Deadly Bomb Blast at Pakistani Seminary Claims 5 Lives Ahead of Ramadan

At least 11 people were killed in northern Pakistan when the military conducted drone strikes targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts. The strikes occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province late Friday, according to provincial government officials. Among the deceased were two women and three children, who have been described by local residents as "innocent civilians." Provincial spokesperson Muhammad Ali Saif stated that the operation aimed to eliminate terrorist threats based on "confirmed intelligence." The TTP has escalated attacks recently, launching a "spring campaign" against security forces that has resulted in nearly 100 attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since mid-March, officials noted. Following the drone strikes, local protests emerged, with residents expressing grief and anger over the civilian casualties. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the presence of TTP members at the strike sites. With over 190 fatalities reported among security personnel since January 1, violence has surged in the region, particularly since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Over 50 prominent Afghan women’s rights activists residing in Pakistan are at risk of deportation, facing potential imprisonment or death if returned to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The Pakistan government has pledged to deport millions of Afghan nationals as relations deteriorate and militant attacks rise, labeling them as "terrorists" and "traitors" (The Guardian, 2025). Since September 2023, Pakistani authorities have forcibly returned at least 844,499 Afghans, according to Amnesty International, raising serious concerns about their safety. Among those currently in hiding are activists like Humaira Alim, who fled Afghanistan after receiving death threats for her advocacy work. “If they send me back to Afghanistan, it only means death,” Alim stated, fearing Taliban retaliation. This mass deportation has been condemned by human rights groups, including Avaaz, which described the action as a “death sentence” for these individuals. The Pakistani government has set a deadline of March 31 for undocumented Afghans to leave the country or face arrest, prompting activists to seek asylum in third countries for their safety.

A military operation in Pakistan's Balochistan province concluded with the rescue of approximately 190 hostages from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) after they hijacked the Jaffar Express train on Tuesday. The train, carrying about 450 passengers, was attacked while passing through a mountainous region; the BLA militants detonated explosives and demanded the release of political prisoners, escalating their threats against hostages. Officials reported that 33 militants and 21 hostages lost their lives during the military's air and land offensive to reclaim the train. The operation faced significant challenges due to the difficult terrain. Yousaf Bashir, a surviving passenger, recounted the chaos during the attack, stating, “There was a huge blast... Everyone was scared.” The BLA justified their actions as a response to alleged atrocities committed against the Baloch people, intensifying their insurgent activities in the region. Security analyst Zahid Hussain noted that such attacks demonstrate the growing challenges faced by the military in containing the BLA's insurgency.