ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces killed three militants and injured four more in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the country’s northwestern Karak district, said an official statement by the military’s media wing, ISPR, on Saturday.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence for over a year, though it has largely been confined to its western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan located right next to the neighboring state of Afghanistan.
Much of these activities, including deadly suicide bombings, increased since Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a proscribed network of armed factions, called off a fragile ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
Pakistani security forces have carried out several IBOs in recent months to deal with militants hiding in the remote areas of the two provinces.
“During the conduct of operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and the terrorists,” the ISPR said, adding that this resulted in the death of three militants and injuries to four of their accomplices.
The statement added that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the militants, who were actively involved in violent activities against law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians.
Pakistani security forces kill three militants in intelligence-based operation in northwest
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Pakistani security forces kill three militants in intelligence-based operation in northwest
- The military’s media wing says four militants were also injured in intense exchange of fire in Karak district
- Security forces seized weapons, ammunition and explosives from the militants involved in violent activities
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.
