Sep 15, 2024, at 09:33 pm
In a major operational success, Security Forces (SFs) eliminated a top 'commander' of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Burhan Wani, along with two associates, in a shootout in the Kokernag area of Anantnag District in the evening of July 8, 2016. Wani, according to media reports, had joined militancy in 2010, and carried a reward of INR one million on his head.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:34 pm
The July 2, 2016, hostage crisis and slaughter at the Holey Artisan restaurant in upscale Gulshan, Dhaka, was unprecedented in its character and scale in the history of terrorism in Bangladesh. It reflects an abrupt escalation of the challenge for the state apparatus and raises complex questions of counter-terrorist (CT) responses in the past, and of future imperatives.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:34 pm
On June 22, 2016, the Sargodha District Police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) claimed to have arrested sixteen drugs dealers, recovering narcotics and illegal weapons. A Police spokesman disclosed that during a continued drive against drug pushers and criminals, special teams of different Police Stations conducted raids within their jurisdictions and arrested the 16 accused, recovering over 2.5 kilograms of hashish, 1.5 kilos of heroin, 10,000 bottles of liquor, six 30 bore Pistols, two .32 bore Revolvers, one Kalashnikov rifle, and one Carbine, along with bullets and cartridges.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:34 pm
The Ordinance promulgated by the President (of Pakistan) on April 26, 1984, goes a long way in accepting the most extreme demands and transforms much of the daily life of the Community into a criminal offence. -Yohanan Friedman, Prophecy Continuous (1989)
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:34 pm
On June 9, 2016, 68 cadres of the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) led by its 'chairman' Novembirth Marak bade farewell to arms in an official disbanding ceremony held at the SMELC Building at Dakopgre in the Tura area of West Garo Hills District. "I appeal to other outfits to accept the call of the government, join the mainstream and work for the welfare of the Garo society," Marak stated after the surrender. He also claimed that he had tried to convince at least five other outfits to come together and join the mainstream under the banner of A'chik Revolutionary Front (ARF), but the plan failed to materialize.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:35 pm
Amidst surge in violence and talks with the Afghan Taliban hitting a roadblock, the Afghan Government signed a draft peace agreement with the Hezb-e-Islami (HeI) led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on May 18, 2016. The draft agreement was signed by HeI representatives and High Peace Council (HPC) officials in the residence of Pir (revered religious instructor, usually of Sufi orientation) Syed Ahmad Gilani. HeI has agreed to have no links with anti-Government armed militant groups.
Are we really serious about getting them back
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:35 pm
However difficult it seems, crimes related to missing children and child trafficking can be prevented. To achieve this, the most important step is to strengthen the existing safety-net for protection of children, and also to bring forth an overall protective environment for them, argues Atindra Nath Das
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:36 pm
The Myanmar operation will leave behind no lasting legacy beyond the sorry spectacle of people in high office claiming undeserved victories, seeking undeserved honours. This was a relatively minor operation, and will have only transient tactical and psychological significance. An operational success has been imposed, and the rebels, who have till now had almost undisturbed sanctuary in Myanmar, will lose their sense of impunity. Over time, however, they will adapt and draw deeper into the jungles and take fuller precautions against discovery and neutralization, unless the present operation is followed up by a more sustained and enveloping campaign.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:37 pm
On April 13, 2016, at least seven policemen and four 'criminals' were killed in an exchange of fire in the Kacha (riverbed) area of the Indus River between Districts of Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab Province. While eight 'criminals' who sustained injuries managed to escape, 22 policemen were taken hostage by the 'criminals'. On April 14 four injured policemen were released but the remaining 18 were still in captivity.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:38 pm
On March 9, 2016, the Sri Lankan Parliament unanimously, without a vote, approved the change of the present Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly (CA) to draft a new Constitution for the island nation, declaring, "Parliament resolved this day to appoint a Committee of Parliament hereinafter referred to as the 'Constitutional Assembly' which shall consist of all Members of Parliament, for the purpose of deliberating, and seeking the views and advice of the People on a new Constitution for Sri Lanka and preparing a draft of a Constitution Bill for the consideration of Parliament in the exercise of its powers under Article 75 of the present Constitution."
Gilgit-Baltistan: Progressive Marginalization
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:56 pm
At least two soldiers and two women were killed in a suicide explosion in the Smagal area of Darel Valley in the Diamer District of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) on March 17, 2016. Acting on an intelligence tipoff, Security Forces (SFs) had laid siege to the house of a 'commander' of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)'s Diamer faction, identified as Hazrat Noor. An unnamed security official disclosed, "The terrorist blew himself up to avoid arrest. Besides his wife and daughter, two soldiers were also killed in the blast." The slain militant also reportedly had opened fire at the Forces before blowing himself up.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:56 pm
At least 21 alleged terrorists were killed in airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and in ground operations in the Shawal Valley of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The strikes began in the night of March 7, 2016, and continued till March 8, 2016.
Reeling under Foreign-backed Terror
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:56 pm
At least 15 people were killed and another 31 were wounded when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest in a pedestrian area between the Ministries of Finance and Defense in the Pul-e-Mahmood Khan area of national capital Kabul on February 27, 2016. Most of the victims were civilians (though the numbers are yet unspecified), in an attack that apparently targeted Government employees.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:56 pm
On February 19, 2016, at least three Policemen were killed in an attack near Miran Wala Bangla Bypass in Faisalabad District. Terrorists opened fire when they were stopped by the Policemen.
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:57 pm
A top Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) leader, identified as Ram Chandra Mahto aka Pramod aka Chirag Da, was killed in an exchange of fire during a joint operation conducted by Bihar Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Charkapaththar area in the Jamui District on January 29, 2016. Mahto's body was recovered along with one looted Police rifle, one .303 regular weapon, one 8mm pistol and one country made pistol. Mahto was a 'member' of the Purvi Bihar Purvottar Jharkhand Special Area Committee (PBPJSAC, Eastern Bihar North Eastern Jharkhand Special Area Committee) and wanted in 20 cases in Bihar and over three dozen cases in Jharkhand. He carried a head money of INR 2.5 million in Jharkhand and INR 500,000 in Bihar. Confirming the incident Inspector General of Police (IG), Operations, S.M. Khopde said the killing of Chirag was a big feat.
Jharkhand: Tragic Errors, Sustained Consolidation
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:57 pm
At least seven Jharkhand State Policemen were killed and another six sustained injuries when Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres attacked a Security Forces (SFs) convoy near Kasiyar village under the Chhatarpur Police Station area of Palamu District on January 27, 2016. After conducting a combing operation in the Kalapahar area of the District, the SFs were returning to their Hussainabad base camp, when one of the vehicles (TATA-407 mini truck) carrying 13 Policemen hit a landmine while crossing a Kutcha Road (dirt track) and was about to reach the Hussainabad-Chhatarpur Main Road. Subsequently, the Maoists hiding nearby opened fire and attempted to loot Police weapons. Six Policemen aboard a Maruti Suzuki Gypsy that had safely passed the incident site a few minutes earlier heard the explosion and gun shots and returned to the incident site and fought the Maoists along with the injured Policemen. They were soon joined by a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingent which was also the part of the combing team. Though SF weapons were not looted, the Maoists managed to escape.
The Constitution is for self- introspection
Sep 15, 2024, at 09:58 pm
The Constitution of India is a unique ‘Magna Carta’ of Human Rights of modern era. It has been adopted and enacted by the ‘People of India’ in the constituent Assembly on the 26th day of November 1949. It has come into force on 26 January 1950. India has been declared a ‘Republic’. The varied fragments of Indian Society --- social, economic and cultural --- have been reflected and judiciously harmonized in the constitution of India.
Arunachal Pradesh: Towards Sustainable Peace
Sep 15, 2024, at 10:37 pm
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management On December 15, 2015, Assam Rifles (AR) personnel killed a militant of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), identified as 'Lieutenant' Wangmi Wangdung aka Nyamjan Hasik, during an operation at Langka village under the Nampong Police Station in the Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. One AK 56 rifle, three magazines, 105 live rounds of ammunition, hand grenades, an 'extortion pad', ration book and some cash were recovered from the possession of the slain militant. According to reports, AR personnel launched the operation following information that a group of 10 to 12 NSCN-K militants were taking shelter in a hideout located in the village. While Wangdung was killed, the others managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
Funding Terror through Extortion
Sep 15, 2024, at 10:37 pm
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management At least five women were injured in a medium-intensity blast in the Mohalla Bajauri Khord area of Sarki Gate in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), on December 6, 2015. An unnamed Police official disclosed that a device weighing three kilogrammes was planted near the house of one Amjad Khan, a local contractor. "The windows of nearby houses have been damaged and five neighbourhood women were injured inside their houses when they were hit by broken glass," the official added. The official disclosed that the contractor was constantly receiving threats and extortion demands.
Punjab: Creeping Shadow of Daesh
Sep 15, 2024, at 10:38 pm
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management On November 30, 2015, after a heavy exchange of fire, the Security Forces (SFs) killed at least four al Qaeda terrorists at Wador, within the limits of Gadani Police Station in Dera Ghazi Khan District. However, an al Qaeda 'commander' Shoaib Cheema and his accomplice Hanif Muhammad managed to escape from the encounter site. According to Police sources, the terrorists had entered Punjab via Balochistan and had planned to launch major terrorist activities in the Punjab Province.
How far is India from UN Security Council?
Sep 15, 2024, at 10:38 pm
In the recent months, Prime Minister Modi has strongly articulated the need for India’s inclusion in the elite United Nation Security Council. It is inconceivable that world’s largest democracy, representing one-sixth of the humanity, is absent, in the Security Council, he reiterated. A sizeable number of UN member countries too have voiced the express need for UNSC restructuring, as it no longer reflects the transformations in global power, since 1945. The incumbent Government may be going hammer and tong about the likely inclusion of India in the UN high table, but the pipe dream of the Modi Government is set for turbulent times ahead.
Sep 15, 2024, at 10:38 pm
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management On November 22, 2015, condemned war crimes convicts Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed (67) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Salauddin Quader Chowdhury (66) were hanged simultaneously at Dhaka Central Jail at 12:55 am. Earlier, on November 21, 2015, President Abdul Hamid had rejected their applications seeking Presidential clemency, which they had filed after losing all legal battles against their death sentences on charge of crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of 1971.
Sep 15, 2024, at 10:38 pm
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management On November 5, 2015, amidst a spate of killings by Islamist extremists, intended to silence moderate and secular voices in Bangladesh, Bangladesh President, Abdul Hamid declared that the country has no place for bigotry and militancy, and that the people had always been non-communal and respectful of other religions. Religious intolerance in Bangladesh has, however, seen a sharp spike, manifested in the killing of secular bloggers and the murder of Faisal Arefin Dipan, publisher of Jagriti Prokashani in the current year 2015. Dipan was murdered on October 31, 2015, in Dhaka city.
Sep 15, 2024, at 11:19 pm
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management On October 13, 2015, at least four persons, including two terrorists, were killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. In one incident, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's (KMC) Additional Director, Arshad Hussain, was shot dead near Askari Park in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town. Two terrorists, identified as Zohaib and Mahmood, were killed in two separate Police encounters in the Kalari and Chakiwara areas of Lyari Town. Zohaib, affiliated with the Wasi Lakho Gang, was reportedly involved in killing of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA), Waja Kareem Dad, on August 17, 2011 in the Kharadar area of Saddar Town. Mahmood was associated with the Baba Ladla Gang. In another incident, Police recovered an unidentified dead body from Gulshan-e-Ghazi area of Baldia Town.
Sep 15, 2024, at 11:20 pm
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management On September 24, 2015, a fake lottery scam, with suspected hawala (illegal money transactions) linkages, was unearthed in West Bengal. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), based on inputs from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), exposed the racket and seized INR 200 million in raids. As many as nine locations in Kolkata and one in Siliguri of Darjeeling District were raided. According to reports available, of these, as many as 20 sacks of notes were seized from two locations in Kolkata and one in Siliguri. An unnamed senior intelligence official disclosed, "It is a lottery-hawala-money laundering racket. Money seized was being transferred by hawalaon Thursday [September 24] to Dubai. We are looking at further nodes there".
Sep 15, 2024, at 11:20 pm
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management On September 11, 2015, two volunteers of a 'peace committee' [Government-backed 'people's' counter-insurgency forces] , identified as Nawab Khan and Fazal Khan, were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack while they were travelling from Pandyali tehsil (revenue unit) of Mohmand Agency to Dwezai area of the same Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
Maoists: Penetrating Intelligence
Sep 15, 2024, at 11:20 pm
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management Three recent incidents in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Telangana demonstrate improving levels of intelligence penetration of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) ranks.
Sep 15, 2024, at 11:21 pm
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management At least five militants of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) and three civilians were killed when troops of 23 Assam Rifles (AR) and 21 Para (Special Forces) Commandos reportedly laid an ambush along the Pangsha International Trade Centre, bordering Myanmar, in Tuensang District of Nagaland on August 28, 2015. NSCN-K later confirmed that among those killed were 'captain' Medoneizo Nakhro (Medo), 'lieutenant' Joseph Sumi, 'Chaplin' Robin Sumi, 'sergeant' Seipu Kuki, and 'under secretary of the civil wing', Kukhavi Sumi. The three civilians killed in the incident were identified as Tokani, wife of 'lieutenant' Joseph Sumi; Enso Konyak and Anten Konyak, both from Yongkhao village in Mon District of Nagaland. They were accompanying the group. Two women and an Army trooper were also injured in the incident. According to unconfirmed reports, one of the injured women was the wife of the new 'finance secretary' of the NSCN-K, Isak Sumi. The AR Public Relations Officer (PRO) claimed that the militants were from the NSCN-K camp located at Ponyu Village inside Myanmar and belonged to the group headed by the 'military commander' and head of NSCN-K's armed wing, 'lieutenant general' Niki Sumi.
Sep 15, 2024, at 11:21 pm
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management On September 2, 2015, four eminent personalities, including Chittagong District Court's Additional Public Prosecutors Ashok Kumar Das and Chandan Bishwas; the Vice-Chancellor of Premier University, Chittagong, Dr. Anupam Sen; and International Crime Tribunal's Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta received death threats in the form of SMS text messages from the banned terrorist formation, Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT, Volunteer of Allah Bangla Team).
Sep 15, 2024, at 11:21 pm
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management Three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and a civilian were killed and six BSF personnel, including an Assistant Commandant, were seriously injured in a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) ambush at Palangarai ghat (ferry point) on Gurupriya River under the Chitrakonda Police Station limits in the Malkangiri District of Odisha early in the morning on August 26, 2015. According to reports, the BSF patrol party was returning to its base camp at Janbai, where a bridge is being built over Gurupriya River to provide connectivity to the cut-off area, when the Maoists first triggered a landmine blast and then opened indiscriminate fire.