SPOT REPORT ON MOHMAND AGENCY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 003678

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREF PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: SPOT REPORT ON MOHMAND AGENCY

REF: ISLAMABAD 3627

Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).


1. (C) Summary: Preliminary operations against militant
forces by the Pakistan military have begun in Mohmand agency
within the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Local
news sources and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) report
that the numbers of those internally displaced persons (IDPs)
are growing in Mohmand, forcing the provincial governments to
form IDP camps in the surrounding areas. Although firm
figures on the total number of IDPs is difficult to obtain
due to the security situation, intial reports estimate
roughly 10,000 persons have fled Mohmand to live with host
families in Peshawar or in the IDP camps, with a total of
70,000 IDPs expected within the next ten days. USAID,
through the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI),continues
to work with Mohmand Agency Political Agents to preposition
IDP assistance. The United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) is also preparing existing IDP camps to
accommodate the new arrivals. End summary.

Pakistan Military Operations in Mohmand
--------------


2. (C) As of November 17, shaping operations by the Pakistan
military in Michni area (southeast Mohmand) resulted in the
death of 22 to 25 militants, the capture of seven others, and
the detention of a would-be suicide bomber as he attempted to
drive a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED)
toward a Pakistan military convoy. Pakistan air strikes and
attack helicopter missions continue inside Mohmand in
preparation for ground operations in southeast and northwest
Mohmand. Following security forces operations at Tehsil Safi
in Mohmand on November 17, hundreds of people began to
evacuate and shift towards Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in
Afghanistan.


3. (C) On November 18, Pakistan security forces reportedly
killed five militants and injured five others in preliminary
operations taking place in Mohmand. Security forces were
reportedly conducting house-to-house sweeps in the militant
stronghold of Shabqadar on the agency's southern border when
the militants attacked. Local reports from the field support
of the USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) indicate
that heavy fighting with artillery and rockets are increasing
in frequency within this area. Pakistan military officials
report that significant pockets of militants remain in
Mohmand. In response, Pakistan air operations are taking
place in the northern part of Mohmand while the 11th Corps is
conducting specific ground operations in the south.

Movement of Mohmand Agency Residents
--------------


4. (SBU) As these Pakistan security/military operations
continue, Mohmand residents are fleeing to districts within
the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). Initial reports from
the Pakistan government and the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) noted that the initial
displacement in Mohmand was limited, estimating approximately
10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, as the
operations in Mohmand continue, implementing partners for
USAID estimate that these numbers could rise significantly to
70,000 IDPs within the next ten days.


5. (SBU) According to the OTI Mohmand staff, the only GOP
officials remaining in the area are the Political Agents,
with the line ministry officials having fled and forcing
closures of government departments and offices. OTI also
reports that the majority of the IDPs are from the southern
half of Mohmand, from the areas of Qandaro, Safi, Ambar,
Dawazi, Pandyali, and Machani vicinity, and some from the
Khuzai and Bazai areas and the Ghallani Yousaf Khel village.
As these IDPs are fleeing to nearby Peshawar, Charsada, and
Mardan district within the NWFP, the provincial government is
feeling the strain.


6. (C) In OTI Mohmand staff conversations with the Mohmand
Additional Political Agent, Shaihid Ullah, the provincial
administration is discouraging the IDPs in southern Mohmand
from moving through an ongoing curfew issued in an effort to

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increase the success of targeted raids on area militants; the
intent was not to disrupt the communities as a whole.
However, tribes in northern and central Mohmand are being
encouraged to leave by the provincial government due to the
Pakistan air raids.

Creation of IDP Camps
--------------


7. (SBU) Although the wealthier IDPs are staying with host
families in the NWFP, their movement has forced local
authorities to create temporary camps for those IDPs who have
no where to go. In Peshawar, the provincial government, with
the help from UNHCR, has been preparing the former Afghan
refugee camp in Jalozai, which is currently being used to
house the displaced persons from Bajaur, for the influx of
Mohmand IDPs. Additionally, the Charsada district government
outside Peshawar has identified two locations for the
establishment of IDP camps, one at a sugar mill and another
at the commerce college. (Note. UNHCR reports that it is
ready to receive IDPs in Khacha Gari but that at this date,
only five families have registered. End note.)


8. (SBU) Although reports indicate that Mohmand is not in a
position to fully assist the IDPs, agent authorities are
preparing camps in the Battaghram area of Shabqadar, and in
worst case scenario, at Ekka Ghund also within lower Mohmand.


9. (SBU) Bilal Rehman, the youngest Member of the National
Assembly and representative of Mohmand Agency, has called
upon the GOP to stop the military operations near his home
and to resolve the issue through dialogue. He further noted
that the use of force in this fashion was not in the interest
of the people or the government. (Note. As the security
situation began to deteriorate Rehman told us that he had
moved his family from the area and brought them to Islamabad.
End note.)


10. (C) Comment: We are working closely with humanitarian
organizations and with NWFP and FATA officials to ensure that
camps and other relief efforts are ready for those displaced
from Mohmand. We can expect the operation to last for some
period of time, as has the Bajaur operation, and need to plan
for assistance to IDPs well through the winter and into next
year. Septel will lay out our assessment of expected needs.
As we support UNHCR, ICRC, and other relief organizations, we
continue to direct our OTI and Livelihoods programs to focus
on aiding communities that have been affected by the
fighting. While these efforts are curtailed from time to
time because of security issues and threats, our local
implementers are tenacious, and are continuing to press ahead
with their programs. End comment.
PATTERSON