Bombs Blasts/IEDs
A woman and four children were killed in an explosion at a house in Landi Kotal tehsil (revenue unit) of Khyber District in the evening of June 29, reports Samaa TV. Six other persons also sustained injuries. According to initial reports, the blast occurred after an explosive device inside the house went off.
A teenage boy was killed and three girls, including two sisters, under the age of 13 years were critically injured in Kel town of Neelum District in Azad Kashmir on June 28, after a ‘dud shell’ they were reportedly tampering with exploded, reports Dawn. The incident occurred when the victims were playing along the riverbank, unmindful of the hazardousness of the device they found there, Superintendent of Police, Sajid Imran said.
Six people were injured in an explosion in front of Askari Park in Quetta on July 1, reports Daily Times. According to Balochistan Home Minister more than three kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast. The blast occurred close to a moving Frontier Corps vehicle, Police said.
Three children were killed in toy bomb explosion in Tank District on July 2, reports ARY News. Police said the minor victims aged six, seven and twelve years were brothers. They found the toy bomb in a drain and brought it to their home where it went off.
Four Security Force (SF) personnel sustained injuries after a remote-controlled bomb exploded near their vehicle in Girah Galdad area of Kulachi tehsil (revenue unit) in Dera Ismail Khan District on July 3, reports ARY News. According to Police, the patrol vehicle was targeted with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by the roadside.
At least three Policemen were injured when their Police van was attacked with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Ghoriwala town in Bannu District on July 11, reports Samaa TV. The Police vehicle got damaged in the blast.
One Army captain and a soldier were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in Khuda Bux Bazar area Pasni town in Gwadar District on July 15, reports Geo TV.
Targetted Killings
A retired Police officer and his son were killed while two others sustained injuries when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire in Shahi Bazaar of Khairpur city (Khairpur District) in the afternoon of July 4, reports Samaa TV. The assailants managed to escape after committing the crime.
A local ‘commander’ of the Lyari gangster was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Dubai Chowk within the limits of the Baghdadi Police Station in Karachi on the night of July 3, reports Geo TV. The dead ‘commander’, identified as Naseer Baloch (25), was the commander of Dubai Chowk area in Lyari Town and was associated with the Baba Ladla Group. Baloch was allegedly involved in various cases of crime, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion and kidnapping. He had been recently released on bail by an Anti-terrorism Court.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) former Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Shahan Malik Hakmeen was killed in a gun attack by unidentified assailants in Attock town (Attock District) on July 7, reports Samaa TV. Shahan Malik Hakmeen was a member of the Punjab Assembly on the PPP ticket from 2008 to 2013. His father Malik Hakimeen Khan was also a member of the PPP. He was elected MPA three times and even served as Senator.
Miscellaneous
Five Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers were killed in an attack by militants in Sangan area of Sibi District on June 25, reports Geo TV. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said the FC patrol party were on the round when their vehicle came under militant attack. During an exchange of fire, heavy losses were inflicted on to the militants and materials, the ISPR statement added. The dead soldiers were identified as Havildar Zafar Ali Khan, Lance Naik Hidayatullah, Lance Naik Nasir Abbas, Lance Naik Basheer Ahmed and Sepoy Noor Ullah.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested a militant of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) during a raid at Mirza Adam Khan Road of Lyari town in Karachi on June 27, reports ARY News. CTD official said the arrested militant was identified as Ubaid ur Rehman alias Capri and a hand grenade was recovered from his possession. Ubaid Capri was involved in six incidents of sectarian killings, according to CTD officials. “He has been wanted in murder of six persons including former MPA Sajid Qureshi,” officials claimed.
Two militants of the Dera Ismail Khan chapter of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Imran Gandapur, identified as Haji Akbar and Ajab Khan aka Usman, were killed during an operation conducted by the Police in Gundi Ashiq area in Kulachi Police Station limits in Dera Ismail Khan District on July 3, reports Dawn. Acting on intelligence about the presence of the militants in the Gundi Ashiq area, the Kulachi Police and Elite Force, launched an operation, and during exchange of fire between the militants and Security Force (SF) personnel, Akbar and Usman were killed. Police later seized four hand-grenades, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), weapons, ammunition and other explosive materials from a militant hideout.
Five militants were killed in the exchange of fire with Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in Hazarganji area of Quetta on July 5, reports ARY News. Arms and explosive material were recovered from militant hideout.
Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Malakand Region arrested Hussain Ali alias Abdullah alias Uzbek, a wanted militant ‘commander’ of Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat (TTS) in an operation in Buner District on July 14, reports Daily Times. According to the CTD, the Malakand Region Anti-Terrorism Department arrested Hussain, during an intelligence-based operation, and recovered a 30-bore pistol, two magazines and 10 rounds of ammunition from his possession, and a grenade was also recovered in the operation. The arrested militant was wanted by CTD Police and local Police in Buner District in various terrorism cases, with a bounty of PKR three million on his head.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan will complete FATF’s anti-money laundering plan in a year, states Federal Minister for Energy, Hammad Azhar.
Following the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) decision to keep Pakistan on the “increased monitoring” list pending action on one previous item and six new anti-money laundering areas, Federal Minister for Energy, Hammad Azhar on June 25 expressed confidence that the new anti-money laundering action plan would be implemented within a year, reports Daily Times. Azhar stated that the organisation is no longer the same as it was ten years ago. He added that the FATF conducts a joint evaluation of one nation by all member countries, and reassured everyone that Pakistan is not in the same situation as it was two years ago. “The importance of FATF has increased significantly in the current situation. [And] FATF wants better monitoring of money laundering,” said Azhar. The minister further explained that the previous action plan that Pakistan was given was based on counter-terror financing. He added that Pakistan has implemented 26 out of the 27 points, and said that the last point will be implemented as well, providing “3-4 months” as the timeline for completion.
Pakistan will not take military action against Taliban if the group takes over Afghanistan by force, states PM Imran Khan
Pakistan’s Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on June 25, said that his country will not take military action against the Taliban if the group takes over Afghanistan by force, reports Tolo News. PM Khan said, “Let me assure you, we will do everything except use military action against the Taliban. I mean, we will do everything up to that. All sections of our society have decided that Pakistan will take no military action.”
Pakistan will shut border if Taliban take over Afghanistan, says Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on June 27, that violence and lawlessness could reign in Afghanistan after the United States’ withdrawal, and that Pakistan would shut its border to the country if the Taliban take control of it, reports The News. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan has already taken in 3.5 million Afghan refugees over the years, but would not accept any more. He was speaking in a weekly media briefing held in Multan. “We can’t take more, we will have to shut our border, we have to safeguard our national interest,” he said, adding that Pakistan will continue its diplomatic efforts for peace in the country, and welcome its democratically elected leadership. Millions of Afghans fled to Pakistan from infighting between Mujahideen groups after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.
69 TLP cadres from Rawalpindi Division put on terror watch list by Punjab Home Department
As many as 218 people, including 69 cadres of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), have been placed on the fourth schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 in the Rawalpindi Division by the Punjab Home Department, Dawn reported on June 28. According to sources, besides the 69, the names of 39 cadres of TLP have been sent to Punjab Home Department to place them on the watch list bringing the number of the banned organisation’s activists in the list in the Rawalpindi region to 108. Of the 39 individuals, 10 belong to Attock District, 14 to Jhelum District and 15 to Chakwal District. No one has, however, been proposed to be placed on the fourth schedule from the Rawalpindi District. When contacted, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Imran Ahmar confirmed the placement of TLP activists on the fourth schedule, adding the police had followed all the legal procedures to include them in the list.
Afghanistan’s assertions about TTP not operating on its soil contrary to facts on ground, refutes Foreign Office
Pakistan’s Foreign Office on June 28, refuted Afghanistan’s claims that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) does not operate on its soil and said that evidence suggests otherwise as there are over 5,000 TTP militants in Afghanistan, reports The News. “Over the last many years, TTP has launched several gruesome terrorist attacks inside Pakistan using the Afghan soil without any retribution from its hosts,” a statement issued in this regard said. Citing the 12th Report of the UN Monitoring Team issued in June 2021, the foreign office said that the TTP is known to have “distinctive anti-Pakistan objectives,” while the report notes its location within Afghanistan “near the border with Pakistan”. “The TTP, following its orchestrated reunification with its splinter groups with the help of Hostile Intelligence Agencies (HIAs), its continued presence in Afghanistan with impunity and its cross-border attacks against Pakistan, pose a persistent threat to our security and stability,” the statement said.
Review board of Lahore High Court orders release of TLP ‘chief’
A review board of Lahore High Court on July 8 ordered the release of Saad Hussain Rizvi, leader of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), if he was not required in any other case, reports The Express Tribune. Saad, son of the late Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the previous head of the TLP, was taken into custody on April 12, 2021 over charges that he had incited his followers to take the law into their own hands as, according to him, the Government had reneged on its promise to expel the French ambassador. Saad’s detention order is set to expire on July 10. Under the law, the home department seeks further extension in detention when a period of three months expires.
‘Extremely unfair’ to blame Pakistan for Afghanistan situation, PM Imran Khan tells Afghan Ashraf Ghani
Prime Minister Imran Khan on July 16 asked Afghanistan to consider Pakistan a “partner of peace” rather than blaming it for the ongoing unrest, which he said was the “outcome of using a military solution by the United States instead of a political one”, reports Geo TV. “Blaming Pakistan for what is going on in Afghanistan is extremely unfair. peace in Afghanistan is our foremost priority,” the prime minister said, in response to the speech of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the conference on “Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity, challenges and opportunities’ held at Congress Centre”. During his address, the Afghan president had levelled unfounded allegations against Pakistan, saying that 10,000 fighters had crossed over into Afghanistan from the country. “If talks fail, we will fight the Taliban,” said Ghani. “This is the last chance for peace.”
Threat of terrorist sleeper cells becoming active again due to situation in Afghanistan, says ISPR DG Major General Babar Iftikhar
Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar on July 17 said that there is a “threat of terrorist sleeper cells becoming active again due to the situation in Afghanistan”, reports Geo TV. Major General Babar Iftikhar’s remarks came during a conversation with Geo TV. Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the Pakistan Army is “keeping a close eye” on the situation in the region and is “playing its role with utmost seriousness” for the successful outcome of the Afghan peace process. “Pakistan has spared no effort for the peace process,” he said, adding that the country is “not a guarantor”. “Ultimately, it is up to the Afghans to decide how to proceed forward,” the DG ISPR added.
Afghanistan – Internal Dynamics
38 Taliban militants killed in Balkh Province
38 Taliban militants were killed in an operation in Balkh Province on June 24, reports Bakhtar News. Mohammad Hanif Rezaei, Spokesman for the 209th Shaheen Corps, told that following the operations of the defense and Security Forces and popular uprisings and air forces against the Taliban rallies in Salang Chaga area of Shortpa, Khaja Akshan, Bala Hesar and Piazkar Districts of Balkh, 38 armed militants were killed. He added that seven Taliban insurgents, including the ‘shadow governor’ of Taliban for Dolatabad District of Balkh Province, were wounded in the operation, and 12 motorcycles, a vehicle some weapons were destroyed.
130 Taliban militants join peace process in Herat Province
A group of 130 Taliban militants affiliated with Mullah Hebatullah’s group, led by Maulwi Haji Mardan Noorzai, joined the peace process in Herat Province with their own weapons and equipment and declared their support for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, reports Bakhtar News on June 25. These individuals joined the peace process as a result of the operative work of the National Security Directorate with the cooperation of tribal elders and influential people. They assured that they will fight alongside the Government to ensure the security of the people and national interests and fight the enemies of the Afghan people.
Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum vows to return to north Afghanistan to halt Taliban advances
Former Vice President Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum on June 27, said that he will soon return to his home Province of Jawzjan in northern Afghanistan to overturn the Taliban in the northern part of the country, reports Tolo News. Marshal Dostum said that he will do this after consultation with President Ashraf Ghani and Ministry of Defense. “I predicted this years ago,” Dostum said. “All districts, tanks were handed over to the Taliban without resistance. I don’t know what the plan is?” Dostum stated. He is currently in Turkey for medical treatment.
American troops vacate Bagram Air Base
On July 2, American troops pulled out of Bagram Air Base, its largest base in the country, in Parwan Province, reports BBC News. The Pentagon said the turnover of Bagram to Afghan Security Forces was a “key milestone” in the withdrawal, but insisted the US military still has the authority to protect Afghan Forces. “Those authorities still exist,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. He did not give a timeline for when they might end.
“We will not stay involved in Afghanistan militarily after August 31, 2021”, states Biden
United States (US) President, Joe Biden, on July 8, said that the US will not stay involved in Afghanistan militarily after the mission that will end on August 31, reports Tolo News. “While we will not stay involved in Afghanistan militarily, our diplomatic and humanitarian work will continue. We’ll continue to support the government of Afghanistan. We will keep providing assistance to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces [ANDSF],” said Biden. “A diplomatic presence will continue in Afghanistan and the US will work rigorously to support the peace process,” said Biden
Taliban will not attack cities to prevent bloodshed, says Taliban negotiator Shahabuddin Delawar
Taliban negotiator Shahabuddin Delawar said that they will not attack cities to prevent bloodshed, reports Tolo News on July 9. Taliban negotiator Delawar, during his visit to Moscow, said the reason behind their attacks is lack of addressing their demands for the release of their prisoners and removing the names of their leaders from UN blacklist. Delawar said they are in talks with other Afghans to discuss a new system “that should be Islamic, Afghan-inclusive and united.” He added that they have “85% of Afghan soil under their control.”
Britain will work with the Taliban should they enter the Government in Afghanistan, says Defence Minister Ben Wallace
British Defence Minister Ben Wallace, in an interview, said that Britain will work with the Taliban should they enter the Government in Afghanistan, reports Reuters on July 14. The interview was published in Daily Telegraph on July 13. Ben Wallace said, “Whatever the government of the day is, provided it adheres to certain international norms, the UK government will engage with it,” However, Wallace warned that Britain will review any relationship “if they behave in a way that is seriously against human rights”. Wallace appealed for the Taliban and Afghanistan’s President, Ashraf Ghani, to work together to bring stability to the country after decades of conflict.
Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics
Three Ansar al Islam cadres arrested in Dhaka city
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit arrested three Ansar al Islam cadres on June 26, from Rampura area of Dhaka city in Dhaka District of Dhaka Division, reports The Daily Star. The arrestees are Maruf Chowdhury alias Farhan, Mohamad Foyzul Morsalin and Sayed Taimia Ibrahim alias Anowar. Mohamad Asaduzzaman, Chief of CTTC unit said, “In primary interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they were working to strengthen Ansar Al Islam’s organizational base by recruiting new members through online and offline campaigns, and collecting fund.”
PBSP ‘regional leader’ killed in Pabna District
A ‘regional leader’ of Purba Bangla Sarbahara Party (PBSP) was shot dead by his rivals near his house in Purbo Charpara village of Pabna District in Rajshahi Division on June 27, reports The Daily Observer. The deceased was identified as Belal Hossain (35), son of Abdu Karim of Purba Charpara village. Jalal Uddin, Officer in-Charge of Ataikula Police Station, said some armed men attacked Bellal and shot him dead near his house about 9:30pm. The reason behind the murder could not be known immediately. Police, however, said Bellal might have been killed over previous enmity.
Militants are not capable of carrying any major subversive attack in the country, states RAB DG Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General (DG) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun on June 29, said that militants are not capable of carrying out any major subversive attack in the country at this moment, reports The Daily Star. He said, “We are one step ahead of militants and that’s why there is no violence by militants in the country now. We are taking actions before any major incident could occur.” He said the RAB was monitoring militant activities in the cyber world and whenever it gets information through this monitoring, militants are arrested. Since the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in the capital’s Gulshan on July 1, 2016, the RAB has arrested around 1,500 militants in last five years. Besides, 16 militants were rehabilitated after their surrender, said Mamun.
Government has started process to ban Neo-JMB, says CTTC unit chief Mohamad Asaduzzaman
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit chief Mohamad Asad uz- zaman at a press briefing on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Holey Artisan Cafe attack on July 1 said that the Government has started a process to ban the Neo-Jama’atul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB), reports New Age. Asad uz zaman said “The process to ban the extremist outfit Neo JMB is underway and it will be banned soon.” The Government branded the Islamic State-inspired faction of the banned JMB as ‘Neo-JMB’ as many of the members of the JMB joined the new group mostly from 2014 in coordination with Junud at-Tawheed Wal Khilafah coordinator Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi-Canadian killed during a Police raid in Narayanganj on August 27, 2016.
Ansar Al Islam is trying to represent Al-Qaeda activities in Bangladesh, say CTTC officials
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) officials on July 4 said that Ansar Al Islam is trying to represent the Al-Qaeda activities in Bangladesh, reports The Daily Star. Their plan was to send people to Kashmir and Rakhine State in Myanmar to work for Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). For this, the dawah (invitation) wing of Ansar Al Islam was focusing on recruiting new members in Bangladesh. The outfit members used to send financial support to Kashmir through hundi and crypto currency. Ahead of Eid, the outfit has already started collecting funds. The CTTC officials claimed to have got these findings after interrogating three Ansar Al Islam members, arrested from Rampura area of Dhaka city on June 26.
Neo-JMB is training members in making IEDs, say CTTC officials
According to officials of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC), Neo-Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) is training its members in making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), reports The Daily Star on July 8. Officials claimed to have learned the information while tracking some activities of Sabbir Hossain (26), the outfit’s ‘military wing commander’ of Mymensingh region unit. Their plan is to make every member expert in making bombs; they have already made a manual for it and are sending to members, according to officials. Sabbir and another youth of the outfit Forkan are providing training about making the IEDs. Their plan is to attack law enforcers, they said.
Dawatul Islam, an Al Qaeda linked militant group active in hilly areas, say sources
According to sources, an Al Qaeda-linked militant group has reportedly been active in country’s hilly areas, reports UNI on July 14. It is learned that this group is conducting training and da’wah (invitation to Islam) work under the garb of an organisation called ‘Dawatul Islam’. Mahmudul Hasan Gunbi is leading the extremist activities in the hilly areas under the banner of this organisation. He has also set up two militant hideouts in Khagrachari and Bandarban Districts. There are 20 to 25 active cadres of this group. An un-named senior intelligence official told that Gunbi, known for his extremist views, is currently the spiritual leader of Ansar al-Islam. However, he has resorted to a tactic using an organisation called ‘Dawatul Islam’ as a shield. Using the name of this organisation, Ansar al-Islam has been propagating its activities and extremist ideology in the country’s hilly areas and in some areas of char areas in North Bengal. Multiple law enforcement sources say, Gunbi is also working as a key figure in an extremist group called Manhaji. He and three others are leaders of this group. The other two are Maulana Harun Izhar and Ali Hasan Osama. The two have been arrested and are now in jail. This Manhaji group is also secretly using Hefazat-e-Islam as a shield. Law enforcement has learned from the detainees that the Manhaji group also follows al-Qaeda’s ideology and has been using Hefazat-e-Islam as a shield.
India – Internal Dynamics
Encounter between SFs and PLFI in Jharkhand
An encounter took place between Security Forces (SFs) and cadres of the Peoples’ Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a splinter group of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), in Jatrama village under Gudri Police Station limits in the West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand on June 27, reports UNI. Superintendent of Police (SP), Ajay Linda, said, acting on information regarding the presence of PLFI squad led by their ‘chief’ Dinesh Gope in Jatrama, a joint team of District Police along with the jawans (troopers) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jharkhand Jaguar (JJ) conducted raids, during which the PLFI cadres opened fire on seeing the SFs, which was retaliated back. Later, the cadres managed to flee into deeper reaches of the forest taking advantage of the difficult terrain.
Earlier, on June 26, Police recovered five rifles of .315 bore and 10 cartridges of 8 mm from the house of Sandeep Oraon alias Sandeep Bhagat, ‘zonal commander’ of PLFI, located in Semardih village under Kisku Police Station limits in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand, reports UNI. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), B N Singh, said Sandeep, managed to flee from the spot, however, raids were on to arrest him.
Six persons, including two IRB troopers arrested along with narcotics in separate incidents in Arunachal Pradesh
On June 30, four IRB (Indian Reserve Battalion) Jawan (troopers) along with two civilians were arrested for drug peddling at Pasighat of East Siang District in Arunachal Pradesh, reports Northeast Now. The troopers were attached to the 5th Battalion of the IRB, stationed at Pasighat. According to sources, 167.23 grams of heroin was recovered from them. They have were handed over to the Pasighat Police Station for further action.
NLFT continues operating from Bangladesh, says official report
National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) is still continuing its operation from Bangladesh, reports The Indian Express. According to a ‘confidential report’ prepared by State and Central Security Agencies based on the discussions during the 52nd Directional-level Lead Intelligence Agency (LIA) meeting organized by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Agartala on June 15, NLFT is operating “two camps at Silchari and Ujjanchari in the Rangamati District of Bangladesh apart from two ‘safe houses’ at Dhaka and Chittagong” and has been making movements especially in Khowai and Dhalai Districts of Tripura. The reports states though the outfit suffered setback with the arrest of its ‘self-styled commander’ Parimal Debbarma in Mizoram on March 13, 2021, yet it continues to recruit young boys on the condition of money and food. Northeast Now adds that while top leaders of the Biswamohan faction of NLFT (NLFT-BM), including the outfit’s ‘secretary general’, Utpal Debbarma; ‘finance secretary’, Sonadhan Debbarma and ‘youth affairs secretary’ Sachin Debbarma are operating in Bangladesh with 40 militants, NLFT-BM’s ‘advisor’ Biswa Mohan Debbarma and ‘president’ Jacob Hrawngkhal are lying low in Mizoram and Myanmar respectively. The report says that NLFT which was banned in 1997 with most of its militants surrendered or killed, have planned to overcome its financial crisis through extortion and kidnapping activities with the help of its young recruits who have undergone training in the recent past at Nabakchhara, Silchhari and Segunbagan camps in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
Peace talks with ULFA-I can progress if it drops sovereignty demand, states Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma in an interview stated that peace talks with United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) if the latter aborts the sovereignty demand and discuss other issues and grievances, reports The Morung Express on July 2. Assam CM who soon after taking oath on May 10 had appealed to ULFA-I to come forward for peace talks, stated that ULFA’s ‘commander-in-chief’, Paresh Baruah’s insistence on sovereignty talk will not let the peace talk progress smoothly. CM further clarified that taking the oath of sovereignty himself, it’s not possible to discuss the demand of Paresh Baruah on the sovereignty issues.
Maoists issue 14-page plan document
The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) has issued a 14-page booklet detailing their plans, reports News 18 on July 7. According to the booklet released by the ‘central committee’ (CC) of CPI-Maoist, the outfit is preparing to set up base camps in East Bihar, Northeast Jharkhand and Dandakaranya regions. It has also been decided to celebrate ‘Martyr’s Memorial Week’ from July 28 to August 3. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Operations, Amol Vishnukant said that the booklet issued regarding the strategy of Maoists is being verified and related instructions are being given to the Superintendent of Police (SPs) of Maoist- affected Districts.
Monthly Fatalities:
The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period June 26, 2021 to July 25, 2021:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militant | Total | |
| Assam | 02 | 00 | 01 | 03 |
| Left wing | 20 | 04 | 10 | 34 |
| Total | 22 | 04 | 11 | 37 |
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
Prime Minister and President have no rights to dissolve HoR, says Advocate Sunil Pokharel
Advocate Sunil Pokharel delivering his arguments on the writ petition on behalf of the petitioner in the Supreme Court (SC) on June 25, said that both the Prime Minister and the President have no rights to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR), reports Khabarhub. Advocate Sunil made it clear that the HoR can be dissolved only on the condition when there is no possibility to form a new Government. He further said that the person cannot claim the post of Prime Minister without tendering his/her resignation or without taking a vote of confidence. President Bidya Bhandari on May 21 had dissolved the HoR and announced dates for mid-term polls for November 12 and 19. Opposition parties have filed as many 30 writ petitions against the President’s move saying that the HoR dissolution is against the constitution. The SC is holding hearings on the writs since June 23, 2020.
Photojournalist injured in Police baton charge during protests in Kathmandu
A photojournalist was injured in Police action during protests in Min Bhawan area of Kathmandu on July 3, reports The Himalayan Times. Photojournalist Nimesh Jung Rai alleged that he was attacked by Police personnel while he was covering the protest at Min Bhawan. Student unions affiliated to the opposition alliance are protesting in Nepal against the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR) on May 21.
Conflict victims reiterates not to engage with commissions unless law is amended
Conflict victims along with national and international human rights organisations on July 14, reiterated their position of non-engagement with transitional justice bodies if their tenure is extended without amending the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act as ordered by the Supreme Court (SC), reports The Himalayan Times. Issuing a joint statement, 49 national organisations and eight international organisations said, “We express our serious concern about the never-ending process of extension of the mandates of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons formed and operated under the flawed TRC Act. The Act, whose legitimacy has been questioned by the victims, civil society, United Nations and the SC, allows amnesty for those involved in gross human rights violations, and facilitates mediation between victims and perpetrators even in cases involving gross human rights violations.”
Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics
Release of 16 LTTE suspects demonstrates that the government is paying attention to Tamil community, states MP S Sridharan
The release of 16 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects demonstrates that the government is paying attention to the needs of the Tamil community, states the Member of Parliament (MP) of Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Kilinochchi District, S. Sridharan on June 26, reports Daily News. He stated, “The issue of releasing Tamil political prisoners became a slogan of the Tamil National Alliance as the struggle continued as a Party, the relatives of the Tamil political prisoners organized separately. In the end, as a result of all these demands, a separate voluntary movement for the release of these prisoners emerged. The government took steps to release 16 Tamil political prisoners”.
24-year-old person arrested for promoting LTTE ideology online
A 24 year old person was arrested in the Trincomalee area for promoting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ideology through the internet and social media, reports Hiru News on July 3.
32-year-old man arrested in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks
A 32 year old man was arrested on July 6 from Mawanella area in Kegalle District in the Sabaragamuwa Province in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, reports Ada Derana.
A 24-year-old youth, who attended extremist ideologies’ classes conducted in 2018-19 by Easter Sunday attacks mastermind Zahran Hashim, is arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division, reports Hiru News on July 8.
US’s travel advice warns of terror threat in Sri Lanka
United States (US) in an updated travel advice released on July 6 warned of the threat of terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, reports Daily Mirror. The citizens of the US have been told to reconsider travel to Sri Lanka because the “threat of terrorism” apart from COVID. The US State Department said that terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls and government facilities.
Rajapaksa family tightens grip on SL
A brother of Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday, July 8 became finance minister, tightening the family’s grip on power in the South Asian nation as it confronts growing economic troubles.
Basil Rajapaksa, 70, took over the finance portfolio from another brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The 72 year old president has put Mahinda in charge of a newly created but lower level economic policies and planning ministry.
Mahinda Rajapaksa, 75, was the country’s president for a decade up to 2015, and Basil, who is known as the family’s political strategist, managed the economy then. Basil takes charge now after the economy recorded a coronavirus-inflicted 3.6 percent contraction for 2020, the worst since independence from Britain in 1948.
Iran says it has drone that can travel 7,000km
Iran has drones capable of flying 7,000 kilometres (more than 4,000 miles), the commander of its Revolutionary Guard force said Sunday, June 27. “We have drones which can fly 7,000 kilometres, without a pilot, and land back at the same spot or anywhere else,” General Hossein Salami said in a speech broadcast by state television.
He gave no other details but the new drone would give it a range of 3,500 kilometres, compared to 2,000 kilometres for Iran’s “Gaza” combat drone unveiled earlier this year. The “Gaza” drone was reportedly the longest-ranging Iranian drone so far. Iran’s air force is mostly made up of ageing US fighters bought under the rule of the shah toppled in 1979 for which maintenance has been hit by American sanctions. It has relied instead on developing drones, which the Revolutionary Guard said were used in a July 2019 raid on Iranian Kurdish rebels across the border in Iraq.
Burundi ambush
At least 15 people were burnt alive or shot dead in a horrific attack in central Burundi after armed men blocked off a road and started killing travellers, security sources said on Sunday, June 27.
Marib clashes kill 111
Clashes between rebels and Yemeni government fighters killed at least 111 in Marib in three days, pro-government sources said, following a renewed offensive by Huthi insurgents.
The fighting between Thursday (June 24) and Sunday (June 27) killed 29 pro-government personnel and at least 82 rebels, the pro-government sources told AFP. “These areas witnessed fierce fighting amid artillery shelling from both sides and intense coalition air raids,” a government military official said, referring to the Saudi-led military coalition that backs the government.
The Huthi insurgents escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government’s last stronghold in northern Yemen, in February, and the fighting has killed hundreds on both sides.
UK ‘sorry’ after top secret files left at bus stop
Britain’s defence ministry on Monday, June 28 apologised after top secret documents assessing the movements of a Royal Navy warship in the Black Sea were found at a bus stop.
Junior defence minister Jeremy Quin told parliament the government was “deeply sorry” for the lapse, which he blamed on a senior ministry official. One of the documents, which were found by a member of the public in Kent, southeast England, and handed to the BBC, was marked “Secret: UK Eyes Only”.
The BBC reported on Sunday that the cache of papers discussed the possible Russian response to the Royal Navy’s HMS Defender travelling through Ukrainian waters off Crimea. Russia last week said it fired warning shots at the destroyer for violating its territorial waters, straining further diplomatic ties between London and Moscow. But Britain said it was a making “an innocent passage” in accordance with international law.
Belarus suspends participation in EU Eastern Partnership
Belarus said on Monday, June 28 it was suspending its participation in the Eastern Partnership, an initiative to boost ties between the EU and its ex-Soviet neighbours, after Brussels imposed new sanctions over the forced landing of a European flight. The European Union, United States, Britain and Canada sanctioned Belarus after a Ryanair passenger flight between European capitals was grounded in late May in Minsk, where authorities detained opposition activist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend who were on board.
First Israeli Embassy opens in UAE
Israel´s top diplomat Yair Lapid opened the Jewish state´s first embassy in the Gulf during a trip to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, June 29 nine months after they signed a normalisation deal.
He met with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan here, tweeting a picture of the two of them shaking hands shortly after the opening of the embassy. Lapid earlier also tweeted a photo of himself and UAE minister Noura al-Kaabi cutting a ribbon in the blue and white of the Israeli flag.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the opening as “historic”. Lapid’s visit and the opening of the first Israeli embassy in a Gulf state are “significant for Israel, the UAE, and the broader region”, he said in a statement. Israeli ministers have previously visited the UAE, but newly appointed Lapid became the most senior Israeli to make the trip, and the first on an official mission. “Israel wants peace with its neighbours. With all its neighbours. We aren’t going anywhere.”
South Korea holds drill in Seoul to prepare for drone attacks
A drone spraying red and yellow chemicals was taken down by South Korea special forces on Tuesday, June 29 as they conducted a drill in Seoul to prepare for any attack as growing numbers of the remotely controlled devices take to the skies above the city. The 45-minute exercise, which took place in the Seoul Sports Complex, in Songpa district, showcased three attack scenarios drones delivering explosives or chemicals and also hostages being taken.
“There are terror attacks using drones happening periodically (around the world) and we have seen appearances of unauthorised drones gradually increasing in Seoul,” Shin Dong-il, a superintendent at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said.
“Therefore, we planned this drill as there are growing threats of a new type of terrorism against the city of Seoul, such as terrorism with explosives or chemicals using drones.” As part of the exercise, one self-destruct drone simulated an explosives attack, while another drone flew over the stadium spraying the chemicals before the special forces team halted it with jamming guns.
Somali army kills al-Shabab commander in southern region
Somali National Army (SNA) confirmed June 29 its forces killed one of the senior al-Shabab commanders during a sting security operation conducted in the southern region. The SNA said through its military radio that Mohamed Abdi Suubiye, better known Toosoow, was killed on Saturday night by its special unit, Gorgor, at Darussalam village in Aadan Yabaal town, Middle Shabelle region.
Russia foils IS attacks
Russia said on Thursday, June 29 it had killed an alleged member of the Islamic State group and arrested another, accusing them of planning simultaneous attacks in Moscow and the southern region of Astrakhan.
140 school students kidnapped in Nigeria
Gunmen have kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school in northwestern Nigeria, a school official said on Monday, July 5 the latest in a wave of mass abductions targetting schoolchildren and students.
Heavily-armed criminal gangs often attack villages to loot, steal cattle and abduct for ransom in northwest and central Nigeria, but since the start of the year they have increasingly targeted schools and colleges.
Haiti President Jovenel Moise assassinated at home
Haiti President Jovenel Moise was assassinated and his wife wounded early Wednesday, July 7 in an attack at their home, the interim prime minister announced, an act that risks further destabilizing the Caribbean nation beset by gang violence and political volatility. Claude Joseph said he was now in charge of the country and urged the public to remain calm, while insisting the police and army would ensure the population’s safety.
“The president was assassinated at his home by foreigners who spoke English and Spanish,” Joseph said of the assault that took place around 1:00 am (0500 GMT) and left the president’s wife hospitalized.
Moise had ruled Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, by decree, after legislative elections due in 2018 were delayed in the wake of disputes, including on when his own term ends. In addition to the political crisis, kidnappings for ransom have surged in recent months, reflecting the growing influence of armed gangs in the Caribbean nation.
Haiti also faces chronic poverty and recurrent natural disasters. The president faced steep opposition from swathes of the population that deemed his mandate illegitimate, and he churned through a series of seven prime ministers in four years. Most recently, Joseph was supposed to be replaced this week after only three months in the post.
Myanmar junta commiting ‘crimes against humanity’: UN expert
Myanmar’s military has carried out crimes against humanity since seizing power in February, a top UN rights expert said on Wednesday, July 7 slamming the international community for failing to “end this nightmare”.
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, Thomas Andrews, the special rapporteur on the rights situation in Myanmar, decried the “widespread, systematic attacks against the people” since the coup five months ago.
Myanmar has experienced mass protests and a brutal military response since the February 1 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi. UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet told the council on Tuesday that the situation in the country had “evolved from a political crisis to a multi-dimensional human rights catastrophe”. Since the coup, nearly 900 people have been killed, while about 200,000 have been forced to flee their homes, according to UN numbers. At the same time, at least 5,200 people had been arbitrarily arrested, including more than 90 journalists. Andrews accused the military authorities of torture, “including torturing people in custody to death.”
Some of the acts, he said, “amount to crimes against humanity”, lamenting the fact that more had not been done to rein in the violations. Andrews said the military had cut off food, water and medicine to those displaced by its attacks on villages.
Explosion in Sudan kills four
An explosion has killed four people in a Sudanese Red Sea port city, officials said Sunday, July 11 the latest in a series of violent incidents in the area.
Tensions have been simmering in recent days in Port Sudan where anti-government protesters have reportedly blocked roads over rising insecurity.
Three Chinese, two Mauritanians kidnapped in Mali
Three Chinese nationals and two Mauritanians were kidnapped in southwest Mali on Sunday, July 18 the country’s armed forces said, in the latest attack in the war-torn Sahel state.
Armed men attacked a construction site 55 kilometres (34 miles) from the town of Kwala, making off with five pick-up trucks and the hostages, Mali’s army said on social media.
Nigerian fighter jet shot down
Heavily-armed criminals have shot down a fighter jet in Nigeria’s northwest Zamfara state, the air force said on Monday, July 19 adding that the pilot had safely ejected and evaded capture.
The region has for years been terrorised by gunmen known locally as bandits, who maintain camps in forested areas and launch attacks on villages to loot, kidnap and steal cattle. The gangs have lately scaled up mass abductions of students, prompting more military deployments to the area, including fighter jets, to end the violence.
Current Threat Levels:
City/Region Threat Level
Islamabad Level 2 **
Karachi Level 2 **
Lahore Level 2 **
Punjab Level 2 **
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Level 3 **
Peshawar Level 2 **
Quetta Level 2 ***
Upper Balochistan Level 3 ***
Lower Balochistan Level 2 **
Upper / Rural Sindh Level 2 **
Gilgit and Northern areas Level 3 **
Tribal areas, close
to Afghan border Level 3 ***
Index to Threat Level References
Threat Level 1 *
Indicates there is no threat to foreigners although there may be isolated incidents involving petty crime. No security precautions are required.
Threat Level 2 **
Indicates there is no specific threat to foreigners, however because of the overall general law and order situation, some security precautions are advised, especially if traveling.
Threat Level 3 ***
Indicates that law and order situation is cause for concern and travel should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Foreigners should rehearse plans for evacuation.
Threat Level 4 ****
Indicates complete breakdown of civil administration and law and order leading to possible anarchy. All foreigners to remain indoors and confined to their own city. Families and staff not required to be evacuated retaining only a skeleton staff.
Threat Level 5 *****
Indicates complete breakdown of law and order, enemy action/hostilities, invasion/ occupation by enemy.
