Pakistan Security Brief - April 30, 2010

By Nicholas Patella April 30, 2010

Pakistan Security Brief –April 30, 2010

Wali ur-Rehman is leading the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP); Hakimullah Mehsud reportedly releases a video; Pakistan warming to the idea of a military operation in North Waziristan; security forces clash with militants in Orakzai; Asian Tigers kill former ISI officer; tribal elders still believe South Waziristan is too dangerous; Indian soldiers kill three militants as they infiltrate India-controlled Kashmir; Punjab a hotbed for militant groups.

FATA

Despite reports indicating the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander, Hakimullah Mehsud, is alive, intelligence officials now believe Wali ur-Rehman is leading the militant organization. Wali ur-Rehman and Hakimullah fought over the chief TTP position following the death of Baitullah Mehsud in 2009. The Express Tribune claims to have received a video of Hakimullah Mehsud on Friday, although its contents are unknown.[1]
Recent statements from Western diplomats and Pakistani security officials suggest the Pakistani military is accepting the idea of a military operation in North Waziristan. Several different militant groups—some of which carry out attacks in neighboring Afghanistan—are operating out of the agency. Officials have not detailed the specifics or timing of such an operation.[2]
Pakistani security forces clashed with militants in Orakzai during a search operation in Goain village on Friday. Reports indicate at least eight militants were killed in the fighting. Militants also launched rockets at an army camp in Darra Adam Khel on Friday, and one militant died in the skirmish that followed.[3]
Members of the Asian Tigers, the group holding two former ISI officers and a journalist, shot one of the former officers, Khalid Khwaja. Khwaja’s body was discovered on the Miramshah-Mirali road in North Waziristan on Friday. The Asian Tigers claimed responsibility in a note attached to Khwaja’s body.[4]
Although Pakistani officials claim South Waziristan is free of militants, tribal elders are refusing to return to their homes in the agency. The elders believe militants still operate in the area, making a return home too dangerous.[5]

Kashmir

The Indian army shot and killed three militants as they attempted to infiltrate India-controlled Kashmir from the Pakistani side. An army spokesman said the incident occurred early Friday in the northern sector of Machil.[6]

Punjab

Militant groups operate openly in Punjab, causing concern for officials who believe the groups are “armed and dangerous.” Sipah-e-Sahaba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and Jammat-ud-dawa all operate in some capacity within the province.[7]

[1] Karin Brulliard and Haq Nawaz Khan, “Pakistani intelligence officials say Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud is alive,” Washington Post, April 30, 2010. Available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/29/AR2010042903619_pf.html. Munir Ahmed and Ishtiaq Mahsud, “Pakistan Taliban chief said to survive US attack,” AP, April 29, 2010. Available at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100429/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan. “Video of Hakimullah Mehsud released today,” Express Tribune, April 30, 2010. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/9965/video-of-hakimullah-mehsud-released-today/.

[2] Sabrina Tavernise, Carlotta Gall, and Ismail Khan, “Pakistan, in Shift, Weighs Attack on Militant Lair,” New York Times, April 29, 2010. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/world/asia/30pstan.html?ref=asia.

[3] “Troops kill at least eight militants in Orakzai,” Dawn, April 30, 2010. Available at http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-orakzai-fighting-8-killed-qs-07. “Darra Adam Khel clash kills one militant,” Dawn, April 30, 2010. Available at http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/22-darra-adam-khel-clash-kills-one-militant-01-jd.

[4] “Former ISI Khalid Khwaja found dead in Waziristan,” Dawn, April 30, 2010. Available at http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-khalid-khwaja-killed-qs-13.

[5] Ishtiaq Mahsud and Nahal Toosi, “Elders' absence hinders army goals in NW Pakistan,” AP, April 30, 2010. Available at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100429/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_reluctant_to_return.

[6] “Indian army foils Kashmir infiltration bid, three dead,” Dawn, April 30, 2010. Available at http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/04-kashmir-infiltration-bid-foiled-qs-04.

[7] Saeed Shah, “Pakistan's Punjab heartland alive with extremist groups,” McClatchy, April 29, 2010. Available at http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/04/29/93168/pakistans-punjab-heartland-alive.html.

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