Pakistan security forces kill 8 militants in KPK
PESHAWAR, Sep 8: Pakistani security forces have killed eight militants, including an IED expert and an explosives specialist, in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Monday. In a joint operation involving the army and local police, hideouts of the militants were targeted in Kharsin, Doga Machah, and Datta Khel areas in north Waziristan district, bordering Afghanistan, on Sunday, police said. The militants killed belonged to the Hafiz Gulbahadar Bahadur Group and the Jaish-e-Mahdi Karwan, police added. Residents claim that around 30-35 militants have taken refuge in nearby houses, using women, children, and the elderly as human shields to avoid drone and aerial strikes. Among those killed were key militant commanders, including IED expert Hameedullah alias Gud (Lame), quadcopter explosive specialist Noor Muhammad, and veteran TTP member Umer Khan. Police said the operation is still ongoing and will continue until the last militant in the area is killed. (PTI)
Pak evacuates 25,000 amid rising river threat
Jalalpur Pirwala, Sep 8: Over 25,000 people have been evacuated from Jalalpur Pirwala, a city in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, as rising rivers threaten to flood the region. The emergency rescue operation began late Sunday and continued through the night, with about 25,000 residents from high-risk neighborhoods moved to safer areas. The latest evacuations came two days after a rescue boat capsized in floodwaters on the city’s outskirts, killing five people. The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, a volunteer group known for being among the first responders in natural disasters, is among those involved in the efforts. The government has deployed hundreds of boats, thousands of rescuers, and volunteers for evacuations in flood-hit districts. The Saudi government delivered 10,000 food packages and 10,000 shelter kits to the Punjab government for flood-hit families. Floods have affected more than 4.1 million people across 4,100 villages in 25 districts of Punjab province, with at least 56 flood-related deaths since August 26. Displaced families are being provided with tents and food supplies. (PTI)
Afghan police seize 10,000kg drugs in major lab raids
KABUL, Sep 8: Afghan police have dismantled six drug processing labs and seized over 10,000 kg of heroin production materials in the southern province of Helmand. Counter-narcotics police units conducted separate operations in various districts, destroying the labs and confiscating the illicit substances. Police discovered 292 kg of opium, heroin, and hashish, arresting 12 suspected smugglers in the provinces of Panjshir, Baghlan, Kunduz, and Balkh. In the northern region, 145 kg of illegal drugs were discovered and 10 alleged drug smugglers were taken into custody. The police have vowed to prevent the production or smuggling of illegal drugs in Afghanistan. (IANS)
