Suicide Bombing
At least 46 people, including a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) local leader, were killed and more than 100 sustained injuries in a suicide blast at the JUI-F workers’ convention on Shanday Morr near the NADRA office in Khar town of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) at around 4pm on July 30, reports Geo News. The blast that took place during the speech of a JUI-F leader Maulana Laeeq. KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akhtar Hayat Khan confirmed that the blast was a suicide attack. He added that 10 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast and ball bearings were found from the crime scene.
JUI-F KP spokesperson Abdul Jalil Khan said that JUI-F Member of National Assembly (MNA) Maulana Jamaluddin and Senator Abdul Rasheed were also present during the convention. He confirmed that one of the dead includes JUI-F’s Tehsil Khar Amir Maulana Ziaullah. Though no outfit so far claimed responsibility for the blast, the District Police Officer (DPO) Nazir Khan said initial probe shows that Daesh was involved.
On July 31, the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) claimed responsibility for July 30 suicide blast at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) political gathering in Khar town of Bajaur District , as the death toll rose to 54, reports Dawn.
A would-be suicide bomber was killed when an explosive that he was carrying detonated prematurely on Spinny Road area of Quetta on August 2, reports ARY News. The suspected suicide attack occurred near a Frontier Corps (FC) check post on Spinny Road. Fortunately, the perpetrator prematurely detonated the explosives, sparing potential casualties
Bomb blasts
At least one Policeman was killed and four others were injured in a bomb blast on Spini Road near Arbab CNG station in Quetta on July 26, reports The Balochistan Post. A convoy of Security Forces (SFs) and Police patrolling with horses and vehicles was reportedly targeted by unidentified persons in a bomb attack.
A senior officer of Levies force, Risaldar Major Mohammad Nasim, and four other Levies personnel were injured in a bomb attack in the Mazai Adha area of Qilla Abdullah District of Balochistan in the evening of August 3, reports Dawn. Officials said unidentified terrorists attached the explosive device to the roof of a Levies vehicle which went off when Risaldar Major Mohammad Nasim was travelling in it along with other people. All the five people suffered injuries while the vehicle was damaged.
Five persons, including two Policemen, were injured on August 9 in a hand grenade attack on Joint Road area of Quetta, reports Dawn. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Captain (retired) Zohaib Mohsin said that initially an exchange of fire had taken place between Police and unidentified terrorists, after which the latter hurled a hand grenade and fled from the scene.
One person was killed and two others, who were passers-by, suffered injuries in the grenade attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) security check post in Quetta on August 10, reports Dawn. However, the FC personnel remained unhurt in the attack.
Two persons, including a child, were injured in the explosion targeting a national flag selling stall in Quetta on August 10, reports Dawn.
Unidentified terrorists fired rockets at Security Forces’ check posts in Turbat town of Kech District in the night of August 10, reports Dawn.
At least three Policemen injured in a hand grenade attack on a Police vehicle in Sachal area of Karachi, on August 16, reports ARY News.
Unidentified terrorists hurled a hand grenade at Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hussain Lehri’s squad in Dera Murad Jamali area of Nasirabad District on August 16, reports ARY News. SSP Hussain Lehri was coming back from a routine patrol along with his squad when the hand grenade exploded but no one was injured. Eleven labourers were killed and two sustained injuries in a bomb blast in the Gulmir Kot area in North Waziristan District on August 20, reports ARY News. The incident took place when over a dozen labourers were heading to South Waziristan from the Shawal area of North Waziristan in a vehicle.
Targetted Killings
Sindh Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Muhammad Aslam Abro’s brother and nephew are among three people shot dead while another person sustained injuries on July 26 in a firing incident in phase 7 of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in Karachi, reports Daily Pakistan. Police said unknown assailants opened firing on the vehicle, belonged to the lawmaker but he was not travelling with his brother and nephew. The victims were travelling to Jacobabad from their residence located near Khayaban-e-Shamsheer.
A Policeman was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on Benazir flyover at Spini road in Quetta on August 3, reports The Nation. Police said the Policeman was going to Police line for his duty when he comes under fire.
One prominent lawyer, Ali Qureshi was shot dead by unidentified assailants while he was in his car along with his clerk at the Ghora Chowk in Pindigheb sub-district of Attock District in Punjab on July 19, reports The Express Tribune. His clerk was severely injured. Ali Qureshi was the former general secretary of the Pindigheb Bar Association.
A Personal Security Officer (PSO) of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who killed a key Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘commander’ Bali Khera during an encounter in May 2023, was shot dead in an attack carried out by a group of terrorists in Paniala Khata Khel village in Dera Ismail Khan District on August 10, reports The Khorasan Diary.
Miscellaneous
On July 28, two terrorists were killed by Security Forces (SFs) in an encounter in Gomal Zam area of South Waziristan District in Dera Ismail Khan Division, reports The Dawn. ISPR highlighted that the slain terrorists had been actively involved in perpetrating terror activities against SFs and were also responsible for killings of civilians.
On July 27, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab Police arrested 10 terrorists, seven of whom have been identified as Azir, Adil, Ramzan, Abdul Rahman, Usman, Asif and Muawiyah, associated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/Daish (ISIS) and others from various Districts of Punjab Province including Lahore, Attock, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and others, reports ARY News.
On July 29, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police arrested a target killer terrorist identified as Abdullah alias Irshad from Bara in Khyber District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province who was involved in the killing of a Sub-Inspector Andaz Gul Khan on July 22, 2022, reports ARY News.
Police on July 30-night foiled a terror attack on Security Forces (SFs) check post in Bara Spin Qubur area of Khyber District, reports ARY News. The terrorists opened fire and hurled hand grenades. The timely response of police and the Frontier Crops (FC) personnel forced the terrorists to flee the scene.
Two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were killed and three other soldiers sustained injuries when militant attacked a mobile bomb disposal party at Thund in Tirah valley of Khyber District on August 3, reports Dawn. The site of the incident is also near the Dwa Thoey military check post, an entry point to the valley where a thorough checking of every passenger is carried out prior to their entry into the valley. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility of the attack
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) shot dead three terrorists of an unspecified outfit during an exchange of fire in Zhob District on the night of August 9, reports ARY News. Two Policemen were also sustained injuries. According to the CTD spokesperson, the operation was conducted by CTD team on the intelligence information regarding the presence of highly wanted ‘terrorists’.
Four Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists and one soldier was killed during an encounter when Security Forces (SFs) conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Charmang area of Bajaur District on August 13, reports Geo News. A statement released by the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the SFs conducted an IBO in Charmang on the “reported presence of terrorists”.
The Police and SFs repulsed three midnight terrorist attacks at as many locations in the jurisdiction of Mattani Police Station in Peshawar District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 15, reports Dawn. Police said that terrorists attacked Hameed Khan Police post with latest weaponry from a nearby forest. However, the terrorists could not hit the Police post since they were firing from a distance. The personnel returned the fire, repulsing the attack. There were no casualties reported. In a similar attack on Fort Mackson, commonly known as Kishangar post, the terrorists fired from a distance, which too was repulsed. The third attack was carried out at Azakhel Dam post. However, the attack was repulsed when the personnel fired back.
The Police on August 14 foiled a sabotage attempt by recovering 22 rockets from hilly Kas Krewand area of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur District, reports Dawn.
Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) on August 18, arrested two Islamic State Khorasan (ISKP) ‘most wanted’ terrorists during an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in Gadap area of Karachi, reports ARY News. The arrested terrorists, identified as Farmanullah alias Ehtesham and Daud alias Ameer Sahib, hailed from Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Both were involved in multiple attacks against Security Forces. Hand grenades, arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession.
Security Forces (SFs) killed two terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bara area of Khyber District on August 19, reports Geo News. “During the conduct of operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists and resultantly two terrorists were sent to hell”, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.
Six soldiers and four terrorists were killed while two other terrorists got injuries in an exchange of fire in Asman Manza area of South Waziristan District on August 22, reports Dawn. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that on 22 August 2023, [a] fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists in general area Asman Manza, South Waziristan District. Four terrorists were sent to hell, while two terrorists were injured. Six brave soldiers having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom after an intense exchange of fire. Sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area”.
PAKISTAN
PPP leader’s house attacked in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after ‘extortion letters from TTP’
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Pir Muhammad Aslam’s house was partially damaged after a hand grenade was thrown into the hujra (male guesthouse) in Risalpur area of Nowshera District in the night of July 26, reports The News. Pir Muhammad Aslam said that he had received an extortion letter from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on July 1. TTP militants had demanded PKR 10 million in extortion, threatening him with dire consequences if the money was not paid.
Aslam also claimed that the militants later made phone calls from Pakistani numbers on July 21 and 26, threatening him that his entire family would be eliminated if the said amount of extortion money was not delivered immediately.
The Police and intelligence authorities arrested three suspects during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Landi Kotal of Khyber District in the night of July 25 for their involvement in the suicide blast inside a mosque in the Ali Masjid area on the same morning in which an Assistant Station House Officer (SHO), Adnan Afridi, was killed, reports Dawn. Police said that besides apprehending three suspects, two from Sultankhel and one from Nekkikhel, a suicide jacket was also recovered from a house.
Return of Afghan Taliban to power “emboldened” TTP, reveals UNSC report
A report compiled by the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) monitoring committee revealed on July 25 that the return of the Afghan Taliban to power has “emboldened” the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is seeking to re-establish control in the erstwhile Pakistani tribal areas, reports The Express Tribune. The committee, which submitted its report to the UNSC on July 25, sheds light on how the TTP is gaining momentum in Afghanistan since the Afghan Taliban took control in August 2021.
The report also highlights how other terrorist outfits are using the TTP cover to operate in the war-torn country. In reality, the report has endorsed Pakistan’s stance that the TTP was operating out of Afghanistan. “Member states assess that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is gaining momentum in its operations against Pakistan,” report says. “Since the reunification with several splinter groups, the TTP has aspired to re-establish control of territory in Pakistan after being emboldened by the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan,” the report notes.
According to the UNSC report, the TTP was focused on high-value targets in border areas and soft targets in urban ones. “The TTP’s capability is assessed as not matching its ambition, given that it does not control territory and lacks popular appeal in the tribal areas.” The report, however, notes that in June, certain TTP elements were relocated away from the border area, as part of the Taliban’s efforts to reign in the group under pressure from the government of Pakistan. “The member states are concerned that the TTP could become a regional threat if it continues to have a safe operating base in Afghanistan,” the report added.
July second deadliest in 2023 with 124 fatalities, says PICSS report
According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), July marked a significant upsurge in attacks, making it the second deadliest month of 2023, with 124 fatalities and 218 injuries, The News reported on August 2. The country witnessed 54 militant attacks during July. The victims whose lives were lost included 77 civilians and 37 Security Force (SF) personnel, while 181 civilians and 36 SF personnel sustained injuries.
Additionally, 10 terrorists were killed during their own actions, and SF successfully neutralised 12 terrorists while apprehending 46 others, thwarting numerous future attacks. Comparing the data with the previous month, June 2023, the PICSS report reveals an alarming increase in terrorist activities. There was a 15% rise in terror attacks, a substantial 381% increase in civilian deaths, and a concerning 131% increase in SFs fatalities. Furthermore, civilian injuries witnessed a drastic 583% rise, and SF personnel endured a 64% increase in injuries during the same period.
Two terrorists killed in retaliatory action after they attack on convoy of vehicles belonging to Chinese engineers and SFs in Balochistan
Two terrorists were killed by Security Forces (SFs) after they attacked a convoy of vehicles belonging to Chinese engineers and SFs near Faqir Colony Bridge in Gwadar city (Gwadar District) in the morning of August 13, reports Dawn. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that the terrorists carried out the attack at 10am, using small arms and hand grenades.
“However, due to the efficient and swift response, two terrorists were sent to hell with no harm to any military or civil persons,” the ISPR statement said. “A Chinese convoy from the Gwadar port project was hit by roadside bombs and gunfire on its way back to the port area from the Gwadar Airport,” said China’s consulate in a statement on its website, adding that “no Chinese citizens were killed or injured”.
Five churches and many homes ransacked over an act of alleged blasphemy in Jaranwala town of Punjab
A violent mob of hundreds ransacked and torched five churches, attacked the residences of members of the Christian community and office of the local Assistant Commissioner, following an alleged incident of blasphemy in Jaranwala town of Faisalabad District in Punjab on August 16, reports Dawn.
The violence erupted after some locals alleged that several desecrated pages of the Holy Quran had been found near a house at Cinema Chowk in Jaranwala, where two Christian brothers resided. Rumours of the alleged act spread like wildfire across Jaranwala after those who had levelled the allegations approached different mosques, from where announcements were made to incite people to show their “reaction” to the incident.
The situation became more volatile when members of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) entered the fray, making public announcements from mosques and other places, riling up people to reach the site of the alleged incident. Soon, a mob gathered outside the house of the two men – who had evacuated by then – and set it on fire, sparking a spate of violent incidents. Following this incident, people started gathering in Jaranwala town, turning into an enraged mob that allegedly attacked two churches — one Catholic and the other belonging to the Salvation Army. The mob also attacked and burnt a number of Christian homes in two nearby localities, near Chak 127-GB on the main City Road and near Chak 126-GB, Bridge Colony, along Shahrwana Canal – also known as Christian Colony.
AFGHANISTAN – Internal Dynamics
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi urges envoys of several countries to resume activity in Afghanistan
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and his delegation in Qatar met ambassadors and representatives of a number of nations including the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, South Korea, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia, and Canada, Tolo News reported on August 2. According to Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Muttaqi briefed the participants in the meeting about the political, economic, security and governance developments in Afghanistan.
Muttaqi and his delegation provided a detailed response and said that these delegations should be present in Afghanistan and see the realities of Afghanistan from close instead of continuing their work from abroad,” he said. Meanwhile, the head of the Islamic Emirate’s Qatar- based Political Office in Doha, Suhail Shaheen, said that the ground realities in Afghanistan and media reports abroad are contrary to each other.
ISIS announces replacement after its leader’s death
On August 3, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) announced Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi as its new leader, after confirming the death of its previous leader, Abu Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi, reports The Khaama Press News Agency. Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi took over in March, 2023 after his predecessor detonated himself during a US military operation in northwest Syria. In April, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also claimed that Turkish intelligence forces had killed Syria’s militant group’s leader, al-Qurashi.
Woman beheaded by unknown assailants in Takhar Province
On August 5, a woman, identified as Masouma, was beheaded by unknown assailants in the village of Jilamkhor in Khwaja Ghar District in Takhar Province, reports Hasht-e Subh Daily. As of now, the Taliban have not issued any statement concerning the incident.
Over the course of the week, Taliban detained and allegedly tortured at least 40 civilians in the aftermath of the assassination of the head of Taliban’s intelligence Qal-e Naw village in Khwaja Umari District in Ghazni Province, reports Hasht-e Subh Daily on August 10.
80 per cent female Afghan journalists had to stop work since August 2021, reports RSF
In a recent report titled “Two Years of Journalism under the Taliban Regime,” Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated that over 80 per cent of Afghanistan’s female journalists have been compelled to cease working since August 15, 2021, reports The Khaama Press News Agency on August 11.
RSF further said that 12,000 journalists, including male and female, that Afghanistan had in 2021, more than two-thirds have abandoned the profession now.” According to the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA), more than half of the 547 media outlets established in 2021 have subsequently vanished, RSF added.
Taliban bans activities of all political parties in Afghanistan
On August 16, Taliban’s Ministry of Justice announced a ban on the activities of all political parties in Afghanistan, citing their misalignment with the interests of the people, reports The Khaama Press News Agency.
The Acting Minister of Justice for the Taliban, Abdul Hakim Sharaee said that “Political parties do not have a Sharia basis, nor are they in the nation’s interest, nor does the nation want them. And the experience has shown that the current destruction of the country is due to the country’s political parties.”
Nine journalists detained in last 10 days, says Reporters without Borders
On August 15, Reporters without Borders (RSF) said that nine journalists have been detained by the Taliban in the last 10 days, reports The Khaama Press News Agency. RSF added that 12 journalists are currently held in detention without any reason being given, and their whereabouts remain unknown. The detained journalists include Faqir Mohammad Faqirzai, Jan Agha Saleh, Haseeb Hassas, Habib Sarab, Sayed Wahdatullah Abdali, Shamsullah Omari, Wahidrahman Afghanmal, Ataullah Omar, and Parwiz Sargand.
BANGLADESH – Internal Dynamics
Rohingya man shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
On July 30, a Rohingya man, identified as Mohammad Salim, was shot dead by the operatives of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) over establishing dominance on the road at B-5 block of Rohingya refugee camp No. 2 (West Kutupalong) in Ukhiya Upazila (Sub-District) in Cox’s Bazar District (Chittagong Division), reports Dhaka Tribune.
Al-Qaeda is shaping to spread its operations into Bangladesh, says UNSC report
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on July 25 said in its reports that Al-Qaeda is shaping up to spread its operations into neighbouring Bangladesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Myanmar, reports The Daily Star. Report further said that the Al-Qaeda core in Afghanistan remains stable at 30 to 60 members, while all Al-Qaeda fighters in the country are estimated to be 400, reaching 2,000 with family members and supporters included. The Security Council member states assessed the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-KP) as the most serious terrorist threat in Afghanistan and the wider region, benefiting from increased operational capabilities inside Afghanistan. IS-KP is estimated to have from 4,000 to 6,000 members, including family members, the report added.
Three ARSA operatives arrested after an exchange of fire in Cox’s Bazar
On August 2, three Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) operatives, identified as Abul Hashem, Mohammad Ruhul Amin, and Kamrul Hasan, were arrested after an exchange of fire with the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) in a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya Upazila (Sub-District) in Cox’s Bazar District (Chittagong Division), reports Dhaka Tribune. APBn-14 chief Additional DIG Mohammad Harun-ur-Rashid said that a one-shooter gun, six rounds of ammunition, three cartridges, and a cleaning rod were recovered from their possession.
JAFHS planned to form naval unit, says Rapid Action Battalion
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on August 4 revealed that Jama’atul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya (JAFHS) planned to establish a naval unit in the Patuakhali District (Barisal Division) to provide refuge for any of its operatives who were dispersed and possessed military training, reports Dhaka Tribune.
RAB stated that they assigned the responsibility of forming the naval unit to Kazi Saraz Uddin alias Siraz, a resident of Patuakhali who had joined JAFHS from the Bangladesh chapter of the Pakistan-based militant group Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B). The financing for this naval unit was provided by Ansar al-Islam.
Commander Khandaker Al Moin, the Director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, said, “Their plan was to retreat to the mountainous areas in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) if detected by law enforcement after receiving training on the plains, and now they are scattered across the plains.” RAB’s operations between October 2022 and July 30, 2023, resulted in the arrest of a total of 82 individuals associated with JAFHS.
Rohingya man killed in Cox’s Bazar On August 10, a Rohingya man, identified as Mufti Jamal was killed by the operatives of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) at Rohingya Camp No 11 in Ukhiya Upazila (Sub-District) in Cox’s Bazar District (Chittagong Division), reports The Daily Star.
Bangladesh bans militant group Jama’tul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya
On August 9, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stated that the government has banned militant outfit Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya (JAFHS), citing its potential threat to public safety and law and order, reports The Daily Star. He further said that JAFHS’s outfit’s long involvement in disruption of law and order warranted this decisive action, and this development came following formal requests from the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of the police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to the ministry to make JAFHS’s activities illegal.
JAFHS is the ninth militant group to have been outlawed in the country, and eight others are Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), Ansar al-Islam, Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB), Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B), Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT), Allah’r Dal, and Shahadat-e al-Hikma.
CCTC arrests 10 Imam Mahmuder Kafela operatives, including six women in Maulvibazar District
On August 12, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested 10 Imam Mahmuder Kafela operatives, including four men and six women, from the hilly area of Kulara in Maulvibazar District (Sylhet Division), reports The Daily Star. The arrestees were identified as Shariful Islam, Amina Begum,Meghna, Habiba Binte Shafiqul, Hafiz Ullah, Khairul Islam, Rafiul Islam, Shapla Begum, Maisha Islam, and Sanjida Khatun. Three kilogrammes of explosives, 50 detonators, BDT .36 million, training materials, combat boots, boxing bags, and several sacks of jihadi books were recovered from them. Mohammad Asaduzzaman, the head of the CTTC unit, revealed that three children named Abida, Jubeda, and Huzaifa were found in their company
INDIA – Internal Dynamics
Policeman killed and one civilian injured in separate incidents of violence in Manipur
On July 26, one female Police Constable of Manipur Police was killed in a firing incident in Moreh Town in Tengnoupal District of Manipur, reports Northeast Now. On July 25, a civilian, identified as Longjam Naocha (16), sustained serious injuries when Kuki militants hurled two bombs at his residence in Phoubakchao Ithai Awang Leikai Village in Bishnupur District of Manipur, reports The Sanghai Express.
Maoists put up banners in Nabarangpur District of Odisha, urging people to observe ‘Saheed Saptah’
Suspected Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) posters and banners surfaced at many villages in Nabarangpur District of Odisha on July 28, urging people to observe the ‘‘Martyrs’ Week’ (Shaheed Saptah), from July 28 to August 3, reports argusenglish.in. Several posters, banners, and pamphlets, which included handwritten letters in Odia and Hindi, were seen along the road near Deobharandi, Jodinga, and Nuagaon villages under Kundei Police limits and Ganjapara and Madagaon under Raighar Police limits in the district. The posters are said to have been put up by the ‘Mainpur Nuapada Division’. In the posters, the Maoists asked all their cadres and local people to spread out into villages in the area and hold meetings and gatherings (sabhas and sammelans) to make the villagers aware of the sacrifices made by the Maoist leaders who have died fighting for the ‘revolution’.
CRPF trooper killed and another injured in encounter with Maoists in Jharkhand
One Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper was killed and another was injured in an encounter with the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in a forest in the Tonto area near Husipi village under the Goilkera Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand on August 11, reports Telangana Today.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar said the encounter broke out when a team of Police and CRPF were carrying out a joint search operation against Maoists in West Singhbhum. “Two CRPF jawans identified as Sushant Kumar and Munna sustained bullet injuries during the encounter. They were airlifted to Ranchi for better treatment. But Sushant succumbed to bullet injuries,” he said. Sushant had received a bullet in the chest during the gunfight, while Munna was hit in the leg.
Seven cadres of a newly-floated militant outfit – NLCN arrested in Meghalaya
On August 16, Meghalaya Police arrested seven cadres of a newly-floated militant outfit, National Liberation Council of Nongkyndong (NLCN) from Shillong in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, reports The Shillong Times. Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Eastern Range), Davis Nestell Rangsa Marak stated that the intention to float the new militant group was to wage war against the government and to commit unlawful activities like procurement of arms and ammunition, extortion, recruiting armed cadres, training of armed cadres, establishing armed terrorist camps and conspiring to commit terrorist acts. He further said, “The inputs also indicated that NLCN had tied up with other militant outfits of Nagaland and was supposed to send the first batch of cadres for armed terrorist training to Nagaland on August 17.”
KIM stages protest in support of ‘Bandi Singhs’ in Punjab
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (KIM) (an organization rallying for the release of prisoner Sikhs) staged a protest rally in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar District of Punjab, in support of ‘Bandi Singhs’ (Prisoner Sikhs- who were convicted previously for Khalistani extremism), on Independence Day (on August 15), reports the Tribune on August 17. As reported earlier by SATP, Chandigarh-Mohali border point near the YPS Chowk has been blocked by the protesters since January 7, 2023. A minor skirmish between the protesters and the Police at the barricades was also reported, but the situation was brought under control as there was a heavy Police presence in the area.
| Monthly Fatalities: The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period July 26, 2023 to August 25, 2023 |
| Civilian | Indian Secquirty Personel | Militants | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arunachal p. | 00 | 00 | 02 | 02 |
| Jarkhand | 00 | 02 | 02 | 04 |
| Manipur | 21 | 02 | 16 | 39 |
| Nagaland | 00 | 00 | 02 | 02 |
| Total | 21 | 04 | 22 | 47 |
INTERNATIONAL
Six killed in bomb attack in Syria
A bomb killed six people and wounded scores on Thursday, July 28 when it exploded near the Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum, Syria´s most visited pilgrimage site, the interior ministry said. More than 20 people were wounded in the attack which the interior ministry said was caused when a motorcycle exploded near a taxi, calling it a “terrorist bombing”.
IS attack on Syria oil convoy kills seven
Islamic State group jihadists attacked a convoy of oil tankers guarded by the army in the Syrian desert on Tuesday, Aug 01 killing seven people including two civilians, a war monitor said.
“Five regime forces and two drivers have been killed in the armed attack by IS militants” in the east of Hama province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The attackers used machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, said the Britain-based monitor, which relies on a wide network of sources inside Syria.
In March 2019, IS lost the last territory it had held in Syria following a military campaign backed by a US-led coalition, but jihadist remnants continue to hide out in the desert and launch deadly attacks. They have used such hideouts to ambush civilians, Kurdish-led forces, Syrian government troops and pro-Iran fighters, while also mounting attacks in neighbouring Iraq.
Syria jihadist attacks kill six soldiers in northwest
Six members of Syrian regime forces were killed on Sunday, Aug 06 in attacks on government positions in the conflict-torn country´s northwest, the last main bastion of armed opposition, a war monitor said.
“Six regime forces, including two officers, were killed and two others wounded” in three attacks by jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The attacks targeted regime positions in Latakia province, said the Britain-based group which relies on a vast network of sources on the ground. Swathes of Idlib province as well as adjacent parts of Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces are controlled by HTS, which is led by Syria´s former al-Qaeda affiliate.
The war in Syria broke out in 2011 after the repression of peaceful anti-government demonstrations escalated into a deadly conflict that pulled in foreign powers and global jihadists. With Russian and Iranian support, the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has clawed back much of the territory it had lost to rebels early in the conflict.
IS attack on Syria army bus kills 26 soldiers
At least 26 soldiers have been killed in war-torn Syria´s east, a monitor said on Friday, Aug 11 the deadliest in a new wave of attacks blamed on Islamic State group jihadists.
Despite losing their last piece of territory in Syria in 2019, IS has maintained hideouts in the vast Syrian desert from which it has carried out ambushes and hit-and-run attacks.
IS “members targeted a military bus” in Deir Ezzor province on Thursday, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. “The number of dead has risen to 26” soldiers, it said, revising an earlier toll of 23 and calling it the extremists´ deadliest attack on government forces this year.
The jihadists surrounded the bus and opened fire in Deir Ezzor province´s Mayadeen area, in Syria´s vast Badia desert, the Observatory added.
Eleven other soldiers were wounded, with some in critical condition, while troops previously thought to be missing were on other buses that managed to reach safe areas, said the Britain-based group which relies on a network of sources inside Syria.
The official Syrian news agency SANA said the “terrorist attack” had caused a number of military casualties, citing an unidentified army source.
14 killed in attack on DR Congo village
At least 14 people have been killed in an attack on a village in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo near the Angolan border, authorities said on Saturday, Aug 12.
Kwango provincial government spokesman Adelard Nkisi said the victims in Ipongi were killed by bullets and “machete blows”.
A religious leader in the village, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the toll and said the attack on Friday followed the recent arrest of militiamen, who sent another team to “free four members” of their group. Symphorien Kwengo, a civil society leader in Kwango province, blamed the armed Mobondo movement, formed in neighbouring Mai-Ndombe province last year.
Air strike kills at least 26 in Ethiopia
An air strike has killed at least 26 people in Ethiopia´s embattled Amhara region, a hospital official and a resident told AFP on Monday, Aug 14 as the region continues to be rocked by deadly clashes.
The strike on Sunday marked the deadliest reported since clashes between members of the Ethiopian army and a local militia known as Fano erupted in towns and cities across Amhara after months of tensions.
“Twenty-two bodies were brought to the hospital, while four others who were critically injured died soon after arriving in the hospital” in Finote Selam, said the hospital official.
“We´ve so far received 55 injured patients out of which more than 40 are gravely injured,” he added, speaking anonymously over safety concerns.
A resident who arrived shortly after the strike told AFP he had “helped in the burial of bodies of 30 victims”. He said he saw “a medium sized freight vehicle had been completely destroyed in an air strike with dead bodies strewn around the vehicle”.
| 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 | ** |
| Upeer / Rural Sindh | Level 2 | ** |
| Gilgit and Nothern 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 precauti | * |
| 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. | ***** |
