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Pakistan Timeline - 2017

Date

Incidents

January 1

Police arrested at least three terrorists and seized explosives from their custody during an action in SITE Town area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The SSP of West Zone, Nasir Aftab said in a joint action, launched by Police and personnel of an intelligence agency, three terrorists affiliated to a banned outfit were apprehended and recovered explosive material and detonators from their possession.

Pakistan lashed out at India, saying that New Delhi had “deployed” terrorism as an instrument of state policy in the garb of denouncing terrorism. India, it added, was involved in perpetrating, sponsoring, supporting and financing terrorism. The remarks came in a statement that Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria issued in response to queries regarding reports about the failure of an Indian move in the United Nations sanctions committee.

The number of target killings in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, have significantly decreased by 253 percent during 2016, as compared to 2015, while the menace of extortions have slashed by 36 percent during the same period, the annual report of Sindh Police said. However, Police in the report have claimed that the number of target killings has reduced because of the good performance of the Police while the report has not mentioned the achievement of Sindh Rangers' Karachi operation continued for the past three years.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Police’s Counter-Terrorism Department is planning to deradicalise and rehabilitate an estimated 300 militants held in different jails of the province with the help of qualified psychologists, said Additional Inspector General of the CTD, Dr Sanaullah Abbasi. Under the proposed initiative, the CTD would conduct psychological profiling of the arrested militants to ascertain the possible factors, leading to militancy as a move to rehabilitate them. “The CTD Sindh has taken an initiative to create psychological profiles of arrested militants in the province,” said Dr Sanaullah Abbasi. He said a unit of the CTD Sindh had been deputed to go to jails to create such profiles along the lines of a proforma created by the NACTA to better identify the factors that lead to radicalisation of young men. The CTD chief said the unit concerned had around 15 police personnel, who would collect data about the imprisoned militants in Karachi and other parts of Sindh. Dr Abbasi said that there were 250 to 300 militants in different prisons of the province.

January 2

Six FCB officials were injured after their vehicle came under attack near Western Bypass in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The personnel were en route to firing range of the training camp when terrorists attacked the van with a remote-controlled bomb. The injured officials are Subedar Muhammad Shafi, Hawaldar Awalur Rehman, Naik Latif, Sepoys Saif, Raza Rehman and Qaim Khan. According to the Bomb Disposal Squad, eight to ten Kg explosives were used in the bombing.

January 3

The CTD officials of Hazara Division arrested two TTP terrorists, Muhammad Nawaz alias Abrash and Azizullah alias Hazaza, from Batagaram District of KP. Both the terrorists are said to have received militant training in Kunar area in Afghanistan. Nawaz and Azizullah were involved in a number of terrorism incidents in the past and were also found plotting an attack in the Batagaram region at the time of their arrest. CTD officials said the two men revealed major terrorism plots in Batagaram District during their initial interrogation. A video clip of DPO Batagaram was also recovered from their possession. 

Deaths linked to violence in the country decreased significantly in 2016, dropping 45 percent compared with the previous year, CRSS report said. Some 2,610 people lost their lives due to violence during the period compared with 4,647 in 2015. "There was nearly a 45 percent reduction in the number of violence-related fatalities in 2016, which continued the trend of reduction from 2014," the report said. "In fact, since 2014, there has been an overall reduction of nearly 66 percent." December was the least violent month for the country during the year. Two provinces - Punjab and Balochistan - had a marginal increase in violence during 2016. Balochistan suffered the most fatalities as violence-related deaths rose from 719 in 2015 to 798 last year, an upsurge of nearly 10 percent, followed by Punjab, which lost 424 people during 2016 - the highest number of fatalities in the province during the last four years. Both provinces were the targets of suicide attacks that increased the casualty count. Balochistan had three suicide attacks, leaving 186 dead, while Punjab had one suicide attack at a park crowded with families on Easter Sunday, killing 75, including many children.

January 4

Three persons, including a Sub-Inspector, were killed in firing incidents at various parts of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

A SI of Police Iqbal Mehmood, probing some targeted killing cases was shot dead and two others injured in the night when unidentified assailants opened fire at them on main Rashid Minhas Road in Gulistan-i-Jauhar Town of Karachi. DSP Shara-i-Faisal Ali Anwar Soomro said that assailants were chasing SI Iqbal Mehmood who was riding a bike along with his friend Waseem. "As they disembarked from their motorbike to purchase some items from a vendor near Lal Flats, gunmen travelling in a car opened fire on them and fled," he said. Mahmood's friend Waseem and a passerby teenager Hafeez Ullah sustained bullet wounds in the incident. The deceased SI Iqbal Mehmood was posted at investigation section of Ferozabad Police Station. Investigators collected three spent bullet casings fired from a 9mm pistol from the crime scene.

One person, identified as Rizwan, who worked as a Police informer against drug peddlers, was shot dead in a firing incident in Korangi Industrial Area under Korangi Town of Karachi. SSP Nauman Siddiqui said that the Police had arrested the killer and recovered weapons from him.

A civilian was shot dead in a target-killing incident at Jamshed Road near Pardah Park in Jamshed Town area of Karachi. 

January 5

Unidentified militants shot dead two people in Jinnah Town of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. According to Police, both victims were going somewhere when the assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire on them. Both the men died on the spot.

FCB neutralised a 10 kilograms bomb in the Chithar area of Nasirabad District.

January 6

At least four suspected militants were killed during an exchange of fire with SFs in Uch and other areas of Naseerabad District in Balochistan. A security officer said that SFs conducted a search operation in Uch and other areas of Naseerabad District. Five militants were also arrested. Moreover, nine sanctuaries of militants were demolished by security personnel.

Unidentified assailants shot and injured five Hazara Shias in a suspected sectarian attack community on Spiny Road in the Qila Mubarak area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. DIG, Quetta, Razzak Cheema said that the incident is a targeted attack when five individuals were travelling in a taxi

At least one civilian was killed and two Policemen injured in two separate attacks in North Nazimabad area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Police constable Muhammad Iqbal was injured when unidentified assailants lobbed a hand grenade at Taimuria Police Station in North Nazimabad. Later, 25-year-old Ali Imran was shot dead when unidentified assailants opened fire at Five Star Chowrangi in the same area. Bashir, a traffic police official, was also injured in the firing incident.

The Military Courts - to try civilians on terrorism charges - will expire today at midnight (Night between Friday & Saturday) after which all the terrorism cases against civilian suspects will be transferred to the ATC. The 21st Constitutional Amendment, which had paved the way for setting up the military courts for two years, will become ineffective on January 07. Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said, “The military courts were set up for two years with the consensus of all the political parties. Any extension in these courts is not being considered.” He said ATCs will take up all such cases after expiry of the military courts after January 07.

January 7

The CTD killed six suspected terrorists during an encounter on Faisalabad Bypass Road in Faisalabad District of Punjab. According to CTD Sheikhupura sources, the CTD Lahore on January 6 arrested two terrorists identified as Saadullah Khan and Jahanzeb Khan - allegedly involved in Gulshan Iqbal Park Lahore suicide blast. As per the details, the CTD Lahore team was taking the arrested terrorists to Kot Pindi Daas to arrest other terrorists when their alleged accomplices attacked the team and got released Saadullah Khan and Jahanzeb Khan. The incident led to a cross firing between Police party and suspected terrorists. Resultantly, six terrorists were killed while three others managed to escape. The CTD also recovered three motorcycles, Kalashnikovs, pistol, bullets and a huge cache of explosives and hand grenades from them.

A human rights activist, Civil Progressive Alliance Pakistan (CPAP) president Samar Abbas (40) has gone missing from the federal capital Islamabad. Mr. Abbas is an activist based in Karachi who belongs to various forums that have been raising their voice voicing against atrocities committed against minority groups in the country.

Earlier, Social media activists Waqas Goraya and Asim Saeed disappeared from Lahore on January 4, Ahmed Raza Naseer went missing from Sheikhupura on January 7 while Salman Haider vanished from Islamabad’s Bani Gala area on January 6.

January 8

The Sindh CTD Transnational Terrorism Intelligence Group in-charge Raja Umer Khattab said that there might be surge in sectarian violence in city if LEAs don’t chalk out a strategy to clamp down on sleeper cells. The sleeper cells of AQIS and the LeJ are believed to be involved in the recent attacks on Policemen and there might be a surge in sectarian violence in the coming days, Raja Umer Khattab said. “In the past AQIS has used homemade bombs containing ball bearings in the Taimuria Police Station a Russian-made grenade was used, something that is new,” Raja Umer Khattab added. “AQIS primarily used handmade bombs. They had started off by making ball bombs and IEDs. The use of a grenade now suggests that sleeper cells of these terrorist outfits are now active and their members possess new kinds of weapons and explosives,” Raja Umer Khattab added further.

January 9

The BDU neutralised a 10 kilograms bomb in Karkhano Market of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said it was a remote-controlled device.

Bannu Special Police Unit arrested three suspected TTP terrorists from the Chando Khel area of Lakki Marwat District. Police recovered a Kalashnikov rifle, three grenades, an anti-personnel mine, explosives and 30 bore pistols. The terrorists were identified as Waliullah, Amanullah and Ravib. The arrested militants were involved in target killing, extortion and attacking law enforcers. The arrested persons also stole the rifle of police official Ali Badshah after killing him.

The Balochistan High Court issued bailable arrest warrants for former President General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf in JWP leader Nawab Akbar Bugti's murder case. A divisional bench of BHC passed this order during hearing of a review petition challenging acquittal of the former president by Anti-Terrorism Court. Former Balochistan chief minister and governor Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed in Dera Bugti District on August 26, 2006.

The CPLC in its report has identified sixty 'hot spots' in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, where the street criminals operate the most and incidents of snatchings take place. These areas including PIDC, Tariq Road, Sakhi Hassan, Hassan Square, Bahadurabad, Aisha Manzil and the NIPA Chowrangi which are high-risk areas and even some areas in city's posh localities such as Defence and Clifton make it to the list. The CPLC report further states that in 2016, 19,336 incidents of mobile snatching were reported which is an increase of 38 percent as compared to 2015. "Besides mobile snatching, around 22,358 motorcycles were snatched, which is 24 percent more as compared to 2015," stated the report. However, CPLC has claimed that car theft and its snatching incidents have reduced substantially in Karachi during 2016. All this is despite the passage of more than three years of Karachi operation, which is claimed to be successful by the Rangers and the provincial government adds the news report.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stunned the entire opposition in the Senate by stating that “banned sectarian organisations could not be equated with other banned terrorist organisations”. The Interior Minister gave the remarks to justify his meeting with Ahmed Ludhianvi, the chief of banned sectarian organisation ASWJ.

January 10

Unidentified assailants killed a Police constable, Khalid Shaikh (30), near his house on Jamshed Road in the Soldier Bazaar area of Karachi, provincial capital of Sindh.

January 11

JI ameer (chief), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mushtaq Ahmad called for merger of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and also stated that the people of the FATA were deprived of basic and democratic rights for the last seven decades, reports The News. Mushtaq Ahmed also rejected the FCR, saying it was a black law. “If no solid steps were taken for the merger of the FATA with KP and uplift of the tribal areas, we will have no other option but to march on Islamabad,” he said. Mushtaq Ahmad asked the Government to announce PKR 1,000 billion uplift package for the tribal areas.

Earlier, JUI-F leaders on January 8 rejected the federal government’s plan to merge FATA with KP and threatened to launch a protest movement if any changes were ‘imposed’ on the tribal people. “We request the federal government, especially the prime minister, to stop implementation of the reforms until every stockholder is taken on board, otherwise the JUI-F would start an agitation campaign across FATA,” threatened Abdul Shakoor, head (FATA) JUI-F.

January 12

Unidentified assailants shot dead a journalist, Muhammad Jan (37), in Kalat town of same District in Balochistan. Muhammad Jan, who worked for local Urdu language daily newspaper ‘Qudrat’, was shot dead while he was on his way home on a motorcycle. “Two attackers on motorcycle opened fire on him, using a pistol and killing him on the spot,” Senior Police Officer Muhammad Ali said.

January 13

The FO rejected allegations of terrorist safe havens in the FATA, saying Pakistan does not allow its territory to be used for attacks against any other country. Responding to queries during the weekly news briefing, FO Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said Afghanistan was infested with a number of terrorist organisations due to its instability. This, he added, created space for terrorist elements such as Haqqani network's leadership, TTP, Daesh, and al Qaeda, among other terrorist organisations. "It is, therefore, not appropriate to blame others for the adversities due to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. The oft repeated claims regarding safe havens are, therefore, more of a rhetoric than anything else," the spokesperson maintained.

The Federal Government claimed that it has been spending an additional PKR 250 billion annually on security since the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and that it cannot sustain the burden alone, but the two big provinces have already refused to share the cost. In a position paper it has sent to the four federating units to convince them to pay for security, the NFC Secretariat claimed that security-related additional spending stood at PKR 732.4 billion since June 2014. This includes PKR 283 billion allocations for the financial year 2016-17. “Since 2014-15 alone, when new security operations started, the federal government has been spending some PKR 300 billion specifically for meeting the expenditures related to security, rehabilitation and capacity-building of security forces to meet the challenges of law and order,” the finance ministry note stated.

January 15

Three Policemen were injured when unidentified militants attacked the convoy of a Qatari prince in Musakhel District of Balochistan in the evening. Security sources said that the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the convoy, as a result of which District Police Officer Majeed Dasti and two other security officials received bullet wounds. The Qatari prince remained unharmed in the attack, said Senior District Administration official Mohammad Yasir.

Army and LEAs carried out joint combing operations in Shaheen town, Warsak Road, Dalazak and Pakka Ghulam areas of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP, in the evening. According to ISPR, during the combing operation 58 suspects were apprehended including five Afghan nationals. Huge cache of arms, ammunition and drugs were recovered during the operation.

January 16

Unidentified militants killed two Police officials in different areas of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Militants opened fire at a Police constable in the Killi Deba area of Quetta, killing him on the spot. In another incident, militants opened fire near the Passport Office area and killed another Police official on duty. The attackers managed to escape from the scene in both cases, with Police officials terming the incidents as acts of target killings.

The special policing powers granted to Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, by the Provincial Government under Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 to carry out raids and arrest suspects ended. The Government had extended the Rangers' Policing powers on October 18, 2016, for 90 days thus entitling them to carry out raids, snap checking and arresting the people in the provincial capital only. Sindh Government, however, had not issued any official statement in connection with extension of the powers by the end of the day.

January 17

The CTD personnel shot dead four suspected militants belonging to a banned outfit near the Sheikhupura Bypass in Sheikhupura District of Punjab in the wee hours. CTD officials claimed that they had been tipped off by intelligence sources regarding the presence of the suspected terrorists. Upon reaching the place, an armed conflict initiated between the CTD officials and the suspected militants. Four alleged terrorists were gunned down by CTD while three managed to flee. Police managed to recover arms, ammunition and explosive material from the suspected militants.

January 18

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah approved the summary extending Rangers' special powers in Karachi for 90 days. The special powers will grant Rangers special Policing powers in the metropolis. The summary to extend the powers of the paramilitary force had been sent to Syed Murad Ali Shah by the Home Minister.

The Rangers were given extension last on October 16, 2016 by Murad Ali Shah. Under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, Rangers have been granted special powers to raid and take into custody suspects.

JuD has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking the removal of its name from the watch list under Schedule 2 of the ATA 1997. Raja Rizwan Abbasi filed JuD’s petition before the IHC. JuD is alleged to be an incarnation of the banned LeT and was placed on the watchlist in December 2008.

January 19

Police recovered four dead bodies from an empty plot in Steel Town area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Malir Town SSP Rao Anwar claimed that the four victims had been shot to death adding that the corpses bore torture marks. 

Two SF personnel were killed after unidentified militants opened fire on them in Kohlu area of Balochistan. The deceased were identified as constable Shero and Khawand Bukhsh. The militants managed to flee the scene.

The Senate (The upper house of Parliament) was told that certain foreign intelligence agencies funded [militant] groups in Pakistan to destabilise it. Answering a question about major sources of funding being used in acts of terrorism in the country, Minister of State for Interior Baleeghur Rahman said it was difficult to pinpoint with 100 per cent accuracy the sources of terrorism funding. But some of the generally perceived sources include extortion and funding by foreign intelligence agencies. He said that militants were known to extort money from drug dealers and producers operating in the areas straddling the Pakistan-Afghan border. Giving details of the investigations being conducted to collect information about terrorism funding, he said 844 such cases were under investigation, including 498 registered under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 230 under anti-money laundering law and 116 cases of suspicious transactions reported by the financial monitoring unit of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa met leaders from the business and trader communities and assured them of continuation of the security operation in Karachi, the statement released by the ISPR said. "The Karachi operation will continue till the elimination of crime in the city," said Army chief. He added that all possible measures will be taken to restore peace in Karachi, and said that the strategy for Karachi would remain the same and there would be no change in policy.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that his Government would never allow terrorists and religious fanatics to play with the lives of innocent people even if the Federal Government refuses to cooperate with it. This he said while presiding over the Sindh cabinet meeting here at the Sindh Secretariat. Briefing the cabinet on the response of Ministry of Interior to ban 94 madrassa's allegedly involved in promoting terrorism, the Chief Minister said that in the Apex committee the list of the madrassa's was presented. The Committee was told that 94 madrassa's were involved in terrorist activities. They had presented solid evidences gathered from the terrorists arrested by Law Enforcement Agencies and they had revealed startling disclosures against the said madrassa's.

January 21

At least 25 people were killed and more than 87 others were injured in a bomb blast at the Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market) area of Parachinar in Kurram Agency of FATA in the morning. A statement issued by the ISPR said IED blast took place at 08:50am. Government official Shahid Khan said the explosion took place when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables. In a text message sent to journalists, the al-Alami (International) faction of LeJ claimed that it, along with the TTP splinter Shehryar Mehsud group, carried out the attack. The Shehryar Mehsud group did not independently claim the bombing.  

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Engr Iqbal Zafar Jhagra strongly condemned the bomb blast and said "We will continue our struggle till eliminating the last terrorist from FATA". The terrorist, he added, could never deter our courage, since we are determined to follow them to the extreme extent. He further directed the political administration to expeditiously complete relief activities and no effort should be spared in ensuring best ever treatment facilities to the injured.

The number of Pakistanis under detention in Saudi Arab jails on terror charges reached 69 with the arrest of a woman in Jeddah’s Al-Naseem District during a security operation. According to a report in Saudi newspaper Arab News, Fatima Ramadan Balochi Murad was arrested along with her Saudi husband from an apartment in Al-Naseem District by security agencies after a tip-off. A recent statement issued by the Interior Ministry through its Tawasul (communications) portal said that 5,085 terror suspects from 40 countries are in detention in five intelligence prisons in the Kingdom.

January 22

Unidentified assailants opened fire and killed two persons in Satellite Town area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Police officials said the gunmen were on a motorcycle when they opened fire and critically injured two tribal locals. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Quetta but they succumbed to their injuries. The motive behind the attack remains to be ascertained. The assailants escaped unhurt from the crime scene.

The COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said terrorists would not be allowed to derail the stability of FATA. According to a statement issued by ISPR Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor, General Qamar Javed Bajwa said this during his visit to Parachinar and Peshawar. The COAS was given a detailed briefing on January 21’s bombing in Parachinar. General Bajwa lauded the support of tribal people in combating terrorism and acknowledged their sacrifices for peace. He said that with their support the Army, FC and other law enforcers have done a great job in stabilising the area and terrorists will fail to derail it. The COAS lauded their efforts in maintaining tribal and sectarian harmony which is source of national integration. He said, "Pakistan belongs to all of us without any religious, provincial, tribal, linguistic, ethnic, sectarian or any other discrimination."

January 23

At least eight security personnel were injured when their convoy comes under militant ambush in Gichak area of Panjgur District in Balochistan. "The security personnel were moving through the district's mountainous Gichak area to conduct a raid against miscreants when they were fired upon," said a security official. No arrests were reported after the incident. There was no claim of responsibility for the attack.

The Police recovered two suicide jackets from Abu Bakar mosque under the Paharipura Police Station, on the outskirt of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, no arrests were made. An official at the Paharipura Police Station said that acting on a tip-off Police personnel checked Abu Bakar mosque near Benazir Hospital along the motorway. He said the cops recovered two suicide jackets containing about five kilogramme explosives from the room of the prayer leader of the mosque. However, the prayer leader was not present in the room at the time of the raid.

The CTD arrested two LeJ militants during raided on a house on Airport Road near railway line in Bahawalpur District of Punjab around 3pm. A CTD spokesman said they received information about the presence of ‘terrorists’ planning to attack some installation in Bahawalpur. A CTD team raided the house on Airport Road and arrested two LeJ militants, identified as Khalid Mahmood and Sajjad. Explosive material and two live grenades were recovered from their possession.

January 24

A Shia man, Mohammed Kazim Raza (39), was gunned down in suspected sectarian attack in Gulistan-i-Jauhar area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, in the night. “It appeared to be a targeted killing incident linked with sectarianism,” said Superintendent Police Dr. Fahad Ahmed.

January 28

Authorities arrested eight more suspects in connection with the Parachinar market bomb blast in Kurram Agency of FATA on January 21, as the number of detained persons reached 15. Officials said that investigations were underway from different angles to arrest the elements involved in the blast. After the explosion, the administration took into custody seven people who were being interrogated. Sources said most of the arrested persons were daily wagers who were present at the spot during auction of vegetables in the morning.

The CTD claimed to have arrested a would-be suicide bomber and another militant, associated with a banned outfit, who were allegedly involved in major terrorist acts in urban and rural Sindh and operating their networks in four major cities of the province besides Jaffarabad District of Balochistan. In a targeted raid conducted in the Manghopir area of Karachi, the CTD team detained the two suspects, Shaukat (would-be suicide bomber) and Abdul Ghani, and seized explosive material, a suicide jacket, a hand grenade and two pistols from their custody. “The held militants, who belonged to the Brohi tribe and were trained in Balochistan, were operating terror networks in Sukkur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Sanghar districts in Sindh and Jaffarabad district in Balochistan,” said Sindh CTD chief Dr Sanaullah Abbasi.

An ATC of Bahawalpur District in Punjab jailed two militant for 45 years for carrying explosives and illegal weapons. According to details, Riaz and Peerakh were found guilty of carrying explosives and illegal in the Kot Sabzal Police Station in 2014. After hearing arguments, ATC Judge Khalid Arshad sentenced them to 45 years. The court also ordered to confiscate their property and imposed Rs 500,000 fine each.

The Punjab Home Department issued a warning against possible terrorist attacks in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. According to the notification, TTP trained boys aged about 10 to 12 years are currently in and around major cities of the country including Punjab. Upon investigation an arrested little boy revealed that he was tasked to attack an educational institute close to Abdali Chowk in Lahore. The warning also instructed further security for important installations and called for an immediate meeting of the District Intelligence Committee.

Two Policemen, including an inspector, were shot dead while another official received bullet injuries in Wapda road area of Dera Murad Jamali District in Balochistan in the evening. Police officials said that unidentified militants opened fire at a Police mobile in Wapda road area, killing Inspector Hidayatullah Kolachi on the spot. His gunman succumbed to his injuries on the way to a nearby hospital. The assailants escaped unhurt from the spot.

January 30

A Pakistan Army soldier, Waqas, who was critically injured in a cross-border terrorist attack in Khyber Agency of FATA, succumbed to his injuries. "Terrorists fired from across the border on a Pakistani post in Khyber Agency critically injuring Sepoy Waqas performing duty at the border post," read a statement issued by the ISPR.

At least nine people, including three FC personnel, were injured in a blast on Charsadda road of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A contingent of FC personnel was on its way from Mohmand Agency to Peshawar when their vehicle was targeted through a bomb planted on the roadside on Charsadda road, SSP Operations Sajjad Khan said. As a result of the explosion, six civilians and three security men sustained injuries. There has been no claim of responsibility for the blast.

The Punjab Government issued orders to place JuD chief Hafiz Saeed under house arrest. The Government launched a crackdown against JuD and a heavy contingent of Police was deployed around the JuD headquarter and offices in Muridke and Lahore. “A large police team arrived (at JuD headquarters) and told us that Hafiz would be placed under house arrest,” said the secretary of information for JuD, Nadeem Awan. Awan said the Police told them they had an arrest warrant for Saeed and five others at JuD headquarters.

Hafiz Saeed was reportedly present at the Qudsia Mosque located in Chauburji area of Lahore. Contingents of Police and other law-enforcing agencies reached the area and surrounded the premises, sources said.  Police sources further informed that Saeed will be shifted to his residence in the Johar Town area of the provincial capital, Lahore, which will then be declared as a sub-jail. Saeed has been detained under Section 11-EEE (1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1977, a notification issued by the Interior Ministry said. Meanwhile, the District intelligence committee has suggested it to the Government to put the JuD chief’s name in fourth schedule. Moreover, national flags have been hoisted at the JuD offices in Lahore, instead of party flags, on the directives of provincial home department, it added. The provincial authorities have also started to remove the banners of JuD from the roads of Lahore.

January 31

The ISPR Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor said JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's house arrest is a State decision in the best national interest. Sending a clear message to India, he said whether it is cold start or any other doctrine, Pakistan is ready to respond with full strength. Major General Asif Ghafoor said the successes of Army and other law enforcers in the war on terror has made Pakistan safer than 2008. To a question about the JuD chief's house arrest, he said that the state took this policy decision in national interest. He denied any foreign pressure behind the move.

February 1

Sindh Rangers claimed to have killed notorious Lyari gang war commander Noor Muhammad alias Baba Ladla in a shootout in Lyari Town area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Two of Baba Ladla’s close associates, Sikandar alias Sikko and Mohammad Yaseen alias Mama, were also killed in the encounter. During the operation, Head Constable Fayyaz and Constable Tufail were also killed. One Kalashnikov, a 9mm pistol, a 9mm mouser and a hand grenade were also recovered from their possession. The “most wanted” suspects were involved in numerous terrorist incidents, said Rangers in a press release. “Baba Ladla was wanted in more than 74 crimes by police,” added the press release further. The Sindh government had placed a head money of PKR Three million on Baba Ladla in 2012.

The press release also revealed that Baba Ladla had, with the help of Uzair Baloch, committed the murders of Shera Pathan, Arshad Pappu and Yasir Arafat. It also stated that in March 2013, Baba Ladla had kidnapped a group of Muhajirs and murdered them. The Rangers press release also claimed the other gangster gunned down in the operation, Sikander alias Siku, was wanted in more than 15 crimes by Police. Sikander was described by Rangers as a close aide of Baba Ladla and also his facilitator. In April 2012, Sikander had committed the murder of Station House Officer (SHO) Fawad Khan while in the same year he had also killed Constable Asif, according to the press release. In 2013, he had tortured and subsequently killed two other men.  Sikander had also been involved in the sale and purchase of illegal weapons.

Security Forces killed a TTP militant and arrested eight other suspects during an exchange of fire in the Luni Jungle area under Kulachi tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three Army personnel - Major Abbas, Captain Omer and Naik Adnan - were injured during a 'routine sanitisation operation', the ISPR said in a statement.

The Federal Ministry of Interior placed names of JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed Ahmed and 37 other individuals on the ECL. All 30 people who are put on ECL are affiliated with JuD or LeT. The decision to place Hafiz Saeed on ECL was taken two days after JuD chief and four others were put under house arrest. The Interior Ministry has forwarded a letter to all Provincial Governments and the Federal Investigation Agency, which included names of Hafiz Saeed and 37 other individuals placed on the ECL. On January 31, the Federal Ministry of Interior placed FIF and JUD on the Watch List and listed these organizations in the Second Schedule of the ATA 1997 (as amended).

February 2

Police arrested a man, Kashif Hanif (29), whose name appears on the Fourth Schedule of the ATA and is said to have links to the so-called 'Tehreek-e-Taliban Kashmir' (TTK) from Datot village on the outskirts of Rawalakot in PoK. Hanif is suspected of involvement in nine acts of terrorism, the SSP in Poonch Mir Abid said. These acts included a suicide attack on an Army vehicle near Dothan village in January 2010, in which some Army soldiers were injured. He is also suspected of being involved in the planting of a bomb outside a hotel in Rawalakot in September 2010 which killed the bomber was killed and injured a citizen. Hanif has also allegedly been involved in other attacks on military vehicles and installations. SSP Abid said that the accused was wanted since 2010 by five Police Stations of Bagh, Poonch and Sudhnoti Districts for masterminding and executing different subversive activities. The SSP said that the accused belonged to the group of Nazirul Islam alias Shamil Khan who was the first head of the so-called 'TTK' after defecting from Asmatullah Muavia.

February 3

Police stopped JuD from holding a ‘multiparty conference’ (MPC) on Kashmir issue at the press club in Hyderabad city of Sindh reportedly after receiving ‘orders’ from high-ups in the wake of house arrest of JuD chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed. JuD leaders decided to cancel the conference and disperse peacefully. Later, they informed media persons through an SMS that the MPC had to be cancelled because of some ‘unavoidable circumstances’. A heavy contingent of Police had sealed the road with barbed wire outside the press club. JuD Sindh emir Faisal Nadeem said the MPC was not organised by JuD only, it was held by Tehreek-i-Azadi Kashmir, a platform founded by JuD and other parties to discuss Kashmir’s freedom movement.

February 6

A grand jirga of elders from Khyber Agency was held in Jamrud town, opposing the proposed merger of the FATA with KP. Jirga participants urged the Government instead to form an independent FATA Legislative Council or announce a separate province status for the tribal areas. Malik Ghaffar Khan Afridi, a tribal elder, said that the merger of FATA with KP was unacceptable to tribal people. He said the proposed legislative council should be formed to legislate for the tribal region in line with the local social, political and traditions. The elder believed that the FATA reforms proposed by the government committee went against tribal customs and traditions. He said legislation and policies on Fata should be made in light of local traditions and customs. Malik Ghaffar Khan Afridi opposed the extension of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and high courts to FATA, saying local residents knew very well how to resolve their issues through a jirga system. 

February 7

At least two Policemen were injured, in an explosion, at the main gate of Mandan Police Station in Bannu District of KP. The blast was caused when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into the entrance gate of the Police Station. The main gate of the Police Station was completely destroyed due to explosion while the building was partially damaged. The injured Policemen were shifted to a nearby hospital. 

Pakistan handed over four suspected cadres of Afghanistan chapter of IS to Kabul as ‘a gesture of goodwill’. The four were paraded before journalists at the Michni checkpoint before being handed over to Afghan officials at the Torkham border crossing in Khyber Agency of FATA. Landi Kotal Assistant Political Agent Niaz Mohammad told reporters that Javed Khan, Safiullah, Talmeen Khan and Niamatullah, all hailing from Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, had been arrested by intelligence agencies in Peshawar after they received information about the militants’ presence in the city.

The Punjab Government giving a clean chit to all educational institutes - including 15,000 madrassas - has declared that no seminary or public and private institute is involved in teaching hate material to students. During the Punjab Assembly session, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah while commenting on a resolution moved by a treasury member Ms Hina Pervez Butt informed the House that the PML-N-led Punjab Government had registered all 15,000 madrassas, including 532 existing in 'Gray Areas' of the province. Rana Sanaullah confirmed that as many as 1.1 million students were enrolled in madrassas in which around 0.4 million students are enjoying boarding facilities, while 1300 students belong to foreign countries.

February 8

AJK Police announced the arrest of three men suspected of facilitating a suicide attack on a Muharram procession in Mirpura village of Neelum Valley in Muzaffarabad in December 27, 2009. The arrests were made from three different places in Muzaffarabad in the evening of February 7. The men arrested have been identified as Malik Mohammad Ashfaq from Sarriyan District, Muhammad Khaqan Awan from Hattian Bala District and Umer Farooq Shah from Athmuqam District in Neelum Valley. The attack left at 15 parsons, including two Policemen, dead and more than 100 injured. ASP Asif Durrani said that the men were suspected of providing accommodation and transportation to the attackers.

Almost 248 Police officials who took part in 1992 and 1996 Karachi operations were killed however, so far only six killers of these cops have been convicted. A total of 378 accused were arrested. Challans submitted in 121 cases out of which in six cases killers have been convicted whereas a total of 55 accused acquitted and the remaining 60 are still under trial. Official statistics show that from 1995 till 2016, almost 1,488 Policemen were killed in the Karachi Range. Although, the most number of Police officials – 261 — were killed in 1995 yet otherwise 2012, 2013 and 2014 were the worst years for the Karachi Police with 123, 165 and 136 killings respectively.

The ongoing Rangers’ led operation appears to have been a blessing even for the Karachi Police as killings of Police officials in the city had drastically reduced in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, only 29 Policemen were killed whereas this figure was 67 in 2015. The official data shows that a total of 261 Policemen were killed in 1995 58 were murdered in 1996 74 in 1997 97 in 1998 59 in 1999 49 in 2000 58 in 2001 14 in 2002 19 in 2003 23 in 2004 24 in 2005 40 in 2006 51 in 2007 48 in 2008 41 in 2009 49 in 2010 53 in 2011 123 in 2012 165 in 2013 136 in 2014 67 in 2015 and 29 in 2016.

Outside Karachi in Sindh, Larkana appears to be the most dangerous place for Policemen from 2001 till 2016. Each year’s number of Policemen killed in Larkana District during the period (from 2001 till 2016) is 8 7 17 1 6 4 11 21 13 13 13 8 13 20 10 9 and 5 respectively. These figures show that the most difficult time for the Larkana Police has been from 2007 to 2014 — the period during which the killing of policemen remained high. Otherwise, in the Hyderabad District, the Police had a bad time really in 2014 when a total of 27 Police officials got killed. 

February 9

Six militants were killed in a shoot out with Police during a raid on a chicken farm off Superhighway near the Baqai Medical University in Gadap town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP Malir Rao Anwar Ahmed said that the six militants belonged to AQIS and TTP, and were involved in targeting law enforcement personnel. One of the militant was also involved in the Peshawar Army Public School attack. An ID card was found from his pocket, but the investigators are trying to verify his identity as the card he was carrying may have been faked. Another militant Ibrahim Haydri had allegedly been wanted by Police for his involvement in grenade attacks and firing on various Police officials in different areas of Karachi. "Haydri and the other militants were responsible for the death of around 25 Police personnel," the Rao Anwar Ahmed alleged.

Five persons, including four children, were injured in a roadside bomb blast in Arang tehsil of Bajaur Agency in FATA. The bomb was detonated through a remote control device.

February 10

Two militants killed and three others injured when Army repulsed militant attack from Afghanistan on two Pakistan Army checkposts in the Ulai area of Baizai tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA in the night. The Army’s media wing, ISPR said that Pakistan Army effectively responded to the fire, rendering it ineffective. Soon after the incident, militants fled back to Afghanistan, ISPR added. The JuA faction of TTP stated that it lost two cadres while three others were injured after they launched an overnight attack on a Pakistani checkpost.

Iranian forces fired four mortar shells across the border into Balochistan's Panjgur District. Deputy Commissioner Panjgur Habibur Rehman claimed Iranian forces fired four mortar shells into Parom area 'without any justification and provocation'. "We have not received any report about any human loss", he added.

February 11

Provincial Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated that India was using Afghanistan’s soil to destabilise Balochistan. Speaking at a seminar at University of Karachi, Sarfraz Bugti said, Security Forces and the youth of Balochistan brought peace in the province, adding that rate of crime in Balochistan is much lower as compared to Karachi and Faisalabad. A handful (100-200) of miscreants are trying to sabotage CPEC, he added.

February 12

Two children were killed and another critically wounded in an accidental grenade explosion in Buner of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The children of a shepherd family were playing when they found the hand grenade and accidentally set it off, local government official Zariful Maani. The two brothers, aged nine and 10, died, while their seven-year-old female cousin is in critical condition. 

An employee of Samaa TV was killed evening when unidentified assailants opened fire on a Samaa TV DSNG van at KDA Chowrangi near Dolmen Mall in North Nazimabad of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. An assistant cameraman, Taimur, received a bullet wound to the head and was rushed to the nearby Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The media van was in the area to cover an earlier incident, a cracker attack on a Police vehicle, when it was attacked. “Our team members along with the DSNG had gone there to cover the cracker attack on the police vehicle when they came under attack,” said Samaa TV's Director News, Farhan Malik. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Central, Muqaddas Haider said the same suspects might be involved in both the incidents and added the cracker attack on the police vehicle did not cause any damage. “It appears that the suspects attacked the Police mobile with a cracker to attract media's attention and when the Samaa team arrived, they chased and attacked it,” added Haider.

In an effort to promote its ideology and update supporters about its latest actions in the country, the TTP has brought out a high gloss, Vogue-style magazine. The first issue of ‘Mujjallah’ magazine was published in November 2016 and reportedly distributed in Pakistan sometime in December 2016. The inaugural issue had 56 pages. The second issue printed a couple of weeks ago is slicker and thicker and has more pages than the first one. The paper quality of the magazine is at par with that of Vogue, besides having fine printing quality. The cover carries bulletins of the banned outfit’s activities in Pakistan and also features reports on how to make bombs and other explosives. Some experts who have known about the operations of organisation like TTP stated that the magazine has been modeled after ISIS publications which were available in Arabic and Urdu among other languages.

While declining to be named, they said, the magazine is being printed in Afghanistan, most likely in Jalalabad, and allegedly distributed throughout Pakistan amongst hardcore followers and also has a limited circulation in Afghanistan. Judging from the kind of language used in the magazine, the articles and features were probably written by non-native Urdu speakers, possibly Arabic-speaking people. The articles have not been attributed to anyone. Since TTP has lost ground in Pakistan, the magazine is most likely an attempt to spread its propaganda.  It may also be an effort to defame the country, they added. To illustrate their point, they said that when TTP held a strong position in Pakistan it had never attempted to bring out such a magazine but now after it had lost ground such a publication was released.

The ISAF Commander General John Nicholson (Jr.) said TTP provides the core fighting group for the militant IS group as TTP militants in Orakzai Agency of FATA en masse joined the relatively new terrorist group. General John Nicholson (Jr.) appeared before the US Senate Armed Services Committee this week to brief American lawmakers on the current situation in Afghanistan. He told the panel that the IS, which in Afghanistan was called the Islam State Khorasan Province, comprised fighters mainly from existing militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Primarily, their membership had come from the TTP, which was a Pakistan-based opponent of the Pakistan regime, he said. The general said TTP militants in Orakzai Agency had, en masse, joined the IS-Khorasan and formed the initial group of fighters who then moved into Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, spreading out to about 11 Districts initially. “So, the majority of the fighters in the IS right now came from the TTP and joined the banner of the IS,” he added.

February 13

At least 14 persons were killed and 85 injured when a suicide bomber struck around 6pm outside the Punjab Assembly on Mall Road of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, during a protest. IGP Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera confirmed that six Police officials were among the dead, including two senior officers. DIG, Traffic, Lahore Captain (retd) Ahmad Mobin and SSP, Operations, Zahid Gondal of Punjab Police were among those killed in the attack. Hours earlier, DIG Mobin had been seen on television, mediating with the protesters gathered at the site. A large group of chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers were gathered in front of the provincial assembly to protest a Government crackdown against the sale of illegal drugs. There was a significant presence of law enforcers in the area while the protest was ongoing. "The suicide attacker was on foot," CTD Chief Dr Mohammad Iqbal said. The JuA faction of TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

Three FCB personnel were killed in an IED blast in Khan Kot Zarmina area of Toe Khula tehsil in SWA of FATA. The FCB personnel were on a cordon and search operation on motorbikes in Khan Kot Zarmina area when the planted IED went off.

Two BDS officials were killed and 11 others injured in a roadside blast near the Sariab Bridge of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Police said that explosives were found planted near the Sariab Bridge after which BDS was called in. However, the blast occurred while BDS personnel were defusing explosives.

Two BDS officials were killed and 11 others injured in a roadside blast near the Sariab Bridge of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Police said that explosives were found planted near the Sariab Bridge after which BDS was called in. However, the blast occurred while BDS personnel were defusing explosives.

The TTP-JuA claimed that the previous Operation Saut-al-Raad (Sound of Thunder), which was aimed at hit and run tactics, had achieved its targets and that now it was time to launch big operations. TTP-JuA has already started this by launching big scale attacks on three Pakistan Army check posts in Baizai (border area with Afghanistan) simultaneously claiming to have inflicted heavy losses onto the Pakistan Army, while conceding that two of its fighters were killed and three injured. Police sources, talking to Pakistan Today, revealed that law enforcement agencies are now expecting some large scale attacks in Mohmand Agency, Bajaur Agency and Peshawar on the LEAs while sectarian minorities will be targeted too. Shia community-dominated areas in KP/FATA and Quetta in Balochistan will be likely targets of these attacks.

February 14

Following the suicide attack on the Mall road of Lahore, Punjab's law enforcement agencies have launched a province-wide crackdown on militant outfits. The Provincial Intelligence Centre of the Punjab Home Department has issued a letter directing police high-ups to beef up security in different cities of the province. The letter has been circulated among the Divisional Commissioners, RPOs, CCPO of Lahore, Deputy Commissioners, CPO and District Police officers. An officer privy to the development told Dawn that the crackdown was ordered on the basis of intelligence reports suggesting that militants might have planned similar attacks in other cities. The Home Department has directed law enforcement agencies to ensure extreme vigilance and heightened security.

February 15

The CTD killed at least six suspected JuA militants in an operation in Chak 10-R 98 area of Khanewal District in Punjab. Four suspects managed to flee during the operation. The operation was carried out on a tip off regarding presence of militants in the area. JuA is an offshoot of TTP, which is responsible for the suicide blast in Lahore that killed 14 persons including two senior police officials on February 13.

Three Levies personnel and two civilians were killed while eight others injured in twin suicide attacks in Ghalanai Tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA. Two suicide bombers tried to enter a compound of the local political administration. When stopped, one of the attackers blew himself up outside the entrance, a senior official said. "The other attacker was shot down by Levies officials who were on guard," the official added.

Following suicide attack, FC launched search operation in Sheikh Banda area and killed five militants. An encounter took place between militants and FC personnel during the search raid, the FC spokesman said. As a consequence, five militants were gunned down. The deceases could not be immediately identified.

The Driver of the civil judge vehicle was killed when a motorcycle bourne suicide bomber rammed his bike into the vehicle in Hayatabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Civil Judge Asif Jadoon and three female judges of the lower judiciary were travelling in an official car in Phase 5 area when an attacker on a motorcycle struck the front of the vehicle and exploded, killing the driver and injuring the four judges. A total of six persons were injured in the explosion. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. "About 15 kg of explosive was used in the suicide bomb," said Peshawar Police Chief Tahir Khan.

An official from the MoFA met Afghan Deputy Head of Mission Syed Abdul Nasir Yousafi in Islamabad to address militant attacks in Pakistan by JuA, an offshoot of TTP, operating in Afghanistan, said the press release of MoFA. UN&EC Additional Secretary Tasnim Aslam raised the "grave concern [Pakistan has] about the continuing terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil by the terrorist outfit JuA [operating] from its sanctuaries inside Afghanistan," the release read. Aslam also informed Yousafi that Afghan authorities had been informed "earlier" about "actionable intelligence" where Pakistan pressed Afghanistan "to take urgent measures to eliminate the terrorists and their sanctuaries, financiers and [facilitators] operating from its territory," the statement read.

February 16

At least 88 people were killed when a suicide bomber attacked the crowded Sufi shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan Sharif town of Jamshoro District in Sindh, injuring at least 343 others. The blast took place inside the premises of the shrine as a dhamaal was taking place, with a large number of women and children said to be among the casualties. Devotees throng the shrine of the revered Sufi saint every Thursday to participate in a dhamaal and prayers. The Assistant Superintendent of Police in Sehwan said a suicide bomber entered the shrine through its Golden gate. The attacker blew himself up after throwing a grenade, which failed to explode, he added. The ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack through Amaq, the group's affiliated news agency.

Four Policemen and a passerby were killed when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified militants in Mission Mor area of Dera Ismail Khan town in the same District of KP. The van was stationed at a filling station as part of its normal patrol duty when it was attacked by unidentified militants, said District Emergency Officer Imran Khan. The victims were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Rehmatullah, Constable Iqbal, Constable Irshad and a passerby Fazal. The driver of the vehicle sustained serious bullet wounds and was rushed to hospital by rescue officials, but he later succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Three Army personnel were killed when an IED, targeting an Army convoy, exploded in Awaran town of same District in Balochistan. The killed were identified as Captain Taha, Sepoy Kamran Satti and Sepoy Mehtar Jan. Two other soldiers were also injured in the attack.

Two personnel of the FC were injured when suspected militants attacked a post along the Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Agency of FATA. Troops "effectively responded" to the attack carried out by militants from the Afghan side of the border, the ISPR statement said. According to the ISPR, there are reports of a "few" militants killed in the ensuing exchange of fire.

Pakistan summoned officials of the Afghanistan embassy to the GHQ in Rawalpindi to lodge protest against the use of Afghan soil by terrorists to carry out attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan officials were handed over a list of 76 "most wanted" terrorists by the Pakistan Army, ISPR DG Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a Tweet. Afghanistan was asked to either take "immediate action" against the named terrorists or hand them over to Pakistan, he said. The move comes two days after a senior Afghan diplomat was summoned to the Foreign Office in Islamabad to receive protest over the use of territory of his country for launching terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan diplomat was given a demarche containing details of the recent terrorist attacks and supporting information.

The Government has sought a three-year extension in the term of military courts, read a document obtained by Dawn. The Government has formulated a draft to carry out legal amendments that aim to extend the tenure of military courts - they had ceased to function after expiry of tenure earlier this year. A meeting of parliamentary leaders was convened by the Government in which it distributed the copy of draft among the attendees a copy of the draft is also available with Dawn. According to the new definition of 'terrorist', revealed in the new draft, now anyone can be termed a terrorist regardless of the matter that whether he is motivated by religion or not.

February 17

Around 100 terrorists were killed while a sizeable number of others were apprehended during last 24 hours in intelligence-based and combing operations by security agencies in parts of the country including Punjab. As per orders of COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, response to recent terror incidents is in progress across country, ISPR said in a press release. "IBOs and combing operations are in progress across the country including Punjab. No cross border/unauthorised entry will be allowed to Pakistan from Afghanistan. Security forces have been given special orders in this regard to have strict watch all along the border," it read.

At least 18 alleged terrorists were killed in a raid carried out in Ziarat Mai Garhi, Manghopir area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, said a spokesman of Pakistan Rangers Sindh. Arms and ammunition was also seized from the possession of the alleged terrorists said to be affiliated with a proscribed organisation.

At least 17 terrorists including four key militant commanders were killed in various search operations in Peshawar, Hangu, Orakzai, Khyber and Kurram Agencies. SFs sources said four key militant commanders were killed in Mumazo area of Lower Orakzai Agency where a search and strike operation was conducted. The forces seized suicide jackets and arms from the location. In another encounter in Lower Kurram Agency, security forces intercepted two terrorists who were planting an IED on roadside and after exchange of firing, both were killed. In Tora Wari area of Hangu, the forces killed two terrorists while their accomplices fled.

Six terrorists were killed and 10 of their hideouts were destroyed during airstrikes near Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Agency. At least 10 hideouts of the terrorists were also destroyed.

In Peshawar, the security forces conducted a search operation in Regi area of Peshawar and killed three terrorists, said local police said.

The FC arrested 20 suspects during a search operation in the Nushki area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

While the ISPR press release gives details about the killing of above 35 militants, rest of the killing remains in ambiguity.

Police killed nine TTP militants including would-be suicide bombers during exchange of fire near Super Highway in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SSP Malir Rao Anwar said the terrorists were planning to attack Rangers Headquarters in Karachi. He said Police carried out raid at the alleged residence of father-in-law of TTP Karachi chapter Amir, where the militants resorted to fire on the arriving police party. In retaliatory fire, nine militants including suicide bombers were killed.

The Pakistan Army targeted militant hideouts across the Afghan border, killing several militants including a top commander of JuA, an offshoot of the TTP. Nature of the attacks and areas targeted by the Pakistani military were not immediately known. However, the TV channel said the terrorist sanctuaries were located across the Mohmand Agency and Khyber Agency of FATA. The strikes were carried out hours after the Army summoned Afghan diplomats to GQH in Rawalpindi and handed over a list of terrorists involved in staging attacks inside Pakistan.

The Punjab Government has included names of JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and one of his close aides, Qazi Kashif, in the fourth schedule of the ATA. Hafiz Saeed's name has also been put on the exit control list. A senior police officer privy to the development told Dawn that the CTD had added their names to the list of the 1,450 'fourth schedulers' on an order of the Federal Interior Ministry.

Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, while addressing a press conference in Lahore, claimed that the suspects involved in planning and carrying out the February 13 suicide bombing on a protest at Mall road of Lahore. During the conference, CM Sharif also announced the arrest of an alleged facilitator of the attacker, who he said belonged to Bajaur Agency of FATA. The suspect's confessional statement was aired during the briefing. The suspect introduced himself as Anwar-ul-Haq, and said he hailed from a remote village in Bajaur Agency. "I was associated with Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and they trained me," said the suspect, adding that he has visited Afghanistan around 15 to 20 times.

As many as 26000 combing operations were conducted and 198 hardcore terrorists and 217 facilitators nabbed while 2.3 million persons were questioned since December 17, 2014 to February 14, 2017 under NAP introduced with consensus among all the political parties of the country. According to a comprehensive report presented to PM Nawaz Sharif about implementation of NAP to curb terrorism in Pakistan, some 20467 operations were conducted in Lahore where 1.3 million persons were asked questions during investigation. Similarly, 5784 operations were carried out in Sheikhupura during this period and 151825 persons were questioned on the basis of suspicion and intelligence reports. In all, 1275 cases were registered on alleged involvement in terror related activities.

In Gujranwala division a total of 6865 operations were conducted and 88815 persons were subjected to questioning while 1514 cases were registered on various counts. Some 1305 cases were registered under Foreign Act and lethal weapons were recovered from 9662 persons during general hold-ups. A total of 7437 cases were registered on display of weapons and licenses of 38 Kalashnikovs, 63 rifles, 71 guns and 83 pistols were suspended. The Police have registered 13975 cases for violation of Sound System Regulation Ordinance and 260 under MPO 1960.

NACTA has made considerable progress in drafting a robust national narrative on terrorism and extremism. The first ever NISP has been formulated to protect Pakistan's national interests by addressing critical security issues. Initially, the combing operations were thoroughly conducted in various districts including Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Multan, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Rahim Yar Khan, Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Okara, Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Dera Bugti, Qila Abdullah, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Naushehro Feroze, Karachi, Kohat, Karak, Tank, Kohistan and FATA. There is a marked and undeniable reduction in sectarian violence across Pakistan while not completely eliminated this level of mitigation is a positive sign.

February 19

Eleven suspected militants allegedly attempting to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan were killed in a clash with SFs in Sapperkot and Para Chamkani area of Kurram Agency in FATA. Two Kurram militia members were also injured in the gun battle between SFs and the militants. The terrorists were trying to enter Kurram Agency via Khyber Agency from Afghanistan when they were intercepted by the security forces and heavy exchange of fire took place.

ISPR claimed that numerous militants were killed when Pakistan Air Force fighter jets pounded militants hideouts who were regrouping in Wucha Bibi area, an Afghan bordering strip in North Waziristan Agency. However, the ISPR press release did not mention the number of militants killed in the arial bombardment.

Seven militants were killed and one rangers personnel received injuries during a targeted operation between Pakistan Rangers Sindh and militants in Shah Latif Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. A spokesman for the Pakistan Rangers Sindh revealed that the rangers launched a targeted operation after receiving intelligence reports about the possible presence of terrorists in the area. The forces were shot at by the terrorists and returned fire resulting in the death of seven members of the banned terrorist outfit, some of the terrorists managed to flee from their hideout using the dark as cover, while Police called in backup and cordoned off the area until the terrorists were found. One ranger's personnel also received injuries in this incident. A large number of arms and ammunitions were also recovered from the hideout and it was revealed that the terrorists were planning a terrorist activity of substantial scale in the area.

A cracker blast injured 24 persons in the jurisdiction of Makki Shah Police Station in Hyderabad District, ahead of a strike called by the banned JSMM against the CPEC. Initial reports suggested that the cracker was lobbed from Sakhi Abdul Wahab Shah Jillani flyover on a road where shops of second-hand clothes and shoes are located.

SFs arrested the alleged facilitator of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar suicide bomber from the outskirts of Khairpur town in the same District. Sources said the alleged facilitator, during initial interrogation, has revealed that Hafeez Birohi group of Shikarpur is involved in Sehwan Sharif bombing. Hafeez Birohi group, who was previously affiliated to LeJ, has been associated with ISIS now. The same group was also involved in Shikarpur bombings. The suicide bomber was Afghan national and the suicide vest was also prepared in Shikarpur, the investigation further revealed. Sources said the car used to target ISI headquarters in Sukkur was also prepared in Shikarpur.

Sindh security establishment has proposed to the Government that a dedicated force be raised to keep an eye on its border with Balochistan after it was found that the suspects involved in the recent terrorist attacks here had come from the neighbouring province, said officials. This proposal was discussed at multiple meetings held between the security officials and top administrative authorities, including Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, after the suicide attack on Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine in Sehwan.

Investigations into the recent terrorism activities convinced the relevant authorities that their planners, handlers and perpetrators had come from the neighbouring province. "A similar thought or proposal emerged in October last year as well after it was found that the suspects involved in two terrorists attacks in Shikarpur in September 2015 had come from Balochistan," said a senior official. "The findings pushed the Sindh authorities to take up the matter with their Balochistan counterparts and tighten security along the border and as the first step they deployed policemen at key border points," he said, adding that the Sindh government then had deployed a total of 400 policemen on its side of the border.

The CTD killed five JuA militants in a shootout in Dera Sami Patti area of Chubara tehsil in Layyah District of Punjab. Three suspects managed to flee during the operation that was carried out on a tip off. Arms, ammunition and maps were recovered from the possession of the suspects.

The CTD in an operation arrested an alleged terrorist, Muhammad Jafar, belonging to a defunct organisation and recovered two kilogrammes of explosive material from a house near Sufi Mor on Jhang-Chiniot Road in Muzaffargarh District of Punjab.

Police arrested 21 suspects during house-to-house search operation, launched in Muzaffargarh. Accompanying law enforcers, the Police team encircled various areas of the District early morning and blocked traffic on road passing through the area. Police combed the areas and made biometric verifications of 1,200 people with the arrest of 21 suspects.

12 suspects were arrested after Police conducted search operations in separate areas of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. The operations were conducted in Sher Shah Colony, Chong and Raiwind road and nearby areas, and resident's identities were scrutinised.

Punjab Government during a provincial apex committee meeting chaired by Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif decided to seek support from the Rangers to combat terrorism in Punjab days after the Mall Road suicide attack in Lahore that killed at least 15 people and wounded 85 others. The details regarding the nature and extent of support to be provided by the Rangers will be finalised later, according to a statement released by the Punjab Government.

SFs killed a militant in an encounter and seized arms during a search operation at Darakhshan near Eastern Bypass area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. According to a spokesman of SFs, following a tip off, security forces carried out a search operation in the area while suspect opened fire on them. The suspect was killed in retaliation by SFs. Arms were also recovered from his hideout.

Balochistan Government has prepared a new security plan for Quetta in the wake of recent wave of terrorism in the country. Official sources said on February 19 that under the security plan jointly prepared by Police, Frontier Corps and other security agencies, profiling of houses in the provincial capital will be carried out to track down the elements working as facilitators of banned outfits. There will be a ban on residing in mosques, seminaries, schools and Government buildings which are required to get themselves registered with the Police Station concerned. Registration of tenants has been made mandatory. Legal action will be taken if they fail to do so. Under the plan, the hosts will have to inform a committee to be formed by the area police station about the visit of guests.

A special task force has been constituted to provide better security to judges of the superior courts in the wake of successive attacks against judicial officers during the recent spate of terrorist attacks in the country. The task force was recently notified by the Federal Ministry of Interior, which also constituted a three-member committee that will provide recommendations on how to better protect judges. NPB Director Syed Kaleem Imam will head the three-member committee, formed by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to give recommendations on how to improve the security of judges. Islamabad Inspector General Tariq Masood Yasin and NACTA Director General Umar Sheikh are also members of the body, which has been given 15 days to complete its task.

February 20

Army claimed to have conducted and intelligence based operation in Frontier Region Tank of FATA, killing four suspected militants. The ISPR released a statement in this regard, saying the operation was reportedly carried out against Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani Group of TTP. The ISPR claimed that the suspects killed in the military operation were allegedly high-profile terrorists including the son of former TTP shura member Asmatullah Shaheen. The identities of those killed in the military operation, as provided by the ISPR, are Commander Zaman alias Toofan, Naib Commander Umar s/o Asmatullah Shaheen, Commander Wasiullah and Commander Zulam alias Zulmat. Asmatullah Shaheen was killed by another TTP faction due to an internal rift during 2014. The group was allegedly involved in target killings, extortion and kidnapping for ransom in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and surrounding areas.+

CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan and Afghanistan will fight their "common enemy" of terrorism together, the ISPR statement said. Chairing a high-level security meeting at the GHQ, he said enhanced security measures taken along the Pak-Afghan border are to fight the common enemy, which includes "terrorists of all hues and colour". The Army Chief issued directions for more effective coordination between Pakistani and Afghan officials to curb cross-border movement of terrorists. General Bajwa "also welcomed proposals from Afghan authorities to take forward the mutual coordination for result oriented efforts against terrorism".

The Finance Minister Ishaq Dar informed the Senate that the Army had been empowered to act against terrorists across the border after obtaining concrete evidence that Afghanistan soil had been used to launch recent acts of terrorism in the country. February 20's session focused on several important issues including the current law and order situation and the exclusion of senators from consultations on the revival of powers of military courts to try civilians. While responding to various points of public importance, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the prime minister had authorised the Army to take out terrorists wherever they might be.

February 21

At least seven persons, including a lawyer and an eight-year-old boy, were killed and as many as 25 others were injured when three terrorists wearing suicide vests attacked the session's court in Tangi tehsil of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attack begun at around 11:40am when the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, using automatic weapons and hurled grenades at the security officials, in an attempt to enter the court. The gunfire was immediately followed by explosions of hand grenades, one of which exploded at the entrance, while another went off near the bar room where a number of lawyers were reportedly present at that time. However, timely action by Policemen stationed at the session's court prevented the attackers from entering the premises, as they gunned down two attackers and the third one blew himself up after failing to enter the building. Charsadda DPO Sohail Khalid informed the media that all the three attackers had been killed in retaliatory fire. Charsadda Assistant Commissioner Inayatullah Khan said that the injured included six Policemen who confronted the terrorists in a gun battle that lasted for at least 14 minutes.

In a statement, JuA, the offshoot of TTP claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was a continuation of Operation Ghazi, which they had initiated against Pakistan. The group released details of two of the attackers - Abdul Basit of Mohmand Agency in FATA and Khairullah of Kunduz province of Afghanistan.

Unidentified assailants lobbed a hand grenade at a residential building in Lyari town of Karachi, leaving one woman injured. Police said 30-year-old Gul Nisa was injured when two men riding a motorbike hurled a hand grenade at the entrance of a building in Afshani Gali and sped away.

Pakistan Rangers Sindh recovered a cache of arms from Landhi area Karachi. A Rangers communication said that a raid was conducted on an intelligence tip off that some miscreants belonging to MQM-London had hidden arms and ammunition with the intention of committing sabotage. It said that Rangers took prompt action and during search recovered arms and ammunition hidden on the rooftop. This consisted of weapons and ammunition including six Kalashnikovs, five magazines, one rifle of 8 mm, two 7mm rifles, one repeater, five pistols of 30 bore, and 554 rounds.

The FCB and the FATA political administration razed the house of the suspected facilitator of the Lahore blast and arrested his father and two brothers from Bajaur Agency. The measures were taken in accordance with the FCR territorial responsibility clause, which states that for any mishap, the administration can take the community or family members of the perpetrator to task and punish them under a collective responsibility clause. The suspect was arrested after video evidence placed him in the area of the blast, walking along with the suspected suicide bomber that blew himself on Mall Road near the Punjab Assembly amid a protest. In his confessional statement, shared by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a media briefing on February 17, the suspect had said he hailed from a remote village in the Bajaur Agency.

The Government has released an amount of PKR 1.4 billion for NACTA, State Minister for Interior Baligh-ur-Rehman told a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control. He claimed that serious steps were being taken to strengthen NACTA in order to effectively counter the challenge of terrorism. He added that the government has released PKR 1.4 billion out of the PKR 1.8 billion allocated for NACTA and two buildings have been provided for its use.

February 22

Police shot dead eight terrorists including a key militant figure affiliated with a banned organization during a raid on Bakrapeeri Road in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to SSP Malir Rao Anwar, the suspected terrorists were killed during the raid on a tip off regarding presence of Gul Zaman, Amir of a proscribed outfit. He said the terrorists were planning to carry out an act of terrorism in Karachi.

Five militants were killed when Air Force targeted their hideouts along Pak-Afghan border in the Rajgal area of Khyber Agency in FATA.

A tribesman, identified as Bahadur Khan, was killed in a roadside bomb blast in Dawizai area of Pandyali tehsil in Mohmand Agency.

Police neutralised 14 bombs, weighing 50 kilograms, placed in ghee tins planted in a park on University Road of Loralai town of same District in Balochistan. Locals discovered the bombs and informed Police. BDS personnel later neutralised al the bombs.

Pakistan Army launched 'Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad' across the country, said ISPR. Radd-ul-Fasaad - which translates roughly to 'elimination of discord' - will aim at indiscriminately eliminating the "residual/latent threat of terrorism", consolidating the gains made in other military operations, and further ensuring the security of Pakistan's borders, read the statement. The announcement followed a meeting in Lahore between Chief of Armed Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa, the corps commanders of Punjab, the Director General of Pakistan Rangers Punjab, and the heads of intelligence agencies. Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Civil Armed Forces and other security and LEAs will actively participate in and 'intimately support' the armed forces' efforts to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country, the statement added. "The effort entails conduct of Broad Spectrum Security / Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations by Rangers in Punjab, continuation of ongoing operations across the country, and focus on more effective border security management," the ISPR said. "Countrywide de-weaponisation and explosive control are additional cardinals of the effort. Pursuance of National Action Plan will be the hallmark of this operation," it added.

The Federal Government had approved a request forwarded by the Government of Punjab for the deployment of Rangers personnel in the province. The decision was taken by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during a high-level meeting attended by National Security Adviser Nasir Khan Janjua, Federal Secretary Interior Arif Ahmad Khan, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Saeed and other officials of the Punjab Government. Punjab had requested the Federal Government to deploy over 2,000 Rangers personnel in the province, who would be given policing powers to conduct IBOs against militants, wherever required and with full authority. The Rangers will 'assist' Punjab Police and law enforcement agencies in their fight against terror for a period of 60 days, initial reports suggested.

According to report compiled by the Inspector General of Sindh Police, a significant decline in the number of targeted killings in Karachi has been witnessed in 2016 as compared to 2015 showing 72 per cent drop. The report said that the Police recorded 45 targeted killings in the city last year, which it described as a huge as compared to 159 such killings in 2015. The report discussing crime and militancy in Sindh, however, does not show any visible improvement vis-a-vis incidents of terrorism. It shows six terrorist incidents last year while seven such incidents occurred in 2015. Some 188 cases of extortion were registered last year which were 27pc less than 256 such cases in 2015.

February 23

Police shot dead two IS militants, identified as Saifullah and Haneef, in Manghopir area Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to sources, Police came under attack when it raided their hideout. One policeman received injuries during the gun battle while both the militants were killed and their accomplices managed to flee the scene. SSP, West Zone, Nasir Aftab said they found a hit list that included names of Police officers and other Government officials on the laptop.

The Sindh Home Department issued a notification that contained certain areas of Karachi which could be on the terrorists' agenda next. According to details, a notification by the Sindh Home Department stated that Sindh High Court, Empress Market, Sindh Assembly, Zainab Market, markets located at M.A. Jinnah Road and the restaurants located at Do Darya, could next be targeted by militants.

SFs in Balochistan claimed to killed 470 suspected militants, associated with various militant outfits, in the previous two years under the NAP. During the time period, over 100 militants were also injured in exchange of fire with SFs in Quetta and other parts of the province. "Most of miscreants were killed during IBOs belonged to sectarian outfits," said Anwarul Haq Kakar, the spokesperson for the Provincial Government. The FC, Police, Levies and intelligence agencies conducted a total of 5,640 IBOs in the Province, added the spokesperson. More than 20,000 suspected militants were arrested in the Province.

February 24

The CTD conducted an operation in which six militants were killed in the Patti Sultan Mahmood area of Muzaffargarh District of Punjab. During the operation, three militants managed to escape. Five hand grenades, four rifles, three pistols and other weapons were recovered from the slain militants.

The CTD claimed thwarting a terrorism bid after arresting an Afghan national named Naimatullah from the Achini Khwar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. "This man, Naimatullah alias Fidai alias Umair is an Afghan national, currently residing in the Yakatoot area. He was arrested in Achini Khwar area … He was trying to enter the city with explosives," a CTD official said.

A cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during a raid on a house in the New City Homes locality by a team of Chamkani Police. SSP Sajjad Khan said that the house of Ayub, who is a resident of Lakki Marwat, was raided after an informant forwarded the information, adding that 24 shotguns, 21 pistols and 7,100 cartridges were seized.

25 kilogrammes of explosives, 34 hand-grenades and prima cord were seized during a raid jointly conducted by personnel of Police and intelligence agencies on a house in Shahpoor. SSP (Operations) Sajjad Khan told reporters at Chamkani police station that the seized material was going to be used in an attack on Peshawar.

110 suspects were arrested by law enforcement agencies late in the night as Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad (elimination of discord) continued at Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot and Peshawar. Reports suggest that Islamabad Police apprehended 43 suspects which included four Afghan nationals from various bus stops and stations. While search operations in Lahore's Punjab University hostels and other areas of the city resulted in the arrests of seven. An operation in Sialkot's Hajipura area resulted in the detention of ten 10 suspects while Peshawar police have claimed to have arrested 50 people from various parts of the city.

Investigators probing the attack on the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, detained four people suspected of facilitating the attack during raids conducted in different parts of Sindh, including Shikarpur. Source said that the suspects were affiliated with Hafeez Brohi and Abdullah Brohi, who were part of a banned sectarian outfit and were involved in various terrorist activities, particularly facilitating terrorists and suicide bombers. "Hafeez and Abdullah Brohi are on the wanted list since they have been involved in terror activities including bombings in Shikarpur and Sukkur," said CTD in-charge Raja Omar Khattab.

A suspected terrorist was arrested and weapons were seized during an intelligence-based operation carried out by the FC in Garhi and Kandi Mashti areas of Kurram Agency in FATA. As many as 10 Rocket Propelled Grenade-7 gun along with six chargers, one grenade launcher, a heavy machinegun with 115 rounds, a spare barrel of heavy machinegun, one 12-bore rifle along with 18 rounds, three .303 rifles along with 520 rounds, six submachine guns, magazines along with 120 rounds and two binoculars were seized during the operation.

February 26

Three persons belonging to the Shia community were gunned downed under Paroa Police Station area in Dera Ismail Khan District of KP.

A soldier was injured as terrorists from across the border opened fire at a check post in Mangrotai area of South Waziristan Agency in the evening.

A soldier was injured as terrorists from across the border opened fire at a check post in Mangrotai area of South Waziristan Agency in the evening.

Balochistan's Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs, Sarfaraz Bugti, said that thousands of Afghan Taliban were still studying in seminaries across the province. "There are many seminaries where Afghan Taliban are studying, and many are owned by the Afghan Taliban group," Bugti said. Amin-ul-Hasnat Shah, the Minister of State for Religious Affairs, said that funds for most of these Madrassas originate abroad, mostly in Arab countries. "The government is monitoring the money trail and how this money is spent and utilised by the Madrassas. We want to ensure that these funds are not used for any suspicious activity or to promote extremism through Islamic seminaries in Pakistan." Shah said the Government "has pledged to reform these Madrassas through registration and change of syllabus" and it was determined to "keep an eye on any extremism-related activities or links in these Madrassas."

February 28

At least three FC personnel and one civilian were injured in an IED blast on Sariab Road of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The bomb, which was planted on the roadside, targeted an FC vehicle while it was on patrol. The explosion left the vehicle partially damaged.

Army said that recently launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad (elimination of discord) also envisages a countrywide 'de-weaponisation' campaign. But no timeline can be given for the completion of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, said Major General Asif Ghafoor, the Director General of the ISPR. Speaking in a television interview, Major General Ghafoor said the very name of the operation was self-explanatory. "It is aimed at eliminating the elements creating disorder and mischief, whether they are in or outside the country," he added.

About the objectives of Radd-ul-Fasaad, he said all previous operations were primarily aimed at decimating hideouts of terrorists in different areas and restoring the writ of the state there. "And the main objective of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is to consolidate the gains of the previous operations," he added. "This operation seeks to smoke out facilitators of terrorists inside the country." "The operation also envisages a de-weaponisation campaign," he said but refused to give a timeline for its completion.

The CTD of both Sindh and Balochistan Police decided to launch a "joint operation" in parts of the country's largest province where the intelligence wings of the law-enforcement agency had identified "hideouts" of suspects allegedly involved in recent terrorist attacks in Sindh. High officials flew from Karachi to Quetta, where a meeting of the CTD from both provinces was scheduled. After hours of deliberations and presentations, the Sindh Police authorities finally convinced their counterparts about the presence of the hideouts of some banned militant outfits in Balochistan which were used by terrorists for the recent attacks in Sindh. "It was a formal meeting after our earlier correspondence and intelligence-sharing," said Chief of the Sindh Police's CTD Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi. "We showed them not only the findings of a JIT (joint interrogation team) report about high-profile militants but also data and reports of our intelligence units that strengthened our case. The Balochistan authorities agreed to cooperate with us and move with Sindh police in pursuit of these hideouts," he added.

March 1

The cadres of Islamic State or Daesh hide among the general population, using small businesses as a cover, said a Police official under the condition of anonymity. The official under the condition of anonymity said that their approach differs from the TTP, whose cadres used to openly establish camps in parts of FATA and even in the settled areas of KP. They are highly experienced in sabotage and concealment" since most cadres had previously belonged to the TTP, he added. "These people hide among the (general) population and we have solid evidence suggesting that they engage in small businesses such as fruit vendors, plying pushcarts, using it as a cover, avoiding suspicion … Their strategy is mostly successful," he said, adding that these people rent houses and move frequently to avoid detection. "All new recruits are sent to Afghanistan … Once people know that you are fighting in Afghanistan, chances are that no policeman or anyone else will touch you simply because you are (among) 'good Taliban'," he maintained.

March 2

Four militants and two Army personnel, Lieutenant Khawar and Naik Shehzad, were killed in an exchange of fire during an intelligence-based operation conducted by SFs in the Jani Khel area of FR Bannu in FATA, ISPR statement said.

A US drone strike killed two suspected militants in a border village along Pak-Afghan border in Kurram Agency. One official from local Administration said that the missile struck two men riding a motorcycle. It was not clear who was being targeted. There had been no drone strike by the US in Pakistan since May 21, 2016.This was one of the longest periods that no US drone attack had taken place in Pakistan.

One militant was killed and 12 others arrested during a search operation by FC and intelligence Agencies in Andoor area of Ketch District in Balochistan. One FC soldier was injured due to exchange of fire with terrorists and a cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during the operations.

March 4

Unidentified gunmen killed a lawyer, identified as Mohammed Jan Gigyani apparently in a targeted shooting near the Afghanistan border in Shabqadar in Charsadda District in the KP. According to a Police officer, two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on Mohammed Jan Gigyani while he was driving his car. He said Gigyani was critically wounded and died en route to a hospital. He added that Gigyani was a prominent lawyer affiliated with Aftab Ahmed Khan's Qaumi QWP.

One inspector was killed and a DSP was injured in an encounter with terrorists in Harrapa village of Sahiwal District in Punjab. According to CTD officials, in the shoot-out two terrorists were also injured, around four others were arrested and explosive material was recovered. The two other terrorists escaped from the site.

One inspector was killed and a DSP was injured in an encounter with terrorists in Harrapa village of Sahiwal District in Punjab. According to CTD officials, in the shoot-out two terrorists were also injured, around four others were arrested and explosive material was recovered. The two other terrorists escaped from the site.

March 5

At least 10 militants and five soldiers were killed during a clash when militants lunched a cross-border attack on three Pakistani border posts along the Pak-Afghan border area in Mohmand Agency of FATA in the night. The ISPR press release said that five soldiers of the Pakistan Army and more than 10 suspected militants were reportedly killed in the attack. The slain soldiers were identified as Naik Sanaullah, Naik Safdar, Sepoy Altaf, Sepoy Nek Mohammad and Sepoy Anwar.

One militant was killed and four others arrested during a raid by CTD personnel in Korangi Town area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to CTD official, Raja Umar Khattab, the terrorist killed by forces was identified as Dildaar alias Chacha, who was reportedly an expert in making explosives. He said that the detainees had been planning a terrorist attack when their hideout was raided. A large amount of explosive material, detonators and weapons were recovered from the site.

March 6

An attempt to blow up the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express was foiled when security personnel defused a bomb planted at a railway track near the Mangoli area in Nasirabad District of Balochistan. According to official sources, all train services were suspended between Quetta and Sukkur as the BDS was not available in Dera Murad Jamali. The BDS team was summoned to the site from Sibi. Police said the saboteurs had planned to blow up the train by remote control. The Jaffar Express coming from Rawalpindi was the target as it was scheduled to reach Mangoli after 15 minutes, said a senior Police Officer, adding that the train was stopped at the Dera Allah Yar station.

March 7

Five militants and two Army personnel, including one Captain Junaid, were killed during an intelligence-based operation against suspected terrorists in Malikabad area of Swabi District KP. "[The] five terrorists who were killed [...] were planning to target educational institutions and judicial complexes," Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. Three of the terrorists had been identified, while the remaining two were "probably Afghans". At least one of the identified militants was a cadre of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), added ISPR.

A soldier was killed when a patrol vehicle hit an IED planted on a roadside in Awaran area of same District in Balochistan. Sources said that unidentified militants had planted an IED on the roadside which they detonated with a remote control device while targeting the security vehicle.

March 8

10 militants were killed when SFs stormed a compound in a nearby village of Malikabad area in Swabi District of KP. Earlier the day, five militants and two Army personnel, including one Captain Junaid, were killed during an intelligence-based operation against suspected terrorists in Malikabad area.

Five hardcore terrorists were executed at District jail of Kohat, the statement issued by the ISPR said. The convicts were tried by military courts, the ISPR said. These terrorists include Shoukat Ali s/o Abdul Jabbar, Imdad Ullah s/o Abdul Wajid, Sabir Shah s/o Syed Ahmed Shah, Khandan s/o Dost Muhammad Khan and Anwar Ali s/o Fazal Ghani, ISPR added.

Police recovered an anti-tank mine and arrested six suspected persons during a search operation in Injeer Khwar area of Hangu District. DPO Ihsanullah Khan said that the Police was informed about an explosive device planted in Injeer Khwar area. He said that they called in the officials of the BDS who recovered and defused the explosive device weighing up to three kilogram. He said that the police conducted a search operation in Doaba and surrounding localities and arrested six suspected persons. He said the Police also recovered a Kalashnikov, a rifle, two pistols and several cartridges from the arrested suspects.

March 9

Unnamed Officials involved in anti terrorist operations have revealed that LeJ, a proscribed organization, particularly active in the port city of Karachi (provincial capital of Sindh) and Quetta (provincial capital of Baluchistan). The Organization is still the prime target of LEA for its close liaison with banned JuA. Most of the organization's activists have gone underground to escape arrests. The officials claim that LeJ's almost 90 percent network has been disabled by eliminating its top leadership. According to the officials, LeJ ties with ISIS surfaced last year when terrorists attacked the Police academy in Quetta in October. The group is active in Karachi and Quetta with two deferent off-shoot groups namely the Naeem Bukhari Group in Karachi and LeJ Al-Alami in Quetta.

March 11

PM Nawaz Sharif, during his visit to the Lahore based Jamia Naeemia, asked Islamic clerics to reject in forceful terms all the religious decrees that incite violence in the name of Islam. "Hate is being spread in the name of religion and it is the duty of the Ulema to free it from hate and violence. One way of doing that is to reject all those fatwas that incite violence, [and] only the Ulema can do it," said the PM Nawaz Sharif. He promised that the "few remaining militants" would not be spared. The government, he said, had brought the political leadership, the army, the police and other law enforcement agencies on the same page as far as dealing with terrorism and terrorists was concerned. "Peace is not far off, especially if the Ulema extend a helping hand," PM Nawaz Sharif said, adding that religious scholars should play a proactive role in building an alternative narrative of Islam that promoted peace and harmony. The religion has been held hostage by hate-mongers, he said.

March 13

Three personnel of Punjab CIA were injured in a drive-by shooting incident near Lady Willingdon Hospital in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. The assailants managed to flee after targeting Police officers. Police sources said that all three Police officers who are posted at Ghaziabad CIA were dressed in plain clothes and were returning home after performing their duty.

March 14

Suspected militants abducted three Government schoolteachers in Giskhor area of Awaran District in Balochistan in the evening. Levis official Muhammad Jan said that militants abducted three teachers as they were returning from a training session facilitated by the PBS for the upcoming national census in Giskhor area. Jan identified the abducted teachers as Rashid Ali, Elahi Bakhsh and Rasool Bakhsh. The men are part of a team in the District that will collect data for the census.

Balochistan higher education secretary Abdullah Jan was abducted from Wahdat Colony of Brewery Road area in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Jan's son Mohammad Attiuqe said his father was on his way to work when unidentified assailants in a white Toyota Vitz kidnapped him near his house in Wahdat Colony. Jan was kidnapped along with his driver. However, the abductors released the driver near Sabzal Road area and drove off an unknown location, said DIG Quetta Abdul Razzaq Chema. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction so far.

March 15

Three militants convicted by military courts were executed in the wee hour at Sahiwal District prison of Punjab, ISPR press release. According to the ISPR, the militants were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including attacks on armed forces and law enforcement agencies. Sharing details of the executed convicts, ISPR said that two of the convicts - Said Zaman Khan and Muhammad Zeeshan - were cadres of HuJI. While the third convict was cadres of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan TTP. During its two-year constitutional life, the military courts, set up to try civilians charged with terrorism after the carnage at the Army Public School in Peshawar in December 16, 2014, have convicted 274 accused. Of them 161 were awarded death sentence and 113 prison terms, mostly life imprisonment. Out of 161 death sentences, 21 have been executed so far.

March 17

At least six militants were killed during a search operation in the Mosal Kor village of Michini area in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. FC spokesperson said that the SFs carried out a search operation in the Mosal Kor area when terrorists opened fire on the personnel. Six militants were killed in the retaliatory fire. SFs recovered a cache of arms and explosive from the possession of slain militants.

One FCB soldier was killed and another injured in a suicide attack on an FC training centre in Shabqadar area town of Charsadda District. The ISPR said the attack was "foiled" and two suicide bombers were killed in retaliatory fire. FCB Commandant Liaqat Ali Khan said that the attackers tried to sneak into the training facility in the wee hours to cause maximum casualties but the guards quickly responded and neutralised the attackers. One attacker was killed by FCB personnel while the other died after his jacket exploded when it was hit by gunfire.

Two personnel of the FC were killed when suspected militants from across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border reportedly attempted to attack a check post in Khyber Agency in the FATA. Pakistani troops "effectively responded", as a result of which six militants were killed during the exchange of fire, the ISPR was quoted as saying.

March 18

SFs foiled a terror bid by seizing a significant quantity of arms and explosives in Kohlu District of Balochistan Province. "The FC and personnel of intelligence agency conducted a raid and recovered 28 kilograms of explosives, six rockets and other weapons," said a security official. The official added that the compound which was raided belonged to "miscreants of an outlawed militant organisation". No arrest was made during the raid.

FC forces and personnel of an intelligence agency arrested four suspected militants during a raid in Smungli area of Quetta. SFs claimed to have recovered five SMGs, three rockets and other weapons from their possession.

BNP-M said that Baloch are neither traitors nor Indian agents and urged media to bring to light the woes of Balochistan. BNP-M Vice President Abdul Wali Kakar asked the media to visit interior parts of Balochistan. He regretted that a wrong image of Balochistan was being portrayed, and media was barred on the pretext of security issues. As a result, Balochistan does not get its due rights in the country's media, he added. He was speaking to the Biennial Delegates Meeting of Pakistan Union of Journalists. He stressed upon the media to help the Baloch get their due rights. Balochistan was craving for its basic human rights, including the availability of pure drinking water, health and education, he added. It was best opportunity to discuss the issues of Balochistan in front of journalists, hailing from various parts of the country.

March 19

At least 19 suspects were arrested during joint search operations in various parts of Punjab. According to ISPR, the joint search and intelligence based operations were conducted by Punjab Rangers, Police and intelligence agencies in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Attock, Sialkot, Lahore and Kasur as part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. At least 19 suspects were apprehended. Weapons, ammunition, laptops, currency, sectarian hate material and foreign passports were also seized.

March 20

Qari Yaseen, wanted for involvement in attacks on GHQ in Rawalpindi and Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, was killed in a US drone strike in Barmal District of Paktika province in Afghanistan. The drone strike carried out in Barmal targeted Yaseen and three of his accomplices who were travelling in a vehicle. Yaseen belonged to the Lodhran District of Punjab and was part of various terrorist attacks carried out in Pakistan. The other attacks included those on ISI offices in Lahore and Multan, Data Darbar, Marriott Hotel and the one in RA Bazaar, Rawalpindi. He was also said to be a facilitator for al Qaeda and Jundhulla in Pakistan, an expert at making bombs, including IEDs, and a trainer for terrorists.

The Pakistan Rangers Sindh recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence based operation from the storeroom of the Safari Park on the University Road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Pakistan Rangers Sindh spokesman said weapons recovered include rifles, SMGs, LMGs, hand grenades, snipers and large number of bullets.

March 21

Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is successfully continuing across the country as at least 20 insurgents including a Ferrari commander surrendered to Pakistan Rangers Punjab, ISPR statement said. The erstwhile militants said they were funded by Indian spy agency RAW through Brahamdagh Bugti who leads the BRP. Apologising for their past which was awash with terror activities in Balochistan, the surrendering insurgents said they were kept misinformed and fed with negative narrative over the decades, the ISPR statement added.

Violence-related incidents declined in 2016 as compared to the year before, and casualties from violence were half the number of casualties in 2015, the CRSS annual security report said. The report recorded a 66 per cent fall in violence-related incidents since 2014, but noted that terrorist groups have changed their strategy for suicide attacks and instead of sending in one suicide bomber to a location, sent two. It said militants, facing military operations and law enforcement, had begun to flee the county and had devised new strategies. The report said the targeting of geographical areas and population centres that were less protected was unprecedented, and militants also begun deploying a wider array of improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers despite strong resistance from security personnel. "Karachi has seen the most improvement, with urban crime and target killings on the decline. Compared to 1,671 people killed in target killing incidents in 2013, 183 people lost their lives in 2016," report states.

March 22

Five militants, including a high-profile TTP militant, identified as Duran, were killed in an intelligence-based operation carried out by SFs in Mirak village of Kalaya tehsil in Orakzai Agency of FATA. An ISPR press release said two FC personnel also laid down their lives in the exchange of fire that ensued during the operation. The deceased were identified as Major Mudassar and Sepoy Mateeullah.

Two Levies personnel were killed and three others injured when a roadside bomb struck their vehicle at Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan Agency. The vehicle was also badly damaged in the explosion.

A portion of railway tracks damaged when an IED went off at Misri Shah area near Rohri Railway Station in Sukkur District of Sindh in the evening. SP Special Branch Mansoor Mughal said that the service of Karachi-bound Shalimar Express that passes through Rohri has been halted until the track is repaired. According to the Bomb Disposal Squad, some 2.5 kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the blast.

A cracker blast at the Mehrabpur Railway Station in Naushahro Firoz District damaged a foot-long part of the track, interrupting trains travelling up and down the tracks.

A government girl's school in Qila Abdulla town of same District in Balochistan was damaged when an IED placed near its wall went off. Levies officials said that unidentified men had planted the remote-controlled device along the school's wall which exploded with a big bang. The blast shattered windowpanes of the institution, nearby houses and shops. No casualty was reported.

The Airport Security Force (ASF) foiled a suspected terror bid at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, by confiscating a cache of weapons and ammunition. A vehicle was stopped and searched by the ASF personnel at the airport check post and during a routine inspection a weapon and a large cache of ammunition was found in the vehicle, the ASF officials said. The ASF confiscated a .223 bore rifle, seven magazines, and dozens of bullets from the vehicle.

The US Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson warned that the militant IS group wants to recruit young people from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq and has stepped up its efforts in those places. Speaking at the 10th Global Coalition ministerial meeting on IS in Washington, Tillerson also hinted at establishing a safe zone in the Middle East for sheltering Syrian refugees. "The United States will increase pressure on ISIS and al Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability, through ceasefires, to allow refugees to return home," he said. Tillerson said that since the United States and its allies had broken their back in the Middle East, IS militants were moving to other regions to recruit fighters. "Today, … Daesh (IS) is resorting to many terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and many other places in Europe in order to send a message that they are still standing and they want for those young people to go fight in its ranks," he added.

March 23

Pakistani officials have hosted seven Taliban leaders in Islamabad to try and press them into peace talks ahead of a multination meeting in April in Moscow, two Taliban officials said under the condition of anonymity. The two officials, who were familiar with the Islamabad meeting, spoke to AP on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals by Pakistani authorities who have not confirmed the meeting. The Two Taliban officials said the militant leaders used the Islamabad gathering, which took place last week, to press their own demands, including that Pakistan free Taliban figures from its jails. Islamabad has been under international pressure to try and bring Taliban leaders, who have lived in Pakistan since their rule in Afghanistan was overthrown in the 2001 US invasion, to some form of negotiations with Kabul. However, successive attempts have faltered and failed. Last year Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the United States met to jumpstart the peace process but that effort faltered after a series of deadly Kabul attacks that Afghanistan blamed on militants hiding in Pakistan. China, Russia and Pakistan are behind the initiative of the April meeting in Moscow. Afghanistan will attend the meeting as will Iran and India. Washington has not said whether it would attend.

March 26

SFs recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a raid on a house in Karram village in Mizer Valley area of NWA in FATA. The recovered arms included rockets of various types, seven rocket-propelled grenades launchers, and anti-tank bullets. The security source, however, declined to say if anyone was arrested during the raid.

FC personnel averted a possible terrorist attack by diffusing an IED on Turbat-Dasht road in Turbat District of Balochistan. The ISPR said that the FC, as part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, recovered and defused an IED planted on Turbat-Dasht road.

March 27

The Islamabad High Court stayed the extradition of an American citizen of Pakistani origin Talha Haroon to United States of America for allegedly planning an attack on New York in connivance with the IS. Islamabad High Court was hearing a petition filed by Haroon Rashid, father of the suspect.

March 28

Ahmed Ludhianvi, leader of the proscribed ASWJ, expressed confidence that his party would be taken off the list of banned organisations. Mr. Ludhianvi said he had held meetings with officials and the political leadership in this regard. He said that meeting officials or political leaders from the centre or Punjab was a routine matter for all politicians, including him. "I have one bone to pick with the system - whenever there is a need to pacify enraged ASWJ workers or to negotiate with militants, I am called in for the sake of Pakistan. But, legally, I am a proscribed person and my party is still a banned group," he told journalists. He was referring to negotiations with the militants who had attacked the GHQ in 2009. The ASWJ leader said: "The decision-makers of the state have acknowledged my grievances, but if they are not ready to allow us to work as a legal entity in the country, I will not cooperate with them in the future."

The rivalry between Afghanistan and Pakistan has created room for terrorists of the militant IS group to build a foothold in the region, recent US reports on the issue point out. Last week, the United States hosted a 68-nation conference in Washington to formulate a joint strategy for combating the IS terrorists. In his address to the conference, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson not only noted the group's presence in the Pak-Afghan region but also pointed out that the group had carried out "many terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan". In the region, the group is known as the Islamic State of Khorasan (ISK) and operates from its bases in the Afghan areas along the Pak-Afghan border. In a recent report on ISK, the Congress-funded US Institute of Peace underlines the link between this group and Pakistani militant organisations to show how the Afghan-Pakistan rivalry benefited the terrorists. The USIP report quotes from a July 2016 report by the Afghanistan Analysts Network, which claims that Afgh­anistan's intelligence agency, "the National Direc­to­rate of Security, has supported the militant organisation Lashkar-i-Islam and elements of TTP since 2014 "with the aim of playing these militants against Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistan's long-time support of the Afghan Taliban." Fighters from both groups later joined ISK.

March 29

Five militants, affiliated to al Qaeda and TTP outfits, were killed by the CTD during an encounter in Kanja area of Gujrat District in Punjab. The CTD sources said the militants were planning to target secret installations in Gujrat and Kharian. Weapons and explosives were recovered from the possession of slain militants.

At least six Ahmadis were killed in Pakistan in 2016 because of their religious beliefs, a recent report issued by the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya said. Saleemuddin, the spokesperson for the group, cited Ordinance XX which later came to be known as the Blasphemy Law as the main reason behind targeted killings of Ahmadis. "Since its [Ordinance XX] imposition in 1984, so far 250 Ahmadis have been killed," he complained. Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya said the promulgation of the ordinance endorsed political, social and legal discrimination against Ahmadis. While news reports of the Ahmadi community being targeted appear regularly, the group accused the local media of holding its own biases against Ahmadis. It also accused state institutions of not properly investigating their killings.

March 30

A prominent local leader of the Ahmadi community and a relative of Nobel laureate Abdus Salam was shot dead in Nankana Sahib town of Punjab in the morning in an attack claimed by the banned LeJ. Advocate Malik Saleem Latif, a leader of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in Nankana Sahib, was on his way to a local court on a motorbike along with his son, Advocate Farhan, when Latif was targeted and shot at by "unidentified attackers". "Saleem Latif was spreading Ahmadi beliefs in the region," the LeJ said in a statement claiming the attack. "Around 1,700 advertisements were published against the Ahmadiyya community in local and national newspapers in 2016," said Saleem Uddin, a spokesman for the community. "There is no check on hate mongering and if the situation remains the same then the killing of Ahmadis will also continue," he added.

ISPR stated that, Tahir, a 'hardcore terrorist' belonging to TTP and involved in the 2012 Bannu jailbreak was executed in Kohat jail. The terrorist was tried and convicted by a military court. In April 2012, over 200 terrorists attacked the Central Jail in Bannu, freeing 384 prisoners in the pre-dawn assault. The execution came two days after Senate approved the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill, consummating the parliamentary process to revive military courts for another two years.

A minor girl was killed and a young man wounded in a bomb blast in Gandi Khankhel area of Lakki Marwat. A Police official said that a girl identified as Naila Moeen (8), was playing outside her house in the fields when she mistook a grenade for a toy. They said that as the girl lifted the grenade it exploded killing her on the spot. He said that a young man, Sifatullah, was wounded in the explosion. Police later cordoned off the area and during search found nine hand grenades from the place of incident which were defused by officials of bomb disposal squad.

The Federal Government appointed Salahuddin Khan Mehsud, as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police chief. A notification issued by the establishment division said that Salahuddin Khan Mehsud, a BS-21 officer of the PSP, presently serving under the KP Government, was transferred and posted as PPO, KP, in his own pay and scale with immediate effect till further order.

March 31

At least 24 persons were killed and another 100 injured in a suicide attack on an Imambargah in the Noor market area of Parachinar town in Kurram Agency of FATA. Sources said the explosion took place as people gathered for Friday prayers near the women´s entrance of Imambargah. A witness said security personnel at the Imambargah were checking devotees when an unidentified person parked a car next to the building, which then exploded. TTP's faction JuA claimed responsibility for the attack. The blast was part of its operation Ghazi and Shias were the targets, the outfit said in a statement sent to the media.

A high-value terrorist Mehmoodul Hassan alias Khwaja Madni and his accomplice from the TTP' Sajna group were killed in an operation by SFs in Jandola area of SWA, the ISPR statement said. The SFs personnel recovered weapons and ammunitions from the terrorists' hideout.

President Mamnoon Hussain gave his formal assent to the Pakistan Army Act 2017 and the 23rd Constitutional Amendment Bill ? the two pieces of legislation aimed at granting legal cover to military courts. When it was tabled the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill was titled the 23rd Constitutional Amendment Bill. However, it will now be called the 28th amendment bill. It was presented along with the Army Act 1952 before the Senate earlier this week. Military courts were disbanded on January 7, 2017, after a sunset clause included in the legal provisions under which the tribunals were established, expired.

April 2

Unidentified militants fired four missiles from Afghanistan into Kurram Agency of FATA. A spokesperson for the local administration said that the missiles had been fired from Afghanistan's Paktia province and did not cause any loss of life. One missile struck a shop in the Shingak area, another landed near a mosque, and two others in a graveyard at Kachkina.

April 4

The ISPR claimed that eight JuA militants had surrendered before the Army in Mohmand Agency of FATA. In a statement issued by the ISPR, the Army said the militants who surrendered include Akbar, Gull, Siraj and five of their accomplices.

April 5

Six people, including four Army soldiers and an off-duty Air Force airman, lost their lives after a suicide bomber targeted a census team in Bedian Road area of Lahore in Punjab. At least 19 others were injured in the attack, according to the provincial Government. The TTP claimed the attack. The injured were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and General Hospital. At least three of the injured were said to be in critical condition. One, identified as Lance Naik Irshad, lost his life while undergoing treatment.

Unidentified gunmen shot dead four laborers in Kharan District of Balochistan. Police and paramilitary personnel reached the area and took the bodies to DHQ Hospital. The deceased were identified as Ghulam Mustafa, Naizi Sohrab Shah and Sajid, who hailed from Sindh. The men were working on a road project under the CPEC.

April 7

The CTD of Punjab killed 10 JuA militants in the night at Manawan area of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. The CTD said the terrorists killed in the ‘encounter’ were involved in Mall Road suicide attack. Days after the attack, CTD personnel had apprehended alleged facilitator Anwarul Haq. The law enforcers, on Haq's pointation, had also arrested his other accomplices. The sources said the CTD was taking the arrested facilitators to Manawan for recovery of explosives when their accomplices ambushed the team. In the retaliatory fire, 10 militants were killed including the facilitators of the attack.

One veterinary doctor Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed (68) who belongs to Ahmadi community was shot dead in a sectarian target killing in the Sabzazar area of Lahore. The doctor was being driven by his grandson when a motorcyclist pulled up next to their car and fired at point-blank range, killing him on the spot. His grandson, Shahzeb, remained unhurt, while the attacker, who was wearing a helmet, fled the scene. Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmed had retired as a professor from Lahore University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. Salim Uddin, a spokesperson for the Jamaat-i-Ahmadiyya Pakistan, condemned the attack and protested that the doctor was targeted because of his faith. "In a span of 10 days, this has been the second killing of an Ahmadi. There is a campaign of hate against the Ahmadiyya community and as a cost, innocent people are killed. On the one hand, the government boasts about the Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and on the other, people are being killed along religious lines in broad daylight," read an excerpt from a press release issued by the Anjum-i-Ahmadiyya Pakistan.

April 9

Five terrorists and Pakistan Ranger Punjab personnel killed during an IBO in Chhera Thal area of Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab. According to the ISPR, in sequel to Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, Pakistan Rangers Punjab started special IBO in the area of Chhera Thal, 40 kilometres South West of Fort Manro, in the early hours and was continuing till the mid day. During trade of fire, Sepoy Kamran was killed while Deputy Superintendent Rangers Haroon got injured.

The CTD personnel shot dead a terrorist during snap checking at Sukkur-Shikarpur link road in Sukkur District of Sindh in the evening. According to SP Irfan Samo, CTD personnel, during snap checking signalled three men riding on a motorcycle to pull over. The militants opened fire on CTD personnel that was retaliated. One terrorist was killed, while two others managed to flee during the encounter.

The Army seized an explosive laden vehicle near Chaman town of Killa Abdullah District in Balochistan and arrested two suspected persons, a statement issued by the ISPR said. According to the ISPR, 80 kilograms explosive material was fitted in the vehicle that was prepared in Kandahar and brought in Pakistan to use it in a terror attack. The ISPR said the vehicle was seized in an operation that was carried on the basis of intelligence reports.

April 9

The CTD personnel shot dead a terrorist during snap checking at Sukkur-Shikarpur link road in Sukkur District of Sindh in the evening. According to SP Irfan Samo, CTD personnel, during snap checking signalled three men riding on a motorcycle to pull over. The militants opened fire on CTD personnel that was retaliated. One terrorist was killed, while two others managed to flee during the encounter.

April 11

Two "hardcore terrorists" tried by Military Courts were hanged in a high security prison in Sahiwal District of Punjab. The ISPR statement said the two convicts were awarded the capital punishment for offences related to terrorism, including the killing of civilians, attacking armed forces and law enforcement agencies, and assaults on polio vaccination teams and employees of an NGO. The hanged militants were identified as Muhammad Shahid Omar, who was an active member of TTP, and Fazl-i-Haq, an active member of the TTP, who was also accused of kidnapping and amputating the hands of four Police officials.

Seven JuA militants were arrested by the CTD at Severra Chowk in Multan town of same District in Punjab. According to the CTD spokesperson, the militants were stationed at Severra Chowk and were caught with hand grenades and heavy explosives in their possession. The CTD had received information that the militants were planning to attack vital installations within the city, after which they conducted a raid near Severra Chowk, the spokesperson added.

 A raid conducted by CTD officials in Gujranwala town resulted in the arrest of two suspected terrorists who belong to proscribed organisations. The raid was conducted after the law enforcement agency received information that the pair was planning to attack sensitive installations within the vicinity of Sialkot. During the raid, the CTD team recovered explosive material and detonation equipment from their possession.

April 12

Two Pakistan Rangers Sindh personnel were killed during a raid to arrest militants trained in Syria and Afghanistan and working for foreign intelligence agencies were arrested from Mawaach Goth area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Briefing media on the raid, Rangers spokesperson Colonel Qaisar said that they raided a militant hideout in Mawaach Goth area on a tipoff that militants of AQIS have entered in the metropolis for subversive activities. ‘Eight KG explosives, one suicide vest, four ball bearing bombs and four SMGs were seized from the suspects,’ Colonel Qaiser explained, further adding that ‘two Rangers personnel were martyred during the raid.’ The LEAs also recovered 360-degree images of a site were from their possession, he said. Tahir Zaman aka Boxer Mota was trained in Afghanistan. IED expert Nawaz joined the AQIS group in 2012, he also provided medical services to another terrorist, Javed Swati. The third suspect, Bilal, was a close associate of main suspect Tahir who was involved in the Safoora attack.

Police arrested a target killer affiliated to MQM-L, identified as Kamran s/o Jumma Khan, from Joharabad area of Karachi. Police said Kamran is involved in two murder cases in Orangi Town.

At least three persons were injured in a blast on Airport road in Gwadar town in same district of Balochistan. Police sources said that the IED was planted in a motorcycle parked on the side of a road.

April 13

A doctor, identified as Dr Zulfiqar, was killed when two unidentified assailants called out him from his house and opened fire in Kharadar area of Saddar Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Dr. Zulfiqar used to run a clinic in Khadda Market.

A journalism student was lynched at AWKU in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in broad daylight after being accused of blasphemy. The deceased was identified as Mashal Khan, a resident of Swabi and a student at AWKU’s Journalism and Mass Communication department. A friend of the deceased student said that a mob attacked him before shooting him in the head and chest. He added that the mob then continued to beat his body with sticks.

US said that the safe havens still exist in Pakistan for terrorist groups to operate from and carry strikes out on Afghanistan. US State Department acting spokesperson Mark Toner, in daily press briefing said, “We’ve been very clear, while we understand that Pakistan has made efforts to confront terrorism and terrorist organizations on its own soil, that there are still what we call safe havens that exist for terrorist groups to operate from and carry strikes out on Afghanistan.” The spokesperson went on to say, again, it’s in Pakistan’s interest to work with – constructively with Afghanistan to address those security concerns.

April 14

One militant was killed and three of his accomplices apprehended during combing operation in Factory Area of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. According to Police, the terrorists opened fire on the security personnel during joint combing operation in the area and in the ensuing gunfight, a terrorist was killed and three security personnel sustained injuries. Three militants were arrested by the law enforcers. A suicide vest, detonators and weapons were seized from the site where exchange of fire took place

A suspected gangster, identified as Ghulam Nabi alias Gull, was shot dead in an ‘encounter’ in Kalakot area of Lyari town in Karachi, reports Dawn. The Police have seized a TT pistol and a hand grenade from his custody. The deceased was associated with the Uzair Baloch-led Lyari gang, the Police said. “He looked after drug business in Lyari,” an unnamed officer added.

April 15

At least nine militants and three Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) personnel were killed during an exchange of fire in Basti Dadwani near Choti Zareen area of Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab. The ISPR said "9-10 hardcore terrorists" affiliated with the TTP were killed during the joint security operation launched by Rangers, intelligence agencies and CTD personnel near Choti Zareen area. Among the slain militants included Muhammad Asghar Dadwani alias Ustad Gorchani and Muhammad Naeem alias Waqas Dadwani. The Punjab Rangers personnel slain in the shootout were identified as Havildar Asif, Sepoy Aftab and Sepoy Azizullah. Two soldiers also sustained injuries.

One militant was killed and three of his accomplices apprehended during combing operation in Factory Area of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. According to Police, the terrorists opened fire on the security personnel during joint combing operation in the area and in the ensuing gunfight, a terrorist was killed and three security personnel sustained injuries. Three militants were arrested by the law enforcers. A suicide vest, detonators and weapons were seized from the site where exchange of fire took place.

April 16

Two suspects, identified as Ramzan Khan and an Afghan national, were taken into custody from Cantonment area of Lahore city. The arrested due is suspected to be involved in Bedian Road, Lahore terror incident.

The LEA apprehended two suspects from Bhatta Chowk of Lahore city. The duo was arrested for their involvement in Charing Cross incident

LEA arrested a terrorist, identified as Omar alias Sufiyan, at Saddar area of Ghazi Road in Lahore city. He is said to be close aide of militant and proclaimed offender Azeem aka Fauji.

US NSA Lt-Gen HR McMaster said the best way for the Pakistani leaders to pursue their interest in Afghanistan and elsewhere is through diplomacy and not through the use of proxies that engage in violence. Gen McMaster said: "As all of us have hoped for many, many years that the Pakistani leaders will understand that it is in their interest to go after these groups less selectively than they have in the past and the best way to pursue their interest in Afghanistan and elsewhere is through diplomacy not through the use of proxies that engage in violence."

April 17

The DG of ISPR, Major General Asif Ghafoor, announced that Ehsanullah Ehsan, former ‘spokesperson’ of the TTP and a senior leader of the JuA, had turned himself in to Pakistan's security agencies. "…I want to take this opportunity to announce that Ehsanullah Ehsan, the former spokesperson of the TTP and a leader of the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, has turned himself into our security agencies," he stated. In 2014, after a split in the TTP, Ehsan had become a ‘spokesperson’ for the JuA — what was then a newly-formed splinter group of the TTP. Ehsan had said at the time that 70 to 80 per cent of the TTP ‘commanders’ and fighters had also joined the splinter group.

Naureen Leghari, the wife of militant Ali Tariq who was killed in an encounter in Lahore in Punjab in the night of April 14, had allegedly joined the militant Islamic State (IS) in Syria. According to sources, the woman had physically taken part in the encounter and had engaged police personnel for about an hour. Naureen Leghari, who was arrested during the encounter, had married her husband after leaving her home and joining the militants. Sources said that Leghari had allegedly visited Syria to join IS after leaving her home in February. She had also received training in Syria for using weapons, they said. She returned home to Lahore three weeks ago and was being tracked by security personnel.

Naureen Leghari was a medical student of the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences in Jamshoro, Sindh. She had reportedly been contacted by militants through social media.

Lahore Police also arrested Hafeez, the owner of the house where the encounter took place, and a property dealer, Ayub, and were conducting raids to arrest Azeem, a facilitator of the militants who is said to be a leader of the IS. The law enforcement agencies had announced PKR 1 million head money for his arrest.

The Security Forces in Lahore also arrested four people suspected of being linked with the IS network in the city.

The Director General of ISPR, Major General Asif Ghafoor, announced that Ehsanullah Ehsan, former ‘spokesperson’ of the TTP and a senior leader of the JuA, had turned himself in to Pakistan's security agencies. "…I want to take this opportunity to announce that Ehsanullah Ehsan, the former spokesperson of the TTP and a leader of the JuA, has turned himself into our security agencies," he stated. In 2014, after a split in the TTP, Ehsan had become a ‘spokesperson’ for the JuA — what was then a newly-formed splinter group of the TTP. Ehsan had said at the time that 70 to 80 per cent of the TTP ‘commanders’ and fighters had also joined the splinter group.

The JI has launched a mass contact campaign in accordance with its annual action plan. A high-level meeting to review the preparations in this regard will be held at Mansoora on April 19, with JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch in the chair. The meeting will chalk out plans to mobilise the masses through mass contact in all parts of the country to support the JI in the next elections.

In a recent study carried out by Sindh CTD about educated ‘hardcore militants’ in the province’s jails, revealed that out of 500 surveyed militants, at least 64 have a Masters degree or higher. As many as 70 militants have a Bachelors degree and 63 have completed their matriculate and intermediate.

Once thriving, adventure tourism in PoK has seen a sharp decline over the past four years. Since 2013, an additional challenge has been staring the mountaineers attracted to the largest cluster of daunting peaks in the region. That year terrorists killed 11 climbers at their base camp at the foot of the mighty Nanga Parbat. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the number of mountaineering expeditions daring to come for climbing the five highest peaks - K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum I and II – has been declining. “Sadly, the disturbing trend continues,” regrets the APC president, retired Colonel Manzoor Hussain. “Last year some 34 expeditions came to Pakistan, compared to nearly 70 plus groups before the incident.

April 18

Naureen Leghari, the wife of militant Ali Tariq who was killed in an encounter in Lahore in Punjab in the night of April 14, had allegedly joined the militant IS in Syria, reports Dawn on April 18. According to sources, the woman had physically taken part in the encounter and had engaged police personnel for about an hour. Naureen Leghari, who was arrested during the encounter, had married her husband after leaving her home and joining the militants. Sources said that Leghari had allegedly visited Syria to join IS after leaving her home in February. She had also received training in Syria for using weapons, they said. She returned home to Lahore three weeks ago and was being tracked by security personnel.

Naureen Leghari was a medical student of the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences in Jamshoro, Sindh. She had reportedly been contacted by militants through social media.

Lahore Police also arrested Hafeez, the owner of the house where the encounter took place, and a property dealer, Ayub, and were conducting raids to arrest Azeem, a facilitator of the militants who is said to be a leader of the IS. The law enforcement agencies had announced PKR 1 million head money for his arrest.

The Security Forces in Lahore also arrested four people suspected of being linked with the IS network in the city.

The JI has launched a mass contact campaign in accordance with its annual action plan. A high-level meeting to review the preparations in this regard will be held at Mansoora on April 19, with JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch in the chair. The meeting will chalk out plans to mobilise the masses through mass contact in all parts of the country to support the JI in the next elections.

In a recent study carried out by Sindh CTD about educated ‘hardcore militants’ in the province’s jails, revealed that out of 500 surveyed militants, at least 64 have a Masters degree or higher,. As many as 70 militants have a Bachelors degree and 63 have completed their matriculate and intermediate.

Once thriving, adventure tourism in PoK has seen a sharp decline over the past four years. Since 2013, an additional challenge has been staring the mountaineers attracted to the largest cluster of daunting peaks in the region. That year terrorists killed 11 climbers at their base camp at the foot of the mighty Nanga Parbat. According to the ACP, the number of mountaineering expeditions daring to come for climbing the five highest peaks - K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum I and II – has been declining. “Sadly, the disturbing trend continues,” regrets the APC president, retired Colonel Manzoor Hussain. “Last year some 34 expeditions came to Pakistan, compared to nearly 70 plus groups before the incident.

The SF seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition during an operation in Kurram Agency of FATA, officials. Political Officer Shahid Ali Khan and Commandant, Kurram Militia, Colonel Umar Malik told reporters that seven rocket launchers, 24 rocket shells, two anti-aircraft guns, 50 hand-grenades and 400 mortar shells were also seized in the operation. The officials said that the densely populated area of the town had been declared 'red zone' on the requests of tribal elders and traders. About 24 kilometer trench had been dug around the town, they said, adding, the trench had disrupted movement through unfrequented routes. The officials said that the trench would be made a ring road in future. They also announced that motorcycles and other vehicles' entry into 'red zone' had been banned.

Police claimed to have arrested a target killer belonging to MQM-L from Gulberg Town in Karachi. According to Gulberg SP Bashir Brohi, Jauharabad police arrested Umar Farooque alias Rashid Charya alias Rashid Kalla. Charya has been involved in at least 12 cases of target killing and terrorism. A pistol with five bullets has been recovered from him. "He joined Unit 131 of MQM in 1995. During the course of interrogation he has revealed multiple terrorist activities in Karachi," the SP said. He said further Charya attacked Baloch Goth in 1995-96 in which five people were killed, including his own accomplice Jameel.

An ATC in Karachi awarded 17 years’ imprisonment to two MQM-L activists each for attacking a police mobile and possessing illegal arms. After the prosecution proved the charges against Mohsin alias Peter and Raees alias Kala, the court sentenced them to 17 years in prison and imposed a fine of PKR 80,000 on each convict, observing that they had not only targeted the police but also possessed illegal arms. According to the prosecution, the MQM-L workers had attacked the police mobile in Pirabad police jurisdiction in 2011. Both were arrested after an encounter with a police team and illegal arms were found on them.

April 19

The ISPR, press wing of Pakistani Armed Forces, informed that Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa signed the death warrants for 30 "hardcore terrorists" with links to the 2014 Army Public School attack. The suspected terrorists were involved in "heinous offences," which included the "kidnapping and slaughtering" of soldiers of the Frontier Constabulary and an attack on Saidu Sharif Airport, the military's media wing said. The 'terrorists' were also responsible for killing innocent civilians, attacking the armed forces of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies, ISPR said.

The CTD of Punjab Police killed eight militants by busting a 'big' cell of the TTP in the Narang area of Sheikhupura District of Punjab. Two CTD officials were injured in the shootout, a handout issued by the department's spokesman said. The killed militants had planned to carry out a major terrorist plan in Lahore in the near future, the CTD said. The CTD team also recovered weapons and explosives from the possession of the militants including more than three kilogrammes of explosives, prima cord, three Kalashnikov rifles, five pistols and ammunition.

The ISPR informed that Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa signed the death warrants for 30 "hardcore terrorists" with links to the 2014 Army Public School attack. The suspected terrorists were involved in "heinous offences," which included the "kidnapping and slaughtering" of soldiers of the Frontier Constabulary and an attack on Saidu Sharif Airport, the ISPR said. The ''terrorists'' were also responsible for killing innocent civilians, attacking the armed forces of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies, ISPR said.

April 20

The Government is planning to extend ‘Super Tax’ for yet another year, generating PKR 30 billion for partially meeting security establishment’s expenditures although more than 90 per cent of the population affected by the Operation Zarb-e-Azb have returned to their homes,. The authorities are clearly not in a mood to withdraw the Super Tax from next financial year 2017-18, set to start from July this year, said officials in the FBR. They said that the FBR proposed that in addition to extending the tax into its third year, the government should also increase the rate of super tax to 5 per cent for banking companies.

April 21

A child was killed and two persons were injured in a roadside bomb blast in Shinkoot area of Bajaur Agency in the FATA on. Officials said Gul Mast Khan, a local resident, along with his children was coming home from a nearby mosque after offering Friday prayers when a remote-controlled bomb placed along the link road went off. A child identified as Marwan died on the spot while his father and other child, Farmanullah, received serious injuries in the blast. No one claimed responsibility for the blast.

Around 500 militants belonging to different banned Baloch militant organisations including 12 ‘commanders’ and 16 ‘sub-commanders’ surrendered themselves at a ceremony held on the lawns of the Balochistan Assembly in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The militants announced that they had abandoned the armed struggle against the Government and would join mainstream politics. The militants belonged to the Baloch Republican Army BRA, BLA, Lashkar-i-Balochistan and some other Baloch militant groups.

Former Army Chief General (retd) Raheel Sharif left for Saudi Arabia to head a 41-nation military alliance after the government issued him a NOC. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Raheel Sharif had requested the Government for the NoC. "The permission was given after approval from GHQ," he said. His service tenure will be three years. Earlier, Khawaja Asif had informed the National Assembly that the Saudi government would announce the alliance's Terms of Reference (ToR) in May during a meeting.

April 22

16 people including women and children were injured in Lyari Jhatpat Market of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, when a hand grenade blast took place on. Shakir alias Shakkar, a Gang War commander from the Baba Ladla group is reportedly behind the attack, a source from Lyari informed.

President Mamnoon Hussain said education is essential to address political, economic, social and psychological factors behind terrorism and extremism. The President said it was an important national activity that would prove to be a message of hope, life and light, not just for Pakistani nation, but for the entire humanity.

April 23

A khasadar, local Policeman, was killed while another was seriously injured when an IED planted along a road hit their motorcycle in Alingar area of Mohmand Agency in FATA. An official said that the deceased, Iqbal Khan, along with another khasadar was patrolling the area when their motorbike was hit by an IED. He died on the spot while his colleague received injuries.

A man was shot dead in Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Abdul Sattar was on his way to Balakot from Boi area when a group of unidentified people intercepted him near Garhihabibullah and fired at him, killing him on the spot. Police said that assailants tortured had tortured his brother before opening fire at him.

An improvised explosive device hit a FC vehicle near the Turbat town in Kech District of Balochistan killing four soldiers and wounding three others.

SFs recovered weapons buried in Karachi’s Lal Qila Ground in Azizabad in Karachi. The weapons recovered included SMGs, LMGs, 9mm pistols and a large number of cartridges.

SFs arrested three wanted suspects, including two members of the banned BLA. In the first incident, the SFs raided hideouts of Lyari gang war suspects Sajid Dakait, Jameel Changa, and Bilal Pappu and arrested two members of the BLA. According to sources, the three suspects, who reside in Dubai, were operating a drug den in the Ghazi Khan vicinity with the help of accomplices Arif Tiki, Obaid Langra, and Fahad Baloch. In a separate raid, an important member of the Lyari gang war, Amin Baloch, was arrested during a raid at Lyari General Hospital. According to the police, Amin was a vital accomplice of Lyari gang war's Zahid Ladla and the younger brother of gang war suspect Wasim Qasargandi. Amin had been arrested by Rangers in the past and had spent time in prison. He had been wanted by the police in a number of criminal cases.

PPP-led Sindh Government extended Sindh Rangers special powers in Karachi for another 90 days. The policing powers of paramilitary Rangers had expired on April 15 after which a summary was forwarded to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah seeking extension of the special powers of Rangers.

A khasadar, local Policeman, was killed while another was seriously injured when an IED planted along a road hit their motorcycle in Alingar area of Mohmand Agency in the FATA. An official said that the deceased, Iqbal Khan, along with another khasadar was patrolling the area when their motorbike was hit by an IED. He died on the spot while his colleague received injuries.

A man was shot dead in Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Abdul Sattar was on his way to Balakot from Boi area when a group of unidentified people intercepted him near Garhihabibullah and fired at him, killing him on the spot. Police said that assailants tortured had tortured his brother before opening fire at him.

A total of 113 most-wanted terrorists hail from various districts of Punjab revealed a Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control report. According to the document, 19 most-wanted terrorists hail from Lahore. Eight most-wanted militants belong each to Sargodha and Faisalabad districts. Rawalpindi, a city located next to the federal capital, is also the residential address of six-most wanted terrorists in the list. Likewise, five militants each hail from districts of Rahimyar Khan, Sheikhupura, Bhakkar, Multan and Attock districts. The document revealed that no wanted terrorist belonged to Sialkot, Jhelum, Hafizabad, Vehari, Narowal, Okara, Chiniot, and Rajanpur. However, some suspected militants from these districts have been added to the schedule four of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The document has divided wanted-terrorists into three categories. In the first category, there are about 22 terrorists involved in suicide attacks. Punjab Home Department has also notified head money of PKR 50.33 million for 73 wanted militants out of a total 113, according to the report. Matiur Rehman from Bahawalpur continues to lead the list with a head money of PKR 10 million. His childhood friend Qari Ehsan (head money PKR 5 million) is the second most wanted militant. They have been wanted since December 2013, when they orchestrated suicide attacks against the then president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. The first category also included the profiles of Zubair alias Mughaira from Bahawalpur district and Ziaur Rehman from Khanewal district. Both the militants are wanted for attacking the ISI office in Qasim Bela, district Multan, on December 8, 2009. Hafiz M Sohail, M Niaz and Zaheer Ahmed from Attock have also been added to the list for their alleged role in masterminding the suicide attack against late Punjab home minister Shuja Khanzada. A terrorist Saad Munir from Rawalpindi is also wanted in connection with his alleged role in the murder of an American citizen. The second category contains the profiles of 62 alleged Sunni militants and the third the profiles of 29 alleged Shia militants. Out of total 62 Sunni militants, nine are from Lahore and eight from Faisalabad. Rahimyar Khan District is home to five wanted militants, while three each are from Multan, Mianwali, Rawalpindi and Sargodha.

April 24

At least 15 people, including five woman and four children, were killed and nine others sustained injuries when a passenger van hit a landmine in the Godar area of Kurram Agency. Sources said that the passenger van was en route to Sadda from Godar when it hit a landmine in Pato Kot village. Injured people included four Khasadar census workers who were scheduled to carry out the activity in the far-flung areas of the agency.

Five persons, including three terrorists, wife of one of them, and a 5-years-old boy, were killed while four Rangers personnel were injured in an encounter in the area of Urdu Bazaar of Karachi, Sindh. Sources said that, on a tip off, Rangers and security agencies carried out a raid on a hide out of terrorists in Urdu bazaar. On spotting Rangers, terrorist attacked on them with cracker bombs. As a result four Rangers personnel sustained injuries. In retaliatory firing by Rangers one terrorist was killed while the other was arrested. However the terrorists and Rangers personnel continued to trade firing. Blasts were also heard during the exchange of firing. Five terrorists, including one female, and a 5-year-old boy died in this seven hours long operation. According to Rangers, the deceased boy and female were residing in the respective hide out along with suspects and boy was killed as a result of explosion from terrorists.  Weapons and explosives have been recovered from their possession. SATP had earlier reported that one terrorist was killed in the operation.

Reports indicate that the killed militants belonged to banned outfit Jandullah. Rangers have arrested 10 suspects, including the flat owner, to investigate further. Huge cache of weapon was also recovered from the flat.

Rangers personnel and the CTD of the Sindh Police claim to have arrested eight suspects during raids and operations in different parts of Karachi. According to Rangers spokesperson, Saeedul Hassan alias China and Syed Omar Aijaz alias Omar alias Maaz alias Musab, Saleem alias Chosni, Furqan alias Shooter, Abu Bakar, Ibrahim alias Hyderi, Sikandar and Asif Pathan were arrested in the operation. The Rangers spokesperson has claimed that the accused persons were affiliated with AQIS, adding that the accused persons were involved in attacks on police and Rangers check posts in Nazimabad and Gulshan-e-Iqbal. They were also accused of being involved in various cases of crime and terrorism, including target killings, wall chalking, extortion, robberies, and facilitating terrorism. The Rangers spokesperson said that arms and ammunition were also recovered from their possession.

The Army's senior command resolved during the 202nd Corps Commanders' Conference at the General Headquarters that the military would play its 'due role' as part of the Supreme Court (SC)-ordered JIT that would probe Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family's business dealings abroad. The ISPR said in a statement that the forum had discussed the SC’s Panama gate verdict with special reference to the JIT. "The forum pledged that the institution, through its members in the JIT, shall play its due role in a legal and transparent manner, fulfilling [the] confidence reposed [in the military] by the apex court," the ISPR said. The JIT is to include officials from the NAB, the FIA, the SBP, ISI and the MI, and will be led by an assistant director general-level officer from the FIA, according to the SC order.

On April 22, the SC issued notices to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his sons, directing them to comply with the Panama gate verdict "as and when required".

Earlier on April 20, the SC had constituted a six-member JIT to probe the allegations leveled against Nawaz Sharif regarding the acquisition of London flats through corruption. The top court directed the prime minister and his children to appear before the JIT when they are summoned. The court directed that the JIT submit its progress report periodically after two weeks and the final report shall be submitted in 60 days before a new bench, constituted by the chief justice. The new bench shall issue the order after the JIT report. The two members of the bench Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Gulzar in their dissenting notes stated that since Prime Minister has failed to substantiate the money trail for mills and properties, thus the Prime Minister is liable to be disqualified. The judgment was passed by a majority of 3-2. The verdict of 3 judges shall prevail wherein the constitution of JIT is directed.

April 25

CTD of Larkana Police claimed to have arrested two terrorists in two separate incidents from Larkana District and Jacobabad District, and recovered weapons, explosive material from their possession. CTD Larkana SP Abdullah Ahmed Yar said, "One of the detainees was identified as Qari Muhammad Bilal who was arrested from Shaikh Zayed Morr area of Larkana. He is affiliated with banned outfit LeJ and other terrorist groups of Punjab. He is a resident of Rajanpur (Punjab) and was also awarded death sentence in 2008 for murder. Since then he had been absconding." In another action, the CTD SP said a member of BRA, Abid Shah, was arrested along with a pistol and explosive material from Jacobabad. "The detainee was involved in carrying out bomb blasts on railway tracks, gas pipelines and electricity poles, and an FIR had already been registered against him in Kashmore for targeting Khushal Khan Khattak Express in 2015," the SP said.

CTD Mardan region in an operation arrested an alleged terrorist from Akoddaa Khatak area of Nowshehra District. The arrested terrorist identified as Rehmat Ullah was involved in providing SIMS to kidnappers, terrorist, extortionists and other banned outfits.

Authorities hanged four militants involved in attacks on civilians, police and troops after they were convicted by the country’s military courts, an army statement said. It said the four, who were hanged at a prison in KP, belonged to the TTP. Those executed were identified as Rehmanuddin, Mushtaq Khan, Zafar Iqbal and Obaidur Rehman. According to the ISPR all the TTP militants had confessed to their involvement in murdering innocent persons and carrying out attacks on armed forces and law enforcement agencies. The Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had confirmed death sentences passed by military courts on 30 militants, some of whom were involved in the country’s worst-ever extremist attack. The military courts – in which the army can try civilians on terror charges in secret, despite strong criticism from rights groups – were established in the wake of the 2014 attack, which traumatised the country. They were seen as an “exceptional” short-term measure to give the government time to reform the criminal justice system, as the military targeted militants in the tribal areas of the northwest. The law expired in January 2017, but was shortly extended for another two years.

The CTD got 14 day remand of three alleged terrorists from a court in Gujranwala. The CTD team arrested Sher Khan, Khyber Khan and Faisal Akbar during a raid at Alam Chowk in Gujranwala on April 24 and seized explosives from them.

The JeM has started its fund raising campaign in Punjab as the harvest season for major Rabi crops sets in. In the latest issue of JeM's weekly online magazine (accessed on April 25), its charity wing al-Rehmat Trust invited Ushr contributions for supporting the "families of martyrs, detainees of Islam and ghazis" along with the "seminaries, religious centres and the needy". Ushr is an agricultural equivalent of Zakat, where a portion of agricultural produce is given away as charity.

April 26

At least six suspected militants were killed and as many were injured when jets pounded their hideouts in the Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Security sources said that warplanes destroyed at least two hideouts of the TTP. One of the hideouts – located in the Rajgal area of Tirah right on the border with Afghanistan – was used by terrorists as an ammunition dump, they revealed.

The military claimed that SFs have thwarted a terror bid in the Zhob District of Balochistan. “The Frontier Constabulary, Balochistan, seized a huge cache of explosives and ammunition during a raid on a compound,” the military’s media wing said in a statement.

April 27

A suspected US drone strike on a house in the Lawara Mandi area of North Waziristan Agency of FATA killed at least seven militants, security officials said. “There are two militant commanders, Abdul Rehman and Akhtar Mohammad among the dead,” an unnamed intelligence official said. “We have received reports of a drone attack in North Waziristan in which some seven militants have been killed,” an unnamed security official said. Local intelligence officials said drones were seen in the area before two missiles hit a house in Lawara Mandi area, believed to be used by the TTP.  Officials said the missiles could have been fired by US drones, but declined to confirm the origin of the strike.

A terrorist plot was foiled by the Frontier Constabulary in Bar Qambar Khel Bara in the Khyber Agency. During the operation, two terrorists, Shahid and Abdul Raziq, who were planning a major terrorist attack based on foreign directives, were arrested, the ISPR revealed. A large quantity of explosives was also recovered from the terrorists.

Five terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Gawak area of Mand in Kech District in Balochistan. Two FC officials were also injured in the operation. Deputy Commissioner Kech Sirmad Ali Khan claimed they were involved in a series of terrorist activities in the area.

April 28

Unidentified gunmen shot dead a senior Afghan Taliban leader, Maulvi Daud, near Shamshato refugees’ camp near Peshawar, provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The gunmen sprayed bullets at the car of Maulvi Daud – a former Taliban governor for Kabul. Daud’s driver was also killed in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. There are speculations of the Islamic State (IS) involvement in the incident, as both the Taliban and IS supporters had been involved in fighting in parts of Afghanistan.

April 30

A suspected militant, Habibullah, was killed in an exchange of fire with Security Forces in Pasni town of Balochistan. According to Levies officials, security personnel launched a search operation in the Kolanch area after receiving information about the presence of militants there. ‘Heavy exchange of fire took place in the area, resulting in the killing of an armed militant,’ they claimed.

SFs recovered an enormous store of arms from a car in Kot Pindi Das in Sheikhupura city. The Motorway Police recovered approximately a hundred rifles, Kalashnikov rifles, pistols, and a huge cache of bullets from a car, two suspects have been arrested. According to Motorway Police, the accused were transporting the arms and ammunition from Islamabad to Lahore. 

May 1

Successfully foiling attacks on two check posts of Army from across the border, SFs killed three terrorists and injured several others in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. ISPR said Army troops valiantly repulsed the attack, killing three 'terrorists' and injuring a number of others in an "intense exchange of fire".

The Motorway Police recovered a cache of arms and ammunition near Pindi Das area in Sheikhupura District of Punjab. The Police said the arms were recovered near Pindi Das area from a car but no arrest was made as the two men travelling in the vehicle managed to flee. Around 100 rifles, Kalashnikovs and guns were recovered beside huge cache of cartridges, the Police said, adding that the arms were recovered from hidden parts of the vehicle. The Police said the arms were being brought to Lahore from Islamabad and were supposed to be used in acts of terrorism.

The Sindh Police’s CTD has decided to execute a comprehensive plan that its team had prepared for deradicalisation of militants from this month. A core team comprising forensic psychiatrist and psychologist, facilitator or mediator, religious scholar and a CTD official has already been established for this purpose, sources said. A few young suspected militants, who are in custody for indulging in ‘minor’ activities, were selected for a pilot project in the first phase of the deradicalisation plan, said Sindh CTD chief Additional Inspector General of Police Dr Sanaullah Abbasi. He said a number of sessions with those youngsters would be held possibly at the CTD office in Garden police headquarters and if need be, such sessions might be held at their residences.

May 2

Two soldiers were killed in a militant attack on a security check post in the Maidan area of Tirah valley in Khyber Agency of FATA in the evening. Official sources said that a group of unidentified militants attacked a check post killing two troops. They said that the attackers managed to flee after the incident taking cover of the darkness.

At least three FC personnel were injured as a bomb went off during a search operation in Kech area of same District in Balochistan. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were stated to be in a stable condition. 

An IED explosion was reported from Dera Bugti District. No casualty was reported from that incident.

May 3

Four "hardcore terrorists" of TTP tried by the military courts were hanged. The four were said to be involved in "committing heinous offences related to terrorism, including killing of innocent civilians, attacking armed forces of Pakistan and LEAs," an ISPR statement said.

May 4

A 62-year-old Ahmadi man, identified as Basharat Ahmad, was shot dead in a suspected sectarian attack in Saddar area of Rahim Yar Khan District in Punjab in the night. Basharat Ahmad was on his way to his house in Green Town from a petrol pump situated in Zahir Pir Road when unidentified assailants intercepted him and opened fire on him. The reason behind the murder is yet to be ascertained. However, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya spokesperson Saleemuddin claimed Ahmad was targeted because of his religious beliefs. “Ahmad had no enmity and was gunned down because of the hate campaign against Ahmadis,” the spokesperson said.

Three ‘hardcore terrorists’ sentenced by military courts were executed in Kohat jail of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said a statement released by the ISPR. The executed terrorists belonged to TTP. Their names were Hassan Dar, Umar Zada and Hazrat Ali. They were involved in attacking the Security Forces and civilians.

May 5

At least 12 persons — 10 civilians and one sepoy each from the Pakistan Army and the FC — lost their lives and around 40 others were injured in firing and shelling after Afghan forces attacked FC personnel guarding the staff conducting census in Kali Luqman and Kali Jahangir areas of Chaman tehsil in Qilla Abdullah District of Balochistan. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release tweeted by its Director General (DG) Major General Asif stated, “Afghan border police opened fire on FC troops detailed for security of census in a village along Chaman border… Since 30th April, Afghan Border Police had been creating hurdles in conduct of census in divided villages of Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir in Charnan area on Pakistani side of the border. This was done despite the fact that Afghan authorities had been informed well in advance and coordination was carried out through diplomatic and military channels for conduct of census."

May 7

The Army said it had killed more than 50 Afghan soldiers in a clash on the Chaman border crossing in Qilla Abdullah District of Balochistan on May 5. The skirmish took place on May 5 at the Chaman border that divides the Balochistan province and Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar, as officials were carrying out a census in the area. At least 12 persons — 10 civilians and one sepoy each from the Pakistan Army and the FC — lost their lives and around 40 others were injured in firing and shelling by Afghan forces in Kali Luqman and Kali Jahangir areas. "We are not pleased to tell you that five Afghan check posts were completely destroyed -- more than 50 of their soldiers were killed and over 100 were wounded," FC Major General Nadeem Ahmed said. "We are not happy for their losses but we were forced to retaliate," he said. Afghanistan quickly denied the claim. "Very false claims by a Pakistani Frontier Corps that as many as 50 Afghan soldiers lost their lives in Pak (Pakistan) retaliation; totally rejected," tweeted Sediq Sediqqi, a Afghan Government spokesman. 

Three CTD officials sustain injuries when an IED exploded at Khattak Pull area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. According to reports, the CTD officials were targeted when they were returning after defusing an IED found outside a girls primary school in Urmarh area. Police said the blast damaged the vehicle and the injured were moved to Lady Reading Hospital for treatment where they were stated to be in stable condition.

May 8

The chief of the Iranian Army Major General Mohammad Baqeri warned Islamabad that Tehran would hit bases inside Pakistan if the Government does not confront militants who carry out cross-border attacks. Ten Iranian border guards were killed by militants on April 26. Iran said Jaish-al-Adl, a militant group, had shot the guards with long-range guns, fired from inside Pakistan. The border area has long been plagued by unrest from both drug smuggling gangs and separatist militants. "We cannot accept the continuation of this situation," Major General Mohammad Baqeri said. "We expect the Pakistani officials to control the borders, arrest the terrorists and shut down their bases. If the terrorist attacks continue, we will hit their safe havens and cells, wherever they are," he said.

May 9

Four TTP terrorists, who were tried by Military Courts, have been executed in Rawalpindi. According to a statement issued by the ISPR, the convicted terrorists, named Qaisar Khan, Mohammed Umar, Qari Zubair, Aziz Khan were members of the TTP and were involved in attacks on security personnel, mosques and the general public. They were also involved in the destruction of satellite systems.

SFs recovered anti-tank mines, suicide jackets, IEDs and explosive cylinder during intelligence-based operations conducted in the Khyber and South Waziristan agencies of FATA. According to an ISPR statement, these operations were conducted under the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

SFs conducted joint operations in Lahore, Attock, Islamabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur cities of Punjab and recovered arms and ammunition from several suspected persons.

May 10

LEAs claimed to have arrested three alleged terrorists at Taaja Shaakh (water channel), in the limits of Dadupur Police Station of Ghari Khairo tehsil of Jacobabad District in Sindh. LEAs recovered 3 kilograms explosive substance from their possession According to SSP Jacobabad ,Sarfraz Nawaz Shaikh, Dadupur Police and law enforcers cordoned off the area and succeeded in arresting three alleged terrorists, later, identified as Nawabuddin son of Meer Muhammad aka Sher Muhammad Sandrani, resident of Baluchistan province, Balach Khan by caste Banglani, resident of Thull town of Jacobabad, Karim Dino son of Waris Dino Banglani, resident of Thull town of Jacobabad and seized 3kg explosive substance from their possession, SSP claimed.

May 12

At least 27 people were killed and 40 others, including Senate Deputy Chairman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, suffered injuries in a suicide attack on his convoy in the Mastung town of same District in Balochistan. Maulana Haideri is also General Secretary of the JuI-F. The target of the attack was Maulana Haideri - who hails from Kalat - as motorcycle bourne suicide bomber rammed the motorcycle into the vehicle in which the Maulana was travelling on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway. Maulana Haideri had just left a seminary after attending a graduation ceremony and offering Friday prayers. A witness said the blast took place when Maulana Haideri was moving to the place where lunch was to be served to the guests of the graduation ceremony.

The bulletproof vehicle of Maulana Haideri was severely damaged in the explosion. The deceased included Maulana Hafiz Qudratullah, Naib emir of Quetta district chapter of the JUI-F Iftikhar Mughal, director staff of the Senate Maulana Haideri's driver, Abdul Waheed, an official of the Anti-Terrorism Force and seven volunteers of the JUI-F who were escorting Maulana Haideri as guards. The victims included Mohammad Adil, Mohammad Imran, Abdul Ghaffar, Zahoor Ahmed and Abdul Karim. Several bodies have not been identified. A young girl, a child and a Mastung-based journalist, Abdul Hanan, were among the wounded.

Daesh (the Islamist State, formerly Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham) claimed responsibility for the attack through a statement posted on the website of its propaganda agency Amaq.

Two FCB soldiers were injured in cross-border firing in Kurram Agency of FATA from Khost province of Afghanistan. The attack took place as FCB personnel were undertaking construction of a wall along the border on the Pakistani side, the sources said, adding that they returned fire across the border.

SFs foiled a major terror bid near the Pak-Afghan border in Kurram Agency. According to Assistant Political Agent Shahid Ali Khan, SFs fired at an explosive-laden vehicle entering Pakistan from the Paktia province of Afghanistan as they suspected it to be a potential threat. The shots fired at the vehicle detonated the explosives in the van, which, according to Khan, was to be used in a major terror plot in Parachinar.

May 13

At least 10 labourers were killed and two others injured when motorcycle bourne unidentified assailants opened fire at the construction site in Pishgan area Gwadar town in Balochistan. "All the labourers were shot at close range," said Senior Levies Official Muhammad Zareef. The slain labourers belonged to Naushahro Feroze District of Sindh. BLA claimed responsibility of attack.

May 14

The CTD of Punjab claimed to have killed four terrorists of a banned outfit in Jahanian area of Khanewal District. According to CTD, terrorist Usman Basra and Abdul Rehman were hiding in a house along with their associates when the cops launched action. Four terrorists including Usman Basra and Abdul Rehman were killed in the gunfight with CTD personnel. The CTD officials recovered 10 kilograms of explosives, hand grenades and other weapons from the site of shootout.

A political secretary and his security guard were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Walicheena area of Kurram Agency in FATA. The secretary, Sarfraz Hussain and his guard were travelling in a vehicle in Walicheena area when the suspects opened fire and killed them on the spot.

PM Nawaz Sharif said the CPEC under the OBOR could be regarded as a 'powerful tool for overcoming terrorism and extremism', and called for building a peaceful, connected and caring neighbourhood by shunning mutual differences. OBOR initiative was open to all countries in the region and that the project 'must not be politicized'. "Let me make it very clear that CPEC is an economic undertaking open to all countries in the region. It has no geographical boundaries. It must not be politicised," the prime minister said in his address to the plenary session of High-level Dialogue on BRF, themed 'Cooperation for Common Prosperity', being held in Beijing.

Protests broke out in Gilgit-Baltistan of PoK against the ongoing construction of the CPEC project under the Belt and Road initiative OBOR. China opened one of its biggest foreign policy initiatives since 1949 - the OBOR summit in Beijing, which is being attended by heads of state and government of over 23 nations, including Pakistan. Various students and political organisations including Karakoram Students Organisation, Balawaristan National Students Organisation, Gilgit Baltistan United Movement and Balawaristan National Front have been protesting against OBOR in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Ghizer. They described the project as an illegal attempt to grab Gilgit and see it as a "Road of Gulami or Slavery for Gilgit-Baltistan". Carrying placards and banners stating "Stop Chinese Imperialism" protestors have been calling on the world community to stop the Chinese transgression on Gilgit's soil which remains disputed since 1948-49.

The Pakistan Ministry of Interior during a judicial review on May 14 said that the Mumbai terror attack mastermind and JuD, the frontal organisation of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and his four aides were under house arrest for "spreading terrorism in the name of jihad". Saeed appeared before the board and told it that he had been detained by the Pakistani government in order to stop him for raising voice for Kashmiris. However, the Interior Ministry rejected his arguments and told the three-member board that Saeed and his four aides have been detained for "spreading terrorism in the name of jihad". The board comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan of the Supreme Court (head), Justice Ayesha A Malik of Lahore High Court and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail of Balochistan High Court directed the Ministry to submit a complete record regarding detention of Saeed and his aides - Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid, Abdullah Ubaid and Qazi Kashif Niaz on next hearing on May 15. The board also sought personal appearance of the Attorney General of Pakistan on next hearing.

May 15

At least four FC personnel were injured when their vehicle hit an IED in Splingi area of Mastung District in Balochistan. No one claimed the responsibility for the attack.

May 17

Four TTP terrorists, tried by military courts, were executed at a jail in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the ISPR said. According to ISPR, the terrorists sent to gallows were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including killing of innocent civilians, destruction of communication/electricity infrastructure, destruction of educational institutions, attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan and Law Enforcement Agencies.

A report of an Islamabad-based security think tank CRSS shows that Sindh is the only province of the country where fatalities from violence have suddenly increased during the first quarter of this year. The quarterly report issued by the CRSS, however, states that the other provinces show a decline in violence-related casualties, when compared to data from last year’s corresponding period. During the first three months of the current year, there were 1,129 reported casualties – 594 dead and 535 wounded – across Pakistan. Regionally, Sindh is the most violent region, followed by FATA, Punjab and Balochistan. Sindh is the only province to witness a rise in violence-related casualties. Unlike in the past, Karachi is not the principal factor in the rise in the rate of homicides, Muhammad Nafees, a Karachi-based security expert associated with the CRSS, told The News. 

While ongoing military operations against proscribed militant outfits, such as the TTP and the LeJ, have forced terrorists to go into hiding, the Islamic State (or Daesh) has shown its presence in Sindh and Balochistan by claiming major suicide attacks on two Sufi shrines, adds the CRSS report.

May 18

The COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa made a subtle distinction between terrorism and extremism, saying the military could only defeat terrorists but extremism is something civil society is better equipped to deal with. He was speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, titled "Role of Youth in Rejecting Extremism", attended by students, Army personnel as well as dignitaries from the world of academia. General Bajwa said extremism is the foremost factor driving terrorism, adding that though the former is a term "relative to our perception of what is normal," it has a lot to do with the environment in which people live. "From that perspective," he added, "We must admit that Pakistani youth is being exploited due to the poor governance [of the country] and lack of justice in society."

May 19

Unidentified militants shot dead three labourers and injured another in Hoshab town of Turbat District in Balochistan. They were making a trip to a marketplace in Hoshab to buy daily supplies when suspected militants shot at them and fled, said Frontier Corps official. The slain labourers were part of a team working in coastal Makran division on a major highway linking the port-city of Gwadar to the provincial capital of Quetta, said Sarmad Saleem, a regional official.

As part of the ongoing reconciliation process, 26 militants belonging to various militant groups surrendered their weapons to authorities in Khuzdar District of Balochistan. The militants surrendered at a ceremony organised at the Kalat Scouts campus in Khuzdar.

At least 14 people including seven children and women sustained injuries in five different hand grenade attacks in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda District in KP. According to Police, the hand grenades were hurled at different places including a private school in Zareef Kore. A schoolboy and watchman of the school sustained injuries in the attack on private school, police said. Three houses were targeted in Meero area. 11 people were wounded when unidentified miscreants threw hand grenade at a house in Mosul Kore area.

A car was completely destroyed in three explosions outside a trader’s house in Ghani Rehman Karlay area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. However, no casualty was reported in the explosions.

PAF fighter jets pounded several militant hideouts in Rajgal area of Khyber Agency in FATA. According to security sources, PAF F-16 aircraft carried out an airstrike in Rajgal area and destroyed three militant hideouts. The sources further said that suspected terrorists are likely to have been killed in the bombing.

A curfew has been imposed in Mohmand Agency after information was received that six suicide bombers had entered the Agency. The curfew was imposed as a preventative measure, Political administration official said, adding that the agency has been at security risk for quite some time now. Law enforcement personnel said they had been instructed to shoot if they saw anything suspicious. Educational institutions, offices and market places were closed down after the curfew was imposed and a blanket ban was placed on any social activity.

The CTD of Sindh with the collaboration of intelligence agency arrested one BLA cadre, involved in blew up of SSGC pipeline, from in Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. An explosion had damaged the Sui gas pipeline near Madinatul Hikmat area of Manghopir on May 17 causing damage to the 16-inch diameter gas pipeline. Though no loss of life was reported from the explosion but due to the incident, gas supply to Manghopir, Banaras, and nearby areas was disrupted.

May 20

Four Police personnel, including a SHO, were gunned down in the Lachi tehsil of Kohat District. DSP Lachi Raza Khan told that unknown assailants targeted a police mobile which was on routine patrol. "The assailants ambushed the mobile, killing four Policemen on-board, including SHO Khanullah and additional SHO Tahir Mehmood," said the DSP.

CTD arrested a TTP ‘commander’ in Mundan village in Bannu District. Mansoorullah Ali alias Qiyaz is believed to be the mastermind behind attack on Mundan Police Station in Bannu on February 7, 2017. Police said the TTP ‘commander’ was found in possession of explosives, grenades and material used for making bombs.

Police and law enforcement agencies recovered 400 kilogrammes of military-grade explosives during a joint raid at a house of one Hunzala in Shamshato Refugee Camp, an area falling within the jurisdiction of Mattani Police Station in Peshawar.

May 21

Four assailants, riding on two Bikes, opened fire on a Police van left two Policemen killed and one critically injured near Doraji in the jurisdiction of New Town Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. East zone SSP Faisal Abdullah said unidentified assailants fired at New Town Police Station’s mobile van during routine patrolling, injuring three police personnel. ASI Iftikhar and Head Constable Raja Younus later succumbed to injuries at hospital. The SSP Faisal Abdullah added that 30-bore and 9-mm pistols were used in the incident.

Mortar shells fired by the Iranian border forces landed and exploded in a border village of Pakistan in Chagai District of Balochistan. However, no casualty or damage to property was reported as no house was hit by the shells. “Five mortar shells fired from Iranian side early in the morning landed in Talap village,” Taftan Assistant Commissioner Zafar Kubdani said.

May 22

Five people, including one levies personnel, were killed in a remote-controlled bomb blast in Akakhel area of Tirah valley in FATA. Those killed in the blast included, head of the peace committee, Zarwali Khan and committee members Noor Khan, Hameed Khan and Amir Nawaz were amongst those killed in the bombing. Abdul Manan, a levies officer was also killed in the incident.

May 24

The US drone attack killed three militants, including a key TTP commander, Abdullah Kashmiri, in an unspecified place close to Afghanistan border North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

One militant killed and two SFs personnel sustained injures in an exchange of firing in Kalat town of same District in Balochistan. Sources said the SFs raided a hideout in Kalat where the suspected terrorists opened fire at the raiding party, leaving two SF personnel injured. The SFs retaliated and gunned down one of the militant.

A Chinese couple was kidnapped from the Jinnah Town area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, in the afternoon. According to Police, unknown abductors had forced the two foreigners into a vehicle at gunpoint and driven away. “A Chinese couple was kidnapped from the neighbourhood of Jinnah town in Quetta today. The couple was running a Chinese language centre,” Acting Deputy Inspector General Police Aitzaz Goraya said.

One TTP leader, Saeed Ahmed Badani, describe as the "mastermind" behind three major attacks in Balochistan was arrested from an unidentified location of Quetta. The arrested militant, Saeed Ahmed Badani, was among the planners of three attacks in 2016 that killed more than 180 people, the Provincial Government spokesman, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, said. "He was involved with a team in all the attacks, but I can describe him as a mastermind, because he was the lynchpin in providing targets and facilitating suicide bombers," Kakar added.

The two TTP terrorists in involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including the attack on Army Public School Peshawar, were sent to gallows. According to ISPR, the terrorist, Atta Ullah and Taj Muhammad, tried by Military Courts were executed.

A major terrorism bid was foiled as Pakistan Rangers Sindh arrested six suspected militants from Scout Colony area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.

The CTD conducted an operation near general bus stand in Gujranwala town of same District in Punjab and arrested a suspected terrorist allegedly belonging to the Islamic State. The CTD spokesperson informed media that explosive material, detonators and other ammunition was also seized from the arrested suspect. He further said that the suspect was planning to target sensitive installations in Gujranwala.

May 25

The Peshawar High Court stayed the execution of former spokesman of the Swat chapter of TTP, Muslim Khan, who was sentenced to death last year by a military court on multiple charges of terrorism. The PHC bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Ijaz Anwer issued the order after a preliminary hearing of a petition filed by Nida Bibi, wife of Khan, challenging the conviction of her husband by the military court. The bench issued notices to the Ministries of Defence and Interior directing them to submit the record of the case and fixed June 1 for the next hearing. Advocate Tariq Asad, representing the petitioner, put forward different objections to the trial of Khan under the Army Act. He said that Khan was taken into custody by SFs in September 2009 after which nothing was known about him. Finally, his family came to know about his conviction through newspapers in December 2016. The counsel said that the family had not been provided record of the trial proceedings and it was not known under what charges Khan had been convicted. They submitted an application to the military court of appeal seeking details of the trial proceedings, but no reply was given to them. He said that Khan was not provided a counsel of his own choice and was denied fair trial as provided under article 10-A of the Constitution.

Pakistan has cut direct and indirect losses to its economy on account of terrorism by slightly above 40 per cent to USD 3.9 billion (PKR 407.21 billion) in the first nine months of this fiscal year. Economic Survey 2016-17 attributes this to an improving security condition in the wake of ongoing military-led counterterrorism operations in the nation’s tribal regions and elsewhere. The latest survey, which has recorded the losses to the national economy under the chapter ‘Impact of War in Afghanistan and Ensuing Terrorism on Pakistan’s Economy’, shows that the losses to the economy are steadily decreasing since FY12 when they hit a peak of USD 23.77bn the year before. Last year, the economic losses due to deterioration in the security conditions on account of terrorism went down by about 30pc to USD 6.49 billion from USD 9.24 billion a year earlier. The cumulative losses to the economy on account of terrorism in the country since it joined the global ‘war on terror’ in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on the American soil in September 2001 have been estimated by the Government at USD 123.13 billion.

May 27

A mortar shell fired from Iranian side of the border in Balochistan killed a civilian, identified as Khuda-e-Rahim, in Panjgur area in the morning. The mortar shell landed on a vehicle in Panjgur, killing the man and caused extensive damage nearby, District Commissioner Abdul Jabbar has confirmed.

FC raided hideouts of a banned outfit and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Arjun Nala and Darenjan Nala areas of Dera Bugti District. The recovered weapons included RPG launcher with five RPG-7 rounds, four mortar shells, two land mines, four grenades, 170 pressure buttons and other equipment that was stashed for subversive activities.

Religious scholars from all schools of thought issued a fatwa (religious decree) that declared suicide attacks, armed insurgency against a state and use of force in the name of imposing Shariah as ‘Haram’ or forbidden in Islam. The fatwa carrying signatures of 31 noted scholars was released at a seminar “'Reconstruction of Pakistani society in the light of 'Mithaq-e-Madina' (Charter of Madina) and announcement of 'Paigham-e-Pakistan' (Message of Pakistan). The event was organised by the Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University Islamabad. The unanimous declaration was presented by Professor Masoom Yasinzai while Mufti Rafi Usmani read out the fatwa.  The religious edict condemned terrorism and extremism and declared suicide attackers and their supporters as traitors. It also declared Jihad a jurisdiction of Islamic state and disallowed use of force in name of enforcement of Islamic laws.

May 28

The Counter-Terrorism Department claimed to have killed a wanted gangster in an encounter near Naurus Chowangi area of Site area in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The killed gangster, identified as Mohammed Sohail alias DC, was allegedly involved in targeted killings of at least 10 people including a local reporter, minority members, Police and workers of MQM, said CTD Senior SSP Omer Shahid Hamid. The deceased was associated with Lyari’s gangsters, Wasiullah Lakho and Taj Mohammed alias Taju. He had fled to Dubai in order to avoid being arrested, revealed the SSP Omer Shahid.

At least four persons were injured in a blast after their vehicle ran over an IED along the LoC in Khilana area of Chakothi sector in Jhelum Valley District of PoK. The public transport vehicle was passing through Khilana area to drop passengers from Rawalpindi when the IED went off at about 9:30pm, according to Deputy Commissioner Jhelum Valley Abdul Hamid Kiani. The injured persons were identified as driver Iram Abbas (a resident of Muzaffarabad), Mukhtiar Ahmed, Changaz Latif and Rehmat Hussain (residents of Khilana area).

More than 5,700 people, including paramilitary force officials, have lost their lives in FATA in terrorist attacks during the last six years, Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) figure revealed. The SAFRON revealed this figure during the recently-concluded 42nd session of the National Assembly in a written response to a query by lawmaker Abdul Qahar Khan Wadan of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. According to surveys conducted by the Ministry to assess losses sustained as a result of the ongoing war on terrorism, 5,740 people have been killed in the last six years and an estimated 80,000 houses damaged of which the Government had validated 22,471 for compensation. 50,000 killed, USD 80 billion loss incurred in war on terror, NA told. The Ministry informed lawmakers that 234 levies, 174 khasadars and 5332 civilians were killed in terrorist attacks in FATA and 6,427 others injured. The SAFRON Ministry further added that PKR 3.04 billion had been spent under the PKR 3.56 billion Shuhada package which the Government had earmarked.

May 29

Four members of a defunct pro-government peace militia were killed and another was injured in a targeted attack in Mattani Bazaar in the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Irshad, Imtiaz, Waheed and Muhammad Ali – all former volunteers of the defunct Adezai Aman Lashkar – were killed when gunmen ambushed the vehicle they were travelling in,” SP (Rural), Shaukat Khan said. The injured was identified by him as Mohsin.

DSP Umer Ur Rehman was killed and another Police officer injured following a firing incident in Quetta's Huddah area. The injured sub-inspector, identified as Bilal Shams, was the nephew of the deceased DSP. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

May 30

A relative and former secretary of Afghanistan’s former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Haji Fareed, was shot dead in Tajabad area of Pishtakhara in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Police said unidentified attackers opened fire on Haji Fareed while he was coming out of a mosque. As a result, Fareed died on the spot. Haji Fareed had served as secretary of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. He had recently returned from Afghanistan. Hailing from Kunduz, Fareed was based in Peshawar for the past decade with his family.

Around 41 banned outfits of Pakistan operate openly on Facebook. Activity of 41 sectarian, terrorist, anti-state organisations is accessible to every user on the social network. They exist in plain sight, just one search and one click away from any of Pakistan’s 25 million Facebook users. An investigation carried out by Dawn across the month of April 2017 has revealed that 41 of Pakistan’s 64 banned outfits are present on Facebook in the form of hundreds of pages, groups and individual user profiles. Their network both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian or terror outfits, global terror organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Balochistan and Sindh.

June 2

11 Chinese nationals living in the Jinnah Town of the Quetta city have been shifted to Karachi for their departure to China. This follows the abduction of two Chinese nationals from the same locality on May 24 the duo’s fate remains unknown.

Banned outfits allegedly supporting those who’re fighting in Afghanistan and other regions, have once again started collecting donations in areas across the country. According to a BBC Urdu report, banned organisations have circulated videos and brochures, asking people to help the mujahidin. One of the videos, which have apparently been shot in a mosque of a far flung area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, invites people for jihad and helping Afghan fighters. Similarly, a letter circulating on social media appeals the people to help the Taliban in Afghanistan. The letter is addressed to a mosque in Zhob District, Balochistan, appealing for donations on Friday for mujahidin. According to the imam of the mosque, contributions are collected to help the mujahidin.

June 3

SFs killed at least 12 suspected IS militants after three days of search operation to recover abducted Chinese nationals in Mastung District of Balochistan. “Some 12-13 IS commanders have been killed after intense gun-battles and the area was cleared late Saturday,” a senior security official said, but added that the Chinese pair were not recovered from the scene despite the presence of the vehicle used in their kidnapping nearby. The Chinese couple was abducted from the Jinnah Town area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, in the afternoon of May 24.

June 4

A man and his younger sister belonging to the Shia Hazara community were shot dead in the Spiny Road area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The siblings, identified as Shakeel Ahmed and Hawa Bibi, were going to Marriabad from Hazara Town on a motorbike when they came under fire near Killi Tirkha. They suffered serious injuries and died while being taken to the hospital by the Police.

SFs recovered a cache of weapons from an alleged terrorist hideout in Sken Nullah Darango area of Kohlu District. According to a statement issued by ISPR, an IBO was conducted in Sken Nullah Darango, on the alleged hideouts of BLA. “A large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives including guns, rocket launchers, anti-personal mines, detonators and communication equipment recovered from the hideout,” read the ISPR statement.

The JuA faction of TTP expelled four commanders for ‘acting against Shariah and violating group’s rules and regulations, the group’s spokesman Asad Mansoor said. The spokesman informed all militant groups in a statement emailed to the media that the JuA will not be responsible for any act of the sacked members as they are no more associated with the outfit. The sacked commanders were identified as Maulana Salahuddin, Maulana Waqas, Qazi Saqib and Mehdi. Maulana Salahuddin was a senior commander and in-charge of the JuA’s financial affairs. He was former member of the TTP ‘shura’. Mehdi was a senior commander and had many followers among the militants. He also served as head of the Finance Department. He once headed activities in the cities. Qazi Saqib, a renowned religious scholar, has served as Chief Justice of JuA. Maulana Waqas is a religious scholar and a teacher. All four belong to Mohmand Agency of FATA and now live in Afghanistan. 

June 5

Six kidnapped Pakistani workers for a Polish oil and gas company have been freed, a local official said, more than six months after they were abducted. The workers were kidnapped on November 26, 2016, on a road near the village of Drazinda, some 80km (50 miles) from Dera Ismail Khan while carrying out exploration work for oil and gas surveyor Geofizyka Krakow. The company has been in liquidation since August 2016, and a spokesperson for its parent company, PGNIG, said at the time the six were kidnapped that they were “sub-contractors”.

The Sindh Government announced a 10 per cent increase in the budget for security with a plan to recruit 10,000 more Policemen in the next financial year to “improve police-to-citizens ratio, especially in Karachi”. “When hate rhetoric permeates our worshipping places, our educational institutions and media outlets, we are faced with a clear and present danger at our doorsteps,” said CM Syed Murad Ali Shah while delivering his budget speech in the Sindh Assembly. The CM said the budgetary allocation for security in the financial year 2017-18 was proposed at PKR 92.91 billion, reflecting an increase of 10pc over the allocation of PKR 84.26bn during the outgoing fiscal year. It is proposed that 10,000 new posts of different ranks will be created in Sindh police and PKR two billion will be spent on purchasing vehicles for the law enforcement agency. “Forensic laboratory at an estimated cost of PKR 2.6 billion is being constructed to provide Sindh police state-of-the-art centre to investigate and solve complex crimes,” CM Shah said, referring to key features of the budget proposal for the provincial security apparatus.

June 6

A Pentagon report released singled out Pakistan as a possible location for a future Chinese military base, as it forecast that Beijing would likely build more bases overseas after establishing a facility in the African nation of Djibouti. The prediction came in a 97-page annual report to Congress that saw advances throughout the Chinese military in 2016, funded by robust defense spending that the Pentagon estimated exceeded USD 180 billion. That is higher than China’s official defense budget figure of USD 140.4 billion. Chinese leaders, the US report said, appeared committed to defense spending hikes for the “foreseeable future,” even as economic growth slows.

June 8

IS claimed of killing two Chinese nationals who were abducted on May 24 in Balochistan. The claim, by the IS news agency Amaq, came hours after the Pakistani Army announced it had carried out a successful operation against IS-affiliated militants in the same region. “Islamic State fighters killed two Chinese people they had been holding in Baluchistan province, south-west Pakistan,” Amaq said. The Chinese couples were studying Urdu in Quetta, where they reportedly also ran a Mandarin language course. They were kidnapped in late May by men wearing police uniforms.

India is promoting state-sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan to sabotage Pak-Afghan bilateral relations, the Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. “Pakistan and Afghanistan need to closely coordinate with each other for overcoming the scourge of terrorism,” he remarked during the weekly media briefing of the foreign office. The spokesperson said Afghanistan has been in turmoil for over forty years, and this situation has given space to terrorists. “Afghani people have suffered a lot due to terrorism so have we,” he added. The instable Afghanistan has affected Pakistan more than any other country, Nafees Zakaria said adding that Pakistan believes in Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.

June 9

Police arrested four people, including two Police personnel, for running a 'torture cell' in which they held people after kidnapping them for ransom in Rohri town of Sukkur District in Sindh. A special team led by Sukkur DIG Feroze Shah arrested four suspects, including Police officials Mohammad Jawed Khero and Naeem Ahmed, during a raid in Rohri. However, the ringleader and in-charge of the 'torture cell', former Sub-Inspector Ayaz Khero managed to flee during the raid. Khero had been dismissed from the Police service over allegations of corruption and extortion. The suspects used to kidnap people in the guise of checking from Sukkur and other areas and later locked them up in the torture cell.

Three SHOs were suspended after a large number of people took to the streets and blocked a section of the Hyderabad bypass for six hours in protest against the killing of a villager in, what the Phulelli Police claimed, was an ‘encounter’. Relatives of the victim, Wali Mohammad Chang — a resident of Chang Goth located off Hala Naka Road — said he was actually picked up by Police at around 11am on June 8 and the Police claimed to have killed him in the alleged encounter at around 11pm. “He [Wali] was fasting ... he was going to buy fruits when residents of the village saw Police picking him up at around 11am,” his younger brother, Mairaj Chang, said while speaking to journalists at the Liaquat University Hospital (LUH), city branch.

June 11

Three Balochistan Constabulary personnel were killed and one wounded in a gun attack on a checkpost in the Chakki Shahwani area of Sariab road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Balochistan Deputy Inspector General Police Abdul Razzaq Cheema said four unidentified assailants riding two motorcycles opened fire on a checkpost in the Chakki Shahwani area. The slain personnel were identified as Ashiq Ali, Mehboob Ali and Ghulam Mustafa.

Three SF personnel were injured after an IED seemingly targeted their vehicle in the Johan area of Kalat District. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

A senior journalist of a local newspaper, identified as Baksheesh Allai, was shot dead by undefiled assailants in the Haripur town of same District in KP. Baksheesh Allai, the bureau chief of The K2 Times, was on his way home when motorcyclists intercepted him on a main road and spread him with bullets, successfully fleeing the scene in its aftermath.

June 12

A drone strike killed a commander of Haqqani network and his partner in Speen Tal area of Hangu District in KP. Haqqani network leader Abubakar and his partner were killed when a drone fired two missiles at his house in Speen Tal area in the night. The drone strike "completely destroyed" the suspected militant's house, security sources said. Local residents said the drone was strafing above the area for a while, before it destroyed the targeted compound.

FC personnel killed two BLA militants during an IBO operation in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The ISPR press release said the militants were killed after they were tracked down by the FC personnel and a gun battle ensued between the two parties.

Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar said that two Chinese nationals abducted from Quetta on May 24 were involved in preaching instead of business activities — their declared purpose for visiting. Lee Zing Yang (24), and Meng Li Si (26), were abducted from Jinnah Town of Quetta on May 24 and later murdered by the militant Islamic State on June 8. After the briefing, the Interior Minister ordered an initial review, followed by regulation and the streamlining of the visa process to avoid the misuse of business visas by foreign nationals.

June 13

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti dispelled “the impression of the presence of IS in Balochistan” and said that the crackdown against terrorist is in full swing under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. During a press conference at Madadgar Centre of FC, Bugti rejected the existence of the IS in Balochistan, adding that the terror organisation was making efforts to strengthen its base in the entire country, but the Government and the military had expressed their strongest resolve to block its entry into Balochistan.

June 14

SFs killed two BLA ‘commanders’, identified as Nazar Mohammad alias Beerbak and Mohammad Jan alias Chota, in an operation in the Leela area of the provincial capital Quetta. The two BLA ‘commanders’ were said to be involved in 17 bomb blasts and different incidents of target killing. SFs claimed to have tracked down their links to training camps in Afghanistan.

SFs claimed to have gunned down an alleged terrorist in Quetta.

The Lahore Police have finalised a four-tier security plan for Youm-e-Ali (AS).  Under the plan, more than 7,000 Security Force personnel would provide a security cover to the main mourning procession. A number of CCTV cameras have also been installed on sensitive points across the city, while a police van equipped with latest technology will also monitor police activity.

CoAS General Qamar Bajwa has said that mainstreaming of the FATA is essential for enduring peace and stability in the region. “Our focus now is to transform our operational achievements in FATA into enduring peace and stability for which early mainstreaming of FATA through reforms is essential,” the CoAS was quoted as saying by the ISPR. “Pakistan Army fully supports all efforts towards that end,” the CoAS added.

June 15

At least three Police personnel and one militant were during an ambush on the Police vehicle in Chamkani area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the evening. The Police personnel were on a routine patrol after iftar when three assailants riding a motorcycle targeted the Police van, SP rural Furqan Bilal said. As a result of the firing, constables Umer Hayat, Shahid and Intikhab Alam laid down their lives while head constable Sheraz sustained injuries. The Police party, which belonged to Waheedabad Police Station, retaliated to the assailants' firing, shooting dead one of the three militants. The other two militant managed to flee the scene, SP Bilal added.

June 16

Pakistan Rangers Punjab foiled a major terror bid in Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab, killing two militants who were planning a terrorist activity on Youm-e-Ali processions on June 17. According to ISPR statement, the Pakistan Rangers Punjab launched intelligence based operation in Dera Ghazi Khan as part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and during exchange of fire two terrorists were killed.

June 18

A rocket hit the gate of the residence of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, president of the BNP, in his native town of Wadh in Khuzdar District of Balochistan. Official sources said the rocket was fired in the early hours from an unknown place, damaging the main gate of the house badly. Sardar Attaullah Mengal and Sardar Akhtar Mengal were not in the house when the attack took place. “The rocket landed and exploded at the main gate of the house,” Abdullah Baloch, the SHO of Wadh, said, adding that no casualty took place in the explosion.

Iranian BSF fired several mortar shells into Pakistani territory, at least one of which exploded in the Prom area of Panjgur District. Official sources said the shells were fired in the early hours of the day and landed close to the border. The mortar shell that exploded in Prom had landed in an uninhabited area, causing no casualty and loss of property.

Two diplomats based in the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jalalabad city of Afghanistan, went missing while traveling to Pakistan by road, the FO confirmed. A press release from FO Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria's office said Islamabad is in constant contact with Afghan authorities, and the matter of the diplomats' safety and recovery at the earliest has been raised with the relevant officials. "Pakistan has requested the Afghan government that all efforts may be made to ensure early recovery of our officials and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice," the FO statement said.

Pakistan is an ally on counterterrorism issues and will be essential for bringing the Afghan Taliban to the table for peace talks, said acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Tina Kaidanow. “The United States and Pakistan have a close partnership on regional peace, security, prosperity and stability. And we continue to work with the government of Pakistan on areas — many areas of mutual interest, including counterterrorism,” adds the US State Department’s spokesperson, Heather Nauert. A retired US general, Douglas Lute, urges Washington to balance “our demands on Pakistan (with) … our other interests in Pakistan”, adding that “we actually have several interests in Pakistan (that)… surpass our interest in dealing with the Afghan Taliban”.

June 19

Two Navy sailors were shot dead and three others were wounded when their vehicle was ambushed by four assailants on two motorbikes in the Jiwani area of Gwadar District in Balochistan. The sailors were transporting iftar items during a routine run from Jiwani town when their vehicle came under attack. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and the CTD of Punjab Police claimed to have arrested 23 members of banned outfits in joint operations in various areas of the Punjab. Officials of the law enforcement agencies also recovered a huge quantity of illegal weapons, ammunition and bulletproof jackets from their possession. The suspects were allegedly involved in facilitating terrorists. According to a news release, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and CTD jointly carried out operations in tehsils Kharian and Sarai Alamgir of Gujrat District. The agencies searched houses in both tehsils and arrested 20 suspects said to be involved in facilitating terrorists. They also recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and bulletproof jackets. The suspects were later shifted to undisclosed locations for interrogation. The joint operations were part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, which was launched on February 22 after a string of terrorist attacks across the country.

The CTD arrested three TTP cadres from Bahawalpur whom they claimed were plotting an attack in the city on Eid. They also recovered explosives and suicide jackets from their possession. A CTD spokesman claimed that acting on a tip-off that the TTP was planning to attack a sensitive installation in Bahawalpur, a local CTD team conducted a raid at around 1:30pm at a house near Quaid Colony and arrested three suspects belonging to the TTP. Terrorists were identified as Gohar Ali, Muhammad Yousaf and Zamurad Khan.

June 20

Two suspected terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with SFs when they attempted to raid a checkpost in Dewana Baba Ziarat area of Tank District in KP. The ISPR press release said the attack was successfully repelled when the Pakistani forces engaged in retaliatory firing and killed the attackers, the ISPR said.

An unmanned Iranian drone allegedly on a spying mission was shot down by a PAF JF-17 Thunder fighter jet in the Parom area of Panjgur District in Balochistan. The officials said the unmanned aircraft was shot down by a JF-17 in the Parom area after it ventured "deep inside Pakistani airspace" on a spying mission. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media. SFs took custody of the debris after discovering the wreckage on Monday, but it is still unclear when the drone was shot down.

The Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), along with the CTD of Police and intelligence agencies, arrested seven suspects from the Mandi Bahauddin and Nilore areas of Islamabad. The ISPR press release said the raids were part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

The process of phased fencing on the Pak-Afghan border has been commenced on the directions of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, an ISPR statement said. In phase 1, high infiltration prone border areas in Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber agencies of FATA are being fenced, the statement added. In phase 2, fencing of remaining border areas, including Balochistan will be executed. Besides fencing, Pakistan Army and Frontier Crops are constructing new forts/border posts to improve surveillance and defensibility.

June 21

SFs recovered cache of arms and ammunition from Maidankai village of South Waziristan Agency and Zarkai village of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. According to the statement issued by ISPR, the recovered arms and ammunition include LMGs,12.7, RPG7s, SMGs, grenades, Rifles, pistols, explosive boxes, Anti-Personal mines daggers and various calibre ammunition including rockets of RPG-7, 14.5 mm rounds, ammunition boxes of 12.7, 12 bore rifle rounds, HMG and SMG ammunition.

SFs recovered cache of weapons and ammunition in Akka Khel, Guli Khel and Ghaibi Nokia area of the Khyber Agency. The SMGs, prepared IEDs and fuses were recovered during the raid.

The CTD of Sindh Police prepared a consolidated list of websites, web pages and social media accounts spreading extremism and terrorism. The CTD has written a letter to the PTA, FIA and other authorities for closing/banning of such websites, web pages and social media accounts to foil the designs of banned militant organisations. "We have identified 25 such websites, which were involved in spreading religious and ethnic extremism and terrorism," said CTD chief AIG Dr Sanaullah Abbasi. He said the CTD had sent a list of 25 sites with the recommendation that they should be banned by the PTA. These sites were linked with banned organisations or promoting radical thought, he added.

June 22

SF arrested five facilitators of terrorists during a joint search operation in areas along river in Mandi Bahauddin area of Rawalpindi in Punjab. ISPR statement said that automatic weapons and explosives were also recovered from the arrested facilitators. The search operation was carried out as part of the ongoing Operation Radd-ul- Fasaad, the statement added.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said that drone strikes are against Pakistan's sovereignty. During the weekly news briefing, the spokesperson said that Pakistan's policy regarding drone strikes had always been clear. The FO's statement came a day after a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder jet shot down an unmanned Iranian drone allegedly on a spying mission in Balochistan's Panjgur area. Officials said the drone was shot down after it had ventured "deep inside Pakistani airspace". In a statement released hours after the drone was shot down on June 21, the FO said Islamabad had notified Tehran of the development. During the briefing, the FO spokesperson refused to comment on foreign media reports that US President Donald Trump's administration was likely to toughen its policy on Pakistan. Instead, the spokesperson said that Pakistan values its relationship with America and would work closely with the Trump administration.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said that drone strikes are against Pakistan's sovereignty. During the weekly news briefing, the spokesperson said that Pakistan's policy regarding drone strikes had always been clear. The FO's statement came a day after a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder jet shot down an unmanned Iranian drone allegedly on a spying mission in Balochistan's Panjgur area. Officials said the drone was shot down after it had ventured "deep inside Pakistani airspace". In a statement released hours after the drone was shot down on June 21, the FO said Islamabad had notified Tehran of the development. During the briefing, the FO spokesperson refused to comment on foreign media reports that US President Donald Trump's administration was likely to toughen its policy on Pakistan. Instead, the spokesperson said that Pakistan values its relationship with America and would work closely with the Trump administration.

June 23

Seven Policemen were among 13 killed and 20 others injured in a suicide attack near the office of Balochistan Police Chief on Gulistan Road of Quetta, the provincial capital. BDS confirmed that the explosives were planted in a vehicle. The Police said that the bomber blew up the vehicle after he was stopped by the law enforcement personnel for screening as he was mysteriously taking rounds in the area. "The blast took place near the IGP office (Inspector General of Police) and it´s possible the assailants were trying to enter the (army) cantonment which is close by," Provincial Government Spokesman Anwar ul-Haq Kakar said. Two outfits said they had carried out the attack - JuA, a splinter group of TTP and the Islamic State.

Unidentified militants shot dead four Policemen, who were sitting at a roadside eatery for Iftar in the SITE Town area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SITE town SP Asif Ahmed Bughio said that four Policemen were about to break their fast at a restaurant located between the Siemens and Habib Bank traffic intersections when two armed motorcyclists emerged there, fired a volley of bullets at them and rode away. The victims were identified as ASI Mohammed Yusuf and constables Shabbir, Khalid and Israr. A hitherto unknown militant outfit, Jamaat-ul-Ansar al-Shariah Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The CTD official Raja Umer Khattab said that the Police found a pamphlet from the scene of the crime and it appeared that the assailants threw it there before fleeing. Sharing details, the official said that the pamphlet was from the so-called spokesperson of the newly-formed outfit, in which he claimed responsibility of the killing of the Policemen. Khattab said that it was the second attack in Karachi which was claimed by the group. The name of this group first emerged in April when it claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of a retired colonel, Tahir Zia Nagi, in Baloch Colony. The Jamaat-ul-Ansar al-Shariah was established in Libya and Tunisia in 2011 but it was reactivated in 2014. This outfit had mostly targeted law enforcers as well as Americans, Khattab added.

Police killed three militants in an encounter near grid station of Shahpur in Chamkani area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. SSP, operations, Sajjad Khan said, the Police, working on a tip-off, raided a floor mill near grid station of Shahpur in Chamkani, where terrorists opened fire at them as a result two Policemen, Inspector Zia and constable Arshad were injured. While in retaliation, the Police also opened fire and killed three terrorists belonging to a banned outfit, SSP added. CCPO, Peshawar Tahir Khan said that weapons, explosive material, detonators, footage and documents were recovered from the building during the search operation. IGP Salahuddin said that "A high profile terrorist commander was also among those killed".

ISPR DG Major General Asif Ghafoor linked recent terrorist incidents to 'sanctuaries' in neighbouring Afghanistan. In his tweet, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said, "Recent terrorist incidents linked to sanctuaries across." The military spokesman went on to say that security and surveillance of Pak-Afghan border has been enhanced. He also promised stringent actions against illegal border crossers. Earlier, he said security has been tightened across the country and special intelligence-based and search operations have been launched in coordination with intelligence and other law enforcement agencies.

June 24

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 FATA when the market was crowed for Iftar and Eid shopping. 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 central Imambargah. When people rushed to the spot to remove the injured and bodies, the second blast, which was more powerful, took place resulting in most death and destruction. The al-Alami (International) faction of LeJ claimed responsibility for twin bomb blasts. It said in a statement it was targeting Shias and threatened more attacks over "Pakistanis fighting against Sunni militants in Syria's civil war".

June 25

A bomb resembling a toy killed at least six children and injured two others in Speenmark village of South Waziristan Agency in FATA. "Six children aged between six to 12 years, all boys, were killed by a toy bomb and two others wounded critically," a local government official said on condition of anonymity.

Unidentified militants attacked a checkpost of FC in Wadh town of Khuzdar District in Balochistan. Foiling the attack, the SFs arrested two of the attackers.

Pakistan has deployed a 15,000-strong military force to protect Chinese nationals working on energy and infrastructure projects in the country, President Mamnoon Hussain said. The President told visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Islamabad that the protection of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan was the "top priority" of the government, read a statement issued by the Presidency.

June 27

A high value BLA militant, identified as Abdul Rasool alias Ustad/Borjon/Boss, along with his group surrendered to SFs, ISPR statement said. The militant group also surrendered their group's weapons and ammunition. The ISPR said Abdul Rasool was involved in terrorist activities in Pasni, Kolanch, Dashat and Mand areas of Balochistan.

June 30

Women rights activist and founder of the first female jirga, Tabassum Adnan, survived in an armed attack conducted by unidentified assailants in Saidu Sharif Police Station area of Swat District in KP. Tabassum Adnan said that some unidentified assailants starting firing in the midnight on which her police guard responded and after sometime the attackers fled. Tabassum is the founder of first female Jirga known as Khwendo Jirga which works for women rights. She is the recipient of several national and international awards.

The CTD arrested a key militant identified as Saeedur Rehman, a resident of Shawar, in Matta tehsil. The Police said that he was allegedly involved in anti-state activities during the Swat mayhem.

SFs foiled an attempt to blow up the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express passenger train by defusing a 15kg bomb planted at the main railway line near Mach area of Bolan District in Balochistan. Pakistan Railway officials said that some gangmen were checking the main railway line before the arrival of Jaffar Express in Mach when they found a suspected bag. They said SF personnel and Railway Police were immediately informed about the suspected bag. A 15 kilograms bomb was planted to target the Rawalpindi-bound train. BDS personnel rushed to the area and defused the bomb after finding it in the suspected bag.

July 2

One SF personnel was injured when their convoy comes under militants' ambush in the Balnigwar area of Kech District in Balochistan. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

SFs arrested eight militants from the Kohlu area of Balochistan.

July 3 Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) arrested two wanted members of Lyari gangsters, Muhammad Omair and Zaheer Khan, in Madina Colony of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh.
July 5 One person was killed and seven others were injured when unidentified assailants ambushed vehicle of a Member of the MPA Manzoor Khan Kakar at Manan Chowk in Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan. Quetta Deputy Inspector General of Police said that MPA was not present in the vehicle at the time of the attack but his brother was travelling in the vehicle along with his guards.
July 6

A Lyari gangster, identified as Wasla, was shot dead in a Police encounter at Nippier Road under the jurisdiction of Nippier Police Station in Lyari Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to Police, the deceased was affiliated with the Uzair Baloch gang and involved in murders, grenade attacks, kidnapping for ransom, attack on Police mobile and other heinous crime.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakariya said that there was no organised presence of any terror outfit, including TTP, JuA, Daesh and al Qaeda on Pakistani soil. He also reiterated that the Haqqani Network operated from Afghanistan, not Pakistan. At his weekly news briefing, the spokesperson said the allegations about the presence of Haqqani network in tribal areas were mere rhetoric. "These are only aimed at putting the blame of their failures on Pakistan. The killing of a number of commanders of Haqqani network in Afghanistan clearly indicates that the group was based in Afghanistan and not operating from Pakistan," he said.

July 7

Malik Naveed Dehwar, a main leader of the BNP-M, and three others were killed in two gun attacks on Arbab Karam Khan road of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Police said that Malik Naveed Dehwar was passing through Arbab Karam Khan road along with his guard and another person when four men on two motorcycles opened fire on the vehicle from two sides. In his 30s, Mr Dehwar hailed from Mastung. He was a member of the BNP-M's central council. In 2013, he contested the election from the National Assembly's Mastung-Kalat constituency on a BNP-M ticket, but lost.

Two persons were shot dead in the Chashma Auchuzai area on the outskirts of Quetta. Amil Khan Kakar, son of prominent Pashtu poet, writer and educationist Wali Muhammad Siyal, was sitting in his farm with his watchman when armed men appeared and attacked them. Both Kakar and the watchman, whose name could not be ascertained, died on the spot.

Police and SFs launched a crackdown in Quetta and adjoining areas, arresting 98 suspects after the killing incidents over a 24-hour period. There has been no claim of responsibility for the killings as yet. "Police and Frontier Corps conducted a search operation in Killi Ismail and adjoining areas and detained 98 suspects in connection with recent targeted killings," DIG Razzaq Cheema said.

A data analysis by JPP, a non-government organisation working for prisoners' rights, shows a total of 465 prisoners have been executed since the country lifted moratorium on the executions in December 2014. The organisation regretted that such a high number of the executions has made Pakistan "fifth most prolific executioner" in the world, following China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The research shows the use of death penalty has failed to curb crime, including terrorism, but it is exceedingly used as a political tool, sometimes even as a jail overcrowding solution. Punjab has emerged as a major practitioner of death penalty, accounting for 83 percent of the executions, and 89 percent of death sentences in Pakistan. However, it has also witnessed only a 9.7 percent drop in murder rate from 2015 to 2016. Sindh, on the other hand, has registered a drop of nearly 25 percent in the same time period - even though it carried out only 18 executions compared to Punjab's 382.

July 8

The NSC said peace and progress in the region was directly linked to resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting of the committee, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House, discussed matters pertaining to national security and foreign policy in the regional and global context. The participants said Pakistan had acted as a frontline state in global counterterrorism efforts with unparalleled sacrifices and successes. "No other country in the world has done as much for global safety and security as Pakistan at a huge cost of both men and material," a statement released after the meeting, said.

July 10

The DPO of Qilla Abdullah, Sajid Khan Mohmand, and his security guard and driver were killed and over 10 other people, including five Police personnel, injured in a suicide blast in the border town of Chaman in Qilla Abdullah District of Balochistan. Sources said that DPO Sajid Khan Mohmand with his team was on an inspection of the Eidgah area of Boghara road when the suicide bomber riding a motorcycle blew himself up after hitting his vehicle. Sources said Sajid Khan Mohmand died on the spot as the suicide bomber hit the vehicle on the side where he was sitting. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

Police killed a Lyari gangster in an encounter at Mirza Adam Road in Lyari town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Police said they carried out a targeted raid in Mirza Adam Road. As the gangster saw the police approaching to him, he resorted to firing and injured a cop, while in retaliation he got killed, the deceased was affiliated with the Lyari gang, they added.

July 11

A cache of arms and ammunition was recovered by the SFs in Kohat Town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to an ISPR press release, SFs conducted an intelligence-based operation and recovered the weapons while they were being transported from Darra Adam Khel to Wana. "Weapons were discretely hidden inside the truck's lower body," the press release read. ISPR said that two men were also apprehended in the operation. The recovered cache of weapons includes 614 pistols, 115 automatic weapons, 7,000 rounds of various calibre and 579 pistol magazines.

July 12

An IED explosion was reported from an area near Jama Mosque Mohammadi in the Bin-Qasim town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Though no casualties were reported, however, the green belt of the road was damaged. DIG East Arif Hanif stated, "Sindhudesh Liberation Army is involved in the incident as its terrorists have been doing such activities in all over the Sindh to disturb the peace." He informed that suspects of Sindhudesh Liberation Army (also known as Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, SRA) had claimed to have planted bomb on the green belt to target the convoy of Chinese engineers but likely the convoy passed through the spot earlier. According to the DIG the suspects involved have left some pamphlets on the spot claiming the responsibility of the blast. Sindhudesh Liberation Army issued a letter to media claiming the responsibly. Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army claims the responsibility of the bomb attacks on Chinese Engineers in Karachi today (July 10) and warns the Chinese that they should not become the part of any Project in Sindh which may be against the national interest of Sindhis. SRA will continue its struggle till the freedom of Sindhudesh.

Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed police department to provide adequate security to the Chinese working on CPEC related projects and install jammers in their vehicles when they travel from one are to another. The Chief Minister said that there are over nine CPEC projects in Sindh, work on all these seven projects is in progress where 3044 Chinese are working in them . These projects and their workforce, particularly the Chinese are very important for the development of the country in general and Sindh in particular. They should have foolproof security as it was decided at the start of the CPEC projects.

Home Secretary Qazi Shahid Parvez briefing the Chief Minister said that seven security headquarters of each project with a 3044 well trained police force have been deployed for the security of Chinese. He added that Pakistan Army leads their security apparatus. He added that the eighth project of NTDC Transmission line from Matirai to Lahore has been launched where 15 Chinese have been engaged. "We have provided them a security force of 65 personnel," he said. The Chief Minister said according to the data available with some 137 non-CEPEC projects are going on in the province where 1971 Chinese are working. "What arrangement have you made for their security, he asked the home secretary. The home secretary said that 1373 personnel have been deployed on their security. Additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Maher said that with the approval of the Chief Minister Sindh police have raised a Special Protection Unit (SPU) to maintain an effective security response and to avert any threat to Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects. He added that the total sanctioned strength of SPU is 2662 against which 1349 are working while 1313 posts are vacant for which recruitment process was in progress. DIG RRF & SPU Amin Yousifzai said that nine projects have been expanded to 11. Talking about the security arrangements he said that the coal-based power Plant at Port Qasim have been provided a force of 563 personnel which include 30 army men, 193 SPU, 149 Rangers, 17 FC, 17 policemen and 157 private security guards. Similarly, Thar project of Block-II has been given security of 413 personnel while 46 personnel have been deployed on Thar power project Block-I. He added that for the security of four wind power projects in Thatta district a force of 555 personnel has been deployed. The DIG said that for 126 km long NDTC transmission line from Sukkur to Ghotki a force 1197 personnel has been deployed. For the transmission line from Matirai to Lahore/Faisalabad a force of 76 personnel has been deployed for the security of Chinese. The 548 km railway line being laid from Karachi to Peshawar has been given a force of 75 personnel for the Sindh section.

A report of the PILDAT shared at a public forum has stated that terrorist activities in Punjab have declined by 33 per cent. Punjab has apparently improved its performance in the implementation of the NAP during first quarter (January-March) of 2017 as compared to performance in previous two years (2015-2016), said the report. The report records a decrease of 33 per cent in terrorism incidents in Punjab during the period under review. "Punjab had witnessed 12 major terrorist attacks during 2015-2016, bringing the average to 1.5 during each quarter compared to one terrorist incidence during the first quarter of 2017." It added, "Of the 15 points pertaining to the performance of Punjab on the implementation of the NAP, the first quarter of 2017 has recorded upward progress on the implementation of points No 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15 in Punjab." The remaining eight points reflect unchanged implementation levels that do not reflect a regression on status of implementation of NAP in Punjab during the first quarter of 2017, it said.

July 13

The SP, Mubarak Shah, and three of his Police guards were shot dead when the motorcycles bourne militants opened indiscriminate fire at the Police mobile while it was patrolling in Killi Deba area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Senior Police Official Abdul Razzaq Cheema said the attackers opened fire from different directions, killing Quaidabad SP Mubarak Shah and his three Police guards, adding that militants managed to escape from the crime scene. The banned TTP had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Three militants were killed in an encounter with Police and SFs in Essa Nagri area of Quetta. Police officials said that militants opened fire on a Police patrolling party in the area. In response, the Policemen engaged the suspected terrorists, whereas, a heavy contingent of Police and other law enforcement agencies immediately reached the spot. After the encounter, the three suspected terrorists were found killed, said Police officials. A cache of arms and ammunition, including five-kilogram of exclusive material were recovered from the possession of the slain militants.

Two suicide bombers were killed by SF when they tried to storm the FC camp in Jarobi area of Khyber Agency in FATA. FC personnel engaged with the attackers as they tried to enter the camp in Jarobi area, shooting dead one of the suicide bombers at the gate. The second attacker blew himself up at the entrance of the camp when SFs opened retaliatory fire. At least two FC personnel also sustained injuries during the incident.

Sindh Government has given 90-day extension to the special powers of rangers in Karachi Division under the Anti-terrorism Act. The period of the special powers of rangers in Karachi Division was to end on July 12. However, CM Syed Murad Ali Shah approved a summary to give 90-day extension to the special powers of the rangers in Karachi Division. However, the final notification in this regard would be issued by the Federal Government.

July 14

Four militants were arrested in separate raids by SFs from Gujranwala and Dera Ghazi Khan District of Punjab. The first joint intelligence based operation was conducted in Dera Ghazi Khan by Pakistan Rangers Punjab, Police and intelligence agencies. Two militants were arrested along with cache of arms and ammunition. The ISPR press statement said the weapons and ammunition was being transported for terrorist activities in major cities of Punjab and Sindh.

The Punjab CTD conducted an operation on an intelligence report in Gujranwala and arrested two militants. The arrested terrorists were identified as Muhammad Sufiyan and Zaheerud Din," the CTD said. CTD officials said that explosives, detonators and weapons were seized from the arrested terrorists.

Against the back of a renewed wave of targeted attacks against senior police officers in Balochistan, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived in Quetta and reviewed the security situation prevailing in the restive province. The Army Chief assured the people of Balochistan that their prosperity would remain his priority and his focus was on bringing them on a par with the people of other provinces. COAS says the Army will continue to perform its duty with people's support. According to a statement issued by the ISPR, the Army chief was apprised that "terrorists in desperation" were targeting law enforcement agencies and soft targets since there had been a phenomenal reduction in targeted killings on sectarian grounds in the province.

July 15

Four militants were killed during an exchange of fire with the FC troops in the night after they attacked the Shoaib Nikka post in the Qamar din Kerez area of Zhob District in Balochistan. According to the ISPR, the militants fired rockets and used machine guns during the attack on Shoaib Nikka post. The FC troops, however, foiled the attack, killing four terrorists.

July 16

The DG of ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor announced the launch of Operation Khyber-4 under Radd-ul-Fasaad to "wipe out terrorists" in the Rajgal Valley area of Khyber Agency in FATA. "An operation to wipe out terrorists has been launched in Rajgal valley in Khyber Agency," Major General Ghafoor said. Khyber-4 seeks to target terrorist hideouts in what the DG ISPR called "the most critical area in the FATA". There is no timeline for the operation as yet, Ghafoor said in response to a question.

July 17

SFs claimed to have killed at least eight militants and injured three others in air strikes on their hideouts on the first day of Operation Khyber-4 in the mountainous region of Rajgal in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Official sources said that several hideouts of the LI and IS group were targeted during the daylong shelling. Residents in nearby areas said they saw military helicopters approaching Rajgal in the morning and also heard heavy artillery shelling. Air Force jets also participated in the strikes along with military helicopters at the militant hideouts in Pakdara, Naray Naw, Sattar Kalay and Khairaba areas of Rajgal.

Two FC personnel were killed and four others injured when a suicide bomber targeted their vehicle in Hayatabad area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. Superintendent of Police (Cantonment), Imran Malik has confirmed it was a suicide attack and death of two FC soldiers, including a Major rank officer.

Two workers of PSP were killed in a suspected targeted attack in Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to Superintendent of Police Abid Ali Baloch the PSP workers, Abdul Hameed alias Nadeem alias Mulla (55) and Rashid Khan (50), were sitting at a corner of a street near Qazafi Chowk behind Sindh Government Qatar Hospital when armed pillion riders attacked them and fled.

July 19

At least four persons belonging to the ethnic Hazara Shia community were shot dead when unidentified assailants opened fire on their vehicle on the main RCD highway in Mastung town in the same District of Balochistan. A woman is among the slain victims. The assailants managed to escape after carrying out the attack.

Abdur Razzak Shaikh, a former security officer of PPP MNA and sister of Party Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur, was shot dead in an act of targeted killing in District Central at Haji Mureed Goth within the limits of Gulbahar Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Abdur Razzak Shaikh was shot multiple times and was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medical treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. His body was handed over to his family for burial. He was shot at least twice with a close range. DSP Zafar Khan said that the incident occurred when the victim was sitting outside his residence when at least two armed men riding a motorcycle shot him. Razzak was also a close aide of Zardari's chief protocol officer Bilal Shaikh who had been killed a few years ago in a suicide attack in Karachi. Bilal's brother, Khan Shaikh, said that the deceased had served as Talpur's security officer and had previously served as a security officer at Zardari House. He had been a founding member of Jannisar-e -Benazir.

The United States (US) listed Pakistan among nations that provide "safe havens" to terrorists to operate. It also stated that India continued to be a victim of attacks "including by Maoist insurgents and Pakistan-based terrorists". In its annual 'Country Report on Terrorism', the State Department said that terror outfits like Haqqani Network, LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad continued to operate, train, organise and fundraise in Pakistan in 2016. "Although LeT is banned in Pakistan, LeT's wings JuD and FiF were able to openly engage in fundraising, including in the capital," it said. "LeT's chief Hafiz Saeed (a UN-designated terrorist) continued to address large rallies, although, in February 2017, Pakistan proscribed him under relevant provisions of Schedule Four of the Anti-Terrorism Act, thus severely restricting his freedom of movement," it noted.

According to the State Department, the Pakistani Government did not publicly reverse its December 2015 declaration that neither JuD nor FiF is banned in Pakistan, despite their listing under UN sanctions regimes, although in January 2017, Pakistan placed both organisations "under observation" pursuant to Schedule Two of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The State Department also said that Pakistan did not take sufficient action against the extremely focused groups that continued to exist in the country. "Pakistan did not take substantial action against the Afghan Taliban or Haqqani, or substantially limit their ability to threaten US interests in Afghanistan, although Pakistan supported efforts to bring both groups into an Afghan-led peace process." It also said that Pakistani military and security forces undertook operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan such as TTP.

According to the State Department, the Pakistani Government did not publicly reverse its December 2015 declaration that neither JuD nor FiF is banned in Pakistan, despite their listing under UN sanctions regimes, although in January 2017, Pakistan placed both organisations "under observation" pursuant to Schedule Two of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The State Department also said that Pakistan did not take sufficient action against the extremely focused groups that continued to exist in the country. "Pakistan did not take substantial action against the Afghan Taliban or Haqqani, or substantially limit their ability to threaten US interests in Afghanistan, although Pakistan supported efforts to bring both groups into an Afghan-led peace process." It also said that Pakistani military and security forces undertook operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan such as TTP.

July 20

At least 13 militants were killed and six others were injured while an Army soldier, identified as Sepoy Abdul Jabbar, was killed during operation Khyber-4 in Rajgal Valley area of Khyber Agency in FATA. The ISPR said the raid was conducted as part of Operation Khyber 4, launched under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad (RuF), to specifically clear areas in FATA that are susceptible to threats from the IS.

July 21

Three Policemen and a 12-year-old boy were killed after six unidentified assailants opened fire on a Police van parked near Darul Uloom in Korangi town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. SP Landhi Arif Aslam confirmed that an Awami Colony Police mobile was the target of the attack. The dead personnel were identified as ASI Qamar Din, Constable Babar Ali and Constable Amjad. The identity of the boy is still not known.

The ISPR said a major achievement was achieved in Operation Khyber-4 when troops including SSG successfully cleared the highest mountain top Brekh Muhammad Kandao near Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Agency of FATA. Many terrorists were killed, with a few managing to escape to Afghanistan, the ISPR press release said. Terrorists' hideouts were cleared, and caches of IEDs, arms and ammunition were recovered. "The forces have established posts at over 12000-feet altitude - the terrain is riddled with thick forestation," the ISPR statement said.

July 22

Two FC personnel were killed by unidentified assailants on the RCD Highway in Chaghi District in Balochistan. The two soldiers were patrolling the highway on a motorcycle in the Killi Dawoodabad area when assailants opened fire on them and fled, the Levies sources said. A search operation was launched in the area following the attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

July 23

A Khasadar force personnel was killed and another injured when an IED went off in Sheen Drang area of Khyber Agency in FATA. Security personnel cordoned off the area soon after the blast.

ISPR said that the Army has cleared two strongholds of terrorists in the Rajgal valley of Khyber Agency during the ongoing Operation Khyber-4. The Spinkai Top dominating Saprai Pass and Star Kille have been secured and are "effectively dominated by the Pakistan Army", read a statement issued by ISPR.

July 24

At least 26 persons, including nine Policemen, were killed and 56 others injured in a suicide blast near the Arfa Karim IT Tower on the Ferozepur Road of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, in the afternoon. The suicide attack was carried out during the demolition of the old fruit and vegetable market. The suicide bomber was aged between 16 to 18 years, apparently riding a bike, reached the spot where the Police were standing guard to avert any retaliation from the owners of the buildings being demolished for a park. The bomber – carrying a suicide jacket weighing at least 12 kilogrammes of explosives, including ball bearings – triggered the button at 3:55pm. The impact of the blast was so huge that it shook the Arfa Karim Tower like an earthquake as ball bearings shattered a number of windowpanes. Three bikes and a car were damaged in the blast. The incident occurred just a few meters away from 180-H Model Town – the Chief Minister’s camp office, exposing the so-called combing search operations and maintenance of law and order in the provincial metropolis. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. 

Four militants, including Mullah Akbar Swati, the chief of AQIS Karachi chapter, were killed in an encounter with Police during a raid in the Sachal area of Malir Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. “The spy agencies traced a telephone call in the morning that the terrorists were going to hold a gathering in the area,” Malir SSP Rao Anwar said. “The surveillance of the area was increased following intelligence sharing, and preparations were made for the arrest of the outlaws.” “However, the terrorists opened fire on the police team that reached the site of terrorists’ gathering,” the SSP said, adding that the Police retaliated and killed four of them. Following the encounter, a heavy contingent of Rangers reached the site and started searching the area to nab other terrorists.

A traffic Constable was killed and another injured when unidentified assailants riding pillion on a motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire at Abul Hasan Ispahani Road in Sohrab Goth area of Karachi. Gadap town Superintendent of Police Chaudhry Saifullah confirmed the incident, stating that both traffic wardens had been attacked near the Paradise Bakery. “Apparently, today’s incident appeared to be part of a recent wave of attacks on law enforcers in the city,” stated the CTD's SSP Omar Shahid Hamid.

July 25

The ISPR said that FC conducted an intelligence based operation and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition in Duagai area of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency of FATA. As per details, FC foiled a sabotage attempt as troops conducted a successful operation based on intelligence, where troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition which were brought there to carry out a major terrorist activity.

Law enforcement agencies identified a new militant network, an offshoot of the TTP, as the group responsible for July 24’s attack on Lahore’s Ferozepur Road. The suicide attack near the Arfa Karim IT Tower was the first deadly assault by the TSG, which comprised highly trained suicide attackers (Fidayeen commandos), a Senior Police Officer said under the condition of anonymity. The Police officer said the emergence of the TSG had raised concerns among law enforcement agencies, who were viewing it as an emerging new challenge. The TSG commandos have been trained to carry out massive and deadly attacks, he added.

July 26

A religious scholar and leader of the JUI-F, Maulana Haq Nawaz Haqqani, was shot dead in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda District in KP. According to Police, Maulana Haq Nawaz Haqqani, administrator of Jamia Muhammadia in the Matta Mughalkhel area, was going to the mosque in his seminary for Fajr prayer at about 4.20am when two men on a motorcycle opened fire on him. He suffered 10 bullet wounds and died instantly, while the killers escaped. JUI-F leaders termed the incident targeted killing. They said Maulana Haqqani was a non-controversial person and had no enmity.

Balochistan's higher education secretary, Abdullah Jan, who was abducted from Quetta on March 15, 2017, returned home in the evening. Unidentified gunmen had picked the official up from Sabzal Road area of Quetta at gunpoint when he was on his way to work. He was kidnapped when the 6th national census was underway throughout the country and a large number of Government employees, including those from the education department, were participating in the process. "My father has safely reached home," Attique Khan, Jan's son, said. He said his father's physical condition was not good. It is not yet apparent whether the official was recovered by Security Forces in an operation, or set free after payment of ransom. No group claimed the responsibility for his abduction.

July 27

Tribal elder along with two members of his family were gunned down by unidentified assailants in the Haleemzai area of Mohmand Agency in FATA. An official of the political administration confirmed the killing of tribal elder Sadiq Shah, his wife and his son, Yaseen Khan. He added that the assailants had barged into Sadiq’s house and shot him, his wife and son to death in the Shani Khel area of Haleemzai. A resident of the area said that unidentified assailants had entered Sadiq’s house with the motive to abduct Yaseen Khan. However, Sadiq and his wife resisted their attempts to abduct Yaseen. Upon resistance, the assailants killed Sadiq and his family.

July 29

At least four people were killed and five others sustained injuries in an explosion in Chedgi area of Panjgur District in Balochistan. The nature of the blast could not be ascertained yet.

July 30

Four militants were killed in an exchange of fire in Gishkur area of Awaran District in Balochistan. According to Balochistan Levies sources, an exchange of fire took place between SFs and the militants in Gishkur area. Four militants were killed as a result.

Police and SFs arrested 12 suspects following raids carried out as part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad in different parts of Balochistan. Eleven of them were arrested during a joint operation conducted by FC Balochistan and local Police in the Killi Deba area of Quetta, the ISPR said in a statement. According to the ISPR, the joint Police-FC ‘sanitisation’ operation was launched in parts of Quetta late July 28-night in view of the recent spate of target killings and bombings in the provincial capital. “More than 3,000 security personnel and 208 teams – also comprising 208 women personnel – are participating in the operation,” Quetta FC Commander Brigadier Khalid Baig said. More than 190 weapons, along with caches of ammunition, were also seized during the Killi Deba raid, ISPR added.

Another wanted terrorist suspect was apprehended in an IBO in Killa Abdullah District. According to reports, FC troops and intelligence officials arrested a ‘notorious terrorist’ belonging to a banned organisation from the Killi Segi area of Killa Abdullah. Rocket launchers and other weapons were also recovered during the operation.

Haji Daud Mehsud, a senior leader of the TTP, has declared allegiance to Daesh or the Islamic State that could be seen as a serious setback for the TTP and a boost for IS-Khorasan (IS-K) region just two weeks after the US airstrikes killed the IS-K leader Abu Sayed in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province. Daud, who belongs to Haibat Khel tribe in South Waziristan Agency of FATA, has served as the Karachi TTP chief. Tribal journalists who are aware of the TTP affairs say he is the first senior Mehsud within the TTP to join Daesh. He was one of the few trusted leader of the TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike in Miranshah in November 1, 2013. Hakimullah group had appointed Daud as the Karachi chief, where he had previously served in the Sindh Police Department, according to a TTP source.

A militant source said that Daud’s differences with another top leader Khan Said Sajna surfaced even when Hakimullah was alive and he could have parted ways with the TTP as Sajna has rejoined the TTP and Daud was uncomfortable with Sajna. Sources say Sajna is currently the TTP’s deputy chief, replacing Sheikh Khalid Haqqani. Splinter Mehsud factions had been involved in infighting after Hakimullah’s death that had reportedly claimed the lives of dozens of militants. 

Several militants, who are considered confidants of Daud, have confirmed to the tribal journalists that Daud has joined Daesh and that he has moved to the group’s controlled areas in Afghanistan along with his family. A militant leader said that the TTP leader has declared allegiance to Daesh; however, neither Daud, nor Daesh has confirmed the decision. He said the confirmation could come if Daud is given any responsibility.

July 31

Two IS militants were shot dead in an exchange of fire with SFs during raid on a house in Sector 21-B of Shah Latif Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Shah Latif Town SHO Amanullah Marwat said the militants were allegedly involved in the targeted killing of 15 people, including a DSP, Traffic, Faiz Shigri. One of the deceased was identified as Abu Huzaifa, while the name of the other militant could not be ascertained immediately, said SHO Marwat. “Abu Huzaifa was previously associated with AQIS, but later on he joined IS,” said Malir SSP Rao Anwar.

The ISPR said that SFs have foiled a major sabotage attempt by recovering two thousand kilograms of explosive materials from a vehicle during a raid at Spain Taiza area of Qilla Abdullah District in Balochistan. According to ISPR, on a tip-off, SFs conducted a raid at Spain Taiza area and apprehended two terrorists who were carrying a huge quantity of explosive materials in their vehicle to carry out sabotage activities in the province which was averted due to timely operation of the law enforcement agencies.

The ISPR said at least 19 suspects were arrested during joint search operations in different areas of Punjab. According to the statement issued by ISPR, the joint search operations were conducted by Punjab Rangers, Police and intelligence agencies. Operations were conducted in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rojhan, Lahore, Narowal, Rawalpindi and Attock. Nineteen suspects were apprehended while cache of weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

Sindh IGP, A.D. Khowaja, said that talks with different companies and consultants were under way to install 10,000 cameras in Karachi under the safe city project and expressed the hope that work on the project would start soon. Speaking at a ceremony held to hand over 45 Toyota pick-ups among the investigation wing of Police at the Police headquarters in Garden area of Saddar Town in Karachi and talking to journalists after the ceremony, the IGP Khowaja said that all possible efforts were being made to enhance the capacity of the police force. IGP Khowaja said that as part of enhancing the capacity of Police, more weapons such as SMGs and pistols were being purchased from Pakistan Ordnance Factory in Wah. He said that Karachi was a megacity and under such a situation, carrying pistol was more advisable than SMGs. Around 12,000 pistols would be procured while in the past Police had only 3,000 pistols. At least 10,000 bulletproof jackets would also be purchased as at present the Police had only 18,000 such jackets, he added.

August 1

The TTP released the first edition of a magazine for women, apparently aiming to convince its target readership to join the militant group and take up jihad. The first edition of Sunnat-i-Khaula — which translates as ‘The Way of Khaula’, referring to an early female follower of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — published by the TTP features a picture of a woman veiled from head to toe on its front cover. Inside is an interview with the TTP’s leader’s wife, who is not named, in which she talks about being married to the head of the militant group, Fazlullah Khorasani, at the age of 14. “I ask you why now everywhere there is hue and cry about underage marriages ... We have to understand that mature boys and girls if left unmarried for too long can become a source of moral destruction of the society,” the militant leader’s wife tells the interviewer. “We want to provoke women of Islam to come forward and join the ranks of Mujahideen-e-Islam,” reads the opening editorial of the magazine, which includes an advice column for would-be lady jihadists. The English-language magazine also includes an article written by a Pakistani female doctor describing her decision to shun her western education and embrace Islam, titled “My journey from ignorance to guidance”.

August 2

The Punjab CTD shot dead three TTP militants during a raid at University Road of Gujrat Town in same District of Punjab. According to CTD’s spokesperson, Police, on a tip-off, conducted a raid and killed three militants after a heavy exchange of fire, while three others managed to escape. CTD has recovered four detonators and other explosive materials from the custody of the slain militants.

August 6

FC personnel shot dead four terrorists as the cops conducted intelligence based raids at Dera Bugti and Kohlu areas of Balochistan under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. According to ISPR, FC carried out raids on a tip-off in Dera Bugti and Kohlu areas, after a heavy exchange of fire FC killed four terrorists, involved in attacks on SFs and other sabotage activities in the province. FC has dismantled several hideouts of the terrorists and recovered cache of mines, explosive material and tools of communication during the raids.

Two major commanders belonging to the banned BLF along with four other suspected militants surrendered before SFs at Gwadar. The commanders, who were identified as Hali alias Jahaz and Rafiq alias Aamir and four other militants, handed over their weapons to Colonel Ali Saeed and other officials of the Frontier Corps in a ceremony held at Gwadar. “We have decided to end our armed struggle against the state and join mainstream politics to serve our people who are facing difficulties due to the war-like situation in our area,” Rafiq alias Aamir said while handing over his weapons to the security officials.

The CTD shot dead three militants in a late night encounter at Machar Colony area of Kiamari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to SSP Shahid Hamid, on a tip-off, CTD carried out a targeted raid in a house at Machar Colony, where Policemen entered the house to approach the alleged terrorists, they suddenly resorted to firing. After heavy exchange of fire three militants got killed, while four others arrested. CTD recovered a cache of arms and IEDs.

Pakistan Rangers Sindh conducted an operation and arrested two suspected militants from a residential building near the Lal Flat located on the Rashid Minhas road.

Contrary to their previous assumption that one single outfit has been targeting Policemen and retired personnel of law enforcement agencies, CTD officials now conclude that there are numerous splinter groups — of either TTP or LeJ— responsible for the spate of attacks in recent months. “There are multiple groups involved in targeted killings of policemen in the city,” said CTD’s chief ADGP Sanaullah Abbasi. He said the CTD assessed that there were apparently separate militant groups involved in around half a dozen acts of terrorism in the metropolis as their modus operandi were different in each case. TTP has formed a special cell to target LEA personnel. They were operating in the East and West zones of the Police’s organisational structure.

August 7

The CTD killed four TTP militants in an encounter near Sagian Bridge in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. According to CTD, Police were deployed at all entry and exit points of Punjab’s capital as the threats of more attacks were looming after a blast early on the day, when the cops approached a vehicle to search, the militants in that vehicle restored to firing. CTD police effectively responded and in retaliation four of them got killed, while three others managed to escape the scene having an advantage of darkness, spokesperson of CTD added. CTD recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the custody of the slain militants.

One person was killed and 37 others were injured in a truck bomb that ripped through Bund Road area of Lahore. As per details, the explosive material was planted inside a truck which was loaded with fruit. It is yet to ascertain that how and when the truck arrived in the area. According to eyewitnesses, it was a powerful blast which damaged, partially or heavily, more than 100 vehicles, such as cars, mini-trucks and motorcycles parked at the stand. A large number of people in the area came out on roads after the explosion. The blast was heard in several areas of the city in the radius of four to five kilometres of the site. The high voltage wires (132kV) from Saggian Grid Station were also damaged leaving the area in darkness.

August 8

One ISI personnel was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Cantonment Bazaar of Multan District in Punjab. Mahar Muhammad Yasir Manzoor was riding a motorcycle in Cantonment bazaar when the assailants on a vehicle shot at and killed him in a drive-by shooting with pistols at 8:37am. The deceased official was the resident of Maisli area in Vehari District.

August 9

Four Army personnel, including a major, and two suicide bombers were killed during an operation in an attempting to foil a terrorist attack in Sherotkai area of Timergara in Lower Dir District of KP in the early hours. The ISPR press release said the Major Ali Salman, who belonged to an intelligence agency, along with his team carried out an IBO against a terrorist hideout in Sherotkai area. When the security personnel raided the hideout, the suspected militants opened fire on the soldiers. One of the two suicide bombers present inside the hideout then blew himself up, while the other was killed in the exchange of fire with soldiers. One suspected terrorist was apprehended during the operation, the ISPR statement said. The slain Major and soldiers were identified as Major Ali Salman, Havildar Ghulam Nazir, Havildar Akhtar and Sepoy Abdul Karim.

The CTD conducted a search operation in the Al-Kareem Islamic Academy located in SITE Town area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, allegedly linked with the TTP and arrested seven persons for interrogation. CTD SSP Omar Shahid Hamid said that a team, along with District Administration and District Police, had conducted a search operation in the Al-Kareem Islamic Academy which had been established by Mufti Shakir, a “dangerous terrorist and TTP commander". “Mufti Shakir is responsible for a number of police murders in District Central and West in 2013-14, and is suspected of involvement in the murder of SSP Chaudhry Aslam,” added the officer.

August 11

A Traffic DSP and his driver were shot dead in Hussainabad area of Azizabad Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. As per initial reports, DSP Hanif was on his way home from office when unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle in Hussainabad, said SSP, Central, Muqadas Haider.

August 12

At least 15 people, among them eight soldiers, were killed and 40 others injured when a suicide bomber targeted a military truck near the Pishin bus stop in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. “A man riding a motorbike came close to the army truck and blew himself up,” an official of the Bomb Disposal Squad said. “We can now confirm that 15 people have died in the explosion today. At least 32 others are wounded,” Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said following the suspected suicide blast, which reportedly targeted a vehicle carrying military personnel. The deceased include members of the armed forces and civilians, said the provincial Home Minister. The ISPR said it was an attack on an “on duty military vehicle”. It said that terrorists had used “incendiary explosives” due to which many vehicles in the affected area caught fire. About the death toll, the ISPR confirmed that 15 people, including seven civilians, were martyred in the attack and 25 others, including 15 civilians, wounded.

August 14

Eight FC personnel were killed in IED blast in Khost area of Harnai District in Balochistan. FC personnel were patrolling between Shahrag and Khost areas when their vehicle hit an IED planted on their route. The BLA has claimed responsibility for the blast. "The BLA has carried out a remote-controlled blast, which caused the death [martyrdom] of eight soldiers," BLA spokesman Jeiand Baloch claimed in a statement received by some media men through email.

August 15

Two militants belonging to the TTP Mufti Shakir group were killed during an encounter with the CTD personnel in the Manghopir area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to a CTD press release, an operation was carried out in the Manghopir area to intercept the two 'TTP men' reportedly coming from Balochistan, based on information gathered from the 'terrorists' apprehended by the CTD in last week in Machhar Colony. The apprehended terrorists also claimed that Abdul Jabbar was on his way to Karachi from Balochistan, with plans to attack jamaat khanas, imambargahs, shrines and Police training centres and important officials of security agencies. The team, with the use of the CTD's intelligence, was able to set up check posts in the city. As soon as the terrorists' vehicle reached Manghophir, the Police signalled them to stop, the CTD said, after which the terrorists began firing at the Police. The terrorists, namely Abdul Jabbar and Daniyal were killed on the spot by the Police's retaliatory firing, the CTD handout read. According to CTD forensic scans run on two pistols recovered from the 'terrorists', the weapons were used in the 2015 target killing of a Police Sub-Inspector in Baldia Town.

Two schoolchildren were injured when one of the two mortar shells fired from across the Afghan border exploded near the hostel of the Army Public School inside an Army camp in Landi Kotal town of Khyber Agency in FATA. Officials said that the other shell landed in an empty compound and caused no damage.

At least five mortar shells, fired from the Afghan side, landed in a hilly terrain of Sheen Pokh area of Loe Shalman bordering Afghanistan. Officials said that the explosion of shells caused no damage as there was no population nearby.

The ISPR said that FC KP busted a terrorist network involved in planting IEDs and other sabotage activities in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. Terrorist network involved in planting and facilitating IEDs and carrying out other terrorist activities was apprehended after an IBO conducted by FC KP, ISPR statement said.

August 16

SFs arrested seven TTP militants and 20 Afghan suspects during various operations conducted over the last 72 hours in Punjab, ISPR said. The statement adds the search operations had been carried out jointly by Punjab Rangers, Police and intelligence agencies in Attock, Dera Ghazi Khan and Lahore. Explosive material and weapons had also been recovered from the militants affiliated with the TTP.

August 17

One Police Qaumi razakar was killed and another was injured in a firing incident in the Northern Bypass area in Karachi. SSP Malir Rao Anwar said the two razakars, wearing Police uniforms, were standing at a Police chowki near the bypass when unidentified assailants opened fire on them.

The CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa advised the youth to stay alert as educated people are major target of Daesh and its affiliated groups. An ISPR statement says the COAS paid a visit to the Directorate of ISPR and met the interns. He said that Allah had blessed Pakistan with the intelligent and energetic youth. He advised the youth to follow merit and rule of law and lead the country towards peace and prosperity. He advised the youth to stay alert as educated people are a major target of Daesh and its affiliated groups.

August 18

A local leader of the JUI-F, Maulana Syed Ataullah Shah, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Banu Ada area of Dera Ismail Khan District of KP. The assailants targeted Maulana Syed Ataullah Shah while he was walking home after offering Fajr prayers in Banu Ada. Shah, who was serving as the khateeb (sermon-giver) of a local mosque, was considered to be a prominent leader of JUI Dera Ismail Khan and a close aide of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

As part of the ongoing political reconciliation in Balochistan, 22 more suspected militants including a commander of the BLA surrendered before the SFs in a ceremony held at FC Madadgar Headquarters in Quetta. According to the statement issued by the ISPR, the surrender was a part of the larger political reconciliation process in Balochistan which has led to many militants surrendering recently.

Reviewing law and order situation in the wake of recent terror attacks in Balochistan, the province's apex committee decided to further intensify efforts to take targeted action against the terrorists and their facilitators including those providing them shelter in the province. The meeting, held at the Chief Minister Secretariat, took place in the backdrop of August 12 suicide attack in Quetta and August 14 blast in Harnai, in which scores of people including 16 security officials were martyred.

August 19

Two TTP militants were killed in shootout during an IBO jointly conducted by CTD and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) at Noorani Basti in Korangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, in the early hours. CTD SSP Raja Umar Khattab said that an IBO jointly carried out in search of militants at Noorani Basti when the Policemen entered a house the militants restored to firing and after a heavy exchange of fire two militants belonged to TTP got killed. CTD said that killed militants were involved in murder of two Traffic Policemen, Constable Kamran and Head Constable Mohammad Khan, at Abul Hasan Ispahani Road. CTD claimed to have recovered weapons and other materials from the alleged terrorists who had affiliation with TTP's Mufti Shakir Group and involved in other sabotage activities in the city.

August 20

Three Punjabi labourers, who were abducted by unidentified miscreants four days ago, were found dead in Hoshab area of Kech District in Balochistan. These labourers, who belong to Rahim Yar Khan District of Punjab, were working on a development project in the area. The bodies were found with multiple bullet injuries. There was no claim of responsibility for the killing.

A boy was killed and six other children were injured in a toy bomb explosion in Spinawari area under Pishtakhara Police Station in Peshawar, provincial capital of KP. Police said the children were playing in a field when the explosion took place at around 4pm. The blast was caused by a toy like grenade.

August 21

Punjab Police successfully recovered the seven Policemen, who were kidnapped by a group of bandits from the Kacha area of Rajanpur District, in an operation after a heavy exchange of fire. According to details, Police launched an operation on the directives of Punjab CM Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for safe recovery of the kidnapped Policemen at the earliest and successfully recovered them after heavy exchange of fire. The kidnappers managed to escape due to the advantage of darkness. Seven Policemen, included Luqman, Zeeshan, Sabir, Shakir, Jamshed, Safdar and Muzammil, were on their way to a picket of Nabi Shah on a boat were abducted by 15 dacoits from the riverine area of River Indus in the limits of Bangla Ichha Police Station on August 20. Rajanpur DPO Attiq Tahir said that the head of Patt gang Attaullah was involved in the incident who escaped during the operation.

August 21

Punjab Police successfully recovered the seven Policemen, who were kidnapped by a group of bandits from the Kacha area of Rajanpur District, in an operation after a heavy exchange of fire. According to details, Police launched an operation on the directives of Punjab CM Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for safe recovery of the kidnapped Policemen at the earliest and successfully recovered them after heavy exchange of fire. The kidnappers managed to escape due to the advantage of darkness. Seven Policemen, included Luqman, Zeeshan, Sabir, Shakir, Jamshed, Safdar and Muzammil, were on their way to a picket of Nabi Shah on a boat were abducted by 15 dacoits from the riverine area of River Indus in the limits of Bangla Ichha Police Station on August 20. Rajanpur DPO Attiq Tahir said that the head of Patt gang Attaullah was involved in the incident who escaped during the operation.

The DG of ISPR, Major General Asif Ghafoor said that the Operation Khyber-4 that was launched on July 15 has been successfully completed. Sharing of details of the operation, Major General Asif Ghafoor said the ground targets had been achieved in Rajgal and Shawal areas of Khyber Agency in FATA. 253 kilometers of land had been cleared from terrorists in the Operation Khyber-4, in which 52 militants were killed, one arrested, 31 sustained injuries while four blew themselves. Clearance operation was still continued in the Khyber Valley, he added, saying 91 checkposts had been setup in Rajgal area.

US President Donald Trump cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan, backtracking from his promise to rapidly end America´s longest war, while pillorying ally Pakistan for offering safe haven to "agents of chaos". In his first formal address to the nation as Commander-in-Chief, Trump discarded his previous criticism of the 16-year-old war as a waste of time and money, admitting things looked different from "behind the desk in the Oval Office." "My instinct was to pull out," Trump said as he spoke of his frustration with a war that has killed thousands of US troops and cost US taxpayers trillions of dollars. But following months of deliberation, Trump said he had concluded "the consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable" leaving a "vacuum" that terrorists "would instantly fill." While Trump refused to offer detailed troop numbers, senior White House officials said he had already authorized his defense secretary to deploy up to 3,900 more troops to Afghanistan.

Donald Trump indicated that single-minded approach would extend to US relations with troubled ally Pakistan, which consecutive US administrations have criticized for links with the Taliban and for harboring leading militants like Osama bin Laden. "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan´s safe havens for terrorist organizations," he said warning that vital aid could be cut. "We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," he said. "That will have to change and that will change immediately." Ahead of the speech Pakistan´s military brushed off speculation that Trump could signal a stronger line against Islamabad, insisting the country has done all it can to tackle militancy. "Let it come," DG of ISPR, Major General Asif Ghafoor said, referring to Trump´s decision. "Even if it comes... Pakistan shall do whatever is best in the national interest."

August 22

Minister for Defence Engineer Khurram Dastgir rejected the allegations of US President Donald Trump saying there is no safe haven for terrorists in Pakistan, adding that armed forces of the country had dismantled all nurseries of terrorists. While lauding the role of Pakistan Army, the Minister said Pakistani forces bravely fought the terrorists and rendered sacrifices to eradicate the terrorism from the country, adding that through its operations of Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad brave forces of Pakistan rooted out terrorism from the country. Khurram emphasized the need of a comprehensive dialogue with the US and said that Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif would soon visit Washington in this regard.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the Government of Pakistan would be in danger if Taliban were not controlled. The United States again urged India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue to reduce tension, a day after the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said India could take some steps of rapprochement on issues with Pakistan to improve stability. Speaking about the militant groups and regional approach to the US efforts for peace and stability at a briefing, Secretary Tillerson said that India and Pakistan had their own issues that they had to continue to work through. "But I think there are areas where perhaps even India can take some steps of rapprochement on issues with Pakistan to improve the stability within Pakistan and remove some of the reasons why they deal with these unstable elements inside their own country," he went on to say.

August 23

The CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan was not looking for any material or financial assistance from the US, but wants to be trusted and treated with respect, according to a statement issued by the ISPR. "We are not looking for any material or financial assistance from USA but trust, understanding and acknowledgement of our contributions," CoAS General Bajwa told US Ambassador in Pakistan David Hale who called on him at the GHQ in Rawalpindi. The meeting comes a day after US President Donald Trump said his country 'could no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for militants' and warned 'it had much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists'. According to the ISPR, the US ambassador briefed the CoAS about the new US policy regarding Afghanistan. The Ambassador said that US values Pakistan's role in the war against terror and is seeking cooperation from Pakistan to resolve the Afghan issue.

CoAS Bajwa has apprised the US ambassador of Pakistan's reservations over giving India an enhanced role in Afghanistan. Sources said the CoAS conveyed his reservations over the manner in which Pakistan was singled out and held responsible for the mess in Afghanistan. He also reportedly cautioned the US ambassador about the negative implications of giving a formal role to India in Afghan affairs. Pakistan has long suspected that India is using Afghan soil to create instability.

August 24

Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership strongly rejected US President Donald Trump's allegations of insincerity and duplicity in the fight against terrorism and set conditions for future counterterrorism cooperation with Washington and Kabul, specifically the removal of hideouts in eastern Afghanistan. The Government's formal and comprehensive response to the Trump administration's policy on Afghanistan and South Asia came after a meeting of the NSC, which was chaired by PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and attended by Ministers for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Interior, the National Security Adviser, Services Chiefs and Heads of Intelligence Agencies and military operations. The NSC was specially convened for deliberations on the US policy and formulating the 'comprehensive response'. The statement issued after the NSC meeting was a detailed rejoinder to all elements of concern in the new US policy and President Trump's speech - the allegations about sanctuaries, claims about taking billions and billions of dollars in aid from Washington, fears about nuclear security, and the formalisation of India's role in Afghanistan.

The Senate was told that Pakistan suffered the loss of USD 107 billion (PKR 11,275 billion) in the war on terror. PML-N Senator Javed Abbasi said the US must stop crying for USD 17 billion which had been given to Pakistan, but it had no idea that the so-called war against terrorism cost Pakistan over USD 107 billion losses. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi hinted at discussing the recommendations being finalised by the Senate on the national security in a joint sitting of parliament expected to be convened shortly to discuss US President Donald Trump's threats to Pakistan.

The NSC demanded an immediate US military effort to eliminate sanctuaries harbouring terrorists and miscreants on the Afghan soil and rejected the notion that India could be the net security provider in the South Asia region. The committee, while rejecting specific allegations and insinuations against Pakistan by US President Donald Trump, said the country had an abiding interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan. "Scapegoat[ing] Pakistan will not help in stabilizing Afghanistan," a strong statement issued at the end of the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the PM Office said. "Afghan war cannot be fought in Pakistan," the meeting, which was also attended by all services chiefs and senior cabinet members, agreed after a threadbare discussion on the Trump administration's South Asia Strategy. "More specifically, we would like to see effective and immediate US military efforts to eliminate sanctuaries harbouring terrorists and miscreants on the Afghan soil, including those responsible for fomenting terror in Pakistan." The NSC pointed out that being immediate neighbour, Pakistan had an abiding interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan. "India cannot be a net security provider in the South Asia region when it has conflictual relationships with all its neighbours and is pursuing a policy of destabilising Pakistan from the east and the west."

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif accused Pakistan's former ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani of authoring US President Donald Trump's South Asia policy. In a tweet, the minister called on Asif Ali Zardari, the former president and leader of the Pakistan People's Party, to "rein in" Hussain Haqqani's. Responding to Asif's remarks, the former ambassador, who is a staunch critic of Pakistan's policy towards Afghanistan, said on Twitter: "Pakistan foreign minister should deal with the policy instead of trying to bully an exiled Pakistani on Twitter".

August 25

The Sindh High Court transferred 14 cases including cases against LeJ's high profile suspected target killers Ishaq alias Bobby and Mohammad Asim alias Ahmed alias Capri nominated in the Amjad Sabri murder case, to Anti-Terrorism Court-16 (ATC-16). The Sindh High Court Inspection Team-II issued a notification regarding transfer of the cases to ATC-16. The court has received the notification. The court heard the Amjad Sabri case along with over a dozen of other cases against the two suspected militants of LeJ. The court issued production orders of the accused. The accused were arrested by the CTD in November 2016 for their alleged involvement in over 12 dozen cases pertaining to targeted killings of Army personnel, Rangers, Police officials and members of the Shia community.

A country like India that is involved in state-sponsored terrorism cannot be an effective partner in bringing peace to the region, said Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria in his weekly briefing. He was speaking in reference to US President Donald Trump's speech on the Afghan war, in which he directed India to provide more assistance and development to Afghanistan. While expressing Pakistan's reservations regarding the US''s acknowledgement of "India's important contributions to Afghan stability", Zakaria said that extremists have found their way into India's governing bodies. "The extremist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other such organisations are already influencing the Indian judiciary's decisions at this time while the Indian army is lending its support to the RSS as well," Zakaria said. "There are unresolved issues on a wide range of matters that India has with various countries, which is why it cannot be expected to maintain peace in the region."

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that Taliban carry our sabotage activities from Afghanistan, denying the allegations leveled by US President Donald Trump, he said that Afghan Government had admitted the Taliban's influence and 40 percent of its territory under their control. Speaking on Geo News'' program ''Naya Pakistan'', the Minister said that Pakistan had informed Afghan Government that terrorists carried out attacks and other sabotage activities in our country from Afghanistan, adding that Afghan Government had told that it had no writ on 40 percent of its territory which is stronghold of Taliban. Asif said that terrorists need not bases in Pakistan as they have stronghold in Afghanistan and can freely operate there. "They (terrorists) do not need bases inside Pakistan if they control such a huge area in Afghanistan," he said.

The COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that terrorists were common enemies of Pakistan and Afghanistan and a trust-based coordinated response was required against them rather than blame game. According to an ISPR statement, the COAS during a meeting with a nine-member Afghan media delegation at GHQ said that Afghanistan was Pakistan's brotherly neighbour. He said media could play a vital role in mitigating the negativity created by inimical forces. The COAS reiterated that Pakistan had undertaken operations against terrorists of all hue and colour and there were no safe havens inside Pakistan, which were being used against Afghanistan. Emphasizing the need for an effective border management along Pak-Afghan border, he said Pakistan had taken measures on its side of the border, including fencing and establishment of new border forts and posts.

August 26

The CTD Sindh claimed to have arrested a target killer belonging to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London MQM-L who was involved in over a hundred cases of target killing from Qasba Colony area of Orangi Town and recovered huge cache of dumped weapons, from Shehzad Mor within the limits of Pirabad Police Station in Frontier Colony, Orangi Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. PBTIG in-charge of CTD Mazhar Mashwani stated that the arrested target killer Imran alias Mama has remained underground after 2013 until he was arrested on informer's information from his hideout. Imran was rounded up in a midnight raid when team of CTD, on spy's information raided near Qasba Colony, Shehzad Mor under Pirabad Police Station and recovered dumped weapons including five repeaters action pumps 12 bore, two rifles, one 8mm rifle, one KK and over 500 rounds of bullets.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stressed the need for a political settlement in Afghanistan, saying that like previous US plans President Donald Trump's new strategy for America's longest-running war in that country will also fail. "From day one we have been saying very clearly the military strategy in Afghanistan has not worked and it will not work," PM Abbasi said in an interview with Bloomberg News. There has to be a "political settlement," PM Abbasi said during the interview adding that "That's the bottom line".

General John W. Nicholson, the top US commander in Afghanistan, claimed that the US was aware of Afghan Taliban leadership's presence in Peshawar and Quetta, adding that the military would continue to put pressure on Afghan Taliban sanctuaries inside and outside Afghanistan. In an exclusive interview with Tolo News, the top commander discussed US President Donald Trump's recent speech in which he revealed his long-awaited policy on the Afghan war. According to General Nicolson, the matter of the alleged sanctuaries for terrorists was being addressed "in private" by the Governments of US and Pakistan. "The Quetta shura, Peshawar shura - these shuras are identified by cities inside Pakistan; we know Afghan Taliban leaders are in these areas," said General Nicholson adding that "Support for terrorists and insurgents has to be reduced - [it] has to be stopped."

August 27

Two soldiers were killed and three others injured in a landmine blast in Barmal area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA. An Army jeep was patrolling the area during a search operation when it struck a landmine planted on the roadside. The slain personnel were identified as Sepoy Attaur Rehman and Sepoy Imran Ali.

Two militants were killed and two of their facilitators arrested by FC during IBOs in Kahan, Chattar, and Uch areas of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan. According to an ISPR statement, four terrorist camps were also destroyed in the operations conducted under the Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

FC personnel foiled a terrorist activity in IBO by busting a network of terrorists and their facilitators in Turbat District. A cache of arms and ammunition, being transported to carry out terrorist activity in Turbat, was recovered from the possession of the facilitators.

Assuring cooperation to Afghanistan, the COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan cannot bring Afghan war into Pakistan. Addressing QCCM in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the Army Chief said terrorism is a multinational threat. He said Pakistan has indiscriminately eliminated all safe havens of terrorists on its soil. The meeting was attended by senior military leadership of member countries, including General Bajwa, General Li Zuocheng (China), General Sobirzoda Imomali Abdurrahim (Tajikistan) and General Sharif Yaftali (Afghanistan), said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release. All four leaders welcomed the QCCM initiative and expressed hope that an inclusive and cooperative regional approach will prove best for eradication of terrorism.

On sidelines of the event, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa met his Afghanistan counterpart General Sharif Yaftali. Both the Army Chiefs agreed to form a joint working group of the two armies. General Bajwa proposed the working group during a discussion and Afghan Army Chief accepted the offer. The working group will "jointly work and formulate security recommendations for government level discussions aimed at addressing mutual concerns," said the release. During the discussion, General Bajwa highlighted Pakistan's efforts for border security. He termed "dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees" and border security management as key factors for enduring peace.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that Afghan Taliban was the US and Afghanistan's problem, not Pakistan's. He added that Pakistan had suffered a great deal for being an ally of the US and the latter should stop pinning the blame for its own 16 years of failures on the former. "If the US doesn't trust us, it should repatriate Afghan immigrants in Pakistan itself," he told reporters in Sialkot. The minister said 0.2 million Pakistani troops were fighting against terrorists and thousands of soldiers had sacrificed their lives for this purpose. "Pakistan has managed to cleanse its land from terrorism," he maintained. Asif said US President Donald Trump's recent remarks that Pakistan harboured terrorists were disturbing. "Pakistan has been a partner of the US in the war against terrorism and such statements undermine our efforts," he remarked. "We want to maintain good ties with the US and remove misunderstandings."

Minister Khawaja Asif said that Afghan soldiers used to sell US weapons to Afghan Taliban. Forty percent of Afghan land is still under the control of Taliban. Over 90 percent attacks on Pakistan had been carried out from Afghan side.

August 28

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reiterated that Islamabad wants peace in neighbouring Afghanistan. Speaking to the British High Commissioner, Abbasi said that Pakistan's campaign for peace in the region had successfully been going on. We have rendered countless sacrifices for the elimination of terrorism, the prime minister told the UK High Commissioner in the meeting, which also discussed bilateral trade, situation in the region, Afghanistan and the role of Pakistani community living in Britain.

Pakistan has temporarily suspended talks with the US as well as official bilateral visits in protest against President Donald Trump's speech in which he censured Islamabad while proposing a new policy on Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said during an in-camera session in Senate. The Senate was converted into a Committee of the Whole House for a thorough private discussion on proposals being formulated by a House panel to suggest to the Government policy guidelines after the contours of the new US policy on Afghanistan were delineated by President Trump in his speech. The sources quoted Asif as saying that as an immediate reaction, he postponed his first visit to Washington as foreign minister last week. Similarly, US Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Well's tour had also been postponed, he added. Although Pakistan did not officially suspend bilateral visits or talks, postponement of the two high-profile visits is being viewed as a significant development.

America's security aid to Pakistan "will be conditioned" on the steps Islamabad takes against terrorist groups such as the Taliban and the Haqqani network, a senior White House official who said on the condition of anonymity. "There have been long standing relationships between the Pakistani intelligence officials and these terrorist groups. So, we don't expect things to change overnight. We expect incremental changes over time," the official said. "We will be able to see when these changes start to happen. They [might] not become immediately apparent to the public, but we're confident that when Pakistan takes the steps we're asking it to do, we'll know it and we'll be able to assess. And so, our security aid will be conditioned on the steps that we expect them to take against, in particular, the Taliban-Haqqani Network," the official added.

August 29

The NACTA has begun the process of compiling data on Pakistan-based individuals that are suspected of involvement with terrorist organisations abroad, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior was told. NACTA chief Ihsan Ghani said the authority had completed the task of data compilation on suspected militants who had fought in conflict zones such as Yemen, Iraq or Syria. "We are in the process of having the data verified from Federal and Provincial Departments," he told the committee during a briefing on the status of implementation on the NAP to counter terrorism and extremism. Ihsan Ghani tells National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior about plans to develop mobile app for reporting hate speech.

NACTA chief detailed measures to choke terrorists' financial networks, saying that a task force had been established under the authority to coordinate efforts in this regard. Progress on updating the list of those individuals who were placed on the Fourth Schedule of the ATA 1997 was also shared with the committee. The bank accounts of around 5,000 of the more than 8,000 individuals on the list had been frozen, he said, while they could no longer be issued passports or gun licenses.

August 30

Twelve cadres of the BRA surrendered to SFs in Nushki District of Balochistan. A statement issued by ISPR said "Those surrendered included two mid-tier militants identified as Wali Khan and Karghani."

SFs arrested 39 suspects, including eight Afghan nationals and seized weapons and ammunition during the IBOs conducted under the Operation Raddul Fasaad across the country in last 48 hours.

National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution rejecting the "hostile and threatening" statements made by US President Donald Trump and General John Nicholson, a top commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan. It condemned Washington's call for increased Indian involvement in Afghanistan due to "(India's) known support to terrorists and destabilising policies in the region". The call for an Indian role in Afghanistan's development is "detrimental to regional stability," the resolution said, adding that it was premised on a "failure to understand existing ground realities and challenges in the region." The resolution called on the US, NATO and Afghan government to ensure that India was denied use of Afghan territory to attack Pakistan.

August 31

The Judge of ATC, Rawalpindi, Muhammad Asghar Khan, while announcing the verdict in the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto murder case acquitted five accused (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan), awarded 17-year imprisonment each to former DIG Saud Aziz and former SP, Rawal Town, Khurram Shehzad, for abetting the crime, and declared former President General Parvez Musharraf an absconder. The court also imposed a fine of PKR 500,000 each on both convicts. The Police arrested the former DIG and the former SP from the premises of the court on the occasion as they were on bail.

The court announced the verdict in the Adiala Jail premises under tight security arrangements. In a landmark decision, the court declared former President General Parvez Musharraf an absconder in the case ordering seizure of all his moveable and immovable property. Five suspects who had been in jail for nine years, including Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul, Sher Zaman, Aitzaz Shah and Abdul Rashid were acquitted on murder charges. The investigation agencies failed to prove a link of the five accused with Baitullah Mehsud, therefore, the court acquitted them. The two former Policemen have been awarded 10 years in prison under Section of 119 of the PPC and 7 years each under Section of 201 of the PPC. They have also been fined PKR 500,000 each in case they do not pay the fine, they will have to spend another six months in jail.

The US President Donald Trump administration has held back previously promised military aid of USD 255 million to Pakistan by attaching new conditions which, the State Department says, will allow it to review the level of its cooperation with Islamabad before making new commitments. "The Department notified Congress on August 30 of our intent to obligate USD 255 million in FY 2016 FMF for Pakistan. At the same time, the Department is placing a pause on spending those funds and on allocating them to any specific FMF sales contracts," said the State Department in a statement sent to Dawn. The FMF provides grants and loans to help countries purchase US weapons and defence equipment and for acquiring defence services and military training in the United States. "Consistent with our new South Asia strategy, this decision allows us the flexibility to continue reviewing our level of cooperation with Pakistan prior to committing new security assistance resources to projects in Pakistan," the State Department said.

The FO rubbished US General John Nicholson's "unacceptable" claim that Washington is aware of the Afghan Taliban leadership's presence in Peshawar and Quetta, saying that terrorist safe havens are present in Afghanistan, not Pakistan. FO Spokesman Nafees Zakaria told a weekly press briefing in Islamabad that there had been no high-level contact between Pakistan and the US following President Donald Trump's August 21 diatribe, in which he lambasted Islamabad for providing safe haven to terrorists. He announced that a conference of ambassadors would be held between September 5-7 in order to discuss foreign policy challenges facing the region and the world. Zakaria reiterated Pakistan's commitment to an Afghan-led peace process and asserted that Afghanistan's war could not be brought into Pakistan.

US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale assured NSA Lieutenant General (Retd) Nasser Khan Janjua that President Donald Trump did not blame Pakistan for the failure of the War on Terror in Afghanistan. As Hale and Janjua met in Islamabad to discuss the Trump administration's new strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia, the US envoy claimed the perceived misconceptions it arose due to the press taking the policy apart piece by piece instead of interpreting it as a whole. Trump, in his August 21 diatribe, denounced Pakistan for allegedly allowing terrorists to maintain safe havens inside its territory. According to a press release issued by NSA Janjua's spokesperson, Hale said it was wrong to assume that the policy recommended a purely military solution, or that engagement with Pakistan had been ruled out. Military strategy, he said, was just one piece of the policy which espoused a political solution. NSA Janjua told the US envoy that Pakistan was taking its time to examine the US policy and considering its options. He added that Islamabad would like to receive further details from the US. "This notwithstanding, President Trump's address at Fort Myers was disappointing and had deeply hurt the feelings of the government and the people of Pakistan," the NSA said, according to the handout.

China reiterated that Pakistan is at the forefront of fighting terrorism, and for many years has been making positive efforts and great sacrifices on counter-terrorism. As we have said many times, Pakistan is at the forefront of fighting terrorism, and for many years has been making positive efforts and great sacrifices on counter-terrorism, Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Hua Chunying said during her regular press briefing. The spokesperson said the international community should acknowledge and fully recognize its contributions. Hua said that China is willing to work with Pakistan and other countries to enhance cooperation on counter-terrorism and protect regional security and stability. Responding to a question about use of China's influence for arrest of terrorists allegedly based in Pakistan, she said, "We have taken note of the concerns of the Indian side on counter-terrorism issues of Pakistan, but I don't believe that it should feature prominently during the Xiamen Summit," she added.

Kashmiri militant outfit HuM, Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil is set to launch political party of his own "Islah-e-Watan". Khalil was the founder of Kashmiri militant outfit HuM and was put on the US state department's list of "specially designated global terrorists" in 2014. Khalil, who also was one of the founders of HuJI in 1980, is the man who signed the fatwa issued by Osama bin Laden calling for jihad against the West. He stepped down as chief of HuM in February 2000. Pakistani authorities arrested him in May 2004, for allegedly helping transport Pakistani militants into Afghanistan. However, he was released after six months due to lack of evidence. He then founded the Ansar ul Ummah, but the outfit was disbanded after some years. A source close to the cleric said that the senior cleric was in touch with many of his associates to mobilise people in order to launch a political party. "Maulana (Khalil) has taken a lead from Maulana Makki's decision to mainstream his (banned) outfit. He believes it is about time to get back all his associates and friends who have been sidelined due to the effective ban on their movement and activities," the source said.

Amidst pressure from the international community to crack down on terror groups operating from its soil, Pakistan-based terrorists are forming political parties to give cover to their outfits. Hafiz Saeed, the chief of JuD, the frontal organization of LeT, and the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, launched his party, Milli Muslim League, on August 8. Saifullah Khalid, a religious scholar and longtime official of the JuD, is President of the newly-formed party. He told reporters in Islamabad that his party will work to make Pakistan "a real Islamic and welfare state" and that it is ready to cooperate with like-minded parties. The party will continue to follow the ideology of JuD.

China sent out a signal that it would defend Pakistan and would object to any discussion about Pakistan's role in sheltering terrorists during the upcoming BRICS summit, which would be attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. China is worried Modi may raise the issue at the meeting because he did so at the Goa summit of BRICS last year while describing Pakistan as the "mother-ship of terrorism". "We also noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistan's counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don't think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at BRICS summit," Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a briefing. She also indicated that raising the topic might affect the success of the summit because Chinese leaders may be forced to defend its close ally, Pakistan. "The world is paying great attention to the BRICS summit. I hope relevant parties can work with China to ensure the success of the summit and make due contributions," Hua said. She meant the five members of BRICS including India when she mentioned "relevant parties".

September 1

Three people including father and his son were killed in a landmine explosion in Shani Meenah area of Ambar tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA. Two others also sustained injuries.

NACTA spokesman Usman Ghani said that, upon the advice of Federal Ministry for Interior, paramilitary forces will remain high alert in the country for Eidul Azha. "Air wing of Interior Ministry has been put on high alert from early this morning," he mentioned. According to media reports, NACTA added that PDMAs of the four Provincial Governments have been advised - through a letter - to take intelligence reports seriously and make arrangements to hold Eid prayers within boundary walls. NACTA also said that collection of hides of sacrificial animals without NOC is a punishable offence and stern action should be taken against the violators.

The Federal Ministry for Interior directed the Adiala jail authorities to keep the five accused, associated with the TTP, in the Benazir Bhutto murder case in their custody for 30 days. According to reports, the Ministry directed the jail officials to continue detaining Rafaqat Hussain, Hasnain Gul, Sher Zaman, Aitzaz Shah and Abdul Rasheed under the relevant laws for a month. The five accused persons had been acquitted of the high-profile murder case by Rawalpindi ATC on August 31.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani in his Eidul Azha message reached out to Pakistan offering "comprehensive negotiations" to bring peace to their troubled relationship. "Ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been steadily deteriorating amid spate of allegations about cross-border terrorism among other disputes," the Afghan president said. While addressing political elites and journalists at the Presidential Palace, President Ghani also renewed calls for peace with the Taliban and for resuming political dialogue with Pakistan to overcome the differences. "From here, I have a message for Pakistan: We are ready for comprehensive political talks. Peace with Pakistan is in our national agenda," Ghani said who has long been blaming Pakistan for 'waging an undeclared war' against Afghanistan.

The six persons accused of facilitating slain Afghan Taliban supremo Mullah Akhtar Mansoor acquire a Pakistani identity have been bailed out, reveals Federal Ministry for Interior records. Mullah Mansoor, along with another man, was killed when a taxicab he was travelling in was targeted by US drone near Nushki District in Balochistan in May 21, 2016. A Pakistani passport and CNIC were found near the charred wreckage of the taxi which identified him as Wali Muhammad. A DNA test conducted on the body later confirmed it was Mullah Mansoor who had acquired Pakistani CNIC under a fake name. A subsequent investigation identified six men for facilitating Mullah Mansoor acquire a Pakistani CNIC and passport. But interestingly, all these suspects are now out on bail, while another two persons - a medical officer and wife of Mullah Mansoor - are absconding. This transpired in a report of Federal Investigation Agency's Crime Circle Quetta which was recently submitted by the Federal Ministry for Interior in the Senate in response to a question raised by Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar.

The US intends to work with Pakistan to take down terrorists, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said, asserting that this is what a "responsible" nation does. He was responding to questions on Pakistan's reaction to the Afghanistan and South Asia policy announced by US President Donald Trump. Mattis did not respond to questions on timeline, if any, for Pakistan to take action against terrorists and terrorist groups. "We intend to work with Pakistan in order to take the terrorists down. I think that's what a responsible nation does," Mattis said at a media briefing.

September 2

Two people including a child were killed in an attack in which MQM-P leader Khwaja Izharul Hassan escaped unhurt in the Buffer Zone area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, in the morning. According to details, Khwaja Izharul Hassan, who is also the leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly survived the assassination attempt when he was leaving a mosque after offering Eid-ul-Azha prayers. Police said a child and one of Hassan's security guards were killed in the attack by unidentified assailants clad in police uniform riding on the motorcycles. Three other persons were also injured in the gunshot. An assailant was also killed in the retaliatory fire while another was injured but managed to flee, Police added. The shell of a 9mm pistol bullet was also found from the crime scene.

September 3

At least 13 suspected persons were arrested on September 2 during a joint IBO in Punjab, an ISPR statement said. The statement adds that Punjab Rangers and Police conducted the first operation in Dera Ghazi Khan District and arrested seven key facilitators wanted for extortion and other criminal activities in Punjab and Balochistan. In a separate operation in Lahore, Rangers, police and intelligence personnel took six suspects, including two unregistered Afghan nationals, into custody. Weapons and ammunition were also seized from the suspects, it added.

September 4

One Policeman and one militant were killed while another Policeman injured during a Police operation in Kaneez Fatima Society in Malir Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to details, Police and Rangers conduct operation on information given by already arrested militants. During the raid, fire exchange started between militants and Police resulted in killing of policeman. One militant was killed while one remained successful in fleeing the scene. According to SSP, Malir Town, Rao Anwar, the name of fleeing terrorist is Sarosh Siddique. "He is mastermind of attack on MQM-P leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan on Eid day," SSP Malir said. "He is central commander of banned militant organisation Ansar-ul-Shariah and close associate of killed terrorist, Hassan," Anwar further added. Sarosh Siddique was a student of Applied Physics in Karachi University, sources mentioned.

September 11

Four TTP militants, including a senior ‘commander’ Nazir Afridi alias Jundullah, were killed in Nazyan District of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan. They were killed when a private militia of Afghan leader Haji Zahir Qadeer raided their hideout. Nazir was suspected to be involved in the killing of senior TTP leader Tariq Afridi in February 2013. Nazir was the brother-in-law of Tariq Afridi and it was previously stated that Tariq had been killed due to family issues but later it was revealed that the killing was the result of an internal rift as some TTP leaders were upset at the brutal actions of Tariq Afridi. Besides a series of deadly attacks on the local tribesmen in Darra Adam Khel, Tariq was accused of beheading a Polish engineer Piotr Stanczak in February 2009.

Five soldiers were injured when their vehicle hit a landmine in Koda Khel area of Khwazai Bazai tehsil of the Mohmand Agency in FATA. The injured who were identified as Havaldar Ismail, Lance Naik Asif, Lance Naik Khan Wali, Lance Naik Idris and Sepoy Kashif. A search operation is underway. No arrests have been reported so far.

Two Policemen were injured when an unidentified assailant opened fire on a Police mobile during a security check in Rizvia Society of Jahangirabad area in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Station House Officer Rizvia Arshad Janjua said an unidentified motorcycle borne assailants opened fired at a Police mobile during snap checking in Jahangirabad, injuring police constables Sirajuddin and Zeeshan Safdar. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet.

PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said it would be counter-productive for the United States to sanction Pakistani officials or further cut military assistance, warning it would hurt both countries' fight against militancy. "We are fighting the war against terror, anything that degrades our effort will only hurt the US effort," Abbasi said in an interview in Islamabad. "If the military aid cuts degrade our effort to fight war on terror, who does it help?" he said. "Whatever needs to be done here, it needs to be a cooperative effort." "We've had to look at other options to maintain our national defensive forces," he said. "We have a major economic relationship with (China), we have a major military relationship since the 1960s, so that's definitely one of our options," he said. US-Pakistan relations have frayed since President Donald Trump last month set out a new Afghanistan policy and lashed out at nuclear-armed Pakistan as a fickle ally that gives safe haven to "agents of chaos" by harbouring the Afghan Taliban and other militants. The United States has already begun conditioning future aid to Pakistan on progress Islamabad makes in tackling the Haqqani network militants who it alleges are Pakistan-based and have helped the Taliban carry out deadly attacks inside Afghanistan.

September 12

Punjab Government opposed the release of mastermind of Mumbai terror attack and chief of JuD, Hafiz Saeed, informing the Lahore High Court that freeing the cleric from house arrest is likely to create unrest in the province. Punjab Home Department submitted a written reply in the court during the hearing of an appeal for Saeed's release, stating that he was put under house arrest under the anti-terrorism laws to stop him from collecting funds — which is a violation of various resolutions of the United Nations. A K Khokar, Saeed's counsel, argued in court that his client's detention was illegal and baseless, thus the order of keeping him under house arrest be immediately withdrawn. "The defendant was put under house arrest after the US threatened to cut Pakistan's aid, it was done without any cases being registered against him," Khokhar told the court. The judges, however, pointed out to Saeed's lawyer that he had not mentioned about US's alleged pressure in the case. They said that the defendant's application is based on a news clipping. Punjab's home department, however, pointed out that various cases were registered against members of JuD for collecting hides during the three days of Eid-ul-Azha in contempt of the ministry's orders. "Cases were also registered against the party for collecting funds in contempt of the provincial ministry's orders," the reply said. The court asked Khokhar to come up with more argument in the next hearing and adjourned the case until September 15.

September 13

One person was killed while another sustained injuries after their motorbike ran over a planted landmine in the Nasau area of Kohlu District in Balochistan. Sources said two brothers riding on their bike were hit by a landmine in the Nasau area.

SFs personnel recovered six hand grenades hidden in Qadirabad area of Nushki District.

September 14

JUI-Fazl leader and former MPA Hashim Khan and two of his aides were shot dead in Shah Alam Baba area of Lower Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SHO Fazal Mabood said unidentified assailants had opened fire on the vehicle in which Hashim Khan was travelling, killing him and his two aides.

The CTD said that two “high-profile militants” of the banned LeJ who earlier escaped from Karachi’s Central Jail had crossed over to Afghanistan from the Chaman border in Balochistan. In a report submitted to the Sindh Home Ministry on the orders of CM Murad Ali Shah, the CTD said that the Police party tailing Shaikh Muhammad Mumtaz alias Firaun, and Muhammad Ahmed Khan alias Munna, failed to arrest the two men. The fugitives had broken out from Karachi's Central Jail on June 13 following a shocking lapse of security at the facility. The two had been arrested in 2013 by the CTD for their alleged involvement in the killing of over 60 people, mainly members of the Shia community and law enforcers. The report also said that the two militants' facilitators were in Police custody and were being interrogated at the moment. Discussing the prisoners' escape to Afghanistan, CM Murad Ali Shah later said that: "We are investigating how the escaped militants reached Afghanistan and the people who aided them in fleeing will be punished." "Those whose irresponsibility resulted in the escape of the prisoners [from Central Jail] were punished and sent to jail, but the courts set them free by granting them bail," he added while addressing the media during a visit to Sufi saint Abdullah Shah Ghazi's shrine.

Pakistani and Afghan officials in a bilateral meeting at the Ministry of Defence in Kabul agreed to formulate an action plan seeking to improve security along the Pak-Afghan border through enhanced cooperation, ISPR press release said. The six-member Pakistani delegation led by DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza in Kabul also held a trilateral meeting with Afghan and American officials at the Ministry. Participants of the bilateral meeting discussed issues related to cross-border firing and attacks, counter-terrorism and coordinated actions on their respective sides along the border, as well as exchange of prisoners, ISPR said. Pakistani and Afghan officials also agreed to make progress in line with commitments made at recent high-level meetings.

Federal Minister of Interior Ahsan Iqbal told the Senate that it was the responsibility of the Provincial Governments to keep an eye out for and take action against banned outfits in the country, including those organisations that were resurfacing under new names after being outlawed. The Senate had asked Minister Iqbal to provide the name of the authority or agency responsible for keeping a lookout for banned organisations in the country, under the National Action Plan, and the role of the Ministry of Interior in monitoring the activities of these organisations. In a written reply sent to the Senate, Minister Iqbal said: “It is the responsibility and authority of the provincial governments to take action in each case under the law. Intelligence agencies are mandated to keep regular watch on the activities of proscribed organisations. The Ministry of Interior regularly receives reports from intelligence agencies on the activities of proscribed organisations and shares the same with the NACTA and the provincial governments.”

September 15

A US drone killed three suspected Afghan Taliban militants in an attack on a compound in Ghuz Ghari village of Kurram Agency in FATA. Officials said the strike took place in remote Ghuz Ghari village, close to the Afghan border where at least five fighters from the Afghan Taliban had gathered. “The US drone fired two missiles, at least three fighters from the Afghan Taliban have been killed and two wounded,” a senior Government official in Kurram Agency said. 

Seven persons, including six FC soldiers, received injuries in two grenade blasts at Torkham border crossing in Torkham Town of Khyber Agency. Officials said that Pakistani security personnel deployed at the border were targeted in the attack. "At approximately 1:35 pm, two grenades were fired across the border from Afghanistan. One grenade hit the Torkham gate while another landed in front of the forces office. Six FC soldiers and a ten-year old civilian were injured," officials said.

Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said that it is not Islamabad's job to satisfy the US, and added that his Government is currently "reassessing" ties with Washington. "We are here to give our point of view logically and with evidence. We will explain our position. But it's not for us to satisfy them," said Khurram Dastgir Khan said. The "reassessment" of ties with the US is a result of the US President last month roundly criticising Pakistan for "hosting terror safe havens". He said the situation in the region was a "challenge" for Pakistan because the US "keeps changing the goalposts". He didn't appear to have elaborated on what these "changes" were.

September 17

Local Tehsildar Fawad Ali and four Levies personnel were killed when a remote-controlled bomb went off at a roadside in Loye Mamond area of Bajaur Agency in FATA. Fawad Ali, along with Levies personnel, was patrolling in Garigal area when his vehicle was targeted with a remote-controlled explosive device, killing him and four Levies personnel on the spot. TTP claimed responsibility for the blast. TTP ‘spokesman’ Mohammad Khorasani said the militants planted an improvised explosive device “to target security personnel” in the Bajaur Agency area.

September 18

Two terrorists belonging to LeJ were killed in an encounter with the CTD officials at Chak 83/M area of Jalalpur Pirwala tehsil in Multan District. One of the deceased militants was identified as Ijaz Asghar. The CTD personnel recovered three hand grenades, a rifle and a pistol from the scene.

SFs foiled a plot to target Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and arrested a suspected terrorist with a suicide jacket. Security sources on an intelligence tip identified a 'terrorist' serving as a driver in a house located in Block H of Model Town.

Pakistan summoned Switzerland's ambassador-designate to lodge protest over the display of anti-Pakistan posters in Geneva. Ambassador-designate Thomas Kolly was summoned by the Foreign Office after some posters, reading "Free Balochistan", were displayed in Geneva. The poster campaign was apparently orchestrated by the BLA, a banned entity in Pakistan. The Foreign Office in a statement said that Kolly met Additional Secretary (Europe) Zaheer A Janjua. "A strong protest was lodged with the ambassador on allowing the use of Swiss territory by elements linked with a terrorist organisation perpetrating terrorism and violence in Pakistan," it said.

September 19

At least five persons, including three SF personnel, were killed and eight others injured in a blast in the Rohri cement factory in Sukkur District of Sindh. Sukkur Police DIG Feroze Shah said that the explosion occurred when SF personnel were engaged in defusing explosives found at the cement factory. Five people including two Policemen, a Rangers official and two labourers were killed in the blast. Eight others, including six Rangers personnel, manager of the factory and one labourer were also injured.

The CTD claimed to have arrested up two suspected target killers allegedly belonging to LeJ during a raid in Bandhani Colony of Liaquatabad in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. In a press release, the CTD said the two target killers - Muhammad Abdullah Majid and Adnan Ahmad - were involved in sectarian murders and were planning to carry out more attacks during the upcoming month of Muharram. The CTD also recovered three 9mm pistols, 15 bullets and one motorbike from the suspects' custody.

Sindh Government has shifted some 90 "high-profile" inmates from the Central Prison Karachi to jails in other Districts of the province and Rawalpindi (Punjab) on advice of intelligence and law enforcement agencies, an official confirmed. The key report about illegal activities of the inmates inside the prison came from the CTD, which recommended their shifting from the central prison to other such facilities in Sindh and Punjab to "break an organised network". The move came after a series of meetings on the issue of jails' security, the official added. "The process began in July 2017," he said. "The high-profile militants belonging to banned outfits, both under trial as well as those serving their terms, were shifted from Karachi Central Prison to jails in other parts of the province. So far 90 have been moved and under the plan some 270 would face the same fate. More inmates would be transferred to other jails in phases." The move is meant to break an 'organised network' and improve prison security Of the 90 prisoners, he said, two had been moved to a prison in Rawalpindi, eight to Larkana and 80 to Sukkur jail.

Two militant commanders belonging to a banned outfit were killed by SFs during an operation in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan. Two militant camps were destroyed in the area, and SFs also recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the demolished camps.

Three SF personnel were injured when their vehicle hit a landmine in Kurram Agency of FATA.

The Interior Ministry of Spain said that the Police have arrested a Pakistani man suspected of "promoting terrorism and militant propaganda" on social media networks. A Ministry statement said that the 25-year-old resident of the northern Catalan city of Lleida was part of a cell partially dismantled with the arrest of three Pakistani brothers in Lleida in 2016. The Ministry said that the man detained on September 19 had become "more engrossed in radical activities" in recent weeks.

Former ruler of Kalat princely state and a prominent Baloch leader in exile, Mir Suleman Dawood Jan, said that if the UN held a referendum, 90 per cent of the Baloch people would vote for freedom. "If there will be a referendum by the United Nations, I believe 90% of Baloch will vote for freedom," said Mir Suleman Dawood Jan Dawood, who currently lives in exile in Cardiff, in the UK, was speaking on the sidelines of the 36th regular session of HRC in Geneva. He alleged that more than 360 people in Balochistan were "murdered" just last month, alleging state complicity, and added that he was "trying to involve other countries to raise this issue so that our voice gets heard at the United Nations."

September 20

The Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed death sentences awarded to four hardcore terrorists, who were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, including abducting/slaughtering of soldiers, attacking law enforcement agencies and Armed Forces of Pakistan. According to an ISPR statement issued on September 20, on the whole, they were involved in killing of 21 persons and injuring another person. Arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. They were Shabbir Ahmed, Umara Khan, Tahir Ali and Aftab ud Din. These convicts were tried by military courts.

Unless the "core issue" of Kashmir is resolved first, there can be no progress in ties with India, Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said. Pakistan won't accept Indian role in Afghanistan, says PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. PM Abbasi was interacting with an audience at the CFR in New York. He is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 21. "…I think we need to engage on core issues. Those have to be resolved first, and Kashmir is the basic core issue there," the Pakistani PM said, adding that "in the recent past the aggression from India has continued unabated, and that is not acceptable." "And we want normal relations with India, but on the basis of trust and respect," he said, when asked about what did he foresee on ties with India.

In response to questions on the deteriorating relations between the US and Pakistan and the Donald Trump administration's decision to suspend the strategic dialogue between the two countries, Mr. Abbasi said: "We're engaged at various levels. And our objective is the same, to find peace in Afghanistan, to develop the relationship further. And relationships have their ups and downs. … And I think the engagement will continue. And I think any misconceptions will go away. We remain a partner in the war against terror," he said. Mr. Abbasi was defiant on the issue of American drone attacks on Pakistani soil. "No, no. We cannot condone that. We cannot allow that. I think the sovereignty of our territory has to be respected," he said in response to a question. The Pakistani leader accused India of aggression along the Line of Control, "mostly to draw attention away from the genuine struggle of the Kashmiri people, who have today risen against the Indian occupation there."

September 21

At least two Pakistan Customs officials received injuries when a roadside remote controlled IED went off in the Matha Khel area of Landi Kotal tehsil in Khyber Agency of FATA. The administration and local sources said that a Torkham-bound customs coach, carrying Torkham Customs House crew, was on its way to its destination from Peshawar when it was targeted at around 9am with a bomb planted by militants on the main Pak-Afghan highway. Resultantly, two customs officials identified as Muhammad Yousaf and Abdul Kareem sustained injuries.

Former President General (retd) Parvez Musharraf said that Asif Ali Zardari was the real mastermind behind the murders of Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her brother Murtaza Bhutto and law enforcement agencies should arrest him. Through a video message on a social networking site, Parvez Musharraf said Asif Zardari has levelled allegations against him for the murder of Benazir Bhutto. "I want to reveal that the real mastermind behind this gory incident is Asif Ali Zardari," he said. Parvez Musharraf said he is addressing Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa and Bakhtawar in particular, and then the people of Sindh and every citizen of Pakistan in general who were aggrieved by the death of Benazir Bhutto, "There is no doubt that (former TTP chief) Baitullah Mehsud and his accomplices murdered Benazir Bhutto but the real mastermind must be investigated. It needs to be seen who benefited from the murder of Benazir Bhutto and who remained at loss. As far as I am concerned, I was at loss but Zardari took full benefit of it," he said. It may be mentioned here that Zardari on September 18 filed an appeal against the judgment of Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) at the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench where he sought death penalty for Musharraf alleging his role in the Benazir Bhutto murder case.

Pakistan refuses to be a "scapegoat" for Afghanistan´s bloodshed or to fight wars for others, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told the United Nations General Assembly. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Abbasi did not explicitly criticize US President Donald Trump´s new strategy on Afghanistan but made clear his displeasure with the renewed onus on Pakistan. "Having suffered and sacrificed so much due to our role in the global counter terrorism campaign, it is especially galling for Pakistan to be blamed for the military or political stalemate in Afghanistan," Abbasi said. "We are not prepared to be anyone´s scapegoat," he said. "What Pakistan is not prepared to do is to fight the Afghan war on Pakistan´s soil. Nor can we endorse any failed strategy that will prolong and intensify the suffering of the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan and other regional countries," he said.

Abolishing militant hideouts in Pakistan is critical to establishing peace in neighbouring Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani said before meeting US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. "Reduction of safe havens is absolutely necessary," Mr. Ghani told National Public Radio in an interview broadcast. "I hope that this time, Pakistan will get the message loud and clear that business as usual cannot continue. It's not in their interest. It's not in anyone's interest," Mr. Ghani said. "Pakistan has never had this type of dialogue with the U.S. and I hope that wisdom and shared national interests will prevail", he added further.

The Federal Ministry of Interior recommended the Election Commission of Pakistan to reject the newly formed MML’s application to become an official Political party. MML is “affiliated” with JuD, the frontal organization of LeT, the terrorist group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. “The registration of MML is not supported,” the Ministry said in the two-page letter sent to Election Commission of Pakistan. Spokesmen for the election commission and the interior ministry acknowledged the correspondence and confirmed that the letter was authentic.

September 23 Three militants and one Army Lieutenant Arsalan Alam were killed during a cross border firing in Rajgal area in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency of FATA. The ISPR said the Security Forces retaliated and killed three militants and injured two others when Pakistani militants based across the Pak-Afghan border sneaked into Rajgal to carry out the attack on a newly built border post. Post Commander Lieutenant Arsalan Alam also killed during the action. It added that the militants took away the bodies of the slain men and also their injured associates and escaped to Afghanistan.
September 24

SFs killed three militants in Gara Madda area of Dera Ismail Khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A press release issued by ISPR stated that the law enforcement agencies were carrying out a search operation in Gara Madda area when the alleged encounter took place. The officials signalled three people, riding a bike, to stop but they reportedly resorted to firing on the SF personnel, ensuing an encounter, claimed ISPR. All the three suspects were later identified as Iqbal, Waheed, and Majid, said ISPR, adding that Iqbal was reportedly carrying a head money of PKR one million.

A flag similar to that of the militant IS was seen waving in Khana area of Islamabad, the Federal Capital, in morning, before being removed by the local Police after a citizen reported the matter. Police removed the flag, hoisted on a pole by an unidentified person, in the afternoon after one Naveed Ahmed Khan - a resident of Dera Ismail Khan - informed Rescue 15 of the matter. Khan, who was taken in by the police, said in his statement that he was travelling on the Sixth Road in Islamabad when he saw the flag. Khan added that he recognised the flag as he had seen it on the television before. The flag had "Khilafat is coming" written on it, in addition to the Arabic verses. Taking notice of the matter, Federal Minister of Interior Ahsan Iqbal asked the Inspector General of Police to file a report on the said matter.

According to a recent report by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Pakistan has stored its nuclear forces at nine different locations across the country. Renowned US nuclear weapon expert and co-author of the report Hans Kristensen said Pakistan's nuclear warheads may be located in storage facilities near the bases the report identifies, and that these bases themselves appear to house nuclear-capable launchers that would use those warheads. The report describes the launcher bases to give readers an impression of the extent to which Pakistan's nuclear forces are being dispersed across the country. Kristensen said that because Pakistan was building a short-range sub-strategic nuclear arsenal (in addition to its longer-range force), the warheads would likely be distributed to regional storage sites from which they could be assembled and transported to the launcher bases. "Since the shorter-range systems are intended to be used earlier in a conflict below the strategic level, weapons for these systems would likely be distributed early in a crisis and raise the risk of accident and incidents. If used against conventional attacks, use of the tactical nuclear weapons would likely lead to escalation to a wider nuclear war quickly," said Kristensen.

September 25 Four militants were killed during operations conducted by the Frontier Corps in various parts of Balochistan, ISPR press release said. According to the ISPR statement, four "wanted terrorists" belonging to the BRA and the UBA were killed during the operations, while 24 others were arrested. Among those killed were Thango and Keleri of the BRA, the ISPR said. According to the statement, they were involved in the abduction of civilians and responsible for attacks on law enforcement personnel. The two other militants killed were identified as Muhammad Khan and Jalal Deen ? both members of the UBA. According to the ISPR, they were involved in bombing railway lines, the planting of improvised explosive devices and destroying power lines.
September 26

SFs conducted intelligence-based operations in Kamar Khel, Baz Garhi and Bara area of Khyber Agency and recovered arms and ammunition, ISPR press release said. Submachine guns, grenades, rockets, IED and mortar rounds were recovered from the sites.

One senior militant Shafqatullah laid down arms and surrendered before Police in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A Police official said that Shafqatullah was wanted to law enforcement agencies in several militancy-related cases, including Shah Hasankhel suicide blast of January 1, 2010. Over 97 villagers, including security personnel, had been killed in the blast when a suicide bomber blew up his double-door pickup truck in the middle of a volleyball match. "The surrendered militant is also involved in attacks on district police office, police lines and city police post when militancy was at peak in the southern district," the official said, adding Shafqatullah was also wanted to Police in cases of blowing up a water supply scheme in Lakki city, a government primary school in Shah Hasankhel village and a house in Dhoda village.

One IB official, Sub-Inspector Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Shahzad accused his own agency of protecting terror groups in a petition in the Islamabad high court, and questioned the agency for not taking any action against suspected terrorists. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Shahzad in the petition requested for a thorough investigation against his seniors by the ISI. "The issue of connivance, complacency and involvement of official of IB and other senior bureaucrats raised in the petition may graciously be entrusted to the ISI for investigation," the petitioner requested the court.

Shahzad, who joined the IB in 2007, has alleged that the agency did not take any action against terror organisations with roots in Uzbekistan, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and India despite concrete evidence against them. His petition names several Pakistan IB officials, including a Joint Director General, Directors and Deputy Directors as conspirators in the matter. Shahzad added that the matter was even reported to the IB Director General but no action was taken. While alleging that many of his seniors were on the payroll of foreign intelligence agencies to protect terrorists, Shahzad stated, "Upon thorough intelligence gathering process, it transpired that certain high officials of the IB themselves are directly involved with the terrorist organisations having linkages with hostile enemy intelligence agencies." Shahzad added that he "has been running from pillar to post including approaching the prime minister to raise this issue of national security and protection of lives of the citizen of this country but in vain."

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told an audience in New York that JuD chief and founder of the LeT Hafiz Saeed and LeT are liabilities. "I accept that they (Saeed and LeT) are liabilities, but give us time to get rid of them because we don't have the assets to match these liabilities and you are increasing them (our liabilities) further," the minister said.

Pakistan also refused to take the blame for the Haqqani Network and other alleged militant outfits, reminding the United States that these 'terrorists' were considered the 'darlings' of the White House up until a few decades ago. Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, who is attending the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, made remarks to this end at the Asia Society forum on September 26. "Don't blame us for the Haqqanis [the Haqqani Network] and don't blame us for the Hafiz Saeed [referring to the head of banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD)]. These were the people who were your darlings just 20 to 30 years back. They were being dined and wined in the White House and now you say 'go to hell Pakistanis because you are nurturing these people'."

Afghanistan today didn't mince words in declaring at the UN that terror in Afghanistan is the "product of (a) long-standing policy" of Pakistan. "The scourge of terrorism affecting Afghanistan is (a) product of (the) long-standing policy by a neighbouring State to keep Afghanistan unstable," said Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani at no less a forum than the UNSC. Afghanistan also said that that terror's "roots are located in terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens outside" its borders. "Despite being on (the) receiving-end of provocative actions, we have maintained a principled position in seeking to resolve differences through dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful means...Pakistan has so far failed to respond positively at its own cost, particularly in relation to its global reputation and standing," added the Afghan Foreign Minister. With its unequivocal declarations, Afghanistan today joined US President Donald Trump, the BRICS countries, Japan and India in naming and shaming Pakistan, a country many have come to call a "terrorist state".

Speaking at Asia Society seminar in New York, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that Pakistan cannot owe responsibility of peace and security in Afghanistan, adding that effective border management with Afghanistan is imperative to stop infiltration of terrorists. Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that the United States cannot succeed in Afghanistan through waging war, adding that from 16 years of the ongoing war in Afghanistan, it is clear that peace will not be restored by the continuing resort to military force, peace can be restored in Afghanistan only through a negotiated settlement, he added. He said no one desires peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan. Numbers of Afghan leaders want to continue status quo for their vested interests, the minster added.

Pakistan received a proposal to swap Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for a terrorist who carried out the horrific 2014 Peshawar school attack and is now jailed in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif has claimed. Asif, however, did not specify the name of the terrorist and the National Security Advisor who had made the proposal. "The terrorist who killed children in APS (Army Public School) in Peshawar is in Afghan custody. The National Security Advisor (NSA) told me that we can exchange that terrorist with the terrorist you have, which is Kulbhushan Jadhav," Asif told the audience after his speech at the Asia Society.

September 27

Four SF personnel were injured when their patrolling vehicle hit a roadside IED near Afghan border in Shorki area of Khyber Agency in FATA.

September 28

Police claimed to have killed five militants in a raid in Sacha area of Malir Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Malir Town SSP, Rao Anwar said the raid was jointly carried out by intelligence agencies and Police on the basis of secret information. Anwar claimed that the militants had plans to carry out attacks on Youm-e-Ashura. He said a senior al Qaeda leader Amir Sharif was among the dead. He said a suspected identified as Hamza was involved in sectarian target killing.

Two senior Central Jail officials in Karachi were arrested over alleged obstruction of the investigation of a jailbreak involving two high-profile militants on June 14,. The CTD arrested Central Jail Superintendent Ghulam Murtaza Shaikh and Assistant Superintendent Abdul Rehman Shaikh, CTD DIG Amir Farooqi said, over a range of charges from alleged destruction of evidence to threatening witnesses. DIG Farooqi, who was handling the jailbreak investigation, said the accused jailers were creating hindrances into the investigation of the two militants linked to the banned LeJ - Mumtaz alias Firaun, and Ahmed alias Munna, who were involved in the murders of 60 people, including members of the Shia community and law enforcement agencies.

The CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan was incomplete without Balochistan. The COAS General Bajwa said this while interacting with a group of 173 students and faculty members, which called on him, from various educational institutions of Balochistan. He said that Pakistan cannot progress without peace, stability and progress of Balochistan. The COAS termed youth as Pakistan's most precious asset and urged them to contribute in national integration and progress by performing their positive role. General Bajwa said that never get misguided by anti-state propaganda being engineered by certain anti-state elements from abroad with support of hostile foreign agencies.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that Pakistan would not allow anyone to use Pakistani land for terrorism. Addressing a ceremony at Pakistan Embassy in Washington held in connection with the Defence Day of Pakistan, Aizaz Chaudhry said that Pakistan was committed to eliminate terrorism jointly with the international community. "This day is observed every year to commemorate the spirit and the valour displayed by our armed forces in defending our borders against the blatant aggression of our neighbor during 1965 war," he said. He said that the armed forces of Pakistan had not only defended our frontiers successfully, but had also participated in the world's largest counter terrorism operation. This resulted in clearing up most of the area, under the influence of anti state elements. Besides, the armed forces also participated in the nation building activities, particularly during natural calamities and emergencies," he added.

At least 20 people sustained injuries in an explosion near a hospital located on Ring Road near Shinwari Town, within the jurisdiction of Paharipura Police Station, Peshawar, the provincial capital, Police said. While Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi said 20 people sustained injuries and were treated on the spot, SSP (Operations) Sajjad Khan said only five people were seriously injured in the explosion. "The blast occurred just outside the hospital, injuring many people including one of the owners, Osman Maqsood, who was on his way back after Friday prayers," an official said, adding that according to the bomb disposal squad officials the device used in the attack was probably homemade. Police said the hospital owner was the target of the attack as he was already receiving threatening calls from extortionists.

Police and intelligence agencies in a joint operation rounded up two terrorists and recovered seven hand grenades, four IEDs and prima card and shrapnel from an under an construction house in Peshawar.

September 30

Sindh Rangers claimed to have recovered arms from MQM-L unit office in Orangi Town of Karachi. According to Rangers spokesman, on an intelligent report that the activists of MQM-L has hidden arms and ammunition in the unit office in Orangi town's Sector-7- C for target killing and disturbing law & order situation in the city, the Rangers conducted a raid and recovered a Light Machine Gun (LMG), one AK-47 with 11 magazines, and a 22-rifle, two 30-bore pistols with a magazines and 1850 different types of rounds.

Intelligence agencies and SFs conducted raids and seized weapons from Makhi Nala area of Kahan in Kohlu District in Balochistan. In a press conference, Kohlu Deputy Commissioner Agha Nabil said that the SFs raided Makhi Nala area of Kahan. "During the raid, weapons and ammunition were seized from the hideouts, belonging to proscribed organisations," said Nabil. "Three hand grenades, seven anti-tank mines, 477 LMG rounds, one kilogram of explosive material, rifles, machine guns, detonator, five Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG)-7 fuses, 400 yards of detonator cable and other weapons were recovered," he said.

In another raid, a vehicle that was going to be used as vehicle-borne IED was seized during an IBO from Tore Shah, North of Pishin in Balochistan. The vehicle was going to be used to disrupt Muharram in Quetta. Three suspects were also arrested during the raid.

Pakistan Rangers Punjab and Police carried out patrolling/flag marches in important areas of major cities in Punjab. The ISPR said that extensive intelligence based operations were carried out in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, DG Khan, Lahore, Sialkot, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. During these operations, 27 suspects were arrested and a cache of illegal weapons was seized. The CTD arrested four suspected terrorists from Multan, seizing a sizeable quantity of arms and explosives from them. The CTD conducted a raid on a tip-off and arrested four activists of banned outfit, who were identified as Nasir, Ali, Tahir and Shafqat. The CTD also claimed to have seized six hand grenades, two pistols, one IED, two kilogrammes of explosives, three-meter detonating cord, eight-meter safety, and 10 detonators from the suspects.

October 2

At least one person was killed and two others injured in a remote-controlled blast in the Ghat area of Malam Jabba in Swat Valley District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said the blast targeted a family member of a VDC member, Ahmed Zeb. Zeb’s father was killed and two others wounded, Police officials said.

Eighteen of convicted and under-trial militants, including leaders of sectarian outfits, are likely to be transferred from Karachi Central jail to various other jails of Sindh. There were nearly 100 high-profile ‘hardcore’ terrorists incarcerated at the Karachi central prison belonging to militant organisations such as LeJ, SSP, JeM, TTP, al Qaeda, AQIS and Daesh (Islamic States). This includes the militants who attempted to assassinate former president and then army chief General (retd) Parvez Musharraf, Omar Shaikh, who was sentenced to death for killing American journalist Daniel Pearl, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a British terrorist of Pakistani origin with links to various Islamist militant organisations such as JeM, al Qaeda, HuM and the Taliban, and LeJ co-founder Mohammad Ajmal alias Akram Lahori.

The NADRA restarted the process of registration of unregistered Afghan nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The process of registration was temporarily suspended due to Muharram. Overall 100,000 Afghan refugees who have been living in Pakistan without Proof of Registration cards have been registered across the country in last one month out of which 80,000 have been registered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone.

October 3

A soldier was killed and another sustained injuries when militants opened fire on a forces check post in the Rajgal area, along the Pak-Afghan border, of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency in FATA. "Two soldiers posted at the checkpoint were targeted with sniper fire from across the border," officials said. The militants then escaped from the area.

Pakistan's external intelligence agency, ISI, clearly has links with terrorist groups, said the US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Joseph Dunford. "It is clear to me that the [Inter-Services Intelligence] has connections with terrorist groups," said Dunford, in his testimony at the Senate hearing. Pakistan, of course, continues to deny there is state or institutional support for terrorists, but the US isn't buying that falsehood, said Dunford.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis went a step further and said that ISI even "appears to run its own policy". "We've seen the government of Pakistan come down on terrorists, when the ISI appears to run its own policy," said Mattis, according to Russia Today. "We need to try one more time to make this strategy work with them, by, with and through the Pakistanis, and if our best efforts fail, President (Donald) Trump is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary," said Mattis said at the House hearing, reported The Hill. When asked if taking away Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally is an option on the table if it doesn't act to immediately to rein in terror, Mattis's response was, "sure it will be."

Both officials were testifying at the US Senate Armed Services Committee on the US's strategy in Afghanistan. On the same day, they also testified at the House Armed Services Committee on the same subject.

Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar, Dawood Ibrahim's brother has reportedly stated that Dawood wanted to return to India, Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI, won't allow him to do so. The ISI believes that if Dawood returns to India, then many of its secrets would be exposed, and it would find itself in an embarrassing situation. Notably, a few years back Dawood Ibrahim had reportedly desired to return to India.

October 4

Three terrorists tried and convicted by military courts were executed at a jail in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ISPR statement said. The convicts were "involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including [an] attack on a PIA plane at Peshawar Airport, killing of civilians, attacking the armed forces and law enforcement agencies," the ISPR handout read. Former Army chief General Raheel Sharif signed the death warrants of the three terrorists, identified as Sajid, Behram and Fazal-i-Ghaffar.

The former spokesperson of Balochistan Government and central secretary information NP, Jan Buledi, narrowly escaped an attempt on his life as unidentified assailants attacked his convoy, leaving his son and two security guards injured in Kech District of Balochistan. Levies officials said that suspected assailants opened indiscriminate fire at Buledi's vehicle when he was heading to Turbat from his hometown Buleda.  

Iranian troops fired at least 11 mortar shells into bordering town of Chedgi in Panjgur District, causing no casualty. "The shells landed in an open fray of bordering town Chedgi, area of Panjgur District, without causing any casualty but the huge bangs sparked fear among the people living in bordering towns," Panjgur Deputy Commissioner Jabbar Baloch said.

A US-based leader of the MQM’s London faction allegedly financed the targeted killing of a party worker in Karachi three months ago, Pakistan Rangers Sindh claimed. Pakistan Rangers Sindh also announced the arrest of three suspected target killers, allegedly belonging to MQM, in connection with the chairman of union council-13, Rashid alias Mamu. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Pakistan Rangers Sindhs' spokesperson said that the Rangers carried out an intelligence-based action in Karachi's Shah Faisal Colony and arrested three suspects "involved in the targeted killing of UC chairman Rashid alias Mamu.” The arrested suspects were identified as Asif Raees, Shahid Aziz and Mohammed Danish Khan.

October 5

At least 24 persons, including a Police constable, were killed and more than 30 injured when a suicide bomber struck outside the Dargah (shrine) of Pir Rakhel Shah in Gandawa area of Fatehpur, a small town in the Jhal Magsi District of Balochistan, where anniversary celebrations was going on. The deceased include at least three children. District Police Officer Mohammad Iqbal said the suicide bomber had tried to enter the shrine but a Police constable on security duty stopped him, after which the attacker detonated his explosives. Initial reports suggested that the explosion took place when the dhamaal — a devotional dance performed at shrines — was being performed after evening prayers. Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said that "if he [the attacker] had managed to enter the Dargah, the death toll would have been much higher." IS/Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.

The CTD shot dead two suspected militant at Sher Shah Bund area of Multan District in Punjab. According to CTD, they, on tip-off, carried out a raid in Sher Shah Bund area about the presence of terrorists linked to the banned outfit, as the cops approached their hideout they restored to firing. In retaliation two of the terrorists got killed. However, three other managed to escape taking the advantage of darkness. Explosive material and sophisticated weapons were recovered from the possession of slain militants.

One LeJ militant, Saad Surkhan, who was planning to carry out major acts of terrorism in the city, was gunned down in an encounter with a joint team of Police and IB in Khwaja Ajmer Nagri area of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. However, his two accomplices managed to escape. Saad Surkhan had provided a suicide jacket to the assassin of Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada on August 16, 2015, a senior IB official said on condition of anonymity. The killed suspect was twice arrested in Karachi but was released on bail.

The DG of ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said that there are no terrorist safe havens in Pakistan. While addressing a press conference, he stated that there are no organised bases of any terrorist organisations in the country anymore. "More than 50 per cent of Afghan territory is out of their control, which is also affecting Pakistan." Major General Asif Ghafoor accepted that there are threats to Pakistan's borders, but added that the important question to ask is if the threat is by state or non-state actors.

October 6

One person, identified as Naeem Yunus distributing pamphlets of the proscribed terror outfit HuT outside a mosque in Islamabad, was arrested by Police. Police said five men were handing out pamphlets outside a mosque in Sector G-7/2 meant to incite the public against the government and state institutions. When they saw the Police approaching, they tried to flee. However, Police managed to arrest one of them. According to Police, the pamphlets found in his possession read, "Get rid of this weak leadership which seeks honour in subservience to an alliance with America." The papers also carried a hate speech against the government and the institutions of Pakistan. The Police have booked five suspects under the anti-terrorism laws.

Federal Minister of Interior Ahsan Iqbal called on clerics and religious leaders to denounce 'jihad fatwas' posted by people on social media, declaring that in an Islamic country only the State had the right to declare jihad, not a Mohalla or a mosque. "Only the state can declare jihad … no group of people has the right to declare jihad against another group," he told the National Assembly while speaking on the suicide blast at Dargah Fatehpur Sharif near Gandawa area of Jhal Magsi District in Balochistan. "We need to prevent that from happening and I humbly request religious leaders to condemn the fatwas posted on social media. If we let this go on, the country will turn into a battlefield with various groups and ethnicities pitted against each other," he added.

"The enemy wants Muslims to behead each other. If we continue treading this path of violence and unrest, we wouldn't even need an [external] enemy to destroy us," the Minister said. "If we start handing out fatwas on kufr in every street and neighborhood, and the maulvi in every street mosque starts handing out fatwas about who is kafir and who is Muslim, then there will only be chaos. It is God who is to decide who is going to heaven or hell … it is not our job," he said. The Minister said it was not the right of the any individual to issue decree and declare any person non-Muslim or to do politics in the name of religion. "Another thing people do is given out fatwas about who can be murdered - that is not for individuals to decide, only the state can decide such matters."

The DG of IB Aftab Sultan met several parliamentarians only to assure them that a list containing their names and accusing them of having links with banned outfits was a fake document and not issued by his agency. Having names of 37 lawmakers who were alleged to have links with banned outfits, the list first came to light when a private television channel aired a report claiming that former PM Nawaz Sharif had directed the IB to keep a close watch on these legislators, who mostly belong to the ruling PML-N. The meeting between the parliamentarians and IB chief Aftab Sultan was arranged by PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The lawmakers named in the list complained to PM Abbasi that their opponents could use the document to institute cases against them and, thus, they would not be eligible to hold a public office.

October 7

FC Balochistan conducted IBOs in Grandani area of Kohlu District and Ghazi Nullah area of Naseerabad District and recovered 1300 kg explosives. According to an ISPR statement, the explosives were planned to be used for terrorist activities in the province. Besides explosives, weapons and ammunition including submachine guns, rockets, hand grenades, maps of important areas and communication equipment were also recovered.

October 9

At least five Shia Hazara persons were killed and one other was seriously injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at their vehicle on Kasi road in Gawalmandi area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. According to the Police, the deceased were going to Hazar Ganji Sabzi Mandi in the vehicle when motorcycle borne assailants sprayed bullets at the vehicle and managed to escape.

While the US continues to suspect Pakistan's fight against terrorists, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that Islamabad has offered Washington an in-sync operation against the Haqqani network. "We have offered American authorities to visit Pakistan with evidence of Haqqani network's safe havens in the country. If they find any activity [of Haqqanis] in the targeted areas, our troops along with the US would destroy them once and for all," Asif told anchor Javed Chaudhry on the Express News show Kal Tak. He further said Islamabad not to bow to 'do more' demands. He further added that "If the US secretary of state and secretary of defence are coming to dictate us, we will refuse to accept their dictates…and now we will do what is in the best interest of our country."

October 11

The Sheikhupura District and session's court sentenced three men to death on charges of committing blasphemy. The court also fined them PKR 200,000 each, but if they are unable to pay the fine, they would have to undergo six months of rigorous punishment. In his verdict, Additional District and Sessions Judge Mian Javed Akram ruled that the three members of the Ahmadi community of Bhoaywal village had committed blasphemy by displaying a po ster and banners at their place of worship in a manner that was offending.

October 12

A local journalist, Haroon Khan, a correspondent for Waqt News TV, was shot dead outside his house in Swabi town of same district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Haroon Khan came under fire when he stepped out of his home. He was also affiliated with Akhbar-i-Khaiber, while earlier he remained associated with the Mashriq TV.

The Pakistan Army said that it had recovered five abducted foreign hostages from terrorists in an operation based on intelligence shared by the US. An ISPR statement said the hostages included a Canadian, his American wife, and their three children. The hostages were recovered "through an intelligence-based operation by Pakistani troops." "They were captured by terrorists from Afghanistan in 2012 and kept as hostages there," the ISPR handout said. US intelligence agencies had been tracking them and shared their shifting across to Pakistan on October 11, 2017, through the Kurram Agency border.

October 13

A Policeman was killed and three others, including a child, were injured when unidentified militants opened fire on a Police patrolling party on Faqeer Muhammad road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. Constable Ali Muhammad was killed in the attack while two other Policemen were injured along with the child. The assailants managed to escape after the attack.

The US President Donald Trump said that Pakistan took "tremendous advantage" of the US over the years, but is now "starting to have a real" relationship. Trump's remarks came a day after Pakistan secured the release of an American-Canadian family from the clutches of the Haqqani network, five years after they were abducted. "Yesterday, things happened with Pakistan," said President Donald Trump. "I have openly said Pakistan took tremendous advantage of our country for many years, but we're starting to have a real relationship with Pakistan, and they're starting to respect us as a nation again, and so are other nations," Trump said. "They are starting to respect the United States of America again," he said and thanked the leaders of Pakistan for "what they've been doing".

The US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said that the US should support the Baloch people and other oppressed groups in Pakistan, who are being subject to grave human rights violations for demanding the right to self-determination. Dana Rohrabacher said Pakistan needs to remember what happened in 1971, referring to developments in then East Pakistan which later on became Bangladesh after years of Pakistani human rights abuses and persecution of the local population. Resource-rich Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province, has been wracked by a long-running separatist insurgency which has seen brutal repression by Pakistani security forces and enforced disappearances. "When the people of Bangladesh wanted to be a little independent of the Pakistani government, have some way to control their own lives and control their own government, they were brutally repressed by the Pakistani government, and that is what led to, basically, the uprising of the people in Bangladesh when they freed themselves," Rohrabacher said in the US House of Representatives. That same type of oppression is continuing not only against the Baloch, but also against the Muhajirs who came over from India after Partition, he said. Rohrabacher said the Muhajirs do not want to be subjugated by "this corrupt, militaristic, pro-terrorist" government of Pakistan. "We should be siding with people like that who want their independence and believe in these same values that we believe in," he said, adding, the US needs to be supporting the Baloch.

October 15

At least four FC personnel were martyred and three others injured in an IED blast near the Pak-Afghan border in the Kharlachi area of Kurram Agency in FATA. An ISPR press release said the troops targeted by the blast were part of a search party for handlers of the rescued foreigners, Caitlan Coleman and Joshua Boyle, who were recovered by the Army near Kohat. The slain personnel were identified as Captain Husnain, Sepoy Saeed Baz, Sepoy Qadir and Sepoy Jumma Gul. The injured were identified as Naik Anwar, Sepoy Zahir and Lance Naik Sher Afzal. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

Punjab Government withdrew terrorism charges against JuD chief Hafiz Saeed and his group, paving way for the possible release. A Punjab Government official told a review board of Supreme Court on October 14 that the provincial government did not include charges of terrorism in the new order for Hafiz Saeed and his aides. Authorities had earlier detained Saeed under ATA. Saeed's lawyer A.K. Dogar had urged the court to order the release of Saeed and his four aides since they are no longer under ATA. The Lahore High Court is expected to decide his application in the coming week after Justice Muzahir Naqvi asked the Government to file charges against Saeed. He had warned the Government earlier this week that Saeed would be freed unless evidence was presented against the JuD leader.

October 16

At least 20 suspected militants were killed in US drone strike on a compound near the border with Afghanistan in Kurram Agency of the FATA. As per details, four missiles were fired on a compound during the strike, in which suspected militants of Haqqani network were killed.

October 17

The Federal Government has directed the Provinces to launch action against proscribed (banned) religious outfits and those kept under observations by seizing their offices, weapons and properties. The Federal Ministry of Interior also instructed all the Provincial chief secretaries and the chief commissioner of the capital territory Islamabad to submit reports on the organisations’ financial activities. According to sources, the orders were issued to the chief secretaries of the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir to restrain members of all such organisations from continuing their activities. The decision was taken after the recent statement of Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in which he stressed the need for “putting our own house in order.”

An official of the Punjab Home Department told a provincial review board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court that keeping JuD’s chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and his four aides under detention was critical for the maintenance of law and order. The board was hearing a Punjab Government application seeking extension in the detention of Saeed and his four aides. The official said that the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs had ample material to justify detention of the JuD leaders. He said the UN had banned the JuD and its leaders had been detained on direction of the Federal Government.

October 18

At least eight Policemen were killed and 24 other people were injured in an explosion on the Quetta-Sibbi Road in Sariab Mill area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. According to initial reports, SFs claimed a roadside bomb exploded just as a Police vehicle carrying 35 Police personnel passed the area. However, the nature of the blast has yet to be ascertained. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

A Police Inspector, Abdul Salam, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Qambrani road of Quetta. Abdul Salam was shot multiple times, Police said.

Two SF personnel, identified as Sepoy Tasawar Ali and Sepoy Ghulam Rabani, were killed their vehicle hit an IED blast in Jalal check post of FR Bannu in FATA.

Umar Khalid Khorasani, the ‘chief’ of JuA, an offshoot of the TTP, has been killed in a US drone strike in Paktia province of Afghanistan’s. “Chief of our Jamaat-ul-Ahrar Umar Khalid Khorasani, who sustained serious injuries in a recent US drone strike, succumbed to his injuries Wednesday evening,” JuA ‘spokesman’ Asad Mansoor told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location. “At least nine close associates of Khorasani were also killed in the strike,” he added. Mansoor said a high-level meeting of JuA’s consultative council will be convened soon to appoint the outfit’s new chief. However, a senior JuA ‘commander’ said on condition of anonymity that one of JuA’s senior commanders, Asad Afridi, has already been appointed new JuA chief.

October 19

A ‘commander’ of Lyari gangster, Ghafoor alias Chhotu, allegedly involved in targeted killing of, among others, three foreigners in the Hub area of Balochistan was shot dead by Pakistan Rangers Sindh during an encounter in Murad Memon Goth of Malir town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Acting on information, the Rangers encircled the hideout in Murad Memon Goth at around 2am. On seeing the Rangers’ personnel, the suspects resorted to firing with automatic weapons. Reinforcements were called in by the Rangers and during an intense exchange of fire, one suspect was gunned down while trying to escape in Bachal Goth near Murad Memon Goth. His two accomplices fled taking advantage of darkness, said the Rangers’ official. The dead suspect was identified as Ghafoor alias Chhotu. “He was a close aide of Lyari gang leader Noor Mohammed alias Baba Ladla,” said the Rangers’ spokesperson, adding that the dead suspect had established a reign of terror in the Malir area.

Thirty-five persons were injured in two grenade attacks in Mastung and Gwadar District of Balochistan in the evening. Unidentified persons on a motorcycle hurled a grenade near a mobile market at Safar Khan Chowk in Mastung town, injuring 15 persons, Police Inspector Abdul Quddus said. Later in the evening, 20 people were injured when miscreants lobbed a grenade at Al-Zubair hotel on airport road in Gwadar. Most of the injured were labourers from Sindh who were having their dinner when the attack took place.

A provincial review board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court approved one-month extension in detention of JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed but turned down a Government request for extending detention of four other leaders of the organisation. The Police presented Saeed and his aides Qazi Kashif Niaz, Prof. Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Abdullah Ubaid before the board amid strict security. Senior officials from Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs along with Government’s law officers also appeared and assisted the board’s members during in-camera proceedings. The board comprises Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali, Justice Abdul Sami Khan and Justice Alia Neelum. After hearing the Government authorities and lawyers, the board approved extension in the detention period of Hafiz Saeed for one month but refused to extend detention of other four JuD leaders. They would stand freed on October 26 when their detention period expires. The Punjab Government had detained the JuD leaders under the Maintenance of Pubic Order as recommended by the Federal Government.

October 20

One militant was killed and seven others arrested during an intelligence-based operation by FC personnel in Rojhan Jamali area of Mastung District in Balochistan on terrorist’s hideouts who were involved in target killing and grenade attacks, ISPR press release said. A cache of arms and ammunition including explosives was recovered during the operation.

Missing journalist Zeenat Shahzadi who went missing more than two years ago returned home safe and sound – much to the surprise of the family. Zeenat Shahzadi, who was affiliated with a private TV channel, went missing on August 19, 2015 while travelling to her office in an auto-rickshaw in Lahore. According to witnesses, Shahzadi had been whisked away by gunmen riding in two cars who intercepted the three-wheeler she was travelling in. The Express Tribune called up Shahzadi’s mother for her reaction but could not get through. “I’ve spoken to Shahzadi’s mother and she has confirmed that her daughter has returned home,” IA Rehman, veteran Human Rights campaigner and former chairperson Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said. However, Rehman wouldn’t say who had recovered Shahzadi and how. “The good news is that she is back at her home. Details of her recovery will trickle in,” he said. Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, President of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, told the BBC that Shahzadi had been recovered from an area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Thursday night. “Non-state actors and anti-state agencies had abducted her and she has been recovered from their custody,” Iqbal added. “Tribal elders from Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa played a role in her recovery.”

For the first time, PSGPC general secretary Gopal Singh Chawla publicly admitted to have been part of separatist ‘Khalistan movement’ and have also undergone training for the purpose. A video of Chawla has surfaced on social media where he is seen as saying "I have been a part of Khalistan movement, I have also undergone training, I have been abusing India and its prime minister, if we want to get rid of India, we have to help this organization (MML- Milli Musli League)". Chalwa is seen addressing a gathering from the platform of MML, a political wing of the banned JuD, a frontal organisation of LeT.

PSGPC general secretary Chawla in his speech addressed in Punjabi said that PSGPC receives minimum of five to seven thousand pilgrims every year from India. "We look into their eyes, out of those seven thousand pilgrims at least two thousand are RAW [Research and Analysis Wing] agents and we see a fear of Hafiz Saeed Sahib in their eyes". PSGPC''s controversial general secretary also raised slogans in praise of Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwala and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and said his organization (Punjabi Sikh Sangat) and supporters from UK and Canada would help MML. Calling terror mastermind as his ''Amir'' (Ruler), Chalwa bestowed praise upon Hafiz Saeed saying that "Unha Indians dia nazra vich maray Aamir Hafiz Saeed Sab da khauf hunda hai" (There is fear of my Aamir Hafiz Saeed Sab in the eyes of those Indians" he said.

October 21

ASP ‘chief’, Shehryar alias Dr Abdullah Hashmi, among eight militants were killed in a raid jointly carried out by the Pakistan Rangers Sindh and the CTD in Raees Goth area of Baldia Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh at 11:00 pm. A spokesman for the Rangers said Dr Abdullah Hashmi, Ameer of ASP was mastermind behind several terrorist attacks. Another suspect identified as Arsalan Baig was member of group’s “Target Killing Team”, he said. A Rangers official said that one CTD personnel and two Rangers personnel sustained injuries during the encounter. Explosive material, arms and ammunition were recovered from the militant hideout.

October 24

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged Pakistani leadership to step up their fight against terrorist groups on their soil and facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process. “The secretary reiterated President Trump’s message that Pakistan must increase its efforts to eradicate militants and terrorists operating within the country,” a US Embassy statement on Tillerson’s visit said. Tillerson’s message appeared significantly toned down as compared to the usual American rhetoric on alleged terrorist sanctuaries on Pakistani soil, although in essence there was little difference in the messaging. The secretary had just a day earlier told reporters at Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase that Islamabad needed to have “a clear-eyed view” of terror safe havens on its territory and cautioned that bilateral ties would be conditions-based in terms of whether or not its leaders take the “specific” actions that were being required of them.

October 25

Unidentified assailants shot dead a leader of the MQM-P on Hali Road of Hyderabad city of same District in Sindh. Dr Noshad, a sector member of the MQM-P, was targeted by unidentified assailants when he was returning home after dropping off his children to a school. Noshad received several bullets and was shifted to a hospital where succumbed to his wounds.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that decrease in drone attacks in the past few years showed that there are no more safe havens in Pakistan. The Foreign Minister shared a chart of drone attacks carried out in the last 12 years from 2005 till Oct 15, 2017 in the Pakistani territory. He tweeted: "12yrs drone attacks chart. If we have sanctuaries why frequency is sharply down. US won’t hesitate attacking funeral, weddings to get targets". Since 2013 there have been just 65 drone attacks in Pakistan, and 2010 being the year when the pilot less planes attacked 90 times, the most in 12 years. In 2013, there were 24 drone strikes in 2014, 19 in 2015, 14 in 2016, 03 and in the 10 months this year, 05 attacks took place, shows the chart shared by Foreign Minister.

In a message to Pakistan, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that terror safe havens will not be tolerated and that too many terrorist organisations were finding such havens in the neighbouring country. On his first visit to India, and shortly after a dialogue with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj, Tillerson qualified his remark by saying that the US wanted to work in a positive way with Islamabad as terrorism also threatened Pakistan's own security and stability. Despite warning Pakistan against hosting "agents of chaos' and terrorists, the US position on Pakistan has remained open to conflicting interpretations with President Donald Trump tweeting earlier this month that he was starting to develop a "much better" relationship with Pakistan and also thanking Islamabad for cooperation on many fronts. Stating that the US will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism, Tillerson added it was in Pakistan's interest to contain and eliminate the activities of terrorist organisations.

Mumbai terror attack mastermind and the chief of JuD Hafiz Saeed’s name was not on a list of 75 terrorists the US had handed over to Pakistan, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said. Saeed, who carries a USD 10 million bounty on his head for his role in terror activities, has been under house arrest in Pakistan since January this year. Asif told senators during a session of the parliament's upper house that the US has "handed over a list of 75 terrorists while we gave them a list of around 100 terrorists." The list was passed on during the maiden visit of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Pakistan on October 24. "The Haqqani network is on the top of the (US) list but none of the terrorists are Pakistanis," Asif told senators.

October 26

Abdul Razaq, a leader of the ANP and his brother were killed in a blast in Harnai District of Balochistan. Deputy Commissioner Abdul Salam Achakzai said explosive were apparently planted in the vehicle of the ANP leader Abdul Razaq and detonated with a remote control when the two brothers left their house in the morning.

Eight persons, including an on-duty traffic police constable and a child sustained injuries when unidentified militants threw a hand grenade at an office of Pak-News Agency in Turbat town of same District.

Militants opened fire on a vehicle carrying newspapers in Awaran District, burst all its tyres with gunshots and torched the newspapers.

October 27

At least five passengers were injured in a blast targeting Akbar Bugti Express passenger train in the Hirak area of Bolan District in Balochistan. Bogie Number 9 was partially damaged from the impact of the blast, which rocked the entire area.

The US issued its direst warning to Pakistan to roll up terrorist groups operating in the country and end the establishment support for such groups, warning that if Islamabad chose not to act, Washington will find ways to achieve its objectives. Days after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stopped in Islamabad for four hours to deliver a blunt message that American support to Pakistan was "conditions-based," Senior US officials who accompanied him on the trip signaled that Washington had devised other ways to achieve its objective of eliminating terrorist groups and stabilising Afghanistan. "It's up to them whether or not they want to work with us," acting assistant secretary of state for South Asia Alice Wells told reporters. "And if they don't ... then we'll adjust accordingly."

October 29

Two militants, who attacked checkposts from across the Pak-Afghan border, were killed in a shootout with the Aman Lashkar in Zakha Khel area of Khyber Agency in FATA. Security sources said that the militants from across the border attacked checkposts of Aman Lashkar. In retaliatory fire, two of the militants were killed while others managed to flee. The sources said that the terrorists used mortar shells and rocket launchers to attack the checkposts.

The Police claimed to have arrested four militants as they attempted to plant a bomb on Shah Alam bridge in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Counter-Terrorism Department said the suspects belonging to a banned organization had made the explosive device using two oil cans. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the possession of the militants.

October 30

One FC personnel was killed while another was injured in an IED blast near the Gurguray checkpost in the Sarokai Tehsil of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

One militant was arrested during a raid in Gulshan Shahbaz Old Toll Plaza area of Jamshoro District in Sindh. After crossfire between the militant and security agencies, Qari Abdul Hameed Pandrani, a wanted militant with ties to a banned outfit was arrested in injured condition.

Sindh Rangers have arrested 10 alleged criminals, including a member of a banned outfit in different targeted raids in Karachi. A team conducted targeted raids in Gulbreg area and detained Muhammad Saad alias Darai, a terrorist belonging to a banned outfit. He was involved in target killing, extortion and several other crimes in the city.

NACTA'S National Coordinator (NC) Ihsan Ghani said that the authority had finalised the draft of national narrative to counter extremist ideology and submitted it before the Government for final approval.

FO confirmed the death of a Chinese couple who had been abducted on May 24 from the Jinnah Town area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, reports Daily Times.

Law-enforcement agencies arrested three women from Chaman border crossing in Killa Abdullah District of Balochistan. Security sources said that they belong to banned outfits. A spokesperson of Balochistan Government stated that the women had crossed from the Pak-Afghan border town of Chaman illegally and that they had been arrested by FC. According to initial investigation, the three women reached Chaman on a taxi from Quetta along with their accomplice and were arrested while they were trying to enter Afghanistan's border town of Spin Boldak via Bab-e-Dosti (Friendship Gate) at the Chaman border crossing.

October 31

At least three Levies personnel were injured after their vehicle hit an IED in the Rashakai area of Khar tehsil (revenue unit) Bajaur Agency in FATA. The vehicle was patrolling the Rashakai area for the security of a polio team when the IED planted at Janat Shah Dry Waterway [Khwar] hit the vehicle.

The FIA submitted an interim charge-sheet against MQM-A Chief Altaf Hussain before the administrative judge of the ATCs, accusing him of terror financing and money laundering. Investigating Officer (IO) Mohammad Ali Abro filed the interim investigation report. He named the MQM founder as absconder.

The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson informed Congress that Pakistan is willing to target terrorists if provided information and Washington plans to give Islamabad the opportunity to prove it. At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on, American lawmakers also warned that if the US insisted on having the option of first strike against a nuclear-armed nation, it could send a wrong signal to other nations with nuclear weapons.

November 1

Three persons, including two Policemen, were killed while another was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at a patrolling Police party in Majoki area of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The SFs foiled a terror bid, recovered arms and ammunitions in Kurram agency of FATA which were later defused. The SFs conducted a joint operation in rainwater nullah in Lower Kurram Agency. During the operation, four bombs and six landmines hidden in riverbed near a school building were recovered.

The CTD arrested two militants and seized explosive material from their possession near the Central Imambargah (Shia place of worship) located in Fawara Chowk in Hafizabad city of same District in Punjab.

SFs conducted IBOs in various parts of South Waziristan Agency in FATA and recovered arms, ammunition and explosives under Operation Radd-ul-Fassad.

Punjab Rangers with Police and Intelligence Agencies conducted operations, patrolling and snap checking in Dera Ghazi Khan, Attock, Islamabad and Lahore of Punjab. Sixteen militants, facilitators and smugglers were arrested; also a number of weapons and explosives were recovered from them.

The Attorney-General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali, presented 'sensitive' documents before a judge of the Lahore High Court in his chamber to defend detention of JuD 'chief' Hafiz Muhammad Saeed.

On the request of Sindh's CTD, the Federal Ministry of Interior accorded approval to trying two LeJ militants in military courts in 10 cases of terrorism; including attacks on military personnel. The two militants were allegedly involved in a number of acts of terrorism, including target killings and attacks on military officials in Karachi.

The US Congressman Peter King called for "more vetting" of people coming in the US from Pakistan, blaming the country of having a "large terrorist presence".

November 2

The White House retains a list of 20 terrorist groups that the Donald Trump administration claims are operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan and is believed to have shared this list with Pakistani officials. The sources, however, rejected the suggestion as incorrect that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson gave a list of 75 terrorists to Pakistani officials when he visited Islamabad last week. The White House list, released on The Washington Post's demand, includes three types of militants groups: those who launch attacks into Afghanistan, those who attack targets inside Pakistan and those who are focused on Kashmir. Top on the list is the Haqqani network which, the United States claims, has safe havens in FATA and uses them to launch attacks into Afghanistan. Other groups on the list are: HuJI, JuA, JuD al-Quran and Tariq Gidar Group, which is one of 13 TTP affiliates. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Commander Nazir Group, IM, IJU, IMU ISIS-Khorasan, AQIS and the TIPM are also on the list.

FO Spokesman Muhammad Faisal during a briefing said that Pakistan had contributed significantly in the fight against terrorism. He rejected the US allegations that Pakistan provides safe havens for terrorists and said that America should refrain from making unfounded allegations. FO said Pakistan made gains through its counter-terrorism operations. He also said that Afghanistan's territory was being used against Pakistan and added that Pakistan had raised concerns about the presence of Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah in Afghanistan.

China again blocked Indian bid to list head of JeM Maulana Masood Azhar as global terrorist at the UN Security Council, citing "absence of consensus" among member countries to declare him an international terrorist. China was the only country opposing the resolution. All other 14 countries of the 15-member Security Council supported the move by the US and France.

NACTA Ihsan Ghani observed that Pakistan would have to pursue the joint strategy to root out terrorism, reports Pak Observer. He stated that media engagement and revival of culture were key to the new counter terrorism policy. Ghani said that as per NACTA's Youth Engagement Policy, he had visited various universities to promote counter terrorism national narrative and talked to HEC for inclusion of terrorism related topics in the curriculum along with allocation of scholarships for that category.

November 3

At least two people were injured when a blast hit Zakhakhel Adda Rangra market in Landi Kotal, FATA. An IED remotely controlled and hidden in a plastic bag, went off in the car parking area of the market and partially damaged three vehicles that were parked nearby, while two civilians were injured.

ISPR in a statement said that SFs recovered communication equipment and extremist literature during an IBO conducted in Mandi Khel near Dosaali in North Waziristan Agency. During the operation, the security personnel recovered weapons and ammunition, including guns, mortar, rocket launchers, IEDs and explosives. This operation was conducted under the army's on-going Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

MNA Sajid Hussain Turi said that a grand Jirga in Kurram region has decided to burn houses of those who provide shelter to militants or anti-state elements. According to the MNA, some four local tribes after the Jira (public meeting) met the local administration and law enforcers and informed them about their decisions, tribesmen held a separate meeting with FC commandant and other sector commanders and informed them about the decisions adding that the tribes would extend full support to the Sfs to maintain peace and those offering shelter to militants or Afghans without valid documents, their houses will collectively be burned, and a fine of Rs 100,000 will be imposed. Local tribes would help government keep a check on the border areas with Afghanistan to help stop any infiltration into the Kurram Agency.

A suspected militant was arrested and a large cache of weapons was recovered during an IBO conducted by FC Balochistan and intelligence agencies in Zhob, Balochistan said a statement issued by the ISPR. According to the statement, the FC and intelligence agencies arrested a suspected TTP facilitator while conducting an operation at a terrorist hideout in Zhob. The statement added that weapons, IED, explosives and ammunition, suspected to be used in carrying out terrorist activities in Quetta were recovered from the terrorist hideout.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said that the Balochistan Government has released women and children related to leaders of banned BLF and the BLA from the custody of the FC. The women and the children included wife and daughter of BLF chief Dr Allah Nazar, sister of Aslam, alias Acho, Commander of the banned BLA and wife of Dileep, another leading Commander of the BLF.

COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa has expressed concern over the lack of terrorism-related cases being transferred to military courts. He has informed the PM that the Government has not forwarded any cases to military courts since January this year. The ministry has also informed the PM office that it will request formal approval to transfer the cases during the next meeting of the federal cabinet and was bound to submit the cases to the federal cabinet as the Supreme Court has defined the federal cabinet as the federal government for the purpose of case referrals.

The Federal Cabinet cleared 29 terrorism-related cases to be sent to the Military Courts, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal told in an interview. He added that 80 more cases, once approved by the cabinet, will be forwarded to be tried in the Military Courts.

Two influential Congressional sub-committees will hold a joint hearing on Pakistan's commitment in the fight against terrorism, and the review of the US' aid to it, as a Congressman Ted Yoho expressed concern over its commitment to denying terrorists safe harbor. Two subcommittees of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Asia and the Pacific, and Middle East and North Africa, would hold the hearing on "The President's Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan: Objectives and Resources" on Wednesday, November 8. Alice G Wells, the Acting Assistant Secretary of state for South and Central Asia, has been asked to testify before the lawmakers, along with Gregory Huger, Assistant to the Administrator Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan in the USAID. This hearing will allow members to review the approximate USD 1.1 billion combined FY 2018 budget request for the two countries, told Congresswoman Elena Ros-Lehtinen.

November 4

A child was killed and another two were injured in a landmine explosion in Tiarza tehsil (revenue unit) of South Waziristan Agency (SWA) in FATA. The Security Forces (SFs) cordoned off the area after the explosion and started the investigation.

Two women were injured in a landmine explosion at Phelawagh sub-division of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan on. The SFs cordoned off the area.

The SPU arrested three members of a banned (and defunct) outfit while they were distributing pamphlets of their organisation at railway crossing near Firdous Chowk, Peshawar, KP.

November 5

A 'commander' of the TTP, Abdul Khaliq Haqqani, along with his fighters, surrendered to the SFs in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

NACTA has reported a decline in sectarian terrorism with only two such incidents during 2017 as compared to 185 in 2012. During last seven years, total 676 incidents of sectarian terrorism were reported, of which 70 were recorded during 2011, 185 in 2012, 127 in 2013, 176 in 2014, 79 in 2015, 37 during 2016 and two such incidents in 2017.

November 6

Two Policemen were killed in an attack at a check post in the Mardan District of KP.

A Policeman was killed when unidentified armed militants attacked a checkpost in Kalat town of Kalat District in Balochistan.

SFs during the ongoing Operation Raad-ul-Fasaad arrested three militants and recovered arms and ammunition from a car in the Darra Adam Khel town of Frontier Region Kohat in FATA. The recoveries included Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), 30bore and 9 mm pistols, 12 bore repeaters and rifles of different calibres along with thousands of ammunition.

SFs during the ongoing Operation Raad-ul-Fasaad arrested three militants and recovered arms and ammunition from a car in the Darra Adam Khel town of Frontier Region Kohat in FATA. The recoveries included Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), 30bore and 9 mm pistols, 12 bore repeaters and rifles of different calibres along with thousands of ammunition.

SFs recovered 12.7 mm gun and RPG 7 along with ammunition boxes in another Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) carried out in the Boya Ghundakai area of South Waziristan Agency in FATA.

Karachi Police arrested three IS militants from Ahsanabad area in the outskirts of the Karachi metropolis in Sindh. Officials recovered two 30-bore pistols, one 9mm pistol along with propaganda literature from the possession of the arrested militants. SSP Malir Rao Anwar, stated that Police conducted a raid at a house after receiving a tip from an intelligence agency. He also claimed that the suspects were planning to recruit young people for their militant group.

United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale, called on Pakistan to take 'decisive action' against all militant outfits operating within its territory, reports Daily Times. Addressing the fourth meeting of Pak-US Track II Dialogue, the US ambassador stated, "Our South Asia strategy looks to Pakistan for decisive action against all terrorist groups operating from its soil. We ask for equal diligence in decimating all the groups operating in Pakistan which threaten the region's stability, including the Haqqani network". He also stated that the Pakistani leadership had assured to speed up its efforts for regaining peace in Afghanistan, adding that the US had also encouraged India to improve Pak-India relations. "The US secretary encouraged India to do more to support Afghanistan economically, and encouraged both India and Pakistan to resume dialogue and reduce tensions."

Meanwhile, Pakistan's FM Khawaja Asif, during the 4th Round of US-Pakistan Bilateral Dialogue held in Islamabad with the title 'Convergence amid Divergence: Identifying Pathways to Cooperation in a Challenging Environment', stated that Pakistan had successfully suppressed militant activity within its territory and that there was no organised presence of any militant outfit within Pakistan, reports The Nation. The FM added that Pakistan would not compromise on its sovereignty. He emphasized that US had assured India's role in Afghanistan would be limited to economic assistance only and Pakistan welcomed mediation by United States between India and Pakistan. He added that South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should be used for promotion of regional trade as the region has been suffering due to instability in Afghanistan.

The Federal Government decided to extend the deployment of the Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad, notified the Interior Ministry. Currently one contingent of Pakistan Rangers (2000 personnel) and 50 contingents of the Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts are deployed all over the Federal Capital region on the request of the chief commissioner under Section 4 of the 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act. This is the first extension in deployment in the capital granted to the Pakistan Rangers following an October 3 controversy surrounding the force's 'unauthorised' deployment outside the Federal Judicial Complex.

November 7

Terrorists carried out an explosion targeting a Health Department Team engaged in anti-polio vaccination at Jandol in Arif Kele area in Lower Dir District in KP. No casualty was reported.

FS Tehmina Janjua claimed that there are no safe havens for militant outfits in Pakistan and that the country had expelled all militants. During a briefing of Senate's Committee on Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, the FS said militant sanctuaries are in Afghanistan where over 45 per cent area of the country is without any governance. "The United States (US) has been apprised of the fact that Indian Intelligence agency RAW [Research and Analysis Wing] is using Afghan soil for terrorist activities in Pakistan," she added.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, during a press conference in Brussels called upon Pakistan to eliminate militant hideouts within its territory. Secretary-General said, "Earlier, we had discussed issue of militant attacks in Afghanistan with Pakistan and now we demand Islamabad to wipe out Taliban hideouts from its territory." He added that NATO commander in Afghanistan had discussed the situation with his Pakistani counterpart.

November 8

Five bombs were defused near the entrance of MUET in Jamshoro District in Sindh, by the BDS. The bombs were locally made, weighing around 25 kilograms and had been developed in such a way, that a remote-controlled device could be fitted. The bombs contained ball bearing, nuts and bolts, and five pencil cells along with an orange fuse was recovered.

Rangers arrested four suspected LeJ militants during segregated raids in Mominabad area of Orangi Town neighborhood in Karachi. They were allegedly involved in several cases of terrorism, including attacks on polio teams.

Also, a cadre of the MQM-H was arrested along with arms and ammunition during a raid conducted on a tip-off in the Landhi area in Karachi. The suspect was identified as Shahid alias Gada. An unnamed spokesperson of the Rangers said that Gada was involved in various cases of crime, including murder.

'Spokesman' for the banned JuA, a breakaway faction of the TTP, Asad Mansoor, announced that Mukaram alias Omar Khorasani and his followers had been "banished from the Jamaat. He said a detailed 'policy statement' would be issued later, asking supporters not to take any sort of step, which could hurt their activities.

JuA therefore faces a rift as Mukarram and his fighters are set to announce their own group. Mukarram was one of the close confidants of the JuA 'chief' Omar Khalid Khorasani. Mukarram, belongs to Pandeyali tehsil in Mohmand Agency in FATA, was the main character behind the JuA's activities with his position as head of the group's intelligence unit. He was member of the group's central 'shura' (or council). Some militant sources say that several 'commanders' are likely to join Mukaram. They include Jehad Yar Mehsud, 'commander' Muslim Yar Momand, 'commander' Rashid Mama, Saad alias Wuraf Khan, 'commander' Imran and Salman.

Exiled Baloch' leaders' are set to congregate in Geneva on November 18, to deliberate on the possibility of a joint and peaceful struggle for their demands. The Balochistan Government, however, criticised the idea saying that the Sardars had lost credibility in the province. BRP is hosting the moot. The list of confirmed participants includes Harbiyar Marri, Mehran Marri, Javed Mengal, and representatives of the BNM and the BLF.

IM Ahsan Iqbal informed Senate in a written reply that contrary to media reports that slain Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansoor had been carrying a Pakistan passport and NIC, the card had actually been issued to a man named Muhammad Wali, son of Shah Muhammad, reports Dawn. The IM added that a departmental inquiry against all NADRA officials involved in issuing the fake NIC had been completed and at least three officials had been removed from service. The Senate was further told that a total of 65,003 'fake' NICs had been found circulating in the country, of which Punjab accounted for 20,865; Sindh for 15,579; Balochistan for 11,859; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 10,884; Fata for 3,834; Islamabad for 1,087; Azad Jammu and Kashmir for 832; and Gilgit Baltistan for only 63

US Senators, decided not to tie financial aid for Pakistan to counter-terrorism measures against the LeT, as was proposed by Senator Mark Warner, co-chair of the chamber's India Caucus, in an omnibus legislation, NDAA 2018 it passed to fund the US military in 2018, because of resistance from the US Defense Department reports Hindustan Times. The provision was dropped from the legislation after the two chambers agreed through a process called Conference, meant to reconcile differing versions of a bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The reconciled version of the NDAA-2018 now makes $350 million of $700 million available to Pakistan under CSF contingent upon certification from the Secretary of Defense, that Pakistan is taking demonstrable steps against the Haqqani Network. The Defense Department had argued that the US must stay focussed on the Haqqani Network. A congressional Aide has told that progress in arresting and prosecuting senior leaders and mid-level operatives of LeT by Pakistan will be taken up another time.

November 9

At least five militants were killed and four others wounded as SFs responded to an attack by terrorists on recently established Pakistan Army posts at the Pak-Afghan border in Rajgal area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency of FATA. An Army Soldier was also killed during the incident.

Three Policemen, including a DIG of Police, Hamid Shakil, were killed when a suicide bomber struck his motorcycle with the DIG's vehicle on the Airport Road in Quetta, Balochistan. The suicide attack targeted the vehicle of DIG during his morning commute. Four other Policemen were also injured in the explosion. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

Separately, FC and Intelligence Agencies foiled en explosion plot after they recovered explosives fitted to a motorcycle near the Pak-Afghan border in Zhob District.

Meanwhile, the Commander of Southern Command, Lt. Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, met Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and discussed law and order and some other matters. The Governor expressed satisfaction over the action taken by the Pakistan Army against militants across the country under Operation Radd-ul-Fasad and said that political and military leadership concurred on the issue of militancy.

NATO Commander in Afghanistan John Nicholson, said that Pakistan had not increased its efforts and cooperation against militant safe havens reports Daily Times. Addressing the media following a meeting of NATO Defense Ministers, he said, "You've heard the public statements from President Trump, from Defence Secretary James Mattis, from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen Joseph Dunford, from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, so we are engaging at the very highest levels with the Pakistanis to work together with them against these terrorists that are undermining the stability of the entire region". "The United States has been very clear about the direction we want to go and we hope to see some change in the coming weeks and months," he added.

November 10

Rangers foiled a suicide attack on the occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain at a security check point near Bab-e-Karbala Imambargah, in Rohri of Sukkar District in Sindh, by killing three militants including two would-be suicide bombers. According to Sindh Rangers Spokesperson they had prior intelligence about possible militant activity in Karachi as well as rural Sindh on the occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

Meanwhile, the Police arrested a militant of banned outfit and recovered hand grenades from his possession in Phuleli near Islamabad Railway crossing in Hyderabad District, Sindh. The militant identified as, Siddique Soomro was allegedly planning to attack the railways installations. Two hand grenades recovered from his custody were later defused.

November 11

Unidentified motorcycle borne assailants killed two Pakistani employees of Turkish waste management company, Albayrak, and injured one other in the firing in Rawalpindi city.

A Peshawar High Court Bench including Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Roohul Amin Khan has summoned the CTD's DSP (Investigation) along with the relevant records over a plea by Fazal Khan, father of a student Umar Khan killed in the 2014 Peshawar APS attack that his statement be recorded by the CTD Police Station. He said he had gone to the CTD Police Station several times to record statement in the case but was denied.

Meanwhile, the Bench also adjourned hearing into another petition filed by slain APS student Asfand Khan's father, Advocate Ajun Khan, who sought orders for the Federal and Provincial governments to make public all information related to the 2014 campus attack and the actions taken by them in light of the August 2014 prior alert about the attack.

CTD arrested a militant from the Army Stadium Chowk in Peshawar in KP, belonging to a banned outfit suspected to be involved in an attack on a Police Check Post in Budhber area, and killing of a Security Personnel Anwar Ali. The militant has been identified as Ahsanullah.

The Interior Ministry has decided to suspend arms licenses for all automatic weapons. The notification states that "All license-holders of afore-mentioned weapons are directed to get their weapons converted into semi-automatic weapons through Pakistan Ordinance Factories/ Licensed Armours and get it verified by armor of concerned District Police Officer (DPO) by 15th January 2018 or license-holders of full automatic weapon may return their weapon in the office of the District Magistrate (DM)/ District Coordination Officers (DC)/ Deputy Commissioners (DCO)/ Political Agent and get Rs 50,000 as compensation of their weapon,".

November 12

Four civilians and three Security Personnel were injured in an remote-controlled explosion on Miryan Road in Bannu District in KP. The SFs were heading from Bannu Cantonment to the Jani Khel semi-tribal area, when explosives planted on a motorcycle parked on Miryan Road exploded.

The Security Forces defused an IED planted by unidentified persons on Landi Kotal-Torkham Road in Khyber Agency, FATA. Line Officer Landi Kotal, Tikka Khan Afridi said that the FC Troops accompanied by the Khasadar and Levies Soldiers arrived in the area on a routine visit, upon noticing a concrete block, placed inside a makeshift security check post filled with explosives, the reinforcement along with BDS rushed to the spot, suspended the highway for traffic and defused the bomb..

NACTA responsible for countering internal terrorism has asked the Home Department of the Punjab Province to enhance security for the detained perpetrator of Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed leader of JuD , claiming that a "foreign spy agency" was planning to kill him through members of a banned militant outfit. Saeed is currently being kept at his residence+, 116-E, in Johar town, Lahore in Punjab. NACTA has sent a letter to Lahore-based Home Department of Punjab, claiming that a foreign spy agency had paid Rs 80 million to two activists of a proscribed militant group to kill Saeed, suggesting the Home Department to ensure strict security measures in the surroundings of Saeed's Lahore residence, which has been declared a prison for him by the Punjab's Government.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has removed the names of MPA Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi and 300 others from the Fourth Schedule, a list of terror suspects on the recommendation of a committee responsible for maintaining the list. MPA Masroor, after his victory in the PP-78 Jhang-II by-poll in 2016, had joined the JUI-F after objections were raised over his affiliation with the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba (renamed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat). His name was placed in the Fourth Schedule of the ATA 1997 on May 9, 2014.

November 13

Two soldiers and at least 10 militants were killed and several others sustained injuries in a skirmish after the militants attacked a checkpost along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with heavy weapons, in the Mamond Tehsil area of Bajaur Agency in FATA.

The Pakistan Army asked Afghanistan and NATO's RSM to further eliminate terrorist sanctuaries on the Afghan side of the border. "More efforts are required on Afghanistan side by all stakeholders. Lives of forces and citizens (are) equally precious on both sides of border. It now requires elimination of terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan and effective Afghan border security," DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a series of tweets posted on his official account. According to him there has been an increasing trend of cross-border terrorist attacks on Pakistani posts from across Afghanistan. Almost 308 terrorist attacks have taken place this year. This is the highest number of attacks since 2012 when 324 attacks were reported. On an average there have been 248 attacks every year since 2012. About 29 soldiers have been martyred in the attacks over the past six years. Pakistan has 975 posts along the 2,600km border with Afghanistan, which is mostly porous. Afghanistan, meanwhile, has around 218 posts on its side and there are huge gaps in between the largest being 650km long on the southern side.

November 14

Authorities have issued a terror alert for Parachinar in Kurram Agency in FATA, warning tribesmen to be extra vigilant to prevent a possible attack in the area and the Punjab. Officials said that Political Administration and Security Agencies issued a 'Red alert' after receiving reports about a suicide bomber identified as Talha, member of a banned militant group, JuA, who walked with a limp as he had lost a leg in an IED explosion. The militant has sneaked into Kurram Agency from Khost province of Afghanistan.

FO in a statement said that the cross-border militant's attacks on SFs confirmed the presence of a large number of militants in the increasingly ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan.

The CJCSC General Zubair Mahmood Hayat alleged that India's R&AW had established a cell with a special allocation of over $500 million in 2015, to sabotage CPEC projects in Pakistan. "India's indirect interference in Pakistan is manifested in sponsoring TTP, Baloch and other sub-nationalist outfits and many other terrorist groups," he further claimed.

Sources within IM have denied cancellation or suspension of licenses of prohibited bore arms. Calling the notification over arms licenses circulating on the social media fake, sources said that the license of PB arms are neither being cancelled nor suspended. However, separate policies are being made for allowed and restricted arms, they added. The final approval of the arms license policy would be given by the PM after its approval by the Federal Cabinet. The last date for getting the restricted bore arms licenses computerized is December 30, 2017.

November 15

Fifteen bullet-riddled bodies were discovered by the Levies Force Personnel in the Gorak Area of Buleda Tehsil in Kech District in Balochistan. Makran Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai said that all the victims purportedly belonged to various districts of Punjab, allegedly were en route to Iran through an infrequent route illegally, and received multiple bullets from a close range.

SP Muhammad Ilyas was killed in Nawan Killi area of Quetta, Balochistan along with three family members. A passer-by was also injured in the attack. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Razzaq Cheema, the SP was killed when three armed men whose identity are yet to be ascertained, riding on a motorcycle intercepted his car and opened fire, killing him along with his wife, son, and granddaughter.

A meeting of NSC chaired by PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was held to discuss the security condition of Balochistan. It was reportedly agreed to provide more development funds to the province of Balochistan along with the intent to form a mechanism to ensure transparency in the development projects.

Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting of the PAC in which it was decided to forward 28 high profile terrorism-related cases to the Military Courts. The committee was told that the ATCs in the province have so far convicted 1,521 criminals, 94 of which awarded death penalty, while 562 convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment. CM directed Police and Rangers to initiate, a targeted operation against outfits involved in criminal activities.

A faction of the Taliban has reportedly made a comeback to Wana in South Waziristan Agency in FATA, under the name of a "Peace Committee" and has placed a ban on cultural and social activities and put restrictions on movement of women outside their homes without male members of their family. A local cleric, identified as Ameer Ainullah, has been appointed "Head of the Committee".

An official statement issued by the Local Administration said, "A few 'criminal-minded' people who were not representing the tribes or will of the people in Wana held a meeting to ban certain social activities." "The Elders of the region called a Grand Jirga (Big congregation of local leaders) to deliberate on the threat and agreed not to allow such elements to harm the social fabric" the statement added.

IEP has released the Global Terrorism Index, stating Pakistan is the 5th most affected country by terrorism. The rank of Pakistan had improved and it was excluded from the list of 20 most dangerous countries affected by terrorism.

Afghanistan's CEO Abdullah, said that TTP had consolidated presence in Afghanistan and TTP has achieved that by taking advantage of the instability created by the insurgents fighting the Afghanistan Government.

November 16

CTD has arrested two militants in Peshawar in KP. Eight-kilograms of explosives and a hand grenade were recovered from the arrested militants.

IM Ahsan Iqbal said that India is using Afghanistan territory for aiding militancy in Balochistan in an attempt to sabotage CPEC.

Taliban 'commander' Khan Daraz of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur outfit surrendered to the SFs in North Waziristan Agency in FATA.

The US Congress passed the bill that requires Pakistan to work with the Afghan and American Forces to destroy the Haqqani Network but leaves LeT out.

November 17

ISPR said that BLF leader Younas Taukali was killed by FC Balochistan near Alandur in Abdul Rehman village of Turbat town in Kech District in Balochistan after FC conducted an IBO. Younas Taukali was as one of top eight BLF 'commanders'.

FC personnel conducted IBO on militant hideouts in Dera Bugti, Uch and Chaman Districts in Balochistan and arrested five militants. Explosive and ammunition including IEDs, mines, detonators, grenades and communication equipment were also recovered during the operation.

Punjab Rangers arrested four suspected militants belonging to the banned TTP in an IBO in Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab. The militants were allegedly involved in killing of Police officials in KP and Punjab, said a statement issued by ISPR. Automatic weapons including grenades were also recovered from the militants during the raid.

Lahore High Court, adjourned hearing of a petition of JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed against his detention to wait for a decision on the matter by a PRB.

The CTD Police and Sindh Rangers, in a joint operation, arrested a militant from Mai Ghari area of Manghopir on the outskirts of Karachi in Sindh, suspected to be involved in Lal Shahbaz Qalandar explosion, which killed 80 civilians and injured over 300. CTD DIG Amir Farooqui stated that weapons and explosives were seized from the custody of suspect Nadir Ali alias Murshid Jakhrani.

November 18

Five bullet-riddled bodies were discovered by Levies Force personnel in Tajaban area of Turbat town in Kech District in Balochistan. Levies said that all the victims had received multiple bullet injuries and belonged to Punjab's Gujrat District.

An ATC in Karachi, Sindh indicted MQM Leader Amir Khan and Minhaj Qazi in a case for harbouring militants at Nine Zero, who denied the charges. The Court has declared other accused in the case as 'absconders' and summoned witnesses of the case on next hearing on December 4.

November 19

SF personnel from various agencies, including the IB and FC, jointly conducted a sanitisation operation in Pashtunabad and surrounding areas in Quetta, Balochistan and recovered three weapons. The operation was primarily conducted in the Pashtun living areas.

November 20

Militants from across the border (Afghanistan side) opened fire at a Pakistani Check Post in Mushthari, the bordering area of Landi Kotal in Khyber Agency in FATA, in which a FC trooper sustained bullet injuries.

The Police arrested two persons after recovery of weapons during search from a car outside Gujranwala District and Sessions Court in Punjab.

November 21

Two militants and one SF trooper were killed while three other SF personnel were injured during an exchange of fire in the Buleda area of Turbat town in Kech District of Balochistan.

Two separate teams of provincial CTD conducted IBOs in Gujranwala and Rawalpindi Districts of Punjab and arrested four TTP militants. The militants were identified as Muhammad Irfan who was arrested in Rawalpindi, and Abdul Wahab, Mudassar Nazir and Iqbal arrested in Gujranwala. CTD also recovered explosives and automatic weapons from the militants.

Security in and around BKIA in Peshawar, KP, has been put on high alert amid threat of an attack, on an international flight.

November 22

An Army Major was killed and one soldier was injured in an exchange of fire with TTP militants, when the SFs conducted a raid at Musa Zai Mohllah in Kulachi area of DI Khan City in KP. According to reports, the Army, acting on a tip-off around midnight, had raided the house of ‘commander’ Zahir Shah of the TTP where he was present with his accomplices.

A Review Board comprising the Chair of Justice Abdul Sami Khan, Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Aalia Neelum of the LHC, ordered the release of JuD chief and Lashkar-e-Toiba leader Hafiz Saeed, on expiry of his 30-day detention if he was not required in any other case. The Officers from FM and Punjab Home Department presented the documentary record in support of the detention of Hafiz Saeed.

Major General Asif Ghafoor said that Pakistan welcomes US offer to act against TTP militants.  

Saudi Arabia announced that former Pakistan Army Chief General (retd.) Raheel Sharif would command the Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism. Saudi Crown Prince and DM Mohammed bin Salman will chair the first meeting of the Alliance’s Council of Defence Ministers.

November 23

Police arrested five alleged militants of TTP from Shabqadar area of Charsadda District in KP, along with cache of explosive and ammunition. SHO Shabqadar Police Station Muhammad Arif said the militants were planning an attack on vaccination teams during the on-going anti-polio drive in the area. The five militants belonged to Bajaur Agency of FATA. Police also recovered 40 kilogrammes of explosive, seven mortar shells, three speaker magnets, two IEDs, 10 hand grenades, 13 detonators, and five remote control receivers with a 20-metre of cord from Wacha Wala Graveyard of Subhan Khwar area on Peshawar-Shabqadar Road.

The TTP, Daesh and JuA groups are using Afghan soil in nexus with Indian intelligence agency R&AW for terrorist activities against Pakistan, FO spokesmen Muhammad Faisal. “Mullah Fazlullah and mastermind of the terror attack on Army Public School in Peshawar also took refuge in Afghanistan,” he added.

FO spokesmen stated that the conditionality related to action against the Haqqani Network for reimbursement of USD 700 million to Pakistan under the CSF was not something new.

November 24

AIG of Police, Muhammad Ashraf Noor was killed while seven other Policemen were injured, when a suicide bomber hit his motorbike into the vehicle carrying the AIG and other Personnel, near Zarghoni Mosque in the Hayatabad area between, Phase 1 and 2 in Peshawar District in KP. There are however conflicting reports on the total number of casualties in the attack. Militant outfit LeJ claimed responsibility for the attack.

BDS neutralised a remote-controlled IED affixed by unidentified militants to the vehicle of a local media person Khalil Jibran in Khyber agency in FATA.

FC arrested two militants in IBOs, carried out in, Dera Bugti District, Gulistan in Qilla Abdullah District, Uch, Dera Murad Jamali area in Nasirabad District in Balochistan.

FC recovered a motorcycle laden with IEDs, in Dera Murad Jamali in Nasirabad District.

November 25

Six civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed and 17 others injured in a suicide attack targeting the FC troops in the Sariab Road area in Quetta District of Balochistan. Balochistan HM Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed that the FC vehicle was the target of blast.

The CTD killed four TTP militants in an overnight shootout on Sargodha-Faisalabad Road in the jurisdiction of Nishatabad Police Station in Faisalabad District of Punjab. Three other militants however managed to escape the encounter. Two Kalashnikovs, pistols, three kilogrammes of explosive material, two detonators and two motorcycles were recovered from the slain militants. CTD, Faisalabad, had set up a check-post based on intelligence. 

Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine blast accused Nadir Jhakrani linked to IS group, confessed his crime before the Judicial Magistrate in Karachi, in Sindh. ATC Hyderabad remanded the accused in Judicial Custody for 15 days, while CTD Police has initiated the process for recommending his trial to a Military Court. In his statement, the suspect confessed that the explosion was planned in Balochistan by Ghulam Mustufa alias 'Doctor'.

November 26

The IMCTC’s Military Commander General (retd.)  Raheel Sharif said that the sole objective of the alliance was to counter terrorism and it is not against any country or any sect. The final declaration issued after the Ministers meeting in Riyadh suggested that it would be up to the Member States to decide the extent of their participation in the coalition. The Alliance’s TORs were finalised at a meeting of Defence Ministers of the member countries forming the IMCTC. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khurrum Dastagir represented Pakistan at the daylong meeting presided over by Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Suleman. The declaration said that “the ministers emphasised the importance of providing necessary military capabilities to ensure that terrorist organisations are weakened, dismantled, eliminated and deprived of the opportunity to reorganise”.

November 27

The US has once again offered Pakistan to act jointly against the extremists outfits in Pakistan citing the rise in religious fringe. “Pakistani government now has an opportunity to demonstrate its seriousness in confronting all forms of terrorism, without distinction, by arresting and charging Hafiz Saeed for his crimes” said a White House statement. Senior Officials at the FM said the US had shown concern over Pakistan’s failure to check the extremists’ advances as the Government struggled to contain a sit-in in Islamabad by religious outfits. “They [the US] were furious over [Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief (Jud)] Hafiz Mohammed Saeed’s release. The rise of religious groups like Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah has infuriated them further. They want us to discourage them before they take over the country,” said one Official citing contacts in Washington.

November 28

JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed has filed a petition in the UN for the delisting of his name from the UN's list of Designated Terrorists.

US General John Nicholson said, that he had observed no changes in Pakistan's support for militants despite US President Donald Trump's tough line approach.

November 29

Two people including one IB personnel were killed, while three others were injured, in gunfire outside a Shia Imambargah in Sector I/8 of Islamabad. The deceased IB official has been identified as Hubdar Hussain.

Two FC Personnel were killed while four others were injured in a landmine explosion in Sangan region of Sibi District in Balochistan. The deceased Soldiers have been identified as Aqib Ahmed and Masood Ahmed. The injured have been identified as Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Ayaz, Ghulam Hussain and Altaf.

SI Imdad Shah was killed by two militants riding on motorcycle at the main gate of Government Sardar Begum Teaching Hospital in Sialkot District in Punjab.

Former Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif's appointment to the IMCTC as Commander has led to objection from Iran calling it a 'sectarian alliance'.

November 30

Five Anti-Taliban Personnel were killed and two were injured, in a remotely detonated bomb in Spinkai area near the Afghanistan border, in South Waziristan Agency in FATA. The group was part of a Volunteers' Militia helping the Military in operations against Islamist militants. A faction of Pakistani Taliban militants, known as the Sajna group of TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack. Deceased have been identified as Wali Jan, the head of a Peace Committee, Malik Mewa Khan, Ahmed Gul, Zaman Khan and Malik Ayar Dil Khan while Ahmed Jan and Khalid were injured in the attack.

Four suspected Haqqani militants were killed in US drone strike near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Kurram Agency of FATA. Afghanistan's Paktia Provincial Governor's spokesperson Abdullah Asrat, however, said that the strike happened within the Afghanistan territory with seven militants killed in the drone strike.

At least three people were killed and eight others were injured, as armed clash erupted between two Sunni groups at Ammer Shah Chowk Jani Burira near Hussainabad tehsil Kotdiji in Khairpur District of Sindh. Rally was brought out by religious organization Labaik Ya Rasool Allah, when it was fired upon by unknown gunmen at the Chowk. The deceased have been identified as Zulfiqar Buriro, Latif Dino Buriro and Mushataq Buriro. Victim community called a jirga of Buriro community to decide the further strategy.

Two militants were killed by CTD while three others managed to escape the raid, in Gujrat District in Punjab. The CTD Spokesman informed that explosive material including hand-grenades and arms were recovered from the dead militants.

CTD carried out an operation on the Muzaffargarh Road in Multan District in Punjab and arrested three militants. The arrested militants were experts in manufacturing bombs and explosive material.

December 1

At least nine persons, including six students, were killed and 37 were injured when TTP terrorists attacked the ATI in Peshawar, KP. At least four attackers wearing suicide jackets under burqas reached the compound in a rickshaw. Their first target was the security guard, after which they headed inside towards the ATI students' hostel. Two soldiers were also injured in the rescue operation. A cache of arms and ammunition, including three suicide jackets, 20 hand grenades, AK-47 rifles and IEDs were recovered from the incident site. According to reports, about 120 college residents, out of a total of nearly 400, were present at the time of the attack. Most of the others had gone home for a long holiday weekend. TTP took the responsibility for the attack, claiming that it was not targeting the Institute, but a safe house belonging to Pakistan's ISI in the same area.

A child was killed and two others were injured in an explosion at Christian Colony in the Chaman area of Killa Abdullah District in Balochistan.

A soldier was killed and another was injured in an IED blast in Safi Tehsil of Mohmand Agency in FATA.

ISPR DG Major General Asif Ghafoor said that attack at a Peshawar college by the TTP was guided from Afghanistan, and the militants were in contact with leadership in Afghanistan. "Afghan Director General Military Operations [DGMO] is visiting Pakistan and substantial evidence of TTP sanctuaries [in Afghanistan] has been handed over to him."

December 2

Pro-Government tribal elder, Malak Ameer Rehman, was killed in an IED explosion in the Olai Shah area of Ambar tehsil in Mohmand Agency of FATA. The Administration said that the Khasadar Force arrested 13 people during the clearance operation under the TCRC of the FCR.

Two suspected militants were arrested near Jumma Khan Khwar in Nasir Bagh area of Peshawar in KP. The arrested militants were wanted in target killings and arms and explosives were recovered from them.

Police arrested nine suspects from Badhbher, Telaband, and other areas outside Peshawar. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo said that if Pakistan does not eliminate alleged militant hide outs within its territory then US will do all within its means to eliminate them.

Jud 'chief' and founder of LeT Hafiz Saeed announced to contest the general elections 2018. He said he would contest the NA seat from the platform of the MML to highlight the 'Kashmir issue' internationally.

December 3

Three TTP militants were killed while two others managed to escape the encounter with the CTD, within the limits of Sandal Bar Police Station in Faisalabad District of Punjab. Arms, explosives, detonators and motorcycle were recovered from the slain militants.

SFs arrested 11 militants of the BRA from Sanni Shoran area in Sibi District in Balochistan under Operation Raad-ul-Fassad.

The SFs launched IBOs at Ilyasi Nullah in Dera Bugti District and an unspecified area of Dukki District and recovered arms and ammunition.

Levies Force and Intelligence Agencies recovered 181 Rocket Propeller Gun (RPG)-7 rockets, 172 fuses, an MMRR 75 gun and 80 rounds in the Kahan area in Kohlu District.

Four IEDs were recovered from Killa Saifullah District.

The Al-Shehab-2-Joint Counter Terrorism exercise between Pakistan's SSG and KSA Forces is taking place at Prince Naif Security City in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The exercise started on November 25 and is due to continue until December 10.

December 4

KP Assembly demanded an inquiry into ATI attack on December 1 in Peshawar. The Lawmakers of both the Treasury and Opposition Benches were divided over the role of SFs that took down the militants at the institute. PPP Lawmaker Nighat Orakzai said the role of SFs had created unrest among the people. She said a student, who had had a scuffle with one of the terrorists, had told her that "he snatched the weapon from the terrorist and then locked him up in a room, but the terrorist was later killed by the security forces in the room". JI Senior Minister for Local Government Inayatullah Khan said "If police could overcome the terrorist and arrest him easily, then why didn't they? This needs to be investigated". Law Minister Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi refuted the statement of the student saying that it was just hearsay, adding that he had the complete report of the police which stated that four to five militants who attacked the institute were killed in the fight with the SFs.

The Senate's Standing Committee on Interior of the Upper House, which met at the Parliament House, expressed concern over the recent spur in militancy across the country and demanded the Government review the NAP and its implementation. Committee Chairman Senator Rehman Malik claimed that India was behind the militancy in Pakistan and its agency R&AW was using the Afghan soil for such activities. The Senators also demanded that the Government of Pakistan take up with International Crime Police Organisation INTERPOL the issue of TTP leader Fazalullah and other militants hiding in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of Defence General James Mattis held meetings with the civil and military leadership of Pakistan. He said that his visit was meant for securing long-term ties between the two states. Pakistan PM Shahid Abbasi, during the meeting, told Mattis that there were no "safe heavens" for militants in Pakistan. According to the ISPR, Mattis during his meeting with the Pakistan's CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, remarked that US was willing to address Pakistan's legitimate security concerns,. "Pakistan has done much more than its due share despite capacity constraints but shall remain committed for peace as a responsible member of international community," the CoAS was quoted by the ISPR. Both agreed to work towards specific and sustained actions on each other's concerns.

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis had told Pakistani Civil-Military leadership during his visit that Pakistan, US and Afghanistan must launch simultaneous and coordinated action against Taliban.

December 5

An IED blast near a military vehicle in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan Agency of FATA resulted in the killing of six persons, including three civilians seeking recruitment in the Army; while eight others were injured. “The casualties came from a bomb planted on a motorcycle parked on a roadside in Khadi market of Mir Ali town,” said Kamran Khan Afridi, a Senior Administration Official in the North Waziristan tribal region.

Militants killed three labourers and injured another one in Naks area of the Harnai District in Balochistan. The labourers were affiliated with National Logistics Cell and were engaged in repairing the Sibi-Harnai railway track which had previously been blown up by the militants.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti confirmed that two facilitators of the suicide attack on DPO of Killa Abdullah District had been arrested from Chaman area. They had confessed to receiving PKR 7000 and phone cards for acting as facilitators.

Pervez Musharraf said that he is open to forming a political alliance with the JuD and its ‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed.  

December 6

Two militants were killed by SFs in an IBO in the Jahan Abad area of Swat District in KP. Two facilitators were also arrested.

Ali Mohammad, a Peace Committee member, was killed by TTP militants in Daggar village of Chagmalai region in South Waziristan Agency of FATA. According to local media, TTP claimed the attack with the spokesman of the militant’s outfit warning that they would continue to target members of the Peace Committee.

SFs recovered rockets, IEDs and ammunition of various types in South Waziristan and Bajaur Agencies.

SFs recovered a bomb along the wall of Government Primary School in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency.

SFs recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and explosives, during an operation in Chaman District in Balochistan.

December 7

SFs carried out a search operation under the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and unearthed tunnels, four caves and a factory for production of IEDs in Nangrosa-Lagad area of Barra Bara in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency in FATA. Nangrosa had remained a stronghold of banned militant outfit LI from 2005 to 2012. A cache of arms and ammunition, including hand-grenades and IEDs was also recovered.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman stated that PAF will shoot down US drones if they violate its airspace. The statement has come post the November 30 incident, when a US drone targeted and killed four Haqqani Network militants along Pak-Afghan border in Kurram Agency FATA.

Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana White, during a US State Department press briefing said that no one had lost more troops and lives to terrorism than Pakistan. “The Secretary [Jim Mattis] had very fruitful conversations about where they we can find common ground. As he said, you know, no one has lost more troops and lives to terrorism than the Pakistanis. So again, this is about broadening our relationship and looking for opportunities,” stated Dana White.

December 8

Army and Police conducted a Joint-Search Operation and arrested 19 suspected militants in Gulberg and Riggi areas of Peshawar District in KP. Arms and drugs were recovered from marked houses during the operation. Police reported that in total approximately 80 houses were searched.

JuD ‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed led a rally to launch a countrywide campaign against US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, outside the JuD headquarters in Chauburji in Lahore in Punjab. Saeed said the Pakistani Government should immediately convene a Joint Session of Parliament to discuss the issue. Saeed said the Defence Council Pakistan will send its delegations to Muslim countries and convince them not to open their embassies in Jerusalem.

The US State Department in a travel advisory warned its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan, saying that foreign and indigenous militant groups continue to pose a threat to them throughout Pakistan.

China warned its citizens in Pakistan to be on alert after receiving intelligence reports about possible attacks targeting Chinese. The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said on its website that it had information about a “series of terror attacks” planned against Chinese Organizations and Personnel. It urged its citizens to stay inside and avoid crowded places.

National Coordinator of NACTA Ihsan Ghani along with other Senior Officials of the Authority visited the ISPR in Rawalpindi District in Punjab. He discussed with the DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor about cooperation with the ISPR for NACTA’s counter terrorism efforts. The DG ISPR assured him of ISPR’s support.

December 9

Over 313 militants and 17 militant ‘commanders’ of various militant outfits surrendered to the Government and Security personnel under ‘Peaceful Balochistan Policy’ in Quetta in Balochistan.

Pakistan has blocked 937 web addresses and 10 websites run by banned outfits as part of measures to prevent the use of internet and social media for militant activities.

Former Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz sought action against online blasphemy. Maulana Aziz said that he had also petitioned the Islamabad High Court against the issue but the concerned did nothing.

December 10

Three children were injured in a landmine explosion near Amin Check Post in Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency of FATA.

Various religious and political groups including Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM), Difa-i-Pakistan Council, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), PPP held protests against US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. The main protest was held near the US Consulate in Karachi and the activists burnt flags of the US and Israel and engaged in sloganeering.

December 11

At least two men were injured in a landmine explosion in the Bareli area of Mamond Tehsil in Kohlu District of Balochistan. The injured were identified as Muhammad Naseem and Zakariya Mari.

Six TTP militants were arrested by FC in two separate IBOs under Operation Radd-ul-Fassad in Rustam Darbar area in Dera Bugti District and Killi Deba area in Killa Abdullah District in Balochistan. Explosives, arms and ammunition, including anti-personal mines, detonators and communications equipment were recovered from the militants.

Punjab Rangers along with Police and Intelligence Agencies arrested 12 facilitators of militants during IBOs conducted in Attock, Rawalpindi and Sargodha Districts in Punjab.

Six militants belonging to a sub-group of TTP Swat faction, allegedly linked to the ATI attack in Peshawar in KP on December 1, were arrested during raids in the areas bordering Charsadda District in KP and Mohmand Agency in FATA. Suicide vests and explosive material were recovered from the militants. However the main accused remains absconding despite raids being conducted by SFs in Bajaur Agency in FATA, where he was reported to have been present.

December 12

The CTD submitted the final charge sheet to the ATC in the February 16, 2017, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine bombing case, in Hyderabad District in Sindh. Imtiaz Ali Domki, CTD's Hyderabad Inspector and the IO said that said six accused including Safiullah, son of Mohammad Riaz Mazari; Abdul Sattar, son of Yusuf Mazari; Aijaz Bangalzai, Farooq Bangalzai, Tanvir Ahmed and Zulqarnain were absconders.

Two Pakistan Army personnel were killed when their vehicle was targeted by the militants from atop the mountains in North Waziristan Agency in FATA. The deceased were identified as Second Lieutenant Abdul Moeed and Sepoy Basharat.

CTD personnel acting on prior intelligence arrested a suspected militant from Dogadra Area in Upper Dir District in KP. The militant was identified as Fazl Subhan.

The CTD submitted the final charge sheet to the ATC in the February 16, 2017, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine bombing case, in Hyderabad District in Sindh. Imtiaz Ali Domki, CTD's Hyderabad Inspector and the IO said that said six accused including Safiullah, son of Mohammad Riaz Mazari; Abdul Sattar, son of Yusuf Mazari; Aijaz Bangalzai, Farooq Bangalzai, Tanvir Ahmed and Zulqarnain were absconders.

Federal IM Ahsan Iqbal in a meeting with a delegation comprising Senators from France in Islamabad said that militancy related incidents in Pakistan had dropped by ninety percent.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a statement at the 2017 Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum held in Washington D.C. said that Pakistan could lose territory to militants if it does not sever ties with the Haqqanis and other militant outfits. "Pakistan has allowed so many terrorist organisations to find safe haven within its territories, and these organisations are growing in size and influence, that at some point I have said to the leadership of Pakistan, you may be the target, and they turn their attention from Kabul and decide they like Islamabad as a target better," Secretary Tillerson said.

Brigadier General Lance Bunch, the Director of the Future Operations at Headquarters of Operation Resolute Support in Kabul, Afghanistan, said that US Forces were targeting militants inside Afghanistan but they did not have the authority to conduct any operations inside Pakistan territory.

December 13

FC Balochistan arrested one illegal arms trader in Sui sub-division of Dera-Bugti District in Balochistan. Explosive, detonators, weapons and ammunition were recovered from him.

FC Balochistan in an IBO recovered and neutralised six IEDs planted on N-50 national highway near Zhob District in Balochistan.

A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court acting on the petition filed by one Fazal Khan, disallowed the Government from releasing the former 'spokesperson' of TTP, Ehsanullah Ehsan, and directed the authorities to continue with the investigation. The petition stated that the Government was planning to give clemency to Ehsan who is in the custody of Security Agencies. Ehsanullah Ehsan had later joined JuA.

December 14

At least two civilians were killed and another injured when a militant attacked Aman checkpost in South Waziristan Agency of FATA.

FC conducted an IBO in Dera Bugti District in Balochistan and recovered explosives, IEDs, detonators and ammunition.

SFs comprising Punjab Rangers, CTD, Punjab Police and Intelligence Agencies conducted IBOs and arrested 19 militants, including facilitators, across Sargodha, Bhakar, DG Khan, Attock and Lahore Districts in Punjab Province.

KP has witnessed 50 per cent decline in militancy related incidents in the current year (period not specified) as compared to the previous year (period not specified). 126 militancy related cases were reported to police in 2017 (period not specified), as against 258 cases of militancy in 2016 (period not specified).

Former Pakistan PM and PML-N's President Nawaz Sharif said that terrorism was under control during his tenure but it was rearing its heads again in the country. "The current circumstances in the country are not satisfactory," he added.

December 15 Unidentified militants hurled a grenade targeting the office of National Party in Kech District in Balochistan. No casualties or injuries were reported.
December 16

The Pentagon in its report titled 'Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan' submitted to the US Congress on Afghanistan said that US will take "unilateral steps in areas of divergence" with Pakistan and insisted that there must be "fundamental change" in the way Pakistan deals with militant sanctuaries within its territory.

Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal said that the Taliban have largely devolved into groups of criminals and militants but they must be brought into the peace process. In an interview to Voice of America Deewa, Zakhilwal stated, "The Taliban today are not the Taliban of Mullah Omar because they had some religious commitments and certain values." "But today, the Taliban force is a mixture of drug barons, spreading fear; some are opposed to the government on one pretext or the other and there is a foreign hand involved as well. All these are to be scrutinised and engaged accordingly," he added. "But peace with Da'ish (Daesh) is impossible, and, similarly, peace with other foreign terrorists invading Afghanistan like those Turkmans, Uzbeks, Chechens, Arabs, Chinese and Russians is out of the question," Zakhilwal clarified.

December 17

Nine civilians were killed and 56 injured in a suicide attack by two IS militants on a church in Quetta in Balochistan. Police Guards stationed at the church entrance and on its roof killed one militant but the second militant detonated his explosives-filled vest outside the prayer hall, confirmed Provincial Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti. At the time of the incident there were nearly 400 worshippers in the church for the pre-Christmas service. IS claimed the attack, through its Amaq News Agency in an online statement, without substantiating its claim. However, Police Official Abdur Razaq Cheema, said that two other militants had managed to escape. Bethel Memorial Methodist Church was the target of attack.

CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that the attack targeting the church in Quetta was an attempt to create religious discord in the country. "Effective response by Law Enforcement Agencies is commendable. We stay united and steadfast to respond against such heinous attempts," he added.

December 18

An MQM-Pakistan member Ammad Wasim was killed by unidentified assailants when he was on his way to Samnabad Locality from Matric Board Office, within the limits of Nazimabad Police station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Police termed the incident target killing but declined to verify the political affiliation of the deceased.

SFs arrested three suspected illegal arms traders and recovered a cache of ammunition during a raid in Rizvia Society in Karachi in Sindh. According to a statement by an unnamed Rangers spokesperson the recovery included a G3 rifle, four sub-machine guns (SMGs), two 7mm rifles, M4 rifles, one .22 rifle, one .22 pistol, six 9mm pistols, five 12 bore rifles, four 30 bore pistols, a 32 bore pistol, a 38 bore pistol and 2,159 rounds of different weapon.

A Patrolling Unit of FC Balochistan recovered and neutralised a 12 kilogram IED planted near QDA in Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan.

US President Donald Trump in his speech shortly after White House released NSS said that Pakistan must take decisive action against the terrorist groups "operating on its territory". Mandated by the US Congress, President Trump released his first NSS, according to which the US seeks a Pakistan that is not engaged in destabilising behaviour and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan.

Pakistan PM Shaheed Abbasi's Special NSA Lieutenant General (retd.) Nasser Khan Janjua during a seminar on National Security Policy stated, "US seems to be speaking India's language, and both of them are harbouring identical standpoint over the lingering Kashmir dispute. This is why the US is willing to give India a bigger role in Afghanistan while blaming Pakistan for its own failure in the region,"

Pakistan's NSC conceded that progress on key elements of the NAP to counter terrorism was lacking and ordered the finalisation of the long-delayed National Security Policy. "The National Security Committee (NSC) observed that while fair progress had been made in the implementation of the NAP, certain areas such as policy and institutional reform, needed more commitment and attention," the PM Office said in a statement issued after the meeting of the highest Civil-Military Coordination Forum.

December 19

Three SF personnel and two civilians were injured when a bomb planted along a road at Bacha Abad area of Kulachi Town in Dera Ismail Khan District of KP exploded. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Police sources said the bomb was remotely controlled and exploded when the SFs' vehicle were travelling towards Loni area from Kolachi.

ASF has increased safety measures at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore in Punjab, amid increased threat of attack by militants.

LEA beefed up security of churches and other sensitive places in view of upcoming festival of Christmas across multiple districts in Punjab. RPO Muhammad Idrees Ahmad issued directives to the Police Heads in Multan, Vehari, Khanewal and Lodhran Districts to ensure protection of worship places.

MFA Pakistan in statement issued said that accusations made during the release of National Security Strategy (NSS) do not reflect the facts on the ground and trivialize Pakistan's counter-terrorism achievements and efforts.

The military leadership confirmed during the national security briefing to the Senators that since their inception in 2015 Military Courts had decided 274 cases and awarded 161 death sentences (period not specified). Also 56 convicts had been executed since that time, 13 before the launch of Operation Radd-ul-Fassad on February 22, 2017 and 46 since the launch of the operation. Since the time General Qamar Jawed Bajwa was appointed as CoAS, the Military Courts had received 160 cases.

DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza briefed the Senators on the progress of Operation Radd-ul-Fassad. He confirmed that under the Radd-ul-Fassad, at least 18,001 IBOs were conducted across Pakistan (periods not specified). Giving further details he said that 1,249 IBOs had been conducted in KP and the FATA, including 31 major operations; 13,011 operations had been conducted in Punjab, including seven major operations; 1,410 operations, including 29 major operations, were undertaken in Balochistan; 2015 operations, including seven major operations, were conducted in Sindh. No break up was provided for rest 242 IBOs. There were another 4,983 search-based combing operations (across Pakistan). At least 19,993 weapons were also recovered during these operations. Further, briefing on Karachi, he said that since the launch of the Rangers operation in Karachi in 2013, at least 8,780 suspects had been transferred to the Police; 12,105 weapons were seized and 1,948 militants were arrested; 154 abductees had been freed from captivity and 154 kidnappers were arrested; and 24 soldiers had been killed (period for the data not specified).

COAS Qamar Jawed Bajwa defended the brokering of the deal between the Government and the organisers of the 22-day sit-in at Faizabad interchange in Islamabad, the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah, during the national security briefing. Senator Nihal Hashmi after the meeting quoted him saying that "he will resign if the army's involvement is proved in Faizabad protests". The Army Chief reportedly said that the Police operation had worsened the Faizabad protests and "Had the army taken any action against the participants of the sit-in, the situation would have worsened".

COAS Qamar Jawed Bajwa defended the LeT founder and JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed for raising the Kashmir issue during the national security briefing on. "Like every other Pakistani, Saeed can also take up the Kashmir cause," he said.

The Third round of Pakistan-Japan counter-terrorism consultations was held in Islamabad, MFA Pakistan confirmed.

PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and JUI-F 'chief' Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman met to discuss FATA reforms. Unnamed sources in the Government confirmed that Fazl gave conditional support as he wanted the PM to meet with the Supreme Council of FATA Grand Jirga to listen to their concerns on the matter.

December 20

Two TTP militants attempting to target Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai in a suicide attack were arrested by SFs in a raid from Gulistan tehsil of Killa Abdullah District in Balochistan. Provincial HM Mir Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed that SFs had also recovered suicide jackets, anti-tank mines, rockets, mortar shells and other subversive materials during the raid. The militants identified as Hamid Bashir and Munawar, bothe from Punjab, belonged to a splinter faction of TTP, the Qari Group.

Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt.) General (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch in response to a question by MNA Muhammad Jamal ud Din confirmed that 14 people had been killed and 20 others sustained injuries in 22 mine explosions since the start of repatriation of temporary dislocated persons in SWA in FATA. The period for the data has not been specified.

Afghanistan Consul General Mohammad Moeen Marastial during a press briefing stated that tribal people's consent is a must for KP and FATA merger. "Our Government has no reservations over the merger, but the opinion of the people of the area is paramount before taking such a major decision," he said.

The Opposition for the eighth consecutive day staged a walkout from the National Assembly proceedings over non-inclusion of FATA reforms bill in the agenda,. PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi held a meeting with the FATA Supreme Council of Grand Jirga to develop consensus on the issue.

The Opposition for the eighth consecutive day staged a walkout from the National Assembly proceedings over non-inclusion of FATA reforms bill in the agenda,. PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi held a meeting with the FATA Supreme Council of Grand Jirga to develop consensus on the issue.

One Chinese national, named 'Liu', has gone missing from Karot Hydropower Project in Kahuta District. He was associated with Chinese company Sino Hydro Corporation as a supervisor.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on nominated his brother, and the incumbent CM of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif as the PML-N's candidate for premiership in the upcoming elections. Nawaz added that Shahbaz Sharif had differed with him over certain issues but his thorough and firm commitment with PML-N overrides everything else since PML-N was a democratic party and considered difference of opinion as an asset. He added that Shahbaz had never violated the party discipline.

December 21

Seven people were killed and four others were injured in firing followed by a mine explosion in Toba Nokhani area of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan. According to unnamed Levies sources, six people of the same family were killed and four others were injured when unidentified militants stormed a house belonging to a person called Gujjar. Subsequently, a landmine explosion took place when the vehicle was shifting the dead and injured to the hospital, killing one more person on the spot.

Two militants were killed and weapons seized from their possession during an IBO by SFs in Tump area of (Turbat) Kech District in Balochistan.

Two suspected militants were killed by personnel of the CTD during a raid in a compound near Jalalpur Pirwala in Multan District in Punjab. One of the slain militant was identified as M Ajmal, the identity of the other killed militant has not been ascertained yet. Three other militants managed to escape.

US Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to said that US President Donald Trump had put Pakistan on notice for providing safe haven to Taliban and other militant organisations within its territory. "As the President said, so I say now: Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with the U.S., and Pakistan has much to lose by continuing to harbour criminals and terrorists." He said at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan.

MFA Pakistan Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal confirmed that a list of proscribed militant outfits adopted at the Amritsar Declaration during the Heart of Asia Conference on December 4, 2016 has been dropped in the Baku declaration at the seventh HoA Ministerial Conference held in Azerbaijan on December 1 2017.

MFA Pakistan Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal confirmed that a list of proscribed militant outfits adopted at the Amritsar Declaration during the Heart of Asia Conference on December 4, 2016 has been dropped in the Baku declaration at the seventh HoA Ministerial Conference held in Azerbaijan on December 1 2017.

Former PM and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif met incumbent PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and agreed to address the concerns of JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over FATA reforms. Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and other senior leaders of PML-N were also present in the meeting.

The National Command Authority (NCA) emphasised that Pakistan would continue with its policy of Full Spectrum Deterrence (FSD) to meet growing challenges to its security and for maintaining strategic stability in the region. "NCA reiterated Pakistan's policy of developing and maintaining FSD, in line with the policy of Credible Minimum Deterrence and avoidance of arms race," the ISPR said after a meeting of the NCA. The NCA identified three major threats, the growing conventional asymmetry with India, nuclearization of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Indian plans for development of BMD.

Representatives of different religious and political organisations and ambassadors of Muslim countries while addressing at 'Labbaik YA Al-Aqsa Conference' held in Lahore in Punjab, under aegis of Pakistan Ulema Council announced to reject US President Donald Trump declaration for relocation of US Embassy to Jerusalem.

December 22

JuA 'commander' Abdur Rauf alias Abbasi Mohmand and cousin of JuA 'chief' Abdul Wali Mohmand alias Omar Khalid Khorasani was killed in Afghanistan, said an unnamed Police Official. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Rauf was killed by Khorasani himself after it was found out that he wished to surrender to the Pakistan Army and abandon militancy. However, reports about a rival outfit killing him have also surfaced.Three FC Troops and five militants were killed, when militants fired on them from across the Pak-Afghan border at Shunkrai area of Mohmand Agency in FATA. The Troops were targeted when they were constructing new border post at Shunkrai area. According to ISPR five militants were injured in retaliatory fire as well. The deceased Soldiers have been identified as Havaldar Muneer Khan, Sepoy Haq Nawaz Khan and Lance Naik Irshad Hussain.

Three FC Troops and five militants were killed, when militants fired on them from across the Pak-Afghan border at Shunkrai area of Mohmand Agency in FATA. The Troops were targeted when they were constructing new border post at Shunkrai area. According to ISPR five militants were injured in retaliatory fire as well. The deceased Soldiers have been identified as Havaldar Muneer Khan, Sepoy Haq Nawaz Khan and Lance Naik Irshad Hussain.

Militants lobbed a hand grenade on a SFs post at Qayyum Abad Qandhro in Mohmand Agency in FATA. No casualties or injuries were reported.

FC Balochistan killed two militants in a sanitisation operation conducted in Sibbi District in Balochistan. According to the ISPR, two militants who were involved in threatening locals, were killed in an exchange of fire during the operation. FC Balochistan killed two militants in a sanitisation operation conducted in Gandimgozi Kaur area of Kech (Turbat) District in Balochistan. Arms and ammunition were recovered from their hideout.

Two persons belonging to the Hazara community were killed and two others were injured when they were targeted near Western Bypass in Nakhailabad area of Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan. According to DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema, 12 people were travelling from Quetta to Karachi in a large van when unknown militants fired at their vehicle killing two and injuring two others.

MFA Pakistan Spokesperson Dr Mohammed Faisal said that VP Pence's "statement is at variance with the extensive conversations we have had with the US administration". "Allies do not put each other on notice. On notice should be those factors responsible for exponential increase in drug production, expansion of ungoverned spaces, industrial scale corruption, breakdown of governance, and letting Daesh gain a foothold in Afghanistan" he added.

DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said that the US threats against Pakistan with respect to the latter's alleged support for militant groups can harm the existing coordination and cooperation between the two countries.

DIG and RPO Abdul Razzaq Cheema in a media briefing said that six suicide explosions killed 45 persons including 23 civilians, 12 Policemen and 10 Army personnel in Balochistan during 2017, reports The Nation. While 195 including 125 civilians, 39 Policemen, 25 Army personnel and 6 FC soldiers were injured in 2017 in Balochistan (period not specified). During 2016, 155 were killed which included 78 civilians, 71 Police, five FC and one Army Personnel and 270 were injured (break down not specified), in a total of four suicide attacks on SFs and civilians (period not mentioned). The DIG added that 49 personnel of the Police and FC were targeted this year in 21 targeted killing attacks in 2017 (period not specified). He went on to state that 16 cases had been sent to Military Courts by the Police in 2017 (period not specified). After Court permitted 45,000 kg explosive materials had been defused in 2017 (period not specified).

December 23

CTD arrested three militants from Faisalabad District in Punjab. Arms and ammunition, including explosives and detonators, were recovered from the arrested militants. CTD (unnamed) officials said they were planning an attack on the office of a security agency.

The Ministry of Interior has termed the MML an offshoot of proscribed entities including JuD, FIF and LeT; and opposed its registration as a political party with the ECP. The Ministry in its written reply submitted to the Islamabad High Court on a petition filed by MML seeking its registration with the ECP requested the Court not to consider MML's plea and dismiss the petition accordingly. It also mentioned that a Security Agency opined that "it is difficult to believe that MML will tread its own path, completely at variance with its mother (LeT and JuD) organisations".

Pakistan and Iran agreed to joint aerial monitoring to avoid an untoward situation and effectively patrol their borders. Senior Security Officials of the two countries met at the border town of Taftan in Chaghi District in Balochistan and decided that helicopters would be used for patrolling on both sides of the borders. Pakistan would monitor the border belt from pole No 72 to 131.

December 24

Three FC personnel, identified as Naik Inayatullah Khattak, Sepoy Mohsin Ali Turi and Sepoy Sifatullah were killed in an IED explosion at Ghulam Khan area in North Waziristan Agency of FATA. A curfew has been imposed in Ghulam Khan area after the incident.

JuD 'chief' and LeT founder Hafiz Saeed inaugurated the MML's office on Mohni Road in National Assembly (NA) constituency-120 in Lahore in Punjab.

Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir issue was incorporated in the joint 'Islamabad Declaration' at the first-ever Speakers' Conference held in Islamabad. The Conference included Pakistan, China, Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan. The 19th serial number in the 29 point declaration stated "We agreed that for ensuring global and regional peace and stability, the issue of Jammu & Kashmir needs peaceful resolution by Pakistan and India in accordance with UNSC resolutions". Speaker National Assembly (NA) Ayaz Sadiq representing Pakistan in the Speakers Conference held in Islamabad mentioned that Pakistan had suffered losses of over 119 billion dollars to its economy because of militancy.

December 25

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan wanted to facilitate Afghanistan for transit trade. "We wanted to have meetings with Afghanistan to resolve the business related issues existing between the two neighbouring countries," he said. "We will not allow India for transit trade with Afghanistan through using the land of Pakistan,” he added.

PAF inaugurated a new operational air base PAF Base Bholari in the Bholari area of Thatta District in Sindh. The establishment of the airbase would play an important role in safeguarding the CPEC project, said Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.

December 26

A US drone strike killed two Haqqani network militants including a ‘commander’ travelling in a vehicle in the Mata Sangar area near Afghanistan-Pakistan's border in Kurram Agency in FATA. The Haqqani network ‘commander’ was identified as Jamil-ud-Din. Four other militants were present in the area when drone strike hit them but they left the premise before the drone strike was conducted.

The FATA Youth Jirga said in press briefing in Islamabad that it will start a countrywide petition campaigning to convince masses within and out of Government on FATA reforms espousing merger with KP.

The Federal Cabinet approved early merger of FATA into KP. An official statement issued after the Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that approval was granted “to the formation of NIC on the FATA Reforms.” The NIC had agreed that the FATA people will be able to elect 23 members to the KP assembly, while the NA seats would be finalised after consultations.

Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif said that 1400 Police Personnel had been killed during ‘war on terror’ (period not specified).

Former PM and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said that the initiation of a treason case against former President and General (retd) Pervez Musharraf by PML-N Government was the reason behind his disqualification.

Pakistan, Afghanistan and China held the first FM Dialogue in Beijing and urged the Afghan Taliban to join the peace process. In a joint statement, the three Governments called for a ‘broad-based and inclusive peace and reconciliation process’ and reaffirmed their commitment to improving relations, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, advancing connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations without any distinction.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced his party's support for PAT led by Tahirul Qadri protest against Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah for the Model Town incident on June 17 2014.

The NSAs of India and Pakistan, Ajit Doval and Lieutenant General (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua respectively held a meeting in Bangkok. However, MFA Pakistan did not confirm the meeting.

December 27

The Executive Board of the NAB approved filing of six new corruption references, including illegal construction of a road to residence, against former PM and PML-N Nawaz Sharif and his brother & Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif. 

Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf said that some rogue elements within the ‘establishment’ could have been involved in murder of former PM Benazir Bhutto. He added that rogue elements could have been in touch with the Taliban as well because the Pakistani society is polarised on religious lines.

December 28

A gas pipeline running from Bakhtyar Abad to Showran was blown up by militants near Jalal area of Bolan District in Balochistan.

DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said that there were no rogue elements within the Pakistan Army. “I am spokesman of the sitting army chief. You should ask Musharraf to explain his statements. As of now, I can say that there are no rogue elements within Pakistan Army”, he said. Responding to Former PM and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif’s statement DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said that Pakistan Army had no response to events in the political domain. “If there is any conspiracy [about Army’s involvement in politics], they should come up with evidence,” he said.

DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor additionally stated that military-to-military ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan were not ideal but there had been some improvement since CoAS General Qamar Jawed Bajwa’s visit to Kabul on September 28, 2017. “Pak-Afghan military-to-military engagement is very important. At present, we cannot call it ideal … but situation has improved after army chief’s visit to Kabul,” he said. Additionally, he said that “We have already started fencing of 2,611 kilometres of Pak-Afghan border. Additional posts and forts are being built and on every 1.5-2 kilometres, we will have a physical presence.” He also warned US against unilateral military action within the Pakistan territory.

MFA spokesperson Mohammed Faisal said that US had not cancelled the sale of F-16 jets to Pakistan. “They have not refused the sale”, he said.

Russian Consul General Aleksandr Khozin said that Pakistan occupied a significant place in Russia’s foreign policy priorities and is considered as an important business partner in various fields including energy and metallurgy.

December 29

Police arrested six suspected militants and recovered arms and ammunition in raids at Kot Walidad and Nikora Check Posts in Kulachi Tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan District in KP. Five of the arrestees were identified as Abdullah Jan, Hanif, Ziaullah, Ghulam Mustafa, and Sher Khan. The Police recovered one gun, one pistol with over 100 bullets from Abdullah Jan; one gun from Hanif; one rifle from Ziaullah; two rifles with ten rounds from Ghulam Mustafa; and 12-bore gun with four cartridges from Sher Khan.

CTD acting on prior intelligence arrested two TTP militants in Gujranwala District of Punjab. The militants identified as Imran and Abubakar were allegedly planning to attack office of LEA. Arms, explosives and detonators were recovered from them.

A suspected facilitator of Afghan Spy Agency, NDS, was arrested by personnel of FC and Intelligence Agencies, in IBOs in Musa colony and Sangan areas of Sibi District of Balochistan. FC recovered weapons and ammunition including explosives and communication equipment, ISPR said in a statement.

Five LeJ militants were arrested in SITE Superhighway Industrial Area of Karachi in Sindh. The militants were planning to assassinate an important personality belonging to the Shia community.

Palestine’s ambassador to Pakistan, Waleed Abu Ali, shared a stage with ‘chief’ of JuD and founder of LeT Hafiz Saeed during a rally organised by the DePC in Liaquat Bagh of Rawalpindi city of Punjab. Hafiz Saeed used this rally to call for an "Islamic summit" to defend Jerusalem from Israel.

December 30

Five suspected IS militants were killed in an encounter with the Police in Gharibabad area near Ayub Goth in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Police acting on prior intelligence received from an IA conducted a targeted raid at the hideout in which the five militants were killed. One militant, identified as Qari Habibullah alias Abdul Salam Burmi, was previously associated with al Qaeda and involved in the targeted killing of Policemen, Army personnel, and members of Shia and Christian communities.

December 31

Police recovered one 10 kilograms bomb on the Circular Road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, which was later neutralised by the BDS. LEA vehicles were allegedly the target of the planned attack.

Source:Compiled from news reports and are provisional.

 

 

 

 

 
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