KABUL/PESHAWAR: A top Pakistani militant, Mangal Bagh, was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province on Thursday, Afghan officials said.
Bagh, 47, was one of the founders of Lashkar-e-Islam, a group that for over a decade remained involved in militant attacks and drug trafficking in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan.
For a short period, he was also affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban.
"The leader of Lashkar-e-Islam terrorist group, Mangal Bagh along with his two friends were killed in a mine placed from their side in Achin district ... today before lunch," Nangarhar governor Ziaulhaq Amarkhail said in a tweet.
"Mangal Bagh was involved in a series of terroristic activities in the region," he added.
Another official from the province told Arab News on condition of anonymity that the landmine that killed Bagh and his associates in Achin district of Nangarhar, where they were hiding, was planted by the militants themselves to prevent capture by security forces.
"They were walking when they run over the mine which they had placed for their own protection in order to block attack for their capture," he said.
The source also said that Bagh had been involved in sectarian killings in the Khyber area and his fighters had also attacked convoys carrying US supplies in the past years.
The US in 2018 placed a bounty of $5 million on Bagh’s head.
Malik Riaz Bangash, a Pakistani security analyst based in Peshawar, told Arab News that Bagh's death would be a setback for his criminal outfit and a big news for Pakistan.
"Mangal Bagh death, if confirmed, will be a big news for many because he had his role in different terror activities, including the Army Public School (APS) attack," Bangash said.
"I don't think the terror group will be able to find his replacement amongst its cadres because he was the only person known for his terror tactics."
Blast in eastern Afghanistan kills top Pakistani militant, Afghan officials say
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Blast in eastern Afghanistan kills top Pakistani militant, Afghan officials say
- Mangal Bagh was one of the founders of Lashkar-e-Islam, a group involved in militant attacks and drug trafficking in northwestern Pakistan
- Landmine that killed Bagh and his associates was reportedly planted by the militants themselves to prevent capture by security forces
ADB approves $381 million for climate-resilient agriculture, social services in Punjab
- Support will upgrade Punjab’s education and nursing systems, improving learning outcomes and health care capacity
- Package includes $124 million for agriculture, $107 million for STEM schooling and $150 million for nursing reforms
KARACHI: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Saturday it approved $381 million in financing for Pakistan’s Punjab province to modernize agriculture and strengthen education and health services, with a major focus on building climate resilience after monsoon floods this year caused widespread destruction across the country’s most populous province.
The package includes concessional loans and grants for farm mechanization, STEM education, and nursing sector reforms.
ADB said the investments are intended to help Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s population and a key contributor to its economy, recover from climate shocks and transition toward more sustainable and resilient development.
“Investing in education, health, and agricultural mechanization will play a transformative role in driving the growth of Punjab, a vital pillar of Pakistan’s economy,” said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan. “These strategic investments will modernize agriculture, enhance human capital, and significantly improve livelihoods for millions of people across Punjab.”
The bank approved $120 million in concessional loans and a $4 million grant for the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanization Project, which will support 220,000 rural farm households.
The program aims to reduce climate vulnerability by shifting farmers toward modern, low-emission machinery, provide alternative livelihoods for agricultural workers and train 15,000 women in new skills. It will also introduce a financing model to help small farmers access advanced equipment.
Punjab produces most of Pakistan’s wheat, rice, and maize but still relies on outdated machinery, contributing to grain losses and routine burning of crop residues, a major source of air pollution, said ADB.
It noted the new project will promote modern mechanization, including rice harvesters, to address these issues.
ADB also approved $107 million for the Responsive, Ready, and Resilient STEM Secondary Education in Punjab Program, including a $7 million grant from the Asian Development Fund.
The results-based program aims to modernize secondary schooling by expanding inclusive STEM education, improving access and quality across the province.
A further $150 million concessional loan was approved for the Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program, which will upgrade nursing curricula, develop disaster-resilient training facilities, strengthen workforce governance, and introduce digital human-resource systems.
The program seeks to expand the pool of qualified nurses to strengthen health service delivery and meet rising national and global demand.
Key components include the establishment of three centers of excellence in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, equipped with simulation labs, digital learning platforms, and gender-responsive hostels.
ADB said it remains committed to supporting climate-resilient and inclusive development across Asia and the Pacific through innovative financing tools and partnerships.
