16 Dec – 31 Dec 2024

Part 1 – Domestic

BALOCHISTAN

1. Three security forces personnel and an alleged terrorist were injured during an exchange of fire in an IBO in the Killi Siapad area of Kharan district (20.12.24).
2. An unidentified armed motorcyclist killed a barber running his shop in the Chatikan Chowk area of Panjgur district (22.12.24).
3. An unidentified armed motorcyclist shot dead a man and injured another in the border town of Chaman (22.12.24).
4. A man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Airport Road, Quetta (22.12.24).
5. Unknown assailants killed Abdul Shakoor in the Mashkey area of Awaran district (23.12.24).
6. Two men, including a barber, were injured in a grenade attack on a shop by unknown motorcyclists in the Sariab Road area of Quetta (23.12.24).
7. Two FC soldiers were martyred, and four others were injured while providing security to a convoy with a Qatari royal family on a bird-hunting expedition. The convoy was targeted in a roadside bomb blast by miscreants in the Turbat district (25.12.24).
8. Unknown militants planted explosives to blow up a main Sui Southern Gas (SSGC) pipeline in the Akhtarabad area on the outskirts of Quetta. The outlawed BLA claimed responsibility for the attack (25.12.24).

ISLAMABAD

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested six Nigerian nationals for supplying drugs to various educational institutions and hostels in Islamabad (19.12.24).

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (KPK)

1. A civilian, Bakhti Rawan, and two policemen were injured in a gun attack by an unknown assailant on a checkpoint in the Muslim Kanddaw area of Puran tehsil in Shangla district (16.12.24).
2. Three persons, including a local Awami National Party (ANP) leader, Mustjab Alam, were killed by rivals in the Terri area of Karak district (16.12.24).
3. Unknown gunmen martyred Police Constable Irfanullah and injured two health workers during an attack on a polio vaccination team in the Shakarkhel area of Banda Daud Shah tehsil, Karak district. Reports indicate that attacks on polio teams have claimed 112 lives and injured over 300 people to date (16.12.24).
4. Two policemen, ASI Muhammad Hassan Khan and Constable Nisar Ahmed, were martyred, and two others were injured in a terrorist attack on the Ganangar police checkpoint in Chakesar, Shangla district (16.12.24).
5. Unknown armed assailants martyred Police Constable Ishtiaq Ahmed in the Parmuli Police Station limits in Swabi district (16.12.24).
6. A three-year-old boy, Mustafa, was killed, and five children were injured when a mortar shell struck a house in the Pir Mila area of Tirah Valley, Khyber district (17.12.24).
7. A policeman, Nadeem Khan, was critically injured in an attack by unknown motorcyclists in the Shalobar area of Bara tehsil, Khyber district (17.12.24).
8. Security forces killed seven terrorists, including their commander Ali Rehman (alias Moulana Tahir Swati), during an IBO in Tank district (17.12.24).
9. Two terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in an IBO in North Waziristan district (17.12.24).
10. Security forces killed two terrorists in an IBO in the Mamadgot area of Mohmand district (17.12.24).
11. Three security personnel, Ashfaq, Mukhtar Wali, and Arif, were martyred, and two others were injured in an IED blast targeting their vehicle in Zarkani, Darban tehsil, Dera Ismail Khan district (17.12.24).
12. Two young girls sustained serious injuries in a landmine blast while en route to a madrassa in Sherani, Datta Khel tehsil, North Waziristan district (18.12.24).
13. The tortured body of Tufail Muhammad, a madrassa student, was found in Chasma Algad, North Waziristan district (18.12.24).
14. A bomb planted by unknown miscreants near the house of Police Constable Qasim Khan detonated, causing extensive damage to his residence in Wanda Painda Khan, Lakki Marwat district (20.12.24).
15. Security forces killed four terrorists attempting to infiltrate Pakistan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Rajgal, Khyber district. During the exchange of fire, Sepoy Sohail Afridi embraced martyrdom (20.12.24).
16. Eight terrorists were killed in an attack on a security checkpoint in Makeen, South Waziristan district. Sixteen soldiers were martyred in the exchange of fire. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack (21.12.24).
17. A joint IBO by police and CTD resulted in the killing of militant commander Asif Ali, a close associate of high-profile terrorist Inamullah (alias Lamba), in Shagai, Lakki Marwat district (22.12.24).
18. Naeem Shah was shot dead by unknown armed persons in Painda Michenkhel, Lakki Marwat district (23.12.24).
19. Unidentified individuals abducted Malik Tariq Wazir, Chief of the Ahmedzai Wazir tribe, along with his vehicle from Dara Ghundai, Wana tehsil, South Waziristan district (23.12.24).
20. Unknown individuals looted a consignment of pine nuts worth Rs. 10 million from a vehicle at Tank bypass, en route from Wana to Lahore (24.12.24).
21. A man and a woman were killed by unidentified armed assailants who broke into a house in Barokhel, Mirali tehsil, North Waziristan district (24.12.24).
22. A police vehicle was partially damaged in a bomb blast by unknown miscreants in Kakki, Bannu district (24.12.24).
23. The body of Head Constable Wazirzada was recovered in Ahmedzai police station limits, Bannu district (25.12.24).
24. Security forces killed two local militants, including commander Noor Muhammad, in Manarea, Birmal tehsil, South Waziristan district (25.12.24).
25. In an IBO, security forces reportedly killed 13 terrorists in SRA Rogha, South Waziristan district (25.12.24).
26. Two militants were killed in an IBO during an exchange of fire in Janikhel, Bannu district (26.12.24).
27. Six militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in South Waziristan district (26.12.24).
28. Security forces killed five militants and injured eight others in Datta Khel, North Waziristan district. Major Muhammad Awais embraced martyrdom in the exchange of fire (26.12.24).
29. Unknown gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus traveling from Quetta to Islamabad after the driver refused to stop. A woman was killed, and four others were injured on Darban Road, Dera Ismail Khan district (27.12.24).
30. Security forces killed nine terrorists, including commanders Abdul Haq and Mooen, and injured seven others in Braho Khel, Mirali tehsil, North Waziristan district (27.12.24).
31. Security forces repelled a heavy-weapon attack by 20-25 TTP militants supported by Afghan Taliban in Kurram district. Retaliatory fire caused substantial losses on the Afghan side, including the abandonment of six Taliban check posts (27–28.12.24).
32. Four security personnel were injured in a suicide bomb attack followed by gunfire at the Kanori post, Kulachi tehsil, Dera Ismail Khan district (29.12.24).
33. Miscreants barged into the house of a soldier, Munir Khan, and partially damaged it using explosives in Wanda Faqeerabad, Lakki Marwat district (29.12.24)

Comments & Analysis:  The number of terrorist incidents in Pakistan witnessed a massive 279.8% increase, rising from 572 incidents in 2021 to 2,173 in 2024. Similarly, the number of casualties soared by 231%, jumping from 238 fatalities in 2021 to 788 in 2024. Focusing on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the province experienced a 54.89% rise in terrorist incidents compared to 2023, while casualties increased by 11.9%. Alarmingly, KP averaged the loss of two lives per day, encompassing personnel from security forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians. There is a need to review the strategy and go all out to stamp out terrorism.

PUNJAB

1. The Border Military Police (BMP) registered a case against 16 individuals, including Shafi Jumrani, for killing their rival, Azam Jumrani, in a landmine blast in the vicinity of Khalchas BMP Station in Rajanpur district (16.12.24).
2. Police and the CTD, in a joint IBO, killed two suspected militants during an exchange of fire in the Korangi Tal area near the Punjab-KPK border in Dera Ghazi Khan district. Heavy weapons, including rocket launchers and grenades, were recovered (17.12.24).
3. A Christian woman was arrested for allegedly burning an Islamic textbook after a blasphemy case was filed against her by a mosque prayer leader in Chak 180 GB, Gondar tehsil, Toba Tek Singh district (22.12.24).
4. The FIA conducted raids in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, and Sialkot, arresting several suspected human traffickers, including Muhammad Suleman, the main accused in the boat capsizing tragedy near Greek waters (22–25.12.24).

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, visited Muscat, Oman, where he toured the Maritime Security Centre and met with General Sultan Muhammad Al Nu’amani. Discussions focused on defense cooperation and maritime security (19.12.24).

Romanian Naval Chief Visit to Pakistan Naval Ship Yamama in Romania
Vice Admiral Mihai Panit, Chief of the Romanian Naval Force, visited the newly commissioned Pakistan Navy Ship PNS Yamama at Constanta Port, Romania. The state-of-the-art vessel, designed to operate in contested maritime environments, is equipped to project defense across all domains of warfare. It is the last of four offshore patrol vessels built for the Pakistan Navy by Damen Shipyard, Galati, Romania (25.12.24).

COAS Visit to Wana, South Waziristan District
General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), visited Wana, South Waziristan, where he received a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security landscape and ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Addressing officers and troops, the COAS commended their resilience in the fight against terrorism and reiterated Pakistan Army’s commitment, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, to eliminate terrorism and restore lasting peace. He also paid tribute to the martyrs (Shuhada). The COAS was received by the Corps Commander Peshawar upon his arrival (22.12.24).

COAS Joins Christian Community for Christmas Celebrations
The COAS participated in Christmas celebrations at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral Church in Rawalpindi. He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of minorities, particularly the Christian community, to Pakistan’s cultural, social, economic, and national progress (25.12.24).

Azerbaijan Deputy Defense Minister Meets Air Chief
A high-level delegation from Azerbaijan, led by Deputy Minister Agil Gurbanov and Lt Gen Namig Islamzada, Commander of the Azerbaijan Air Force, met Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force. The meeting focused on mutual interests and strengthening defense cooperation. Several Azerbaijan Air Force personnel are currently undergoing training at PAF facilities to enhance their air combat capabilities (25.12.24).

CJCSC Visits Kuwait
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), visited Kuwait, where he met Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak, Crown Prince of Kuwait, and other senior officials. Discussions centered on mutual interests and enhancing defense and security cooperation. The CJCSC also visited the Headquarters of the Chief of Staff and Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College in Kuwait (25.12.24).

DIPLOMATIC DEVELOPMENTS / SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Pakistani entities over alleged contributions to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, drawing strong reactions from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, which called the sanctions baseless and detrimental to regional stability (18.12.24).

Foreign Office Statement on Operations Against Terrorist Bases
The Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement on 26th December, affirming that Pakistani security forces conduct operations in border areas to protect citizens from terrorist groups. The statement followed accusations from the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) government alleging Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory. While the FO did not confirm any violations of Afghan airspace, it emphasized that terrorism against Pakistan from any source will not be tolerated.

Reports suggest the airstrikes targeted TTP commanders involved in masterminding attacks in Pakistan, killing several terrorists. Tensions have escalated between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with frequent border skirmishes and Pakistan’s demand for the Afghan government to act against TTP elements using Afghan soil for attacks.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

AFGHANISTAN

US Envoy Expresses Concern Over Deprivation of Afghan Women’s Rights
Rina Amiri, US Special Envoy for Afghan Women and Human Rights, condemned the IEA for its discriminatory policies toward women and girls, including restrictions on education, employment, and access to healthcare. She urged the international community to pressure the Taliban to lift these restrictions as part of any engagement (20.12.24).

Attacks in Jalalabad and Kabul
Unidentified gunmen attacked a vehicle in Jalalabad, killing the driver and injuring translator Dawood Shizad, who worked for the Indian Consulate. In Kabul, a bomb blast near Sheikh Zayed Hospital injured four people. No group has claimed responsibility for either attack (23 & 27.12.24).

Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations: Airstrikes and Border Clashes
A Pakistani delegation led by Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq visited Kabul (23–25 December) to discuss bilateral trade and enhance ties. They met Sirajuddin Haqqani, Afghanistan’s Interior Minister, to offer condolences over the death of his uncle, Khalilur Rehman Haqqani, in an ISIS-K attack.

Meanwhile, tensions rose following alleged Pakistani airstrikes on TTP hideouts in the Birmal area of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, reportedly killing over 50 individuals, including civilians. The Taliban lodged a protest, and retaliatory border clashes ensued, further straining relations between the two countries.

INDIA

NSA Meets Chinese Foreign Minister
Indian NSA Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, marking the first high-level engagement since the 2020 Ladakh standoff. Both sides reached a six-point consensus to address border disputes and improve bilateral relations. However, India remains cautious, with troops maintaining readiness along the LAC (27.12.24).

India’s Growing Ties with Sri Lanka and Nepal
India is strengthening ties with Sri Lanka and Nepal amid regional tensions. Naval exercises with Sri Lanka (SLINEX-2024) and joint military drills with Nepal (Surya Kiran) highlight India’s efforts to consolidate relations with its neighbors (27.12.24).

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Suicide Bomb Attack in Bandar-e-Lengeh
A police commander was killed, and another was injured in a suicide bombing in Bandar-e-Lengeh, Iran. The attack occurred days before the anniversary of General Qasem Soleimani’s assassination in 2020 by a US drone, for which ISIS/Daesh had claimed responsibility (29.12.24).

MIDDLE EAST

Israel’s Continued Attacks
Israel continued its targeted military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, resulting in multiple casualties.

Syrian Developments
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (alias Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) emphasized rebuilding Syria’s legal system and conducting legitimate elections. The Syrian authorities are reportedly targeting opposition strongholds to consolidate power (29.12.24).