Pakistan Security Brief

Eight die in Orakzai operation, 43,000 displaced in Tirah Valley conflict; U.S. reports confirm ISI and CIA collaboration for drone strikes;  Pakistan successfully tests nuclear-capable missile; Indian PM Gandhi offered nuclear technology in 1974, Pakistan declined; Mangal Bagh assumes supreme TTP, U.S. State department issues travel warning for Pakistan; LI leadership in Khyber; Militants kill polio security guard; Police officer shot in Karachi; Four die in Karachi targeted attacks; Militants kill children in Balochistan grenade attack; ANP hardest hit by TTP Karachi threats; PTI releases new manifesto.

Tirah Valley Operation

Drone Strikes

  • According to Top-Secret U.S. intelligence reports released to McClatchy Newspapers, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) collaborated with the CIA to coordinate and target drone strikes in Pakistan. The Pakistani ambassador in Washington “forcefully contest[s]” the claim that the ISI and CIA worked together.  The article also explained that the strikes were launched from within Pakistan, at “Shamsi, a remote airfield in southwestern Balochistan.” Drone attacks spiked in 2008 amid increasing reports of militants from Western countries traveling to Pakistan for training to carry out attacks back home. The U.S. reportedly stopped seeking approval for drone strikes, and began conducting “signature strikes,” where the exact identity of the target is unknown, once U.S. officials convinced the government that Pakistan was sheltering certain enemy groups such as the Haqqani Network.[3]

Nuclear Capable Missile Test

Indo-Pak Relations

U.S.-Pakistan Relations

Militancy

Domestic Politics

  • Recent threats from the TTP and strict rules from the Election Commission of Pakistan have sparked protest from leaders in the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Peoples party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), because they say their campaigns in Karachi have been restricted.  The TTP has threatened to attack those parties and warned them against holding large public gatherings. The ANP is hardest hit by Taliban threats and rules imposed by the ECP; party president Shahi Syed said “at least 35 offices of the party at Sohrab Goth, Ittehad Town, Manghopir, Sultanabad, Kunwari Colony, Pashtunabad and Landhi have been closed by militants.” The ECP has banned the use of party wall graffiti, a common practice by political parties in Pakistan.[10]

  • On Tuesday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) released its 13-point manifesto outlining their plan to stem what they consider the six leading causes of “terror and lawlessness” in the country. [11]


[1] “Mangal Bagh becomes LI, Taliban supreme in Khyber,” Dawn, April 10, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/10/mangal-bagh-becomes-li-taliban-supremo-in-khyber/
[2] “At least eight suspected militants killed, two soldiers injured in Orakzai clash,” Dawn, April 10, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/10/at-least-eight-suspected-militants-killed-two-soldiers-injured-in-orakzai-clash/

“Taliban defend new perch in northern Pakistan,” New York Times, April 10, 2013. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/10/world/asia/taliban-defend-new-perch-in-northern-pakistan.html?_r=1&
[3]U.S. secret CIA collaborated with ISI,” McClatchy, April 9, 2013. Available at http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/04/09/188063/us-secret-cia-collaborated-with.html#storylink=cpy
[4]Pakistan test fires HATF IV missile,” Express Tribune, April 10, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/533605/pakistan-test-fires-hatf-iv-missile/
[5] “WikiLeaks: India had offered to share Nuclear technology with Pakistan in 1974,” Times of India, April 10, 2013. Available at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/WikiLeaks-Indira-had-offered-to-share-N-tech-with-Pakistan-in-1974/articleshow/19467959.cms
[6] “State department warns of government harassment for US travelers in Pakistna,” The Hill, April 9, 2013. Available at http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/asia-pacific/292693-state-department-warns-of-government-harassment-for-us-travelers-in-pakistan
[7] “Policeman killed in Mardan anti-polio attack,” Express Tribune, April 10, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/533633/policeman-killed-in-mardan-anti-polio-attack/
[8] “Preedy police station chief gunned down in Karachi,” Express Tribune, April 10, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/533470/preedy-police-station-chief-gunned-down-in-karachi/
“Preedy SHO shot dead in sniper attack,” Dawn, April 10, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/10/preedy-sho-shot-dead-in-sniper-attack/
“Three killed in Karachi violence,” The News, April 10, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-96136-Three-Killed-in-Karachi-violence--
[9] “Grenade attack kills two children in Pasni,” Dawn, April 10, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/10/grenade-attack-kills-two-children-in-pasni/
[10] “Keep it down low or go all the way TTP dictates the terms for election campaigns,” Express Tribune, April 10, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/533337/keep-it-down-low-or-go-all-the-way-ttp-dictates-the-terms-for-election-campaigns/
[11] “PTI unveils justice for all manifesto,” Express Tribune, April 10, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/533534/pti-unveils-justice-for-all-manifesto/
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