Govt prepares Karachi operation blueprint

[Irfan Baloch]

NFP writes
Sudden awakenings - DAWN.COM

I am convinced that an experienced man like Nawaz Sharif is more than likely to finally come to terms with what he seems to have been suddenly made to realise.

His government should wipe away that dropped-jaw look, roll up its sleeves and get down to first fully understand the complexities of extremist violence in this country and then actually do something about it — instead of continuing to air the flowery baloney (both PML-N and PTI) have been feeding an unsuspecting but terror-struck populace.

 

[Edevelop]

PM expected to approve joint grand targeted operation in Karachi



KARACHI: Sources at the Prime MInister's secratariat said that Premier Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif woud give approval of a joint grand targeted operation during Tuesday's meeting of the federal cabinet to be held in Karachi to finally decide regarding steps for peace in the port city.

The joint operation would include personnel of Rangers, FC and Sindh Police, the sources added.

Morover Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to assure the Sindh government of the support and assistance of the federal government and of proivision of all resoures for the restoration of Karachi's law and order situation.

Sources further said that Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had provided Sharif with a complete briefing over the situation in Karachi, which includes reports of Sindh Police, Rangers and intelligence agencies, and that the prime minister is expected to issue direct instructions for indiscrimninate action to be taken over the issue.

A top-offcial of the Sindh Police, requesting not to be named, said that the prime minister would be briefed about the Sindh Police's position to tackle the situation in the metropollis city.

The briefing would include information regarding the last month's acquisition of GSM caller locator system by the police departmen, six years after recquisitioning it.

GSM caller locator allows police investigators to spot the exact location from where a mobile phone call is being made.

Sindh police are already in possession of CDR and RBS sytems which enable police to access to information over calls and messages over mobile phone services and to precise pinpointing of an already detected mobile device.

Prior to the acquisition, police had heavily depended on the intelligence agencies when they needed to locate cellphone calls.

Moreover the prime minister would also be informed about the shortage of vehicles (particularly Armored Personnel Carriers), weapons and ammunitions faced by Sindh police with regards to restoring peace in Karachi.

The Sindh police is also expected to seek training of its personnel by the armed forces.

Similarly Director General of Sindh Rangers will also present report and briefing over unrest in Karachi and the different zones affected by it.

Rangers sources said that according to the report, Karachi was divided into three categories: normal, troubled and sensitive.

Normal areas comprise of 14 per cent of Karachi's total area and includes PECHS block 2, Malir Cantt, Defence, Clifton and other areas.

Troubled areas comprise of 54 per cent area and included Lyari and other old city areas, Katti Pahari, Liaqatabad market, and other areas in the city's centre.

The remaining 32 per cent comprised of sensitive areas.

The report by DG Rangers would also contain data regarding extortion cases in the city. The data would include number of incidents and those found responsible for the extorition cases.

Earlier, during the hearing the over the Karachi law and order suo motu implementation case at the apex court’s Karachi registry on Friday a five-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan led by Chief Justice iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had assailed the Sindh government and Sindh Police for not realising their responsibilities.


PM expected to approve joint grand targeted operation in Karachi - DAWN.COM

 

[Edevelop]

Karachi peace plan ‘almost ready’

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI - The federal government has said that its plan for Karachi peace was almost ready as MQM reiterated its demand for army deployment in the restive port city.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ahmed has already made it clear that army would not be called in and they would go for a Sindh government-led operation in the troubled city instead.
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed told the media in Islamabad on Saturday that they have worked out a strategy and made arrangements for restoration of peace in the metropolis. He said that federal cabinet would meet in Karachi on Tuesday to finalise the security plan but political parties would be taken into confidence before the final decision and its implementation.
The minister said that Sindh chief minister, governor, law minister and representatives of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) would participate in the federal cabinet meeting. He said the chief minister will supervise the operation against criminals in the mega city while federal law enforcement agencies would assist in the action.
Rasheed said the operation would be conducted without any political, cultural or some other sort of discrimination. Those found guilty would not be spared at all, however influential they may be or whichever segment they belonged to, he warned. To a question, he said the government would explore all options and utilise all resources against the criminals and gangsters to restore peace in the port city.
On the other hand Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar defended his party’s demand for deployment of the army. Talking to media persons in Karachi on Saturday, he asked that if the Rangers could be called to protect Karachi, why the army could not be called.
He said that Rangers had been in the city to provide protection for 22 years but the situation has worsened over time. “I am not saying that the Rangers are partial, but certain expediencies don not let them do their job.”
Sattar said it was dreadful that when the dispersed people of Katchi community return home they are welcomed with bombs, bullets and rockets. He said that under these conditions when the citizens aare on the mercy of terrorists, only army could control the situation and provide protection to the people. He said they would take any decision about attending the special session of the federal cabinet on September 3 after consultation.

Karachi peace plan

 

[batmannow]

Karachi peace plan ‘almost ready’

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI - The federal government has said that its plan for Karachi peace was almost ready as MQM reiterated its demand for army deployment in the restive port city.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ahmed has already made it clear that army would not be called in and they would go for a Sindh government-led operation in the troubled city instead.
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed told the media in Islamabad on Saturday that they have worked out a strategy and made arrangements for restoration of peace in the metropolis. He said that federal cabinet would meet in Karachi on Tuesday to finalise the security plan but political parties would be taken into confidence before the final decision and its implementation.
The minister said that Sindh chief minister, governor, law minister and representatives of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) would participate in the federal cabinet meeting. He said the chief minister will supervise the operation against criminals in the mega city while federal law enforcement agencies would assist in the action.
Rasheed said the operation would be conducted without any political, cultural or some other sort of discrimination. Those found guilty would not be spared at all, however influential they may be or whichever segment they belonged to, he warned. To a question, he said the government would explore all options and utilise all resources against the criminals and gangsters to restore peace in the port city.
On the other hand Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar defended his party’s demand for deployment of the army. Talking to media persons in Karachi on Saturday, he asked that if the Rangers could be called to protect Karachi, why the army could not be called.
He said that Rangers had been in the city to provide protection for 22 years but the situation has worsened over time. “I am not saying that the Rangers are partial, but certain expediencies don not let them do their job.”
Sattar said it was dreadful that when the dispersed people of Katchi community return home they are welcomed with bombs, bullets and rockets. He said that under these conditions when the citizens aare on the mercy of terrorists, only army could control the situation and provide protection to the people. He said they would take any decision about attending the special session of the federal cabinet on September 3 after consultation.

Karachi peace plan

sindh & fedrl govts, are not worthy to install any operation in karachi, with out army,s help!
& if, IB, police, rangers begain something that they cant end after, thn karachi will going to become, the flash point?
well all Noora govt, is trying its best to put PAKARMY in big stress by creating more areas to fall independent like fata or KPK where terrorists are rulling now , here karachi is bieng tried to made a prime example?
but all that will lead, to something beyond, NOORA control!

 

[Sedqal]

sindh & fedrl govts, are not worthy to install any operation in karachi, with out army,s help!
& if, IB, police, rangers begain something that they cant end after, thn karachi will going to become, the flash point?
well all Noora govt, is trying its best to put PAKARMY in big stress by creating more areas to fall independent like fata or KPK where terrorists are rulling now , here karachi is bieng tried to made a prime example?
but all that will lead, to something beyond, NOORA control!

MQM is not calling the shots here, they have not even tried to get PPP (the ruling party of Sindh) on board and they want PMLN to start an army operation in Sindh. MQM was a signatory to 18th amendment which was primarily about provincial autonomy. Wake up provinces are autonomous now and PMLN can not ignore Sindh government or other stake holders like ANP and PTI. Plus they have taken a good step, if police and rangers fail PPP won't be able to criticize army deployment.

 

[W.11]

We should all be thankful to Ziaul Haq, who in an effort to undermine Karachi's political importance, used a New York taxi driver and created MQM. I cannot forget the time when a strike was called in Karachi for political reasons and all the way till Kyber it would be exercised.

Today people are being massacred in Karachi and not more then statements can be seen from politicians from other provinces.

choti zehniyat ke aise logon se aap kya deep thinking imagine ker sakte ho

chote log choti choti batain

 

[Panther 57]

The Sindh police is also expected to seek training of its personnel by the armed forces.

Training of present police force will not bring any change. Difference can come in by changing the police itself; because police is part of the problem. One day I was robbed at gun point, right in front of my residence. Normally a police mobile used to stand closer to it, but on that day there was none. As soon as robbers released me, I got hold of a phone and called 15. It took me hardly one minute to report the incident. Police arrived after 45 mins. Before I could give the details of incident, the police officer told me what type of car it was and appearance of criminals. He was more interested in value of the mobile which was snatched.

Same thing happened in similar incident, police officials did not write amount of money taken and model of mobile phone. Yes they were very interested in knowing the value of mobile and amount snatched. In that incident also description of criminal was prompted to me by police itself.

It clearly indicates that police is part and parcel of the crime. It needs to be revamped overnight. It is difficult but not impossible, but at least this political government cannot take such action. All claims and promises are eye wash.

 

[batmannow]

MQM is not calling the shots here, they have not even tried to get PPP (the ruling party of Sindh) on board and they want PMLN to start an army operation in Sindh. MQM was a signatory to 18th amendment which was primarily about provincial autonomy. Wake up provinces are autonomous now and PMLN can not ignore Sindh government or other stake holders like ANP and PTI. Plus they have taken a good step, if police and rangers fail PPP won't be able to criticize army deployment.

this whole drama, will never end, with that dam 18th amedment thing, PTI or ANP are just too short in karachi?
but PMLn could, cut a political deal with MQM anytime they want or be willing ?
but they arent till, now everyone is just too bzy trying thier own thing with karachi, but karachi is still standing alone, un helped by anyone?

 

[Edevelop]

Nisar says Karachi ‘operation’ to start in two days

KARACHI: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced Wednesday that the paramilitary Rangers force would start a targeted operation against criminal gangs and terrorists in Karachi in the next “one to two days”.

A committee led by the provincial chief minister would “manage, administer and control” the operation, he said, however he emphasised on calling it a targeted action or "exercise" rather than an operation.

The interior minister, flanked by Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, was speaking to media representatives following a special session of the federal cabinet in Karachi chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to formulate a strategy to restore peace in the provincial capital.

Earlier during the cabinet session, the prime minister had also stressed on calling it a “concerted campaign” against lawlessness and terrorism in the city rather than an operation.

Sharif expressed concern at the deteriorating law and order situation, although he ruled out a possibility of deploying military troops in the metropolis.

The Sindh police came under intense criticism during the session for the ‘political recruitments’ in its ranks. The prime minister said that the common man had lost faith in the police force.

Announcing the details of the plan, Nisar told reporters that targeted action would be taken against criminals involved in the “four heinous crimes of target-killing, kidnapping, extortion and terrorism”. Rangers would lead the operation while police and the federal and provincial intelligence agencies would support them. He said.

He said the prime minister had held detailed meetings with top government officials and heads of law enforcement authorities, and it was decided at the cabinet meeting that the Rangers force would be given special prosecution powers to aid them in acting against miscreants.

A second committee would be formed comprising of federal minister Zahid Hamid, Farogh Naseem of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and the prosecutor general to look at the legal aspect. Nisar said the committee would propose legal recommendations for the law of evidence and other provisions to give grant investigation and prosecution powers to the paramilitary force in Karachi. “We have spoken to Rangers officials and have been informed of deficiencies in the system. Measures would soon be taken to fill these gaps,” he said.

Nisar said at least one police station in every district of the city would be assigned as a focal police station where Rangers would be made part of investigations into the ‘four heinous crimes.

A smaller operational committee, headed by DG Rangers Sindh Maj-Gen Rizwan Akhtar and comprising the Inspector General of Sindh Police and representatives of intelligence agencies, would meet almost daily to monitor the operational activities. The interior minister said the first meeting of the committee would be called as soon as he returns to Islamabad.

The interior minister said orders had been issued to revamp the provincial police force which has come under intense criticism for poor performance. “We have ordered and authorised the IGP to revamp the police… and not only identify weaknesses but also elements in its ranks which are in cahoots with terrorists and criminals. These individuals should not only be terminated from duty but also arrested,” he said.

An “outer monitoring committee” comprising of members of the civil society and the media will also be formed to monitor the overall operation. “Members of this committee will be honest members of the civil society and notable representatives of the media who will identify if any wrongful arrests are made,” said Nisar.

The interior minister also pointed out the existence of 4 million unregistered mobile phone SIMs which he said aided terrorists and criminals in carrying out their activities. He said cellular companies would be forced to follow clear cut guidelines to ensure the sale of SIMs without proper registration.

Nisar says Karachi ?operation? to start in two days - DAWN.COM

 

[SBD-3]

 

[SBD-3]

 

[Edevelop]

Karachi braces for surgical clean-up

KARACHI: Even as officials pored over plans to dismantle criminal outfits in Karachi and review their swelling list of wanted men, the federal government on Wednesday placed the paramilitary Rangers at the helm of a proposed targeted operation after much deliberation.

Rangers and police personnel have begun preparing for the operation which will get under way in two days.

Given the time taken to authorise the operation, questions have been raised about those being targeted in the operation and whether they will continue to stay at their hideouts till the law enforcers come for them.

Most of the criminal outfits are believed to have gone underground or managed to wind up their operations temporarily. Moreover, they also may have dumped their weapons and other armaments before the law-enforcement agencies could have even started their clean-up campaign.

“Most of our operatives have already left the city,” said a member of a banned outfit while talking to The Express Tribune. “But they will come back and give the answer if they (law enforcers) do wrong to our men and innocent people. It is not that we have all run away. We will fight them with all our force if it comes down to it.”

Police feel sidelined

The decisions made in the federal cabinet will certainly have repercussions as the Rangers have been given a free hand to conduct the law-enforcement activities. The police department has expressed its concerns over being sidelined in the operation.

The decision has reportedly created a rift among top officials of the departments as both, the Rangers and the police, feel it is their right to conduct the operation. “We have been degraded by the authorities. The police personnel’s morale has definitely sunk because of this decision,” a senior official at the police department said on the condition of anonymity

“We will have to be very careful when conducting the operation. If the Rangers personnel, or even the police, take biased steps towards one political party or another, it will set off a chain reaction where all political forces will stand up against us and the operation will end even before it commences,” said DIG Tahir Naveed. “Besides the militant wings of political parties, our biggest threat will be from terrorists. We might even have to face the eventuality of bomb attacks in retaliation,” he added.

Moreover, Rangers have also prepared to conduct the operation. “Rangers have conducted several operations and raids in the past against criminal elements in the metropolis. This time, the law enforcers will again achieve their targets and goals,” said the Rangers spokesperson while talking to The Express Tribune.

The affected areas

Karachi is faced by multi-dimensional issues: sectarian, political, ethnic, land-grabbing, kidnappings and extortion, as well as the activities of the Taliban and other banned outfits who have managed to effectively capture areas that are ‘no-go’ areas for law enforcers and outsiders.

Most of the affected areas are in the South and West districts, which include Lyari and its adjoining localities, including Kharadar, Mithadar, Garden, Ramswami, Saddar, Ranchore Lines, Aram Bagh, Eidgah, Risala, Napier, Maripur, Docks, Baldia Town, Ittehad Town, Mawach Goth as well as Malir, Dalmia, Shanti Nagar, where most of the extortion cases are reported.

There are ‘no-go areas’ with dominating Taliban elements. These areas include Manghopir, Pirabad, Kunwari Colony, Pakhtunabad, Sultanabad, Rasheedabad, New Muzaffarabad Colony, Old Muzaffarabad Colony, Sharafi Goth, Shah Latif, Quaidabad, Sherpao Colony, Shirin Jinnah Colony, Keamari, Quaidabad that fall in West and East districts. Here, kidnapping for ransom and extortion are rampant.

It is these areas that pose an immediate threat to the writ of the government as they are inaccessible to the law enforcers and the general public.

The operation is expected in the next two days, but the land mass of these troubled areas is so expansive that maintaining law and order through this targeted action seems like an insurmountable feat.

1992

Operation Cleanup launched. Army ‘concludes’ operation in Nov

1993

In December, Defence Minister Aftab Mirani maintained that operation in Sindh “will continue”. Renamed Operation Blue Fox

1994

PM Benazir Bhutto, Interior Minister Naseerullah Babar and COAS General Waheed Kakar decided to carry out Rangers-led operation, backed by army

1995-99

Counterinsurgency operations continued despite changes in government

Karachi braces for surgical clean-up – The Express Tribune

 

[batmannow]

Karachi braces for surgical clean-up

KARACHI: Even as officials pored over plans to dismantle criminal outfits in Karachi and review their swelling list of wanted men, the federal government on Wednesday placed the paramilitary Rangers at the helm of a proposed targeted operation after much deliberation.

Rangers and police personnel have begun preparing for the operation which will get under way in two days.

Given the time taken to authorise the operation, questions have been raised about those being targeted in the operation and whether they will continue to stay at their hideouts till the law enforcers come for them.

Most of the criminal outfits are believed to have gone underground or managed to wind up their operations temporarily. Moreover, they also may have dumped their weapons and other armaments before the law-enforcement agencies could have even started their clean-up campaign.

“Most of our operatives have already left the city,” said a member of a banned outfit while talking to The Express Tribune. “But they will come back and give the answer if they (law enforcers) do wrong to our men and innocent people. It is not that we have all run away. We will fight them with all our force if it comes down to it.”

Police feel sidelined

The decisions made in the federal cabinet will certainly have repercussions as the Rangers have been given a free hand to conduct the law-enforcement activities. The police department has expressed its concerns over being sidelined in the operation.

The decision has reportedly created a rift among top officials of the departments as both, the Rangers and the police, feel it is their right to conduct the operation. “We have been degraded by the authorities. The police personnel’s morale has definitely sunk because of this decision,” a senior official at the police department said on the condition of anonymity

“We will have to be very careful when conducting the operation. If the Rangers personnel, or even the police, take biased steps towards one political party or another, it will set off a chain reaction where all political forces will stand up against us and the operation will end even before it commences,” said DIG Tahir Naveed. “Besides the militant wings of political parties, our biggest threat will be from terrorists. We might even have to face the eventuality of bomb attacks in retaliation,” he added.

Moreover, Rangers have also prepared to conduct the operation. “Rangers have conducted several operations and raids in the past against criminal elements in the metropolis. This time, the law enforcers will again achieve their targets and goals,” said the Rangers spokesperson while talking to The Express Tribune.

The affected areas

Karachi is faced by multi-dimensional issues: sectarian, political, ethnic, land-grabbing, kidnappings and extortion, as well as the activities of the Taliban and other banned outfits who have managed to effectively capture areas that are ‘no-go’ areas for law enforcers and outsiders.

Most of the affected areas are in the South and West districts, which include Lyari and its adjoining localities, including Kharadar, Mithadar, Garden, Ramswami, Saddar, Ranchore Lines, Aram Bagh, Eidgah, Risala, Napier, Maripur, Docks, Baldia Town, Ittehad Town, Mawach Goth as well as Malir, Dalmia, Shanti Nagar, where most of the extortion cases are reported.

There are ‘no-go areas’ with dominating Taliban elements. These areas include Manghopir, Pirabad, Kunwari Colony, Pakhtunabad, Sultanabad, Rasheedabad, New Muzaffarabad Colony, Old Muzaffarabad Colony, Sharafi Goth, Shah Latif, Quaidabad, Sherpao Colony, Shirin Jinnah Colony, Keamari, Quaidabad that fall in West and East districts. Here, kidnapping for ransom and extortion are rampant.

It is these areas that pose an immediate threat to the writ of the government as they are inaccessible to the law enforcers and the general public.

The operation is expected in the next two days, but the land mass of these troubled areas is so expansive that maintaining law and order through this targeted action seems like an insurmountable feat.

1992

Operation Cleanup launched. Army ‘concludes’ operation in Nov

1993

In December, Defence Minister Aftab Mirani maintained that operation in Sindh “will continue”. Renamed Operation Blue Fox

1994

PM Benazir Bhutto, Interior Minister Naseerullah Babar and COAS General Waheed Kakar decided to carry out Rangers-led operation, backed by army

1995-99

Counterinsurgency operations continued despite changes in government

Karachi braces for surgical clean-up – The Express Tribune

all of the mentioned opreations ended up, in the govts removal?
history repeating itself?

 

[Zarvan]

all of the mentioned opreations ended up, in the govts removal?
history repeating itself?

Karachi needs to be cleaned and it can't be cleaned up until and unless main problem that is MQM is completely cleaned up

 

[Edevelop]

And it begins...


Militants, police clash in Karachi’s Mauripur; three killed


KARACHI: Three suspected militants were killed on Thursday during an exchange of fire with personnel from the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in Karachi’s Mauripur area, DawnNews reported.

According to SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam, police launched a search operation in the Mauripur graveyard upon receiving a tip-off on the suspects’ whereabouts, following which the suspected men opened fire.

As a result, three suspects were killed in the clash with police personnel.

According to Aslam, the deceased men belonged to banned militant organisation Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Rangers personnel carried out targeted operations in several parts of Karachi overnight as the federal government approved action against lawlessness and terrorism in Sindh’s provincial capital.

The entry and exit points of Karachi’s Sharafi Goth and Paposh Nagar areas were sealed and various suspects were taken into custody. Moreover, houses in the said localities were also raided.

Earlier, Director General Sindh Rangers Rizwan Akhtar took a round of various areas of Karachi. He also visited the command and control centre in order to assess the situation.

Militants, police clash in Karachi?s Mauripur; three killed - DAWN.COM