Detail Of Terrorism Update

At least 10 militants were killed when Security Forces (SFs) fighter jets pounded various suspected militant hideouts in Mamozai, Jandarkhel and Samaa Bazaar areas of Orakzai Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on May 28, reports Dawn. The bombardment left three suspected militant hideouts completely destroyed.  

Separately, two separate US drone attacks killed at least nine militants near Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency. The first, in the early hours of the morning, targeted a militant compound in Hassokhel town, 25 kilometres (16 miles) east of Miranshah, killing at least five militants. The second attack targeted a militant vehicle in Datta Khel town, 30 kilometres (18 miles) west of Miranshah, killing four militants.  

Meanwhile, air forces jets killed five suspected militants in Tirah valley area of Khyber Agency.  

Elsewhere, three Shias were killed and another six injured when unidentified militants ambushed a Peshawar-bound bus in Charkhel village of Parachinar in Kurram Agency. “Gunmen attacked a passenger bus carrying Shias with hand grenades and firearms, killing three and wounding six others,” a local administration official said on condition of anonymity. The dead were identified as Abid Hussain (driver), Iftikhar Hussain and Spine Ali.  

Further, two soldiers were killed and several injured in a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants’ ambush in Kot Langarkhel area of South Waziristan Agency.  

In addition, militants blew up a Government boys’ primary school in Qayumabad Lakaro area of Safi tehsil (revenue unit) in Mohmand Agency. However, no loss of life was reported. Over the last few months, 95 schools, dozens of health centres and a few telephone exchanges have been targeted by militants in Mohmand Agency. In Safi tehsil alone, more than 45 schools have been blown up leaving more than 25,000 children without education.

At least three tortured bullet-riddled bodies stuffed in a bag were found in the Ferozabad area of Quetta on May 28, reports Dawn. The bodies were identified as Mehran Khan Kiyazai, Mohammad Khan and Mohammad Nabi Marri. Sources said that Mehran Khan was missing since April 11, 2012. Mohammad Khan Marri and Mohammad Nabi Marri, residents of Sariab, were brothers. Voice for Baloch Missing Persons’ Chairman Nasrullah Baloch told Daily Times that the deceased were on the missing persons’ list and were abducted in April from Zarghoon Road. He said as many as 407 bullet-riddled bodies of Baloch missing persons had been found so far.                               

Separately, two dead bodies were recovered from Pnhinain area of Dera Bugti District. A spokesman for the Baloch Republican Party (BRP), Sher Mohammad Bugti, claimed that the bodies were dumped in the area. He identified the victims as Ali Khan Bugti and Wali Mohammad Bugti, who had been missing since March 12, 2005.  

Elsewhere in the District, another dead body, identified as that of Habibullah Nurzai, was found in the Pashtoonabad area.                               

Further, another unidentified dead body was recovered from Khuzdar District.                                       

In addition to the recovery of bullet riddled bodies, Quetta witnessed a series of violence. At least two Police officials, identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abdul Qayyum and constable Muhammad Asif (driver),  were killed and another two were injured in an ambush attack on a Police van on Sariab Road in Quetta. Superintendent of Police (SP) Sikandar Tareen said that the vehicle of New Sariab Police was returning from the court when unidentified assailants opened fire on it. No group had claimed responsibility for the attack. 

In another incident, the headmaster of a middle school and a part time journalist, Abdul Qadir Hajizai, was shot dead while he was on his way to home in Basima area of Washuk District, reports Dawn. Hajizai worked for a private Balochi language TV channel. 

Also, at least three Policemen were injured when unknown assailants opened fire on a police mobile in Sariab Wali Jat area in Quetta, reported The News.  

In a separate incident, armed militants opened fire on the house of the President of the Turbat Press Club, Irshad Akhtar in Turbat District, reports Dawn. However, Akhtar and his family remained unhurt in the attack.  

Meanwhile, a portion of the main railway track was blown up in Pirkaniabad area on Sariab Road in Quetta, reported Daily Times. According to the Police, unidentified militants planted explosive material to the railway track, which exploded destroying two-foot-long portion of the track, while the blast also caused suspension of railway traffic to and from Quetta.

At least eight persons, including a Superintendent of Police (SP) and his doctor friend, were killed and 14 others were injured in separate incidents of violence in various areas of Karachi on May 28, reports Dawn. SP Shah Muhammad was leaving after a routine medical check-up at a private clinic in Bengali Para area within Korangi Police precincts SP and his friend Doctor Dilshad were standing outside the clinic when four armed assailants opened fire on them. Sindh Inspector General (IG) Mushtaq Shah reached the scene and declared the incident an act of target killing. Talking to reporters, the IG said, “We are trying to probe the motive behind the murders. It could be a result of the deceased’s participation in the 1990s Karachi Operation as he was then Gulberg Station House Officer.”                                                                          

Separately, two cadres of Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal-Jama’at (ASWJ), identified as Mufti Zeeshan and Danish alias Bihari, were shot dead in Zia Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.                       

In another incident, a youngster, identified as Adnan Rafiq, was shot dead near Clifton underpass within the limits of Clifton Police Station.  

Further, One person was killed by firing in Jodia Bazar area within the jurisdiction of Kharadar Police Station. 

Elsewhere, Police found the dead body of a man identified as Saeed Gul alias Afghani (24) near Government Degree College in Korangi, within the limits of Awami Colony Police Station. Gul was abducted before being killed. 

In addition, another unidentified dead body was found from Pahalwan Goth area.  

Meanwhile, the Law Enforcement Agencies claimed to have arrested five suspects, including a militant of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from different areas of Karachi, reported Daily Times. Pak Colony Police claimed to have arrested a TTP militant, Mohammad Yaseen Mehsud alias Naib Commando, who is said to have been involved in the assassinations of four Policemen during a raid in Jehanabad area and recovered two 9 mm pistols from his possession. The accused is also said to have been involved in riots at Kati Pahari and its surrounding areas during ethnic violence in Karachi.                                                          

Also, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Anti Extortion Cell (AEC) claimed to have arrested two extortionists, Israr Hussain and Mumtaz Ali, from Kharadar area during a raid in Gao Gali, Jodia Bazaar, and recovered two pistols from their possessions. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khurram Waris said that the accused were involved in several cases of extortion and abduction-for- ransom. The accused was an employee of a private security company and had demanded PKR 5 million from Mohammad Qasim, the owner of Momin Hotel in Kharadar.

Police on May 28 claimed to have repulsed a militant attack on Mullazai Police Station in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports Dawn. According to police, a group of 80 to 90 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants holding heavy weapons attacked the Police Station. Policemen fought against attackers for over one hour forcing the latter to flee. Later, security personnel also showed up. They jointly cordoned off the area and began search operation. During the search, a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) exploded after a police van hit it. The explosion injured three Policemen Samiullah, Fayyaz, and Bashir. TTP later accepted responsibility for the attack. According to the TTP spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, told reporters from an undisclosed location that TTP would continue fighting the Government until Shariah was enforced in the country.

An auto rickshaw driver was injured when a group of armed extremists opened fire on a siren-fitted auto rickshaw heading for night patrolling near a paddy field in Charla town in Bhadrachalam division in Khammam District around midnight on May 27, The Hindu. P Nagendra (22) sustained bullet wounds. However, no policeman was present in the auto rickshaw.

Kanglaonline reports that unidentified miscreants lobbed a hand grenade at the private residence of a Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) executive engineer, identified as Okram Meino, at Khongman Okram Chuthek in Imphal East District at around 10:50 pm on May 28. However, there were no casualties.

The Police in a drive recovered 20 powerful explosives including 10 detonators from the Court area in the Sylhet town of Sylhet District on May 27, reports The New Age.  Acting on a tip-off, a team of the Police conducted a drive on the southern side of Collectorate Mosque in the area and recovered 10 powerful plastic explosives and 10 detonators, a device for detonating explosives, in an abandoned condition.

Terror suspects and Indian Mujahideen (IM) operatives Naquee Ahmed and Nadeem Shaikh were on May 28 arrested for stealing two motorcycles from VP Road and Dongri areas of Mumbai (Maharashtra) days before the July 13, 2011 (13/7) bomb blasts, reports IBNLive.

Both of them were in judicial custody in connection with the blast case and were arrested on May 28, in theft case. The two vehicles were later recovered from Bihar by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) after the arrest of Naquee and Nadeem in the blast case. According to Police, the accused had plans to use the vehicles for future terror activities.

A hardcore Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) squad leader, identified as Tota Hembram, was arrested from his hideout near Lalgarh area under the Jhargram subdivision of West Midnapore District in the evening of May 26, reports The Times of India. Hembram, belonged to the Bikash squad, was wanted in several cases of murder, abduction and landmine attacks. Hembram was hiding in Jhatiyara village in Lalgarh's Dharampur when Police raided the house on specific intelligence.

A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) 'sub-zonal commander', identified as Tej Bahadur alias Tejwa, surrendered with arms to Police at the District collectorate in Sasaram, the administrative headquarters of Rohtas District, on May 28, reports Zee News. Tejwa operated as 'sub-zonal commander' of Sone-Ganga and Vindhyachal area. He also surrendered one INSAS rifle, 124 cartridges and nine magazines, Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said.

Police on May 28 rescued Faizul Islam, a State agriculture department engineer, who was reportedly abducted along with Godapani Pathak on May 2 from Salkocha in Dhubri District, reports The Times of India. Godapani Pathak’s bullet-ridden body was found in Bongaigaon District on May 3. "On Sunday night, [May 27] he was reportedly abandoned by some miscreants near a petrol pump in Salkocha. He is weak and has been admitted to hospital. The interrogation is likely to put light on the murder mystery of Godapani," said a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) official, who is probing the matter. Further, a CID source suspected that Islam was released after paying ransom money. However, he also did not overrule the possibility of Faizul's involvement in the murder. "All ends are open for investigation," the source said. Earlier, a CID source had admitted to political pressure in the case.

Pakistan has acknowledged that there is enough evidence to prosecute Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) ‘commander’ Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi for his involvement in the Mumbai (Maharashtra) terror attacks (November 26, 2008), in what marks the first endorsement of India's case against the 26/11 masterminds holed up across the border, reports The Times of India.

Pakistani officials admitted during Home Secretary-level talks (May 24-25) that investigation conducted by their Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had established Lakhvi's direct involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks.

The Pakistani officials also told Indian Home Secretary R. K. Singh that the evidence against Lakhvi, largely related to his role in organizing money and logistics, including the boat and inflatable dingy for the gang that ravaged Mumbai was strong enough to secure his conviction in court.

Indian Officials termed it as a "significant admission", stressing that Pakistani authorities will be required to produce the evidence in the court trying Lakhvi and six others including LeT commanders Zarar Shah and Abu Al Qama, who all are in jail.

Significantly, the talks also saw both sides agreeing to initiate negotiations for a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) which is meant to facilitate cooperation in investigation of crimes, prosecution and collecting evidence. Home secretary Singh said "The Pakistani side promised to examine the draft and revert with comments within two months”.

During the two-day Home Secretary Level talks on May 24-25,2012 in Islamabad (Pakistan), Indian delegation told Pakistani side that it has given them enough evidence against Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) founder, Hafiz Saeed which was added to the proof collected against Saeed by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency, according to Rediffnews.

Apart from the confessional statement of November 26, 2008 (26/11) attacker Ajmal Amir Kasab, who categorically told investigators about the role of Hafiz Saeed in the terror attack, India has also given evidence gathered from LeT terror operative David Coleman Headley they said.

On May 28, Jam Mir Muhammad Yousuf, a former Chief Minister of Balochistan, was granted bail before arrest for half a million rupees in connection with the August 26, 2006 Nawab Akbar Bugti murder case, reports The Express Tribune. His lawyer, Muhammad Farooq, argued before the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court that Jam Yousuf has been shown as an absconder in the charge sheet that was submitted to Anti-Terrorism Court. He was charged with abetting the murder of the Chief of the Bugti tribe, Nawab Akbar Bugti. Jam Yousuf is in Dubai but wants to return to Pakistan.                                         

Separately, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Chief and the eldest son of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Talal Akbar Bugti said that Dera Bugti was his native town and no law could stop him from going there, reports Daily Times. Welcoming the hearings of the Supreme Court about missing persons in Balochistan, he said Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing a case on monthly basis in Quetta regarding law and order situation, but the court had not taken up the murder of his father Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.  The JWP leader said that no notice had been taken into the forced displacement of thousands of Bugtis due to alleged military operation in Dera Bugti, adding that their properties were occupied by the people backed by the Government and Security Forces.

President Ram Baran Yadav is yet to take his decision on the Government announcement to conduct fresh election of the Constituent Assembly, following the unexpected demise of the Constitution Assembly (CA), reports Nepal News. President is set to consult with legal experts before taking the decision. 

Meanwhile, Unified Communist Party of Nepal- Maoist (UCPN-M) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has described the Government’s decision to hold fresh election of the Constituent Assembly as “constitutional and democratic step taken out of compulsion, which is in line with the Supreme Court’s verdict”. He has also urged the parties to be ready for national consensus Government.

A magisterial court in Pune (Maharashtra) on May 28, granted permission to the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to conduct an identification parade of Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Qateel Siddiqui (27) of Bihar. Siddiqui has been accused for attempting to plant a bomb near the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple in Pune on February 13, 2010.

After four years, the Goa government has given its in principle approval to a proposal from the Goa Police Department to set up a Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), as reported on May 29, by The Times of India. The ATS will be a specialized unit conceived to combat any possible terrorist attack in the coastal state.

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar said, "Government has in principal approved the proposal for formation of ATS and the file has been moved to the administrative reform department (ARD)”.

The proposal was submitted by Goa Police in December 2008, after the Mumbai blasts of November 26, 2008 (26/11).

The Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has issued notices to five major telecom companies asking “why they should not be charged under sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for providing SIM cards to the suspected terrorists without proper verification process”, as reported by Daily Bhaskar on May 29. The notices have been given to the CEO’s of these telecom companies and have been asked to appear personally before the ATS to submit their explanation.

The ATS had recovered more than two dozen SIM cards from their possession of IM operatives active in the State. The probe had reached to the conclusion that the cellular phones used by the accused were operating with SIM cards, secured on the basis of bogus documents. ATS chief, Vipin Maheshwari said, despite repeated warnings and advisories, the telecom companies, it seems are careless about verification of their subscribers. Both state and centre had been asking the service providers to maintain database of all their subscribers along with verifications details, which for security reasons can be re-checked to ascertain the antecedents of customers.

Dawn reported that a plan to shift Doctor Shakeel Afridi from Central Jail Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab has been finalised on May 28 and all the Law Enforcement Agencies have been put on high alert to avert any untoward incident. Official sources told Dawn that a special meeting held in Peshawar with the concerned department and LEA’s representatives, approved the formal shifting plan of Doctor Shakil Afridi, convicted for 33 years in a treason case, which led to the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The sources said that it’s likely that Afridi might be shifted through a special helicopter provided by the Interior Ministry to a jail or fort in Punjab, which according to the sources has not been finalised.                                 

Separately, the family of Doctor Afridi came out to defend him as his brother Jamil Afridi said the charges against him were ‘a pack of lies’. “Our brother has been made a scapegoat,” said Jamil Afridi, adding, “Everybody knew where Osama was”. “He is not a spy. This allegation from our Security Agencies is fabricated and baseless,” Jamil added. Jamil said they are not allowed to meet him and they have not been allowed to give him access to legal councils. “We want to meet him to get his signature on a letter of attorney as a panel of lawyers is preparing to file an appeal against his conviction.” Jamil Afridi called on the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to intervene directly to allow a swift appeal. "I appeal on the Chief Justice to provide us security and help us exercise our right of appeal," Jamil said.                             

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Peace Movement, a civil society group against militancy Samiullah Afridi said that Doctor Shakeel has done nothing illegal, reports The News.  The actual reason behind the verdict could only be known once we are provided with a copy, he said. "We have requested the administration to provide us with the documents related to the trial and conviction, and once we get them, we will file an appeal in the office of the commissioner of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR)," the lawyer said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 28, approached Interpol to get Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Fasih Mehmood, who was allegedly involved in Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium blast (April 17, 2010), reports The Times of India.

Fasih was detained in Saudi Arabia on May 13. Interpol RCN is one of the pre-requisites for sending a formal extradition request to Saudi Arabia. An unnamed official said, "The RCN is likely to be issued in a day or two on the basis of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) obtained by Bangalore Police against him”.

As added by Hindustan Times, Saudi Arabia is to deport Fasih Mehmood, resident of Barsmela village in Darbhanga District of Bihar to India next week on the basis of an Interpol RCN.

Government sources said the process for deportation of Mehmood, a key aide of IM terrorist Riyaz Bhatkal was started by Karnataka Police on May 25.

Deccan Chronicle reports on May 29, that credible information available with Indian intelligence agencies suggests that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), has directed the Indian Mujahideen (IM) to launch a fresh spate of high value terror attacks in the country.

It wants IM to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty so that multi-national companies (MNCs) in India shut shop. At the same time, the terror attacks will also deter other MNCs that are planning to invest in India.

Intelligence inputs also suggest that the ISI is using Bhatkal brothers, Riyaz and Iqbal, who in turn have directed Yaseen Bhatkal, the India chief of IM, to carry out this operation.

Pakistan and the US moved a step ahead in the talks on resumption of NATO supplies as they started discussion of technical details of the matter, sources in the Foreign Ministry said on May 28, reports Daily Times. However, they clarified that the progress did not mean conclusion of talks. The two sides agreed on the broad framework of reopening of the supply lines, besides discussing the Salala incident, drone attacks and other issues, nevertheless, modalities were yet to be decided, the sources said. “We moved a step ahead in talks with the US and now details are under discussion at technical level,” they said. To a question about taxation on NATO supplies, apology on Salala and the talks on drone strikes, a senior official on condition of anonymity said, “We are negotiating all these issues with a view to resolve them all in our best national interest.” However, no major breakthrough had taken place, he added.

The Shillong Times reports on May 28 that at the backdrop of the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) accusing the Mizoram Government of reluctant to implement the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed in 1994, Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana warned those elements who attempted to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Mizoram and its people. He said that as Mizoram is the most peaceful state of India, therefore the State Government wants that everyone should live without fear and should not support any insurgency-related activities. “The Mizoram government would not support any demand of the creation of Autonomous District Council and other related demands and the government does not have any will to give any Autonomous District Council in any constituency”, the Mizoram Home Minister said. 

On May 24, the HPC General Headquarters, Sakawrdai Mizoram had alleged that the Mizoram Government has been reluctant in implementing the MoS signed in 1994. The Hmar outfit then accused that the intervention of Young Mizo Association (YMA) recently in the HPC’s demand for Autonomous District Council (ADC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, has been acting as disintegration force of the Mizos rather than unifying the community.

Jama’at-Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on May 28 that his party extended political and moral support to the Afghan Taliban because they had launched a jihad (holy war) against the United States (US) forces in Afghanistan, reports Dawn. He said the Taliban were justified in launching a war against the foreign forces because their objective is to liberate their homeland. He said JUI-F would never allow the reopening of NATO supplies routes and asked the Government to take a decision in light of recommendations of Parliament on the issue. He said it would be a shame for the nation if Pakistan reopened NATO supplies just to get dollars at the cost of national interest.

Nagaland Post reports that stressing on the need to strengthen security ties and maintain vigil along the porous Indo-Myanmar border areas, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Myanmar’s President, Thein Sein, on May 27, asserted that both countries would work out a joint strategy to tackle terrorism and insurgency. The two leaders also agreed that “territories of either country would not be allowed” to be used for activities detrimental to the other, such as- training, sanctuary and other operations by terrorist and insurgent organizations and their operatives. In this regard, President Sien assured Manmohan Singh that Myanmar would not allow its territory to be used by any anti-India groups or terror operatives working against India. They also emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between Security Forces and border guarding agencies for securing peace, security and stability in the border areas, which were crucial for overall development.  

Meanwhile, a senior Government official accompanying the prime minister, when asked if New Delhi would involve other Naga groups in pursuit of a political settlement replied: “We do not want to hold talks and give privilege to only one or two groups…. we want the all the groups to be involved and ready to accommodate.”  When asked about the truce signed between the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) and Union of Myanmar, he described it as a positive sign for peace in the country. He said that the Government of Myanmar has come up with 3-stage proposal for the Nagas of Myanmar: Ceasefire, Political negotiations and Economic development.

General Martin Dempsey, President Obama's top military adviser, said on May 28 that Senate lawmakers made the right call by voting to trim aid to Pakistan, reports The News. "Yeah, I support their - I think that choices should result in consequences. And I think, the Senate acted appropriately," General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the NBC news channel in an interview. Dempsey was responding to a question if he supports the Senate's decision last week to withdraw some funding for Pakistan over the conviction of Shakil Afridi. However, he responded in negative when asked if the relationship with Pakistan has it ever been worse than it is right now. "Well, not in my experience. Of course, the things you just described continue to be a significant disappointment to us. But we're trying to work through that. Pakistan is an important country in the region and globally. And so we need to work through the relationship," Dempsey said. 

Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has said it is not appropriate to view the North of the country as a predominantly Tamil area, reports Daily Mirror. "If you are a Sri Lankan citizen you must be able to go and buy the properties from anywhere. I'm not talking about the forced settlements, I'm talking about the freedom for a Sri Lankan to live anywhere in this country," stated Rajapaksa.  

Meanwhile, Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said that military was gradually reducing its presence in Jaffna and are being replaced by the Police since civil administration had been established in Jaffna.

Nagaland Post reports that Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) on May 27 submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home, Jitendra Singh for “separate statehood” of ‘Frontier Nagaland’.  

Meanwhile, the Konyak Union (KU) also submitted memorandum for “posting” of another Assam Rifle battalion in Mon District.