Part-1 Domestic

Balochistan:

1. A petroleum company employee, Muhammad Tariq, was killed and fourteen others injured in a roadside IED blast in the Wareekha area of Harnai district (1.4.24).
2. Two security forces bomb disposal squad personnel named Zahoor and Itaf were martyred, and four others injured during an ambush by unidentified terrorists in the Ankara Dam area of Gwadar district (1.4.24).
3. A grenade reportedly thrown at the building of an intelligence agency in Kharan caused damage to walls (2.4.24).
4. A local resident, Muhammad Hussain, was killed in a landmine / IED blast in the Jori area of Dera Bugti district (4.4.24).
5. Security forces in an IBO killed two terrorists identified as Asad and Hazrat during an exchange of fire in the Panjgur district (6.4.24).
6. A tortured body of one Dilawar Manjoo was found within the limits of Aziz Baloch Police Station in Naseer Abad district (5.4.24).
7. Levies force personnel Muhammad Hussain was martyred in a landmine / IED blast in his wheat field in the Juri area of Dera Bugti district (6.4.24).
8. Two persons were killed, and five others injured in a blast from a remote-controlled IED device planted in a vehicle at Umar Farooq Chowk in Khuzdar Town (7.6.24).
9. Several passersby, including two security forces personnel, were injured in an IED blast in the Silinji area of Khuzdar district (7.4.24).
10. Police constable Muhammad Anwar Khan Kakar was martyred and twelve others, including worshippers, sustained injuries in a IED explosion (bomb blast) carried out by unidentified terrorists in a mosque in Khuchlak, 25 km away from Quetta (8.4.24).
11. Unknown terrorists reportedly martyred a security forces personnel and injured another in a targeted attack near Achakzai security post in Chaman (8.4.24).
12. Three persons of the Khattak tribe – Saifullah, Muhammad Younas, and Jamil were shot dead, presumably by their opponents near Zahir Chasma, Darmyan, Quetta (12.4.24).
13. In two separate incidents, eleven persons were killed by terrorists near Nushki on Friday night. In the first incident, a group of 10/12 armed persons stopped a Taftan-bound bus on the Quetta-Taftan Highway near Nushki. After checking NIC cards of the passengers, they took nine persons out of the bus to the nearby mountains and killed them. All of them reportedly hailed from Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, and Wazirabad districts of Punjab province and were later identified as Imran, Wasiq Farooq, Muzammil Hussain, Mazhar Iqbal, Muhammad Abubakar, Muhammad Qasim, Javed Iqbal, Arshad Tanzeel, and Rana Shahzeb. In a separate incident, armed persons opened fire on a car which tried to cross the cordoned-off road, roadside barricade, resulting in the killing of two persons and injuring four others. It is learned that the armed group kept the road blocked for two hours. Security forces and police are have begun tracking the terrorists.  involved for their apprehension. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident; however, Baloch terrorist separatist groups, particularly the defunct BLA and BLF, are suspected to be behind it (13.4.24).
14. The terrorists are engaged in a coordinated and well thought out spree of terrorism across Balochistan.  An increased use of IEDs in wider geographical areas, is registered as a tactics to reduce mobility of LEAs, and to force the local public in adhering to the routes declared safe or controlled by the terrorists.  In other words, the terrorists are reducing the space for LEAs, and enlarging no-go areas for public, by planting IEDs and landmines.  The holding-up of buses, and identifying victims on basis of sect or ethnicity, is a well-known tactics used by HIAs, to strike terror amongst the commuters, gain wider publicity, and leverage the incident for garnering more recruits.  It is also highly probable that the incident has been conducted to re-ignite sectarian violence.  Though Pakistan is treading very carefully on the tight diplomatic rope, as it proscribed ‘Zeniabiyoun Brigade’ or ‘Liwa Zainebiyoun’, who, over the time have been known to have swelled to thousands of Pakistanis engaged in Syria.  However, when considering the Nushki incident, it is clearly aimed at eroding sense of security amongst the public, and challenges posed before the LEAs.    
15. A Quetta-bound train coming from Iran was derailed 70 km away from the border town of Taftan, which led to considerable damage to its locomotive (train engine), a few carriages, and the staff-rest coach. According to railway authorities, the possibility of sabotage by unknown terrorists cannot be ruled out; inquiries, however, are in progress (13.4.24).
16. The HIAs have since long been trying to retrograde the surface communication system, and the railway network has been under sabotage and terrorist attack since some time.  Wile during the Mach Attack, the terrorists had tried to seize control of the Mach Railway Station, there have been several incidents earlier that were attributed to sabotage.  As we continue to strive for improved relations with Iran, the HIAs continue to add to the obstructions to retard this effort through their proxies.  Balochistan being the gateway of CPEC, thus constitutes a soft target for the terrorists.   

Islamabad:

1. Unidentified armed persons riding in a car reportedly shot and killed one Ghulam Rasool in Ghotki Town, Islamabad (1.4.24).
2. Letters reportedly containing toxic powder addressed to several judges of the Islamabad and Lahore High Courts, as well as the Supreme Court, were intercepted by the respective branches of their offices. It is learned that necessary investigations by the police and security agencies are underway to trace the senders and to ascertain their objectives in this connection (2 and 3.4.24).
3. The body of a murdered woman was found murdered in the wooded area of G10/2, separately, while a security guard at a factory was gunned down on Facto Road, Islamabad (3.4.24).
4. An exiled Afghan journalist, Abdul Kaleem Saqib, known as Ahmed Hanyesh, was reportedly injured during an attack on him by unknown motorcyclists in Islamabad, as reported by Voice of America (3.4.24).
5. The Government of Pakistan reportedly blacklisted the Zaniybion Brigade, said to be a Shiite militant organization with pro-Iranian leanings (11.4.24).

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK):

1. Unidentified terrorists martyred police constable Arshad, posted at Machigate Police Station, in a targeted attack in the Mysazai area of Peshawar (1.4.24).
2. Two children, Umar Khattab and Waseemullah, were injured in the blast of a toy bomb (IED) in Danda Darpa Khel village.  The toy-bomb was found by the children near the cantonment area of Miranshah Cantt in North Waziristan district (2.4.24).
3. A grenade was reportedly lobbed at the house of a security forces personnel within the limits of Mathura Police Station in Peshawar. However, no loss of human life occurred except damage to some parts of the premises (2.4.24).
4. CTD Police claimed to have arrested over ten terrorists and facilitators involved in the explosive-laden vehicle suicide attack on the convoy of Chinese engineers at Basham, who were on-way to the Dasu hydroelectric project from Islamabad. The attack resulted in the deaths of five Chinese nationals and the Pakistani coach driver. It is learned that the vehicle used in the attack was shifted from the Chaman border area via Dera Ismail Khan (2.4.24).
5. Six police personnel were injured in an ambush on their mobile van by unknown miscreants in Township area of Bannu (2.4.24).
6. An under construction house of a police constable Jameel Khan was blown up by unknown miscreants in Nourang area of Lakki Marwat district, however, no one was hurt (4.4.24).
7. Police Constable Rahimullah, escorting a polio vaccination team was martyred during a gun attack by the unidentified terrorists after refusing to handover his official weapon to them in Manra area of  Birnal tehsil in South Waziristan district (5.4.24).
8. Attack of terrorist  group on the Rorri check-post after retaliatory fire by the police personnel in Kalachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district (5.4.24).
9. Police bomb disposal unit diffused a bomb planted by the unknown terrorists in a garbage dump outside the Government Girls Primary School in Miransha, North Waziristan district (5.4.24).
10. Security forces killed eight terrorists in exchange of fire during an IBO in Kot Sultan in Kalachi tehsil, Dera Ismail Khan district (5.4.24).
11. Two terrorist were killed in exchange of fire during an IBO in North Waziristan district (6.4.24).
12. Unidentified terrorists martyred DSP Gul Muhammad and his gunman Constable Naseem Gul while Constable Farooq Khan sustained critical injuries in an ambush near Manjowala Chowk in Lakki Marwat district (6.4.24).
13. Police Constable Salamat Khan was martyred in a targeted attack in Darga area of Lakki Marwat district (6.4.24).
14. ASI police Barkatzada and Constable Ihsanullah were martyred in an IED blast in Barkhholozo area in Bajaur district (6.4.24).
15. Unknown terrorists martyred CTD police constable Zahir Shah during a targeted attack near Mian Lal Police Post in Tank district (6.4.24).
16. Two persons were killed and two others injured in a targeted attack on their vehicle by unknown gunmen at a bypass road in Upper Khurram (7.4.24).
17. A religious figure Qari Faryad Muhammad was reportedly shot dead by unknown motorcyclist on Thorder Road in Sawabi district (7.4.24).
18. The driver of a road checking vehicle of the Exercise & Taxation Department sustained injuries during the  gun  attack by the unknown miscreants near Qalandar Giloti football ground in Dera Ismail Khan (8.4.24).
19. Unidentified assailants gunned down a youth named Khalid Khan near a mosque in Tarkhoo area of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur district (8.4.24).
20. ASI police Naroof Shah was martyred as a result of targeted attack on him in the Sheikh Muhammad Area in the limits of  Badaber police station in Peshawar (9.4.24).
21. Three children – Nakeebullah, Noor Muhammad and Fakharudin were killed and another injured in a landmine blast in Mandokai village of Shawls tehsil in South Waziristan district (12 4.24).
22. Three cosmetic shops were partially damaged during an IED blast at Chanda Bazar in Halimzai tehsil of Mohmand district (13.4.24).
23. Security forces killed a high value terrorist Saleem @ Rabbani having Rs. five million head-money and injured two others in a sanitization operation in Bunker district. However, during exchange of fire with them Lance Havildar Mudassar Mahmood and Lance Naik Haseeb Javed embraced martyrdom (14.4.24).

Punjab:

1. A group of extremists reportedly tortured a vendor named Usman in Gojra city of Toba Tek Singh district (1.4.24).
2. The tortured body of a businessman identified as Asim Hussain was found in a drain at Raiwind, Lahore. He was reportedly kidnapped on 12 March. According to his family, despite paying a ransom of Rs. 500,000, he was killed by his captors. Police have arrested two suspected persons for investigation (4.4.24).
3. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) recovered 10 gold bricks weighing 16 kg from the luggage of a Dubai bound passenger Tanveer at Multan airport (5.4.24)
4. Police claimed to have killed Yaqoob and arrested injured Esa, members of notorious Ladhi gang in an encounter near Kot Mubarak, Dera Ghazi Khan district (6.4.24)
5. Police reportedly arrested three constables – Iftikhar, Salman and Fayaz for kidnapping two persons Rehman and Abdullah from Pasrur Road. They kept them in illegal detention in a private place and demanded Rs.500,000 as ransom from their families in Daska Sadar, Sialkot district (7.4.24).
6. Police arrested one Paris Masih for falsely propagating against his father-in-laws Pastor Asif Nadeem for blasphemy in Tiktok out of personal grudge for not sending back his wife. It is learned that the accused confessed his act and CPO Gujranwala called meeting of the District Peace Committee comprising members of religious scholars to apprise them of the matter (13.4.24).
7. Unidentified two armed motorcyclists shot dead one Amir Tamba in Ganga Street of Islampura Lahore. He was co-accused of attack on the  Indian spy cum terrorist Sarbjit Singh, a death row prisoner lodged in Kot Lakpat Jail Lahore in 2013. Later, he along with other co-accused Mudassar was acquitted from allegations by a court of law in 2018 and released some time ago. Case is under investigations by the police not only to arrest the attackers but also to determine whether it was an act of terrorism or some personal enmity. Some security analysts, have not ruled out the possibility of the involvement of the Indian intelligence agencies in this incident (14.4.24).

Sindh:

1. ASI Police Noor Muhammad was martyred, presumably by a group near Bhryua Road in Noushero Feroz district. In another incident, dacoities during a rocket and gunfire attack injured five police personnel in the Naoarkot area of Shikarpur district (1.4.24).
2. A shopkeeper named Asif Mahmood was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Orange Town, Karachi (2.4.24).
3. The bullet-riddled body of a person was found in Coast Girard Chowk near Rares Goth Karachi (2.4.24).
4. Two suspected robbers were beaten by an angry mob during failed attempts at looting passersby in Nazimabad, Karachi. They were later identified by police as Attaullah and Waseemullah (5.4.24).
5. Police claimed to have arrested a notorious Layari gangster known as Asif @ China, wanted in numerous incidents of extortion, murders, and targeted killings in Karachi (6.4.24).
6. CTD police claimed to have arrested one Azharuddin and recovered a bag full of small arms during a raid near KMC Complex on Kashmir Road in Karachi. He was reportedly working as a constable in KPK police and affiliated with a weapons dealer involved in illegal arms smuggling from KPK to Karachi (7.4.24).
7. Police freed two abductees named Abdullah and Shahid and arrested their kidnappers in a raid on their hideout in a factory in the SITE industrial area of Karachi. The two, who hailed from Punjab, had come to Karachi, falling victim to a criminal gang promising to immigrate them abroad for Rs. 35,00,000. They were, however, kidnapped and later a ransom of Rs. 20,00,000 was demanded through WhatsApp calls made to their families using a foreign phone number (7.4.24).
8. The Airports Security Force (ASF) claimed to have arrested one Adnan, a passenger traveling to Iran at Jinnah Terminal, Karachi, and recovered 45 Pakistani passports from his luggage during the search. He was later handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for necessary investigations (8.4.24).
9. Army Major Saad Sheikh, who was injured in a robbery attack in Gulbai area on 31 March, succumbed to his injuries in CMH, Karachi (9.4.24).
10. Rangers and police in a raid arrested one Muhammad Umar in connection with the kidnapping of a 4-year-old girl. It is learned that the accused confessed to abducting four children and selling them to a person named Imran in Nazimabad, Karachi (12.4.24).
11. An armed mugger on deprived army officers, Major Adeel Haider and Captain Shamsuddin, of their belongings including wallets, wristwatches, an internet device, NIC, and service cards at gunpoint within the limits of the Cantonment police station in Hyderabad (13.4.24).

Comments and Analysis: The situation regarding terrorism remains critical in Balochistan and KPK, marked by frequent militant attacks and the active efforts of security forces to curb such threats. A notably grim incident near Nushki resulted in the deaths of eleven individuals, including nine from Punjab, highlighting the terrorists’ intent to prove that Balochistan’s roads and territories are inhospitable for them. This incident underscores the ongoing regionalism exploited by both local and international agents to destabilize the area. In Sindh province, the public’s trust and safety are further compromised by rampant theft, robberies, kidnappings for ransom, targeted killings and street-crimes, exacerbated by inadequate police responses. To effectively combat these threats, it’s crucial not only to take firm actions against terrorists and their networks but also to identify and dismantle their leadership and operational bases comprehensively. Achieving this requires broad public support and a prioritization of national security over political agendas.  The insane rise in street crimes, and the provocative vigilante clips making rounds of the social media are the not-too-distant rumblings of steep-rise in street violence, commencing from Karachi and spreading like wild fire.  This perfectly fits in the expectations of HIAs, who have been fueling unrest in the society by sowing seeds of hate against institutions, and trying to accentuate political polarization.  We need to adopt meaningful measures n ground to arrest this tendance, lest a serious perception of failed governance takes root.

Defense and Security: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir visited Miran Shah and Spin Wam areas in North Waziristan district to celebrate Eid with troops deployed there. On this occasion, he was given a detailed briefing about the operational preparedness and security of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Earlier on reaching there, he was received by the corps commander, Peshawar (10.4.24).

This is fortnightly report of terrorism-related events across different regions in Pakistan, highlighting the critical incidents and the ongoing response by security forces

Part 2

Regional Overview

Afghanistan: According to an unconfirmed report, twenty-three people were killed and several others injured in various incidents across Afghanistan. This reportedly included the deaths of twelve individuals in blasts of old ordinance in Badakhshan, Herat, Ghazni, Kandahar, Parwan, and Farah provinces. Unknown attackers killed three people during Tarawih prayers in a mosque in the Pashtunkot district of Farah province. A child was rescued, and his kidnapper was arrested in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. An ISIS-K/Daesh militant was killed, and another wounded while making explosives in Adidi district. Security forces reportedly killed two ISIS-K militants and detained another during an operation in the Dwigil valley in the Chawaky district of Kunar province (from 1 to 11.4.24).

With the lurking investigations in Crocus City Hall incident of 22-Mar-24 I Moscow, and the visible role of IS-K, besides the IS-K’s role in Kerman bombing and others in Iran, and of-course, its attacks in Pakistan, all bear weight on Afghan AIG.  It is now becoming evident, that as all the terrorists (about 24-terrorist groups) in Afghanistan have placed AIG under tremendous pressures and have incapacitated it to resist them forcefully.  The American drone flights, and CARs concerns continue to add to the gravity of the situation.  Under these circumstances, expecting Afghanistan to do more in subject of TTP could be elusive.  We must therefore, further jack-up our security systems, and garner genuine public support, to share the security of the country.

India/LOC/LAC: The Guardian published a detailed report on the alleged role of the intelligence agencies, particularly RAW, under the direct control of the BJP-led alliance Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in other countries including Pakistan and Canada. Over twenty persons, Muslims, and Sikhs, were targeted, who were either opposed to India’s tyrannical and oppressive policies in Illegal Indian Held Kashmir, East Punjab, and other regions due to political and ideological differences with the deep Indian state/establishment and RSS Hindutva agenda. The Indian External Affairs Ministry denied any such involvement. Pakistan denounced provocative remarks by the Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, in an interview with a TV channel, stating that India would enter Pakistan to eliminate anyone escaping over its border after attempted attacks. Dr. Naveed Elahi, editor of strategicreview.com, conducted a detailed analysis in publications and vlogs regarding the matter (5 and 6.4.24). The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a ten-day drill, “Gagan Shakti-24,” from 1-10 April at all airbases across India to challenge the potential threat of a two-front war with Pakistan and China, enhancing operational readiness and striking capabilities from both defensive and offensive angles. On 6 and 7 April, they also exercised landing an Al-46 aircraft equipped with AWACS and a missile defense system on a 3.5 km stretch of the Agra-Lucknow Highway. This drill will be followed by another mega air exercise, Tarang Shakti-24, in August this year.

After unleashing Islamophobic extremism in Indian society, the BJP government has set its sights on the Sikhs, whom it wants to subordinate into pre-1923 period, where Sikhism was considered a part of Hinduism and to capture the vaults of SGPC. To factor-in anti-Khalistan rhetoric, and to exhibit its prowess, Indian establishment is playing along with Modi government towards clinching a third term. 

Iran: During two militant attacks, eleven personnel of the Iranian security forces and Islamic Revolutionary Guards were killed in Rask and Chahbahar cities of Sistan-Baluchistan province. General Mohammad Pakpur, head of the guards, stated that all fifteen attackers were killed in the exchange of fire. The terrorist outfit Jaish-ul-Adal claimed responsibility for the attack. The world, including Pakistan, the UN, Russia, China, and the USA, condemned these acts of terrorism. According to Al Jazeera TV, these attacks occurred at a crucial time when Israeli forces had already conducted a missile strike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, killing several Iranian officials, including two senior commanders of the Al-Quds force (3 & 4.4.24). Iranian police reportedly disclosed that three ISIL/ISIS (Daesh) members and eight accomplices, including Mohammad Zaker @ Ramesh in the Alborz province, were planning attacks on important targets during Eid-ul-Fitr.

Comments & Analysis: The attack on Rask, Sabzar and Chabahar was similar to the attack on Mach, Kolpur and Mach Mines.  These and other recent incidents on both sides of Pak-Iran borders, have an alarming symbiotic nexus, that demands a collaborative response on both sides. 

With Iran entering in to another level of Hybrid-Warfare with Israel and its allies, vulnerability of Balochistan automatically increases in many ways. We cannot delink the circumstances and the events that had led to the exchange of missiles between Iran and Pakistan, and the massive coordinated attacks by BLA (which according to analysts, is the Pakistani Balochistan’s name for Afghan based Jaish ul-Adl, when it operates in Iranian territory), and Pakistan’s eagerness to improve relations with Iran, process Iran-Pakistan pipeline, and the forth coming visit of Iranian President.  With Middle East on a strategic roller-coaster, Pakistan needs to reshape its security paradigms expeditiously.  The exchange of missiles between Israel and Damascus, brings Pakistan on the brink of conflict-zone, which is bound to have negative influence on its efforts for economic revival.  Perhaps, a regional cooperation forum, like SAARC, may be formed to coalesce with Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and suitable CARs, to have preferential arrangements for commerce, travel, connectivity, and security. (By Tariq Lodhi)

Iran v Israel: Iran initiated “Operation Such Wahada (True Promise),” employing three hundred drones and missiles aimed at various targets in Israel as a response to the deaths of thirteen individuals, including seven members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and a high-ranking officer, Brigadier General Raza Zahid, killed in an Israeli missile strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1st. Despite the scale of the attack, reported damage in Israel was minimal due to effective interceptions by Israeli and allied defense systems from the US, UK, and Jordan. Iran declared that it had achieved its objectives and did not plan further actions. The international response was mixed: the US and many Western nations condemned the attack and reaffirmed their support for Israel, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia expressed significant concerns. Urging de-escalation, the UN and several countries, including China, called on both nations to avoid further conflict escalation. Amidst these tensions, Russian President Putin warned against US involvement, suggesting that Russia might side with Iran if the conflict escalated. Following these events, Israel convened an emergency UN Security Council meeting and stated its readiness to retaliate if necessary. This ongoing conflict poses a risk of broader regional instability, potentially drawing in other nations and impacting global economies, especially considering the strategic importance of Middle Eastern oil routes through the narrow Hormuz Strait.

Comments & Analysis: Perhaps, the attack on PNS Siddiqui Air Base by terrorists claiming to be from BLA, was also meant to deny any possible use of the base by actors that could influence the Iran-Israel conflict. (By Tariq Lodhi)