Suicide Attacks
On March 6, nine persons, including eight Policemen and one civilian, were killed while 13 other persons were injured in a suicide attack on a Balochistan Constabulary van on the Kambri bridge in Dhadar tehsil (revenue unit) of the Kachhi District, reports Dawn. The Police van was returning to Quetta from Dhadar where the Balochistan Constabulary personnel was posted for duty at a Sibi cultural festival. The van collided with a motorcycle which was being driven by a suicide bomber. Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for the attack, adds Radio Zrumbesh.
On March 10, one person, identified as Muhammad Saleem was killed and three others were injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion at the under-construction Hazara Dam area of Harnai District, reports Dawn. Officials said unknown miscreants planted an IED at the under-construction dam which exploded when a tractor was passing through the area.
Bomb/ IED Blasts
On February 27, 2023 four people, including a Frontier Corps (FC) soldier and three civilians were injured in a grenade and rocket attack on an FC checkpoint in Jusak Board area of Turbat town in Kech District, reports Dawn. Police said unidentified persons riding a motorcycle hurled a grenade at FC post at Jusak Board area. The armed men later fired RPGs at the post, leaving an FC soldier and three civilians injured. On March 5, a person was killed and two others injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near Bakakhel Mandi area in Bannu District, reports The Express Tribune. The IED was planted in a motorcycle.
Targetted Killings
On March 9, four people including a Policeman were killed and six others sustained bullet injuries when unknown assailants opened fire on them near a private school in the limits of Saddar Police Station on Dera Ismail Khan Road in Bannu District, reports Dawn. Police registered the case against unknown assailants under relevant sections of Anti Terrorism Act. A religious scholar, Mufti Abdul Qayum (45) was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack in Block-9 area of Gulistan-i-Jauhar town in Karachi, on March 21, reports Dawn. Karachi East Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Zubair Nazeer Shaikh said Mufti Qayum was on foot when pillion riders fired a single bullet at his head from close range and fled. He was going home after offering his Fajr prayers in the mosque. Mufti Abdul Qayum, an Ahle Sunnat religious scholar, was associated with the Sunni Ulema Council. He was the Khateeb and head of the Jamia Masjid Muhammadia Noorania and Islamic Centre in Architect Society, Gulistan-i-Jauhar respectively. He was also the Head of Women Islamic Mission University in Gulshan-i-Iqbal and a former teacher of Jamia Anwarul Quran in the Gulshan-i-Iqbal seminary.
On March 22, the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) religious leader Maulana Salim Khatri (58) was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Sector 5-E area under Bilal Colony Police Station in New Karachi Town of Karachi, reports The Express Tribune. Maulana Salim Khatri was sitting at a shop near his house when four unidentified assailants on two motorcycles shot and killed him. He was shot five times, with seven shells of 9mm pistols found at the crime scene.
Miscellaneous
On February 27, 2023 four coal miners were killed when unidentified assailants opened fire at their mine in the Khost area of Harnai District, reports The Express Tribune. Three coal miners were also injured in the attack.
On February 27, 2023 a Levies Force soldier was killed and five other soldiers sustained injuries in a land mine explosion in Janat Ali union council of Kohlu District, reports The Express Tribune. The Levies personnel were going to perform duties for local government elections when their vehicle hit a landmine.
On February 27, 203 one Levies soldier was killed when unidentified terrorists attacked the Levies station in the Killi Sohbat area of Chaman District, reports The Express Tribune.
On February 27, 2023 two Army soldiers were killed during a gunfight with terrorists in the Spinwarm area of North Waziristan District, reports Dawn. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement identified the dead soldiers as 25 year-old Sepoy Imran Ullah from Bajaur District and 21-year-old Sepoy Afzal Khan from Upper Dir District. On February 28 police arrested 14 suspected militants during an operation on the Karamar Mountain in Swabi District, reports Dawn. District Police Officer Najam ul Husnain said that drone technology was used to locate the movement of suspected persons on the mountain.
On March 2 the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Paposh area of Karachi, reports ARY News. Two suspects named Fahad Baloch and Zahid Baloch were arrested. The cache of weapons includes 17 9mm pistols, one Kalashnikov, 17 9mm big magazines, 17 9mm small magazines, one thousand 9mm bullets and 500 Kalashnikov bullets.
On March 3, a terrorist was killed by Security Forces in an intelligence-based operation in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan District. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said: “During the conduct of the operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists. Resultantly, one terrorist was killed. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorist.” On March 8, six terrorists were killed on by Security Forces in an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in North Waziristan District’s Datta Khel general area, reports Dawn. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said: “During intense exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed,” adding that weapons and ammunition were recovered from them. On March 10, five terrorists were killed by Security Forces in Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) in undisclosed locations in Districts of North and South Waziristan, reports Dawn. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “On March 10, IBOs were conducted by security forces in North and South Waziristan districts. During conduct of the operations, five terrorists were killed after intense fire exchange.” A large quantity of equipment were also recovered from them.
On March 10, the Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested 12 suspected terrorists, belonging to the Al-Qaeda and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports Dawn. They were arrested during a “covert operation” from three cities of the province, including Lahore, from where three “terrorists” were arrested “nearby a sensitive area”. A CTD spokesperson said the “terrorist network wanted to conduct subversive activities in sensitive districts”. On March 10, Geo TV reported that two security guards of the son of Balochistan Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind were killed, while one sustained injury in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast that occurred in the Noshman area in Bolan District.
On March 13, the mastermind of the February 17 terror attack on the Karachi Police Office (KPO), Iriadullah and his accomplice were killed and two other terrorists were arrested during an encounter in Northern Bypass of Manghopir in Karachi, reports Geo TV. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) said Iriadullah was a ‘commander’ of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Karachi Chapter, while the second terrorist killed was identified as Abdul Waheed. On March 17, 1 Police patrolling party was attacked by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle in Pak Colony area of Karachi, reports ARY News. Police said that unidentified assailants opened fire at Police patrolling party near Musharraf Park and upon retaliation the Police arrested a suspect in injured condition, whereas his accomplices managed to flee from the scene. On March 14, two persons including a journalist’s son were killed and seven others sustained injuries in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast at Agha Sultan Ibrahim Road of Khuzdar town (Khuzdar District), reports ARY News. The Deputy Commissioner of Khuzdar said that a vehicle was targeted through an IED leaving two killed and seven injured.
On March 18, Geo TV reported that the Security Forces (SFs) killed three terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Awaran District. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said the IBO was initiated on March 15 to intercept a terrorist group operating in the general area of South Awaran. The terrorists were linked with firing and improvised explosive devices (IED) incidents along Turbat-Awaran Road and surrounding areas, read the statement. A Police post was attacked with grenades by unidentified terrorists in Meri Khel area of Bannu District on March 19, reports The Express Tribune. However, no casualties was reported. A motorcycle parked at the checkpoint caught fire due to the explosives used during the attack and was completely burned. Three Army personnel and three terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 21, reports Samaa TV. According to the Inter Services public Relations (ISPR), terrorists attacked a Police checkpost in the Khutti area.
The Security Forces (SFs) immediately cordoned off the area, blocking all possible escape routes. The fleeing terrorists were intercepted in the Saggu area. In the ensuing exchange of fire, three Army personnel and three terrorists were killed. SFs recovered weapons and explosives from the possession of the killed terrorists.
PAKISTAN
Former Al Badr ‘commander’ Syed Khalid Raza shot dead by SRA cadres in Karachi
On February 26, 2023 a former commander of Al Badr outfit, Syed Khalid Raza was shot dead by Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) outside his residence in Gulistan-i-Jauhar town in Karachi, reports Dawn. Syed Khalid Raza was the deputy director of the Darul Arqam Schools in Karachi region. He was also the vice chairman of the Federation of Private Schools Pakistan. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), East Zone, Zubair Nazeer Shaikh said that the victim came out of his home towards his car parked nearby. Assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at him and rode away. He suffered a single bullet wound in the head and died on the spot. SRA through its Telegram channel claimed responsibility for the killing, terming him as an operative of the religious extremist terrorist organization «Al-Badr» and an instrument of Pakistani agencies.
TTP wants to push Government out of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to establish Sharia, says US State Department: report
According to a United States (US) State Department report, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) aims to push the Government of Pakistan out of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and establish Sharia by waging a terrorist campaign against the military and state, Dawn reported on March 1. According to the 2021 ‘Country Reports on Terrorism’, the TTP uses the tribal belt along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to train and deploy its operatives. TTP draws ideological guidance from Al Qaeda, while elements of Al Qaeda rely in part on TTP for safe haven in the Pashtun areas along the Afghan-Pakistan border. “This arrangement has given TTP access to both AQ’s global terrorist network and its members’ operational expertise.” State Department report notes action taken against India-focused militant groups, regrets failure to dismantle such outfits.
Around 70 most-wanted ‘terrorists’ of Da’esh and Al-Qaeda arrested from across Punjab during last 11 months, reveals Punjab Police’s official documents
On March 2, the Samaa TV quoting the Punjab Police’s official documents reported that the counter-terrorism authorities have arrested over 170 most-wanted terrorists in a series of covert operations spanning over 11 months across Punjab. Samaa TV’s investigation unit gained access to official documents, which revealed that the Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) launched covert operations against operatives of the Islamic State (IS), Al-Qaeda, Islamic State-Khorasan and other local militant groups last year. Several terrorists were gunned down in these operations, revealed the CTD officials. As per the documents, 22 Al-Qaeda members were arrested in south Punjab in 40 operations. The authorities also arrested 41 terrorists of the IS in 35 operations, while intelligence-based operations also resulted in the arrest of four operators of the IS-Khorasan. The CTD teams also arrested 89 operatives of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during these operations conducted in different cities of Punjab. Among those arrested were also 10 members of the TTP Ghazi group, eight operatives of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and one belonging to the 313 Brigade.
Militant attacks surged in February, says PICSS report
Dawn reported on March 2 that according to a Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) report, militant attacks witnessed a surge in the month of February this year, but the resultant deaths were down as compared to January. An attack by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Karachi Police Headquarters was the most high-profile attack in the month of February. According to the statistics released by PICSS, militants carried out 58 attacks during the past month in which 62 people were killed, including 27 civilians, 18 Security Forces (SFs) personnel and 17 militants while 134 people were injured, including 54 civilians and 80 SFs personnel. The database showed that for the first time after June 2015, the country faced 58 attacks in a single month. The upward trajectory of anti-state violence continued in February as 32 percent more insurgents’ attacks were recorded compared with January 2023. However, the number of deaths declined by 56 percent compared with January. In January, most deaths occurred due to the Peshawar Police Line suicide attack.
CTD arrest 11 terrorists during IBOs across Punjab
On March 17, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested 11 suspected terrorists during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in various Districts of Punjab, reports Samaa TV. A CTD spokesman said that the arrested terrorists were associated with proscribed outfits. At least 55 IBOs were conducted in different Districts to effectively deal with any untoward incident of terrorism, in which 56 suspected persons were interrogated and 11 alleged terrorists were arrested with weapons, explosives, and other prohibited materials.
Among the arrested terrorists, three were cadres of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), namely Najibullah, Muhammad Tahir, and Abdul Sami, one was cadre of Tehreek Jafaria Muhammad Aftab, four cadres of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) namely Kaleemullah, Manzoor Khan, Niaz Muhammad and Muhammad Zubair, two cadres of Sipah Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), identified as Muhammad Hussain Muawiya and Muhammad Daniyal. 883 grams of explosives, seven detonators, one hand grenade, 14 feet of safety fuse wire, two feet of prima cord, two leaflets of banned organizations, two receipt boxes, 122 stickers, 92 pamphlets, two flags of a banned outfit and 35290 rupees in cash were recovered from the terrorists.
AFGHANISTAN INTERNAL DYNAMICS
Afghanistan still a grave humanitarian crisis, says UN
“Afghanistan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in 2023, with the exception of Turkey and Syria, which suffered from a deadly earthquake”, states Ramiz Alakbarov, United Nations (UN) Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan on February 28, reports UN news. He added that climate change and the economic downturn continue to fuel the crisis in Afghanistan, and there have been no “encouraging developments” towards getting girls back into classrooms. Over the past 18 months, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by up to 35 percent, the cost of a basic food basket rose by 30 percent and unemployment by 40 percent, he stated further. He also stressed the need for the de facto authorities to ensure Afghan girls and women have the right to be full members of society, which includes being able to work, get an education, and access healthcare and other services.
‘Commander’ among six TTP terrorists killed in IED blast in Khost Province
On March 2, six terrorists of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) including a prominent ‘commander’ were killed and 15 others injured in an Improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Khost province, reports Khaama Press. The slain terrorists were identified as ‘commander’ Abdul Manan, Alam Khan Musakhel, Kajir; while three others remained unidentified. Thenews.com.pk adds that among the injured terrorists were ‘commander’ Fazal Amin, ‘commander’ Muhammad alias Toofan, ‘commander’ Noor Payo Khan, Faqirullah, Tarozai, Sat Kai, Ali Sur Khan, Zubair, Hijratullah, Kamal, Sher Afzal, Bakhtullah, Zabihullah, and two others.
700,000 people lost their jobs since Taliban takeover, says UN report
According to a report released on March 3 by the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, 700,000 people have lost their jobs in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control, with the construction, civil service, and agricultural industries being the most badly impacted, reports peoplesdispatch.org. “Around 1,000 families have been forcibly removed from their lands and displaced from several villages in Daikundi Province since September 2021… At least 2,800 Hazara residents were forcibly displaced from 15 villages in Daikundi and Uruzgan Provinces in September 2021 alone,” the report said. “The Taliban’s response to armed resistance by the National Resistance Front in Panjshir province and other provinces continues to adversely impact civilians in breach of international human rights and humanitarian laws,” the report added. “As many as 1,855 grave violations were committed against children between January and September 2022,” the report pointed out.
The report further said, “This crisis has been exacerbated by the unintended consequences of political cautiousness and over compliance with (US imposed) sanctions, despite the humanitarian exemptions afforded by the Security Council,” the report further said.the report adds that an “estimated 18.9 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, a number which is expected to rise to 20 million, and over 90% of peoples are suffering from some form of food insecurity, with single-parent female-headed households and children being disproportionately affected.”
Taliban Governor of Balkh Province killed along with two others in ISKP orchestrated suicide blast
On March 9, an Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) suicide bomber armed with explosives blew himself up near the Governor of Balkh Province, namely Mohammad Dawood Muzamil, killing him along with two civilians in Mazar-e Sharif, the capital city of Balkh Province, reports Al Jazeera. In addition, four other people were injured, including three military personnel and one civilian.
Woman Library in Kabul closes due to Taliban’s restrictions against women
Officials of the Woman Library in Pole Sorkh area of capital city of Kabul say that the library has been closed due to the restrictions imposed by the Taliban on education and work against women, Hasht-e Subh reports on March 13. Julia Parsi, one of the officials of this library, confirmed the closure of the library on March 13. Parsi added that the Woman Library was established six months ago with the aim of promoting the culture of reading and informing women.
Afghanistan remains most impacted country by terrorism for fourth consecutive year, says GTI report
On March 14, Global Terrorism Index (GTI) reported that Afghanistan remains the country most impacted by terrorism for the fourth consecutive year, despite attacks and deaths falling by 75 per cent and 58 percent, respectively, reports The Khaama Press News Agency. The GTI reported that Afghanistan recorded 633 fatalities in 2022, despite terrorism-related deaths declining by 866 in 2022, a 58 percent improvement over 2021.
The report attributed this drop to the Taliban taking control of the country after the fall of Kabul in August 202. The report stated, “The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has emerged as the most active terrorist group in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country and was responsible for the deaths of 422 people in 2022 – accounting for almost 67 percent of the total terrorism-related deaths in the country for the year.”
The report further read, “Additionally, counter-terrorism agencies remain concerned that the Taliban may be supporting terrorist organizations, particularly Al-Qaeda, and that Afghanistan could become a haven for terrorists”.
Woman shot dead in Badghis Province
On March 16, a woman, identified as Raies Rahila, was kidnapped, severely beaten and then shot dead by some unidentified gunmen in Qalae-Naw District of Badghis Province, reports Hasht-e-Subh. She was an employee of the Department of Martyrs and Disabled in the Province during the previous government.
Afghanistan should not again serve as a «base for terrorism”, says European Union Council
On March 20, the European Union (EU) Council said in a statement, “Afghanistan should not once again serve as a base for terrorism and violent extremism to other countries, and the EU demands that the Taliban cease all direct and indirect ties with terrorism and reiterates the Taliban’s responsibility in combatting terrorism,” reports Tolo News.
Statement further said, the EU approved the conclusions that reaffirm the EU’s “principled commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan and to supporting the people of the country.” Also, the EU condemned the “large-scale and systematic gender-based discrimination by the Taliban who, through their discriminatory decision to ban women from working for national and international non-governmental organisations, are impeding the delivery of humanitarian assistance and basic needs support to the Afghan people.”
BANGLADESH INTERNAL DYNAMICS
Four JAFHS militants arrested by RAB in Chittagong
On February 28, 2023 the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of Bangladesh arrested four Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya (JAFHS) cadres, identified as Hossain Ahmad, Al Amin, Al Amin alias Partha Kumar Das and Nihal Abdullah from Patiya Bypass area of Chittagong, reports tbsnews.net/Bangladesh. The RAB have been conducting an anti-militancy operation since October 2022. During the interrogation of the four arrested militants, it was revealed that JAFHS has been planning and training young members for armed strikes in Bangladesh.
Rohingya man shot dead in Cox’s Bazar District
On March 3, a Rohingya man, identified as Rafiq was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Ukhiya Sub-District of Cox’s Bazar District (Chittagong Division), reports Prothom Alo. He was abducted from his residence at A/9 block in camp-19.
Operatives of ARSA arrested
On March 3, three operatives of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) were arrested by a joint team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) 15 and Armed Police Battalion (APBN) 8 for their involvement in killing a Rohingya man, during a raid at camp no. 9 in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya camp (Ukhiya Sub-District), reports Dhaka Tribune. The detainees are Asmat Ullah, Abdur Rahman, and Abu Shama.
Rohingya leader shot dead in Cox’s Bazar District
On March 8, a Rohingya man, identified as Syed Hossain aka Kala Bodda majhi (leader) was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Kutupalong 2- east camp in Ukhiya Sub-District of Cox’s Bazar District, reports The Daily Star.
Two injured in KNF shooting in Bandarban District
On March 11, two people were injured and four others went missing when Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) militants opened fire on two vehicles transporting construction workers in Thanchi Sub-District of Bandarban District (Chittagong Division), reports Dhaka Tribune.
Army man killed by KNA militants in Bandarban District
An Army man, identified as Master Warrant Officer, Nazim uddin was killed and two others were injured after Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) militants opened fire in Ruanchhari of Bandarban District on March 12, reports The Daily Star. The incident happened as KNA militants fired on an Army team tasked with providing security to a free health campaign for mothers and children in hilly areas on the occasion of Independence Day and National Children’s Day.
Rohingya man shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
On March 15, a Rohingya man (volunteer at Balukhali Camp 8), identified as Abdur Rashid was shot dead by some unidentified gunmen in Ukhiya Sub-District in Cox’s Bazar District, reports The Daily Star.
INDIA INTERNAL DYNAMICS
Don’t work at Surjagarh mining site, Maoists warn villagers in Maharashtra
The Times of India reported on February 28 that the residents of 13 villages of Etapalli Taluka (administrative unit) in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra, were warned against working at the Surjagarh mines by top Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres.
In the meeting held last week (February 20-26) near Targoda village, a few kilometres away from Gatta Jambiya, Maoist leaders like Raghu and Giridhar had urged the residents of 13 villages under Pursalgondi gram panchayat (village level local self-Government institution) not to work at the mining site. Apart from working on the mining site, the Maoists also urged women workers to stop going to a sewing unit, which has been set up by the company as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
SFJ defaces SDM office in Punjab with anti-India graffiti and threatens to raise ‘Khalistan flags’ in IGI airport
The banned pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) defaced the office of the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Bagha Purana city with graffiti saying ‘Punjab is Not India’ and ‘Khalistan Zindabad’, and threatened to «storm and target» Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in New Delhi with ‘Khalistan flags’ during the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers Summit in New Delhi, reports Firstpost.com. The announcement was made by SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a video message on February 28, 2023. “This message is for the G20 foreign ministers. Punjab is not India. SFJ will storm and target the New Delhi Airport with Khalistan flags,” he said.
Pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu urges train shutdown in Punjab ahead of G20 summit
On March 7, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the ‘chief’ of the banned pro-Khalistan group Sikh For Justice (SFJ), posted a video on social media urging people in Punjab not to board trains between March 15-16, 2023 (Amritsar will hold the G20 meeting from March 15-17), and plans to close railway tracks in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Ferozepur Districts of Punjab, reports Punjab Kesari. He went on to say that if the trains operate, the G-20 members would realise that Punjab is not a ‘slave’ of the Indian government. He added that at the G-20 meeting, the young generation associated with them would perform and make the next 20 countries aware that Punjab is not a part of India, but ‘Khalistan’.
India is worst hit by terrorism, but not a major threat, says Global Terrorism Index report
According to a report by the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) released by Sydney-based think tank “Institute for Economics and Peace”, India is worst hit by terrorism centered around the border areas, reports asiantimes.com on March 16. India is among the 25 countries worst hit by terrorism, but also at 56th position among 120 countries surveyed with most people calling terrorism the biggest threat to public safety. The report gave India a 7.175 GTI score and kept India at the 13th spot in the category of countries worst hit by terrorism. The report listed the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI Maoist) as the 12th deadliest terror group in 2022, ahead of Al-Qaeda (13th) and Lashkar-e- Taiba (10th). The report also mentioned about Dawood Ibrahim and his D-company controlling several criminal activities in Mumbai, including drug trafficking, arms trade, precious metals, prostitution, counterfeiting and extortion.
Monthly Fatalities:
The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period February 26, 2023
to March 25, 2023:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militants | Total | |
| Assam | 03 | 00 | 01 | 04 |
| Chattisgarh | 04 | 08 | 00 | 12 |
| Jharkhand | 02 | 00 | 00 | 02 |
| Odisha | 02 | 00 | 00 | 02 |
| Total | 11 | 08 | 01 | 20 |
NEPAL INTERNAL DYNAMICS
Communist rift plunges Nepal’s ruling coalition into crisis
Splits within Nepal’s communist-dominated ruling coalition plunged the Himalayan nation into crisis on Monday, Feb 27 as a Marxist-Leninist party said it would withdraw support after the Maoist prime minister backed an opposition candidate for the presidency. Nepal has had 11 governments since it abolished its 239-year-old monarchy in 2008 and became a republic. It is due to appoint its next president on March 9.
Sri Lanka Internal Dynamics
LTTE’s international network still active, says US bureau on counter-terrorism report
According to the United States (US) Department of State 2021 Country Reports on Terrorism, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)’s international network of sympathizers and financial supporters is still active, despite its military defeat in 2009 at the hands of the Sri Lankan government, reports Colombo Gazette on February 28. The report stated that there have been no known attacks in Sri Lanka attributed to the LTTE since 2009, but 13 LTTE supporters, several of whom had planned attacks against US and Israeli diplomatic facilities in India, were arrested in Malaysia in 2014. Additional members were arrested in Malaysia and India in 2015, one of whom was accused of exhorting other Sri Lankans to fund and revive the LTTE, the report adds. The report also stated that Sri Lanka has continued efforts to enhance its counterterrorism capabilities and to improve border security, including through engagement with the United States and other international partners.
Sri Lanka outlaws strikes as anti-tax protests spread
On Tuesday, Feb 28, Sri Lanka’s government said it was banning strikes in several key sectors, a day ahead of a planned one day national stoppage called by unions to protest against painfully high taxes and utility bills. Anger towards President Ranil Wickremesinghe is growing as his government slashes spending and hikes taxes to secure an IMF bailout after more than a year of economic and political upheaval. Wickremesinghe’s office said he used his executive power to invoke an “essential services” order that effectively outlawed the planned trade union action. He declared “public transports, delivery of food or drink, or coal, oil, fuel, the maintenance of facilities for transport by road, rail or air… airports, ports and railway lines, as essential services with immediate effect,” a statement said.
INTERNATIONAL
Belarus rights situation worsening ‘dramatically’ -UN expert
Belarus´s already dire rights situation is deteriorating further, a UN expert warned on Thursday, March 2, a day before Nobel Prize winner Ales Bialiatski is expected to be sentenced to over a decade behind bars. “My assessment of the situation of human rights is that it worsened dramatically,” special rapporteur on Belarus Anais Marin told an event on the sidelines of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. “It´s going from bad to worse.”
She and the UN rights office are due to present reports to the council this month on the violations committed in the country surrounding contested presidential elections three years ago. Belarus was gripped by months of unprecedented anti-government demonstrations after the August 2020 vote resulted in a sixth term in office to President Alexander Lukashenko — a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Marin, an independent expert, said she was concerned that “the continuously worsening human rights situation in Belarus could fall below the radar.” There have not been large-scale protests in Belarus for more than two years, she said, “because independent voices in the country have all been silenced.”
Marine pointed out that Belarus is currently holding “at least 1,400” political prisoners, while over 700 civil society organisations had been forced to close their offices in the past three years. And 32 journalists and media workers are currently detained in the country, she said, citing the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
Pipeline blast kills 12 in Nigeria
An explosion at a crude oil pipeline on Friday, March 3 killed 12 people stealing oil in southern Nigeria, police said, in the latest bloody incident in the oil-rich country.
Rivers state police said the blast in Rumuekpe community, Emuoha district, was caused by thieves and vandals. “The victims were scooping crude product when the site caught fire,” state police spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko said in a statement. “So far, about 12 persons are believed to have been burnt to death. The identities of the victims are still unknown,” she said. She said some items including five vehicles and one motorcycle were also destroyed.
Governor, five others shot dead in latest attack on Philippine politicians
On March 4, a provincial governor in the central Philippines and five other people were shot dead by unknown gunmen in the latest attack against local officials. Roel Degamo, governor of Negros Oriental province, and “some civilians” were taken to hospital with unspecified injuries following the shooting at Degamo´s home in Pamplona town, a police statement said. Police said the conditions of the hospitalised victims were unknown.
Several gunmen entered the property and opened fire as the politician distributed aid to constituents, provincial police spokesman Kym Lopez told AFP. Degamo, 56, is the latest to be targeted in the Philippines´ long history of attacks on politicians, and is at least the third to be shot since local elections just last year.
Last month the Supreme Court declared him the rightful winner of the contest for the Negros Oriental governorship following a recount that unseated his local rival, who had previously been proclaimed the victor. Mamintal Adiong, governor of the southern province of Lanao del Sur was shot and wounded in February in an attack that killed his driver and three police escorts.
That same month, the vice-mayor of the northern town of Aparri, Rommel Alameda, and five other people who were travelling with him were shot dead in a highway ambush.
Burundi troops land in DR Congo to take on rising militias
On March 5, thirty Burundian soldiers landed at Goma airport in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Ton to join an international force helping Kinshasa tackle the rise of militias in the region.
The troops will be deployed as part of the regional force set up by the East African Community (EAC) countries to try to stem the advance of the M23 rebellion and disband the hundred or so armed groups that plague eastern DR Congo. The seven-nation EAC deployed troops late last year in the region.
The fighting in North Kivu province has displaced huge numbers of people and exacerbated tensions, with the DRC government accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 — claims denied by Kigali but supported by the US and several Western nations. The militia re-emerged from dormancy in late 2021, subsequently occupying swathes of territory in North Kivu, including much of the region north of its capital Goma.
Gunmen kill two police in Iran’s southeast: state media
Gunmen ambushed and killed two Iranian policemen on patrol in the restive southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, state media reported Saturday, March 11. The officers had been “on a mission to provide security” during Friday prayers in the town of Golshan when they came under attack, said the official news agency IRNA.
Clashes ensued and led to the “martyrdom” of Lieutenant-Colonel Mohsen Pudinehi and Lieutenant Ehsan Shahraki at the hands of “criminals”, it said, without elaborating. Sistan-Baluchistan province, on Iran’s border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been the scene of weekly protests that flared in September over the alleged rape of a teenage girl by a police officer. The protests began two weeks after nationwide demonstrations erupted over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, after her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the Islamic republic’s dress code for women.
ICC to open war crimes cases against Russians: report
On March 14, the New York Times reported that the International Criminal Court will open two cases against Russian officials over the invasion of Ukraine. A spokeswoman for the office of ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said it “offers no comment about this story.” In its report the New York Times said the first case involved Russia´s alleged abduction of Ukrainian children, who were then sent for adoption or to re-education camps.
The second case alleges that Russian forces deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure such as power and water plants with missile attacks. The court would also seek arrest warrants for several people, said the Times, which cited anonymous current and former court officials, and gave no details of who would be charged and when. The Hague based ICC launched an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine just days after Russia´s invasion on February 24, 2022. Prosecutor Khan said earlier this month after a visit to Ukraine that the alleged abductions of children “are being investigated by my office as a priority”.
“Children cannot be treated as the spoils of war,” he said in a statement on March 7. Posting a picture of himself alongside empty cots, Khan said he had visited a care home for children in southern Ukraine that was “empty, a result of alleged deportation of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation” or other occupied areas.
Five killed in Al-Shabaab suicide attack in Somalia
On Tuesday, March 14 at least five people were killed and 11 others wounded, including a regional governor, in a suicide attack in southern Somalia, police said, a bombing claimed by Al-Shabaab militants. A vehicle laden with explosives ploughed into a guest house hosting government officials in Bardera, 450-km west of the capital Mogadishu, said Hussein Adan, police commander for the area.
Two police officers shot dead in western Canada
On March 16, two police officers were shot dead in the line of duty early in Edmonton in Canada´s western Alberta province, officials said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered condolences to the families and colleagues of the officers, who local media reported were responding to a domestic call. “Every day, police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep people safe. The news that two @EdmontonPolice officers have been killed in the line of duty reminds us of that reality,” Trudeau tweeted.
11 children killed in unexploded ordnance blast in Sudan
11 children were killed and one injured in an accident involving unexploded ordnance in South Sudan, the spokeswoman for the UN mission in the violence-wracked country (UNMISS) said on Friday, March 17. The accident occurred in a remote village in Western Bahr el-Ghazal state, northwest of the capital Juba, spokeswoman Linda Tom told Radio Miraya, a station owned and operated by UNMISS.
Mine blast kills three soldiers, injures 11 in Nigeria
On 17 March, three Nigerian troops were killed and 11 other people, including seven civilians, were injured by a highway bomb in northeast Nigeria near the border with Cameroon, where jihadists are active, military and militia sources told AFP.
A truck carrying residents from the regional capital Maiduguri to Banki for state assembly elections was also caught in the blast, with seven passengers sustaining shrapnel injuries.
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin
On March 17, the International Criminal Court said that it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine..
It was the first time the global court has issued a warrant against a leader of one of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. The ICC said in a statement that Putin “is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of children and that of unlawful transfer of (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.” The move was immediately dismissed by Moscow — and welcomed by Ukraine as a major breakthrough.
Its practical implications, however, could be limited as the chances of Putin facing trial at the ICC are highly unlikely because Moscow does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction or extradite its nationals.
But the moral condemnation will likely stain the Russian leader for the rest of his life — and in the more immediate future whenever he seeks to attend an international summit in a nation bound to arrest him.
Iran’s President Raisi ‘welcomes’ invitation by Saudi King Salman
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has favourably received an invitation from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to visit the kingdom following the reconciliation deal between the two countries, an Iranian official said Sunday, March 19.
“In a letter to President Raisi, the King of Saudi Arabia welcomed the deal between the two countries (and) invited him to Riyadh,» tweeted Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president’s deputy chief of staff for political affairs, adding that «Raisi welcomed the invitation”.
The two regional heavyweights announced on March 10 a Chinese-brokered deal to restore ties seven years after they were severed. Riyadh cut relations after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in 2016 following the Saudi execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr — just one in a series of flashpoints between the two long standing regional rivals.
The deal is expected to see Iran and Saudi Arabia reopen their embassies and missions within two months and implement security and economic cooperation deals signed more than 20 years ago.
Iran’s top security official Ali Shamkhani also held talks with Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday in yet another sign of the shifting relations in the region.
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.
