Detail Of Terrorism Update

Five militants of the Tariq Afridi group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including two key ‘commanders’, were killed on July 30 by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the rival Momin Khan group near Khormatang in Dara Adamkhel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports Dawn. The IED destroyed the militants’ vehicle near Khormatang on the border of Khyber Agency.

Separately, Police claimed to have arrested two militants, identified as Mamraiz Khan and Naqeebullah, during a raid in Chuharkhel village in the jurisdiction of Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan Police Station in Lakki Marwat District.

Two Rangers intelligence officials, in plain clothes, were shot dead at Bacha Khan Chowk locality of  Banaras area within the precincts of Pirabad Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, on July 31, reports Daily Times. Station House Officer (SHO) Ashfaq Baloch said that the two officials were sitting at a teashop, when four armed assailants on motorcycle came and opened fire on them. Both victims deployed in Rangers Intelligence SS Wing, when targeted, were sitting at the teashop for intelligence purpose.

Separately, an activist of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Noor Mohammad alias Bengali (35), son of Tayyab, was killed at Chand Bibi Road in Bohra Pir area within the precincts of Eidgah Police Station. An official informed that Noor Mohammad was killed by unidentified assailants while he stood outside his house. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Zahid Hussain said that the victim was associated with MQM unit-29.

Meanwhile, a constable of the Excise and Taxation Department was shot dead at Guru Mandir Chowrangi within the jurisdiction of Jamshed Quarters Police Station. Police said that Amin Baloch (40), son of Abdul Karim, was shot and killed by unidentified armed assailants.

Kanglaonline reports that Security Forces (SFs) shot dead two suspected underground cadres at 8.20 pm on July 30 at Lamdeng Khunou Chingmei near Solid Waste Management Project located at four kilometres north of Lamsang Police Station in Imphal West District. The Police recovered one .9 mm pistol with one magazine and two live rounds, five empty cases of AK-47 bullets, two Chinese made hand grenades and two mobile handsets. The slain persons are yet to be identified.

Meanwhile, commandos of Imphal West District on July 28 arrested one People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) militant, identified as WaikhomPremkumar alias Kumar Singh, from Majorkhul. 

An Army trooper was killed and six others were seriously injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at Bamungopa, just one-and-a-half kilometres from the Naranarayan Setu Bridge in Jogighopa under Agia Police Station in Goalpara District on July 31, reports Assam Tribune. In a statement claiming responsibility, Arunudoy Asom, spokesperson of Anti-Talks faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-ATF), claimed three Security Force (SF) personnel were killed and nine others were seriously hurt in the attack carried out by the outfit, adds The Telegraph.

Meanwhile, while refusing to comment on the demand for review of the Bodo Accord [2003], former Union Home Minister (UHM), P. Chidambaram, said that the Central Government was willing to have fresh look at the ‘arrangements’. Stressing that the Bodos and non-Bodos must learn to live together, the Minister said that whatever arrangement was arrived at after signing of the Bodo Accord has worked. “Both the community had agreed to live together,” he said.

State Forest Minister Rokybul Hussain said that Police pickets would be set up in strife-torn areas, reports The Sentinel. Elaborating the plan Rokybul said, “Arrangements have been made to set up 66 fixed police pickets and 37 mobile pickets in the disturbed areas. There will be around 30-32 police personnel in each picket. The Centre has already given us the go-ahead signal for this. Temporary houses are being set up for the pickets. We will also expedite the process of setting up permanent police pickets.”

Meanwhile, ex-Bodo Liberation Tiger Welfare Society (Ex-BLTWS) set three conditions for resettling the displaced people in their respective villages. Ex-BLTWS ‘president’ Jana Mohan Mashahary said, “The government must update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before beginning the resettlement of people. The names of the people who will be resettled must be included in the voters’ list of 1971 and they must possess myadi land patta. This is necessary to check influx of illegal immigrants.” He also expressed apprehension that the number of immigrant camp inmates could increase once the process of resettlement starts.

Mashahary also said that the newly-formed Islamic militant outfit United Muslim Nationalist Army (UMNA), which declared an armed movement on June 15, 2012, to liberate Muslim land in 13 Districts of Assam, could be involved in the violence in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts. “The UMNA has also been collecting taxes from people for raising fund for the outfit. The outfit plans to carry out their armed movement from Kokrajhar to Golaghat and the Bodo people are now their target,” said Mashahary. Mashahary added, “The UMNA is headed by Ramjan Islam.

Three persons were injured when an unidentified man lobbed a hand grenade at a house in Panjgur town of Balochistan on July 31, reports Daily Times. The injured were identified as Abdul Ghani, Mukhtiar Ahmed and Shamsuddin.

Separately, a Police guard, Ghulam Mohyuddin, at the residence of Balochistan Information Minister in Quetta, was injured due to firing by unidentified assailants.

Further, a boy was injured in a blast in Dalbandin town of Chaghai District. Police said 11-year-old Amirullah was hit by a toy bomb, which left him seriously injured.

Meanwhile, unidentified militants, riding on a motorbike, attacked Sariab Police Station of Quetta with hand grenades. However, no casualties were reported in the attack. According to the sources, some unidentified assailants, riding on a motorbike, lobbed two hand grenades at the Sariab Police Station. The Police Station gate and building were badly damaged. In response to the attack, the Policemen present at the station fired back, however, the assailants made their way after the attack and could not be caught.

The Shillong Times reports that some miscreants believed to be Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) sympathizers set ablaze the house of Gaonbura (village headman) of Soenang Rabha in East Garo Hills District at 1.30am on July 31. Police sources claim that GNLA cadre, identified as Piliport, and his party are behind the incident which is aimed at diverting the attention of Security Forces. GNLA cadres operating in the Mendipathar and Resubelpara areas are intentionally fomenting communal tension between the Garos and Rabhas so that Police attention is diverted towards maintaining communal harmony, Police sources said.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested two Bangladeshis, identified as Mohammed Noor Alam (18) and Abdul Kasim (32), from two different places while they were trying to infiltrate into India on July 30. Alam was arrested at Dangar village in East Khasi Hills while Kasim was arrested from Jaintia Hills. The BSF party recovered two mobile phones, four Bangladeshi SIM cards from Alam while one mobile along with SIM card was found with Kasim.

Separately, a day after the arrest of the GNLA ‘chairman’ Champion Sangma, the State Police on July 31 said the next target would be the ‘Commader-in-Chief’ of the proscribed outfit Sohan D Shira. The State Director General of Police (DGP) N Ramachandran said, “Sohan D Shira who is the military strategist of the outfit has to be arrested to neutralize the GNLA.” According to Ramchandran, Champion Sangma was looking after the political activities of the outfit, while Sohan D Shira was the head of its armed wing. The DGP said the arrest of Champion is a very significant development and it will help police to neutralise the outfit which has unleashed a reign of terror in Garo Hills. Champion, whose outfit is fighting for a separate Garoland, was arrested from Umkrem, Pyrwdiwah area in East Khasi Hills District, about 80 kilometers from Shillong, on July 30, after he was, reportedly, pushed back by Bangladeshi authorities across the boundary.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said Champion was arrested due to sustained efforts of India and Bangladesh. “The arrest of Champion is the result of sustained efforts of both the Governments (India and Bangladesh) to eradicate the menace of terrorism from our soil,” the Chief Minister said.

A Police Constable was injured as militants carried out twin grenade attacks in the Sopore area of Baramulla District in the evening of July 31, Daily Excelsior. Police said that unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at Iqbal Market in Sopore resulting in injuries to a Police Constable. Minutes after the attack, militants hurled a grenade at Sopore Police Station. However, it exploded outside the Police Station without causing any damage.

Further, on July 31, clashes broke out in Shopian town (Shopian District) between stone pelting protesters and Police after the death of a water tanker driver in the night of July 30. Five protesters and a Policeman were injured in the clashes. Police said that one Aqib Ahmed, 20, died when he was repairing water tanker fetching water to Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Balpora. However, locals refuted Police claim and alleged that Aqib was beaten up by the CRPF men after an altercation.

Meanwhile, former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on July 31 voiced concern over the discovery of the 400 meters long tunnel running between India and Pakistan along the International Border (IB) in Samba District. "It is a matter of much concern that a tunnel has been found between India and Pakistan," Chidambaram said. Authorities had on July 28 detected the tunnel after an area caved-in in a straight line at some places due to rains near fencing close to Chillayari Border out Post (BoP) of Border Security Force (BSF) along the IB, which was spotted by the farmer in the evening of July 27. The tunnel had been dug between two sides along IB on India’s Chillayari BoP and Pakistan’s Lumbriyal BoP. The tunnel was apparently dug for infiltration and smuggling.

Bharuch Police’s Special operations group (SOG) on July 29 arrested a five-member gang for circulating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) in the religious fair at Jhagadia in Bharuch District, reports The Times of India. Police also recovered FICN worth INR 150,000 and INR 386,000 from the five persons, all natives of Malda District of West Bengal. The arrestees were identified as Habibullah Sheikh (19), Mohammad Razikul Sheikh (19), Mohammad Arif Sheikh (21), Nasimulha Sheikh (23) and Hajikula Sheikh (32).

IBN Live reports that two cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) were arrested on July 31 while allegedly planting landmines underneath a road bridge at Revet village in Latehar District to target Security Forces (SFs), Police sources said. Ten more persons have also been detained by SFs during the anti-Maoist operation. They were being interrogated.

Acting on a tip off, special squad of Police in Bihar arrested a hardcore Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) ‘commander’, identified as Sudhrir Sharma, and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from his hideout in Gaya, reports Indiablooms.com on July 31 quoting ANI.

A joint team of anti-Naxal cell and C-60 squad, on July 30, arrested Chandrapur in-charge of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) Pramod Godghate (30), reports The Times of India. Godghate was arrested from the court premises adjacent to district collectorate in Chandrapur. "Pramod Godghate had risen rapidly from the lower rungs to become a top Naxal leader in the last few years. He was the second-in-command of Maroti Kurwatkar in the Chandrapur area committee. After Kurwatkar's arrest it is suspected that he must have taken over as the leader of the Chandrapur area committee. Official records show that he is also a member of the Western Maharashtra area committee," said Superintendent of Police (SP), Rajiv Jain. Anti-Naxal Cell had arrested Maroti Kurwatkar in January this year. The SP added that Godghate also had connections with Deshbhakti Yuva Manch, a Naxal organization which whose responsibility was to spread Naxal ideology among the urban youth.

Meanwhile, the Maoists in State have banned locally manufactured liquor 'Gudumba', prepared from jaggery or 'gud'. A banner of the Maoists, found at Jimulgatte in Aheri taluka in Gadchiroli District on the occasion of their July 28-August 3 Martyrs' week, warned the local tribal against making or trading the brew.

One of the handlers of the November 26, 2008 (26/11) Mumbai attacks and arrested Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative Abu Jundal’s, who is in custody of the Crime Branch of Mumbai Police, custody has been extended till August 13, after it said it wanted to match the 26/11 handler's DNA sample with those collected from Kuber boat that launched the perpetrators on Mumbai shores, reports IBN Live.

Police sources said that since Jundal had stayed with the terrorists in a dormitory at Muridke for 10 days, his DNA could have been transferred to them, adds The Times of India. Another reason for seeking an extension of custody was that the Police needed to recover the various e-mail IDs that Jundal created under fake names. It also wants to trace those people who helped Abu Jundal flee to Pakistan from Beed District in May 2006.

It is reported by Hindustan Times on August 1 that Abu Jundal has told the Mumbai crime branch that he stayed in the same room for 10 days with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who attacked Mumbai in 2008. Jundal also told the crime branch that he had developed a close equation with a few of those who were undergoing training.

As reported earlier, Jundal was arrested on June 21, 2012, by Delhi Police at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport after being deported from Saudi Arabia.

The ‘brigade commander’ of the Fifth Division of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Dipendra Shahi on July 31 said that they would not allow those leaders who wanted the PLA to surrender on the pretext that they were disqualified, reports Himalayan Times. Shahi said, “We know them and would take necessary action against them after leaving the cantonment.” He further said some leaders within the Unified Communist Party of Nepal -Maoist (UCPN-M), Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) and opposition parties, who are against the fighters, are in the target of attack. Shahi warned, “That the attack could be either physical or opinion-based.” Fighters who fought for 10 years for the welfare of people have been imprisoned in cantonments and have been disrespectfully behaved, he alleged.

The Government signed with the United States (US) on July 31 a memorandum of understanding (MoU) governing supplies to and from American troops in Afghanistan, reports Dawn. The signing of the accord for ‘Transit of cargo to and from Afghanistan through Pakistan’ paved the way for the release of USD 1.18 billion in Coalition Support Fund reimbursements held up for over two years. The only new feature of the arrangement, which in essence is reportedly similar to the existing practice, is that it is in black and white. The agreement was concluded on the eve of ISI chief Lieutenant-General Zaheerul Islam’s maiden trip to the US for renewing ties with the CIA.

“This MoU is a demonstration of increased transparency and openness between our Governments in respect of Pakistan’s sovereignty as requested by the Pakistani parliament,” US Charge d’affaires Richard Hoagland said after signing the agreement with Defence Ministry’s Additional Secretary Rear Admiral Farrukh Ahmed. Newly appointed Defence Secretary Lieutenant-General (retd) Asif Yasin Malik attended the signing ceremony.  Pakistani and American negotiators took 90 days to conclude the six-page agreement and its two annexures – one on a negative list (goods not allowed to be transported through the country) and the other detailing interlocutors at various levels.

Meanwhile, Taliban ‘commanders’ have reportedly said that the decision to close the NTO supply routes in November 2011 significantly reduced the flow of cash to militants in Sothern and Eastern Afghanistan, The Times of India reported. “Earnings dropped down pretty badly. Therefore the rebellion was not as strong as we had planned”, at Taliban commander said.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Haji Habibur Rehman said on July 31 that the terrorist incidents took place in Wazirabad and Lahore reflected that we (Punjab police) cannot control terrorism, reports The Nation. However, the IGP claimed to have controlled dacoity, murder and attempt to murder incidents to a large extent. The IGP had devised a special strategy against terrorism, but so far the culprits of Lahore and Wazirabad terrorist incidents had not been traced, he said.  “Soon, an operation will be launched against illegal weapons and licensed arms too. To eliminate Thana culture and facilitate the masses with justice at their doorsteps is my top priority. There is no room for corrupt policemen in the department. However crime rate has been decreased by 20 percent during the last six months in the province,” the IGP said while addressing a press conference at police lines in Faisalabad.

The Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry observed on July 31 that the worsening law and order in Balochistan could be restored in a week if the Frontier Corps (FC) so desired, reports Dawn. “It’s my belief that the situation can be cooled down and they (FC) can solve the problem in seven days,” said the Chief Justice who heads a Supreme Court bench hearing a petition on the law and order situation and human rights violations in the province. Otherwise, he cautioned, the situation might get out of hand. The chief justice made the observation when Advocate Raja Mohammad Irshad, representing (FC Director General Major General Obaidullah Khattak, said that although the FC was exercising restraint, there was a feeling that the agenda of “our enemies are being promoted”. “Who is promoting the agenda, you people are,” the Chief Justice retorted and asked the FC chief to realise the situation that was developing.

“We want to avoid a situation like Lahore where a case has been registered against the ISI DG and the MI (Military Intelligence) that is why we are emphasising upon the FC to avoid getting the situation going out of hand,” the Chief Justice said. “It is high time when you should come forward and take the responsibility,” the Chief Justice said while pointing to the FC DG, adding that questions were being raised about sovereignty and security of the country. “It’s time when the hearts and minds of the people living in the neglected province should be won,” the court said.

Meanwhile, the FC chief assured the court that each and every soldier and resources would be utilised to improve the situation in Balochistan. But he regretted that the FC was covering less than five per cent of the area in the province with tied hands to respond to the incidents. A composite statement was submitted on behalf of the Federal as well as Balochistan Governments assuring the court that steps would be taken to enforce Article 9 (security of life and property) of the Constitution in the province. A reluctant FC Chief was asked to sign the document which he did.

Meanwhile, a composite statement signed by Secretaries of Interior and Defence and other authorities showing commitment to implement judicial orders on the Balochistan situation was submitted before the Supreme Court. The statement was submitted by Balochistan Advocate General Amanullah Kinrani before a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain in response to the bench’s earlier direction.

Separately, a special cabinet committee on Balochistan, constituted in the cabinet meeting, deliberated on different dimensions of the issues faced by the province, particularly the administrative, political and fiscal aspects of the problem. The committee met here under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Naveed Qamar. The committee was apprised on the issues faced by the people of Balochistan and concrete suggestions were sought by the participants with a view to devise a focused and comprehensive strategy to address the issues in the province.

Former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on July 31 said that there is no confirmative conclusion on the role of Iranian Republican Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Israeli diplomat attack case (February 13, 2012), reports The Times of India. Chidambaram said that nothing can be said now and things will be clear only when the Police team will return from Iran. He said that Iranian Government has agreed to allow Indian Authorities to question some suspects in Iran and the new dates will be finalized soon. Delhi Police has named Houshang Afshar as the main accused. Name of the other Iranians are Masoud Sedaghatzadeh, Saied Moradi and Mohammad Kharzei.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has clarified that its Letters of Rogatory (LRs) to the Iranian government is yet to be finalized. Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said “These LRs are still being processed by different government agencies, including the INTERPOL wing of CBI and the Ministery of External Affair (MEA).” He also denied that the investigation is progressing on an assumption of the IRGC’s role.

Nagaland Post reports that former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in his last press conference as the Union Home Minister of India, on July 31, observed that the ongoing peace talks between Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and Government of India (GoI) have reached a “sensitive stage” and efforts were on to iron out a longstanding solution to the Naga political issue. Chidambaram made it clear stating “first we will try to reach an agreement with NSCN-IM. Only then, we will talk with the other two groups provided they are willing to talk. As everybody knows, one group lives outside India.”  On the possibility of an interim Government comprising representatives from NSCN and others, Chidambaram cautioned, “Let’s not go too fast. Let’s complete the first step. Then we will think about the next step.” The Minister also added that all the 60 legislators of the Nagaland Assembly belonging to various political parties were slated to reach New Delhi to meet him and the Prime Minister on August 6 and 7 in support of the ongoing peace talks.

Meanwhile, Changki Village Council (CVC) has informed that its village youth ‘arrested’ two armed extortionists on July 25 from Changki valley area in Mokokchung District while the duo were extorting in the name of NSCN-Khaplang (NSCN-K).

Separately, Public Action Committee (PAC) has vehemently condemned the use of “illegal Bangladeshi immigrants” (IBIs) by “national workers” for collecting ‘taxes’ and other reported cases of non-Nagas being employed by “Naga underground (UG) groups”. PAC meeting held July 29 also expressed the view that the destiny of Nagas could not be decided by “outsourcing” the fight to outsiders. In a statement, PAC said the meeting was called under the aegis of Naga Council, Dimapur (NCD) to discuss “unverified reports” of influx of refugees into Nagaland following the clash between indigenous Bodos and IBIs in Assam.

Pakistan remained a critical partner on counter-terrorism efforts, actively engaging against al Qaeda and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but its cooperation regarding other terrorist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), was mixed, Dawn reported quoting a US report released on July 31. The State Department’s counter-terrorism report for 2011 noted that the US raid in Abbottabad that killed Osama bin Laden, “sparked intense international and domestic scrutiny of Pakistan’s security establishment and strained the US-Pakistan relationship and bilateral counter-terrorism efforts”. Cooperation between the two countries, however, began to recover slightly, as evidenced by the Pakistan military’s September announcement marking the capture of senior al Qaeda leader Younis al-Mauritani in a joint US-Pakistan operation.

Bangladesh remained strongly committed to combating domestic and transnational terrorist groups and the government’s efforts made it difficult for terrorists to operate or establish safe havens in the country, reports The Independent quoting US Country Reports on Terrorism 2011. “Since coming into power in January 2009, the Awami League-led government has remained strongly committed to combating domestic and transnational terrorist groups. The government’s counterterrorism efforts made it harder for transnational terrorists to operate in or establish safe havens in Bangladesh,” said the Country Reports on Terrorism 2011 released by the United States State Department on July 31.

The government of Sri Lanka, although not immediately concerned over a possible resurgence of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), remains concerned over its overseas financial network, noted 'Country Reports on Terrorism 2011', an annual report mandated by the US congress, issued on July 31 by the United States State Department, reports Colombo Page.  The report said that in 2011, there were no incidents of terrorism in Sri Lanka and most counterterrorism activities undertaken by the government targeted possible LTTE finances as the government remained concerned that the LTTE's international network of financial support is still functioning. The possible resurgence of domestic militant Tamil groups is not an immediate concern, but efforts were underway to address possible growing Tamil radicalism in the north and east, the US State Department noted in the report. The State Department noted that despite the military defeat of the LTTE, the Sri Lankan government is of the belief that sympathizers and organizational remnants continue to raise funds in many countries.

Meanwhile, the government on July 31 briefed diplomats on the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations of a post war commission that looked into the root causes of the country’s civil war, reports Daily Mirror. External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga met Colombo's diplomatic community for a 'comprehensive briefing' on the work carried out to implement the proposals of the LLRC. The LLRC has come up with a number of proposals to increase the liberties of all citizens, justice and rule of law, some of which may involve deep rooted changes to the structure of the state. The Action Plan to implement the LLRC recommendations prepared by the government has proposed a fourth Land Commission to address issues related to lands in the country, especially in the North and East. The Action Plan has allocated 24 months to implement the recommendations on land issues.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), however, said on July 31 that the government's National Action Plan to implement the recommendations of the LLRC is only for the consumption of the international community, reports Colombo Page. TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said the LLRC Action Plan would not provide a solution to the ethnic issue. He noted that according to the Action Plan it takes around five years to implement some recommendations. Premachandran charged that the Action Plan was yet another time buying exercise by the government put forward for the consumption of the international community. According to Premachandran, there are no solutions to the thousands of acres in the North taken by the military. He said there was much to be done and a solution needed to be found for the ethnic issue.

The US State Department 2011 Country Reports on Terrorism unveiled on July 31 has warned that “terrorist opponents of better Indian-Pakistan relations, such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), have long planned to derail any progress by launching new attacks,” reports The Hindu. Lauding India for increasing its counter-terrorism capabilities and expanding its coordination with the US through the new Homeland Security Dialogue, the State Department, however, emphasised that the loss of over 1,000 lives still made India “one of the world’s most terrorism-afflicted countries and one of the most persistently targeted countries by transnational terrorist groups such as LeT.”