Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

10 Pakistan troops killed in separatist ambush

10 Pakistan troops killed in separatist ambush

TEN Pakistan troops were killed in a checkpoint firefight earlier this week, an army statement said Thursday (27), in an attack claimed by separatists in the country's southern province of Balochistan.

The army said the soldiers were slain "during intense exchange of fire" while defending against a raid on a post in the Kech district of Balochistan overnight from Tuesday (25) into Wednesday (26).

One assailant was killed and several others were injured by army troops, the statement said, adding a "clearance operation" underway to "hunt down perpetrators" had captured three gunmen.

In a statement, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, claimed responsibility for the assault and said the military death toll stood at 17.

"The enemy's weapons and other military equipment were seized and the post was set on fire," the statement said, confirming one of their own militants was killed in the clash.

A spokesman for Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan said he felt "deep sorrow" over the incident.

"Every drop of blood of the soldiers guarantees the security of the country," his office said in a statement.

Last week, another separatist group from the region, the Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA), carried out a bombing in the eastern city of Lahore, killing three people.

Separatists have been waging an insurgency for years in Balochistan, the largest but least populous province of Pakistan, which borders Iran.

It is the poorest region of the country but is rich in minerals, and resentment among residents has been stoked by billions of dollars of Chinese money flowing in through Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.

Locals say the gargantuan international infrastructure project gives them few benefits, with employment awarded to outsiders.

The mountainous district of Kech is just north of the port of Gwadar - the crown jewel of China's investment scheme in Pakistan.

Last April, a suicide blast at a luxury hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, killed four and wounded dozens. The ambassador was unhurt.

(AFP)

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less