Pakistan violence
Last reviewed: 19-10-2009
VIOLENCE PLAGUES WESTERN BORDER
This does not include details of all attacks. 1893 - Colonial government in British-ruled India draws the Durand Line, dividing Pashtun and Baluch tribes in Afghanistan from those in what later became Pakistan 1901 - North West Frontier Province (NWFP) province formed under British India Frontier Crimes Regulation, a system of collective responsibility and punishment, introduced into Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) 1947 - State of East and West Pakistan created out of partition of India at the end of British rule. Hundreds of thousands die in widespread violence and millions forced to flee their homes NWFP votes to join Pakistan. FATA becomes semi-autonomous part of Pakistan 1948 - Baluchistan incorporated into Pakistan after troops move in. First war with India over disputed territory of Kashmir 1958 - Martial law declared 1961-63 - Diplomatic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan suspended 1971 - Civil war breaks out after East Pakistan tries to secede. India intervenes in support of East Pakistan which eventually breaks away to become Bangladesh 1973 - Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto becomes prime minister Insurgency breaks out in Baluchistan. Bhutto dismisses regional government 1977 - Bhutto deposed in a military coup led by General Zia ul-Haq Baluch insurgency ends after Zia reaches a political settlement with some Baluch leaders 1979 - After Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans flee to Pakistan's border areas 1985 - Martial law and political parties ban lifted 1986 - Bhutto's daughter Benazir returns from exile to lead Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in campaign for fresh elections 1988 - Zia dies in air crash. PPP wins general election 1990 - Bhutto dismissed as prime minister on charges of incompetence and corruption 1991 - Islamic sharia law incorporated into legal code 1993 - Bhutto wins elections, but her government is dismissed again in 1996 over allegations of corruption 1999 - General Pervez Musharraf takes control in military coup. Commonwealth suspends Pakistan 2001 - Refugees cross into Pakistan after U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, accompanied by Taliban and al Qaeda fighters Musharraf names himself president while remaining head of the army 2002 - Pakistan sends thousands of troops into border areas to hunt for al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and other foreign fugitives Work begins on Gwadar seaport in Baluchistan First general election since Musharraf's military coup 2003 - North West Frontier Province votes to introduce sharia law Pakistan and India declare Kashmir ceasefire 2004 - Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA), Baluchistan Liberation Front, and People's Liberation Army step up attacks on infrastructure and government facilities Apr - Government reaches accords with pro-Taliban militants in South Waziristan May - Pakistan readmitted to Commonwealth 2005 - Army moves campaign against foreign fighters from South Waziristan to North Waziristan Jan - Baluch tribal militants attack facilities at Pakistan's largest natural gas field, forcing closure of main plant Apr - First bus service in 60 years opens between Muzaffarabad in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and Srinagar in Indian-controlled Kashmir Oct - Earthquake strikes Kashmir and NWFP, killing about 75,000 in India and Pakistan and leaving up to 3.5 million homeless Dec - Baluchistan conflict escalates after rocket attack during visit by Musharraf to town of Kohlu 2006 Mar - Baluchistan provincial assembly votes to form bipartisan panel to try to make peace between authorities and warring tribal leaders U.S. President George Bush visits Pakistan, and calls for greater efforts to flush out militants from border areas Pakistan government bombs alleged militant hideout in North Waziristan, sparking clashes in Miranshah Apr - Pro-Taliban militants offer talks with government to end stand-off in North Waziristan. Top al-Qaeda operative, indicted for the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Africa, killed in army missile attack in North Waziristan Pakistan sends more troops into border region Government bans BLA after listing it a terrorist organisation May - U.S. helicopter gunships wound civilians in missile strike against suspected Taliban fighters in South Waziristan Government bans Baluch nationalist leaders from travelling outside Pakistan. Internet service providers ordered to block access to four websites containing Baluch nationalist material Jun - Waziristan pro-Taliban militants announce month-long ceasefire to give tribal elders a chance to broker settlement after months of fierce fighting Aug - Prominent Baluch tribal leader, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, killed by security forces. Protests over his death turn violent Sep - Government signs pact with tribal leaders and pro-Taliban forces in North Waziristan Oct - Army raid on Islamic seminary in FATA tribal area of Bajaur kills up to 80 people, sparking anti-government protests. Army says madrasa was training camp for militants 2007 Jan - Army air strike on militant base in South Waziristan sparks suicide bombings across Pakistan, blamed on Islamist groups with links to al Qaeda Suspected militants blow up major gas pipeline, disrupting supplies to over a million people Apr - Ethnic Pashtun tribesmen in Waziristan beat their drums of war for first time in three years. The tribes have united to expel foreign al Qaeda-linked militants they had until recently sheltered Jun/Jul - Baluchistan and Sindh provinces hit by heavy flooding that kills around 300 people and leaves some 360,000 homeless Jul - Government forces storm radical Red Mosque in Islamabad, killing 75 supporters of hardline cleric. The incident unleashes wave of violence in northwest Pro-Taliban militants in North Waziristan withdraw from a peace deal with government, accusing authorities of violating pact Oct - Musharraf wins presidential election. Supreme Court says it will rule on whether re-election was legitimate About 250 people killed in fighting between the army and militant Islamist tribesmen in Waziristan. Tens of thousands displaced near Mir Ali Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto returns from self-imposed exile. Suicide bomber attacks her homecoming parade in Karachi, killing around 140 people Violence between security forces and pro-Taliban militants flares in Swat Valley, NWFP Nov - Musharraf declares emergency rule, while awaiting Supreme Court decision on whether he was eligible to run for re-election. Commonwealth suspends Pakistan Taliban militants free hundreds of troops after holding them captive since late Aug. in South Waziristan Bhutto placed under house arrest Dec - Musharraf ends state of emergency, restores constitution. Bhutto assassinated Dec. 27, sparking violence in many parts of the country 2008 Jan - Al Qaeda-linked militants in northwest Pakistan attack offices of government-sponsored peace movement and kill eight people Feb - General election won by Pakistan People's Party (led by Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari) and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (led by former PM Nawaz Sharif) Jul - 18 people killed in suicide attack on police guarding Islamists, marking anniversary of Red Mosque army commando raid Aug - Ruling coalition decides to impeach Musharraf for violation of constitution and misconduct. Musharraf resigns Sep - Asif Ali Zardari sworn in as president. He announces renewed commitment to tackle militants using combination of negotiations, economic and political reforms, and military force Suicide truck bomber attacks Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, killing at least 52. Militants linked to al Qaeda and Pakistan Taliban widely blamed U.S. carries out air attacks and first publicly admitted ground operation in Pakistan Oct - Government formally protests U.S. missile attacks in Pakistan Pakistan announces roadmap for ending conflict in Baluchistan, focusing on redistributing natural resource revenues Magnitude 6.4 quake near Quetta, Baluchistan, kills over 200 people Nov - U.S. missile strikes and Pakistan military operations continue. Suicide attacks in Tribal Areas. USAID contractor shot dead in Peshawar, and NATO supply convoys hijacked on their way to Afghanistan Dec - India blames militants from Pakistan for Nov. terrorist attacks in Mumbai which killed nearly 200 people. Islamabad denies any involvement, but promises to co-operate with Indian investigation 2009 Jan - New U.S. administration says future military aid to Pakistan conditional on progress in curbing militants Feb - Taliban leaders in Swat Valley announce ceasefire after local government agrees to introduce Islamic sharia law in the area Mar - After days of public protests, Zardari reinstates Supreme Court Judge Iftikhar Chaudhry sacked by Musharraf in 2007. Gunmen attack Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore. Peace deal signed with tribal militants in Bajaur Agency, FATA. Apr - U.S. accuses Pakistan of "abdicating" to Taliban militants after Zardari approves imposition of sharia law in Malakand division, NWFP, including Swat Valley. Taliban suspends talks with government. Army attacks militants in several districts in Malakand Riots break out in Baluchistan after three Baluch nationalist leaders found dead May - Pakistan orders military to "eliminate" militants and attack Taliban in Swat Valley. Hundreds of thousands flee the area Jul - Thousands of displaced begin returning home to Swat after government says it is safe Aug - Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud killed in U.S. missile strike in South Waziristan Oct - Pakistan launches military offensive in South Waziristan, following several months of air attacks
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