(15Nov-30 Dec 2024)

Part 1: Domestic

BALOCHISTAN

1. Four people, including a tribal elder, Meharullah Muhammad Hasni, were killed, and several others injured following an armed attack on his convoy on the Quetta-Karachi Highway near the Kararo area of Khuzdar district (15.11.24).
2. Unknown outlaws kidnapped an eleven-year-old child, Musawir Khan s/o Haji Riaz Muhammad Kakar (a tribal elder), from his school van in Quetta (15.11.24).
3. Two persons, identified as Arslan and Nasrullah, were shot and injured in the Sangsila area of Dera Bugti (16.11.24).
4. Security forces killed six terrorists and injured four others during an attack with heavy weapons on a post in the Johan area near Shah Mardan in Kalat district. However, during the exchange of fire, seven soldiers, including Naik Bakhtullah Zaman, embraced martyrdom. The outlawed militant outfit BLA reportedly claimed responsibility for the incident (16.11.24).
5. Unidentified armed motorcyclists shot dead a tribal elder affiliated with the National Party (BNP-Mengal), Mir Khalid Muhammad Mardwi, in the Firozabad area of Khuzdar district (18.11.24).
6. Four madrassah students were injured in a grenade attack by unidentified motorcyclists in the Malikabad area of Turbat in Kech district (20.11.24).
7. Two persons, identified as Ghulam Ali Khokar and Saddam Hussain Khokar, were gunned down by armed motorcyclists near Jaffa Bridge, Usta Muhammad in Dera Murad Jamali district (21.11.24).
8. Unidentified motorcyclists shot dead Muhammad Aslam and wounded his wife near the Grid Station area in Khuzdar (21.11.24).
9. Security forces killed four terrorists in three separate operations during exchanges of fire across the province. Two were killed in Awaran district, including high-value targets identified as Niaz @ Ghuman and Zaria @ Shah Jehangir, while one each was killed in Dera Bugti and Kech districts (21-22.11.24).

ISLAMABAD

1. CTD police, along with intelligence agencies, arrested three militants of a proscribed organization during a raid in a wooded area near the Srinagar Highway in Islamabad district (15.11.24).
2. The PTI protestors, armed with clubs, rods, sling-shots and guns, created disruption and unrest in and around Islamabad but were quelled by police and Rangers (26.11.24).

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (KPK)

1. Unidentified assailants shot dead Sufi Hameed, District General Secretary of Jamiat-e-Islami (JI), in the Inyat Kallay area of Bajaur district. The defunct ISSK-Daesh reportedly claimed responsibility for the incident (15.11.24).
2. An ATC court in Peshawar granted three days’ remand of suspect Qadir Khan to the CTD police. The suspect was allegedly involved in financing terrorist organizations across the border (15.11.24).
3. Three policemen were injured in a grenade attack by terrorists on the Mills Area Police Station in Kohat (15.11.24).
4. Police and intelligence agencies, in a joint operation, arrested three high-profile terrorists, including Sabrieen and Abid, from the Sarozai area in Hangu district. They were affiliated with the outlawed TTP and carried head money of Rs. 2 million announced by the government (16.11.24).
5. An IED planted by unknown miscreants in the Charkhel area on the Peshawar-Parachinar Highway in Kurram tribal district exploded. However, no loss of life was reported (17.11.24).
6. Unidentified persons lobbed a grenade at the Saifan police post within the limits of Badhber Police Station in Peshawar district, injuring a civilian (17.11.24).
7. Two people, including Mufti Ejaz-ul-Haq, were killed, and five others injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast carried out by unknown terrorists near a mosque in Azam Warsak Bazar, South Waziristan district (17.11.24).
8. A mortar shell fired from an unknown direction hit a house in Ladha tehsil of South Waziristan district, killing Qurban Ali and injuring his wife and daughter (18.11.24).
9. A government high school building in the Azam Warsak area of Birmal tehsil, South Waziristan district, was partially damaged by an IED planted by unknown miscreants (18.11.24).
10. Unknown assailants shot dead two brothers, Abdul Malik and Falak Jan, traveling to Peshawar in a car at Wazir Dand Marketing in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber district (18.11.24).
11. Security forces killed six terrorists while thwarting a terrorist attack in Mali Khel area of the Bannu district. However, during exchange of the fire between the two sides and followed by a suicide blast of the explosive laden vehicle, 12 security personnel including Subedar Imran Ahmed Farooqi, Havaldar Muhammad Javed Iqbal, Naik Tehmas Ahmed and Naik Basit Fareed embraced martyrdom. The defunct TTP breakaway Hafiz Gul Bahadur group reportedly claimed responsibility of the attack (19.11.24).
12. A large mob gathered outside Khazana Police Station, Peshawar after closing the main Charsadda Road demanded to hand over the accused Fiyaz Ahmed who was arrested earlier in connection with allegedly committing desecration oh holy Quran during a family brawl. A local court granted three day remand of the suspect to the police for investigations which also arrested seven persons who were involved in violence and attempted to torch the police station (19 & 20.11.24).
13. Security forces killed seven terrorists and foiled the infiltration attempt of a group of 30 terrorists in South Wazirstan district from Afghanistan. They killed seven out of them during exchange of fire while the remaining fled back across the border(21.11.24).

Comments & Analysis: Afghan Taliban Government has failed to stop armed infiltrators into Pakistan for carrying out terrorist activities. There are reports of support of Afghan Taliban groups to TTP etc to enter Pakistan for terrorist activities. This phenomenon is becoming a threat for the region. Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran will have to take a joint stance to pressurise Afghan Taliban Government to desist from letting the terrorist groups use its soil.  

14. Despite truce in lower Kurram, killings continued the total number of people killed in Kurram district has reached 130, while 186 are injured as clashes between tribes continued for the eleventh day.

The dispute started when unidentified armed persons attacked big convoys of vehicles moving on road under police escort between Parachinar in Kurram district to Peshawar near Uchat and Bagan areas on 21 November. It resulted in killing of at least 43 people, including seven women and three children, and injured over 30 others mostly shias. Tori and Bangash are the two main tribes in the district divided in Shia and Sunni Muslim sects. The incident turned more into sectarian angle and led to armed attacks on each other’s men and areas leading to killing several more lives and burning their properties. Though with the efforts of a jirga, notables of the two sides facilitated by the administration produced a temporarily ceasefire. According to an unofficial figure over 100 casualties of the both sides have taken place besides burning of 300 shops in Bagan till the date (21 – 28.11.24). Several demonstrations held all over the country as protest against the gruesome incident deploring police and security for their failure to protect the people. No group immediately claimed responsibility of the attack. The roads between the Parachinar and other cities remained closed for several weeks due to repeated violence and killing attacks in the area causing acute shortage of commodities of daily use and medicines there.

Comments & Analysis: Kurram district which is close to border with Afghanistan has been witnessing violence of complexed nature related to property disputes, inter tribe feuds often linked with sectarianism for the last several years. However, the surge in the violence significantly increased in the last six months.

The bloody feuds in Kurram have a long history going back to pre-partition days. The sectarian divide makes other issues and disputes like land dispute etc. more lethal and volatile. According to a report major land disputes exist either within one common area like Balishkhel, Bushera and Taida or between two rival villages like Pewar (Shia) and Gido (Sunni); and Ghoz Garhi (Sunni) and Kunj Alizai (Shia). Similarly, a water dispute exists between the Kharoti (Sunni) and Pewar villages and a forest dispute between Badama (Shia) and the Parachamkani (Sunni) villages.

1. Security forces killed three terrorists and injured two others during exchange of fire in Bannu district (22.11.24).

16. Two people identified as Malik Asghar a tribal elder and a Police Constable Ihsanullah were martyred in separate bomb blasts in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur district (22.11.24).
17. Unknown gunmen killed a PPP local leader identified as Ghulam Mursalin Marwat in Serai Gambia town of Lakki Marwat district (22.11.24).

18. Security forces in an IBO killed two terrorists identified as Haqyar Afraidi @ Khyberay and Gulla Jan during exchange of fire in Bara tehsil of Khyber district (23.11.24).
19. A cloth trader Muhammad Yousaf was shot dead by unknown assailants on Misri Banda Road, Akora Khatak in Nowshera district (23.11.24).
20. A police patrolling party repulsed the attack of terrorists through retaliatory gun shots at Narey Bridge in Bittani sub division of Lakki Marwat district (23.11.24).
21. A body of a businessman identified as Muhommad Nawaz was found in Dhaka area market of Charsadda district (24.11.24).
22. Seven persons including five policemen were injured after armed attack by the terrorists on Gul Imam check post in Tank district (24.11.24).
23. Five terrorists including their commander identified as Aminullah @ Istiqlal affiliated with defunct TTP were killed and two security forces personnel injured reportedly during a clash between the the two sides in Taipi area of North Waziristan district (24.11.24).
24. Three terrorists were killed by the security forces when they attempted to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Hassan Khel area in North Waziristan district (25/26.11.24 night).
25. Police and security forces repelled attacks by the terrorists in separate incidents on the Raghzai police station and Ghorlama check point in Birmal tehsil of South Waziristan district (26.11.24).
26. A member of local Peace Committee member Safiur Rehman Wazir was narrowly escaped while an other persons injured in a remote controlled IED blast targeting their vehicle on Wana- Kari Road in South Wazirstan district (26.11.24).
27. Two persons named Najeebullah Mehsud and Sher Alam Mehsud were in injured in a remote controlled roadside IED blast in Kot Azam area of Tank district (27.11.24).
28. Two children identified as Imdadullah and Munir Wazir were injured when a live rocket shell found by them earlier from a drian exploded in Ragzai area of Birmal tehsil in South Waziristan district (27.11.24).
29. Unidentified gunmen opened heavy fire the on Bannu Cantt from the direction of Kot Adil near the Kurram river. However, retaliatory returned fire by the security force compelled them to flee. No casualty was reported (27.11.24).
30. Unknown shooters shot dead a transgender identified as Salman @ Anjum in Hoti area of Mardan district (28.11.24).
31. Unidentified persons freed Haji Saeed Khan a fruit merchant who was kidnapped by them earlier near new bridge in Lakki Marwat (28.11.24).
32. One Sheikh Babar Amin was shot at an injured by unidentified motorcyclist in Jubokhel area of Lakki Marwat district (28.11.24).
33. Four terrorists including their commander identified as Batoor was killed by the security forces during an operation in Bagh area of Khyber district (28.11.24).

PUNJAB

1. Police sealed a seminary named Markaz-e-Tehreek Qurani Inqalabi in Khyber City Town, Sahiwal, and arrested two persons out of 18 accused of spreading blasphemous and hate material (16.11.24).
2. Two labourers identified as Muhammad Parvez and Muhammad Chandi who were reportedly shot dead by unknown assailants in Ziarat, Balochistan were laid to rest in their native town Shehr Sultan in Muzaffargarh district (16.11.24).
3.  Tortured and bullet riddled bodies of the two unidentified persons were found from different locations of Attock district (17.11.24).
4. Police and security forces through retaliatory fire repulsed the attack of rockets and grenades by a large group of 25 terrorists targeting Lakani check post at the Punjab-KPK border in Dera Ghazi Khan district. No loss of human life was reported (27.11.24).

SINDH

1. Four motorcyclists opened fire and threw a grenade at a restaurant in the Orangi area of Karachi. However, no loss of life was reported (16.11.24).
2. A private TV channel reporter, Nadeem Ahmed, was shot and wounded by unidentified gunmen in the Karsaz area of Karachi (19.11.24).
3. A group of Kacha riverine area dacoits targeted a police armoured vehicle in Kashmore district causing serious injuries to two passers-by (22.11.24).
4. Two motorcyclists identified as Dilshad Narejoand Ghulam Nabi Sheikh were shot dead by unknown assailants suspected to be dacoits in Kiti Zaman Shah Rushdie area of Khairpur district (28.11.24).

DEFENSE / SECURITY

1. The opening ceremony of the three-week-long Joint Exercise Warrior-VIII between the Pakistan Army and the People’s Republic Army of China was held at the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC), Pabby. The exercise focuses on refining professional skills and strengthening military-to-military relations (20.11.24).
2. The 12th International Defence Exhibtion and Seminar-24 (IDEAS-24) was organised at Expo Center Karachi under auspices of the Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO). General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) visited the event and held wide range talks on the sidelines. He also held separate meetings with numerous officials including defence ministers, commanders of the armed forces of the different countries including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Argentina, Malaysia, UAE, Cambodia, Brunei and Maldives. The CJCSC gave keynote speech at seminar titled “Pakistan Defence production and potential: Challenges and Way forward” He emphasised that Pakistan’s defence industry is the force behind equipping its battle-hardened armed forces. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Navel Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Martial Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu also made their comprehensive visit to IDEAS-2024 at Karachi. The COAS during his visit observed impressive display of arms and ammunition by the exhibiters and made interactions with foreign military officials and defence delegations. A total of 557 exhibitors (333 foreigner and 224 domestic) participated, 36 countries established exhibitor’s stalls while 17 nations were participating for the first time. Pakistan primarily showcased domestically produced Haider main battle tank aside from Al-Khalid and Al-Zara’s tanks, latest mode, of Super Mushshak Aircraft and state of the art Shahpar-111 combat unmanned aerial vehicle (drone). Shahpur-111 capable of carrying various types of bombs, missiles and torpedoes (19-22.11.24).

• The COAS visited Peshawar as a follow up of the National Apex Committee meeting held on 19 November 2024 and prelude to provincial Apex Committee Meeting to be held soon. He was given a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security situation and progress of the ongoing counter- terrorism operations in the region. Chief Minister KPK and field commanders were also present at the occasion. He commended the high morale, operational readiness and unyielding commitment of the troops. He assured that through synchronised and rebuts operations, Pakistan Army in collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to combat terrorism will hunt down the enemies of peace to ensure stability and security (22.11.24).

• General Zhang Youxia, Chairman, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People’s Republic of China visited GHQ, Rawalpindi. He also held one-on-on meeting with the COAS followed by a delegation level discussion. The meeting focused on matters of usual interest, regional security dynamics, measures for regional stability and enhancing bilateral defence cooperation between the two friendly strategic partner countries. He also commended the Pakistan Army’s resolve and professionalism in its ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and reiterated China’s determination further strengthen this enduring relationship (27.11.24).

Part 2: Regional

AFGHANISTAN

1. Security forces seized a large cache of weapons and arrested two suspects during a raid in the Pul-i-Khumri area of Baghlan province (17.11.24).
2. A meeting was held between the Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, and Russia’s Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, in Kabul. The meeting focused on bilateral political and economic relations between the two countries. Later, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia intends to expand its cooperation with Afghanistan’s caretaker government in various areas, including counter-terrorism and combating drug trafficking. However, she emphasized that this would not be possible without removing the IEA, led by the Taliban, from Russia’s “terrorist organizations list.” (25-28.11.24)

Comments & Analysis: According to current affairs analysts, Russia has been signaling its willingness to remove the Taliban from this list but has yet to make a final decision. While both Russia and China have raised concerns over reported threats from terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil against other countries, their approaches to maintaining relations with Afghanistan differ from those of the U.S. and Western countries. Russia and China are opposed to any significant re-emergence of Western influence in Central Asia and appear to be progressing in establishing political and economic ties with Afghanistan, despite not formally recognizing the Taliban-led government.

• IEA Acting Defence Minister Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid held a meeting with Pakistan’s envoy to Kabul, Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani. According to Ariana News, Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan and Pakistan, as neighboring countries, should seek comprehensive cooperation in various fields, including economic, commercial, and other shared issues, while fostering a sense of neighborliness and mutual respect (27.11.24)

IRAN

1. Two paramilitary soldiers were killed, and three terrorists were neutralized during ongoing operations in Sistan-Balochistan province (17.11.24).