Latest news with #PakistaniIslamist
Reuters
3 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Pakistani militants kill six policemen in 13 attacks
PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Militants in Pakistan's northwest carried out 13 overnight gun and grenade attacks on the police, killing six officers, officials said on Thursday. The attacks were against police stations, checkpoints and patrols across seven districts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, police officer Mohammad Ali Babakhel said, as the nation of 240 million people celebrated its 78th independence day. The militants used rocket-propelled grenade launchers in some of the attacks, he said, adding six officers were killed and another nine injured. "Out of 13, we inflicted losses on them, repulsed them and forced them to flee in nine, ten incidents," Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed told reporters after attending funerals of the police officers in one of the districts. "We suffered losses in two incidents." He said the militants timed the attacks to coincide with the Independence Day celebration. A spike in the attacks in recent months is a tough challenge to handle for the overstretched and under-equipped police force, the frontline against militant attacks. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a Pakistani Islamist militant group with links to the Afghan Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The TTP is an umbrella group of several Sunni Islamist groups. It has been fighting against the state since 2007 in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with its version of Islamic law. Attacks have accelerated since the TTP revoked a ceasefire with the Pakistani government in late 2022. In 2024, Islamist militants carried out 335 countrywide attacks, killing 520 people, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an independent organisation. Pakistan says the militants operate out of neighbouring Afghanistan, where they train fighters and plan attacks, a charge Kabul has denied.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Pakistani militants kill six policemen in 13 attacks
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Militants in Pakistan's northwest carried out 13 overnight gun and grenade attacks on the police, killing six officers, officials said on Thursday. The attacks were against police stations, checkpoints and patrols across seven districts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, police officer Mohammad Ali Babakhel said, as the nation of 240 million people celebrated its 78th independence day. The militants used rocket-propelled grenade launchers in some of the attacks, he said, adding six officers were killed and another nine injured. "Out of 13, we inflicted losses on them, repulsed them and forced them to flee in nine, ten incidents," Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed told reporters after attending funerals of the police officers in one of the districts. "We suffered losses in two incidents." He said the militants timed the attacks to coincide with the Independence Day celebration. A spike in the attacks in recent months is a tough challenge to handle for the overstretched and under-equipped police force, the frontline against militant attacks. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a Pakistani Islamist militant group with links to the Afghan Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attacks. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs? Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Singapore Change in law proposed to pave the way for public-private sector data sharing Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength The TTP is an umbrella group of several Sunni Islamist groups. It has been fighting against the state since 2007 in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with its version of Islamic law. Attacks have accelerated since the TTP revoked a ceasefire with the Pakistani government in late 2022. In 2024, Islamist militants carried out 335 countrywide attacks, killing 520 people, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an independent organisation. Pakistan says the militants operate out of neighbouring Afghanistan, where they train fighters and plan attacks, a charge Kabul has denied. REUTERS
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Pakistani militants kill 6 policemen in 8 targeted attacks, Asia News
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Militants in Pakistan's northwest carried out eight overnight gun and grenade attacks targeting the police, killing six officers, an official said on Thursday (Aug 14). The attacks targeted police stations, checkpoints and patrols across seven districts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, police officer Mohammad Ali Babakhel said, as the nation of 240 million people celebrated its 78th independence day. The militants used rocket-propelled grenade launchers in some of the attacks, he said, adding six officers were killed and another nine injured. A spike in the attacks in recent months is a tough challenge to handle for the overstretched and under-equipped police force, the frontline against militant attacks. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a Pakistani Islamist militant group with links to the Afghan Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The TTP is an umbrella group of several Sunni Islamist groups. It has been fighting against the state since 2007 in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with its version of Islamic law. Attacks have accelerated since the TTP revoked a ceasefire with the Pakistani government in late 2022. In 2024, Islamist militants carried out 335 countrywide attacks, killing 520 people, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an independent organisation. Pakistan says the militants operate out of neighbouring Afghanistan, where they train fighters and plan attacks, a charge Kabul has denied. [[nid:719609]]
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Pakistani militants kill six policemen in eight targeted attacks
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Militants in Pakistan's northwest carried out eight overnight gun and grenade attacks targeting the police, killing six officers, an official said on Thursday. The attacks targeted police stations, checkpoints and patrols across seven districts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, police officer Mohammad Ali Babakhel said, as the nation of 240 million people celebrated its 78th independence day. The militants used rocket-propelled grenade launchers in some of the attacks, he said, adding six officers were killed and another nine injured. A spike in the attacks in recent months is a tough challenge to handle for the overstretched and under-equipped police force, the frontline against militant attacks. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a Pakistani Islamist militant group with links to the Afghan Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The TTP is an umbrella group of several Sunni Islamist groups. It has been fighting against the state since 2007 in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with its version of Islamic law. Attacks have accelerated since the TTP revoked a ceasefire with the Pakistani government in late 2022. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home? Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at the wrong airport in South Korea Singapore Reformative training for teen who cheated man of $47k Rolex watch on former stepdad's instructions Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Asia Strong India-Singapore ties key to economic growth amid 'volatile landscape': DPM Gan Asia Citizenship for foreign talent: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' In 2024, Islamist militants carried out 335 countrywide attacks, killing 520 people, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an independent organisation. Pakistan says the militants operate out of neighbouring Afghanistan, where they train fighters and plan attacks, a charge Kabul has denied. REUTERS
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- 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
