21 killed in Iraq bus crash; victim IDs under way
IRBIL, June 8: Iraqi authorities are working to identify victims of a bus crash and fire that killed 21 people in southern Iraq on Sunday. According to Thi Qar provincial council spokesperson Ahmad Saleem, 14 bodies were burned beyond recognition, complicating identification efforts. Two Iranian nationals are believed to be among the dead, though their identities have not yet been confirmed. The bus was travelling from the holy city of Najaf to the southern port city of Basra when it crashed and caught fire in Thi Qar province. In addition to the fatalities, 20 people were injured. Two injured Iranian passengers were evacuated to Iran through the Iranian Consulate in Basra on Monday. Saleem blamed the accident on the poor condition of the road, which local authorities had previously identified as unsafe. He also said a shortage of ambulances hindered emergency response efforts. Road accidents are common in Iraq due to deteriorating infrastructure, aging vehicles and weak enforcement of traffic regulations. In 2023, another bus crash carrying pilgrims near Baghdad killed 18 people. (AP)
Nearly 150 Indians languish in Bangladesh prisons
DHAKA, June 8: Nearly 150 Indians remain in Bangladeshi prisons despite completing their sentences, with delays in identity verification and repatriation preventing their return home. According to prison officials, 148 of the 152 foreign inmates awaiting release are Indian nationals, many jailed for illegal cross-border entry. Some have remained in custody for years after serving their terms. In Shariatpur District Jail alone, 17 Indians continue to be held as “release prisoners” because their identities have not been verified and repatriation efforts remain stalled. Prison officials said repeated attempts to contact the Indian Embassy have yielded no response. Three Indian inmates died in custody while awaiting repatriation. Officials also reported health concerns among some prisoners, citing poor food intake and language barriers. Authorities and legal experts have called for coordinated diplomatic efforts to facilitate the inmates’ return to India. (PTI)
Rights body warns of escalating violence in PoK
LAHORE, June 8: Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission (HRCP) has voiced alarm over ongoing violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where at least 11 people, including four police officers, were killed and hundreds injured in clashes between security forces and protesters. More than 100 people have been arrested following the unrest, which reportedly began after the death of a trader during a confrontation with law enforcement. The HRCP condemned the use of excessive force, civilian and police deaths, and communication blackouts imposed during the disturbances. It also criticised the government’s decision to ban the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) under anti-terrorism laws ahead of a planned protest. The commission called for restraint, protection of peaceful protest rights and meaningful dialogue, and announced a fact-finding mission. (PTI)
