FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, FEBRUARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PESHAWAR 000037 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/25/2019 TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PK SUBJECT: FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, FEBRUARY 6 - 12 CLASSIFIED BY: LYNNE TRACY, PRINCIPAL OFFICER, PESHAWAR, DEPARTMENT OF STATE. REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d) Introduction: -------------- ¶1. (C) The pace of fighting increased in Bajaur during the second week of February, with government forces reportedly killing over 44 militants in fighting around Mahmoond tehsil and militants firing rockets on Khar, the agency capital. Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) threatened on February 11 to destroy all educational institutions in the agency if the government did not withdraw the army from Bajaur. The Political Agent opposed the return of Bajaur IDPs due to ongoing military operations. ¶2. (C) In the first attack on a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Peshawar, Awami National Party (ANP) legislator Alam Zeb Khan was killed on February 11 when militants detonated a remote-controlled improvised explosive devise (IED) as his car passed a market area. Khan's murder continues a trend of militant attacks on ANP supporters that has been particularly intense in Swat. Bajaur -------------- ¶3. (U) The following is a summary of events in Bajaur Agency, where the Pakistani military has been conducting military operations since August 2008: February 8: Security forces reportedly killed 22 militants in Inayat Qilay with the aid of a tip-off of militant hideouts. Five civilians were killed and three wounded. The Political Agent barred the return of IDPs to homes held by security forces or within firing range. Tribesmen who want to return to their homes reportedly must provide information about their family, their religion, and a photograph of the family leader. February 9: Government forces reportedly killed 6 militants in the Inayat Qilay area while militants reportedly fired rockets on the Civil Colony in Khar. A Bajaur Khassadar's body was found in neighboring Mohmand Agency. February 10: Security forces claimed to kill 11 militants in the town of Inayat Qilay. The political administration in Khar imposed a curfew and issued a three-day ultimatum to residents to expel militants in hiding. Militants reportedly fired five rockets on the Civil Colony in Khar and attacked a Levies checkpost. February 11: Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) reportedly threatened to destroy all educational institutions in the agency if the government did not withdraw the army from Bajaur. The government reported that one soldier died as troops gained control of the Inayat Qilay area, killing five militants, and advancing into Mahmoond tehsil. Security forces also launched airstrikes on militant hideouts. NWFP -------------- ¶4. (U) The following incidents have occurred in the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) and settled areas of NWFP: February 7, Swat: According to a local press report, militants control five kilometers of road between Kabal and Kanju, with militants demanding land taxes and rents previously collected by government officials. February 8, Swat: Militants ambushed a vehicle belonging to security forces and killed three security personnel. 11 civilians were also killed in clashes between security forces and militants. A roadside bomb in Kabal targeted a security convoy, but no injuries were reported. February 8, Bannu: Militants fired rockets at a police station with no injuries reported. February 8, Peshawar: Dozens of militants attacked Bilal terminal at Ring Road and destroyed two trucks prepared to make PESHAWAR 00000037 002 OF 003 deliveries to Afghanistan. February 9, Bannu: Militants launched a suicide attack on a security post in Bannu, injuring 18 policemen. Militants from North Waziristan later claimed responsibility for the bombing, stating it was in response to drone attacks in the tribal region. February 9, Swat: Militants destroyed a boys' school and a Basic Health Unit (clinic) in Matta, blew up a bypass bridge near Mingora, and killed five. February 10, Swat: Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain claimed that around 50 "taliban" had been killed in the third phase of military operations in Swat. Militants attacked a convoy of security forces in Kabal, killing one soldier. Taliban leader and FM radio announcer Maulana Muhammad Alam announced that residents of Malakand division should not pay their electricity bills. February 10: Militants contacted various newspapers threatening to send its fighters to Islamabad in retaliation for government operations in Darra Adam Khel and Swat. The militants also contacted various religious scholars in the capital demanding that they either support the taliban or leave Islamabad. February 10, Malakand: A militant threw a hand-grenade at the Government Boys School during a master's examination. February 11, Peshawar: In the first attack on a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Peshawar, Alam Zeb Khan was killed on February 11, and seven injured, when militants detonated a remote-controlled improvised explosive devise (IED) as his car passed a market area. February 11, Swat: Militants reportedly killed three soldiers at a Charbagh army camp. Taliban leader and FM radio announcer Maulana Muhammad Alam announced that militant forces possessed the names and addresses of the children of security force personnel fighting them in Swat. Militants temporarily kidnapped the provincial chief of the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC),but freed him. FATA -------------- ¶5. (U) The following is a roundup of incidents of Talibanization in the FATA and Frontier Regions: February 6, North Waziristan: Militants reportedly killed two tribesmen for "spying for the U.S." February 8, Darra Adam Khel: Marking the largest number of civilian casualties in a single rocket attack, militants killed 14 civilians, including 11 schoolchildren. Militants were reportedly targeting a security forces' checkpost when the mortar hit the school. TTP Darra Adam Khel also released a video depicting the beheading of a Polish engineer who was kidnapped in September at Attock. February 9, Khyber: 10 tribesmen were reportedly killed in clashes between rivals Ansar-al Islam and Lashkar-i-Islam. Increasing numbers of tribesmen, including Sinwari Khuga Khel tribe, are migrating from Landi Kotal to avoid violence in the area. February 9, North Waziristan: Militants reportedly dumped the body of a man 40 km north of Miranshah after killing him for "spying for the U.S." February 9, Orakzai: 25 militant leaders, led by Hakimullah Mehsud, from Orakzai, Kurram and Khyber, reportedly offered conditional support to a peace jirga established by the district administration, to stop the rising kidnappings and militant activities in the area. February 11, Khyber: TTP threatened to attack the Khassadar and Levies in Jamrud and Landi Kotal if they did not vacate their PESHAWAR 00000037 003 OF 003 checkpoints by February 20. Government Response -------------- ¶6. (C) This is a summary of government responses to "creeping Talibanization" according to press and consulate contacts: February 8, Swat: The United Nations and its relief subsidiaries, WHO, UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF announced it was sending 12 truckloads of food, medicine, tents, and other essential items to Mingora. February 8, Kohat: Eight militants were arrested after a gun-and-grenade attack. 10 hand grenades, one Kalashnikov, two pistols and 40 bullets were recovered. February 9, Peshawar: NWFP Governor Owais Ghani urged tribal elders to understand the gravity of the situation and maintain peace in their respective areas. February 9, South Waziristan: Militant commander and aide to Baitullah Mehsud, Noor Syed Mehsud, was reportedly injured in a bomb attack that killed his driver near the Afghan border. February 11, South Waziristan: Security forces arrested a man from New Zealand at a security checkpost in Tank who they suspected of links with militants. February 11, Peshawar: Local police reported intensified security in the city, stating that several law enforcement agencies had placed plain clothes officers in various locations and that secret cameras had been installed at key points throughout the city. Grass Roots Efforts to Halt Talibanization -------------- ¶7. (U) The following events are examples of activities taken by local communities to halt the spread of talibanization: February 8, Peshawar: The Pakhtoon Peace Jirga announced it would approach the International Court of Justice to seek punishment against the "enemies of the Pukhtoon people who imposed Taliban on them." February 9, Upper Dir: The residents of Maina Doog reportedly took up arms against militants and taken positions in bunkers. The militants of Doog Darra have reportedly announced they are willing to leave the area and hand over a kidnapped Afghan official to the jirga or local administration. February 9, Mohmand: The elders of the Isakhel and Burkhankhel tribes expressed resolve to extend full cooperation to security forces to purge the area of militants and criminals. February 11, Peshawar: Student organizations condemned terrorism and extremism and staged a protest demonstration against the killing of 25 civilians in Darra Adam Khel and military operations in Swat, Waziristan and other tribal areas. TRACY