The Battle for Orakzai & Khyber Agencies

[air marshal]

Forces kill 9 militants in ongoing FATA operation

PESHAWAR: Security forces claimed to have killed nine militants and injured 12 others in Upper Orakzai Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Security sources said that gunship helicopters targeted militant hideouts in Khdezai, Daper Pajar and Kasa, Saifal Darra areas of Tehsil Ismail Zai. Security forces also claimed to have destroyed four hideouts of militants in these areas. However, the claims could not be independently verified.

Earlier, the military had claimed that Orakzai Agency has been cleared of militants , with which the repatriation of the displaced people begun. However, there have been several attacks on security officials and people who have returned back on condition to maintain peace in their respective areas.

Forces kill 9 militants in ongoing FATA operation – The Express Tribune

 

[air marshal]

17 militants, one soldier killed in two incidents

PESHAWAR: At least 17 militants, a soldier and a volunteer of a local lashkar were killed in two separate incidents of violence in Orakzai and Mohamand agencies, security sources said. In both these incidents, 16 militants, five soldiers and four volunteers were also injured.

Sources said that a security official was killed and five others were injured in a mine blast in Goyen area of central Orakzai Agency. The deceased was identified as Jawad Hussain Turi and the injured were identified as Noorullah Yousafzai, Ilyas Khattak, Shahid Yousaf, Kitab Khan and Saeed Gul.

The area where the blast occurred is situated close to Yekh Kandao, where a few days back at least six soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in a mine blast.

According to security sources, gunship helicopters pounded the militant hideouts in the Khadezai, Mamozai, Mushti Kandao, Dapar Pharai areas of Upper Orakzai Agency killing at least 12 militants, leaving six others injured. They also claimed destroying three militant hideouts in the aerial strikes.

Attacks on security forces have registered a rise over the past few days in Orakzai agency, where a military operation is being carried out since March this year.

This was the third attack on security forces over the past few days. In separate incidents, five militants and a volunteer of a local lahskar were killed and ten militants and four lashkar volunteers were injured in a clash following an attack by militants at the local lashkar in Anbar tehsil of MohmandAgency.

The area where the clash occurred is situated about 50 kilometres north of the agency headquarters in Ghalanai. Sources said that the suspected militants attacked volunteers of a local lashakr in the area, as security forces rushed to help the victims.

At least five militants were killed and 10 others were injured in this attack, while one volunteer was killed and four others were injured.

The military onslaught against militants in Kurram Agency continues as 12 terrorists have been killed in the latest incident of aerial firing. Sources say the gunship helicopters pounded militant hideouts in Mashkai Kandao, Mamozai, and Khadezai areas.

Security forces have been engaged in an operation in Kurram Agency for the last 11 months.

17 militants, one soldier killed in two incidents – The Express Tribune

 

[air marshal]

Twelve militants killed in Orakzai shelling

KALAYA: Twelve militants were killed and six others wounded as helicopter gunships pounded militant hideouts in different areas of Orakzai tribal region on Friday.

The helicopter gunships targeted militant positions in Khadizai, Shahu Wam, Kasha and Saifal Dara areas of the agency.

Four hideouts and a vehicle of militants were destroyed during the shelling.

The security forces also conducted search operation in Ghaljo and adjoining areas.

Huge cache of arms including rockets, mortars, hand grenades and explosives were recovered during the operation.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Hafiz Saeed denied the reports about the killings, saying no Talib was killed or injured in the shelling.

Twelve militants killed in Orakzai shelling Latest news, Breaking news, Pakistan News, World news, business, sport and multimedia

 

[Rain]

nice thread! can any one make an animated map of the region showing recent conflicts/encounters and territory control?

 

[Asian.Century]

Orakzai is a major problem for Pakistan, Why Pakistan donot deal with it ?

Taliban publicly flog men for “drug dealing” in Orakzai

KALAYA: Pakistan’s Taliban have flogged 65 men in public after accusing them of using and selling drugs in a tribal region the military says has largely been cleared of militants, the group said on Monday.

The men were given 10 lashes each in an open area used by children to play football and for religious sermons in the town of Mamozai in the tribal northwestern Orakzai region, said Taliban spokesman Hafiz Saeed.

The floggings illustrate how Pakistan’s al Qaeda-linked Taliban is still able to impose its harsh brand of Islam at will in some parts of the northwest despite government assertions that several military offensives severely weakened the group.

“They were found guilty of using and selling drugs after which our Islamic court sentenced them to punishment that was carried out in public,” said Saeed.

In March, Pakistani troops launched an offensive in Orakzai, which officials described as the nerve centre for Pakistan’s Taliban, which included training camps.

Military officials said last week the assault broke the back of the militants in 90 per cent of Orakzai. Mamozai is still held by the Taliban. Attacks continue in areas the army has captured.

Defeating homegrown militants in the northwest is critical for stabilising Pakistan. Islamabad is also under pressure from ally Washington to root out Afghan Taliban militants who cross the border from sanctuaries to attack Western and Afghan troops.

An Orakzai tribesman said about 600 people watched the lashings after the Taliban made announcements through mosques urging people to attend. People often comply with the Taliban out of fear, although the group does have supporters.

“The men were brought in groups of five and were lashed 10 times each before being released,” said the tribesmen, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals. – Reuters

 

[GUNNER]

Orakzai is a major problem for Pakistan, Why Pakistan donot deal with it ?

Take a look at preceding posts in this thread and then ask questions.

 

[Asian.Century]

Take a look at preceding posts in this thread and then ask questions.

Have done it, this is a new problem arising - while Pakistan is being pressurised to go for North-Waziristan, it needs to deal with "Orakzai" first and its not being done with 65 people latest flogged. Possible new threat arising that's what I asked.

 

[GUNNER]

Have done it, this is a new problem arising - while Pakistan is being pressurised to go for North-Waziristan, it needs to deal with "Orakzai" first and its not being done with 65 people latest flogged. Possible new threat arising that's what I asked.

Then you haven't understood the issue. Orakzai is not a fresh threat. Army Operation is underway in the agency as we speak. Has been for the last two months. Most of the agency has been cleared and people are returning to the area. However, a part of the agency is yet to be cleared of the militants which the army will do before it considers any new Op.

 

[air marshal]

Twelve militants killed in Orakzai operation

PESHAWAR: Security forces have killed twelve suspected militants and injured nine in shelling conducted by gunship helicopters in different areas of lower Orakzai Agency on Monday.

The gunship helicopters targeted three militant hideouts in Gowak, Haindara and the Atam Ankhel areas of lower Orakzai.

Earlier, the military had claimed that Orakzai Agency has been cleared of militants, with which the repatriation of the displaced people begun. However, there have been several attacks on security officials and people who have returned back on condition to maintain peace in their respective areas.

Twelve militants killed in Orakzai operation – The Express Tribune

 

[air marshal]

Several militants killed in Mohmand
Tariq Saeed

Peshawar—A large number of militants were reported killed and injured when the gunship helicopters struck hard on their positions in Mohmand agency Sunday morning. Number of important hide outs of the militants were destroyed in the Sunday’s blitz.

The official sources said the gunship helicopters went for heavy shelling on the positions of the alleged terrorists in Daudzai area of Tehsil Pindyalay in Mohmand agency. The ground forces also came into action against the trouble makers and heavy artillery was used to target the miscreants hide outs in the area inflicting heavy losses on them.

Independent and official sources confirmed that Sunday’s air and ground offensives against the militants resulted in killing and wounding of many people though they were unable to give the exact number of casualties. The officials claimed that a number of militants hide outs including two important dens were also destroyed during the operation.

On the other hand the security forces action against the alleged terrorist in Swat reportedly resulted in mowing down as many as three militants. Reports said the security forces on a tip off that militants were hiding in Bakro-Sur area in Tehsil Matta of Swat on Sunday morning cordoned off the area and eventually three militants were killed in gun-battle. The forces are also said to have seized a cache of sophisticated weapons from the area.

Several militants killed in Mohmand

 

[air marshal]

Militants attack security convoy in Mohmand

A convoy of security forces was attacked by militants in the district of Bayezai in Mohmand Agency on Monday.

The militants opened fire at the convoy before the security forces were able to retaliate. No casualties have been reported. The militants, however, managed to escape.

Meanwhile, several people were reported injured in an attack on a passenger van in Jawaki FR Kohat.

The injured were rushed to a hospital, with reports saying that they none of them were in a dangerous condition.

Attacks on security forces have registered a rise over the past few days in Orakzai agency, where a military operation is being carried out since March this year.

On Thursday, 17 militants were killed in two separate incidents of violence in Orakzai and Mohamand agencies, security sources said on Thursday.

Militants attack security convoy in Mohmand – The Express Tribune

 

[GUNNER]

Importance of operations in Orakzai

Asad Munir

The writer is a retired brigadier who has served in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Fata

Orakzai is the only tribal agency not bordering Afghanistan. It got the status of tribal agency in 1973. Prior to that it was under the administrative control of the DC Kohat as part of the Frontier Region. The agency’s population is about 300,000, out of which about 50,000 are Shias.

There are about 64 Sikh and 18 Hindu families and they have been living in Orakzai for decades. The area witnessed Shia-Sunni riots, even during British rule, but never communal conflict. In 1936, the British demarcated the Shia-Sunni areas by relocating the Shia community to the south of the Mastura River.

In 1998, a Mamuzai tribal, raised a Taliban force. In the aftermath of 9/11, the Taliban force dispersed and there were no more extremist activities in the agency. Foreign militants have been taking refuge in Upper Orakzai since 2004. After formation of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TPP) in 2007, the Taliban force was organised in Orakzai Agency, and it started terrorising the tribals. Prominent maliks were kidnapped and released on payment of ransom. Those who opposed were brutally killed. The Orakzais never wanted their area to be talibanised. In 2008, the Ali Khel and Feroz Khel tribes, raised lashkars, to fight the Taliban. These lashkars demolished houses of those who provided shelter to foreign militants. They were also fined heavily. Feroz Khels successfully cleared their area of the Taliban.

The Taliban reacted to these developments, as they wanted a base in the agency. Hakeemullah Mehsud took command of the force. A suicide bomber exploded a vehicle in a gathering of the Ali Khel lashkar, killing 114 and injuring 280 tribesmen. A vehicle laden with explosives was blown up in a market in Feroz Khel, reducing the whole market to ashes. Target killings of Ali Khel, Feroz Khel and Sunni Sturi Khel tribals started. Prominent tribal elders were kidnapped, tortured and killed. Many disappeared.

Payment of jiziya was imposed on the Sikh community. They had no option but to leave the agency and take refuge in Panja Sahib and other places. These acts of violence forced the tribals to accept the rule of the Taliban in the agency.

Operation Rah-e-Nijat was launched in June 2009 to secure South Waziristan. The terrorists needed an area under their control, where they could establish training camps and fulfil their logistics requirements. Orakzai was the ideal choice, as the terrain of Upper Orakzai is difficult and the area facilitates back and forth movements from Tirah, Darra Adam Khel, North Waziristan and Kurram.

In March 2010, a formal operation was launched in the agency. More than 40,000 IDPs had to shift to Hangu and Kohat districts. More than 90 per cent of the agency has now been secured. The process of rehabilitation of IDPs has started. However, in the last one week, the security forces have suffered a number of casualties, including the death of a colonel and the Mamuzai area of Upper Orakzai is yet to be secured.

The successful completion of the operation in Orakzai is likely to dilute the capabilities of terrorists in Tirah, Kurram Agency and North Waziristan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2010.


Importance of operations in Orakzai – The Express Tribune

 

[mjnaushad]

YouTube - Militants killed in Orakzai, Swat

 

[air marshal]

Security forces kill 17 militants in Orakzai, Swat

SWAT: In two separate incidents, security forces have killed 17 militants in Orakzai Agency and Swat in the last 24 hours.

Jet plane bombings killed 15 militants and injured 20 others in Mamozai and Garena areas of Upper Orakzai Agency on Wednesday.

Sources say the planes targeted militant hideouts, and that three hideouts were destroyed during the air strike.

Orakzai Agency was a key base of many important militant commanders, including Hakimullah Mehsud.

Recently, military activity has increased in Orakzai Agency, with scores of militants reported dead.

Security forces claim to have cleared 90 per cent of the area of Orakzai Agency and recovered a heavy cache of foreign weapons and ammunition.

In another incident on Tuesday night, in Sherpalam and Mera Mai, in the Tehsil Matta area of Swat, two militants were killed in a clash with security forces. Two rifles and 405 rounds of ammunition were retrieved in this operation.

In Upper Dir, a search operation was carried out after a militant commander Bakht Jahan alias Fauji was apprehended by security forces.

Eight militants were apprehended in the operation and 50 kgs of explosives, three hand grenades and a heavy cache of arms were retrieved.

Security forces kill 17 militants in Orakzai, Swat – The Express Tribune

 

[faisaljaffery]

Can any body share more links for war's videos. gr8 to see victory of Pakistan's forces over forign millitants