Latest news with #counterterror
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan vows to eliminate ‘Indian-sponsored' militants amid Balochistan insurgency spike
QUETTA: Pakistan on Saturday vowed to bring what it described as 'Indian-sponsored' militants to justice, as federal and provincial leaders met in Quetta to address a growing wave of insurgent attacks in Balochistan, the country's largest and most volatile province. Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is strategically significant due to its vast mineral resources and its role as a transit hub for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, the province has long been plagued by a separatist insurgency, with militant groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) intensifying their attacks in recent years. Islamabad describes these groups as proxies for Indian intelligence, branding them 'Fitna-e-Hindustan', or India's mischief. New Delhi denies any nexus with these groups. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti held a high-level law and order meeting to review the ongoing counterterror operations and the implementation of a new Provincial Action Plan aimed at stabilizing the region. 'Indian-sponsored terrorists and their facilitators have no place to hide in Pakistan and will be brought to justice at all costs,' Naqvi said while chairing the meeting, according to an official statement. 'Those challenging the writ of the state will be dealt with an iron hand.' The interior minister said the federal government stood 'shoulder to shoulder' with the Balochistan government in its war, adding that full coordination exists between national and provincial authorities. Bugti briefed the meeting on Balochistan's Provincial Action Plan, which he also mentioned earlier this month. He noted that it focused on intelligence-led operations, faster threat response, and outreach to disaffected youth. It also highlighted bureaucratic and operational bottlenecks that have hindered previous efforts. 'This war is not only the responsibility of the security forces but of the entire nation,' he said. 'The sacrifices of our people and institutions will not go in vain.' Balochistan has witnessed several high-profile militant attacks since the beginning of the year. Among them, a passenger train hijack by the BLA in March and a suicide bombing in May targeting a school bus in Khuzdar that killed several children made international headlines. The separatist insurgents also routinely target security forces, civilians, and non-local workers in coordinated and targeted attacks.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Palestine Action ban ‘disturbing misuse' of UK law, UN human rights chief says
Britain's proscription of Palestine Action is a 'disturbing misuse' of counter-terror laws, the United Nations human rights chief has said. Volker Turk has urged the UK to lift the ban, which he described as 'disproportionate and unnecessary' in an intervention on Friday. The Government moved to designate Palestine Action a terrorist organisation after the group claimed responsibility for vandalising two planes at RAF Brize Norton on June 20. The ban means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. A legal bid to challenge the proscription at the High Court by the group's co-founder, Huda Ammori, is ongoing. Mr Turk, a lawyer who serves as the UN's high commissioner for human rights, urged the UK Government to 'rescind its decision.' 'The decision appears disproportionate and unnecessary,' he said. 'It limits the rights of many people involved with and supportive of Palestine Action who have not themselves engaged in any underlying criminal activity but rather exercised their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.' He added that the Government should 'rescind its decision to proscribe Palestine Action and halt investigations and further proceedings against protesters who have been arrested on the basis of this proscription'. 'I also call on the UK Government to review and revise its counter-terrorism legislation, including its definition of terrorist acts, to bring it fully in line with international human rights norms and standards,' the high commissioner said. Mr Turk also criticised UK domestic law, which he said defines terrorist acts 'broadly' to include serious damage to property. 'According to international standards, terrorist acts should be confined to criminal acts intended to cause death or serious injury or to the taking of hostages, for purpose of intimidating a population or to compel a government to take a certain action or not,' he said. The Government has been contacted for comment.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
UN human rights chief wades in on Palestine Action terror ban accusing ministers of 'disproportionate' action
The UN's human rights chief has waded in to condemn the UK's ban on Palestine Action. Volker Turk accused ministers of 'disturbing' use of counter-terror powers, saying the decision was 'disproportionate and unnecessary'. Palestine Action was formally designated as a terrorist organisation after the group claimed responsibility for vandalising two planes at RAF Brize Norton on June 20. The status means that membership of, or support for, the group is now a criminal offence that can be punished with up to 14 years in prison. Palestine Action's co-founder, Huda Ammori, is currently challenging the move at the High Court. Left-wing MPs have also spoken out against the measure. Mr Turk, a lawyer who serves as the UN's high commissioner for human rights, insisted: 'The decision appears disproportionate and unnecessary. 'It limits the rights of many people involved with and supportive of Palestine Action who have not themselves engaged in any underlying criminal activity but rather exercised their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.' He added that the Government should 'rescind its decision to proscribe Palestine Action and halt investigations and further proceedings against protesters who have been arrested on the basis of this proscription'. 'I also call on the UK Government to review and revise its counter-terrorism legislation, including its definition of terrorist acts, to bring it fully in line with international human rights norms and standards,' the high commissioner said. Mr Turk took a swipe at UK domestic law, saying it defined terrorist acts 'broadly' to include serious damage to property. 'According to international standards, terrorist acts should be confined to criminal acts intended to cause death or serious injury or to the taking of hostages, for purpose of intimidating a population or to compel a government to take a certain action or not,' he said.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Army says major, sepoy killed in counterterror operation in Pakistan's southwest
ISLAMABAD: An army major and a sepoy were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's southwestern Mastung district, the military's media wing said on Thursday amid Islamabad's battle against surging militancy. The latest operation took place in Balochistan's Mastung district on July 23 when security forces received reports of the presence of "terrorists" belonging to "Fitna al Hindustan," a term the Pakistani military uses for militants it says are backed by neighbor and archrival India. The military said three militants were killed during its counterterror operation. However, Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal, 31, and Sepoy Nazam Hussain, 22, were killed during the exchange of fire, the military's media wing said. "Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian Sponsored Terrorism from the country," the military said. "And such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve." Pakistan's restive Balochistan province has long been the site of separatist and insurgent violence, and Islamabad has frequently alleged Indian involvement in destabilizing activities there, a charge New Delhi denies. India accuses Pakistan of training and funding militant groups in the part of disputed Kashmir that New Delhi administers. Islamabad denies the allegations and says it only extends diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir. The two countries engaged in the worst fighting between them since 1998 in May this year, pounding each other with drones, fighter jets, missiles and artillery fire before Washington brokered a ceasefire on May 10.
BBC News
20-07-2025
- BBC News
Three women charged under Terrorism Act over van crash
Three women have been charged under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into the fence of a defence factory in women, aged 31, 34 and 42, were arrested in connection with the incident at Leonardo UK's facility on Crewe Road North on Scotland said its counter terror unit was leading the counter terror officers are investigating reports that people on a pro-Palestinian march in Edinburgh were wearing T-shirts and holding banners expressing support for a banned organisation. Palestine Action was outlawed earlier this month under anti-terror of people marched through Edinburgh on Saturday demanding an end to the bloodshed in Gaza, but no arrests were made on the Scotland said extensive inquiries into the clothing and banners displayed on the march are said local officers were being supported by colleagues from counter terrorism as part of the investigation. Officers investigating the defence factory incident earlier in the week are appealing for information to trace the movements of a blue Ford Transit van in the Gorgie Road area on Monday and were also keen to trace the movements of a white Honda CR-Z, which was recovered from a car park in Gorgie Road following the incident, on those asked any drivers in the area with dashcam footage to come forward and share footage with officers.
