Pakistan Security Brief - October 21, 2009

Pakistan Security Brief - October 21, 2009�

Operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Deliverance) is in its fifth day as fierce fighting continues for control of Kotkai; the Pakistan military reports six foreign militants killed in Sara Rogha; an explosion initially thought to be a drone strike kills three in North Waziristan; schools and universities remain closed over security concerns following a Taliban attack on a university in Islamabad; the World Food Program ceases its operation in North-West Pakistan following an earlier attack on its headquarters; six Frontier Corps recruits are kidnapped by militants in Orakzai.

• The battle for the strategic town of Kotkai continues into the fifth day of the security forces' operation into South Waziristan.� DAWN reports that security forces are fighting militants in the town, but have not taken control of the area.� Sources say that the military has destroyed the house of TTP commander Hakimullah Mehsud.� Symbolically the town is important because both Hakimullah and Qari Hussein are from Kotkai.� The town also represents a strategic point on the road to Sara Rogha.[1]
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• There have been reports that a drone attack has occurred on Wednesday in North Waziristan.� While the details are still limited, early reports suggest that the attack occurred in Spalga and three suspected militants were killed.� The target of the strike remains unknown.� An updated AFP report on the attack suggests that the blast was not a drone attack but was an explosion caused by an unknown source.[2]
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• Six foreign militants were reportedly killed in Rah-e-Nijat operation in South Waziristan.� Reports say that the foreign militants were killed in Sara Rogha but it does not say the cause of death.[3]�
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• In response to the dual suicide bombing of the International Islamic University in Islamabad, all schools and universities have been closed in Pakistan.� This move was carried out in order to prevent further suicide attacks against schools during the operation in South Waziristan.� Tuesday's attack against the Islamic university killed four and wounded eighteen.[4]
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• The United Nations' World Food Program closed distribution centers after a recent bombing at the UNWFP office in Islamabad.� All distribution centers in the NWFP have been closed.� These agencies are considered hubs for the IDPs in that area.[5]
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• Six recent recruits for the Frontier Corps have been kidnapped by militants.� Two of the recruits were killed and their bodies were found on Tuesday in Orakzai Agency.� The condition of the other four hostages is unknown.[6] �