Adnan Aamir is an Award-Winning Journalist based in Quetta, Pakistan. He covers Business and Economics, development, media and socio-economic issues. He is also founder and Editor of Balochistan Voices, a community based online newspaper.

Non-fiction: The Militancy Chronicles

05 Nov 2023  |  www.dawn.com  |  English  |  Islamist Extremism

Jung Nama, authored by journalist Syed Fakhar Kakakhel, is a detailed account of Islamist militancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan, providing insights into its evolution and impact. The book, which draws on Kakakhel's extensive experience covering militancy, discusses key figures and events that have shaped the militant landscape, including the rise of the Taliban and ISIS. It also examines the current wave of militancy, its objectives, and the use of advanced technology and social media in recruitment. The book highlights the economic and geopolitical factors driving militancy, as well as the threat to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Despite its lack of academic citations, it is considered an invaluable resource for understanding the complexities of regional militancy.

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Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Al-Qaeda

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Alicia Alamillos is a journalist and fixer based in Madrid, Spain. Former Middle East correspondent for ABC newspaper, based in Cairo, Egypt. Former Subsaharan Africa correspondent and editor for EFE News Agency based in Nairobi, Kenya. With experience working for print, online and radio. Breaking ...

What is ISIS-K, the alleged perpetrator of the attack in Moscow, and why does it attack Russia?

23 Mar 2024  |  www.elconfidencial.com  |  Spanish  |  International Security

ISIS-K, also known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, is suspected to be behind the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia in two decades, targeting Moscow's Crocus City Hall and resulting in 115 deaths. ISIS-K, formed in 2015 by disillusioned ex-Taliban fighters, has been increasingly active, with attacks in Iran, Afghanistan, and plans for Europe. The group criticizes Russia for its interventions in Muslim countries and seeks to punish it for supporting Bashar al-Assad's regime. The United States Central Command has warned of ISIS-K's growing capability to conduct overseas operations, highlighting the intelligence gap left by the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

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Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) Taliban United States Central Command (Centcom)

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Umar Farooq is a multimedia journalist based in Peshawar, Pakistan. He has extensive experience working in conflict zones. He has expertise in reporting on Pakistan-Afghan-US affairs and militancy۔

Human Rights Watch Report Details Deepening Crises in Pakistan

14 Jan 2024  |  The Friday Times  |  English  |  Prison Conditions

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) report for 2023 highlights a deepening political and economic crisis in Pakistan, with increased threats to media freedom, religious persecution, terrorism, violence against women and girls, and poor treatment of refugees. The government, led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is accused of clamping down on media, NGOs, and political opponents using broad laws. Journalist Imran Riaz Khan and reporter Fayad Zafar faced arrests, while opposition parties also attacked media outlets. Religious minorities, particularly Ahmadis and Christians, faced violence and false blasphemy charges. Women and girls suffered from violence and harassment, with little government action. Child rights issues included a high number of out-of-school children, child labor, and abuse. Terrorism increased with attacks from groups like TTP, Al-Qaeda, BLA, and ISKP. The transgender community faced legal challenges, and refugees, especially Afghans, were threatened with deportation. The report also mentions some government steps towards prison reforms.

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Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Lahore High Court Supreme Court Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Al-Qaeda Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) Federal Shariat Court National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Sindh Human Rights Commission UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Tahir Khan is a freelance journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan. I started journalism in 1990 and worked in several media outlets. I hosted TV programms for an Urdu and two Pashto-language TV channels. I write on foreign affairs and security issues. My area of interest is militancy, terrorism, ...

Iranian special envoy for Kabul accuses US of 'destabilizing Afghanistan'

05 Oct 2023  |  thepakistandaily.com  |  English  |  Regional Cooperation

The Iranian special envoy for Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Ghomi, accused the United States of destabilizing Afghanistan and using it for competition with Iran, China, and Russia. During his visit to Pakistan, Ghomi met with Pakistani officials to discuss regional threats and cooperation. Both sides expressed concerns over the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and discussed forming a regional contact group for economic cooperation and stability in Afghanistan. Ghomi criticized the US for its strategic operations in Afghanistan post-military withdrawal, alleging support for Daesh to create regional instability.

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Islamic State Khorasan Province United States Iranian Government Pakistani Government

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Kaswar KLasra is a journalist from Pakistan with more than 19 years experience in print and electronic ( Tv & radio). Currently, Kaswar Klasra is working with The Islamabad Telegraph. 

During 19 years of journalism, Mr Klasra worked as Reporter for a number of publications and TV channels ...

How terrorist groups use minerals, stones and drugs to finance their operations

17 Jun 2018  |  www.jpost.com  |  English  |  Drug Trafficking

Extremist groups in Afghanistan, including the Taliban and Islamic State Khorasan Province, are generating up to $300 million annually by smuggling minerals, stones, and drugs. Afghan authorities recently seized a large amount of ammonium nitrate, which is used both as a fertilizer and in explosives for mining. The smuggling of these materials continues despite a ban, due to corruption. Precious stones worth millions are also being smuggled into Pakistan, which is a key transit country for narcotics produced in Afghanistan. Efforts by Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force have been made to reduce drug trafficking.

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Islamic State Khorasan Province Taliban United Nations Office on Drug and Crime Anti-Narcotics Force

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Ali Latifi is a freelance journalist based in Kabul, Afghanistan. He has written for The Los Angeles Times, Al Jazeera English, Deutsche Welle, The New York Times, VICE News and several other international media outlets.

Afghanistan: Taliban leader warns of infiltrators

04 Nov 2021  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Security

The Taliban's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhunzada, has issued a warning about potential infiltrators within the group working against the government's will. This statement follows concerns raised by acting Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob about impostors and criminals joining the Taliban to harm its image. The Taliban, which has expanded its recruitment to maintain security, faces threats from rivals like the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP). Despite a declared amnesty and promises of media freedom, there have been reports of Taliban fighters abusing journalists and seizing property. Akhunzada's office has banned unauthorized searches and seizures, but reports of forced evictions in Daikondi persist.

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Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) Taliban

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Rebecca Rosman is a journalist based in Paris, France.

Death toll from Moscow concert hall attack rises to 133 as Putin addresses the nation

23 Mar 2024  |  www.wskg.org  |  English  |  ISIS-K

A mass shooting at Moscow's Crocus City Hall resulted in 133 deaths and 145 injuries. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the arrest of the attackers and accused Ukraine of aiding their escape, a claim denied by Ukrainian officials. The U.S. identified ISIS-K as responsible, having warned Russia of a potential attack. The incident has led to national mourning in Russia, with widespread public support for the victims.

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Islamic State Khorasan Province Kremlin National Security Council U.S. Government

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