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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000426 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  8/11/2018 
TAGS: MOPS PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: FATA: MILITANTS HIT SECURITY FORCES HARD IN BAJAUR 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne M. Tracy, Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate 
Peshawar, Department of State. 
REASON: 1.4 (d) 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.      (C) Militants besieged and overran a Frontier Corps 
position near Bajaur's capital Khar, August 7-8.  There are 
unconfirmed reports that up to 2,000 militants (including 
foreign fighters) with heavy weapons are surrounding the Khar 
Fort, with 1,400 Frontier Corps and 11th Corps personnel inside. 
 The Pakistani military is responding with F-16 air strikes in 
the area.  Frontier Corps appears to have lost at least 20 
soldiers and likely more; DGMO Pasha told ODRP Chief that over 
100 militants have been killed.  The confrontation appears to 
have been sparked by a re-positioning of Frontier Corps' forces 
near a key intersection that controls road access to the Afghan 
border (Nawa Pass) and Khar.  Bajaur, particularly areas west of 
Khar bordering Afghanistan, are dominated by militants, led by 
Tehrik-i Nafaz-i Shariat-i Mohammadi (TNSM) leader Faqir 
Mohammad, who also serves as deputy leader of Tehrik-I Taliban 
Pakistan (TTP).  The intensity and skill of the militants 
appears to have shaken 11th Corps and Frontier Corps.  With 
battle-tested supporters among TNSM's ranks and the potential to 
call for reinforcements from TTP allies, regaining ground in 
Bajaur will be a long tough fight for government forces.  End 
Summary. 
 
Loyesam -- a Key Location 
------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) According to 11th Corps contacts, the Pakistan Army 
commenced Phase I of Operation Labbaik in the Federally 
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in late July.  "Labbaik" 
largely consisted of logistical moves, repositioning forces and 
consolidating positions throughout FATA, including in North and 
South Waziristan, Mohmand, and Bajaur.  In some cases, Frontier 
Corps forces were re-deployed from positions along the border to 
more interior locations within the tribal areas with the aim of 
intercepting militant activity before it reached the border. 
 
¶3. (C) In Bajaur, o/a August 6, a 20-soldier element of Frontier 
Corps established a new position at Loyesam (approximately 10 km 
outside of Bajaur's capital Khar).  Local observers characterize 
the junction at Loyesam as an important "T" crossroad that 
controls road access to Khar and the Nawa Pass crossing on the 
Pak-Afghan border. 
 
¶4. (C) 11th Corps contacts report that o/a August 7 militants 
besieged and overran Loyesam, killing many Frontier Corps 
personnel at the position; those who escaped were hungry and 
badly dehydrated.  Three separate quick reaction forces, 
mobilized by 11th Corps to relieve the besieged position at 
Loyesam, were ambushed and pushed back by militants.  According 
to Pasha over 100 militants have been killed.  There are also 
reports that some security personnel have been kidnapped. 
(Note: ODRP/Peshawar reports that 11th Corps contacts were 
visibly shaken by the reports coming out of Bajaur.  End Note.) 
DGMO Pasha told ODRP Chief August 11 that there are now 
approximately 1,400 Frontier Corps and 11th Corps personnel 
inside the Khar Fort, which is being surrounded by up to 2,000 
well-armed militants (including foreign fighters.) 
 
Follow Up Response 
------------------ 
 
¶5. (C) The Pakistani military have sealed off the road leading 
to Khar and began F-16 air strikes o/a August 8, and 11th Corps 
contacts expect those operations to continue for at least the 
next two weeks.  The 17th Division based in nearby Dir is 
providing support to forces in Khar. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. (C) Bajaur has been the scene of past confrontations between 
the government and local militants, particularly the air strikes 
in January 2006 at Damadola and October 2006 at Chinagai. 
Despite the reputation of militants in this area, Frontier Corps 
 
PESHAWAR 00000426  002 OF 002 
 
 
as well as 11th Corps appear to have been unprepared for the 
response the new position at Loyesam provoked from the 
militants.  Neighboring Mohmand may also be in trouble.  We 
understand that most civilian government personnel have been 
evacuated from Mohmand's capital Ghalanai.  There is a tough 
battle brewing in this part of the border area, and regaining 
ground will be a long tough fight for government forces. 
TRACY