21 terrorists suspects held in Pak’s Punjab
Lahore, May 2: Twenty-one terrorists, mostly affiliated with the banned TTP outfit, were arrested in Pakistan’s Punjab province during the past week, police said on Saturday. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab Police, in a statement, said it conducted more than 200 intelligence-based operations across the province and apprehended 21 terrorists. Most of the apprehended terrorists were linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), it said. The rest were from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other banned outfits. “A dangerous TTP terrorist, Pir Shams, was arrested from Lahore, while Abdul Latif of the BLA was apprehended from Toba Tek Singh along with explosive material,” the statement said. According to the CTD, 6,330 grams of explosives, 17 detonators, 39 feet of safety fuse wire, one improvised explosive device (IED) and banned literature were recovered from them. “The arrested terrorists were planning attacks at various locations,” the statement said, adding that 21 cases have been registered against the suspects, and further investigation is underway. (PTI)
Pakistan rejects UK envoy’s Afghan border remarks
ISLAMABAD, May 2: Pakistan has rejected remarks by UK Special Representative for Afghanistan Richard Lindsay on tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, calling them “one-sided” and lacking understanding of the situation. The Foreign Office said Lindsay’s comments, shared after UN reports of civilian casualties in eastern Afghanistan, did not reflect ground realities.
Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban of continued cross-border attacks and infiltration attempts despite a temporary ceasefire earlier in 2026. It said earlier operations, including Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, were launched in response to militant activity from Afghan territory. Islamabad claimed that since the ceasefire pause, cross-border attacks had caused 52 civilian deaths and 84 injuries in Pakistan.
It also said its responses were targeted at militant infrastructure, while dismissing Afghan claims of civilian casualties as unverified. Both sides continue to trade accusations amid rising border tensions. (PTI)
Starmer urges tougher action against Gaza protests in UK
LONDON, May 2: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for tougher action against certain slogans used at pro-Palestinian protests, amid rising concerns over antisemitism following a stabbing attack on two Jewish men in London’s Golders Green area. Starmer said while the right to protest would be protected, some marches linked to the Gaza war could be restricted, citing chants such as “globalise the intifada” as needing stricter response.
Police have charged a suspect with attempted murder in the attack, which was treated as terrorism. Authorities say antisemitic incidents have surged in the UK since the Gaza conflict began, with security officials warning of a heightened threat to Jewish communities. (AP)
