Not allies: 8 dead as TTP, Haqqani Network clash in North Waziristan

There was no estimate of how many fighters were involved, but sources said the number runs in the hundreds for both groups.

PESHAWAR: Intense clashes between the Haqqani Network and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan left at least eight people dead in North Waziristan Agency, local sources said on Thursday.

“Taliban attacked Malik Karim Khan’s tribe late Wednesday night. The tribe resisted the attack, leading to crossfire,” a local resident said, requesting anonymity.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the clash started in the early hours of Thursday and intensified after the deaths of TTP Commander Jehanzeb Khan and Haqqani Commander Qadir Haqqani.

Clashes erupted in the Malik Shadam Khan area of NWA’s Speen Waam sub-district, which shares a border with Afghanistan. Six people, including a woman, were killed by members of the Haqqani Network in the primary clash. In retaliation, two Haqqani Network men were killed and several houses in the area suffered damage due to the use of heavy weaponry.

According to an official of the Mirali Political Administration, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the event, a local tribal elder Gulbuddin was killed in the clash. Gulbuddin was among those tribesmen who were trying to broker a ceasefire between the two parties.

The group continued fighting at the time of filing this report. Sources said the TTP was led by Sattar, who was nominated the commander after his cousin Jehanzeb’s death. The Haqqani Network, they said, is being commandeered by a man named Sangeen.

They said that residents have begun fleeing the area, where both groups have taken positions against each other. Tribal elders and religious clerics are making efforts to broker a ceasefire between the warring groups.

There was no estimate of how many fighters were involved, but sources said the number runs in the hundreds for both groups.

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FATA-Ahead In Progress

 (Balochistan Times): The Government has successfully rehabilitated three kilometres of road, including the construction of side wall, culverts for the full length and extra surface coating for 166 meters for the community of Bushahra in Upper Kurram. A press release issued by the Directorate of Information FATA secretariat stated that the Political Administration of Kurram agency had prioritized the rehabilitation of road and completed the project for the community of Bushahra in a short period of time. More than 4,000 inhabitants are benefiting. The Political Administration has also completed construction of street pavement and drainage system in Shashu and Warsak communities in Lower Kurram, which is benefiting approximately 2,500 people. Local labourers were involved to complete the schemes. The project of street pavement and drainage system in Shashu and Warsak was completed by constructing 774 meter of drains and branch drains and pavement of 1,545 meter long and two meter wide streets and branch streets. The Government is committed to improving conditions in the tribal areas where many development projects are under way in education, health and other sectors. The press release added that the Government is aware of the needs of the tribal people and working on water supply, drainage and other schemes in tribal areas. The local population warmly welcomed the schemes. One of the locals said that now we have access to safe sanitary system which would provide protection against water borne diseases.

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Pak Army in Apex of Success in Operation Koh-e-Safaid

Koh-e-Safaid mountain range with highest peak of Sikaram Sar which forms a natural boundary and water shed with Afghanistan is situated in Kurram agency. It remains covered with snow throughout the year, luring nature lovers and captivating them in its fascinating beauty. Kurram valley starts from Thall in Hangu district towards northwest upto Peiwar Kotal on Pak Afghan border. It can be divided into two parts i.e. the Lower Kurram and the Upper Kurram. The lower Kurram extends from Thall in Hangu district to Sadda. 

            But due to some sectarian disputes, since last two years, the allured valley was under the influence of feuding quarrels regarding sect, and getting the benefit of this worse situation an infamous organization Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) played its role to further aggravate sectarianism and launched terrorism and felony against the people of Kurram valley in order to accomplish their vicious intrigue to bring chaos and disarray in Pakistan. TTP is a banned organization involved in a number of suicide attacks, killing dozens of innocent people with bastion in South Waziristan agency.

           Battered people of kurram agency requested Pak army to take charge of miscreants and an operation “KOH-E-SAFAID” was launched against TTP in July 2011 in order to annihilate the infidel cadre. With the arrival of Pak army in Kurram agency, the obdurate organization got no way out but to hide in mountains and to amalgamate in normal people for deception and ambush. But the evildoers didn’t know the fortified Pak army which took control of the situation in a very small amount of time and diminished the mongers of Satan and ousting the remaining out of the valley. With the conscientious efforts of Pak army, Thal-Parachanar road is also reopened after years which is really appreciated by the public. Now displaced people are back to their homes and army is helping poor people to settle down their once again in amity with each other.

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Pakistan-retrospecting, contemporary and the prophecies

Islamic republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. The name Pakistan means Land of pure. Pakistan is strategically situated between the important regions of South Asia, central Asia and the greater Middle East. Pakistan gained independence from the clenches of British Empire in 14^th of August, 1947 after a large massacre of Muslims. Pakistan possesses the eight largest armed military and is the only Muslim nation with the honor of nukes under her belt.
Since independence, Pakistan is continuously overwhelmed by both external and internal threats with a vicious thinking of splintering it. Besides political dissension, Pakistan is extremely influenced by foreign incursions, infiltrating the beliefs, customs and lifestyle of the residents of Pakistan and luring them towards apathy. Mongers are promulgating hatred and apostasy among the youth of Pakistan through the influence of media.
In a broader scope, India with its other accomplices including U.S.Z and Israel has launched a massive campaign to mislead the 60% youth of Pakistan. Antagonists are clandestinely fostering western culture in the minds of Paki infants and adults making them inveterate to their venom. If I mention the example of our infants, it amazes us to see a 1 year old child dancing and smiling on Indian songs and adding insult to injury, our parents are unconsciously indoctrinating that Indian culture in the minds of our infants just for the sake of humor.
Plight situation of Baluchistan and Karachi is also alarming due to severe sub-nationalist movements and Indian infiltration. It is quite legitimate to call Baluchistan liberation army (BLA) and Sindh liberation army (SLA), factions of R.A.W operating in Pakistan with an intrigue of complete destruction of Pakistan.
There have been certain prophecies about the future of Pakistan that it would be a failed state in a couple of years and there are very bleak chances of its resurgence. But as a Muslim we should have a belief that with the help of Allah Almighty, we as a nation juxtaposition with our army will thwart the evil designs of our enemies. Pak army is purging the inculcated hatred amid the Baluch and Sindhi people and with the grace of Allah our army has largely overcome the catastrophically bad situation of these areas. Now more than 5,000 Baluch youth has passed out recently from PMA and more than 10,000 students are enrolled in army as well. Besides this, army has placated Baluch people with the inauguration of Sui military college and turning Sui into educational city with their diligent efforts.
Accumulating aforesaid minutiae, things are getting serene in the disputed areas and anti-Pakistan and sub-nationalist movements are strangled with the conscientious efforts of Pak army and amity is achieved in those areas by ousting foreign elements with their nefarious designs.
Dr. Shafaq Rafeeq.

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