SWAT Analysis: Rampaging Taliban Militants Spread Chaos Across Pakistan

By Animesh Roul

'Swat Analysis’ is a Daily brief on the resurgent Taliban and their safe sanctuaries in Pakistan. The brief will be posted in regular intervals focusing on the developments in Swat province, NWPF and other Taliban hotspots.

Amid ongoing battle between Taliban and Pakistan security forces in Swat province in NWFP, Taliban and Al Qaeda elements in Pakistan have targeted two major urban centers. Lahore and Peshawar witnessed suicide blasts and shootings in a span of two days. Thursday’s (May 28) twin blasts in Peshawar, the provincial capital of North West Frontier Province killed at least six people in Qissa Khawani market area in Kabari Bazaar in the evening. The militants used two motorbike fitted explosives in these markets. Elsewhere near Peshawar, a suicide bomber drove past his explosives-laden vehicle through a security check post located in Dera Ismail Khan, killing 3 people including a policeman. Nearly 90 people were injured in these two incidents.

A day earlier, on May 27, Taliban suicide bomber triggered a massive blast near Intelligence Agency (ISI) office in Lahore. Nearly 25 people died including security personnel. Scores of people were injured in the blast and simultaneous gunfire by militants.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the Lahore suicide bombing. According to the SITE , the TTP made the claim in a Turkish-language statement in jihadist websites through an organization called Elif Media. In that message TTP reportedly urged civilians to stay away from areas where the security forces are stationed. Also a Taliban commander Hakimullah Mehsud confirmed Taliban’s hand in the Lahore attack and threatened for more similar carnage in Pakistan’s other urban centers. There next target could be capital city Islamabad and port city Karachi.

TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud has reportedly ordered militants to carry out bombings in Swat and FATA and at the same time, to move for safer hideouts.

Meanwhile, Pakistan military troops took control of Mingora, the main town of Swat. They also cleared Bahrain and Peochar (the hideout of Maulana Fazlullah) in Swat. Many senior Taliban commanders including Abu Huzaifa and Sultan Khan were killed in latest offensive. The Pakistan government raised the head money for Maulana Fazlullah to 50 million rupees now. Earlier the NWFP government has announced rewards for providing information on 21 Taliban commanders.(Listed below)

Now, the army operation is moving towards another Taliban Stronghold, South Waziristan where militants have attacked security posts. In the ongoing Swat battle the Army so far has lost 90 troops and killed more than 2000 Taliban militants so far. But as things stand now, the resolve of Taliban remains unchanged.

List of Wanted Taliban Leaders:

Muslim Khan, spokesman of Maulana Fazlullah, Shah Dauran, naib Ameer of Fazlullah, Mehmood Khan, commander of Kuza Banda village, Akbar Hussain, commander Kabal, Sher Muhammad Qasab, local commander Charbagh, Siraj-Ud-Din, commander Malam Jabba, Bakht Farzand, commander Matta, Mian Gul Ghafoor, local commander Kuza Banda village, Nisar Ahmad , local commander Matta, Lal Din alias Baray Mian , commander Toro Banda, Anwar Ullah , commander Kuza Bama Khel, Bashir Ahmad, active member (Maulana Fazal Ullah group) Sultan Hussain, active militant (Maulana Fazal ullah group) , Anwar ullah alias Anwar, commander Kuza Bama Khel, Bashir Ahmad, active member (Maulana Fazal ullah group) , Sultan Hussain , active militant (Maulana Fazal Ullah group), Rashid Ahmad, active member (Maulana Fazal Ullah group), and Ibn-Amin local commander Namal each carries a head price of Rs. 10 million

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