Pakistan Security Brief

Germany arrests Pakistani Spy; Afghans fire three shells into Pakistan; Suicide bomber kills 12, injures 31 in Peshawar; TTP increasing activity and influence in Karachi; Gunmen wound six in Gujranwala; Police defuse 3 IED’s in Peshawar; Four killed in Kurram clash; MQM man, 3 others killed in Karachi violence; Karachi Rangers arrest 100 in operation; IED in Karachi injures 2; Militants kidnap and torture polio worker; Musharraf’s bail extended, angry lawyers throw shoe in protest; “Nuclear Father” Khan not contesting elections; WHO announces 240,000 children unvaccinated for polio.

TTP in Karachi

  • According to recent reports, TTP militants are dramatically increasing their efforts and abilities to engage in terrorist activities in Karachi.  The article explains how the TTP had previously maintained a low profile in Karachi, using it as a rear-operations base, to seek medical treatment and raise money, but have recently switched to pursuing more aggressive violence in the city.  In a change from the small scale crime and extortion they had been conducting, similar to other Karachi organized criminals outlets, TTP now actively threatens political parties and residents, especially in Manghopir.  Militants are particularly active against three parties: the Awami National Party (ANP), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), whom they view as “liberal.”  Violence and intimidation have been so effective in some cases, that one MQM parliamentary member, Muhammad Aadil Khan will not even return to his constituency, for fear of his life. Despite the police’s insistence that the TTP does not wholly control parts of Karachi, the reports argue that TTP influence is significant.  They say that the TTP has begun operating an alternative justice system in Karachi, similar to that it operates in the tribal areas.  In certain areas, they post fliers, including phone numbers, which locals can call if they need help. Some local Pashtuns say they consider the TTP “relatively more appealing” than other political parties and crime syndacites, who also plague the area with extortion and violence. [1] 

Pakistani Arrested in Germany for Spying

Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations

Militancy

New Marine Unit Commissioned

  • On Thursday, the Pakistan Navy commissioned the 3rd Pak Marines Battalion to operate out of Gwadar Port, in order to “enhance the security of vital assets and installations along the western coast.” The move comes after Pakistan recently transferred control of the port from a Singaporean company to a Chinese company. [12]

Domestic Politics

Polio Vaccinations


[1] “Taliban extending reach across Pakistan,” New York Times, March 28, 2013.  Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/world/asia/taliban-extending-reach-across-pakistan.html?_r=0
“Taliban Thrive in Pakistani Commercial Hub,” Wall Street Journal, March 28, 2013.  Available at  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323501004578388851181283618.html
[2] “German police arrest Pakistani in drone spying case,” Reuters, March 29, 2013.  Available at  www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/28/us-germany-pakistan-drone-idUSBRE92R0SU20130328
[3] “Three Afghan artillery shells land in Pakistan,” Express Tribune, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/528306/three-afghan-artillery-shells-land-in-pakistan/
[4] “Four injured in Peshawar blast,” Express Tribune, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/528195/four-injured-in-peshawar-blast/
“6 killed, 11 injured as FC convoy targeted in Peshawar,” The News, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-94344-6-killed,-11-injured-as-FC-convoy-targeted-in-Peshawar
[5] “JI Gujranwala chief shot, injured,” Express Tribune, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/528274/ji-gujranwala-chief-shot-injured/
[6] “Three IED’s defused,” The News, March 29, 2013.  Available at www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-7-168076-Three-IEDs-defused
[7] “Four killed in Kurram clash,” The News, March 29, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-7-168082-Four-killed-in-Kurram-clash
[8] “MQM man, government clerk among four killed,” The News, March 29, 2013. Available at www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-168026-MQM-man,-govt-clerk-among-four-killed
“Two killed, 100 suspects arrested during operation,” Pakistan Today, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/28/city/karachi/two-killed-100-suspects-arrested-during-operation/
“Two injured in explosion,” Pakistan Today, March 29, 2013.  Available at  http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/28/city/karachi/two-injured-in-explosion/
[9] “Senior lawyer killed,” The News, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-168061-Senior-lawyer-killed
[10] “Polio worker kidnapped, thrashed,” The News, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-168056-Polio-worker-kidnapped,-thrashed
[11] “Houses of 4 militants demolished in Mohmand,” The News, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-7-168077-Houses-of--4-militants-demolished-in-Mohmand
[12] “Pakistan Navy beefs up security at Gwadar Port, western coast,” Pakistan Today, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/28/news/national/pakistan-navy-beefs-up-security-at-gwadar-port-western-coast/
[13] “Musharraf seeks bail extension,” Dawn, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://dawn.com/2013/03/29/musharraf-seeks-bail-extension/
[14] “Pakistan’s nuclear father not contesting vote: party,” AFP, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130329/pakistans-nuclear-father-not-contesting-vote-party
[15] “WHO official says 240,000 Pakistani children missed polio vaccinations in tribal regions,” Washington Post, March 29, 2013.  Available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/who-official-says-240000-pakistani-children-missed-polio-vaccinations-in-tribal-regions/2013/03/29/608eb58a-9886-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html
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