20 Islamic State (IS) fighters were killed in recent air strikes of Afghan security forces Nangarhar province on July 22, reports Bhaktar News. The fighters were suppressed by air and ground raids of Afghan Security Forces on their strongholds in Ghanikhail, Khogyani, Achen and Dorbaba Districts.
Eight Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in an air strike in Sodotangi village of Nawa District in Ghazni province on July 22, reports Bhaktar News.
Clashes between Islamic State (IS) and Taliban loyalists ongoing in Kunar province, reports Bhaktar News. Dozens loyalists of ISIS and Taliban terrorist groups were killed and several others were arrested during the conflicts. According to reports, initially the clashes started from the Chapa Dara District and later spread to different parts of Kunar province.
At least six children were wounded following road side mine blast at Dehrawoud district in Urozgan province on July 23, reports Bhaktar News. Security official claimed that Taliban militants are responsible for the incident.
23 Taliban cooperators were arrested in Ghazni province, reports Bhaktar News. Police Chief of Ghazni Farid Mashal in an interview with BNA correspondent said that during the last one week Afghan National Police personnel succeeded to detain 46 suspicious accused of different criminal cases such as murder, robbery and family hostilities and 23 cooperators of Taliban militants in various parts of Ghazni city.
Afghan Security Forces (SFs) succeeded to foil Taliban attacks on two districts of Paktika province, reports Bhaktar News. Shah Mohammad Aryan spokesman of Paktika’s Police command said that Taliban militants stormed for several points on Gayan and Aoumi Districts of Paktika province, which after several hour clashes their attacks repulsed by Afghan SFs. Four Taliban militants were killed and three others were wounded during the clashes, Aryan added.
Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre was killed in an encounter with Security Forces (SFs) in the forest of Chhote Usri village under Bayanar Police Station limits in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh on July 23, reports Business Standard. The encounter took place when District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal [Left Wing Extremism (LWE)] operation. The Police recovered one 09 mm pistol and a single barrel muzzle loading gun from the encounter site. The identity of the killed CPI-Maoist cadre is believed to be Jugnu, a member of Local Organisation Squad (LOS). However, the real identity will be known after the patrolling team returns to its camp, said Superintendent of Police (SP), Abhishek Pallav.
Separately, two CPI-Maoist cadres have surrendered before the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at Hadeli camp in Kondagaon District in Chhattisgarh on July 23, reports Latestly.
Over 20 persons were injured as Security Forces (SFs) used force to disperse protesters during an anti-militancy operation in Khudwani area of Kulgam District on July 23, reports Daily Excelsior. A joint operation was launched by Army’s 1st Rastriya Rifles (RR), Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Lone mohalla area of Khudwani following inputs about the presence of militants. Youth took to streets and clashed with the SFs during the anti-militancy operation. SFs fired teargas and pellets to chase away the protesters who were trying to disrupt the search operation. In the incident, over 20 persons suffered injuries most of them with pellets.
A youth, identified as Sheikh Waqar, a resident of Malik Gund village in Shopian District announced on social media that he has joined the Al Badrmilitant outfit, reports Daily Excelsior on July 24. His picture brandishing with a rifle has gone viral on social media. His code name as per the picture is ‘Tepu Sultan’. Waqar, who has done BSc and Lab Technician course was missing for last two weeks. Regarding his picture going viral on social media, a Police official said: “We are ascertaining the authenticity of the picture and are investigating it from all angles but it would be premature to conclude that the youth has joined the militant ranks.” Meanwhile, the family said that their son had left home to go to Chandigarh for continuing his further studies. The family urged Waqar, the lone brother of three sisters, to return back. “It would be far better for him to return home and look after the family particularly his sisters”, they said.
In a joint operation, the teams of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and the Border Security Force (BSF) on July 21, has arrested two unidentified persons and recovered the Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) worth INR 11 lakh from two separate locations—Baishnabnagar Township and 18th Mile, in Malda District of West Bengal, reports Business Standard. The BSF personnel handed-over the FICNs and arrested persons to Kaliachak Police Station for further investigation.
On July 23, United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were arrested from Rajgarh Tiniali in Dibrugarh District, reports Assam Tribune. One .32 pistol and four live rounds were recovered from the arrestees who were identified as Pradeep Ghosh and Punna Das.
Security Forces (SFs) arrested an individual identified as Vitoka Sumi on July 21 near DC ground in Kiphire, reports Morung Express. A pistol, magazine and three rounds were recovered from the arrestee.
Two Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) women cadres identified as Tambelu Lakshmi alias Janaki (20), a native of Burikipanasa under Pedabayalu Mandal (administrative sub-division) in Vizag agency and Pangi Sheelu alias Latha (20) of Gunavolu under G Madugula Mandal in Visakhapatnam District and four CPI-Maoist militia members identified as M Ramakrishna, 30, G Kondababu, 26, P Simhachalam, 40, and G Ananda Rao, who are members of Korukonda Area Committeev(KAC) have surrendered before the Superintendent of Police (SP), Rahul Deve Sharma in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh on July 23, reports The Hans India. The surrendered women CPI-Maoist cadres were involved in several crimes, including killing, damaging the equipment used for road-construction and others illegal activities.
Lakshmi had handled the .303 rifle and used to place land mines and both worked for the CPI (Maoist) from 2014 to 2016. Both Lakshmi and Sheelu who had escaped from forcible child marriages, were motivated by Maoist leader Kiran to join CPI-Maoist.
The ‘leader’ of the A’chik National Liberation Army (ANLA) identified as Rakkan M Sangma surrendered on July 22 in North Garo Hills District before Church leaders and family members, reports The Shillong Times. According to Police, Rakkan along with four others- Rabi N Marak, Finest N Marak, Karan N Sangma and Kraibit Ch Marak after a secret meeting at Rangsel Reserve Forest had recently formed the group with the intent to collect arms and commit crimes like kidnapping, extortion etc in the region. While Rakkan remained absconding, all the four juvenile gang members were arrested by the Police in the second week of July. District Police chief, Dr Sacheng R Marak informed that Rakkan made a revelation in a statement that he had also tried to meet the then ‘chairman’ of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) Champion Sangma and United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) leader Dristi Rajkhowa.
Feuding militant groups, United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and Kuki National Army (KNA), have started negotiations without any conditions following a ‘Peace Banquet’ hosted under the aegis of the Hill Tribal Council (HTC), Moreh, reports Imphal Free Press on July 23. The peace processes were initiated following the incident between the two rival groups that took place on July 13 at Moreh ward number II.
All political parties of Manipur, barring the Congress demanded a special session of the Legislative Assembly be convened to discuss the Naga framework agreement on July 22, reports The Northeast Today. Moreover, civil society organisations All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) and the United Committee Manipur (UCM) have opposed details shared by the Centre’s interlocutor for Naga peace process R.N. Ravi to settle the Indo-Naga peace talks providing a “special status” according to Article 371-A of the Constitution. AMUCO president Ph. Deban Sharma said the implementation of Article 371-A in the state is almost similar to the formation of a “separate Naga council” in the state or a “state within the state” which is totally against the wishes of the people of Manipur.
Separately, United Naga Council (apex body of Nagas in Manipur) on July 20 in an emergency meeting resolved to take up “appropriate steps” any time from now to defend the position of the Naga people, reports The Sangai Express. UNC said that the ‘emergency’ meeting was called following the comment of Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh who had reportedly stated that steps will be taken if Naga deal hurts Manipur’s interest. UNC reportedly stated that that it will initiate a strong form of agitation any day to defend the inherent rights of the Naga people.
Depicting itself as a ‘biggest victim’ of Pakistan-sponsored Narco-terrorism, the State of Punjab has approached the Central government to seek a special category status under the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) that provides financial support to the families of victims, reports The Tribune on July 24. The Punjab youth who are the future of the State are becoming victims of Narco-terrorism and that impacts the economic growth of the State. Punjab has emerged as the biggest victim of a proxy war waged against it by Pakistan, for which Pakistan has used Narcotics as its silent weapon, wrote Punjab’s Health Minister Brahm Mohindra in a letter addressing Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda.
The repatriated Brus (also known as Reangs) are demanding a uniform financial package, failing which they have threatened to boycott the last batch of Bru families in Tripura, who are waiting to be rehabilitated in Mizoram, reports The Telegraph on July 23. The repatriated Brus formed a committee, Equal Package Demand Committee to register their demands, reports The Telegraph. It is headed by Elvis Chorkhy, chairman of Bru Coordination Committee (BCC) and former president of the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), an apex body of displaced Bru families in Tripura. Elvis Chorkhy stated that while the repatriated Brus had received a one-time package of Rs 80,000 per family and free ration for a year, the last batch waiting to be repatriated would get a monthly allowance of INR 5,000 per family for two years, free ration for the same period, INR 400,000 per family at the end of three years and housing assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh, according the quadripartite agreement. He also added that 1,712 Bru families have already returned to the state in batches since 2010. A last batch of about 32,857 Bru refugees from 5,413 families, who are living in six relief camps in Tripura, will start returning to Mizoram from August in phases.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on July 23 announced that it has issued broad guidelines for security of defence installations from the terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including risk categorization, security audit and upgradation of Intelligence gathering etc to ensure that the militants don’t manage to target the security camps again, reports Daily Excelsior. Minister of State for Defence Dr Subash Bhamre announced the guidelines and other measures taken to prevent attacks on security camps and other installations in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Indian Parliament) on July 23. “The Government has issued broad guidelines for security of defence installations and in compliance with the guidelines, the Defence forces have taken a number of actions,” the Minister said.
The Criminal Court on July 23 has cancelled a scheduled trial of terrorism conviction over Maldives’ former President Mumoon Abdul Gayoom, prior its commencement, however, the reason behind cancellation was not disclosed, reports Avas Online. Gayoom (80) is on trial for terrorism after being accused in the alleged plot to overthrow the Maldivian Government. If convicted for terrorism, Gayoom would face imprisonment between 17 to 20 years. He is already serving time in jail for one year and seven months for the conviction of obstruction of justice.
Maldives’ Civil Court on July 23 issued a ‘travel ban’ on former Home Minister Umar Naseer over a case regarding an ‘un-discharged’ decreed debt owed by a company that he holds share of, reports Avas Online. However, Naseer has denied of any such travel ban imposed on him and also his shares in any local venture. According to the Maldives’ electoral watchdog, individuals with un-discharged decreed debt could not participate in the Presidential elections as candidates.
The USD 50-billion worth China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is understood to have hit a roadblock with many of its projects getting stuck due to a financial crisis at the country's National Highway Authority (NHA), Dawn reported on July 24. The CPEC is the flagship project of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and includes a maze of roads and port projects. Once completed, it aims to connect China's largest province Xinjiang with Gwadar port in Balochistan, allowing Beijing access to the Arabian Sea. The contractors have stopped work on several projects of the CPEC after their cheques worth over PKR five billion bounced a couple of days ago. The report said this is the first time that CPEC projects faced such a situation due to financial reasons. Affected projects include Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan, Western Route of CPEC and all sections of Karachi-Lahore Motorway (KLM), report said. "Not only the CPEC projects but local industries related to construction and a large workforce of engineers and labourers have also been hit by the situation," Dawn quoted sources as saying. They said seven packages of Hakla-DIK measuring 400 km roads all projects of KLM have been affected. NHA spokesman Kashif Zaman said the authority issued cheques of PKR five billion on June 29 to the firms against the sanction by the Government. "Cheques worth Rs 1.5 billion were cleared by the same day and the remaining cheques that were deposited the next day could not be cleared," he said. Zaman said the matter had been taken up with the Government and hopefully it would be resolved soon.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called on the Federal and Provincial Governments of Pakistan to take appropriate steps to prohibit and prevent unauthorized, illegal and unlawful interference with freedom of expression in the country, The Nation reports on July 24. HRCP chief IA Rehman along with other human rights activists stated and shared the fact-finding survey on curb on freedom of expression in Pakistan. They urged protect the right of television channel and news publication owners to function with dignity and in peace. There should be no interference in the sale and distribution of any newspaper, nor should any TV channels be deliberately displaced. It stated that the system of issuing ‘press advice’ or press-advice-like ‘instructions’ on the part of state agencies must cease immediately. IA Rehman explained that over the last several months, numerous journalists in the print and broadcast media have complained of interference with freedom of expression. They highlighted that following the publication of an interview with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on 12 May 2018, sales agents allege that the distribution of Dawn has been disrupted daily in at least 20 targeted cities and towns.