Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PESHAWAR505
2008-11-07 12:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Peshawar
Cable title:
FATA: ATTACK IN BAJAUR AGENCY TARGETS LASHKAR LEADERS AND
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000505
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/7/2018
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: FATA: ATTACK IN BAJAUR AGENCY TARGETS LASHKAR LEADERS AND
TRIBAL ELDERS
REF: A) PESHAWAR 489, B) 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 SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000505
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/7/2018
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: FATA: ATTACK IN BAJAUR AGENCY TARGETS LASHKAR LEADERS AND
TRIBAL ELDERS
REF: A) PESHAWAR 489, B) PESHAWAR 84
CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, Peshawar,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) In the second attack on a tribal jirga in less than a
month, an explosion killed a number of tribal elders including a
leader of the local lashkar (tribal militia),November 6, in
Bajaur Agency. Casualty estimates range from 8 to 25 killed and
scores injured. There are conflicting reports about the source
of the attack (suicide bomber or radio-detonated device). The
tribal leaders and at least 150 members of the Salarzai tribe
were discussing their next course of action against militants,
after meeting with GOP officials, when the attack occurred.
Suicide attacks on tribal elders occurred on October 10 in
Orakzai Agency killing at least 61 Elders and March 2 when at
least 40 people were killed at a similar jirga in Darra Adam
Khel where tribal elders had agreed to take up arms against
militants. The long term impact remains unclear, but a failure
to respond to the attack on the Salarzai may have repercussions
on Bajaur operations and beyond.
Most Recent Attack Kills Lashkar leader
--------------
2. (C) According to a FATA Secretariat official a suicide bomber
killed at least 25 tribal elders and injured 38 more in the
Salarzai Tribal area of Bajaur Agency. Frontier Corps sources
reported lower casualty figures and that the source of the
attack was a radio-detonated improvised explosive device. Among
the dead is Malik Fazal Karim, a Subedar Levy Major (Ret.). He
was reportedly the leader of the Salarzai lashkar. One local
contact who meets regularly with lashkar leaders stated that
Karim was a key motivating and organizational force within the
Salarzai lashkar and his death would be felt at least in the
near term.
Why Attack These Elders Now?
--------------
3. (C) According to local press reports, the suicide attack
occurred while Salarzai elders and at least 150 tribesmen were
holding a jirga in Bajaur Agency. The purpose of the jirga was
to discuss the next actions to be taken by the Salarzai tribe
after the recently concluded meeting with GOP officials to
coordinate efforts against the militants.
4. (C) The Salarzai tribe in Bajaur Agency (along the border
with Kunar province in Afghanistan) was the first significant
laskhar raised. Since then, others have been raised, including
near Peshawar. The degree to which they have "fought" militants
varies widely -- the Salarzai, by many accounts, have been in
some serious fights, while other lashkars simply decreed
militants were not welcome, burned a house or two, and declared
success.
5. (C) Suicide attacks on tribal elders occurred on October 10
in Orakzai Agency killing at least 61 Elders and March 2 when at
least 40 people were killed at a jirga in Darra Adam Khel where
tribal elders had agreed to take up arms against militants (refs
A and B). To date, there appears to have been little in the way
of a response to these attacks that targeted the perpetrators.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) The loss of so many tribal leaders and lashkar leader
Malik Fazal Karim will likely have an operational impact at
least in the near term. The long term impact on the Salarzai
lashkar due to the attack is not yet clear. Much may depend on
how the government responds. Local leaders, particularly in
North and South Waziristan complained bitterly about the
government's failure to exact "consequences" for the targeting
of more than 200 elders in the Waziristans -- and noted the
resulting loss of confidence in the government to protect its
supporters. A rapid and robust response could shore up and
PESHAWAR 00000505 002 OF 002
strengthen local resistance to militants in Bajaur. Failure,
however, to exact a cost from Bajaur's militants could undermine
government plans for Bajaur and beyond.
TRACY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/7/2018
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: FATA: ATTACK IN BAJAUR AGENCY TARGETS LASHKAR LEADERS AND
TRIBAL ELDERS
REF: A) PESHAWAR 489, B) PESHAWAR 84
CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, Peshawar,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) In the second attack on a tribal jirga in less than a
month, an explosion killed a number of tribal elders including a
leader of the local lashkar (tribal militia),November 6, in
Bajaur Agency. Casualty estimates range from 8 to 25 killed and
scores injured. There are conflicting reports about the source
of the attack (suicide bomber or radio-detonated device). The
tribal leaders and at least 150 members of the Salarzai tribe
were discussing their next course of action against militants,
after meeting with GOP officials, when the attack occurred.
Suicide attacks on tribal elders occurred on October 10 in
Orakzai Agency killing at least 61 Elders and March 2 when at
least 40 people were killed at a similar jirga in Darra Adam
Khel where tribal elders had agreed to take up arms against
militants. The long term impact remains unclear, but a failure
to respond to the attack on the Salarzai may have repercussions
on Bajaur operations and beyond.
Most Recent Attack Kills Lashkar leader
--------------
2. (C) According to a FATA Secretariat official a suicide bomber
killed at least 25 tribal elders and injured 38 more in the
Salarzai Tribal area of Bajaur Agency. Frontier Corps sources
reported lower casualty figures and that the source of the
attack was a radio-detonated improvised explosive device. Among
the dead is Malik Fazal Karim, a Subedar Levy Major (Ret.). He
was reportedly the leader of the Salarzai lashkar. One local
contact who meets regularly with lashkar leaders stated that
Karim was a key motivating and organizational force within the
Salarzai lashkar and his death would be felt at least in the
near term.
Why Attack These Elders Now?
--------------
3. (C) According to local press reports, the suicide attack
occurred while Salarzai elders and at least 150 tribesmen were
holding a jirga in Bajaur Agency. The purpose of the jirga was
to discuss the next actions to be taken by the Salarzai tribe
after the recently concluded meeting with GOP officials to
coordinate efforts against the militants.
4. (C) The Salarzai tribe in Bajaur Agency (along the border
with Kunar province in Afghanistan) was the first significant
laskhar raised. Since then, others have been raised, including
near Peshawar. The degree to which they have "fought" militants
varies widely -- the Salarzai, by many accounts, have been in
some serious fights, while other lashkars simply decreed
militants were not welcome, burned a house or two, and declared
success.
5. (C) Suicide attacks on tribal elders occurred on October 10
in Orakzai Agency killing at least 61 Elders and March 2 when at
least 40 people were killed at a jirga in Darra Adam Khel where
tribal elders had agreed to take up arms against militants (refs
A and B). To date, there appears to have been little in the way
of a response to these attacks that targeted the perpetrators.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) The loss of so many tribal leaders and lashkar leader
Malik Fazal Karim will likely have an operational impact at
least in the near term. The long term impact on the Salarzai
lashkar due to the attack is not yet clear. Much may depend on
how the government responds. Local leaders, particularly in
North and South Waziristan complained bitterly about the
government's failure to exact "consequences" for the targeting
of more than 200 elders in the Waziristans -- and noted the
resulting loss of confidence in the government to protect its
supporters. A rapid and robust response could shore up and
PESHAWAR 00000505 002 OF 002
strengthen local resistance to militants in Bajaur. Failure,
however, to exact a cost from Bajaur's militants could undermine
government plans for Bajaur and beyond.
TRACY