Considering the ongoing events, it would not be wrong to say that Pakistan is going through a militancy outbreak as the frequency of terrorist attacks and activities are increasing day by day. Defence analysts and think tanks have already shown deep concerns of the security situation specially in Balochistan and KPK. Major recent incidents are listed as follow :-

·       On 22nd September OGDCL gas pipeline was destroyed by militants of Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) in Dera Bhugti, Balochistan. The company was busy in search of Oil and Gas . BRG while claiming the responsibility for blowing up gas pipeline in Sui, Dera Bhugti, supplied to Karachi. They also warn all Oil and Gas exploration companies to stay away from exploitation projects in Balochistan.

·       On 22^nd September, A granite stone transporting vehicle was targeted in Naal area of Khuzdar. BLF (Balochistan Liberation Front) has claimed the responsibility for attack saying that it will show its resentment against anyone who will try to plunder resources of Balochs against their will and consent.

·       On 23rd September, Three Bulldozers of a Gas company were blown up with explosives in Tobo area of Dera Bhugti during night time. Baloch Liberation Tigers  claimed responsibility of the attack. Spokesman for the organization has warned local and non-local companies for more attacks.

·       On 24^th September, an improvised explosive device exploded in Esham, North Waziristan District.  Resultantly, Naib Subedar Javed Iqbal and Naik Hussain Ahmed of Pakistan army embraced martyrdom. Clearance of the area was immediately carried out to eliminate any terrorists in the area.

·       On 24^th September, Security forces in North Waziristan sustained 2 casualties while 1 soldier got critically injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Datta Khel, North Waziristan Tribal District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

·       On 25^th September, An intelligence official succumbed to injuries after TTP militants opened fired on him in Doseri Chowk,  Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His body was shifted to Mardan Medical Complex. As per details from sources Assistant Sub Inspector of Intelligence Bureau, Kifayatullah was offering Isha prayers in Zargarano Mosque on Nisatta Road Mardan when two assailants opened fire on him. He died on the spot while two civilians got injured in the firing.

·       On 25^th September, Pakistan Gunship helicopters bombarded parts of Tirah Vally in Khyber District. Local sources said shelling was carried out in Spin Morga, Rajgal Valley targeting militant hideouts. Sources added that militants had incurred loses which are still in process to be officially declared.

·       On 25^th September, during night time it was reported to the Pakistani security officials that militants of BLA have kidnapped a couple of Pakistani soldiers near highway of Zardaalo area of Harnai (Balochistan). 2 helicopters flew for the rescue mission out of which one crashed near Khost area of Harnai taking lives of 6 soldiers of Pakistani army including 2 Major and 2 Sepoy ranked persons. BLA’s Bashir Zeb group has claimed that it has ambushed and shot down the helicopter which was coming for the rescue of kidnapped soldiers. In a detailed statement, Baloch Liberation Army’s spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the org had arrested a Naib Subedar Kaleem Ullah & an intelligence agent named Muhammad Faisal R/O Kasur Punjab in an operation in Harnai on that night.

·       On 26^th September, a policeman was killed and another injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire in a police post in Sheikhs Baba, Mamund area of Bajaur Tribal District. Local police has acknowledged and started the investigations.

·       On 26^th September, Pakistani Security forces sustained 2 casualties in a late night attack on their check-post in Azam Warsak area, South Waziristan tribal district.  Militants were repelled and one of them git killed  by the Pakistani security forces in a retaliatory attack. Search operation underway in the area.

·       On 26^th September, 4 Frontier Constabulary (FC) men were injured when a hand grenade was lobbed into a checkpost in Spin Qabar area of Bara, Khyber tribal district. Official sources confirmed the development and said that the injured were rushed to hospital. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) while claiming the attack in Khyber Tribal district says that the their attack was “retaliatory”— adding security personnel deployed at the checkpoint tried to stop its members from crossing into the area while also tried arresting them.

·       On 26^th September, At least four narcoterrorists belonging to ex-JuA (Jamaat-ul- Ahrar ) were killed after an exchange of fire with CTD officials near Hazar Ganji, Quetta Balochistan, narcotics, arms & ammunitions were also recovered as per CTD claimed.

·       On 27^th September, at least 20 Pakistani security personnel were wounded in a suicide attack on a convoy of security forces on Mir Ali bypass, North Waziristan District. Convoy was headed towards Mir Ali from district Bannu. Security forces have launched a search operation in the area.

·       On 27^th September, Pakistani-origin Norwegian Islamic fundamentalist Arfan Bhatti was reportedly arrested by Pakistani police. He was among the four men charged following the terrorist attack on Pride in Oslo this summer. He had been hiding in Pakistan. Norwegian-Pakistani warrior- Arfan Bhatti have been charged with complicity in the bar shooting/terror attack in Oslo. (Zaniar Matapour was quickly arrested and charged with with having committed murder with terrorist intent).

·       On 27^th September, (27/9) Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) conducted an Intelligence Based Operation and arrested a member of banned terrorist organization Lashkar Jhangvi. The arrested Terrorist is absconding from Mastung police station in Balochistan. Terrorist’s one brother Jamal Khan was killed in an encounter with the Balochistan police in Mastung. Mubashir Khan, the second brother of the terrorist was killed in an encounter with the Quetta police in 2015. The third brother Yasin, is a member of the Lashkar e Jhangvi and has been hiding for a long time due to fear of arrest. Another brother of the arrested man is hiding in Iran. The arrested militant was wanted by the Balochistan Police since 2015, who was hiding in Karachi. Further investigation of the terrorist is going on.

·       On 27^th September, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) conducted an Intelligence Based Operation and arrested a member of banned terrorist organization Lashkar Jhangvi. The arrested Terrorist is absconding from Mastung police station in Balochistan. Terrorist’s one brother Jamal Khan was killed in an encounter with the Balochistan police in Mastung. Mubashir Khan, the second brother of the terrorist was killed in an encounter with the Quetta police in 2015. The third brother Yasin, is a member of the Lashkar e Jhangvi and has been hiding for a long time due to fear of arrest. Another brother of the arrested man is hiding in Iran. The arrested militant was wanted by the Balochistan Police since 2015, who was hiding in Karachi. Further investigation of the terrorist is going on.

·       On 28^th September, A Chinese cum Pakistani national (who was doctor and operating dental clinic since 30 years) was shot dead and two others got injured by firing as unidentified assailant in age of 30s opened fire inside dental clinic located at Saddar area of Karachi. Victims are 25 year old Ronald Chou,  72 year old Margrate Hu and 74 year old Richard Hu. Attacker was in age of 30s and entered clinic pretending as patient and clad in trousers and a blue shirt. The victims had been running the dental clinic for a long period of time and had not received any threats. BBC Urdu quoting a Senior Police officer reported that the attacker was constantly talking to his handler on the phone and appeared to be an ethnic Baloch. His target was likely Chinese nationals.

·       On 29^th September, unknown assailants managed to escape after opening fire at Daraban Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan. 1 policeman was injured in the attack and has been rushed to hospital.  The  involvement of TTP in this act of militancy has been accepted by the militant wing.

·       On 30^th September, a retired non-commissioned officer was shot dead by unknown assailants on Friday morning at Kot Kat Adda in district Tank, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Local sources say that the militants were carrying SMGs and revolvers.

·       On 30^th September, in  the early hours of the morning an explosion was heard in Chura area of Mardan. Later on residents found an emaciated body, which is believed to be a suicide bomber whose suicide jacket might have ‘malfunctioned’.  According to preliminary investigation, the alleged bomber was a 17 years old boy, hailing from Tehsil Mamund, Bajaur tribal district. Police have cordoned off the area to collect evidence from the crime scene.

·       On 30^th September, TTP  Terrorists from Afghanistan opened fire on Pakistani troops in Kharlachi, Kurram District. As per credible intelligence reports, terrorists suffered heavy casualties. However, during the fire exchange, Sepoy Jamshed Iqbal of Pakistan army embraced shahadat. Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that the interim Afghan Government will not allow conduct of such activities, in future. Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan had taken responsibility for the attack in a statement issued to media on  very next day saying that the incident took place when Pakistani soldiers tried to stop TTP members from travelling across the border area.

·       On 30^th September, a three member team of a non-governmental organization (NGO) working in the flood affected areas of Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had gone missing. Authorities have confirmed that the men have been kidnapped. No group has claimed to have abducted them so far. Police is investigating the matter thoroughly in collaboration with intelligence agencies

·       . On 30^th September, ISPP claimed that the group assassinated a "sorcerer" in Taxila area, Rawalpindi, Punjab, with pistol shots. No source from the ground confirmed this attack yet. However, ISPP has been claiming attacks in Balochistan and Rawalpindi, and one in Sheikhupura and one now in Taxila area.

·       On 1^st October, 2 ISIS militants were killed in Karachi  in a joint operation between Pakistani Intelligence & Counter Terrorism Department Sindh. Confrontation also led 4 policemen to be injured. 2 of the policemen are in critical condition. CTD officials said that there was stiff resistance put up by the terrorists for hours. One militant has been identified as Momin Khan. Originally from TTP they joined IS. Momin was mastermind of the suicide bombing at the Serena Hotel in Quetta in April 2021. A senior police official confirmed that militants killed & nabbed during Saturday encounter were TTP militants from Pashtun belt of Balochistan and involved in terrorist acts including Quetta Serena hotel blast when it housed Chinese ambassador. They were also involved in suicide attack on DIG Hamid Shakil, attack on an army truck and suicide blast in front of Balochistan assembly but some of these attacks they had carried out when associated with Jamaat Al Ahrar. Same is corroborated by TTP sources.

·       On 1^st October, a Post Office was looted within the jurisdiction of Ghazni Khel police station, District Lakki Marwat. 4 unidentified armed & masked dacoits, riding on two motorcycles, barged into the Post Office, made the staff hostage on gunpoint and decamped with huge amount of cash.

·       On 1^st October, a local activist of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Qari Shafiullah had been shot dead by unidentified assailants in Tehsil Mamund, District Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. TTP has claimed the responsibility of the attack.

·       On 1^st October, CTD conducted an IBO against hideout of Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) fighters. During exchange of firing 4 freedom fighters including Commander Ghulami of BRG were killed.  CTD Claimed that a Patrolling vehicle of CTD police was targeted near Notal area of district Naseerabad Balochistan. After the incident exchange of fire took place between armed men & police party, as result of which two policemen were also injured.

·       On 2^nd October, Pakistani security force killed two TTP militants in Shahab Khel area of Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Tahir alias Inqlabi, and Waliullah alias Fidai were the local Commodores of Tahreek Taliban Pakistan in Lakki Marwat. They both were killed during intelligence base operation.

·       On 2^nd October, a Frontier Constabulary (FC) check post came under an attack in Jamrud, Khyber Tribal District followed by a loud explosion. Heavy firing was heard from both sides. However, no loss has been reported by the police.

Apart from that in recent publication, Islamic State Hind Province (ISHP) is featured in detail in ISKP’s 15th addition of its English language magazine Voice of Khurasan.45-pages long, 1st article is about the communal violence in India. However, Eijaz Ahmad Ahangar from Jammu & Kashmir is profiled. Ejaz Ahmad Ahangar, from Aaron Nagar is believed to be the first Emir of ISHP. He joined Harakat-ul-Mujahideen, then Al-Qaida in 2006 and finally ISKP in 2015, settling in Mamand, Afghanistan. His son Umais Al-Kashmiri, 16 years of age, became a suicide bomber. The article further says that Ahangar’s daughter married Huzaifa Al-Punjabi, a key founder of Islamic State Jammu & Kashmir, killed in 2019. However, Eijaz Ahangar rose to prominence and was captured in 2020. He managed to escape from prison after August 15th 2021. The article does not use the Arabian suffix with the name of Eijaz Ahangar which signifies that he is alive while in the case of Umais, it says the body of him and those accompanying could not be found after an attack by USAF C-130 aircraft. The timeline mentioned matches exact details of Operation Hamza, a joint military op. carried out by the US  & Afghan forces in Mamand area of Achin, Nangarhar. It started in March 2017 & reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 200 ISKP fighters and Sheikh Abdul Haseeb. It is the same operation when the US forces wary of the attacks from ISKP from their cave complexes decided to use Massive Ordinance Air Blast (MOAB) or Mother of All Bombs. Voice of Khurasan refers to the use of MOAB as an attack in which "everything was turned to rubles."

Moreover past week has been dynamic in Pakistani politics as the latest ‘Audio Leaks’ scandal (in which high profile conversations were leaked from PM Office) has raised many concerns over not only the secrecy of PM Office but also the content of the audio itself. A so proclaimed ‘hacker’ has uploaded some conversations as a trailer and has offered to reveal/sale further full collection of audios on dark web. The conversations yet included few incriminating/corruption oriented conversations between current PM and his staff. Although the “hacker” behind the ‘audio leaks’ had announced that he will upload all collection on (past) Friday but he hasn’t shown up afterwards yet. Moreover, as a counter to that, few audios of conversations between the former PM Imran and his staff were also leaked ( allegedly by PM office) related to the ‘cipher’ which Imran Khan has been referring as the proof of American regime change operation in Pakistan against his government since he was removed from the office.

 Analysis

 It seems like all the enemies (external and internal) of Islamic Republic of Pakistan have tied up once again to destabilize and destroy Pakistan from inside out. It is not and would be not difficult to analyze the enemies of Pakistan only by identifying the motives and beneficiaries. It is an open fact that behind militant organizations like TTP, BLA, BLF, Sindho Desh Army, there are agendas and support (financial and strategic) of CIA, RAW and Mossad. And those agendas include weakening Pakistan in all manners. So this clearly means that the states who own those agencies are not literally friends of Pakistan. So naturally, those elements, either be it militant groups or political groups or any other school of thought, who still collaborate with these states in a manner that overshadows the national interest is also not a friend of Pakistan but enemy.