Pakistani Forces against Militants.

[Last Hope]

July 06, 2011. Wednesday.

NUSRAT DARRA: At least twelve militants were killed, while three have been apprehended in the ongoing operation against the Afghan militants in the Upper Dir area. Sources said the militants are firing missiles into the Bin Shahi area.

More than 100 militants from Afghanistan attacked the village of Kharaa in Nusrat Darra area of Upper Dir on Wednesday, said officials.
Two members of the local peacekeeping committee were martyred, while five were injured, according to official sources.

The attack took place early in the morning with at least a hundred militants moving in from Afghanistan, said an official from Peshawar.
The militants torched down a school and are engaged in a battle with ground troops and gunship helicopters, said another official.

Local sources said that one member of local peace-keeping committee was killed during the exchange of fire.

Militants also destroyed three schools in areas of Nusrat, Soro and Shahteer villages respectively of Upper Dir.

“According to reports from the two villages, between 550-600 militants launched the attack at around 5 in the morning and the fighting continued for several hours,” police official Abdul Sattar told Reuters.

 

[Last Hope]

July 06, 2011. Wednesday.

At least 10 militants were killed and eight others injured on Wednesday during the Pakistani army's current operation against militants in the northwestern region of the country, local media reported.

According to reports, the 10 militants were killed when a mortar shell fired by the Pakistani army hit a militants' bunker in Marghan area of the Kurram Agency, a tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The security forces were moving ahead in the Marghan area on Wednesday morning.

The Pakistani army on Sunday launched an operation in Kurram Agency against the militants who reportedly were hiding in the area after fleeing North Waziristan and South Waziristan following the continued fatal U.S. drone strikes.

"The operation has been launched with the aim of clearing the region of militants who have indulged in kidnapping and suicide attacks on security installations and forces there," Abbas said.

Security sources told Xinhua that army was advancing in the region to militants' hideouts by using heavy weapons along with infantry, helicopters and air force.

Following the launching of the new offensive in Pakistan's tribal belt, the security has been tightened in other parts of the country especially in big cities including Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore and capital Islamabad.

 

[Last Hope]

July 07, 2011. Thursday.

At least 40 militants were killed in a fierce clash with security forces in Kurram agency on Thursday. The clash between militants and security forces erupted in the Manato area of Kurram Agency, leaving 40 militants dead

The Personnel of security forces were also injured in the clash. On the other hand, the security forces backed by tanks and gunship helicopters made advances in Karawat, Dumbaki, Khalwat and Badama areas. The forces faced stiff resistance in the Murghan, Manato and Pongey areas.

 

[Kompromat]

Get them hard

 

[Last Hope]

July 07, 2011. Thursday.

PESHAWAR: Two senior Afghan militant commanders were killed during clashes with security forces in Upper Dir, officials said on Thursday.
The two commanders, who were identified as Abu Musa and Omar Tariq, were killed during clashes when more than 100 militants from Afghanistan attacked the village of Kharaa in Nusrat Darra area of Upper Dir on Wednesday.

The body of Abu Musa was recovered and shifted to FC headquarters.
The attack took place early Wednesday morning with at least a hundred militants moving in from Afghanistan, said an official from Peshawar.
At least twelve militants were killed, while three were apprehended in the operation against the Afghan militants in the Upper Dir area

 

[Last Hope]

No PR157/2011-ISPR Dated: July 6, 2011
Mingora Swat - July 6, 2011:
COAS KEY NOTE ADDRESS - NATIONAL SEMINAR- DERADICALIZATION‏ AT MINGORA SWAT ON 6 JULY 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is indeed, an honour and privilege for me, to address this illustrious gathering, which includes guests from allied countries. Your presence in Swat is testimony to the National will and resolve against menace of terrorism and radicalism. It is also an acknowledgement of larger role the community is ready to pay consolidate Military gains.
I would like to start with brief recapitulation of the situation in Swat, as it existed in 2009. Swat was virtually lost to terrorists, writ of Govt was ceased to exist, Police and other Govt functionaries had almost stopped functioning. Public stood terrorized and powerless against the militants. Images of armed militants moving freely raised concerns regarding the Army's capabilities and resolve to fight militants.
In order to re-establish writ of the Govt, eliminate miscreants and restore general public's confidence, the largest Pakistani counter insurgency operation was launched by the Army, involving approximately three divisions i.e. 30,000 troops supported by Artillery, combat aviation and air force.

Largest ever helicopter borne operation on altitude of 7000 feet was conducted in Peochar, an inaccessible mountainous area, not far from where we are sitting today. Within three months, Swat stood restored. 2.4 million displaced persons were managed, and helped safely return to their homes.75% of the IDPs were looked after by extended families. I think it is difficult to find a parallel in history considering the magnitude and scale of operation in a short time of 3 months.
Pakistan Army suffered 985 casualties (including 228 officers and men killed and 757 wounded) with highest officers to troop's casualty ratio 1: 8 in known history. Additionally, there were 595 casualties of other LEAs and 981 civilians lost their lives. When we were still in the recovery process, Swat was hit by the worst floods in its history. It further compounded the problem.
Following success of military operations, reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure was immediately launched to restore life. This rehabilitation effort, in addition to a host of other activities, included an effective de-radicalization programme.
De-Radicalization, as a process, is gaining eminence in many parts of the world. There is general consensus in societies that the national security interests are better served by de-indoctrinating and re-integrating the radicals back into the society. By radicalism, I refer to a socio-psychological process of incremental commitment to radical trends may it be political, psychological or religious. Radicalism is, therefore, a risk factor that can transform into violence and push societies into anarchy.
De-radicalization effort was a result of the demand placed on the Army by the post operation environment. Driven by the detention of thousands of miscreants after the operation, our de-radicalization programme was built around four pillars:-
a. De-radicalization of juveniles.
b. De- radicalization of selected "reconcilable" detainees.
c. De- radicalization of families of selected detainees to which they would fall back on release.
d. De-radicalization of certain villages in general, from which the bulk of militants had originated.
This programme was initiated with the help of Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and certain NGOs, in specially created facilities, Our effort, to transform the members of public who embraced radical trends, has met considerable success. We are getting back to you with validation and a sense that this is doable.
It will be prudent for all elements of National power and the National to take a holistic view of, National Security, within the purview of 'State as well as Human Security' in modern times, no single organ of the State, is configured to mount a wholesome response to the challenges confronting National Security. All instruments of state and society have a role to play. De-Radicalization is an important contributor towards achieving human security. Such efforts are to be expressed through attempts to change behaviours, primarily by 'rehabilitating' or 'de-indoctrination'.
The effort, therefore, has a larger context and merits time resources and commitment. To sustain these undertakings, the State and the society, have to provide enabling ideological, political and socio-economic safeguards integrated into a well thought-out, encompassing National policy with the ultimate goal of achieving counter-radicalization of the society at large in the long term.
Army is following a well thought out campaign plan, which is succeeding and providing space to other organs of State which must expeditiously build on military success to achieve during peace and stability.
Pakistan Army being a National Army, derives its strength from the people of Pakistan and is answerable to the people and their representatives in the Parliament. Accordingly, Pakistan Army considers peoples' support vital for its operations against terrorists, and believes that only the people of Pakistan can determine the National interest and Army's role in their achievement.
While we have taken the first step here in Swat by initiating de-radicalization program, it needs support and initiative of the society, intellectuals and policy makers to take the lead and put into effect a counter-radicalization construct, not only to sustain the de-radicalization effort, but also to assure a free and progressive future for Pakistan.
Pakistan's commitment to war against Al-Qaeda and its affiliates is total and unwavering. Pakistan firmly believes in taking stern action against all terrorists groups. Pakistan Army is determined to lead the fight on terror in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and in line with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Let me reiterate that there is no military solution to terrorism since military strategy can only provide enabling environment. The menace has to be tackled in the domain of National security which warrants a comprehensive response entailing synergy by all elements of National power.
I would end with my sincerest tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of valiant people of Swat to Pakistan Army Shuhada and their families without whom we could have never succeeded. The debt owed to them can only be repaid by achieving and ensuring lasting peace in Swat as well as in Pakistan. De-radicalization is therefore, a step towards that end.

 

[S.M.R]

Long live Pakistan Army

The whole nation is with you..... Clean the area from terrorists.... Allah tum sub jaawaanoo ki hifazat karay.... Wapis aao to Ghazi, Mar gayay to Shaheed...

Win win situation...

 

[muse]

Taliban commander back on the air in Pakistan
AP
(2 hours ago) Today

KHAR: One of Pakistan’s most notorious Taliban radio voices is back on the air after the army raided his stronghold last year and drove him across the border into Afghanistan.

The resurgence of Maulvi Faqir Mohammed, also one of the Pakistani Taliban’s top commanders, illustrates the resilience of militants fighting to topple the US-allied Pakistani government and the growing problem of sanctuaries in eastern Afghanistan that allow fighters to elude the army’s grasp.

“We will return and enforce the golden system of Islam,” Mohammed said in a recent radio broadcast from his new base in Afghanistan. “All of those who have turned their backs on us, like we are gone for good, should seek forgiveness from Allah.”

Militants and their supporters in Pakistan have long used illegal FM radio stations to spread their message and incite violence against the government. The tactic is hard to counter because the equipment needed is cheap and easily transportable.

Mohammed was one of the most prominent militant radio personalities before the army invaded his enclave early last year in the Bajur tribal area, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

Many of the militants in Bajur, including Mohammed, simply slipped across the border into Kunar province, an area of Afghanistan where the US has largely withdrawn its troops.

Kunar has turned into a staging ground for large-scale attacks inside Pakistan, according to the Pakistani army.

The most recent such assault in Bajur occurred Monday when around 60 Pakistani Taliban militants sent by Mohammed stormed a paramilitary checkpoint, killing one soldier and wounding three others, said local officials.

Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack, as well a similar one by at least 100 militants on several border villages in Bajur in mid-June that killed at least five people.

“Our fighters carried out these two attacks from Afghanistan, and we will launch more such attacks inside Afghanistan and in Pakistan,” said Mohammed over the Voice of Sharia radio in his measured, matter-of-fact style.

His on-air reply after the June attack: “Don’t dare stand in the way of those who are following the path of God.”

Radio is the main connection to the outside world for most tribesmen in Bajur and other areas along the Afghan-Pakistan border because they can’t afford satellite television dishes, and the infrastructure needed for cable TV is usually nonexistent.

Mohammed and his associates transmit for two and a half hours every day beginning at 8 p.m., although sometimes the broadcast is overpowered by a station run by the paramilitary Frontier Corps, said Gul Ahmed Jan, the owner of a grocery store near Khar, the main town in Bajur.

Mohammed gives half-hour sermons three times per week in which he encourages locals to participate in jihad, or holy war, and warns them against cooperating with Pakistani authorities.

“This war is between Islam and infidels, and every Muslim is duty-bound to take part,” said Mohammed on his show “The Leader Says.”

His brother, Gul Mohammed, who claims to have been tortured by Pakistan’s security forces, often rails against alleged mistreatment of tribesmen by the Pakistani army and Frontier Corps.

The station also plays songs praising suicide bombers, even though some radical Islamists, including the Afghan Taliban, have denounced music of any kind.

“Look, the lucky guy is on the way to heaven,” said one song. “Young man, how great you are.”

Militants from the Swat Valley in nearby Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are often invited to participate as guest speakers. Their leader, Mullah Fazlullah, was Pakistan’s most active Taliban radio personality before the army invaded Swat in 2009, earning him the nickname “Mullah Radio.”

He is also believed to be in Kunar, according to the Pakistani army and Bajur residents, but he hasn’t resurfaced on the radio.

The Pakistani army has complained that US and Afghan forces have done nothing to address the growing number of militants who have holed up in Kunar after fleeing military operations on the Pakistan side of the border.

The US withdrew many of its troops from Kunar in the past year so it could focus on more populated areas that it deems more strategic.

“There is no effort to act against these strongholds or sanctuaries,” said Pakistan army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas. “Many terrorist leaders are gathered there, and there is no pressure on them to leave.”

The army claims that groups of up to 300 militants have staged at least five cross-border attacks in the last month, killing 55 paramilitary soldiers and tribal police.

A senior Western intelligence official, however, expressed doubt about Pakistan’s figures and whether all the attacks came from bases in Afghanistan. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss intelligence matters.

 

[air marshal]

Pakistani army advances into Kurram Agency
By Javed Aziz Khan

PESHAWAR – The Pakistani army had taken control of several Kurram Agency militant strongholds by July 5, the third day of a military operation launched against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Infantry advanced into a mountain range as helicopters pounded suspected hideouts, according to army officers. Heavy shelling continued, but authorities had not reported any casualties or resistance from the insurgents.

About 28,000 Pakistanis have fled the fighting, AFP reported July 5.

The military is targeting militant leaders who may have fled from North and South Waziristan, and Orakzai and Khyber agencies, to Kurram because of ongoing or expected military offensives in their areas. Kurram also shares a long border with Afghanistan.

Authorities and charities could face a sudden refugee surge, according to AFP. More than 450 families are seeking shelter in camps or school buildings, while other displaced persons have moved in with relatives, government official Sahibzada Anis said, according to AFP.

“The authorities will provide food and relief goods to the uprooted tribesmen as efforts are made to restore peace in the region,” he added.

Elders requested offensive

The operation began at the request of local elders, Maj.-Gen. Athar Abbas, director-general of Inter-Services Public Relations, said July 3. “A military operation has been launched in Kurram Agency to clear the area of terrorists involved in suicide bombings, kidnappings and other crimes,” he said.

Ahead of the offensive, a June 20 aerial strike killed six suspected militants in the agency. It was the first such strike in several years in Kurram.

Meanwhile, the government replaced the top administration of the Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai and South Waziristan agencies days before the Kurram offensive began.

The government has been trying to keep up with the fast-changing situation after the deaths of al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad May 2 and of 313 Brigade and Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami chief Ilyas Kashmiri in South Waziristan June 3.

In almost all seven tribal agencies, some form of military action has continued for months. The tactics range from surgical action to full-scale offensives.

A long-awaited campaign in North Waziristan, though, has not started.

Elsewhere, Mohmand Agency might be ready for a transition, with Corps Commander Peshawar Lt. Gen. Asif Yasin Malik saying last week the Mohmand operation had entered its final stage. Fifty-eight soldiers have been killed and more than 300 wounded in cleaning up Mohmand, he said.

Migration’s scale growing

In Kurram, a large-scale exodus has begun. More than 6,000 families from different parts of Kurram may be displaced, the directorate general of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Disaster Management Authority said.

“We left our homes days before the launch of the operation and are living with relatives in Kohat,” said Ijaz Hussain, a resident of Lower Kurram. “The entire population is supporting the government action and hopes it would restore peace in Kurram.”

The UN has asked the government to let its staff assess the situation in Kurram and launch humanitarian activities accordingly, UN official Muhammad Jamil said. It has not yet received a response, he said.

The government is waiting for security conditions to improve before allowing UN staff to enter, officials said.

The WHO already has dispatched an emergency medical kit for treating 6,000 persons for one month to the FATA Directorate of Health. “We have also requested the WHO to send one more emergency medical kit to the New Durrani Camp in Kurram,” an official at the FATA Directorate of Health said.

The Kurram Agency surgeon has written the directorate requesting more medical staff be sent to the agency in case the number of refugees grows, according to the directorate.

 

[Last Hope]

July 08, 2011. Friday.

ISLAMABAD, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Afghan and Nato-led troops fired rockets into Pakistan's northwest tribal region of North Waziristan on Friday, causing no injuries, local TV channel reported.

Residents were quoted as saying that around 18 mortar shells landed near a Pakistani checkpost at Ghulam Khan border area, adding Pakistani force returned fire.

The incident took place a day after Pakistani, Afghan and Nato military officials met in the Pakistani northwestern city of Peshawar to discuss preventing repeat of cross border firing.

The Afghan president's office said in Kabul that Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had agreed in telephone conversation with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the establishment of a joint military commission to address problems emerged on the Afghan and Pakistani border.

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson blamed militants for the current cross border attacks, saying there is a common concern on this issue.

Pakistan said that 55 security personnel were killed and over 80 others injured in five cross border attacks in Dir district, Bajaur and Mohmand tribal regions in a month time. Afghanistan claimed that hundreds of rockets and artillery rounds were fired into eastern Kunar and Nangrahar provinces from Pakistani territory, killing 40 people and injuring 50 others.

"The situation is being created by militants causing loss of human life and damage to property in Pakistan as well as in border regions of Afghanistan," the Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua told weekly press briefing.

 

[53fd]

40 militants killed in Operation Koh-i-Sufaid in Kurram Agency in FATA, says military Official:

40 militants have been killed since Security Forces launched the Operation Koh-i-Sufaid in central Kurram Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on July 3, military officials said on July 6, reports Dawn. Brigadier Basharat said that several areas had been cleared of militants and forces were consolidating their positions. He identified some of the cleared areas as Manato, Dombeki, Gwaki and Sungroba and said that forces continued to advance. The brigadier said that 40 militants had been killed and their hideouts destroyed, adding that army, paramilitary troops and air force were taking part in the offensive. Meanwhile, three women were killed and four others injured when a mortar shell hit a house of a tribesman in Shamkhai area.

According to reports, hundreds of families displaced by the fighting have migrated to the adjacent Hangu district. Officials said that over 4,000 families had been displaced by the conflict. About 500 of such families enrolled themselves at the New Durrani Camp in Lower Kurram.

 

[Last Hope]

July 08, 2011. Friday.


PARACHINAR, Pakistan (AP) — A government administrator says Pakistani troops backed by jets have killed 11 suspected Taliban militants near the Afghan border.

Javed Ullah says Friday's deaths bring to 45 the number of insurgents killed in the Kurram tribal region since the military launched an offensive there early this week.

The operation follows reports that the feared Afghan Taliban group, the Haqqani network, is using the territory to launch attacks against NATO forces across the border.

But the Pakistani military is more likely focused on Pakistani Taliban militants who have declared war against the state.

Many analysts believe Pakistan is hesitant to target the Haqqanis — as demanded by the U.S. — because of historical ties to the group

(It must be noted over here the area in red, is totally wrong with over 80 killed. This was taken from Yahoo, and they have earlier published news against Army, which was shaken off by ISPR)

 

[Last Hope]

 

[Last Hope]

July 09, 2011. Saturday.

DIR: twenty-two militants were killed in fresh clashes between security forces and Afghan militants in Upper Dir, Geo News reported. In three days of clashes, 90+ militants have been killed so far.

According to official sources, the militants entered the area through Shanai Darra. Afterwards, security forces took action and used heavy artillery against the militants.

Three days earlier, the Afghan militants had launched an attack and during clashes with security forces, nineteen militants were killed.


*Part in RED edited after personal experience. Source claims a number half less, i.e. 41. Please do not believe in those scums who do NOT want to give the Force whole credit or show them as mighty as they are*

 

[53fd]

10 militants killed in FATA:

At least seven militants were killed on July 9 when the Security Forces (SFs) pounded their hideouts during the ongoing Operation Koh-e-Sofaid (White Mountain) in Kurram Agency of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Daily Times. The SFs also cleared 10 hideouts.

Separately, three Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) militant were killed when a tribal lashkar (militia) attacked their positions in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency. Local sources said LI lost two of its strategic hilltops in Bhukar and Nari Baba areas when Zakhakhel tribal lashkar launched fresh attacks on its positions.