INTERNATIONAL

Dozens have been killed and 145 injured in ongoing clashes between two tribes in Pakistan’s volatile Kurram district, located near the Afghan border. The fighting between the Boshehra and Maleekhel tribes erupted on Wednesday and has continued despite mediation efforts by a local jirga (tribal assembly) to restore calm, The Tribune reported. The current fighting has involved sophisticated weaponry, including mortar shells and rocket launchers, targeting settlements in Parachinar and Sadda, the main cities in Kurram. Dr. Mir Hassan Jan, head of the District Headquarters Hospital in Parachinar, reported, “We have 28 dead and another 145 wounded who are either being treated or have been brought to the district’s hospitals.” The violence has disrupted daily life, with the main road...

Labelling it as “unacceptable” and “genocidal”, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday called on “every government in the world” to condemn Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza. “It is no longer enough to speak up for the civilians, mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, aid workers, journalists, teachers, writers, poets, senior citizens and the thousands of innocent children who are being wiped out day after day by the horrific genocide taking place in Gaza,” the Congress leader posted on X. “It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli government’s genocidal actions and force them to stop,” she added. ...

Suspected Ugandan rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), linked to the Daesh/ISIS terrorist organization, killed 17 civilians in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As per news reports, the victims were working in their fields about 20 kilometers (12.43 miles) west of the town of Oicha in Beni territory, reported Oicha Mayor Nicolas Kikuku. He stated that at least 17 bodies were taken to the morgue at Oicha's general hospital. Esdras Mathe, an official with the territorial youth council, said some victims, including women and men, were decapitated with machetes. This attack followed a series of separate attacks last week in Beni by suspected ISIS rebels, which left 37 people dead, according to local authorities. Few months ago, at least 20 fighters...

The U.S. State Department has issued a revised travel advisory for India, urging American nationals to exercise increased caution due to crime and terrorism, particularly highlighting regions such as Jammu and Kashmir. While India overall remains at Level 2 ("Exercise Increased Caution"), several regions have been escalated to Level 4 ("Do Not Travel"). The advisory specifies that Americans should not travel to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (excluding eastern Ladakh and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. Similarly, travel within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border is discouraged because of the potential for armed conflict. Manipur is also listed at Level 4 due to ongoing violence and crime resulting from ethnic conflicts. The State Department highl...

Parents of scores of Kashmiris studying in Bangladesh have expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the country. The worrisome situation has triggered political reactions from Kashmir, with political parties demanding the safeguard of the over 5000 Kashmiri students studying in the country. Speaking to The Kashmiriyat, Syed Muheet, whose brother studies at a medical college in Dhaka said that they are worried about the safety of their kin the internet services have been barred in the country. "I called my brother around 7 over whatsapp and he told us that the situation was growing worse as the streets were filled with protestors and policemen clashing. He also informed us that the death toll was constantly rising and the University authorities were inaccessible to mos...

American-made weapons, including M4 Carbines, have been recovered from various encounters with security forces in Jammu Kashmir. Officials suggest that these weapons, reportedly supplied from Afghanistan to Pakistan, are reaching militant groups in the region, according to a report by Daily Excelsior. The security grid indicates a flow of weapons from Afghanistan to Pakistan, which then reach militants in Jammu and Kashmir. Official data shows a notable increase in the recovery of weapons, including AK-series firearms, since 2021. Recent incidents have seen militants using American-made M4 carbine assault rifles in attacks in areas such as Badnoti near Machedi, Doda, Poonch, and Rajouri. These weapons are believed to be among those abandoned by the US Army following its 2021 withd...

The Pakistan government has expanded its crackdown on social media by restricting access to Facebook and Instagram, following a six-month ban on X (formerly Twitter). Users across various internet service providers (ISPs) are experiencing difficulties accessing these platforms, with some also reporting issues with WhatsApp. The government has not officially commented on the new restrictions. The ban occurs amid tensions involving the judiciary, former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and the military establishment. Nayatel, a telecommunication company, confirmed on X that Facebook and Instagram services have been disrupted nationwide and is awaiting an explanation from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. This move follows the Punjab governmen...

The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh has issued a strong advisory to Indian citizens residing in the country to avoid travel and minimize their movement due to escalating violence from ongoing protests. The unrest, driven by demands for reforms in the government job quota system, has resulted in at least six deaths and widespread disruptions. On Thursday, the High Commission urged the Indian community and students in Bangladesh to remain within their living premises and to exercise caution. This advisory followed violent clashes between protesters and members of the ruling Awami League’s student front, the Bangladesh Chhatra League. “In view of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Indian community members and the Indian students residing in Bangladesh are advised to avoid tra...

On Tuesday, Omani police reported a shooting at a mosque in Muscat's Wadi Kabir neighborhood, resulting in four fatalities and multiple injuries. According to local reports, an Imam bargah was attacked by terrorists on Tuesday which resulted into four casualities. The Royal Oman Police released a statement online confirming the incident but did not provide a motive or identify any suspects. Located on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman rarely experiences such violent events.