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Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Four TTP men neutralised in DG Khan
Punjab Police on Sunday carried out a major operation against operatives of outlawed TTP in DG Khan and killed four alleged terrorists. According to a statement, police received intelligence about the movement of terrorists at Daulat Wala Mor, located in Kot Mubarak, a border area between Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The terrorists were reportedly setting up illegal checkpoints in the area. Later, Punjab Police and its Elite Force teams swiftly moved in, while commandant of Border Military Police, Asad Khan Chandia, sealed entry routes into the tribal area. The police later surrounded the terrorists and launched an operation, during which intense exchange of fire took place. The TTP operatives, heavily armed, attacked police teams, but Punjab Police responded "with timely and effective action, foiling their nefarious plans". In the operation, four TTP men were killed, while several others were injured. According to the Punjab Police spokesperson, the remaining terrorists used the cover of darkness, bushes and dunes to flee the scene. Police recovered weapons and explosives from the possession of the deceased terrorists. A search and sweep operation is ongoing in the area following the encounter. President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to law enforcement agencies for "eliminating four Khawarij during an operation in DG Khan".
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Nine terrorists neutralised in K-P IBOs
Listen to article Security forces killed nine India-backed terrorists in three separate operations in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Khyber districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Sunday. According to the ISPR, the media wing of the military, the Khwarij – a term used for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – were killed on the night between Saturday and Sunday. It said that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain Indian sponsored terrorists. "An intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in Dera Ismail Khan District, on reported presence of Indian sponsored khwarij. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, four Indian-sponsored khwarij were sent to hell," the ISPR stated. Another intelligence based operation was conducted in Tank District and in ensuing fire exchange, two more Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell by the security forces. In third encounter that took place in general area Bagh, Khyber district, own troops successfully neutralised three more Indian-sponsored khwarij," it added. "Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Indian-sponsored khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in these areas." According to the ISPR statement, sanitization operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area. "The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian Sponsored Terrorism from the country," it added. President Asif Zardari praised the security forces for their bravery in killing nine Indian-sponsored terrorists in three separate operations in K-P. He appreciated the security forces' successful operations to eliminate India-backed terrorists. The president said that the security forces would continue to operate until the terrorists were completely eliminated. "Our resolve to eliminate terrorist elements and defend the country remains unwavering," he said, reiterating the national resolve to completely eliminate "Fitnat-ul-Khawarij".
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'Nation united against Indian aggression'
President Asif Zardari on Tuesday said that India's blatant aggression had further united and strengthened the Pakistani people, and that the entire nation and its armed forces were always ready to respond to India's hostility. The president, in a statement, paid tribute to those martyred as a result of unprovoked Indian aggression against Pakistan and said that the entire nation saluted the brave sons of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force who sacrificed their lives for the country's security. "We are proud of the sacrifices of our martyrs. Our brave forces have successfully defended the nation and the country's integrity.
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India to pay heavy price: PM
President Asif Zardari, PM Shehbaz Sharif; Army Chief Gen Asim Munir and others pray during the funeral of 7-year-old Irtaza Abbas Turi in Islamabad. Photo: Express Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that India had committed a grave mistake by resorting to aggression and thought that Pakistan would back off, but India would have to face the consequences of its actions. The prime minister's remarks came as the National Security Committee (NSC) during n meeting held earlier in the day authorised the armed forces to respond decisively to Indian aggression and avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives, as well as the violation of the country's sovereignty at a time, place and manner of its choosing in self-defence. In a televised address to the nation, the prime minister said, "India forgets that Pakistani nation had the brave sons who always fought for the respect and defence of the motherland by shedding the last drop of their blood." He said the entire world witnessed that within few hours, their enemy though large in numbers was bowed down after Pakistan Air Force eagles shot down five Indian combat jets and reduced them to pile of fragments and ashes which was once considered as their pride. "It (response) has the thunderous sound of squadron leader MM Alam that struck the enemy strongly," he observed. The prime minister said India's cowardly attack took lives of 26 innocent people while injuring 46 others including women and children. He referred to funeral prayer of Shaheed Irtaza Abbas, 7 years old, who lost his life after hit with a splinter in his home where he was present with his mother and a brother. "A tender flower withered away and attained shahadat," he said, adding the nation paid tribute to shaheeds and their families and prayed for the recovery of the injured. The prime minister said that they had resolved that each drop of blood would be accounted for. "The timid enemy is attacking innocent people. Pakistan has proved how to respond with solid blow," he added. Pakistani travel guides The prime minister said that in one-hour fight on the Line of Control, PAF pilots while flying inside territory and with display of bravery and professionalism, reduced enemy's jets to ashes. In conventional warfare, Pakistan also proved its superiority over its enemy. He said that he along with the entire 240 million people of the country saluted Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Babar Sidhu, Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and every officer and soldier of Pakistan. The prime minister regretted that accusations against Pakistan with regard to Pahalgam attack were unreasonable. As a peaceful country, he said, Pakistan had offered an international transparent and credible probe which was acknowledged by the world, but India obliterated all the international laws and norms by resorting to aggression. Under the international laws and the UNSC resolutions, Jammu and Kashmir had been and would remain as a globally recognized dispute until Kashmiris exercised their right to self-determination in a free and impartial environment in accordance with the UN resolutions. "India can take a hundred decisions, but it cannot change the reality," he emphasised. In this region, he said, Pakistan had been the most affected country from the scourge of terrorism and in this fight, a total of 90,000 people had lost their lives with damages to the tune of $152 million dollars. He said that it was a vain thinking on part of India that her aggression would divert attention of Pakistan from fighting terrorism, but it was committed to end it forever. For the protection of Pakistan's sovereignty and solidarity, the prime minister said, the armed forces and people were standing in unity. The nation fully backed its valiant armed forces and would face and defeat the enemy together, he added. NSC meeting The NSC - the country's highest forum for coordination on security issues - gave a formal go-ahead to the armed forces to respond to Indian actions on the night between May 6 and 7, when it attacked on multiple locations in Pakistan, killing 26 people - including women and children - injuring 46 others and causing damage to mosques and other properties, including Nauseri Dam, part of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project. The highest security huddle, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while emphasising that Pakistan reserves the right to respond, confirmed that five Indian fighter aircraft and several Unmanned Aerial Vehicles were shot down in retaliation to Tuesday night's attacks by India. "In consonance with Article 51 of the UN Charter," an official statement issued after the NSC meeting stated, "Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self-defence, at a time, place, and manner of its choosing to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty." The statement further stated: "The armed forces of Pakistan have duly been authorised to undertake corresponding actions in this regard." PM Shehbaz had summoned the meeting in the wake of Indian armed forces' coordinated missile, air and drone strikes, targeting different areas in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, key federal ministers and others. The official statement stated that the NSC deliberated upon the grave developments arising out of India's unprovoked, cowardly and unlawful act of war on the night of May 6 and 7. The statement said that the armed forces of Pakistan, in line with the exercise of the right of self-defense and response framework outlined in NSC statement dated 22 April 2025, resolutely defended the territorial integrity of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, against the Indian aggression, while also bringing down five Indian fighter aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the process. The forum said that the unprovoked and unjustified attacks deliberately targeted the civilian areas, on the false pretext of presence of imaginary terrorist camps, resulting in the martyrdom of innocent men, women, and children, and causing damage to the civilian infrastructure, including mosques. "India's act of aggression also caused grave danger to commercial airlines belonging to brotherly gulf countries," the statement read, adding "endangering the lives of thousands of on-board passengers". "Besides," it revealed, "the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project was also deliberately targeted in violation of international conventions." The NSC unequivocally condemned the illegal acts as blatant violations of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying these acts "manifestly constituted acts of war under international law." The deliberate targeting of civilians, including innocent women and children, by the Indian military constitutes a heinous and shameful crime, that is in violation of all norms of human behaviour and the provisions of international law. Deeply anguished by India's naked aggression, the NSC noted, the entire Pakistani nation greatly appreciates and admires the bravery and courage of the Armed Forces and their timely action in the defense of their motherland. "The nation stands galvanised and resolute in the face of any further aggression," it vowed. Meanwhile, the NSC called upon the international community to recognise the gravity of India's unprovoked illegal actions and to hold it accountable for its blatant violations of international norms and laws. "Pakistan remains committed to peace, with dignity and honour," NSC conveyed before adding that it "reiterates that it shall never allow any violation of its sovereignty, territorial integrity or permit any harm to its proud people." During the meeting, it was noted that Pakistan has been emphatically rejecting Indian allegations claiming the presence of terrorist camps on its territory. It would also be recalled that immediately after 22 April 2025, it added, Pakistan made a sincere offer for a credible, transparent and neutral investigation, which unfortunately was not accepted. The NSC said that the international media personnel had already visited the "imaginary terrorist camps" on May 6, 2025, and more visits were planned for May 7, 2025. However, apprehensive of its falsehood being exposed, and without a shred of evidence about its claims, the Indian leadership, bereft of any morality, has now gone to the extent of attacking innocent civilians in order to satiate its delusional thoughts and short-sighted political objectives. "Attacking its innocent people is neither tolerable nor acceptable to Pakistan," NSC said. India, against all sanity and rationality has once again ignited an inferno in the region, it said, saying the responsibility for ensuing consequences shall lie squarely with India. During the meeting, the forum offered Fateha for the souls of the innocent civilians martyred in India's strikes, extended its heartfelt condolences to the near ones of the martyrs and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan test-fires missile amid escalating tensions with India
This is a representational image ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military conducted a successful test-launch of a Fatah series surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 km as part of its ongoing 'Exercise INDUS', Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan army's media arm, announced on Monday. This follows Saturday's test of the Abdali weapon system , a ballistic missile with a range of 450 km, signalling heightened military posturing amid fears of an Indian incursion. The tests, celebrated by President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Gen Syed Asim Munir, underscore Pakistan's resolve to bolster its defence capabilities in a volatile regional climate. According to ISPR, the goal of Monday's Fatah launch was to verify 'key technical parameters', such as improved precision and advanced navigation, and to guarantee 'operational readiness of troops'. Similar emphasis was placed on technical proficiency during Saturday's Abdali test, where military authorities praised the missile's improved navigation and manoeuvrability capabilities. Senior Army Strategic Forces Command leaders, scientists, and engineers watched both launches, which were presented as actions to preserve 'credible minimum deterrence' against external aggression. The exercise's symbolic name, 'INDUS', alludes to the Indus river system, a lifeline Pakistan fears India may threaten after New Delhi's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty . Tensions have soared since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly civilians. India, alleging Pakistan's 'cross-border linkages' to the incident, has vowed severe retaliation. Pakistan's fears of a possible military attack have been heightened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to give India's armed forces 'complete operational freedom'. The Abdali test on Saturday was described by Indian authorities as a 'dangerous escalation' and a 'reckless act of provocation', with reports suggesting that New Delhi anticipated Pakistan's missile testing. In response, Pakistan has denied India's charges, demanded an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack , and threatened that any attempt to disrupt Indus water flow would be treated as an act of war.
