Earlier this week i.e on 13^th December, Interior Minister of Pakistan stated  that the counterterrorism department’s investigation into last year’s Johar Town blast in Lahore provided clear evidence that India and its intelligence agency – RAW – were directly involved in carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan. He said that the Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had busted a terrorist cell involved in the powerful explosion and the investigation revealed that the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)’s operatives had facilitated and financed it to carry out the terrorist activity. On June 23 last year, a powerful blast of 200 kg explosives planted in a car near the residence of banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed in Johar Town locality of Lahore had killed at least three people and 24 others were injured. 

Foreign Minister Bilawal Zardari and the Foreign Office has taken up the issue of Indian state sponsored terrorism at international forums including at the United Nationals level. Pakistan has also formally shared with the UN secretary general a dossier enclosing the details and evidence of Indian involvement.

Moreover during the past week, following incidents of militancy and counter militancy were reported from different parts of the country (mainly KPK and Balochistan).

·        On 12^th December, militants of Balochistan Liberation Front attacked a military camp with heavy weapons and rockets on in Mashkay valley, Awaran district. BLF in a later statement also acknowledged the responsibility of the attack stating that BLF will continue the war against the state till liberation os achieved.

·        On 12^th December, armed militants destroyed a water supply plant in Sankoni area of Mach city (Balochistan). The plant was a major source of water supply in the city destruction of which has led to the suffering of locals as well as the workers working on the project. The militants belong to Baloch Liberation Army’s non Aslam Baloch Faction who also later claimed the responsibility.

·        On 12th December Tribal elder, Chief of Marma khel (Kakar) Tribe & leader of Pakhtunkhua Mili Awami Party (PKMAP) Sardar Muhammad Ashraf Khan Kakar was shot & killed by unknown men in Loralai (Balochistan). Police has started the investigation but no further leads have yet been received regarding the killers.

·        On 12^th December, a clash between Police and TTP militants was reported in Sharifabad area of Isakhel city in Mianwali district of Punjab in which reportedly 3 policemen and 3 TTP militants got wounded (who managed to escaped after the clash leaving behind 4 motorcycles and a mobile phone). TTP in a later statement had acknowledged the incident. This is first ever TTP militancy reported in Mianwali since Afghan Taliban took control over Afghanistan.

·        On 13^th December, Unknown motorcyclists opened fire on a toll plaza in Yark, Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Paktunkhwa province. A security guard of the toll plaza  was shot dead in the incident. Police arrived at the spot as soon as they received they information and after initial investigation the body of the victim was taken to nearest DHQ hospital.

·        On 13^th December, militants of TTP attacked and killed a personnel of Balochistan Constabulary in Chaman (Balochistan). In a later statement by TTP spokesman, he  stated that  the target of the attack was the Constabulary personnel, and that their militants have also recorded the attack. However they haven’t released any such video yet.

·        On 14^th December, a cellular tower had been set on fire in Kotka Zafakhel area of Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by unknown militants at morning time.

·        On 14^th December, a police post in Pindiali area of Mohmand Tribal District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was attacked late at  night by unidentified militants. A police constable was injured in the shoot out.

·        On 14^th December, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Conducted an IBO near 135 9L canal area of Sahiwal (Punjab) and arrested most wanted terrorist Khurram Ali (r/o DG Khan) of Indian Backed Terrorist Organization BLA. A number of explosives, arms and ammo was recovered by CTD. The said terrorist has been taken away by CTD for further investigation. As per the initial reports the  ammunition was aimed to be transported to the terrorist wings inside Punjab province.  

·        On 14^th December, 3 persons got killed while 7 soldiers and 5 civilians got wounded when a suicide bomber on a motorbike struck a military convoy on Boyan-Miranshah road. The convoy was moving from Banda Fort to Miranshah, North Waziristan district. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The area is a former stronghold of Tehrik-e Taliban (TTP).

·        On 14^th December, at around 6:40 pm, a local identified as Mr. Shakeel got seriously injured in a grenade attack near Cinema Chowk of Turbat City. Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) claimed the responsibility of the attack alleging that Mr. Shakeel belonged to LEA of Pakistan.

·        On 14th December BLA militants attacked a military check post with a hand grenade near main market of Kalat City (Balochistan). Fortunately no casualties were observed. BLA’s spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch in a later statement claimed the responsibility of the attack.

·        On 14^th December, at around 3:10 pm, Indian-backed terrorists conducted a SVBIED attack on a Frontier Corps vehicle on a busy public road in Turbat (Balochistan). Thankfully no loss of life was reported however 3 civilians (including children) & four soldiers got injured.

·        On 15^th December, a ‘jirga’ was held in Gwadar under supervision of Molana Hidayat-ur-Rehman leader of ‘haq do tehreek’ where he has asked the people of Gwadar to bring their weapons along and demonstrate the possibility of use of force to stop illegal trolling of fishes by Chinese ships.

·        On 15^th December, One person was killed and 15 people were injured at Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Chaman-Spinboldak area when Afghan border forces opened indiscriminate fire on a civilian area on the Pakistani side after which Pakistani security forces responded befittingly. According to Levies officials, multiple artillery rounds were fired upon the civilian population around the Boghra Road and Custom House areas from the Afghan side. In response, heavy artillery usage was reported from Pakistani troops, to target Afghan combatant positions during clash. Pakistani army also called in a couple of gunship helicopters to disperse IEA forces who had started to gather on the clash site to take part against Pakistani army. Pakistan also immediately closed Chaman Border for all kinds of activities for due to unprovoked firing from  Afghan side over some border fencing dispute. This was 2nd incident at Pakistan-Afghanistan International Border at Chaman crossing in previous 7 days.  Pakistan’s Foreign Office summoned Afghan Chargé d’Affaires over border Incident.  Pakistan’s strong condemnation over incidents of unprovoked cross-border shelling by Afghan Border Security Forces in Chaman-Spin Boldak area, resulting in loss of life and property was conveyed. Trade activities and pedestrian movement has resumed at the Pak-Afghan border at Balochistan’s Chaman after an unannounced ceasefire between the country's forces and the Taliban government in the neighbouring country.

·        On 15^th December, a former peace committee member (village defence council) had been shot dead in Ashar Banr, Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, According to Police, evidence so far suggests that it’s not related to terrorism but they are investigating. In a presser addressing death of a Village Defence Council member in Swat, the Deputy Inspector General Police, Malakand Division Sajjad Khan said investigations prove the cause of the murder was his illicit relations with a woman adding the murderer has been apprehended.

·        On 15^th December, an  IED attack on Pakistani forces’ vehicle was reported near Kad-e-Hotel in Kelkor, district Kech (Balochistan). According to local sources, the vehicle was destroyed and casualties also reported.  BLA in a later statement had claimed the responsibility of the attack.

·        On 15^th December, two IB officials were brutally beaten by Army 40 AK unit in FSG chaman. They both were trying to reveal army corruption at chamman border. They were left in a remote deserted area after being tortured. However, both have reached back by walking overnight. One of them identified as Abdul Ghaffar is in serious condition and cannot give movement to any body part.

·        On 15^th December, a police station on the confluence of Peshawar and Khyber Tribal District had been attacked by militants. A sound of explosion followed by intermittent firing had been heard from the locality.

·        On 16^th December, terrorists of BLA detonated a road side planted explosives in Indus area of Bolan when Pakistan Army’s supply vehicle was passing. Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) also acknowledged the responsibility of Bolan IED attack. “BLA fighters targeted a supply vehicle of Pakistani military in Indus, Bolan. 2 military personnels were injured in the IED attack & the supply vehicle was destroyed.” -Jeeyand Baloch

·        On 16^th December, Unknown assailants on a motorcycle hurled a hand grenade on Police Station Kalu Khan, District Swabi, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. According to police officials the grenade landed inside the police station but didn't explode.

·        On 16^th December, CTD and the Pakistani Intelligence Community conducted a Joint Intelligence Based Operation in Rawalpindi and successfully captured a most-wanted terrorist, alias AKMAL. The terrorist was in the process of launching two major terror attacks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A large cache of explosives, detonators, safety fuses, suicide vests were recovered from his hideout. He is responsible for a major suicide bombing in civil lines, Rawalpindi in 2009 that killed 36 people. He has been taken to a secure location for enhanced interrogation.

·        On 17^th December, in Lucky Marwat late at night terrorists attacked Burgi police station with hand grenades and rocket launchers, policemen Imran, Khairur Rahman, Ibrahim and Sabz Ali were killed and 4 policemen were injured in the attack.  Meanwhile, there was an exchange of fire between the police and the terrorists. police on duty retaliated and called for reinforcement before the attackers, their ammunition apparently exhausted, fled the scene before help arrived. Police were searching for the attackers.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but previous attacks on police in the district have been claimed by Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP.

·        On 18^th December, TTP spokesman issued a claim of responsibility for "counterattacking" an FC raid party that attacked TTP militants in Arando tehsil of Chitral district. TTP has claimed that two FC personnel were killed in the counterattack while militants "escaped unharmed".

·        On 18^th December, two officials of the KP Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) were martyred and many more injured in Bannu when TTP terrorists, who had been arrested previously and were being interrogated at CTD police station adjacent to Cantonment, snatched an AK-47 from police and opened fire in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on afternoon. The prisoner than started taking hostages and freeing other prisoners who were held there and took control of the building. The initial response force immediately surrounded the building inside which 35 TTP prisoners took 9 security forces personnels including a Subedar Major (Khurshid Ahmed) of Pakistan army as hostages. They situation prolonged for two days during which negotiations had started between the state and terrorists. The terrorists released a video message one the first day from inside demanding safe passage to Kabul (later changed their statement after the TTP’s Official statement which clarified that demand of passage to Kabul was unintentional from their counterparts in action) initially and then switched to anywhere in Waziristan otherwise threatening to kill the hostages. The negotiations and small scale encounters were reported during initial 24 hours of the situation in which 1 policeman lost his life while a couple of military soldiers also got injured. The terrorists had also established their contact with TTP’s leadership and received regular instructions and commands. Umar Media of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also on 19^th December released a message of Pakistani Taliban Chief Noor Wali Mehsud; send an advise/instruction to detained militants who took control of Bannu CTD Center to never surrender and fight till end. Bannu situation remains tense. The security forces after complete failure of negotiations, conducting a final successful raid on the afternoon of 20^th December. The Special Operations Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of the Pakistan Army’s SSG, the Zarrar Company, conducted a hostage rescue operation at the CTD compound opposite Bannu Cantonment gate. The security forces began the operation at 12:25 PM, when they breached the gate of the building with explosives, and subsequently entered inside. A drawn-out operation began, in the beginning of which all but one hostages ran out of the compound as the firefight began and were exfiltrated from a previously known back entrance in the compound. Zarrar ATU had ended the operation at 12:45 PM, in 20 minutes. Post operation clearance of compound was done by 2:30 PM.  As the operation ended, TEN (10) terrorists were successfully eliminated, with no deaths on the Pakistani side. A further THREE (3) terrorists were succeeded captured. While 2 commandos of Pakistan army (Sepoy Saeed and Sepoy Babar) and seven SSG operatives were lightly injured and have been moved to a military hospital in stable condition. The injured includes an officer which led the operation, Major Abid, belonging to the Zarrar Company, Special Service Group. Pakistan Army Aviation manned and unmanned units assisted in the successful anti-terrorist operation. There was no collateral damage. All hostages have been freed. List of Pakistani wounded soldiers

1.      Major Abid, 2. Naib Subedar Zafar Yar, 3. Havaldar Raheem, 4. Lance Naik Irfan, 5. Sepoy Shahid, 6. Sepoy Abdul Qayyum, 7. Sepoy Sufyan

·        On 19^th December, At least three people including a Pakistani soldier Naik Abid were martyred and one passerby got injured when a suicide attacker struck a security forces vehicle in North Waziristan’s Miranshah area. According to police officials, the attacker rammed a rickshaw into the vehicle and blew himself up. The injured were shifted to DHQ Miranshah Hospital and the blast site was cordoned off by security officials and an investigation was initiated. No group yet has claimed the responsibility. This is second attack in 5 days in Miranshah only.

·        On 19^th December, An inspector of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had been shot dead by unidentified motorcyclists in Mathra area of Peshawar. The inspector, identified as Shaukat Mehboob, was attacked by two helmet-wearing gunmen on a motorcycle while he was returning home from the market on Varsak Road of the provincial capital. The assailants opened fire on the IB inspector and fled the scene unchallenged, leaving him severely injured. The inspector was shifted to the hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his wounds. Police officials started investigation into the incident and collected forensic evidence, including bullet shells, from the crime scene. A search operation was also launched in the area and the police started snap checking at all the entrances and exits of the city.

·        On 20^th December, at around 12:50 AM past midnight, a large group of terrorists including over 60 militants attacked the Wana Police Station with heavy weaponry including machine guns and rocket launchers. The Police Station’s SHO and other officers later surrendered to the terrorist force. The terrorists took all weapons and ammunition from the police station’s armoury and the various vehicles at the police station and left. After the incident, the Frontier Corps paramilitary has taken over the Wana Police Station from regular KPK police.

·        On 20^th December, Several militants attacked a Levies forces outpost early morning. One soldier reportedly got  killed and another wounded in the resulting clashes. Armed men stormed a Bhat-Gowash Levies  check post in Kharan district of Balochistan, soldiers fought bravely & thwarted the terrorist attack, as result of exchange of fire Dafadar M Assa martyred & another Sepoy Khalil Ahmed got Injured.

 ·        19/Dec/2022

MIRANSHAH NORTH

WAZIRISTAN, KPK

At least three people including a Pakistani soldier Naik Abid were martyred and one passerby got injured when a suicide attacker struck a security forces vehicle in North Waziristan’s Miranshah area. According to police officials, the attacker rammed a rickshaw into the vehicle and blew himself up. The injured were shifted to DHQ Miranshah Hospital and the blast site was cordoned off by security officials and an investigation was initiated. No group yet has claimed the responsibility. This is second attack in 5 days in Miranshah only.

·        19/DEC/2022

VARSAK ROAD, MATHRA

PESHAWAR, KPK

An inspector of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had been shot dead by unidentified motorcyclists in Mathra area of Peshawar. The inspector, identified as Shaukat Mehboob, was attacked by two helmet-wearing gunmen on a motorcycle while he was returning home from the market on Varsak Road of the provincial capital. The assailants opened fire on the IB inspector and fled the scene unchallenged, leaving him severely injured. The inspector was shifted to the hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his wounds. Police officials started investigation into the incident and collected forensic evidence, including bullet shells, from the crime scene. A search operation was also launched in the area and the police started snap checking at all the entrances and exits of the city.

·        20/DEC/2022

WANA POLICE STATION

WANA CITY, KPK

At around 12:50 AM past midnight, a large group of terrorists including over 60 militants attacked the Wana Police Station with heavy weaponry including machine guns and rocket launchers. The Police Station’s SHO and other officers later surrendered to the terrorist force. The terrorists took all weapons and ammunition from the police station’s armoury and the various vehicles at the police station and left. After the incident, the Frontier Corps paramilitary has taken over the Wana Police Station from regular KPK police.

·        20/Dec/2022

LEVIES CHECK POST @ BHAT-GOWASH

DISTRICT KHARAN, BALOCHISTAN

Several militants attacked a Levies forces outpost early morning. One soldier reportedly got  killed and another wounded in the resulting clashes. Armed men stormed a Bhat-Gowash Levies  check post in Kharan district of Balochistan, soldiers fought bravely & thwarted the terrorist attack, as result of exchange of fire Dafadar M Assa martyred & another Sepoy Khalil Ahmed got Injured.

·        20/Dec/2022

CTD HOLDING SITE

BANNU CANTONMENT GATE

BANNU, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

The Special Operations Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of the Pakistan Army’s SSG, the Zarrar Company, conducted a hostage rescue operation at the CTD compound opposite Bannu Cantonment gate. The security forces began the operation at 12:25 PM, when they breached the gate of the building with explosives, and subsequently entered inside. A drawn-out operation began, in the beginning of which all but one hostages ran out of the compound as the firefight began and were exfiltrated from a previously known back entrance in the compound. Zarrar ATU had ended the operation at 12:45 PM, in 20 minutes. Post operation clearance of compound was done by 2:30 PM.  As the operation ended, TEN (10) terrorists were successfully eliminated, with no deaths on the Pakistani side. A further THREE (3) terrorists were succeeded captured. While 2 commandos of Pakistan army (Sepoy Saeed and Sepoy Babar) and seven SSG operatives were lightly injured and have been moved to a military hospital in stable condition. The injured includes an officer which led the operation, Major Abid, belonging to the Zarrar Company, Special Service Group. Pakistan Army Aviation manned and unmanned units assisted in the successful anti-terrorist operation. There was no collateral damage. All hostages have been freed.

List of Pakistani wounded soldiers

1. Major Abid

2. Naib Subedar Zafar Yar

3. Havaldar Raheem

4. Lance Naik Irfan

5. Sepoy Shahid

6. Sepoy Abdul Qayyum

7. Sepoy Sufyan

Analysis

The Talibans on both sides of eastern border of Pakistan are using their full intensions and potentials to destabilise peace situation in Pakistan. TTP militants on daily bases are busy in conducting terrorism against the state officials and state machinery. On the other hand, border disputes with the Afghan Taliban have reduced the level of trust and confidence between the two countries. Afghan Taliban who were playing an arbitrary role between Pakistan and TTP now also seem to be on back foot. Reason being the ideological alliance between Afghan and Pakistani Taliban over the legislative system as well as the fence dispute over the Durand lines. The Afghans feel threatened by the fencing of Durand line as a major part of Afghan economy depends upon the illegal trade (smuggling) across the border. TTP is also threatened by the fencing as it is now not that easy for them to transport weapons and supplies from the Afghan side as it once used to be. Not only that, cross border harbouring of their militants has also been affected much. That’s why in my opinion both the Afghan Taliban and TTP are trying to threaten the state of Pakistan by increasing militancy and engaging Pakistani LEAs. However the counter strategy of Pakistan is moving in right direction as the IBOs against terrorist networks are being regularly conducted. However Pakistan on diplomatic level also needs to improve their working relations with IEA by offering them international support and more strategic and intelligence cooperation to mutually fight against the threat of Daesh (which is threat for both sides). Pakistan should take the IEA into confidence against the current potential alliance of TTP and ISKP as most lately many reports and incidents of joint militancy by both (TTP and ISKP/ISPP) were observed in Pakistan. In my opinion TTP is playing a double game with Afghan Taliban as they on one hand exhibit their ideological alliance with Afghan Taliban while on the other hand they collaborate with ISKP. Many of former TTP militants are reportedly joining ISKP. It is to be noted that as TTP gets its monetary support from RAW, ISKP is also allegedly having support from CIA and other western agencies who intend to raise a resistance force against Afghan Taliban. So the alliance of both (TTP and ISKP) is apparently not only against Pakistan but also IEA. And that is why Pakistan and Afghanistan must improve their working relation and acknowledge the fact once and for all that the strategic cooperation and overall growth and stability of the two countries are aligned and correlated naturally. So rather than getting into disputes with each other, both countries must collaborate against the militancy threat backed by foreign powers.

On the other hand the situation in Balochistan is also very obvious, CPEC is a project with which many countries like America and India etc have a problem with. They do not want the project to achieve its goals as it would bring countries like Pakistan, China, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran and other central asian countries much closer not only economically but strategically as well hence creating the strong regional bloc/alliance. That is why they (RAW and CIA) are using their maximum potential to destabilise Balochistan and  undermining its peace and security situation by supporting anti state baloch groups like BLA and BLF. Those anti state Baloch terrorist groups are not only conducting their terrorism in regular basis but also trying to penetrate their ideological stance among the general public of the state. The game of stance i.e 5^th generation warfare is being played on its peak as the anti state propaganda (designed by RAW) is being propagated with high intensity these days. The issues like  missing persons, Rekodik & Sandak projects, rights of Balochistan are being propagated most negatively. For that too Pakistan needs to continuously enhance its counter strategic policies along with the military operations against the terrorist networks l.