Pakistan Security Brief

U.S. intelligence agencies investigate ISI links to Haqqani Network; Pakistan’s top military officials meet to discuss “prevailing security situation”; CENTCOM Chief meets with Kayani; Kayani cancels trip to U.K.; Haqqani Network challenges U.S. to military intervention in North Waziristan; Pakistan Army acknowledges ties to Haqqani Network; Gilani cites “confusion and policy disarray” as motive for U.S. accusations against Pakistan, calls Khar back to Pakistan; Gilani calls for united stand “in face of U.S. pressure”; Malik charges the U.S. with creating Haqqani Network; U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan meets with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Obama Administration stresses “important relationship” between U.S. and Pakistan; Senator Graham urges military leaders to consider “all options” to defend U.S. troops; U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia encourages enhancement of U.S.-Pakistan ties; Former prime minster calls for an end to U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan; Political leader calls for parliament session in light of U.S.-Pakistan tensions; Chinese security officials visit Pakistan; Pakistan launches offensive in Afghanistan border region; India forced to halt construction of dam project; Karachi police arrest TTP leader; Rangers seize buried weapons; Karachi police to purchase armored vehicles to combat Karachi violence; PML-N president criticizes government for failure to brief parliament on Karachi violence; Security forces kill TTP leader; Police seize arms in Peshawar; Pakistan closes cell-towers in North Waziristan; 14 militants killed in Orakzai; CIA drone kills three suspected militants in North Waziristan; LeJ attacks another bus of Shia passengers; Zardari calls for probe into killing of Shia pilgrims; 12-year-old arrested for planting bomb in Quetta; Men with Pakistan links arrested in U.K.; Turkmenistan rejects component of TAPI pipeline project.

U.S.-Pakistan Relations  

• U.S. intelligence agencies are reportedly examining similarities between the September 2011 attacks on U.S. and NATO targets in Afghanistan and the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India. This investigation is geared toward establishing Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) links to both attacks, notably through phone calls made from the locations of the attacks to ISI contacts within Pakistan.  Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst, suggested that these similarities could reveal the existence of an “ultra-secret unit of ISI known as the ‘S’ branch,” which may have carried out the attacks.  According to Riedel, the ISI may have encouraged “agents” to launch attacks against the U.S. and NATO in Afghanistan to “make the war look unwinnable and hopeless.”[1]  

• Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani assembled Pakistan’s generals and military officials on Sunday for a meeting amidst the “war of words” between the U.S. and Pakistan over the Haqqani Network.  The generals reportedly discussed the “prevailing security situation” and allegedly developed a contingency plan in the event of U.S. military intervention in Pakistan, “vowing a befitting retaliation to any cross-border incursion [by the U.S.].” A senior official privy to the meeting reported that “de-escalation” efforts were underway, adding that there was “no benefit of a confrontation.” Earlier, Kayani responded to allegations by the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, calling them “unfortunate,” and “not based on facts.”[2]

• During the weekend, Kayani also met with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Chief General James Mattis to discuss bilateral relations between the U.S. and Pakistan. Mattis, who oversees the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, “became the most senior U.S. commander to hold talks with Pakistani generals” since the “war of words” between the two countries erupted last week.  A Pakistani security official reportedly told AFP after the Kayani-Mattis talks that there was no indication that the Pakistan Army would launch a military operation in North Waziristan where the Haqqani Network is reportedly based.[3]

• General Kayani has cancelled a trip to the UK, reportedly due to the “crisis sparked by…U.S. accusations” against Pakistan’s ISI.[4]

• The Haqqani Network’s leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, spoke to Reuters via satellite phone on Friday and reportedly  welcomed a U.S. military ground attack in North Waziristan because the U.S. would “suffer more losses” in Pakistan than in Afghanistan.[5]

• Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas acknowledged ISI ties to the Haqqani Network, stating that the contacts did not mean that the ISI had supported or endorsed the terrorist network.  Abbas said that there was a “huge difference between maintaining contacts with such a group to facilitate peace and supporting it against an ally.”  Abbas cited that other countries also maintained contact with the Haqqani Network because maintaining ties with “rival groups” is essential in the intelligence community. In a rebuttal to U.S. accusations, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told reporters, “I am sure the CIA also has links with many terrorist organizations around the world, by which we mean intelligence links.” Khar later stated that the Haqqani Network had been “the blue-eyed boy of the CIA…for many years.”[6]

• Pakistan’s Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani denied all allegations of “complicity with the Haqqani Network” on Saturday.  Gilani said that Pakistan was not responsible for the security of NATO or ISAF forces in Afghanistan and that U.S. allegations highlighted “confusion and policy disarray” when it came to the U.S. situation in Afghanistan.  To lower tensions, Gilani pushed for “joint operations and coordination” to remedy currently strained relations between the two countries, saying that the “blame-game is self-defeating…it will only benefit…terrorists and militants.” However, on Sunday, Gilani reportedly directed Foreign Minister Khar  to cut her trip to the UN General Assembly session in New York City short, calling Khar back to Pakistan in light of “rapidly deteriorating” ties between the U.S. and Pakistan.[7]

• Prime Minister Gilani called the leaders of “almost all” of Pakistan’s political parties on Sunday “to discuss the security situation faced by the country.” The meeting, which is set to occur sometime this week, will reportedly encourage political unity in light of threats to Pakistan’s defense and national security, according to a handout distributed by Gilani.[8]

• During a press conference on Sunday, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik blamed the CIA for creating the Haqqani Network.  Malik reiterated that the Haqqani Network was based solely in Afghanistan, telling those claiming otherwise that they should “provide evidence of [the Haqqani Network’s] presence in Pakistan.” Malik also “urged the international community not to forget the sacrifices of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism,” noting that Pakistan “ha[d] been extending all possible cooperation to the U.S. in its war on terrorism.”  Malik further demanded that Pakistan’s sovereignty be respected by the U.S. and that Pakistan be able to fight terrorists within its borders on its own.[9]

• The U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter met with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Salman Bashir, reportedly in an attempt to salvage U.S.-Pakistan relations following a “downward spiral” in communication between the two countries during the past week. The Obama administration also extended a hand to Pakistan on Friday in an effort to reduce pressure put on the “important relationship” between the U.S. and Pakistan. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney stressed, however, that Pakistan must take “strong and immediate action” against the Haqqani Network in order to preserve the relationship.[10]

• During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Senator Lindsey Graham stated that the U.S. would consider all options “in confronting Pakistani support for militant networks fighting [against] U.S. soldiers.”  Graham, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that Pakistan must choose between supporting the Haqqani Network and helping the U.S. fight the war on terror.  Graham did not propose any specific form of action the U.S. should take; however, he articulated his opinion that “the sovereign nation of Pakistan is engaging in hostile acts against the [U.S.] and…Afghanistan.”  In a response, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khar warned the U.S. against sending ground troops into Pakistan on Saturday.  Khar cited “red lines and rules of engagement” between the U.S. and Pakistan that must remain intact to preserve relations.  Khar also insisted that Pakistan’s objective was to maintain the U.S. as an ally through “more intensive engagement.”[11]

• U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia, Robert Blake, articulated the need for the U.S. to “help the people and the government of Pakistan in resolving their political, economic, and security problems” in order to “move forward” in relations between the two countries. Blake mentioned the importance of Pakistan in the “withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan,” as well as maintaining Pakistan as a “valuable ally.”[12]

• Former Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali said that  U.S. drone strikes in Balochistan would “not be tolerated.”  Jamali warned that the Pakistani government must make decisions when dealing with U.S. drone strikes in its territory.  Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khar also resisted the notion of continued drone strikes in Pakistan, saying that drone attacks “violated Pakistan’s sovereignty;” in addition, Khar said drone strikes were counterproductive and “greatly angered the people of Pakistan.”[13]

• The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) opposition leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, called for Pakistan to “convene a parliament session to discuss a likely attack by the U.S. [on North Waziristan].”  Khan criticized Pakistan’s alliance with the U.S., saying that Pakistan was “being destroyed…by somebody else’s war.”[14]

Pakistan-China Relations  

• China’s Public Security Minister, Meng Jianzhu, made a visit to Pakistan to discuss bilateral cooperation against Chinese militants who have found a safe haven in northwest Pakistan.  Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced on Sunday that Pakistan security forces had killed “several Chinese militants” and commented that China “always stands with [Pakistan] in difficult times.” Dawn reported that, according to commentators, China could “one day replace the U.S. as [Pakistan’s] main foreign benefactor.”[15]  

Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations  

• Pakistan has reportedly been firing mortars and rockets into neighboring Afghanistan since Wednesday, according to Afghan officials. The attacks have been focused on Kunar province, Afghanistan, although firing had also been reported in Nuristan province.  Pakistani military officials confirmed a clash between Pakistan security forces and Afghan militants that resulted in the death of one soldier and 15 militants but denied the accusation that Pakistan had launched a mortar or rocket attack.[16]

Pakistan-India Relations  

• The Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of “Pakistan’s application seeking a stay order on construction of the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project (KHEP)” on Saturday.  This ruling was considered a “rare victory for Pakistan” against India. Pakistan has previously argued that the dam project would violate the Indus Waters Treaty signed by the two countries in 1960.[17]  

Karachi Violence  

• Karachi police arrested Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Masood al Rehman Mehsud in Karachi on Friday. Mehsud was reportedly in possession of a suicide jacket and an AK-47 and had been residing in Karachi since 2009. Mehsud was arrested in connection with the bombing of senior police chief Chaudhry Aslam’s home last week in Karachi, which killed 8 people.[18]  

• The Rangers seized a “huge cache of arms buried in an open plot” in Surjani Town on Saturday.   Officials reportedly received information on the arms cache following interrogations of recently apprehended suspects.[19]

• Karachi police reportedly plan to import armored vehicles to launch “an all-out attack on terrorists operating from and hiding in the narrow streets of Karachi,” according to officials. The police officials said that the purchase would exemplify the “decisive seriousness” of the government to combat violence.[20]  

• President of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, said Friday that the “government should have briefed parliament on the law and order situation in Karachi.”  He said that if the executive branch had done its job, the Supreme Court’s independent inquiry would not have been necessary.  Sharif also called for releasing details revealed in the Supreme Court’s case to the public.[21]  

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa  

• A top TTP leader, Qari Basit, was killed on Saturday during a clash between militants and security forces in Nowshera.  Security forces confirmed the death of the TTP leader, adding that Basit was “wanted in several cases of murder, robbery, and terrorism including killing of security persons.”  Basit reportedly escaped from jail in 2007 after being sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and had recently been tasked with coordinating militant funding for the TTP.[22]    

• Police confiscated a large cache of weapons and arrested three suspects in Peshawar on Friday.  The arms were reportedly destined for Punjab and Sindh to likely be used in acts of terrorism, according to police.[23]  

FATA  

• Despite U.S. pressure, Pakistan will not be taking military action against the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan, according to Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.  Abbas further warned against U.S. unilateral action in North Waziristan, citing that any action “would fuel anti-U.S. sentiment in Pakistan.”  Abbas said that Pakistan was taking steps to combat terrorism in North Waziristan; specifically, Pakistan had closed cell-phone towers to “prevent terrorists from communicating and coordinating their activities.”[24]  

• Fourteen militants were killed by security forces during a helicopter attack on two known militant sanctuaries in Orakzai and Khyber agency on Saturday.  Another 4 militants were killed in the Tirah Valley in a separate bombing by security forces.[25]  

• A house in North Waziristan was targeted in a drone strike on Friday, killing three suspected Taliban militants, some of which may have been foreigners, according to security officials in Miram Shah.[26]  

Balochistan

• A bus filled with passengers from the Hazara Shia community was attacked by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) militants on Friday.  LeJ militants allegedly ordered passengers off of the bus, which was a few kilometers from Quetta, before opening fire on them, killing 3 people and injuring 5 others.  This is the second attack by LeJ on a bus of Shias in less than a week.[27]  

• President Zardari reportedly requested that Interior Minister Malik “expedite” the investigation into last week’s killing of Shia pilgrims en route to Iran.  Malik was asked to “ensure security for every public transport carrying pilgrims to Iran” and was ordered to “take strict action against officials who ignored the order.”[28]  

• Police arrested a 12-year-old boy in Quetta on Saturday night after discovering him planting an explosive device in Nechari imambargah.  The boy reportedly gave police the names of his accomplices.  The targeted location was “close to the place where the killing of 29 Shias took place earlier this week,” and appeared to be another attempt at sectarian violence.[29]  

Terrorism  

• Six men have been arrested and charged with terrorism-related offenses in the U.K. following a police raid last Monday. Two of the men have been accused of “preparing for an act of terrorism and travelling to Pakistan for training in terrorism,” while another two are facing charges related to “a bombing campaign in the U.K.”[30]

Energy  

• Turkmenistan has rejected “the gas pricing formula proposed by its prospective buyers in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project.”  This decision comes only weeks after the U.S. pushed the TAPI pipeline project as an alternative to the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and has been seen as a “as a blow to the U.S.-backed [TAPI] project.”  The four stakeholder countries reportedly have ten days to negotiate a new gas pricing formula.[31]