Author: News Desk

The number of terrorists killed in clearance operations across Balochistan has increased to 197, as security forces continue ‘mop-up’ actions in Nushki district and other areas of the province.

The operations follow a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out across Balochistan on Saturday.

In Nushki, armed men targeted multiple government installations, including a police station, judicial complex, police lines, deputy commissioner’s office and an FC camp, and set several government buildings on fire.

While Nushki town has now been cleared and bazaars have reopened after three days, security forces are continuing search and clearance operations in the mountainous areas of the district, officials told a private media outlet.

District police officials said that at least four more terrorists were killed during the latest clearance actions.

They also confirmed that the counterterrorism department suffered casualties during the weekend attacks; however, there was no official confirmation regarding the number or identities of those martyred.

Meanwhile, reports of terrorist attacks in Awaran also emerged, though no loss of life was immediately reported.


Reports quoted security forces that they are also carrying out operations in the Washuk area, where terrorists had attacked over the weekend and set fire to a police station and a Nadra office.

Separately, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Tahir said the Balochistan police had rendered unparalleled sacrifices for the restoration of peace and protection of lives in the province, with many officers and personnel attaining martyrdom while thwarting the designs of terrorists.

Paying tribute to the fallen policemen, the IGP said that lasting peace in Balochistan can only be achieved through close cooperation between the public and security forces, emphasising that the police and the people stand united against terrorism.

He made these remarks during visits to several police facilities, including Sariab Police Station, New Sariab Police Station, Police Training College, Smart Police Station, Manzoor Tareen Shaheed Police Station and Khaliq Shaheed Police Station, where he reviewed security arrangements and overall performance.

Later, the IGP visited the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) headquarters, where he met officers and personnel and was briefed on operational challenges. Praising their high morale, professionalism and dedication, he said the role of the Balochistan police in the fight against terrorism has been commendable.


He added that the force has consistently taken timely action against anti-state elements and will continue to safeguard the lives and property of citizens, pledging that no sacrifice would be spared. He also said efforts are underway to enhance police capacity and equip the force with modern facilities.

The Foreign Office (FO) has confirmed an invitation to Pakistan for participation in the Iran-United States (US) talks amid record high tensions between Tehran and Washington.

“Pakistan has received the invitation for the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States,” FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said while responding to a query Tuesday.

Reports quoted sources as saying that Pakistan’s participation was seen as crucial to defusing tensions as Islamabad had been quietly working to facilitate the talks.

It was also reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to participate in the meeting likely to take place in Turkiye on Friday.

The priority of the talks is to avoid any conflict and de-escalate tensions between the two sides, a regional official told Reuters, adding that some regional powers were also invited.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said some of the countries invited to the talks at the foreign ministers’ level included Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed that he has instructed FM Araghchi to pursue “fair and equitable negotiations” provided that an environment “free from threats and unreasonable expectations”.

The talks will be held “within the framework of our national interests”, he said in a series of posts on X.

Pakistani law professor and author Muneeb Qadir and Indian journalist Arvind Saharan became the latest figures in a cross-border online spat, sparking a viral debate over history, trolling, and interpretation of events like the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

The clash began after an edited clip from their interview circulated online, with critics mocking Qadir for calling himself a “history buff” and questioning his knowledge. 

Some even accused him of “googling historical facts” mid-interview. The clip quickly went viral, triggering a storm of reactions from Pakistani netizens.

In response, Qadir released a clarification video, defending his approach and emphasizing that the full context of the interview had been ignored. 

He also criticized what he described as attempts to bait him into propaganda, refusing to assign blame to either country for historical conflicts.

“The clip can be interpreted in so many ways,” he said. 

He explained that the interview had started as a light, cultural exchange between Pakistan and India, but Saharan asked a leading question: “Who do you think is guilty for the 1965 war?” Qadir refused to assign blame to either country, arguing that territorial disputes are complicated and cannot be simplified into black-and-white narratives.

“I was never going to say Pakistan was at fault,” Qadir said. “Statehood, nationalism, and territoriality are complex. Any sovereign nation attempting to reclaim its territory can adopt measures it deems necessary. The same logic applies globally from Russia in Ukraine to America’s attention on Greenland and Venezuela.”

The online debate intensified when Saharan responded to Qadir’s clarification, challenging him:

“Do you want me to make a video and play your voice notes from before and after the discussion? You were keen to participate and even thanked me for it. What you said is entirely your responsibility.”

Qadir fired back:

“You want me to make screenshots of your messages praising me to the moon to reveal your duplicitous face, you snake?”

Saharan replied: “Please make the screenshots and share them. I’m dying to see them.”