Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PESHAWAR157
2009-08-03 14:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Peshawar
Cable title:  

FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, JULY 17

Tags:  PTER MOPS ASEC PK 
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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
- - - - - - -

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