Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad
Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is a codename of a combined military operation by the Pakistani military in support of local law enforcement agencies to disarm and eliminate the terrorist sleeper cells across all states of Pakistan, started on 22 February 2017. The operation is aimed to eliminate the threat of terrorism, and consolidating the gains of Operation Zarb-e-Azb which was launched in 2014 as a joint military offensive. It is further aimed at ensuring the security of Pakistan's borders. The operation is ongoing active participation from Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Police and other Warfare and Civil Armed Forces managed under the Government of Pakistan. This Operation has been mostly acknowledged after Operation Zarb e Azb.
The operation entailed the conduct of Broad Spectrum Security operations by Rangers in Punjab, continuation of ongoing operations across the country and focus on more effective border security management. Countrywide disarmament and explosive control were also given as additional objectives of the operation. The National Action Plan was pursued as the hallmark of this operation.
Etymologies
Radd-ul-Fasaad literally means "elimination of strife". Radd means "rejection". Fasaad is synonymous to the Arabic word Fitna which means "civil strife".Background
In the month of February 2017, the terrorist group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar launched Operation Ghazi with several suicide attacks across Pakistan. According to media, Jammat-ul-Ahrar claimed the responsibility of these terror attacks, this operation reduced after the death of Abdul Rashid Ghazi, who was shot dead by Pakistan army in Lal Masjid during Operation Sunrise. After this, many other terrorist groups started terrorist attacks often across all over Pakistan, quickly Pakistan announced the launch of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.Operation Ghazi
Operation Ghazi was the codename of the terrorist operation launched by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar with saveral other terrorist groups to get revenge on death of Abdul Rashid Ghazi by launching mass terrorist attacks across Pakistan. Although, Pakistan managed to defeat Jamaat-ul-Ahrar in Operation Ghazi but many other terrorist groups were already spread across all states and launched many mass terror attacks.2017 timeline
February 2017 timeline
- 1 February – Three security personnel and six civilians were injured on Tuesday when a roadside blast targeted a Frontier Corps convoy in Charsadda.
- 6 February – At least two policemen were injured in a militant attack at Thana Mandan police station in Bannu
- 7 February – Four people including two security men were injured in an explosion on Tuesday near a Levies check post in Chaman, a border town adjacent to Afghanistan.
- 10 February – Five students were injured in a roadside bomb blast in Arang area of Bajaur Agency.
- 10 February – At least one child was killed and four others injured when an Improvised Explosive Device went off at Arang area.
- 12 February – Samaa TV Journalist Taimoor Khan killed in an incident. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility.
- 12 February – Five security personnel were injured in a roadside bomb blast in Bajaur Agency's Mamond tehsil
- 12 February – 3 FC Personnel killed in South Waziristan IED Explosion.
- 13 February – A blast outside the provincial assembly in Lahore killed at least 14 people and injured more than 87 others.
- 13 February – Two killed in Quetta IED blast.
- 15 February – At least two people killed and seven others injured in a suicide blast in Peshawar's Hyatabad area.
- 15 February – 5 People including 3 Levies personnel killed and Eight others were injured in a suicide attack in Mohmand Agency.
- 15 February – Intelligence agency man shot dead in Nowshera firing.
- 16 February – Three soldiers martyred, two injured in an IED explosion in Awaran.
- 16 February – Attack on police vehicle kills Five three were also injured.
- 17 February Three Frontier Corps personnel were injured after militants from Afghanistan attacked a Pakistani border check post in Khyber Agency. The ISPR reported that some militants were killed during the exchange.
- 19 February A cracker blast reported in Hyderabad's Naya pul leaving 15 passerby wounded.
- 20 February Five hurt in Nadra firing incident in Quetta.
- 21 February Three suicide bombers targeted a sessions court in Tangi, Charsadda District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 6 people and injuring more than 20 others.
- 21 February At least two people died while another was injured in a landmine blast in Dera Bughti.
- 23 February 2017 At least 45 suspects were arrested in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Joint operations were conducted in Westridge, Dhoke Hassu and Bakery Chowk area of Cantt. The Frontier Corps and intelligence agencies foiled a major terror plot near Loralai, Balochistan. The security forces recovered 23 Improvised Explosive Devices during the joint targeted operation.
- 26 February 2017 The apex committee of Punjab decided to expedite ongoing operation against terrorists across the province. The ISPR said that at least four terrorists were killed and more than 600 suspects detained in over 200 raids conducted by the Rangers across Punjab. The raids were conducted in various parts of Punjab, including Karor, Layyah and Rawalpindi.
April 2017 timeline
- 14 April 4 Rangers personnel martyred and 3 were injured and Rangers kill 10 TTP militants in operation near DG khan.
- 20 April Eight suspected TTP militants were killed by CTD in an intelligence based operation in Sheikhupura.
- 20 April Five terrorists were killed and 11 apprehended during search and intelligence-based operations carried out in different parts of the country during the last 24 hours.
Summary of 2017
2018 timeline
Summary of 2018
At the end of 2018, 368 civilians, 163 soldiers and 166 terrorists were killed in 163 incidents. 207 terrorists were arrested in 65 incidents and 301 terrorists surrendered in 4 incidents.2019 timeline
December 2019 timeline
On 29 December 2019, Qari Saifullah Mehsud was shot dead by two unknown gunmen in Khost Province of Afghanistan. According to the locals, the two gunmen had been "guests" at the TTP commander's home for several days before they killed him and fled. Qari Saifullah Mehsud was a key Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan commander and was among the terrorists most wanted to Pakistan for his involvement in several terror attacks in the country. He was notorious for preparing suicide jackets and suicide bombers for terrorist acts and was also the mastermind behind 2015 Karachi bus shooting. According to the Analysts, the killing of Mehsud is a big hit for the TTP as he was trying to unite all the split militant groups. His death was also confirmed by TTP. Mehsud was also previously arrested by U.S. forces in Afghanistan in 2016 but was later released after spending 14 weeks in jail in Afghanistan. Mehsud funeral ceremony and burial took place in Gurbaz district of Khost Province.2020 timeline
January 2020 timeline
On 30 January, two senior members of TTP were shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kabul, Afghanistan. The deceased were identified to be Sheikh Khalid Haqqani and Qari Saif Younis and their bodies were found in the vicinity of Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. Sheikh Khalid Haqqani held key position in the TTP leadership council, and formerly served as the group's deputy leader. He was accused of being involved in several high-profile attacks on Pakistani politicians and an attack on school in Peshawar in 2014. Qari Saif Younis was a military commander in TTP and directed suicide operations. According to one militant source, the men were planning to hold a secret "meeting" in Kabul, on the direct orders of the group's leadership, apparently travelling from the eastern Afghan province of Paktika. The militants did not reveal who they were planning on meeting. Both the TTP members were killed on 30 January, however, their death was confirmed on 7 February by the TTP leadership. The TTP leadership had initially ordered the news to be kept "secret", partly as they were rattled by the assassinations, and partly to avoid awkward questions about why the men were in the city.The statement from TTP said that the two men were killed in clashes with the United States troops. However, the sources within the group also acknowledged that it was also possible that gunmen or militants linked to Pakistani intelligence services were responsible for the assassination. The bodies of the men killed in Kabul were handed over to the group, and a large funeral was held for them on Monday in their stronghold in eastern Kunar province.