Latest news with #Pak-Afghan
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Two cops martyred in Mastung gun attack
Listen to article Two policemen were martyred and two others sustained injuries after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle along the National Highway near Choto in the Mastung district of Balochistan on Friday, officials said. Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said it was a targeted attack on the vehicle of acting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abdul Razaq. DSP Abdul Razzaq and Constable Raza Muhammad embraced martyrdom while two others were injured, he added. He confirmed that it appeared to be a targeted assault on DSP Abdul Razaq. The injured – constables Taj Muhammad and Khurshid Ahmed – were taken to a nearby hospital. "Security forces have been dispatched to the site and a search operation is under way to trace the attackers," he said. Infiltration bid foiled Meanwhile, security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by suspected terrorists through the Pak-Afghan border and arrested five would-be suicide bombers in K-P. Sources said that the forces started tracking the suspected teenaged boys as soon as they entered Pakistan via a river. Security teams quickly blocked all their escape routes, as they started moving towards Azizkhel and Mandikhel. The suspects tried to hide in a mosque in village Bassikhel but surrendered after the security forces surrounded them. According to initial investigation, the sources said, all the five boys were Afghan citizens and aged between 15 and 18 years. Three of them carried Afghan identity cards, they said, adding that their movement, timing and route suggested that they were potential suicide bombers. "All suspects have been detained and shifted to a secure location for further interrogation. The timely and professional action of the security forces not only thwarted a potential terrorist attack, but also highlighted Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the security of its borders and citizens," a source said. (WITH INPUT FROM OUR DI KHAN CORRESPONDENT)
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Utmanzai Jirga rejects more military Ops
Restoring peace and ensuring law and order in North Waziristan is the state's responsibility, and like citizens of other regions, the people of Utmanzai tribe deserve a peaceful life. These views were expressed during the "Aman Pasoon" (Peace Gathering) organized by the Utmanzai Jirga in Miranshah, the district headquarters of North Waziristan. Thousands of people, including tribal elders from across North Waziristan, political alliances, and representatives of the business community participated in the grand Jirga. Speaking to the media, Utmanzai Jirga spokesperson Mufti Baitullah said the Jirga, in consultation with political and business leaders, unanimously decided that no further displacement or military operations will be allowed in the region. "Military operations are not a solution," he stated, adding that previous offensives including Zarb-e-Azb failed to deliver lasting peace. He said progress has been made on several fronts in discussions with the government, including agreements on reopening the Pak-Afghan Ghulam Khan border for trade, relaxation of the curfew, and permission for non-custom paid (NCP) vehicles in the area. Mufti Baitullah expressed hope for continued positive developments in the talks with the government and reassured residents that efforts for peace and stability are ongoing. Dr Gul Alam, another participant, told the media that ensuring security and peace is the primary duty of the state. "Around the world, the foremost obligation of any government is to provide protection and peace to its citizens," he said. The Jirga also demanded the immediate release of Malik Akbar Khan, who has been in custody for the past eight months. The elders believe his release is crucial for restoring trust between the government and the local community.
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ICC issues arrest warrants for Taliban leaders over rights abuses
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban leaders in Afghanistan, including the group's supreme spiritual leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada. The court announced on Tuesday that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the Taliban's Chief Justice, have committed crimes against humanity. Specifically, they are accused of persecution on gender grounds, targeting women, girls, and individuals who do not conform to the Taliban's policies on gender, gender identity, or expression. According to the ICC, the alleged crimes involve a systematic campaign of repression and discrimination since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Read More: First round of Pak-Afghan talks concludes, focusing on trade, security Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban government has imposed severe restrictions on women, which the United Nations has described as a form of "gender apartheid." The Taliban has also permitted the public flogging of women for alleged offences. In December 2024, the Taliban announced the closure of all national and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Afghanistan that employ Afghan women. Also Read: Pakistan urges decisive Afghan action on terror This decision, which further tightens the group's restrictions on women, comes just over two years after the Taliban initially ordered NGOs to suspend employing Afghan women, citing alleged violations of dress codes.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ultimate sacrifice: Asim Munir on death of Pak major tied to Abhinandan's capture
Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir attended the funeral prayer of Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, the Pakistani Army officer killed in a clash with the Taliban militants at the Pak-Afghan border. Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir attended the funeral prayer of Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah. (File photo)(AP) As he attended Shah's funeral, Munir recognised his "ultimate sacrifice" and said that Pakistan owed an "eternal debt" to its martyrs. Syed Moiz Abbas Shah was the one who claimed Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman's capture in 2019 after his jet was shot down in an aerial dogfight. The dogfight took place after India's Balakot air strike on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack nearly a fortnight prior to that on February 14. "The entire nation stands united in grief and pride, saluting his ultimate sacrifice for the defence of the country. We owe an eternal debt to our martyrs. The blood of our Shuhada is the foundation of our nation's strength," Munir reportedly said, according to an Express Tribune report. Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah was an officer of Pakistan Army's Special Services Group. He was commissioned into the Pakistani Army in 2011, and later became part of the Special Services Group (SSG). He was killed during a clash with Taliban militants in the Sararogha area of South Waziristan. In the same operation, 11 terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed by the Pakistani Army. 'Major Syed Moiz Abbas fought bravely in the face of resistance and ultimately laid down his life in the line of duty, upholding the highest traditions of bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement quoted Munir as saying. The Pak Army officer's funeral took place in his hometown at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi. Abhinandan Varthaman's capture Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was part of the Combat Air Patrol and was captured in 2019 after Pakistan's airstrikes in response to the Balakot Airstrike by India. The Balakot Airstrike was an Indian operation targeting a Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Pakistan had deployed around 24 fighter jets to target Indian military installations, which led to a 10-minute aerial dogfight between the two countries on February 27, a day after the Balakot airstrike. Abhinandan Varthaman's jet was shot down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and he was held captive for about 60 hours and was returned to India on March 1, 2019. Just moments before his MiG-21 Bison was shot down and he was forced to eject, Abhinandan Vardhaman successfully shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet.
NDTV
25-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Pak Soldier Who Captured India's Fighter Ace, Abhinandan Varthaman, Killed
New Delhi: The Pakistani special forces officer who claimed the capture of Indian fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman during the 2019 Balakot airstrike has reportedly been killed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban-e-Pakistan, sources told NDTV Wednesday. The TTP is an armed Islamist group operating along the Pak-Afghan border. Major Syed Muiz, posted to the Pak Special Service Group's 6th Commando Battalion, was reportedly killed while fighting in the Sarargoha area in Pak's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Sources said his death was claimed by the TTP, also called the 'Pakistani Taliban'. Group Captain Varthaman, then a Wing Commander, became a national hero after shooting down a Pak F-16 fighter jet - in a generation-older MiG 21 - during aerial combat on February 27. Unfortunately, during the dogfight he flew over parts of Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan, and his plane was hit. The brave fighter pilot had to eject over territory controlled by the enemy. He was captured by the Pak Army and spent nearly 60 hours in enemy hands. Eventually Pak was forced to release him due to extensive pressure exerted by India and the global community. In November 2021 he was promoted to Group Captain and received the Vir Chakra. The Balakot airstrikes were India's response to the Pulwama terror attack, in which a security forces convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber driving a Maruti Suzuki Eeco van. The suicide attack on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama was ordered by the Jaish (File). Forty soldiers were killed in that attack. The terrorist - later identified as Adil Ahmad Dir - had been trained by banned, Pak-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. India's retaliatory airstrikes involved a dozen Mirage jets streaking 20km past the Line of Control and into Pak-controlled territory to destroy JeM training camps. The entire operation lasted less than 20 minutes. NDTV later established that Spice 2000 'glide bombs' were used and hit five separate structures along a ridge-line to the west of Bisian in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
