Terrorism Update Details - 24-5-2024 (2024)

An Afghan contractor who worked for the United States (US) military was killed by the Taliban after appearing in an Emmy-winning documentary despite warnings it would endanger him, Telegraph reported on May 23. The man in his 20s – nicknamed “Justin Bieber” because of his good looks – was featured in the 2022 film Retrograde, which has now been accused of inadvertently helping the Taliban to create a hit list used to target American allies in Afghanistan. The documentary focuses on the experiences of US Special Forces prior to America’s military withdrawal from the country in 2021. It has now been pulled by the two US broadcasters – National Geographic Channel and Hulu – that had been screening it.

On May 22, the Taliban arrested Noor Agha Ibrahimi, an activist, in Kabul, for the third time, reportsAfghanistan International. He was previously detained on charges of collaborating with the National Resistance Front (NRF). A source close to Ibrahimi's family told Afghanistan International that they do not know his current whereabouts. Ibrahimi was first arrested during the early days of the Taliban's return to power, but was released after some time when the Taliban could not prove his collaboration with the NRF. However, according to Ibrahimi's relatives, he was detained again a few months ago on charges of cooperating with the NRF and spent four months in a Taliban prison. Before the Taliban's return, Ibrahimi was active in social and political activities. His father, Waseel Ibrahimi, was an advisor to the First Vice-President in the previous Government. The Taliban had not yet commented on the detention of this activist.

At least seven cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) were killed in an encounter with the Security Forces (SFs) that took place in the jurisdiction of Barsur Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh on May 23, reports The Indian Express. A force of around 1,000 personnel, comprised of Bastar Fighters and District Reserve Guards (DRG), led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rahul Uikey and DSP Ashish Netam, and Bastar, along with teams of the Special Task Force (STF), launched the combing operation near the inter-district border of Narayanpur and Bijapur districts, just 10 kilometres inside the Abujhmad Forest area. The operation began around 11 a.m. when Maoists suddenly opened fire at the forces, and the intermittent firing continued till the evening. As the forces moved forward, they found the bodies of seven Maoists “dressed in the uniforms of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and also their weapons”. The identities of the Maoists were yet to be ascertained.

A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) ‘commander’, identified as Budhram Munda (27), was killed during a gunfight between the Security Forces (SFs) and the Maoists in the Saranda Forest area between Baladih and Nawada villages located on the borders of Chaibasa, Seraikela, and Khunti under the Karaikela Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand on May 23, reports The Times of India. Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar said the slain Maoist Budhram was a native of the Arki Police Station limits in Khunti district. Acting on inputs that ultras Amit Munda, Prabhat alias Mukhia, and Chaman were planning subversive activities to create trouble in the rural segments of the districts going to polls on May 25, the West Singhbhum District Police, along with their counterparts from Khunti and personnel belonging to the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) 209 Battalion, launched a search operation in the area. The rebels, who were hiding in the dense forest, opened fire on the forces around 12:30 p.m. After a 20-minute exchange of fire, the extremists fled from the area. Budhram was found dead with bullet injuries. Shekhar said, without ruling out the possibility of ultras retreating into the forest with bullet wounds. A 9MM pistol, 134 live bullets of the 7.65 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) firearm, 20 live bullets of the 9MM pistol, and two magazines of the SLR, among other items, were recovered from the site.

On May 21, the Socialist Revolution Party Kangleipak (SOREPA)claimed responsibility for shooting and injuring one of its own cadres identified as self-styled ‘2^nd Lieutenant’ Keisham Hemanta alias Roni (42) at Hiyanglam Hiramei village in Kakching District of Manipur, reports Northeast Now. SOREPA accused Hemanta of extorting money from civilians for personal gain, using illegal substances, and misleading lower-ranking members.

On May 22, Manipur Police arrested two active cadres of People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak- Progressive (PREPAK-Pro) identified as Salam (N) Lourembam (O) Bembem Devi (42), and Kangabam Sanatomba Singh alias Amuba (49) from Imphal East District of Manipur, reports India TodayNE. They were involved in extortion activities.

On May 22, Manipur Police arrested one suspected militant associated with Socialist Revolution Party Kangleipak (SOREPA) identified as Khumukcham Brushlee Singh from Kakching District of Manipur, reports Northeast Now. A country-made 9mm pistol with a magazine, one 36mm mortar round, a hand grenade (without detonator), three 2-inch mortar shells, two bulletproof vests, Baofeng wireless communication devices with batteries and hunting boots were recovered from his possession.

On May 22, a joint team of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police conducted a search operation in Khengmol village, located within the jurisdiction of Sangaikot Police Station in Churachandpur District of Manipur and recovered a hidden cache of arms, ammunition, and weapons, reports Northeast Now. The recovery included one Tear Gas Gun, two modified Sniper Rifles with telescopic sights, one .303 Rifle, three 9 mm Pistols, four 12 Bore Single Barrel Rifles, two improvised heavy Mortars, ammunition tear smoke grenades, anti-riot rubber bullets, stun grenades, a 12.5 Assault Rifle, a Single Shot Bolt Action Rifle and other war like stores.

On May 23, Police detained Ahsan-ul-Haq, an Over Ground Worker (OGW) for Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) under Public Safety Act (PSA) in Sopore area of Baramulla District in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), reports Daily Excelsior.

Three drug smugglers, identified as Barkat Ahmad Dar, Musaib Bashir Lone, and Umar Bashir Zargar were detained under the Narco Act in Sopore area of Baramulla District, reports Daily Excelsior. They have been booked under Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act and lodged in the same central jail as Haq.

Border Security Force (BSF) posted on ‘X’ (formerly ‘Twitter’) that troops recovered a packet of heroin (530 grams) from a farming field in Ratan Khurd village in Amritsar District of Punjab on May 22. The narcotics were wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, with two illuminating strips and a nylon ring attached to the packet.

An Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) tribunal confirmed the ban on the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) and their factions, wings, and frontal organisations, saying their cadres have been involved in kidnapping for ransom, extortion, etc, The Hindustan Times reports on May 23. It said these groups have been carrying out activities from Bangladesh and have properties there. The tribunal said the groups were trying to consolidate their strength with new recruitments and increasing their sympathizer base for their secessionist agenda. It added they also have significant weapons.The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) declared NLFT and the ATTF as “unlawful associations” under the UAPA in October 2023.

A bomb was recovered from the front gate of Government Primary School near Siddiqueabad Phatak of Nawy Kalay area of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 22, reports The Khorasan Diary. The bomb disposal squad (BDS) later neutralised the bomb.

The Pakistan Army on May 22 reiterated its concerns over the use of Afghan soil by militants, saying that there has been a surge in infiltration attempts by terrorists at the Pak-Afghan border as well as terror incidents orchestrated from the neighbouring country, reports Daily Times. “Terrorists from Afghanistan attempt to infiltrate through Pak-Afghan border and target security forces as well as the innocent civilians,” said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Recalling that Islamabad has time again urged the interim Afghan government to ensure effective border management on their part, the ISPR called on the neighbouring country to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.

One terror suspect, who had close connections with the four Islamic State (IS) terror affiliates of Sri Lankan origin who were arrested at the Ahmedabad International Airport in India, was arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) of Sri Lanka Police officers in the Maligawatta Police Division in Colombo on May 22, reports adaderana.lk. According to Sri Lanka Police, the suspect has aided the four IS terror affiliates in obtaining air tickets. Further, investigations are underway to detect whether more IS terror affiliates from Sri Lanka have left for India, the Police said. Earlier, SATP reported that on May 19, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Gujarat arrested four Sri Lankan nationals affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), identified as Mohammad Nusrat (33), Mohammad Farish (35), Mohammad Nafran (27), and Mohammad Rashdeen (43), at Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat. According to the Gujarat Police, interrogations revealed that the suspects were encouraged to carry out a terror attack in India. The identity of the terror suspect is yet to be ascertained.