Terrorist Activities in Pakistan
Suicide Attacks
Four Policemen were among 11 killed and several injured in a suicide attack near the office of Balochistan Police Chief on Gulistan Road of Quetta in the early hours of June 23, reports The News. Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) confirmed that the explosives were planted in a vehicle. The Police said that the bomber blew up the vehicle after he was stopped by the law enforcement personnel for screening as he was mysteriously taking rounds in the area. “The blast took place near the IGP office (Inspector General of Police) and it’s possible the assailants were trying to enter the (army) cantonment which is close by,” Provincial Government Spokesman Anwar ul-Haq Kakar said.
Bomb/IED blasts
At least four persons were injured in a blast after their vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Khilana area of Chakothi sector in Jhelum Valley District on May 28, reports Dawn. The public transport vehicle was passing through Khilana area to drop passengers from Rawalpindi when the IED went off at about 9:30pm, according to Deputy Commissioner Jhelum Valley Abdul Hamid Kiani.
At least 57 persons were killed and more than 300 injured in back-to-back explosions in the Turi Bazaar area of Parachinar, the District headquarter of Kurram Agency, in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) when the market was crowed for Iftar and Eid shopping, reports Daily Times. The most casualties happened because of the second bomb which was detonated when people gathered at the place where the first explosion had occurred to carry out the rescue work.
A bomb resembling a toy killed at least six children and injured two others on June 25 in Speenmark village of South Waziristan Agency, reports Dawn. “Six children aged between six to 12 years, all boys, were killed by a toy bomb and two others wounded critically,” a local government official said on condition of anonymity.
Targetted Killings
Four members of a defunct pro-government peace militia were killed and another was injured in a targeted attack in Mattani Bazaar in the outskirts of Peshawar on May 29, reports Express Tribune. “Irshad, Imtiaz, Waheed and Muhammad Ali – all former volunteers of the defunct Adezai Aman Lashkar – were killed when gunmen ambushed the vehicle they were travelling in,” Superintendent of Police SP (Rural), Shaukat Khan, told Express Tribune. The injured was identified by him as Mohsin.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Umer Ur Rehman was killed and another Police officer injured following a firing incident in Quetta’s Huddah area on May 29 evening, reports Dawn. The injured sub-inspector, identified as Bilal Shams, was the nephew of the deceased DSP.
A relative and former secretary of Afghanistan’s former Prime Minister Gulbaddin Hekmatyar, Haji Fareed, was shot dead in Tajabad area of Pishtakhara in Peshawar on May 30, reports The News. Police said unidentified attackers opened fire on Haji Fareed while he was coming out of a mosque. As a result, Fareed died on the spot. Haji Fareed had served as secretary of Gulbaddin Hekmatyar.
A man and his younger sister belonging to the Shia Hazara community were shot dead in the Spiny Road area of Quetta on June 4, reports Dawn. The siblings, identified as Shakeel Ahmed and Hawa Bibi, were going to Marriabad from Hazara Town on a motorbike when they came under fire near Killi Tirkha.
At least three Police personnel and one militant were during an ambush on the Police vehicle in Chamkani area of Peshawar in the evening of June 15, reports Dawn. The Police personnel were on a routine patrol after Iftar when three assailants riding a motorcycle targeted the Police van, Superintendent of Police (SP) rural Furqan Bilal said. As a result of the firing, constables Umer Hayat, Shahid and Intikhab Alam laid down their lives while head constable Sheraz sustained injuries. The Police party, which belonged to Waheedabad Police Station, retaliated to the assailants’ firing, shooting dead one of the three militants. The other two militant managed to flee the scene, SP Bilal added.
Miscellaneous
The Counter-Terrorism Department on May 28 claimed to have killed a wanted gangster in an encounter near Naurus Chowangi area of Site area in Karachi reports Dawn. The killed gangster, identified as Mohammed Sohail alias DC, was allegedly involved in targeted killings of at least 10 people including a local reporter, minority members, Police and workers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), said CTD Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Omer Shahid Hamid. The deceased was associated with Lyari’s gangsters, Wasiullah Lakho and Taj Mohammed alias Taju. He had fled to Dubai in order to avoid being arrested, revealed the SSP Omer Shahid.
Security Forces (SFs) on June 3 killed at least 12 suspected Islamic State militants (IS) after three days of search operation to recover abducted Chinese nationals in Mastung District of Balochistan, reports Daily Times. “Some 12-13 IS commanders have been killed after intense gun-battles and the area was cleared late Saturday,” a senior security official said, but added that the Chinese pair were not recovered from the scene despite the presence of the vehicle used in their kidnapping nearby. The Chinese couple was abducted from the Jinnah Town area of Quetta in the afternoon of May 24.
SFs on June 4 recovered a cache of weapons from an alleged terrorist hideout in Sken Nullah Darango area of Kohlu District, reports Dawn. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted in Sken Nullah Darango, on the alleged hideouts of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
Police on June 9 arrested four people, including two Police personnel, for running a ‘torture cell’ in which they held people after kidnapping them for ransom in Rohri town of Sukkur District in Sindh, reports Dawn. A special team led by Sukkur Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Feroze Shah arrested four suspects, including Police officials Mohammad Jawed Khero and Naeem Ahmed, during a raid in Rohri. However, the ringleader and in-charge of the ‘torture cell’, former Sub-Inspector Ayaz Khero managed to flee during the raid. Khero had been dismissed from the Police service over allegations of corruption and extortion. The suspects used to kidnap people in the guise of checking from Sukkur and other areas and later locked them up in the torture cell.
A drone strike on June 12 killed a commander of Haqqani network and his partner in Speen Tal area of Hangu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reports Dawn. Haqqani network leader Abubakar and his partner were killed when a drone fired two missiles at his house in Speen Tal area in the night. The drone strike “completely destroyed” the suspected militant’s house, security sources said. Local residents said the drone was strafing above the area for a while, before it destroyed the targeted compound.
Security Forces (SFs) killed two Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) ‘commanders’, identified as Nazar Mohammad alias Beerbak and Mohammad Jan alias Chota, in an operation in the Leela area of Quetta on June 14, Daily Times reports. The two BLA ‘commanders’ were said to be involved in 17 bomb blasts and different incidents of target killing.
In another encounter, SFs claimed to have gunned down an alleged terrorist in Quetta on June 14, reports Daily Times.
Pakistan Rangers Punjab on June 16 foiled a major terror bid in Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab, killing two militants who were planning a terrorist activity on Youm-e-Ali processions on June 17, reports The News. According to ISPR statement, the Pakistan Rangers Punjab launched intelligence based operation in Dera Ghazi Khan as part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and during exchange of fire two terrorists were killed.
Two Navy sailors were shot dead and three others were wounded when their vehicle was ambushed by four assailants on two motorbikes in the Jiwani area of Gwadar District in Balochistan on June 19, reports Dawn.
Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab Police on June 19 claimed to have arrested 23 members of banned outfits in joint operations in various areas of the Punjab, reports Dawn. Officials of the law enforcement agencies also recovered a huge quantity of illegal weapons, ammunition and bulletproof jackets from their possession. The suspects were allegedly involved in facilitating terrorists.
Meanwhile, the CTD arrested three Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cadres from Bahawalpur whom they claimed were plotting an attack in the city on Eid. They also recovered explosives and suicide jackets from their possession. A CTD spokesman claimed that acting on a tip-off that the TTP was planning to attack a sensitive installation in Bahawalpur, a local CTD team conducted a raid at around 1:30pm at a house near Quaid Colony and arrested three suspects belonging to the TTP. Terrorists were identified as Gohar Ali, Muhammad Yousaf and Zamurad Khan.
Two suspected terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with Security Forces (SFs) when they attempted to raid a checkpost in Dewana Baba Ziarat area of Tank District on June 20, reports Dawn.
The Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), along with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Police and intelligence agencies, arrested seven suspects from the Mandi Bahauddin and Nilore areas of Islamabad on June 20, reports Dawn. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said the raids were part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.
Security Forces (SFs) on June 21 recovered cache of arms and ammunition from Maidankai village of South Waziristan Agency and Zarkai village of North Waziristan Agency, reports The News. According to the statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the recovered arms and ammunition include LMGs,12.7, RPG7s, SMGs, grenades, Rifles, pistols, explosive boxes, Anti-Personal mines daggers and various calibre ammunition including rockets of RPG-7, 14.5 mm rounds, ammunition boxes of 12.7, 12 bore rifle rounds, HMG and SMG ammunition.
Separately, SFs recovered cache of weapons and ammunition in Akka Khel, Guli Khel and Ghaibi Nokia area of the Khyber Agency, reports The News. The sub machine guns (SMGs), prepared IEDs and fuses were recovered during the raid.
Security Forces (SF) arrested five facilitators of terrorists during a joint search operation in areas along river in Mandi Bahauddin area of Rawalpindi in Punjab on June 22, reports The News. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said that automatic weapons and explosives were also recovered from the arrested facilitators.
Police killed three militants in an encounter on June 23 near grid station of Shahpur in Chamkani area of Peshawar, reports The News. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), operations, Sajjad Khan said, the Police, working on a tip-off, raided a floor mill near grid station of Shahpur in Chamkani, where terrorists opened fire at them as a result two Policemen, Inspector Zia and constable Arshad were injured. While in retaliation, the Police also opened fire and killed three terrorists belonging to a banned outfit, SSP added.
Unidentified militants attacked a checkpost of FC in Wadh town of Khuzdar District on June 25, reports The News. Foiling the attack, the Security Forces (SFs) arrested two of the attackers.
PAKISTAN
Iranian mortar shell kills civilian in Balochistan
A mortar shell fired from Iranian side of the border in Balochistan killed a civilian, identified as Khuda-e-Rahim, in Panjgur area in the morning of May 27, reports The News. The mortar shell landed on a vehicle in Panjgur, killing the man and caused extensive damage nearby, District Commissioner Abdul Jabbar has confirmed.
Separately, the Frontier Corps (FC) on May 27 raided hideouts of a banned outfit and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Arjun Nala and Darenjan Nala areas of Dera Bugti District, reports The News. The recovered weapons included RPG launcher with five RPG-7 rounds, four mortar shells, two land mines, four grenades, 170 pressure buttons and other equipment that was stashed for subversive activities.
Religious scholars issue unanimous fatwa declaring suicide attacks Haram
Religious scholars from all schools of thought on May 27 issued a fatwa (religious decree) that declared suicide attacks, armed insurgency against a state and use of force in the name of imposing Shariah as ‘Haram’ or forbidden in Islam, reports The News. The fatwa carrying signatures of 31 noted scholars was released at a seminar “‘Reconstruction of Pakistani society in the light of ‘Mithaq-e-Madina’ (Charter of Madina) and announcement of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ (Message of Pakistan). The event was organised by the Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University Islamabad. The unanimous declaration was presented by Professor Masoom Yasinzai while Mufti Rafi Usmani read out the fatwa. The religious edict condemned terrorism and extremism and declared suicide attackers and their supporters as traitors. It also declared Jihad a jurisdiction of Islamic state and disallowed use of force in name of enforcement of Islamic laws.
5700 people killed in terror attacks in FATA during last six years, reveals Ministry of States and Frontier Regions
More than 5,700 people, including paramilitary force officials, have lost their lives in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in terrorist attacks during the last six years, The Express Tribune reported on May 29 quoting Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) figure. The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) revealed this figure during the recently-concluded 42nd session of the National Assembly in a written response to a query by lawmaker Abdul Qahar Khan Wadan of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. According to surveys conducted by the Ministry to assess losses sustained as a result of the ongoing war on terrorism, 5,740 people have been killed in the last six years and an estimated 80,000 houses damaged of which the Government had validated 22,471 for compensation. 50,000 killed, USD 80 billion loss incurred in war on terror, NA told. The Ministry informed lawmakers that 234 levies, 174 khasadars and 5332 civilians were killed in terrorist attacks in FATA and 6,427 others injured. The SAFRON Ministry further added that PKR 3.04 billion had been spent under the PKR 3.56 billion Shuhada package which the Government had earmarked.
41 banned outfits of Pakistan operate openly on Facebook
Around 41 banned outfits of Pakistan operate openly on Facebook, Dawn reported on May 31. Activity of 41 sectarian, terrorist, anti-state organisations is accessible to every user on the social network. They exist in plain sight, just one search and one click away from any of Pakistan’s 25 million Facebook users. An investigation carried out by Dawn across the month of April 2017 has revealed that 41 of Pakistan’s 64 banned outfits are present on Facebook in the form of hundreds of pages, groups and individual user profiles. Their network both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian or terror outfits, global terror organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Balochistan and Sindh
JuA expels four of its ‘commanders’
The Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) expelled four commanders for ‘acting against Shariah and violating group’s rules and regulations, Daily Times reported on June 5 quoting group’s spokesman Asad Mansoor. The spokesman informed all militant groups in a statement emailed to the media that the JuA will not be responsible for any act of the sacked members as they are no more associated with the outfit. The sacked commanders were identified as Maulana Salahuddin, Maulana Waqas, Qazi Saqib and Mehdi. Maulana Salahuddin was a senior commander and in-charge of the JuA’s financial affairs. He was former member of the TTP ‘shura’. Mehdi was a senior commander and had many followers among the militants. He also served as head of the Finance Department. He once headed activities in the cities. Qazi Saqib, a renowned religious scholar, has served as Chief Justice of JuA. Maulana Waqas is a religious scholar and a teacher. All four belong to Mohmand Agency of FATA and now live in Afghanistan.
Six kidnapped workers of Polish company freed after six months
Six kidnapped Pakistani workers for a Polish oil and gas company have been freed, a local official said on June 5, more than six months after they were abducted, reports The News. The workers were kidnapped on November 26, 2016, on a road near the village of Drazinda, some 80km (50 miles) from Dera Ismail Khan while carrying out exploration work for oil and gas surveyor Geofizyka Krakow. The company has been in liquidation since August 2016, and a spokesperson for its parent company, PGNIG, said at the time the six were kidnapped that they were “sub-contractors”.
Sindh govt announced six percent increase in security budget
The Sindh Government on June 5 announced a 10 per cent increase in the budget for security with a plan to recruit 10,000 more Policemen in the next financial year to “improve police-to-citizens ratio, especially in Karachi”, reports Dawn. “When hate rhetoric permeates our worshipping places, our educational institutions and media outlets, we are faced with a clear and present danger at our doorsteps,” said Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah while delivering his budget speech in the Sindh Assembly. The CM said the budgetary allocation for security in the financial year 2017-18 was proposed at PKR 92.91 billion, reflecting an increase of 10pc over the allocation of PKR 84.26bn during the outgoing fiscal year. It is proposed that 10,000 new posts of different ranks will be created in Sindh police and PKR two billion will be spent on purchasing vehicles for the law enforcement agency. “Forensic laboratory at an estimated cost of PKR 2.6 billion is being constructed to provide Sindh police state-of-the-art centre to investigate and solve complex crimes,” CM Shah said, referring to key features of the budget proposal for the provincial security apparatus
India is promoting state-sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan, says Pakistan Foreign Office
India is promoting state-sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan to sabotage Pak-Afghan bilateral relations, the Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said on June 8, reports The News. “Pakistan and Afghanistan need to closely coordinate with each other for overcoming the scourge of terrorism,” he remarked during the weekly media briefing of the foreign office. The spokesperson said Afghanistan has been in turmoil for over forty years, and this situation has given space to terrorists. “Afghani people have suffered a lot due to terrorism so have we,” he added. The instable Afghanistan has affected Pakistan more than any other country, Nafees Zakaria said adding that Pakistan believes in Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.
BNP President Akhtar Mengal’s house hit by rocket in Balochistan
A rocket hit the gate of the residence of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, president of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), in his native town of Wadh in Khuzdar District of Balochistan on June 18, reports Dawn. Official sources said the rocket was fired in the early hours from an unknown place, damaging the main gate of the house badly. Sardar Attaullah Mengal and Sardar Akhtar Mengal were not in the house when the attack took place. “The rocket landed and exploded at the main gate of the house,” Abdullah Baloch, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Wadh, said, adding that no casualty took place in the explosion.
Separately, Iranian Border Security Forces (BSF) fired several mortar shells into Pakistani territory, at least one of which exploded in the Prom area of Panjgur District on June 18, reports Dawn. Official sources said the shells were fired in the early hours of the day and landed close to the border. The mortar shell that exploded in Prom had landed in an uninhabited area, causing no casualty and loss of property.
Two Pakistani diplomats in Afghanistan ‘missing’, says Foreign Office
Two diplomats based in the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jalalabad city of Afghanistan, went missing June 16 while traveling to Pakistan by road, the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed June 18, reports Dawn. A press release from FO Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria’s office said Islamabad is in constant contact with Afghan authorities, and the matter of the diplomats’ safety and recovery at the earliest has been raised with the relevant officials. “Pakistan has requested the Afghan government that all efforts may be made to ensure early recovery of our officials and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice,” the FO statement said.
Pakistan essential for bringing Afghan Taliban to talks, says US officials
Pakistan is an ally on counterterrorism issues and will be essential for bringing the Afghan Taliban to the table for peace talks, said acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Tina Kaidanow on June 18, reports Dawn. “The United States and Pakistan have a close partnership on regional peace, security, prosperity and stability. And we continue to work with the government of Pakistan on areas — many areas of mutual interest, including counterterrorism,” adds the US State Department’s spokesperson, Heather Nauert. A retired US general, Douglas Lute, urges Washington to balance “our demands on Pakistan (with) … our other interests in Pakistan”, adding that “we actually have several interests in Pakistan (that)… surpass our interest in dealing with the Afghan Taliban”.
Iranian drone allegedly on spying mission shot down deep inside Balochistan
An unmanned Iranian drone allegedly on a spying mission was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighter jet in the Parom area of Panjgur District in Balochistan, Dawn reported on June 20. The officials said the unmanned aircraft was shot down by a JF-17 in the Parom area after it ventured “deep inside Pakistani airspace” on a spying mission. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media. Security Forces (SFs) took custody of the debris after discovering the wreckage on Monday, but it is still unclear when the drone was shot down.
An unmanned Iranian drone allegedly on a spying mission was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighter jet in the Parom area of Panjgur District in Balochistan, Dawn reported on June 20. The officials said the unmanned aircraft was shot down by a JF-17 in the Parom area after it ventured “deep inside Pakistani airspace” on a spying mission. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media. Security Forces (SFs) took custody of the debris after discovering the wreckage on Monday, but it is still unclear when the drone was shot down.
Fencing of Pak-Afghan border commenced: ISPR
The process of phased fencing on the Pak-Afghan border has been commenced on the directions of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said on June 20, reports The News. In phase 1, high infiltration prone border areas in Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber agencies of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are being fenced, the statement added. In phase 2, fencing of remaining border areas, including Balochistan will be executed. Besides fencing, Pakistan Army and Frontier Crops are constructing new forts/border posts to improve surveillance and defensibility.
Sindh CTD seeks ban on 25 websites spreading terrorism, extremism’
The Counter-Terrorism Department of Sindh Police prepared a consolidated list of websites, web pages and social media accounts spreading extremism and terrorism, Dawn reported on June 21. The CTD has written a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other authorities for closing/banning of such websites, web pages and social media accounts to foil the designs of banned militant organisations. “We have identified 25 such websites, which were involved in spreading religious and ethnic extremism and terrorism,” said CTD chief Additional Inspector General (AIG) Dr. Sanaullah Abbasi. He said the CTD had sent a list of 25 sites with the recommendation that they should be banned by the PTA. These sites were linked with banned organisations or promoting radical thought, he added.
Taliban ‘safe havens’ inside, not outside Afghanistan: Pakistan
Pakistan on June 22 told the UN Security Council (UNSC) that the Afghan Taliban’s “safe havens” are inside, not outside, Afghanistan, given the large areas they control in that war-torn country, reports The News. Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN said during a debate on Afghanistan that the resilience of the insurgency led by the Taliban cannot be explained away by convenient references to external ‘safe havens’ or ‘support centers’. Pakistan, she asserted, was committed not to allow its territory to be used for terrorism against other countries. Pakistan’s Zarb-e-Azb and the subsequent Radd-ul-Fasaad military operations had succeeded in eliminating all terrorist and militant groups from its tribal territory bordering Afghanistan. She told the 15-member Council that Pakistan is “implementing border controls, including the fencing and monitoring of vulnerable sections of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.”
Four policemen shot dead by new militant outfit in Karachi
Unidentified militants shot dead four Policemen, who were sitting at a roadside eatery for Iftar in the SITE Town area of Karachi on June 23, reports Dawn. SITE town Superintendent of Police (SP) Asif Ahmed Bughio said that four Policemen were about to break their fast at a restaurant located between the Siemens and Habib Bank traffic intersections when two armed motorcyclists emerged there, fired a volley of bullets at them and rode away. The victims were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mohammed Yusuf and constables Shabbir, Khalid and Israr. A hitherto unknown militant outfit, Jamaat-ul-Ansar al-Shariah Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Further, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) official Raja Umer Khattab said that the Police found a pamphlet from the scene of the crime and it appeared that the assailants threw it there before fleeing. Sharing details, the official said that the pamphlet was from the so-called spokesperson of the newly-formed outfit, in which he claimed responsibility of the killing of the Policemen. Khattab said that it was the second attack in Karachi which was claimed by the group. The name of this group first emerged in April when it claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of a retired colonel, Tahir Zia Nagi, in Baloch Colony. The Jamaat-ul-Ansar al-Shariah was established in Libya and Tunisia in 2011 but it was reactivated in 2014. This outfit had mostly targeted law enforcers as well as Americans, Khattab added.
REGIONAL
Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics
Bombs and bomb making materials recovered from Savar militant hideout
Police recovered huge quantity of bombs and bomb making materials, jihadi books and laptop from a suspected militant hideout in Namagenda area of Savar, on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka city on May 26, reports The Independent. Another team of Police surrounded another building owned by Shakib, a banker, 200 yards from the den and recovered a suicidal vest and bomb making materials from a room of the second floor on the under construction six-storey building.
Statue of Lady Justice on SC premises removed
The Supreme Court (SC) authorities removed the Statue of the Lady Justice on the SC premises on May 26 amid protests, reports The Daily Star. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said the Chief Justice SK Sinha had a meeting with the incumbent and former Presidents and General Secretaries of the Supreme Court Bar Association, including eminent jurist Dr. Kamal Hossain. At the meeting, the Chief Justice sought their opinion about removing the statue. “They opined that it should be removed to avert any untoward situation,” he told, adding that the statue might be relocated to a place near the Supreme Court Museum, which is also on the SC premises.
Meanwhile, the Hefazat-e-Islam (HeI), a Chittagong-based Islamist group, expressing satisfaction over removal of Statue of the Lady Justice from the SC premises on May 26 placed their fresh demand for removing all the other statues across the country, reports The Independent. Maolana Nur Hossain Quashemi, President of HeI Dhaka city unit said “Bangladesh is a country of fundamental Islamists, no culture of statue establishment would be allowed by the people here. So, other statues which are set up on roads or intersections throughout the country are also rejected by the people and all of them must be removed.”
Three JMB militants arrested in Dhaka city
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), on May 31, arrested three Jama’at-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh militants from Begunbari Office Road in Dhaka city, reports The Daily Star. The trios are Mafiz-ul Islam alias Tushar alias Towhid, Rakibul Islam alias Rakibul Mollah and Elias Ahmed. RAB recovered huge bomb making materials, 24 chocolate bombs and books on militancy from them. RAB said that the arrestees also recced a shrine in the capital recently in disguise as part of their plan to carry out the attack.
Two PBCP leaders killed
Two Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) leaders were killed in two separate gunfights with law enforcers in Chuadanga and Rajbari Districts on June 8, reports The Daily Star. In Chuadanga District, local leader of PBCP Oltu Mondol (40) was killed in a gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Khashkarra village. RAB recovered a homemade gun and five bullets from the spot. In Rajbari District, Korom Ali (36), a leader of PBCP was killed in a shootout with Police in Chardalandi village. Police recovered a shutter gun and two bullets from the spot.
Three Neo-JMB militants arrested in Bogra
Police arrested three Neo-Jama’at-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) militants in Muruil area of Bogra District on June 8, reports The Daily Star. The arrestees are Habib-ur Rahman allias Rasel (34), Abdullahil Kafi allias Farhan (20) and Abdul Aziz Mamun (28). Police recovered a pistol, a magazine, five bullets, 1kg gun-powder and a knife from them.
Pro-BNP activist hacked to death in Sirajganj
A pro-Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activist was hacked to death by unidentified assailants near a bridge at Borobagra in Kamarkhand upazila (sub-District) of Sirajganj District on June 15, reports The Daily Star. Police said the deceased, Md Lal Chand Mondol (40), of Kornoshuti village, developed enmity with Abdus Salam after the latter had lost the last union parishad poll to pro-BNP candidate Milton Hossain, for whom Chand had campaigned assiduously. However, Police filed a case accusing 16 people including Salam.
ASP murdered in Gazipur
An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Savar highway circle was killed by unidentified men hours after he left his Uttara residence to join work at Kaliakoir in Gazipur District on June 21, reports The Daily Star. Police recovered the body of ASP Mizanur Ranman Talukder (50) from near Birualia Bridge around possibly dumped by the assailants after killing him at some other place. A piece of cloth was found wrapped around his neck. The body bore marks of injuries on the forehead and left and right cheeks. There was also a red mark around his neck.
India – Internal Dynamics
Maoists torch railway station, train engine in Jharkhand
Nearly 60 women cadres of Communist Party of India-Maoist set ablaze Dumri Bihar Railway Station on the Gomoh-Barkakana section of East Central Railway (ECR) in Bokaro District on May 25, reports The New Indian Express. Armed with rifles and bombs, the Maoists forced the railway employees to leave the premises before setting the main station building afire. “The rebels also set afire the engine of a goods train and left with valuable railway equipment. This damaged the signal and communication system of the railways on the route. They also snatched a walkie-talkie from an engine driver,” said Bokaro Superintendent of Police (Railway) Ashim Vikrant Minz. “The rebels had planned to trigger a blast. They had planted 40 can bombs, but the security personnel defused them,” Minz added. Handbills pasted by the Maoists on the walls of the station buildings and on stationary train coaches asked the Jharkhand Government to cancel the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed with “capitalist forces” following the recent Momentum Jharkhand investors’ summit.
The Maoists have called for a statewide bandh (general shutdown) on May 29 and the attack on the railway station, said Police sources, aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear among the general public.
Civilian killed in bomb blast in Nagaland
One person was killed and four others were injured in a bomb blast that took place inside a medical store at Church road in Dimapur Town on May 29, reports Hindustan Times. According to the eyewitness two persons came in car and lobbed a bomb inside the shop. One person, identified as Abdul Rashid was seriously injured and died at a private hospital. The four others injured in the blast were identified as Bindan Biwas (39), Dilwar Hussian (22), Mithu Biswas (42) and Ihelung Newmai (22). The investigation is still going on and Police is not yet sure about the group of the militant involved in the incident.
Thirty one SFs refused to join the service in Maoist-affected areas in Odisha
Thirty-one newly recruited constables of 9th India Reserve battalion refused to join the service fearing the Communist Party of India-Maoist at Kalahandi District on May 30, reports The Times of India. The incident took place at the time of inaugural ceremony. In total 521 constables were selected to join the battalion in Kalahandi, 490 of them joined finally. B Radhika, Additional Director General (ADG) (State Armed Police) said the new recruits got jobs elsewhere. “Some of the selected candidates got jobs in other places, including army,” Radhika told TOI.
BJP leaders charged over Babri Masjid demolition
An Indian judge charged a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and senior leaders from his ruling party with criminal conspiracy on May 30 in connection with the 1992 destruction of a mosque by a Hindu mob. The demolition of the mosque in northern Uttar Pradesh state unleashed some of the deadliest religious riots across the country since independence in 1947, killing about 2,000 people.
Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and stalwarts of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party led by L K Advani and M M Joshi appeared in court in the city of Lucknow to hear the charges. All three deny any role in the razing of the Babri Masjid.
The trial of senior BJP leaders will raise fresh questions about Hindu nationalism within Modi’s party at a time when critics accuse his supporters of trying to marginalise minority groups and redefine India as a Hindu nation.
Lawyers representing Joshi and Advani did not respond to requests for comment. Many Hindus believe that the mosque in the town of Ayodhya was built on top of the birthplace of their god-king Rama and the BJP is committed to the construction of a temple there.
The dispute is still at the core of tensions between Hindus and India’s Muslim minority.
BJP party leaders have faced prosecution for their alleged involvement in the mosque’s destruction for more than a decade, but last month the Supreme Court ruled the party leaders must be tried and the case wrapped up within two years.
Bomb recovered in Manipur
A bomb wrapped in brown paper was recovered in the frontal side of a hardware shop owned by Sangi Gun, at Sugunu Lamkhai under Sugnu Police Station in Kakching District on June 2, reports E-pao. Later the bomb disposal squad of Police safely detonated the bomb. No organisation has so far claimed responsibility of the bomb.
Meanwhile, in a press release on June 2, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)/ ‘Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN)’ alleged the death of ‘commander-in-chief (c-in-c)’ of Kuki Tribal Union (KTU) Khaipao Haokip as ‘coldblooded killing’ by Nehlun faction of Kuki National Front (KNF-N) and threatened that “the murder of Khailun Haokip by KNF-N will be befittingly responded”, reports Nagaland Post. Earlier the deceased person was abducted by the KNF-N from Shijang Kuki village for having close affiliation with Isak-Muivah faction of NSCN (NSCN-IM).
Nagas threaten indefinite strike demanding autonomous Districts in Arunachal Pradesh
In a statement on June 2, various Naga groups of Arunachal Pradesh said that the Government can’t brush aside the need to establish an Autonomous District Council (ADC) in the Naga-dominated areas of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, reports Nagaland Post. They said that a Patkai Autonomous Council for Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) is the only solution for the region, alleging it has been ignored by the State Government and the Central Government of India for decades in terms of its socio-economic development. Various bodies associated with the demand such as Patkai Autonomous Demand District Council and the TCL Students Federation also threatened to hold an indefinite bandh (general shutdown) in the three districts if the Centre and the State Government continue to pay no heed to the matter.
Three AR personnel injured in bomb attack
Three Assam Rifles (AR) personnel were injured in a bomb attack at Bongjang near Manipur’s border township of Moreh in Tengnoupal District on June 3, reports The Assam Tribune. The incident happened as a powerful bomb suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded when a team of AR personnel on Road Opening Patrol (ROP), passed an area along the Imphal-Moreh road, about 95 kilometers from Imphal around 2.15 pm (June 3), reports said. The injured personnel identified as Subedar Sher Ram, Riflemen Sachin and Basumatary.
Five SOG troopers killed in Maoist ambush in Odisha
Five troopers of Special Operation Group (SOG) was killed and six others were injured in a Communist Party of India-Maoist ambush near Khamankhol under Baliguda Police Station limits in Kandhamal District on June 4, reports The Hindu. The group of SOG personnel was returning in four vehicles after completion of an anti-Maoist operation based on intelligence reports, when the last vehicle in the motorcade was targeted at the jungle ghat road near Khamankhol. The hiding Maoists fired heavily at the vehicle carrying the SOG troopers. An exchange of fire for around one hour occurred at the spot between the SOG personnel and Maoists, in which the SOG trooper was killed. Security personnel fired more than 300 rounds and also lobbed grenades at the rebels. “There are chances of casualties on the side of Maoists. So, reinforcement has been mobilized to the area to intensify search operation,” said Inspector General of Police (IGP), southern range, Amitabh Thakur. The martyred trooper has been identified as Laxmikant Jani of Kalahandi District and among the critically injured are H.N Tamang, S. Orange and Driver Niranjan Behera.
Three NSCN-K militants and three AR personnel killed in Nagaland
At least three militants of the Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland and three Assam Rifles (AR) officer were killed in an encounter in Mon District of Nagaland on June 6, reports The Times of India. Three AR jawans were also injured in the encounter that took place at Lappa in Tizit circle on June 6-night. One of the injured commandos was in critical condition, sources said. AR personnel raided Lappa at around 11pm following information that NSCN-K militants were moving through that area and an encounter ensued, a defence spokesman said. The encounter continued for several hours. Later, bodies of the three militants were found, the spokesman said.
Explosives seized in Jharkhand
In joint operation the District Armed Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) recovered huge quantity of explosives and arrested two cadres, Chunu Munda and Jeevan Pahan alias Bicha, of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) from Khunti District on June 12, reports The Business Standard. Superintendent of Police (SP), Ashwini Kumar Sinha said the security personnel found explosives kept hidden and seized 50 Kilogram of claymore bomb, 35 Kilogram of liquid explosive in eight packets, 45 gelatine sticks and a grenade. PLFI is a splinter group of the Communist Party of India-Maoist.
Maoists looking to create new
The Naxals [Left-Wing Extremists (LWEs)] operating in Chhattisgarh, who have largely been confined to the Bastar region in the South, are looking to create an entire new zone in the west, a Communist Party of India-Maoist document, recovered by the State Police has said, reports The Financial Express on June 13. Areas like Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, Gondia in Maharashtra, and northern Rajnandgaon, parts of Kabirdham and Mungeli in Chhattisgarh are covered under the new zone. In the seized document, the new area is described as MMC (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Confluence) zone. It seems that idea is to create an entity like Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC) in Bastar District.
The document also shows issues that villagers are concerned about in the area to win their confidence, such as land, demonetisation and differential pricing of bamboo in different states. D M Awasthi, Special Director General of Police (DGP) (Anti Naxal Operations), Chhattisgarh, was quoted by The Indian Express as saying, “Yes, it is true that they are attempting to create a new zone called MMC. We are well aware of it and have been working against it. A new zone is indeed a matter of concern, and requires us to be especially vigilant.”
Separately, Chhattisgarh Police recovered banners suspected to be put up by CPI-Maoist cadres in support of agitating farmers in Madhya Pradesh from on June 12 from Pakhanjoor Police station area in Kanker District, reports The Hindustan Times. The banners issued in the name of ‘Pratappur Area Committee of Maoists’ displayed messages supporting the farmers who were protesting in the neighbouring state for their various demands since June 1. In the messages written on banners, Naxalshave protested against alleged injustice being done to cultivators in Madhya Pradesh.
Ten persons including two civilians and one AR trooper killed in Manipur
Ten persons, including four Assam Rifles (AR) Havildar and two civilians were killed in three separate incidents in last two days in different places of the State. In the first incident, an AR Havildar, identified as Luhit Gogoi, was killed while four others sustained injury in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) bomb attack by unidentified militants in Kamjong District bordering Myanmar on June 15, reports The Assam Tribune.
In the second incident, suspected militants of Isak-Muivah faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) had beaten to death one person, identified as Mr Romeo, in Ukhrul District on June 14, on the charges of raping a woman, who the locals claimed was his girlfriend, reports The New Indian Express. After the incident, a protest erupted against the militants and NSCN-IM militants opened fire on the protesters, where another civilian, identified as Chingripam Lungleng, was killed. However, no Police complain has been registered so far by the families of the killed civilians.
Civilian killed by Indian Army in ‘mistaken identity’ in Arunachal Pradesh
The Indian Army on June 15 admitted that it shot dead a civilian in a case of “mistaken identity” during a counter-insurgency operation in an Arunachal Pradesh village, bordering Myanmar, reports The Shillong Times. Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Suneet Newton informed in a statement that the civilian, identified a Thingtu Ngemu (35), was killed when soldiers of 21 Para (Special Forces) were carrying out an operation in Changlang District on June 14-night based on specific intelligence report regarding movement of militants.
Maoist behead police informer in Bihar
Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres beheaded a man alleging he was a ‘police informer’ in Jamui District on June 17, reports The Times of India. Police said the Maoists abducted Vijay Barnawal, a resident of Bhelwaghati of Giridih District of Jharkhand, who was earlier an active member of a Maoist group, on Friday (June 16), when he had gone to neighbouring Bihar for some work. His decapitated body was found in Sijuwa village of Jamui District. Police traced Barnawal’s identity from his Aadhaar card, as the Maoists slit his head. Barnawal, who was lodged in Giridih District jail for three years, worked as a stone trader after his release.
Village headman shot dead by suspected PLFI cadres in Jharkhand
A Mukhiya (village headman) was shot dead by suspected cadres of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) in Narahatu village under Rania Police Station in Khunti District on June 23, reports India.com. Around 10 PLFI cadres laced with fire-arm arrived in the village and dragged John Lugun (32), Mukhiya of khatkura panchayat (village level local-self government institution) out of his house late last night and gunned him down, said Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) (Torpa), Nazir Akhtar. PLFI is a splinter group of the Communist Party of India-Maoist).
Meanwhile, an encounter took place between the security personnel and CPI-Maoist cadres in Palamau District on June 23, reports India.com. The Maoists opened fire at the security personnel, who were on anti-Naxal [Left Wing Extremism (LWE)] operation in Vijaygiri hills under Naudihabazar Police Station of Palamau District, Police said. The Maoists opened indiscriminate firing from foothill on seeing the approaching security personnel, forcing them to retaliate, said Superintendent of Police (SP), Indrajeet Mahantha adding that the encounter lasted for two hours. After the Naxals fled the scene in view of the mounting pressure, a massive search operation was launched following the encounter to arrest the Naxals but in vain so far, he said.
Four SF personnel, one Maoist killed in Chhattisgarh
Four Security Force (SF) personnel and one Communist Party of India-Maoist cadre were killed while five others injured, in two separate encounters with Maoists in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on June 24, reports Times Now. “While two District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans were killed, five Special Task Force (STF) personnel injured in two gun battles between a joint team of security forces and ultras under Chintagufa police station limits in the district,” Special Director General of Police (DGP) (anti-Maoist operations) D M Awasthi said. The SFs was out on the operation based on inputs about the location of Maoist hideouts in the interiors of Chintagufa since June 23. When the SFs were, on June 24 around 10.30 am, advancing through the forests of Dondamarka, a Maoist den, armed Maoists opened indiscriminate firing on them, leading to a gun battle between both the sides, he said.
Maoists behead woman suspected to be police informer in Bihar
A 26-year-old woman was beheaded by Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres in Nawada District on June 24, reports News 18. “She was a police informer and worked against the spirit of people’s revolution. The local Police Station in-charge will meet the same fate,” read a note which was found near her dead body. Victim Jaya Devi was a native of Baragad village which is situated near Kauakol jungle bordering the Maoist-affected State of Jharkhand. Kauakol Police Station in-charge charge, Manoj Kumar, said that after receiving information about her missing, a police team was sent to trace Jaya Devi. Soon, villagers found her beheaded body near the forest area. The Police officer denied she was an informer and said she never came to the Police Station.
Monthly Fatalities
The following deaths related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period May 26 to June 25, 2017:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militant | Total | |
| Assam | 06 | 00 | 04 | 10 |
| Manipur | 03 | 02 | 00 | 05 |
| Nagaland | 03 | 00 | 02 | 05 |
| Left wing | 11 | 05 | 07 | 23 |
| Total | 23 | 07 | 13 | 43 |
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
Two Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN cadres arrested for carrying out activities against elections in Bhojpur District
Two cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) were arrested from Bhojpur District for carrying out activities against the elections, reports Republica on June 1. The arrestees are the Jiban Rai and Man Bahadur Rai. They were arrested while putting up a signboard with the name United Revolutionary People’s Council painted on it at the ward office of Pauwadungma rural municipality-4 in the District.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) obstructed Parliamentary proceedings on June 1 as well, demanding resumption of vote counting in Bharatpur Metropolitan City without further delay, reports The Himalayan Times. Lawmakers of the main opposition party stood up from their seats as soon as Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar announced commencement of House proceedings. Speaker Gharti Magar adjourned the House till 11:00am on June 4 following CPN-UML lawmakers’ obstruction.
Earlier, as many as 90 ballot papers were found to be torn by cadres of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-Maoist Centre) in Bharatpur Metropolitan City of Chitwan District when the ballot papers were counted in the presence of 46 persons including political party representatives, candidates, Chief District Officer and security officials, as directed by the Election Commission on May 31, reports The Himalayan Times. According to Chief Returning Officer Kabi Prasad Neupane, of the 2, 897 votes cast in ward number 19, as many as 1,809 votes have already been counted. “998 papers have been torn in such a way that they cannot be counted. 90 were found to have completely destroyed,” said Neupane.
CPN-UML candidate injured in clash with NC cadres in Khotang District
A Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) candidate for the local level elections was injured in a clash with Nepali Congress (NC) cadres at Diprung Rural Municipality-3 in the Khotang District on June 10, reports The Himalayan Times. Indra Tamang, CPN-UML candidate for ward chairman in the rural municipality, was injured in the skirmish that ensued over a dispute that CPN-UML cadres reportedly tore up party flag of the NC, Police said.
Meanwhile, cadres of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) and Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal (FSPN) clashed with each other in Sarlahi District on June 11, reports Republica. The clash erupted following the demonstration organized by the RJPN to obstruct the mass meet of FSPN. The cadres showed black flag to FSFN Chairman Yadav, who was on his way to address the mass-meet in the area. The protestors chanted slogan against him and the program. To obstruct the movement for the program, the RJPN cadres and leaders cut down the roadside trees and have placed on the road nearby.
Earlier, the ruling coalition on June 10 rejected the proposal of the RJPN to reschedule the date of the second phase of local level elections, reports Republica. The RJPN put forward the proposal during the meeting of ruling coalition NC, CPN (Maoist Center) and RJPN in the presence of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba held at Singha Durbar. It has been learned that the RJPN has demanded to address their political demands including the compensation issue, withdrawal of the cases and release of the cadres among others prior to second phase elections.
Three RJPN cadres injured in Police firing in Nawalparasi District
At least three cadres of Rashtriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) are reported to have been injured in a Police firing at Parasi in Nawalparasi District on June 17, reports The Himalayan Times. The injured have been identified as Narsing Chaudhary (50), Suresh Gupta (27) and Bhagawant Gupta (40) of then Jamuniya, Gerami and Narsahi Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in Nawalparasi District. RJPN leader Manish Kumar Suman informed that they have been undergoing treatment at Bhairahawa Medical College. Suman also informed that RJPN Chairperson Mahanta Thakur was addressing a protest programme organised at Buddha Chowk of the District headquarters by the party as an ongoing June 28 poll protest programme when clashes erupted between the cadres of the party and Police.
One injured in bomb explosion in Khotang
One person was injured when a bomb was thrown on June 20 in the house of Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) ward chairman candidate for Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-8 of Khotang District, reports Republica. The bomb exploded at the house of CPN-UML candidate Leela Chauhan. Chauhan’s daughter-in-law Shakuntala sustained injuries in the explosion. The bomb exploded when the family was having dinner inside the house. The family claimed that two bombs were thrown at their house but only one exploded.
Bomb exploded at CPN-Maoist Centre mayoral candidate’s residence in Kailali District
An unidentified group exploded bomb at the residence of mayoral candidate for Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-Maoist Centre) Gokarna Bhatta at Attariya Bazaar in Kailali District on June 22, reports Republica. The explosion smashed the window screens and caused damages to a door of his house. Bhatta is a younger brother of CPN-Maoist Centre leader and Province-7 in-charge Lekh Raj Bhatta.
Six persons injured in bomb explosion in Nawalparsi District
Five Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-Maoist Centre) cadres and a bus driver were injured when a bus they were travelling on hit an explosion at Sunwal-3 of Nawalparsi District on June 25, reports The Himalayan Times. The injured have been identified as Nara Bahadur BK, the driver of the bus Mina Chaudhary (44) Shrikanta Rewat (14) Phool Kumari Kadariya (46) Homanarayan Chaudhary and Belkumari Kadariya (45). The bus (Lu 1 KHA 6773) was ferrying the canvassers for a mass gathering at Chaura Chok in the District when the bomb went off at Naduwa Somnath Baba Bridge along the East West Highway Section this afternoon. So far, nobody has claimed the responsibility for the attack and Police are investigating into the case.
Meanwhile, a bomb disposal team of the Nepal Army defused a bomb planted in front of the residence of Nepali Congress (NC) mayoral candidate Mangal Prasad Tharu in Banganga Municipality of Kapilvastu District, reports The Himalayan Times on June 25. Police said that the bomb could have been planted to terrorize the locals.
Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics
All religious leaders should join together to solve religious conflicts
President Maithripala Sirisena at a meeting with Inter Religious Council held on May 31 at the Presidential Secretariat said All religious leaders should join together to solve religious conflicts, reports Daily Mirror. He pointed out the need of a common program to properly operate the laws to prevent religious conflicts in the country and to explain the facts to those parties who create disharmony. He emphasized that there should not be any room for national and religious conflicts which spread disunity in the country. “Everybody has the responsibility to act impartially when the national and religious conflicts arise. The expectation of everybody should be a peaceful country where the people of all races and religions can live happily”, the President said.
HRCSL urges President to direct law enforcement authorities to take immediate action against perpetrators of hate crimes
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), in a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena, expressing grave concern over the acts of violence and aggression targeting the Muslim community, urged the President to direct law enforcement authorities to take immediate action against the perpetrators of hate crimes, reports Colombo Page on June 2. HRCSL requested the President to give urgent directions to Ministry of Law and Order and the Inspector General of Police to take all necessary action against the instigators and perpetrators of violence and hate speech targeting the Muslim community as well as other religious minorities in the country.
UN assures support for Sri Lankan Government’s plans for national reconciliation
The United Nations (UN) has assured to support the Sri Lankan Government’s plans for bringing about reconciliation and the conditions for lasting peace when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called on the UN Secretary General António Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York on June 7, reports Colombo Page. During the special discussion, the Prime Minister briefed the UN Secretary General on measures being adopted by the Government to promote reconciliation among communities. He told the UN Chief that the Government intends to move forward the reconciliation process based on four pillars – truth seeking, accountability, reparation and non-recurrence. The Secretary General said the UN office in Sri Lanka is ready to work in this regard and it is the UN’s hope to see Sri Lanka succeed.
Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena replying to a complaint made to him by UNP MP Mujubur Rahman that the Government had failed to arrest those who promote religious and communal hatred on June 7 said that he will hand over the task of arresting the trend of religious and communal violence to the Army if the Police are unable to apprehend those who perpetrate these crimes, reports Daily Mirror. The President said this when he met Government Ministers and MPs at the Parliamentary complex. “These violent acts are being carried out by a group that is backed by the opposition. Why don’t you tell the people who is behind these incidents,” he had challenged the MPs present.
Separately, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a message to mark the Poson Poya Day on June 8 called on the Sri Lankans to learn to respect other religions, cultures and individuals for peaceful coexistence, reports Colombo Page. The Premier asked the people to follow the “hallowed principles of non-violence and compassion” enshrined in Buddhism to coexist in peace and harmony.
Elsewhere, Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan speaking at the Adjournment debate moved by Joint Opposition (JO) Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardena in Parliament on June 7 said that Sri Lankan state is bound to implement the UNHRC resolution and it cannot be repudiated by Parliament as demanded by the JO, reports Daily News. The Opposition Leader called for the full and expeditious implementation of the Geneva Resolution. “This is not a resolution against Sri Lanka, but a resolution pertaining to certain acts committed by the two parties of the conflict violating humanitarian and human rights laws. The culture of impunity should not continue. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself had gone to Geneva in the 1990s to seek its intervention when there were grave human rights violations in the South. What happened in 1988-89 and 2008-09 are crimes against humanity. This should not be confused with legitimate actions taken by the State against armed combatants carrying on an armed struggle against the State. Can the killing of Lasantha Wickrematunga, the disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda, five students in Trincomalee, 17 workers in Muttur be swept under the carpet because those who committed them are members of so called ‘war heroes’? Our concern is on the wanton killing of unarmed civilians in furtherance of political agenda of persons holding high office,” he said.
UN Special Rapporteur’s report highly criticizes Sri Lanka’s justice system
The report by former United Nation (UN) Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Mónica Pinto based on her mission to Sri Lanka, was tabled to the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on June 12 and the report highly criticized Sri Lanka’s justice system, reports Daily Mirror. The report, which was compiled by Ms. Pinto following her mission to Sri Lanka from April 29-May 7, 2016, was tabled by new Rapporteur Diego García-Sayán at the ongoing 35th session of the UNHRC. Tabling the report Mr. García-Sayán said although the armed conflict was concluded in 2009, very deep wounds could still be seen in the judicial system. Quoting the report, he said “Problems related to language are very serious and have a very serious effect on justice and on the likelihood of obtaining a fair process if you belong to the Tamil community.”
Cabinet directs law enforcement authorities to take action against hate crimes
Cabinet of Ministers has directed the law enforcement authorities and the Attorney General to take immediate action against instigators and perpetrators of violence and hate crimes against religious and ethnic groups, reports Colombo Page on June 14. Issuing a statement the Cabinet of Ministers said they are deeply concerned by the recent incidents of violence targeting places of religious worship, shops and business enterprises, and houses and denounced such acts aimed at inciting violence against the different ethnic and religious communities in the country.
Police officer and Buddhist monk arrested for setting fire mosque and Muslim-owned book shop in Kalutara District
Police on June 18 arrested a Police officer and a Buddhist monk for setting fire to a mosque and a Muslim-owned book shop at Panadura town in Kalutara District, reports Colombo Page. Police media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General Priyantha Jayakody said the Policeman, a monk and two others were caught on camera torching the buildings in Panadura. He said that the four accused are close associates of the leader of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), extremist Buddhist monk Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera. An arrest warrant has been issued for the arrest of Gnanasara Thera, who is hiding in a safe location, after Police linked him to dozens of hate crimes against Muslims establishments since April.
Army announces Batticaloa District first District to be cleared of all mines
Engineer Brigade Commander Amith Seneviratne at an event held at the Batticaloa District Secretariat on June 21 announced the successful completion of the mine clearing operation in Batticaloa District, reports Island. It is the first District to be declared mine free by the Army. The daunting task was undertaken by the Army’s Humanitarian De-mining Unit (HDU) together with INGOs and NGOs, including ‘MAG’, ‘Halo Trust’, ‘FSD’, ‘SARVATRA’, ‘Horizon’, ‘DASH’ and ‘SHARP’. The Army had carried out 83 per cent (312,111,499 sq. m) of the Batticaloa mine clearing operation whereas ‘MAG’, ‘Halo Trust’, ‘FSD’, ‘SARVATRA’, ‘Horizon’, ‘DASH’ and ‘SHARP’ cleared the rest. At the commencement of the clearing operation, de-miners identified 377,026,951 sq. m as the Confirmed Hazardous Area (CHA). The HDU comprises 450 de-miners capable of undertaking manual and mechanical mine clearing operations in addition to the Mine Detection Dog (MDD) project. The army said that about 27 square km remained to be cleared in northern and eastern districts with Kilinochchi being the worst affected area.
INTERNATIONAL
Masked gunmen kill 28 in attack on Christians in Egypt
Gunmen attacked a group of Coptic Christians travelling to a monastery in southern Egypt on Friday, May 36 killing 28 people and wounding 24, with many children among the victims, Health Ministry officials said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan.
It followed a series of church bombings claimed by Islamic State in a campaign of violence against the Copts. Eyewitnesses said masked men opened fire after stopping the Christians, who were in a bus and other vehicles. Local TV channels showed a bus apparently raked by gunfire and smeared with blood.
The attack, which Egypt’s Muslim leaders condemned, happened 15 km from the monastery, a security official on the scene told Reuters. Ambulance workers, monks and Muslim clerics were also present but declined to speak.
Police armed with assault rifles formed a security perimeter and officials from the public prosecutor’s office were gathering evidence and fingerprints. Heavily armed Special Forces arrived later wearing face masks and body armour.
The injured were taken to local hospitals and some were being transported to Cairo. One of the vehicles attacked was taking men to carry out maintenance work at the monastery while another was carrying children, officials said. The Health Ministry said that among those injured were two children aged two.
Nations bombing IS failing to protect civilians: UN
The UN on Friday, May 26 urged all nations bombing Jihadist targets in Syria to better distinguish between civilian and military targets, following reports that US-led coalition strikes killed dozens of non-combatants.
Air raids on Islamic State group targets in Syria have left hundreds of civilians dead since 2014.
The latest strikes that hit a series of residential buildings on Thursday in Mayadeen, a town in Syria’s eastern province of Deir Ezzor, killed at least 35 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. UN human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said “all states” whose air forces are active in the anti-IS missions needed “to take much greater care to distinguish between legitimate military targets and civilians.”
Zeid’s spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva that identifying the air force responsible for civilian deaths is often difficult given the number of countries in the anti-IS coalition and the lack of credible information. The Pentagon released findings on Thursday of an investigation that concluded at least 105 civilians died in an anti-Jihadist air strike on an IS weapons cache in Mosul in March.
Air strikes in Syria kill more than 100
Air strikes since Thursday, May 25 evening killed more than 100 people including children and other family members of Islamic State fighters in al-Mayadin, a town held by the Jihadists near Deir al-Zor in eastern Syria, a war monitor reported.
Many of the families had fled from Raqqa, Islamic State’s stronghold to the northwest, which US-backed Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters are pushing towards in an offensive against the Jihadists, the Observatory said.
Residents saw reconnaissance aircraft and warplanes circling the city at 7:25 pm (1625 GMT) before they fired missiles which struck two buildings, one of which was a four-storey block housing Syrian and Moroccan families of Islamic State fighters. More strikes took place after midnight.
Islamic State is losing ground in both Syria and Iraq under assault from an array of sometimes rival forces in both countries. Many of its fighters who have retreated from other fronts are massing in Syria’s Euphrates basin area.
N Korea fires missile in latest provocation
North Korea test-fired a missile on May 30 which fell provocatively close to its neighbour Japan, the latest in a series of launches that have heightened tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons ambitions. It was the North’s 12th ballistic missile test this year — carried out in defiance of UN sanctions warnings and US threats of possible military action.
The launch went ahead despite tough talk from US President Donald Trump, who promised last week at the G7 summit that the “big problem” of North Korea “will be solved”.
South Korea’s military said the Scud-type missile travelled for 450 km, and Japan said it was estimated to have fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles from the coast.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe swiftly condemned the test — the second time this year that a North Korean missile has fallen close to its shores — vowing concerted action with the US.
The North has been stepping up efforts towards its ultimate goal — developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental US.
Despite Trump’s strident warnings of possible military intervention, Secretary of Defense James Mattis said in an interview before the launch that a war with North Korea would be “catastrophic”.
Trump has ‘weakened’ West
Germany on May 30 unleashed a volley of criticism against US President Donald Trump, slamming his “short-sighted” policies that have “weakened the West” and hurt European interests. The sharp words from Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel came after Trump concluded his first official tour abroad which took him to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Brussels and then Italy for a G7 summit. They also followed Chancellor Angela Merkel´s warning on Sunday that the US and Britain may no longer be reliable partners.
Germany’s exasperation was laid bare after the G7 summit which wrapped up on Saturday with the US refusing to sign up to upholding the 2015 Paris climate accord.
Days earlier, in Saudi Arabia, Trump had presided over the signing of the single largest US arms deal in American history, worth $110 billion over the next decade and including ships, tanks and anti-missile systems.
Gabriel said that “anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk”.
Germany’s harsh words for Washington, traditionally a close ally, were highly unusual and came as relations have grown increasingly frosty.
UN council names team to probe Myanmar abuses
The UN rights council on May 30 named a three-person team to probe alleged atrocities against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims, a key step in an investigation already rejected by the country’s government.
The Geneva-based human rights council voted in March to create a Myanmar fact-finding mission, in a politically sensitive move that faced fierce resistance from the civilian-led government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The mission was ordered to “urgently” investigate abuses reportedly committed by the security forces, particularly in Rakhine state where troops have been accused of raping, torturing and murdering members of the Rohingya community.
Decorated Indian lawyer and women’s rights campaigner, Indira Jaising, Sri Lanka’s former human rights chief Radhika Coomaraswamy and Christopher Dominic Sidoti, a prominent human rights advocate from Australia, were appointed to lead the probe.
The group is scheduled to meet soon in Geneva to chart a work plan, a rights council statement said. But it is not yet clear if they will be granted access to Rakhine, or even be permitted to land in Myanmar.
Speaking in Brussels earlier this month, Suu Kyi made clear that her government had “disassociated” itself from the resolution setting up the probe, calling it out of touch “with what is actually happening on the ground.”
The north of Rakhine state has been under lockdown since October, when the military launched a campaign to hunt down Rohingya militants who staged deadly attacks on police posts. Some 100,000 people from the Muslim minority were displaced by the violence, most of them fleeing to Bangladesh.
Turkish mly kills 6 Kurdish militants
Turkey’s military killed six members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in air strikes in northern Iraq on Thursday, June 1 the army said in a statement.
Turkish warplanes hit the Avasin-Basyan region in northern Iraq, killing PKK militants believed to be in preparation of an attack, the military said.
The PKK, which has carried out a three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state, has camps in the mountains of northern Iraq, near the Turkish border. It is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union.
A ceasefire between the Turkish state and the PKK broke down in July 2015 and the southeast subsequently saw some of the worst violence since the PKK launched its insurgency in 1984.
44 migrants, die of ‘thirst’ in Niger desert
At least 44 Libya-bound migrants, including women and babies, died of thirst after their vehicle broke down in the scorching Sahara desert of northern Niger, local officials said on Thursday, June 1.
“The number of migrants who died in the desert is 44 for now,” said Rhissa Feltou, the mayor of Agadez, a remote town on the edge of the Sahara that has become the smuggling capital of Africa.
A security source who asked not to be named said “the sub-Saharan migrants, including babies and women, died of thirst because their vehicle broke down”.
Last year, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) recorded 335,000 migrants heading northwards out of Niger. Many perish while trying to cross the desert in crammed pick-up trucks with often meagre provisions of water as jerrycans carrying fuel take priority.
Gunman torches Philippine casino
A masked gunman set fire to a gaming room at a casino in the Philippine capital on Friday, June 2 igniting a toxic blaze that killed 37 people, authorities said.
The Islamic State group said its “fighters” carried out the attack, although Manila has repeatedly insisted the incident was not terror related.
The dead suffocated inside one of the main gambling venues of the upscale Resorts World Manila, while dozens of other people were injured in a panicked crush to escape, police said.
The gunman committed suicide inside a hotel room by burning himself about five hours after storming the casino with an M4 assault rifle and a bottle of petrol that he used to start the fire, police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa and other police chiefs insisted the assailant was not carrying out a terrorist attack, pointing out he did not shoot anyone, and said it appeared to be a bizarre robbery attempt by a “deranged” man.
However, 37 people died from inhaling smoke from a fire that spread quickly because of flammable carpet on the gaming room floors, local police chief Tomas Apolinario told AFP. Four of the victims were from Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese government.
27 dead as Yemen army closes in on Taez palace
Yemeni government forces fought on Saturday, June 3 to capture a rebel-held presidential palace in the southwestern province of Taez after clashes that killed 27 people, medics and military sources said.
Most of Taez province is controlled by Huthi rebels, who are battling forces allied with UN-backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi holed up in the provincial capital of the same name.
The palace is under the control of the Iran-backed Huthis who are allied with former soldiers loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Yemen’s conflict has killed more than 8,000 people and wounded tens of thousands, according to the UN’s World Health Organisation. More than 500 people have died of cholera and another 55,200 left ill in recent weeks in the second outbreak of the deadly infection in less than a year in Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world.
Bahrain bans newspaper for ‘sowing division’
The government in Bahrain announced June 4 an indefinite ban on the independent Al-Wasat newspaper on accusations that it publishes “what sows division” in the Gulf kingdom.
The ministry of information affairs said it had decided to bar the publication and stop its circulation “until further notice”, according BNA state news agency, without specifying if the ban affects the electronic edition. The order was due to Al-Wasat’s “violation of the law and repeatedly publishing what sows division in the society and affects Bahrain’s relations with other states,” BNA said.
The decision came after the paper published an article that was “offensive to a sisterly Arab state,” BNA said, in an apparent reference to an article that praised protests in Morocco.
The London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy criticised the decision, saying it was “the latest in an escalated crackdown on independent civil society”. “They are trying to silence the only independent paper,” BIRD’s advocacy chief Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei said in a statement.
Demonstrations and a strike have rocked the northern port of Al-Hoceima, in Morocco’s neglected Rif region, where authorities arrested the leader of a popular protest movement and others on May 26.
Germany withdraws troops from anti-IS base
The German government decided on June 7 Wednesday to withdraw its troops from Turkey’s Incirlik base near the Syrian border after last-ditch talks with Ankara failed to resolve an escalating row.
The military personnel along with Tornado surveillance jets and other hardware — deployed as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group will be moved to Jordan’s Azraq base instead, Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said.
Chancellor Angela Merkel sought to play down the dispute, saying she “views this issue as a very localised one”.
With the decision now made to move troops out of Turkey, Berlin can now “concentrate on other points” in its negotiations with Ankara, she added.
Germany has more than 250 troops stationed in Incirlik, flying surveillance missions over Syria and refuelling flights for partner nations battling the IS Jihadists.
But the deployment has become a bone of contention after Ankara repeatedly refused to allow German lawmakers to visit the base.
Gulf crisis grows as Saudi, allies place Qatari’s on ‘terror list’
The diplomatic crisis surrounding the Gulf escalated further on June 8 after Saudi Arabia and its allies placed a number of Qataris and Doha-based organisations on a “terror list”. As many as 18 individuals were named, including members of Qatar’s royal family and a former minister.
Also named were Doha-based Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Qatari-funded charities. The list was published jointly by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain — which accuse Qatar of supporting Islamist extremist groups and have cut ties with Doha. In all, 59 people and entities were listed.
It was released hours after Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said Doha would not “surrender” and rejected any interference in its foreign policy. Qatar said the blacklist had no basis in reality.
The spat is unlikely to ease regional tensions in a spiralling political crisis which also threatens to involve the US, Russia, Europe and other major players such as Turkey and Iran.
Turkey’s parliament has approved deploying troops to a base in Qatar and Iran has offered to send food to Doha.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain led a string of countries that cut ties with Qatar over what they say is the emirate’s financing of extremist groups and its ties to Iran, Saudi Arabia’s regional arch-rival. They also banned Qatar Airways from their airspace and closed Qatar’s only land border with Saudi Arabia, moves Doha’s foreign minister termed a “blockade”.
Islamic State threatens attacks in Saudi Arabia
Islamic State (IS) threatened attacks in Saudi Arabia after the militant group claimed responsibility for assaults in Tehran that killed at least 17 people, Site Intelligence monitoring group reported on Jun 8.
Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini’s mausoleum in Tehran on Wednesday, June 7. Scores of people were also wounded. IS claimed responsibility and threatened more attacks against Iran’s majority population, seen by the hard-line militants as heretics.
In a video that appeared to have been recorded before the attack on Tehran, five masked fighters were shown threatening Shi’ites in Iran as well as the Saudi Arabian government saying their turn “will come”. At the end of the video, he sent a message to the Saudi government.
Iranian authorities said five of the attackers were Iranian nationals recruited by IS, while Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps blamed the assault on regional rival Saudi Arabia and has threatened revenge. Saudi Arabia denied any involvement in the attacks.
Woman suicide bomber kills 31 in Iraq
A woman suicide bomber killed at least 31 people and wounded 35 in a crowded market in the town of Musayab, 80-km south of Baghdad, on Friday, June 9 security sources said.
Islamic State claimed the attack, 30 km east of the holy city of Karbala, as well as a suicide attack at a bus station in central Karbala around the same time.
It did not identify either bomber, in a statement on its Amaq news agency.
Security sources said four people were wounded in the Karbala bombing, and one security officer said the bomber was also a woman and had hidden the bomb under her full-body veil.
The hard-line Muslim insurgents are on the brink of losing Mosul, their de-facto capital in Iraq, to a US-backed Iraqi offensive launched in October.
The group is also on the back foot in neighbouring Syria, retreating in the face of a US-backed, Kurdish-led military coalition attacking Raqqa, its capital there.
Tribal fighting kills 22 in Iran
Fighting between rival tribesmen in southern Iran left 22 people dead on Friday (Jun 9) night, an Iranian lawmaker was quoted by ILNA news agency as saying on Saturday. “The incident last night in Ramhormoz county (in Khuzestan province) is rooted in an old tribal conflict,” the lawmaker, Hedayatollah Khademi, said. “Unfortunately in last night’s clash, advanced military weapons were used and 22 people were killed,” he said. Tribal fighting is common in southern Iran, where gun battles can break out, sometimes motivated by notions of traditional tribal justice.
Turkey jails local head of Amnesty pending trial in post-coup probe
Turkish authorities jailed the local chairman of Amnesty International pending trial over charges of “membership of a terrorist organisation”, as part a crackdown following last July’s failed coup attempt, the rights group said. Taner Kilic, along with 22 other lawyers in the Aegean coastal province of Izmir, was detained on June 6 for suspected links to the network of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara blames for last year’s failed coup.
It said he was being charged with using ByLock, an encrypted messaging app the government says was used by Gulen’s followers, but Amnesty said he had denied using the app in his testimony.
Salil Shetty, head of Amnesty International, said the charges were without merit and not an indication of a criminal act, while the arrests were a disregard of human rights and an attempt to silence all those who defend them. He demanded his immediate release with all charges against him dropped. Amnesty also said eight of the 22 lawyers had been remanded in custody, six remained in detention and seven were awaiting court rulings. Only one had been released, it said.
Seven Ukraine soldiers killed
Seven Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in just three days in renewed fighting with pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country, the military said on June 15.
“The escalation began two to three weeks ago, the enemy is sending heavy weapons to frontline positions which is a violation of the peace agreements,” military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told journalists.
More than 10,000 people have died since the pro-Russian insurgency began in April 2014, which Kiev and the West accuse Moscow of masterminding. The US and EU have imposed sanctions on Russia, but Russia has denied backing the rebels.
Efforts to secure a peace deal have ground to a halt as the fighting has dragged on, and neither side appears prepared to make concessions.
The conflict, along with Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, have pushed ties between Moscow and the West to their lowest point since the Cold War.
Russia says may have killed IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
The Russian army on Friday, June 16 said it was seeking to verify whether Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed when its warplanes hit the group’s leaders in a night raid in Syria last month.
The United States said it could not immediately confirm whether Baghdadi, the undisputed leader of global jihadism, was dead.
The elusive Iraqi-born Islamist is the world’s most-wanted man and has not been seen in public since proclaiming himself “caliph” in the Iraqi city of Mosul three years ago.
Russia’s army said Sukhoi warplanes carried out the 10-minute raid at a location near the IS stronghold of Raqa, where group leaders had gathered to plan a pullout from the area.
“Senior commanders of the military groups of the so-called IS military council, 30 mid-ranking field commanders and up to 300 militants who provided security for them were eliminated,” the army’s statement said.
100,000 civilians held by IS in Mosul: UN
The UN said on Friday, June 16 that Islamic State group militants may be holding more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians as human shields in the Old City of Mosul.
Iraqi forces are fighting to retake Mosul from IS, after the jihadist group overran the city in 2014, imposing its brutal rule on its inhabitants.
The UN refugee agency’s representative in Iraq Bruno Geddo said IS had been capturing civilians in battles outside of Mosul and had been forcing them into the Old City, one of the last parts of the city in their grip.
“More than 100,000 civilians may still be held in the Old City,” Geddo told reporters in Geneva. “We know that ISIS moved them with them as they left… locations where the fighting was going on,” he said, using another acronym for IS, which is also known as Daesh or ISIL. “These civilians are basically held as human shields in the Old City.”
With virtually no food, water or electricity left in the area, the civilians are “living in an increasingly worsening situation of penury and panic,” he said.
Snipers meanwhile try to kill anyone trying to leave the area under jihadist control, he said, adding that the few who manage to escape are “deeply traumatised.”
Philippine troops pound militants as death toll passes 300
Philippine troops pounded Islamist militants holding parts of southern Marawi city with air strikes and artillery on Saturday, June 17 as more soldiers were deployed and the death toll rose to more than 300 after nearly a month of fighting.
Fires erupted and dark plumes of smoke rose from enclaves still occupied by the militants as the air force staged bombing runs to support ground troops struggling to dislodge the fighters from entrenched positions, AFP journalists at the scene said.
MG520 attack helicopters and FA50 fighter jets were used in the raids, while sustained bursts of automatic gunfire could be heard in the distance, indicating the intensity of the fighting.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, appearing in public for the first time in nearly a week, said the presence of foreign fighters from the Islamic State (IS) group among the militants in Marawi has made the fighting more difficult.
Also on Saturday, 400 fresh troops were airlifted to Marawi from the central Philippines, ANC television said quoting military officials. Television footage showed the soldiers bidding goodbye to their families before being flown to the conflict zone.
Hundreds of militants — supported by foreign fighters — rampaged through Marawi, the largely Christian Philippines’ most important Muslim city, on May 23 waving black flags of the Islamic State (IS) group.
Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao to counter the attack, which he said was part of a plan by IS to establish a base in the country. Such a base could be crucial for IS’ ambitions to establish a caliphate in Southeast Asia, analysts say.
The military has said at least eight foreign fighters from Chechnya, Yemen, Malaysia and Indonesia were among the militants killed in the Marawi fighting. The overall death toll rose to 329 with 310 — 225 militants, 59 soldiers and 26 civilians — killed in the conflict, according to government figures.
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 References
Threat Level 1 *
No threat to foreigners although there may be isolated incidents involving petty crime. No security precautions are required.
Threat Level 2 **
No specific threat to foreigners, however because of the overall general law & order situation, some security precautions are advised, especially if traveling.
Threat Level 3 ***
Indicates that law and order situation is cause for concern and travel should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Foreigners should rehearse plans for evacuation.
Threat Level 4 ****
Indicates complete breakdown of civil administration and law and order leading to possible anarchy. All foreigners 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.
