South Asia Terrorism Portal
Lingering Concerns S. Binodkumar Singh Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management
On February 2, 2022, an Army soldier and three members of the Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma aka Santu Larma faction of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS-Santu Larma) were killed during an exchange of fire in Ruma Upazila (sub district) of Bandarban District in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). The Army team recovered one sub machine gun, 254 bullets, three guns, four uniforms and BDT 52,900.
On January 3, 2022, a member of PCJSS-Santu Larma was shot dead by gunmen, while visiting his father-in-law's house in the Lama Upazila of Bandarban District. The deceased was identified as Monkyaching Marma (35).
On December 29, 2021, two persons were killed in a factional clash between PCJSS-Shantu Larma and United People's Democratic Front – Democratic (UPDF-Democratic) in the Dui Kilo area of Rangamati District. The deceased were identified as PCJSS-Shantu Larma leader Tujim Chakma (38) and UPDF-Democratic leader Janong Chakma (32).
According to partial data compiled by the Institute for Conflict Management, 629 people have been killed in CHT in fratricidal clashes since the signing of the CHT Peace Accord on December 2, 1997 (data till February 6, 2022). These include 318 members of UPDF-Prasit Khisa, 208 members of PCJSS-Santu Larma, 86 members of the PCJSS-M. N. Larma, 11 members of UPDF-Democratic, and six members of PCJSS-Reformation. 12 of these fatalities were reported in 2021. These included six members of UPDF-Prasit Khisa, four members of PCJSS-Santu Larma and one member each of UPDF-Democratic and PCJSS-M.N. Larma.
The security situation in the CHT is a significant concern and needs urgent attention.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh recorded a single fatality in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-linked violence in 2021. On June 27, 2021, a ‘regional leader’ of the Purba Bangla Sarbahara Party (PBSP) was shot dead by rivals near his house in the Purbo Charpara village of Pabna District in Rajshahi Division. Police stated that Bellal might have been killed over previous enmity. There were two fatalities (both militants) in 2020, killed, in similar fashion, by rivals. A high of 212 persons had been killed in such violence in 2004. A maximum of 55 civilians were killed in 2003. 2003 also recorded the highest of seven Security Forces (SF) killings in a year. The last civilian fatality was reported on December 9, 2003, while the last SF fatality was recorded on July 20, 2010. The last arrest related to such LWE was on September 25, 2018, and the last arms recovery was on November 18, 2019. There is, evidently, significant respite from LWE-linked violence.
Bangladesh’s success against Islamist extremism continued in 2021. No Islamist extremism-linked fatality was recorded during the year. The country recorded just one fatality (a civilian) in this category in 2020. On April 30, 2020, a child was killed in an explosion at Shubhaddya North Para in the Keraniganj Upazila of Dhaka District. There were two fatalities (both terrorists) in 2019. In 2018, there were 15 fatalities (four civilians and 11 terrorists). The trend of declining fatalities in such violence has continued since 2017, when fatalities came down to 71 (14 civilians, five SF personnel and 52 terrorists) from 115 (43 civilians, four SF personnel and 68 terrorists) in 2016. At its peak, in 2013, Bangladesh recorded a total of 376 fatalities in Islamist extremism-linked violence (236 civilians, 18 SF personnel and 122 terrorists).
2021, however, recorded one Islamist extremism-linked incident of violence. On September 17, 2021, a young man hurled a petrol bomb at a car belonging to the American International University of Bangladesh on a road adjacent to the Embassy area in Dhaka city. No casualty was reported. The attacker, Delwar Hossain, was arrested from the spot. After the arrest, Police raided his village home in Singair, Manikganj District, and recovered multiple electronic devices and a few documents. According to Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) officials, he was a ‘lone wolf’ terrorist, inspired by the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT)/ Ansar al-Islam’s ideology, after reading various extremist articles online and watching videos. In 2020, there had been six Islamist terrorism-linked incidents, resulting in one fatality (the April 30 incident) and 16 persons injured.
The menace has been controlled as the SFs have exerted sustained pressure against groups involved in Islamist-extremism. SFs arrested at least 159 militants of different groupings, including 105 cadres of ABT/ Ansar al-Islam, 30 of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), eight of Neo-JMB, seven of Allahar Dal, five of Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) and four of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) in 2021. There were 197 such arrests in 2020 and 209 in 2019. Prominent arrestees in 2021 included Sheikh Kamal Hossain, ‘second-in-command’ of Allahar Dal (arrested on February 3); Mohammad Mainul Islam aka Mahinalias Mithu aka Hasan, ‘operations head’ of HuJI-B (March 4); Baki Billah aka Abu Samir aka Zafar aka Faisal, IT wing ‘chief’ of ABT/ Ansar al-Islam (April 5); Rezaul Haque aka Reza aka Tanvir Mahmud aka Shihab, acting Amir of JMB (April 11); Ali Hasan Osama, ‘spiritual leader’ of ABT/Ansar al-Islam (May 6); Mahmudul Hasan Gunobi aka Hasan, ‘spiritual leader’ of ABT/ Ansar al-Islam (July 15); Jahid Hasan Raju aka Ismail aka Furkan, ‘military wing chief and bomb expert’ of Neo-JMB (August 10); Hasibur Rahman aka Azzam Al Galib, ‘chief recruiter’ of ABT/ Ansar al-Islam (November 15); and Ahidul Islam Palash, ‘regional military wing chief’ of JMB (December 4).
Country Reports on Terrorism 2020 published by the US State Department on December 16, 2021, confirmed that Bangladesh experienced a decrease in terrorist activities in 2020, accompanied by an increase in terrorism-related investigations and arrests. The Bangladesh Government continued to articulate and practice a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and toward the use of its territory as a terrorist safe haven. In January the Government’s new national Anti-Terrorism Unit initiated operations, eventually to assume a role as a lead counterterrorism agency.
Talking about her Government's stance against extremism, terrorism and drugs, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared, on December 16, 2021,
Meanwhile, the War Crimes (WC) Trials, which began on March 25, 2010, continued thorough 2021. On February 11, 2021, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-1) sentenced three persons to life imprisonment and another five to 20 years for committing crimes against humanity at various places in Gafargaon of Mymensingh District during the Liberation War of 1971. All the convicts were members of the anti-independence Razakar force during the war. On November 24, 2021, ICT-1 sentenced absconding war crimes accused and former Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmaker Abdul Momin Talukder aka Khoka (69) to death for committing crimes against humanity at Adamdighi in Bogura District during the Liberation War. So far, a total of 125 leaders, including 50 from the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI); 27 from the Muslim League (ML); 11 from the Nezam-e-Islami (NeI); five from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP); two each from the Jatiya Party (JP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); 27 former Razakars; and one former Al-Badr member have been indicted. Significantly, out of these, verdicts have been delivered against 104 accused, including 70 who have been sentenced to death, 29 to imprisonment for life and five for 20 years imprisonment. So far, six of the 70 people who were awarded the death sentence have been hanged; 32 are absconding; and another 32 cases are currently pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, out of 29 persons who were awarded life sentences, six persons have already died while serving their sentences; 13 were absconding and another 10 were lodged in various jails of the country. Verdicts against 21 accused are yet to be delivered.
Worryingly, however, on July 6, 2021, Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit officials disclosed that Neo-JMB, an Islamic State (IS)-inspired outfit, had formed a 20-member committee. The committee members, all from the ‘military wing’ of the outfit, named the committee ‘Islamic State of Bengal Province.’ Neo-JMB's improvised explosive device (IED) expert, Sabbir Hossain (26), also the ‘military wing commander’ of the outfit's Mymensingh region unit, formed the committee. Sabbir is now believed to be planning to make bulletproof jackets, collect modern firearms from Kashmir and manufacture or acquire at least 2,000 firearms to distribute among military wing members of Neo-JMB.
In another worrying revelation, CTTC unit officials disclosed, on December 24, 2021, that ABT/ Ansar al-Islam’s recruitment and training activities were continuing. ABT/Ansar al-Islam now has around 700 to 800 active members and at least 274 of these are sleeper cell members. The organisation has at least 56 sleeper cells. Its ‘military wing’ is being operated by Sayed Mohammad Ziaul Haque aka Major (sacked) Zia. Haque is hiding somewhere in Bangladesh. Ansar al-Islam is said to be finalising a list of its targets.
There was also a series of attacks targeting Hindu communities between October 13 and 22, 2021. The attacks started in Comilla District on October 13 and gradually spread to at least another 13 Districts, including Bandarban, Chandpur, Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka, Gazipur, Kurigram, Lakshmipur, Moulvibazar, Noakhali, Pabna, Rajshahi and Sylhet. Seven persons were killed and another 99 were injured in the violence. At least 20 puja mandaps (pavilions for worship) and numerous idols were defaced and ransacked by unruly mobs. 102 cases were filed in different parts of the country in connection with the attacks. As many as 583 people were arrested over the attacks on puja venues, temples, Hindu homes and businesses, and for spreading rumours on social media amid the Durga Puja, the largest festival of Bengali Hindus.
In March 2021, Hefazat-e-Islam (HeI, 'Protection of Islam'), a Qawmi Madrasa-based radical Islamist group that emerged in 2010, created mayhem in Bangladesh, mostly targeting Hindus. At least 17 people were killed as HeI men clashed with SFs in different parts of the country, especially in Brahmanbaria District, between March 26 and 28, 2021. The HeI men were on the streets protesting against the two-day visit (March 26-27) of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. Modi was visiting Bangladesh to participate in the celebrations of Bangladesh's Golden Jubilee of independence. HeI’s links with terrorist groups are well established. Following HeI's three-day mayhem in different parts of the country from March 26, the Government took a tough stance against HeI. According to Police Headquarters data, at least 154 cases were filed against HeI men and around 1,230 people, including more than 50 top HeI leaders, were arrested following the violence.
Further, the problem created by the Rohingya refugees from the Rakhine State of Myanmar poses an acute security dilemma for Bangladesh. Reports indicate that 10 to 15 armed gangs have become active in the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar District. The rate of crime in the camps has been increasing drastically. In 2019, 263 cases were filed; in 2020, 184, and in 2021, 570. The crimes include possession of illegal arms and drugs, robbery, abduction, smuggling, murder, and human trafficking. 1.1 million Rohingya Refugees are living in 34 extremely congested camps in Cox’s Bazar District. Urging the international community to give proper attention to the Rohingya issue, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated, on November 26, 2021, “The security situation in the Cox's Bazar camps is getting complicated. The growing violence and crimes can soon spread beyond our borders.”
Even though the overall capabilities of the terrorist groups – both Islamists and Left-Wing Extremists – have dwindled as a result of ongoing and sustained counter-terrorism efforts in Bangladesh, violence in the CHT region and the Rohingya camps area needs to be stopped. At the same time, security measures against Islamist and LWE terrorist groupings need to continue, even as efforts against Rohingya crime-terror syndicates and groups involved in CHT need to be intensified.
Assam: Faint Rumblings Giriraj Bhattacharjee Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management
On January 27, 2022, 246 militants of the Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA) and United Gorkha People's Organisation (UGPO) surrendered before Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati. The militants deposited 277 weapons, 720 rounds of ammunition, and grenades. The TLA, reportedly formed in 2014 with a demand for greater autonomy for the Tiwa community, was active in Morigaon, Nagaon and West Karbi Anglong Districts. The UGPO was active in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Tinsukia Districts since its formation in 2007.“
Hiren Chandra Nath, Additional Director General of Police-Special Branch (ADGP-SB), noted,
Chief Minister Sarma claimed,
Indeed, according to reports since the formation of the Bodo militant group, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in 1986, a total of 20 prominent tribal militant groups has emerged in Assam, and all of them have joined the mainstream over time. Some of the most significant of these groups to accept a negotiated pace include the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), 2003, United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), 2011, Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), 2012; NDFB, 2020, Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tigers (KPLT) and Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), both in 2021.
Meanwhile, according to South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) a total of 13,028 terrorists have surrendered since March 6, 2000.These include 1,355 in 2021 and 2,324 in 2020
Significantly, on February 23, 2021, around 1,040 militants belonging to five different Karbi militant groups surrendered before the then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Guwahati in the Kamrup Metropolitan District. The militant formations that surrendered included the Peoples’ Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK), KLNLF, United People's Liberation Army (UPLA), KPLT and Kuki Liberation Front (KLF).
Later, on September 4, 2021, the Union Government and the State Government of Assam signed a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) in New Delhi with six Karbi militant formations: KLNLF, PDCK, UPLA, KPLT-Mensing Kramsa (KPLT-M), KPLT-Ceasefire (KPLT-C) and KPLT-Run Rongpi (KPLT-R).
On October 28, 2021, an agreement for a six-month-long ceasefire was signed between the Union and State Government, on the one hand, and the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA), on the other.
On November 14, 2021, the United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I) extended its unilateral ceasefire for another three months. Paresh Baruah, ‘president’ of ULFA-I’s ‘Supreme Council,’ had stated that the outfit would not engage in any kind of ‘military operations’ during these three months. ULFA-I had first declared a unilateral ceasefire on May 15, 2021, which was again extended for three months in view of the COVID-19 situation in Assam. Then, on August 14, 2021, the ceasefire was extended for another three months by ULFA-I. During this entire period, no ULFA-I linked violence has been reported.
Further, the Security Forces (SFs) kept up their pressure and arrested 80 militants in 2021, adding to 129 arrested in 2020.
All these developments during 2021 and earlier years, have helped keep the insurgency under control, though there was a small increase in overall fatalities in 2021, as compared to 2020. According to the SATP database, 29 fatalities (10 civilians and 19 militants) were recorded in 2021, as against eight in 2020, including three civilians and five militants were recorded.
The rise in fatalities was driven primarily by the violence unleashed by DNLA, a militant group active in the Hill Districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao. Eight civilians were killed by DNLA, which also lost eight of its cadres, accounting for 55.17 percent of total fatalities and 80 percent of total civilian fatalities in the State. Further, Karbi Anglong District – part of DNLA’s operating area – was the most violent District, with 12 fatalities in 2021. Three persons, including two civilians and one militant[on December 5-6, 2021], have been killed after the signing of the agreement.
Nevertheless, even as the insurgency was contained and localized, the decades old inter-state boundary issue between Assam and neighboring States led to violent outbursts. During 2021, at least seven persons (six policemen and one civilian) were killed in clashes between the Police forces of Assam and Mizoram along the interstate boundary. On July 26, 2021, five Assam Police personnel, including Sub Inspector Swapan Roy, and a civilian were killed along the Assam-Mizoram inter-state boundary in Kolasib District (Mizoram) – Cachar District (Assam) region. Another, 50 policemen, including Superintendent of Police Cachar Nimbalkar Vaibhav Chandrakant, and nine civilians, were injured. On July 27, 2021, one of the injured Policeman succumbed to his injuries, taking fatalities up to six.
Despite several rounds of talks, between Chief Ministers of the concerned states and the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, most of these issues remain unresolved. However, on November 26, 2021, Assam and Mizoram agreed to maintain peace and tranquility, and set up committees to address the border disputes.
There are strong apprehensions that these issues may be exploited by the insurgent groups. The disputed portions of the Assam-Nagaland boundary are claimed by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah under its Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) map and marked by the outfit as one of the important agendas of the "Indo-Naga political talks" pending final decision. In the latest instance, prior to the signing of 2021 Karbi accord, NSCN-IM had warned that Rengma Nagas of Karbi Anglong should not be 'deprived,' arguing,
Meanwhile, over the years, the region and the State have seen the consolidation of peace due to security cooperation between India and neighboring Bhutan, and Bangladesh 8.22 in the 2000s and most recently with Myanmar.
The deteriorating situation in the Myanmar following February 1, 2021, coup, however, appears to have helped the Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) based in that country, including ULFA-I, to regroup. Moreover, ULFA-I continues to attract recruits to its ranks. According to a November 13, 2021, report at least two promising kickboxers, Nayanmoni Chetia and Sabita Chetia, and three other girls from Assam, had joined ULFA-I. In a video that surfaced on November 12, they were seen entering dense forests with the purpose of joining ULFA-I. ULFA-I is trying to bank on local sentiments for economic empowerment based on native rights over resources. On May 14, 2021, ULFA-I demanded that 95 per cent jobs in energy companies, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Oil India Limited (OIL), be reserved for Assam locals. It also demanded that INR 50 million from each of these companies be used for infrastructure development in the State, and that these companies provide LPG to the rural areas through pipelines.
Apart from culture and employment, ownership of land is also central to the conflict in the State. The State Government is now seeking to amend the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1866, to prohibit transfer of land to non-indigenous residents. According to a September 11, 2021, report, Chief Minister Sarma had formed a Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan, to submit a report within 30 days. No further details are available. Far from resolving issues, such initiatives might activate new fault lines. Indeed, Professor Moinrul Hussian, a noted political commentator, fears that the move might end up targeting religious minorities, “It would be a disaster if such a decision is taken; the land map already exists, so how do you change it? The amended law should not discriminate against any specific community.”
On September 23, 2021, an eviction drive led by administration had led to the death of two ‘encroachers’ (both Muslims) resisting eviction in the Sipajhar area of Darang District. The polarizing political discourse, is further undermining genuine administrative action.
The Neo-Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) remains active in the State and is likely to exploit insecurity amongst Muslim minorities. On April 30, 2021, Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, while appealing to the State’s Muslim community to help the police in locating Neo-JMB module in the State, reveled, that police investigations had found some Bangladeshi mullahs who had taken Indian visas for the purpose of treatment in Chennai, but had violated visa rules and visited different parts of Assam to radicalize people.
According to SATP data, between 2014 and 2021, 57 JMB/Neo-JMB militants have been arrested in Assam, including two in 2021.
The insurgency in Assam was initially powered by the resentment against the presence of ‘foreigners’ and the fear of cultural oblivion among the indigenous residents. While the insurgency is in visible decline, managing a range of pressing issues, including the ‘foreigners’ issue, autonomy to tribal groups, as well as safeguarding and preserving the cultural heritage and land rights, remains tricky. Moreover, the economic crisis affecting the livelihood opportunities of residents is being turned into communal flashpoints by political messaging with vested interests trying to create trouble in the State, preying on the insecurities of the people.
Weekly Fatalities: Major Conflicts in South Asia January 31 - February 6, 2022
Civilians
Security Force Personnel
NS
Total
INDIA
Jammu and Kashmir
INDIA (Left-Wing Extremism)
Bihar
Odisha
India (Total)
PAKISTAN
Balochistan
KP
PAKISTAN (Total)
Total (South Asia)
More than 100 former members of Afghan govt and security forces killed since Taliban's takeover, says UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres: The United Nation's (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said they have received "credible allegations" that more than 100 former members of the former Afghan government and its security forces as well as those who worked with international troops have been killed since Taliban's takeover. Aamaj News, January 31, 2022.
'The probability that Taliban face large-scale resistance in spring is not ruled out', says Russian special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov: Russian special presidential envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said the probability that Taliban face large-scale resistance in spring is not ruled out. "Such a probability does exist, unfortunately," the Russian diplomat said, replying to a question about the likelihood that disarrayed inter-ethnic protests in Afghanistan might turn into large-scale resistance to the Taliban after the winter was over. Aamaj News, January 31, 2022.
Over one million Afghans migrated in past four months, according to report: More than one million Afghans have migrated over the past four months, most of them crossed border areas into Iran and Pakistan. The head of a private transportation industry said that around 4,000 people are heading to Iran on daily basis. Tolo News, February 5, 2022.
IEA denies claims of Pakistan's Interior Minister that TTP is using leftover NATO weapons: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) denied the claim made by Pakistan's Interior Minister that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is using modern military equipment against the Pakistani military that was left over from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)'s presence in Afghanistans. Tolo News, February 7, 2022.
IEA is gaining progress toward gaining international recognition, says Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi: Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is gaining progress toward gaining international recognition. Muttaqi said talks with other countries are taking place.
On January 22, the Taliban acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said that they will not be a threat to anyone if the current regime is recognized. "If the Taliban-acting government is recognized, it will no longer be a threat to anyone," Haqqani said. Tolo News, February 5, 2022; Aljazeera, February 1, 2022.
We need softer approaches along with hard approach to prevent extremism, says CTTC unit Chief Mohamad Asaduzzaman: Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit Chief Mohamad Asaduzzaman on February 1 said that we need softer approaches along with the hard approach to prevent extremism. For this, deradicalization needs to start from jail, and this initiative needs to start immediately. The proposal to appoint psychologists for deradicalization programme remains stuck in a bureaucratic tangle. The Daily Star, February 2, 2022.
ISI funded mosques and madrasas on rise since last three years in India-Nepal border, according to intelligence report: The rising number of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) funded mosques and madrasas (religious seminary) in the last three years along the Indo-Nepal border adjoining Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal is a matter of serious security concerns, intelligence agencies have warned in a latest report. Quoting intelligence inputs, officials said that in the last three years, the number of mosques has gone up from 760 in 2018 to 1,000 in 2021, while the number of madrasas has risen from 508 in 2018 to 645 in 2021 in Nepali territories, officials said. Sambad, February 6, 2022.
439 militants and 109 security personnel killed in J&K since Article 370 abrogation, says Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai: IAs many as 439 militants and 109 security personnel were killed in 541 incidents in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) since Article 370 was repealed on August 5, 2019, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said on February 2. Replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), Nityanand Rai said 98 civilians were also killed in these incidents and private properties worth about INR 5.3 crore were damaged since then. Greater Kashmir, February 3, 2022.
42 terror outfits banned under UAPA, states Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai: A total of 42 terror outfits have been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and 13 organisations declared unlawful associations, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to a question by Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) member stated on February 2. He also said law enforcement agencies of the Centre and the states keep continuous watch on the activities of all such organisations and individuals and take action against them as per the law. Indileak, February 3, 2022.
Government to launch "National Moderation Campaign": President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in his Presidential address during the inaugural sitting of the People's Majlis (Parliament), on February 3 announced that the government is set to launch a "National Moderation Campaign" in a bid to eradicate religious extremism in the Maldives. Raajje, January 29, 2022.
Government has decided to provide NPR one million per person to 93 nearest of kin of disappeared, says CIEDP Chairman Yubaraj Subedi: Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) Chairman Yubaraj Subedi on February 6 said that the Government has decided to provide economic relief of NPR 1 million per person to the 93 nearest of kin of those people identified as disappeared during the decade-long armed conflict. CIEDP Chairman Yubaraj Subedi said the Council of Ministers had decided to implement the Commission's recommendation in this regard. The Himalayan Times, February 7, 2022.
Street protest a must to break five-party syndicate, says CPN-UML Standing Committee member Prabhu Sah: Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) Standing Committee member Prabhu Sah on January 29 said that street protest a must to break five-party syndicate. Sah said that the opposition party had no choice but to hit the streets to salvage the country from the five-party alliance's syndicate. The Himalayan Times, February 1, 2022.
13 terrorists and five SF personnel killed in two separate clashes in Panjgur and Nushki Districts of Balochistan:The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on February 3 that Security Forces had killed 13 terrorists while five Security Force (SF) personnel were also killed in separate clashes in Panjgur and Nushki Districts of Balochistan. Terrorists had attempted to attack Security Forces' camps in Panjgur and Nushki in two separate attacks late on February 2-evening. The attacks had been "successfully repulsed" while dealing heavy damage to the terrorists, although one soldier was martyred in the Panjgur attack." Dawn, February 4, 2022.
13 persons killed and 92 others forcibly disappeared in more than 50 military operations in Balochistan during January, says Baloch National Movement report: Dil Murad Baloch, the Information Secretary of Baloch National Movement (BNM), while releasing a detailed report of January 2022, said on February 3that in the first month of the year, Army detained and forcibly disappeared 92 persons in more than 50 military operations and raids across Balochistan. In January, the Army killed five people and the army's local death squad killed eight. This month, the Army bulldozed hundreds of homes in Mashkay and Jahoo area. Zrumbesh, February 4, 2022.
TTP demands are unacceptable, says Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid: Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on February 2 once again denied any negotiations with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). While talking with journalists in Islamabad, he said the TTP has now been making demands that no elected Government can fulfill. Samaa, February 3, 2022.
Tamils hoist black flags in Northern Province: Tamil families of the disappeared marked Sri Lanka's 74th Independence Day by hoisting black flags as they protested in Jaffna city of Jaffna District on February 4. The protesters called for an international inquiry into the Tamil genocide, justice for the families of the disappeared, the unconditional release of political prisoners and for the removal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Daily News, February 5, 2022.
Sri Lanka has not taken any steps to address post war commitments in last 12 years, says TNA leader R. Sampanthan: Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan on January 31 has written to the Heads of Missions of the member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) claiming that Sri Lanka has not taken any meaningful steps to address its post war commitments in the last 12 years. Sampathan claimed that the most serious danger the Tamil people face is the issue of Land Grab that is going on in the pretext of archaeological explorations, Wild Life protection and protecting of forest reserves, in addition to driving the Tamil people out of their traditional habitats. The Sunday Morning, February 4, 2022.
Sri Lankan Government must repeal PTA, says ICJ: International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on February 1 said that the Sri Lankan Government must repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as a new set of proposed reforms are woefully inadequate and overlook the most egregious provisions of the legislation. Sri Lanka's Government gazetted amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA) on January 27. ICJ News, February 3, 2022.
The South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR) is a weekly service that brings you regular data, assessments and news briefs on terrorism, insurgencies and sub-conventional warfare, on counter-terrorism responses and policies, as well as on related economic, political, and social issues, in the South Asian region.
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