Chhattisgarh: Challenges Unabated
Sep 15, 2024, at 05:39 pm
Two Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were killed in an encounter with Security Forces (SFs) in Gandai Forest near Suktara village in the Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh on June 28, 2017. During subsequent search operations, SFs recovered their bodies, as well as a .315 bore gun and a pistol. Superintendent of Police (SP), Prashant Agrawal stated, "Identity of the killed rebels is being ascertained. Although prima facie it is clear that they belonged to expansion team of ultras who are making attempts to expand their base along the border of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh." A joint squad of the Special Task Force (STF) and District Police Force had launched an operation in the area, acting on inputs about the movement of a vistaar(expansion) party of Maoists in the forests over the preceding few days.
Kurram Agency: Sectarian Monster Revisited
Sep 15, 2024, at 05:39 pm
At least 67 persons were killed and more than 200 injured in back-to-back explosions in the Turi Bazaar area of Parachinar, the headquarter of Kurram Agency, in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), when the market was crowed for Iftar and Eid shopping on June 24, 2017. Initially, an explosion took place at the busy Turi Bazaar, moments after an Al Quds Day (an international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people) rally had concluded at the centralImambargah (Shia place of worship). When people rushed to the spot to remove the injured and bodies, the second blast, which was more powerful, took place resulting in even greater death and destruction. The al-Alami (International) faction of Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LeJ) claimed responsibility for the twin bomb blasts, issuing a statement that it was targeting Shias and threatened more attacks over "Pakistanis fighting against Sunni militants in Syria's civil war".
Balochistan: The Chinese Chequered
Sep 15, 2024, at 05:39 pm
The Islamic State (IS, also Daesh) on June 8, 2017, claimed the killing of two Chinese nationals who had been abducted from the Jinnah Town area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, in the afternoon of May 24, 2017. Amaq, the IS propaganda agency, declared, "Islamic State fighters killed two Chinese people they had been holding in Baluchistan province, south-west Pakistan." The Chinese couple, Lee Zing Yang (24) and Meng Li Si (26), were studying Urdu in Quetta, where they reportedly also ran a Mandarin language course.According to Deputy Inspector General Police Aitzaz Goraya, unknown abductors, wearing Police uniforms, had forced the two foreigners into a vehicle at gunpoint and driven away. They also tried to overpower another Chinese woman but she ran away. A man present at the site attempted to resist the kidnapping, but was shot at by one of the abductors. So far no local group has claimed responsibility for the incident (abduction and subsequent killing). Reports speculate that the actual perpetrators were linked to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al Alami (LeJ-A), the international wing of the LeJ, which believed to be affiliated to Daesh.
NSCN-K: Decisive Moment, Uncertain Outcomes
Sep 15, 2024, at 05:39 pm
Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang widely known as S.S. Khaplang, the 'chairman' of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) died in the evening of June 9, 2017, after a prolonged illness in a hospital at Taga in the Sagaing Division of Myanmar. Confirming his death, Indian intelligence sources disclosed that Khaplang, who belonged to the Hemi Naga tribe, had lately moved to Taga, the NSCN-K's headquarters, from his native village Waktham, east of the Pangsau Pass on the Arunachal Pradesh-Myanmar border. According to reports, Khaplang is likely to be buried near the 'NSCN-K Council Headquarters' in Taga in Myanmar on June 12, 2017. Athong Makury from the 'Council of Naga Affairs (CNA), the apex body of Naga people in Myanmar, announced on June 11 that the funeral would take place in the presence of "revolutionary parties of WESEA Region and civil representatives from all the Naga inhabited areas."
Sep 15, 2024, at 05:40 pm
The Security Forces (SFs) killed eight terrorists, including Hizb-ul-Mujahideen's (HM) incumbent 'Kashmir Commander' Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on May 27, 2017. In the first encounter, SFs killed six terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rampur sector of Baramulla District. In another encounter the same day, SFs eliminated Sabzar Ahmad Bhat along with another HM terrorist in the Tral Area of Pulwama District. Further, on May 28, Army shot dead a militant along the LoC in Poonch District. Earlier, on May 26, 2017, the Army foiled a Pakistan Army Border Action Team (BAT) attack along the LoC in the Uri sector of Baramulla District, killing two BAT personnel. According to reports, the BAT team had penetrated 400 metres beyond the LoC. During the course of the week, between May 20 and May 27, 2017, the SFs eliminated at least 13 terrorists in J&K.
Sep 15, 2024, at 05:40 pm
On May 17, 2017, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two Neo-Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) terrorists, Selim and Pranta, at village Chuadanga in Jhenaidah District. During the operation, RAB recovered 186 PVC circuit boards, 18 units of explosive-making gel, four drums of liquid chemicals, one anti-mine device, two suicidal vests, as well as some other explosive-making materials and electronics devices.
Balochistan: Unabated Bloodshed
Sep 15, 2024, at 05:40 pm
At least 10 labourers were killed and another two injured when unidentified motorcycle borne assailants opened fire at a construction site in the Pishgan area of Gwadar town in Balochistan on May 13, 2017. Senior Levies Official Muhammad Zareef stated, "All the labourers were shot at close range." The slain labourers belonged to the Naushahro Feroze District of Sindh. Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:10 pm
On April 15, 2017, State Home Minister R. Lalzirliana reiterated that the Mizoram Government was ready to carry out repatriation of Bru (also known as Reang) families lodged at six relief camps in Tripura, and that the State Government had 'completed all formalities' which were supposed to be done in connection with the repatriation process. He also stated that, though the Supreme Court had called, on March 28, 2017, for status quo to be maintained; it clarified that people who wanted to move back should be asked to go.
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:10 pm
On April 13, 2017, a 21,600-pound Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), also commonly known as the Mother of All Bombs, dropped by U.S Forces killed at least 94 terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State (IS, formerly, Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham, also Daesh) in a Daesh base in the Achin District of Nangarhar Province. Three tunnels used by Daesh fighters and as reservoirs of weapons and other equipment were destroyed in the attack. Later, the Nangahar Provincial Government disclosed that at least four key leaders of the group identified as Hamza Abu Bakar, Mohammad Ibrani, Hamid Kunari, and Walkin, were among those killed.
Jharkhand: Increasing Volatility
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:11 pm
On April 8, 2017, two Policemen were killed in an encounter with cadres of the People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a splinter group of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), at Mahabung village in Simdega District.
Kurram Agency: Sectarian Bloodshed
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:11 pm
At least 24 persons were killed and another 100 injured in a suicide attack on an Imambargah (Shia place of worship) in the Noor market area of Parachinar town in the Kurram Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on March 31, 2017. The explosion took place as people gathered for Friday prayers near the women's entrance of Imambargah. A witness stated that security personnel at the Imambargah were checking devotees when an unidentified person parked a car next to the building, which then exploded. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction Jama'at-ul-Ahrar (JuA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack was part of TTP's "Operation Ghazi" and Shias were the targets, according to the outfit's statement to the media.
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:11 pm
On March 14, 2017, a man identified as Kaushal Paswan (30) was shot dead by Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres near Mahuraushan village in the Gaya District of Bihar. Superintendent of Police (SP), City, Avakash Kumar disclosed that Paswan, a native of Pashewa village, was a member of an anti-Maoist outfit - Bhakt Sangharsh Samiti - formed in 2016 by some Dalits as a vigilante group against Maoists, after they had killed some members of the Bhuian and Paswan communities during the State Assembly polls in 2015.
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:12 pm
On March 5, 2017, two terrorists and a Policeman were killed and five Security Force (SF) personnel, including an Army Major, were injured during an encounter in the Tral area of Pulwama District. The slain terrorists were identified as Aqib Molvi of Tral and Umar from Pakistan.
Meghalaya: Dramatic Gains, Lingering Dangers
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:12 pm
On February 25, 2017, a Police team that included newly constituted Special Force (SF)-10 commandos, in an encounter, killed the 'commander-in-chief' of the now-disbanded United Achik Liberation Army (UALA), Singbirth N. Marak aka Norok. X. Momin, at a hideout located inside a forest near Thapa Matronggre village in North Garo Hills District. Marak, along with other cadres of the UALA had surrendered before the Meghalaya Government on June 9, 2016, and had started living a 'normal life' after the group was disbanded. However, he reportedly escaped to the neighboring State of Assam after Meghalaya Police started looking for him following the arrest of one suspect, along with a cache of arms, on November 12, 2016, and surrender of three other suspects on November 13, 2016.These suspects subsequently disclosed that the arms were meant for the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and they were working under Marak's instructions to provide the weapons to this militant formation.
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:14 pm
On February 2, 2017, Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres killed a civilian, identified as Dasru Durua, at Bara village under the Mathili Police limits of Malkangiri District.
Punjab: Two-faced on Counterterrorism
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:14 pm
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab Police in Pakistan killed the new leader of the sectarian terrorists Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Asif Chotu akaRizwan, along with three associates, during an intelligence-based operation near the Sheikhupura Bypass in the Sheikhupura District of Punjab in the early hours of January 17, 2017. Three other terrorists managed to escape. CTD recovered arms, ammunition and explosive material from the possession of slain terrorists. The killings came 18 months after CTD had shot dead long-time LeJ chief Malik Ishaq in an encounter on July 29, 2015. Asif Chotu had been named in over 100 murder cases and had a bounty of PKR three million on his head. According to a CTD statement, the LeJ leader was hatching a plot to target the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif: "Big chapters of terrorism, target killings have been closed today. These terrorists were merciless killing machines."
Arunachal Pradesh: Relative Peace Persists
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:15 pm
On December 14, 2016, Security Forces (SFs) killed two cadres of the Independent faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-I), identified as Deep Moran and Noga Moran, during an encounter at Dharmapur village under Maio Police Station in Changlang District. SFs also managed to arrest six other ULFA-I cadres, including two women, during the operation. One AK-47 rifle and one pistol were recovered from the possession of the arrested militants. It was suspected that the slain militants were involved in the ambush at Pengaree near Digboi in Tinsukia District, Assam, on November 19, 2016, in which three Army personnel were killed.
Sep 15, 2024, at 08:15 pm
On December 24, 2016, two Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terrorists were killed during an operation, codenamed 'Ripple 24' at Ashkona in the Dakhkhin Khan area of the capital city, Dhaka. Two women, Jebunnahar Shila, wife of ex-army Major Zahid who was killed in a 'gunfight' with law enforcers at Roopnagar in the capital on September 2, 2016; and Trishna, wife of absconding JMB leader Musa, along with two children, surrendered to Police.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:27 pm
On December 16, 2016, Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres hacked Dharmendra Kudami (33) to death in the Kurrempara area of Metapal village in the Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh on the suspicion of being a 'police informer'. Kudami's wife Ratna Kudami is the sarpanch (head of the Panchayat, the village local-self government institution) of Metapal village. An unnamed Police officer disclosed, "A group of Maoists, armed with bows and arrows, axes and knives stormed into the victim's house and murdered Dharmendra in front of his family. Though the exact reason for the attack is yet to be ascertained, preliminary investigation suggests the ultras accused him of being a police informer."
Meghalaya: Lingering Fires in the Garo Hills
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:27 pm
On November 25, 2016, a Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) cadre identified as Ruka was killed in an encounter that took place between GNLA militants and Meghalaya Police near Songmagre Williamnagar Police Station in the East Garo Hills District. Police recovered an AK-56 Assault Rifle from his possession.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:28 pm
On November 25, 2016, a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre was killed during an encounter with the Security Forces (SFs) in a forested area under the Kondagaon Police Station in Kondagaon District. The body of the slain Maoist along with one rifle and one 12 bore gun was recovered from the encounter site.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:28 pm
Three Shia students at Karachi University (KU) came under sectarian attack on November 11, 2016, when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Block 4 of the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area in Gulshan Town, Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. One student, identified as Murtaza, died instantly while his colleagues Shahid and Ehsan were critically injured. Gulistan-e-Johar Police Station officials confirmed the sectarian nature of attack.
Manipur: Residual Disturbances
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:28 pm
The Chief Minister (CM) of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh came under gun attack when suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) militants opened fire at him and his associates as they were getting out of their helicopter at the Pakshi Ground Helipad in Ukhrul District on October 24, 2016. Singh was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Forest Minister I. Hemochandra Singh, Deputy Speaker M.K. Preshow Shimray and Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing. Soon after the chopper landed, the militants started firing, which last for more than ten minutes and in which one Manipur Rifles (MR) trooper, identified as William Tarao, sustained severe injuries. The ambush on the CM and his team came amidst protests and a boycott call issued by the native Naga tribal group, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL). Singh and his Ministers were on their way to inaugurate development projects in the Districts. With heightened security concerns, the Chief Minister and his team had to cancel their programme and fly back to Imphal. The Security Forces (SFs) could not apprehend a single militant involved in the attack.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:29 pm
On October 23, 2016, the Pakistan Rangers violated the November 2003 cease-fire agreement (CFA), carrying out a sniper attack at an Indian post in the R. S. Pura sector of Jammu District in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), injuring a Border Security Force (BSF) constable. The constable succumbed to his injuries later in the night.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:29 pm
On October 8, 2016, in an anti-terrorism crackdown, 12 Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terrorists were killed in Gazipur, Tangail and Dhaka Districts. Seven of them were killed in the Harinal area in Gazipur City under 'Operation Spate 8' conducted jointly by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and Gazipur Police. Police recovered three small arms and locally-made sharp weapons from the site. Two others were killed during an operation by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at a JMB den in the Lebubagan area of Gazipur District. One AK 22 rifle, bomb making materials, one laptop, a locally-made sharp weapon and some bullets were recovered. In another raid carried out by RAB, two terrorists were killed in a three-storey building in the Mirzamath area of Tangail town. One pistol, one revolver, 11 sharp weapons, 12 bullets, two laptops and BDT 64,362 were recovered from the ground floor of the flat. Separately, in Dhaka District, Nazmul Haque aka Abdur Rahman, the financier of JMB died after he jumped from his flat on the fourth floor to flee during a raid by RAB in Savar upazila (sub-District). RAB recovered a firearm, ammunition, sharp weapons, a mobile jammer and a huge number of Jihadi books from his flat.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:30 pm
In the latest terrorist attack on immunisation teams in Pakistan, Doctor Zakaullah Khan, a senior member of the polio vaccination campaign, was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle borne terrorists near his house in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), on September 11, 2016. Jama'at-ul-Ahrar (JuA), a breakaway faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. TTP-JuA 'spokesman' Ehsanullah Ehsan, while claiming responsibility, vowed to carry out more such attacks.
Chhattisgarh:Bastar Division: Final Maoist Bastion
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:31 pm
On September 7, 2016, two Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were killed in an encounter with the Police in the dense forests of Bijapur District. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bastar Range, SRP Kalluri disclosed, "The encounter took place this afternoon near Telmendri village under Farsegarh PS limits between a joint team of Police personnel and the ultras."
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:31 pm
At least 13 persons- seven students, one professor, two security guards of the University, and three Security Force (SF) personnel - were killed and another 45 persons, including 36 students and staff members and nine SF personnel, were injured when terrorists carried out an attack targeting the well guarded American University of Afghanistan in capital Kabul. The attack, which commenced at 18:30 AST [Afghanistan Standard Time] on August 24, 2016, after the attackers exploded a car bomb at a University entry gate, stormed into the University complex and opened gunfire, lasted for almost 10 hours. The SFs eliminated two terrorists, bringing an end to the attack. There were about 750 students in the University compound at the time of the attack. According to reports, the attackers had made their way past the University's armed guards and watchtowers, lobbing grenades and checking out their maps.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:31 pm
The street violence that engulfed a large part of Kashmir Valley in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has so far accounted for at least 68 deaths - 66 protestors and two Policemen (data till August 21, 2016). The violence was sparked subsequent to the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) 'commander' Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8, 2016. According to official figures, at least 4,515 Security Force (SF) personnel and 3,356 protestors were also injured during the protests till August 9. [No official figure about the number of inured has been released thereafter.] J& K consists of three divisions: Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:32 pm
At least 55 lawyers were among 74 persons killed and over 100 wounded in a suicide bombing at the emergency ward of Quetta's Civil Hospital on August 8, 2016. Scores of people had gathered at the Hospital to mourn the death of Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) President Bilal Anwar Kasi in a gun attack earlier in the day. Law enforcement officials asserted that the two attacks were connected and confirmed that the blast was carried out by a suicide bomber. Kasi's body had been brought to the Civil Hospital, and a number of friends, colleagues and relatives, as well as a posse of Press photographers, reporters and television cameramen had also gathered. The 55 slain lawyers include BBA's former President Baz Muhammad Kakar; former Supreme Court Bar Association Vice-President Syed Qahir Shah; Advocate Sangat Jamaldani, son of Jahanzeb Jamaldani, Secretary General, Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M); and Advocate Dawood Kasi, son of Former Federal Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Kasi. Two cameramen - Shahzad Khan and Mehmood Khan- working for Aaj TV and Dawn, respectively, were also killed.