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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Timeline- 2017

Month/Date

Incidents

January 3

The CTD officials of Hazara Division arrested two TTP terrorists, Muhammad Nawaz alias Abrash and Azizullah alias Hazaza, from Batagaram District of KP. Both the terrorists are said to have received militant training in Kunar area in Afghanistan. Nawaz and Azizullah were involved in a number of terrorism incidents in the past and were also found plotting an attack in the Batagaram region at the time of their arrest. CTD officials said the two men revealed major terrorism plots in Batagaram District during their initial interrogation. A video clip of DPO Batagaram was also recovered from their possession.

January 9

The BDU neutralised a 10 kilograms bomb in Karkhano Market of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said it was a remote-controlled device.

Bannu Special Police Unit arrested three suspected TTP terrorists from the Chando Khel area of Lakki Marwat District. Police recovered a Kalashnikov rifle, three grenades, an anti-personnel mine, explosives and 30 bore pistols. The terrorists were identified as Waliullah, Amanullah and Ravib. The arrested militants were involved in target killing, extortion and attacking law enforcers. The arrested persons also stole the rifle of police official Ali Badshah after killing him.

January 11

JI ameer (chief), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mushtaq Ahmad called for merger of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and also stated that the people of the FATA were deprived of basic and democratic rights for the last seven decades, reports The News. Mushtaq Ahmed also rejected the FCR, saying it was a black law. "If no solid steps were taken for the merger of the FATA with KP and uplift of the tribal areas, we will have no other option but to march on Islamabad," he said. Mushtaq Ahmad asked the Government to announce PKR 1,000 billion uplift package for the tribal areas.

Earlier, JUI-F leaders on January 8 rejected the federal government's plan to merge FATA with KP and threatened to launch a protest movement if any changes were 'imposed' on the tribal people. "We request the federal government, especially the prime minister, to stop implementation of the reforms until every stockholder is taken on board, otherwise the JUI-F would start an agitation campaign across FATA," threatened Abdul Shakoor, head (FATA) JUI-F.

January 15

Army and LEAs carried out joint combing operations in Shaheen town, Warsak Road, Dalazak and Pakka Ghulam areas of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP, in the evening. According to ISPR, during the combing operation 58 suspects were apprehended including five Afghan nationals. Huge cache of arms, ammunition and drugs were recovered during the operation.

January 23

The Police recovered two suicide jackets from Abu Bakar mosque under the Paharipura Police Station, on the outskirt of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, no arrests were made. An official at the Paharipura Police Station said that acting on a tip-off Police personnel checked Abu Bakar mosque near Benazir Hospital along the motorway. He said the cops recovered two suicide jackets containing about five kilogramme explosives from the room of the prayer leader of the mosque. However, the prayer leader was not present in the room at the time of the raid.

January 30

At least nine people, including three FC personnel, were injured in a blast on Charsadda road of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A contingent of FC personnel was on its way from Mohmand Agency to Peshawar when their vehicle was targeted through a bomb planted on the roadside on Charsadda road, SSP Operations Sajjad Khan said. As a result of the explosion, six civilians and three security men sustained injuries. There has been no claim of responsibility for the blast.

February 1

Security Forces killed a TTP militant and arrested eight other suspects during an exchange of fire in the Luni Jungle area under Kulachi tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three Army personnel - Major Abbas, Captain Omer and Naik Adnan - were injured during a 'routine sanitisation operation', the ISPR said in a statement.

February 6

A grand jirga of elders from Khyber Agency was held in Jamrud town, opposing the proposed merger of the FATA with KP. Jirga participants urged the Government instead to form an independent FATA Legislative Council or announce a separate province status for the tribal areas. Malik Ghaffar Khan Afridi, a tribal elder, said that the merger of FATA with KP was unacceptable to tribal people. He said the proposed legislative council should be formed to legislate for the tribal region in line with the local social, political and traditions. The elder believed that the FATA reforms proposed by the government committee went against tribal customs and traditions. He said legislation and policies on Fata should be made in light of local traditions and customs. Malik Ghaffar Khan Afridi opposed the extension of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and high courts to FATA, saying local residents knew very well how to resolve their issues through a jirga system.

February 7

At least two Policemen were injured, in an explosion, at the main gate of Mandan Police Station in Bannu District of KP. The blast was caused when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into the entrance gate of the Police Station. The main gate of the Police Station was completely destroyed due to explosion while the building was partially damaged. The injured Policemen were shifted to a nearby hospital.

February 12

Two children were killed and another critically wounded in an accidental grenade explosion in Buner of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The children of a shepherd family were playing when they found the hand grenade and accidentally set it off, local government official Zariful Maani. The two brothers, aged nine and 10, died, while their seven-year-old female cousin is in critical condition.

February 15

The Driver of the civil judge vehicle was killed when a motorcycle bourne suicide bomber rammed his bike into the vehicle in Hayatabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Civil Judge Asif Jadoon and three female judges of the lower judiciary were travelling in an official car in Phase 5 area when an attacker on a motorcycle struck the front of the vehicle and exploded, killing the driver and injuring the four judges. A total of six persons were injured in the explosion. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. "About 15 kg of explosive was used in the suicide bomb," said Peshawar Police Chief Tahir Khan.

February 16

Four Policemen and a passerby were killed when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified militants in Mission Mor area of Dera Ismail Khan town in the same District of KP. The van was stationed at a filling station as part of its normal patrol duty when it was attacked by unidentified militants, said District Emergency Officer Imran Khan. The victims were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Rehmatullah, Constable Iqbal, Constable Irshad and a passerby Fazal. The driver of the vehicle sustained serious bullet wounds and was rushed to hospital by rescue officials, but he later succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

February 17

In Tora Wari area of Hangu, the forces killed two terrorists while their accomplices fled.

In Peshawar, the security forces conducted a search operation in Regi area of Peshawar and killed three terrorists, said local police said.

February 21

At least seven persons, including a lawyer and an eight-year-old boy, were killed and as many as 25 others were injured when three terrorists wearing suicide vests attacked the session's court in Tangi tehsil of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attack begun at around 11:40am when the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, using automatic weapons and hurled grenades at the security officials, in an attempt to enter the court. The gunfire was immediately followed by explosions of hand grenades, one of which exploded at the entrance, while another went off near the bar room where a number of lawyers were reportedly present at that time. However, timely action by Policemen stationed at the session's court prevented the attackers from entering the premises, as they gunned down two attackers and the third one blew himself up after failing to enter the building. Charsadda DPO Sohail Khalid informed the media that all the three attackers had been killed in retaliatory fire. Charsadda Assistant Commissioner Inayatullah Khan said that the injured included six Policemen who confronted the terrorists in a gun battle that lasted for at least 14 minutes.

In a statement, JuA, the offshoot of TTP claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was a continuation of Operation Ghazi, which they had initiated against Pakistan. The group released details of two of the attackers - Abdul Basit of Mohmand Agency in FATA and Khairullah of Kunduz province of Afghanistan.

February 24

The CTD claimed thwarting a terrorism bid after arresting an Afghan national named Naimatullah from the Achini Khwar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. "This man, Naimatullah alias Fidai alias Umair is an Afghan national, currently residing in the Yakatoot area. He was arrested in Achini Khwar area … He was trying to enter the city with explosives," a CTD official said.

A cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during a raid on a house in the New City Homes locality by a team of Chamkani Police. SSP Sajjad Khan said that the house of Ayub, who is a resident of Lakki Marwat, was raided after an informant forwarded the information, adding that 24 shotguns, 21 pistols and 7,100 cartridges were seized.

25 kilogrammes of explosives, 34 hand-grenades and prima cord were seized during a raid jointly conducted by personnel of Police and intelligence agencies on a house in Shahpoor. SSP (Operations) Sajjad Khan told reporters at Chamkani police station that the seized material was going to be used in an attack on Peshawar.

February 26

Three persons belonging to the Shia community were gunned downed under Paroa Police Station area in Dera Ismail Khan District of KP.

March 1

The cadres of Islamic State or Daesh hide among the general population, using small businesses as a cover, said a Police official under the condition of anonymity. The official under the condition of anonymity said that their approach differs from the TTP, whose cadres used to openly establish camps in parts of FATA and even in the settled areas of KP. They are highly experienced in sabotage and concealment" since most cadres had previously belonged to the TTP, he added. "These people hide among the (general) population and we have solid evidence suggesting that they engage in small businesses such as fruit vendors, plying pushcarts, using it as a cover, avoiding suspicion … Their strategy is mostly successful," he said, adding that these people rent houses and move frequently to avoid detection. "All new recruits are sent to Afghanistan … Once people know that you are fighting in Afghanistan, chances are that no policeman or anyone else will touch you simply because you are (among) 'good Taliban'," he maintained.

March 4

Unidentified gunmen killed a lawyer, identified as Mohammed Jan Gigyani apparently in a targeted shooting near the Afghanistan border in Shabqadar in Charsadda District in the KP. According to a Police officer, two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on Mohammed Jan Gigyani while he was driving his car. He said Gigyani was critically wounded and died en route to a hospital. He added that Gigyani was a prominent lawyer affiliated with Aftab Ahmed Khan's Qaumi QWP.

March 7

Five militants and two Army personnel, including one Captain Junaid, were killed during an intelligence-based operation against suspected terrorists in Malikabad area of Swabi District KP. "[The] five terrorists who were killed [...] were planning to target educational institutions and judicial complexes," Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. Three of the terrorists had been identified, while the remaining two were "probably Afghans". At least one of the identified militants was a cadre of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), added ISPR.

March 8

10 militants were killed when SFs stormed a compound in a nearby village of Malikabad area in Swabi District of KP. Earlier the day, five militants and two Army personnel, including one Captain Junaid, were killed during an intelligence-based operation against suspected terrorists in Malikabad area.

Five hardcore terrorists were executed at District jail of Kohat, the statement issued by the ISPR said. The convicts were tried by military courts, the ISPR said. These terrorists include Shoukat Ali s/o Abdul Jabbar, Imdad Ullah s/o Abdul Wajid, Sabir Shah s/o Syed Ahmed Shah, Khandan s/o Dost Muhammad Khan and Anwar Ali s/o Fazal Ghani, ISPR added.

Police recovered an anti-tank mine and arrested six suspected persons during a search operation in Injeer Khwar area of Hangu District. DPO Ihsanullah Khan said that the Police was informed about an explosive device planted in Injeer Khwar area. He said that they called in the officials of the BDS who recovered and defused the explosive device weighing up to three kilogram. He said that the police conducted a search operation in Doaba and surrounding localities and arrested six suspected persons. He said the Police also recovered a Kalashnikov, a rifle, two pistols and several cartridges from the arrested suspects.

March 17

At least six militants were killed during a search operation in the Mosal Kor village of Michini area in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. FC spokesperson said that the SFs carried out a search operation in the Mosal Kor area when terrorists opened fire on the personnel. Six militants were killed in the retaliatory fire. SFs recovered a cache of arms and explosive from the possession of slain militants.

One FCB soldier was killed and another injured in a suicide attack on an FC training centre in Shabqadar area town of Charsadda District. The ISPR said the attack was "foiled" and two suicide bombers were killed in retaliatory fire. FCB Commandant Liaqat Ali Khan said that the attackers tried to sneak into the training facility in the wee hours to cause maximum casualties but the guards quickly responded and neutralised the attackers. One attacker was killed by FCB personnel while the other died after his jacket exploded when it was hit by gunfire.

March 17

At least six militants were killed during a search operation in the Mosal Kor village of Michini area in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. FC spokesperson said that the SFs carried out a search operation in the Mosal Kor area when terrorists opened fire on the personnel. Six militants were killed in the retaliatory fire. SFs recovered a cache of arms and explosive from the possession of slain militants.

One FCB soldier was killed and another injured in a suicide attack on an FC training centre in Shabqadar area town of Charsadda District. The ISPR said the attack was "foiled" and two suicide bombers were killed in retaliatory fire. FCB Commandant Liaqat Ali Khan said that the attackers tried to sneak into the training facility in the wee hours to cause maximum casualties but the guards quickly responded and neutralised the attackers. One attacker was killed by FCB personnel while the other died after his jacket exploded when it was hit by gunfire.

March 30

ISPR stated that, Tahir, a 'hardcore terrorist' belonging to TTP and involved in the 2012 Bannu jailbreak was executed in Kohat jail. The terrorist was tried and convicted by a military court. In April 2012, over 200 terrorists attacked the Central Jail in Bannu, freeing 384 prisoners in the pre-dawn assault. The execution came two days after Senate approved the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill, consummating the parliamentary process to revive military courts for another two years.

A minor girl was killed and a young man wounded in a bomb blast in Gandi Khankhel area of Lakki Marwat. A Police official said that a girl identified as Naila Moeen (8), was playing outside her house in the fields when she mistook a grenade for a toy. They said that as the girl lifted the grenade it exploded killing her on the spot. He said that a young man, Sifatullah, was wounded in the explosion. Police later cordoned off the area and during search found nine hand grenades from the place of incident which were defused by officials of bomb disposal squad.

The Federal Government appointed Salahuddin Khan Mehsud, as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police chief. A notification issued by the establishment division said that Salahuddin Khan Mehsud, a BS-21 officer of the PSP, presently serving under the KP Government, was transferred and posted as PPO, KP, in his own pay and scale with immediate effect till further order.

April 13

A journalism student was lynched at AWKU in Mardan District in broad daylight after being accused of blasphemy. The deceased was identified as Mashal Khan, a resident of Swabi and a student at AWKU's Journalism and Mass Communication department. A friend of the deceased student said that a mob attacked him before shooting him in the head and chest. He added that the mob then continued to beat his body with sticks

April 23

A man was shot dead in Mansehra District. Abdul Sattar was on his way to Balakot from Boi area when a group of unidentified people intercepted him near Garhihabibullah and fired at him, killing him on the spot. Police said that assailants tortured had tortured his brother before opening fire at him.

April 25

CTD Mardan region in an operation arrested an alleged terrorist from Akoddaa Khatak area of Nowshehra District. The arrested terrorist identified as Rehmat Ullah was involved in providing SIMS to kidnappers, terrorist, extortionists and other banned outfits.

Authorities hanged four militants involved in attacks on civilians, police and troops after they were convicted by the country's military courts, an army statement said. It said the four, who were hanged at a prison in KP, belonged to the TTP. Those executed were identified as Rehmanuddin, Mushtaq Khan, Zafar Iqbal and Obaidur Rehman. According to the ISPR all the TTP militants had confessed to their involvement in murdering innocent persons and carrying out attacks on armed forces and law enforcement agencies. The Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had confirmed death sentences passed by military courts on 30 militants, some of whom were involved in the country's worst-ever extremist attack. The military courts - in which the army can try civilians on terror charges in secret, despite strong criticism from rights groups - were established in the wake of the 2014 attack, which traumatised the country. They were seen as an "exceptional" short-term measure to give the government time to reform the criminal justice system, as the military targeted militants in the tribal areas of the northwest. The law expired in January 2017, but was shortly extended for another two years.

April 28

Unidentified gunmen shot dead a senior Afghan Taliban leader, Maulvi Daud, near Shamshato refugees' camp near Peshawar, provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The gunmen sprayed bullets at the car of Maulvi Daud - a former Taliban governor for Kabul. Daud's driver was also killed in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. There are speculations of the Islamic State (IS) involvement in the incident, as both the Taliban and IS supporters had been involved in fighting in parts of Afghanistan.

May 7

Three CTD officials sustain injuries when an IED exploded at Khattak Pull area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. According to reports, the CTD officials were targeted when they were returning after defusing an IED found outside a girls primary school in Urmarh area. Police said the blast damaged the vehicle and the injured were moved to Lady Reading Hospital for treatment where they were stated to be in stable condition.

May 19

At least 14 people including seven children and women sustained injuries in five different hand grenade attacks in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda District in KP. According to Police, the hand grenades were hurled at different places including a private school in Zareef Kore. A schoolboy and watchman of the school sustained injuries in the attack on private school, police said. Three houses were targeted in Meero area. 11 people were wounded when unidentified miscreants threw hand grenade at a house in Mosul Kore area.

A car was completely destroyed in three explosions outside a trader's house in Ghani Rehman Karlay area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. However, no casualty was reported in the explosions.

May 20

Four Police personnel, including a SHO, were gunned down in the Lachi tehsil of Kohat District. DSP Lachi Raza Khan told that unknown assailants targeted a police mobile which was on routine patrol. "The assailants ambushed the mobile, killing four Policemen on-board, including SHO Khanullah and additional SHO Tahir Mehmood," said the DSP.

Police's counter-terrorism department arrested a TTP 'commander' in Mundan village in Bannu District. Mansoorullah Ali alias Qiyaz is believed to be the mastermind behind attack on Mundan Police Station in Bannu on February 7, 2017. Police said the TTP 'commander' was found in possession of explosives, grenades and material used for making bombs.

Police and law enforcement agencies recovered 400 kilogrammes of military-grade explosives during a joint raid at a house of one Hunzala in Shamshato Refugee Camp, an area falling within the jurisdiction of Mattani Police Station in Peshawar.

May 29

Four members of a defunct pro-government peace militia were killed and another was injured in a targeted attack in Mattani Bazaar in the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "Irshad, Imtiaz, Waheed and Muhammad Ali - all former volunteers of the defunct Adezai Aman Lashkar - were killed when gunmen ambushed the vehicle they were travelling in," SP (Rural), Shaukat Khan said. The injured was identified by him as Mohsin.

May 30

A relative and former secretary of Afghanistan's former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Haji Fareed, was shot dead in Tajabad area of Pishtakhara in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Police said unidentified attackers opened fire on Haji Fareed while he was coming out of a mosque. As a result, Fareed died on the spot. Haji Fareed had served as secretary of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. He had recently returned from Afghanistan. Hailing from Kunduz, Fareed was based in Peshawar for the past decade with his family.

June 5

Six kidnapped Pakistani workers for a Polish oil and gas company have been freed, a local official said, more than six months after they were abducted. The workers were kidnapped on November 26, 2016, on a road near the village of Drazinda, some 80km (50 miles) from Dera Ismail Khan while carrying out exploration work for oil and gas surveyor Geofizyka Krakow. The company has been in liquidation since August 2016, and a spokesperson for its parent company, PGNIG, said at the time the six were kidnapped that they were "sub-contractors".

June 11

A senior journalist of a local newspaper, identified as Baksheesh Allai, was shot dead by undefiled assailants in the Haripur town of same District in KP. Baksheesh Allai, the bureau chief of The K2 Times, was on his way home when motorcyclists intercepted him on a main road and spread him with bullets, successfully fleeing the scene in its aftermath.

June 12

A drone strike killed a commander of Haqqani network and his partner in Speen Tal area of Hangu District in KP. Haqqani network leader Abubakar and his partner were killed when a drone fired two missiles at his house in Speen Tal area in the night. The drone strike "completely destroyed" the suspected militant's house, security sources said. Local residents said the drone was strafing above the area for a while, before it destroyed the targeted compound.

June 15

At least three Police personnel and one militant were during an ambush on the Police vehicle in Chamkani area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the evening. The Police personnel were on a routine patrol after iftar when three assailants riding a motorcycle targeted the Police van, SP rural Furqan Bilal said. As a result of the firing, constables Umer Hayat, Shahid and Intikhab Alam laid down their lives while head constable Sheraz sustained injuries. The Police party, which belonged to Waheedabad Police Station, retaliated to the assailants' firing, shooting dead one of the three militants. The other two militant managed to flee the scene, SP Bilal added.

June 20

Two suspected terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with SFs when they attempted to raid a checkpost in Dewana Baba Ziarat area of Tank District in KP. The ISPR press release said the attack was successfully repelled when the Pakistani forces engaged in retaliatory firing and killed the attackers, the ISPR said.

June 23

Police killed three militants in an encounter near grid station of Shahpur in Chamkani area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. SSP, operations, Sajjad Khan said, the Police, working on a tip-off, raided a floor mill near grid station of Shahpur in Chamkani, where terrorists opened fire at them as a result two Policemen, Inspector Zia and constable Arshad were injured. While in retaliation, the Police also opened fire and killed three terrorists belonging to a banned outfit, SSP added. CCPO, Peshawar Tahir Khan said that weapons, explosive material, detonators, footage and documents were recovered from the building during the search operation. IGP Salahuddin said that "A high profile terrorist commander was also among those killed".

June 30

Women rights activist and founder of the first female jirga, Tabassum Adnan, survived in an armed attack conducted by unidentified assailants in Saidu Sharif Police Station area of Swat District in KP. Tabassum Adnan said that some unidentified assailants starting firing in the midnight on which her police guard responded and after sometime the attackers fled. Tabassum is the founder of first female Jirga known as Khwendo Jirga which works for women rights. She is the recipient of several national and international awards.

The CTD arrested a key militant identified as Saeedur Rehman, a resident of Shawar, in Matta tehsil. The Police said that he was allegedly involved in anti-state activities during the Swat mayhem.

July 11

A cache of arms and ammunition was recovered by the SFs in Kohat Town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to an ISPR press release, SFs conducted an intelligence-based operation and recovered the weapons while they were being transported from Darra Adam Khel to Wana. "Weapons were discretely hidden inside the truck's lower body," the press release read. ISPR said that two men were also apprehended in the operation. The recovered cache of weapons includes 614 pistols, 115 automatic weapons, 7,000 rounds of various calibre and 579 pistol magazines.

July 17

Two FC personnel were killed and four others injured when a suicide bomber targeted their vehicle in Hayatabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Superintendent of Police (Cantonment), Imran Malik has confirmed it was a suicide attack and death of two FC soldiers, including a Major rank officer.

July 26

A religious scholar and leader of the JUI-F, Maulana Haq Nawaz Haqqani, was shot dead in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda District in KP. According to Police, Maulana Haq Nawaz Haqqani, administrator of Jamia Muhammadia in the Matta Mughalkhel area, was going to the mosque in his seminary for Fajr prayer at about 4.20am when two men on a motorcycle opened fire on him. He suffered 10 bullet wounds and died instantly, while the killers escaped. JUI-F leaders termed the incident targeted killing. They said Maulana Haqqani was a non-controversial person and had no enmity.

August 9

Four Army personnel, including a major, and two suicide bombers were killed during an operation in an attempting to foil a terrorist attack in Sherotkai area of Timergara in Lower Dir District of KP in the early hours. The ISPR press release said the Major Ali Salman, who belonged to an intelligence agency, along with his team carried out an IBO against a terrorist hideout in Sherotkai area. When the security personnel raided the hideout, the suspected militants opened fire on the soldiers. One of the two suicide bombers present inside the hideout then blew himself up, while the other was killed in the exchange of fire with soldiers. One suspected terrorist was apprehended during the operation, the ISPR statement said. The slain Major and soldiers were identified as Major Ali Salman, Havildar Ghulam Nazir, Havildar Akhtar and Sepoy Abdul Karim.

August 18

A local leader of the JUI-F, Maulana Syed Ataullah Shah, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Banu Ada area of Dera Ismail Khan District of KP. The assailants targeted Maulana Syed Ataullah Shah while he was walking home after offering Fajr prayers in Banu Ada. Shah, who was serving as the khateeb (sermon-giver) of a local mosque, was considered to be a prominent leader of JUI Dera Ismail Khan and a close aide of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

August 20

A boy was killed and six other children were injured in a toy bomb explosion in Spinawari area under Pishtakhara Police Station in Peshawar, provincial capital of KP. Police said the children were playing in a field when the explosion took place at around 4pm. The blast was caused by a toy like grenade.

September 14

JUI-Fazl leader and former MPA Hashim Khan and two of his aides were shot dead in Shah Alam Baba area of Lower Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SHO Fazal Mabood said unidentified assailants had opened fire on the vehicle in which Hashim Khan was travelling, killing him and his two aides.

September 24

SFs killed three militants in Gara Madda area of Dera Ismail Khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A press release issued by ISPR stated that the law enforcement agencies were carrying out a search operation in Gara Madda area when the alleged encounter took place. The officials signalled three people, riding a bike, to stop but they reportedly resorted to firing on the SF personnel, ensuing an encounter, claimed ISPR. All the three suspects were later identified as Iqbal, Waheed, and Majid, said ISPR, adding that Iqbal was reportedly carrying a head money of PKR one million.

September 26

One senior militant Shafqatullah laid down arms and surrendered before Police in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A Police official said that Shafqatullah was wanted to law enforcement agencies in several militancy-related cases, including Shah Hasankhel suicide blast of January 1, 2010. Over 97 villagers, including security personnel, had been killed in the blast when a suicide bomber blew up his double-door pickup truck in the middle of a volleyball match. "The surrendered militant is also involved in attacks on district police office, police lines and city police post when militancy was at peak in the southern district," the official said, adding Shafqatullah was also wanted to Police in cases of blowing up a water supply scheme in Lakki city, a government primary school in Shah Hasankhel village and a house in Dhoda village.

September 29

At least 20 people sustained injuries in an explosion near a hospital located on Ring Road near Shinwari Town, within the jurisdiction of Paharipura Police Station, Peshawar, the provincial capital, Police said. While Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi said 20 people sustained injuries and were treated on the spot, SSP (Operations) Sajjad Khan said only five people were seriously injured in the explosion. "The blast occurred just outside the hospital, injuring many people including one of the owners, Osman Maqsood, who was on his way back after Friday prayers," an official said, adding that according to the bomb disposal squad officials the device used in the attack was probably homemade. Police said the hospital owner was the target of the attack as he was already receiving threatening calls from extortionists.

Police and intelligence agencies in a joint operation rounded up two terrorists and recovered seven hand grenades, four IEDs and prima card and shrapnel from an under an construction house in Peshawar.

October 2

At least one person was killed and two others injured in a remote-controlled blast in the Ghat area of Malam Jabba in Swat Valley District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said the blast targeted a family member of a VDC member, Ahmed Zeb. Zeb's father was killed and two others wounded, Police officials said.

October 4

Three terrorists tried and convicted by military courts were executed at a jail in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ISPR statement said. The convicts were "involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including [an] attack on a PIA plane at Peshawar Airport, killing of civilians, attacking the armed forces and law enforcement agencies," the ISPR handout read. Former Army chief General Raheel Sharif signed the death warrants of the three terrorists, identified as Sajid, Behram and Fazal-i-Ghaffar.

October 12

A local journalist, Haroon Khan, a correspondent for Waqt News TV, was shot dead outside his house in Swabi town of same district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Haroon Khan came under fire when he stepped out of his home. He was also affiliated with Akhbar-i-Khaiber, while earlier he remained associated with the Mashriq TV.

October 29

The Police claimed to have arrested four militants as they attempted to plant a bomb on Shah Alam bridge in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Counter-Terrorism Department said the suspects belonging to a banned organization had made the explosive device using two oil cans. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the possession of the militants.

November 6

Two Policemen were killed in an attack at a check post in the Mardan District.

November 7

Terrorists carried out an explosion targeting a Health Department Team engaged in anti-polio vaccination at Jandol in Arif Kele area in Lower Dir District. No casualty was reported.

November 11

A Peshawar High Court Bench including Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Roohul Amin Khan has summoned the CTD's DSP (Investigation) along with the relevant records over a plea by Fazal Khan, father of a student Umar Khan killed in the 2014 Peshawar APS attack that his statement be recorded by the CTD Police Station. He said he had gone to the CTD Police Station several times to record statement in the case but was denied.

Meanwhile, the Bench also adjourned hearing into another petition filed by slain APS student Asfand Khan's father, Advocate Ajun Khan, who sought orders for the Federal and Provincial governments to make public all information related to the 2014 campus attack and the actions taken by them in light of the August 2014 prior alert about the attack.

November 12

Four civilians and three Security Personnel were injured in an remote-controlled explosion on Miryan Road in Bannu District. The SFs were heading from Bannu Cantonment to the Jani Khel semi-tribal area, when explosives planted on a motorcycle parked on Miryan Road exploded.

November 16

CTD has arrested two militants in Peshawar. Eight-kilograms of explosives and a hand grenade were recovered from the arrested militants.

November 21

Security in and around BKIA in Peshawar, KP, has been put on high alert amid threat of an attack, on an international flight.

November 22

An Army Major was killed and one soldier was injured in an exchange of fire with TTP militants, when the SFs conducted a raid at Musa Zai Mohllah in Kulachi area of DI Khan City. According to reports, the Army, acting on a tip-off around midnight, had raided the house of 'commander' Zahir Shah of the TTP where he was present with his accomplices.

November 23

Police arrested five alleged militants of TTP from Shabqadar area of Charsadda District, along with cache of explosive and ammunition. SHO Shabqadar Police Station Muhammad Arif said the militants were planning an attack on vaccination teams during the on-going anti-polio drive in the area. The five militants belonged to Bajaur Agency of FATA. Police also recovered 40 kilogrammes of explosive, seven mortar shells, three speaker magnets, two IEDs, 10 hand grenades, 13 detonators, and five remote control receivers with a 20-metre of cord from Wacha Wala Graveyard of Subhan Khwar area on Peshawar-Shabqadar Road.

November 24

AIG of Police, Muhammad Ashraf Noor was killed while seven other Policemen were injured, when a suicide bomber hit his motorbike into the vehicle carrying the AIG and other Personnel, near Zarghoni Mosque in the Hayatabad area between, Phase 1 and 2 in Peshawar District. There are however conflicting reports on the total number of casualties in the attack. Militant outfit LeJ claimed responsibility for the attack.

December 1

At least nine persons, including six students, were killed and 37 were injured when TTP terrorists attacked the ATI in Peshawar, KP. At least four attackers wearing suicide jackets under burqas reached the compound in a rickshaw. Their first target was the security guard, after which they headed inside towards the ATI students' hostel. Two soldiers were also injured in the rescue operation. A cache of arms and ammunition, including three suicide jackets, 20 hand grenades, AK-47 rifles and IEDs were recovered from the incident site. According to reports, about 120 college residents, out of a total of nearly 400, were present at the time of the attack. Most of the others had gone home for a long holiday weekend. TTP took the responsibility for the attack, claiming that it was not targeting the Institute, but a safe house belonging to Pakistan's ISI in the same area.

December 2

Two suspected militants were arrested near Jumma Khan Khwar in Nasir Bagh area of Peshawar. The arrested militants were wanted in target killings and arms and explosives were recovered from them.

Police arrested nine suspects from Badhbher, Telaband, and other areas outside Peshawar. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

December 4

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly demanded an inquiry into ATI attack on December 1 in Peshawar. The Lawmakers of both the Treasury and Opposition Benches were divided over the role of SFs that took down the militants at the institute. PPP Lawmaker Nighat Orakzai said the role of SFs had created unrest among the people. She said a student, who had had a scuffle with one of the terrorists, had told her that "he snatched the weapon from the terrorist and then locked him up in a room, but the terrorist was later killed by the security forces in the room". JI Senior Minister for Local Government Inayatullah Khan said "If police could overcome the terrorist and arrest him easily, then why didn't they? This needs to be investigated". Law Minister Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi refuted the statement of the student saying that it was just hearsay, adding that he had the complete report of the police which stated that four to five militants who attacked the institute were killed in the fight with the SFs.

December 6

Two militants were killed by SFs in an IBO in the Jahan Abad area of Swat District. Two facilitators were also arrested.

December 8

Army and Police conducted a Joint-Search Operation and arrested 19 suspected militants in Gulberg and Riggi areas of Peshawar District. Arms and drugs were recovered from marked houses during the operation. Police reported that in total approximately 80 houses were searched.

December 11

Six militants belonging to a sub-group of TTP Swat faction, allegedly linked to the ATI attack in Peshawar in KP on December 1, were arrested during raids in the areas bordering Charsadda District in KP and Mohmand Agency in FATA. Suicide vests and explosive material were recovered from the militants. However the main accused remains absconding despite raids being conducted by SFs in Bajaur Agency in FATA, where he was reported to have been present.

December 12

CTD personnel acting on prior intelligence arrested a suspected militant from Dogadra Area in Upper Dir District. The militant was identified as Fazl Subhan.

December 13

A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court acting on the petition filed by one Fazal Khan, disallowed the Government from releasing the former 'spokesperson' of TTP, Ehsanullah Ehsan, and directed the authorities to continue with the investigation. The petition stated that the Government was planning to give clemency to Ehsan who is in the custody of Security Agencies. Ehsanullah Ehsan had later joined JuA.

December 14

KP has witnessed 50 per cent decline in militancy related incidents in the current year (period not specified) as compared to the previous year (period not specified). 126 militancy related cases were reported to police in 2017 (period not specified), as against 258 cases of militancy in 2016 (period not specified).

December 19

Three SF personnel and two civilians were injured when a bomb planted along a road at Bacha Abad area of Kulachi Town in Dera Ismail Khan District exploded. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Police sources said the bomb was remotely controlled and exploded when the SFs' vehicle were travelling towards Loni area from Kolachi.

DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza briefed the Senators on the progress of Operation Radd-ul-Fassad. He confirmed that under the Radd-ul-Fassad, at least 18,001 IBOs were conducted across Pakistan (periods not specified). Giving further details he said that 1,249 IBOs had been conducted in KP and the FATA, including 31 major operations; 13,011 operations had been conducted in Punjab, including seven major operations; 1,410 operations, including 29 major operations, were undertaken in Balochistan; 2015 operations, including seven major operations, were conducted in Sindh. No break up was provided for rest 242 IBOs. There were another 4,983 search-based combing operations (across Pakistan). At least 19,993 weapons were also recovered during these operations. Further, briefing on Karachi, he said that since the launch of the Rangers operation in Karachi in 2013, at least 8,780 suspects had been transferred to the Police; 12,105 weapons were seized and 1,948 militants were arrested; 154 abductees had been freed from captivity and 154 kidnappers were arrested; and 24 soldiers had been killed (period for the data not specified).

PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and JUI-F 'chief' Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman met to discuss FATA reforms. Unnamed sources in the Government confirmed that Fazl gave conditional support as he wanted the PM to meet with the Supreme Council of FATA Grand Jirga to listen to their concerns on the matter.

December 20

Afghanistan Consul General Mohammad Moeen Marastial during a press briefing stated that tribal people's consent is a must for KP and FATA merger. "Our Government has no reservations over the merger, but the opinion of the people of the area is paramount before taking such a major decision," he said.

The Opposition for the eighth consecutive day staged a walkout from the National Assembly proceedings over non-inclusion of FATA reforms bill in the agenda. PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi held a meeting with the FATA Supreme Council of Grand Jirga to develop consensus on the issue.

December 21 Former PM and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif met incumbent PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and agreed to address the concerns of JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over FATA reforms. Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and other senior leaders of PML-N were also present in the meeting.
December 26

The FATA Youth Jirga said in press briefing in Islamabad that it will start a countrywide petition campaigning to convince masses within and out of Government on FATA reforms espousing merger with KP.

The Federal Cabinet approved early merger of FATA into KP. An official statement issued after the Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that approval was granted "to the formation of National Implementation Committee (NIC) on the FATA Reforms." The NIC had agreed that the FATA people will be able to elect 23 members to the KP assembly, while the NA seats would be finalised after consultations.

December 29

The Kulachi Police arrested six suspected militants and recovered arms and ammunition in raids at Kot Walidad and Nikora Check Posts in Kulachi Tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan District. Five of the arrestees were identified as Abdullah Jan, Hanif, Ziaullah, Ghulam Mustafa, and Sher Khan. The Police recovered one gun, one pistol with over 100 bullets from Abdullah Jan; one gun from Hanif; one rifle from Ziaullah; two rifles with ten rounds from Ghulam Mustafa; and 12-bore gun with four cartridges from Sher Khan.

* The Government of Pakistan passed the bill in the National Assembly on April 15, 2010 that changed the name of North West Frontier Province to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Source:Compiled from news reports and are provisional.

 

 

 

 

 
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