DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan: Pakistani security officials say a bomb at a militant hideout killed two militants and wounded 12 in the South Waziristan region bordering Afghanistan.
The officials say the explosion took place on Thursday in the northwestern border town of Angore Adda. They say the casualties were from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani militant network.
It wasn’t immediately clear what set off the bomb.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media.
South Waziristan has long been a base for Pakistani militants and foreign fighters. The army claims to have cleared most of the region of insurgents but violence has continued there.
Islamabad and Kabul often trade accusations that the other is harboring enemy insurgents. Pakistan says it’s taken steps to curb the cross-border movement of militants.
Pakistani officials: Bomb near militant hideout kills 2
Pakistani officials: Bomb near militant hideout kills 2
- The explosion took place in the northwestern border town of Angore Adda
- The casualties were from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani militant network
Pakistan engages Saudi Arabia, China in bid to ease surging Middle East tensions
- Pakistan’s foreign minister stresses need for de-escalation in conversations with Chinese, Saudi counterparts
- Tensions in the Middle East continue to remain high as conflict between US, Israel and Iran intensifies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and China on Tuesday, stressing the importance of diplomatic engagement to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as the Iran war intensifies.
Pakistan has constantly engaged regional countries in efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Middle East, after the US and Isreal launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran launched fresh attacks on Gulf countries on Tuesday morning, where it has targeted US military bases in recent weeks. In addition to firing missiles and drones at Israel and American bases in the region, Iran has also been targeting energy infrastructure which, combined with its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, has sent oil prices soaring worldwide.
Dar spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss developments in the Middle East and ongoing deliberations at the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
“DPM/FM shared Pakistan’s perspective, underscoring the importance of continued coordination and diplomatic engagement to support de-escalation and promote peace and stability across the region and beyond,” the statement said.
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, spoke to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi over the telephone separately. The two discussed the evolving regional situation and broader global developments.
Dar underscored the need to ease tensions in the Middle East and the wider region during the conversation, the foreign office said.
Yi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and stability in the region, it added.
“The two leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation and emphasized the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the foreign office’s statement said.
The conflict in the Middle East has hit Pakistan hard as well, forcing Islamabad to hike petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per liter last Friday.
Pakistan’s government has also announced a set of austerity measures, which include closing schools and cutting down on government expenditures, as it evaluates petrol stocks and looks for alternative supply routes.
