Pakistan Timeline - 2013

Date

Incidents

At least four persons were killed and more than 50 others injured when an IED planted in a parked motorcycle exploded near Ayesha Manzil within the precincts of Gulberg Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.  The remotely-controlled bomb hit the locality after a joint public gathering of the MQM and Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran concluded. The victims were identified as Talib Hussain, Rehan Ullah, Tayyab and Hashim.  

One Abdul Razzaq Baloch (55) was shot dead by unidentified assailants near SalmanHeights situated in Gulbahar Police Station of Karachi in Sindh.

ASI, Faiz Ahmed (51), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near the Habib Bank roundabout in the SITE-A Police Jurisdiction in Karachi. 

Imran Baloch (28) was shot dead near Muslimabad in Old Golimar of Pak Colony Police Station in Karachi. 

Shahab Khan (32) was shot dead near Nayabad in Shershah Police Station in Karachi. Police said that it was a target killing incident.

Aslam (40) was killed in Sector 11-1/2, OrangiTown, in Mominabad Police Jurisdiction in Karachi. 

Riaz (26), was shot dead near a restaurant in Gulshan-e-Iqbal’s Block 10-A in the Sharea Faisal Police Limits in Karachi. Police said Riaz was a security guard at the Indus Security Company.

Bakhtiar Alam (30) was shot dead in Gulshan-e-Iqbal’s Block-11 in Karachi. 

Ashraf (25) was shot dead in Gulistan-i-Jauhar Police Station in Karachi.  

An IED was defused in Orangi Town. Police said a suspicious parcel was found near the Orangi Town Police Station. After the discovery of the parcel, the BDU was called for help. The BDU team defused the IED, which contained two and a half kilograms of explosives. The IED was connected with four battery cells and circuits. 

At least three fishermen, identified as Sikandar, Akhtar and Sheri Jan, were shot dead while one Shafiq was injured by unidentified armed assailants in the Pasni town of Gwadar District in Balochistan. 

An officer of the Balochistan Government, Saifuddin Baloch and his driver, were killed and another man was injured when their car was sprayed with bullets in the Besima area of Kharan District in Balochistan. 

The warden of Machh jail, Mohammad Ali, who belonged to the Hazara community, was shot dead in Machh bazaar of Bolan District in Balochistan. 

Unknown armed assailants shot dead   a man, identified as Dost Muhammad, in Manguchar Bazaar area of Kalat District in Balochistan.  

A truck driver, Allahyar was injured in an attack on National Highway near Dasht area of Mastung District in Balochistan. According to Levies Force, a Quetta-bound truck, carrying medicines from Karachi, was on its way when unidentified assailants riding a motorbike opened fire on it.

Seven persons, including six women, working for a NGO, were shot dead at Sher Afzal Kalley area in Swabi District of KP. An employee for Support with Working Solutions (SWWS) organisation, working on health and education, told that the van was on its way from a centre of the NGO when the gunmen ambushed it at Sher Afzal Kalley. The driver of the vehicle carrying the local NGO staff was wounded critically, District Police Officer Abdur Rashid said.

Police foiled a terrorism bid in the Sarband area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP by defusing a 70-kilogramme bomb. The bomb was planted in a drum outside a tribal elder’s house in the semi-tribal village of Keena Bala. The Bomb Disposal Squad neutralised the bomb. 

Unidentified militants exploded two home-made explosive devices at boys’ primary school at Dallokhel village in Lakki Marwatof KP, damaging a portion of its boundary wall. An official said that the bombs weighed 2.5 kilogrammes each and the watchman who was present in the school building remained unhurt.

In another such incident the same night, unidentified assailants attacked a house with a hand grenade in Abakhel village.

Sub-Divisional Education Officer Rehmatullah Khan asked the heads of primary schools to ensure presence of watchmen in their respective schools during night time. The instructions to this effect have been delivered to headmasters in Meenakhel, Tajazai, Serai Gambila, Tattarkhel, Gandi Khankhel and Kala Manjiwala circles.

Two girl students of a seminary were killed and five others injured when a mortar shell landed outside the institution in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA.

A civilian worker of the FWO was killed and four security men were seriously injured when the vehicle they were travelling in was hit by a remote-controlled bomb near Matches Camp in Miranshah of NWA in FATA. 

The house of an anti-polio worker was partially damaged in a blast apparently carried out by militants at Vermando Mela in Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency FATA.

The Pakistani Army establishment’s decision to join hands with the US in its war against terror has made the country suffer 896 deadly incidents of suicide bombings in the past 11 years which have killed 5,243 innocent people and injured 11,221 others between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012. Statistically speaking, the staggering death toll (of 5,243) means that the human bombs were able to kill 476 people every year on average and 40 people each month since 2002. Likewise, Pakistan suffered an average 81 suicide bombings every year and seven attacks a month over the past eleven years. Pakistan had experienced only one suicide bombing before 9/11 when the Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad was targeted. However, over the next 11 years between January 2002 and December 2012, the human bombs let loose a reign of terror in almost every nook and cranny of the country, killing over 5,000 people in almost 900 suicide attacks.

At least six persons, including two Police guards, were killed in separate incidents of violence in various parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

According to Police, two twin brothers were targeted on Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai road in Karachiwhen they were on the way to University of Karachi for B.Com examination. SHO Jan Khan Niazi said the victims were the residents of Bihar Colony.

Two Police guards lost their lives when they offered resistance during a robbery bid near BanarasBridge within the jurisdiction of Pirabad Police StationKarachi. SHO Faryad Hussain said the deceased, who were identified as Rizwan and Naeem, were Police guards.

The brother of one MQM activist, Rameez (20), son of Mohiuddin, was targeted near Usmania Hotel within the precincts of Jamsheed Quarters Police Station Karachi. SHO Inayatullah Marwat said Rameez was the brother of an MQM activist and might have been killed on the similar ground.

Another man was shot dead near Habib Bank Chowrangi when he was travelling on a flyover in a car within the jurisdiction of SITE-A Police Station Karachi.

At least two suspected militants were killed and six others injured in an overnight operation by Security Forces in Miranshah of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. According to an official, curfew had been imposed in the area indefinitely.

Five students received minor injuries slightly when an explosive device went off at University of Peshawar in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. About one kilogram of explosives were used in the blast occurred in the conference hall of Institute of Islamic and Arabic Studies, UoP, Campus Police Station SHO Saidullah Afirdi said.

Dera Ismail Khan Police of KP busted the network involved in two bomb attacks on Ashura processions and arrested four top members of the group, a Senior Police Official said. DIG of Police, Dera Ismail Khan, Qazi Jamilur Rahman told reporters that four persons associated with the LeJ and the TTP were arrested and suicide jackets, detonators and explosives and ammunition recovered from their hideouts. Nine people were killed and 26 others wounded in a blast in Thoya Fazil on the ninth of Muharram. The next day another bomb went off in Commissionary Bazaar killing seven people and injuring over 138 others.

A single-member Peshawar High Court bench directed the KP Provincial Government to raise money from philanthropists for safe release of eight Water and Power Development Authority workers abducted over four months back. The WAPDA workers were abducted by militants on August 15 when they were on the way to Tank District from the dam site in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. The abductors have demanded PKR 150 million ransom. At the same time, the court asked the families of the abductees not to protest, observing that the act may threaten the life of their members. While issuing these directions, Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan gave another week to the Government for the safe recovery of the WAPDA workers associated with Gomal Zam dam project, and adjourned hearing to January 10.

A 16-inch-diameter gas pipeline was blown up in the Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan, suspending supply to a purification plant in the area. According to reports, explosives were planted underneath the main supply line in the Pir Koh area. However, no casualty was reported.

Unidentified militants abducted a trader from Panjgur District in Balochistan. Police said that Ijaz Ahmad was on his way home when militants abducted him and moved to an undisclosed location.

The TTP militants abducted seven soldiers from a bus from Jand area of Punjab. The soldiers were travelling between Army headquarters in Rawalpindi and their stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when they were taken off their bus in Jand The militants took the seven soldiers and let go a sweeper on the bus with them, one military official said. The gunmen were wearing military uniforms. TTP ‘commander’ Tariq Afridi, who has forces in the area, was not available for comment and no TTP ‘spokesman’ returned calls seeking comment.

Mobile phone services were suspended in several cities and Districts of the country, in line with the Government’s security plan for Chehlum announced a day earlier. The services of all cell phone companies would resume at 11pm on January 3. The cities and towns where the service were blocked included Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Multan, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu. The service was suspended in 18 Districts of Punjab, nine in Balochistan and six each in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Federal Ministry of Interior had announced that the services of v-ptcl and other wireless phone services will also be suspended in sensitive areas of the country including Karachi, Lahore and Quetta.

A special meeting held at the Election Commission of Pakistan to discuss security-related issues for General Elections came to the conclusion that the army would be deployed at sensitive polling stations only. The ECP in principle decided to allow candidates to bring along armed private security guards to polling stations.

Although the Army Generals will discuss the TTP’s ‘peace offers’ at a corps commanders’ meeting to be in Islamabad, they want the political leadership to formulate a response to the militants’ suggestion for a ceasefire. “It is for the government to decide whether or not to hold dialogue with the militants. We are continuing with our operations geared towards eliminating terrorism,” a senior military officer said. He said that although the offer was yet to be fully dissected it could be a tactical move by the militant outfit given its timing and the conditions that had been set.

Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in an interview published has denied having any links with the TTP, condemning the TTP’s strategy of blowing up schools and blocking girls’ education. Hekmatyar, a former Prime Minister who leads Afghanistan’s second largest militant group Hizb-i-Islami, told Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper that he was against the blowing up of schools and educational institutions “not only in Afghanistan and Pakistan but elsewhere in the world.” “I don’t think that a devoted Mujahid could be involved in such things,” said Hekmatyar, accusing ‘foreign intelligence agencies’ of being involved in such attacks.

In what appears to be a paradigm shift in its decades-old policy, Pakistan Army described home-grown militancy as the “biggest threat” to national security. According to the new Army Doctrine, ongoing activities of Taliban militants in the restive tribal regions and unabated terrorist attacks on Government installations in major cities are posing a real threat to Pakistan’s security.

A senior military official confirmed to The Express Tribune that a new chapter has been added to the Army Doctrine that would now also include threats posed by sub-conventional warfare.

The past five years have been difficult for Balochistan according to statistics revealed by the Home Department. Violence in the province has claimed over 2,100 lives and left 3,845 injured in over 3,232 incidents of bomb blasts and rocket attacks in this period. Amidst rising sectarian strife and targeted killings, the government’s inability to deal with the situation appears more jarring than ever. Throughout the province, sectarian killings remain the biggest challenge. From 2008 to 2012, 758 members of the Shia community were killed in 478 incidents. Of these, 338 victims belonged to the Hazara community, indicating that Hazaras remain the prime targets of these aggressions.

The province has become a base for a decade-long insurgency as well as a killing field for various sects. LeJ allegedly keeps targeting Shias throughout Balochistan. Accordingly, officials have beefed up safety measures from Quetta to Taftan and are even planning to hold meetings with Iranian authorities to discuss possible arrangements to facilitate the movement of Hazaras from Marriabad to HazaraTown and Hazar Ganji.

The findings also uncover staggering ‘kill and dump’ statistics. Around 570 dead bodies have been found strewn throughout the province, with 370 of the victims belonging to the Baloch community and 89 to the Pashtun community. The rest remain unidentified to this day. Further still, over 402 non-Baloch have been killed in 498 incidents, and over 486 injured in multiple attacks.

Not surprisingly, security personnel have also suffered great losses. As many as 340 Frontier Corps personnel and 380 Policemen have lost their lives in the line of duty, and 508 security officials in total have been left wounded.

Analysts say that despite the staggering figures, the Provincial Government is yet to review regulations pertaining to the movement of pilgrims under the Travel Agency Act of 1976. In one instance, police decided to refer the investigation of ‘sensitive cases’ to the Crime Investigation Department after the arrest of alleged terrorist Sher Dil of LeJ, also known as Babu, in a bid to curb violence in Balochistan.

Taliban leader Maulvi Nazir was among 10 Taliban militants killed in a US-operated drone strike in the South Waziristan Agency of FATA. The drone targeted the Taliban leader’s moving convoy. “Maulvi Nazir was on his way to Wana from Birmal when the convoy was hit in Sarkundi area (in Birmal tehsil), killing him and nine others,” officials sources said.

Maulvi Nazir is the second top Taliban leader to be killed in a drone strike after Baitullah Mehsud, who was chief of the TTP when he was killed in 2009. Maulvi Nazir had ‘earned fame’ in spring 2007 when he led a successful uprising against foreign militants in Ahmedzai Wazir-held areas, ousting Uzbek militants along with their local supporters. He linked administration of polio vaccination to cessation of drone strikes and no polio drive could be launched in Ahmedzai Wazir areas since the ban in June 2012.

Security agencies warned the Government of likely backlash from the supporters of Maulvi Nazir. “There may be backlash from a Taliban group and the federal government should direct all provincial capitals to increase vigilance against any threat,” security officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Pentagon (US) welcomed reports that Maluvi Nazir was killed in a drone strike, saying his death would represent a “major development.” Pentagon spokesman George Little did not confirm the reports of the killing, but said, “If the reports are true, then this would be a significant blow, and would be very helpful not just to the United States but also to our Pakistani partners.”

Nazir was killed along with his five guards when a missile hit his vehicle while he was going to Wana from Birmal on January 2. Maulvi Nazir’s key aide Rata Khan was among the other militants killed when the vehicle was attacked near Angoor Adda on the Afghan border, the official said. Nazir had survived a suicide bombing in November 29, 2012.

Nazir’s group quickly appointed his close aide Bawal Khan as a replacement, according to one of his aides. But a Reuters report named the successor as Salahuddin Ayubi.

In NWA, six militants, a close associate of the TTP’s chief Hakimullah Mehsud among them, were killed in a drone attack in Mir Ali tehsil. According to sources, unmanned aircraft fired two missiles at about 9am on a car carrying Shah Faisal and other militants in Mubarak Shahi, some 20 kilometers east of Miranshah. Two others killed in the attack were identified as Israr and Lateef.

Local authorities said that a second drone strike targeted other militants, including TTP ‘commander’ Faisal Khan and two Uzbek militants in Mir Ali region of NWA on January 2.

Helicopter gunships pounded several areas in NWA, killing three people, including a woman, and injuring four others. Dozens of families fled the area after several houses were damaged by shelling on Matches Camp in Miranshah. Militants were suspected to be hiding in the areas. The administration imposed a curfew in the region for the second day and launched a search operation after a security man and a civilian were killed and four personnel injured in a roadside bomb attack on a vehicle of the Frontier Works Organization.

A Government school was blown up in Mashokhel village ofNWA in the night. Police officials in the area said the militants bombed the school by placing explosives at the building of the Government High School Mashokhel located the jurisdiction of the Badaber Police Station. The explosion was triggered with a remote-controlled device that destroyed three rooms and caused cracks in other parts of the building.

The bullet-riddled body of a local mosque’s prayer leader was found in the Shahmansoor Mountains of Swabi District of KP. The prayer leader, Naseebullah alias Zarbat Khan, belonged to Orakzai Agency of FATA and he went missing after he offered Asr prayer in his mosque.

Unidentified assailants opened fire and injured a local trader, Abdul Rahim, in the Pashtoonabad area of Quetta, the Provincial capital of Balochistan. Police said that unidentified armed motorcyclists came at the shop of Abdul Rahim.

Unidentified armed assailants abducted spiritual leader Mualana Wali Muhammad from the SatelliteTown area of Quetta in the morning. According to Police, Wali Muhammad was on his way home after offering Fajar prayers when gunmen took him away.

One person, identified as Aslam Zia, was injured when two motorcyclists opened fire at a majlis held in a house at Wahdat Colony, a few metres from the local Police Station, in Taxila (Taxila District) of Punjab and fled away. The majlis was held in connection with the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

A suspected Pakistani al Qaeda operative, Abid Naseer, accused of planning attacks in the US, Britain and Norway was on January 3 extradited to the US, the Interior Ministry in London announced. Metropolitan Police officers escorted Naseer from Belmarsh Prison to London’s LutonAirport where he was taken into custody by US authorities.

The 26-year-old is wanted by the US authorities over allegations that he provided material support to al Qaeda and conspired to use explosives. He was named as a suspect in an alleged transatlantic plot directed by Pakistan-based al Qaeda groups.

Naseer was originally arrested in Britain along with 10 other Pakistani men in 2009 over a suspected bomb plot. But they were released without charge after prosecutors said there was not enough evidence, and ordered to be deported. An immigration judge subsequently ruled that despite Naseer being “an al Qaeda operative who posed and still poses a serious threat”, he could not be returned to Pakistan as his safety could not be guaranteed. In July 2010, Naseer was arrested again on a US arrest warrant. In January 2012, a judge approved Naseer’s extradition to the US. He appealed to the European Court of Human Rights but his case was thrown out in December.

Twenty militants were killed and 12 others sustained injuries in air strikes carried out by Army warplanes in the Kukikhel area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. The sources said that fighter jet bombed the sanctuaries of the TTP in Dwatoy and Bragat areas, killing 20 militants and causing injuries to 12 others. The official sources said that ‘commander’ Abdul Wali alias Umar Khalid, designated head of TTP for Tirah valley, was also present in Dwatoy at the time of the attack. Some reports suggested that he was among the dead. However, it couldn’t be verified from independent sources or the TTP due to lack of communication facilities in the Tirah Valley. 

The Kukikhel part of the Tirah valley fell to the TTP a few months back after the militant group defeated the Kukikhel Afridi tribal lashkar. The sources said that the Commander Tariq Afridi-led faction of TTP having bases in the valley had claimed responsibility for the assassination of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Bashir Bilour in Peshawar and also for the killing of 22 kidnapped members of the Levies force in Frontier Region Peshawar. Sources said that TTP cadres had celebrated the death of Bashir Bilour by resorting to festive firing for two hours in Dwatoy and surrounding areas. The fresh airstrikes conducted by the SFs might be a reaction to the assassination of Bashir Bilour and the deaths of 22 Levies personnel.

Seven more bullet-riddled bodies were recovered near Sarobi village area on Miranshah-Razmak road in NWA in FATA. The sources said unknown people after killing the seven men placed their bodies near Sarobi village. The residents of Sarobi village went there and saw the seven bodies, but they were not able to recognise them. The villagers said all the seven men were shot dead. They said some of the bodies had several marks of bullet injuries. It was second time bullet-riddled bodies were recovered in the volatile tribal region during the past few days. Nine bullet-riddled bodies were recovered a few days ago from Mir Ali subdivision.

A jirga of Haleemzai tribe in Mohmand Agency of FATA decided at Ghallanai to strengthen the local peace committees to protect Government properties in the area. The jirga, held at the hujra of local peace committee leader Malik Mohammad Ali Haleemzai at Sangar village, extended cooperation to SFs and political administration in maintenance of peace in the tribal region.

Twelve people lost their lives while several sustained injuries in different incidents of firing and violence in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Unidentified assailants, riding two motorcycles, opened fire on a car near Essa Nagri locality killing Akhtar Hussain and Naveedul Haq and injuring Ashfaq. The victims were reported to be transporters.

A dead-body was recovered in a gunny bag on M. A. Jinnah Road near Radio Pakistan office in Karachi. The body was later identified of a young man who was kidnapped earlier.

A man was killed by unknown miscreants near Samama Shopping Centre on University Road while a man, identified as Sajid, was killed by gunmen who opened fire on his shop in Rizvia Society of Karachi.

A man was gunned down in Korangi while special branch’s police inspector Abdul Rasheed was killed in Gulbahar of Karachi.

Two people were killed in separate incidents of firing in Maripur Road and Baldia Town areas of Karachi while three dead-bodies wrapped in gunny bags were recovered from Baldia Town, Netty Jetty Brigde and Sher Shah neighbourhoods.

The CID police arrested three suspects, wanted for murders and kidnappings for ransom, and recovered weapons from possession when they carried out raids in Surjani Town and New Karachi areas of Karachi.

A Karachi District Education Officer was also kidnapped along with his car in the metropolis.

Two persons were killed and one another injured in a bomb explosion in Badhaber area on the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). A local cricketer Ijaz Khan along with his friend Aman was returning from the playground after a match when they were hit by the powerful bomb. Police said that a bomb had been planted along an electricity pylon in Gul Khan Forest area of Badhaber. The explosion also damaged the electricity pylon suspending electricity supply to the area. A rocket had landed in the same Gul Khan area earlier on Friday but did not cause any damage.

A man, suspected of involvement in the January 1 murder of seven aid workers in Swabi District of KP, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with Police. The suspect, who had holed up in a house in the Gar area of Swabi District, was among the gunmen who killed the seven workers, Swabi District Police Officer Abdur Rashid Khan was quoted as saying. His companion, a suspected accomplice, escaped, officials said.  Khan said that a motorcycle and a pistol that was used in the killing had been recovered from the suspected terrorists.

The militants also stormed a security post in Mera Matani area of Peshawar in KP in the evening. The alert Police commandos and Frontier Constabulary personnel resisted the attack. The exchange of fire continued for some time before the attackers escaped. No casualty was reported in the attack.

Explosives planted at the building of a private school in Hassan Garhi of Peshawar went off. The explosion was heard in many parts of the provincial capital. However, no casualty was reported in the blast that slightly damaged the boundary wall of the school.

Unidentified militants blew up a house in the Kaingar village of Bannu District in KP. Luckily, no loss to human life took place. However, the house was badly damaged by the powerful explosion.

Three person sustained injuries in a blast in the limits of Miryan Police StationBannu District. The sources said a blast outside the hujra, of one Qalandar Khan injured him and also Sher Dawar and Izzat Khan. The Sources said that it could not be ascertained whether it was a hand-grenade attack or explosives were planted outside the hujra. 

Four explosions destroyed the under-construction District Jail in Rehmanabad area of Hangu District of KP. Talking to reporters, DPO Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed said that militants had placed explosives inside the under-construction jail building in Rehmanabad and triggered the explosions around midnight. The BDU officials said that 35 kilograms of explosives had been used in the four blasts. ‘Spokesman’ for the TTP, Darra Adamkhel chapter, Muhammad, claimed responsibility for blowing up the under-construction prison.

Police arrested two brothers in Baffa area of Mansehra District in KP over allegedly threatening a lady health worker of dire consequences for administering anti-polio drops to children in their village. The FIR was lodged on the written complaint of lady health worker Shabnam Bibi. In her application addressed to the district health officer, she stated that Shamsur Rehman and his brother Saifur Rehman threatened her of dire consequences during the anti-polio drive in December 2012.

SFs arrested a militant ‘commander’ of LI during a search operation in Jalozai campof Mansehra District. The sources said that the SFs sealed the phase-I in “S” sector at the camp and launched a search operation at 11am. During the operation, Abdul Haq was arrested and taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Two brothers, one of them a prayer leader, were shot at in the Sariab Road area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Police sources said that unidentified armed motorcyclists opened indiscriminate fire on the brothers, leaving them injured. The attackers managed to escape. The police said that the injured, identified as Maulana Israr Ahmed and Akhlaq Ahmed, reached the crime scene and shifted the injured to the Civil Hospital.

Pakistan is providing paramilitary and Police support to polio vaccinations being resumed discreetly in the northwest after a series of attacks on medical workers. UN agencies suspended work on a nationwide campaign to inoculate children against the highly infectious disease after nine health workers were murdered in a string of attacks in the northwest and Karachi in December. Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world where polio is endemic, but efforts to stamp out the disease have been hampered by resistance from the TTP, who have banned vaccination teams from some areas, and distrust. 

A Pakistan judicial commission, appointed 18 months ago, submitted findings from its investigation into how slain al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden lived in the country undetected for years until his killing by US Special Forces on May 1-2, 2012, officials said. The commission’s chairman, Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal, submitted the report to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, a statement from Ashraf’s office said. Pakistani officials say Ashraf will decide whether to keep the report classified or make it public, but observers have said they expect little of substance to be revealed.

The Pakistani Government set up the five-member panel after US Navy SEALs killed Laden without informing Islamabad until afterwards.

A senior militant ‘commander’ Salahuddin Ayubi’ has been appointed to succeed Mullah Nazir group, who was killed in a drone attack on January 3. Two of his deputies were killed with him, but a close associate and militant ‘commander’ who goes by the name Salahuddin Ayubi has been anointed his successor, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Pakistan condemning the latest drone attacks in Waziristan, said the attacks were illegal, counterproductive, unacceptable and violation of its territorial integrity. “Pakistan wants to resolve the issue of drone attacks through bilateral talks with the United States,” said Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ali Khan in the weekly briefing.

Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, talking to lawmakers from Balochistan, said that instead of finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the Balochistan issue, the Ayub Khan, Julfikar Ali Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf regime went for military action and that has aggravated the situation in the Province.

Balochistan National Conference, which concluded at the Punjab University, adopted a unanimous resolution holding the Federal Government responsible for the current situation of the Province.

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the Government generally preferred holding talks with militants to launching military operation against them because negotiations were the preferred mode of dispute resolution

He said the government’s anti-terrorism policy was in place and the forces concerned, including intelligence agencies, were working on the approved strategy.

He said religious extremism was the outcome of a particular mindset and criticised the media for “being soft on those who were supporting extremists”. “It is you people who should come forward and highlight those who are giving them the leverage, even providing them with flagged cars,” Kaira added.

Pakistan is working with the US to facilitate an Afghan-owned and -led reconciliation process, said Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Sherry Rehman while also assuring American lawmakers that Islamabad is equally determined to fight terrorists inside its borders.

Underlining Pakistan’s efforts to fight terrorism at home, the ambassador noted that in an historic joint session, the Pakistan’s parliament had adopted unanimously a resolution condemning terrorism. She said Pakistan was also deeply aware of concern of members of the Congress about US casualties in Afghanistan attributed to IEDs. She pointed out that the situation in Pakistan’s parliament was similar as the country also had suffered 15,851 IED-related deaths. This was 43 per cent of all casualties over the past four years.

Testimonies of 50 of the 294 witnesses recorded in the past four days by the one-man judicial commission, headed by Justice Shehzado Sheikh, inquiring into the July 3-11, 2007, operation that killed 103 people, including family members of Maulana Abdul Aziz, head cleric of the mosque, teachers and students of the seminaries and 10 security personnel, revealed that the top clerics of the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad and several key functionaries of Jamia Hafsa and Jamia Faridia, the two seminaries attached to it, were either not present in the mosque or had left it before the military launched its final assault on July 10, 2007.

Asiya Hameed, a teacher of Jamia Hafsa and custodian of the record of the girl’s seminary, was among the 16 witnesses who recorded their statements with the commission. “Since I was not in the madrassa during the operation, I don’t know the exact details,” she said when asked by Justice Shehzado Sheikh of the Federal Shariat Court, whether she had the record of the girls who were on rolls, or went missing during the operation.

PM Raja Pervez Ashraf said that Pakistan needs to redesign and redefine its military doctrine. The PM urged national security institutions to further improve intelligence gathering and establish effective coordination among civil and military institutions to comprehensively tackle terrorism.

Federal Minister of Interior A Rehman Malik said that mobile phones are now a weapon of terrorism. The Minister said, “Mobile phones are now a weapon of terrorism as all improvised bombings were conducted through them.”

He said that suspension of mobile phone services helped avoiding blasts. The minister added that mobile phone services were suspended in different cities on Chehlum of Imam Hussain after taking all the provinces into confidence.

In another context he said that around 90 per cent Afghan refugees are living in Katchi Abadis (slums) and despite repeated warnings, they have not yet left the country. “Anyone who violates the law would be apprehended. Most of the handlers of suicide bombings were found in Katchi Abadis,” he said.

Unidentified militants opened fire and killed four passengers and injured 10 others travelling in Jaffar Express near Kohsar area of Kachhi in Bolan District of Balochistan. Official sources in the Pakistan Railways said that Jaffar Express was on its way to Quetta from Rawalpindi when it was attacked by the unidentified militants in the mountainous area of Bolan.

At least 17 persons, all believed to be suspected militants, were killed and eight others sustained injuries in three separate US drone attacks in the mountainous Babar area of Ladha subdivision in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. According to sources, the drones fired 10 missiles and hit three different compounds of militants located in the remote mountainous Babar area. The compounds were reportedly inhabited by the militants affiliated with Hakimullah Mehsud’s TTP and cadres of the Punjabi TTP chapter leader Qari Imran. A cousin of the TTP ‘chief’ Hakimullah Mehsud, Wali Mohammad Toofan, was among the killed militants. Toofan had been recently elevated to head TTP’s ‘Fidayee wing’ (Suicide wing) after its leader Qari Hussain died in a drone strike. 

Ten militants killed and several others were injured when fighter planes shelled in the militants’ stronghold of Arghanjoo in Mamozai area in Orakzai Agency. Witnesses said that the planes came into action at around 10am and carried out intense shelling on four houses, razing them to the ground. The dead belonged to Uthmankhel, Ferozkhel and Mamozai areas. 

Six persons, including a woman, were killed when unidentified assailants ambushed a car in Dargai area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency. The sources said that the car was heading to Jamrud Bazaar from Chapri village when armed assailants ambushed it and killed two people and injured four others. All the victims of the shooting belonged to Kukikhel tribe.

An explosive device went off near the hujra of an official of a NGO in Arakh area of Razar tehsil in Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The sources said that unidentified persons had planted two bombs near the main gate of the hujra of Fazal Muhammad in Arakh area and triggered the explosion. The blast damaged the main gate and boundary walls of the structure but didn’t cause any casualty. The sources added the personnel of the BDU recovered a second bomb and defused it.

Six rockets were fired at Bannu cantonment (Bannu District) from an unspecified direction. However, no loss of life or property was reported. The local Police officials said that five of the rockets fell in an open area, while one hit a residential colony of the Irrigation Department.  

The chairman of UJC and ‘supreme commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Salahuddin said those calling for settlement of the Kashmir issue through peaceful means were in fact deceiving the innocent Kashmiris, adding that an armed struggle was the only way to resolve the dispute. Salahuddin said that experience of the past 65 years should convince anyone that only a strong and target-oriented armed struggle across Indian-held Kashmir could win freedom.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that the strength of militants has increased so alarmingly that now, they can reach anywhere they want to carry out their activities. “The time has come to take the final decision on whether to hold dialogue with militants or to begin a meaningful operation against them,” the Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told the provincial assembly on a point of order about the recent acts of militancy, especially the killing of seven aid workers, including six women, in Swabi.

At least 255 lives were lost in 40 strikes by the CIA-operated drones while 54 people sustained injuries in various parts of North Waziristan Agency in FATA in 2012. The US drones carried out at least 40 strikes in North Waziristan and fired 123 missiles at various targets. Along with some known foreign and local militants, innocent tribal people including women and children were also killed in these attacks. Another 54 persons, mostly women and children up to 15 years of age, were injured in the drone attacks. Most of the injured were maimed for life.

At least two security personnel were killed and another one injured in an IED explosion near Albo security check post in Margano Jalaa area of Khwezai tehsil, some 40 kilometres west of Ghalanai, the main town of Mohmand Agency. Assistant Political Agent for Khwezai, Ghazi Nawaz, confirmed that two security personnel were killed and one was injured in the blast. 

Tribal elder Malik Amir Nawaz Khan escaped a remote controlled bomb blast at Kassai area of Haleemzai tehsil. Officials said that Malik Amir Nawaz was going to Sangar village to attend a jirga when the blast occurred. He escaped unhurt.   

In Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency, Army jetfighters targeted militant hideouts. Sources said that the hideouts were pounded in Khurma Tung area of Akkakhel in Khyber Agency. Two hideouts were destroyed while militants escaped unhurt as they had vacated the place before the aerial bombing.

SFs arrested four suspected militants during a search operation in Ghundi area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency.

Eight persons were killed in Karachi (Karachi District), Provincial capital of Sindh. In an incident of sectarian violence, a person and his minor daughter were killed while his wife and other daughter sustained injuries near Ayesha Manzil within the limits of Gulberg Police Station. Asghar Ilyas (40) and his two-year-old daughter Zainab were shot dead, while his wife Farzana and another minor daughter Dua injured near Ayesha Manzil. Police said that the family was on its way to home when unidentified assailants opened fire on them. According to Police, the victims belonged to ASWJ.

Another sectarian killing took place in Block 13-D of Gulshan-e-Iqbal within the precincts of Gulshan-e- Iqbal Police Station in Karachi. Police said Ali Raza Naqvi (26), was going on a motorbike along with his friend Raees when armed men shot him dead near railway track. 

Armed assailants shot dead a man on his way to home within Soldier Bazaar Police Station. Police said Murtaza Alvani was on his way to home when unidentified assailants targeted him near Bara Board. 

A truck driver was killed near Northern Bypass within the precincts of Manghopir Police Station. Arif (21) was going to a poultry farm on truck when unidentified assailants intercepted his vehicle and shot him dead. 

The bullet-riddled body of a man was found from Chanasir Goth within the jurisdiction of Mehmoodabad Police Station. 

The dead body of an abducted person was found from bushes in Toori Bangash Colony within the limits of Iqbal Market Police Station. Unidentified assailants kidnapped the man and shot him dead. Police said the person could not be identified yet. 

A prayer leader of Deoband community, Maulana Shaukat, succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police said that unidentified assailants targeted him in new Karachi Sect 5-E within the limits of Bilal Colony Police Station on 31 December, 2012. 

Pakistani Rangers arrested two suspected members of a banned outfit during a search of Lyari area. The Rangers raided many houses throughout Lyari acting on a tip. They arrested two suspects wanted in connection with various cases. The authorities didn't identify the banned group or specify the cases that the suspects are linked to. The Rangers recovered illegal arms, drugs and stolen vehicles from the suspects.

Three militants and a Police Officer were killed and a Constable was injured in separate incidents of firing in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to official sources, a Police team headed by DPO Mohammad Idrees Khan surrounded a house in Abakhel village after a tip that militants were hiding there. Militants opened fire when Police entered the house, killing the SHO Mohammad Ismail and injuring a Constable of the elite force, Zahid Ali. Two militants died when Police retaliated. 

Two suspected militants on a motorbike attacked a patrol party of Ghaznikhel Police when they signalled them to stop near Balkhi Koroona area. Police opened fire, killing one of the attackers. The other suspect was arrested and seven grenades, four Kalashnikovs and live rounds were recovered from his possession. 

Militants made a serious threat to the Government against re-starting anti-polio campaign by planting a bomb weighing three kilograms in a health centre in the Rashidabad area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The bomb was, however, detected and defused. They also found a piece of paper with a message for the Government and senior health department authorities. “The letter carried a message, apparently from the militants, for the government authorities.”

One Abdullah was killed and three persons — Ehsan Reza, Arif Hussain and Latif — were seriously injured when the car they were travelling in came under fire on Spiny Road in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. The victims belonged to the Hazara community and Police described the incident as a sectarian attack. 

An engineer was killed while three other persons, including a Police official, sustained injuries in an explosion on Sariab Road. According to Police, the deceased has been identified as Nazir Ahmed Qambarani, sub engineer of Balochistan Development Authority, and the injured as Abdul Salam Bangulzai, Sajjad Ahmed Raisani and Assistant Sub Inspector of Police Aftab Ahmad Parkani. 

A hand-grenade was hurled into a tea shop on Sariab Road in which two people were wounded. 

A bomb exploded in a ground near Jan Mohammad road in which a man and a woman were injured.

Two unidentified armed motorcyclists shot dead vice-president of the SSP, Muhammad Shakeel, near Kot Pindi Das area of Sheikhupura town of same District in Punjab. According to Police, the Muhammad Shakeel had been on his way to Lahore when unknown motorcyclists opened fire on him near Kot Pindi Das.

Hearing a petition by Senator Haji Adeel for reviewing the progress on the judgement on Karachi (Sindh) law and order passed by the Supreme Court in October 2011, the court directed the Sindh Chief Secretary and Advocate General to submit a comprehensive reply by January 22 with regard to implementation of its orders.

During the hearing, the court expressed its concern to know that Karachi Police is controlled and run by a gambler, Wasim Beater, and postings and promotions of Police Officers are made on his recommendations. Sindh IGP Fayyaz Leghari, Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas and Additional Chief Secretary Wasim Ahmed expressed their ignorance on the issue. But Hyderabad DIG Sannaullah Abbasi and Sindh Additional IG Bashir Memon admitted before the court in the presence of their seniors that Wasim Beater is a junior Police Officer and run a ‘gambling den’ in Karachi and have great influence in the Police Department.

Six persons were killed and five others sustained injuries in three different firing incidents in Balochistan. According to Levies officials, unidentified armed assailants fired indiscriminately at two tankers carrying LPG in Shiehkwasil area in Mastung District. Three people were killed and another was injured in the firing. “The deceased and injured were residents of Punjab,” Levies officials said.

Two people were killed and another was wounded in Pishin (Pishin District). Levies sources said that a vehicle was passing through Pishin Bypass area when armed assailants opened fire on the vehicle killing one person and two injuring two others.

Levies force said a person was shot dead by unidentified assailants. However, the incident site was not mentioned.  

One person was wounded in a bomb blast on Raisani Road in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. “The blast damaged electricity pole and smashed windowpanes of nearby buildings,” a police official said, adding that three to four kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast. According to Police sources, the explosive device was fixed with an electricity pylon at Raisani Road, yards away from Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani’s family residence.

Unidentified assailants shot dead within the remit of Soldier Bazaar Police Station in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

One Imran Abbas, a resident of Kashmir colony, was shot dead in Nomish Chowrangi area.

Elsewhere in the District, unidentified assailants riding a motorbike opened fire at the house of one Safdar, belonging to the SSP, injuring Safdar and his friend, Qayoom. Subsequently, irate people set a bus on fire in Golimar area. Sectarian tension gripped the entire locality amid aerial firing that injured three boys.

Two armed groups clashed at Rabia City apartment, leaving one person injured. Police and Rangers later arrested some eight suspects from the incident site.

At least eight militants were killed and four others injured when US drones fired missiles struck militant compounds in the villages of Haider Khel and Hisokhel, some 25 kilometres east of Miranshah, the main town in the North Waziristan Agency of FATA. “US drones fired missiles on two militant compounds. At least eight militants have been killed,” a security official in Miranshah said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The two attacks occurred within an hour, with four militants killed in each compound, the official added. Legal lobby group Reprieve estimates that up to nearly 900 civilians were among the 2,621 to 3,442 people killed by drones in Pakistan since 2004.

A member of a peace committee was killed and another injured in an explosion in Bokhar, remote area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. Unidentified assailants had planted the bomb near the road that exploded, killing a member of peace committee, Imran, and injured another person, identified as Noor Muhammad.

Three Policemen were injured when unidentified assailants lobbed a hand grenade at them in the Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Policemen were on routine patrolling in the Swabi bazaar (market) when the attack happened.

FIA has indicated to Indian officials that they have a water-tight case against LeT ‘commander’ Zakir-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and 28 other accused in November 26, 2008, (26/11) Mumbai terrorist attacks. The FIA has matched the voices of terrorists Abu Al Qama and Zarar Shah with the samples of the communication intercepts between Karachi-based LeT handlers and the Mumbai attackers which were provided by India. Sources said Pakistan authorities had discreetly shared their findings with Indian Home Ministry official Dharmendra Sharma, who had stayed back in Islamabad for two more days after three of his colleagues returned to New Delhi, on December 24, 2012. The FIA officials told Sharma that they were confident of convicting Lakhvi, but still had to find evidence against LeT chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed.

The Federal Interior Ministry says it has intercepted a TTP phone call in which the terrorists are planning an attack on Dr Tahirul Qadri’s long march to be held in Islamabad on January 14. The ministry said in a press release that the caller used Miranshah (headquarter of the North Waziristan Agency in FATA)-based PTCL landline. The threat alert was received from a credible intelligence source, the press release said.

The release further said the TTP’s statement is an effort to mislead Tahirul Qadri in particular and public in general. “The government does not believe in the fake representative of the TTP and will continue to take protective measures for the long march.”

TTP ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan had denied that the group had threatened to attack the protest. “This is not true. We have not issued any threat to attack the long march. We have no comments for the long march,” he had said.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik had said, “TTP has threatened to attack the long march. But we will not stop the long march and (we will) provide them full security.” Qadri leads the Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran, which has a network of religious and educational institutions.

The annual report by the PIPS, released on January 4, stated that 5,047 people were killed and another 5,688 were injured in 2,217 attacks in 2012. Comparatively, in 2011, there were 2,895 such attacks and 7,107 consequent fatalities.

Karachi, Quetta, Kurram Agency and Gilgit were the hardest hit, witnessing more than 85 percent of all terrorist incidents in 2012, while the TTP emerged as a major actor responsible for the prevalent instability. Balochistan remained the focal point of nationalist insurgency and sectarian violence, witnessing 474 terrorist attacks, the highest for any region. The TTP-infested and militancy-hit KP and FATA remained second and third most volatile regions, with 456 and 388 terrorist attacks reported, respectively. Meanwhile, 187 terrorist attacks were reported in Karachi and 28 in other parts of Sindh 26 in Gilgit-Baltistan 17 in Punjab and one in Islamabad.

The country witnessed a 53 percent increase in sectarian violence. Non-sectarian attacks, on the other hand, decreased by 20 percent. The number of suicide attacks across the country fell by 27 percent.

The US drone strikes and the consequent killings also recorded a 40 percent decrease. The number of cross-border attacks and clashes decreased from 84 in 2011 to 79 in 2012. However, the casualties in these attacks increased by 25 percent. “Most of the cross-border attacks and clashes (70%) were reported from Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan, including attacks reportedly carried out by militants of the TTP’s Swat chapter hiding in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Nuristan provinces,” said the PIPS report.

Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, saw its deadliest year in two decades in 2012, with around 2,000 persons killed in violence linked to ethnic and political tensions. According to the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee, 2,124 people were killed in Karachi in 2012, the worst year since records began nearly 20 years ago. The HRCP says 1,800 people died in targeted killings in the first nine months of 2012. In 2011, it put the number at 1,000, which was then the deadliest in 16 years. Police insist killings related to ethnic and sectarian disputes accounted for only 20 percent of the murders, but rights activists say a shortage of law enforcement officers is part of the problem. “Karachi is becoming a city where controlling violence is becoming increasingly difficult because of an insufficient police force, which is less than 30,000 for around 18 million people,” says Zohra Yusuf, HRCP chairwoman.

Karachi, a business centre with a population of 18 million, accounts for 20 percent of GDP, 57 percent of tax revenue and elects 33 lawmakers to the Federal Parliament. Karachi has all the ingredients of an explosive cocktail – gang warfare, land grabbings, drugs, extremism, political rivalries, ethnic tensions, extreme poverty and a mushrooming population owing to migration.

An Intelligence Agency Official was shot dead by unidentified militants in the Kharotabad area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Abdul Aziz, a worker of the BNP- M, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants at the Eastern Bypass. The party sources said that deceased was a nephew of the former BNP-M general secretary Habib Jalib.

A person was killed by unidentified assailants in front of Madrassah Darul Uloom, Sariab Road. 

Unidentified armed assailants shot dead a trader, identified as Manzoor Shah, near Sirat Chowk of Khuzdar town (Khuzdar District). 

A dead body was found in Mand area of Kech town (Kech District). The deceased was identified as Abdul Sattar. 

Unidentified militants attacked the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan on Chattan Road of Panjgur town (Panjgur District) with hand grenades. A Police source said that nobody was present in the office when the attack was carried out and nobody got hurt. No group had claimed responsibility for the grenade attack.

At least three persons, including a school Principal, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Syed Ali Haider (55), the owner of the Lal Qilla Grammar School and also the Principal of the same institute was shot dead by two armed assailants outside his residence in Sector 11/A of North Karachi in the Sir Syed Town Police area. 

Mahmood Ahmed Barkati (87), a Hakeem and former Union Council Nazim was shot dead by two unidentified assailants, who barged into his clinic near the Taleem-e-Bagh situated in the FB Area. Apart from being a Hakeem, the victim was a noted writer and had authored more than 24 books. He also wrote some 500 columns in different newspapers. Barkati, the Police confirmed, was also a former UC Nazim from the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Syed Muhammad Shakeel (35), an MQM activist, was killed near Sector 11-1/2 of Orangi Town in the Iqbal Market Police Jurisdiction. 

CID Police arrested five suspected TTP militants from a slum area in Ittehad Town of Karachi. The CID team recovered a four-wheeler bike for special people that contained around 60 kilogrammes of explosives, two pressure cookers, nine cricket balls laden with explosives, 25 kilogrammes of explosives, and five hand grenades, four Kalashnikovs, five pistols and ammunition. Sheikh informed media that the arrested TTP militants were involved in various cases of terrorism and crimes in the metropolis.

The dead body of a Sikh man, who was abducted by militants over a month ago after accusing him of acting as a “spy” for a rival group, was recovered from Zakhakhel Bazaar in Khyber Agency. Unidentified militants abducted Mohinder Singh from his shop in Tabbai village on November 20. 

Three security men - a khasadar, Khan Akbar, and two personnel of Mehsud Scouts — Naib Subedar Ashraf and Sepoy Asad — were injured when unidentified militants ambush a convoy of SFs in Muslim Dhand area of Bara. The convoy was on its way to Levies centre in Shahkas when it was attacked. 

Four children were injured when a mortar shell fell on the house of Askar Khan Malikdinkhel in Sur Kas area of Bar Qambarkhel. 

SFs with the help of Shalobar Peace Committee arrested four suspected militants during a raid in Nawgazee Baba area. The arrested men, Mohammad Jan, Khuga Jan, Marjan Khan, Jerman Khan and Zar Mohammad, were accused of having contacts with a Bara-based militant outfit. 

Unidentified militants abducted four watchmen at Jandola bazaar in the FR Tank. The sources said watchmen Sultan Khan, Attaullah Khan Bhittani, Shaukat Khan Bhittani and Samiullah were abducted from a private market in Jandola Bazaar.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a Shia doctor associated with the ruling PPP in the Dabgari area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Riaz Hussain was president of the PPP branch in Kurram Agency (FATA). He was killed as he left his clinic in the Dabgari area and police suggested it was a targeted, sectarian killing. 

Two cellular phone shops were blown up by unidentified militants at a market on Dera Road in Bannu town (Bannu District). Sources said that unidentified persons planted improvised explosive devices near the shops of Zubair and Karimullah in a market at Taji Kallay Bus Stand that went off one after another at 1am, destroying both the shops.

The release of another dozen Afghan Taliban prisoners by Pakistan is on the cards, a move aimed at boosting the Afghan reconciliation process that has been ‘sluggish’ hitherto due to a lack of interest shown in it by the Mullah Omar-led Taliban. Pakistan released eight Taliban prisoners in December 2012, including former Afghan Taliban Justice Minister Mullah Nooruddin Turabi. Prior to that in September 2012, as many as 18 Afghan Taliban detainees were set free by the Pakistani Government during the visit of Afghan High Peace Council’s delegation to Islamabad led by Salahuddin Rabbani, son of former Afghanistan President and the council’s first chief, late Professor Burhabuddin Rabbani. The release of Afghan Taliban prisoners by Islamabad is seen as a key step that would help persuade the Afghan Taliban leadership to sit for negotiations with the Afghan Government. Pakistan is seen as a key player in the ongoing global efforts aimed at bringing about peace in Afghanistan, as the US-led foreign troops stationed there plan to depart the war-torn country in 2014.

The high-ranking TTP leader Wali Ur Rehman has made a rare video appearance pledging to send fighters to Kashmir and wage a struggle for the implementation of Sharia rule in India. "The practical struggle for a Sharia system that we are carrying out in Pakistan, the same way we will continue it in Kashmir, and the same way we will implement the Sharia system in India too. And this is the only solution for people's problems," Rehman reportedly said. The translation was provided by the MEMRI, a Washington-based think tank. Rehman, against whom the US has announced a USD five million (PKR 27 crore) reward over his involvement in the murder of seven CIA officials in Afghanistan in December 2009, is believed to have appeared on video along with TTP ‘chief’ Hakimullah Mehsud. The two militant leaders have spoken for the first time about their ambitions transcending beyond the Af-Pak border to Kashmir and the US as well.

Punjab Counterterrorism Department report said that there is a threat of a suicide attack on the long march of Dr Tahirul Qadri on January 14, 2013. The feared attack has been planned by a Jihadi group – Ghazi Fidayee Force – under the leadership of Saifullah Baqi of Abbottabad. According to a report of the Department, Yar Bakht Khan of Hango, Ahmad of Charssada and Alam Khan have been assigned the task of a suicide attack. 

After a trial spread over 14 months and conducted in an uneasy environment, Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Pervez Akhtar jailed a blasphemy accused, Ghulam Ali Asghar for 10 years and imposed a fine of PKR 200, 000. Convict Ghulam Ali Asghar, a resident of Chinji village in Talagang tehsil was booked on Nov 17, 2011, on a charge of blaspheming the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by misquoting a Hadith in Punjabi language.  

At least 82 persons were killed and over 200 persons were injured in two separate bomb blasts in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. At least 70 people were killed and over 160 injured in an attack targeting Shias at Alamdar Road in Quetta late in the evening. A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a snooker club on Alamdar Road, which has two Shia prayer halls and a sizeable population of Shia Hazaras. Another blast took place outside the snooker club 10 minutes later. The twin blasts resulted in the death of as many as 70 people on the spot, most of them from the Hazrara Shia community. DSP, Mujahid Hussain, SHO, Zafar Ali, Samaa cameraman Imran Sheikh, a reporter of the same channel, Saifur Rehman, and four Edhi volunteers were among those killed.

Police experts said that more than 125 kilograms of explosives were used in the blasts. "It was the largest ever bomb to have hit the city," said an unnamed senior Police Official.

A powerful bomb went off under a SF vehicle at the busy Bacha Khan Chowk. Twelve persons were killed and over 40 others injured.

At least 30 members of the Tableeghi Jamaat were killed and more than 70 were injured in a suicide blast inside the Tableeghi Markaz located on the Takhta Band Road in Mingora city, the headquarters of Swat District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Some Police Officials initially claimed that the blast was caused by a gas cylinder but DIG Malakand Akhtar Hayat later confirmed that it was a terrorist act.

At least seven militants were killed when SF pounded the hills of Darra Admakhel town of Kohat District with artillery shelling.

At least 16 persons, including two activists of the PPP, a supporter of the MQM and eight labourers, were shot dead in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Eight labourers were shot dead by unidentified armed assailants while they were asleep near the Gabol Market in Quetta Town. Victims are identified as Hubbar Khan (25), Ghulamullah (30), Sattar (25), Gul Samad, Naeem (25), Javed, Muhammad Jan and Nazeer.

Maulana Basheer (45), a MQM activist, was shot dead   by two armed assailants near Lucky Star in the Saddar Police Limits. 

PPP activists, identified as Abdul Ghani (25) and Naeem (25), were shot dead near Anda Morr in the Sir Syed Police Limits.

Mirza Akhter Baig (30) was shot dead by armed assailants in the Gulberg Police Jurisdiction near Water Pump Chowrangi.

Javed Soomro (22) was shot dead near the Mauripur truck stand in the Kalri Police Limits by unidentified armed assailants.

Khurrum (40) was shot dead near Nazimabad Chowrangi in Gulbahar Police area.

A 25-year-old man was shot dead In the Mauripur Police area.

The bullet-riddled body of a young man, stuffed in a gunny bag, was found from a drain near ICI Bridge in Baghdadi police limits. Police said that the victim was abducted, who later killed him and threw his body in the drain.

An explosive device resembling a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG-6) spotted in Rabia City, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, was safely defused.

At least six militants were killed in US drones attack in Heso Khel village on the edge of Mir Ali town, around 35 kilometers east of Miranshah town of North Waziristan Agency of FATA. It was the fifth American drone strike reported in Pakistan in a week. Pakistani security officials said US drones fired four missiles – two at a house and another two at a nearby motorbike, killing four militants in the house and two on the bike.

The death toll in January 10 twin blasts near a snooker club at Alamdar Road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, increased to 105. As reported earlier, 70 persons were killed in the blasts. 

Two blats occurred at around 8.50pm, one inside a snooker club and the other outside in a car, within a 10-minute gap in a Shia-Hazara community dominated neighbourhood, killing 105 people and wounding 169. The dead included 25 rescue workers, nine Police officers and three journalists. The building housing the club was razed in the blast.

A suicide bomber blew himself up inside the snooker club. Bomb disposal squad officers said an estimated six to seven kilograms of explosives were used by the suicide bomber. As police, rescuers and media persons rushed to the site, another bomb fixed to a vehicle parked nearby went off. An estimated 100 kilograms of explosives were used in the second blast.

The LeJ, claimed responsibility for the attacks. In calls made to local journalists, LeJ spokesmen Bakar Saddiq said the first blast was carried out by a suicide bomber and the second was a bomb planted in a car that was triggered by remote control.

The United Baloch Army, a separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack on Security Forces at Bacha Khan Chowk in Quetta that took place around 3.50pm, prior to the twin blasts at Alamdar Road. An estimated 25 kilograms of explosives were used in the bomb. As many as 13 vehicles were destroyed in the blast. The explosion also caused damage to nearby shops, offices and homes.

A complete shutter-down strike was observed in the Quetta to condemn the bombings on the call of the Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan, endorsed by nearly all politico-nationalists parties.

Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi expressed his displeasure over the deteriorating law and order situation in the Province. “We have lost the right to govern,” Magsi said.

The Balochistan Government once against gave the Police powers to the FC to maintain law and order in the Province. A notification issued here stated that the FC was given Police powers for one month in Quetta to maintain law and order. According to the notification, the FC would act under the supervision of the civil administration and would follow the restrictions and conditions laid down in the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898. Previously, the Government had withdrawn the Police powers from the FC on December 3, 2012.

Two drivers were killed and 10 NATO containers were damaged when several rockets attacks were carried out on a terminal near Hazara Ganji, on the outskirts of Quetta. According to Police, unidentified armed men fired four rockets targeting NATO containers which were en route to Kandahar (Afghanistan) from Karachi (Sindh) and were temporary parked at the terminal. “Two drivers, identified as Abid and Waheed Shah, received multiple wounds in the attack and died,” a Police official said, adding that the assailants also opened indiscriminate fire that lasted for about half an hour.

Unidentified assailants attacked Maulana Haseebullah Madni, a leader of the JUI-S, a religio-political party near Gillani Railway Station in Block 13-D/2 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh, injuring him and eight others and killing his security guard.  While the assailants were firing on the JUI-S leader’s car, a private school’s van carrying children was passing nearby and its driver, Imdad, was struck by a bullet. The driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed it into a wall. Five children, aged between five and 10 years, suffered injuries. Police said that it was the third attack on Madni. Gulshan-e-Iqbal SHO Rana Haseeb said that the assailants had used Kalashnikovs and 9mm pistols. “Police found over 70 empty bullet shells at the scene,” he added.

A Sunni Tehreek cadre, 20-year-old Muhammad Ali, was shot dead near New Preedy Street in Lines Area. The Brigade Police said Ali was riding his motorcycle, when two assailants, also on a two-wheeler, shot him dead.

A 21-year-old Islam Ahmed was killed and his brother wounded in Sector 15/G of Surjani Town.

In Machar Colony in Sohrab Goth, assailaints shot dead 22-year-old Behram Khan.

The decomposed body of an unidentified 30-year-old man was found trussed up and stuffed inside a gunny bag at Khajji Ground in Rizvia Society.

Police arrested 40 people in connection with the January 10 bomb blast at a Tablighi Jamaat centre in Takhtaband area of Mingora area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Suprintednet of Police (SP, Investigation) Irshad told Dawn that five kilogrammes explosive device was used in the blast. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. As reported earlier, 30 people were killed in the blast.

LeT founder and JuD chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed warned New Delhi of an escalation in violence in Jammu and Kashmir. He was giving an interview to Reuters.

The Government’s persistent failure to protect the minority Shia community from sectarian attacks by Sunni militant groups, is reprehensible and amounts to complicity in the slaughter of Pakistani citizens, HRW said. “The government should immediately hold accountable those responsible for ordering and participating in deadly attacks targeting the Shia across Pakistan and particularly the Hazara Shia in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. 2012 was the bloodiest year for Pakistan’s Shia community in living memory and if this latest attack [January 10 attacks] is any indication, 2013 has started on an even more dismal note,” said Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan director at HRW. “As Shia community members continue to be slaughtered in cold blood, the callousness and indifference of authorities offers a damning indictment of the state, its military and security agencies,” he added.

In 2012, well over 400 members of the Shia population were killed in targeted attacks. Over 120 of these were killed in Balochistan Province, the vast majority from the Hazara Shia community. Similar attacks targeting the Shia population have taken place repeatedly over the last year [2012] in Balochistan, Karachi (Sindh), predominantly Shia populated areas of Gilgit Baltistan in the northern areas, and in Pakistan’s tribal areas, HRW said. “Pakistan’s tolerance for religious extremists is not just destroying lives and alienating entire communities, it is destroying Pakistani society across the board,” said Hasan.

Around 4000 personnel of the FC deployed in KP to help the Police in maintaining peace in the province are reaching Islamabad Capital Territory for deployment during the long march of the Tehreek Minhaj-ul-Quran scheduled for January 14. Sources said the federal government directed the commandant of FC to immediately withdraw 4200 personnel assisting the KP Police and multi-national companies in the province for deployment in Islamabad during Tahirul Qadri’s long march.

US President Barack Obama said that it would be very hard to imagine stability and peace in the region if Pakistan and Afghanistan did not come to some agreement. At a White House news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Obama also acknowledged that he had seen “a greater awareness (of this issue) on the part of the Pakistani government”. “We welcome the recent steps,” said Obama in an indirect reference to Pakistan’s decision to release Taliban leaders in its custody for enabling them to attend peace talks with the Afghan government. President Obama also noted that Pakistan and other regional states had a role in the Afghan peace process and that “a strong and secure Afghanistan is in the interest of the entire region”.

One soldier, Amir Khan, was injured critically when militants fired at a checkpost in Ajali Nadi area of Shalobar in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.

Two children received injuries when a mortar shell fell on the house of Hikmat Khan near Aziz Market of Akkakhel area while in Mandi Kas area one Hazratullah was injured in a similar incident.

In the same locality, two rooms of a private school were badly damaged when a mortar shell hit it. An overhead water tank at the house of Malik Waris Khan, a Former Minister of State, was also damaged when it was hit by a stray mortar shell. 

Militants blew up a Government school for girls in Hanji Ayub Kallay in Spin Qabar area in the night. The explosion destroyed the school building and caused damage to two nearby houses.

LI warned Zakhakhel tribe to either provide it with volunteers or leave the area. Sources said that LI militants distributed pamphlets and made announcements through loudspeakers in Shalobar area, asking Zakhakhel to send them volunteers or leave the area.

A blast killed a child and injured another person in Brewery road area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan in the night. Wazir Khan Nasar, the Deputy Inspector General said that the militants planted an improvised explosive device near an internet cafe in Brewery road area. “The blast killed a passerby child and injured another person,” he said. Nasar said the blast caused damage to the internet cafe and other nearby shops.

Unidentified assailants shot dead in-charge nurse of the District Headquarter Hospital at a bus stop in Hakeemabad area of Nowshera in same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials said the nurse Farzana Kawsar, wife of Sajjawal Khan of Hakeemabad, was waiting for office vehicle at the bus stop when unidentified assailants opened fire on her.

The TTP said that they would cease their occasional attacks on the Army in their stronghold of FATA and concentrate attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan instead – an announcement possibly designed to head off divisions in the insurgency. The ceasefire does not apply to the rest of the country, where there are often fierce clashes between the TTP and security agencies. Thousands of soldiers are stationed in North Waziristan. There have been occasional clashes there between the soldiers and TTP, but a leaflet issued by TTP ‘Chief’ Hakimullah Mehsud ordered those to stop. A senior commander confirmed the pamphlet’s veracity. “O Mujahideen brothers! As you know, the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar Mujahid are engaged in jihad against the crusaders and infidels, and are supporters of each others in the ongoing holy war,” the pamphlet said.

A roadside bomb killed as many as 14 soldiers and injured 21 others in Dosali village, 50 kilometres south of Miranshah, in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. A ‘spokesman’ for the Mujahideen Ansar, a group dominated by Uzbek fighters, claimed responsibility and said that the attack was retaliation for the Army's complicity in drone strikes. The group is allied to TTP. A senior military official said all the soldiers killed were in one truck and those injured were in vehicles behind it.

A soldier was killed when a shell fired by the militants hit a security checkpost in the Nala area of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. The killed soldier was identified as Sepoy Rehmat Hussain. Following the attack, SFs shelled the suspected positions of militants in various areas of Bara.

One person was killed and eight others were injured when a blast struck a passenger coach in Khwar Killay area near Sadda town in Kurram Agency of FATA. A passenger coach, carrying around two dozen passengers, was travelling from Peshawar to Parachinar when it was struck by a remotely detonated IED. 

At least two persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.  A person was killed by unidentified armed assailants near a shop situated in Kharadar area within the limits of Kharadar Police Station. Police informed that the identity of the victim could not be ascertained yet, however, he seemed to be around 20-year-old, belonging to the Memon community.

An elderly man was stabbed to death in Nazimabad No-1 area within the limits of Nazimabad Police Station.

Police and the BDS foiled a terrorism bid by defusing a powerful IED weighing two kilogrammes on Manghopir Road within the precincts of Pirabad Police Station. SHO Shahid Khan said that unidentified militants first threw a low intensity hand grenade in the area, however, no loss occurred.  He informed that during the checking of the blast site, the Police personnel found a suspicious stuff near the site. The BDS experts rushed to the scene and successfully defused the IED attached with a remote control.

Three security personnel were injured when their vehicle came under a bomb attack in Shabqadar area of Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The vehicle was passing the Qala Shah Baig area when a remote-controlled bomb planted on the road hit it. Three security personnel and a passer-by were injured. The security personnel were identified as Asif, Asim and Ashar Mahmood.

The Federal Government of Pakistan accepted to the demands of Quetta bombing victims and protesters across the country and announced to impose Governor’s rule in Balochistan, effective from January 14.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf announced in principal to invoke Article 234 of the constitution and impose Governor’s rule in the province, as demanded by the bereaved families and political and social circles. He assured the protesters that the Federal Government would fully cooperate with the Governor.

He said that false cases registered against members of the Shia community would also be withdrawn.

Three khasadar personnel, captured by militants during a clash in Kohikhel area of Shalobar in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA, were beheaded. At least seven khasadar personnel were injured during clashes. The fighting erupted in the evening after militants attacked three security posts in Kohikhel. The attackers reportedly forced security personnel to retreat from two posts and captured arms and ammunition.

At least two persons, including a Policeman, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.  A Policeman, identified as Ghulam Shabbir (52) was killed by unidentified armed assailants inside his house situated in Jamali Goth of Sohrab Goth area within the precincts of Sohrab Goth Police Station.

A man, Zahid (29), was shot dead in Orangi Town within the limits of Iqbal market Police Station.

At least eight persons were injured in an IED blast, weighing one kilogram, at a mini mart at petrol station located in Kahayan-e-Ittehad in DHA Phase-VI within the limit of Gizri Police Station.

Unidentified armed assailants shot dead a man, identified as Faqir Muhammad, in Nasirabad town of same District in Balochistan.

Unidentified armed assailants injured a man, identified as Rehmatullah near the Western Bypass of Quetta.

Hearing the Balochistan target killings case, the Supreme Court observed that it never wanted the dismissal of the Balochistan Assembly and that there is a difference between legislative business and authority of executive. The Court sought the notification dismissing the Provincial Government and imposing Governor’s rule in the province.

Seven soldiers and four militants were killed in fighting between banned LI and SFs in Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. The sources said that dozens of militants of LI attacked the newly-established three security posts manned by personnel of FC, Pakistan Army and Khasadar Force in Arjaleen Adey, Machine Dhand and Mashomanu Adeera in Shalobar area of Bara. Following the attack, the SFs shelled the suspected positions of militants in different areas of Bara from nearby bases. Two helicopters shelled the suspected hideouts of militants in Shalobar and Nala area but no casualties were reported. The sources said that dozens of suspected persons were also arrested by SFs in Sepah and Shalobar area of Bara.

13 bullet-riddled bodies of local people belonging to three families were also found in Alamgudar and Dogra areas of Bara populated by Sepah Afridi tribe. No group or individual claimed responsibility for the killings.

197 Pakistani militants surrendered to the Army in the year 2012 in Bajaur Agency. Political Agent Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah commented, "During the past five years, more than 6,000 militants have surrendered to the government”. He further added that ex-militants who surrendered have denounced terrorism and joined mainstream society. Peace committees and the general public has been instrumental in forcing militants to lay down arms, he further said.

Five Policemen, identified as DSP, in CID, Naseem Baloch, Constable Tahir, Constable Noor Ahmad, Constable Mohsin Ali and Constable Abdul Whaid were killed in a remote-controlled blast in Bonistan area of Panjgur District. A Police official, Atiqur Rehman, said that a Police vehicle was patrolling in the Bonistan area when the remote-controlled device went off.

A Policeman, identified as Muhammad Naeem, was injured in an explosion in Bakra Mandi area of Eastern bypass, on the outskirts Quetta, the Provincial Capital of Balochistan.

At least three Police personnel were injured in a bomb explosion in Chaman area of Qilla Abdullah District, a boarding area with Afghanistan.

At least five persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the Provincial Capital of Sindh. A person, identified as Asghar Ali Shah (30), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Sector 7/C in the Surjani Town Police Jurisdiction. Victim belonged to Shia community and he was an organiser of a mourning procession. Police said that it was a sectarian killing.

Abdul Quyyum (25), a hotel employee, was shot dead in Sector 4/A of North Karachi in the Sir Syed Town Police Station.

Atta-ur-Rehman (40) was shot dead and Shabeer was shot injured by unidentified assailants at a hotel near Qalandri Chowk situated in Sakhi Hassan in the Shahra-e-Noorjehan Police area.

The dead body of Noor-ul-Hassan (25) was found near Maser Goth, Lyari, in the Baghdadi Police Limits.

The dead body of Syed Hassan Raza (25), stuffed in a gunny bag, was recovered near a local hotel in the Baghdadi in Napier Police Limits.

At least five persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Ibne Hassan (50) was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants outside his residence near Ghousia Market in Muhammadi Dara, just opposite Naeem Hospital, in Malir-15 in the Saudabad Police Limits. According to SHO, Saudabad Hassan Haider, the man was production manager in General Tyres and he belonged to the Shia community. Police said that it was a sectarian killing.

A person, identified as Noor Kabeer Bengali (45), was shot dead outside his residence in Muhammadi Colony in the Docks Police Limits.

Muhammad Ayub (40) was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Haroonabad in Baldia Town in the SITE-B Police Jurisdiction.

Umer Katchi (20) was shot dead near KMC Workshop in Ranchore Lane in the Eidgah Police Jurisdiction.

The dead body of an unidentified man, stuffed in a gunny bag, was recovered from Baghdadi area in the Napier Police Limits.

LI militants attacked the house of a FC trooper Shabir in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA and killed his father Abdul Jalil and four brothers. An FC official said that Shabir was not at home at the time of the attack.

Unidentified armed assailants shot dead an Afghan prayer leader, identified as Abdul Malik, in the Banda Shiekh Ismail area of Akbarpura in Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

The house of an official of the IB was partially damaged in an explosion in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The sources said that the explosive device was planted near the main entrance of the house. 

The building of Government Middle School was partially damaged when an Explosive Device planted by unidentified militants went off in Shahdand area of Loundkhor in Mardan District, but no causalities were reported.

Unidentified armed assailants abducted a man, identified as Mir Hassan, from the Usta Muhammad area of Jaffarabad District.

Militants attacked a FC check post with rockets in Panjgur District. No loss of life was reported. No group claimed responsibility for the incident.

At least eight persons, including MQM MPA, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

The MQM MPA, Syed Manzar Imam, was killed along with three of his guards by six unidentified assailants in Orangi Town. The TTP ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan, in a statement from an undisclosed place, claimed the responsibility for the attack on the MPA. The group also claimed responsibility for attack on MQM’s rally in Karachi on January 1, 2013, which killed four persons and injured 50 others.

A man, identified as Arshad Hussain (27), was killed in Sikandar Goth within the limits of Sachal Police Station.

Muhammad Hussain (24) was killed and Noor (27) was injured in an armed attack near Brooks Chowrangi in Korangi within the jurisdiction of Korangi Industrial Area Police Station.

Rahmat Ali (37) was killed near Rehmania Masjid located in sector 3 in Korangi within the jurisdiction of Zaman Town Police Station.

Unidentified militants shot dead a man, identified as Hafiz Talha (21), in Bhattai Colony within the jurisdiction of Ibrahim Hyderi Police Station. 

Two seminary students, Identified as Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Akhtar, were injured in an attack by assailants in a Gulshan-e-Iqbal locality near Mochi Mor.

At least five persons, including two women and two children, were killed and nine others were injured when helicopter gunships shelled targets in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Sources said the helicopter gunships attacked targets in Hassamkhel, Haiderkhel, Inzar, Aipee and Khushal Toorikhel villages in Mir Ali. Several houses were destroyed in the shelling. According to the sources, the shelling was in retaliation to a remote-controlled bomb attack on security personnel.

Unidentified militants blew up a CD shop at Chowki Mamraiz area of Nowshera District.

US District Judge handed Pakistani Canadian Tahawwur Rana a 14 year jail term for providing material support to LeT and for conspiring to provide material support for a plot involving attacks on the office of Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. The sentencing includes an additional five years of supervised release. According to a statement issued by the US Attorney’s office in Chicago, the Judge said, “This certainly was a dastardly plot.”

At least six persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Two brothers, identified as Mohammad Irshad and Mohammad Akhlaq, cadre of ASWJ, were killed on Lasbela Bridge.

A religious scholar, Mohammad Ajmal of the Alami Majlis Khatam-e-Nabuwat, and another man associated with the Majlis were killed on M.A. Jinnah Road.

An unidentified man was killed in the old Karachi area.

The dead body of an unidentified man, stuffed in a gunny bag, was recovered near Sohrab Hospital in Urdu Bazar in the Aram Bagh Police Limits.

Armed assailants shot dead the principal of a private school, identified as Ikram Mengal, along with his five-year old son, in Kharan District.

The FC killed BLA ‘commander’ Rashid Shahwani and his companion Shahjahan during a targeted operation against militants in Mastung District. FC personnel recovered a large number of weapons and explosive material during the operation.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department has approved a plan to renovate 274 Police mobile vans turning them into bullet-proof vehicles in the wake of security situation.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government proposed amendments to the relevant laws to protect the identity of judges, prosecutors and witnesses in terrorism related cases. The proposal has been sent to the Federal Government in writing, according to provincial Home Secretary Azam Khan.

The US supports democratic Government in Pakistan rather than any specific political party or person‚ including Tahirul Qadri, US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson said. He further said that the US would like to see free and fair elections in Pakistan.

Armed assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on a rickshaw in Sariab Road of Quetta (Quetta District), killing its occupants, the driver and a woman passenger, on the spot. The driver of the rickshaw was identified as Mula Dad, whereas the identity of the women could not be ascertained.

Two brothers were killed in a land mine explosion near Khameesa Khan Bugti Village of Quetta. According to the Police, the deceased were identified as Khameesa Khan and Essa Khan.

Three unidentified militants entered a house in Kot Azam Village in Tank District and killed two persons. According to the SFs, three men, wearing uniform, entered the house of Ramzan and Rehman in the Kot Azam Village and shot them dead before fleeing the scene.

A girl’s primary school was blown up by unidentified militants in Badabher, a suburban area of the Peshawar city. According to the details, miscreants planted explosives near the main gate of the school which is situated in Mashoo Khel Village and detonated it with a remote control. Two rooms of the school were damaged completely, while the blast also affected some other sections of the school’s building.

Unidentified assailants killed two Police constables who were deputed at a Police post in Khanote area of Jamshoro District. The slain Policemen were identified as Abdul Majeed Pitafi and Sahib Khan Macchi. The unidentified attackers also took away rifles and mobile phones of the constables.

President Barrack Obama administration is nearing completion of a detailed counterterrorism manual that is designed to establish clear rules for targeted-killing operations but leaves open a major exemption for the CIA’s campaign of drone strikes in Pakistan, The Washington Post quoting unnamed US officials reported. The carve-out would allow the CIA to continue pounding al Qaeda and Taliban targets for a year or more before the agency is forced to comply with more stringent rules spelled out in a classified document that officials have described as a counterterrorism “playbook.”

At least five volunteers of Aman Lashkar sustained injuries when a bomb exploded in the Shalobar area of Khyber Agency in FATA. An IED was planted on a roadside which exploded. However, no loss of life was reported.

A local leader of ANP, Muhammad Din Shah Afridi, narrowly escaped a murderous attack carried out by exploding IED through a remote control that left at least four persons injured at Khyber Chowk in Ittehad Town area within the limits of Mochko Police Station in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Police said that the explosive devise went off when a vehicle bearing registration No ASE-386 passed from the blast site. As a result, four persons, Abdul Rehman, Kamran and Hussain travelling in a car with the ANP leader, and a passerby Imran received injuries.

The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said one or two target killings in a big city like Karachi was not an issue. However, he claimed the situation will become normal. Talking to the media at the Sukkur airport, he said the situation in Karachi is not as bad as portrayed by the media. He pointed out that other murders in Karachi were on the rise over different other issues.

Police arrested four militants following exchange of fire in Sarband area on the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the sources, the encounter took place when the militants opened fire at Police near Riaz Shaheed checkpoint. Police retaliation injured one attacker. Police arrested the injured attacker and the other four militants.

The US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson said the US would extend all the necessary assistance and equipment to help law enforcement agencies to check incidents of suicide attacks and bomb blasts. He said the US highly values its relations with Pakistan, adding that they acknowledge the sacrifices made by Pakistan during war on terrorism. The ambassador had meeting with Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik and exchanged views on bilateral relations and security situation, particularly in FATA.

Quetta (provincial capital of Balochistan) CCPO of Mir Zubair Mehmood confirmed that three senior Police officials arrested by FC were involved in kidnapping of a resident of Dalbandin for ransom. Addressing a press conference, Mir Zubair said, “The three officers, including SP and two DSP of CID Police Quetta and three other personnel have been suspended from service and an FIR has been registered against them for kidnapping Abdul Quddoos, a resident of Dalbandin, headquarters of Chagai district, for ransom.”

Two security personnel were killed and 11 others injured when a landmine exploded during a search operation in Kanra village under Pandyali tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA. SFs with the help of Khasadars and volunteers of a peace Lashkar were conducting the search operation in Kanra village, when the landmine planted by militants went off. Lance Naik Abdul Mehmood and Ziaullah were killed and five security personnel, four Khasadars and two volunteers were injured. 

One Frontier Constabulary personnel was killed and another received injuries when militants fired at their vehicle in Zakhakhel Bazaar area in Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. Officials said that a group of security men was attacked by militants when they were fetching water from a natural spring in the area. 

Unidentified militants blew up a Government school in Merikhel village of Akkakhel in Bara. The explosion caused damage to a major portion of the school structure, one of the oldest Government buildings in the area.

SFs recovered two bullet-riddled bodies from the Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan. The deceased were identified as Bahian and Raza Muhammad. They were shot dead and dumped in a deserted place. 

The FC recovered explosive materials from the Notal area of Nasirabad District and arrested a person. The recovery includes 10 kilogramme bomb and four kilogrammes of explosives. 

FC personnel recovered a bomb and explosives from Goth Ghulam Kathore area of Sibi District.

Unidentified militants abducted a Sikh businessman for ransom from Quaidabad area of Peshawar (Peshawar District) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rakbir Singh, a shopkeeper in Hayatabad market, was kidnapped outside his house in the Quaidabad area.

Hearing Adiala Jail missing prisoners’ case, Supreme Court Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary observed that the intelligence agencies do not have authority to keep anyone in their custody for an indefinite period, and warned the ISI and MI that law would take its course if they were found guilty.

A C-IED working group held a meeting at GHQ in Rawalpindi, a ISPR press release said. Delegates from the Afghan National Army, the ISAF and Pakistani Army participated, the statement said. The participants discussed measures to counter the IED threat faced by civilians and Security Forces on both sides of the Pakistani-Afghan border. The working group resolved to advance work already done to counter the IED threat.

At least 11 persons, including a Policeman and a medical superintendent of the Sindh Government Hospital, were killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A medical superintendent of the Sindh Government Hospital, New Karachi, was killed at UP Morr. Police official said that the victim, Dr Hassan Alam, was heading towards his house in his car when two armed men intercepted his vehicle and shot at him, killing him on the spot. 

A man was killed in Malir. According to Police, the 23-year-old victim was shot dead while on his bike.

One person was killed near the Northern Bypass in Khairabad. Police said that the victim, Muhammad Jameel (53), was returning home after his shift in a factory situated in Manghopir area when armed riders shot him dead and escaped.

A man was killed in Orangi town. According to Police, the identity of the victim could not be ascertained. 

A tortured bullet-riddled body of a man was found from Old Haji Camp area. Police said that unidentified men abducted the victim, severely tortured him and then shot him dead. They later threw the body at an abandoned place. They said that the identity of the victim could not be ascertained. 

A 40-year-old Policeman was shot dead near Siddique-e-Akbar Mosque in Nagan Chowrangi, whereas a man was killed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. The victim was shot at by two armed pillion riders while he was in his car. 

A man was killed near his shop situated along Police training centre Saeedabad within the jurisdiction of Saeedabad Police Station. According to Police, the victim, Ghulam Asghar was shot outside his shop.

Dead bodies of two men were found from Dalda Mor of Baldia Town within the limits of SITE-B Police station. Police said that the identity of the victims was yet to be ascertained. Police said that the bodies were trussed up and bore torture marks.

Another dead body of a man was found form Memon Goth.

In a sectarian related attack, one doctor, Dr Shah Nawaz Ali, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in his cantonment area clinic on Liaquat Street in Saddar Bazaar of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The apparent reason for the killing was that Dr Ali belonged to Shia sect, local residents added. Earlier this month, Dr Riaz Hussain Shah was shot dead in Dabgari area on January 9.

An explosive device, planted near a CD shop at Bacha Khan Chowk on Charssada Road, exploded damaging three shops. However, no casualty was reported. According to Police, the target of the blast was a CD shop.

Unidentified militants exploded explosive devices planted under two school buses near Chota Lahore in Swabi District. However, no casualty was reported. According to a Police spokesman, the explosive devices, concealed in ghee tins, were planted under the buses parked outside Quaid-e-Azam International Model School.

A two-member bench of Peshawar High Court took exception to the killing of two ‘missing persons’ and summoned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Police Officer along with several other officials, directing them to explain as to why they failed to trace out the culprits involved in the incidents.

Four personnel of the FC were seriously injured when unidentified militants attacked a convoy of the Security Forces on the Thall-Mir Ali Road in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. Sources said a convoy of the Thall Scouts, a wing of the FC, was on its way to Spinwam in Mir Ali subdivision from Thall subdivision in the Hangu District (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) when it was targeted through an IED.

The Provincial Government has set up a new force for conducting operations against elements involved in cases of terrorism, target killing and kidnapping for ransom. “The special force will initially comprise 300 personnel,” Provincial Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said while presiding over a meeting of the divisional commissioners and senior officials in Quetta.

Peace talks with Pakistani militants will take place before this year's general elections, KP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said. The PPP and PML-N will be part of the peace process with the militants, he said, adding that participants will chalk out a joint peace strategy at the All Parties Conference for the ANP to convey. "We are trying to initiate peace talks with the extremists at the earliest," Iftikhar added.

ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan, said his party supports peace talks with the militants because this is a national issue and the nation should unite for such negotiations. The ANP will convene an All Parties Conference to formulate a joint national strategy to deal with the menace of terrorism, Asfandyar told participants at a ceremony commemorating the deaths of ANP leaders Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Bacha Khan) and Khan Abdul Wali Khan. Bacha Khan died in 1988, followed by his son Wali Khan in 2006.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told the Senate that the issue of drone attacks would be taken up with US Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson, and also with Barrack Obama administration in Washington. During a policy statement in the Senate, the Foreign Minister said drone attacks were a violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity, adding that the Government was not oblivious to the challenges confronting the country.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary observed that the Taliban were not a phenomenon that could not be controlled by the Government. A three-member bench of the apex court, comprising, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed heard the Karachi law and order situation case. The court directed Sindh Advocate General Fateh Muhammad Malik to ensure the arrest of the killers of MQM MPA Manzar Imam by February 6 and submit a compliance report before it. The court also sought from the Sindh police a reply about the release of Ajmal Pahari.

In the aftermath of 9/11, the number of foreign students studying in the madrassas of Punjab had dropped sharply but about 450 are still on their rolls and causing a bit of worry to the Punjab Police. A recent field survey of the madrassas by the Special Branch of the provincial Police revealed that 289 of them are, technically, staying illegally in the country. An overwhelming majority of them, 275, were found lodged in the madrassas in Lahore.

Seven militants were killed and four others were injured in a blast in Jandary Killay in Orakzai Agency of FATA.  The sources said that the militants had been using the abandoned house as hideout in Jandary Killay area. Unidentified persons, the sources added, had placed explosive device at the house, which went off at 10 am, leaving seven militants dead and four others injured. The sources said that the house comprising four rooms was destroyed in the blast.

Militants dumped the mutilated body of a purported Afghan spy accused of collaborating on US drone strikes that killed Mullah Nazir on January 2. The body of the man, identified as Asmatullah Kharoti, was found in Wana, the main town of the South Waziristan Agency, which borders Afghanistan.

Four pro-Government tribesmen from a militia were shot dead in the hujra of a local person at Gul Bagh village on the suburbs of the provincial metropolis Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar (Peshawar District). Police was told that the tribesmen were asleep inside a room in his hujra when unidentified assailants killed them. A source said that the deceased belonged to Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA but they had shifted recently to Badhaber area of Peshawar owing to lawlessness in the tribal region. They were identified as Khan Bahadur, Zaryab Gul, Jangrez and Abad.

Unidentified assailants shot dead two Afghan clerics at a mosque in Kata Kani area of Hangu city in same District on in the night. Sources said that the mosque attack occurred in Kata Kani area, where the Afghan refugees had been living for past several months. Those killed were identified as Maulana Zahir and Maulana Mohammad Yousuf. One person was injured in the attack.

Five mortars were fired targeting headquarters of FC in Hayatabad residential area of Peshawar. These rockets, however, caused no loss of life nor did any damage to public property, sources said.

Hayatabad Police seized a vehicle loaded with weapons and ammunitions. During search of the vehicle, Police recovered 115 pistols, 16 Kalashnikov rifles and thousands of rounds. “Two persons were arrested on charges of smuggling weapons,” Hayatabad Police said.

Twin blasts in Charsadda town in the District, on the occasion of the death anniversaries of Khudai Khidmatgar Khan Abdul Ghaffar and ANP leader Khan Abdul Wali Khan created panic. The first blast took place at 4 pm near the Motorway Interchange, 10 minutes after the motorcade of leaders of ANP led by its provincial chief Senator Afrasiab Khattak crossed the area. Police said a remote-controlled bomb planted by unidentified men along the road between a CNG station and the Motorway Interchange exploded, but it caused no casualties or damage to property. The second blast took place at 11 am when an explosive device planted in a shopping bag and placed in the garbage dump in front of Zakat office on Mardan road went off just before the arrival of the bomb disposal squad to defuse it.

A Government-run Kablay Marzay primary school was blown up by unidentified men in Battagram area of Shabqadar in the middle of the night.  No casualties were reported.

Two persons, including an activist of MQM, were shot dead in separate incidents of violence in the Provincial metropolis of Sindh, Karachi (Karachi District).

The worker of MQM was shot dead at Chuna Bhatti in Ranchorline within the limits of Eidgah Police Station. An official said that two unidentified pillion riders opened fire at a tyre puncher shop, resultantly, 24-year-old Ameer Ali, son of Iftikhar Ali, received multiple bullet wounds and died on the spot.

A man was shot dead outside his house in new Muzaffarabad Colony within the jurisdiction of Quaidabad Police Station. SHO Amanullah Marwat said that 30-year-old Jamil Zada alias Lune, son of Shirin Zada, was sitting outside his house when two armed riders accosted him and opened fire. The SHO said that victim was the father of two children and hailed form Swat.

A cleric belonging to JUI-F, Mufti Rehmatullah, was shot dead in Kakar colony of Quetta (Quetta District) in Balochistan. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at Mufti Rehmatullah, the prayer leader of a local mosque, leaving him seriously injured. Police took the cleric to hospital where he died. Mufti Rehmatullah was prayer leader of Mian Khan Mosque in Kakar colony and a leader of JUI-F.

At least 10 suspects were rounded up by FC in targeted operations in Killi Kamalo, Sariab, Hudda and other parts of Quetta.

Security personnel recovered a landmine weighing about five kilograms in Ormara of Gwadar District and called in the Bomb Disposal Squad which defused it.

Security personnel stopped a suspicious vehicle at Gadang check post located on Quetta-Chaman highway and seized an explosive device weighing 20 kilograms. However, no arrest was made in this connection.

Police defused an anti-tank mine near Police residential quarters on the outskirts of Khuzdar, averting a major tragedy. DIG Khuzdar Range Fasihuddin said unidentified militants had planted the mine in the Khatan area to blow up the Police quarters. After receiving a tip-off, he said, the Police and bomb disposal squad defused the mine containing 18 kilograms of explosives. No arrest was reported and security beefed up in and around Khuzdar town.

A local leader of ASWJ, Qari Mohammad Saeed, was killed by unidentified assailant in Talagang area of Chakwal District in Punjab. Qari Mohammad Saeed, the prayer leader of a local mosque, was attacked by an unidentified assailant when he came out of Ayesha Siddiqua Masjid on Mianwali road after Maghrib prayers.

The TTP said the United Nation bodies and the United States should stop the “BJP-sponsored state terrorism in Kashmir,” otherwise the TTP has the ability to strike inside Indian-administered Kashmir. Speaking to Dawn, the TTP ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said that the Indian Home Minister’s statement regarding BJP-backed terrors camps is an open confession that Hindu extremists are being patronized under the State’s authority for killing innocent Kashmiri Muslims.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police busted 12 networks of terrorists and rounded up 459 militants and killed 52 others during 2012, a Police communiqué said. It said that during the last 12 months 21 cases of suicide bombings were registered in different parts of the province. At least 21 Policemen were killed and 45 others sustained injuries in these attacks. Similarly, the statement said 386 cases of explosive recovery, missile attacks and blasts at CD and barber shops were registered in which 54 policemen lost lives and 147 were injured, the communiqué said. “One suicide bomber was held, five suicide jackets, 33,036 hand-grenades/dynamites, 6,576 kilogram explosives, 31,416 metre prima chord, 497 rocket shells and 988 metre safety fuses were recovered,” it added. During 2012, a total of 171 Police encounters took place in which 11 Policemen were killed and 14 more injured, the communiqué said, adding, some 48 dacoits were killed and 21 injured in these clashes. Police also recovered 4,715 rifles and light machine guns, 8,702 shotguns, 36,420 pistols, 4,923 Kalashnikov rifles, 2,356 Kalakov, 327 hand-grenades, 51 Stengun and machinegun, 33 bombs and 2019,594 cartridges were recovered.

Two blasts in a span of several minutes left four persons, a DSP and an ASI among them, dead and 12 others, five of them Policemen, injured in the Sherpao Colony of the Landhi area in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. According to Police, a rather low-intensity bomb exploded in a garbage dump and when police officers, ambulance, rescue services’ personnel and local people gathered there to help the injured and investigate the incident, the second explosion took place and it caused most of the casualties. The second blast destroyed three ambulances and damaged a police van. Quaidabad DSP Kamal Khan Mangan and ASI Akbar Hussain died on the spot. The other two victims were identified as Fazal Khan, a private security guard, and passerby Saeedur Rehman. Among the 12 injured, five were Policemen, including the Quaidabad SHO and the others were staff of rescue services and a few passersby. DIG East Zone Aleem Jafri said that both bombs had been detonated by cell-phones, adding that around one kilogram of explosives had been used in the first blast and three kilograms, laced with ball-bearing and nails, in the second.

An activist of ANP, identified as Haji Muhammad Khan, was killed at his shop in Faqeera Goth behind Al-Asif Square within the precincts of Sohrab Goth Police Station. An official said that two unidentified armed pillion riders emerged at the mobile shop, Ibrahim Communications, and open indiscriminate fire.

Militants rained more mortar shells on Peshawar on the second consecutive day as four shells landed in Hayatabad. Sources said four mortar shells, fired from Shalobar area in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA, landed in Phase-VI, Hayatabad, injuring two children.

The armed forces of Pakistan are prepared to defend country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, said CJCSC General Kahlid Shamim Wynne. The CJCSC was visiting the ongoing ‘Exercise Saffron Bandit 2012-13’ at an operational base of the Pakistan Air Force. Chief of Air Staff Tahir Rafique Butt also participated in the exercise. General Wynne said the prevailing complex global geo-political environment and regional situation is not only unique but also more challenging, since Pakistan faces both internal and external threats. “Readiness and war preparedness have attained enhanced significance in the current scenario. PAF is a potent and frontline element of the national security and, through the highest levels of professionalism, it will always come up to the expectations of the nation,” he added.

The Attorney General Irfan Qadir informed the Supreme Court that around 700 persons were in the custody of the security agencies and those people were arrested in connection with the ‘war on terror’. He said this while appearing before a three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary, which took up the case of prisoners of Adiala Jail.

The UN envoy on counter-terrorism and human rights launched an investigation into the impact of drone strikes on civilians, aimed at securing accountability for attacks going “badly wrong”. Ben Emmerson, a British lawyer and United Nations special Rapporteur, said the huge expansion in the technology behind unmanned planes, and consequently their increasing use, required a new legal framework.

The US Senator John Kerry, President Barack Obama’s nominee for secretary of state, said during his confirmation hearing that cutting US aid to Pakistan, would be a “dramatic, draconian and sledge-hammer” measure. Senator Kerry also said that Pakistan’s role in leading the US to Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad had not been sufficiently appreciated.

At least four people, including a DSP and two Policemen, were killed in an IED blast in Bakhtawar Goth, New Muzaffarabad Colony in Karachi (Karachi District), provincial capital of Sindh. Moreover, another explosion occurred in Kachra Kundi, without any casualty.

A man was killed and two others were injured in a hand grenade attack in Mushki Para, Manghopir within the limits of Manghopir Police Station.

Jet fighters bombarded suspected positions of the TTP in the Kukikhel area of Tirah valley in the night, killing nine people, including six militants.

At least 31 persons were killed when Tariq Afridi faction of TTP militants attacked AI, a pro-Government militants group, in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. About 300 Tariq Afridi faction of TTP militants, armed with mortars and RPGs, launched the overnight assault in the Maiden area of Tirah Valley, a maze of valleys on a route from Afghanistan to Peshawar. The AI cadres retaliated, killing 15 TTP militants and capturing eight others, while three villagers, including an elderly woman, were killed in crossfire. TTP militants also killed 13 AI cadres.

As many as 12 persons, including two Policemen and two political workers, were killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Two Policemen, Akhtar Shahza (45), and Abdul Aziz (52), were gunned down in Vita Chowrangi of Korangi Town.

Sharafat Ali (25) affiliated with MQM was killed and his brother injured in an armed attack at Jamshed Quarters within the limits of Jamshed Quarters Police Station.

Another activist of MQM, Shabbir Ahmed (27) was killed in Islam Nagar, Orangi Town within the limits of Orangi Town Police Station.

Noorul Bashar (28), affiliated with ASWJ, was shot dead and his two companions, Maulana Saleemullah and Shoaib, were injured in Orangi Town within the jurisdiction of Orangi Police Station.

Waqar Ahmed (25), a sympathizer of ASWJ, was killed in Orangi Town within the limits of Pakistan Bazaar police station.

The bullet-riddled body of a cadre of ST was found near Saddar parking plaza within the jurisdiction of Brigade Police Station. The victim was later identified as Sajid (24).

A man was killed in Block 19, FB Area within the jurisdiction of Samanabad Police Station. According to Police, Yousuf (23) was killed by armed riders.

A man was shot dead on Abul Hassan Ispanhi Road within the limits of Mobina Town Police Station.

The body of a man was found near Abdullahabad, Surjani within jurisdiction of Surjani Town Police Station.

The body of another man was found from Northern Bypass within the limits of Surjani Police Station. Police said that the deceased was identified as Adnan Akram.

Another shot dead man was found from Bakra Piri, Malir Town. The deceased was identified as Asif.

The death toll in the ongoing fighting between Tariq Afridi faction of the TTP) and pro-Government militant group AI in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA climbed to 71. The violence began in Tirah valley three days ago after cadres of the Tariq Afridi faction, who operate in Khyber Agency, captured a building belonging to AI. "The Ansar-ul-Islam group re-took their centre after intense fighting. A senior security official confirmed the approximate death toll and said fighting was ongoing. The area is cut off to journalists and aid workers so it was not possible to confirm the death toll independently. As reported earlier, least 31 persons were killed when TTP militants attacked AI militants on January 26.

A roadside bomb, apparently planted to target a convoy of the Security Forces on Kohat-Hangu road in Utman Khel area in Orakzai Agency, went off. However, the explosion caused no damage or casualty. 

At least three members of a members of pro-government tribal militia, including one of its ‘commanders’, were killed and four others were abducted when Baloch insurgents attacked their camp in Tilli Mat area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan. According to Balochistan Levies sources, dozens of armed insurgents assaulted the post of the tribal militia post in the Tilli Mat area, killing at least three of its members. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

A Government centre housing the offices of NADRA and Benazir Income Support Programme was targeted with an IED in the border town of Chaman in Qilla Abdullah District. According to Levies sources, the IED in a fertiliser bag was planted along the wall of the centre near the FC Headquarters. However, no loss of life was reported in the blast.

Militants fired rockets at FC checkposts in Dolwai area of Barkhan District and Kahan area of Kohlu District. No casualty was reported.

The BDS defused an IED planted in a bicycle in Sariab area of the provincial capital, Quetta.

A patrol party of the Motorway Police escaped unhurt in a roadside blast in Nowshera town of same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Deputy Superintendent of Motorway Police Sajjad Sial said they were on a routine patrol on the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway near Marhati Banda when they saw a man with a briefcase.

Pakistan is still a major destination for radicalised Muslims bent on a life of jihad, despite hundreds of US drone strikes, the death of al Qaeda Osama bin Laden and the fracturing of al Qaeda. New battlegrounds have sprung up in Africa and the Middle East, but the number of foreign recruits smuggled into the north western tribal belt is increasing and they come from more diverse countries. Since the 1980s jihad to expel Soviet troops from Afghanistan, Muslim fighters from all over the world have lived and trained on the Afghan-Pakistan border, moulded into al Qaeda and a host of spin-off militant networks.

President of Karachi Electronics and Small Traders Association, Muhammad Irfan, who was shot and injured in the night of January 24, died of his wounds in the night. He was attacked by assailants near Abdullah College.

With 10 more deaths, the death toll in the fighting between Tariq Afridi faction of the TTP and pro-Government militant group AI in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA climbed to 81. As reported earlier, 71 persons had died till January 27 in the clashes that erupted on January 25. Due to the volatile situation, thousands of families have been displaced.

13 suspected militants were killed and 16 others were injured when Army warplanes targeted TTP hideouts in Arghanjoo and Mir Qalamkhel area in Mamozai tehsil of Orakzai Agency. Six militant camps and an explosive-laden vehicle were reportedly destroyed in the bombardment. The military offensive during the past few months has cleared Orakzai Agency of up to 90% of its militant presence, security officials said.

At least 16 persons were killed across Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

ST activists Riazuddin, 25, his elder brother Farhanuddin, 35, and friend Kamranuddin, 30, suffered bullet wounds when unidentified assailants opened fire at them near the Khudadad Colony on Kashmir Road. Riaz and Kamran died later. The deceased victims and the injured were all activists of the ST. Another activist ST, Khalid Qadri, 27, was shot dead and a minor child was injured in sector 11-J area of New Karachi.

35-year-old ASWJ activist Maulana Khalid Saeed was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his residence near Bilal Colony in the Korangi Industrial Area Police limits. He hailed from Hazara.

14-year-old Waseem, an activist of the MQM, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near the Able Chowk in the Kazi Bazar in the Kharadar Police jurisdiction.

Doctor Abdul Rasheed, 45, was shot dead in Korangi.

In Baldia Town Police limits, Mohammad Akbar, 26, was shot dead by unidentified assailants. According to the police, the victim was targeted. They added that the gunmen arrived at the scene, asked the victim his name and then shot him dead.

Forty-year-old Muhammad Bukhsh was shot dead by assailants while he was going towards his residence in the Sohrab Goth Police jurisdiction.

A person was shot dead in Teen Hathi in Lyari.

A man Riaz, 25, was killed and two others were injured in an attack near PSO fuel station within the jurisdiction of Jamshed Quarters Police Station. Another man, identified as Owais, 20, was killed near Sabeel Wali Masjid located in Gurumandir Roundabout within the limits of Soldier Bazaar Police Station.

The bullet-riddled body of Muhammad Asif, 25, was found in the D-1 Area of Landhi 89. The deceased was a worker of Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) and an activist of the MQM.

A dead body was found near Dua Hotel in Maripur Road. The victim appeared to be Urdu speaking. Members of Lyari gang are suspected to be involved in the killing. The body of another man, aged about 30, was found near Pakistan Chowk within the limits of Mithadar Police Station. An official said the victim appeared to be Urdu speaking.

The body of a man was found behind Al Asif Square within the jurisdiction of Sohrab Goth Police Station.

In the Ayub Goth area, two cars and four motorcycles were burnt in an attack on a Police check-post. Following the incident, an exchange of fire took place and the attackers fled. According to Police, over a dozen people were arrested in connection with the attack on the check-post.

Officials of an intelligence agency arrested a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant from Sohrab Goth area. According to sources, on a tip-off, officials of secret agency raided at a hotel in Sohrab Goth and arrested Alam Sher Mehsud.

Two personnel of the PAF were among three persons killed in Pasni in Gwadar District. Station House Officer Imam Baloch said that the PAF personnel were shopping at the Zareen Markeet when armed assailants opened indiscriminate fire on them. Resultantly, three people, including two PAF personnel and a shopkeeper, were killed, while a PAF official sustained bullet injuries.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a man, identified as Muhammad Jamal, at Al-Faisal Chowk in Khuzdar District.

A blast in a shop in the Sarband, a suburb of Peshawar, had panicked Policemen deployed at the nearby checkpost in the night. In the early report Police said the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder, later, the experts from bomb disposal unit said it was caused by explosives.

Police arrested two suspected militants and recovered a huge quantity of explosives and weapons during a raid on a depot on Ring Road in Peshawar. The arms and explosives were hidden underground, Ismail Khan, Assistant Superintendent of Police for the Gul Bahar area, said. The cache included 116 kilograms of explosives, thousands of bullets, rocket-propelled grenades, 25 mortar shells and 80 hand grenades.

DPC has announced to hold a 'peace march' in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, on March 3. DPC Chairman Maulana Samiul Haq, after the summit meeting of the DPC parties, on January 28 said the DPC wanted peace all over the country, including Karachi, and it had held an All Parties Conference in Karachi for the restoration of peace. Those who attended the meeting included JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed.

He also said that the DPC was an alliance of parties having public representation and it must be taken into confidence for the nomination of the Prime Minister and about the interim set up. He said the nomination of someone who defied "Two Nation Theory" and the Pakistan ideology as interim Prime Minister would be strongly resisted.

At least 24 militants were killed when Army warplanes bombed militant positions in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Officials said the planes attacked targets in Dwa Thoe, Bara Gatt, Wocha Wona and Nakai areas where TTP and LI have their bases or hideouts. Sources said that stores of food and arms were destroyed. A statement issued by Security Forces said militant hideouts were busted during the 24-hour target operation and 24 terrorists, some of them belonging to the TTP and LI, were killed.

At least five persons, including a Policeman, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. The General Secretary of Bengali Action Committee, identified as Ghayasuddin (52), was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants in Sector-33, Korangi town within the limits of Korangi Police Station.

A man, Amir Baig was killed outside his house near Marhaba Hall, 4-D area of Surjani town within the precincts of Surjani town Police Station.

A man, identified as Shahid (30) was killed in Lal Masjid located in Matin Quarters within the limits of Pir Ilahi Buksh Police Station.

A Policeman, Zulfiqar was killed and two others, Ghulam Nazuk and Arshad Mehmood were injured in an armed attack at Sohrab Goth Police Station. According to Police sources, the Police arrested at least seven militants from Jamali Goth in connection with their alleged involvement in attack at Police check post, wherein the culprits damaged its infrastructure and torched six vehicles, including a Police mobile.

A hand grenade attack injured four persons in Hangorabad area of Lyari.

An IED bomb, carrying 2.5 kilogram's explosive, was found from outside the house of a prominent industrialist in Khayaban-e-Shaheen within the precincts of Darakshan Police Station.

Unidentified militants shot dead Policeman escorting a polio vaccination team in Kala, a village in Swabi District of KP. The team was heading to a nearby village after vaccinating children in Kala, when two armed motorcyclists shot at them and fled the area, Police said. "The team, after finishing the campaign in Kala, was heading towards a nearby village when three men armed with Kalashnikovs appeared from sugarcane fields and opened fire," District Police Officer Swabi Abdul Rasheed Khan said.

A man was killed and three others sustained injuries in a blast in Acheeni Mera near Al-Hamra Township in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Unidentified militants had planted explosives in fields in Acheeni that went off, killing one tribesman, Sardar, hailing from Zakhakhel area in Bara tehsil of FATA and injuring Gul Shah, Fazal and another person, who couldn't be identified. Some reports said the bomb had been planted near a gambling den and the militants had reportedly warned of target it. However, the police didn't confirm this version.

Unidentified militants lobbed hand grenade on Baamkhel Police check-post in Swabi District. However, no causality was reported. According to details, unknown miscreants riding a motorcycle hurled a hand grenade on Police check-post in Baamkhel area. A car parked near the post was damaged while the Policemen on duty remained unhurt.

Two Police constables, identified as Ali Dad Hazara and Shamir Baloch, were shot dead on Sabzal road of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. A little-known militant outfit, Jaish-ul-Islam (JuI), claimed responsibility for the attack. Police said that it appeared to be a sectarian attack.

At least nine persons were killed in separate incidents across Balochistan. Four persons were shot dead in Dera Bugti District. Dera Bugti Tehsildar Bahram Khan Bugti said that unidentified assailants fired on four people in Nok Tarani area near Pir Koh, killing them on the spot.

A man, identified as Abdul Kareem Khilji, was shot dead on Sariab Road near Tariq Hospital of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Another person, identified as Ghulam Qadir Zehri, was shot dead in main Khuzdar bazaar of Khuzdar District.

Three bullet-riddled bodies were found in between the mountains at Eastern Bypass in the proximity of Bussa Mandi in Quetta. "They were shot in the head and look like Afghans," Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bahsir Ahmed Brahvi said, and added that their hands and feet were tied. He said the bodies appeared to be three days old. The deceased could not be identified.

SFs seized cache of explosives from a car at Balili check post in the outskirts of Quetta. 400 detonators, an explosive wire, a 200-meter roll, one explosive piece of cotton weighing 125 kilograms and 1500 kilograms of ball bearings were recovered.

Eight persons, including two MQM workers, were shot dead in separate acts of violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A bomb blast killed three suspected militants in Karachi as they were carrying out preparations for an attack at Indus Plaza on Al-Asif Square. The suspected militants were attempting to put the bomb in the trunk of a taxi when it went off, Senior Police Officer Aleem Jafri said.

Just before the explosion a hand grenade was hurled at a Police van few metres away from the same place.

A MQM activist was shot dead outside his house in Aleemabad area within the limits of Malir City Police Station in Malir. The deceased was the resident of the same area and affiliated with MQM Unit 79.

Another MQM worker, Raheel (27), son of Zafar, was shot dead in Baldia Town within the jurisdiction of Saeedabad Police Station. Police said Raheel was associated with the MQM Unit 113, and was employed at a private factory.

A ST cadre was abducted and subsequently shot dead in Jamshed Quarters area within the remit of Jamshed Quarters Police Station. Police said Adnan Baloch (28), a resident of the said area, was a motor mechanic by profession.

A young man, Aswat (26), son of Rizwanul Haq, was shot dead and his brother injured in North Nazimabad within the precincts of Hyderi Police Station.

A man, Mukhtiar, 35, son of Hameed, was shot dead in Shah Faisal No-1 within the limits of Shah Faisal Police Station.

Six members of a family were killed when a mortar fell on the house of one Ghani Gul in Sponrhai area of Kukikhel in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Meanwhile, SFs said that curfew would be imposed in the entire Bara subdivision of Khyber Agency from January 31 morning. They made announcements through loudspeakers in most parts of Bara, advising local people to remain inside their houses till next order. The SFs didn't cite any reason for imposition of the indefinite curfew in the entire Bara.

Three soldiers were injured when unidentified militants attacked a military convoy with an IED on Bannu-Miranshah road in Miranshah town NWA. The IED planted on the main road went off when the military convoy was passing through the area. A military vehicle was damaged and three soldiers sustained injuries in the blast.

10 mortar shells fired from across the border in Afghanistan landed in Loli Faqeeran village of Ghulam Khan Area in NWA.

The Police arrested a militant, Asif Naveed, during a raid on a house in Kumharnwala in the limits of City Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan town of the same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and recovered explosives from his possession. The recovery includes a suicide jacket, 15 kilograms of explosives and a pistol.

The KP Home and Tribal Affairs Department announced team for carrying out inspection of the arms and ammunition manufacturers and dealers as well as licence branches of Bannu division. An official statement said the team would be carrying out inspection of arms manufacturing and dealership units in first week of February. The inspection team will furnish reports along with its recommendations to the competent authority by February 11, 2013.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said three banned organisation are responsible of target killings and law and order situation in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Speaking in the Senate in response to a point of order by MQM Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, the Interior Minister said LeJ, JeM and TTP are terrorizing people in Karachi.

Rehman Malik explained that those busy in Karachi are different extremist factions and mentioned that when the Interior Ministry warned of an attack on long march of Dr Tahirul Qadri, the same Ehsanullah Ehsan withdrew his statement. But, after killing of MQM leader Manzar Imam, he claimed the responsibility as a spokesperson of the TTP. But, it is evident that he is not working for TTP but for somebody else, said the Minister.

He said internal and external groups are involved in Karachi situation and killers are paid PKR 80,000 to PKR 90,000 for each killing. "I have asked the intelligence agencies to enhance monitoring as well as security. I have asked the agencies that when they get any information, they should apprehend the suspects and take preventive action."

The United States reassured Islamabad that it would not abandon Pakistan after the drawdown of coalition forces from Afghanistan completes in 2014. "My core message today is that the US is committed to a cooperative and long-term partnership with Pakistan - far broader than any one issue, and centred on areas of mutual interest," US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson said at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad.

Twelve militants, including two peace committee members, were killed and six militants were injured in clashes in various parts of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency in FATA. The AI claimed it had gained control of 16 TTP centres at Mamozai near Tirah.

Eight volunteers of a peace committee were killed when a mortar shell went off accidentally in a bunker used by volunteers of the Kamarkhel peace committee at Takhtakai when ammunitions were being shifted to another base. Kamarkhel is a neutral tribe and doesn't want to indulge in fighting but recently it has taken up arms to keep Takhtakai from the influence of any militant group. LI has been carrying out sporadic attacks on the Kamarkhel tribesmen to take control of the important location to which the Kamarkhel volunteers are offering resistance. AI wants to push back fighters of LI from Takhtakai area because it is close to Bagh Maidan, the headquarters of AI.

In a clash with Kamarkhel volunteers in the area LI 'commander' Mehar Gul was killed and four of his associates were injured as fierce fighting continued in Takhtakai.

A bomb blast killed two polio vaccination workers in Mali Khel village in Kurram Agency. There has been no claim of responsibility for the killings. "The two-men team was visiting Mali Khel village in upper Kurram tribal region when an improvised explosive device planted along the roadside went off, killing them on the spot," Jawad Ali, in- charge of the campaign in Kurram Agency said.

At least 14 persons, including three clerics, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Three clerics of the Deoband school of thought, identified as Mufti Abdul Majeed Dinpuri (50), Mufti Muhammad Saleh (40) and Ehsan Ali Shah (29) were shot dead within the precincts of Tipu Sultan Police Station.

Three dead bodies stuffed in gunny bags were found dumped at Haq Bahu Chowk in Qaim Khani Colony in a Baldia Town.

The two dead bodies, identified as Haroon Baloch and Raza Sheikh were found near Northern Bypass within the remit of the Surjani Town Police Station.

An ex-president of Markazi Tanzeem-e-Aza, Iqbal Masood (46) was killed by two armed assailants in Landhi town.

A man belonging to the Tablighi Jamaat was killed while another was injured in an armed attack near KDA Chowrangi.

The dead body of an unidentified young man was found near the Askari Park on University Road within the remit of the PIB Colony Police Station.

An unidentified young man was shot dead in Timber Market in Lyari.

The body of a young man, identified as Nawaz Ali, was found within the remit of the Pak Colony Police Station.

The dead body of a young man was found in the Habib Ground within the remit of the Landhi Police Station.

An ex-president of Markazi Tanzeem-e-Aza, Iqbal Masood (46) was killed by two armed assailants in Landhi town.

A man belonging to the Tablighi Jamaat was killed while another was injured in an armed attack near KDA Chowrangi.

The dead body of an unidentified young man was found near the Askari Park on University Road within the remit of the PIB Colony Police Station.

An unidentified young man was shot dead in Timber Market in Lyari.

The body of a young man, identified as Nawaz Ali, was found within the remit of the Pak Colony Police Station.

Unidentified armed assailants abducted four Karachi-based NGO workers in the Maripur area.

Legislators in the Upper House strongly reacted to the killing of Mufti Abdul Majeed Deenpuri and his other two companions in Karachi and walked out of the Senate, claiming that the Government failed to ensure safety of people and their properties. Senators belonging to the JUI-F, ANP, PML-N, PML-Q, BNP-A and MQM staged the walkout in protest. BNP-A Senator Kalsoom Parveen held a separate walkout against the imposition of the Governor's rule in Balochistan and vowed to continue the token walkout until the rule ends.

At least six militants and a 'commander' of the BLA were killed and several others were arrested by the FC in a targeted operation in the Mangochar area of Kalat District.

At least six militants and a 'commander' of the BLA were killed and several others were arrested by the FC in a targeted operation in the Mangochar area of Kalat District.

A man, Abdul Rasheed, a barber, was killed and another was injured when armed assailants opened fire at a barber's shop on Jail road in Huda area of Quetta (Quetta Districts), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

At least 10 persons were injured in a low-intensity bomb blast targeting a Police mobile van in the Firdus area under limits of Hashtnagri Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Police, the vehicle was on routine patrol on the GT Road near Jinnah Park. The Police vehicle narrowly escaped the explosion, while six other vehicles were partially damaged.

Twenty-eight Shia persons were killed and 46 others injured when a suicide bomber struck outside a mosque just after the Friday prayers in Pat Bazaar in Hangu Town of same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The officials of the BDU confirmed that it was a suicide attack. "We have recovered the head and legs of the suicide bomber from the spot. Also, a mechanical trigger was recovered from there," AIG of the BDU Shafqat Malik said. He added that around six kilograms of explosives along with pellets were used in the blast to cause more casualties. Hangu has a mixed population of Sunnis and Shias and there has been occasional sectarian strife in the city and also Hangu District. The situation in the adjoining Orakzai and Kurram tribal agencies of FATA also has an impact on Hangu.

A Police patrol narrowly escaped an explosion in the morning in Shinwari Town in Paharipura area of provincial capital, Peshawar. An official of Paharipura Police Station said an explosive device fitted to a timer and planted by a road went off at around 6am shortly after a Police patrol van passed by. The explosive device weighed around 500 grammes and was packed in a canister.

Unidentified militants hurled two explosives into the Badaber Police Station in the night, which didn't go off. Police called the BDU experts who neutralised the explosives.

SFs neutralised a mortar shell in Shadheri area under the Kabal tehsil of Swat District. This was the fifth mortar shell found in the area.

Eleven members of the Kamarkhel Peace Committee were killed as clashes with LI militants intensified in the Lakai Sar, Madai and Tor Lagad areas of Takhtakai in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. The day-long clashes left 11 peace committee members dead and several others injured. However, the peace committee members were able to keep the LI men at bay. The LI men torched a number of houses they had captured in parts of the Takhtakai areas and made bunkers in others.

Six militants were killed when a mortar shell fired by NATO and Afghan troops from across the border hit a bunker in Zeba Ghar area near Angoor Adda, some 60km from Wana, in South Waziristan Agency. Sources said 30 shells had been fired from Macha Dad camp across the border in Afghanistan. One shell hit the bunker, killing six militants and injuring three others. They belonged to Maulvi Nazir fraction of TTP.

The bullet-riddled body of a militant was found in Jandola area of FR Tank. He was identified as Hikmat Bittani, a member of the group headed by 'Commander' Turkistan.

SFs arrested a would-be bomber along with his handler and recovered explosive material during a check-up at Yakaghund Checkpost in Mohmand Agency. The sources said acting on a tip-off, the personnel of the Mohmand Rifles stopped a passenger coach on Yakaghund Checkpost. On thorough search, the law-enforcement agencies arrested a would-be suicide and his

At least six persons, including two MQM activists killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A joint in-charge of MQM, Nayyar (23), was shot dead in sector 11/1-2, Orangi Town near Rehmat Chowk within the jurisdiction of Pakistan Bazaar Police Station.

A bank employee affiliated with labour wing of MQM, Mudassir (32), was killed while other, Wajahat Hussain (35) was injured in an armed attack at Sohrab Goth Bridge within the precincts of Yusuf Plaza Police Station.

A man, identified as Syed Ali Mehdi Zaidi (35), was shot dead in Liaquatabad, Dakkhana.

A man, identified as Syed Ali Hasan Naqvi (48), was shot dead near Bismillah Bakery in Korangi within the remit of the Awami Colony Police Station.

A man, Mohammad Yasir (22), was killed in the Ranchhore Line area within the remit of the Nabi Bakhsh Police Station. A PPP statement said that the victim was a son of a senior party worker, Farooq Ghanchi.

The body of an unidentified man was found in the Bin Qasim area within the remit of the Sukkan Police Station.

Police and Rangers arrested at least 20 suspected militants from Orangi Town, Baldia Town and Chanesar Goth.

Two FC personnel were injured when a convoy of a Qatari royal dignitary came under attack in Mirani dam area of Kech District. Gwaram Baloch, a spokesman for the BLF, claimed responsibility for the attack and said that FC personnel were its target and not the royal family's convoy.

A partial wheel jams and shutter-down strike was observed in different towns and cities of Balochistan on the call of JUI-F and National Awami Party-Awami against the imposition of Governor's rule in the province. According to the details, the sacked coalition parties BNP-A and JUI-F resented the Governor's rule in Balochistan and called a shutter-down and wheel jam strike across all districts of the province.

The US will have to keep up an open-ended drone war against al Qaeda militants in Pakistan and elsewhere to prevent another terror attack on America, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said. The assassination of al Qaeda figures in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia with unmanned, robotic aircraft has provoked widespread criticism from human rights groups and some US allies, but Panetta said the US campaign has been effective.

The HRW accused the Government of having failed to act against abuses committed by security and intelligence agencies which are letting extremist groups to attack religious minorities. "The authorities did little to address attacks against journalists and human rights defenders, and committed serious abuses in counter-terrorism operations," the HRW said in a report.

Thirty six persons were killed when TTP suicide bombers attacked an Army camp in Sarai Naurang area of Lakki Marwat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 13 soldiers and 12 militants were killed. Eleven civilians were also killed after a suicide bomber entered a house in a nearby residential colony and blew himself up. Eleven security personnel were wounded in the assault, officials said. The Sarai Naurang town is a business hub of Lakki Marwat district, about 160kms south of Peshawar. Claiming responsibility for the attack, TTP 'spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan said it was carried out to avenge the killing of two Taliban commanders - Toofani and Faisal - in a US drone attack in January. "We had sent only four fighters on the mission," he told journalists by phone from an unknown location, intending to contradict the Government's claim that 12 militants lost their lives during the gunfight.

Seven persons lost their lives in different incidents of targeted killing in different areas of across Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

A Shia man, identified as Sarwar Hussain (38), was killed by unidentified assailats on Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai road in Agra Taj within the limits of Kalri Police Station.

A man, Asgar Ali, (29), was killed by suspected members of Lyari gang near Dadex factory, Manghopir within the limits of Manghopir Police Station.

A bullet ridden body of a man, Shaikh Iftikhar (42), was found from Rexer Line within the jurisdiction of Solider Bazaar Police Station.

A tortured body of a person identified as 32-year-old Shahid stuffed in gunny bag was found from Mewa Shah Graveyard within the remit of Pak Colony Police Station.

Unidentified persons opened fire and killed a man, identified as Malik Saeed (26), and injured another person, identified as Rabnawaz, (29), in Shahnawaz Bhutto Colony within the jurisdiction of Khuwaja Ajmair Nagri Police Station.

Unidentified persons opened fire and killed two men, identified as Abdul Aleem, (28) and Waheed Shahani, (30), in Faqeera Goth, Sohrab Goth within the limits of Sohrab Goth Police Station.

A person, identified as Manzoor, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Essa Nagri on Brewery Road of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

A person, identified as Haji Allah Bakhsh, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Turbat town (Turbat District).

The FC recovered explosive materials rigged to a bicycle on the main Sariab Road in Quetta.

Two low-intensity explosions took place, causing partial damage to a house and damage to a shop in Hangu town of same District. But no loss of life was reported. According to Police sources, one explosion took place near a house on Warasta Road, partially damaging a house. The second explosion took place in a vegetable market where an explosive device was planted near a shop, which was damaged. According to the Bomb Disposal Squad, half a kilogramme explosive material was used in each of the blast.

Police arrested 10 suspects from different areas of Mauripur in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. DIG West Javed Odho informed the media that five of the suspects were taken into custody from the Raees Goth area and five from Hub River Road.

The TTP expressed its willingness to hold talks with the Government, but on two conditions - release of its seven leaders and guarantees by leaders of PML-N, JUI-F and JI to make the exercise fruitful. "The release of Muslim Khan, Maulvi Omar and five other TTP leaders is a prerequisite for talks, while former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Syed Munawar Hasan should be the guarantors," TTP 'spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan said in a video message released in Peshawar. He said the release of Muslim Khan and Maulvi Omar was essential because they would be TTP's main negotiators. He did not disclose the names of five other leaders the TTP wanted to be released. Ehsanullah Ehsan said the TTP responded positively to an offer for talks, but the Government was not serious. The TTP, he added, was serious but wanted its two demands met before any talks.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain welcomed the TTP's offer and said the Government was ready to discuss all issues if peace talks began. "We have offered talks. Let us initiate dialogue and then all conditions can be discussed, including release of the Taliban prisoners," he said, adding that the TTP should not rely only on Muslim Khan and Maulvi Omar because they had other people who could represent them in dialogue with the Government.

At least three persons, including an ASWJ cadre, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A cadre of the ASWJ, identified as Umair Yasir (25), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Sector 5 C-4 of North Karachi.

Armed assailants shot dead a private university student, identified as, Malik Zaman (25) near the KMC Ground in Eidgah area.

A shopkeeper, identified as Yasir Ahmed (35), was shot dead in Bara Market within the jurisdiction of the Khawaja Ajmer Nagri Police Station. The victim belonged to the Deoband school of thought.

An office of the ANP was attacked with a hand grenade by unidentified assailants at PS-128 in Future Colony of Landhi town. However, no causality was reported in the incident.

2.5 kilogram's IED blast hit Hawkes Bay road near Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) petrol pump within the precincts of Maripur Police Station. No causality was reported.

A person was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pasni town of Gwadar District.

Assailants opened fire at the Jail Road of Sibi District, killing one person, who was identified as Ali Jan.

A Police constable, Sajjad, was killed when two motorcycle bourne unidentified assailants opened fire on him on the Kohat Road near Ring Road Chowk in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The BDU defused an IED, weighing 10 kilogram, planted on the rooftop of a filling station on the Frontier road.

Security officials arrested a terrorism suspect and recovered a cache amount of arms and ammunition during a raid in Shani Khel area under Halemzai tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA. During a press conference, Commandant Mohmand Rifles, Colonel Mushtaq Ahmad said a joint operation was conducted by Levies, Khasadars and Mohmand Rifles in Shani Khel. The raid was conducted at the house of Ijaz the alleged mastermind of suicide attack in Yakaghund on January 31.

Underlining that Pakistan and India are standing at the 'crossroads of history', Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said the bilateral peace process should be 'uninterrupted' so that it can produce results. Ashraf made the remarks while chairing a session of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Council that was held at the Prime Minister's Secretariat in Islamabad.

The leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan said that they would work to reach a peace deal within six months, while throwing their weight behind moves for the Afghan Taliban to open an office in Doha (Qatar). Following talks hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari urged the Islamists to join the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

The JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, welcoming the peace-talks offer by TTP, said that the Government and Army leadership should authorise tribal jirgas to negotiate. The TTP signalled its willingness to enter peace negotiations with the Government if three senior politicians - PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, the JUI-F chief and Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hasan - would act as guarantors.

A person, identified as Imam Baksh, was killed and another, identified as Abdul Waheed, was injured by unidentified assailants in Turbat town (Turbat District).

Unidentified assailants abducted three school teachers of the Government Workers' Welfare School in Khuzdar town (Khuzdar District). The victims were identified as, Jameel Ahmed, Liaquat Ali and Syed Shahmir Shah.

Unidentified assailants hurled two hand grenades at PAF Base Faisal situated along main Shahra-e-Faisal area within the precincts of Shahra-e-Faisal Police Station in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A passer-by was injured in the attack.

Police and Rangers arrested 16 people in separate operations in different parts of Karachi. Rangers raided drug dens in Moach Goth and arrested three suspects for alleged extortion and running the dens. Rangers recovered an undisclosed number of weapons. Police in an operation in Clifton arrested 13 suspects.

Sindh Government created a list of more than 100 most-wanted militants accused of terrorising the city, and ordered their arrest. The list identifies TTP militants and members of ethnic groups and political parties involved in the on-going killings, extortions and abducting for ransom in Karachi, says Waqar Mehdi, spokesman for Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.

many as 73 persons were killed across the country in 43 incidents of violence during the last week while another 20 were injured and one was kidnapped, the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) report said. The statistics were released in a weekly monitoring report prepared by the FAFEN that collected data from January 26 to February 1, 2013. This week, target killings claimed the most lives, with 25 persons being gunned down in Karachi alone.

As the authorities contemplate officially declaring the troubled Tirah Valley area of Khyber Agency "war-hit zone", more than 2,500 families have been forced to evacuate amid deadly clashes between militant outfits. Outfits including the TTP, AI, LI and the pro-Government peace militia of Qambarkhel have been fighting a bloody turf war in Khyber Agency for 12 days.

Despite repeated attempts, no official of the FATA Disaster Management Authority responded to calls for their comments on the crisis. An official of the PDMA said, however, that after the political agent declares an area war-affected, the Fata authority will send the provincial authority a letter to distribute food and provide other facilities.

The Federal Minister of Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that they fear militants would increase their activities during elections. Bilour, who lost his younger brother, Bashir Bilour, to a suicide bombing attack in Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) on December 22, 2012, urged all political parties to join hands to cope with the terror threats.

The PM Raja Pervez Ashraf, while terming the Kashmir dispute a human rights issue, reiterated Pakistan's stance that it should be resolved in accordance with the UN resolutions. Addressing a function in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day, he said that plebiscite is the right way to give the Kashmiris their right to self-determination.

Pakistan's ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman, referring to continued drone strikes in FATA, urged the Barrack Obama administration not to cross "red line". Rehman said that drones strikes were "a clear violation of our sovereignty and a violation of international law" that threatened stable relations between the two Governments.

At least 10 militants were killed and several others were injured when jet fighters pounded their hideouts in the TTP stronghold of Mamozai town in Orakzai Agency of FATA. Sources said that the jets targeted militant positions in Arghanjo and Lando Qamar areas and destroyed four hideouts.

Five persons were killed after six missiles hit a house in Tehsil Spain Wam of North Waziristan Agency.

At least four persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. A cadre of ASWJ, identified as Ayaz, was killed on Khalid Bin Waled Road within the precincts of Ferozabad Police Station.

A person, identified as Aleem Pervez (40), was shot dead and two brothers, Aun Raza and Ali Raza, were injured by unidentified assailants in Bohrapir area within the precincts of Risala Police Station.

A dead body packed in a gunny bag was found from Banaras Flyover within limits of Pirabad Police Station.

An alleged member of PAC, identified as Afzal (25), was shot dead in Gulshan-e-Iqbal within the limits of Sachal Police Station.

Police arrested 177 accused from different part of Karachi on February 5 and 6. Police said that those arrested included 109 absconders and proclaimed offenders. As many as 57 pistols, two SMGs, one rifle, two hand grenades, nine mobile phones and cash were recovered from the accused.

Unidentified militants attacked the Malangi Police check-post in Nowshera town of same District in KP, prompting an exchange of fire between them and security personnel, District Police Officer Muhammad Hussain said. No casualties were reported, and the militants managed to escape.

The TTP and the IMU joined hands to form a special unit of deadly fidayeen attackers called "Ansar- Al- Aseer" (supporters of prisoners) whose prime mission would be to secure freedom for the imprisoned militants by carrying out jail break fidayeen operations all over Pakistan.

Adnan Rasheed, a dangerous militant and the mastermind of an assassination attempt on Pervez Musharraf, appointed the chief operational commander of the lethal fidayeen unit. Adnan himself was freed in an unprecedented jailbreak operation which was conducted on April 15, 2012 when around 200 TTP militants armed with guns, grenades and rockets attacked the high-security Central Jail in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and released 384 prisoners.

The White House said that US drone strikes on potential terrorist targets were 'legal,' 'ethical' and 'wise' and would continue. "These strikes are legal, they are ethical and they are wise," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told a briefing in Washington.

The Pakistani Defence Ministry, told the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Defence that militants have attacked 16 defence installations since 2009. A quick response force has been deployed on all four sides of sensitive installations across the country to avert additional assaults, Asif Yaseen Malik, Defence Secretary, told the committee.

At least 14 persons, including two Policemen, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two brothers, identified as Rashid and his younger brother Kashif were killed inside their shop in Madni Colony of Maripur. The victims belonged to Punjab and had received extortion slips.

A cadre of the ASWJ, Dr Abid Baig (56), was killed inside his clinic in North Nazimabad.

A Policeman was killed by unidentified assailants near Khyber Chowk of Ittehad town.

A man was shot dead outside his house in Golimar. In another incident, a paan shop owner was killed inside his shop in the same area.

An employee of a shipping company was killed at Albela Chowk in Soldier Bazaar. Also, a man was shot dead by the unidentified assailants in North Karachi.

A month-old beheaded body of a man was found from bushes near Port Qasim area.

The dead body of a man was found near dairy farm in Malir. Also, two dead bodies, stuffed in gunny bags were found near Zoological Garden.

A Policeman was killed and five other persons, including two Police, were injured in a bomb attack targeting a Police van in Orangi town.

A man identified as Syed Zahid Ali Jafri (35), who was injured on February 5, 2013 in a sectarian attack in Lines Area died during treatment.

SFs killed 12 militants in an air raid on militant hideouts in the Mamozai are of Orakzai Agency in FATA. According to sources, five hideouts were destroyed in the attack.

Police killed three suspected militants who attacked a Police van near Yar Hussain village in Swabi District of KP.

Nearly 24 LI militants invaded a house in Mera Balarzai, near Badhaber Police Station, in the provincial capital of KP, Peshawar, and abducted five men in the night. The LI militants fled after taking Lobia Gul, his sons Irfan and Hazrat Hussain, and their guests Ibad Khan and Noor Hussain, residents said. The abducted men belong to Zaka Khel Afridi tribe from Bara of Khyber Agency (FATA), but were living in Mera Balarzai since the past few years.

A person was injured in an IED blast on Archar Road in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Advising the Government to take the TTP peace-talks offer seriously, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said that they should immediately start the process. The TTP expressed its willingness to enter peace negotiations on February 4 with the Government if three senior politicians - Nawaz, the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Jamaat-e-Islami amir Syed Munawar Hasan - would act as guarantors.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik claimed Nawaz had refused to be an insurer. Criticising the Government for being unreliable, Nawaz said hardly anyone would agree to act as a guarantor for the process. Calling for result-oriented negotiations, the PML-N chief said the country is in need of peace.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Human Rights Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, raised concerns on the US policy of drone attacks in the tribal area of Pakistan in a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Micheal Posner.

A bomb blast killed 16 persons and injured 27 others in Kalaya, the capital of the Orakzai Agency in FATA. A journalist and one paramilitary personnel were among the dead, said Assistant Political Agent Fazal-i-Qadir. The bomb targeted people from the pro-government Feroz Khel tribe, who have shops in the market, he said. The bomb was planted near the DVD and mobile shop surrounded by small kiosks selling tea and other edibles, he added further.

Following the attack, nine militants were killed after jets bombed militants' hideout in Upper tehsil.

Seven militants were killed and six others injured when the US drones fired six missiles and pounded two separate mud-built houses in Babar area of Ladha subdivision in South Waziristan Agency.

At least two FC personnel, identified as Mohammad Ishaq and Azad Khan, were killed and four were injured in a rocket attack in Shand area of Mand in Turbat District.

A dead body was found in Loop Sherani area of Dera Bugti District.

At least three persons, including a cadre of ASWJ, killed in separate incidents in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. A cadre of ASWJ, identified as Imran Ahmed (37), was killed near Nagan Chowrangi area within the jurisdiction of New Karachi Police Station.

A pushcart vendor, identified as Raheel Shehzad (32), was killed by unidentified assailants near Taj Complex on MA Jinnah Road within the precincts of Brigade Police Station.

Mian Mohammad Tariq (55), the senior advocate of the Sindh High Court, was shot dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar town.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a senior Shia lawyer, Malik Jarrar Hussain, in the Gulbahar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Unidentified motorcyclists intercepted Malik's car and shot him after he dropped off his children at school. Malik died en route to the hospital.

The LEA arrested four suspected militants from Saggian Bridge of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab.

Four persons including a Shia man were killed in separate acts of violence in Karachi. Unidentified armed pillion riders killed Syed Qamar Raza Naqvi (32) belonging to Shia sect near his house in Golimar area within the precincts of Rizvia Police Station.

One Syed Abid Hussain (37) was killed by armed riders in Ramswami area within the limits of Nabi Bux Police Station. The motive behind the killing was yet to be ascertained.

A strangulated body of Ghausia seminary student was found from T ground in FB area within the limits of Jauharabad Police Station. The victim was identified as Ahmed Raza Qadri (21). Police said that unidentified culprits first kidnapped Raza and strangled to death and later they threw the body in the ground.

A stray bullet killed a girl inside her house in Islamia Colony, Orangi Town within the limits of Pirabad Police Station. Zahida Khatoon (14), daughter of Syed Nazir, was sitting inside her house with other family members when suddenly a stray bullet hit in her forehead, resultantly, she died on the spot.

A tractor driver named Naeem Baraich, was killed in an IED explosion that took place near a Police Station in Kuchlak Town near Quetta (Quetta District), the province of Balochistan. Police said that unidentified persons had planted the IED weighing five to six kilogrammes in a car parked outside the Kuchlak Police Station.

During a raid on two LeT training camps in Sindh, "huge quantity" of incriminating items including details about the distribution of weapons to the Mumbai attacks'' terrorists were found, a court conducting the trial of seven men charged with involvement in 2008 attacks was told on February 9. Deputy Director Faqir Muhammad and Inspector Khalid Awan of the FIA provided details of items found in the LeT camps when they were cross-examined by defence lawyers during proceedings conducted by anti-terrorism court Judge Chaudhary Habib-ur-Rehman at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

After the in-camera hearing, FIA Special Prosecutor Chaudhary Zulfiqar Ali told PTI that Muhammad and Awan were "very important witnesses". During the cross-examination, the witnesses said they raided two LeT training camps at Yousaf Goth in Landhi area of Karachi and Mirpur Sakro area in Thatta District.

At least five persons were killed and six persons injured in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A father and his son belonging to Shia community, identified as Syed Anjum Abbas (51) and Syed Asif Abbas (27), were killed near Mehtab Chowk in Rais Amrohi Colony within the precincts of Iqbal Market Police Station.

One Nasir (25) was killed near his house in Khokhrapar within the jurisdiction of Khokhrapar Police Station.

An unidentified person was shot dead in the Manghopir area.

The dead body of an unidentified young man, stuffed in a gunny bag was found in the Hussainabad area within the remit of the Azizabad Police Station.

A man and his son were injured by unidentified assailants in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. The victim son was identified as Ahsan Zaidi, said to be the chairman of a labour body affiliated with the PPP.

A person, identified as Kanam, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Tump, a town close to Pak-Iran border in Kech District.

Noor Muhammad was going to a bus stop in Kalat of Bolan District when some assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire, killing him on the spot.

One Mumtaz Ali was killed in Sunni Shoran area of Bolan District.

Two traders, identified as Sardar Muhammad and Nazar Mohammad, were abducted from the eastern bypass area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Zakria Kurd was abducted from Khuzdar-Karachi road area of Khuzdar District.

At least seven persons, including a woman and a child, were injured in rocket attacks in Khudadad road, Pir Abul Khair road and Quaidabad areas of Quetta with brief intervals. United Baloch Army's 'spokesman' Murid Baloch claimed the responsibility for the attacks.

Four persons were injured in a blast in the Kuchlak area. Police officials claimed that the blast was a suicide attack.

A grenade attack on Police in evening left four officers injured on GT Road in the Nishterabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. A police mobile vehicle was also reported to have caught fire after the grenades were launched, according to eyewitness reports.

An explosion in Badaber at the outskirts of Peshawar damaged the shrine of Akhwan Salaq Baba. The explosives were planted beside the shrine's wall, and it was damaged in the blast.

The Police averted a terrorism attempt by defusing two powerful bombs near Pando Chowk in the limits of Chamkani Police Station. According to the Police, the hand grenade bombs were concealed in shopping bags and placed near Pando Chowk on the Ring Road.

The law enforcement personnel recovered uniforms of the national armies of Pakistan and Afghanistan in Lower Dir, and arrested four suspects. The raid and arrests were made in Samar Bagh area of Lower Dir district, a stronghold of pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the official sources said while speaking on condition of anonymity.

KP's new Governor, Engineer Shaukatullah, said that talks with TTP would start in coming months and days and he would make them a success. These assuring words followed the oath-taking ceremony to install the new Governor from Bajaur Agency, replacing Barrister Masood Kausar.

The TTP is neither serious nor sincere about peace talks with the Government, Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said. The Minister''s remarks came after TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan offered "conditional" talks and called for the release of two former spokesmen' Maulvi Said Umer and Muslim Khan. The Ehsanullah Ehsan said the two will lead the TTP negotiation team. Malik said the TTP''s offer for dialogue was "suspicious" and that Ehsan has no credibility.

Some of the Afghan Taliban officials and militants freed by Pakistan to help bring peace in Afghanistan have rejoined their colleagues in waging war against Western troops and the Afghan Government, according to Washington Post report.

At least 12 persons, including two Policemen, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Three persons were killed and three others were injured in an armed attack at Haji Allah Buksh Welfare office within the limits of Ahsanabad Police Station.

An ASI of Police, identified as ASI Zulfiqar Ali (39), was killed during patrolling in Sherpao Colony within the jurisdiction of Quaidabad Police Station.

A Policeman, identified as Syed Mukhtar (33), was killed near his house in Gulbahar area within the precincts of Gulbahar Police Station.

A cleric of Deoband school of thought, identified as Qari Muhammad Asim (40), was killed near University of Karachi within the precincts of Sachal Police Station. ASWJ spokesman Maulana Saeed Akbar Farooqi said that the deceased was a sympathiser of his organisation.

A man, identified as Abdul Qadeer, was killed and another was injured in Garden area within the limits of Garden Police Station.

A man, identified as Ali Hassan (33), was shot dead in Lee Market area within the limits of Bhagdadi Police Station.

Two dead bodies were found from a garbage dumping point in Abbas town of Abul Hasan Isphani Road.

A dead body, identified as Hazrat Umer (30), was found from Eidgah Ground in Bin Qasim area.

Another dead body of a man was found from Lyari River within the vicinity of Sher Shah Police Station.

Two cadre of the banned TTP, identified as Khalid Mehsud and Abdul Rehman Meshud, were arrested near Javedan Cement Factory in Manghopir area. The Police seized 10 kilograms of explosives, four grenades, two pistols, five feet of detonating wire and hundreds of bullets.

At least five AI militants were killed and four others were injured in clashes with TTP in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Four persons were killed and another was injured when unidentified persons opened fire on them in Palai area in Malakand Agency. The sources said that Jehanzeb, Amir Bahadur, Sardar Hussain, Hukamdad and Bahadur Said were returning from mountains after collecting fuel wood when unidentified persons opened fire on them.

Suspected militants shot dead a doctor, identified as Dr Tehseenullah, inside his clinic in Sardar Ahmed Jan Colony on Charsadda Road of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of KP. Two medical practitioners killed in the city over the last few weeks.

A heavy amount of explosive material and illegal weapons recovered from the house of a banned outfit's member in Madina Colony of Dera Ismail Khan District. According to details, acting on a tip-off Cantt Police raided the house of Ahsan alias Sana Baloch and recovered two magnet bombs with remotes, two electric detonators with batteries, 65 shrapnels, ball bearings, two Kalashnikovs, one 30-bore pistol and 50 cartridges.

At least 18 senior members of two religious-political groups were arrested up as the Police launched a crackdown to arrest suspects involved in targeted killing incidents. SSP Operations Imran Shahid confirmed the raids but said eight persons were arrested. "Raids have been conducted to arrest suspects behind the targeted killings," the SSP told.

A source said that those arrested included leaders of the ASWJ as well as elders of the Shia community. Some of those arrested during the raids were identified as Usman Farooqi, Irshad Haideri, Siddiqullah, Shah Faisal, Jan Farooqi, Aurangzeb Farooqi, Mohammad Gul, Nasrullah, Sajid, Sajjad and Jamal who were held during raids in different parts of the city. The raids started in the morning. Heavy contingents of Peshawar Police as well as commandoes of the Elite Police Force participated in the raids.

The FC seized 30 rocket launchers, 12 hand grenades and 2,000 SMG rounds from a vehicle coming from Afghanistan in Gulistan area of Qilla Abdullah District.

50 Afghan nationals were arrested in Quetta and Nushki during a crackdown launched by Police and other LEA against unregistered refugees. "We have arrested 28 refugees living in the suburbs of Quetta," a senior administration official told, adding that 22 refugees were taken into custody in Nushki district. They have been booked under relevant sections of the Foreigners ACT.

Eight militants were killed and 15 others received injuries as the militants of TTP and AI clashed in Bhuttan area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. The renewed clashes, which started on February 11, continued on February 12 without any letup. Sources said that TTP launched a fresh offensive against AI in Bhuttan area and inflicted losses on it. AI claimed that it had strengthened its hold over two important bunkers in Dwa Stanai area and recaptured Rocket Sangar. Both sides used heavy weapons against each other.

At least two laboures, identified as Ghulam Nabi Magsi and Ahmed Ali Sheikh, were killed and other, identified as Mohammad Hussain, was injured by unidentified assailants in Nal area of Khuzdar District.

A couple, identified as Allah Bakhsh and his wife Nasima were shot dead in their house in Akram Colony of Hub area in Lasbela District.

Two persons were killed when unidentified assailants ambushed their jeep in Washuk area of Washuk District. The names of the deceased could not be ascertained.

At least five suspects, including a foreigner, were arrested by a LEA and weapons were recovered from them during a search operation on Smuggli Road of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. The recovered weapons and ammunition include a 9mm pistol, 20 magazines, 21 pistol rounds, a 12-bore repeater, three Kalashnikovs, 260 Kalashnikov rounds, 8 bandoliers, one digger, an SMG butt, and a satellite phone SIM.

At least five persons, including an activist of MQM, were killed in separate acts of violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. An MQM activist affiliated with KMOC, identified as Azmatullah Bengali (34), was killed near his house in Nasir Jump of Korangi within the precincts of Zaman Town Police Station.

A commuter Essa Khan (37) was killed near Russian Embassy located in Block 4, Clifton within the limits of Boat Basin Police Station.

Two men, identified as Idress Ali and Haji NizamUddin, were shot dead in Golimar area within the limits of Rizvia Police Station.

A man, identified as Juma Din (32), was killed in Mujahid Colony ground within the limits of Mominabad Police Station.

The dead body was found from Sect L-1 of Surjani town within the vicinity of Surjani Town Police Station.

Police said that they suspected involvement of the TTP in February 11-night's blast in an area of the Defence Housing Authority. The explosion along Korangi Road, near the KPT flyover, that left a Policeman injured.

The Government Postgraduate Degree College in Mardan town of same District of KP was rocked by a mild intensity bomb in afternoon. However, no casualty was reported. According to Police, the bomb which weighed five kilogrammes was placed in the veranda of the Physics Department on the second storey of the college building and exploded with a big bang, damaging the windowpanes of two classrooms.

The BDU official neutralised an explosive device in Sangarh locality of Hangu town of same District. The sources said that unidentified persons had planted explosives to the house of a trader Nadim in Sangarh area, which was spotted by locals. Two kilograms of explosives were fitted to a remote-control device.

A man was killed when an improvised explosive device went off in a house in Behzadi Chakarkot area of Kohat.

The Army is considering creation of a Counter-IEDs force within its ranks to deal with what it called the "cheapest assassins," an ISPR statement said. Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Rashad Mahmood chaired an inter-agency meeting in Rawalpindi where conferees discussed ways to control the movement of explosives and calcium ammonium nitrate fertiliser from regional and extra-regional countries, the statement added. Pakistan has been the top victim of IEDs with 33,150 explosions during the past 10 years killing at least 11,250 people, according to the ISPR.

The on-going infighting between the TTP and AI killed 19 more militants from both sides in Drey Stani area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. Of those 19, 13 were TTP militants and six were affiliated with AI.

A volunteer of a peace committee was killed and more than a dozen houses were set ablaze by militants in Sheen Qamar area of Bara tehsil.

In Barkai area of Storikhel, militants torched the residential compound of a local elder, Malik Almas Khan Storikhel.

Two migrant workers, from Hyderabad (Sindh), identified as Ahmed and Babul, were killed and another was injured by unidentified assailants while they were busy with construction work on a private bank in Naal area of Khuzdar District.

Two brothers, identified as Allah Bakhsh and Khuda Bakhsh were abducted and killed in Pasni town of Gwadar District.

A person, identified as Ghulam Sarwar, was shot dead in Gul Abad area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Unidentified militants blew up a primary school for girls in Taja Koroona Shero village under Katlang Police Station in Mardan District.

Unidentified assailants hurled a tennis ball filled with explosives at the shop in Landhi town of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

An ATC indicted eight terrorists in the abducting and murder case of neurosurgeon Dr Aftab Qureshi.

Pakistani Court Orders ATC to conduct daily hearings in the 2007 Benazir Bhutto assassination case and to conclude the trial within three months.

The political agent of North Waziristan Agency of FATA submitted complete report of casualties caused by the drone attacks from 2008 to 2012 to the PHC through Deputy Attorney General M Iqbal Mohmand that claimed that around 894 persons, including 48 foreigners, 35 women and 24 children, were killed in the US drone attacks in during the last five years. According to the report, the US drones conducted 147 attacks on various locations in North Waziristan from 2008 to 2012.

At least 11 persons, including three FC personnel, two Policemen and one Levies man, were killed and over 23 persons were injured as a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a security post in Spin Thall area of Hangu District.

Police and LEA repulsed a terrorist attack on Miryan Police Station of Bannu District, killing five suicide bombers while another blew himself up. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack on Miryan police station.

An explosion in the village of Hassanzo in Orakzai Agency of FATA killed seven people and wounded 13. In a second attack in the same place, a van carrying civilians was hit by a blast which killed two people and wounded 10.

Three persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Vice President and Joint Sectary of Shershah Scrap Market, identified as Shakeel (71) and Iftikhar (74), were killed over extortion issue near Pankha Hotel of Shershah area within the precincts of SITE-B Police Station.

The dead body was found from Kalri ground within the limits of Kalri Police Station.

Police found two dead bodies, identified as Anis Gichki and Amanullah in the industrial town of Hub in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Three persons, including two brothers, Jamshed and Sajjad and an Elite Force official Hassan Naeem, were killed while a Policeman was injured during a raid in Katarian area of Rawalpindi (Rawalpindi District).

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson said that Pakistan army is "already making a contribution to Pakistan's democratic transition" and has worked "quite very hard over the last five years to ensure that Pakistan's political institutions are the decision-makers".

At least 10 persons killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A dead body, identified as Muhammad Asghar (33) and an injured person, identified as Nadeem (30) were found from near Darul Uloom of Korangi within the precincts of Awami Colony Police Station.

A dead body of MQM-H worker, identified as Junaid Khan (28) was found from Ismail Goth Graveyard Road within the vicinity of Sharafi Goth Police Station.

An industrialist narrowly escaped while his security guard was killed in an armed attack in Korangi area within the limits of Awami Colony Police Station.

A Policeman, identified as Basheer Ahmed (49), was shot dead at Singar Chowrangi within the jurisdiction of Awami Colony Police Station.

A Shia man was killed on sectarian attack at Baloch Goth of Orangi Town within the precincts of Orangi Town Police Station.

A labourer, identified as Samiullah Khan (25) was killed near Valika Chowrangi within the limits of SITE Police Station.

Two brothers, identified as Bakhtzada (30) and Sahibzada (28), were shot dead inside their slippers shop situated at Mehran Town of Korangi area within limits of Korangi Industrial Area Police Station.

Chicken shop owner Rashid (37) was killed while another was injured in an armed attack in Korangi area within the jurisdiction of Awami Colony Police Station.

A dead was found form a nullah within the jurisdiction of Sarjani Town Police Station.

A remote-controlled bomb targeting Shias killed 84 people including women and children and wounded more than 200 in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Wazir Khan Nasir, senior Police officer in Quetta said. "It was a sectarian attack; the Shia community was the target.

Provincial home secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said, "We fear more casualties. We have announced an emergency in hospitals." Durrani said the bomb was planted near the pillar of a building in a bazaar. "The building collapsed due to the intensity of the bomb, some people have been trapped inside," he said.

A spokesman for the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Abubakar Siddique, told reporters by phone that "Our suicide bomber carried out the blast and the Shia community in Hazara Town was the target."

A terrorist was killed and six others were arrested following a clash with SFs in Bannu District in Khyber Paktunkhwa.

As many as 11 persons were killed in separate incidents of violence and target killing in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Four persons were killed near their houses in Kharadar area within the precincts of Kharadar Police Station.

A man was killed in Sarjani Town within the limits of Sarjani Police Station.

Two shot dead bodies of Katchi men were found from Shah Latif Raod within the precincts of Bhagdadi Police Station in Lyari.

A body packed in a gunny bag was found near Maripur Road within the vicinity of Shershah Police Station.

The bullet riddle dead body of a person was found from Malir within the jurisdiction of Saudabad Police Station.

The bullet-riddled body of a man was recovered from Landhi area within the limits of Landhi Police Station.

A bullet-riddled body of a young man was found near Malir River within the limits of Shah Latif Police Station.

10 militants were killed when the jetfighters pounded their hideouts in Jandary Killay, Mir Qalamkhel and others adjoining localities in the TTP-controlled Mamozai tehsil (revenue unit) area in Orakzai Agency of FATA. "Ten militants were killed and four of their hideouts were destroyed in the shelling," an official claimed.

Four soldiers were injured in a bomb explosion in Razmak Town of North Waziristan Agency.

Faiz Muhammad Khan, a community Police constable and brother of Adezai Aman Lashkar's leader Waqif Khan, was shot dead in the crowded Matani market of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP.

A Government high school for boys was destroyed in an explosion which also partially damaged an adjacent house in Masho Khel area in the night.

The KP Government informed the Peshawar High Court that provincial authorities recently moved about 100 detainees to internment centres. The suspects had been in army custody since it arrested them in the Swat and Malakand Districts during the 2009 counter-insurgency offensive.

A joint team of Police and intelligence agencies arrested five cadres of Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) including Saad Jagrani, Head of HuT's Central Contact Committee during the raid on a banquet hall at Kurri Road near Shakrial in Rawalpindi town (Rawalpindi District) of Punjab.

A recent video released by the TTP, eulogizing two 'martyred' white Jihadis (holy warriors) from the US and UK, confirms that despite the ruthless US drone campaign, Waziristan areas continues to be a major destination for the white Jihadis from western nations who are being recruited and trained in terrorism by al Qaeda-linked TTP who want to effectively strike in the heart of the west.

At least eight persons, including four ASWJ cadres, were killed and three persons injured in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. An ASWJ cadre, identified as Haji Fayyaz (42), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Farooq-e-Azam Chowk in Surjani town within the precincts of Sarjani Police Station. During the protests that followed, unidentified assailants attacked and injured five men, including three ASWJ cadres, outside Jamia Masjid Subhani in Burhan Bazaar of Patel Para. The three ASWJ activists, identified as Abdul Raheem (35), Shahrum (28) and Raju (25), died of injuries later.

A man, Muhammad Rafiq (35), was killed in Naval Colony of Saeedabad within the limits of Saeedabad Police Station.

Two dead bodies, identified as Maqbool Baloch and Akhter Rind, were found from the bushes near Northern Bypass within the limits of Sarjani Police Station.

Aman was killed and three others were injured in an armed attack in Gulzar Colony within the limits of Korangi industrial area Police Station.

A homemade bomb went off near the FTC flyover, where a number of Shia community members had been protesting against the Quetta carnage (February 16, 2013). No casualties were reported.

A handmade bomb was lobbed at the house of ANP’s ward president Mohammed Hussain in Banaras Colony of Peerabad Police Station.

Four Security Force personnel and one civilian were killed while eight persons, including a senior government official, were injured when two suicide bombers attacked the Khyber House, office-cum-residence of Khyber Agency’s political agent in the Cantonment area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a head constable of the Special Brach at Akakhel area of Gar village in the limits of Zaida Police Station in Swabi District. The sources said that Arshad Iqbal was heading to office on his motorbike when the attackers sprayed him with bullets at Akakhel, killing him on the spot.

In a sectarian attack, the Lahore General Hospital Ophthalmology Department head Professor Dr Ali Haider and his son were shot dead by two unidentified assailants in the Gulberg area of Lahore city (Lahore District), the provincial capital of Punjab.

At least two target killers were shot dead in a shootout that reportedly took place between them and Police in Hub area of Lasbela District. The Police team signaled three suspected persons to stop near Lasbela Rest House and they opened fire at the Police.

Unidentified militants blew up three electricity towers in Kohlu town (Kohlu District).

Unidentified militants attacked a convoy of vehicles carrying military equipment bound for NATO operations in Afghanistan, killing two persons, in Landi Kotal town in the Khyber Agency of FATA.

SFs killed four suspected militants and arrested seven others accused of killing Shias, including an alleged mastermind of a bomb attack that killed 89 persons in Hazara town of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Levies personnel foiled an abducting bid and during exchange of firing one abductor were killed while three others were arrested in Khuzdar town (Khuzdar District).

FC recovered two dead bodies from the outskirts of Khuzdar town.

Levies personnel found two dead bodies in Ferozabad area of Khuzdar. 

Unidentified assailants shot dead a man, identified as Muhammad Naseem in Guldar Baghicha area of Chaman.

The Pakistan Railways Police arrested three Afghan nationals, including Abdul Rehman, Abdul Samad and Abdul Jameel and recovered explosive devices from their possession after checking in Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District.

At least 10 persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Ashad Pervez (50) was shot dead while Kashif was injured near the Bhains Colony in the Shah Latif Police Limits.

Aijaz Sidduiqi (60), a MQM supporter, was shot dead in the K-Area of Landhi 36-B.

Tauqeer Ashrafi was shot dead while Tariq was injured as both men were sitting on the streets of their own neighbourhood of Al-Khizra Society of Gulshan-e-Bihar. Investigators termed the murder of Tauqeer Ashrafi as a target killing and confirmed that the victim was a member of the MQM’s Markazi Ulema Committee from Pakistan Bazaar.

In the Nazimabad area, Asim Jaffrey, an MQM activist, was shot dead in the Gol Market of the Nazimabad Police Limits. 

While Shias were protesting across the city against the devastating Quetta blast, members of the community continued to fall victim to assassins. Syed Safdar Ali Kazmi (25), one of the people who had become to attend the sit-in at Star Gate, was on his way back home from the demonstration when unidentified assailants shot him dead.

Four shopkeepers, three of them brothers, were sprayed with bullets and killed, while the same numbers of their colleagues were injured when armed men opened fire at a mobile phone market of Quaidabad.

A labourer, Ghulam Rasool Jalbani, was shot dead on the Ayub Goth Road of Karachi.

A Police constable, Azmat Khan, was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on a Police check-post at Gulo Dheri in the limits of Charssada Police Station in Charsadda District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

APA of Landi Kotal (Khyber Agency, FATA), Khalid Mumtaz Kundi, who was injured in the February 18’s twin suicide blasts on Khyber House in Peshawar, succumbed to his injuries, raising the death toll to seven. Sources said that the APA had received multiple injuries in the suicide bombings.

A vehicle carrying NATO supplies to Afghanistan was partially damaged when a bomb planted at a roadside went off at Teddy Bazaar in Jamrud tehsil (revenue unit) of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Another bomb planted nearby was successfully defused by the BDS. Following the incident, Khasadar personnel reached the site and launched a search operation during which they found another bomb weighing eight kilogrammes.

A senior ‘commander’ of TTP, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, was arrested by Afghan intelligence personnel from an unspecified area along Af-Pak border when he was trying to cross into Pakistan border from Nangrahar province of Afghanistan. Reports from Afghanistan said Afghan intelligence agencies had captured Maulvi Faqir, who was deputy to TTP ‘chief’ Hakimullah Mehsud until 2011, and his four aides.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that Hazara-dominated areas in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan should be given the status of “red zone” to ensure security of the community. He said, “The localities in Quetta having population of ethnic Hazara Shia community would have to be declared as red zone in order to maintain security of the community”.

The Central Information Secretary of APML, Aasia Ishaq, said that Balochistan should immediately be handed over to army, while the Government should also resign. “The problems cannot be resolved through transfer of some administrative officials as the situation in the country has turned worst. If Government does not take notice of terrorism in Balochistan, then it will spread across the country,” she said in a statement.

The LeJ warned the Government to immediately shift its under-trial militants from the high-security ATF Jail in Quetta, Cantonment to the Central Jail Hudda in the Quetta or get ready to face yet another suicide assault by its Fidayeen attackers – this time targeting the ATF prison.

The spokesman further said, “The Mujahideen of the LeJ will continue to kill Shias regardless of the imposition of the Governor’s rule or the deployment of the Army. We will protect the honor of Islamic Caliphs by sacrificing each and every one of us.

A glance at the chronology and timeline of anti-State violence, sectarian killings, tribal shootings, ethnicity and terrorism etc in Balochistan during the last 10 years reveals at least 112 major incidents have rocked this province since June 8, 2003, the day when some 11 Hazara Shia Police trainees were shot dead at Sariab Road of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Innumerable NATO oil tankers have been torched during this decade-long period under review and various guest Chinese engineers have been shot dead. A good number of sitting chief ministers and ministers (like late Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Yousaf, recently ousted Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani, still sitting Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi, Balochistan’s ex-provincial Finance Minister Asim Ali Kurd and the Punjab-born Balochistan Education Minister Shafiq Ahmed Khan etc) were also targeted with absolute ease.

Nine militants were killed and several others injured in shelling and bombing by military jets in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Security sources said that three suspected militant hideouts were bombarded. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also destroyed in the operation.

At least eight terrorists were killed in air strikes in Upper tehsil of Orakzai Agency.

At least four persons, including an activist of PPP, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A PPP activist, identified as Bilal (23), was found dead near Old Sabzi Mandi within the precincts of PIB Colony Police Station.

A dead body of a man was found from Maripur Road within the limits of Kalri Police Station.

Another body packed in gunny bag was found from Jam Goth within the jurisdiction of Memon Goth Police Station.

Grandson of Gaddi Nasheen (caretaker) of Qambar Dargah was killed and 10 people, including Sain Hussain Shah, and another of his grandson were injured in a remote-controlled bomb explosion at a religious gathering at the Goth Ahmad Din Brohi area of Jacobabad District.

Two passers-by were injured in a grenade attack on an area office of the MQM in Sector 5-A-3 area within the remit of the Khawaja Ajmer Nagri Police Station of North Karachi.

Sindh provincial authorities extended for three months the additional powers given to Rangers in the wake of targeted killings in the Karachi during the past month. Authorities gave the Rangers additional powers last year, allowing them to control violence and make arrests. The Sindh Home Ministry issued the extension.

Unidentified motorcycle borne assailants shot dead two persons, including a key commander of a former peace committee, Gul Muhammad Shah, on Bannu Road in Tank town of same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Gul Muhammad Shah was killed on the spot while two other persons, identified as Muhammad Tariq and Zar Janan, sustained severe injuries.

The Law Enforcement personnel and Levies Force arrested 30 Afghan nationals under the Foreigners Act in Qilla Abdullah District. The Levies Force said that the Afghans were trying to enter Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan without legal travelling documents. They were handed over to the FIA for interrogation.

Senior LeJ leader Ghulam Rasool was arrested under the maintenance of public order and shifted to the Bahawalnagar jail (Bahawalnagar District).

Maavia Azam, a leader of ASWJ was arrested in Jhang area (Jhang District) under the MPO.

The move came in wake of attacks on Hazara Shia in Balochistan for which the LeJ had claimed responsibility. The Supreme Court also took suo moto notice of the incident and asked the Federal Government to act against those responsible.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf while stressing the dire need of inter-faith harmony in the country, urged leaders of all faiths and religions to stand united and strive for peace and security. Addressing a conference organised by the Ministry of National Harmony aimed at creating greater understanding amongst people of different faiths, the PM referred to the recent incidents of terrorism in which a large number of people were killed and said “lets come out of this perpetual sense of fear that haunts us all, and where no place is safe anymore.”

He referred to the Hazaras as brothers and patriotic Pakistanis and said the entire nation felt deeply saddened over the plight they underwent in the recent attacks. “There can be no justification for the murder of the innocent. How can we justify the killing of a child, women or a man who is trying to earn a living?” he regretted.

The Pakistani Parliament passed the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) enabling authorities to confiscate the assets of terrorists and their financiers. The bill requires Presidential approval to become law.

Two persons were killed and 17 others injured in a bomb blast in a mobile phone shop in Khushal Market in old Hashtnagri area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a soldier of Frontier Constabulary and his cousin in Davil Galli area of Darband in Nowshera District. Sources said that FC soldier Mohammad Shabir and his cousin Sajid Wali were on their way to Larri village in Darband when the attackers opened indiscriminate firing on them.

The Police neutralised explosive devices, which were placed near the girls’ school at Bangashkhel village in the limits of Mandan Police Station in Mardan District. The recovery includes four explosive devices and nine hand grenades.

Intelligence reports said that 12 suicide bombers have entered the city to target certain places, Police and official. Police and other law enforcing agencies stepped up security checks in Peshawar after the reports. It is not clear what the targets of these bombers are.

KP Government has reconstructed 70% of militancy-hit schools in the province, Education Minister Sardar Hussain Babak said. Militants destroyed or damaged more than 3,000 KP schools in recent years. However, with domestic and international financial assistance, KP has rebuilt or repaired 70% of them, he said. "The remaining restoration work will be completed within a year," he added.

Unidentified assailants killed a person, identified as Mehrab Bakhsh, in Killi Mubarak area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Two dead bodies were found in Mithari area of Sibi District.

The Tehsildar (Revenue Administrative Officer) of Dhadar (Bolan District), Qazi Pervez escaped unhurt but three Levies’ personnel guarding him were injured when a roadside bomb exploded when he was on his way to Sanni Shroon area in Bolan District.

One civilian was killed when hit by a mortar shell in Takhtakai area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency of FATA.

SFs arrested over 200 suspected persons during a search operation in various areas of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. The sources said that the SFs carried out search operation in Gudmalang, Droadda and Baazgarah areas and arrested more than 200 suspected persons and shifted them to nearby Fort Salop FC base for investigation.

Police arrested three suspected members of the TTP in the Orangi town area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.  They also recovered drugs and arms during the raid.

At least two suspected militants were killed and four others were arrested during a pre-dawn operation carried out at Nawan Kili area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. FC official said that FC team conducted a raid besieging a house in the Nawan Kili.

The Police recovered and defused an IED in the Satellite town of Quetta.

Islamabad demanded Kabul to hand over all TTP terrorists including Maulvi Faqir Muhammad who have been engaged in anti-state activities in Pakistan. Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan told that Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar talked to her Afghan counterpart Zalmay Rassoul on telephone.

At least 10 persons, including three ASWJ cadres, a PML-N activist, two Policemen and a supporter of the MQM were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Maulana Dil Faraz Muawiya (33) and Abu Bakr (25) were shot dead near the Sidduiqe Sons Chowarngi in SITE. According to Maulana Akber Saeed, spokesman of the ASWJ, Maulana Muawiya was a leader of the ASWJ while Abu Bakar served as an activist.

ASWJ cadre Naveed-ul-Rehman was shot dead outside his residence, while fellow party cadres Owais and Sohail were injured in the Gaama Gali of Rizvia Society.

A person, identified as Maqsood (40), a PML-N worker was shot dead in the Khawaja Ajmer Nagri (KAN) Police Limits in North Karachi.

Kashif (28), an activist of MQM, was shot dead outside his house in Sector-5D of New Karachi.

Sattar (40), the chauffer of a factory owner, was shot dead near the Singer Chowrangi in the Awami Colony Police Limits.

Police constable Iftekhar shot dead by unidentified assailants in the SITE-A Police Limits while he was returning home from duty.

Police constable Naeem Baloch was shot dead near the Jaweedan Factory in Manghopir.

A person was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Lane No-3 of Jamshed Road in the Jamshed Quarters Police Station. The victim was moved to the Jinnah Hospital and died from a single bullet wound to the chest.

A person, identified as Syed Faiz Hussain Zaidi, was shot dead and another man was injured near Kati Pahari area.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a lawyer in the limits of Paharipura Police Station of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said that the lawyer was on way to his home when unidentified assailants opened firing on him. He was public prosecutor in Peshawar and belonged to Charsadda District.

The vehicular traffic was disrupted in Haleemzai tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA when an improvised explosive device went off on Barokehl-Sultankhel Road.

Police said that they arrested the leader of LeJ, Malik Ishaq,  in the  Rahim Yar Khan town of same District in connection with sectarian attacks in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan that have killed nearly 200 people in 2013. The LeJ claimed responsibility for both attack in Quetta.

Intelligence Agencies warned Law Enforcers of a possible second attack on the Hazara community in Quetta, the Supreme Court informed. A three-judge bench was hearing a suo motu case on the devastating February 16, 2013 attack, which killed at least 89 people. The judges expressed satisfaction with reports from the ISI and IB, and sought the Government’s response to the incident.

Heading the bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said, “After going through the reports, we are to believe that the agencies performed their duties and shared intelligence with law enforcers in Quetta, indicating the likelihood of another terror attack on the community on the occasion of the Chehlum of the persons [who were killed] at Alamdar Road on January 10, 2013.”

President Asif Ali Zardari called for unity and harmony among the people to address the challenges of extremism and terrorism and stressed that war was no solution to terrorism. Addressing the concluding session of the national conference on interfaith harmony, titled “Living together with diversity – Interfaith and inter-cultural dialogue”, which was organised by the Ministry of National Harmony at the Presidency, Zardari said there was a need to adopt the approach of peace and reconciliation to eliminate the menace of extremism and terrorism. Among others the session was attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The president said he had been pleading with the world that the way the issue of terrorism was being addressed would not lead to success. “We believe in tolerant Islam and have to counter those who believe in hate, with peaceful efforts,” he stated.

Six people including a mosque cleric were shot dead in separate incidents of violence in different areas of Karachi, provincial capital of Sindh.

A trader belonging to Bohra community, identified as Mubasshir Hussain, was killed at his shop at Tooba Apartment near Gol Masjid, Defense Phase-I within the precincts of Defence Police Station.

A man was shot dead in Ghaziabad, Manghopir within the limits of Manghopir Police Station. SHO Ashfaq Baloch said that unidentified armed riders shot dead a man and escaped.

The cleric, (identified as Qari Muhammad Ameen) of Bilal Mosque, affiliated with ASWJ was killed in Bhittai Colony near Korangi crossing. The sources said Ameen left Bilal Mosque for some work when armed pillion riders opened targeted fire on him as a result, he received critical bullet wounds and died on the spot.

Pakhtun Student Federation Sindh general secretary, identified as Dr. Painda Khan, was killed at his homeopathic clinic in Madina Basti near Frontier Morr within the limits of Pirabad Police Station.

Two unidentified men were shot dead in Sector 24, Korangi within the jurisdiction of Korangi Police Station. An official said that the identities of the victims were yet to be ascertained.

At least six labourers working on the Makran Coastal Highway, which links the area to Karachi, were lined up and shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Shadi Kaur area of Gwadar District. All the victims belonged to Zhob District.

Fifteen militants and two security personnel were killed in shelling by warplanes on the TTP positions and an encounter between the LI and SFs in Tirah Valley and Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. Sources said the jet fighters bombarded the positions of TTP in Sorkas, Sra Vella and Dwatoy in Kukikhel area in Tirah. At least, 10 militants were killed and eight injured in the air strikes. A vehicle and five sanctuaries of the militants were also destroyed in the aerial attack. 

SFs encountered with the LI militants in Nala area during a search operation in various areas of Bara subdivision including Mandikas, Bachi Nehar and Yousaf Talab As a result of crossfire, five militants and two security personnel were killed while 10 soldiers and six militants were injured. SFs were backed by two helicopters, which shelled militants’ positions in Nala. The forces also blew up an empty double cabin pick-up truck left behind by the militants. A car was seized while two suspects were arrested by the SFs and shifted to Fort Salop FC camp for interrogation.

FC personnel killed two suspected militants and arrested five others in a targeted operation near the Gulistan area of Qilla Abdullah District. The SF personnel seized rocket launchers, hand grenades, Kalashnikov rifles and explosives from the arrested accused.

At least three persons were killed in separate acts of violence in the Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A trader, identified as Anwar Muhammad (29), was killed at his shop under NIPA Bridge within the limits of Aziz Bhatti Police Station. 

A person, identified as Shaikh Mohsin Shetti (32), was killed near Parda Park in Nazimabad within the jurisdiction of Gulbahar Police Station. 

The dead body was found from Khamosh Colony of Gulbahar within the jurisdiction of Gulbahar Police Station. The victim was identified as 29-year-old Shakeel Ahemd. He was the resident of Lyari.

A Police head constable was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Yakatut area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the morning. Head Constable Farman Khan, residence of Tauheed Abad, was going for Fajr when some unidentified assailants raiding a motorbike opened indiscriminate fire upon him, killing Farman Khan on the spot. He was a head constable in CID‎.

ASWJ central information secretary Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqui, who  survived a life attempt in December 26, 2012 in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh and Bahawalpur chapter chief Rao Javed Iqbal alleged that more than 400 cadres of defunct LeJ were arrested in Police crackdown on February 23, night throughout Punjab.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik revealed that two groups of LeJ were operating in the Pakistan under the leadership of Malik Ishaq and Maulana Ludhianvi. Talking to the media in Sahiwal (Punjab), Malik said that all provinces needed to take action against terrorism.

Talking to the media in Jahanian (Punjab), the minister said that ‘enemies’ were working to destabilise the country. He said that the TTP started talking about having a dialogue after become weak. “The government will form a strong team to have a dialogue with them,” he said.

At least seven TTP terrorists were killed when SFs pounded Kukikhel area of Tirah Valley in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA.

One FC trooper was killed and six others were injured in a blast at Fort Slope Camp in Khajoori area in Bara tehsil.

In the same Agency, Khasadar Force defused an explosive device planted along the roadside In Jamrud area.

At least eight persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two persons were killed and 10 others were injured in a bomb blast at Shah Lakhi Ghulam shrine in Shikarpur District.

A person, identified as Ikhlaq (39), was killed near his house in Kunwari Colony within the precinct of Pirabad Police Station.

A dead body was found from Ghulam Hussian Weighbridge of Musharaf Colony within the precincts of Maripur Police Station.

A person, identified as Mufti Muhammad Abdullah (36), was killed near Faqeer Colony within the limits of Mominabad Police Station.

A man, identified as Asad (21), was killed by unidentified assailants near PIDC area within the limits of Civil Line Police Station.

A body packed in a gunny bag was found near Muslim Nagar of Sector 11 in Orangi Town within the jurisdiction of Pakistan Bazaar Police Station.

A dead body was found near Kaghzi Bazaar of Kharadar within the limits of Kharadar Police Station.

The FC killed two suspected terrorists and arrested five others in an operation in Gulistan area of the Qila Abdullah District. Five suspects were arrested and an unspecified quantity of rocket launchers, hand-grenades, AK-47 rifles and explosives were recovered.

Unidentified militants abducted an owner of petrol pump Waheed Zaman in Kohlu District.

Suspected militants blew up a Government primary school in Badhber area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police said that 195 suspected militants were arrested during a special campaign in Districts of Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera.

Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik appealed to Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to summon Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and ask him why he didn’t take any action against the LeJ. Malik claimed that Shahbaz asked the TTP to stop terrorism in Punjab as he and the TTP share a ‘common agenda’.

At least four persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A person, identified as Muhammad Imran (32), a cadre of ASWJ, was killed near Shahabuddin Market opposite Saddar Parking Plaza within the precincts of Brigade Police Station.

A ST cadre, identified as Muhammad Majid (40), was killed outside Sobraj Hospital within the jurisdiction of Aram Bagh Police Station. 

A trader, identified as Khalid Hussain (30), was killed in sector 4-B of Sarjani town within the jurisdiction of Sarjani Police Station.

The dead body was found from a graveyard in Saeedabad of Baldia town within the precincts of Saeedabad Police Station.

A hand grenade was hurled at a local office of the MQM near Lucky Star in the Saddar area. However, no loss of life was reported.

The CID of Police arrested a TTP militant, identified as Behrooz Khan Mehmand, in a targeted raid in Malir town. SSP CID operations, Fayyaz Khan, informed that Behrooz Khan Mehmand had been extorting traders and sending the ransom money to Mohmand agency of FATA to strengthen his outfit financially.

A Policeman was shot dead while protecting a polio vaccination team at Ghalla Dher on the outskirts of Mardan town of same District.

Three journalists survived attempt on their lives as they were fired at outside the Swat Press Club in Mingora, the headquterer of Swat District.

The TTP and foreign elements are involved in subversive activities in Karachi, Federal State Minister for Interior Imtiaz Safdar Warraich told the National Assembly.

The Federal Government introduced an anti-terrorism bill to the National Assembly that would bar the re-formation of banned outfits under new names. The bill also seeks to bar courts from granting bail to terror suspects who are charged with crimes punishable by death penalty, life imprisonment or sentences longer than 10 years.

At least six persons, including a cousin of a Former PM Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Jamali, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Ameer Ullah Jamali (58), a cousin of a Former PM Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Jamali was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants at block 15 Gulistan-e-Jauhar within the precincts of Gulistan-e-Jauhar Police Station. 

A person, identified as Shabbir Ahmed (34), a cadre of ASWJ, was killed at A B Saniya Lines Bazaar within the limits of Brigade Police Station.

A Shia man, identified as Wajid Ali (46), was killed near Baba Morr of North Karachi within the precincts of Khawaja Ajmer Nagri Police Station.

A cadre of JeM, identified as Khalid Hussain (32), was shot dead near Mustafa Cottage in sector L-1, Sajani town within the jurisdiction of Sarjani Police Station.

A Security Guard Ashraf Khan (43) was shot dead and a customer was injured at a Haleem shop in Block-18, FB Area within the precincts of Samnabad Police Station.

The dead body was found from bushes near Raees Goth within the limits of Maripur Police Station.

Unidentified militants hurled two hand grenades at Shah Faisal Police Station and Baloch Colony areas, respectively.

Unidentified assailants shot dead two brothers on Ghundi Road in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA.

A journalist Malik Mumtaz Khan was shot dead in Miranshah town of North Waziristan Agency.

The Senate was informed that a majority of suicide attacks in the country took place in KP and that Punjab was particularly vulnerable to crimes against property. In reply to a question put by Senator Colonel (retd) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the house that 57 suicide attacks took place in KP from 2010 to 2012.

Balochistan FC Inspector General Major General Obaidullah Khan said that some elements want to divide the people of Balochistan on ethnic, religious and sectarian grounds.

At least eight militants were killed and 12 suffered injuries as jet fighters pounded militant hideouts in Jendri and Shah Wali villages of Mamozai tehsil in Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Unidentified militants blew up two primary and two middle schools in the Kandharoo area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand Agency.  

At least four persons were killed in separate incidents in Sindh province.

A person, identified as Syed Danish Abbas Zaidi (30), affiliated with Shia Ulema Council (SUC), was killed outside his house located in Ancholi Block 20 of FB Area within the precincts of Samnabad Police Station in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A person, identified as Akhtar Gabol (28), affiliated with Muttahida Organising Committee was killed near his house in Faqeera Goth of Sohrab Goth area within the remit of Sohrab Goth Police Station.

A dead body of a man was found from Sultanabad area of Manghopir within the limits of Manghopir Police Station.

An ASI, Abdul Rasheed Samoon, was shot dead at the Guddu Police Station in Kashmore District.

The Balochistan Levies recovered three dead bodies from Gazba Road area on Chaman bypass in Qilla Abdullah District. The deceased were identified as Hayat Khan, Haji Ata Wali and Mehmood.

The BDU personnel diffused an eight kilogram of IED planted by militants under a bridge at Sarokhel in the limits of Doaba Police Station in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

At least 813 Police personnel have lost their lives in terrorist activities in KP since 2007, citing KP Police Department records. The deadliest year was 2009, when 201 Policemen were killed. The report showed that 108 Policemen were killed in 2007, 167 in 2008, 99 in 2012, 142 in 2011, 86 in 2012 and 10 so far this year. Another 1,772 Police personnel have been injured since 2007, according to the records.

The Government is moving to import 10 advanced explosive scanner vehicles. The mobile scanning vans will cost PKR 10 billion (US $101.9m) and will be able to trace explosive materials to prevent terrorism.

At least four persons, including activists of the JUI-F and the MQM, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Qari Abdul Razzaq (40), an activist of the JUI-F, was shot dead at Hussainiya Madressah in Mansoor Nagar.

Armed assailants shot dead an MQM activist, Shafqat (35), in Orangi Town. 

A trader of garments was shot dead near Liberty Chowk of Tariq Road in Ferozeabad area.

The dead body of a man was found near Sattar Kabari Shop of Sonaar Bazaar in Kharadar area within the limits of Kharadar Police Station.

Four persons were injured in two grenade attacks in Laurence Road and Shershah areas. The first attack occurred when armed men lobbed a grenade at Shafee Iron Works on Laurence Road in Naipier Police area. The explosion caused injuries to three workers Naeem, Sikander and Adnan.

 Another hand grenade was lobbed at a petrol pump near Gulbai crossing in Shershah Division. The attack caused injuries to pump manager Peelaj. 

Sindh Police arrested four suspected target killers affiliated with Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, from Gulbahar and Rizvia Society and recovered weapons from their possession.

Unidentified assailants killed a Shia trader and injured another at a shop in Kochi Bazaar in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants blew up the Government Primary School for Boys at Wanda Zerhan area in the limits of Lakki Police Station in Lakki Marwat District.

A local journalist, identified as Mehmood Ahmed Afridi, President of the Kalat Press Club, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near the main bus stop of Kalat city (Kalat District).

Awais Shiekh, the lawyer of Sarabjit Singh who is on death row in a Pakistani prison, received a death threat from the banned TTP for pursuing the case of the Indian national.

Pakistani authorities issued a list of 109 "most wanted" terrorists, including LeJ militant Mati-ur-Rehman who was accused of involvement in a suicide attack on former premier Shaukat Aziz.

KP Governor Engineer Shaukatullah said that the Governor’s House would work as a liaison office between the jirga (tribal council of elders) set up to hold peace talks with the militants, and the TTP leadership.

At least 12 persons, including activists of the MWM and the ASWJ, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Three people affiliated with MWM were gunned down at Sabri chowk under Iqbal Market police Station. The deceased were later identified as Ali Nawaz (25), Ali Husnian (27) and Hashim Hussain.

A man affiliated with ASWJ, Nadeem Mavia (28), was shot dead in Green Town within the limits of Shah Faisal Police Station. 

Three dead bodies were recovered from Musharraf Colony, Hawksbay Road and Mawach Goth areas within the limits of Maripur Police Station.

Another body of man was found form Graveyard in C Area, Liaquatabad within the jurisdiction of Super Market Police Station. 

According to police, unidentified armed pillion riders abducted a man and shot him multiple times and threw the body.

Another dead body of a man was found near Baitul Mukkaram Masjid, Block 16, and Gulshan-e-Iqbal within the jurisdiction of Aziz Bhatti Police Station.

A man was killed near his house in Ayub Mor within the limits of Khawaja Ajmiar Nagri Police Station. The deceased was identified as Ali (32).

52-year-old Mian Sahibzada was killed near a bus stop of intercity bus service in Quaidabad area within the precincts of Quaidabad Police Station.

Two mobile shops were blown up at Mian Mandi Market in the Halemzai tehsil of the Mohmand Agency in the night. Two shops owned by Israr and Adnan were destroyed in the explosion.

At least 48 persons were killed and another 70 were injured in a huge explosion that ripped through a Shia-majority neighbourhood in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Three relatives of Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza and several women and children were among the victims. Worshippers were offering Maghribain prayers at an Imambargah (Shia place of worship) in Abbas town when the bomb went off.

Three persons including a Police head constable, a motorway Police officer and a cashier were shot dead by unidentified assailants at a motorway Police kiosk on the Superhighway.

Ten militants were killed in an operation by SFs at Lando Qamar, Arghanjoo and Adamkhel areas of the Orakzai Agency in FATA. Two hideouts of the militants were also destroyed.

Seven militants, a ‘commander’ among them, were killed when PAF jets targeted their hideouts in Sandana and Speen Dhand areas of Sipah area in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency. Independent and official sources said the seven militants belonged to the LI.

SFs had pounded LI positions with heavy artillery in Ghaibi Neeka area of Bara tehsil, injuring a man and a minor girl. The artillery shelling being carried out since March 1 damaged a number of houses and a mosque.

In Shalobar area of Bara, a lieutenant of Mehsud Scouts was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at him. Security officials said the incident took place during a search operation.

There was no loss of life in a roadside blast in the Mamond tehsil of the Bajaur Agency. Source said that unidentified militants had planted explosive device on the roadside in Damadola which went off without causing any human loss.

During last two months at least 236 Police encounters were held in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh and 53 gangs of criminals were busted, said a report of the performance of Karachi zonal Police.

At least seven persons killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A person, identified as Asif (27), was shot dead in Sector 89 of Landhi area within the jurisdiction of Sharafi Goth Police Station.

A person identified as Kashan (35), was killed outside his house near Mosmiyat Chowrnagi area within the jurisdiction of Gulistan-e-Jauhar Police Station.

A man Farooq (55) was shot dead in Landhi area within the limits of Landhi Police Station.

A dead body of Ameen (60) was found form Kaghazi Bazaar in Kharadar area within the limits of Kharadar Police Station. .

A body stuffed in a gunny bag was found from Raees Goth area within Maripur Police Station.

Two dead bodies were found form the bushes near Golden Farmhouse in Malir area within the limits of Malir Police Station.

LEA recovered a suicide jacket and hand grenade during a search operation in Domail area of the Bannu District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Qari Asad Irfan, the District president of ASWJ, and a cadre, Moreed Hussain were arrested in Chakwal area (Chakwal District) and sent to the Jhelum prison.

CJP, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has taken suo motu notice of the March3, 2013 bomb blast in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh that killed at least 48 people and injured 150. The CJP directed the advocate general and the Sindh provincial Police officer to furnish a comprehensive report on the incident.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that Punjabi Taliban were behind the attack in Abbas town of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. The minister said that the LeJ had its headquarters in Punjab and claimed that the province’s ruling party, the PML-N, was in an electoral alliance with the banned organisation. Malik said that the same group of terrorists was involved in the Quetta and Karachi attacks. He said that terrorism would be eliminated from the country only if action was taken against terrorists in Punjab.

Activists of JUI-S along with tribal leaders held a protest outside the Peshawar Press Club against increasing drone strikes in Waziristan of FATA. JUI-S leader and former legislator, Ikramullah Shahid said that nine drone attacks occurred during Pervez Musharraf’s regime from 2002 to 2008, whereas 230 drone strikes have been carried out in Waziristan during the current Government’s tenure, killing more than 3,500 innocent people.

At least three persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

 A person, identified as Anwar (25), was killed by unidentified assailants near Christian Colony of Shah Faisal area within the jurisdiction of Shah Faisal Police Station.

A person, identified as Abdul Shakoor (52), was shot dead near his house at Jadoon Chowk within the jurisdiction of Docks Police Station.

A dead body of a 32-year-old man was found under the Natha Khan Bridge.

Two militants threw a hand grenade at a shop of Metroville area in SITE-A Police Limits. As a result, two passers-by sustained minor injuries.

Two militants threw a hand grenade at a Rangers mobile in Mominabad Police Jurisdiction.

Two officials of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, identified as, Hawaldars Muneer Ahmed Bhutto and Aijaz Ahmed Baloch, performing security duty in Nazimabad area are reportedly missing.

Unidentified militants shot dead a tailor, Ghulam Farid in the Gandaw area of Jhal Magsi District.

Unidentified assailants abducted an ANP member, Malik Sultan Tareen from Bostan area of Pishin District. Tareen, who was elected on PB-22 Harnai area of Sibi District seat of Balochistan Assembly, was former minister for prisons.

Unidentified assailants abducted a man from Bancha area of Kalat District.

SFs arrested 56 Afghan nationals while they were travelling from Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan to Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh without legal documents.

A bomb blast injured a polio lady health worker, identified as Sameea Zaib in the Jamrud Civil Hospital of Jamrud District in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Police defused two IED bombs at Maiamzai area in the vicinity of Matni Police Station in suburbs of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed that four militants, who had suspected been involved in the Abbas town tragedy, were arrested. Out of the four militants, three belong to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), while one is associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The Senate passed with majority, the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2013, which would enable the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) to take effective action against financiers of terrorism in the country. It now needs to be signed by President Asif Ali Zardari to become law.

 At least six persons, including two activists of MQM were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

An MQM activist, identified as Rashid Khan (35), was killed near his house in Sector 36-B of Landhi area within the precinct of Landhi Police Station.

Bial (29) was killed and another was injured near Sector 29 of Korangi town within the jurisdiction of Sharafi Goth Police Station.

An employee of a garment factory, identified as Qadir Hussain (53), was killed near his house in Sector 48-C of Korangi town within the limits of Zaman Town police station.

A man, identified as Mohammad Ali Bhatti (45), was shot dead near Jauhar Complex within the limits of Sachal Police Station.

The bullet-riddled body of an MQM worker was found from Samu Goth near Malir River within the remit of Memon Goth Police Station.

The dead body of a man was found from Bottle Wali Gali in Kharadar within the jurisdiction of Kharadar Police Station.

Pakistan Rangers conducted a targeted operation at Bhakar Goth situated behind Abbas town and claimed to have arrested at least eight suspected militants, including four Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) men and recovered huge cache of weapons from their possession.

Nine militants were killed in a clash with SFs in Mondan area of Mamozai in upper Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Five soldiers were injured in an IED explosion in Frontier Region (FR) Bannu,.

Separately, one person was injured in a blast in the Jamrud tehsil (revenue unit) of the Khyber Agency.

Unidentified assailants tortured a polio worker in Landikotal town and warned him and others involved in the anti-polio campaign to quit the campaign or be ready to be killed.

The ‘operational commander’ of the TTP, Qari Basit, and an unidentified foreigner were arrested by personnel of intelligence agencies in Kheshgi town of Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Senate ‘unanimously’ passed the Twenty-Fourth Constitutional Amendment Bill 2013 to create new province of Junoobi Punjab amid walkout by PML-N. JUI-F did not take part in the proceedings. Law Minister Farooq Naik termed it a historic day while the PML-N branded it a black day in the history of Pakistan.

SC observed that the Sindh Government has failed to protect the lives of the people, which is evident from its indifferent attitude towards the Abbas Town blast victims. The court ordered the removal of the IG Sindh, DIG East, SSP Malir and concerned officers from their respective posts for their failure in preventing the blast and providing assistance to the affected families.

The ANSC has strongly recommended that the ISI should be declared a terrorist entity on March 3. Rehmatullah Nabil, Afghanistan's deputy NSA was quoted as saying in an interview, "The interesting question is why is a terrorist blacklisted but the person who issues the Fatwa for them [to act] or who provides havens to them not blacklisted?" He added, "Against these people, organizations at a global scale should unite. People of Afghanistan and the government of Afghanistan will continue their voice of peace, but unfortunately there is not much hope from Pakistan's side and therefore we should be more united, more mobilized, and not be deceived by them." This was the most public outburst from the Afghan Government after the ‘chief’ of the Pakistan Ulema Council Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi declared that the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan was "legitimate".

At least 12 militants were killed and several others were injured during an operation by the SFs in different areas of Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Four militants were killed and six others were injured in renewed clashes between TTP and AI in Theerak Sangar and Zeerhak Kandaw areas of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency.

At least six persons, including an ANP worker, were killed in separate incidents of target killings in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh on.

A local leader of ANP, identified as Mujahideen Khan Afridi (52), was shot dead, while two passersby were injured near Umer Faooq Mosque.

A labourer, Muhammad Javed (42), was killed in Gulshan-e-Ghazi area of Baldia town.

A person, identified as Aleem Raja (40), was killed outside his home in Khokhrapar area.

Two dead bodies, identified as Maqbool (22) and Iftikhar (24), were found form an abandoned place in Khairabad area near Northern bypass.

A dead body of an abducted man, identified as Abdul Sattar (35), was found from Rexer Lane in Lyari area.

Pakistan Rangers Sindh conducted a targeted operation and hunt-down of killers of two rangers’ personnel in Lyari area and claimed to have arrested at least eight suspected Lyari gang war members from Moosa Lane, Baghdadi, Aat Chowk, Cheel Chawk and Phoolpatti lane.

A person, identified as Haji Luqman, was killed and another was injuried by unidentified assailants on Adalat Raod in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Unidentified armed assailants opened fire in Jam colony of Hub District and killed a person identified as Khuda Bakhsh.

Unidentified militants planted a bomb near Bab-e-Dosti in Chaman District which exploded with a loud bang.

A Government primary school was partially damaged in a blast in Katlang area of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

An under-construction building was damaged in a bomb explosion in Nowshera area (Nowshera District). Government Officials said that Police found another bomb there and defused it safely.

Army ‘chief’ Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani conveyed to President Asif Ali Zardari the military’s concerns over the rapidly deteriorating law and order and called for urgent steps to deal with the situation. Soon after a corps commanders’ conference, where the military’s top brass reviewed the internal security situation, the army ‘chief’ met President Zardari to communicate the disquiet among his commanders about the security situation spiralling out of control.

At least 20 militants and a volunteer of peace Lashkar TI were killed in a joint operation carried out by SFs and Zakhakhel tribal Lashkar against the banned LI in various areas of the Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. Three hideouts of militants were also destroyed in the military offensive.

Five militants of TTP and three from AI were killed in clashes in Khwajalee Tambu area of Tirah valley.

Three persons were shot dead and another was injured by unidentified assailants in Garigal village of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency.

At least two persons, including an activist of MQM were killed in separate acts of violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh

An activist of MQM, identified as Irshad (33), was killed inside his shop situated at Sector 5J of New Karachi within the precincts of Korangi Industrial Area Police Station.

A man, identified as Waqar Naseem (43), was killed near Faiuji Fertilizer hospital of Shah Faisal Colony within the limits of Shah Fasial Police Station.

FC personnel recovered a huge cache of weapons and explosives during a search operation in Dashat area of Mastung District. FC officials told that seven suspected militants had been taken into custody.

The Lowe House of parliament, National Assembly passed a key legislation to establish The National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) to integrate and synergies the anti-terrorism and counter-extremism efforts in the country. The Bill notes that the establishment of this authority is necessary in view of nature and magnitude of terrorists’ threat, and it would present strategic policy options to the Government for consideration and implementation by the stakeholders after scientifically studying the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism in historic and professional perspective. NACTA will play a pivotal role in coordinating with the entire LEA in taking effective actions against those who carry out acts of terrorism and extremism. It will also prepare a comprehensive national counter-terrorism and counter-extremism strategies.  

At least six people were killed and 30 others injured in a remote-controlled blast inside Jamia Hanfia Chishtia Mosque in Meena Bazaar of Peshawar, Provincial Capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Hundreds of angry protesters turned into arsonists, attacking around 160 houses and 80 shops of Christians just a day after allegations of blasphemy were leveled against a man in a predominantly Christian colony of the Badami Bagh area of Lahore (Lahore District), the provincial capital of Punjab.

At least five persons were killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A person, identified as Muhammad Mushtaq (34), was killed near Hill Park area within the limits of Mehmodabad Police Station.

Two dead bodies were found from bushes near Steel town within the jurisdiction of Steel town Police Station. The victims were identified as Abdul Rehman (40) and Zahid Hussain (35).

Two dead bodies were found from Manghopir area within the limits of Manghopir Police Station. The victims were identified as Omer Daraz and Kashif.

A US drone strike killed two suspected militants in Degan village of Dattakhel tehsil of North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

A ten-year-old boy was killed and another was injured in a blast at the Asrafkhel link road in Landikotal town of Khyber Agency. During the site inspection, another bomb that was planted near the blast site was recovered and was disposed off by the BDS, sources said. A massive search operation was launched in the area and twenty suspected tribesmen were arrested and sent to the cantonment for interrogation, according to sources.

Two persons were injured when a pickup truck was targeted with an explosive device planted by unidentified militants on roadside near Parao Chinar in lower Kurram Agency.

Hundreds of Christians protesting the burning of their homes by a Muslim mob over alleged blasphemous remarks made against the Islam's Prophet Muhammad clashed with Police in eastern and southern Pakistan. Around 150 people arrested for setting dozens of Christian houses on fire in Lahore (Lahore District), the provincial capital of Punjab after a non-Muslim was accused of making offensive comments about the prophet, Police said. Christians across the country rallied against the incident, but the main demonstrations were in Lahore, the southern port city of Karachi, the capital, Islamabad, and the adjoining city of Rawalpindi. Police said that the protesters damaged several vehicles, uprooted a fence along the road and burned an electricity generator. Seven Policemen were injured when the protesters pelted them with stones, he added. The Police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, arrested six protesters.

Sindh IG Police, Ghulam Shabbir Shaikh finalised an urgent security plan for all churches, missionary schools and Christian residential colonies in the province.

Three soldiers, including an officer, were killed in a roadside blast in Dogar area of Kurram Agency in FATA.

Two Persons, a father and son were killed, while a dozen were injured when a remote controlled IED went off in Khurramabad, within Landhi Police Station of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Five persons were abducted at gunpoint from Turbat town of Kech District.

The ATC, Judge Irfan Saeed granted four-day physical remand of 14 nominated accused involved in the Joseph Colony arson attack.

Meanwhile, the same court sent 21 accused, involved in the same attack, on judicial remand for their identification parade.

The 'chief' operational commander of the al Qaeda linked Punjabi TTP; Asmatullah Muawiya has warned that India is set to become a major target of terrorist attacks once again, especially after the Allied Forces withdraw from Afghanistan.

The TTP warned the Government of a severe backlash if it continues making claims of having broken the back of the militants in operations in different parts of the countries northwest. A statement issued by the TTP made a veiled reference to Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik's remarks that the Government had the militants in a corner thanks to its counter-terrorism strategy and rejected demands for a ceasefire ahead of any peace talks. Malik also said that the people should unite to root out terrorism as Pakistan was moving towards "durable peace".

Nine persons, including three Policemen, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Two Policemen, identified as Javed and Imran, were shot dead at Defence Garden of Phase 2 Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area within the jurisdiction of Defence Police Station.

An activist of MQM, identified as Ejaz Hussain Jaffery (39), was killed at Nazimabad area.

An MQM activist, identified as Shafqat Ali, was shot dead in Landhi Police Remits.

A SI Abid Hussain was killed near the Anu Bahi Park of Nazimabad area within the Nazimabad Police Remits.

Mohammed Asghar (22) was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Darul Aloom of Korangi in the Sharafi Goth area.

The dead body of Muhammad Asghar (25) was found from Link Road Sharafi Goth, reports Daily Times.

The dead bodies of two unidentified men were found near Malir Naddi in Beli Bagh.

A blast damaged a van parked outside a filling station at the main University road of Karachi. However, no casualties were reported after the blast occurred.

At least 31 suspects, including alleged members of a banned outfit involved in Landhi bomb blast (March 11), have been arrested during separate targeted operations and raids carried out by LEA in different areas of the Karachi. Rangers' sources said that TTP militants were also included among those arrested.

Quetta District Election Commissioner Ziaullah Qasmi was killed by unidentified assailants in Chandni Chowk area of Quetta (Quetta District), the Provincial capital of Balochistan.

Dead bodies of two persons, identified as Baz Khan and Sikandar, were found in the Machh District. A banned outfit operating in Balochistan claimed the responsibility for the killing, on a piece of paper found near one of the bodies.

Three persons including a man and his son were killed and 19 people, two of them Policemen, were injured as a bomb triggered by a remote control exploded in Bannu bazaar (Bannu District).

A Bomb Disposal officer was killed on the outskirts of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while defusing a roadside bomb.

Six persons were injured in a blast just 60 metres from the home of Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the information minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pabbi town.

Several tribal families have crossed over into Afghanistan owing to excessive artillery shelling by the SFs and aerial bombing in parts of Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.Source said that the people, who were migrating to Afghanistan from Tirah, belonged to Sipah, Malikdinkhel, Akkakhel, Qambarkhel and Kukikhel areas of Khyber Agency.

Pakistan Rangers, Sindh claimed to have arrested at least 896 suspects, 104 target killers and 39 extortionists and recovered over 782 weapons from their possession from January till March 12, 2013.

16 militants were killed and 12 others were injured in fresh clashes between TTP and AI in Maidan area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency of FATA, tribal sources said.

The Director of the Orangi Pilot Project, Parveen Rehman, 56, was shot dead near the Banaras Bridge in the Peerabad Police Remits of Karachi (Karachi Districts), the provincial capital of Sindh.

One Mohammad Abid Baloch was killed near Madina Bakery at Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Road in Kalri Police Limits in the afternoon. The Station House officer Chand Khan Niazi said that two groups of Lyari gang war were exchanging fire when Abid Baloch was caught in the crossfire and died.

In Awami Colony area, one Noorul Islam was shot dead near Darul Uloom in Korangi. Police said that the murder seems to be a part of target killing.

The body of one Iqbal, stuffed in a gunny bag and bearing torture marks, was found lying on the main road in Soldier Bazaar No-2 area.

The bullet-riddled body of another man was found from Chawala Market in Rizvia Police Limits.

Bullet-riddled body was found from Kagzi Bazaar in Kharadar area. The dead was reportedly abducted and later tortured to death.

The body of a teenaged boy Mohammed Hassan (14) was recovered from bushes near Railway Store in Civil Lines Police Limits. He was of Afghan origin.

Three TTP Hakimullah Mehsud group militants were arrested along with a huge cache of weapons, said the CID. The militants worked in Karachi under Shehzad Rehman Mehsud's command. The accused were involved in extortion, kidnappings for ransom and target killings, and were assigned targets by Shehzad Mehsud. The extortion and ransom money was sent to their 'commander' Jiyaad Yaar in Waziristan (FATA). The accused admitted that they were going to carry out a suicide attack in Karachi, for which they were awaiting Jiyaad Yaar to specify a target.

Unidentified gunmen abducted two women tourists, from the Czech Republic, in Chaghi District, officials said, Local government officials said the women entered the province from Iran as tourists and were abducted from an area some 550 kilometres west of Quetta, the provincial town of Balochistan.

Four people were abducted in Mand area of Turbat District, Levies sources said.

Police arrested around a dozen children, some as young as 10, suspected of being used to plant bombs for separatist militants, officers said. The arrests were made in raids over the past 24 hours, Quetta Police Chief Mir Zubair Mahmood said while presenting the children at a news conference in Quetta. A member of the Baloch militant organisation, United Baloch Army, Abdul Nabi Bungulzai had lured the children, who came from poor families, to leave packages containing home-made bombs in markets, dustbins and on routes used by police and security forces, Mahmood added.

The Supreme Court observed that the Punjab Police failed to protect the lives and properties of the inhabitants of Joseph Colony in Lahore, the capital city of Punjab. Hearing the suo moto case of the burning of Christian houses at Joseph Colony in Badami Bagh area of Lahore, the court in its interim order ruled that Inspector General Police Punjab had failed in providing security to 220 homes.

The preliminary report of fact-finding mission of HRCP to the Joseph Colony in Badami Bagh has held the Police and the provincial administration squarely responsible for the horrible affair.

The Senate unanimously passed the Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill 2013. The second amendment bill, which aims to counter terrorism, is an enhanced and rigorous version of the one passed by the National Assembly earlier. Some of the key features showed that the bill envisages dealing more strictly with the elements posing danger to national security.

Twenty militants were killed and another 20 injured as fighting between the TTP and AI outfit continued in the Qambarkhel area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA.

Three Persons were killed and six others were injured in an explosion in the Landhi area of New Muzaffarabad Colony within the Quaidabad Police Station.

A JI activist was killed and two others were injured in North Karachi within the limit of Surjani town Police Station.

One Irshad (40), an activist of MQM, was killed near the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation Centre in Babar Market.

Nadeem (36), an activist of SeM, was killed while another was injured in Sector 7-D within the Surjani Police Station.

The dead body of one Muhammad Nazeer (27) was found near a telephone exchange on Hashim Raza Zaidi Road of Malir town.

A dead body packed in gunny bag was found near Madras society in Sachal area.

Dead bodies of two brothers Abdullah (29) and Wahid (24) were discovered from Malir River in the jurisdiction of Khokhrapar Police Station.

Police shot dead a militant 'commander' suspected over the killing of a prominent woman development worker Parveen Rehman (56).

Police arrested another six TTP militants from Karachi and seized heavy explosives and weapons. "Those arrested included Bashir Ullah, who was a mastermind of the deadly bombing in Abbas Town neighbourhood," senior Police official Shahid Hayat said.

Pakistan Rangers Sindh claimed to have arrested 27 suspects, including members of banned outfits, and recovered weapons form their possession from Mehran town, Korangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Jamshed Quarter areas. According to Rangers sources, three alleged cadres of the LeJ and TTP were among the detainees.

Sindh Police said 156 officials and personnel of Karachi Police were killed during encounters with criminals and terrorists' attacks beginning January 2012 to date. The victims were one SP, one DSP, four inspectors, 14 SI, 21 ASI, 24 head constables and 91 constables. The report also shows that 37 Police officers and personnel were killed and 85 others injured in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Larkana during the same year.

Two ethnic Punjabis were shot dead by unidentified assailants at Qandeel Chowk in Gwadar city (Gwadar District).

Hundreds of men, women and elderly people staged a strong protest demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan, against the arrest of 11 children being portrayed as paid workers of banned outfit UBA by the LEA.

The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution against the February 9, 2013, hanging of Afzal Guru (in New Delhi's Tihar Jail), convicted in December 13, 2001, attack on Indian Parliament and called upon the UN and the international community to help Kashmiris and get their right to self-determination.The resolution demanded that the body of Afzal Guru be handed over to his family members for proper burial and also called upon the Indian Government to lift the curfew in Jammu and Kashmir.

Nawab Aslam Raisani led coalition government now stands restored in Balochistan as a two-month term of Governor Rule imposed in the province expired at 12:00am. According to sources, Governor Balochistan, Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi, has held a meeting with the Aslam Raisani to hash over the situation after the end of Governor Rule and the reinstatement of his government.

Three persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A person, identified as Akram (53), a vegetable vendor, was killed by unidentified assailants inside his shop situated in Landhi area.

A dead body of a man, identified as Muhammad Waseem (26), was found near Naad-e-Ali bus stop of Malir town.

An unidentified body of a man was recovered from a metal box at platform no 7/8 Cantonment Station.

Pakistan Rangers claimed to have arrested about three dozen suspects including cadres of TTP and alleged target killer in separate raids in the Karachi. They also claimed to have recovered a torture cell from Yousuf Goth, an area of Baldia town.

A tower of a cellular company was partially damaged in the blast in Togh Sarai area of Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The BDU defused an improvised explosive device in a crowded bazaar near Lakki Gate in Bannu town of same District.

An ATC sent 13 suspects nominated in the Badami Bagh tragedy to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

Three British Muslims, including a convert to Islam pleaded guilty in court to travelling to Pakistan for terror training. Richard Dart (29), Imran Mahmood (21) and Jahangir Alom (26), appeared by video-link before a judge at the Old Bailey's central criminal court in London of England.

A security guard working at a private bus terminal in the jurisdiction of Pirwadhai Police Station in Rawalpindi in the province of Punjab has been shot dead.

At least five security personnel were severely injured in a remote-controlled blast in the Miranshah area of North Waziristan in FATA.

Seven persons, including three MQM activists and two Policemen were killed in separate incidents in Sindh province.

Three activist of the MQM were shot dead and another was injured by unidentified assailants on a sector office of MQM in SITE area of Hyderabad city (Hyderabad District).

Two Policemen, identified as Constables Raja Khan (32) and Zoheb Khan (27) were killed in the SITE area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Abdul Ghafoor (35) was killed in New Sabzi Mandi on the Super Highway.

A dead body, identified as Kamran, was found under the Miran Naka Bridge in Shershah area.

The key suspect of the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl, Qari Abdul Hayye alias Asadullah, a former chief of Sindh chapter of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), was arrested in a covert operation by Rangers from Mobina town.

Unidentified motorcycle bourne assailants shot dead two Afghan nationals in the limits of Shabqadar Police Station in Charsadda town of same District in KP.

Meanwhile, four CD shops were damaged in a suspected militant attack in Matani area on the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP.

Suspected militants blew up a gas pipeline near Goth Peeru Bugti area of Jaffarabad District.

LEA arrested 26 Afghan nationals under foreign act in Nokundi area of Chagai District.

Ten militants were killed and six others injured when jetfighters pounded their hideouts in Chappar area of Mamozai tehsil in Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Unidentified militants bombed two Government primary schools in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

Seven persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Principal of a college, a campaigner of sectarian harmony, Prof Sibt-e-Jafar Zaidi, was shot dead. The killing came as a shock to the Shia community, his students and educationists.

A soldier, identified as Imran Ali (30), was shot dead near Frontier Mor within the remits of the Orangi town Police Station.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Zakir Hussain was shot dead by unidentified assailants near the PNS Shifa hospital of Pak Jamhooria Colony area.

Shahrukh (22), owner of a tyre puncture shop, was in the Ghas Mandi area.

Owner of a tyre puncture shop, identified as Mohammad Danish was shot dead near Baloch Hotel in the Liaquatabad area.

A dead body was found near Jungle School in Machhar Colony. The victim was identified as Zeeshan aka Moon, a fish seller and resident of Machhar Colony.

A suspected cadre of the TTP was killed and other was arrested in "a Police encounter" in the Manghopir area.

A Policeman and three civilians were killed and 49 persons, including a woman additional district and session's judge, were injured in a suicide attack in a judicial complex in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two suicide bombers entered the complex and one of them blew himself up in the courtroom of Additional District and Sessions Judge Kalsoom Zaman while the second was gunned down by police. TTP 'spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan said it was in revenge "for the failure of the country's judiciary to defend jailed Pakistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui" in the US.

An unidentified assailant shot dead a Shia lawyer and injured his assistant seriously on Dalazak Road in Peshawar.

Meanwhile, a cell-phone shop was blown up in Karbogha Sharif of Doaba area in Hangu District.

A bomb exploded near Levies Force office in Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District. No loss of life was reported.

Unidentified assailants abducted a man, identified as Gohar Khan from Sui area of Dera Bugti District.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become the first province in the country to set up a Strategy and Analysis Wing (SAW) with an aim to coordinate efforts at combating crime and terrorism, analysing data and making use of digital and internet data to achieve its objectives.

In an eight minute video released by the TTP from an undisclosed location, its 'spokesperson' Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed that the SFs and Government are not serious about the peace dialogue, which is why the TTP have decided to postpone the peace talks. TTP 'spokesperson' further demanded that the people not participate in the public gatherings and rallies of the PPP, MQM and ANP, claiming both of these parties are on the TTP's (hit) list.

The Senate Standing Committee on National Harmony asked the Government to arrest those involved in the Badami Bagh incident on March 9, 2013, in which about 200 houses of Christian community were set on fire.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary said that only those people who are found guilty of blasphemy through due process should be punished, not the entire communities.

Forty six militants, including an Uzbek 'commander', were killed in twin suicide attacks on the TTP in the headquarters of the AI in Bagh area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA.

TTP and LI occupied the Maidan area, the stronghold of pro-Government AI, in Tirah Valley.

Talking to reporters from an undisclosed location, the deputy head of AI, Ezatullah, said that his organisation was intact and would fight from Zakhakhel and Orakzai Agency to defeat the invaders in Maidan.

One security personnel suffered injuries when militants attacked a checkpost in Sadiqabad area in Bajaur Agency.

Nine persons, including Doctor and Army soldier were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Assistant professor of medicine in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Dr Asad Usman, was killed along with his guard near Matric Board Office within the precincts of Nazimabad Police Station.

Two persons identified as Ejaz (25) and Shafi alias Bhaiya (30), were killed and one Yaseen Hussain was injured by unidentified assailants in Al Badar society.

Malik Iftikhar (43) was killed inside his house of Shah Faisal area within the precincts of Shah Faisal Police Station.

A surveyor of Pak Arab refinery, identified as Mansoor Zaki (42), was killed near Malir Naddi of Sharafi Goth Police Station.

The educationist, writer, scholar and lawyer Sibt-e-Jaffer, who was shot dead on March 18, 2013, was laid to rest at Wadi-e-Hussain after his funeral prayers at Ancholi Imambargah. When procession reached Rashid Minhas Road and University Road, some participants opened indiscriminate firing on passersby resulting in the death of Akram Masih and Hidayatullah.

Some unidentified persons attacked the Police vehicle deployed for the procession route security in Ancholi, and snatched a sub-machinegun from the Police constable.

A planted bomb went off in a vehicle near Saifi College situated in Block H and S, North Nazimabad area, claiming the life of deputy general manager of KESC along with injuring three passers-by.

A person, identified as Abdul Manan, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Shahwani Mohala in New Sariab area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

A person was killed by unidentified assailants who later dumped his body in open fields in Rojan Jamali area of Jaffarabad District.

A man was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Dhadar area of Kachi District.

Unidentified assailants killed a soldier of FC, Qadir Khan, and injured two Policemen in Shabqadar area of Charsadda town of same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants targeted the residence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly member Babar Khan in the Shabqadar area. A militant-planted bomb exploded overnight outside the house of the Qaumi Watan Party-affiliated provincial MP. He was at home at the time but no casualties were reported.

Two IEDs planted near the main gate of a private se school went off with a bang in Batgram area. As a result the gate and boundary wall of the school were destroyed while other parts of the school were partially damaged.

SFs launched a massive search in the rural Peshawar and adjacent semi-tribal area a day after the suicide attack on the Judicial Complex in the provincial capital. Dozens of suspects were arrested during the drive and shifted to an unknown place.

At least nine persons, including two MQM activists were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

A person, identified as Faisal (29), an active worker of MQM, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his shop on Ramswami Road.

A MQM activist, identified as Farasat Mirza (35), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Gulbahar area.

A Shia man, identified as Imran Haider Naqvi (25), was shot dead near Hyderi Imambargah of Lasbela area.

A Police informer Noor Muhammad (45) was killed on Mirza Adam Khan Road in Lyari area.

A person, identified as Khaild (27), was shot dead near his house in sector 7-A of Sarjani town.

Pakistan Rangers Sindh conducted a raid in Musharraf Colony and arrested 15 suspected militants. Police said that 34 weapons of different calibres were recovered including SMGs, rifles, shotguns, pistols and ammunition.

SFs arrested about 60 suspects in connection with the March 18, 2013, suicide attack on judicial complex in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Police recovered weapons and drugs from a truck at a check post on Hangu Road of same District. The seizure included 25 Kalashnikovs and 125 chargers, two shot guns and three rifles besides nine kilograms of hashish and opium.

Submitting a progress report regarding the missing persons, DIG CID Balochistan told the Supreme Court that six army officers are involved in the abduction of missing persons in Balochistan.

Police recovered 10 bags of 1698 dynamite bombs loaded on a truck and arrested the smugglers on Grand Trunk road near Khairabad Chowk in Khairabad town of Mianwali District.

At least 17 persons were killed and 34 others injured in a car bomb explosion in the Jalozai camp for IDPs in Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Two young girls were killed when an explosive device, they were playing with, went off in a house in Sakhakot area of Malakand District.

SFs arrested at least 11 suspects and recovered explosives and other items used in bomb making during a search operation in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency of FATA. SFs recovered at least 100 kilograms of explosives and other item used in bomb making.

A cracker blast damaged the railway track near Bin Qasim area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Police arrested three alleged terrorists of TTP and LeJ after a brief shootout at Manghopir Road in Karachi.

Meanwhile, a report submitted to Supreme Court said that around 208 target killers and 238 extortionists belonging to political parties and banned outfits were arrested from Karachi.

Police and Rangers invited the ire of the Supreme Court by submitting contradictory statements about 'no-go areas' in Lyari. While Rangers' claim that there was no no-go area in Lyari, the DIG Shahid Hayat submitted that Police and Rangers could not enter the crime-infested locality despite all efforts. The court, which was hearing the case relating to implementation of its judgment, also expressed concern and annoyance over reports about the killing of alleged gangster Arshad Pappu and others and mutilation of their bodies in Lyari by their rivals.

Police foiled a bid to blow up a railway bridge on the Quetta-Sibi railway track near Link Badini area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Responding to stinging criticism worldwide, the White House is working to shift control of the Central Intelligence Agency's lethal drone programme to the military, The Wall Street Journal said. The move on the drone programme that redefines the widely contested campaign that targets suspected terrorists in countries like Pakistan and Yemen was corroborated by the US officials. A United Nations investigator declared after a secret research trip to the country that the attacks violated Pakistan's sovereignty.

Four militants were killed when US drone fired two missiles on a house in Dattakhel tehsil of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

Ten persons, including two children, were killed and 37 others were injured when a bomb planted on a motorcycle-rickshaw went off at a crowded bazaar in Dera Allahyar town in the Jaffarabad District.

A gas pipeline was blown up near Go-pat area in the Dera Bugti District. The banned BRA group claimed responsibility for the attack.

FC IG, Major General Obaidullah Khan Khatak, said that concrete measures put in place by the Government and LEA has resulted in the reduction of militancy in Balochistan.

Two activists of the MQM were shot dead in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

An MQM activist, identified as Muhammad Ibrar (33), was killed by unidentified assailants near Rehmat Chowk in Orangi town.

An MQM activist, Muhammad Ismail (25), was killed by unidentified assailants in New Karachi area.

Fifteen suspected gangsters wanted by the Police in a number of target killing and extortion cases were arrested by Rangers in a raid in Mehmodabad area in the wee hours. During the search of their hideout, the Rangers also recovered 25 weapons, including Kalashnikovs, sub-machine guns, repeaters, MP-5, pistols, silencers, Police uniforms and a large quantity of ammunition. Sources said that during the search operation, the Rangers arrested a policeman who was present at the hideout of militants.

A Police team of South Range raided the Lyari town and arrested 20 suspects, including some wanted criminals and also recovered arms from their possession. Police also recovered weapons from their possession.

An armed clash left a militant killed and a security man injured in Dro Adda area of Akkakhel in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. Officials said that SFs clashed with a group of militants when the latter attacked a security checkpost in Dro Adda area. In the firing exchange, a militant was killed and a soldier received injuries.

Unidentified militants blew up a Government school in Meeri Khel area of Akkakhel. Official sources said that militants blew up the girl's school in Misri chowk by planting a huge quantity of explosives inside the building.

Unidentified persons opened fire on a NATO container at Wazir Dhand locality of Jamrud tehsil. Local officials said that a cleaner of the vehicle received minor injuries in the attack.

Prospective candidates of political parties in Hangu District have so far restricted their election meetings to hujras, while some of them have been demanding that elections should be held under the supervision of Army in this volatile District due to threat of TTP attacks.

Pakistani prosecutors approached a court seeking voice samples of seven men, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, charged with involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Special prosecutor, Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali of the FIA filed an application that was admitted for regular hearing by the Islamabad High Court on March 21. A two-judge bench issued notices to the seven suspects, asking them to respond to the FIA's application seeking their voice samples.

A suicide bomber rammed a water tanker bomb at a military check post, killing 17 SFs, one civilian and injured 25 others near Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan Agency, in FATA.

SFs arrested 13 suspects and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation in Mohmand area of Mohmand Agency.

The TTP has set up a special death squad to target former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf upon his arrival, who is expected to land in Karachi on March 24, says a militant video released on March 23. The TTP has also called upon the Baloch insurgents to join hands with the militant outfit to wage a joint-war for implementing Shariah laws in the country.

A shop owner, identified as Mohammed Luqman (40), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Gujjar Chowk area of Manzoor Colony in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. In the meantime, a mobile van of Baloch Colony Police Station spotted the fleeing suspects and challenged them. Upon seeing the Police, the suspects opened fire and an encounter ensued following which one of the gunmen was arrested in injured condition, while his accomplice fled from the scene.

Personnel of the Sindh Rangers raided the Northern Bypass area in Manghopir and recovered a prepared suicide Jacket, three detonator cords, 16 detonator fuses and a magazine of a 9mm pistol, while some suspected terrorists escaped the paramilitary force.

Personnel of the Sindh Police Department raided the Banaras area and arrested two cadres of TTP.

A Levies official, identified as Ishaq, was killed by unidentified assailants in Gwadar city of same District.

An explosive device went off near the house of former MPA Babar Ali Mohmand in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Four persons, including two Police constables killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Police constable Ghulam Nabi Baloch was killed by unidentified assailants in Sultanabad area of Manghopir.

Police constable Nadir Ali was killed by unidentified assailants in Bilal Colony of Korangi industrial area.

A businessman, identified as Ali Akber (40), was shot dead near Cable Chowrangi in SITE-B area.

A businessman, identified as Kamran, was abducted from Jodia Bazar. The abductors initially demanded PKR five million as ransom. The family waited for the abductors to call them again for fixing a collection point, but they never did. Instead, the Sharea Noor Jehan Police called them and informed them about recovering Kamran’s body from inside his car parked in Block L of North Nazimabad. 

LEA, Sindh Rangers and Police - conducted targeted raids in several areas of the Karachi and arrested 65 suspects along with recovering huge cache of weapons.

Two security personnel were killed in a remote-controlled blast in Damadola area of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency of FATA.

More than fifty thousand families have migrated from the Tirah Valley. The Tirah Valley has now become an abode of TTP and LI after they have jointly pushed out the armed fighters affiliated with AI, which is led by Mehboobul Haq.

The candidates for a National Assembly seat in Bara have demanded of the authorities to postpone the upcoming general elections in NA-46 constituency owing to threats from a militant outfit and inability of political administration to devise a foolproof security plan for electioneering.

The Jalozai refugee camp administration has chalked out a new security plan with the help of the DPO for the safety of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The plan includes setting up three security barriers and deploying more police personnel. The UNHCR postponed the registration of IDPs from Tirah Valley at the camp on March 22 following a deadly blast that killed at least 17 people, including a female social worker, and injured 28 others.

The Supreme Court has sought complete report from the FATA secretary regarding the losses of human lives due to terrorist attacks in FATA and PATA since April 12, 2008 to date.

A low intensity bomb exploded outside the office of a local advertisement company on Dorra Road within the jurisdiction of Banamari Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The SSGC 18-inch IRBP that had been attacked on March 16 and 22 was blown up for the third time at around 10.30pm at the same point in the Pat Feeder area of Dera Bugti District.

SFs arrested nine militants for their suspected involvement in abducting for ransom activities and destroyed six hideouts during a search operation in various areas of the Sibi District.Police said eight motorcycles, a double-barrel gun and one binocular were seized during the action.

Akhtar Mengal, the leader of the BNP-M landed in Karachi amid pressure from Baloch militants and exiled nationalists, calling on him to boycott the 2013 elections. The warning came as election campaigning kicked-off in Balochistan. Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, commander of BLF warned all the politicians to boycott the elections arguing that “elections are to suppress the voice and demands of Baloch people and nothing else.”

Meanwhile, BLA and other militant groups have threatened to launch a fresh wave of violence during the run-off to the general elections and have urged voters to boycott the poll in Balochistan.

Two persons were killed in separate incidents of firing in Khuzdar and Jaffarabad Districts of Balochistan.

Unidentified armed assailants fired at a shop located on Sardar Munir Mengal Road of Khuzdar and killed Abdul Ghaffar.

A person was shot dead in Usta Muhammad town of Jaffarabad district.

Security Forces killed four Afghan-based militants as the troops repulsed a cross border attack on a security check-point in Nawagal tehsil.

A senior Federal Government official was shot dead, in what Police said was an incident of sectarian killing in the Gulbahar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a WAPDA vehicle carrying Town-2 SDO Khawaja Imran in the Gulbahar area,” a Police official said. Gulbahar Police said the WAPDA official was targeted because he belonged to Shia sect.

Separately, a tribesman was shot dead and a taxi driver injured in an attack at Dabgari area.

Two persons were injured in an explosion near Yunus Park in Peshawar. The blast reportedly took place outside an arms dealer shop. The building above the arms dealer’s shop, houses the Peoples Labour office for Peshawar, an office affiliated with the PPP.

A small intensity explosive device went off near the house of PPP leader Akbar Khan Mohmand on Shami Road. Police said that no one had been injured and only a section of the wall had been damaged.

A leader of the STP, Qambar Shahdadkot District President Abdul Aziz Mastoi, was killed in a firing attack in the limits of City Police Station of Qambar Shahdadkot.

Pakistani Rangers arrested numerous suspected Lyari gang war participants during operations in Karachi on two consecutive date of March 26-27. Authorities arrested 30 suspects in raids in the Usmanabad, Jumma Goth, Malir, Kharadar, Khadda Market, Old Golimar, Hazara Colony and Sabzi Mandi areas.

Unidentified militants blew up a filling station in Sadda Bazaar of Kurram Agency in FATA. The sources said unidentified militants placed a bag near the manager’s room at the filling station owned by Gul Manan in Sadda Bazaar.

The political administration in Landi Kotal of Khyber Agency has imposed a ban on display of arms and use of indecent language during the election campaign. The decision was taken during a meeting in Landi Kotal that was attended by all the candidates contesting elections from NA-45 constituency of Khyber Agency and Assistant Political Agent Dr Azmat Wazir.

The City Police foiled a massive terrorism plan in Balochistan and seized a truck full of explosives during a search operation at Nawabi Gate near Kuchlak in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Militants have killed more than 49,000 of their countrymen since 9/11, the SC of Pakistan learned. Militants at one point held 24% of the FATA and 37% of Swat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), but effective military operations restored the Government's writ, Raja Irshad, a lawyer for the Security Forces, told a three-member SC bench. The bench was hearing a petition challenging the Actions (in Aid of Civil Power) Regulation, 2011.

More than 9000 persons including military, paramilitary and Police officials along with members of Government-backed tribal Aman Lashkars (peace militia) have been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA during the last five years.  The report said that a total of 235 suicide attacks, 9,257 rocket attacks and 4,256 bomb explosions have taken place in KP and FATA since 2008.

Among the fatalities, 5,152 were civilians, 1,489 army officials, 675 Frontier Corps, while 1,717 belonged to the Police force. In targeted attacks, 243 people belonging to Lashkars were killed and 275 were injured, while 995 schools and 35 colleges were also destroyed in the last five years. The agencies’ report cited 475 major and 135 small raids while 6000 search operations by the security forces in which, it said, 3,051 militants were killed. Militancy in the region was at its peak during 2007 and 2008. However, actions taken by the law enforcement agencies had restrained the militants’ strength, it added.

The Federal Ministry of Interior warned of a massive terrorist threat in the coming elections. A presentation made during a meeting between officials of the Ministry and ECP to discuss security issues revealed that the Jundallah, in coordination with LeJ and TTP, was planning to carry out large-scale terrorist attacks in Balochistan, with Nushki and Quetta as their particular targets.

A participant of the meeting said that the meeting had been informed that the BRA was also planning to carry out attacks by IED in Dera Bugti, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad. Usman Saifullah Kurd, a ‘commander’ of the Balochistan faction of the LeJ, was planning terrorist attacks in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan is considering deployment of armed forces in at least half of the polling stations in KP and the FATA over security concerns, said Provincial Election Commissioner Sono Khan Baloch.

Nobody was held responsible for the operation of Lal Masjid as the commission submitted its report to the Supreme Court. Over 200 people recorded their statements before the Lal Masjid Commission.

Terror threat emanating from Pakistan remains a danger to Britain’s national security, the head of Britain’s counter-terrorism strategy Charles Farr said in an interview. He revealed that threat to Britain from Pakistan-based militant groups comes not only from al Qaida but lots of groups including TTP, Lashkar-e-Toiba and banned militant organisations inducing from “some settled areas of Karachi”.

As many as 633 missing persons, including 279 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, remain to be traced, according to a report submitted in the Supreme Court. Of the remaining missing persons, 148 are from Punjab, while 100 are from Sindh, 48 from Balochistan, 26 from FATA, 20 from Islamabad Capital Territory, 11 from Azad Kashmir and one from Gilgit Baltistan. The commission also reported that it was handed over 138 cases of missing persons in December 2010 and, so far, it has received 873 new cases of missing persons from all over the country. The total number of cases they have handled thus far is 1,011. Out of these, the commission has traced 316 persons and deleted 47 names from the list, due to lack of details. Another 15 names were omitted because of other reasons.

A remote-controlled bomb killing two security personnel patrolling Damadola village of Bajaur Agency, near the border with Afghanistan.

The political administration along with the jirga members destroyed the houses of four militants in the Halemzai tehsil of the Mohmand Agency.

Four persons, including an MQM worker, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

 An MQM activist, Muhammad Hanif alias Gaddafi alias Puppy, was killed by unidentified assailants in Mirchi Gali of Jodia Bazar area.

Saleem Memon (50), a clerk in the Sindh Food Department, was killed in Kaghazi Bazar of Kharadar area.

A dead body was recovered from Essa Nagri area.

A dead body was recovered from the Northern Bypass of Surjani town.

Two Police officers posted in Lyari area were dismissed from service for their relations with criminal elements. Inspector Javed Baloch and SI Chand Niazi posted at the Chakiwara and the Kalri Police stations respectively had been put under suspension after the killing of ‘gangster’ Arshad Pappu on March 17, 2013.

PIMA said that Sindh caretaker Government should focus on law and order situation in the province. A statement issued by the PIMA said caretaker Chief Minster should take strict measures to overcome lawlessness, terrorism and extortion and especially crimes against doctors like abducting, killing and extortion.

A person, identified as Muhammad Azeem, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Sariab area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

LEA arrested 160 Afghan nationals under the Foreigners Act in Nokundi area of Chaghai District.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a senior lawyer, identified as Chaudhry Aslam of the Supreme Court, near Fauji Foundation Hospital of Rawalpindi.

Police neutralised three IEDs in the limits of Matani and Badaber Police Stations in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

BDS foiled a terrorist attempt and defused a 5-kg bomb placed beneath a bridge on Dera Ismail Khan Road of same District.

12 persons, including four security personnel, were killed and 35 others were injured in a suicide bomber attacked on the vehicle of Commandant of Frontier Constabulary in the province Abdul Majeed Marwat in the high-security cantonment area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan made phone calls to media offices in Peshawar to accept responsibility for the attack. “We targeted the FC (commandant) for operations against the Taliban and tribal people.”

Twelve militants were killed during operation by the SFs in Mamoonzai area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Three militants’ hideouts have also been destroyed in the shelling.

Four soldiers were injuried in a roadside blast in Sheedano Dhand area of lower Kurram Agency.

11 persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Two Karachi Metropolitan Corporation city wardens were killed and another was injured in an attack near the Matric Board office in North Nazimabad.

A trader, identified as Maulana Zafar (50), was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Kareem Centre in Preedy area.

Sub-Inspector Manzoor Elahi (45) was shot dead on Mauripur Road, near Shenwari Hotel in Kalri area.

An activist of a Sindhi nationalist party, identified as Abdul Hameed alias Sindhi Baba (50), was killed near Mudassir Masjid in Mehran town of Korangi Industrial area.

A Hindu man, identified as Mohan Lal (25), was shot dead at Sariya Gali in Napier area.

An estate agent, identified as Mohammad Saleem (35), was shot dead in Haryana Colony.

A tabla player, identified as Mohammad Ramzan (28), was shot dead in the UP Morr area of New Karachi.

A watchman, identified as Sher Khan, was shot dead outside a house opposite Disco Bakery in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. One of his attackers was also killed in the incident.

A person, identified as Kamran Hussain, a member of the Shia community, was shot dead in a sectarian attack outside Ayaz Medical Store at Phool Gali of Rizvia area.

Rangers arrested 36 suspected terrorists belonging to banned outfits and recovered weapons and explosives in three raids from Machar Colony of Sohrab Goth area. Seventy-four weapons of different calibres, including LMGs, Kalashnikovs, grenades, launchers, repeaters, shotguns, rockets and improvised explosive devices were seized.

JI Gujranwala District ‘chief’ Bilal Qudrat Butt was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on his car at Qila Didar Singh town of Gujranwala District.

RPO Ghulam Rasool Zahid denied Rahim Yar Khan District is the headquarters of the TTP as claimed by former interior minister Rehman Malik.

“Terrorism is my only worry which can disturb smooth run-up to the general elections,” Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi said. Adding that otherwise things were very much under control.

One civilian killed and eight others including students injured when an unidentified motorcyclist hurled a hand grenade and resorted to firing at a school in Ittehad Town of Karachi (Karachi), the provincial capital of Sindh.

The dead bodies of three persons, who were abducted last week, were found in the limits of Doaba Police Station in Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Two persons killed and seven others were injured, among them an election candidate, in a bomb attack on a motorcade in the Janikhel area of Bannu District. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. Calling from an undisclosed location, TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told journalists that Mr Wazir was attacked because he was part of the ANP Government for five years. The TTP threatened more attacks against the ANP. “We are against ANP. We have directed our associates in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to target ANP election rallies and all its leaders,” Ehsan said.

A Policeman, identified as Havaldar Mahmoodul Hassan, was injured when unidentified assailants attacked a Police patrolling party in Jungle Khel area of Kohat District.

Unidentified militants targeted a Government-run girl’s school in Bannu city with explosives, however no causality was reported.

A man sustained injuries when a hand grenade went off in Amandarra area in Malakand Agency of FATA.

Two FC personnel were injured, when a remote-controlled bomb planted in Qambrani road of Sariab area of Quetta (Quetta), the provincial capital of Balochistan went off.

Unidentified assailants abducted a man, identified as Haji Sultan from Girdi Jungal area of Chaghai District.

The SIU of Police killed three suspected abductors in an encounter near Northern Bypass area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two Kalashnikovs, two hand grenades and a pistol were recovered from their possession, Police claimed.

Sindh Rangers arrested 25 suspects including an electrician of Nawa-e-Waqt group, Muhammad Rehan during a targeted raid in Rangar Mohalla in Baldia town. According to Rangers spokesman, about 60 weapons of different calibers including sub machineguns, MP-5 and large quantity of ammunition were also recovered.

BNP President Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal expressed his deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan, pointing out that political workers were being killed ruthlessly to keep them out of campaigning.

A Pakistani Anti-Terrorism Court conducting the trial of seven men charged with involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, issued summons to six witnesses for selling a boat and other equipment to the accused.

The Lahore High Court has been told by a senior law officer not to rule in favour of giving official legal assistance to JuD and LeT founder Hafiz Saeed in a case filed against him in the US, as doing so would strengthen the hand of the Indian Government.

Five NATO containers were set ablaze on the National Highway near Kambari bridge area of Bolan District. Bolan Deputy Commissioner Sayeed Waheed Shah said that a convoy of 40 NATO containers was en route to Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh from Chaman area of Qilla Abdullah District when unidentified assailants on two motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire on it.

The Anti Extremism Cell of CID Police arrested four militants of a TTP and recovered a huge cache of ammunition and a list of political leaders, who were their potential targets in Hijrat Colony area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Meanwhile, a large number of people belonging to the Shia community took to the streets and blocked main Numaish Chowrangi, bemoaning that Police and SFs detained their supporters during the last few days and shifted them to undisclosed locations. The protest was organised by APSAC.

The latest Pakistan-Afghanistan cross-border shelling incidents and continuing Afghan Taliban infiltration dominated the meeting between Army 'chief' Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and the new commander of the ISAF, Gen Joseph Dunford as the two commanders' explored ways to strengthen their border coordination mechanisms.

'Chief' of APML, retired general Pervez Musharraf, expressed his desire that the elections should be held under the supervision of army. The former president said he had been facing serious threats, but at the same time expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the caretaker Government for his security.

Around 43,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Maidan area of Tirah valley of Khyber Agency of FATA over the past two weeks because of escalation of hostilities between militant groups in the tribal region, the UN Office for OCHA said. According to figures released by the FDMA, around 10 per cent of the IDPs have taken refuge in Kurram Agency and the rest in Hangu, Kohat, Nowshera and Peshawar Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Five WAPDA employees, including a SDO, and three community Police personnel were found dead in fields near Sheikh Muhammadi area in Badhaber, a suburb of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after a militant attack on a grid station. During the attack, the militants fired seven rockets at a 500 kilowatt grid station in Sheikh Muhammadi, causing it to catch fire. An official of the BDS, Abdul Haq, said 14 bombs of five kilograms each had been planted to blow up the offices and the grid station. "Thirteen bombs exploded while one was defused by the bomb disposal unit," he said.

Unidentified assailants killed a man, Syed Zulqarnain Haider (24), on Daora Road under Pando Police Station.

One Laiq Hussain of Parachinar (Kurram Agency of FATA) escaped unhurt when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on his car near Motorway Bridge.

Unidentified militants blew up a cellular phone company tower with explosives in Darsamand area of Hangu District.

Security Forces arrested a militant, known for his expertise in making of IED, along with his few other accomplices from Samanth area located east of Michni in Peshawar.

Six persons, including one PPP election candidate, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

The first casualty of the upcoming elections, a covering candidate of the PPP on the PS-95 of Orangi town seat, identified as Adnan Qualeti (28) was shot dead in a targeted attack near Qatar Masjid in Orangi town.

An MQM activist, Asif Ansari (32) was shot dead while his colleague was injured at a barber shop on Jinnah Road of Pak Colony.

An MQM activist, identified as Abdul Hafeez, was shot dead in Sector 7C of Orangi town.

A Shia, identified as Syed Ashraf Hussain Zaidi (59), was shot dead at his general store in Malir area.

A contractor, Arshad Mehmood, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Padar Ground in Keamari area.

An unidentified person was shot dead near Bantwa Gali on Lea Market Road.

Sindh Rangers continued their operation against militants in different parts of the Karachi and arrested 12 suspects during door-to-door search operation. As many as 12 suspects were arrested from Noorani Basti while arms were also recovered from their possession, the sources said. Similarly, Rangers also arrested 12 suspected people from Qasba Colony and its adjoining areas.

Levies Force arrested 31 illegal Afghan immigrants, including 11 women and four children, in Chaman border of Qilla Abdullah District.

Some of the political parties, like the ANP and PPP-P, are finding it hard to hold big gatherings for electioneering in FATA due to serious threats. These parties are even unable to held corner meetings due to strong hold of non-state actors in FATA.

At least five persons, including four paramilitary soldiers and a local leader of ANP, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Four paramilitary soldiers were killed and three others were injured in a bomb blast near paramilitary complex of Korangi area. The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A local leader of the ANP, identified as Barkat Ali, was killed by unidentified assailants in Pirabad area of Orangi town.

The CID of Police arrested two suspected cadres of LeJ and recovered a bomb, 10kg explosives material, hand grenades, two TT pistol and five detonators and arms during a search operation at Noor Garden, Sector-D area of Surjani town.

IGP Sindh, Shahid Nadeem Baloch has claimed there was no 'no-go area' in the city, regardless of his admission that Police had been facing resistance in some areas during search operations. The IGP said there were few areas where police were facing resistance, but he hoped those areas would be cleared soon.

After the Supreme Court concluded hearing of suo motu notice of March 9, 2013, Lahore Badami Bagh mob attack, at least five persons were injured in a fresh Muslim-Christian clash in Francisi Colony of Gujranwala city of same District.

Former AG Balochistan, Salahuddin Mengal, was abducted from the remit of Sariab Police Station of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Caretaker Interior Minister Malik Habib said that Balochistan was top priority and that army should be deployed in areas inhabited by the Hazara community. "Good officers should be deployed. I have heard that some upright officers were sidelined and I am looking into this", he added.

Secretary General, JI, Liaqat Baloch demands for an immediate end to the military operations in tribal areas to enable the tribal people exercise their right of vote in a free and peaceful atmosphere.

According to a survey by the British Council a majority of respondents - 38 percent - said Islamic Sharia would be the best system for Pakistan while 32 percent backed military rule and only 29 percent favoured democracy.

Eight militants were killed when Army fighter jets bombed suspected militant positions in the Kotkhel area of Orakzai Agency in FATA.

Three militants were killed and some of their hideouts destroyed when fighter jets bombed their positions in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency. Sources said air sorties were conducted at the Ghaibi Neeka area of Sipah and the Nakai area of Malikdinkhel which targeted hideouts of the TTP and LI. Two LI cadres and one TTP cadre were killed in the bombing.

Four militants were killed and five others sustained injuries when militants across the border attacked Bhittai checkpost in Shabak area of Alizai sector in Kurram Agency. Two soldiers were also injured in the attack.

One person was killed and four others were injured in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

An unidentified person was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Bakhtawar Park in Lyari area.

Four persons, including an activist of MQM, were injured in a firing incident at a Machinery Shop near KMC workshop of Ranchore line.

SIU arrested two militants for their alleged involvement in abducting for ransom. The Police also recovered cash and two TT pistols from them.

Rejecting the report of the Sindh Police and Rangers, the Supreme Court has directed that no-go areas in the Karachi should be eliminated within seven days. A five-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry gave the direction during hearing of the Karachi law and order case.

An excise inspector, identified as Barkat Ali, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Killi Qambrani area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

The Governor Shaukatullah Khan said the Government had not contacted militants for holding peaceful elections in FATA. Speaking at a grand jirga (tribal council) during a visit to the Landikotal tehsil of Khyber Agency, he said the Government would utilize all resources to conduct free and fair elections in the tribal region. "There have been no talks with the TTP for elections in the tribal areas," Shaukatullah said. However, he said the Government would welcome any steps taken by tribal jirga for restoration of peace in the FATA.

COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Quetta and held meetings with Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Caretaker Chief Minister Nawab Ghous Baksh Barozai. The security situation and smooth conduct of the upcoming General Elections were discussed in the meetings. General Kayani emphasised the need for participation by all political parties in the May elections. Amidst growing criticism of the role of the military and security agencies in Balochistan, General Kayani said his force will "fully back" any solution to the problems of the restive province that are within the country's constitution. "The army will fully back any solution under the constitution of Pakistan," he added.

A total of 2,050 persons were killed and another 3,822 were injured in over 1,500 terrorist attacks across Pakistan in 2012, according to a report issued by HRCP. According to the report, over 100 Shia Hazaras were killed in Balochistan province alone during 2012. At least 2,284 persons died in ethnic, sectarian and political violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh during the period.

At least 14 militants, four soldiers and three pro-government volunteers were killed in clashes ensued after the Security Forces launched search operation against the LI in Akkakhel area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. Similarly, backed by the TI, a group of pro-government local militia, the SFs moved from Sheenkamer and Sorghar area, populated by Zakhakhel Afridi tribe, into Akkakhel area where they exchanged heavy fire with the fighters of LI.

Five persons, including an activist of MQM were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

An activist of MQM, identified as Mohammad Dilawar Khan (35) alias Khan Sahab, was shot dead in Gabol colony of Orangi town.

A person, identified as Shahid (22), was shot dead in Bismillah Colony of Mawach Goth area within the precincts of Mochko Police Station.

Dead bodies of a man and a woman were found near from Edhi graveyard within the remits of Mawach Goth Police Station.

A TTP militant, identified as Naimatullah Mehsud, was killed in a shootout with Rangers in the Lasi Goth of Sohrab Goth area.

Police and Rangers arrested at least 78 suspects along with a huge cache of arms in different targeted raids in the Karachi.

Rangers managed to detain at least 23 suspects, including members of banned outfits, and recovered a large amount of weapons from their possession. At least 500 Rangers personnel participated in the operation.

In Chanesar Goth area of Quaidabad, Rangers arrested at least 18 suspects and recovered three TT pistols from their possession.

At least 55 suspects were taken into custody by the Police during targeted operations in Sikander Goth area of Sacchal and Chanisar Goth area of Mehmodabad.

One person was killed and four others including three minors were injured when three mortar rounds fired from unknown direction, landed in phase-VI Hayatabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified militants targeted a Police van with a remote-controlled device in the Ghaziabad area of Kohat town in same District but failed to inflict any causality.

A shopkeeper sustained injuries when an IED planted by unidentified militants near a mobile-phone shop went off in the limits of Ghauriwala Police Station in Bannu District.

No casualty was reported as two bombs went off near a Police checkpost in Matani and another in Khazana area of Peshawar. There was no casualty was the policemen had not yet arrived at the spot for duty.

The CoAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani met with the CEC Justice (retired) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim. According to a press release issued by ECP, the two discussed security arrangements pertaining to the general elections. During the meeting in Islamabad, General Kayani assured the CEC that the Army fully supported the efforts being made by the election commission to hold free, fair and credible elections in the country and that all possible assistance will be extended to create an environment conducive to achieve this objective.

The Mullah Nazir faction of TTP assured aspiring candidates that the insurgents would not interfere with the election process in the South Waziristan Agency of FATA. The assurance was made by Mullah Nazir Group 'chief' Salahuddin Ayubi, locally known as Bahawal Khan, in a meeting with over 50 candidates contesting NA-41 (Tribal Area-VI, South Waziristan) or their representatives in Wana, the main town in South Waziristan Agency.

Though he assured the candidates that his group would not interfere in the voting process, he attached some stringent conditions for trouble-free balloting in the constituency. Firstly, the candidates will have to stage public rallies in an open place outside Rustam Bazaar, the main market in the area, due to security concerns. Secondly, candidates with no popular vote bank should better not contest the elections. Thirdly, the candidates have to avoid indecent criticism of their rivals in their speeches. Fourthly, the candidates of three parties - PPP, MQM and ANP - were told about the security threats they might face in the region.

For the second time in six months, the US has issued a waiver for sale of major defence equipment to Pakistan likely to be worth USD 2 billion, citing national security interests. The waiver issued by the then Deputy Secretary of States, Thomas Nides, on February 15 would pave the way for some major defence equipment sales to Pakistan.

KP authorities have declared 1,913 polling stations "more sensitive" and 3,213 polling stations "sensitive," Voters will use the polling stations in the May 11 General Election.

While the secular ANP and a number of religious parties seem set to vie for Pakhtun votes in Karachi (Karachi), the provincial capital of Sindh in the upcoming elections, the balance seems to be tilted in favour of the Fazlur Rehman-led JUI-F, which adheres to the puritan Deoband school of thought, analysts say. Former governor Sindh Lt Gen (retd) Moinuddin Haider is of the view that the election prospects of the Pakhtun nationalist ANP appear bleak in Karachi as its workers and leaders remain on the hit-list of the TTP, who adheres to the Deoband school of thought. The TTP and other militant groups have expanded their network in Karachi, especially in the Pashtun-dominated suburban neighborhoods, and have forced the ANP to wind up their operations.

A hand grenade was lobbed at the office of the EC in Nushki District of Balochistan. However, no casualty was reported in the attack.

Personnel of the law enforcing agencies arrested at least 14 suspects during different targeted operations in Karachi (Provincial capital of Sindh. Ranger's officials apprehended at least nine suspects, including an extortionist and drug peddlers in Sheerin Jinnah Colony. Rangers' spokesman said that they also recovered weapons of 14 different types of calibers.

CID arrested three suspects Naimat, Saeed and Mohammad Umar and recovered 3 TT pistols during targeted raids in Machar Colony and Sohrab Goth.

Similarly, SIU detained two suspects Zubair and Rasheed and recovered 2 TT pistols from their possession during targeted operations in Maripur.

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of seven men charged with involvement in the 26/ 11 Mumbai attacks issued summons to a senior investigator even as six prosecution witnesses failed to appear before the judge. Prosecutors described Hussain as an "important witness" in the case against the seven accused, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

Ten militants were killed and five soldiers injured during the clashes between SFs and LI militant in remote areas of Akkakhel in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.

Seven militants were killed when SFs targeted their hideouts with gunship helicopters in Gowak and Mithari areas of Orakzai Agency.

Two tribesmen were killed when their motorcycle struck against a landmine planted along a road in Mir Ali subdivision of North Waziristan Agency.

The business centres remained closed and traffic was off the roads owing to imposition of curfew in North Waziristan Agency. The local people said that the curfew was imposed after an attack on Esha checkpost.

Elsewhere, the SFs repulsed an attack by militants at Nargas checkpost in the outskirts of Bara town. Officials said that militants used rocket launchers, but no one was hurt in the attack.

Eight persons, including a Shia community member, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Syed Jaffar Zaidi (40), a businessman and a Shia community member, was killed in Lane 7 of Muhammad Mustafa Colony.

A person, identified as Jawed (25), was killed by unidentified assailants in Sector 11E of Orangi town.

Rehman Elahi (45), a labourer, was killed by unidentified assailants in New Sabzi Mandi area of the Sohrab Goth Police Station.

Sajjad (20), a private company's employee, was killed in Hashim Goth of Sharafi Goth Police Station.

Samad Khan (30) was killed in FBR Colony of the Peerabad Police Station.

A suspected militant was killed while another militant was arrested after an encounter with the Gulshan-e-Maymar Police.

A dead body of a man was found from near New Sabzi Mandi, Super Highway within the premises of Sohrab Goth police station. Police officials said that victim was identified as Abdul Rehman (45), a resident of Janjal Goth.

A dead body of a man was found from bushes near northern bypass. Police officials said victim could not be identified as yet.

The CID arrested two militants during a targeted raid in Kalakot, Lyari, who were allegedly involved in the Lyari gang war speaking at a press conference, SSP CID Fayaz Khan said his team conducted a raid on a tip-off and arrested two suspects Ghulam Haider alias Haidry and Ghulam Mustafa alias Gullu and also recovered rocket launcher, two kalashankovs, a TT pistol and other arms from their possession.

Unidentified militants blown up an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline in Naseerabad District of Balochistan.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the President of the BNP, on April 7 said, in a huge party gathering at the Hockey Stadium of Pakistan Railways adjacent to the Governor's House and the Civil Secretariat in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan after returning from his four-year-long self-imposed exile, "the huge gathering spoke volumes about the defeat of the enemy who had been using ruthless power to subdue the Baloch." "BNP is very much present on the ground and it had emerged stronger during these days. No power on earth can wipe out the BNP from politics," he added. He disclosed that intruders were sent in the party by the Establishment in order to destroy the BNP but they failed. "We had not seen any form of development in Balochistan during the so-called democratic Government.

A compact disc shop was blown up in the main bazaar of Hangu town in the same District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, no human loss was reported in the blast.

Meanwhile, four PESCO employees were safely recovered after they were abducted by the militants on Shiekh Muhammadi Grid Station in Peshawar few days ago on April 2.

The TTP described democracy as a "system of the infidels" and said it was striving for the establishment of Shariah in the country. "Democracy is the system of the infidels. We want the enforcement of Shariah in Pakistan and the Islamic countries," TTP 'chief' Hakimullah Mehsud said in his latest videotape. He said the TTP didn't believe in democracy and wanted the establishment of Shariah. "If we believed in democracy, we would enter the political arena," he remarked. The TTP chief believed the "infidels" wanted to divide the Muslims in the name of democracy. "We want the implementation of Shariah, which can only be enforced through waging Jihad. A time will come that the Muslims will establish Caliphate on the surface of earth," he said.

While US Navy seals in 2011 killed most-wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in an operation led by its external intelligence agency CIA, it has spared Islamabad-sponsored terrorist camps that wage war against India. US media on Sunday reported that Pakistan's ISI and CIA made a secret pact to facilitate drone strikes against selective terrorist targets. Citing excerpts of a soon-to-be released book, American media said Pakistan gave access to US drone strikes on condition they would not target nuclear facilities and terrorist camps where Kashmiri militants underwent training for attacks against India.

Thirteen soldiers and an unspecified number of militants were killed during heavy fighting between troops and militants at a flashpoint near the Afghan border in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. The clashes signalled a fresh military push in the Tirah valley, where the military has been targeting TTP and LI. 

Security sources said that at least 30 soldiers and nearly 100 militants have been killed in fierce fighting over the past four days following a ground offensive launched by the Army. The officials claimed that the Army has successfully seized control of a large portion of the valley from the TTP and their ally, LI. The claims could not be independently verified. 

Security Forces claimed to have killed eight militants and five others were injured in shelling through gunship helicopters in Gorak area of Orakzai Agency.

A DSP, identified as Amir Mohammad Dashti, was shot dead along with his official guard in targeted killing near Golimar chowk on main Sabzal road of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Four persons were injured in a bomb blast near an office of the NADRA in Kharan District.

Security Forces allegedly abducted another seven innocent Baloch people including five activists of BRP from different areas of Balochistan.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, ‘chief’ of the BNP-M, has urged the chief election commissioner to take notice of threats faced by his party’s workers in various areas of the province and said their free movement is necessary for transparent polls.

A dead body was found in the bushes near Muraqba Hall of the Surjani town in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

IED planted in a rickshaw was defused by the BDU near Do Minute Chowrangi of North Karachi area.

LEA arrested at least 86 suspects in different targeted raids and operations across city.

Rangers’ officials said around 20 were nabbed during a raid in Nistherabad area of Model colony. According to Rangers spokesman, 40 weapons of different types were also recovered. While in another raid by Rangers, around five suspects were arrested during a targeted operation in Quaid-e-Azam Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, and North Karachi area.

West Zone Police arrested 39 suspects during targeted raids in different parts of Karachi. According to police officials, 1600grams drugs, 285grams heroine, cash, mobile phones and other looted valuables were recovered.

ACLC arrested at least 22 suspects and recovered 14 motorcycles and two TT pistols from their possession.

A powerful blast has been reported outside the residence of former senator Nasir Khan Afridi in Hayatabad Phase-II area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Rockets fired by unidentified militants hit the house of Raz Gul in Saeedabad area. Sources said that a rocket landed in a graveyard while another hit an open plot.

The military authorities said that they had launched a major military operation against the militants in the remote Tirah Valley of the Khyber Agency in FATA in which 110 militants and 23 soldiers had been killed.

A ten-year-old boy was critically injured when he picked up a toy bomb in Alamgudar area of Bara tehsil.

House of a local resident in Shalobar area was badly damaged when a stray mortar fell on the house. Sources said the mortar fired by unidentified men landed at the house of Haji Mohammad Salim, general secretary of Khyber Union, a local political organisation.

Mangal Bagh, the ‘chief’ of LI has become supreme leader of both the LI and TTP for the Khyber Agency. “The decision to elevate Mangal Bagh to the status of supreme commander for Khyber Agency was taken at a joint Shura (council) of TTP and LI ‘commanders’,” highly placed Government officials said.

SHO of the Preedy Police Station, identified as Agha Asadullah (37), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Murshid Bazaar of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. 

A head constable of the AEC of the CID was injured in the Gulbahar area.

LEA arrested 57 suspects during different targeted raids in the Karachi. According to details, Rangers conducted the targeted operation in different areas including Sherpao Colony, Patel Para, Jehangir Road and Baloch Para in which 24 people were arrested and arms and ammunitions also recovered from their possession.

Police officials said they arrested 33 suspects in targeted operations in Patel Para and Jahangir Road, Baloch Para. The women wing of Police also participated in the operation.

Suspected militants fired seven mortar shells from the FATA area on Hayatabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, injuring 22 people and damaging several houses and vehicles.

A CD centre and two nearby shops were damaged in the busy Mian Iqbal Chowk (Stadium Chowk) in cantonment area. Police said unidentified militants had planted explosives with the CD shop owned by one Khairullah that went off at around 5:30 am.

LeT, which was responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attack and other high-profile terrorist attacks in India over the past several years, remains one of the most potent terror group in South Asia, Admiral Samuel Locklear, the commander of the US Pacific Command, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing. “LeT remains one, if not the most operationally capable terrorist groups through all of South Asia," Admiral Samuel Locklear said.

Nine militants were killed and two security personnel injured in a gunbattle in Kago Qamar village of Dabori area in Orakzai Agency in FATA. Sources said a group of militants launched a two-pronged attack on a security post in Kago Qamar village.

Six persons, including two Policemen and PPP activist, killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Constables Zahid Ahmed and Khalid Mehmood were shot dead by unidentified assailants near Shershah Chowk of SITE-B Police Precincts.

Two persons, identified as Hassan (20) and Saeed (22), were shot dead in Korangi area.

An activist of PPP Shoaib (32) was shot dead by two unidentified assailants in Yousuf Goth of Surjani town.

A property dealer, Sheikh Rasheed (40), was shot dead in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.

Crime Investigation Department’s counter-terrorism unit arrested a commander of the banned TTP and recovered a huge cache of weapons during a raid in Sohrab Goth.

The ongoing drive against criminals and terrorists in the Karachi has revealed the sense of inadequacy among LEAs, who are eradicating roadside barriers from lanes and localities in different areas and keeping Police Stations and Rangers headquarters under strict security vigilance.

Law enforcers claimed to have detained around 368 criminals in last seven days, but fail to stop the killing, robberies, extortion and other criminal activities so far.

Two children were killed in a grenade attack in the coastal township of Pasni in Gwadar District. No group had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, an 18-inch-diametre gas pipeline was blown up in the Sui area of Dera Bugti District.

A Policeman was shot dead and another was injured while escorting a polio vaccination team in Mosam Koruna area in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The polio campaigner remained safe in the attack, according to the Police.

Police recovered two bodies from Agra road in Shabqadar area under Prang Police Station of Charsadda District.

19 persons, including nine soldiers, seven militants and two volunteers of TI, a pro-Government armed group, were killed during heavy fighting between troops and militants at a flashpoint near the Afghan border in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in FATA.Sources said that SFs and volunteers of TI, moved forward into Sipah area and took control of LI strongholds of Sandana and Sheikhmal Khel after heavy fighting which left nine soldiers and seven militants dead. Twelve militants were injured.

A person, identified as Haris Khan was killed in a landmine blast in Manatu area of central Kurram Agency.

12 persons, including an MQM candidate for the National Assembly and the Sindh Assembly, killed in separate incidents in Sindh.

Two unidentified assailants shot dead Fakhrul Islam (46), an MQM candidate for NA-221 and PS-47 in Hyderabad city (Hyderabad District). The TTP claimed responsibility for Fakhrul Islam’s murder.

Three city wardens were killed in targeted attacked in Soldier Bazar of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Two persons were shot dead in Khamiso Goth area of Basheer Chowk within the precincts of New Karachi Industrial area Police Station.

A person was shot dead at Super Highway within the limits of Sohrab Goth Police Station.

A person identified as Akram (30), was killed within the premises of Mominabad Police Station.

An activist of MQM, identified as Sheraz (38), was shot dead and another was injured by unidentified assailants near Piyala Hotel within the remits of Gulberg Police Station.

A dead body was found in a gunny bag within the jurisdiction of Kharadar Police Station. Another dead body of a person was found from Nusrat Bhutto Colony.

A person, identified as Farooq Shah was found dead near Shah Faisal within the limits of Awami Colony Police Station.

LEAs arrested around 37 militants in different targeted raids and operations in the Karachi. According to details, Rangers claimed the arrest of 15 suspects during targeted operation in different parts of the city including Lyari, Rabia City, Mashki Para, Mangopir, PNT Colony and Block-9, Clifton. Rangers’ spokesman said weapons of 13 different types were also recovered from their possession.

CID claimed to have captured two suspects, Abdul Majeed and Gulzar Ali, and recovered two TT pistols from their custody. CID officials said during an initial course of investigation the suspects confessed collecting extortion money from around 50 people.

Police claimed to have arrested around 18 suspects in targeted operation in Itehad town area of Baldia Town. Police officials said they recovered a pressure cooker bomb, four bombs concealed in a tennis ball and eight TT pistols from their possession.

Risala police also claimed arresting a suspect, Faisal alias Taya, and recovered a TT pistol and extortion slip from his custody. Aram Bagh Police also arrested a miscreant involved in extortion collection. Police officials said the suspect had been threatening a trader for three days for want of extortion money.

Unidentified militants shot dead a Policeman and injured his colleague in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A leader of ANP and former provincial minister Arbab Ayub Jan escaped a bomb attack, however, three persons sustained injuries in the blast in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Meanwhile, a blast in Matani hospital on the suburbs of Peshawar caused panic among the people of the area. A Police source said that the blast damaged windowpanes and walls of the hospital; however, it didn’t cause any loss of life.

The US assistance to Pakistan has helped in reducing the conditions that foment extremism in the country, US secretary of state John Kerry said."Our economic and military assistance to Pakistan helps reduce the conditions that enable extremism and its calling card - terrorism - to disrupt and destroy," said John Kerry in an eight-page budget letter to the US Congress.

Three persons, including a Policeman, were killed and three Policemen received bullet injuries in an encounter at Shagai Road in the limits of Cantonment Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Three persons, including a woman, were shot dead and four others sustained injuries at Shifa Market in Thall tehsil of Hangu District.

ANP candidates Rehmanullah and his son Ameer Rehman survived attempt on life while a party worker was injured in a grenade attack on them at Shewa graveyard in Sheikh Jana area of Swabi District.

Four persons, who hired a taxi for Peshawar, were abducted and their vehicle found abandoned near Lado Ustarzai in Kohat District.

Four persons, including an ANP activist, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

An ANP activist, identified as Bismillah Jan (50), was killed by unidentified assailants near Jamshed Petrol Pump in MPR Colony of Peerabad area.

A person, identified as Rashid (20), was killed and two others were injured by unidentified assailants in Pipri Sindh Goth of Bin Qasim area.

A Shia scholar, Allama Ghazanfar Ali (70), was shot dead in Turi Bangash Colony of Nazimabad.

A person, identified as Habibullah (30), was shot dead in Gulshan-e-Ameen area within the limits of Sohrab Goth Police Station.

A Police officer was arrested over his links to banned militant outfits. The officials of his own cell arrested Rana Ishrat, who was posted to one of the specialised unit of the Sindh Police, Anti Violent Crime Cell (AVCC). According to sources in AVCC, it was first revealed when the officials of the intelligence agency informed AVCC officials about the involvement of the accused in the target killing of his colleague, ASI Faiz Mohammad who was shot dead in an act of target killing in SITE area on January 1, 2013.

Master mind of March 3, 2013, Abbas Town blast was among the four alleged militants of TTP arrested by CID during targeted raids at Kati Pahari and Sultanabad area.

A bomb weighing one-and-a -half kilogrammes was found near a mosque in the Garden area. A team of the BDS rushed to the spot upon receiving information and successfully defused it. The bomb was planted in a cycle parked outside the mosque.

LEAs carry out search and detention operation to arrest 101 suspects in different targeted raids conducted in various parts of the Karachi.

According to surfaced details, rangers claim to arrest around 35 suspects during separate targeted raids. About five suspects were taken into custody during operation conducted in old city area.

CID claims to have detained two suspects Ayaz and Arsalan and recovered 2 TT pistol and a hand grenade from their custody during targeted operation in Old Sabzi Mandi area.

West zone Police claimed to have arrested at least 64 suspects in different targeted operations in various parts of the Karachi.

An official of the Balochistan Constabulary was shot dead in Sariab Road area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

The house of a local candidate of the ANP, Munaf Afridi, was attacked in a remote area of Khyber Agency that borders Afghanistan, in FATA. However, there was no casualty reported.

After two attacks on election candidates in KP and assassination of a contestant in Hyderabad, Sindh, contenders would now be allowed to keep five civilian bodyguards with licensed arms during the polls campaign.

Former Federal Minister and ANP leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour called on the election commission to provide security to ANP leaders receiving death threats in KP. Addressing reporters at the press club, he said the KP’s caretaker Government has provided very basic security to leaders of the ANP, and said these ordinary arrangements are not enough to avoid potential attacks. According to Bilour, it is unfair that former President General Pervez Musharraf was provided with adequate security by the caretaker Government upon his arrival in Pakistan, whereas democratic leaders are left at the mercy of God.

The Government has established the NACTA, a dedicated body mandated to create state policies on countering terrorism."The authority would be an independent body answerable directly to the Prime Minister," the Federal Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

A total of 10,082 youth from Balochistan have joined the Pakistan Army as officers and soldiers during the last three years, authoritative sources have revealed. COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had allotted 10,000 vacancies for the youth of Balochistan in the army during the years 2009-2011 and announced an additional 5,000 vacancies for 2012

The TTP announced supporting the anti-polio drives on a condition that such campaigns were not used by the United States as a cover for espionage. The TTP militants also placed the condition that their apprehensions about the vaccination campaigns being ‘un-Islamic’ be removed.

Referring to the Abbottabad incident which led to the capture of Osama bin Laden, Ehsan said vaccination drives were being used by the CIA to hunt down its ‘Mujahideen’ (freedom fighters). “Our opposition and suspicion to the vaccination drives has been increased manifold after the Abbottabad incident,” he said. He further denied any involvement in previous attacks on polio workers.

In an interview this week in Islamabad (Federal capital of Pakistan), CNN said former President General Pervez Musharraf insisted Pakistan’s Government signed off on strikes “only on a few occasions, when a target was absolutely isolated and no chance of collateral damage”, Still, his admission that Pakistani leaders agreed to even a limited number of strikes runs counter to their repeated denunciations of a programme they long claimed the United States was operating without their approval.

Nine persons were killed in a bomb blast in a bus passing through the Matani area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

SFs have killed seven militants in the ongoing military operation in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in the FATA. Two important hideouts of militants have been busted and areas of Kata Kanrai and Sniper Morcha in Sipah area have also been captured.

Four militants were killed by a US drone strike in the Manzarkhel area of Dattakhel town, 35 kilometres west of Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

The driver of a NATO container was killed and his assistant received injuries in an attack near Teddi Bazaar in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency.

Three persons, including a retired employee of the District Government, his son and a servant were killed by unidentified assailants in Goth Shadi Khan locality of Bala Narri area of Bolan District. 

A bomb fitted on a motorbike was recovered near checkpost in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area of Chaman town of Qilla Abdullah District. BDS personnel defused them.

BRP and Baloch Republican Student Organisation held a rally in Quetta Press Club (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan, asking the Baloch people to boycott the elections.

Two persons, including TTP militant killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A person, identified as Karam Ilahi (35), was shot dead in New Karachi area within the limits of New Karachi Industrial area Police Station. Police said that the victim was a rickshaw driver and a Police informer.

An alleged mastermind behind the March 3, 2013, Abbas town bomb blast, who was already in CID custody, was killed in a Police shootout with militants in Surjani area. According to CID officials, Aslam Mehsud was killed in a shootout while the officials were carrying out a targeted operation in the location identified by the detainee.

Two persons and a child were injured in a firing incident at Bagh-e-Hilara area. Police said that unidentified militants shot at the funeral procession of Babar Qadri, affiliated with ST.

A village defence committee member and local Awami National Party leader, Mukarram Shah, was killed in a remote-controlled roadside blast in the Manglawar area of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. TTP claimed the responsibility for the attack. In telephone calls to media offices, TTP ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said his men had carried out the attack. He gave no reason for this killing.

Syed Masoom Shah, ANP candidate for PK-21 in Charsadda Town of the same District, received minor injuries while three others received injuries in a bomb attack in Katozai area of Shabqadar. According to details, a convoy of Masoom Shah was passing through Katozai area of Shabqadar when the attack was carried out. The driver of the vehicle was also injured in the incident. Police said that Masoom Shah was going home after attending a public meeting in Katozai village.

Security Forces foiled terror attempts by recovering two bombs, planted inside two separate motorbikes, in Bannu town of same District.

BDS personnel averted a possible terrorism bid by defusing a bomb planted in the under-construction house of Muhmmad Naeem Khan, the candidate of PPP for NA-13, in Swabi Town of same District.

Nine militants and a soldier were killed in a clash between the SFs and militants in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in the FATA.

A member of the TI, also known as Zakhakhel tribal lashkar (militia), was killed in a bomb explosion inside a bunker in Dari area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency.

A mortar shell fired from unknown location fell on a cloth making factory in Alamgudar area of the Bara tehsil.

Unidentified assailants killed two political activists and injured three others on Rampur Road in the Paharpur town of Dera Ismail Khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A bomb blast killed a local leader of ANP in the village of Banjot in Swat District, the fourth such attack targeting members of secular-learning parties during their campaigns for next month's parliamentary election.

The residence of a woman civil judge was partially damaged in a blast in Shabqadar area in Charsadda District. However, no casualty was reported.

Police along with the BDS thwarted a terrorist bid by defusing two high-intensity bombs in the limits of Hawaid Police Station in Bannu District.

Two persons, including a Policeman, were killed and two others were injured in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

An ASI, identified as Syed Murtaza Hussain (40), was shot dead in a targeted attack at Shamsi area within the jurisdiction of Pakistan Bazaar Police Station. Police said the victim belonged to Shia community.

A man affiliated with special branch of Police was injured in an attack by unidentified assailants near Block-J of North Nazimabad area within the remits of North Nazimabad Police Station.

A traffic sergeant, identified as Ghulam Mustafa, was injured by unidentified assailants at traffic Police post within the limits of Surjani town Police Station. 

A dead body was found near the airport area.

One person, identified as Abdul Ahad, was injured by unidentified assailants in the Gari Nadi area of Turbat District.

A delegation of Afghanistan Army officials, headed by Afghan National Army DGMO Major General Afzal Aman visited the General Headquarters and met Pakistan Army DGMO Major General Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmed for talks on border coordination with Pakistani officers. According to an ISPR press release, all ongoing cross-border coordination issues, including the border post construction in Mohmand Agency, were discussed and amicably resolved.

Pakistani officials, human rights activists and parents condemned the militants' tactic of "hiring" poor children to transport explosives, conduct acts of terrorism and even carry out bombings. This effort to "paralyse the nation" by targeting the upcoming generation of Pakistanis must stop, they said.

Eleven militants and a soldier were killed in clashes at Kago Kamar locality of Dabori area in Orakzai Agency of FATA.

Nine soldiers were killed and eight others injured in a suicide attack on a military vehicle and nearby roadside checkpoint in the Saidgai area of North Waziristan Agency.

Six militants were killed and five others received injuries during a clash with SFs when dozens of militants attacked the Shan Khel Kore checkpost near Mohammad Ali Chowk in Akkakhel of Khyber Agency.

A minor girl was injured when a mortar shell fell on a house in Sanzal Khel area of Akkakhel.

Thousands of persons fled the Akkakhel area and shifted to different localities of Peshawar after receiving threats from banned militant group LI of Khyber Agency.

16 persons, including SHO, were killed and more than 35 were injured when a suicide bomber targeted the senior ANP leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and his nephew Haroon Bilour in Mundabheri area of Yakatut in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

Two militants were killed and seven persons, including four Policemen, injured in exchange of fire near FC Fort on Wana Road in Tank town of same District.

Five persons, including an MQM activist and a Policeman, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Akram Gujjar (35), an MQM activist, was killed by unidentified assailants in PIB Colony.

A Police constable, Javaid Iqbal (45), was killed near Marhaba Lawn of Korangi industrial area.

Bakht Zareen (55) was shot dead at a teashop in Qayyumabad area.

A ST activist, Owais Qadri, was shot dead on Jahangir Road in the Soldier Bazaar Police Limits.

A dead body was recovered from near the Golden Marble House on the Bara Board Road.

Unidentified militant blew up a gas pipeline near Maripur Road in Kiamari town.

The Supreme Court told that at least 71 target killers who were arrested by the Karachi Police but never charged for the heinous offences rather booked for minor crimes have been released on bail. After going through JIT reports, a five-member special bench of the apex court, headed by ‘Chief’ Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, gave 24 hours to the Sindh law enforcement agencies to arrest the people whose names have been divulged in the JIT reports and directed them to register FIRs against them and submit a report.

Four persons were killed when an election convoy of PML-N’s Balochistan leader Sardar Sanaullah Zehri came under a bomb attack in Anjira area of Khuzdar District.Sardar Zehri survived the attack but his son, brother and nephew and a guard were killed. At least 25 persons were injured. The BLA claimed responsibility for the bomb attack. 

Police and Levies Force recovered explosives from the Gandawa area of Jhal Magsi District. Acting on a tip-off, Police and Levies Force, along with a BDS team, reached the site and defused an explosive device weighing around three kilogrammes.

The safe havens to terrorists in Pakistan pose a great challenge to peace and stability in Afghanistan, even as ANSF has been making significant progress in war against terrorism, US General Joseph Dunford, the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said.

An election tribunal rejected the nomination papers of Former President General Pervez Musharraf from the only constituency where his eligibility to contest May 11 polls was accepted earlier.

Nine militants, including five foreigners, were killed in a US drone attack in Bobar Samal area of South Waziristan Agency of FATA.

One person was killed and 20 others were injured when the Pakistani army and Afghan Taliban militants exchanged fire near the Afghanistan border in Miranshah District.

Three persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Teenage boy Ali Raza (18) was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Jamshed Quarters area of Jamshed Quarters Police Limits.

Kaleem alias Commando, was shot dead in Daata Nagar of Orangi town. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Zahid Siddiqi said that Kaleem was sleeping in his house when some militants broke inside and shot him. Kaleem was on parole, the SDPO added.

A dead body was found near Taqwa Masjid in Sector 3 of Sultanabad area of Manghopir town.

Two persons, including a minor, sustained injuries when an IED planted by militants went off near the vehicle of the ANP local leader Farooq Khan in Shadheri area of Charsadda District.

Two persons were injured in a hand grenade attack at the residence of a BNP-A leader Azeem Braich in Kharan District.

Pakistan’s Former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf was back in court, to have his bail extended over allegations that he conspired to murder opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in 2007. “The court has extended General Musharraf’s bail until April 24,” one of his lawyers, Afshan Adil said.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to a Kashmiri separatist executed in India for plotting to attack the Indian parliament on December 13, 2001, and called his hanging an abuse of judicial process. Zardari said “force and oppression” would not silence calls for self-determination in Kashmir, where a separatist conflict has claimed an estimated 100,000 lives over the last 20 years.

At least five persons, including an MQM activist, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

 An MQM worker, identified as Mohammad Faisal Khan, was shot dead in Mehmodabad area.

A person, identified as Syed Hasnain Mehdi, was shot dead in Urdu Nagar of Malir area.

Dead bodies of three young men stuffed in gunny bags were found in Kharadar area.

Four persons were killed when gunship helicopters pounded residential areas and suspected militant positions in Mir Ali sub-division of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. The sources said that four people were killed in the shelling and eight others injured.

A lady health worker was injured when some unidentified assailants attacked a polio team at Nasirabad town of Rawalpindi District.

Two unidentified assailants hurled a hand grenade at an election camp office of a political party in the Sariab area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.No loss of life was reported.

A petition has been filed at the ATC, seeking the summoning of former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, a key accused in the Nawab Akbar Bugti murder case. Jamil Bugti, son of slain Nawab Akbar Bugti filed the petition.

Five militants were killed in retaliatory action by Security Forces (SFs) when militants try to ambush security personnel in the Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA.Three security personnel were injured in the attack.

Four persons were killed and eight others injured in a rocket attack on an election rally in Wana town of South Waziristan Agency.Unidentified militants fired four rockets at a rally for independent National Assembly (NA) candidate Malik Naseerullah Khan, who is running to represent NA-41, South Waziristan. Naseerullah narrowly escaped without any injury. The TTP threatened anybody who holds or attends election rallies in and around Wana Bazaar, and two days ago the militants "fined" Naseerullah for defying them.

Unidentified militants blew up a 22 inch diameter gas pipeline in the Faiz Muhammad Goth area of Rajanpur District in Punjab, depriving several areas of the province of gas.

A bomb disguised to resemble a toy killed a woman and her two nieces in the Korya area of the Buner city in same District of KP.

Militants attacked a polio vaccination team in Gomal village of Tank District, injuring two Levies personnel guarding the workers vaccinating children.

Police thwarted an attempt to blow up the Mardan Press Club by defusing a 15 kilogrammes explosive device near the building.

The KP caretaker Government called for the immediate return of all FC troops deployed in other parts of the country to strengthen security for provincial election activities. The Government decided to deploy about 80,000 troops at sensitive polling stations across the province.

The Police SIU foiled an alleged bid to terrorise the election campaign by recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition in the New Chali area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.They recovered weapons included four Kalashnikovs and a large number of bullets, Senior Superintendent of Police Farooq Awan said. Militants planned to use the weapons to attack election activities, Farooq said.

Police arrested former President General Pervez Musharraf to face allegations he overstepped his powers while in office, marking a dramatic break with a political culture in which military rulers have remained untouchable.

Seven people including two workers of a political party were gunned down in the metropolis in Karachi. Two activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were shot dead in separate attacks of targeted killings. The first activist was shot dead near Kaghzi Bazaar within the jurisdiction of Kharadar Police station. Another worker of MQM was killed near Gujjar Nala within the remits of Gulbahar Police station. Also, unidentified assailants critically wounded 30-year-old Iqbal, while he was standing at his Dabbu Club.

A rickshaw driver was gunned down within the remits of Pirabad Police station.

A man was shot dead while three others injured in a firing incident near Machar Colony.

An unidentified young man was shot dead in Ranchore Line within the premises of Nabi Baksh Police station.

A bullet-riddled body of an unidentified man was found in Sector 48-F, Korangi within the limits of Zaman Town Police station.

A man was found near Telephone Exchange within the premises of Garden Police station.

A female suicide bomber blew herself up outside a hospital in a lawless tribal area of northwest Pakistan and killed at least four people and wounded four others, officials said. The attack took place in Khar, the main town of Bajaur in FATA bordering Afghanistan.TTP take the responsibility of the attack.

A roadside bomb targeting a military convoy killed four Army soldiers and injured four more in Mir Ali town of North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

Two activists of ANP were killed by unidentified assailants at the party’s rally in Karbala area of Pishin District. The deceased were ANP Unit’s President Mustafa Agha and an activist Naqeebullah. Another activist was injured in the incident.

A low-intensity blast took place near a rally being organized by the NP in Turbat city of the same District. However, no causality was reported.

14 persons were injured in a grenade attack at election office of MQM in Kharadar locality of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Police found mortar bombs from a graveyard in New Muzaffarabad Colony. Police SHO Shabbir Hussain said the BDS was called immideiately and they defused the bombs. 

The BDU neutralised a 10 kilogram of bomb planted on roadside in Bazidkhel village in south of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP.

Law-Enforcement Agencies once again started arresting former militants in Swat and other parts of the Malakand Division, fearing that those militants freed earlier could sabotage the May 11 General election.

The Attock District Police, on the direction of secret agencies, have reviewed the security plan to keep a check on entry of terrorists from the bordering Districts of KP.

In the wake of recent militant attacks on politicians and campaign rallies, the KP caretaker Government is addressing political parties' concerns by announcing the deployment of Army Quick Response Forces to provide security at polling places May 10-12.

At least three persons, including an activist of the MQM and two Policemen were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A Policeman, identified as Javed Awan, was shot dead and three others were injured by unidentified assailants in the Lasbela area.

A Policeman, identified as Ali Ahmed, was killed and his associate was injured in Korangi area.

An activist of the MQM, Arshad Siddiqui (40), was shot dead on Karsaz Road.

The TTP execute an Afghan in the Kari Kot village, about 10 kilometers south west of Rustam Bazaar, in Wana town of South Waziristan Agency in FATA. Mai-u-din, belonging to the Zedran tribe of Afghanistan, was brought handcuffed into an open place near the small bazaar of Kari Kot. The militants then shot him dead in front of the public. Mai-u-Din was 'arrested' by the local TTP about a week back.

At least five persons, including two Levies personnel, were injured in a bomb blast in Chaman area of Qilla Abdullah District.

A convoy carrying BNP-A leader Mir Asadullah Baloch was hit by a bomb in Panjgur area of same District. The convoy was passing through the area when a roadside bomb detonated just as the vehicle passed, Levies sources said. Mir and his associates escaped unhurt even though two of the vehicles were damaged in the blast, the sources added.

A student leader was injured when unidentified assailants hurled two grenades into an election camp of the ANP in Maneri town in Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the evening. Sources said that about 13 ANP workers were sitting in Hujra of Nadeem Khan, which is being used as the election office of the party, when the grenade attack took place. Osama, president of Pakhtun Students Federation, the student wing of ANP, was injured.

At least five persons, including a FC trooper, were killed and over 30 others were injured in a suicide attack at a check post near Alamdar Road, an area in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. The blast damaged several buildings, shops and vehicles.

The attacker's truck was packed with an estimated 80 kilograms of explosives. The suicide attacker detonated his explosives-laden truck when he was stopped by FC personnel at a check post. Officials said the bomber wanted to target Abdul Khaliq Hazara, a top leader of the Hazara Democratic Party.

Three other blasts were also reported from Quetta. Bombs went off in an open field at Jinnah town, Gawalmandi chowk and an intersection at Gurdat Singh Road. Six persons were injured at Gawalmandi Chowk. LeJ claimed responsibility for all the attacks.

At least three persons were killed and 30 others injured in a huge explosion near an election office of the MQM in Chowrangi area of the Taimuria Police Remits in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP Raja Umer Khattab of Counter Terrorism Wing (CTW) said that it was an IED. He said it seems that the attack was conducted by the TTP. However, the involvement of other groups shall also be investigated.

LEAs arrested about two-dozen suspected militants during separate targeted raids and operations in the Karachi. Rangers detained 15 suspects and recovered 13 weapons of different calibers in targeted operations in Sohrab Goth, Kati Pahari and Banaras.

Police arrested half a dozen suspects in targeted raids in different parts of Korangi. Police said that five TT pistols and hundreds of rounds of ammunitions were recovered from their possession.

Five vehicles were destroyed and three others damaged in a blast near a car showroom on the University Road near Tehkal area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The blast destroyed five vehicles and damaged three others.

The BDU neutralised an IED planted near a graveyard in Matani.

Police neutralised a major terror bid by recovering an explosives-loaded vehicle which was parked near the Chak Shahzad farmhouse of former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, the federal capital of Nation. The BDS defused the bomb after which the vehicle was shifted to Shehzad town Police Station.

The ATC has ordered inclusion of Pervez Musharraf in the investigation into Benazir Bhutto assassination case in Rawalpindi city (Rawalpindi District) of Punjab. Musharraf appeared before the court in relation to the case and made three requests, including unfreezing of his assets and bank accounts.

At least four persons, including two Policemen and a former activist of the MQM, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. ASI Gul Muhammad was shot dead and Head Constable Umer Khan was injured by unidentified assailants near New Sabzi Mandi in Sohrab Goth.

Imranullah Qureshi (35), a former activist of the MQM, was killed North Karachi.

Head Constable Atiq Khan (48) was killed by unidentified assailants near Sultanabad Morr in Manghopir.

A Policeman died while his colleague and a passer-by were injured in a bomb blast in Judbah, the headquarters of Torghar District in KP. According to the Police, unidentified persons detonated a remote-controlled device concealed in sand near the River Indus area.

Two persons, including a woman, injured in a bomb blast near Sarki Gate area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. The blast reportedly took place outside a house.

A toy bomb explosion in Swat left six persons injured. The injured include three women and a seven-month old child.

The former MPA and candidate for PK-67 Israrullah Khan Gandapur escaped unhurt in a roadside blast in Parori area of Dera Ismail Khan District. The sources said that Israrullah Khan Gandapur along with his supporters was on his way home after attending an election rally at Parori.

Abu Ubaidah Abdullah Al Adam, the 'intelligence and internal security chief' of the terrorist group, has was on April 17 in a drone attack in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. Even though al Qaeda has not yet issued an official 'martyrdom' statement about the death of Abu Ubaidah Al Adam, there are credible reports in the Western media to suggest that he was killed in an April 17 US drone attack. Two of his close aides - Al Wathiq Billah and Sanafi Al Nasr - have tweeted that Abu Ubaida has been killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan.

A Palestinian national, who was in fact raised in Saudi Arabia, Al Adam had replaced Mohammad Khalil Hasan Al Hakaymah alias Abu Jehad Al Misri, the former 'intelligence chief' of the terrorist group, who was killed in a US drone strike on November 1, 2008, in NWA.

At least 16 persons, including two Policemen, were injured in three separate blasts in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. 13 persons, including a child, were injured in a blast in Satellite town. Bomb disposal personnel said that around one kilogram explosive had been used.

Two Policemen were injured in a blast in the Sariab Road area. Officials said that the explosives had been detonated by a remote control near the Kechi Baig Police Station when a Police van arrived there.

An explosive device planted on road went off at Jadoon Chowk on New Jan Muhammad Road. One person was injured in the blast.

Unidentified militants blew up gas pipeline of 24-inch diameter with explosive material in Rashidugun area of Larkana city (Larkana District) in Punjab.

At least six persons were killed while around thirteen persons were injured when a high intensity bomb shattered the election office of MQM located in Nusrat Bhutto Colony of North Nazimabad area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. TTP 'spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan has reportedly claimed the responsibility for the blast.

An activist of MQM, identified as Arshan Awan was shot dead in a targeted attacked at Safora Goth within the precincts of Gulistan-e-Juhar Police Station.

A worker of PML-N, identified as Raja Anees, was shot dead in Model Colony within the jurisdiction of Model Colony Police Station.

A soldier of the Rangers was killed in an attack on a checkpoint outside the Rangers officers mess in Latifabad area of Hyderabad city of same District.

The AEC of CID arrested eight suspected terrorists, including four of TTP near Ghani Chowrangi in SITE-A Police Limits of Karachi. The suspects were involved in a number of target killing incidents as well as bomb blasts. The Police also claimed to have recovered 50 kilograms explosive material, nine TT pistols and nine hand grenades from their possession.

Rangers and Police arrested around five-dozen suspects during separate raids and operations in the Karachi. According to details, around 500 Rangers personnel participated in the targeted operations in Sohrab Goth's Faqeera Goth and Shahfaisal's Green Town, and detained several suspects and recovered large amount of weapons from their possession.

Two Policemen and four militants, one of them an Iranian national, were killed in an encounter in Barbara area of Banda Daud Shah tehsil of Karak District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said that another four Policemen were injured in the clash and two injured militants were arrested.

The security agencies freed 13 more missing persons picked up on suspicion of having links with the militant outfits, while body of one missing person was found in Mardan District, the Peshawar High Court was told. A two-member bench comprising PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Rohul Amin disposed of cases of 13 missing persons after their lawyers and family members informed the court that the detainees have been freed by the security agencies and they have returned home safely.

The counter-terrorism strategies proposed in the mainstream political parties' election manifestos do not represent what it would really take to restore peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA, according to experts. The issue appears to be quite low on their priority list with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz proposing its plan for taking on "Militancy and terrorism" in chapter 13 of its 14-chaptered election manifesto and Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians declaring it its sixth priority out of a list of seven point election programme.

A person, identified as Riaz Hussain, was killed by unidentified assailants in Wahdat colony of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

A person was killed another was injured in Awaran District. The body and the injured were shifted to a hospital, where they were identified as Ibrahim and Khuda Bakhsh, respectively.

A constable was killed and two others were injured by unidentified assailants in Loralai District.

A political worker was killed while another was injured when unidentified militants attacked an electoral office of the PPP in Nushki area of same District. No group claimed the responsibility of the attack.

A tribesman died and three others were injured when a roadside landmine exploded near the Sports Complex in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency, in FATA. According to the political administration, the blast took place when a tractor-trolley hit a landmine.

Former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf was, formally arrested over the murder case of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Musharraf will remain in his villa on the edge of Islamabad (Federal Capital) where he is already under a two-week house arrest over his decision to sack judges when he imposed emergency rule in November 2007. "Today FIA formally arrested General Musharraf in the Benazir Bhutto case," prosecution lawyer Chaudhry Azhar told AFP by telephone. During the interrogation, the former President was asked why Benazir Bhutto was not provided security upon her return to Pakistan.

The banned TTP has distributed pamphlets in several Pakistani cities, including Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh warning people not to participate in next month's landmark general election.

Religious scholars and the members of the All Pakistan Ulema Council have issued a 40-page edict, which declares the non-casting of vote a sin, saying that casting vote is compulsory under Islamic injunctions.

The JI Pakistan has refuted the contents of a report carried by The News stating that some of the JI candidates who are contesting in the elections from Punjab were listed on the 4th schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 for their alleged involvement in terrorist activities, on April 25. A JI spokesman Anwar Niazi has clarified that none of the JI candidate contesting the polls has any such charges against him and no JI candidate is contesting election from PP-38, PP-255 and NA-177.

At least 11 persons, including a minor, were killed and 45 others were injured in a bomb blast at an election gathering of the ANP in Orangi town of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. TTP 'spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the blast.

An ANP election candidate was attacked in the Old Muzaffarabad Colony of Landhi town. Police said Abdul Rehman was on his way to an election event when his vehicle was attacked. The ANP leader survived the attack unhurt, however, two children who were passing by received minor injuries.

The Rangers personnel arrested 28 suspects, including activists of political parties, during different raids. Rangers conducted search operations in Orangi Town, Bin Qasim and Rabia City in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

At least six persons, including a Levies official, were critically injured when the convoy of JUI-F candidate for PB-30, Haji Muhammad Hashim Shahwani, came under attack in Mach area of Kachi District. Haji Muhammad Hashim Shahwani remained unhurt in the incident.

Unidentified militant blew up a Government school in Khwaja Muhammad area in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two rooms of the school were destroyed while the remaining portion of the school's building was damaged. The number of the schools destroyed by the militants in the area has reached 11.

Unidentified persons hurled a hand-grenade inside a house in Dhoda area Kohat District, causing minor damage but no casualties.

A bomb was defused by the BDS in Bannu town of same District. Bannu City Police official Miranshah Khan said at around 8am a pedestrian informed Police about a suspicious polythene bag lying near the boundary wall of Boys Government High School No 1.

A 15 kilogrammes bomb was defused in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda. Police official Zaman Khan said they received a tip-off about a bomb planted near Shabqadar Bazaar.

Further, a low-intensity bomb weighing two kilogrammes planted by the roadside in Sreekh area of Battagram was also defused by the BDS.

A bomb allegedly planted to target ANP activists in Mardan was successfully defused by the BDS late in the April 25 night. Par Hoti Police official Fazal Rabi said they were patrolling Sikandray area when they found an abandoned motorcycle parked at the roadside in Sarai Koruna where activists of ANP were convening a meeting for their election campaign.

A bomb planted near the house of a bank manager in Amirabad area of Charsadda town of same District exploded, damaging its boundary wall. Mandani Police official Rajab Ali said a huge explosion occurred near Khursheed Khan's house at around 5:45pm. BDS said two kilogrammes of explosives were used in the bomb.

The intelligence agencies have warned that the TTP have made plans to abduct former President General Pervez Musharraf, who is currently being held at his private residence here after being arrested in several criminal cases. The intelligence agencies have issued an advisory that the TTP might attempt to abduct Musharraf while he is being taken from his farmhouse to court.

Three British nationals, including the ringleader of a terror cell trained in Pakistan have been jailed for masterminding a plot to set off up to eight bombs in the UK that could have been more devastating than the 9/11 in the US and the July 7 attacks. The three men had raised an estimated 39,000 pounds for terror training and to fund the UK attacks. The money was raised through street collections in Birmingham, under the false pretence of raising money for Muslim charities.

At least six people, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), were killed while a religious cleric was injured in separate acts of violence across the Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Leader of Jaffria Alliance Maulana Baqar Zaidi was injured while his Police guard ASI Syed Qasim Jaffry was killed near Gujjar Nala, Liaquatabad within the remits of Supermarket Police Station.

An alleged target killer affiliated with Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) was shot dead near Ali Basti within the precincts of Rizvia Police Station. The deceased is identified as Hassan Kashmiri. Police said that the deceased was nominated in various cases of target killings.

Another man was gunned down in Pukhtoonabad area within the jurisdiction of Manghopir Police Station. Police said that the deceased, Ghulam Abbas, resident of the same area, was working at his shop when armed pillion riders shot him dead and managed to escape.

A man was shot dead in Orangi Town within the premises of Pakistan Bazaar Police Station. The victim, Tariq Jivan, was on his way when unknown armed men targeted him and managed to flee.

A man shot was dead in Korangi area within the remits of Zaman Town Police Station. The victim Mohammad Akram was at home when unidentified culprits barged in and shot him dead.

A bullet-riddled body of man was found from the bushes near Sector 11-A, New Karachi within the remits of New Karachi Industrial Area Police Station.

Three persons were killed and 40 others injured in TTP's three bomb attacks on two political parties MQM and PPP in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

As the Afghan Taliban announced the launching of annual spring offensive against the US-led Allied Forces in Afghanistan, this year the TTP has also joined them. The TTP has released a significant video which shows the TTP fighters belonging to the "Saad bin Abi Waqas Front" [which is named after a TTP commander] already carrying out military and suicide operations against the ISAF Forces in Logar province of Afghanistan.

On the other hand, however, the TTP 'chief' Hakimullah Mehsud has released a 67-minute Pashto-language videocassette titled, "The Caravan of Truth" which has been posted on Jamia Hafsa Urdu Forum. The footage shows undated ambushes, mortar strikes and raids being carried out by the TTP fighters against the ISAF forces.

Five supporters of independent candidate Syed Noor Akbar for NA-39 (Orakzai Agency in FATA) seat were killed when his election office was targeted with bomb in the Kacha Pakka area of Kohat Town in same District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the morning. The TTP 'spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the Kohat blast and vowed to carry out more attacks.

Three persons were killed and 26 others injured in bomb attack on the elections office of independent candidate Nasir Khan Afridi for NA-46 seat was targeted on Charsadda Road in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP.

Two persons, including a seven-year-old, were killed in the attack, while 16 others were injured in a remote-controlled blast took place when people were leaving after attending the election rally of ANP candidate Ameer Rehman in the PK-32 constituency in Swabi town of same District. Sources said that the bomb exploded as Ameer Rehman drove past in a convoy of dozens of vehicles.

At least six persons, including an ANP leader and a Policeman, were killed while nine others were injured in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A Policeman, identified as Police constable Fida Hussain (32), and a person, Umar Hussain (35), were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Sultanabad within the jurisdiction of Manghopir Police Station.

Two persons, identified as Nasir and Kamran, were shot dead and two others were injured in an election rally in Liaquatabad area within the premises of Liaquatabad Police Station.

A person, identified as Fayyaz Muneer was shot dead and his friend Naseem Islam was injured when a firing incident took place in Essa Nagri within the remits of PIB Police Station.

General sectary of ANP, Ghazi Gul (35), was shot dead in a targeted attack in Musharraf Colony within the precincts of Mochko Police Station.

Six persons were injured in an election rally at Model Colony Turn in the remits of Model Colony Police Station.

Police arrested 25 suspected militants in different targeted raids and operations, huge cache of weapons and ammunitions were also recovered in these search operations conducted in various localities of Orangi town.

A boy was killed and five others were injured in a blast on Sariab Road of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. The electoral procession of Shams Mengal, an independent candidate for PB-5 Quetta seat, was the target. Police sources said that unidentified assailant had planted a bomb on a bicycle in Faizabad area of Sariab, where the electoral procession of the Shams Mengal was underway. The TTP claimed responsibility for blast.

The house of a leader of JUI-F was attacked with a hand-grenade in Panjgur District. The house was partly damaged.

The motorcade of the chairman of Jamoot Qaumi Movement (JQM), escaped unhurt in a rocket attack in Chattar area of Nasirabad District. "Three vehicles were damaged in the attack," Police officials said.

At least 10 persons, including two Afghan diplomats and a journalist, were killed and over 60 others sustained injuries in a suicide attack on the University Road in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Those killed in the blast included the Afghan consulate's Business Attache, Qazi Hilal, and an official of its refugee section, Mohammad Idrees. Qazi Hilal was son of the former deputy leader of Hezb-i-Islami and Afghanistan's Former Minister for Justice and Communications, Qazi Amin Waqad. A journalist, Arif Shafi, was also among those killed, while another journalist Gohar Ali's daughter, Ayesha Ali, was wounded.

One person was killed and two others sustained injuries in an attack on the ANP office in Nowshera town of same District. Unidentified assailants attacked the election office of the ANP candidate for PK-13, killing one of his security guards and injuring two other persons. The slain guard was identified as Johar Ali (19), while the injured party workers included Shahid Khan and Adalat Khan. The attackers escaped after the attack. Two vehicles parked in the hujra (meeting place) were also damaged in the incident.

A passerby was killed and 20 others sustained injures when ANP candidate for PK-17, Muhammad Ahmad Khan, was attacked with a remote controlled bomb in Sar Dheri of Charsadda town of same District. Khan escaped unhurt. Bomb disposal Unit officials said two kilogram explosive was used in the explosion.

The hujra and a nearby mosque were partially damaged when a bomb planted by militants exploded near the house of the ANP leader Khan Daraz Khan in Hajyanoo Koroona in Ghundo village in the limits of Katlang Police Station in Mardan District.

Two unidentified motorcyclists attacked the vehicular procession of JUI-S candidate for NA-15 Karak and JUI-S Deputy General Secretary Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz in Jangrezi area of Banda Daud shah tehsil of Karak District. It was learnt that both the candidates and their workers remained unhurt in the attack.

Two assailants opened fire on the hujra of former JUI-F MPA and now independent candidate for PK-41 Karak-I Malik Qasim Khan in Khojaki area of Takht-e-Nusrati on the Indus Highway.

A Government boys' school was blown up with four bombs in the wee hours in Bannu town of same District. According to Police, four back-to-back bombs exploded in the school, completely damaging the school building. No casualty was reported.

Unidentified persons hurled a hand-grenade at the Bannu woollen Mills on Dera Ismail Khan Road in Bannu town of same District in the night. Official sources said that the main entrance to the mills was partially damaged but caused no casualty.

At least five persons, including a Policeman, were killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A Police Sub-Inspector, identified as Sadru Abro (48), was shot dead and his daughter was injured in a targeted attack in Orangi town within the premises of Iqbal Market Police Station.

A person, identified as Akbar (30), was shot dead in Ilyas Goth area within the remits of Ibrahim Hyderi Police Station.

A person, identified as Syed Mohammad Hafeez (25), was shot dead within the jurisdiction of Rizvia Police Station.

A watchman, identified as Mehmood Aslam Khan (40), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pakhtoonabad area within the precincts of Manghopir Police Station.

An unidentified person was shot and killed near Ibrahim Ali Bhai School in Orangi town.

Two persons were injured in a low-intensity blast, close to metrological office near Safora Chowrangi in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Police said that unidentified assailants threw a cracker near metrological department that injured two pedestrians, Mohammad Hanif and Anwar.

Terrorists blew up the railway tracks near Seitharija railway station in Khairpur area of same District.

LEAs arrested over 50 suspects during various targeted raids and operations in different parts of the Karachi. According to details, Police arrested about two dozen suspects during targeted raids in various localities of Sohrab Goth including Jangal Goth, Faqira Goth, Lasi Goth and Al-Asif Square.

15 more suspects were taken into custody during targeted raids in other parts of Karachi a huge cache of weapons was also recovered from their possession.

Rangers conducted targeted raids in Haroonabad, Musharraf Colony, Qayyumabad, Sher Khan Colony, Greek Maripur and Masroor Colony, Falaknaz Plaza, Karnal Basti, Gulistan Society, Millat Town and Chanesar Goth, and arrested about 24 suspects. According to Rangers' spokesperson, three ball bombs, a metal detector, two hand grenades, a wireless set and about 20 weapons of different calibres were also recovered.

At least 10 more suspects were taken into custody during targeted raids in Musharraf Colony area of Maripur. According to Police, at least six hand grenades, AK-47 rifle and five TT pistols were also recovered from criminals' possession. In more raids, CID of Sindh Police claimed to have arrested three alleged target killers.

Nine alleged TTP militants were arrested in separate rages in Karachi. According to reports, Rangers claimed to have arrested eight militants of the TTP during a raid in the Maripur area. Sources privy to the arrests said that "tennis balls bombs" and a huge cache of arms were recovered from the arrested militants.

The dead bodies of three missing SF personnel were found in Adamkot area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. Suspected militants had abducted the three troopers from a checkpost in Wacha Bibi area of Dattakhel tehsil in North Waziristan in the night of April 26 and shifted them to an undisclosed location.

A driver was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on a NATO container in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency. Security officials said that the assailants opened fire on the container coming from Afghanistan, killing the driver.

At least 15,000 troops from the Army and FC are deploying to sensitive Districts in Balochistan for the May 11 General Election, Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said. The sensitive Districts include Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kharan, Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar and Nushki, he said.

A TTP cadre was arrested while pasting the group's pamphlets in the Multan Press Club of Multan city of same District. According to media reports, two members of the TTP were busy pasting pamphlets in the press club, carrying directives for the people to stay away from the upcoming election. The press club management informed the Police, who arrested one of the cadres, identified as Usman Ghani, a university student.

At least 11 persons, including activists of the MQM, the PPP and the ST, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two persons, identified as Haji Guddu (45) and Muhammad Niaz, were shot dead and three others were injured near Noorani Mosque located in Lyari within the precincts of Kalri Police Station. Lyari SP Najam Tareen said PPP leaders and members were at the party's election office in Agra Taj Colony when eight to 10 motorcyclists opened fire on them.

A dead body was found from the Mewa Shah graveyard in Pak Colony. The victim was identified as Zahid alias Bhola, a resident of Sector 5J of New Karachi. Police were investigating the murder when they received information from the Shershah area that a man's body was found on the Miran Naka Road. The victim was identified as Zahid's friend Azeem, a resident of New Karachi, who was abducted along with his friend, tortured and then shot dead. Investigators said Zahid and Azeem were members of the MQM belonging to the party's New Karachi sector.

Aftab Ahmed was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his house in Khuda Ki Basti of Surjani town. Investigators said the victim was an activist of the MQM.

Faraz Qadri, an activist of ST was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Power House in North Karachi.

A person, identified as Ghulam Muhammad Katchi was killed near Bacho Farm in Memon Goth area.

An unidentified person was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Do Rasta area in Manghopir.

A chemical shop owner, Qadir Hussain (40), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Juna market of Kharadar area.

Rashid Hussain (25) was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Orangi town. However, Javed Mehsud, who was wounded in a firing incident in Manghopir locality on April 29, succumbed to his injuries during treatment at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

An independent candidate, Abdul Fateh Magsi, was shot dead along with his three supporters while two others were injured in Jhal Magsi area of same District. Abdul Fateh Magsi had submitted his nomination papers as an independent candidate from PB-32 Jhal Magsi. No group has claimed responsibility for the killing of Abdul Fateh Magsi.

Militants blew up 18-inch diameter gas pipeline in Malagzara area of Dera Bugti District.

The BDS neutralised an IED in Badhaber area on the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. According to Police, the personnel of BDS were called in after an explosive filled pot with a mobile device attached was spotted by the locals in Badhaber.

Former President General Pervez Musharraf's plans to stage a political comeback were virtually sealed after the Peshawar high court banned him from contesting polls for life while another court remanded him in judicial custody till three days after the May 11 parliamentary polls. The high court's ruling came on an appeal by the former President who had challenged the rejection of his nomination papers for the national assembly seat in the north-western hill-station of Chitral.

An ATC in Rawalpindi sent him to a two-week judicial remand in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case. The court fixed the next date of hearing on May 14, three days after the polls. Bhutto was killed in a deadly bomb and gun attack in December 2007 after addressing an election rally in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh.

The court gave permission to the Balochistan Police to question Musharraf in the case relating to the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. Bugti was killed in a military offensive in the mountainous Dera Bugti region in southwest in August 2006 when Musharraf was President and Army chief.

Former Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik said a conspiracy is afoot to break the country by bringing in a pro-TTP PM. Speaking at a joint press conference with MQM's Farooq Sattar and ANP's Shahi Syed at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in Azizabad, a sub-division of Federal B. Area, of Karachi, he, while referring to the PML-N and PTI, said "The public wants to know your agreement with the Taliban." "I had been told that the upcoming elections would be against terrorists. The election is in fact against the anti-Taliban parties," Malik added.

The PPP alleged the both PML-N and PTI had assured the TTP that if voted to power they would support the militants. PPP Lahore chapter (women wing) President Faiza Malik said efforts were being made to push the party to wall while the PML-N and PTI were campaigning openly as they were the supporters of the Taliban. "Both parties have assured the Taliban that they will extend full support to them after coming to power," Ms Malik said while addressing a party workers' meeting in Lahore.

In a statement, he said the people would not let the terrorists and their patrons hijack their country come what may. "The people will reject them and their supporters on May 11," he said.

Against the backdrop of a spate of attacks on election meetings and campaign offices ahead of the May 11 polls, TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud said that his group is focussed on ending the country's democratic system. The TTP aim is to "end the democratic system", Mehsud said in a letter to the media. As part of this campaign, the group will hinder elections in the country, he said.

The COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that General Elections would be held in the country on May 11 and emphasised that the future of the country depends on their fair conduct. "We must not harbour any suspicions or misgivings about it," he said while addressing the participants of the "Yaum-e-Shuhada" (Martyrs Day) ceremony at the GHQ.

"If we succeed in rising above all ethnic, linguistic and sectarian biases to vote solely on the basis of honesty, sincerity, merit and competence, there would be no reason to fear dictatorship or to grudge the inadequacies of our present democratic system," he added.

"Otherwise, may it be democracy or dictatorship governance would continue to remain a means of self aggrandisement and that of plundering national wealth and resources," he added. He assured that armed forces stand committed to wholeheartedly assist and support in the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, to the best of their capabilities and remaining within the confines of the constitution.

General Kayani said that like every Pakistani, Pakistan Army, in its humble capacity, has endeavoured to strengthen democracy in the last five years, with the hope that the next elections would steer the country towards betterment. Now, once the destination is in sight and the nation must not err in accomplishing its responsibilities towards the election process, he added.

At least eight persons, including a Navy sailor, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. Two watchmen of Chitargo School, identified as Chamman Ali and Hafizullah, were shot dead and other Mohsin was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Sultanabad area within the limits of Manghopir Police Station.

An owner of meat shop, Waqas Sattar (25) and a passerby Haji Hassan (35) were shot dead in MPR Colony within the premises of Orangi Town Police Station.

A Navy Sailor, identified as Zahid Iqbal (28), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Bakra Hotel within the remits of Kharadar Police Station.

A dead body was found near Phool Chowk in Kharadar Police Jurisdiction. Police said that deceased was identified as Waqas (22), resident of Napier Road, left for his home from work place when unidentified militants abducted him and later threw his body.

A dead body was found from Lyari River within remits of Rizvia Police Station. Another body was found near the bushes of Taiser town within the precincts of Surjani town Police Station.

Eight activists of the MQM were injured in an attack on their election office in Bombay Bazar in the Mithadar Police Precincts. Police said the motorcyclists had also lobbed a hand grenade at the MQM office, but no one was injured as a result of the explosion.

Police and Rangers, in a joint operation, arrested about two dozen suspects including political workers during a targeted operation conducted near Bilawal House in Boat Basin area. According to Police, the operation was jointly conducted in collaboration with the Rangers near Bilawal House Chowrangi against the criminal elements.

At least eight militants were killed as jet fighters pounded their hideouts in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency in FATA. Police said the bombing resulted in the destruction of four militant hideouts and the killing of eight militants.

Two security officials were injured as a result of cross-border firing from Afghanistan at a security checkpost in Mohmand Agency.

A candidate of the Qaumi Watan Party, Akbar Khan, who is running for a National Assembly seat (NA 40, North Waziristan Agency), was abducted from an area near Mir Ali of North Waziristan Agency.

The BDU official's defused two bombs planted to target two election contestants in the limits of Mathra Police Station of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The PTI Chairman Imran Khan said in an interview with British daily Telegraph, that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was not assassinated by the TTP.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has said that after coming into power his party would end military operations in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country, saying bullet is not the solution to any problem. Speaking at a public rally, he said that the PTI would transform the country into a welfare state where justice would be dispensed without any discrimination.

At least three persons, including a PPP activist were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A person affiliated with PPP, identified as Nadeem Ahmed, was shot dead and another was injured by unidentified assailants in North Karachi within the jurisdiction of Khwaja Ajmair Nagri Police Station.

A person was shot dead in Baldia town within the remits of Baldia town Police Station. Police officials said that deceased identified as Abdul Rehman was standing near his residence when pillion armed riders targeted him and managed to escaped from the scene.

A dead body of a missing person from Balochistan was found near Northern Bypass within the premises of Surjani Police Station. The body was identified as Naseebuallah, who hailed from Dashti Bazaar of Turbat District in Balochistan.

Eight persons were injured in a low-intensity explosion near the MQM sector office located near Fresco Chowk, Burns Road. It was the 42nd attack on electioneering since April 11, 2013. Including bombings and armed assaults, has claimed more than 70 lives, including two contesting candidates, and left over 350 injured in Karachi.

Two schools designated as polling stations for the May 11 elections were blown up in the Nasirabad District. Police sources said that an IED planted in a Government middle school in Tahir Kot area was detonated on May1 and a primary school was blown up on May 2 in a nearby village in Chatter tehsil.

Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, taking a taut position again on the 'Fatwa on sanctity of vote as Islamic duty of every Muslim male and female' has challenged the TTP, who are declaring the practice of democratic right of vote in Pakistan as a sin and holding terror attacks in response, for an open debate.

A senior prosecutor handling the 26/11 Mumbai attack case and Benazir Bhutto assassination case was shot and killed by unidentified assailants in the busy commercial area of Karachi Company in Islamabad, the federal capital nation. Assailants riding a motorcycle fired at the car of FIA prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfizar Ali in the busy commercial area of Karachi Company at 7.30am.

At least six persons, including an ANP candidate, was killed in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A lawyer, Shakeel Ahmed Jan Bangash, was killed and his father Ali Ahmed Jan was injured by unidentified assailants in a targeted attack at ICI Bridge of Baghdadi area.

An ANP candidate, Sadiq Zaman Khattak, was shot dead along with his four-year-old son by TTP militants in Bilal Colony of Korangi area. The 'spokesperson' of the TTP Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed the responsibility of killing the ANP candidate.

A Police constable, identified as Aurangzeb (40), was killed near Bilal Chowrangi of Korangi area.

An activist of the MQM, identified as Rizwan Adil alias Hashoo, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Paposh Nagar.

A dead body of an unidentified person was found from the bushes in Gabol Goth area.

The AEC of the CID arrested at least five alleged TTP cadres in Kati Pahari area. During the raid, Police recovered 75 kilogrammes of explosives, two pressure cooker bombs, six tennis ball bombs, remote control, detonating cord, detonator, four hand grenades, a Kalashnikov, a .22 rifle, two TT pistols and a 9mm pistol.

Four militants and one security official were killed during a clash when militants tried to ambush a security checkpost in Ladha area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

A ST leader, Khurram Qadri, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Food Street of Tibi City of Sialkot District.

Peshawar-bound Quetta Express train escaped a rocket attack by unidentified assailants in Mach Railway Station of same District. However, the rockets landed in an open area causing no loss.

Two suspected terrorists, picked up by intelligence agencies from Butkhela area of Malakand District in KP in 2009 and 2010, were produced before the Supreme Court. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had ordered the KP Government on May 2, to produce the two before the court.

A report, 'Press Freedom Report', released by PPF said that at least six journalists have been killed in the line of duty in Pakistan during first four months of 2013, Two of them were purposely targeted and murdered because of their work while remaining four were killed in suicide blasts. The report said that 54 journalists were killed in the country during the period of Jan 2002 to Apr 2013.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah approved the long-awaited compensation policy for the terrorism-affected people of FATA. Apart from the introduction of financial assistance criteria for the heirs of martyrs, the policy has also determined the compensation amount to help those whose vehicles, houses, shops, plaza, petrol pumps and CNG stations have been destroyed and animals killed.

According to the details, all Government employees in FATA will get equal treatment and incentives which are already being granted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to compensate the real heirs of those who embrace martyrdom, a communiqué said. Apart from this, in FATA Rs 6,000 will be paid for each sheep and goat killed in both natural calamities and terrorism-related incidents, while Rs 20,000 will be provided for each cow, buffalo, horse, donkey and camel lost.

At least eight militants were killed and three hideouts destroyed in Security Forces' action against militants in Upper tehsil, including Qismat Sanga and Sheen Qamar, of Orakzai Agency in FATA.

A local tribal leader Haider Khan was shot dead after unidentified militants barged into his house in the Sanober area of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.

A landmine blast was reported in Baizrot area of Orakzai Agency, but no loss of life was reported.

At least three persons were killed and 35 others, including Rangers personnel and children, were injured when two consecutive blasts jolted a MQM office near the MQM head office Nine Zero in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh, in the evening. TTP 'spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan has reportedly claimed responsibility for the blasts.

A bullet-riddled body was recovered in a deserted area of Spain Karez, in the outskirts of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan. The victim could not be identified.

Unidentified militants planted explosives under the 18-inch diameter gas pipeline in Pat Feeder area of Jaffarabad District that damaged a large portion of the pipeline. Gas supply to different areas was suspended following the incident. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The SFs destroyed two militant hideouts and killed 16 militants after heavy overnight fighting at a flashpoint near the Afghan border in the Tirah Valley in the Khyber Agency of FATA in which two soldiers also died. The fighting took place in the wake of a fresh military push in the Tirah Valley where the military has been targeting TTP and LI militants.

Two SFs personnel were killed and three others, among them a captain, injured when their convoy was hit by a bomb blast on the Razmak-Esha road at Kam Sarobi area near Razmak town of NWA. The deceased were identified as sepoys Ehsanullah and Tahir and the injured as Captain Sultan Ayaz, Subedar Sarwar and Sepoy Atif.

The main entrance to the house and adjacent hujra of PTI for NA-40 NWA were damaged in a blast caused by an IED in Mir Ali. Family members of the PTI candidate Engineer Abdul Qayyum Khan said that unidentified persons had planed an IED near the main entrance to his house and hujra at Haiderkhel village in Mir Ali subdivision.

Four persons were killed when the convoy of Sardar Sarfaraz Khan Domki and Mir Dostain Khan Domki, grandsons of late Nawab Bugti, contesting elections for national and provincial assembly seats, comes under bomb attack in Tali area of Sibi District. The candidates remained safe but their two security guards were killed. Two attackers were also killed in an exchange of fire soon after the blast.

Two activists of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Nazaryati) were injured in a hand grenade attack on an election campaign office of the party at Killi Deba area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

As many as nine persons were injured as the offices of PML-N and National Party were attacked in different parts of Balochistan. Local Police sources said unidentified men attacked the office of PML-N candidate from NA 271 Kharan cum Panjgur General (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch with a hand grenade in Kharan town. The explosion left five PML-N workers present in the office injured besides damaging the electoral office.

Militants lobbed a hand grenade at the electoral office of a National Party candidate in Mach town of Bolan District leaving three party workers injured.

Unidentified assailants shot dead a man on the Circular Road in Quetta. According to Police, the victim identified as Asad Ali was on way home when armed assailants riding a motorbike opened fire on him and fled. He succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to the hospital.

A boy's high school was blown up in the Killi Sahibzada area of Nushki District. The building was partially damaged and no casualties were reported.

Police arrested at least 30 suspects during a targeted search operation and recovered arms from their possession in Kali Gio area under Sariab Police Station in Quetta.

At least two activists of PTI and as many Police constables were injured when an improvised explosive device planted on a roadside went off when a PTI procession was passing from there to attend a public meeting in Gharibabad area of Takhbai tehsil in Mardan District of KP.

A bomb planted to target a candidate of the ANP for PK-8 was defused in Khidrakhel village in the jurisdiction of Khazana Police Station in Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of KP.

The Karachi Police and CID arrested 15,658 accused and recovered 13487 weapons and different explosive materials from their possession during different raids from January 1 to April 30, 2013. This was informed to IGP Sindh Shahid Nadeem Baloch in a four-month Police performance report.

Twenty-three persons were killed and more than 70 others injured in a blast at the election rally of JUI-F candidates at a Madrassa in Sewak village in Kurram Agency of FATA. Along with the local tribesmen, two bodyguards of the JUI-F candidate from NA-38, Munir Orakzai, and six of his close relatives were also injured in the blast.

TTP claimed responsibility for the attack on the JUI-F rally and said Munir Orakzai was the target. It added that the JUI-F party activists weren’t a target. TTP ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said they had been trying for long to locate and kill Munir Orakzai as he had remained an active member of the coalition Government of the PPP, MQM and ANP. TTP ‘chief’ Hakimullah Mehsud had mentioned Munir Orakzai’s name in a videotape released in the past by his organisation.

Afghan forces attacked a border checkpost in Mohmand Agency, injuring four Pakistani soldiers. Security sources said the Gursal checkpost was attacked at around 9am with rockets, mortars and other heavy weapons. Pakistani forces retaliated and the exchange of fire lasted over two hours. This was a second attack from across the border in a week. Two Pakistani troops were injured when Afghan forces attacked the Gursal and two other checkposts four days ago.

A dead body, identified as Adam Khan, was found in the Jhal Magsi area of same District.

SFs foiled a terrorism bid as they arrested two terrorists and recovered 100 kilograms explosives from their possession during a raid in Kuchlak area in the suburb of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Militants blew up a portion of railway track in Sariab area of Quetta. No loss of life was reported.

A PPP worker was injured when a remote controlled bomb planted near the office of a party candidate in Mirzai area of Shabqadar in Charssada District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, went off. The bomb was planted near the office of PPP candidate for PK-22 Haji Asadullah Khan in Mirzai area. The PPP worker identified as Shahid sustained injuries. The BDU personnel said about four kilograms explosive was used in the bomb. 

Two workers of ANP were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Chengolai area of Swat District. ANP workers Nasruallah and Shah Farooq were returning home from Khwazakhela bazaar in their car when unknown armed men ambushed the vehicle just a few yards from their village. 

Dara Adam Khel chapter of TTP warned the teachers to boycott the polling process “in order to avoid punishment”. The warning has been issued through pamphlets distributed in various schools, residences of teachers in different areas of Peshawar, like Sarband, Salman Khel, Masho Khel and some areas located in Badbher. Local found the pamphlets and informed the Police, who gathered the letters for investigation and to determine who distributed them. According to the letter, TTP Dara Adam Khel has announced that “we are against those people who are working for democracy and these people are the enemies of the Islam who want to destabilise our country and Islam through democracy”. Through the pamphlet, the TTP has also demanded that people support the TTP, through money or participation in jihad and reject the election. The TTP also warned the teachers and citizens that they should not participate in election work.

Rangers arrested 13 suspects during different targeted raids and operations in the Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. On a tip-off, Rangers raided Marine Drive Apartments near Bilawal House, and arrested three suspects, recovering 10 different types of weapons from their custody.

At least 12 persons were killed and 35 others were injured in a remote-controlled blast when a candidate of the Fazlur Rehman led JUI-F was conducting his election campaign in Doaba Town of Hangu District. DPO Sajjad Khan said militants had parked an explosive-laden motorcycle in the main bazaar and triggered the explosion when the JUI-F candidate Mufti Syed Jannan along with his supporters reached there to meet the shopkeepers and seek votes.

Five persons, including PPP leader Muhammad Zahir Shah Khan, were killed in a remote-controlled bomb blast near the Babagam village in Maidan area of Lower Dir District.

One person was killed and three others were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at the cavalcade of AJIP ‘chief’ Shahram Khan Tarakai near Baja village in Swabi District. Police sources said Shahram Khan and his supporters were on their way back after addressing a rally in Baja village when unidentified assailants opened fire. “The AJIP ‘chief’ remained unhurt in the attack but one of his supporters was killed on the spot,” said a Police official.

JI leader, identified as Malik Bahram Khan, an election candidate for PK-93 Upper Dir-III, and three other companions of him were injured in a remote-controlled bomb attack in Akhagram area of Upper Dir District. None claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Two activists of MQM, identified as Anis Ilyas and Qasim Muzaffar, were shot dead and one other, identified as Jalal Saeed, was injured in an attack on the party’s office in Juma Himayati Goth area of Korangi town in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Police arrested the Karachi ‘chief’ of LeJ, Qari Shafi Ansari, during a raid at Hub River Road. Police also claimed to have recovered two hand grenades, one rifle, one 8mm pistol and TT pistols from his possession. The Police said Ansari is allegedly involved in number of sectarian killings and was made ameer of Karachi chapter of the group after the arrest of Hafiz Qasim Rasheed. Ansari was earlier arrested in 2001 but set free in 2008.

Police arrested a suspected TTP militant involved in a number of bank robberies and extortion cases. CID, Operations Wing SSP Mohammed Fayyaz Khan said following a tip-off, his team raided a hideout in the Korangi Industrial Area and after a shoot-out arrested Imran alias Kami. During interrogation, Imran revealed that he was a member of the TTP. He and his associates were involved in the robbery at the Soneri Bank branch in Soldier Bazaar on December 13, 2011, in which they had walked away with PKR 5.2 million. They had also robbed PKR 6.8 million from the UBL Bank branch in Naval Colony. They had looted PKR 1.8 million from the Bank Al-Islami branch near Lasbela Chowk. Imran further disclosed that he was trained in Waziristan Agency of FATA and also involved in attacks on military and intelligence personnel. He was instructed by his commander in Waziristan to rob banks in Karachi in order to generate funds for his organisation.

Unidentified armed assailants abducted three persons from Tump area of Turbat District. According to Levies Force, Muhammad Jan, Muhammad Ibrahim and Wahid Aziz were on their way home when armed assailants took them away to an unidentified location at gunpoint near Mand area.

Three activists of MQM, identified as Qasim Saeed, Anis Ilyas and Bilal Ahmed, were shot dead and one other, identified as Muhammad Hussain was injured by unidentified assailants in Jumma Goth area within the premises of Ibrahim Hydri Police Station of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh.

Two MQM activists, identified as Muhammad Ali and Muhammad Aslam were shot dead and three others were injured near the Liberty roundabout in Hyderabad city of same District.

Two cadres of the banned TTP were shot dead by their colleagues in Mianwali Colony of Karachi.

A person, identified as Qari Hakim was shot dead in Super Market within the remits of Sohrab Goth Police Station.

A person, identified as Kashif Soomro (20), was shot dead near Crown cinema of Mauripur road. Police suspected that Lyari gangsters were behind the incident.

A Policeman, identified as Dilawar Khan, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Frontier Colony within the remits of Pirabad Police Station.

A dead body in a gunny bag, identified as Fayyaz Haqnawaz, was found near Ghani Chowrangi area within the jurisdiction of SITE-B Police Station.

Another dead body of a man was found near Lyari express way of Yasinabad area within the limits of Jauharabad Police Station.

At least 23 persons were injured in a bomb attack in Mehboobabad area.

18 persons were injured in an IED blast near Sitara Bakery of Mehmoodabad area.

Rangers arrested around three dozen militants during different targeted raids and operations across the Karachi. According to details, Rangers’ officials said that the raids were conducted in various parts of the city including Badia Town, Miran Naka, Machar Colony, Kimari, Model Colony, Itehad Town, Frontier Colony, Kunwari Colony, Orangi, Safora Chowrangi, Pahar Gunj and Sajan Goth. Spokesman of Rangers further said that the arrests were made during door-to-door search operation. Large number of Rangers personnel participated in the operation while the entire localities were cordoned off during the operation hours, he said. He also stated that 52 weapons of different calibers including SMGs, Rifles and mixed ammunitions were also recovered from the possession.

Police arrested three TTP targeted killers and recovered suicide jackets and explosives from Zeal Pak Colony of Hyderabad city of same District. Militants confessed to killing of MQM candidate Fakhr-ul-Islam on April 11, 2013, in Hyderabad.

Two Policemen, a woman and a suicide bomber were killed and another militant arrested with a suicide vest during an encounter in Rasheed Garhi area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to an official, terrorists hurled grenades at Police when they launched an operation in the locality. Elite Force personnel Misbahullah of Mian Gujar and Wahab Ali of Mashogagar of Badbher were killed and a woman and a child injured. The Police official said an injured intending suicide bomber had been arrested and he had identified himself as Saadat Khan. City Police Chief Liaquat Ali Khan told reporters that another suicide bomber had blown himself up in a house, killing a woman. He said the militant had forced his way into the building after attacking Police, but detonated his suicide vest after police surrounded the house.

A policeman and two women were killed and 27 others injured as a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into Domail Police Station in Bannu city of same District at 5:00am. Officials said the bomber drove the car through the densely populated area before hitting the Police Station, destroying the building and several nearby houses and shops. Police constable Rehmanullah and two women were killed and 27, mostly children and women, suffered injuries in the attack. The bomb disposal unit personnel said 400kg explosives were used in the explosion, which created an eight feet deep crater.

Two persons were killed and 18 others, including a Policeman, women and some children, injured in a remote-controlled blast in Jani Chowk of Hangu Bazaar in Hangu District. Police said the bomb was planted in a handcart parked on Railway Road in Hangu Bazaar. Police Sub-Inspector and platoon commander Ahmad Hussain was among the injured.

Five persons, including three Policemen, were injured in a hand grenade attack in Dera Ismail Khan City of same District. Police said unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade partially damaging part of the house injuring two persons. Police rushed to the place but when they reached there, a roadside improvised explosive device exploded destroying their van and injuring Police Constables Mohammad Timur and Inayatullah and driver Gulam Fareed.

At least nine militants were killed and their three hideouts destroyed in an operation by SFs in Mamozai and surrounding areas of Orakzai Agency in FATA. According to details, SFs engaged the suspected militants in Mamozai and surrounding areas with heavy artillery fire. In SFs’ bombing three hideouts were destroyed resulting in the death of nine militants injury to several others. Sources said that death toll may rise further as many militants were reported buried under the rubble of destroyed hideouts.

A security official was killed and another injured in a landmine explosion in Shahidano Dhand area of Parachinar in Kurram Agency. Local officials said the two security personnel were on routine patrol in the area when a landmine planted by militants on a village track exploded, killing one of them and injuring the other.

SFs freed 13 persons in Kalaya of Orakzai Agency who were abducted by militants from Peshawar January 31, 2012. The hostages included three WAPDA workers, nine labourers and a Policeman. Sohail Ahmed, one of the freed WAPDA workers, said he and his co-workers were working at a 132kV grid station in the Gula Khan Bagh area of Badhaber when about 30 armed militants abducted them and took them to the Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency. The militants tortured them and forced them to work as slave labour, he added.

At least 14 persons were injured in two hand grenades attack by unidentified assailants at a hotel near eastern bypass area of Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Unidentified militants fired rockets at the FC checkpost in Kohlu District. No causality or injury was reported.

Militants abducted five personnel of the Levies force after blowing up their post in Johaan area of Kalat District. Militants entered the building of Police post and placed explosive devices there and detonated them. “The building was blown up by the powerful explosion,” sources said, adding that attackers took away five Levies personnel.

Religious parties in Gilgit and Diamer Districts, including the ASWJ and JI, called for a new and ‘acceptable’ governing system for the region, terming the existing GB Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009 ‘biased’. “The existing governance system is unacceptable to us as it has deprived us of our rights,” ASWJ GB chief Qazi Nisar Ahmed told journalists in Gilgit. He accused Chief Minister Mehdi Shah for being biased in favour of a particular sect. “Families of the Sunnis killed were paid Rs 100,000 each while others killed in similar instances were paid Rs2 million each,” he alleged. GB JI chief Abdul Sami said the strike was meant to protest the 2009 Order and draw the attention of whoever forms the new government following the elections on May 11.

A ‘token strike’ was called by parties to register their reservations against the order promulgated by the PPP government in 2009. Under the order, elections were held in GB for the first time in history and a Chief Minister and Governor were elected and the PPP became the ruling party. GB was made a de facto province but not under the Constitution. During the strike, protesters carried banners and dispersed peacefully later. However, in a precautionary move all educational institutions, markets, cellular services and the Karakoram Highway remained closed on the Government’s orders. Qazi Nisar Ahmed condemned the mobile phone restriction, arguing it was a non-violent ‘token strike’ against the self-governance order.

At least six persons including three Policemen were killed and more than 10 others injured in a remote controlled blast near a Police van in Sarmal Nusratkhail area in Torghar town of same District. According to Police, militants detonated a remote-controlled device concealed in sand near the River Indus. A police party was deployed to check the passengers of ferries moving from Judbah to Darband and other parts of Hazara when the blast occurred.

Unidentified militants lobbed a hand grenade inside the building, the meeting place of an Awami National Party leader, Haider Ali, in Katlang area of Mardan District. An official of the Katlang Police said that around 12:30am, an explosion was heard at the ANP leader’s meeting place, while a car and motorbike parked inside were damaged as a result. None were killed or injured.

The ANP party’s election office was partially destroyed when explosives planted by unidentified militants went off in the Bhalola area of Charsadda District. Official said that unidentified militants had planted a remote-controlled bomb at the election office of ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan, which exploded and destroyed the front of the office that is situated in Bhalola Bazaar. No human loss was reported.

A bomb planted at the main gate of an ANP election office in Yar Hussain village of Swabi District went off, partially destroying the structure. No one was reported injured or killed. 

An internally displaced person was killed and six others were injured when a bomb planted at the office of NA-41’s candidate exploded in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency. An official of the political administration in Mir Ali said that around 3:00pm a huge explosion occurred in Mir Ali Bazaar.

A boy was killed and four others injured when an explosive device went off inside a playground in Rashkai area of Bajaur Agency. Local residents and officials said the blast occurred during the final of a cricket tournament.

Former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son, Ali Haider Gilani (27), was abducted by unidentified assailants on the outskirts of Multan city of same District. Officials said his secretary and a bodyguard were killed and four persons were injured. “People came on a motorbike. They also had a car with them and they opened fire and abducted Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son Ali Haider in a black Honda,” Police officer Khurram Shakur told reporters. There was no claim of responsibility for the abduction. Yousaf Raza Gilani alleged that the PML-N has abducted his son. “The election is a national obligation and we will not boycott,” he said. “Kidnapping of my son following killing of his secretary in a firing attack is a horrific incident,” he added.  

Three Karachi targeted killers were killed by Lahore and Karachi Police in a joint operation in the Satukatla area of Lahore District. Police said that two Policemen also lost their lives during operation.

A Balochistan Constabulary operative was killed while six others were injured when the election rally of PML-N candidate Akber Askani came under attack in the Mand area of Kech District. An official of the Balochistan Levies, Nasir Ali, told that the PML-N candidate of PB-50, Akber Askani, was on his way to campaign for elections when unidentified assailants opened indiscriminate fire on his cavalcade. The BLF claimed responsibility for the attack.

A primary school was blown up in Ghot Raisani area of Dhadar in Bolan District. Levies sources said that militants planted explosive material at the primary school designated as a polling station.  

Two other schools designated as polling stations were blown up in Jaffarabad District. A third school was blown up in the Chah Sar area of Turbat District.

The AEC of the CID arrested five suspected TTP militants, for their alleged involvement in extortion, near the Manghopir Road situated in the Peerabad Police precincts. CID officials said they recovered two Kalashnikovs, five hand grenades and three TT pistols from their possession.  

The Peshawar High Court ordered that drones entering Pakistani airspace be shot down. In its detailed verdict about drone attacks, the court has said they constitute a violation of international law and the basic human rights and also violate the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan. The court directed the Government to stop drone strikes and contact the IWCT over the issue. A two-member bench of the PHC headed by Chief Justice Dost Muhammad heard the case against the CIA-led drone strikes in Pakistan. Justice Dost Muhammad said drone attacks should be declared a war crime and issued wide-ranging directives to the Federal Government and Security Forces to ensure halt to such attacks and that included the raising of the issue at the UN Security Council and the General Assembly.

“The drone strikes carried out in the tribal areas (FATA), particularly North and South Waziristan, by CIA and the US authorities, are blatant violation of basic human rights and are against the UN Charter, the UN General Assembly resolution adopted unanimously, the provision of Geneva Conventions and thus, it is held to be a war crime cognizable by the International Court of Justice or Special Tribunal for War Crimes constituted or to be constituted by the UNO for this purpose,” the court ruled.

Nine militants and three soldiers were killed in a gunfight in Parachamkani area of Kurram Agency in FATA. According to official sources, militants launched an attack on SFs in Mohammad Top area early in the morning, killing three soldiers and injuring four others. The assault was followed by a heavy exchange of fire between the two sides in which nine militants were killed and eight wounded, the sources added. Locals said militants had also abducted four persons. “More than 1,000 families have left their houses due to disturbance in Parachamkani,” said a source at the office of the assistant political agent of central Kurram. The official said 500 families comprising 20,000 individuals had been informally registered with the administration and a large number of displaced people had gone to live with their relatives.

Four persons were killed and 21 others injured in a bomb blast occurred at the Khwaja Jan Chowk in Miranshah bazaar of North Waziristan Agency near the election offices of candidates for the NA-40 seat. Sources said the explosive device placed on a motorcycle parked near the offices was detonated by remote control at about 10am. The election offices belong to the candidates of PML-N, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam. Another, blast took place in Gora Qabristan on the Miranshah-Bannu road.

Five persons sustained injuries in a blast in Uthmankhel bazaar in the Orakzai Agency. The sources said unidentified persons had placed explosives in the grocery store of Zar Maluk in Uthmankhel bazaar, which went off at 5pm.

The SFs recovered two roadside bombs in Ferozkhel area. 

The LI asked the people to stay away from the polling stations and threatened to impose fine amounting to PKR 50,000 on those who take part in the polling. In a leaflet circulated in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil, the LI also threatened “to chop off the thumb” of those who cast their ballots. Tribal sources said the leaflets had been pasted on the walls of shops, mosques and houses in Sanzalkhel, Madakhel and Merikhel areas in Akkakhel. 

Two workers of ANP were killed in a series of bomb blasts which also damaged a polling station and three election offices in Swabi town of same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three people were injured in the blasts. One blast took place at the MCB Chowk in Yar Hussain bazaar near the election office of an ANP candidate for provincial assembly seat PK-33. Two people killed in this blast were identified as Farman Ali and Arbab Ali. Police said an improvised explosive device had been placed near the election office. Officials said two other blasts occurred in Swabi Khas, damaging election offices of two ANP candidates for provincial assembly seats PK-32 (Swabi-II) and PK-31 (Swabi-I). No one was injured. Sources said explosive devices had been placed in guest houses of candidates Itibar Khan and Safdar Khan. The fourth blast damaged a Government school building where a polling station had been set up. School’s watchman Sher Azam was injured in the blast.

In their bid to sabotage the May 11 polls, the TTP and other militant outfits are likely to target the leaders of political parties, foreign election observers, polling staff and journalists. The militant groups are carrying out their plans with the backing of foreign countries. Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso and the Federal Cabinet have been informed of these threats by intelligence agencies. According to documents available with The Express Tribune, Premier Khoso and the cabinet were warned about the threats during a cabinet meeting held on May 4 at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

TTP and HT, in their persistent campaign of violence and extremism against Pakistan's May 11 general election, are following an un-Islamic path of sin, according to religious leaders of Pakistan Ulema Council. In an effort to persuade people not to give in to terrorist threats, the PUC's recent fatwa declared voting a religious obligation.

TTP Shura has allowed women voters from South Waziristan Agency area dominated by Ahmedzai Wazirs to exercise their franchise provided that proper purdah arrangements are made at polling stations. The 120-member peace committee comprising TTP commanders, and ulema and elders of Ahmedzai Wazir tribe announced a code of conduct for elections in Wana, South Waziristan Agency’s administrative headquarters, before Friday prayer.

The Army has deployed over 75,000 troops across the country and 5,000 troops for ‘most sensitive’ polling stations to strengthen security for the General Election. A military official said that security cameras had been installed where necessary. APCs will be used in most sensitive areas as and when required and aerial surveillance of these areas will also be conducted. Army’s sniffer dogs have been made available for security duties.

At least 15 persons were killed and 20 others were injured when unidentified assailants attacked the convoy of the candidate of PB-28 Syed Khadim Hussain’s nephew in Naseerabad District. The assailants fired several rockets hitting the passenger bus, which was on its way back to drop the supporters, after the polling. Reports suggested that the assailants had taken positions on Naseerabad road and the attackers fired several rockets at the bus as it approached them at around 10:30pm. 

Atleast 14 people were killed and 61 others injured in three separate bomb blasts in Karachi, provincial capital of Sindh. According to details, at least 11 people were killed while 45 others were wounded in a blast that occurred near ANP office situated at Dawood Chali locality of Quaidabad. Police officials said the bomb was planted in a rickshaw parked near the election office of ANP, targeting its party leader Amanullah Mehsud. However after the explosion Mehsud remained safe.

Another bomb exploded in a bus in Mianwali Colony area of Pirabad that left one person dead and wounded five. DSP Zahid Hussain said that bomb was concealed in a metal box that was laid on front seat of a bus. He said the bomb was exploded through IED, which also contained nut bolts and balls bearing weighing around one kilogram. DSP Hussain further said the bus carried ANP workers and they were the main target of terrorists.

Two Rangers personnel were killed and eleven others including six Rangers personnel wounded in a suicide bomb attack on their vehicle at Islami Colony locality of Manghopir.

Armed riders hurled hand grenades in various localities of Karachi city including Orangi Town, Baldia Town and Garden. Police said unknown armed riders threw hand grenades and fled the scene.

Balochistan Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Sukhera narrowly escaped a suicide attack in the high security zone on Zarghoon Road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan that killed at least six persons and injured 46 others. IGP Sukhera had just entered his residence on Zarghoon Road when a suicide bomber in a vehicle laden with explosives blew themselves up outside. “At least two policemen, three paramilitary soldiers and one passerby were killed outside the inspector general’s residence and 46 others were wounded,” Home Secretary Akbar Durrani said. The windowpanes of several government premises and other buildings, including that of media organisations, were smashed in the blast. The four-story building of Quetta Press Club was also damaged, while a journalist sitting inside the press club received injuries.

Two persons died in a landmine explosion in Goth Manzoor Jan area of Naseerabad District. According to Police, the victims, identified as Allah Dino and Leemo Khan, were on their way home on a motorbike when they hit a roadside landmine that went off. As a result, both of them died on the spot.

Six rockets were fired in different areas of the provincial capital Quetta in the Sunday night. Police sources said that unidentified militants fired rockets from the mountains which landed in different areas of the metropolis. One of the rockets landed in a ground near a checkpost causing no damage to life.

Unidentified militants fired two rockets targeting a Security Force check post in Chatkan area of Panjgur District. Local Levies sources said the rockets fired from surrounding mountains, landed in ground near the check post causing no damage to life.

The BNP-M renounced the results of the election on various polling stations and demanded the ECP either recounts the votes or conduct a new election. Speaking at a press conference, BNP-M Vice President Sajjid Tareen, PB-5 candidate Akhter Hussain Langov, PB-4 candidate Ahmed Nawaz Baloch and a large number of party workers renounced the election results. “All the forces deployed for so-called security of polling stations were utilised to turn the majority of our votes into a minority,” Sajjid Tareen said, adding that the BNP-M was punished for its policies and the six-point agenda that it had put before the CJP for putting an end to the atrocities perpetrated against the people of Balochistan.

At least 16 persons were killed in a blast that ripped through a passenger bus in Miranshah town of North Waziristan Agency of FATA. The nature of the blast could not be ascertained immediately.

Seven persons, including political activists and an ASWJ cadre, were killed in separate incidents of violence across Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Two activists of the MQM, Adeel and Anees, were shot dead and another, Kamran, was injured near Daata Chowk in Sector-11½, Orangi Town. Iqbal Market SHO Amjad Kiyani said two men riding a motorcycle opened fire on them and escaped. Adeel and Anees were shot several times with 9mm pistols.

Two PML-N supporters were killed and another injured in an attack near Malir No 9 in Khokhrapar. Model Colony Police said 20-year-old Ishaq, 18-year-old Hamza and an unidentified man in his 20s were returning home from a party rally at night when some men shot them.

An ASWJ cadre was shot dead near Sakhi Hassan Chowrangi in North Nazimabad. SSP Central Amir Farooqi said 32-year-old Abdul Wahid, a resident of Sector-11½, Orangi Town, was attacked by two men riding a motorcycle in the afternoon. Wahid was shot eight times with 9mm pistols.

A senior member of the Daawat-e-Islami, Akeel Ahmed, was shot dead near Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad. Akeel Ahmed, a resident of Gulbahar, was on his way towards Five Star Chowrangi with his son at night when two men on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle and shot him. Ahmed had suffered multiple bullet wounds.

A man was shot dead in the Mannu Goth area of PIB Colony. New Town Sub-Divisional Police Officer Nasir Lodhi said Shafi Mohammad, a member of a criminal group, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle in the afternoon.

Two Policemen were killed and eight other persons were wounded in two separate attacks in Badaber area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the night. Police said a patrolling party of the Badaber Police Station was on a routine duty when two IEDs planted on the roadside in Malikhel area was triggered with a remote-control. An assistant sub-inspector Amjad Kamal and a Constable Sohail Khan were killed in the twin blasts while four constables and two civilians were wounded in the attack.

Two Policemen were injured in an exchange of fire with alleged militants in Sheikh Mohammadi village. Police said the attackers wanted to kidnap the polling staff and polling agents from the women polling station in the area who were busy in counting votes.

At least four persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A Philanthropist and social activist Abdul Waheed, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at his medical store in Islamia Colony of Manghopir area. The suspects also injured his one-year-old daughter Pareesha and his elder brother Naseeb Taj.

A person, identified as Shahbaz, was killed by unidentified assailants near KMDC located in North Nazimabad town within the jurisdiction of Taimoria Police Station.

Waseem (27), a trainee Police constable, was killed near Saeedabad Police training centre of Baldia town.

An ASI, Syed Maqbool Shah, was killed in Farid Colony of Mominabad area.

One more person injured in the May 12 Zarghoon Road (Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan) suicide blast, died raising the death toll to eight. At least seven persons were killed and 68 others injured, many of them critically, in the blast targeting Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhaira on May 12.

At least six persons, including JI and MQM activists were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. An MQM activist, identified as Muhammad Azam (35), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near his home in Bengali Para in Bilal Colony of Korangi town.

A worker of the JI, identified as Yunus (40), was shot dead and other Asghar was injured by unidentified assailants in Lyari area.

A person, identified as Muzzamil Ghani, was shot dead in Lyari area.

Two dead bodies of two brothers, Shoaib (25) and Adnan (27), were found in Mauripur Road of Mohammadi Colony.

A dead body of Wilayat Hussain (35) was found in Abul Chowk of Kaghzi Bazaar in Kharadar area.

CID arrested the chief of TTP Karachi chapter, Ameer Sahab, during targeted operation in Kemari and also recovered weapons including four hand grenades, 30-bore pistol, two repeaters and mixed ammunitions from his custody. The officials said the accused was involved in target killings and other cases of crime.

Chairman of APNA Sardar Arif Shahid was killed by two unidentified assailants in Rawalpindi city of same District. His party, Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Conference has announced three-day mourning across PoK.

Police arrested alleged TTP ‘commander’ and target killer Abid aka Charger and two other militants during a raid on a house in the Bahadur Banda area of Hangu District in KP. Hand grenades and other weapons were recovered from the possession of the arrested militants, District Police Officer Hangu Sajjad Khan said.

The IMU acknowledged perpetrating the May 12 suicide bombing attack on Zarghoon Road in Quetta (Quetta District), the provincial capital of Balochistan, reports Central Asia Online. At least eight persons, mostly Police and SFs, were killed in the suicide bombing, which targeted Balochistan IGP Mushtaq Sukhera. However, he had escaped unhurt.

A cadre of the ASWJ and also an activist of the Muttahida Deeni Mahaz (MDM) Election Committee for PS-128 Landhi, Hafiz Mohammad Sajjad, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near the Usman Ghani mosque at Vita Chowrangi in the Korangi Industrial Area of Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. ASWJ ‘spokesman’ Maulana Akbar Saeed Farooqi accused the MQM of orchestrating the murder and said that the MDM member had been threatened on May 11 when he had resisted rigging and violence against voters during the elections. ASWJ cadres claimed that the funeral prayers were also attacked and two of their party workers were injured, while six others were abducted.

The Government has formally declared 29 villages in Parachamkani area of Kurram Agency in FATA a conflict zone, where, officials say, Security Forces are gearing up for action against militants. An official source in FATA Secretariat told Dawn that the office of the FATA secretary (law and order) on May 13 had notified 29 villages of Parachamkani as a conflict zone and that notification had been issued to all authorities concerned. 

The FDMA in collaboration with the United Nations aid agencies is planning to begin registration of around 5,000 internally displaced families from May 16. Officials said around 6,000 more families would be dislocated from the area in the next few days and the relevant authorities had requested the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to intimate its partners to make all necessary arrangements to provide relief to displaced families.

A man detained by intelligence agencies since 2011 told the IHC on May 15 that over 500 terror suspects had been kept in an internment centre in Lakki Marwat town of same District in KP. Rana Amir, who went missing in 2011, also was detained at the centre. This was confirmed by a Defence Ministry Official who told the court on May 2 to ask the KP Government to produce him before it. On the directive of Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, the Interior Ministry and the KP Government produced Amir during the hearing of a petition filed by his wife Rashida Amir.

Responding to the court’s questions, Amir said that intelligence personnel had picked him up from his dairy farm in Rahim Yar Khan on February 10, 2011. According to him, the agencies initially kept him in solitary confinement for five months somewhere in Bahawalpur. From there he was taken to Lahore and Peshawar and subsequently to Lakki Marwat. He told the court that the Lakki Marwat centre housed more than 500 suspects in about 20 barracks.

The TTP said that they do not rule out a ‘ceasefire’ if the new Government ‘shows seriousness’ to their dialogue offer. TTP ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan says if the incoming Government takes their talks offer seriously, his group will also come up with a positive response. “If they [the new government] takes our dialogue offer seriously and makes some progress, then we could also stop attacks,” Ehsan told The Express Tribune by the phone from undisclosed location.

The incoming Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, said this week that the Taliban’s offer for dialogue would be taken seriously. The TTP had also offered ‘conditional dialogue’ to the previous ruling coalition in February only to withdraw it after they did not receive a ‘positive’ response.

Three soldiers and two civilians were killed while six others sustained injuries in a bomb attack followed by firing on a Security Forces’ convoy on the Kohat Road near Sra Khawra area of Matani in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the night. Officials said a convoy of the Army was on its way from Kohat to Peshawar when it came under a bomb attack, followed by intense firing near Sra Khawra in Matani. Three soldiers and two unidentified persons were killed in the blast and firing, while six others were injured.

The member of Damghar peace committee and PML-N leader Shah Dawran and his guard were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Mingora Bazaar of Swat District. Police said Dawran and his guard, Amanullah of special police force, were bound for home in Damghar from Mingora in a car and when they reached Green Chowk, armed men opened fire on them killing the two on the spot.

Unidentified assailants killed the driver of a NATO trailer and injured his helper on Ring Road in limits of Pishtakhara Police Station in Peshawar. Injured Akbar Ali told local police, “We had just returned from Afghanistan on a US vehicle and were on the way to Haji Camp that unidentified gunmen opened fire on us on Ring Road.” The helper said driver Basharat Ali, of Faisalabad, suffered bullet injures and died.

Police arrested six kidnappers and recovered an activist of the PML-N from their captivity in Misri Banda village of Nowshera District. Senior Superintendent of Police Waqar Ahmed said the Police launched an operation in Khurram Koroona in Misri Banda for the recovery of Abdul Wahab, the PML-N senior vice-president for the provincial assembly constituency, PK-5 in Nowshera District.

Accepting defeat in the General Elections 2013, ANP chief, Asfandyar Wali Khan claimed his party’s anti-terrorism slogan was the main reason behind their defeat. Asfandyar Wali Khan said that despite their reservations over the general elections, the party accepts the results. Khan vowed to reclaim the mandate, which, according to him, was snatched by “terrorists” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Unidentified assailants opened fire on NATO supply truck passing through Peshawar near the Afghan border, in the Jamrud area of Khyber Agency in FATA. “Two gunmen on a motorcycle fired at a NATO truck and killed its driver,” local official Asmatullah Wazir said.

LEA carried out targeted operations across the Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh, and detained 31 suspects including six militants of banned terrorist outfits. According to details, Rangers’ official said the raids were conducted in Itehad town, Banaras Chowk and Liaquatabad. Police also claimed to have recovered huge caches of weapons.

Police arrested four suspected target killers and recovered arms as well as hand grenades from their possession in Mauripur area. The Police said a special team conducted raids of the Grex area of Hawkesbay and arrested Danish, Mehtab, Amir and Sheraz. They said the suspects were involved in target killings and were believed to be affiliated with a political party. Four TT pistols and four hand grenades were taken from their possession.

LEA arrested three persons, who were involved in selling explosives to banned-militant outfits, from Pishin town of same District. According to sources, the three arrested persons carried license to sell explosives to mining companies. The sources said that instead of selling explosives to the mining companies, they were selling it to militants. The Police also recovered 500 kilograms of explosives from their custody.

Twenty-one persons were killed and around 120 others sustained injuries in separate bomb blasts during the Friday prayer at two mosques in Baz Darra village in Palai Union Council of Malakand District in KP. Local sources said unidentified militants had planted explosives inside Bar Jumat mosque in Baz Darra and triggered the explosion when the faithful were offering the Friday prayer at 1:25pm. “Everyone headed towards the mosque after hearing the blast. Those offering prayers at the Koz Jumat mosque also left the prayers to take part in rescue activities,” an eyewitness said. When they were leaving the mosque, the explosives placed inside the Koz Jumat mosque also went off. 

Two security persons were killed while another injured when terrorists opened indiscriminate firing on a security caravan in Matani area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. 

Four Policemen were injured when terrorists targeted a Police vehicle which was on a routine patrolling in the Maryam Zai.

At least seven persons, including activists of JI and MQM, were killed in targeted attacks across Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. A former union councillor associated with the JI, Mohammed Abid, was shot dead near the Sindh Sports Board Complex in Nazimabad area.

An activist of the MQM, identified as Abdul Jabber, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his house in Ghaziabad of Pakistan Bazaar in Orangi town.

A cadre of the MQM- Haqiqi, Gulzar Qureshi (34), was shot dead near Noorani Mohalla in Agra Taj Colony.

One Dilshad (35) was killed by unidentified assailants at his meat shop in Soldier Bazaar.

A Baloch man, Abdul Rashid Baloch, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Saudabad.

The dead body, stuffed in a gunny bag, was found near the Kalapul of Mehmoodabad Police Station.

Ahmed Ramzan (45) was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Muslimabad D1 area of Khokhrapar.

Four persons were injured by four unidentified assailants near Bashir Chowk situated in Pukhtoonabad.

A central leader of the JuD, Khalid Bashir (42), was found dead in Sheikhupura area of Lahore city of same District. JuD’s Ameer (chief) Hamza told that Bashir was abducted by some unidentified militants two days ago.

Police recovered a bag containing 16 kilogram explosives in Loralai area of Loralai District. The BDS took possession of the bag and diffused the explosive.

A US senior Defence Department official said that the Pentagon sees no need to change the broad Congressional authorisation under which the military conducts lethal drone strikes against terrorist targets and estimated that the war with al Qaeda could continue for up to two decades, said a report published in The Washington Post.

The TTP is luring more women to become suicide bombers. The number of incidents involving female suicide bombers is rising, officials say. "Terrorists are exploiting psychologically fragile women, motivating them to execute attacks in the name of religion," said Muhammad Ali Babakhel, a Deputy Inspector General of the KP Police.

At least two persons were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. One person was shot dead and a television reporter was injured by unidentified assailants on Napier Road near Denso Hall of Kharadar Police Station.

A dead body, identified as Abdul Kalam of was found in Brohi Goth area. Police believed the victim was abducted, tortured and then shot dead.

At least two persons were injured in a remote-controlled blast near the house of a tribal elder in Dera Allahyar area of Jaffarabad District. Police sources told that unidentified militants planted an IED near the house of a local tribal elder, and detonated it.

Two persons were killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on their car in Khal area of Lower Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Six children suffered injuries as unknown miscreants hurled a hand grenade in the house of Raz Mohammad Khan in Kachkot Asad Khan village of Surani area in Bannu District. The injured children were identified as Osman, Aiman, Yousaf Khan, Asad Yar Khan, Irfan and Hajra.

A Police patrol party escaped a roadside explosion in the jurisdiction of cantonment Police Station. The bomb was attached to a bike along the roadside in Azad Mandi area. The bomb exploded few minutes after the Police party passed the area. However, no loss of life or property was reported in the incident.

Two dead bodies, identified as Shahzeb and his brother Shah Noor, were found in Murgaap area of Kech Districts of Balochistan. Police said that both the boys were in their 20s and were brutally tortured and subjected to electric shocks. They were abducted on March 11 from Turbat area of Kech District, said the sources.

A dead body, identified as that of Naseer Ahmed, was found from Zinda Pir Road area of Khuzdar District.

At least three persons, including PTI leader Zahrah Shahid Husain, were killed in separate incidents in Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh. PTI leader Zahrah Shahid Husain was killed by unidentified assailants in Defence Phase-IV.

Two unidentified dead bodies were found in Manghopir area.

Police arrested four alleged members of TTP during a targeted raid in Ganna Mandi area of Sohrab Goth. The suspects have been identified as Anar Khan, Ameer Khan, Sal Mohammad and Naimatullah.

Around 934 persons, including 90 Policemen and Rangers personnel and 844 members of political parties, were killed in the Karachi (Karachi District), the provincial capital of Sindh, in the first four months of the 2013. 535 persons have fallen victim to incidents of target killing and around 569 unclaimed bullet-riddled bodies have been recovered.

Statistics from the HRCP indicate the year 2012 recorded 104 cases of sectarian killings. A majority of those targeted belonged to the Shia community, although in the consequent tit-for-tat cycle of violence Sunnis have been victimised too.