Balochistan:

1. Unidentified attackers martyred Deputy Superintendent of Police Khalid Zaman Marri during an ambush at Chanuk Chowk in a local bazaar of Sibbi. One attacker was arrested in an injured condition after retaliatory fire by police guards (15.3.24).
2. Levis Force Havaldar Shahar Hussain was martyred by unknown attackers in the Gheck area (15.3.24).
3. Unknown armed motorcyclists killed Farooq Dadullah in the Turbat area (15.3.24).
4. A youth, Muhammad Naseem, was injured in gunfire by unknown shooters in Ziarat (15.3.24).
5. Levis Force killed two high-profile criminal-cum-terrorists identified as Ghulam Sarwar and Sameer during an encounter in the Thump area of Kech district (17.3.24).
6. Unknown miscreants hurled a grenade at a security post near Cadet College Mastung, which mistakenly landed in the courtyard of a nearby mosque. No loss of human life was reported, except damage to the walls of the mosque (17.3.24).
7. A person identified as Dilawar was shot dead by unknown armed persons in the Kili Dar area of Sibbi (17.3.24).
8. Security forces killed eight terrorists while thwarting their attack on the Port Colony at Gwadar. However, during the exchange of fire, two security personnel – Sepoy Bazar Khan and Sepoy Imran Ali – embraced martyrdom. According to an unconfirmed report, the defunct Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Majeed Brigade reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack (19.3.24).
9. Security forces in an IBO killed a wanted terrorist identified as Chakra Liaquat and injured two others during an exchange of fire in the Panjgur district (21.3.24).
10. Unidentified armed persons abducted three coal mine laborers – Johar Khan, Shah Khan, and Bacha Khan from Duki, Quetta. Two hailed from KPK, and the aim behind their abduction by the criminal group is believed to be a demand for ransom (23.3.24).
11. In two separate incidents, unknown gunmen killed Police Constable Mateullah in the 144-Survey area and a citizen (name not known) in the Khortabad areas, respectively, in Quetta (23.3.24).
12. Security forces killed four terrorists while thwarting the attack on the PNS Siddiqui Naval airbase in Turbat. However, during the exchange of fire, Sepoy Nouman Farid embraced martyrdom. The defunct BLA Majeed Brigade reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack (25.3.24).
13. Unidentified motorcyclists reportedly hurled two grenades at an intelligence agency complex in Noshki. No loss of human life was reported (26.3.24).
14. Levis Force Risaldar Hameedullah Tareen was martyred, and three other security personnel were injured in an exchange of fire with wanted criminals in the Pishin district (27.3.24).

KPK:

1. A laborer identified as Luqman was shot dead by unknown armed persons in the Larkhouzolu area in Mamond Tehsil of Bajaur district (15.3.24)
2. Unknown persons killed a person identified as Ghondo in Kharan Tehsil of Bajaur district (15.3.24).
3. A tribal elder Malik Lal Zarif was reportedly killed in a roadside IED blast in the Adil Targoo area in Barang Tehsil of Bajaur district (16.3.24).
4. Unidentified persons martyred a pole constable Farman in the Nurayan area within the limits of the Maryan police station of Lakki Marwat district (16.3.24).
5. In a suicide vehicle explosive strike followed by a terrorist attack on the security forces camp in the Khadi area of Mirali Tehsil in North Waziristan district, seven security officials embraced martyrdom. They included Lt Col Syed Kashif Ali, Capt Ahmad, Havaldar Sabir, Naik Khursheed, Sepoy Sajjad, Sepoy Raja, and Sepoy Nasir. All six terrorists who attacked the camp were also killed during the exchange of fire. A self-styled Istishadi Mujahideen affiliated with the Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur group was reportedly behind the attack. It is learned that the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group is an independent group whose number of members crossed over to the neighboring country during Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014 and has since maintained its presence there (16.3.24).
6. The official vehicle of two officials of the Motorways Police – Muhammad Iqbal Barakzai and Iqbal Khan – was targeted with gunfire by unidentified terrorists at the Jehangira-Khariabad area in Nowshera district, but they escaped unhurt. A militant group by the name of Asar-ul-Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, as learned through unconfirmed sources (17.3.24).
7. Security forces in an IBO killed eight terrorists, including their commander Sehar @ Janan, in North Waziristan. He was wanted for an attack on the security forces camp in the Khadi area (18.3.24).
8. Unidentified armed persons shot dead Kalabat Jirga member Syed Muhammad Kaka during morning prayer in a mosque in the Swabi district (19.3.24).
9. Security forces in an IBO killed two terrorists (names not known) and injured two others during an exchange of fire in the North Waziristan district (20.3.24).
10. Two security forces soldiers – Naib Subedar Tahir Shakeel and Sepoy Naveed – were martyred, and 25 others were injured during a vehicle-borne suicide attack and gunfire by terrorists targeting a military convoy on Tank Road in Dera Ismail Khan district (21.3.24).
11. Four persons of a family were reportedly gunned down, and another was injured by unknown assailants when they were returning to their home in Kot Kh in Tank district (24.3.24).
12. Unidentified motorcyclists hurled a grenade at a police post, damaging its wall on Topi-Khalabut Road in Swabi district (24.3.24).
13. Unidentified robbers looted Rs. 5.7 million from a money exchange outlet in Swabi. The incident took place when the employees of the outlet had been locked the doors for offering prayer (24.3.24).
14. Security forces in an IBO killed four terrorists, including Mustafa, Qismatullah, and Islamuddin, during an exchange of fire in the Dera Ismail Khan district (25.3.24).
15. (i) A suicide bomber detonated an explosive-laden vehicle targeting the convoy of Chinese engineers in the Bisham area of the Shangla district. It was on its way from Islamabad to Dasu. The attack resulted in the death of six persons, including five Chinese nationals, reportedly associated

Comments & Analysis:

1. China condemned the incident and demanded stern action against the culprits to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals working and living in Pakistan. The Chinese Ambassador visited Dasu to personally understand the details of the attack and expressed solidarity with the Chinese engineers/technicians working there. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, offered condolences for the deaths of the Chinese nationals, conducted an in-depth probe, and resolved to provide foolproof security for the protection of Chinese nationals working on projects in Pakistan. They also expressed that despite such terrorist attacks by the enemies of Pak-China friendship, the relations between the two countries will grow stronger, and CPEC projects will flourish (27.3.24).
2. A high-level meeting under PM Shehbaz Sharif was held in Islamabad, attended by the COAS, General Asim Munir, intelligence agency chiefs, and Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, along with other senior officials, to chalk out improved security parameters and take stern actions against terrorists and their facilitators. The incident was condemned worldwide, including by the USA (27.3.24).

16. Unidentified gunmen martyred police Head Constable Akbar Ali at Sheikh Market in Tank city (29.3.24).

Punjab

1. CTD police arrested an ISIS-Daesh affiliated suspect identified as Usman Saeed from Sarwar Chowk on Faisalabad Road, Sahiwal (15.3.24).
2. Police claimed to have arrested an alleged member of an illegal kidney transplant gang identified as Nadeem in Lahore. He lured poor people for kidney extraction and was linked with an Islamabad-based doctor. Punjab Human Organs Transplant Authority and FIA, in a joint raid at a private hospital in Lahore, arrested six persons including a doctor in connection with the illegal transplanting of a female patient’s kidney (17 and 26.3.24).
3. FIA claimed to have arrested one Ghulam Abbas from Bhalwal who allegedly obtained two million rupees as ransom locally from the families of abducted persons in Iran. Later, through its liaison office in Tehran, freed three hostages, all hailing from Bhalwal: Muhammad Adnan, Kashif Mahboob, and Muhammad Dawood, from their captors in Tehran. They fell victim to one of the gangs of human smugglers operating in Pakistan who lured people for illegal immigration to Europe via Iran and had them kidnapped through their sub-agents there (27.3.24).

Sindh

1. Police and Rangers in a joint tip-off raid claimed to have arrested Arif Ali, the ringleader of an extortionist gang known as Khouar Bhatta group, from Badar Commercial area, Defence, Karachi (17.3.24).
2. A gang of dacoits, after killing two hostages identified as Ahsan Farooq Rajput and Shahzad Ahmed Arian, threw their bodies into the Indus river near Ubharo Rohan riverine area in Ghotki district due to not receiving ransom money from their heirs. They were kidnapped from Sadiqabad in Punjab province two weeks ago (18.3.24). Four persons including two watchmen – Gulsher Sehar and Khan Sehar, and two laborers – Khan Sher Pohor and Imran Pohor, were kidnapped from different locations by groups of dacoits in Kashmore district (18.3.24).
3. Police found 40 old unused tear gas shells in garbage containers in the Kamari area of Karachi. According to police, such shells were never supplied to the department. Investigations are, however, underway (19.3.24).
4. CTD police, in collaboration with a security agency, claimed to have arrested an alleged TTP affiliated terrorist identified as Wali Rehman in the Manghopir area of Karachi. He was allegedly involved in attacks on security forces and the murder of a peace committee member in the former FATA area in 2004, 2005, and 2007 and later fled to Dubai (19.3.24).
5. Police claimed to have killed two dacoits in an exchange of fire during an encounter in the Golowal area of Shikarpur district (23.3.24).
6. A gang of decoits martyred police constable Ismail Dhani during a gunfire attack on the police patrol van on the Tangwani-Kandhkot link Road in Kashmore district (24.3.24).
7. Two persons were injured during a grenade attack on the house of one Ali Mada in Syed Mohallah, Baldia Town, Karachi. It is learned that Ali Mada is allegedly involved in running gambling dens in the area, and the said attack might be the outcome of inter-criminal gang involvement in the same (25.3.24).
8. Bullet-riddled bodies of two young persons, one identified as Shah Zaman, were found by the police in the Malir and Mongopir areas of Karachi (26.3.24).
9. Three robbers were killed and one was arrested by the police in an encounter near Jauhar Mor in Karachi. However, during the exchange of fire, Head Constable Ghulam Nisar was also wounded (29.3.24).

Comments & Analysis: Three major attacks by terrorists in Gwadar, Turbat, North Waziristan, and the targeting of a Chinese nationals’ convoy by a vehicle-laden suicide bomber in Basham have escalated the situation from bad to worse in Balochistan and KPK. The attack on the Chinese nationals led to the temporary closure of some project sites. However, the Chinese government is aware of the situation that such attacks on their engagements in the Bhasha dam and other projects are sponsored by entities opposing the deep-friendly relations between Pakistan and China and the CPEC. The Chinese security team is also reportedly in coordination for a joint investigation probe into the matter. The somewhat antagonistic behavior of the Taliban-led government has deepened the crisis. A number of security experts advocate adopting zero tolerance with the facilitators of terrorists and implementing the National Security Plan in letter and spirit to overcome the menace. People in the border districts of Balochistan and KPK dislike the presence of terrorists in their areas and love Pakistan. However, there is a need to draw popular support from these areas against the presence of terrorists to prevent them from establishing hideouts. Utmost care is also needed to not harm any innocent person in the anti-militancy drive. Dr. Naveed Elahi’s analytical articles on the aforementioned incidents and their security implications were published on 28, 20, and 30.3.24 at The Strategic Brief.

Defence & Security

PM & Cabinet Visit GHQ:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with key members of his cabinet, visited GHQ, Rawalpindi, where he was received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asif Munir and other senior officers. During the meeting, the PM and cabinet members were briefed and discussed the capabilities, preparedness, and security situation in the country and region, and the sacrifices of the soldiers in the war on terrorism (15.3.24). The COAS also officially visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where he met Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, and the top military leadership of the country (20.3.24). A joint service parade was held in Islamabad on Pakistan Day, which was also attended by the Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. During his visit, he also met with the PM, where the COAS and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif were also present. On this occasion, the PM lauded KSA leadership for extending valuable support to Pakistan in the economic and defence field, and he was also conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan medal by President Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his contributions to promoting bilateral relations between the two countries (23.3.24).

Regional Overview

 Afghanistan: A number of law and order and terrorism-related incidents took place in Afghanistan during the last fortnight, including a bomb blast killing three people and injuring several others near a bank in Qandahar. ISIS-K is reportedly suspected behind the blast. Afghan security forces claimed to have gunned down two kidnappers during an exchange of fire in a raid at Kabul. In total, 31 people were reportedly killed and 50 others injured in different incidents across the country. Ministry of Interior spokesperson Abdul Matin Qani claimed that during the last six months, security forces and police arrested over 12,000 persons in 9,000 cases, and 21 criminals were killed, 171 were arrested, and 18 abductees were freed from abductors in the anti-kidnapping drive in the country (21, 24, and 28.3.24).

 Pakistan-Afghanistan Skirmishes: Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained tense after a terrorist attack on the security forces complex in North Waziristan, Pakistan Air Force strike on defunct TTP sanctuaries in Khost and Paktia provinces, and Afghan security forces’ regular attacks on the Pakistani border post in Kurram district (18-20 March). This was followed by border crossings closing for a few days between the two countries in KPK. Despite Pakistan’s strong protest, the behavior of the Taliban-led IEA government in Kabul did not change its stance. Its spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid and other leaders continued reiterating that there are no safe havens for any terrorist group in the country and Pakistan should bring its own house in order to overcome the domestic security situation. However, a recent visit of a high-level trade delegation to Kabul and meeting with Taliban leadership to promote business and trade between the two countries has provided some soothing signals to reduce bitterness. Some current affairs critics believe that the growing economic interests of the USA on one side, and China and Russia on the other side in the region, particularly in Afghanistan and Central Asian countries from a diversified angle, may make the situation more complicated in the coming days (30.3.24).

 India/IIOJK/LAC: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during “Apke Adalat” on media, made comments about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks about the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), stating that Pakistan should be worried about Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) allegedly occupied by Pakistan. He added that he had said one and a half years ago that there is no need to attack as the situation there will lead the people of AJK to demand to merge with India themselves. He also visited Leh in the Ladakh region of IIOJK to observe the “holy” festival with the Indian Army soldiers. It is learned that a visit to the Siachen sector was also included in his schedule but could not occur due to bad weather (24.3.24).

The largest joint Amphibious Exercise “Tiger Triumph-24” of Indian and US Navies started in the Indian Ocean off the Vishakhapatnam coast to share interoperability and experience. It was a follow-up of the exercise originally started in 2019 and divided into two phases from 18-26 March at the port for educational and theoretical knowledge and in the field from 26-31 March. The objective of the exercise was to evolve and strengthen forces in the Indian Ocean to face and check the alleged increasing People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy influence in the region. India is already a strong partner for naval cooperation with the US, UK, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam in the Pacific Ocean to face the alleged growing activities of the Chinese Navy (27.3.24). The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly set to undertake the biggest air exercise, “Gagan Shakti-24,” from 1-10 April at all the airbases in the country. It will involve all the assets of the air forces, including Rafale, SU-30, Mirage-2000 aircraft, weaponry, and air defense systems, to show the competency and mightiness of the IAF to face a two-front possible war with China and Pakistan, establishing supremacy and dominance by prompt operations with results in a short period. “Gagan Shakti-24” follows Indian military exercises under the names of “Bharat Shakti” and “Vajra Shakti,” already conducted in the Pokhran Range near Jaisalmer, bordering Rajasthan with Pakistan. It is significant to observe that tension between India and China is growing both in the Oceans and over the 3400 km long disputed land border with India. In addition to the Galwan sectors in Ladakh, tension is growing in another large portion of the said border. The military movement, deployment, and building infrastructure on both sides are increasing in Arunachal Pradesh (a border province of India) to which China has reiterated its claim as Chinese territory since ancient times while India considers it an integral part of India. A number of analysts are of the view that such military exercises with economic boosts to follow the RSS Hindutva agenda are being carried out once again by the ruling BJP alliance led by PM Narendra Modi in the country to attain a third-time victory for the BJP by getting the majority of Hindu votes in the elections (29.3.24).

Russia: In a terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall, a concert complex in Moscow, 137 persons were killed and several injured. Russian security and police claimed the arrest of all the 11 gunmen involved in the attack for making them subject to investigations (23.3.24). The Russian government alleged Ukraine for sponsoring the said attack. President Putin, who was recently reelected with a large majority for another term, announced to punish those responsible for the incident. Meanwhile, ISIS-Khorasan claimed responsibility for the said attack as a reaction against the alleged anti-Muslim policies of Russia. According to the Afghan news agency Khaama, a Moscow court charged four accused for committing the terrorist act. They were Tajik nationals living in Russia and identified as Delezhojeh Mirzoev, Sadikun Rajabaliyev, Shamudin Sabur Fayzov, and another (24.4.24). The Russian government expressed doubt on the USA’s claim for carrying out such a terrorist attack by ISIS-K to cover Ukraine’s involvement. Western media is giving reports quoting various sources to insist on ISIS-K’s involvement while Russia is questioning them. According to some analysts, Russia may develop possible links of the said Tajik nationals with Ukraine to find the said act of terrorism (25.3.24). An analytical report written by Dr. Naveed Elahi, editor of The Strategic Brief, was published on 24.3.24.