An Overview
The overall security situation across the region of South Asia was volatile amid mounting militant/terrorist assails—including suicide attacks, armed political clashes, ethno-separatist violence and violent tribal feuds.  The uptick of violence left as many as 1336 people dead and 1202 others wounded. With most number of attacks and incidents of violence Pakistan remained the security flashpoint where violent incidents of various kind claimed lives of 728 people and caused injuries to 668 others. Meanwhile in Afghanistan Taliban insurgents frequently targeted US-led NATO/ISAF forces with over a dozen suicide attacks across the country leaving serious doubts about the security transition plans in the country. At least 549 people were killed and as many as 436 others were injured in insurgent attacks and operational attacks of NATO/ISAF forces against Taliban militants in south and south-eastern regions of the country. Whereas in India Maoist-led violent incidents including rioting, arson, destruction of government installations/ infrastructure and other acts of violence intended  to disrupt the assembly elections in West Bengal, Orissa and other areas left 30 people dead and 50 others injured. In Nepal ascend in the militant assails was witnessed sowing deep sense of insecurity among its residents along with claiming lives of 13 people and injuring 43 others. The upsurge of violence in Nepal has made crucial period of government transition ever more challenging. Meanwhile in Kashmir casualty figure declined compared to last month. Notwithstanding the decrease in casualties there was no improvement in security situation owing to. massive protest demonstrations in the wake of a prominent Kashmiri religious leader’s killing. Meanwhile with the exception of few minor incidents of violence security situation in Sri Lanka and Maldives remained peaceful.  (See Chart1)

1-Afghanistan[1]
Pervasive hostility continued in Afghanistan in the wake of multi-pronged coordinated suicide attacks (13 to be exact) coupled with nationwide violent protest demonstrations against the alleged desecration/burning of Holy Quran by a U.S. pastor Terry Jones in Florida. Moreover, the upsurge in attacks on Taliban insurgents and mounting civilian casualties in poorly coordinated and executed operations of ISAF/ NATO forces also made security matters worse. Such incidents claimed lives of 549 people including--282 militants, 118 civilians, 55 International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops, 18 Afghan National Army (ANA) and 76 Afghan National Police (ANP) personnel. Whereas 436 others among them—63 militants, 227 civilians, six ISAF soldiers, 28 ANA and 112 ANP personnel—were injured. During their search operations the international coalition forces rounded up 212 suspected militants including six Pakistani Taliban, a number of would-be suicide bombers, some commanders of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) along with other Taliban militants. Meanwhile some 172 Taliban militants relinquished their militant associations and surrendered to security forces in order to  join the peace process.

In this reporting month Afghanistan witnessed the highest ever number of suicide attacks in 2011, which were perpetrated against the patrolling convoys of the security forces, military check posts, government offices and training centers of the security forces. Majority of these attacks were reported in Kandhar, Kabul, Khost, Kunar provinces. The investigations of arrested would-be suicide bombers reveled that most of these bombers came from across the border.[2] Reports also suggest that many of these would-be suicide bombers were disguised in police uniforms. International forces also arrested a few Afghan police personnel allegedly involved in attacking the foreign forces from last couple of months.[3] As a counter measure the government banned the open sale of military kits and uniforms in local markets.[4]

2-India[5]
In the reporting month assembly polls were held in some 75 electoral constituencies of West Bengal, Orrissa and other places of India. Despite tight security measures put in place by the Indian government and deployment of additional contingents of security forces around polling stations in the Naxal hit areas, a number of violent incidents were witnessed. Most of these attacks were perpetrated against the leaders and activists of several of political parties which badly disrupted the polling process. Accumulatively as many as 30 people including—nine civilians, 15 security forces personnel and six militants—were killed and 50 others—among them 33 civilians, 17 personnel of security—were wounded. In various search operations Indian state police arrested 791 suspects in connection with disrupting the assembly polls.

The electoral process has reignited a flicker of hope among the residents of Maoist hit areas, where casualties have risen alarmingly in last few month, to bring about a change through political means. To make the polling process meaningful and result oriented vis a vis restoration of peace and development Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requested people to cast their votes.[6]

Meanwhile the ceasefire agreement between government and Maoist insurgents of Orissa collapsed owing to some intelligence reports that militants were regrouping in these areas. In order quash the regrouping of militants Indian government is planning to launch a full-scale military operation in this Maoist hit state.[7] On the other hand Dandapani Mohanty, one of the mediators in this truce, claimed that “some corrupt police officers have planted stories of violent activities by Maoists to justify operation against them. There have been several instances of security forces going to interior villages and terrorising innocent tribesmen  as part of the combing operation".[8] The peace can only be restored, as Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee suggested, “If the Maoists shun the violent activities, give up arms and negotiate their demands with the government”.[9]

3-Kashmir[10]
Kashmir witnessed 16 fatalities including those of five civilians, four militants, three policemen and four army troops; whereas five army personnel were injured as well. Most of these casualties resulted from the cross fire of Indian security forces and the militants as they clashed in different areas of Jammu valley. This month the assassination of a prominent religio-political figure and President of Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees (JAH), Maulana Shaukat Ahmad Shah—in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast outside a mosque in Srinagar—sparked widespread protest demonstrations across the valley. JAH called on all the Kashmiri religious parties to join hands on a single platform to probe his killing.[11]

In the aftermath of his assassination the Indian state police carried out various search operations across IHK and arrested few suspected militants including those of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen for their alleged involvement in killing of Maulana Shaukat. Indian police has reportedly blamed militant outfits of Sout-ul-Haq, Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen and Lashker-e-Taiba for the assassination of Maulana Shaukat. However, such charges were refuted by these groups who termed them as unfounded and baseless lies.[12]

Owing to increasing number of violent protest demonstrations by the Kashmiri youth involving rioting, arson and stone pelting at Indian security forces a new set of guidelines— Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)—has been issued by Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram.[13] According to provisions of these guidelines the Indian Army is entitled to control the protest demonstrations without using lethal weapons. Meanwhile protesters have been barred from stone pelting during the protests. Along with this the Indian military establishment firmly indicated that no additional deployment of CPRF troops will take place in Kashmir.[14]

4-Nepal[15]
In Nepal the security situation further deteriorated in the wake of low intensity bomb blasts that targeted the transportation offices and passenger buses. Moreover, violent clashes between little know rival militant outfits and clashes of these militant groups with Nepali police force dealt a serious blow to the internal security of the country as well.  At least 13 people including—seven civilians and six militants—were killed and 43 others among them—35 civilians and eight police personnel—were injured in the aforementioned violent incidents.

This month Nepali security forces launched some search and hunt operations in the bordering areas of Tirai and detained eight people including--militants of an armed rebel group responsible for carrying out bombings as well as activists of Maoists of CPN Revolutionary reportedly involved in violent clashes with Nepali security forces.

At the political level peace process and constitution statue formation remained the top most priorities of the Nepalese government. It merits a mention here that the successful completion of peace process is conditioned to active collaboration within political parties and Maoists as well as evolution of consensus among country’s political stakeholders. The Constituent Assembly Chairman Subash Chandra Nembang said that the timely statute and logical end to the peace process is impossible without unity and consensus among political parties.[16] Showing their serious concern in this realm the UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairmen Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankaji Shrestha stressed on the need for fighting against the monarchal tendencies of the political parties that can paralyze the constitution writing and peace process. At the same time he proclaimed that a revolt will be initiated against attempts to thwart the process.[17]

 The deadline for the completion of the constitution writing i.e. May 28th increased anxiety amongst the political leaders and therefore, the top leaders of the three big parties agreed on having bilateral and trilateral meetings.[18]  The political parties hence, need to undertake every aspect of this transition phase from monarchy to federation or any other form of governance system so to make it strong and prevalent.

5-Sri Lanka[19]
Calm and peaceful security situation prevailed in the country as no militant attack was reported from the area. Meanwhile Sri Lankan security forces continued the land mine clearing process in different parts of the country. In clean up operations the Special Task Force defused two explosive devices attached to a motor bike in Siyambalanduwa area.[20] Meanwhile during their search and hunt operations the security forces recovered 23 LTTE boats from a forest.[21]

After undergoing a rehabilitation process of one and half-year the release another 206 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres –who surrendered to the security forces during the military conflicts in the North and the East— have been reintegrated in the society. After their reintegration the total number of rehabilitated LTTE activists has reached 6100.[22] The government of Sri Lanka is hopeful to complete the rehabilitation process which is estimated as 70% accomplished, by the end of the current year. Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratane has mentioned that following information about their alleged involvement in attempts to carry out terrorist activities some rehabilitated [former] LTTE cadres have been rearrested..[23] He said the Sri Lankan government is trying its utmost to ensure strict monitoring of rehabilitated LTTE cadres in order to exterminate every possibility of LTTE’s regrouping within the country.

6-Maldives[24]
The overall security situation of Maldives remained peaceful with no militancy related incident reported from the area. At the same time the increasing criminal activities, gang violence at the national level undermined the overall peaceful security situation in Maldives.[25]  To tackle these increasing criminal activities coupled with the spillover of drug abuse Maldives’ Prime Minister Mohamed Nasheed convened meeting of National Crime Prevention Committee which was also attended by members of People’s Majlis of Maldive’s,  the main legislature body of the country. During the meeting it was agreed that increasing crime rate can only be prevented and reduced by working together.[26]

7-Pakistan
See the conflict and security report on Pakistan available at https://san-pips.com/index.php?action=reports&id=191