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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000505 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  11/7/2018 
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PINR PK
SUBJECT: FATA: ATTACK IN BAJAUR AGENCY TARGETS LASHKAR LEADERS AND 
TRIBAL ELDERS 
 
REF: A) PESHAWAR 489, B) PESHAWAR 84 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, Peshawar, 
Department of State. 
REASON: 1.4 (a), (b), (d) 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (C) In the second attack on a tribal jirga in less than a 
month, an explosion killed a number of tribal elders including a 
leader of the local lashkar (tribal militia), November 6, in 
Bajaur Agency.  Casualty estimates range from 8 to 25 killed and 
scores injured.  There are conflicting reports about the source 
of the attack (suicide bomber or radio-detonated device).  The 
tribal leaders and at least 150 members of the Salarzai tribe 
were discussing their next course of action against militants, 
after meeting with GOP officials, when the attack occurred. 
Suicide attacks on tribal elders occurred on October 10 in 
Orakzai Agency killing at least 61 Elders and March 2 when at 
least 40 people were killed at a similar jirga in Darra Adam 
Khel where tribal elders had agreed to take up arms against 
militants.  The long term impact remains unclear, but a failure 
to respond to the attack on the Salarzai may have repercussions 
on Bajaur operations and beyond. 
 
Most Recent Attack Kills Lashkar leader 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) According to a FATA Secretariat official a suicide bomber 
killed at least 25 tribal elders and injured 38 more in the 
Salarzai Tribal area of Bajaur Agency.  Frontier Corps sources 
reported lower casualty figures and that the source of the 
attack was a radio-detonated improvised explosive device.  Among 
the dead is Malik Fazal Karim, a Subedar Levy Major (Ret.).  He 
was reportedly the leader of the Salarzai lashkar.  One local 
contact who meets regularly with lashkar leaders stated that 
Karim was a key motivating and organizational force within the 
Salarzai lashkar and his death would be felt at least in the 
near term. 
 
Why Attack These Elders Now? 
---------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) According to local press reports, the suicide attack 
occurred while Salarzai elders and at least 150 tribesmen were 
holding a jirga in Bajaur Agency.  The purpose of the jirga was 
to discuss the next actions to be taken by the Salarzai tribe 
after the recently concluded meeting with GOP officials to 
coordinate efforts against the militants. 
 
¶4. (C) The Salarzai tribe in Bajaur Agency (along the border 
with Kunar province in Afghanistan) was the first significant 
laskhar raised.  Since then, others have been raised, including 
near Peshawar.  The degree to which they have "fought" militants 
varies widely -- the Salarzai, by many accounts, have been in 
some serious fights, while other lashkars simply decreed 
militants were not welcome, burned a house or two, and declared 
success. 
 
¶5. (C) Suicide attacks on tribal elders occurred on October 10 
in Orakzai Agency killing at least 61 Elders and March 2 when at 
least 40 people were killed at a jirga in Darra Adam Khel where 
tribal elders had agreed to take up arms against militants (refs 
A and B).  To date, there appears to have been little in the way 
of a response to these attacks that targeted the perpetrators. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶5. (C) The loss of so many tribal leaders and lashkar leader 
Malik Fazal Karim will likely have an operational impact at 
least in the near term.  The long term impact on the Salarzai 
lashkar due to the attack is not yet clear.  Much may depend on 
how the government responds.  Local leaders, particularly in 
North and South Waziristan complained bitterly about the 
government's failure to exact "consequences" for the targeting 
of more than 200 elders in the Waziristans -- and noted the 
resulting loss of confidence in the government to protect its 
supporters.  A rapid and robust response could shore up and 
 
PESHAWAR 00000505  002 OF 002 
 
 
strengthen local resistance to militants in Bajaur.  Failure, 
however, to exact a cost from Bajaur's militants could undermine 
government plans for Bajaur and beyond. 
TRACY