T. Khurshchev Singh

Archive data: Person no longer works for IDSA.

Joined IDSA
August 2004 – September 2009
Education
MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Pune
Research Interests
Terrorist networks in South Asia
Current Project
Proliferation of Terrorist Networks in Southern India
Background
After graduating in Computer Science, he received his Masters degree from the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Pune in 2003. He qualified in the UGC/NET examination in 2003. His specialisation includes terrorist networks and the creation of data banks on terrorism-related issues. He has participated in projects on global and national terrorism at the IDSA. Other areas of interest include the development of metrics, theories, net-drawing and new data analysis techniques.
Select Publications
“Terror Trends: Mega Cities, Maximum Impact,” Strategic Analysis, Vol. 30, No. 3, July-September 2006.
“Manipur and AFSPA (1958) After the death of Manorama,” AGNI, Volume IX, No. 3, July-September 2006.
“LeT finds a New Base in Manipur,” IDSA Strategic Comment, January 22, 2007.
“Could Pune be the Future Terrorist Target?” IDSA Strategic Comment, August 17, 2006.
“Mumbai Bombing: Men Behind the massacre,” IDSA Strategic Comment, July 18, 2006.


Research Assistant

Email:- tksingh[at]idsa[dot]in
Phone:- +91 11 2671 7983

Publication

//

Violence in Pakistan: Trend Analysis May 2009

The month of May 2009 was the most violent month in Pakistan in the last five years. As the security forces launched a concerted operation against the Taliban in Malakand Division, the casualties shot up almost five times. The month recorded 504 violent incidents against 332 in April, which resulted in the loss of 2,585 lives. Most of the casualties were due to Operation Rah-e-Rast launched by the security forces in Swat and adjacent districts.

//

Violence in Pakistan: Trend Analysis April 2009

April saw the foot soldiers of Taliban moving to Buner and Dir, after consolidating their position in Swat. The march of Taliban to Buner, which is separated from Islamabad just by the district of Haripur created a fear psychosis in the minds of the ruling elites in Islamabad. The shock and awe that Taliban had managed to create was clearly evident as the Pakistani parliament pushed through Nizam-e-Adl resolution, without refering it to any parliamentary committee on April 13.

//

Violence in Pakistan: Trend Analysis March 2009

Consequent to the peace deals signed by the Pakistani state with Taliban, the number of terror-related incidents in March came down in regions, which have been afflicted with violence in the recent past such as NWFP, FATA and Balochistan. However, there was an increase in terrorist violence in other parts of Pakistan, thereby indicating a shift of Taliban’s theatre of operations from its traditional conflict zones to the heartland of Pakistan.

//

Violence in Pakistan: Trend Analysis February 2009

Highlight of the month was the peace deal signed by the NWFP government with the founder of Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e- Mohammadi (TNSM), Sufi Mohammad. The deal did bring some ‘peace’ to the restive region but virtually handed over half the territory of NWFP to the Taliban by accepting Shariat laws for Malkand Division and Kohistan district of Hazara Division. As a result, the number of terror related incidents in Pakistan decreased from 430 in January to 374 in February 2009.

//

Violence in Pakistan: Trend Analysis January 2009

The first month of the new calendar year saw a reversal of the trend of declining casualties witnessed during the last three months, whilst the incidents of violence continued to rise constantly maintaining the trend of last three months. The withdrawal of ceasefire announced by the Baloch nationalist groups in September 2008, saw a sudden spurt in casualties in Balochistan. During the month the incidents of violence increased to 430 from 388 in December 2008.

//

Violence in Pakistan: Trend Analysis December 2008

Amidst apprehensions of a conflict between India and Pakistan after attacks on Mumbai on 26 November, as Pakistani security forces ostensibly diverted their attention from the Western to the Eastern borders, terror related violence showed an increase from 372 in November to 388 in December. Although there was no movement of troops from the Western borders to the East, Pakistani security forces allowed vast tracts of land in FATA and Swat Valley go under the control of Taliban.

//

Violence in Pakistan: Trend Analysis, October 2008

The number of violent incidents in Pakistan increased from 309 in September 2008 to 346 in October 2008. Yet, casualty figures decreased from 1342 to 1081.1 This shows that Pakistan’s security forces have succeeded in controlling the level of violence, even though current levels are still unacceptably high. 582 suspected militants, most of them from the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) were also arrested by the security forces during the month, in military operations as well as during searches in various areas.

//

Violence in Pakistan: Trend Analysis September 2008

Although September coincides with the holy month of Ramzan in the Islamic calendar, the violence in Pakistan during the month surpassed that in August, which itself was the most violent month. Despite the fasting and sanctity accorded to Ramzan in Islam, it is also associated with Shahadat (martyrdom) and people laying down their life during this holy month are often considered Shaheeds (martyrs). This probably explains to some extent the extremely enhanced level of violence in Pakistan during September 2008 and why various Ramzan ceasefires negotiated in August and September floundered.