Zarb-e-Azb: 16 more terrorists eliminated, 7 hideouts smashed

MIR ALI: At least 16 more terrorists were killed in fresh air strikes of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets in the outskirts of Mir Ali, North Waziristan on Sunday.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), PAF jets pounded militants hideouts in the outskirts of Mir Ali, killing 16 terrorists and destroying 7 of their hideouts.

An explosive dump of the militants was also eliminated in the air strikes.

Ideological HQs of terrorists all over country: Pervaiz

 

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid said on Sunday that the military headquarters of terrorists were in North Waziristan but their ideological headquarters were all over the country and it was the responsibility of the political forces to eliminate the same.
He said the army was eliminating the military headquarter of the terrorists while thedemocratic forces were responsible for eliminating their ideological headquarters.Speaking in Geo TV’s special transmission “Jang Se Aman Tak”, he said the debate on who was responsible for the failure of the talks with Taliban was misplaced. He said this war was not against the government’s opponents but enemies of the state.

Well-known anchor Salim Safi hosted the programme in which PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said both the government and the Taliban were responsible for the failure of the talks, though the government shouldered more responsibility.

He said the members of the government committee had admitted that their consultation process was slow. He said everybody in the dialogue committees was playing politics. He said the talks could have resolved the issue of terrorism but they were short of time.

ANP leader Afsaryab Khatak said the success of the talks process was doubtful from the day one. He said there was no one from the government in the government committee and no one from the Taliban in the Taliban committee to talk out the issue.

MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said the Taliban were responsible for the failure of the talks as they continued carrying out attacks on Pakistanis during the talks process. JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah said the establishment held the key to the success of the talks. He said those who had the authority did not let the talks succeed.JI leader Amirul Azeem said the government was responsible for the failure of the talks. He said the Taliban wanted to talk but the government did not.

19 terrorists killed as military operation continues in NWA

RAWALPINDI: Nineteen terrorists have been killed as operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ launched by the Pakistan military continues in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).

According to the ISPR, PAF jet aircrafts destroyed six confirmed terrorist hideouts on the outskirts of Mir Ali killing eleven terrorists on Friday evening. Terrorist concentrations were also targeted on Saturday morning by Artillery Tanks and heavy weapons outside Miranshah killing seven terrorists.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander of Miranshah, Umer has also been killed by security forces last night on the outskirts of Miranshah.

ISPR states that after the surrender of 19 terrorists there are reports that more terrorists are ready to lay down their arms. Meanwhile, one prominent Al-Qaeda commander has been arrested while trying to flee and initial investigations shows him as an explosive, IED and suicide belt expert. Three terrorists were arrested by security forces while trying to cross the Indus River near Mir Ali.

An effective cordon is in place around terrorist hideouts in all places in North Waziristan Agency.

The civilian population has been evacuated from North Waziristan and announcements are being made for any stranded tribals who may have stayed back for any reasons, to leave also.

Pakistan urges Afghanistan to stop terrorists fleeing North Waziristan

 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday asked Afghanistan to take necessary measures on its side of the border to stop the fleeing terrorists from North Waziristan Agency (NWA) from finding sanctuary on the Afghan soil.
Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, in her weekly briefing here at the Foreign Office, said that the purpose of the visit of special envoy Mahmood Khan Achakzai to Kabul was to seek Afghan cooperation in the management of the border.

She said the visit of Afghan National Security Adviser Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta was also aimed at taking the discussion forward on the matter.The spokesperson recalled that Pakistan had taken extraordinary measures, including restriction of movement and deployment of additional troops on the border, when presidential elections took place in Afghanistan.

She said these security measures were appreciated not only by the Afghans but also by the international community.The spokesperson said the operation had been launched in the North Waziristan Agency (NWA) to eliminate terrorism and it was in Afghanistan’s own interest to cooperate with Pakistan.

She expressed the confidence that Afghan authorities would respond positively to Pakistan’s call for enhanced security on the border.Replying to a question whether any foreign country had offered assistance for the internally displaced families of North Waziristan, the spokesperson said Pakistan had not decided to ask for any foreign assistance in this regard.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), however, offered some sort of assistance for the IDPs, she added.The spokesperson said, “The people of North Waziristan are our brothers and sisters and as a nation it is our responsibility to come out and extend all out support to the IDPs who have to leave their homes for the peace and security of the entire country.”

Action against terrorists on both sides of border agreed

 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan on Thursday agreed to launch indiscriminate action against the terrorists on both sides of the border.
This was decided during a meeting of Rangin Rahimi Dafdar Spanta, Afghan National Security Adviser, with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the PM House. Matters relating to mutual and bilateral interest came under discussion.

The meeting was attended by Afghan delegation comprising Janan Mosazai, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan, Atiqullah Hatifmal, Afghan Deputy Foreign Secretary, Major General Asadullah Akramyar, Ministry of Defence, and Hakimullah Hakmatullah Foushanji, Director International Affairs. The Pakistani side comprised Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM on National Security Tariq Fatimi and Secretary Foreign Affairs Aizaz Chaudhry.

APP adds: Rangin Dafdar Spanta called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters. During the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of mutual interest.

Besides, measures to enhance security cooperation, particularly in the wake of the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb along the Pak-Afghan border and the latest situation in Afghanistan, were also discussed.

All terrorists, including Haqqanis, to be tackled: DG ISPR

 

RAWALPINDI: Terming the Operation Zarb-e-Azb as war for the survival of Pakistan, the Pakistan Army on Thursday pledged to tackle all terrorists, including the Haqqani Network.
Briefing the media here, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said 327 hardcore terrorists had been killed while 45 hideouts of terrorists were destroyed in the North Waziristan Agency during the ongoing operation launched on June 15. He said 19 terrorists surrendered before the security personnel. He said 10 soldiers laid down their lives while seven were injured in the line of duty.

Major General Bajwa said North Waziristan had become an abode of terrorists. He said due to the sudden operation, the terrorists were entrapped in North Waziristan and would not be given a chance to escape.

He said all the allegations of Afghan government against the Pakistan Army were baseless. “The operation in North Waziristan was being conducted by the Pakistan Army and it was not assisted by the US or anyone else.”

About the internally displaced persons (IDPs), he said that so far 456,292 people, comprising 36,804 families, had been registered and majority of themwere shifted to their relatives in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat. He said only a few hundred persons opted to stay in the camps set up for the IDPs.

Giving details, Asim Saleem Bajwa said from January 29 to June 8, some 195 persons had lost their lives in 20 terrorist incidents. He reiterated that North Waziristan had become a stronghold of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and a hub of terrorist activities. “In this backdrop, it was decided to launch an operation aimed at restoring the writ of the government.”

He said the army troops, FC Khyber Pakhtunkhwa troops, Khassadar, Levies, intelligence agencies and Pakistan Air Force were deployed to flush out the terrorists from the area.Major General Bajwa said 50 army personnel, along with 20 NDMA officials, had been deployed for the registration of all IDPs. He said six ration distribution points had been established in Bannu, DI Khan and Tank for provision of food packets and medicines to the IDPs. He said every family was given Rs15,000 besides one month ration as announced by the army. “Of the enlisted IDPs, 221,000 were administered polio drops.”

The DG ISPR said Nadra mobile and Smart Card vans were made available to check the identity of incoming IDPs at the registration centres. About the relief collection points, he said 32 such points had been set up in different cities. To a question, he pointed out that 400 Afghan families had crossed over to Afghanistan after the start of the ongoing operation.

He said the whole nation had to play its role to support the armed forces in rooting out terrorism from the country. He also urged the media to create an awareness among the people to wipe out any misperception regarding the operation.

To a query, the DG ISPR said the Afghan government had been requested to take action against those terrorists who could cross over to the Afghan territory to avoid operation. He said that Pakistan had raised voice against the drone attacks as Pakistan armed forces were fully capable of defeating the terrorists. He said joint control rooms had been set up (UAN 1135) in different cities where people could share information about any suspicious person or activity.

Ashrafuddin Pirzada adds from Landikotal: Four militants and three Khassadar force personnel were killed in a clash after about two dozen gunmen attacked the Hawaldari checkpost in the Surkamar area of the Jamrud Tehsil in Khyber Agency on Thursday, local and official sources said.

The sources said at least 12 gunmen, equipped with automatic weapons, stormed the Hawaldari checkpost located on the main Pak-Afghan Highway at around 1:50am during the night.Local sources said the militants besieged the checkpost and opened fire on the soldiers manning it. The lightly armed Khassadar force personnel returned the fire, triggering a gunbattle.

“I heard sounds of firing from different sides when the attack was launched on the checkpost,” said a local tribesman. He added that the firing stopped after a few minutes but it started again when a contingent of the paramilitary Frontier Corps reached the spot to support the besieged Khassadar force personnel.

The security forces, the official sources said, repulsed the attack and killed four attackers. However, the rest of the militants managed to escape.Three Khassadar officials identified as Naib Line Officer Shaukat Khan Afridi, who was recently promoted, and Sepoy Shamshad Afridi and Sepoy Baseer Khan were killed in the clash.

According to an ISPR statement, four paramilitary officials, including Captain Umar, were injured in the attack.The other injured soldiers were identified as Sepoys Umara Khan, Noor Hussain and Abdur Rauf.

Assistant Political Agent Jamrud Roshan Wazir condemned the attack and praised the bravery of the Khassadar force personnel.The funeral prayers for the slain Khassadars were offered in the presence of a large number of people. Roshan Wazir and other officials also attended the funeral.

Terrorists responsible for dialogue failure: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that terrorists were responsible for the dialogue process not succeeding.

The prime minister added that safe havens of terrorists would be eliminated and the entire country stood behind brave soldiers of the Pakistan Army.

During a meeting with a delegation led by Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Ramzan Chaudhry, Prime Minister Sharif said a revolution in Pakistan could only be achieved via polls.

PM to meet political leaders

A meeting of political leaders will also be convened by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and he is expected to take them into confidence over the operation in North Waziristan and challenges facing the country.

The prime minister will also call upon the support of political leaders for strengthening democracy in Pakistan.

PM invites Imran to visit IDPs

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also invited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to visit IDP camps.

The prime minister’s invitation was declined by Imran Khan on account of prior political commitments.

Residents of North Waziristan have fled from their homes after the military launched an operation to root out terrorism. It is expected that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit IDP camps on Friday.

13 terrorists killed in NWA bombing 12 surrender

MIRANSHAH: The fighter aircraft of PAF continued pounding suspected positions of militants in the Mir Ali subdivision of North Waziristan on Wednesday, killing 13 terrorists.

Military authorities said the aircraft had struck five sanctuaries of militants in Mir Ali, where the militants were still hiding, despite the fact that local residents had already vacated their houses and villages.

Also, the Inter-Services (ISPR) said in a statement that 12 terrorists surrendered to the security forces in North Waziristan Agency on Wednesday.It didn’t disclose identity of the militants surrendered to the security forces. Also, it was not clear whether those surrendered belonged to the North Waziristan Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadur group or the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Meanwhile, North Waziristan remained under curfew for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Though majority of the residents had fled the tribal region, there was no traffic on roads and all shops and markets remained closed due to curfew in North Waziristan.Official sources said security had been tightened on checkpoints and observation posts set up on hilltops in the tribal region.

47 more terrorists killed in Khyber, NWA

 

PESHAWAR: Forty-seven terrorists were killed and their 23 hideouts were destroyed in the security forces operation in Khyber and North Waziristan tribal agencies on Tuesday.A suicide bombing attempt on a security forces checkpost in North Waziristan was also foiled in which two soldiers and a civilian embraced martyrdom.
Despite announcing a ceasefire by the North Waziristan-based Taliban till the 10th day of upcoming Eidul Fitr, a suicide bomber driving an explosive-laden car attacked a checkpoint in the Spinwam area of the volatile tribal region, killing two paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) personnel and a tribesman.

Military authorities gave two different versions about the nature of the blast.Some military officials, soon after the attack, said that unknown people had parked an explosive-laden car in the parking area of the Civil Hospital in Spinwam, which is adjacent to an old fort housing personnel of the FC.

They said the blast caused damage to the FC fort and resulted in the death of two personnel and injuries to seven others. However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) later issued a statement and said the soldiers at a roadside checkpoint asked a car to stop but when he didn’t obey, the troops opened fire on it.

According to the ISPR, a suicide bomber was driving an explosive-laden car and had planned to hit an important security installations in the same area.The suicide bomber blew himself up even before reaching the roadside checkpoint and killed three people, two of them FC personnel, and a civilian. Seven other FC men were reportedly injured in the blast.

According to tribal sources, the security forces later cordoned off the area and rescued the injured soldiers.Though the local administration had clamped a curfew in the entire tribal region, it was learnt after the suicide attack the government and military authorities had exempted the residents of four major residential towns including Garyoom, Razmak, Dosali and Spinwam from displacement.

There was no curfew in Spinwam in Mir Ali subdivision, adjacent to Thall Tehsil in Hangu district, and that’s why the suicide bomber managed to travel on the Mir Ali-Thall Road and carry out suicide attack.

Meanwhile, Ansarul Mujahideen, a mysterious militant organisation believed to be operated by Arab fighters, claimed responsibility for the first suicide attack in North Waziristan following the military operation, Zarb-e-Azb, launched on June 15 against local and foreign militants.

Its spokesman, Abu Baseer said it was part of the Zarb-e-Momin operations announced by the North Waziristan-based Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadur in response to Zarb-e-Azb military operation of the government in North Waziristan.

Asked how did Ansarul Mujahideen justify starting attacks on the security forces when Hafiz Gul Bahadur himself had announced a ceasefire till the 10th day of Eidul Fitr, Abu Baseer argued that their responsibility was to assist the ‘Mujahideen’ in trouble but weren’t required to obey their personal decisions.“It’s the beginning our operations, see how do we react in future,” the spokesman threatened.

Taliban sources said Ansarul Mujahideen is the new name of another mysterious and dangerous militant organisation, Khurasan, that used to kidnap tribespeople and then ruthlessly kill them on charges of spying for the Pakistan Army and US military and passing on information to Americans on local and foreign militants to kill them through drone attacks in North Waziristan.

Sources said that its head is an Arab national and operates from North Waziristan. According to Taliban sources, Ansarul Mujahideen is having dozens of suicide bombers. However, like militants of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its associated militant groups, majority members of Ansarul Mujahideen had fled North Waziristan and established sanctuaries in new places.

Taliban close to Hafiz Gul Bahadur said that he had turned down when the TTP leader Maulana Fazlullah and his other commanders offered him their assistance in fighting against the Pakistan government.Meanwhile, after the suicide attack in Spinwam, military authorities said fighter jets pounded 11 ‘terrorists’ hideouts in Mir Ali subdivision and killed 27 terrorists on Tuesday afternoon.

Before the air strikes in Mir Ali, the ISPR in a statement said 20 terrorists were killed in early morning air strikes on their hideouts in Khyber Agency. It said 12 hideouts of the terrorists were destroyed in the air strikes in Jamrud subdivision of Khyber Agency.

On the other hand, the Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) had registered 454,207 people (36,514 families) displaced from North Waziristan as a result of military operation Out of them, only 18 families had agreed to go to the so-called relief camp the government established for them at a remote and insecure area of Saidgai, located close to North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area.

The lack of basic facilities and its proximity to the volatile tribal region is a major reason the IDPs are reluctant to go there. Even media people and non-government organisations (NGOs) who wanted to help the displaced families are not allowed to go to the camp.

Military officials said three ration distribution points had been established for the IDPs in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts.They said distribution of 4,473 tons of ration for 40,000 families would start from today (Wednesday).

Our Landikotal correspondent adds: At least 20 suspected militants were killed when jetfighters bombed their hideouts in Tirah valley in Khyber Agency, officials said.

However, the local people said six members of a family, including women and children, were also among the dead.

The ISPR said in a statement that the jetfighters started targeting the hideouts of the militants at around 6:00am in Sverai, Wachy Wany, Tor Darra, Seekh Kot, Sray Khawrey, Serai and surrounding areas in the remote Tirah valley.

However, Kukikhel tribesmen in the area said six members of the family of one Khan Wali were also killed in the bombardment. The dead included three sons, two daughters and wife of Khan Wali. They were laid to rest in Kukikhel area in Tirah.

Meanwhile, a member of the government’s Khassadar force identified as Khan was critically wounded when two persons riding a motorcycle opened fire at him in Shahkas area in Jamrud. The accused fled the scene after committing the crime.The injured man was rushed to Civil Hospital in Jamrud for treatment.

Need to set up military tribunals for terrorists

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army has sent in its officers and Jawans to lay down their lives so that the rest of us can live in peace. The Pakistan Army is at war. The rest of Pakistan does not seem to be. There is absolutely no doubt that the Pakistan Army will win the battle on the ground. But to win the war and there must be unity of effort.

Over the past 11 years, fatalities in terrorist violence stand at 52,653. Since 2002, there have been 398 suicide attacks killing 6,032 and injuring an additional 12,560. Since 2000, there have been 4,941 bomb blasts.

On September 20, 2008, the Marriott Islamabad was bombed. Rehman Malik, the-then minister of interior, charged Lashkar-e-Jhangvi for the attack.Justice Malik Muhammad Akram of the Anti-Terrorist Court acquitted Dr Usman, Rana Ilyas, Hameed Afzal and Tehseenullah Jan as the police failed to provide evidence against them.

On November 19, 2008, Major-General Ameer Faisal Alvi was shot by three gunmen on Islamabad Highway. The accused were set free for lack of evidence.On October 18, 2007, the Karachi bombing killed 140 and injured more than 350. Qari Saifullah Akhtar and his three sons, all linked to al-Qaeda and the outlawed Harkat-ul-Jihad, were arrested. A month later, Saifullah was freed due to lack of evidence.

On May 8, 2002, 11 French engineers were targeted in Karachi. On September 18, Sharib Zubair was arrested as the mastermind behind the attack. Mufti Mohammad Sabir was also arrested as the suspected bomb-maker. The two men had their convictions overturned.

In 2009, some 629 terrorism cases came before the Anti-terrorism Courts (ATCs) in Punjab. Suspects in 471 cases were acquitted. In 2001 and 2003, a total of 333 arrests were made. Only 38 of them were convicted and the rest were acquitted.

The overall acquittal rate in terrorism-related cases stands at 75 percent. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the province most affected by terrorism, the acquittal rate is even higher. In Swat, some 575 terrorism-related cases were filed in the three Anti-Terrorism Courts.

Out of the 575, only 15 accused were sentenced.

In 2007, 28 cases were filed; only one accused was punished. In 2008, a total of eight cases were filed, six were acquitted; one was punished and one was declared wanted. In 2009, five cases were filed, four were released and one was punished. In 2011, a total of 191 accused were arrested, only four were sentenced.

Pakistan’s judicial system is ending up boosting the morale of Pakistan’s enemies. There is voluminous evidence that “the ease with which terror suspects are acquitted encourages terror outfits to indulge in worse actions with no fear of effective crackdowns.”

Military tribunals have been used in the US, the UK, Germany, Canada and India. To be certain, military tribunals do not mean the imposition of military authority on Pakistan’s civilian population. To be sure, military tribunals will not be a substitute for Pakistan’s civilian judicial apparatus. Military tribunals would mean military justice only for enemy combatants.

Remember, “Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate”.

Qadri wants to create conducive climate for terrorists: Pervaiz Rasheed

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Pervaiz Rasheed Saturday said that Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Dr Tahirul Qadri wanted to create conducive atmosphere for the terrorists.

Talking to media representatives here, Pervaiz Rasheed said Dr Tahirul Qadri is well aware of the fact that Pakistan is playing a significant role in the war against terrorism and that Pak Army is currently engaged in operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ in North Waziristan.

He said Tahirul Qadri intended to divide the nation through indulging in politics of agitation and that Qadri was part of the most rigged elections of the country’s history and a referendum.

“Dr Tahirul Qadri is trying to incite chaos in the country. He is hatching a conspiracy against operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’, Constitution and the democracy,” he added.

27 terrorists killed in North Waziristan operation: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: At least 27 terrorists were killed on Monday during operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ as fighter jets destroyed six terrorist hideouts in Shawal, North Waziristan Agency.

A statement released by the ISPR said there was no civilian population in the area. According to the ISPR, the operation on North Waziristan is progressing as per plan. ‘No operation in civil populated areas has been started so far.’

The ISPR says North Waziristan Agency has been isolated by deploying troops along the border with neighbouring agencies and FATA regions to block any move of terrorists in and out of the agency. ‘Troops have cordoned off all terrorist bases including Mirali and Miranshah.

Six Soldiers Martyred

Six security personnel were martyred and three injured in a IED blast targeting their vehicle in North Waziristan Agency.

According to official sources the blast took place in Ghullam Khan on Bangidar road.

Pak-Afghan Border

Security has also been heightened along the Pak-Afghan border to check terrorists fleeing from the area. Afghan National Army and Afghan Border Police have also been requested to seal the border on their side to facilitate elimination of terrorists fleeing across the border. They have also been requested to initiate immediate measures to eliminate TTP terrorists and their sanctuaries in Kunar, Nuristan and other areas of Afghanistan.

IDPs

The ISPR states that an orderly and dignified evacuation of civil population out of North Waziristan Agency is being ensured. Necessary Logistics and administrative arrangements for IDPs have been completed by Political Administration and Disaster Management Agency. Registration points and IDP camps have been established at Bannu.

Operation Aimed At Eliminating Terrorists, Sanctuaries: COAS

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has emphasised that the operation is aimed at eliminating all terrorists and their sanctuaries and ‘get rid of the menace of terrorism.’

Pakistan Army Launches Operation

On Sunday, precise air strikes in Degan-Boya in North Waziristan killed 140 terrorists most of whom were Uzbeks.

The Pakistan army formally announced the start of a full-scale operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ against terrorists in North Waziristan Agency on the directives of the government.

Terrorists wanted to destroy all planes, report to PM reveals

KARACHI: The initial report of the attack on the Karachi airport has been presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The findings of the report revealed that terrorists wanted to destroy all airplanes and paralyse entire air traffic operations but the Airport Security Force (ASF) blocked their march towards Jinnah Terminal.

Meanwhile, DG ISPR Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted that the final clearance of the entire airport had been completed. He added that the airport had been handed over to CAA/ASF and would likely open at 2:00 PM.

The prime minister’s adviser Shujaat Azeem said flight operations would resume at the Karachi airport from 4:00 PM.


Heavily armed militants launched an assault on Pakistan´s busiest airport in Karachi, leaving at least 30 dead including 10 militants in a six-hour siege that the army quelled at dawn on Monday.

Explosions and gunfire rang out as the attackers, equipped with suicide vests, grenades and rocket launchers, battled security forces in one of the most brazen attacks in years in Pakistan´s biggest city.

Authorities said all 10 militants were killed and that the bodies of 18 victims, including security personnel and four airport workers, had been identified at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has accepted the responsibility of the attack.

Terrorists attack Karachi airport

 

 

 

KARACHI: Terrorists on Sunday night attacked the Old Terminal of the Karachi Airport, a high security area, in which seven Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel were killed while 13 security personnel were injured. Among the dead were ASI Tariq Maqsood, PC Muntazir and PC Abdul Malik. Also dead were a PIA official, a CAA employee and six terrorists. The terminal is considered as a high security zone as VVIPs, including the president and prime minister, frequently use it.
Reports claimed that three passenger aircraft and a cargo aircraft were damaged in the brazen attack.Following the attack, all flights heading for Karachi were diverted to other towns, including Nawabshah.

There was no confirmation about the strength of the terrorists, who could be up to 15 in number. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rao Anwaar Ahmed of District Malir said that the exact number of terrorists was yet to become clear.

Pakistan Army troops had been called in from Malir Cantonment while police commandos and Rangers were battling the terrorists. Sources added that large contingents of security forces had surrounded the airport and routes to the airport had been sealed.

An ISPR statement said the corps commander Karachi had arrived at the Karachi Airport and was supervising the operation.The Director General, Rangers, Maj General Rizwan Akhtar, had also reached the Karachi Airport. Moreover, Pakistan Army personnel were also called to the Karachi Airport who took up positions at sensitive points and were battling with the terrorists.

Police sources said that during the search operation at the Cargo Terminal, they had detained a suspect who might be a member of the terrorist group and was shifted by the law enforcers to an undisclosed location for investigation.

During the gunbattle, six terrorists were killed, reports said. A number of fires were also visible at the airport and there was the sound of frequent explosions and firing. Sources said the passengers and other people at the Jinnah Terminal were safe and there was no threat to them. Reports said Amir Liaquat Hussain, Farooq Sattar and Murad Ali Shah were stranded at the Jinnah Terminal.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah had also reached the airport to oversee the operation.The CAA authorities had suspended all operations till 12am on Tuesday night from the Karachi Airport.

At the time of the filing of this report, the terrorists were present inside the Ispahani Hangar of Karachi Airport and law enforcers were battling with them. However, the Cargo Terminal and Terminal-1 had been cleared of the terrorists.

In a late night development, A Rangers spokesman confirmed that six terrorists had been liquidated while they were battling the others. He said the Rangers had safely evacuated passengers from an aircraft parked at the Jinnah Terminal and shifted the passengers and the crew to the airport lounge.

Meanwhile, District East police said that SSP East Syed Pir Muhammad Shah along with a police party had engaged with terrorists near the Ispahani Hangar. During the encounter, two suicide bombers exploded themselves in which the gunman of SSP East PC, Liaquat, was critically wounded. Two terrorist were gunned down by the policemen, who recovered two rocket launchers, three Kalashinkovs, AWAN rockets and a suicide jacket from them.

Meanwhile, ISPR Spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted that live TV coverage from inside the airport should stop because it was hindering the operation, giving away the position of assets and troops, thus helping the terrorists.The operation against the terrorists was continuing till the filing of this report.

Terrorists being marginalised: COAS

 

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, said on Tuesday that the terrorists who had clearly lost their cause were being marginalised and the whole nation had rejected their misplaced ideology.
According to the ISPR, General Raheel said this during his visit to field formations deployed in Waziristan.The army chief commended the troops’ professional commitment and paid rich tributes to them for their sacrifices in bringing peace and normalcy to the troubled regions.

The COAS reviewed the progress of mega and micro projects of socio-economic significance being undertaken by the army and appreciated them for quality of work and timely completion.

He particularly mentioned the construction of the Central Trade Corridor, a 714-kilometre road network, linking Pakistan’s Indus Highway and Waziristan agencies with the Afghan Ring Road, which is already beginning to bring great economic dividends to the local residents of the region.

The COAS visited other community development schemes in health, education, water and power projects, as part of successful programmes for rehabilitation of the people.Later, the COAS visited the recently-established Cadet College Spinkai Raghzai and lauded the college administration for the standard of education and administration being maintained. Talking to cadets, he said that these education projects completed by the army would go a long way in grooming a new generation of young Pakistanis from such remote areas and integrate them into the national mainstream.

The army chief appreciated the determination and steadfastness of the troops and locals. He reiterated the Pakistan Army’s continued and wholehearted support for the tribal brethren under all circumstances.

60 terrorists killed as warplanes pound militant hideouts in NWA

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Air Force warplanes bombarded militant hideouts in country’s northwestern tribal, killing 60 terrorists including foreign fighters.

According to an ISPR statement, 30 terrorists were also injured.

Sources said that the PAF jets pounded the suspected hideouts in Mir Ali and other areas of North Waziristan tribal region.

They said that some foreigners were also killed in the air strikes. Pakistan has engaged The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella of more than 30 militant organizations, in talks in a bid to put an end to home grown insurgency.

However, there has been little progress in peace process as the TTP saw raging infighting in South Waziristan between two groups of the militant organization headed by Khan Said Sajna and Sheryar Mehsud.

FC claims 30 suspected terrorists killed in Kalat

QUETTA: At least 30 suspected terrorists were killed during a Frontier Corps (FC) operation in the Kalat district of Balochistan while ten FC personnel were injured.

FC spokesperson told Geo News the operation was conducted in the Parodh area of Kalat district during which the suspected militants used rocket launchers, hand grenades and other arms against FC personnel.

The spokesperson claimed that the suspected terrorists were part of banned orgainsations and were involved in attacks on trains and other incidents.

The operation was monitored by IGFC Major General Ijaz Shahid.

Pakistan Denies Protecting Pro-Taliban Haqqani Network

A resident collects items from the rubble of a house after it was damaged by grenades from gunmen on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar, Pakistan, Feb. 12, 2014.

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — Pakistan claims its “precision” air strikes against suspected militant bases in and around the volatile North Waziristan border region are “successfully” underway. It denies reports in the American media, however, that the country plans no action against the Haqqani network, a key ally of the Taliban in Afghanistan, which is entrenched in the tribal territory and known for staging attacks on Afghan and U.S. forces.

Pakistani jets and helicopter gunships repeatedly have bombed hideouts  within the past week of militants of the outlawed Terik-i-Taliban Pakistan, known as the TTP. The attacks focused on parts of tribal areas in the northwest, including the militant-dominated North Waziristan district.

Security officials say the action has killed more than 100 Islamist militants, some of them belonging to the central Asian republic of Uzbekistan, and destroyed a number of their strongholds.

TTP attacks

The government has in recent days tried to engage the militant network in peace talks to end years of deadly violence in Pakistan. Continued terrorist attacks on civilian and military targets, though, have provoked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to halt the peace process and to link its resumption to unconditional cessation of hostilities by the TTP.

Pakistani advisor on foreign policy and national security, Sartaj Aziz, told reporters in Islamabad the “punitive” military action in the Waziristan region is part of a new “internal security policy” that authorizes military action in response to each terrorist attack the TTP carries out in the country.

Aziz said “the air action in North Waziristan has been effective and is successfully underway.” He added that the government has kept the option of dialogue open, but the TTP so far has not responded positively in terms of halting their terrorist activities. The Pakistani national security advisor said the prime minister will consult all political parties before deciding whether a full-scale military offensive is required to fully establish the authority of the government in the Waziristan border district.

“The present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has come to power with a clear mandate to rid the Pakistani society of extremism, intolerance and all forms of violence. This is vital for our survival as a nation [and] a prerequisite for our progress and prosperity,” said Aziz.

Unfocused security policy

Critics allege the new security policy lacks clarity about how Pakistan plans to deal with militant groups like the Haqqani network, which is an ally of the Afghan Taliban and is using the Waziristan territory for staging attacks on US-led international forces in Afghanistan.

Some reports in the U.S. media also suggest that Pakistan is unlikely to target the Haqqani network even in the event of a major offensive because of its alleged links to the military. Aziz dismissed the criticism.

“I do not think that story is correct. Generally, we will take action against anybody who is indulging in extremist or terrorist activities there. So, there is no distinction I think,” he said.

The presence of the Haqqani network in Pakistan has been a major source of diplomatic tensions between Washington and Islamabad. It is widely believed the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, is protecting the group to prevent rival India from increasing its influence in Afghanistan after NATO’s combat forces withdraw from the country.

Members of the Haqqanis so far have distanced themselves from the violent activities of the Pakistani Taliban, and say their main focus has been on the insurgency across the Afghan border.

2,500 terrorists killed in Fata operations: FC

ISLAMABAD: Colonel Ijaz of the Frontier Corps (FC) informed the Senate Standing Committee on Interior that the Mohmand agency operation is in its last phase, and that around 2,500 terrorists have so far been killed in Fata.
Colonel Ijaz briefed the Standing Committee on Saturday, stating that 169 Pakistan Army personnel and 240 soldiers of the FC have so far been killed in the operation against militants.
He said that 5,578 militants have been injured while 956 militans have been nabbed during operations.
Local troops and paramilitary forces, backed by helicopter gunships and warplanes have been targeting Taliban positions in the Beizai Tehsil of Mohmand Agency over the last few days.
Security forces launched Operation Brekhna (Thunder) on April 6, and have since claimed killing dozens of militants in clashes. However, there have been no independent confirmations of these claims.
Meanwhile, sources also said that large scale displacement was taking place in these areas, where a military operation was ongoing. According to the sources, at least 150 families have reached the Kashmir Kor Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp. They said that at least 1,600 families have so far taken shelter at this camp to escape the clashes in their areas.