Pakistan Security Brief
Indian army chief says that India will respond to Pakistani LoC violations in kind, says that India killed 10 Pakistani soldiers in clash in December; Pakistan Army spokesman denies LoC violations; U.S. facilitates contract that allows Pakistan to buy 100 bomb-defusing robots; Iranian Energy Minister says Iran will not increase energy exports to Pakistan; TTP targeting MQM leaders; Bomb blast kills one policeman and injures another in Peshawar; Blast injures two policemen in Dera Ismail Khan; Security forces defuse IED near Swat; Gunmen kill police officer in Karachi; National Assembly approves amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Ordinance.
Kashmir Violence
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On Monday, Indian army chief General Bikram Singh said that India will not follow the “rules” in Kashmir if Pakistan breaks them. He was responding to an alleged Line of Control (LoC) violation by Pakistan. Singh added that Indian troops killed 10 Pakistani soldiers in a Decmeber LoC clash. A Pakistan Army spokesman said that Pakistan has honored the Kashmir ceasefire agreement and called Singh’s comments “regrettable and counterproductive.”1]
U.S.-Pakistan Relations
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On Tuesday, the U.S. agreed to facilitate a $7.8 million contract between Pakistan and a British defense technology firm that allows Pakistan to purchase 100 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), also called “Talon Robots,” which are used to trace bombs. The robots will help Pakistani forces identify and defuse improvised explosive devices (IEDs).[2]
Iran-Pakistan Relations
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According to a Tuesday report in Geo News, the Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian was quoted by Mehr News Agency saying that Iran will not increase electricity exports to Pakistan, though it will maintain the current level of exports to Pakistan.[3]
Militancy
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According to a Monday report in The Frontier Post, intelligence agencies believe that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is targeting three leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Farooq Sattar, Nabil Gabol, and Faisal Sabzwari, for assassination.[4]
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On Tuesday, a bomb blast killed one policeman and injured another in the Regi Model Town area of Peshawar. Additionally, a Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) also defused two bombs from the explosion site.[5]
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On Tuesday, a bomb blast injured two policemen in the Kolachi sub-district of Dera Ismail Khan.[6]
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On Monday, security forces defused an improvised explosive device (IED) that planted near a hospital in Swat district.[7]
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On Monday, gunmen shot and killed a police officer in Orangi Town, Karachi.[8]
Domestic
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On Monday, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control approved an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Ordinance (ATO). The Amendment enhanced law enforcement capabilities to counter terrorism and other criminal activities.[9]
