U.S. Department of State orders evacuation of non-essential staff from Lahore consulate to Islamabad; 10 people killed in militant attack in Quetta; Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Zardari condemn terrorism within Pakistan; Security officials detain one suspect in connection with DI Khan Central Prison jailbreak; No date set for Prime Minister’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister at UNGA; Protests continue over alleged Pakistani military involvement in LoC attack; Attempted suicide bomber shot and killed upon entering mosque in Islamabad; Security increased throughout Pakistan for Eid-ul-Fitr; IED kills two in Kurram; TTP would-be suicide bomber arrested in Karachi; Four killed in Karachi; The Prime Minister has requested a meeting of the Cabinet’s Defense Committee next week; Interior Minister to visit Balochistan province.
U.S.-Pakistan Relations
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On Friday, the U.S. Department of State ordered the evacuation of all non-essential personnel from its consulate in Lahore, Punjab province, to Islamabad. A U.S. spokesperson said the closure was due to “specific threats” unrelated to the embassy closures in the Middle East, but did not provide additional details. The announcement accompanied a warning advising U.S. citizens not to travel in and around Pakistan today.[1]
Militancy
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On Friday in Quetta, four gunmen fired upon worshippers exiting a Sunni mosque, killing ten and wounding at least 20 others. Ali Madad Jattak, a former leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was in the mosque for prayer, and police believe he may have been the target of the attack. Friday’s attack comes one day after 39 people were killed in Quetta in a suicide bombing. Police have taken eight suspects into custody in the aftermath of the shooting, and have uncovered a large arms cache.[2]
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In a statement after Thursday’s suicide bombings in Quetta, which killed 39 people, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned terrorism within Pakistan, pledging to “handle [terrorists] with an iron fist.” Furthermore, Sharif called for a display of unity and solidarity with the grieving families of those killed in the attacks. President Asif Ali Zardari provided a similar message to Pakistanis on Thursday, telling citizens that they “must not forget the pains of those brothers and sisters who have fallen victim to terrorism.”[3]
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On Thursday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to complete preparations of the nation’s new counterterrorism strategy by August 13. This announcement supersedes the government’s press release yesterday indicating the deadline was set for August 30.[4]
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On Friday in Islamabad, an attempted suicide bomber entered a mosque and fired upon a guard and people at prayer, killing the guard and wounding two civilians before being shot by security forces. The bomber’s jacket malfunctioned, and the Bomb Disposal Squad defused the jacket. In the aftermath of the attack, Islamabad residents protested outside the mosque, citing the suicide bomber’s ability to easily enter the mosque, and the police’s late arrival after the failed attack.[5]
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Security has been increased throughout Islamabad for Eid-ul-Fitr, according to an Express Tribune report. Over 2,500 policemen have been deployed throughout the city, with 150 policemen at Faisal mosque alone. After a false bomb threat was called into Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad, security in the airport was also placed on high alert and the Pakistan Army was deployed to the capital’s airport. Last week, the airport was also alerted after receiving tip offs from intelligence agencies on impending terrorist attacks.[6]
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A policeman was shot in Karak district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday evening near Takht-e-Nusrati bazaar. The constable was reportedly on routine patrol when he was fired upon.[7]
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Security officials detained one suspect on Thursday in connection with the Dera Ismail Khan jailbreak. They detained the suspect at his residence in the Dinpur area of Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Separately, a bomb disposal squad located and defused an improvised explosive device at the Daraban checkpoint in Kulachi sub-district of Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.[8]
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On Friday in Shakhdalatkhel, Kurram agency, a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) exploded, destroying a vehicle and killing two of its occupants. Another person was also wounded in the blast.[9]
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On Thursday in Palai Cherat, Malakand district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, unknown gunmen attacked a Levies check post. After initiating fire on the Levies personnel, the gunmen fled upon receiving returning fire from the Levies men.[10]
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Security throughout Peshawar has been increased in light of Thursday’s suicide bombing in Quetta, according to a Friday The News report. Reportedly, barricades have been erected on the main roads throughout the city, and any suspicious vehicles are being searched.[11]
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During raids throughout Karachi on Thursday, Rangers personnel arrested several would-be suicide bombers, including a 15-year-old from South Waziristan, who was reportedly working under Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander of Karachi Ali Muhammad. The bombers were reportedly planning an attack on Inter-Services Intelligence offices in Karachi.[12]
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In Karachi on Friday, four people were killed in separate firing incidents. One was shot and killed in North Nazimabad, while another was gunned down in Defence View. The third man was shot and killed in Orangi Town, while the last was shot in Machar Colony.[13]
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Police exchanged fire with suspects during a raid on Friday in the Kot Haibit area of Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab province. Two security officials died, while another policeman was injured and a civilian was wounded.[14]
Indo-Pakistan Relations
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As of Friday, government officials have yet to set a date for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) summit that will begin on September 24.[15]
Line of Control Dispute
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Hundreds of people in New Delhi swarmed a bus bound for Lahore on Friday in protest of the alleged involvement of Pakistani military elements in Tuesday’s cross-border attack at the Line of Control (LoC) that left five Indian soldiers dead. Indian security officials intervened to clear the protestors and the bus arrived safely in Lahore.[16]
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On Thursday, the Pakistan Peace Coalition and the Peoples SAARC (Peace Process) revealed that Pakistan-India Independence Day celebrations scheduled to occur on August 14 at the Sindh-Rajasthan border have been postponed. The Organizing Committee advised Pakistan officials denied permission for the event due to ongoing tensions with India over the recent LoC attack.[17]
Domestic
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Sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed on Friday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the Cabinet’s Defense Committee to convene for a meeting next week. Discussion topics are likely to include national security matters and the current LoC dispute with India.[18]
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On Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to visit Quetta within the next three days. Sharif issued his directive in the wake of yesterday’s suicide attack during the funeral of a local policeman. The attack killed approximately thirty people, including a number of senior security officials. Balochistan’s provisional government has requested Khan postpone his visit for an additional three days for unspecified reasons.[19]
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According to Inter-Services Public Relations, four Pakistan Army generals were promoted on Friday to the rank of Lieutenant General. The new three-star generals include: Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmed, Zamir ul Hassan Shah, Qamar Javed Bajwa, and Javed Iqbal.[20]
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On Friday, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak appointed journalist Shiraz Paracha as his spokesman and media advisor.[21]