Latest news with #Guard
Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Belarus seeks PAF's operational expertise in strengthening Air Force capabilities
Listen to article Major General Andrei Yulianovich Lukyanovich, Commander of the Air Force & Air Defence of Belarus, acknowledged the Pakistan Air Force's professionalism and effectiveness in complex operational environments, expressing a strong interest in learning from its extensive operational experience, particularly in wartime operations. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a high-level defence delegation from Belarus, led by Major General Lukyanovich, visited Air Headquarters in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss and enhance military cooperation between the two nations. "The meeting covered a wide range of topics related to air power and military collaboration, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening long-standing bilateral ties. They agreed to maintain continuous engagement between their respective Air Forces, fostering cooperation on multiple fronts, including training, technological development, and operational capacity building," the statement read. Upon his arrival at Air Headquarters, Islamabad, Major General Lukyanovich was presented with a formal Guard of Honour, marking the beginning of the discussions. According to ISPR, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, highlighted the robust military relationship between the two nations and assured full support from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in providing tactical-level training for Belarusian pilots and maintenance crews. He underscored the importance of consolidating air force-to-air force ties by enhancing collaboration in areas such as operational training and technological advancements. Read More: PAF among top 10 most powerful air forces globally "The PAF is committed to extending full support for both basic and tactical-level training of pilots and maintenance crews to strengthen the Belarus Air Force," said the Chief of the Air Staff. "We aim to enhance collaboration through exchange programs, with a focus on professional development." Major General Lukyanovich expressed deep gratitude for Pakistan's warm hospitality and praised the PAF's professionalism in complex operational environments. He emphasized Belarus's interest in learning from the PAF's operational experience, particularly in wartime operations, and suggested that structured and formal training programs be conducted for Belarusian personnel. "I sincerely appreciate the hospitality extended to me and look forward to learning from the Pakistan Air Force's rich operational experience, especially in wartime conditions," said Lukyanovich. Also Read: Chinese envoy praises PAF The Belarusian commander also extended an invitation to the Chief of the Air Staff to participate in upcoming defence-related events in Belarus, further strengthening the growing bond between the two countries.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Ex-soldier's daughters 'suffocated to death on camping trip' as manhunt launched
Ex-soldier Travis Decker is wanted on 3 counts of murder and kidnapping after his three daughters were found dead after a planned camping trip with him - as reports suggest the girls were suffocated A father, whose three young daughters went missing while on a camping trip with him, is believed to have strangled the girls as their cause of death has been revealed. A huge search was launched for Travis Decker, 32, after his daughters Olivia, 5, Evelyn, 8, and Paityn, 9, were found dead, days after they were reported missing, on Monday. The girls vanished during a planned visitation with their homeless dad, on Friday, May 30, but authorities looking for the young girls found them at the Rock Island Campground, in Leavenworth, Washington. A preliminary report into the shocking deaths said the sisters appeared to have died from asphyxiation. Authorities searching for the former Army solider said he is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. Police have also warned the public"do not approach" the ex-solider with "extensive training" if he is seen - instead urging the public to call 911. Cops also found Decker's vehicle with two bloody handprints, close to where the girls were located. Police also discovered personal items like a wallet, food, car seats, and blankets. The location even showed signs somebody had recently been nearby, before cops showed up, as they found a tent a short walk away. The alarm was raised on Monday after Decker did not drop his daughters back to their mother. In a Facebook post shared on May 31, Mrs Decker said: "Last night at 8pm Travis was supposed to drop the girls back off with me and never showed. "The cops have him going north out of Wenatchee at 5:41. If you could please all keep an eye out for him, his phone is off and every hotel in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee have been checked." Captain Brian Chance, from the local police force, said the mum "expressed concern because Decker reportedly had never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues." He added: "What prompted her to call us was that ... he was late returning the girls and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his typical fashion and so this was out of the ordinary." Decker and his wife have been divorced for several years but he had been allowed to see his daughters every other weekend during specific hours - the dad had been known to stay at motels and camping sites after he lost his home. His ex-wife claimed Decker had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and she believed he did not take medication for it, according to court documents. The dad transferred to the Washington National Guard eight years after joining the army. He was a full-time member of the Guard for two or three years until, in 2024, he went part time. However, the military confirmed today Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge for him.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Ex-military father at large after 3 daughters found dead in central Washington
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The search is on for a father suspected of murder after his three young daughters were found dead in central Washington. Authorities asked the public Tuesday for help finding Travis Decker, 32, who is wanted for three counts of murder and kidnapping, according to police in Wenatchee, about 100 miles east of Seattle. Police said it was unknown whether Decker, a former Army soldier with 'extensive training,' was armed. The girls' mother called police on Friday to report them missing, saying they hadn't returned from a custodial visit with Decker. The mother told police that Decker had picked up the girls — Olivia, 5; Evelyn, 8, and Paityn, 9 — around 5 p.m. but had not returned them by 8 p.m., court documents said. Calls to his phone also went straight to voicemail. The mother also told police that it was unlike Decker not to call if he was going to return the girls late. The detective said she 'expressed concern because Decker reportedly has never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues.' Washington State Patrol launched an Endangered Missing Person Alert on Saturday. Over the weekend, authorities looked for the children and for Decker, who was believed to be living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup with Washington plates. Police, along with the FBI, worked to narrow down the search area Monday and found Decker's truck near the Rock Island campground, about 20 miles northwest of Wenatchee. According to an affidavit, Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 yards away from the truck, The Seattle Times reported. Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said. Decker joined the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Washington Military Department spokesperson Karina Shagren told The Associated Press. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part time. Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge for him, Shagren said. A reward of up to $20,000 is available for information leading directly to his arrest. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Public told 'do not approach' former soldier after his daughters are found dead
Police are warning the public "do not approach" a former Army soldier with "extensive training" after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted for three counts of murder and kidnapping. He is believed to be living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup and may be armed, police say. It is understood he had had a planned visit with his three daughters; Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and five-year-old Olivia but did not return them to their mother on Friday. A search was carried out and the girls were discovered dead today during a search close to a campsite west of the city of Leavenworth, Washington. Anyone who may have seen Decker, who joined the Army in 2013 aged 20, since Friday or knows his current location was asked to call 911. Police added: "Due to safety concerns do not attempt to contact or approach Decker." Karina Shagren, Washington Military Department spokesperson, said: "This is an absolute tragedy. We are mourning along with the community." Authorities looked for the children and their father over the weekend. Decker's unoccupied truck was found Monday near the campsite in Leavenworth and the girls' bodies were discovered amid a search in the area. Their school, Lincoln Elementary, which is in nearby Wenatchee, is offering pupils and staff counselling services. The district asked people to respect the privacy of students, staff members and families and come to the campus only for regular school business. The girls' mother told police Decker picked the girls up around 5pm on Friday but had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail. Captain Brian Chance, from the police force, said the mum "expressed concern because Decker reportedly had never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues." He added: "What prompted her to call us was that ... he was late returning the girls and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his typical fashion and so this was out of the ordinary." Four missing persons investigations were swiftly launched and, upon the gruesome discovery of the bodies, police have now identified Decker as a wanted man in the murder and kidnap probe. This remains ongoing, police said in a press briefing today, during which they also confirmed Decker and the girls' mother are divorced. The dad transferred to the Washington National Guard eight years after joining the army. He was a full-time member of the Guard for two or three years until, in 2024, he went part time. However, the military confirmed today Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge for him.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Moment King's Guard horse gives girl a 'kiss' after she makes sweet gesture
In the viral TikTok clip, the 'respectful' young girl is greeted with a sweet 'kiss' by a King's Guards horse outside St James' Palace in response to her kind gesture Sweet new footage shows the moment a horse from the King's Guard gives a girl a 'kiss' in reward for her kind gesture. In the viral clip, filmed outside St James' Palace, the youngster can be seen patiently approaching the King's Guard and his horse, with her mother close stood close behind her. Then, she leans over to the guard and places small amount of cash inside his boot, before returning to stand beside the post. A couple of seconds later, the horse moves turns towards the girl and gently presses its muzzle on top of her head - leaving her beaming with joy. After the video of the heartwarming interaction was posted on the TikTok fan channel royalguards_england21, many joked that the horse appeared to be 'thanking' the little girl for her small donation. One wrote: "The horse gave her a kiss!" Another commented: "And this is how you respectfully approach the guardsmen and horses." Someone else said "she's more respectful than most adults there", while a different user commented: "This is how it should be done - ask first then show complete respect. Well done young lady." Though the practice is not encouraged by Palace staff, with signs warning that it is dangerous to get too close to the horses, some tourists choose to leave pound notes inside the boots of mounted King's Guards as a thank-you gesture. Any cash left is collected for military charities. In March, charming footage showed the moment a King's Guard broke protocol to interact with a young blind boy. In a video, eight-year-old Amin is seen walking over to the foot guard while guided by a voice off-camera, and stamps his foot to salute the guard. In response the soldier - who is wearing his customary helmet - salutes the youngster back by stamping his foot. And in July 2023, a King's Guard was praised for posing with a man with Down's syndrome in another unusual breach of protocol. Mike van Erp, also known as YouTuber Cycling Mikey, said he had taken the youngster to get a photo at Buckingham Palace and had tried to stand close to the Guard - something which can sometimes see visitors given a stern telling-off Instead, the Guard moved nearer to the pair so they could get a better picture of the day at the Horse Guards Parade. As he walked away, Mike said: "What a nice man. What a cool thing to do."
