China on Wednesday condemned the suicide attack in Pakistan’s Karachi University that claimed the lives&nbsp;of three of its citizens, and demanded a thorough investigation.

“China will continue to urge Pakistan to deal with the aftermath and the treatment of the injured and resolutely fight against terrorist organisations involved in the case," deputy director of the Chinese foreign ministry Zhao Lijian tweeted on Wednesday.

"The blood of the Chinese people should not be shed in vain and those behind this incident will pay the price," China’s Global Times quoted the foreign ministry’s statement.&nbsp;

Three Chinese tutors and their Pakistani driver were killed after a woman suicide bomber launched an attack outside the university’s Confucius Institute on Tuesday.

According to reports, another Chinese teacher was injured in the attack.

The separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/possible-suicide-attack-in-pakistan-3-chinese-people-killed-473965">Baloch group claims Pak suicide blast carried out by woman that killed 3 Chinese</a>

Assistant foreign minister Wu Jianghao also called the Pakistani ambassador to China to express “extremely grave concern” over the attack.

He demanded that the Pakistani side should immediately make a thorough investigation of the incident, apprehend and punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law, and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan and prevent such incidents from happening again.

Watch |&nbsp;Three Chinese nationals among Four killed in Karachi University blast

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-three-chinese-nationals-among-four-killed-in-karachi-university-blast-474121/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and Consulate-General in Karachi are working with the Pakistani side to deal with the follow-up matters of the casualties,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on April 26 evening to convey condolences, saying that the government will conduct an in-depth probe into the incident.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

China on Wednesday condemned the suicide attack in Pakistan’s Karachi University that claimed the lives of three of its citizens, and demanded a thorough investigation.

China on Wednesday condemned the suicide attack in Pakistan’s Karachi University that claimed the lives of three of its citizens, and demanded a thorough investigation. “China will continue to urge Pakistan to deal with the aftermath and the treatment of the injured and resolutely fight against terrorist organisations involved in the case," deputy director of the Chinese foreign ministry Zhao Lijian tweeted on Wednesday. "The blood of the Chinese people should not be shed in vain and those behind this incident will pay the price," China’s Global Times quoted the foreign ministry’s statement. Three Chinese tutors and their Pakistani driver were killed after a woman suicide bomber launched an attack outside the university’s Confucius Institute on Tuesday. According to reports, another Chinese teacher was injured in the attack. The separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. Also read | Baloch group claims Pak suicide blast carried out by woman that killed 3 Chinese Assistant foreign minister Wu Jianghao also called the Pakistani ambassador to China to express “extremely grave concern” over the attack. He demanded that the Pakistani side should immediately make a thorough investigation of the incident, apprehend and punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law, and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan and prevent such incidents from happening again. Watch | Three Chinese nationals among Four killed in Karachi University blast “The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and Consulate-General in Karachi are working with the Pakistani side to deal with the follow-up matters of the casualties,” the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on April 26 evening to convey condolences, saying that the government will conduct an in-depth probe into the incident. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Blood should not be shed in vain’: China seeks strong action in Pakistan suicide attack

In an ongoing encounter in North Kashmir’s Malwah area of Baramulla district, the top commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), along with one other terrorist, has been been killed by security forces.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have identified the slain commander as Mohammad Yousuf Kantroo. He was the longest surviving commander of the Lashkar. The other terrorist has not been identified yet.&nbsp;

The police also said that Yousuf was active since 2017 but had a long association with other terror groups since 2000. He has been involved in killings of civilians and personnel

“Top LeT terrorist Commander Yousuf Kantroo killed in Baramulla encounter. He was involved in several killings of civilians &amp; personnel including recent killing of Jammu and Kashmir Police SPO &amp; his brother, a soldier and a civilian in Budgam district. A big success for us,” Vijay Kumar, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, said.

In the encounter, three soldiers were injured. All of them have been admitted at the hospital and their condition is said to be stable.&nbsp;

“The injured soldiers received minor injuries,” Kumar added.

The operation is still underway, and security forces believe that there could be more terrorists hiding in the area.

The encounter ensued following a cordon and search operation in the district about the presence of the terrorists.

The search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired upon the forces.

In an ongoing encounter in North Kashmir’s Malwah area of Baramulla district, the top commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), along with one other terrorist, has been been killed by security forces.

In an ongoing encounter in North Kashmir’s Malwah area of Baramulla district, the top commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), along with one other terrorist, has been been killed by security forces. Jammu and Kashmir Police have identified the slain commander as Mohammad Yousuf Kantroo. He was the longest surviving commander of the Lashkar. The other terrorist has not been identified yet. The police also said that Yousuf was active since 2017 but had a long association with other terror groups since 2000. He has been involved in killings of civilians and personnel “Top LeT terrorist Commander Yousuf Kantroo killed in Baramulla encounter. He was involved in several killings of civilians & personnel including recent killing of Jammu and Kashmir Police SPO & his brother, a soldier and a civilian in Budgam district. A big success for us,” Vijay Kumar, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, said. In the encounter, three soldiers were injured. All of them have been admitted at the hospital and their condition is said to be stable. “The injured soldiers received minor injuries,” Kumar added. The operation is still underway, and security forces believe that there could be more terrorists hiding in the area. The encounter ensued following a cordon and search operation in the district about the presence of the terrorists. The search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired upon the forces.

Top LeT commander killed in Jammu & Kashmir encounter, combing operation underway

A member of Islamic State was convicted in US (Virginia) on Thursday for beheading hostages.

El Shafee Elsheikh, who had been stripped of his British citizenship, was a member of Islamic State terrorist cell nicknamed "The Beatles" for their British accents. He took part in the infamous Islamic State hostage-taking plot that led to the beheading of American journalists and aid workers.

ElSheikh's trial went on for six-week and the jury took four hours to deliberate before declaring him guilty. The trial saw testimonies from some former hostages who were released by the "Beatles" after long negotiations. They spoke about the torture they endured. Family members of the deceased victims also testified.

Elsheikh was born in Sudan and raised in London. His British citizenship was withdrawn in 2018. He was accused of killing four American hostages: James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.

Foley and Sotloff were journalists while Kassig was an aid worker. These men were killed in videotaped beheadings. The US officials have said that Kayla Mueller was raped repeatedly by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. She died in Syria.

Another of the cell's members, Alexanda Kotey, was held in Iraq by the US military before being flown to the United States to face trial. Kotey pleaded guilty last September to the murders of Foley, Sotloff, Mueller and Kassig.

During opening arguments in the U.S. trial, Elsheikh's lawyer Ed MacMahon called him a "simple ISIS fighter" and tried to cast doubt on whether he was one of the "Beatles." The captors wore masks and had similar accents, making it difficult for hostages to identify them, he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A member of Islamic State was convicted in US (Virginia) on Thursday for beheading hostages. El Shafee Elsheikh, who had been stripped of his British citizenship, was a member of Islamic State terrorist cell nicknamed "The Beatles" for their British accents.

A member of Islamic State was convicted in US (Virginia) on Thursday for beheading hostages. El Shafee Elsheikh, who had been stripped of his British citizenship, was a member of Islamic State terrorist cell nicknamed "The Beatles" for their British accents. He took part in the infamous Islamic State hostage-taking plot that led to the beheading of American journalists and aid workers. ElSheikh's trial went on for six-week and the jury took four hours to deliberate before declaring him guilty. The trial saw testimonies from some former hostages who were released by the "Beatles" after long negotiations. They spoke about the torture they endured. Family members of the deceased victims also testified. Elsheikh was born in Sudan and raised in London. His British citizenship was withdrawn in 2018. He was accused of killing four American hostages: James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller. Foley and Sotloff were journalists while Kassig was an aid worker. These men were killed in videotaped beheadings. The US officials have said that Kayla Mueller was raped repeatedly by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. She died in Syria. Another of the cell's members, Alexanda Kotey, was held in Iraq by the US military before being flown to the United States to face trial. Kotey pleaded guilty last September to the murders of Foley, Sotloff, Mueller and Kassig. During opening arguments in the U.S. trial, Elsheikh's lawyer Ed MacMahon called him a "simple ISIS fighter" and tried to cast doubt on whether he was one of the "Beatles." The captors wore masks and had similar accents, making it difficult for hostages to identify them, he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Islamic State 'Beatles' cell member found guilty of beheading hostages

Two Pakistan-based terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit were killed during an encounter in Srinagar's Bishembar Nagar area.

During a joint operation of Jammu Kashmir Police and the paramilitary force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the terrorists, involved in the attack on CRPF personnel at Maisuma area of Srinagar on April 4 were, neutralised.&nbsp;

The security forces said that they were acting on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in Bhishembar Nagar area, following which a cordon and search operation were launched by the Srinagar Police.

During the search operation, the terrorists fired upon the security forces, who then retaliated to their attacks, resulting in the encounter.&nbsp;In the initial exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed, while the other one was neutralised later.&nbsp;

''Keeping in view the tourist movement and huge rush in the area, Police and CRPF exercised maximum restraint and carried out the operation in a professional manner to avoid any civilian causality. During the course of the evacuation of civilians, the trapped terrorist hurled a grenade resulting in minor splinter injuries to 03 Police/CRPF Jawans who were shifted to hospital for treatment of their injuries.'' J&amp;K Police chief Vijay Kumar said.

The slain terrorists were from Pakistan identified as Mohammad Bhai, also known as Abu Qasim/Mir Shoaib/Mudassir and Abu Arsalan, aka Khalid/Aadil.

''As per police records, both the killed terrorists were category ‘A’ terrorists and linked with LeT. Mohammad Bhai was active since 2019 while Abu Arsalan since 2021 in Central Kashmir. Both the terrorists were wanted for various terror-related activities,'' Vijay Kumar said.

Both the terrorists were carrying fake Aadhaar cards to conceal their identity.

Police also found incriminating materials, arms &amp; ammunition were from the site of the encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.&nbsp;

Since January this year, security forces have killed 46 terrorists, while 26 have been arrested alive. Also, more than 150 Overground Workers (OGWs) have been apprehended too.

OGW is&nbsp;used to describe those persons who provide logistical support, cash, accommodation, and other facilities to militants or terrorists.

Two Pakistan-based terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit were killed during an encounter in Srinagar's Bishembar Nagar area. During a joint operation of Jammu Kashmir Police and the paramilitary force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the terrorists, involved in the attack on CRPF personnel at Maisuma area of Srinagar on April 4 were, neutralised.

Two Pakistan-based terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit were killed during an encounter in Srinagar's Bishembar Nagar area. During a joint operation of Jammu Kashmir Police and the paramilitary force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the terrorists, involved in the attack on CRPF personnel at Maisuma area of Srinagar on April 4 were, neutralised. The security forces said that they were acting on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in Bhishembar Nagar area, following which a cordon and search operation were launched by the Srinagar Police. During the search operation, the terrorists fired upon the security forces, who then retaliated to their attacks, resulting in the encounter. In the initial exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed, while the other one was neutralised later. ''Keeping in view the tourist movement and huge rush in the area, Police and CRPF exercised maximum restraint and carried out the operation in a professional manner to avoid any civilian causality. During the course of the evacuation of civilians, the trapped terrorist hurled a grenade resulting in minor splinter injuries to 03 Police/CRPF Jawans who were shifted to hospital for treatment of their injuries.'' J&K Police chief Vijay Kumar said. The slain terrorists were from Pakistan identified as Mohammad Bhai, also known as Abu Qasim/Mir Shoaib/Mudassir and Abu Arsalan, aka Khalid/Aadil. ''As per police records, both the killed terrorists were category ‘A’ terrorists and linked with LeT. Mohammad Bhai was active since 2019 while Abu Arsalan since 2021 in Central Kashmir. Both the terrorists were wanted for various terror-related activities,'' Vijay Kumar said. Both the terrorists were carrying fake Aadhaar cards to conceal their identity. Police also found incriminating materials, arms & ammunition were from the site of the encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation. Since January this year, security forces have killed 46 terrorists, while 26 have been arrested alive. Also, more than 150 Overground Workers (OGWs) have been apprehended too. OGW is used to describe those persons who provide logistical support, cash, accommodation, and other facilities to militants or terrorists.

Two Pakistan-based LeT terrorists killed in Srinagar encounter

This evening, a shopkeeper in Kashmir's Shopian area was shot, in the Valley's fourth terrorist strike since yesterday.

Bal Krishan, a Kashmiri Pandit, was shot in the hand and leg and sent to a Srinagar Army hospital.

His status, according to reports, is stable.

Terrorists opened fire on CRPF soldiers in Srinagar's Maisuma district earlier today, killing one and wounding another.

The two paramilitary troops were airlifted to the SMHS Hospital, where one of them was pronounced dead.

The area was blocked off, and a search for the assailants began.&nbsp;

"Preliminary investigation revealed that terrorists had fired upon a Kashmiri pandit identified as Bal Krishan near his house at Choutigam Shopian. In this terror incident, he had received critical gunshot injuries," the police said in a statement.

The injured man was immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital for the treatment of his injuries.

Police have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. The investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime.&nbsp;

Earlier, two CRPF jawans suffered injuries in the terrorist attack at Maisuma in Lal Chowk in Srinagar.&nbsp;

Later, one jawan, who was injured in the terrorist attack succumbed to his injuries.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

This evening, a shopkeeper in Kashmir's Shopian area was shot, in the Valley's fourth terrorist strike since yesterday. Bal Krishan, a Kashmiri Pandit, was shot in the hand and leg and sent to a Srinagar Army hospital.

This evening, a shopkeeper in Kashmir's Shopian area was shot, in the Valley's fourth terrorist strike since yesterday. Bal Krishan, a Kashmiri Pandit, was shot in the hand and leg and sent to a Srinagar Army hospital. His status, according to reports, is stable. Terrorists opened fire on CRPF soldiers in Srinagar's Maisuma district earlier today, killing one and wounding another. The two paramilitary troops were airlifted to the SMHS Hospital, where one of them was pronounced dead. The area was blocked off, and a search for the assailants began. "Preliminary investigation revealed that terrorists had fired upon a Kashmiri pandit identified as Bal Krishan near his house at Choutigam Shopian. In this terror incident, he had received critical gunshot injuries," the police said in a statement. The injured man was immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital for the treatment of his injuries. Police have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. The investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime. Earlier, two CRPF jawans suffered injuries in the terrorist attack at Maisuma in Lal Chowk in Srinagar. Later, one jawan, who was injured in the terrorist attack succumbed to his injuries. (With inputs from agencies)

Kashmiri Pandit shot at by terrorists in fourth terror attack in J&K

Israel is witnessing a rise in gun attacks. 5 people were killed outside Tel Aviv in a third deadly gun attack in a week. In a recent update, Israel's defence minister has vowed to take action to tackle terrorism.

Israel vows action to curb 'terrorism', Joe Biden offers support to Israel

Braving the harshest winter season on the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, Indian security forces have been guarding the border facing sub-zero temperatures. And now with the melting of snow on the higher reaches of northern Kashmir, the vigil on the traditional infiltration routes has been increased to foil any infiltration bids.&nbsp;

The security forces have inputs that more than 350 terrorists are waiting across the border in various terror launch pads to cross over to the Kashmir Valley. Security forces also believe that a lot of 'fanatic warriors' from Afghanistan can be sent to Kashmir, but the forces are ready to tackle any such issue. All the high-ranking officers of Army and BSF are making special visits to LoC to take stock of the situation on ground zero.&nbsp;

"After the snow has started to melt on these higher reaches. We have increased the vigil on those areas which are prone to infiltrations. Our sources say that around 125-150 terrorists are waiting across the border to infiltrate. Army and Border Security Force (BSF) have made sure the terrorists are neutralised and situation is very peaceful in the valley. There is a possibility of fanatic warriors trying to infiltrate from across the border," said Raja Babu Singh, Inspector General (IG0, BSF, Kashmir Frontier.&nbsp;

The jawans guarding the border have been given all new technology equipment which include sophisticated weapons, surveillance cameras with night vigil, drones and thermal imaging tracers. The patrolling has also been increased across the LoC.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorist-killed-in-encounter-at-jammu-kashmirs-shopian-district-467298">One terrorist killed, three terror associates held in different J&amp;K operations</a>&nbsp;

"We are here guarding the LoC 24/7 for the whole year and there is no chance for infiltration in this area. We won't let any infiltrator cross into our territory. The citizens of the country need to be assured that they are secure," said Dheeraj Singh, a BSF soldier.&nbsp;

The soldiers who have been posted in these higher reaches have been given special training. The area has 8-10 feet of snow in the winters as well as in summers. Oxygen levels on these higher reaches are low. Since it's a densely forested area, the security forces must work much harder to locate infiltrators here.&nbsp;

"We are properly trained for these locations. Higher reaches have low oxygen levels and difficult terrain to move on. But our training is such that we don't find it difficult. We are dominating this area all through the year. You need to be assured that till the time BSF is here on LoC, everyone is secure in the country," said Malik Showkat, BSF Soldier.&nbsp;

<img alt="Jammu Kashmir" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed1d9f6-e451-4030-8f49-232ae070eb50" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-04-01%20at%204.26.43%20PM.jpeg" />

During the winter season, LoC witnessed zero infiltrations. The vigil on the borders is so tight that no one has managed to cross over to the Kashmir Valley from across the border in North Kashmir. The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have also increased the anti-terror operations in which around 40 terrorists have been killed in various encounters in 2022. &nbsp;

Security forces believe that terror organisations across the border are frustrated with the numbers of terrorists in the valley going down and that's why they want to send more. Sources say that terrorists are ready to infiltrate into Kashmir from four terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Each launch pad is suspected to shelter around 125-130 terrorrists.

Braving the harshest winter season on the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, Indian security forces have been guarding the border facing sub-zero temperatures.

Braving the harshest winter season on the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, Indian security forces have been guarding the border facing sub-zero temperatures. And now with the melting of snow on the higher reaches of northern Kashmir, the vigil on the traditional infiltration routes has been increased to foil any infiltration bids. The security forces have inputs that more than 350 terrorists are waiting across the border in various terror launch pads to cross over to the Kashmir Valley. Security forces also believe that a lot of 'fanatic warriors' from Afghanistan can be sent to Kashmir, but the forces are ready to tackle any such issue. All the high-ranking officers of Army and BSF are making special visits to LoC to take stock of the situation on ground zero. "After the snow has started to melt on these higher reaches. We have increased the vigil on those areas which are prone to infiltrations. Our sources say that around 125-150 terrorists are waiting across the border to infiltrate. Army and Border Security Force (BSF) have made sure the terrorists are neutralised and situation is very peaceful in the valley. There is a possibility of fanatic warriors trying to infiltrate from across the border," said Raja Babu Singh, Inspector General (IG0, BSF, Kashmir Frontier. The jawans guarding the border have been given all new technology equipment which include sophisticated weapons, surveillance cameras with night vigil, drones and thermal imaging tracers. The patrolling has also been increased across the LoC. Also Read | One terrorist killed, three terror associates held in different J&K operations "We are here guarding the LoC 24/7 for the whole year and there is no chance for infiltration in this area. We won't let any infiltrator cross into our territory. The citizens of the country need to be assured that they are secure," said Dheeraj Singh, a BSF soldier. The soldiers who have been posted in these higher reaches have been given special training. The area has 8-10 feet of snow in the winters as well as in summers. Oxygen levels on these higher reaches are low. Since it's a densely forested area, the security forces must work much harder to locate infiltrators here. "We are properly trained for these locations. Higher reaches have low oxygen levels and difficult terrain to move on. But our training is such that we don't find it difficult. We are dominating this area all through the year. You need to be assured that till the time BSF is here on LoC, everyone is secure in the country," said Malik Showkat, BSF Soldier. During the winter season, LoC witnessed zero infiltrations. The vigil on the borders is so tight that no one has managed to cross over to the Kashmir Valley from across the border in North Kashmir. The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have also increased the anti-terror operations in which around 40 terrorists have been killed in various encounters in 2022. Security forces believe that terror organisations across the border are frustrated with the numbers of terrorists in the valley going down and that's why they want to send more. Sources say that terrorists are ready to infiltrate into Kashmir from four terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Each launch pad is suspected to shelter around 125-130 terrorrists.

Kashmir: Indian forces seal infiltration routes opened due to melting snow

Israel's defence minister says will do whatever it takes to break wave of terrorism

Trial of an alleged Islamic State terrorist who was member of a group that beheaded US hostages in Iraq and Syria began on Tuesday in the US. The group was known as "The Beatles" for their British accent.

El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, will stand trial in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, on charges including lethal hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit murder.

Elsheikh was one of four ISIS militants belonging to the four-member Islamic State cell. The cell garnered international attention after releasing videos of the murders of US&nbsp;journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig, among other victims.

Two of the cell's four members, Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey, were held in Iraq by the US&nbsp;military before being flown to the United States to face trial.

Mohammed Emwazi, a British citizen who oversaw the executions, died in a drone strike in 2015. Aine Lesley Davis, the fourth member of the group, was convicted in Turkey on terrorism charges and jailed.

Kotey pleaded guilty in September 2021 to the murders of Foley, Sotloff, Mueller and Kassig. He will be sentenced next month.

Kotey was a citizen of the United Kingdom, but the British government withdrew his citizenship.

The charges against Elsheikh, a UK citizen, carry a potential death sentence, but US&nbsp;prosecutors have advised British officials that they will not seek the death penalty against Elsheikh or Kotey.

US&nbsp;District Judge TS&nbsp;Ellis will oversee the trial, and is expected to spend Tuesday questioning potential jurors to ensure a fair trial.

Elsheikh's lawyers have said the killings were planned and carried out by Emwazi at the behest of Islamic State leadership.

(With inputs from agencies)

Trial of an alleged Islamic State terrorist who was member of a group that beheaded US hostages in Iraq and Syria began on Tuesday in the US. The group was known as "The Beatles" for their British accent.

Trial of an alleged Islamic State terrorist who was member of a group that beheaded US hostages in Iraq and Syria began on Tuesday in the US. The group was known as "The Beatles" for their British accent. El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, will stand trial in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, on charges including lethal hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit murder. Elsheikh was one of four ISIS militants belonging to the four-member Islamic State cell. The cell garnered international attention after releasing videos of the murders of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig, among other victims. Two of the cell's four members, Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey, were held in Iraq by the US military before being flown to the United States to face trial. Mohammed Emwazi, a British citizen who oversaw the executions, died in a drone strike in 2015. Aine Lesley Davis, the fourth member of the group, was convicted in Turkey on terrorism charges and jailed. Kotey pleaded guilty in September 2021 to the murders of Foley, Sotloff, Mueller and Kassig. He will be sentenced next month. Kotey was a citizen of the United Kingdom, but the British government withdrew his citizenship. The charges against Elsheikh, a UK citizen, carry a potential death sentence, but US prosecutors have advised British officials that they will not seek the death penalty against Elsheikh or Kotey. US District Judge TS Ellis will oversee the trial, and is expected to spend Tuesday questioning potential jurors to ensure a fair trial. Elsheikh's lawyers have said the killings were planned and carried out by Emwazi at the behest of Islamic State leadership. (With inputs from agencies)

Member of Islamic State 'Beatles' cell stands trial in US

The Jammu and Kashmir Police chief on Thursday said that the number of terrorists in the valley has come down, but added that the threat still remains.

He also said that till the time there are arms and ammunition present in the valley, peace cannot prevail upon Kashmir. He appealed to the youth of the valley to shun the path of violence.&nbsp;

''The number of terrorists and terror incidents have come down over the last two years but that doesn’t mean terrorism is over. As long as guns and grenades are available to the youth, innocent lives will continue to become the casualty of it,"&nbsp;Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh said.

“I urge youth to shun the path of violence. The youth who are carrying pistols, guns and grenades must give peace a chance,” he added.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir Police have been conducting special operations to break the terror infrastructure in the valley and act against the terror supporters.&nbsp;

“'Srinagar youth has played a great role in getting stones replaced with the balls be that football or cricket ball. This is a great achievement,'' DGP Dilbagh Singh said.

He also said that Kashmir has seen enough bloodshed&nbsp;and it's time to give peace a chance.&nbsp;

The violence has led to destruction only. Many elderlies, women, children, youth, and security forces personnel have died in the past 30 years.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir Police chief on Thursday said that the number of terrorists in the valley has come down, but added that the threat still remains. He also said that till the time there are arms and ammunition present in the valley, peace cannot prevail upon Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police chief on Thursday said that the number of terrorists in the valley has come down, but added that the threat still remains. He also said that till the time there are arms and ammunition present in the valley, peace cannot prevail upon Kashmir. He appealed to the youth of the valley to shun the path of violence. ''The number of terrorists and terror incidents have come down over the last two years but that doesn’t mean terrorism is over. As long as guns and grenades are available to the youth, innocent lives will continue to become the casualty of it," Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh said. “I urge youth to shun the path of violence. The youth who are carrying pistols, guns and grenades must give peace a chance,” he added. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have been conducting special operations to break the terror infrastructure in the valley and act against the terror supporters. “'Srinagar youth has played a great role in getting stones replaced with the balls be that football or cricket ball. This is a great achievement,'' DGP Dilbagh Singh said. He also said that Kashmir has seen enough bloodshed and it's time to give peace a chance. The violence has led to destruction only. Many elderlies, women, children, youth, and security forces personnel have died in the past 30 years.

Number of terrorists have come down but terror still alive, says J&K DGP

US lawmakers are seeking sanctions against Pakistan a bill was tabled this week by the Republican Congressman Scott Perry, it calls for the designation of Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism.

US Bill: Designate Pakistan as terror sponsor

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and opposition leader Freeman Mbowe pledged to heal rifts and buttress democracy as they met hours after Mbowe was freed from jail in a surprise move.

Mbowe, chairman of the Chadema party, was arrested last July to face terrorism charges in a case his supporters said was politically motivated and aimed at crushing dissent.

Prosecutors suddenly dropped the charges on Friday and a Dar es Salaam court set Mbowe and his three co-accused free after seven months behind bars.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-peshawar-mosque-suicide-blast-that-killed-57-459183">&nbsp;Islamic State claims responsibility for Peshawar mosque suicide blast that killed 57</a>

Hassan had increasingly come under pressure to dismiss the case, which raised concerns at home and abroad about the state of political and media freedoms in the country.&nbsp;

She "emphasised the need to collaborate to build the nation, through trust and mutual respect," the presidential office said in a statement late Friday after the two met.&nbsp;

"We had consensus that this country is for us all," Hassan said, referring to Mbowe as "our relative."&nbsp;

Mbowe thanked the president for "her concern," adding: "We have agreed to build trust between us and ensure democracy so as to move ahead with proper politics and help the government to do its duties nicely."

Conciliatory overtures&nbsp;

Since Hassan took power in March last year following the sudden death of her predecessor John Magufuli, who was nicknamed "Bulldozer" for his uncompromising leadership style, she has sought to break with some of his policies.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-plans-71-defence-spending-rise-this-year-outpacing-gdp-target-459181">China plans 7.1% defence spending rise this year, outpacing GDP target</a>

She reached out to the opposition, vowing to defend democracy and basic freedoms, and reopened media outlets that were banned under Magufuli.

But the arrest of Mbowe along with a number of other senior party officials just hours before they were to hold a public forum to demand constitutional reforms dimmed hopes she would turn the page on Magufuli's rule. &nbsp;

Recently however, the government has made conciliatory overtures to the opposition.

In February, Hassan met in Brussels with Chadema's deputy chairman Tundu Lissu, who was the party's candidate in the 2020 presidential election but lives in exile in Belgium following an attempt on his life in 2017.

Also last month, the government lifted a Magufuli-era ban on four Swahili-language newspapers, including Daima -- a daily owned by Mbowe.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Assessing the Ukraine War in numbers

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The Opposition party Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) on Saturday lauded the truce between Hassan and Mbowe.

"This is leadership. The country is now coming together," the party's leader Zitto Kabwe said on Twitter.&nbsp;

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and opposition leader Freeman Mbowe pledged to heal rifts and buttress democracy as they met hours after Mbowe was freed from jail in a surprise move.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and opposition leader Freeman Mbowe pledged to heal rifts and buttress democracy as they met hours after Mbowe was freed from jail in a surprise move. Mbowe, chairman of the Chadema party, was arrested last July to face terrorism charges in a case his supporters said was politically motivated and aimed at crushing dissent. Prosecutors suddenly dropped the charges on Friday and a Dar es Salaam court set Mbowe and his three co-accused free after seven months behind bars. Also read | Islamic State claims responsibility for Peshawar mosque suicide blast that killed 57 Hassan had increasingly come under pressure to dismiss the case, which raised concerns at home and abroad about the state of political and media freedoms in the country. She "emphasised the need to collaborate to build the nation, through trust and mutual respect," the presidential office said in a statement late Friday after the two met. "We had consensus that this country is for us all," Hassan said, referring to Mbowe as "our relative." Mbowe thanked the president for "her concern," adding: "We have agreed to build trust between us and ensure democracy so as to move ahead with proper politics and help the government to do its duties nicely." Conciliatory overtures Since Hassan took power in March last year following the sudden death of her predecessor John Magufuli, who was nicknamed "Bulldozer" for his uncompromising leadership style, she has sought to break with some of his policies. Also read | China plans 7.1% defence spending rise this year, outpacing GDP target She reached out to the opposition, vowing to defend democracy and basic freedoms, and reopened media outlets that were banned under Magufuli. But the arrest of Mbowe along with a number of other senior party officials just hours before they were to hold a public forum to demand constitutional reforms dimmed hopes she would turn the page on Magufuli's rule. Recently however, the government has made conciliatory overtures to the opposition. In February, Hassan met in Brussels with Chadema's deputy chairman Tundu Lissu, who was the party's candidate in the 2020 presidential election but lives in exile in Belgium following an attempt on his life in 2017. Also last month, the government lifted a Magufuli-era ban on four Swahili-language newspapers, including Daima -- a daily owned by Mbowe. Watch | Gravitas: Assessing the Ukraine War in numbers The Opposition party Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) on Saturday lauded the truce between Hassan and Mbowe. "This is leadership. The country is now coming together," the party's leader Zitto Kabwe said on Twitter.

Tanzania president, freed opposition leader vow to 'build trust'

Pakistan's efforts to investigate and prosecute leaders of UN-designated terror groups in order to combat terror financing will be evaluated during the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sessions, which began today in Paris.&nbsp;

FATF's working group and plenary sessions will continue until March 4, after which the multinational financial watchdog will announce whether Pakistan will be kept on the "grey list," or the list of nations subject to heightened scrutiny, to which it was added in mid-2018.&nbsp;

Since June 2018, Pakistan has been on the FATF's grey list for shortcomings in its counter-terrorist funding and anti-money laundering regimes.

Its imports, exports, remittances, and access to foreign credit have all been harmed as a result of the greylisting.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been lobbying for Pakistan's removal from the FATF's greylist since taking office, but to no avail.

Experts say the Pakistani government has failed to act against terrorist groups.

On the contrary, it has bowed down to Islamist groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).&nbsp;

Last week, Pakistan's Foreign Office said they had fully complied with the conditions laid down by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for exiting its ‘grey list’ and suggested that only political considerations of the members of the illicit financing watchdog could hold them back in that category, the Dawn newspaper reported.

At the media briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said, "In the context of FATF, we have faithfully complied with and completed all technical requirements and hope that the outcome will be in a positive direction."

FATF, the global financial watchdog, kept Pakistan on its 'grey list' in October.

Pakistan was kept on the FATF's "grey list" for failing to effectively apply global FATF standards and for failing to investigate and prosecute key leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups.

Pakistan will stay on the grey list, according to the FATF President, until it completes all of the items on the initial action plan agreed to in June 2018, as well as all of the items on a parallel action plan issued by the watchdog's regional partner, the Asia Pacific Group (APG), in 2019.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan's efforts to investigate and prosecute leaders of UN-designated terror groups in order to combat terror financing will be evaluated during the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sessions, which began today in Paris.

Pakistan's efforts to investigate and prosecute leaders of UN-designated terror groups in order to combat terror financing will be evaluated during the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sessions, which began today in Paris. FATF's working group and plenary sessions will continue until March 4, after which the multinational financial watchdog will announce whether Pakistan will be kept on the "grey list," or the list of nations subject to heightened scrutiny, to which it was added in mid-2018. Since June 2018, Pakistan has been on the FATF's grey list for shortcomings in its counter-terrorist funding and anti-money laundering regimes. Its imports, exports, remittances, and access to foreign credit have all been harmed as a result of the greylisting. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been lobbying for Pakistan's removal from the FATF's greylist since taking office, but to no avail. Experts say the Pakistani government has failed to act against terrorist groups. On the contrary, it has bowed down to Islamist groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Last week, Pakistan's Foreign Office said they had fully complied with the conditions laid down by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for exiting its ‘grey list’ and suggested that only political considerations of the members of the illicit financing watchdog could hold them back in that category, the Dawn newspaper reported. At the media briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said, "In the context of FATF, we have faithfully complied with and completed all technical requirements and hope that the outcome will be in a positive direction." FATF, the global financial watchdog, kept Pakistan on its 'grey list' in October. Pakistan was kept on the FATF's "grey list" for failing to effectively apply global FATF standards and for failing to investigate and prosecute key leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups. Pakistan will stay on the grey list, according to the FATF President, until it completes all of the items on the initial action plan agreed to in June 2018, as well as all of the items on a parallel action plan issued by the watchdog's regional partner, the Asia Pacific Group (APG), in 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan looks to exit the 'grey list', faces new test at FATF meet

The 72-hour operation against the Baloch militants ended on Saturday, the Pakistan Army said, adding that 20 insurgents have been shot down.

The military's media affairs wing, ISPR, in a statement said that nine security personnel lost their lives during the operation.

On February 2 late-evening, Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province was attacked wherein the militants attacked two military bases in Panjgur and Naushki areas.

Newly-formed group Balochistan Nationalist Army (BNA), which is fast becoming a major opponent to Pakistan’s security forces operating in the province, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

As per Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack was successfully foiled while the attackers were neutralized with heavy casualties inflicted to the insurgents.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/balochistan-militants-launch-late-night-blitzkrieg-on-2-pak-military-bases-over-5-security-forces-killed-450121">Balochistan militants launch late-night blitzkrieg on 2 Pak military bases, over 5 security forces killed</a>

In Naushki, nine militants were killed, while the army lost four security forces personnel, including an officer level soldier.

In Panjgur, security forces repulsed the attacks after an intense exchange of fire after which the militants fled.&nbsp;

The army said that the security forces carried out the clearance operations to hunt down hiding terrorists in the vicinity.

While four fleeing insurgents were killed at Panjgur, four others terrorists were encircled the next day (February 3) by security forces.

After a two-day-long stand-off, all the encircled insurgents were killed in Saturday’s operation as they failed to surrender, the ISPR said.

During the operation, five security forces lost their lives while six soldiers were injured.

“Our security forces stand firm and resolutely committed to eliminating the menace of terrorism from our soil no matter what the cost,” the ISPR said.

The 72-hour operation against the Baloch militants ended on Saturday, the Pakistan Army said, adding that 20 insurgents have been shot down. The military's media affairs wing, ISPR, in a statement said that nine security personnel lost their lives during the operation.

The 72-hour operation against the Baloch militants ended on Saturday, the Pakistan Army said, adding that 20 insurgents have been shot down. The military's media affairs wing, ISPR, in a statement said that nine security personnel lost their lives during the operation. On February 2 late-evening, Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province was attacked wherein the militants attacked two military bases in Panjgur and Naushki areas. Newly-formed group Balochistan Nationalist Army (BNA), which is fast becoming a major opponent to Pakistan’s security forces operating in the province, claimed responsibility for the attacks. As per Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack was successfully foiled while the attackers were neutralized with heavy casualties inflicted to the insurgents. Also read | Balochistan militants launch late-night blitzkrieg on 2 Pak military bases, over 5 security forces killed In Naushki, nine militants were killed, while the army lost four security forces personnel, including an officer level soldier. In Panjgur, security forces repulsed the attacks after an intense exchange of fire after which the militants fled. The army said that the security forces carried out the clearance operations to hunt down hiding terrorists in the vicinity. While four fleeing insurgents were killed at Panjgur, four others terrorists were encircled the next day (February 3) by security forces. After a two-day-long stand-off, all the encircled insurgents were killed in Saturday’s operation as they failed to surrender, the ISPR said. During the operation, five security forces lost their lives while six soldiers were injured. “Our security forces stand firm and resolutely committed to eliminating the menace of terrorism from our soil no matter what the cost,” the ISPR said.

After 72-hour ops, Pak security forces kill remaining Balochistan insurgents, toll reaches 20

For a man who sought to disappear, the leader of the Islamic State group seemed to have done everything right.

He hid out far from where his enemies expected. He never left the house, relying on trusted couriers to communicate with his far-flung underlings. He was the group’s only leader to never issue a video or voice address, for fear it would make him easier to track. Most of his most fervent followers would not have recognized him on the street.

But American commandos came for him anyway, and on Thursday, the leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, blew himself up during a raid on his hideout in northwestern Syria, U.S. officials said.

American leaders hailed al-Qurayshi’s death as a fresh wound to a fearsome organization whose reach and power had already been greatly diminished. But terrorism analysts warned that killing yet another leader would not erase a group whose members have continued to seek refuge and plan attacks in chaotic parts of the globe.

“It is another painful blow to an organization that just a few years ago cast a broad shadow across the entire region,” said Pratibha Thaker, editorial director for the Middle East and Africa at the Economist Intelligence Unit. “But I think everyone is wondering deep down how much taking down the top leader really matters since the organization is very decentralized.”

The United States has invested great resources in killing leaders of terrorist organizations. U.S. forces took out Osama bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaida, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who led al-Qaida in Iraq, and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, al-Qurayshi’s predecessor at the helm of the Islamic State group.

While such attacks generate dramatic headlines, the groups they sought to undermine have often resurfaced in new and more powerful forms or simply replaced old heads with new ones, Hydra-style.

The killing of al-Qurayshi deprived the Islamic State of a key religious and military authority at a time when the group had already been routed from its territory and lost a huge number of fighters. Now it faces a potential leadership vacuum.

But terrorism experts said the group had become more diffuse and decentralized, allowing it to carry on. Even if it no longer has the power to hold territory as it once did, diminishing its ability to market itself as a “state,” it has proved that it can still carry out devastating, coordinated military attacks.

In recent weeks, its fighters in Iraq killed 10 Iraqi soldiers and an officer in a nighttime attack on an army post and beheaded a police officer on camera. In Syria, the jihadis attacked a prison in an attempt to free thousands of their former comrades and occupied the compound for more than a week before a Kurdish-led militia supported by the United States drove them out.

Still, the group is a shadow of its former self.

At its height around 2015, the Islamic State controlled a territory the size of Britain in Syria and Iraq and displaced al-Qaida as the world’s richest and most dangerous terrorist organization. It controlled large cities, collected taxes, provided public services and built a war machine.

Its propagandists attracted aspiring jihadis from around the world. Its operatives directed and inspired deadly attacks in the United States, Europe and elsewhere.

The loss of its last patch of territory in 2019, after 4 1/2 years of war, was a major defeat. Now, it is a caliphate in name only. And persistent attacks by the United States and its partners in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere have disrupted its financing networks and led to the deaths of many of its cadres.

Al-Qurayshi was anointed the group’s leader, or caliph, in 2019 after his predecessor, al-Baghdadi, similarly blew himself up during a raid by U.S. Special Forces on his hideout in northwestern Syria.

From the start, al-Qurayshi lacked his predecessor’s public profile, and even his followers knew little about his background. The United States filled in some gaps by releasing notes of interrogation sessions from when he was detained by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2008.

But the revelations that he said he had served in the Iraqi army under Saddam Hussein and earned a master’s degree in Islamic studies in 2007 were overshadowed by what appeared to be his willingness to inform on his fellow jihadis.

After al-Qurayshi took control, the United States put a bounty of up to $10 million on his head and said he “helped drive and justify the abduction, slaughter and trafficking of members of Yazidi religious minority groups” in Iraq and oversaw “the group’s global operations.”

As it searches for a replacement, the militant group no longer has a large pool to draw from because years of concerted counterterrorism operations by the United States and its partners have killed so much of the group’s inner circle, an expert on the Islamic State, Hassan Hassan, wrote Thursday in New Lines, an online magazine.

“The leaders it can trust are a dying breed — quite literally,” Hassan wrote.

That leadership vacuum, the waning attractiveness of international jihadism and the increasing strength of enemy governments and competing militant groups could hinder the group’s ability to bounce back, he wrote. “The death of its leader under these circumstances will further disorient the group and weaken its ability to focus on international terrorism.”

The group already appears to be less dangerous in Iraq, according to a recent analysis of attack data by Michael Knights, the Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and his colleague, Alex Almeida.

They found that Islamic State attacks increased in 2019 and 2020, but have declined since, in both quantity and quality.

“For now, at the outset of 2022, the Islamic State insurgency in Iraq is at a very low ebb, with recorded attack numbers that rival the lowest ever recorded,” they wrote.

They said increased Iraqi security deployments in rural areas, frequent counterterrorism raids and “decapitation strikes” against Islamic State leaders had contributed to the decline.

But terrorism analysts hesitate to write off the group, noting that it was regarded as a spent force just a few years before it came roaring back and solidified its control over entire cities in Syria and Iraq in 2014.

The group has long found it easiest to operate in failed states, conflict zones and poorly governed places, and its fighters still have many such territories to choose from, including in Afghanistan and parts of Africa.

In Syria, it remains most active in the east, which was badly battered in the country’s 10-year civil war and is only loosely controlled by a Kurdish-led militia whose administration is not internationally recognized and is short on resources.

The draw of chaotic places likely explains why al-Qurayshi sought refuge in Idlib province, in Syria’s northwest, miles from his organization’s past strongholds.

The area is one of the last territories still controlled by the rebels who set out to topple President Bashar Assad, and it is packed with millions of people who fled from elsewhere during the war, making it easier for strangers to blend in.

The Islamic State’s future could depend less on who its leaders are than on the opportunities for expansion that present themselves, and the group’s ability to take advantage of them.

“What we have seen in the jihadi movement on the whole over the last two decades is that it is highly pragmatic in the pursuit of its goals,” said Shiraz Maher, author of a book on the history of the global jihadi movement. “Their next move is to continue to hold out and bide their time and react to the realities as they pan out.”

For a man who sought to disappear, the leader of the Islamic State group seemed to have done everything right. He hid out far from where his enemies expected. He never left the house, relying on trusted couriers to communicate with his far-flung underlings.

For a man who sought to disappear, the leader of the Islamic State group seemed to have done everything right. He hid out far from where his enemies expected. He never left the house, relying on trusted couriers to communicate with his far-flung underlings. He was the group’s only leader to never issue a video or voice address, for fear it would make him easier to track. Most of his most fervent followers would not have recognized him on the street. But American commandos came for him anyway, and on Thursday, the leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, blew himself up during a raid on his hideout in northwestern Syria, U.S. officials said. American leaders hailed al-Qurayshi’s death as a fresh wound to a fearsome organization whose reach and power had already been greatly diminished. But terrorism analysts warned that killing yet another leader would not erase a group whose members have continued to seek refuge and plan attacks in chaotic parts of the globe. “It is another painful blow to an organization that just a few years ago cast a broad shadow across the entire region,” said Pratibha Thaker, editorial director for the Middle East and Africa at the Economist Intelligence Unit. “But I think everyone is wondering deep down how much taking down the top leader really matters since the organization is very decentralized.” The United States has invested great resources in killing leaders of terrorist organizations. U.S. forces took out Osama bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaida, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who led al-Qaida in Iraq, and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, al-Qurayshi’s predecessor at the helm of the Islamic State group. While such attacks generate dramatic headlines, the groups they sought to undermine have often resurfaced in new and more powerful forms or simply replaced old heads with new ones, Hydra-style. The killing of al-Qurayshi deprived the Islamic State of a key religious and military authority at a time when the group had already been routed from its territory and lost a huge number of fighters. Now it faces a potential leadership vacuum. But terrorism experts said the group had become more diffuse and decentralized, allowing it to carry on. Even if it no longer has the power to hold territory as it once did, diminishing its ability to market itself as a “state,” it has proved that it can still carry out devastating, coordinated military attacks. In recent weeks, its fighters in Iraq killed 10 Iraqi soldiers and an officer in a nighttime attack on an army post and beheaded a police officer on camera. In Syria, the jihadis attacked a prison in an attempt to free thousands of their former comrades and occupied the compound for more than a week before a Kurdish-led militia supported by the United States drove them out. Still, the group is a shadow of its former self. At its height around 2015, the Islamic State controlled a territory the size of Britain in Syria and Iraq and displaced al-Qaida as the world’s richest and most dangerous terrorist organization. It controlled large cities, collected taxes, provided public services and built a war machine. Its propagandists attracted aspiring jihadis from around the world. Its operatives directed and inspired deadly attacks in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. The loss of its last patch of territory in 2019, after 4 1/2 years of war, was a major defeat. Now, it is a caliphate in name only. And persistent attacks by the United States and its partners in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere have disrupted its financing networks and led to the deaths of many of its cadres. Al-Qurayshi was anointed the group’s leader, or caliph, in 2019 after his predecessor, al-Baghdadi, similarly blew himself up during a raid by U.S. Special Forces on his hideout in northwestern Syria. From the start, al-Qurayshi lacked his predecessor’s public profile, and even his followers knew little about his background. The United States filled in some gaps by releasing notes of interrogation sessions from when he was detained by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2008. But the revelations that he said he had served in the Iraqi army under Saddam Hussein and earned a master’s degree in Islamic studies in 2007 were overshadowed by what appeared to be his willingness to inform on his fellow jihadis. After al-Qurayshi took control, the United States put a bounty of up to $10 million on his head and said he “helped drive and justify the abduction, slaughter and trafficking of members of Yazidi religious minority groups” in Iraq and oversaw “the group’s global operations.” As it searches for a replacement, the militant group no longer has a large pool to draw from because years of concerted counterterrorism operations by the United States and its partners have killed so much of the group’s inner circle, an expert on the Islamic State, Hassan Hassan, wrote Thursday in New Lines, an online magazine. “The leaders it can trust are a dying breed — quite literally,” Hassan wrote. That leadership vacuum, the waning attractiveness of international jihadism and the increasing strength of enemy governments and competing militant groups could hinder the group’s ability to bounce back, he wrote. “The death of its leader under these circumstances will further disorient the group and weaken its ability to focus on international terrorism.” The group already appears to be less dangerous in Iraq, according to a recent analysis of attack data by Michael Knights, the Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and his colleague, Alex Almeida. They found that Islamic State attacks increased in 2019 and 2020, but have declined since, in both quantity and quality. “For now, at the outset of 2022, the Islamic State insurgency in Iraq is at a very low ebb, with recorded attack numbers that rival the lowest ever recorded,” they wrote. They said increased Iraqi security deployments in rural areas, frequent counterterrorism raids and “decapitation strikes” against Islamic State leaders had contributed to the decline. But terrorism analysts hesitate to write off the group, noting that it was regarded as a spent force just a few years before it came roaring back and solidified its control over entire cities in Syria and Iraq in 2014. The group has long found it easiest to operate in failed states, conflict zones and poorly governed places, and its fighters still have many such territories to choose from, including in Afghanistan and parts of Africa. In Syria, it remains most active in the east, which was badly battered in the country’s 10-year civil war and is only loosely controlled by a Kurdish-led militia whose administration is not internationally recognized and is short on resources. The draw of chaotic places likely explains why al-Qurayshi sought refuge in Idlib province, in Syria’s northwest, miles from his organization’s past strongholds. The area is one of the last territories still controlled by the rebels who set out to topple President Bashar Assad, and it is packed with millions of people who fled from elsewhere during the war, making it easier for strangers to blend in. The Islamic State’s future could depend less on who its leaders are than on the opportunities for expansion that present themselves, and the group’s ability to take advantage of them. “What we have seen in the jihadi movement on the whole over the last two decades is that it is highly pragmatic in the pursuit of its goals,” said Shiraz Maher, author of a book on the history of the global jihadi movement. “Their next move is to continue to hold out and bide their time and react to the realities as they pan out.”

Leader’s death is another blow for the Islamic State, but it’s hardly the end

&nbsp;Forces from a Kurdish-led militia on rooftops traded fire with dozens of Islamic State fighters still holed up in an embattled prison in northeastern Syria on Thursday, despite claims by the U.S.-backed militia a day earlier that it had regained full control of the entire complex.

The prison, in the city of al-Hasaka, housed thousands of Islamic State former fighters. Their fellow militants attacked a week ago in an attempt to free them. An official with one of the Syrian-Kurdish paramilitary groups battling the Islamic State said 60 to 90 militants from the group were still fighting from inside the partly destroyed prison complex, most of them attackers who had stormed the prison but some of them prisoners who had joined forces with them.

The prison attack was the starkest evidence yet of a resurgence of Islamic State across parts of Syria and Iraq, three years after the group lost the last territorial foothold in its so-called caliphate across a vast stretch of both countries. The extremists have also mounted a series of attacks on military forces in neighbouring Iraq in recent months.

The prison fight drew the U.S. military into the fray in support of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, providing airstrikes, intelligence and armoured vehicles to cordon off the prison. This was the broadest confrontation between U.S. forces and the Islamic State since the end of the caliphate.

The fighting was also raging in surrounding areas near the prison complex.

At a traffic circle a few hundred yards from the prison complex in the centre of al-Hasaka, a New York Times team took cover along with a group of local journalists and civilians caught in the middle as Kurdish-led forces traded fire with Islamic State gunmen who had opened fire from a street near the prison.

Explosions from rocket-propelled grenades fired by the Kurdish-led forces at the prison and the sound of truck-mounted anti-aircraft guns rang out.

The SDF said two Islamic State fighters were killed in the engagement near the traffic circle, but there were no reports of civilians harmed in that clash.

A bulldozer emerged from the ruins of a cultural centre next to the prison complex carrying the crumpled body of an Islamic State fighter before dumping it in the back of a pickup truck.

At another building behind the cultural centre, which had been hit by an airstrike, SDF fighters pulled out the remains of two other Islamic State fighters. A charred oil tanker on its side still burned across the street.

SDF forces said the tanker and three others that were burned beside it had been destroyed in a U.S. airstrike.

Siyamend Ali, the head of media for the People’s Protection Units, one of the Kurdish factions in the SDF, said more than 3,000 detainees had surrendered and most had been taken to a new detention facility built by the U.S.-led coalition that has fought the Islamic State in Syria.

He said some of the Islamic State militants still inside the prison were believed to be foreign fighters.

“The prison attack has activated sleeper cells in other places,” Ali said.

Forces from a Kurdish-led militia on rooftops traded fire with dozens of Islamic State fighters still holed up in an embattled prison in northeastern Syria on Thursday, despite claims by the U.

Forces from a Kurdish-led militia on rooftops traded fire with dozens of Islamic State fighters still holed up in an embattled prison in northeastern Syria on Thursday, despite claims by the U.S.-backed militia a day earlier that it had regained full control of the entire complex. The prison, in the city of al-Hasaka, housed thousands of Islamic State former fighters. Their fellow militants attacked a week ago in an attempt to free them. An official with one of the Syrian-Kurdish paramilitary groups battling the Islamic State said 60 to 90 militants from the group were still fighting from inside the partly destroyed prison complex, most of them attackers who had stormed the prison but some of them prisoners who had joined forces with them. The prison attack was the starkest evidence yet of a resurgence of Islamic State across parts of Syria and Iraq, three years after the group lost the last territorial foothold in its so-called caliphate across a vast stretch of both countries. The extremists have also mounted a series of attacks on military forces in neighbouring Iraq in recent months. The prison fight drew the U.S. military into the fray in support of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, providing airstrikes, intelligence and armoured vehicles to cordon off the prison. This was the broadest confrontation between U.S. forces and the Islamic State since the end of the caliphate. The fighting was also raging in surrounding areas near the prison complex. At a traffic circle a few hundred yards from the prison complex in the centre of al-Hasaka, a New York Times team took cover along with a group of local journalists and civilians caught in the middle as Kurdish-led forces traded fire with Islamic State gunmen who had opened fire from a street near the prison. Explosions from rocket-propelled grenades fired by the Kurdish-led forces at the prison and the sound of truck-mounted anti-aircraft guns rang out. The SDF said two Islamic State fighters were killed in the engagement near the traffic circle, but there were no reports of civilians harmed in that clash. A bulldozer emerged from the ruins of a cultural centre next to the prison complex carrying the crumpled body of an Islamic State fighter before dumping it in the back of a pickup truck. At another building behind the cultural centre, which had been hit by an airstrike, SDF fighters pulled out the remains of two other Islamic State fighters. A charred oil tanker on its side still burned across the street. SDF forces said the tanker and three others that were burned beside it had been destroyed in a U.S. airstrike. Siyamend Ali, the head of media for the People’s Protection Units, one of the Kurdish factions in the SDF, said more than 3,000 detainees had surrendered and most had been taken to a new detention facility built by the U.S.-led coalition that has fought the Islamic State in Syria. He said some of the Islamic State militants still inside the prison were believed to be foreign fighters. “The prison attack has activated sleeper cells in other places,” Ali said.

US-backed forces in Syria are still fighting Islamic State at prison

Kazakhstan is holding more than 460 people on terrorism and disorder charges. This comes in the wake of mass unrest which led to deployment of Russian led forces. The Soviet republic has been witnessing protests against rising fuel prices.

Kazakhstan witnesses unrest over escalating fuel prices

An unidentified man in Texas had taken hostage four people at a synagogue, demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, dubbed as the “Lady Qaeda”, who is currently lodged in US jail.

After a 10-hour stand-off, all the people were freed unharmed and the gunman was killed, Colleyville Police Chief Michael Miller said at a news conference.

The FBI said they have confirmed the identity of the gunman but had not yet disclosed it.

During the stand-off, the man claimed to be Siddiqui’s brother, which was later found to be false.

Even though the FBI declined to confirm the cause of his death, saying it was still under investigation, the relationship between the attacker and Aafia Siddiqui is yet to be ascertained.

Who is Aafia Siddiqui?

Siddiqui is a Pakistani neuroscientist who studied in the United States at prestigious institutions — Brandeis University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

She lived in the United States from roughly 1991 to June 2002.

After the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001, she was said to be radicalised came and subsequently, came under the FBI’s radar for making donations to Islamic organisations and was also linked to the purchase of $10,000 worth of night-vision goggles and books on warfare.

The US suspected she joined Al-Qaeda from America, returning to Pakistan where she married into the family of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed —an architect of the 9/11 attacks.

Siddiqui then disappeared around 2003, along with her three children, in Karachi.

She resurfaced five years later in Afghanistan where she was arrested on the suspicion of trying to attack the governor of Afghanistan's Ghazni province.

When she was captured, Siddiqui was carrying notes detailing a “mass casualty attack” on New York City sites, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge, according to prosecutors and&nbsp;court&nbsp;records.&nbsp;

When she was brought for interrogation, Siddiqui grabbed the M-4 military rifle of a chief warrant officer and opened fire, wounding few members of US special forces unit.

Subsequently, Siddiqui was detained and flown to the United States.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hostage-crisis-at-us-synagogue-ends-everyone-out-alive-safe-445112">Hostage crisis at US synagogue ends: Everyone out alive, safe</a>

On February 3, 2010, a federal jury found her guilty of all counts related to the attack, including attempting to kill U.S. nationals outside the United States; attempting to kill U.S. officers and employees; and armed assault of US officers and employees.

Who else is seeking her release?

For long, her release has been sought by militant Islamists, including ISIS, and even many US Muslim groups who have said that she is innocent and should be freed.

Al-Qaeda had even called on Muslims to “avenge” the decision to jail her.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, tweeted, “Siddiqui isn’t well known in the US, but in Pakistan, she's a big name —many view her as an innocent victim.”

During his election campaign, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, an open critic of the US-led “war on terror”, vowed to get her released.

In a previous article, he described her as a cause celebre among terrorists, and said she was viewed as a "powerful symbol of how poorly Americans treat innocent Muslims in the global campaign against terror".

What’s the latest on Siddiqui’s imprisonment?

Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year sentence, is being held at a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas.

She was attacked in July by another inmate at the facility and suffered serious injuries, according to court documents.

A lawyer representing Siddiqui, Marwa Elbially, told CNN in a statement the man was not Siddiqui’s brother. He implored the man to release the hostages, saying Siddiqui’s family condemned his “heinous” actions.

(With inputs from agencies)

An unidentified man in Texas had taken hostage four people at a synagogue, demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, dubbed as the “Lady Qaeda”, who is currently lodged in US jail.

An unidentified man in Texas had taken hostage four people at a synagogue, demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, dubbed as the “Lady Qaeda”, who is currently lodged in US jail. After a 10-hour stand-off, all the people were freed unharmed and the gunman was killed, Colleyville Police Chief Michael Miller said at a news conference. The FBI said they have confirmed the identity of the gunman but had not yet disclosed it. During the stand-off, the man claimed to be Siddiqui’s brother, which was later found to be false. Even though the FBI declined to confirm the cause of his death, saying it was still under investigation, the relationship between the attacker and Aafia Siddiqui is yet to be ascertained. Who is Aafia Siddiqui? Siddiqui is a Pakistani neuroscientist who studied in the United States at prestigious institutions — Brandeis University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She lived in the United States from roughly 1991 to June 2002. After the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001, she was said to be radicalised came and subsequently, came under the FBI’s radar for making donations to Islamic organisations and was also linked to the purchase of $10,000 worth of night-vision goggles and books on warfare. The US suspected she joined Al-Qaeda from America, returning to Pakistan where she married into the family of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed —an architect of the 9/11 attacks. Siddiqui then disappeared around 2003, along with her three children, in Karachi. She resurfaced five years later in Afghanistan where she was arrested on the suspicion of trying to attack the governor of Afghanistan's Ghazni province. When she was captured, Siddiqui was carrying notes detailing a “mass casualty attack” on New York City sites, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge, according to prosecutors and court records. When she was brought for interrogation, Siddiqui grabbed the M-4 military rifle of a chief warrant officer and opened fire, wounding few members of US special forces unit. Subsequently, Siddiqui was detained and flown to the United States. Also read | Hostage crisis at US synagogue ends: Everyone out alive, safe On February 3, 2010, a federal jury found her guilty of all counts related to the attack, including attempting to kill U.S. nationals outside the United States; attempting to kill U.S. officers and employees; and armed assault of US officers and employees. Who else is seeking her release? For long, her release has been sought by militant Islamists, including ISIS, and even many US Muslim groups who have said that she is innocent and should be freed. Al-Qaeda had even called on Muslims to “avenge” the decision to jail her. Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, tweeted, “Siddiqui isn’t well known in the US, but in Pakistan, she's a big name —many view her as an innocent victim.” During his election campaign, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, an open critic of the US-led “war on terror”, vowed to get her released. In a previous article, he described her as a cause celebre among terrorists, and said she was viewed as a "powerful symbol of how poorly Americans treat innocent Muslims in the global campaign against terror". What’s the latest on Siddiqui’s imprisonment? Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year sentence, is being held at a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas. She was attacked in July by another inmate at the facility and suffered serious injuries, according to court documents. A lawyer representing Siddiqui, Marwa Elbially, told CNN in a statement the man was not Siddiqui’s brother. He implored the man to release the hostages, saying Siddiqui’s family condemned his “heinous” actions. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Aafia Siddiqui, the Pak prisoner at the centre of Texas hostage situation?

It was 20 years ago when the jihadi, a defence ministry official in the Taliban’s first government, fled Afghanistan as U.S. troops swept into the country. He settled in southwestern Pakistan with other Afghans, bought a house and became a baker.

Then, after Kabul fell to the Taliban in August, Khyal Mohammad Ghayoor received a call from a stranger who identified himself only by the dual honorifics, Hajji Sahib, which roughly translates to a distinguished man who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca. The man told Ghayoor he was needed back in Afghanistan, not as a baker but as a police chief.

Now, Ghayoor oversees 1,450 people as the head of Kabul’s traffic police.

“I am very excited to be back in a free and liberated Afghanistan,” he said.

Five months after their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban are grappling with the challenges of governance. Leaders promised to retain civil servants and prioritize ethnic diversity for top government roles, but instead have filled positions at all management levels with soldiers and theologians. Other government employees have fled or refused to work, leaving widespread vacancies in the fragile state.

To help fill the gaps, Taliban officials are reaching into Pakistan. For years, Pakistan officially denied the existence of Ghayoor and thousands of other ex-Taliban fighters quietly living within its borders. Now, the Taliban are privately recruiting them to return and work in the new government.

It is unclear how many former fighters have returned from Pakistan, but there have already been several high-profile appointments, including Ghayoor.

Arsala Kharoti, who had been working as a community organizer at a refugee camp in Pakistan, is now the deputy minister of refugees. Mawlawi Saeedullah, a preacher at a mosque in a Karachi slum, was appointed to a district judge position in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Paktika, resuming a job he gave up in 2001.

The new hires are walking into a mounting catastrophe. Hunger is rampant. Many teachers and other public sector employees have not been paid in months. The millions of dollars in aid that helped prop up the previous government have vanished, billions in state assets are frozen and economic sanctions have led to a near collapse of the country’s banking system.

“Running insurgency and state are two different things,” said Noor Khan, 40, an accountant who fled Kabul for Islamabad in early September, among hundreds of other Afghan professionals hoping for asylum in Europe.

In the first weeks of the Taliban’s takeover, roughly 120,000 people — including civil servants, bankers, academics and doctors — fled through airlifts organized by the United States and other foreign countries. Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, recognizing the personnel challenges the new government would face, tried to convince the United States to suspend its evacuation process in August.

“Afghanistan needs the expertise of its skilled people,” he said. “They should not be taken to other countries.”

A similar mass exodus of Afghanistan’s professional class occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, when the Soviets withdrew and the Taliban wrested control from the warlords who filled the leadership vacuum.

Then as now, the Taliban preferred filling the government ranks with jihadis and loyalists. But this time, some civil servants have also stopped showing up for work, several of them said in interviews, either because they are not being paid, or because they do not want to taint their pending asylum cases in the United States or Europe by working for the Taliban.

With any new regime comes new appointees, but the difference in Afghanistan is that the new government had operated as a hard-line Islamic insurgency for two decades, so the cadre of people they are plucking leaders from are soldiers and religious scholars, rather than political allies or technocrats.

Many of the selected theologians are graduates of Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa, one of Pakistan’s oldest and largest Islamic seminaries.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of the militant Haqqani network and labelled a terrorist by the FBI, was appointed acting minister of the interior, overseeing police, intelligence and other security forces.

The new head of administrative affairs at the Education Ministry, also a mullah, wore a cartridge belt to his appointment ceremony in December.

Gaps in governance have started to show, including at Salaam, a state-run telecommunications company that, before the takeover, the Taliban routinely threatened and accused of providing intelligence about them to the former government.

“They have no experience to run the departments,” said Basir Jan, a company employee. “They sit in the offices with guns and abuse the employees in the departments by calling them ‘corrupt’ and ‘facilitators of the invaders.’”

Enayat Alokozai, a spokesman for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, denied these accusation and said Salaam’s service had improved under the Taliban. “All technical staff are in place and they do their routine duties,” he said.

Taliban leaders blame the United States for the collapsing economy. But some analysts say that even if the United States unfreezes Afghanistan’s state assets and lifts sanctions, the Finance Ministry does not have the technical know-how to revive the country’s broken banking system.

“Their response to the catastrophic economic situation is ‘It’s not our fault, the internationals are holding the money back.’ But the reality is that they don’t have the capacity for this kind of day-to-day technical operation,” said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“One motivation to bring the people back from Pakistan is to offset the image of a brain drain,” she said.

Wahidullah Hashimi, a senior member of the Taliban’s council for training and educating soldiers, said that staffing problems stemmed from corruption within the last administration, and a foreign conspiracy to starve Afghanistan of talent — rather than the Taliban’s own dearth of it.

“Foreigners intentionally evacuated Afghans, most importantly, the educated and professional ones, to weaken the Islamic Emirates and undermine our administration,” Hashimi said.

“We are in touch with some Afghans in different parts of the world and are encouraging them to return to Afghanistan because we desperately need their help and expertise to help their people and government,” he said.

Former government employees say they worry that conditions in Afghanistan, already dire, could become catastrophic. Some of the Taliban returnees share this concern: As many as several dozen new government officials are keeping their families and properties in Karachi, according to Afghan refugee community leaders in the city.

Saeedullah, 45, did not fully pull up stakes when he returned to Afghanistan. Only half his family came along, according to Matiullah, a relative who stayed behind in Karachi and goes by only one name.

“The situation is still uncertain in Afghanistan and therefore we advised Saeedullah not to sell his properties in Pakistan,” he said. “Saeedullah’s two sons have been living with their families and running clothes shops in an upscale market in Karachi.” Saeedullah could not be reached for comment.

Abubakar Siddique, a journalist and author, said the Taliban remain dependent on Pakistan, despite their new grip on power in Afghanistan.

“They still consider it a safe haven to retreat to if things go sour in Afghanistan,” Siddique said. “Obviously, the Taliban leaders and mid-ranking functionaries do not want to risk all by bringing their families into a country that many Afghans are eager to leave.”

Ghayoor, the baker turned police chief, said that Kabul changed markedly in the two decades that he was away. As part of his duties, he tries to instill order at a busy produce market in Kabul as vendors tout fruit and vegetables, and taxi drivers call out stops, looking for fares.

“There is so much traffic, so many street vendors, and the drivers don’t even listen to me when I ask them to move,” he said, exasperated. “When I ask a street vendor to leave this spot and move on, he tells me, ‘What should we eat?’ I asked them, ‘What did you do with all the dollars the Americans were pouring into this country?’”

Ghayoor said in December that neither he nor any other member of the Kabul police force had been paid in months. Nevertheless, he said he decided to sell his bakery in Quetta, a city in southwestern Pakistan, and move his extended family, including nine children, to Kabul.

“The international community used to say it would be impossible for the Taliban to fight these strong forces, let alone taking over the government,” Ghayoor said, adding, “Yet, our operation is going pretty smooth.”

It was 20 years ago when the jihadi, a defence ministry official in the Taliban’s first government, fled Afghanistan as U.S. troops swept into the country. He settled in southwestern Pakistan with other Afghans, bought a house and became a baker.

It was 20 years ago when the jihadi, a defence ministry official in the Taliban’s first government, fled Afghanistan as U.S. troops swept into the country. He settled in southwestern Pakistan with other Afghans, bought a house and became a baker. Then, after Kabul fell to the Taliban in August, Khyal Mohammad Ghayoor received a call from a stranger who identified himself only by the dual honorifics, Hajji Sahib, which roughly translates to a distinguished man who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca. The man told Ghayoor he was needed back in Afghanistan, not as a baker but as a police chief. Now, Ghayoor oversees 1,450 people as the head of Kabul’s traffic police. “I am very excited to be back in a free and liberated Afghanistan,” he said. Five months after their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban are grappling with the challenges of governance. Leaders promised to retain civil servants and prioritize ethnic diversity for top government roles, but instead have filled positions at all management levels with soldiers and theologians. Other government employees have fled or refused to work, leaving widespread vacancies in the fragile state. To help fill the gaps, Taliban officials are reaching into Pakistan. For years, Pakistan officially denied the existence of Ghayoor and thousands of other ex-Taliban fighters quietly living within its borders. Now, the Taliban are privately recruiting them to return and work in the new government. It is unclear how many former fighters have returned from Pakistan, but there have already been several high-profile appointments, including Ghayoor. Arsala Kharoti, who had been working as a community organizer at a refugee camp in Pakistan, is now the deputy minister of refugees. Mawlawi Saeedullah, a preacher at a mosque in a Karachi slum, was appointed to a district judge position in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Paktika, resuming a job he gave up in 2001. The new hires are walking into a mounting catastrophe. Hunger is rampant. Many teachers and other public sector employees have not been paid in months. The millions of dollars in aid that helped prop up the previous government have vanished, billions in state assets are frozen and economic sanctions have led to a near collapse of the country’s banking system. “Running insurgency and state are two different things,” said Noor Khan, 40, an accountant who fled Kabul for Islamabad in early September, among hundreds of other Afghan professionals hoping for asylum in Europe. In the first weeks of the Taliban’s takeover, roughly 120,000 people — including civil servants, bankers, academics and doctors — fled through airlifts organized by the United States and other foreign countries. Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, recognizing the personnel challenges the new government would face, tried to convince the United States to suspend its evacuation process in August. “Afghanistan needs the expertise of its skilled people,” he said. “They should not be taken to other countries.” A similar mass exodus of Afghanistan’s professional class occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, when the Soviets withdrew and the Taliban wrested control from the warlords who filled the leadership vacuum. Then as now, the Taliban preferred filling the government ranks with jihadis and loyalists. But this time, some civil servants have also stopped showing up for work, several of them said in interviews, either because they are not being paid, or because they do not want to taint their pending asylum cases in the United States or Europe by working for the Taliban. With any new regime comes new appointees, but the difference in Afghanistan is that the new government had operated as a hard-line Islamic insurgency for two decades, so the cadre of people they are plucking leaders from are soldiers and religious scholars, rather than political allies or technocrats. Many of the selected theologians are graduates of Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa, one of Pakistan’s oldest and largest Islamic seminaries. Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of the militant Haqqani network and labelled a terrorist by the FBI, was appointed acting minister of the interior, overseeing police, intelligence and other security forces. The new head of administrative affairs at the Education Ministry, also a mullah, wore a cartridge belt to his appointment ceremony in December. Gaps in governance have started to show, including at Salaam, a state-run telecommunications company that, before the takeover, the Taliban routinely threatened and accused of providing intelligence about them to the former government. “They have no experience to run the departments,” said Basir Jan, a company employee. “They sit in the offices with guns and abuse the employees in the departments by calling them ‘corrupt’ and ‘facilitators of the invaders.’” Enayat Alokozai, a spokesman for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, denied these accusation and said Salaam’s service had improved under the Taliban. “All technical staff are in place and they do their routine duties,” he said. Taliban leaders blame the United States for the collapsing economy. But some analysts say that even if the United States unfreezes Afghanistan’s state assets and lifts sanctions, the Finance Ministry does not have the technical know-how to revive the country’s broken banking system. “Their response to the catastrophic economic situation is ‘It’s not our fault, the internationals are holding the money back.’ But the reality is that they don’t have the capacity for this kind of day-to-day technical operation,” said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “One motivation to bring the people back from Pakistan is to offset the image of a brain drain,” she said. Wahidullah Hashimi, a senior member of the Taliban’s council for training and educating soldiers, said that staffing problems stemmed from corruption within the last administration, and a foreign conspiracy to starve Afghanistan of talent — rather than the Taliban’s own dearth of it. “Foreigners intentionally evacuated Afghans, most importantly, the educated and professional ones, to weaken the Islamic Emirates and undermine our administration,” Hashimi said. “We are in touch with some Afghans in different parts of the world and are encouraging them to return to Afghanistan because we desperately need their help and expertise to help their people and government,” he said. Former government employees say they worry that conditions in Afghanistan, already dire, could become catastrophic. Some of the Taliban returnees share this concern: As many as several dozen new government officials are keeping their families and properties in Karachi, according to Afghan refugee community leaders in the city. Saeedullah, 45, did not fully pull up stakes when he returned to Afghanistan. Only half his family came along, according to Matiullah, a relative who stayed behind in Karachi and goes by only one name. “The situation is still uncertain in Afghanistan and therefore we advised Saeedullah not to sell his properties in Pakistan,” he said. “Saeedullah’s two sons have been living with their families and running clothes shops in an upscale market in Karachi.” Saeedullah could not be reached for comment. Abubakar Siddique, a journalist and author, said the Taliban remain dependent on Pakistan, despite their new grip on power in Afghanistan. “They still consider it a safe haven to retreat to if things go sour in Afghanistan,” Siddique said. “Obviously, the Taliban leaders and mid-ranking functionaries do not want to risk all by bringing their families into a country that many Afghans are eager to leave.” Ghayoor, the baker turned police chief, said that Kabul changed markedly in the two decades that he was away. As part of his duties, he tries to instill order at a busy produce market in Kabul as vendors tout fruit and vegetables, and taxi drivers call out stops, looking for fares. “There is so much traffic, so many street vendors, and the drivers don’t even listen to me when I ask them to move,” he said, exasperated. “When I ask a street vendor to leave this spot and move on, he tells me, ‘What should we eat?’ I asked them, ‘What did you do with all the dollars the Americans were pouring into this country?’” Ghayoor said in December that neither he nor any other member of the Kabul police force had been paid in months. Nevertheless, he said he decided to sell his bakery in Quetta, a city in southwestern Pakistan, and move his extended family, including nine children, to Kabul. “The international community used to say it would be impossible for the Taliban to fight these strong forces, let alone taking over the government,” Ghayoor said, adding, “Yet, our operation is going pretty smooth.”

The Taliban have staffing issues. They are looking for help in Pakistan

Soon, the Jammu and Kashmir Police will become the&nbsp;first police force in the country to be equipped with American assault rifles and pistols.&nbsp;

In a bid to modernise the cops in Kashmir Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir Police recently floated tenders on the online GeM portal. It issued tenders for 500 Sig Sauer-716 rifles and 100 Sig Sauer MPX 9 mm pistols.

The rifle weighs around 3.84 kgs without the magazine and fires at a cycle rate of 650-850 per minute. Experts say that the new equipment would provide a massive boost for the anti-terror operations.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-3-more-14-terrorists-killed-in-indias-jk-in-last-8-days-442832">With 3 more, 14 terrorists killed in India’s J&amp;K in last 8 days</a>

The tenders were issued days after the J&amp;K Police procured 8,000 new lightweight bulletproof jackets.

Apart from that, they have also been provided with mine proof vehicles and state-of-the-art drones and CCTVS to increase the vigil across the region.&nbsp;

The police officials said the procurement of new weapons and gadgets are in line with its aim to upgrade the personnel with the latest technologies to combat terrorists.&nbsp;

“Modernisation has been going on for the last few years and it will continue in the future as well. We are getting new weapons and drones. J&amp;K Police has been upgrading itself for the past few years, but the most important was the technical surveillance and technical input generation capability,” said Vijay Kumar, Inspector General, Kashmir.

Underlining the importance of equipping the police with new ammunition, Kumar said, “Jammu and Kashmir police have been focussing on tactics and firing skills. It’s the police that gets 75-85 per cent of information about the terror groups and terrorists. We use both human intelligence and technical surveillance to get all the information.”

The Government of India procured the same rifles in 2019 for the Indian army. Around 72,000 rifles were bought for the soldiers posted along Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control.&nbsp;

Soon, the Jammu and Kashmir Police will become the first police force in the country to be equipped with American assault rifles and pistols. In a bid to modernise the cops in Kashmir Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir Police recently floated tenders on the online GeM portal.

Soon, the Jammu and Kashmir Police will become the first police force in the country to be equipped with American assault rifles and pistols. In a bid to modernise the cops in Kashmir Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir Police recently floated tenders on the online GeM portal. It issued tenders for 500 Sig Sauer-716 rifles and 100 Sig Sauer MPX 9 mm pistols. The rifle weighs around 3.84 kgs without the magazine and fires at a cycle rate of 650-850 per minute. Experts say that the new equipment would provide a massive boost for the anti-terror operations. Also read | With 3 more, 14 terrorists killed in India’s J&K in last 8 days The tenders were issued days after the J&K Police procured 8,000 new lightweight bulletproof jackets. Apart from that, they have also been provided with mine proof vehicles and state-of-the-art drones and CCTVS to increase the vigil across the region. The police officials said the procurement of new weapons and gadgets are in line with its aim to upgrade the personnel with the latest technologies to combat terrorists. “Modernisation has been going on for the last few years and it will continue in the future as well. We are getting new weapons and drones. J&K Police has been upgrading itself for the past few years, but the most important was the technical surveillance and technical input generation capability,” said Vijay Kumar, Inspector General, Kashmir. Underlining the importance of equipping the police with new ammunition, Kumar said, “Jammu and Kashmir police have been focussing on tactics and firing skills. It’s the police that gets 75-85 per cent of information about the terror groups and terrorists. We use both human intelligence and technical surveillance to get all the information.” The Government of India procured the same rifles in 2019 for the Indian army. Around 72,000 rifles were bought for the soldiers posted along Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control.

For first time in India, J&K Police to get American assault rifles and pistols

A study by Pakistani thinktank has stated that the rise in militancy in the country coincided with the Taliban’s increasing offensive in Afghanistan that started in May and achieved its ultimate peak when the radical organisation took over Afghanistan in mid-August.

The study conducted by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Study (PICSS) noted that the highest number of attacks in a single month in 2021 was recorded in August when 45 attacks were carried out by militants.

The average number of militant attacks in Pakistan saw a 36 per cent jump. In 2020, 16 attacks were recorded while in 2021, it soared to 25, which was the highest after 2017, the report stated.

Also read |&nbsp;90% of terrorists operating in Afghanistan targeting CPEC projects: Pak’s counter-terrorism wing chief

According to PICSS data, Balochistan was the most affected district, recording a 110 per cent rise in militancy attacks, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tribal districts with 27 per cent in 2021.

Balochistan province also recorded the most deaths (170) in 103 attacks. The highest number of injured were also reported from this region where more than 50 per cent of the total injured (331) were recorded.

The tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the second most affected region of the country which though witnessed a similar number of attacks as Balochistan (103), but saw lesser deaths (117).

In Sindh, 15 militant attacks were reported in which 23 people were killed and 29 injured. In Punjab, militants carried out 10 attacks in which 10 people were killed and 87 injured.

The militant attacks went up in 2021 in almost all administrative regions of the country except Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

A study by Pakistani thinktank has stated that the rise in militancy in the country coincided with the Taliban’s increasing offensive in Afghanistan that started in May and achieved its ultimate peak when the radical organisation took over Afghanistan in mid-August.

A study by Pakistani thinktank has stated that the rise in militancy in the country coincided with the Taliban’s increasing offensive in Afghanistan that started in May and achieved its ultimate peak when the radical organisation took over Afghanistan in mid-August. The study conducted by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Study (PICSS) noted that the highest number of attacks in a single month in 2021 was recorded in August when 45 attacks were carried out by militants. The average number of militant attacks in Pakistan saw a 36 per cent jump. In 2020, 16 attacks were recorded while in 2021, it soared to 25, which was the highest after 2017, the report stated. Also read | 90% of terrorists operating in Afghanistan targeting CPEC projects: Pak’s counter-terrorism wing chief According to PICSS data, Balochistan was the most affected district, recording a 110 per cent rise in militancy attacks, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tribal districts with 27 per cent in 2021. Balochistan province also recorded the most deaths (170) in 103 attacks. The highest number of injured were also reported from this region where more than 50 per cent of the total injured (331) were recorded. The tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the second most affected region of the country which though witnessed a similar number of attacks as Balochistan (103), but saw lesser deaths (117). In Sindh, 15 militant attacks were reported in which 23 people were killed and 29 injured. In Punjab, militants carried out 10 attacks in which 10 people were killed and 87 injured. The militant attacks went up in 2021 in almost all administrative regions of the country except Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan. (With inputs from agencies)

Militancy soared in Pakistan after Taliban offensive in Afghanistan: Report

Six terrorists were killed in two separate engagements with security forces in Anantnag and districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including two Pakistani nationals, authorities said.

The terrorists are linked to the banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

According to the report, four of the terrorists killed have been identified so far.Two are Pakistani terrorists and two are local terrorists. The identities of the other two terrorists are yet unknown.&nbsp;

"6 #terrorists of proscribed #terror outfit JeM killed in two separate #encounters. 4 among the killed terrorists have been identified so far as (2) #Pakistani &amp; (2) local terrorists. Identification of other 02 terrorists is being ascertained. A big #success for us," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
6 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/terrorists?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#terrorists</a> of proscribed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/terror?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#terror</a> outfit JeM killed in two separate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/encounters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#encounters</a>. 4 among the killed terrorists have been identified so far as (2) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistani</a> &amp; (2) local terrorists. Identification of other 02 terrorists is being ascertained. A big <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/success?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#success</a> for us: IGP Kashmir
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KashmirPolice/status/1476334916824489989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Soon after the Anantnag incident, security forces launched another operation in Kulgam's Mirhama, killing three militants in a brief confrontation.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Encounter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Encounter</a> has started at Nowgam Shahabad, Dooru area of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Anantnag?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Anantnag</a>. In the initial firing, 01 police personnel got injured &amp; was shifted to hospital. Police &amp; SFs are on the job. Further details shall follow. <a href="https://twitter.com/JmuKmrPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JmuKmrPolice</a>
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KashmirPolice/status/1476192701322199044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Following a tip about the presence of terrorists in the Mirhama region of Kulgam district, security personnel conducted a cordon and search operation.

The forces were fired upon by the concealed terrorists while conducting searches in the area, they claimed.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Six terrorists were killed in two separate engagements with security forces in Anantnag and districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including two Pakistani nationals, authorities said.

Six terrorists were killed in two separate engagements with security forces in Anantnag and districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including two Pakistani nationals, authorities said. The terrorists are linked to the banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). According to the report, four of the terrorists killed have been identified so far.Two are Pakistani terrorists and two are local terrorists. The identities of the other two terrorists are yet unknown. "6 #terrorists of proscribed #terror outfit JeM killed in two separate #encounters. 4 among the killed terrorists have been identified so far as (2) #Pakistani & (2) local terrorists. Identification of other 02 terrorists is being ascertained. A big #success for us," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar. 6 #terrorists of proscribed #terror outfit JeM killed in two separate #encounters. 4 among the killed terrorists have been identified so far as (2) #Pakistani & (2) local terrorists. Identification of other 02 terrorists is being ascertained. A big #success for us: IGP Kashmir — Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) December 29, 2021 × Soon after the Anantnag incident, security forces launched another operation in Kulgam's Mirhama, killing three militants in a brief confrontation. #Encounter has started at Nowgam Shahabad, Dooru area of #Anantnag. In the initial firing, 01 police personnel got injured & was shifted to hospital. Police & SFs are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice — Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) December 29, 2021 × Following a tip about the presence of terrorists in the Mirhama region of Kulgam district, security personnel conducted a cordon and search operation. The forces were fired upon by the concealed terrorists while conducting searches in the area, they claimed. (With inputs from agencies)

Six terrorists, including two Pakistanis, killed in two separate encounters in J&K: Police

Around 90 per cent of terrorists operating in Afghanistan are actively targeting China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, key installations and economic activity, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism department (CTD) has claimed.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) CTD Javed Iqbal Wazir made these remarks while speaking to reporters in Peshawar city on Thursday.

He said that the anti-terrorism wing has busted five major groups of Islamic State – Khorasan Province in Peshawar and Bannu region since last year.

“Three of the major groups were busted by the CTD Peshawar region while two were busted by the CTD Bannu range. The held terrorists were involved in over 40 incidents of target-killing, including attacks on polio vaccination teams,” Pakistani newspaper The News International quoted Wazi as saying.

The CTD chief added the arrested and killed terrorists included a number of most wanted people who were carrying millions of rupees as head money.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-buys-25-chinese-j-10c-fighters-in-response-to-indias-rafale-441092">Pakistan buys 25 Chinese J-10C fighters in response to India's Rafale</a>

The assertions of the top official are in stark contrast to a US report which has claimed that Pakistan failed to take adequate steps to counter-terrorism and prosecute terrorists including masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) founder Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) Sajid Mir.

It also said that Pakistan made “limited progress” in its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay or discrimination.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-court-acquits-6-members-of-hafiz-saeeds-banned-jud-outfit-in-terror-funding-case-427367">Pakistan court acquits 6 members of Hafiz Saeed’s banned JuD outfit in terror funding case</a>

Pakistan made limited progress on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism, specifically in its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay or discrimination," the US State Department report said in its 2020 ‘Country Reports on Terrorism’.

At the same time, the US report stated that&nbsp;Indian security agencies&nbsp;are effective in disrupting terror threats and respond “in a timely manner” to the requests made by the United States for information related to terrorism investigations.

(With inputs from agencies)

Around 90 per cent of terrorists operating in Afghanistan are actively targeting China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, key installations and economic activity, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism department (CTD) has claimed.

Around 90 per cent of terrorists operating in Afghanistan are actively targeting China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, key installations and economic activity, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism department (CTD) has claimed. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) CTD Javed Iqbal Wazir made these remarks while speaking to reporters in Peshawar city on Thursday. He said that the anti-terrorism wing has busted five major groups of Islamic State – Khorasan Province in Peshawar and Bannu region since last year. “Three of the major groups were busted by the CTD Peshawar region while two were busted by the CTD Bannu range. The held terrorists were involved in over 40 incidents of target-killing, including attacks on polio vaccination teams,” Pakistani newspaper The News International quoted Wazi as saying. The CTD chief added the arrested and killed terrorists included a number of most wanted people who were carrying millions of rupees as head money. Also read | Pakistan buys 25 Chinese J-10C fighters in response to India's Rafale The assertions of the top official are in stark contrast to a US report which has claimed that Pakistan failed to take adequate steps to counter-terrorism and prosecute terrorists including masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) founder Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) Sajid Mir. It also said that Pakistan made “limited progress” in its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay or discrimination. Also read | Pakistan court acquits 6 members of Hafiz Saeed’s banned JuD outfit in terror funding case Pakistan made limited progress on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism, specifically in its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay or discrimination," the US State Department report said in its 2020 ‘Country Reports on Terrorism’. At the same time, the US report stated that Indian security agencies are effective in disrupting terror threats and respond “in a timely manner” to the requests made by the United States for information related to terrorism investigations. (With inputs from agencies)

90% of terrorists operating in Afghanistan targeting CPEC projects: Pak’s counter-terrorism wing chief

For the first time in the last 30 years, the number of active terrorists has come down to less than 200, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir claimed on Thursday.

They also said that out of those active terrorists, 86 are local, while the rest are foreigners.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir Police informed that 128 local boys joined terror ranks this year in the Valley, of which 86 are still active. The rest of them have either been killed or arrested by the forces.

“'It’s for the first time that the number of terrorists has gone down below 200 in the Union Territory. Out of the 128 local youth who joined terror outfits, 73 were neutralised in different encounters while 16 were arrested. The rest are still active,”' said Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar.&nbsp;

While addressing a joint press conference, the top police official also said that 11 terrorists have been killed in the Kashmir Valley in the last 5 days, in which 6 of them were gunned down yesterday (December 29) during two anti-terrorist operations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/six-terrorists-including-two-pakistanis-killed-in-two-separate-encounters-in-jk-police-441058">Six terrorists, including two Pakistanis, killed in two separate encounters in J&amp;K: Police</a>

Calling Wednesday’s operation a “success”, Kumar said the security forces recovered one M-4 carbine, eight magazines, two AK 47 rifles and other ammunition from the encounter sites.

“The six killed terrorists belonged to proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. Among them four have been identified—two are from Pakistan and others were locals. The identification of the remaining two terrorists is being ascertained. It is a big success for us,” said Kumar.&nbsp;

In yesterday’s gun battle, an Indian Army soldier was killed, whereas two soldiers and one from Jammu and Kashmir Police were injured.&nbsp;

The state police chief said that the intelligence apparatus has been strengthened and the number of ceasefire violations has come down as well.

“The local militant recruitment has drastically come down as this year. Compared to 180 last year, only 128 to 130 locals have joined militancy,” said General-officer-Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lieutenant General D P Pandey.

For the first time in the last 30 years, the number of active terrorists has come down to less than 200, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir claimed on Thursday.

For the first time in the last 30 years, the number of active terrorists has come down to less than 200, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir claimed on Thursday. They also said that out of those active terrorists, 86 are local, while the rest are foreigners. The Jammu and Kashmir Police informed that 128 local boys joined terror ranks this year in the Valley, of which 86 are still active. The rest of them have either been killed or arrested by the forces. “'It’s for the first time that the number of terrorists has gone down below 200 in the Union Territory. Out of the 128 local youth who joined terror outfits, 73 were neutralised in different encounters while 16 were arrested. The rest are still active,”' said Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar. While addressing a joint press conference, the top police official also said that 11 terrorists have been killed in the Kashmir Valley in the last 5 days, in which 6 of them were gunned down yesterday (December 29) during two anti-terrorist operations. Also read | Six terrorists, including two Pakistanis, killed in two separate encounters in J&K: Police Calling Wednesday’s operation a “success”, Kumar said the security forces recovered one M-4 carbine, eight magazines, two AK 47 rifles and other ammunition from the encounter sites. “The six killed terrorists belonged to proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. Among them four have been identified—two are from Pakistan and others were locals. The identification of the remaining two terrorists is being ascertained. It is a big success for us,” said Kumar. In yesterday’s gun battle, an Indian Army soldier was killed, whereas two soldiers and one from Jammu and Kashmir Police were injured. The state police chief said that the intelligence apparatus has been strengthened and the number of ceasefire violations has come down as well. “The local militant recruitment has drastically come down as this year. Compared to 180 last year, only 128 to 130 locals have joined militancy,” said General-officer-Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lieutenant General D P Pandey.

For the first time in 30 years, active terrorists less than 200 in Jammu and Kashmir: Security agencies

At least 6 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a restaurant and bar on Christmas day in the eastern Congolese town, where Islamic extremists are known to be active.

More than 30 people were celebrating Christmas in Beni when the bomb went off, two witnesses told AFP. According to reports, two children and women were among the dead.

Officials have blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) for Saturday’s attack. The militia is one of the deadliest armed groups in the region and is claimed by the Islamic State&nbsp;group as its central Africa region.

The attack is the second suicide bombing incident that has taken place in eastern Congo this year. Earlier, the ADF forces claimed responsibility for the attack near another bar in Beni, which had caused no casualties.

Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, regional governor’s spokesperson, said that 14 people were injured in the blast.

“The suicide bomber, prevented by security guards from entering a crowded bar, activated the bomb at the entrance of the bar,” he said in a statement.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi said in a statement on Twitter that he "strongly condemns" the "odious" attack.

Beni, near the DRC’s eastern border with Uganda, has been the site of regular clashes between the Congolese army and the ADF.

In recent years, the town has also suffered an Ebola epidemic and has seen several smaller outbreaks of the disease.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 6 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a restaurant and bar on Christmas day in the eastern Congolese town, where Islamic extremists are known to be active.

At least 6 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a restaurant and bar on Christmas day in the eastern Congolese town, where Islamic extremists are known to be active. More than 30 people were celebrating Christmas in Beni when the bomb went off, two witnesses told AFP. According to reports, two children and women were among the dead. Officials have blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) for Saturday’s attack. The militia is one of the deadliest armed groups in the region and is claimed by the Islamic State group as its central Africa region. The attack is the second suicide bombing incident that has taken place in eastern Congo this year. Earlier, the ADF forces claimed responsibility for the attack near another bar in Beni, which had caused no casualties. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, regional governor’s spokesperson, said that 14 people were injured in the blast. “The suicide bomber, prevented by security guards from entering a crowded bar, activated the bomb at the entrance of the bar,” he said in a statement. Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi said in a statement on Twitter that he "strongly condemns" the "odious" attack. Beni, near the DRC’s eastern border with Uganda, has been the site of regular clashes between the Congolese army and the ADF. In recent years, the town has also suffered an Ebola epidemic and has seen several smaller outbreaks of the disease. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 6 killed, 14 injured in Christmas Day bombing in east Congo

Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed regret for Pakistan’s participation in US-led&nbsp;20-year-long “war on terror” in Afghanistan, saying that the country joined only for “dollars” and not in the “public intertest.”

While addressing the officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, Khan said, “And so, I am well aware of what considerations there were behind the decision. Unfortunately, the people of Pakistan were not a consideration.”

&nbsp;“The considerations, instead, were the same as in the 1980s, when we participated in the Afghan jihad,” he said while referring to the Soviet-Afghan war.

Imran Khan, who has often criticised Pakistan’s decision to join in the two-decades war, claimed that he was close to the decision-makers in 2001 when the then military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, decided to become part of the ‘war on terror’.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-faces-online-flak-for-defending-talibans-mistreatment-of-women-438358">Pakistan PM Imran Khan faces online flak for defending Taliban's mistreatment of women</a>

Terming the war a “self-inflicting wound” for Pakistan, the prime minister said, "We cannot blame anyone else for this outcome (of the decision)."

“We ourselves are responsible ... as we let [others] use us, sacrificed the reputation of our country for aid and made a foreign policy that went against the public interest [and was devised] for money,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/four-women-assaulted-paraded-naked-and-filmed-in-pakistan-over-theft-suspicion-435021">Four women assaulted, paraded naked and filmed in Pakistan over theft suspicion</a>

On the Afghanistan situation, Khan said that “a big atrocity on the human level that a man-made crisis is being created” in the strife-torn country.

“Even when it is known that unfreezing Afghanistan's accounts and (infusing) liquidity (into the country’s banking system) will avert the crisis,” he said.

He added that Pakistan would continue to provide assistance to Afghanistan in difficult times.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed regret for Pakistan’s participation in US-led 20-year-long “war on terror” in Afghanistan, saying that the country joined only for “dollars” and not in the “public intertest.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed regret for Pakistan’s participation in US-led 20-year-long “war on terror” in Afghanistan, saying that the country joined only for “dollars” and not in the “public intertest.” While addressing the officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, Khan said, “And so, I am well aware of what considerations there were behind the decision. Unfortunately, the people of Pakistan were not a consideration.” “The considerations, instead, were the same as in the 1980s, when we participated in the Afghan jihad,” he said while referring to the Soviet-Afghan war. Imran Khan, who has often criticised Pakistan’s decision to join in the two-decades war, claimed that he was close to the decision-makers in 2001 when the then military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, decided to become part of the ‘war on terror’. Also read | Pakistan PM Imran Khan faces online flak for defending Taliban's mistreatment of women Terming the war a “self-inflicting wound” for Pakistan, the prime minister said, "We cannot blame anyone else for this outcome (of the decision)." “We ourselves are responsible ... as we let [others] use us, sacrificed the reputation of our country for aid and made a foreign policy that went against the public interest [and was devised] for money,” he said. Also read | Four women assaulted, paraded naked and filmed in Pakistan over theft suspicion On the Afghanistan situation, Khan said that “a big atrocity on the human level that a man-made crisis is being created” in the strife-torn country. “Even when it is known that unfreezing Afghanistan's accounts and (infusing) liquidity (into the country’s banking system) will avert the crisis,” he said. He added that Pakistan would continue to provide assistance to Afghanistan in difficult times. (With inputs from agencies)

Imran Khan regrets Pakistan's joining of US-led ‘war on terror’, says it did so for ‘dollars’

Pakistani law enforcement agencies have reportedly arrested at least nine terrorists, including a young woman, allegedly belonging to the Islamic State (IS) and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), officials informed on Saturday, a report by PTI stated.&nbsp;

As per a statement, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab province arrested nine terrorists. Six of them belong to the TTP and others to the IS.&nbsp;

"The CTD has conducted 42 IBOs (intelligence-based operations) in different districts of Punjab and arrested nine suspects," read the statement as quoted by PTI. &nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-is-hosting-oic-meeting-to-organise-economic-assistance-for-afghanistan-437883">Pakistan is hosting OIC meeting to organise economic assistance for Afghanistan</a>

"The three IS activists were collecting funds for financial support of defunct organisation, distributing banned books among people and motivating peoples to join the organisation (IS)," the CTD said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a recent US State Department report on global terrorism revealed that Pakistan made "limited progress" on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism as it had pledged to dismantle terrorist organisations operating inside the country without "delay or discrimination". 
&nbsp; 
The 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism, which was issued on Thursday (December 16), stated that terrorist groups continued to operate from Pakistan regionally.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rewind-2021-when-taliban-in-afghanistan-became-the-new-normal-437572">Rewind 2021: When Taliban in Afghanistan became the 'new normal'</a>

The report mentioned that groups targeting India, including LeT and its affiliated front organisations and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continued to operate from Pakistani territory.&nbsp;

The report specifically mentioned that Pakistan did not take action against JeM founder and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar and 2008 Mumbai attack "project manager" Sajid Mir. As per the report, both are believed to remain free in Pakistan.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Pakistani law enforcement agencies have reportedly arrested at least nine terrorists, including a young woman, allegedly belonging to the Islamic State (IS) and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), officials informed on Saturday, a report by PTI stated.

Pakistani law enforcement agencies have reportedly arrested at least nine terrorists, including a young woman, allegedly belonging to the Islamic State (IS) and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), officials informed on Saturday, a report by PTI stated. As per a statement, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab province arrested nine terrorists. Six of them belong to the TTP and others to the IS. "The CTD has conducted 42 IBOs (intelligence-based operations) in different districts of Punjab and arrested nine suspects," read the statement as quoted by PTI. ALSO READ | Pakistan is hosting OIC meeting to organise economic assistance for Afghanistan "The three IS activists were collecting funds for financial support of defunct organisation, distributing banned books among people and motivating peoples to join the organisation (IS)," the CTD said. Meanwhile, a recent US State Department report on global terrorism revealed that Pakistan made "limited progress" on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism as it had pledged to dismantle terrorist organisations operating inside the country without "delay or discrimination". The 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism, which was issued on Thursday (December 16), stated that terrorist groups continued to operate from Pakistan regionally. ALSO READ | Rewind 2021: When Taliban in Afghanistan became the 'new normal' The report mentioned that groups targeting India, including LeT and its affiliated front organisations and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continued to operate from Pakistani territory. The report specifically mentioned that Pakistan did not take action against JeM founder and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar and 2008 Mumbai attack "project manager" Sajid Mir. As per the report, both are believed to remain free in Pakistan. ×

At least nine terrorists arrested by law enforcement agencies in Pakistan: Officials

US State Department report on global terrorism revealed that Pakistan made "limited progress" on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism as it had pledged to dismantle terrorist organisations operating inside the country without "delay or discrimination".&nbsp;

The 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism, which was issued on Thursday (December 16), stated that terrorist groups continued to operate from Pakistan regionally.&nbsp;

The report mentioned that groups targeting India, including LeT and its affiliated front organisations and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continued to operate from Pakistani territory.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gwadar-protesters-call-off-stir-after-pakistan-govt-accepts-all-of-their-demands-437514">Gwadar protesters call off stir after Pakistan govt accepts ‘all of their demands’</a>

The report specifically mentioned that Pakistan did not take action against JeM founder and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar and 2008 Mumbai attack "project manager" Sajid Mir. As per the report, both are believed to remain free in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Although, the report does mention that Pakistan contributed to the Afghanistan peace process. Pakistan made additional progress in 2020 toward completing its Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Action Plan. However, &nbsp;the country remained on the FATF "gray list" as it did not complete all Action Plan items.&nbsp;

The report also highlighted the functioning of some madrassas in Pakistan, which has remained a matter of discussion over the years. The report stated that such that some unregulated madrassas continued to teach violent extremist doctrine.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rewind-2021-when-taliban-in-afghanistan-became-the-new-normal-437572">Rewind 2021: When Taliban in Afghanistan became the 'new normal'</a>

"While the government continued efforts to increase madrassa regulation, some analysts and madrassa reform proponents observed that many madrassas failed to register with the government, provide documentation of their sources of funding, or comply with laws governing acceptance of foreign students," a part of the report read.&nbsp;

On the release of the report, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "The report's Annex of Statistical Info shows that both the number&nbsp;of terrorist attacks and&nbsp;overall number&nbsp;of fatalities resulting from those attacks increased by more than 10% in 2020 compared with 2019."&nbsp;

Indian counterterrorism forces

Mentioning the Indian counterterrorism forces, such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the report commended India for actively detecting and disrupting transnational and regional terror forces.

"Indian counterterrorism forces, at the federal and state levels, actively detected and disrupted transnational and regional terror forces," the report read.&nbsp;

"The National Investigation Agency (NIA) examined 34 terrorism-related cases related to ISIS and arrested 160 persons, including 10 alleged al-Qaeda operatives from Kerala and West Bengal, in September,"? the report added.

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US-India cooperation

Mentioning the cooperation with India, the report stated that the United States continues to build strategic partnerships with India. Through bilateral engagements such as the 17th Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and Third Designations Dialogue in September, as well as the third 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in October.&nbsp;

Overall, the report stated that during 2020, the United States and its partners made significant major strides against terrorist organisations. It added that the terrorism threat has become more geographically dispersed in regions around the world.&nbsp;

US State Department report on global terrorism revealed that Pakistan made "limited progress" on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism as it had pledged to dismantle terrorist organisations operating inside the country without "delay or discrimination".

US State Department report on global terrorism revealed that Pakistan made "limited progress" on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism as it had pledged to dismantle terrorist organisations operating inside the country without "delay or discrimination". The 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism, which was issued on Thursday (December 16), stated that terrorist groups continued to operate from Pakistan regionally. The report mentioned that groups targeting India, including LeT and its affiliated front organisations and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continued to operate from Pakistani territory. ALSO READ | Gwadar protesters call off stir after Pakistan govt accepts ‘all of their demands’ The report specifically mentioned that Pakistan did not take action against JeM founder and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar and 2008 Mumbai attack "project manager" Sajid Mir. As per the report, both are believed to remain free in Pakistan. Although, the report does mention that Pakistan contributed to the Afghanistan peace process. Pakistan made additional progress in 2020 toward completing its Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Action Plan. However, the country remained on the FATF "gray list" as it did not complete all Action Plan items. The report also highlighted the functioning of some madrassas in Pakistan, which has remained a matter of discussion over the years. The report stated that such that some unregulated madrassas continued to teach violent extremist doctrine. ALSO READ | Rewind 2021: When Taliban in Afghanistan became the 'new normal' "While the government continued efforts to increase madrassa regulation, some analysts and madrassa reform proponents observed that many madrassas failed to register with the government, provide documentation of their sources of funding, or comply with laws governing acceptance of foreign students," a part of the report read. On the release of the report, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "The report's Annex of Statistical Info shows that both the number of terrorist attacks and overall number of fatalities resulting from those attacks increased by more than 10% in 2020 compared with 2019." Indian counterterrorism forces Mentioning the Indian counterterrorism forces, such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the report commended India for actively detecting and disrupting transnational and regional terror forces. "Indian counterterrorism forces, at the federal and state levels, actively detected and disrupted transnational and regional terror forces," the report read. "The National Investigation Agency (NIA) examined 34 terrorism-related cases related to ISIS and arrested 160 persons, including 10 alleged al-Qaeda operatives from Kerala and West Bengal, in September,"? the report added. × US-India cooperation Mentioning the cooperation with India, the report stated that the United States continues to build strategic partnerships with India. Through bilateral engagements such as the 17th Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and Third Designations Dialogue in September, as well as the third 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in October. Overall, the report stated that during 2020, the United States and its partners made significant major strides against terrorist organisations. It added that the terrorism threat has become more geographically dispersed in regions around the world.

Pakistan didn't take action against terrorists as groups targeting India continue to operate: US report

A terrorist from the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was killed by security forces during an encounter in Zainapora area of Shopian district in India’s Kashmir state.

The armed forces had received a tip-off about the presence of a terrorist in the area following which cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched.

During the search operation, the terrorist started firing on security forces, who then retaliated, ensuing an encounter, police said.

“On the intervening night of December 14 and December 15, acting on a specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist in village Uzrampathri area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by the police, armed forces from 44 Rashtriya rifles and 182 battalion&nbsp;from the Central Reserve Police Force in the said area,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a statement.&nbsp;

The terrorist has been identified as Feroz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq resident of Heff-Shirmal Shopian.

Police said the terrorist was active since 2017 and was involved in several terror-related crime cases, including the attack on police guards in December 2018 at Zainapora resulting in the killing of four personnel and looting their service rifles.&nbsp;

“He was also involved in the killing of a girl, Ishrat Muneer daughter of Muneer Ahmad Bhat resident of Dangerpora Pulwama in February 2019. He was involved in the killing of a non-local labourer, Charnajeet, a resident of Punjab. Besides, he was also instrumental in luring the gullible youth to join terrorist ranks,” the police said.&nbsp;

The security forces recovered arms and ammunition, including one AK rifle, along with three magazines from him.

The Kashmir Valley had been witnessing a spurt in violence in recent days.

Wednesday’s gunfight is the third in four days in the village. On Sunday, a militant was killed in a gunfight in South Kashmir’s Awantipora.

On Monday, two militants were killed in a brief shootout at Rangreth, on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

A terrorist from the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was killed by security forces during an encounter in Zainapora area of Shopian district in India’s Kashmir state.

A terrorist from the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was killed by security forces during an encounter in Zainapora area of Shopian district in India’s Kashmir state. The armed forces had received a tip-off about the presence of a terrorist in the area following which cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched. During the search operation, the terrorist started firing on security forces, who then retaliated, ensuing an encounter, police said. “On the intervening night of December 14 and December 15, acting on a specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist in village Uzrampathri area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by the police, armed forces from 44 Rashtriya rifles and 182 battalion from the Central Reserve Police Force in the said area,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a statement. The terrorist has been identified as Feroz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq resident of Heff-Shirmal Shopian. Police said the terrorist was active since 2017 and was involved in several terror-related crime cases, including the attack on police guards in December 2018 at Zainapora resulting in the killing of four personnel and looting their service rifles. “He was also involved in the killing of a girl, Ishrat Muneer daughter of Muneer Ahmad Bhat resident of Dangerpora Pulwama in February 2019. He was involved in the killing of a non-local labourer, Charnajeet, a resident of Punjab. Besides, he was also instrumental in luring the gullible youth to join terrorist ranks,” the police said. The security forces recovered arms and ammunition, including one AK rifle, along with three magazines from him. The Kashmir Valley had been witnessing a spurt in violence in recent days. Wednesday’s gunfight is the third in four days in the village. On Sunday, a militant was killed in a gunfight in South Kashmir’s Awantipora. On Monday, two militants were killed in a brief shootout at Rangreth, on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

Hizbul terrorist killed in encounter in India’s Jammu and Kashmir state

A terrorist from the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was killed by security forces during an encounter in Zainapora area of Shopian district in Kashmir.

The armed forces had received a tip-off about the presence of a terrorist in the area following which cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched.

During the search operation, the terrorist started firing on security forces, who then retaliated, ensuing an encounter, police said.

“On the intervening night of December 14 and December 15, acting on a specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist in village Uzrampathri area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by the police, armed forces from 44 Rashtriya rifles and 182 battalion&nbsp;from the Central Reserve Police Force in the said area,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a statement.&nbsp;

The terrorist has been identified as Feroz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq resident of Heff-Shirmal Shopian.

Police said the terrorist was active since 2017 and was involved in several terror-related crime cases, including the attack on police guards in December 2018 at Zainapora resulting in the killing of four personnel and looting their service rifles.&nbsp;

“He was also involved in the killing of a girl, Ishrat Muneer daughter of Muneer Ahmad Bhat resident of Dangerpora Pulwama in February 2019. He was involved in the killing of a non-local labourer, Charnajeet, a resident of Punjab. Besides, he was also instrumental in luring the gullible youth to join terrorist ranks,” the police said.&nbsp;

The security forces recovered arms and ammunition, including one AK rifle, along with three magazines from him.

The Kashmir Valley had been witnessing a spurt in violence in recent days.

Wednesday’s gunfight is the third in four days in the village. On Sunday, a militant was killed in a gunfight in South Kashmir’s Awantipora.

On Monday, two militants were killed in a brief shootout at Rangreth, on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

A terrorist from the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was killed by security forces during an encounter in Zainapora area of Shopian district in Kashmir.

A terrorist from the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was killed by security forces during an encounter in Zainapora area of Shopian district in Kashmir. The armed forces had received a tip-off about the presence of a terrorist in the area following which cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched. During the search operation, the terrorist started firing on security forces, who then retaliated, ensuing an encounter, police said. “On the intervening night of December 14 and December 15, acting on a specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist in village Uzrampathri area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by the police, armed forces from 44 Rashtriya rifles and 182 battalion from the Central Reserve Police Force in the said area,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a statement. The terrorist has been identified as Feroz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq resident of Heff-Shirmal Shopian. Police said the terrorist was active since 2017 and was involved in several terror-related crime cases, including the attack on police guards in December 2018 at Zainapora resulting in the killing of four personnel and looting their service rifles. “He was also involved in the killing of a girl, Ishrat Muneer daughter of Muneer Ahmad Bhat resident of Dangerpora Pulwama in February 2019. He was involved in the killing of a non-local labourer, Charnajeet, a resident of Punjab. Besides, he was also instrumental in luring the gullible youth to join terrorist ranks,” the police said. The security forces recovered arms and ammunition, including one AK rifle, along with three magazines from him. The Kashmir Valley had been witnessing a spurt in violence in recent days. Wednesday’s gunfight is the third in four days in the village. On Sunday, a militant was killed in a gunfight in South Kashmir’s Awantipora. On Monday, two militants were killed in a brief shootout at Rangreth, on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

Hizbul terrorist killed in encounter in India’s Jammu and Kashmir

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