Pakistan: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2024

A report, released by an Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), claimed that Pakistan witnessed another year of an unprecedented surge in militant attacks as the country saw a staggering 69 per cent rise in attacks, an 81 per cent increase in resultant deaths, and a 60 per cent surge in the number of wounded, Dawn reported on January 1. “The year 2023 witnessed at least 641 militant attacks across the country in which 974 people were killed and 1,351 injured. The year 2022 had witnessed 380 militant attacks resulting in 539 deaths and 836 injuries… By combining militant attacks and security forces actions the country saw over one thousand violent incidents in which 1,511 people were killed and 1,440 injured,” report claimed. As for militant attacks, the PICSS database shows that the average militant attacks per month rose from 32 in 2022 to 53 attacks per month in 2023, which is the highest monthly average in any year after 2015. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw the highest number of militant attacks and resultant casualties during 2023. PICSS recorded 419 militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in which 620 people were killed, including 306 SFs personnel, 222 civilians, and 92 militants, while 977 were injured, including 525 security forces personnel, 402 civilians, and 50 militants. Within KP, more violence was recorded from mainland KP than the newly merged districts (erstwhile Fata) as the mainland KP witnessed 235 militant attacks in which 336 people were killed including 213 SF personnel, 67 civilians, and 56 militants while 589 were injured including 383 security forces personnel, 163 civilians and 43 militants, says PICSS report. There was an 84 per cent increase in militant attacks in mainland KP. The newly merged Districts of KP (erstwhile FATA) faced 184 militant attacks in which 284 people were killed including 155 civilians, 93 SF personnel, and 36 militants while 388 were injured including 239 civilians, 142 SF personnel, and seven militants. The region witnessed a 59 per cent rise in militant attacks in 2023 compared with 2022. Balochistan faced at least 170 militant attacks in which 285 people were killed including 151 civilians, 114 SF personnel, and 20 militants while 388 people were injured including 195 civilians, 99 SF personnel, and four militants. The rise in militant attacks in Balochistan was 65 per cent in 2023 compared with 2022. Sindh also saw a 40 per cent rise in militant attacks in 2023 as there were 35 such incidents were reported from the province in which 39 people died, including 22 civilians, 11 SF personnel, and six militants, while 35 people were injured including 24 SF personnel, ten civilians and one militant. An unprecedented rise in militant activities was witnessed in Punjab where 14 militant attacks were reported in 2023 compared to three in 2022. In Punjab, 20 people were killed in militant attacks including 14 militants, four SF personnel, and two civilians while 14 people got injured including eight civilians, five SF personnel, and one militant. Azad Kashmir, the Federal Capital Islamabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan each witnessed one militant attack during 2023. Read less...

At least four persons were injured in two separate firing raids on passenger vehicles in Kurram District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 1, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

In 2023, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations, including nearly 1,000 fatalities among civilians and Security Forces (SFs) personnel, Dawn reported on January 1 quoting annual security report issued by the Centre for Rese­arch and Security Studies (CRSS). Overall fatalities, including those of terrorists, mark a record six-year high, exceeding the 2018 level and highest since 2017. Moreover, the country saw a surge in violence for the third consecutive year with an uptick recorded each year beginning from 2021. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces were the primary centres of violence, accounting for over 90 per cent of all fatalities and 84 per cent of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and SF operations, recorded during this period. Punjab and Sindh were relatively peaceful as together, both these provinces suffered only 8 per cent of all fatalities in 2023. CRSS data claimed that the year 2023 recorded an alarming surge in violence by about 56 per cent — an unprecedented escalation in the last 10 years, with the overall number of fatalities increasing from 980 in 2022 to 1,524 in 2023. This includes a staggering 57pc uptick recorded in Balochistan and 55 per cent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Punjab saw a 96 per cent rise in violence though the number of fatalities was very low, followed by Sindh where the fatalities increased by 26 per cent. “Nearly 65pc of all violence-related fatalities recorded in 2023 resulted from terrorism, while the remaining 35pc from the security forces operations against the outlaws. The country suffered as many as 586 terror attacks this year [2023], with only 17pc of them claimed by the banned terror outfits such as TTP, BLA, Daish (Islamic State Khorasan) and others. The security forces conducted as many as 197 operations against outlaws leaving 545 of them dead,” the CRSS report stated. An alarming upsurge in sectarian violence was recorded. In 2023, acts of terrorism directed at religious communities and their places of worship resulted in the tragic loss of 203 lives, 88 of them were SF officials. Read less...

One person, identified as Haleem Jan, was killed while an Election 2024 candidate for the constituency PK-19, Syed Rahim Shah of the Mazlum Ulasi Tehrik from Mamund area of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was injured when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified assailants on January 1, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 1 forcibly disappeared 10 persons, including the tribal elder of the Darkani branch of the Shirani tribe and two women, during a raid in Jaffarabad District of Balochistan, reports The Balochistan Post. The tribal elder, Wadera Ghulam Muhammad Shirani, was in Sibbi for a court appearance when he was taken away along with his four security guards. SFs also raided his house in the Goth Wadera Muhammad Akbar Shirani area of Rojhan tehsil in Jaffarabad District, where they abducted his three brothers and two women from his household. The whereabouts and condition of the 10 abductees are still unknown. Read less...

The caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on January 1 took exception to the support lent to Baloch protesters, who have been staging a sit-in in Islamabad for more than a week for the recovery of their loved ones and extra-judicial killings in the province, reports Dawn. PM Kakar who spent more than 15 minutes of a 20-minute press conference on the issues of Balochistan at Lahore’s Central Business District, appeared visibly irked. Speaking about those who are supporting the Baloch protest, PM Kakar said they could go join the Baloch militants. “Advocates of terrorists in Balochistan should go and join them if they are convinced on the veracity of their issue and fight the state along with them, so that we know where they stand and how to deal with them,” he said, alluding to rights activists and journalists standing with the Baloch marchers. Responding to the media on the issue of Police violence against Baloch protesters in Islamabad, the PM Kakar said that some of the people — media persons included — were trying to “mislead everyone, turning themselves into fake heroes of human rights and damaging the state”. The caretaker PM insisted that those protesting in Islamabad are the “relatives of those fighting against the state” in Balochistan. He, however, added that the state had a beef with militant outfits, not the Baloch people. “We still respect their right to protest because their dear and near ones disappeared. But they should also know that they [militants] were fighting against the state, with the help of RAW funding and aided by India. It is an armed rebellion, with foreign help,” he added. Read less...

The Security Forces (SFs) had been carrying out a military operation in Mashkay tehsil of Awaran District in Balochistan, which has entered its second day, The Balochistan Post reported on January 1. The operation, which began after a drone attack in the area a day earlier, has deployed highly-trained commandoes and military gunship choppers in the area. Different areas have been cordoned off and makeshift security checkpoints have been established. Read less...

Unverified tweets on X reported on January 1 that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) ‘chief’ Masood Azhar was reportedly killed in a bomb blast at 5 AM near a mosque in Bahawalpur City (Bahawalpur District) of Punjab, report Economic Times. Social media was flooded with unverified posts and a viral video of the incident. Masood Azhar is wanted in India in cases related to the 2001 Parliament attack. He is also alleged to be associated with attacks including the targeting of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya on July 5, 2005, and the Pulwama attack on CRPF troopers on February 14, 2019. Additionally, he orchestrated an assault on the Indian Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh province of Afghanistan, on January 3, 2016. Azhar also believed to maintain a close association with Al-Qaeda ‘chief’ Osama Bin Laden and the founder of the Taliban, Mullah Omar. Read less...

A doctor, identified as Fida Mohammad, was killed in a gun attack by unidentified assailants in Jungle Pir Alizai area of Killa Abdullah District in Balochistan on January 2, reports Dawn. Levies officials said that the doctor Fida Mohammad, was on his way home in Jungle Pir Alizai area when unidentified assailants riding motorcycles opened fire on him and sped away. Read less...

According to the performance report presented to the Sindh Police chief Rifat Mukhtar Raja, at least 21 Police personnel from the Sindh Police have lost their lives in the line of duty in encounters during coordinated efforts against street crimes and terrorism, The Express Tribune reported on January 2. The report highlighted the significant impact of the Police's actions, resulting in the elimination of 1,726 criminal gangs through 3,158 Police encounters across various Police ranges in the Province. The breakdown of the encounters revealed that a total of 19,803 dacoits/accused, 93 terrorists, eight target killers, 28 notified dacoits, 26 highway robbers, and 38 kidnappers, including 26,914 fugitives, were apprehended. Moreover, 16,135 wanted suspects were arrested during police encounters and raids conducted between law enforcement and criminal elements in districts such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, and Larkana Police range. Similarly, 278 dacoits, criminals, three terrorists, four dacoits, three highway dacoits, and one kidnapper were neutralised during Police encounters and raids. In Karachi range, 10,449 suspects, one terrorist, one target killer, one robber, 20 highway robbers, 23 kidnappers, along with 1,515 criminals and 9,090 fugitives, were arrested in 1,080 Police encounters. Read less...

At least 14 Levies Force personnel in Kohlu and 29 Government employees in Turbat town of Kech District were suspended on the allegations of engaging in political activities, specifically their support for protests against “Baloch Genocide”, The Balochistan Post reported on January 2. The Deputy Commissioner of Kohlu has established an investigative committee, led by the Assistant Commissioner, to investigate the alleged political involvement of the Levies Force officials and to determine any breaches of departmental rules. Similarly, in Turbat, 29 government employees have faced suspension under accusations similar to those in Kohlu. Reportedly, these suspensions are a response to their perceived support for protests against the extrajudicial killing of Balach Mola Bakhsh, an incident that has sparked significant public outcry in Balochistan. Read less...

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa underscored the Supreme Court's resolve on January 2 to conclusively address the issue of missing persons and enforced disappearances, and said that it should be solved "once and for all", reports The Express Tribune. However, he cautioned against politicising the matter. "We cannot grant you permission to make the matter political." The hearing was presided over by CJP Isa with Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar completing the three-member bench. The proceedings were broadcast live on the apex court's website and national news channels. As the hearing commenced, Justice Isa emphasised the importance of collective responsibility, the CJP said “This country belongs to all of us, even those who may have other points of view”. “This matter will only be resolved when we all work together and take responsibility. Let’s make Pakistan strong from within. If Pakistan is strong from within, no outside forces can touch it.” Petition Khushdil Khan Malik prayed to the court for instructions to the Government to enact legislation on the issue of missing persons. Justice Mazhar stated that a commission related to enforced disappearances has been formed. The petitioner argued that the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances was formed under the chairmanship of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, but has not made much headway so far. He further prayed that a notice should be issued to the Government regarding its lack of action in enacting the said legislation. The chief justice observed that the court does not have the authority to order the parliament to enact legislation and inquired under which article of the Constitution can the court take such a step. He maintained that all institutions of the country need to stay within their constitutional limits. Justice Mazhar added that the court does not have the power to legislate and can only declare enacted legislation null and void if they are contrary to the Constitution. Read less...

Four terrorists, including a suicide bomber, were killed by Security Forces (SFs) during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 2, reports Dawn. A press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said SFs conducted the operation based on the reported presence of terrorists. “During the conduct of operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and the terrorists, as a result of which four terrorists were sent to hell, including a suicide bomber,” the ISPR said. The ISPR added that arms, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists. Read less...

Police averted a militant attack on a Police post in Shahtora Takhtikhel area of Naurang town in Lakki Marwat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the night of January 2, reports Dawn. A Police official said that the personnel deployed at the post opened fire when they noticed the movements of suspected militants through night vision goggles. After the firing from Police, the militants fled from the area. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 2 allegedly forcibly disappeared three Baloch youths during house-to-house operation in Gomazi town of Kech District of Balochistan and subsequently moved them to an undisclosed location, reports The Balochistan Post. The missing youth were identified as Ghulam Rasool (Son of Suleiman), Sohail (Son of Moosa) and Uzair (Son of Mehr Dil). Read less...

Seven Army personnel were killed when Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) cadres ambushed a Security Forces (SFs) convey with improvised explosive device (IED) in Mand town of Kech District in Balochistan on January 2, reports The Balochistan Post. BLF claimed responsibility for the attack in a media statement. BLF ‘spokesman’ Gharam Baloch said that all seven enemy personnel were killed and the military vehicle was completely destroyed as a result of the bombing. He added that video footage of the attack will soon be released to the media. However, neither the Government nor the District administration confirmed or denied the incident. Soon after the incident, a large number of SFs cordoned off the area and helicopters were seen flying throughout the day. Read less...

Six non-local young barbers were killed by unidentified assailants in an incident of target killing in Moski village of Mir Ali tehsil (revenue unit) in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 2, reports The Express Tribune. The bodies of the six men were discovered in the fields of Moski village. Preliminary investigation reveals that the victims, all of whom hailed from Punjab, were shot dead execution style. The victims, all below 30 years of age, included two youths less than 18 years’ old, hence without national identity cards (NICs). All of them were barbers, who owned barber shops in Mir Ali Bazaar, recently migrated to North Waziristan to pursue their trade. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials believe that the killings are aimed at causing fear as letters to barbers for not digressing from specific hairstyles and forbidding shaving beards had been distributed in the form of pamphlets in the area in the last few months, adds The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

The Federal Ministry of Interior on January 2 informed the Senate (upper house of parliament) that the continuous influx of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cadres in significant numbers, with recruitment, training and placing of suicide bombers, in the merged Districts [Erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)] of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is “a cause of concern”, reports Dawn. The Interior Ministry, in a written response during question hour, highlighted the TTP’s reorganisation and operational expansion during the peace talks in 2022, which has significantly increased its militant activities. “It has given significant rise to its activities and is seeking the support of other militant groups to increase strength and capabilities. It is mostly concentrated in KP, especially merged districts, with footprints in Balochistan and trying to activate its network in the country,” Ministry said. “The arrival of tashkeels of TTP in significant numbers continue in merged districts along with recruitment, training and placing of suicide bombers is a cause of concern,” the Ministry added. The Interior Ministry said Daesh (Islamic State) was also trying to establish a foothold in Pakistan and resorted to terrorist activities against Shias and religious minority communities to ignite sectarian strife. It said fencing along the western borders of Pakistan had largely been completed to further strengthen the state mechanism of curbing the illegal movement from across the border. However, it pointed out that the two organisations, particularly the TTP, continued to sabotage the fence. The Interior Ministry said data of 1.45 million registered refugees was updated and expanded through the issuance of smart identity cards. “The cards contain basic information, including biometric data, and are compatible with the local systems,” it said. It said the rationale for updating and documenting data was to strictly monitor individuals involved in criminal and terrorist activities. The Senate was also informed that more than 500,000 illegal immigrants have been repatriated so far under the Government’s deportation drive against illegal aliens. “Around 1.7 million illegal aliens are unlawfully living in the country, the majority of whom are Afghans. They are living without any legal documentation necessary for staying in the country,” the Ministry added. It said 541,210 people had been sent back after the cabinet’s approval of the deportation plan for illegal residents. Besides, close to 1.15m were still residing in the country, the Ministry said, adding that efforts were underway to identify and deport the remaining people. 271,985 people were repatriated via Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 159,161 through Balochistan. Read less...

Two Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) personnel were wounded when motorcycle-borne unidentified assailants ambushed a Rangers vehicle in Dadu city (Dadu District) of Sindh in the night of January 2, reports The Balochistan Post. The Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) claimed responsibility for the attack. An unnamed SRA ‘spokesman’ said in a media statement that two Rangers personnel, including Lance Naik, were killed and three seriously injured in the attack. Read less...

A Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) candidate for the general elections survived a bomb attack on January 3 when his vehicle was targeted with a remote-controlled device in Mamund tehsil (revenue unit) of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports The Express Tribune. The incident occurred in where the JUI-F nominee for PK-19 constituency, Qari Khairullah, was the intended target. Khairullah’s vehicle was damaged as a result of the blast, but the JUI-F leader remained unharmed. Read less...

A Policeman who was serving as a computer operator in District Police was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Mir Ali bazar of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 3, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Former Member of National Assembly (MNA) and National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Mohsin Dawar escaped unhurt after his vehicle came under fire in Miranshah area of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 3, reports Dawn. North Waziristan District Police Officer (DPO) Rohan Zeb said Dawar was targeted during an election campaign in the area. “The vehicle carrying the former lawmaker was bulletproof,” he added. Zeb said security guards accompanying Dawar responded with gunfire, adding that the attackers used sub-machine guns (SMGs) in the assault. Read less...

The Supreme Court (SC) on January 3 directed the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIED) to submit a “comprehensive report” on missing persons, along with the details of all production orders issued, reports Dawn. While hearing a case on the chronic malaise of enforced disappearances, the SC instructed the commission to prepare a report on all the missing persons cases and provide production orders issued “in each of the cases” to the Attorney General for Pakistan within 10 days. The orders were passed as a three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali heard a set of pleas. Among the petitioners was Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan who highlighted how the unlawful practice of enf¬orced disappearances continued unabated, haunting generations upon generations. Read less...

According to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies’ Pakistan (PIPS) security report for 2023, the banned outfits like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) accounted for over 82 per cent of terrorism-related deaths and conducted 78 per cent of terrorist attacks recorded in 2023, reports Dawn. The report said militants’ intensifying attacks indicate that the TTP and its affiliates will continue to resort to an intensified terrorism onslaught with a view to ‘force’ Pakistan to reinstate the process of dialogue. The PIPS report highlights Pakistan’s inadequate response to the rising terrorism and militancy challenge, exacerbated by negotiation attempts with the TTP and wan­ing political focus due to ongoing crises. Escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, fuelled by issues like TTP and Afghan refugees, demand a comprehensive and sustainable counterterrorism strategy, report added. The report correlates a surge in terrorist violence with the Taliban’s ascendancy in Afghanistan, noting the Afghan Taliban’s inability or unwillingness to control TTP’s cross-border activities. In 2023, security and law enforcement agencies intensified anti-militant kinetic actions with 129 operational strikes, compared to 87 in 2022, resulting in 425 deaths and 51 injuries. Of these strikes, 97 occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 28 in Balochistan, three in Punjab, and one in Karachi, Sindh. A total of 306 terrorist attacks took place in Pakistan in the year — including 23 suicide bombings — which killed 693 people (330 security personnel, 260 civilians, and 103 militants) and injured 1,124 others. These attacks marked an increase of 17pc from the year before, and the number of people killed in these attacks also represented an increase of 65pc from those killed in similar attacks during the previous year. That comparative upsurge of 17 per cent in terrorist violence was contributed by an increase in the number of attacks reported from all four provinces. Compared to 2022, the frequency of terrorist incidents in the Balochistan province increased by 39 per cent, in KP by 3 per cent, in Sindh by 87 per cent and in Punjab by 100 per cent. Read less...

One person was killed in a suspected incident of sectarian attack on a vehicle in Jhandari area of Kurram District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 4, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Three children, aged between 5 to 15 years, were killed in a landmine blast in Khajoori Zakir Khel village of Mir Ali tehsil (revenue unit) in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 4, reports ARY News. The children were shepherds who were grazing their cattle in the fields near Khajoori checkpost when the explosion took place. Read less...

Two Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) personnel were killed in a bomb explosion in Shawal area of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 4 when the BDU unit were involved in a clearance operation searching for landmines and Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Two children were injured in the Gat Agra area of Loye Mamund area in Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 4 when a hand grenade in the mountains exploded while they were grazing their cattle, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 5 (today) shot dead two terrorists, including one ‘high value terrorist’ during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports ARY News. During an intense exchange of fire, two terrorists were killed,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, adding that weapons and ammunition were recovered from their possession. The ISPR said Gul Yousaf, one of the killed terrorists, was wanted in many heinous crimes and PKR 2.5 million was fixed on his head by the Government. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 5 neutralised a pressure cooker bomb, a locally assembled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Kamangara area of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on January 5 released its annual operational report detailing its activities against Security Forces (SFs) and associated personnel, reports The Balochistan Post. The report, published in the magazine “Dhak” by the BLA’s media wing Hakkal, outlines a series of attacks and operations conducted throughout 2023. According to the report, the BLA carried out 247 attacks against SFs, including nine special operations and two suicide missions. The outfit claims that these attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 171 soldiers and injuries to 251 others. Additionally, the BLA claims to have neutralized 42 individuals identified as collaborators or informants. The report also details substantial material damage inflicted by the BLA on SFs, including the destruction of 99 vehicles and motorbikes, as well as targeting 23 military installations and four drones. The Majeed Brigade, an elite unit of the BLA, is credited with two notable operations. The first, on June 24, 2023, carried out by fidayeen Sumaiya Qalandarani in Turbat, targeted a high-value Pakistani military figure. The second, on August 13, 2023, as part of operation Zir Pahazag, involved fidayeens Naveed Baloch and Maqbool Baloch in Gwadar. This operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of four Chinese nationals and 11 soldiers. The BLA’s Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS) and Fateh Squad are reported to have conducted seven operations, including the capture of an Army camp near Quetta and the arrest of two Army personnel. In a commemorative section, the BLA honors 14 of its cadres who died in 2023. Read less...

The central deputy secretary general of Sunni Ulema Council of Pakistan, and spokesman of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jama'at (ASWJ), Allama Masood-u-Rehman Usmani, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Ghori Town area of Islamabad on January 5, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Two Policemen were injured when militants attacked a Police checkpoint in Aman Mela area of Darazinda in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 5, reports The Khorasan Diary. A search operation was lunched in the area as the militants managed tried to escape. Read less...

One person was injured in a landmine blast in the Dera Bugti District of Balochistan on January 6, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Four persons, including two security personnel, were killed and three others were injured in a firing on a passenger coach and a vehicle near Sadda Bazaar in the Kurram District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 7 (today), reports Dawn. District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Imran said that the vehicles were targeted by gunmen with automated weapons. Read less...

The car of a local leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam - Fazal (JUI-F)'s, Haji Gul Zareen, was fired upon by unidentified assailants in Paharkhel area of Lakki Marwat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 7, reports The Khorasan Dairy. However, Haji Gul Zareen escaped unhurt, said Police. Read less...

The Sindh Police killed as many as 289 suspects in thousands of encounters in different parts of the province during 2023, Dawn reported on January 8 quoting Police official data released on January 7. A Police spokesperson said that a total of 3,158 encounters took place with suspected robbers/criminals across Sindh in the previous year and as a result a total of 1,726 ‘criminal gangs’ were busted. In the previous year, the provincial Police also arrested a total 26,914 suspects including militants, hitmen, dacoits, kidnappers and many proclaimed offenders, the spokesperson said, adding that a large quantity of explosive material, arms and ammunition were also seized from their custody. Read less...

Unidentified assailants shot dead a school teacher in a suspected incident of target killing in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 7, reports The Khorasan Dairy. Read less...

At least 10 construction workers were abducted by terrorists in Hasan Khel area of Lakki Marwat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 8, reports The Khorasan Diary. The terrorists were dressed in Police uniform. The contractor was being asked for extortion by terrorists since the last three months for the construction of the road, said Police. Read less...

At least five Police personnel were killed and 22 others were injured in a bomb attack on a Police vehicle in Mamond tehsil (revenue unit) of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 8, reports The Express Tribune. The Police personnel were on their way to perform security duty for polio vaccinators when their vehicle was targeted. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility of the attack, adds The Khorasan Diary. The death toll from the January 8 attack on a Police van in Bajaur District rose to seven on January 9, reports Dawn. At least five Police personnel were killed and 22 others were injured in a bomb attack on a Police vehicle in Mamond tehsil (revenue unit) of Bajaur District on January 8. The Police personnel were on their way to perform security duty for polio vaccinators when their vehicle was targeted. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility of the attack. On January 9, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) also claimed responsibility of the attack. Read less...

One Army soldier, identified as Havaldar Muhammad Zahir (41), was killed during an exchange of fire with terrorists in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 8, reports ARY News. One terrorist was arrested in injured condition. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) allegedly forcibly disappeared two Baloch youths from Dazin area of Tump tehsil (revenue unit) in Kech District of Balochistan on January 8, reports The Balochistan Post. According to eyewitnesses, SFs detained two Baloch young men in front of several people from the playground in the Dazin area. The missing youths were identified as Hasan son of Asif and Jassim son of Muhammad Bakhsh. Their whereabouts of both the youths remained unknown since. Read less...

At least four people including three Policemen and a civilian were after terrorists attacked a Police post near Lachi Toll Plaza in Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the night of January 9, reports ARY News. The dead Policemen were identified as Amjad, Junaid and Waqar. The attack triggered a gunfight that lasted for a while after which the terrorists were forced flee. “The militants used sophisticated weapons, we collected evidence of M-4s and M-16s”, an investigating officer said, adds The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

At least two Policemen were killed and two others injured as terrorists attacked Policemen deployed for protection of the Polio team in Miryan area of Bannu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 9, reports ARY News. Two terrorists also killed in the subsequent operation. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Qasim Ali Khan said that exchange of fire took place between terrorists and Police. The terrorists took refuge in a house however clashes between the police officials and terrorists continued. Later, the District Police Officer (DPO) Iftikhar Ali Shah announced the successful completion of operation stating that a rocket attack was launched at the house where the terrorists were hiding and two dead bodies of terrorists recovered. Read less...

At least two Policemen were killed in a late-night terrorist attack on a Police checkpoint in Regi Model Town area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on January 9, reports ARY News. “Two constables Wajid and Farman were martyred while two others sustained injuries in the terrorist attack,” a spokesman for the Peshawar Police said. Read less...

So far, 109 people have been killed in polio-related incidents since 2012, according to a report, which puts the number of injuries suffered by Policemen and polio workers at 162 during this period, Dawn reported on January 9. The report said that a total of 13 people were kidnapped during vaccination drives. The total number of killed and injured remained 284, including 166 Policemen, 87 health workers and 31 civilians. They included 255 men and 29 women. Vaccinators continue to fall to bullets of unidentified assailants since long but not as aggressively as they had been since 2012. However, the year 2014 witnessed 17 deaths, highest in any year since 2012 during which seven people were murdered in Charsadda district whereas in 2013 and 2016, militants killed 13 people in both years. According to the report, Peshawar has registered 23 deaths since 2012, Charsadda 12, Swabi and Dera Ismail Khan 10 each, Bannu nine, Bajaur seven, Mardan six, Tank five, Mansehra and North Waziristan four each, Bannu and Buner three each, Lower Dir, Swat and Khyber two each and one person each was killed during anti-polio campaigns in South Waziristan, Nowshera, Kurram and Lakki Marwat. Read less...

The United Nation (UN) Sanctions Committee said Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and chief of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), is serving a 78-year-imprisonment sentence in Pakistan, PTI quoted the United Nations as saying. He is facing conviction in seven terror financing cases. Saeed, who was designated as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council's 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee in December 2008, is "in (the) custody of the Government of Pakistan, serving a 78-year imprisonment sentence since 12 February 2020 as a result of conviction in seven terror financing cases," the Sanctions Committee said in an amended entry, PTI added. Additionally, the Security Council Committee enacted amendments to certain entries in its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo. Under these amendments, the Sanctions Committee also noted that Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, founding member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Saeed's deputy, is "confirmed deceased." Read less...

Former Senator (Member of Upper house of Parliament) and Provincial Minister Aslam Buledi, candidate for the upcoming General Elections for National Assembly of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), came under attack in the Qami Park area of Turbat town in Kech District of Balochistan on January 10, reports Dawn. Buledi who is contesting for the polls from NA-258, was walking in a park when unknown persons opened fire and wounded him, said Kech Superintendent of Police (SP) Zia Mandokhail. Read less...

One tribal elder Kaleemullah Khan, an independent candidate contesting for the upcoming general elections from PK-104, was killed along with two of his bodyguards in firing on his vehicle in the Tappi area of North Waziristan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 10, reports Dawn. North Waziristan District Police Officer (DPO) Rohan Zeb said that Kaleemullah was on his way back home from Miranshah when his convoy was attacked by unknown assailants. Read less...

Two Army soldiers and two terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on January 10, reports ARY News. Two soldiers were identified as Sepoy Muhammad Afzal (resident of Bhimber District, PoJK) and Sepoy Ibrar Hussain (resident of Mansehra District, KP), whereas two terrorists were identified as Aftab aka Malang and Masood Shah. Weapon and ammunition were also recovered from the possession of killed terrorist. Read less...

A gas pipeline was blown up when unidentified persons planted an improvised explosive device (IED) near the pipeline in Bolan District of Balochistan on January 11, reports The Express Tribune. The detonation of the IED resulted in a huge explosion, causing significant damage to a 12-inch diameter gas pipeline. Subsequently, gas supply to various regions of Balochistan experienced partial disruption. Read less...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) local leader Shah Khalid was shot dead by unknown assailants in Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 11, reports ARY News. Two armed motorcyclists opened fire on the vehicle of PTI leader, killing him on the spot. The attackers managed to escape from the scene. Read less...

The caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq Kakar on January 11 said militants had decided to fight against the State and therefore, the State had no choice but to fight that war with wisdom and courage, reports Dawn. “This is their [militants’] own choice to become suicide bombers and assassins, so they don’t deserve sympathy,” PM Kakar said during a Police darbar at the Governor’s House in Peshawar. PM Kakar said the nation never forgot the 2014 massacre of children at Peshawar’s Army Public School, so militants had lost the “sympathy they used to enjoy 20 years ago.” The State would fight against all those people, who subscribed to militant ideology, adds PM Kakar. Read less...

Unidentified assailants targeted Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (N) candidate Qari Mahar Ullab for PB 45 in the upcoming general election in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, in the morning of January 11, reports The Khorasan Diary. However, he narrowly escaped the attack. Read less...

A Police constable assigned to safeguard polio workers was killed in a firing incident near Eastern Bypass School in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, on January 12, reports The Balochistan Post. Unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire and injured a Police head constable, identified as Jameel Ahmed, appointed for the security of the polio campaign near Eastern Bypass School. He was rushed to the Quetta Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. However, the Polio team remained unharmed in the attack. Read less...

As many as two persons, including a woman sustained injuries in a bomb blast that occurred in Utman Khel area of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 12 (today), reports ARY News. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 12 killed two terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports The Express Tribune. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists Abdullah Khadri and Khalid aka Janan were killed during the operation conducted on the reported presence of terrorists in the area. The killed terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area including target killing of innocent civilians. Read less...

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on January 12 arrested two Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) suicide bombers, allegedly involved in planning an attack on Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam - Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Fazlur Rehman and Awami National Party (ANP)’s Aimal Wali Khan, from Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports Dawn. In an official statement, the CTD said Peshawar was “saved from a major catastrophe” with the arrest of the two Afghanistan-trained militants. According to CTD Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) (Operations) Najamul Hasnain Liaquat, the suicide bombers were nabbed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) from Matni area and Achini areas of Peshawar. Two suicide vests, three hand grenades and a pistol were recovered from them, he added. Read less...

The Jamiat-ud-Nazria (JuN) chief Qari Mehrullah was attacked by unidentified assailants in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, on January 12, reports The Balochistan Post. Qari Mehrullah who is contesting the elections from Balochistan Assembly Constituency PB-45 in the upcoming survived the attack. Read less...

On January 13, a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Azad Mandi area of Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

On January 13, a Policeman was shot by unidentified assailants on Makran Road in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan, reports The Khorasan Diary. However, he succumbed to his injuries on the same day. Read less...

On January 13, at least four security personnel were killed, and three others were injured following an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack on their vehicle in the Buleda area of Kech District of Balochistan Province, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

On January 13, two militants were killed as they opened fire on the Security Forces (SF), prompting a retaliatory response in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

On January 13, two terrorists were killed, and a soldier sustained minor injuries following a fire raid on a military checkpoint in the Mir Ali area in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports The Khorasan Diary. Later, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility. Read less...

Security Forces allegedly forcibly disappeared a Baloch youth from Sangani Sar town of Kech District in Balochistan at 2 pm on January 13 and subsequently shifted him to an undisclosed location, reports The Balochistan Post. The missing youth was identified as Shahabuddin, son of Abdul Wahid, a resident of Mir Yaqoob Mohalla in Absar. Read less...

A Private security official guarding an oil and gas company in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was shot dead by unidentified assailants when he was collecting water on January 14, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 14 allegedly ‘forcibly disappeared’ a Baloch youth from Kohar village in the Tump area of Kech District in Balochistan and subsequently moved him to an undisclosed location, reports The Balochistan Post. The whereabouts of missing youth, identified as Ismail son of Mohammad Bakhsh, have not been disclosed since then. Read less...

A truck driver and a passenger sustained injuries when a suicide bomber on motorbike exploded himself near Machi Khel checkpost in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 15, reports The Khorasan Diary. However, there was no casualties from within the Security Forces. Read less...

An election training center, established in Government Model High School in Kharan town (Kharan District) of Balochistan, was attacked by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA-Azad Faction) cadres during a training session for local election officials on January 15, reports The Khorasan Diary. BLA-Azad Faction, in a statement claimed the attack. It's the first attack by Baloch insurgent groups against the upcoming general election in the province. Read less...

A convoy of Security Forces came under an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Khoi Bahara area of Ramak in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 16, reports The Khorasan Diary. No loss of life was reported. The attackers managed to escape after SF’s retaliation. Read less...

A tribal elder, Malik Raz Muhammad got injured along with his son and brother in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack near his car in Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 16, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

At least two children were killed and three women critically injured as Iran laun¬ched attacks in Pakistan on January 16 targeting the bases of a terrorist outfit Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur District in Balochistan, reports Dawn. “Two key strongholds of the Jaysh al-Dhulm (Jaish al-Adl) terrorist group in Pakistan” were “specifically targeted and successfully demolished by a combination of missile and drone attacks”, Dawn reported quoting Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. Jaish al-Adl has previously mounted attacks on Iranian Security Forces in the border area with Pakistan. Tuesday’s attack in Balochistan came a day after Iran’s elite Revo¬lutionary Guards attacked targets in Iraq and Syria with missiles. Pakistan strongly condemned the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that the strike inside Pakistani territory. “This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences,” the ministry said in a statement. The statement didn’t mention the location of the attacks. Tasnim reported that the “focal point of this operation was the region known as Kouh-Sabz (green mountain)” in Balochistan. Read less...

At least two Security Forces (SFs) personnel were reportedly killed and four other personnel were injured in an IED attack on a SF convoy on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) highway in the Sami area of Kech District in Balochistan on January 16, reports The Balochistan Post. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. BLA ‘spokesman’ Jeeyand Baloch said that “BLA fighters targeted a military convoy, resulting in the killing of two enemy personnel and injuring four others, while the vehicle was completely destroyed in the remote-controlled blast.” Read less...

Police on January 16 foiled two attacks in the Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - one on a Police Station and another at a check post, reports Geo News. An attack was thwarted at the Peezo Police Station, during which the terrorists opened fire and threw hand grenades. The Police retaliated, forcing the terrorists to escape. There was no casualty reported, according to the Police. Meanwhile, an attempt to attack the 15th Police post at the Gundi Chowk in Dara Pezu area of Lakki Marwat District, was also thwarted by the Police in the morning. Read less...

The brother of a candidate of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for provincial assembly seat in the upcoming general election, Meer Asghar Rind, sustained injuries when unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade at the resident of Meer Asghar Rind in Kech District of Balochistan on January 16, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on January 16 arrested a Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist during an operation on Bonga Hayat Road near Sahiwal in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, reports ARY News. The CTD recovered an improvised explosive device (IED), two Prima Cards, and a detonator from the possession of the arrested terrorist. The CTD spokesperson claimed that the terrorist, identified as Osama Farooq, belongs to Jampur and is affiliated with the TTP. Read less...

The SFs conducted an Intelligence-based operation (IBO) and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from a drain on Patak Road in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan on January 16, reports ARY News. The Police officials in a statement claimed that a total of five pistols with additional ammunition were recovered from a drain. The spokesperson further added that five kilograms of TNT ammo and an LMG automatic machine gun were also among the recovered weapons. However, no arrest has been made during the operation. Read less...

Two Policemen were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Regi area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on January 16, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

At least nine people, including a traffic Policeman and three children, were injured in a blast on Zarghoon Road in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, on January 17, reports Dawn. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operation Jawad Tariq said that explosive material was planted in a heap of trash that had been lying for some time. The explosion occurred when children, who were picking trash, were sifting through the garbage, he said. It was unclear what kind of explosive device was used, Tariq said. “The explosion was not a security lapse,” he asserted. Read less...

A bomb planted near the Police Headquarters close to a bridge in Chinarbagh area of Gilgit District in Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan Administered Jammu and Kashmir (PaJK), was neutralised by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) on January 18, reports The Khorasan Diary. A passer-by who in the locality passed on the information to the Police after finding a suspicious object, after which BDS personnel neutralised it. Read less...

A least nine persons were killed as Pakistan struck terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province in the morning of January 18, less than 48 hours after Iran violated its airspace, reports Dawn. According to a statement issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), “hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF)” were struck in an intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’. Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that nine people were killed in the attack targeting a village in the city of Saravan, with Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi saying all the dead “were foreign nationals”. In its statement, issued hours after the Foreign Office (FO) announced that Pakistan had carried out “precision military strikes” in Iran, the ISPR said “effective strikes” were carried out against hideouts inside Iran used by terrorists responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan. “The precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons. Maximum care was taken to avoid collateral damage,” it said. The ISPR said hideouts used by BLA and BLF were successfully struck in the operation. “The targeted hideouts were being used by notorious terrorists including Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham and Wazir alias Wazi, amongst others,” it said. Read less...

One person, identified as Haji Noor, was assassinated by terrorists in Bakakhel area of Bannu District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 18, reports The Khorasan Diary. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Hafiz Gul Bahadur) faction, Jabhat Ansar al-Mahdi Khorasan (JAMK) claimed responsibility, claiming that the individual was an alleged informant. Read less...

The Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) during an intelligence-based raid recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from a vacant plot of land in Jahanabad area of Lyari Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, on January 18, reports ARY News. Rangers said the weapons belong to a Lyari gang commander Bilal Arshad alias Arshad Pappu gang. The recovery includes one Kalashnikov, one 223 rifle, 10 pistols and live rounds. Read less...

The Peshawar spokesman of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Amjad Farooqi, was injured in an attack carried out by unknown assailants in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on January 18, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

The Tehreek-e-Talban Pakistan (TTP) faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) blamed TTP chief, Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud of killing JuA slain leader, Omar Khalid Khorasani, The Khorasan Diary reported on January 18. A statement issued by JuA member Asad Mansoor makes a series of accusation against Noor Wali Mehsud and his entourage, including demoting Omar Mukarram Khorasani and Sarbakaf Mohmand in order to silence their requests of investigating the death of Omar Khalid Khorasani, occurred in August 2022 in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. Asad Mansoor also accuses Noor Wali Mehsud of conspiring against Hakimullah Mehsud the same way he did with Omar Khalid Khorasani. Read less...

A Baloch youth, identified as Sala, son of Wadera Gago Bugti, allegedly forcibly disappeared by Security Forces (SFs) from Dera Allah Yar town of Jaffarabad District in Balochistan on January 19, The Balochistan Post reported on January 22. Read less...

A polio programme official was killed and a Policeman sustained injuries on January 19 after unidentified assailants opened fire on a vehicle in the Tarkhoo area of Mamond tehsil (revenue unit) in Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports Dawn. Station House Officer (SHO) of Mamond Police Station Dilawar Khan said that unidentified assailants opened fire on Dr Abdul Rehman’s vehicle when he was coming back from the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Khar. The doctor was the coordinator of the polio immunisation programme in Bajaur. Read less...

Two Policemen sustained injuries on January 19 when unidentified terrorists attack a Police post in Kohi area of Bara tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports The Khorasan Diary. A vehicle of a Police official parked outside the Police Station was also torched by the terrorists. Read less...

Two soldiers and one civilian sustained injuries on January 19 when a vehicle of the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) was targeted in the Drazinda area of Dera Ismail khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports The Khorasan Diary. The bomb went off in the area of the Al Haj Oil and Gas Company. Local said unidentified assailants opened firing on those who came for the rescue, due to which one civilian was also injured. Read less...

Two terrorists were killed and a soldier sustained injuries during a clash in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Luni area of Dera Ismail Khan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 19, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

An explosion took place in a Kabab restaurant in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 20, reports The Khorasan Diary. However, there were no casualties. It was initially thought it was a cylinder exploding but the bomb disposal squad confirmed a bomb attack. Read less...

On January 20, Police and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) arrested a most wanted terrorist of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), identified as Abdul Ghaffar alias Amjad, from Ittehad Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh and recovered explosives from his possession, reports ARY News. Police stated that the arrested terrorist was a close associate of TTP ‘commander’, Muhammad Ali alias Mufti. He was involved in planning a suicide attack at the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi in October 2011. It was further revealed that Abdul Ghaffar had returned to Karachi with the intent to re-establish a network for TTP. Read less...

On January 20, Police recovered four unidentified bodies from near a school in Hurmaz area under Mir Ali Police Station in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports The Khorasan Diary. “They have no identity on them” a Police official said, adding that two vehicles of vegetables parked are suspected to be theirs. Read less...

On January 20, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested a terrorist, identified as Syed Mehdi, involved in the attack on Mufti Taqi Usmani, from Soldier Bazar area in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, reports ARY News. During the investigation, the arrested terrorist disclosed that he provided the details of the targets to his accomplices Raza Jafri and Abid Raza, both actively involved in targeting and carrying out fatal attacks and was found harbouring arms and ammunition obtained from hostile agencies within his residence. He was also involved in the illegal sale of weapons. Read less...

One person was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Mir Ali town of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 20, reports ARY News. Read less...

An election rally of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazal (JUI-F) candidate, Pir Fawad Zakori, was attacked by unidentified militants in Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 21, reports The Khorasan Diary. Pir Fawad Zakori who is a candidate for PK-107 constituency remained unhurt in the attack. Read less...

Unidentified attackers threw a hand grenade at the residence of Meer Nooruddian Nosharwani, the chairman of the Kharan municipal committee, in Kharan town (Kharan District) of Balochistan on January 21, reports The Khorasan Diary. Meer Nooruddian Nosharwani is a candidate for PB-33 in the upcoming general election. Read less...

On January 22, Islamic State (IS) online supporters shared pamphlets allegedly distributed in areas of Sindh and Balochistan to warn locals of attacks by its affiliates during upcoming elections in Pakistan, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

One trooper was killed on January 22 when unidentified terrorists attacked the Abba Shahed checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan town (Dera Ismail Khan District) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports The Khorasan Diary. Terrorists used heavy weapons to attack. However, due to the stiff resistance from Security Forces, the terrorists fled back. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 22 shot dead seven terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Sambaza area of Zhob District in Balochistan, reports ARY News. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said seven terrorists were killed in the operation of the SFs while weapons and ammunition were recovered from their possession. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists attacked Jhangi check-post under Vehova Police Station in Taunsa Sharif District of Punjab in the night of January 22, reports The Khorasan Diary. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Vehova Police Station said 10-15 terrorists affiliated with Ustarana group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacked the check-post at the border of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Policemen retaliated with full force after which terrorists managed to escape. No loss of life was reported. Read less...

Two labourers were killed while two others sustained injures when unidentified terrorists opened fire near Gira Hayat checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 23 (today), reports The Khorasan Diary. The labourers were working in the fields next to the checkpost when the attack took place. Read less...

Unidentified attackers threw a hand grenade at the former Election Commission office near the Judicial Offices site in Kharan town (Kharan District) of Balochistan on January 23, reports The Khorasan Diary. No loss or damage was reported in the explosion. Read less...

Unidentified terrorist opened firing on the vehicle of the District education officer in Ghaznikhel area of Lakki Marwat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 23, reports The Khorasan Diary. Despite multiple bullets fired at him, he escaped the attack. Read less...

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off near the residence of Tribal elder Malik Hazrat Noor in Speen area of South Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 24, reports The Khorasan Diary. No loss of life reported in the explosion, said Police. Read less...

Five Punjabi workers were abducted from Dandar village in Hoshap tehsil (revenue unit) of Kech District in Balochistan on January 24, reports The Balochistan Post. Unidentified gunmen abducted five workers who were working there to install a new tower for the “state-run” telecom company Ufone. The abductees were identified as Nazir Ahmed, Muhammad Tariq, Safdar Ali, Farooq, and Hasnain. Read less...

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) local leader Abbas Khoso was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jamshoro District of Sindh on January 24, reports ARY News. Two armed motorcyclists opened fire on the PPP District council member Abbas Khoso who was at a shop. The PPP leader was shifted to hospital but succumbed to his wounds. The attackers managed to escape from the scene. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) across major cities in Pakistan have been placed on high alert following intelligence reports of potential terrorist activities orchestrated by banned outfits, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), The Express Tribune reported on January 24. Intelligence agencies have issued a warning about the imminent arrival of 17 suicide bombers in the country, prompting authorities to tighten security measures nationwide. Over 17 terrorists from four different groups have been tasked with carrying out attacks in key cities. Police and law enforcement agencies have been directed to enhance security measures in response to the looming threat. In a communication titled "Special and Specific Information Report regarding Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Mianwali, DG Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan", Regional Police Officer (RPO), Rawalpindi, Additional IG Syed Khurram Ali instructed Central Police Office (CPO) Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani, and District Police chiefs to bolster security in their respective regions. According to the report, TTP's top leadership conducted a meeting in Kabul, outlining plans for terrorist activities in Pakistan in January. The targeted areas include newly-merged Tribal Districts, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, and other regions. The TTP allegedly secured funds from Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan, and approximately 15 suicide bombers are reportedly at their disposal for carrying out attacks. One group, led by Commander Salman alias Siddique, has been dispatched with night vision glasses, hand grenades, and rocket launchers, hiding in Zangli of Badaber area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Facilitators of this group are reportedly in Matni and Azakhel areas of the province. Another group is said to be present in Peshawar's Hassan Khel area, with potential plans to conduct attacks in Mianwali and Attock Districts of Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan and border areas of Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Read less...

A Baloch poet, identified as Qasim, was forcibly disappeared allegedly by Security Forces (SFs) from Dasht Bahot Chat area of Turbat Town in Kech District in Balochistan on January 25, reports The Balochistan Post. Qasim, a young poet of the Balochi language, was disappeared following the arrest by SFs during a raid near the Dasht Bahot Chat area. Read less...

A Police constable who was dropping his children to school was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Daudzai area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on January 25 (today), reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

A Policeman was killed in an armed attack on the office of the regional election commissioner in Turbat city of Kech District in Balochistan on January 25, reports Dawn. Kech Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Zia Mandokhel said that unknown assailants attempted to enter the office in the Zaraat area, and an exchange of fire ensued, which resulted in the death of a Policeman, identified as Namrooz. After the exchange of fire, the assailants fled the scene. Read less...

A senior planning officer of the social welfare department was shot dead on January 25 (today) in Gul Bahar area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when unidentified motorcyclists opened firing on his official vehicle, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Police under pressure from religious extremists’ groups destroyed the tombstones of 80 graves of the minority Ahmadi community in Daska tehsil (revenue unit) of Sialkot District in Punjab on January 25, reports PTI. According to the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan, Police, under the pressure of the religious extremists, desecrated at least 80 graves of two separate graveyards of the Ahmadi community in Daska. Read less...

The law enforcement agencies arrested 17 terrorists linked with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including a key ‘commander’, from Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, on January 25, reports ARY News. The arrested terrorists were wanted for serious crimes such as targeted killings and extortion against law enforcement agencies. The terrorists had been organized under the guise of religious students from Afghanistan to run the TTP network in Karachi. Furthermore, arrested terrorists were part of the TTP network from 2007 to 2014 and were involved in various attacks on security forces and NGOs in Swat and Malakand. These terrorists were also implicated in sectarian, ethnic, and politically motivated targeted killings in Karachi and attacks on law enforcement agencies. The network used to collect funds through extortion and abductions for ransom in Karachi for the top leadership of the TTP in Afghanistan. Read less...

Two Baloch youths, identified as Hafeezullah s/o Abdul Hameed and Ismail s/o Shahi Dad, were forcibly disappeared allegedly by Security Forces (SFs) from the Bulaida Bit area of Kech District in Balochistan on January 25, reports The Balochistan Post. Read less...

Two persons, identified as Akbar, son of Nawab Khan, and Jamil Ahmed, son of Imam Bakhsh, have been detained allegedly by the Pakistani forces from the Jhal Magsi area of Balochistan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed location, reports The Balochistan Post on January 25. According to reports, Akbar was earlier detained by Pakistani forces along with his brother Yusuf. Meanwhile, his brother Yusuf was killed by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in an alleged encounter in Dera Murad Jamali, while Akbar himself was released but has once again been forcibly disappeared. Read less...

Haji Abdul Hameed Mengal, a local leader of Jamiat e Ulema Islam – Fazal (JUI-F) was shot dead by two unidentified motorcyclists in Chad Sher Ali area of Surab District in Balochistan on January 26, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

On January 26, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Police arrested a key 'commander' of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) identified as Abdul Hadi, alias Amarullah, along with a large cache of weapons and explosives in a raid in Quetta District of Balochistan, reports Dawn. Officials said that during interrogation, he disclosed his Afghan origin and admitted of conducting terrorist attacks in Quetta with six other Afghan nationals under the directives from the TTP's high command based in Afghanistan. Read less...

The Security Forces (SFs) allegedly detained seven Baloch students during multiple raids in Buleda, Hoshab, Turbat areas of Kech District and Quetta city of Balochistan in the night of January 26, reports The Balochistan Post. The missing students were identified as Bahadur Chakar S/o Chakar Baloch, a resident of Tejaban in Kech District, Aslam Karim Son of Karim Bakhsh, a 10th-grade student, Hammal son Qadir Baksh an 8th-grade student, Basharat Baloch Son of Riaz Ahmed, a resident of Bazdad Awaran, Hafeez Ullah son of Hameed and Ismail son of Shahi. Read less...

A wanted terrorist, identified as Maqsood Pathan and said to be affiliated with a banned outfit, was arrested by the Karachi Police in Karachi, the capital city of Sindh, reports ARY News on January 27. Earlier, he had been arrested in multiple terrorism cases. Read less...

On January 27, a militant was arrested during a shootout when militants attacked a police mobile van in the Bahadarkhel area of the Karak District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports The Khorasan Diary. However, there were no casualties among the security forces. Read less...

On January 27, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Hyderabad arrested Adil, a terrorist affiliated with a banned organisation and recovered 600 kilograms of explosives, a detonator, anti-state pamphlets, and banners from his possession in Jamshoro District of Sindh, reports ARY News. The CTD official, Najam Husnain Liaquat said that a subsequent search led to the discovery of a suicide bomber, a facilitator, and additional weapons, including two suicide jackets, three hand grenades, and a pistol. Read less...

On January 27, three militants were killed during an exchange of fire with the Police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in the Titarkhel area of Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports The Khorasan Diary. Officials believe that Militants escaped during a 48-hour intelligence-based operation, where security forces surrounded Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) affiliates. Read less...

A corner meeting scheduled at the house of Javaid Nosharwani in support of Shoaib Nosharwani, former Interior Provincial Minister of Balochistan and candidate for Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) for PB-33 Kharan in the upcoming general election, was targeted in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in the Dairy Farm area of Kharan District in Balochistan on January 28, reports The Khorasan Diary. No loss of life or property has been reported in the explosion. Azad faction of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA-Azad) claimed responsibility for the attack. Read less...

Ten persons were reportedly forcibly disappeared by Security Forces (SFs) during a house-to-house search operations in Sui town of Dera Bugti District in Balochistan, The Balochistan Post reported on January 28. Read less...

The dead body of a Levies trooper, who was abducted from his hometown in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, found on January 28, reports The Khorasan Diary. Police said the Levies personnel who was on holiday, was abducted by militants. Read less...

Two people were injured in a grenade attack on the National Party’s election office in the Mastung town (Mastung District) of Balochistan in the evening of January 28, reports Dawn. City Police Station House Officer (SHO) Abdul Fatah said that unidentified persons had lobbed a grenade at the party’s election office before fleeing. The injured persons were identified as Ghulam Mohiuddin and Abdul Aziz Shami. Read less...

An activist of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) was shot dead in an attack by unidentified assailants in Gulberg Town of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, on January 29, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Five militants and two Railway Police personnel were killed while four others including two Security Force (SF) personnel and one child sustained injuries when Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) cadres lunched three “coordinated attacks” on Frontier Corps Headquarters, Railway Station and District Jail in Mach town of Kachhi District in Balochistan in the night of January 29, reports Dawn. The Jeeyand Baloch faction of BLA claimed the attack in a statement, adding that it was a joint attack in collusion with other factions, reports The Khorasan Diary. This significant armed operation involves the BLA’s elite units, including the Majeed Brigade, Special Tactical Operations Squad, Fateh Squad, and Intelligence Wing, adds The Balochistan Post. BLA ‘spokesman’ Jeeyand Baloch announced the operation’s commencement in a media statement. He advised residents in Mach town and the surrounding areas to stay indoors and avoid highways due to ongoing activities. The fatalities in the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) “coordinated attacks” on Frontier Corps Headquarters, Railway Station and District Jail in Mach town of Kachhi District in Balochistan on January 29 rose to 15, The Khorasan Diary reported quoting Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). ISPR statement said nine terrorists including three suicide bombers were killed and three terrorists injured. During exchange of fire, four Security Forces (SFs) personnel and two civilians also killed. Meanwhile, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on January 30 announced control over Mach city and its surrounding areas in Balochistan as part of ‘Operation Dara-e-Bolan’, reports The Balochistan Post. This extensive operation, involving BLA’s elite units such as the Majeed Brigade, Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), and Fateh Squad, has been ongoing for over 15 hours. In a media statement, BLA ‘spokesperson’ Jeeyand Baloch stated that the STOS has secured all entry and exit points around the area, employing explosive mines to deter SFs. Additionally, the Fateh Squad has taken control of strategic locations in Mach city, including the Police Station and Railway Station, to closely monitor the movements of the SFs. The BLA statement claims that a unit of its Majeed Brigade has encircled the main camp of the SFs, preparing for a prolonged engagement. “The Fidayeen of Majeed Brigade will fight till their last bullet,” Jeeyand Baloch stated. According to local journalists, the Government is completely unaware of the real situation and is sharing wrong information. Read less...

One Security Force (SF) personnel and one terrorist were killed during a clash when terrorists attacked the Mandi Kas check post in Bara tehsil (revenue unit) of Khyber District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the night of January 29, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 29 shot dead a terrorist during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP), reports ARY News. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on reported presence of terrorists, the SF conducted an IBO. During the exchange of fire, the SFs gunned down a terrorist, identified as Naikman Ullah. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorist. Read less...

The Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) region Police of Punjab are on high-alert following reports that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) launched a new wing, named ‘Istrna’, comprising highly-trained, well-equipped and ferocious militants, to specifically target the Punjab Police personnel to make inroads into the province’s territory, Dawn reported on January 29. As per well-placed sources, at least three DG Khan check posts — Lakhani, Jhangi and Triman — situated in the tribal areas along the provincial borders, have especially become vulnerable because of the emerging threat of the new TTP wing. A senior official told Dawn that the TTP, after launching the outfit named ‘Istrna’, which is focusing on targeted attacks on Punjab’s law enforcement agencies, has increased its influence and fear among the local tribal people. He said that initially, the group comprised only 10 to 12 militants, however, some recent intelligence reports suggest that its strength has now increased to around 50. Read less...

The new Islamic State - Pakistan Province (ISPP) video criticises religious political parties in Pakistan and warns locals to stay away from electoral rallies, The Khorasan Diary reported on January 29. Read less...

The private security officer of an Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Aurangzeb Khan from Shangla District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sustained injuries when he was attacked by unidentified assailants on January 29, reports The Khorasan Diary. Aurangzeb Khan, however, narrowly escaped in the attack. Read less...

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) announces jihad against Democracy in Pakistan and condemns TTP for its stance in upcoming elections in the country, The Khorasan Diary reported on January 29. Read less...

Unidentified assailants shot dead a Levies trooper in the Kahan area of Kohlu District in Balochistan on January 29, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

A bomb planted on the roadside in Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was neutralised by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) on January 30, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

At least four persons were killed while five others sustained injuries in a bomb blast at a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally in Sibi town (Sibi District) of Balochistan on January 30, reports Dawn. The blast occurred at an election rally organised by PTI-backed candidate Saddam Tareen, who is contesting the upcoming polls from the NA-253 (Ziarat) constituency. The Islamic State Pakistan Province (ISPP) claimed the responsibility of the attack. Read less...

A Baloch youth was taken into custody, allegedly by Security Forces (SFs), and shifted to an undisclosed location in Kali Tagzi area of Kharan District in Balochistan on January 31, reports The Balochistan Post. The youth was identified as Ali Jan Samulani, son of Master Huzur Bakhsh Samulani, was taken into custody by the SFs during a house raid in Kali Tagzi Kharan around 3 AM. Read less...

A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-affiliated independent candidate, Rehan Zeb Khan, was shot dead while four others sustained injuries in the Siddiqabad area of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 31, reports Dawn. Khar Police Station House Officer (SHO) Rasheed Khan said Rehan Zeb Khan was canvassing in the area when unidentified terrorists opened fire on his vehicle. The Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed the responsibility of the attack. Read less...

An Awami National Party (ANP) local leader Zahoor Ahmed was killed while another one sustained injuries when unidentified persons on a motorcycle opened fire during the party’s election campaign in in Kohla Zai area of Killa Abdullah District in Balochistan on January 31, reports Dawn. Read less...

At least one person was injured when unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade at the residence of Deputy Commissioner in Kachhi District of Balochistan, on January 31, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

At least seven people were injured in a hand grenade attack at the election campaign office of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) at Gahai Khan Chowk in Sariab area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, on January 31, reports The Khorasan Diary. Sariab Superintendent of Police (SP) Shafqat Janjua said that the grenade rebounded off a car parked outside the election office and exploded upon hitting the ground, adds Dawn. He added that PPP candidate, Maddad Jatak, was among the injured. Read less...

One Levies personnel was injured when unidentified persons targeted Levies post in the Kahtan area of Khuzdar District in Balochistan, on January 31, reports Dawn. Read less...

One person got injured when unidentified terrorists targeted two trucks carrying minerals in Mangochar area of Kalat District in Balochistan, on January 31, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

One Policeman was injured in a hand grenade attack following firing on the Jusak Police checkpoint in the Kech District in Balochistan, on January 31, reports The Khorasan Diary. Read less...

The 33rd report of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al Qaeda/Taliban Monitoring Team submitted to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on January 31 revealed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been receiving “significant backing” from Al Qaeda and other militant factions for executing attacks in Pakistan in addition to support from the Afghan Taliban, reports Dawn. The collaboration includes not just the provision of arms and equipment but also active on-ground support for the banned TTP’s operations against Pakistan. The report noted that despite the Afghan Taliban’s official stance discouraging TTP’s activities outside Afghanistan, many TTP fighters have engaged in cross-border attacks in Pakistan without facing any substantial repercussions. Citing reports, it said that some Taliban members, driven by a perceived religious duty, have joined TTP’s ranks, bolstering their operations. Moreover, TTP members and their families are said to receive regular aid packages from the Afghan Taliban, signifying a deeper level of support. Read less...

The Security Forces (SFs) on January 31 allegedly forcible disappeared a Baloch youth from the Kharan District of Balochistan, reports The Khorasan Diary. The missing youth was identified as Akhtar Planzai, son of Amanullah. Read less...

Unidentified persons lobbed a hand grenade at the resident of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s PB-19 candidate and former District Mayor, Agha Shakeel Durrani, in Khuzdar town (Khuzdar District) of Balochistan, on January 31, reports Dawn. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists blown up a natural gas pipeline, heading from Balochistan’s Sui to Punjab, in Mirpur Khas District of Sindh on January 31, reports The Balochistan Post. The explosion reportedly caused a suspension of gas supply to several areas. Read less...