Terrorist Activities in Pakistan
Suicide Bombings
Five persons were injured in simultaneous attacks in the North Nazimabad Town of Karachi on January 29. Two Rangers and the security guard of a nearby telephone exchange were killed while two passersby were wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the main entrance of the Headquarters of Pakistan Rangers Sachal Wing. “A bearded young man, dressed in shalwar kameez and wearing a suicide vest, attempted to breach the Rangers HQ,” one of the surviving soldiers said. “He blew himself up as soon as one of our Jawans noticed him and asked him to stop. he added.
At least name people were killed and over 40 including Children and women were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a restaurant in the Kocha Risaldar area of Qissa Khawani Bazaar in Peshawar, the Provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on February 4, reported The News.
Five officials were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up during a search operation jointly launched by Police and Intelligence Agencies in Khanewal District on February 7, reports The News. Two of his accomplices were also arrested. According to reports, three alleged militants opened fire and hurled a hand grenade as law enforcers tried to stop a car. One of them traveling in the car blew him self up, injuring five officials.
Four women were killed, and three others were injured in a suicide blast near a house in the Essa Khel Garhi area of Peshawar on February 10, reports Dawn. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Najeeb, who oversees Police operations in Peshawar, said that a raid was conducted in Essa Khel area near Chamkani upon receiving information regarding the presence of suspicious persons. During the operation a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the house, he said. Area residents said a few women were present at the house where Quran Khwani (funeral prayers) were being held at the time of the explosion.
At least 11 Policemen were killed and 36 others were injured m a suicide blast targeting bus carrying 50 Police officers near the gate of Razzaqabad Police Training Center in Shah Latif Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh on February 13.
Four people were injured when a suicide bomber attacked the patrolling vehicle of Rangers’ Sector Commander, Brigadier Basi, in Qayyumabad area of Korangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh on February 14, reports Daily Times.
A suicide bomb attack outside the Iranian consulate in Peshawar on February 24 killed two Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers and injured ten others, report Daily Times. The bombing took place in the upmarket University Town area of the city, where many non-government organisations are also based.
Bomb/IED Blasts
A Policeman was killed and four others were injured on January 27 when an explosion targeted a Police vehicle in the Gomal area of Tank District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports Dawn. Tank Police Control said the Police mobile van was targeted with a remote controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and the vehicle was badly damaged. Station House officer (SHO) Gomal Police Station Jameel Khan was killed by the explosion, officials said. Police said the injured Policemen were Shafiullah, Asmatullah, lrfan, and driver Allauddin.
A bomb, planted by the roadside under the Nazimabad No 7 flyover exploded on Jan 28 but resulted in no casualties. However. 15 minutes later, as Rangers and Police personnel were collecting evidence from the site, the second bomb exploded. One Ranger was killed while four other Rangers, a Policeman, rescue worker and bystander were injured in the blast.
In another incident, at least 16 people, including a local leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), were injured in a series of three explosions that took place in the Mohammadpur area of Qasba Colony in SITE Town on January 29, reported Dawn. Police sources said that Mohammad Ali, a local ANP, appeared to have been the target of the attack and that the incident seemed to be a result of personal enmity. However, other angles are to be investigated.
Meanwhile, Orangi Town Pilot Project’s (OPP) head on research and training, Saleem Alimuddin, was injured after his car came under a bomb attack in the Peerabad area of Orangi Town on January 29. He was returning home from his office when unidentified militants hurled a low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at his car near Pashtun Bazaar in Peerabad. This was the third attack on officials associated with the OPP.
Three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were killed and four others sustained injuries in a roadside Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion near Awaran town (Awaran District) of Balochistan, on January 31, reports Daily Times. “The FC vehicle was on a routine patrol from Awaran to Lasbela on the national highway when it was hit by an IED planted by miscreants,” Frontier Corps Spokesperson Mohammed Wasay said. The Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for the attack.
At least 19 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were injured when a bomb exploded while their vehicles passed through the ‘Sibi and Tali areas 01 Sibi District on February 10, reports Dawn. “An IED was used to target the convoy and it was detonated with remote control,” the sources said. Azad Baloch, a spokesman for Baloch liberation Army (BLA) claiming responsibility for the attack said that 10 security personnel had been killed and 17 injured in the attack, but FC and Provincial Government sources denied the BLA claim.
Six soldiers and one officer were injured in two acts of terrorism in the Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency on February 10, reports Dawn. Sources said that an improvised explosive device exploded near a military truck in Dattakhel near Afghan border, injuring six soldiers. The truck, part of a convoy, was destroyed in the blast.
Separately, three personnel of Khasadar Force escorting polio workers were injured when an improvised explosive device planted by suspected militants along a road went off in the Khuga Khel area of Landi Kotal tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber Agency on February 10, reports Dawn. The Khasadar team later defused an explosive device in the same area.
At least 13 persons were killed and 19 others injured when three back-to-back explosions occurred inside Shama Cinema in Bacha Khan Chowk area of Peshawar on February 11, reports Dawn. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Ejaz Ahmed said three grenades were used and up to 80 people were in the cinema at the time of the explosions. The blast at the cinema came 11 days after a similar attack at Picture House Cinema situated in Kabuli Bazaar area of Peshawar.
Separately, nine persons were killed on February 11 after unidentified assailants attacked a house by opening fire and hurling hand grenades in Badhaber area of Peshawar, reports Dawn.
Meanwhile, three suspected militants were killed in an explosion in the Bacha Khan locality of kolachi area in Dera Ismail Khan District on February 11. The suspects were reportedly planting explosive material on the side of a road when the explosives accidentally detonated, killing all of them on the spot.
13 children were among 15 persons injured on February 17 in an explosion outside a private school in Dhab area of Karak District, reports Daily Times. Police said the explosive material was placed outside the private school’s gate in Dhab.
Further, an explosion in a three-star hotel in Namak Mandi area of Karak Town left its guard, Allah Baksh injured on February 17, reports Daily Times. The blast occurred on the first floor of hotel near the lobby.
At least 13 persons, among them a woman and a child were killed and 14 others wounded in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at the main gate of Usterzai Suzuki Stand on Hangu Road near Peshawar Chowk of Kohat town (Kohat District) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on February 23. The IED, remotely triggered was concealed in an empty crate placed near a passenger van with six persons on board. Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) official Akbar Khan told that it was an IED and weighed around five kilogrammes- Several vehicles were also damaged in the blast which took place where key Government buildings, including Police Club, Cantonment Police Station, Girls Degree College and Communication and Works Department Office, are situated.
Separately, a militant was killed in Juma Khan Village of Nasir Bagh area of Peshawar (Peshawar District), the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when the explosive device he was planting at anuliah (drain) accidentally went off in the morning of February 22. Police said the man was initially mistaken to be a suicide bomber because his body was reduced to pieces. However, upon inspection of the site by the bomb disposal unit (BOU), no evidence of a suicide vest was found.
Targeted Killings
Two brothers affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-lnsaf (PTI), identified as Mohammad Ibrahim and Mohammad Riaz, were shot dead during a robbery in Qasba Colony within the precincts of Peerabad Police Station in SITE Town of Karachi on January 27. reported Daily Times. Police said that the brothers were on the way to their shop when unidentified militants shot them for resisting a robbery. However, their brother. Haji Iqbal who is also a provincial leader of the PTI said, “They were killed in a targeted attack. “Police has failed to protect the lives of citizens.” PTI leader Dawa Khan said while condemning the incident.
Separately, an alleged criminal, identified as Tahir Mehmood Khokhar alias Pappu, was killed while two Rangers personnel, identified as Rashid and Zaheer,and two passers by, Abu Zar and Altaf were wounded during an encounter in their hideout in Kamal Basti area of Old Sabzi Mandi within the limits of PIB Colony Police Station in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town on January 27, reports Daily Times. About nine suspects were also arrested during the raid. Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Nasir Lodhi said that the criminal was associated with the Ahmed Ali Magsi group of Lyari gangsters.
Elsewhere, a former assistant producer at Samaa TV, identified as Syed Mohammad Arif Rizvi, was picked up by Rangers on January 20,2014,and his family is still looking for his whereabouts, reports Daily Times.
Meanwhile, law enforcers claimed to have detained around 101 criminals during 98 raids and eleven encounters across Karachi on January 27, reported Daily Times. According to the officials nine dacoits, 36 suspects under Arm Ordinance, seven under Narcotics Act, 12 absconders and 35 others criminals were among the detainees. Weapons and drugs were also recovered from their possession.
Shia leader and a member of the Jamia Ali Akbar Trust, identified as Ghulam Mustafa, was shot dead on January 27 by unidentified militants near his house in the Khanpur area of Rahim Yar Khan District. He was accompanied by his friend Kafayaludah. who remained unharmed. The incident was followed by several protest rallies Organised by members of the Shia
community. Shia Ulema Council tehsil (revenue unit) President Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah said the assault was a target killing and part of the Shia genocide in the country.
Two unidentified men were killed in an incident of firing on Superhighway in Karachi on January 30, reports Daily Times.
Elsewhere, caretaker, identified as Akber Hussain of an lmambargah (Shia place of worship), was shot dead when unidentified militants opened fire at him in Ajmer Nagri area of North Karachi in New Karachi Town on January 30, reports Daily Times.
Separately, one Mansoor Ali, was killed when unidentified armed assailants opened fire at him in Gulshan-e-Bihar Colony area of Orangi Town on January 30, reports Daily Times.
In another incident, unidentified assailants shot dead an unidentified man at Northern Bypass in Manghopir area of Gadap Town on January 30, reports Daily Times.
A person was killed and 12 others were injured when a bomb explosion occurred destroying a pickup truck at a petrol pump in Naseerabad District in Balochistan on January 30, reports Dawn. “A pickup was waiting in a queue for its turn to fill petrol at a pump when suddenly a bomb exploded in it,” local Police Official Jan Muhammad said.
Separately, unidentified·militants shot dead a worker, identified as Bakht Muhammad of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), while he was on his way to home with his colleague on the Bypass Road area of Qilla Abdullah District on January 30, reports Dawn. However, his friend remained unhurt.
Unidentified assailants on January 30 killed one person, identified as Professor Azhar Ali Zaidi and injured his wife near the Ayesha Manzil area of Karachi. Further, unknown persons fatally shot Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), Manzoor in Orangi Town.
Meanwhile, assailants also killed Maulana Akbar Hussain, a prayer leader, in the Manghopir area, and Ikram, a rickshaw driver, near in Orangi Town-12.
Separately,the driver of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) oil tanker, Syed Nabi Shah, was shot dead by unidentified assailants riding on motorcycles at Bhirya on the Indus Highway in Sukkur town (Sukkur District) on January 31, reports The News.
Elsewhere, a local leader of Awami National Party (ANP), Noor Mohammad, survived a bomb attack in SITE area while two passersby were injured when a bomb intending to target the Police van hit their vehicle near Sohrab Goth area of Karachi.
Two persons, Rashid (11) and Tufail (20), were shot dead at Urmar area of Peshawar (Peshawar District) on January 30, reports The News. Police said unknown motorcyclists opened fire on Rashid and Tufail, when they were going for treatment to a private clinic at Urmar area.
Separately, unidentified militants killed a journalist, Bakht Taj Yousafzai, affiliated with a Mardan District Newspaper, in Bakhshali village of Mardan District, The News reports on January 30. Yousafzai was abducted on January 29 while he was travelling to a pharmacy. Police found his body dumped near a canal in the village.
Meanwhile, a Policeman, Head Constable Muhammad Tahir,who had sustained injuries in an attack in Khazana area of Peshawar on January 29, succumbed to his injuries on January 30, reports The News.
Elsewhere, unidentified persons fired two rockets at the Miran Sugar Mills in Dera Ismail Khan town (Dera Ismail Khan District) in the night of January 29, reports The News. Sources said that unidentified persons had been demanding extortion money from the owner. It was reportedly the second attack at the sugar mills.
A man, identified as Anwar Ali, was shot dead in Frontier Colony within the jurisdiction of Peerabad Police Station in Sindh Industrial and Trading Estate (SITE) Town in Karachi on February 6, reports Daily Times.
Elsewhere, one unidentified bullet-riddled dead body was found within the vicinity of Zaman Town Police Station on February 6, reports Daily Times.
Another bullet-riddled dead body was found from within the limits of Jackson Police Station on February 6, reports Daily Times.
Unidentified armed militants attacked the house of a pro-government tribal elder; Gazeen Khan Bugti, killing him and eight members of his family, including three women and three children, in Dera Bugti District on February 9, reports Dawn. Provincial Home Minister, Sarfaraz Bugti said that the members of the Peace Committee retaliated and killed two of the attackers and wounded three others.The Minister said that it was Baloch Republican Army (BRA) that had attacked Khan’s house. Separately, unidentified militants set a NATO container-carrying truck on fire while it was on its way from Karachi to Chaman town in Qilla Abdullah District, killing two persons, including the driver of the vehicle in Sibi District on February 9, reported Dawn. In another incident, unidentified militants opened fire on a Quetta-bound private container in Dhadar area of Bolan District, killing two people, including the driver Shamsullah and another man, identified as Lal Muhammad, on February 9, reports Dawn.
At least nine people, including an infant, were killed and 10 others were injured when unidentified militants opened fire on a shrine of Meharban Ali Shah alias Jalali Baba in Saeedabad area of Baldia Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh on February 9, reports Daily Times. Police said the attackers also hurled a grenade before firing at the people with automatic weapons. They said the shrine belonged to a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tikka Khan. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah Shahid said that the group was not involved
in the attack.
Separately, a prayer leader, identified as Nadeem Qadri (38), was shot dead in a targeted attack while he was returning after evening prayer at a mosque in Raees Amrohi Colony in Orangi Town on February 9, reports Daily Times.
Unidentified motorcyclists shot dead three school teachers in the Kach Banda area of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when they were on their way home following school duty on February 10, reports Dawn. Separately, unidentified assailants shot dead a former US consulate employee, Faisal Saeed, in Peshawar on February 10, reports Dawn,
Three people were killed in the Malir Town of Karachi on February 10, reported Daily Times. Police said that two extortionists came to the meat market at Malir 15 and demanded money from a shopkeeper, who refused to pay and instead opened fire on the extortionists. During the exchange of fire from both sides, an extortionist died on the spot while two passers-by, identified as Karim and Haji Noor Mohammad, were also killed in the incident. The other extortionist fled from the incident site.
Separately, one Abdul Samad Tabani (35) was killed when unidentified armed extortionists opened fire at a rickshaw at the mobile market in Sa(tdar Town on February 10, reports Daily Times.
In another incident, unidentified armed assailants opened fire in Khadda Market of Lyari Town, killing one Raheel (25) on February 10, reported Daily Times.
Elsewhere, unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade in the Sher Shah area of Kiamari Town, injuring two people, identified as Fahim and Jan Mohammad, on February 10, reports Daily Times.
Four persons, including a supporter of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), were killed in different parts of Karachi on February 15, reports Dawn. A young man identified as Arif Hanif (30), who had gone missing a couple of days back, was found shot dead in Manghopir. He was blindfolded and trussed up before being killed. The MQM, in a statement issued to the media later, claimed that he was their supporter. Meanwhile, two unidentified young men who looked Pakhtoon were found shot dead in Memon Goth. Four spent bullet casings fired from 9mm pistol were also found at the crime-scene. The Memon Goth Police said the victims, in their mid-20s. had long beards. Separately, a vendor identified as Tanveer (50) was gunned down by assailants in Ranchore Line Area. Police said that Tanveer was returning home with a pushcart when assailants attacked him and fled.
A former Minister of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Abdul Raqeeb, who was in favour of peace talks with the Kabul Government, was shot dead Nasir Bagh Road of Tehkal in Peshawar on February 17, reports Daily Times. He was a commander during the
Afghan jihad against the Soviets and a minister for refugee affairs during the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. In Peshawar, he taught at his own seminary, Madrassa Munbahul Uloom located on Nasir Bagh Road in Tehkal.
Miscellaneous
Around 25 dead bodies were found buried in the Total area of Khuzdar District in Balochistan on January 26, reports The News. Digging is under way to locate more bodies, according to Deputy Commissioner Abdul Waheed Shah. He said that the bodies were dumped in different areas. The identity of the victims could not be determined yet. Only the bones of the bodies were recovered. The government planned to conduct DNA tests on them. After the recovery of the bodies, there is a great concern among relatives of the missing persons.
Meanwhile, two bullet-riddled bodies of two men were found in Basima area of Washuk District on January 26, reports Dawn. Bodies were shifted to the hospital for autopsy and identification,” Levies officials said, adding that the victims were 25 to 30 years old.
Separately, a gas pipeline was blown up in Dera Bugti District on January 26 disrupting the gas-supply to the Sui plant from well number 15 in Pir Koh gas field, reports Dawn. A Levies official said that unidentified miscreants had planted an explosive device on the 16 inch-diameter pipeline in Pir Koh gas field.
Six children were killed and one injured on January 26 while playing with a hand grenade in Babar Mela area of Hangu town (Hangu District) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports Daily Times. The children, aged seven to 12, were playing near their house in the town of Hangu when the grenade exploded, local Police Chief lftikhar Ahmed said. “Five boys and one girl were killed in the blast. One other child was injured,” he said. According to Police, the children were playing with a “toy-shaped thing” inside their house and it exploded.
Meanwhile, unidentified assailants shot dead a member of the peace body at Rang Mohalla area of Swat District on January 26, reports The News. The sources said the member, Salman Khan, was on his way home when unidentified assailants opened fire on him at Rang Mahalla, killing him on the spot.
Separately, two unidentified militants shot dead a Policeman standing guard outside a Hindu temple in Jhanda Bazar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP, on January 26 and fled the scene on a motorcycle, reports Daily Times. “It appears to be a militant attack. The gunmen killed the lone policeman on duty outside the Hindu temple and then escaped,” Faisal Mukhtar, a senior Police official said.
Further, unidentified assailants hurled a hand-grenade into a house at Wanda Khaliq Shah in the limits of Bandkoorai Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan town of same District on January 26, reports The News. However, it caused no casualty.
In addition, Police arrested 11 suspected persons in a search operation in Dera Ismail Khan town on January 26, reports The News. The sources said a Police team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Sadiq Hussain Baloch launched a search operation at Dera town and arrested 11 suspected persons, whose identity could not be ascertained. The Police recovered arms, include two guns, pistol and several cartridges, from their possession.
Also in the Swat District, Police arrested three militants and recovered arms from them in the Barikot tehsil (revenue unit). Sources said that after receiving information, a Police party of the Barikot Police Station raided some houses at Kota Abuha village and arrested three militants identified as Asghar Khan, Fazal Rabi and Akbar Ali.
Meanwhile, the anti-polio campaign in KP has been postponed due to security concerns, officials said on January 26, reports Daily Times. According to reports, the campaign, which was postponed after attacks on polio worker, will start from next Sunday (February 2).
Following serious threats to the immunisation workers, around 3,500 Policemen will be deployed during coming campaign in Peshawar as part of unprecedented security to be provided to the volunteers, The News reported on January 27. “There will be 3,000 to 3,500 Policemen deployed during each immunisation campaign,” Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ijaz Ahmad said. As many as 2200 cops used to provide security to the anti-polio vaccination teams in Peshawar till recently. However, the number of the cops is to be increased for the newly launched ‘Sehat Ka Insaf’ campaign against nine diseases, including polio.
Two suspected persons, identified as Gulfam and Shoaib were shot dead by Kotwali Crime Investigations Agency (CIA) in an alleged encounter in the Shad bagh area of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, on January 26, reports The News. The officials of Kotwali CIA had signalled two bike riders to stop at a picket set up in the Shad bagh area. Upon which, the bike riders reportedly tried to speed away from the scene firing shots on the Policemen who also retaliated in the same fashion and killed them. Police claimed that the deceased were involved in kidnapping for ransom and murder while Shoaib carried PKR one million bounties.
Unidentified militants attacked the house of Senator Saleh Shah Qureshi of the Jamiat Ulema-i-lslam Fazl (JUI-F) in Gomal area on January 26, reports Dawn. However, there was no loss of life.
In a separate incident on January 27, the bodies of three persons were found in Badhaber area on the outskirts of Peshawar. Police officials said the victims were affiliated with Mian Mushtaq, an Awami National Party (ANP) leader who was gunned down in the same locality a couple of weeks ago. Sources said that some unidentified persons, dressed up in security personnel uniforms, had picked the three men from their homes. The men were later found shot dead with their hands and feet tied with ropes.
A soldier of the Frontier Corps (FC), identified as Shana Gul, was shot dead by unidentified motorcyclists in Ghundi area in the Jamrud tehsil (revenue unit) of the Khyber Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in the night of February 2, reports The News. The sources said that Shana Gul was going home after buying grocery from a local shop when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on him, leaving him dead.
Separately, three soldiers were injured in a roadside blast at Kharsar area in Ladha subdivision in South Waziristan Agency on February 3, reports The News. The sources said that a convoy of the Security Forces (SFs) was on its way to Asman Manza when an explosive device planted by unidentified militants on the roadside at Kharsar went off and caused injuries to three soldiers.
Meanwhile, no loss of life was reported in two roadside bomb attacks on the SFs’ convoys in different parts of North Waziristan Agency on February 3, reports The News. The sources said that unidentified miscreants had planted explosives along the roadside in Khar Qamar area in Dattakhel tehsil and another on the Miranshah-Dattakhel road. The explosives went off when the convoys of the SFs were passing through these areas. However, no casualty was reported in the two blasts.
Further, the SFs also defused a roadside bomb in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency.
Unidentified militants shot dead the Provincial President of a Shia organization, Tehreek-Nifaz-e-Fiqah Jafria (TNFJ-Mousavi Group), Syed Asghar All Shah (75), in a targeted attack in the Donga Gali near Kohati locality Peshawar on February 4, reported The News.
In a separate incident, two unidentified militants shot dead one Kashif Ali Shah near a local market in the limits of the Cantonment Area in Bannu District on February 4, reports The News.
Elsewhere, unidentified militants shot dead one Naseem Gul in the limits of Domail Police Station in Bannu District on February 4, reported The News.
In addition, two blasts were carried out near Miran Sugar Mills in the Dera Ismail Khan District on February 4, reports The News. However, no casualties were reported.
In another incident, Government Primary School in Kanr Colony in the Shabqadar tehsil (revenue unit) of Charsadda District was blown up on February 4, reported The News. However, no casualties were reported.
Also, a Government Girls Primary School at Norar village in the limits of Miryan Police Station in Bannu District was blown up on February 4, reports The News. However, no casualties were reported.
A local Taliban ‘commander’, Shafiq, and three of his bodyguards were killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on their vehicle on Miranshah-Mir Ali road in the Pir Kallay area of (NWA) in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on February 5, reports Dawn. Further details regarding the incident were not available as the access of media in the region is restricted due to security worries and Government restrictions.
Further, four tribesmen were killed by unidentified militants in the Norak area of Mir Ali tehsil (revenue unit) in NWA. An official of the political administration said the incident occurred around 6:30pm when four tribesmen, whose identity could not be ascertained, were sitting at a roadside near their houses in Norak.
Separately, three tribesmen were injured when they stepped on landmines in two separate incidents in the Ali Shari area of Shalozan in Kurram Agency. An official of the political administrations from Parachinar, headquarters of Upper Kurram, said that both the incidents occurred in Ali Shari area of Shalozan. He explained in the first incident, two tribesmen were injured when they stepped on a landmine planted by unidentified militants. In the second mine explosion, Razi Shah, a 12-year-old boy, was walking with his father when he stepped on a mine.
A suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ‘commander’, identified as Shakir Bhittani along with an Aman (peace) committee member, Wahid Jan were killed during a clash in Kari Haider Khel village of Tank District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the night of February 5. A Security Force (SF) official was also injured in the incident. SFs and Aman committee members carried out a joint raid on the house of Bhittani, who opened fire after seeing his house surrounded. A firefight ensued in which Bhittani and Wahid Jan, were killed. Bhittani was said to be associated with the Bahawal Khan Bhittani faction of UP, linked with the Haqqani network.
Meanwhile, a revenue official, Sohail Ahmad, was allegedly abducted by unidentified militants in Roth Khel area of Tank District in the night of February 5.
The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) on February 9 defused a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted near Chatuchuk in Pishtakhara village in Sarband area of Peshawar, reports Dawn. Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Peshawar’s BDS, Shafqat Malik, said that information was received of a suspicious item on the roadside in Chatuchuk. The disposal squad reached the site and recovered an explosive device which was concealed in a can of edible oil. The IED which was fitted with a remote-controlled detonator and weighed five kilograms was defused by the BDS personnel.
Two unidentified dead bodies bearing torture marks were recovered from Memon Goth area of Malir Town in Karachi on February 12, reports Daily Times. In another incident, two suspects were killed in an exchange of fire between Police personnel and Lyari gangsters in Salar Goth area of Malir Town on February 12, reported Daily Times. Police also recovered two hand grenades from their possession. Meanwhile, Rangers arrested 41 suspects during a targeted operation in Pathan Colony area of Sindh Industrial and Trading Estate (SITE) Town on February 12, reports Daily Times. Elsewhere, at least 40 medical practitioners of Karachi have received threatening emails from certain extortion mafias demanding hefty protection money, claimed Dr. Idrees Adhi, President of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Karachi Chapter on February 12, reports Dawn. “Our community is under immense pressure. We are frightened because of threats against the backdrop of the killing of some of our colleagues in the recent past,” said Dr. Adhi.
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested three suspects, identified as Junaid Alam, Armaan and Hassan, belonging to of al Qaeda affiliated outfit Ashaab on February 14, reported Dawn. The CID also recovered explosive material and a large quantity of ammunition from their possession. CID anti-terrorism cell in-charge, Raja Umar Khattab said that the suspects were active at the University of Karachi and other private universities of Karachi from where the group recruits religiously-inclined students. The group, whose chief is currently in Waziristan, carries out its activities in Karachi, Khattab said, adding that the arrested men did not employ mobile phones in their operations.
Five persons were killed when unidentified militants opened fire at a van near Dattakhel town in North Waziristan Agency in the night of February 15, reports Daily Times. According to reports, the five persons whose identity could not be ascertained were going to Shawal from Dattakhel when gunmen opened fire on their van near Dattakhel bazaar.
Six members of an anti-polio team were abducted by unidentified militants in the Pang area of the Frontier Region (FR) Tank in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on February 17, reports The News. Assistant Political Agent, FR Tank, Khalid Mehmood Marwat, said the team, including Dr. Khandad, in-charge of the Union Council Siddiqullah, driver Kalim, three Levies personnel, Lance Naik Daulat Khan, Sepoy Amanullah and Sepoy Minhas. He said the team members were kidnapped at 3 pm when they were on their way back after finishing the task.
Fighter jets bombed suspected militant hideouts in the North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) killing 20 militants, including foreign nationals, on February 19. According to sources, 15 militants were killed in the Mir Ali area while five were killed in the Shawal area. It was reported that the militant hideouts were completely destroyed. Sources also said that weapons and explosives were destroyed in the bombings. A search operation is ongoing.
At least 40 militants were killed on February 20 as fighter jets targeted suspected insurgent hideouts in Dattakhel, Shawal and Mir All tehsils (revenue unit) of the North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Dawn. The bombardment comes a day after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan said a ceasefire can be negotiated upon if the Army stopped targeting its members. Other military sources said that the militants involved in the Peshawar cinema blast (February 10) and killing of an Army officer (February 18) in frontier region Peshawar two days ago were targeted in their hideouts situated in Khyber Agency. Improvised explosive device (IED) making factories and prepared explosives were also destroyed in the strikes.
After being convinced by the top Army leadership, Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif gave a go ahead for the airstrikes, reports Dawn. High level civil military consultations continued for three days which culminated on these strikes. Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif and intelligence heads briefed the PM over rapid developments in the tribal areas and also shared images of militant hideouts procured through their own spy drones. Authorisation of the PM was sought for more strikes at other locations, which according to the sources has been granted.
Pakistani fighter jets and gunship helicopters bombarded hideouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants in the North and South Waziristan Agencies of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on February 25 (today) killing at least 30 militants, reports The News. “The death toll from the air strikes has risen to 30,” a security official told, updating the earlier death toll of 27. “Fifteen were killed in the South Waziristan side of the border, while 15 were killed in North Waziristan.” The attacks were the fourth in a series of air strikes by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) since February 20.
Pakistan
TTP makes talks offers again
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid in a statement said on January 26 that it once again offers ‘serious’ and ‘meaningful’ dialogue to the Government, reports Daily Times. The TTP, however, demanded that the Government ensure a “conducive environment” for talks. The TTP spokesman added that the Government was making statements through media outlets to confuse the public, while the TTP has responded positively to every delegation sent by the Government, including Maulana Samiul Haq. It is government’s job to pave the way for the dialogue process, Shahid said in a statement, adding that the TTP is always ready for ‘meaningful, strong and serious’ negotiations.
However, the President Mamnoon Hussain on January 26 said the Army is fully ready for an operation against the terrorists, and only awaiting a green signal from the Government, reports The News. Talking to a senior journalist, the President regretted obduracy on TTP’s part which, he said, had hampered the Government’s sincere efforts for dialogue. “We are forced to do the operation for protecting people’s lives and property, besides our own standing.”
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak on January 26 said his party would oppose a military operation if the Government failed to implement the resolution of the All-Party Conference regarding talks with militants, reports The News. Talking to reporters, Khattak said that the Federal Government’s ‘inaction’ over what he called ‘the Taliban’s repeated offers for talks’ was a matter of concern.
Further, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called upon the Government to stop using force against militants and hold negotiations for restoring peace in the country, reports Dawn. Addressing a public meeting in Hashtnagri on the G.T. Road in Peshawar, provincial capital of KP on January 26, the Maulana said his party set up a FATA jirga (council/assembly) which could play an effective role if all other efforts for peace in KP and the tribal region failed. “The people hiding in forests should be convinced to lay down arms and accept the writ of law,” he said, adding that the peace process should be given a chance to end the bloodshed on a permanent basis.
Meanwhile, thousands of people have fled their homes in North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) fearing a military offensive against Taliban insurgents is imminent, residents and officials said on January 26, reports The News. Residents said some 1,500 families or about 13,000 people left their villages around the towns of Mir Ali and Miranshah, to migrate to relatively safe areas outside the tribal areas in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Peshawar. The exodus began last week when Pakistan Air Force fighter jets bombarded the area following a series of militant attacks on Security Forces and civilians which killed more than 100 people in a week. “Around 1,500 families and up to 13,000 people have left several villages in North Waziristan,” Rafiullah, 25, a resident of Mosaki village in Mir All told by phone. “People are unable to find houses to go in Bannu, so many women, children and old men are lying out in the open. Many others have gone to Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan Districts to find some shelter,” he said.
Pakistan security concerns must be addressed with US withdrawal, says Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz
The advisor to the Prime Minister (PM) on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz said on January 27 that the Pakistan’s security worries should be addressed as the US winds down the war in Afghanistan over the next year, reports Dawn. He reminded US diplomats that Pakistan will face the brunt of any instability that could engulf Afghanistan after 2014, when the Obama Administration has pledged to end the combat mission. The White House currently is weighing whether to leave up to 10,000 troops for so called advise-and-assist missions in Afghanistan after December. But the Obama Administration is deeply divided on how many troops, if any, should remain.
Meanwhile, the United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry on January 27 told Pakistan it had the potential to become a future economic tiger as he backed reforms and inclusion of women and minorities, reports The News. The US and Pakistan were meeting for the first time since October 2010 for their “strategic dialogue.’ Kerry, said the United States wants “stronger ties with the people of Pakistan I emphasize, with the people of Pakistan” as the Afghan war which forged their partnership winds down.
TTP’s main objective is enforcement of Sharia in country
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’ spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on January 30 said that their objective is enforcement of Sharrah (Islamic Law) in the country, reports Dawn. He said what mattered was enforcement of Sharfah, “whether through peace or war”. He expressed satisfaction over the formation of a four-member team by the Government for talks. He said that a session of the central Shura (Council) of the TTP had been in progress since January 29, 2014, on the Government’s offer.
PM Sharif calls for civil-military joint strategy on Balochistan
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on January 30 urged the civil and military leadership to devise a joint strategy to ensure durable peace in Balochistan, reports Daily Times. During his visit to Corps Headquarters in Quetta Cantonment, he said Security Forces (SFs) were playing a commendable role for securing peace and tranquillity in the province. He called upon the military and civil leadership to adopt a collective approach in this regard. The PM said the Federal Government was committed to resolving the issue of Balochistan and putting it on the track to prosperity. He stressed the need to further accelerate development projects in the province to ensure relief for its people.
Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Abdul Malik Baloch, Balochistan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai, Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Minister for Sate and Foreign Regions (SAFRON) General (retired) Abdul Qadir Baloch were present on the occasion. Southern Command Commander Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister on the overall law and order situation in Balochistan.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Raheel Sharif said that the Pakistan Army would provide maximum assistance in enhancing the capacity of Balochistan Police to ensure peace in the province. General Sharif said another three courses would be run by the Pakistan Army this year for Police and Balochistan Constabulary. Southern Command Commander Lieutenant General Nasir Khan Janjua and other senior officers were also present on the occasion. According to ISPR, currently 200 individuals of police and Balochistan Constabulary are being imparted training by Pakistan Army’s Southern Command in Quetta. An eight-week-long course will conclude on February 7.
Earlier in 2013, Pakistan Army provided 5,000 weapons and 500,000 rounds of ammunition to Balochistan Police besides imparting training to 200 policemen to enhance their capacity in anti-terrorism. The trained force now comprises Anti-Terrorist Force Balochistan, which has displayed good performance in the last few months after the training.
US sharply curtails drone strikes in Pakistan says report
The United States has cut back sharply on drone strikes in Pakistan after the Islamabad Government asked for restraint while it seeks peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan quoting The Washington Post reported on February 6. The Washington Post quoted a US official as saying, “That’s what they asked for, and we didn’t tell them no.” The newspaper said there had been a lull in such attacks since December, the longest break since 2011. The newspaper said the President Barack Obama administration indicated it would continue carrying out strikes on senior al Qaeda officials if they were to become available or to thwart any immediate threat to Americans.
79 Policemen killed during ‘target operations’ in Karachi in five months, says report
As many as 79 Police Officers and troopers were killed in the wake of the ongoing operation against criminals and terrorists in
Karachi, reports The Daily Times on February 8. In September 2013, when the operation was launched, 15 Policemen were killed and further 12 were killed in October, 11 each in November and December, 25 in January 2014 while during February until now, 5 died at the hands of the outlaws and terrorists. In a report, submitted by the Police Department to Inspector General of Police, Sindh, Shahid Nadeem Baloch, on the performance of Karachi District Police and CID, it was said that during this period 10,254 raids and 804 encounters, a total of 131 miscreants were killed while 15,671 were arrested.
TTP has 500 female suicide bombers ready, says TTP negotiator Maulana Abdul Aziz
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan sees no urgency to reach an agreement with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Government, Maulana Abdul Aziz, one of the three negotiators representing the TTP, said February 10, reports Pakistan Today. In an interview at his Islamabad seminary, where some 1,300 female students are studying, Aziz said, “You should know that at the moment they (TTP) have at least 400 to 500 female suicide bombers in Waziristan and other tribal areas”. Aziz said the TTP is most interested in implementing Sharia (Islamic Law) in Pakistan. The US military’s presence in Afghanistan is “a very minor factor” in the fight, he said. “They are fighting for the implementation of Sharia,” Aziz mentioned, “the government should realise the situation and their demands”. It’s the law of nature that people who don’t get their rights, pick up arms, he said. “The Taliban are in no hurry,” Aziz said, when asked whether the group wanted a deal soon to avoid a military strike. “They (TTP) say they are not worried about it. They have been in a state of war for the past 10 years”. Aziz justified the use of suicide bombers, saying that they believed in the cause and were willing to sacrifice themselves for it. “If the military has weapons and air power, they have suicide bombers,” Aziz said of the TTP. “You cannot match them. Suicide bombers even destroyed the power of America in Afghanistan,” he asserted.
TTP announces ‘armed struggle’ against Kalash tribe and Islamaili Shias in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan announced an ‘armed struggle’ against an indigenous tribe-Kalash and Ismaili Shias in Chitral Valley of
Chitral District, calling on Sunnis to support their cause in a video released on February 2, reports Daily Times. A charitable organisation headed by the Aga Khan, the Ismailis’ spiritual leader, is singled out for condemnation. “The Aga Khan Foundation is running 16 schools and 16 colleges and hostels where young men and women are given free education and brainwashed to keep them away from Islam,” the narrator says.
The narrator warns the Kalash, who are thought to number only 3,500, to convert to Islam or face death. “By the grace of Allah, an increasing number of people from the Kalash tribe are embracing Islam and we want to make it clear to the Kalash tribe that they will be eliminated along with their protectors, the Western agents if they don’t embrace Islam,” he says. The video also accuses international NGOs of creating an “Israel” like state in Chitral by attempting to protect the Kalash culture and take people away from Islam, and vows to foil their plans.
Two terrorists arrested in Islamabad
The Police claimed to have foiled a major terror bid and arrested two suspected militants, identified as Daud Khan of Mardan District (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Hassan Khan alias Lehsan of Bajaur Agency (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) during a raid at a house in Ittefaq Colony in Tarnol area of Islamabad, on February 13, reported Daily Times. The Police team also recovered explosives, detonators and detonating cord from them.
TTP kills 23 FC personnel kidnapped in June
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on February 16 claimed to have killed 23 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel kidnapped in June 14, 2010 from Shoonkri Post of Mohmand Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Daily Times. According to reports, the TTP Mohmand Agency ‘spokesman’ Omar Khurasani said that the kidnapped FC personnel were killed as revenge because the Government was continuously killing their men in different parts of the country, including Karachi, Peshawar and Swabi. He said if the Government does not stop killing the TTP supporters, they would also continue to kill Security Forces’ personnel.
After the TTP claim, it was decided that the Government committee and TTP negotiators will not be meeting on February 17. Senior journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai, who is one of the members of the Government committee, said it was necessary to discuss the killings with the Government before the state committee meets TTP negotiators. TTP also confirmed that the meeting, which was scheduled to take place at 11am today, will not be held.
Islamabad under severe threat from LeJ, TTP and al Qaeda ‘sleeper cells’, reveals Interior Ministry report
Islamabad is under severe threat of terrorism from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and al Qaeda, a report of the Interior Ministry presented in the Standing Committee of National Assembly on Interior revealed on February 19, reports Daily Times. According to the report, Islamabad is the most dangerous city as the “sleeper cell” of banned TTP, LeJ and al- Qaeda are posing a grave threat to the security of the city. In Punjab, LeJ and TTP were the most dangerous groups and in Sindh, the presence of LeJ, al Qaeda militants and target killers was reported.
About the security situation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Interior Ministry said certain evidences have ‘proved’ that India was involved in the deteriorating law and order situation in the region. It revealed that illegal weapons and terrorists were penetrating Pakistan through its western and eastern borders.
Grand jirga organised in the wake of TTP threats to Ismaili and Kalash tribe in Chitral District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A Grand jirga (assembly) was organised on February 21 in the wake of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan threats to Ismaili and Kalash tribe at Bumborat in Kalash Valley of Chitral District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports Dawn. The meeting was presided over by Commandant Chitral Scouts Colonel Naeem Iqbal and was attended by Deputy Commissioner Chitral, Muhammad Shoaib Jadoon, District Police Officer Ghulam Hussain and Major Murtaza as well as elites from Kalash, Ismaili and Sunni Muslim communities.
Earlier, in a 50-minute long video released on February 2 on the TTP media wing’s website, the militants had announced an “armed struggle” against the Kalash and Ismaili Muslims. The narrator warned the Kalash, who are thought to number only 3,500, to convert to Islam or face death.
TTP’s popularity is on the rise in Pakistan claims spokesman
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on February 26 claimed that its popularity is on the rise in Pakistan, reports The News. “An ever increasing number of Pakistanis are joining hands with us adding more and more firepower to our jihadist capabilities. The graph of our popularity is going north”, Shahidullah Shahid, the TTP ‘spokesman’ said in a statement. “We are dying to see the “glorious” results of a “grand” onslaught that the “valiant” armed forces of Pakistan are preparing to launch against us”, he said, adding, “Instead of pulling the “trigger”, if the government of Pakistan focuses on removing the “triggers” of this war the TTP’s anti-state activities will reduce drastically”.
Separately, TTP ‘committee member’ Maulana Sami-ul-Haq conveyed some of the committee’s requests to TTP’s political Shura (council), the coordinator of the Taliban committee Maulana Yousaf Shah said on February 26, reports The Express Tribune. A member of the Government’s four-member negotiating committee Rustam Shah Mohmand confirmed that on February 24, 2014 Government negotiators had an ‘informal’ meeting with the TTP intermediaries in the presence of Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
Meanwhile, at least 50 Barelvi school of thought groups at a multi-party conference held under the banner of Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Risalat Mahaz in Lahore District in Punjab on February 26 demanded the Government to declare extremists as well as their supporters, whether political or religious, as enemies of the state and traitors, reports Dawn. “Negotiations with banned outfits are unconstitutional… the army should be given a free hand to crush terrorists and the operation should continue until elimination of the last terrorist,” it asserted.
REGIONAL
Bangladesh — Internal Dynamics
JCD leader killed in Satkhira
A leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student organization of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), identified as Azharul Islam was killed by Joint Forces in a gun-fight in Magura Kheya ghat area of Tala sub-District in Satkhira District on January 27, reports New Age. Meanwhile, Police on January 27 arrested 11 cadres of Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-lslami (Jel) from messes around Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet District following two cases filed over vandalism on the campus, reports The Daily Star.
PBCP militant killed in Khulna
Security Forces (SFs) killed Touhidul Islam Sabuj (28), the ‘second-in-command’ of Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP), in an exchange of fire in Phultala sub-District of Khulna District on January 28, reports The Daily Star.
Chittagong District Court awards death penalty to 14 people for smuggling 10 truck loads of arms in 2004
A Chittagong District Court on January 30 awarded death penalty to 14 people, including Motiur Rahman Nizami, Ameer (chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami (Jel) and United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent ‘vice-president’ and ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah for smuggling 10 truckloads of arms into Chittagong District in 2004 during the last Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led Government’s tenure, reports The Daily Star. The cases were lodged with Karnaphuli Police Station a day after the arms haul at Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Ltd (CUFL) jetty in the early hours of April 2, 2004.
The other convicts include ex- minister, Lutfozzaman Babar, former Director of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Major General (retired) Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury, ex-director general of National Security Intelligence (NSI) Brigadier General (retired) Abdur Rahim, former NSI director Wing Commander (retired) Shahab Uddin, former NSI Deputy Director Major (retired) Liakat Hossain, ex-NSI Field Officer Akbar Hossain Khan, former Additional Secretary of Industries Ministry Nurul Amin, ex-CUFL Managing Director Mohsin Talukder and former CUFL General Manager (administration) Enamul Hogue. Three other condemned men are Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, a local arms smuggler, Din Mohammad, who supplied workers for offloading the arms and ammunition, and Haji Abdus Sobhan, owner of one of the two trawlers that carried the weapons from the deep sea to the CUFL jetty. Of the convicts, 12 were present in court, while Paresh Barua and Nurul Amin are on the run.
The 14 convicts were also given life sentences in the aforesaid case.
PBSP leader killed
Rivals killed outlawed Purbo Banglar Sarbahara Party (PBSP) leader, identified as Shamim Khan aliasPicchi Shamim (32) in Shibchar sub-District of the Madaripur District on February 13, reports The Daily Star. Police said that Shamim was accused in several cases.
PBSP leader killed in Faridpur
A cadre of the Purba Banglar Sarbahara Party (PBSP), identified as Kiran Bepari (29), was killed in an encounter with Police at Bagmara village in Faridpur District on February 19, reports New Age. Police said Kiran on behalf of the extremist outfit sent a letter along with a piece of shroud to a Canadian expatriate, demanding BDT 150,000 on February 13. After tracking mobile phone, a team of Police launched a drive in the area on February 18 and arrested Kiran and two of his associates Jamal Sheikh and Shiblu Sheikh. Later, on February 19, Police along with Kiran started another drive at village Baghmara to recover arms. Sensing presence of law enforces, associates of Kiran opened fire on Police triggering a gunfight that injured Kiran. Kiran died later.
40 persons injured in separate incidents of violence
At least 25 people were injured as Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-Jamaat-e-Islami (Jel) activists clashed in two Districts after the first phase of the sub-District Parishads(Councils) elections (February 19, 2014), reports The Daily Star. In Khagrachhari District, on February 20 leaving 15 people were injured in clashes. In Pabna District, 10 people were injured during a clash on February 21. Five houses and two motorbikes were also vandalized.
Meanwhile, 15 people were injured as cadres of banned militant outfit Hizb-ut-Tawhid (HT) clashed with locals in Purbo Shalbon area of Rangpur city in Rangpur District on February 20, reports The Daily Star. Police said that the HT cadres had been continuing their organizational activities for 20 days from a rented house and were spreading divisive remarks about Islam through the books and leaflets. On information about the remarks, local elite asked them to stop their activities which the HT cadres defied and the clash ensured. Around 23 HT cadres were arrested from the spot.
Policeman killed in Mymensingh
A Police Constable, identified as Atiqul Islam, was killed and two other Policemen were injured as an armed gang of 10-15 unidentified assailants ambushed a prison van that was carrying three convicted Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) militants, Rakib Hasan Russell alias Hafez Mahmud, Salauddin Ahmed alias Salehin and Zahidul Islam alias Boma, in Trishal sub-District of Mymensingh District on February 23, reports The Daily Star. One live and two used bullets of 7.65 pistol, two Chinese guns, that the attackers had snatched from the Police, were recovered from the incident site.
Police, however, arrested Rakib from Sakhipur of Tangail District while he was fleeing on a three-wheeler, about five hours after the incident. The whereabouts the two other escapees are unknown. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on February 23 suspecting Jamaat-e-Islami’s (Jet’s) role in the incident said Jel is not a political party and they are a terrorist group, reports New Age.
PBCP-Red Flat leader arrested in Pabna
Police arrested a regional leader of Purbo Bangla Communist Party-Kea Hag (PBCP-Red Flag), Abu Hanif from Chachkia village of Pabna District on February 22, reports The Bangladesh Today. Police said that two cases are pending against him with Bhangura and Atgharia Police Stations in the District. One is a murder case with Bhangura Police Station and the other one is under speedy trial act pending against him with Atgharia Police Station.
India — Internal Dynamics
Civilian injured in explosion in Punjab
A man, identified as Sajawal, sustained injuries when an explosive device detonated outside the house of one Jahangir Khan, in the Ratta Amral area of Rawalpindi District on February 26, reported The Express Tribune. Ratta Amral Police Station House Officer (SHO) Chaudhry Zulfiqar said that between 100 and 150 grams of explosives was used in the blast, which was later confirmed by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS).
Maoists kill two persons in Odisha
Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres killed two persons, identified as Deba Sodi and Erma Banjami of Silakota village under Padia Police Station area in Malkangiri District on January 26, suspecting them as Police informers, reports news.outlookindia.com. The duo were abducted from their houses on January 25 and killed after producing them at Maoist’s praja court (peoples’ court). Family members of those deceased, however, have cremated the bodies without informing the Police about the incident. Meanwhile, the Maoists’ Malkangiri Division ‘spokesperson’ Poonam Chandra in an audio message claimed that the duo was killed as their information had helped the Police to launch an attack on them on September 13, 2013 when around 13 Maoists were killed.
CRPF trooper killed and another 11 injured in Maoist-triggered serial landmine blasts in Jharkhand
In the search operation that began on January 26 to rescue four abducted persons, one Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) trooper died and 11 others suffered injuries when suspected Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres triggered over 12 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) explosions on January 27 afternoon in Pirtand block of Giridih District, reports The Hindu. The abducted persons were released on January 27 evening. Three Panchayat-level workers and a Prime Minister Rural Development Fellow (PMRDF) were earlier taken hostage by Maoists on January 25 in Giridih District.
Eleven companies, or nearly 700 paramilitary personnel, of CRPF and special assault groups of Jharkhand Jaguar (JJ) were deployed in the search operations. “Though we lost one of our men, we were able to secure the safe release of all four by putting the Maoists under immense pressure. Our forces surrounded them from all sides,” said Jharkhand Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar.
Serial blasts reported on Republic Day in Manipur
The Shillong Times reports that Republic Day (January 26) celebrations in Manipur were marred by four bomb blasts amidst high security measures after Coordination Committee (CorCom) of six militant outfits called for a boycott of the day, Police said. However, no one was injured in the explosions. “A powerful bomb exploded near the deputy commissioner’s office in the eastern part of Imphal at 8 a.m. There were three more subsequent explosions by noon in different parts of the city,” a Police spokesperson said. The area where the first bomb went off is close to the official residence of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
Meanwhile, the CorCom has claimed it’s the series of bomb blast on Republic Day morning at Babupara around 8 am, Moirangkhom around 9 am, Chingmeirong around 10 am and at Singjamei Chinga Makhong around 11 am, reports Kanglaonline. A press statement of the CorCom said that the series of blast was carried as part of the collective call of several outfits of the “Western Southeast Asia (WESEA) region against the Republic Day celebration on January 26.
Two persons killed in Assam
Sonitpur Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP-Security), Gulzar Hussain (37), and a Police Informer were killed while five Constables were injured as IK Songbijit faction of National Democratic Front of Boroland ambushed a patrol at Thalola in the Batachipur area under Dhekiajuli Police Station in Sonitpur District on January 28, reports The Telegraph. The injured constables were identified as Umakanta Bailong (38), Rubul Borah (26), Hiraj Bharali (38), Janak Basumatary (25), and Pinku Nath (25). Meanwhile, ‘spokesman’ of the NDFB-1KS, B R Ferenga has claimed responsibility of the ambush, adds The Shillong Times.
Further, a mob later vandalised an office of the Pro-Talks faction of NDFB (NDFB-PTF) at Tezpur (Sonitpur District) and a cadre of the outfit was beaten up before he was handed over to the Police. The mob also shouted slogans against the NDFB, reports The Telegraph.
Cultural secretary of ULFA-I reportedly ‘executed’ in Myanmar, says unconfirmed report
The Independent faction of United Liberation Front of Asom executed its ‘cultural secretary’, Anjumoni Saikia alias Dalimi Dutta, at the outfit’s Myanmar camp recently, reports The Telegraph on January 28. Director-General of Police Khagen Sarma on January 28 said the Police have received unconfirmed reports of her death. Another top Police official said it was “believed that Dutta was executed by her comrades as she was planning to surrender” but added that there was no confirmation. The ULFA-I, led by Paresh Barua, has also not issued any statement about her death.
ANLA militants kill two people
The Telegraph reports that the A’chik National Liberation Army (ANLA) militants on February 3, killed two people including one deserter, Ronald R. Marak and his nephew, Meghnath R. Marak. Police said Ronald R. Marak, a former ‘finance secretary’ of the outfit, was abducted in the night of February 1 from his residence at Wageasi (East Garo Hills District) and his nephew Meghnath R. Marak on February 3. “It looks like that both the man and his nephew were killed by the ANLA after Ronald deserted the outfit,” said a Police Officer. The body of Meghnath was found from Mendimaalong-Kharkutta Road in North Garo Hills. Sources said Ronald left the outfit with INR 1.5 million and a rifle. Though Ronald’s body has not been found, Police suspect that he has been killed.
NGO activist killed by Maoists in Odisha
A tribal activist of a Non Government Organisation (NGO), identified as Sadanand Hantal (25), was killed by Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres in the cut-off area of Balimela reservoir in Malkangiri District on February 5, reports The Hindu. Hantal belonged to Sarkubandha village of Ralegada area. He along with some others was involved in projects of Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Program (OTELP) as well as in sectors related to health and sanitation in the cut off area. Malkangiri Superintendent of Police (SP) Akhileshwar Singh said Sadanand, along with three other NGO activists working in the area, had been abducted by a group of Maoists from Sarku Bandh on February 2 night. The killing of Sadanand came to the fore when his family members located his corpse inside Singavaram jungle near their village on February According to Police sources, the other three persons who had been abducted by the Maoists along with Sadanand had been released.
Meanwhile, two landmines, one gun, medicines, two swords, banners and wires of Maoists were seized from Gumudaput jungle of Koraput District during joint combing operation by personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) and Bandhugaon Police Station, reports The Hindu on February 7.
Three bullet ridden bodies recovered in Meghalaya
Three bullet ridden bodies of civilians, uted by Garo militants on February 3 have been retrieved by Police on February 6 from the upper ridges of Nokrek national park in West Garo Hills, reports The Shillong Times. The fact that the kidnappers demanded INR 1 million each from the victims but refused to allow them to arrange the money through communication with their families indicate that they had an ulterior motive,” said a source.
Meanwhile, The Shillong Times reports on February 8 that South Garo Hills Police have uncovered a close nexus between the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) outfit and the Garo National Liberation Army faction (GNLA-F) that is preparing to float a new organization called the United Peoples’ Revolutionary Alliance (UPRA). Police uncovered the close links between the GNLA-F led by Reding T Sangma and the ANVC-B after a camp of the latter was busted near Mindikgre (South Garo Hills District) in the morning of February 7 in which the documents and seals of the new organization along with one shot gun, a revolver, four rounds of 7.62 ammo, two rounds of 7.65 ammo, blank ANVC-B letter pads with the signature of the outfit’s ‘finance secretary Sengdura and also demand notes made out in the name of the rival United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) were recovered. A receipt book was made in the name of the UPRA with a seal of the ‘chairman’ was found. It is not known who the chairman or cadres of the new organization are but Police suspects Reading and his GNLA faction that was operating in the same area.
Separately, West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi has asked Additional District Magistrate (ADM) DD Shire to complete the inquiry into the incident in which four ANVC-B cadres were allegedly killed during an encounter with Police on the outskirts of Tura in West Garo Hills on January 11, reports The Shillong Times on February 7.
CPI-Maoist cadre killed by PLFI
A Communist Party of India-Maoist cadre, identified as Mangal Topno (40), was killed and two others were injured, one of them critically, in an exchange of fire with Peoples’ Liberation Front of India (PLFI) cadres along Odisha-Jharkhand border at Birmitrapur in Sundergarh District of Odisha on February 26, reports The Times of India. Initially the Maoists opened fire on PLFI members who had gone to Bansjor weekly market in Jharkhand. The exchange of fire lasted for an hour. Police recovered the body from the spot. Sundargarh Police are on high alert after the incident.
Three civilians killed in Meghalaya
Unidentified militants opened fire on four persons killing three of them while one survived with a bullet injury at Nokrek Biosphere hills in West Garo Hills District on February 3, reports The Shillong Times. One of the victims is said to be former politician and contractor, Rutherford R Marak of Araimile locality in Tura. The identity of the rest of the victims has not been disclosed.
The militants had earlier abducted the two persons from Sasatgre-Chandigre village on February 2. The militants initially frisked both captives and snatched a sum of INR 30,000 from the duo along with their mobile phones. The militants then ordered both captives to arrange INR 1 million each for their safe release. Later, on February 3, two other deceased civilians were brought to the same spot by the militants from an undisclosed location. Subsequently, they opened fire on them, killing three of them.
Evidence of CPI-Maoist unearthed in Kerala
Evidence of Communist Party of India-Maoist presence in Kerala were established following the recovery of a pair of uniform allegedly being worn by Maoist cadres in Wayanad District, reports india Today on February Vellamunda Police in Wayanad had found a pair uniform and two bags which contained some grocery items used by suspected Maoists from Kombara tribal settlement at Kunjom forest area in Mananthavady forest range in Wayanad District. NT Jose, the Sub-Inspector of Police at Vellamunda said that the Police had recovered the items from the tribal settlement when they reached the spot following a tip off about Maoist leaders’ presence at the camp.
New militant group ASAK formed after breaking away from GNLA in Meghalaya
The Shillong Times reports on February 13 that a group of senior Garo National Liberation Army leaders led by former ‘finance secretary’ Reding T Sangma have broken away from the outfit’s military ‘chief Sohan D Shira and formed their own organization christening it A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK). On February 12, the ‘commander-in-chief (C-in-C) of the new outfit, Reding T Sangma, gave in detail the reasons for parting ways with Sohan D Shira. “We unitedly formed the GNLA to fight for Garoland and protect our people from oppression. We wanted to take the cause of Garos to a higher level. Over the years GNLA gained from strength to strength until Sohan broke all rules of the organization and began to take decisions without consulting the other leaders of the group” said Reding T Sangma. He blamed Sohan for the fratricidal killings within the GNLA group and for targeting other ‘revolutionary’ outfits like the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council and the Norrok X Momin led United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) making them sworn enemies.
The new outfit ASAK, which literally means the vanguards of Garoland has named its headquarters as Grikram. It has also roped in another senior GNLA militant leader known as Jack Marak who has now been made the ‘finance secretary’ of ASAK. Besides Reading and Jack, the other senior leaders of the group are ‘chairman’ Cheo Challang, ‘deputy C-in-C’ Chue Dilsrang
Sangma, ‘secretary’ Dura Matgrik and ‘joint secretary’ Anmisil.
371 policemen died in Naxal violence since 2011
371 Policemen (including Central Armed Police Force and State Police) died in Naxal (Left Wing Extremism) violence since 2011,
according to the Union Ministry for Home Affairs, reports The Times of India on February 13. The report shows that 368 personnel committed suicides during this period. The Army recorded 265 suicides during the same period.
Naxals extort INR 1.4 billion annually from traders, corporates, says Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh
Naxals [Left-Wing Extremists (LWEs)] have been extorting money to the tune of INR 1.4 billion annually from contractors, businessmen and corporate houses besides their front organisations are suspected to be receiving foreign funds clandestinely,
Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh informed Rajya Sabha (Upper House of India parliament) on February 12, reports The
Hindu. The Minister said “Though an exact quantification of their finance is not possible, it has been assessed in a study conducted by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, Delhi that the CPI-Maoist has been collecting nal IONS than Rs. 140 crore annually from a variety of sources.”
At least 13 people were injured when suspected IK Songbijit faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland militants triggered two blasts in Gasbari daily market near Baihata Chariali in Kamrup (Rural) District on February 24 evening, reports The Sentinel.
Monthly Fatalities
The following deaths related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period Jan 26, 2014 to Feb 25, 2014:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militant | Total | |
| Assam | 05 | 01 | 04 | 10 |
| Manipur | 03 | 00 | 00 | 03 |
| Meghalaya | 06 | 00 | 02 | 08 |
| Nagaland | 02 | 00 | 00 | 02 |
| Left wing | 08 | 05 | 06 | 19 |
| Total | 24 | 06 | 12 | 42 |
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
CPN-Maoist to struggle for ‘people’s govt’ in Nepal
Mohan Baidya led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) has formed United People’s Committee (UPC) aiming to launch a struggle for the establishment of “peoples’ government”, reports Republica on February 6. UPC will launch protests for people’s constitution and nationalism after mid-March. A meeting of sister wings held at the party headquarters in Buddhanagar on February 6 appointed party secretary Dev Gurung as the coordinator of the committee. The committee comprises nearly 150 members including head of the party’s sister wings, party politburo member and head of ethnic, gender and other fronts of
the party. “The committee will prepare a protest program for people’s constitution and anti-nationalist agreements on resources,” Gurung told Republica. The party will soon call a central committee meeting to finalize the protest program and the date for the party’s national convention. The party has also decided to celebrate “people’s war” day on February 13. The party would announce its protest programs at the people’s war celebrations.
Five UCPN-M cadres sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering CPN-UML leader Chhabi Lal Karki
The Okhaldhunga District Court on February 7 sentenced five Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist cadres to life imprisonment for the murder of Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) leader Chhabi Lal Karki at the Tara Hotel of Okhaldhunga District three years ago, reports Nepal News. Those found guilty of the murder are UCPN-M cadres Yadunath Ghimire, Tikaram Bhujel, Bimarsha Raj Ghimire, Nawaraj Basnet and Karki’s elder brother Dhan Bahadur Karki.
Separatist movement, religious and ethnic tension, general strikes and terrorist activities in the region has caused threats to national security, says CoAS Gaurav SJB Rana
Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Gaurav SJB Rana on February 20 said that separatist movement, religious and ethnic tension, general strikes and terrorist activities in the region has caused threats to national security, reports Republica. Rana said, “It is equally important to have cooperation from all sectors to face growing security threats, and traditional mechanisms have to be replaced by practical, dynamic and effective ones.” Emphasizing on the timely improvements in the National Security Strategy, he added, “Only the full-fledged constitution can be expected to describe the national security strategy without any ambiguity.”
Meanwhile, Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) after a standing committee meeting on February 20 reiterated its previous stance of not joining the Nepali Congress (NC) led Government until it gets the Home Ministry portfolio, reports Nepal News. The CPN-UML leaders participating in the meeting said the party’s priority at the moment is timely constitution drafting rather than joining the Government. CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal said that his party remains adamant on its precondition for joining the NC-led Government. He further said that the party is currently focused on the task of making the constitution drafting process “effective”.
Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics
UK is working hard to mobilize US resolution against Sri Lanka at UNHRC, says Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs MP Mark Simmonds
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Member of Parliament (MP) Mark Simmonds saif on January 23 that anticipating a tough time at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in March, 2014 and mounting a diplomatic offensive to against another resolution sponsored by the United State (US), the United Kingdom (UK) is working hard to garner support to move the US resolution against Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. Simmonds told UK Parliament during the debate that the UK is facing an “uphill struggle” to secure the passage of the US resolution and they are working hard to get the necessary majority.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on January 25 that a lot of military camps that were in North during the war have been removed now and only the ones essential to national security remain at strategic locations, reports Colombo Page. “A lot of military camps have been withdrawn, and the only ones that remain are those that in strategic locations essential to national security,” Defense Secretary said. The Defense Secretary further explained that maintenance of law and order in the North is handled entirely by the Police and new Police stations have been opened throughout the North and East obtaining the service of Tamil speaking Policemen.
Three more dead bodies unearthed from mass grave in Mannar District
Three more dead bodies have been unearthed from the mass grave at Thirukethishvara in Mannar District raising the number of bodies recovered so far to 53, reports Daily Mirror. These remains were first found on December 20, 2013, by some workers who were digging a trench to lay water pipes.
Meanwhile, the British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Hugo Swire on January 29 said in the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament in London that Sri Lanka’s domestic Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed to address the reconciliation and accountability issues does not meet international standards, reports Colombo Page. “We have also highlighted that any domestic process should be credible, independent and transparent to be accepted by the international community. We do not believe that any of the processes established to date by the Sri Lankan Government- such as the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission – meet these standards,” Swire said.
Separately, Ministry of Defense on January 28 dismissed the media reports which alleged the Security Forces (SFs) of using unconventional weapons in the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, reports Colombo Page. Issuing a statement the Ministry said, “In spite of the fact that the LTTE continually resorted to numerous unconventional means against military as well as civilians in Sri Lanka, the Armed Forces used only proportionally required minimum conventional means during military operations against the LTTE terrorists throughout the history of counter terrorist operations.”
US frustrated with Sri Lanka’s reconciliation
A senior United States diplomat said on Saturday, Feb 1 that Sri Lanka’s government has made little progress on justice, reconciliation and accountability more than four years after the end of the civil war, as the US prepares to press that government at the UN’s top human rights body.
Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal said lack of progress has frustrated her government and the international community. “Patience of the international community is wearing thin ” Biswal told reporters at the American Centre in the capital Colombo, at the end of her visit on Saturday, adding that the US will sponsor a resolution asking Sri Lanka to do more on reconciliation and accountability at the UN Human Rights Council in March.
During her visit, Biswal met senior government officials, opposition political leaders, civil society representatives. Her visit comes two months ahead of a United Nations Human Rights Council review of Sri Lanka’s progress in probing alleged war crimes. The US has successfully carried two resolutions at the United Nations Human Rights Council urging Sri Lanka to conduct its own investigation into war crimes allegations against both government troops and the separatist Tamil rebels.
Biswal said US has always supported a Sri Lankan process to resolve the issues emanating from the conflict. But she said she told senior Sri Lankan government officials about the “insufficient progress” in addressing justice, reconciliation and accountability, after the war’s end.
She said the new resolution will call on Sri Lanka “to do more to promote reconciliation, democratic governance, justice and accountability ” But she declined to discuss the text of the resolution, saying it is too early.
While Sri Lanka has enjoyed relative peace since then, it hasn’t satisfied concerns, principally from Western nations, over the fate of tens thousands of Tamil civilians in the final months of the war in 2009, when government forces were closing in on Tamil Tiger rebels cornered on a sliver of land in the island’s northeast.
Human Rights Commission of SL rejects US statement on human rights issues
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on February 3 rejected the statements made by United States (US) Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal, on human rights issues in Sri Lanka during her visit to the country, reports Colombo Page. Human Rights Commissioner Prathiba Mahanamahewa said that he could not agree with the statements made by the US Government. He pointed out that the Government has set up a Presidential Commission on Disappearances, another Commission to probe the loss of lives and property due to the war since 1982, both of which were recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister of India P. Chidambaram on February 3 said that India assisted housing project to construct 50,000 houses for Sri Lanka’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has completed 10,250 houses in 2013, reports Colombo Page. According to the information received from the India’s Ministry of External Affairs 10,250 houses were completed by
December 31, 2013 and another 27,750 houses will be constructed under the same scheme.
President asks public not to be misled by international conspiracies against the country
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on February 10 said that international conspiracies against the Government and the country are being formed in Geneva to build negative views among the people in the country and urged the public not to allow themselves to be misled by those conspiracies, reports Colombo Page. The President said the Government will discharge the duties and responsibilities on behalf of the country and the people diligently in future, just as they were fulfilled in the past and present.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) at its meeting held in Brussels, capital of Belgium on February 10 adopted the conclusion to actively support the accountability and reconciliation process in Sri Lanka and address the current human rights situation in the country, reports Colombo Page. The Council also decided to support a credible and independent investigation into the alleged war crimes committed during Sri Lanka’s war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists.
Separately, China on February 11 lent its support to Sri Lanka and said it opposed “interference” in the country’s domestic affairs, ahead of next month’s (March) meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) where the United States (US) is expected to put forward a resolution criticising the island nation’s post-war rights record, reports The Hindu. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, on an official visit to Beijing that China opposes some countries interference in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka under the pretext of human rights issues.
Dept of Census and Statistics begins pre-processing island wide census data to assess human and property damages occurred during three-decade long war
The Department of Census and Statistics has begun the pre-processing of data of the island wide census to assess the human and property damages that occurred during the civil war, reports Daily Mirror on February 26. The official website of the National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendation said that the first stage of the data processing involves checking the completeness of coverage and that all completed forms have been received. In the second stage, the summaries prepared , by the enumerators in the field will be checked with the data collection form and sent for data processing. The third stage consists of a detailed checking procedure during which the internal consistency of the data will be verified. The final report will be released once the Census Department processes this data.
Meanwhile, speaking at the debate in the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament in London on February 24, the British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Hugo Swire said Britain does not believe that the domestic processes set up by the Sri Lankan Government are adequate to address the humanitarian law violations and accountability issues, reports Colombo Page. He said Britain had made it clear to Sri Lanka that if a credible domestic process has not begun properly by March 2014, the UK will use its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to call for an international investigation.
Separately, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said the report submitted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillai is a comprehensive and accurate depiction of the serious human rights issues in the country, reports Colombo Page on February 25. The TNA in a statement said a number of serious concerns High Commissioner raised in her Report to the 25th session of the UNHRC on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka pertain to the entire country. Among the serious concerns are the treatment of former combatants and detainees, attacks on religious minorities, the attack on dissent and the freedom of expression, the Government’s dismal record in implementing LLRC recommendations and the Government’s disinterest in making progress on accountability.
INTERNATIONAL
Rebellion spreads against Ukraine’s president
Thousands in Kiev on Sunday, Jan 26 mourned a protester shot dead during clashes, as a rebellion against President Viktor Yanukovych’s authority spread despite sweeping concessions offered by the embattled leader. An emotional crowd packed Saint Michael’s Cathedral and spilled into a square outside to pay their last respects to 25-year-old Mikhail Zhiznevsky, withmany waving Ukrainian flags with black ribbons.
Mourners bearing flowers hailed the Belarusian national, who had been living in Ukraine for several years, as a hero of their country and pointed out that Sunday would have been his 26th birthday.” Officials have confirmed he died of gunshot wounds during the clashes last week, but the security forces have denied shooting on protesters.
Thousands of protesters meanwhile laid siege to local government offices in at least two Ukrainian cities in demonstrations against Yanukovych-appointed regional governors. Several regional government offices have been occupied by protesters in the past few days and de facto power has passed to pro-opposition regional lawmakers.
In two regions Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil, local assemblies even voted through motions to ban Yanukovych’s ruling Party of Regions—a symbolic move that echoes the outlawing of the Communist Party after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Protesters clutching baseball bats and wearing military-style helmets also attended a rally in Kiev after taking over another official building in the capital, although the gathering of a few thousand people on Sunday was far smaller than previous ones. Two months after the protests began over Yanukovych’s decision to back out of a European Union pact, the president offered on Saturday to share leadership with opposition figures Arseniy Yatsenyuk as prime minister and Vitali Klitschko as deputy prime minister in a dramatic compromise bid.
But opposition leaders have said they will continue negotiations with Yanukovych until other demands are met, in particular that presidential elections due in 2015 be brought forward to this year.
One week after clashes first erupted between the opposition and police, protesters scored another victory by taking control of Ukraine House, a Stalin-era exhibition hall near the protest zone, ousting about 200 Special Forces using it as a base.
The officers were allowed to exit through a side entrance early Sunday to cries of “Shame!” from protesters, after an overnight siege in which protesters threw Molotov cocktails as security forces responded with stun grenades. The interior ministry said it had given an order to “withdraw the reserve unit” and essentially accused protesters of attempting to take the troops hostage. It also said two of its officers had been injured in the clashes and hospitalised.
Protest leaders said the building would now be used as a press centre and an additional place to feed and warm protesters. Officials say three people have been killed in protests in Kiev, raising fears of a wider civil conflict in the former Soviet republic’s worst crisis since independence in 1991.The opposition says six people have died.
Militant’s capture soldiers as Iraq unrest kills 13
Militants appeared to have captured five Iraqi soldiers near Fallujah, according to witnesses and online videos, while anti-government fighters took control of more territory in Anbar province on Sunday, Jan 26.
Meanwhile attacks elsewhere in Iraq killed 13 people, pushing to more than 850 the number of people killed this month. Authorities have been grappling for weeks with a deadly standoff in Anbar province, west of Baghdad. Foreign leaders have urged the government to seek political reconciliation with disaffected minority in order to undercut support for militants. But with elections looming in April, Iraqi Prime Minister Nun al-Maliki has taken a hard line.
On Sunday, witnesses said between five and 22 soldiers, were captured by anti-government fighters who also seized several military vehicles.
The alleged operations were shown in videos posted On the YouTube, but their authenticity could not be immediately verified Witnesses said that anti-government fighters attacked a small military outpost on the outskirts of Fallujah in the morning, forcing some soldiers to retreat while others surrendered.
One video shows five men dressed in Iraqi army uniforms sitting in the back of a pick-up truck as onlooker’s crowd around them. The men hoist a black flag akin to those often flown by jihadists and shout slogans in support of the AI-Qaeda- linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
27 Muslim rebels killed in Philippines
The Philippine military said on Tuesday, Jan 28 it had killed 27 militants opposed to a peace deal between the government and the country’s main Muslim rebel group even as a bomb wounded two civilians. The improvised explosive went off in Datu Piang town, near the scene of the fighting in what the military suspects is an attempt to divert their forces.
More than 1,500 troops are involved in the offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in remote farming areas of the mainly Catholic country’s Muslim south, regional military spokesman Colonel Dickson Hermoso said.
He said 17 BIFF members had been confirmed killed in this week’s clashes, while two soldiers and one civilian were wounded in the fighting. A pregnant woman and an eight-year-old girl were also wounded when the bomb went off near a marketplace shortly after noon, Hermoso said.
The assault was launched on Monday, two days after the successful end of negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) aimed at ending a decades-long insurgency that has killed tens of thousands.
The BIFF is a small group of militants opposed to the peace effort, which has carried out many deadly attacks in recent years in a bid to derail the peace process. National military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said:
Israel using N-issue to hide crimes: Iran
Iran’s foreign minister said on Tuesday, Jan 28 that Israel is using the issue of Tehran’s nuclear programme to distract from its “crimes” against the Palestinians.
Israel, along with Western countries, has long accused Iran of covertly pursuing nuclear weapon alongside its civilian programme—charges denied by Tehran—and the Jewish state criticised a landmark nuclear deal reached with world powers in November.
“Under the pretext of Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy (programme), the Zionists have always tried to distract governments and nations’ public opinion from their own crimes in Palestine,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a statement. He made the remarks during a rare visit to Iran by Jibril Rajoub, a senior official in the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which is currently engaged in US-brokered peace talks with Israel.
Rajub, a senior member of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movement, said the group “will not stop the resistance until the establishment of an independent Palestinian government” in east Jerusalem, occupied and annexed by Israel.
The agreement reached with world powers requires Iran to curb or halt its nuclear activities for six months in return for sanctions relief, and is aimed at buying time for the negotiation of a comprehensive agreement to resolve the decade-long dispute.
Egypt to try 20 Al-Jazeera journalists
Egyptian prosecutors on Wednesday, Jan 29 referred to trial 20 journalists working with Al- Jazeera television network, including four foreigners accused of “airing false news.” The 16 Egyptians have been charged with belonging to a “terrorist organisation … and harming national unity and social peace,” the prosecution said in a statement.
The four foreigners—two Britons, an Australian and a Dutch national—have been accused of “collaborating with the Egyptians by providing them with money, equipment, information and airing false news aimed at informing the outside world that the country was witnessing a civil war.” Of the 20, only eight are in detention, while others are being sought by authorities.
The prosecution did not reveal the identities of those being detained, but on December 29 three Al-Jazeera journalists—Peter
Greste, an acclaimed Australian reporter who formerly worked for the BBC, Canadian-Egyptian Mohammed Adel Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohammed—were arrested in a Cairo hotel.
The prosecution had previously accused the Al-Jazeera crew of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been black-listed by the military-installed authorities as a terrorist group.
The blacklisting move is part of a deadly government crackdown on the Brotherhood since the July ouster of President Mohammed Mursi, who hails from the movement.
The detention of the Al-Jazeera journalists has received widespread coverage in Western media, which the prosecution previously suggested could also violate Egyptian law. Egyptian authorities have been incensed by Al- Jazeera’s coverage of their crack-down on the Muslim Brotherhood.
Barrel bombs kill 13 in Aleppo
Syrian government forces dropped barrel bombs on rebel-held districts of Aleppo on Wednesday, Jan 29 killing 13 people as they pressed an assault southeast of the northern city, a monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported more than 20 barrel bombs had been dropped on the town of Daraya,
southwest of the capital Damascus. And the Britain-based group reported government troops battled rebel forces near Krak des Chevaliers, a famed Crusader castle between the central city of Horns and the Mediterranean coast.
The fighting came even as both sides reported “positive” results at peace talks in Geneva after four days of deadlock. A woman and a young girl were among the dead when government helicopters dropped the controversial munitions on the Maadi district of south Aleppo, the Observatory said.
Child soldiers among 53 dead as Philippine troops overrun rebels
Three child soldiers on Friday, Jan 31 recruited by Muslim rebels in the Philippines were among 53 people killed in a five-day military offensive in the restive south.
Regional spokesman Colonel Dickson Hermoso said the offensive against fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group in the strife-torn southern island of Mindanao had resulted in the deaths of 52 rebels, including the children, and one soldier.
The military offensive came after the main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), successfully concluded peace talks with government negotiators last week aimed at ending a decades-long insurgency that has killed tens of thousands.
The BIFF is a small group of militants opposed to the peace effort with the MILF, which has carried out many deadly attacks in recent years in a bid to derail the peace process.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has vowed to crush militants opposed to an imminent peace deal, saying the army operations were meant to “seriously degrade their abilities to again act as spoilers”.
Hermoso said soldiers and local residents confirmed the three child soldiers, aged between 15 and 17, were among the guerrillas buried soon after their deaths, according to Islamic custom.
The website of the UN special representative on children and armed conflict said that it “continued to receive credible reports that the (RIFF) armed group was actively training and providing weapons to children”.
National military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said that troops had captured the BIFF’s headquarters as well as their bomb-making factory in remote villages of Mindanao in a bid to prevent the rebels from derailing the peace process with the MILF.
Fighting is likely to end by Saturday as part of an arrangement with the main MILE group, said Zagala.
The MILF had cooperated in the operations against the BIFF by holding back their own forces and not letting the hardliners seek refuge in MILF territory.
Militants kill 17 Yemeni troops
Suspected Al-Qaeda militants launched surprise attacks on Friday, Jan 31 on a checkpoint and a police patrol in Yemen, killing 17 troops, military and security officials said.
The first attack took place in the ancient city of Shibam in the restive province of Hadramawt, where attackers surprised the soldiers as they were having lunch and battled them for nearly half an hour before fleeing the scene, officials said. Fifteen troops were killed. At least five of the attackers were hit and either killed or wounded, but militants carried them away, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.
Earlier, gunmen targeted a police patrol in the central province of Bayda, killing two, said Adel al-Asbahi, the provincial security chief. Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest country, has been plagued by troubles including a powerful al-Qaeda insurgency in the south and in much of its remote hinterland, a rebel movement in the north and a separatist drive, also in the south.
The US routinely targets suspected militants from the group in drone strikes. The group seized large swaths of lands in the south before the military launched a major offensive in the summer of 2012, driving many of them out. The group has continued to carry out ambitious and deadly attacks, including storming the Defence Ministry headquarters leaving 56 dead last month, including foreigners.
733 Iraqis killed in January
The United Nations said on Saturday, Feb 1 that at least 733 Iraqis were killed during violence in January, even when leaving out casualties from an embattled western province.
The figures issued on Saturday by the UN’s mission to Iraq show 618 civilians and 115 members of the security forces were killed in January. But the UNAMI statement excluded deaths from ongoing fighting in Anbar, due to problems in verifying the “status of those killed.” The figures also leave out insurgent deaths.
Also, the UN said at least 1,229 Iraqis were wounded in attacks across the country last month. Baghdad was the worst affected province, with 297 killed and 585 wounded. Al-Qaeda- linked fighters and their allies seized control of the city of Fallujah and parts of the Anbar provincial capital Ramadi last month after authorities dismantled a protest camp by Sunnis angry at what they consider second-class treatment by the Shia-led government.
The government and its tribal allies are besieging the rebel-held areas, with fighting reported daily. UN mission chief Nickolay Mladenov expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Anbar, saying thousands of families are displaced and others stranded in besieged Fallujah. 1 am deeply alarmed by the humanitarian situation of thousands of displaced families and particularly of those stranded in Fallujah.
They lack water, fuel, food, medicine and other basic commodities,” he said.
Last week, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that 140,000 Iraqis have fled from the embattled areas of Anbar, the largest displacement of civilians in the country since the sectarian violence of 2006-2008.
Few days ago, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had delivered aid, such as blankets, food and kitchen sets, to more than 3,000 people in the center of Fallujah.
2 die during clash at Kenyan mosque
Police opened fire on Muslim youths at a mosque linked to recruiting Islamists, and at least one officer and a young man were killed, witnesses and officials said in the coastal resort and port city of Mombasa on Sunday, Feb 2.
Police said they raided the Masjid Musa mosque acting on intelligence that a meeting to recruit militants was going on. A reporter at the scene saw police shoot and kill one person as they tried to disperse a growing crowd screaming “Allahu Akbar” or “God is Great” outside the mosque, which has been the recent site of violent confrontations between young Muslims and police.
A police officer who was stabbed in the face later died of his wounds, said Mombasa police commander Robert Kitur. Another police officer was stabbed in the stomach and is being treated at a local hospital, he said. Police later occupied the mosque and its precincts, Kitur said.
“We have arrested dozens of youths who attacked our officers while on duty at the mosque and they are under interrogation,” he said. “We have recovered a rifle that was robbed from one of our officers in the exercise. The officers were on a mission to remove radical paraphernalia from the mosque when they faced resistance.”
Kenyan police have linked the Masjid Musa mosque to recruitment of militants for Somalia’s al-Shabab organisation, which claimed responsibility for an attack last year on an upscale shopping mall in which up to 67 people were killed in Nairobi, the capital.
Saudi king orders punishing Jihadi fighters
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has issued a royal decree that punishes citizens who fight in conflicts outside the kingdom, with prison sentences ranging from three to 20 years in jail.
The statement issued by the Saudi Royal Court on Monday, Feb 3 states that anyone who took part in acts of killing outside the kingdom or joined extremist terrorist groups or supported them materially or verbally through incitement would also face imprisonment.
Syria’s civil war has drawn young Saudis, encouraged by influential clerics and community members to fight President Bashar Assad’s forces. The royal court said the king’s decree was issued in accordance. with Islamic law to protect Muslim unity and security in Saudi Arabia. The decree comes after a new counterterrorism law came into effect in the kingdom on Sunday. The decree also said Saudis who join, endorse or give moral or material aid to groups it classifies as terrorist or extremist organisations, whether inside or outside the country, would face prison sentences of between five and 30 years.
The announcement came quickly on the heels of the publication on Friday of a new anti-terrorism law that has been condemned by rights activists as a tool to stifle dissent.
The new decree said a committee would be set up to determine which groups would be outlawed, but it could help Riyadh target two movements it sees as particularly dangerous — Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and the Lebanese Hizbullah. “Syria is probably the main factor at play here.
57 Islamists killed in Anbar
Iraqi troops and allied tribesmen killed 57 Islamist militants in Anbar province on Monday, Feb 3 the Defence Ministry said, in advance of a possible assault on the rebel-held city of Falluja.
There was no independent verification of the toll among the militants, said to be members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a Jihadi group also fighting in Syria. ISIL militants and other groups angered by the government overran Falluja and parts of the nearby city of Ramadi in the western province of Anbar on Jan 1.
The Defence Ministry statement said most of the 57 militants had been killed in the outskirts of Ramadi, giving few details. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has held back from an all-out assault on Falluja to give time for a negotiated way out of the standoff, but mediation efforts appear to have failed. Troops intensified shelling of Falluja late on Sunday and security officials said a ground assault would follow soon.
Maliki has appealed for international support and weapons to fight Al- Qaeda, although critics say his own policies towards Iraq’s once-dominant community are at least partly to blame for reviving an insurgency that had climaxed in 2006-07. Last year was the bloodiest since 2008, according to the United Nations, and the violence monitoring group Iraq Body Count has said more than 1,000 people were killed in January.
Four car bombs killed at least 14 people on Monday, police said. Two of the bombs blew up in the town of Mahmudiyah, about 30-km south of Baghdad, killing eight people. Two more blasts occurred in the capital.
Separately, police said they found four bodies, one of them a woman’s, shot in the head or chest in southwestern Baghdad.
Two soldiers were killed in clashes with gunmen in Baquba, a city 65-km northeast of Baghdad, a military source said. No group has claimed responsibility for Monday’s attacks.
Al-Qaeda said on Monday it had no links with ISIL, a group whose precursors fought US troops in Iraq and which is now playing a powerful but divisive role in Syria’s civil war, as well as driving the insurgency in Iraq.
Iran, key powers begin talks on final N-deal
Six world powers and Iran began talks on Tuesday, Feb 18 in pursuit of a final settlement on Tehran’s contested nuclear programme in coming months despite caveats from both sides that a breakthrough deal may prove impossible. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the man with the final say on all matters of state in the Islamic Republic, declared again on Monday that talks between Tehran and six world powers “will not lead anywhere” – while also reiterating that he did not oppose the delicate diplomacy.
Hours later a senior US administration official also tamped down expectations, telling reporters in the Austrian capital that it will be a “complicated, difficult and lengthy process” and “probably as likely that we won’t get an agreement as it is that we will”.
It is the first round of high-level negotiations since a Nov 24 interim deal that, halting a decade-long slide towards outright conflict, has seen Tehran curb some nuclear activities for six months in return for limited relief from sanctions to allow time for a long-term agreement to be hammered out. The stakes are huge. If successful, the negotiations could help defuse many years of hostility between Iran — an energy-exporting giant – and the West, ease the danger of a new war in the Middle East, transform power relationships in the region and open up vast new possibilities for Western businesses.
The talks – expected to last two or three days – began on Tuesday morning at the United Nations complex in Vienna. The venue was to shift later to a luxury city centre hotel where the chief negotiators were staying.
A spokesman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, overseeing the talks on the powers’ behalf, said bilateral meetings between delegations were underway.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi sounded upbeat about the initial 40-minute discussions although he appeared to draw a line against Tehran’s ballistic missile programme being addressed in any future talks.
Over 14 killed in fierce Kiev clashes
Ukraine’s festering political crisis took a deadly turn on Tuesday, Feb 18 as thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police outside Ukraine’s parliament. Fourteen protesters were killed in the melee, the opposition reported, and emergency workers found another person dead after a fire at the ruling party’s office in Kiev. Law enforcement agencies gave the demonstrators a deadline of 6 pm (1600GMT) to stop the confrontations and vowed to restore order.
Dozens of protesters and police were injured in the clashes on Tuesday, which broke out after opposition leaders accused pro- government factions in parliament of dragging their feet on a constitutional reform that would limit presidential powers a key opposition demand. The clashes dimmed hopes for an imminent solution to the political crisis. Tensions also soared following new steps by Russia and the European Union to gain influence over this former Soviet republic.
The protests began in November after President Viktor Yanukovych froze ties with the EU in exchange for a $15 billion bailout from Russia, but the political maneuvering continued and Moscow later suspended its payments.
On Monday, however, while opposition leaders were meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russia offered a fresh infusion of the billions of dollars that Ukraine needs to keep its ailing economy afloat. As parliament delayed Tuesday’s session to take up the issue, thousands marched toward the parliament building to put pressure on lawmakers.
Shouting “Shame!” the demonstrators hurled stones at police and set trucks blocking their way on fire. Riot police retaliated with stun grenades and fired what appeared to be small metal balls, as smoke from burning tires and vehicles billowed over Kiev, the capital. Three protesters died in the clashes, Oleh Musiy, a top medic for the protesters, told The Associated Press.
Opposition lawmaker Lesya Orobets made the same statement on Twitter. About 150 protesters were injured, the protesters’ medical unit said, while the Interior Ministry said about 40 officers had been hurt.
Meanwhile, Russia on Tuesday blamed the policies of Western countries for the latest clashes between pro-EU protesters and police on the streets of Kiev.
Current Threat Levels:
| City/ Region | Threat | Level |
| Islamabad | Level 2 | ** |
| Karachi | Level 2 | ** |
| Lahore | Level 2 | ** |
| Punjab | Level 2 | ** |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Level 3 | *** |
| Peshawar | Level 2 | ** |
| Quetta | Level 2 | ** |
| Upper Balochistan | Level 3 | *** |
| Lower Balochistan | Level 2 | ** |
| Upper / Rural Sindh | Level 2 | ** |
| Gilgit and Northern Areas | Level 3 | *** |
| Tribal areas, close to Afghan border | Level 3 | *** |
Index to Threat Level Perceptions
Threat Level 1 *
Indicates there is no threat to foreigners although there may be isolated incidents involving petty crime. No security precautions are required.
Threat Level 2 **
Indicates there is no specific threat to foreigners; however because of the overall general law and order situation, some security precautions are advised if travelling.
Threat Level 3 ***
Indicates that law and order situation is cause for concern and travel should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Level dictates that foreigners should rehearse plans for evacuation.
Threat Level 4 ****
Indicates complete breakdown of civil administration and law and order leading to anarchy. All foreigners advised to remain indoors and confined to their own city. Families and staff not required to be evacuated retaining only a skeleton staff.
Threat Level 5 *****
Indicates complete breakdown of law and order, enemy action/hostilities, invasion/occupation by enemy.
