On April 16, Taliban’s Media Violations Commission has decided to suspend operations of two networks- Noor and Barya, reports Hasht-e Subh. The commission made this decision citing the networks’ disregard for its recommendations and journalistic principles. Zabih Sadat, Head of Tolo News TV and a commission member, emphasized that these networks have repeatedly flouted principles and were instructed to adhere to journalistic standards. Pending a court verdict, their operations will remain halted. Despite claims of compliance with media laws and national values, sources within the networks assert that the Taliban’s decision stems from perceived violations of Islamic and national principles.
On April 17, an unidentified militant shot dead a non-local vendor from Bihar, identified as Raja Shah, in the Bijbehara area of the Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), reports Daily Excelsior.
On April 17, Security Forces (SFs) arrested two associates of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), identified as Sameer Ahmad Dar and Waseem Ahmad Wani, along with one pistol, two grenades, and magazines in the Naina Bridge area of the Anantnag District of J&K, reports the Daily Excelsior.
On April 17, Police and Border Security Force (BSF) recovered one Pakistanidrone at the India-Pakistan border in the Khemkaran area of Tarn Taran District of Punjab, reports Punjab Kesari.
The United Kuki National Army (UKNA) on April 17 claimed responsibility for the attack on the oil and gas tankers on the NH-37 connecting Imphal-Silchar at a place in between Tolen Kuki and Kaimai village under the Tousem subdivision of Tamenglong District in Manipur in the morning of April 16, reports Northeast Now. One oil and Gas tanker driver sustained injuries in the attack. In a statement, the Defense Secretary of the UKNA owned responsibility for gun attacks and stated that it was launched as a first offensive operation against the supply of essential commodities and other weaponry in aid of the Meitei community. The UKNA felt sorry for injuring a driver during the operation and further, it is warned that no Imphal-bound goods vehicle transportations should ply on the NH-37 with immediate effect.
Seven terrorists were killed while trying to infiltrate the Afghan-Pakistan border in Spinkai area of Ghulam Khan Tehsil (revenue unit) in North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 17, reports Dawn. “The infiltrators were surrounded, effectively engaged and after an intense fire exchange, all seven territories were sent to hell. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered,” the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The terrorists were identified as affiliates of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, adds The Khorasan Diary. A ‘spokesman’ of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, confirmed that seven militants affiliated with its Jaish-ul-Umari suicide squad were killed, also claiming casualties from the other side.
The vehicle of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s candidate for NA-8 of Bajaur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhunzada Chattan, was targeted by an improvised explosive device in Mamund area on April 17, reports The Khorasan Diary. The vehicle which was bomb proof has been severely damaged however; there have been no casualties reported. “It was a motorcycle bomb that was parked at the side of the road”, said Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU).