Part-1 Domestic

BALOCHISTAN

1. An eight-year-old child was reportedly killed, and 12 others were injured in two hand grenade attacks by terrorists at a hotel and a bridge near Quetta Railway Station (15.8.24).
2. Armed motorcyclists threw grenades at a security post in the Gharib Abad bypass area of Noshki district; however, no loss of human life was reported (15.8.24).
3. Five bullet-riddled bodies were found hanging from an electric pole near a college in Dalbandin city near the borders with Afghanistan and Iran. During efforts to identify them, Muhammad Yahya, a resident of Girdi Jungle Afghan refugee camp in Chagai district, visited the hospital where their bodies were kept. He identified them as Rosie Khan, Rehmat Ullah, Sami Ullah, Agha Wali, and Sardar Wali, all from the Lashkargah area of Afghanistan. The bodies were later handed over to their families via the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing. No group claimed responsibility for the incident. Investigations are ongoing to uncover those behind the murders and arrest the culprits (16 and 17.8.24).
4. Armed motorcyclists threw a hand grenade at a police vehicle near the University of Balochistan on Sariab Road, Quetta, which missed the target and injured three passersby (17.8.24).
5. A security forces personnel was reportedly martyred during an exchange of fire in a clash with Afghan border guards at the Gaznali check post in Nushki district (19.8.24).
6. Security forces killed three terrorists and injured three others during an exchange of fire in an IBO (Intelligence-Based Operation) in Mastung district. According to ISPR, the terrorists were affiliated with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and were involved in the martyrdom of Deputy Commissioner Panjgur Zakir Ali on 12th August, as well as in several other acts of terrorism (19.8.24).
7. In an unsuccessful attempt by terrorists to target a convoy of Frontier Corps, two passersby were injured in a remote-controlled IED blast in Qadriabad area of Nushki district (21.8.24).
8. A brutally tortured body of a young shepherd identified as Essa Khan, who had been missing for a day, was found in Mani Kahawa area of Shirani district (23.8.24).
9. Two children were killed, and 13 others, including two policemen, were wounded, and three vehicles were damaged in a bomb blast at a main market near Surkhab Chowk in Pishin district (24.8.24).
10. Armed persons shot dead one Abdul Waheed in the Mill Ada area of Nushki in Kech district. The proscribed militant organization BLA reportedly claimed responsibility for his killing (24.8.24).
11. In another incident, unknown gunmen killed a person identified as Abid Ali near the Absar area of Turbat in Kech district (24.8.24).
12. Levies forces recovered three AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, and over 3,500 rounds during a search of a car and arrested three suspected carriers at Gorman check post in Panjgur district (25.8.24).

Deadly Attacks in Balochistan on 26th August

1. The province faced a surge in violence beginning on the night of 25.8.24, with multiple attacks by terrorists across Balochistan, reaching a peak on the 18th death anniversary of the late Nawab Muhammad Akbar Bugti on 26.8.24. These attacks reportedly resulted in the killing of over 70 persons, including 23 passengers in Musakhel and eleven men and four Levies personnel in Kalat. In response, the security forces killed 21 terrorists and injured several others. These attacks included armed assaults on Pasni police station, a police station in Sunstar town of Gwadar, a Levies Force station in Khadkocha, and an exchange of fire with law enforcement agencies in Kalat, in which Assistant Commissioner Aftab Lasi was also injured. Blasts and grenade attacks were also reported in Sibi, Turbat, Bela, Quetta, and the blowing up of a railway track in Mastung. According to unconfirmed reports, the proscribed militant group BLA claimed responsibility for the attacks. Notably, these attacks included a gruesome incident in which a large group of 30-40 unidentified armed terrorists intercepted several vehicles, including buses and trucks, on the Inter-provincial Highway connecting Balochistan with Punjab near Rarah Sham in Musakhel district. They offloaded the passengers from the vehicles and, after checking their identifications through CNICs, killed 23 passengers, mostly from Punjab. They also set ablaze 23 vehicles, including 17 trucks, two passenger vans, and four pickup vans before fleeing the scene (25 and 26.8.24). It was also the death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti who was killed in a military operation on 26^th August 2006.
2. Security forces in three separate IBOs reportedly killed five terrorists and injured three others in Kech, Panjgur, and Zhob districts (29/30.8.24).

Comments:
While condemning these incidents, both the federal and provincial governments of Balochistan resolved not only to punish the responsible terrorists but also to eliminate the menace threatening the state, innocent citizens, and the CPEC project and its land routes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and other senior officials, visited Quetta on 28.8.24 to review the security situation. After chairing a meeting of the National Action Plan Apex Committee (NAP) there, they pledged to thwart any attempt by hostile forces to disrupt peace and development in Balochistan at any cost. He made it clear that dialogues could only be possible with those who respect the Constitution of Pakistan and the national flag. The Committee resolved to intensify counterterrorism efforts, leveraging multi-domain resources, and further strengthening intelligence sharing and coordination among security forces and law enforcement agencies. After the test attacks, a new Inspector General of Police, Moazzam Jah Ansari, has been posted in the province, and some more administrative changes in the province may take place. According to geopolitical and economic analysts, the surge in militancy is linked with domestic issues exploited and funded by self-exiled Baloch separatists abroad, in collaboration with foreign hostile forces, particularly India, with some hideouts in Afghanistan. The main objectives behind these attacks are to create instability and damage the CPEC project linked to Gwadar port, being developed with the support of China. (A detailed analytical report titled “How to Stop Bloodshed in Balochistan” written by Dr. Naveed Elahi, Chief Editor of The Strategic Brief is available at Strategicbrief.com, dated 28.8.24.)

ISLAMABAD

1. Two unknown armed men shot and injured a police constable when he attempted to stop them for checking at a temporary picket in Pangran area on Lehtrar Road of Islamabad (28.8.24).

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (KPK)

1. Attacks by terrorists on a check post and a police station were reportedly repulsed in Birmal tehsil of South Waziristan district (15.8.24).
2. A Police Head Constable, Siasat Khan, was martyred and a Constable injured when terrorists hurled a grenade at the Mayar security post in Lower Dir district (15.8.24).
3. Police claimed to have repulsed an attack at the Yakhtangay tourist spot in Shangla district (15.8.24).
4. Police claimed to have repulsed two gun and grenade attacks at a police post in Sakai Pul area and another police post near a protest camp in the tehsil compound of Jamrud in Khyber district (15.8.24).
5. Unidentified shooters killed one Zaka Ullah and injured his father and brother during an attack on them in Tappi area of North Waziristan district (16.8.24).
6. Two persons named Ghulam Yazdani and Aziz Ullah were shot dead by unknown assailants in Rehmanikhel area of Dera Ismail Khan district (16.8.24).
7. Four police personnel were injured in a targeted IED attack on their vehicle on Warsak Road, Peshawar (16.8.24).
8. Security forces killed three terrorists and arrested one injured during an exchange of fire in Razmak area of North Waziristan district (17.8.24).
9. CTD police killed two unidentified suspected terrorists in Chareeza area of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber district while the others managed to escape during an exchange of fire. It was learned that the raid was conducted after receiving a tip-off about the presence of 5-6 terrorists under commander Waleed, affiliated with the defunct TTP, who planned to target police and security forces in Hayatabad and Takhatbagh security posts. Two AK-47 rifles with five magazines and four hand grenades were also recovered from the hideout of the terrorists (17.8.24).
10. Security forces arrested 174 unregistered Afghan nationals during a search operation in Bacha Maina residential compound near Torkham border in Khyber district (17.8.24).
11. Two security forces personnel, named Havaldar Muhammad Shaukat and Sepoy Muhammad Imran, were martyred and three others injured during a terrorist attack on their convoy near Madi area in Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district (18.8.24).
12. A Police Constable, Nisar Ahmed, was martyred and two others injured in an ambush by terrorists on a police mobile van in Lakki Marwat district (18.8.24).
13. Security forces killed five Khawarji terrorists attempting to infiltrate into Pakistan from Afghanistan via the border in Bajaur district. However, during the exchange of fire, three soldiers, named Naik Inayat Khan, Lance Naik Umar Hayat, and Sepoy Waqar Khan, embraced martyrdom (18/19.8.24).
14. CTD police killed three terrorists identified as Rangeen Khan (commander), Saddam, and Qudrat Ullah during an exchange of fire in an IBO in Dera Ismail Khan district (19.8.24).
15. A police constable was injured, and the windshield of a mobile van was damaged as a result of a grenade thrown by terrorists at Takht Bahi police station in Mardan district (21.8.24).
16. The Police Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) defused a cache of explosives and mines found earlier in Laghari area of Bajaur district (21.8.24).
17. Two policemen were seriously injured in an attack on a security post in Somari Bala area of Hangu district (21.8.24).
18. An under-construction hospital was reportedly damaged in a bomb blast carried out by unknown miscreants in Sheeda village of Shewa tehsil in North Waziristan district (21.8.24).
19. A policeman was injured in a terrorist attack on Gokandao security post in Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur district (22.8.24).
20. A Police Constable, Muhammad Tahir, was reportedly martyred, and another wounded in an attack by unknown armed gunmen in Michenkhel area of Lakki Marwat district (23.8.24).
21. The body of one Shehryar Khan, who left his home five days ago, was found in Bari area of Swabi district (23.8.24).
22. Unknown shooters shot dead a tribal elder identified as Noor Muhammad Khan near a cricket stadium in Shahid Khan Kelly area in Janikhel town of Bannu (23.8.24).
23. One Zakirullah was killed, and three others were critically injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on them outside a mosque in Inayat Kelly town of Bajaur district (23.8.24).
24. Three workers of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), including Inayat and Salim, who were traveling in a vehicle, were intercepted by unknown armed gunmen in Bakkakhel area of Bannu district. Later, the kidnappers reportedly took them along with their vehicle to an unknown location and released a video clip of them as hostages (23.8.24).
25. Unknown armed persons killed one Rahat Ali Khan, a proclaimed offender in a robbery case, and took away his motorcycle in Bittani subdivision area of Lakki Marwat district. His uncle, who was also accompanying him to a kabaddi match, stated to the police that the assailants told the slain person that he was an informer who used to share information about their movements with the security forces (23.8.24).
26. Police intercepted a car and recovered a kidnapped person named Qamar Zaman, a bus driver, during a search at Naurang town of Lakki Marwat district. The three captors, identified as Obaidullah, Asghar, and Norman, were arrested, and a repeater gun, a pistol, and ammunition were seized from their possession (24.8.24).
27. Unknown terrorists killed Police Constable Qawwat Khan and injured another after attacking a security post in Marghai area of Kurram district (24.8.24).
28. Four persons were reportedly killed, and 15 others were wounded in a bomb attack targeting the vehicle of a former militant commander, Usman aka Liwanay, in Razmak area of North Waziristan district. He had surrendered to the security forces some time ago but remained unhurt in the attack (26.8.24).
29. Unidentified armed men shot dead Muhammad Umar Sherani, an active worker of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), at Kari Bakhytar Mor in Darban Kalat area of Dera Ismail Khan district (26.8.24).
30. Security forces have been conducting extensive IBOs in Tirah area of Khyber district against Fita-Al-Khwarij and the so-called Lashkar-e-Islam and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar since 20.8.24. So far, they have killed 25 terrorists, including their commander Abu Zar aka Saddam, and injured 11 others, as stated by the military media service ISPR. However, it added that during the operations, four soldiers also embraced martyrdom (27.8.24).
31. Police thwarted an attack by terrorists on a security post near a toll plaza on the Indus Highway in Lakki Marwat district (28.8.24).
32. According to unconfirmed reports, three brothers, including an army officer, were abducted by unknown armed persons from a mosque in Moholla Khadarkhel in Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district, where they were meeting people to offer condolences for their father. It was further learned that a video clip of two brothers was circulated, purportedly released by the outlawed TTP, appealing to the government to accept the demands of their captors in exchange for their release. However, no official confirmation of the incident has been made (28 and 29.8.24).

PUNJAB

1. Police thwarted a late-night attack by 50-60 terrorists at the Lakhani security post on the junction of Punjab-KPK border in Dera Ghazi Khan district (15.8.24).
2. Police claimed to have seized a number of prohibited bore weapons in a tip-off raid near Sargodha city. However, the suspected smugglers managed to escape during an exchange of fire. The cache comprised seven AK-47 rifles, 222 bore rifles, two 44 bore rifles, an M4 rifle, two 9mm semi-automatic pistols, three 30 bore pistols, 12 shotguns, and more than 1,200 bullets (16.8.24).
3. Six people were shot and injured by unknown armed motorcyclists near a Hera police station in Sargodha district (16.8.24).
4. One Iftikhar Kalsara, a resident of Basti Shah Habib in Layyah district, was reportedly kidnapped by a gang of bandits from the Kutcha (riverine) area in Sindh, who lured him by offering cheap seed and demanded a ransom of Rs30 million from his family. His family appealed to the government and police for his safe recovery (24.8.24).
5. Police killed two unidentified terrorists during an exchange of fire while repulsing an attack by a group of terrorists equipped with heavy weapons and grenades in Taunsa Sharif. However, during the exchange of fire, the SHO of Wahowa police station and a constable sustained injuries, while a bulletproof vehicle was damaged by the impact of a grenade blast (24.8.24).
6. Killing in Katcha: Two police vehicles carrying 22 personnel on board were targeted by dacoits with rockets and gunfire in Machka in the Katcha (riverine) area of Rahim Yar Khan district on 22.8.24. As a result, 12 cops were martyred, and nine others were injured. Later, police claimed to have killed the main suspect, Bashir Shar, and injured his five accomplices in an encounter. A number of gangs of dacoits and criminals, equipped with the latest weapons, including rocket launchers, have been active in the Katcha areas located between Punjab and Sindh. They are involved in murders, kidnappings for ransom, and other criminal activities. A number of operations carried out by the Punjab and Sindh police over the last several decades have failed to produce the desired results despite incurring heavy costs and deploying hundreds of police personnel in these areas. Most of their hideouts seem to be intact, and the possibility of links between these dacoit gangs and terrorists active in Balochistan and KPK cannot be ruled out. The Punjab government has reportedly announced a Rs10 million bounty for the arrest of the top bandit gangs operating in the Katcha area, and police have marked 20 such gangs in this regard, seeking cooperation from the Sindh government. There is a need to conduct a deep and thorough inquiry, keeping in view all the factors, to uncover the reported poor role of police in dealing with such incidents, internal defects in their strategy, and failures to observe SOPs, if any. Furthermore, issues such as corruption, leakage of information by some personnel equipped with inferior weapons, bulletproof jackets, mobile/lodging facilities, and less-trained personnel, lack of supervision by senior/supervisory officers, and patronage of some local political and landlord elite with dacoits for their vested interests must be addressed so that a comprehensive plan can be devised to prevent such incidents in the future (22, 23, and 24.8.24).
7. Two persons were killed, and fifteen were reportedly injured in an exchange of heavy fire after a clash between two rival sects over a Chehlum procession route in Kalabagh, district Mianwali. It was learned that tension had prevailed for the last few days over the new route of the procession; however, the district administration and Peace Committee settled the issue. Unfortunately, some miscreants reignited the issue, leading to an armed clash. Heavy contingents of police and Rangers reached the spot to maintain law and order (26.8.24).

SINDH

1. Unknown motorcyclists killed one Abdul Khalid near Sachal Mor on Super Highway in Karachi (19.8.24).
2. A school teacher, Fahad Khoso, was killed by unknown armed motorcyclists within the limits of Kashmore police station in Kandhkot-Kashmore district (22.8.24).
3. Two people were reportedly shot dead, nine others injured, and several vehicles were set on fire by unknown persons following a clash between two sectarian groups on Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Road near Golimar in Gulbahar area of Karachi. According to Dawn, the incident took place on the eve of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). Heavy contingents of Police and Rangers reached the area to control the situation and restore law and order (25.8.24).
4. Unknown gunmen killed a journalist, Muhammad Bachal Ghuniyo, associated with a private Sindhi TV channel in Rawanti Kutcha area in Mirpur Mathelo district. Investigations are underway to determine whether the motive behind the murder was an old enmity or an act of dacoits (27.8.24).
5. Police Constable Mahmood Lashari was martyred, and two other constables were injured during an attack on their mobile van by a group of dacoits near the Chimni area of Kandhkot-Kashmore district (29.8.24).

DEFENSE / SECURITY

Pakistan conducted a successful launch of a surface-to-surface training ballistic missile, Shaheen-II. The exercise aimed to train troops, validate various technical parameters, and evaluate the performance of different sub-systems incorporated for improved accuracy and enhanced survivability. The President, Prime Minister, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Services Chiefs congratulated Army Strategic Force Command, scientists, and engineers on this achievement (20.8.24).

General Li Qianoming, Commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Forces, called on General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at GHQ, Rawalpindi. During the meeting, they held in-depth discussions on matters of mutual interest, regional security, military training, and further strengthening bilateral defense cooperation. The visiting dignitary expressed admiration for Pakistan’s concerted efforts in combating terrorism and extremism, acknowledging the unwavering professionalism and dedication of the Pakistan Army. The COAS expressed his gratitude to the dignitary, reiterating that Pakistan deeply cherishes its fraternal ties with its trusted friend China. The Chinese dignitary also called on Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and held discussions for further bilateral cooperation between all-weather strategic partners and friends—Pakistan and China. President Asif Ali Zardari, during a ceremony, conferred upon him the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) award in recognition of his services for promoting defense cooperation between the two countries (26 and 27.8.24).

Pakistan Navy ship PNS Yarmook conducted a drill with the Royal Navy Ship of Oman named Al-Seeb during the Regional Maritime Security Patrol in the Gulf of Oman. The exercise demonstrated synergy, interoperability, and understanding between the two navies while showcasing joint operations in the region. According to Arab News, the newly commissioned Pakistan Navy ship PNS Hunain visited Jeddah last week to take part in a bilateral exercise with the Royal Saudi Navy. In the recent past, Pakistan and Turkish naval ships also conducted joint drills in the North Arabian Sea (28.8.24).

DIPLOMATIC DEVELOPMENTS

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Juan, responding to a question at a daily press briefing regarding the 26th August terrorist attacks in Balochistan, said that Beijing “firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and will continue to support Pakistan in advancing counter-terrorism operations, maintaining social unity and stability, and protecting people’s safety.” The multiple attacks targeted security forces, police, and civilians, killed innocent people, and destroyed public and private infrastructure, including roads and railway vehicles, in various locations in Balochistan. She added that China is willing to further strengthen counter-terrorism and security cooperation with Pakistan to jointly safeguard regional peace and security, as quoted by Tribune (27.8.24).

A Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson, during a weekly press briefing, said that Pakistan, along with other leaders, sent an invitation to PM Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of government meeting being organized in Islamabad on 15-16 October 2024. SCO comprises Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Bilateral relations between the two countries deteriorated after the revocation of Article 370 on 5th August 2019, which ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under the Indian Constitution (30.8.24).

The FO spokesperson, while responding to a query, dismissed the suggestion of IEA spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid about the Afghan Taliban’s latest offer to mediate between Pakistan and the defunct outfit TTP, terming it an insult to the thousands of victims of TTP’s terrorist activities. She also noted that Pakistan has not only bilaterally shared concrete evidence of the involvement of Afghan-based individuals and groups in terrorist incidents in Pakistan but has also provided reports about the presence of terror groups, including TTP, in Afghanistan (30.8.24).

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, addressing the Senate, said that the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan were planned to ruin the Pakistan Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad on 15-16 October 2024 under the rotating chairmanship (30.8.24).

PM Shehbaz Sharif, in a telephonic conversation with the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, congratulated him on his new role, lauded his contributions to socio-economic development, and expressed sympathies over the devastation caused by recent floods in Bangladesh. The two leaders agreed that there is a need to work closely for the progress and prosperity of the people not only of both countries but also in South Asia (30.8.24).

Part-2 REGIONAL

AFGHANISTAN

The Special Police Force of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) rescued three abductees, including a reporter from Radio Mawlawi, during a raid on the kidnappers’ hideout in Sheikh Misri town of Nangarhar province. Six students were killed, and several others, including four Taliban police officers, were injured in a bomb blast in Darra Noor district of Nangarhar province. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet, but suspicion is being directed towards ISIS-K/Daesh, the archrival of the Taliban, due to the pattern of the attack (18, 21.8.24). According to a report, a new trade route between China and Afghanistan has been symbolically activated. The first truck recently departed from Kashgar in Xinjiang province, crossed the Khunjerab border, traveled through Pakistan, and finally arrived in Kabul. Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, said that Afghanistan is trying to increase communication routes with neighboring countries, including China, so that commercial goods can be easily transferred to and from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Acting Minister of Rural Development Muhammad Younas Akhundzada said that the remaining work on the bridges, culverts, and retaining walls for the Wakhan-China Road is ongoing to connect it with Afghanistan. Economic experts believe that the IEA should focus more on the Silk Road and the Wakhan corridor to increase trade with China (21 and 24.8.24).

Acting Minister of Higher Education and Universities Neda Mohammad Nadim said that the reopening of educational institutions for girls in the country has not yet been decided. However, research by scholars is ongoing within the framework of Islamic Sharia, and if they conclude in their recommendations that educating females is permissible, permission might be granted. IEA Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat claimed that nearly 1,500 drug factories in the country have been destroyed in the last two years. The head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, met with officials and people in Kandahar to discuss alternative crops for farmers who previously grew poppies. The Deputy Governor stressed the need for practical action by the UN regarding the same and to help treat drug addicts (24 and 25.8.24).

Taliban-led IEA Chief of Staff Fasihuddin Fitrat reportedly refuted claims by Pakistani and Pentagon officials about the presence of ISIS-K/Daesh and TTP within Afghanistan. He asserted that Daesh had been eliminated from Afghan territory while TTP does not maintain any bases in Afghanistan (28.8.24).

INDIA / LOC / LAC

Indian security forces, during their so-called anti-militancy drive and in preparation for the forthcoming state assembly polls in the Illegal Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), continued the killing of Kashmiri youth in fake encounters and arrests on fabricated charges. Army Captain Deepak Singh and four militants were killed during an exchange of fire with militants in Doda area; ASI police officer Muhammad Sharif was found dead in Srinagar; CRPF Inspector Deepak Kumar was killed during an exchange of fire with militants in Dadu area of Udhampur district; and four unidentified militants were killed in encounters in Sopore and Kupwara (14, 17, 19, 24, and 28.8.24).

Indian Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar remarked that the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan was over. He added that insofar as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned Article 370 (Constitution of India) is done. Pakistan rejected India’s claim on Jammu and Kashmir and the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson termed Jaishankar’s statements as ‘misleading’  and ‘dangerously delusional’.

The Indian Election Commission announced three-phase state assembly elections for 92 seats to be held on 18th, 25th September, and 1st October, with the announcement of results on 4th October, 2024. Several political parties are taking part in the elections; however, the main contest is expected to be between BJP, the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). They have started announcing their candidates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders appear to be leading the election campaign directly under their supervision, while senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently visited IIOJK to forge an alliance with NC led by Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah. Union Minister and BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in-charge for elections, G. Kishan Reddy, said that people have two choices in the upcoming elections: to choose terrorism and separatism or development and peace. He alleged that the opposition parties’ alliance is aimed at reviving terrorism and separatism in J&K to ensure Pakistan and its proxies. Meanwhile, PM Modi congratulated the people of Ladakh region on the creation of five new districts. The region has a border with Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) in Pakistan on LOC and with China on LAC. The new districts are named Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang (26, 27, 28, and 30.8.24).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, and held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky after touring Poland. The visit was significant because Ukraine and some Western countries reacted sharply to his visit to Moscow and meeting with President Vladimir Putin. According to current affairs analysts, PM Modi-led India wants to maintain balanced relations between the two nations or blocs to promote the image of non-alignment in geopolitics. It is significant to note that India is a strategic partner of the two rival powers, Russia and the USA, simultaneously (22 and 23.8.24).

The Indian government appointed a senior IAS officer from the 1989 batch as the new Union Home Secretary, Rajwinder Singh Bhatti, as Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Daljit Singh Chaudhary as Director General of the Border Security Force (23 and 27.8.24).

An Indian Army tactical UAV (drone) reportedly engaged in a surveillance mission inadvertently crossed the LOC and landed in the Rajouri sector on the Pakistani side, as quoted by India Today (23.8.24). Chief of Indian Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, accompanied by GOC-in-C Eastern Command Lt Gen R. C. Tiwari and Lt Gen Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC of 111 Corps, held a meeting with Chief Minister Manipur N. Biren Singh in Imphal. They reportedly discussed the internal security situation and the role of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles in the early return of peace and stability in the state, which has faced ethnic violence in recent past (24.8.24). The National Security Guard (NSG) commandos carried out a two-day mock drill related to counter-terrorism operations in coordination with state police at multiple locations including Kullu and Manali in Himachal Pradesh (27 and 28.8.24).

The Indian Navy commissioned the second Arihant-Class nuclear-powered missile submarine, INS Arighat, in Visakhapatnam in a ceremony where Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guest. It is learned that India is working on having five Arihant-class boats along with six nuclear attack submarines to be built in three blocks. The National Security Guard (NSG) commandos carried out a series of two-day mock drills in coordination with the police at multiple locations, including Kullu and Manali in Himachal Pradesh (29.8.24).

IRAN

Iranian authorities reportedly announced the arrest of 14 members of ISIS-Khorasan following a series of security operations. Of them, seven were apprehended in Fars province, while the others were arrested in Tehran, Alborz, and Khuzestan provinces. However, their identities were not disclosed (23.8.24).

The Iranian Parliament, after four days of deliberation, gave its approval to all the proposed cabinet members of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Three ministers from the late President Ibrahim Raisi’s cabinet were retained, including the Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib. However, the majority of the 19 ministers, notably the only female minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadeghi, are assuming their roles for the first time. President Pezeshkian said that he was looking to create national unity, and the majority of the lawmakers demonstrated national interest above party politics. According to geopolitical analysts, the approval of the proposed cabinet represents confidence in him by the Iranian nation and conveys a message to both domestic and international audiences that various institutions of the government are united and support the president’s policies. This is significant in the backdrop of the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, the assassination of Hamas political wing chief Ismail Haniyeh by Israel, and Tehran’s seeking engagement in talks with the West to terminate US sanctions on the country on nuclear and other issues. The leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, during his first meeting with the new President and his cabinet, called for using the existing capacities of the country for Iran’s progress (22 and 26.8.24).

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, during an inspection visit to the Khosravi border crossing with Iraq, said that revenge for the assassination of the Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh will be taken soon from the Zionist regime. Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, also echoed similar sentiments, stating that Iran will not fall into the enemy’s trap of media provocation and that revenge will certainly be taken from Israel in this regard (24 and 26.8.24)