Pakistan Security Brief - March 12, 2010

Pakistan Security Brief –March 12, 2010 

Twin suicide bombers strike in Lahore; anti-Shia militant leaders killed in Karachi; al-Qaeda may have fewer sanctuaries in the Pakistani border region; Pakistan and Afghanistan reaffirm common goals; Pakistan’s navy tests missiles in the Arabian Sea; Maulvi Faqir Muhammad threatens more strikes on security forces; bomb in Peshawar kills four; militants target relatives of a BNP senator.

• At least 39 people were killed and over 100 injured on Thursday when two suicide bombers detonated explosives in Lahore. The bombers targeted Pakistani soldiers who were patrolling a market under army jurisdiction. The bombs detonated less than fifteen seconds apart and ten soldiers are said to be among the dead. At the time of the blasts, the market was busy with people dining before Friday prayers, causing civilians causalities as well. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.[1]

• Mufti Saeed Ahmad Jalalpuri, leader of the Interanational Organization for the Defense of the Finality of Prophethood, was killed my unidentified gunmen in Karachi on Thursday. Jalalpuri was shot in a separate incident from Maulana Ghafoor, who was also shot Thursday in Karachi. Sources believe Shia Muslims may be behind the shootings. Jalalpuri’s organization challenges certain principles guiding Shia Muslims, while Ghafoor’s group, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), is a sectarian terrorist organization responsible for numerous deadly attacks that targeted Shias.[2]

• In a sign that military operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan may be producing results, new intelligence suggests militants in the Pakistani border region are less inclined to provide assistance for al-Qaida operatives in Afghanistan. Al-Qaida, as a result, has fewer sanctuaries along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.[3]

• Following President Hamid Karzai’s visit to Islamabad, Pakistan and Afghanistan on Thursday vowed to respect each other’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. They also vowed to create a plan for using resources shared by both countries.[4]

• Pakistan’s navy tested various kinds of missiles in the Arabian Sea on Friday, saying the tests were an act of deterrence and a reassurance of military strength for Pakistan. The tests involved anti-surface missiles from an F-22P frigate, air-to-surface missiles from P-3C aircraft, and sub surface-to-surface missiles from Agosta 90B submarines.[5]

• Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, commander of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Bajaur, threatened the Pakistani government with more lethal strikes on security forces located in the agency. Mohammad made the comments in response to the continuing military operations, which are targeting militants including Muhammad, throughout Bajaur.[6]

• Reports stating that a suicide attack targeted a checkpoint in Peshawar on Thursday turned out to be false. The explosion originated from a bomb placed in front of a store, located near the checkpoint, where people watch movies. Four people were killed in the blast, while at least 25 were injured.[7]

• A residence containing the relatives of Balochi National Party (Awami) Senator Kalsoom Parven was attacked by unknown gunmen on Thursday. The gunmen threw a grenade in the residence, but no one was reported injured. The motive for the attack is unknown.[8]