United News of Bangladesh

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has appealed to India and Pakistan to ease rising tensions between the two countries. In a post on X, Yousafzai said, “Hatred and violence are our common enemies, not each other.” “I strongly urge leaders in India and Pakistan to take steps to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians – especially children – and unite against the forces of division,” she said. Pakistan claims it destroyed 12 Indian drones She further called on the global community to step in and encourage diplomatic efforts. “The international community must act now to promote dialogue and diplomacy. Peace is the only way forward for our collective security and prosperity,” she added.

Pakistan army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Thursday said that the country destroyed 12 drones sent by India to different cities last night (Wednesday). India has not commented on these claims yet, reports BBC. Lt Gen Chaudhry said the drones were destroyed in Lahore, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Attock, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Mianwali and Karachi. One civilian was killed and another injured in Sindh province after a drone fell on them, he said. He added that a military installation was targeted in Lahore, injuring four army personnel and destroying some infrastructure. Meanwhile, the all party meeting in Delhi ended a while ago where Indian opposition leaders have expressed their full support to the government. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed the opposition parties on the air strikes launched on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Wednesday, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. He added that opposition leaders also gave their suggestions. Pakistan shoots down Indian drone in the city of Lahore, officials say Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told news agency ANI that the government said "they cannot share a few things which are confidential in the interest of national security. We [all parties] said we stand with the government". Chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party Asaduddin Owaisi said he suggested that India "should run an international campaign against The Resistance Front (TRF)" - a militant group Delhi has blamed for last month's militant attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam. India said TRF is a front for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e Taiba, a group designated as terrorist by United Nations. Relations between the two nations have sharply deteriorated since April 22, when an attack by armed gunmen in India-administered Kashmir left 26 people dead, most of them Indian Hindu tourists. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the militants behind the attack, a claim Islamabad has denied.

Pakistan’s air defense forces shot down an Indian drone early Thursday in Lahore, according to government sources, amid escalating tensions with India. This comes as India evacuates thousands from villages near the volatile border in the disputed Kashmir region. The drone incident occurred a day after Indian missile strikes on Pakistani territory reportedly killed 31 civilians, including women and children, according to Pakistani officials. Relations between the two nations have sharply deteriorated since April 22, when an attack by armed gunmen in India-administered Kashmir left 26 people dead, most of them Indian Hindu tourists. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the militants behind the attack, a claim Islamabad has denied. Police officer Mohammad Rizwan confirmed that a drone was shot down near Walton Airport, a civilian and military airfield located in a residential area of Lahore, approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) from the Indian border. Local media also reported that two more drones were brought down in other cities within Punjab province, where Lahore serves as the capital. Iran’s Foreign Minister in Delhi amid India-Pakistan tensions According to two unnamed security officials, the drone was a small Indian model intercepted by Pakistan’s air defense. They declined to be identified, citing restrictions on speaking to the press. It remains unclear whether the drone was carrying weapons. The incident has not yet been independently verified, and Indian authorities have not issued an official response. Meanwhile, in Punjab’s Chakwal district, another drone crashed into farmland. No injuries were reported. Police chief Ghulam Mohiuddin did not specify the drone’s origin, but said authorities have secured the wreckage and launched an investigation into its source and mission. India said its strikes Wednesday targeted at least nine sites in Pakistan linked to planning terrorist attacks against India. Some of these targets were in Punjab and most of Wednesday's casualties were in this province. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed overnight to avenge the killings but gave no details, raising fears of a broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Across the de-facto border in Indian-controlled Kashmir, tens of thousands of people slept in shelters overnight, officials and residents said Thursday. Indian authorities evacuated civilians from dozens of villages living close to the highly militarized Line of Control overnight while some living in border towns like Uri and Poonch left their homes voluntarily, three police and civil officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with departmental regulations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has arrived in the Indian capital to hold diplomatic talks with senior officials, as tensions continue to simmer between India and Pakistan following recent cross-border hostilities. A spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as “an opportunity to review and enhance bilateral cooperation on the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty”. The two countries have long maintained diplomatic and economic ties, particularly in energy and regional connectivity. Aragchi’s visit to Delhi follows his stopover in Islamabad just a day before India carried out a series of airstrikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. While in Pakistan, the Iranian envoy held talks with his counterpart, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, as part of Iran’s ongoing diplomatic outreach in the region. In recent weeks, Iran has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan in a bid to ease tensions and prevent further escalation. Tehran has expressed concern over rising instability in South Asia, a region in which it has both strategic and economic interests. Tensions soar as Pakistan vows retaliation over Indian strikes Neither New Delhi nor Islamabad has officially responded to the offer of mediation, though both sides continue to engage with Iran at various diplomatic levels. Aragchi’s back-to-back visits to the two nuclear-armed neighbours underscore Iran’s attempt to play a stabilising role amid a volatile geopolitical climate. Analysts say Iran’s engagement may also be aimed at bolstering its regional influence and maintaining strategic balance. Source: With inputs from BBC  

North Korea on Thursday fired various types of short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, South Korea’s military said, adding to a run in military displays that raised animosities in the region. South Korean military officials were analysing whether the tests were linked to the North’s weapons exports to Russia during its war in Ukraine, AP reports. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said multiple missiles were launched from the area around the eastern port city of Wonsan from about 8:10 to 9:20 am, with the farthest traveling about 800 kilometres (497 miles). It didn’t immediately confirm the exact number of the missiles it detected. Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs, said in a briefing the North Korean launches were possibly intended to test the performance of weapons it plans to export, as the country continues to send military equipment and troops to fuel Russia’s warfighting against Ukraine. Lee said the tests likely involved a short-range ballistic missile system launched from vehicles — possibly modeled after Russia’s Iskander missile — and also large-caliber rocket artillery systems, which experts say blur the line between traditional artillery and ballistic systems due to their self-propulsion and guided flight. Tensions soar as Pakistan vows retaliation over Indian strikes The Joint Chiefs said South Korean and US intelligence authorities detected the launch preparations in advance and tracked the missiles after they were launched. The countries were sharing the launch information with Japan, the Joint Chiefs said. It issued a statement denouncing the launches as a “clear act of provocation” that threatens peace and stability in the region. It was the North’s first known ballistic activity since March 10, when it fired several ballistic missiles hours after US and South Korean troops began an annual combined military exercise, and the country’s sixth launch event of the year. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to accelerate the development of his nuclear and missile program and supply weapons and troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Pakistan has vowed to avenge the deaths of 31 people killed in Indian missile strikes that New Delhi described as retaliation for a deadly assault on Indian tourists in Kashmir last month. Calling the strikes an “act of war,” Pakistan claimed it downed several Indian fighter jets and warned of consequences. The missile attacks hit areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province, killing civilians including women and children, Pakistan’s military said, according to an AP report. India's Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted at least nine sites “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned.” Among the structures hit were two mosques. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country would avenge the dead but gave no details, fanning fears of all-out conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals. Already, it’s their worst confrontation since 2019, when they came close to war. Additionally, in a televised address he said, “My Pakistani people, for your own safety, our army and our people, we will always be united. We will definitely stand against them [India] and win,” he said in a televised address. “Because we are all fighting for the truth, hopefully god will always be with us,” he added, BBC reports. Sharif commended the armed forces for shooting down five Indian jets, which he said were hit after they fired their missiles but while still in Indian airspace. Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 59 people There was no comment from India, but three planes fell onto villages in India-controlled territory, according to police and residents. The latest hostilities have sparked fears of a broader military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. This is their most serious escalation since 2019, when both countries engaged in aerial combat after a suicide bombing killed dozens of Indian paramilitary troops in Kashmir. Heavy exchange of cross-border fire continued following the missile strikes, with both sides reporting casualties, according to AP. In Islamabad, Pakistan's Health Minister Mustafa Kamal announced the cancellation of all scheduled leave for doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel working in public hospitals, directing them to report for duty immediately. “Urgent measures” have been introduced “in response to the crisis,” Kamal said. International concern is mounting. In comments from the Oval Office, Trump said, “I know both very well. I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop. If I can do anything to help, I will be there.” A spokesperson for the US State Department said the United States is “closely monitoring” the situation and remains in contact with both India and Pakistan. “We urge the countries to work towards a responsible resolution that maintains long-term peace and regional stability in South Asia,” the spokesperson said, BBC reports. ‘We don't want a war’, says Jammu-Kashmir CM US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated earlier remarks by President Donald Trump, saying he hoped the violence “ends quickly” and that the United States “will work towards a peaceful resolution.” The UK government also urged India and Pakistan to show restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward. "Current tensions between India and Pakistan are a serious concern," UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement on Wednesday. David Lammy mentioned that the UK has close and unique relationships with both the countries. "I have made clear to my counterparts in India and Pakistan that if this escalates further, nobody wins," he added. Tensions have soared between the neighbours since the April attack in which gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. India accuses Pakistan of being behind the attack, which was claimed by a militant group calling itself Kashmir Resistance. India has said the group is linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a disbanded Pakistani militant group that New Delhi long accused of being backed by Pakistan. Islamabad denies involvement. India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is split between them and claimed by both in its entirety. In the wake of the massacre, the rivals have expelled each other’s diplomats and nationals, closed their borders and shuttered airspace. India has also suspended a critical water-sharing treaty with Pakistan.

A dump truck crashed into a minibus on a downhill road in Indonesia's Central Java province, killing 11 people, all of them kindergarten teachers, officials said Wednesday. The truck, loaded with construction materials, collided with the minibus before crashing into a house in Kalijambe village, in Purwerjo district, AP reports. The minibus was carrying a group of teachers from Magelang district who were attending a funeral in Purworejo district, the local disaster management agency said in a statement. “The truck allegedly lost control and hit the minibus,” said Andry Agustiano, the Purworejo police chief. He added the police officers immediately opened an investigation. Several ambulances transported the bodies and other injured victims, including the truck driver and the owner of the house, to a nearby hospital. May Day spending shows China's economic vitality Road accidents are common in Indonesia because of poor safety standards and infrastructure. On Tuesday, a bus carrying 34 passengers sped out of control on and overturned in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province, killing at least 12 people. Last year, a bus carrying 61 students and teachers returning from an outing to a high school in Depok, just outside Jakarta, slammed into cars and motorbikes after its brakes failed, killing 11 students and injuring dozens of others.

Rising tensions between India and Pakistan following India’s missile strikes on targets in Pakistan-administered territory early Wednesday have prompted several Asian airlines to cancel or divert flights. Air India suspended operations to and from multiple cities—Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot—citing airport closures amid the heightened tensions. The national carrier announced that these suspensions would remain in place until May 10. Malaysia’s national airline has also cancelled flights to Amritsar, India, according to local outlet The Star. “We will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure safe and reliable operations,” the airline told The Star, adding that the suspension would last at least through May 9. Malaysia Airlines also rerouted two of its long-haul flights after Pakistan’s airspace was shut. Indonesia’s Batik Air reported that it had cancelled several flights to and from Lahore, Pakistan, and Amritsar, India, due to the ongoing airspace restrictions caused by the escalated situation between the two nations. India launches missile strikes into Pakistan amid escalating tensions; death toll reaches 31 According to Reuters, other Asian carriers have also altered routes to and from Europe as a precaution. Taiwan’s EVA Air said it would modify its Europe-bound routes to steer clear of airspace affected by the conflict. The airline noted that one flight from Vienna had to turn back, and a Taipei–Milan service was rerouted to Vienna for refueling before continuing its journey. Korean Air rerouted its Seoul Incheon–Dubai flights on Wednesday, opting for a southern route over Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, bypassing Pakistani airspace altogether. Global reactions to India-Pakistan Military escalation after ‘Operation Sindoor’ Thai Airways announced that its flights to Europe and South Asia would follow new routes starting early Wednesday, warning passengers of possible delays. Taiwan’s China Airlines confirmed it had activated its contingency plan to maintain safety for passengers and crew, though it did not disclose further details.

Since gaining independence in 1947, India and Pakistan have been embroiled in a series of conflicts, the majority of which have centred on the disputed region of Kashmir. The first war broke out merely months after the two nations gained independence from British colonial rule. It concluded in 1949 with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire, which effectively split Kashmir but left both countries claiming the territory in its entirety. Tensions flared again in 1965 when Pakistani forces crossed into Indian-administered Kashmir, triggering intense ground and aerial combat between the two militaries. Another major confrontation took place in 1971, this time over East Pakistan. India supported the independence movement in the eastern region, ultimately leading to the formation of the sovereign nation of Bangladesh. India launches missile strikes into Pakistan amid escalating tensions; death toll reaches 31 In 1999, the two nuclear-armed neighbours engaged in the Kargil conflict, when Pakistani troops infiltrated Indian-administered Kashmir. This marked the first direct clash between the rivals after acquiring nuclear weapons, raising alarm across the international community. In more recent years, a series of militant attacks have reignited hostilities. Following the deadly assault on an army base in Uri in 2016, India launched what it termed “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control. Tensions escalated further in 2019 after the Pulwama bombing, prompting Indian airstrikes near Balakot. Pakistan retaliated with its own air incursions, marking one of the most dangerous escalations since the Kargil war. Source: With inputs from BBC  

The United States has said they continue to urge India and Pakistan to work towards a "responsible resolution" that maintains long-term peace and regional stability in South Asia. "It remains an evolving situation. We clearly are still closely involved in monitoring," said Spokesperson at the US Department of States Tammy Bruce while responding to a question at a regular media briefing in Washington DC on May 6. She said they remain in touch with the governments of both countries at multiple levels. India launches Missile Strikes into Pakistan amid escalating tensions; death toll reaches 31 "We are not watching from afar in that regard. We are engaged and we’re aware of various reports that are happening in the midst of this very delicate situation," Bruce said. "And of course, we, I think, not with – not being involved certainly in the phone calls, I do have – it’s comfortable to have tremendous trust in the President and in the Secretary of State when it comes to how this is unfolding," she mentioned.