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TTP ends ‘indefinite ceasefire’ with Pakistan - new wave of terrorist activity begins

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan is facing a resurgence of violent attacks, with analysts saying the government must immediately devise a strategy to counter the threat to internal security as the country heads into an election year.

Sunday saw at least nine attacks in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, killing at least six security personnel. Two of those attacks have so far been claimed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an armed group also known as Pakistani Taliban for its ideological affinity with the Afghan Taliban.

The TTP only last month unilaterally declared an end to a ceasefire agreed upon with the government and issued orders to its fighters to carry out attacks across the country.

On Friday, the TTP claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in the federal capital of Islamabad, in which at least one police officer died and several other people were wounded.

A week earlier, Pakistani security forces fought off the TTP attackers in Bannu city in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after they held security personnel hostage for more than 40 hours.

Amid such security concerns, the United States embassy in Islamabad on Sunday issued an alert to its staff, warning of a possible attack on one of Islamabad’s top hotels frequented by the Americans.

In a statement, the embassy said “unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the [Christmas] holidays”.

Islamabad-based research organisation Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) estimates the TTP and its affiliate groups carried out more than 150 attacks in the first 11 months of this year, resulting in more than 150 deaths, a majority of them belonging to law enforcement agencies.

PIPS director Amir Rana told Al Jazeera the rising trend of attacks portrays a grim situation for Pakistan, which is scheduled to hold general elections next year.

“If the state’s security apparatus does not devise an effective counterterrorism policy, things are going to get out of hand. It could be reminiscent of the 2013 election campaign which was quite bloody, and we may see a repeat,” he said.

Since its formation in 2007, the TTP has been waging a rebellion against the state of Pakistan, demanding stricter imposition of Islamic laws, the release of its members arrested by the government, and a reversal of the merger of Pakistan’s tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The rise of the Afghan Taliban, who took over Kabul last year, emboldened the group, leading to a spike in its attacks. Most of the group’s leadership has taken refuge in Afghanistan, officials say.

Late last year, peace talks began between Islamabad and the TTP, facilitated by the Afghan Taliban. Despite the talks and a ceasefire agreed upon in June, attacks by the group continued.

Abdul Basit, a research fellow at S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, thinks the Pakistani security forces became complacent in their fight against the TTP once the peace talks started.

“It appears that the military thought that peace talks with the TTP will deliver dividends, so they were reactive instead of proactively seeking to dismantle various TTP networks,” he told Al Jazeera.

The TTP took advantage of this lull and managed to regroup in a more devastating manner, Basit said.

“The Pakistani military was caught napping once the attacks were launched, and I don’t think there was any effort to dismantle the TTP network,” he said.

Brigadier Muhammad Zeeshan, a former military officer, is now the director general of Centre for Peace, Security and Developmental Studies, a think-tank based in Islamabad. He thinks TTP fighters taking refuge in Afghanistan came back after the Taliban takeover there.

“Once the Afghan Taliban took over, the TTP cadres were forced to move back to Pakistan. It does not necessarily mean that the Pakistani state failed to dismantle their network here,” he told Al Jazeera.

Pakistan’s internal security challenges come when it is already facing political instability after the main opposition leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who lost a parliamentary vote of confidence in April, has been holding public rallies, demanding early elections.

Pakistan is already reeling from a crippling economic situation, with foreign exchange reserves depleted to $6.7bn – a four-year low – and record-breaking inflation.

It is also dealing with the aftermath of catastrophic floods this summer that killed more than 1,700 people and caused damages estimated at over $30bn as the waters destroyed crops, roads, bridges and homes.

Basit said for Pakistan to effectively counter the threat of TTP and other armed groups, it needs to shift its fighting mode from “defensive to offensive counterterrorism”.

“All stakeholders, including civilian law enforcement agencies, military establishment as well as political parties across the spectrum must be brought to a consensus and a new military operation should be launched,” he told Al Jazeera.

Former army officer Zeeshan said the recent attacks in Pakistan are a result of the political and security environment in the country already battling instability and uncertainty.

“There is clear instability and polarisation in the society, which is leaving a vacuum. TTP is utilising this space and exerting pressure on a government which is facing multiple challenges. It is a good moment for them to perpetrate violence and force the government to negotiate with them on their terms,” he said.

Basit warned that unless the Pakistani military acts soon, 2023 could see a lot of bloodshed.

“By the looks of it, if the state doesn’t actively wage a war against these armed groups, we should brace ourselves for a volatile, violent year in terms of internal security. I don’t think this violence will slow down anytime soon,” he told Al Jazeera.
 
Wonder why iran and central asian countries don't have this afghan problem when physically , linguistically and culturally Afghans are related to them

Oh let me guess they closed they borders and have a shoot on site policy .

Whilst our political and military ruling elite have open door policy for everyone to cross with his bori bistra and armed to the teeth and penetrate all the way into our urban centres and set up their illegal shanty towns .
 
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Wonder why iran and central asian countries don't have this afghan problem when physically , linguistically and culturally Afghans are related to them

Oh let me guess they closed they borders and have a shoot on site policy .

Whilst our political and military ruling elite have open door policy for everyone to cross with his bori bistra and armed to the teeth and penetrate all the way into our urban centres and set up their illegal shanty towns .

Good point. Why is the current Pakistan govt continuing to open the doors for the Afghans when the long term effects are so apparent?
 
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Good point. Why is the current Pakistan govt continuing to open the doors for the Afghans when the long term effects are so apparent?

Well it’s not just the current government. IK had a grand vision to create an open border with our afghan brethren. This has been a problem since the 80’s. There should be mass deportation for anyone without an ID card or a fake card.
 
This problem with Afghanistan will continue until we develop an attitude similar to Iran. This bhai-bhai same people on both sides of the Durand line is doing Pak no favours. There will be no peace in Pak until our military crosses the border to bomb the TTP there. It is people like Imran Khan that don't allow this.
 
This problem with Afghanistan will continue until we develop an attitude similar to Iran. This bhai-bhai same people on both sides of the Durand line is doing Pak no favours. There will be no peace in Pak until our military crosses the border to bomb the TTP there. It is people like Imran Khan that don't allow this.

The foreign policy dictated by the fake "Ummah brotherhood" utopia is frustrating especially when it is at the cost of the Pakistanis. A country's foreign policy should be for the benefit of its own citizens and not for some fake brotherhood **. Nobody is coming to Pakistan's aid so what is the point of sacrificing the country to go to their aid? These same Afghans will join hands with Indians or talk trash against Pakistan in spite of everything that is handed to them on a platter by the Pakistan establishment.
 
The foreign policy dictated by the fake "Ummah brotherhood" utopia is frustrating especially when it is at the cost of the Pakistanis. A country's foreign policy should be for the benefit of its own citizens and not for some fake brotherhood **. Nobody is coming to Pakistan's aid so what is the point of sacrificing the country to go to their aid? These same Afghans will join hands with Indians or talk trash against Pakistan in spite of everything that is handed to them on a platter by the Pakistan establishment.

I am glad to hear another poster calling out this so called Ummah that historically never has been. It infuriates me when someone like Zaid Hamid keeps going on about "us having ruled Spain" and Palestine being ours too. We need to form better ties with powerful countries like China and Russia even Turkey not because the Turks are Muslim rather for political gain.

Afghan's never accepted Pakistan since it's inception but again we see them as being our mislead siblings. We want to be everyone's yet no Muslim country wants to be ours. Some years back Vladimir Putin was often ignored by world leaders until he took out the long handle, now he is noticed and respected big time. We should never fight anyone else's war's Muslim or not. Pakistan military is for defending only our country and no one else. Too hell with the Gulf and Africa for that matter.

If Imran Khan being a Pathan loves Afghanistan so much then he can live in Kabul. To end terrorism in Pak we have to cross the border and bomb Afghanistan.
 
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PTI blames terror resurgence on reversal of its Afghan policy

mid a rise in terror attacks across the country, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday linked the resurgence of terrorism with what he called the “reversal of PTI government’s policy on Afghanistan”.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the former information minister said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari did not understand the situation in Afghanistan. He added if the situation in Kabul deteriorated it would have negative implications for Islamabad as well.

Mr Chaudhry claimed that former prime minister Imran Khan was the “only respected Pakistani leader” in Afghanistan because his “hands were not tainted with the blood” of Afghans.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1728802/pti-blames-terror-resurgence-on-reversal-of-its-afghan-policy
 
I am glad to hear another poster calling out this so called Ummah that historically never has been. It infuriates me when someone like Zaid Hamid keeps going on about "us having ruled Spain" and Palestine being ours too. We need to form better ties with powerful countries like China and Russia even Turkey not because the Turks are Muslim rather for political gain.

Afghan's never accepted Pakistan since it's inception but again we see them as being our mislead siblings. We want to be everyone's yet no Muslim country wants to be ours. Some years back Vladimir Putin was often ignored by world leaders until he took out the long handle, now he is noticed and respected big time. We should never fight anyone else's war's Muslim or not. Pakistan military is for defending only our country and no one else. Too hell with the Gulf and Africa for that matter.

If Imran Khan being a Pathan loves Afghanistan so much then he can live in Kabul. To end terrorism in Pak we have to cross the border and bomb Afghanistan.

Haha I couldn't help but actually LOL at this. I so understand your frustrations here.
 
The foreign policy dictated by the fake "Ummah brotherhood" utopia is frustrating especially when it is at the cost of the Pakistanis. A country's foreign policy should be for the benefit of its own citizens and not for some fake brotherhood **. Nobody is coming to Pakistan's aid so what is the point of sacrificing the country to go to their aid? These same Afghans will join hands with Indians or talk trash against Pakistan in spite of everything that is handed to them on a platter by the Pakistan establishment.

The strength of the Ummah is religion, and it is a religon which has always stuck to core principles beyond fashion or money. That is why you still get white, black, yellow and brown people all over the world still identifying in brotherhood.

Unfortunately these areas of the subcontinent quickly revert to racism without a balancing check of religious consideration.
 
The strength of the Ummah is religion, and it is a religon which has always stuck to core principles beyond fashion or money. That is why you still get white, black, yellow and brown people all over the world still identifying in brotherhood.

Unfortunately these areas of the subcontinent quickly revert to racism without a balancing check of religious consideration.

Two things that seem contrarian to this logic

1. How is it that only Pakistan is sacrificing for the Ummah and why is this a one way street if these are core principles beyond fashion or money or anything else? Where are the Ummah supports from Afghanistan/UAE/Saudi/Middle East/Iran by taking a strong pro-Pakistan stance? Why are we seeing them openly siding with the likes of India and trading with countries like Israel? Why is upholding Ummah, sacrificing for Ummah etc is always a one way street with only Pakistan doling it out? When is Pakistan's turn to be the beneficiary?

2. That is why you still get white, black, yellow and brown people all over the world still identifying in brotherhood. -- Unfortunately racial differences supercede any religious differences outside of the Islamic world. Look at all the blacks lynched by white mobs, killed by cops in the US. Look at all the Trumpers incitng against blacks and hispanics. Do they not all share the same Christianity? The Hispanics are mostly catholics but Blacks and Whites at each others' throats in the US are mostly the same protestant Christians. Where is the core principal of religion here?
 
Two things that seem contrarian to this logic

1. How is it that only Pakistan is sacrificing for the Ummah and why is this a one way street if these are core principles beyond fashion or money or anything else? Where are the Ummah supports from Afghanistan/UAE/Saudi/Middle East/Iran by taking a strong pro-Pakistan stance? Why are we seeing them openly siding with the likes of India and trading with countries like Israel? Why is upholding Ummah, sacrificing for Ummah etc is always a one way street with only Pakistan doling it out? When is Pakistan's turn to be the beneficiary?

2. That is why you still get white, black, yellow and brown people all over the world still identifying in brotherhood. -- Unfortunately racial differences supercede any religious differences outside of the Islamic world. Look at all the blacks lynched by white mobs, killed by cops in the US. Look at all the Trumpers incitng against blacks and hispanics. Do they not all share the same Christianity? The Hispanics are mostly catholics but Blacks and Whites at each others' throats in the US are mostly the same protestant Christians. Where is the core principal of religion here?

True brotherhood among Muslims is beyond politics or money. Therefore Pakistan, Trump, Modi or China are merely gusts of wind. What will be left standing at the end will be true principle based on human values.
 
True brotherhood among Muslims is beyond politics or money. Therefore Pakistan, Trump, Modi or China are merely gusts of wind. What will be left standing at the end will be true principle based on human values.

In an ideal world yes, this is correct. The reality is far from ideal though. None of the supposed Ummah brethren follow this principle and they seem to be looking out for themselves (many times at the expense of their Ummah brothers like Pakistan). So why should Pakistan be the only country to adhere to this?

Countries should base foreign policies on geo-political realities and not base it upon some ideal principle that nobody in the world is following.
 
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TERRORISTS ATTACK POLICE PICKET IN DERA ISMAIL KHAN

At least three policemen were injured when terrorists attacked a police picket in Dera Ismail Khan, ARY News reported on Friday.

As per District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Shoaib said, a group of terrorists attacked a police picket, located in the limits of Kalachi police station in Dera Ismail Khan. The terrorists were equipped with the latest weapons including rocket launchers.

The retaliatory fire of the police party forced the terrorists to flee away after several of their accomplices were dead and several injured.

In the gunfight, three policemen also sustained injuries. The injured were rushed to the hospital, the DPO said. Following the attack, security has been beefed up in DI Khan.

...
https://arynews.tv/terrorists-attack-police-picket-in-dera-ismail-khan/
 
PM Shehbaz chairs NSC meeting amid rising terror incidents

A meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) — the principal decision-making forum on foreign policy and national security — began on Friday afternoon in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair as the country has seen a spate of terrorist attacks.

Senior civilian and military leaders were part of the meeting.

The decision to convene the meeting of the NSC was taken in a meeting between PM Shehbaz and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir on Thursday, according to a Dawn report.

The meeting between the two took place a day after the corps commanders’ conference at the General Headquarters where the surge in terrorism incidents dominated the agenda.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1729017/pm-shehbaz-chairs-nsc-meeting-amid-rising-terror-incidents
 
In the wake of a possible terrorist attack in Islamabad, security has been put on high alert with law enforcement agencies issuing a picture of the likely suicide bomber who might target the capital city, Express News reported.

The development comes days after the US, UK, Saudi Arabian and Australian governments issued advisories to their respective citizens in Pakistan, prohibiting their nationals in the country from visiting a five-star hotel in Islamabad because of the possible threat of a terrorist attack.

The unprecedented advisory and threat alert were issued after a police official embraced martyrdom and several others were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up during a check-up in Sector I-10 of Islamabad.

Express Tribune
 
Why did Imran Khan want the Pakistan government to open a TTP office?

Those who have followed Pakistani news will know about the serious issues being caused by the TTP.

One must wonder why it was then that in 2013, Imran Khan wanted the TTP to have their own office in Pakistan.

Do we accept now that IK was wrong in his assessment?


Khan stressed that the government should take negotiations seriously, adding that it should declare a ceasefire.

Furthermore, he also said that the government should allow militants to establish a political office in Pakistan to hold peace talks in the absence of which negotiations would not be possible and the decade-long war against terrorism would continue.

While discussing the Peshawar church bombing which killed 81 people, Khan alleged that the tragedy had been politicised. He said 170 blasts had taken place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the past nine years under previous governments, but PTI had not politicised those tragedies



https://www.dawn.com/news/1045342
 
A “key terrorist” was killed and a police constable martyred in the early hours of Sunday when gunmen attacked a police checkpost in the Shahbaz Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat District, a local police official said.

“The terrorists attacked the police [checkpost] with heavy and automatic weapons and tried to break in,” Lakki Marwat police spokesperson Shahid Hameed told Dawn.com, adding that RPG-7s, grenades and other “advanced weapons” were used.

DAWN
 
Maryam once claimed that behind the terrorist attacks were the army and i thought the witch was crazy, why would our own army kill its own people. Well there are reports circulating that we need lots of blood shed to get the Americans to give us a few dollars with which our Generals can become rich. Apparently the Americans are not interested in a few explosions, they want to see the full fireworks before they open their wallets. Lets see if this turns out to be true, i hope our Army dont lose the tiny bit of respect they have left and this turns out to be rubbish
 
Maryam once claimed that behind the terrorist attacks were the army and i thought the witch was crazy, why would our own army kill its own people. Well there are reports circulating that we need lots of blood shed to get the Americans to give us a few dollars with which our Generals can become rich. Apparently the Americans are not interested in a few explosions, they want to see the full fireworks before they open their wallets. Lets see if this turns out to be true, i hope our Army dont lose the tiny bit of respect they have left and this turns out to be rubbish

Not saying this could be true or false but how much weight should we give towards Maryam's claims in general?
 
Not saying this could be true or false but how much weight should we give towards Maryam's claims in general?

Tbh I never believed her but looking at the upsurge in violence since IKs removal and our shortage of dollars, and the desperate need to get the Americans to fund the survival of the mafia, nothing would surprise me. Afterall, if you said that an uncorruptable PM would be replaced by people on bail, I would have said you were crazy but he was by Bajwa and the Junta.
 
Maryam once claimed that behind the terrorist attacks were the army and i thought the witch was crazy, why would our own army kill its own people. Well there are reports circulating that we need lots of blood shed to get the Americans to give us a few dollars with which our Generals can become rich. Apparently the Americans are not interested in a few explosions, they want to see the full fireworks before they open their wallets. Lets see if this turns out to be true, i hope our Army dont lose the tiny bit of respect they have left and this turns out to be rubbish

And what do Americans gain?
 
Not saying this could be true or false but how much weight should we give towards Maryam's claims in general?

Putting Maryam’s claims aside, I think there’s a good chance this is the army trying to prop themselves up. They’ve been doing this for decades.
 
TTP have set up their own cabinet in Pakistan. They want parallel govt. Cannot make this up.
 
It is becoming increasingly tougher to eradicate them. Are we looking at an era of ever present TTP in Pakistan's future? That seems scary.
 
Zero tolerance policy for terrorists, says PM Shehbaz

Following an uptick in terror activities across the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced that Pakistan will adopt a "zero tolerance policy" for terrorists challenging its writ.

The decision came after a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) yesterday, which according to the premier took “major decisions” after hours of deliberations.

“Peace is non-negotiable,” PM Shehbaz wrote on his official Twitter handle.

The prime minister’s statement came a day after the Taliban regime in Kabul angrily reacted to a statement of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, wherein the minister had said that Pakistan could carry out cross-border military action against the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has been using its safe havens in Afghanistan as a springboard for its new terror campaign.

...
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393961/zero-tolerance-policy-for-terrorists-says-pm-shehbaz
 
Afghan Taliban taunting with 1971 consequences if they are attacked. Surreal stuff. I guess Kaptaan was right when he said that they have broken shackles of slavery. I think they now look at Pakistan as legitimate part of their jurisdiction.
 
Pakistan deserves whatever is coming their way! This happens when you support terror outfits and radicalise your own population.
 
With Imran likely forming government sometime this year, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics plays out between Taliban and Pakistani establishment. Pakistani establishment and Imran has been very clear that Afghan Taliban is good Taliban and TTP is a creation of RAW when they were operating out of Afganistain till 2021 and all violence will swiftly cease once India is kicked out of Afganistan. India is indeed now kicked out from that region, Taliban has control of Afganistan with good understanding with Pakistani establishment, so how TTP is still in resurgence is a question to ponder. And why the good Taliban is giving shelter to bad Taliban is something for IK to introspect unless he concedes he was wrong or agrees with TTPs struggle for freedom and demand to rule by their law in the KPK province to start with. But then, will Taliban be happy with KPK only or will like to spread their flag to Punjab and Islamabad as well? What will be Pakistan's response now and in future as they simply can't take the easy route to blame on RAW and CIA anymore as it is ISI who literally controls this region as indicated by Faiz Hameed earlier.
 
Afghan Taliban taunting with 1971 consequences if they are attacked. Surreal stuff. I guess Kaptaan was right when he said that they have broken shackles of slavery. I think they now look at Pakistan as legitimate part of their jurisdiction.

Extremely embarrassing stuff for Pakistan. This just shows what the Afghan Taliban think of Pakistan, in fact they believe they’re better. Despite spending huge amounts on defence we’re still being bullied by the rag tag mountain men. Waiting for Bilawal to come back with a zinger.
 
One needs to see the posts and celebrations when Afghan Taliban had gotten back the power.

Their 2.0 version is even more lethal as they now are tech savy and even more horrible.
 
Afghan Taliban taunting with 1971 consequences if they are attacked. Surreal stuff. I guess Kaptaan was right when he said that they have broken shackles of slavery. I think they now look at Pakistan as legitimate part of their jurisdiction.

I just saw that news absolutely remarkable, probably shocked Indian agencies as well.
 
Pakistan will continue efforts to hold peace talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but only on the condition that the insurgents lay down their arms first, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Wednesday.

"Efforts will and are being carried out to bring the TTP to the (negotiation) table," Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah told reporters at a press conference in Islamabad.

"But the primary condition (for talks with TTP) is that they give up their arms and accept the law and the constitution," he said.

Sanaulah said that at the meeting of the National Security Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier this week, it was decided that there would be zero tolerance for terrorism in Pakistan.

"There is no mixed message. There are no 'good' or 'bad' terrorists. Anyone involved in terrorism is a terrorist. There is no question of them being red, white, or black," he added.
 
That quote by Hillary Clinton seems more and prophetic by the day. Atleast she got something right.
 
Pakistan appears poised to launch a major ground and air offensive against Tehreek-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants that could target hideouts in neighbouring Afghanistan, experts say, as a surge in attacks on security forces threaten to plunge the country back into a cycle of violence.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/poli...-taliban-linked-militants-us-backed-offensive

This sounds scary in so many levels. Our hope is that the action is swift and TTP hideouts are eradicated. But reality seems different if we are going after TTP (or Taliban itself) in Afghanistan since history has shown that Afghanistan is the graveyard of many empires.
 
This sounds scary in so many levels. Our hope is that the action is swift and TTP hideouts are eradicated. But reality seems different if we are going after TTP (or Taliban itself) in Afghanistan since history has shown that Afghanistan is the graveyard of many empires.

There will undoubtedly be blowback in the form of suicide bombings across the country.
 
What quote?

You can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbour: Clinton

Pakistan’s advocacy and addiction to terrorism is hurting them. Truth is every country uses this mechanism to a degree. But Pakistan has pretty much put all eggs in this basket.
 
You can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbour: Clinton

Pakistan’s advocacy and addiction to terrorism is hurting them. Truth is every country uses this mechanism to a degree. But Pakistan has pretty much put all eggs in this basket.

True!
 
Armed group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has warned the country’s main ruling parties of “concrete action” against their top leadership in the government for “declaring war” against it.

A statement released by the TTP – also known as Pakistani Taliban for its ideological affinity with the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan – on Wednesday explicitly named Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Sharif is the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which along with Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are the main coalition partners in the government.

“For a long time, TTP has not taken any action against political parties,” TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said in the statement shared with Al Jazeera on WhatsApp.

“[But] if these two parties remain firm on their position … then action will be taken against the leaders of these parties. People should avoid going near them,” it said.

“[Our] target is Pakistan’s security forces who are acting against the country’s interest upon wishes of the West,” it added.

The TTP statement also included a note of caution for Pakistan’s religion-based political parties, urging them not to be a part of action against the group.

“The TTP policy does not include targeting your parties but we request you to avoid being part of any activity against us,” it said.

The TTP threat came two days after Pakistan’s top security body, the National Security Committee (NSC), announced its resolve to have “zero tolerance for terrorism” in Pakistan and “reaffirmed its determination to take on any and all entities that resort to violence”.


The NSC, which includes Sharif and newly appointed military chief General Asim Munir as its members, held a two-day meeting on December 30 and January 2 to assess the security situation in Pakistan.

The NSC meeting marked the end of a tumultuous 2022 which saw at least 150 attacks by the TTP across the country, killing dozens of people.

The TTP says it is fighting for the imposition of its hardline interpretation of Islamic law and a reversal of the merger of Pakistan’s tribal areas with the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/...reatens-top-political-leadership-including-pm
 
Armed group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has warned the country’s main ruling parties of “concrete action” against their top leadership in the government for “declaring war” against it.

A statement released by the TTP – also known as Pakistani Taliban for its ideological affinity with the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan – on Wednesday explicitly named Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Sharif is the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which along with Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are the main coalition partners in the government.

“For a long time, TTP has not taken any action against political parties,” TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said in the statement shared with Al Jazeera on WhatsApp.

“[But] if these two parties remain firm on their position … then action will be taken against the leaders of these parties. People should avoid going near them,” it said.

“[Our] target is Pakistan’s security forces who are acting against the country’s interest upon wishes of the West,” it added.

The TTP statement also included a note of caution for Pakistan’s religion-based political parties, urging them not to be a part of action against the group.

“The TTP policy does not include targeting your parties but we request you to avoid being part of any activity against us,” it said.

The TTP threat came two days after Pakistan’s top security body, the National Security Committee (NSC), announced its resolve to have “zero tolerance for terrorism” in Pakistan and “reaffirmed its determination to take on any and all entities that resort to violence”.


The NSC, which includes Sharif and newly appointed military chief General Asim Munir as its members, held a two-day meeting on December 30 and January 2 to assess the security situation in Pakistan.

The NSC meeting marked the end of a tumultuous 2022 which saw at least 150 attacks by the TTP across the country, killing dozens of people.

The TTP says it is fighting for the imposition of its hardline interpretation of Islamic law and a reversal of the merger of Pakistan’s tribal areas with the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/...reatens-top-political-leadership-including-pm

Bad times ahead. There will be blood
 
Afghan Taliban taunting with 1971 consequences if they are attacked. Surreal stuff. I guess Kaptaan was right when he said that they have broken shackles of slavery. I think they now look at Pakistan as legitimate part of their jurisdiction.

What are the 1971 consequences, and why would the TTP be referring to them pray tell?
 
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Thursday that the recently held meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) — the highest forum for coordination on security issues — had decided that there will be “no talks with any terrorist or militant group”.

Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorist attacks across the country, believed to have been planned and directed by the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders based in Afghanistan.

DAWN
 
At least 11 terrorists, including a local commander, were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) South Waziristan district, ARY News reported on Thursday, quoting the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

According to the military’s media wing, the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in South Waziristan’s Wana area and successfully “foiled a high-profile terrorist activity.”
 
PESHAWAR / D.I. KHAN: A day after Pakistan vowed to take pre-emptive measures to avert terrorist attacks, security forces killed 11 militants, including a key commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, in a raid in South Waziristan, while two separate attacks targeting police in Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan left five officials injured.

In an intelligence-based operation in Wana, the security forces raided a hideout of TTP militants and killed at least 11 terrorists, including TTP commander Hafizullah alongside two would-be suicide bombers, said the military’s media wing.

The operation “foiled a major terrorist activity”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement issued on Thursday evening.

Dawn
 
Thousands rally in KP’s Bajaur for restoration of lasting peace

Thousands of people took to streets here on Thursday and pledged to protect the hard-earned peace in the region at all costs.

People from all walks of life including political workers, social activists, traders and youth attended the peace march organised by Bajaur Peace Action Committee, a local alliance of political parties. Tribal elders, traders, social activists and youth participated in the march enthusiastically and demanded restoration of peace in the district.

Holding white flags and placards, the participants of the march chanted slogans in favour of peace and against the fresh wave of terrorism in the region, particularly in the tribal districts. They gathered at about 10am at Dubai Market near Jinnah Bus Terminal.

Awami National Party provincial general secretary Sardar Hussin Babak, chief of National Democratic Movement MNA Mohsin Dawar, Pashtun Tahafuz Movement head Ma

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1730174/thousands-rally-in-kps-bajaur-for-restoration-of-lasting-peace
 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mufti Abu Mansour Asim sent a message to Pakistani scholars on Saturday, saying that it is willing to hold talks with them in case the religious leaders noticed a "decline in the TTP's jihad" against the security forces.

In a video message to the scholars, Asim - also known as Noor Wali Mehsud - said that if the scholars notice a decline in the "efforts" of the banned terror outfit's "jihad" then they had the "right" to hold talks with them.

He also maintained that the scholars should avoid referring to the TTP as "terrorists".

Express Tribune
 
Top religious scholars issue unanimous edict against terrorism
Declaring war against police, security forces defending Islamic state is ‘Haram’, states edict

Top religious scholars from Deobandi school of thought have issued a unanimous edict against terrorists and terrorist activities, clarifying that declaring war against the police and security forces defending an Islamic state is “Haram” and defiance of the state according to Islamic Sharia.

The edict, or fatwa – a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune – further states that the police personnel and military men giving up their lives in defence of the country are “martyrs”.

It came two days after the chief of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, said in a video message that his group is “open to guidance” from Pakistan’s religious scholars if they believe “the direction of our jihad” is wrong.
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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2394907/top-religious-scholars-issue-unanimous-edict-against-terrorism
 
Imran Khan Slams Pak Government Over "Irresponsible Statements" Against Taliban

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz- led government's "irresponsible statements" against the Taliban and warned that a deterioration in Afghan ties could result in a "never-ending" war against terrorism, Dawn reported.

Addressing a seminar on terrorism on Tuesday, Imran Khan spoke about the criticism levelled at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for leading peace talks with the TTP, adding that the opposition parties should not "lie to the people."

He stated that all stakeholders were informed about the need for talks with the TTP and the plan to resettle their members.

"A military operation can be a part of the overall peace settlement but it is never successful on its own," Dawn quoted Imran Khan as saying.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan slammed Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah for his "irresponsible" statements about Pakistan taking action against TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, as per the Dawn report.

PTI Chairman said that if the Taliban decided to stop cooperating with Pakistan, it could result in a "never-ending war" against terrorism.

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan questioned the Shehbaz Sharif-led government on why they did not raise the issue of recent incidents at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border with the Afghan government, as per the news report.

He asserted that another war against terrorism would turn into a curse for Pakistan if ties with Afghanistan deteriorated.

He stressed that Pakistan should not seek help from the United States and warned that it would cause internal discord among locals if drone attacks were conducted. Notably, the ceasefire between Pakistan and TTP ended on November 28, 2022.

Pakistan has been witnessing terror incidents over the past few months, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to Dawn.

Pakistan has been witnessing an increase in terror attacks across the country, believed to have been planned by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) leaders based in Afghanistan. The TTP, which has links with the Afghan Taliban, executed over 100 attacks last year.

NDTV
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the police station. My condolences & prayers go to the families of the martyrs. The KP govt & its police force are in the frontline of fighting terrorism & must be a central part of any counter terrorism policy.<a href="https://t.co/fxPYEGTZhN">https://t.co/fxPYEGTZhN</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1614181309156589570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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3 Pak Cops Dead In Cross-Firing As Taliban Attack Police Station

A group of heavily-armed terrorists from the Pakistani Taliban attacked a police station in the suburbs of the restive northwestern city of Peshawar on Saturday and killed three policemen, including a senior police officer, authorities said.

Some six to seven terrorists attacked Sarband police station bordering Khyber tribal district with hand grenades, automatic weapons and sniper shots and three policemen were killed in the cross-firing, SSP Operation Peshawar Kashif Abbasi said.

The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The three dead policemen include the Deputy Superintendent of Police Sardar Hussain and two constables.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari said the policemen successfully foiled the terrorist attack on the station and fought valiantly.

The DSP was injured in the firing while entering the building. He succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Mehmud Khan condemned the incident and said sacrifices of the police in the war against terror will not go to waste.

A search operation to locate the attackers is underway.

In a statement, Muhammad Khurassani Spokesman for TTP said their Mujahideen attacked two police posts in Peshawar last night with laser guns.

The TTP claimed killing four policemen, including a DSP rank police officer, and injuring three in the attack, along with seizing two Kalashnikovs, two magazines and ₹ 47,000.

In another statement, its spokesman also claimed responsibility for the attack on a joint security checkpoint of police and CTD in tehsil Tunsa Sharif of Dera Ghazi Khan district Southern Punjab, killing two cops.

TTP, commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, is an umbrella organisation of various armed terrorist groups operating along the Afghan–Pakistani border. Formed in 2007, the group shares a common ideology with the Afghan Taliban and assisted them in the 2001–2021 war.

NDTV
 
4 terrorists killed during intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Hoshab: ISPR

Security forces gunned down at least four terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Hoshab, the military’s public affairs wing said on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an IBO was initiated “to clear a hideout linked with firing incidents on security forces along M-8, in general area Talsar, Hoshab” on a tip-off about the presence of terrorists.

“As a result of continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) of the area, a location of terrorists was identified and security forces were heli inserted [to nab the terrorists].”

The statement said that while the forces were establishing positions to cut off escape routes, four terrorists opened fire on the troops.

During the heavy exchange of fire, all four terrorists were killed, while a cache of arms and ammunition including improvised explosive devices (IEDs) was also recovered from their possession, the ISPR added.

A day earlier, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir visited Balochistan’s Khuzdar and Basima areas where he was briefed on the prevailing security situation and the formation’s operational preparedness, along with measures being taken to ensure a “peaceful and secure environment”.

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1732297/4...e-based-operation-in-balochistans-hoshab-ispr
 
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto on Tuesday accused the previous government led by former premier Imran Khan of employing a ‘wrong approach’ towards the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In an interview with Al Jazeera, the minister stated that the “policy of appeasement towards the Taliban has created problems for the people of Pakistan”, adding that the past approach was done away with by his government.

“We recently had a national security meeting of the top political and military leadership in our country where it was decided that we would not tolerate terrorist groups and anybody who violates the law in Pakistan,” FM Bilawal said.

Bilawal also restated the need to engage with the Afghan Taliban regime, despite the group’s hardline policies vis-a-vis women.

“The solution is to engage the Afghan government and try to convince them to live up to their promises to the international community whether it is to do with women’s rights or the issue of terrorism,” the foreign minister said.

Express Tribune
 
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto on Tuesday accused the previous government led by former premier Imran Khan of employing a ‘wrong approach’ towards the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In an interview with Al Jazeera, the minister stated that the “policy of appeasement towards the Taliban has created problems for the people of Pakistan”, adding that the past approach was done away with by his government.

“We recently had a national security meeting of the top political and military leadership in our country where it was decided that we would not tolerate terrorist groups and anybody who violates the law in Pakistan,” FM Bilawal said.

Bilawal also restated the need to engage with the Afghan Taliban regime, despite the group’s hardline policies vis-a-vis women.

“The solution is to engage the Afghan government and try to convince them to live up to their promises to the international community whether it is to do with women’s rights or the issue of terrorism,” the foreign minister said.

Express Tribune

“We held a meeting and decided nobody can violate the law!” Great job Bilawal!
 
At least two cops martyred, one injured in Charsadda terrorist attack

The police said in a statement that the militants opened fire on the check post in Dheri Zadad area of the district, leaving three cops injured.

However, police official identified as Imran succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to the hospital and another cop Ramiz died during treatment at the DHQ hospital, the police said in a statement.

DPO Sohail Khalid said in a statement that police have launched a search operation in the area to arrest the assailants.

A Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson said in a statement that they received a thirty-five-year-old injured policeman, who received four bullet injuries.

“Nothing can be said about the condition. A team of doctors is providing emergency medical treatment [to the injured],” he added.

ANP leader Aimal Wali Khan condemned the terrorist attack on the police check post, saying that the growing unrest in the province is “reflecting the critical situation”.

“Terrorists are openly targeting common people including police,” he added.

Those fighting for the throne of Punjab have left the people of K-P at the mercy of terrorists, said Khan.

He lashed out at the former ruling party, saying that “PTI has given the province a gift of terrorism, extortion and target killing during its 9-year rule”.

“ANP is standing with K-P police against terrorism and unrest.”

The attack comes two days after two police officials lost their lives while three others sustained injuries in a terrorist attack led by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on a security check post of K-P’s Khyber district.

As per details, armed militants, including a suspected suicide bomber, carried out the attack on the security check post, police officials said on Thursday.

The martyred policemen were identified as Manzoor and Younas.

According to District Police Officer (DPO) Imran Khan, the terrorist activity took place at the Takhta Baig checkpost in the district's Jamrud area during which the attackers also used hand grenades and also opened gunfire.

The banned TTP has stepped up attacks since it announced the end of an Afghan Taliban-brokered ceasefire with the Pakistan government last month.

On January 14, three police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred in a late-night terrorist attack on the Sarband Police Station in Peshawar.

Tribune
 
Police vehicle narrowly escapes bomb blast in Peshawar’s Khyber district

A patrol van of the Badaber police station in Peshawar’s Khyber district narrowly escaped a bomb blast on Sunday, the police said.

According to a statement issued by the Peshawar Capital City Police, Nasir Khan — in charge of the Badaber’s Shaikhan checkpost — was patrolling in Gula Khan Zangal, an area bordering Khyber Agency, when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near his vehicle.

“Khan’s vehicle was slightly damaged in the blast. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported,” it said.

Police teams have arrived at the crime site to collect evidence and the area has been cordoned off. “The incident is being investigated closely,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the bomb disposal squad (BDS) said that approximately one kilogram of explosives was used in the blast

Since the talks with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks, particularly targeting the police in KP and areas bordering Afghanistan.

Last night, a policeman was martyred and two others were injured when unidentified assailants attacked a police post in Dheri Zardad locality of Charsadda.

DAWN
 
The death toll in the Peshawar mosque blast has jumped to 17, while over 60 are injured, confirmed the Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson on Monday.
 
Senators demand joint sitting of parliament on terror resurgence

Senators on Monday raised the alarm over the rising tide of terrorism, price hike and shortage of wheat flour in the country.

Taking part in a debate on a surge in terrorist attacks, with a particular reference to the Peshawar blast, they observed that a joint sitting of parliament should be convened to thrash out a way forward to address the issue.

Members from both sides of the aisle spoke about the whopping increase in the prices of petroleum products and the alarming economic situation.

The Jamaat-i-Islami’s Mushtaq Ahmad called for summoning a joint sitting of parliament, suggesting that an in-camera session be convened where the authorities concerned should be held answerable for the prevalent law and order situation.

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1734513/senators-demand-joint-sitting-of-parliament-on-terror-resurgence
 
Things are looking quite bleak. It sounds like the KP forces are not ready for a large scale operation. On the flip side, the TTP are ready and have the latest swathe of US weaponry which was left behind at their disposal. Something big is about to happen. I pray for Pakistan and our armed forces.
 
Terror attack on police station repulsed

MIANWALI: Police Tuesday night foiled a terror attack on the Makerwal police station in the Isakkhel district of Mianwali.

Police said a group of 20 to 25 insurgents attacked the police station but were forced to flee after an exchange of fire. The DPO Mianwali also arrived at the scene with additional force. An emergency was declared in the district headquarters hospital. Meanwhile, Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar spoke to the SHO on the phone and lauded him for foiling the attack.

The News Pk
 
SENATE CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF NAP TO CURB TERRORISM

Senate has called for the implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) to curb terrorism following a suicide attack at a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Line, which claimed the lives of almost 100 people, ARY News reported.

Participating in the debate, Raza Rabbani strongly condemned the suicide blast that took place in the mosque of Peshawar yesterday, adding that anti-terrorism policy should be discussed in the joint session of the parliament which is scheduled to be held on the February 8.

He appealed to the political parties to hold national dialogue inside the parliament and evolve consensus on important matters.

Senator Saifullah Abro urged that efforts should be made to avert Peshawar like incidents in future. He said there should not be political point scoring on security related matters.

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https://arynews.tv/senate-calls-for-implementation-of-nap-to-curb-terrorism/
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday came down hard on the “institutions and politicians” responsible for peace talks with terrorists, cautioning that the menace could spread to other parts of the country if immediate steps were not taken.

The remarks come days after a ghastly suicide blast rocked the city of Peshawar, claiming the lives of at least 101 citizens — mostly police officers. Over the past few months, terrorism has been rearing its head again in the country, especially in KP and Balochistan.

Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet on Wednesday, the premier said that citizens from Peshawar to Karachi had questions about the resurgence of terrorism in the country.

“Terrorism is rearing its head again,” he said. “The question is who brought them back.

“Everyone is asking who brought them back. What happened? […] How can peace be destroyed? How can Khyber Pakhtunkhwa go back into the hands of terrorists?”

Criticising the decision to enter into dialogue with militants and resettle them during the previous regime, he asked, “Who said they have laid down their arms and will contribute to the country’s growth and development?”

He urged his cabinet to discuss the “burning issue” thoroughly, calling for introspection.

“I don’t think there is anything more important to discuss in this meeting,” Shehbaz said, adding that whatever he had stated was public knowledge and nothing hidden.

It is pertinent to mention that on Tuesday lawmakers in the National Assembly regretted the decision to enter into dialogue with militants and resettle them in the country during the previous PTI regime, calling it a “faulty” move which was “never endorsed” by parliament.

DAWN
 
The Punjab police on Wednesday morning launched a grand counterterrorism operat*ion in the highly complex and inac*cessible hilly areas of Mian*wali district, hours after some heavily equipped militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban ******tan (TTP) attacked a police station in the area in the dead of the night.

The go-ahead for the operation was given at a meeting attended by chief secretary, inspector general of police, heads of the intelligence agencies and several reg*ional and district police officers.

“We have grounded many field formations of the Punjab police under a new policy, called HITS, Hunt, Impede, Thwart and Serve,” IG police Dr Usman Anwar told Dawn.

This HITS operation would not be called off till the elimination of armed militants from the territories of Mianwali district, the police chief declared.


He vowed that this force would give a deterrent response to the terrorists and purge them from Punjab territories.

The police chief said a decision was taken to launch a ‘large-scale and sustainable’ operation aga*i*nst the militants behind the att*ack on Makkarwal police station in Mianwali late Tuesday night.

The meeting of security officials held just hours after the attack also took some other important decisions, prepared a set of guidelines and devised strategies to ensure coordination between security apparatus against the TTP’s presence in Punjab.

DIG Ahsan Younis, who has been assigned a key role in the police operation, said the highly trained police personnel and commandos from the three regions, the counterterrorism department, special protection unit and the elite force were taking part in the operation.

He told Dawn that human and logistic resources had been moved from various regions of the Punjab province to Mianwali to ‘hit the hideouts’ of the TTP men in highly complex terrain.

“Makkarwal was the nearest police station to the hilly area from where the armed militants of the TTP launched the offensive,” the officer pointed out.

About the late-night attack, which was ‘repulsed’ by police, DIG Younis said intelligence sources had alerted the Makkarwal police about movement of the armed men in the nearest hilly areas, only hours before the assault.

Police personnel had been put on high alert and they returned the fire as soon as a gunner from a nearby hillside opened fire. Suddenly, firing intensified from multiple points, he said. The personnel responded promptly to stop militants from advancing towards the police station, and managed to repulse the attack, he explained.

However, the militants used the cover of darkness to disappeared into the hilly terrain, DIG Younis said.
 
‘It’s never too late’: PM Shehbaz calls for national unity to become ‘one wall’ against terrorism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for national unity against terrorism “or else history will not forgive us”, as he addressed the Apex Committee meeting in Peshawar that was convened after a deadly terrorist attack in the city’s Police Lines Area claimed the lives of 101 people, mostly policemen.

His remarks come as Pakistan has been hit by a wave of terrorism, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but also in Balochistan and the Punjab town of Mianwali, which borders KP. A terror attack also reached as far as the peripheries of Islamabad.

January was the deadliest month since 2018, in which 134 people lost their lives — a 139 per cent spike — and 254 received injuries in at least 44 militant attacks across the country.

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1735101/i...al-unity-to-become-one-wall-against-terrorism
 
Cops Identify Pak Mosque Blast Bomber Through DNA Samples: Report

Pakistani authorities on Friday claimed to have made an "important breakthrough" in its probe into the Peshawar mosque attack by identifying the suicide bomber through his DNA samples, and have arrested a woman in connection with the attack that killed over 100 worshippers, Press Trust of India reported.

Ijaz Khan, the chief of Peshawar city police, said that the arrested woman is also assisting the investigators in the probe.

"Important breakthrough has been achieved by the investigators probing Peshawar police lines suicide blast as the investigators secured credible evidence that led to the identification of the bomber," Khan said.

The suicide bomber blew himself up during the afternoon prayers on Monday in the mosque in the Police Lines area, killing 101 people, 97 of them security personnel, and injuring more than 200 others.

The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the group later distanced itself from the attack.

Khan said that the DNA test has been obtained and the investigators are trying to trace the family of the bomber.

The bomber left his helmet at the gate before entering the highly-secured mosque which could be seen in the CCTV footage.

Khan said that the specification for the DNA test of the bomber has been taken from his head, legs and other body parts.

The police on Thursday said that the bomber had disguised himself in a police uniform to sneak into the high-security zone and was riding a motorcycle with a helmet and mask on.

NDTV
 
"State Tied Our Hands, Threw Us To The Beasts": Pak Cops After Mosque Blast

Pakistan police officers say they have been "thrown to the beasts" in their battle against rising militancy after a blast at a city headquarters killed dozens of their colleagues.

A suicide bomber wearing a police uniform infiltrated the heavily guarded compound in Peshawar on Monday and blew himself up during afternoon prayers at a mosque, in the deadliest attack Pakistan has seen for several years.

"We are in a state of shock, every other day our colleagues are dying, how long will we have to suffer?" one police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. "If the protectors are not safe, then who is safe in this country?"

Authorities say the blast, which also killed a civilian, was carried out in revenge for police operations against relentless assaults by Islamist groups in the region, which borders Afghanistan.

"We are at the frontline of this war, we are protecting the schools, offices, and public places but today we feel abandoned," a junior officer said.

"The state has tied our hands and thrown us to the beasts."

Bickering politicians who are months away from contesting a general election have traded blame for the deteriorating security situation, with the country also weighed down by a severe economic crisis.

The lack of leadership has given space for terrorists to regroup and target the state, analysts say.

'Tomorrow it could be me'

A few dozen police officers protested in Peshawar on Wednesday, frustrated at the deepening risks they are facing.

The anger is all the greater since the bombed complex, which also houses intelligence and counter-terrorism offices, was one of the best monitored areas of the city.

"It's incomprehensible to me," said Inayat Ullah, a 42-year-old policeman who spent several hours under the rubble of a collapsed wall before being rescued, losing a thumb.

"When we leave our house, we never know where we might be targeted. Today it's him, tomorrow it might be me," he said, speaking about a close friend who was killed on Monday.

The biggest threat comes from the Pakistani Taliban, separate from the Afghan Taliban but with a similar ideology.

The group emerged in 2007, allied with Al-Qaeda, killing tens of thousands of Pakistani civilians and members of the security forces in less than a decade, with Peshawar at the heart of daily attacks.

Largely crushed in a major military crackdown launched in 2014, they have resurged since the Taliban came to power across the border in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops.

Known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), they have attempted to rebrand themselves as a less brutal outfit, avoiding civilians in favour of targeting security and police personnel in low casualty assaults.

Police attributed Monday's attack to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a more radical group occasionally affiliated to the TTP, which has denied any involvement.

"Every time we leave our homes, we hug our loved ones and they hug us. We don't know if we will come back alive or not," said another policeman, who lost six friends in the blast.

'Void can never be filled'

Father of two Atif Mujeed, 36, was the pillar of his family -- a police officer who had already survived an IED explosion which killed seven of his colleagues in 2013.

But on Monday there was no escape from the explosion that erupted among the rows of worshippers and caused a wall to collapse and bury officers.

"This incident stunned us. The void it leaves can never be filled," his brother-in-law, Rizwan Ahmed, told AFP. "His death broke the backbone of this family."

The TTP continues to resort to its old methods: targeted assassinations, bombs, kidnappings and extortion as they regroup along the border.

Pakistan blames Afghanistan for letting militants use Afghan soil to plan attacks, which Kabul denies.

Peace negotiations between the TTP and Pakistan, mediated by the Afghan Taliban, fell through in November, shattering a shaky ceasefire.

During the talks, the militants had their numbers boosted by the release of around 100 low-level fighters from Pakistani jails.

That has only added to the confusion among police ranks.

"One day we're told there's a ceasefire and peace talks, the next day we're told the ceasefire isn't holding and we have to be ready to fight... It's disconcerting," said one of the police officers who requested anonymity.

Pakistan's Federal Cabinet announced Wednesday that the police and anti-terror section in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, of which Peshawar is the capital, would be reorganised, better trained and better equipped.

A new military operation against armed Islamist groups, which are highly factional, is also being discussed.

But in Peshawar, some are resigned to a cycle of violence being here to stay.

"I have already spent half my life witnessing a bloodbath," said bereaved brother-in-law Ahmed.

"But I still don't have the slightest hope of ever seeing peace in this town."

NDTV
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the Apex Committee, which met in Peshawar earlier today, had expressed “unflinching resolve to protect the people of Pakistan at any cost”.

“Those who attack innocent citizens will be brought to justice. We will not allow anti-terror gains to be reversed,” the premier said.

The meeting was convened in Peshawar in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in the city’s Police Lines Area that claimed the lives of 101 people, mostly policemen.

Pakistan has been hit by a wave of terrorism, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but also in Balochistan and the Punjab town of Mianwali, which borders KP. A terror attack also reached as far as the peripheries of Islamabad.

January was the deadliest month since 2018, in which 134 people lost their lives — a 139 per cent spike — and 254 received injuries in at least 44 militant attacks across the country.

Taking to Twitter after the meeting concluded, the premier said, “The meeting reviewed the security landscape and agreed to adopt a uniform policy between the federation and provinces.

“It considered proposals for revision of the National Action Plan (NAP) and approved a slew of measures to improve investigation, forensic and working of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD),” he said.

“Media, religious scholars and political leaders have a fundamental role in creating national consensus against terrorism. The state will adopt [a] zero tolerance policy against terrorism,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that the meeting also agreed to establish an implementation mechanism for the decisions taken.
 
Pakistan will ask the supreme leader of Afghanistan’s Taliban to rein in militants in Pakistan after a suicide bombing killed scores of police in a mosque, officials said on Saturday.

Since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul, Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic uptick in attacks in regions bordering Afghanistan, where militants use rugged terrain to stage assaults and escape detection.
 
KP Police repulse two attacks on posts

Tank police repulses attack on Pir Tangi police post.
Dozens of militants with automatic weapons attacked post: official.
Cops retaliated, locals came out of homes to support police: official.
PESHAWAR: The police on Sunday night repulsed an attack on two outposts in remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reported The News.

According to the publication, Tank police and residents of the area repulsed a major attack on Pir Tangi police post near Jandola police station late Sunday night.

An official said dozens of militants armed with automatic weapons had attacked the police post.

“The cops, however, were alert and retaliated strongly. A number of locals also came out of their homes to support the police. The attackers managed their escape after an exchange of fire for around 10 minutes,” District Police Officer Tank Waqar Ahmad told The News. He said a few other such attacks have been repulsed by the police in Tank and adjacent districts in recent weeks.

An official said Inspector General of Police, Moazzam Jah Ansari, appreciated the Tank district police for bravely repulsing the attack. The IGP said police across the province are alert and will respond strongly to any kind of attack.

...
https://www.geo.tv/latest/469309-attacks-on-two-police-posts-repulsed
 
All Parties Conference on terrorism postponed for the second time

The All Parties Conference (APC) — called by the incumbent government to discuss important security and economic challenges being faced by Pakistan — has been postponed for the second time this week.

The multi-party moot was first slated for Feb 7 (today). However, in a tweet yesterday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had rescheduled the conference to Feb 9, Thursday. She did not mention why the meeting was moved.

In yet another tweet today, she said that the meeting has been once again postponed as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be travelling to Turkey on Wednesday.

A powerful earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing more than 4,000 people. Rescue operations are underway in the countries as several people are believed to be stuck under the rubble.

In a tweet today, Aurangzeb said that the premier will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and express condolences for the lives lost in the earthquake.

“Due to the prime minister’s visit to Turkey, the APC convened on Thursday February 9 is being postponed, a new date will be announced in consultation with the allies,” she added.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1735801/all-parties-conference-on-terrorism-postponed-for-the-second-time
 
All Parties Conference on terrorism postponed for the second time

The All Parties Conference (APC) — called by the incumbent government to discuss important security and economic challenges being faced by Pakistan — has been postponed for the second time this week.

The multi-party moot was first slated for Feb 7 (today). However, in a tweet yesterday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had rescheduled the conference to Feb 9, Thursday. She did not mention why the meeting was moved.

In yet another tweet today, she said that the meeting has been once again postponed as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be travelling to Turkey on Wednesday.

A powerful earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing more than 4,000 people. Rescue operations are underway in the countries as several people are believed to be stuck under the rubble.

In a tweet today, Aurangzeb said that the premier will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and express condolences for the lives lost in the earthquake.

“Due to the prime minister’s visit to Turkey, the APC convened on Thursday February 9 is being postponed, a new date will be announced in consultation with the allies,” she added.

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1735801/all-parties-conference-on-terrorism-postponed-for-the-second-time

Bombs going off, TTP advancing and Shehbaz is gone to please his Turkish masters. Anywhere else this would be the #1 priority for the government.
 
All Parties Conference on terrorism postponed for the second time

The All Parties Conference (APC) — called by the incumbent government to discuss important security and economic challenges being faced by Pakistan — has been postponed for the second time this week.

The multi-party moot was first slated for Feb 7 (today). However, in a tweet yesterday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had rescheduled the conference to Feb 9, Thursday. She did not mention why the meeting was moved.

In yet another tweet today, she said that the meeting has been once again postponed as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be travelling to Turkey on Wednesday.

A powerful earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing more than 4,000 people. Rescue operations are underway in the countries as several people are believed to be stuck under the rubble.

In a tweet today, Aurangzeb said that the premier will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and express condolences for the lives lost in the earthquake.

“Due to the prime minister’s visit to Turkey, the APC convened on Thursday February 9 is being postponed, a new date will be announced in consultation with the allies,” she added.

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1735801/all-parties-conference-on-terrorism-postponed-for-the-second-time
[MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] you told that IK and the PTI needed to be there but your guys have postponed it again. Is it not urgent? Clowns
 
What can showbaz offer turkey

When over half our population is In poverty and not long ago 60% was underwater , people can't even afford flour .

Can't alleviate problems at home and is flying off to Turkey.
 
PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has blamed the “negligence” of Pakistan’s security forces and intelligence agencies for the rising incidents of terrorism in the country.

In an interview with Voice of America English aired on Saturday (Feb 11), Imran spoke on the recent criticism surrounding the PTI government’s decision to negotiate with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) before it was ousted.

He was responding to a question by the host, who asked him if he still “stands by” the decision to greenlight the talks.

“One of the reasons that terrorism has spiked in Pakistan is because, according to the National Counterterrorism Authority, the time that was taken for negotiations with TTP was used by that group to reorganise. Those talks started when you were in power. Do you stand by your decision to greenlight those talks,” correspondent Sarah Zaman asked.

“Well, firstly, what were the choices [the] Pakistani government faced once the Taliban took over and they decided the TTP, and we’re talking about 30, [30,000] to 40,000 people, you know, the families included, once they decided to send them back to Pakistan? Should we have just lined them up and shot them, or should we have tried to work with them to resettle them,” Imran replied.

He went on to say that his government had had a meeting at that time and the idea behind that was resettlement with the “concurrence of politicians all along the border”, the erstwhile FATA region, security forces and the TTP.

“But that never happened because our government left and once our government was removed, the new government took its eye off the ball,” he said.

The former premier stated that it was possible for the TTP to regroup and then questioned: “But then where were the Pakistani security forces? Where were the intelligence agencies? Could they not see them regrouping?

“How could we be held responsible for their negligence,” the PTI chief asked.

Over the past few months, the law and order situation in the country has worsened, with terrorist groups executing attacks with near impunity across the country.

Since the talks with the TTP broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks, particularly targeting the police in KP and areas bordering Afghanistan. Insurgents in Balochistan have also stepped up their violent activities and formalised a nexus with the outlawed TTP.

According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), January 2023 remained one of the deadliest months since July 2018, as 134 people lost their lives — a 139 per cent spike — and 254 received injuries in at least 44 militant attacks across the country.

Most recently, more than 80 people — mostly cops — lost their lives during a suicide attack at a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines.

The attack has sparked conversation on the causes of the rise in terrorism in the country. The incumbent government has blamed the PTI, calling the previous setup’s move to enter into dialogue with militants “faulty” which was “never endorsed” by parliament.

‘Need to get Kabul to work with us’
The PTI chief, while talking about Pakistan’s foreign policy and the relationship with the Afghan Taliban, stressed that the country had to somehow get Kabul to “work with us again” and jointly deal with the issue of terrorism.

“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but do we want a repeat of what happened to Pakistan from 2005 onwards to 2015, where Pakistan was going under, suffering from terrorism all along the Afghan border? I think we are not in a position to have another war on terror,” he said.

The ex-premier further said that whatever government was functioning in Afghanistan, it was important for Pakistan to have a good relationship with them.

He recalled that he tried his best with the government of former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani.

“Our interest is that having a good relationship with the government in Kabul means that we have a 2,500-kilometer border with them. This means that if there are problems of terrorism, then they will help us.”

Imran also criticised incumbent Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, saying that he had not even paid a single visit to Afghanistan yet.

DAWN
 
CTD FOILS ATTACK, KILLS SEVEN TERRORISTS IN NORTH WAZIRISTAN CROSSFIRE

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Tuesday foiled terrorist attack and claimed to kill seven of them in crossfire in North Waziristan, ARY News reported, citing security sources.

As per details, the terrorists attacked CTD team in North Waziristan, when they were moving suspected terrorists to Bannu. Security sources said that the attack took place last night at Mir Ali Bypass.

In the crossfire with the security forces, three suspects in the custody and four terrorists of the banned outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were shot dead, while 5 to 6 terrorists managed to flee the scene by taking advantage of darkness, the sources said.

Security sources said that the slain terrorists were identified as Irshadullah, Abdul Rehman, Mehredin, the dead outlaws were wanted by the CTD in several serious terrorism cases.

According to the sources, the terrorists ambushed the operation team, the terrorists attacked to rescue their colleagues, on this occasion the security forces’ support party also reached the spot.

The terrorists were involved in the target killing of Constable Iftikhar in the grenade attack on the Cantt police station. A search and clearance operation has been started to arrest the fleeing terrorists.

ARY
 
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