Home Blog

Over 2,000 illegal migrants settled in India since Myanmar coup

Shubham Bajpai
-
0
Over 2,000 illegal migrants settled in India since Myanmar coup

The Sub-committee of the Manipur Cabinet has revealed that 2,187 individuals from Myanmar, classified as illegal immigrants, have established settlements in 41 locations across four districts. The sub-committee, led by Letpao Haokip, the Minister of Tribal Affairs and Hill Development in its report stated that Tengnoupal had the highest number of 1,147 Myanmar nationals residing, followed by 881 in Chandel, 154 in Churachandpur, and five in Kamjong.

In March and April, the sub-committee, including state Ministers Awangbow Newmai and Thounaojam Basanta, visited the tribal-dominated districts. They met with the illegal immigrants, discussing providing humanitarian relief and shelters.

Prior to the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, the Manipur government had planned to identify and detain the Myanmar nationals who had sought asylum in the state.

Around 5,000 immigrants, including women and children, have fled from the conflict-ridden Myanmar since the coup by Myanmar Junta in February 2021.

Interestingly, the report is presented by CSC chaired by Letpao Haokip, who himself has aligned with the Kuki causes. He along with nine other tribal MLAs, has called for a separate administration in response to the ethnic violence that occurred on May 3. Among the ten MLAs, seven, including Haokip, belong to the BJP. Recently, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh attributed the ongoing unrest in the state to infiltrators from across the border and militants, emphasizing that it are not a conflict between two communities. Manipur shares a 398 km unfenced border with Myanmar.

Illegal immigration, a reality of decades

According to an official report, illegal immigrants’ identification created a panic among them. During the identification drive, it was observed that they not only have migrated to Manipur in large numbers but also have formed their own village. Concerned by this, government proposed building shelter homes for them. But the illegal immigrants strongly objected to it, contributing to the recent outbreak of violence, as mentioned in the report.

The report also highlights the impact of the Manipur government’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign on the poppy cultivation and narcotics business run by Myanmar nationals in the state. Influential illegal poppy cultivators and drug lords from Myanmar, who have settled in Manipur, have fueled the recent violence.

Various Kuki Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have accused the Manipur government of harassing Indian citizens under the pretext of identifying illegal immigrants. However, illegal immigration has been the reality of Manipur. Chins from Myanmar and Kukis belong to same Tibeto-Mongoloid race and hence have linguistic and cultural similarities. This makes it difficult to differentiate between them. Kukis have also been accused of supporting illegal immigration to change the demography of the region.

Joykishan Singh, JD(U)MLA of Manipur, had earlier stated in the Manipur Assembly that between 1971 to 2001, the population of the state grown by 153.3 per cent in the hill districts. However the rise per cent bounced to 250.9% between 2001 and 2011. The valley districts saw a population growth of 94.8% and 125.4% between the same periods respectively.

So far, the state has suffered alot by ethnic violence between the Meitei community, which is predominant in the valley, and the Kuki tribe, which is predominant in the hills. The violence has claimed the lives of over 120 people and left more than 400 injured, belonging to different communities.

Pashtuns & Baloch plan post-Eid uprising against Pakistan Army’s oppression

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
Pashtuns & Baloch plan post-Eid uprising against Pakistan Army’s oppression

The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has intensified its political mobilization, holding key meetings in Karachi and Khyber in response to Pakistan Army’s brutal crackdown on Baloch activists. PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen announced that Pashtuns and Baloch will unite in a common struggle against Panjabi Pak Army repression, with a decisive action plan set to launch after Eid.

“In the future, we Pashtuns and Baloch will unite and embark on a new journey. We are formulating a plan of action for this,” PTM said. The latest wave of suppression against Baloch protesters has triggered mass demonstrations across Pak-occupied-Balochistan. In Lasbela, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee organized a rally against the Pak forces’ violent crackdown on peaceful sit-ins and demanded the immediate release of detained activists. The protest drew large crowds, including families of enforced disappearance victims, further exposing the systematic persecution of ethnic minorities in Pakistan.

Panjabi-establishment under fire

For decades, Pakistan Army establishment—of the Panjabi elite—has exploited, marginalized, and oppressed Pashtuns and Baloch. While resources from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are plundered, the people of these regions face enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and military crackdowns under the guise of “national security.” The PTM has repeatedly highlighted how the Pakistan Army operates as an occupation force in these regions, silencing dissent with brute force.

At a political and organizational meeting in Sohrab Goth’s UC-2, PTM activists reaffirmed their commitment to the movement. “The movement in Karachi is fully prepared. We are not a silent movement; we are waiting for the right moment,” declared PTM leaders. They vowed that after Eid, PTM would enter the political arena with renewed strength, alongside comrades from the Khyber National Jirga.

In a blatant attempt to stifle political activism, Islamabad’s Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas, acting at the behest of the military establishment, has issued arrest warrants for prominent human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari, as well as PTM leaders Ali Wazir and Manzoor Pashteen. Despite the Paki establishment’s continuous repression, movements like PTM and Baloch activists remain steadfast in their struggle.

Under Pak Army pressure, court issues arrest warrant of Pashtun leaders

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
Under Pak Army pressure, court issues arrest warrant of Pashtun leaders

In yet another display of Pak judiciary acting as a tool of the establishment, Islamabad’s Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas has issued arrest warrants for human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari, along with Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leaders Ali Wazir and Manzoor Pashteen. The move is widely an attempt to silence critical voices and suppress any resistance against the deep state’s authoritarian grip.

The court justified the arrest warrants by citing the repeated absence of the accused from court proceedings. However, many argue that these legal proceedings are nothing more than politically motivated tactics to intimidate and harass activists who have consistently called out the Pak Army’s oppressive policies in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and beyond. The accused are facing charges of allegedly organizing an anti-state march and disrupting public order—common accusations used by the establishment to target dissenters.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 26, with the court ensuring the presence of the accused through the issuance of arrest warrants. However, the absurdity of the judicial process is exposed by the fact that one of the accused, Ali Wazir, has already been imprisoned for the past nine months. The issuance of an arrest warrant for a man already behind bars reeks of incompetence or, more likely, deliberate malice by the Army apparatus. Wazir has been targeted for years due to his outspoken criticism of the Pak Army’s role in Pashtun lands, and this latest development only reinforces how the judiciary is weaponized against those who dare to speak up.

Criticism of the move has been swift. Imaan Mazari, a fierce critic of the military’s excesses and human rights violations, condemned the decision, calling it a blatant mockery of the legal system.

Pakistan’s deep state has long used fabricated cases, forced disappearances, and legal intimidation to break dissenters. The judiciary, instead of upholding justice, continues to function as an extension of the military’s will, ensuring that no voice of opposition remains free to challenge the status quo.

Jafar express BLA fidayeens laid to rest with honour in Mastung

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
Jafar express BLA fidayeens laid to rest with honour in Mastung

The funeral of the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Fidayeen fighters, Osama Umar Baloch and Ahkamuddin Baloch, who were involved in the Jafar Express attack, was attended by a large number of mourners in their native village, Teri, Mastung. The funeral was held with full honors, as emotions ran high and grief enveloped the region.

A somber atmosphere prevailed during the funeral prayer, with men, women, and children gathering to pay their respects. Tears welled in every eye as the martyrs were laid to rest. Flowers were showered over their bodies and graves as a tribute to their ultimate sacrifice. The local community stood united in honoring their courage and commitment to their cause.

Earlier, the bodies were handed over to their families at Quetta Civil Hospital. However, the handover was not without turmoil, as Pak Army reportedly subjected the grieving families to violence, further aggravating their pain. Despite the hardships, the remains of the fallen fighters were transported to their ancestral village, where they received a hero’s farewell.

It should be noted that Quetta Civil Hospital had recently received around 23 bodies, most of whom were reportedly involved in the Bolan operation. Even now, grieving families remain stationed outside the hospital, desperately searching for their loved ones and awaiting identification.

BLA Martyrs Laid to Rest 

Both Osama Umar Baloch and Ahkamuddin Baloch played a significant role in the Jafar Express attack in Bolan, an operation that also involved taking Pak Army personnel hostage. The BLA, while releasing details of the two fighters, emphasized their bravery and commitment to the movement.

Osama Umar Baloch, known as Salal Baloch, was a 21-year-old from Sefaid Bulandi, Laki, in Mastung. He joined the BLA in 2022 and, after years of dedicated struggle, sacrificed his life in 2025. His journey from a young recruit to a martyr of the cause has left an indelible mark on the resistance.

Ahkamuddin Baloch, also known as Badal Baloch, belonged to Major Chowk, Mastung. As per the organization’s statement, he was a fearless commander in the Bolan region, where he played a crucial role in resisting opposing forces. He joined the BLA in 2021 and, within a year, pledged himself to the elite Majeed Brigade. His selfless dedication and leadership have ensured that his name will be remembered as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of the resistance.

Their funerals have once again ignited strong sentiments within the Baloch community, who continue to bear the brunt of conflict. The sacrifices of these martyrs have left a lasting impression, further strengthening the resolve of their supporters. The grief-stricken yet resilient community stands firm, honoring the fallen and vowing to keep their memories alive.

Kashmir: Save Sharda Committee welcomes Yatri Niwas announcement for Sharda Temple

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
Kashmir: Save Sharda Committee welcomes Yatri Niwas announcement for Sharda Temple

The Save Sharda Committee Kashmir (Regd.) has expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for announcing the construction of a Yatri Niwas at the historic Sharda Temple in Teetwal, Kashmir. The announcement was made during an assembly session in response to a question by MLA Javed Mirchal (Karnah). Additionally, the Chief Minister revealed plans for a cafeteria and emphasized the promotion of border tourism through home stays in the Karnah region. 

In an official statement, Ravinder Pandita, Head and Founder of the Save Sharda Committee, welcomed the decision but also raised concerns about the management of the Yatri Niwas. “Once completed, the Yatri Niwas should be handed over to our committee for its operation and maintenance,” Pandita said.

The committee has played a key role in constructing and managing the Sharda Temple and a Sikh Gurudwara at the site, with Ajaz Ahmad serving as the local coordinator. Pandita further urged the Tourism Department to allocate funds for the renovation and upgrade of home stays to accommodate the growing number of visitors. 

Last year, over 10,000 pilgrims and tourists visited the Sharda Temple at Teetwal, highlighting the urgent need for improved accommodation facilities. Currently, 31 home stays have been identified from Bag Bella to Teetwal to cater to the increasing influx of devotees and tourists. 

Pak Army raid homes in Quetta, abducts Baloch leader Nasser Qambrani

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
Pak Army raid homes in Quetta, abducts Baloch leader Nasser Qambrani

In yet another case of enforced disappearance in Pakistan-occupied Balochistan (POB), Pakistan Army raided multiple homes in Quetta last night, forcibly abducting tribal leader Nasser Qambrani and transferring him to an undisclosed location.

At approximately 2 a.m., Pak security forces, along with CTD personnel and intelligence operatives, stormed the Killi Qambrani neighborhood, targeting the home of National Party leader Ghafar Qambrani and activist Bebo Baloch. The occupying forces subjected the residents to physical abuse, spreading terror within the community.

Shortly afterward, another raid was conducted at the residence of 59-year-old tribal elder Nasser Qambrani, where he was forcibly taken into custody and disappeared. As of now, his whereabouts remain unknown. Family members reported that Pak forces not only abducted Qambrani but also brutalized the household, confiscated their mobile phones, and left them in a state of fear and helplessness.

This is not the first time Nasser Qambrani has been targeted. He was previously abducted by Pak forces on August 20, 2015, and subjected to years of disappearance before being released in June 2018. His re-abduction underscores the Paki establishment’s continued campaign of terror against Baloch civilians.

Nine More Missing

This brutal raid is part of the systematic oppression and violence unleashed by the Pakistan Army since its illegal occupation of Balochistan in 1948. Over the decades, the Army has relied on enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture to crush dissent and tighten its grip on the region while exploiting its vast natural resources.

The enforced disappearances in POB have reached staggering levels, with countless students, political activists, and tribal elders falling victim to Army-sponsored abductions. Just yesterday, nine individuals were forcibly disappeared from Nushki by Pak forces, with no updates on their status.

Meanwhile, in Mastung and Mangchar (Kalat region), families of missing persons are staging protests, demanding justice and the return of their loved ones. Demonstrators have blocked major highways, highlighting the Baloch people’s growing resistance against Pakistan’s brutal policies.

For decades, the Pakistan Army has used abductions, assassinations, and fear tactics to suppress the Baloch people’s struggle for freedom, while simultaneously looting the region’s natural wealth. By targeting students, families, and civilians, the Paki establishment aims to cripple the Baloch national movement and erase their identity. Despite these atrocities, the Baloch people’s resilience remains unshaken, and their demand for justice and self-determination continues to grow.

Pak Army assassinates Pashtun scholar Mufti Munir Shakir

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
Pak Army assassinates Pashtun scholar Mufti Munir Shakir

Pakistan’s oppressive military establishment has once again silenced a vocal critic through violence. Mufti Munir Shakir, a respected Islamic scholar and supporter of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), was assassinated in a bomb blast outside a mosque in Peshawar. The attack, widely believed to be orchestrated by Pakistan Army-affiliated gunmen, highlights the military’s continued persecution of Pashtuns and who challenge Panjabi Pakistani policies.

Mufti Munir Shakir was an outspoken critic of Panjabi Pakistani policies and its exploitative policies against the Pashtun people. His support for PTM—a grassroots movement demanding justice for enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and military excesses—had unsettled Rawalpindi’s military elite. Despite his popularity among locals, his opposition to the military’s stranglehold on Pakistan’s political and religious structures made him a prime target.

Pashtun Leaders Condemn the Murder

At his funeral in Bagh-e-Naran, Barkat Afridi, spokesperson of the Pashtun National Jirga, strongly condemned the assassination, calling it yet another example of the Paki establishment’s brutal oppression of Pashtuns.

“There should be no question whether Pashtuns are oppressed—it is an undeniable fact,” Afridi declared. He revealed that the Pashtun National Jirga had repeatedly sought justice from provincial and federal occupying-governments, but their pleas were ignored. He called Mufti Munir Shakir’s murder a “turning point” that would further unite the Pashtun nation in its struggle against the Paki establishment’s systematic suppression.

Mufti Munir Shakir’s transformation from a local cleric into an ethno-nationalist leader had alarmed the military establishment. His critiques extended beyond military excesses—he exposed how Pakistan Army’s intelligence agencies manipulated religious seminaries (madrasas) to influence domestic politics and advance their foreign policy goals.

Terror Against Pashtuns

Former Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh, known for his staunch opposition to Pakistan’s interference in Afghanistan, noted on social media platform ‘X’ that Mufti Shakir’s assassination was inevitable given his increasing influence.

In the aftermath of his assassination, Mufti Munir Shakir’s son publicly accused Pakistan’s intelligence services of orchestrating the attack. This accusation aligns with the military’s long history of targeting Pashtun activists, journalists, and political leaders through extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

Mufti Munir Shakir had also condemned the Pak Army Chief’s hypocrisy in selectively quoting Quranic verses to justify crackdowns on dissent while detaining thousands of innocent Pashtuns. His fearless criticism of the establishment’s religious exploitation was likely another factor leading to his assassination.

Since Pakistan’s continued exploitation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military has used extreme measures to silence resistance. The enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and state-sponsored terrorism against Pashtuns have long been tools of governance for the Paki establishment. Mufti Munir Shakir’s murder is yet another example of how the military systematically eliminates those who challenge its power.

BLA: ISPR’s claim of ending the operation is a pack of lies; the war continues

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
BLA: ISPR’s claim of ending the operation is a pack of lies; the war continues

More than 30 hours have passed since the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took control of Jaffar Express, with tensions continuing to escalate. In response, the Health Department has issued directives for all hospitals in Quetta to maintain a 24/7 presence of doctors and medical staff, anticipating casualties from the ongoing clashes.

Hospital says, ambulances carrying bodies and injured personnel from Bolan are en route to Quetta. The remains of killed and abducted security personnel are being transferred to the city. In light of the situation, the Pak Army has increased patrols across major roads, while security at hospitals has been further tightened.

Meanwhile, the BLA has released all women, children, and elderly hostages, while over 200 military personnel remain in their custody, according to a statement from the militant group. Several freed passengers, who arrived in Quetta late last night, confirmed in media interviews that they were released unharmed by the attackers.

BLA rejects prisoner exchange, executes 50 captive soldiers

In a new statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch claimed that the group rejected Pakistan’s warnings and an offer for a prisoner exchange, leading to further escalations. He said that Pak Army attempted to advance using heavy artillery and weapons, resulting in intense clashes between the two sides.

Baloch said that BLA fighters successfully repelled the offensive, forcing the military into a humiliating retreat. He also confirmed that three BLA fighters were killed in battle, whom he hailed as heroes of the Baloch national freedom struggle.

In response to Pakistan’s aggression and refusal to negotiate a prisoner swap, the BLA claims to have executed 50 captive personnel, who have committed war crimes, enforced disappearances, and resource exploitation in Balochistan.

BLA Challenges Pakistan’s Victory Claims

Following reports from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) that the operation had ended, the BLA dismissed the claims as false propaganda to cover up military failures.

“The reality on the ground is that the war is still ongoing across multiple fronts, and the Pakistan Army is suffering heavy casualties,” said BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch. He further challenged Pakistan to allow independent journalists and neutral observers access to conflict zones, claiming that only then would the world see the true scale of military losses.

The BLA has warned that the conflict is spiraling beyond the Paki establishment’s control, asserting that the military’s defeat is inevitable. The group remains committed to continuing the battle on its own terms until its objectives are achieved.

Meanwhile, after failing in direct combat, Pak forces have begun targeting civilian areas in an effort to retaliate.

POGB uprising: Mass protests intensify against Pakistan’s Diamer-Bhasha Dam displacement plan

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
POGB uprising: Mass protests intensify against Pakistan’s Diamer-Bhasha Dam displacement plan

Protests against Pakistan’s exploitative policies in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) have intensified, with affected communities demanding justice for their displacement due to the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project. Religious leader Maulana Hazratullah has presented a 31-point charter of demands to the occupying-govt’s committee, pressing for compensation, local employment, and a fair share of the dam’s royalties.

For years, the people of PoGB have been systematically exploited by the Paki establishment, which has prioritized Punjab’s interests while neglecting the rights and welfare of PoGB’s indigenous population. The construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam epitomizes this exploitation, as vast tracts of land have been seized without fair compensation, while the generated electricity and revenues are funneled to Punjab, leaving locals in perpetual deprivation.

The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, a massive 422-billion-rupee project launched on May 13, 2010, with Chinese and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) involvement, stands as a symbol of this exploitation. Since its inception, neither WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) nor the occupying Paki establishment has addressed the legitimate grievances of the displaced people.

Key Demands of the Protesters:

  • 80% royalty from the Diamer Dam and 30% from the Dassu Dam for PoGB.
  • Free electricity for Diamer district and discounted rates for the rest of PoGB.
  • Compensation for 18,000 acres of seized land and financial relief for 3,000 displaced families.
  • Six kanals of agricultural land per affected family and eligibility for the “Chulha Package” for every married couple.
  • Infrastructure development, including schools, hospitals, and sewerage systems.
  • Employment rights for local workers, including the regularization of daily wage laborers involved in the project.

The people of PoGB have sacrificed everything—ancestral lands, homes, and even the graves of their forefathers—to make way for the dam, yet they have received nothing in return. Over 80,000 affected individuals have still not received compensation.

Despite their repeated appeals, the people of PoGB have been subjected to broken promises by WAPDA and the Paki establishment. The affected communities have now vowed to halt all dam construction activities until their demands are met.

Punjab’s greed at PoGB’s expense

The ongoing protests expose a long-standing pattern of exploitation by the Punjabi-Paki establishment. The wealth generated from PoGB’s natural resources—including water, minerals, and hydropower—is shamelessly diverted to benefit Punjab, while the locals remain in poverty, joblessness, and energy deprivation. Despite being rich in water resources, PoGB faces severe electricity shortages.

Moreover, political and religious leaders across Pakistan remain deafeningly silent, unwilling to challenge the Punjabi Pak Army establishment that profits from PoGB’s suffering. The denial of basic rights, political suppression, and economic exploitation underscore Pakistan’s colonial-style governance over the region.

BLA highjacks Jaffer Express, kills 20 Pak Army personnel, issues ultimatum

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
BLA highjacks Jaffer Express, kills 20 Pak Army personnel, issues ultimatum

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has launched a major attack on the Jaffer Express passenger train, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar on March 11. The attack occurred in the Mishkaf area of Dhadar, Bolan district in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, where explosives were used to destroy the railway track, forcing the train to halt. The BLA then took the passengers hostage.

According to the BLA spokesperson, Jeeyand Baloch, over 400 passengers were initially taken hostage. Women and children were later released, but 182 individuals remain captive. The spokesperson claimed that 20 Pak Army personnel were killed during the operation.

The BLA said that this operation involved fidayeen of Majeed Brigade, unit dedicated to high-profile operations, STOS (Special Tactical Operations Squad), Fatah Squad, and the BLA’s intelligence unit ‘Zarab’.

Pak Army Respond with Military Action

Following the incident, Pak Army launched an operation in the area. Helicopters and fighter jets were seen flying over Dhadar and nearby regions as forces conducted ground operations. Security personnel cordoned off the area and deployed additional troops. The BLA spokesperson reported that their forces successfully repelled the Pak military’s ground operation, forcing them to retreat. However, airstrikes by Pak helicopters and drones were still ongoing.

The BLA spokesperson issued a stark warning that if these airstrikes did not cease immediately, they would execute all remaining hostages within an hour. He warned that if Pakistan Army continued their actions, they would bear full responsibility for the hostages’ deaths.

Emergency measures enforced

In response to the situation, the occupying government imposed emergency measures. Emergency protocols were activated in Quetta and Sibi hospitals, with ambulances dispatched to the scene.

A senior railway control officer in Quetta, Mohammad Sharif, confirmed that the train driver had been injured during the attack and that the train was stopped near Sibi as a result.

The BLA’s warning emphasized that if Pak security forces continued their military operation, all hostages would be killed. The organization claimed full responsibility for the attack and stressed that any harm to the hostages would be the result of Pakistan’s actions. This incident is BLA’s response to years of enforced disappearances, military crackdowns, and atrocities that the Baloch community has been facing since 1948 after a forceful occupation.

Pakistan’s war on terror operates as a cover for it’s double game

Nilesh Kunwar
-
0
Pakistan’s war on terror operates as a cover for it’s double game

An Arrest

Islamabad definitely deserves due appreciation for facilitating apprehension of Mohammad Sharifullah, a terrorist commander belonging to the UN proscribed Islamic State Khorasan Province [ISKP] terrorist group who was involved in the deadly August 2021 bombing at Kabul airport that killed nearly 200 people including 13 American soldiers. According to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s post on X, the “ISKP’s top tier Sharifullah commander” was apprehended by “Pakistan Security Forces… in a successful operation conducted in [the] Pakistan-Afghan border region.” 

And, US President Donald Trump did exactly this while announcing Sarifullah’s arrest in his speech to Congress on Tuesday night by thanking the Government of Pakistan “for helping arrest this monster.” Basking in the adulation heaped by the mercurial POTUS, Sharif deftly portrayed this isolated incident based expression of gratitude as comprehensive acknowledgement and appreciation of “Pakistan’s role and support in counter terrorism efforts across the region, in the context of Pakistan Security Forces.”

Not only this, he also went on to claim that “Pakistan has always played a critical role in counter terrorism efforts aimed at denying safe havens to terrorists and militant groups the space to operate against any other country.” Unfortunately, this claim doesn’t stand up to impartial scrutiny. For one, if arrest of ISKP terrorist Sarifullah wanted by the US is a feather in its cap, then isn’t Islamabad’s brazen refusal to hand over Lashkar-e-Taiba co-founder Hafiz Saeedwanted by the US for masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks a ‘black-eye’ for Pakistan?

Unanswered Questions

Next is the question as to who Sharifullah is and from where he was apprehended. The Pakistani prime minister mentioned that this ISKP terrorist is an Afghan national who was arrested fromthe “Pakistan-Afghan border region.” While description of the location has been intentionally kept delightfully vague, it’s evident that Sharifullah was staying in a safe house/hideout well inside Pakistan when he was apprehended. This makes things even more confusing because if Pakistan’s claim about “denying safe havens to terrorists” is indeed true, then why did a “top-tier” ISKP commander from Afghanistan be so imprudent to run the risk of being caught andeven killed by opting to seek refuge in Pakistan? 

Due to strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, tension along the Durand Line as well asheightened security threat from terrorist groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan [TTP], the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region is heavily militarised and under enhanced surveillance like never before. With the security forces and intelligence agencies working overtime to identify aliens, how is it therefore possible that presence of a high ranking ISKP terrorist in this sensitive area escape notice of the Pakistan Army’s spy agency Inter Services Intelligence [ISI], that never ceases boasting about its professional competence? 

Readers would recall that ISI denied having any knowledge about Al Qaeda founder and 9/11 attack mastermind Osama bin Laden’s massive Abbottabad compound. Though downright implausible, Rawalpindi still got away with its barefaced lie, thanks to global apathy. Hence, could it be that having realised how easily the international community can be fooled by feigning ignorance, Pakistan acted as if it was unaware that the top ranking ISKP terrorist commander responsible for orchestrating the horrific Kabul airport bombing was present on its soil, till it was prodded by CIA?

An Enemy’s Enemy

Rawalpindi’s firm belief that the Taliban leadership would remain forever obliged to Pakistan for having hosted them for nearly a decade expectedly turned out to be a monumental blunder, and probably the only return favour it did to the Pakistan Army was to serve the then ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed a cup of tea at Serena Hotel in Kabul. However, Taliban did reward its old time frontline ally TTP by releasing all its fighters jailed by previous governments, and despite repeated requests from Islamabad, has refused to act against this terrorist group. 

So, it was but natural that ISI would exploit the irreconcilable ideological differences and intense animosity between Taliban and ISPK by patronising the latter in order to create a counterbalancing force for leveraging purposes, and there’s abundant evidence to suggest that it has done exactly this. 

Speaking at a UN side event in March last year, Baloch National Movement [BNM] chairman Dr Naseem Baloch disclosed that “active camps of the international terrorist organization known as Daesh [ISKP] are operating in Balochistan under the direct supervision and support of the Pakistan Army.” Just a month later, Taliban’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mawlawi Aimr Khan Muttaqi, too had without naming Pakistan, also accused it of “providing centres for planning, training and funding” ISKP. 

In September last year, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Kabul had credible inputs that “after the destruction of ISIS [ISKP] by the special units of the Islamic Emirate [of Afghanistan], the leaders and remaining members of the ISIS Khorasan branch, with the help of some intelligence organizations, were transferred to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [KP], where they have training centers and camps.” 

Mujhid also stated that “From these new centers, they [ISKP] carry out attacks in Afghanistan and other countries, and also target religious scholars and members of religious, sectarian and political groups in Balochistan and KP…” He went on to reveal that “Investigations have revealed that the attackers of the employees of the General Directorate for the Pursuit and Supervision of Orders had come to Afghanistan from a training camp of the ISIS Khorasanbranch in Mastung, Balochistan,” reinforcing the BNM chairman’s claims.

Unfortunately, no one took these claims seriously, as everyone swallowed Islamabad’s palpably false assertion that ISKP was thriving on Afghan soil. Now with the high ranking ISKP terrorist leader’s arrest from the KP area of “Pakistan-Afghan border region” and the unique pattern of targeted killings in KP and Balochistan, it’s high time the international community examined Kabul’s allegation a bit more objectively. 

Rawalpindi’s ISKP Game Plan 

Former head of Afghanistan’s erstwhile intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security [NDS] Rahmatullah Nabil opines that “Pakistan’s recent maneuvers suggest a two-pronged approach,” that entails “Pressuring the Taliban by allowing the ISIS [ISKP] threat to expand within its borders-particularly in areas like Malakand, Bajaur, and Mastung in Balochistan.”According to him, “Pakistan is signaling to the Taliban that it can destabilize Afghanistan if its demands are not met,” and “key points of contention include the Durand Line dispute, regional alliances, and the Taliban’s position on India.”

Secondly, Pakistan is keen on “Securing U.S. Support…by amplifying the threat of ISIS [ISKP] within its own borders, [and]…positioning itself as an indispensable counterterrorism partner, hoping to secure military and financial aid from Washington-or even the possibility of hosting U.S. bases again.” Nabil is sanguine that “Pakistan’s long-standing strategy of cultivating and managing terrorist threats remains unchanged” and that “Today, ISIS-K is simply the latest pawn in Islamabad’s geopolitical game-one designed to expand its regional influence while securing support from the West.”

While some may consider these inferences as extreme or prejudiced, given the ISI’s unmatched ability to run with hares and hunt with hounds, these possibilities can’t be summarily dismissed. And doesn’t the apprehension of a top ranking ISKP terrorist commander from Pakistani territory reinforce President Trump’s accurate assessment made in his 2018 New Year tweet about howPakistan had “given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools [and how] they [Pakistan government and the Army] give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt…”

Reflecting on this reality may perhaps do President Trump a lot of good!

Tailpiece: In 2023, while exercising India’s right to reply to Pakistan’s statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, First Secretary of India’s Permanent Mission to UN Seema Pujani reminded Pakistan that “it has the unique distinction of hosting the most number of UNSC designated terrorists and terror organisations.” Knowing that it couldn’t debunk the Indian side’s contention, the Pakistani mission tried to save face by leveling ridiculous counter allegations.  

The Indian mission’s matter-of-fact statement raises the same old question- if “Pakistan has always played a critical role in counter terrorism efforts aimed at denying safe havens to terrorists and militant groups the space to operate against any other country,” as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has so glibly affirmed, then how come it is still remains the world’s most preferred safe haven destination for UNSC designated terrorists? 

So, while the arrest of an ISKP terrorist commander in Pakistan by security forces [even though made on explicit instructions of Washington] is praiseworthy, perceiving this incident as proof of Rawalpindi’s sincerity in its war on terror nevertheless remains highly suspect. 

As the wise have said, “One swallow doesn’t make a summer!”  

123...478Page 1 of 478

News Intervention is the new age digital media platform that has news analysis, opinion pieces, news briefs, news videos and documentaries.
News Intervention raises all those issues that may have been overlooked by big media houses or have been deliberately buried to serve vested interests. We firmly believe that each life matters and every individual regardless of religion, nationality, race, caste or creed must have the right to live life with dignity.

Contact us: editor@newsintervention.com

© Copyright - NewsIntervention