Forces to go after Swat Taliban commanders

PESHAWAR: If the government claims about the death of a Taliban commander Ibne Aqeel in an encounter in Matta town on Thursday are true, this would send a strong message to other commanders of the Swat militants including his elder brother Ibne Amin that they too are on the hit-list.Though Ibne Aqeel may have been killed by chance because he reportedly died along with five other militants while leading an assault on Matta police station, his death should be a major loss for the Taliban. He had increasingly achieved prominence in the ranks of the militants by taking part in attacks on the security forces and the police in Matta area and harassing Swatis opposed to the Taliban. The fact that he was Ibne Amin’s younger brother gave him a head-start while rising in the Taliban hierarchy.Ibne Amin, hailing from Matta area, is one of the most powerful Taliban commanders in Swat. He became known for his ruthless ways after ordering the killing of several anti-Taliban figures, including Pir Samiullah, Bahramand Khan, Fareen Khan and others who dared raise a lashkar, or armed force, against the militants.Along with certain other Taliban commanders, Ibne Amin had opposed disarming of the militants even after the Swat peace deal between the ANP-led NWFP government and the enforcement of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in Malakand Division and Kohistan district in Hazara. Official sources said he had remarked during one of his intercepted conversations that how could he disarm after having killed almost 200 people.Taliban sources were, however, unable to confirm that Ibne Amin indeed made this remark. Other top Taliban leaders and commanders belonging to Swat include Maulana Fazlullah, Maulana Shah Dauran, Muslim Khan, Akbar Hussain, Sirajuddin, Said Rahman alias Fateh, Ghaznavi, Muhammad Alam Binoray Mulla alias Maulana Khalil, Mufti Bashir, Maulana Yasir etc. Some of them are now operating in Buner. All of them appear to be on the government’s hit-list.Though Ibne Amin normally operates in Matta area, particularly in the Taliban strongholds of Gat-Peuchar, Namal, Bar Shawar and Kuz Shawar, there were reports that he had moved to Buner for a while to supervise the militants’ takeover of the district and plan attacks against the security forces. According to official sources, he had brought suicide bombers to Buner for use as the first wave of Taliban attacks to tackle the troops entering the district from Mardan via the Ambela Pass. They said the suicide bombers were to blow up the tanks, armoured personnel carriers and military trucks moving through the narrow Ambela Pass and inflict the maximum damage on the soldiers. However, the official sources maintained that Ibne Amin’s plans were foiled when 22 suicide bombers riding in explosives-filled vehicles and three motorcycles were spotted and killed on the first day of engagement between the security forces and the Taliban at the Ambela Pass. The sources claimed that another six would-be suicide bombers were shot dead on the second day of the military operation on the road linking Ambela Pass to Daggar, the headquarters of Buner.If true, this would constitute the biggest loss for the Taliban in a single day anywhere in Malakand Division, which includes both Swat and Buner, and Fata. After suffering such a huge loss, the Taliban militants resisting the security forces in Buner would certainly be a demoralised lot.Some estimates put the number of would-be suicide bombers in Swat at 40-50. As the 28 suicide bombers who according to official sources have been eliminated in Buner also came from Swat, this would mean that the remaining bombers are less than 20. If the estimates are correct, the Taliban commanders in Swat would be now planning to effectively use them in or outside the valley. It isn’t clear as to how many among the would-be suicide-bombers are Swatis, though there have been reports that some of them were sent to Swat by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from other areas to help the Swati Taliban.

By Rahimullah Yusufzai

ZaMa Cartoon

55 militants killed in Swat operation: Army

ISLAMABAD: Army’s helicopter gunships and ground forces killed at least 55 militants in the troubled Swat valley as part of a full-scale operation against the militants, the Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas said on Saturday."Early morning attack helicopters engaged militants hideouts in Mingora. Fifteen militants are reportedly killed in the engagement," Abbas said in a statement.He said that several militant hideouts were targeted and their main headquarters were destroyed.Militant bases in Matta were attacked too, he added."Militant hideouts were also engaged in Peochar, Qambar, Banababa, Ziarat, Mushkomai and Chamtalai areas in Khawzakhela. Reportedly, 30-40 militants have been killed," the army spokesman said.

Swat news

Cabinet okays Swat operation

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet endorsed on Saturday the ongoing military operation in Malakand division.In a media briefing following the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the cabinet has decided to set up a PM fund for the affectees of military operation with a sum of Rs 200 million deposited.The prime minister said directives had been issued to all Pakistani missions abroad to step up efforts for global assistance for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Gilani said the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and the ministry of health have been directed to take care of the IDPs. He said a parliamentary delegation will be sent to variouis capital to project Pakistan’s viewpoint on prevailing situation.

ANP calls on people to help Swat affectees

KARACHI: President of Awami National Party (ANP) in Sindh, Shahid Syed, has appealed to all communities to help the displaced persons of Swat that are arriving in the province. Speaking to a delegation of tribal elders at Mardan House here, Shahi Syed said that the nation could defeat not only militants but also miscreants also with show of unity.He said that there was a need to resolve the current challenges with complete understanding, adding that a little carelessness could lead the country to a grave calamity. ANP leader further said that people of the Karachi could realize the pain of the displaced persons as they had already faced such situation in the past too.

Swat operation to continue till elimination of terrorists: Army

ISLAMABAD: The Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas has said that an all-out offensive has been launched in Swat to flush out anti-state elements and terrorists from the restive valley.In a press briefing here on Friday, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said that the army had been tasked to eliminate the terrorists from Swat. He said the armed forces will take the operation to its logical conclusion. The military spokesman said the ground intelligence estimates indicate the presence of about 4000 militants in Swat. Abbas said the security forces have taken control of Khwaza Khela and Chamkanai areas. “Five security personnel were martyred while five militants were killed in the operation”, he said.At least 13 policement were killed in a militant ambush on Matta police station. Twenty militants were killed in Takhtaband and Kabal areas. The security forces also killed 15 militants including two commanders in Maidan. Abbas said that six militants were killed during operation in Buner and Kalpani while two others were arrested. The ISPR chief said nearly 143 militants have been killed in last 24 hours. Athar said the army also destroyed many militants’ hideouts and training facilities. He said approximately 64000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have so far got themselves registered with the government.

Swat Latest News 7 May 2009

Migratton

Thousands of civilians are reported to be fleeing their homes in Pakistan's Swat valley where a peace deal with the Taleban looks increasingly fragile.
More than 40,000 people have so far fled from clashes between the army and militants in Swat, officials say.
Fighting erupted on Tuesday night in Mingora, Swat's main town, where the Taleban defied a curfew, they add.
Pakistan's army says it killed more than 60 militants in Swat and neighbouring Buner on Wednesday.
Bedraggled men, women and children are fleeing the area to settle in camps set up by the government with UN help.

SWAT: Security forces pounded militants’ strongholds with gunship helicopters and artillery in Swat.Meanhwile, curfew has been relaxed till 6:00 pm throughout district except Khawazakhel.Gunship helicopters targeted militants positions in Shahdhari area of tehsil Kabal, Bamakhela, Khawazakhela in Matta and Malamjabba mountains. No causality was reported immediately.According to Swat media center, curfew will be relaxed in district Swat except Khawazakhela from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.People started migration on large scale as soon as the curfew relaxation has announced.

Maulana Sufi’s son killed in lower Dir

DIR: A son of Maulana Sufi Muhammad has been killed during security forces shelling in Maidan area of lower Dir. The spokesman of Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi(TNSM) Ameer Izzat Khan confirmed that Maulana Kifayatullah, son of Maulan Sufi Muhammad, was killed and his aide injured during security forces action against militants in Maidan.

Swat placed under indefinite curfew, exams put off

MINGORA: Keeping in view the fragile law and order situation across Swat district, the curfew for an indefinite period has been imposed while the intermediate examinations have been postponed on Monday.According to DCO Swat Khushhal Khan the curfew for an indefinite period has been imposed in Swat while the ongoing papers of intermediate have been postponed.Swat media center said police foiled the militants’ attacks on the Mingora Gird Station and Mingora police station meanwhile; security forces have taken control of many official buildings including Grid Station and launched regular patrolling sessions.In a statement released from Swat media center, it is appealed to the public for cooperation with security forces to combat militancy.

Militants occupy govt buildings in Swat

SWAT: Militants occupied the government offices of Swat Nazim and Deputy Inspector General of police, and surrounded the residence of Commissioner Malakand Division on Tuesday.According to sources, three militants were killed when clashes erupted between security forces and the militants in Kanju. While one policeman also sustained injuries following a militants’ attack on the police station.In Swat, curfew was eased from 1:30pm to 7:00pm. During the curfew interval, militants occupied the empty offices of DIG police and District Nazim Nasir Jamal in Saidu Sharif. They had also besieged the office of Commissioner Malakand region.The militants attacked a police station in Saidu Sharif, injuring one policeman.

Half a million people likely to evacuate Swat: Iftikhar

PESHAWAR: Up to 500, 000 people are likely to migrate from Swat valley, NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said on Tuesday.A large number of people are evacuating the valley, Iftikhar Hussain told at a press conference in the provincial capital. He said that situation was getting complicated with the passage of time.“All districts are being provided with emergency help to take care of the displaced families, Iftikhar said, adding that the government is also setting up camps to settle the affected people.”The minister further said that counters were also in place to register the people, To a question, he said that Darul Qaza was set up with the signature of President Asif Ali Zardari. He dispelled the impression that Sufi Muhammad was not consulted before setting up of Darul Qaza and appointments of Qazis. Sufi Muhammad said that talks would resume only after end of military operation, he said.

‘Sufi is rebel of Sharia, Constitution’

RAWALPINDI: Ahle Sunnat parties declared Sufi Muhammad, chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), as a rebel of Sharia and the Constitution of Pakistan.They called on the government to restore its writ across the country without yielding to the terrorists and extremist. The demand was made at a convention entitled ‘Stability of Pakistan’ held in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.In a declaration issued at the end of convention, the participants condemned the killing of Muslims, demolition of Shrines and abuse of Ulema.The declaration also called for resignations of all Ahle Sunnat Ulema from the government and demanded their unity at one platform.They further demanded that the army, the Supreme Court and the Parliament should fulfill its obligations for the protection of the country’s constitution.

مینگورہ پر عسکریت پسندوں کا قبضہ

سوات: سوات میں عسکریت پسندوں نے دیگر علاقوں کے بعد مینگورہ شہر پر بھی قبضہ کرلیا۔ عسکریت پسندوں کی کارروائیوں کے باعث عوام کی نقل مکانی کا سلسلہ ایک بار پھر شروع ہوگیا۔ مینگورہ میں عسکریت پسندوں نے تمام اہم عمارتوں کا محاصرہ کر رکھا ہے۔ چھتوں پر چڑھ کر مور چے بنالئے ہیں اور شہر کی نگرانی کررہے ہیں۔ شہر میں مسلح افراد کے گشت کے بعد خوف ہراس ہے۔ بیشتر بازار بند ہیں۔ عسکریت پسندوں کے کنٹرول کے بعد ضلع بھر سے ایک بار پھر نقل مکانی شروع ہوگئی ہے۔ مین گرڈ اسٹیشن کی خرابی دور نہ ہونے کے باعث بیشتر علاقوں کی بجلی اور پانی کی سپلائی دوسرے روز بھی بند ہے۔مدین میں مسلح افراد نے سیکورٹی چیک پوسٹ پر حملہ کیا جس کے بعد دونوں طرف سے فائرنگ کا تبادلہ ہوا۔ سیدو شریف کے علاقے اسلام پورہ میں مسلح افراد نے ہیڈ کانسٹیبل بخت رحیم کے گھر پر حملہ کرکے اسے اغو اکرلیا۔ تحصیل بریکوٹ میں آنے والے سیکورٹی فورسز کے تازہ دم دستوں پر عسکریت پسندوں کے حملے میں ایک اہلکار جاں بحق اور دو زخمی ہوگئے۔ تاہم عسکری ذرائع نے اس کی تصدیق نہیں کی۔

Taliban defy curfew to patrol town in Swat: witnesses

Armed Taliban defied a government curfew and patrolled the main town in Swat district after rejecting an Islamic appeals court set up under a peace deal, witnesses said on Monday.The government of North West Frontier Province said Saturday that an Islamic appellate court had been created to serve the three million people who live in Malakand, which includes Swat, under a deal to end a Taliban-led insurgency.But a Taliban spokesman rejected the new court, charging it had been created without adequate consultation, and condemned an ongoing military assault against Taliban fighters holed up in other districts of Malakand.Authorities imposed a curfew from 6:00 pm to 9:00 am in Mingora, the main town in Swat, on Sunday for the first time since signing the February deal with pro-Taliban cleric Sufi Mohammad to try to end nearly two years of violence."We had concerns about the law and order situation, that is why the curfew was imposed," the head of the local administration, Khushhal Khan, told AFP.Residents said they saw armed Taliban patrolling the main roads in Mingora late Sunday despite the curfew."It is the first time that Taliban have again started armed patrolling in Mingora," one resident told AFP, requesting anonymity."Do not give my name because the Taliban will find me and kill me," the frightened resident said."Once again fear is gripping the entire town."Another resident said Taliban militants were "again taking up positions on top of buildings" in Mingora.Security officials and police declined to comment when asked whether armed Taliban were patrolling in Mingora.Pakistan's army announced Sunday that 80 militants have been killed so far in its offensive against the Taliban in Buner.

Night curfew imposed in Swat

SWAT: A night-time curfew from 7pm to 6am has been imposed in Swat valley, Swat Media Centre reported on Monday.Amid some security concerns, the curfew will remain in force between 7pm to 6am.

NWFP govt can appoint Qazis, not Sufi’, says Arshad

PESHAWAR: NWFP Law Minister Barrister Arshad Abdullah has said that the TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad is not authorised to appoint Qazis in Malakand division and only the provincial governments can do it.Talking to Geo news here on Monday, Barrister Arshad said that under the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation (NAR-2009), only the NWFP government has the privilege to appoint Qazis. The minister said that the government would fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and soon an office of Dar-ul-Qaza would be established in Malakand. He said after the establishement of Dar-ul-Qaza, an additional and a deputy advocate general would be appointed in the division.

Security forces arrest 5 suspects in Mingora

MINGORA: Security forces have arrested five suspects in Mingora, Swat, source said Sunday.Most of the shops remained closed in Mingora as Taliban patrolled the area, sources added.

SWAT: Curfew will be imposed in Swat from 9 pm Sunday to 6 am Monday, Swat media center said.

TNSM declares Darul Qaza set up unilateral

SWAT: Tahrik-e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) has declared the setting up of Darul Qaza unilateral.Sources said that the TNSM ‘shoora’ headed by Maulana Sufi Muhammad in a meeting at its central office located at Aman Dara Batkhel here deliberated on the setting up of Darul Qaza, postings of Qazis in shriat courts and other important matters and declared the Darul Qaza set up unilateral.TNSM spokesman, Amir Izzat Khan said that the announcement relating to the setting up of Darul Qaza and Qazis postings has nothing to do with the TNSM. He said that they were waiting for the second round of talks, but the government unilaterally announced the setting up of Darul Qaza. He said that the maintenance of peace was the exclusive responsibility of the government and added, “We are not satisfied with the setting up of Darul Qaza.”

Mingora’s Municipal Officer, her daughter kidnapped

SWAT: Some unknown persons have abducted a Municipal Officer of the Mingora tehsil along with her daughter here on Saturday.

Curfew in Shangla to prevent Taliban entry

SWAT: Curfew has been imposed in Alpuri, district headquarter of Shangla and other key roads as heavy contingents of security forces reached at Shangla top.Sources said unannounced curfew has been imposed in Alpuri, Ranyal, Karora, Bisham-Alpuri road and Karora-Jak road after deployment of security forces. Other roads have also been closed for traffic.According to reports, the purpose of curfew is to prevent militants’ entry in Shangla from Buner. Security forces started marching towards Swari area.Meanwhile, national peace jirga has decided to play its due role to resolve the Buner issue. The leader of national peace jirga Sher Akbar Khan told Geo News they are seeking government’s permission to pick up the bodies of those killed in Babaji Kandao area for burial.

NWFP govt, TNSM hold talks in Timergara

TIMERGARA: An important meeting is underway between Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad and representatives of the NWFP government here on Friday.In the meeting that started soon after Friday prayer, Senator Zahid Khan and provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain are representing the government. Both sides will discuss law and order situation in Swat and Malakand and formation of Dar-ul-Qaza.According to sources, Maulana Sufi Mohammad has demanded that the government should halt the military operation and appoint Qazis in the Dar-ul-Qaza. Sources said that both sides are optimistic on the outcome of the talks.

Photo/NaveeD Ali