Pakistan Security Brief-November 17, 2010
Germany warns of “imminent” al-Qaeda terror attack; The Lashkar-e-Jhangvi form new “sub-groups” to carry out attacks; 18 wounded in gunfire during Eid al-Adha celebrations in Baluchistan; Targeted-killings claim three lives in Karachi.
EU Terror Plot
Intelligence officials in Germany have uncovered “concrete leads” that Islamists linked to al-Qaeda are set to carry out “imminent” terror operations inside Germany later this month. Germany’s Interior Minister, Thomas de Maizière, told reporters that, “There is information from our foreign partners that planned attacks are allegedly to be carried out at the end of November” and that “there is reason to be worried.” Security officials reportedly received new intelligence from the United States, indicating that 2 to 4 al-Qaeda operatives were on their way to Germany and Britain to carry out attacks. The new intelligence suggested that the operatives would attempt to enter Germany around November 22nd possibly via India or the United Arab Emirates. It has also been reported that the operatives may be planning to attack “Christmas markets” that are heavily trafficked by German citizens during the holiday season. Federal police have been placed on high-alert, while security has been heightened at airports and train stations across Germany. It has been reported, that this latest EU terror threat may be linked to the terror alert that was issued in September after it was discovered that al Qaeda linked militants in North Waziristan were planning Mumbai-style attacks in major cities in Western Europe.[1]
Al Qaeda and Affiliated Movements
Two members of al-Qaeda were arrested by security forces on Wednesday in Karachi. According to reports, Umar Misri and Muhammad Muhammad were arrested by Pakistani officials at their safe house in the Sohrab Goth area of Karachi. The two al-Qaeda operatives are said to be on their way to Islamabad for interrogation. [2]
A new report alleges that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) is preparing to splitter into eight separate “cells,” so that the organization can better coordinate its terrorist activities across the region. According to the report, these new “sub-groups” will be “responsible for carrying out activities in a specific geographic location.” This decentralization is intended to make it more difficult for security officials to gain accurate information about LeJ operations. LeJ is a notoriously secretive and fractious organization, operating currently in North Waziristan, Karachi, and all across the Punjab. The LeJ is already closely aligned to al Qaeda, Jundallah, and the Punjabi Taliban and it is expected that these new LeJ “sub-groups” will closely coordinate terrorist activities with these organizations.[3]
Terror Funds
The Justice Department has filed immigration fraud charges against Aftab Ali, the 28 year old Pakistani citizen accused of providing Faisal Shahzad with $4,900. Faisal Shahzad is currently serving a life sentence after he was convicted of trying to detonate a car bomb in Times Square last May. Aftab Ali maintains that the $4,900 dollars he transferred to Shahzad was made as an Islamic “hawala” donation, and that as a result, he had no way of knowing how the money was going to be used. According to Justice Department officials, Ali faces as many as 10 years in prison if convicted.[4]
Baluchistan
18 people were wounded on Wednesday, after a gunfight broke out at a mosque during Eid al-Adha celebrations. Worshipers from two rival religious groups pulled out guns and opened fired after a disagreement over which group’s imam should lead the prayer services. The incident took place at a mosque in the Khuzdar district of Baluchistan province.[5]
Karachi
Three people were killed and another six were injured on Wednesday in the latest round of violence in Karachi. In one incident, two people were killed and others five injured after rival gangs clashed in the Lyari area of the city.[6]