Seven militants killed, 11 injured in Kurram

Seven militants killed, 11 injured in Kurram

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

PARACHINAR: Seven militants, including two foreigners, were killed and 11 others were injured in shelling by the Armyís gunship helicopters on three of their hideouts in central part of Kurram Agency on Monday, official sources. The sources said security forces advance was supported by gunship copters and heavy artillery in Sultani, Toda Oba and Tarli areas of the agency. The sources said the three areas were cleared of militants as all their hideouts were dismantled. Meanwhile, residents in central part of Kurram have started migration to safer places in Tall, Doaba in Hangu district as security forces action against the militants in the area has been intensified. source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=213332

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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

SW elders assure Army of support

Parachinar: Amidst continued shelling of gunship helicopter and firing of artillery guns, at least seven more militants were killed and 11 others got injured in different areas of Kurram Agency on Monday.
Sources informed that security forces had cleared Sultani, Toda Aba, and Tarali areas during the last three days. The forces also pounded three important hideouts of militants, which resulted in killing of seven militants.
Meanwhile, the residents of the aforementioned areas have started shifting to safer places. Around 1200 families have left Massozai after the fighting. The displaced persons are facing hardships in the absence of the relief camps and lack of any arrangement for registration of the IDPs.
According to unofficial figures the number of IDPs from Orakzai Agency and Shahukhel region has surpassed 250,000 but their registration not yet started neither they were declared as internally displaced persons.

source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/15-Dec-2009/SW-elders-assure-Army-of-support

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16 terrorists, 3 troops killed in Kurram offensive

Sunday, December 13, 2009

16 terrorists, 3 troops killed in Kurram offensive

* 13 Taliban killed in Khyber Agency, Lower Dir
* Forces capture underground cave in SWA, seize foreign-made weapons

PARACHINAR/LAHORE/ PESHAWAR/KHAR: Sixteen Taliban and three security personnel were killed during the military operation in Kurram Agency on Saturday.

The killed Taliban included a commander wanted by police in several incidents of sabotage and insurgency. The security forces launched a massive operation in Marghan, Dogar, Gawadar, Zangey and Terley area.

The forces are advancing into other areas and have destroyed four Taliban hideouts so far. They have also seized a large amount of ammunition and explosive material.

Meanwhile, at least 13 Taliban were killed and several others injured during the latest military action in various areas of Khyber Agency and Lower Dir. During the operation, eight security personnel were also injured, private TV channels reported.

Ten militants were killed while more than 150 suspects arrested in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. Officials said the security forces retaliated when Taliban fired at them in the Shalobar area of Bara during the operation, jointly conducted by the army and the Frontier Corps.

In Maidan area of Lower Dir, Bonair Khan, a close aide of Sufi Muhammad, was killed with three other associates as they tried to escape from the army’s Red Fort. It has been reported that Bonair Khan had masterminded several suicide bombings, target killings and attacks on security forces and facilitated the Taliban in various attacks.

Cave: Separately, the security forces also captured an underground cave in South Waziristan Agency that was used as a depot by the Taliban for storing arms and heavy weapons, besides seizing a large cache of foreign-made weapons.

During a visit to the agency, Peshawar-based journalists were taken to the cave at Ziarsar area in Spin Kamar. They were told that the cave had been captured by the Pakistan Army during Operation Rah-e-Nijat.

Major Saleem of the army told the journalists that the security forces had also seized a 22-pound cannon that could strike long-range targets.

He said the seized foreign weapons included anti-aircraft guns, missiles, rocket launchers, mortar guns, hand grenades and land mines.

Also on Saturday, sources said that a patrolling party of the Levies Force escaped a remote-controlled bomb attack in Kotki area of Khar tehsil in Bajaur Agency. They said 19 suspects had been arrested in search operations in the agency.

The sources said a bomb went off during a routine patrol of the LF, while another remote-controlled blast occurred in the Nawagai bazaar.

Meanwhile, the security forces also arrested two suspects from Ghalanai tehsil of Mohmand Agency. According to the agency’s political administration, one of the suspects was arrested from Kashmir Kor by the forces while the second was arrested by the Ghalanai tehsildar. app/daily times monitor/staff report

source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\12\13\story_13-12-2009_pg7_1

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Fighting in Pakistan kills 7 militants, 2 troops

Fighting in Pakistan kills 7 militants, 2 troops

By HUSSAIN AFZAL

The Associated Press
Sunday, December 13, 2009; 3:50 AM

PARACHINAR, Pakistan -- Pakistani soldiers battled militants in a tribal region close to the Afghan border Sunday, killing seven insurgents but losing two of their own in skirmishes in an area where al-Qaida and the Taliban have long sought sanctuary, officials said.

The fighting overnight in the Kurram tribal region comes amid an offensive by 30,000 Pakistani troops in nearby South Waziristan.

Troops moved into two areas in Kurram on Saturday and engaged in fierce battles that killed 15 Taliban militants and three soldiers, three officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Seven militants and two troops died as fighting raged overnight, they said.

People began fleeing the area Sunday after security forces urged villagers to leave, the officials said.

The U.S. has long pushed Pakistan to retake spots along the border with Afghanistan that have become safe havens for militants. That pressure is likely to intensify now that 30,000 additional U.S. troops are heading to Afghanistan to take on a resurgent Afghan Taliban.

The army launched a ground offensive in South Waziristan in mid-October. The operation prompted a slew of retaliatory militant attacks nationwide that have killed more than 500 people.

source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/13/AR2009121300545.html

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31 more militants killed

31 more militants killed

Sunday, December 13, 2009, Zil`Hajj 25, 1430
Hangu/Bara—At least 31 militants including a top wanted militant commander were killed and huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered in security forces fresh offensive in Khyber and Kurram Agency on Saturday.

The operation was conducted in Dargar area of Kurram agency where 4 hideouts of suspected militants and their facilitation were also destroyed. At least 17 militants were killed in the offensive in the same area, sources said.

The security forces are using helicopters and artillery shells during operation against militants belong to banned Tehrrek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Islam. Locals said an important commander of banned organization and foreigners were among the dead.

Fresh troops of security forces are arrived in the area to launch major offensive against the militants in area of Central Kurram agency, sources added.

The forces are facing tough resistance, as militants were using rockets and mortars. During the operation, 3 Personnel of security forces also lost their lives while 8 other sustained serious injuries who have been shifted to hospital for medical treatment, sources said.

In Hangu, the security forces besides arresting 42 criminals including 4 militants have also killed 4 militants. The security forces repulsed attack on their vehicle in Pas Kalay area and retaliated with full force, killing 4 militants.

Arms and ammunitions were also recovered from arrested criminals and militants, said District Police Officer Hangu Abdul Rashid.

In Kurram Agency where operation is being continued to against militants after consecutive terrorists attack in Peshawar, the security forces have killed 10 militants in fresh offensive. The militants were killed in Shalobar area of Bara sub-division, Khyber agency.

The bodies of 14 militants who were killed in exchange of fire with security forces in Shalobar area of Bara Sub-division on Friday presented before the media in fort block.

Capt. Nazir Janjua, who is commanding operation in Bara Incharge Operation, briefed the media men on the occasion. He said the security forces killed 14 militants in retaliatory action on Friday and also arrested some 90 militants.

He also showed weapons, which were recovered, from the slain and arrested terrorists to media. When asked about identification of militants, he said, investigations are underway and we cannot say something about their identity.

Answering to a question, he without taking name of any specific country said that the foreign made weapons were recovered from the possession of militants.

While Chief Lashkar-e-Islam Mangal Bagh has been operation in Bara over the past more than two years, the TTP presence has also become more conspicuous in the area since the launch of operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan Agency by Pakistan army on October 17.—Online

source: http://pakobserver.net/200912/13/news/topstories09.asp

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11 suspects held in Kurram Agency

	11 suspects held in Kurram Agency
	Thursday, December 10, 2009
	KURRAM AGENCY: Security forces claimed arresting as many as 11 suspected persons during search operation in Sadda area in Kurram Agency, Geo news reported on Thursday. According to official sources, unidentified miscreants fired four rockets on FC camp set up in Sadda area but no loss of life was reported meanwhile, security forces bombed militants’ hideouts in retaliatory bombardment. Following the attack, security forces launched search operation in parts of agency and as a result, as many as 11 suspected persons were arrested meanwhile, fresh security forces’ troops have been called in to intensify offensive against insurgents, sources said.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=93217

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Suicide bombing declared un-Islamic

Suicide bombing declared un-Islamic

Tuesday, December 08, 2009 PARACHINAR: Khateeb of Jamia Mosque Allama Muhammad Nawaz Irfani on Monday declared suicide bombing against innocent people an un-Islamic and inhuman act and asked the government to take steps for controlling such attacks. He said innocent people, including children, women and elderly persons, were being targeted in suicide attacks, which were against the teachings of the religion. “Suicide attacks and killing of innocent people are forbidden in Islam,” he told a press conference. A number of tribal elders were also present on the occasion. The Khateeb praised the services and sacrifices of security forces for restoring peace to Kurram Agency. He asked the government to open the roads and announce a special package for the affected people of the area.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=212239

Disabled seek govt support for treatment

Briefs....

Friday, December 04, 2009

Disabled seek govt support for treatment

PARACHINAR: A large number of children have become disabled due to non-availability of polio vaccine here and many members of tribal Lashkars have been mutilated due to clashes with extremists. Talking to newsmen here on Thursday, tribal elders Malik Muhammad Ali Shah, Malik Syed Azmat Ali and Councellor Hussain Ghulam said scores of people had lost their body parts in the Afghan war, landmines and fight with the extremists. They asked the government to take measures for the disabled people in order to make them a useful part of the society and help them earn their livelihood. They said majority of these people belonged to the poor families, who could not afford the expenses of treatment and needed the support of the government.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=211615

Terrorists being targeted in Orakzai, Kurram: ISPR

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Terrorists being targeted in Orakzai, Kurram: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: The military is targeting terrorists in Orakzai and Kurram agencies and has destroyed several training centres in the areas, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Tuesday.
Speaking on Radio Pakistan, ISPR Director General Major General Athar Abbas said the military was moving according to its plans and terrorists had reportedly fled to Orakzai and Kurram, where their hideouts were being targeted.

He said around 600 terrorists had been killed and 22 arrested so far in the Operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan, adding that about 70 army officers and jawans had also been martyred during the operation.

Maj Gen Abbas said the Pakistan Army would remain in South Waziristan until the complete restoration of peace and elimination of terrorists from the area. “Operation Rah-e-Nijat is going on successfully and terrorists are fleeing from their strongholds,” he added.

He said the military had destroyed all training centres of Baitullah Mehsud’s network in South Waziristan, while surrounding areas were also being cleared. “Action against the terrorists is continuing in nearby areas of Peshawar as well to make the city safer,” he said.

He said security had been tightened on all roads leading to Peshawar and other major cities to control the movement of terrorists. Abbas said the military and the people were sacrificing for a national cause and would prevail over the terrorists.

To a question, he said the Mehsud tribe was cooperating with security forces and hoped that the Mehsud people would soon return to their homes. app

source:http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\12\02\story_2-12-2009_pg7_39

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Army says operation to be extended to Kurram

Tuesday, December 01, 2009 Nasrullah Afridi BARA: The ongoing operation in Khyber and Orakzai tribal regions will be extended to neighbouring Kurram Agency to crush militants and miscreants. Briefing reporters about the operation ‘Khwakh Ba De Sham’ (I will fix you) at Fort Salop camp on Monday, Sector Commander Brigadier Fayyaz Mehmood said that 61 militants had been killed and 87 arrested while 27 vehicles owned by insurgents were destroyed during the ongoing operation in Bara tehsil of Khyber tribal region so far. “We have broken the back of militants and made Peshawar and other parts of the country safe and secure because of the decisive operation in Bara subdivision in Khyber and Ferozkhel area of Orakzai Agency,” Brigadier Fayyaz said, adding that militants were on the run as they could not face the security forces. He said the security forces had secured the strongholds of militants in Chappari Ferozkhel in Orakzai and Gurguri area in Khyber Agency. The officer added that the Khyber Agency-based banned outfit Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) chief Mangal Bagh was hiding in the mountains of tribal regions but he would not be spared. He said the operation would continue till complete elimination of militants from the region. Meanwhile, the security forces arrested 67 suspected persons during search operation in Sipah area in Bara tehsil on Sunday. The sources said that the security forces carried search operation in Sipah area on the second day of Eidul Azha and arrested 67 suspected persons. Hazrat Khan of banned LI, chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Khyber Agency chapter Shah Faisal Afridi and president of Khidmat-e-Khalq Committee Ikhtiar Badshah Afridi were among the arrested persons. The security forces also seized an abandoned vehicle that was packed with explosives in Kamarkhel area in Bara tehsil. The security forces later torched the vehicle which exploded with a huge blast.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=211011

Pakistani army kills 17 militants in new raid

Pakistani army kills 17 militants in new raid

Tue, 01 Dec 2009

A Pakistan soldier stands alert as a helicopter takes off in Ladha, a town in the tribal region of South Waziristan.

The Pakistani security forces say they have killed 17 pro-Taliban militants and injured several others in the northwestern Kurram tribal region.

“The security forces launched a pre-dawn attack against the militants in Dola Ragha area of central Kurram agency on Monday and have so far killed some 17 pro-Taliban militants,” a senior government official in the area told the Press TV correspondent Monday evening in a phone interview.

During the onslaught, the army also destroyed five of the militants' vehicles, including one belonging to one of their commanders.

Heavy artillery and helicopter gunships were used to hit suspected militants in the Kurram district, said Maj. Fazlur Rehman, a spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps. He said the militants arriving recently from nearby South Waziristan were the targets.

Meanwhile, a military statement said on Monday that nine suspects have been arrested during the latest round of search and clearance operations in Badama area of central Kurram agency.

According to another report, the Pakistani army has managed to kill over 600 militants in pitched battles during the six weeks since the offensive began in the South Waziristan tribal region along the border with Afghanistan. So far, seventy soldiers have also been killed, Press TV correspondent reported, quoting a military spokesman Athar Abbas.

Abbas said that the security forces would continue attacking the extremists fleeing from South Waziristan to Orakzai and Khyber Agency.

The army deployed 30,000 troops against the pro-Taliban militants in South Waziristan in mid-October and has retaken many towns in the region.

FTP/MB

source: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=112552&sectionid=351020401

Ten suspected militants killed in Kurram Agency

Ten suspected militants killed in Kurram Agency

Monday, 30 Nov, 2009

Security forces target militants in South Waziristan during a military operation. – Reuters (File Photo)

PESHAWAR: At least ten suspected militants have been reportedly killed and several injured as security forces targeted militant hideouts in Kurram Agency. Meanwhile, ten suspects have also been arrested from Swat and Waziristan.

According to official sources, security forces have destroyed five vehicles of militants including one belonging to an important commander.

Sources said that strict searches are being conducted at checkpoints and various pickets have been established in the agency.

Moreover, an ISPR press release says nine suspects have been arrested during the latest round of operation Rah-e-Rast from near Pallai, while another suspect has been arrested from South Waziristan.

source: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-ten-suspected-militants-killed-in-kurram-agency-ss-05

Kurram students demand reopening of Parachinar road

Saturday, November 28, 2009 PESHAWAR: Imamia Students Organisation (ISO) has demanded of the government to open the Parachinar-Peshawar Road immediately. A meeting to this effect, held at the ground of Hostel No 3, was attended by 500 students belonging to the Kurram Agency. The prominent among them were ISO President Saqib Bangash, General Secretary Mujib Agha, Information Secretary Muhammad Hasnain, Adil Bangash, Ali Naqvi, Saqib Bangash, Sadiq Bangash and Ali Turi. Speaking on the occasion, the speakers said most of the students were unable to go to their homes for Eid celebration because of the blockade of the Peshawar-Parachinar Road for the last five years. They said only officials were allowed to travel on the road. The general public has the only option of Afghanistan route but that too was closed. Moreover, they said, some students were kidnapped in the past while travelling on the Afghanistan route. source; http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=210751

Security forces capture training centre in Kurram

Friday, 27 Nov, 2009

Security forces stand armed in South Waziristan region. – Reuters (File Photo)

PESHAWAR: Security forces on Friday took over an important militant training centre in lower Kurram Agency and cut off link routes to Orakzai Agency.

According to official sources, during the military operation against militants in Kurram, security forces secured Badama and Taindo villages. They also arrested a number of local and foreignl militats from the area. Link routes from check posts inside Kurram to Orakzai agency have also been cut off in order to stop fleeing militants from infiltrating the area.

Security forces also took over an important training center comprising three bunkers of TTP Cheif Hakimullah Mahsud in Shash area of lower Kurram and recovered important documents, explosives and land mines.

=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-security-forces-capture-training-centre-in-kurram-ss-04

Friday, November 27, 2009

Kurram residents remain delinked from country on Eid!

By: Javaid-ur-rahman | Published: November 27, 2009

ISLAMABAD – Just like on Eid-ul-Fitr, hundreds of residents of the restive Kurram Agency may not be able to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with their loved ones due to the continued blockade of the only road that links the area with the rest of the country.

It is appalling that Pakistanis belong to Parachinar, Headquarter of Kurram agency, have to adopt the route through Afghanistan to reach areas in their own country, as the Thall-Parachanar road is unofficially under the control of a handful of militants, which compels the residents of the area to use the Afghanistan route.
“Every person can’t take risk to go from this long and risky as well as expensive way as residents of these areas have to go in shape of caravans,” said Ali Toori, a resident of Parachinar living in Islamabad for his job, while talking to TheNation.
People belonging to Kurram Agency working in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have a deep sense of insecurity and are posing questions about the tall claims of President Asif Ali Zardari to plan arrangements for the people of the area.
It is pertinent to note here that when the residents of Parachinar staged protests outside the Judges Colony in Islamabad against improper arrangements of traveling, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik assured them proper arrangements only after one week. The situation is still the same, and many are leaving for their hometown with a sense of insecurity and paying fares of Rs. 3,000, said Maqdad Hussain, a resident of Kurrram Agency, adding that many people including students, jobbers and others are not going due to expensive traveling as the normal fare is not more than Rs. 300.
President Asif Ali Zardari had announced the launch of aerial service between Peshawar and Parachinar but it has not materialised yet, he added.

source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/27-Nov-2009/Kurram-residents-remain-delinked-from-country-on-Eid

Taliban regrouping in Orakzai, Kurram: NYT

Taliban regrouping in Orakzai, Kurram: NYT

Friday, November 27, 2009

* Villagers report influx of Taliban fleeing military offensive in SWA * Armed Taliban set up checkpoints, patrolling Kurram, Orakzai

Daily Times Monitor

LAHORE: The Taliban are fleeing the military offensive in South Waziristan Agency for nearby districts and setting up new strongholds, the New York Times said on Thursday, suggesting that the terrorists would regroup and continue to threaten the country.

The NYT said the Taliban had escaped mainly to Kurram and Orakzai agencies, currently outside the area of the military operation.

Quoting villagers, the paper said the military lacked significant presence in these areas, allowing the Taliban “an ideal environment” to regroup. The newly-arrived Taliban have reportedly terrorised local Pashtuns and “replenished their coffers through kidnappings and robberies, villagers told the NYT in Kurram and Orakzai.

“With AK-47s and rocket launchers slung over their shoulders, the militants have begun patrols through the new territory and have set up checkpoints,” the paper said.

“They come to our houses and terrorise us,” Fareedullah, a student in Weedara in central Kurram told the paper. “They are abducting our elders and stealing our cars. We have no way of rising up against them, and there’s no government here to help us ... Kurram is in trouble.”

The military says that after five weeks of onslaught, it is in the final stages of crushing the Taliban in South Waziristan.

At the onset of the assault, the military estimated resistance from up to 10,000 battle-hardened Taliban, but so far, the army has put the number of Taliban killed at 500.

Still, military commanders say they are ahead of schedule and plan to conclude the offensive before the winter sets in.

Military leaders say dislodging the Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters from their strongholds would be enough to “neutralise” them.

“Once dislodged, they will be disorganised,” Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said. “Their actions will not have that kind of coordination which was displayed when they were attacking our cities and towns.”

Experts say the Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists fled South Waziristan easily because the government and the military announced the planned offensive in the agency weeks before troops actually moved in.

“The strategy has been bad,” Imtiaz Gul, a security analyst based in Islamabad, told NYT. “You don’t carry out operations after making such announcements. This area gives them huge space for mobility. So when crunch time comes, they can disperse to safer places, regroup, reorganise and hit the state somewhere else.”

source; http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\11\27\story_27-11-2009_pg7_6

Weapons recovered in Kurram Agency

Weapons recovered in Kurram Agency

Friday, November 27, 2009

PARACHINAR: The security forces captured a training centre of militants and seized weapons in Shasho, lower part of Kurram Agency, Thursday. Talking to reporters, Kurram Militia Commandant Col Tausif Akhter said some 40 militants had attacked the security forces’ convoy in Shasho area in lower part of Kurram when they were on their way to Parachinar recently. The security forces, he said, later came to know through intelligence sources that there was a huge training complex of militants in the area. The official added the security forces raided the training centre and recovered arms including landmine, explosives, training materials and jihad literature. He said the security forces also found dead bodies in the compound. Later, the reporters were taken to Shasho, Badama and Tindo areas, which had been cleared of militants during the operation.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=210643