Thai Airstrike Destroys Key Cambodian Bridge in Pursat

Pakistan Air Force’s J-10C fighter jets reportedly engaged Indian aircraft during the May 2025 aerial confrontation without direct support from airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The claim was made in a report by Ukrainian defence publication Defense Express. The report cited Chinese state television and comments from Chinese radar specialist Ben De. According to the report, Pakistani J-10C jets used their onboard KLJ-7A radars to detect and engage Indian aircraft. The jets were reportedly able to track targets from a distance of around 200 kilometres. The report claimed that six Indian aircraft were shot down during the confrontation. It included three Rafale fighter jets among the aircraft allegedly destroyed. The report said the Pakistani fighters did not require direct targeting assistance from AEW&C aircraft during the reported engagements. Instead, the J-10Cs reportedly used their own radar systems to identify and track targets. The KLJ-7A is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar designed for modern air combat. It can detect and track multiple targets and provide information needed for air-to-air engagements. The report’s claims have drawn attention because AEW&C aircraft are normally used to provide wider-area surveillance and help fighter jets detect threats at longer ranges. The reported use of the J-10C’s onboard radar suggests that the aircraft could conduct long-range engagements with greater independence from airborne surveillance platforms. The May 2025 confrontation involved intense aerial activity between Pakistan and India. Both sides made competing claims about losses and the effectiveness of their military operations. The claim that six Indian aircraft were destroyed, including three Rafales, has not been independently verified. India has also disputed Pakistan’s claims about aircraft losses. The reported account therefore remains a claim attributed to Chinese sources and the Ukrainian defence publication.

The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Peshawar has released the results of the 2026 annual examinations for Grades 9 and 10. The results show that Islamiat was the subject in which the highest number of students failed in both classes. According to the official statistics, a total of 97,950 students appeared in the Grade 9 annual examinations. Out of these, 57,847 students successfully passed and were promoted to Grade 10. The remaining students could not qualify for promotion after failing to meet the required passing criteria. The examination data also highlighted students’ performance across different subjects. Among all the subjects, Islamiat recorded the highest failure rate, making it the most challenging subject for students in both Grade 9 and Grade 10 this year. The results have drawn attention to the need for improved teaching methods and better academic support in the subject. Education experts believe schools, teachers, and parents should work together to identify the reasons behind the poor performance and help students strengthen their understanding of Islamiat before future examinations. The BISE Peshawar annual examination results provide an overview of students’ academic performance across the province and are expected to help education authorities assess areas where additional support and reforms may be required to improve overall learning outcomes.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has announced that a major road in Duki district will be renamed after Dr Mahnoor Nasir, a female doctor who survived a severe acid attack earlier this year. The decision has been taken to honour Dr Mahnoor’s courage, resilience and dedication to her profession. The chief minister said her determination and commitment to duty had made her an example for women across Balochistan. Under the notification issued by the provincial government, Haji Amanullah Masjid Road near Damani Chowk in Duki will now be known as Dr Mahnoor Nasar Road. The new name will take effect immediately. Dr Mahnoor, a 29-year-old doctor at Civil Hospital Quetta, was seriously injured in an acid attack in June. She suffered extensive burns to her face, chest, legs and other parts of her body. According to police, the alleged attacker was a hospital employee identified as Humayun Shah. Law enforcement officials later traced him while he was attempting to escape on a bus. Police said he was killed during an encounter. Chief Minister Bugti praised Dr Mahnoor for continuing to demonstrate courage despite the severe injuries she suffered. He said recognising citizens who show bravery and remain committed to their responsibilities was a duty of the government. The acid attack triggered strong condemnation across Balochistan. Members of the medical community, government officials and other sections of society called for strict action against those responsible. Doctors in Quetta also staged a strike following the incident. They demanded a transparent investigation and stronger measures to ensure the safety of medical professionals, particularly women working in hospitals. The case also came amid wider legal and social concern over acid attacks in Pakistan. In a significant ruling issued days after the incident, the Supreme Court described acid violence, or vitriolage, as a particularly heinous offence and said its gravity could exceed that of homicide. The renaming of the road is being presented by the Balochistan government as a public tribute to Dr Mahnoor’s resilience. Officials said the initiative is also intended to highlight the importance of recognising women who continue to serve their communities despite facing serious challenges.

Climate Minister Musadik Malik has called for a major shift in Pakistan’s water management strategy, saying the country must focus not only on storing water but also on regulating its supply throughout the year. Speaking at a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Malik said effective water management was essential for protecting food supplies, supporting agriculture and reducing the impact of climate-related disasters. His remarks came as Pakistan faces another difficult monsoon season. At least 107 people have died and 297 others have been injured since the current rainy season began on June 26, according to disaster management authorities. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast another strong spell of monsoon rains from July 29. Heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding, flash floods and landslides in several parts of the country. Malik said Pakistan needed different climate strategies for different regions instead of relying on a single nationwide approach. Plans are being developed for cities facing extreme heat, northern areas vulnerable to floods and landslides, and agricultural regions where changing weather patterns are threatening food production. He stressed that water must be available when farmers need it during the Rabi and Kharif seasons. According to the minister, simply allowing large quantities of floodwater to escape without regulating or storing it creates serious risks for agriculture and food security. Malik described water infrastructure as a national security issue. He said the government would focus on improving water regulation, telemetry and storage systems. It would also work with provincial governments to improve zoning and construction standards in disaster-prone areas. National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said Pakistan would require greater water storage capacity in the coming years. He said the country faced two linked challenges: controlling floods and dealing with water shortages. Tanveer said climate change was already changing crop cultivation and sowing patterns. He stressed that agriculture would need to adapt to shifting weather conditions to protect food supplies. The minister said Pakistan was among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with agriculture facing some of the strongest impacts. He recalled the huge economic losses caused by the 2022 floods but said the country’s disaster response capabilities had improved since then. He said the government had started modifying crop cycles and cultivation patterns in response to changing climatic conditions. Authorities are also working on a broader strategy to strengthen agricultural resilience. Tanveer highlighted several major water projects. He said the Diamer-Bhasha Dam would provide around 6.4 million acre-feet of additional storage capacity, while the Mohmand Dam would add nearly one million acre-feet. He also mentioned progress on the Dasu project and expressed hope that the K-IV water supply project for Karachi would be completed by the end of this year or early next year. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described climate change and population growth as major long-term challenges for Pakistan. He called for a coordinated response involving all parts of the government. Aurangzeb said the country was now better prepared financially to respond to natural disasters. He said the government had decided to use domestic resources for rescue and relief operations instead of relying primarily on international assistance. He said Pakistan had launched a $2 billion programme aimed at strengthening climate resilience and reducing environmental risks. Around $700 million annually has also been allocated for disaster management, vulnerability reduction and protection of lives and infrastructure. The finance minister said Pakistan’s disaster financing approach had changed significantly since the 2022 floods. The country had previously relied heavily on international commitments, but authorities are now increasing domestic funding for climate adaptation and emergency response. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said preparations for the current monsoon season had started before the rains arrived. He credited NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) with improving forecasting and early warning capabilities. Tarar said the system had helped authorities issue timely alerts about dangerous weather events. He urged citizens to follow official warnings and take precautions during periods of heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, flooding continues in parts of Punjab and other regions. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority said water levels in the Chenab River had shown some improvement, while low-level flooding persisted at several locations along the Indus.