FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, JULY 17

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 PESHAWAR 000157 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/3/2019 TAGS: PTER MOPS ASEC PK SUBJECT: FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, JULY 17 - JULY 23 REF: ISLAMABAD 1385 CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate Peshawar, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (d) Introduction - - - - - - - ¶1. (C) Over this reporting period, fighting in the on-going Pakistani military operation in Swat continued at levels similar to those of the previous week. Revenge killings against militants, the first of which occurred during the previous reporting period, became a definite trend, with four further incidents in various areas of Swat. Reported fighting in the adjoining district of Buner decreased, but the Frontier Corps undertook a major operation in the recently quiescent Maidan area of Lower Dir, claiming to kill around 100 militants. ¶2. (C) Violence in Khyber Agency increased slightly as clashes between Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) and Ansarul Islam (AI) culminated in the LI take-over of the strategic Ghalum Ali Bunker. Two separate attacks in Khyber agency against a convoy of tankers carrying fuel for NATO forces in Afghanistan (after another attack in the previous reporting period) may signal a more general return to such assaults, which had been in abeyance for several months. In Bajaur, security force pressure on the militants remained high in the Charmang Valley, although security force artillery strikes were limited. Also on a positive note, at least two local lashkars transferred militant detainees to the political administrations of Bajaur. Fighting in Mohmand decreased, but the Ambar lashkar continued to be involved. ¶3. (C) In South Waziristan, where the Pakistani government continues to prepare for ground operations against Baitullah Mehsud, reported incidents of fighting between militants and security forces was down sharply from the previous period. A jirga composed of elders from all three Mehsud sub-tribes publically distanced itself from militants. Within the group of pro-government Mehsud militants formerly led by the deceased Qari Zainuddin (reftel),there is an apparent leadership struggle between Zainuddin's brother Misbahuddin and Ikhlas Khan Mehsud, another militant. NWFP - Malakand Division - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (SBU) The following incidents have occurred in the Malakand Division of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP),where the Pakistani government has been conducting combat operations since the last week of April. Malakand Division includes the districts of Malakand, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Chitral, Swat, Shangla, and Buner. 17 July - Swat: Security forces killed two militants in Chamtalai, including a suspected commander, during search operations. In Matta tehsil, militants beheaded a policeman in his home. In Kanju Township, security forces killed one militant and arrested four others. Security force arrested fifteen militants and demolished twelve bunkers during search operations in Titlawala, near Charbagh. A local lashkar killed two militants in Lal Qila. A road-side IED killed two soldiers in near Serai. The body of an alleged militant commander was found in a Mingora market in an apparent revenge killing. 17 July - Lower Dir: Security forces arrested two militants in Kumbar Bazar near Kalpani. 17 July - Buner: Search operations in Bajkata near Daggar resulted in the demolition of seven militant houses and the arrest of ten militants. 18 July - Swat: Security forces demolished four militant houses in Goal village near Sakhra. Two militant training camps were destroyed, along with the house of commander Ismail in Chaprai Banda. Security forces killed three militants and arrested one other during an exchange of fire in Mauja Kandao. PESHAWAR 00000157 002 OF 006 19 July - Swat: Two wanted militants, Fazal-e-Haq and Khair ul Ghafoor, were arrested in Talgai near Maydan. Search operations in Matta produced one Jeep VBIED, two IEDs and a suicide vest. The police killed one militant in Sambat Cham area of Matta tehsil, demolished seven militant homes, in response to the militants beheading a policeman. In search operations in Gul Shah, Tatal, and Mria Mai, two militant commanders, Taj and Zulqarnin, were killed. Militant commander Hamood was arrested in Dardial. One soldier and 12 militants were killed in an exchange of fire in Kamyrai near Dardial. The body of ex-TNSM linked religious scholar, Maulana Fazle Haq, was discovered in Bilogram. 20 July - Swat: Security forces rescued Dr. Shamsher Khan, brother of MPA M Ali, who was taken hostage for ransom by militants two months ago. While searching Damgarh and Mamderai, security forces killed five militants trying to escape wearing burqas, three soldiers died in the engagement. A cave was discovered in Kalagai Banda with ten dead militants inside and separately, two militant facilitators were arrested also in Kalagai Banda. One militant was killed in search operations in Ganjir near Topsin. Two bullet-riddled bodies of ex-TNSM members were found in the village of Manyar. 20 July - Lower Dir: Security forces claimed to kill approximately 100 militants in operations near Maidan on July 19-20. Three security force members also died in the engagements. The NWFP government announced rewards for information leading to the capture of five local militant leaders in the Maidan area. 20 July - Chitral: An Afghan national was killed and his colleague kidnapped near Jashtangarh by unknown assailants as the two were traveling from Drosh to Arandu. The deceased, who had managed 10 cargo trucks, was known in the area for transporting goods for NATO forces in Afghanistan. 21 July - Swat: Security forces killed two militants during search operations in Malukabad. Six militants were killed and four arrested in Ningulai. One house was destroyed and five militants arrested in Kalagai Banda. Security forces killed seven militants, which included two local commanders, in Damghar and Mamdherai areas of Kabal. Three other militants were killed by security forces in the Shahdherai area of Kabal. 21 July - Lower Dir: During search operations in Tsapparai Kandao, security forces killed sixteen militants and destroyed three markets that were being used as militant training centers. 21 July - Buner: Militants wounded two soldiers in an exchange of fire in Dewana Baba. Security forces killed three militants in the altercation. In a separate incident, five civilians were wounded in government artillery bombardment of suspected militant positions in the Matwanai area. 22 July - Swat: Two militants were killed and three arrested during search operations in Dadrah. Security forces demolished 11 houses in Samai Kalle. The body of a militant commander was left in Saidu Sharif, in another apparent revenge killing. 22 July - Lower Dir: Security forces claimed to kill 16 militants and destroy three training centers around Saparay Kandao. 23 July - Swat: Security forces killed two militants during search operations in Surgulai and Syed Piranda Baba Ziarat. One militant was killed in search operations in Sambat near Khawzakhela. Security forces arrested four militants in search operations in Kannaro near Gulijabba. 23 July - Malakand: One militant was killed, one arrested and one soldier killed in an engagement in Allah Dand near Thana. NWFP - Hazara Division - - - - - - - - - - - - PESHAWAR 00000157 003 OF 006 ¶5. (SBU) The following incidents have occurred in the Hazara Division of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) according to press and consulate contacts. Hazara Division includes the districts of Abbottabad, Battagram, Haripur, Kohistan and Mansehra. 22 July - Mansehra: A jirga in Kala Dhaka handed over to the government an alleged aide to militant leader Momin Khan. NWFP - Mardan Division - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (SBU) The following incidents have occurred in the Mardan Division of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) according to press and consulate contacts. Mardan Division includes the districts of Mardan and Swabi. 21 July - Mardan: Twelve militants assaulted a veterinarian, destroyed his laboratory equipment, and damaged his office in the Lund Khwar area of Takhbhai tehsil. The veterinarian claimed that the assailants wanted to take control of the government quarters. NWFP - Peshawar Division - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. (SBU) The following incidents have occurred in the Peshawar Division of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) according to press and consulate contacts. Peshawar Division includes the districts of Peshawar, Nowshera, and Charsadda. 18 July - Peshawar: Security forces destroyed a Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) operating base in the Achini Mera area, wounding five militants, arresting nine, and one dying of health complications during the engagement. 22 July - Peshawar: Police claimed to have defused two rockets aimed at Peshawar Airport. NWFP - Kohat Division - - - - - - - - - - - ¶8. (SBU) The following incidents have occurred in the Kohat Division of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) according to press and consulate contacts. Kohat Division includes the districts of Kohat, Karak, and Hangu. 17 July - Hangu: Security forces arrested 13 militants in search operations. 19 July - Hangu: Security forces netted 41 more militants during search operations in various areas including Karbogha, Muhammad Khwaja, Doaba, Thal, Babutang, Sangerha, Lakhti Banda, Barh Abbaskhel, Gulshanabad and Kach Banda. 19 July - Kohat: Security forces arrested 13 militants during search operations in the city and suburbs. 21 July - Hangu: Suspected militants hijacked a fuel tanker traveling from Peshawar to Thall. 21 July - Karak: The brother of the NWFP Minister of Prisons was attacked while traveling in Tarakai Banda, but survived the attempt on his life. 22 July - Hangu: A remote-controlled IED exploded on Shahu Road causing no casualties. Another IED placed under a bridge on the Hangu-Orakzai Road killed a child. 23 July - Karak: A bomb disguised as a tape-recorder "gift" killed Head Police Constable Samiullah and wounded another policeman at the Changhoz Latamber checkpoint. NWFP - Bannu Division - - - - - - - - - - - PESHAWAR 00000157 004 OF 006 ¶9. (SBU) The following incidents have occurred in the Bannu Division of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) according to press and consulate contacts. Bannu Division includes the districts of Bannu and Lakki Marwat. 17 July - Bannu: An IED injured three soldiers near Jani Khel Fort. 20 July - Bannu: A remote-controlled IED killed a Frontier Constabulary officer and wounded six others. Search operations conducted in response to the explosion netted 14 suspects. 23 July - Bannu: Unknown assailants shot and wounded a policeman as he rode his motorbike to work in the Topi area. NWFP - Dera Ismail Khan Division - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶10. (SBU) The following incidents have occurred in the Dera Ismail Khan Division of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) according to press and consulate contacts. Dera Ismail Khan Division includes the districts of D.I. Khan and Tank. 17 July - Dera Ismail Khan: Unknown gunmen killed a policeman who had recently arrested a prominent local member of Lashkar-i-Jhangvi. 18 July - Tank: The political administration arrested 15 Mehsud tribesmen under Section 40 of the Frontier Crimes Regulations. The arrested included tribal elder Dilbar Khan. These arrests are considered an extension of the earlier targeted arrests of members of the Shabi Khels, the sub-tribe to which Baitullah Mehsud belongs. 19 July - Dera Ismail Khan: Two people were injured when unknown attackers threw a hand grenade at the truck-maker area of the Grass Market. 22 July - Dera Ismail Khan: Police arrested Asad Sheikh, brother of local militant leader Karamad Sheikh, in a search operation in Kulachi tehsil. Northern FATA - - - - - - - ¶11. (C) The following is a roundup of incidents of talibanization and government and community response in the Bajaur, Mohmand, and Khyber Agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). 17 July - Khyber: Two separate IEDs targeted fuel tankers in Landi Kotal and Jamrud. Militants in Khugakhel looted and burned an internet cafi. 18 July - Bajaur: Three militants were killed and two arrested during search operations in the Charmang area. 19 July - Bajaur: Presumed militants kidnapped an official coordinating development work on behalf of the government of Pakistan. 19 July - Khyber: A suicide bomber killed five and wounded eight in an attack on the Torkham security checkpoint. 20 July - Bajaur: Five militants were arrested as they attempted to enter Khar. Security forces conducted artillery strikes near Charmang, destroying several militant positions. Elders of the Kamangara tribes transferred three militants to the political administration and assured their continued support of government efforts. 20 July - Mohmand: Two lashkar men were killed by friendly fire in Ambar tehsil. 20 July - Khyber: Militants attacked a police van in Bara tehsil, killing four police. Separately, police registered PESHAWAR 00000157 005 OF 006 cases against Mangal Bagh, the Lashkar-i-Islam leader, and seven of his sub-commanders. 21 July - Khyber: Sixteen people died during clashes between rival groups, Lashkar-i-Islam and Ansarul Islam, over the occupation of the Ghulam Ali Bunker in the Tirah Valley. Security Forces arrested two alleged TTP commanders in Loy Shelman, Ghunda Khel, who were involved in the supply of weapons to militants in Orakzai and Mohmand. 22 July - Bajaur: A jirga of the Alizai tribe transferred six wanted militant commanders to the political administration. Security forces arrested two militants and demolished several militant positions in the Charmang area. 22 July - Mohmand: Twelve Haleemzai tribesmen were arrested after the tribe refused to surrender the men to the security forces. 22 July - Khyber: LI took control of the Ghulam Ali Bunker after a long firefight. 23 July - Bajaur: Search operations netted 28 alleged militants, including two commanders, in the Charmang Valley. Separately, presumed militants assassinated a tribal malik in Chengazo area, killing a companion as well. 23 July - Mohmand: The Ambar tehsil lashkar turned over five militants to the political authorities. 23 July - Khyber: The Frontier Corps recovered five hostages held in a militant-run jail in Akakhel Sheikhan. Southern FATA - - - - - - - ¶12. (SBU) The following is a roundup of incidents of talibanization and government and community response in the Orakzai, Kurram, and North and South Waziristan Agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Frontier Regions south of the Khyber Agency: 17 July - FR Lakki Marwat: The Assistant Political Agent issued an ultimatum to the Shadi Khel clan of the Bhittani tribe to stop the entry of militants from FR Bannu and FR Tank into their area. 17 July - FR Tank: Five civilians were injured in a militant raid on a village near Jandola. In a separate incident, militants fired rockets at Jandola fort, injuring one soldier. 18 July - North Waziristan: Presumed militants left the body of a man they claimed was a U.S. spy in Razmak bazaar. 18 July - Orakzai: Pakistan Air Force bombed suspected TTP positions, claiming that twelve militants were killed and two training camps were destroyed. 18 July - FR Kohat: A pamphlet distributed around Darra Adam Khel warned Afghanistan President Karzai and Afghan refugees in Pakistan to stop supporting US-led allied forces of risk exemplary punishment for their complicity, including a series of suicide bombings. Pakistani security forces conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Akhorwal, arresting several militants. 19 July - FR Kohat: Ten militants were arrested in the Sheraki area of Darra Adam Khel. 21 July - South Waziristan: A Jirga of elders of the Balolzai, Menzai, and Shamenkhel, all three Mehsud sub-tribes, declared that they have no allegiance to the militants and will not support any such group or individual. The elders further called on the government to end the harassment of Mehsud tribesmen displaced to other agencies due to military operations. PESHAWAR 00000157 006 OF 006 22 July - North Waziristan: Militants looted 800,000 Rupees from a small group of Khasadars. During the engagement, two Khasadars were wounded. Militants fired two mortars at a military camp killing one soldier and critically wounding five others. 22 July - South Waziristan: The Pakistani military claimed to kill six militants in aerial bombardment of two suspected TTP positions. 22 July - FR Tank: Four bullet-riddled bodies of Mehsud tribesmen were discovered near Pather village. 23 July - FR Kohat: Security forces arrested four militants in Darra Adam Khel who had a prepared VBIED in their possession. TRACY