Missile kills Pakistan tribal head

A TV journalist with al Qaeda connections:

http://paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=70526

QUETTA, July 13 (Online): One of the three suspects held on Sunday night in a raid by law enforcing agencies at Joint Road is a foreigner while another was working as a correspondent of a foreign Television channel in the city, reliable sources revealed Monday.

The held foreigner is identified as Abbas, belonging to some Arab country, the sources said.

Sources citing investigation authorities said that the held persons were involved in suspicious activities for quite some time and intelligence agencies were monitoring their activities.

It is feared that these persons were working for al-Qaeda and Taliban.

Hmmmmmm.

I wonder if it was a reporter from Al Jazeera.

In this context, the fat lady would be singing for the operation itself. These things sometimes follow a pattern, just like a bar fight. First a war of words, as each side decides it's had enough and isn't going to take any more, then some pushing and shoving as each side works up their nerve (or backs down, in some cases), which is where we're at now. Depending on who you're listening to, there are from 30k to 75k Pak troops in the tribal belt, meaning that all the engagements so far have really only involved the recon screens and forward elements. The main body has yet to engage. Once the main battles are fought, the fat lady will sing, for the season anyway. The passes close somewhere along about mid-November and both sides settle down to winter and hatch plans for next year.

Maybe, but a quick search did not produce any recent articles from Quetta in the al Jazeera site. But I did not look in the Arabic part of http://www.aljazeera.com

Been waiting for this shoe to drop since 2001, both in the Karakoram and in Nepal. A friend was confronted by Maoists toting AK-47s on the trek in to Kanchenjunga two seasons ago. They demanded $10,000 USD and settled for cameras and a promise to secure cash to be paid on the return trek. Needless to say the trip out was made by a different route.

Good. They'd been monitoring them "for quite some time."

Thanks for the travel advisory.

While I know the source on this is more then suspect (CBS)- It would venture to guess the conclusion is about right (if UBL is still alive) -

(Of course get the editoralizing by the CBS reporter...."catching UBL will mean little"...of course! - Man, I hope we get Zawahiri (or UBL if alive) this year before Winter sets in over there.

(CBS) Twenty thousand American soldiers and Marines are currently serving in Afghanistan - most of them engaged in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, his al Qaeda followers and Taliban allies.

As CBS News Correspondent Lara Logan reports, it appears bin Laden is isolated and eluding capture, but cut off - even from his own organization.

U.S. intelligence sources believe bin Laden is hiding in the remote mountains of Pakistan, in one of the many tribal areas just across the border from Afghanistan.

CBS News has been told by military officials that they believe bin Laden has found refuge with a single family and has isolated himself from the outside world.

He rarely moves around, avoids modern communication systems that could expose him and uses human couriers to deliver his messages.

Officials believe bin laden is still seen as a mentor within the al Qaeda organization but now, one who puts forward ideas rather than issue orders.

U.S. intelligence sources say that being on the run for over two years has removed bin Laden from the day-to-day operations of al Qaeda. So capturing or killing him would make little difference to terrorist operations around the world.

While I know the source on this is more then suspect (CBS)- It would venture to guess the conclusion is about right (if UBL is still alive) -

(Of course get the editorializing by the CBS reporter...."catching UBL will mean little"...of course! - Man, I hope we get Zawahiri (or UBL if alive) this year before Winter sets in over there.

(CBS) Twenty thousand American soldiers and Marines are currently serving in Afghanistan - most of them engaged in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, his al Qaeda followers and Taliban allies.

As CBS News Correspondent Lara Logan reports, it appears bin Laden is isolated and eluding capture, but cut off - even from his own organization.

U.S. intelligence sources believe bin Laden is hiding in the remote mountains of Pakistan, in one of the many tribal areas just across the border from Afghanistan.

CBS News has been told by military officials that they believe bin Laden has found refuge with a single family and has isolated himself from the outside world.

He rarely moves around, avoids modern communication systems that could expose him and uses human couriers to deliver his messages.

Officials believe bin laden is still seen as a mentor within the al Qaeda organization but now, one who puts forward ideas rather than issue orders.

U.S. intelligence sources say that being on the run for over two years has removed bin Laden from the day-to-day operations of al Qaeda. So capturing or killing him would make little difference to terrorist operations around the world.

I was reading this article this morning, and figured some more details would be forthcoming. Keep your fingers crossed there was some real damage inflicted on these evil cowards!

Pak troops clash with suspected al-Qaida militans

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/003200407111755.htm

Wana, July 11. (AP):Pakistani soldiers clashed today with suspected al-Qaida fighters who attacked the troops with rockets and mortars in a tribal region near Afghanistan, an official said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries in the fighting in South Waziristan, where hundreds of al-Qaida suspects are believed to be hiding, among them Arabs, Central Asians and Afghans.

Pakistani troops came under attack this morning and returned fire north of Shakai, a village near Wana, the main town in the region, said Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, the chief spokesman for the army.

Last month Pakistani security forces pounded militant hideouts in Shakai in a military operation that left about 100 militants and Pakistani soldiers dead.

Sultan said the latest fighting did not signal a new anti-terrorism offensive _ despite the militants' refusal to accept a government offer of amnesty if they agree to register with authorities and live peacefully.

Security forces and militants also clashed in the area late yesterday.

In Wana, residents said army troops fired artillery today from a base just west of the town.

"They are firing artillery toward the north. We don't know what they are hitting," said Jamshed Khan Wazir, a student.

Pakistani security forces have carried out several military operations to flush out militants from South Waziristan, a possible hiding place for Osama bin Laden and his top aide Ayman al-Zawahri.

There has been an arrest in the Quetta area and they are keeping the names of the 4 Al Qaeda members secret.

Hopefully just until Sec. Rumsfeld can notify the President. ;-)

arrests? that implies they are alive, doesn't sound like it would be the top people - but I'll take it, shall we fire up the blowtorch and let's see what they might know?

Well, if Lara Logan is a CBS correspondent in Pakistan, I hope she's FAR away from any sensitive areas or from receiving any sensitive information. They don't need a bunch of journalists screwing things up now.

Not sure if this has been posted yet (but I did a quick search/find of some names and nothing came up...within this thread).

13 Dead In Afghan Clashes, Taliban Commander Said To Be Martyred
Jul 12, 2004
By Zafir Jamaal, JUS

In different clashes in Afghanistan a total of 10 Afghan soldiers and 3 attackers have been killed and it is claimed that Taliban Commander Mulla Abdul Hai has been martyred.

According to details just in, about 40 Taliban fighters ambushed a security check point and during the retaliatory action by the security forces the senior commander was killed. The puppet security forces claim that the dead body of the said commander is under their possession. They have reported that during the attack 4 Afghan soldiers were killed and several others injured.

6 Soldiers And 3 Attackers Killed In Farah Province

During a bloody skirmish on the Afghan-Iran border between armed individuals and Afghan forces, nine people were killed and two injured. The attackers fled, leaving their dead comrades' bodies behind. According to Daily Islam, at Charang, near the village of Anar-darrah, between the Afghan province of Farah and the Iranian district of Abbas-abad, unknown individuals attacked Afghan soldiers and killed six of them. In response, three of the attackers were killed. This location is about 20 kilometres from the Iranian district of Abbasabad. It is said that the remaining attackers made good their escape leaving behind the corpses of those killed.

Coalition Soldiers And Taliban Battle In Zabol

In Zabol province, a US soldier and an Afghan soldier were injured in a clash between Afghan forces and the Taliban. On Friday, a Taliban detachment attacked an Afghan and US forces' outpost in District Meezan in Zabol province. According to Taliban sources, Afghan and US forces suffered heavy casualties while the a spokesperson for the US military claimed that there were no casualties in this attack. Specific numbers of casualties are not yet known.

Bugties Tribe Attacks Pak Rangers Killing Two

In the tribal area of Rojhan, the Bugties, a tribe in FATA, attacked Pakistani Rangers check post number nine and killed two soldiers on duty when they fired rockets at the post. Two soldiers, Muhammad Sharif and Zafar Iqbal were killed and their bodies were sent to Khushab for funeral.

American Has NOT Given Deadline To Arrest Of Mullah Omar And Osama

Pakistan has said that American has not given a deadline for the capture of Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Masood Khan, released a statement on Saturday that said that there was no truth in published reports in Pakistani and international media that Pakistan had been given a deadline to capture Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar before the US presidential elections.

He added, "it would be premature to conclude that Osama and Mullah Omar are hiding in the tribal areas of Pakistan and their hideouts are known."

He said, "the search is still on for Osama and his companions . . . Pakistan is fighting the war against terrorism out of its own national interest and Pakistan has made sacrifices in this regard . . . this issue should not be used for political advantage."

Anti-Taliban Operations In South Waziristan To Continue

Meanwhile, the military and diplomatic personnel of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US have met at the Baghram Air base, during which the present PAK-AFGHAN border situation and other important issues were discussed. As per the press release from Pentagon, the sided commission in Baghram discussed about the new security measures that would be implemented at the Pak Afghan borders and understanding reached for the coordination.

According to Jasarat, during a press conference the deputy commander of the combined task force Brigadier General Charles sauid that the US would continue work with the Pakistan and Afghan security forces in order to defeat terrorism and the mutual goals are attained. He insisted that both forces should continue to fight in their respective regions and has appreciated the success of Pakistani security forces in the Southern Waziristan region in the recent past. The next meeting of the three sides would be held again during the end of the current month.

This is a long article describing the complicated situation in the tribal area. I think that the stick and carrot method will work. http://www.pakistantimes.net/2004/07/13/top.htm

5 Killed, Dozens Hurt: Clashes in Pakistan's Tribal Belt
By Zulf Khan Afridi with Umer Sohail in Islamabad - Pakistan Times Staffers

WANA (South Waziristan): As the armed clashes between the security forces and the alleged terrorists continued in the South Waziristan agency on Monday, five more people were reported killed and dozens other injured in various areas in Pakistan's tribal belt. Those injured also included six members of the military and paramilitary forces with two of them as critically injured.

Nonetheless, the official circles claimed the things have been brought under control and peace and tranquility would soon prevail in the region.

As the helicopters and planes were seen flying over region, fresh troops of army and paramilitary forces have reportedly been dispatched to Shakai and they have taken positions at various points including nearby mountains.

Perspective

Reports reaching here from Wana speak of clashes between the paramilitary forces and the terrorists as well as those horbouring them at Shakai and Azam Warsak areas where both the parties used light and heavy ammunition against each other as the fightings gained momentum from the night between Sunday and Monday.

The government forces also used artillery against the alleged terrorists.

Inn Set Ablaze

Reports say a house near Shakai inn was set ablaze by the troublemakers on Monday morning. That house was reportedly used by some jawaans of the security forces, however no details of the casualties could be ascertained where as a pick up carrying members of the scout force was blown up by the land mine in Azam Warsak area. As the Pick up meant for transporting water to the outer posts of the security forces was destroyed completely six people on board the vehicle are reported to have received serious injuries.

They are identified as Mohammad Khan and Umar Gul from the scouts force while the Nisar, Ghulam Ghaos, Shah Wali and an unidentified victim, belonged to the Pak Army. As the condition of the two victims was stated to be critical, the injured were airlifted to Wana and then to Peshawar for treatment.

During the exchange of fires some of the shells landed at Mayamai area, a sub-tribe of the Ahmad Zai Wazirs, killing at least five people including a women and injuries to many others.

Fresh troops of the Pak Army, entered Shakai aboard 40 vehicles and took positions at different areas. It was reported that two ambulances and workers of the political administration also accompanied the troops. Meanwhile, Secretary Security Governors secretariat along with the parliamentarians and contingents of the FC reached Shakai valley on Monday.

Communiqué

An official press communiqué, issued on Monday from Governors FATA secretariat says.

Troops of Frontier Corps entered into Shakai Valley of South Waziristan Agency, on Monday, amid rousing welcome of thousands of tribesmen who had gathered to warmly receive the troops. They were carrying banners inscribed with slogans welcoming Frontier Corps in their area and denouncing terrorism. Secretary FATA Security Brig. (Retd) Mehmood Shah, Political Agent Asmatullah Gandapur, former Senator Malik Faridullah Khan, Maulana Abdul Malik MNA, tribal elders and officials of political administration were present on the occasion.

FC troops entered into the valley in the aftermath of agreement reached between the government and local tribes last week. Spekai, Khomakhe, Shodakai and Khojal Khel tribes of Ahmadzai Wazir while Miami and Malakshahi tribes of Utmanzai wazir tribe had assured government of all out support besides furnishing a guarantee worth. One crore Rupees with government. The tribes under the agreement have pledged that they will not provide sanctuary to foreigners and terrorists, protect military installations and assist government in development activities.

Elder Farid's Role

Prominent tribal leader Malik Faridullah Khan played crucial role in gathering the tribes of Shakai on a single platform and brokering the agreement. Addressing the bringing Senator Malik Farid Ullah Khan welcomed deployment of FC Troops in the area and expressed the hope that it would ensure peace and stability in the area.

He said that peaceful environment was the most important pre-requisite for the development and progress. He thanked government for giving Tehsil status to Shakai.

Malik Faridullah Khan urged all tribes to strengthen the hands of security forces for securing frontiers of the country and maintaining peace in the agency.

Matter of Satisfaction

Brigadier (R) Mehmood Shah addressing on the occasion said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that all tribes were able to gather for the cause of peace in the area. He said that government would not allow a few individuals to disturb peaceful atmosphere in the area for their ulterior motives.

He said that the government would soon initiate massive development works, which will change the socio-economic lot of the people of the area. He hoped that all tribesmen would abide by their pledge and ensure peace in the area.

Later Brig. Retd Mehmood Shah distributed foodstuff worth Rs. 0.6 million on behalf of the Governor NWFP among affectees and poor people of the area.

Operations steps up against Militants

And a report from Kabul sais Monday that the US-led military coalition hunting militants in Afghanistan Monday said Pakistani forces have stepped up their campaign against fighters in Pakistan's tribal border areas.

"We see Pakistan as aggressively pursuing terrorists in the tribal areas," US military spokesman Major Jon Siepmann told a regular news briefing in Kabul.

He cited the example of Nek Mohammad, a Taliban-linked tribal leader who was killed in a missile strike during raids in the bordering South Waziristan area on June-18.

Siepmann said the coalition force hunting militants on the Afghan side of the border was encouraged by the cooperation they were getting from their Pakistani counterparts.

Miscreants do not want peace in SWA: Sultan

Pakistan Times Federal Bureau adds: Director General Inter Services Public Relations Maj. General Shaukat Sultan has said that some miscreants in South Waziristan do not want peace in the area.

These are the few miscreants who think that peace may affect their personal interest. They are sabotaging the peace efforts in area, the ISPR DG told a British news network.

Speaks of Assaults

He said these people opened unprovoked and unjust fire on security forces on Sunday morning. The Security forces retaliated by using appropriate weapons. The exchange of fire lasted for sometime and later stopped. There is no report of casualty.

To a question he said, neither new operation is being launched nor the old operation is being stopped. "I want to make it clear that both the political process and the operation of security forces will continue," he added.

He said the foreigners are persuaded to present themselves before the government and get themselves registered adding their local facilitator should also stop supporting them and surrender to the government.

The Wanted Ones

Asked what is the number of the people wanted by government and are still at large he said, it is difficult to tell their exact number but there are some locals who are facilitating the foreigners.

There are some foreigners who change their hideouts from time to time. Their number fluctuates, he said. To another question he said the stick and carrot both are used in political process.

Elaborating he said, stick is for those who will not abide by the government laws and will have to face punitive measures which also include economic sanctions.

Whereas carrot or blessing are for those who cooperate with the government and abide by the national laws and help restore peace in the area. Development projects will be launched in their area, he added.

http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en69509&F_catID=&f_type=source

7 troops injured in Azam Warsak landmine blast

WANA - The military and paramilitary troops here have been put on high alert after seven jawans of the armed forces sustained serious injuries when a military vehicle hit a landmine near the border town of Azam Warsak on Monday. According to unconfirmed reports, three other military vehicles also hit landmines in Santoyee area, causing injuries to their occupants.

Besides, the security forces and suspected terrorists continued exchange of firing for the third day running. Sources said, a military vehicle on its way to Gara Panga near the border town of Azam Warsak hit a high intensity landmine planted on the road by the suboteurs. They said that seven jawans of the forces were wounded. Condition of the three wounded is stated to be critical. The vehicle was also badly damaged by the mine explosion.

Soon after the tragic incident, high-ranking military officers and jawans rushed to the site and shifted the victims to hospitals in Wana, the headquarter of South Waziristan Agency. Some of the seriously injured have been airlifted to Peshawar from Wana by helicopters and admitted to the military hospitals.

Explosions were also reported in Santoyee where three vehicles were hit by landmines, and also at Bagh Nari and Zarana areas where one military vehicle each was hit by landmines. However, there was no official confirmation of such reports. A number of tribesmen from the affected villages have claimed witnessing the landmines damaged vehicles.

After these explosions, first of its kind in South Waziristan Agency, the military and paramilitary troops stationed in Wana and its surrounding areas have been put on high alert. The forces were also directed to clear all the roads and routes keeping in view the growing landmine incidents.

On the other hand, the landmine attacks are likely to add to the problems of already beleaguered and affected tribesmen as, according to their territorial responsibilities, they are bound to produce the culprits.

Meanwhile, the military troops and suspected militants hiding in mountains of Shakai Valley, Miami, Mantoyee and Santoyee continued exchange of firing on the third consecutive day on Monday. The militants overnight Monday attacked the military troops camping in different parts of Shakai valley with modern weapons, sources said. The troops also retaliated and shelled the suspected hideouts with artillery. The shelling of the suspected hideouts and firing exchange between the two sides continued till the afternoon. Though exact number of casualties in the clashes could not be ascertained, unconfirmed reports claim that so far 10 people have been killed and over a dozen injured during the last three days. Most of the victims are said to be tribesmen.

Tribesmen leave for safer place amid intense firing

Awar Din Mehsud adds from Jandola: A large number of tribesmen from Santoyee and Mantoyee, fearing threat to their lives as a result of exchange of firing between the security forces and suspected terrorists, are leaving their homes and moving towards other cities and town of the area. During the last three days a large number of artillery shells reportedly hit the populated areas. The mortars and rockets fired by the militants from their suspected hideouts in the mountains also landed in the affected villages. Witnesses said dozens of shells, mortars and bullets of sophisticated weapons hit the civilian houses and other properties at Khamrang, Santoyee and Mantoyee villages. The Santoyee village is dominated by Ahmadzai Wazir tribesmen while Mantoyee is dominated by Mehsud tribesmen. However, tribesmen from both the sides weredisturbed by the frequent exchange of firing and now they have started leaving their homes. So far 10 civilians in the area were reported to be have sustained bullet wounds.

A large number of tribesmen from Santoyee, Mantoyee and Khamrang Monday left for other places by foot as there was no transportation system available after the imposition of economic sunctions. Women and children were seen walking towards other nearby towns like Razmak and Jandola for getting vehicles for their destinations. The Mehsud tribesmen are going towards Makeen and Jandola tehsils while the Ahmadzai Wazir tribesmen are struggling to reach Tank, Dera Ismael Khan and Bannu cities.

The initial erroneous reports seem to be settling down towards two main engagements, one near Azam Warsak, SW of Kaloosha, and one in the northwestern highlands of the Shakai Valley, specifically around Mantoi and Santoi. Mantoyee and Mantoi are one and the same, as are Sangtoi, Santoi, and Santoyee.

All are marked, along with several other villages of possible interest, in a new map at:

http://host1.in-motion.net/~jefft/tech/Mapping/afghanistan/index.html

Scroll down to the third line, looking for "Mantoi 6/13/2004"

I have adjusted the layout of the page somewhat to resolve some alignment issues noted at lower resolutions, and the page has been tested for monitors set at 800x600, 1024x768, and 1280x1024. The maps are optimized for 1280x1024 resolution, those using lower resolutions may find that image browsing software with zoom and pan capabilities increases the utility of the maps.

Regarding the operations themselves, it appears that the enemy intention is to hold foothill villages guarding the main ridgelines in the area. Note that both Mantoi and Sangtoi are located in terrain chokepoints and both guard numerous approaches to high passes with ridgeline access.

As the helicopters and planes were seen flying over region, fresh troops of army and paramilitary forces have reportedly been dispatched to Shakai and they have taken positions at various points including nearby mountains.

Didn't you say something about the ridgelines earlier?

I have one question about the Mantoi map.....how close is the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in that map?

This is from India:

http://www.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=42901&cat=Asia

Osama not in Pak tribal areas: ISPR
Lahore | July 13, 2004 2:52:16 PM IST

Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is not in the tribal areas of Pakistan as has been rumored, claimed the Director of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Brigadier Shah Jahan Ali Khan.

Talking to journalists at a dinner hosted by the ISPR in Multan, Brigadier Khan was quoted by the Daily Times as saying that, "We are unaware about the location of Bin Laden or the Taliban leaders. The speculation that they are hiding in the tribal areas is baseless."

He also said that the Pakistan Army's search operation in WANA would continue till all the foreign elements had been flushed out.

The director said that the Army was taking precautions to avoid damage to civilians.

Which means he is in the tribal area.