VIF Information Alerts - 31 January 2020

UN report warns of rising terror threat
Published: Hindustan Times

31 Jan 2020

The Islamic State (IS) affiliate in Afghanistan has established contacts with Pakistan-based groups such as the Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Lashkar-e-Islam and its approach could increase the threat to neighbouring countries, according to a United Nations report.
The report by the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which tracks the terror threat from IS and al-Qaeda, also states that an unspecified number of Indians were among the more than 1,400 people linked to Islamic State-Khorasan, which recently surrendered to Afghan authorities in Nangarhar province.Click here to read... [2]

Despite pressure, United States renews exemptions for Iran nuclear deal
Published: The Hindu

31 Jan 2020

The United States on Thursday extended exemptions to let an internationally-backed nuclear deal with Iran go forward, even as it announced new sanctions to step up pressure.
Brian Hook, the U.S. pointman on Iran, said the U.S. would for another 60 days issue exemptions in its sweeping sanctions to let Russian and other companies implement it without fear of punishment by Washington. The extension will “permit the continuation of non-proliferation projects that constrain Iran’s nuclear activities,” Hook told reporters.Click here to read... [3]

Pakistan won't evacuate citizens from Wuhan 'to show solidarity with China'
Published: The New Indian Express

30 Jan 2020

The Pakistani government has decided not to repatriate its citizens stranded in China from the coronavirus-hit Wuhan city to show "solidarity" with China, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza said on Thursday.
"We believe that right now, it is in the interest of our loved ones in China [to stay there]. It is in the larger interest of the region, world, country that we don't evacuate them now," Dawn quoted him while addressing the media at a press conference in Islamabad.Click here to read... [4]

Terror Attacks Drop, But Pakistan ‘Not Out of the Woods
Published: The Diplomat

30 Jan 2020

Terror attacks in Pakistan plummeted by more than 85 percent over the last decade. It’s a welcome statistic for the country, but one that risks being overshadowed by international concern over its efforts to curb terror funding and lingering militant activity that could test any future peace agreement in neighboring Afghanistan.Click here to read... [5]

1500 cadres from NDFB faction surrender in Arms Laying Down Ceremony in Guwahati on Jan 30
Published: The Sentinel

30 Jan 2020

1500 rebels from National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) faction surrendered in Arms Laying Down Ceremony held at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) Auditorium today. Assam Minister, Govt of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma; Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, as well as various police officials, present during the event welcomed the move.Click here to read... [6]