(Combined effort of PATHFINDER GROUP Task Force)
Bombs Blasts/IEDs
One civilian was injured in a blast at a cycle repairing shop in Bannu District on February 13, reports The Express Tribune. Police said that the shop owner Gul Noor was seriously injured in the explosion who had been shifted to a nearby hospital where his condition is stated to be critical. Police believed this to be an extortion case.
Targetted Killings
The bullet-riddled bodies of a man and his son were recovered from the seasonal river Gorak in the Buleda road area of Kech District in Balochistan on January 31, reports Dawn. The victims, identified as Saleh Mohammad and his son Raza Shah, were abducted on January 22 at gunpoint.
One Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Inspector Khushdil was killed and another personnel injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on a vehicle outside Central Prison in Peshawar on January 30, reports ARY News. The assailants managed to escape.
A brother of two senior Police officers was shot dead in the Satellite town area of Turbat city in Kech District on February 8, reports Dawn. Hafiz Abdul Karim was attacked when he was going home after attending a ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ function in Turbat. The attackers managed to escape. The victim died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds. The elder brothers of the deceased Khalid Dashti and Hussain Dashti are SHO Pasni and Sub-Inspector in the Special Branch, respectively. No one has claimed responsibility for the killing.
Three labourers of Punjabi ethnicity were shot dead as they slept and another was injured by unidentified assailants in Killi Khurasani area of Mangochar tehsil (revenue unit) in Kalat District on February 9, reports Dawn. All the victims belonged to the Sadiqabad tehsil of Rahim Yar Khan District in Punjab..
An Ahmadi doctor, Dr Abdul Qadir, was shot dead by unidentified assailants within the remits of the Inquilab Police Station in Peshawar on February 11, reports Samaa TV. Saleemuddin, a spokesperson for the Jamaat Ahmadiyya, confirmed that the man who died in the attack was an Ahmadi.
Two brothers were gunned down in a targeted attack in main bazaar on Mir Ali Tehsil Road in North Waziristan District February 13, reports The Express Tribune. Unidentified masked assailants opened fire at Ziaudin, killing him on the spot and leaving two others injured. The assailants managed to escape after committing the crime.
Miscellaneous
Personnel of Counter Terrorism Department Operation 1 (CTD Op1) conducted a joint operation with officials of an intelligence agency in Surjani Town of Karachi on January 27 and arrested the cadre of a banned militant outfit, Zainabiyoun Brigade, reports The Express Tribune. The arrested cadre was identified as Syed Muhammad Abbas Jaffery alias Sabbas.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on January 11 foiled a terrorism bid in Khuzdar District and seized 10 hand grenades from a passenger van, reports ARY News.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on January 28 arrested two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants from Qayyumabad area of Karachi on January 28, reports Dawn. “The suspects were arrested during a combing operation conducted in Qayyumabad. Two hand grenades, one bomb and three pistols were recovered from their possession.
The chief of Lashkar-i-Islam (LI), Mangal Bagh, was killed along with three other militants in a landmine explosion in Achin District of Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan on January 28, reports Dawn. The death was confirmed by Nangarhar’s Governor Zia-ul-Haq Amarkhel.
Three members of the Lyari gang war were arrested by the Rangers during separate operations in Karachi on January 30, reports The Express Tribune. The Paramilitary Force arrested a most wanted Lyari gangster, Ismail alias Petra. The Rangers arrested two more suspected Lyari gangsters, identified as Ismail Patni and Sameer Shaikh, said to be working for an on the run Lyari gang war leader, Ahmed Ali Magsi on January 30, reports The Express Tribune. The arrests were made during joint operations with the Police.
The Levies Force foiled a terrorism plot by recovering a cache of arms and ammunitions from Dasht area of Mastung District in Balochistan on January 30, reports ARY News. The Quick Response Wing of the Levies conducted a raid in the hilly terrain of Dasht area and recovered five RPG 7 rocket launchers, 20 RPG 7 rocket rounds, two light machine-guns and 4000 rounds, one AGL launcher and its nine rounds, an auto grenade launcher, 500 grenade detonators and 50 detonators of bombs.
Four militants and two soldiers were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) operation in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan District on February 3, reports ARY News. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Security Forces observed presence of militants in a compound in Mir Ali area. As soon as the troops cordoned off the area, militants opened fire on them. During the exchange of fire, four militants and two soldiers were killed.
One terrorist was killed and five others including a foreigner were arrested after an exchange of fire with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) team raided on a house in Shah Latif Town area of Karachi in the early morning of February 8, reports ARY News. Explosive material, suicide jackets, and a rickshaw laden with explosive material were recovered from the arrested terrorist. The recovery includes four suicide jackets, 15 hand grenades, four Kalashnikov, two rocket launchers and hundreds of bullets.
Four soldiers and four militants were killed during a clash after militants opened fire on a Security Forces (SFs) check post in Makeen area of South Waziristan District on the night of February 11, reports Dawn. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that troops responded promptly and killed four terrorists.
PAKISTAN
Supreme Court releases prime accused in Daniel Pearl murder case
The Supreme Court on January 28 ordered the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the main convicted of beheading United States journalist Daniel Pearl, reports Daily Times. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, who was the main suspect in the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal Reporter Pearl, was released by a bench of three judges. “By a majority of two to one, they have acquitted all the accused persons and ordered their release,” Provincial Advocate General Salman Talibuddin said. “The court has come out to say that there is no offence that he has committed in this case,” Mahmood Sheikh, who represented Sheikh, said. He added that the court had ordered that three others, who had been sentenced to life in prison for their part in Pearl’s kidnapping and death, also be freed.
A Sindh High court (SHC) division bench on April 2, 2020, had commuted the death sentence of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh to seven years and acquitted three others who were serving life terms. The Sindh Government had swiftly challenged the April 2 order in the Supreme Court. The Sindh Government had also immediately detained the four men under Section 3 (1) of West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960. “The decision is a complete travesty of justice and the release of these killers puts in danger journalists everywhere and the people of Pakistan,” the Pearl family said in a statement released by their lawyer.
Al Qaida chief Osama bin Laden used to support, fund former PM Nawaz Sharif, says former ambassador to the US Abida Hussain
Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States (US) Abida Hussain on January 30 revealed that al Qaida chief Osama bin Laden had supported and funded former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, reports Daily Times. “Yes, he (Osama Bin Laden) supported Mian Nawaz Sharif at one time. However, that is a complicated story. He (Osama) used to extend financial assistance (to Nawaz Sharif,” she said in an interview with a private television channel. Abida, also a former Cabinet Minister of Nawaz Sharif’s Government, recalled that at one time, Osama Bin Laden was popular and liked by everyone including the Americans but later, he was treated as a ‘stranger’.
She said she was appointed as an ambassador during the first premiership of Nawaz Sharif, after she lost the election. She said during her stint as envoy to the US, most of her communication used to be with the then President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.
To a question, she said though she used to be spied in the US, she had no such suspicious activities which could be used against her by the intelligence agencies. Asked about the mode of communication between her and President Ishaq Khan in the absence of modern tools, she said during the 18 months, she visited Pakistan for five times to brief the president.
As the nuclear program was under the purview of the president, she said, most of her conversation used to be with him, not the prime minister. This is also because President Ghulam Ishaq Khan did not trust anyone, she added. Asked whether being prime minister, Nawaz Sharif did not feel bad over being bypassed in communication with the president, she said, “He never expressed it.” Abida Hussain said though Pakistan had started its nuclear program in 1983 during Ziaul Haq’s regime, it was completed in 1992. She also revealed that she was made ambassador on the President’s recommendation.
Three militants killed near Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Three militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) near the Pak-Afghan border in Lower Dir District on February 1, reports ARY News. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Security Forces conducted an IBO to thwart an infiltration attempt by militants close to the Pak-Afghan border. During an exchange of fire, three militants, identified as Abid, Yusuf Khan and Abdul Sattar, were killed. A cache of arms, ammunition, and hand grenades were recovered from their possession of the slain militants. These militants remained involved in several target killing incidents at Swat District in 2019.
CTD arrests most wanted terrorist in Karachi city
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested a most wanted terrorist, Zakir Raza alias Nadeem, named in ‘Red Book’ during a raid in Karachi on February 2, reports ARY News. The CTD spokesperson said that he is a close aide of another terrorist, Abbas Raza, who had received weapons training from a neighbouring country. During the interrogation, Zakir Raza revealed that he had also received automatic weapons and tactical training from a neighbouring country following the advice of Abbas Raza, who is also named as a most-wanted terrorist in Red Book. The spokesperson said that the arrested terrorist used to brainwash and motivate people in Karachi and Punjab province for carrying out religious, sectarian terrorism besides facilitating members of the banned outfit in its activities.
Two persons killed and 28 others injured in two separate blasts targeting ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ rallies in Balochistan
At least two people were killed and four others injured in an explosion near the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office on Inscomb Road in Quetta on February 5, reports Dawn. Quetta DC Major (retired) Aurangzeb Badini said the Quetta blast was targeted at a Kashmir Solidarity Day rally that was passing from the area.
Earlier in the day, at least 24 people were injured in a blast targeting a Kashmir Solidarity Day rally at Luni Chowk in Sibi District, reports Dawn. Sibi Station House Officer Wazir Khan Marri said unidentified persons on a motorcycle lobbed a hand grenade at Luni Chowk, which resulted in injuries to 24 persons. Baloch Republican Army (BRA) claimed the responsibility of the blast, adds The Balochistan Post. BRA ‘spokesperson’ said through a tweet that “we did a grenade attack on a Kashmir Day rally organized by Pakistani intelligence agencies in Sibi, injuring more than a dozen state workers. The purpose of such rallies is to cover up the ongoing state atrocities in occupied Balochistan which is not acceptable by Baloch nation”.
Afghanistan – Internal Dynamics
Al-Qaeda ‘gaining strength’ in Afghanistan, tells US Treasury report
The US Treasury Department said that the al-Qaeda is gaining strength in Afghanistan while “continuing to operate with the Taliban under the group’s protection,” reports Tolo News on January 26. “Al-Qaeda broadly still depends on donations from likeminded supporters, and from individuals who believe that their money is supporting humanitarian or charitable causes,” it said in a report released on January 4. The US Treasury Department also said that “al-Qaeda capitalizes on its relationship with the Taliban through its network of mentors and advisers who are embedded with the Taliban, providing advice, guidance, and financial support.” “Senior Haqqani network figures have discussed forming a new joint unit of armed fighters in cooperation with and funded by al-Qaeda,” report said.
Taliban ‘not willing to engage’ say Nader Nadery the republican negotiating team
A member of the peace negotiating team representing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Nader Nadery, in the talks with the Taliban, has accused the group of not showing interest in attending the formal meetings to end the war in the country over the past nine days, reports Tolo News on January 26.“Peace and ending the violence are our people and our government’s top priority. To achieve this noble goal the peace negotiation team of the Republic is committed and present in Doha. Nine days that formal meetings are not held and the other side is not willing to engage in talks to end the conflict and save lives,” said Nadery.
3000 Civilians killed in Afghanistan in 2020, says AIHRC annual report
The annual report of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) shows that over 3,000 civilians in Afghanistan were killed due to war and violence in 2020, reports Tolo News on January 27. 5,000 civilians were injured in war in 2020. The report states that civilian casualties in Afghanistan dropped 21 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. Notably, unknown armed groups were the second highest cause of casualties after the Taliban,
Iran would like the Afghan peace process out from under the monopoly of ‘certain nations’, says Bahadur Aminian
The Iranian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Bahadur Aminian, said that Iran would like the Afghan peace process out from under the monopoly of ‘certain nations,’ reports Tolo News on January 27. “The Taliban are part of the reality in Afghanistan that needs to be merged into the structure of Afghanistan and the present structures of the country. But the peace process should come out from under the monopoly of certain countries and must be returned to its real track. I think the conditions that we see today in Doha aren’t the conditions to help ensure the interest of the Afghan people,” said Aminian, the Iranian envoy to Kabul.
Taliban violence remains high despite peace efforts, says NSC
National Security Council (NSC), on January 29 said that Taliban violence has “increased” after they signed the peace deal with the United States last year in February and the group has maintained ties with al-Qaeda, reports Tolo News. The NSC spokesman Rahmatullah Andar said that 11 al-Qaeda members were arrested recently by Afghan forces and that “they were operating in the ranks of the Taliban.” “Three of those arrested are key members of the network,” Andar said.
Eight Soldiers killed in suicide attack in Nangarhar Province
Eight soldiers were killed in a suicide attack when a suicide bomber blew up a military truck full of explosives in Gandmak village in Shirzad District in Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan on January 30, reports Bakhtar News. Ataullah Khogyani, spokesman for Nangarhar governor said, eight soldiers were martyred in the attack and the blast was so intense that several village houses were destroyed in 150 meters distance. No militants group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Five SF personnel escorting ‘UN convoy’ killed in an ambush on Kabul-Jalalabad highway
Five members of the Afghan Directorate of Protection Service were killed when they were escorting a United Nations (UN) envoy on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway in Surobi District of Kabul Province, reports The Khaama Press on February 11. “The UN family in Afghanistan mourns the loss of five Afghan Directorate of Protection Service personnel in an incident today in Surobi District of Kabul. No UN personnel were hurt or vehicle affected in an attack which hit a DPS vehicle that was escorting a UN convoy,” the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan tweeted.
Taliban Controls 52% of Territory in Afghanistan, says a survey
A survey by Pajhwok Afghan News Agency shows that the Taliban controls at least 52 per cent of territory in Afghanistan while 59 per cent of the population lives in areas under the Government’s control, reports Tolo News on February 13. The survey was conducted between November 30, 2020 to February 3, 2021. During the survey, 1,266 people were interviewed through questionnaires and telephonic conversations. The questionnaires, three papers in total, were distributed to three people in each part of the country.
The survey shows that the areas under the Taliban control are 337,000 square kilometers while the areas under the Government’s control are 297,000 square kilometers, but 18,000 square kilometers is said to be under the control of none of the parties. The findings reveal that the Taliban has full control over 27 Districts while the Government fully controls 64 Districts. The remaining 297 Districts are controlled by both, the survey indicates.
Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics
Two Allahr Dal cadres arrested in Gaibandha District
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a raid arrested two cadres of banned extremist outfit Allahor Dal from Merirhat Bazar of Gaibandha District in Rangpur Division on January 28, reports New Age. The arrested were identified as Mohamad Abdul Alim Mandal (42) and Mohamad Shafiul Islam (28). RAB recovered jihadi books, leaflets and a mobile phone set from them.
Four Ansar-Al-Islam cadres arrested in Dhaka city
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on February 1, arrested four cadres of Ansar-Al-Islam from Paltan and Vatara areas of Dhaka city in Dhaka District of Dhaka Division, reports Prothom Alo. The arrestees were identified as Mohamad Abdul Wahab alias Siratul Mustakim (30), Mohamad Belal Hossain alias Khorshan Mujahid (22), Mosammat Jhumur (18), Mohamad Nazmul (17). 11 books on extremism, 21 leaflets and documents of some 167 conversations on militants’ activities were recovered from their possessions.
Two Rohingya drug dealers killed by BGB in Bandarban District
Two Rohingya drug dealers were killed in a gunfight with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Bandarban District’s Ghumdhum border area on February 8, reports Daily Star. The dead were identified as Mohammad Zobair and Dil Mohammad from Kutupalong Rohingya camp.Two BGB members were also injured in the incident, the BGB official said. Acting on a tip off, a team of BGB-34 Battalion conducted a drive at Garjanbania Chakmapara in Naikkhangchhari sub-district. One lakh yaba pills were seized and two guns, four cartridges and two bullets were recovered from the spot. A case was filed in this connection.
Eight Ansar-al-Islam cadres sentenced to death for murdering Jagriti Prakashani publisher in 2015
The Dhaka Anti-terrorism Special Tribunal on February 10 sentenced eight cadres of the banned extremist outfit Ansar-al-Islam, also known as the Ansarullah Bangla Team, to death for murdering Jagriti Prakashani publisher Foysal Arefin Dipon on October 31, 2015, reports New Age. Six of the convicts Moinul Hasan Shamim (24), Mohamad Abdus Sabur (23), Khairul Islam (24), Mohamad Abu Siddique Sohel (34), Mohamad Mozammel Hossain Saimon (25), Mohamad Sheikh Abdullah (27), all ABT members, heard the verdict from the dock without showing any emotional response. Ansar-al-Islam leaders — sacked Army Major Syed Ziaul Haque alias Zia and Akram Hossain — faced the trial in absentia and are still in hiding.
India – Internal Dynamics
Four civilians killed in separate incidents in Chhattisgarh
Two villagers identified as – Ramsay Gadve (30) and Inder Sai Mandavi (75), were abducted and later killed by Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres on suspicion of being ‘Police informers’ at the Kohka Police Station limits in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh on January 26, reports The News Indian Express.
Suspected Maoists killed a contractor, identified as Dharmendra Garg, near Koter village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on January 25, reports Hindustan Times.
On January 24, a Deputy Sarpanch (head of the Panchayat, village level local self-Government institution), identified as Bajaram Korram, was killed by Maoists in Kermapal village in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh, reports Hindustan Times.
Arms and Ammunition recovered in Assam
A huge cache of illegal arms and ammunition were recovered on January 27 from Lauti area under Karigaon PP of Kokrajhar District in Assam, reports Northeast Now. Arms and ammunition including eleven AK 56 Rifles, five AK 47 Rifles, three AK Magazine, 7.62 mm live ammunitions – 151, six pistols Astra 600 and a magazine of a pistol were recovered from underground concealment.
JMB was hoarding PETN to target India and Bangladesh for establishment of Sharia Law, states STF of Kolkata Police
The Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police on January 27, told a city court that Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), had been stockpiling pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) to carry out “subversive activities across India and Bangladesh to establish Sharia Law by demolishing existing democratic governments of these countries, reports The Times of India. The STF also listed some most-wanted names in the outfit — Salauddin Saleh being one of them. The others — Mintu Khan, Abdul Hamid Tejamuul, Jiyad, Minarul Moulabi and Arif alias Ali – are key conspirators, the STF claimed. Mintu and Arif are Bangladeshi nationals. Police made this submission when one of the arrested JMB operatives Abul Quasham (22), applied for bail. The court, in light of the evidence presented by the state, rejected the bail plea.
Maoists kill a DRG personnel in Chhattisgarh
A constable of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), identified as Somdu Ram Poyam alias Mallesh, was hacked to death with sharp weapons by the cadres of Communist Party of India-Maoist in Kotrapal village under Jangla Police Station limits in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on January 28, reports The Pioneer. The Maoists also set his body on fire after assaulting and hacking him to death. Poyam was a surrendered Maoist, who had joined the DRG after giving up arms in 2014. He had gone to meet his relatives in the village where the Maoists killed him brutally in front of his family.
Death threat against Israeli Ambassador to India left at site of New Delhi blast, says report
A letter found close to the scene of a blast outside the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi was a death threat to the Ambassador that warned he was being constantly being watched and could be attacked at any time, timesofisrael.com reports on January 31. The handwritten note, in English, but riddled with grammatical and spelling errors, was addressed to Israel’s Ambassador, Ron Malka, and referred to him as a “terrorist of the terrorist nation.” It claimed to be from the India Hizbollah, a group that is not previously known. “This is just a trailer presented to you, that how we can observe you,” even when “eating your pie,” the letter began.
Warning that Malka is in their crosshairs, the letter said “you cannot stop anyway no matter how hard you would pick, we can end your life anytime anywhere.” It said that while the attackers want to destroy Malka “we don’t want [to] flow the blood of innocent people around you.” It then listed “martyrs” Qassem Soleimani — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander who was killed in a January 2020 United States drone strike, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a top Iraqi militia ‘commander’ who was killed along with Soleimani, and Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the architect of Iran’s nuclear program, killed in a November 2020 attack Tehran has blamed on Israel.
STF trooper killed in IED blast in Chhattisgarh
A jawan (trooper) of the Special Task Force (STF) was killed when a pressure Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted by the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), went off in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on February 7, reports The Telegraph. The incident occurred around 4.30pm near Peddagellur village when a joint team of Security Forces (SFs) was out on an anti-Maoist operation.
Monthly Fatalities
The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period Jan 26, 2021 to Feb 25, 2021:
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
NC announces fresh protests against HoR dissolution
The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) on January 26 announced to stage fresh protest programs against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s move to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR), reports Republica. A Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the party held in Sanepa made a decision to stage mass protests across the country on February 1, February 6 and February 12. The decision was made after a consensus was reached between President Sher Bahadur Deuba and rival faction leader Ram Chandra Paudel.
NHRC urges Government to respect citizens’ right to freedom of expression, peaceful assemblies
A day after Police applied force to disperse a protest organized by civil society activists at Baluwatar in Kathmandu, where the official residence of the Prime Minister is located, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on January 26 urged the Government to respect the citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assemblies, reports Republica. The NHRC reiterated that Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights-1948, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 and Article 17 of the Constitution of Nepal have ensured the right to freedom of opinion and expression and to assemble peaceably and without arms. “The use of excessive force goes against the national and international laws,” reads the statement. “The commission urges the government to be sensitive in this regard.” The rights body also drew the attention of the Government not to violate, under any pretext, the citizens’ fundamental right to freedom of expression.
CIEDP starts distributing identity cards to kin of people who disappeared during Maoist insurgency
With just two weeks left in its tenure, the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) on January 28 started distributing identity cards to the kin of people who disappeared during the Maoist insurgency, reports Kathmandu Post. Families of 21 people who disappeared during the Maoist insurgency, received their identity cards in the presence of Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali in Bardiya. Representatives of the victims, however, aren’t happy with the identity cards as they are not associated with any Government facility or concession. They allege that the commission is distributing cards just to show the Government that they have been working hard. Suman Adhikari, founding chairperson of Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP) told “What is the meaning of holding the cards when it is of no use to the victims? This is nothing but a sham to show that the commission is working hard. The government should announce some facilities for cardholders.”
Four fringe communist parties declare United Front
Four fringe communist parties on February 11 declared United Front, reports Khabarhub. The outlawed Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand), the Nepal Communist Party-Revolutionary Maoist (NCP-Revolutionary Maoist) led by Mohan Baidya, Nepal Communist Party led by Rishi Ram Kattel and the Scientific Socialist Communist Party led by Bishwabhakta Dulal formed a front after a joint meeting. The objective of the joint front between the parties is to establish a people’s republic and the scientific socialist system by ending the ‘reactionary parliamentary system’ and state power, they said in a joint statement. The names of 12 people including CP Gajurel, Rishi Ram Kattel, Jagrat Rayamajhi, and Dhan Kumari Sunar have been made public in the Central Committee. The parties have also decided the programs of the first phase of the struggle. They have stated in a statement that they will hold rallies in Butwal on February 18, Dhangadhi on February 26, and Itahari on March 2 and will make public the programs of the second phase of the struggle after the first phase.
Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics
No concrete information on foreign links in Easter Sunday suicide attacks, says former CID Director Shani Abeysekara
Former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara on January 25 testified before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing Easter Sunday attacks said that there was no concrete information on foreign links that involved in the Easter Sunday suicide attacks at the time he was serving as the Director of the CID, reports Daily Mirror. Appearing before the Commission, former CID Director Abeysekara said that he was not aware of the present status pertaining to the investigation into the Easter Sunday attack, but said immediately after the suicide attacks that took place during his tenure as the CID Director, there were no verified or concrete information on any foreign links to the attack.
UN report calls on international community to take action against increasing militarization and right violations in Sri Lanka
A new United Nations (UN) report published on January 27 warning that human right violations are increasing in Sri Lanka called on the international community to enhance monitoring and take measures to prevent recurrence of the policies and practices that gave rise to grave human rights violations in the past, reports Colombo Page. The report prepared by the UN Human Rights Office warns that the failure of Sri Lanka to address past violations has significantly heightened the risk of human rights violations being repeated. It highlights worrying trends over the past year, such as deepening impunity, increasing militarization of governmental functions, ethno-nationalist rhetoric, and intimidation of civil society.
Sri Lanka won’t be swayed by foreign dictates, says Highways Minister Johnston Fernando
Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said Sri Lanka will not be governed according to the dictates of other countries and organizations, reports Daily News on February 1. He said “The UN Human Rights Commissioner who accused Sri Lanka on various matters has not seen how the previous Yahapalana government harassed and jailed opponents by influencing the Police and the Judiciary. It is obvious that this Human Rights Commissioner is acting to the Opposition’s stance. Ministers and MPs of the former Yahapalana regime worked against the independence of the Judiciary by making various influences on Judges and Police officers. However, this Human Rights Commissioner did not utter any word against them. Today, military officers are engaged in administration in various fields. That is really a good move. We know how Security Forces personnel contributed to eradicate terrorism and also minimizing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic here. We cannot forget how the Security Forces acted in protecting people during the Easter Sunday attack.”
Government has decided to reject Report by United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, says Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila
Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila on February 3 said that the Government has decided to reject the Report by the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka as it has acted in violation of the mandates and non-submission of reliable evidence, reports Daily News. He made this observation during a press conference held in Colombo. Bachelet’s report which alleges HR violations in Sri Lanka has been published in several media outlets on January 27.
Islamic State has followers in Sri Lanka, says UN report
The 27th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of United Nations (UN), released on February 3, 2021, said that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has followers in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Gazette on February 7. The report said that the Member States expressed concern at the rising number of ISIL sympathizers in cyberspace in South Asia. The report said that ‘Voice of Hind’, the only regional ISIL English-language outlet, was started in early 2020 and is published regularly, and has followers in Sri Lanka. In June 2020, Shahab al-Muhajir, also known as Sanaullah, was appointed by the ISIL core to lead ISIL-K. According to a Member State, al-Muhajir was also appointed chief of the Al-Sadiq office of ISIL, which covers the “Khorasan” region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Central Asian States.
INTERNATIONAL
Singapore teen planned mosque attacks
A Singaporean teenager planned to attack two mosques in the city-state on the anniversary of a massacre of Muslim worshippers in New Zealand, authorities said on Wednesday, Jan 27. The 16-year-old — picked up in December — made “detailed plans and preparations” to mount the attacks using a machete on March 15, two years after a shooting rampage in Christchurch by Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant, security officials said.
The male student had prepared statements to be released before the attacks, one of which “borrowed heavily from Tarrant’s manifesto”, they said. One described the New Zealand long-wolf gunman as a “saint” and the Christchurch attacks as “justifiable”.
As well as picking the same date as the New Zealand attacks, he intended to livestream the assaults, as Tarrant did, and drive between the attack sites. The teen, now held under a tough security law that allows for detention without trial, decided to use a machete for the attacks after failing to buy a gun online.
Myanmar anti-coup protests grow as army broadens internet crackdown
Myanmar saw its largest anti-coup protests yet on Saturday, Feb 7 with young demonstrators spilling on to the streets to denounce the country’s new military regime, despite a nationwide internet blackout aimed at stifling a growing chorus of popular dissent.
Soon before nearly all lines of communication in and out of the country went dark, an Australian adviser to ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi told media he had been detained. The shutdown did not stop thousands of demonstrators from gathering across Myanmar’s largest city on Saturday, beginning on a road near Yangon University where many flashed the three-finger salute that has come to symbolise resistance to the army takeover.
A large riot police contingent blocked nearby roads, with two water cannon trucks parked at the scene. At least two other groups of demonstrators marched south to downtown Yangon’s Sule Pagoda, carrying posters of Suu Kyi and president Win Myint to call for their release.
Further north in Mandalay, as many as 2,000 people were also protesting, AFP reporters on the ground said.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said a special envoy to the country had made “first contact” with Myanmar’s deputy military commander to urge the junta to return power to the civilian government. State media in Myanmar reported on Saturday that officials had spoken with diplomats the previous day to respond to the international outcry.
Iraq hangs five ‘terrorism’ convicts
Iraq on Tuesday, Feb 9 hanged five people convicted on “terrorism” charges in a notorious southern prison, security sources said, despite an international outcry in recent months over the country’s execution record.
Protests erupt in Sudan
Protests broke out on Tuesday, Feb 9 in a key port city, the restive Darfur region and other parts of Sudan over the rising cost of living, witnesses and state media said. A new government team including rebel leaders has been tasked with fixing an economy decimated by decades of US sanctions, mismanagement and civil war under now-ousted president Omar-al-Bashir.
Three killed in Mogadishu car bomb
Three people were killed and eight wounded after a car bomb detonated near a security checkpoint in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday, Feb 13 a security official and witnesses said.
“The police were chasing the hostile vehicle after spotting it a few kilometres away from where it exploded,” the official, Abdirahman Mohamed, told AFP. “Three civilians died according to the information we have received so far and eight others are wounded,” he said.
The police opened fire on the vehicle and chased it and this allowed many people to flee. This has really limited the number of casualties the blast could have caused.”
Jihadists kill three soldiers in NE Nigeria
Jihadists killed at least three soldiers and two others were missing in an ambush on their convoy in northeast Nigeria, military sources told AFP on Saturday, Feb 13.
Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) opened fire on the convoy in Barwanti village in the Lake Chad area late Friday, after a landmine they had planted exploded under one of its trucks.
The convoy was heading to the fishing town of Baga on the shores of Lake Chad, ISWAP’s major stronghold when it was ambushed. The Jihadist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP are both very active in Nigeria’s northeast.
Several American contractors wounded: Iraq rocket attack kills foreigner
A volley of rockets targeting an airbase in Iraq’s Kurdistan region killed a foreign civilian contractor and wounded five others and a US soldier, the US-led coalition said on Tuesday, Feb 16. The attack late on Monday was the first time in nearly two months that Western military or diplomatic installations have been targeted in Iraq, after a string of similar incidents. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for an investigation and promised to “hold accountable those responsible”.
“Several American contractors” appeared to have been wounded he added, without giving further details. Former US president Donald Trump had threatened that the killing of an American national in such a rocket attack would prompt a mass bombing campaign in Iraq. Iraqi and Western security sources told AFP that at least three rockets were fired in the direction of the city’s airport, where foreign troops are based as part of an international alliance fighting the Islamic State group.
The Kurdistan region’s interior ministry confirmed “several rockets” had hit the city and said security agencies had launched a “detailed investigation”, urging civilians to stay home until further notice.
Western military and diplomatic sites have been targeted by dozens of rockets and roadside bombs since late 2019, with both foreign and Iraqi personnel killed. In December 2019, a US contractor was killed in a rocket attack on a base in Kirkuk province, prompting the US to respond with air strikes against Kataeb Hizbullah.
Colombian mly accused of extra judicial killings
Colombia’s military carried out at least 6,400 extra-judicial killings and presented them as combat deaths from 2002 to 2008, a special court set up under a peace accord said on Thursday, Feb 18.
That number is almost three times higher than previous estimates. The court, called the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, is investigating crimes and atrocities committed during half a century of armed conflict between government troops and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Marxist rebels who laid down arms following the historic 2016 peace accord
Libyan minister survives attack
The powerful interior minister of Libya’s unity government survived an assassination attempt on Sunday, Feb 20 an aide said, sparking fears of resurgent violence despite UN-led peace efforts. Fathi Bashagha’s convoy “was fired on from an armoured car while he was on the highway” near the capital Tripoli, seat of the Government of National Accord (GNA), a member of his inner circle said.
