The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), in the 3rd quarter 2013 has remained vulnerable to a number of attacks that ranged from sporadic military operations to US drones. Nine drone strikes were carried out that killed one prominent figure of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Mullah Sangeen, in North Waziristan Agency. Other than Orakzai Agency all other parts of FATA remained prone to militant activities. Target killing was rampant. Situation deteriorated in Khyber Agency, where continued military operations were launched against militants in Bara and the restive Tirah valley. The sectarian clashes in Kurram were also seen to be calm and the repatriation of IDP’s to Tirah valley of Khyber Agency was resumed amid fears and threat by militants. Further at national level APC was convened in the first week of September to tackle the ghost of terrorism and was an initiative for holding the peace talks with Taliban. This was followed by turmoil in Peshawar as three major blasts took place besides an attack on the Pakistan Army Major General in Upper Dir area and drone strikes that continued in FATA till the end of third quarter 2013.
