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Robbers on Monday night shot down a private university student in the Korangi area of Karachi when the latter resisted a robbery attempt. The rescue officials said the slain university student has been identified as Laraib and the mishap happened in Allah Wala Town locality. The victim’s father Muhammad Hussain said his son was writing a book and its data was saved in his cell phone for which he resisted the robbery attempt. He said the student went out of the house for the gym. The father apprised the media that Laraib was engaged and his marriage was scheduled to take place in 2025. Laraib’s brother Shahzaib said his brother was writing a book on Basic Accounting. Ruing over the police’s failure to cope with such happenings, he said unfortunately the law enforcement agencies had failed to stop dacoity incidents in the metropolis. Police said the victim was intercepted by two suspects while returning home from a gym. The suspect fired a bullet that hit the resident of Korangi area near his one eye, which turned out to be fatal. A 30-bore pistol’s empty bullet shell was found at the spot of the incident, said the police, adding that no mobile phone was found near the victim’s body. They said further investigation was underway. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi Hassan Sardar said the young man possibly tried to catch the miscreants. He said they only fired once at the victim and bullet hit near his eye which claimed his life. The SSP said police were in contact with the relatives and soon they would arrest the murderer. He said they were gathering surveillance camera footages from nearby buildings. In a similar incident, a 21-year-old engineering student — Bilal Nasir — of the NED University of Engineering and Technology was shot dead in Karachi in December 2022. Bilal was gunned down within the limits of the Mobina Town Police Station when he offered resistance to two robbers who tried to snatch his mobile phone. Later, Additional Inspector General of Police Jawed Alam Odho on December 17, 2022, had appealed to the Karachiites not to resist robbers, while talking about the shooting incident that led to the death of the young man for resisting while being mugged. Source:https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1164676-robbers-kill-university-student-in-karachi

Turkish police have detained seven people suspected of selling information to the Israeli spy agency Mossad. The suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday during simultaneous raids in Istanbul, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X. The detentions are the latest in a wave of such arrests in Turkey. The detainees are suspected of collecting data on individuals and companies in Turkey and selling it to the Israeli intelligence agency, Yerlikaya said. The raids were a joint operation with Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT). “We will never allow espionage activities to be carried out within the borders of our country. We will catch them one by one and bring them to justice,” Yerlikaya insisted. A video released by the Minister of the Interior showed police raiding homes in Istanbul and apparently seizing guns, drugs and electronic devices. It was not immediately known if any charges had been issued and the authorities provided no additional information. Israel did not immediately comment on the operation. Wave of arrests Last month, seven other people were arrested on similar grounds, while in early January, 34 people were detained by Turkish police on suspicion of spying for Israel. The suspects arrested in January have been accused of planning to carry out activities including reconnaissance and “pursuing, assaulting and kidnapping” foreign nationals living in Turkey. At the time, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said most of the suspects were charged with committing “political or military espionage” on behalf of Israeli intelligence. The state-run Anadolu Agency, citing unnamed security officials, said those detained on Tuesday included a former civil servant currently working as a private detective, who was allegedly trained by Mossad in Belgrade, Serbia. He reportedly collected information on Middle Eastern companies and individuals, and placed tracking devices in vehicles of people targeted by Israeli intelligence. He received payments in cryptocurrency that did not appear in official records, MIT said. Following years of tension, Turkey and Israel normalised ties in 2022 and reappointed ambassadors. However, the resumed quickly deteriorated with the start of the Israel-Hamas war, with Ankara one of the strongest critics of Tel Aviv’s military campaign in Gaza. In December, the head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency said that his organisation was prepared to target the Hamas group anywhere, including in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan quickly warned of “serious consequences” should Israel target anyone on Turkish soil. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/5/turkey-detains-7-more-suspects-for-allegedly-selling-information-to-israel

Source:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/5/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-attacks-on-aid-seekers-continue

Tragic Death of a Child Housemaid: Incident in Sargodha, Punjab Details of the Incident: In an appalling incident reported in Punjab’s Sargodha, a 12-year-old housemaid was subjected to brutal torture leading to her death. According to local authorities, the victim, identified as Ayesha, was employed by a feudal named Jawad Bhatti in Village 84 South, a suburb of Sargodha. Allegedly, Bhatti and his wife assaulted the child with iron rods and sticks, resulting in fatal injuries. Response from Law Enforcement: Following the tragic incident, the suspects contacted Ayesha’s family members and falsely claimed that she had been involved in an accident. Upon arrival, the family discovered the horrifying truth of the child’s torture and demise. Jawad Bhatti and his wife fled the scene, prompting law enforcement to register a murder case against them at the Laksian Police Station based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father. A search operation is underway to apprehend the suspects. Investigation and Legal Action: Authorities have revealed that Jawad Bhatti works as a toll plaza contractor. The police have taken custody of the maid’s body for post-mortem examination to gather evidence for the ongoing investigation. Government Response: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken notice of the incident and has instructed the inspector-general of police to submit a detailed report. She has stressed the importance of a thorough investigation and swift justice for the perpetrator, emphasizing that violence has no place in Punjab. Concerns for Child Domestic Workers: This tragic incident sheds light on the vulnerability of child domestic workers to abuse and exploitation. Child housemaids often endure long hours of work without breaks or access to education, making them susceptible to various forms of mistreatment, including physical and sexual abuse. Additionally, they are at risk of being trafficked by middlemen who promise them employment opportunities but subject them to exploitation by employers. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1163282-housemaid-12-brutally-tortured-with-iron-rods-to-death-in-sargodha

Analysis by Retired US Army Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges Russian President’s Warning:In response to recent statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioning the West against deploying troops to support Ukraine, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges provides insights into the implications of Putin’s warning. Nuclear War Risk:Putin’s warning highlights the possibility of nuclear conflict if Western nations intervene militarily in Ukraine. This underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential for catastrophic consequences. Moscow’s Weapon Capabilities:Hodges points out that Moscow possesses advanced weaponry capable of striking Western targets. This serves as a reminder of Russia’s military capabilities and its willingness to employ them if provoked. Implications for Western Policy:The warning from Putin presents a significant challenge for Western policymakers, who must carefully consider their options in light of the potential risks involved. Any decision to intervene militarily in Ukraine must be weighed against the potential escalation of hostilities and the threat of nuclear war. Conclusion:Hodges’ analysis underscores the gravity of Putin’s warning and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. It emphasizes the importance of cautious and strategic decision-making by Western leaders in response to the evolving situation in Ukraine. Source: https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2024/03/02/putin-nuclear-weapons-threat-hodges-sot-ebof-vpx.cnn

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/2/israels-war-on-gaza-live-un-medics-say-many-gaza-aid-attack-victims-shot

Karachi on Friday received light to heavy drizzle as the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) predictions turned true with the weather witnessing a visible shift with more rains expected over the weekend. The city’s I. I. Chundrigar Road, Saddar, Sarjani Town, Malir, North Karachi, Korangi Industrial Area, Orangi Town, Baldia Town and Manghopir Northern Bypass are among the areas that witnessed rainfall so far on Friday. To ensure that the city’s residents do not face any inconvenience amid the downpour, the city’s Mayor Murtaza Wahab posted about the step being taken by the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC). “Apart from pumps, 53 of these suction vehicles have been moved to various locations for clearing rainwater as and when required,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The city’s mayor added that apart from traffic police, wardens have also been placed on major arteries to help ease the flow of traffic. It should be noted that the Sindh government, on Thursday, declared a rain emergency in the province and decided that offices in Karachi would be open for half a day today, viewing the forecast of heavy rains in the megalopolis. The provincial government also cancelled evening classes in schools today. The Sindh School Education and Literacy Department, in a notification, said all private and public evening shift schools would remain closed. Karachi mayor said the decision for the half-day was taken as an “abundant precaution”. He also requested citizens to avoid travelling unnecessarily to stave off any inconvenience. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz, heavy rain is likely in Karachi’s Gadap, Sarjani and Malir. Light rain is recorded in some areas of Karachi, he added. “There is light rain in Gwadar today. Heavy spell of rain has left the city,” Sarfaraz said. The weather expert maintained that the spell of rain across Pakistan is likely to last till March 3. The expert said there is a possibility of heavy rain and snowfall in the upper regions for the next two days, while he warned the fishermen of Balochistan to avoid going into the deep sea till this evening. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1163137-light-to-heavy-drizzle-hits-karachi-as-city-braces-for-more-rainfall

A massive blaze in a six-storey shopping mall in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, has killed at least 45 people and wounded dozens. The fire, which struck Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall late on Thursday, started in a biryani restaurant on the first floor, with 13 units of firefighters battling for two hours to douse the flames. Doctors said most of the dead suffocated, with others dying as they jumped off the building. Dozens of people are being treated for burn wounds in two state-run hospitals. Brigadier General Main Uddin, a top fire service official, said that the fire could have originated from a gas leak or stove. “It was a dangerous building with gas cylinders on every floor, even on the staircases,” he told reporters. Relatives gathered at the hospital early on Friday to receive the bodies of the dead, with some mourning outside the emergency department. Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen told reporters that he expected the death toll to rise. Survivor Mohammad Altaf recounted his narrow escape. “I went to the kitchen, broke a window and jumped to save myself,” he told reporters, adding that a cashier and server who urged people to leave during the first moments had died later. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, ordering officials to provide swift treatment for the injured. The government has set up a five-member panel to investigate the incident. Inadequate safety measures Fires are common in densely populated Dhaka, where many new buildings have sprung up, many without adequate safety measures. Fires and explosions have resulted from faulty gas cylinders, air conditioners and poor electrical wiring. In July 2021, many children were among 54 people killed at a food processing factory outside Dhaka, while at least 70 were killed in a February 2019 fire that engulfed a centuries-old precinct. The garment sector has been subject to intense scrutiny since a fire in 2012 and a building collapse in 2013 that together killed more than 1,200 workers. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/1/at-least-45-people-killed-in-bangladesh-after-fire-starts-at-shopping-mall

Security forces killed six terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Wednesday. On the reported presence of terrorists, the security forces swung into action and conducted an operation in the tribal district, the military’s media wing said. During the conduct of operation, intense fire exchange took place between the troops, and the terrorists, as a result of which six terrorists were killed, whereas, one soldier also sustained injuries, it added. “Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities including target killing as well as extortion and abduction of innocent civilians,” the ISPR said. The forces were conducting a sanitisation operation to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, the ISPR said, adding that locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism. Earlier this month, a soldier embraced martyrdom and nine terrorists were killed by security forces in two separate operations in the province. The IBO was conducted by the security forces in Tank District, according to the ISPR. During the IBO, two terrorists, including a high-value target (HVT) Rehmat Ullah alias Badar Mansur, were killed. “In another operation conducted in South Waziristan District, after intense fire exchange, seven terrorists were sent to hell.” However, during the operation, Sepoy Shahzeb Aslam, 29, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom. Pakistan witnessed a spike in terrorist attacks in Balochistan and KP provinces in the last few months which also marred the pre-election phase in some provincial pockets. In response, the security forces also intensified actions in the terrorism-hit areas and achieved success by restoring peace in the affected parts, especially in areas bordering Afghanistan. Source:https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1162525-security-forces-kill-six-terrorists-in-north-waziristan-ibo-ispr