Bombs Blasts/IEDs
Five persons were killed and two others injured when a mortar shell exploded in Akbarpura area of Pabbi tehsil (revenue unit) in Nowshera District September 29, reports Pakistan Today. Five killed in the blast were identified as Shafqat, Mukarram, Ali, Zahidullah and Hidayatullah. District Police Officer (DPO) Najmul Hasnain said the mortar shell was found near the riverside at Akburpura, which exploded when being sold at the scrap shop.
Separately, four persons were killed and three others injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion in Judge Bazar area of Mardan District on September 29, reports ARY News. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sher Akbar, the IED was planted in a motorcycle parked on the roadside. “The target of terrorists was a police mobile,” he added.
At least 10 persons were injured in a hand grenade blast at Samungli Road of Quetta, on October 14, reports Daily Times. Police said that militants threw a hand grenade at laborers working in the area.
At least six Army personnel were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on a Security Forces’ (SFs) convoy in Razmak area of North Waziristan District on October 15, reports Geo TV. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, “Terrorist IED attack on security forces convoy near Razmak, North Waziristan. Resultantly 1 officer and 5 soldiers embraced shahadat”.
A filling station was attacked with a hand-grenade in the Sufaid Sang area under Mechanai gate Police Station of Peshawar on October 17, reports The Express Tribune. Police said that unidentified persons riding a bike attacked the fuel station with a hand-grenade in the Sufaid Sang area. However, no human loss was reported. The building of the fuel station was partially damaged.
At least six persons sustained injuries after an explosion occurred inside a passenger bus near Shireen Jinnah Colony in Karachi on October 20, reports Pakistan Today. South Zone Police officials confirmed that the explosion occurred due to ‘explosive material’ as no piece of the gas cylinder was recovered from the affected site.
Seven persons were killed and 17 others received injuries when an improvised explosive device (IED) attached to a motorbike exploded in the Hazarganji area of Quetta on October 25, reports Pakistan Today. The explosion occurs as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) kicked off its third power show in Quetta amid heightened security measures owing to a threat alert issued by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). Considering NACTA’s security alert, mobile phone services have been suspended, whereas pillion riding has also been banned in the city. Section-144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was also imposed in the provincial capital.
Targeted Killings
A Professor, Naeemuddin Khattak, belonging to the Ahmadiya community, was shot dead in a targeted attack when he was on his way home after finishing his classes at Government Superior Science College, under Bhana Mari Police Station in Peshawar on October 5, allegedly over his religious beliefs, reports Dawn. In a statement, Jamaat-i-Ahmadiyya Pakistan spokesperson Saleemuddin said Naeemuddin was targeted due to his Ahmadi faith, adding that the deceased had previously been facing “threats and boycott”. The Police complainant, meanwhile, nominated a friend of the deceased who is a lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, and another man as suspects behind the murder. According to the FIR, Naeemuddin and his alleged killer (the lecturer) had a heated argument over a religious issue a day earlier.
Miscellaneous
Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) on September 27 seized a large haul of narcotics from Badook area of Pasni tehsil (revenue unit) in Gwadar District, reports ARY News. The Coast Guards recovered 2192 kilograms consignment of high-quality hashish. The cost of the hashish in the international market was estimated around PKR 3.63 billion, said the PCG spokesperson.
An Army Captain, Abdullah Zafar (25) was killed in a militant attack on the Security Forces in Shakai area of South Waziristan District on September 28, reports ARY News. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the SFs got the intelligence of militant presence in Shakai area and started night patrolling to check militant movement in the area. The unidentified militant opened fire on the Army personnel. During the exchange of fire, Captain Abdullah Zafar, resident of Lachi area of Kohat District, was killed.
The dead body of a Hindu trader, Ram Chand, from Khairpur was found in an irrigation canal near Setharja area of Khairpur District in Sindh On September 28, reports Samaa TV. Ram Chand went ‘missing’ a few days earlier when he went shopping in the town.
The Security Forces (SFs) shot dead two militants and arrested one during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan District on October 2, reports The News. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said: “[Two] hardcore terrorists including an IED specialist [were] killed, while one terrorist apprehended.” According to ISPR, the terrorists were involved in killing innocent locals, extortion, planning and executing more than 25 terrorist attacks SFs.
The police on October 9 conducted a raid at a house in the Madni area of Dera Ghazi Khan town and arrested two militants, reports ARY News. According to Police, the militants had moved to Madni area six days ago and were living in a rented house.
Two soldiers were killed and three others sustained injuries in militant attack on a security post in the Manra Mendara area of Shawal valley on October 10, reports Dawn. Officials said militants fired rockets and attacked the post in the Manra Mendara area in the pre-dawn attack.
One suspected militant was shot dead and one policeman injured during an exchange of fire between police and militants in the Manglor area of Swat District in the night of October 11, reports Samaa TV. According to District Police Officer (DPO) Qasim Ali Khan, the suspected unidentified militants opened fire on a police van was patrolling the area and injured a policeman. In the ensuing exchange of fire, one militant was shot dead while others managed to escape.
Unidentified armed persons abducted six Shia pilgrims at Goldsmid line in Panjgur District of Balochistan on October 11, reports The Balochistan Post. According to police, the abducted pilgrims were coming from Iran and they belonged to Karachi of Sindh. The pilgrims spent 50 days in Mashhad of Iran, and were on their way to Karachi. The kidnappers released two women and took six male pilgrims with them, police said.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on October 12 arrested a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant, identified as Minhajuddin alias Minhaj, from Korangi town area of Karachi, reports The Express Tribune. According to CTD investigation in-charge Chaudhry Safdar. Minhajuddin, who belongs to TTP’s Banu Akhtar Group, was a bomb-making and installing expert and he was in Karachi as part of his plans to leave the country. Weapons recovered from his possession.
On October 12, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested a man named Lal Badshah, a target killer belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement London (MQM-L) from Korangi town area of Karachi, reports The Express Tribune. Weapons recovered from his possession. CTD investigation in-charge Chaudhry Safdar said Badshah was an accomplice of MQM-L worker and suspected target killer Raees alias Mama.
An Army soldier, identified as Havaldar Tanveer, was killed and another one injured in terrorist firing from across the Afghan border on the Army border post in Bajaur District on October 14, reports The Express Tribune.
At last 14 persons, including seven Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, were killed on October 15 when an Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) convoy was attacked by Baloch militants on the Coastal Highway near Ormara area of Gwadar District in Balochistan, reports Geo TV. Seven private security guards were also killed. Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) claimed the responsibility of the attack. In an email sent to media outlets, the BRAS claimed that “BRAS fighters eliminated more than 15 enemy personnel and agents of exploitative company” in the attack.
A soldier was killed and five others injured in an ambush by militants in a mountainous area, some 70 kilometers away from the District Headquarters Turbat, in Kech District of Balochistan on October 16, reports Samaa TV. Levies Force said militants fired rockets and used small weapons. The dead soldier was identified as Lance Naik Waseem.
Security Forces (SFs) on October 22 recovered a cache of explosive material during a raid in the Qamaruddin Karez area of Zhob District, reports ARY News. The seized explosives include eight bombs weighing six to eight kilogrammes, a bag full of material used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs), remote control, detonators, ball bearings, and wires.
At least four militants were killed and two Policemen were injured in an encounter in Dasht area of Mastung District in Balochistan on October 23, reports Samaa TV. According to Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), an exchange of fire between suspected militants and Security Forces (SFs) took place in Dasht area when SFs have surrounded the area and launched a search operation.
Two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were killed by Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) during an encounter on Jaffarabad Road in Sukkur city (Sukkur District) of Sindh on October 25, reports The Express Tribune. According to CTD officials, an operation was carried out on Jaffarabad Road in Sukkur on a tip-off from the federal agency. Militants on motorcycles indiscriminately opened fire to avoid arrest. However, both the terrorists were injured in retaliatory firing; they died on the way to the hospital.
PAKISTAN
Hasty international withdrawal from Afghanistan would be unwise, states Prime Minister Imran Khan
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on September 26, said the hasty international withdrawal from Afghanistan would be unwise. In an opinion piece for The Washington Post, Khan said that all partners in the Afghan peace process should “resist the temptation” for setting early timelines and guard against those actors who wish to see instability in Afghanistan for their own geopolitical interest. The stakeholders involved in the Afghan peace process should refrain from the temptation for setting “unrealistic” timelines for an early withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan as it would be “unwise” to do so, said PM Khan. Talking about the ongoing talks, Khan said that intra-Afghan negotiations will require patience and compromise from all sides. He said that “a bloodless deadlock on the negotiating table is infinitely better than a bloody stalemate on the battlefield.”
AQIS militant shot dead in CTD encounter in Karachi
A militant of al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), identified Saeed alias Loha, was shot dead in an encounter with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on the Hawkes Bay Road in Musharraf Colony area of Karachi in the night of September 30, reports The Express Tribune. According to CTD in-charge Mazhar Mashwani, the police launched an operation near Musharraf Colony based on a tip-off but were met with gunfire. As the police retaliated, one militant was shot at and injured, he said, adding that his accomplices managed to escape from the spot. The injured militant Saeed succumbed to his injuries on his way to hospital. “Saeed is a member of AQIS and some of his accomplices were killed in drone attacks in 2016,” stated Mashwani, adding that the slain terrorist had been trained in Afghanistan. He further stated that Saeed had fled back to Afghanistan in 2016 and had recently returned to Pakistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are at the threshold of a new era of bilateral relations, says Chairman of National Reconciliation in Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah
The Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation in Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah said on September 29, that Pakistan and Afghanistan are at the threshold of a new era of bilateral relations based on mutual respect and shared prosperity, reports Daily Times. Abdullah was speaking at a public talk organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in which he talked about the negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan Government in Qatar (Doha) and bilateral relations. “Peace and prosperity in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are interdependent. There was a need to go beyond the rhetoric and the usual conspiracy theories, as one cannot afford to pursue dissolution,” the Afghan leader said. “We need to take into account the current geo-political shifts and draw necessary lessons about our gains, losses, threats and opportunities. We should aim to reduce tensions, promote moderation, increase regional connectivity, trade, transit, economic integration, business to business and more importantly, people to people interactions,” Abdullah stated.
SC declares report on missing persons ‘unsatisfactory’, directs Balochistan Police to recover them in two weeks
The Supreme Court (SC) on October 1 declared the report submitted by Balochistan Police on five missing persons “unsatisfactory” and directed the law enforcers to recover them within two weeks, reports Dawn. A three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Faisal Arab, was hearing the case at the SC’s Quetta Registry. The top court had earlier taken suo motu notice of the disappearances. Additional Chief Secretary Hafiz Basit, Member of Balochistan Assembly Qadir Nayal and Senior Superintendent of Police Operations Quetta Ghulam Asghar appeared in the court during hearing. “Have you considered the people as garbage?” Chief Justice asked the police. The police should immediately recover all the missing persons, he directed.
Supreme Court declines to extend detention of accused in Daniel Pearl murder case
The Supreme Court declined on October 7 to grant an extension in the detention of four men acquitted in the Daniel Pearl murder case, reports Samaa TV. The case was adjourned until October 21. On April 2, the Sindh High Court overturned the death sentence for British-born militant Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, who had been convicted in the case in 2002. His sentence was commuted to seven years and a fine of PKR 2,000,000 was imposed on him. Other three accused, Adil Sheikh, Salman Saqib and Fahad Nasim, were acquitted. They had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment. However, Pearl’s parents and the Sindh Government on May 2 had filed appeals in the Supreme Court against the Sindh High Court’s order. The Sindh Government decided on July 15 to extend detention of the four men.
Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and NATO officials hold meeting with Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa
The United States (US) Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and commander of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan General Scott Miller called on Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on October 8 regarding Afghan peace process, reports The News. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), matters related to mutual interest, peace and stability in the region; Pak-Afghan border management; and current developments in the Afghan peace process were discussed during the meeting held at the General Headquarter in Rawalpindi.
Jamia Farooqia head Maulana Adil Khan and his driver shot dead in Karachi of Sindh
Maulana Adil Khan, an influential Sunni Muslim cleric, and head of Karachi’s Jamia Farooqia seminary, was shot dead along with his driver, Maqsood Ahmed, in a suspected sectarian target attack in Shah Faisal Colony in Shah Faisal Town of Karachi on October 10, reports Dawn. Maulana Adil was the son of late prominent scholar Maulana Saleemullah Khan, who founded the Jamia Farooqia, located in Shah Faisal Colony. Maulana Adil, a scholar from the Sunni Deobandi sect, completed a Ph.D. in religious studies and had taught in Malaysia before returning to Karachi a few years ago after the death of his father Maulana Saleemullah, who had remained a student at the Darul Uloom Deoband in India.
NACTA warned of imminent TTP attacks in Quetta of Balochistan and Peshawar of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) on October 22 warned that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is planning attacks on political and religious leaderships across Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, and Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the near future, reports ARY News. The NACTA alert comes on the eve of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) gatherings scheduled in the many cities including, Quetta and Peshawar, wherein NACTA has warned the possible attacks coordinated by TTP could target high-profile persons from religious and political parties. The authority has alerted the relevant Law Enforcing Agencies that the recent evidence collected from Qamar Din Karen in its raid on October 21 found the explosives and devices planned to be used in the said possible attacks. NACTA has, thus, suggested LEAs in its letter to heighten the security provided to the leadership of religious and political parties.
FATF kept Pakistan in grey list, urges to complete action plan by February 2021
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) found that Pakistan has successfully complied with 21 out of 27 points of action and decided to keep the country on its ‘grey list’ until February 2021, the FATF’s President Marcus Pleyer said on October 23, reports Dawn. President Marcus Pleyer announced the decision at a virtual press conference held after the body’s three-day plenary session came to an end today. The FATF reviewed Pakistan’s progress on the 27-point action plan for addressing anti-money laundering and terror financing in its plenary session that started on October 21. In a statement issued after the plenary session concluded, the FATF said: “To date, Pakistan has made progress across all action plan items and has now largely addressed 21 of the 27 action items. As all action plan deadlines have expired, the FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by February 2021.”
The statement added that Pakistan needed to work on four areas to “address its strategic deficiencies”. These include: demonstrating that law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are identifying and investigating the widest range of terror financing activity, which target designated persons and entities, and those who act on the behalf/direction of the designated persons or entities; demonstrating that terror financing prosecutions result in effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions; demonstrating effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions against all 1267 and 1373 designated terrorists and those acting for or on their behalf; preventing the raising and moving of funds including in relation to non-profit organisations; identifying and freezing assets; and prohibiting access to funds and financial services; demonstrating enforcement against violation of terror financing sanctions, including in relation to NPOs, of administrative and criminal penalties and provincial and federal authorities cooperating on enforcement cases.
Afghanistan – Internal Dynamics
Taliban mounts attacks in 24 provinces in past day, says Afghan MoD
The Afghan Ministry of Defence on September 27 said that the Taliban staged attacks in 24 provinces of the country over the past 24 hours, reports Tolo News. The provinces are Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan, Kapisa, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Logar, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kandahar, Zabul, Herat, Farah, Badghis, Ghor, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul, Balkh, Helmand, Kunduz, Badakhshan and Baghlan
10 persons, five security force and four civilians killed in a suicide explosion in Helmand Province
On September 30, a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device at a police checkpoint, killing nine people, including five security force members and four civilians, in the Helmand-Kandahar highway in Nare Saraj District in Helmand Province, reports Tolo News.
Suicide bomber blows himself up in front of an IEC official’s home in Kabul Province
A suicide attacker blew up himself in PD8 of Kabul city in Kabul Province in front of the house of Yalda Azimi, a provincial commissioner of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), reports Tolo News on October 1. The provincial commissioner survived the suicide attack.
Fifteen persons killed in car bomb attack in Nangarhar Province
At least 15 persons are killed and 32 others injured in a car bomb attack in Ghanikhail District in Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan on October 3, reports The Khaama Press. Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the Nangarhar Governor said, a number of attackers tried to enter the District building but were stopped and killed by the Security Forces (SFs). The identities of those killed and injured were not yet clear, Khogyani added.
Eight persons killed in a suicide attack on Governor of Laghman Province
On October 5, eight persons were killed when a suicide bomber targeted the convoy of Governor of Laghman Province Rahmatullah Yarmalin Mehrmalam city of Laghman Province, reports Tolo News. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that four of the Governor’s guards were killed along with four civilians and 38 civilians were injured. Asadullah Dawlatzai, the Governor’s spokesman, confirmed the blast and said that the Governor has survived. No group, including the Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Six SF personnel killed in Kunduz Province
Taliban militants killed at least six Afghan Security Force personnel after the militants attacked a security checkpoint in Imam Sahib District in Kunduz Province on October 7, reports bhaktarnews.com.
27 people, including 23 Taliban militants and four SF personnel, killed in Faryab Province
23 Taliban militants and four Security Force (SF) personnel were killed when militants attacked a military checkpoint in Qaisar District of Faryab Province on October 9, reports bhaktarnews.com.
28 Taliban militants killed in counter attack by ANDSF in Helmand Province
28 Taliban militants were killed in counter attacks by Afghan National Defence and Security Force (ANDSF) commandos, in 601 Highway, Nad Ali District, and the Babaji area in Police District 4 of Lashkargah in Helmand Province, reports Tolo News on October 13. The Security Forces have created five new checkpoints in Nad Ali District.
Rising level of violence in Afghanistan is threatening peace, warns Zalmay Khalilzad
The United States (US) peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on October 15 urged the Taliban to remain committed to the implementation of the US-Taliban peace agreement, warning that the rising level of violence in the country is threatening peace, reports Tolo News. Khalilzad said, “Attacks have been on the rise in recent weeks – threatening the peace process and alarming the Afghan people and their regional and international supporters.” He added, “Following several meetings General Miller [Austin S. Miller, Commander of North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces–Afghanistan] and I had with the Taliban, we agreed to re-set actions by strictly adhering to implementation of all elements of the US-Taliban Agreement and all commitments made. This means reduced numbers of operations. At present too many Afghans are dying. With the re-set, we expect that number to drop significantly.” Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem tweeted that the group’s chief negotiator Mawlavi Abdul Hakim met with the Khalilzad and Gen. Miller and the two sides discussed the implementation of the Doha peace agreement. Naeem, however, did not mention that an agreement was made for both sides to reduce operations.
Three persons killed in bomb explosion in Parwan Province
A roadside bomb blast killed three persons, including Jamal head of the crimes department, and two of his accomplices in Salang District in Parwan Province of Afghanistan on October 17, reports The Khaama Press. Wahida Shahkar, spokeswoman for the governor of Parwan said, the incident took place in Lalmah-e-Sabzak village in Salang District, adding, the blast was caused when the Police Ranger vehicle collided with a roadside mine.
‘US Defeated in Afghanistan’, says HeI supremo Gulbuddin Hekmatyar
On October 20, the leader of the Hizb-e-Islami (HeI) party, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, at a press conference said that the United States has been “defeated in Afghanistan,” adding that Washington has “no choice except to leave the country,” reports Tolo News. HeI supremo Gulbuddin Hekmatyar made this remark in Islamabad. “Current talks in Doha are between the team of Arg (Presidential Palace) and the Taliban. These talks are not intra-Afghan talks, because there is no presence of many Afghan political parties in these talks, we are not there. There is a need for consensus first so that we can go towards talks with a unified idea,” said Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
20 ANA Personnel killed in Taliban Attack in Nimroz Province
On October 22, at least 20 Afghan National Army (ANA) personal were killed in a Taliban attack on their outpost in Khashrod District of Nimroz Province, reports Tolo News. The District Governor of Khashrod Jalil Ahmad Watandost said that the District Governor said that six others were taken hostage by the Taliban
31 persons, including 30 Civilians, one suicide bomber, killed in Kabul Province
30 civilians, mostly students, were killed when a suicide bomber detonated himself in the Pul-e-Khoshk area of Dasht-e-Barchi, a Shia dominated neighbourhood, in Kabul city of Kabul Province on October 24, reports Tolo News. Terror group Islamic State (IS) terror claimed its local affiliate IS Khorasan Province (ISKP) branch plotted the attack adds Voice of America.
Bangladesh – Internal Dynamics
Neo-JMB declares its new ‘chief’ and bring changes in top leadership, say sources
According to sources militant outfit Neo-Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) has declared its new ‘chief’ and brought changes in the top leadership as the terror group is trying to get back on its feet by reorganising its structure, reports The Daily Star on September 29. The organisational name of the new ‘chief’ is Abul Abbas Al-Bangali Hafizullah, who is of Bangladeshi origin and now staying abroad. According to sources, the new Sura members are Abu Amer Al Bangali, Abu Ruham Al Bengali, Abu Adnan Al Bangali, Abu Dujana Al Bangali and Abu Ahsan Al Bangali. Like the new chief, most of them are staying out of the country. As the chief and most of the Sura members are abroad, only some sleeper cell leaders of the outfit are now steering the activities inside the country, the official added.
Ansar Al Islam cadre arrested in Narayanganj District
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on September 29, arrested a cadre of the banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam from Ashulia of Narayanganj District in Dhaka Division, reports Dhaka Tribune. The arrestee is identified as Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman (39). Huge quantity of extremist propaganda-based books, leaflets and promotional brochures were recovered from him. Mahbubur confessed to promoting extremist propaganda through different social media platforms, such as Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, etc, and recruiting young people by meeting them in person afterwards.
Three JMB cadres arrested in Rajshahi District
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on September 30 arrested three cadres of the banned militant group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from Belpukur area in Rajshahi District of the Rajshahi Division, reports Dhaka Tribune. The arrested persons are Abdul Hannan (39), Shahidul Islam (31) and Ziaur Rahman (40).
Death warrant issued against war criminal Syed Mohammad Qaiser
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on October 22 issued a death warrant against Jatiya Party leader and former State Minister Syed Mohammad Qaiser over crimes against humanity he committed during the Liberation War in 1971, reports Dhaka Tribune. The death warrant has been sent to the Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj, Secretaries of the Home Ministry and Law Ministry, and district magistrate. Qaiser can file a petition seeking a review of the death penalty within 15 days. On December 23, 2014, Qaiser was sentenced to death when the prosecution proved seven charges against him. Qaiser was charged in another four cases for which he was awarded life imprisonment, and three cases for which he was awarded 22 years of imprisonment.
India – Internal Dynamics
Maoist posters recovered in West Bengal
Security Forces (SFs) recovered Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-M) posters bearing the names of local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders at Parui area in Batikar village in Birbhum District of West Bengal on September 27, reports IANS. The posters were initially spotted by the villagers who immediately informed the Police following which an investigation has been initiated into the matter.
Maoists put up posters in Jharkhand
The Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres put up hand-written posters, warning ‘Police informers’ of facing dire consequences at Thekhi village in Palamu District of Jharkhand on September 28, reports Outlook. On receiving the information, police visited the village and recovered the posters. Also, a search operation has been initiated in this connection.
Maoists kill two civilians after branding them as ‘police informers’ in separate incidents in Chhattisgarh
The Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres killed two civilians, identified as Dhaniram Korsa, a former deputy Sarpanch (head of village level local self-government institution) and Gopal Kudiyam after branding them as ‘police informers’ in separate incidents at Bardela and Gongla village respectively in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on September 30, reports The Pioneer. Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamlochan Kashyap said both the incidents took place under the Jangla Police Station limits of the District. The Maoists killed them with sharp-edged weapons, the SP said adding that a search operation has been launched to arrest the Maoists.
Delhi HC declines PIL seeking action against Twitter for promoting ‘Khalistan’ movement
The Delhi High Court declined a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking action against the social media platform Twitter for promoting the ‘Khalistan’ movement, reports India Today on September 30. The petitioner had sought action against Twitter under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections related to sedition and waging war against the country. Declining the plea, a bench headed by Chief Justice D.N. Patel said the plea was based on claims and no representation about it was made to the Centre. The bench also said “none of the issues in the petition have been flagged before the Union of India.”
Maoist leader killed by fellow cadres in Chhattisgarh
A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) leader, identified as Modiyam Vijja, was killed by the fellow cadres in a forest near Chitavar village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on October 2, reports The Pioneer. Vijja was a ‘divisional committee member (DVCM)’ of CPI-Maoist. He was shot dead by his subordinates after a confrontation broke out over his role in the recent killings of civilians in the District. In a press release, the Inspector General of Police (IGP, Bastar Range) Sundarraj Patilingam said, “Modiyam Vijja, a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM), who was in-charge of Gangaloor Area Committee of Maoists, was carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on his head. He was the leader behind most of the civilian killings and rallies being organised in Gangaloor area of Bijapur.
Explosives recovered in Odisha
The troopers of the 76th Battalion of Border Security Force (BSF), recovered a huge quantity of explosives, belonging to the Communist Party of India-Maoist at Rajulkunda forests under Kalimela block (administrative unit) in Malkangiri District of Odisha on October 2, reports The Pioneer. Acting on intelligence inputs, the BSF troopers launched combing operations in the said forest and recovered around 81 kilograms gelatin sticks stuffed in sacks and hidden in different locations of the forest range.
IS offshoot Al-Hind plotted to build a province in forest of South India, according to NIA
An offshoot of Islamic State (IS) operating in south India, known as the Al-Hind module planned to establish IS Daishwilayah (province) inside the forests of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala as recently as in late 2019 according to a July charge sheet by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against 17 members of the module, Hindustan Times reports on October 3. The arrests were made between December, 2019, and January, 2020. To understand how to survive inside the deep forest, the 20-member module, led by Bengaluru-based Mehboob Pasha and Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu)-based Khaja Moideen even bought books on Veerappan who successfully dodged the Police of several states. The outfit even identified hideouts in Kolar, Kodagu, and other places in Karnataka; Jambusar in Gujarat; Ratnagiri in Mahatrashtra; Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh; and Bardhaman and Siliguri in West Bengal where they could hide, according to the NIA chargesheet.
Assam Rifles personnel killed in militant ambush in Arunachal Pradesh
On October 4, two Assam Rifles personnel were killed while another injured in a militant ambush near Tengmo village in Jairampur subdivision of Changlang District in Arunachal Pradesh, reports Arunachal Times. The deceased jawans identified as Birendra Singh Yadav and Rajgoroo along with the other jawan were travelling in a water tanker when militants detonated multiple Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeting the tanker, reports East Mojo. The militants also fired indiscriminately at the tanker. Several rounds of fire cases were recovered from the spot. Though no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the act, yet sources believe that a joint team of National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Khaplang (NSCN-K) and United Liberation Front of Asom- Independent (ULFA-I) was behind the terror act. A search operation has been launched to apprehend the perpetrators.
Police neutralizes KZF terror module, arrests two militants in Punjab
The Punjab Police on October 4 neutralized a Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module with the arrest of two terrorists Makhan Singh Gill alias Amli and Davinder Singh alias Happy, from Noorpur Jattan village in Hoshiarpur District in the State, reports The Pioneer. Police seized two sophisticated arms and ammunition, including one MP5 sub-machine gun (with two magazines and 30 live rounds) and one 9 mm pistol (with two magazines and 30 live rounds), besides an Etios car, four mobile phones, and an internet dongle.
Al-Qaeda has its presence in West Bengal, states West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on October 9 said terrorist group Al-Qaeda has its presence in West Bengal, reports Times Now. “Law and order situation in West Bengal are very alarming. We have the presence of terror outfits like Al-Qaeda in the state. It’s a threat to national security. Those at the helm of West Bengal police cannot escape their accountability for this alarming decline in law and order. How far distanced is state Director General of Police from reality is cause of worry. His ‘Ostrich Stance’ is very disturbing,” the Governor stated.
UN ‘dismayed’ at India arrests, NGO restrictions
UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet voiced her dismay on Tuesday, Oct 20 at the arrest of activists in India and restrictions to the work of non-governmental organisations.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights appealed to New Delhi to safeguard the rights of human rights defenders and NGOs. Bachelet regretted what she called the application of vaguely worded laws that constrain NGOs’ activities and restrict foreign funding.
Ninth edition of IS magazine ‘The Voice of Hind’ calls for jihad
The ninth edition of Islamic State (IS) magazine ‘The Voice of Hind’ calls for jihad while trying to push its propaganda to incite youth of a certain community in India, indiatvnews.com reports on October 20. According to sources, the security agencies are keeping a tab of the magazine which also reportedly calls to avenge the Babri Mosque demolition. The magazine features photos of the Babri Mosque in an apparent attempt to push the dangerous agenda. The articles in the magazine hint that the terror group is also keeping an eye on all those who were recently acquitted in the Babri demolition case. Sources said that the magazine was made available to IS cadre via the Dark Web and Telegram channels.
Monthly Fatalities
The following casualties, related to ongoing insurgencies and acts of terrorism occurred during the period to Sept 26, 2020 to Oct 26, 2020:
| Civilian | Indian Security Personnel | Militant | Total | |
| Arunachal P | 00 | 03 | 00 | 03 |
| Assam | 02 | 00 | 01 | 03 |
| Left Wing | 14 | 02 | 09 | 25 |
| Total | 16 | 05 | 10 | 31 |
Nepal – Internal Dynamics
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal fail to reach understanding on Cabinet reshuffle
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) chair, held a meeting with the other chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal on September 27, to discuss Cabinet reshuffle but failed to reach an understanding, reports Kathmandu Post. According to party leaders, some candidates Oli and Dahal are discussing to be appointed Ministers are Bishnu Poudel, Bhim Rawal, Beduram Bhusal, Pampha Bhusal, Surendra Pandey, Subas Nembang, Janardan Sharma, Haribol Gajurel, Devendra Poudel, Som Prasad Pandey, Prabhu Shah, Birodh Khatiwada, Ganesh Thagunna and Gopi Achhami. Insiders say given the evolving power equation, it will be a tough exercise for both Oli and Dahal when it comes to reshuffling the Cabinet.
Cabinet reshuffle failed as differences continue between Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal
The plan of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to bring a reshuffle in the Cabinet failed to materialize on October 6 as differences continue to persist between Oli and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal over the ministerial candidates, reports Republica. A Secretariat meeting of the NCP could not dwell on the issue of Cabinet reshuffle as discussions are still underway between Oli and Dahal about the ministerial portfolios and ministerial candidates.
Sri Lanka – Internal Dynamics
People in North stage hartal in protest of banning commemoration of former LTTE cadre Thileepan
The people in the North on September 28, staged a hartal (general shutdown) in protest to the ban issued by the Northern Provincial courts banning the commemoration of a former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre Thileepan, reports Daily Mirror. Several political parties and civil society organisations in the North including Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had requested to close government establishments, schools and the private sector institutions as well. Accordingly, the shop owners in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaithivu, Vavuniya and Mannar put up shutters and closed businesses for the day.
20th Amendment weakens power of judiciary and legislature, say petitioners
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution violates the sovereignty of the people and concentrates all powers on the President, weakening the powers of the judiciary and the legislature, petitioners told when petitions filed against the proposed bill were taken up for consideration for a second day on September 30, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, Attorney-at-Law Iraj de Silva, appearing for the United National party (UNP) Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, said “Articles from clause 3 to 57 of this Bill are completely unconstitutional. In this situation the sovereignty of the people is being violated. This Bill is completely contrary to the basic framework of the Constitution. The provisions of the Bill will consolidate the full powers of the President. The provisions of the Bill also upset the balance of the three main branches of law, accountability and governance. It also contradicts the principle of devolution. It is also a violation of the principle of public trust. Also, the power to govern will be transferred to a dual citizen through this amendment bill.”
Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on September 30, decided to declare October 5 as a day of protest against the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The General Secretary of SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara has told Lankadeepa that protests would be carried out in all districts on that day by hoisting black flags and wearing black bands. He also said that people from all constituencies in Sri Lanka will be brought to Colombo on the 8th and a massive protest campaign will be launched at Hyde Park against the 20th Amendment. Madduma Bandara further stated that all political parties, trade unions and civil society organizations that value democracy will get together to carry out the protest.
Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother helped NTJ leader Zahran Hashim to flee to India, says former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake
Former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake testifying before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the April 21, 2019, Easter Sunday attacks, on October 7 said that former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother helped National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashimto flee to India, reports Daily Mirror. Testifying before the Commission through video conference, former Army Commander said that he came to know about Zahran when he was serving as the Commander in Jaffna. “When I was in Jaffna DMI informed me about Zahran Hashim. That was why I’m saying the Military Intelligence had the capacity to find more details regarding to NTJ and its leader. I felt that these IS [Islamic State]- minded organisations will pose a threat to country’s National Security,” he said.
Catholic Bishops urge Government not to proceed with proposed 20th Amendment to Constitution
Catholic Bishops on October 13 urged the Government not to proceed with the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution as the concentration of power in an individual without checks and balances does not augur well for a Democratic and Socialist Republic, reports Colombo Page. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference issuing a media statement said, instead the Government should introduce a new Constitution that ensures the transparent democracy, the rule of law and the equality of all citizens.
Zahran Hashim and group had planned to launch attack using 20 suicide bombers, says SI
A Sub Inspector (SI), attached to the Police Terrorism Investigation Division, told the Presidential Commission to Inquiry (PCoI), on October 16 said that Zahran Hashim and his group had planned to launch an attack using 20 suicide bombers, reports Daily News. Testifying further he said that investigations have revealed that the proposal of launching an attack using 20 suicide bombers was made during a discussion held on March 27, 2019, at a house in Sarikkammulla area in Panadura.Seven persons, including Zahran Hashim, was present during the discussion. He further said that the investigations also revealed that it had been suggested that the attacks should be carried out within 15 days from March 27, 2019, as the bombs assembled by Zahrans’s brother Rilwan were to expire during that period.
Drafting of new Constitution begins
The drafting of the new Constitution to replace the 1978 Constitution has begun even before the 20th Amendment has been through the committee stage in Parliament, reports The Island on October 18. The Special Experts Committee to Draft a New Constitution headed by President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva has been allocated offices in the BMICH, and three senior officers of the Ministry of Justice have been appointed to the Secretariat of the Committee. Sittings of the committee have already commenced with meetings being held every Friday. Two formal weekly meetings have already been held. The other members of the committee are President’s Counsel Manohara De Silva, President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, President’s Counsel Naveen Marapana, Prof. Nazeema Kamardeen, Dr. A. Sarveswaran, President’s Counsel Samantha Ratwatte, Prof. Wasantha Senevirathne and Prof. G.H.Peiris.
Sufficient evidence to prove LTTE remnants working to incite violence and destabilise country, says Foreign Ministry
Commenting on the appeal on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) proscription in UK, in a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka on October 22 said that it has sufficient evidence to prove that the remnants of the LTTE and groups aligned with its terrorist ideology are active in foreign countries, working to incite violence and destabilise the country, reports Daily Mirror. The statement said Sri Lanka has been made aware of the Open Judgement by the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC) of the United Kingdom dated October 21, 2020. “The decision of the POAC arises from an appeal filed in May 2019 by an LTTE front organisation challenging the decision of the UK Secretary of State for Home Affairs dated March 8, 2019, which refused the application by the group to de-proscribe the LTTE from the list of Proscribed Organisations under the UK Terrorism Act of 2000. While the Government of Sri Lanka was not a party to these proceedings at the POAC and could not make direct representations, the Government has assisted the Government of the United Kingdom by providing relevant information with regard to continued terrorist activities. The Open Judgement of the POAC while allowing the Appeal, provides for further hearings, and the Government of Sri Lanka will continue to closely monitor the progress of the case in the UK,” it said.
Bringing dual citizen to power is great danger to sovereignty of country, says UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene
The Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ruwan Wijewardene at a media briefing held at the Sirikotha party headquarters on October 22 said that bringing a dual citizen to power is a great danger to sovereignty of the country, reports Colombo Page. Pointing out that there is no democracy is active in the current Parliament, Ruwan said the UNP with the people is ready to take the fight to the street against the 20th Amendment, which gives parliamentary power to an individual. He also said that bringing to power a dual citizen who had promised to uphold the rule of law in another country is a great danger to the sovereignty of the country.
INTERNATIONAL
Karabakh clashes kill 28 more Armenians
Twenty-eight separatist rebel fighters died in clashes with Azerbaijani troops on Monday, Sept 28 officials in Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region said, bringing their military death toll to 59.
World leaders have urged a halt in fighting after the worst escalation since 2016 raised the spectre of a fresh war between the ex-Soviet rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan. No country recognises Karabakh’s independence not even Armenia and it is still considered part of Azerbaijan by the international community. “Twenty-eight servicemen died in action” on Monday, Karabakh’s defence ministry said in a statement on the second day of fighting. The total death toll rose to 68 including nine civilian deaths: seven in Azerbaijan and two on the Armenian side. Azerbaijan has not yet released information on military casualties since the latest fighting broke out.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded Armenia put an end to its “occupation” of Nagorno-Karabakh after deadly clashes broke out along the border of Azerbaijan´s breakaway region. “The time has come for the crisis in the region that started with the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh to be put to an end,” Erdogan said. “Once Armenia immediately leaves the territory it is occupying, the region will return to peace and harmony,” he said in a prepared address.
US ‘abusing power’ by squeezing TikTok: China
Beijing on Monday, Sept 28 accused the Trump administration of abusing “national power” by trying to ban TikTok, as a federal court gave the video app’s US operations a stay of execution.
A US government order had sought to ban new downloads of the Chinese-owned app from midnight (0400 GMT Monday) but allow use of TikTok until November 12, when all use would be blocked.
President Donald Trump claims the popular app poses a national security threat and harvests data for Beijing via its Chinese parent company Byte Dance allegations the firm vehemently denies.
Describing the order as “bullying behaviour”, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said it was evidence of “abusing national power to unreasonably suppress other countries’ enterprises”.
Instead, the US should “provide a fair, just, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for companies around the world investing and operating in the country”, Wang added. China says Trump is strong-arming the company into giving up full ownership of a lucrative app with 100 million US subscribers to an American rival.
But late on Sunday a US federal court issued a temporary block on the order after TikTok’s lawyers successfully argued it was a “punitive” ban motivated by politics rather than genuine security fears. Details of the injunction remain sealed for now by the court in Washington. The US squeeze on TikTok is one of a litany of issues souring relations between the rival powers, spanning tech, defence, human rights and contested seas.
280,000 US schoolchildren have had virus
Almost 280,000 school-aged children were infected with the novel coronavirus between March 1 and September 19, according to detailed data released Monday, Sept 28 in a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The figure accounted for roughly four percent of the total US caseload over this period, with children aged 12-17 approximately twice as likely to be infected as those aged 5-11.
Turkey indicts six more Saudis
Turkish prosecutors have indicted six new Saudis suspected of involvement in the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, local media reported on Monday, Sept 28.
Amnesty suspends India work due to Modi govt witch-hunt
Amnesty International has suspended its Indian operations after its bank accounts were frozen in what it called a government “witch-hunt” against rights groups. Government critics within civil society organisations and the media have long complained of harassment in the world’s biggest democracy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist administration, something which it denies.
Amnesty said that as of earlier this month it could no longer access its bank accounts in India, forcing it to let go of staff and “pause” all ongoing campaign and research work. “This is the latest in the incessant witch-hunt of human rights organisations by the government of India over unfounded and motivated allegations,” it said in a statement. It said the freezing of its accounts was “no accident” after it issued a series of reports alleging “grave human rights violations” by police in deadly sectarian riots in New Delhi in February, and by security forces in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).
“Treating human rights organisations like criminal enterprises and dissenting individuals as criminals without any credible evidence is a deliberate attempt. to stoke a climate of fear and dismantle the critical voices in India,” said Avinash Kumar, Amnesty India´s executive director.
But the government on Tuesday, Sept 29 accused Amnesty of “illegal practices” involving the transfer of “large amounts of money” from Amnesty UK to India, something which also created problems with the previous administration.
David Griffiths from Amnesty´s head office in London said the group intended to fight the government via legal means. “We have nothing to hide. We invite the government to show us the evidence and to bring charges against us so that we can defend it in court,” Griffiths told AFP.
Modi´s government has sought to pressure rights groups by heavily scrutinising their finances and clamping down on foreign funding, critics say.
‘Terrorist cell’
Saudi Arabia has said it arrested 10 members of a “terrorist cell”, some of whom underwent military and explosives training at Revolutionary Guard camps in Iran. Tehran on Tuesday, Sept 29 denied the charges.
25 civilians killed in Burkina attack
Twenty-five civilians, most of them people displaced by jihadist violence, have been killed in an ambush in central-northern Burkina Faso, the UN’s refugee agency said on Wednesday, Oct 7.
The attack took place on Sunday night nine kilometres from the town of Pissila in Sanmatenga province, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a press release. An armed group stopped a convoy carrying 46 people, separated out the men and killed them, except for one who was left for dead.
They then released the women and children, who managed to reach Pissila to raise the alarm. The Burkinabe government did not react officially to the statement. Sources in the region confirmed that an attack had taken place, but gave a lower toll. “The attack occurred on Sunday evening, but it was on Monday morning that about 25 bodies were found, near the site of the attack,” said one official.
Gunman kidnap 20 in Mali
Gunmen seized about 20 people in volatile central Mali, with nine remaining in detention on Wednesday, Oct 7 after their captors released the other hostages, local and security officials said.
The kidnapping occurred on Tuesday during a weekly market in the village of Farabougou, near the central Malian town of Niono, according to Boukary Coulibaly, the village chief. A youngster was killed during the kidnapping, he said, adding that the “armed men” afterwards released some hostages, mostly women and children. Mali has been struggling to quell a Jihadist insurgency which emerged in 2012 and has since spread into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Iran warns ‘terrorists’ near border in Karabakh fighting
Iran warned on Wednesday, Oct 7 it will not tolerate “terrorists” near its border with Azerbaijan, after France and Russia raised the alarm over the deployment of Syrian militants in the Karabakh conflict.
“It is unacceptable for us that some people want to send terrorists from Syria and other places towards regions near our frontiers,” President Hassan Rouhani said, quoted on state television. Iran borders Armenian-held areas of Azerbaijan near Nagorno-Karabakh that have seen fighting.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have for decades been locked in a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian area which broke away from Baku in a 1990s war that cost about 30,000 lives. Heavy fighting erupted on September 27 in one of the most combustible frozen conflicts left over from the collapse of the Soviet Union. Turkey has been accused of deploying fighters from Syria to support Azerbaijan in Karabakh.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Ankara had sent Syrian “Jihadists” to the region, accusing Turkey of crossing a “red line”. Turkey has not responded publicly. Russia and Armenia have also said that fighters from Syria and Libya are being deployed on the Azeri side in the conflict.
President Rouhani, who has good relations with both Yerevan and Baku, reiterated on Wednesday that “occupation is in no case acceptable”. “Everyone” must “accept the reality and respect other countries’ territorial integrity”, he said.
Pandemic could push 115m into poverty in 2020
As many as 115 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty this year due to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the World Bank warned on Wednesday, Oct 7. That is higher than the bank previously estimated, even as recently as August, when the worst case was put at 100 million. And the bank’s new report estimates that by 2021, 150 million could be living below the extreme poverty threshold of less than $1.90 a day.
If the pandemic had not struck, the global extreme poverty rate was expected to fall to 7.9 percent, but now could climb as high as 9.4 percent, the bank said in its flagship report.
World Bank economists say the dire estimates for new victims of poverty this year, which range from 88 million to 115 million, depend on the outlook for the global economy, which the Washington-based crisis lender estimates range from a contraction of five percent to eight percent in the worst-case scenario. That would erode decades of progress in reducing extreme poverty, and the authors warn create “poverty hotspots” in areas that face a double-hit from economic crisis and conflict.
The research also finds a rising share of those living in extreme poverty are in urban areas, which threatens to overwhelm existing support programmes that are designed for rural populations.
Instead of achieving the goal of eradicating poverty by 2030, the convergence of the Covid-19 pandemic with the pressures of conflict and climate change will put the goal “beyond reach without swift, significant and substantial policy action,” the World Bank said, warning that the global poverty rate could be about seven percent in the next decade.
Kyrgyz ex-president re-arrested
Kyrgyzstan’s security service said on Saturday, Oct 10 that it had rearrested former president Almazbek Atambayev after supporters freed him from jail during post-election protests.
The arrest came as the incumbent president Sooronbay Jeenbekov reasserted control following unrest after a disputed parliamentary election in which several prominent politicians were freed.
The state national security committee said in a statement that Atambayev had been arrested on suspicion of organising mass disorder, along with one of his bodyguards and another accomplice.
The committee was currently “identifying and arresting other accomplices of this crime”, it said.
Disappointing’ to see huge new DPRK missile: US
A US official said on Sunday, Oct 11 it was “disappointing” that North Korea had displayed a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a military parade in Pyongyang, as denuclearization negotiations between the two countries remain deadlocked.
Leader Kim Jong Un watched the huge ICBM roll through Pyongyang at the climax of an unprecedented night-time parade on Saturday, weeks before the US election. “The US remains guided by the vision President Trump and Chairman Kim set forth in Singapore (in 2018) and calls on the DPRK to engage in sustained and substantive negotiations to achieve complete denuclearisation.”
Analysts said that it was the largest road-mobile, liquid-fuelled missile anywhere in the world, and was likely to be designed to carry multiple warheads in independent re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).
Drone crashes near Azerbaijan border: Iran
Iran said an unidentified drone crashed near its border with Azerbaijan on Tuesday, Oct 13 as Baku and Yerevan accused each other of violating a truce in fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The drone crashed in a village in Parsabad county, Ardebil province, along Iran’s northern border, deputy governor Behrouz Nedayi told state news agency IRNA. “The drone’s identity and cause of its crash in the area are being investigated,” he said, reporting no damage. According to IRNA, the drone “may belong to Azerbaijan or Armenia’s army given the fighting beyond Iran’s northern border”.
Russia behind cyber-attack: Norway
Norway’s government on Tuesday, Oct 13 said that it believes Russia was behind an August cyber-attack targeting the email system of the country’s parliament. The attack was detected in August, when Norway announced hackers had attacked the parliament’s email system, gaining access to some lawmakers’ messages. “Based on the information the government has, it is our view that Russia is responsible for these activities,” foreign minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said in a statement.
Kyrgyzstan President resigns
Kyrgyzstan’s President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigned on Thursday, Oct 15 saying he wanted to bring an end to the crisis sparked by disputed parliamentary elections earlier this month and avoid any further bloodshed.
Protests had erupted after the October 4 election was won by parties loyal to Jeenbekov, with opponents disputing the results, alleging vote-buying. The vote was later annulled but this did not quell the tensions.
Nine arrested over France teacher beheading
French police have arrested nine people over the beheading of a teacher near his school in a Paris suburb, a judicial source said on Saturday, Oct 17 in what President Emmanuel Macron labelled an Islamist terror attack.
The source said the killing was carried out by an 18-year-old Chechen, who was then shot and killed by police near the scene in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, northwest of Paris.
Police said the victim was 47-year-old history teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown his pupils some cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed as part of a class discussion on freedom of expression — a lesson that had prompted complaints from parents.
Israel, Bahrain set to establish diplomatic ties
Israel and Bahrain were set to officially establish diplomatic relations on Sunday, Oct 18 at a ceremony in Manama as the wealthy Gulf region continues to open up to the Jewish state.
An Israeli delegation, led by National Security Council chief Meir Ben Shabbat, arrived from Tel Aviv for a one-day trip that will see Israel and Bahrain formalise a US-brokered agreement they signed at the White House on September 15.
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became only the third and fourth Arab states to agree to normalise ties with Israel, following Israel´s 1979 peace deal with Egypt and a 1994 pact with Jordan.
A flurry of diplomacy between some of Washington´s key regional allies has handed US President Donald Trump a key foreign policy win as he campaigns for re-election ahead of polls in November.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trump´s special assistant for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz, travelled to Tel Aviv before joining the Israeli delegation´s flight to Manama. The two sides will be free to open embassies in each other´s countries after a ceremony scheduled for Sunday evening, Berkowitz said, adding that an Israeli embassy in Manama could open within months.
‘UN arms embargo on Tehran lifted’
Iran said a longstanding UN embargo on arms sales to and from the Islamic republic expired on Sunday, Oct 18 in line with a 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers from which Washington has withdrawn. Tehran, which could now purchase weapons from Russia, China and elsewhere, has hailed the development as a diplomatic victory over its arch enemy the United States, which had tried to maintain an indefinite freeze on arms sales.
Churches burned as Chile marks protest movement anniversary
Two churches were torched as tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday, Oct 18 in a central Santiago square to mark the anniversary of a protest movement that broke out last year demanding greater equality in Chile. The demonstration comes just a week before Chileans vote in a referendum on whether to replace the dictatorship-era constitution one of the key demands when the protest movement began in October 2019.
Saudis shun ‘made in Turkey’ as rivalry deepens
From pickled vine leaves to coffee and cheese, Saudi supermarkets are taking Turkish products off the shelves after calls for a boycott, as rivalry between Riyadh and Ankara heats up.
The two countries have long competed for supremacy in the Muslim world, but their geopolitical rivalry intensified after Saudi agents murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate in 2018.
The wealthy Gulf petro-state has sought to pressure Turkey’s already struggling economy, with high-rolling Saudi tourists facing calls from nationalists last year to boycott the tourism magnet and stop purchasing property there.
Xi invokes Chinese military might with US in mind
President Xi Jinping on Friday, Oct 23 warned of China’s military resolve to defeat “invaders”, speaking on a 70th anniversary for the Korean War, the only time Chinese forces have fought the United States.
In a long speech, heavy on patriotism and flecked by anecdotes of heroism by Chinese forces, Xi said victory in the 1950-53 conflict was a reminder that his nation stood ready to fight anyone “creating trouble on China’s doorstep”.
Beijing frequently uses war anniversaries to fire thinly covered warnings to the US of the military strength of the “new China”. The Korean War is a key foundation story for the ruling Communist Party.
Friday’s anniversary comes as the party is called out by US President Donald Trump, in a bitter row spanning trade, tech, human rights and the status of Taiwan, which China says is an inviolable part of the mainland.
Without explicitly naming the US, Xi loaded up with the historical precedent of the Korean war and took swings at modern day “unilateralism, protectionism and extreme egoism”. “We will never sit back and watch any damage to our national sovereignty and we will never allow any force to invade or divide the sacred territory of the motherland.”
US drone strikes kill 17 in Syria
The US army said late on Thursday, Oct 22 it carried out a drone strike against al-Qaeda leaders in northwestern Syria near the Turkish border, killing 17 Jihadists, according to a war monitor.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said five civilians were also among those killed. “US Forces conducted a strike against a group of Al-Qaeda in Syria (AQ-S) senior leaders meeting near Idlib, Syria,” said Major Beth Riordan, the spokeswoman for United States Central Command (Centcom).
She did not specify the number of deaths from the strike. But the Britain-based Observatory said the operation, which targeted a dinner meeting of jihadists in the village of Jakara in the Salqin area, killed at least 17 Jihadists including 11 leaders. The village lies in Syria’s last major rebel bastion of Idlib, which is dominated by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, led by a former al-Qaeda affiliate, and its rebel allies.
