On August 11, a civilian was killed and 11 others were injured when an explosion occurred in the Dasht-e-barchi area (a predominantly Shiite area) in the Kabul City of Kabul Province reports Amu TV. Taliban official Khalid Zadran confirmed the explosion and said that it was caused by a magnetic bomb placed on a minivan.
Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada dismissed Mohammad Bara, the director of the Taliban Intelligence agency in Nangarhar Province, over his involvement in financial corruption, reports Afghanistan International on August 11. Mohammad Bara was dismissed after his associate Shahin, who had been arrested, confessed to collecting AFN 30 million bribe under Bara's orders.
PanjShiryan Worldwide Council said in its report that Taliban killed 283 civilians, including women and children in Panjsher Province over the past three years, reports Afghanistan International on August 10. The Council alleges that the Taliban used horrific methods, including beheadings, gouging out eyes, executing people in front of their families, and severe torture.
According to the Taliban-run Ministry of Education, it inaugurated the construction of at least nine new Jihadi madrasas across several provinces, including Badakhshan, Panjsher, Paktika, Ghazni, and Baghlan provinces, over the past month, reports Amu TV on August 10.
The Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) reported that 10 million Afghan citizens are either refugees abroad or internally displaced persons (IDPs) within the country, reports Amu TV on August 11.
A group of Afghan women protesters issued a call for widespread demonstrations against the Taliban, under the slogan “We Will Not Remain Silent,” reports Amu TV on August 11. The statement reads, “The Taliban have committed not only war crimes, targeted killings of former military personnel and government employees, forced displacements, and widespread violations of fundamental rights but have also deliberately harassed, assaulted, and even sexually violated protesting women.” “These heinous crimes must not go unpunished, and those responsible must be held accountable in a court of law,” the statement added.
On August 9, Ghorbanali Dorri-Najafabadi, Iran's Supreme Leader's representative in Arak City, criticized the Taliban's treatment of Afghans, particularly Shias, and urged them to adopt a fairer approach and reconsider their policies, reports Afghanistan International.
On August 10, the Taliban’s Administrative Office of the Prime Minister announced that 41 employees from nine ministries and the civil service had been sent to China for training, reports Afghanistan International.
On August 11, a top-listed cadre of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), identified as Nasir Uddin alias Shibir Nasir was released from Chattagram Central Jail (Chittagong District) after 26 years, reports The Daily Star. He was acquitted in 31 of 36 cases, convicted in two, and served sentences for the convictions.
On August 11, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Mainul Islam said that at least 42 Police personnel were killed and scores injured in clashes during the recent mass student movement across the country, reports The Daily Star. While talking to reporters, he said that three deceased were of inspector rank, two were from the Rapid Action Battalion, and out of over 500 treated at the hospital, 27 are still receiving care.
A civilian, Abdul Rashid Dar, has succumbed to injuries sustained during a gunfight in Anantnag District, Jammu and Kashmir, on August 11, reports Daily Excelsior. Times Now reported on August 11, that the militant group 'Kashmir Tigers' claimed responsibility for the attack, through a post, said that "The war will continue till the independence of Kashmir."Earlier, SATP reported thatthe incident occurred on August 10, when two Army personnel were killed, and two civilians were injured in a fierce encounter with terrorists in the Ahlan area of Kokernag in Anantnag District.
On August 11, an encounter broke out between security forces (SFs) and terrorists in the remote forest areas of the Kishtwar District, of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), reports Daily Excelsior. The Army and paramilitary forces launched a search operation in the Nownatta, Naagseni Peyaas, and surrounding areas in Kishtwar District following the encounter. At the time of reporting, no casualties have been reported.
On August 11, an encounter broke out between terrorists and Security Forces (SFs) in the higher reaches of Basantgarh in Udhampur District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), reports Daily Excelsior.“Operation is going on. Three to four terrorists are likely to be trapped in the area,” the official said.
An unidentified person lobbed a bomb at the residential gate of one Moirangthem Dhanabir inside the DM University campus in Imphal city of Manipur in the night of August 10, reports The Sangai Express. Dhanabir is the owner of Diabetics Hospital and Research Centre which is located opposite to the main entrance gate of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Porompat area of Imphal East District.
On August 11, Police arrested five persons on charges of hurling a petrol bomb at the bust of JN Bawri near Bawri Mansion in Dhankheti in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, reports The Shillong Times. The attack was meant to spread panic and create a fear psychosis.
On August 10, the Border Security Force (BSF) along with Police arrested seven Bangladeshi nationals along with two Indian facilitators at a checkpoint near the international border, reports The Shillong Times.
On August 10, Chhattisgarh Police arrested five ‘urban Naxals’ [Left Wing Extremists, LWEs], alleged overground supporters, identified as Sonaram Farsa (28), Vijay Jurri (32), Ramlal Karma (35), Vivek Singh (35), and Rajendra Kadti (30), for alleged involvement in a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) extortion racket that collected at least INR 6 million for the insurgent network, from the Bijapur and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki Districts of Chhattisgarh, reports The Times of India. This money was used to buy supplies and also to book flight tickets for ‘tribal leader and Maoist sympathiser’ Sarju Tekam, police said. Sarju was arrested from his home in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki in April and charged under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act for allegedly possessing explosives, detonators and Maoist material. Vivek is from Raipur and the others are residents of Bijapur. They were arrested from various parts of Mohla Manpur region, which was their area of operation. Police kept a watch on Vivek and found that he was engaged in continuously supporting and strengthening Naxalites’ urban network, Police said. According to Police, Maoists had threatened tendu leaf contractors in Bhairamgarh area (Bijapur district) in 2022 and demanded INR 10 million. Sonaram, Jurri, Ramlal and Kadti were deputed to collect this extortion money and they managed to extract Rs 60 lakh, an officer. This cash made its way into the Maoist coffers.
Ravi Gandhi, Eastern Command, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) of the South Bengal Frontier of Border Security Force (BSF) in Kolkata, West Bengal, said in a statement that two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested while trying to infiltrate along the border of Tripura on August 10, reports Hindustan Times.
On August 10, Ravi Gandhi, Eastern Command, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) of the South Bengal Frontier of Border Security Force (BSF) in Kolkata, West Bengal, said in a statement that two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested while trying to infiltrate along the border of West Bengal, reports Hindustan Times. The statement came from a conference to review the security along the border amid the current unrest in Bangladesh and the upcoming Independence Day on August 15.
On August 10, National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a key accused identified as, Seeni Aabulkhan, involved in Sri Lankan human trafficking case run by Sri Lankan with links with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu, reports NIA. He had been absconding for three years. NIA’s investigation found that he, along with his associates, was involved in confining the trafficked victims in a boat in high sea before sending them to Mangaluru (Karnataka) by train, car and bike for further confinement. The investigation also revealed that a Sri Lankan national, identified as Eesan having previous links with LTTE, to be the kingpin of the racket. They colluded to illegally bring 38 Sri Lankan nationals from Sri Lanka to various locations in Tamil Nadu, after luring them with false promises of obtaining legitimate documentation for migration to Canada or with employment opportunities. The case was originally registered by Mangaluru City Police after searches led to the rescue of 13 Sri Lankan Nationals from traffickers in June 2021.
On August 9, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Tarsem Singh, a key member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and an associate of foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Sandhu, alias Rinda, and Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa, after securing his extradition from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), by International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)’s due processes, reports the NIA. Tarsem Singh was actively involved in arranging and providing terror funds to India-based associates of Rinda, Landa, and other proscribed terrorist organizations such as the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), BKI, and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF). These outfits are reportedly using operatives and members of terror groups and organized criminal gangs to smuggle arms, ammunition, explosives, and IEDs across the border. They have been funding their activities through narcotics trafficking, extortion, and hawala trading. Earlier, Tarsem was initially apprehended in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of UAE in November 2023 following the issuance of a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) by an NIA special court and a subsequent Red Corner Notice by INTERPOL. Additionally, NIA had registered the case suo moto in August 2022.
Police recovered a cache of grenades and firearms including, five hand grenades of Chinese origin, five hand-made grenades, a Pistol, a revolver, and detonators, all of which were buried underground in Bilasiguri-Batasipur village under Dhekiajuli Police station in Sonitpur District of Assam on August 12, reports Times of India. Assam Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh said that the weapons had likely been hidden during the days of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) insurgency.
On August 12 (today), Police stopped the entry of four Bangladeshi nationals, identified as Motiur Seikh, Mushiar Mullah, Tania Mullah, and Rita Mullah, from crossing into India illegally through the Karimganj District of Assam, reports The Sentinel.
The United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) and the Yung Aung faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-YA) issued a joint call for a boycott of India’s Independence Day and imposed a total shutdown in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh on August 15, reports Northeast Now on August 11. The militant outfits urged “freedom-loving Wesean citizens” to observe a complete shutdown from midnight to 8:00 PM on Independence Day, adhering to the slogan “One People One Region One Vision.”
On August 10, Assam Director General of Police (DGP), G.P. Singh warned of a potential attack by the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) ahead of Independence Day on August 15, reports Northeast Now. He said that the militant group is believed to be planning an operation in the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border area. He said, “We have credible information that a ULFA-I unit is active along the state border and plotting to disrupt Independence Day celebrations”. He also added, “The State Police, Army, and Paramilitary Forces are on high alert. Both state and central governments are working closely to strengthen security measures in vulnerable areas”.
On August 11, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, President of Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) held a meeting with United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA) at Patkai Resort in Digboi in Tinsukia District of Assam and said that the pro-talk faction of ULFA has pledged to extend moral support to the Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) in the interest of the greater Assamese community and the state of Assam, reports Northeast Now.
On August 9, Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, said, that India and Maldives will continue their cooperation in combating terrorism, violent extremism, drugs, and human trafficking, in a meeting with S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India in Male, Maldives, reports Hindustan Times. EAM S Jaishankar also described the Maldives as one of the cornerstones of our Neighborhood First policy. Referring to cooperation in the defence and security sector, Zameer said, “This ongoing collaboration reflects our commitment to work together to ensure the security of our nations as well as ensuring the security and stability of the Indian Ocean region.”
The dead bodies of two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were found on August 11 when they went missing in Tiarza area of South Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 10, reports The Khorasan Diary. FC personnel went to the area to inspect an incident when the vehicle of a local woodcutter was set on fire by militants.
One person was killed and another one sustained injuries when a vegetables vehicle they are travelling hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) on the main road of Hangu town (Hangu District) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 9, reports Dawn. The deceased was identified as Safeerullah. The injured was identified as Mir Afzal. Both belonged to of Bannu District. Police said that the pick-up truck was carrying vegetables to Kohat from Hangu.
A bullet-ridden body was found in Azamabad area of Tank District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 11, reports The Khorasan Diary. The body has been shifted to Ama Khel Hospital for identification, said Police.
The Lieutenant Uzair Mehmood Malik who was injured during an exchange of fire with militants on August 9 in Tirah Valley of Khyber District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, succumbed to his injuries at military hospital in Peshawar on August 11, reports The Khorasan Diary.
Four Security Forces (SFs) personnel including an officer sustained injuries when their convoy was ambushed in Gulshan Adda area of Mir Ali tehsil (revenue unit) in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 11, reports The Khorasan Diary. The Jaishul Umeri group of Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.
An employee of Oil and Gas Company survived an abduction attempt by unidentified militants in Shin Kutch area of Bhittani sub-division in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 11, reports The Khorasan Diary. One of the kidnapped employee of the oil and gas company was released by the locals during the firing with kidnappers while two employees are still missing.
The vehicle of an additional station house officer (SHO) was targeted by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Sata Khola area of South Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 11, reports The Khorasan Diary. However, there were no casualties, said Police.
The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) cadres killed one ‘death squad’ member, identified as Abbas, also known as Lakko, in the Jhao Waja Bagh main bazaar in Awaran District of Balochistan on August 9, reports The Balochistan Post. While claiming responsibility, the BLF ‘spokesperson’ Major Gwahram Baloch said Abbas was identified as a leader of a local government-supported death squad and a former BLF fighter who had surrendered to Pakistani forces in 2018. After his surrender, he collaborated with Pakistani forces in the persecution and forced disappearance of Baloch activists. According to the spokesperson, Abbas was repeatedly warned by the BLF to cease his activities against the Baloch independence movement but continued his actions, which included blackmailing families of Baloch activists and direct involvement in their disappearances. The BLF accused Abbas of involvement in the killings of several Baloch cadres, including Commander Shaheed Muheem and Shaheed Orangzeb, and the death of Noor Bakhsh in Piran Dar Lop area of Awaran in 2023.
One Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) cadre ‘second Lieutenant’ Shambeen, also known as Shehak, was killed in a combat with local death squad in the Jhao Jhal area of Tado Kaor in Awaran District of Balochistan on August 9, reports The Balochistan Post. While paying tribute to the Shambeen, BLF ‘spokesperson’ Major Gwahram Baloch vowed to avenge Shambeen’s death and continue the struggle for Balochistan’s independence.
The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) cadres attacked with rockets a military checkpoint located between the Latad and Sherozai areas in Kharan District of Balochistan on August 10, reports The Balochistan Post. While claiming responsibility, the BLF ‘spokesperson’ Major Gwahram Baloch said the attack occurred at 5 PM and involved the use of rockets, inflicting significant personnel and material losses on the forces. The BLF spokesperson urged the Baloch public to boycott Pakistan’s upcoming Independence Day celebrations on August 14, referring to Pakistan as an occupying force in Balochistan. He stated that the BLF views these celebrations as illegitimate and warned that they would target such events.
The Security Forces (SFs) enforced disappeared three Baloch persons, identified as Waleed Hameed, Nazir Umeed, and Hanif Umeed, from Buleda area of Kech District of Balochistan on August 10, reports The Balochistan Post.
Allama Taj Mohammad Hanafi, a senior leader of Ahl-e Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), the frontal organisation of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), on August 11 survived an assassination attempt in Orangi Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, reports The Khorasan Diary. Unknown assailants, riding on two motorcycles, opened fire on his vehicle as he was returning from a local conference.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, on August 9 foiled a major terror plot by arresting two terrorists from Naudero Road in Larkana town (Larkana District) of Sindh, who were planning to carry out explosions at various locations on the occasion of Independence Day (August 14), reports ARY News. In a press conference, the CTD Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Syed Asghar Shah said that the joint operation was conducted on Naudero Road, leading to the arrest of two most wanted terrorists – identified as Jameel Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Dockri, and Salahuddin Jatoi, a resident of Baqrani – from a banned outfit. The terrorists were allegedly planning to execute multiple bomb blasts in Larkana on August 14 and were conducting surveillance on several important personalities. During the operation, law enforcement recovered half a kilo of explosives, detonators, hand grenades, and other explosion related items from their possession. According to DSP Syed Asghar Shah, the arrested terrorists had received specialized training in Afghanistan for making and operating explosives. He also disclosed that the duo was involved in a cracker attack at the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) office in Larkana on May 29.
According to the data of Karachi Police, the city has witnessed a staggering surge in street crimes, with over 44,000 incidents reported in just the first seven months of the year 2024, ARY News reported on August 10. As per the data, the majority of the crimes involved the theft of motorcycles in the provincial capital of Sindh. In the span of the first seven months of the current year, more than 31,000 motorcycles were either stolen or snatched from their owners, making them the most common target in these street crime incidents, while, over 11,800 mobile phones were snatched from citizens. The data further revealed that around 1,200 cars were snatched from citizens during the same period, adding to the already high levels of insecurity among residents.
As Pakistan observes Minorities’ Day on August 11, President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed the country's commitment to protect the rights and religious freedoms of minorities, urging the promotion of interfaith harmony across the nation, reports Geo TV. "On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to the promise made by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on August 11, 1947, to the country’s minorities to protect their rights and religious freedoms," said the president in a message shared on the occasion. President Zardari maintained that Islam, too, fully recognises and advocates the protection of the rights of minorities. "I am glad to say that Pakistan has taken a number of steps for the political, social and economic empowerment of minorities," he added. He went to add that the Government has allocated a 5% quota for minorities for jobs and separate seats in both houses of the Parliament to encourage them to play an effective role in the political and national development of the country.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, on the occasion, paid tribute to minorities for their outstanding role in the country's development and prosperity. He said that the purpose of celebrating the day is to express solidarity with the minorities living in Pakistan and to acknowledge their services for the state of Pakistan. PM Shehbaz said that the minority community played a key role in the Pakistan Movement and since the creation of Pakistan, has been contributing immensely to the nation building. Alluding to the historic speech of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August 11, 1947, PM Shehbaz said that complete religious freedom has been given to minorities. He expressed commitment to protect the rights of minorities and their overall development and prosperity.