At least 21 Islamic State militants were killed by Afghan Special Forces in air and ground raids in vicinity of Nangarhar Province, Bakhtar News reports on July 25. The terrorists were targeted and killed in various parts of Acheen, Koot and Haska Mena Districts of the province.
15 Taliban militants were killed during Afghan Forces airstrike in the Khoshi District of Logar Province, an official said on July 25, reports Pajhwok. Police spokesman ShapoorAhmadzai said that Air Forces targeted militants’ hideouts in Sulaimankhel, Darya Khan and Gul Mohammad Khan areas of the District in the night of July 24 and eliminated 15 insurgents; three weapons and two motorbikes were seized during the overnight raid. Security forces and civilians suffered no casualties, he added.
14 Armed Taliban militants were killed in air and ground strikes of Afghan Security Forces in Gereshk District of Helmand Province in the night of July 24, reports Bakhtar News. Three militant hideouts were demolished in the raids.
The US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells met with Taliban ‘officials’ this week to discuss ways to lay the groundwork for peace talks, TheWall Street Journal reported on July 26. The report said that Wells led the US delegation, which met with members of the Taliban’s ‘political commission’ in Doha, Qatar. The Taliban’s ‘political office’ declined to comment, according to the report, which also stated that Wells did not respond to an emailed request for comment. “The United States is exploring all avenues to advance a peace process in close consultation with the Afghan government,” a State Department official said. The State Department declined to comment specifically on the question of talks with the Taliban, but said Wells returned to the US on July 24 after discussing progress toward an Afghan-led process with Qatari officials.
A Comilla court on July 25 rejected a bail petition of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a case filed under the Special Powers Act over an arson attack in the Comilla District's Chauddagramon February 2, 2015, during an anti-government agitation, reports The Daily Star.Eight people were killed and many others injured after a bus was torched in Chauddagram on February 2, 2015, during an anti-government agitation.
Two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)militants were killed in an encounter in Lal Chowk area of Anantnag District on July 25, reports Daily Excelsior. During a search operation, as the Security Forces (SFs) advanced towards the house where militants were hiding, they were fired upon. The SFs retaliated resulting in an encounter in which two militants, identified as Bilal Ahmad Dar alias Bin Yamin Dar and Abid Hussain Bhat were killed.Police said that on the basis of the ‘incriminating materials’recovered, it is established that they belonged to LeT. “Arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter,” Police said, adding that as per police records, Bilal Ahmad Dar was involved in a series of militant acts.
Separately, a massive operation has been launched by Army in Keran sector near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara District following a brief gun battle with a group of militants on July 25 morning, reports Daily Excelsior.The encounter started near Kashar Katan Nallah and Army believed that it is a group of 5-6 militants. More troops have been rushed to the area to assist troops, who spotted the militant group.
Meanwhile, a person, identified as Suhail Ahmad Wani, brother of slain Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)militant Nasir Wani, arrested in connection with the killing of a civilian last week, escaped from Police custody from the police station Zainapora in ShopianDistrict on July 25, reports Daily Excelsior.Suhail was arrested along with two other persons Shakir Ahmad Padder of HeffShopian (brother of slain HM commander Saddam Padder) and Suhail Ahmad Sheikh in connection with the killing of the civilian Tariq Ahmad Mohand on July 15.Body of Tariq Ahmad Mohand was recovered in Arwani on July 9 with torture marks all over his body.
Two personnel of the CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were injured in a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) spike trap during an area domination operation in forest patch near Tarrem village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on July 25, reports NDTV. The two injured CoBRApersonnel, sub-inspector and constable sustained minor injuries.
A staff of Central Ground Water Board identified as Vimal Kalita who was abducted on July 24 from Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi District was later rescued by Police, reports The Shillong Times. Three people were also arrested in connection with the incident.
A surrendered United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militant was arrested on July 24 by Bharalumukh Police of Kamrup District, reports Assam Tribune. The arrested individual was identified as Nipon Das. INR 1,00,000 was recovered from the arrestee.
Telangana Police arrested a women Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre identified as MuskiRame (20), during a vehicle checking drive at R. Kothagudem in Charla Mandal (administrative sub-division) in BhadradriKothagudem District of Telangana on July 25, reports The Hindu.CPI-Maoist cadres attempted to trigger a blast in Charla Mandalfor damaging government property. MuskiRame, was a native of Kondavai village and wascarrying a gunny bag containing cardex wire and explosive material to carry out the blast. She was involved in the blasting of a low-level bridge across Paidivagu stream and a culvert at Satyanarayanapuram and planting of landmine at Tippapuram in Charla Mandalin 2018. Another CPI-Maoist militia member managed to flee into the nearby forest spread over the border areas along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh boundary.
Meanwhile, Police recovered CPI-Maoist posters at NarsingapuramBorlagudem and Pegadapally villages in MahamutharamMandalin Jayashankar-Bhupalpally District of Telangana, reports Telangana Today on July 26. CPI-Maoist posters threatened the leaders with dire consequences if they continued to work against the people’s wishes and aspirations and included names of several local political leaders from TRS (Telangana RashtraSamithi) and Indian National Congress (INC).CPI-Maoist cadres pasted posters in some villages in VenkatapuramMandalin the District, said Superintendent of Police (SP), R Bhaskaran.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs (MoSHA) Kiren Rijiju on July 25 informed the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of the Indian Parliament) that the ultra Left-Extremists and other terrorist groups—Maoists, Jaish-e-Mohammad/Muhammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), were using children for their terrorist and other illegal activities, reports The Tribune.
Ahead of the declaration of National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on July 25, reports Morung Express. As the Draft NRC is expected to be published on July 30, the ministry sent an advisory to the state government asking it not to initiate action based on the Draft. The UMHA also stated that people who are not part of the Draft would not be automatically declared foreigners. The advisory stated that ‘The question of referring any person to a detention centre based on NRC exercise also does not arise. The state government has been asked to issue clear instructions to all administrative and police functionaries’.
Additionally, GoIsent over 22,000 central paramilitary troops in order to beef up security in Assam and adjoining states ahead of NRC publications, reports Morung Express. According to a senior official, A total of 220 companies of the central armed police forces (CAPFs) are being sent to the state in view of the NRC. The largest contingent among the forces is from the CRPF (53 companies) followed by Sashastra Seema Bal (41), Border Security Forces (BSF) 40, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) 27, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) 20 and Railway Protection Force (RPF) 5.A total of 34 companies of the special auxiliary police are also being sent. About 105 CAPF companies are being rotated and utilised for law and order duties from within the state.
Nagaland is set to take all preventive measures against influx of illegal immigrants from Assam due to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam from 31st July 2018, reports Northeast Today on July 25. The Nagaland Police is deploying additional forces to the border areas to check and prevent influx of the illegal immigrants. Moreover, additional Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBN) units is also being deployed in the Assam-Nagaland border region.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor on July 24 stated that four companies of the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) would be required for the Tura (West Garo Hills District) by-poll scheduled for August 23, reports The Shillong Times. One company of CAPF will be deployed for counting and surveillance teams will also be set up as part of the security plan. Out of 36 polling stations, 18 have been categorised as vulnerable and one as critical.
On July 24, Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) discussed the security concern over Rohingya refugees during the biannual conference which was held in West Tripura District, reports Assam Tribune. According to BGB Additional Director General Zahid Hasan the refugees have exerted economic pressure on Bangladesh, but they did not pose any threat. However, BSF Inspector General (Tripura Frontier) HK Lohia stated that the ‘threat perception’ from Rohingya refugees should not be ruled out entirely.
The Dal Khalsa and ShrimoniAkali Dal (SAD) (Amritsar) on July 24 inquired the Sikhs For Justice—a pro-Khalistan organisation, to clarify the doubts in its Sikh Referendum 2020 proposal, reports The Tribune. The ‘president’ of Dal Khalsa—Harpal Singh Cheema and ‘president’ of SAD-Amritsar—Simranjit Singh Mann expected that the SFJ leadership would announced their thoughts to the people of Punjab regarding the practicality of their ‘Referendum 2020’ proposal during an upcoming event on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom (UK). However, Punjab’s Chief Minister (CM) (Capt.) Amarinder Singh has stated that the organisation such as SFJ are seeking to divide the State with its campaign—Referendum 2020, and there is a need to counter this propaganda more aggressively.
The Maldives Supreme Court on July 25 has revoked the ruling to re-instate 12 Member of Parliaments (MPs), but also declared that a separate ruling is needed to decide if the MPs have lost their respective constituency seats, reports Maldives Independent. The Supreme Court orders are being manipulated for political reasons and it is affecting the rights of more than 60,000 people. Maldives has been in disorder. The Majlis (Parliament) is one State power and 85 constituencies are represented there. We must stop the silencing of these 12 constituencies, said Mohamed Ameeth—one of the 12 MPs affected with the Supreme Court’s order.
National Assembly was adjourned on July 25 for a week after obstruction by the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) demanding legal action against Durga Prasain for his controversial remarks, conclusive talks with agitating Dr Govinda KC and answer from Home Minister about the use of force in protests by NC’ Tarun Dal cadres at New Baneshwar in Kathmandu, reports Republica. Following the obstruction, the Chairman of the upper house Ganesh Timalsina adjourned the meeting till August 1.
Four persons including three Security Force (SF) personnel were killed when an Army protection party escorting polling staff was targeted near Pak-Iran border at Dashtak village of Kech District in Balochistan on July 25, reports The News. According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident took place in Dashtak area when the military protection party providing security to polling staff of NA-271 was ambushed. Three Army soldiers and a polling staff were killed.
Meanwhile, the death of July25-suicide attack in Bhosa Mandi area on the Eastern Bypass of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, had increased to 31, reports Dawn. Earlier it was reported that 28 persons, including five Policemen and two minors, were killed and 30 injured in a suicide attack near a school area in the Bhosa Mandi area when a suicide bomber targeted the convoy of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Razzaq Cheema.
Clashes and violence between activists of rival political parties in several areas of country left two people dead as millions of Pakistanis went to polls on July 25, reports Daily Times. A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker was killed and two others were injured during a clash with Awami National Party (ANP) supporters in Swabi Town of same District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). PTI and ANP workers came face to face in PK-47, Swabi, after polling began nationwide. The standoff soon turned violent, resulting in the unfortunate incident. District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani confirmed that a PTI worker was killed in the incident.
Meanwhile, one man was shot dead and another was injured in NA-153 when two political groups clashed in Khanewal District of Punjab on July 25, reports Daily Times.
Separately, PTI and ANP workers also exchanged fire in Mardan town of same District in KP, leaving some people injured on July 25, reports Daily Times. Police, however, later took control of the situation.
Further, a clash erupted between supporters of two independent at a polling station in Batera area of Kohistan District in KP on July 25, reports Daily Times. The polling remained halted for the time being.
Further, several people were injured as workers of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI came face to face in Rajanpur District of Punjab on July 25, reports Daily Times.
In addition, PTI and PML-N activists also clashed in Shahdara area of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, on July 25, reports Daily Times.
Moreover, one person was injured when PML-N and PTI workers clashed in NA-61 constituency of Rawalpindi city in the same District of Punjab, on July 25, reports Daily Times.
A clash was also reported between two political groups in Gujranwala town in the same District of Punjab, on July 25, reports Daily Times.
Seven people were injured in clashes between two rival political groups at a women’s polling station in Khipro area of Sanghar District of Sindh on July 25, reports Daily Times.
Meanwhile, the dispute started between voters of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) at a polling station in Yamin Hingorjo area of Hyderabad District in Sindh on July 25 after a woman was stopped from casting the vote on technical grounds, reports Daily Times. GDA’s Abid Hingorjo who was injured in the clash is said to be in serious condition at a hospital in Hyderabad. Other injured include GDA’s Nazar Hingorjo and Anwar Hingorjo and PPP’s Anwar Marri, Mir Marri, Ali Ahmed and Kanndo Marri.
Elsewhere, two persons were injured during an incident of firing at a polling station in Naseerabad District of Balochistan on July 25, reports Daily Times.
United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Ben Emmerson in his report released on July 23 said Government should demilitarize North as gesture of reconciliation, reports Daily Mirror. In his report, which is based on findings of the mission to Sri Lanka from July 10-14, 2017, the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism Ben Emmerson said he was particularly concerned about the ‘very large and imposing’ presence of the military in the North.“While the Rapporteur understands that the military undertakes important re-construction work in that part of the country, he is also conscious of the highly symbolic value of its presence. The pervasive lack of accountability for the war crimes that were perpetrated during the war, the climate of impunity that prevails within the security sector, the overwhelming economic weight of the military, its involvement in civilian activities, as well as the overwhelmingly Sinhalese Nationality within the military all contribute to perpetuating the resentment and disenfranchisement felt by the Tamil community as a whole,” the report said.
Meanwhile, Commanding General of the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) General Robert B. Brown on July 24 commended the present Sri Lankan Government's reconciliation program which aims to enhance the harmony among different communities, reports Colombo Page.General Robert B. Brown, who is leading a USARPAC delegation to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Sri Lanka Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, made this remark when he called on President Maithripala Sirisena at the President's Office.