Over 110 militants, 30 soldiers killed in Tirah operations; Supreme court rejects calls for Musharraf’s arrest; PAF forces kill eight in Orakzai; PPP, PTI, MQM call for interim interior minister to step down over bias; TTP says will not block elections in FATA, but warns against voting; Large Rangers operation in Karachi; Four die in Karachi violence; Mortar and rocket attacks injure seven in Peshawar; Two policemen, civilian killed in Quetta violence.

Tirah Valley Operation

Drone Strikes

U.S.-Pakistan Relations

  • On Tuesday, the New York Times published an article describing the initial breakdown of ties between the U.S. and Pakistan as stemming not from the Osama bin Laden raid in 2011 but from the shooting involving Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) contractor Raymond Davis earlier that year.  During an operation in Lahore, Davis shot and killed two Pakistanis and, as he was attempting to flee, an a support vehicle coming to his rescue killed a third person.  The article explains how relations between Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), the U.S. embassy, and the CIA all broke down during negotiations for his release, all of which sparked significant anti-American sentiment in the courts and the Pakistani public.  It took nearly two years for the CIA to admit Davis was affiliated with them, and that he was working against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a militant group linked to the ISI.  The report is based on excerpts from a new book by New York Times reporter Mark Mazzetti. [5]

Domestic Politics

Pakistani Nuclear Perspective

  • On Tuesday, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, considered to be the father of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons project, said he doubted that North Korea would “explode a nuclear device in its current face off with the United States and South Korea,” and went on to talk about his previous nuclear cooperation with the North Koreans.  Khan explained that he brought the missile technology North Korea used in its February 11, 2013  nuclear test to Pakistan in the early 1990’s, after over a dozen visits to the country. [8]

Militancy


[1] “ISPR confirms deaths of 23 soldiers in Tirah valley offensive,” Dawn, April 9, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/09/ispr-confirms-deaths-of-23-soldiers-in-tirah-valley-offensive/
“Pakistan fierce fight in valley,” New York Times, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/09/world/asia/pakistan-fierce-fight-in-valley.html?ref=asia&_r=0
“Battle for Tirah: 10 more soldiers die on third day of clashes,” Express Tribune, April 8, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/533248/battle-for-tirah-10-more-soldiers-die-on-third-day-of-clashes/
[2] “Eight militants killed in Orakzai, say forces,” The News, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-170329-Eight-militants-killed-in-Orakzai,-say-forces
[3]  “Soldier laid to rest in Bannu,” The News, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-170338-Soldier-laid-to-rest-in-Bannu
[4] Obama’s drone war kills others,” McClatchy, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/04/09/188062/obamas-drone-war-kills-others.html
[5] “How a single spy helped turn Pakistan against the United States,” The New York Times, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/magazine/raymond-davis-pakistan.html?pagewanted=all&_r=3&
[6] “Supreme Court rejects plea seeking Musharraf’s arrest,” The News, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-95975-Supreme-Court-rejects-plea-seeking-Musharrafs-arrest
[7] “PPP, PTI, MQM demand action against interim interior minister,” Express Tribune, April 9, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/533044/ppp-pti-mqm-demand-action-against-interim-interior-minister/
[8] “Pakistani expert doubts “not-too-stupid” North Korea will deploy nukes,” Fox News, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/09/exclusive-pakistani-expert-doubts-not-too-stupid-north-korea-will-deploy-nukes/#ixzz2PxmXp4bG
[9] “TTP urge voters to stay away from polls,” Express Tribune, April 9, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/532787/ttp-urge-voters-to-stay-away-from-polls/
[10] “Four killed in Karachi, Rangers conduct operations,” Dawn, April 9, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/09/four-killed-in-karachi-rangers-conduct-operations/
“Body found in Surjani Town,” The News, April 9, 2013. Available at www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-170186-Body-found-in-Surjani-Town
“11 Bhalu group members held: Rangers arrest 21 men in two raids,” The News, April 9, 2013. Available at www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-170183-11-Bhalu-group-members-held-Rangers-arrest-21-men-in-two-raids
“4 cops including SHO tortured in Defence,” The News, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-95982-Karachi%3a-4-cops-including-SHO-tortured-in-Defence-
[11] “Former senator’s house damaged in bomb blast,” The News International, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-7-170294-Former-senators-house-damaged-in-bomb-blast
[12] “Peshawar’s Hayatabad comes under mortar and rocket attack,” Dawn, April 9, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/09/peshawars-hayatabad-comes-under-mortar-and-rocket-attack/
[13] “DSP among two killed in Quetta firing,” Dawn, April 8, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/08/dsp-among-two-killed-in-quetta-firing/
“Two killed in Naseerabad,” The News, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-95980-Two-killed-in-Naseerabad- 
[14] “Two die in separate incidents,” Dawn, April 9, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/09/two-die-in-separate-incidents-10/
View Citations