of our country,” the elders in their separate speeches vowed.
They further said that such attacks were considered attacks on the solidarity and sovereignty of the country which were not acceptable at any cost and demanded inquiry of the incident on international level.
“Pakistan suffered great losses in fight against terror after 9/11 and now their sacrifices are gifted with such attacks by the foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan,” the elders lamented.
Reiterating support of tribesmen to the Pakistan Army, they said that tribal will assist and fight shoulder by shoulder alongside the Pakistan Army against any enemy of the country and will not allow the enemies to practice their nefarious designs in Pakistan.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that military operation against the insurgents in South Waziristan Agency was stepped up in March 2009, since then families of Mehsud tribe were displaced. Some of the families were repatriated to their home towns by the government where they were disheartened to see their flattened homes, reacting that re-construction of destroyed homes was not easy for them without the support of government and demanded relief from the government but yet no considerable work was done by government in this regard.
By Saleem Mehsud
TANK, Nov 28 : Elders of Mehsud tribe in grand jirga condemned the US-led Nato forces attack on the Pakistani troops in Mohmand Agency and demanded international inquiry of the barbaric incident on Monday.
Sources said that elders of Mehsud tribe in large number including Malik Karamat, Malik Sakhi Jan, Malik Bahadur, Malik Hashim and others strongly condemned the Nato attack in which 24 soldiers were martyred.
“We the Mehsud tribesmen will stand side by side of the Pakistan Army and will fight alongside the Pakistani troops against any enemy of our country,” the elders in their separate speeches vowed.
They further said that such attacks were considered attacks on the solidarity and sovereignty of the country which were not acceptable at any cost and demanded inquiry of the incident on international level.
“Pakistan suffered great losses in fight against terror after 9/11 and now their sacrifices are gifted with such attacks by the foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan,” the elders lamented.
Reiterating support of tribesmen to the Pakistan Army, they said that tribal will assist and fight shoulder by shoulder alongside the Pakistan Army against any enemy of the country and will not allow the enemies to practice their nefarious designs in Pakistan.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that military operation against the insurgents in South Waziristan Agency was stepped up in March 2009, since then families of Mehsud tribe were displaced. Some of the families were repatriated to their home towns by the government where they were disheartened to see their flattened homes, reacting that re-construction of destroyed homes was not easy for them without the support of government and demanded relief from the government but yet no considerable work was done by government in this regard.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Election rigging would lead to civil disobedience: Imran warns
Election rigging would lead to civil disobedience: Imran warns
By Saleem Mehsud
LAHORE, Nov 24: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday warned of civil disobedience if next elections were not held free and fair, saying that ruling N-league was trying to halt rallies of PTI.
Replying to questions in live calls from audience over a private TV channel, Imran said that people would come to the streets and bloody reaction couldn’t be ruled out if the next elections were not conducted in a free and fair manner , adding that doors of supreme court would be knocked to achieve supervision of the court in this regard.
“Only fair and free elections would decide fate of the country because masses would not accept and endure fake voting lists and voters,” the PTI chief stressed.
He said that upon coming to power, the PTI would introduce a uniform education system – one education system for all. He said the current education system is making the rich richer and the poor poorer. He said the schools should be under the village council of elders.
The PTI chief also said that the police should be purged from political influence. He said political meddling is the biggest ill afflicting the police department. The entire prevailing police system requires changes because the system was introduced by the foreigners for slaves while independent countries have no such police system, Imran said.
When asked by audience that Pakistan is a poor country having meager economy how PTI would steer the country out of challenges, Imran said that Pakistan is the richest country in Asia, adding that we have to eliminate corruption from the country and must bring big fishes to the tax net then country would make progress with rapid strides.
“If PTI was mandated to rule the country then we will give the best economic team because there are Pakistanis who were running private airlines and other companies in foreign countries and they would be too willing to work for the betterment of their own country but the only condition is to eliminate corruption and also give chance to honest people to lead the country,” Imran added.
Khan said that N-League was putting hurdles in the way of PTI and not allowing PTI of hold rally in Rajanpur. He said that PTI was following democratic norms and rules in holding rallies and warned that N-League not to challenge street power of PTI.
Talking about the Muslim world, Imran said that most of Muslim countries were run by dictators who could easily be puppet in the hands of foreigners, adding that democracy is the solution of unity among the Muslim countries.
He said that PTI has clear agenda about US drones in the tribal region, adding that I participated in a walk along with representatives of Reprive, UK based organization, and also would raise the issue in the international court of justice. He said that US drone strikes were counter-productive and innocent people were being killed in the strikes.
Imran said that he will declare his assets in a press conference and the whole nation will be made aware of my assets, adding that Karachi rally of PTI would be successful.
By Saleem Mehsud
LAHORE, Nov 24: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday warned of civil disobedience if next elections were not held free and fair, saying that ruling N-league was trying to halt rallies of PTI.
Replying to questions in live calls from audience over a private TV channel, Imran said that people would come to the streets and bloody reaction couldn’t be ruled out if the next elections were not conducted in a free and fair manner , adding that doors of supreme court would be knocked to achieve supervision of the court in this regard.
“Only fair and free elections would decide fate of the country because masses would not accept and endure fake voting lists and voters,” the PTI chief stressed.
He said that upon coming to power, the PTI would introduce a uniform education system – one education system for all. He said the current education system is making the rich richer and the poor poorer. He said the schools should be under the village council of elders.
The PTI chief also said that the police should be purged from political influence. He said political meddling is the biggest ill afflicting the police department. The entire prevailing police system requires changes because the system was introduced by the foreigners for slaves while independent countries have no such police system, Imran said.
When asked by audience that Pakistan is a poor country having meager economy how PTI would steer the country out of challenges, Imran said that Pakistan is the richest country in Asia, adding that we have to eliminate corruption from the country and must bring big fishes to the tax net then country would make progress with rapid strides.
“If PTI was mandated to rule the country then we will give the best economic team because there are Pakistanis who were running private airlines and other companies in foreign countries and they would be too willing to work for the betterment of their own country but the only condition is to eliminate corruption and also give chance to honest people to lead the country,” Imran added.
Khan said that N-League was putting hurdles in the way of PTI and not allowing PTI of hold rally in Rajanpur. He said that PTI was following democratic norms and rules in holding rallies and warned that N-League not to challenge street power of PTI.
Talking about the Muslim world, Imran said that most of Muslim countries were run by dictators who could easily be puppet in the hands of foreigners, adding that democracy is the solution of unity among the Muslim countries.
He said that PTI has clear agenda about US drones in the tribal region, adding that I participated in a walk along with representatives of Reprive, UK based organization, and also would raise the issue in the international court of justice. He said that US drone strikes were counter-productive and innocent people were being killed in the strikes.
Imran said that he will declare his assets in a press conference and the whole nation will be made aware of my assets, adding that Karachi rally of PTI would be successful.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
TTP denies negotiations, ceasefire with Pakistan govt
TTP denies negotiations, ceasefire, claim responsibility of DIK police station attack
By Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Nov 23: The spokesman for banned Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Ehsanullah Eshan on Wednesday denied reports of a ceasefire when the militant group attacked Pakistani policemen and killed two policemen, injuring seven others.
The spokesman said that the TTP was not negotiating peace deal with the government of Pakistan, adding that media was indulged in publishing fabricated material about the TTP and government talks.
Eshan further said that Taliban claimed responsibility of attack on the police station in Dera Ismail Khan which is obvious indication that TTP has not abandoned attacking targets in Pakistan.
The foreign media on Tuesday reported that a senior commander of the militant group, on the condition of anonymity, had said that the ceasefire had been in place for the past month and that TTP has abandoned attacks inside Pakistan from October.
On Wednesday an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and another policeman were killed and seven others police personnel injured when militants carrying rocket propelled grenades and other heavy arms attacked a police station in the Draband in Dera Ismail Khan.
Sources said that the attack took place at around 4:40am on Wednesday when a huge explosion was heard near the police station building.
“There were about 8-10 armed men that attacked the police station with rockets, one of our officials was killed while five others were injured,” District Police Officer (DPO) Sohail Khalid told private TV channel. However, DPO ruled out the possibility of any prior information of the attack.
“It was an attack by militants, most probably from the tribal belt,” he said. The ASI who was killed was identified as Akram. SHO Zulfiqar and other police personnel were shifted to a hospital in DI Khan City where they were treated.
The police station received considerable damage with bullet holes in the walls. Sources said the militants took away the arms present in the building at the time.
By Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Nov 23: The spokesman for banned Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Ehsanullah Eshan on Wednesday denied reports of a ceasefire when the militant group attacked Pakistani policemen and killed two policemen, injuring seven others.
The spokesman said that the TTP was not negotiating peace deal with the government of Pakistan, adding that media was indulged in publishing fabricated material about the TTP and government talks.
Eshan further said that Taliban claimed responsibility of attack on the police station in Dera Ismail Khan which is obvious indication that TTP has not abandoned attacking targets in Pakistan.
The foreign media on Tuesday reported that a senior commander of the militant group, on the condition of anonymity, had said that the ceasefire had been in place for the past month and that TTP has abandoned attacks inside Pakistan from October.
On Wednesday an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and another policeman were killed and seven others police personnel injured when militants carrying rocket propelled grenades and other heavy arms attacked a police station in the Draband in Dera Ismail Khan.
Sources said that the attack took place at around 4:40am on Wednesday when a huge explosion was heard near the police station building.
“There were about 8-10 armed men that attacked the police station with rockets, one of our officials was killed while five others were injured,” District Police Officer (DPO) Sohail Khalid told private TV channel. However, DPO ruled out the possibility of any prior information of the attack.
“It was an attack by militants, most probably from the tribal belt,” he said. The ASI who was killed was identified as Akram. SHO Zulfiqar and other police personnel were shifted to a hospital in DI Khan City where they were treated.
The police station received considerable damage with bullet holes in the walls. Sources said the militants took away the arms present in the building at the time.
Two policemen killed in DIKhan attack, TTP claims responsibility
Two policemen killed in DIKhan attack, TTP claims responsibility
By Saleem Mehsud
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Nov 23: Two policemen were killed and seven others injured when armed militants ambushed Draban Police Station with rockets and grenades before dawn on Wednesday.
Police said that assault came in Darbaan Kalan area of D I Khan, a flashpoint for sectarian violence in the northwest as Taliban commanders claimed to have begun initial peace talks with Pakistani authorities.
Police said that around 10-12 militants came to the said police station in a vehicle and motorcycle, attacked the main gate with rocket launcher and then barged into the police station. The armed insurgents opened fire and hurled hand grenades inside the police station.
Police said that taking advantage of the darkness miscreants fled in the same vehicles from the spot. The injured police personnel were shifted to district headquarter hospital while police cordoned off the area and launched search operation. However, no arrest was yet made in the case.
“Some of the attackers were speaking Persian language,” police said.
The Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility of the attack on the police station in DIKhan, saying that TTP strongly denied the reports that the group agreed to a cease fire or was in talks with the government.
Denying media report, TTP spokesman said that ceasefire with Pakistan was not announced through any channel.
A senior Pakistani Taliban commander said Monday the group agreed to a cease-fire a month ago to encourage nascent peace talks with the government. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of issue’s sensitivity.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that ISPR also Tuesday denied reports about peace negotiations with the TTP, saying that media reports were baseless.
By Saleem Mehsud
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Nov 23: Two policemen were killed and seven others injured when armed militants ambushed Draban Police Station with rockets and grenades before dawn on Wednesday.
Police said that assault came in Darbaan Kalan area of D I Khan, a flashpoint for sectarian violence in the northwest as Taliban commanders claimed to have begun initial peace talks with Pakistani authorities.
Police said that around 10-12 militants came to the said police station in a vehicle and motorcycle, attacked the main gate with rocket launcher and then barged into the police station. The armed insurgents opened fire and hurled hand grenades inside the police station.
Police said that taking advantage of the darkness miscreants fled in the same vehicles from the spot. The injured police personnel were shifted to district headquarter hospital while police cordoned off the area and launched search operation. However, no arrest was yet made in the case.
“Some of the attackers were speaking Persian language,” police said.
The Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility of the attack on the police station in DIKhan, saying that TTP strongly denied the reports that the group agreed to a cease fire or was in talks with the government.
Denying media report, TTP spokesman said that ceasefire with Pakistan was not announced through any channel.
A senior Pakistani Taliban commander said Monday the group agreed to a cease-fire a month ago to encourage nascent peace talks with the government. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of issue’s sensitivity.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that ISPR also Tuesday denied reports about peace negotiations with the TTP, saying that media reports were baseless.
PTI will sue UK newspaper over alleged story against Imran Khan
President Zardari will be responsible if memo scandal proved true: Imran Khan
---- PTI will sue UK newspaper over alleged story against Imran Khan
By Saleem Mehsud
LAHORE, Nov 23: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday demanded judicial inquiry of the memo scandal, saying that President Asif Ali Zardari would be responsible if the scam proved genuine.
Imran Khan was talking to the media at Lahore airport on his arrival from UK.
When asked about the story of Sunday Times regarding his meeting with US Ambassador Cameron Munter along with ISI Chief Ahmad Shuja Pasha, he said that he will go to court against the UK newspaper that published a baseless story about his secret meeting. Not like the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) that has not reacted to the story of Financial Times, Imran Khan said that PTI would sue the UK newspaper in court if they did not retract.
“We have written a letter to The Sunday Times. We have clearly told them if they do not retract their report we will take action against them,” he warned.
Imran confirmed that he met with US Ambassador Cameron Munter at his own residence at least six months ago when the US ambassador was holding meeting with various politicians and also met with the ISI chief one and a half years ago and the agenda of that meeting was US drone strikes in the tribal region but did not meet him later on.
“Every matter is very clear from the Wikileaks which said that Pakistani politicians say something in their meetings with the US politicians and diplomats and made public other statements but one politician of Pakistan said the same during his meeting with the US politicians and to the Pakistani public,” the PTI chairman said.
When quizzed that politicians were blaming PTI of getting support from the premier intelligence agency of Pakistan, Imran Khan said that both Zardari and Nawaz Sharif did nothing for the masses instead of giving them the gift of price hike, loadshedding of gas and electricity, unemployment and numerous other problems which has left the country at the verge of bankruptcy so the masses by themselves were demanding change and joining PTI, the only political party which is against the prevailing corrupt system.
Commenting about the PML-N, the PTI chairman said that the party is the product of secret agencies and that PML-N and PPP are afraid of PTI tsunami. He said that both PPP and PML-N were destroying the country because leaders of both the political parties were involved in money laundering and both have assets in foreign countries.
Reacting to the PML-N rally in Faisalabad, Imran said that PML-N should wait for PTI rally on December 25 in Karachi in which they will see real enthusiasm and real supporters, adding that MPAs of PML-N were boarding supporters from various areas in buses to made PML-N rally successful and spend huge amount from the national exchequer. The PTI chief said that the N-League in order to avoid scrupulous spending of bringing people from other areas to the Gujranwala rally, abandoned the rally on the pretext of security reasons.
Replying to a question regarding talks with the Taliban, Imran said that dialogue was the only solution of terrorism and not military operation. He said that military was conducting operations against the militants in the tribal areas for the last seven years and similarly Nato and US were fighting insurgency in Afghanistan since 10 years but fruitful results were not achieved.
“First when I spoke about holding talks with the Taliban which is the only solution to the war on terror then I was blamed for the move but know world has acknowledged that only talks with the Taliban can bring peace in the region,” Imran Khan said, adding, “we have destroyed our country by indulging our forces in the war on terror.”
Reacting to the decision by Pakistani ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani to resign from his office after meeting with top executives of the state, the PTI chief termed Haqqani’s decision as right and demanded to inquire the scam by judicial commission because people did not trust parliamentary commission.
---- PTI will sue UK newspaper over alleged story against Imran Khan
By Saleem Mehsud
LAHORE, Nov 23: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday demanded judicial inquiry of the memo scandal, saying that President Asif Ali Zardari would be responsible if the scam proved genuine.
Imran Khan was talking to the media at Lahore airport on his arrival from UK.
When asked about the story of Sunday Times regarding his meeting with US Ambassador Cameron Munter along with ISI Chief Ahmad Shuja Pasha, he said that he will go to court against the UK newspaper that published a baseless story about his secret meeting. Not like the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) that has not reacted to the story of Financial Times, Imran Khan said that PTI would sue the UK newspaper in court if they did not retract.
“We have written a letter to The Sunday Times. We have clearly told them if they do not retract their report we will take action against them,” he warned.
Imran confirmed that he met with US Ambassador Cameron Munter at his own residence at least six months ago when the US ambassador was holding meeting with various politicians and also met with the ISI chief one and a half years ago and the agenda of that meeting was US drone strikes in the tribal region but did not meet him later on.
“Every matter is very clear from the Wikileaks which said that Pakistani politicians say something in their meetings with the US politicians and diplomats and made public other statements but one politician of Pakistan said the same during his meeting with the US politicians and to the Pakistani public,” the PTI chairman said.
When quizzed that politicians were blaming PTI of getting support from the premier intelligence agency of Pakistan, Imran Khan said that both Zardari and Nawaz Sharif did nothing for the masses instead of giving them the gift of price hike, loadshedding of gas and electricity, unemployment and numerous other problems which has left the country at the verge of bankruptcy so the masses by themselves were demanding change and joining PTI, the only political party which is against the prevailing corrupt system.
Commenting about the PML-N, the PTI chairman said that the party is the product of secret agencies and that PML-N and PPP are afraid of PTI tsunami. He said that both PPP and PML-N were destroying the country because leaders of both the political parties were involved in money laundering and both have assets in foreign countries.
Reacting to the PML-N rally in Faisalabad, Imran said that PML-N should wait for PTI rally on December 25 in Karachi in which they will see real enthusiasm and real supporters, adding that MPAs of PML-N were boarding supporters from various areas in buses to made PML-N rally successful and spend huge amount from the national exchequer. The PTI chief said that the N-League in order to avoid scrupulous spending of bringing people from other areas to the Gujranwala rally, abandoned the rally on the pretext of security reasons.
Replying to a question regarding talks with the Taliban, Imran said that dialogue was the only solution of terrorism and not military operation. He said that military was conducting operations against the militants in the tribal areas for the last seven years and similarly Nato and US were fighting insurgency in Afghanistan since 10 years but fruitful results were not achieved.
“First when I spoke about holding talks with the Taliban which is the only solution to the war on terror then I was blamed for the move but know world has acknowledged that only talks with the Taliban can bring peace in the region,” Imran Khan said, adding, “we have destroyed our country by indulging our forces in the war on terror.”
Reacting to the decision by Pakistani ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani to resign from his office after meeting with top executives of the state, the PTI chief termed Haqqani’s decision as right and demanded to inquire the scam by judicial commission because people did not trust parliamentary commission.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Unofficial negotiations in progress with Taliban: Rehman Malik
Unofficial negotiations in progress with Taliban: Rehman Malik
By Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that government was not directly holding talks with the Taliban, however some messages have been sent by Taliban, which should be reviewed by all the stakeholders.
The minister was responding to different questions raised after inaugurating a ceremony where 50 new Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs) have been added in the fleet of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to facilitate population in remote areas.
Rehman Malik said, “Few days back we also received a message from Taliban for talks and yes we also offered them. We are happy they have realized that killing of innocent people is wrong and the only way forward is the path of peace.” The minister said he cannot say much on this national issue and added all the stakeholders would sit together to find the amicable solution.
He said that delegation of Afghan investigators will arrive in Pakistan to probe the killing of ex-Afghan President Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, adding that government would extend required assistance to the investigators.
“95 percent process of elders’ registration has been completed by NADRA successfully, and motorcycle service was launched to facilitate the people in far flung areas in order to get registered themselves,” he said.
Malik said that entire working of NADRA was done in the guidelines of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari in the last three and a half years, saying that statistical record of the population was important because on the analysis of record polices were constituted. He said that issuing of visas to the foreigners would also be handed over to NADRA in order to keep record of the visitors.
Expressing the role of NADRA in eliminating terrorism from the society, he said that NADRA has cancelled several fake ID cards and numerous SIMS were blocked on the data provided by the NADRA, adding that NADRA was helping intelligence agencies to a great extent in getting information about the militants.
Replying to the queries of journalists regarding the memo scam, Malik said that the issue was under investigation and anyone found involved in the scam would be punished, adding that very soon everything will be clear.
He said that Ambassador Husain Haqqani’s name was not put on the ECL because the issue is under investigation and if Haqqani was found involved in the memo scandal then he will face the music.
Talking about the law and order situation in Balochistan, Rehman Malik said that some militant groups were indulged in terror activities in the province and warned that strict action would be taken against them.
Rehman Malik was accompanied by Senator Salahuddin, Chairman NADRA, Ali Irshad Hakeem and Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik.
By Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that government was not directly holding talks with the Taliban, however some messages have been sent by Taliban, which should be reviewed by all the stakeholders.
The minister was responding to different questions raised after inaugurating a ceremony where 50 new Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs) have been added in the fleet of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to facilitate population in remote areas.
Rehman Malik said, “Few days back we also received a message from Taliban for talks and yes we also offered them. We are happy they have realized that killing of innocent people is wrong and the only way forward is the path of peace.” The minister said he cannot say much on this national issue and added all the stakeholders would sit together to find the amicable solution.
He said that delegation of Afghan investigators will arrive in Pakistan to probe the killing of ex-Afghan President Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, adding that government would extend required assistance to the investigators.
“95 percent process of elders’ registration has been completed by NADRA successfully, and motorcycle service was launched to facilitate the people in far flung areas in order to get registered themselves,” he said.
Malik said that entire working of NADRA was done in the guidelines of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari in the last three and a half years, saying that statistical record of the population was important because on the analysis of record polices were constituted. He said that issuing of visas to the foreigners would also be handed over to NADRA in order to keep record of the visitors.
Expressing the role of NADRA in eliminating terrorism from the society, he said that NADRA has cancelled several fake ID cards and numerous SIMS were blocked on the data provided by the NADRA, adding that NADRA was helping intelligence agencies to a great extent in getting information about the militants.
Replying to the queries of journalists regarding the memo scam, Malik said that the issue was under investigation and anyone found involved in the scam would be punished, adding that very soon everything will be clear.
He said that Ambassador Husain Haqqani’s name was not put on the ECL because the issue is under investigation and if Haqqani was found involved in the memo scandal then he will face the music.
Talking about the law and order situation in Balochistan, Rehman Malik said that some militant groups were indulged in terror activities in the province and warned that strict action would be taken against them.
Rehman Malik was accompanied by Senator Salahuddin, Chairman NADRA, Ali Irshad Hakeem and Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik.
NWA Taliban commander asks locals to distance from military engineers
NWA Taliban commander asks locals to distance from military engineers
By Saleem Mehsud
MIRANSHAH, Nov 22: Taliban Commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur based in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) on Tuesday warned the locals to distance themselves and not to work with the armed forces engineers who were working on the construction of Bannu-Mirali Road.
“Taliban fighters will not intervene and disrupt work of the army engineers working on the project,” the pamphlet distributed among the locals in NWA’s Mirali and Miranshah said.
The commander warned that locals will be blamed as spies and will be killed under the same charges if they continue to work alongside the military engineers on the construction of road or found involved in providing heavy machinery.
Endorsing NWA Taliban deal with the Pakistan government, Gul Bahadur said that they will not create any hurdle in the work of armed forces while constructing the road.
In the pamphlet armed forces were accused of recruiting locals for spying, saying that locals will be responsible for any loss if they did not comply.
Sources in NWA told INP that the message of the local Taliban commander was a matter of real concern for those working alongside the armed forces and have invested in the project.
In 2005 the Pakistani military began operations within North Waziristan Agency (NWA), tribal region considered by the US as hub of the al-Qaeda affiliated militants fighting the Nato forces in Afghanistan, to pursue foreign, mainly al-Qaeda, militants fleeing from South Waziristan. They met resistance from militant groups led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, among others.
In September 2006, Gul Bahadur negotiated a peace deal with the Pakistani military in which he agreed to expel all foreign militants, such as al-Qaeda and Uzbek militants, from Pakistani soil.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that Bannu-Mirali Road is used for travelling by large number of vehicles and government has initiated its re-construction to broaden the road in to lessen travelling hurdles.
By Saleem Mehsud
MIRANSHAH, Nov 22: Taliban Commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur based in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) on Tuesday warned the locals to distance themselves and not to work with the armed forces engineers who were working on the construction of Bannu-Mirali Road.
“Taliban fighters will not intervene and disrupt work of the army engineers working on the project,” the pamphlet distributed among the locals in NWA’s Mirali and Miranshah said.
The commander warned that locals will be blamed as spies and will be killed under the same charges if they continue to work alongside the military engineers on the construction of road or found involved in providing heavy machinery.
Endorsing NWA Taliban deal with the Pakistan government, Gul Bahadur said that they will not create any hurdle in the work of armed forces while constructing the road.
In the pamphlet armed forces were accused of recruiting locals for spying, saying that locals will be responsible for any loss if they did not comply.
Sources in NWA told INP that the message of the local Taliban commander was a matter of real concern for those working alongside the armed forces and have invested in the project.
In 2005 the Pakistani military began operations within North Waziristan Agency (NWA), tribal region considered by the US as hub of the al-Qaeda affiliated militants fighting the Nato forces in Afghanistan, to pursue foreign, mainly al-Qaeda, militants fleeing from South Waziristan. They met resistance from militant groups led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, among others.
In September 2006, Gul Bahadur negotiated a peace deal with the Pakistani military in which he agreed to expel all foreign militants, such as al-Qaeda and Uzbek militants, from Pakistani soil.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that Bannu-Mirali Road is used for travelling by large number of vehicles and government has initiated its re-construction to broaden the road in to lessen travelling hurdles.
Monday, November 21, 2011
TTP indulged in peace talks with govt: Report
TTP indulged in peace talks with govt: Report
By Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Nov 21: The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is holding peace talks with the government focused on South Waziristan Agency (SWA) where military operation against the Taliban fighters loyal to slain chief of the TTP Baitullah Mehsud was stepped up in 2009.
According to private TV channel reports, TTP and government trying to strike peace deal focusing only on SWA and TTP according to reports forwarded many conditions to the government in which the major condition was release of their detained accomplices from the custody of Pakistani jails and secret cells.
TTP, led by Commander Hakimullah Mehsud, is considered to be the major threat to the country at large. The banned organization has claimed several attacks including suicide, remote control blasts, target killing, kidnapping and clashes with the security forces in the entire tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.
“A tribal elder and mediator confirmed the reports about talks between the government and TTP and termed the talks as difficult,” private TV channel reported without mentioning name of the mediator due to sensitivity of the matter.
Similarly, the TTP unnamed commander also confirmed the reports, saying that talks are focused on the South Waziristan region and could be expanded to try to reach a comprehensive deal.
It is pertinent to mention here that TTP was declared as terrorist organisation by the US administration and it was also predicted that US will not be friendly to the developments between the Pakistani government and TTP, organization of Pakistani Taliban.
Last month, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that his administration is ready to start talks with all factions of the Taliban, including the Haqqani network.
For the first time, the prime minister provided details about how the talks would be conducted. “We will not ask them to disarm before the negotiations since this is against the tribal culture. However, the political agents [government administrators in the tribal regions] will ask them to decommission themselves,” he said.
While vigorously rejecting the offer of peace talks on Eid, the TTP Chief Hakimullah Mehsud declared that war with the state of Pakistan would continue, primarily because it is siding with "the forces of the infidel" - a reference to the United States and it allies.
The US State Department's Rewards for Justice Program is offering a prize of up to US$5 million for information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction, in any country, of Mehsud.
The TTP that Mehsud heads is an umbrella organization of small and big Islamic militant groups based in the FATA. It was formed in North Waziristan on December 12, 2007, when an assembly of 40 senior Pakistani jihadi leaders commanding a pooled force of about 40,000 gathered in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province, and decided to come together under a single banner led by Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone attack in August 2009.
However, instead of launching a full-scale military offensive in North Waziristan to dismantle the vast infrastructure of the TTP, the Pakistani establishment is offering peace talks, not only to the Taliban but to other militant groups. This comes amid concerns expressed by international terrorism experts that such moves are unwise and bound to produce another fiasco, besides further eroding the authority of the Pakistan state.
By Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Nov 21: The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is holding peace talks with the government focused on South Waziristan Agency (SWA) where military operation against the Taliban fighters loyal to slain chief of the TTP Baitullah Mehsud was stepped up in 2009.
According to private TV channel reports, TTP and government trying to strike peace deal focusing only on SWA and TTP according to reports forwarded many conditions to the government in which the major condition was release of their detained accomplices from the custody of Pakistani jails and secret cells.
TTP, led by Commander Hakimullah Mehsud, is considered to be the major threat to the country at large. The banned organization has claimed several attacks including suicide, remote control blasts, target killing, kidnapping and clashes with the security forces in the entire tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.
“A tribal elder and mediator confirmed the reports about talks between the government and TTP and termed the talks as difficult,” private TV channel reported without mentioning name of the mediator due to sensitivity of the matter.
Similarly, the TTP unnamed commander also confirmed the reports, saying that talks are focused on the South Waziristan region and could be expanded to try to reach a comprehensive deal.
It is pertinent to mention here that TTP was declared as terrorist organisation by the US administration and it was also predicted that US will not be friendly to the developments between the Pakistani government and TTP, organization of Pakistani Taliban.
Last month, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that his administration is ready to start talks with all factions of the Taliban, including the Haqqani network.
For the first time, the prime minister provided details about how the talks would be conducted. “We will not ask them to disarm before the negotiations since this is against the tribal culture. However, the political agents [government administrators in the tribal regions] will ask them to decommission themselves,” he said.
While vigorously rejecting the offer of peace talks on Eid, the TTP Chief Hakimullah Mehsud declared that war with the state of Pakistan would continue, primarily because it is siding with "the forces of the infidel" - a reference to the United States and it allies.
The US State Department's Rewards for Justice Program is offering a prize of up to US$5 million for information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction, in any country, of Mehsud.
The TTP that Mehsud heads is an umbrella organization of small and big Islamic militant groups based in the FATA. It was formed in North Waziristan on December 12, 2007, when an assembly of 40 senior Pakistani jihadi leaders commanding a pooled force of about 40,000 gathered in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province, and decided to come together under a single banner led by Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone attack in August 2009.
However, instead of launching a full-scale military offensive in North Waziristan to dismantle the vast infrastructure of the TTP, the Pakistani establishment is offering peace talks, not only to the Taliban but to other militant groups. This comes amid concerns expressed by international terrorism experts that such moves are unwise and bound to produce another fiasco, besides further eroding the authority of the Pakistan state.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Army Major, 26 militants killed in Kurram, Darra Adamkhel clash
By Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Nov 16: A Pakistan Army Major was killed when about 60 militants attacked the Marazan checkpost in the Central Kurram Agency late Tuesday night in a bid to revolt against the military offensive carried out in the region earlier. The deceased was identified as Major Sikandar.
More than 20 militants were reportedly killed and nine hideouts were destroyed when the security forces retaliated.
“The militants were hiding in nearby mountains and opened fire on the convoy which was followed by firing rockets. Security forces retaliated the attack and killed 20 militants. One of our major succumbed to his wounds,” the official sources said.
The area was declared “clear” by the security forces previously; however, incidents of violence have regularly been reported from there.
The information about the clash could not vein across due to the fact that the area is isolated from other areas and communication is very low.
In a separate incident, officials confirmed a second attack from militants in the Shadala area of Ghaljo, where rockets were fired to target a convoy.
“The second attack happened in the same manner like the one in the Kurram Agency. The militants were hiding and they targeted the convoy. The attack was retaliated and four militants were killed. One of our soldiers sustained minor injuries and is out of danger now,” the officials confirmed.
Similarly, up to six militants were killed and several others injured in security forces operation launched against insurgents in Khartang area of Darra Adamkhel on Wednesday.
Official sources said that security forces launched the operation against the insurgents and pounded hideouts of militants with heavy artillery, killing six militants and injuries were inflicted on many others.
“Seven hideouts of the militants were also destroyed in the fresh bombing” officials claimed, adding that insurgents were on the run due to intensive fire and presence of heavy troops.
Earlier, a policeman was killed while another was injured when a remote-controlled explosion took place near a police checkpost in the Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda.
Police officials added that the checkpost was situated on a main road, linking Mohmand Agency with Charsadda and Peshawar. Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of the slain policeman were held with senior police officials, including Peshawar City Police Officer (CPO) in attendance. The areas close to the tribal region have often been the target of violence.
By Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Nov 16: A Pakistan Army Major was killed when about 60 militants attacked the Marazan checkpost in the Central Kurram Agency late Tuesday night in a bid to revolt against the military offensive carried out in the region earlier. The deceased was identified as Major Sikandar.
More than 20 militants were reportedly killed and nine hideouts were destroyed when the security forces retaliated.
“The militants were hiding in nearby mountains and opened fire on the convoy which was followed by firing rockets. Security forces retaliated the attack and killed 20 militants. One of our major succumbed to his wounds,” the official sources said.
The area was declared “clear” by the security forces previously; however, incidents of violence have regularly been reported from there.
The information about the clash could not vein across due to the fact that the area is isolated from other areas and communication is very low.
In a separate incident, officials confirmed a second attack from militants in the Shadala area of Ghaljo, where rockets were fired to target a convoy.
“The second attack happened in the same manner like the one in the Kurram Agency. The militants were hiding and they targeted the convoy. The attack was retaliated and four militants were killed. One of our soldiers sustained minor injuries and is out of danger now,” the officials confirmed.
Similarly, up to six militants were killed and several others injured in security forces operation launched against insurgents in Khartang area of Darra Adamkhel on Wednesday.
Official sources said that security forces launched the operation against the insurgents and pounded hideouts of militants with heavy artillery, killing six militants and injuries were inflicted on many others.
“Seven hideouts of the militants were also destroyed in the fresh bombing” officials claimed, adding that insurgents were on the run due to intensive fire and presence of heavy troops.
Earlier, a policeman was killed while another was injured when a remote-controlled explosion took place near a police checkpost in the Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda.
Police officials added that the checkpost was situated on a main road, linking Mohmand Agency with Charsadda and Peshawar. Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of the slain policeman were held with senior police officials, including Peshawar City Police Officer (CPO) in attendance. The areas close to the tribal region have often been the target of violence.
18 killed in SWA drone strike; Imran condemns attack
By Saleem Mehsud
MAKIN, Nov 16: Up to 18 people suspected to be affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in US drone strike in the Bobar area of Sararogha tehsil in South Waziristan Agency on Wednesday, official sources said.
Local officials said that the territory belongs to the Mehsud tribe. The official added that about 25 TTP militants were reported to have been hiding in the area.
Taliban sources confirmed that there were two militant training centers in the area run by Commander Abdul Salam and Commander Mukhlis Yar both loyal to TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
TTP has a stronghold in the Saktoi area which is located between South Waziristan and North Waziristan and has hardly any link or communication from outside. “Around five US drones carried out the attack,” official sources said.
About six missiles were fired at a compound while some media channels reported that 10 to 14 missiles were fired, killing 18 people. Sources in the area said that the number of casualties is expected to rise. The area is far-flung and deep in the mountains and it’s difficult in getting complete information of the incident.
The Pakistani military conducted a large ground offensive against the Pakistani Taliban in South Waziristan in 2009, but militants remain in the area and periodic attacks still occur.
Earlier on Tuesday night, militants attacked an army checkpoint in the Ladha area of South Waziristan with rockets, killing one soldier and wounding another, intelligence officials said. The area where the drone strikes occurred is very remote and has not yet been cleared by the military, said the intelligence officials.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that slain commander of TTP Taj Gul Mehsud was also targeted by the US drone strike in the same area of South Waziristan Agency (SWA) some days back along with 20 other Taliban fighters loyal to fugitive chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
Although, drone strikes were rarely reported from the Mehsud tribe dominated area because of tuff terrain of the volatile valley which create difficulty for outsiders/spies to locate militants who usually plant electronic chips with the vehicle and hideouts of the militants to guide US drones, however, previously, attacks of this intensity have taken place in South Waziristan and have aimed high profile militant commanders.
In a statement issued by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) secretariat, Imran Khan strongly condemned US drone strike in SWA and killing of 18 people, adding that US drone attacks were in violation of resolutions unanimously passed by the parliament and all political parties of the country against US drone attacks.
He said that the drone attacks had once again exposed double standards of the government which has completely failed to stop the strikes which claim innocent lives. Imran Khan said that the government was supporting the US for killing its own people by firing missiles through drones which was the violation of sovereignty and autonomy of Pakistan.
PTI chairman said that his party would stop US drone attacks after coming into power because it was the responsibility of the government to provide security to its citizens and ensure sovereignty of the country.
By Saleem Mehsud
MAKIN, Nov 16: Up to 18 people suspected to be affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in US drone strike in the Bobar area of Sararogha tehsil in South Waziristan Agency on Wednesday, official sources said.
Local officials said that the territory belongs to the Mehsud tribe. The official added that about 25 TTP militants were reported to have been hiding in the area.
Taliban sources confirmed that there were two militant training centers in the area run by Commander Abdul Salam and Commander Mukhlis Yar both loyal to TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
TTP has a stronghold in the Saktoi area which is located between South Waziristan and North Waziristan and has hardly any link or communication from outside. “Around five US drones carried out the attack,” official sources said.
About six missiles were fired at a compound while some media channels reported that 10 to 14 missiles were fired, killing 18 people. Sources in the area said that the number of casualties is expected to rise. The area is far-flung and deep in the mountains and it’s difficult in getting complete information of the incident.
The Pakistani military conducted a large ground offensive against the Pakistani Taliban in South Waziristan in 2009, but militants remain in the area and periodic attacks still occur.
Earlier on Tuesday night, militants attacked an army checkpoint in the Ladha area of South Waziristan with rockets, killing one soldier and wounding another, intelligence officials said. The area where the drone strikes occurred is very remote and has not yet been cleared by the military, said the intelligence officials.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that slain commander of TTP Taj Gul Mehsud was also targeted by the US drone strike in the same area of South Waziristan Agency (SWA) some days back along with 20 other Taliban fighters loyal to fugitive chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
Although, drone strikes were rarely reported from the Mehsud tribe dominated area because of tuff terrain of the volatile valley which create difficulty for outsiders/spies to locate militants who usually plant electronic chips with the vehicle and hideouts of the militants to guide US drones, however, previously, attacks of this intensity have taken place in South Waziristan and have aimed high profile militant commanders.
In a statement issued by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) secretariat, Imran Khan strongly condemned US drone strike in SWA and killing of 18 people, adding that US drone attacks were in violation of resolutions unanimously passed by the parliament and all political parties of the country against US drone attacks.
He said that the drone attacks had once again exposed double standards of the government which has completely failed to stop the strikes which claim innocent lives. Imran Khan said that the government was supporting the US for killing its own people by firing missiles through drones which was the violation of sovereignty and autonomy of Pakistan.
PTI chairman said that his party would stop US drone attacks after coming into power because it was the responsibility of the government to provide security to its citizens and ensure sovereignty of the country.
militancy ----Spy chase
militancy
Spy chase
(Published in The News on Sunday)
On September 7, 2011, the Taliban Shura of North Waziristan headed by Hafiz Gul Bahadur disowned a militant organisation Lashkar-e-Khorasan (also known as Ittehad Mujahideen-e-Khorasan) active in North Waziristan Agency (NWA). “We want to inform the people of North Waziristan that we failed to bring this organisation on the right path and we have nothing to do with this group,” the Shura members stated in the pamphlet that was distributed in Meeran Shah and Mir Ali bazaars. It was signed by all the members of the Shura, including Hafiz Gul Bahadur, who is considered the most influential militant commander in NWA having several thousand fighters at his disposal.
Exactly after a week, the Lashkar reacted to Gul Bahadur’s announcement and issued a statement warning people that it will not abandon “its objectives at any cost and will not spare anyone trying to create hurdles in their way”.
The reaction of Lashkar, which is a very small group as compared to Bahadur’s, is surprising for most of the analysts who understand the dynamics of militancy in NWA. It is for the first time that a small group in the area has challenged the authority of Bahadur and his Shura in the area. Even the Haqqani network and the TTP commanders in the area try to maintain cordial relations with Bahadur, despite the fact that he has signed a peace deal with the government of Pakistan back in 2006 which is still intact.
Interestingly, Lashkar-e-Khorasan was established late last year by the Taliban leadership in North Waziristan, including some commanders of the Bahadur group to counter spying. Its main job is to hunt down the tribesmen spying for the CIA’s drone campaign.
The Lashkar was first established as a loose network, but within a short span of time it has become an organised unit that is working on counter-intelligence lines. “It collects information about and eliminates CIA spies, agents of the government and people who are on the payroll of the Pakistan army or hatch conspiracies against Mujahideen,” says a Taliban associate in North Waziristan.
He says the total strength of Lashkar fighters is not more than 300. “They are highly-trained and hence lethal. Only a few people, even among Taliban ranks, know the exact structure of the group. Its fighters keep their faces masked whenever they come out of their hideouts. They also wear a black uniform with word Khorasan written on it. They travel on vehicles with tinted windows. They do not reveal their identity even when they capture and kill a spy in public. So far the group has killed more than 250 suspect spies in NWA.”
He adds that since early this year, the group has killed more than 35 car mechanics. “After drones started attacking vehicles of militant commanders in the area, they found out that some car mechanics, while repairing vehicles of militants, place electronics chips that guide drones to its targets.”
The executions are occasionally carried out in public in a brutal fashion. Most of such executions take place around Mir Ali area, preceded by a sermon by the head of the Lashkar warning people to not put their faith and life at risk for money. Then the ‘blamed spy’ is tied with belts of explosives, called ‘ground drones’, and detonated in front of the locals.
“They gun down or slaughter suspect spies and dump the bodies on roadsides. A letter is usually tied to the body,” informs a resident of NWA. According to him, in May this year, they abducted a young man belonging to influential Mosakey tribe under suspicion of being a spy and killed him. “He was a very nice man. He was a graduate and ran a private business in Mir Ali bazaar. So the locals in Mir Ali bazaar protested against his killing by blocking the road. We fear them most because they don’t have faces and most of the Lashkar operatives are not local,” he tells TNS.
Majority of those killed by the Lashkar belong to local tribes of NWA or people settled there. “So far, it has killed only one spy belonging to the Mehsud tribe. They do not spare a suspect. Its fighters have killed even some very influential people of the area, including commanders among their ranks. It is true that locals are concerned about the group’s activities,” says a Taliban commander who belongs to the Mehsud tribe.
“Lashkar is ultra-radical and ultra-violent, but I do not think it is strong enough to challenge the authority of Hafiz Gul Bahadur in the area. The politics of pamphlet is an eyewash. A group cannot operate in NWA without the Bahadur group’s nod. In fact, the brutal activities of the Lashkar, especially violent public execution of suspect spies, put a lot of pressure on Bahadur, so the best way for him to satisfy the locals was to disown it,” Peshawar-based senior analyst Ismail Khan tells TNS.
Former secretary Fata, Brig (retd) Mehmood Shah, believes that the Bahadur group concentrates only on Afghan jihad and that is the reason why it has disowned the Lashkar. “There are many different groups operating from Mir Ali area of North Waziristan and the Lashkar is one of them. It is a very lethal group and gets most of the support from local Dawar tribe and Punjabis settled in the area,” he tells TNS. “Hafiz Gul Bahadur is against all these groups and wants to eliminate them as well. But if he will start fighting these groups in the area, it will shift his focus from the Afghan jihad.”
Independent analysts, who have understanding of the Lashkar doings, confirm that its fighters are highly-skilled and technologically updated. Haq Nawaz, a Peshawar-based senior journalist, says: “Some of those who were abducted by these people and later released have told me that most of the investigators and judges of this group look like Egyptians. When one of the suspected spies denied all charges in front of its investigators, they ran the footage on a projector of his meeting with a person who is considered a lynchpin between local informers and CIA. I don’t think announcement by Gul Bahadur disowning the group is more than a tactic to get the support of local people who dislike the Lashkar’s activities. The group may be renamed to pacify public anger,” Nawaz believes.
It seems true as a local in NWA informs TNS that he has seen a pamphlet a few days back in the Mir Ali bazaar from a new militant organistaion — Saif-ul-Furqan — warning spies of dire consequences.
— Addittional reporting by Saleem Mehsud
Spy chase
(Published in The News on Sunday)
On September 7, 2011, the Taliban Shura of North Waziristan headed by Hafiz Gul Bahadur disowned a militant organisation Lashkar-e-Khorasan (also known as Ittehad Mujahideen-e-Khorasan) active in North Waziristan Agency (NWA). “We want to inform the people of North Waziristan that we failed to bring this organisation on the right path and we have nothing to do with this group,” the Shura members stated in the pamphlet that was distributed in Meeran Shah and Mir Ali bazaars. It was signed by all the members of the Shura, including Hafiz Gul Bahadur, who is considered the most influential militant commander in NWA having several thousand fighters at his disposal.
Exactly after a week, the Lashkar reacted to Gul Bahadur’s announcement and issued a statement warning people that it will not abandon “its objectives at any cost and will not spare anyone trying to create hurdles in their way”.
The reaction of Lashkar, which is a very small group as compared to Bahadur’s, is surprising for most of the analysts who understand the dynamics of militancy in NWA. It is for the first time that a small group in the area has challenged the authority of Bahadur and his Shura in the area. Even the Haqqani network and the TTP commanders in the area try to maintain cordial relations with Bahadur, despite the fact that he has signed a peace deal with the government of Pakistan back in 2006 which is still intact.
Interestingly, Lashkar-e-Khorasan was established late last year by the Taliban leadership in North Waziristan, including some commanders of the Bahadur group to counter spying. Its main job is to hunt down the tribesmen spying for the CIA’s drone campaign.
The Lashkar was first established as a loose network, but within a short span of time it has become an organised unit that is working on counter-intelligence lines. “It collects information about and eliminates CIA spies, agents of the government and people who are on the payroll of the Pakistan army or hatch conspiracies against Mujahideen,” says a Taliban associate in North Waziristan.
He says the total strength of Lashkar fighters is not more than 300. “They are highly-trained and hence lethal. Only a few people, even among Taliban ranks, know the exact structure of the group. Its fighters keep their faces masked whenever they come out of their hideouts. They also wear a black uniform with word Khorasan written on it. They travel on vehicles with tinted windows. They do not reveal their identity even when they capture and kill a spy in public. So far the group has killed more than 250 suspect spies in NWA.”
He adds that since early this year, the group has killed more than 35 car mechanics. “After drones started attacking vehicles of militant commanders in the area, they found out that some car mechanics, while repairing vehicles of militants, place electronics chips that guide drones to its targets.”
The executions are occasionally carried out in public in a brutal fashion. Most of such executions take place around Mir Ali area, preceded by a sermon by the head of the Lashkar warning people to not put their faith and life at risk for money. Then the ‘blamed spy’ is tied with belts of explosives, called ‘ground drones’, and detonated in front of the locals.
“They gun down or slaughter suspect spies and dump the bodies on roadsides. A letter is usually tied to the body,” informs a resident of NWA. According to him, in May this year, they abducted a young man belonging to influential Mosakey tribe under suspicion of being a spy and killed him. “He was a very nice man. He was a graduate and ran a private business in Mir Ali bazaar. So the locals in Mir Ali bazaar protested against his killing by blocking the road. We fear them most because they don’t have faces and most of the Lashkar operatives are not local,” he tells TNS.
Majority of those killed by the Lashkar belong to local tribes of NWA or people settled there. “So far, it has killed only one spy belonging to the Mehsud tribe. They do not spare a suspect. Its fighters have killed even some very influential people of the area, including commanders among their ranks. It is true that locals are concerned about the group’s activities,” says a Taliban commander who belongs to the Mehsud tribe.
“Lashkar is ultra-radical and ultra-violent, but I do not think it is strong enough to challenge the authority of Hafiz Gul Bahadur in the area. The politics of pamphlet is an eyewash. A group cannot operate in NWA without the Bahadur group’s nod. In fact, the brutal activities of the Lashkar, especially violent public execution of suspect spies, put a lot of pressure on Bahadur, so the best way for him to satisfy the locals was to disown it,” Peshawar-based senior analyst Ismail Khan tells TNS.
Former secretary Fata, Brig (retd) Mehmood Shah, believes that the Bahadur group concentrates only on Afghan jihad and that is the reason why it has disowned the Lashkar. “There are many different groups operating from Mir Ali area of North Waziristan and the Lashkar is one of them. It is a very lethal group and gets most of the support from local Dawar tribe and Punjabis settled in the area,” he tells TNS. “Hafiz Gul Bahadur is against all these groups and wants to eliminate them as well. But if he will start fighting these groups in the area, it will shift his focus from the Afghan jihad.”
Independent analysts, who have understanding of the Lashkar doings, confirm that its fighters are highly-skilled and technologically updated. Haq Nawaz, a Peshawar-based senior journalist, says: “Some of those who were abducted by these people and later released have told me that most of the investigators and judges of this group look like Egyptians. When one of the suspected spies denied all charges in front of its investigators, they ran the footage on a projector of his meeting with a person who is considered a lynchpin between local informers and CIA. I don’t think announcement by Gul Bahadur disowning the group is more than a tactic to get the support of local people who dislike the Lashkar’s activities. The group may be renamed to pacify public anger,” Nawaz believes.
It seems true as a local in NWA informs TNS that he has seen a pamphlet a few days back in the Mir Ali bazaar from a new militant organistaion — Saif-ul-Furqan — warning spies of dire consequences.
— Addittional reporting by Saleem Mehsud
Thursday, November 3, 2011
US drones kill senior member of Pakistan Taleban
By Aoun Sahi
The US has killed a senior member of the Pakistani Taleban famous for harrying fuel convoys destined for NATO troops in Afghanistan.
Taj Gul Mehsud was killed with his brother and around ten other foot-soldiers of the Tehrik-i-Taleban (TTP) in a drone attack late on Thursday, a spokesman for the group confirmed to The Times.
The remotely-fired missile hit the fighters’ hideout in an abandoned house in Sarina close to Smal Bobar in Sararogha said local people.
Drone strikes are relatively rare in South Waziristan which dominated by the Mehsud tribe mostly because of the lack of reliable intelligence on the ground.
Taj Gul, a close and most trusted all of the TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud will be a serious blow to the group which attacks targets on both sides of Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, said analysts.
Earlier on Thursday at least five senior commanders of another Taleban group were also killed in the region suggesting that the US is further stepping up the tempo of its drone operations expanding into new areas.
The fighters were under the command of Maulvi Nazir one of the most influential Taleban commanders whose fighters regularly attack Nato forces. Unlike other Taleban commanders, however, his fighters do not attack Pakistani targets.
With additional reporting by Saleem Mehsud.
The US has killed a senior member of the Pakistani Taleban famous for harrying fuel convoys destined for NATO troops in Afghanistan.
Taj Gul Mehsud was killed with his brother and around ten other foot-soldiers of the Tehrik-i-Taleban (TTP) in a drone attack late on Thursday, a spokesman for the group confirmed to The Times.
The remotely-fired missile hit the fighters’ hideout in an abandoned house in Sarina close to Smal Bobar in Sararogha said local people.
Drone strikes are relatively rare in South Waziristan which dominated by the Mehsud tribe mostly because of the lack of reliable intelligence on the ground.
Taj Gul, a close and most trusted all of the TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud will be a serious blow to the group which attacks targets on both sides of Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, said analysts.
Earlier on Thursday at least five senior commanders of another Taleban group were also killed in the region suggesting that the US is further stepping up the tempo of its drone operations expanding into new areas.
The fighters were under the command of Maulvi Nazir one of the most influential Taleban commanders whose fighters regularly attack Nato forces. Unlike other Taleban commanders, however, his fighters do not attack Pakistani targets.
With additional reporting by Saleem Mehsud.
Taleban spy-catchers murder mechanics suspected of guiding American drones
Francis Elliott in Delhi, Aoun Sahi in Islamabad and Saleem Mehsud in Peshawar
November 3 2011 12:01AM
Car mechanics suspected of fitting electronic chips that guide US drones to Taleban vehicles in northwest Pakistan are being murdered by a squad of spy-catchers. Dozens have been killed in the tribal areas of Pakistan since the formation of the insurgents’ counterintelligence unit late last year, which is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of about 250 people it suspects of passing information on insurgent leaders to the US.
The counter-intelligence unit calls itself Lashkar-e-Khorasan (Army of the Khorasan), a reference to an Islamic prophesy that an army from a town in modern-day Iran of that name will conquer the world. Mechanics were targeted after the US, which never officially acknowledges its drone campaign in Pakistan, stepped up its remotely-fired missile attacks on moving vehicles early this year, a Taleban source said.
Insurgents now assign a fighter to watch over any vehicle while it is under repair, according to one mechanic who says he survived a recent abduction and violent interrogation. Marjan Khan said that he had been snatched from his home in June by masked men.
“I was kept in solitary confinement for three months. They investigated and tortured me almost every day,” he said. “They blamed me for spying for the US as one of their cars which was brought to our workshop for some work was later hit by a drone, killing some of their very important leaders.”
Mr Khan’s hand was broken during torture but he was released after the squad concluded that he was innocent. Others fare less well. The squad stages public executions of “spies” and disseminates video footage as a warning to others.
One video shows suspected spies wearing belts of explosives, which were detonated remotely. “The squad calls these their ‘ground drones’,” said a local resident. The video is believed to have been shot in April near Miran Shah in North Waziristan, the tribal area that borders Afghanistan and is preceded by a lengthy denunciation by a group of masked fighters who identify themselves as members of Lashkar-e-Khorasan to a crowd of about 200 villagers.
Six mechanics were beheaded in January after a spate of drone attacks on insurgents’ vehicles which had been recently repaired by their workshop.
A senior Pakistan security official said it was believed that the spy-catcher squad is made up mainly of militants from Punjab and Central Asia rather than local tribesmen. Although widely feared, there are signs that the squad may have over-reached itself in recent weeks. Its activities were disowned by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, the most powerful militant commander in North Waziristan.
A Taleban commander in the region said that the unit’s total strength is about 300 fighters. “Their chief is replaced every two months and it is mandatory for them to keep their faces masked all the time and wear a black uniform. Even locals are unaware of their identities,” he said.
Haq Nawaz, a Peshawar-based journalist, said that the unit’s fighters, some of whom appear to be from Egypt, were highly skilled and technologically up to date.
“Their main job is to capture and kill spies but they are also involved in high-level kidnapping,” he said. “It seems the group is directly controlled by Arabs with support from the Haqqani network, Tehrik-i-Taleban [Pakistan Taleban] and Hafiz Gul Bahadur.”
November 3 2011 12:01AM
Car mechanics suspected of fitting electronic chips that guide US drones to Taleban vehicles in northwest Pakistan are being murdered by a squad of spy-catchers. Dozens have been killed in the tribal areas of Pakistan since the formation of the insurgents’ counterintelligence unit late last year, which is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of about 250 people it suspects of passing information on insurgent leaders to the US.
The counter-intelligence unit calls itself Lashkar-e-Khorasan (Army of the Khorasan), a reference to an Islamic prophesy that an army from a town in modern-day Iran of that name will conquer the world. Mechanics were targeted after the US, which never officially acknowledges its drone campaign in Pakistan, stepped up its remotely-fired missile attacks on moving vehicles early this year, a Taleban source said.
Insurgents now assign a fighter to watch over any vehicle while it is under repair, according to one mechanic who says he survived a recent abduction and violent interrogation. Marjan Khan said that he had been snatched from his home in June by masked men.
“I was kept in solitary confinement for three months. They investigated and tortured me almost every day,” he said. “They blamed me for spying for the US as one of their cars which was brought to our workshop for some work was later hit by a drone, killing some of their very important leaders.”
Mr Khan’s hand was broken during torture but he was released after the squad concluded that he was innocent. Others fare less well. The squad stages public executions of “spies” and disseminates video footage as a warning to others.
One video shows suspected spies wearing belts of explosives, which were detonated remotely. “The squad calls these their ‘ground drones’,” said a local resident. The video is believed to have been shot in April near Miran Shah in North Waziristan, the tribal area that borders Afghanistan and is preceded by a lengthy denunciation by a group of masked fighters who identify themselves as members of Lashkar-e-Khorasan to a crowd of about 200 villagers.
Six mechanics were beheaded in January after a spate of drone attacks on insurgents’ vehicles which had been recently repaired by their workshop.
A senior Pakistan security official said it was believed that the spy-catcher squad is made up mainly of militants from Punjab and Central Asia rather than local tribesmen. Although widely feared, there are signs that the squad may have over-reached itself in recent weeks. Its activities were disowned by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, the most powerful militant commander in North Waziristan.
A Taleban commander in the region said that the unit’s total strength is about 300 fighters. “Their chief is replaced every two months and it is mandatory for them to keep their faces masked all the time and wear a black uniform. Even locals are unaware of their identities,” he said.
Haq Nawaz, a Peshawar-based journalist, said that the unit’s fighters, some of whom appear to be from Egypt, were highly skilled and technologically up to date.
“Their main job is to capture and kill spies but they are also involved in high-level kidnapping,” he said. “It seems the group is directly controlled by Arabs with support from the Haqqani network, Tehrik-i-Taleban [Pakistan Taleban] and Hafiz Gul Bahadur.”
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