IED blast kills three including tribal chief in NW Pakistan
PESHAWAR, May 18: A roadside improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Wana town, South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed three people, including tribal chief Malik Tariq of the Ahmadzai tribe, and injured four others. Police said the explosion occurred near Gulshan Plaza in a busy marketplace when Tariq’s vehicle passed through the area, causing panic and forcing shops to close. The injured were taken to Wana Headquarters Hospital, and authorities cordoned off the site to begin an investigation. In a separate incident in Bajaur district, six members of a family were injured in a suspected drone strike on a house and were hospitalized in Khar. No group has claimed responsibility for either attack. However, Pakistani authorities have previously blamed the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for similar violence in the region following the collapse of a ceasefire in 2022. (PTI)
Pak forces kill 35 Balochistan-based terrorists
ISLAMABAD, May 18: Security forces in Balochistan have killed 35 members of armed groups and arrested three senior commanders during a four-day intelligence-based operation in the Mangla Zarghoon Gar area near Quetta, according to the provincial government. Officials said the operation, which began on May 13, targeted militant camps and hideouts and was carried out in response to recent violence across the region. The announcement followed a series of security incidents, including rocket attacks in Quetta, the destruction of a bridge in Mastung, and arson targeting trucks transporting goods from Iran. Authorities have since imposed Section 144 across the province, banning weapons display, gatherings of more than four people, pillion riding, tinted windows, and face coverings to maintain order. Security forces remain on high alert, while Pakistan Railways has temporarily suspended train services from Balochistan due to security concerns. (PTI)
Nepal party protests PM’s absence
KATHMANDU, May 18: Members of Nepal’s Shram Sanskriti Party protested in the House of Representatives on Monday, criticising Prime Minister Balendra Shah for his absence during key parliamentary discussions. Led by party leader Harka Sampang, lawmakers held placards and pamphlets demanding that the Prime Minister be accountable to Parliament and personally respond to lawmakers’ questions on government policies and programmes. The protest took place during a debate on the government’s annual agenda, with opposition parties arguing that the Prime Minister should not avoid direct scrutiny. Similar concerns had previously led to a boycott of Parliament on May 14, when opposition lawmakers walked out after the Finance Minister answered questions on behalf of the Prime Minister. The issue has intensified political tensions, with even ruling party members reportedly expressing dissatisfaction inside the House. (PTI)
