PESHAWAR: Three people were killed and five others were injured in a remote-controlled roadside blast in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Friday, police said.
The improvised explosive device (IED) targeted an auto-rickshaw in KP’s Mardan district, according to police and rescue officials.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has claimed dozens of attacks in the region.
“The IED targeted a Tez Raftar rickshaw near Jalala Bridge in Takht Bhai tehsil of Mardan district,” District Police Officer Zahoor Afridi told Arab News. “Three persons died and five others were injured due to the blast.”
Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson for the Rescue 1122 service, said the injured persons were rushed to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Takht Bhai and Mardan Medical Complex. “One person succumbed to injuries during treatment,” he added.
Pakistan has witnessed a renewed surge in militant violence in its two western provinces, KP and Balochistan, since the TTP called off its fragile truce with the government in November 2022.
Earlier this month, a policeman and a paramilitary soldier were killed after militants attacked a check-post in KP’s Khyber district. In June, seven Pakistani soldiers, including an army captain, were killed in a roadside blast in the Lakki Marwat district of the province.
Islamabad has blamed the surge in violence on militants operating out of neighboring Afghanistan. Kabul denies the allegation and says rising violence in Pakistan is a domestic issue of Islamabad.
Three killed, five injured in roadside blast in northwest Pakistan
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Three killed, five injured in roadside blast in northwest Pakistan
- The improvised explosive device targeted an auto-rickshaw in the Mardan district
- No group claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on Pakistani Taliban
Pakistan, Oman navies hold bilateral exercise to strengthen maritime security cooperation
- Royal Navy of Oman flotilla arrives in Karachi for annual Thamar Al Tayyib exercise, says Pakistan Navy
- Both navies’ personnel held professional dialogues, exchanged experiences during exercise, says navy
ISLAMABAD: A Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) flotilla visited Karachi to take part in the annual bilateral Thamar Al Tayyib (TAT) 2025 exercise, the Pakistan Navy said on Saturday, with both sides aiming to enhance maritime security cooperation.
Pakistan Navy and the RNO have been conducting the TAT series of exercises regularly since 1980. TAT-2023 was conducted in Omani waters in December 2023.
The 12th edition of the exercise saw the participation of RNO vessels Al-Rasikh and Al-Shinas, which were part of the flotilla. Upon their arrival at the port in Karachi, the Omani vessels were warmly received in a ceremony attended by senior officials of the Pakistan Navy.
“Exercise TAT-2025 served as an important platform for mutual learning, enhanced interoperability and professional development,” the navy said.
It said the flotilla’s visit included meetings with senior members of the Pakistan Navy leadership, onboard receptions and visits to key naval installations and training facilities.
Personnel from both navies engaged in professional dialogues, operational discussions and exchanged experiences across various maritime domains, the navy added.
The Omani flotilla’s visit concluded with naval ships from both forces conducting advanced operational maneuvers and joint exercises encompassing major facets of modern maritime warfare.
“Pakistan Navy remains committed to fostering regional maritime cooperation and strengthening ties with partner navies worldwide,” the navy said.
“The Royal Navy of Oman’s participation in TAT-2025 reflects the growing defense partnership between the two friendly nations and their shared resolve to promote regional peace, stability, and maritime collaboration,” it added.
Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with Gulf nations, including Oman. The Pakistan Army, navy and air force regularly organize and participate in international exercises to strengthen defense ties with other countries, particularly those in the Middle East.
