Daily Tracker: Pakistani Military Operations in Orakzai

UPDATE:  On June 1, 2010, following Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s visit to Orakzai and Kurram agencies, the Pakistani military declared victory over the Taliban in Orakzai and announced that major operations were now over. Given that fighting between militants and the military in Orakzai is still ongoing, the Critical Threats team will continue to track developments in the agency on a bi-weekly basis, including new incidents of conflict and issues related to the repatriation of IDPs.

One week ago, the Pakistani military launched a major offensive into Orakzai in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The foray comes as the Pakistani military’s operation in South Waziristan formally ends today, March 30 (although the army will maintain a presence in the agency). As part of the new Orakzai offensive, dubbed Operation “Khwakh Ba De Sham” (A Pashto expression roughly meaning “I will teach you a lesson” or “I will fix you”), five battalions of Army, Frontier Corps and local Frontier Constabulary troops, backed up by jets, helicopter gunships and artillery support, have forayed into parts of Orakzai held by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and begun retaking control of the area.

Orakzai is of great strategic importance to both the Pakistani military and the TTP. Hakimullah Mehsud, the late head of the TTP, shifted back to his old stronghold of Orakzai along with much of the movement’s leadership and manpower following the group’s expulsion from South Waziristan. Orakzai has also been the launching pad for numerous suicide bomb attacks conducted across Pakistan and is home to many terror training camps, including some run by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and other al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist outfits.

For the Pakistani military, retaking Orakzai is a key step towards destroying the leadership capacity of the TTP, crippling its ability to train and launch attacks, and denying it another safe-haven in which it may regroup. This latest operation in Orakzai demonstrates the utmost seriousness with which Pakistan continues to view the task of eliminating the TTP and its affiliates.

Although the scale of the operation currently underway in Orakzai is smaller compared to last year’s operations in Swat and South Waziristan, the fighting has been just as bloody. The military has established a cordon around many of Orakzai’s entry and exit points and the militants, finding their escape cut off, are, in many cases, choosing to fight and launch significant assaults on military positions. The military has been retaliating by bombarding TTP locations relentlessly, reportedly inflicting heavy casualties on the militants. The military claims many of the dead are foreign fighters, including Arabs and Uzbeks.

The Critical Threats Project has been cataloging the military operation in Orakzai on a day-to-day basis and produced a tracker containing casualty figures, details of fighting, information on the flows of internally displaced people (IDPs), maps of the agency showing locations of violence, and more.

Click each map to view an enlarged version or view a larger map of northwest Pakistan.

 

August 6 - August 8, 2010

• Police in Hangu clash with IDPs from Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: No casualties reported; 2,089-2,457 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 47-53 killed and 122-141 wounded since beginning of operation.

• August 6, Friday

  • No reports of military action today.

• August 7, Saturday

  • No reports of military action today.

• August 8, Sunday

  • In neighboring Hangu district, IDPs from Orakzai Agency staged protests in against the government’s alleged indifference over the failure to provide sufficient relief supplies. The demonstrators were heading towards Hangu city when police stopped them in the Kotkai area. The protestors began throwing rocks at the policemen, sparking off clashes which lasted for around 20 minutes. Police arrested 30 IDPs after using batons and teargas to disperse the crowd. (The News)

  • The Bomb Disposal Squad defused a roadside bomb planted outside the Askari Madrassa located on a main road in Hangu city. (The News)

 

August 2 - August 5, 2010

• Taliban fighters attack a security checkpost in Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)
  • Taliban casualties: 12-15 killed; 2,089-2,457 killed since beginning of operation.
  • Military casualties: 2 wounded; 47-53 killed and 122-141 wounded since beginning of operation.
• August 2, Monday
  • Two security forces personnel were wounded when militants attacked an army checkpoint in the Afghan Top area of Upper Orakzai near Daburai. Troops returned fire and successfully repulsed the attack, killing 12-15 militants. (Dawn, Daily Times)
• August 3, Tuesday
  • No reports of military action today.
• August 4, Wednesday
  • No reports of military action today.
• August 5, Thursday
  • No reports of military action today.

 

July 30 - August 1, 2010

• Airstrikes pound militant hideouts in Upper Orakzai as security forces continue the fight to secure Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 15 militants killed; 2,077-2,442 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 47-53 killed and 120-139 wounded since beginning of operation.

• July 30, Friday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 31, Saturday

  • No reports of military action today.

• August 1, Sunday

  • Fighter jets targeted Taliban positions in Upper Orakzai, killing 15 militants and destroying four hideouts. Ground clashes between security forces and militants continued following the bombings but no casualty figures were reported. (Dawn, Daily Times)

 

July 26 - July 29, 2010

• Security forces take control of key ground as part of continuing efforts to secure Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: No casualties reported; 2,062-2,427 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 47-53 killed and 120-139 wounded since beginning of operation.

• July 26, Monday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 27, Tuesday

  • Security forces took control of the key areas of Sheikhan, Daburai, and Khwaja Khizar. A search operation was also conducted in the area during which a large arms and ammunition cache, was seized, including rockets and suicide vests. (Daily Times)

• July 28, Wednesday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 29, Thursday

  • No reports of military action today.

 

July 23 - July 25, 2010

• Fighter jets bomb militant hideouts in Upper Orakzai and Central Kurram as ground forces advance into the Taliban stronghold of Daburai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 44-53 killed; 2,062-2,427 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 47-53 killed and 120-139 wounded since beginning of operation.

• July 23, Friday

  • Helicopter gunships pounded Taliban positions in the Ghundakai and Mulla Patai areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 29 militants and destroying four hideouts. Two militant commanders, Zahidullah and Suleman Mehsud, were also reported to have been among the dead. (Daily Times)

• July 24, Saturday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 25, Sunday

  • Fighter jets carried out airstrikes in the Mamuzai, Daburai, Khadezai, Mir Kalam Khel, Jabba, Turasmat, and Ali Khel areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 15-24 militants. The bombings also resulted in the destruction of 3-8 hideouts, 11 houses, two arms depots, and three vehicles carrying arms, ammunition, and explosives. (Dawn, The News, Frontier Post, Daily Times)

  • Ground troops have reportedly moved into the key militant stronghold of Daburai. (Dawn)

  • Aerial bombardments targeted Taliban fighters from Orakzai taking refuge in the Neka Ziarat and Gawaza areas of central Kurram Agency, killing 8-10 militants and destroying three hideouts. (Dawn, Frontier Post)

 

July 19 - July 22, 2010

• Security forces take control of the militant stronghold of Ghiljo in Upper Orakzai and begin the advance towards Khadezai and Mamuzai as fighter jets conduct airstrikes throughout Orakzai and in Kurram Agency. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 79-100 killed; 2,018-2,374 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 3 killed and 5-6 wounded; 50-56 killed and 125-145 wounded since beginning of operation.

• July 19, Monday

  • At least 20 militants were killed and four hideouts destroyed during aerial bombardments in the Gandi Tal, Tanga Darra, and Zarond Killay areas of Upper Orakzai. (Dawn, Geo)

  • Fighter jets targeted Taliban hideouts in neighboring Kurram Agency where there is reported to be a large presence of militants who have fled the operation in Orakzai Agency. The bombings struck militant positions in the Daubar area of Central Kurram, killing 16-22 militants and destroying five hideouts. (Dawn, Geo)

• July 20, Tuesday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 21, Wednesday

  • Three security personnel were killed and 5-6 others wounded when several dozen Taliban fighters attacked a military convoy in the Daburai area of Upper Orakzai. Troops returned fire, killing 30-40 militants and causing the attackers to retreat to their positions in the Gandi Tal area. Security forces later seized control of the militant stronghold of Rokhtan, near the towns of Ghiljo and Sambagha, and imposed a curfew. Troops also conducted a search operation in the area during which three militant hideouts were destroyed.(AFP, Daily Times, Dawn)

• July 22, Thursday

  • Helicopter gunships pounded Taliban positions in the Ghundakai, Khadezai, Lapti, and Anjar Patai areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 15-16 militants and destroying three hideouts. (Dawn, Express Tribune, The News)

  • Ground troops backed by tanks and artillery secured the militant stronghold of Ghiljo in Upper Orakzai following clashes with heavily armed Taliban fighters in the surrounding areas of Sarki Khel and Topy during which 14-24 militants were reported killed. A search operation in the area later resulted in the seizure of large amounts of foreign currency, night vision goggles, communication equipment, various small arms and heavy weapons, rocket launchers, and anti-aircraft guns. A curfew was also imposed in Ghiljo after troops took control of the local government offices, telephone exchange, and hospital. Security forces also claim to have secured the Ghundakai and Mishti Kundi areas and have indicated that they are now advancing towards the towns of Khadezai and Mamuzai. (Express Tribune, The News)

 

July 16 - July 18, 2010

• Aerial bombardments continue to pound Taliban positions throughout Upper Orakzai as reports emerge that civilians are fleeing the affected areas. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 43-50 killed; 1,939-2,274 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 47-53 killed and 120-139 wounded since beginning of operation.

• July 16, Friday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 17, Saturday

  • Fighter jets carried out a series of airstrikes in the Arghanjo, Mamuzai, and Jandrai areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 18-25 militants and destroying seven hideouts. The continuous bombing campaign has reportedly caused hundreds of civilians to leave their homes. Additionally, fuel shortages have forced many of the IDPs to flee the area on foot. (Dawn, Express Tribune)

• July 18, Sunday

  • At least 15 militants were killed and three Taliban hideouts destroyed during shelling from helicopter gunships in the Saiful Darra, Ut Mela, and Shakar Tangi areas of Upper Orakzai. Later in the day, fighter jets carried out airstrikes in the Daburai, Ali Khel, Mamuzai, and Ghiljo areas, killing 10 more militants and destroying two hideouts. (Daily Times, The News, Dawn, Express Tribune)

 

 July 12 - July 15, 2010

• Ground troops supported by fighter jets and helicopter gunships launch a series of offensives into Upper Orakzai as part of continued efforts to crush the Taliban presence in the area. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 139-146 killed; 1,896-2,224 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 1 killed and 5 wounded; 47-53 killed and 120-139 wounded since beginning of operation.

• July 12, Monday

  • One security official was killed and four others wounded when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb blast while on routine patrol in the Sangara area of Lower Orakzai. (Daily Times)

  • An unidentified bomber was killed when the remote-controlled device he was planting outside the home of a pro-government elder in Kohat district exploded prematurely. (CNN, Daily Times)

• July 13, Tuesday

  • Security forces claim to have killed at least 100 Taliban fighters during clashes in the Daburai area of Upper Orakzai. One soldier was also reported wounded in the fighting. (Daily Times)

• July 14, Wednesday

  • Fighter jets pounded Taliban hideouts in the Kasha, Srigaray, Khori, Mamuzai, and Shakar Tangi areas, killing at least 24 militants and destroying 2-5 hideouts. (Dawn, Daily Times)

• July 15, Thursday

  • Two local commanders were among 15-22 militants killed during a series of aerial bombardments in the Ghundaki Killay, Mishti Kandi, Daburai, and Saiful Darra areas of Upper Orakzai. Several militant compounds were also reportedly destroyed in the shelling. Elsewhere, helicopter gunships also destroyed two bunkers and an arms depot in the Shahu Khel area. (Dawn, The News, Daily Times)

  • In Hangu district, police arrested six suspected militants, including a foreign terror suspect, and seized a large quantity of weapons during a raid on a house in Thall. Police also claim to have arrested 37 other suspected militants during a separate search operation in the district. (Dawn, Daily Times)

 

 

July 9 - July 11, 2010

• Security forces launch a series of attacks in an attempt to drive the remaining Taliban fighters from Upper Orakzai as militants continue to attack security checkposts throughout the area. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 85-93 killed; 1,757-2,178 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 8 wounded; 46-52 killed and 115-134 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• July 9, Friday

  • Security forces backed by helicopter gunships launched an attack on Taliban hideouts in Upper Orakzai, killing eleven militants and destroying between three and six hideouts. A key Taliban commander, identified as Wasi-ur Rehman, was also reported to have been among those killed in the clashes. (The News)

  • Twelve militants were killed when fighter jets bombed their hideouts in the Nandar Mela and Kot Killay areas of Upper Orakzai. However, Hafiz Saeed, spokesman for the TTP in Orakzai, later phoned reporter and denied that any Taliban fighters were killed in the bombings. (Dawn, The News)

• July 10, Saturday

  • Fighter jets carried out airstrikes in the Akhwankot, Tarri, and Mamuzai areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 15 militants and destroying six hideouts. (Dawn, Frontier Post)

  • A group of militants launched an attack on a military checkpost in the Khadezai area, wounding six security forces personnel. At least 20 militants were reported killed in the retaliatory fire from troops. (Frontier Post)

• July 11, Sunday

  • Ground troops backed by fighter jets, artillery, and helicopter gunships targeted militant hideouts in the Torask, Baliana, Qaum Sok, Mazeed Garhi, and Sara Mela areas of Upper Orakzai. The clashes resulted in 15-28 militants killed and 2-4 hideouts destroyed. Security forces were also reported to have launched a search operation in the area. (Dawn, Daily Times, The News, Geo, Frontier Post, The News)

  • Twelve militants were killed and two security forces personnel were injured during clashes which erupted when militants attacked a security checkpost in Kot Killay. (Frontier Post)

 

July 5 - July 8, 2010

• Airstrikes continue to target militant hideouts in Upper Orakzai while a large number of civilians flee the area in order to avoid the bombings. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 25 killed; 1,672-2,085 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 46-52 killed and 115-134 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• July 5, Monday

  • At least ten militants were killed in the Jabba and Sama areas of Mamuzai in Upper Orakzai when fighter jets bombed as many as seven houses which were being occupied by Taliban fighters, according to official and tribal sources. Airstrikes have reportedly targeted the Mamuzai for the past four consecutive days, causing a large number of local residents to vacate the area. However, due to the lack of available transportation many civilians have been forced to flee on foot. (The News, Daily Times)

• July 6, Tuesday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 7, Wednesday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 8, Thursday

  • Fighter jets targeted militant positions in the Daburai, Khadizai, Mamuzai, and Mulla Badai areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 15 militants and destroying four hideouts. (Geo)

 

July 2 - July 4, 2010

• Security forces struggle to secure Upper Orakzai as fighter jets continue to target militant hideouts. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 22 killed; 1,669-2,082 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 2 wounded; 46-52 killed and 117-136 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• July 2, Friday

  • No reports of military action today.

• July 3, Saturday

  • Four militants were killed by retaliatory fire from security forces during a Taliban assault on a security checkpost in the Sanpaka Kandao area of Daburai in Upper Orakzai. Six more militants were reported killed during clashes with troops in the Sangara area of Lower Orakzai. (Daily Times, Dawn)

• July 4, Sunday

  • Fighter jets targeted militant hideouts in the Mamuzai, Khadizai, Molazai, Daburai, and Alikhel areas of Upper Orakzai, resulting in 12 militants killed and four hideouts destroyed. (Daily Times)

  • A landmine blast in the Mishti Mela area of Lower Orakzai left two soldiers wounded. (Daily Times)

 

June 28 - July 1, 2010

• Fighter jets destroy a Taliban-run hospital as security forces remain steadfast against Taliban assaults on checkpoints throughout Upper Orakzai.  (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 75 killed; 1,647-2,060 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 6 wounded; 46-52 killed and 115-134 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• June 28, Monday

  • Security officials revealed that an airstrike in Upper Orakzai late on Sunday destroyed a Taliban-run makeshift hospital, killing 40 Taliban under treatment at the facility. (Daily Times, Express Tribune)

  • Approximately 15 militants were killed during clashes with security forces in Daburai. Three soldiers were also reported to have been critically injured in the fighting. Fighting in the Bakar Ghari area of Upper Orakzai resulted in another eight militants killed. (Daily Times) (Express Tribune)

• June 29, Tuesday

  • Official sources claimed that 12 militants were killed and three soldiers injured, including a captain, during clashes which erupted when dozens of militants launched an assault on a security checkpoint in the Sanpaga Kandao area. (Express Tribune)

  • In Hangu district, a key militant commander from Orakzai, identified as Hafiz Yousaf, was arrested by security forces in Lakhti Banda. Militants also fired several rockets in Baher Mela. No casualties were reported. (Express Tribune)

• June 30, Wednesday

  • A militnary convoy was struck by a remote-controlled IED blast as it was travelling in the Sumralo Kandao area of Upper Orakzai. Security forces cordoned off the area and began a search operation for those who planted the device. No casualties were reported in the explosion. (Dawn, Frontier Post)

  • Aerial bombardments reportedly killed 20 suspected militants and destroyed six Taliban hideouts. (Dawn)

  • In Khyber Agency, a bomb detonated during a tribal jirga of elders from the Zakhakhel tribe which was being held in the Momand Ghwaz area of Tirah Valley but did not result in any causualties. The jirga was meeting to discuss a policy at the behest of security forces to expel militants in the tribe’s territory who were using the area to launch attacks against military forces in Orakzai. (The News)

• July 1, Thursday

  • No reports of military action today.

 

June 25 - June 27, 2010

• The fight continues for Upper Orakzai as ground troops backed by air support attempt to drive militants from the area. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 32-33 killed; 1,572-1,985 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 2 wounded; 46-52 killed and 109-128 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• June 25, Friday

  • Ground troops killed at least ten militants during an exchange of fire which began with a Taliban assault on a security checkpost in the Anjani area of Lower Orakzai. Two soldiers were also reported wounded in the action. After the firefight, security forces imposed a curfew in Anjani and began a search operation of the area, seizing a large arms cache. (The News, Geo, Frontier Post)

• June 26, Saturday

  • Eight militants were killed and two hideouts destroyed when fighter jets bombed Taliban positions in the Ismail Zai sub-district of Upper Orakzai. Fighter jets also bombarded killed six militants and destroyed two more hideouts during bombings in the Kotak and Kot Killay areas. (Daily Times, Dawn)

• June 27, Sunday

  • Ground troops backed by helicopter gunships conducted operations in the Mamuzai area of Upper Orakzai, killing eight militants and destroying 2-3 hideouts. A nearby checkpost also came under fire from Taliban fighters armed with rockets, but no casualties were reported. Retaliatory fire from security forces reportedly killed a militant commander and wounded several other militants, causing them to flee. (Daily Times, Geo)

 

June 21 - June 24, 2010

• Frontier Corps troops weather militant assaults on security checkpoints and military convoys as fighter jets continue to bombard Taliban positions throughout the agency. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 80-93 killed; 1,540-1,952 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 8 killed and 26 wounded; 46-52 killed and 107-126 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• June 21, Monday

  • Three Frontier Corps soldiers were killed and five more injured when Taliban fighters ambushed a military convoy on patrol in Kasha, firing rockets and other small arms. Security forces returned fire, killing at least 10 militants during the gunbattle. (AFP, Daily Times)

  • In Hangu district, security forces killed a key Taliban commander, Farooq, during clashes in the Chapry Naryab area. The brother of another Taliban commander was also arrested during search operation in the district. (Daily Times)

• June 22, Tuesday

  • Fighter jets bombed Taliban positions in the Nandar Mela, Hai Toey, Stur Killay, and Petavky areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 8-11 militants and destroying one hideout. (Dawn, Express Tribune)

  • Frontier Corps troops killed 30-43 militants during clashes in the Spedar Killay, Swaro, and Kot Killay areas of Upper Orakzai. Four soldiers were also killed and 12 others wounded in the fighting. (Express Tribune, Daily Times)

• June 23, Wednesday

  • Militants armed with rockets and small arms attacked a security checkpost in Daburai. Security forces killed at least 24 militants in the ensuing gunbattle while one soldier was reported killed and nine more injured. (Dawn, The News)

• June 24, Thursday

  • Eight militants were killed when fighter jets bombed Taliban hideouts in the Ghandakai area of Upper Orakzai. Several militant hideouts, including two training facilities, were among the buildings destroyed in the bombings. (Dawn, Daily Times)

  • Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas stated that there is a “growing presence” of militants in Upper Orakzai and that militants were regrouping in the area.  (The News)

 

June 18 - June 20, 2010

• Fighter jets continue to pound Taliban hideouts throughout Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 20-70 killed; 1,460-1,959 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 38-44 killed and 81-100 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• June 18, Friday

  • No reports of military action today.

• June 19, Saturday

  • Four militants were killed during clashes in the Ahung area of Upper Orakzai. Separate incidents of fighting were also reported in the Arhanga Kandao area of Daburai, casualties unknown. (Dawn, Express Tribune)

• June 20, Sunday

  • Fighter jets carried out air strikes across multiple areas of Upper Orakzai, including Kot Killay, Khotak, Tor Sam, Mamuzai, Jabba, and Sama Bazaar. Initial reports placed the militant death toll in the bombings at 13-17 killed in addition to 3-8 hideouts destroyed, but later reports indicated as many as 70 militants were killed over a 24-hour period.  One of the bombs also accidentally struck a home in Mamuzai, killing four civilians. (Daily Times, The News, Geo, Express Tribune)

  • A militant commander was among 3-5 militants killed in an explosion at a compound in the Sheikhan area. The insurgents were reportedly constructing landmines when one of the explosives accidentally detonated, destroying the building and a large portion of the arms and ammunition which were stored at the site. (Daily Times, The News, Geo, Express Tribune)

  • Families have begun returning to many parts of Lower Orakzai after military forces announced that they had recently secured the areas. (Express Tribune)

 

June 14 - June 17, 2010

• Air strikes target Taliban hideouts in Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 10 killed; 1,440-1,889 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 38-44 killed and 81-100 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• June 14, Monday

  • Fighter jets bombarded militant positions in the Ghunda Mela, Nek Kot, Badam Killay, and Shahdala areas of Upper Orakzai. The airstrikes resulted in ten militants killed and two hideouts destroyed. (Dawn, Express Tribune, Geo, Daily Times)

• June 15, Tuesday

  • No reports of military action today.

• June 16, Wednesday

  • No reports of military action today.

• June 17, Thursday

  • No reports of military action today.

 

June 11 - June 13, 2010

• Fighter jets bomb the remnants of the Taliban’s forces in Upper Orakzai as militants set fire to homes and schools throughout the agency. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 8-12 killed; 1,430-1,879 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported; 38-44 killed and 81-100 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• June 11, Friday

  • No reports of military action in Orakzai today.

  • Security forces in Kohat arrested Taliban commander Abdul Mateen Khan. Police also arrested four people in Hangu and later identified two of the suspects as wanted terrorists. (Daily Times)

• June 12, Saturday

  • Fighter jets carried out airstrikes targeting militant hideouts in the Ghiljo, Anjerki, Nander Mela, Khadizai, Mullah Batai, Kot Killay, Inzarkay, and Daburai areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 8-12 militants and wounding at least six others. Reports indicate that 3-4 hideouts were also destroyed in the bombings. Artillery shelling also pounded suspected Taliban hideouts in Ghiljo, Narek, Saifal Darra, Zafar Garhi, Gundaki, and Ali Sherzai. Eight civilian houses were destroyed but no casulaties were reported. (AP, Dawn, Geo, Daily Times, The News, Frontier Post)

  • Militants blew up four schools and torched six homes throughout the agency. The destroyed schools include a government girls’ primary school in Kasha, a boys’ high school and a girls’ primary school in Sara Mela, and a girls’ primary school in Ghiljo. Militants also set fire to six abandoned homes in Sara Mela. (The News, Daily Times)

  • Road closures and transporters' fears of being caught in the fighting have led to an acute shortage of food, fuel, and medical supplies for civilians still living in the agency. (The News)

• June 13, Sunday

  • No reports of military action today.

 

June 7 - June 10, 2010

• The battle continues for Upper Orakzai as ground troops weather counterattacks and persist in their efforts to clear out militants from the Ghiljo and Daburai areas. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 82-100 killed; 1,422-1,867 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 6 killed and 13-20 wounded; 38-44 killed and 81-100 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• June 7, Monday

  • Taliban fighters attacked security checkposts in the Mazid Ghari and Bakhto Talab areas of Upper Orakzai, resulting in a two hour gun battle in which 11-15 militants were reported killed and over a dozen more injured. Security forces also captured three militants wounded in the fighting. (The News, Dawn)

  • Artillery shells pounded suspecte militant hideouts in the Mamuzai, Khadezai, and Manropaty areas, destroying 10 houses. No casualties were reported. (The News)

  • Shelling from helicopter gunships killed 12 militants and destroyed three vehicles in the Ismail Zai sub-district of Upper Orakzai. (Frontier Post, Daily Times)

• June 8, Tuesday

  • Six soldiers were reported killed and 8-15 more wounded when dozens of heavily armed militants launched an attack on a security forces convoy in the village of Karonchki in the Ghiljo area of Upper Orakzai. Security forces retaliated with heavy artillery, killing 30-40 militants. (AFP, The News, Express Tribune)

• June 9, Wednesday

  • A three hour gun battle broke out in several villages surrounding Daburai in which 11-14 Taliban were killed and 3 soldiers were wounded, including two officers. Security forces claim to have now cleared militants from the villages of Zakhtan and Baghnak, also in the Daburai area. In a separate incident, two soldiers were reported wounded when militants attacked a security checkpost in Mishti. Troops reported killing 8 militants in the exchange of fire. (The News, Express Tribune, Daily Times, Frontier Post)

• June 10, Thursday

  • Helicopter gunships bombarded militant hideouts in the Daburai and Ghiljo areas, killing 10 militants. (Dawn)

 

June 4 - June 6, 2010

• Security forces eliminate at least one top Taliban commander in an assault on a compound in Sara Mela where a shura meeting was taking place. Aerial bombardments continue throughout the agency as ground troops continue the fight to secure Ghiljo and other areas of Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 105-107 killed; 1,340-1,767 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: no reports of casualties; 32-36 killed and 68-80 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• June 4, Friday

  • At least 10 militants were killed when helicopter gunships targeted Taliban positions in Kasha, Toti Mela, and Teri. Four hideouts were also reported destroyed in the shelling. (Frontier Post)

• June 5, Saturday

  • Fighter jets and helicopter gunships conducted a series of aerial bombardments in the Ghiljo, Tali, Mamuzai, Saifal Darra, Mulla Patti, Toti Mela, Tor Kanay, Sara Gara, and Shakar Tangi in which 25-27 militants were killed and 8-9 hideouts destroyed. Hafiz Saeed, spokesman for the TTP in Orakzai, later phoned media sources to deny that any militants had been killed in the bombardments, claiming that Taliban fighters had vacated the areas prior to the strikes. (Daily Times, Express Tribune, The News)

  • Security forces advanced into Ghiljo, killing 13 insurgents in clashes that broke out as the troops moved into the area and also destroying two hideouts and several vehicles belonging to the militants. In a separate incident, a three hour gun battle between militants and security forces erupted when militants fired rockets and mortars at security checkpoints in Talu Sar and Shahu Khel. There were no reports of casualties on either side. (Express Tribune, The News)

• June 6, Sunday

  • Ground troops assaulted a Taliban compound in Sara Mela while a shura meeting was taking place inside. The attack resulted in 13 militants killed, including at least one top commander, in addition to the seizure of a large arms and ammunition cache and the destruction of several vehicles parked outside the compound. Military forces later launched a search operation to locate and capture five militants wounded in the fighting who had managed to flee the scene.(Express Tribune, The News)

  • Security forces killed 15 militants and successfully took control of the Zakhtan and Balkhtan areas of Upper Orakzai while 20 more militants were reported killed during separate clashes in Ghiljo. Troops also killed 9 militants and destroyed seven of their vehicles during operations in the Kasha and Toti Mela areas. (Daily Times)

  • Villagers in the Mamuzai and Khadezai areas whose food supplies have been running dangerously low due to road closures over the past few weeks have made an appeal for government help, claiming that they are on the verge of starvation. According to locals in the besieged area, the severe shortage of food has left the tribesmen with “no choice but to slaughter their cattle.” (The News)

  • Locals now put the number of people who began fleeing Frontier Region Peshawar on Thursday in fear of a military operation aimed against militants fleeing Orakzai has  reached 40,000, although government officials deny the number is this high. A Taliban commander also visited a village mosque in the area to assure locals that militants would not cause any harm to the people in the area nor would they destroy any government property. (Express Tribune)

 

May 31 - June 3, 2010

• Kayani’s visit to Kurram and Orakzai agencies marks the official end of the military’s operation in Orakzai as clashes continue in upper parts of the agency. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 79-109 killed; 1,244-1,669 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 1 killed and 2 wounded; 32-36 killed and 68-80 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• May 31, Monday

  • Fighter jets and helicopter gunships carried out airstrikes in the Ghiljo, Mamuzai, Tor Kanray, Kasha, Narek, Rabia Khel, Aakhel, Ismail Zai, Tali, and Gor Garh areas, killing 30-42 militants and destroying seven hideouts. A top militant commander, Ihsan Farooqi, who ran militant training centers in Orakzai was also among those killed in the bombings. (The News, Geo, Dawn, Express Tribune)

  •  At least 15 militants were killed during clashes with security forces in the Daburai and Ali Khel areas. (Express Tribune)

  • In Hangu district, a group of militants opened fire on a police vehicle, wounding one of policeman in the exchange of fire before fleeing the scene. In a separate incident, militants also fired two rockets at the Orakzai Agency headquarters in Bahermela, which landed on the nearby helipad and did not explode. (Express Tribune)

• June 1, Tuesday

  • The Pakistani army has declared victory over the Taliban and announced an official end to the military operation in Orakzai. The statement came after Chief of Army General Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s visit to military forces in Orakzai and Kurram agencies. Kayani also addressed a jirga of tribal elders in Kalaya, thanking them for efforts and asking them for their continued support in maintaining the peace to help bring the region back to a state of normalcy. Both General Kayani and a press release from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) also indicated that IDPs can expect to return to their homes soon. (AP, Dawn, Geo, Express Tribune, Daily Times)

  • Shelling from helicopter gunships killed 18-20 militants and destroyed three hideouts in the Teri and Kot Kalay areas of Upper Orakzai. Foreign militants were also reported to be among the dead. (Daily Times, Frontier Post)

  • Suspected militants reportedly set fire to six houses of Levies personnel in the towns of Salo and Adhu Garh in the Ismail Zai sub-district of Upper Orakzai. (Express Tribune)

• June 2, Wednesday

  • Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas issued a statement saying that there was “complete peace” in Lower Orakzai where families of IDPs have been resettling for the past two weeks. Abbas further added that militants had been cleared from major population centers throughout the agency as well as from the key passes in the north leading to Khyber’s Tirah Valley. However, even though the military operation has officially concluded, Abbas added that there were still “very small pockets” of resistance in the region and “stabilization” operations may continue. (Dawn, Express Tribune)

  • Helicopter gunships targeted Taliban positions in the Kasha, Teri, and Toti Mela areas, killing 7-10 militants and destroying four hideouts. Another security forces official indicated that air attacks and ground clashes throughout the agency resulted in as many as 23 militants killed. (Dawn, Express Tribune, Daily Times)

  • A group of 15-20 militants launched an early morning attack on an army checkpost in the Shahu Khel area of Hangu district in which one soldier was reported killed and two others injured. At least six militants were killed and 8 more wounded in the exchange of fire which lasted for approximately five hours. (Dawn, Express Tribune)

• June 3, Thursday

  • Fighter jets bombed Taliban hideouts in the Jamal Mela, Mian Chana, and Mula Thap areas of central Orakzai, killing nine militants. (The News)

  • A stray artillery round struck a house in the Mir Kalam Khel area, killing two women and three children. Artillery fired by security forces also hit three other homes in the areas of Shakar Tangi and Mazid Ghari. In a separate incident, one person was killed by a landmine placed by miliatants in the Shahu Khel area. (The News)

  • Approximately half of Orakzai Agency is still under Taliban control, according to locals and officials. Locals indicateded that although the military has been successful in clearing militants out of Lower Orakzai, “the battle is far from over” in the upper and central parts of the agency. In addition, security forces have managed to secure the key town of Daburai but other regions of Upper Orakzai such as Mamuzai and Ghiljo are still reportedly being held by Taliban forces. Officials also stated that Taliban fighters from Waziristan, Swat, Bajaur, and other areas, with Uzbeks and other foreign militants among them, were putting up “stiff resistance” in Upper Orakzai. (Daily Times)

 

May 28 - May 30, 2010

• Security forces carry out airstrikes on Taliban positions throughout the agency as soldiers on the ground continue to battle for Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 128-140 killed; 1,165-1,560 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 3 killed; 32-36 killed and 68-80 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• May 28, Friday

  • Jet fighter bombings in various locations throughout Orakzai reportedly killed at least 80 militants and wounded 60 others in addition to destroying 15 vehicles packed with explosives. (Daily Times, Geo)

  • Ground forces have taken control of the Arha Guld, Knadao, Threy Sotay, Supaka Kandoi and Khatango Ghar areas of Upper Orakzai. (Daily Times)

  • One soldier was reported killed in a roadside bomb explosion in the Mishti area of Lower Orakzai. (Daily Times)

• May 29, Saturday

  • Airstrikes in the Ghiljo and Daburai areas of Upper Orakzai killed 11-18 militants and destroyed four hideouts. (Dawn, Daily Times, Geo)

  • Two soldiers were killed in Daburai when a roadside bomb explosion struck their vehicle. (Dawn, Daily Times)

• May 30, Sunday

  • Fighter jets carried out airstrikes in the Ghiljo, Ghuz Garh, Tali, Tore Kandi, and Kasha areas, killing 15-20 militants and wounding 13 others. The bombings also destroyed 5-6 hideouts. (Daily Times, Geo)

  • A six-hour long gun battle took place in the Mulla Khel, Rangi Kandu, Mir Garh, Drai Choti, and Sumpag areas in which security forces reportedly killed 22 militants and destroyed 12 hideouts. (Daily Times)

  • In Kurram Agency, militants fired on a vehicle carrying civilians in Tabertan village, killing two women and wounding four others. The shooting is believed to have stemmed from the Taliban’s anger at failing to garner support from the village population. (Dawn, Geo)

 

May 24 - May 27, 2010

• Security forces continue to pound Taliban positions with airstrikes and artillery fire as ground troops fend off militant attacks in Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 90-92 killed; 1,032-1,420 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 1 killed and 2 wounded; 29-33 killed and 68-80 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• May 24, Monday

  • No reports of military operations today.

  • UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called for more donations to address the lack of funding for humanitarian aid in Pakistan. Only $141 million, or 26-percent, of the $537 million requested by the UN for emergency aid in Pakistan back in February has been received so far. The UN estimates that there are still 1.5 million IDPs who have not yet been repatriated. (The News)

• May 25, Tuesday

  • A group of around 50 militants attacked security forces during the course of a search and clearance operation in the Daburai area of Upper Orakzai. Ground troops retaliated with the support of helicopter gunships, killing 12 militants and destroying 8 hideouts. (Dawn)

  • An estimated 13 militants were reported killed when PAF fighter jets bombed Taliban positions in the Daburai, Ali Khel, and Sheen Qamar areas. (Daily Times)

  • Six men suspected of involvement in carrying out kidnappings and targeted killings were arrested during a raid on a house in the Shah Kas area of Khyber Agency’s Jamrud sub-district. Security forces also seized dozens of weapons, explosives, as well as 50kg each of heroin and hashish. (Daily Times)

• May 26, Wednesday

  • PAF fighter jets and helicopter gunships shelled Taliban positions in the Khadizai and Ghiljo areas of Upper Orakzai, resulting in 15 militants killed, 10 others wounded, and four hideouts destroyed. (Daily Times)

• May 27, Thursday

  • Fighter jets and helicopter gunships carried out a series of strikes against Taliban positions in the areas of Mamuzai, Ghiljo, and Daburai in Upper Orakzai, killing 15-17 militants, wounding two dozen more, and destroying five hideouts. An earlier artillery bombardment targeted a militant camp in the Kasha area which destroyed the camp and killed 25 more militants. At least one militant commander was also reported to be among the dead. (Daily Times, Dawn, Geo)

  • Taliban fighters killed one security forces personnel and wounded two others during an ambush in the Daburai area.  Retaliatory fire from troops left 10 militants dead and 16 more wounded. (Daily Times)

  • In Hangu district, unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle killed one policeman and wounded two others when they opened fire on a checkpoint in the Mamookhora area. Police fired back, killing two of the gunmen. In a separate incident, security forces killed one militant and arrested another during a clash in the Jamrud sub-district of Khyber Agency. (Daily Times)

 

 May 21 - May 23, 2010

• Airstrikes target militant positions as security forces fight off militant attacks in Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 90-168 killed; 942-1,328 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 4 wounded; 28-32 killed and 66-78 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• May 21, Friday

  • Two soldiers were injured and 10-16 militants killed when Taliban fighters attacked a security checkpost in the Daburai area of Upper Orakzai. Ground forces also reportedly killed nine militants during separate clashes in the Mulla Khel area. (Daily Times, Express Tribune, Geo)

  • Fighter jets bombed Taliban positions in the Zakhtan and Kaul areas of Upper Orakzai, killing 10-12 militants and destroying 2-4 hideouts. (Daily Times, Geo)

• May 22, Saturday

  • Militants ambushed a security forces’ patrol in the Darra Saam area of Daburai in Upper Orakzai, wounding two soldiers. Retaliatory action from ground forces and helicopter gunships killed 31 militants. (Express Tribune)

• May 23, Sunday

  • Fighter jets and helicopter gunships carried out multiple bombardments across Upper Orakzai in the areas of Daburai, Khadizai, Mamuzai, Ghundi Tal, Kot Killay, and Ghotak. At least 30 militants were killed and dozens more wounded in the strikes with some reports putting the death toll at over 100. Both foreign fighters and TTP militants under the command of Tariq Afridi as well as four militant commanders were reported to be among the dead.  In addition, the shelling destroyed a training facility, six hideouts, and 4-5 vehicles. (Daily Times, Express Tribune, The News, Geo, Frontier Post)

 

 May 17 - May 20, 2010

• Taliban forces launch attacks on military positions throughout the agency as security forces continue to battle for Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 91-118 killed; 852-1,160 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 4-6 killed and 27-33 wounded; 28-32 killed and 62-74 wounded since beginning of the operation.

• May 17, Monday

  • Taliban fighters armed with rockets and mortars attacked security forces checkpoints in the Kasha, Daburai, and Stori Khel areas, killing two soldiers and wounding 5-9 others. Retaliatory action from ground troops backed by tanks and artillery resulted in 25-28 militants killed. (Daily Times, AFP, Dawn, Dawn)

• May 18, Tuesday

  • At least six militants were reported killed and two security personnel injured during clashes in the Kol area of Daburai in Upper Orakzai. (Daily Times)

• May 19, Wednesday

  • Over 200 militants launched an early morning assault on a checkpoint in the Darra Saam area of Daburai in Upper Orakzai. Taliban fighters were said to have fired rockets at security forces positions before closing in to engage, sparking off a fierce three hour gun battle. Between 40-60 militants were killed in the action while 2-4 soldiers were also reported killed and 20-22 more injured. Tanks and artillery were also reportedly used during the clash. (Dawn, Daily Times, The News, Daily Times, Frontier Post)

  • Fighter jets bombed militant positions in Daburai, killing five Taliban fighters and destroying three hideouts. (Daily Times)

  • Acting on a tip, Frontier Corps personnel stopped the vehicle of a top TTP commander, identified as Swat Khan, at the Lalakand checkpoint in the Jamrud sub-district of Khyber Agency.  Security forces discovered pictures of Beitullah Mehsud as well as several weapons to be in Khan’s possession at the time of his capture. Khan was later transferred to an undisclosed location for interrogation. (The News, Daily Times)

• May 20, Thursday

  • Helicopter gunships pounded militant positions in Daburai and other surrounding areas in Upper Orakzai, killing 15-19 militants. A total of 4-6 hideouts and three vehicles were also reportedly destroyed in the shelling. (AFP, Dawn, Express Tribune)

 

May 14 - May 16, 2010

• Security forces heighten operations in Upper Orakzai. Multiple bombardments continue to pound Taliban positions as troops clash with militants on the ground. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 50-60 killed; 761-1,042 killed since beginning of operation. (Dawn, Frontier Post, Geo)

  • Military casualties: 5 wounded; 28-32 killed and 62-74 wounded since beginning of the operation. (Daily Times)

• May 14, Friday

  • Artillery bombardments in Kasha, Shakar Tangi, and other areas of Central Orakzai killed 5-7 militants and destroyed 2-3 hideouts. (Daily Times, The News)

  • Frontier Constabulary forces arrested 51 suspects during a search operation in the Sepah area of Khyber Agency’s Bara sub-district. (Dawn)

• May 15, Saturday

  • No reports of military operations today.

• May 16, Sunday

  • Fighter jets and helicopter gunships conducted multiple bombardments in the Ghiljo, Khadizai, Gujar Killay, Hasanzai Darra, Wali Qambar, Tarangi, and Daburai areas of Upper Orakzai, destroying around a dozen hideouts and killing 32-37 militants. (Dawn, AP, Geo, The News, Daily Times, Frontier Post, Express Tribune)

  • Ground troops killed 18 to 20 militants and arrested 25 more during clashes in the Kol area of Upper Orakzai. Several explosives-laden vehicles were also destroyed. Five security forces personnel were reported wounded in the action. (Daily Times, Frontier Post, Geo)

  • A tribal elder in Mamuzai said that people living in the area are experiencing an extreme food shortage and made an appeal to the government for emergency aid. (The News)

  • Approximately 98-percent of civilians have fled Upper Orakzai for relief camps in Hangu and Kohat, according to officials. Although the local administration has convinced some families to return home, most have decided not to repatriate due to threats from the Taliban. (The News, Dawn)

 

May 10 - May 13, 2010

• Security forces endure their bloodiest day since the start of the operation during an ambush in Upper Orakzai, aerial assaults continue to pound militant hideouts throughout the agency, and humanitarian aid programs for IDPs is reported to be woefully under-funded. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 38-51 killed; 711-982 killed since beginning of operation. (BBC, AFP, Geo)

  • Military casualties: 9-10 killed; 28-32 killed and 57-69 wounded since beginning of the operation. (Reuters, AFP)

• May 10, Monday:

  • Militants ambushed security forces during a search patrol in the dense forests of Mandati, near the recently secured former Taliban stronghold of Daburai in Upper Orakzai. The several hours long gun battle which followed resulted in the deaths of 9-10 military personnel, including two officers, making it the bloodiest day for security forces since the operation began. Between 30 and 40 militants were also reported killed in the action. (Reuters, BBC, AFP, Dawn, AP, Geo)

• May 11, Tuesday

  • Fighter jets and helicopter gunships bombarded Taliban hideouts in various areas throughout Upper and Lower Orakzai, including Mishti, Saam, and Kol, reportedly killing 8­-11 militants and destroying three hideouts. (Dawn, The News, Daily Times)

  • Police in Hangu district conducted a search operation which resulted in the arrest of 40 suspects, including 10 wanted criminals, and also seized various weapons found in their possession. (Daily Times, The News)

  • An official from the International Organization for Migration indicated that only 20% of Pakistan’s Humanitarian Response Plan is being funded due to a weak response from the international community. The Pakistani government has said that these funds are necessary for the rehabilitation of the 2.3 million people displaced by the fighting in FATA and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including around 45,000 families from Orakzai and Kurram agencies. (Dawn)

• May 12, Wednesday

  • No reports of military operations today.

• May 13, Thursday

  • Frontier Constabulary forces arrested 51 suspects during a search operation in the Sepah area of Khyber Agency’s Bara sub-district. (Dawn)

  • PAF fighter jets targeted Taliban hideouts in the Khaist Khala and Dwa Toi areas of Khyber’s Tirah Valley, killing ten militants and wounding nine others. Although several hideouts were destroyed in the bombings, security officials said that a large number of militants had fled the area before the airstrikes. (Daily Times)

 

 

May 7 - May 9, 2010

• Security forces secure the key TTP stronghold of Daburai in Upper Orakzai. Clashes with ground troops and aerial bombardments targeting militant positions continue throughout the agency. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 65-92 killed; 673-931 killed since beginning of operation. (Daily Times, Dawn, The News, Express Tribune, The News, Dawn)

  • Military casualties: 2-5 wounded; 19-22 killed and 57-69 wounded since beginning of operation. (The News, Dawn)

• May 7, Friday:

  • Helicopter gunships pounded Taliban hideouts in various locations throughout Upper and Lower Orakzai, killing five militants and destroying two hideouts. (Daily Times)

  • Security forces killed 8 militants during a series of assaults on several key hideouts in the Daburai area of Upper Orakzai. Troops claim to have secured Daburai and have now set up checkpoints in the area. (Dawn)

• May 8, Saturday:

  • A military convoy was ambushed while on its way to Daburai. Seven militants were killed when security forces returned fire and three wounded insurgents were also taken into custody. (The News)

  • Four militants riding in a vehicle were killed during clashes with security forces in the Shahu Khel area. (The News)

  • Helicopter gunships shelled Taliban hideouts in the Chappar Masti area, killing four militants. (Express Tribune)

  • The TTP spokesman for Orakzai, Hafiz Saeed, phoned reporters claiming that Taliban forces led by commander Gul Zaman were still in control of Daburai. (The News)

  • The leader of the Mishti tribal lashkar closed the road between Hangu and Orakzai, which was being used by militants, in response to Taliban fighters preventing IDPs belonging to the Mishti tribe from fleeing to safer locations in Hangu and Kohat. (The News)

• May 9, Sunday:

  • Ground troops backed by tanks, helicopter gunships, and fighter jets captured the town of Daburai, a key TTP stronghold where the Taliban had set up militant training centers and Islamic courts. Varying reports indicate that 10-37 militants were killed and 2-5 soldiers were injured. Locals say that most of the Taliban, including commander Gul Zaman, had fled the area before security forces arrived. (The News, Dawn)

  • Security forces clashed with militants in the Mandati Killay area of Upper Orakzai. According to reports, nine militants were killed and four soldiers were wounded in the fighting. (The News)

  • Approximately 18 militants were killed by shelling from helicopter gunships which targeted Taliban hideouts and compounds in Kasha, Dano Killay, Sangara, Khawro Killay, and other areas throughout Orakzai. (The News, Dawn, Express Tribune)

 

 

May 3 - May 6, 2010

• Security forces clash with militants and establish checkpoints for the repatriation of IDPs in Stori Khel and other areas of Lower Orakzai as the military begins to shift its attention towards militant positions in Upper Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 37-40 killed; 618-839 killed since beginning of operation. (Dawn, Daily Times, Express Tribune, Daily Times)

  • Military casualties: 2 killed and 1 wounded; 19-22 killed and 55-64 wounded since beginning of operation. (Dawn, Daily Times, Express Tribune)

• May 3, Monday:

  • Insurgents attacked a security checkpoint in the Stori Khel area of Lower Orakzai. Security forces returned fire, repulsing the attack and killing 11-13 militants. Two soldiers were also reported killed in the firefight. The checkpoints in Stori Khel had been established to prepare for the return of IDPs. Security forces again claimed to have cleared Stori Khel, Kalaya, Feroz Khel, Anjani, Hasmat Khel, Hasan Khel, and other areas of Lower Orakzai and are now reportedly consolidating their positions. (The News, Dawn, Express Tribune, Daily Times)

  • Militants set fire to a basic health facility in the Kasha area. No casualties were reported. (Dawn, Daily Times)

  • Approximately 324 families of IDPs began returning to the Stori Khel area, but local sources said that only about 60 families have returned so far and the repatriation was halted following today’s clash. The TTP has warned IDPs not to return to areas where security forces are present in order to avoid civilian casualties. Elsewhere, large numbers of civilians have reportedly fled Upper Orakzai in anticipation of military operations which will soon shift their attention towards that part of the agency. (The News, Daily Times, Express Tribune)

• May 4, Tuesday:

  • No reports of military operations today.

• May 5, Wednesday:

  • No reports of military operations today.

• May 6, Thursday:

  • Ground troops clashed with Taliban fighters in the Daburai area of Upper Orakzai, killing 15 militants. (Express Tribune)

  • Six militants were killed during clashes with local tribesmen in the Sara Gara area (Express Tribune).

  • Militants fired several rockets in Kalaya. One soldier was wounded and five militants were killed in the exchange of fire that followed. (Express Tribune)

 

April 30 - May 2, 2010

• Clashes continue in Lower Orakzai as the military consolidates its positions there and shifts focus towards Dabrai and its surrounding areas in Upper Orakzai. Political authorities also begin to facilitate the return of IDPs to Lower Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 43-85 killed; 581-799 killed since beginning of operation. (Reuters, Geo, Daily Times, Dawn, AFP, Geo, The News)

  • Military casualties: 4 wounded; 17-20 killed and 54-63 wounded since beginning of operation. (Daily Times, AP)

• April 30, Friday:

  • Militants ambushed a security forces convoy in the Mir Ghar area that was on its way to Mishti. Two soldiers were injured and 10-21 militants killed in the exchange of fire in that reportedly took place in the Mir Ghar and Esa Khel areas. Two militant hideouts were also destroyed and four militants that were wounded in the battle were later taken into custody. (Daily Times, The News, Express Tribune, Geo)

  • Security forces clashed with Taliban forces during a search operation in Goeen village with eight militants reported killed and four others arrested. (AFP, Dawn)

  • Militants fired rockets at the Spina Thana army camp in the Akhorwal area near Darra Adam Khel, damaging the outer wall. One of the militants was reportedly killed by retaliatory gunfire. Elsewhere, an IED which was discovered along the side of a road in the Sheraki area of Kohat, a route often traversed by military convoys, was disarmed by the army’s bomb disposal unit. (Dawn)

  • Orakzai’s political agent, Riaz Mehsud, said peace had restored in Lower Orakzai and announced that 60 families of IDPs from the Stori Khel tribe will begin resettling the area today. Mehsud also said that the government would provide them with one month’s food rations and that the tribe would form local peace committees upon their return. (Express Tribune, Express Tribune)

• May 1, Saturday:

  • Fighter jets bombarded militant hideouts in the Kasha and Shaikhan areas of Lower Orakzai, killing 11 militants and destroying 2-4 hideouts. (Frontier Post, Daily Times, Dawn)

  • Artillery shelling in the Anjani and Esa Khel areas killed four militants and destroyed two hideouts. (Frontier Post, Daily Times)

• May 2, Sunday:

  • Helicopter gunships targeted Taliban hideouts in Daburai and several surrounding villages in Upper Orakzai. A total of 19-40 militants were reported killed in the shelling and 2-6 compounds were also destroyed. (Frontier Post, AP, Daily Times, Geo, Dawn, Reuters)

  • Two soldiers were wounded by mortar fire in the Mishti area. (AP)

 

 

Day Thirty-Seven - April 29, 2010

• Security forces continue to battle with militants in Lower Orakzai as political authorities begin to facilitate the return of IDPs. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 13 killed today; 538-714 killed since beginning of operation.  (Express Tribune)

  • Military casualties: 1 killed today; 17-20 killed and 50-59 wounded since beginning of operation. (Express Tribune)

• Fighting in the Mishti and Shekhan areas of Lower Orakzai resulted in 13 militants and 1 soldier killed. (Express Tribune)

• Three schools in Upper Orakzai, first a girls’ school in Khan Meer Kalay followed by two boys’ schools in Mamuzai, were completely destroyed in explosions caused by militants. Also in Mamuzai, militants torched the home of a security official. Elsewhere, security forces arrested 26 people for looting homes in the Stori Khel area. (Express Tribune, Dawn)

• The political agent for Orakzai, Riaz Mehsud, stated that the military has cleared almost all of Lower Orakzai and that the agency administration was now planning for the return of IDPs. Mehsud also met with 250 tribal elders at the agency headquarters in Hangu in which the tribal leaders agreed to set up peace committees in their areas upon their return to Orakzai in addition to handing over 14 individuals wanted by the authorities. (Express Tribune)

• Two members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swat, identified as Sardar Khan and Azizullah, were arrested during a raid in the Shah Kas area of Khyber Agency’s Jamrud sub-district. A Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) commander, Haji Bakh, also surrendered himself to the Jamrud political administration. (Daily Times)

 

Day Thirty-Six - April 28, 2010

• Clashes continue as security forces battle with militants for control of Lower Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 7-17 killed today; 525-701 killed since beginning of operation. (Geo, Express Tribune, Dawn)

  • Military casualties: 16-19 killed and 50-59 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Security forces killed 7-17 militants, including two commanders, during heavy artillery bombardments and firefights in the Mishti, Badgam, and Shekhan areas of Lower Orakzai. The two militant commanders were identified as Abdul Mateen and Abdul Malik. (Geo, Express Tribune, Dawn)

• Authorities arrested 10 more people caught in the act of looting valuables from homes in the Feroz Khel area. (Dawn)

• Hangu police imposed a temporary curfew in Thall sub-district to allow for the safe passage of a large military convoy bound for Parachinar. The curfew lasted from 5am to 4pm during which time the Thall bazaar was also closed down. Authorities later lifted the curfew and re-opened the Kohat-Parachinar road. (Dawn)

 

Day Thirty-Five - April 27, 2010

• Security forces repel a militant assault in Bizoti as FC troops continue operations in Khyber’s Bara sub-district. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 10-13 killed today; 518-684 killed since beginning of operation. (The News, Express Tribune, Daily Times, Dawn)

  • Military casualties: 16-19 killed and 50-59 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Taliban fighters assaulted a checkpoint in the Bizoti area. Security forces repelled the attack, killing 5-8 militants and wounding four others. Five suspected militants were also arrested under suspicion of looting homes in the Mishti and Ferozkhel areas. (The News, Express Tribune, Daily Times)

• Artillery and helicopter gunships bombarded militant hideouts in the Kasha area. The strikes reportedly killed five militants and destroyed several hideouts. (Dawn, Daily Times)

•  Eight militants were arrested during a search operation in Bosti Khel village of Frontier Region Kohat. Security forces also cordoned off a section of the Kohat border in an effort to block militants fleeing the Bizoti area of Orakzai. Additionally, police in Kohat city discovered a live 82mm mortar, which was later disposed of by bomb squad technicians. (Dawn)

• Operations continued in the Bara sub-district of Khyber Agency with 5 Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) militants reported killed in clashes with security forces in the Aka Khel area. Troops also arrested 18 LI militants, including two commanders. Additionally, a stray mortar round fired by security forces struck a nearby house, killing one woman. (The News, Daily Times, The News)

 

Day Thirty-Four - April 26, 2010

• Militants are arrested following a shootout with security forces in Darra Adam Khel as FC troops launch a search operation in Khyber Agency. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 2 killed today; 508-671 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 16-19 killed and 50-59 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Security forces exchanged fire with militants in Darra Adam Khel. Two militants were reported killed and 11 others were taken into custody following the firefight. (Dawn)

• Frontier Corps troops conducted a large scale search operation in the Aka Khel, Tori Khel, Zawa, Beena, and Qambar Khel areas of Khyber Agency’s Bara sub-district. The operation resulted in the arrest of 25 suspected terrorists belonging to Lashakr-e-Islam (LI) who were later moved to Bara Fort. Curfews have been imposed in various locations throughout Bara and soldiers have been deployed at the entry and exit points to the Bara bazaar. Local residents have also indicated that the road to Tirah Valley has now been closed for the first time in six months. (Daily Times, Express Tribune, Dawn)

 

Day Thirty-Three - April 25, 2010

• Security forces repulse a militant ambush in the Goeen area as fighter jets bombard hideouts elsewhere throughout Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 7-8 killed today; 506-669 killed since beginning of operation. (The News, Daily Times, The News, Frontier Post)

  • Military casualties: 16-19 killed and 50-59 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Early this morning, militants opened fired on a security patrol in the Goeen area. Security forces repulsed the attack, killing 7-8 militants and wounding 3 others. (The News, Daily Times, The News, Frontier Post)

• Fighter jets bombarded Taliban positions in the Kasha, Saiful Masi, Mishti, and Sangara areas. As many as 7 hideouts were reported destroyed in addition to 6-7 militants killed and 6-13 injured. (The News, Daily Times)

 

Day Thirty-Two - April 24, 2010

• Operations continue in the Goeen and Sangara areas of Lower Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 15-28 killed today; 499-661 killed since beginning of operation. (Daily Times, Dawn, The News, Express Tribune)

  • Military casualties: 1 wounded today; 16-19 killed and 50-59 wounded since beginning of operation.

• At least 5-10 militants were killed and one soldier was injured when troops raided an ammunition depot during clearing operations in the Sangara area. More than a dozen Taliban fighters were also reported wounded in the fighting. In addition, security forces captured three injured militants who were hiding in a trench. (Daily Times, Dawn, The News, Express Tribune)

• Fighter jets bombarded Taliban positions in the Goeen and Sangara areas, destroying 2-3 hideouts and also killing at least 10 militants and injuring many others. (Daily Times, Dawn)

• Militants fired three rockets at the agency headquarters in Kalaya. However, the rockets missed their intended targets and landed in a nearby field. No injuries were reported. (The News)

 

Day Thirty-One - April 23, 2010

• Security forces clash with militants in the Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 16 killed today; 484-633 killed since beginning of operation. (Daily Times, Express Tribune, AFP)

  • Military casualties: 1 wounded today; 16-19 killed and 49-58 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Ground troops exchanged fire with militants during the course of search and clearing operations in the Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai, resulting in at least 16 militants were killed and several others injured. One security forces personnel was also injured in the fighting. (Daily Times, Express Tribune, AFP)

• Militants blew up a girls’ school in the Mamuzai area of Upper Orakzai. (Daily Times)

 

Day Thirty - April 22, 2010

• Security forces launch operations in two villages in the Sangara area of Lower Orakzai following a militant ambush on an FC patrol. Militants also destroy several structures in Upper Orakzai . (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 49-67 killed today; 468-617 killed since beginning of operation. (AFP, Dawn, Express Tribune, Daily Times, Reuters, Geo)

  • Military casualties: 1-2 killed today and 3 wounded today; 16-19 killed and 48-57 wounded since beginning of operation. (AFP, Dawn, Express Tribune)

• Militants attacked an FC patrol in a village near the Khyber Agency border in which security forces repelled the attackers after a three hour gun battle that left 20 militants dead. The incident reportedly sparked off later operations in which heavy artillery bombarded Taliban positions in the villages of Mishti and Kambar Masi in the Sangara area of Lower Orakzai. Clashes erupted in both areas as ground troops advanced towards the two villages. An FC official later indicated that security forces had “smoothly occupied” Kambar Masi. Total militant casualties in the fighting have been reported at between 20 and 31 killed and at least 23 injured while the FC reported 1-2 soldiers killed and three others injured. Security forces also captured three militants who were wounded in the fighting. (AFP, Dawn, Geo, Daily Times, The News, Frontier Post, Express Tribune, Reuters, Daily Times)

• Shelling in other areas of Orakzai reportedly killed eight militants and destroyed two of their hideouts. (Express Tribune)

• In Upper Orakzai, militants blew up a health center in the Akhoon Kot area of Mamuzai. The shrine of Bawa al Haq and six houses nearby were also set ablaze. (Geo, Express Tribune, Dawn, Express Tribune)

• A stray mortar round fired by security forces struck a house in the Kamar area of Khyber Agency’s Bara sub-district, killing one woman and wounding four children. (Dawn)

 

Day Twenty-Nine - April 21, 2010

• No reports of military operations today. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 468-617 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 15-18 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation.

 

Day Twenty-Eight - April 20, 2010

• No reports of military operations today. Aid agencies continue to struggle with providing relief for IDPs, a military convoy is attacked in Hangu, and the Pakistani Army hands out monetary compensation for the civilian deaths caused by last week’s airstrikes. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 468-617 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 15-18 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation.

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) has said that it is reviewing the security arrangements for its refugee camps in Hangu and Kohat districts and hopes to resume aid activities by the end of this week. However, a report by the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) indicates that funding for the relief of the nearly 1.3 million IDPs living in the country is “drying up”. Aid agencies requested $537 million for relief efforts in Pakistan but have so far only received $170 million. Many IDPs continue to go without basic supplies such as food, medical care, tents, and bedding. As many as 800 families per day have fled Orakzai and Kurram Agencies over the past month, most of which are currently residing in either Kohat or Hangu. (Dawn, Dawn)

• A remote-controlled IED struck a military convoy in the Tor Gar area of Hangu district, killing four soldiers and wounding 3-7 others. The convoy was reportedly on its way to Kurram Agency’s main town of Parachinar. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and authorities have said that an investigation is underway. (AFP, Dawn, Frontier Post)

• The Pakistani Army has announced a relief package worth approximately Rs20 million ($230,000) for those affected by the April 10 airstikes in Sara Vela village of Khyber’s Tirah Valley that left as many as 61 civilians dead and many more injured. The army will grant compensation in the amount of Rs200,000 ($2,400) will be paid to the families of those killed in the attack and Rs100,000 ($1,200) to those wounded, in addition to paying any healthcare costs. An army delegation handed out checks to several of the injured civilians who are currently being treated at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) field hospital in University Town in Peshawar city. (Daily Times, Frontier Post)

 

Day Twenty-Seven - April 19, 2010

• No reports of military operations today. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan)

  • Taliban casualties: 468-617 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 15-18 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation.

 

Day Twenty-Six - April 18, 2010

• Operations continue in the mountainous Sangara area of central Orakzai as a suicide bomber attacks a police station in Kohat.

  • Taliban casualties: 8-13 killed today; 468-617 killed since beginning of operation. (Dawn, The News, Daily Times, Geo, Express Tribune, Frontier Post)

  • Military casualties: 1 killed today; 15-18 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation. (Dawn, Daily Times, Geo)

• Security forces continued their operations in the Sangara area, killing 8-13 militants. One FC soldier was also reported killed in the fighting. (Dawn, The News, Daily Times, Geo, Express Tribune, Frontier Post)

• One man was killed and three children injured in the Sheikhan area of Lower Orakzai when their house was struck by a stray mortar round fired by security forces targeting a militant hideout. (The News)

• Seven people were killed and more than 30 others injured when a suicide car bomb detonated alongside a police station in the city of Kohat. The explosion significantly damaged the police station and a boys’ primary school as well as caused damage to several nearby shops and vehicles. Qari Hussain, the TTP’s lead trainer of suicide bombers, later claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that the car bomb at the police station went off accidentally and security forces stationed in Kohat Cantonment were the intended target. (Dawn, BBC, The News, Geo, AP, Reuters, Daily Times, Frontier Post, Express Tribune)

• A spokesman for Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack at a refugee camp in Kohat that left more than 40 people dead and dozens more injured, most of which were Shia Muslims. The spokesman said the attack was in response to the slaying of two women from the village of Kachai in Kohat who had converted from Shia to Sunni and were subsequently killed by the Shia members of the village. (CNN)

 

Day Twenty-Five - April 17, 2010

• Security forces continue to conduct operations in the Sangara area. Elsewhere, dozens of IDPs are killed in twin suicide bombings in Kohat and General Kayani formally apologizes for the civilians killed in last week’s airstrikes in Khyber.

  • Taliban casualties: 21 killed today; 460-604 killed since beginning of operation. (Dawn)

  • Military casualties: 14-17 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Approximately 21 militants were killed in overnight clashes with security forces during continued operations in the Sangara Mountains. (Dawn)

• Helicopter gunships targeted Taliban positions in other areas of Orakzai, reportedly destroying three militant hideouts. (Dawn)

• Two suicide bombers attacked at a refugee camp in the Kacha Paka area of Kohat, killing 38-47 people and wounding more than 60 more. The two bombers, who detonated their suicide vests several minutes apart, reportedly concealed themselves in burqas in order to get close to IDPs who were lined up for registration and to collect relief supplies. The UN later condemned the attack and announced that it would temporarily suspend relief efforts in Hangu and Kohat for security reasons. (WSJ, AFP, Geo, NYT, Reuters, Dawn, Dawn, LA Times, BBC, Frontier Post, The News, Washington Post, Daily Times, Express Tribune)

• Army Chief of Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani issued an official apology to the Kokikhel tribe for the April 10 airstrikes in Sara Vela village of Khyber’s Tirah Valley which killed more than 40 civilians. It was also confirmed that two Frontier Corps soldiers were among those killed in the bombardment. (The News, The News, BBC, Geo, AFP)

 

Day Twenty-Four - April 16, 2010

• Ground forces conduct operations in central Orakzai.

  • Taliban casualties: 11-17 killed today; 439-583 killed since beginning of operation. (Express Tribune, Daily Times, Geo).

  • Military casualties: 14-17 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Security forces reportedly killed 11-17 militants and captured at least one more during operations which secured the Sangara and Goeen areas. (Express Tribune, Daily Times, Geo)

 

Day Twenty-Three - April 15, 2010

• Helicopters shell Taliban hideouts in Lower Orakzai as Lashkar-e-Islam asks to hold talks with the government.

  • Taliban casualties: 5-8 killed today; 428-566 killed since beginning of operation. (Express Tribune, The News, Frontier Post, Geo)

  • Military casualties: 14-17 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Helicopter gunships shelled militant hideouts in Goeen, Shireen Dara, and other adjacent areas of Lower Orakzai with 5-8 militants reported killed, at least 2 others wounded, and 2-3 hideouts destroyed. (Express Tribune, The News, Frontier Post, Geo)

• Breaking a nine month silence, Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) spokesman Zarr Khan issued a statement asking to hold talks with the government. Khan also appealed to the government to stop its military operations in the Bara sub-district of Khyber Agency’s Tirah Valley, adding that LI is not involved in “anti-state activities” and has not fought against security forces. (Dawn)

 

Day Twenty-Two - April 14, 2010

• No reports of military operations today. (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan).

  • Taliban casualties: 423-558 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 14-17 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas has said that around 7,000 ground troops have taken Lower Orakzai but did not indicate when the operation would end. Mahmood Shah, a security expert and retired army brigadier from Peshawar, indicated that the Orakzai operation would end “soon”, after which the military would begin operations in North Waziristan. (Express Tribune, Bloomberg)

• The Pakistani Army has admitted that at least 45 civilians were among those killed in Saturday’s airstrikes in the village of Sara Vela in Khyber Agency’s Tirah Valley. Although they did not give an indication of how many militants were killed in the airstrikes the military still maintains that the compound struck was being used by the Taliban. An investigation into the incident is underway. (WSJ)

• According to a statement made by an official from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IDPs fleeing the conflicts in Orakzai and Kurram Agencies are in “urgent need” need of supplies such as food and medicine. However, despite these challenges, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society’s (PRCS) is making concerted efforts to distribute necessary goods to IDPs in Hangu. Approximately 95 percent of IDPs are reportedly not living in relief camps and are instead residing in either rented accommodations or are being taken in by local families. (The News)

 

Day Twenty-One - April 13, 2010

• No reports of military action in Orakzai today (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan).

  • Taliban casualties: 423-558 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 14-17 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation.

• A local government official told reporters that at least 73 civilians were killed in Saturday’s airstrike in Sara Vela village in Khyber Agency’s Tirah Valley, adding that the military had already tried to prevent him from speaking on the subject. Other survivors spoke to reporters from a hospital in Peshawar saying that only civilians were killed and no militants were in the area at the time of the attack. (BBC)

 

Day Twenty - April 12, 2010

• Ground forces fend off militant assaults and continue to bombard Taliban hideouts in Lower Orakzai.

  • Taliban casualties: 32-41 killed today; 423-558 killed since beginning of operation. (CNN, Daily Times, Dawn, Reuters, AFP, Geo, The News, Agence France-Presse)

  • Military casualties: 2-4 killed and 8-9 wounded today; 14-17 killed and 45-54 wounded since beginning of operation. (CNN, Daily Times, Dawn, Reuters, AFP, Geo, The News, Agence France-Presse)

• Bombardments targeted militant positions in the Sangara, Shireen Darra, Goeen, Bizoti, and Akakhel areas, destroying 3-7 Taliban hideouts. (The News, Geo)

• More than a hundred militants armed with rockets and machine guns stormed a military checkpoint in the Shireen Darra area early this morning. Security forces successfully repulsed the attackers after a two to three hour long gun battle, with 2-4 FC soldiers reported killed, 8-9 wounded, and 6 others missing. There were also reports of clashes at security checkpoints in the Sangara and Feroz Khel areas. An estimated total of 32-41 militants were killed in today’s fighting, including TTP commanders Zewar Mulla and Safi-ur Rehman. 

• (Daily Times, Dawn, Reuters, AFP, Geo, The News, Agence France-Presse)

• A statement from the UN indicated that nearly 50,000 people have fled Orakzai in the last month out of a total of nearly 210,000 people who have fled the region since the end of 2009. (The News)

 

Day Nineteen - April 11, 2010

• Militants begin to flee military operations in Orakzai Agency. Ground forces repel militant attacks outside of Kalaya and in Bizoti and move into Upper Orakzai for the first time.

  • Taliban casualties: 19-33 killed today; 391-517 killed since beginning of operation. (Daily Times, The News, Reuters, Dawn, Express Tribune)

  • Military casualties: 3 injured today; 12-13 killed and 37-45 wounded since beginning of operation. (Daily Times)

• Between ten and eleven militants were killed by security forces during a clash in Shireen Darra outside Kalaya where the military set up their main base of operations. Militants attacked with rockets and mortars but were held off by security forces supported by gunship helicopters and heavy artillery. Four injured militants were captured. Another 9-12 militants were killed in the Sam, Sangara, Nakhtaro Ghar, and Kangra areas. Three to five militant hideouts were also destroyed in Orakzai Agency and three security personnel were injured. In addition, security forces reported killing 10 militants while repelling a Taliban assault on a security checkpoint in Bizoti. Search operations in Bizoti, Anjani, Stori Khel and other areas uncovered a number of torture cells. (Daily Times, The News, Reuters, Dawn, Express Tribune)

• Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq told reporters that none of the Taliban’s leadership or its key commanders were hurt or killed in recent attacks. He also said that the military exaggerated how many militants they had killed. (AP)

• The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in Peshawar announced that militants had begun fleeing to the Tirah Valley of the neighboring Khyber Agency, other areas of FATA, and Afghanistan due to the success of the operation in Orakzai. According to the ISPR, militants have established hideouts and training centers in the Tirah valley, a region that also hosts non-Taliban militant group Lashkar-e-Islam.  (ISPR, Dawn)

• Reports indicate that ground troops are advancing towards and may have already entered Upper Orakzai for the first time. (Xinhua, Express Tribune, Daily Times)

 

Day Eighteen - April 10, 2010

• Clashes in the Bizoti area of Lower Orakzai continue as airstrikes in the Tirah Valley of the Khyber Agency target an alleged Lashkar-e-Islam hideout with civilian casualties are reported.

  • Taliban casualties: 54 killed today; 372-484 killed since beginning of operation. (Dawn, The News, AP, AFP)

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today; 12-13 killed and 34-42 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Clashes continued over a security checkpoint in the Bizoti area of Lower Orakzai with 54 militants reported killed. (Dawn, AP, Daily Times, Geo)

• Fighter jets bombed a compound in the Sara Vela area of Khyber Agency’s Tirah Valley where military officials say a meeting of Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) members was being held, killing 50-81 people. Military sources say they had also targeted other militant hideouts in the Narai Baba, Sandana, Nangrosa, Ghulam Ali, and Nakai areas of Tirah Valley. However, local tribal sources dispute the military’s claim that a meeting of LI was being held in Sara Vela and said that only civilians were killed in the air strikes, many of which were killed during a second bombing while rescue workers were removing bodies from the rubble. They denied that there were militant hideouts in the area, saying that civilians had built the bunkers for self-defense. Tribal sources also added that the destroyed house belonged to three brothers, one whom serves in the army with the other two serving in the Frontier Corps. Although the military maintains its position that the airstrikes in Sara Vela struck a militant hideout, an anonymous government official has made a rare statement confirming the deaths of civilians and added that $125,000 in compensation had been paid to the victims’ families. (Daily Times, AP, Dawn, Dawn, Dawn, The News, AFP, Reuters, Geo)

• Political official Riaz Masood reported that 90% of Lower Orakzai has been cleared of militants and that once the lower areas of the Agency have been cleared security forces will push into the upper areas. (Dawn)

 

Day Seventeen - April 9, 2010

• Military forces repel a militant attack on a security checkpoint, destroying several hideouts in retaliation.

  • Taliban casualties: 15-19 killed today; 318-433 killed since beginning of operation. (Reuters, Geo, AFP, Daily Times, Frontier Post, Dawn)

  • Military casualties: 1-3 wounded today; 12-13 killed and 34-42 wounded since beginning of operation. (Reuters , Dawn)

• Just after midnight, more than 100 militants from Khyber Agency launched an assault in an attempt to retake a security checkpoint in the Bizoti area of Lower Orakzai. Security forces, with the support of helicopter gunships and artillery, succeeded in repelling the attackers after a gun battle which lasted several hours. Between 15 and 19 militants were killed, four others were captured, and several hideouts were destroyed while 1-3 soldiers were also reported wounded in the firefight. (Reuters, Geo, AFP, Daily Times, Frontier Post, Dawn)

• Militants also stormed a checkpoint in the Dogar area of neighboring Kurram Agency. Clashes with security forces left 9-11 militants dead and 10 more wounded. (Geo, Dawn, AFP)

• Officials reported that around 210,000 people –approximately 35,000 families—from Orakzai and Kurram have been registered as IDPs since November 2009. Around 16,376 families out of the 35,000 have been registered as IDPs since February and are now residing mostly in northern Hangu and Kohat. (Dawn)

 

Day sixteen - April 8, 2010

Day Sixteen - April 8, 2010

• No reports of military action in Orakzai today (Read the Pakistan Security Brief for daily updates on the security situation in Pakistan).

  • Taliban casualties: 303-414 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military casualties: 12-13 killed and 33-39 wounded since beginning of operation.

• In Khyber Agency, fighter jets bombed a Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) headquarters and prison used to house abductees being held for ransom located in the Nari Babi area of the lower Tirah Valley. Ten kidnapped prisoners, two LI militants, and one civilian working in a nearby field were reportedly killed in the attack which completely destroyed the compound. Security officials believe many LI personnel had left the area prior to the strikes. Some local tribal sources say that the attack did not cause any casualties at all and that LI had shifted its personnel and their prisoners away from the compound prior to the airstrikes. (Daily Times, The News)

• Militants blew up a government school in the Yousaf Talab Killay area of Khyber, wounding two children. (The News)

• Police in Peshawar have arrested six Orakzai IDPs that were blocking a major road during their protests against what they claimed as “unjustified distribution of relief items”. The arrested persons, who were later released, said that authorities had taken them into custody illegally and beaten them in order to cover for the failures of the relief camp. (The News)

 

 

Day Fifteen - April 7, 2010

Day Fifteen - April 7, 2010

• Aerial bombardments continue to pound militant hideouts as ground forces claim they have cleared major portions of Lower Orakzai.

  • Taliban casualties: 13 killed today; 303-414 killed since beginning of operation. (Dawn)

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today; 12-13 killed and 33-39 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Fighter jets bombarded Taliban positions throughout Orakzai, killing 13 militants and wounding 20 others. Seven hideouts were reported destroyed along with two houses belonging to pro-Taliban elders. (Dawn)

• Security forces have reportedly cleared many areas of Lower Orakzai, including Feroz Khel, Anjani, Utman Khel, Syed Khalil, Shna Kerpa, and Mirobak. (Dawn)

• In Hangu district, pro-government lashkar leader Sakhi Rahman was among seven people killed in a shootout when militants from the TTP Orakzai attacked his home in Shahu Khel. Rahman was a former TTP commander in Orakzai who split with the Taliban eight months ago and declared his intention to aid the government at the beginning of the Orakzai operation. (The News, Frontier Post)

•  A registration point for IDPs from Orakzai opened in Peshawar but was later forced to close due to a lack of personnel and unavailability of forms. Angered by the government’s mismanagement, IDPs later protested and blocked a main road, nearly leading to a violent clash with locals. (The News)

 

 

Day Fourteen - April 6, 2010

Day Fourteen - April 6, 2010

• The military continues its bombardment of Taliban hideouts as ground forces conduct search operations.

  • Taliban casualties: 10-14 killed today; 290-401 killed since beginning of operation. (Daily Times, The News, Dawn)

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today; 12-13 killed and 33-39 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Fighter jets bombarded the areas of Kasha, Saragara, Goeen, and Sangara areas, killing 10-14 militants and destroying between 5 and 7 hideouts and two vehicles. Hafiz Saeed, spokesman for the TTP in Orakzai, denied the military’s claims, stating that the targeted buildings were empty. Saeed added that although three militants were injured in the strikes no militants were killed and the military did not destroy any property or equipment belonging to the Taliban. (Daily Times, The News, Dawn)

• Security forces conducted large scale house-to-house search operations in the Feroz Khel area but did not encounter any resistance from militants. Additionally, Orakzai’s Political Agent Riaz Mehsud issued a statement that the military had completely cleared militants from the Stori Khel, Sultanzai, Utman Khel, Zera, and Aner Khel areas. (The News)

• A grand jirga will soon be held between tribal elders and government officials to address issues of reconstruction and joint operations against the Taliban. (The News)

• A Frontier Corps checkpost in the Shahu Khel area of Hangu came under attack from militants, after which security forces retaliated by bombarding Taliban hideouts with artillery fire. Militants also fired three rockets at the Elite Force Headquarters in Hangu city. The building was damaged but no casualties were reported. (Daily Times)

 

Day Thirteen - April 5, 2010

Day Thirteen - April 5, 2010

• Air assets continue to target Taliban hideouts throughout the agency as ground forces implement curfews and conduct search operations.

  • Taliban casualties: 15-18 killed today; 280-387 killed since beginning of operation.

  • Military Casualties: 1 killed, 3 wounded today; 12-13 killed and 33-39 wounded since beginning of operation. (Daily Times)

• Helicopter gunships and fighter jets bombarded Taliban hideouts in the Miangano Kalay, Andara, Gawadra, and Hindara areas, killing 8-11 militants in addition to destroying four hideouts and two vehicles. (Daily Times, Dawn)

• Ground troops confirmed that at least seven militants have been killed during clashes in the Bizoti area. Security forces also imposed a curfew and began conducting search operations in a 16 kilometer area between Anjani and Goeen. In a separate incident, militants attacked the agency headquarters in Kalaya, wounding three security personnel and damaging the residence of the assistant political agent. Elsewhere, the beheaded body of a security official kidnapped several days ago was discovered in the Goeen area. (Daily Times)

 

Day Twelve - April 4, 2010

Day Twelve - April 4, 2010

• Militants attack a security post and a convoy. Pakistani security forces retaliate by targeting militant hideouts. Security forces continue to clear areas of Orakzai Agency.

  • Taliban casualties: 28-46 killed today; 265-369 killed since beginning of operation. (AFP, Daily Times, AP)

  • Military Casualties: 1-2 wounded today; 11-12 killed and 30-36 wounded since beginning of operation. (Dawn, Daily Times, Reuters, AFP)

• Several dozen militants armed with machine guns, mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades attacked a security post in Syed Khalil Baba. Pakistani troops, backed by artillery, repelled the attack and encircled the village, killing between 16 and 26 militants, including a militant commander, wounding more than 15 and arresting between 6 and 10 others. Later in the day, Taliban forces ambushed a military convoy in the Shna Kerpa area. The ensuing two-hour long gun battle resulted in 12 militants killed and 1-4 soldiers injured. Security forces also reported 8 militants killed and 1 soldier wounded in a separate clash in the Andara area. During the course of the day, military operations destroyed a total of 2-6 militant hideouts as security forces set up a number of checkpoints throughout different areas of the agency. (Daily Times, Frontier Post, Dawn, The News, AP, Geo, AFP, Reuters)

• A curfew has been imposed from Kalaya to Anjani as security forces are conducting house-to-house search operations. Military officials stated that troops were currently advancing towards the Sul Gul area and the Stori Khel, Bizoti, Utman Khel, Feroz Khel, and Goeen areas had been cleared following yesterday’s clashes. (Frontier Post, The News, Geo)

• Frontier Corps sources have claimed that a key militant commander named Saifur was killed during the March 31 assault by Taliban forces on an FC fort in Khyber’s Bara sub-district. The government had previously issued a reward on Saifur’s head in the amount of Rs2.5 million. (Geo)

• IDPs continue to report a lack of available supplies and accommodations at government relief camps in neighboring regions. Transportation also continues to be a serious problem for IDPs, with one man reporting that he and his children spent two days walking from the Feroz Khel area before arriving at the Muhammad Khwaja relief camp in Hangu. (Dawn)

   

Day Eleven - April 3, 2010

Day Eleven - April 3, 2010

• Security forces continue to target militant positions and seize strategic high ground in Orakzai as a military convoy and security post are ambushed. Intelligence sources also indicate that many Taliban fighters have become demoralized and are attempting to flee the area. (Frontier Post)

  • Taliban casualties: 30-35 killed today; 237-323 killed since beginning of operation. (Dawn, AP, AFP)

  • Military casualties: 6 killed, 10 wounded today; 11-12 killed and 29-34 wounded since beginning of operation. (Dawn, AP, AFP, Frontier Post)

• Militants attacked a security checkpost in the Khersha area, leaving 6 soldiers dead and 10 wounded. In a separate incident, militants descended from their mountain hideouts to ambush a military convoy travelling between Goeen and Hindara. The resulting firefight left at least 13 militants dead, 14 injured, and 6 others captured. In retaliation, ground forces supported by tanks, helicopters, and artillery launched attacks in the areas of Anjani, Utman Khel, and Aner Khel, killing 22 militants. (Dawn, AFP)

• Security forces overcame fierce resistance from militants to secure key strategic positions in the Bizoti area. Additional sources claimed that militants had been cleared from the area between Kalaya and Sultanzai. (AP, AFP, Frontier Post)

• Taliban militants blew up a boys’ government school in the Darra Adam Khel area, completely destroying the building and damaging several nearby structures. (Frontier Post)

• A government official stated that approximately 10,000 people have left Orakzai since the beginning of the operation and the latest reports indicate that more than 1,000 families fled the Chapper Mela, Meshti Shekhan, and Sangra areas. Additionally, fighting in the agency has resulted in around 170,000 IDPs over the last several months. (Dawn, AP)

 

Day Ten - April 2, 2010

Day Ten - April 2, 2010

• Security forces target Taliban hideouts as militants continue to destroy schools throughout the agency.

  • Taliban casualties: 6-7 killed today; 207-288 killed since beginning of operation. (Geo, Daily Times)

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today; 5-6 killed and 19-24 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Ground forces supported by helicopter gunships targeted militant hideouts in the Sultanzai, Shakar Tangi, Saragara, Kasha, and Anjani areas, killing 6-7 militants and wounding 5 others. A total of 2-3 hideouts were destroyed in the attacks, one of which reportedly belonged to Taliban commander Maulana Rafiq. (Geo, Daily Times)

• Militants destroyed a degree college and a technical institute in the Jalka Mela area and a girls’ school in the Bizoti area. No casualties were reported in either attack. (Geo, Daily Times)

 

Day NINE - April 1, 2010

Day Nine - April 1, 2010

• Security forces continue operations to destroy Taliban hideouts, flush out militants, and kill fighters attempting to flee the area. In the midst of military operations, fighting between rival Taliban factions also continues.

  • Taliban casualties: 16-28 killed today; 201-281 killed since beginning of operation. (Daily Times, AP, The News)

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today; 5-6 killed and 19-24 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Shelling from helicopter gunships in the Feroz Khel area of Lower Orakzai killed between 10 and 18 militants and destroyed three militant vehicles as they were reportedly attempting to flee into neighboring Kurram Agency. Additionally, bombardments targeted Taliban hideouts in the Bizoti and Gomeen areas of Lower Orakzai, killing at least six more militants. (Daily Times, AP, The News)

• Taliban infighting continues with reports of 4-6 militants killed and another 5 injured during a clash between the two rival factions of Maulvi Toofan and Maulana Rafiq. The fighting broke out at a government school in Mishti in Lower Orakzai and a local commander, Anwar-ul Haq, is also said to have been among those killed. In another incident, a group of unknown assailants shot and killed a Taliban commander named Zia ur Rehman in the Sara Khora area while he was travelling from Ghiljo to Kalaya. (Daily Times, The News)

• A stray mortar shell struck a house in Mian Mir Kalay, critically injuring four people. (The News)

• Elsewhere, security forces killed six members of theKhyber-based militant group Lashkar-e-Islam during a shootout in the Bara sub-district of neighboring Khyber Agency. Official sources say the militants had been previously captured and that the gunfight broke out when they tried to escape from custody. (Dawn, The News)

• More IDPs are fleeing Orakzai. One government official has stated that upwards of 10,000 people have taken refuge in government camps over the past 10 days. Reports say that the one relief camp in Hangu district can only accommodate less than 4,000 people while Kohat district has no relief camps to address the 22,000 IDPs registered there. (AP, Dawn)

 

Day Eight - March 31, 2010

 

Day Eight - March 31, 2010

 

• The Pakistani military continues aerial bombardments on militant hideouts in Lower Orakzai while Taliban forces destroy buildings throughout the agency and launch an attack on an FC camp in neighboring Khyber for the second time.

  • Taliban casualties: 10-11 killed today; 185-253 killed since beginning of operation. (Dawn, Dawn, Daily Times, Geo)

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today; 5-6 killed and 19-24 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Shelling by jets and gunships in the Mirobak, Sultanzai, Surgul, Kak Darra, Ch(w?)aro Khel, Shireen Darra, and Bizoti areas of Lower Orakzai killed 7-10 militants and destroyed 4-5 bunkers along with several vehicles. A helicopter gunship also targeted a vehicle carrying Taliban fighters in Upper Orakzai, killing three militants. (The News, Dawn, Dawn, Daily Times, Geo)

• Unknown attackers have made an attempt on TTP commander Maulvi Toofan’s life. An IED detonated near his vehicle while he was traveling from Mir Kalam Khel to Arghanjo and the ensuing gunbattle left four militants dead and three others injured. (Dawn)

• According to local reports, four civilians were injured when a shell fell on a house in Lerah, Feroz Khel. Nine more were injured when another shell hit the house of a tribesman in Mishti. (The News)

• Taliban militants reportedly blew up five government schools in the Spin Khada, Utman Khel, Dhand Gahri, Shalon Talab, and Toti Bagh areas of Lower Orakzai and also destroyed a medical center in Marghan. Militants also torched 15 houses belonging to pro-government tribesmen. (The News, Dawn, Dawn)

• Elsewhere, at around 2am, approximately 80-100 Taliban fighters armed with rockets, machine guns, rifles, suicide vests, and explosive-laden vehicles launched an assault on an FC fort in Jhansi, located in the Bara sub-district of Khyber Agency. Between 20 and 25 militants were reported killed and 30 others injured during the six-hour long firefight. Security forces managed to successfully repel the attack, but sustained casualties of 5-6 FC personnel killed with another 15-35 wounded. This is the second incident in the past week in which militants attacked an FC camp in the Bara area of Khyber, bordering Orakzai. Official sources claimed that the attack was jointly carried out by the TTP and Lashkar-e-Islam (LI), a non-Taliban militant group active in Khyber. A spokesman from LI denied the claims. (Dawn, BBC, AFP, CNN, Dawn, Geo, The News, AFP)

• Security forces also killed five militants and between 1 and 2 soldiers sustained injuries when militants attacked two military checkposts in Alingar, Mohmand agency with rockets and mortars. (The News, AFP)

 

Day Seven - March 30, 2010

Day Seven - March 30, 2010

• Operations in Orakzai continue with heavy bombardments on militant hideouts throughout Upper and Lower Orakzai. Security forces now report Lower Orakzai to be 65% clear of militants. (Daily Times, The News, Dawn, Geo, Frontier Post)

  • Taliban casualties: 26-40 killed today; 175 to 242 killed since beginning of operation. (Daily Times, The News, Reuters)

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today; 5-6 killed and 19-24 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Bombardments destroyed several Taliban hideouts in the Arghanjo area of Mamuzai, killing 20-21 militants and injuring 10-22 others. A government primary school and a medical center were among the structures hit and one of the buildings targeted was believed to be a compound belonging to TTP commander Maulvi Toofan. Fighter jets carried out additional air strikes in the Anjani area of Lower Orakzai, destroying three hideouts and killing 6-10 militants. Shelling from helicopter gunships killed between six and nine militants and destroyed five compounds in the Khwa Stori Khel area belonging to Maulvi Nazir. Air strikes were also reported in the Shah Dala, Syed Khalil, Katapanra, and Malandra areas. (Daily Times, The News, Dawn, Geo, Geo, Frontier Post)

• Security forces have reportedly cleared the Taliban from the Anjani, Kharshah, Shiraz Garhi, and Sultanzai areas and have set up checkposts in those areas. Ground forces also arrested nine militants following clashes in the Zaina Khel and Tajkan areas. Additionally, Taliban militants are reported to be occupying government buildings in Ghiljo. (BBC Urdu, The News, Frontier Post, Dawn)

• Nine members of a family died when a rocket fired by unidentified individuals missed its target and struck a house in Mishti. Two more civilians were reportedly killed when jets mistakenly bombed a market area. (The News, Dawn)

• Large numbers of IDPs fleeing Orakzai have reportedly taken refuge in the neighboring districts of Hangu and Kohat. According to reports, there is at least one camp for IDPs set up in Hangu and a second is currently being constructed. Official sources say that approximately 46,000 families from Orakzai have been registered as IDPs over the past three months and more continue to arrive on a daily basis. (BBC Urdu, Daily Times, Dawn)

 

Day Six - March 29, 2010

Day Six - March 29, 2010

 

• Military operations in Orakzai persist with security forces continuing to repel ambushes, capture militants, and utilize air assets to destroy militant hideouts. (CNN, Daily Times, Frontier Post)

  • Taliban casualties: 21 to 28 killed today; 149 to 202 killed since beginning of operation. (CNN, Daily Times, Geo)

  • Military casualties: 2-4 injured today; 5-6 killed and 19-24 wounded since beginning of operation. (CNN, Daily Times, Frontier Post)

• The military reportedly conducted actions in Feroz Khel, Waziri, Mishti, Sara Mela and Zara Mela on Monday, among others. (Geo)

• Taliban fighters ambushed a military convoy in the Mirobak area. Security forces returned fire, killing between 8 and 11 militants and capturing three to four others, including a militant commander by the name of Mir Fazal. Two soldiers were also reported to have sustained injuries in the firefight. The military reports capturing up to 3 militant commanders on Monday. (CNN, Daily Times, Frontier Post)

• In a separate incident, militants fired rockets at a military checkpost near the main Orakzai town of Kalaya. Two soldiers reportedly sustained injuries from enemy mortar fire. Security forces responded, killing five militants. (CNN, Frontier Post)

• Helicopter gunships shelled three Taliban hideouts in northern Orakzai, killing 13 militants. Artillery fire also continued to rain down on enemy positions. Up to 28 militants were reported killed in Monday’s fighting. (CNN, Geo)

• Security forces killed two militants and arrested 14 others during search and clearing operations in the Dogra area of Khyber Agency’s Bara sub-district and also seized an arms and ammunition cache. (Daily Times, Frontier Post)

• According to local tribesmen, 7 civilians including a woman were injured when a stray mortar round hit a house in Aliri village in the Feroz Khel area. Additionally, four unidentified bodies were recovered from Ghiljo, in upper Orakzai on Monday. (The News, The News)

• Five policemen and a civilian sustained injuries when hit by an IED attack in nearby Hangu. (CNN)

  

Day Five - March 28, 2010

Day Five - March 28, 2010

• Security forces continued their operations in Orakzai on Sunday, capturing fresh territory and fending off attacks from TTP militants.

  • Taliban casualties: 22 to 28 killed today, 128 to 174 killed since beginning of operation. (The News, Dawn, AP, Daily Times, Geo, Frontier Post)

  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today, 5-6 killed and 17-20 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Militants and Pakistani security forces traded fire when a military bunker in Gaidar, previously a militant stronghold in Feroz Khel, came under attack. Militants wielding small arms and rockets attacked the outpost but were beaten back by forces stationed there. During the military’s retaliation between 6 and 10 Taliban militants were killed. Security forces killed 5 militants in a separate gunbattle which took place earlier. The military has now fully secured Gaidar. (Geo, Dawn, Dawn, The News, Daily Times)

• In a separate incident, militants based out of Shireen Darra fired four rockets at the military camp established in Kalaya. The rockets missed their mark and no casualties were reported. (The News)

• Security forces later bombarded enemy positions and trenches in the Feroz Khel area, killing between 5 and 12 militants, according to differing reports. (The News, AP, Geo, Daily Times)

• Elsewhere, 11 suspected militants were arrested during a search operation in Hangu. 23 militants including, three commanders, voluntarily surrendered at a jirga in Salarzai area of Bajaur Agency. The jirga announced a Rs2 million fine for anyone that hosted extremists in addition to the seizure of all their wealth and banishment from the area. (Frontier Post, Daily Times)

• The exodus of internally displaced people continues, and large numbers of IDPs have left Sultanzai, Feroz Khel, Anjani and Mishti, for safer areas in Hangu and Kohat. A large number of families are also fleeing north into Khyber agency. According to one report, more than 15,000 families have fled to various parts of Khyber agency. (Dawn, Daily Times, Geo)

 

Day Four - March 27, 2010

Day Four - March 27, 2010

• “Fresh contingents of security forces” deployed to Orakzai and forces continued to pound enemy locations with artillery as operations in the region continued. (The News)

  • Taliban casualties: 9-16 killed today, 106-146 killed since beginning of operation. (Frontier Post, Dawn, AP/WSJ, AFP, Daily Times)
  • Military casualties: No casualties reported today, 5-6 killed and 17-20 wounded since beginning of operation.

• Air strikes targeting eight separate hideouts and three militant vehicles in Orakzai Agency killed between 9 and 16 militants. (Frontier Post, Dawn, AP/WSJ, AFP, Daily Times)

• Pakistani jets, gunships and artillery shelled several TTP hideouts in Orakzai. Air assets and artillery struck locations in Sultanzai, Daburai, Bizoti, Feroz Khel, Bazoqamar, Kata Kanrai, Utman Khel, Chundra/Jondar and Darra Garhi and Anjani. Gunships also targeted militant positions in Bagram and Shadal. Between 13 and 16 militants died and 18 were injured in the strikes and “scores others” were injured. Three vehicles carrying militants belonging to the Aslam Farooqi group were also destroyed. Aslam Farooqi is the leader of the TTP’s Orakzai chapter. (Geo, Daily Times, The News, Frontier Post)

• Elsewhere, militants in Orakzai killed two Utman Khel tribesmen in Lower Orakzai on suspicion of spying for the government. The bodies of six truck drivers abducted some days before were also recently found in Orakzai. (Geo)

 

Day Three - March 26, 2010

Day Three - March 26, 2010

• Security forces continue their operations in Orakzai, utilizing air assets to destroy militant hideouts and weathering Taliban counterattacks. (Dawn, The News, Reuters, NYT)

  • Taliban casualties: 28-42 killed today, 97 to 130 killed since beginning of operation. (Reuters, AP/WSJ)

  • Military casualties: 5-6 FC soldiers killed, 14-16 wounded today. 5-6 killed, 17-20 wounded since beginning of operation. (Reuters, The News)

• Between 100 and 150 militants launched an assault late Thursday night on the Shna checkpost located on the outskirts of Kalaya. The insurgents attacked the checkpost from three sides simultaneously, pounding the area with mortar shells and machine gun fire. One security official described the attack as a last ditch effort from Taliban militants who had been cut off from other contingents fighting in the region and were unable to flee into the Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency. Frontier Corps forces with the help of air support launched a counterattack early on Friday which successfully retook the checkpost after several hours of fighting. Between the initial assault and the counterattack which recaptured the checkpost security forces killed between 21 and 32 militants; Afghans, Arabs, and Uzbeks were reportedly among the dead. FC casualties included 5-6 personnel killed, including a Lieutenant Colonel, and between 14 and 16 FC soldiers wounded. (Reuters,AFP, AP/WSJ, NYT, The News,Dawn)

• Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters also attacked military bunkers in the Feroz Khel area. According to local residents, the attack on the checkpost and bunkers was carried out in retaliation for the previous day’s bombing of militant hideouts in the Mamuzai area that killed several dozen TTP fighters. (The News)

• Later in the day, shelling from fighter jets and helicopter gunships targeted several militant hideouts in the Daburai, Mamuzai, Khadizai, and Ghiljo areas, killing between 7 and 10 militants and wounding 10 others. (Reuters, The News)

• According to BBC Urdu, the majority of Orakzai’s population had fled the region prior to the commencement of this latest operation, but on Friday Orakzai’s political administrators directed residents of Stori Khel and Feroz Khel to evacuate their homes. The military opened main roads to allow the people to leave, but searched the internally displaced people (IDPs) to ensure no militants were able to flee the region. (The News)

 

Day Two - March 25, 2010

Day Two - March 25, 2010

• Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC) Major General Tariq Khan issued a statement that Operation “Khwakh Ba De Sham” is “progressing well”. (AFP)

  • Approximate Taliban casualties: 48-65 killed today, 69-88 killed since beginning of operation. (Reuters, Dawn, AP)

  • Military casualties: 2 FC soldiers wounded today, 3-4 FC wounded since beginning of operation. (Dawn, Frontier Post)

• Pakistani Air Force (PAF) jets bombarded several militant hideouts in the Mamuzai and Daburai areas of Upper Orakzai. A madrassa, a school, and a mosque were said to be among the buildings targeted by the air strikes in the Arghanjo area of Mamuzai. Security officials say a meeting of Taliban leadership loyal to Maulvi Toofan’s group was being held in one of these buildings at the time of the attack. Another report indicates that most of the militants killed belonged to the Aslam Farooqi and Tariq Afridi groups. Additionally, one of the structures hit reportedly belonged to the non-violent group Tableeghi Jamaat, killing 10 people. Air strikes in the Daburai area destroyed three Taliban hideouts, killing six militants and wounding five others. Various reports put the total number of militants killed in the attacks at between 44 and 61. (Frontier Post, Reuters, Dawn, AFP, AP)

• Four militants were killed and one soldier was wounded in clearing operations in the Mirobak and Feroz Khel areas. A local Taliban commander by the name of Mian Gul was also reportedly captured along with a large quantity of hand grenades and other arms. Additionally, one soldier was injured in Kalaya as Taliban militants continued to fire rockets and mortars into the town. (Dawn, Frontier Post)

• Hafiz Sakhi, a former Taliban commander, has announced his support for the security forces fighting in Orakzai. (Frontier Post)

• The bodies of two more tribal elders kidnapped from Hangu district by the Taliban were discovered in the Sara Mela area. The executed elders were identified as Gul Hakeem and Fazal Jameel. The body of one other unidentified victim was also found. Three more tribal leaders are still being held by the Taliban. (Dawn, Frontier Post)

• Thousands of civilians are said to have fled the area, but the total number of IDP’s is still unclear. (BBC)

 

Day One - March 24, 2010

Day One - March 24, 2010

• Operation “Khwakh Ba De Sham” began close to midnight of March 23^rd/24^th and Pakistani security forces, including the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) forces, and backed up by jet, gunship and artillery support, entered Taliban controlled areas of Orakzai. Forces attempted to clear enemy-held areas around Orakzai’s main town of Kalaya. (AFP/DAWN, The News)

  • Military force involved: At least 5 battalions drawn from the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Frontier Constabulary, supported by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets, Army Cobra helicopter gunships and heavy artillery. (AFP)

  • Approximate Taliban casualties: 21-23, according to differing reports. (AP, Geo, The News)

  • Military casualties: 1-2 FC soldiers wounded. (AP, BBC Urdu/CAO, The News)

• Security forces reportedly launched operations in Hashmat Khan Kili, Qeematkhel, Mirobak, Shna Naka, Anjani, Ferozkhel, Stori Khel, Khalil Kalay. (Frontier Post, The News)

• Security forces tightened security at exit and entry points around Orakzai to prevent an exodus of militants into the settled areas of the NWFP. Security has been heightened in Doaba, Thal and Hangu. (The News)

• Resistance was reported in Anjani, Hashmat Khal Kili, Qeemat Khel and Shna Naka. One soldier was reported wounded in the fighting. According to local reports, the militants were unable to offer sustained resistance and were largely fleeing to safer locations. Some Taliban fighters were reported fleeing with their dead towards Indarra, near the border with Khyber agency. 11 militants were reportedly killed in clashes. (Geo, Daily Times, The News, Daily Times, AFP/DAWN)

• In their push towards Kalaya, security forces assaulted and took control of Anjani, Zera, Chamjanna, Hashmat Khan Kili, Shna Naka, Mirobak, Qeemat Khel, Shantana, and Feroz Khel, according to various sources. (BBC Urdu/CAO, The News)

• PAF jets and army helicopter gunships launched strikes in Sultanzai, Anjani, Stori Khel, Malandra, Hindara, Mashini Killay, Anjani and Mamuzai. 12 militants were reportedly killed in airstrikes and six hideouts, a bunker, and explosive-filled tanker and a militant training center were also destroyed.  (The News, Frontier Post, BBC Urdu/CAO, AFP/DAWN)

• Militants offered only sporadic resistance but fired mortars and rockets at military positions around Kalaya. One report claims one soldier was injured by the indirect fire; according to another the shelling caused no casualties. (BBC Urdu/CAO, The News)

• The military established a temporary camp in Kalaya and imposed curfews in Mirobak, Feroz Khel, Chamjanna, Zera, Khwaja Khidr, Hindara and Aakhel areas. (The News)

• According to news sources, eighty percent of Orakzai’s population had already fled the region in anticipation of a military operation. (BBC Urdu/CAO)

• Elsewhere, Taliban militants execute one of six tribal elders abducted two days earlier from the district of Hangu. His body was found in Ghiljo in Upper Orakzai. (Daily Times, The News)