by Nilesh Kunwar

A Distraught Field Marshal

Things don’t seem to be going too well for the recently promoted Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. For starters, his promotion came about thanks to an illusion of Pakistan’s spectacular victory during the four-day-long Indo-Pak conflagrations in May conjured by the Pakistan army’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

However, since ISPR’s narrative was a generous mix of brazen lies, disinformation and omissions, it was bound to crumble under the sheer weight of physical evidence in terms of extensive damage caused to Pakistani defence facilities and terrorist assets. One such example: though the Pakistan air force (PAF) spokesperson emphatically claimed that the Nur Khan air base had suffered minimal damage, this strategic defence facility was hit so badly that even after four months it still remains non operational.

But this is not the Field Marshal’s only worry.

A significant increase in the intensity and frequency of attacks on security forces by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as well as armed groups in Balochistan has turned both these provinces into veritable battlefields. Resultantly, there’s an inordinate increase in casualties being suffered by the security forces. The disquieting part is that despite the use of overwhelming brute force by the Pakistan army, cessation of hostilities in the near future seems unlikely.

Arousing Emotions

As has been its wont, Rawalpindi continues to trivialise the burgeoning crises in KP and Balochistan in an attempt to conceal the Pakistan army’s humongous military failure in these two provinces. It’s doing this by under-reporting casualty data as well as diverting public opinion by falling back on the time tested stratagem of arousing anti-India sentiments amongst the masses in Pakistan by declaring that TTP and armed Baloch groups are proxies being sponsored by New Delhi .

Even though no credible evidence has been provided to support this allegation, the very mention of Indian involvement in KP and Balochistan is enough to mobilise public opinion in favour of the Pakistan army. And with Field Marshal Munir resurrecting the two nation theory by alleging that there was an existential incompatibility between Hindus and Muslims, even an honest attempt to put the army’s professional performance under scrutiny becomes an unpatriotic act.

Field Marshal Munir has attempted to further insulate his army’s professional shortcomings in dealing with TTP by his penchant for invoking Islamic edicts. To project TTP as an anti-Islamic entity, he has decreed that this group would henceforth be referred to as Fitna al Khwarij (a phrase used for the Khwarij Islamic sect responsible for the first civil war (Fitna) in the Islamic community).

Consequently TTP terrorists are now called “Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij” by Pakistan army’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). Thus besides being portrayed as a proxy of Pakistan’s arch enemy Indian, TTP is also being projected as an anti-Islamic group that (as per Field Marshal Munir’s own Quranic interpretation), “should be executed, hanged, or exiled from the land.”

Even though armed Baloch groups are not pursuing any religious agenda and are fighting solely against the unlawful occupation of their land and indiscriminate exploitation its resources by Pakistan, the Field Marshal has nevertheless officially named these groups Fitna al Hindustan in an attempt to depict them as an Indian proxy with an anti-Islamic character.

Grand Declarations And Ridiculous Threats

Field Marshal Munir has been breathing fire while addressing his countrymen- both within the country as well as those living abroad. In April, he summarily dismissed the serious security threat in Balochistan by boasting that “We will beat the hell out of these terrorists very soon …you think, these 1500 terrorists belonging to BLA, BLF and BRA, etc, can take away Balochistan from us … (sic)”

Five months have since elapsed but one finds that despite massive deployment of soldiers supported by heavy artillery, drones, armed helicopters and even fighter jets, armed Baloch groups continue to hold sway in several districts and openly challenge the government’s writ with impunity. Besides attacking military targets at will, they are frequently blocking roads by establishing check posts in broad daylight and even taking over temporary control of cities after disarming the para military forces and local police.

The Pakistan army has also unleashed a reign of terror in an attempt to terrorise the Baloch people into submission. While enforced disappearances as well as extra judicial killing of innocent people are commonplace, those protesting peacefully against abduction and illegal confinement of their family members are being unduly harassed by the authorities.

Even the leadership of human rights movements like Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) hasn’t been spared and many including BYC leader Mahrang Baloch, who in 2024 figured the BBC’s 100 list as well as in Time magazine’s TIME 100 Next list for shaping the future of politics, have been incarcerated on trumped up sedition charges.

However, these brute measures have failed to break the determination and resolve of the persecuted Baloch people. This is definitely a reason of serious concern for Rawalpindi and more for the Field Marshal who boasts about beating the hell out of the Baloch armed groups.

Prognosis

Field Marshal Munir’s recent utterances like his coarse talk about wrecking the “shining Indian Mercedes” with “dump truck full of gravel” (Pakistan), and the barefaced “If we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us” nuclear threat smacks of extraordinary arrogance. Such behaviour is called superiority complex, a term used to describe an attitude of superiority which conceals actual feelings of inferiority and failure.

As mentioned earlier, Field Marshal Munir has accused New Delhi of sponsoring TTP and armed Baloch groups to wage proxy war and destabilise Pakistan as a state policy to divert public attention from Pakistan army’s failure to rein-in TTP and the various armed groups in Balochistan. Since the public largely believes this accusation, Pakistan based terrorist groups have started asking as to why isn’t the Field Marshal taking punitive military action against India?

In a country that’s fed 24X7 with anti-India propaganda and where Hinduphobia is institutionalised (remember Field Marshal Munir’s “Hindus are different from Muslims in every way” remark?) this demand has the potential of gaining widespread public support.

Furthermore, Field Marshal Munir has made his countrymen believe that the Pakistani armed forces can easily destroy India as well as ensure that no harm comes to Pakistan. In the regard, readers would recall his pretentious “We’ll start from India’s East, where they have located their most valuable resources, and then move westwards” remark during the Tampa dinner in Florida

Since TTP and armed Baloch groups have no sanctuaries on Indian soil, the only form of the so-called retribution that Rawalpindi can undertake is to use its sponsored terrorists groups to commit some heinous act of terrorism. However, after being pummelled mercilessly for having masterminded the April 22 Pahalgam attack, only a dimwit would dare repeat any such action.

However, while his threat of taking down half the world if Pakistan is going down is a bit too far-fetched, if Field Marshal Munir feels that he’s going down (and with the way events are unfolding, this is a distinct possibility), then he’ll definitely take down half of Pakistan with himself.

So, while security forces in J&K need to maintain an enhanced state of vigilance against terrorist attacks, New Delhi too needs to be ready to inflict exemplary punishment on Pakistan and its proxies should Rawalpindi dare to cross the red line.

Nilesh Kunwar is a retired Indian Army Officer who has served in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. He is a keen ‘Kashmir-Watcher,’ and after retirement is pursuing his favourite hobby of writing for newspapers, journals and think-tanks. Views expressed above are the author’s own

The Indian Army’s Sapta Shakti Command conducted a large-scale integrated firepower exercise named Amogh Fury in the expansive Thar Desert, bringing together the full spectrum of combat platforms under a single operational framework.

The exercise showcased the Army’s capability to synergise tanks, mechanised infantry, artillery systems, air defence assets, attack helicopters, and UAVs into a unified battlefield strike formation, underlining the modern emphasis on network-centric warfare and seamless jointness.

The drills highlighted not just raw firepower but also the integration of surveillance, reconnaissance, and rapid mobility elements, with UAVs providing real-time targeting inputs that were quickly relayed to artillery and mechanised columns for precision engagement.

Tank regiments spearheaded the assault with armoured thrusts across desert terrain, backed by self-propelled artillery and multiple launch rocket systems to simulate high-intensity offensive action, while infantry combat vehicles ensured flanking security to sustain manoeuvre momentum.

Advanced air defence systems conducted live tracking against simulated hostile threats, reinforcing layered protection over field formations. Key to the exercise was the demonstration of battlefield communication networks that enabled commanders to orchestrate diverse platforms in a fluid, fast-changing environment — a hallmark of India’s push towards modern digital warfare.

The operational setting in the harsh desert conditions underscored the Army’s preparedness for potential high-tempo conflicts along India’s western front, where mobility, endurance, and logistic agility become force multipliers.

Importantly, the exercise reaffirmed India’s determination to maintain technological and doctrinal superiority, with equipment upgrades and modernisation reflected visibly in the firepower mix.

By integrating traditional kinetic capabilities with modern ISR inputs, Sapta Shakti Command demonstrated the ability to deliver overwhelming combat power in decisive engagements, reinforcing deterrence while showcasing readiness for sustained operations in extreme environments.

Based On Tribune Video Report

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored that normalisation of ties between India and Pakistan is impossible without resolving the Kashmir dispute, calling any expectation otherwise a “fool’s paradise.”

Speaking to overseas Pakistanis in London, he stated that both countries must learn to coexist as neighbours, but peace hinges on a Kashmir solution.

Sharif emphasised that the billions spent on four wars between the two nations, including the ongoing conflict sparked by militant attacks in Kashmir, could have been better used for development and prosperity in Pakistan.

He accused India of choosing a combative stance rather than cooperative neighbourly behaviour and expressed hope for peace built on love and respect. Sharif also linked the Kashmir conflict to the larger regional unrest, referencing the Gaza war and the severe humanitarian crisis there.

The statement comes amid heightened tensions following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians—mostly Hindu tourists—were killed by militants identified with Pakistan-backed groups. The attack significantly escalated hostilities, prompting India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, expel Pakistani diplomats, and close borders.

Pakistan denied involvement despite international calls for accountability. This crisis triggered intensified cross-border skirmishes and led to India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7-8, 2025, a precise missile strike campaign targeting terrorist camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Indian military installations, marking the most serious India-Pakistan military crisis in decades. After a four-day conflict, both countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10.

The May conflict saw India focus on terror infrastructure with no direct military base targeting, while Pakistan responded with attacks causing civilian casualties in India. India asserted it had incurred significant militant casualties during the strikes.

The ceasefire followed escalating drone battles and artillery exchanges, with both sides blaming the other for violations thereafter. India maintains the stance that terrorism and dialogue cannot proceed simultaneously without credible anti-terror measures from Pakistan.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has pushed for resolution talks based on equality and sought to restore diplomatic and treaty frameworks paused in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and ensuing conflict.

Sharif’s remarks reiterate Pakistan’s position that meaningful India-Pak ties depend on addressing Kashmir, while India insists on a terror-free environment as a precondition for dialogue.

The fallout includes sustained diplomatic stand-off, suspension of key bilateral treaties like the Indus Waters Treaty, and continued military alertness in the region.

The current India-Pakistan bilateral relationship remains stalled with heightened mistrust, where the Kashmir issue is central. Both governments face domestic pressure over terrorism, national security, and economic consequences of conflict.

Shehbaz Sharif’s call for peace highlights Pakistan’s view of Kashmir as essential to any rapprochement, reflecting ongoing regional geopolitical complexities amplified by incidents like the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and the broader security scenario shaped by recent India-Pakistan confrontations.

Based On India Today Report

India and the United States have taken a significant step forward in strengthening their defence partnership by focusing on enhanced defence medical cooperation and strategic collaboration.

Following the successful conclusion of the joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 in Alaska on September 14, which included advanced training in electronic warfare, counter-drone operations, and high-altitude mountainous combat, a senior delegation of the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) led by Director General, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, visited US Armed Forces medical facilities in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The delegation engaged in detailed staff-level discussions with US defence medical officials, focusing on advanced fields such as military medicine, marine medicine for naval personnel operating at sea, and aviation medicine, which also has critical applications for air force personnel and astronauts.

During the tour, Indian officers studied state-of-the-art US military medical infrastructure, including battlefield medical evacuation systems, trauma management, and emergency care frameworks designed for deployed troops across multiple theatres.

Both sides exchanged operational practices and treatment methodologies, with the Indian delegation also contributing insights from its extensive experience in varied terrain and operational conditions.

The visit placed special emphasis on boosting medical participation in bilateral military exercises, ensuring both nations possess seamless medical interoperability during joint operations or humanitarian assistance missions.

Officials stressed that closer cooperation in the medical domain strengthens not only the health security of military personnel but also adds a fresh dimension to the broader India-US strategic partnership, enhancing trust and preparedness for future contingencies.

Agencies

China’s bid to expand influence in Lanka a concern for New Delhi

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Monday began a four-day visit to Sri Lanka to hold talks with the top military brass of the island nation for expanding bilateral defence ties in the maritime domain.

The Navy chief’s visit comes amid concerns in New Delhi over China’s persistent attempts to expand its strategic influence in the island nation. In Colombo, Admiral Tripathi will also meet Sri Lanka Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and hold talks with the three service chiefs and other senior officials.

The talks will be focused on a broad spectrum of matters with emphasis on maritime security, capability enhancement, training and identifying avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation, officials said.

“The Chief of Naval Staff’s engagements in Sri Lanka are structured at deepening bonds of friendship, paving the way for enhanced understanding in key areas of shared strategic and maritime interests, in line with the vision of ‘MAHASAGAR’,” an official readout said.

“The visit reaffirms the time-tested India-Sri Lanka relations, anchored on mutual respect, maritime trust and a shared vision for peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region,” it added.

Admiral Tripathi will also participate in the 12th edition of Galle Dialogue at Colombo on the theme ‘Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics’. India has been eyeing to further expand maritime security cooperation with Sri Lanka.

In June, state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) decided to acquire a controlling stake in Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard PLC under a $52.96 million deal, a move that is expected to expand India’s strategic presence in the island nation.

Indian Navy regularly interacts with its Sri Lankan counterpart through medium of annual defence dialogue and staff talks. The two navies also hold Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX), passage exercises and regularly engage in training and hydrography exchanges.

It was observed the case fell under Section 197 of the Pension Regulations, which allow disability pension to an individual who is invalided out of service on account of a disability which is neither attributable to nor aggravated by service

About 57 years after her late husband was invalidated out of the Army on medical grounds, the Armed Forces Tribunal has held that the soldier was entitled to disability pension and his widow should get the due benefits.

The now deceased soldier, Lance Naik Umrawat Singh was enrolled in the Army in September 1961 and took part in the India – Pakistan War of 1965. However, he underwent severe mental stress and strain on account of being posted on the borders for long periods of time, court records said. He developed ‘schizophrenic reaction’ and was boarded out of service in December 1968 after seven years and three months of service.

His claim for grant of disability pension was rejected. Subsequently, he enrolled in the Defence Security Corps in September 1972, but was discharged in November 1972. He finally passed away in January 2011.

The authorities had contended that since the requirement for grant of pension was 15 years, he did not fulfil the criteria for service pension. Further, not only his disability was held to be neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service, but was also assessed to be below 20 per cent, which is not eligible for disability benefits.

The Tribunal’s Chandigarh Bench comprising Justice Sudhir Mittal and Lt Gen Ranbir Singh observed that Umrawat’s case fell under Section 197 of the Pension Regulations, which allow disability pension to an individual who is invalided out of service on account of a disability which is neither attributable to nor aggravated by service. Or to an individual who is invalided out of service on account of a disability which is attributable to or aggravated service, but the disability is assessed at less than 20 per cent, or to an individual placed in low medical category who is retired or discharged from service for lack of alternative employment compatible with his low medical category.

Thus, it is evident that the deceased soldier was entitled to the grant of invalid pension with effect from December 1968, and accordingly, his widow is entitled to the grant of ordinary family pension with effect from February.2011, the Bench ruled.

Carried Rs 40L bounty each | Shah hails op

n a significant blow to the already depleted leadership of Naxals, two key Maoists — Katta Ramachandra Reddy (aka Raju Dada) (63) and Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy (alias Kosa Dada) (67) — were on Monday killed in an encounter by the security forces in Abujhmad area of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district.

Both of the killed Maoists were natives of Karimnagar district of Telangana and key Central Committee members of CPI (Maoist). They also carried a bounty of Rs 40 lakh each.

According to the police sources, the gunfight took place on Monday morning during a search operation. The security forces had launched the search after they received inputs about the movement of Maoists in the Abhujmad forest along the Chhattisgarh–Maharashtra border.

After several hours of gun battle, the ultras retreated in the forest, leaving behind the bodies of the two Naxal leaders. The security forces also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one INSAS rifle, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, some Maoist literature and other daily-use items from the site.

Hailing the operation, Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, said, “In the Abujhmad region of Narayanpur along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, our forces eliminated two Central Committee Member Naxal leaders – Katta Ramachandra Reddy and Kadri Satyanarayan Reddy. Our security forces are systematically dismantling the top leadership of the Naxals, breaking the backbone of red terror.”

Sources informed that Raju Dada, also known by aliases Gudsa Usendi, Vijay and Vikalp, had been active for 40 years and was currently a member of the Maoist Central Committee, the highest decision-making body of the banned organisation.

Kosa Dada, also known as Gopanna and Buchanna, a Central Committee member, was considered a key strategist of the outfit and served as the operations planner for the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, where he had been active since the early 1990s. Both of them had been involved in major ambushes and attacks targeting security personnel across Bastar, the police said.

Their killing has further reduced the Central Committee of CPI (Maoist) to 10.

The Tribune on September 19 had reported how the killing and surrender of some key Naxals in the recent past had hit the Maoists hard, with only 12 top Central Committee members left. Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy and Katta Ramachandra Reddy were among these 12 leaders.

Now with the killing of these two on Monday, the Maoist leadership has further depleted, even as voices of surrendering and initiating peace talks with the government seem to be rising from within the Naxals’ fold.

The CPI (Maoist) Central Committee also received fresh setbacks last week, when on September 12, a top Naxal leader, Modem Balakrishna, was shot dead in a gun battle with security forces in Chhattisgarh. Pothula Padmavathi (known as Kalpana), Mynakka, Mainabai and Sujatha, a senior-most underground leader of the banned CPI (Maoist), had surrendered before the Telangana DGP on September 13. She had been underground for 43 years.

Maoist Sahadev Soren was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces at Karando in Jharkhand on September 15. One of the top CCM members, Soren was killed along with two of his comrades. He carried a reward of Rs 1 crore on his head.

Another key Naxal leader, Nambala Keshav Rao, aka Basavaraju, was earlier shot dead in a gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Gariyaband on May 21 this year.

Now with the elimination of Katta Ramachandra Reddy and Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy, only 10 top Central Committee leaders now remain absconding. These are Muppala Lakshmana Rao, Mallojulla Venugopal, Thippiri Thirupathi (reportedly the new CPI (Maoist) general secretary), Pulluri Prasad Rao, Paka Hanumanthulu, Pusunuri Narahari (all from Telangana), Misir Besra, Anal Da (both from Jharkhand) and Madavi Hidma as well as Majjidev (both from Chhattisgarh).

Muppala Lakshmana Rao was said to be keeping unwell, police sources said.

Senior Maoist commander Madavi Hidma has reportedly been appointed as secretary of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist), which is considered one of the most powerful decision-making bodies of the outlawed party.

Bench had sought president’s opinion on the matter

Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association’s General Body today shut the door on shifting the High Court to a new site, opting to retain the institution within its current premises instead. The decision was taken through a show of hands, amidst warnings from the court about severe space constraints that could make relocation unavoidable.A Bench of the HC had earlier asked Bar president Sartej Singh Narula to place before the court the Bar’s opinion on whether it was willing to shift. The Judges had clarified that they were open to relocation, provided the General Body of the Bar Association agreed.

“Executive Committee has passed a resolution that they are ready and willing to search for an alternative site for the High Court. Let the resolution of the Executive Committee be placed before the General Body, which, if passed, would definitely be accepted by the Court, not otherwise,” the Bench headed by Chief Justice Nagu had asserted.

The matter, as such, was placed before the General Body this afternoon, where the relocation proposals and other issues were discussed. Initially, formal voting was contemplated, but the General Body chose to decide through a show of hands.

The development is significant as the court had previously acknowledged the acute shortage of space in its existing complex, while discussing the proposals to move the High Court to Sarangpur or the IT Park. But the rejection by the Bar today virtually closed the door on any immediate relocation.

“We are forced to think about an alternative site for the High Court…. Such a good building you have. It’s a unique building. I have not seen such a building in the entire country. And yet you are compelling people to leave this building by your adamancy,” the Bench had earlier asserted, while making clear its stand.

Currently, the High Court functions with 69 courtrooms against a sanctioned strength of 85 judges. The Bench, during the course of hearing, was informed that the number of functional courtrooms could rise to 89 if certain staff occupying existing courtrooms were relocated.

The Bench is now virtually left with two proposals: converting adjoining forest land into non-forest area to allow expansion of the current premises, and constructing a new judicial complex opposite the High Court Bar Room.

The UT Administration has already approved the plan to construct 16 additional courtrooms across two floors, along with two basement levels for parking, which would provide nearly two lakh square feet of additional space.

On the issue of forest land conversion, UT senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji has all along been maintaining that de-reservation could not be considered. He pointed out that the proposed land was an eco-fragile patch of reserve forest notified under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forming part of the Sukhna Lake/wetland catchment. Also, it falls within the eco-sensitive zone of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary as per the Environment (Protection) Act notification of January 10, 2017.

Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain, on the other hand, has been stating that the real obstacle is not legality but a lack of willpower. “People who have to do it lack willpower,” he remarked during a hearing, highlighting bureaucratic inertia as the key challenge in expanding the High Court’s infrastructure.

Decisions taken at the meeting

The General House of the Bar Association unanimously decided not to shift the High Court to Sarangpur or any other alternative site.

The Bar Association will pursue de-reservation of adjoining forestland to enable the expansion of the High Court at its current location.

The continuation of the High Court at its present site is considered in the best interest of the legal fraternity, litigants and justice administration.

Copies of the resolution are to be forwarded to the Chief Justice and judges of the High Court, Union Law Minister, Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana, and the UT Administrator for consideration and necessary action.

Pilots undertaking tandem flights will have to complete simulation during flights paragliding safety course

Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service

The state government has amended the Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports Rules, 2022, to make norms for adventure sports more stringent and safe, especially for those who take a joy ride with a professionally-trained pilot.

The Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation had issued a notification on September 20 to seek suggestions and objections to the amendment within 30 days. These amended rules will be called the Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The amendment has been made in the clause j of sub rule (3) of Rule 5 of the Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports Rules, 2022.

As per the amendment, the pilots undertaking tandem flights will have to complete simulation during the flights paragliding safety course. Pilots will now have to complete this course before seeking a tandem licence. The pilots already registered with the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation have been given time to complete the simulation safety training course for paragliding by August 31, 2026.

Aero sports, especially paragliding, are a big attraction, particularly for tourists in Himachal. Paragliding is being undertaken at various places like Bir-Billing near Baijnath in Kangra, in Kullu and Manali and several other locations. However, several people have lost their lives in various mishaps.

The amendment is aimed at making safety norms more stringent and the safety course mandatory for pilots, who are undertaking tandem flights, where a person takes a flight in a paraglider with a trained professional pilot.

As per the Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports Rules, 2022, a person can undertake aero sports only after registration with the Tourism Department. It is after approval from the technical committee regarding proper training and safety of the equipment being used that a person is issued a licence.

However, there have bene instances where people, who are not registered with the Tourism Department, have been found to be undertaking aero sports. Though at times even trained pilots meet with mishaps, the greater problem is when there are accidents during tandem flights.

There have been several mishaps, especially in Kullu where tourists enjoying a tandem flight with a trained pilot have died in accidents. The amendment is basically aimed at averting such mishaps by way of proper safety training for pilots, who are undertaking aero sports as a commercial activity for tourists.

Govt, military silent on attack | Tribals to launch protest | Rights panel seeks probe

At least 30 civilians, most of them women and children, were killed in the early hours of Monday when airstrikes hit the village of Matre Dara in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to Indian intelligence sources.

The strikes, which began around 2 am, reportedly involved JF-17 fighter jets dropping at least eight China-made precision-guided bombs on the remote settlement. Witnesses described scenes of destruction, with bodies scattered in the streets and survivors digging through the rubble of collapsed homes with their bare hands.

“Entire families have been wiped out. Most of the victims are women and children who had no chance to escape,” a source said.

The Tirah Valley, near the Afghanistan border, is an area where Pakistani forces frequently target militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and allied groups. The military describes it as containing “dozens of TTP hideouts”. However, such operations have often been criticised by human rights organisations for causing high civilian casualties.

There was no official comment from the Pakistani government or military on Monday’s incident. The strikes were not even reported by Pakistani media. A local police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that airstrikes had targeted at least four houses suspected of being belonging to TTP militants.

Sohail Afridi, a member of the provincial assembly from Khyber district, accused the security forces of carrying out a “carnage”. In a post on X that included a video showing dead children, he wrote, “Scenes of destruction in the Tirah Maidan Akakhail Shadla Matre Dara area after jet bombing by security forces.” In an apparent reference to the Pakistani government, Afridi said the killing of children and innocent people has become a routine for the “oppressors occupying this state”.

This is not the first recent incident of its kind. A week earlier, four children were killed and five others injured in a quadcopter attack, which the Pakistan Army denied conducting, instead blaming the TTP. In May, 22 persons, including seven children, were injured in a similar strike.

Following the airstrikes, tribal elders from the Afridi community reportedly convened a meeting to discuss plans for protests and a possible siege of a nearby air force base in Peshawar.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed outrage and demanded an investigation. It said, “The HRCP is deeply shocked to learn that civilians, including children, have been killed allegedly as a result of aerial bombing in Tirah, Khyber district. We demand an immediate, impartial inquiry and that those responsible be held to account.”