FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, MAY 1 -

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 07 PESHAWAR 000107 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/22/2019 TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PK SUBJECT: FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, MAY 1 - MAY 7 REF: A) PESHAWAR 97; B) PESHAWAR 93; C) PESHAWAR 91 CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate Peshawar, U.S. Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (d) Introduction - - - - - - - ¶1. (C) Events in northwest Pakistan made international headlines throughout the first week in May, coinciding with President Zardari's visit to the United States, while Prime Minister Gilani appeared on national television the evening of May 7 to declare "all out war" against the Taliban. (Ref. A) In Swat, more than 150 militants, 10 security force personnel and 50 civilians reportedly died during the week, as the peace accord broke down completely. Security forces continued their operations in Buner and Lower Dir and claimed to kill at least 75 militants in the former and more than 10 militants in the latter, including Sufi Muhammad's son. (Ref. A, B, C) Militant attacks spiked again in Bajaur and Mohmand. ¶2. (C) As militant activity intensified in Swat, along with some selective government strikes in the valley, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) compounded. Estimates among various officials in the NWFP government, United Nations relief agencies and international aid groups put the number of IDPs from Swat, Buner and Lower Dir in the tens of thousands, with press reports claiming over 150,000. (Septel) Swat - - - ¶3. (SBU) The following is a summary of events in Swat, where a February peace agreement broke down: May 1: Militants reportedly attacked a checkpost at the Khwazakhela-Matta Bridge in Khwazakhela. Security forces claimed to repulse the attack. Gunship helicopters also continued to shell the hilly areas of Matta and Peochar. May 2: Militants reportedly occupied shops and government buildings in Mingora; attacked police stations in Mingora and Rahimbad; destroyed an electrical grid station outside Mingora; and blew up a government school in Nengolai area of Kabal tehsil. Troops reportedly seized 12 military uniforms from a jeep after a gunfight with militants, claiming the clothes were used to conduct terrorist acts. Security forces also set up checkposts to stop Taliban entry into Shangla. May 3: Swat taliban spokesman Muslim Khan told reporters that the Swat peace deal was dead. Militants blew up a school and occupied several shops and government buildings. May 4: The Taliban reportedly took control of Mingora city and captured 46 security personnel. Other reports claimed the Taliban were using residents as human shields. May 5: Militants reportedly attacked and occupied the office of PESHAWAR 00000107 002 OF 007 the Deputy Inspector General of police, the Malakand Commissioner's Office, a police station and a museum in Saidu Sharif. Fighting reportedly left 18 dead in Swat and caused hundreds to flee. May 6: 47 militants, 15 security personnel and 36 civilians reportedly died in clashes throughout the valley. Militants reportedly robbed three banks. May 7: Taliban militants reportedly killed five soldiers and blocked roads with rocks and trees. A taliban spokesman told the press "we have planted hundreds of mines in Mingora and 90 percent of the city is under our control." Security forces bombarded militant positions in Khwazakhela, Bandai, Charbagh, Winai, Peochar, Kabal, Shandheri, Matta, Akot, Shahdarra and Pir Killay. Security forces also recaptured an emerald mine from militants near Mingora. Buner - - - ¶4. (SBU) The following is a summary of events in Buner District, NWFP, a neighboring district to Swat, where the government launched a military operation in the final week of April: May 2: Security forces reportedly seized control of a key road leading into the district. May 3: Security forces claimed to kill 80 militants in the district, including 21 would-be suicide bombers. May 4: Militants reportedly killed one soldier. At least 20 people were reportedly killed in Buner, with 36 injured, as militants blew up several government buildings while security forces expanded their operation after securing Ambela. May 5: The army advanced to Dewana Baba after clearing Kalpani and Gagra. Security forces targeted militant hideouts in Pir Baba, Ghzai Khaney, Sultanwas and Pira Bai. May 6: Taliban fighters reportedly occupied several police stations and continued armed patrols in the northern areas of the district, while a purported "US spy" was also beheaded. May 7: Militants reportedly killed four soldiers as security forces claimed to kill 32 militants in Buner. Lower Dir - - - - - PESHAWAR 00000107 003 OF 007 ¶5. (SBU) The following is a summary of events in Lower Dir District, NWFP, a neighboring district to Swat, where the government launched a military operation during the final week of April: May 3: Sufi Muhammad's home in Lal Qila was reportedly hit by government shelling. May 4: Militants reportedly robbed two banks and a World Food Program depot in Maidan. May 6: Taliban reportedly left Adenzai and Talash areas to join militants in Swat. May 7: TNSM chief Sufi Muhammad's eldest son was killed when an artillery shell hit his house in Maidan. Bajaur and Mohmand - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (SBU) The following is a summary of events in Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies, where the Pakistani military has been conducting military operations since August 2008: May 2, Mohmand: A large group of taliban killed two soldiers in an attack on a security post in Spinai Tangi before dawn. 16 militants reportedly died in the ensuing battle. May 5, Mohmand: Militants again attacked a security force checkpost in Spinai Tangi. May 6, Mohmand: Security forces bombed militant hideouts in Safi and Khwazai Baizai. Fighting resulted in the reported deaths of fifteen militants, two security personnel and two civilians. Security forces also found the body of a young boy, kidnapped several days before, while patrolling near a militant area.. May 7, Mohmand: Militants attacked a security force convoy in Spinai Tangi, injuring two soldiers. Troops attacked militant hideouts in Safi and Khwazai Baizai. NWFP - - - ¶7. (C) The following incidents have occurred in the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) according to press and consulate contacts: PESHAWAR 00000107 004 OF 007 May 1, Upper Dir: More than 50 armed taliban stormed a Dir Levy camp in Paraw and abducted 11 security personnel. The 11 Levies were freed with the help of local mediation after several hours in taliban captivity. May 2, Shangla: About 20 militants attacked a checkpost on the Alpuri-Puran main road, took the policemen hostage, seized their weapons, and blew up the post. Locals said the policemen escaped. Elsewhere, the taliban returned to the emerald mines in Goch area after being absent for several days. May 4, Hangu: Militants opened fire on a police post on the Hangu-Kohat Road, killing a policeman and injuring four others. May 5, Peshawar: A suicide bomber killed seven, including two children and a Frontier Corps soldier, and injured 21, when he rammed his pick-up truck near a checkpost on Bara Road. May 5, Peshawar: TTP reportedly warned doctors to stop wearing shirts and pants (and to wear traditional clothes instead) or face a suicide bombing according to doctors at Lady Reading Hospital. May 6, Dera Ismail Khan: A militant reportedly threw a hand-grenade into a mosque, killing one and wounding 16 others. May 6, Mardan: Militants reportedly threatened lawyers and businessmen in Takht Bhai tehsil; telling lawyers to stop giving speeches against the taliban, barbers to stop shaving beards and tailors to stop sewing clothes for women. May 7, Kohistan: Militants reportedly opened fire on a police post, killing a policeman and injuring four. May 7, Hangu: Militants also reportedly ambushed and killed five members of a tribal lashkar. Security forces retaliated by firing heavy artillery on militant hideouts. May 7, Kohat: About 60 militants attacked a rescue party of 250 villagers, who were searching for a kidnapped man, with gunfire, rockets and hand grenades. The militants killed five and injured eight, 25 kilometers from Hangu. FATA - - - ¶8. (C) The following is a roundup of incidents of talibanization in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Frontier PESHAWAR 00000107 005 OF 007 Regions: May 1, North Waziristan: Militants killed a man 40 km south of Miranshah for allegedly "spying" for the U.S. May 2, Khyber: Militants reportedly fired two short-range missiles from Abdal Khad at a security forces camp, missing the target. May 3, Khyber: Militants set-off a remote-controlled bomb near the mausoleum of renowned poet Hamza Shinwari, injuring two Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers. May 4, North Waziristan: Militants killed a 28-year-old Afghan man 15 km east of Minanshah for allegedly "spying" for the U.S. May 5, Khyber: A suicide bomber rammed a car loaded with explosives into a Frontier Corps checkpost in Bara, killing five and injuring 37 others, including 19 members of the security forces. May 6, North Waziristan: Two persons were killed in an exchange of fire between rival groups. May 6, Orakzai: Militants reportedly blew up a mausoleum and a shrine. Militants also broke into the office of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and distributed identification cards to local residents who were angry NADRA officials had not delivered the cards. May 7, FR Kohat: Militants blew up a government school in Darra Adam Khel, with no casualties reported. Government Response - - - - - - - - - - ¶9. (SBU) This is a summary of government responses to "creeping talibanization" according to press and consulate contacts: May 2, Khyber: A taliban commander, Iftikhar Khan, reportedly surrendered to the political administration in Jamrud. May 3, Peshawar: Police reportedly arrested several people suspected of aiding and abetting insurgents. May 5, Kohat: Security forces reportedly sealed all entry points to the district and targeted various militant hideouts in PESHAWAR 00000107 006 OF 007 Darra Adam Khel, destroying two houses and impounding two vehicles. May 6, Kohat: Police claimed to arrest 12 foreigners in a crackdown on militant hideouts, recovering two Kalashnikov rifles, 11 guns, 10 pistols and 636 ammunition cartridges. May 6, Mohmand: Security forces claimed to arrest five suspected militants and to demolish 30 militant homes in Bezai tehsil. Grass Roots Efforts to Halt Talibanization - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶10. (U) The following events are examples of activities taken by local communities to halt the spread of Talibanization: May 1, Peshawar: Afghan and Pakistani tribal journalists vowed to work for peace in the region after completing a weeklong workshop entitled "Conflict Sensitive Journalism and Network Building" at the University of Peshawar. May 1, Upper Dir: Two major tribes, Sultan Khel and Painda Khel, vowed to defend the Wari area against the taliban. May 1, Peshawar: Senior leader of Awami National Party (ANP) and former Federal Minister Afzal Khan Lala urged inhabitants of Swat to cooperate with the government while speaking to a 100-member jirga. May 5, Peshawar: The city's business community rallied against kidnapping for ransom in the main bazaars. May 6, Peshawar: Amn Tehrik (peace movement),representing leaders of trade and civil society organizations, held a meeting at the University of Peshawar to appeal for peace in the area. Elsewhere, about two dozen religious parties from the Barelvi school of thought declared they would launch a countrywide campaign to resist Talibanization. May 6, Lower Dir: A jirga appealed to the local taliban to free kidnapped soldiers from the Dir Levies, saying they were innocent and residents of the area. May 6, Mansehra: A jirga of tribal elders declared that those sheltering or aiding militants would be fined 1 million rupees and have their house demolished. May 7, Peshawar: A group of religious scholars issued a PESHAWAR 00000107 007 OF 007 unanimous declaration that Islam prohibits the implementation of Shari'a law by force. TRACY