FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, DECEMBER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 PESHAWAR 000005 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/6/2019 TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PK SUBJECT: FATA AND NWFP: WEEKLY INCIDENTS OF TALIBANIZATION, DECEMBER 12 - DECEMBER 18 REF: ISLAMABAD 3980 CLASSIFIED BY: Michael A. Via, Acting Principal Officer, Peshawar, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d) Introduction: -------------- ¶1. (C) The third week of December brought more fighting in Bajaur. But with fewer than ten militants reported killed, the tempo of fighting seems to have slowed considerably compared with the magnitude of fighting over the past several months. ¶2. (C) The situation in Swat continued to deteriorate, with militants carrying out attacks throughout the week, "arresting" 45 police officers, destroying the home of another Awami National Party (ANP) leader, burning a high school, and killing about fifty, including religious leader Pir Samiullah and many of his followers on December 14. (Septel) ¶3. (C) The Khyber Political Agent's orders restricting movement of local staff who are implementing American development projects entered its third week. Although projects in Landi Kotal are off limits to implementing partners, some implementing partners have started visiting projects in Jamrud and Bara. Bajaur -------------- ¶4. (U) The following is a summary of events in Bajaur Agency, where the Pakistani military has been conducting military operations since August: December 18: Security forces reportedly killed one militant as they advanced their lines in Nawagai tehsil and began patrolling in some areas. December 18: Frontier Corps officials reportedly informed President Zardari that the government would be in a position to exercise "complete control over Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies by the end of December." Newspapers reported that President Zardari, NWFP Governor Owais Ghani, and Inspector General Frontier Corps Major General Tariq Khan told tribal elders from the FATA that military operations would soon end and that there was "no alternative but to fight the militancy," which included the use of air attacks. December 17: Security forces reportedly targeted militant hideouts in various areas with no reports of casualties. December 15: Security forces reportedly killed two militants and injured three others. Militants have reportedly begun digging defensive trenches in Tanai and Omarai areas of Mamoond tehsil. December 13: Security forces reportedly killed four Afghan militants and injured several others in Nawagai tehsil. Security forces also claimed to intensify their attacks in Mamond tehsil. Elsewhere, security forces fired errant mortar shells into a residential area near Khar, reportedly killing two children along with nine others. December 12: Local tribesmen reportedly killed one militant and injured another when the two militants tried to drive into Nawagai tehsil from neighboring Mohmand Agency. NWFP -------------- ¶5. (U) The following incidents have occurred in the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) and settled areas of NWFP: December 18, Swat: Militants reportedly attacked a security forces convoy in Matta, with no reports of casualties. Elsewhere, security forces reportedly attacked militant hideouts with artillery and heavy weapons. December 18, Hangu: Militants shot four people after the body PESHAWAR 00000005 002 OF 004 of a Frontier Corps soldier was recovered from the Shahukhel area. Militants also killed a head-constable at a police checkpost in Shahukhel. December 18, Peshawar: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) staged a protest in Peshawar urging the government to stop supplies being transported to NATO forces in Afghanistan. (Reftel) December 17, Swat: Seven people were reportedly killed in various areas of Swat. Militants reportedly killed one couple in Kanju for having an illicit relationship. December 16, Swat: Militants reportedly attacked the home of Afzal Khan Lala, a leader of the Awami National Party (ANP); killed a police official in Mingora; and killed Imam Masjid. December 16, Peshawar: A rocket reportedly landed at the residence of a government official in the Civil Quarters section of the city, close to the cantonment area, where the U.S. Consulate is located, with no casualties reported. December 15, Swat: Militants reportedly killed three people and lashed three others for selling drugs. Elsewhere, taliban in Charbagh Tehsil issued "clearance certificates" to 45 policemen who reportedly had surrendered to the militants. December 15, Mardan: Militants reportedly killed a police official and injured two others when they fired at a police mobile van. December 14, Swat: Militants killed religious leader Pir Samiullah at his home in Gawalarai, along with twenty of his followers, captured 22 others, burned the homes of forty followers, and hanged his body in the main market. (See Septel) December 14, Hangu: Approximately 100 militants reportedly attacked a bazaar in Tal tehsil and burned around 20 shops, including music and video centers. Reports indicate that the militants wreaked havoc for three hours because the police did not respond to the frequent calls from locals. The militants reportedly fired two rockets at Tal market when they fled the scene. December 14, Kohat: Militants reportedly lobbed a 6 kg improvised bomb into the house of the District Police Officer, damaging the home, but not causing casualties. December 13, Peshawar: Militants set off four bombs, damaging a police post, a snooker club, and two shops. Militants also fired two rockets that hit the Bajaur Press Club, damaging the building, but not causing casualties. December 12, Hangu: Militants reportedly abducted a retired policeman. December 12, Swat: Five people were killed when a roadside bomb exploded near a bridge. One of the dead was a Pakistani government contractor engaged in a development project. Elsewhere, militants destroyed the residence and guest house of an Awami National Party (ANP) Member of National Assembly (MPA), along with a high school. December 12, Peshawar: Militants burned twelve cargo containers and fired five rockets at a supply terminal on Ring Road, but missed the containers. December 12, Nowshera: Militants reportedly warned members of a jirga that they face dire consequences if those involved in firing at one of their vehicles is not turned over to them within 72 hours. FATA -------------- ¶6. (U) The following is a roundup of incidents of PESHAWAR 00000005 003 OF 004 Talibanization in the FATA and Frontier Regions: December 17, South Waziristan: Militants killed a Frontier Corps (FC) soldier in Wana after they kidnapped him and charged him with spying for the U.S. December 17, Khyber: Militants reportedly missed their target, a NATO supply convoy, but their rocket hit a house in Jamrud, killing a woman and injuring two children. December 17, Khyber: Armed activists of Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) reportedly raided several markets in Landikotal and seized firecrackers and declared that using firecrackers was un-Islamic. December 16, South Waziristan: Militants released a video of five dead, accusing them of having spied a year ago on al Qaeda leader Abu Laith Al-Libi, leading to his reported death on January 29, 2008. Elsewhere, militants dumped a man's bullet-riddled body near Wana, accusing him of spying for the U.S. December 16, Khyber: Militants fired rockets at an oil tanker carrying fuel for NATO forces in Afghanistan, destroying the tanker in Landi Kotal. December 16, Mohmand: Security forces reportedly killed seven militants, including a commander, after the militants attacked a checkpoint in Safi tehsil. December 14, South Waziristan: Maulvi Omer, spokesman for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attacks on NATO supplies and said it was a reaction to U.S drone attacks inside Pakistani territory. December 14, Khyber: Seven militants reportedly attacked Malik Shamshir Khan, a tribal elder from Koki Khel in Jamrud, while he was returning from a monthly jirga, killing his grandson and his driver, and wounding one child. December 13, North Waziristan: Militants reportedly killed two native Afghans in Miramshah, accusing them of being "US Spies." December 12, Mohmand: Security forces continued to attack suspected militant hideouts with artillery shells near Ghalanai. December 12, Orakzai: Rival militant groups reportedly fought in Upper Orakzai, resulting in five deaths. Government Response -------------- ¶7. (U) This is a summary of government responses to "creeping Talibanization" according to press and consulate contacts: December 18, Mardan: Police reportedly recovered a huge cache of explosive materials and weapons in the village of Gojar Garhi. December 16, Kurram: Political authorities reportedly secured the release of 84 hostages after negotiations with the Turi tribe. 121 men reportedly remain hostages. December 14, Peshawar: The Frontier Corps and police deployed scores of soldiers to terminals and parking areas along Ring Road to protect NATO supplies from militant attacks. December 14, Kohat: The Mehsud Scouts reportedly destroyed two militant hideouts near Spina Thana. December 13, Hangu: Police reportedly arrested a militant commander who had planned an attack on a police station several months prior. December 13, Khyber: The Khassadar local police force reportedly recovered 47 Kalashnikovs from a truck at a police checkpost and arrested its driver. PESHAWAR 00000005 004 OF 004 December 12, Darra Ishmael Khan: Police reportedly arrested a suicide bomber and defused a suicide jacket at a mosque during prayers. Grass Roots Efforts to Halt Talibanization -------------- ¶8. (U) The following events are examples of activities taken by local communities to halt the spread of Talibanization: December 12, North Waziristan: Tribal elders pledged to help secure the release of an Assistant Political Agent (APA) who was kidnapped a week ago. VIA