ISLAMABAD: A 19-year-old cadet of the Pakistan Military Academy, on leave from training in Kakul, was killed by militants on Friday while attending evening prayers at his hometown mosque in northwest Pakistan, according to a statement from the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The incident occurred in Lakki Marwat, a volatile district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, where militants from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have frequently targeted police precincts and checkpoints, killing several law enforcement personnel.
Pakistan’s western provinces of KP and Balochistan, which share borders with Afghanistan, have seen an increase in militant violence in recent months. While the armed factions operating in these regions pursue distinct political agendas, Pakistani officials assert they collaborate on certain operations.
Islamabad has also accused Afghan authorities of “facilitating” these groups, whose leadership is reportedly based across the border, to launch attacks in its territory. Afghan officials, however, deny these claims, saying that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter.
“On 25 October 2024, Khwarij [militants] attacked a Mosque in District Lakki Marwat during Maghrib [evening] Prayers,” the ISPR said in its statement. “Gentleman Cadet Arif Ullah (under training at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul & on leave at his hometown), was also present there, offering prayers in the same Mosque.”
“As soon as Khwarij started firing, he immediately responded and fought the khwarij bravely,” the statement added. “However, during the incident, Gentleman Cadet Arif Ullah (Age 19 years) embarced Shahadat [martyrdom] sacrificing his life, while saving many innocent lives of worshippers.”
The ISPR said such acts of attacking worshippers in mosques reflected the ideology of the militants.
It also noted that the young cadet’s spirit of sacrifice also showed the dedication of Pakistani security forces who wanted to eliminate militant violence from the country.
Militants kill young army cadet during evening prayers in northwest Pakistan
https://arab.news/yzpt6
Militants kill young army cadet during evening prayers in northwest Pakistan
- Incident occurred when 19-year-old Arif Ullah was visiting his hometown on leave
- Military says the young PMA cadet fought back, saved worshippers during the attack
UN torture expert decries Pakistan ex-PM Khan’s detention
- Khan’s party alleges government is holding him in solitary confinement, barring prison visits
- Pakistan’s government rejects allegations former premier is being denied basic rights in prison
GENEVA: Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan is being held in conditions that could amount to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on torture warned Friday.
Alice Jill Edwards urged Pakistan to take immediate and effective action to address reports of the 73-year-old’s inhumane and undignified detention conditions.
“I call on Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan’s conditions of detention fully comply with international norms and standards,” Edwards said in a statement.
“Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, and with highly restricted access to the outside world,” she said.
“His cell is reportedly under constant camera surveillance.”
Khan an all-rounder who captained Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, upended Pakistani politics by becoming the prime minister in 2018.
Edwards said prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law and constitutes a form of psychological torture when it lasts longer than 15 days.
“Khan’s solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Not only is it an unlawful measure, extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health,” she said.
UN special rapporteurs are independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not, therefore, speak for the United Nations itself.
Initially a strong backer of the country’s powerful military leadership, Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022, and has since been jailed on a slew of corruption charges that he denies.
He has accused the military of orchestrating his downfall and pursuing his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and its allies.
Khan’s supporters say he is being denied prison visits from lawyers and family after a fiery social media post this month accusing army leader Field Marshal Asim Munir of persecuting him.
According to information Edwards has received, visits from Khan’s lawyers and relatives are frequently interrupted or ended prematurely, while he is held in a small cell lacking natural light and adequate ventilation.
“Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity,” the UN expert said.
“Detention conditions must reflect the individual’s age and health situation, including appropriate sleeping arrangements, climatic protection, adequate space, lighting, heating, and ventilation.”
Edwards has raised Khan’s situation with the Pakistani government.
