In another terror attack within Pakistan, 36 people lost their lives and 29 were left wounded in northwestern Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in a tribal area, claiming lives of several people, in which the death toll is likely to rise. Officials have confirmed that the gunmen targeted passenger vans travelling from Parachinar in Kurram in a convoy. Notably, no terror groups have claimed the responsibility of the major attack, that leaves the officials in despair. A recent surge has been observed in the violent and terror attacks in the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. Earlier on November 19, 12 Pakistan soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing incident by Islamist militants. The attack occurred in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle on a wall of a military outpost. Notably, the province, which borders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is critical to Chinese Belt and Road projects and has recently seen a spike in attacks.
22 November,2024 11:29 AM IST
Deadly explosion in Pakistan’s Quetta Railway station has left more than 20 dead and many injured. Injured victims were brought to hospital in Pakistan’s Quetta on November 9, after at least 24 people were killed and more than 40 injured in a bomb blast at a railway station. Of those that were injured, 10 were in critical condition, according to a spokesman for the Balochistan government, Shahid Rind, adding that initial evidence indicated the blast was a suicide attack, but the final report was still being awaited in Pakistan Bomb blast.
10 November,2024 11:10 AM IST
Pakistan is facing a severe economic crisis, and now it is also grappling with an increase in militant attacks. On November 9, 2024, a bomb blast at Quetta Railway Station in southwestern Pakistan killed at least 24 people and injured 25 others. The attack has added to the already difficult situation in the country. While no group has claimed responsibility for the blast, Pakistan is dealing with rising violence from both militant groups in the northwest and a growing separatist movement in the south. The government and security forces are struggling to control the escalating violence, which is further straining the country's resources and stability. This attack in Quetta highlights the growing security challenges Pakistan is facing, as it deals with both economic hardship and rising terrorism.
09 November,2024 01:31 PM IST
As winter approaches, Lahore, Pakistan, has become the world’s most polluted city, with its AQI soaring to 1,067 on Nov 2, and 553 on Nov 9, categorized as ‘hazardous.’ The severe pollution, largely attributed to kiln emissions and crop burning, has prompted the government to close schools and enforce work-from-home mandates to safeguard public health. Efforts to mitigate the crisis include the introduction of eco-friendly kiln technologies and the establishment of a ‘Smog War Room’ in Punjab, where an eight-department committee coordinates response measures. Environmental experts emphasize the need for robust data to ensure sustainable solutions. The winter season, with its colder temperatures, exacerbates smog in South Asia, making air pollution a persistent health threat in the region. Immediate actions and long-term strategies are crucial to improving air quality and protecting public health.
09 November,2024 12:08 PM IST
A bomb explosion in southwestern Pakistan on November 1 killed at least seven people, including five school students, and injured 23 others. The blast targeted a police van that was on its way to pick up a polio vaccination team. The bomb was hidden in a motorcycle parked near a girls' school in Mastung. One police officer was among the dead, but no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence. Pakistan is facing an increase in militant attacks, especially in the northwest, and a rising separatist movement in the south. This incident happened during a nationwide polio vaccination campaign, which started on Monday. Although polio cases dropped in 2023, there are currently 41 active cases in Pakistan. The country, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last places where polio is still a major health issue, with militants often targeting vaccination efforts.
02 November,2024 11:24 AM IST
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested Pankaj Kotiya in Porbandar for espionage, accused of transferring sensitive information to Pakistan. Allegedly in contact with a Pakistani woman named Riya, Kotiya provided details about Coast Guard ships and their movements. He received ₹26,000 from 11 different bank accounts for this illicit activity. Gujarat ATS SP K Siddharth stated that this case falls under sections 61 and 148 of the BNS, categorizing it as a serious threat against the Government of India. Notably, this is not a honey trap; Kotiya was aware that he was sharing information with a Pakistani Navy officer, highlighting the monetary motive behind his actions.
27 October,2024 11:25 AM IST
On October 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed the leaders of the BRICS nations at a gala dinner during the Kazan summit. This event, held on the second day of the summit, aimed to highlight Russia's efforts to strengthen ties with emerging powers in Asia amidst Western attempts to isolate the country due to the Ukraine conflict. The gathering served as a platform for showcasing solidarity among BRICS members, emphasizing collaboration over division. India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, was among the attendees, reflecting India's commitment to deepening relationships within this influential bloc. The summit underscored the shifting geopolitical landscape as BRICS countries seek to enhance their collective influence on the global stage.
24 October,2024 01:29 PM IST
India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement for another five years. This agreement, signed on October 24, 2019, allows Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. The extension will ensure that pilgrims can continue to make their religious journeys without interruption. The corridor connects Indian pilgrims to this holy site in Narowal, Pakistan, which is just 4.5 km from the Indian border near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. However, India has requested that Pakistan remove the $20 service charge imposed on each pilgrim for every visit, as this fee has been a concern for many Indian visitors. This diplomatic effort aims to support religious pilgrimages under the agreement and foster better relations between the two countries.
23 October,2024 12:11 PM IST
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, which claimed the lives of a doctor and five laborers. He questioned the terrorists' motives, asking what they aim to accomplish through such senseless violence. Abdullah firmly stated that Kashmir will never become part of Pakistan and called on Pakistan's leadership to stop supporting terrorism in order to foster better relations with India.
21 October,2024 06:31 PM IST
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a historic visit to Islamabad for the SCO summit, marking the first such visit in nine years. Arriving on October 15, he quickly made headlines with his signature ‘goggle switch’ at the airport. His morning walks and sapling planting initiatives also captured public attention. Jaishankar joined leaders from various nations for the summit, culminating on October 16, where he engaged in a brief handshake with Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif during a welcome dinner. In his national statement, Jaishankar took a firm stance against terrorism, emphasizing the need for the SCO to combat the ‘three evils’—terrorism, extremism, and separatism. His remarks served as a pointed reminder to Pakistan about its role in regional instability. After the summit, Jaishankar departed for India, leaving a notable impact on the discussions surrounding security and cooperation within the SCO framework.
17 October,2024 04:39 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
