Shaheen Afridi gives cautious reply on Pakistan captaincy

QUETTA: A security official was martyred and six others were injured when an explosive device targeted a security convoy in Khad Kocha, Mastung district, on Saturday, police said. According to officials, the bomb had been planted near Gro in the Khad Kocha area along the Quetta-Karachi National Highway. It was detonated as security vehicles passed through the area, striking one of the vehicles. A senior police officer confirmed the death and injuries, saying the remaining vehicles in the convoy were not affected by the explosion. Following the blast, an exchange of fire continued in the area for some time. Police officials said the attackers fled after additional security personnel arrived at the scene. The deceased official and injured personnel were taken to Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities subsequently closed the highway, disrupting traffic at several points, while security forces launched a search operation to locate those responsible. The incident came a day after another explosion in the same area killed four labourers working in an apple orchard and injured three others. Medical officials said the victims had suffered visible splinter injuries.

RAWALPINDI: Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, met Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday to discuss regional security and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. The Kuwaiti foreign minister was accompanied by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Nassar Abdul Rahman J. Al-Mutairi. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment, and opportunities to further deepen bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, the Kuwaiti foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s continued support and its constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability. He also highlighted the longstanding fraternal relationship between Pakistan and Kuwait. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening ties with Kuwait, stressing that both countries share a common vision for regional peace, stability, and prosperity. He expressed confidence that the enduring partnership between the two nations would continue to grow across multiple areas of cooperation.

The body of Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, who lost his life in a tragic avalanche accident on Broad Peak, has been transported to Skardu by an Army Aviation helicopter. Sohail Sakhi was among the climbers caught in a devastating avalanche that struck Broad Peak in the early hours of July 31. The incident occurred during the night between July 30 and 31, when a massive avalanche swept across the mountain, leaving 10 mountaineers missing, including nine foreign climbers. Following the accident, rescue and recovery efforts were launched in the difficult and dangerous conditions of the Broad Peak region. The mountain, located in the Karakoram range of Gilgit-Baltistan, is one of the world’s highest peaks and is known for its challenging terrain, extreme weather and unpredictable climbing conditions. Sohail Sakhi was among the climbers who could not survive the disaster. His body was recovered from the mountain and later transported to Skardu, an important hub for mountaineering expeditions in the region. The use of an Army Aviation helicopter helped facilitate the transfer of the body from the remote mountainous area. The tragedy has caused grief among the mountaineering community in Pakistan and abroad. Broad Peak attracts climbers from different parts of the world every year, but the extreme environment can make rescue operations extremely challenging. Avalanches, sudden changes in weather, freezing temperatures and difficult terrain pose serious risks even to experienced mountaineers. The July 31 incident involved 10 missing climbers, nine of whom were foreign nationals. Rescue teams and authorities continued efforts to locate and recover those affected by the avalanche. The recovery operation was complicated by the harsh weather and the dangerous conditions at high altitude. The bodies of seven climbers who died in the accident had already been transported to their respective countries. Their repatriation was carried out after recovery operations and the completion of necessary procedures. The transfer of Sohail Sakhi’s body to Skardu marks an important step in the process of returning the deceased Pakistani climber to his family. Further arrangements will be made for the transportation of his body to his hometown, where his family and friends are expected to receive him. The incident once again highlights the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering in the Karakoram. Despite advances in climbing equipment, communication systems and rescue technology, climbers continue to face life-threatening dangers when attempting some of the world’s highest and most difficult peaks. Sohail Sakhi’s death is a significant loss for Pakistan’s mountaineering community. His passing has drawn attention to the courage and determination of climbers who undertake expeditions in some of the most challenging environments on Earth. Authorities and rescue teams remain focused on recovery and repatriation efforts following the Broad Peak avalanche. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of high-altitude expeditions and the importance of safety, weather monitoring and coordinated rescue operations in mountainous regions.