Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PESHAWAR426
2008-08-11 17:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Peshawar
Cable title:
FATA: MILITANTS HIT SECURITY FORCES HARD IN BAJAUR
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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
-------
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
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