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Iran appoints former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei as national security chief

ByJustpaste.in

Iran has appointed former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), placing a prominent hardliner at the center of the country’s defense and foreign policy establishment.

Rezaei replaces Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, who held the post briefly following the death of previous secretary Ali Larijani during an air strike in the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a decree appointing Rezaei as his direct representative on the council alongside Saeed Jalili, citing Rezaei’s extensive military experience during the Iran-Iraq War.

The leadership shuffle comes as Iran negotiates conditional proposals to reopen shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing military and diplomatic friction.

Rezaei, 71, commanded the IRGC from 1981 to 1997 and later served as secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council and vice president for economic affairs under President Ebrahim Raisi.

Zolqadr, whom officials shifted to a political advisory role under the Supreme Leader, had previously outlined strict preconditions for diplomatic progress, including an immediate end to US military threats and an easing of economic sanctions.

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    Bob Johan Veldhof appointed Pakistan head coach after reshuffling

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has reshuffled its recently appointed foreign coaching staff, elevating Bob Johan Veldhof from goalkeeping coach to head coach as Pakistan prepares for the upcoming FIH World Cup. The decision places Veldhof in charge of the national side for the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30. PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani confirmed the reshuffle, explaining that Herman Kruis, who was initially appointed as the national team head coach and National Hockey Coaching Advisor, will now focus solely on his advisory responsibilities. Kruis was appointed on July 3 for an initial two-year period. Soon afterwards, Veldhof joined the coaching setup as goalkeeping coach, while David Dwyer was brought in as high-performance coach. Chris Bowen was assigned a dual responsibility as technical coach and sports psychologist, while Adnan Zakir became the only Pakistani among the newly appointed coaches, taking charge of junior talent identification. The latest changes have effectively altered the hierarchy of the coaching group just weeks before the World Cup, with Veldhof now taking on the most important technical role. The PHF has been looking to strengthen Pakistan’s coaching structure as the national team attempts to regain its place among the world’s leading hockey sides. Veldhof’s elevation also gives him a major challenge on the international stage. With the World Cup approaching, he will be expected to prepare the team tactically while ensuring the players are physically and mentally ready for a demanding tournament. Wani also provided an update on the role of former Pakistan captain and Olympian Tahir Zaman. Zaman, who was appointed Director High Performance on May 21, will now serve as an adviser to the PHF president. The latest reshuffle comes at a crucial stage for Pakistan hockey, with the federation relying on its revamped coaching setup to improve the team’s international performances. With the World Cup only days away, attention will now turn to how quickly Veldhof can settle into his new role and guide Pakistan through one of the sport’s biggest tournaments.

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    Houthis launch deadly missile and drone strikes in Yemen

    ByJustpaste.in

    Houthi forces launched a series of missile and drone attacks on several Yemeni government military bases in the provinces of Hadramout and Marib, killing at least 30 soldiers and injuring 15 others, according to the Yemeni government. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as some of the wounded remain in critical condition. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed the attacks caused hundreds of casualties among government forces, although independent verification of that figure is not available. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the strikes came in response to recent military movements by government forces. The Yemeni military confirmed the attacks and said they followed its own operations against Houthi positions. Arab media reported that the Houthis fired eight missiles from Al Jawf province, targeting military camps in Al Thaniyah and Al Abr in Hadramout, as well as Al Rawk in Marib. The strikes hit while soldiers had gathered for training exercises, contributing to the high number of casualties. The attacks rank among the deadliest military operations in Yemen since 2022 and come as clashes between the two sides have intensified in recent weeks, raising fears of further escalation. The U.S. Embassy condemned the attacks, describing them as a “cowardly act of terrorism,” and expressed condolences to the families of the fallen Yemeni soldiers. Separately, the Saudi-led coalition said a Houthi attack on the Saudi border city of Najran wounded 11 civilians, including a woman and a child. The Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility for that incident.

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    Free entry announced for national champions cup in…

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    AJK police allege 8 officers ‘abducted&#8217…

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    MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police on Thursday alleged that eight highway police personnel deployed for election duty had been “abducted” by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), as tensions continue to simmer across the region. Police spokesperson SSP Khawar Ali Shaukat made the allegation during a televised press conference in Rawalakot, claiming that the personnel were being held by members of the group and had been subjected to what he described as “brutal abuse”. According to the spokesperson, the security personnel were attacked while carrying out their election-related duties. He claimed the officials’ families had also been threatened, allegedly being warned that the personnel would be killed if the protesters’ demands were not accepted. “We will not allow pressure to be exerted over the lives of these officials,” Shaukat said, calling for the immediate release of the personnel. He warned that authorities would take action if the officials were harmed, their release was obstructed or their families continued to receive threats. The police spokesperson also rejected the perception that the JAAC was a peaceful movement, alleging that recent incidents showed the group was willing to use violence to challenge the state’s authority and institutions. “The state is not weak,” he said, adding that authorities had exercised restraint despite the escalating tensions. Shaukat also appealed to residents to distance themselves from the group and urged parents to monitor their children, alleging that propaganda was being used to encourage young people to participate in unrest. His remarks came as AJK continues to hold elections in phases amid heightened security concerns. The region has witnessed weeks of demonstrations led by the JAAC, which has been demanding, among other things, the abolition of 12 seats in the local legislature reserved for refugees from Indian-held Kashmir. Tensions escalated on July 28 when clashes were reported between protesters and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot and Mirpur. The violence reportedly resulted in several casualties and further intensified the political and security situation. The government has also accused elements it describes as militants of exploiting the unrest and pursuing a foreign agenda, alleging Indian financial backing. Those allegations have added another layer to an already tense political environment. Last week, AJK Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif said seven law enforcement personnel, including police and Rangers officials, had been killed during the recent unrest. Meanwhile, Thursday’s police statement has placed renewed focus on the safety of personnel deployed for election duties. Shaukat called on the JAAC to release the eight officials and warned that any further violence against state employees would trigger a firm response under the law and Constitution. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the JAAC’s response to the police claims was not included in the report.

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    12 militants killed in Balochistan intelligence op…

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    Pakistan’s security forces killed 12 suspected militants during two intelligence-based operations carried out in separate districts of Balochistan as part of the ongoing counterterrorism campaign, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday. According to the military’s media wing, the operations were conducted on August 5 and 6 in Washuk and Mastung districts under the third phase of Operation Rad-ul-Fitna, which targets militant groups allegedly backed by hostile foreign elements. The ISPR said the first operation was launched on August 5 after intelligence agencies detected the movement of six suspected militants in Washuk district. Security forces swiftly moved to the area and engaged the suspects in a targeted operation. Following an exchange of fire, all six militants were killed. A second intelligence-based operation was conducted on August 6 in Mastung district after security forces received information about the presence of armed militants. The ISPR said another six suspected militants were killed during an intense firefight. Security personnel also destroyed a militant hideout during the operation. The military stated that both operations were based on credible intelligence and were part of continuous efforts to eliminate militant networks operating in Balochistan. It added that security forces carried out the missions with precision, preventing the militants from escaping. According to the ISPR, the operations form part of Pakistan’s broader counterterrorism strategy being implemented under Azm-e-Istehkam, the national security initiative approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan. The military reaffirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces, together with law enforcement agencies, will continue intelligence-led operations across the country to eliminate terrorism and dismantle militant infrastructure.

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