Combined effort of PATHFINDER GROUP Task Force
Bombs Blasts/IEDs
At least five labourers of Punjabi ethnicity were killed and five others, including two security personnel injured in a bomb blast some 30 kilometers away from Sibi town on March 5, reports Samaa TV. The vehicle carrying the labourers hit a roadside bomb.
Four children were injured in an explosion outside the office of the Deputy superintendent of Police in Ubauro town of Ghotki District in Sindh on March 7, reports Samaa TV. According to witnesses, the children were playing in the area when the explosion occurred.
A Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) official was killed and 10 others, including two Rangers personnel, were injured in an explosion in Orangi Town of Karachi on March 15, reports Dawn. Karachi West District Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Suhai Aziz said the attack was apparently directed at the Rangers personnel who were passing through the area in a vehicle when the bomb fitted in a parked motorcycle went off. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack through their social media account.
Targetted Killings
A prayer leader and two children were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Barakahu area of Islamabad on February 28, reports ARY News. According to Police, the prayer leader, identified as Mufti Ikram, was killed while one of the children killed in the attack was his 13-year-old son and the other one was his student. The three were shot multiple times.
Afghan Taliban leader Maulvi Abdul Hadi was shot dead by unidentified assailants near his residence in Charsadda Road of Peshawar on February 28, reports The Express Tribune. The deceased, whose age is said to be between 50 to 55, was an Afghan Taliban commander and a local Governor in Afghanistan.
A head constable, identified as Qasim, was killed and an inspector, Jameel, and a constable, Qaisar, were injured in an attack when they were on patrolling duty in Sector G-13 area of Islamabad on March 7, reports Samaa TV.
Racecourse Station House Officer (SHO) Imran Abbas was killed after unidentified assailants opened fire at this vehicle on Jhelum Road in Rawalpindi on March 7, reports Samaa TV. He was travelling with his family when the attack occurred.
Two bullet-riddled bodies were found in the Darpa Khel area of North Waziristan District on March 9, reports The Express Tribune. Two persons, identified as Habibullah and Shafqatullah, were whisked away a few days ago from Darpa Khel.
A shepherd, identified as Dawar Gul, was left seriously injured when he stepped on a land mine in Darpa Khel on March 9, reports The Express Tribune.
A traffic warden was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle riders at a checkpoint near Railway Carriage Factory in Rawalpindi in the night of March 11, reports Dawn. The victim was identified as Sub-Inspector Mohammad Naveed (38). This is the third incident in the twin cities during the last five days as two other police officials were targeted earlier in a similar way.
Two civilians and one Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant was killed and another arrested during an intelligence-based operation in the Kanju area of Kabal tehsil (revenue unit) in Swat District on March 17, reports Dawn. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that two passers-by were killed after the militants opened fire on Security Forces (SFs). The slain militant, identified as Mukkarram, was a member of the Swat chapter of TTP.
Miscellaneous
The Security Forces (SFs) killed a Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militant, who was involved in the murder of more than 50 security personnel since 2007, in South Waziristan District on February 26, reports Daily Times. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), SFs carried out an intelligence-based operation (IBO) on a terrorist hideout in Sharmangi, Tiarza area of South Waziristan upon receiving a confirmation related to the presence of militants there. As per the statement, the TTP ‘commander’ identified as Nooristan alias Hassan Baba was gunned down during an intense exchange of fire. “The most sought and wanted terrorist was [an] IED expert and master trainer,” the press release said further. Nooristan joined the TTP Baitullah Mehsud group in 2007 and has been involved in several terrorist attacks. He, along with other militants, carried out an attack on a check post in Manra Shawal Dargai in 2008, which resulted in the martyrdom of three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel.
Mutilated bullet ridden dead body of a missing leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), Asad Khan Achakzai was recovered from the Killi Nosahar area of Quetta city on February 27, reports Dawn. Asad Khan went missing on September 25, 2020 while coming to Quetta from Chaman to attend a meeting of the ANP.
Two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants were killed during an exchange of fire with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in the vicinity of Patni Police Station in Sukkur District of Sindh on February 27, reports ARY News. The CTD in-charge told the media that a raid was conducted on a tip-off to arrest two militants of TTP.
The Rangers and police carried out a joint operation on February 28 and arrested two persons suspected of killing a Police constable on February 18, reports The Express Tribune.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on March 2 arrested an alleged terrorist associated with the Sindh Revolutionary Army (SRA) during a raid conducted in the University Road area of Karachi, reports ARY News. The terrorist was identified as Sajjad alias Bablo s/o Ghulam Abbas. A hand grenade was recovered from his possession. According to the CTD spokesperson, Sajjad was wanted in multiple cases of facilitating attacks on Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), as well as planning to target Chinese engineers’ van and August 14 Independence rallies and stalls 2020.
After an exchange of fire with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials, one target killer of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L), Azam alias Ganja was killed in the Bagh Korangi area of Korangi Town in Karachi, reports ARY News. One of his accomplices managed to flee from the location. Azam was allegedly a close aide of notorious criminal Junaid alias Bulldog and a key member of the target killers’ team of the political party’s Korangi sector, according to CTD spokesperson.
Eight suspected militants including three Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ‘commanders’ were killed in two Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) conducted by Security Forces (SFs) in the North Waziristan District on March 6, reports Dawn. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the separate IBOs were carried out on militant hideouts in Boya and Dosali areas of North Waziristan. Besides the eight militants, the three militants ‘commanders’ killed during the exchange of fire were Abdul Aneer alias Adil (TTP Toofan group), Junaid alias Jamid (TTP Tariq group) and Khaliq Shadeen alias Rehan (TTP Sadiq Noor group), the ISPR said. The identity of the rest five are yet to be ascertained. The press release added, “These terrorists remained involved in terrorist activities against security forces, law enforcement agencies and locals of the area since 2009 including IED (improvised explosive device) attacks, firing, target killing, kidnapping for ransom and extortion.” It said the slain militants were also involved in recruiting terrorists in the area. SFs also recovered a “huge cache of arms” from the hideouts.
A man, said to be Muttahida Qaumi Movement- London (MQM-L) worker, was shot dead during an alleged encounter with the Counterterrorism department (CTD) in Bagh-e-Korangi area in Shah Faisal Town of Karachi District late on March 4, reports The Express Tribune. According to the CTD, a raid was carried out in Bagh-e-Korangi after the Police received a tip-off about the presence of the MQM-L worker, Azam alias Ganja, in the area. CTD officials said Azam was shot dead in retaliatory firing by law enforcers, while his accomplice fled. They added that Azam was accused in several cases, including those of murder, attempted murder and extortion. According to CTD officials, Azam was involved in criminal activities in Landhi, Korangi and Zamzam Town between the years 2012 and 2013.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed five Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants in Mastung town (Mastung District) on March 7, reports Samaa TV. According to the spokesperson of the CTD, the operation was conducted after an arrested BLA militant revealed that five of their associates were residing in a house in Mastung and were planning an attack in Quetta. When the Police reached the house, the suspects opened fire at the officers. Five were killed during the exchange of fire, while others fled.
Four militants were killed when Security Forces (SFs) conducted two intelligence-based operations at Data Khel area of North Waziristan District and at Zoida of South Waziristan District on March 7, reports Dawn. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during an intense exchange of fire, militant ‘commander’ Abdul Adam Zeb alias Dung, who belonged to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s Bismillah group, and militant ‘commanders’ Maulvi Mehboob alias Maulvi and Mir Salam alias Anas, who were associated with the TTP Sajna group, were killed. Abdul Adam Zeb had been involved in more than 20 terrorist activities against SFs, law enforcement agencies and local population since 2014. He was involved in IED attacks, firing, attacks on government buildings, targeted killings, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and recruiting and organising terrorists in Mohammad Khel, Boya and Data Khel areas of North Waziristan and Zoida area of South Waziristan. Molvi Mehboob and Mir Salam were close associates of Baitullah Mehsud and TTP’s other militant commanders. They were involved in attacks on SFs and law enforcement agencies check-posts, military convoys, attack on Laddha Fort in 2007, IED attacks and other sabotage activities in South Waziristan.
Two Pakistan Navy personnel were killed and one other got injured when Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants ambushed their vehicle in the coastal town of Jiwani in Gwadar District on March 6, reports Pakistan Today. The Navy vehicle came under attack while travelling from Jiwani to the Ganz area, said Balochistan Finance Minister Zahoor Buledi. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack.
The joint team of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and Sindh Police conducted an intelligence-based operation in Ittehad Town of Karachi and arrested three Islamic State (IS) militants on March 13, reports Dawn. The arrested militants were identified as Noor Mohammed alias Abu Darda, Hayatullah and Khan Bahadur alias Qari Basit. Arms, ammunition and explosive material were recovered from their possession.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Sindh Police on March 13 arrested four Sindh Revolutionary Army (SRA) from Bilal Colony area of New Karachi town in Karachi, reports Dawn. The SIU arrested one militant, Gulzar Ali in an injured condition in Bilal Colony and on information provided by him, three more militants, namely Ghulam Mohammed, Habibullah and Fayaz Khan were arrested. SIU Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Captain Haider Raza said “reportedly all four arrested suspects are affiliated with Sindh Revolutionary Army (SRA).”
PAKISTAN
o US, UN hail Pak-India agreement to re-enforce LoC ceasefire
The agreement between Pakistan and India to restore peace by strictly observing agreements of ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors was hailed by the UN chief and the White House on Thursday, Feb 25.
In separate statements issued after the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both the countries contacted on a hotline and agreed to strict implementation of understandings on the ceasefire, the US and UN welcomed the “positive step”, which will provide an opportunity for further dialogue.
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the United States welcomes the joint statement between the two nations.
“This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia, which is in all shared is in our shared interest. And we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress,” she added, according to Geo News.
On the other hand, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the development a “positive step” and hoped that it would pave the way for more talks between the two countries.
“The secretary-general is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through established mechanisms,” his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric said in a statement read out at the regular noon briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York.
“He (UN chief) hopes that this positive step will provide an opportunity for further dialogue,” the statement said. Replying to a question, the spokesman said the UN chief had no plans as yet to contact the leaders of Pakistan and India for starting the process to resolve the decades-old Kashmir dispute. He said the secretary-general’s good offices were always available for any member state who would request it. President of UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir also welcomed the agreement, which, he said, “set an example for others and demonstrates the General Assembly’s value.
o MQM-London female leader Kehkashan Haider running target killing network in Karachi, reveals CTD
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Omar Shahid on March 11 revealed that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London’s (MQM-L) Kehkashan Haider ran a target killing network in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, reports Daily Times. DIG Omar Shahid held a press conference along with Rangers officials and apprised of the joint operation conducted by CTD and Rangers. He said that Rangers had arrested a team of MQM-L target killers in 2017. The CTD revealed an audiotape of Haider talking to a man, suspected to be a target killer, and offering him money.
o Two militants arrested from separate places in Karachi city of Sindh
Police on March 11 arrested a suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swat chapter militant, who was allegedly planning to carry out a suicide attack on police training centre, from Malir town area of Karachi, reports Dawn. “Steel Town police arrested the suspect, Khalilullah alias Qari, who is an active member of a banned outfit,” said Malir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Irfan Bahadur. The SSP revealed that the militant joined outfit on persuasion of his friend in 2007 in Swat and went into hiding after the military operation in the valley. “The suspect received military training in Afghanistan. He conducted reconnaissance of Razzaqabad police training centre in 2012 along with another militant, Javed Swati, and was also involved in firing on a vehicle during bank robbery in Orangi Town in the same year,” SSP added.
Separately, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on March 12 arrested a Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L) target killer Khawaja Faisal in Karachi, reports Samaa TV. Weapon and ammunition were also recovered from his possession. Faisal has been named in multiple cases registered at different Police Stations. He is allegedly involved in the killings of former Jail Superintendent of Police Amanullah, Deputy Superintendent of Police Raheem Bux, and Station House officer Nasirul Hassan.
o US blocks Turkish copters’ sale to Pakistan
The United States (US) on Wednesday, March 10 stopped Turkey supplying 30 locally made attack helicopters to Pakistan, Turkish Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said.
During a briefing, Kalin noted that the US blocked Turkey’s helicopter sale to Pakistan, which will likely lead to Islamabad buying it from China and cause more detriment to Washington down the line.
The ATAK-12 is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Augusta A129 Mangusta platform and is equipped with American engines. The US is holding up export clearance for the LHTEC engine.
Turkey and Pakistan signed a $1.5 billion deal for the Turkish-made helicopter gunships in July 2018. But the delivery date was pushed back after the Pentagon refused to issue the Turkish company an export licence for the engines.
US’ blockade comes as the impact of US sanctions on Turkey, triggered by Ankara’s decision to buy S-400 missiles from Russia. The United States announced the first blockade in July 2019, days before a meeting between the former US president, Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Imran Khan in Washington.
In January 2020, the head of Turkey’s Defence Industries (SSB) said that Ankara and Islamabad had extended the delivery deal by another year to ensure a smooth delivery. The agreement gives Pakistan the option to buy the Chinese Z-10 helicopters should the Turkish deal not materialise.
Reports in the Turkish media said that the Turkish-built T-129 ATAK helicopter was still on the Pakistan Army shopping list. In August 2020, Turkey hired a Washington law firm to lobby with the US administration and Congress for securing an export licence, which will help complete its biggest-ever defence deal with Pakistan.
The latest blockade, however, is likely to force the two allies to cancel the deal, persuading Islamabad to look for other options.
o BLA terrorist plot foiled, two arrested
A terrorist plot was foiled in Quetta after two alleged terrorists of proscribed Balochistan sub nationalist organization were BLA arrested along with arms and explosives on March 14.
The CTD Team Quetta were tipped off about the movement of two BLA terrorists who were on their way to Quetta to launch an attack on personnel of LEAs. Acting on the information, the CTD Quetta raided a hideout on the Link Sariab Road, Quetta, and arrested both terrorists identified as Syed Owais Shah and Jahanzaib Baloch.
According to CTD, explosives and other material used for making Improvised Explosive Devices was recovered from their possession. Both the alleged terrorists confessed that their BLA handlers had tasked them to attack LEAs besides committing other terrorist acts in Quetta. They further gave information about other members of the BLA present in Quetta, against whom more raids are being conducted. The CTD Quetta has undertaken detailed investigations after registration of FIR in PS CTD Quetta.
Afghanistan – Internal Dynamics
o Four Policemen killed in Kandahar Province
Four Policemen were killed when an explosive attached to a military vehicle exploded near a security checkpoint in Arghandab District of Kandahar Province, reports Bakhtar News on February 27.
o Afghan Government bans Hizb-ut-Tahrir
The Afghan Government has banned Hizb-ut-Tahrir, a pan-Islamist organization, activities, arguing that it has not been registered by the ministry of justice, reports Afghanistan Times. On February 28, Vice President, Amrullah Saleh, wrote on Facebook that the “government of Afghanistan doesn’t recognize Hizb-ut-Tahrir”. He added that any activities of the “unbeknown and illegal network” would be banned.
o 30 terrorists killed in Kapisa Province
Afghan Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF),in a clearing operation, killed 30 militants, including 16 members of Al-Qaeda, in outskirt of Dara-e-Afghaniai in Nejrab District of Kapisa Province on February 28, reports Bakhtar News.
o Three media professionals killed in separate incidents in Nangarhar Province
Unidentified gunmen killed three female employees of Enikass TV, Mursal Habibi, Saadia and Shahnaz, in two separate incidents in Jalalabad city, the provincial capital of Nangarhar province on February 2, reports Tolo News. The first incident took place about 4pm local time in Jalalabad city’s PD1 as Saadia and Shahnaz were on their way home, according to Zalmay Latifi, the head of the TV and radio network. The second incident happened a few minutes later when a gunman attacked Mursal Habibi in PD4 of Jalalabad city, Zalmay Latifi said.
o Seven Factory workers killed in Nangarhar Province
Unidentified gunman killed seven workers at a factory making building supplies in Surkhrod District of Nangarhar Province on March 3, reports Tolo News. Sources said the victims were employed at the factory and were residents of Bamiyan.
o Negotiations with Taliban will not lead to durable peace, says NSA Hamdullah Mohib
On March 7, Afghanistan National Security Adviser (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib said negotiations with the Taliban will lead to a temporary peace, and he reiterated that achieving real peace requires addressing the regional and international dimensions of Afghanistan’s issue, reports Tolo News. “The ongoing war is not an internal war, but it has foreign dimensions that’s why only negotiations with the Taliban will not lead to a durable peace,” Mohib said at a weekly briefing. “We should assess post-peace threats and their impacts on the people of Afghanistan.”
o No decision on May 1 withdrawal deadline, says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 10 said that the US so far has not made a decision on the May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, reports Tolo News. Blinken said the US wants to see progress in terms of the Taliban’s commitment to disassociate from Al-Qaeda. This comes as the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez said on March 9 that the May 1st deadline for withdrawing US forces from Afghanistan may have to be reconsidered because the Taliban are not meeting their commitments under a 2020 peace deal.
o Taliban takes control of Almar District in Faryab Province
On March 11, the Taliban took control of the center of Almar District in Faryab Province, reports Tolo News. Naqibullah Fayeq, Provincial Governor, said that the Security Forces have retreated from the center of the District to “prevent casualties of civilians and local forces.” “The Taliban have captured the district governor’s office and the police HQ but the forces are about 200 meters away from the area,” according to unnamed sources. The sources also said that “about 40 local security forces were surrounded the Taliban but they managed to escape and move to Khawja Osman base which is 4 km away from the center of Almar.” Also, the acting District Police Chief Mohammad Amin Patang joined the Taliban on Wednesday afternoon, said Abdul Karim Yourish, a spokesman for the Provincial Police Chief.
o Eight persons killed in Herat Province
On March 16, unidentified gunman killed three Security Force (SF) personnel, who were assigned to protect the Pashdan dam, in Karokh District of Herat Province, reports Tolo News. Head of the Pashdan dam, Mohammad Arif Achakzai, told Tolo News that the Taliban attacked an outpost far from the dam. He said the outpost has a lot of distance from the surrounding wall of the dam. Herat governor’s spokesman Jailani Farhad said the SFs killed the attackers by chasing them to a village in Pashtun Zarghon District in the Province. He said five Taliban were killed in response by security forces to the attack.
Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics
o Hizb-ut-Tahrir cadre arrested in Sylhet District
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on February 27 arrested a cadre of banned organisation Hizb-ut-Tahrir from a rented house in Chhara Dighirpar area of Sylhet District in Sylhet Division, reports New Age. The arrested was identified as Mohaiminul Islam alias Nayeem (24).
o Hizb-ut Tahrir operatives were using special Smartphone apps to communicate with each other, says CT officials
Officials of Counter Terrorism (CT) unit of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) said that Hizb-ut Tahrir operatives were using special Smartphone apps to communicate with each other to dodge eyes of law enforcing agencies, reports The Daily Star on Feb 28. CT officials have found, after interrogating 15 operatives of the group including the chief of Chattogram metro unit who were arrested from different areas of the city on November 23.CT officials told, “The men do not use their personnel phone numbers to install apps, in order to avoid being tracked.”
o BD police fire rubber bullets at opposition protesters
Dozens were injured on Sunday, Feb 28 as Bangladeshi police fired rubber bullets and tear gas in a third day of protests sparked by the death of a prominent writer and government critic in jail.
Mushtaq Ahmed, 53, collapsed in a high-security prison and died late on Thursday, 10 months after being arrested under a “digital security” law that critics say is being used to silence dissent in the country of 168 million people.
Live footage on Sunday from local television station Channel 24 showed a road and footpath in front of the National Press Club a favourite protest site in Dhaka turning into a battleground as police beat protesters with batons to disperse them.
Student activists from the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) hurled rocks and attacked officers with bamboo and plastic pipes, prompting police to retaliate by “firing rubber bullets and tear gas”, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka police Sazzadur Rahman told AFP.
“They did not take any permission (for the protests),” he added, defending the police’s move to clear the protesters. S.M. Shamim, a police spokesman, said at least nine BNP activists were arrested, including several outside the city’s main hospital, over charges of “assaulting police”.
“At least eight policemen were injured,” he told AFP. BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed said about 30 party activists, including a senior leader, were injured in the clashes. Ahmed said more than 500 protesters had gathered at the press club, trying to form a human chain. He defended the party not having sought permission for the protests at the National Press Club, saying that historically no clearance was needed to hold rallies there.
o Ansar Al Islam is regrouping by stealth, say CTTC officials
Officials of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on March 6 said that Ansar Al Islam is regrouping by stealth, reports The Daily Star. Apart from making recruitments through online platforms, including Facebook, it is targeting the needy even non-Muslim and transgender people, who would not ever come under suspicion of joining militancy. Officials said the organisational activities of Ansar al-Islam appear strongest in Dhaka and Chattogram. It also has bases in Satkhira and Kushtia. It has undertaken some projects in Dinajpur, Netrakona, Jamalpur, Madhupur and Tangail targeting marginalised and ultra-poor communities, providing them with cash and other supports.
Ansar al-Islam has also got a new spiritual leader who goes by the name of Sheikh Tamim Al Adnani. A former madrasa teacher, he is now responsible for reorganising the outfit, said an official of CTTC. Sheikh Tamim’s sermons are published in different platforms to draw potential militants, he added. The outfit continues to get financial support from abroad and some businessmen in the country, according to documents obtained by the CTTC officials. A high official said that the outfit has investment in agro sector, book publishing, e-commerce, clothe stores, and IT firms. Police have traced a number of financial transactions involving Ansar al-Islam and found that it received around $900 to $1,100 from abroad through PayPal on several occasions. Ansar al-Islam now has around 700 to 800 active members and at least 274 of them are sleeper cell members, they added. The organisation has at least 56 sleeper cells. A sleeper cell is made of three to four full members. In every cell, a chief gets appointed to coordinate activities of those three or four full members. Only the sleeper cell chiefs are connected with each other and they can communicate up to the section chief. The sleeper cell members remain ignorant about each other’s identity and they only receive instruction from their chief. Similarly, a “cluster” is made of three to four sections. A cluster leader is officially called IDN chief. IDN means Izaratul Dawah Wal Nusrah. The section chiefs only have access to the IDN chief and not beyond that. When someone is targeted for killing, information about the person is collected through the intelligence wing and finally the top leadership gives directives to the IDN chief, who finally executes the plan through a sleeper cell, said officials.
o Ansar al-Islam cadre arrested in Dhaka city
The Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of Police on March 14 arrested a cadre of the banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam also known as Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) from Kamrangirchar area of Dhaka city in District of Dhaka Division, reports Dhaka Tribune. The arrestee was identified as Mohammad Pervez (21). Police recovered18 jihadi books and leaflets from his possession.
o HeI supporters attack Hindu houses in Sunamganj District
Several hundred supporters of Hefajat-e Islam (HeI) attacked, vandalised and looted at least 75 Hindu houses in Noagaon village of Sunamganj District in Sylhet Division on March 17 over a Facebook post, reports The Daily Star. 35 houses were damaged badly and 40 more partially in the attack, said Mohamad Jahangir Hossain, Deputy Commissioner of Sunamganj. The attackers also vandalised several idols and looted valuables from the Hindu houses in the village, locals said, alleging that Police were late in reaching the spot. Carrying locally-made weapons, HeI supporters from villages adjacent to Noagaon village started gathering at a bazaar in Noagaon village around 9:00am and launched the attack about an hour later.
India – Internal Dynamics
o Civilian injured in IED explosion in Jharkhand
A villager identified as Mahendra Mahto (27), was injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by the Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres exploded near Marwa village in Gumla District of Jharkhand on February 27, reports The Telegraph. Mahto had gone to the nearby forests to graze his goats when he accidentally stepped upon the IED planted inside the forest and lost a leg in the explosion.
o SFs recover and deactivate 83 IEDs in Bihar
In a joint operation launched by the Police and the Army, 183 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by the Communist Party of India-Maoist were recovered and disabled near Chakrabandha Police Station limits in Gaya District of Bihar on February 26, reports Telangana Today. The recovered IEDs contained 1815 kilograms of explosive ammunition. All IEDs were mounted in consecutive series. Electrical wires have also been recovered at the site.
o Three SFs killed in IED explosion in Jharkhand
Three Security Force (SF) personnel were killed and two others injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted by Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres, exploded during a joint anti-Maoist operation by Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel (CRPF), in Hoyahatu village under Toklo Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand on March 4, reports The Pioneer. The deceased SFs, identified as head constable Devendra Kumar Pandit, constable Kiran Surin and constable Hardwar Shah, belonged to the special unit of the State Police Jharkhand Jaguars, while two injured troopers (identity not reported) belonged to Jharkhand Jaguars and CRPF.
o CAF head constable killed in IED explosion in Chhattisgarh
A head constable of the 22nd Battalion of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF), identified as Laxmikant Diwedi, was killed when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted by Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres, exploded in Pahurnar area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh on March 4, reports The New Indian Express.
o Freedom House downgrades India to ‘partly free’
Freedom House on Wednesday downgraded India from free to partly free, voicing fear that the world’s largest democracy was descending into authoritarianism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The democracy research institute, which is independent but receives US funding, pointed to mob violence against Muslims, intimidation of journalists and rising judicial interference since Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won power in 2014.
“Rather than serving as a champion of democratic practice and a counterweight to authoritarian influence from other countries, Modi and his party are tragically driving India itself toward authoritarianism,” Freedom House said in its annual report.
“Under Modi, India appears to have abandoned its potential to serve as a global democratic leader, elevating narrow Hindu nationalist interests at the expense of its founding values of inclusion and equal rights for all.”
o New insurgent group NLFB floated by former NDFB leader Batha
On March 12, former National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) leader MD Batha along with the former members of NDFB formed a new militant outfit National Liberation Front of Bodoland (NLFB), reports Northeast Now. In a statement, the newly formed outfit consisting of 30 members claimed the reluctance of the Government of India (GoI) and the Assam Government has led to the formation of new group to fight for the rights of Bodo people. Over 1,600 rebels belonging to four factions of the NDFB had laid down arms days after the Bodo accord was signed between Bodo groups and the Centre in January 2020. Thirty four years after it was formed with the aim of carving out a separate Bodoland state from Assam, all the four factions of NDFB had disbanded themselves.
o UN receives USD 10,000 donation from SFJ
The United Nations (UN) has received a USD 10,000 “donation” from the pro Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an outfit banned by India, reports The Times of India on March 14. SFJ is simultaneously lobbying the UN to set up a “commission of inquiry” to investigate alleged mistreatment of farmer protesters in India. A spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, said, “We confirm we received a contribution of USD 10,000 on 1 March from an individual representing the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group via our online donation function. In general, we do not decline online contributions, unless they are from groups or individuals listed on UN sanctions lists or the organisation/individual is engaged in activities manifestly contrary to the UN Charter or its principles.”
US-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ’s general counsel, said a further USD 1.3 million had been pledged from the Sikh community to establish a UN commission of inquiry (CoI) “to investigate India’s use of violence and sedition charges against protesting farmers”. “As of my knowledge the UN has not established the commission. But we are pursuing the matter through the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,” Pannun said.
Monthly Fatalities
The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period Feb 26, 2021 to March 25, 2021:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militant | Total | |
| Arunachal P | 02 | 00 | 01 | 03 |
| Assam | 03 | 00 | 01 | 04 |
| Left Wing | 09 | 00 | 06 | 15 |
| Total | 14 | 00 | 08 | 22 |
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
o Three CPN Maoist Chand cadres arrested in Saptari District
Police on February 26 arrested three cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) on the charge of extorting money from entrepreneurs, bureaucrats and people’s representatives from Saptari District of Province No. 2, reports Khabarhub. The arrested are Ram Nath Mandal, Udaya Nath Mandal and Ram Krishna Mand. Police recovered few SIM cards used to threaten people for extorting money, letters seeking financial ‘help’ and some literatures including a book entitled ‘Jana Bidroha’ (People’s rebellion).
o Pressure cooker bomb exploded in Parsa District
A pressure cooker bomb exploded at Hulas Steel and Industries Pvt Ltd in Bindbasini Rural Municipality of Parsa District in Province No. 2 on March 1, reports The Himalayan Times. The blast shattered windows of one of the rooms and caused some damage to the walls. Locals suspected that the improvised explosive device was planted by the outlawed Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand). According to sources, the underground outfit had sought NR 1.5 million in donation from the industry operator a few days ago. Locals said the underground outfit might have caused the blast after the industrialist refused to oblige and pay the donation amount sought.
o KP Sharma Oli cuts Madhav Kumar Nepal down to size in CPN-UML
In a move to punish the rival faction of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist–Leninist (CPN-UML) led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, the establishment faction of CPN-UML led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on March 12 called a special meeting of the party’s Central Committee and removed leaders of the Nepal faction from key responsibilities that they held before the party’s merger with the CPN-Maoist Centre, reports The Himalayan Times. Nepal, who headed the party’s Foreign Affairs Department, was removed from the responsibility and replaced by the PM’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Rajan Bhattarai.
o Nine people injured in IED explosion in Siraha District
Nine people were injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off in the Land Revenue Office based in Lahan of Siraha District in Province No. 2 on March 14, reports The Himalayan Times. According to Area Police Office Lahan’s In-Charge Deputy Superintendent of Police Tapan Kumar Dahal, the device exploded on the first floor of the office at around 1 pm. Police said a pamphlet stamped with contents on Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) led by Jai Krishna Goit was found in the area leading to the suspicion of the group’s involvement in the act.
The next day, the Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) led by Jai Krishna Goit claimed responsibility for the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion.
Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics
o Conspiracy to destroy SLFP and its leaders is in progress, Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa
Former General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa while participating in a media briefing held in Kandy on February 27 said that a conspiracy to destroy the SLFP and its leaders is in progress, reports Colombo Page. He said the allegations levelled against former President Maithripala Sirisena by the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday Attacks were part of the conspiracy.
o Every country participating in UNHRC should support oppressed Tamil people in Sri Lanka, says TNA parliamentarian R. Sampanthan
Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian R. Sampanthan has said that every country participating in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva should support the oppressed Tamil people in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page on March 1. Speaking to the media, the TNA Leader has said that a firm resolution must be adopted at the ongoing 46th Session of the UNHRC to punish those who committed war crimes during the war. The leader of the TNA said that the resolution submitted by a number of Tamil political parties in this regard should be supported by other countries and added that a number of Tamil political parties have decided that the proposal submitted by Britain is not so significant.
o Colombo Archbishop vows to continue protesting until justice is meted out to Easter Sunday bomb attacks victims
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, on March 2 vowed to continue protesting until justice is meted out to the victims of 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks, reports Colombo Page. Cardinal Ranjith made this statement at a media briefing held at the Archbishop’s official residence in Colombo. Church officials have declared a “Black Sunday” in all Catholic churches island wide on the March 7 as the first step in the series of protests demanding justice for the attacks which killed more than 260 people.
o Eight files sent to AG to prosecute 32 suspects accused in Easter Sunday terrorist attack, says Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara
Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara has said that eight files containing relevant documents have been sent to the Attorney General (AG) to prosecute the 32 suspects accused in the Easter Sunday terrorist attack, reports Colombo Page on March 9. Minister Sarath Weerasekara said the suspects would be charged with a number of accounts including murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Minister Weerasekara told that that action would be taken against 241 persons on detention orders for allegedly aiding and abetting the attack indirectly and the AG was waiting until the report of the commission was received. He said that 7,600 people had been arrested in connection with the series of bombings at eight locations on April 21, 2019 and that action had been taken against 300.
o Former Jama’ath-e-Islami President arrested for spreading Wahhabism
The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) on March 12 arrested Rashid Hajjul Akbar (60), the former President of Jama’ath-e-Islami organisation from Dematagoda of Colombo city in Colombo District of Western Province on charges of spreading Wahhabism in Sri Lanka, reports Daily Mirror. According to the investigation, the suspect had written various articles about Wahhabism in the magazine ‘Alhasanath’ published by the Jamaat-e-islami organization. The suspect held the position of the President of the organization for a longer period and he has created the ideology of Wahhabism and jihad concepts and he is one of the pioneers of that particular concept.
o Sri Lanka to ban burqa, shut Islamic schools, says minister
Sri Lanka will ban the wearing of the burqa and shut more than a thousand Islamic schools, a government minister said on Saturday, March 13 the latest actions affecting the country’s minority Muslim population. Separately, the government also said it will soon outlaw the burqa, formalising a temporary ban imposed in April 2019 after deadly bomb attacks blamed on local Jihadists.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa promulgated regulations allowing the detention of anyone suspected of causing “acts of violence or religious, racial or communal disharmony or feelings of ill will or hostility between different communities”. The rules, effective from March 12 have been set up under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which both local and international rights groups have repeatedly asked Colombo to repeal.
Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera announced that the burqa, a loose garment covering from head to toe and worn in public in many Islamic states, was a threat to Sri Lanka’s national security. “This (dress) came into Sri Lanka only recently. It is a symbol of their religious extremism.”
Weerasekera said he signed documents outlawing the burqa, but they need to be approved by the cabinet of ministers and parliament where the government has a two-thirds majority to see its bills through.
o UK Home Secretary ordered to review lift on LTTE ban
UK’s Home Secretary Priti Patel has been ordered by a secretive tribunal to review the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups, reports Daily Mirror on March 14. The Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC), an independent body set up under the 2000 Terrorism Act, ruled that the Home Secretary must consider taking the LTTE off the Government’s list of outlawed bodies. The UK banned the LTTE in 2001. But another group, the Trans-national Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) the self-styled Government of exiled Tamils around the world brought a case against the Home Secretary over the ban, saying the Tamil Tigers are no longer engaged in terrorism.
INTERNATIONAL
o Eritrean troops killed ‘hundreds’ in Ethiopia
Eritrean soldiers fighting across the border in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region killed hundreds of people in a massacre last year in a likely crime against humanity, Amnesty International said on Friday, Feb 26. The rights watchdog spoke to survivors of the atrocities and used satellite images to piece together the bloody events of last November in the ancient town of Axum in a new report.
“The evidence is compelling and points to a chilling conclusion. Ethiopian and Eritrean troops carried out multiple war crimes in their offensive to take control of Axum,” said Deprose Muchena of Amnesty International.
o Over 60 fighters killed in Yemen
Over 60 fighters were killed in clashes in Yemen on Friday, Feb 26 between Iran-backed Huthi rebels and government forces in the strategic northern province of Marib, government sources said.
The dead included at least 27 pro-government forces and 34 Huthi rebels, a government source told AFP, adding it was the “most violent” day of clashes since fighting erupted earlier this month.
o Bloodiest day: 18 killed in Myanmar protests against coup
Myanmar police fired on protesters around the country on Sunday, Feb 28 in the bloodiest day of weeks of demonstrations against a military coup and at least 18 people were killed, the UN human rights office said.
Police were out in force early and opened fire in different parts of the biggest city of Yangon after stun grenades, tear gas and shots in the air failed to break up crowds. Soldiers also reinforced police.
“We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement.
Several wounded people were hauled away by fellow protesters, leaving bloody smears on pavements, media images showed. One man died after being brought to a hospital with a bullet in the chest, said a doctor who asked not to be identified.
Myanmar has been in chaos since the army seized power and detained elected government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership on Feb. 1, alleging fraud in a November election her party won in a landslide. The coup, which brought a halt to tentative steps towards democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule, has drawn hundreds of thousands onto the streets and the condemnation of Western countries.
o Five civilians killed in Yemen port bombardment
Five civilians including a child were killed on Sunday, Feb 28 when their house was bombarded near Yemen’s strategic Red Sea port of Hodeida, the latest violence in the grinding civil war. The Saudi-backed government and Huthi rebels traded blame for the devastating attack near frontlines south of the Huthi-held port.
“Five civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed in a mortar bomb strike on their residence by the Huthis,” a government military official told AFP. But the Iran-backed Huthis, according to the rebel-run Saba news agency, said the explosion was caused by two air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition, which intervened in the war in 2015 to back the internationally recognised government.
o Militia raids in eastern DR Congo kill 10 civilians
Fighters thought to belong to the notorious Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia killed 10 civilians in two overnight attacks in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the army said on Sunday, Feb 28.
ADF fighters decapitated eight villagers in the village of Boyo, in the northeast Ituri province, and shot dead two civilians in Kainama, army spokesman Lieutenant Jules Ngongo said. Soldiers were in pursuit of the attackers, he added.
Local officials confirmed the two attacks, adding that houses were also burned in the violence. Kainama lies at the extreme north of North Kivu province, where it borders with Ituri. It is just five kilometres (three miles) from Boyo. Both provinces sit on DR Congo’s eastern border with Uganda.
The ADF militia are Ugandan Islamic fighters who have made their base in eastern DR Congo since 1995. While they have not launched raids into Uganda for several years, the militia has been blamed for the killings of more than 800 civilians over the past year in both North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. While the army has conducted operations against them in the region since October 2019, they have not been able to put a stop to the massacres of civilians.
o Sarkozy sentenced to jail for corruption
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty of corruption on Monday, March 01 and handed a three-year prison sentence after a court in Paris convicted him for trying to illegally influence a judge during his time in office.
The sentence includes two years suspended, which means it is unlikely Sarkozy will physically go to prison. He is almost certain to appeal and remains free, with no arrest warrant issued. The verdict is the latest twist in the tumultuous political career of the 66-year-old who ruled France from 2007 to 2012 and remains a favourite for many on the right.
The conviction is likely to undermine any attempted comeback to frontline politics, an ambition he has denied, but which has been promoted by many supporters ahead of 2022 presidential elections.
Only one other French president, Sarkozy´s political mentor Jacques Chirac, was put on trial after leaving office. The verdict on Monday related to a case of influence peddling and corruption, one of at least four separate investigations into the former leader, who married former supermodel and singer Carla Bruni while in office. Sarkozy was accused of offering to help a judge obtain a senior job in Monaco in exchange for putting pressure on an inquiry into his campaign finances. The former president told the court during the trial he had “never committed the slightest act of corruption”.
o Russians believe coronavirus is a bioweapon
Close to two out of three Russians believe that the coronavirus is a man-made biological weapon and less than a third are willing to get vaccinated, a poll said on Monday, March 01. Observers say the findings reflect a distrust towards authorities fuelled by the lack of transparency during the pandemic and deteriorating relations with the West.
According to the survey by the independent Levada Centre, 64 percent of respondents said that Covid-19 was artificially created and is a “new form of biological weapon” while 23 percent believed the virus appeared “without human intervention”.
Among those not wanting to get the vaccine, 37 percent said they fear side effects, 23 percent are waiting for results of clinical trials and 16 percent said they “do not see any sense” in getting the jab.
Russia’s homemade Sputnik V vaccine, named after the Soviet-era satellite, was initially received with scepticism over its fast-track registration in August, ahead of large scale clinical trials. But the Lancet medical journal in February published results showing it to be safe and more than 90 percent effective.
o Egypt executes 11 people
Egyptian authorities on Tuesday, March 02 executed 11 people convicted of murder, a security source said, in the latest cases of what rights campaigners have labelled “a horrifying execution spree”. Capital punishment for civilian convicts in Egypt, the most populous Arab country, is carried out by hanging.
o 64 Mexican politicians killed
At least 64 Mexican politicians have been murdered in the past six months, the government said on Friday, three months ahead of elections, which typically unleash a wave of politically motivated violence.
o Fighting in Yemen’s Marib kills 90
Fierce fighting between Yemeni pro-government forces and Iran-backed Huthi rebels has killed at least 90 combatants on both sides in the past 24 hours, government military sources said on Saturday, March 06.
The rebels launched an offensive last month to seize Marib, the last stronghold in northern Yemen of pro-government forces who are backed by a Saudi-led military coalition.
The clashes in the oil-rich province left 32 dead among government forces and loyalist tribes, while 58 Huthi rebels were killed in coalition air strikes, the sources told AFP.
They said heavy clashes broke out on six fronts as government forces were able to counter attacks by the Huthis who managed to advance only on the Kassara front northwest of Marib city. The fighting also left dozens of people wounded, the sources added.
The loss of Marib would be a huge blow for the Yemeni government, but would also threaten catastrophe for civilians, including hundreds of thousands of displaced people sheltering in desolate camps in the surrounding desert.
o Switzerland votes to ban face covering in public
Swiss voters have approved a ban on full facial coverings, including niqab and burqa, in nearly all public places in a closely contested referendum on Sunday, March -7 foreign media reported.
The result means facial covering will be banned in all publicly accessible places, including on the streets, in public offices, on public transport, in restaurants, shops and in the countryside. The controversial proposal gained support of 51.21% of voters and the majority of the country’s 26 cantons, according to official provisional results published by the federal government.
The only exceptions include places of worship and other sacred sites. Face coverings will also be allowed if worn for health and safety reasons, because of the weather and in situations where it is considered a “local custom” to do so, such as at carnivals, according to the text of the proposal published by the Swiss federal government.
There will be no additional exceptions, for example for tourists, the government document said. The proposal, put forward by several groups including the right wing Swiss People’s Party, does not mention Islam specifically, but has been widely referred to as the “burqa ban” in Swiss media.
It has been criticised by a number of Swiss religious organisations and human rights and civic groups, as well as the federal government. The Swiss Council of Religions, which represents all major religious communities in Switzerland, condemned the proposal earlier this year, stressing that the human right to religious freedom also protects religious practices such as dress codes.
o Gangs kill 31 in Nigeria attacks
Criminal gangs have killed a total of 31 people in three separate attacks in northwest and central Nigeria, local residents said on Thursday, March 11 in the latest violence in the volatile regions.
On Wednesday, motorcycle-riding bandits stormed Damaga village in northwestern Zamfara state, killing residents and stealing livestock as villagers fled the shooting spree. “The bandits came in around 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) and began shooting indiscriminately. They killed 13 people,” Ayuba Musa told AFP. “They took away a large number of cattle, sheep and goats. They didn’t spare even chickens,” he added.
o Gunmen kidnap pupils in Nigeria’s northwest
Gunmen on Monday, March 15 seized an unspecified number of primary school pupils and teachers in the northwestern Nigerian state of Kaduna, the government said, in a region wracked by banditry and kidnapping.
The raid is the latest in a string of attacks on schools in Nigeria, coming just four days after 39 college students were kidnapped by a gang. Kaduna’s home affairs commissioner, Samuel Aruwan, said the government had received security reports that “some pupils and teachers” had been abducted at the LEA Primary School in Rema, in the Birnin Gwari area.
Gangs in northwest and central Nigeria, who are known locally as bandits, have recently turned their focus to mass kidnappings, seizing school students for ransom. At least four mass kidnappings have occurred since December.
o Arms exports stop rising for first time since early 2000s
The number of international arms transfers has levelled off in the last five years, but a more peaceful world is not necessarily the reason as some nations shun imports and have begun producing their own weapons, researchers said on Monday, March 22.
Comparing the period of 2011-2015 to 2016-2020, three of the world’s five largest exporters the US, France and Germany actually increased their exports, but these rises were offset by a drop in exports from the other two major exporters, Russia and China.
While exports remain at their highest level since the end of the Cold War, this is the first time since the period of 2001-2005 they haven’t risen overall.
The United States, the world’s largest exporter of weapons by far, saw its share of international arms transfers increase from 32 to 37 percent. The rise further widened the gap to the number two, Russia, whose exports shrank by 22 percent, largely due to a drop in exports to India, though it still accounted for a fifth of the world’s arms exports.
France’s exports grew by 44 percent, leading it to account for 8.2 percent of global exports. Germany’s arms exports grew by 21 percent while China’s declined 7.8 percent, giving them a 5.5 percent and 5.2 percent share respectively.
There were also shifts in where arms deliveries go, with a noticeable growing demand in the Middle East, which saw 25 percent growth for the period. Saudi Arabia was the world’s largest importer in the period, receiving 11 percent of arms imports, 79 percent of them from the US.
