Pakistan Timeline - 2018

January 1

Eight persons, including three Security Officials, were injured in two separate explosions in Chaman District of Balochistan. The first explosion took place near an under-construction building on Chaman’s Mall Road injuring two persons. Second explosion targeted a Police Check Post in the same area and injured six persons, including three Security Officials.

SECP prohibited the collection of donations by all organisations affiliated with Hafiz Saeed led JuD and that are banned by UNSC. A notification issued by the commission read that "The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan hereby prohibits all companies from donating cash to the entities and individuals listed under the UNSC sanctions committee's consolidated list". The Hafeez Saeed related prohibited outfits include FIF, LeT and JuD the charity wing of LeT. Other banned outfits include the Paasban-i-Ahle-Hadith and Pasban-i-Kashmir.

Pakistan’s Government plans to seize control of charities and financial assets linked to JuD ‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed. The Government detailed its plans in a ‘secret’ order to various Provincial and Federal Government departments on December 19, 2017. The December 19 document, which refers to “Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issues”, names Saeed’s two charities JuD and FIF, and “actions to be taken” against them. JuD spokesman Yahya Mujahid said the organization would go to Court if the Government decides to take over JuD and FIF.

US President Donald Trump tweeted that Pakistan had given Washington “nothing but lies and deceit”. “The US has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools” he tweeted.

MFA Pakistan summoned US Ambassador David Hale lodged its protest against President Donald Trump’s tweet wherein he accused Pakistan of ‘lies and deceit’.

The White House said that it will continue to withhold $255 million in military aid to Pakistan out of frustration over what it has characterized as Islamabad's abstinence in confronting terrorist networks, reports CNN. "The United States does not plan to spend the $255 million in FY 2016 foreign military financing for Pakistan at this time," an unnamed NSC spokesman said. "The President has made clear that the United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists and militants on its soil, and that Pakistan's actions in support of the South Asia strategy will ultimately determine the trajectory of our relationship, including future security assistance," he added. The administration first said in August 2017 it was temporarily withholding the $255 million, which was part of a $1.1 billion aid package authorized in 2016 by Congress. The money was put on hold until Pakistan agreed to do more to combat terrorist networks. The National Security Council official said the administration would continue to review Pakistan's level of cooperation in security areas.

The report compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) shows that terrorists carried out 23 suicide attacks in different parts of the country in 2017, whereas 2016 and 2015 had witnessed 17 and 18 such incidents, respectively.

1,387 people, including 585 civilians, 555 militants and 247 SFs Personnel, were killed and 1,965 people, including 1,580 civilians, were injured in militancy-related incidents, including militant attacks and SFs actions. Militants carried out at least 420 attacks in which 912 people, including 584 civilians, 225 SFs personnel and 103 militants, were killed and 1,877 injured. SFs conducted 522 operations in which left 475 people, including 452 militants and 22 SFs personnel, dead and 88 people injured. SFs also arrested 1,760 suspected militants during 2017.

The year 2017 saw the highest number of militant attacks in Balochistan where 183 militant attacks took place in which 308 people, including 208 civilians and 84 SFs personnel, were killed and 572 people suffered injuries. The province remained target of a variety of militant groups, including sub-nationalist militants, sectarian and international militant groups. Overall 43pc of the total militant attacks in the country were recorded in Balochistan and 10 out of 23 suicide attacks (43pc) took place in the province. SFs conducted 134 operations against militants in Balochistan in which 112 militants were killed and 657 arrested.

102 militant attacks were recorded in FATA in which 339 people, including 206 civilians, 65 SFs and 68 militants, were killed and 858 people, including 629 civilians, suffered injuries. As many as 58 security operations were reported from FATA in which 84 militants and five SFs were killed. SFs also arrested at least 79 suspects from FATA.

SFs conducted at least four actions in Azad Kashmir in which 12 suspected militants were arrested. Fourteen suspected militants were arrested from Gilgit-Baltistan region in two SFs actions while four suspects were arrested in three actions in Islamabad.

KP witnessed significant improvement in security situation as all indicators saw negative trends. There was 40pc decline in the number of militant attacks and 47pc decline in the number of deaths in the province. A total of 75 militant attacks were recorded in KP in which 92 people, including 43 civilians, 34 SFs personnel and 15 militants, were killed while 175 people, including 136 civilians, were injured. KP saw the second highest number of suicide attacks during the year as at least six suicide attacks were reported from the province. In 2016, five suicide attacks took place in the province. SFs conducted at least 103 actions against militants in which 543 suspects were arrested and 41 killed during 2017.

Sindh saw a 40pc decrease in militant attacks, but with 84pc increase in the number of deaths during 2017. Militants carried out 40 attacks in the province killing 112 people, including 92 civilians and 17 SFs personnel. Another 303 people were injured in these attacks. The province saw one suicide attack during 2017. SFs conducted at least 98 actions against militants in which 110 suspects were killed and 153 arrested.

Punjab witnessed seven per cent increase in militant attacks, but there was 37pc decline in deaths. During the year, 15 militant attacks took place in the province in which 59 people, including 34 civilians and 24 SFs personnel, were killed and 208 people, all of them civilians, suffered injuries. The province also witnessed three suicide bombings one more than 2016. SFs conducted 119 operations against militants in the province in which 105 militants were killed and 298 arrested.

Two militant attacks were reported from Azad Jammu and Kashmir in which one civilian died and five were injured. Three violent militant activities of low intensity were reported from Islamabad in which one person lost his life. No violent militant activity was reported from Gilgit-Baltistan region.

January 2

LEAs including Sindh Rangers' Anti-Terrorist Wing and the CTD acting on prior intelligence killed three TTP militants in Kaimkhani Colony area of Baldia Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. An unspecified number of militants managed to escape the encounter while two Rangers and one CTD Personnel received bullet injuries.

Two militants were killed and twelve FC Personnel injured in a suicide attack involving explosion followed by firing near an FC check post in the Baleli area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.  

Government of Pakistan in a tweeted that Pakistan had sustained over 50000 casualties and $123 billion losses in the ‘war against terrorism’. For the period 2003-2017 Pakistan suffered 62,421 casualties. In 2013, 5, 379 Pakistanis were killed in terrorist attacks followed by 5,496 in 2014; 3,682 in 2015; 1,830 in 2016 and 924 in 2017. According to Watson Institute 6000 Pakistan Security Personnel, 1582 United States (US) Contractors, 2357 US Military, 1130 Allied Troops and 14200 Afghan Troopers were killed in combat (period not specified).

FATA Law and Order Officials confirmed that 6,112 civilians were killed and another 6,707 others have been injured in the ‘war against terrorism’ since 2001 (period not specified during a meeting of the standing committee on the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) in Islamabad. Families of the killed have been paid 3.7 billion rupees in compensation so far. Families of 244 Levies and 178 Khasadar Personnel were among the 5,690 civilians, who had received the compensation amount.

January 3

Karachi Police released a year-end report detailing its performance for the year 2017. The report detailed that 184 criminals and 7,373 militants were killed in 480 encounters in Karachi in 2017.

A FIR was launched against Hafeez Saeed’s organisation JuD and its subsidiary FIF for display of banners requesting donations in Koral Police station in Ghouri Town in Islamabad. Two other FIRs were registered against the foundation at Golra and Shahzad Town police stations, respectively.

DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said that any ‘misunderstandings’ between US and Pakistan could negatively impact security situation in Afghanistan. He added that India played a destabilising role in the region and encouraged terrorism in Pakistan through Afghanistan territory. “Pakistan received only $15-20 billion in terms of CSF, while the national exchequer incurred $123 billion in losses in monetary terms besides other sacrifices to support US operations in its war against terror”, he said.

A two member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that that the sit-in staged by the TLYRA was an "attack on Muslims by Muslims". AG Ashtar Ausuf told the Court that nine people in Punjab and three in Sindh were killed during the protests while 194 Police Officers were injured. AG confirmed that an estimated damage of PKR 139.5 million was incurred. The Court also questioned the employment status of TLYRA chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who was heading the protest.

January 4

Two TTP were killed and four militants were arrested in an IBO in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan District of KP. The deceased militants, included wanted Zahir Shah and his unidentified accomplice, who were responsible for the killing of Army Major Ishaq during an encounter initiated by the SFs on November 22, 2017, in the same area.

Eight militants among fifteen suspects were arrested by FC Balochistan from Districts of Zhob, Sibbi, Nasirabad (Dera Murad Jamali), Bolan (Mach), and Quetta (Killi Ismail). 70 kilograms of explosive, weapons and ammunition and communication equipment were also recovered.

Four missiles were fired near sub-division complex Bahai Daag in Mamad Kore area of Khewazai Biazai in Mohmand agency of FATA from across the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border. No casualties or injuries were reported.

An IED planted near the residence of Malik Hayat Gul of Masood Adamzai in Safi Tehsil in Mohmand Agency in FATA went off early. No casualties or injuries were reported.

An IED recovered and defused by the BDU of Mohmand Rifles at Olai Top Border area in Biazai sub-division in Mohmand Agency in FATA.

MFA Pakistan Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal in response to a question on Pakistani response to potential US strikes in settled areas of Pakistani territory said that the Military had already stated that “any such actions would get a befitting response”.

The US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert had said that it had placed Pakistan on a special watch list for ‘severe violations of religious freedom’.

January 5

A FC Personal was injured in IED explosion in Ainger area of Mohmand Agency in FATA.

Sixteen TTP militants of the Ustad Aslam faction were arrested in a joint operation by CTD of Sindh Police and Sindh Rangers in Sohrab Goth and Mominabad areas of Karachi the provincial capital of Sindh. Firing took place during the Sohrab Goth raid.  The militants were identified as Rafiullah Arif alias Qari, Abdul Majid alias Mufti, Mohammad Younis Arif Ans alias Yousuf Saleem, Mohammad Razaq, Shams Alhuda alias Maulvi, Umar Khaliq alias Hussain, Mohammad Junaid alias Abdul Manan, Junaid Ahmed, Khan Bahadur, Abdul Gaffar alias Abu Huraira, Mohammad Zainul Abideen alias Siddiqui Arif Saifullah, Saifullah, Mohammad Asif, Sanaullah, Abdulaziz and Umar Ali. Arms and ammunition including hand grenades and explosives were also recovered.

CTD recovered ten ‘block bombs’ and several suicide vests near Guru Mandir neighbourhood of Karachi the provincial capital of Sindh.

More Pakistanis died in incidents described by LEA as encounters than in gun violence or in suicide attacks in 2017, according to the findings of a research conducted by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). In 2017, 495 people were reported killed in what the law enforcement agencies said were shootouts. The number of those killed in gun violence was 399, those in suicide attacks 298, and in bomb explosions 144. The corresponding numbers for 2016 were 645 in alleged encounters, 485 in gun violence, and 376 in suicide attacks. The study finds that sectarian violence escalated drastically in 2017, with a 32 percent increase from 241 fatalities in 2016 to 319 in 2017. Overall, the report maintains that the country witnessed a 21 percent decline in violence-related deaths in 2017. Except Punjab, all other provinces or regions registered a decline in violence. 4,131 casualties were reported in violent incidents in 2017, including 2,057 deaths and 2,074 injuries. In contrast, there were 2,613 deaths in 2016 and 4,647 in 2015.

TLYRA Chief Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi said that TLYRA will fight upcoming 2018 elections in Pakistan. Speaking at Liaquat Bagh in ceremony to honour people killed during the Faizabad protests he said that “In Faizabad, we sacrificed only eight lives fighting the blasphemy, but if circumstances demand, we will be ready to sacrifice millions of lives”. A top leader Pir Afzal Qadri released a 12-point manifesto promising an equitable distribution of wealth and inclusion of Islamic teachings in the curriculum.

Afghan Deputy Ambassador to Pakistan Zardasht Shams said that the Deputy Governor of Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Qazi Mohammad Nabi Ahmadi, abducted from Peshawar in KP in October 27 2017, has been released. Ahmadi’s brother, Habibullah, who was also abducted, has not yet been freed.

NACTA will conduct research on the footprints of IS group in Pakistan and its linkage with TTP, Al Qaeda and other militant networks confirmed Senate Standing Committee on Internal Security under the chairmanship of Rehman Malik. Rehman Malik also asked NACTA to take steps for capacity-building of the FIA to effectively combat cyber terrorism and crimes. NACTA’s National Coordinator Ihsan Ghani presented a report on implementation of the NAP over the last three years covering 20 salient points of the anti-terrorism plan confirmed that 483 militants had been convicted since partial lifting of moratorium on death penalty in March 2015 (period not specified).

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said that US will suspend all security aid to Pakistan starting from January 5 until Islamabad acts against terrorist groups.  The suspension includes USD 255 million in FMF for the fiscal year 2016 as mandated by the US Congress and USD 900 million of the CSF money to Pakistan for the fiscal year 2017. “It has been more than four months since the President’s speech and despite a sustained high-level engagement by this administration with the Government of Pakistan, the Taliban and the Haqqani Network continue to find sanctuary inside Pakistan as they plot to destabilise Afghanistan and also attack US and allied personnel,” Nauert said. She added that the cut is not permanent. However the suspension of FMF for 2016 was announced back in September 2017 and the State Department could not confirm the exact figure of what extra amount of aid had been suspended beyond $255 million in FMF for 2016 during the press briefing.  

US Republican Senator Rand Paul said that he would introduce a bill that would stop all US aid to Pakistan. "US should not give one penny to countries that burn our flag and chant Death to America. Countries like Pakistan that stonewall access to key information in fighting terrorism don't deserve our money," he said.

MFA Pakistan Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said that Pakistan had fought war against terrorism largely from its own resources and it cost the country $120 billion in last 15 years. “[The] impact of US’ decision on pursuit of common objectives is also likely to emerge more clearly in due course of time. It, however, needs to be appreciated that Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism largely from its own resources. We are determined to continue to do all it takes to secure the lives of our citizens and broader stability in the region,” he said in a statement.

January 6

Two militants were killed by SFs in Nawa Killi near Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan. Police said that they were attempting to arrest the accomplices of an arrested suspect who was in the vehicle with the SFs in order to help in identifying the suspects. Security officials (unnamed) said, “However, the suspect’s accomplices opened fire in a bid to help their detained friend escape. In the resulting exchange, one of the attackers, as well as the under-arrest suspect, were killed. Two terrorists, however, escaped from the scene”.

Armed assailants killed a Policeman belonging to the Rapid Response Group (RRG) and injured another near Sariab Flyover in Quetta. The deceased was identified as RRG Constable Muhammad Alam.

355 suspected persons were arrested by Police during search operations in various areas of Kohat District in KP. According to DPO Kohat, thirty-three proclaimed offenders and a number of Afghan citizens living in the area without valid travelling documents were among the arrested people. Arms and ammunition were recovered from them.

FC Balochistan recovered IEDs, arms and ammunition during an IBO in Mastung District of Balochistan. “Through an IBO [intelligence based operation] in Mastung based on lead from apprehended suspects, [FC] recovered cache of arms, ammunition and explosives including sniper rifles, grenade and IEDs hidden in caves for a major terrorist activity,” the ISPR said in a statement.

One suspect, identified as Gul Qayum s/o Akhtar Qayum, was arrested and arms and ammunition were recovered by Khasdar Force in the Zergraan area of Landi Kotal tehsil in Khyber agency. The recovery included 55 SMGs and 1150 rounds.