Pakistan Security Brief – January 7, 2010
A top TTP commander from the NWFP was arrested in Islamabad; a report released in Pakistan claims a new militant group was behind the December 28 Karachi blast; security forces arrest 23 suspected militants in Khyber Agency; militants target schools throughout the tribal areas; Pakistani forces kill four militants in Swat; the BBC details Balochistan’s separatist movements.
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A top Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) planner for suicide bombings and explosives expert was arrested in Islamabad on Thursday. Israr Amin was based in Hangu district of the North-West Frontier Province, where he was behind numerous attacks. A stolen military vehicle was recovered following his arrest.[1]
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On Wednesday Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency released a report detailing the December 28 blast in Karachi. Contrary to previous reports of the incident, the FIA says the bomb was activated by a remote-controlled device, not by suicide bomber. The report also claims a new militant group was behind the blast, although it fails to mention name of the new group.[2]
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Officials from the frontier corps announced that they have arrested 23 suspected militants and seized numerous weapons and explosives during a search operation in Bara sub-district, Khyber Agency. Four of the suspects were said to have been on the security forces’ most wanted list and have since been transferred to Peshawar.[3]
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Militants targeted schools in Khyber, Mohmand, and Bajaur Agency on Wednesday, each of which was administered by the Pakistani government. All of the attacks were carried out by different unidentified militants, and there were no reported casualties.[4]
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Pakistani forces continued their offensive in Swat, killing four militants on Thursday. Pakistani troops conducted searches throughout villages in the Valley, where they received small-arms fire from militants.[5]
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The BBC reported on the threat to Pakistan coming from separatist groups in Balochistan. In the report, members of different groups discuss their struggle against Pakistan, with one member saying that they “appeal to India for help” in resisting Pakistan’s national government.[6]