At least 13 suspected militants killed in fresh North Waziristan airstrikes

PESHAWAR: At least 13 suspected militants were killed and their hideouts were destroyed Wednesday in air strikes carried out by fighter jets in the Shawal tehsil of North Waziristan.

Sources claimed that the jet strikes destroyed at least six hideouts in the Shawal mountains and the area near Dattakhel.

However, these claims could not be independently verified.

Air strikes were also carried out late on Tuesday.

Seven suspected militants, one elite force man killed in Lahore clash

LAHORE: An armed clash between security forces and suspected militants during a search operation early Thursday in a compound situated in Lahore’s Raiwind Road area killed seven suspected militants while one elite force man was also killed and five others had been injured, Punjab Minister for Anti-Terrorism Col. (retd) Shuja Khanzada said.

Speaking to media representatives, Khanzada said that the exact figure of militants present the area could not be established and several of them appeared to have fled.

He said security forces wanted to apprehend the militants alive, adding that terrorism could not be eliminated in a single day.

Army vows to 'completely eliminate' terrorist sanctuaries in N Waziristan

ISLAMABAD: Chief military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said on Tuesday that the Pakistan army will "completely eliminate" terrorists sanctuaries and hideouts from North Waziristan.

Speaking to media personnel in Islamabad, Bajwa said, "North Waziristan had become a hub of terrorism where several terrorist networks were based and had been operating for a long time."

"Terrorists used to brainwash suicide bombers while recruiting them in North Waziristan."

MQM will offer 'strong resistance' if Qadri arrested: Gabol

KARACHI/LAHORE: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Nabil Gabol said Saturday that the party would put up strong resistance if Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri was arrested, DawnNews reported.Speaking to media representatives, Gabol said Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz’s (PML-N) authoritative style of leadership was damaging for the democratic system in the country.

Attackers flee after firing at Karachi ASF camp

KARACHI: Attackers managed to flee as a heavy contingent of security forces reached Airport Security Force (ASF) camp number 2, which came under a fresh attack on Tuesday, DawnNews reported. Flight operations resumed after being temporarily suspended.

A security sweep and search operation is underway at the ASF academy, which is located in Bhitai Abad, Pehlwan Goth in Karachi.

Martyrs of Karachi airport attack laid to rest

KARACHI: Personnel of the Airport Security Force (ASF) who were martyred in the terrorist attack on the Karachi airport are being laid to rest in their respective hometowns amidst tears and sorrow.

ASF official Islamuddin’s funeral prayers were offered at the GPO ground in Multan. A resident of the Ghareebabad area of Multan, Islamuddin received a salute from the ASF officials before being laid to rest.

ASF ASI Tariq Masood Babar of Faisalabad was buried in his ancestral graveyard after his funeral prayers were offered in a nearby village.

US condemns Karachi airport attack; offers help with probe

WASHINGTON: Condemning the terrorist attack on Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, the United States on Monday offered Pakistan its help in investigating the incident on the country's largest airport.

“(We) join the Pakistani people in condemning this attack. We have offered assistance to the relevant Pakistani authorities in investigating this crime,” Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department Marie Harf said, while wishing the injured speedy recovery and condoling with families of the victims.

FIR can be lodged against armymen, AG says

ISLAMABAD: Attorney General Aslam Butt informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that a First Information Report (FIR) could be filed against a currently serving army official according to Pakistan Army regulations. He said this in the hearing of the Malakand missing persons case, which concerns the disappearance of 35 people from an internment centre in the region, DawnNews reported.

Butt submitted his reply in the apex court regarding FIRs against serving armed forces personnel.

Gunmen kill Pakistan Navy man in Karachi

KARACHI: Unknown gunmen attacked a Pakistan Navy man near Karasaz area on Karachi's Shahrah-e-Faisal on Monday, DawnNews reported.

Security and rescue teams reached the attack site situated on the port city's main artery.

The targeted Navy man was rushed to a hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his wounds during treatment.

Police sources said that the incident appeared to be sectarian motivated.

Army officers in hotline contact to ease tension

ISLAMABAD: After a demonstration by a mob outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday over the killing of Indian soldiers along the Line of Control, the Foreign Office asked India to beef up security of Pakistani diplomats and high commission staff.

Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gopal Baglay was summoned to the Foreign Office and asked to convey to the Indian government that Pakistan expected it to meet its responsibility of protecting Pakistani diplomats and allied staff posted there.

Police officer killed, six injured in Quetta

QUETTA: Unknown gunmen opened indiscriminate fire on a police van in Killi Almo area of Quetta killing station house officer (SHO) of City police station and injuring six others on Thursday.

SHO Mohibullah, along with four of his children and two other policemen, had left his residence in a police van when it came under fire from unknown motorcycle-riding gunmen in Killi Almo area of Balochistan's capital city.

Gen. Kayani to brief APC on national security

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Pervaiz Rashid, said on Sunday that preparations for the all parties conference (APC) scheduled for July 12 had been completed.

He said Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani will brief the politicians on national security. He said the PML-N-led government was committed to overcoming terrorism and would send invitations to all parties for the conference.

Army to stay in Waziristan till peace restored: Kayani

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Pakistan Army will stay in Waziristan till complete peace is restored, said Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Thursday.

According to a Radio Pakistan report, Kayani said “the army is engaged in the area to bring peace and provide protection to the people so that they could live peacefully.”

Kayani was speaking during the inauguration ceremony of 50-kilometre-long road from Wana to Angoor Aadda.

SC orders Hussain Haqqani to appear within four weeks

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday ordered former Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani to appear before the court within four weeks time.

A bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was hearing the 'Memogate scandal' case here Tuesday.

Haqqani was first named in the 'memogate' controversy by US businessman Mansoor Ijaz who accused the former ambassador of asking him (Ijaz) to deliver a contentious memo to Washington, asking for its help in reining in Pakistan's military days after the May 2, 2011 US raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound.

Army opens war games ‘Azm-i-Nau IV’

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army started on Monday war games codenamed Azm-i-Nau (New Resolve) IV to update its readiness strategy for dealing with the complex security threat environment.

“This Army War Game is the culmination of the series of such exercises and aims at validation and crystallisation of operational plans prepared in view of the emerging threat environment,” a military spokesman said about the exercise being held at the National Defence University, Islamabad.

The drill is taking place amid renewed fears of chaos and instability in Afghanistan after withdrawal of coalition forces in 2014, continuing internal threat of terrorism and India’s growing regional ambitions.

Afghan withdrawal discussed with Nato

ISLAMABAD: Nato Military Committee Chairman Gen Knud Bartels met Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne and Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Tuesday to discuss withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan and the post-2014 Pakistan-Nato relationship.

According to the ISPR, Gen Bartels discussed during the meetings the security situation in Afghanistan, coordination measures between Nato and the Pakistan Army and the post-2014 situation.

Al Qaeda suspects kill three Yemen colonels: military

ADEN: Al Qaeda-linked suspects on Wednesday shot dead three air force colonels from the strategic Al-Anad air base in the southern province of Lahij, a military official told AFP.

Infiltration attempt foiled in Samba Sector

An infiltration attempt from Pakistan was reportedly foiled by Indian troops at Ramnagar in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday morning. It was said that a gunbattle between the Indian Army and Pakistani Rangers continued for nearly 30 minutes.

Clash resumes on contested Afghan, Pakistan border

JALALABAD: Afghan and Pakistan troops exchanged fire on Monday at a contested border area in eastern Afghanistan days after an Afghan border policeman was killed, Afghan officials said.

Two senior officials from Nangarhar province where the clash took place told Reuters that fighting resumed after Pakistani troops attempted to repair a gate damaged in the previous clash.

JI reiterates demand for troop deployment

KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has reiterated its demand for deployment of army troops at polling stations in Karachi to ensure fair and transparent elections.

Speaking at an election rally at Bagh-i-Jinnah here on Sunday, JI leaders said that fair and transparent elections were necessary for getting Karachi rid of target killing and extortion.

They warned that if army troops were not deployed in Karachi the ‘thappa mafia’ would hijack the polls.