Tag: terror

  • DC Panjgur killed in attack in Balochistan

    DC Panjgur killed in attack in Balochistan

    The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Panjgur Zakir Baloch was assassinated by unknown armed men in the Mastung District of Balochistan on Monday.

    Zakir Baloch was travelling on the National Highway near the Khada-Kucha area along with two people, District Chairman Malik Jan and Ahmed Jan, towards Quetta when at least 15 armed people attacked the vehicle, Geo News reported.

    All three suffered bullet injuries, after which the DC and his friends were shifted to a nearby hospital. Zakir succumbed to his injuries; however, his friends were referred to Quetta Civil Hospital’s trauma centre for further treatment.

    In recent years, the security situation has been getting worse as foreign-funded militant organisations increase their foothold in the troubled province.

    Journalist Iftikhar Firdous posted on X, “The deputy commissioner of Panjgur has been killed by at least two dozen attackers opening firing at his vehicle; local said that militants had set up a checkpoint looking for government officials.”

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, expressing grief over the martyrdom of DC Zakir Baloch.

  • ‘After the sun sets, terrorists rule the area’: ANP’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain

    ‘After the sun sets, terrorists rule the area’: ANP’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain

    In an interview with Aaj News, President of the Awami National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mian Iftikhar Hussain sounded alarm bells over the precarious security situation in KP province, saying, “In southern districts, terrorists rule once the sun goes down.”

    He stressed that the government has no writ in the areas. “Police hide in their stations in the evening. They [militants] come out openly on the roads as the sun goes down and prove to people that they’re the ones ruling.”

    The ANP leader stressed that the security environment of the province was deteriorating with increasing cases of target killings, extortion, and religious extremism.

    “They do whatever they want to do at night. As the sun rises, the writ of state comes back,” criticised Hussain.

  • Wave of Terror: Pakistan mourns eight killed in separate attacks across KP

    Wave of Terror: Pakistan mourns eight killed in separate attacks across KP

    The security situation in Pakistan has gotten grim as eight people – five security officials and three children – lost their lives in three separate terror attacks in Lakki Marwat, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan yesterday.

    In North Waziristan, Captain Muhammad Osama Bin Arshad, 24, who belonged to Rawalpindi district, embraced martyrdom during an intense clash between forces and terrorists.

    The military’s media wing has stated that a sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir attended the Captain’s funeral on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, in South Waziristan, three soldiers lost their lives, and 12 others were injured in a militant attack in the district.

    A police officer and his three minor nephews lost their lives in Lakki Marwat district.

  • Norway removes Pak from terror threat assessment list

    Norway removes Pak from terror threat assessment list

    The Norwegian government has removed Pakistan from the National Threat Assessment List which is published by the country’s Police Security Service.

    Pakistan’s inclusion in the list poses significant challenges for Pakistani students and researchers who want to pursue their studies or careers in Norway.

    The decision came about after active diplomacy from Islamabad in persuading Norwegian authorities to remove its name from their list of nations of “security concern,” reported the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

    “Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives bore fruit, leading to its removal from the list,” the report read.

    “The announcement came through the latest report issued by Norway’s Police Security Service, which holds responsibility for intelligence and security matters within the country.”

    The terror threat assessment is a crucial report that identifies potential threats to Norway’s national security including Espionage, Proliferation, Terrorism, and threats to government officials.

  • FC soldier martyred as terrorists attack naval base in Turbat

    FC soldier martyred as terrorists attack naval base in Turbat

    Security forces thwarted and swiftly repulsed an insurgent attack on PNS Siddique in Turbat last night. One Balochistan Frontier Corps (FC) soldier was martyred while authorities killed four terrorists in the operation.

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said in a statement that the terrorists’ attempt to attack was foiled due to the “swift and effective response by the troops ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets”.

    In the intense fire exchange, 24-year-old Sepoy Noman Fareed embraced martyrdom. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack and pointed out that its Majeed Brigade carried out the assault.
    Few days ago, security forces thwarted a militant attack on Gawadar Port Authority Complex when a group of eight terrorists attempted to enter the complex but failed to do so. Two soldiers were martyred in that attack while all eight terrorists were eliminated.

    PNS Siddique is the second biggest naval air base in Pakistan.
    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the security forces for foiling the attack and reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to ending the menace of terrorism.

  • American retailer sells Pakistani Servis Cheetahs as ‘Taliban’s favourite shoe,’ priced over Rs30,000

    American retailer sells Pakistani Servis Cheetahs as ‘Taliban’s favourite shoe,’ priced over Rs30,000

    An American online shopping platform known as “Americana Pipedream” is offering Pakistani Servis Cheetah high-top shoes, which are advertised as “The Taliban’s Favourite Shoe” and are priced at approximately Rs30,500 ($99). 

    Screenshot from Americana Pipedream Website

    The website lists these shoes for individuals who wish to emulate the Taliban’s style, and the company claims that “the Servis Cheetah is a highly popular running and sports shoe in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Much of its notoriety stems from its use by the Taliban, Mujahideen, and even Afghan Security Forces over the past 40 years. 

    These Servis Cheetahs are brand new and originate from Pakistan, a shoe brand that is not commonly found in the American market. 

    Interestingly, despite the platform’s strong promotion of these shoes as the “Taliban’s favourite,” the details section acknowledges that they are rare to come by in the United States and suggests that the quality may not be top-notch due to their Pakistani origin. 

    Furthermore, upon conducting research, it was discovered that the exact same shoes are sold by Servis Pakistan for Rs2,799. 

    Screenshot from official Servis Pakistan Website

    The website appears to specialise in promoting clothing and accessories associated with the Taliban and similar themes. Other products featured on the website include Afghan War Rugs & Accessories, new apparel and accessories, books, camping and outdoor gear, axes and knives, tactical gear, pipes and accessories, vintage clothing, Phantomleaf camouflage, clearance items, night vision devices, and various military surplus items categorised by style and country of origin, including Swiss Surplus, Balkan Surplus, Greek Surplus, German & Austrian Surplus, Romanian Surplus, Vintage US Military Clothing, and British Surplus. 

  • No more deals with TTP; army determined to get rid of terrorism

    The army’s top brass has vowed to eliminate terrorism, extremism and instability in Pakistan by following a “whole-of-the-system” approach which was approved by the government on Friday.

    In a Corps Commanders’ Conference held in Rawalpindi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir said that military leadership is cognizant of the full spectrum of the challenges posed by terrorism and it “resolves to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with the support of the resilient people of Pakistan”.

    The top tier of the army reiterated the commitment of military forces to fully support national responses against internal and external threats. 

    A day earlier, in a briefing given to the members of the National Assembly (NA), COAS Munir said that negotiations with militants in the past helped terrorists regroup in the country, referring to the Imran Khan government that signed a ceasefire with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

    Earlier, National Security Committee (NSC) also decided to kickstart an all-out comprehensive operation against militant outfits. 

    Since government talks with the TTP broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks across Pakistan including attacks on the police.

  • Banned TTP is Pakistan’s absolute redline, Bilawal warns Afghan Taliban

    Banned TTP is Pakistan’s absolute redline, Bilawal warns Afghan Taliban

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday that the Afghan Taliban have been told that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is Pakistan’s redline.

    “We will not ignore it if we find out that the Taliban are not stopping TTP,” warned Bilawal Bhutto while talking at the Atlantic Council in Washington DC on Tuesday evening.

    “As far as the TTP is concerned, it’s absolutely our red line. It is something that we will not tolerate,” reiterated the foreign minister.

    Emphasizing that Pakistan will be willing to consider each and every option to ensure the safety and security of it’s people, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed concern over a recent spate of attacks by the TTP. The Foreign Minister said that if the Taliban carry out operations against the extremists, Pakistan will provide help if needed.

    He said that there was no new agreement on cooperation with the United States for anti-terrorism.

    “We urge that frozen funds be released for the Afghan people not for the Taliban. They [Taliban] promised US and the world to take action against extremist groups,” said Bilawal.

    He acknowledged that there’s room for improvement in Pakistan’s Afghan policy — as there is in America’s — and stated, “We need to be serious about what we can do going forward”.

    “Are we going learn from our mistakes to ensure that we do not repeat them,” he asked. “The answer to that question is going to define the safety and stability of Afghanistan, the safety and stability of Pakistan and the safety and stability of our region.”

  • Risk of violence in PTI long march, police tells IHC

    Risk of violence in PTI long march, police tells IHC

    There is a risk of violence during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, the federal police stated in a report submitted to Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    Citing PTI leader Amin Ali Gandapur, the report says, “He has threatened that they [protesters] will gather at Islamabad with arms and persuaded its [PTI] workers to bring their weapons during the long march at Islamabad”.

    Moreover, it stated that some PTI leaders had extended death threats to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and PTI chief Imran Khan has admitted that some of his supporters were armed with pistols during the party’s May 25 march.

    The report alleged PTI workers usually participated in the march on vehicles, motorcycles and cranes and “spread terror amongst the public”.

    The police, in its report, also detailed precautionary measures taken by them ahead of the long march, including ensuring that no procession or activity by a political party was allowed into the Red Zone, the extension of Red Zone, imposition of Section 144 in the capital and a ban on displaying, carrying or bringing firearms in the Red Zone.

    Currently, the PTI is marching toward the capital and has sought approval from the authorities to stage a protest/sit-in there.