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The Battle for Orakzai & Khyber Agencies

Khyber airstrikes



Two more FC men included in victims’ list

Saturday, April 17, 2010
Said Nazir Afridi

BARA: Two cousins serving in the Frontier Corps (FC) Taza Khan and Morcha Khan were included in the list of victims of Saturday’s airstrikes in Sra Vella in Khyber Agency as the former was injured and the latter was killed on the spot.

They fell victim to the jetfighters’ bombardment while they were busy in rescue operation following the first airstrike in Sra Vella. “When the jetfighters bombed the house of late Hameed Khan in Sra Vella on Saturday morning, I saw the smoke billowing from the house and I and my cousin rushed towards the scene to pull the people from the rubble,” Taaza Khan, a batman in the Shawal Rifles of FC told this scribe in an interview at Jamrud where he had come to receive compensation.

“When we reached there, I saw a female’s leg under the rubble and as I tried to pull it the jetfighters came again and dropped another bomb on the people who had gathered for rescue operation,” he added.

He said he fell unconscious as a result of the bombing and later regained senses at Jamrud Hospital and he was told that his cousin Morcha Khan, a sepoy in Mahsud Scouts of FC, had also been killed besides dozens of others innocent people.

Taaza Khan had been stationed in Razmak, North Waziristan, whereas his cousin had been on duty in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency where a military operation was going on against the militants.

They had come to their houses in Sra Vella on leave on March 26, and April 7, 2010, respectively. “The ill-fated Morcha Khan was to leave his house for duty on April 13 but he left his house and family members forever,” recalled the grief-stricken Taaza Khan.

Taaza Khan, whose head was bandaged due to the deep wounds, said he was shocked over the killing of his cousin who had married 10 months ago and left a widow behind. He resented the attack on the house of late Hameed Khan whose three sons were serving in the armed forces of Pakistan, saying that there were no terrorists in their village and all the people killed in the attack were innocent.

The FC soldier questioned that each and every family in Sra Vella had at least a man in the army and FC and that, “how can they shelter militants in their area.” He said the villagers of Sra Vella were the first in Tirah Valley who welcomed the army and shared their houses and food with them after the 9/11 incident. The area residents were in shock after the attack and they were angry with the government for the cruel act, which claimed 61 innocent lives and left dozens injured. “We are not terrorists but we are defenders of the country and we should not be punished for our job,” he argued.

After receiving compensation for himself and Morcha Khan, he thanked the political agent for providing quick relief to the victims and urged the government to do more financial help with the victims. He demanded of the government to punish the culprits to avoid such horrible mistakes in future.
 
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Army announces Rs 20m relief package for Tirah Valley victims

* Rs 200,000 each will be given to heirs of deceased, Rs 100,000 for those injured

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Army has announced a relief package of around Rs 20 million for the victims of the Khyber Agency where 61 civilian deaths were reported following air strikes over a Kokikhel jirga at Serawala area in remote Tirah valley on April 10.

On behalf of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, a high level delegation of the army led by Brigadier Basit Raza and Brigadier Arshad visited the ICRC Field Hospital in University Town and handed over the compensation cheques to each injured person.

The COAS had already tendered an apology to the Kokikhel tribe over the civilian deaths.

An official of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Rs 200,000 would be given to the heirs of each deceased and Rs. 100,000 to each person injured in the incident.

Khyber Agency Political Agent Shareefullah Khan said that a Rs.10.5million compensation package had already been announced for the victims.

He said that 61 people had been killed and 21 were injured in the accident.

Noor Muhammad, son of Yar Muhammad and a resident of Surawala, who was injured in the air strike, thanked Kayani for providing assistance to him.

Another victim Musa Khan also thanked the government especially the COAS for compensating the families of the victims and assured his full support to work shoulder to shoulder with the government for peace in FATA. app
 
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Such events are inevitable but PA should take more precautions next time as we can not afford to lose the support of our people on the ground.
 
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PESHAWAR: At least 11 militants were killed in a fresh action by the security forces in Orakzai Agency and Swat. - AFP
 
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Pakistan Army distributes compensation cheques among victims of Serawala Tirah valley

PESHAWAR, April 22 (APP): On behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan Army Thursday distributed compensation cheques among the victims of the tragic incident of Serawala at Tirah valley in Khyber Agency.

Brigadier Basit Raza on behalf of the Army Chief have distributed cheques among heirs of martyrs and injured of shelling on Sarawala at Shah Kus Khyber Agency. Political Agent Khyber Agency, Shafeerullah Khan, APA Rehan Khattak and heirs of the victims were present on the occasion.

Under the Army Chief's compensation package of about Rs.20 million for Serawala victims, heirs of each deceased were given Rs.200,000 and Rs.100,000 for each injured.

Shafeerullah Khan, Political Agent Khyber Agency told reporters that political administration have already distributed Rs.1,50,000 among heirs of each deceased and Rs.60,000 among each injured of the said tragic incident.

The Governor Khyber Pakthunkhwa will soon announce another package for the victims, he added. The children of Shuhada and injured would be provide employment opportunities at FC and Levy Forces. On behalf of the tribal people and elders, he thanked the Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani for compensation package for the victims families and assured full support to him.

He said that COAS has won hearts and minds of tribal people by tendering apology over the said incident besides providing assistance package to the affected families. He said the tribesmen are patriotic and will fight shoulder-to-shoulder with our brave army for the sake of motherland.

At least 61 civilians have been killed and several others injured during shelling on Kokikhel Jirga at Serawala in Tirah valley few days ago. The Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani soon after the tragic incident tendered apology to Kokikhel tribe over the civilian deaths and announced a compensation package of about Rs.20million for the affectees.

The heirs of victims and injured have thanked the Chief of Army Staff for compensation package and assured him full support.
 
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Twenty militants killed in Orakzai

KALAYA/MIRAMSHAH: Reports of fierce clashes were received from the Orakzai tribal region on Thursday and security forces claimed killing 20 militants and injuring 23 others. One soldier also lost his life.

The official claims, however, could not be verified from independent sources because journalists have no access to the area.

Troops and militants used heavy weapons in a clash in Qamber Masi. The clash left 15 militants dead and 23 injured.

According to sources, troops advancing towards Meshti Mela killed five militants.

Militants blew up a government-run health centre in Mamozai. The shrine of Bawa Al Haq and six houses were set on fire in Khwa Darra.

Meanwhile, tension gripped Miramshah after militants attacked a security convoy and killed one soldier and injured five others.Witnesses said one civilian was killed and another injured when troops opened fire at villagers in Dattakhel area near Miramshah.

Security forces detained 20 people under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation after the attack.

According to local people, an improvised explosive device placed along the road was defused before the arrival of the convoy.

The convoy going to Miramshah came under attack near Humzoni. Helicopters shelled the area after the attack, but no casualty was reported.

Authorities had imposed a curfew in the area in the morning to ensure a safe passage of the convoy. Bazaars were closed in Miramshah.

---------- Post added at 05:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:12 AM ----------

 
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KALAYA: Three volunteers of a tribal lashkar were killed and eight others injured in a clash with militants in Storikhel area of Orakzai Agency on Wednesday.

The lashkar raised in the Lower Orakzai tehsil attacked militants who had occupied hilly areas. Three volunteers lost their lives in the ensuing heavy exchange of fire.

Our correspondent in Parachinar adds:


Four soldiers and two civilians killed in a roadside explosion near Toot Kass in Hangu district on Tuesday were buried in Kurram Agency on Wednesday.

Their bodies had been brought to Parachinar in a helicopter.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | Three tribesmen die in clash with militants

---------- Post added at 05:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:15 AM ----------

KALAYA: Three volunteers of a tribal lashkar were killed and eight others injured in a clash with militants in Storikhel area of Orakzai Agency on Wednesday.

The lashkar raised in the Lower Orakzai tehsil attacked militants who had occupied hilly areas. Three volunteers lost their lives in the ensuing heavy exchange of fire.

Our correspondent in Parachinar adds:


Four soldiers and two civilians killed in a roadside explosion near Toot Kass in Hangu district on Tuesday were buried in Kurram Agency on Wednesday.

Their bodies had been brought to Parachinar in a helicopter.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | Three tribesmen die in clash with militants
 
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Forces kill 10 militants, injures 8 in clashes in Orakzai agency

PESHAWAR April 24 (APP): Security forces killed ten militants and eight were injured in ground and aerial offensives in parts of restive Orakzai tribal region, said official sources.

The ground offensive occurred in Sanghra area in Lower Orakzai agency killing four taliban militants and injuring eight others. Security personnel were also injured during the gun battle. Meanwhile gunship choppers bombed Sanghra, Kasha, Shakar Tangi and Mashti areas in Lower Orakzai agency, killing six militants and destroying three hideouts of the militants The forces also captured a trench from militants at Shahbozar in Lower Orakzai area and arrested three injured extremists.

Three rockets were fired from unidentified location at FC headquarters Kalaya, capital town of Orakzai agency. No one was injured in the attack.
 
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The militants just dont give up, wonder how hard it'll be for the army in Kurram and N. Wazitistan.
Thumbs up to the men in uniform though
 
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Khyber, Tirah, Orakzai are not that easy. Maj. Gen, Tariq is just trying to score in a popularity contest.
 
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""The forces also captured a trench from militants at Shahbozar in Lower Orakzai area and arrested three injured extremists.""

a Great Victory.
 
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Pakistan Security Brief - April 23, 2010

Security forces battle militants in Orakzai; militants ambush a convoy in North Waziristan; four alleged spies for the US were killed in North Waziristan; Baradar’s arrest leads to power struggle; killings of pro-government officials make a comeback in Swat; Pakistan’s courts are unable to handle terrorism cases.

FATA

On Friday militants ambushed a military convoy traveling in the Boya area of Datta Khel in North Waziristan, killing seven soldiers, including an army captain, and injuring sixteen others. Prior to the incident, Pakistani troops allegedly killed a fifteen year old boy who was in the vicinity of an IED attack on a different military convoy. Militants reportedly staged the ambush in retaliation for the death of the boy.[1]

Several clashes between security forces and militants were reported in Orakzai on Thursday. One battle occurred in the Sangara-Kambarmas area of lower Orakzai, where at least 25 militants and one security official were killed. Another battle ensued in the Sangara and Mishti Mela areas of the agency, leaving five militants dead. Ten militants and one soldier were killed in yet another battle around Sangara. Reports also indicate security forces killed eight militants during artillery strikes in different areas of Orakzai.[2]

Four bodies—two of which were decapitated—were discovered in the town of Mir Ali, North Waziristan of Friday. Two of the dead were Afghans, and the other two were local tribesmen from the surrounding area. Locals discovered the bodies with a note claiming “all those spying for the US and Pakistan will suffer the same fate.”[3]

Mullah Baradar’s arrest

Following the arrest of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in February, both Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir and Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor were named to replace Baradar in Afghanistan. The two commanders are now locked in a struggle for power in southern Afghanistan, and reports suggest the leadership council is split over who should take Baradar’s position.[4]

Swat

Details are beginning to emerge in Swat about the recent increase in killings of anti-Taliban leaders. Since April 13, five pro-government individuals who had been involved with peace talks in the valley have been killed. Although the individuals behind the murders remain unknown, locals fear the Taliban are returning to the valley in retaliation against the locals who are opposed to the Taliban.[5]

Prosecuting suspected terrorists

Pakistani and US officials say that because of problems with Pakistan’s civilian justice system, thousands of suspected militants in jail are being held indefinitely. Pakistani officials claim that the country’s civilian courts are not prepared to handle a large number of complex terrorism cases and the military does not have an applicable military justice system.[6]
 
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FATA and Swat are integral parts of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Even though our government and the army has lost its writ and moral authority, these areas are as much part of Pakistan as Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi. The people of these areas should be treated as Pakistanis, and the State machinery should not be used to kill / maim them or destroy property, or to put the population to flight.
 
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""The forces also captured a trench from militants at Shahbozar in Lower Orakzai area and arrested three injured extremists.""

a Great Victory.

Part of many other smaller ones that add up to a larger victory.
 
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