Ex-Guantanamo detainee recruiting for IS in South Asia; PAF kills 22 militants in airstrikes in Kyber Agency; Anti-Taliban militia and LI militants clash, killing three and injuring four in Khyber Agency; Militants kill anti-Taliban militia member in Khyber Agency ;Afghans say Haqqani Network behind suicide bombing in Paktika, Afghanistan; TTP Jamatul Ahrar militants attack MQM rally in Karachi; TTP faction kills ANP leader in Karachi; Bomb kills one near Pakistan-Iran border crossing; Bomb kills two security personnel in Peshawar; Court acquits TNSM leader in two terrorism cases; TTP Jamatul Ahrar militants injure polio worker in Charsadda district; Dutch police arrest Pakistani al Qaeda suspect for extradition to U.S.; Bomb injures two in Quetta; Prime Minister Sharif meets ISI chief in Islamabad; Army chief meets CIA officials, visits U.S. Military National Training Center in California; President Obama telephones Prime Minister Sharif; Foreign office protests against fresh ceasefire violations; India not ruling out meeting with Prime Minister Sharif at SAARC summit; Russia to assist Pakistan in combatting terrorism, narcotics trafficking; U.S.-Pakistan relations improving, says national security advisor; Pakistan has world’s fastest growing nuclear program, claims think tank; Repatriation of IDPs from North Waziristan to begin soon; Prime Minister Sharif’s address to the nation cancelled.
Islamic State in South Asia
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According to a November 22 Long War Journal report, ex-Guantanamo detainee, Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, swore allegiance to Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al Baghdadi on July 1. Dost, said to be based in northern Pakistan, is reportedly accused of recruiting jihadists for IS and has been named the head of IS in the “Khorasan” area which covers Central and South Asia. The report also claims that Dost is responsible for a graffiti campaign in support of IS in Pakistan and produces “propaganda booklets” advocating on behalf of Baghdadi.[1]
Militancy
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On November 21, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) killed 22 militants in airstrikes in multiple locations of Tirah Valley, Khyber Agency. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) and Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) hideouts were destroyed in the Sandapal area of the Tirah Valley.[2]
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On November 22, a clash between anti-Taliban militia Tauheedul Islam (TI) and LI killed three TI members and injured four LI members in Nari Baba, Tirah Valley, Khyber Agency. TI claimed to have captured a bunker in the clash.[3]
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On November 21, militants killed a TI militia member in the Nari Baba area of Tirah Valley, Khyber Agency.[4]
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On November 24, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency stated that the Haqqani Network was responsible for a suicide bombing that killed 57 people and injured 60 people at a volleyball game in Paktika Province, Afghanistan.[5]
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On November 22, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Jamatul Ahrar militants threw grenades and fired into a crowd during a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) membership campaign, killing one man and injuring 20 others in Orangi Town, Karachi. Militants injured three provincial legislators in the attack. TTP Jamatul Ahrar spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan stated that the attack was retaliation for the arrest and death of TTP Jamatul Ahrar members in Karachi. He promised to continue targeting the MQM, Awami National Party (ANP), and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Karachi.[6]
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On November 21, a roadside bomb exploded as an Army Air Defense vehicle was passing by, killing two security personnel and injuring five others in Mathra village, Peshawar. TTP Jamatul Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was in retaliation for the killing of one of their members in an army operation.[7]
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On November 24, TTP Jamatul Ahrar militants injured a polio vaccination worker in Shabqadar sub-district, Charsadda district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.[8]
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On November 23, militants with the “TTP Hakeemullah Mehsud” faction shot dead the Awami National Party (ANP) leader for the West district of Karachi in Orangi Town, Karachi.[9]
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On November 23, a bomb exploded, killing one person and injuring three others near the exit point of a Pakistan-Iran border crossing in Mand town, Turbat district, Balochistan.[10]
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On November 22, an anti-terrorism court in Peshawar acquitted Maulana Sufi Mohammad, the former leader of the Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariah Mohammadi (TNSM), and 30 people associated with him, in two terrorism cases. Sufi Mohammad will remain detained, however, until he is tried on two additional cases.[11]
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On November 20, Dutch officials arrested Pakistani al Qaeda suspect “Sabir K.” for extradition to the United States. Sabir K. will stand trial in the U.S. for acts of terrorism including planning a suicide attack in 2010 on a U.S. military base in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.[12]
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On November 21, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded, injuring two people including one security personnel, on Sariab road in Quetta.[13]
Military
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On November 24, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt. Gen. Rizwan Akhtar in Islamabad. Prime Minister Sharif and the ISI chief reportedly discussed issues related to internal and external security with special attention to the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan. This was the second meeting between the two leaders since Lt. Gen. Akhtar assumed office on November 7.[14]
U.S-Pakistan Relations
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On November 21, army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif met officials from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Washington D.C. and discussed matters of regional security, including the ongoing anti-terrorism efforts undertaken by both sides. On November 22, Gen. Sharif also visited the U.S. Military National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irvin, California. These visits are a part of the Army chief’s official visit to the U.S.[15]
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On November 21, U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and discussed efforts by the two countries to advance matters of shared interest . According to reports from Pakistani officials, President Obama had called to inform Prime Minister Sharif about his visit to New Delhi in January to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations.[16]
Indo-Pakistan Relations
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On November 21, the foreign ministry summoned a senior Indian diplomat from the Indian High Commission and lodged a protest against fresh ceasefire violation by Indian troops on November 20 that killed one Pakistani soldier. Pakistani officials reportedly made it clear that such violations along the Line of Control will not be tolerated. [17]
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On November 23, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin declared that India had not ruled out a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the two-day South Asian Association Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Kathmandu, Nepal. Akbaruddin added that Mr. Modi was keen on engaging in meaningful dialogue with as many South Asian leaders as possible at the summit that begins on November 26. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s foreign office issued a statement confirming Prime Minister Sharif’s attendance at the SAARC summit.[18]
Foreign Affairs
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According to a November 21 Dawn report, Russia has accepted Pakistan’s request for cooperation in combatting terrorism and has offered assistance in the form of advanced counter-terrorism training to Pakistani military and law enforcement agencies at Russian institutions. Russia will also reportedly help Pakistan in countering the production and trafficking of narcotics. On November 22, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared that the improvement in relations between Islamabad and Moscow is not at the cost of relations with other countries and also said that Pakistan wanted Russian engagement in the Afghan peace process after the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan.[19]
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On November 24, Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz declared in an interview with the Voice of America that Pakistan-U.S. strategic and economic relations are advancing toward betterment. Aziz also said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Pakistan in early 2015. Aziz further added that Afghan President Ghani’s visit to Pakistan was very successful and that a new phase of relations had begun between Afghanistan and Pakistan.[20]
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According to a November report released by Council on Foreign Relations entitled “Strategic Stability in the Second Nuclear Age,” Pakistan has the world’s fastest growing nuclear program. The report claims that by 2020, Pakistan could have a stockpile of enough fissile material to weaponize about 200 nuclear devices. According to the report, South Asia is “most at risk of a breakdown in strategic stability” because of unresolved territorial disputes, cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s growing nuclear arsenal.[21]
Internally Displaced Persons
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On November 22, Maj. Gen. Akhtar Jameel Rao, General Officer Commanding (GOC) in North Waziristan, declared that the phased repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan will begin soon and that security forces are striving to provide adequate facilities to IDPs from North Waziristan.[22]
Domestic Politics