Five militants of the banned Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) have been killed in an operation by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an official said.

A key commander of the group, identified as Imran alias Abdullah alias Bilal alias Abu Bakr, was eliminated in the operation on Thursday night (September 10, 2026) in Shamshatu refugee camp in Urmur village, about 25 km southeast of Peshawar, the official said.

Another militant was identified as Shahidullah, while efforts to establish the identities of the remaining three were underway.

According to the CTD, it had received intelligence that ISKP militants were present in a compound near Shamshatu camp. The CTD said the militants opened indiscriminate fire as its personnel entered the compound, prompting retaliatory action.

Five militants were killed in the exchange of fire, it added.

According to the CTD, Imran was a wanted and proclaimed offender in 20 cases of bomb blasts, target killings and other acts of terrorism in Peshawar and various other districts of the northwestern province.

Islamabad

Pakistan on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) said that it was “hopeful” for peace in West Asia despite recent escalation between the US and Iran, underlining the need for “dialogue and diplomacy” for stability in the region.

The remark made by Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi comes days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Monday (August 31, 2026) and discussed the evolving regional situation.

West Asia conflict LIVE updates – September 2, 2026

“The prime minister had reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace through restraint, dialogue and diplomacy, while stressing that the Islamabad MoU offered the most viable pathway to lasting peace and stability in the region,” Mr. Andrabi said.

“Despite recent escalations, we remain hopeful, and we will continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy,” Andrabi said at a weekly press briefing.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the summit on Monday (August 31, 2026) and underscored the need for dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace and stability in the region.

In June, the U.S. and Iran signed an MoU, aimed at bringing peace in West Asia. Pakistan also signed the document as a “guarantor”.

The negotiations collapsed in early July with renewed military strikes amid mutual accusations of agreement violations and deadlocked demands over the Strait of Hormuz – the Gulf chokepoint through which about a fifth of the world’s energy supplies passed in peacetime.

Mr. Andrabi said Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had also visited Tehran last week to facilitate an end to the U.S.-Iran conflict.

The visit “underscored Islamabad’s sincere and constructive role in bridging differences between Washington and Tehran,” he said.

Talking about the inaugural meeting of the Strategic, Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, on August 31, he said the three sides reaffirmed their resolve to work together for regional peace, stability and de-escalation, including through restraint and peaceful resolution of crises.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the trilateral defence agreement, known as ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’, on August 7. Under the agreement, an attack against one of the countries will be treated as an attack against all of them, amid increasing security concerns in the wake of escalating tensions in West Asia.

Mr. Andrabi said that the three countries agreed to further institutionalise cooperation under the agreement, strengthening solidarity, collective deterrence and defence, and cooperative security for “just, inclusive and lasting peace”.

A Secretariat headed by a secretary-general will be established in Saudi Arabia, initially led by a secretary-general from Pakistan for three years, Andrabi said.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Sunday (August 30, 2026) reached Turkiye for a trilateral defence pact meeting, which also includes Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the trilateral defence agreement, known as the ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’, on August 7.

Under the agreement, an attack against one of the countries will be treated as an attack against all of them, amid increasing security concerns in the wake of escalating tensions in West Asia.

The Pakistan Foreign Office in a statement said Dar, who is also the foreign minister, had landed in Istanbul for “official engagements”.

Separately, the army said in a statement that Field Marshal Munir also arrived in Türkiye on an “official visit”.

The details of their engagements have not been shared officially.

However, the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that the first meeting of the “Strategic Political and Defence Committee” established under the defence pact will be held in Istanbul on Monday.

Turkiye said its Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen Selcuk Bayraktaroglu will participate in the meeting.

The agenda of the first meeting under the defence agreement is not known, but it is believed that the regional situation with respect to the Iran war would be discussed.

Separately, Turkiye’s Fidan also invited Dar to the Regional-4 meeting in Istanbul, which includes the three countries part of the defence pact, along with Egypt.

The R-4 group, which has been focused on regional security, emerged in March amid efforts for mediation between the US and Iran.

The last R-4 meeting was held on August 5 in Jordan’s capital Amman, where the ministers “reaffirmed the importance of continued consultation and close coordination among the four countries in advancing regional stability”, according to the Foreign Office.

Pakistan has sought to play a mediatory role between the U.S. and Iran.

Mr. Dar travelled to Turkiye from London where he “concluded a successful official visit to the UK”, according to the Foreign Office.

There is no ‘away’ World Cup if you are an Indian team. You will be hard-pressed to go to a corner of the globe without running into an Indian and Amstelveen is no exception. The Amsterdam suburb, one of the World Cup co-hosts, is home to more Indians than any other nationality.

For skipper Harmanpreet Singh, the game against Pakistan felt like ‘playing in India’ as he was serenaded by the large number of expats after his two goals in the 5-3 win on Wednesday.

But admiration also adds pressure to perform as India chases its first world title in 51 years. Despite securing qualification to the second round, India has underwhelmed.

The Men in Saffron have conceded eight goals — joint-fourth worst defensive record, while exhibiting a drop in intensity and lack of control while defending leads.

All the while, India has played only one of the tournament’s top sides. India’s next opponents Netherlands and possibly Argentina will not extend that courtesy.

Against world No. 3 England, India crumbled under a relentless man-to-man press in the third quarter to surrender its advantage, before losing 4-2.

With no carryover points from that game, India will enter the next round with a mountain to climb.

In its final Pool game, Indian midfielders Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad’s errors on the ball, played a part in two of Pakistan’s goals. Wales, too, found itself in promising positions but India came out unscathed.

Head coach Craig Fulton, who preaches ‘defending to win’ mantra, will be well aware that these repeated errors cannot be the bedrock for a sustained title challenge.

“100% defence,” stressed Harmanpreet when asked what needs improving. He also called for his side to cut out ‘silly mistakes’ while managing possession inside its own 25 metres.

The biggest positive has been Harmanpreet’s return to form which has boosted India’s Penalty Corner conversion. India has scored the most goals (6) from PCs with an efficiency of 50%.

Forward Abhishek Nain provided much-needed individual brilliance in field play, adding two goals against Pakistan. However, his senior forward Mandeep Singh is yet to open his account with the decision-making inside the final 23-yards found wanting.

Abhishek was frank with his assessment, too, stating, “We need to improve because if we play with this kind of connection in the next few matches, I don’t think we will be able to score.”

Yet Fulton’s protection of his players will only stretch so far, with the second round promising to be make-or-break.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said on Sunday (August 9, 2026) a new defense agreement his country signed with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye was not directed against any country and remained open to other nations in the region.

The landmark Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed on Friday (August 7) by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the three countries seek to deepen security cooperation amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday (August 9) the agreement was “purely defensive in nature” and that other countries could join if they were willing to uphold its principles and resolve differences through peaceful means, adding the deal reflected a shared desire to strengthen strategic security cooperation.

His post on X came a day after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan similarly said the agreement was not aimed at Iran or any other country.

The agreement stipulates “that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all,” according to statements released by the three sides. Dar said in his post the stipulation was consistent with the right of individual and collective self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter.

Pakistan, he said, would continue working with countries across the region toward lasting peace and stability.

“The Makkah Accord does not abrogate or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements between these countries, or with other countries or organizations,” he wrote.

His comments followed overnight public celebrations of the agreement. Landmarks in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad and Saudi cities were illuminated in the colors of the Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani flags.

The three countries bring significant but differing capabilities to the arrangement. Pakistan has extensive military experience and is the Muslim world’s only nuclear-armed country; Saudi Arabia brings substantial economic resources and regional influence; and NATO member Turkiye has a large military and an increasingly sophisticated domestic defense industry.

In Islamabad, defense analysts cautioned against viewing the agreement as the equivalent of NATO, despite its collective-defense provision. Abdullah Khan, an Islamabad-based defense analyst, said that although the agreement was signed during a period of heightened regional tensions, it should not be interpreted as being directed against Iran or another country.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close military ties for decades and signed a separate mutual-defense agreement in September 2025. Pakistan and Turkiye also have expanded military and defense-industrial cooperation in recent years

An India-Pakistan clash in any sport evokes heightened passion. For the players, the marquee match is all about keeping emotions in check while focusing on the task at hand.

Their resolve will be tested once again at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup where the arch-rivals will face each other in a Pool D game on August 19. India has held the wood over Pakistan, thanks to the twin victories in the FIH Pro League last month.

India skipper Harmanpreet Singh felt that the fixture will be “intense”, but called on his men to keep it strictly business. “There will be a lot of drama. We are excited to be in the same pool, and to play on such a big platform. But everyone knows their responsibilities and priorities. We have to focus on the match and play. We have to be mentally calm and focus on our task,” Harmanpreet told The Hindu on the last day of the camp at SAI here on Thursday.

The 30-year-old is confident that India will break the World Cup jinx and clinch a medal at the global tournament for the first time since 1975. “At Tokyo 2020, we won an Olympic medal after 41 years. This time, our target is to win the World Cup,” he said.

Speaking about the much-debated move to replace the iconic blue national-team jersey with a saffron one, the captain said: “We just played a training match with the orange jersey. I think that the new jersey looks good.”

Investigators in Pakistan probing the abduction and gangrape of two foreign women have begun examining a fresh line of investigation, as the suspicion is now centring on a possible cryptocurrency-related dispute behind the high-profile case, according to local media reports.

Muhammad Raza Dar, one of the principal accused, is a relative of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Some reports also suggest that Raza Dar is a grandson of Ishaq Dar.

The new development came after one of the survivors recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate as part of the ongoing investigation.

In her testimony, she alleged that Muhammad Raza Dar received $100,000 in exchange for securing her release.

According to a copy of the survivor’s statement obtained by Pakistan-based ARY News, she told the magistrate that a group of armed men entered the house where she and her friend had been staying.

In her statement, the woman alleged that both of them were restrained and locked inside a room by the attackers before Raza Dar repeatedly demanded access to a computer and cryptocurrency funds.

“They asked where the computer with the money was, and I told them it was in the green bag,” ARY News quoted the survivor as saying in her statement before the magistrate.

The woman further alleged that she was struck on the head while being held captive. She also claimed that one of the armed men threatened both women with death if they failed to hand over the money being demanded.

“He told me if we gave them the money, we would live. If we didn’t, they would kill us,” she told the magistrate.

The survivor also reportedly described an incident during which, she alleged, she was sexually assaulted by two of the accused while another suspect stood guard outside.

“They were laughing, slapped me and told me to keep quiet when I started crying,” she purportedly stated during her testimony before the magistrate.

According to the woman’s statement, Raza Dar allegedly used her mobile phone to send messages to people in her contact list requesting money. Although no one initially responded, the mother of the second woman later informed the suspects that $100,000 had been arranged.

The survivor further claimed that before allowing the two women to leave, Raza Dar allegedly informed them that he had received the money, according to her statement.

She also alleged that she and her friend were eventually rescued after the vehicle being driven by the main accused met with an accident while they were being taken towards the airport.

The two women, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were allegedly abducted on June 29 and subsequently gangraped in Lahore.

Police have so far arrested four accused in connection with the case, while one suspect remains absconding. A local court on Friday remanded the arrested men to five days of police custody.

During the investigation, police said it had emerged that Raza Dar first met the two women in Singapore last year, where they reportedly associated in a cryptocurrency venture. Investigators further stated that he had arranged business visas for the women to facilitate their visit to Pakistan.

A relative of a senior Pakistani politician was among four suspects arrested for the alleged gangrape of two foreigners, police said on Friday (July 4, 2026).

The suspects, identified as Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan and Sajid Ali, were sent to five-day police remand by a Lahore court on Friday (July 4).

Raza Dar, identified as the prime suspect, is linked to senior politician Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

“Since it is a very sensitive matter as a close relative of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar is involved in this high-profile case, police are investigating it from all aspects,” a police officer said.

The foreign nationals, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were allegedly abducted and gangraped by five men in Lahore on June 29.

The police rescued the women after receiving a call from Spain from one of the victims’ fathers.

Lahore police on Thursday (July 3) registered a case against five suspects and arrested four of them under sections 365A (kidnapping) and 375A (gang rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The fifth accused is absconding and raids are underway to arrest him, police said.

The women told police that they met Raza Dar in Singapore in October 2025, and he invited them to visit Pakistan. A second police official told PTI that the women and Raza Dar were partners in a cryptocurrency venture.

Raza Dar arranged business visas for their Pakistan visit, and they arrived in Lahore on June 29.

One of the women told police that upon arrival in Lahore, Raza Dar and the other suspects abducted them and took them to a house where they allegedly gangraped them and demanded ransom for their release.

According to a court official, Raza Dar was identified by the women as the “prime suspect” when all the four accused were produced before a magistrate.

At least six tourists were killed and three others went missing after a boat carrying nine members of a family capsized in a lake in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday (July 1, 2026), police said.

The incident took place at Saifullah Lake in the Kalam Valley of Upper Swat district, a popular tourist destination.

According to police, all nine passengers on board belonged to the same family when the boat overturned during a trip on the lake.

Rescue 1122 Swat teams rushed to the spot after receiving information about the accident and launched a rescue operation.

The bodies of six victims were recovered from the lake near the Mahodand area, while search operations were underway to trace the three missing family members, officials said.

They said all the deceased were residents of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province. Authorities said an investigation had been launched to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities.

The Chief Minister directed the administration to initiate action against those found responsible if negligence or misconduct was established.

A Pakistani delegation will attend the funeral of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in the U.S.-Israeli strikes in February, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday (June 19, 2026).

Addressing the National Assembly, Mr. Sharif said that he held a telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday (June 18) evening.

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During the call, Mr. Sharif said, the Iranian President repeatedly expressed his gratitude for standing by them in difficult times.

Mr. Sharif said the Iranian President asked him to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei on July 3-4.

“I said, Pakistan’s delegation will be present there, so we can tell the world how much respect we have for him in our hearts,” Mr. Sharif told the lawmakers.

He also boasted of Pakistan’s role in the peace agreement signed between the U.S. and Iran. “From Japan to Saudi Arabia, from Kuala Lumpur to Casablanca and from Mexico to India, if any country’s name is reverberating with respect and honour, it is Pakistan,” he said.

He praised Army chief Asim Munir for his “most significant role” in the signing of the peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. He also thanked Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for contributing to peace efforts. He also announced a significant reduction in fuel prices.

The National Assembly adopted a resolution acknowledging and praising Pakistan for its role in mediating peace.