FATA: MILITANTS HIT SECURITY FORCES HARD IN BAJAUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000426 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/11/2018 TAGS: MOPS PTER PGOV PK SUBJECT: FATA: MILITANTS HIT SECURITY FORCES HARD IN BAJAUR CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne M. Tracy, Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate Peshawar, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Militants besieged and overran a Frontier Corps position near Bajaur's capital Khar, August 7-8. There are unconfirmed reports that up to 2,000 militants (including foreign fighters) with heavy weapons are surrounding the Khar Fort, with 1,400 Frontier Corps and 11th Corps personnel inside. The Pakistani military is responding with F-16 air strikes in the area. Frontier Corps appears to have lost at least 20 soldiers and likely more; DGMO Pasha told ODRP Chief that over 100 militants have been killed. The confrontation appears to have been sparked by a re-positioning of Frontier Corps' forces near a key intersection that controls road access to the Afghan border (Nawa Pass) and Khar. Bajaur, particularly areas west of Khar bordering Afghanistan, are dominated by militants, led by Tehrik-i Nafaz-i Shariat-i Mohammadi (TNSM) leader Faqir Mohammad, who also serves as deputy leader of Tehrik-I Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The intensity and skill of the militants appears to have shaken 11th Corps and Frontier Corps. With battle-tested supporters among TNSM's ranks and the potential to call for reinforcements from TTP allies, regaining ground in Bajaur will be a long tough fight for government forces. End Summary. Loyesam -- a Key Location -------------- ¶2. (C) According to 11th Corps contacts, the Pakistan Army commenced Phase I of Operation Labbaik in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in late July. "Labbaik" largely consisted of logistical moves, repositioning forces and consolidating positions throughout FATA, including in North and South Waziristan, Mohmand, and Bajaur. In some cases, Frontier Corps forces were re-deployed from positions along the border to more interior locations within the tribal areas with the aim of intercepting militant activity before it reached the border. ¶3. (C) In Bajaur, o/a August 6, a 20-soldier element of Frontier Corps established a new position at Loyesam (approximately 10 km outside of Bajaur's capital Khar). Local observers characterize the junction at Loyesam as an important "T" crossroad that controls road access to Khar and the Nawa Pass crossing on the Pak-Afghan border. ¶4. (C) 11th Corps contacts report that o/a August 7 militants besieged and overran Loyesam, killing many Frontier Corps personnel at the position; those who escaped were hungry and badly dehydrated. Three separate quick reaction forces, mobilized by 11th Corps to relieve the besieged position at Loyesam, were ambushed and pushed back by militants. According to Pasha over 100 militants have been killed. There are also reports that some security personnel have been kidnapped. (Note: ODRP/Peshawar reports that 11th Corps contacts were visibly shaken by the reports coming out of Bajaur. End Note.) DGMO Pasha told ODRP Chief August 11 that there are now approximately 1,400 Frontier Corps and 11th Corps personnel inside the Khar Fort, which is being surrounded by up to 2,000 well-armed militants (including foreign fighters.) Follow Up Response -------------- ¶5. (C) The Pakistani military have sealed off the road leading to Khar and began F-16 air strikes o/a August 8, and 11th Corps contacts expect those operations to continue for at least the next two weeks. The 17th Division based in nearby Dir is providing support to forces in Khar. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) Bajaur has been the scene of past confrontations between the government and local militants, particularly the air strikes in January 2006 at Damadola and October 2006 at Chinagai. Despite the reputation of militants in this area, Frontier Corps PESHAWAR 00000426 002 OF 002 as well as 11th Corps appear to have been unprepared for the response the new position at Loyesam provoked from the militants. Neighboring Mohmand may also be in trouble. We understand that most civilian government personnel have been evacuated from Mohmand's capital Ghalanai. There is a tough battle brewing in this part of the border area, and regaining ground will be a long tough fight for government forces. TRACY