Delhi court gives Tahir Hussain life sentence

Security forces have killed 16 militants during intelligence-based operations in several areas of Balochistan, according to security sources. The operations are being carried out under Operation Al-Azm following a series of terrorist attacks in the province. Authorities said several militant hideouts and ambush positions were destroyed during the ongoing action. Security personnel also recovered weapons, ammunition and explosive material from the targeted locations. Operations are continuing in areas including Killi Kundi Umrani, Khad Kocha and Mastung, where security forces are targeting militant networks blamed for recent attacks. The latest operations followed an attack on the Mangi Dam Police Station, after which security forces launched a separate campaign named Operation Shaban. The security situation in Mastung also came under renewed focus after unidentified armed men attacked a vehicle on a national highway. A district and sessions judge and his security guard were killed in the attack, while an additional sessions judge and another person were seriously injured. Security sources said counterterrorism operations would continue across Balochistan until militant infrastructure is dismantled and law and order is restored. The state refers to militants linked to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other groups operating in the province as Fitna al-Hindustan. Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir recently reiterated the military’s determination to eliminate militant networks in Balochistan. He said targeted operations against Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan would continue until terrorism and those supporting it were eliminated. The latest operation comes amid a broader rise in militant violence in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. A United Nations Security Council assessment has also highlighted continuing threats from militant groups in the region. The report pointed to attacks claimed by the BLA against Pakistani security forces and infrastructure linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The UN assessment also raised concerns about militant groups obtaining modern weapons and equipment through cross-border smuggling and illegal markets. It noted the reported use of advanced rifles, night-vision equipment, thermal imaging systems, sniper weapons and drones by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The report further cited assessments that the BLA and TTP have maintained coordination in some areas, including through shared resources and training networks.

Justice Babar Sattar has been directed to vacate his official residence in Islamabad after the cancellation of its government allotment following his transfer to the Peshawar High Court. According to an official notice issued by the Registrar of the Islamabad High Court, Justice Sattar has been given 30 days to hand over the residence. The notice states that the Estate Office cancelled the allotment of the government house on July 3 after his transfer from the Islamabad High Court to the Peshawar High Court. The document explains that the one-month notice period began on July 3, the same day the official accommodation was withdrawn. Justice Sattar has been instructed to vacate the residence within that period in accordance with government rules governing official housing for judges transferred to another high court. The move follows Justice Sattar’s transfer to the Peshawar High Court, where he is expected to perform his judicial duties after leaving the Islamabad High Court. Sources familiar with the matter said that after the transfer, Justice Sattar did not apply for or obtain an official residence in Peshawar. Instead, he reportedly decided to continue staying in the government house allotted to him in Islamabad. The notice highlights that the cancellation of the residence allotment was carried out by the Estate Office, making the continued occupation of the house subject to the expiry of the notice period. The registrar’s office formally communicated the decision to ensure compliance with the applicable administrative procedures. The development comes as part of the routine administrative process that follows the transfer of judges between high courts. Under the existing rules, official accommodation is generally linked to the judge’s place of posting, and transferred judges are required to vacate residences allocated at their previous station once the prescribed notice period expires.

The father of young Karachi businessman Mir Raza has raised serious questions over the investigation into his son’s murder. He alleged that the case was being influenced. He claimed that signs of interference by the Sindh government were visible in the investigation. Lawyers protested at the City Court on Tuesday over the failure to arrest the suspects in the case. Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, also spoke during the protest. He questioned the removal of Dr Usama from the case. According to Mir Hussain, Dr Usama was removed so that he would not be able to answer questions about the matter. He also questioned the preparation of the post-mortem report. He asked why the report was allegedly prepared on the basis of photographs. Mir Hussain questioned whether any pressure was involved in the preparation of the report. He demanded that the circumstances surrounding the post-mortem be properly examined. The victim’s father further criticised the police investigation. He said the police’s alleged incompetence in his son’s case was now evident. The protest was held as the suspects in the murder case remained at large. The lawyers demanded progress in the investigation and the arrest of those responsible. Mir Hussain called for transparency in the investigation. He said the family wanted answers regarding every aspect of the case.