Afghanistan/Taliban – A Taliban suicide team stormed the provincial police headquarters in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia on the 18 Jun 17 killing at least six policemen before ultimately being gunned down. The attack on the police headquarters in the provincial capital of Gardez took place in the early morning. The Taliban suicide team used tactics that have been perfected by multiple jihadist groups on numerous battlefields over the past decade and a half. First, a suicide bomber drove a vehicle packed with explosives and detonated his payload at the main gate, opening a breach for the assault team to enter the compound. Then, a heavily armed assault team fanned out to shoot anyone they could before they occupied a building inside the compound. Afghan forces battled the Taliban team throughout the day before killing the last remaining attacker. In a statement released on Voice of Jihad, the Taliban claimed the strike under the aegis of Operation Mansouri, its most recent spring offensive. “The attack began at 0622 hrs local time when a Mujahid from the martyrdon [sic] seeking battalion of Islamic Emirate detonated his explosive-laden vehicle inside the base following which multiple other martyrdom seekers entered the site and began engaging the enemy,” the group claimed. The suicide assault, or coordinated attack using one or more suicide bombers and an assault team, is a tactic frequently used by the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, al Qaeda and its branches. It is also used by allied groups such as the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Shabaab, and by the rival Islamic State. Suicide assaults are commonly executed by jihadist groups in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Nigeria. The Taliban used this tactic to penetrate security at the Afghan National Army’s 209th Shaheen Corps Headquarters in Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province in Apr 17. A ten man strong team dressed in Afghan military uniforms killed more than 140 Afghan soldiers using both gun fire and bomb blasts. In the past, the Taliban has claimed to have “thousands of fully armed martyrdom seekers” at its disposal to conduct attacks inside Afghanistan and has provided some information on the structure of its “martyrdom units,” “martyrdom-seekers battalion,” and “suicide groups.” These units all fall under the command of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the military commander for the Taliban and one of the group’s two deputy emirs. The Haqqani Network, an integral faction of the Taliban, operates in eastern Afghanistan. This Taliban faction has a significant presence in Paktia province, where today’s suicide assault took place.
Afghanistan/Pakistan – Two Pakistani diplomats based in a consulate office in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad have been missing since the 16 Jun 17 when they set off by road back to their homeland, Pakistan's foreign office said on the 18 Jun 17. Islamabad did not speculate who may be behind the disappearances but various Afghanistan-based Islamist groups have targeted diplomats in the past. "Pakistan has requested the Afghan Government that all efforts may be made to ensure early recovery of our officials and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice," the foreign ministry said in a statement Islamabad said Afghanistan had formed three different investigating groups to probe the incident. Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have been tense in recent years, with both countries accusing each other of not doing enough to tackle Pakistani and Afghan Taliban militants. Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of turning a blind eye to Afghan Taliban commanders based within its borders and of supporting the militant group, something Islamabad denies. Islamabad has claimed that Kabul is not doing enough to tackle Pakistani Taliban militants who have been driven out of Pakistan, but who still carry out attacks across the border. Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangarhar province, is a busy trading hub about 70 kilometres (43 miles) from the main border crossing with Pakistan, from which landlocked Afghanistan imports much of its goods. The province is home to various Islamist groups, including Pakistani and Afghan Taliban. In recent years the Islamic State has also established a presence Nangarhar.
Afghanistan/ – A car bomb exploded outside a bank in Lashkar Gah, capital of the southern Afghan province of Helmand, killing at least 26 people and wounding dozens, officials said on the 21 Jun 17. Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, said at least 50 people were wounded, including members of the police and army, civilians and staff of the New Kabul Bank branch where the attack took place. The blast took place around 12 noon local time (0800 hrs GMT), according to Zwak, when civilians and members of the security forces waiting to collect their pay. The bank is believed to have been especially crowded ahead of the Eid holidays marking the end of Ramadan.
Indonesia/Da’esh – Two alleged ISIL fighters stabbed a police officer to death in Medan, in western Indonesia, authority’s say, in the latest assault targeting law-enforcement officials in the Southeast Asian country. Several police officers fought back against the fighters, killing one and critically injuring another on the 25 Jun 17 incident. "We suspect the attackers have links with ISIL and Bahrun Naim, because we found a ISIL flag, books and CDs linked to [the group] in the house of one attacker," Setyo Wasisto, national police spokesperson said. He was referring to Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who is fighting with Da’esh in Syria and who has been accused of directing a series of mostly botched plots in his homeland in recent years. Hundreds of young men from Indonesia have flocked abroad to fight with Da’esh and the country has seen a surge in plots and attacks linked to the group over the past year. The 25 Jun 17attack happened just hours before prayers were held as part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations that mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the North Sumatra police headquarters. Police are investigating whether the incident was linked to the recent capture of three fighters accused of plotting to attack police, Wasisto, the police spokesperson, said.
Pakistan/Jamaat-ur-Ahrar – At least 12 people have been killed and 14 wounded in a suicide car bomb attack near the provincial police chief's office in the south-western Pakistani city of Quetta, police officials said. The explosion on the morning of the 23 Jun 17 struck a police checkpoint near a complex that is housing the Balochistan police chief's office, local police officer Muhammad Akbar said. At least six police officers were among those killed, Ali Mardan, a senior police officer said. Initial reports indicated a vehicle approached the checkpoint and explosives were set off when the driver of the vehicle was stopped by the police, provincial government spokesperson Anwar ul-Haq Kakar told local television channel Geo News. "At 0845 hrs local (0345 hrs GMT), there was an old car, a Toyota Corolla that came here near the [police chief's] office and it was stopped by the police personnel. That is when the blast took place," he said. "There was no exchange of fire, but it's possible that law-enforcement personnel may have fired into the air." Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistan Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent out its spokesperson Asad Mansoor. "It was a suicide attack. They came to the intersection and then blew themselves up there," said Hussain. It was thought that the Inspector General's office was the likely target of the attack.
Philippines/Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – Gunmen have occupied a school after storming a village on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, according to police on the 21 Jun 17. Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group were engaged in a gun battle with security forces at Malagakit, close to Pigcawayan town, Chief Inspector Realan Mamon said in a radio interview on the 21 Jun 17. Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, army spokesman, said five civilians were taken hostage, none of them students, as human shields. The Malagakit school is believed to had been closed at the time of the attack. Eliseo Garcesa, mayor of Pigcawayan, told Philippine radio that about 200 gunmen were involved in the attack. He said he was still seeking information about possible casualties. Pigcawayan is in North Cotabato province in the centre of Mindanao Island. Fighting between the army and ISIL-linked groups, including BIFF fighters, in Marawi has entered its fifth week. "Although the situation in Pigcawayan may not be directly linked to the fighting that has been raging in Marawi for the past few weeks, it may have something to do with the martial law that been imposed across the region," reporter said. It was possible the attack was intended to disrupt the ongoing military offensive in Marawi. If this is a diversionary move, it's not the first by these BIFF gunmen, they have tried to attack more than once and all have been thwarted.
Ukraine – A senior Ukrainian military intelligence officer has been killed in a car bombing in Kiev that police are treating as a terrorist attack. Police said in a statement that the driver of a luxury car was killed instantly as the vehicle blew up at a Kiev intersection on the morning of the 27 Jun 17. Photos released by Kiev police showed the mangled car in the middle of the road. Kiev police say that a passer-by was taken to hospital with injuries. The Defence Ministry later identified the victim as Colonel Maxim Shapoval of the Chief Directorate of Ukrainian military intelligence. Ukrainian media reported that he was the chief of the military intelligence's Special Forces. As yet no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Afghanistan/Pakistan – Two Pakistani diplomats based in a consulate office in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad have been missing since the 16 Jun 17 when they set off by road back to their homeland, Pakistan's foreign office said on the 18 Jun 17. Islamabad did not speculate who may be behind the disappearances but various Afghanistan-based Islamist groups have targeted diplomats in the past. "Pakistan has requested the Afghan Government that all efforts may be made to ensure early recovery of our officials and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice," the foreign ministry said in a statement Islamabad said Afghanistan had formed three different investigating groups to probe the incident. Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have been tense in recent years, with both countries accusing each other of not doing enough to tackle Pakistani and Afghan Taliban militants. Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of turning a blind eye to Afghan Taliban commanders based within its borders and of supporting the militant group, something Islamabad denies. Islamabad has claimed that Kabul is not doing enough to tackle Pakistani Taliban militants who have been driven out of Pakistan, but who still carry out attacks across the border. Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangarhar province, is a busy trading hub about 70 kilometres (43 miles) from the main border crossing with Pakistan, from which landlocked Afghanistan imports much of its goods. The province is home to various Islamist groups, including Pakistani and Afghan Taliban. In recent years the Islamic State has also established a presence Nangarhar.
Afghanistan/ – A car bomb exploded outside a bank in Lashkar Gah, capital of the southern Afghan province of Helmand, killing at least 26 people and wounding dozens, officials said on the 21 Jun 17. Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, said at least 50 people were wounded, including members of the police and army, civilians and staff of the New Kabul Bank branch where the attack took place. The blast took place around 12 noon local time (0800 hrs GMT), according to Zwak, when civilians and members of the security forces waiting to collect their pay. The bank is believed to have been especially crowded ahead of the Eid holidays marking the end of Ramadan.
Indonesia/Da’esh – Two alleged ISIL fighters stabbed a police officer to death in Medan, in western Indonesia, authority’s say, in the latest assault targeting law-enforcement officials in the Southeast Asian country. Several police officers fought back against the fighters, killing one and critically injuring another on the 25 Jun 17 incident. "We suspect the attackers have links with ISIL and Bahrun Naim, because we found a ISIL flag, books and CDs linked to [the group] in the house of one attacker," Setyo Wasisto, national police spokesperson said. He was referring to Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who is fighting with Da’esh in Syria and who has been accused of directing a series of mostly botched plots in his homeland in recent years. Hundreds of young men from Indonesia have flocked abroad to fight with Da’esh and the country has seen a surge in plots and attacks linked to the group over the past year. The 25 Jun 17attack happened just hours before prayers were held as part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations that mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the North Sumatra police headquarters. Police are investigating whether the incident was linked to the recent capture of three fighters accused of plotting to attack police, Wasisto, the police spokesperson, said.
Pakistan/Jamaat-ur-Ahrar – At least 12 people have been killed and 14 wounded in a suicide car bomb attack near the provincial police chief's office in the south-western Pakistani city of Quetta, police officials said. The explosion on the morning of the 23 Jun 17 struck a police checkpoint near a complex that is housing the Balochistan police chief's office, local police officer Muhammad Akbar said. At least six police officers were among those killed, Ali Mardan, a senior police officer said. Initial reports indicated a vehicle approached the checkpoint and explosives were set off when the driver of the vehicle was stopped by the police, provincial government spokesperson Anwar ul-Haq Kakar told local television channel Geo News. "At 0845 hrs local (0345 hrs GMT), there was an old car, a Toyota Corolla that came here near the [police chief's] office and it was stopped by the police personnel. That is when the blast took place," he said. "There was no exchange of fire, but it's possible that law-enforcement personnel may have fired into the air." Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistan Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent out its spokesperson Asad Mansoor. "It was a suicide attack. They came to the intersection and then blew themselves up there," said Hussain. It was thought that the Inspector General's office was the likely target of the attack.
Philippines/Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – Gunmen have occupied a school after storming a village on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, according to police on the 21 Jun 17. Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group were engaged in a gun battle with security forces at Malagakit, close to Pigcawayan town, Chief Inspector Realan Mamon said in a radio interview on the 21 Jun 17. Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, army spokesman, said five civilians were taken hostage, none of them students, as human shields. The Malagakit school is believed to had been closed at the time of the attack. Eliseo Garcesa, mayor of Pigcawayan, told Philippine radio that about 200 gunmen were involved in the attack. He said he was still seeking information about possible casualties. Pigcawayan is in North Cotabato province in the centre of Mindanao Island. Fighting between the army and ISIL-linked groups, including BIFF fighters, in Marawi has entered its fifth week. "Although the situation in Pigcawayan may not be directly linked to the fighting that has been raging in Marawi for the past few weeks, it may have something to do with the martial law that been imposed across the region," reporter said. It was possible the attack was intended to disrupt the ongoing military offensive in Marawi. If this is a diversionary move, it's not the first by these BIFF gunmen, they have tried to attack more than once and all have been thwarted.
Ukraine – A senior Ukrainian military intelligence officer has been killed in a car bombing in Kiev that police are treating as a terrorist attack. Police said in a statement that the driver of a luxury car was killed instantly as the vehicle blew up at a Kiev intersection on the morning of the 27 Jun 17. Photos released by Kiev police showed the mangled car in the middle of the road. Kiev police say that a passer-by was taken to hospital with injuries. The Defence Ministry later identified the victim as Colonel Maxim Shapoval of the Chief Directorate of Ukrainian military intelligence. Ukrainian media reported that he was the chief of the military intelligence's Special Forces. As yet no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
RSS Feed