Part-1 (Domestic)

BALOCHISTAN

1. Two Levies force personnel, Yaseen Alyas and Abdul Qadeer, embraced martyrdom during an attack by terrorists on the Milligan security post in Pishin district (1.8.24).
2. Unknown armed motorcyclists reportedly shot and injured a traffic constable near Jan Adda in Pishin (1.8.24).
3. The dead body of an unidentified person was found in the Isa Tahir area near the Pak-Iran RCD Highway in Chagai district (1.8.24).
4. Three people were injured in a bomb blast planted in a motorcycle parked in a bazaar when a police mobile van was passing nearby in Awaran (10.8.24).
5. Unknown armed motorcyclists hurled a hand grenade at Gawalmandi police station in Quetta, injuring two constables (11.8.24).
6. Unknown armed men reportedly hurled a hand grenade at an FC checkpost in the Absar area of Turbat town, injuring two security officials (11.8.24).
7. A grenade attack was also reported at an FC camp in the Bazgeer area of Khuzdar district; however, no human loss occurred (11.8.24).
8. The Bomb Disposal Unit of police defused an IED device planted near the house of a photographer in Duki Bazar (12.8.24).
9. Unknown assailants martyred Deputy Commissioner of Panjgur, Zakir Hussain Baloch, and injured Chairman Municipal Committee of Panjgur, Abdul Malik Baloch, in an armed attack on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway, near Mastung. The National Party’s central president, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, and the Secretary General, Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi, expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdoms and described the attack as an attempt to incite conflict and civil war in Balochistan (12.8.24).
10. Three FC personnel were reportedly injured in a grenade attack on a security post on Sariab Road, Quetta (12.8.24).
11. Unknown armed motorcyclists threw a hand grenade at Chalupa Rawari Chowk in the Pashtoonabad area of Quetta, leaving seven people injured (12.8.24).
12. Security forces and police, in a joint IBO, reportedly killed two terrorists involved in the attack and martyrdom of Deputy Commissioner Zakir Hussain Baloch in Panjgur district (13.8.24).
13. Several grenade attacks by terrorists in Quetta and other places in Balochistan resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to several others. Three unknown armed motorcyclists reportedly launched three grenades through launchers towards Ayurveda Stadium in Quetta, where a musical function was being held in connection with Independence Day celebrations. However, the grenades went astray and landed, exploding on houses in the Killi Deba area and a private parking area, killing two people and injuring three others. In a grenade attack on a shop in China Market, Liaquat Bazar, one person was killed, and seven others were injured. A grenade attack on Munir Mengal School caused injuries to its watchman and damaged part of the school. In another grenade attack on Bugti Stadium in Kharan, no loss of human life occurred. Similarly, a grenade attack on a security post in Panjgur was reported with no casualties. It is significant to mention that eight grenade attacks were reportedly carried out by terrorists targeting security posts and other places in Quetta during the last three days (13.8.24).
14. Five unknown persons were killed, and their bodies were hung with the poles in Dalbandin, Chaghi, Balochistan (15.8.24).

KPK

1. A UN armored vehicle of Project Service, with no official logo, reportedly came under fire from unknown persons in Tank district. However, the staff members on board remained unhurt (1.8.24).
2. Unidentified terrorists martyred Police Sub-Inspector Alamzeb Afridi, Constable Sher Alam, and a civilian named Naib Shah, while two others were injured during an attack on the Charwazgai check post on the Landi Kotal Road in Khyber district (1.8.24).
3. Three people, including a former Khasadar force official, were reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen at Sabzi Mandi area of Mir Ali in North Waziristan district (1.8.24).
4. Two policemen, Constable Abdullah and Constable Abdul Samad, were guarding three judges during an attack by terrorists in the Bhagwan area of Tank district (2.8.24).
5. Security forces and CTD police, in a joint IBO, reportedly killed four terrorists, including their commander identified as Basit, during an exchange of fire in the Chora area of Mardan district (2.8.24).
6. Unknown armed motorcyclists opened fire on a police mobile van on Paniyala-Pharpur Road in Dera Ismail Khan district. However, during the exchange of fire, they dropped their motorcycles but took away the official gun of Constable Arshadullah after injuring him (3.8.24).
7. A youth identified as Tarim Omar was shot dead by unknown assailants in Zafarabad Colony of Dera Ismail Khan (3.8.24).
8. Unidentified assailants shot dead a youth named Muhammad Zubair in the Maqim Shah area of Dera Ismail Khan (4.8.24).
9. Yaqoob Khan Police Station SHO Tariq Khan Orakzai was martyred in an exchange of fire with drug peddlers in the Sarki Lawagher area of Karak district (5.8.24).
10. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) claimed to have arrested six Afghan nationals during raids in KPK, including one Najeebullah from the Torkham border crossing, and later two more suspects, Irfanullah and Ramzan, from University Road, Peshawar. They were allegedly involved in forging Pakistani National Identity Cards (CNIC) as well as Afghan Tazkira “Afghan identity cards” (7 and 10.8.24).
11. A police vehicle was slightly damaged in an IED blast on Warsak Road in Peshawar (7.8.24).
12. Three people, including a police Sub-Inspector Momin Khan and a murderer identified as Kaleemullah, were killed in an encounter in the Dag Behshud area, Pabbi tehsil, in Nowshera district (7.8.24).
13. Police personnel at a security post in the limits of Huwaid police station repulsed an attack by terrorists through retaliatory fire in Bannu district (8.8.24).
14. One Safeerullah, carrying vegetables in a pickup truck, was killed in an IED blast when his vehicle hit the device on a main road in Hangu district (9.8.24).
15. Police, during tip-off raids, recovered 12 hand grenades, eight rockets, three RR shells, three mortar shells, and several explosive devices from the Gulbela area of Salarzai and the Narang area of Barang tehsil in Bajaur district (9.8.24).
16. Security forces killed four Khwarij terrorists in three different locations in the Tirah valley of Khyber district. However, during the exchange of fire, four soldiers, including Lieutenant Uzair Mehmood Malik (who succumbed to injuries later), Havaldar Inam Gul, Sepoy Muhammad Imran, and Sepoy Iltaf Khan, embraced martyrdom (9.8.24).
17. Unidentified shooters martyred ASI Police Special Branch named Asmat Khan when he was on his way to his village in the limits of Khanmi Police Station in Charsadda district (10.8.24).
18. In two different incidents of targeted attacks, terrorists reportedly martyred a security official in Razmak tehsil and injured four security officials on Khaisur Road in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan district (11.8.24).
19. The bullet-riddled body of a person identified as Sameer was found in the limits of Mulazai police station in Tank district (11.8.24).
20. The outlet of a foreign fast-food restaurant situated on Ring Road, Peshawar, was reportedly targeted by a gun attack by unknown armed persons. It is learned that another branch of the outlet came under mob attack a few months ago during a protest Israel in the Tehkal area of the city (11.8.24).
21. More than a dozen shops and kiosks were burned when a mortar shell fired by unknown persons from an unspecified direction landed in the middle of a market in Lar Baganda Marias in Tirah valley of Khyber district (11.8.24).
22. Unknown gunmen shot dead the young son of a police constable, Hakeem Shah, near his house in Dab Sar Kamach area of Martung tehsil in Shangla district (12.8.24).
23. A tribal elder, Malik Yar Khan, was shot dead, and another person was injured in a roadside planted IED blast in the Asil Targoo area (13.8.24).
24. Four security forces personnel killed six Khawarji terrorists in an IBO in South Waziristan district. However, during the exchange of fire, Havaldar Nisar Hussain, Naik Rasheed Gul, Naik Irfanullah Khan, and Sepoy Usman (13.8.24)
25. Three terrorists of TTP were killed in an operation in North Waziristan (15.8.24). These terrorists have been termed ‘Fitna al-Khawaraj’.

Exchange of fire Near Torkham Border Crossing

The border forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan as learned through unconfirmed sources exchanged fire with light and heavy weapons for several hours after Pakistani side raised objection over the construction of a controversial check post by Afghanistan border guards very close to the border line near the Torkham crossing.  It led to close all type of movement/ traffic, shutting of markets and government offices and evacuation of people from the Bacha Miana residential compound near the border crossing to safe places. The incident also compelled the protesting transporters and custom clearing agents to wind up their protest camp. They had earlier established the camp near the Torkham border crossing after lodging several days protest the imposition of Temporary Admission Document on transporters of both countries who were earlier operating to and from without any legal documents (12.8.24).

PUNJAB

1. Three suspected robbers were killed by their accomplices in two separate encounters in Lodhran and Bahawalpur districts (3.8.24).

• Two police constables – Haji Muhammad and Rafiq were martyred and an ASI injured after armed robbers attacked a police picket in Sonmiana riverine area near Lounda Mor in Rajanpur district (9.8.24).

SINDH

1. A gang of dacoits abducted two policemen named Ayaz Ahmed Kumbar and Abdul Jabbar Solangi on gunpoint from a locality near Indus Highway and took them away to riverine area in Shikarpur district (4.8.24).

• CTD police claimed to have arrested two suspected terrorists identified as Jami, Ahmed Sheikh and Salahuddin Jatoi within the limits of Mohota police station in Larkana district. They were allegedly affiliated with proscribed Sindh Liberation Army (SLA) and explosives with six detonators were also recovered from their possession during the raid (10.8.24).

• Unidentified assailants fired three shots on the vehicle of the Dawood University of Engineering and Technology’s Vice Chancellor Dr Samreen Hussain which was parked in the Government Degree College in the Aorangi Town, Karachi. She came there to attend a function regarding Independence Day event and remained unhurt (13.8.24).

DEFENCE AND SECURITY

1. Pakistan and Turkey held joint naval drill in Arabian Sea. The two navies carried out coordinated patrols and naval exercises which ended upon the completion of a “goodwill” visit to Pakistan by Turkish Navy ship TCG Kinaliada (2.8.24).

• Chief of Staff of Turkish Naval Forces Vice Admiral Ibrahim Ozdem KOCER visited Naval Headquarters in Islamabad for 6th Pakistan Navy-Turkish Navy Expert Level Staff Talks. He held meetings with Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and discussed matters of professional matters of common interest between the two countries related to operations, training, and technical domains (3 and 4.8.24).

• On Youm-e-Istehsal, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, and the Pakistan Armed Forces reaffirmed their solidarity with the courageous and resilient people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and unequivocally supported their legitimate and protracted struggle for the inalienable right of self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The Pakistan Armed Forces paid tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their extraordinary sacrifices and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people in their righteous struggle against oppression and tyranny, on political, moral, and humanitarian grounds (5.8.24).

• The Armed Forces of Pakistan, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Committee, and the Services Chiefs extended heartfelt felicitations to nation on the Independence Day of Pakistan. The military media service ISPR further added that the Armed Forces reaffirm their unwavering commitment to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and values, upholding the trust reposed on them by the nation (14.8.24)

DIPLOMATIC DEVELOPMENT

Pakistan expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh and hope for peaceful and swift return of normalcy after countrywide protests resulted in the end of repressive rule of the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Wajid. Prime Minister Shehbaz felicitated Professor Muhammad Yunus as he took oath of the office of Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’ s interim government. Added that Pakistan looked forward to work with him to deepen cooperation between the two countries. Meanwhile, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson rejected all statements emanating from India accusing Pakistan of any kind of involvement in recent developments that took place in Bangladesh. The FO also stated that Pakistan would support all efforts to prevent war escalating in the Middle East after fresh round of Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Added that the recent OIC meeting had held Israel responsible for the assignation of Ismail Haniya, political chief of Hamas (7,9 & 10.8.24).

             Part-2- (Regional)

AFGHANISTAN

A seminar was held recently in Kandahar which was addressed by senior Taliban leaders including Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Acting Defence Minister Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid, Acting Minister of Propagation and Prevention of Vice Muhammad Khalid Hanfi, Acting Minister of Haj and Religious Affairs Noor Muhammad Saqib and Director General Intelligence Abdul Haq Wasiq in their speeches said that Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is united under one leadership. One this occasion, Maulvi Habitullah Akhundzada supreme leader of IEA stressed obedience to orders, unity and abandonment of regional discrimination and warned that distrust would lead to failure. Added that be careful not to be arrogant with power and this is jihad (3.8.24).

One person was killed, and eleven others wounded in a bomb blast targeting a minibus in Dasht-i-Barchi, a Shia populated area in Kabul. No group claimed responsibility of the attack, however, fingers are raising to IS-K/Daesh due to the pattern and past record of the militant outfit. A day ago, IEA spokesperson Zabihhullah Mujahid had as usual said that the entire Afghanistan was under complete control of the government and no foreign or domestic militant group were allowed to operate (11.8.24).

The spokesperson for the IEA while commenting on some reports, said that the Afghan government is investigating the alleged issue of Pakistan’s violations of Afghan airspace and if the same come true that will be responded seriously. Afghan media TOLO news further quoted those unconfirmed reports emerged regarding such violations in Kumar and Nangarhar provinces of Afghanistan. On the similar lines Acting Defence Minister Maulvi Muhammad Yaqoob said that significant efforts are being made to prevent any violations of the Afghanistan’s airspace. Further said that IEA forces are now capable of delivering a military response to any form of aggression (12 & 13. 8.24).

BANGLADESH

The prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina  of Awami League after her resignation, left the country in a helicopter and later a military plane C-130  aeroplane of the Bangladesh Air Force landed in Hindon Airbase in Ghazi Abad, UP, India where she was received by the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and other Indian officials. The Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman announced it to assume control for establishing an interim government in the country. She had been ruling the country since 2009 after in three consecutive elections. Her unceremonious ousting caused by nationwide protests of the students against unjustified 30 percent allocation of government jobs to the descendants of so-called freedom fighters from the 1971 independence war during Indian army offensive. She called the protesters as terrorists and tried to suppress the protest by force which later turned into nationwide uprising against her rule involving over three hundred killings, injuring many more and led arrest to thousands of youth protesters in clashes with police and security forces. After her fleeing, her house and number of government instructional offices and residences were vandalised and ransacked (5.8.24).

Meanwhile, a major reshuffle has been made in the Bangladesh Army by the COAS General Waqar-uz-Zaman Muhammad Yunus a Noble laureate took the title of “Chief Advisor” to a caretaker administration to lead an interim government in the country as per aspirations of the young protesters. President ordered to release former Prime Minster Mrs Khalida Zia of the National Party, and thousands of others from jails. It is learned that a number of officials of the former ruling Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina went into hiding after revenge attacks. There are reports of setting fire over ten temples and involved in violence against Hindu community which form 8 percent of the total population of the country. Sources near to the Indian BSF and and Bangladesh Border guards also quoted attempts of a number of persons to cross over to India vis various routes for taking refuge (10.8.24). A caretaker administration has been formed and the country is on the way to normalcy with receiving felicitation for people and government from all over the world.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a press briefing at Washington responding to media reports or rumours at her daily news conference refuted the allegations that USA interfered in the internal affairs of Bangladesh leading to the resignation and fleeing of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The media outlet www.deccanherald.com and Times of India further quoted the Press Secretary that it was choice and right by the Bangladeshi people should determine the future of their country. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina’s son! Sajeeb Wajid also reportedly stated that his mother never made such allegations (12.8.24). According to some geo- strategic and economic experts, the ongoing rivalries among China, Russia, and western countries on the see routes in Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean are evident by carrying out military drills in intervals and by making efforts to make more allies with the nations located there. However, the change in Bangladesh seems to be a great concern for India which supposed to considered it as one of its closest allies in strategic space perspective. The situation will become clear gradually in the days to come.

 INDIA / LOC / LAC

Indian government transferred the Director General of Borders Security Force (BSF) due to deficient performance to deal militancy in the Jammu region and handed over the command of the force to Daljit Singh Chowdhary, DG Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) until further order. SSB is a border guarding force of Indian deployed along frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan and is one of the seven central armed police forces under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Moreover, two battalions of Assam Rifles (AR) comprised of 1500 soldiers are going to be moved from Manipur in Northeast of India to the Illegal Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as additional reinforcement (2.8.24). Indian security forces and police continued arresting innocent Kashmiri youth from various places in IIOJK under fabricated charges of terrorism and anti-state activities. During their so-called anti militancy drive two soldiers of the Indian army were killed and three others injured in an encounter with the alleged militants in Kokernag area of Anantnag district (10.8.24).

Indian federal agencies – CBI and NIA in collaboration with the Interpol claimed arrest and extradition of pro Khalistan militant Tarsem Singh, the brother of Canada based Babar Khalsa International (BKI) leader Lakhbir Singh Landa to India after completing extradition formalities in the UAE. He is one of the facilitators and planners of BKI’s alleged terrorist activities in India included planning pf rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack on May 2022 at the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali (9.8.24).

Lt Gen VPS Khushak assumed the appointment of Adjutant General of the Indian Army (3.8.24). Senior commanders of the Indian army began touring the respective formations and deployment under their respective commands and jurisdictions more rapidly to review the security scenario and operational preparedness of the troops. These include visits of Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar GOC-in-c army Northern Command along with Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva GOC to Rajouri sector in IIOJK. The GOC of Srinagar based 15 Corps Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai to forward posts in Baramulla and Kupwara districts in IIOJK (3.8.24). Lt Gen Majinder Singh GOC-in-C Southwestern Command to Bathinda cantt alongside border with Pakistan, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth GOC-in-C of Southern Command to headquarters of Maharashtra, Gujrat, and Goa in Mumbai. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi visited HQ Director General Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Delhi where he was given briefing by Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General of BRO on critical infrastructure projects and capacity development initiatives of the organisation for strategic military support and socio- economic development in remote border areas. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan (CDS) addressing a conference hosted by industry body FICCI in New Delhi said that “the world is in the most violent phase of its existence, ever since World War II. The alleged proxy war by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir with sudden escalation in Pir Panjal range and border dispute with China are two major security challenges for India while issue of instability in neighbourhood without taking name of Bangladesh is another cause of concern as reported by www.indiandefensenews.in (2, 3,7 and 8.8.24).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to extend best wishes to Professor Muhammad Younus on the assumption of his new responsibilities and expressed hope for early return to normalcy in Bangladesh, emphasising to ensure safety and protection of Hindus and all minority communities there. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah revealed that the Indian government formed a committee to monitor the situation on Indo-Bangladesh border, maintain communication channels with the Bangladesh authorities to ensure safety of the Indian citizens and people belonging to minority communities following reports of violence against minorities there. The committee will be headed by the ADG of the Border Security Force (BSF) and Eastern Command of the Indian Army along with four other members (8 and 9.8.24).

IRAN / MIDDLE EAST

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian submitted the list of his proposed cabinet to the Parliament for a vote of confidence, several days after taking oath of his office. The proposed list included names to look after the respective ministries – Abdunnasir Hermit for Economic Affairs and Finance, Esmaeil Khateeb for intelligence, Abbas Aaqchi for Foreign Affairs, Arizona Nasirzadeh Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Affairs Eskandar Mo’meni Interior Affairs and Abbas Aliabadi for religion and cultural affairs. The presiding Board is to assess the proposed list for a week before an open session for the vote of confidence (11.8.24)

Hamas appointed its Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar on 7.8.24 as the political chief. He succeeds Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated in an Israeli targeted attack in Tehran on 31.7. 24. After his killing Iran announced to retaliate. It was reacted by the western countries as well as USA to send more weapons and additional reinforcement to their massive military power in the gulf with message for Iran to refrain from such conflict. Israel has been threatening to attack Lebanon particularly to target Hizballah bases considered to be an ally of Iran. Despite UN efforts and placid protestations by the USA and western countries, Israel continued its strikes in Ghaza and in recent attack on a School in Khan Younes over one hundred persons including women and children were killed. Till date over 39600 Palestinians have been killed and 91000 injured (14.8.24).