Pakistan Security Brief - April 9, 2010

By Brian Wolfe April 09, 2010

Pakistan Security Brief –April 9, 2010

Security forces conduct several operations in Orakzai and Kurram; Pakistan jets bomb a Lashkar-e-Islam prison in Khyber; five individuals residing with senior TTP commanders; security forces battle militants in Dir and Swat; police kill two potential suicide bombers in Lakki Marwat; gunmen shoot four Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) activists in Karachi; new Director of General Military Intelligence appointed; more than 35,000 families have registered as internally displaced persons (IDP) since November 2009.

FATA

Security forces continued to target militants in the FATA on Friday, killing up to 24 militants in several operations. During the deadliest attack, militants attacked a checkpoint in Bizoti village, Orakzai, and security forces returned fire. Fifteen militants died and three Pakistani soldiers were injured. Militants also assaulted a checkpoint in Dogar village, located in Kurram agency. Security forces killed nine militants and injured ten more after responding to the assault.[1] (For detailed daily updates on Pakistani military operations in Orakzai, CLICK HERE).
Pakistani jets bombed a prison on Thursday operated by militant group Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) in Khyber agency. According to officials, LI detained men captured for ransom and held the men in the prison until the ransom was paid. Ten detained people and two LI militants died in the strike, which completely destroyed the compound.[2]
A statement released on Thursday claims the five individuals reported missing while traveling to North Waziristan are in fact staying with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) senior commander Waliur Rahman in South Waziristan. Another senior TTP commander who made the statement said the individuals are safe and “still working on their project.” The five people—two former ISI officers and three journalists—originally embarked on a mission to interview senior Taliban commanders.[3]

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Security forces targeted 40 militant hideouts in the Patao and Takuroshikhan areas of Lower Dir on Friday. Reports indicate 21 militants died in the clashes. Security forces also killed three militants in neighboring Swat and detained an additional 21 militants between the Swat and Lower Dir operations. In the same district, another report claims security forces killed twelve militants during operations in the Maidan and Samar Bagh areas.[4]
Police shot and killed two potential suicide bombers after the two men threw grenades at police personnel in Lakki Marwat on Friday. Police refused to let the men enter a checkpoint leading into the district, and the men initiated a firefight that lasted approximately 40 minutes.[5]

Karachi

Unknown gunmen opened fire on four Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) activists sitting outside a bakery on Thursday. Two of the activists died, while the other two were injured.[6]

Army promotions

Chief of the Army staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani appointed Major General Naushad Ahmed Kayani to Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI) on Thursday. The Pakistani Army is expecting more appointments and promotions in the coming weeks.[7]

Refugees

A UN official said more than 35,000 families—about 210,000 people—from Orakzai and Kurram agencies have been registered as internally displaced persons (IDP) since November 2009. Of the 35,000 families registered, 16,376 have become internally displaced since February of this year.[8]

[1]“Pakistani troops kill 24 militants: officials,” AFP, April 9, 2010. Available at http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100409/wl_afp/pakistanunrestnorthwest. “Pakistan Says 15 Militants Killed In Orakzai Clash,” Reuters, April 9, 2010. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/04/09/world/international-uk-pakistan-violence.html?_r=1.

[2] “Jets bomb LI’s private jail in Khyber, 12 killed,” Daily Times, April 9, 2010. Available at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\04\09\story_9-4-2010_pg1_6.

[3] Mushtaq Yusufzai, “Report says missing ex-intelligence officials, journalists with Taliban,” The News, April 9, 2010. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=233411.

[4] “24 terrorists killed in Swat, Lower Dir,” Daily Times, April 9, 2010. Available at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\04\09\story_9-4-2010_pg7_7.

[5] “Suicide bombers blow up themselves in Lakki Marwat,” Geo, April 9, 2010. Available at http://geo.tv/4-9-2010/62637.htm. [5]“Pakistani troops kill 24 militants: officials,” AFP, April 9, 2010. Available at http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100409/wl_afp/pakistanunrestnorthwest. “Two suicide bombers killed in Lakki Marwat gun battle,” Dawn, April 9, 2010. Available at http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/07-two-suicide-bombers-killed-in-lakki-marwat-gun-battle-ha-06.

[6] “JUI-F activists killed in firing incident in Karachi,” Dawn, April 8, 2010. Available at http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/metropolitan/03-jui-f-activists-killed-in-firing-incident-in-karachi-ss-06.

[7] “Kayani to brief Kayani on intelligence matters,” The News, April 9, 2010. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=28246.

[8] “More than 200,000 flee tribal regions: UN,” Dawn, April 9, 2010. Available at http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-more-than-200000-flee-tribal-regions-un-ss-07.

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