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Pakistan’s Usman Wazeer knocks out India rival in first round of World Youth Boxing Championship

The undated file photo shows Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer holding a Pakistani flag after winning a match. (Photo courtesy: Usman Wazeer/ X)
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Updated 26 September 2024
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Pakistan’s Usman Wazeer knocks out India rival in first round of World Youth Boxing Championship

  • Wazeer, 24, remains unbeaten in all 14 professional bouts of career so far 
  • Boxer is first Pakistani to hold the Asian Boxing Federation Welterweight title
Updated 26 September 2024
Nisar Ali

KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer on Thursday knocked out his Indian opponent in the first round of the World Youth Boxing Championship, taking home his 14th consecutive win. 

Wazeer, 24, who hails from the Astore district of Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, is nicknamed ‘The Asian Boy’ and widely regarded as one of the greatest contemporary Pakistani boxers. He is currently an undefeated welterweight boxer and the first Pakistani to hold the Asian Boxing Federation Welterweight title.

Wazeer made his professional boxing debut against Moroccan Brahim Oubenais (0-1-0) on May 3, 2019, in Dubai, where the former won by a split decision after four rounds, claiming his first professional victory. The Pakistan boxer, who has so far featured in six professional bouts, remains unbeaten.

Thursday’s match against Thilak Selvam — closely watched as Pakistan and India are longtime political and sports rivals — lasted a mere one minute and five seconds.

“Thank God, Usman has won his 14th fight and made the name of Pakistan proud,” Wazeer Tajwar, the boxer’s father, told Arab News over the phone.

“This time the enjoyment level is very high as he defeated the Indian boxer in the first round. We were watching the fight live in our house in Astore. The whole village, including relatives, gathered in our house to watch the fight. We were all dancing to music and celebrating the moment.”

Tajwar said his son was participating in international competitions without the government’s support. 

“As a father I always push him to fulfill his dream. I have always supported him and will always support him. But the government should also support him as he is making the name of our country proud.”

Ghulam Muhammad, the minister for tourism and sports in GB, congratulated Wazeer on the win. 

“I want to congratulate Usman for winning the fight against the Indian boxer today. And he made the name of Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan proud at international level,” Muhammad told Arab News over the phone.

“Usman is a very talented athlete from Pakistan and he left no stone unturned to fight for the country … We, the GB government, will support him.”

Wazeer has previously secured prestigious titles including the World Youth Title, Asian Title, and Middle East Title. 

Topics: Usman Wazeer boxer Pakistan vs India

Security forces kill four militants in Pakistan’s volatile southwest, military says

Updated 13 January 2026
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Security forces kill four militants in Pakistan’s volatile southwest, military says

  • Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long been the site of a low-level insurgency
  • The Balochistan government has recently established a threat assessment center to strengthen early warning, prevent ‘terrorism’ incidents
Updated 13 January 2026
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces gunned down four militants in an intelligence-based operation in the southwestern Balochistan province, the military said on Tuesday.

The operation was conducted in Balochistan’s Kalat district on reports about the presence of militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.

The “Indian-sponsored militants” were killed in an exchange of fire during the operation, while weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the deceased, who remained actively involved in numerous militant activities.

“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.

There was no immediate response from New Delhi to the statement.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long been the site of a low-level insurgency involving Baloch separatist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).

Pakistan accuses India of supporting these separatist militant groups and describes them as “Fitna Al-Hindustan.” New Delhi denies the allegation.

The government in Balochistan has also established a state-of-the-art threat assessment center to strengthen early warning and prevention against “terrorism” incidents, a senior official said this week.

“Information that was once scattered is now shared and acted upon in time, allowing the state to move from reacting after incidents to preventing them before they occur,” Balochistan Additional Chief Secretary Hamza Shafqaat wrote on X.

The development follows a steep rise in militancy-related deaths in Pakistan in 2025. According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) last month, combat-related deaths in 2025 rose 73 percent to 3,387.

These included 2,115 militants, 664 security forces personnel, 580 civilians and 28 members of pro-government peace committees, the think tank said.

Topics: Militancy in Balochistan Pakistan Army

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