Pakistan Collaborates with China on Lunar Exploration Mission

Reports reveal a disturbing escalation of Pakistan's military-backed operations in Balochistan, characterized by a brutal "kill-and-dump" policy against alleged dissidents. According to intelligence sources, the Pakistan Army has empowered death squads, such as the Counter-Terrorism Department and Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Aman Balochistan, to operate with impunity since the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Baloch Liberation Army. Activist groups, like the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, have documented over 7,000 cases of enforced disappearances since 2004, with reports indicating 51 extrajudicial killings within the first four months of 2025 alone. Families of the victims often receive no information regarding their relatives, who are taken by plainclothes agents and held in secret facilities where they face severe torture. This strategy mirrors past military tactics in Kashmir and is reportedly designed to shield the armed forces from direct accountability, raising serious concerns about human rights violations in the region.

The United States government has issued an urgent advisory for its citizens and consulate personnel in Lahore, Pakistan, urging them to either evacuate immediately or shelter in secure locations. This advisory comes after India launched an offensive against terror camps in Pakistan, reportedly destroying air defense radar sites in Lahore. According to the US advisory, the situation escalated following “reports of drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions” in the area. Citizens were reminded to have evacuation plans that do not rely on US government assistance and to stay informed through local media sources. Sources have indicated that Pakistan's HQ-9 missile defense system was struck during the Indian military action involving Israeli-made HAROP drones, leaving the area vulnerable. This development follows Pakistan's attempted retaliatory drone strikes against Indian military installations, which were intercepted by India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid. The Indian strikes were part of "Operation Sindoor," launched in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, further escalating tensions between the two nations.

India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, anticipating a 21% water shortage in Pakistan during the early Kharif season, according to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA). The decision to put the treaty in abeyance follows a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including tourists. Officials stated that the closure of the Salal and Baglihar dams on the Chenab River has led to a significant decrease in water levels, adversely impacting the flow to Pakistan. This sudden drop in inflows has raised concerns within the IRSA advisory committee, which noted the potential for severe shortages unless water supply conditions improve. In response to the Pahalgam attacks, India has enacted multiple punitive measures against Pakistan, including trade bans, restrictions on Pakistani vessels, and sealing the Attari-Wagah border. The Indian government has emphasized the need for stringent actions to isolate Pakistan, intensifying geopolitical tensions in the region.