Bombs Blasts/IEDs
Two school teachers were killed in a motorcycle bomb explosion in Damadola area in Mamond tehsil (revenue unit) of Bajaur District on June 4, reports The News. Locals said that Abdur Rahman, a teacher of a private school and resident of Bara Damadola, and Ismail, a Government schoolteacher and resident of Lar Kanday in Damadola, were going on their bike when met a bomb explosion at a seasonal stream. As a result, the two were killed on the spot. No individual or militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two Army soldiers were killed and two others sustained injuries when their patrolling vehicle was targeted through an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Miranshah of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports The Express Tribune. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the slain soldiers were identified as Subedar Aziz and Lance Naik Mushtaq.
One person was killed and 15 others including two children sustained injuries, when explosives attached to an electricity pole, exploded in Saddar Bazaar of Rawalpindi city (Rawalpindi District) on June 12, reports The Express Tribune. Security officials said fire erupted after the powerful blast that caused widespread damage at the scene. According to the Police, the deceased was a vender, who used to sell vegetables near the pole, where the blast occurred. Police described the blast as an act of terrorism.
Targetted Killings
Two Policemen were killed in the night of May 26 after unidentified assailants opened fire on them in the Chowrangi No. 26 area of Turnol in Islamabad, reports Dawn. The Policemen were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mohsin Zafar and Head Constable Sajjad.
Next day the Hizb-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for killing two Policemen in Islamabad, reports Daily Times.
Four persons, including two Rangers personnel, were killed and eleven others sustained injuries in three separate explosions that took place in Karachi, Ghotki and Larkana Districts of Sindh on June 19, reports The Nation. Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) claimed responsibility for three explosions.
According to the details provided by Police sources, a powerful blast took place near a Pakistan Ranger (Sindh) vehicle in Ghotki District killing two personnel and a passerby on June 19, reports The Nation. Five others also sustained injuries. The deceased included two Rangers personnel, Zahoor Ahmed and Fayyaz Ahmed, and a passerby, Ghulam Mustafa. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hafiz Qadir, Rangers personnel were buying meat in the market when blast took place and three persons were killed on the spot.
Meanwhile, a hand grenade attack near an Ehsaas Programme centre in Liaquatabad area of Karachi killed one and injured six others on June 19, reports The Nation. According to the Superintendent of Police (Central Zone) Aslam Rao, the incident occurred at a college in Liaquatabad No 10, where under the Ehsaas programme cash was being distributed among the needy. According to Liaquatabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), one Rangers personnel was also injured. The attack caused damage to a Rangers’ vehicle parked nearby.
Separately, unidentified militants threw a cracker bomb at Rangers check post located opposite Chandka Medical College in Larkana city (Larkana District) on June 19, reports The Nation. However, no casualty occurred.
Miscellaneous
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Karachi Police claimed to have arrested a militant of Daesh in a joint operation with an intelligence agency in Karachi on May 30, reports The News. According to SIU chief Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Irfan Bahadur, the arrested suspect has been identified as Sikandar Khan. The officer disclosed that weapons used in various terror and criminal activities were also seized from his possession.
Three militants were shot dead in an encounter with Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in Elum Ghar area under Pir Baba Police Station in Buner District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 31, reports Dawn. According to the CTD, the militants were coming from Elum Ghar just before Zuhar (Noon) prayers when the CTD personnel present there started chasing them. After sensing that they were being followed by CTD officials, the militants opened fire on them. The CTD personnel returned fire and as a result all the three militants were killed. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Wahab, son of Shakirullah of Bann village; Inamullah, son of Taj Mohammad of Malook Abad village; and Ihsanullah, son of Habibullah of Qambar village of Swat District. When contacted, the Pir Baba Police said the operation was conducted by the CTD Malakand division for which the Buner Elite Force and the District Police force supported it.
An anti-terrorism court of Peshawar on June 5, granted bail to a suspected militant ‘commander’ charged with carrying out a terrorist attack on a check-post which had left two Police Constables dead in Badhaber area in 2010, reports Dawn. The court accepted a bail petition filed by the suspect, Gul Mat Khan, a resident of Khyber District, who the prosecution claimed was a ‘commander’ of Lashkar-i-Islam (LI). The prosecution alleged that the petitioner along with other militants had attacked Speen Qabar check-post, which was jointly manned by personnel of Police and Frontier Constabulary, with heavy machine guns and rocket launchers in 2010.
Police and an intelligence agency on June 9 arrested eight terrorists who attempted to enter Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, from Khyber District, reports Samaa TV. The arrested terrorists had entered the Khyber District from Afghanistan, the officials said. Seven of them belonged to the Khyber District, while one hailed from Afghanistan. Hand grenades, Kalashnikovs, pistols and motorcycles were recovered from their possession.
A top Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militant, identified as Ameen Shah, who was behind the kidnapping and murder of Canadian journalist Khadija Abdul Qahar known as Beverly Giesbrecht before she converted to Islam, was killed near Peshawar on June 10, reports PTI. Ameen Shah, was wanted in several cases of terrorism, KP Police Chief Sanaullah Abbasi said. He had kidnapped Qahar (55), in 2008 and killed her in Pakistan in 2010. The TTP had demanded USD two million as ransom and release of some of their detained leaders for her release.
Police and an intelligence agency on June 9 arrested eight terrorists who attempted to enter Peshawar from Khyber District, reports Samaa TV. The arrested terrorists had entered the Khyber District from Afghanistan, the officials said. Seven of them belonged to the Khyber District, while one hailed from Afghanistan. Hand grenades, Kalashnikovs, pistols and motorcycles were recovered from their possession.
One Army Captain and a trooper were killed and two others were injured in an exchange of fire with militants near the border village of Gharyum tehsil (revenue unit) in North Waziristan District on June 21, reports Dawn. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Security Forces (SFs) were patrolling the area five kilometers south-east of Gharyum near the boundary between North and South Waziristan when militants opened fire on them. Captain Mohammad Sabih Abrar and Sepoy Naveed Akhtar were killed in the exchange of fire while two other soldiers were injured. One militant was also killed, the statement added. The Army troops later cleared a nearby militant compound in North Waziristan, statement added further.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed four militants during a security operation in Ghaziabad area of Peshawar on June 23, reports The News. According to CTD officials, the militants were hiding in a house in Ghaziabad area. The militants opened fire on CTD personnel during a raid on the house, following which four terrorists were killed in retaliation. Four Kalashnikovs, six grenades and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were recovered from the possession of militants.
The Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Karachi Police’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on June 25, claimed to have arrested three militants of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L) for their involvement in various terrorist and criminal activities, reports The News. The militants were identified as Wasiullah, Fazil and Rizwan. A hand grenade and others weapons were said to have been recovered from their possession. The Rangers Spokesman said the arrests were made during an intelligence-based raid. Citing the information gathered during the initial interrogation, the Spokesman said the militants belonged to the Wajih MQM-L team. The detainees said Wajih was planning to carry out terrorism in Karachi based on orders being received from the MQM-L. They said they were provided with funds and weapons by Wajih. The militants claimed that the team had planned to target a TV journalist on the orders of MQM founder Altaf Hussain, while they had also targeted a former member of the Sindh Assembly named Wasim alias Kala. The arrestee said that cracker attacks had also been planned to be carried out at gas cylinder shops in the Malir, Shah Faisal and Korangi localities so that large explosions could occur.
PAKISTAN
High-profile terrorist arrested by CTD in Karachi
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), in joint operation with other intelligence agencies, has arrested one of the ‘most wanted terrorists’ of a banned outfit, identified as Jan Alam, during an operation conducted at SITE Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, on June 5, reports The News. According to CTD official Shahid Karim, the arrested terrorist is involved in several high-profile cases including killing of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bahauddin in 2014, had masterminded the suicide attack on Inspector Shafiq Tanoli and carried out bomb blast in Imambargah Azakhana Kausar in 2013. With his training in Afghanistan, the accused is an expert in making pressure bombs, tennis ball bombs and motorcycle bombs, said the CTD official.
Alam and his three other accomplices are included in the CTD’s Red Book and were involved in grenade attack on Mominabad Police Station. The nabbed terrorist is also accused of murdering two Policemen during Metroville incident in 2014 and is also charged for attacking his wife’s uncle, the official notified. The terrorist is also accused of murdering Awami National Party (ANP)’s Amir Sardar in 2012 and later carrying out pressure-cooker IED blast at his funeral prayers. Alam is also indicted for bombing ANP Sindh’s Bashir Jan in 2013.
APS Commission to submit report by June 30
The commission formed under the chairmanship of Peshawar High Court (PHC), Justice Mohammad Ibrahim Khan has completed its investigation into the Army Public School (APS) carnage on December 16, 2014, The Express Tribune reported on June 5. The commission recorded the statements of over 135 people including the parents of students who were martyred in the attack. It will present its report to the Supreme Court until June 30. In the deadliest attack in the country’s history, armed militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan stormed the APS Peshawar and martyred 132 innocent students and 17 staff members.
According to the spokesperson of the commission, the parents of the martyred students in 2018 had filed a petition and requested the Supreme Court to conduct a judicial inquiry of the APS incident. The then Chief Justice Saqib Nisar during his visit to Peshawar had taken notice of the issue when parents of several deceased APS students approached him with a request for intervention to address their grievances. Nisar approved the request and the high court constituted a commission on October 12, 2018 under the chairmanship of PHC Justice Mohammad Ibrahim Khan.
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain urges Pentagon to cut military aid to Pakistan
Altaf Hussain, the founder and leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), has appealed to the US Pentagon to stop civilian and military aid to Pakistan in order to end misery, agony and sufferings of minority people of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, The Times of India reported on June 5. In a letter addressed to the US Government, Hussain said, “Pakistan has occupied militarily three provinces of the country namely Sindh, Balochistan, KPK and Gilgit-Baltistan region and their barbaric and brutal repression is still going on. Time has come to ask your powerful decision-makers to stop civilian and military aid to Pakistan in order to end misery, agony and sufferings of people of Sindh, Balochistan, KPK and Gilgit-Baltistan,” the letter read.
Balochistan neglected in development budget set to pursue 2.3 per cent growth target, according to report
Amid alleged boycott by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Kamal Khan Alyani, the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) on June 4, finalised total development outlay of about PKR 1.41 trillion to achieve an economic growth rate of about 2.3 per cent next fiscal year (2020-21), reports Dawn. The APCC meeting, presided over by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Jahanzeb Khan, approved a federal public sector development programme (PSDP) worth PKR 630 billion. The four provinces would have cumulative development plans of PKR 783 billion for next year.
The core PSDP would have an allocation of PKR 536 billion. An amount of PKR 94 billion would be tentatively made available for special areas and programmes including Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, security development, resettlement of temporary displaced persons (TDPs), mainstreaming of tribal region into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, Balochistan CM denounces ‘less preference and strategy’ for his province. Later, he took to social media platform Twitter to claim that he (as minister planning in charge of his province) and provincial finance minister Zahoor Buledi boycotted the APCC meeting for “less preference and strategy in doing Balochistan projects”.
Government approves USD 7.2 billion railway line upgradation project under CPEC
Pakistan has approved the strategic USD 7.2 billion railway line upgradation project between Peshawar and Karachi under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), paving the way for the final negotiations with China for the finance, The Express Tribune reported on June 7. The approval of the project to upgrade the 1,872 km-long railway tracks from Peshawar to Karachi is a big milestone for the second phase of the CPEC, said Lieutenant General (retired) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Chairman of the CPEC Authority. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on June 6, approved the Pakistan Railways’ Mainline-I (ML-1) Project. The approval by the key Government body has set the stage for the final negotiations with China for financing the project and talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address its concern over a big loan from Beijing.
Pakistan Rangers personnel injured in Karachi
According to The Balochistan Post, one Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) personnel was injured in when Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) militants on June 10, targeted them by cracker bombs. Attacks took place at two different places in Karachi. The first attack was carried out on Rangers vehicle in Gulistan-e-Johar Town in which the Pakistan Ranger personnel was injured. While a Rangers check post was targeted in Malir Town within an hour. Authorities have not yet released details of casualties in the second attack.
Meanwhile, Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) ‘spokesman’, Sodho Sindhi has claimed the responsibility for the attacks. The SRA statement said “Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army claims the responsibility of twin attacks on Pakistan Rangers today; one on a Rangers vehicle in Gulistan-e-Johar Karachi, where 2 Rangers personnel were killed and five were seriously injured and second attack took place on the Rangers check-post located at Manzil Pump, Quaidabad, in which one Rangers Personnel was killed and two were critically wounded. Pakistani Punjabi state has occupied our land and resources, we will never allow Punjabis (Pakistani state) and China to occupy and exploit our land and our Sea”. The ‘spokesperson’ further said, “SRA resists against the occupation of Pakistan and China and we will continue our attacks on CPEC and all other Pak-China Projects, which may exploit our sea, land and resources. Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army is fighting for Free, Sovereign, Secular and Democratic State of Sindhudesh”.
TTP militant who beheaded Polish engineer in 2009 arrested in Punjab
The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab in a joint raid in Rawalpindi city of Punjab Province, arrested two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants, identified as Kaleemullah and Farid Khan on June 1, who had allegedly beheaded a Polish engineer, Piotr Stanczak in 2009 in South Waziristan (Erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas), Dawn reported on June 11. Stanczak had been abducted from Attock, near Rawalpindi, in September 2008 and a case was registered with Basal Police Station against the unidentified kidnappers. The CTD Punjab and the ISI made the arrest when they obtained intelligence reports about the arrival of duo in Rawalpindi to commit a terrorist act. The raiding teams recovered explosives from their possession.
After this breakthrough, the case of kidnapping and subsequent murder of Piotr for investigation has been re-opened some 12 years after its registration. A senior official privy to the development said the terrorists had held Piotr Stanczak captive for more than four months. He said a seven-minute horrific video was delivered to reporters in February 2009 that showed execution of the Polish engineer by unknown militants. “During interrogation, Kaleemullah confessed that he had taken part in beheading of Piotr Stanczak while Farid Khan said he had kept him in his custody in Darra Adam Khel for several days [before beheading]”, an official stated.
Geo News journalist Wali Babar’s killer arrested in Karachi
The killer of Geo News journalist, Wali Khan Babar was arrested during a joint raid in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, on June 15, reports The News. Babar was shot dead in Liaquatabad area of Karachi on January 13, 2011, when he was returning home from the office. The target killer Kamran alias Zeeshan Shani was arrested six years after he was convicted for the murder by a local court, Karachi Police Chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said. Memon said that till 2015, four accused received life imprisonment in the case and another suspect Faisal Mota was arrested. “Kamran was still at large and kept changing his hideouts and finally this morning, on the intelligence-based tipoff by a federal agency, our special investigation unit apprehended him with weapons,” said the Police Chief. Memon said that Shani lived in several areas for five years and then shifted to Gulshan-e-Maymar area, where he was living with his family.
Afghanistan – Internal Dynamics
US President Donald Trump considering full Troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
The United States (US) President Donald Trump on May 26 at a White House news conference renewed his desire for a full military withdrawal from Afghanistan, reports Tolo News. However, President Donald Trump added that he had not set a target date, amid speculation he might make ending America’s longest war part of his re-election campaign. “We’re there 19 years and, yeah, I think that’s enough We can always go back if we want to,” said Trump. Trump also said: “Well, I think everyone knows we’re down to less than 8,000 troops. We’re with leadership in many different fields and in many different parts of that country. We’re dealing with the Taliban; we’re dealing with the president. The president now has gotten himself straightened out with the two presidents, but we’re dealing with because they had, as you know, they had competing factors and factions.”
Seven Afghan Forces killed in Taliban attack in Parwan Province
At least seven Afghan forces were killed and one was wounded after the Taliban attacked a security checkpoint in Seyagerd District of Parwan Province in the night of May 27, reports Tolo News. Wahida Shahkar, a spokeswoman for the Provincial Governor said the Taliban attacked the security checkpoint and clashed with Afghan security forces. The Taliban also suffered casualties but there is no exact information about the number, she added.
Nine civilians killed in Kandahar Province
A roadside bomb explosion killed at least nine civilians in Khosh Rod village of Arghistan District in Kandahar Province, The Khaama Press reports on June 3. Five civilians were also injured in the explosion. No individual or group has so far claimed responsibility for the incident.
Two civilians killed in an explosion in Kabul city
An explosion in the vicinity of Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan mosque in diplomatic area of Kabul city left at least two persons dead and two others wounded on June 2, reports The Khaama Press. Tariq Arian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, said that security forces discovered some other explosives before the militants manage to detonate them. No individual or group has so far claimed responsibility for the incident. One of the dead has been identified as, Mawlavi Ayaz Niazi, the prayer leader of Wazir Mohamamd Akbar mosque.
Taliban will pursue both Peace talks and Jihad, states Taliban ‘deputy chief’, Sirajuddin Haqqani
Sirajuddin Haqqani, ‘deputy leader’ of the Taliban, said that despite the group’s belief in the peace negotiation talks as one of the core components of the solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, the Taliban will still continue the path of jihad (holy war) and strengthen its military power, Tolo News reports on June 3. In a message to mark the completion of training of a group of Taliban suicide bombers at an unknown location, Haqqani said that the peace process does not mean the Taliban will abandon the path of jihad.
Footage released on the group’s social media platforms show a group of Taliban fighters wearing suicide vests who are passing in a parade in front of the Taliban’s military commission. Messages from other top Taliban officials, including Mullah Abdullah Ghani Baradar and Mullah Yaqoub, were read out in support of the suicide squad.
“We believe that the talks are the solution, the politics of sharia (Islamic) law is one of the paths of our jihad and struggle, but no one should miscalculate our politics and willingness for talks they shouldn’t expect (the Taliban) to abandon jihad and their military capabilities,” said Haqqani in a message to the Taliban fighters. “We will use our ability to further develop the strength of the military and jihadi forces of the Islamic emirate (Term used for Afghanistan by the Taliban),” said Mullah Yaqoub.
Police Chief of Sayed Karam District along with three bodyguards killed in Paktia Province
Police Chief of Sayed Karam District of Paktia Province along with his three bodyguards lost their lives and four Police personnel were injured following roadside mine in the district late on June 2, reports bakhtarnews.com. Sharif Kalewal District Governor of Sayed Karam told, the incident took place while vehicle of the Police Chief hit on a roadside mine.
10 Afghan Security Forces members killed in Zabul Province
At least 10 Afghan Security Forces members were killed on June 5, in an ambush by the Taliban on the Zabul-Kandahar highway near the city of Qalat, in Zabul Province, reports Tolo News. Ata Jan Haq Bayan, head of Zabul’s provincial council said the Taliban has also suffered casualties in the clash. But the exact number is not known. He added that two Humvee tanks of the Afghan forces were destroyed in the attack. The Taliban has not claimed responsibility for the attack.
New Taliban Splinter Group emerges that opposes U.S. Peace Deal
A new breakaway Afghan Taliban faction Hezb-e Walayat-e Islami, (Party of Islamic Guardianship), is believed to have split from the mainstream Taliban soon after the United States and the militant group signed a landmark peace agreement in February, reports Radio Free Asia on June 9. London based expert Antonio Giustozzi, working for Royal United Services Institute, said it appears the new splinter group is based in Iran.
Taliban issues warning to orchestrators of recent bombings in Kabul mosque
The Taliban issued a warning to the orchestrators of the recent bombings which specifically targeted the mosques including a bombing which targeted a mosque in Karte-4 part of Kabul city on June 12, reports Khamma News Agency on June 13. The Taliban stated, “The Islamic Emirate warns perpetrators behind these attacks that you cannot hide from the Afghan nation and the day is not far when you shall be held to account for each crime, Allah willing.” Taliban blamed the ‘enemy intelligence organs’ for the attacks. According to the statement, “The martyrdom of the Imam of Wazir Muhammad Akbar Khan mosque, the late Muhammad Ayaz Niyazai, the attacks on people inside mosques during Ramadhan, bomb blast at a funeral, attack on a maternity ward, destruction of power pylons and damage to public infrastructure are all part of enemy designed malicious plans that are being executed at this sensitive juncture to spread fear, terror and disappointment and to hamper the peace process.”
27 persons including 24 Taliban militants and three Policemen killed in Paktika Province
27 persons including 24 Taliban militants and three Afghan National Police personnel were killed during clashes with Afghan Security Forces at Police checkpoints in Ata Khona region in Amena District of Paktika Province on June 16, reports bhaktarnews.com.12 Taliban militants were also injured during the clashes.
Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics
UN experts call Bangladesh Government to stop persecution of journalist
The United Nations (UN) experts on May 26 called on the Bangladesh Government to stop the ongoing persecution of journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajoland expressed concern about his previous suspected enforced disappearance, reports New Age. They warned that his detention and the ongoing criminal cases against him compound fears that Bangladesh was using the Digital Security Act to stifle free speech, according to a release issued by the UN Human Rights office in Geneva. The experts, who made the statement, include, among others, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye, special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnes Callamard, special rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health DainiusPūras, and Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances chair Luciano A Hazan.
Ansar-al-Islam cadre arrested in Pabna District
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on May 30 arrested a cadre of banned militant outfit Ansar-al-Islam from BSCIC area in Pabna District of Rajshahi Division, reports Dhaka Tribune. The arrestee is identified as Abdullah Akash. RAB recovered bomb-making materials, jihadist literature and mobile phones from him.
Five JMB cadres arrested in Mymensingh District
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on June 1 arrested five cadres of Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh from Nalikhali area in Mymensingh District of Mymensingh Division, reports The Daily Star. The arrestees are Monwar Hossain Majon (24), Sanwar Hossain Sajon (24), Shafiqul Islam (43), Mustafa (30) and Abdus Samad (40). Some jihadi books, leaflets, videos and three mobile phones were recovered from the arrestees.
India – Internal Dynamics
Top JMB terrorist arrested in West Bengal
On May 29, Abdul Karim alias Boro Abdul Karim, a top ‘commander’ of Bangladesh based terror group, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB), was arrested from Jangipuar in the Murshidabad District of West Bengal, reports Zee News. Considered to be the second topmost leader of JMB in India after the terror group ‘chief’, Salauddin Salehin, Karim also being the main leader of the Dhuliyan module would actively supply logistics and support, shelter to top leaders like Salauddin. In 2018, Karim had managed to escape when a raid was conducted at his residence and a substantial amount of explosives and jihadi material was seized. With the recent arrest of Karim by Kolkata Special Task Force (STF), the top three JMB leadership in India has now been reduced to 2.
Two persons including a Policeman killed in Maoist ambush in Jharkhand
Three persons, including two Policemen, were killed in firing by Communist Party of India-Maoist in Keraikela Police Station area of West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand on May 31, reports The Times of India. Superintendent of Police (SP), Indrajeet Mahata said, “The Maoists squad opened fire on security personnel when they were crossing Jonua village in Keraikela. One of the deceased has been identified as Lakhinder Munda, a body guard of Chakradharpur SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Officer) Nathu Singh Meena, and the other person is Sunder Swarup Mahtoa, a Special Police Officer (SPO). Both the men were rushed to the hospital in Chakradharpur but doctors declared them brought dead.”
Mizoram CM opposes settlement of Brus in Jampui area of Tripura
Mizoram Chief Minister (CM) Zoramthanga on May 30 wrote to Tripura CM opposing re-settlement of the Bru refugees near the traditional habitat of the Mizos in Jampui in North Tripura District of Tripura, reports Northeast Now. In the letter Mizoram CM stated that “As you are no doubt aware, there has been ethnic tension and upheaval between Mizos and Brus, both in Mizoram and Tripura and any strain between the two communities in Tripura will no doubt have repercussions in Mizoram.” Highlighting the ethnic tension, Zoramthanga requested the Tripura chief minister “to immediately reconsider and cancel the proposal for re-settlement of displaced Brus at the traditional habitat of the Mizos i.e. Jampui Hills and surrounding areas in North Tripura.
SFJ approaches China to garner support for its secessionist campaign
To win an advantage from the current India-China military standoff in Ladakh, the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a US-based separatist Sikh body spearheading a drive to separate Punjab from the rest of India, has now approached Beijing to support its secessionist campaign, reports The Times of India on June 2. As per the report, SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, justifying its position against India and extending the support of pro-Khalistani Sikhs. SFJ’s letter comes a day after Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh warned China against its bullying tactics on the border and cautioned it to not take India lightly.
Maoists explode IED, cut highway at 16 places in Chhattisgarh
The Communist Party of India Maoist cadres exploded an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and cut a highway connecting Aranpur to Potali village in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh at 16 places on June 2, reports Amar Ujala. As per the report, more than 150 Maoists reached Patali village to chop the highway and also severely damaged it with an IED blast. The report further adds that INR 60 million has been spent on the development of the said highway. A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official said the Maoists wish to preserve their base in the area. The highway damage displays the rising frustration among them.
British Sikh MP in UK Parliament calls for inquiry into the UK Government’s involvement in Operation Blue star
The British Sikh Opposition Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi on June 4, called for an independent inquiry into the extent of the involvement of the then Margaret Thatcher-led British government in Operation Bluestar in June 1984, reports The Tribune. As per the report, the MP raised the issue in the House of Commons to mark 36 years since the Indian Army’s operation at the Golden Temple in Amritsar District of Punjab, also called for a debate on the issue. The MP said, “This week marks 36 years since the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, ordered her abhorrent attack on the most revered Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Despite recent revelations and given the huge demand from within the British Sikh community and the support of the Labour party and other Opposition parties, an independent inquiry to establish the extent of the Thatcher government’s involvement in the attack has still not been held.”
“All Sikhs want Khalistan, will take it if govt offers,” says Akal Takht Jathedar
Responding to questions at a press conference on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of Operation Blue Star in Amritsar District of Punjab on June 6, the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh made a statement that all Sikhs want Khalistan and if the Union government gives it, they shall take it, reports The Indian Express. At the press conference, when asked about sloganeering at Akal Takht in favour of Khalistan during and after his anniversary speech, the Jathedar said: “There is nothing wrong if slogans are raised after the function. If the government gives us Khalistan, what more can we ask for? We shall accept it. Every Sikh wants Khalistan.” The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal was also sitting next to the Jathedar when he made the statement. When asked the same question, Longowal, who initially tried to evade an answer, said: “If anyone offers it to us, we shall take it.”
Two Police personnel arrested for supplying ammunition to Maoists in Chhattisgarh
Two Police personnel identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Anand Jatav and Head Constable Subhash Singh, were arrested for their alleged involvement in supplying arms and ammunition to the Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on June 8, reports Outlook India. According to the Bastar range Inspector General of Police (IGP) P. Sundarraj, the matter came to light when four persons identified as, Harishankar Gedam of Balod District and Manoj Sharma of Dhamtari District and Ganesh Kunjam and Aatmaram Nareti were arrested from Sukma and Kanker Districts on June 2 and June 6 respectively. It was during investigation and interrogation, they opened up to other links of the urban network of Maoist that led to arrests of the personnel. Police had recovered 695 bullets of .303, AK-47, SLR, and INSAS rifles from their possession.
AQIS flushed in online contents to instigate people to launch ‘lone wolf’ attacks against Indian Government, says report
Intelligence inputs have revealed that the Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has flushed in online contents to instigate and influence people to launch “lone wolf” attacks against the Indian government, Times Now reports on June 10. The AQIS has recruited a huge team of Islamic scholars and clerics based out of Bangladesh to create content for broadcasting using similarly-named profiles on websites and digital platforms, intelligence inputs have claimed. The terrorist organisation has released a cache of provocative content online in order to launch propaganda attacks against India, its security agencies, Hindutva leaders, businesses and a “certain category of persons”.
The Bangladesh unit of AQIS has apparently also uploaded a series of videos on a website, intelligence inputs shared with security agencies stated. These videos contain detailed strategy to plan and execute ‘lone wolf’ attacks in the broader idea of ‘global jihad’. “Similar content is regularly uploaded on their online forums, magazines and social media channels to reach like-minded persons in Bangladesh and India, and instigate them to launch Lone Wolf Attacks,” the intelligence input claims.
Two persons including a BJP leader arrested for links with Maoists in Chhattisgarh
Two persons including a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader were arrested on charges of alleged links with the Communist Party of India-Maoist in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh on June 13, reports Hindustan Times. According to the Police, the vice-president of BJP in Dantewada District, Jagat Pujari along with one Ramesh Usendi was supplying goods and other items to the Maoists of Abujmadh forest. The Superintendent of Police (SP), Abhishek Pallav said, both were arrested after they procured a tractor to allegedly deliver it to a hardcore Maoist. “Jagat Pujari is a resident of Barsoor and is vice-president of the District unit of BJP. Ramesh Usendi was also arrested and the Police have booked them under sections of the Chhattisgarh Jan Surakhsha Adhiniyam. More sections could be added during the course of the investigation”, the SP added.
Monthly Fatalities
The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period May 26, 2020 to June 25, 2020:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militant | Total | |
| Assam | 03 | 00 | 00 | 03 |
| Left Wing | 06 | 01 | 03 | 10 |
| Total | 09 | 01 | 03 | 13 |
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
NHRC expresses concern about arbitrary and frequent arrests of CPN-Maoist-Chand leader
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issuing a press statement on May 30 expressed serious concern about arbitrary and frequent arrests of Chakra Bahadur Khatri of Khotang District, a leader of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand), reports The Himalayan Times. The rights body said the Government was responsible for making the condition of Khatri unknown even to his family, meting out inhumane treatment to him and refusing to abide by frequent orders of the Supreme Court. According to the NHRC, Khatri was last arrested on May 28 from Khotang and taken to Siraha through Udayapur and Solukhumbu the following day. It was his sixth arrest in the past one year.
CPN-Maoist-Chand demands Nepali youths be barred from joining Gorkha Regiment
The outlawed Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) issuing a press statement on June 20, demanded that the Nepali youths be barred from joining the Gorkha Regiment, reports Republica. The statement of the underground outfit comes in the wake of recent border skirmish between India and China in the bordering Galwan Valley in Ladakh. “Amid India-China border tension followed by the killing of Indian troops in the Galwan Valley, India has recently asked Nepali nationals in the Gorkha Regiment to rejoin their duties who are currently on home leave. That means the Indian side is preparing to deploy our fellow Nepali nationals in the Indian Army in their battle against China. Nepal is an independent nation and its youths working for the military of one country should not be used against the other. This will also be against Nepal’s Non-aligned foreign policy. It will not be acceptable to our party,” reads the press statement.
CPN-Maoist-Chand ‘District in-Charge’ arrested along with arms and ammunition in Sunsari District
Police on June 25, arrested ‘District in-Charge’ of banned outfit, Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand), in possession of arms from Dharan area of Sunsari District in Province No. 1, reports The Himalayan Times. The arrestee is identified as Roshan Rai (27). Police recovered US-made automatic pistol, magazines, three rounds of live bullets and two sets of mobile phones from Rai.
Nepal could be used as transit or staging point for international terrorists, warns US State Department
The US State Department on June 25, warned that Nepal could be used as a transit or staging point for international terrorists due to the open border with India and insufficient security protocols at the country’s sole international airport in Kathmandu, reports Republica. In a report titled “Country Reports on Terrorism 2019”, the State Department said, “Nepal appears to be largely infertile soil for terrorism propagated by international terrorist organizations. A more significant threat is non-Nepali international terrorist groups using Nepal as a transit or staging point or soft target.”
Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics
STF has major role in countering extremism and organised crimes, says Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne
Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Special Task Force (STF) has a major role to play in countering extremism and organised crimes, reports Daily Mirror on May 29. The Defence Secretary expressed these views while addressing the STF troops during his maiden visit to STF headquarters since he assumed duties as the Defence Secretary. Expressing his gratitude to over 700 STF personnel, who suffered severe injuries during the war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorism, he said the STF had kept a remarkable stride in Sri Lanka’s 30-year long war fighting with LTTE terrorism, in which many heroic men and women of the STF had sacrificed with their lives and limbs.
CID Director did not permit Army to question bombers, says Army Intelligence Officer
A senior Army Intelligence officer has told the Presidential Commission investigating into the Easter Sunday attacks that former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director SSP Shani Abeysekera had not permitted to question those who were allegedly involved in extremist activities and conduct further investigations into them, reports Daily News on May 31. He said this when inquired by Commission President, Court of Appeal Judge Justice Janak De Silva. He said Mohammed Jameel who blew himself at the Tropical Inn lodge in Dehiwala has been proven to be involved in extremist activities. The witness said a team led by him succeeded in reaching the house of this suicide bomber’s house and question his wife within an hour of the blast. He also said that they have received information of Mohommed Ibrahim and Mohammed Jameel for having been involved in extremist activities from 2015. These suicide bombers were involved in the Dematagoda and Dehiwala blasts.
Senior DIG, Nandama Munasinghe was skeptical about intelligence reports warning Islamic terrorist at
Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Nandana Munasinghe, who was the Senior DIG of Western Province in April 2019, on June 11, told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on Easter Sunday attacks that he was skeptical about the intelligence reports, which he received on April 9, warning of Islamic terrorist attacks, reports The Island. He said, “It said that there would be a possible attack by six Islamic suicide terrorists. I was skeptical because we had not been warned of any Islamic terrorist groups, operational in the country, and thus I was skeptical about the ability of Islamists to launch such an attack. I thought could there be such a strong Islamic group. We had no such information.”
Four persons arrested for processing and transporting illegal election posters in North Western Province
Kalpitiya Police arrested four suspects including a candidate of the upcoming General Election for processing and transporting illegal election posters in a luxury vehicle in Kandakuliya area of Puttalam District in North Western Province on June 18, reports Daily News. “The candidate is contesting the election under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from the Puttalam District and was taken into custody along 4,000 posters,” Police said.
Former LTTE leader Karuna Amman claims he is more dangerous than Covid-19
Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman on June 19, claimed that he is more dangerous than Covid-19, reports Daily Mirror. “When I was a member of the LTTE, I killed some 2000 to 3000 Sri Lankan Army personnel in one night at Elephant Pass. I have killed more in Killinochchi. That is certainly higher than the number of lives the coronavirus has claimed in Sri Lanka,” he said addressing a gathering in Navadinveli, Ampara District.
Meanwhile, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) has ordered the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to conduct an immediate inquiry into a statement made by Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, reports Colombo Page on June 22. The inquiry is ordered into the statement made by the former Deputy Minister in the previous Rajapaksa Government that he killed 2,000-3000 Sri Lankan Army personnel in Kilinochchi during his tenure as a leader of the LTTE.
Insaf Ahamed spent nearly SLR 45 million within first four months of 2019 for NTJ to conduct extremist activities in country, Raveendra Wimalasiri informs PCoI
Insaf Ahamed, the suicide bomber who blew himself up at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on June 21, 2019, had spent nearly SLR 45 million within the first four months of 2019 for National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) to conduct extremist activities in the country, Raveendra Wimalasiri of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing into the Easter Sunday Attacks on June 23, reports Daily Mirror. He informed the Commission that Insaf Ahamed owned several companies and always maintained a record on what purpose he was using funds. “However, in the first four months of 2019 he had used SLR 45 million but there was no record of the purpose. During investigations it was revealed that money had been used to conduct extremist activities within the country,” he informed the Commission.
HRW urges Sri Lankan Government to investigate and prosecute Karuna Amman for war crimes
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Sri Lankan Government to investigate and appropriately prosecute Vinyagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman for war crimes and other grave human rights abuses, reports Daily News on June 25. “In truth, Karuna Amman, should have been criminally investigated long ago for war crimes. During the 26-year armed conflict, the LTTE was responsible for countless grave abuses, including unlawful killings and attacks on civilians. Forces under Karuna’s command were implicated in the summary execution of several hundred police officers in June 1990, after they had surrendered to the LTTE. The following month his forces executed about 75 Muslim travellers. And in August that year, his forces were allegedly responsible for killing more than 200 civilians in Batticaloa district,” their statement read.
INTERNATIONAL
Poland scraps mandatory masks despite many infections
Poles will no longer have to wear masks outside starting this weekend as long as they abide by social distancing rules, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday, May 27.
The move came as the government further eased the EU member’s anti-virus measures. Morawiecki told reporters: “There will be a general rule: in public spaces, where possible, it will be necessary to maintain a social distance of two meters (six and a half feet) but face masks will not be required.
“Though in the case of two people walking side by side, we still recommend that you wear masks,” he added. Stores will no longer be required to limit customer numbers, nor will churches have to cap the number of worshippers, but here too social distancing guidelines will continue to apply.
Open-air concerts will once again be permitted along with public gatherings of up to 150 people. From June 6, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, gyms, pools and massage parlours will be allowed to reopen, but face masks will be required. Nightclubs will remain closed. “We have managed to bring the disease, epidemic under control much more effectively than the world’s wealthiest countries,” Morawiecki said to explain why Poland was lifting measures.
those involved were already quarantined for having come into contact with someone with the disease. By Wednesday morning, the country of 38 million people had recorded 22,303 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 1,025 deaths and 10,330 recovered individuals, according to official data.
Russia slams ‘dangerous’ US foreign policy moves.
Russia said on Thursday, May 28 the United States was acting in a dangerous and unpredictable way, after Washington withdrew from a key military treaty and moved to ramp up pressure on Iran.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the comments after Washington announced it would end sanctions waivers for nations that remain in a nuclear accord signed with Iran. The remaining parties to the deal include Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.
US officials also said they would walk away from the Open Skies Treaty, which allows each signatory’s military to conduct surveillance flights over another member country each year on short notice.
Gunmen kill dozens in northwest Nigeria attacks
Gunmen on motorcycles killed dozens of people in a string of attacks on villages in the restive northwest of Nigeria, as the authorities struggle to curb the violence.
Gangs of armed criminals known locally as “bandits raided five villages close to the border with Niger in Sokoto state late Wednesday, May 27 officials said. Lawal Kakale, a local traditional leader in Sabon Birni district, said the death toll had risen to 74 from an earlier figure of 60 as more bodies were recovered in the villages.
Medics at the nearby hospital said they initially received 60 corpses with gunshot wounds in the wake of the assaults. “All the bodies had bullet wounds, most of them were shot in the head,” a medic said on condition of anonymity.
A regional police spokesman confirmed the attacks but gave no further details ahead of a statement due from commanders visiting the scene. Sokoto state governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said the attack by “hundreds” of gunmen came as a “rude shock” as security officials had recently visited the area to try to calm tensions.
Northwestern Nigeria has been wracked by years of violence involving clashes between rival communities over land, attacks by heavily-armed criminal gangs and reprisal killings by vigilante groups.
On Monday 18 people were killed when gunmen raided five other villages in Sabon Birni district, local officials said. Nigeria’s armed forces last week launched bombing raids against camps in neighbouring areas of the northwest as part of the latest efforts to curb attacks.
The army said the bombing campaign had killed hundreds of “bandits” but there has been no independent confirmation of the death tolls. Authorities have previously launched repeated military operations and local peace talks to try to end the violence.
But so far neither strategy has succeeded in halting unrest that has killed an estimated 8,000 people since 2011 and displaced 200,000. The International Crisis Group warned last week that jihadist groups waging a decade-long insurgency in northeast Nigeria are gaining influence in the northwest of the country.
US approves sale of 84 Patriot missiles to Kuwait
The United States said Thursday, May 28 it has approved the sale of 84 of the most recent generation of Patriot missiles to Kuwait, plus equipment to modernise the country’s antimissile program, for a total of $1.425 billion.
The State Department said in a statement that sale benefits both parties.
“The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-Nato ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the statement said.
“The proposed sale of these articles and services will improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical oil and natural gas infrastructure,” it added, alluding to the September 2019 assaults on Saudi oilfields that US officials attributed to Iran.
The contract for the missiles and their attendant parts, made by US defense group Lockheed Martin, is valued at $800 million.
Another contract for training and technical assistance, provided by Lockheed Martin and defense contractor Raytheon, is valued at $425 million.
And a third, to be handled by those same companies, is valued at $200 million for repair of old material.
Egypt army says 19 militants killed in Sinai
Egypt’s military said it had killed 19 militants in targeted ground and air operations as part of its battle to quell a long-running Islamist insurgency in north Sinai.
Five soldiers were killed or wounded in the operations last week, according to the online video statement on Saturday, May 30 which did not specify the number of military fatalities.
The video, replete with a dramatic score, said troops had killed three “extremely dangerous” militants as well as 16 others in precision airstrikes on their “terrorist hideouts”. “Two officers, a non-commissioned officer and two soldiers were killed and wounded in the operations”, the statement said.
Troops had recovered troves of automatic rifles, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades in possession of the militants, the army added. Security forces have been battling a long-running Islamist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt’s northeast that is spearheaded by a local affiliate of the Islamic State group.
The fighting intensified after the military’s 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was replaced by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. In February 2018, authorities launched a nationwide operation against militants, focused on north Sinai.
Somalia blast kills at least 10 on bus
At least 10 people died and 12 were wounded when an explosive device ripped through a minibus outside the Somali capital Mogadishu on Sunday, May 31 the government said.
The deadly explosion occurred near Lafole village along the Afgoye-Mogadishu where the passenger bus was travelling early in the day. “At least 10 civilians were killed in an explosion at Lafole area this morning, those who died were all civilians,” the information ministry said in a statement, adding that the victims were on their way to a funeral.
Witnesses said the minibus was completely destroyed, and described an horrific scene with everyone on board either dead or wounded and many bodies ripped apart or burned beyond recognition.
“This was a horrible incident this morning, the explosive device went off as the bus was passing by the area and destroyed it completely,” said Daud Doyow, a witness. “Bodies of civilians were strewn in pieces and most of the people died,” he added.
“There were more than 20 people on board and 10 of them were confirmed dead while the rest are seriously wounded and taken to hospital, this is a horrible scene here,” said another witness, Abdirisak Adan. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, but Somalia’s al Qaeda-aligned Shabaab group carries out regular attacks in and around the capital, often killing civilians.
Indonesia pulls out of annual Makkah pilgrimage over virus fears
Indonesia is pulling out of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah over coronavirus fears, the religious affairs ministry said Tuesday, June 02 removing the largest contingent of worshippers.
More than 220,000 people from the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country were set to take part in this year’s hajj, which all Muslims must perform at least once in their lives if able. The global pandemic has plunged the ritual into doubt, but Riyadh has yet to announce a final decision on whether it will go ahead with the end-of-July celebration. On Tuesday, Indonesia said it was pulling out of the pilgrimage, which last year drew about 2.5 million Muslims to Saudi Arabia from across the globe. “This was a very bitter and difficult decision,” religious affairs minister Fachrul Razi told a televised press briefing. “But we have a responsibility to protect our pilgrims and hajj workers.
Last month, Indonesia pressed Riyadh to announce its decision and President Joko Widodo later held a telephone call with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on the matter, Razi said. Jakarta had considered allowing half the usual number of pilgrims to travel in order to limit the risk, but instead opted to keep them all at home, he added.
Man held for planning attack on Muslims in Germany
Police in Germany have detained a man on suspicion of planning to kill Muslims in an attack inspired by the 2019 mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, prosecutors said on Monday, June 8.
The 21-year-old from the northern city of Hildesheim had announced his attack plans “in an anonymous internet chat”, the state prosecutor’s office in the town of Celle said. Initial investigations show the suspect “has for some time been considering the idea of committing an attack in which he wanted to kill numerous people in order to attract worldwide media attention,” prosecutors said.
The suspect referenced the attacker who killed 51 people in two mosques in Christchurch in March 2019, and said he wanted to carry out a similar attack. “His aim was to kill Muslims,” prosecutors said.
Police found weapons in the suspect’s home, as well as electronic files containing right-wing extremist content. He was detained on Saturday and faces charges of threatening to commit criminal offences and financing terrorism through the purchase of weapons.
Germany has been rocked by a string of extreme-right attacks over the past 12 months. A gunman with apparent far-right beliefs killed nine people at a shisha bar and a café in the city of Hanau, near Frankfurt, in February, while two people were killed in an attack targeting a synagogue in Halle, near Leipzig, in October.
In June 2019, pro-immigration politician Walter Luebcke was found shot dead at his home in the central state of Hesse, and a far-right sympathiser has been charged with his murder. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer proclaimed in March that right-wing extremism and right-wing terrorism were “the biggest danger for democracy in Germany”, promising a beefed up security response.
Iran says will execute spy who helped US target general
Tehran said on Tuesday, June 9 it will execute an Iranian for spying for the United States and Israel after his conviction was upheld for helping the US to locate a top Iranian general killed in a drone strike.
Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was convicted of spying on Iran’s armed forces, “especially the Quds Force and on the whereabouts and movements of martyr General Qasem Soleimani”, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in a news conference.
Majd had been found guilty of receiving large sums of money from both the US Central Intelligence Agency and Israel’s Mossad, Esmaili said. His sentence was upheld by Iran’s supreme court and would be “carried out soon”, the spokesman added.
Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and was killed in January in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport. Iran retaliated by firing a volley of ballistic missiles at US troops stationed in Iraq, but US President Donald Trump opted against responding militarily. While the attack on the western Iraqi base of Ain Al-Asad left no US soldiers dead, dozens suffered brain trauma.
Seoul warns of ‘thorough crackdown’ on anti-North Korea leaflets
South Korea’s presidential Blue House on Thursday, June 11 warned of a “thorough crackdown” against activists sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border, after Human Rights Watch denounced it as “shameful” for seeking to block such activities.
The leaflets usually attached to hot air balloons or floated in bottles criticise North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over human rights abuses and his nuclear ambitions.
Since last week Pyongyang has issued a series of vitriolic denunciations of the South over the leaflets something defectors do on a regular basis and on Tuesday it announced it was severing all official communication links with the South.
Moon is a former human rights lawyer and earlier this week lauded South Korean democracy activists, but his office expressed “strong regret” over the leaflet launches, adding the government would mount a “thorough crackdown” against them.
The campaigns are illegal and do not help the “efforts to achieve peace and prosperity of the Korean peninsula”, said Kim You-geun, a national security official at the Blue House. Seoul’s unification ministry filed a police complaint against two defector groups on Thursday over leaflet launches.
Human Rights Watch condemned the ministry’s decision, accusing Seoul of “kowtowing” to Pyongyang’s threats. “Instead of proposing a blanket ban on sending balloons with messages and materials to the North, President Moon should publicly demand that North Korea respect freedom of expression and stop censoring what North Koreans can see,” said Phil Robertson, the group’s deputy Asia director, in a statement.
“President Moon and his colleagues fought for much of their lives and careers to protect human rights in South Korea,” he added. “It is shameful how President Moon and his government are totally unwilling to stand up for the rights of North Koreans.”
Seoul’s moves come after Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s powerful younger sister and key adviser, condemned the leaflet launches last week. Pyongyang has since issued a series of statements and held several citizens’ rallies on the subject, with the official KCNA news agency describing leaflet scattering as “an act of a preemptive attack that precedes a war”.
Jihadists kill dozens in Nigeria attacks
Jihadists linked to the Islamic State group killed dozens of people in the latest of a flurry of bloody attacks in northeast Nigeria, local sources said on Sunday, June 14.
Inhabitants of remote Goni Usmanti village told AFP that fighters gunned down 38 people in a raid on Saturday and set a truck ablaze killing an unknown number of passengers. Separately, security sources and residents said the death toll from a second attack Saturday on the town of Monguno, 60-km away, had risen to 15, including nine soldiers.
The killings are the latest in a spike of assaults by fighters believed to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction after they massacred 81 people at a village in the area on Tuesday.
Jihadists in pickup trucks on Saturday shot dead fleeing residents in Goni Usmanti after brief clashes with members of a local government-backed militia, sources said. “The insurgents killed 38 people, including six vigilantes who put up a fight before they were overpowered,” local self-defence group leader Babakura Kolo said.
Resident Grema Nuwaisu gave the same toll and said the fighters had opened fire on a lorry loaded with traders, burning the vehicle and those inside. “We don’t know how many people were on the lorry which was full,” Nuwaisu said.
“It was completely burnt, making it difficult to identify bodies. Only two passengers jumped off the truck and escaped.” The same group of jihadists was then believed to have carried out an attack on the strategic garrison town of Monguno several hours later. Security sources and residents on Sunday raised the death toll from that assault from six to 15 as more bodies were discovered.
“The number of those killed is now 15, including nine soldiers, a vigilante and five civilians,” said government-backed militia member Bukar Ari. He said several residents wounded by “stray bullets and shrapnel” were being treated at a clinic run by an international charity.
Monguno home to a key army base and tens of thousands of people displaced by the region’s decade-long insurgency has been repeatedly targeted by jihadists.
Mass grave found in Sudan
Sudan’s public prosecutor announced on Monday, June 15 the discovery of a mass grave of conscripts killed in 1998 after trying to flee a military camp.
The committee tasked with investigating the killings at Ailafoon military camp “found the mass grave in the past four days after hearing witness accounts”, said public prosecutor Tagelsir al-Hebr, without giving details on the number of bodies found. “The grave was exhumed and now the committee will continue to work with forensic authorities and examine the evidence,” said Wael Ali Saeed, a member of the investigation committee.
The Ailafoon military camp, located southeast of the capital Khartoum, was used for training new conscripts under the rule of now ousted president Omar al-Bashir. In 1998, a group of conscripts were killed as they attempted to escape the base for the Muslim Eid-ul-Azha holidays. The Sudanese government said at the time that 55 young conscripts who fled the military base drowned when their overloaded boat capsized in the Blue Nile river.
Saudi-led Yemen coalition pulled from UN blacklist
Campaigners reacted angrily on Monday, June 15 to the removal of the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen from a list of groups violating children´s rights, in a report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen will be delisted for the violation of killing and maiming, following a sustained significant decrease… due to air strikes,” said the UN´s newly-published annual report on children in conflict zones. It said the toll had fallen since an agreement signed in March 2019. The coalition intervened in 2015 in Yemen to support the government against Iran-backed Huthi rebels. It has been widely blamed for civilian casualties in bombing raids that campaigners say have pushed the country deeper into crisis. Human Rights Watch denounced Guterres for dropping the coalition from the “list of shame,” saying he was “ignoring the UN´s own evidence of continued grave violations against children.”
The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict said that “by absolving the Saudi and Emirati-led coalition of any responsibility for killing and maiming children in Yemen, the UN Secretary-General has left children vulnerable to further attacks.”
It said the coalition was responsible for the death or injury of 222 children in Yemen last year. Inger Ashing of Save the Children called it a “shocking decision” by Guterres. But the secretary general´s envoy for children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba, said the UN had come “under no pressure” from Saudi Arabia and that the removal from the list was based on data.
Children among 13 killed in air strikes in Yemen
Thirteen people, including children, were killed in air strikes in Yemen´s northern province of Saada, the rebels sources said Tuesday, June 16 as international aid groups condemned the raids. Iran-backed Huthi rebels and Yemen´s internationally recognised government supported by a Saudi-led military coalition have been at war since 2014, creating what the United Nations calls the world´s worst crisis. The Huthis´ Al-Masirah TV said 13 people, including four children, were killed late Monday in coalition air strikes on their vehicle in the rebel stronghold of Saada.
US counter-terror analyst sentenced to 30 months for leaks
A former counter-terrorism analyst at the US Defence Intelligence Agency was sentenced to 30 months in prison on Thursday, June 18 for leaking classified information to journalists, including details about foreign countries’ weapons systems.
Henry Kyle Frese, 31, of Alexandria, Virginia, pleaded guilty in February to transmitting top secret defense information to two journalists, one of whom he lived with.
“When this information was published, it was shared with all of our nation’s adversaries, creating a risk of exceptionally grave harm to the security of this country,” Assistant Attorney General John Demers said in a statement.
The Justice Department said Frese leaked information to two unnamed journalists in 2018 and 2019. One news outlet, which was also not named, published eight articles containing classified information.
Frese searched restricted government computer systems at least 30 times in 2018 for information to pass on verbally to the two journalists, according to the Justice Department. He also sent some secret information via private messages on social media. The journalists involved appeared to work for CNBC and NBC News, according to US media.
CNBC, citing “sources with direct knowledge of US intelligence reports,” reported in May 2018 that China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on the contested Spratly Islands.
