Pakistan Security Brief
Prime Minister of India not interested in starting composite dialogue; Religious organization calls on TTP and government to observe cease fire; Punjabi Taliban willing to hold talks without preconditions; Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government identifies hubs of militant activity within Peshawar; Prime Minister will appoint new CJCSC on October 6; TTP denies responsibility for recent Peshawar attacks, Prime Minister says “other forces” are promoting terrorism within Pakistan; Alleged TTP video showing September 15 attack on senior military officials is likely fake; Pakistani military official says soldiers will retaliate if fired upon during relief efforts in Balochistan; ANP leader claims Karachi campaign unsuccessful; Gunmen kill former military official, alleged intelligence official; China donates $100,000 to Balochistan relief effort.
India-Pakistan Relations
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At their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif proposed the resumption of the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, but was turned down by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. According to a Monday report in The Express Tribune, India is unlikely to restart the composite dialogue with tension at the Line of Control in Kashmir as high as it has been recently.[1]
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was “productive” and that he hopes to continue dialogue with India in order to normalize relations. He said that in the meeting, the two leaders discussed Sir Creek on the Sindh-Gujarat border, Kashmir, and Pakistan’s belief that India has been meddling in Balochistan.[2]
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At a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Monday, United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki Moon expressed support for the recent talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He also thanked India for its help in Afghanistan and its support for UN peacekeeping operations.[3]
Talks with the TTP
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Asmatullah Muavia, a Punjabi Taliban leader, said on Monday that his group is willing to hold unconditional peace talks with the government of Pakistan. He added that the Punjabi Taliban had nothing to do with the attacks in Peshawar, and that the Awami National Party (ANP) and the United States are trying to disrupt the peace negotiations. It is unclear what group Muavia actually speaks for, as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership expelled him in August after he tried to negotiate with the government.[4]
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Representatives of Wafaqul Madaris, a large organization of Deobandi religious leaders, said in a statement on Monday that the government and the TTP should both observe a total ceasefire until the end of talks. The Wafaqul Madaris acted as an intermediary during the Lal Masjid crisis and in Swat, but say it will not be involved this time, because in both previous instances the Pakistan Army turned to force, damaging the Wafaqul Madaris’ credibility.[5]
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At a press conference in London on Monday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif remarked that because the TTP has denied responsibility for recent bombings in Peshawar, “other forces” must be promoting terrorism within Pakistan. Sharif’s statement follows TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid’s denial on Sunday that the organization committed the Qissa Khawani attack.[6]
Peshawar Bombings and Fallout
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According to a Tuesday report in the Express Tribune, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has identified several hubs of militant activity within Peshawar to be targeted in a forthcoming anti-terrorism operation. On Monday, Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani noted the militants’ shift to soft targets and said he was doubtful the current atmosphere would be conducive for talks.[7]
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On Monday, Pervez Khattak, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa blamed the media for the recent string of attacks on Peshawar. He said that the media is sensationalistic and focusing on the negatives.[8]
Domestic
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will appoint a new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) on October 6. According to a Geo News report on Tuesday, a summary of candidates has been provided to Sharif. The list includes Adm. Asif Sandila (Navy), Lt. Gen. Haroon Aslam (Army), and Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt (Air Force).[9]
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According to a Tuesday report in the Express Tribune, Abdul Malik Baloch, the Chief Minister of Balochistan has turned to foreign aid to help his province rebound from the earthquake there last week. He appealed for help from the international community, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and philanthropists.[10]
Militancy
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A Tuesday report in The News asserts that a video allegedly released by the TTP showing the September 15 attack that killed Major General Sanaullah Niazi is a fake. Separately, a posting on the TTP Malakand Division’s Facebook page says the organization conducted the attack as retaliation for the death of Maulana Waliullah Kabalgrami, former mentor to TTP Swat leader Maulana Fazlullah. Security officials have detained approximately 50 suspects in connection with the September 15 attack, but the investigation is ongoing.[11]
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According to a Tuesday report in the Express Tribune, security officials detained two suspects on an unspecified date from an unspecified location in connection with the January 25 rocket attack on the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul. At the time of their arrest, the suspects were in possession of three suicide vests, mortar shells, and rocket-propelled grenades.[12]
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At a press briefing on Monday, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asim Salim Bajwa announced that the Pakistan Army will continue humanitarian relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Balochistan province despite militant attacks. Bajwa said that military convoys will return fire if attacked. Since relief efforts began, four attacks on security forces in the region have killed four Frontier Corps personnel.[13]
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ANP leader Shahi Syed told a press conference on Monday that the Karachi operation has failed to expunge extremists from the city, particularly the Pashtun-dominated areas. Syed claimed that some elements within the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) do not want the campaign to be successful and that the Sindh provincial government has been reluctant to ensure security for ANP party leadership.[14]
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On Tuesday, unidentified gunmen killed an alleged intelligence officer and retired military officer, along with three of his family members, in Rawalpindi’s Gulistan colony.[15]
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On Monday, 15 people died in multiple violent incidents throughout Karachi. Separately, security officials detained 159 suspects for various criminal offenses. An additional 17 suspects have been detained as of Tuesday morning.[16]
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Police detained two alleged members of an unspecified banned organization on Tuesday, following a raid in the Dhamtor area of Abbottabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.[17]
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According to a Tuesday report in The News, rebel attacks in Balochistan have prevented effective relief from reaching the earthquake affected areas of the province.[18]
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According to a Monday report in The News, a tribal leader kidnapped from the Sorab area of Balochistan province over two months ago was recently released in Lasbela district.[19]
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On Monday, security officials recovered three bodies near the Zor Barawal area in Upper Dir district along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.[20]
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Rangers detained eight people on Monday following a raid on a residence in Lyari, Karachi.[21]
China-Pakistan Relations
