A disturbing incident of violence has been reported from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area of Bajaur, where civilians have been targeted by Afghan Taliban forces. According to a statement issued by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Atta Tarar, the incident took place at 3:30 pm on Sunday when Afghan Taliban forces fired artillery and mortar shells on the civilian population in the Bajaur district.
Tarar said that the Afghan Taliban had deliberately targeted the civilian population in the Salal Zai, Tabesta Laite areas of the district, resulting in the deaths of four innocent civilians, including a 5-year-old child who was severely injured. The minister identified the deceased as Sajid, Ijaz, Riyaz, and Muaz brothers, who were targeted by the Afghan Taliban forces.
The local community has strongly condemned the dastardly act of the Afghan Taliban regime, terming it a heinous act of terrorism. Atta Tarar also accused the Afghan Taliban of deliberately targeting innocent civilians, saying that they were working in collaboration with terrorist organizations like the Khawarij.
The minister said that such attacks were a serious violation of international laws and basic human values, and that the operation ‘Anger of God’ had been effective in putting pressure on the Afghan Taliban and terrorist organizations. He added that the Pakistani government would respond appropriately to the incident and take necessary measures to ensure the security of the border area.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of the civilian population in the region, and highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent such incidents in the future.
Separately, the Pakistan government has extended the ban on Indian airlines operating in Pakistan for another month, with the ban set to remain in place until April 24. The move is seen as a response to India’s decision to ban Pakistani airlines from operating in India.
In other news, the Supreme Court has declared the Federal Service Tribunal’s decision of November 20, 2023, as null and void, saying that the employees of the Cantonment Board were not entitled to be classified as civil servants.
The Pakistan Ulema Council has welcomed the decision to hold an Islamic and Arab foreign ministers’ conference, while the father of TikTok user and social media influencer, Sana Yousuf, has recorded his statement in court in connection with her murder case.
In other developments, the Islamabad High Court has ordered the Ministry of Religious Affairs to submit a report on the sighting of the Eid moon, while the Rangers have arrested seven gangsters in the Korangi area of Karachi during an operation.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the authorities to take legal action against those who have been charging excessive rent during the Eid holidays.
