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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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7. (C) The following incidents have occurred in the Northwest
Frontier Province (NWFP) according to press and consulate
contacts:

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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

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8. (C) The following is a roundup of incidents of talibanization
in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Frontier

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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

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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

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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

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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

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unanimous declaration that Islam prohibits the implementation of
Shari'a law by force.
TRACY