Tag: history

Afghanistan, Pakistan cross-border tensions continue

Posted on by 2026news

 – Pakistani army destroyed ammunition depot in eastern Khost province, Pakistan Television reports, citing security sources

KARACHI, Pakistan

Cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continued on Monday, with at least three children killed in ongoing fighting in eastern Kunar province, Afghan media reported.

According to Afghanistan’s broadcaster Tolo News, three children were killed, and two were injured when shells allegedly fired by Pakistani military forces struck a refugee camp in the Khass Kunar district.

However, state broadcaster Pakistan Television reported, citing security sources, that Pakistani army forces destroyed an ammunition depot in eastern Khost province as part of their operations against the “Afghan Taliban regime’s aggression.”

There was no official statement from either party regarding the latest developments.

Pakistan has claimed that its “self-defense” measures ensured that no civilians were targeted.

In a related development, Pakistan on Monday ordered the closure of scores of schools located near the border in the North Waziristan, Mohmand, Khyber, and Bajaur districts until further notice as a precautionary measure in light of the prevailing security situation.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday claimed 435 Afghan Taliban operatives and suspected militants have been killed and more than 630 injured in airstrikes and clashes since Thursday.

Kabul, for its part, claims 56 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the border clashes.

The veracity of casualty claims by Islamabad and Kabul could not be independently verified.

Chinese envoy meets Pakistan’s top diplomat

Separately, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday received Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad.

“Discussions were held on the evolving regional situation and broader developments,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on the US social media company X.

Dar emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and continued consultations, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The statement did not mention whether they discussed border tensions with Afghanistan.

Notably, Beijing has said it was engaging Islamabad as well as Kabul to de-escalate the border situation.

​​​​​Death toll at 84

Tensions between the two neighbors have been running high since last Thursday, when Kabul launched “retaliatory operations” along the border after Pakistani airstrikes in late February.

According to a tally of figures from both sides of the border, 84 people have been killed so far.

They include 12 Pakistani soldiers and one civilian, while 13 Afghan soldiers and 58 civilians lost their lives during the clashes. One Pakistani soldier remains missing.

Pakistan in late February launched airstrikes on “terror targets,” killing 70 “terrorists,” while Afghan officials and the UN reported civilian deaths, claims Pakistan denies.

Relations have deteriorated in recent months as Pakistan accuses militants of operating from Afghan territory, an allegation Kabul rejects, even as regional diplomatic contacts continue amid efforts to ease tensions. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/afghanistan-pakistan-cross-border-tensions-continue/3846605

2 injured as knife-wielding man goes on stabbing spree in UK’s Edinburgh

Posted on by 2026news

Two people were injured after a man was seen brandishing two knives in a residential part of Edinburgh, prompting a major armed police response and public warnings to avoid the area.

The incident happened in Calder, in the west of Edinburgh, where emergency services were deployed following reports of a man with a bladed weapon. Locals said police activity began before 9 am, with several streets sealed off as officers moved in.

Confirming the injuries, Police Scotland said officers were called to reports of a man with a knife earlier on Monday morning. Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy said the disturbance had been contained and there was no wider risk to the public.

“The incident is not being treated as terror-related,” Kennedy said, adding that officers would remain in the area to reassure residents.

Earlier, police issued a public warning urging people to stay away from Calder. “The public is being advised to avoid the Calder area of Edinburgh following reports of a man with a bladed weapon,” the force said. “Police, including firearms officers, are in attendance.”

Residents described a prolonged and intense police presence. William Ramsay, who lives nearby, told Press Association he believed the man had entered the stairwell of his building.

“He smashed the local shop, possibly stabbed two people unconfirmed,” Ramsay said. “Armed police, dogs been here for about two hours.”

Images from the scene showed at least six police vehicles outside Cobbinshaw House, a tower block of flats, with armed officers positioned around the building as enquiries continued.

Public transport was also disrupted. Lothian Buses said its number 20 service was being diverted away from Calder until further notice.

Police have not released further details about the condition of the injured or any arrests, as officers continue investigations and maintain a visible presence in the area. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/uk-news/story/knife-wielding-man-stabs-multiple-people-in-uks-edinburgh-local-media-2876553-2026-03-02

Indian crew member killed after drone boat hits oil tanker off Oman coast

Posted on by 2026news

An Indian crew member was killed after an oil tanker was struck by an unmanned drone boat off the coast of Oman, triggering a fire and forcing the evacuation of all crew on board, officials confirmed on Monday, as hostilities between Israel and Iran continued to escalate across the region.

The Sultanate of Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said the incident occurred about 52 nautical miles northwest of Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat Governorate on Saturday (March 1). The tanker, identified as MKD VYOM, flying the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, was carrying approximately 59,463 metric tonnes of cargo at the time of the attack.

According to officials, the unmanned vessel hit the tanker, causing a fire and explosion in the main engine room. One crew member, an Indian national, died in the incident.

The vessel had 21 crew members on board, including 16 Indians, four Bangladeshis and one Ukrainian. All survivors were evacuated by the merchant ship MV SAND, which sails under the flag of Panama, in coordination with the Maritime Security Centre.

The Royal Navy of Oman has deployed a vessel to monitor the damaged tanker and is issuing navigational warnings to ships transiting the area. Authorities have not yet disclosed who was behind the attack.

Iran has warned vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow gateway to the Persian Gulf, and is suspected of launching multiple maritime attacks as the Middle East war intensified following major US and Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic.

This marked the second such attack on cargo vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which has triggered widespread tensions across the Middle East.

Earlier, a Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight, carrying 15 Indian nationals among its crew, was struck near Oman’s Musandam peninsula, injuring four people.

Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said in a post on X that the strike took place about five nautical miles north of Musandam’s Khasab Port, after which the tanker’s 20-member crew was evacuated. The agency did not specify the weapon used. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/indian-crew-member-killed-after-drone-boat-hits-oil-tanker-off-oman-coast-2876550-2026-03-02