Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PESHAWAR489
2008-10-19 19:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Peshawar
Cable title:
FATA: SUICIDE ATTACK IN ORAKZAI AGENCY KILLS AT LEAST 61
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C O N F I D E N T I A L PESHAWAR 000489
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2018
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: FATA: SUICIDE ATTACK IN ORAKZAI AGENCY KILLS AT LEAST 61
TRIBAL LEADERS
REF: PESHAWAR 84
CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, Peshawar,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d)
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L PESHAWAR 000489
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2018
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: FATA: SUICIDE ATTACK IN ORAKZAI AGENCY KILLS AT LEAST 61
TRIBAL LEADERS
REF: PESHAWAR 84
CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, Peshawar,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) In the largest attack on a tribal jirga thus far, a
suicide bomber killed at least 61 tribal elders October 10 in
Orakzai Agency. Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) Governor
Owais Ghani confirmed 61 deaths so far but expected the number
to grow. The tribal leaders and as many as 2000 members of the
Ali Khel tribe were discussing their next course of action
against the local taliban when the attack occurred. Previously
the most deadly attack on tribal elders was on March 2 when a
suicide bomber killed at least 40 people and injured
approximately 50 others at a peace jirga in Darra Adam Khel
where tribal elders had agreed to take up arms against militants.
Largest Attack Thus Far
--------------
2. (C) In a meeting on October 13, NWFP Governor Ghani told PO
that the October 10 violence in Orakzai Agency was the largest
attack on a tribal jirga in collective memory (other topics
reported septel). A suicide bomber killed at least 61 tribal
elders, and the casualty count was expected to go up with
reports of substantial numbers of seriously wounded succumbing
to their injuries (many reportedly from lack of nearby medical
facilities). The government intended, Ghani said, to pay
compensation. Press reports of an exodus from Orakzai due to
the attack may be overblown as post contacts in the area have
not reported population movement in any significant numbers.
Some families from tribes not present at the jirga have moved in
possible anticipation of future GOP operations.
3. (C) Tribesmen were holding a jirga in Orakzai Agency to
discuss the next actions to be taken by the Ali Khel lashkar
(tribal militia) against militants in the area, when an
explosive laden pick-up truck rammed into the gathering and
exploded. Press reporting indicates that as many as 2000
tribesmen were present at the time of the blast.
Why Attack These Elders?
--------------
4. (C) According to Ghani, the Ali Khel tribal lashkar was
responsible for recent actions against the local taliban and
that this was the likely motive for the attack. Previously the
most deadly attack on tribal elders was on March 2 when a
suicide bomber killed at least 40 people and injured
approximately 50 others at a peace jirga in the Federally
Administered Tribal Areas' (FATA) Darra Adam Khel region. Many
of those killed in this earlier explosion were also tribal
elders who had agreed to take up arms against militants (reftel).
Comment
--------------
5. (C) While this attack will likely complicate the tribal
action against the local taliban in Orakzai agency in the short
term, it may simply add to the growing anti-taliban sentiments
of many citizens of the NWFP. There are already reports of
retaliation (destroying houses) in Orakzai, targeting local
taliban.
TRACY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2018
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: FATA: SUICIDE ATTACK IN ORAKZAI AGENCY KILLS AT LEAST 61
TRIBAL LEADERS
REF: PESHAWAR 84
CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, Peshawar,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) In the largest attack on a tribal jirga thus far, a
suicide bomber killed at least 61 tribal elders October 10 in
Orakzai Agency. Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) Governor
Owais Ghani confirmed 61 deaths so far but expected the number
to grow. The tribal leaders and as many as 2000 members of the
Ali Khel tribe were discussing their next course of action
against the local taliban when the attack occurred. Previously
the most deadly attack on tribal elders was on March 2 when a
suicide bomber killed at least 40 people and injured
approximately 50 others at a peace jirga in Darra Adam Khel
where tribal elders had agreed to take up arms against militants.
Largest Attack Thus Far
--------------
2. (C) In a meeting on October 13, NWFP Governor Ghani told PO
that the October 10 violence in Orakzai Agency was the largest
attack on a tribal jirga in collective memory (other topics
reported septel). A suicide bomber killed at least 61 tribal
elders, and the casualty count was expected to go up with
reports of substantial numbers of seriously wounded succumbing
to their injuries (many reportedly from lack of nearby medical
facilities). The government intended, Ghani said, to pay
compensation. Press reports of an exodus from Orakzai due to
the attack may be overblown as post contacts in the area have
not reported population movement in any significant numbers.
Some families from tribes not present at the jirga have moved in
possible anticipation of future GOP operations.
3. (C) Tribesmen were holding a jirga in Orakzai Agency to
discuss the next actions to be taken by the Ali Khel lashkar
(tribal militia) against militants in the area, when an
explosive laden pick-up truck rammed into the gathering and
exploded. Press reporting indicates that as many as 2000
tribesmen were present at the time of the blast.
Why Attack These Elders?
--------------
4. (C) According to Ghani, the Ali Khel tribal lashkar was
responsible for recent actions against the local taliban and
that this was the likely motive for the attack. Previously the
most deadly attack on tribal elders was on March 2 when a
suicide bomber killed at least 40 people and injured
approximately 50 others at a peace jirga in the Federally
Administered Tribal Areas' (FATA) Darra Adam Khel region. Many
of those killed in this earlier explosion were also tribal
elders who had agreed to take up arms against militants (reftel).
Comment
--------------
5. (C) While this attack will likely complicate the tribal
action against the local taliban in Orakzai agency in the short
term, it may simply add to the growing anti-taliban sentiments
of many citizens of the NWFP. There are already reports of
retaliation (destroying houses) in Orakzai, targeting local
taliban.
TRACY