Part 1 (Domestic)

BALOCHISTAN

1. Arrests in Gwadar Murder Case: The Balochistan government claims to have arrested two suspects involved in the murder of seven Punjabi laborers in the Sarband area of Gwadar last month. The suspects are allegedly affiliated with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and were tasked by their handlers, on behalf of anti-Pakistan hostile agencies, to target Punjabi-origin individuals in Balochistan (1.6.24).

Comments & Analysis: This was the third attack of a similar pattern, with previous incidents in Kech and Noshki districts earlier in the month. The BLA targets the Punjabi labourers because they are soft targets and it can earn reaction in Punjab. It suits their designs to create disharmony and dissensions in the provinces. Punjab has reacted prudently as usual and did not fall prey to the machinations of BLA and its foreign handlers. In order to ensure security of these targets at least three steps should be taken. First, the labourers should be apprised of such threats so that they keep their guards up. Second, the employers should ensure their security and provide them gunmen and a safe place to live. Third, the police and intelligence agencies should take all necessary measures to protect them.

• School Fire in Surab: A girls’ middle school was partially gutted by unknown miscreants in the Surab district of Qalat division (1.6.24).

Comments & Analysis: This is an old tactic of TTP and like-minded terrorists, mostly employed in KP and erstwhile FATA. Now they have done it in Balochistan. They emulate Afghan Taliban who have barred the females from attending the schools. Ironically, there are thousands of girls (daughters and sisters) of Afghan Taliban leaders who have studied in Pakistan and abroad. Their duplicity is not acceptable in Pakistan, and it cannot afford to further do down the index ladder of gender gap.

Pakistan has been ranked 142 out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2023, — with a 57.5 per cent gender parity — the highest since 2006. Only Iran, Algeria, Chad and Afghanistan are below Pakistan. In 2022, Pakistan ranked 145 out of 146.

 The girls’ schools should be protected at all costs. There should be an efficient system of rebuilding the targeted schools. Malala Yusufzai, the Nobel laureate and victim of TTP, can join hands to raise funds for girls’ education and empowerment in erstwhile FATA areas and in KP.

• Attack on BAP President: Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) president Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi reportedly remained unharmed after an attack on his convoy by riverine area dacoits on motorcycles in the Notal area of Naseerabad district (1.6.24).
• Raid in Pishin: Police killed two outlaws and injured one in a raid on an Afghan refugee camp in the Surkhab area of Pishin district. During the exchange of fire, two police personnel were also injured (1.6.24).
• Shooting in Panjgur: Unknown assailants shot dead a person named Shadad in the Essa locality. Additionally, two motorcycles were snatched at gunpoint in the Chalkan area of Panjgur district (2.6.24).
• Injuries in Chaman Protest: Five persons, including two Levies force officials, a policeman, and two female polio vaccination workers, were injured by protesters in Chaman town (2.6.24).
• Failed Abduction in Zhob: An abduction attempt involving three persons—Akram, Ayaz Khan, and Abdul Rehman—was thwarted by unknown armed men in Zhob. Ayaz Khan was critically injured while resisting (4.6.24).
• Murder in Khuzdar: Unknown shooters killed a person named Abdul Khalid Mirali in the Nal area of Khuzdar district (4.6.24).
• Shooting in Quetta: Unidentified assailants shot dead a person in the Nawakile area of Quetta (6.6.24).
• Kidnapping in Kalat: Police reportedly recovered five laborers of a private construction company who were recently abducted for ransom from Nicchi area in Kalat district (7.6.24).
• Polio Team Robbery: Polio team members were robbed by unknown outlaws in Chatter area of Naseerabad district, losing valuables, devices, and cellphones (8.6.24).
• Arrest of Afghan Nationals: Security forces arrested 85 Afghan nationals for illegally crossing into Pakistan from the border area of Chagi district with Afghanistan. They were allegedly en route to Iran for further travel. After legal processing, they may be deported to Afghanistan (9.6.24).
• IED Attack on FC Soldiers: Three FC soldiers were injured in an IED attack on their vehicle by terrorists on Quetta-Chaman Road near Kuchlak (11.6.24).
• Shooting in Khuzdar: Armed shooters gunned down an unknown person in the Wadh area of Khuzdar district (11.6.24).
• Foiled TTP Terrorist Center: CTD police claim to have foiled an attempt by the proscribed militant organization TTP to establish a terrorist center by arresting a senior commander and other suspects in raids conducted with security forces’ support (13.6.24).

GILGIT-BALTISTAN

1. A young boy named Faisal was killed and his father and sister were injured while playing with a toy bomb they found in a nearby water drain in Harghosal village, Kharmang district. This area is adjacent to Kargil district across the LOC in Jammu and Kashmir. It is believed that such incidents might be due to munitions dropped by the Indian army during or after the 1999 escalations at LOC (13.6.24).

KPK

1. Murder in Mardan: Unknown gunmen killed a prominent property dealer, Muhammad Ismail Khan, by barging into his house within the jurisdiction of Hoti police station in Mardan district (1.6.24).
2. Killings in Peshawar: Security forces killed two terrorists identified as Ataz (alias Muhammad) and Ahmedy (alias Koochi) in the Hasan Khel area of Peshawar district (1.6.24).
3. Shooting in Lower Dir: Unknown shooters killed prominent religious scholar Inamullah Madani and injured his brother Moulana Abdul Aziz as they were on their way to offer Fajr prayer in Barghondo area of Madain, Lower Dir district (1.6.24).
4. Youth Killed in Upper Dir: A youth named Touseefullah was killed by unknown gunmen in Upper Dir district (1.6.24).
5. Militants Killed in Lakki Marwat: CTD police claimed to have killed two militants identified as Furqan and Tasawar Ali, affiliated with the defunct TTP’s Tippu group, during an exchange of fire in Kurram Para area of Lakki Marwat district (1.6.24).
6. Attack on Police Post: A police official named Far Khan was injured during an attack by unidentified terrorists on Sangar Checkpost in Halimzai tehsil of Mohmand district (1.6.24).
7. Shooting in Bajaur: Unknown assailants shot dead Naseer Ahmed in Atakai area of Salarzai tehsil, Bajaur district (1.6.24).
8. Killings in Khyber District: Two persons, identified as Naeem Khan and another, were killed by unknown gunmen in Madrassa bazar of Bara Qamberkhel in Khyber district (1.6.24).
9. Terrorist Arrests in Swabi: CTD and police reportedly arrested 15 suspected terrorists and seized 20 motorcycles without number plates during joint raids in the mountainous area of Sazar tehsil, Swabi district (1.6.24).
10. Murder in Dera Ismail Khan: Unknown gunmen killed Imran Dar on Maffi Road in Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district (2.6.24).
11. Polio Team Attack in Lakki Marwat: One terrorist was killed while a police constable guarding a polio vaccination team was injured during an exchange of fire in Wargerry area, Bettani tehsil of Lakki Marwat district (3.6.24).
12. Contract Killer Arrested: After an encounter, police arrested an injured contract killer identified as Shafiqullah in Wanda Baloch, Sari Gambli area of Bannu district (3.6.24).
13. Police Constable Martyred: Armed motorcyclists martyred Police Constable Abdul Rehman outside his home in Almarah village, Shivah tehsil of North Waziristan district (3.6.24).
14. Child Killed in Bajaur IED Blast: A child, Farman Khan, was killed and his brother injured in a roadside IED blast in Hilly Lieu Kharki area, Mamond tehsil of Bajaur district (5.6.24).
15. Constable Martyred in Bajaur: Unknown armed persons martyred Police Constable Wali Khan at Inayat Kallay Bazar in Bajaur district (5.6.24).
16. Rocket Attack in North Waziristan: Three persons, including former militant commander Ghulam Khan, were killed in a rocket attack on their vehicle by unknown armed men in Haider Khel area of North Waziristan district (5.6.24).
17. Body Found in North Waziristan: The body of a person identified as Zahid Khan, who was murdered by unknown assailants, was found in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan district (5.6.24).
18. IED Blast in Landikotal: An IED planted by unknown miscreants caused damage to the main gate of Government Public School-1 in Ashkhel village, Landikotal, Khyber district (5.6.24).
19. High-Value Terrorist Killed: CTD police claimed to have killed a high-value terrorist identified as Umar (alias Mustafa) during an exchange of fire in Tiagai area, Wazir tehsil, Bannu district. He was reportedly affiliated with the defunct TTP’s Hafiz Gul Bahadar group and wanted in numerous targeted killing cases (7.6.24).
20. CTD Personnel Martyred: Unknown gunmen martyred a CTD police personnel named Waheed in Gandi Khankhel area, Sarai Nourang Town, Lakki Marwat district (7.6.24).
21. Body Found in Torgarh: The body of a person identified as Shazad was found in the Indus River in Judba area, Torgarh district. He was reportedly kidnapped a year ago (7.6.24).
22. Doctor Killed in North Waziristan: Unidentified shooters killed Dr. Amin Nawan in front of his house in Spinwam tehsil, North Waziristan district (8.6.24).
23. Police Injured in DI Khan: Two police personnel were injured in a targeted bomb attack on their vehicle on Tank Road in Hathala area of Dera Ismail Khan district (8.6.24).
24. Chairman Abducted in Bannu: Armed persons abducted Village Council Chairman Kamal Shah at gunpoint from New Bus Adda in the limits of Saddar Police Station, Bannu (8.6.24).
25. IED Attack on Security Forces: An IED exploded on a security forces vehicle in Lakki Marwat district on 9.6.24, resulting in the martyrdom of seven soldiers including Captain Farhan Ilyas, Subedar Major Muhammad Nazir, Lance Naik Muhammad Anwar, Lance Naik Hussain Ali, Sepoy Asadullah, Sepoy Manzoor Hussain, and Sepoy Rashid Mehmood. An analytical report by Dr. Naveed Elahi regarding the incident appeared in The Strategic Brief on 10.6.24. Later, in an IBO, security forces killed 11 terrorists involved in the said attack during an exchange of fire in Lakki Marwat district (11.6.24).
26. JUI (F) Leader Attacked: JUI (F) former district president Moulana Mirza Jan Wazir was critically injured in a targeted attack on his motorcar at Wanna bypass in South Waziristan district (13.6.24).
27. Heroin Seizure in Khyber: Police claimed to have recovered 67 kg of heroin during a raid in Khyber district. The narcotics were loaded in a truck from Quetta for delivery in Shakhas area, KPK. This was the second biggest recovery of narcotics by the police in the last year (13.6.24).
28. Bank Robbery in Manshera: Two armed robbers looted over one million rupees from the cash counter of a private bank on Chinnar Road in Manshera and fled (13.6.24).

PUNJAB

1. Kidnapped Trader Rescued: In an IBO, police recovered kidnapped trader Riaz from his captors along with the ransom money and arrested five persons, including two police personnel. He was abducted last month from the Saggian area in Shahdara Town of Lahore, and the kidnappers demanded Rs 10 million as ransom money from his family, which was paid. The accused were identified as Usman, Ijaz, Umar, Najeebullah, and Mehran (2.6.24).
2. Minority Community Members Murder: Two persons from a minority community were shot dead by an attacker in Palia tehsil of Mandi Bahauddin district. Later, police claimed to have arrested a suspect from Saadullah Pur and recovered a pistol from his possession. Initial investigations suggest the accused was affiliated with a religious seminary, and the murders were driven by hateful extremist sentiments. Investigations are ongoing (8.6.24).
3. Terrorist Arrests in Punjab: CTD police claimed to have arrested 15 suspected terrorists affiliated with proscribed organizations (TTP, ISIS, LJ) in different raids in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, and Muzaffargarh. Arms, ammunition, explosives, and prohibited materials were recovered from their possession. The arrested individuals included Hafiz Abdul Malik, Noor Rahim, Nurul Ameen, Manzar Nadeem, Abdul Saboor Riaz, Noor Wali, Muhammad Ikram Khan, Muhammad Ejaz, Abdul Wahab Hussani, Yar Gul, Israel Ahmed, Ali Shah, Ali Rehman, and Umar Rehman (9.6.24).
4. Explosion in Muzaffargarh: Two laborers, identified as Muhammad Arshad and Muhammad Latif, were killed and another injured in an explosion involving some sort of explosive material in a warehouse/junkyard on Darra Road in Sanwana area of Muzaffargarh district. Investigations are ongoing to determine the nature of the blast (11.6.24).
5. Shooting in Rawalpindi: Unknown gunmen in a car shot dead wagon driver Muhammad Asim and injured his helper in Kallar Syedan area of Rawalpindi district (12.6.24).
6. Anti-Narcotics Operation in Jehlum: Unidentified alleged drug smugglers martyred three persons, including Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Head Constable Gulzar, Lance Naik Mazhar, and civilian volunteer Zeeshan near Tarkai Toll Plaza in Jehlum district (12.6.24).

SINDH

1. Police Head Constable Martyred: Unknown shooters martyred Police Head Constable Qamar Zaman and injured three others in a targeted attack in Patel area of Karachi (2.6.24).
2. Constable Martyred in Karachi: Armed assailants martyred Police Constable Yaseen and injured another at a checkpost near Jamali Bridge, off M-9 Motorway in Karachi (3.6.24).
3. Human Rights Activist Arrested: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested human rights activist Sarim Burney on his arrival at Karachi airport from the USA. A case was registered against him based on a reported complaint by US authorities for alleged human smuggling and sending 25 children to the USA for adoption fraudulently with fake documents (5.6.24).
4. Terrorist Killed in Karachi: Police claimed to have killed a suspected terrorist identified as Sadiq (alias Qari Bilal), affiliated with TTP, during an exchange of fire on Hub River Road in Karachi. An AK-47 rifle and a grenade were recovered from his possession. He was reportedly an Afghan national wanted in cases of targeted killings and kidnapping for ransom. He had recently arrived from Kunduz province and started making threatening calls to businessmen demanding protection money for funding the outlawed militant group (10.6.24).

Defence / Security

1. Satellite Launch: The Pakistan National Space Agency (SUPARCO) launched its second satellite, PakSat MM1, on 30 May. It reached its orbit at an altitude of 38,786 km above Earth on 5 June. The 5 kg satellite, equipped with state-of-the-art communications and solar panels, will facilitate high-speed internet communication for the country (7.6.24).
2. PNS Babur Training: The crew of the Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Babur completed training at Golcuk Naval Base in Turkey for undertaking various naval warfare operations. Under an agreement between Pakistan and Turkey, PNS Babur is one of four naval ships to be jointly built, two in Turkey and two in Karachi (11.6.24).
3. Pakistan-Turkey Defence Cooperation: General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, during his official visit to Turkey, met with Defence Minister General (R) Yadar Guler, General Metin Gurak, Commander Turkish General Staff, and other military commanders. They discussed matters of mutual interest and defence cooperation, including security and counter-terrorism (11.6.24).

---

Part 2 (Regional Overview)

AFGHANISTAN

A high-level delegation led by Khurram Agha, Interior Secretary of Pakistan, met with Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Deputy Foreign Minister Muhammad Nabi Umari in Kabul to discuss the terrorist incident that killed five Chinese nationals in Bisham and its links to Afghanistan. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Afghan authorities agreed to examine the investigations and cooperate accordingly. This visit was directed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ahead of his four-day scheduled visit to China on 4 June. Cross-border militancy and the safe havens for terrorist leadership, particularly the defunct TTP, remain significant irritants between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Taliban-led IEA interim government has been repeatedly informed to take action against these sanctuaries but has denied the presence of any threat from its territory (1.6.24).

IEA spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and Director General of Intelligence Abdul Wahid Wasiq discussed security-related issues, including regional stability, during their recent visit to the UAE (6.6.24). US Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh reportedly said that Washington is pursuing ISS-K and senior militant commanders in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to media outlet “TOLO,” the IEA has not responded to these comments yet, but Zabihullah Mujahid previously claimed that the USA is trying to create rifts between Afghanistan and other regional countries with such statements (13.6.24).

The second meeting of the Regional Contact Group, known as the Moscow Format, was held in Tehran with the participation of Pakistan, Iran, China, and Russia. The group discussed current crises, including terrorism. The IEA did not attend, arguing that existing mechanisms should be used concerning Afghanistan instead of creating new ones (8.6.24). Meanwhile, Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, discussed with IEA Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi an agenda acceptable to all stakeholders for the upcoming UN-sponsored third conference on Afghanistan in Doha on 30 June and 1 July. The last two conferences did not yield productive results due to the non-presence of the Taliban-led IEA representatives. A decision on the Taliban’s participation in the forthcoming conference is yet to be announced.

Some analysts believe that China, Russia, and Iran have a relatively soft stance towards the IEA-led Afghanistan, recognizing it as the sole controlling authority and gradually establishing economic relationships without officially recognizing the IEA. Recently, former US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General (R) Frank McKenzie, in an interview with CBS, called the Doha agreement between the USA and the Taliban a mistake. He suggested that stricter terms might have yielded better results and criticized the agreement as a flawed policy by both former President Trump and current President Biden.

INDIA / LOC / LAC

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formed the government in India. Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Indian Prime Minister for the third term in a ceremony administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House) in New Delhi. Several state and government heads from neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Maldives, attended the ceremony. PM Narendra Modi retained several key ministers in his new cabinet, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, maintaining their previous portfolios. Critics suggest that there will be no significant change in the internal and external policies of his government, particularly towards China and Pakistan. Despite predictions, the BJP-led alliance secured only 293 seats in the Lok Sabha, fewer than in past elections, while the India Alliance led by the Congress party secured 232 seats out of the total 543. Analysts believe the BJP’s Hindutva agenda damaged its vote percentage, while the opposition improved its vote bank.

State terrorism continued in the illegally occupied Indian Jammu & Kashmir with the killing and arrest of innocent youth. Indian security forces martyred two Kashmiri youths, identified as Riaz Dar and Ilyas Dar, during a fake encounter in Pulwama district. Militants allegedly carried out four attacks targeting Hindu pilgrims’ buses and security forces, resulting in the deaths of nine pilgrims, injuries to 33 others, and the killing of one CRPF official and seven security personnel in Reasi, Doda, and Khautha districts. PM Narendra Modi reportedly presided over a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the security scenario in IIOJK, attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and others. He directed the full spectrum of counter-terrorism measures to arrest the attackers and curb militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian security and propaganda machinery may blame Pakistan to tarnish its image as a state sponsoring terrorism. Meanwhile, the IIOJK administration issued orders for all schools to start their morning assemblies with the Indian national anthem (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.6.24).

Vice Chief of the Indian Army Staff Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, replacing General Manoj Pande upon his retirement on 30 June. Commissioned in the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1964, Dwivedi held various positions, including commanding the Indian Northern Army Command responsible for defense along the LOC and LAC covering the Pakistan border in Jammu & Kashmir and China in Ladakh region from 2022-2024 before his appointment as the Vice Chief of Army Staff (12.6.24).

IRAN

The Guardian Council, the supreme governing body, approved the names of six candidates for the presidential election. They include Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (Parliament Speaker), Saeed Jalili (Member, Expediency Discernment Council), Alireza Zakir (Mayor of Tehran), Masood Parzerskaian (Member of Parliament), Mustafa Mohammadi (Former Interior and Justice Minister), and Amir Hamza Ghazizadeh Hashimi (Head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans). They will contest the election to be held on 28 June. The presidential office became vacant after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash last month (11.6.24).