All five foreign nationals, who were travelling in a vehicle attacked by terrorists in Landhi’s Mansehra Colony, were safe and shifted to an undisclosed location, police officials told Geo News on Friday. DIG East Azfar Mahesar said that the attackers were on foot, as per preliminary investigation. He added that police recovered six hand grenades, an SMG, and three magazines from militants. “The attackers also had two bottles of petrol. All the items were in a bag with the attackers,” said the police official. The DIG said that a vehicle and a motorcycle nearby were damaged in the blast after the terrorist blew himself up. A police mobile was parked at a nearby petrol pump which reached the spot after hearing the explosion, he said, adding that the personnel of the Sharafi Goth police station also confronted the terrorists. The DIG East revealed that the attack was carried out at 6:50 am this morning. The DIG further stated that there was a company vehicle with security guards as well behind the targeted one carrying the employees. He added that the terrorists opened fire on the van, while the security guards behind the van retaliated the attack, shooting dead one of them in the head. “One terrorist was killed in firing by security guards, while the other terrorist approached the van and blew himself up,” he said. The police official said efforts will be made to identify the slain terrorist using his fingerprints. He also revealed that the police were already on alert after having received security threats regarding foreigners in the city. He added that a security plan for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and non-CPEC projects was prepared. Earlier today after the attack, the police said that the vehicle was targeted in a suicide attack but it was thwarted as two terrorists were killed. They added that the terrorists were on a bike when they carried out the attack with the police also finding a bag filled with grenades and Kalashnikov from the crime scene. SSP Malir Tariq Mastoi confirmed that it was a suicide attack. The police official said that another vehicle was also damaged in the explosion. Gunfire sounds were also heard, said the police. As per initial reports shared by the police, the second terrorist killed in the encounter was also a suicide bomber.  “A suicide jacket and a grenade are tied to the terrorist’s body,” they said, adding that a bomb disposal team is reaching the site of the attack. Following the attack, the injured were being shifted to a nearby hospital, they added. Meanwhile, the nationality of the victims has not been ascertained so far. The law enforcement agency also shared that the foreign nationals were working in the export processing zone. A security guard, who was with the nationals and witnessed the incident, told Geo News that they had left Zamzama in two vehicles. He added that a loud explosion was then heard near Mansehra Colony. “After the explosion, a terrorist was firing at the vehicle,” the security guard said. CM Murad seeks report Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has sought a report of the Mansehra Colony blast from Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon. The chief minister directed the police to obtain all the information about who the terrorists were and where they came from as well as probe about their facilitators. He maintained that anti-national elements wanted to disrupt peace and order in the country and lauded the police’s timely action following the attack. ‘Suicide bombers were waiting for vehicle’ Later, speaking to the media at the crime scene, Counter Terrorism Department In-charge Raja Umar Khattab told journalists that the foreigners were travelling in three vehicles. He added that the suicide bombers were waiting nearby and attacked the vehicle when it slowed down due to a speed breaker. “The security guard fired at the attackers and thwarted the attack,” he said, adding that the terrorists arrived on a motorcycle and were chasing the car. They, he added, stepped down from their motorbikes near the scene and approached the vehicle on foot before opening fire at the van. ‘No foreign national injured in attack’ One of the injured in the attack, a 45-year-old security guard Noor Muhammad, succumbed to his injuries during treatment, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre’s administration told Geo News. The security guard, who was deployed for security of the foreigners in the vehicles, was placed on a ventilator after his condition continued to be critical. Meanwhile, another injured Salman was also shifted to the ventilator. One more injured is also receiving treatment at the hospital, the administration added. The bodies of the suicide bombers have also been shifted to the hospital. Earlier, Jinnah hospital officials told Geo News that three injured were brought to the medical facility out of which two were critically injured. The injured, which included two security guards and a passerby, were identified as Noor Muhammad, Langar Khan and Salman Rafiq. They also confirmed that no foreign national was injured in the accident. Dr Nosheen, Jinnah Hospital’s emergency in-charge, said that at least three injured in the explosion were brought to the emergency room. Speaking with journalists at the hospital, she added that the condition of one injured, 43-year-old named Noor Muhammad, is critical. Dr Nosheen said that the injured person will be transferred to the neurosurgery ward after first aid. “No foreigners are among the injured,” she added. Shahzad Sadiq, the brother of one of the injured people Salman, confirmed his brother’s injury in the blast and the subsequent firing. Speaking with journalists at the Jinnah Hospital, he said that Salman was a firefighter and was going to Port Qasim for his duty. “Salman has been hit by bullets in different parts of the body,” Shahzad said, adding that his brother informed his wife about his injury. Governor Tessori condemns attack Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori condemned the suicide attack in Landhi, directing the CCPO and IG to present a report on the attack. “Terrorism will not be tolerated

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/19/live-israel-launches-missile-attack-in-response-to-iran-assault

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/19/israels-war-on-gaza-live-us-veto-at-un-unfair-unethical-pa-president

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Thursday revised its weather advisory for Karachi as the government decided to impose a rain emergency in the metropolis. With various areas across Balochistan still receiving downpours, Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said that the city is unlikely to witness heavy rain. According to him, the rain system from Balochistan was entering Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to which both the provinces are likely to witness heavy rains. However, Sarfraz underscored that southwestern province remains under threat as there’s a forecast of torrential rains along the its coastal belt. “Heavy rain is falling in some parts of Balochistan,” the chief meteorologist added. On the other hand, light rain hit different parts of Karachi including Numaish Chowrangi, MA Jinnah Road, Saddar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karimabad, Safoora and their adjacent areas. Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Karachi Water Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) Engineer Asadullah Khan on Wednesday dispatched 55 suction machines to all important highways of the city. In a video statement, he stated that Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab had imposed a rain emergency in anticipation of rain by the meteorological department. Khan added that the water corporation had completed all arrangements to tackle the rain. Khan mentioned that the KWSC possesses a total of 55 suction machines, and prior to the expected rain, these machines would be deployed to all significant highways and different locations in the city’s “deep areas”. Executive Engineer Workshop Division Shafqat Hussain and the relevant Executive Engineer would oversee all vehicles, he said. He assured that all sewerage pumping stations would remain operational with the assistance of generators in case of power outages. Moreover, a substantial quantity of diesel had been delivered to the sewage pumping stations. During the announcement, Khan urged citizens not to remove manhole covers during the rainy season, emphasising that sewer manholes were not intended for rainwater drainage. The COO KWSC stated that all the KWSC staff, especially the sewerage personnel, were on high alert, leading to the cancellation of leave for the engineering wing staff. The management of the KWSC was fully prepared with manpower to handle the rain and any possible scenarios, maintaining constant communication with all other local bodies, including the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), he said. Khan further emphasised that the KWSC staff were working around the clock to serve the public, with water corporation vehicles and employees remaining on the roads until rainwater drainage was completed. He also urged the citizens to refrain from unnecessary movement and avoid leaving their homes unnecessarily in case of rains. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1179732-rain-emergency-measures-imposed-in-karachi-amid-pmds-weather-advisory-revision

Heavy rains and flash floods have swept parts of the Gulf region, killing at least 18 people in Oman and causing travel disruption in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In Oman, the death toll announced on Tuesday included at least nine schoolchildren and their driver whose vehicle was washed away by the floodwaters in Samad A’Shan on Sunday. The National Committee for Emergency Management said rescue teams were still searching for two missing people. The government gave administrative staff in public and private sectors the day off due to the bad weather conditions in several provinces, while remote work was recommended in other parts of the sultanate. Residents were also urged to evacuate to shelters if they felt they were in danger or asked by authorities to do so. Police and soldiers were deployed to the hardest-hit province of Ash Sharqiyah North to transport citizens out of flooded areas, according to state media.Play Video Video Duration 00 minutes 48 seconds00:48 Flooding in UAE Meanwhile, heavy rainfall also lashed the neighbouring UAE on Tuesday, flooding portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. The rains began overnight, leaving massive ponds on streets as whipping winds disrupted flights at Dubai international airport. Schools across the country largely shut before the storm and government employees were working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering some roads. Authorities sent tanker trucks into the streets and highways to pump away the water. Initial estimates suggested more than 30mm (1.2 inches) of rain fell over the morning in Dubai, with as much as 128mm (5 inches) of rain expected throughout the day. Rain also fell in Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/16/heavy-rains-kill-18-in-oman-as-flash-floods-lash-uae

A roadside accident on the Indus Highway during the early hours of Wednesday resulted in the loss of at least six lives. Several others sustained injuries, Geo News reported. The incident involved a collision between three vehicles: a passenger bus, an oil tanker, and a mini-truck. The collision left numerous individuals wounded, with many in critical condition. The hospital sources said the death toll is feared to rise. SSP Jamshoro, Muhammad Tariq Nawaz, confirmed the death toll, stating that six fatalities have been recorded so far. He said that emergency responders have transported 28 injured individuals to a nearby medical facility in Manjhand for urgent medical attention. Among the injured, seven are stated to be in critical condition.  According to the eyewitnesses, the rescue operation started after a considerable delay. Apart from police, the local people and passengers from the other vehicles took part rescue operation.  The police official, talking to Geo News, said that the reason of the accident is not yet confirmed. He said that investigation is underway to ascertain the facts involving the accident.  Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1179270-six-killed-in-overnight-accident-after-three-vehicles-collided-on-indus-highway

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for restraint as Israel weighs its response to Iran’s unprecedented weekend drone and missile attack. Putin made the remarks in a phone call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday. The leaders discussed what the Kremlin called “retaliatory measures taken by Iran” after an Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on April 1. Putin urged all sides to refrain from action that would trigger a new confrontation that would have catastrophic consequences for the Middle East, the Kremlin said. Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday in response to the Israeli strike in Damascus, which killed seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals. Putin, in his first publicly aired comments on Iran’s attack, said the root cause of the current instability in the Middle East was the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “Vladimir Putin expressed hope that all sides would show reasonable restraint and prevent a new round of confrontation fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region,” the Kremlin said. “Ebrahim Raisi noted that Iran’s actions were forced and limited in nature,” the Kremlin said. “At the same time, he stressed Tehran’s disinterest in further escalation of tensions.”Play Video Raisi thanks Putin Raisi thanked Russia for its position towards Iran’s response to Israel and said the inaction of the international community and the destructive role of some Western countries forced Iran to carry out the recent operation, according to Iran’s presidency. Raisi reiterated that any action against Iran’s interests will demand a larger-scale response, the presidency said. Russia, which has forged close ties with both Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and several Arab leaders, has repeatedly scolded the West for ignoring the need for an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders. “Both sides stated that the root cause of the current events in the Middle East is the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” the Kremlin said of the call with Raisi. “In this regard, the principled approaches of Russia and Iran in favour of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, easing the difficult humanitarian situation, and creating conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis were confirmed.” Putin, who in 2022 visited Khamenei, congratulated Raisi and all Muslims on the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Iran has provided Russia with a large number of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and drones that Moscow has used to attack Ukraine. Source : https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/16/russias-putin-urges-restraint-in-call-with-irans-raisi-as-tensions-soar

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/17/israels-war-on-gaza-live-eleven-killed-in-israeli-strike-on-refugee-camp

Victim’s brother alleges policeman tortured and killed his sister and threw her body on a railway track  Police on Monday said that the body of the woman, who was subjected to torture by railway police officer Mir Hasan on a moving train, was found near Chani Goth Railway Station in Bahawalpur. The incident came to light after a video went viral in which the police officer could be seen holding the woman by her hair and hitting her multiple times while other passengers watched silently. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Railways Abdullah Sheikh had said that the incident took place on April 7 on the Karachi to Lala Musa-bound Millat Express. The woman, who belonged to Jaranwala, Faisalabad, was identified as Maryam Bibi. The victim’s brother, Afzal, said that his sister used to work at a beauty parlour in Karachi and she was coming to Jaranwala to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. Afzal said that Maryam left Karachi on April 7 by Millat Express. He said that the Bahawalpur police informed his family of Maryam’s death, saying she fell from train. “We buried her on April 9 in the village thinking it was a train accident. When the video went viral, the truth behind the incident and the violence on my sister came to the fore,” he added. Afzal alleged that the policeman tortured and killed his sister and threw her body on a railway track, adding that they requested the police to register a case but no action was taken. Meanwhile, the woman’s nephew who was travelling with her, said that his aunt was reciting loudly to which the policeman objected and started torturing her. “The policeman took our aunt with him and dropped us at the next station,” said the nephew. Meanwhile, police said that Maryam Bibi’s postmortem was conducted at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Ahmedpur and they are waiting for the report.  Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1178568-woman-who-was-thrashed-by-cop-on-train-found-dead