Bomb/ IED Blasts
Four Policemen narrowly survived a grenade attack on their mobile van in Shah Latif Town of Karachi in the wee hours of March 30, reports Dawn. No one claimed responsibility for the attack in which the police van was partially damaged. The Police said that the incident took place at Haji Ismail Jokhio Goth off National Highway at around 4:15am when the mobile van was stationed and Policemen were busy in snap-checking of vehicles. Malir Town Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hasan Sardar said that three unidentified persons, riding on two motorbikes, came close to the mobile van and one of them threw a grenade targeting the Police vehicle and sped away.
An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Police was killed and two constables were injured in a grenade attack in Yar Hussain Bazaar area of Swabi District on April 7, reports Dawn. According to a statement by Swabi Police, ASI Sahir Khan and Constables Gul Nasib and Ijaz were performing beat duties in Yar Hussain Bazaar undefined militants threw a hand grenade inside their car while they were on their way.
Two Army soldiers identified as Naib Subedar Hazrat Gul (37) and Sepoy Nazir Ullah Mehsud (34) were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Bara tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber District on April 8, reports Dawn. An Assistant Sub-Inspector, identified as Sair Khan was killed and two Constables identified as Gul Naseeb Khan and Ajaz Khan suffered injuries when militants attacked their vehicle with a hand grenade in Yar Hussain Bazaar area in Swabi District on April 7, reports Dawn. At least three children were killed when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded inside a house at Rehman Kahol Road in Chaman town on April 14, reports The Express Tribune. The blast took place in an abandoned house where children were playing and mistook an IED for a toy.
A shepherd was killed in a grenade blast in Spina Tezha area of Chaman town (Chaman District) on April 20, reports Dawn. Levis officials said the shepherd was in the Spina Tezha area with his livestock when he found the hand grenade and picked it up. The grenade exploded in his hands, killing him on the spot.
Targetted Killings
Former Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) senior director of health and eye specialist Dr Birbal Genani was shot dead by unidentified assailants on the Lyari Expressway in Karachi on March 30, report Geo News. Dr. Genani along with his assistant lady doctor was heading to Gulshan-e-Iqbal from Ramswami when unidentified assailants targeted their car near Garden interchange on the Lyari Expressway. Dr. Genani died on the spot while his assistant sustained bullet injuries. A Sikh shopkeeper, Dayal Singh, was shot dead by unidentified assailant in the jurisdiction of Rahman Baba Police Station in Peshawar on March 31, reports Geo TV. Assailants on a motorcycle opened fire when he was sitting in a shop. Police recovered 30 pistol shells and other evidence from the crime scene.
A soldier was killed during an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan District on March 31, reports Dawn. According to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 29-year-old Sepoy Irsha Ullah was killed during the battle. The ISPR added that “sanitisation” activity was being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.
Two Policemen, identified as Constables Qasim and Ayaz, were killed by unidentified terrorists while they were on a motorcycle patrol in Tapi area of Kohat District on April 3, reports Geo TV. A Police Constable, Zahidullah was killed in Khadikhel market area on April 7, reports Dawn.
Miscellaneous
At least four Policemen, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Iqbal Mohmand, were killed while six other Policemen injured when terrorists attacked a Police check post in Lakki Marwat town in the early morning of March 30, reports Geo News. All deaths occurred in a roadside bomb explosion that hit the Police party while it was on its way to the place of attack.
The Police on March 30 arrested a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant and recovered explosives and arms from his possession in Charsadda District, reports Dawn. Police said they had received a tip-off that a suspected person present near a police post in Chowkiabad area was plotting to destroy a Government installation in the area through a terror bid. Police recovered two hand grenades, a rocket shell and 60-foot prima cord from his possession.
The Security Forces (SFs) on March 31 killed a terrorist and injured two other terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in Noshman area of Sibi District who were involved in targeting civilians in the area besides harassing coal mine owners, reports Samaa TV.
A Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) constable and a wanted militant was killed in an exchange of fire in Seri Behlol area of Mardan District on March 31, reports Dawn. Police said a CTD team raided a mosque located in Seri Behlol after receiving information about the presence of a wanted militant there. The militant, who was identified as Maulana Jawad, opened fire on the CTD officials, causing serious injuries to constable Usman Shah who later succumbed to his injuries. The injured militant also died on the way to the hospital.
Eight terrorists and a soldier were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Shinwarsak area of South Waziristan District on April 5, reports Dawn. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an intense exchange of fire took place between Security Force personnel and terrorists during the operation.
A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and party’s chairman Imran Khan’s close aide Najeeb Ullah Khan was injured along with two others after unidentified assailants opened fire at a passenger van in Isakhel area of Mianwali District on April 5, reports The Nation. Najeeb Ullah Khan is the president of the PTI Chapri chapter.
The Security Forces (SFs) arrested the founder of Baloch National Army (BNA) Gulzar Imam alias Shambay from an undisclosed location of Balochistan on April 7, reports Dawn. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that he has been a hardcore militant as well as the founder and leader of the BNA which came into being after the amalgamation of the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and United Baloch Army (UBA). The statement mentioned that Gulzar Imam also remained as deputy to Brahamdagh Bugti in Baloch Republican Army (BRA) till 2018. He was also instrumental in the formation of Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) and remained its operational head. «His visits to Afghanistan and India are also on the record; his linkages with hostile intelligence agencies (HIAs) are being investigated,» statement stated. Two Policemen were killed and one was injured in an attack by unidentified terrorists in the Killi Spine area of Kuchlak in Quetta city on April 9, reports Dawn. The Policemen, who belonged to the Eagle Squad, were patrolling on a motorcycle when the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, leaving three injured. One of the terrorists was killed while the other managed to escape.
Two terrorists were killed and another one arrested in an exchange of fire between Security Forces (SFs) and militants in Mach area of Kachhi District on April 9, reports Dawn. A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) had been initiated since April 7 to intercept a group of terrorists operating in the general area of Mach, West of Sibi. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on April 8 arrested eight suspected terrorists from different areas of Punjab, reports Dawn.
The CTD also recovered explosive material, hand grenades and banned literature from their possession. A CTD spokesman said the suspects belonged to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh. Two of them were arrested from Lahore, four from Gujranwala and one each from Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh on April 9 arrested two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cadres who involved in an extortion racket and targeted killings in Karachi, reports Dawn. A Rangers press release said that a joint operation was conducted with Karachi Police, which resulted in the arrest of two suspects “belonging to the TTP” who were allegedly involved in extortion and targeted killings in the city’s Saddar, Manghopir and Banaras areas.
Three terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Nurur area of Bannu District on April 11, reports Dawn. A press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Security Forces conducted an IBO on the “reported presence of terrorists” in the area. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from their possession of slain terrorists.
A constable was among five persons injured when unidentified terrorists attacked the Tordher Police station in Chota Lahor tehsil (revenue unit) of Swabi District with a grenade in the night of April 9, reports Dawn.
Police conducted an operation in Azam Warsak village of South Waziristan District on April 10 and recovered the weapons and ammunition looted by militants from a Police Station in Wana on December 20, 2022, reports Dawn. The looted weapons and ammunition were recovered from the house of a person identified as Bin Yameen. According to the statement, the recovered items included one submachine gun, two magazines, one bulletproof jacket, two wireless sets, two mobile phones, three belts, three RPG warheads including boosters, 11 hand grenades, five kilogrammes of gunpowder, 1,126 rounds, three improvised explosive device (IEDs), one gas gun, one torch, two bags, and a helmet. Around 50 militants had stormed a Police Station in Wana on December 20, 2022, and escaped after looting arms and ammunition.
At least three terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Gishkori area of Turbat town in Kech District on April 13, reports Geo TV. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the IBO was initiated to clear a hideout of terrorists allegedly involved in firing incidents on the Security Forces (SFs) and civilians besides planting of improvised explosive devices on Turbat — Hoshab Road in general area of Gishkori. While the establishment of blocking positions to cut the escape routes was underway, the terrorists opened fire on the SFs, said the ISPR. Three terrorists were killed during the heavy exchange of fire. A cache of arms and ammunition including IEDs were recovered from their possession.
Police on April 12 killed two terrorists of Bajaur Chapter of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during an encounter at Khat Kalay area of Talash in Lower Dir District, reports Dawn. Briefing the local journalists at his office, Lower Dir District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Iqbal said that both the terrorists identified as Burhanuddin and Hafeezullah alias Umar, residents of Alladand in Malakand District, were involved in the murder of a traffic police officer, Bakht Zamin, who was killed in Talash Bazaar on April 4. The DPO said that Police were informed about the presence of the two suspects at Khat Kalay. When the Police team reached the place, the accused hurled a hand grenade at a Police van which did not explode. The terrorists also fired at the Police personnel but they remained unhurt. In retaliation, both terrorists were killed on the spot. Police also recovered two pistols, six cartridges, a hand grenade, two mobile sets and a motorcycle from the militants’ possession.
On April 11 the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested six terrorists involved in the suicide attack on Takhta Baig checkpost in Jamrud tehsil (revenue unit) of Khyber District, reports ARY News. The CTD recovered explosives, arms and ammunition and important documents from the possession of terrorist. A Levies personnel, identified as Nisar Ahmed Zarakzai, was killed when unidentified terrorists opened fire on levies check post in Zehri area of Khuzdar District on April 21, reports The Express Tribune. The attackers managing to escape the crime scene. The deceased personnel was the brother of the personal secretary to the former Chief Minister (CM) of Balochistan, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri.
Pakistan
Militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan have obtained US weapons left behind in Afghanistan, says report
Militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan have obtained United Sates (US) weapons left behind in Afghanistan, Dawn reported on March 31 quoting a report released by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Observers say the influx of US weapons has boosted the military capabilities of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups. This influx of weapons has caused “a surge in violence (in Pakistan) over the past two years,” it added. When the United States pulled out its forces from Afghanistan in 2021, it left behind around USD 7 billion worth of military equipment and weapons, including firearms, communications gear, and even armoured vehicles.
The Afghan Taliban seized the arms during the chaotic US withdrawal. The Radio Free Europe reported that since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, some of the American military gear and weapons had turned up in Pakistan, where they were used by armed groups fighting the Pakistani Government. Abdul Sayed, a Sweden-based researcher who tracks the TTP, said the outlawed group’s access to sophisticated combat weapons has had a “terrifying” impact, especially on the lesser-equipped police force, in Pakistan.
Four soldiers killed in terrorist attack along Pakistan-Iran border in Balochistan
Four soldiers, identified as Naik Shair Ahmed, Lance Naik Muhammad Asghar, Sepoy Muhammad Irfan and Sepoy Abdur Rasheed, were killed on April 1, in a terrorist attack along the Pakistan-Iran border in the Jalgai sector of Kech District Balochistan, reports Dawn. A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said “on April 1, 2023, a group of terrorists operating from Iranian side attacked a routine border patrol of Pakistani security forces operating along Pakistan-Iran Border in Jalgai Sector, District Kech.” The terrorists had also taken the weapons of the four dead soldiers. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took responsibility for the attack in a media statement, adds The Balochistan Post.
Militant attacks in country drop by 36 percent in March as compared to February, says PICSS report
Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in its report for March 2023 has said that militant attacks in the country dropped by 36 percent as compared to February 2023, Dawn reported on April 3. The number of attacks stood at 37 in March in which 57 people lost their lives and 72 others were injured. In February, 59 people were killed in 58 attacks while 134 were wounded.
125 Policemen martyred in militant attacks in three months in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa One hundred and twenty-five Police personnel were killed and 212 others sustained injuries in different militant attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the first quarter of 2023, Dawn quoting Provincial Police data reported on April 4. A total of 25 cases of militant attacks have been registered with the Police during the three months, Police data shows.
According to the data, 15 militant attacks were reported against Police in January 2023, in which 116 personnel were and 189 were injured. Three militant attacks were reported in February 2023, in which two Police personnel embraced martyrdom and five others were wounded. Seven cases were registered by the Police in March 2023, wherein seven Policemen embraced martyrdom and 18 others were wounded.
Four persons including two Police personnel killed and 22 others injured in separate blasts targeting Police in Quetta
Four people – including two Police personnel were killed and 22 other people sustained injuries in two separate blasts in Quetta on April 10, reports Dawn. Both the attacks were targeting the Police. The first blast occurred near a Police vehicle parked next to Qandahari Bazaar on Shahrah-i-Iqbal, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Captain (retd) Zohaib Mohsin, who also confirmed the deaths of the two police officers in the attack.
Four people were injured in a second attack targeting the Sariab Station House Officer (SHO) Ehsanullah Marwat’s vehicle was targeted at Munir Mengal Road near Sariab Phatak of Quetta on April 10, reports Dawn. SSP Zohaib Mohsin said that the SHO and other Police personnel with him were inspecting officers stationed at Munir Mengal Road on their duties and were not present in the vehicle during the time of the blast.
Afghan soil still being used by TTP for attacks on Pakistan, says Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on April 11 said that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is still using Afghan soil for launching attacks on Pakistan — especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports Geo TV. “Islamabad has good relations with the ruling Taliban government in Kabul. However, the Afghan authorities have not succeeded in stopping the use of their territory in attacks on Pakistan,” he said in an interview with the United States (US) broadcaster, Voice of America. The matter, the Defence Minister said, had been brought up and discussed in March 2022 during a meeting between a high-ranking Pakistani delegation — including Asif and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum — and Afghan officials. “During the meeting”, the Defence Minister said, “The Taliban expressed their determination to deal with this problem.” The Afghan authorities said that they would not allow their land to be used for terrorism against any country, Asif added.
Son of slain JUI-F leader shot dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The son of a local slain leader Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Mufti Bashir Ahmad, was killed and his friend injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Inayat Kallay Bazaar of Bajaur District on April 18, reports Dawn. The victim, identified as Maz Khan, along with his companion, Hanifullah was shopping in the market when the assailants opened fire on them and managed to escape. Maz Khan’s late father JUI-F leader Mufti Bashir Ahmad was also shot dead by unidentified assailants in his native Mamond tehsil on April 26, 2022.
Afghanistan Internal Dynamics
Placing of Taliban officials on the blacklist of the UN is against the Doha agreement, says Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid
Taliban’s spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that placing of Taliban officials on the blacklist of the United Nations (UN) is against the Doha agreement, reports Tolo News on March 26. He further said, “We can say that there are between 20 to 25 people who are on the blacklist and they were sanctioned. Some of them have died, of those who are alive, very few of them are now working in the government.” He added, “We have said many times that pressure and force will not bring any results. The war of the past 20 years has proven it that the people of Afghanistan will not surrender to pressure. Engagement and understanding are better and negotiations are a good option.”
Six persons killed in an IS-KP orchestrated suicide blast in Kabul
On March 27, an Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) suicide bomber was shot dead by the Taliban forces before reaching he could reach his target near the security Checkpoint at Malik Asghar intersection of the second security zone of Kabul, reports Hasht-e Subh. However, the bomb exploded and as a result six civilians were killed and several others were injured including three Taliban members. Meanwhile, IS-KP claimed that 20 persons were killed or injured in the attack.
Nine million people at risk of acute starvation in Afghanistan, says WFP
On March 27, the Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley wrote on Twitter that nine million people are at risk of acute starvation in Afghanistan and WFP is days away from cutting food if funding is not received immediately, reports The Khaama Press News Agency. He further said that world cannot turn its back on the people of Afghanistan in this hour of unprecedented crisis.
Attacking a Taliban educational centre in Kabul is the start of a new beginning, says Ahmadi Sibghatullah
The spokesperson for the National Resistance Front (NRF), Sibghatullah Ahmad posted a video and said that this attack marks the beginning of our guerilla operations to defend the people against the oppression and savagery of the Taliban, reports Hasht-e Subh.
He further said that This operation was carried out on March 28 on the outposts of the enemy’s (Taliban) special unit in the educational centre of Pul-e-Charkhi area in Kabul Province. The losses of the Taliban are high and such attacks will continue, he added.
Taliban prevents women from working on aid project in Kabul
The officials of the “Food and Work” project in Kabul on April 1 stated that Taliban prevented female employees from working in the distribution of aid to the needy, reports Hasht-e-Subh. The officials said, “Taliban have hindered the Food and Work project. They have closed the office several times, citing that work for women is forbidden, and questioning who is responsible for the women’s duties.” They added, “We have hired women with their male guardians. Now Taliban have once again prevented work, even with their guardians present.” The purpose of this project was to facilitate and reduce costs, create job opportunities for the younger generation, and continue to distribute free food to the needy. According to them, at least 300 women were employed in various sections of the project and observed Islamic hijab, but now they have been confined to their homes by the Taliban.
Three British citizens are being held in Taliban custody in Afghanistan, says report
Three British citizens are being held in Taliban custody in Afghanistan, Al Jazeera reported on April 2. Two of the detainees are identified as Kevin Cornwell, a charity worker and Miles Routledge, a British holidaymaker who received widespread attention and criticism on social media in August 2021 for having travelled to Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s return to power after United States (US) -led foreign forces withdrew from the country. The name of the third detainee has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, United Kingdom foreign ministry has said that it is working to secure contact with them.
Any discussion on recognition of Taliban is unacceptable for US, says US Department of State’s official
Any discussion at the United Nations (UN) meeting about recognition of the Taliban would be unacceptable to the United States (US) states the deputy spokesman for the United States Department of State on April 20, reports Tolo News. The deputy spokesman, Vedant Patel said, “The purpose of this meeting was never to discuss recognition of the Taliban, and any discussion at this meeting about recognition would be unacceptable to us.
However, I will let our mission in New York speak more about this». Also, Farhan Haq, spokesperson for the United Nations (UN), on April 20, stated that an UN-convened meeting on Afghanistan next month will not focus on the possible international recognition of the Taliban administration, Al Jazeera reported. He said, «The Doha conference on the 1st and 2nd of May is not focusing on recognition, and we don’t want there to be any confusion about that. And the main point of discussion… is to build a more unified consensus on the challenges at hand.”
Bangladesh Internal Dynamics
Chinese crewman found dead in Chittagong District On March 31, a body of a Chinese crewman, identified as Zhang Mingyan (engineer of the MV Cang Huan), was found dead by members of the river police and coast guard on the bay of Patenga in Chittagong District under Chittagong Division, reports The Daily Star.
DSA being used to intimidate journalists and rights defenders, says OHCHR
On March 31, United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) official Volker Turk stated that the Digital Security Act (DSA) is being used across Bangladesh to arrest, harass and intimidate journalists and human rights defenders and to muzzle critical voices online, reports The Daily Star. He said, “I call again on the authorities to impose an immediate moratorium on its use and to comprehensively reform its provisions to bring them in line with the requirements of international human rights law. My office has consistently raised concerns about the overly broad and ill-defined provisions of the Digital Security Act.” As per the report released by Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) on March 31, a total of 56 journalists were tortured, harassed, sued, intimidated, and obstructed from doing their jobs in the first three months of 2023, reports Prothom Alo.
Two Rohingyas killed in Cox’s Bazar District
On April 1, a Rohingya man, identified as Syed Alam (60), was shot dead during a clash between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), at Camp 8 in Ukhiya Sub-District under Cox’s Bazar District, reports The Daily Star. He was a resident of Kutupalong Camp 8. Sheikh Mohammad Ali, officer-in-charge (OIC) of Ukhiya Police Station, confirmed the incident and said both groups traded bullets over establishing supremacy at the camp.
On April 2, a bullet-riddled body of a Rohingya man, identified as Syed Alam (40), who also had his throat slit, was found at Balukhali camp in Ukhiya Sub-District of Cox’s Bazar District, reports The Daily Star.
Three arms suppliers arrested in Cox’s Bazar
Moktar Ahmed, Abdur Rahim, and Mohammad Enamul Haque, three suspected arms dealers, were arrested on April 6 in a raid by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-15 team in the Boro Bheula area of the Chakaria Sub-District under Cox’s Bazar District on suspicion of supplying arms to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), according to the Dhaka Tribune.
Eight persons killed in a gunfight between two-armed groups in Bandarban District
On April 6, eight people were killed during a gunfight between the United People’s Democratic Front (Democratic) and Kuki Chin National Army, the military unit of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), inKhamtang Para of Rowangchhari Sub-District in Bandarban District, reports The Daily Star. Abdul Mannan, officer-in-charge (OIC) of Rowangchhari Police Station, said both groups had been exchanging bullets for the last two days over establishing supremacy in the hills of Khamtang Para and nearby areas. Police recovered the eight bullet-riddled bodies near the Ruma-Rowangchhari link road around 12:30 p.m., he added.
Three persons who supplied arms to ARSA arrested in Cox’s Bazar District
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested three arms dealers identified as Moktar Ahmed (52) Abdur Rahim (40) and Mohammad Enamul Haque (38) who supplied arms to Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) from Chakaria upazila (sub district) of Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh on April 6, reports The Daily Star. Three single-barreled rifles and one double barreled rifle and BDT 1,05,700 were recovered from the arrested arms dealers.
Rohingya woman and an ARSA operative killed in Cox’s Bazar District
On April 14, an Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) operative, identified as Hashim, and a Rohingya woman, identified as Noor Haba, were killed in a gunfight between the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and ARSA near a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya Sub-District in Cox’s Bazar District (Chittagong Division), reports The Daily Star. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP Media) of APBn’s 8th Battalion, Faruk Ahmed said two APBn personnel were injured and Mohammad Sadeque, a suspected ARSA operative was also arrested with weapons. ARSA’s top ‘commander’, Lalu’ was reportedly present in this gunfight.
India Internal Dynamics
Police constable killed by NSCN-K-NS militants in jail break in Arunachal Pradesh
Two militants of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang-Niki Sumi faction (NSCN-K-NS), identified as Tipu Kitnya and Roczen Homcha escaped from the Khonsa jail in Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh on March 26 after killing a police constable identified as Wang yiren Bosai and critically injuring another trooper, reports India Today NE.
Press club, banks, and Collectorate gets letter from Maoists in Kerala
A letter written on behalf of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)’s Kodiyur unit, calling for farmers to pick up guns and fight against banks that are making farmers cry by taking their farms away, was sent to the Collectorate, Press Club, and several banks in Wayanad District of Kerala on March 6, reports mediaoneonline.com on March 25. The letter also threatens to kill at least one bank official who is taking farmers’ property and demands a fine.
NIA investigation reveals PFI used social media to spread communal hatred, target government and judiciary
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) analysed more than 60 Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI), through which its functionaries and members were spreading communal hatred and targeting the Indian government and higher judiciary, The Hindu reports on March 31. The NIA stated, “A thorough analysis of the downloaded data revealed several inflammatory and communal speeches made by the accused persons/PFI cadre on their social media handles. Similarly, multiple posts/videos were found opprobrious of the higher judiciary and the Government of India.” The NIA further stated, “In the YouTube videos downloaded from the PFI’s official accounts, the accused persons, who were its national executive council (NEC) members, were seen “addressing large gatherings of people and provoking them against the Indian government by wrongful interpretations of government policies to create hatred against the entire State machinery, High Courts and the Supreme Court… and instigating the crowd towards violence against the persons belonging to a particular religious or political group”.
Maoists decamp with huge cache of explosives in Jharkhand
A squad of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) decamped with huge amounts of explosives and detonators from a godown of a private firm, named DK Ghosh Company, that supplies explosives to private iron ore mines for mining activities in the state near Parambaljodi village in the jungles of Kolhan under Noamundi Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand on March 30, reports The New Indian Express. The Police said a group of around 30 Maoists swooped over the godown around 10 pm [IST] and decamped with an unspecified number of explosives and detonators after overpowering the guard deployed there. As per the company staff, there were around 900 electric detonators and 8,500 non-electric detonators in the godown, but the exact number could be known only after getting details of the stock register of the company.
IS threatens mass murders and beheadings in revenge for ‘love jihad’ law
The Islamic State (IS), in its latest propaganda material, threatened to resort to mass murders and beheadings to mark its protest against laws being enacted against ‘love jihad’ in states which have enacted anti-love jihad laws including, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, Daily Pioneer reports on March 31. Claiming that such laws are aimed at empowering certain communities to embroil Muslim youths and weaken them, IS claimed that the mujahideen are coming to behead those who have framed the ummah (Muslim community). The IS claimed that ‘love jihad’ is a conspiracy against Muslims and that it will not discriminate between Kufr men women while killing them.
Khalistani groups threaten Indians living abroad, says report
United States-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Legal Advisor, Sikhs for, in a recorded phone call, issued threat to Indians studying abroad and families with political backgrounds, reports India Today on March 31. “Your family members who are studying abroad in America, Canada and in Europe are on our target. Cases will be registered against them. Nobody will be able to come out as you are committing atrocities on pro-Khalistani families. We have destroyed the Congress, Badals and now, it’s your (AAP) turn. We will find your family members abroad one by one. Legal action will be taken against them and they will be sent back to you,” Pannun said. The report also said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s daughter Seerat Kaur, who lives in the United States (US), is receiving threat calls from pro-Khalistan elements against the crackdown on Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab. Seerat Kaur, in a social media post, said she and her brother Dilshan Mann were being abused, threatened online and over the phone. Notably, these threats were also being issued from a local US gurdwara.
SFJ warns Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to stay out of pro-Khalistan fight or face consequences
Sikh for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun warned Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, to “stay out of the fight between pro-Khalistan Sikhs and Indian government, or face dire consequences”, reports The Hindu on April 2. “Pro-Khalistan supporters imprisoned in Assam are being tortured. CM Sarma, the fight is between pro-Khalistan Sikhs and the Indian regime. So, do not fall prey to this conflict,” he said. He added that “We are seeking the liberation of Punjab from Indian occupation through a peaceful democratic process of Khalistan referendum. If your government continues to torture and harass the six (Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh aides lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam), you will be held accountable,”.
One businessman killed by Maoist in Chhattisgarh
One businessman identified as Pradeep Baghel was killed while two others identified as Pradhan Sunani and Gopal Baghel were injured after Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres thrashed them for delivering goods and information to Police in Palamadgu village under Polampalli Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on April 8, reports ibc24.in. The Maoists robbed the groceries and money of the businessmen and set ablaze their motorbikes.
Monthly Fatalities
The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period March 26, 2023 to April 25, 2023:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militants | Total | |
| Chattisgarh | 03 | 02 | 03 | 08 |
| Manipur | 02 | 00 | 01 | 03 |
| Maharashtra | 01 | 00 | 02 | 03 |
| Total | 06 | 02 | 06 | 14 |
Sri Lanka Internal Dynamics
Court allows TID to re-interrogate the mastermind of Easter Sunday attack based on new information
A Sri Lankan court on April 21 granted the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) of Police to re-interrogate a detained suspect of the Easter Sunday attack in 2019, identified as Mohamed Ibrahim Sadiq Abdullah who is currently detained in Boossa Prison, for three days in, after receiving new information from a statement made by an Al-Qaeda terrorist (unidentified) arrested in Australia, reports Colombo Page.
It has been revealed that the member of Al-Qaeda terrorist group arrested in Australia was in contact with the suspect, and the TID also reported to the court that they want to question about 24 foreign calls connected to the suspect. The facts further revealed that Mohammed Ibrahim went to Maldives before the Easter attack and received training from the Al-Qaeda terrorist group and had relations with foreign terrorists.
International
Russian military blogger killed in St Petersburg cafe blast
A leading Russian military blogger was killed on Sunday, April 02 in an explosion at a cafe in Russia’s second-largest city of Saint Petersburg, the interior ministry said.
“One person was killed in the incident. He was military correspondent Vladlen Tatarsky,” the ministry said on Telegram. “Sixteen people were injured,” it added.
The TASS news agency quoted a law enforcement source as saying the blast was “caused by an improvised explosive device hidden inside a statue given to Tatarsky as a gift”. Tatarsky, whose real name is Maxim Fomin, has more than 500,000 followers on Telegram and is in favour of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine.
High level of activity at North Korean nuclear complex: US think tank
Satellite imagery has indicated a high level of activity at North Korea’s main nuclear complex after leader Kim Jong Un ordered the production of weapons-grade nuclear material be ramped up, a US think tank said.
Washington-based 38 North said on Saturday, April 01 that images from March 3 and 17 suggested that an experimental light water reactor (ELWR) at the country’s Yongbyon site was “nearing completion”. Construction had started on a new support building, while water discharges were detected from the reactor’s cooling system, suggesting that the ELWR “is nearing a transition to operational status”, the report said. The images also indicated that a five-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon continued to operate and new construction had started around the site’s uranium enrichment plant, likely to expand its capabilities.
“These developments seem to reflect Kim Jong Un’s recent directive to increase the fissile material production to expand its nuclear weapons arsenal,” the report added. On Tuesday, North Korean state media unveiled photos of Kim inspecting new, smaller nuclear warheads as he ordered an expansion in “the production of weapon-grade nuclear materials” for an “exponential” increase in the North’s arsenal. Experts said the potential tactical nuclear weapons did indeed show key signs of technical progress, and could indicate an imminent nuclear test.
10 Nigeria schoolchildren kidnapped
Ten students have been kidnapped in northwest Nigeria’s Kaduna State where criminal gangs have previously carried out several mass abductions of children, a government official said on Tuesday, April 04.
The victims who are students at the Awon Government Secondary School in the central Kachia district were seized on Monday in unclear circumstances, said Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna’s internal security and home affairs commissioner. It was not yet clear whether the students were abducted from the school premises or while travelling to the school, which only runs daytime classes, he said. “The exact location of the incident is yet to be ascertained but detailed reports being awaited will clarify whether the incident occurred within the school premises or elsewhere.”
Azerbaijan expels four Iranian embassy staff
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry on Thursday, April 06 announced the expulsion of four employees of Iran’s embassy amid growing tensions between Tehran and Baku. Relations between the countries sharing a border near the Caspian Sea have long been strained, with Azerbaijan being a close ally of Iran’s historic rival Turkey. The ministry said it “summoned” Iran’s ambassador and declared that “four employees of the Iranian embassy were declared persona non grata” by Azerbaijan with 48 hours to leave the country.
Gunmen kill nearly 50 in north central Nigeria
Gunmen have attacked a rural village in northern central Nigeria, killing dozens of people, local government officials said on Friday, April 07. The attack happened on Wednesday in Umgidi community in Benue State, where tit-for-tat clashes are common between nomadic herders and settled farmers competing for land and resources.
Paul Hemba, security adviser to Benue State governor blamed herdsmen who he said had been attacking local communities over the last month. “Soldiers have been dispatched to the area, so the situation is a bit calm now.” The motive for the attack was not clear but Benue has been one of the hardest hit by clashes between farmers and herders who they accuse of destroying farmland with their cattle grazing.
44 killed in Burkina Faso terrorist attack: governor
Forty-four civilians have been killed by “armed terrorist groups” in two villages in northeastern Burkina Faso, near the Niger border, a regional governor said Saturday, April 08. The provisional toll of “this despicable and barbaric attack” which targeted the villages of Kourakou and Tondobi in northeast Burkina Faso overnight Thursday “is 44 civilians killed and others wounded,” said Rodolphe Sorgho, lieutenant-governor of the Sahel region.
Sorgho said that 31 people had died in Kourakou and 13 in Tondobi. The regional official said that an army offensive put “out of action the armed terrorist groups” that carried out the killings.
Mysterious poisoning of schoolgirls continues across Iran
Dozens of schoolgirls were poisoned Saturday, April 08 in several schools across Iran, local media reported, in continuation of the mysterious phenomenon that has shaken the country for months. Since late November many schools, mostly for girls, have been affected by sudden poisoning incidents from gases or toxic substances, in some cases causing fainting and hospitalisation among the students.
At least “60 students were poisoned in a girls’ school in the town of Haftkel” in the oil-rich southwestern province of Khuzestan, state television’s IRIB news agency cited a local official as saying. A number of schoolgirls were poisoned in “five schools in Ardabil in the northwest”, where the victims showed symptoms of “anxiety, shortness of breath and headaches”, a provincial medical official told the news agency. In the northwestern town of Urmia, capital of West Azerbaijan province, “a number of schoolgirls were taken to hospital on Saturday after feeling sick”, ILNA news agency reported without further elaboration.
According to an official count provided on March 7, “more than 5,000 students” have been affected by similar poisonings in more than 230 establishments, located in 25 of the country’s 31 provinces. On Friday MP Hamid reza Kazemi, the head of the national fact-finding committee formed to investigate these cases, specified that “the final report” would be published “in two weeks”.
20 killed in DR Congo attack
Around 20 people have been killed in an attack in eastern DR Congo, with sources blaming rebels affiliated with the Islamic State jihadist group. “The enemy ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) ambushed farmers at around 4 pm (1400 GMT) on Friday, April 07 near the village of Enebula,” local civil society leader Patrick Mukohe told AFP by phone. The ADF, originally insurgents in Uganda, gained a foothold in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1990s and has since been accused of killing thousands of civilians, becoming the deadliest of scores of outlawed forces in the deeply troubled region.
37 killed in Nigeria camp attack
Gunmen killed at least 37 people in an attack on a camp for people displaced by violence in north central Nigeria, the second massacre in the area this week, local officials said on Saturday. Friday’s (April 07) assault on a school housing displaced families in Benue State came after gunmen attacked a village in the same state earlier this week and killed as many as 50 people.
Motives for the attacks were not clear, but local officials have blamed ethnic Fulani nomadic herders who have long clashed with settled farmers in Benue over access to land and resources.
Street battles in Sudan capital as Eid ceasefire calls ignored
The forces of two rival generals fought intense street battles in Sudan’s capital on Friday, April 21 witnesses reported, as the parties in the week-long conflict ignored appeals for an end-of-Ramazan ceasefire.
More than 400 people have been killed and thousands wounded since the fighting erupted on Saturday between forces loyal to Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who is commonly known as Hemeti.
Khartoum was rocked by explosions and clashes for the sixth straight night, medics said, even as the Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the holy Muslim month of fasting began. Soldiers and paramilitaries fought fierce street battles later during the day in densely populated districts of the capital, with witnesses reporting bombs falling near the army’s headquarters in the city of five million. Both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called separately for a ceasefire of “at least” three days to mark Eid.
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.
