Security
FATA
South Waziristan Agency: Security personnel arrest three Al-Qaeda members
During a targeted search operation in Ghwa Khwa area of tehsil Wana in South Waziristan agency, Pakistan Army raided a house and apprehended three militants associated with internationally banned militant group Al-Qaeda. The security forces also recovered 10 suicide vests and a huge quantity of explosive material from the possession of militants.[1]
Mohmand Agency: Security forces recover huge cache of arms during search operation
The security forces of Pakistan recovered a huge cache of arms during a search operation in Yakka Ghund area of Mohmand agency. The Political Administration of agency told media reporters that a huge cache of automatic and semi-automatic arms was recovered during a search operation conducted by security forces in Barch, Raz Killi, Banglo Killi and Gul Tabra areas on 27th of October.[2]
Khyber Agency: Political Administration demands miscreants from Khatia Khel tribe
The clause of collective responsibility has been invoked by the political authorities of Khyber Agency after a deadly attack against a polio team. The Political Administration ordered the Khatia Khel tribesmen to hand over the culprits who shot dead Fazal Amin, a polio worker, while he was administering anti-polio drops to children in Ghundi area of the agency on 26th of October. The political authorities have so far arrested 20 suspects and commanded the tribe to handover the perpetrators of the attack till 28 October 2016.[3]
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Swat: Police arrests a TTP associated militant in Mingora
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested a militant associated with the Swat Chapter of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), banned militant group, during a security operation in Mingora. Gul Rahman, a resident of Durush Khela area in tehsil Matta of Swat, was arrested on 27th October by CTD personnel in the wake of his alleged involvement in various anti-state activities. The CTD police told media that the arrestee was wanted to Pakistani law-enforcement agencies on various terrorism charges, including the provision of financial assistance to TTP and a deadly attack on security personnel in 2008.[4]
Sindh
Karachi: AQIS militants killed in Korangi
The counter-terrorism department killed three militants associated with the outlawed militant organization “Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent” (AQIS) during an intelligence based raid conducted in Korangi area of Karachi. The militants were allegedly involved in the killings of soldiers, personnel of law enforcement agencies, and members of the Ahmadi community.[5]
Balochistan
Quetta: Intelligence based operation eliminates four militants in Hazarganji
The anti-terrorism forces conducted a raid on a compound in Hazarganji area of Quetta district after receiving an intelligence of the presence of militants in the area. During the swoop, a clash erupted in which four suspected militants were killed and three policemen were wounded.[6]
Political
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar: KP High Court issues notice to government and security forces of Pakistan.
The Peshawar High Court on 27th October issued notices to the State, Defence and Frontier Regions Secretaries demanding them to respond to a petition filed against them by tribesmen of North Waziristan Agency. The petition was filed in by 78 tribesmen against the ongoing construction of markets in Miranshah (North Waziristan Agency) by government and security forces of Pakistan. The petitioners demanded that the unruly construction of markets on their land, after demolition of their markets during the military operation, Zarb-e-Azb, should be stopped immediately and the tribesmen should be compensated for their losses.[7]
Peshawar: Social workers call for political reforms in FATA
A meeting held by women rights organization, Takra Qabaili Khwende (Brave Tribal Sisters) on 27th October at a local hotel on Peshawar, was attended by journalists, civil society activists and legal experts. The meeting was aimed at identifying the challenges faced by the women of FATA and highlighting the political reforms needed to mainstream FATA. The attendants demanded that Frontier Crimes Regulation should be completely abolished, Article 247-A should be amended and FATA should be merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in order to ensure provision of basic rights to the people of FATA.[8]
Islamabad
Islamabad: Section 144 imposed in the capital
Pertaining to the imminent sit-in against the federal government, section 144 has been imposed in the federal capital as a precautionary measure against any unexpected violence. Over a hundred PTI workers have also been arrested for violation of the regulation.[9]
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Muzaffarabad: Azad Jammu and Kashmir lament the Indian invasion of 1947
On 27 October 2016, people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir observed a black day recalling the Indian invasion at the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. They demanded immediate withdrawal of Indian forces from the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK). They also stressed on providing the people of IHK with the right of self-determination so that they could decide their future themselves.[10]
Islamabad: Balochistan demands FCR to combat terrorism
The authorities in Balochistan government have demanded that they should be given powers similar to those they enjoyed under Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR). The demand was made on the pretext of countering terrorism in the province.[11]
Socio-economic
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar: KP Governor praises PRC FATA branch for development activities in FATA
A meeting held at Governor’s House Peshawar was attended by tribal elders and the members of Pakistan Red Crescent including PRC FATA chairman Ikram Ullah Jan Kuki Khel. The meeting was chaired by Governor KP Iqbal Zafar Jhagra who also serves as the President of PRC FATA branch. Governor KP appreciated the contributions of PRC FATA branch in the development of FATA and providing relief to the displaced communities of FATA.[12]
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Peshawar: KP parliamentarians seek clarity on western route of CPEC
On 27 October 2016, a meeting of parliamentary leaders of KP was held to discuss the interest of KP in western route of CPEC project. The chairman of the meeting, Speaker KP Assembly Asad Qaisar, said that the federal government should elaborate whether the CPEC western route would be a complete corridor that will benefit the whole region or just another expressway that will only serve its surroundings. The meeting concluded with the decision to file a petition in High Court Peshawar against Federal Government, demanding clarity on the western route of CPEC.[13]
References
[1] “Security forces conduct search operation in South Waziristan, three Al-Qaeda members arrested” , Roznama Akhbar-e-Khyber, October 28, 2016, http://akhbarekhyber.com/epaper/m/20674/5812d5a33fda0
[2] “Huge Cache Of Arms Recovered In Mohmand Agency” , Radio TNN, October 27, 2016, http://www.radiotnn.com/huge-cache-of-arms-recovered-in-mohmand-agency/
[3] “Kathia Khel Tribesmen Asked To Hand Over Perpetrators Of Attack On Polio Team Till Friday” , Radio TNN, October 27, 2016, http://www.radiotnn.com/kathia-khel-tribesmen-asked-to-hand-over-perpetrators-of-attack-on-polio-team-till-friday/ ; Roznama Akhbar-e-Khyber, October 28, 2016, http://akhbarekhyber.com/epaper/edition/467/akhbar-e-khyber/page/3
[4] “Alleged militant arrested” , Dawn E-Paper, October 28, 2016, http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=28_10_2016_007_001 ; The News E-Paper, October 28, 2016, http://e.thenews.com.pk/pindi/10-28-2016/page3.asp ; Radio TNN, October 28, 2016, http://www.radiotnn.com/ctd-claims-arresting-militant-in-swat-2/
[5] “Three AQIS militants killed in Korangi,” Dawn, October 28, 2016. http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=28_10_2016_118_004
[6] “Four ‘militants’ killed in Quetta gun battle,” Dawn, October 28, 2016. http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=28_10_2016_016_003; Jang, October 28,2016. http://e.jang.com.pk/10-28-2016/Karachi/pic.asp?picname=204189
[7] “Construction of Miramshah Markets Challenged” , Dawn E-Paper, October 28, 2016, http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=28_10_2016_007_002
[8] “FATA-KP merger, FCR abolition demanded” , Dawn E-Paper, October 28, 2016, http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=28_10_2016_182_008 ; Radio TNN, October 27, 2016, http://www.radiotnn.com/womens-view-be-incorporated-in-fata-reforms-urge-speakers/
[9] “Section 144 imposed in Islamabad,” The News, October 28, 2016. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/160582-Section-144-imposed-in-Islamabad#
[10] “‘Black Day’ observed across AJK,” Dawn, October 28, 2016. http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=28_10_2016_005_001
[11] “Balochistan seeks powers under FCR to fight terrorism,” Dawn, October 28, 2016. http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=28_10_2016_001_001
[12] “PRC praised for role in FATA development” , Dawn E-Paper, October 28, 2016, http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=28_10_2016_182_012 ; The News E-Paper, October 28, 2016, http://e.thenews.com.pk/pindi/10-28-2016/page2.asp
[13] “KP parliamentary leaders to petition for CPEC western route” , Dawn E-Paper, October 28, 2016, http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=28_10_2016_007_004
