UN says drones violate Pakistani sovereignty; TTP may attack political targets in Islamabad; India suspends visa facility; Pakistani parliament demands release of Guru’s body, India’s parliament passes resolution in protest; IED kills three in Karachi; Six captured in connection with Abbas town bombing; Srinagar attackers found to have Pakistani equipment; India cancels Indo-Pak hockey tournament; Five militants killed in clashes between TTP and AI; 3kg of heroin recovered in Islamabad; World Bank approves $400 million in education aid; Three British Citizens plead guilty to terrorism charges.
Drone Strikes
-
On Friday, the head of the United Nations (UN) investigatory team on drone strikes and special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, Ben Emmerson publicly released a statement declaring that drone strikes violate Pakistan's sovereignty. In the report, Emmerson, cited data saying drones in Pakistan caused 400 civilian deaths, confirmed by the Pakistani government, and said Pakistani government has repeatedly told him it does “does not consent to the strikes—a position that has been disputed by U.S. officials.”[1]
Indo-Pak Relations
-
On Thursday, Indian authorities put a hold on “the group tourist visa facility under the liberalised visa regime,” arranged with the Pakistani government, which they had previously agreed to begin on March 15. Though authorities cited lack of preparations as the cause for the hold, analysts suspect that stressed relations with Pakistan from the Wednesday attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers in Srinagar, Kashmir, is a contributing factor to delaying the visas.[2]
-
On Thursday, the National Assembly passed a resolution demanding the Indian government return Afzal Guru’s body to his family, after Guru was executed for participation in the 2001 attack on India’s parliament, and for membership in terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The resolution was passed unanimously, and “demand[ed that India should stop brutal actions against Kashmiris and atrocities inflicted on innocent people who were protesting [Guru’s execution].” In response, the Indian Parliament passed a resolution on Friday insisting that Pakistan “desist from acts of support for extremist and terrorist elements.” The resolution insisted that “Pakistan not meddle in India’s internal affairs.” [3]
-
On Friday, India's national hockey team canceled a five-game series against Pakistan set to begin in three weeks, explaining that “the foreign ministry did not give permission (for the series).” The cancellation comes amidst high tensions between Pakistan and India.[4]
-
On Thursday, Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that the two militants involved in the Srinagar attack on Wednesday were carrying equipment from Pakistan, and appeared to be of foreign origin. He specifically pointed to an ointment from Karachi and “diaries and phone numbers” as evidence for his claims.[5]
Militancy
-
According to a report by The News published on Friday, the National Crisis Management Cell issued a letter to the Inspectors General of Police and chief secretaries of Pakistan’s four provinces, as well as officials in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Sindh and Punjab Rangers, and the Chitral Scouts, stating that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) may target political leaders in Islamabad during the upcoming elections. The report states that the TTP Asmatullah Muavia group will be carrying out attacks and the TTP Abdul Wali group will provide support.[6]
-
On Thursday, five militants died in clashes between the TTP and Ansural Islam in Tirah Valley, Khyber agency.[7]
-
In Karachi, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in old Landhi area on Friday killing at least three people and injuring five others. According to police officials, the blast targeted a local cable TV office.[8] The Anti-Extremism Cell (AEC) and the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) conducted a raid on Thursday, capturing six militants belonging to the TTP and Laskhar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), wanted in connection with the Abbas town bombing which killed at least 40 people on Sunday. On Friday, unidentified assailants shot and killed one man in Malir and another in Mauripur. On Friday, the Sindh Rangers arrested nine militants during targeted operations in Yousuf Goth and Baldia town, including Zubair Pathan, a gang leader accused of being involved in 35 targeted killings. [9]
-
On Thursday, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested three people trying to smuggle 3kg of heroin from the Islamabad airport to Saudi Arabia.[10]
World Bank
-
According to an article in The News on Friday, the World Bank approved a $400 million aid package for the Second Sindh Education Sector Reform Program (SERP II) in Pakistan. The program is meant to “increase school participation and measure student achievement” by improving accountability and resourcing.[11]
-
On Friday, three British citizens pleaded guilty to charges of terrorism in London, and have been remanded until sentencing. Richard Dart, Imran Mahmood, and Jahangir Alom were arrested in July after traveling to Pakistan between 2010 and 2012, and accused of planning to commit acts of terrorism.[12]