FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, JULY 24

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 PESHAWAR 000168 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/13/2019 TAGS: PTER MOPS ASEC PK SUBJECT: FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, JULY 24 - JULY 30 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, with a few notable events. The militants decapitated a policeman in Mingora and left his body to be found as a sign that the militants were still operating in the area. They also attacked telephone infrastructure and killed a prominent local anti-militant leader in Shangla. However, the security forces continued to report success as search operations produced arrests and dead militants. This success brought with it a few more militant surrenders, both in Swat and other areas of the FATA and NWFP. ¶2. (C) Maulana Sufi Mohammad, the leader of the now-defunct Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Mohammadi, was arrested along with his two sons by Peshawar police. A Joint Investigative Team verified the evidence against him, and they were transferred to the Swat Police for prosecution. The lack of public outcry at the arrest provides a further hint of the change in public opinion in the Malakand division toward militants and those perceived as aiding them. ¶3. (C) Members of the Frontier Corps were decapitated by militants in Mohmand and Khyber agencies. These acts, along with the aforementioned decapitation of the police officer in Swat, are intended as intimidation tactics against local security forces. These tactics do not seem to have worked recently; the renewed clashes in Upper Dir signal the reappearance of that district's lashkar (with Pakistani government assistance) and the Pakistani government-assisted standup of a lashkar in Sultanwas has been deployed by the government to substantial effect in the press. ¶4. (C) In South Waziristan, the Pakistani military took virtually no military action against Baitullah Mehsud. Unsubstantiated press reporting suggests the military has delayed the long-promised operation against Baitullah due to on-going "secret negotiations." In North Waziristan, by contrast, several clashes occurred between the military and elements of Hafiz Gul Bahadur's militia. The security forces began a campaign to clear Shah Hassankhel village, a militant stronghold in traditionally quiet Lakki Marwat district. In Kohat, an unusually wide-ranging, multi-day search operation netted well over 100 suspected militants. NWFP - Malakand Division - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (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. 24 July - Swat: Security forces announced they had killed 2 militants and arrested 4 during search operations in Torshe Khan Sar. Forces also destroyed a militant training camp there. During search operations in Bararai near Khawzakhela and in Qambar, security forces arrested 21 suspects. Security forces conducted search operations in Akhun Kalle, killing one militant and arresting one militant. One militant was also killed and one arrested during search operations in Utror near Kalam. 24 July - Lower Dir: Security forces claimed to kill 16 militants in Maidan. 24 July - Buner: The elders in Kitiari transferred two suspected militants to security forces. During search operations in Koto Banda, security forces killed nine militants. Forces also killed one militant in Zohaib. During a raid on suspected militant commander Islam Shah's home in Chinglai, security forces killed one of his sons and arrested two more and PESHAWAR 00000168 002 OF 006 a neighbor. 25 July - Swat: Security forces killed Qambar militant Commander Maaz. In Darmai near Fatehpur, security forces arrested an imam for supporting militant activity. Security forces destroyed one tunnel in Piochar, two tunnels in Wakilabad near Khawazakhela, four tunnels in Manda Jungle near Waliabad, arrested 6 suspected militants in Ghariabad near Charbagh, and arrested 3 suspected militants in Pia village near Madyan. 25 July - Lower Dir: Security forces defused five IEDs in Khanai and Lalqila. Pakistani security forces claimed to kill 13 militants in air strikes. 25 July - Burner: At Dewana Baba and Kalpanai, security forces demolished three militant hideouts. 26 July - Swat: During search operations in Pashmal near Kalam, security forces arrested wanted Sattal militant commander Kabir. Two militants surrendered to security forces in Fizaghat. Security forces killed one militant, arrested two suspected militants, and demolished seven militant hideouts in Langar near Khawzakhela. In Chur Banda, forces arrested four suspected militants. Security forces displayed six teenaged would-be suicide bombers arrested in previous operations to the media. 26 July - Upper Dir: Security forces arrested six suspects in Awishah, while local lashkars killed a total of ten militants and arrested six in Karodara, Shakoh, and Chopra Kandao. 27 July - Swat: During search operations in Karorai Kandao, Gidar Sar Banda, and Tarogai near Shangla, security forces arrested local militant Commander Liaqat. Security forces killed two militants and arrested one in the Malukabad area. Security forces rendered safe four IEDs in a house in Dangram. Security forces discovered three bullet-riddled bodies in Mingora, apparent revenge killings of suspected militants. 27 July - Upper Dir: The local lashkar killed 10 militants and apprehended six other suspected militants in Karodara, Shakoh, and Chopra Kandao areas. Seven Safi group militants surrendered to security forces. Militants beheaded a member of the Upper Dir lashkar. 28 July - Swat: Unnamed locals found the decapitated body and head of a Pakistani police constable four kilometers east of Mingora. Local Police said this is a sign that the Taliban have not left the area. During search operations in Tal near Shah Dheri, security forces arrested two militants and demolished 10 militant homes. Two security force personnel were wounded in the operation. The Bahrain local jirga transferred one militant to security forces. In Amankot, Ahingro Deri, Minar Qambar and Landikas, security forces killed four militants and arrested three. Security forces arrested nine militants in Sangota near Mingora and one militant surrendered at Sakhra near Matta. 28 July - Buner: Security forces arrested six suspected militants in Dheri Village near Dewana Baba and demolished eight militant houses. 28 July - Shangla: Militants destroyed a telephone exchange in the Puran area of Shangla. 29 July - Swat: Local militant commander Bakht Jehan surrendered to security forces in Charbagh. Security forces arrested 4 militants in Qadar Kandao. Militants attacked the home of tehsil Nazim Muhammad Ali at Choga near Aloch, where the Nazim's brother was killed, and the Nazim's nephew and a neighbor were wounded. In Kuza Banda, security forces arrested 11 suspected militants. 29 July - Buner: The qaumi lashkar in Sultanwas village was reactivated with the support of the political administration to provide local security. 29 July - Shangla: A large number of militants attacked the PESHAWAR 00000168 003 OF 006 home of Khalilur Rehman and killed him. Rehman was trying to organize a lashkar to fight against militants, who have established checkposts along roads in the Puran tehsil. Security forces claimed to have killed two militants in retaliation. 30 July - Swat: Security forces arrested one in Khog Bacha. One militant commander surrendered in Shalpalam and three others surrendered in Jheel near BB Ziarat. Security forces conducted search operations in Charbagh and Allahbad killing six militants. 30 July - Buner: The Sultanwas lashkar demolished five houses belonging to alleged militants in the Dokada area. NWFP - Hazara Division - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (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. 27 July - Mansehra: A timer-initiated IED destroyed a CD shop/internet cafe in Oghi, killing one and wounding two bystanders. NWFP - Mardan Division - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. (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. 24 July - Mardan: Sixty militants killed the watchman of a market in Bakhshali and then demolished three CD shops and damaged several neighboring shops. NWFP - Peshawar Division - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶8. (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. 24 July - Charsadda: Unknown gunmen shot and killed Wazir Mohammad, a leader in the Ambar lashkar in Mohmand, at Shabqadar bus station 25 July - Peshawar: Rizwam Ullah, son of TNSM leader Sufi Mohammad, claimed his father was living freely in Peshawar. Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) claimed that militants had blown up a key transmission line tower, adding to power outages through much of the NWFP. 26 July - Peshawar: Police arrested TNSM leader Sufi Mohammad at a house in Sethi tehsil, along with two of Sufi's sons. 27 July - Peshawar: Kidnapped on Monday from Peshtakhara, the bullet-riddled body of a government secretariat employee was found in Janay Garhi with a letter stating that those that indulge in "un-Islamic" activities would face the same fate. 27 July - Charsadda: Security forces arrested three militants in Shakoor area. 28 July - Peshawar: Unidentified gunmen wounded three policemen in an attack on a routine police patrol in the Fazal Haq Garhi suburbs. The police arrested one of the attackers. 28 July - Charsadda: Security forces arrested two militants, PESHAWAR 00000168 004 OF 006 both Afghani nationals, in the Rajjar area for their participation in attacks in Upper Dir. A security forces raid in the Sarki area led to the arrest of militants. 29 July - Peshawar: Police claimed to have arrested six and confiscated a suicide jacket and other explosives in a security raid within the city of Peshawar. 29 July - Charsadda: Unknown militants opened fire on security forces in Shabqadar, killing three civilians and wounding four others. NWFP - Kohat Division - - - - - - - - - - - ¶9. (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. 25 July - Kohat: A remote-controlled IED on the Indus highway at Guddi Banda wounded seven policemen, one civilian, and damaged three government vehicles when it exploded while the police were attempting to defuse it. Police arrested 34 suspected militants and found an arms cache in southern Kohat. 26 July - Kohat: Security forces arrested 45 suspected militants, 20 of them from the banned Jaish-e-Muhammad and Sipah-e-Sahaba groups. 27 July - Kohat: Security forces arrested 14 suspected militants during clearing operations in Mir Ahmed Khel, Muhammadzai, Bazid Khel, and Guddi Banda. 28 July - Kohat: Security forces arrested dozens of people from Sheikhan and Bilitang villages for their suspected links to TTP. 28 July - Karak: Police claim to have arrested the man responsible for killing a policeman on July 23 with an IED disguised as a tape recorder. NWFP - Bannu Division - - - - - - - - - - - ¶10. (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. 25 July - Lakki Marwat: An IED disguised as a bicycle wounded 13 people including five policemen in Lakki Adda. 27 July - Lakki Marwat: Security forces in one haul in Shah Hassankhel near Lakki Marwat arrested 16 militants, defused five IEDs, and recovered a cache of mortars, rockets, and artillery rounds. Security forces conducted search operations after artillery strikes on militant positions in Ahmadkhel and Dilokhel. Security forces further demolished suspected militant positions in the Shah Hassankhel area. 28 July - Lakki Marwat: Security forces in Shah Hassankhel arrested several militants and recovered a large cache of arms that included several suicide vests. NWFP - Dera Ismail Khan Division - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶11. (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 PESHAWAR 00000168 005 OF 006 Division includes the districts of D.I. Khan and Tank. 29 July - Dera Ismail Khan: A remote-controlled IED planted at the district court parking lot killed one and wounded five. Northern FATA - - - - - - - ¶12. (SBU) 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). 24 July - Bajaur: Security forces fired mortars at militant positions in Charmang, Nawagai tehsil; they claimed to kill two militants and wound four others. 25 July - Bajaur: An IED in Sarkari Qila killed two soldiers. Security forces killed three militants, wounded two others, and demolished three militants' houses in Nawagai. Militants attacked the Maattak security forces checkpoint in Charmang; the police responded killing two militants. 25 July - Khyber: Security forces rescued two hostages and arrested three kidnappers in Milot Village. 26 July - Bajaur: Security forces killed six militants in mortar and artillery strikes in Babara, Manogai, Chinar, Kohi, Mattak, and the Karkanai areas of the Charmang Valley. An IED killed two soldiers near Sarkari Qila. 26 July - Mohmand: Seven militants surrendered to the political administration. Militant fired mortars killed four civilians in the Dawezai area. 27 July - Bajaur: One person was killed and another wounded by an IED that exploded in a mosque in Zerai village in the Mamond area. 27 July - Mohmand: Eight militants surrendered to the political administration in Lakaro. 27 July - Khyber: News reports state that Pakistani helicopter gunship strikes on Lashkar-i-Islam positions (including a mosque) in Bara tehsil killed a child and wounded three other people. The military claimed to have killed 20 militants and destroyed four militant positions. 28 July - Mohmand: The decapitated bodies of two Frontier Corpsmen were found buried in a cemetery in Ambar tehsil. The two were kidnapped by militants in May from a checkpoint in the Spenkai Tangai area of Khwezai tehsil. Security forces arrested nine suspected militants and demolished 12 militant houses in Haleemzai tehsil. Suspected militant commander Umar Said surrendered to the political administration of Asi Kot Qandharo. 28 July - Khyber: The decapitated body of a Frontier Corps soldier was found in Bara tehsil. He was kidnapped from the Sur Ghar Malakdinkhel area. 29 July - Mohmand: Militants fired upon a pickup truck carrying khassadars on the Peshawar-Bajaur Road near Malook Korona, killing two and wounding six others. Nine militants surrendered to the political administration in Safi tehsil. 29 July - Khyber: An IED attack on a Frontier Corps security escort vehicle traveling on the Peshawar-Torkham Road caused no casualties; however, response fire by the FC left two khassadars and one civilian wounded in the Sadukhel area. Authorities arrested 25 people from the area and demolished several houses in retaliation for the initial attack. 30 July - Bajaur: Security forces demolished the house of a militant in Yousafabad. The militant and three others were killed last week by security forces. PESHAWAR 00000168 006 OF 006 30 July - Khyber: A mortar killed four people when it struck a house in Akkakhel, Bara tehsil. Following a session of Lashkar-i-Islam's Sharia court, four alleged kidnappers were executed by a LI firing squad in Qambarkhel, Bara tehsil. Southern FATA - - - - - - - ¶13. (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: 25 July - North Waziristan: One woman was killed and three other civilians were wounded by fire from helicopter gunships in Miranshah. Security forces recovered the headless body of an Afghani national in Nozak village with a note in Pashto that identified the deceased as a US spy. 25 July - FR Kohat: Pakistani helicopter gunships conducted strikes against militant positions in the mountains near the Sra Mela area of Bosti Khel. No casualties were reported. 26 July - North Waziristan: Security forces discovered three unidentified bullet-riddled bodies dumped on the side of the Mirali-Miranshah Road. Six IEDs were discovered planted separately along the Mirali-Miranshah Road. 26 July - FR Bannu: Militants stopped and kidnapped two Frontier Constabulary personnel near the Lwar bridge. An IED at the Lwar Bridge wounded five Frontier Constabulary personnel as their van passed while they were in pursuit of the kidnappers 27 July - North Waziristan: Security force helicopter gunship strikes wounded five militants in an attack on a Gul Bahadar group commander's residence near Miram Shah. 27 July - FR Kohat: Security forces arrested seven militants in the Manda Khel area of Darra Adam Khel. 28 July - North Waziristan: A suicide VBIED attack on the Ghulam Khan checkpoint killed one security official and wounded five others. 29 July - North Waziristan: Security forces killed three militants during an exchange of fire in the Dosali area, four soldiers were also wounded. Militants attacked security forces at the Girdi Rogha Fort on the Esha-Razmak Road and kidnapped 10 Frontier Corps soldiers. 30 July - North Waziristan: Militants ambushed a Frontier Corps convoy on the Miram Shah-Dattakhel Road, killing one soldier. Two militants were killed and seven injured during the exchange of fire. 30 July - South Waziristan: A roadside bomb apparently targeting an Ahmedzai Wazir malik exploded with no casualties in the Gangikhel area. Government and Community Response - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶14. (SBU) This is a summary of government and community activities undertaken outside of the NWFP and FATA to halt the spread of talibanization within those regions: 25 July - Attock: Police arrested Shah Abdul Aziz, a former National Assembly member aligned with the JUI-F from Karak district; they accused him of involvement in more than 15 suicide attacks, several assassinations, and the kidnapping of a Polish engineer (later killed and decapitated by the militants). TRACY