Targetted Killings

Unknown armed assailants opened fire at a local hotel in Turbat on the night of Feb 04, killing political activist and MPhil scholar Allah Dad, son of Abdul Wahid, who was a member of the National Democratic Party. The police confirmed the murder, stating that the victim was shot dead after evening prayers at the Ghamshad Hotel while having tea with a friend. Condemning the murder, the Baloch Yakjethi Committee demanded the arrest of the killers.

Unidentified assailants opened fire on a vehicle and killed a man, identified as Gul Ahmad, in the Raisani Road area of Quetta, on February 6, reports Dawn.

Two members of the Hindu community were shot dead and another person sustained injuries when unidentified assailants opened fire near a quarter close to Star Plus market in Turbat town of Kech District in Balochistan on February 10, reports Dawn.

The victims were identified as Hari Lal and Moti Lal, and the injured as Shero Mal. Police said the deceased hailed from the Sanghar District of Sindh. Police termed the incident a targeted killing while no group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Miscellaneous

Five terrorists, including two suicide bombers and two soldiers were killed during clash when Security Forces (SFs) foiled an attempt by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists to infiltrate the Frontier Corps (FC) fort in the Gulistan area of Qila Abdullah District in Balochistan late in the night of January 27, reports Dawn. A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said terrorists attempted to attack a checkpost of the SFs. “The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by own troops,” the ISPR said, adding that this forced the terrorists to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the post’s boundary. It added that five terrorists, including two suicide bombers, were killed in the ensuing exchange of fire.

Three terrorists were killed while nine other terrorists sustained injuries when Security Forces (SFs) conducted an intelligence based operation (IBO) on reported presence of terrorists in Jani Khel area of Bannu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 27, reports ARY News.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed 300 terrorists since 2023 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ARY News reported on January 31. According to a recent report, the CTD has been actively conducting operations against militants, with 2,531 operations in 2023 alone. The report stated that the CTD’s effort in combating terrorism, resulted in arrest of 917 terrorists whereas 44 surrendered in 2023. Additionally, 12 kilogrammes of explosives were recovered from terrorists in 2024. This year, the CTD has conducted 179 intelligence-based operations in KP, resulting in the arrest of 72 terrorists and the elimination of 10 others.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 18 Security Forces (SFs) of the Frontier Corps (FC) and 12 terrorists were killed during the clearance operation, when terrorists attempted to establish roadblocks in the general area of Mangochar of Kalat District in Balochistan on January 31, reports Geo News. The ISPR stated that 11 terrorists were killed in Harnai District of Balochistan on February 1, in the follow up sanitization operation of the Mangochar operation in Kalat District. The Baloch Liberation Army – Azad (BLA-Azad) claimed the responsibility of the attack, reports The Khorasan Diary. This attack is one of the biggest attacks by the BLA Azad faction after a major rift within BLA back in 2018.

Unidentified terrorists abducted the president of Tirah traders’ association along with another tribesman from Bagh-Maidan area of the Khyber District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on February 1, reports Dawn. Terrorists abducted Haji Sher Mohammad, the head of local traders’ body, and a tribesman, Ibrar, from the main Bagh Markaz market on the afternoon of January 30, and shifted them to an unknown location. At least 12 terrorists and one Army soldier were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan District on February 6, reports Geo News. A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “on February 5-6, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Hassan Khel, North Waziristan District on the reported presence of khwarij. During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly 12 khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR added.

The Police on February 5 repulsed a midnight terrorist attack on a Police Station in the Township area of Bannu District, reports Dawn. An unnamed security official said that a group of terrorists attacked the Police Station at around 12.30am with light and heavy weapons. The Policemen deployed there retaliated effectively and forced the terrorists to flee. Security Forces (SFs) killed three terrorists clad in burqas during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan District on February 7, reports Dawn. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “On the night of 6-7 February 2025, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Datta Khel, North Waziristan District, on the reported presence of khwarij.

During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location as a result of which three khwarij were sent to hell, who were trying to escape wearing women’s attire (burqa).” It added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area. Security Forces (SFs) foiled an attempt to carry out terrorist activities by recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition in the Guldar Baghicha area of Chaman town (Chaman District) on February 6, reports Dawn.

During the raid on a hideout of a banned outfit, SFs recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including anti-personnel mines, rocket launchers, grenade launchers, primer cards, safety pins and other equipment. These items were believed to have been hidden by terrorists for use in sabotage activities, the officials associated in raid said.

Security Forces (SFs) killed four terrorists and three other terrorists sustained injuries in intelligence-based operations (IBO) in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan District in the night of February 8, reports ARY News.

Security Forces (SFs) killed three terrorists and two other terrorists sustained injuries in intelligence-based operations (IBO) in Maddi area of Dera Ismail Khan District on the night of February 8, reports ARY News.

Three Policemen who were abducted by terrorists from Gomal area of Dera Ismail Khan District on the morning of February 9, were shot dead in Bannu District while filming them, reports The Khorasan Diary.

Five terrorists including ‘commander’ Kharji Shah Gul alias Rohani were killed during intelligence based operation (IBO) conducted by Security Forces (SFs) in Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan District on February 13, reports Dawn.

Five terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire during intelligence based operation (IBO) conducted by Security Forces (SFs) in Dosali and Tappi areas of North Waziristan District on February 13, reports Dawn.

Two terrorists were killed during intelligence based operation (IBO) conducted by Security Forces (SFs) in Lakki Marwat District on February 13, reports Dawn.

One terrorist was killed during an exchange of fire with Security Forces (SFs) in Bagh area of Khyber District on February 13, reports Dawn.

Security Forces (SFs) killed 30 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Sararogha area of South Waziristan District on February 17, reports Dawn. A statement issued on February 18 from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said SFs conducted an IBO in the district’s general area on Sararogha based on a reported terrorist presence.

It added that SFs “effectively engaged” the terrorists at their location during the operation, due to which 30 were “sent to hell”. The ISPR added that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

Police gunned down four terrorists while a Police official sustained injuries during an exchange of fire near the Indus River near Shadipur check-post in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on February 18, reports Dawn. An unnamed Police official said Police had erected a barrier on the Kohat-Nizampur road leading to Nowshera District, when a suspicious car coming from Kohat was flagged to stop. As soon as the vehicle stopped at the barrier, six gunmen started firing at the Police party, who duly retaliated.

Pakistan

Weapons left after US withdrawal from Afghanistan ‘profound concern’ for Pakistan, says Foreign Office

Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) on January 29 said that the advanced weapons have been an issue of profound concern for the safety and security of Pakistan and its citizens, reports Geo News. “These weapons, left behind in the aftermath of the withdrawal of its troops in August 2021, have been used by terrorist organisations, including the TTP [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan], to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan,” FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement.

He noted that Pakistan has been “repeatedly calling upon the de facto authorities in Kabul to take all necessary measures to ensure that these weapons do not fall into the wrong hands”. The FO statement came after the United States (US) President Donald Trump’s pledge to take back military equipment left behind in Afghanistan during troop’s withdrawal in 2021.

On the eve of his presidential inauguration, Trump at a public rally threatened Afghanistan to snap all the financial assistance if the nation does not return US aircraft, air-to-ground munitions, vehicles and communications equipment. “If we’re going to pay billions of dollars a year, tell them we’re not going to give them the money unless they give back our military equipment,” he said. According to a report by the US Department of Defence in 2022, the US left behind USD 7 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan which was quickly seized by Taliban fighters as they swept the country.

The US forces tried to dismantle or destroy as much of their machinery as they could in the last weeks of their chaotic pull-out. However, huge amounts still fell to the Taliban in August 2021. However, Taliban reportedly refused to return any of the military equipment and urged the US to provide them with more advanced weapons to fight Daesh.

Afghan Taliban relocates TTP families from border areas, says report

In an effort to placate Pakistan’s growing anger, the interim Afghan Taliban Government has relocated some family members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from border regions to other parts of Afghanistan, The Express Tribune reported on January 29. An unnamed senior Pakistani official confirmed the development to The Express Tribune but emphasised the move was too little to address the country’s long-standing concerns.

It is believed that the latest move by the Taliban came after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) nudged the Kabul administration to address Pakistan’s concerns over the terrorist hideouts. Taliban acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani along with the Taliban intelligence chief recently travelled to the UAE and held talks with UAE leadership.

Prior to their trip, a Pakistani delegation reportedly also visited the Gulf country as part of efforts to address the issue of TTP. There was no official confirmation from either side about the development and potential role being played by the UAE to ease tensions between the two countries. However, the Pakistani official acknowledged the role of UAE as well as Qatar to broker some kind of path forward on the issue of TTP.

The official said certain family members of the TTP, mostly women and children, were relocated from border areas of Pakistan to other areas of Afghanistan. According to some estimates, there are between 6000 to 8000 terrorists of TTP operating from Afghanistan. Besides another 20,000 family members who have taken refugees across the border.

Pakistan hosts 2.9 million Afghan nationals, reveals CCAR report

According to figures presented by the Country’s Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CCAR), Pakistan is home to approximately 2.9 million Afghan nationals, including both documented and undocumented individuals, AMU TV reported on February 3. The data was disclosed during a meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions on January 31.

According to the report, 1.04 million Afghan refugees are registered, while an estimated 700,000 remain undocumented. During the session, Pakistan’s chief commissioner for refugees outlined the humanitarian assistance provided to Afghan migrants, including shelter, food, water, healthcare, and education.

However, the report noted that development projects under these programs were halted in 2024 due to budget constraints.

IMF mission to examine graft vulnerability in six state functions

A three-member IMF’s scoping mission is visiting Pakistan to undertake Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA) and its findings might become part of the conditionalities of the Fund-sponsored programme.

“This is a preliminary mission for technical assistance on the governance issue,” Mahir Binci, the IMF’s resident chief in Pakistan, said when The News sought comments on Sunday, Feb 09. However, the sources said that the findings of the technical scoping mission might pave the way for conditionalities under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan. But it’s premature to give any judgment at this juncture.

According to official statement, issued by the finance ministry on Sunday, a three-member IMF scoping mission is visiting Pakistan to undertake the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA).

The focus of the mission will be to examine the severity of corruption vulnerabilities across six core state functions, the ministry said, adding that the statement was being issued to give clarity to reports circulating in the media regarding the visit.

These functions include fiscal governance, central bank governance and operations, financial sector oversight, market regulation, rule of law and Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT), according to the release.

The mission will mainly engage with organizations like Finance Division, Federal Board of Revenue, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Auditor General for Pakistan, Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Ministry of Law & Justice. The GCDA report will recommend actions for addressing corruption vulnerabilities and strengthening integrity and governance, which will assist the government in bringing about reforms for promoting transparency, strengthening institutional capacities and achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Traditionally the IMF’s main focus has been on encouraging countries to correct macroeconomic imbalances, reduce inflation and undertake key trade, exchange and other market reforms needed to improve efficiency and support sustained economic growth.

While these remain its main focus in all its member countries, the IMF has found that a much broader range of institutional reforms is needed if countries are to establish and maintain private sector confidence and thereby lay the basis for sustained growth.

According to the statement, the IMF identified that promoting good governance in all its aspects, including ensuring the rule of law, improving the efficiency and accountability of the public sector, and tackling corruption are essential elements of a framework within which economies can prosper.

TTP still gets financial, logistic support from Afghan Taliban; says UNSC report

The 35th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted to the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) revealed that Afghan Taliban’s continued support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), despite Islamabad’s increasing pressure to cease backing the outfit, was fuelling the group’s escalating attacks in Pakistan, Dawn reported on February 15. The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team is a panel of in dependent experts established by the UN Security Council to support sanctions implementation against individuals and entities linked to Al Qaeda, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Daesh) and associated groups. The team submits biannual reports assessing the threat landscape posed by these organisations to form international policy and security strategies.

Scale of outfit’s attacks in Pakistan has increased significantly, according to report by UNSC-formed monitoring team. The report, covering the period from July 1 to Dec 13, 2024, states the “status and strength of TTP in Afghanistan had not changed”, while the group intensified its assaults on Pakistan, conducting over 600 attacks during the reporting period, many launched from Afghan territory.

It underscored that the Taliban continued to provide the outlawed TTP with logistical and operational space and financial support, bolstering the group’s capacity to sustain its activities.

The report revealed that the family of TTP leader Noor Wali Masoud receives around USD 43,000 per month from the Afghan Taliban, reflecting a significant level of financial backing for the terrorist group.

The TTP has also “established new training centres in Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika (Barmal) provinces” while enhancing recruitment, including from within the Afghan Taliban’s ranks. This expansion has contributed to TTP’s continued status as the largest Afghanistan-based terrorist organisation, with an estimated 6,000 to 6,500 fighters. The group’s growing influence is linked to the Afghan Taliban’s continued ideological and historical ties with TTP.

Afghanistan Internal Dynamics

Taliban minister ‘forced to flee Afghanistan’ after speech in support of girls’ education

A senior Taliban minister who expressed support for reversing the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan appears to have been forced to flee the country. Speaking at a graduation ceremony in Khost province, near the Afghan-Pakistani border, on 20 January, Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, criticised the government’s ban on girls attending secondary schools and higher education.

“There is no excuse for this – not now and not in the future,” Stanikzai said. “We are being unjust to 20 million people.“During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the doors of knowledge were open for both men and women,” he said. “There were such remarkable women that if I were to elaborate on their contributions, it would take a considerable amount of time.”

After this speech, and reports of Stanikzai criticising him, the Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, allegedly ordered the minister’s arrest and issued a travel ban, which pushed Stanikzai to leave Afghanistan for the United Arab Emirates. Stanikzai confirmed to local media he had left for Dubai but claimed it was for health reasons. The Taliban were contacted for comment but did not respond.

Foreign Minister’s visit does not mean recognition of Taliban, says Iranian official Alireza Bekdeli

Iran’s ambassador to Kabul (Afghanistan), Alireza Bekdeli said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Afghanistan does not mean recognition of the Taliban government, reports Afghanistan International on January 28. He said, “The issue of recognition of the Taliban regime is a different discussion that should be addressed in its place.” Addressing Afghanistan’s fragile situation, he added, “The economic problems caused by years of war and conflict have also affected the lives of Iranian citizens. We are trying to reduce the economic problems of these people.” This reaction came after Araghchi met with the Taliban’s prime minister, foreign and defence ministers, as well as a number of Afghan businessmen, during his one-day visit to Kabul on Sunday (January 26).

Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Stanikzai warns against deification of Taliban leader

Abbas Stanikzai, Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister, cautioned against treating the Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, with what he described as “prophetic or divine” reverence, according to an audio recording of his remarks that recently surfaced, amu. tv reports on February 3. Stanikzai said in the recording that Akhundzada remains the leader of the Taliban only as long as he adheres to “the path of God.” He also warned that Afghanistan’s history has seen many leaders like him and that the country should not be destroyed for his sake. “You are our leader only as long as you walk in the path of God,” Stanikzai said in the recording, the time and location of which remain unclear. “If you stray even one step from God’s way, you are no longer my leader, and I do not recognize you.”

25 people killed in ISIS orchestrated blast in Kunduz Province

On February 11, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that targeted a gathering in front of Kabul Bank in Kunduz City, provincial capital of Kunduz, reports khaama. com. Amu.tv adds that at least 25 people were killed and 30 others wounded in the blast, including Zakariya, a Taliban Security Commander for Kunduz’s Police District 4. Afintl.com reports that most of the casualties were Taliban members who had gathered at the bank to collect their salaries. Following the attack, the Taliban deployed hundreds of forces to the area, restricting civilian movement and preventing people from taking photographs at the scene, according to sources.

Process of temporarily suspending Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist organisations will take time, states Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko

On February 10, Andrey Rudenko, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that the process of temporarily suspending the Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist organisations will take considerable time, reports afintl.com. Addressing the possibility of formally recognising the Taliban, he emphasised that Moscow will not act hastily. Earlier, on December 28, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree amending certain laws, allowing for the temporary suspension of a group’s terrorist designation through a Supreme Court decision. Rudenko told that this mechanism applies to the Taliban, but reiterated that the process will take time. The Russian Supreme Court designated the Taliban as a terrorist organisation on February 14, 2003, effectively banning its activities in the country.

TTP still gets financial, logistic support from Afghan Taliban; says UNSC report

The 35th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted to the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) revealed that Afghan Taliban’s continued support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), despite Islamabad’s increasing pressure to cease backing the outfit, was fuelling the group’s escalating attacks in Pakistan, Dawn reported on February 15.

The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team is a panel of independent experts established by the UN Security Council to support sanctions implementation against individuals and entities linked to Al Qaeda, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Daesh) and associated groups. The team submits biannual reports assessing the threat landscape posed by these organisations to form international policy and security strategies. Scale of outfit’s attacks in Pakistan has increased significantly, according to report by UNSC-formed monitoring team.

The report, covering the period from July 1 to Dec 13, 2024, states the “status and strength of TTP in Afghanistan had not changed”, while the group intensified its assaults on Pakistan, conducting over 600 attacks during the reporting period, many launched from Afghan territory. It underscored that the Taliban continued to provide the outlawed TTP with logistical and operational space and financial support, bolstering the group’s capacity to sustain its activities. The report revealed that the family of TTP leader Noor Wali Masoud receives around USD 43,000 per month from the Afghan Taliban, reflecting a significant level of financial backing for the terrorist group.

The TTP has also “established new training centres in Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika (Barmal) provinces” while enhancing recruitment, including from within the Afghan Taliban’s ranks. This expansion has contributed to TTP’s continued status as the largest Afghanistan-based terrorist organisation, with an estimated 6,000 to 6,500 fighters. The group’s growing influence is linked to the Afghan Taliban’s continued ideological and historical ties with TTP.

Bangladesh Internal Dynamics

HRW claims former PM Sheikh Hasina directly ordered enforced disappearances and killings, states CAO

On January 28, Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) issued a statement that a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW)on the July-August mass uprising in 2024, claimed the former Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina “directly ordered the enforced disappearances and killings”, reports bdnews24. A statement issued by the CAO said an HRW delegation submitted the report after calling on Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on January 28, 2025.

According to the HRW report, “Officers involved in enforced disappearances told the agency that Sheikh and senior officers of her government had knowledge of incommunicado detentions, and that, in some cases, Hasina directly ordered enforced disappearances and killings.”During the meeting with the Chief Advisor, the Agency’s Asia Director Elaine Pearson, said: “The security forces were ‘politicised’ during Sheikh Hasina’s 2009-2024 rule, and they acted like they were ruling party cadres.”“These forces need systematic reforms,” she said.

She added “Establishing rights was the core principle during the July-August Monsoon Revolution. Bangladesh’s ‘ordinary people now realise the importance of human rights’ in every sphere of life.” In the meeting, Yunus also said that he had called for creating a safe zone for tens of thousands of displaced Rohingya refugees in their homeland in Rakhine, Myanmar. He hoped the United Nations (UN), the international communities, and the Arakan Army (AA), would guarantee security for the safe zone.

No concessions where Bangladesh feels deprived in dealing with India, says BGB DG Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui

On January 29, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General (DG) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui said that Bangladesh will not make any concessions on issues where it feels deprived in its dealings with India, reports The Daily Star. He said, “We will not compromise on the matters where we believe we have been deprived”, on the upcoming border conference between BGB and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the Home Ministry’s conference room. He added that the Foreign Ministry has been asked to address the unfair agreements with India through diplomatic channels. “These issues will be resolved diplomatically, but from our side, there will be no concessions,” he said.

NSCN-IM reaffirms Naga sovereignty, cites historic agreements

The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) asserted that if Indians respect Naga history, the Nagas would reciprocate tenfold, The Morung Express reports on January 31. Speaking at the 46th raising day celebrations of NSCN-IM, ‘vice chairman’ Tongmeth Wangnao highlighted two key official recognitions of Naga sovereignty—first in 2002 at an Amsterdam meeting and later in the 2015 Framework Agreement, signed in New Delhi under PM Narendra Modi.

Wangnao criticized Indian agencies for undermining the Naga political movement despite 27 years of negotiations. He emphasized NSCN-IM’s international recognition, including its admission to the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and participation in United Nations human rights forums. Reaffirming the group’s commitment to self-determination, he urged Nagas to stay resilient under the banner of “Nagalim for Christ.” The fate of the ongoing Naga political talks, he said, rests in God’s hands.

Student Rights Council demands ban on Awami League

On February 2, Bin Yamin Mollah, the central president of the Student Rights Council, raised six-point demand including banning the Awami League within the next 24 hours at a press conference at Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University in Dhaka, reports Prothomalo. The 6 demands were: banning the Awami League within the next 24 hours on charges of terrorist activities, taking strong steps to eliminate Awami League’s allies in the administration and business arena, rehabilitating and providing proper medical care to those injured in the mass uprising, forming a National Student Council with students, forming a national government with all participants in the mass uprising, and recognizing all individuals and organizations that participated in the mass uprising.

Additionally, Student Rights Council announced a nationwide protest march on February 6 and a sit-in program on February 10 demanding the prosecution of those involved in terrorist activities during the July 10 uprising.

India Internal Dynamics

Maoists kill Sarpanch candidate in Chhattisgarh

Communist Party of India-Maoistcadres killed, Joga Barsa, a Sarpanch (head of the Panchayat, village level local self-Government institution) candidate who was contesting in the three-tier Panchayat elections on February 2025, by slitting his throat with a sharp weapon, in Aranpur village under the Aranpur Police Station limits in Dantewada District in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh on February 6, reports ibc24.in. It is worth noting that the three-tier Panchayat elections will be held in three phases on February 17, February 20 and February 23 respectively.

Arms and ammunition recovered in Manipur

Search operations at Aigejang foothills under Nambol Police Station in Bishnupur District of Manipur led to the recovery of six .303 rifle, five Bolt Action rifles, two single Barrel Breech Loading (SBBL) guns, one .22 pistol with magazine, three 9 mm pistols with magazine, ten 36 Highly Explosive (HE) Hand Grenades, one Chinese HE Hand Grenade, four 40 mm HE Lethod Grenades, one long range modified Mortar shell, two 2-inch Mortar HE shells with carrier, 10 self-loading rifle (SLR) empty cases, two tear gas Grenades, one Stun Grenade, one Smoke Grenade, two Smoke shell Soft Nose (LR 135 MTR), three Smoke shell Soft Nose (SR 50 MTR), one Smoke shell dual, one Wood Piercing shell (CS), four Anti-Riot rubber bullets, two Smoke Chilli Grenades, three normal Tear Smoke shells and two Tear Smoke shell CS, Manipur Police reports on X on February 7.

31 Maoists and two SF personnel killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh

On February 9, at least 31 Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres, including 11 women cadres, were killed in an encounter with a joint team of Security Forces (SFs) comprising District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF), at a forest area between the Maddeda-Farsegarh border in the Indravati National Park area in the Bijapur District in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, reports The New Indian Express.

Two security personnel, one belonging to the state police’s DRG and the other from the STF, were killed in the gunfight, and two others suffered injuries. Acting on specific information about the presence of armed Maoists in the national park region of the district, the SFs left on an anti-Maoist operation.

The recovered bodies of the cadres of Left-Wing Extremists (LWEs) are yet to be identified. A large cache of weapons, including AK 47, Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) assault rifles, .303 rifles, Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGLs), and explosives, has been recovered from the encounter site.

“Based on specific information about the presence of armed Maoists at the national park region of Bijapur district, a joint team of security forces comprising DRG and STF left on an anti-Maoist operation on Saturday [February 8],” said an unnamed police officer, who further added that the casualty count of the red rebels may rise further.

Monthly Fatalities The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period January 23, 2025 to February 22, 2025
	Civilian	Indian Security Personnel	Terrorist	Total
Chhattisgarh	07	02	40	49
Jharkand	01	00	02	03
Maharashtra	02	01	00	03
Madhya Pradesh	00	00	04	04
Manipur	02	00	25	27
Total	12	03	71	86

CRPF trooper killed in IED blast in Chhattisgarh

Amid voting in the urban body elections in Chhattisgarh, a central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper was injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast, triggered by the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in Aranpur Police Station area in Dantewada District in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh on February 11, reports etvbharat. com. Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Rai said that the jawans of CRPF’s 231 battalion had left Kamal post camp for area domination and anti-Maoist search operation in the surrounding areas. “When the team was returning after the search operation, head constable, MN Shukla of CRPF’s 231st battalion accidentally stepped onto a pressure-activated IED, causing the blast. Shukla was killed in this blast.

International

UN probe warns Myanmar violence may worsen, four years since coup

UN investigators on Thursday, Jan 30 said serious international crimes had been committed in the four years since Myanmar´s military coup, warning that the violence would only worsen unless the perpetrators faced justice.

Nicholas Koumjian, head of the United Nations´ Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), said impunity was emboldening the perpetrators to commit further violence.

Myanmar´s ruling junta seized power in coup on February 1, 2021 that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi´s elected government, ending a 10-year experiment with democracy and plunging the Southeast Asian nation into bloody turmoil and a humanitarian crisis.

Attack on South Sudan cattle camp kills 41

An attack on a camp of cattle herders killed 41 people in South Sudan late last week, a local official said on Monday, Feb 02 as the UN warned of rising violence in the area.

Clashes involving pastoralists and settled farming communities are common in the south of the world’s youngest country. The attack occurred in the Nyolo village in the southern Eastern Equatoria state early in the morning on Friday, Angok Gordon Kuol, the head of the Bor community, said in a statement. Forty-one people including women and children were killed, while 65 were wounded and others remained missing, the statement said. “It was a cold-blooded massacre targeting unarmed civilians,” it added.

Suspected jihadist attack kills 32 in Mali

A suspected jihadist attack on a convoy escorted by Malian soldiers and Russia’s Wagner mercenaries has killed 32 people in northern Mali, officials said on Saturday, Feb 08.

The attack took place on Friday between the northern cities of Gao and Ansongo, they said. The death toll was initially put at 10 but soon rose to 32. Another local official told AFP: “The Malian soldiers and Wagner (mercenaries) were in around 10 vehicles protecting a convoy of 22 minibuses with civilian passengers, six large buses and eight lorries.” IS has not claimed responsibility for the attack.

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.	*****

The Malian army has not officially commented on the reported attack. “We control the situation on the ground between Ansongo and Gao,” a military source said. The route between Ansongo and Gao has seen several attacks in recent months blamed on jihadists or bandits.

Another local official said the civilian victims were mainly foreigners travelling to a gold mine in Intahaka, the main gold mining region in northern Mali.

The country is one of Africa’s top gold producers, though production has plunged recently. Mali has faced serious security problems since 2012 linked to violence both by groups linked to Al-Qaeda and IS and by local criminal gangs.

Iran alerts UN to Trump threat of force, says it will defend itself

Iran alerted the United Nations on Tuesday, Feb 11 to what it described as “reckless and inflammatory statements” by US President Donald Trump threatening the use of force, and warned that “any act of aggression will have severe consequences.”

In a letter to the UN Security Council, seen by Reuters, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani referenced remarks made by Trump in interviews with the New York Post and Fox News, in which he spoke of a preference to do a deal to stop Tehran getting a nuclear weapon over bombing the country.

M23 seize key city amid mounting fears of DR Congo breakup

Columns of M23 fighters allied with Rwandan troops on Sunday entered the centre of another key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the African Union highlighted growing fears that the strife-torn country could break up.

The fighters reached outlying districts of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province, on Friday. The fall of the city of one million people, which was barely defended by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), gives the M23 total control of Lake Kivu, following its capture of Goma, capital of neighbouring North Kivu province, at the end of January. Growing international calls have been made for Rwanda to end its military backing for M23. It denies that its troops are in the DRC.

As they entered Bukavu, M23 fighters were applauded by some residents on the streets or huddled on balconies, AFP journalists noted. Near the border post linking the town with neighbouring Rwanda, some chanted: “You´re the ones we´ve been waiting for, we need change in this country, we want work.”

Germany warns polls targeted by Russian disinformation

Germany warned on Friday, Feb 21 two days before a general election, that Russia has been targeting voters with a disinformation campaign seeking to help the far-right AfD and “destroy confidence in democracy”.

Security officials had reason to suspect the Kremlin-linked Storm-1516 network was behind some of the online campaigns, said interior ministry spokesman Maximilian Kall.

“The goal of these influence operations is to destroy confidence in democracy, to question the integrity of the electoral process,” he told a Berlin press conference. German security officials have long been raising the alarm about potential Russian-backed efforts to influence Sunday´s vote at a time of soaring tensions over the Ukraine war.

Kall said officials believe the campaigns were “quite targeted at the parliamentary elections” but did not have a “wide reach”. Kall stressed that “the free electoral process in Germany is guaranteed, and we will continue to promptly refute relevant misinformation”.

The aim of one campaign seeks to suggest the AfD, which is sympathetic to Russia, was being unfairly treated. Kall said that the campaign involved videos falsely claiming that ballots in the eastern city of Leipzig had been sent out without the AfD on them.

Other false videos, purportedly from the northern city of Hamburg, showed what were said to be ballots for the AfD being thrown in a shredder, he said.

Local election officials quickly worked out the videos were disinformation, Kall added. The AfD, second in the polls on around 20 percent, has been accused of having links to Moscow and has called for Germany to end its military support for Ukraine. Germany´s mainstream parties have long pledged not to cooperate with the AfD, leading the far-right party to accuse their rivals of freezing them out of the democratic process.