Pakistan Security Brief
Afghan Taliban denies meeting with JUI-F; Interior Minister of Pakistan calls for TTP ceasefire; ANP holds conference about Taliban negotiations, TTP to respond Friday; TTP fighters attack police station in Bannu; Kashmir curfew briefly relaxed; Pakistan’s Ulema Council pulls out of Afghan Peace Conference; Two TTP militant commanders killed; IED blast kills seven anti-Taliban fighters in Oarkzai; Car bomb kills seven security forces personnel; Kerry calls Zardari to discuss U.S.-Pakistan relations; Ambassador Olson announces long term cooperative goals; Pakistan finalizes order to buy trains from China; Drones kill nearly 900 since 2008.
Pakistani Taliban
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In response to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) offers for peace talks made on February 3, Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday called for a TTP ceasefire before any negotiations could commence…” Malik demanded a 30-day ceasefire before the government would be willing to talk. Meanwhile, the Awami National Party (ANP) convened an All Parties Conference (APC) on Thursday to discuss negotiating with those Pakistani Taliban members who are ready to accept the law and constitution of Pakistan. In response to the conference, TTP spokesperson, Ehsanullah Ehsan, stated that the TTP was holding a meeting of its council in order to develop a response to the APC and will respond by 1pm on Friday. Ehsan also stated that attacks will continue until a peace deal is finalized. [1]
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The TTP released a video on February 3rd urging the Muslim world to unite. In the video, Ehsanullah Ehsan condemned the French military intervention in Mali calling it an “ideological war.”[2]
Corps Commanders Conference
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The Pakistan Army held a Corps Commanders’ Conference in Rawalpindi on Thursday to discuss the internal security situation of Pakistan. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani presided over the conference which also discussed “professional matters” and took place at the same time as the government was considering holding a dialogue with the TTP.[3]
Pakistan-Afghan Relations
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On Thursday, Pakistan’s highest official religious authority, the Pakistan's Ulema Council, announced that it will not participate in the Afghan Peace Conference, in protest against what they view as an Afghan agenda to “denounce the Taliban and elicit support for the Afghan government.” The Wall Street Journal’s analysis suggests that the council has considerable influence on public opinion and the decision may cause a setback in the promising dialogue held between Pakistani and Afghan officials during the Chequers conference last week. A spokesperson for the Pakistani foreign office announced that the Pak-Afghan Ulema conference to denounce violence and suicide bombings will take place on March 10, although this announcement came before the Council’s withdrawal.[4]
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On Wednesday, Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, issued a statement denying that representatives of the Taliban met or had any intention of meeting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman in Qatar despite claims from Rehman and “sources close to the Taliban in Qatar” that he had already met with negotiators and intended to do so again.
Indo-Pak Relations
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On Wednesday, Indian authorities in Kashmir briefly eased a curfew on several towns in the region following days of rioting against the government. The majority of the 60 Kashmiri newspapers were uncensored on Wednesday as well, despite cable and internet services remaining down after five days. Anti-India protests and riots sprung up Saturday after Indian authorities executed Mohammed Afzal Guru, a terrorist who participated in an attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001.[5]
Militancy
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On Thursday, several suicide bombers attacked the Maryan police station in Bannu, but a counterattack by the police killed six militants. At least one suicide attacker detonated his explosives inside the police station causing damage to the structure and injuring one police officer. TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the attack stating that the attack was launched to avenge the deaths of eight TTP fighters whose bodies were recovered in North Waziristan. Pakistani security forces imposed a curfew following the attack and conducted a search recovering assault rifles, 13 hand grenades, and a suicide jacket from the attackers. [6]
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In the Saam area of Khyber agency, two militant commanders belonging to the TTP’s Tariq Afridi group from Darra Adam Khel, Khurasan and Mazloom Yar, area were killed by an unidentified sniper on Thursday.[7]
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At least seven members of an anti-Taliban militia were killed and another 13 others injured on Thursday in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in the village of Hassanzo in Orakzai agency. After the initial attack, a second IED attack in the same village killed two more people and injured an additional 10.[8]
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An unidentified assailant detonated a car bomb at a security checkpoint on Thursday, killing a total of seven security forces personnel and injuring 11 others in Thal sub-district of Hangu district.[9]
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On Thursday, two people were injured when unidentified attackers tossed a hand-grenade into a shop in Landhi, Karachi. In SITE town, two people died in a shooting by unidentified assailants.[10]
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Two people were killed in a shooting incident on Wednesday at a local fruit and vegetable market known as New Sabzi Mandi in Karachi.[11]
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On Thursday, two victims of a shooting were recovered in Dargai sub-district of Malakand district. Another man was also shot and killed in the area.[12]
U.S.-Pakistan Relations
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On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the future of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, and express his enthusiasm about working with Zardari. State department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in her press briefing about the call that Kerry sought to “underscore the continuing importance of an effective, strong, and mutually beneficial U.S.-Pakistani relationship,” seeking cooperation specifically with regard to fighting terrorism, supporting democracy, and increasing economic stability and growth. US Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson, announced that the U.S. will increase cooperation with, and is working with, Pakistani officials to improve medical facilities, schools, and business opportunities. Olson stated that the U.S. hopes to build a long-term relationship with Pakistan. [13]
Sino-Pak Relations
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On Wednesday, the Pakistani Ministry of Railways finalized its order with a Chinese company to buy 50 trains, to be delivered to Pakistan over the next two years. Pakistan will pay the company Rs10.78 billion (approximately $114 million) for the locomotives, which it originally ordered in December of 2012.[14]
Drones
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According to an article published by The News, the Political Agent for North Waziristan submitted a report of drone casualties from 2008 to 2012 to the Peshawar High Court on Thursday. The report states that approximately 894 people were killed and another 211 injured by drones in the last five years. According to the report, of those killed in 147 attacks, 48 were reportedly foreigners, 35 were women, and 24 were children.[15]
Kamran Faisal’s Death
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Forensic experts investigating the death of Kamran Faisal, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigator who was examining possible corrupt acts by the prime minister, stated on Wednesday that Faisal was not poisoned, tortured, and no injuries were present. Faisal is believed to have committed suicide; family members and some coworkers believe that he was murdered in connection with his ongoing case.[16]
