Bomb/IED Blasts
On September 30, at least two people were killed and dozens injured in an explosion in a sweet shop the main market of Kohlu district, reports Express Tribune. Later, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)’s spokesperson Azad Baloch, through social media, claimed responsibility for the incident which said it targeted a ‘secret agency hideout’ killing two FC and three Military Intelligence officers.
At least six people, including three women and three children, sustained injuries on October 4 when unidentified assailants lobbed a hand grenade at the house of an associate of a prominent tribal leader inside the Khyber Society of Hub town (Hub District) in Balochistan, reports Samaa TV. The house which was attacked, belonged to Irfan Zehri, an associate of Mir Salahuddin Zehri. Mir Salahuddin Zehri is close aide of former Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri.
Three people were killed and six others injured in a bomb attack targeting two vehicles in the mountainous area of Qabu in Mastung District of Balochistan on October 14, reports Dawn. Levies officials said the vehicles were carrying the people who were returning after burying a man killed by unknown armed men in the Dasht area. An improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a roadside went off when the vehicles were passing through the area.
Targetted Killings
Unidentified gunmen killed a Chinese man, Ronald Raymond Chou, in a private dental clinic in a busy commercial area of Saddar of Karachi, reports Dawn. The clinic was run by a Chinese national Dr Richard Hu, along his wife Phen Teyin and their assistant Ronald Raymond Chou. “Reportedly, Dr Richard Hu ran this private clinic in this area for more than 40 years and the three victims held dual nationality of China and Pakistan,” said the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP-South) Syed Asad Raza.
On September 27, unidentified gunmen killed a policeman, head constable Hayat Zaman, under Shahbaz Ghari police station in Mardan District, reports The Express Tribune. The police personal was killed when he was on leave from duty.
Unidentified assailants shot dead a senior Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam – Fazl (JuI-F) activist in Badan area of Mamond tehsil (revenue unit) in Bajaur District on October 1, reports Dawn. Maulana Shafiullah (30) was on way to a nearby street to teach children of local resident when assailants attacked him in the afternoon. He sustained bullet injuries and died on the way to hospital.
Miscellaneous
On September 27, a team of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of police, in a gun battle, killed four suspected Jamaatul Ahrar terrorists in Hazar-Ganji area of Quetta, reports Dawn. On September 29, a Pakistan Army soldier, Sepoy Jamshed Iqbal (27), in an exchange of fire, with terrorists at Kharlachi border crossing in Kurram district, reports Dawn. Later, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), spokesperson Muhammad Khorasani, through outfit’s social media account, claimed responsibility for the attack saying that the Mujahideen of TTP attacked when the army tried to surround them during a trip killing three soldiers. On September 28, 2022, unidentified militants opened fire at the main gate of Daraban Police Station, injuring Police constable, Ismail, of the Police station in Dera Ismail Khan District, reports Urdupoint. Later, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) through social media account claimed the incident.
On September 30, unidentified gunmen attacked the police station Regi Model Town on the outskirts Peshawar, reports The News International. No casualty was reported in the incident. Reports said a number of attackers opened fire on the police building and hurled two hand grenades.
Two terrorists were killed in a joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Takhti Khel area of Lakki Marwat District on October 2, reports ARY News. According to details, the CTD and local Police conducted the operation on intelligence reports of the presence of wanted terrorists in Takhti Khel. An exchange of fire took place, which continued for a long time leaving two terrorists killed. The terrorists were identified as Waliullah alias Fidai and Tahir alias Inqelabi. A cache of weapons was also recovered from the possession of killed terrorists.
Separately, three employees of an NGO were abducted along with their vehicle in Dabara area of Tank District on September 30, reports The Express Tribune. Police said that these employees were working on the construction of 100 houses for the flood-victims in Tank and were traveling in their vehicle when intercepted and abducted. The death toll in October 1 attack on the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) fire brigade department at Bilal Chowrangi area of Korangi town in Karachi, increased to three as the third injured fireman, Irshad, succumbed to his injuries on October 3, reports Dawn. Earlier, two firemen – Amir and Mehboob were shot dead while Irshad sustained critical injuries.
Two Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) personnel were injured in firing by unidentified assailants at Manzil Pump near Kohi Goth Nadi in Bin Qasim Town of Karachi, on October 5, reports The Nation. The assailants opened fire on Rangers personnel and managed to escape. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Irfan Bahadur said that the Rangers personnel were performing their duty when they signalled four people riding a motorcycle to stop. In response, one of the motorcycle riders pulled out a pistol and opened fire on them, resulting in injuries to two personnel.
Three terrorist and two soldiers killed during an exchange of fire in Hassankhel area of Peshawar, on October 4, reports Daily Times. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said terrorists fired on a military convoy in Hassankhel. “Troops initiated a prompt response, effectively engaged and killed three terrorists,” the ISPR said. The dead soldiers were identified as Lance Naik Muhammad Pannah (30), resident of Jaffarabad District, and Frontier Constabulary’s Sepoy Shams Ullah (36), resident of South Waziristan District.
Meanwhile, four terrorists were killed by Security Forces (SFs) during an operation in the general area of Tank town (Tank District) on October 4, reports Daily Times. ISPR said the troops had observed terrorists’ movement and subsequently engaged them in combat. ISPR added that the militants were involved in target killing, kidnapping, and extortion in the area, and weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.
Separately, one terrorist was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Mattani area of Peshawar on October 6, reports Geo News. ISPR said that the terrorist remained actively involved in terror activities against SFs and the killing of innocent citizens. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the possession of slain terrorists.
Unidentified terrorists, demanding the release of their accomplices from jail, kidnapped a Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Minister and two foreigners from the Babusar Road in Skardu on October 8, reports Geo TV. GB Prisons Minister Abaidullah Baig was on his way along with the foreigners from Islamabad to Gilgit when abducted by the terrorists. Baig was elected from Hunza-6 on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket.
Two terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan District on October 9, reports Samaa TV. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said an intense exchange of fire took place between the troops and terrorists, resulting in two terrorists being shot down. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of slain terrorists.
Separately, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) foiled a terror bid and killed two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists during an encounter in Rahimabad area of Swat District on October 9, reports The Nation. Four Security Force (SF) personnel were also injured during the encounter. The CTD team also recovered hand grenades, weapons and ammunition from the encounter scene.
Meanwhile, unidentified terrorists attacked a school van in Charbagh area of Swat District killing the driver and injuring two students on October 10 (Today), reports Geo TV. It’s pertinent to mention here that exactly 10 years ago, Nobel laureate Child rights activist Malala Yousufzai was attacked in Swat on October 09, 2012, while she was returning home from school.
The son of the local peace committee member was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Waliabad area of Swat District on October 10, reports Samaa TV. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on October 10 arrested a terrorist of a banned outfit during a raid near Mauripur Road in Ibrahim Hyderi area of Karachi, reports ARY News. CTD personnel also recovered arms, hand grenade and bullets.
Police on October 12 arrested a suspected target killer who is said to be involved in the murder of 19 people during a raided on a hotel in Gulberg area of Lahore, reports Samaa TV. He was arrested along with three suspected drug peddlers. Police claimed that the suspected target killer was waiting at the hotel to receive information for his next hit. The suspect was identified as Wasi Iqbal and had been wanted in 19 murders. His identification documents carried a permanent address of Karachi.
Former Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Noor Meskanzai was killed by unidentified assailants in an attack in Kunri area of Kharan District on October 14, reports Samaa TV. Kharan District Superintendent of Police (SP) Asif Haleem said that Meskanzai was shot at least four times in the stomach by attackers. There were no further details about the attack immediately available.
Separately, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) cadres attacked an Army outpost in Zamuran area of Kech District on October 14, reports Hakkal Media. BLA ‘spokesperson’ Jeeyand Baloch claimed that Security Forces suffered heavy losses in the attack without giving further details.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on October 16 killed five terrorists after a heavy gun battle in Splinji area of Mastung District of Balochistan, reports ARY News. The CTD along with other security agencies conducted a raid in the Splinji area after which a heavy exchange of fire took place between them, continuing for around five hours. The terrorists also used hand grenades, leaving injured three security personnel. A cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists.
Separately, a mobile phone tower, belonging to Ufone Company, was blown up by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) cadres in Sheikhri area of Kalat District on October 16, reports The Nation. The mobile tower was totally destroyed in the explosion.
Security Forces (SFs) shot dead one terrorist in exchange of fire during a raid conducted in Jani Khel area of Bannu District on October 17, reports ARY News. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the killed terrorist was involved in attacks on SFs. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from his custody.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on October 19 foiled a terror plot in the federal capital, arresting two suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists from Faizabad of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), reports Samaa TV. Two kilograms of explosive materials were recovered from the possession of the suspects. A spokesperson for the CTD stated that the suspects were identified as Hamza Ghazi and Sher Alam aka Umer. Both suspects hailed from the North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the subsequent FIR registered against them containing sections of the anti-terror act, Sher Alam and Hamza were said to have travelled to Islamabad with a plan to attack a political rally and famous personalities.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on October 24 arrested six suspects linked with banned separatist outfits operating in Balochistan and Sindh during separate raids in Karachi, reports Dawn. The CTD and intelligence agencies jointly carried out a raid at the Mowach Goth graveyard on Hub River Road of Karachi and arrested four suspects identified as Mir Ali Shah, Muhammad Iqbal, Nasrullah and Muhammad. The held suspects were involved in supplying explosives BRAS, an alliance of Baloch separatist organisations, and other separatist groups, a CTD spokesperson said, adding that they had come from Hub to Mowach Goth to supply explosive material, which was supposed to be used for carrying out terror acts in Karachi.
Separately, the CTD and intelligence agencies jointly carried out another raid in Gulzar-i-Hijri near Model Park of Karachi and arrested two suspects identified as Nabeel Ahmed and Wazir Ali Khushk and recovered two pistols from their custody, reports Dawn. Officials claimed that the held suspects were affiliated with the Sindhudesh People’s Army, which had claimed responsibility of the recent attack on a Saddar dental clinic.
PAKISTAN
China asks US not to offer unfair remarks on Sino-Pak ties
China has asked the United States not to offer any unwarranted criticism against the Pakistan-China cooperation. Commenting on the remarks of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington where he called on Pakistan to seek debt relief from China so that it could recover more quickly from the floods, the spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Office, Wang Wenbin, maintained that since the floods hit the country, China has rushed to Pakistan’s aid as its genuine friend and brother in times of need.
In a briefing for international media in Beijing, the spokesman reminded that the Chinese government had provided 400 million RMB worth of humanitarian assistance and China’s civil society had also lent a helping hand. “We will continue to do our utmost to help the Pakistani people overcome the floods and rebuild their homes at an early date.”
He said that Pakistan and China have had fruitful economic and financial cooperation. The Pakistani people know it best. The spokesperson impressed upon the United States that instead of passing unwarranted criticism against the Pakistan-China cooperation, the US side might as well do something real and beneficial for the people of Pakistan.
Two KMC fire brigade department officials and two IS-K terrorists killed in separate incidents in Sindh
Two officials of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) fire brigade department were shot dead while a third was critically injured at Bilal Chowrangi area of Korangi town in Karachi in early hours of October 1, reports Dawn. East Zone Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Muquddus Haider said that a pair of suspects riding a motorbike arrived at the fire brigade office around 2am, woke up four of the employees and began firing at them. As a result, he said, three KMC officials sustained bullet injuries while the fourth managed to escape. DIG Haider said the suspects had helmets on, did not remove them during the incident and fled the scene. Korangi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Faisal Bashir Memon said the police were not ruling out the possibility of terrorism behind the incident for two reasons. Memon said the suspects had asked the employees to form a line and recite Kalima before opening fire. He added that two of the four officials died on the spot while the other two attempted to flee. The suspects opened fire on the fleeing officials from behind, resulting in injuries to one while the other escaped unhurt.
Separately, two Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) terrorists were killed while four Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel were injured during an exchange of fire in Mulla Isa Goth area of Gulshan-e-Myanmar Town in Karachi on October 1, reports Dawn. A statement issued by the Karachi Police Media Cell, quoting Civil Lines Station House Officer Raja Tariq, said an “encounter” between CTD personnel and “terrorists” took place in the area, in which 45-year-old Assistant Sub-Inspector Irfan, 47-year-old constable Arshad Khan, 50-year-old Constable Muhammad Amir and Constable Mola Bux, whose age was around 46-47 years old, were injured. In a press conference at his office, CTD Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Asif Aijaz Shaikh said that the Balochistan CTD had shared information with the Sindh CTD and a federal intelligence agency that two most wanted IS-K militants — Syed Aimal Khan alias Hamza (resident of Pishin) and Abdullah alias Mamum (from Quetta) — who were involved in major terrorism incidents in Balochistan were present in Mulla Isa Goth area of Gulshan-e-Myanmar Town. Taking action on the tip-off, Shaikh said a joint team of the intelligence agency and the CTD led by CTD In-charge Raja Umer Khattab was set up. One suicide jacket, two hand grenades, two 9mm pistols, 80 ammunition rounds, detonators, ball bearings, magnet (a computer hardware disk magnet which is used to prepare an improvised explosive device) and one target list recovered from the encounter site. DIG Shaikh said the Balochistan CTD identified the slain militants, who were initially affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but later on joined the IS-K. He added that the duo were involved in a suicide attack on DIG Police Hamid Shakeel in 2017 in Balochistan, another suicide attack in the parking area of Quetta’s Serena Hotel last year as well as several other major terrorism incidents against security personnel.
Former ‘Anti-Afghan Taliban’ Police officer shot dead in Quetta city of Balochistan
An ‘anti-Afghan Taliban’ former Police officer was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Eastern Bypass area of Quetta, on October 10, reports Dawn. The assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on Abdul Samad Achakzai who was riding a motorbike along with his brother. “Abdul Samad Achakzai suffered multiple bullet injuries and died on the spot, while his brother remained unhurt. However, one passer-by suffered a bullet injury,” Manzoor Ahmed, a senior Police officer of the area said. Samad Achakzai was a Police commander in the previous Ashraf Ghani Government in Kabul. A former adviser to former Afghan president Ghani on public affairs, Akhtar Muhammad Badezai, on his Facebook page confirmed that Achakzai was a Police commander and served as deputy commander in Panjvai District of Kandahar Province till the Afghan Taliban captured Kabul in August 2021. Achakzai also served as Police commander in Urazgan Province. He was a close relative of General Abdul Raziq Achakzai, who was the chief of Kandahar Border Police. After the fall of the Ghani Government, Achakzai escaped from Kandahar and moved to Quetta.
No concrete outcome of talks with TTP, says Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
The Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif on October 14 said the recent talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bore no concrete outcomes whereas the armed forces were fully capable to contain any threat to national security, reports Daily Times. Addressing the Arab News Pakistan Annual Conference 2022 as a keynote speaker, the Minister said the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was under control and would be tackled amicably in case of any untoward situation. Khawaja Asif made it clear that the KP Government should take cognizance whereas the Federal Government would support it in any case to counter terrorism. “It is very heartening to see public coming to streets on their own for their rights. I feel confident that the situation will be controlled. However, the recent revival of few terrorists is an expected spillover from Afghanistan,” he said.
Terror attacks in Pakistan surge by 51 percent after Afghan Taliban victory, reveals PIPS report
According to Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) data, Pakistan witnessed a record 51pc increase in the number of terrorist attacks in a single year after the Afghan Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in August last year as a result of the withdrawal of the United States (US) forces, Dawn reported on October 20. As many as 433 people were killed and 719 injured in 250 attacks in Pakistan between August 15, 2021, and August 14, 2022, reveals PIPS’ Paper Series released on October 19. In comparison, it said, the country witnessed 165 attacks that killed 294 people and injured 598 others from August 2020 to August 14, 2021.
Afghanistan – Internal Dynamics
19 persons killed in an explosion in Kabul Province
On September 30, 19 persons were killed in a suicide attack at an education institute located in Hazara dominated area, in Kabul, reports Ariana News. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Four Taliban fighters killed in Badakhshan Province
On September 30, four Taliban fighters were killed when National Resistance Front (NRF) attacked them in the Payan Mor area of Shahr Buzurg district of Badakhshan Province, reports Hasht-e Subh.
Door of negotiations is open to all countries including US, says IEA’s Mawlavi Abdul Kabir
On October 2, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Mawlavi Abdul Kabir said the door of negotiations and understanding is open to all countries, including the United States, reports Ariana News. Abdul Kabir, in a meeting with a number of academic and scientific figures of the country, said that talks are open to all countries around the world, including the US. The sharing of consultations from scientific personalities to improve the system is said to be one of the main goals of this meeting.
Three Taliban fighters killed in Parwan Province
On September 30, three Taliban fighters were killed when National Resistance Front (NRF) launched an assault on a ‘base’ in the Sehkoti area of Jabal al-Sraj District of Parwan Province, reports Hasth-e-Subh.
35 killed and 82 injured in the suicide attack on Kaj Education Center in Kabul, says UNAMA
On October 1, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) tweeted that 35 persons were killed and 82 injured from suicide attack on the Kaj education center in Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul, reports Hasht-e- Subh. The incident for which no one took responsibility that happened in the Hazara Shia dominated area on October 30.
Only five influential Taliban leaders opposed to opening of girls’ schools in Afghanistan, says UN’s special rapporteur Richard Bennett
The United Nation’s special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said that only five influential Taliban leaders are opposed to the opening of girls’ schools in Afghanistan above the sixth grade, reports Tolo News. “I was told that there are five people who are keeping the girls’ schools closed, five very powerful people, in the … hierarchy, including the supreme leader, but the majority even on the Taliban side are in favor of the opening of girls’ schools,” he said.
US officials hold first meeting with IEA delegation in Qatar since late July 2022
On October 8, the United States (US) officials met in-person with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) officials for the first time since the US claimed it had killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in late July, reports Ariana News. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)’s deputy director and the top State Department official responsible for Afghanistan to the Qatari capital of Doha met with an IEA’s delegation which included their head of intelligence, Abdul Haq Wasiq.
There is consensus on the issue of Taliban’s legitimacy among all members of the international community, said Ned Price, the State Department’s spokesman
The United States (US) State Department Ned Price said that there is consensus on the issue of Taliban’s legitimacy among all members of the international community, reports Ariana News. “As long as the Taliban (Islamic Emirate) repress the women and girls of Afghanistan, the Taliban’s relationship with the rest of the world will suffer,” said Ned Price, the State Department’s spokesman.
21 Taliban Fighters and 10 NRF prisoners killed in Badakhshan Province
At least 21 Taliban fighters were killed and 7 others were wounded in the clashes against National Resistance Front (NRF) forces in Arghanchkhah, Ragh, Yiftal Bala and Sheewa Districts of Badakhshan Province on October 21, reports Hasht-E Subh. Earlier, Sayed Bahruddin Agha, a senior NRF commander, was surrounded by the Taliban and killed along with nine people under his command on October 20. The NRF has confirmed the death of its top commander in Badakhshan battles. The Taliban do not say anything about the battles in Badakhshan.
Meanwhile, the Taliban fighters shot dead 10 prisoners of the National Resistance Front (NRF) in Badakhshan province, including Abdul Hamid, one of the former commanders of the Taliban, who recently joined the Resistance Front along with forces under his command, reports Hasht-E Subh. These NRF forces were captured on October 20-afternoon by the Taliban after a fierce clash in Tang Shiva area of Mayimi District in Badakhshan Province.
Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics
Ansar Al Islam is now focused on collecting funds, increase organizational strength, and avoid arrest, is now sending its permanent members abroad, said counter-terrorism officials
Counter-Terrorism officials said that Ansar Al Islam (AAI) is now focused on collecting funds, increase organizational strength, and avoid arrest, is now sending its permanent members abroad, reports Daily Star on September 30. In the last three months, the AAI had sent a member to Saudi Arabia and complete paperwork of four others for their journey to Oman, said counter-terrorism officials. “As part of a new strategy to avoid arrest, the outfit is now sending members abroad, whose identities were already known to law enforcers,” Ahamedul Islam, additional deputy commissioner of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, said.
12 militants arrested from different Districts
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has announced the arrest of five Jamat-ul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya militants, including one of the major financiers, from the Jatrabari and Keraniganj areas in Dhaka, reports Prothom Alo. According to RAB, the arrested militants were identified as, ‘financier’ Md Habibullah Habib, (32), Neyamat Ullah, (43), Md Hossain, (22), Rakib Hasnat, (28) and Md Saiful Islam. Of them, three had left their homes in the name of ‘hijrat. RAB said they had recovered five radical pamphlets, around 300 leaflets and five bags from the arrestees. RAB also has disclosed how the arrested people used to motivate others towards militancy.
Militants receive various arms training in remote hills, says RAB
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on October 21 said that the militants receive various arms training in the remote area of Bandarbans hill track, reports Prothom Alo. Khandaker Al Moin, legal and media wing director of the RAB, came up with this disclosure at a press conference at Bandarbans Zilla Parishad auditorium. The youths who left home in the name of ‘Hijrat’ were equipped with five types of skills, including making bombs and operating lethal weapons, in the remote area of Bandarbans hill track. They chalked out a plan to carry out subversive activities and armed attacks after the training sessions.
India – Internal Dynamics
SFs recover huge cache of arms and ammunition from Maoist hideout in Bihar
A huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) hideout in a forest area under the Madanpur Police Station limits in Aurangabad District of Bihar on September 26, reports Hindustan Times. Acting on information about hidden weapons of the Maoists to be used against Security Forces (SFs), a joint team of Aurangabad Police and para-military forces launched a search operation and recovered 2,068 live cartridges of Self-Loading Rifles (SLR), eight SLR magazines, 16 INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) assault rifle magazines, 43 magazines of .315 bore rifle, along with 1,800 kilograms urea, 2,000-piece electronic detonators, 35 kilograms aluminium powder, steel container and other explosive making materials. However, no arrest has been made in this connection so far.
UHMA declares PFI and its affiliates as ‘Unlawful Association’
The Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates or affiliates or fronts have been found to be involved in serious offences, including terrorism and its financing, targeted gruesome killings, disregarding the constitutional set up of the country, disturbing public order etc. which are prejudicial to the integrity, security and sovereignty of the country, therefore, on September 28, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) found it necessary to curb the nefarious activities of the organization and has hence declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) along with its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an “unlawful association” under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, reports PIB.
CRPF trooper killed in Maoist blast in Chhattisgarh
A trooper of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), identified as Satpal Singh, was killed in a blast triggered by the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on September 28, reports newsriveting.com. According to senior Police officials, a team of para-military force was on an area domination operation in Pamed region, when the rebels detonated an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) near Chintavagu river adjoining Dharmaram, and Satpal Singh died on the spot. However, further details of injured, if any, are awaited.
Gujarat ATS seals madrasa linked with PFI
Vadodara Police and Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) on September 30, sealed a madrasa (Islamic Seminary) linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI), reports The Print. The madrasa was linked with All India Imams Council (AIIC) is associated with PFI. “We conducted a search in a madrasa where AIIC meeting took place and sealed it, trustees are being questioned,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Crime said. The Central government banned PFI, its associates, and affiliates as an unlawful association with immediate effect for a period of five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967- UAPA.
AFSPA extended in four States as uncertainty remains over Naga peace talks
Union Government extended the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) in some parts of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months, reports The Hindu on October 4. According to Government officials, the uncertainty around the culmination of the Naga peace process is one of the reasons that led to the extension
Monthly Fatalities:
The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period September 26, 2022 to October 25, 2022:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militants | Total | |
| Chhatisgarh | 02 | 01 | 00 | 03 |
| Arunachal P | 02 | 01 | 00 | 03 |
| Odisha | 02 | 00 | 01 | 03 |
| Total | 06 | 02 | 01 | 09 |
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
Upcoming elections are not ordinary, says CPN-Maoist Center’s Chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal
Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-Maoist Center), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, addressing greetings exchange program organized by the Left Alliance in Kathmandu on October 21, requested the leaders and workers not to take the upcoming elections lightly, reports My Republica. Dahal said that for some time now, there have been threats to subvert the constitution and democracy in the country. Targeting the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), he said they are making an effort to defy the constitution and push the country back toward despotism and lawlessness. He said that two ideas and tendencies of backwardness and progress have emerged in the country. He also said that the upcoming election would determine whether the country, constitution and democracy would win or lose.
Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics
Report of the special committee related to the May 9 violent incidents to be submitted to Parliament soon
State Minister of Defense Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon has said in Parliament that the report of the special committee related to the violent incidents that took place on and around May 9 was handed over to the President on September 8, reports Colombo Page on September 27. Accordingly, steps will be taken to inform the Cabinet and the Parliament about it in the future, the State Minister has informed the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defense when he presided over the first meeting of the Committee last week. According to the report of this committee comprising former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, former Air Force Commander Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake and former Army Commander General Daya Rathnayake (retired), if any lapses have occurred in the security forces, measures will be taken in the future the State Minister said. The minister said this when the members brought to the attention of the committee whether there were any lapses by the security forces in connection with the violent incidents that took place in Sri Lanka on and around May 9 and the legal measures to be taken against those involved
INTERNATIONAL
World ‘running out’ of patience with Taliban, says UN envoy
The world is losing patience with the Taliban, a UN envoy told the Security Council on Tuesday, Sept 27 as the Islamist regime shows no sign of allowing girls’ education and question marks remain over its links to al-Qaeda. Markus Potzel, the United Nations deputy representative in Afghanistan, told the council that while there have been some positive developments since the Taliban took power last year, “they have been too few and too slow and are outweighed by the negatives.”
“I am afraid that patience is running out by many in the international community regarding a strategy of engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban,” he said. Potzel spoke as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the Taliban have been “ambiguous as to the extent to which they would wish to engage externally, absent formal recognition and predicated on being in accordance with their interpretation of the sharia.”
In his quarterly report released on Tuesday, Guterres also said he believes this year’s US killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri by drone strike in Kabul “brought to the fore the continuing ties between the terrorist group and the Taliban, which would be contrary to the latter’s counterterrorism commitments.”
The report also denounced the “severe restrictions” still imposed on the rights of women and girls, including the ban on secondary education. In a joint statement focusing on girls’ education, the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council and the five countries that will take seats on the council next year called on the Taliban to “immediately reverse this decision.”
During the meeting, Chinese Ambassador Geng Shuang, stressing the need to ensure the right of girls, said that the assets frozen abroad “should be used expeditiously for the improvement of Afghan lives and economic reconstruction.”
Nine killed in Iraq’s Kurdish region
Iran launched cross-border missile and drone strikes that killed nine people in Iraq’s Kurdistan region on Wednesday, Sept 28 after accusing Kurdish armed groups based there of stoking a wave of unrest that has rocked the Islamic republic.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has in recent days accused the Iraq-based Kurdish groups of “attacking and infiltrating Iran from the northwest of the country to sow insecurity and riots and spread unrest”.
After several earlier Iranian cross-border attacks that caused no casualties, a barrage of missiles and drones on Wednesday claimed nine lives and wounded 32, said the regional health minister in Arbil, Saman al-Barazanji.
Three aid workers killed in South Sudan
The United Nations said on Friday, Sept 30 that three humanitarian workers had been murdered in South Sudan this month, expressing deep concern over a recent escalation in violence targeting aid workers. One aid worker with an international NGO was last week caught up in a crossfire and shot dead in a warehouse in the oil-rich Unity state, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement.
Bomb kills Somali police officer
A top Somali police official was killed on Friday, Sept 30 in a bombing claimed by Al-Shabaab while carrying out a military offensive against the Islamists, the prime minister said.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to stage an all-out-war against the al-Qaeda-linked jihadists. General Farhan Mohamud Adan was part of an elite police unit pursuing the militants and was killed near the Al-Shabaab-controlled village.
Rebels shoot dead four in Indonesia’s West Papua
Separatists in Indonesia’s restive eastern province of West Papua have shot dead at least four people, police said on Friday, Sept 30 identifying the victims as construction workers on a controversial and long-delayed road project.
Officials said the victims were working on the Trans Papua highway, a 4,300-km project criticised by rights groups as harming the environment and threatening the indigenous rights of Papuans who depend on the land.
Senior officials among nine dead in Somalia car bombings
Nine people, including senior regional officials, were killed in twin car bombings claimed by Al-Shabaab in central Somalia on Monday, Oct 04 police said, as the government escalates an offensive against the Islamists. Two cars packed with explosives were detonated minutes apart outside local government offices in Beledweyne, a city at the heart of recent offensives against the al-Qaeda-linked militants who control swathes of Somalia.
North Korea fires two ballistic missiles, blames US drills
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles on Thursday, Oct 06 and claimed its recent blitz of sanctions-busting tests were necessary countermeasures against joint military drills by the United States and South Korea.
As the United Nations Security Council met to discuss Pyongyang´s Tuesday launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan, North Korea blamed Washington for “escalating the military tensions on the Korean peninsula”.
The recent launches — six in less than two weeks — were “the just counteraction measures of the Korean People´s Army”, Pyongyang´s foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday. Seoul, Tokyo and Washington have ramped up joint military drills in recent weeks, including large-scale naval manoeuvres and anti-submarine exercises.
The security allies carried out a joint “missile defence exercise” in waters off the peninsula Thursday, Seoul´s military said, involving a US navy destroyer from the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier´s strike group. That was “expected to further solidify operational capabilities and posture to respond to North Korean missile provocations”, Seoul´s military said.
Gun attack in Mexico leaves at least 20 dead
Mexican authorities said on Thursday, Oct 06 that at least 20 people had been killed, including the mayor, when gunmen stormed a town hall in the southern part of the country on Wednesday in a broad daylight attack.
In a statement, the Guerrero state prosecutor´s office pledged to arrest those responsible for killing both the mayor of San Miguel Totolapan and his father, also a former mayor. Local TV footage showed the facade of the municipal building riddled with bullets while people were heard screaming. “According to information from the prosecutor´s office, there have been 20 victims,” public safety official Ricardo Mejia said during a press conference Thursday.
Ukraine has retaken nearly 2,500 sq km in new offensive: Zelensky
Ukraine´s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, Oct 07 said Ukrainian forces have recaptured nearly 2,500 square kilometres of territory from Russia in a counteroffensive that began late last month.
“This week alone, our soldiers liberated 776 square kilometres of territory in the east of our country and 29 settlements, including six in Lugansk region,” Zelensky said. “In total, 2,434 square kilometres of our land and 96 settlements have already been liberated since the beginning of this offensive operation,” he added in his daily speech shared on social media.
Ukraine has in recent days made a second significant push to reclaim territory in the northeastern region of Kharkiv, but also in the south, near Kherson, a city under Russian control. In mid-September, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces retook 6,000 square kilometres from Russian troops in the first counteroffensive.
Russian forces said earlier on Friday they had captured ground in Donetsk in east Ukraine, their first claim of new gains since Kyiv grabbed the momentum with its lightning counteroffensive that rattled Russia´s war effort. A civilian volunteer from the humanitarian group Vostok SOS, 29-year-old Edvard Skoryk told AFP that there had been “street combat” near his home on the other side. South of the city, in the direction of the apparently seized villages, occasional columns of black smoke erupted after shells exploded.
The four territories create a crucial land corridor between Russia and the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014 and together make up around 20 percent of Ukraine. In Kherson, the Moscow-installed deputy head of the region said Friday that five civilians were killed in shelling by Kyiv´s forces, as Ukrainian forces push their counter-offensive to reclaim the area.
“Militants from the Ukrainian military fired at a bus carrying civilians on the Daryevsky bridge. Civilians were on their way to work,” he said on social media, saying another five people had been wounded.
Kyiv announced this week that it had recaptured some 500 square kilometres (193 square kilometere) in Kherson. This included around 30 towns and villages, potentially trapping as many as 20,000 Russian troops on the western bank of the Dnieper river that cuts through Kherson.
Ukraine´s Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on Friday urged Russian forces to lay down their arms promising their lives would be spared and they would be safe.
Somalia warns media not to publish Al-Shabaab propaganda
Somalia´s government announced on Saturday, Oct 08 a crackdown on media outlets that publish what it deems propaganda for the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab and warned that offenders would be punished.
The move comes as Somalia´s armed forces, backed by local militias and international allies, wage an aggressive counterinsurgency campaign against the al-Qaeda affiliate.
“I want to inform the Somali media and all Somali people in general that we will regard all Al-Shabaab related propaganda coverage including their terrorist acts and their ideology as punishable crimes,” Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf said. “The Somali government is totally banning all kinds of coverage relating to the terrorist ideology and acts of intimidation by (Al Shabaab),” he told reporters.
59 lawyers slain in 6 years in Philippines
At least 133 lawyers have been killed in the Philippines since the 1980s in work-related attacks, nearly half of them in the last six years during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s turbulent term, a prominent group of lawyers said on Saturday, Oxr 15.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers also said that harassment of lawyers and judges in the Philippines has continued under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in June, despite alarms raised by the country’s Supreme Court and international watchdogs.
Last year, the Supreme Court condemned in a rare public expression the rising number of killings and threats against lawyers and judges and asked lower courts, law enforcers and lawyers’ groups to provide information about such assaults in the last 10 years so it can take preemptive steps. The attacks “cannot be allowed in a civilized society like ours,” the high court said.
EU sanctions Iran ‘morality’ police, minister
The EU on Monday, Oct 24 sanctioned Iran´s “morality” police for the fatal beating in custody of Mahsa Amini and other security forces for the repression of subsequent protests.
Also sanctioned were the Iranian minister overseeing internet curbs and the cyber division of its Revolutionary Guards. The sanctions list, published in the bloc´s official administrative gazette, also blacklisted the chiefs of the so-called morality police, the Revolutionary Guard´s Basij paramilitary force, a uniformed branch of the national police, and officials in charge of those forces.
Iran vowed an ´immediate” response to the sanctions. The 11 individuals and members of the four entities named in the sanctions are subject to EU visa bans and asset freezes. Ahead of the blacklist´s publication, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said of the “morality” police that it is a “word that is not really appropriate when you see the crimes that are being committed there”.
The EU has been alarmed at the Iranian regime´s bloody crackdown on protests sparked by the death a month ago of Amini, a 22-year-old taken into custody by morality police who arrest women deemed to wear Islamic headscarves inappropriately. The demonstrations have since morphed into anti-regime street protests, with those taking part demanding the end of the mullah-led regime.
Current Threat Levels:
City/Region Threat Level
Islamabad Level 2 **
Karachi Level 2 **
Lahore Level 2 **
Punjab Level 2 **
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Level 3 **
Peshawar Level 2 **
Quetta Level 2 ***
Upper Balochistan Level 3 ***
Lower Balochistan Level 2 **
Upper/ Rural Sindh Level 2 **
Gilgit and Northern areas Level 3 **
Tribal areas, close
to Afghan border Level 3 ***
Index to Threat Level References
Threat Level 1 *
No threat to foreigners although there may be isolated incidents involving petty crime. No security precautions are required.
Threat Level 2 **
No specific threat to foreigners, however because of the overall general law & order situation, some security precautions are advised, especially if traveling.
Threat Level 3 ***
Indicates that law and order situation is cause for concern and travel should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Foreigners should rehearse plans for evacuation.
Threat Level 4 ****
Indicates complete breakdown of civil administration and law and order leading to possible anarchy. All foreigners to remain indoors and confined to their own city. Families and staff not required to be evacuated retaining only a skeleton staff.
Threat Level 5 *****
Indicates complete breakdown of law and order, enemy action/hostilities, invasion/ occupation by enemy.
