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Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Militants use drones to target Pakistani security forces
PESHAWAR: Islamist militants in Pakistan have started using commercially acquired quadcopter drones to drop bombs on security forces in the country's northwest, police said, a potentially dangerous development in the volatile region. The use of such drones, which are powered by four rotors allowing for vertical take-off and landing, is worrying the overstretched and under-equipped police force, the frontline against militant attacks, officials said. Two quadcopters sent by the militants targeted a police station earlier this month, killing a woman and injuring three children in a nearby house in Bannu district, said police officer Muhammad Anwar. A drone spotted over another police station on Saturday was shot down with assault rifles, he said. It was armed with a mortar shell, he said. At least eight such drone attacks have targeted police and security forces in Bannu and adjacent areas in the last two and a half months, he said. Regional police chief Sajjad Khan said militants were still trying to master the use of the drones. 'The militants have acquired these modern tools, but they are in the process of experimentation and that's why they can't hit their targets accurately,' he added. The militants are using the quadcopters to drop improvised explosive devices or mortar shells on their targets, five security officials said. They said these explosive devices were packed with ball bearings or pieces of iron. Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said the police lacked resources to meet the new challenge. 'We do not have equipment to counter the drones,' he told the local Geo News channel on Sunday. 'The militants are better equipped than we are,' he said. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the drone strikes. The main militant group operating in the northwest is the Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. But they denied using the drones. 'We are trying to acquire this technology,' a TTP spokesman told Reuters. In 2024, Islamist militants carried out 335 countrywide attacks, killing 520 people, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an independent organization. In recent weeks, thousands of residents from the border region have staged protests, aimed against both the attacks by militants and what they fear is an offensive planned by the army, according to a statement issued by the demonstrators. They said they feared that a military operation against the militants would displace them from their homes. A sweeping operation against militants in 2014 was preceded by a forced evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents. They spent months, and in many cases years, away from their homes. Pakistan's army did not respond to a request for comment on whether an operation was planned. At least eight Pakistani paramilitary troops and four militants were killed in a clash in the country's northwest, senior local officials said Monday, in the latest violence to hit the restive region. 'Armed terrorists attacked a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy with heavy weapons... The fighting continued for several hours,' a senior local security official told AFP. 'Eight FC personnel were killed, and 11 were injured,' he said. Three injured soldiers are in critical condition, while the clash also killed four militants, he added. A senior administration official in the area confirmed the details to AFP. The clash, which lasted for several hours, took place in Daburi, Orakzai district, near the Afghan border. — Agencies
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Climate
- Gulf Today
Monsoon fury claims over 200 lives in 4 Pak provinces
Pakistan remains on high alert as the devastating impact of the ongoing monsoon season continues to claim lives and disrupt normalcy across the country. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 202 people have lost their lives since the start of the rainy season, with children accounting for nearly half of the fatalities. Local media reported that 96 children are among the deceased, painting a grim and heartbreaking picture of the situation. The province of Punjab has recorded the highest number of casualties, with 123 deaths reported. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has registered 40 deaths, followed by Sindh with 21, Balochistan with 16, and Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir reporting one death each, reports leading Pakistani media outlet Geo News. The range of causes behind these fatalities reflects the dangerous conditions across the region — at least 118 people died in house collapses, 30 lost their lives in flash floods, while others perished due to drowning, lightning strikes, electrocution, and landslides. As the torrential rains continue, the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) has issued impact-based weather alerts covering the entire nation. These warnings highlight the growing threat of flash floods, urban inundation, and glacial lake outburst floods, and are expected to remain in effect until July 25. Vulnerable districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Islamabad have been placed on high alert, with local authorities being urged to clear drainage systems and ensure that emergency response teams are on standby. Forecasts suggest light to moderate rainfall through July 25, but risks remain high, especially for flash floods in the upper catchments of major rivers. Low-lying and mountainous regions remain particularly vulnerable to flooding and associated disruptions, especially in transportation and infrastructure. From July 21 to 24, a fresh spell of moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated to impact the central and upper parts of the country. Affected areas include Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Taunsa, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan. These regions are likely to face urban flooding, particularly in metropolitan zones and low-lying neighbourhoods where water drainage infrastructure remains overwhelmed or non-functional.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pakistani Islamist militants use drones to target security forces, officials say
Pakistani Islamist militants use drones to target security forces, officials say By Asif Shahzad PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) -Islamist militants in Pakistan have started using commercially acquired quadcopter drones to drop bombs on security forces in the country's northwest, police said, a potentially dangerous development in the volatile region. The use of such drones, which are powered by four rotors allowing for vertical take-off and landing, is worrying the overstretched and under-equipped police force, the frontline against militant attacks, officials said. Two quadcopters sent by the militants targeted a police station earlier this month, killing a woman and injuring three children in a nearby house in Bannu district, said police officer Muhammad Anwar. A drone spotted over another police station on Saturday was shot down with assault rifles, he said. It was armed with a mortar shell, he said. At least eight such drone attacks have targeted police and security forces in Bannu and adjacent areas in the last two and a half months, he said. Regional police chief Sajjad Khan said militants were still trying to master the use of the drones. "The militants have acquired these modern tools, but they are in the process of experimentation and that's why they can't hit their targets accurately," he added. The militants are using the quadcopters to drop improvised explosive devices or mortar shells on their targets, five security officials said. They said these explosive devices were packed with ball bearings or pieces of iron. Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said the police lacked resources to meet the new challenge. "We do not have equipment to counter the drones," he told the local Geo News channel on Sunday. "The militants are better equipped than we are," he said. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the drone strikes. The main militant group operating in the northwest is the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. But they denied using the drones. "We are trying to acquire this technology," a TTP spokesman told Reuters. In 2024, Islamist militants carried out 335 countrywide attacks, killing 520 people, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an independent organisation. In recent weeks, thousands of residents from the border region have staged protests, aimed against both the attacks by militants and what they fear is an offensive planned by the army, according to a statement issued by the demonstrators. They said they feared that a military operation against the militants would displace them from their homes. A sweeping operation against militants in 2014 was preceded by a forced evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents. They spent months, and in many cases years, away from their homes. Pakistan's army did not respond to a request for comment on whether an operation was planned. Solve the daily Crossword
India Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
India vs Pakistan in WCL semi-final? Team owner lifts the lid on possible clash
India and Pakistan will avoid facing each other in the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, confirmed Pakistan Champions team owner Kamil Khan. The two teams were also set to clash in the league stage of the tournament on July 20 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. However, the match was cancelled after several Indian players, namely Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, amongst others, pulled out of the fixture amid widespread cancellation has put the future of the tournament in jeopardy as India and Pakistan are likely to meet again in the knockout stages of the tournament. The organisers have already devised a plan to avoid such a situation as the two teams will not be facing each other if they reach the last four.'All the remaining matches are taking place. The tournament is going on as per schedule, and there are no changes. As for the semifinals and final, we're currently saying that if we make it to the semifinals, there will be four teams, and we will avoid matches between the two teams,' GeoNews quoted Kamil Khan as saying. Furthermore, he also mentioned that they're yet to decide on what will happen if both teams reach the final.'If we reach the final, then the decisions regarding that will be made then. And as for this match, the two points will be awarded to us, and we deserve those points as per the rules," he after the match got cancelled, former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi urged India to continue cricketing relations and said that one 'rotten egg' spoiled everything."Sports brings countries closer. If politics comes between everything then how will you move forward? Without communication, things cannot be solved. The idea for these kinds of events is also to meet one on one. But you know, there is always one rotten egg, which spoils everything," Shahid Afridi told the media on Sunday, July 20.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
WCL 2025: Will India skip another Pakistan clash if they meet in semis or final? Team owner drops hint
The highly awaited World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 clash between traditional rivals India and Pakistan was officially cancelled. The match, originally set to be played on Sunday at Edgbaston, was called off after the tournament organisers released an official statement on social media confirming the decision. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The match was cancelled after Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, refused to be a part of it, citing the in April. India had defeated Pakistan by five wickets to win the inaugural edition of the six-team legends tournament last year at Edgbaston. Poll Do you think India will play against Pakistan if they meet in the semifinals or finals? Yes, they will play. No, they will avoid the match. It depends on the situation. The players received a lot of flak on social media for agreeing to play against the Pakistan team. But the real question is — will the Indian team play Pakistan if they meet in the semifinal or final? 'All the remaining matches are taking place. The tournament is going on as per schedule, and there are no changes," Geo News quoted Kamil Khan, team owner of Pakistan Champions. 'As for the semifinals and final, we're currently saying that if we make it to the semifinals, there will be four teams, and we will avoid matches between the two teams. 'If we reach the final, then the decisions regarding that will be made then," he said. EXCLUSIVE: Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of England Test series The Pakistan Champions were awarded two points after India decided to pull out. "And as for this match, the two points will be awarded to us, and we deserve those points as per the rules,' said Kamil Khan. The second edition of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) tournament, which is co-owned by Bollywood star Ajay Devgn, started on June 18 at Edgbaston and is scheduled for an August 2 final. The WCL organisers shared a statement on their X account detailing the decision to cancel the match and said their intention in conducting it was to recreate some "happy memories." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "After hearing the news that the Pakistan hockey team will be coming to India this year, and seeing the recent India vs Pakistan volleyball match along with a few other fixtures between the two nations in different sports, we thought of continuing with the India vs Pakistan match at WCL, just to create some happy memories for people around the globe. "But maybe in the process, we ended up hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions," the WCL statement read.
