South Asia: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2021

Police,on January 1, said that they arrested an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of militants who was tasked to kill a recently elected Councillor in Baramulla town in BaramullaDistrict of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India, reports Daily Excelsior. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Abdul Qayoom said that the arrested OGW was tasked to recruit youth and to kill a newly elected Councillor. The SSP said that they arrested a militant associate, Asif Gull, early this week who was under the Police radar for the past eight months for his involvement in a grenade attack in Baramulla in August last year (2020) that claimed the lives of security personnel besides having over two dozen cases registered against him. It was also found during the investigation that he was in touch with the most wanted and longest surviving militant Hyder and associates who were killed in an encounter last year.“Hyder and another associate were in touch with Asif Gull and it repeatedly surfaced he was involved in a grenade attack but had gone into hiding since then to undertake some tasks,” he said. Read less...

A soldier was killed in firing by Pakistan army in violation of Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. Defence Ministry Spokesman, Jammu, Lt Col Devinder Anand, said, at about 1530 hours [IST], Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along LoC in Nowshera sector, to which Indian Army retaliated befittingly.In the evening at about 1730 hours [IST], Pakistan again initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation in Nowshera sector, and in the incident, Naib Subedar Ravinder was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries. Read less...

As per the official data released by Border Security Force (BSF)’s Punjab Frontier Headquarters on January 1, the personnel have recovered 517 kilograms heroin and 43 weapons from along the Indo-Pak International Borders (IB) in Punjab in 2020, reports IANS. The BSF also shot dead eight drug smugglers and intruders in separate encounters in 2020. Additionally, a total of 13 Pakistanis and one Bangladeshi national were also arrested during the year. In a humanitarian gesture, the BSF handed over six Pakistanis to the Pakistan Rangers after they had inadvertently crossed the IB. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) claimed to have busted yet another terror module with the arrest of a suspected militant in Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. With the arrest of the militant, a total of five different modules of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot The Resistance Force (TRF) have been unearthed in the past two weeks, the JKP said.Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mukesh Singh, said, “On the basis of reliable information a person identified as Mohammad Yousaf, 20, son of Ghulam Haider of Deval in Mahore Tehsil[revenue unit] of Reasi district was apprehended [arrested] by a team of police station Mahore”.During sustained questioning he divulged that he had hidden some cache of arms and ammunition in a hideout at village lower Angrala of in Mahore, the officer added.“A joint search operation of Jammu Kashmir Police and army was launched in the area and five live grenades and a 9 mm pistol along with ammunition were recovered from the hideout,” IGP, Singh, said. Read less...

On January 1, a National Liberation Front of Tripura-Biswamohan Debbarma (NLFT-BM) militant identified as Montu Debbarma was arrested from Teliamura area in Khowai District of Tripura, reports Northeast Now. During the search operation, cash of INR 35,000 suspected as extortion money and a four-wheeler was recovered from the arrestee. Read less...

On January 1, an overground worker (OGW) of National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) was arrested from the general area Phuktong village in Mon District of Nagaland, reports Northeast Now. One .32 mm pistol along with live rounds of ammunition was recovered from the arrested OGW. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) claimed to have arrested a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) Over Ground Worker (OGW) in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. According to a Police spokesman, on a tip-off, they have arrested an OGW of LeT and recovered incriminating material and explosive in Awantipora in Pulwama. Read less...

Suspected militants attacked Security Forces (SFs) with a grenade in Chanapora area in Srinagar District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. A senior Police officer said, militants hurled grenade on Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Chanapora,however,inthe attack no loss of life or injury was reported, and soon after the attack whole area has been cordoned off to arrest the attackers. Read less...

The winter session of National Assembly has begun on January 1 afternoon, reports Republica. In the begnning of the session, the upper house Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timalsina read out a letter received from President Bidya Devi Bhandari. Read less...

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli draws flak for dissolving the House of Representatives (HoR) during the first meeting of the seventh session of National Assembly on January 1, reports The Himalayan Times. Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Jitendra Narayan Dev termed the dissolution of the HoR as an unconstitutional and undemocratic act, while Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal (JSP-N) lawmaker Pramila Kumari termed it as a repeat of royal coup d’état staged by the then king Mahendra against the constitution. Ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Dinanath Sharma said it was unfortunate that the HoR was dissolved due to the intra-party wrangling. Read less...

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on January 1 arrested two cadres of banned militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from ShahbajpurUttarpar area in Brahmanbaria District of Chittagong Division, reports The Daily Star. The arrested are Mohammad Yahiya (22) and Hujaifa Saad (20). RAB recovered documents on extremism including two books, two scripts, four leaflets as well as two cell phones and three pages of printed short messages from them. Read less...

Chief negotiator Masoom Stanekzai on January 1 said the issue of targeted attacks on journalists is a serious matter and will be raised in the talks with the Taliban when they resume on January 5, reports Tolo News. “This is one of the serious issues that we need to raise and follow,” Stanekzai said. Read less...

Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian wrote on his Facebook on January 1 said that “terrorists” have recently changed their battling “approaches”, reports The Khaama Press. Arian noted that several bakers and street vendors have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities and security officials thwarted some insurgency attacks. Read less...

On January 1, unidentified gunmen assassinated a Police officer posted in Shah Wali Kot District in Kandahar city of Kandahar Province, reports bhaktarnews.com. Read less...

On January 1-2, Security Forces killed 48 Taliban militants, including eight Pakistanis, in Zheri, Panjwai and Maiwand Districts of Kandahar Province, reports bhaktarnews.com. Read less...

Unidentified gunman killed, Bismillah Adil Aimaq head of Radio Sada-e-Ghor, in an attack in Dara-e-Taimoor village in the outskirts of Feroz Koh city in Ghor province on January 1, reports Tolo News. Read less...

A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre - Prakash Singh Bhokta (45) and his wife - Premani Devi (30), were beaten to death allegedly by local villagers on January 2, after the Maoist shot dead a villager, identified as Vinod Singh (40), over a land dispute in Palamu District of Jharkhand, reports New Indian Express. “After Vinod Singh was shot dead by Maoist Prakash Singh Bhokta, angry family members and relatives snatched his weapon and beat him to death with batons and other traditional weapons,” said Palamu SP Sanjeev Kumar, adding that when his wife Premani Devi intervened, she was also attacked and killed. Read less...

A suspected cadre of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), identified as Guddu Singh, was arrested from Kosamba, around 48 kilometres from Surat city in Surat District of Gujarat on January 2, reports Times of India. Guddu Singh, who was living in Kosamba for the past 10 years, was wanted in Jharkhand for several offences. He was arrested in a joint operation by Jharkhand Police and local forces.Guddu was staying with his family and had changed his identity to avoid being arrested, said Police adding that he is wanted in six cases, including murder, kidnapping and attempt to murder, offences related to the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act, all dating back to 2011 and 2013. Read less...

According to a January 2, 2021 report by Orissapost, even though the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) bastion in Odisha is gradually tumbling down due tointensive operations against the rebels by Odisha Police along with other Security Forces (SFs) for the lastfew years, the use of sophisticated weapons by the rebels is a major concern. The Left-Wing Extremists (LWEs) are failing to regain their foothold in many parts of the Stateowing to several factors including better coordination among the SFsand stiff resistance from the gullible tribals.However, the recovery of some advanced weapons from the Maoist hideouts has emerged amajor cause of concern for the SFs. According to data revealed by Odisha Police, in 2020, the Police recovered 61 ImprovisedExplosive Devices (IEDs) and 60 guns. As many as 26 sophisticated guns including LMG – 1,AK-47– 1, INSAS – 8, SLR – 7, Sten – 3,Carbin – 1, 303 – 3, 9mm – 2 and CM – 34 from the Maoists which is highest till now. Read less...

According to Police, around 100 cadres of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) from Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra have sneaked into Madhya Pradesh over the past few months to expand their base, reports NDTV on January 3. This has prompted the State government to seek deployment of six companies of Paramilitary Forces in the rebel-hit areas of the State. These Security Forces (SFs) are likely to be deployed soon in Balaghat and tribal-dominated Mandla Districts, where the Maoists have entered. Read less...

Police arrested two cadres of Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), a splinter group ofCommunist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) including a woman along with levy and other documents in Latehar District of Jharkhand on January 2, reports United News of India. The duo was identified as Kamlesh Yadav and Priyanka Devi alias Sushma Devi, wifeof TSPC ‘commander’ Rakesh Ganjhu. A sum of INR 24,300 collected as a levy, bank passbook, ATM card, Naxal[Left Wing Extremist, LWE] literature,notebook, branded watch and Nepali Currency have been recovered from their possession. Read less...

Terrorism affected 161 Police Districts across the country, especially Maoist-hit states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharashtra, terror-hit Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and other Northeastern states in 2019, according to inputs submitted to Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) by Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) organisation in its Data on Police Organisations-2019, punjabnewsexpress.com reports on January 3. However, there was a slight fall in the number of terrorism or extremism affected districts in the country in 2019 compared to 174 in 2018, the UMHA's focus is to reduce the number at its maximum level in 2021. Jharkhand was on the top where 22 districts were affected by terrorist or extremist problem in 2019 followed by Bihar (17); Assam and Manipur (with 16 each); Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir (with 15 each); Chhattisgarh (14); Nagaland (11); Telangana (8); Andhra Pradesh (6); five each in Kerala and West Bengal; three each in Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh; and Madhya Pradesh (2). A graph mentioned in the report shows that the number of police districts affected in 2011 was 188, which went down in 2012 affecting only 176 districts, then another round of fall in 2013 affecting 173 districts, and 170 in 2014. With a slight jump of 172 districts in 2015, the number went up to 181 in 2016 and maintained its earlier top position with 188 terrorism affected districts in 2017 -- the third year of the reign of the Narendra Modi-led government. Read less...

Three militants belonging to Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) were arrested from general area New Thewati in Phek District of Nagaland on January 2, reports Morung Express. Myanmar currency of 13,000 was recovered from the arrested trio. Read less...

A security report for 2020 released by Pakistan institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) on January 2, said while the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliates continued to regroup in erstwhile FATA, Sindhi and Baloch insurgent groups have also intensified attacks, reports Dawn. The report stated that though terrorism was no longer an epidemic in Pakistan, the country faced a more severe challenge of religious extremism. “There is also little evidence to suggest that National Action Plan has been successful in countering these and the related challenges,” the report added. The TTP and its affiliates remained the major actors of instability in Pakistan in the year 2020 which perpetrated a combined total of 67 terrorist attacks or about 46 per cent of the total reported attacks in 2020, mainly in erstwhile FATA. “The TTP also successfully brought its few breakaway factions and some other militant groups and commanders into its fold. Another religiously-inspired militant group, the Islamic State, perpetrated two major attacks in 2020 in Quetta and Peshawar.” While six Baloch insurgent groups were found active in Balochistan, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) were the two major groups which carried out 24 attacks out of the total 34 perpetrated by the Baloch insurgents. Meanwhile, Sindhi nationalist groups perpetrated 10 terrorist attacks in Sindh, including eight by Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army. Read less...

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) ‘commander’ Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, one of the suspected masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks (26/11), was arrested by Pakistani authorities on January 2, on charges of involvement in terror financing, almost five years after he was freed on bail, reports Hindustan Times. Lakhvi’s whereabouts had not been known since he was released on bail from a jail in Rawalpindi in April 2015. However, it was widely believed that he had continued playing a key role in directing the activities of the LeT even while he was in prison after being arrested in the aftermath of the Mumbai carnage. A spokesperson for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Pakistan’s Punjab province said in a statement that Lakhvi was arrested on charges of terrorism financing during an intelligence-based operation conducted by the department. “Today, on 2 January 2021, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was arrested in a case of terrorism financing registered by the CTD Punjab in Police Station CTD Lahore,” the spokesperson said. “He is accused of running a dispensary [and] using funds collected for terrorism financing. He [and] others also collected funds from this dispensary and used these funds for further terrorism financing. He also used these funds for personal expenses,” the spokesperson added. Read less...

The faction of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal on January 2 announced its second phase of nationwide protests against the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR), reports The Himalayan Times. The faction will submit a memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on January 8 through all 77 District Administration offices demanding apology from him for dissolving the HoR, and restoration of the HoR. It would read out the constitutional provisions on the streets and interpret those provisions on January 10. On January 12, the rival faction will distribute pamphlets to households and erect red flags against the dissolution of the Lower House and on January 18, it will organise protest programmes in all local levels. On January 29, the Dahal-Nepal faction will organise protest programmes in five provinces — Province-1, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces. The faction said it would organise protests in Province 2 on January 30. On February 4, the faction will bring out torch rallies in all wards of the local levels. It will organise a protest rally and a mass gathering on February 5 in Kathmandu valley. Read less...

Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU), a specialized wing of Bangladesh Police, arrested a cadre of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from Dadra village in Joypurhat District of Rajshahi Division on January 2, reports UNB. The arrestee is Mohamad Mujibur Rahman (48). One mobile phone set and a large quantity of documents related to militancy, extremism books and booklets were recovered from his possession. Read less...

On December 2, Taliban militants, in a clash, killed four members of the Public Uprising Forces, including their ‘commander’, in Bati Kot District of Nangarhar Province, reports Tolo News.Local officials said that the Taliban suffered “heavy casualties” in the clashes. Read less...

Abdul Sami Popalzai, head of the counter-narcotics department of the Ministry of Interior on January 2 said that the Militant groups such as Taliban, al Qaeda and Daesh "are the main backers of drug trafficking" in Afghanistan, reports Tolo News. The MoI said the Provinces such as Helmand, Nimroz, Farah and Badakhshan where the Taliban has more influence, poppy cultivation and drug processing "have been on the rise" compared to other places. “Three main groups including Al Qaeda, Daesh and the Taliban are the main networks in Afghanistan that are supporting (drug) trafficking in the country,” said Abdul Sami Popalzai, head of the counter-narcotics department of Ministry of Interior Affairs. However, Taliban rejected their involvement in the illegal drug trade, saying they are not in a position to prevent drug smuggling in areas under their influence. “We basically control rural areas where there is agriculture. The people cultivate everything there... We cannot prevent them because we do not have an alternative for them. Therefore, we cannot go against them because we are in a war situation,” said a Taliban spokesman. Read less...

Afghan Security Forces killed eight Taliban were killed in the Terin-Kot district of Uruzgan Province on January 2, reports The Khaama Press. Read less...

On December 2, Seven Taliban militants including Taliban’s ‘district governor’ for Faryab Province Mullah Nazem were killed when their own explosives were detonated in Dawlat Abad District of Faryab Province, reports Tolo News. Read less...

On January 2, Afghan Air Force killed six Taliban militants including ‘governor’ for Sangeen District, Mullah Shafiullah aka Mawlawi Nazim, in the suburbs of Sangeen District bazaar in Sangeen District of Helmand Province, reports Bakhtar News. Read less...

Supreme Court has sentenced Mohammad Adil to death after he was found guilty of masterminding the Kabul University attack, reports Bakhtar Newson January 3. According to the Interior Ministry, five other collaborators of the attack were sentenced to various jail terms after being found guilty of charges of treason, transfer of explosive materials and cooperating with Islamic State.On November 2, at least 22 people were killed and over 40 wounded after two gunmen attacked Kabul University. Read less...

The Ministry of Defense, in a statement, said that eight Taliban militants were killed during Afghan National Army’s reciprocal attack in the Bati-Kot district of Nangarhar Province on January 2, reports The Khaama Press. Read less...

A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre, identified as Somlu Kashyap (40), wanted for attacks on Security Forces (SFs) was arrested from a forest near Kokodipara village under Mirtoor Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on January 3, reports The Pioneer. Kashyap headed the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangthan (DAKMS), a frontal wing of the Maoists, and was involved in six incidents including the killing of two SFs near Cherli village in 2017 and an Assistant Constable in 2018. Read less...

A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), identified as Punem Binda (48), carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, was arrested from Marudbaka village under Usoor Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on January 3, reports The Pioneer. Binda was head of the ‘Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangthan (DAKMS)’, a front outfit of CPI-Maoist, and was involved in six incidents between 2006 and 2018 including attacks on Police teams, kidnapping of civilians, loot and damage to public property. Read less...

In a counter-terrorism measure in Punjab, the State Police have decided to recruit specialised de-radicalisation counsellors in the backdrop of radicalisation of youth for pro-Khalistan activities via social media, reports The Tribune on January 4. 30 de-radicalisation counsellors and 82 assistants will be recruited soon with the job to bring back youth into the mainstream after they were allegedly brainwashed by terror agencies, including Pakistan-based Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), said Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta. According to the Police records, nearly 70 terror modules had been busted in the past few years in which more than 300 youth were arrested. Most of them were radicalised for pro-Khalistan activities through social media. Read less...

On January 3, a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered near Nungnag village under Nungba sub division in Tamenglong District of Manipur, reports Northeast Now. Recoveries like the arms and war-like stores were later handed over to Imphal West Police station for further investigations. Read less...

On January 3, another militant of NLFT-BM was arrested from Chawmanu of Dhalai District in Tripura, reports Northeast Now. The arrestee identified as Berajoy Tripura was involved in several extortion cases. Cash money of INR 25,000 was recovered from him. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) recovered a cache of arms and ammunition near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar tehsil(revenue unit) in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 3, reports Daily Excelsior. This was the third round of recovery of arms and ammunition in the District following the busting of a three-member module of Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF).Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Poonch, Ramesh Angral said, the fresh recovery has been made during a search and cordon operation from Dabbi village along the LoC in Balakote sector of Mendhar.The recovery includes one pistol, three magazines, 35 bullets and five hand grenades, he said.Three militant associates were arrested in Balakote area on December 27 and six hand grenades were recovered from them. Earlier, SATP had reported, Poonch Police and Army foiled a major plot by the militants to trigger communal tension in Poonch District of J&K in India on December 27, with arrest of three militants of newly floated JK Ghaznavi Force in Mendhar area who were planning to target religious places of minorities starting with famous temple of Ari. Read less...

The Pakistan Army violated CeaseFire Agreement (CFA) by resorting to unprovoked firing and intense mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 3, reports Daily Excelsior. A defence spokesman said, the firing and shelling from across the border in Mendhar sector started at 4.15 pm [IST], prompting a befitting retaliation by the Indian army. However, there was no report of any damage on the Indian side. Read less...

Islamic State (IS) militants killed 11 coal miners belonging to Shia Hazara communities by slitting their throats and injured four others in Machh area of Kachi District in Baluchistan Province on January 3, reports Dawn. Earlier SATP reported the incident on January 3. Read less...

On January 3 (today), unidentified militants killed 11 coal miners and injure four others in Mach area of Kachi District in Baluchistan Province, reports Dunyanews.tv. Read less...

Security Forces have recovered explosives, bomb, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making gadgets, Daesh posters and other weapons in ArakhiKillay in Orakzai District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) official sources said on January 3, reports thenews.com.pk. The sources added that the seized explosives and weapons included 854-kilogram explosives, 436 cartridges of different bores, 344 detonators, a 100-metre safety fuse cord, 87 metres prima cord, two-metre IED wire, nine hand-grenades, six remote sets, five landmines, two wireless sets, one SMG machine and 13 pamphlets attributed to Daesh. Read less...

Ruling out any possibility of the revival of Parliament, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on January 3 said that the midterm elections will take place on the stipulated dates, reports Republica. Oli said "Elections will take place on the scheduled dates. There should not be any confusion on this. The country cannot remain in standstill; it will obviously go for elections." The Government has decided that the midterm elections will be held on April 30 and May 10, 2021. Read less...

A study, “The Symbiotic Relationship between Media and Terrorism,” presented at a webinar on January 3 revealed that media unknowingly propagates militancy, reports Dhaka Tribune. It observed that militant outfits tend to use the media tactically to spread their messages and the media sometimes serve the purpose unknowingly by simply publishing news of militancy through exaggerating details. It further observed that newspapers are committed to publishing the truth but sometimes violate the principles of journalism by publishing ‘thrilling’ news or engaging in unhealthy competition. Moreover, the media’s attempt to dramatize, use of detailed description of events, and unwanted adjectives to stir up readers’ feelings, and fabricated or speculative interpretations of premature news have harmed society and moved readers, leading them to a different direction, according to the study. Dhaka University Mass Communication and Journalism Associate Professor Shabnam Azim presented the study on the first day of a three-day webinar that began on January 3. Read less...

Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader turned politician Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, the leader of the Tamil United Freedom Front (TUFF), speaking at a media briefing held in Kilinochchi on January 3 said that while many LTTE leaders and other members of the LTTE were released under a general amnesty, all other Tamil political prisoners should also be released under a general amnesty, reports Colombo Page. “I am of the view that all Tamil political prisoners must be released. At the end of the war, the then President and current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa took a valuable decision to release all LTTE leaders, in accordance with a general amnesty. A group of members have been released. At present there are very few people to be released and they too should be released. In fact, their lives are very painful. These political prisoners really belong to the category of ordinary people, they were not directly involved in the war. We are concerned about their release. The government should also answer the issue of missing persons. The government should answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the issue of missing persons so that the relatives of the disappeared will have the opportunity to perform the remaining duties,” Muralitharan said. Read less...

On January 3, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, the United States special envoy to the Afghanistan peace process arrived in Doha emphasized and encouraged both parties to reach an agreement on a political settlement and an immediate ceasefire or significant reduction in violence as the next round of talks resume the next day as per the announced schedule, reports The Khaama Press. Read less...

Afghan Ministry of Defense said that at least 38 Taliban insurgents were killed in Arghandab and Zherai districts of southern Kandahar Province on January 3, reports The Khaama Press. Read less...

On January 3, five people were killed and two more were wounded in an Improvised Explosive device explosion attached to the vehicle carrying the head of the ulema council in Sayyad market in Kapisa province, reports Tolo News. Read less...

On January 3, the chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Abdullah Abdullah reiterated his and the nation’s full support to the Afghan republic negotiating team, reports The Khaama Press. Dr. Abdullah in a series of tweets said, “This evening the Leadership Committee of the HCNR in a joint meeting with the Islamic Republic’s Negotiation Team discussed the latest developments in the peace process, & provided a clear guideline for the team for the next round of the peace talks.” Dr Abdullah also thanked the international community for supporting the peace process; he added “We are looking for a successful second round”. Read less...

Six Afghan National Army (ANA) personals were killed in an ‘insider attack’ by a Taliban ‘infiltrator’ in a security outpost in the Tawhid Abad area of Ghazni city in Ghazni Province on January 3, reports The Khaama Press. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed its role in the incident, however, claimed that Seven ANA soldiers were killed and one was captured. The ANA personals were poisoned. Read less...

Four militants of Al Badr outfit were killed and three others injured as troops foiled an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Tarkundi village in Manjakote sector in Rajouri District in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India, Daily Excelsior on January 5. Delayed reports said the intrusion bid was foiled on December 30 but details about killing of militants and Pakistan army personnel were received last night (January 4) after bodies were detected lying on the LoC as weather cleared after few days of rains and light snowfall.Intercepts revealed that a Pakistan army trooper was also killed in the exchange of firing while two militants managed to escape back in injured condition. Read less...

The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel arrested a Pakistani national, Identified as Gulam Dastari (23), who strayed into the Indian territory in the Jalalabad area of International Border (IB) in Fazilka District of Punjab on January 4, reports The Tribune. Dastari, a resident of Okara District in Pakistan, crossed over from the Chack Khiva border outpost area. Read less...

Four Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres, including a ‘senior leader’and three ‘militia members’ surrendered in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh on January 4, reports The Hindu. They have been identified as - Korra Seetha alias Swarna alias Shallu (25), Pangi Musirialias Chittibabu (36),Korra Venkata Rao (37) and Pangi Gopal Rao alias Gopal (55). Among them, Swarna was the senior leader and ‘area committee member’ (ACM) of Maoist’s ‘Pedabayalu Area Committee’. She was involved in nine murder cases, one landmine blast, six exchanges of fire, two ambushes, one arson, one famine raid and one praja court (Kangaroo court).Whereas one of the three militia members’ - Chittibabu was the ‘commander’ of the armed militia of the party in the area. He was involved in over seven offences, including burning of earthmoving equipment and destroying government properties. Read less...

India began its eighth term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on January 4, with the stated objective of raising its voice against terrorism, speaking for the developing world and bringing “human-centric inclusive solutions” to matters of global peace and security, reports Hindustan Times. “We will use our tenure to bring human-centric and inclusive solutions to matters of international peace and security. India will be a voice for the developing world,” said TS Tirumurti, the Indian Permanent Representative to the UN, after brief ceremony. “We will not shy away from raising our voice against the common enemies of humanity like terrorism,” he added. India will also use the term to focus on peacekeeping, peace building, maritime security, women and youth, especially in conflict situations, and technology with a human face, will receive our attention while on the Council, he added. Read less...

On January 4, 12 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested with fake Aadhaar cards from Agartala Airport in West Tripura District of Tripura, reports Northeast Now. The arrested Bangladeshis had confessed to entering India illegally from Bangladesh via the Tripura border and collecting fake Aadhaar cards from some people in Sonamura subdivision. A search operation has been launched to bust the Aadhaar card racket. Read less...

On January 4, three United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) militants were arrested two different locations under Bordumsa Police Station in Tinsukia District of Assam, reports Northeast Now. The militants identified as Grisup Phukan, Dhanya Saikia and Bijoy Dubey were arrested along with two pistols, 14 rounds of live ammunition, cash worth Rs 23 thousand and two mobile phones. According to local sources in Bordumsa, the arrested ULFA-Independent linkmen had been issuing extortion notices to shopkeepers and business establishments. Read less...

Two sympathisers of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), identified as Madakam Kesa and Karatam Srinu,were arrested from R. Kothagudem village at Cherla Mandal(administrative sub-division) in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana on January 4, reports United News of India. The duo was arrested when they were taking uniform clothes and medicines to theMaoists.They were working as Maoist’s ‘village committee members’ for the past two years and were engaged in supplying essential commodities, organising meetings and keeping awatch on Police movement. Read less...

A suspected militant, identified as Luqman Khan (32) who had been missing since last one year was found dead near Sawan Mor off the Northern Bypass in outskirts of Karachi on January 4, reports Dawn. Police sources said that the deceased had been missing since 2019 from Pirabad area of Orangi Town, Karachi. The family had lodged his missing/kidnapping report at Pirabad Police Station in the same year.The police sources said that the deceased originally belonged to Swat area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). They revealed that the missing man had reportedly links with militants in Swat. Read less...

Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) got eight new Police Stations in 2020 in addition to two old Police Stations and also established an investigation wing in the year, thenews.com.pk reports on January 5. According to an annual report released from the office of District Police Officer Shahzada Kaukab Farooq, the year 2020 also saw the establishment of an investigation wing and posting of an SP investigation to improve the investigation of cases in the tribal district. The report said the Police in Bajaur District have seized more weapons and narcotics in the year 2020, compared to 2019. It said 35 suspected smugglers were arrested and 41kg charas, 51kg opium and more than 500 grams seized during the year. Also, 24 SMGs, 24 pistols, 7 rifles, 194 dynamite, 9kg explosive material, hand grenades and other weapons and ammunition were recovered during the year. Read less...

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal on January 4 held its Standing Committee meeting and decided that the task force formed under Nepal would complete the ‘NCP unification’, reports The Himalayan Times. The Standing Committee meeting also decided to form struggle committees at the province, district, and local levels to intensify the stir against the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR). Read less...

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Secretariat member and Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, who is close to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, addressing a meet organized in Bharatpur, Chitwan on January 4 said that they were working to purge some unruly and disgruntled forces of the party, reports The Himalayan Times. Thapa slammed Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal and charged that they were promoting factionalism inside the party. “While we are working to make a healthy party, Dahal and Nepal are making a small group,” Thapa added. Read less...

Police arrested two cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) in Kalikot District of Province No. 6 on January 4, reports The Himalayan Times. The arrested have been identified as Durga Raj Bohara (36) and Padam Bahadur Pun (32). A gun, a pressure cooker, 24 units of detonators, nine units of sockets, one kilogram of sulphur, half a kilogram of soda were recovered from them. Read less...

The Election Commission (EC) has amended its rules to formalize the split in the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), reports The Himalayan Times on January 5. Earlier rules didn’t allow the poll panel to recognize a split in a party after announcement of General Elections. After amending its rules, the EC can now decide which faction of the NCP is authentic and which should register with the poll panel under a new name. Spokesperson for the EC Raj Kumar Shrestha said the amendment meant that the EC could hear claims and counter claims of parties’ factions about who should use the original party’s name, flag, and election symbol during the election. According to Shrestha, previous rules prohibited the EC from recognizing a splinter group as a new party even after it submitted signatures of 40 per cent of Central Committee members and the Parliamentary Party. Read less...

The Supreme Court on January 4 issued a show cause notice to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers seeking an explanation on the recent expansion of the cabinet, reports The Himalayan Times. The apex court asked the Government to furnish its reasons for inducting new Ministers to the cabinet even after the dissolution of House of Representatives. A single bench of Justice Anil Kumar Sinha issued the order and scheduled the next hearing on January 12. On December 25, 2020, five days after recommending dissolution of House of Representatives, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had inducted new members into his cabinet. Read less...

On January 4, a Taliban ‘commander’ was killed and two others were injured, in an airstrike, in Taj Beigi area of Sayedabad District of Maidan Wardak Province, reports Bakhtar News. Read less...

Security Forces killed 45 Taliban militants in Zheri and Maiwand Districts of Kandahar Province on January 4-5, reports Bakhtar News. Read less...

Eight police officers were killed, in an insider attack, in the Arghandab District of Kandahar Province on January 4, reports The Khaama Press. Read less...

On January 4, President Ashraf Ghani reiterated that there will be no compromise on security and the defense forces in the peace negotiations and that the troops have given the "highest sacrifice" in the last six years, reports Tolo News. Peace negotiations will resume today in Doha the capital of Qatar. Read less...

Two policemen were killed in a roadside Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion in the PD4 Sabzi market area of Jalalabad city, in Nangarhar Province, reports The Khaama Press. Read less...

A militant belonging to People's Liberation Army (PLA) was arrested from Langthabal village in Thoubal District of Manipur on January 5, tweets Assam Rifles. Read less...

A joint team of Security Forces (SFs) comprising District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action(CoBRA) neutralised a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) camp in the forests of Itwar-Lendravillage in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on January 5, reports The Pioneer. The SFs recovered a cache of arms and ammunition including a rifle, a wireless set, a detonator, a tiffin bomb, Maoist uniform, a bag, crackers, items of daily use materials and banned literature from the camp. Read less...

An exchange of fire took place between the Security Forces (SFs) and Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres at a forested area of Hirmagunda village under Gangaloor Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on January 5, reports Outlook. A joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) and the District Force was out on an anti-Naxal[Left Wing Extremism, LWE] operation in the area when a group of armed rebels opened fire, prompting the SFs to retaliate. While no casualties were reported in the gun-battle, the SFs recovered a single-barrel muzzle loading (SBML) gun, a couple of bows and arrows and a cache of materials of daily use from the spot. Read less...

An Indian intelligence report alerted the security establishment about Al Qaeda fighters from India and Bangladesh getting ready to carry out strikes, India Today reports on January 6. The report said that around 130 Al Qaeda leaders could carry out coordinated attacks along with the Haqqani Network in the Af-Pak region. "Approximately 130 Al-Qaeda fighters belonging to India and Bangladesh have graduated after training from Al-Qaeda's military centre located at Miranshah in North Waziristan, Pakistan on October 30. The graduates are likely to be shifted to [Afghanistan’s] Khost, Paktia, Pakitka, Kunar, Logar, Nuristan and Kabul provinces to carry out coordinated attacks along with Haqqani Network fighters," the report said. Read less...

Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the money laundering probe against the Popular Front of India (PFI), on January 5, alleged the Kerala-based outfit had raised substantial funds to organise terrorist training camps in Kerala, reports The New Indian Express. The ED said this in a statement filed in a Special Court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases here, opposing the bail plea filed by PFI's student wing leader K A Rauf Sharif, arrested in connection with the money laundering probe. "Since PFI has raised substantial funds to organise terrorist training camps, its related activities and to disturb communal harmony...during the course of investigation, details of numerous bank accounts of PFI and related entities were obtained and their bank statements were analysed," the ED said. "Statements of various functionaries of PFI and related entities were also recorded during the course of investigation," it said. Opposing the bail plea of Sharif, the ED alleged that the foreign remittances received by Sharif were of a highly suspicious nature and appear to have been routed to his account disguised as payments related to international trade. Read less...

National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing a gold smuggling racket uncovered in Kerala in July, on January 5, filed the first charge-sheet in a special court in Kochi, Kerala, reports Hindustan Times. The charge-sheet named Sandip Nair, who was arrested along with main accused Swapna Suresh from a Bengaluru hideout in July, 2020, as approver.The agency filed the first charge-sheet at a time when some suspects had been planning to move the courts for bail after spending six months in judicial custody. 20 persons have been named in the charge-sheet and they have been booked under sections 16,17, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), NIA said in a statement.The gold smuggling racket was uncovered with the discovery of a consignment in July, 2020 addressed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. Customs officers seized 30 kg gold from the diplomatic consignment. Read less...

On January 5, a Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) militant was arrested from Bishnupur District in Manipur, tweets Assam Rifles. On the same day, a Zeliangrong United Front-Jenchui (ZUF-J) militant was arrested from Imphal West District in Manipur. Read less...

The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres killed a civilian, identified as Vinod Madavi (25), on suspicion of being a ‘Police informer’at Kothi Tola village in Bhamragad tehsil(revenue unit) in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra on January 5, reports The Pioneer. The cadres barged into Vinod’s house and forcibly took him away to a forested area and hacked him to death. Read less...

The Pakistan Army leadership on January 5, vowed that terrorists and their abettors would be “defeated at all costs”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement, reports Daily Times. At the 238th Corps Commanders’ Conference, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the army leadership reviewed the security situation in the country and the region with a “special focus on the situation along the borders, internal security and other professional matters of the army”. It also discussed the “on-going security situation along the Line of Control, Working Boundary and eastern border”, the ISPR said. Read less...

Police on January 5 arrested three cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) from Kathmandu city of Kathmandu District in Province No.3, reports Republica. Those arrested have been identified as Bhimsen Ghimire, Hari Bahadur Chand, and Birendra Shahi. Ghimire is Secretary of the party’s Kathmandu District Committee, Chanda and Shahi are cadres of the underground armed outfit. Read less...

Second Vice President (VP) Mohammad Sarwar Danish on January 5, in a ceremony on the 17th anniversary of the ratification of Afghanistan’s Constitution, said that the Taliban’s opposition to the current Constitution of Afghanistan is meant to cause the collapse of the system, reports Tolo News. In reference to the rumours about the establishment of an interim Government as part of the peace process, Danish said that such move was aimed to cause the collapse of the political system of Afghanistan. He said that an interim government does not mean the transfer of power from one man to another, but it is aimed at causing the collapse of the three pillars of the system. Read less...

Security Forces, in the last week, arrested 10 militants, including three Islamic State (IS) and seven Taliban, during operations, Kunar and a number of Districts in Kunar Province, reports Bakhtar News on January 6. Read less...

A militant belonging to National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) was arrested from Raisabari in Dhalai District of Tripura, reports Northeast Now on January 7. The militant identified as Hiranmoy Tripura was remanded to judicial custody till January 22 in connection with the extortion calls made to several people over the past few days. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested an absconding accused, Shihabudeenalias Khalid (39) in connection with the killing of police sub-inspector Wilson from an undisclosed location, oneindia.com reports on January 7. He is a resident of Chennai. The NIA said that the case pertains to the killing of special sub-inspector Wilson on January 8 2020 by terrorists-Abdul Shameem and Thowfeek, while the officer was performing his duty at the check-post along Kaliyakkavilai Market Road in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. The case was re-registered by the NIA on February 1, 2020 following which Shameem and Thowfeek were arrested. Islamic State (IS) linked operatives charged by NIA for murder of TN cop, Wilson Investigation found that Khaja Mohideen, Mahboob Pasha, Ejas Pasha, Jaffer Ali and Shihabudeen had hatched a conspiracy to carry out acts of terror. They were also in the process of procuring arms and ammunition to wage violent jihad, the NIA also said. Read less...

Uttar Pradesh (UP) Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) arrested a person named AzizulHaqaliasAzizullah, 35, from Sant Kabir Nagar District in UP while conducting a series of raids across five districts of UP on January 6, reports New Indian Express. While working on the inputs given by the national and international intelligence agencies, UP ATS arrested Azizullah in Kalilabad block of Sant Kabir Nagar. Azizullah, a Rohingya from Myanmar, had been staying in Sant Kabir Nagar for the last 19 years on fake documents. Moreover, raids were also conducted raids in Hyderabad, Mumbai and multiple locations across five districts including Basti in eastern UP and Aligarh in western Uttar Pradesh. The sources claimed that the ATS had also been looking to bust the terror funding network associated with Rohingyas in UP. During the interrogation, Azizullah disclosed that he had reached Indian border via Bangladesh in 2001. Posing himself as an orphan, Azizullah met one Inayatullah in Mumbai. Later, Inayatullah brought him to his father BadreAlam in Sant Kabir Nagar. Alam got Azizullah’s name registered for ration card. On the basis of which he was able to procure his Aadhar card and got the passports made, said the officer. Read less...

A Frontier Corps (FC) soldier, Sepoy Fazal Wahid, died when terrorists from inside Afghanistan fired across the international border at a military checkpost in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Mohmand District on January 6, reports tribune.com.pk. Pakistan has consistently been raising the issue with the Afghan authorities for effective border management on their side of the border to check the cross-border terrorist incidents. Read less...

The All-Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU), the student wing close to Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal faction of Nepal Communist Party (NCP), took to the streets with lanterns in their hands demanding reinstatement of the lower house of Parliament on January 6, reports Republica. The agitating students carried lanterns, giving a symbolic message that they could not find any Articles in the Constitution of Nepal that allows Prime Minister Oli to dissolve HoR. The rally was organized as the Supreme Court was conducting hearings on 13 different writ petitions filed against the move of Prime Minister Oli to dissolve the parliament. Read less...

The lawyers, who filed separate writ petitions at Supreme Court challenging the decision of Prime Minister K P Oli to dissolve the lower house of Parliament, have demanded a full bench of the apex court in the course of the preliminary hearing on the case on January 6, reports Republica. Chief Justice Cholendra SJB Rana had earlier formed a five-member constitutional bench under him. The bench includes Justices Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Tej Bahadur KC, Anil Kumar Sinha and Hari Krishna Karki. Arguing that the case deserves to be heard in the full bench as this is a politically highly significant issue for the country, the petitioners have demanded Chief Justice Rana to make an arrangement to forward the case to a full bench. As many as 13 writ petitions have been filed at the apex court challenging the decision of Oli to dissolve the parliament on December 20. Read less...

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara on January 6 said that Police had completed investigations into 32 suspects who were directly or indirectly involved in the Easter Sunday suicide attacks and eight files have been submitted to the Attorney General (AG) in order to file cases against them, reports Daily Mirror. He told Parliament that the AG would file cases against the suspects on charges of murder, vandalism and causing injuries after receiving the report of the Presidential Commission of Investigation on Easter Sunday Attacks. He said investigations are underway on another 246 suspects who are detaining or in remand prison in connection with offences of supplying weapons, training and instigating racism through Madrasas. Read less...

On January 6, the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, referring to the recent rumours about the establishment of an interim government as an outcome of a peace process with the Taliban, said that the Afghan people do not support the dissolution of democracy and that his main duty as president is to peacefully transfer the power to his successor according to the law, reports Tolo News. “This seat is not mine, this seat (presidency) belongs to the nation of Afghanistan, this system has dignity, you all voted for me,” said Ghani. "If someone comes and conducts a wrong thing, then it is the people who compensate and pay the price for his action--people have a significant importance to us like the air and the water, but the peace should be a dignified peace," said Ghani. Read less...

Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) stated that on January 6 Security Forces (SFs) killed 53 Taliban militants in Arghandab and Khakriz Districts of Kandahar Province, reports The Khaama Press. According to the statement, the Taliban militants were planning to attack Afghan National Army (ANA) positions in the region before they were targeted by the Afghan SFs. Also, SFs recovered a large number of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and 67 bombs were destroyed during these offensives. Read less...

At least five civilians were killed and five more injured, in an air strike on a house in Lashkargah city, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, reports Tolo News on January 7.Provincial Governor Abdul Nabi Elham said that presently it is not confirmed whether the civilians were killed as a result of an air strike or a mortar attack by the armed opponents. “Up till now it is not clear for us whether it was caused as a result of an air strike or a mortar attack,” said Elham. Read less...

First Vice President (VP), Amrullah Saleh on January 6 said that the “real fight” by Taliban is over power and not religion, reports The Khaama Press. According to First VP Saleh also said that Taliban have not yet replied to the question about their definition of the Islamic system. Read less...

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on January 6, said that 2021 will be an important year for the alliance in terms of deciding its military presence in Afghanistan, reports Tolo News. “2021 also is a pivotal year for NATO because we need to decide on our presence in Afghanistan,” said Stoltenberg. On the peace process, he said: “We welcome the peace talks that take place between Taliban and the government in Kabul…There are many challenges, and many uncertainties, but of course, the peace talks are the only path to peace, the only way forward to a peaceful negotiated solution”. Read less...

On January 6, 2021, six Security Force troopers were killed in a Taliban attack on a security base in Band-e-Khan Abad District of Kunduz Province, reports Tolo News. Read less...

On January 6, a civilian was killed in another incident of targeted killings in an undisclosed location in Kabul city in Kabul Province, reports Tolo News. The name of the slain pilot has not been released yet, nor the name of the killed civilian by authorities. Read less...

On January 6, Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) prevented a car bomb explosion in Tarinkot District of Uruzgan province, reports The Khaama Press. Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) said in a tweet that the Taliban wanted to attack ANDSF outposts in the district with an explosive-laden vehicle. Read less...

On January 6, Taliban ‘spokesman’ Mohammad Naeem said that the intra-Afghan talks resumed in Doha this evening and the working groups from both sides will start their work on the agenda of the talks on January 9, reports Tolo News. Read less...

On January 6, unidentified gunmen killed a security officer in the Directorate of Protection and Security under the Ministry of Interior, Arash Siyar,in Qala-e-Wahid area in PD13 of Kabul city in Kabul Province, reports Tolo News. Read less...

On January 6, unidentified gunmen killed an Afghan Air Force (AAF) Pilot in PD5 District of Kabul city in Kabul Province, reports Tolo News. Read less...

Security Forces recovered two tonnes of explosives that entered Nangarhar from Pakistan, reports Bakhtar News. Two people were arrested in connection with the transfer of this consignment. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 7, conducted searches at six locations – five in Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and one in Tarn Taran District of Punjab in connection with the investigation of a narco-terror module case (RC 05/2020/ NIA/JMU) related to seizure of about 61 kilograms of heroin along with arms and ammunitions on September 20, 2020 at International Border (IB) at Arnia in Jammu District, says NIA. The officials recovered digital devices and other incriminating documents having financial details and accounts numbers during these searches. Originally registered at Arnia Police Station (Jammu), the case was re-registered by NIA on November 26, 2020 and taken up for investigation.The searches were conducted at the residences of six accused persons namely – Jasraj Singh, Sham Lal, Bishan Dass, Ajeet Kumar, Gurbaksh Singh and Gurpartap Singh. These accused persons were arrested for hatching a criminal conspiracy for carrying out anti-national and unlawful activities, and to help the terrorist organisations by collecting funds and channelizing the proceeds of drugs for furthering the activities of such terrorist organisations like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Gurpratap Singh, r/o Tarn Taran District is the kingpin of this module. In the second week of September 2020, Gurpratap Singh had received 10 kilograms of heroin from Pakistan based handlers through his associates. The consignment in the case was also intended to be received by Gurpratap Singh to fund the activities of BKI in Punjab. Read less...

14 Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres surrendered before Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials at Kirandul Police Station in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh on January 7, reports The Times of India. They were disappointed with the ‘hollow Maoist ideology’ and were encouraged by the ‘Lon Varratu’ (return to your home) campaign of the District Police. Among the surrendered cadres, Baman Midiami (35), ‘head’ of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (DAKMS) – a Maoist front, and ‘militia commander’ Raju Midiami (30) were carrying rewards of INR 100,000 each on their heads, while others were active lower-rung cadres. Read less...

A National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang Yung Aung faction (NSCN-KYA) militant was arrested from general area Khasa in Longding District of Arunachal Pradesh on January 7, tweets Assam Rifles. Read less...

India will chair the Taliban and Libya sanctions committees and the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN Security Council (UNSC) during its tenure as non-permanent member, thefederal.com reports on January 8. “I am happy to announce that India has been asked to chair three important committees of the Security Council, which include the Taliban Sanctions Committee, Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and the Libyan Sanctions Committee, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said in a video message on January 7. Read less...

National Investigation Agency (NIA) court here on January 7, sentenced a terror accused, Shahjahan Velluva Kandy, to seven years rigorous imprisonment with a INR 73,000 fine in connection with the Islamic State (IS) Kannur module case, reports siasat.com. Hisoffences are punishable under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).In October 2016, Shahjahan, along with his family, had gone to Turkey via Malaysia with an intention to go to Syria to fight on behalf of IS. However, while crossing Turkey-Syria border, he, along with his family, were apprehended by the Turkish authorities and deported back to India on February 1, 2017.The official also said that in his desperation to serve the cause of IS, Shahjahan procured an Indian passport again on the basis of forged documents and in April 2017, he travelled to Turkey via Thailand but was apprehended again while attempting to cross to Syria.Thereafter, he was again deported to India on July 1, 2017 and arrested. Read less...

On January 7, a Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) militant was arrested from Lalumbung village of Churachandpur District in Manipur, tweets AssamRifles. Read less...

On January 7, a Kuki National Front (KNF) militant was arrested from Kangpokpi District in Manipur, tweets Assam Rifles. Read less...

On January 7, arms and ammunition including one INSAS Rifle, one 9mm Pistol and assorted ammunition was recovered from Changoubung village in Senapati District of Manipur, tweets Assam Rifles. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) neutralized a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) camp following an exchange of fire near Lengerimunda village at Chakapad area in Kandhamal District of Odisha on January 7, reports The New Indian Express. An anti-Maoist operation was launched by a joint team of Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Volunteer Force (DVF) near the said village. While combing operation was underway, the rebels resorted to heavy firing and hurled grenades.The SFs retaliated following which the Maoists escaped taking advantage of the dense forest cover. While no casualty was reported from either side in the incident, the SFs recovered a detonator, two hand grenades, country-made guns, two magazines, haversacks, black uniforms, medicines, clothes and utensils from the camp. Read less...

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on January 7, acquitted Lyari gangster Uzair Baloch in two criminal cases for want of evidence, reports Daily Times. The court accepted an application moved by the accused seeking his acquittal in the two cases related to attempt to murder and Police encounter registered at Kalakot and Chakiwara Police Stations. The court exonerated him from all charges in these two cases after the prosecution side failed to produce any evidence against him. Uzair has been accused of committing 198 murders during the Lyari gang war. He was arrested by the Rangers on January 30, 2016. In April 2017, his custody was handed over to the Pakistan Army after he was accused of espionage. The Army handed him over to the Police on April 6, 2020 after three years. Read less...

Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Gujranwala (Punjab) on January 7, issued an arrest warrant for banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) ‘chief’ Maulana Masood Azhar on the charges of terror financing, reports siasat.com. The warrant against Azhar was issued during a hearing in a terror financing case.“ATC Gujranwala judge Natasha Naseem Supra issued an arrest warrant for Masood Azhar and directed the CTD to arrest him and present him in the court. The CTD told the judge the JeM chief was involved in terror financing and selling jihadi literature,” an official told.Azhar is believed to be hiding in a “safe place” in his native town Bahawalpur in Punjab. Read less...

Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Sargodha arrested seven terrorists along with arms and explosive material from Girot in Khushab District of Punjab, Dawn reports on January 8. The CTD team arrested Amir Baz, Shahid, Musharraf Abbas, Bawaji and Adeel Abbas and two others linked with Sipah-i-Muhammad (SMP). The CTD spokesman said Bawaji and Adeel Abbas hailed from a village on Jhang Road and they were involved in terrorist activities. The team claimed recovery of a Kalashnikov with heavy quantity of bullets, 3kg explosive material and detonators. Read less...

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to look into the terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019 is functioning independently and impartially, Justice Minister Ali Sabry said in Parliament on January 7, reports Colombo Page. The Minister of Justice said that the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks on Easter Day should be severely punished and no one is influencing the investigations. If there are any innocents arrested, they should be released, the Minister added. He was responding to a question raised by MP Hesha Vithanage seeking an oral answer. Read less...

Afghan Air force, in airstrikes, killed 15 Taliban militants inside their hideouts in Sarkh Roud District of Nangarhar province on January 7, reports Bakhtar News. Read less...

A senior security official based in the Kandahar Province, Farid Mashal, said that the Taliban attacks on various parts of the Province over the last few weeks that were aimed at overrunning the center of its districts have been pushed back and the group has suffered heavy casualties, reports Tolo News on January 8. Farid Mashal also said that “698 Taliban fighters were killed in air and ground operations over the last month in the Province.” Taliban militants have targeted Arghandab, Zherai, Panjwai, and Dand Districts of the Province. Read less...

Taliban militants killed four Security Forces (SFs), including Naqibullah Sultanzai, the Police chief of Ghorian District, during an attack on the district governor building and police headquarters of Ghorian district of Herat Province on January 7, reports Tolo News. Read less...

An Army porter was injured in a landmine blast near Line of Control (LoC) in Tanghdar area in Kupwara District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 8, reports Daily Excelsior.Official sources said, the porter identified Showkat Ahmad Chack (35) son of late Ghulam Rasool Chack of Tanghdar Nard suffered serious injuries in foot in the blast which took place near Sid Post along the LoC. Read less...

Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested two persons, an ex-serviceman and a Godhra-based woman, for suspectedly spying for Pakistan and sharing the Army's sensitive information with the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), NDTV reports on January 9. The ATS made the arrest acting on a tip-off that an ex-serviceman, identified as Saurabh Sharma of Bahuni village under Bahadurgarh Police Station in Hapur District. On Sharma's information, an ATS team also arrested the woman, identified as Anas Gitauli, a resident of Panchmahal of Godhra in Gujarat. Read less...

On January 8, four National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) militants were arrested near the New Medziphema area on National Highway 29 in Dimapur District of Nagaland, reports Northeast Now. The four militants identified as self-styled ‘major’ K.S. Yaoreingam, self-styled ‘major’ Hovishe Yeptho, self-styled ‘2nd Lt.’ Sashimatsung and self-styled ‘Lance Corporal’ Kohringtha were allegedly attempting to hijack an SUV vehicle when they were arrested. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) arrested two cadres of different factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) from Longding District of Arunachal Pradesh on January 8, reports The Assam Tribune. Two Chinese-made .32 mm pistols with live rounds, one smartphone and a mobile SIM card were seized from their possession, the Police said.While one of them belonged to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland––Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), the other was a member of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Unification (NSCN-U). They were involved in running extortion rackets in Longding District, the Police stated. Read less...

The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 8 arrested six Pakistani intruders from the area along the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in Amritsar District of Punjab, reports Outlook. The arrestees are aged between 20 and 21 years and their identities are yet to be ascertained by the BSF. Read less...

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Gujranwala on January 8 asked the Punjab Police that the United Nation (UN) designated global terrorist Masood Azhar, chief of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), should be arrested by January 18 in connection with a terror financing case, reports The Times of India. “ATC Gujranwala judge Natasha Naseem Supra during the case hearing on Friday directed the CTD to arrest JeM chief Masood Azhar by January 18 and present him in the court. In case of failure (to arrest him), the court may begin proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender,” a court official said. Azhar is facing charges of terror financing and selling jihadi literature. Read less...

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on January 8, awarded 15-year jail term to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) ‘commander’, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi over charges of terrorism and terror financing, reports thenews.com.pk. ATC Judge Aijaz Ahmad Butter also imposed PKR 300,000 fine on the convict. In case of default on payment of the fine, the convict would have to undergo further imprisonment. The verdict also directed the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) to arrest the co-accused in the case, Abu Anas Mohsin and produce him in the court. The CTD had booked Lakhvi in case no 26/20, registered at the CTD Lahore station under three different charges of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Lakhvi was accused of running a medical dispensary to collect and disburse funds for financing terrorism. The court awarded five-year jail term to Lakhvi on each charge. Furthermore, it has been learnt that Lakhvi will be shifted to Central Jail Adiala to serve his sentence. The CTD arrested Lakhvi from Lahore on January 2. The CTD, after the arrest, issued a statement saying that Lakhvi was running a dispensary in Lahore as a front for financing militant activities. Read less...

Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has recovered assets worth over PKR 40.5 million owned by killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour using fake identities in Pakistan before his death in a US drone attack carried out in 2016, Dawn reports on January 9. The recovered money has been deposited in the government treasury, the judicial sources and investigators disclosed before an antiterrorism court, which had ordered auction of six properties purchased by the Afghan Taliban leader in Karachi (Sindh) and the recovery of the money invested by him in a life insurance policy purchased from a private company. Read less...

Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on January 8, sentenced three accused to death for their involvement in uploading blasphemous content on the social media and jailed another accused for 10 years along with PKR 100,000 fine for disrespecting the religion, reports tribune.com.pk. ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan announced the verdict which was reserved earlier. The court announced the sentence to the accused under sections 295-A, 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section G-7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The three accused, Nasir Ahmed, Abdul Waheed and Rana Noman, were awarded death sentence while Prof Anwaar Ahmed was awarded the jail term and the fine. The accused were brought to the ATC from Adiala Jail for the verdict. Read less...

Police on January 8, arrested another accused, identified as Maulana Faizullah who was involved in the burning of a Hindu shrine (Samadhi) in Teri area of Karak District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on December 30, reports Dawn. With this arrest the tally of arrested people has reached 112. The Police officials said Maulana Faizullah had been accused of instigating the people at a meeting before the attack. Police officials said all the remaining accused would be arrested soon. Read less...

The Dir Scouts wing 185 on January 8, recovered a large quantity of ammunition from JabagaiQandhaari village in Jandool area of Lower Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports thenews.com.pk. The official sources said security officials carried out an operation on a tip-off from the intelligence agencies and recovered six rocket propeller, one mortar shells, two hand grenades, explosives one Kg, over 338, rounds 455, and four fuses. Read less...

Four former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court issuing a joint statement on January 8 stated that Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli’s move of dissolution of House of Representatives (HoR) was an unconstitutional act, reports The Himalayan Times. Former Chief Justices Min Bahadur Rayamajhi, Anup Raj Sharma, Kalyan Shrestha and Sushila Karki concluded that the House was dissolved stepping on articles that are not provisioned by the Constitution. “Other than rights that are clearly authorized by the Constitution, it does not appear that such rights can be created, assumed or can be said to be held to dissolve the House of Representatives,” the justices said in the statement. Read less...

The United States Department of Justice on January 8 announced that three Sri Lankan citizens have been charged with terrorism offenses, including conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS) over the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide attacks, reports Colombo Page. The three defendants named in the criminal complaint, all of whom pledged allegiance to ISIS, are: Mohamed Naufar, the “second emir” for the group of ISIS supporters that called itself “ISIS in Sri Lanka,” who allegedly led the group’s propaganda efforts, recruited others to join ISIS, and led a series of multi-day military-type trainings; Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Riskan, who allegedly helped manufacture the IEDs used in the Easter Attacks; and Ahamed MilhanHayathuMoahmed, who allegedly executed a Police officer in order to obtain the officer’s firearm, shot a suspected informant, and scouted a location for a separate terrorist attack. All the defendants are in custody in Sri Lanka, and the Justice Department said it will support the Sri Lankan investigation and prosecution in Sri Lanka and will continue to work with the authorities there to pursue the shared goal of holding these defendants accountable for their crimes. Read less...

On January 8, Security Forces killed 44 Taliban militants killed in Panjwai, Khakriz, Arghandab and Spin Boldak Districts of Kandahar Province, reports Bakhtar News. Read less...

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) on January 8 announced the appointment of new commanders for at least three Army corps as part of the government’s reforms agenda in the security sector and preparations for the fight against militants, reports Tolo News. The Ministry of Defense appointed General Haibatullah Alizai as commander of the Special Operations Corps, Col. Mohammad Ali was appointed as commander of 4th regiment of the Special Operation Cor