Kohat Blast and Shift in Taliban Strategy

Today around 11 o clock, a suicide bomber, striked Asterzai area in Khacha Pakha bazaar, some 17 miles away from Kohat ,on the border of district Hangu, killing at least 25 and injuring more then 64 people and destroying more then 30 shops completely

This was a second attack in Kohat in two days. Two days earlier, three persons were injured in a blast that ripped through a shop of electronic appliances.

Attack was targeted at a crowded location to do maximum damage .The stop of Khacha Pakha is used by passengers as change over to their journey to next destination and this road also linked to Aurak zai Agency.
The area where the attack took place is mixed area but dominated by Shia, most of the injured are and dead are Shia’s. According to analysts this attack was directed towards Ahle Tashie with aim of triggering Shia Sunni clash.

According to BBC Lashker Jhungvi, main ally of TTP and Al Qaeda in Pakistan has taken the responsibility of the suicide attack. According to BBC Urdu LJ spokesman Usman Haider claimed the responsibility and revealed that the attack was revenge of killing of Mollana Amin.

TTP has announced ceasefire with Security forces during holy month of Ramadan but today’s attack proves how un-reliable and liars Taliban are. Recently a shift in Taliban strategy is being felt by some analysts. In this new strategy Taliban are trying to instigate sectarian clash in Pakistani society. They are more interested in killing Shias and other minorities then fighting Security forces.

In Gojra Hangu, DI khan, and Kurram, Aurak Zai agencies , TTP and its Al Qaeda allies were involve in sectarian killings of minorities.

An important source has told me that this attack was a retaliatory attack by Terrorists who blame Shia population supporting Security forces and helping them by providing information and intelligence.

According to a reliable source, sectarian terror group LJ has a very strong base in Aurak Zai agency. Late Hakeem Ullah Mahsud who was operational commander of Baitullah Mahsud had his entire support base in Aurak zai agency. It is believed that Hakeem ullah at some time was member of Lashker e Jhungvi. His hand in killings of Shia’s in Kurram, Aurak zai and Hangu area proves this suspicion.

Aurak zai has a very important strategic Value for Taliban. It joins Dara Adam Khel, an important Arm Market to rest of Tribal Areas and acts as a jugular vain for Taliban movement in Pakistan.

Aurak Zai agency traditionally is a conflict area between Shia and Sunnies. Interestingly in Aurak zai three Shia tribes namely Maani Khel, Baramad Khel and Atman Khel have joined forces and have created Qaumi Lashker and kicking out Taliban from their area. Few days ago Taliban attacked school going children in Atman Khel area killing two children in revenge.

After death of Hakeem ullah Mahsud, Commander Tariq and Saif Khan has Taken Charge of sectarian Operations. According to a source, Aurak zai agency is a place where suicide bomber bazaar takes place. Two suicide bombers were purchased by Lashker Islam Mangal Bagh group from here in 2 million rupees who detonated in Khyber.

Suicide bombers coming from Afghanistan, South Punjab and Tribal Areas are trained and indoctrinated here under commander Tariq. Before operation Rah e Nijaat in SWA, Baitullah’s Area was Main training area where Qari Hussein used to train bombers. But after death of Baitullah Mahsud he and other big names are hiding in caves to escape US drone or Pakistan Air Force air attacks.

PAF and Pakistan Army are hitting TTP positions in the agency. TTP is under pressure and according to report on media in few weeks ago, two TTP groups clashed in Kalaya district of Aurak Zai due to frustration.

Analyst believe instead of SWA or NWA, operation in Aurak Zai is required more. People of Pakistan are with government and the way Pakistani forces have gained in past two three months , if forces starts operation on ground against TTP whole Pakistan will be behind its forces and it will be matter of days to finish them from Aurak Zai and destroying their Sectarian base.