Audio Overview of South Asia Issues, Friday, 15 February 2019

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia

Main Issues in South Asia

Firstly in INDIA

  • More than 40 soldiers of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed in a suicide bomb attack on their convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities said that the death toll may increase because dozens more were “critically injured”.
  • A car loaded with explosives rammed the bus carrying paramilitary troops to Srinagar. Islamist terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack.
  • Clients are advised to expect increased security measures on the major highways and cities in Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces are likely to launch a counter-offensive resulting in more frequent encounters with the terror groups. Clients are advised to avoid leaving the high-security zone established in major cities including Srinagar and Jammu.

BANGLADESH

  • Mainuddin Manu, a convicted gangster,  was killed during an armed encounter between two groups of robbers in Kamalnagar town of the southern Lakshmipur district. Mainuddin was absconding after being convicted to life imprisonment.
  • Mainuddin had several cases in different police stations in the area.
  • Clients are advised to be aware of the rising gun violence in southern Avoid traveling to smaller towns and villages in Bangladesh.

PAKISTAN

  • A gang notorious for forced prostitution and drug trafficking was busted in Islamabad yesterday.
  • Authorities raided the Golden Heights apartments in Sector F-11 of Islamabad after receiving complaints of a domestic Drugs and human trafficking are rampant in Pakistan.
  • Clients are advised to be aware of the frequent clashes between the police and criminal gangs. Women need to take extreme caution while traveling to smaller towns and village where the human trafficking criminal gangs are known to be more active.

Main Issues in East Asia Pacific

Firstly in SINGAPORE

  • The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said that a supply vessel capsized and sank in Singapore territorial waters yesterday. The Dominica-flagged supply vessel, Ocean Cooper 2, was in the westbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme when it sank about three nautical miles from Pedra Branca, a small island 40 km east of Singapore.
  • Crew members were rescued unhurt by an accompanying supply vessel. No oil pollution was reported.
  • Clients are advised to expect stricter traffic management in Singapore Strait following the accident which might cause delays for ships entering and leaving the port.

THAILAND

  • Unidentified gunmen shot dead two farmers at a remote fruit plantation area in Yaha district of southern Yala province. Investigators said the two men were attacked while on their way home.
  • Investigators have retrieved bullet shells from the crime scene, and they are reportedly considering the involvement of insurgents. Police suspect at least two gunmen were involved in the crime. Islamist separatists have frequently attacked businesses and civilians in the southern provinces.
  • Clients are advised to take extreme precaution while traveling in the southern provinces of Thailand.

TAIWAN

  • The pilots of China Airlines are expected to end their unprecedented seven-day strike following the fourth round of negotiations lasting more than 10 hours yesterday. The management of Taiwan’s largest carrier and the Taoyuan Union of Pilots reportedly reached a consensus on all of the strikers’ demands.
  • Negotiations were overseen by the Ministry of Transportation and attended by representatives of Taoyuan City. The strike had affected thousands of passengers during the busy Lunar New Year travel period.
  • Clients are advised to consider other carriers in Taiwan until the operations of China Airlines are restored.
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