Operation Rah-e-Nijat (South Waziristan)

[air marshal]

N. Waziristan operation not at US behest: FO
Friday, 21 May, 2010

By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday the armed forces would launch an operation in North Waziristan in keeping with the country’s plans and priorities, and not at the behest of Washington.

“As far as North Waziristan is concerned, that will be our sovereign decision as to when and how to proceed,” FO spokesman Mr Abdul Basit said at his weekly briefing.

He was commenting on media reports that Pakistan had agreed, in principle, to launch a fully-fledged military operation against the Taliban in North Waziristan at a time of its choosing during a meeting on Wednesday of the country’s political and military leadership with US National Security Adviser Gen James Jones and CIA chief Leon Panetta.

The US is reported to have ratcheted up pressure on Pakistan to act decisively against militant sanctuaries in North Waziristan after confronting the country’s leadership with incontrovertible evidence that Faisal Shahzad, the accused in the botched Times Square bombing, had received training there.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | N. Waziristan operation not at US behest: FO

 

[air marshal]

US not pushing Pakistan to launch offensive
Friday, 21 May, 2010

By Anwar Iqbal

WASHINGTON: Two senior US officials – Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen – said on Thursday that the United States was not pushing Pakistan to launch a military offensive in North Waziristan.

At a briefing at the Pentagon, both Mr Gates and Mr Mullen indicated that this week’s talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and visiting US National Security Advisor James Jones and CIA chief Leon Panetta in Islamabad focussed on the overall strategy for combating terrorism and not any particular operation.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani also attended that meeting.

“The main theme of these talks was … how we can intensify our cooperation in dealing with this mutual threat that we face,” said Mr Gates.

“My impression has been that there has been close cooperation since the (Times Square) bomber was arrested. So I think it’s more about that than any qualitative change.”

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen said he had discussed the North Waziristan operation with Gen Kayani “well over a year ago” who had indicated that he planned to execute the mission.

“But very specifically, the timeline’s really up to him. And it goes back to what I understand and believe, that he’s stretched,” the admiral said.

“He’s got two fronts. He’s got a military that’s lost a lot of soldiers, sacrificed a great deal, and so that it makes a lot of sense to me that he does get to pick this timeline.”

The US military chief explained that the North Waziristan operation was “not a one-of kind of thing, it’s really part of an overall campaign plan”.

Admiral Mullen said he trusted the Pakistani army chief because “when I have dealt with him in the past, what he has said he would do in the future, he’s always done”.

Secretary Gates noted that Pakistan already had seven divisions – about 140,000 troops – in that area, and “it’s a huge effort that Pakistan is making”.

The US defence chief said the unravelling of the links between Faisal Shahzad and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan indicated that they were not only trying to overthrow the government in Islamabad, but were also launching attacks on the US.

Secretary Gates noted that when the Pakistani Taliban approached Islamabad a year-and-a-half ago the Pakistanis realised that this group was an existential danger for the government of Pakistan itself.

“We now have a mutual interest in trying to stop this group, stop it from carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, stop it from carrying out attacks outside of Pakistan, and especially in the United States,” he concluded.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | US not pushing Pakistan to launch offensive

 

[air marshal]

Pentagon says it makes sense Pakistan should decide timeline of North Waziristan operation

WASHINGTON, May 21 (APP): The United States on Thursday praised Pakistan’s “huge” effort against militancy, with a top Pentagon leader saying that it is up to the South Asian country’s to decide the timing for military offensive against militant hideouts in North Waziristan. The Pentagon chiefs - Defense Secretary Robert Gates and chairman Joint Chiefs Staff Admiral Mullen - acknowledged Pakistan’s massive actions to root out militants from its tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.

“I think, seven divisions and 140,000 troops in that area. So it is huge effort that Pakistan is making,” Gates told a press briefing. His comments follow visit by US National Security Advisor James Jones and CIA Director Leon Paenotta to Islamabad this week.

Mullen, appearing jointly with the Secretary, said Pakistani army indicated a year ago that there are plans to execute that mission in North Waziristan as part of the overall anti-militancy effort. In view of the already underway efforts, he noted, it makes sense that Pakistan army decides the schedule of the action in North Waziristan.

“But very specifically, you know, the timelines are really up to him (Pakistan army chief Gen Kayani),” he said in response to a question.

Asked to comment as to what Washington expects from Pakistan in the light of US National Security Advisor and CIA Chief’s joint visit to the country this week, Gates noted close US-Pakistani cooperation in the wake of Times Square failed bombing attempt and felt the talks focused on intensifying the existing cooperation.

“What we have seen here is yet another new phenomenon, and that is the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan not only trying to overthrow the government in Islamabad, but also launch attacks against outside of Pakistan and, in this case, against us, “ the Secretary of Defense replied.

“We now have a mutual interest in trying to stop this group, stop it from carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, stop it from carrying out attacks outside of Pakistan, and especially in the United States,” he remarked.

“And so I suspect that the main theme of these talks was that were held was, how can we intensify our cooperation in dealing with this mutual threat that we face? My impression has been that there has been close cooperation since the (Times Square) bomber (a Pakistani-American) was arrested. So I think it’s more about that than any qualitative change,” Gates added.

In his remarks, Mullen expressed understanding of Pakistani point of view that its military is currently stretched.

“Well, as far as this visit that General Jones and Director Panetta took, I think , I really need to refer you to them. And the fact is, I haven’t spoken with either of them since they returned,” he responded to a question.

“I understand and believe, that, you know, he’s stretched.

He (Gen Kayani)’s got two fronts. He’s got a military that’s lost a lot of soldiers, sacrificed a great deal. And so that it makes a lot of sense to me, you know, that he does get to pick this timeline,” Mullen stated.

“They’re struggling in the build phase in Swat, behind the security that he’s established there. So this is not a one-of kind of thing.

It’s really part of an overall campaign plan.” the admiral added Mullen said the Pakistani army chief has always lived up to his word.

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Pentagon says it makes sense Pakistan should decide timeline of North Waziristan operation

 

[air marshal]

US drone strike kills six in North Waziristan
Saturday, 22 May, 2010

MIRAMSHAH: A US drone attack on a suspected militant compound Saturday killed six militants in northwestern tribal belt, security officials said.

The target of the attack was a house used by militants in Mohammad Khel village, some 25 kilometres (15 miles) west of Miramshah, the main town in North Waziristan, officials said.

“Two US drones fired four missiles, we have reports that six militants have been killed,” a senior security official in Peshawar told AFP by telephone.

Two intelligence officials in Miramshah also confirmed the attack and the death toll.—AFP

DAWN.COM | Provinces | US drone strike kills six in North Waziristan

 

[air marshal]

26 militants killed in clashes, air strike

PESHAWAR: At least 26 suspected militants were killed and two security personnel injured in fresh fighting in the Orakzai tribal region on Friday.

Taliban insurgents clashed with paramilitary troops in the Dray Chautai area in the north of Orakzai Agency. In the ensuing gunfight 16 militants were killed and scores wounded. Two paramilitary soldiers were also injured in the gunbattle. Warplanes also bombed suspected bases of Taliban fighters in Dabori and other areas of Orakzai, with security officials claiming that at least 10 militants were killed in the air raid. Two safe houses of militants were also reportedly destroyed in the blitz.

Paramilitary troops have stepped up a ground and air offensive against Taliban militants in Orakzai over the past few days, with officials claiming to have killed dozens of militants. However, the claim could not be verified independently as journalists are not allowed to travel to the region. Hundreds of paramilitary troops, backed by heavy artillery and air power, marched into Orakzai on March 24 following reports that Taliban insurgents fleeing a military operation in South Waziristan were regrouping in the region.

On the Swat front, security forces claimed on Friday that they have killed three key Taliban commanders in the Matta area. They were killed in a raid carried out on a tipoff. Security forces named the dead ‘commanders’ as Alam Sher, Muhammad Naeed and Khan Wali. Troops also dynamited the house of a suspected Taliban commander in the Shakardarra area. Separately, 28 families of suspected militants, who have refused to surrender to authorities, were expelled from Swat district. They have shifted to neighbouring Malakand Agency. The militants were given until Thursday to lay down their arms or else their families would be expelled, sources told The Express Tribune.

26 militants killed in clashes, air strike – The Express Tribune

 

[air marshal]

North Waziristan operation
Saturday, 22 May, 2010

Would the US like to see an operation launched by the Pakistani security forces in North Waziristan Agency sooner than later? Absolutely. Are the Americans pressurising Pakistan to launch the operation now? It’s difficult to say with any certainty because all such discussions are held behind closed doors, but several factors point to the possibility that the Americans may not be.

First, the Pakistan Army has made it clear that an operation of some kind in North Waziristan is not completely off the table. In fact, it has indicated that an operation is likely once circumstances are more propitious. Those circumstances include dealing with hot spots in Orakzai Agency first; ensuring that the overstretch of troops and resources caused by the operations in South Waziristan, Malakand and elsewhere is brought down to manageable levels; and trying to achieve more favourable circumstances on the ground in North Waziristan. Eventually, some kind of operation in the Mir Ali area is expected. That may be extended to areas of ‘secondary’ importance to the Pakistan Army. The fact of the matter is that Pakistan has not been as successful in the ‘clear and hold’ phase of counter-insurgency as it would like to have been, and without enough boots and resources on the ground, North Waziristan may become another morass.

Second, people familiar with strategic and operational discussions between Pakistan and the US are sceptical of the notion of specific demands that the Pakistan Army is asked to ‘agree’ to. There is clearly some misalignment between the interests of the army and the US in North Waziristan. Given its ‘prioritisation approach’, the Pakistan Army is concerned first and foremost with the militant hubs that are used to launch attacks inside Pakistan; similarly, the Americans are concerned more about militant hubs that project into Afghanistan and perhaps even have their eyes set on targets in the West.

Nevertheless, the onslaught of drones in North Waziristan against both sets of militants indicates a level of cooperation which belies claims of ‘extreme pressure’. More likely, the frequent high-level meetings between American and Pakistani officials result in discussions about overall strategy and aims, and the specifics are left to each side to fill out.

Yet, there is the danger that the Pakistan Army may wait too long, once again clinging to the deep ‘red lines’ that proved so disastrous in Swat and South Waziristan. Pakistan needs to clean up North Waziristan for its own sake. Debating ‘hammer and anvil’ strategies and the number of check posts with the Americans is alright. But the sooner the job is done in North Waziristan, the better.

DAWN.COM | Editorial | North Waziristan operation

 

[Janbaz]

Hakeemullah’s pullout from North Waziristan an ‘excuse’ for Pakistan not to move


The leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan has agreed to withdraw his forces along with some allied Punjabi Taliban fighters from North Waziristan in an effort to prevent a Pakistani Army operation there.

Hakeemullah Mehsud, the leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, and Waliur Rehman Mehsud, the leader of the Taliban in South Waziristan, agreed to leave North Waziristan after conducting talks with Hafiz Gul Bahadar, the top Taliban leader in North Waziristan, according to a report in The News. US intelligence officials contacted by The Long War Journal said the report is accurate and noted the shift of Taliban fighters.

“Almost 98 per cent of the Mehsud militants along with some Punjabi Taliban have left North Waziristan,” a source close to Bahadar told The News. “Before leaving, announcements were made from loudspeakers in mosques of various villages by the Mehsud Taliban to thank the tribespeople of North Waziristan for their cooperation and assistance to the displaced Mehsud militants.

Hakeemullah and Waliur’s forces are said to have returned to the Shaktoi and Makeen regions in South Waziristan, where the military has claimed it has ousted the Taliban after an operation last fall.“Most of them went to Shaktoi and Makeen in South Waziristan where they had their sanctuaries in the forest-covered mountains,” a Taliban official told The News. “In summer, militants can easily survive in the mountains but the security forces might face tough resistance there.” The Taliban had previously promised to wage a guerrilla war in South Waziristan in the spring; however, the Taliban campaign never materialized.

Hakeemullah and Waliur’s forces have left North Waziristan just as the Pakistani government has come under pressure by the US and Western countries to invade the Taliban-controlled tribal agency. North Waziristan is the home to top al Qaeda leaders as well as Bahadar and the Haqqani Network. Both Taliban groups provide shelter to al Qaeda and other Pakistani jihadist groups, and allow them to operate training camps and conduct attacks into Afghanistan.

The US has traced multiple terror plots back to North Waziristan. The latest plot, the failed Times Square car bombing, was carried out by a Pakistani-American who trained with Hakeemullah’s forces in North Waziristan. Hakeemullah and his deputy Qari Hussain Mehsud released tapes on the Internet that confirmed their involvement in the failed attack.

Hakeemullah's withdrawal from North Waziristan took place as the Pakistani government and military have pressured Bahadar to eject Hakeemullah and the Punjabi Taliban, which includes members and factions of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. The Pakistani government has rebuffed Western calls for an operation in North Waziristan, as so-called 'good Taliban' groups such as the Haqqani Network and Bahadar’s group are based there. The 'good Taliban' do not advocate attacks against the Pakistani state yet openly support the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

US military and intelligence officials contacted by The Long War Journal said the withdrawal of Hakeemullah from North Waziristan is a ruse to keep the 'good Taliban' intact.

“This so-called pullout is just the excuse the Pakistanis needed to call off a North Waziristan operation,” a senior military intelligence official said. “The timing could not be any better for the Pakistani military, who clearly engineered this, could it?”

“Make no mistake, the Pakistani government will now say it doesn’t have a reason to go into North Waziristan, that Hakeemullah and all of the bad guys have now fled, and we can deal with the remaining Taliban,” a senior intelligence official said. “We’ve heard this all before, in past peace deals [in North and South Waziristan], when the tribes claimed they ejected al Qaeda. But they never did.”

According to another official, Bahadar’s request for Hakeemullah to leave North Waziristan is an admission that Bahadar never intended to honor a peace agreement with the Pakistani military that was signed just prior to the invasion of the Mehsud tribal areas last fall. In that agreement, Bahadar promised he would not shelter fighters and leaders from South Waziristan, and agreed to keep his fighters from attacking Pakistani military forces in North Waziristan.

“Yet again, the Pakistanis have agreed to a farcical peace agreement that no one believed would be honored by the Taliban,” observed a military intelligence official who closely tracks the region. “Bahadar gave safe haven to Hakeemullah and company, and the Pakistani military was attacked in North Waziristan. The military’s response was to ignore the violations, because in the end they didn’t care if the agreement was honored or not. They [the Pakistani Army] just want to stay out of North Waziristan.”

 

[Janbaz]

Shaktoi, round two Rah e Nijat.................

 

[air marshal]

N Waziristan — The brewing tempest
Shehryar Khan

Deeds speak louder than words and relationships are manifested rather than expressing their cause and effect. The most allied ally of Pakistan, the USA, in the war on terror seems to be dextral in verbal bonhomie with Pakistan, but steps on ground and the reality check do not augur well in the mutual chemistry of these two countries. The toned down statements, the deflecting moves and the appeasing attitudes take the relationship matrix nowhere. It speaks more of a trust deficient on both sides rather than any occurrence of plain talks. Two recent incidents are the true reflection of actual undercurrents; one, the arrest of Faisal Shahzad at Times Square in connection with an alleged bombing attempt, and other is arrest and release of another Pakistani in South America on the charges of having traces of explosives on his clothes.

No one is saying that if these persons are guilty. They may be condoned but surely please do not malign Pakistan for the conduct of those individuals who are currently US nationals with Pakistani origin. If origin of a person from another country is such a big minus then be vary that except the aboriginal Red Indians, no one is native to USA. The French, Spaniards, Indians, Chinese, Africans, Pakistanis and Arabs – they all crossed Atlantic with a hope to reach the promised lands of prosperity and hope. The American story is the story of complete human race, and is based on Sans-Frontiers for the immigrants since the Seventeenth Century till to date. In plain talk if USA will start pointing a finger for an individual’s crime to its country of origin, then it will hardly be able to sustain itself as a modern global empire. It will cut its own seam. Unfortunately a well intended and intelligent Black American, Mr Obama was made the president of USA to cater for the same ethnic sensitivities, which social scientists thought, might take USA to a form of internal colonialism. On the other hand if these events are being used to pressurize Pakistan for going all hog against terrorists, miscreants in North Waziristan, then it is not likely to bear fruitation in immediate future.

The increase of drone attacks along with the news of B -52 bomber missions in the vicinity of North Waziristan is alarming. Killing of innocents in these attacks is actually alienating the local population, who are otherwise supportive to establish Pakistan government’s writ. These people require a little pat for a complete win over, rather than an aerial rain of Hell Fires and other destructive ordnance. Is this a calibrated exercise to increase pressure on Pakistan to have a go in North Waziristan? There are a few facts which are now quintessential for the good of general public and also for the consumption of friends at Washington DC. Firstly, North Waziristan is not a territory where the presence of Pakistan Army is negligible, rather there are, as per reports, fifteen to twenty thousand troops in this agency along with the Frontier Constabulary and Levies etc. The army deployed in North Waziristan covers the main communication centers, arteries and all important border outposts along Pakistan-Afghan border.

It also maintains its regular presence through different social initiatives and outreach programmers for general public like holding of medical camps, constructing schools and provision of potable water schemes and other municipal infrastructure. Secondly, Pakistan Army in North Waziristan is also poised towards conducting surgical and sting operations for capturing or eliminating high value targets, because the scorched earth policy cannot apply in highly populated towns and villages of North Waziristan. Even at times Pakistan Army is paying price for its prudent restrain in terms of casualties and other material damages. Thirdly, as per the strategists and military planners, territorially North Waziristan is a pivot.

If it is destabilized in stream roller operation then the complete FATA’s security matrix will be unhinged. It is also a permeable membrane between Afghanistan and Pakistan due to ravages of history and early episode of Great Game which resulted into gestation of the Durand Line. Fourthly, destabilization of North Waziristan will result into the elimination of a buffer between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It will further result into bringing the Afghanistan like situation not only into FATA but even beyond Indus. This will also create problems for the ISAF forces in Afghanistan rather than solving the same as their secured backyard will change into a wilder garden.

Fifthly instead of pressurizing Pakistan the US government should understand the dynamics of this region especially North Waziristan, where they are forcing Pakistan to go a whole hog. Military operation is always a graduated affair. Precisely in this era of third wave a single wrong move will lead you to the backwardness in terms of time and space. Before going in, the entire pros and cons are to be studied. What North Waziristan actually needs is a gigantic effort in social engineering and political initiatives, especially after the apparent demise of a system of Maliks and Political Agent. The political space occupied by the Taliban and Mullahs has to be reacquired not by mere belligerency but by a comprehensive strategy employing all means, because, remember it is war of acquiring political space. Drones, threats and twisted statements do no deliver any good rather are squeezing the political space thereby inching away the complete region into chaos and destruction.

N Waziristan — The brewing tempest

 

[air marshal]

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the decision of military operation in North Waziristan would be taken keeping in view the approprite conditions. - AFP

 

[Javed3]

Pakistan, US agree on Waziristan operation
Monday, 31 May, 2010

Admiral Mike Mullen said that Gen Kayani had promised to launch an operation in North Waziristan and he trusted him because the Pakistani general had always done what he said he would do. –File Photo

.... Yeh Gen. Kiyani always delivers .... on time .... within budget .... good workmanship ....... American quality at Desi prices!

 

[Xeric]

Admiral Mike Mullen said that Gen Kayani had promised to launch an operation in North Waziristan and he trusted him because the Pakistani general had always done what he said he would do.

Man of his words, perhaps?

.... Yeh Gen. Kiyani always delivers .... on time .... within budget .... good workmanship ....... American quality at Desi prices!

Well, as a Pakistani, i'll take it as a compliment.

 

[air marshal]

Pakistan, US agree on Waziristan operation
Monday, 31 May, 2010

WASHINGTON: The US military chief said on Sunday that he could not discuss his plans for combating Fata-based militants with the media but would like to do so with Pakistan’s cooperation.

Diplomatic sources in Washington, while talking to Dawn, also confirmed this, saying that Pakistan had agreed in principle to extend its military operation to North Waziristan and other areas identified by the Americans as militant hideouts.

“I wouldn’t speak to any kind of details in terms of either plans or operations,” said US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen when asked if the Pentagon had planned a unilateral military strike in Pakistan.

The Fox News, which interviewed the US military chief, also asked if the talks of a unilateral strike aimed at putting the Pakistan government and the terror groups on notice that “we’ll take this into our own hands if need be?”

“My focus, more than anything else, is in support of” the Pakistani military’s efforts to combat the militants, said the admiral.

But “clearly … we’re very concerned about that part of the world. We’re very concerned about — that’s where Al Qaeda leadership lives. We know that”.

The United States, he said, was working with both Pakistan and Afghanistan to continue to put pressure on the terrorist leadership but he refused to disclose details of such measures.

In a visit to Islamabad earlier this month, US National Security Adviser James Jones and CIA Director Leon Panetta told Pakistani leaders that militants hiding in these areas planned attacks against the United States and its allies.

The two senior US officials met President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, during this visit and told them that these militants were also behind a May 1 attempt to bomb New York’s Times Square.

“The meetings led to an understanding between the two sides that Islamabad will extend its military operations to North Waziristan and other similar areas as well,” a diplomatic source told Dawn.

“They are now discussing when will be the right time to do so. When, not if,” the source added.

Recent terrorist activities, particularly Friday’s attacks on the Qadianis in Lahore, apparently cemented the government’s desire to take on the militants.

In his interview to Fox News, Admiral Mullen said that he had “spent an extraordinary amount of time in Pakistan” in dealing with Gen Kayani, and had been impressed with how much Pakistan was doing to combat the militants.

He had said earlier that Gen Kayani had promised to launch an operation in North Waziristan and he trusted him because the Pakistani general had always done what he said he would do.

“They’ve lost a significant number of troops. They’ve regained a significant amount of their territory. They’re very focused on that,” the admiral said.

“They’re struggling in building behind the security that they’ve created in — particularly in the western area. They’ve moved some 70,000 troops to the west. So we’re working hard to strengthen that relationship. We’re working hard to support them in training. And we’ll continue to do that.”

Diplomatic sources in Washington also confirmed what the admiral indicated, saying that the Pakistanis would decide “when to launch the operation, what means to use, where to use the airpower and where to send in the troops”.

The sources said the expected operation had further increased the need for greater cooperation among the three major stakeholders in the current power set-up in Pakistan: the political government, the military and the judiciary.

“All three understand the need to cooperate with each other in the greater interest of the country,” said one such source. The decision to take on the militants also followed increased pressure from Washington.

On Saturday, the US media reported that the Obama administration had prepared plans to launch a unilateral military strike inside Pakistan, should another successful terrorist attack in the US is traced to that country.

The US media also reported this week that the Obama administration had ordered a major escalation of clandestine military operations in the greater Middle East region that includes Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to these reports, the White House authorised a massive expansion of clandestine military and intelligence operations in this region, sanctioning activities in more than a dozen countries and giving the military’s combatant commanders significant new authority to conduct unconventional warfare.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | Pakistan, US agree on Waziristan operation

 

[faisaljaffery]

PAF should avoid collateral damage and only militants should be targeted on confirmed intelligence...

 

[fatman17]

Terrorists pouring into Punjab from Waziristan

* Police raid house in Township where injured terrorists were receiving medical treatment

By Shahnawaz Khan

LAHORE: The provincial capital is becoming a safe haven for terrorists from Tribal Areas who have decided to set up shop in Punjab after the Pakistan Army drove them out of Waziristan, sources told Daily Times on Tuesday.

According to sources, this fact was disclosed during interrogation of several suspects who had been receiving medical treatment in a house for wounds that they had received in Waziristan.

“The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) has discovered clues about the residences of suspected Afghan nationals in the Township area… on which police high-ups deputed law enforcers for surveillance purposes. Following which, on Tuesday, after getting information of the presence of several injured suspects in a house, a police team raided the house and arrested around nine suspects,” the sources said.

The sources said that all the arrested suspects were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation, during which five Afghan nationals provided their identification documents and refugee cards to the investigators, adding that the other four, who were also injured, do not have any identification documents.

“The aforementioned four suspects could not speak any other language except Afghani and all of them had bullet wounds. During the police raid, law enforcers found all four being treated at the house, which was acting as a mini-hospital. The police team also found weapons and ammunition at the house, besides a large quantity of drugs,” the sources said, adding that the investigators believed that the injured terrorist who attacked the Jinnah Hospital was also treated by the same group.

However, several senior officers said, “This raid shows that terrorists are using drug money to fund their activities. The recovery of large quantities of drugs and some past incidents of foiled attempts to smuggle heroin from Lahore to other parts of the country supports this theory.

It is worth noting that the house from where the law enforcers arrested the suspects is located in Township area, which is an adjacent locality of Model Town where suicide bombers attacked the offices of the Special Intelligence Agency (SIA) in March.

Around the same time, law enforcers had launched a major crackdown in the area and arrested a large number of suspects. Intelligence personnel had discovered clues at the time that the vehicle, which was used in the attack on the SIA building, was prepped in the Township or Green Town areas.