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Chronology: South Punjab and Millitants
People carry a victim of the February 6, 2009 suicide attack in Dera
Ghazi Khan. (File Photo)
IN recent times fingers have been pointed to South Punjab as the
next power centre of Taliban militants and various banned sectarian
organizations. The trend started emerging after the Mumbai attacks
in which the sole surviving gunman originated from Faridkot, a
village in Punjabs Okara district. However, Faridkot is not located
in South Punjab. The reason may have been that Maulana Masood Azhar,
who heads the banned outfit Lashkar e Tayyaba blamed for the
attacks, comes from the Bahawalpur, one of the main districts in
South Punjab. Here is a chronology of a number of events pointing
to Southern Punjab as the hub of militancy which at best remains
vague and sketchy:
Early 80s:
Many militant organisations such as Jaish-i-Mohammad,
Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Sipah-i-Sahaba, Lashkar-i-Tayyaba,
Harkat-ul-Ansar, Hizbul Tahrir, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen,
Tehrik-i-Jafria and Sipah-i-Mohammad establish recruiting bases in
southern Punjab. The extremist wings flourish under Gen Zia's
dictatorial rule.
March, 2002:
Two Fidayeen (a term reportedly introduced by Lashkar-i-Jhangvi for
suicide bombers) bomb the International Protestant Church in
Islamabad. It is believed to be the first suicide attack by a
militant outfit in Pakistan.
September 22, 2008:
NWFP Governor Owais Ghani warns Punjab that militancy is gaining
strength in its backyard. 'Militants in the tribal areas of the NWFP
have established firm networking (with jihadi groups) in southern
Punjab and most fresh recruits for suicide attacks are coming from
there. Militant leaders and commanders are also coming from Punjab.
The militants’ field commander in Swat too is from Punjab,' he said.
Sept-Oct, 2008:
A number of suspects are detained in Punjab apparently in connection
with the Marriott blast which killed at least 40 people on Sept 20,
2008.
November, 2008:
The Mumbai attacks take place on Nov 26, 2008 which leave at least
170 people dead. Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman captured by
Indian security forces, allegedly confesses to his links with the
Lashkar-i-Tayyaba group; he also reportedly informs that he hails
from Faridkot, a village in Punjab’s Okara district. However,
Faridkot is not located in South Punjab. The reason may have been
that Maulana Masood Azhar, who heads the banned outfit
Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, which was blamed for the attacks, comes from the
Bahawalpur, one of the main districts in South Punjab.
March, 2009:
Security agencies apprehend suspects involved in the March 3 Lahore
attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, some of whom reportedly hail
from southern Punjab.
April, 2009:
The New York Times reports that 'Taliban insurgents are teaming up
with local militant groups to make inroads in
Punjab...reinvigorating an alliance that Pakistani and American
authorities say poses a serious risk to the stability of the
country'. It quotes American intelligence and counterterrorism
officials as saying that they view the developments with alarm.
DAWN:Tuesday, 26 May, 2009
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