This month’s report covers terrorist incidents throughout the world, with special emphasis on events in Asia, specifically Pakistan. On 30 July, Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) militants dressed in police uniforms and armed with mortars and grenades raided the central prison in Dera Ismail Khan, freeing approximately 250 inmates. As a result of the attack, 12 people were killed, among them policemen, Shi’ite prisoners, and civilians. One of the Shi’ite victims was decapitated. An additional 15 policemen were wounded. The majority of attackers escaped. Officials blamed a combination of negligence and poor communication among Pakistan’s many security agencies; however, others suggested that the attackers may have had some “inside” help. Only about 70 of the 200 prison guards who were meant to be on duty at the time were actually present. Although no high-profile Taliban members were being held at the prison, approximately 30 of the militants freed in the assault were described by the authorities as “hardened” Taliban militants. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. June 2013 was also marked by terrorist incidents in Afghanistan, Bahrain, India, Nigeria, Somalia, Pakistan and Thailand.

This month’s report also covers counter-terrorist incidents throughout the world, with particular emphasis on events in the Middle East, specifically Egypt. On 27 July, the Egyptian Army, Navy and Air Force launched Operation Desert Storm against terrorists in the northern Sinai Peninsula, with the aim of eliminating terrorist activity there. Egyptian authorities claim some 500 armed extremists are active in the Sinai. According to authorities, ten militants were killed and 20 were captured during the 48-hour operation, which was a response to the almost daily attacks on security forces. June also saw counter-terrorist efforts in Belgium, Bulgaria, Chechnya, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel and the West Bank, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Yemen.

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