Pakistan Security Brief
U.S. drone strike kills at least 18 militants and injures five in Datta Khel, North Waziristan; Airstrikes on July 16 kill 35 militants in Shawal Valley, North Waziristan; Ground operations start in Mir Ali on July 14; Ground operations in Mir Ali kill eleven militants and five soldiers on July 15; Bajaur tribesman agree to form local militia to combat local militants, urge security officials to cancel proposed Mamund military operation; 25,000 IDPs leave Mamund in anticipation of military operation; More details emerge surrounding July 15 arrest of TTP commander Rashid, July 15 Karachi security operation; U.S. officials meet with Pakistani Interior Minister; Indian and Pakistani soldiers in cross-border firing near Sialkot, Punjab.
U.S. Drone Strikes
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A U.S. drone on July 16 fired on a compound and killed at least 18 suspected militants in the Saidgai area of Datta Khel sub-district, North Waziristan Agency. The Express Tribune reported that the strike targeted a house and a vehicle, killing 20 militants and injuring five militants. According to a senior intelligence official, the strikes targeted a compound being used by foreign militants.[1]
North Waziristan Operation
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On July 16, in the Shawal Valley, North Waziristan, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airstrikes killed at least 35 militants attempting to flee into South Waziristan.[2]
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Pakistan Army spokesman General Asim Saleem Bajwa told reporters in Lahore on July 15 that the Army launched ground operations against militants in Mir Ali on July 14.[3]
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A total of five soldiers and eleven militants were killed in two separate clashes between Pakistan Army soldiers and militants in and around Mir Ali on July 15. On the evening of July 15, fighting between militants and Pakistani military forces in Mir Ali killed four militants and two soldiers including an army captain. Two additional soldiers were injured in the evening clashes. During the day of July 15, three soldiers and seven militants were killed in a firefight in Fateh Khel area near Mir Ali.[4]
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On July 16, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.[5]
Bajaur Operation
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On July 15, Mamund tribesmen met and decided to form a local militia to support the Pakistan Army military operation targeting militants in Mamund sub-district, Bajaur Agency. On July 16, Mamund tribesmen assisted the district administration in targeting militant hideouts and reportedly set fire to several militant houses, killing two suspected militants and injuring six. The tribesmen formed the militia after Bajaur Agency authorities demanded they hand over the militants responsible for the July 12 attack in Ghakki pass, Bajaur. Bajaur Agency political and military authorities had reportedly threatened on July 15 to launch a targeted military operation if the tribesmen did not comply with their requests. According to sources in the Bajaur administration, security forces and the administration had finalized plans to launch an operation in Mamund sub-district. On July 16, a tribal council met with security officials to persuade them to cancel their previous decision to launch the operation. During the meeting, tribesmen led by National Assembly member Bismillah Khan agreed to establish the Mamund Peace Committee to patrol Mamund and the surrounding areas and to secure the Pak-Afghan border in Mamund, Bajaur Agency. The Committee promised to revive former peace militias and take action against those granting militants safe haven. In exchange, the tribal leaders secured the right of their respective tribespeople to return to their homes.[6]
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At least 25,000 people from Mamund sub-district left their homes on July 15 in anticipation of a targeted military operation against militants in Mamund sub-district, Bajaur Agency. Dawn reported that the Mamund political administration refused to provide any assistance to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) as of July 16. According to The News, the people of Loy Mamund were allowed to return to their homes after talks between tribesmen and security officials on July 16.[7]
Capture of TTP Commander Rashid
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On July 16, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) confirmed the July 11 arrest of TTP Commander Adnan Rashid in the Shakai area of South Waziristan. The TTP accused the Mullah Nazir militant group of leaking Rashid’s whereabouts to Pakistani security forces which led to his arrest. Geo News reported on July 16 that the TTP released pamphlets in South Waziristan promising to exact vengeance on the Mullah Nazir group. In the same raid in which Rashid was arrested, security forces also reportedly captured an al Qaeda commander known as Mufti Zubair Marwat and two guards. Mufti Zubair Marwat is the brother of Mufti Sajjad Marwat, an al Qaeda spokesman in Afghanistan and Pakistan. [8]
July 15 Karachi Operation
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More details emerged on July 16 regarding a July 15 Karachi police operation in Gulshan-i-Buner area that killed five suspected militants, including a prominent TTP commander. Dawn reported on July 16 that the July 15 law enforcement raid in Landhi district involved 400 policemen including 200 police commandos and that the deceased included TTP commander Javed Mehsud. Javed Mehsud was reportedly a local commander of the Waliur Rehman group of the TTP, wanted in 50 criminal cases including the assassination of Rangers personnel and a health worker in Gulshan-i-Buner.[9]
Militancy
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The News reported on July 16 that police defused a seven kilogram remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) attached to motorcycle near the Chamkani Police Station in Peshawar on July 15.[10]
Pak-Afghan Relations
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In a meeting with U.S. Deputy Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Ambassador Elizabeth Jones and U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Pakistan Thomas Williams, Pakistani Interior Minister Chaudry Nisar Ali Khan stressed the importance of international and Afghan efforts to eliminate Afghan militant safe havens for the success of the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan. Ambassador Elizabeth Jones said that the U.S. remained committed to cooperating with Pakistan in counter-terrorism and police efforts.[11]
Indo-Pak Relations
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The Express Tribune reported that on July 16, Indian Border Security Force personnel reportedly fired upon Pakistani Chenab Rangers without provocation and that Chenab Ranger personnel returned fire in Sialkot district, Punjab near the Line of Control.[12]
Jamaat-ud-Dawa Statements Against Israel
