Pakistan Security Brief
Pakistan Security Brief – October 30, 2009
Pakistani security forces prepare to enter militant strongholds of Sara Rogha and Kaniguram in South Waziristan; Karachi security forces increase security for Friday prayers; rescuers continue to search for missing people as the death toll from Wednesdays attack in Peshawar climbs to 118; Clinton believes that government officials know where al-Qaeda terrorists are hiding in the Pakistan.
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On the fourteenth day of the Pakistani military’s operation into South Waziristan, Rah-e-Nijat, Pakistani security forces have begun clearance operations into the militant stronghold of Kaniguram. Operations in Sara Rogha are also expected in the near future. The government says that a total of two hundred and eighty-nine militants and thirty-four soldiers have been killed thus far in the operation (click here for more detail on operation in SWA).[1]
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Karachi security forces have increased security measures following reports hinting at possible terror attacks this Friday. Specifically security has increased in places of worship in preparation for Friday prayers. Over two hundred and fifty people have been arrested in overnight raids. Most of the suspects are Afghans.[2]
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Rescuers continue to search for people days after the blast occurred in a bazaar in Peshawar on Wednesday. According to government officials there have been one hundred and eighteen confirmed deaths from the blast. Rescuers believe that more bodies are hidden beneath the rubble. Market stalls remain closed in protest of the lack of security provided by the government.[3]
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In her recent trip to Pakistan, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hinted that she believes Pakistani officials know where al-Qaeda members are hiding in Pakistan. These comments occurred during an interview with Pakistani journalists at the end of her two-day trip to Pakistan.[4]
