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Home , Abdullah Mehsud, Bolan Pass, Mandokhel, Obaidullah Akhund, Quetta, Quetta Shura

may 2009 . Vol 2 . Issue 5

Quetta: The Headquarters This article will provide background have been taken by successive Pakistani information on , explain governments to suppress the ethnic of the Afghan allegations that the senior Taliban Baloch movement. leadership operates from its capital, By Mukhtar A. Khan and provide evidence of broader Taliban The province’s population is divided activity in the area. between Baloch and . Estimates in march 2009, the U.S. special place the Baloch at 45% of the province, representative to and Balochistan: Strategically Important whereas the Pashtuns comprise 38%. , Ambassador Richard Balochistan Province is a vast and Pashtuns, however, outnumber the Holbrooke, told the BBC that “Quetta underdeveloped region bordering Baloch in Quetta, especially after 2001 appears to be the headquarters for the Afghanistan and . It is home to the when a large number of Afghans took leaders of the Taliban.” After the U.S.- strategically significant Port, refuge in the city. The long war in led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, a deep sea port located on the Arabian Afghanistan has also made Quetta the the Taliban leadership likely fled from Sea at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. hub for arms and drug smuggling to the Province into Pakistan’s Its capital, Quetta, is a frontier city that outside world. A large portion of opium 1 southern Balochistan Province. For is approximately a three-hour drive in Afghanistan is cultivated in the Omar and his senior aides, from Kandahar city in Afghanistan. southern region, mainly in Kandahar Balochistan’s capital of Quetta was the It is encircled by mountains, and it Province. According to one journalist, closest safe haven geographically and commands the entrance into Afghanistan the general route for smuggling opium also the friendliest due to the cultural through the strategic .4 proceeds overland from Afghanistan to similarities it shares with southern Balochistan and then across the border 2 Afghanistan. into Iran. It then passes through Iran’s “The Quetta is of northwestern region, which is inhabited Today, U.S. and NATO forces in paramount importance for by Kurds, and finally into laboratories Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Helmand in Turkey, where the opium is processed provinces—located across the border counterterrorism officials and moved into Europe.6 from Pakistan’s Balochistan Province— because it is considered are facing fierce resistance from the Home to the Council Taliban. It is believed that these the intellectual and The Quetta shura is the Taliban’s most fighters regularly cross the porous and ideological underpinning of important senior leadership council. It mostly unguarded border to conduct is different from the Tehrik-i-Taliban attacks, and then slip back into their the in Pakistan (TTP) shura council in FATA, Pakistani safe havens in Balochistan. Afghanistan.” which is comprised of young but violent Afghan officials and Western analysts Pakistani Taliban militants.7 The regularly allege that Mullah Omar and Quetta shura is of paramount importance his Quetta shura council are sheltering in for counterterrorism officials because and around the city, from where they are Quetta has an established network of it is considered the intellectual and planning and directing attacks across roads and railways connecting it to the ideological underpinning of the the border. To combat this problem, rest of Pakistan. The province is rich Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.8 some analysts have suggested that the in natural gas, coal, oil and mineral It is also identified as the Taliban U.S. government expand Unmanned reserves—resources that have sparked government-in-exile. The Quetta shura is Aerial Vehicle (UAV) strikes to Taliban tension between the government and a 10-member council9 of senior Taliban 3 targets in the Quetta area. secular Baloch nationalist movements. leadership, who under the guidance of These movements have been active in their spiritual leader, Mullah Omar, the province since the early 1970s, and devise military, political, religious and they seek autonomy over Balochistan’s intelligence strategies that are then 5 1 “Afghan Taliban Hiding in Quetta,” Daily Express, June natural resources, as well as greater 7, 2007; Jonathan S. Landay, “Why Hasn’t the U.S. Gone economic and political rights. During 6 Syed Saleem Shahzad, “Opium Gold Unites US friends after Mullah Omar in Pakistan?” McClatchy News- the last four decades, several military and Foes,” Asia Times Online, September 3, 2005. papers, November 16, 2008. Al-Qa`ida’s leaders, on operations and other strict measures 7 Jayshree Bajoria, “Pakistan’s New Generation of Ter- the other hand, escaped from Afghanistan’s Tora Bora rorists,” Council on Foreign Relations, February 6, mountains across the border into Pakistan’s Federally 4 Afghanistan is linked through Road, Qamar 2008. Administered Tribal Areas. Din Karez Road via Qila Saifullah, Brahamcha Road 8 This description—that the Quetta shura is the “intel- 2 Southern Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Balochistan via Noshki and Chaghi Giridi Jangal Road. The Chaghi lectual and ideological underpinnings of the Taliban Province share many cultural similarities. The ethnic Giridi Jangal road is infamous for drug trafficking. Iran insurgency”—came from Lt. Gen. David W. Barno, a groups resident on both sides of the border are nearly is connected to Balochistan via Tuftan RCD Highway, retired former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan identical, and they share the same dialects. The dress -Mand Road, Gwadar Coastal Highway via Jivani who recently advised General David Petraeus. See Erich code is also the same. and Punjgur Road. Schmitt and Mark Mazzetti, “Taliban Haven in Pakistani 3 The United States regularly conducts UAV strikes in 5 Robert G. Wirsing, “Baloch Nationalism and the Geo- City Raises Fears,” New York Times, February 9, 2009. the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and it more politics of Energy Resources: The Changing Context 9 The size of the shura council is debateable. Some ac- recently expanded these strikes to targets in the North- of Separatism in Pakistan,” Strategic Studies Institute, counts place it at 12, whereas others place it as high as 30. West Frontier Province. April 2008. The author believes that there are 10 hardcore members. may 2009 . Vol 2 . Issue 5 executed by Taliban fighters mostly was hiding in Quetta under the safe Quetta’s Refugee Camps in southern Afghanistan. There are protection of the ISI.18 Other Taliban Quetta likely provides a ready supply reports that they also raise money spokesmen, in addition to the Pakistani of young men prepared to fight in for their military operations from the government, rejected Hanif’s allegation. Afghanistan. Most of these men are Gulf countries along with supplies of Analysts argue that the multiple arrests recruited at the many refugee camps arms and fresh fighters.10 According in Balochistan provide ample evidence around Quetta, trained in safe houses to one recent press report, Maulvi that senior level Taliban leaders are in the city and nearby Chaman and Hamdullah, a senior Taliban leader operating in and around the city. then shifted to Afghanistan for fighting who previously headed the Finance against U.S. and NATO forces.21 Taliban Department of the former Taliban Besides U.S. and Afghan officials, local leaders can easily shelter in these camps; government in Afghanistan, has been secular Baloch nationalist groups also despite Taliban rule in Afghanistan for appointed as Taliban representative for blame Pakistan for consolidating the almost five years, many of its leaders the Gulf countries to raise money for grip of the Taliban in and around Quetta. are not recognizable since they have the movement.11 He has been allegedly The Balochistan National Party accused always avoided photographs. There are contacting Taliban sympathizers in Pakistan’s ISI of facilitating the Taliban 13 Afghan refugee camps in Balochistan, , the in acquiring land worth $2.5 million including the famous Jangal Pir , and for donations.12 Mullah Omar in the eastern and western parts of Girdi Jangal, Panj Pai, Katwai and himself has reportedly written letters to Quetta.19 They also charge the Pakistani Surkhab. Pakistani officials have approximately 1,000 “philanthropists” complained that these refugee camps— asking for help in supporting the notably Jangal Pir Alizai and Girdi Taliban.13 “The Taliban in Quetta Jangal—have been used by terrorists as have mostly engaged in safe havens and recruiting grounds.22 Evidence of Taliban Activity in Quetta They want the camps relocated to A number of important Taliban leaders cross-border fighting Afghanistan.23 were tracked or arrested in and around against U.S. and NATO Quetta. In October 2005, Taliban The areas of Pashtunabad, Karbala and spokesman Abdul Latif Hakimi was forces in Afghanistan; Pishin in and near Quetta that stretch apprehended in Quetta.14 In February they have not challenged toward the border with Afghanistan 2007, Mullah , the are believed to have sprawling religious former Taliban defense minister and the Pakistani security seminaries, some of which are used for a senior member of the Quetta shura, forces. This distinguishes inciting jihad against U.S. and NATO was arrested in the city by Pakistani forces in Afghanistan. In Balochistan, authorities.15 Mullah Mansur the security problem in there are around 1,300 madrasas,24 among was arrested in Balochistan’s Qilla the south from that in the which Madrasa Arabia in Chaman and Saifullah district in February 2008 after ‘Matlu’ul Uloomul Arabia Nizamia’ he was discovered crossing the border northwest tribal areas.” on Quetta’s Bravery Road have been from Afghanistan.16 His elder brother, popular for jihadist recruiters looking senior Taliban commander Mullah for fighters for the Afghan jihad.25 Dadullah Akhund, was believed to have Another madrasa, Jamiya Islamiya, been killed after he left Balochistan and government with letting the Taliban use located on Haji Ghabi Road, has hanging crossed into Afghanistan in May 2007.17 Quetta as a resting and treatment location boards with inscriptions “Long Live Commander Abdullah Mehsud, leader of for Taliban militants recovering from Mullah Omar,” and “Long Live Fazl-ur- the Taliban in South tribal injuries sustained fighting international Rehman,” the leader of Jamiat-i-Ulama- agency, was killed in the Balochistan troops in Afghanistan. They suspect i--Fazlur (JUI-F) and the coalition town of , 207 miles from Quetta, the government is using the Taliban partner of President Asif Ali Zardari’s in July 2007. Separately, when Taliban against secular-nationalist Baloch and spokesman Dr. Mohammad Hanif was Pashtuns, who are demanding autonomy ochistan,” The Exclusive News, May 8, 2009. arrested in January 2007, he confessed over the province’s resources. Pakistani 21 Ahmad Rashid, “US Failure Breeds a Stronger al- before the media that Mullah Omar government officials, on the other hand, Qaeda,” Asia Sentinel, September 4, 2008. allege that the nationalist forces in 22 Hamid Mir, “Capital Talk,” Geo TV, January 23, 10 Schmitt and Mazzetti. Balochistan are armed and funded by 2007. 11 Shamim Shahid, “Quetta-based Taliban Move to Ka- Afghan and Indian intelligence agencies 23 Many Afghan refugees do not want to return to Af- 20 rachi,” The Nation, April 30, 2009. for separatist moves against Pakistan. ghanistan. The security situation is less volatile in Paki- 12 Ibid. stan, and Afghanistan’s health and education facilities 13 Ibid. 18 David Montero, “More Evidence of Taliban Leader are poor. As a result, the official argument of the Afghan 14 Carlotta Gall, “Pressed by U.S., Pakistan Seizes a Tali- Hiding in Pakistan,” The Christian Science Monitor, Janu- government is that it will not force refugees back “home,” ban Chief,” New York Times, March 2, 2007. ary 19, 2007. but rather make the repatriation process voluntary. 15 Ismail Khan, “Mullah Omar’s Deputy Obaidullah 19 Malik Siraj , “Taliban Consolidating Grip on 24 This information was conveyed to the author by Ab- Captured,” Dawn, March 2, 2007. Quetta,” Daily Times, January 5, 2009. dul Raheem Mandokhel, the leader of the Pakhtunkhwa 16 “Top Taliban Chief Arrested in Pakistan,” ABC News, 20 Abdul Haye , “Quetta: The Headquarter of Tal- Milli Awami Party (PMAP). February 11, 2008. iban,” BBC , February 18, 2009; Muqqadar Iqbal, 25 This information is based on personal interviews with 17 “Taliban in Quetta,” BBC Pashtu, April 3, 2009. “Pakistani Security Forces Facing Stiff Resistance in Bal- contacts in the region. may 2009 . Vol 2 . Issue 5

Pakistan People’s Party.26 Locals say Nevertheless, pressure is growing they have seen people from this area on the Pakistani government to take frequently slipping into Kandahar and action in Balochistan Province before that some of them were “martyred” in it becomes another spotlight in the war the jihad.27 on . Media reports frequently speculate whether U.S. intelligence Pakistani Taliban gains in Swat have also agencies will begin targeting high-value impacted Quetta. The Taliban and its individuals in Quetta with UAV strikes. sympathizers have become emboldened The Pakistani government, however, by developments in Swat, and in continues to deny the presence of al- Quetta women are increasingly being Qa`ida and Taliban leaders in Quetta pressured against eating at outdoor despite arrests proving the contrary. The restaurants. Some restaurants that government needs to take the problem of were once popular among women now Taliban militancy in Balochistan more have inscribed boards with statements seriously, as the Taliban alliance is such as “Only for gentlemen. Women shaking the entire socio-political fabric not allowed.” In recent months, Taliban of Pakistan and increasingly posing a militants also threatened music and CD serious threat to regional security. shops and internet cafés in Quetta.28 There are fears that if Swat becomes the Mukhtar A. Khan is a Pakistani Pashtun model, the Taliban may start bombing journalist-cum-analyst based in Washington, Quetta’s girls’ schools and colleges.29 D.C., writing on the issues of the Taliban and al-Qa`ida in the Pakistan-Afghanistan The Balochistan government does not border regions. Since 9/11, he has extensively appear concerned about tackling the covered the war on terrorism in Pakistan’s rise in . One reason is troubled frontier, both for the local and that the ruling party in the province international media, including the BBC, does not want to antagonize its coalition Mail on Sunday, and Voice of America. partner—JUI-F—which is believed to Before shifting to Washington, D.C., Mr. have close links with the Afghan Taliban. Khan closely monitored Pakistan’s tribal JUI-F officials say that they want the areas by visiting the region frequently and implementation of Shari`a in Pakistan, interviewing top Taliban leadership and but not the one enforced by the Taliban tribal chiefs. Currently, he is working on a in Swat. They claim their struggle for book about increasing trends of militancy in Shari`a is through democratic means.30 the Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions and its spillover to the rest of the world. He is also Conclusion working as Chief Media Strategist for the During the past seven years, Pakistan AfPak Media Solutions and Senior Advisor has conducted several military to the Pashtun Focus. His work regularly operations against al-Qa`ida and their appears in Pashtu, Urdu and English media. Taliban allies in FATA and in the NWFP. In Quetta, however, there have been no such offensives. One important reason is that the Taliban in Quetta have mostly engaged in cross-border fighting against U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan; they have not challenged the Pakistani security forces. This distinguishes the security problem in the south from that in the northwest tribal areas.

26 Carlotta Gall, “At Border, Signs of Pakistani Role in Taliban Surge,” New York Times, January 21, 2007. 27 Abdullah Shahin, “Where the Taliban Train,” Insti- tute for War and Peace Reporting, March 3, 2006. 28 Malik Siraj Akbar, “Curbs on Women in Militancy- Hit Areas Spreading to Quetta,” Daily Times, January 25, 2009. 29 Ibid. 30 Raza Khan, “Taliban Shifts to Southwest Pakistan,” Washington Times, March 19, 2009.