Hazlewood returns as Australia name Bangladesh Test XI

Another group of 110 Pakistani students has safely returned from Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing following efforts to facilitate the repatriation of citizens affected by tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to border security officials, the students were brought back as part of ongoing arrangements to ensure the safe return of Pakistanis who had remained stranded across the border. Earlier, around 70 Pakistani students were also repatriated through the same crossing about a month ago. Authorities said the latest return reflects continued coordination between officials on both sides of the border to ease the movement of stranded individuals. The repatriation process was carried out smoothly under agreed arrangements aimed at addressing humanitarian concerns. In addition to the return of students, authorities also permitted 592 Pakistani cargo trucks to re-enter the country through the Torkham border. The move is expected to provide relief to transporters and traders whose commercial activities had been disrupted due to restrictions at the border. Border officials said the phased return of students and commercial vehicles was made possible through coordinated efforts involving diplomatic representatives, border security authorities from both countries and local facilitators working to improve cross-border movement.

Security forces have stepped up intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign, targeting militant hideouts and disrupting terrorist networks in several areas over the past two months, according to security sources. Officials said one of the major operations was carried out in the Khatti Killi area of North Waziristan, where security forces raided suspected militant hideouts following intelligence reports. During the operation, several terrorists were killed after an exchange of fire, while others sustained injuries and managed to flee. Security sources said troops recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and communication equipment from the militants’ hideouts. The recovered material is expected to assist investigators in tracing the activities and support networks of militant groups operating in the region. According to officials, the operations specifically targeted members of Fitna al-Khawarij, the term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Authorities said the campaign was conducted with great care to protect civilians and prevent damage to local communities. Security officials emphasised that the ongoing operations are aimed at eliminating terrorist threats, restoring law and order, and ensuring lasting peace across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They reaffirmed that intelligence-led operations would continue until militant networks are dismantled and terrorism is eradicated. The latest operations are part of the broader Azm-e-Istehkam strategy launched to strengthen counterterrorism efforts nationwide. The campaign focuses on targeted intelligence operations against militant groups while enhancing the security of vulnerable areas. Last week, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said security forces had carried out more than 40,000 intelligence-based operations across Pakistan so far this year, with a significant number conducted in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said nearly 194 intelligence-based operations are being conducted daily across the country. According to the military spokesperson, security forces have eliminated more than 2,000 terrorists during 2026, reflecting the intensified pace of counterterrorism operations.