(1-15.2.25)

Part 1- Domestic

BALOCHISTAN

1. A young Pakistani American girl was shot dead by her father in Quetta due to his disapproval of her constant use of TikTok and allegedly objectionable lifestyle and dressing. The family had moved back to Quetta after living in the USA for 25 years (31.1.25).
2. Three Balochistan FC personnel, who had been abducted by armed men from the Chinne Machinkhel area in Dera Ismail Khan, were later recovered safely following an operation in the Tank district (1.2.25).
3. An unidentified armed motorcyclist martyred an FC soldier, Abdul Hakeem Ashazai, in Chaman (2.2.25).
4. Unknown armed assailants martyred security personnel, Marhaba Khan, and injured another during an attack on their vehicle in the Gunbaz area of Quetta district (2.2.25).
5. A man named Abdul Rehman was shot dead by unidentified armed gunmen at Chatikan Bazar in Panjgur town (3.2.25).
6. Unidentified armed motorcyclists carried out a targeted attack, martyring Assistant Superintendent Jail Muhammad Qasim Raisani on Jail Road, Quetta (4.2.25).
7. A young MPhil scholar, Allahabad, was shot dead by unidentified shooters in a bazaar in Turbat town of Kech district (5.2.25).
8. Armed motorcyclists killed a man, Gul Muhammad, on Raisani Road, Quetta (6.2.25).
9. Three fishermen—Mursalin, Riaz, and Allah Baksh—were burnt alive, while two others survived when their boat caught fire in the open sea near the Gwadar coast (6.2.25).
10. Security forces foiled a terrorist attempt by seizing a cache of weapons and ammunition, including personal mines, rocket launchers, grenade launchers, primed cards, and safety pins, during a tip-off raid in the Baghicha area of bordering Chaman town (6.2.25).
11. Police recovered Asma Jattak from Zehri town during a raid and arrested 14 suspects; however, the main accused, Zahoor Zehri, remains at large. She was abducted on the night of 5-6 February from Khuzdar (9.2.25).
12. A man, Muhammad Hayat Sabzal, was killed by armed men in the Buledi area of Turbat in Kech district (10.2.25).
13. Unidentified gunmen shot dead two individuals, identified as Hari Lal and Moti Lal, while injuring another in the Buledi area of Turbat in Kech district (10.2.25).
14. Sharif Zakir, the principal/director of a private school and a social worker, was injured in a gunfire attack by unknown armed men, followed by a grenade attack on his residence in the Koshak Malikabad area of Turbat in Kech district. A strike was observed in the town on the appeal of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee as a protest (11 & 13.2.25).
15. A father, Lal Muhammad, and his son, Abdul Shakoor Rind, were killed inside their house by unidentified intruders in Dhadar town of Bolan (13.2.25).
16. Abdul Ghafoor Mirali was killed, and another person was injured when they were attacked while passing by a government high school in Dera Allah Yar town of Jaffarabad district (13.2.25).
17. Ten people were killed, and six others were injured when a truck carrying coal mine laborers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hit an IED in the coal mine areas of Harnai district (14.2.25).

ISLAMABAD

1. Armed robbers looted cash, gold, vehicles, and valuables worth over 20 million in separate incidents across different locations in Islamabad district (1.2.25).
2. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing launched a nationwide crackdown against individuals and businesses involved in the illegal sale of pre-activated foreign SIM cards used for fraudulent activities and unverified communications. According to a statement issued by PTA, these coordinated raids are part of ongoing efforts to curb telecom fraud and safeguard national security (11.2.25)

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (KPK)

1. According to unconfirmed sources, four terrorists, including one Badaruddin alias Yousaf, allegedly the son of the deputy governor of Badghis province, Afghanistan, were killed during an IBO in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district. It was learned that his family refused to receive his body (31.1.25).
2. A man named Qari Riazullah was shot dead by unknown assailants in the Pir Qayyum area of Lower Kurram district (1.2.25).
3. Unidentified gunmen reportedly martyred four Balochistan Levies Force personnel and their driver during an ambush on their vehicle while they were on their way to recover a stolen truck near the Darban Grid Station in Dera Ismail Khan district (1.2.25).
4. Police Constable Abdul Khalid, performing security duty with a polio vaccination team, was martyred by unknown armed motorcyclists in the Ghundi area of Jamrud in Khyber district (2.2.25).
5. Police, during an IBO, killed a terrorist commander, Rehanullah alias Muntazir Asana, during an exchange of fire with his group in the Mir Alam Manjiwala area of Lakki Marwat district. He was wanted for attacks on security forces, including the martyrdom of a young cadet in the area (3.2.25).
6. Unknown terrorists slit the throats of two traders, Haji Sher Muhammad, president of the traders’ association, and Ibrar Afridi from Tirah Valley, and left their beheaded bodies on Hodal Sar hilltop in Bhutan Shareef, Khyber district. They had been abducted on January 30 by armed men (4.2.25).
7. A prayer leader and peace committee member, Maulana Samiullah, was shot dead by six unknown armed motorcyclists after being pulled out of a mosque in Darra Peru town of Lakki Marwat district (4.2.25).
8. Unidentified armed individuals reportedly kidnapped three policemen, including a Special Branch officer, in Ladha tehsil of South Waziristan district (4.2.25).
9. A policeman was injured when the van he was traveling in was targeted by an IED blast in Qeemat Manjiwala, Lakki Marwat district (4.2.25).
10. Armed individuals opened fire on the police and a polio team to prevent them from vaccinating children in the Sarsi Lawagher area of Karak district. However, no casualties were reported (4.2.25).
11. Police recovered 70 million rupees during a search operation on a vehicle on Ibrahimzai Road in Bannu district and arrested two carriers identified as Muhammad Rafiq and Naseer Akbar. Initial investigations revealed their links to a currency network operating through hawala/hundi transactions (4.2.25).
12. One person was wounded in a grenade blast in Mohalla Khudadad, Peshawar (5.2.25).
13. Unknown armed men abducted a police officer, Samiullah Khan, near the Gomal Dam Canal in Tank district (5.2.25).
14. Three policemen, Constable Adnan, Constable Taimur, and driver Naqeeb, were martyred, while five others were injured during an exchange of fire with terrorists in an attempt to repel an attack on the Bahadur Khel check post in Karak district (6.2.25).
15. Security forces, in an IBO, killed 12 terrorists in the Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan district. However, during the exchange of fire, a soldier, Lance Naik Muhammad Ibrahim, embraced martyrdom (6.2.25).
16. Unknown gunmen, after kidnapping, killed a tribal elder, Malik Arzi Khan Betani, in the Chesan Kach area of Tank district (6.2.25).
17. Adnan Muhammad, a student at Government College, Tangi, in Charsadda district, was shot dead by unknown assailants (6.2.25).
18. Security forces, in an IBO, killed three burqa-clad terrorists, including an alleged Afghan national, Luqman Khan alias Nusrat from Khost province, during an exchange of fire in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan district (8.2.25).
19. Terrorists martyred two policemen, Rahimullah and Ziaullah, in an attack on a check post in the Fatehkhel area of Bannu district. It was the second attack within two days (8.2.25).
20. An FC soldier was shot and injured by terrorists in the Wanda Amir area of Lakki Marwat district while thwarting their attempt to kidnap him (8.2.25).
21. Police reportedly arrested eight armed suspects traveling in two vehicles, posing as government officials, but they failed to provide any proof on Jaman Road in Lakki Marwat district (8.2.25).
22. Security forces, in an IBO, killed three terrorists, including Rehmat, in the Maddi area of Dera Ismail Khan district (8/9.2.25).
23. Four terrorists were killed and three others injured during an exchange of fire with security forces in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district (8/9.2.25).
24. A proclaimed offender identified as Advil, wanted in several criminal cases, was killed by police in an encounter in the Jangilkhel area of Kohat (9.2.25).
25. Security forces reportedly killed four terrorists, including three Afghan nationals identified as Riaz alias Muhajir, Zafar Afghan, Najeebullah Afghan, and Sarkash Afghan, while three others were injured during an exchange of fire in Tappi village, Miranshah tehsil, North Waziristan district (10.2.25).
26. Police, CTD, and security forces, in a joint operation, killed five terrorists in an encounter in Mir Kakam Banda, Karak district. The slain terrorists were identified as Muhammad Shoaib, Wajid alias Sangri, Shah Qazi alias Samaritan alias Parakeet, and Basil Jan (10.2.25).
27. Four people, including a girl, were injured in two separate incidents when mortar shells fell on houses in the Maidan area of Tirah Valley, Khyber district (10.2.25).
28. A house owned by an air force employee, Taimur Khan, was blown up with explosives by unknown persons in Mir Alam Manjiwala, Lakki Marwat. Earlier, he and his father had sustained injuries on February 3 in a terrorist attack in the same area (12.2.25).
29. Unknown miscreants hurled a grenade into Government Degree College, Kalach, in Dera Ismail Khan district, damaging some windowpanes and doors (12.2.25).
30. Security forces, in an IBO, killed five terrorists, including Shah Gul alias Romani, in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan (12/13.2.25).
31. Five terrorists were killed by security forces in two separate encounters in Dosali and Tappi areas of North Waziristan district (12/13.2.25).
32. Security forces killed two terrorists during an exchange of fire in Lakki Marwat district (12/13.2.25).
33. One terrorist was killed by security forces in the Bagh area of Khyber district (12/13.2.25).
34. Dr. Nauman, associated with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, was kidnapped by five unidentified persons after they snatched mobile phones and cash at gunpoint from Sharif Khan Basic Health Unit in Birmal tehsil of South Waziristan district (13.2.25).
35. Unknown armed individuals abducted Saifur Rehman Wazir, President of the Waziristan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WCCI), along with two Customs officers—Superintendent Nisar Abbasi and Inspector Khushal—in the Sholam area of Barmal tehsil. They were returning from the Customs office at the Angoor Ada border crossing with Afghanistan in South Waziristan district when the incident occurred (13.2.25).
36. Two security personnel were injured in a roadside IED blast near their convoy in the Manghal Mela area of Bannu district (13.2.25).
37. A father and his daughter sustained severe injuries when a landmine exploded in the Khapyanga area. In another incident, villagers foiled an armed attack on Mangak village in Kurram district (14.2.25).
38. Security forces, in an IBO, killed nine terrorists, including ring leaders Farman alias Saqib, Amanullah alias Toori, Saeed alias Liaqatpuri, and Bilal, in the Hathala area of Dera Ismail Khan district (15.2.25).
39. Six terrorists were killed by security forces during an IBO in the Miranshah area of North Waziristan district. However, during the exchange of fire, four soldiers—Lieutenant Muhammad Hassan Ashraf, Naib Subedar Muhammad Bilal, Sepoy Ferhat Ullah, and Sepoy Himat Khan—embraced martyrdom (15.2.25).
40. Security forces, in an IBO, neutralized multiple terrorists affiliated with the defunct TTP Zafar Gandapur Group in Dera Ismail Khan. Among those killed were Commander Asmat Ullah alias Garneti (Jehangir Khan, D.I. Khan), Farman Ali (Kulachi, D.I. Khan), Bilal (Kulachi, D.I. Khan), and Saeed (Japan Khan, D.I. Khan). Additionally, five unidentified terrorists were also eliminated, and their identities are being verified (15.2.25).

Comments & Analysis: The southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Karak, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan, have been under the grip of terrorism for quite some time. Security forces and police continue to pursue these elements relentlessly, often making sacrifices by embracing martyrdom and sustaining injuries. However, they are also neutralizing a significant number of terrorists daily.

To enhance counterterrorism efforts, greater coordination between intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) is required. This includes ensuring full protection, necessary facilities, and welfare support for informers and human intelligence sources while maintaining their secrecy. Strengthening these measures will be critical in dismantling terrorist networks and improving security in the region.

PUNJAB

1. Police claim to have recovered Dr. Abdus Samad in an IBO from village 116-RB, Cham Jhumra, and arrested four alleged kidnappers. He was kidnapped on January 26 for a ransom of Rs. 20 million by armed individuals from Khurrianwala in Faisalabad district (1.2.25).
2. Police arrested two bubble gum factory owners, Tahir Muhayuddin and Muhammad Ahmed, in the Thakriwala area of Faisalabad district for allegedly using printed packing labels on their products that displayed slogans of the outlawed BLA insurgents (3.2.25).
3. Two young brothers, Abu Bakar Butt and Usman Butt, were kidnapped by six unknown armed individuals in the Sansa area of Lahore (3.2.25).
4. A lawyer, identified as an advocate, was gunned down by unknown armed assailants near his home in the Chuhng area of Lahore (3.2.25).
5. Three unidentified armed motorcyclists martyred police constable Qadeer Khan and injured another officer when they were signaled by police to stop on Haitian Road in Hazro tehsil of Attock district (6.2.25).
6. A mosque prayer leader, Adnan, was kidnapped by four unknown armed individuals from 136/9-L near the Multan Bypass National Highway in Sahiwal district. Police have registered the case (6.2.25).
7. CTD police claim to have arrested 15 suspects affiliated with a banned outfit, including an extremely dangerous terrorist, during various raids across Punjab province. A large quantity of arms, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from their possession. The arrested militants include Mudassar Khan, Sajjad Ahmed, Ashiq, Ajmal Khan, Ijaz, and Isa Khan (9.2.25).
8. During a clash between police and lawyers resisting the arrest of absconding suspects Adeel and Umair—who were involved in a check dishonor case—ASI Shahid was killed outside the Special Court of FIA in the Mozang area of Lahore. Later, police arrested both suspects, and an inquiry into the matter is underway (11 & 13.2.25).
9. FIA immigration staff arrested five British nationals of Pakistani origin at Sialkot Airport while they were attempting to flee the country after allegedly murdering four of their relatives—Jameel, Ibrar, Murshed, Adeela, and Sakeena—over a family feud in Bharat village, Jhelum (14.2.25).

SINDH

1. Unknown armed motorcyclists shot and injured police inspector Muhammad Hanfi Shah, in charge of security for former caretaker CM Maqbool Bakar, near Naurus Chowrangi, Karachi (1.2.25).
2. FIA arrested 12 suspects, including Nisar Khan, in connection with a case involving the provision of fake and forged educational documents to obtain U.S. visas. The arrests were made following a complaint from the U.S. Consulate in Karachi (1.2.25).
3. The body of a trader, Asif Kamal, who was allegedly kidnapped from Landhi in the recent past, was found in the Seaview area of Karachi (2.2.25).
4. Police arrested 12 out of 25 individuals allegedly involved in attacking a polio vaccination team. The attackers, reportedly from the Mehsud community, carried out the assault near Abdul Hassan Isphani Road in Karachi (6.2.25).

DEFENCE / SECURITY

1. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir visited Quetta following the martyrdom of 18 soldiers in counter-terrorism operations, where he was given a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security situation in the province. Referring to those acting as terrorist proxies for foreign masters, he stated, “These so-called ‘frenemies’ are well known to us and will surely be defeated by the resilience of our nation.” While appreciating the troops, paramilitary forces, and law enforcement agencies for their courage and determination in combating terrorism and defending the country, he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the provincial government in its efforts to promote peace, stability, and development (31.1.25).
2. The COAS visited Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to pay homage to the sacrifices of the martyrs. He commended the dedication, operational preparedness, and combat readiness of the deployed officers and soldiers in deterring and countering any hostile provocations. Later, during an interaction with the notables and veterans of Kashmir, he reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). He stated that Indian atrocities and rising Hindutva extremism only strengthen the resolve of the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination and that Kashmir will one day be free and part of Pakistan (5.2.25).
3. Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Chief of Defence Staff of the Maldives, visited Pakistan and held meetings with COAS at GHQ, Rawalpindi, and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at JS Headquarters, Rawalpindi. They discussed matters of mutual interest related to defence cooperation (6.2.25).
4. Admiral Muhammad Nazam ul Hassan, Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh, visited Pakistan and met separately with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf at Naval HQ, Islamabad, CJCSC at JS HQ, and COAS at GHQ, Rawalpindi. Both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment, and the need to strengthen defence ties and expand military engagements, including joint exercises. This marks the second significant defence meeting between Bangladesh and Pakistan recently, signaling strengthening mutual cooperation between the two countries in the region (7.2.25).
5. The five-day multinational maritime exercise Aman-2025 concluded in the Arabian Sea, featuring as many as two dozen ships from participating navies, including the Pakistan Navy. The exercise included impressive sea maneuvers against threats such as terrorism, piracy, drug trafficking, and smuggling, involving ships, boats, helicopters, and aircraft. COAS General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and other dignitaries witnessed the final fleet review (7-11.2.25).
6. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), visited the Sultanate of Oman and held meetings with various senior commanders and high-ranking defence officials, including General Sultan Mohammad Al Nu’omani, Minister of the Royal Office of Oman; Air Vice Marshal Khamis Hommad Al Ghafri, Commander of the Royal Air Force; Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Raisi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces; and Dr. Muhammad bin Naseer Al Za’abi, Secretary General of the Omani Ministry of Defence. During these meetings, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest and expanding Air Force collaboration, underscoring the importance of joint bilateral and multilateral exercises.
   A defence delegation from Rwanda, led by Air Force Chief Lt. General Jean Jacques Mupenzi, called on the PAF Chief at Air HQ, Islamabad, to discuss matters of mutual defence interest. The Rwandan Air Chief expressed a desire for collaboration with the PAF on a comprehensive training program to restructure their Air Force by utilizing Pakistan’s professional expertise (7 & 12.2.25).

DIPLOMATIC DEVELOPMENT / SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS

President Trump Stops U.S. Aid Worldwide, Including Pakistan
Following President Donald Trump’s order to slash funding for the USAID initiative globally, 39 major aid-funded projects worth over $845 million in Pakistan related to education, health, agriculture, and humanitarian assistance have reportedly been frozen. The funds have initially been halted for three months (4.2.25).

Ismaili Community Imam Prince Karim Agha Khan Passed Away
Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and the 49th Imam of the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslims, passed away in Portugal at the age of 88. He was succeeded by his son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan, as the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, which is spread across the world, including Pakistan (5.2.25).

President Asif Ali Zardari’s Visit to China
President Asif Ali Zardari paid a state visit to the People’s Republic of China from February 4-8. During his visit, he held talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The joint statement between the two countries highlighted discussions in a warm and friendly atmosphere, covering in-depth exchanges of views on international and regional issues of mutual interest. The Chinese side reiterated its firm support for Pakistan in defending its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Both sides agreed to promote the implementation of the eight major steps under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a particular focus on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cooperation (8.2.25).

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Visit to UAE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, paid a two-day visit to the UAE, where he met President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss strengthening strategic cooperation and brotherly ties between the two countries. Speaking at the World Government Summit (WGS), the PM emphasized that transitioning to a green economy is a shared global responsibility and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to mobilizing domestic resources for implementing policy reforms in this regard (11.2.25).

Turkish President’s Visit to Pakistan
A Turkish delegation, led by President Tayyip Erdogan, visited Islamabad and co-chaired the seventh session of the Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) with PM Shehbaz Sharif. During his visit, both sides signed 24 agreements and MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation in defence, energy, health, agriculture, information technology, and other sectors. It was also agreed to boost trade between the two countries to $5 billion. During his stay, President Erdogan met with President Asif Ali Zardari and COAS General Asim Munir. Pakistan was the final stop on his three-nation tour, which also included Malaysia and Indonesia (13.2.25).

Pakistan Cautioned the U.S. Against Military Imbalance by Supplying Advanced Weapons to India
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan strongly cautioned the United States against creating a military imbalance in South Asia by supplying advanced weaponry and offering the latest jet fighters to India. This warning came during a meeting between President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington on February 13. The FO rejected the U.S.-India joint statement, calling it “one-sided and misleading” in its reference to terrorism. Pakistan demanded justice for the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the Pathankot incident while also calling out India’s alleged human rights violations and involvement in targeting dissidents abroad (14.2.25)

Part II

REGIONAL

AFGHANISTAN

Law and Order / Security

1. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Jaayend faction commander, Mushraq Kohi, was reportedly stabbed to death by unknown persons in Kabul. However, the incident was neither confirmed by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) government nor the defunct militant outfit. Pakistan has been urging the Taliban-led government to take action against the leadership of various terrorist outfits, including the TTP and BLA, operating from Afghan territory to carry out attacks in Pakistan (2 Feb).
2. Three children were killed when an old mortar shell exploded in Laghman province (2 Feb). A security guard was killed, and an employee was wounded in a gunfire attack by unknown persons at the UN office in Kabul (3 Feb). Police arrested five suspects in connection with the killing of 13 members of a family due to an old enmity in the Ali Sher district of Khost province (5 Feb).
3. Police, after arresting two male employees, closed a radio station named “Radio Begum” in Kabul. The station was founded in 2021 on International Women’s Day, five months before the Taliban took power. The Taliban accused the radio station of supplying content to a foreign-based TV channel, thereby violating broadcasting regulations (5 Feb).
4. A cache of weapons and ammunition, including five automatic rifles and multiple magazines, was seized by authorities in the 10th police district of Kabul (7 Feb).
5. A suicide bombing outside Kabul Bank killed 17 people, including a few local Taliban members, and injured several others in Kunduz province. The militant organization IS-K/Daesh reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack (11 Feb).
6. A large quantity of various types of weapons was seized in Takhar province during a raid conducted by intelligence forces, as claimed by the Ministry of Defence (12 Feb).
7. Security forces guarding the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing in Kabul foiled an attempt by a suicide bomber to enter the premises. As a result, the explosives carried by the bomber detonated, leading to the death of a Taliban member as well as the attacker and injuring three civilians (12 Feb).
8. Four worshippers were injured when unidentified miscreants lobbed a hand grenade into a mosque in Aybak city, Samangan province (14 Feb).

ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED JAMMU AND KASHMIR (IIOJK) / LOC

Indian security forces continued their anti-militancy drive involving fake encounters and the arrest of innocent Kashmiri youth in fabricated cases in IIOJK.

1. An ex-serviceman was shot dead, while his wife and niece were injured by unknown armed persons in Kulgam district. A Naib Subedar of the Indian Army was found dead with a bullet injury in the Mendhar sector alongside the Line of Control (LOC) in Poonch district (5 Feb).
2. A truck driver was shot dead by security forces after allegedly failing to stop at a checkpoint in Baramulla district (6 Feb).
3. An incident of alleged gunfire by militants on Indian troops took place in Baratgala in the Keri sector of Rajouri district (7 Feb).
4. Two Indian Army soldiers, including Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi and Naik Mukesh, were killed, and another was injured in an IED blast in the Laleli area of Akhnoor sector (11 Feb).

Indian Forces Alleged Violation of LOC and Planting IEDs

According to media reports, Pakistani circles are accusing India of orchestrating sabotage along the LOC, alleging that Indian forces are actively involved in planting IEDs, smuggling weapons, and inciting unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Indian troops have long engaged in unprovoked firing and sabotage operations, reportedly planting IEDs in sensitive areas such as Chakothi, Neza Pir, Chirkot, Rakh Chikri, Deva, Battal, and Kot Kotera along the LOC since 2016.

The recent recovery of four IEDs on 6th, 8th, and 12th February in the Battal, Rawalakot, Dewa, and Bagsar sectors resulted in the death of one civilian and injuries to two Pakistani soldiers. On the other hand, India has also blamed Pakistan for violating the LOC. However, no official statements confirming these claims have been issued by either country. These developments indicate rising tensions along the LOC (13 Feb).

INDIA

Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to France and the USA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a foreign tour, first visiting France from 10-12 February, where he held discussions with President Emmanuel Macron on strengthening strategic bilateral relations. The two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in business, defence, nuclear energy, and security. They also discussed international matters, including the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war, and condemned terrorism.

On 13 February, PM Modi, accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and other officials, traveled to the USA for discussions with senior US officials.

1. Modi and US President Donald Trump reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Partnership, including cooperation in defence, advanced weaponry, technology transfer, joint ventures in defence, commerce, energy, and the civil nuclear sector.
2. The US offered to provide India with the latest combat stealth aircraft, the F-35, at a later stage.
3. Both leaders also discussed the global security landscape and counterterrorism efforts.

Indian circles are portraying this visit as a major diplomatic success for the BJP-led government in fostering cooperation and mutual understanding with the new US administration.

IRAN

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei strongly condemned a so-called plan by US President Donald Trump to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, calling it part of Israel’s broader scheme to erase Palestinian identity. He stated that the US claim to “seize Gaza” represents an unprecedented violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Baghaei called for the rejection of this proposal, which was reportedly suggested by President Trump during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. The proposal suggests relocating Gaza’s population to Egypt and Jordan to allow for the reconstruction of the devastated strip into an economic and tourist hub.

In response, Egypt has called for an emergency Arab summit on 27 February to discuss the Palestinian issue (6 Feb).

Iranian Military Deployment and Border Security

In an interview with Iranian media, Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari, commander of the Army (Artesh) Ground Forces, stated that 11 brigades have been deployed to safeguard the eastern, southeastern, and western borders. The country is also constructing extensive border walls to combat terrorist and smuggler infiltration.

1. He warned that any terrorist group, including ISIS or similar factions aligned with extremist entities, attempting to threaten national security near the borders would face a severe and aggressive response.
2. He highlighted that Iran’s armed forces began the year with large-scale military drills in the eastern Khorasan Razavi province and western Kermanshah province.
3. Heidari further emphasized that the presence of these brigades and the construction of border walls would send a strong message to neighboring countries and allies, promoting peace and friendship (14 Feb).