AQIS clarifies it will operate across entire Indian subcontinent; New details on leader of AQIS; 35 militants killed, three hideouts destroyed in Datta Khel, North Waziristan; 30 militants killed, two hideouts destroyed in Shawal Valley, North Waziristan; Cleric gunned down in Karachi, Army chief and air marshal meet to recommit to campaign in North Waziristan; Defense minister claims inside job in attack on naval dockyard in Karachi; One killed in attack on Polio workers in Bajaur Agency; Government concludes talks with PAT; PML-N claims PAT, PTI protests violate Constitution; Prime Minister Sharif’s ouster could trigger sanctions by U.S.
Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)
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In a press release delivered via Twitter on September 8, al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) spokesperson Usama Mahmoud clarified that the group intends to operate throughout the Indian subcontinent and not simply in India. Mahmoud stated that one of AQIS's goals is to liberate Indian Muslims but Pakistan is part of the Indian sub-continent and “the doorstep for this jihad." He further emphasized the centrality of the Pakistan Army in supporting U.S. actions in the region.[1]
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On September 10, Reuters published a report giving background on AQIS and its leader, Pakistani militant Asim Umar. Umar is reportedly known as an ideologue, intellectual, and orator rather than a fighter. In addition, Umar has had longtime relationships with al Qaeda’s central leadership including Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri including being the one to facilitate bin Laden’s relocation to Abbottabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Umar studied at seminary Jamia Uloom-e-Islamia in Karachi as well as Islamist madrassa Darul Aloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Umar traveled to Afghanistan following his studies and was at one point, a member of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI).[2]
Militancy
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On September 10, Pakistani military airstrikes killed 65 suspected militants in North Waziristan. 35 militants were killed and three militant hideouts destroyed in Datta Khel sub-district. Separately, airstrikes also killed 30 suspected militants and destroyed two hideouts in the Shawal Valley of North Waziristan.[3]
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On September 9, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that commissioned navy personnel provided inside help to militants involved in the September 7 attack on a navy dockyard in Karachi. According to The News, a Pakistan Naval Intelligence source believes that the attackers were privy to inside information regarding the dockyard. In addition, Asif claimed that the attack could be part of the backlash from the military’s ongoing offensive in North Waziristan. A spokesperson for the navy refused to confirm or deny the veracity of Asif’s claim.[4]
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On September 10, unknown assailants gunned down Sunni cleric and lecturer Maulana Masood Baig in what is being called a sectarian attack in Hyderi area North Nazimabad, Karachi.[5]
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On September 10, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif met with Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt in Rawalpindi to discuss the progress of operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan. Gen. Sharif and Air Chief Marshal Butt reiterated their commitment to the North Waziristan campaign.[6]
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On September 10, unknown attackers killed a Levies Force member assigned to protect a polio vaccination team in the Damadola area of Bajaur Agency.[7]
Political Crisis
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On September 10, the government delegation concluded talks with the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT). The talks involved discussion of six of ten demands made by the PAT. According to the Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, the government would meet with the PAT delegation again on September 12.[8]
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In response to the Supreme Court’s call for suggestions from political parties to end the political deadlock, Pakistan Muslim League-N counsel Rafiq Rajwana submitted the party’s response on September 10. The response stated that the protests carried out by the PTI and PAT were in violation of Article 19 of the Constitution which guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression.[9]
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According to press reports, a report titled “Pakistan Political Unrest” prepared for the U.S. Congress warns that the U.S. could impose another round of democracy-related sanctions on foreign assistance to Pakistan if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is overtly ousted by the military. The report also warns that an increasing influence of the army in Pakistan’s foreign policies could affect Pakistan’s relations with India and Afghanistan.[10]