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THREE FC SOLDIERS AMONG 5 MARTYRED IN NUSKHI SUICIDE ATTACK
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THREE TERRORISTS WERE EFFECTIVELY NEUTRALISED BY THE SECURITY FORCES AFTER INTENSE FIRE EXCHANGE: ISPR
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QUETTA/ISLAMABAD
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A VEHICLE-BORNE SUICIDE BOMBER ATTACKED SECURITY FORCES CONVOY: MILITARY MEDIA WING
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PRESIDENT, PM AND INTERIOR MINISTER CONDEMN ATTACK; OFFER CONDOLENCES TO BEREAVED FAMILIES
STAFF REPORT
HREE security personnel and two civilians were martyred on Sunday when a vehicle-borne suicide bomber attacked a security forces convoy in Balochistan’s Nuskhi district, the military’s media wing said. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that as a result of the attack, “five brave sons of soil embraced shahadat (martyrdom)”. The martyred soldiers were identified as Havildar Manzoor Ali of Nawabshah district, Havildar Ali Bilawal of Naseer Abad district and Badin district’s Naik Abdul Raheem. Bus drivers Jalaluddin from Quetta and Muhammad Naeem from Kharan were also martyred in the attack, according to the ISPR. “In the ensuing sanitisation operation, the terrorists were pursued and after an intense fire exchange, three terrorists were effectively neutralised by the security forces,” the ISPR said. The military’s media wing added that sanitisation operations in the area would continue and the “perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act will be brought to justice”. “Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers and valiant civilians further strengthen our resolve,” the statement concluded. BLA behind attack: state media Earlier to the ISPR statement, state media reported that three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were among five were martyred when the BLA targeted an FC convoy on its way from Nushki to Taftan on the Nushki-Dalbandin highway. The banned Balochistan Liberation
Army (BLA) emerged as a key perpetrator of terrorist violence in Pakistan in 2024, as frequency of high-intensity attacks by outlawed groups has been increasing in the province, according to security reports. According to the state-run PTV News, security forces had cordoned off the area, blocking all escape routes of terrorists. On the other hand, Reuters reported quoting Nushki Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hashim Momand that more than 30 paramilitary force members were wounded in the incident. Earlier, Nushki Station House Officer (SHO) Zafarullah Sumalani had said that five FC personnel were martyred while at least 12 others were injured in the explosion. According to SHO Sumalani, evidence from the incident site suggested that a suicide attacker rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the FC convoy. The injured were being shifted to the FC Camp and Nushki Teaching Hospital, where an emergency had been imposed, the police
officer added. The police officer feared that the death toll
ISLAMABAD
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume flights to the United Kingdom (UK) after Eidul Fitr following the lifting of the European Union ban, said Pakistan High Commissioner Mohammad Faisal. “PIA flights to the UK will officially resume after Eidul Fitr”, Dr Faisal said while speaking to the media during an Iftar dinner with journalists and TikTok influencers
PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
Terrorists launched three different attacks on police stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, martyring two policemen and kidnapping a security guard during the past 24 hours. According to Karak District Police Officer (DPO) Shahbaz Elahi, terrorists attacked two police stations and a Sui Gas installation overnight. There was a heavy exchange of fire, which resulted in the martyrdom of two policemen and the death of a private security guard.
in London. The Pakistan HC stated that the first phase will include flights from London and Manchester to Pakistan, while efforts are underway to restore flights from Birmingham as well. He further mentioned that a special ceremony will be held to officially inaugurate the flight resumption, with media representatives in attendance. It is worth noting that after the European Union lifted the ban, PIA’s first flight to Paris took off on
January 10, 2024, marking the end of a four-and-a-half-year suspension. The ban was imposed in June 2020 after a PIA plane crash in Karachi, followed by the then Aviation Minister’s controversial statement in Parliament, revealing that pilots were hired with fake licenses. Meanwhile, the process for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) privatization has accelerated once again, with significant interest shown by prominent groups for the acquisition of PIA.
cidents near Italy and Morrocco which also created huge embarrassment for the country abroad.” The prime minister said that he called a meeting with all the authorities and officers to convey appreciation on his part and on behalf of the government and the people. He also urged the authorities and officers to gird up their loins and raise the country’s name by carrying out their official responsibilities with dedication. The prime minister also awarded appreciation shields and cheques to different officials who took part in the operations to bust the gangs. During the meeting, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and secretary Interior briefed the prime minister about the performance of the agencies. The director generals FIA and IB also briefed the prime minister about the arrest of gang leaders, operators and facilitators involved in
the human trafficking. PILDAT board members meet PM Meanwhile, the board members of Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) – Majeebur Rehman Shami, Shahid Hamid and Ahmad Bilal Mehboob called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here on Sunday. During the meeting, they apprised the premier about the affairs of the PILDAT. Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the role of PILDAT regarding betterment of democracy in the country. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan were also present in the meeting. Prime Minster flays firing on Sindh Minister Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned the firing on the convoy of Member Provincial Assembly Jam Mehtab Dahar. The premier expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of Mehtab’s guard in the incident. He also prayed for early recovery of the injured persons. The Prime Minister also strongly condemned the blast in Noshki. He expressed sorrow over the lost of precious lives in the blast. The premier prayed that may Allah Almighty elevate the rank of those martyred in the blast and offered heartfelt condolences with the bereaved families. Shehbaz Sharif also prayed for early recovery of injured persons and directed that the injured be provided with best possible treatment.
PM reaffirms commitment to eradicate human trafficking forever
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday appreciated the authorities and officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) for nabbing the main ringleader of a gang involved in notorious human trafficking. During a meeting with the authorities and officials of the FIA and IB in the presence of ministers and interior secretary, and broadcast live on national Tv channels, the prime minister expressed the hope that with the relentless and worthy efforts undertaken by these agencies, the obnoxious practice of human trafficking would end forever. He noted with appreciation the arrest of Usman Jajja involved in numerous human trafficking cases and said “the black business of human trafficking has earned bad name for Pakistan while a number of nationals lost their lives in boats capsized in-
and number of injured would rise since several of the injured were in critical condition. ‘Strongly condemnations pouring in’ The attack drew condemnations from leaders across the country, with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast and expressed their sorrow over the loss of lives. In their separate statements, they prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls and the early recovery of those injured. PM Shehbaz also directed that the wounded be provided with the best possible treatment. “Such cowardly acts cannot shake our resolve against terrorism,” the prime minister affirmed. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the “blast near a bus on the NoshkiDalbandin Highway” and expressed his grief over the loss of five lives. In a statement posted by his ministry on X, Naqvi expressed his sympathies to the be-
BALOCHISTAN CM VOWS RETALIATION, SAYS TERRORISTS WILL FIND NO PLACE TO HIDE
reaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. “Targeting innocent people is the height of brutality,” the interior minister said, adding that anti-state elements were “plotting a heinous conspiracy to create instability” in the country. Echoing PM Shehbaz’s statement, Naqvi asserted that such cowardly acts could not weaken the nation’s firm resolve. Denouncing the attack, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti vowed strict action against terrorists. “Those who play with the peace of Balochistan will be brought to a tragic end,” CM Bugti said in a press release. “Cowardly attacks cannot lower our morale,” he said. “There is no place for terrorists in Balochistan, peace will be established at all costs.” CM Bugti vowed that all possible steps will be taken to bring the enemies of peace to justice.
Three KP cops martyred, terrorist killed as police repulse three overnight strikes
PIA set to resume flights to UK after Eidul Fitr: Pakistani HC STAFF REPORT
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According to police officials, the law enforcement agencies retaliated, forcing the attackers to flee. DSP Yousaf confirmed that Aslam Noor, serving as an investigation officer at Takht Nusrati Police Station, was martyred during the assault. DPO Shehbaz Elahi revealed that armed men attacked the Khurram and Takht-e-Nasrati police stations, resulting in the martyrdom of police sub-inspector Islam Noor Khan in the latter assault. In the Sui Gas installation attack, the assailants were chased but managed to flee in the darkness. One of them was killed by
the police in the chase. The police also rescued a security guard abducted by the armed militants after an exchange of fire. “The police demonstrated courage, fought and frustrated big attacks,” DPO Elahi said. He added that the situation was now under control and the attackers had fled and retreated to the mountains when the police retaliated. The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement. The attacker, Kashif alias Jarrar, was wanted by the police for his role in terrorist activities in the area.