49,000 people killed following 9/11: SC told

The Supreme Court (SC) was told on Tuesday that 49,000 people had been killed across the country following occurrence of 9/11 incident.

The facts were revealed in a report presented by counsel for intelligence agencies and army, Raja Irshad as a three-member bench presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing in the petition filed by Senator Ibrahim Khan against enforcement of FATA regulations.

Irshad had filed a detailed report based on the causes leading to military operation in FATA, incidents and facts and other details.

It was said in the detailed report that the army was deployed in FATA and PATA for being in close proximity of the Afghan border and infiltration by miscreants from across the border. Police powers were assigned to the army and army was facing several these challenges.

The report said the deployment of the army had become essential to save Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and army troops were deployed in 2007-08 and were assigned powers under Section 241.

“Government buildings were targeted, schools were destroyed and life of the people was made miserable. Operation was conducted in Mehsud and other areas. South and North Waziristan are independent areas but they were epicentres of terrorist acts,” the report said. “People entered Peshawar from AdamKhelPass and indulged in terrorist activities. Shabqadar and other territories had come under their occupation. The areas of Swat, Dir and Buner were recovered from their possession. Sectarian riots were going on in Kurrram Agency. Illegal FM Radios were operating therein and their broadcasting was blocked. Twenty four percent of FATA’s and 37 percent of areas in Swat were recovered from the possession of the terrorists.

The report further said questions were being raised on the sovereignty of the country and survival of the country was put at stake. Therefore, the army was dispatched under Section 245.

“Militants were numbering over 10 million and they all went underground. More than 400 major operations were carried out while 681 soldiers were martyred. Over 6,000 persons were arrested in search operations.”

Report stated that “We are facing problems following 9/11 incident. Security situation was very grim. About 49,000 people were killed following 9/11 events. Kidnapping for ransom incidents escalated. Such a lashkar was raised under which attempt was made to win over war against sectarianism and terrorism”.

Report added that terrorism was at its peak in 2007-08 and terrorists had reached very nook and corner of the country.

“Law enforcement agencies succeeded in taking control of occupied territories after conducting military operations. The rioters targeted key figures in Orakzai Agency in 2010 and officers were killed through pick and chose method. Anti Pakistan elements were working with impunity. Taliban and other groups were operating and they were collecting donations through kidnapping for ransom incidents. Mosques, imambargahs and churches were not even secure from them. The local population joined hands with the army against the miscreants after successful operations in 2008. Militants in large number were arrested. Several were killed and they all were enemies of Pakistan.”

The report said the army was performing duty on borders and was preventing people from crossing the border. FATA Regulations-2011 was approved in order to harmonise army campaign with law and constitution and civil powers were assigned to the army.

Peace was maintained due to military operation and houses and other destroyed areas were reconstructed. Rescue operations were increased, the report said.

Irshad told the court he had such CDs which bore evidence that miscreants were beheading the civilians and soldiers and they were telling the people that they were meting out such treatment to army personnel.

Counsel for petitioner sought time from the court for preparation of a reply and the court allowed him to present his reply by today (Wednesday).