Pakistan summons Iranian envoy to protest killing of soldiers

File photo for Pakistani Taftan border crossing with Iran. Pakistan on Saturday summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest a deadly gun attack on Friday in which six Pakistan soldiers were killed in the southwestern province of Balochistan. (Source: Pakistan defense forum website)
Updated 16 December 2018
Follow

Pakistan summons Iranian envoy to protest killing of soldiers

  • Six Pakistani soldiers killed near Iranian border on Friday
  • Pakistan urged Iran to crackdown on militants behind attack

 ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan on Saturday summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest a deadly gun attack on Friday in which six Pakistan soldiers were killed in the southwestern province of Balochistan.
 
“The Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan was called to the Foreign Office to lodge a strong protest against the ghastly incident,” the Foreign Ministry said in statement late Saturday night.
 
“Six Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom last night when around 30 terrorists ambushed an FC (Frontier Corps) convoy on patrolling duty along the Pakistan-Iran border. In the cowardly terrorist attack 14 other soldiers were also injured. In exchange of fire 4 terrorists were killed,” the ministry statement said.
 
“The government of Iran was urged to carry out effective operation against the terrorist group responsible for the attack on its side of the border,” it added.  “The need for an effective border coordination mechanism to prevent such incidents in future was also underscored.”
 
The porous Pakistan-Iran border has long been inundated by drug smugglers and militants.
 
Last month Pakistani security forces said they had rescued five of 12 Iranian guards  abducted by militants close to the border in Balochistan on October 16, 2018.

“With the concerted efforts of the Pakistani Law Enforcement Agencies and armed forces, five abducted Iranian guards have been safely recovered,” Foreign Office spokesman Dr. Mohammad Faisal said in a message on Twitter on November 15.
 
Iranian media reported in mid October that 12 members of an Iranian border security force had been abducted by militants near the border with Pakistan.


Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore

Updated 13 December 2025
Follow

Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore

  • Twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and require better airport infrastructure, navigation systems to land
  • Pakistan Airports Authority says landing reflects its commitment to enhance aviation sector, strengthen infrastructure

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday that the New General Aviation Aerodrome achieved a significant milestone when it handled the landing of a twin-engine aircraft. 

A twin-engine aircraft has two engines that provide it redundancy and increased performance compared to single-engine counterparts. These aircraft range from small twin-engine propeller planes to large commercial jetliners. The presence of multiple engines enhances safety by allowing the aircraft to continue flying in the event of an engine failure.

However, twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and more complex than single-engine planes. They require advanced airport infrastructure such as better runways, navigation systems and air traffic coordination. 

“The New General Aviation Aerodrome, Lahore achieved another significant operational milestone today with the successful landing of a twin-engine aircraft, following the recent arrival of a single-engine aircraft,” the PAA said in a statement. 

It said the flight was also boarded by Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, the director general of the PAA. The move reflected “strong institutional confidence” in the aerodrome’s safety standards, operational capability, and overall readiness, it added. 

“The landing was conducted with exceptional precision and professionalism, demonstrating the aerodrome’s robust operational framework, technical preparedness, and effective airside coordination in accordance with contemporary aviation requirements,” the PAA said. 

It said the landing represented a “major advancement” in Pakistan’s general aviation sector and underscores the PAA’s commitment to enhancing regional aviation capacity, strengthening infrastructure and promoting excellence in aviation development.