Pakistan Security Brief
Pakistan Security Brief – March 19, 2010
Former UN envoy to Afghanistan critical of recent Taliban captures in Pakistan; security forces arrest three militants in Karachi; tribal elders to meet in FATA; militant factions exchange fire in Kurram; TTP vows more violence throughout Pakistan; Pakistan seeks civilian nuclear assistance; India will not strike inside Pakistan; militants kill two at Cadet College in Mastung; multiple isolated killings in Balochistan; protesters take to the streets in Islamabad.
Taliban arrests
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While the US is praising Pakistani officials for the recent capture of several Taliban leaders in Pakistan, some people are becoming more critical of the arrests. The UN's former envoy to Afghanistan, Kai Eide, claimed recently that secret communications between senior Taliban members and the UN have ceased, essentially halting efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Afghanistan with the Taliban. Pakistan's military spokesman, General Athar Abbas, said this week that recent arrests were not intended to stop UN-Taliban talks and that the arrests were the result of a joint US-Pakistani operation.[1]
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Security forces in Karachi arrested three militants on Thursday. One was Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Ismail Mehsud, a close aide to both Qari Hussain and the late Beitullah Mehsud. The two other men reportedly were associated with the TTP and Lashkae-e-Jhangvi.[2]
FATA/NWFP
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At least 3,000 tribal elders, representing the 20 largest tribes in the North West Frontier Province, will attend a jirga on March 20 to devise a strategy for eliminating tribal support for the militants. The group leading the jirga, Amn Tehrik, said that following the jirga, the elders will be responsible for mobilizing their respective people against the militants.[3]
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Members of Mulla Toofan’s and Mulla Rafique’s militant groups exchanged fire on Thursday. The incident occurred during a tribal jirga, taking place in the Jin Barizoona Nika Ziarat area of Kurram Agency, after disputes arose over several topics. Mulla Rafique’s personnel killed 21 militants affiliated with Mulla Toofan, while 46 were taken hostage.[4]
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Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Azam Tariq announced on Thursday that his organization will soon launch more attacks across Pakistan. Tariq said the upcoming violence is in retaliation for the continued drone operations in the tribal areas.[5]
Pakistan’s foreign relations
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It was reported on Thursday that Pakistani officials will ask the US next week for support with its civilian nuclear program. A series of meetings will begin on March 24 between the US and several Pakistani delegations in an attempt to restart strategic dialogue between the two countries.[6]
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Indian Minister of State for Defense, MM Pallam Raju, clarified India’s stance regarding the reported militant training camps located in Pakistan. Minister Raju said on Thursday that there was “no possibility” of a strike in Pakistan by Indian forces to destroy the camps.[7]
Balochistan
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Militants opened fire at the Cadet College in Mastung, Balochistan, on Friday, killing two people and injuring two others. The unidentified gunmen escaped on motorcycles after the incident.[8]
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Other isolated incidents left several people dead around Balochistan. Among the incidents: gunmen opened fire on a police van, killing two; a security guard was shot on the outskirts of Quetta; gunmen killed a shopkeeper in Quetta; and miscreants threw a grenade in a house, injuring one person inside.[9]
Islamabad
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Pakistanis took to the streets in Islamabad on Thursday to protest a 20 percent increase in bus fares, throwing rocks and other materials at police in riot gear. Protesters also attacked a UN inspection vehicle that was present in the area for an unrelated matter.[10]
