News – May 2025


  • EU-SOCTA Report: The changing DNA of serious and organised crime

    May 27, 2025

    The EU-SOCTA report is Europol’s flagship analysis that provides a comprehensive overview of the threats posed by serious and organised crime in Europe. Published every four years, it identifies key criminal activities, the dynamics of criminal networks, and emerging trends. The report is based on contributions from EU Member States and third parties, and Europol’s expertise. ...

  • Vietnam: Wartime unexploded ordnance safely detonated in Hoa Binh

    May 27, 2025

    The Military Command of the northern province of Hoa Binh, on May 27, safely removed and detonated 244 unexploded bombs, mines, and other ordnance left over from wartime. The explosive devices were discovered and retrieved from the Da riverbed by a clearance team that has been operating in the downstream of the river, running from the ...

  • Pakistan: Bomb blast injures 17 at volleyball ground in Waziristan

    May 27, 2025

    At least 17 civilians, including children, were injured on Tuesday evening after an explosion in a volleyball ground in Barmal area of Lower Wana Tehsil, South Waziristan. According to local sources, residents were engaged in a friendly volleyball match when chaos erupted as a bomb exploded at the venue. The unexpected blast caused widespread panic among ...

  • Nigeria: ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack in Borno

    May 27, 2025

    Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters have hastily evacuated at least 15 dead bodies of their comrades after a failed midnight assault on New Marte in Borno State. According to a report, the insurgents arrived on motorcycles and with a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), apparently aimed at breaching the battalion’s defences. However, the terrorists ...

  • India: Suspected Khalistani terrorist killed in blast in Amritsar

    May 27, 2025

    A suspected Khalistani terrorist died in a blast while retrieving explosive material from a vacant area on the Majitha road bypass in Punjab’s Amritsar on Tuesday, police said. The intensity of the explosion, which took place around 9:30 am, was such that both arms of the man were blown off. Deputy Inspector General (Border Range) Satinder ...

  • Europol: 18 arrested in series of strikes against cash machine robbers

    May 27, 2025

    Europol together with Dutch and German law enforcement authorities have taken decisive action against a Netherlands-based criminal group believed to be specialised in ATM robberies using explosives. 18 members of the highly specialised criminal group were arrested over a series of action days. The Dutch nationals allegedly had extensive experience in blowing up cash machines with ...

  • Spring/Summer 2025 edition of the Counter-IED Report magazine is now available to read online and in print

    May 27, 2025

    We are pleased to announce that Spring/Summer 2025 edition of the Counter-IED Report magazine is now available to read online and in print. Articles, in-depth analysis and insights from C-IED Centre of Excellence, Assessed Mitigation Options (AMO) consultancy, RK Consulting (EOD) Ltd, Second Floor Strategies et al. To view contents please use this link: Counter-IED Report Spring-Summer 2025 – ...

  • Nigeria: IED explosion at Abuja Barracks kills carrier, injures two others

    May 27, 2025

    Attempts by yet-to-be-identified person to carry improvised explosive devices, IED, into Mogadishu Barracks, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory and cause havoc, yesterday, failed as vigilant military police and intelligence personnel prevented the carrier from entering the facility. Consequently, the IED exploded as the military personnel who were suspicious of the load the carrier was carrying directed him ...

  • UK: Man arrested as car ploughs into pedestrians during Liverpool FC parade injuring dozens

    May 27, 2025

    A “number of people” have been hurt with at least one child left seriously injured after a car struck fans during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade through the city – with a British man detained. Footage of the incident which was circulating online appeared to show the vehicle speed up as it veered into pedestrians ...

  • Thailand: Man dies in failed bomb attack on ex-girlfriend’s home

    May 26, 2025

    The explosion occurred at a residence in the Tha Chana district of Surat Thani at around 8am. The 34 year old man, Surapong Thongnark, was pronounced dead at the scene, while three others sustained minor injuries. Following an argument with his ex-girlfriend Surapong rushed to his car and returned with a bomb. He threw the device ...

  • Sweden contributes SEK 4.8 billion to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capability

    May 26, 2025

    The international community has established a number of funds and initiatives for the procurement of materiel and equipment to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capability. Sweden provides support to several of them. On 22 May, the Government instructed the Swedish Armed Forces to provide additional economic donations worth approximately SEK 4.8 billion. These donations are part of a ...

  • Chinese peacekeepers start demining in second UNIFIL base

    May 26, 2025

    UNIFIL deminers from China started work in a second UNIFIL position this week to clear the base and its perimeter of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) and other explosives from the recent hostilities. The operation is taking place at UN Position 6-50, located along the Blue Line southwest of the village of Yaroun, and is expected to continue ...

  • Cyprus: Improvised bomb explodes in Limassol car shop

    May 26, 2025

    Police on Monday morning are investigating an explosion that took place in the early hours at the workshop of a 43-year-old car electrician in Limassol. According to police, the improvised explosive device (IED) exploded around 3am, causing damage to the metal door of the premises and a parked vehicle. Investigations conducted by a pyrotechnical expert determined ...

  • NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme launches new call for research proposals

    May 26, 2025

    The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme promotes dialogue and practical cooperation between Allies and NATO partners based on scientific research, technological innovation and knowledge exchange. The Programme aims to strengthen the Alliance to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, and it is pleased to announce a new call for research proposals. The ...

  • Azerbaijan neutralises over 600 explosives in Karabakh

    May 26, 2025

    The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has released its latest weekly update detailing clearance operations across formerly occupied territories. Between May 19 to 25, ANAMA specialists conducted large-scale demining activities in several regions, including Tartar, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, Khojavend, Lachin, Shusha, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan. A total of 80 anti-personnel mines, ...

  • Syria: SDF foils ISIS attack in Deir ez-Zor governorate

    May 26, 2025

    The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday that it thwarted an attack from the Islamic State (ISIS) in the eastern Deir ez-Zor province, which injured a civilian, amid a spate of militant attacks in the area. “Yesterday, our forces foiled a terrorist attack carried out by an ISIS cell on one of our ...

  • Russia: Explosives technicians found six more bombs after explosion derails freight train in Belgorod region

    May 26, 2025

    The explosion targeting the rail network in the Belgorod region last night turned out to be much more serious than originally thought. The explosion, which damaged the contact support and caused an emergency stop of a freight train of 66 cars, was only part of the plan, Baza reports. According to the operational services, the bomb ...

  • Nigeria: Police destroy bomb factory, defuse IEDs in Anambra

    May 25, 2025

    The Anambra State Police Command has destroyed a local bomb factory and demobilised assorted improvised explosive devices after it raided a secessionist hideout in Isseke, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. A statement released on Sunday by the Command’s Spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the hideout is one of the last strongholds of the secessionist group ...

  • Haiti’s Beleaguered Government Launches Drones Against Gangs

    May 24, 2025

    A new front for drone warfare has opened a two-hour flight south of Miami. Haiti’s besieged government is using drones strapped with explosives to strike gangs that have turned the nation’s capital into a hellscape. The government is relying on lightweight drones carrying rudimentary bombs to reach beyond the 10th of Port-au-Prince it controls. But the ...

  • Pakistan: One killed, security personnel injured in South Waziristan IED blast

    May 24, 2025

    A civilian was killed and a security personnel injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Anzar Cheena is a location in the Shakai Tehsil in Lower South Waziristan on Saturday. According to sources, the explosion took place along a roadside in the Anzar Cheena locality, targeting a passing security patrol. As a result, ...

  • Nigeria: 13 Terrorists Logistics Suppliers Arrested with IED Materials in Borno, Yobe

    May 24, 2025

    13 Terrorists Logistics Suppliers Arrested with IED Materials in Borno, Yobe – DHQ The Armed Forces of Nigeria has arrested 13 suspected logistics suppliers for terrorists in a major breakthrough aimed at dismantling the operational backbone of insurgent groups in the North-East. A statement released today by Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, ...

  • After the Blast: Seeking Clues in the Aftermath of an Explosion

    May 23, 2025

    To the untrained eye, the aftermath of a blast incident comprises fragments, debris, disorder. But to seasoned officers, the incident scene can yield vital clues. Post-blast Investigations (PBI) involve a multi-faceted response to blast incidents. Through the meticulous recovery and analysis of forensic evidence, crucial investigative leads can be generated, enabling offenders to be swiftly identified. ...

  • France takes command of NATO Mission Iraq

    May 22, 2025

    On Thursday 22 May, Major General Christophe Hintzy from France assumed command of NATO Mission Iraq, at a change of command ceremony in Baghdad. He succeeds Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs from the Netherlands, who had been in post since May 2024. The ceremony was attended by Iraqi officials, Ambassadors from Allied and partner countries, NATO ...

  • CBRNE Soldiers prove combat readiness at Best Squad Competition on Fort Carson

    May 22, 2025

    FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers from the U.S. Department of Defense’s premier Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) formation honed their skills and demonstrated their combat readiness during the Best Squad Competition, May 12 – 16. Sgt. 1st Class Bobby Poling, Sgt. Daniel Arocha, Spc. Justin Terrel, Pfc. Blake Morris and Pvt. Conner Wilson from the ...