Executive Summary

It's Tuesday, February 3rd. February 2, 2026 marked one of the bloodiest days in Pakistan's recent history, with 225+ total casualties from the Balochistan Liberation Army's "Operation Herof 2.0" and subsequent military operations. The Ukraine-Russia war continued into its 1,439th day with civilians bearing the brunt—12 coal miners killed by a deliberate Russian drone strike while leaving their shift—while Myanmar's civil war saw tactical junta gains at Banmauk. Globally, 465+ conflict-related deaths occurred across eight active theaters, with significant cyber operations including Chinese state-sponsored supply chain attacks and Russian wiper malware targeting Polish infrastructure.

Israeli airstrikes kill one in southern Lebanon as ceasefire violations continue

Israeli forces conducted multiple airstrikes across southern Lebanon on February 2, killing 1 person and wounding at least 8 in operations the IDF claimed targeted Hezbollah infrastructure rehabilitation efforts. A strike on Ansariyeh in Sidon district killed one and wounded four when Israeli forces hit a vehicle carrying an alleged Hezbollah operative. Simultaneous strikes on Qleileh in Tyre district wounded four additional people without prior warning.

The IDF announced the prior-day killing of Ali al-Hadi Mustafa al-Haqqani, described as a senior Hezbollah air defense operative, in a strike on Harouf village. Israeli forces also struck alleged weapons storage facilities in Kfar Tibnit and Ain Qana following evacuation warnings, with the IDF acknowledging one target was "in the heart of a civilian area." According to Israeli military claims, over 400 Hezbollah operatives have been killed since the November 2024 ceasefire.

Rafah crossing reopens with limited capacity as Gaza humanitarian crisis deepens

The Rafah crossing reopened on February 2 for the first time since May 2024, though limited to 50 Palestinians crossing each direction daily—a fraction of pre-war capacity. Only approximately 5 patients reportedly departed on the first day. IDF forces killed one individual near the "Yellow Line" buffer zone in southern Gaza after the person allegedly approached troops. The day followed Saturday's deadly Israeli strikes killing over 30 Palestinians across Khan Younis, Nuseirat, and Gaza City—including a police station attack killing 14-16 people and strikes on a tent camp and apartment building that killed children.

Settler violence escalates in West Bank's Masafer Yatta

West Bank operations continued with an IDF punitive demolition of a home in Halhoul belonging to a perpetrator of a 2025 attack. That evening, approximately 10 Israeli settlers from a nearby outpost attacked Palestinian residents of Kharaba village in Masafer Yatta, hospitalizing 3-4 people with stone-throwing and pepper spray injuries while IDF forces were reportedly present. The IDF conducted raids on Shuqba village near Ramallah and Bani Na'im east of Hebron.

Sources: The New Arab, Times of Israel, Al Jazeera, The Longwar Journal, Just Security

Russian drone operators deliberately kill 12 Ukrainian miners in targeted bus attack

Day 1,439 of Russia's invasion began with Ukraine in mourning after Russian drone operators deliberately targeted a bus transporting coal miners from their shift at the Ternivska mine in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, killing 12 workers and wounding 16 others, including 6 critically. Defense Ministry adviser Serhii Beskrestnov stated that drone operators identified the target as civilian but proceeded with the attack, deploying a second Shahed-type drone against survivors exiting the burning vehicle.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, called it "the biggest single loss for DTEK since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion." Dnipropetrovsk Oblast declared February 2 a day of mourning. The mine, located approximately 65 kilometers from the front lines, was struck again overnight February 1-2 when Russian drones damaged administrative buildings—the second consecutive day of targeting energy-sector workers. The attacks coincided with the expiration of the Kremlin's limited pause on striking Kyiv, negotiated by President Trump, which ended February 1.

147 combat engagements reported across Ukrainian front lines

Frontline operations continued with 147 combat engagements recorded across Ukrainian sectors. Russian forces pressed advances in the Kharkiv Oblast Vovchansk direction, described by Joint Forces Task Force spokesperson Colonel Viktor Trehubov as "frankly difficult," while claiming capture of Zelene village northeast of Kharkiv City. In Donetsk, fighting intensified around Slovyansk, Kostyantynivka, and Pokrovsk, with Russian forces advancing east of Hryshyne and entering northern Myrnohrad.

Ukraine's air defenses intercepted 157 of 171 Russian drones launched overnight, but 12 struck targets across eight oblasts. A diesel train was hit at a Zaporizhzhia Oblast station. The previous day's strike on Zaporizhzhia maternity hospital wounded 6-9 people including two women undergoing examinations. Ukrainian forces responded with strikes on two Russian command posts and an ammunition depot near Kurakhivka.

Hybrid warfare campaign continues along NATO's eastern flank

A parallel hybrid warfare campaign continued along NATO's eastern flank. For the third consecutive night, "balloon-like objects" from Belarus penetrated Polish airspace over Podlaskie Voivodeship—assessed as smuggling balloons testing air defense responses. The Institute for the Study of War characterized this as part of Russia's "Phase Zero" cognitive warfare preparing for potential NATO-Russia conflict.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, RFE/RL, DTEK, Ukrainian General Staff, Institute for the Study of War, Critical Threats

No significant conflict developments, military operations, terrorist attacks, or security incidents were documented in the Americas theater on February 2, 2026. The absence of immediate events during this reporting period reflects normal variance in daily conflict cycles rather than resolution of underlying security challenges affecting this region.

Somalia intelligence forces eliminate 13 al-Shabaab militants including 5 senior commanders

Somali intelligence forces struck a major blow against al-Shabaab on February 2, killing 13 militants including 5 senior commanders in a targeted operation in Maxaa Saciid, Middle Shabelle region, approximately 64 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu. The National Intelligence and Security Agency raid targeted a house where senior leaders were planning attacks and organizing forced payments from local residents. An additional 8 militants were wounded, including 3 commanders.

Nigerian forces announce death of Boko Haram commander in Sambisa Forest operation

Nigerian Armed Forces announced the overnight killing of Boko Haram commander Abu Khalid and 10 fighters in a night raid on Sambisa Forest, Borno State. Abu Khalid served as deputy leader for the group's logistics and operations in the dense forest stronghold. Nigerian forces reported no casualties. The operation followed Boko Haram attacks earlier in the week that killed dozens at a construction site and military base.

Tigray tensions escalate as TPLF calls for restraint and dialogue

Regional tensions in Ethiopia's Tigray region escalated as the Tigray People's Liberation Front called for "restraint and dialogue" following clashes between Tigray Defense Forces and Ethiopian National Defence Force in Tsemlet, western Tigray. Fighting began January 26-29 when TDF forces crossed the Tekeze River into contested territory also claimed by Amhara forces. Drone strikes on January 31 hit two trucks near Enticho and Gendebta, killing at least 1 person. Flights to Tigray were suspended.

Sources: Qatar News Agency, Africanews, Al Jazeera, The Nation, ACLED

Myanmar junta recaptures strategic Banmauk gold-mining town after week of fighting

Myanmar's military junta recaptured the strategically important town of Banmauk in northern Sagaing Region on February 2 after more than a week of heavy fighting against resistance forces. The Tatmadaw and allied Shanni Nationalities Army wrested control from the Kachin Independence Army and People's Defense Force units, which had held the town since capturing it on September 20, 2025 in a six-day offensive involving 18 resistance groups.

Banmauk's strategic value lies in its gold mining operations—at least 1,200 active pits and dredging operations along the Meza River—and its position controlling trade routes to China and India via the Tamu corridor near the Kachin-Sagaing border. The junta deployed airpower and artillery to support ground operations against resistance forces that had blocked all entry points to the town. Specific casualty figures were not immediately available.

Myanmar Air Force airstrike kills entire family in Sagaing Region

Elsewhere in Sagaing, a Myanmar Air Force airstrike killed an entire family in Maw Luu Township on February 2, continuing the junta's devastating air campaign against resistance-controlled areas. UN documentation indicates 408 military air attacks killed at least 170 civilians during the December 2025-January 2026 election period alone. A late January strike on Hman Hae Village in nearby Indaw Township killed 5 resistance members and wounded 2 civilians.

Heavy fighting continued in Bhamo, Kachin State, with civilians trapped as junta forces and the KIA clashed in urban combat. The resistance maintains control of neighboring Pinlebu Township and significant territory elsewhere.

Philippine Navy tracks 48 Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea

In the broader region, Philippine Navy monitoring confirmed 48 Chinese vessels including warships operating in the West Philippine Sea around Scarborough Shoal, Second Thomas Shoal, and Pag-asa Island—gray-zone activity short of armed conflict. Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, reaffirming opposition to Taiwan independence in a move Taiwan's foreign ministry condemned as "severely undermining our nation's sovereignty."

Sources: Liveuamap Myanmar, The Irrawaddy, ISP-Myanmar, UN News, Daily Tribune Philippines

Balochistan Liberation Army attacks kill 48, trigger Pakistan's deadliest counter-terrorism operation

The Balochistan Liberation Army launched "Operation Herof 2.0" beginning January 31, executing coordinated strikes across at least 12 locations including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, Nushki, and Dalbandin. By February 2, the combined death toll reached catastrophic proportions: 31 civilians killed (including 5 women and 3 children), 17 security personnel, and 177 militants eliminated in Pakistani counter-terrorism operations—the highest militant death toll in the province's history.

The attacks employed sophisticated tactics including two female suicide bombers, simultaneous armed assaults on police stations, Frontier Corps headquarters, hospitals, schools, and banks across Balochistan's vast territory. Attackers dressed as civilians to bypass security checkpoints. The BLA released video statements from commander Bashir Zeb claiming responsibility and threatening further violence against what the group terms Pakistani "colonial occupation."

Pakistan's response was swift and unprecedented in scale. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced that security forces killed 145 militants within the first 40 hours, rising to 177 by February 2 evening. Some recovered bodies were identified as Afghan nationals, fueling Islamabad's accusations against Kabul and New Delhi. Pakistan officially designated the BLA as "Fitna al-Hindustan" (Indian sedition), alleging RAW backing—charges both India and Afghanistan categorically denied.

International condemnation followed rapidly. The UN Security Council President (UK) announced the Council was considering a formal response. The United States—which designated the BLA a Foreign Terrorist Organization in September 2025—condemned the attacks. China suspended operations at Gwadar port, a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and frequent BLA target. Months-long security restrictions were imposed across the province: public gatherings banned, internet suspended, train services halted, and mobile networks jammed.

Taliban security forces member shoots at UN compound in Kabul

A Taliban security forces member opened fire on a UN compound in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi area on February 2, killing 1 Taliban guard (found dead outside the perimeter under unclear circumstances) and wounding 1 international UN-contracted security guard from Nepal with minor injuries. The UNAMA compound shooting was attributed by Taliban Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani to a "one-way misunderstanding." UN-contracted guards did not return fire.

The Taliban initially halted all movement in and out of the compound before lifting restrictions. UN staff were instructed not to report to work on Monday. Separate investigations are underway by both the UN and Taliban authorities. The incident follows the January 19 ISIS-K suicide bombing at a Kabul restaurant that killed 7 people including a Chinese national and wounded 14+, prompting China to advise citizens against travel to Afghanistan.

Sources: Al Jazeera, NBC News, Wikipedia, Euronews, The Nation, UN press briefings, Afghan Interior Ministry

Chinese state hackers compromise Notepad++ in months-long supply chain attack

Chinese state-sponsored hackers Lotus Blossom compromised the popular open-source text editor Notepad++ in a supply chain attack disclosed February 2, targeting "tens of millions" of potential victims with interests in East Asia. According to cybersecurity firm Rapid7 and developer Don Ho, attackers compromised hosting infrastructure between June and December 2025 to redirect update traffic to malicious servers, maintaining access for three months after initial compromise. Targets included government, telecommunications, aviation, and critical infrastructure sectors.

A separate supply chain attack targeted eScan Antivirus users across South Asia—India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines—on January 20 during a two-hour window. Kaspersky telemetry indicated hundreds of machines infected with multi-stage malware that established persistence, enabled remote access, and blocked automatic updates to prevent remediation. The sophisticated attack suggests possible state sponsorship.

Russian GRU deploys new DynoWiper malware against Polish energy infrastructure

Russian GRU unit Sandworm (APT44) deployed new destructive wiper malware DynoWiper against Polish energy infrastructure on December 29-30, 2025, in an attack that could have caused power outages affecting 500,000+ people. The attack—timed on the 10th anniversary of the Ukraine power grid attack—was thwarted before causing disruption. ESET attributed the operation to Sandworm with medium confidence, noting tactical similarities to the ZOV wiper used against Ukraine in November 2025.

Qilin ransomware group leaks Tulsa International Airport data

Ransomware group Qilin—the most active ransomware operation of 2025 with 1,000+ victims—leaked data stolen from Tulsa International Airport including financial records, employee identification documents, and internal communications. Separately, cyber extortion group ShinyHunters (tracked by Google Mandiant as UNC6661) continued a campaign compromising approximately 100 organizations via Okta SSO voice-phishing attacks, with confirmed victims including Crunchbase (2M+ records), Panera Bread (14M+ records claimed), and Match Group dating apps.

Sources: TechCrunch, Windows Central, ESET, Kaspersky, Rapid7, Check Point Research, Cyble, Barracuda Networks