Map shows Pakistan Taleban spread

[Zob]

A map produced by the BBC suggests only 38% of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and surrounding areas is under full government control.

The map, compiled by the BBC's Urdu language service, was based on local research and correspondent reports as well as conversations with officials.

It shows the Taleban strengthening their hold across the north-west.

Pakistan is currently engaged in a military offensive aimed at regaining part of the region from the Taleban.

There was an international outcry recently when the militants moved into Buner district, just 100km (67 miles) from Islamabad.

Lawlessness

The report the map was based on covered the 24 districts of NWFP and the seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).


The map illustrates the spreading strength of the Taleban in Pakistan's north-west, something both army and government officials have vowed to combat

BBC correspondent Barbara Plett


Pakistan conflict map
The researchers analysed reports from BBC Urdu correspondents over the past 18 months, backed up by conversations with local officials, police officers and journalists.

They concluded that in 24% of the region, the civilian government no longer had authority and Taleban commanders had taken over administrative controls.

Either the Taleban were in complete control or the military were engaged in operations to flush them out.

Another 38% of the region was deemed to have a permanent Taleban presence, meaning militants had established rural bases which were restricting local government activities and seriously compromising local administration.

In those areas - three districts in FATA and 11 in NWFP - the Taleban had repeatedly shown their capability to strike at will, says the report.

Militants had made their presence felt by carrying out periodic attacks on girls' schools, music shops, police stations and government buildings.

The map gives a snapshot of the current situation. However continuing fighting between Pakistani troops and the Taleban means the situation on the ground could change in the future.

Thousands flee

The region is notorious for its lack of law and order, so the researchers applied a series of rules to differentiate Taleban activity from general lawlessness.

The incidents had to be of a recurring nature, there had to be an official recognition of Taleban presence, Taleban militants must have appointed local "commanders" and religious schools sympathetic to the militants must be operating in the area.

Pakistan has been stepping up its campaign against the Taleban in the north-west.

Tens of thousands of people have fled from the region to escape the fighting.

The research also indicates areas to which researchers believe Taleban-style militancy might further spread inside Pakistan.

The report found that, based on current perceptions of religiously motivated violence, there were strong indications that in 47% of Punjab Province there was a high likelihood of an increase in Taleban militancy in the near future.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that while the research indicates the strength of the Taleban in the region, the various factions and groups are only loosely co-ordinated.

Observers have warned against overstating the existence of one unified insurgency against the state, says our correspondent.


BBC NEWS | South Asia | Map shows Pakistan Taleban spread

 

[Zob]

How do they justify such audacious claims!!!!!

 

[Bill Longley]

yar i dont know why some media out lets and journalists try to present situation as horrible

for example all media outlets and websites present mohmand and Kurrum under talib control where as 70 to 80 % mohmand is under total govt writ and so is kurram

similarly bannu and lakki areas are not under talibs ,only FR areas have taliban influence

for Gods sake dont trust these idiots because one objective which they achieve is that we start questioning our own troops.

 

[JK!]

This link is to the actual map with explanations for each area:

BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Pakistan conflict map

 

[SparklingCrescent]

my friend.. dont believe this ****... here check this link out.. it will explain the whole lie..

Zardari rejects report

 

[AchtungSpitfire]

Not much different from the LWJ assessment I posted weeks ago despite the obvious sugar coating.

 

[RescueRanger]

(scoffs)... There is no real information on this map, and this type of risk mapping is very irresponsible on behalf of the BBC, read the rather poor explanation for how the map was created:

Evidence of Taleban control or significant presence in the region was established by studying BBC Urdu news reports over the last 18 months. This information was then verified with officials and contacts on the ground.

BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | How this map was put together

And if i am not mistaken, most of the threat map is highlighted as "Taliban Presence" rather then "Taliban Control", what the heck does that mean? Absolutley nothing!

To quote the BBC:

These areas comprise districts and tribal agencies where the Taleban has established a permanent presence. In most cases, Taleban fighters have set up bases in rural areas, restricting government officials to limited areas in or around the district or tribal headquarters.
In most of these areas, the Taleban has made its presence felt by periodically carrying out attacks on music shops, girls schools, government buildings, including police stations, and suicide bomb attacks. Local government administration remains in these areas but its effectiveness is seriously compromised.
In many of these areas, the Taleban is known to have administered justice by enforcing settlements of disputes between locals. In all such areas, the Taleban have repeatedly demonstrated their capability to strike at will.

So according to the above quote and the "MAP", Taliban have restricted government activities in DI KHAN PESHAWAR, BANNU, LAKKI MARWAT, KOHAT, MARDAN, SWABI, KHYBER and KHURRAM Agency...

What nonsense, we all know that DI Khan, Lakki Marwat, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Swabi, and areas including Khyber and Khurram agency continue to remain under tight government control.

The political agents for these areas are still in location and LEA function normally with areas such as Peshawar, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Kohat, Bannu, Mardan etc...

How can i say this? Well i was only just recently visiting my cousin in Mardan (Fazel-E-Haq College), DI Khan is more punjabi then Norther Areas and the Niazi's, Malik's, Maghdhoum's of Mianwali and Bhakkar will never let militancy gain hold in that area which is a major source of trade for Mianwali/Bhakar farmers and agriculturists.

Peshawar houses one of the largest garrisons outside Rawalpindi, and despite the odd IED or attack on Shia's the city is still "well under government control", i can still see CD shops and Barbers operating at will...

All in all, this map is just nonsensical hype... Nothing more and should be cast aside like a soiled handkerchief.

 

[roadrunner]

Not much different from the LWJ assessment I posted weeks ago despite the obvious sugar coating.

You're posts are pretty good Achtung, and I've not noticed much bias in them so far, unlike S-2. But for Talibanization to seep through the more affluent areas of Pakistan and the more educated areas is virtually impossible. The ideology just doesn't fit in those areas. This eliminates many of the urban centres of Punjab and Sindh. These are the most populated regions of Pakistan. There also needs to be a radical shift in the mindset of the people, since religious parties are not popular outside of the NWFP, and the only reason that they are popular in the NWFP, or have been, is because the people there do have long standing ties to the people in the East of Afghanistan, who see themselves as under occupation currently. All the maps in the world won't make Talibanization a reality in Pakistan. Somehow getting rid of it from Afghanistan will be the goal, but it won't be through a warfare scenario.