Nov 20, 2010

Counter Militancy Challenges

            The counter militancy challenges of the military and the government continued on two main fronts, Khyber Pakhtoonwa tribal areas and Balochistan. In addition there were a series of attacks on Sufi shrines while Karachi remained on the boil over a period with no reduction in the targeted assassinations and killings. The spread of violence on Shia shrines saw a blast in Baba Farid’s shrine in Pakpattan district which killed 5 persons on 25 October.  Religious scholar Mufti Muneebur Rehman, criticised the government saying, ''Our rulers are too busy serving foreign masters and have not prioritised protecting the people and sacred places from terrorists.''

Drone attacks in North Waziristan by suspected US UAVs continued. Attacks on supply convoys in retaliation to US helicopter operations was another major trend in violence but was subdued in the latter part of the month. Some of the key incidents are flagged which denote the level of contestation in these areas.

The Tribal Areas. The main area of operation was the Orakzai Agency where the Army claimed that 90 percent of the area has been cleared. There were some encounters in Swat Valley as well. Overwhelming use of attack helicopters and air strikes determined the nature of operations. On 12 October 10 Taliban were killed in an operation against terrorists in different parts of the Mardan district. 800 suspected terrorists had also been arrested in the operation.  On 15^th five soldiers were killed in an attack in South Waziristan on a check post in Talab check post in mountainous Sararogha district

On 19 October militants attacked a Pakistani military convoy killing three soldiers in the Kalundar Keley area of South Waziristan. On 20 October again three soldiers were killed when a bomb ripped through their patrol vehicle in the Khyber region while eight militants were killed in a security forces’ aerial attack in the Upper Orakzai region On 22 October, a lieutenant colonel of the Pakistan Army and five other soldiers were killed when a roadside time bomb exploded in Hangu district in Orakzai Agency. On 23 October, 12 suspected insurgents were killed in the Orakzai tribal region.

On 24 October, 17 terrorists were killed in Orakzai and Swat including Khadizai and Kot Khali of Orakzai Agency and Tehsil Matta in Swat. On 26 October, 11 terrorists were killed in Orakzai and Mohmand by security forces. On 28 October 12 militants and a security official were killed and 13 others, including five troops, were injured in attacks on security forces and air strikes by gunship helicopters in Orakzai Agency. On 29 October twelve militants were killed in Orakzai shelling in Khadizai, Shahu Wam, Kasha and Saifal Dara areas of the agency. Four hideouts and a vehicle of militants were destroyed during the shelling.

NOV 2010