Pakistan Security Brief – February 17, 2010
Pakistan confirms arrest of Mullah Baradar; new LeT splinter group claims responsibility for India bombing; unknown gunmen kill six militants in Kurram; drone strike in North Waziristan kills four militants; security increased along Afghan border in Balochistan; court denies bail for five Americans arrested for their alleged links with militants.
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Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas has confirmed the capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s second in command behind Mullah Omar. One Pakistani intelligence official anonymously stated that Baradar’s interrogation has provided “useful information” which has been shared with the US. The White House has not yet officially confirmed Baradar’s arrest.[1]
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A new organization claiming to be a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) splinter group has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack on a bakery in Pune, India that left 11 people dead and wounded more than 60 others. In a phone call to a reporter, a man using the name Abu Jindal said that he was a spokesman for Lashkar-e-Taiba al-Almi and that his group carried out the Pune attack due to India’s “refusal” to discuss Kashmir. The man also stated that he was calling from Miramshah, North Waziristan and that his group broke off from LeT because it did not approve of LeT’s ties to ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence service.[2]
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A group of unknown gunmen opened fire on a vehicle in the Ali Sherzai area of Kurram Agency, killing six militants. Those killed in the attack reportedly belong to the faction of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) supposed interim leader and potential successor Mullah Toofan.[3]
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At least four militants have been killed in a US drone strike in the village of Tapi Tol Khel, North Waziristan. The missile reportedly struck a building being used to house militants fighting across the border in Afghanistan, just five kilometers away.[4]
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Security forces in Balochistan have increased their presence along the Afghan border in response to the US-led Operation Moshtarak. A Frontier Corps official said that they have increased ground patrols and set up 280 checkpoints along the border, adding that air support is ready to react quickly to any situation. He also stated that due to these security increases nobody has tried to cross the border so far.[5]
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A court in Pakistan has denied a bail request for the five Americans arrested in December for their alleged militant links. The men have not yet been charged but are accused of contacting militants over the internet and planning terrorist attacks.[6]