War in Afghanistan, civil war in Sri Lanka, freedom-struggle in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, militancy and terrorism in Pakistan, India and Nepal led to 3516 causalities – 1584 killings and 1932 injuries – in south Asia. The casualty figures are much higher (48.1%) than those of the previous month. The highest number of killings was reported from Afghanistan followed by Sri Lanka. Detail is given in Table 1.

Table 1

India[1]

One hundred and seventy-three (173) casualties were reported by The Hindu. Thirty-four people were killed and one hundred and thirty-nine others were injured. Among the killed were twenty-two militants, including twelve Naga militants, one Indian soldier and three policemen. In the injured category were one NSCN (I-M) activist, one soldier, twenty-five policemen and eighty-one civilians.

Three bomb blasts were reported. Encounters between the security forces and militants took place in Imphal and Guwahati. Seven militants were killed in these encounters. Maoists also exchanged fire with police in Jamshedpur. Armed militant groups also clashed with each other at least at two different occasions – a gun battle between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and its rival faction NSCN (Unification), and, a clash between those for and against the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha’s (GJM) demand for a separate State. Maoists ambushed and killed three policemen at Raipur and triggered two landmine blasts at Jamshedpur.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind issued a fatwa against terrorism at the Anti-Terrorism Global Peace Conference. According to the fatwa:

Islam is a religion of peace and security. In its eyes, on any part over the surface of the earth spreading mischief, rioting, breach of peace, bloodshed, killing of innocent persons and plundering are the most inhuman crimes.

The Fatwa further elaborates that Islam loves peace and “rejects all kinds of unjust violence.”

In the first week of the month, Maoists blasted railway tracks in Bihar and caused derailment of a train and crippled train services on the Howrah-Delhi route. In the second week, they blasted a vital power line in Bastar.

Hindu extremism seems to be taking a new turn as Thackeray has advocated the creation of Hindu suicide squads to fight the scourge of terrorism. In fact, he needs to be told that terrorism cannot be defeated by more terrorism. It has to be addressed in a rational manner. It is about winning hearts and minds of the terrorists by the message of love and peace for humanity.

Kashmir[2]

One hundred and forty-three (143) casualties were reported from Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty people were killed whereas one hundred and twenty-three were injured. Nine freedom-fighters were martyred. Seven government personnel, including three policemen were killed by the freedom-fighters. Among the injured were more than twenty-five policemen. Most of the injured, however, were civilians (97). Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Yasin Malik, was also among the injured.

Freedom-fighters continued their activities. Most of the incidents took place in Jammu and Srinagar. Apart from an ambush by militants, five encounters were reported by The Hindu. In the ambush, four government officials, including a Lt. Colonel and another officer, were killed. Freedom-fighters launched grenade attacks on security forces and killed a policeman.

Transfer of 40 hectares of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) caused much trouble in the Valley. Kashmiri Muslims continued huge protests spreading over weeks against the decision. Security forces frequently used force against the peaceful protesters. At least, a few of the protesters were injured because of police firing and baton-charge.

Yasin Malik expressed the Kashmiris’ concern that “transferring land to the SASB was a big threat to ecology” and he demanded that the decision should be withdrawn forthwith. He threatened that “If it is not done, I will not hesitate to end my life by going on a fast unto death.”

Kashmiri women also launched a protest in Srinagar demanding the release of all Kashmiri youths detained in jails and to stop human rights violations by security forces.

Nepal[3]

Twenty-four violent incidents resulted into one hundred and eleven (111) casualties – fourteen killings and ninety-seven injuries in Nepal during the month. Among the killed were three Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha (ATMM) activists, including one of the organization’s coordinator, one Nepalese Congress (NC) leader and two cement factory workers. At least one woman was among the killed. The injured included five policemen, one teacher, three students and six passengers. One of the former army commanders of the ATMM was also wounded.

Ten bomb blasts were reported. One of the blasts took place at a School. A number of groups clashed with one another. In an incident, Maoists beat up All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU) members. ATMM, Kirant People’s Party and Young Communist League cadres were involved in a number of different clashes.

Although the Maoists have succeeded to secure the largest number of seats in recently held general elections in the country, they are still involved in violence against other groups and overall situation is not very peaceful. Political crisis is still going on. The Maoist ministers resigned from the coalition government. As a result, Prime Minister Koirala had to resign on the 26^th.

Sri Lanka[4]

During the month, six hundred and sixteen (616) people were killed in the Civil War. Eight hundred and thirty-nine others were injured. One thousand four hundred and fifty-five casualties were reported in total. The highest number of casualties, both killings and injuries, were suffered by the LTTE.

Among the killed were 23 policemen, two Tamil prisoners and a divisional secretary. Forty-two (42) civilians, including 16 women, were also killed. And, among the injured were twenty-one policemen. One hundred and twenty-nine (129) civilians, including eighteen passengers and a school girl, were also injured. Detail of the casualties is given in Table 2.

Table 2

Twenty-one air strikes were reported. The Air Force launched attacks against LTTE artillery centers, sea camps, forward defense lines, bunkers, logistic facilities and gatherings. Supersonic fighter jets raided LTTE training facilities, special unit headquarters, and, arms and ammunition manufacturing yard. The Air Force also used helicopter gunships.

Besides other weapons, army troops used Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPGs) and mortar guns. Many bunkers were destroyed or captured by the troops. During a massive assault on LTTE positions, security forces captured an LTTE child soldier. Army snipers targeted the rebels at least twice.

LTTE fighters also used mortar guns. A suicide attack killed twelve policemen. The rebels launched six claymore and one anti-personnel mine attacks.

At least 10 people were injured in political violence when ruling party politicians attacked a protest by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.

The state of emergency continues in the country. LTTE has rejected Indian backed settlement and LTTE political head Nadesan vowed to continue fighting for a separate state. Fifteenth SAARC summit is going to be held in less than two months in Colombo. The government is concerned about the security of the delegates because of the insurgency.

According to a British study, war toll in Sri Lanka jumped 3.6-fold during the second half of the 20th century. The Foundation for Co-existence Chairman says that over 250,000 persons have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict but only 80, 000 deaths have been reported. Indian intelligence agencies reported that the LTTE is getting raw materials for its explosive devices from Indian cities.

Pakistan[5]

Militancy, sectarian and political violence, and operations led to two hundred and eighty-one (281) killings and three hundred and thirty-two (332) injuries in the country – six hundred and thirteen (613) casualties in total. The highest number of casualties was reported from FATA, where 191 people were killed and 148 others were injured.

Militants continued their barbaric activities unabatedly. Schools were torched and blown up. Clashes between different militant groups caused much bloodshed and sufferings. Security situation in FATA and NWFP remained dismal. To the end of the month, a military operation had to be launched by the government to curb militants’ and criminals’ activities in the area.

Afghanistan[6]

One thousand and twenty-one (1021) causalities were reported in Afghanistan. Six hundred and nineteen (619) were killed and four hundred and two others were injured. Maximum casualties were suffered by the Taliban and other militants. The killed included thirty-two (32) foreign soldiers. They were identified by the Pajhwok as six US, two British, one NATO, twelve coalition and eleven ISAF soldiers. A coalition service member was also killed. Twenty-seven policemen and twenty-four security guards were killed. Eight of the Afghan soldiers laid their lives in the war. The militants also killed a lady constable, an intelligence official and a district chief.

Sixty-nine civilians, including fifteen women and a same number of children, and two shopkeepers were killed. Among the injured were thirty (30) foreign and twelve Afghan soldiers, thirteen security guards, nineteen policemen and four district chiefs. Thirty-nine civilians, including a woman, four children and two road workers, suffered injuries. Five Indians were also among the injured. Detail is given in Table 3.

Table 3

Six air strikes were launched by NATO forces against the Taliban. Seven operations were also conducted. Forty-two (42) bomb explosions – including fifteen suicide attacks, nine roadside bomb explosions and three improvised explosive device (IED) blasts – were reported. Eighteen other attacks by the militants, including four ambush attacks, were also reported. Encounters and police firing incidents also took place.

Three schools were torched or blown up and another was closed by the militants. Taliban attacked a jail in Kandahar City, on June 14, allowing hundreds to flee. Only 200 out of 2000 prisoners remained in the jail after the attack. Around 15 jail-guards were killed.

Rockets were fired on the regional office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in western Herat Province and NATO base. In another incident, a district police chief surrendered to Taliban in Paktika Province. Ghazni deputy governor came under Taliban attack on June 15. In a barbaric incident, two Afghans were beheaded publicly, who were accused of spying against the militants.

US Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, has expressed his concern over the increase in Taliban attacks.

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