In a significant escalation, Israel launched extensive airstrikes on Iranian military installations, targeting key sites across multiple provinces. The White House, while confirming it had been informed throughout the operation, clarified on Saturday that the United States was not involved in the strikes, underscoring its desire to avoid direct entanglement. A senior U.S. official described the operation as “targeted and precise,” warning Iran of potential consequences if it retaliates.

The strikes, dubbed “Days of Repentance” by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), involved dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets and refueling planes. Over several hours, waves of explosions were reported in Tehran and military bases across the provinces of Khuzestan, Ilam, and near the capital. Israel reported the attack on the Parchin military complex, located 30 km from Tehran. This site is known for the research, development, and production of missiles. Israeli officials stated that the operation aimed to disable Iran’s air defense systems and ballistic missile facilities, which have been linked to attacks against Israel, including a missile barrage earlier this month.

Iran’s military claimed that its air defense system intercepted many of the incoming attacks, reporting “limited damage” to some locations. However, state media in Iran reported loud explosions around the capital, with officials initially suspending flights across the country. Flights have now resumed, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

Diplomatic Warnings and U.S. Involvement

Although U.S. officials confirmed they did not participate in the military operation, President Joe Biden had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on designing a response that would avoid escalation and minimize civilian harm. A senior U.S. administration official remarked that the strikes aligned with this strategy, focusing on military targets outside populated areas. “We urge Iran to halt further attacks on Israel to prevent an escalation,” said Sean Savett, spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council.

The U.S. has bolstered Israel’s defenses in preparation for any potential Iranian retaliation, recently deploying THAAD missile defense systems to the region. “We are fully prepared to defend against any counterattack”, the official stressed, signalling a readiness to respond if the conflict intensifies.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced that all flights had been temporarily canceled but have since resumed normal operations. Meanwhile, local reports denied any fires or explosions at an oil refinery near Tehran, dispelling rumors circulating after the strikes.

The radical Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has issued an ultimatum to the Chiniot district administration, that if Islamic symbols and rituals are not removed from Ahmadi places of worship by October 28, they will take matters into their own hands and start demolishing Ahmadiyya mosques and graves. The threat has intensified fears within the already vulnerable Ahmadiyya Muslim community, highlighting the dangerous environment they face in Pakistan.

The TLP’s statement, circulated through flyers and social media, said: “If the Islamic rituals are not removed from the worship places of the Qadianis, we will act on our own, and the authorities will be responsible for the consequences.” The message underscored the group’s justification, claiming their actions would be in defense of the “honor of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” with supporters vowing to sacrifice their lives if necessary.

Among the targeted sites is the Ahmadiyya common graveyard and the revered Bahishti Maqbara in Rabwah, which holds profound significance for the Ahmadiyya community. The planned destruction of these gravesites is not only inhumane but also a direct violation of the human rights of Ahmadiyyas and explains how the minorities are treated within Pakistan.

The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) campaign is being spearheaded by notorious hate preacher Muhammad Naeem Chattha Qadri, infamous for his inflammatory rhetoric and history of inciting violence. In 2022, Qadri called for attacks against pregnant Ahmadiyya mothers, amplifying the violent persecution faced by the community. Muhammad Naeem Chattha Qadri’s involvement in the upcoming rally has heightened tensions, as he has clearly announced his aim to destroy Ahmadiyya mosques, graves, and buildings in Rabwah.

The Ahmadiyyas are a sect within Islam and have long been a target of systemic persecution in Pakistan. Their systematic repression dates back to 1974, when the Pakistan Army officially declared Ahmadiyyas non-Muslims. In 1984, Rawalpindi nudged the then puppet political government in Islamabad to enact legislation barring Ahmadiyyas from identifying as Muslims or building mosques with Islamic architectural elements such as minarets. These laws have not only denied Ahmadiyyas their religious identity but have also emboldened extremist Islamist groups to harass, attack, and vandalize their places of worship with impunity.

Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM) has condemned the abduction of four Sindhi nationalist activists, including Nader Bugti, in a brutal and systematic attack by Pakistan Army and its intelligence wing the ISI. The recent wave of enforced disappearances reflects the deepening repression against those advocating for autonomy and human rights in Sindh.

Nader Bugti was abducted from the Dhabeji stop on Thursday evening while three other Sindhi activists—Younis Chang, Tufail Sheikh, and Qadir Bugti—were abducted over the past three days. These “enforced disappearances” highlight the increasing use of abductions by Pakistan’s military agencies to silence voices calling for political autonomy and resisting loot of Sindh’s resources.

The JSFM condemned these acts as a gross violation of human rights and a deliberate attempt to crush peaceful dissent. “These abductions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader campaign by Pakistan’s Army and ISI to intimidate and suppress minority political activists demanding justice and autonomy for Sindh,” said Sohail Abro, the chairman of JSFM.

Sindhi Activists Abducted

The “enforced disappearances” and forceful abduction of political activists have been a tool of Pakistani regime to curb dissent and suppress all kinds of criticism. Activists and political dissidents have long been targets of enforced disappearances, leaving families and communities in anguish. The pattern of targeting Sindhi nationalists echoes similar tactics employed by the Pakistan military in other ethnic regions, where enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and death squads have terrorized the population.

The JSFM has appealed to international organizations, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, to take urgent notice of the growing atrocities in Sindh. “The world must not turn a blind eye to these barbaric acts by Pakistan’s military. The safety and immediate release of these abducted activists must be ensured, and the perpetrators held accountable,” urged Zubair Sindhi, a central leader of the movement.

The abductions come as part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to maintain its colonial grip over Sindh, suppress political movements, and stifle calls for freedom. These actions are a stark reminder of the oppressive role the military plays in undermining democracy across Pakistan.

JSFM leaders reaffirmed their commitment to non-violent resistance and vowed to continue their fight for the rights and dignity of the Sindhi people. “We will not be silenced by fear or brutality,” said Amar Azadi. “The struggle for Sindh’s freedom will persist, and we demand justice for our abducted comrades.”

Islamabad High Court granted bail to Bushra Bibi, the wife of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in the Toshakhana corruption case. This decision comes nearly nine months after her arrest in connection with the alleged illegal sale of state gifts.

The Toshakhana case revolves around allegations against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi for reportedly profiting from the sale of gifts received from foreign dignitaries. Bushra Bibi is Imran Khan’s third wife who consistently pleaded innocence throughout the proceedings.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb approved the bail application of the 50-year-old Bushra Bibi, requiring a surety bond of Rs one million. The ruling provides much needed relief to Bushra, who was taken into custody following her and her husband’s conviction on January 31, which resulted in a 14-year prison sentence for corruption.

During the hearing, Justice Aurangzeb interrogated an officer from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) about the necessity for further questioning of Bushra Bibi. The officer confirmed that no additional investigation was needed, clearing the path for her release.

Bushra’s bail is viewed as a significant relief for both her and Imran Khan, who has consistently claimed that his wife is not implicated in the case. Bushra Bibi is not wanted in any other cases and could be released once her bail bond is submitted and the necessary paperwork processed.

Turkey bombed Kurds in northern Syria and Iraq hours after a deadly attack on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) near Ankara by the PKK/KCK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party)–a militant group fighting for the rights of Kurds. The Turkish Aerospace assault left five dead and twenty-two injured with Turkey calling the Kurdish assault as “terrorist attack”.

The Kurd militants—a man and a woman—stormed the TUSAS facility on killing four employees and a taxi driver before being neutralized by security forces. Turkey’s vice president Cevdet Yılma confirmed the victims included the Turk driver who unwittingly transported the Kurd assailants to the site.

Hours after the attack, Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense announced that its air force conducted a series of operations against alleged Kurd targets associated with the PKK/KCK in northern Iraq and Syria. “In accordance with our legitimate defense rights under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, air operations were carried out, neutralizing numerous terrorists (Kurds) across 32 targets,” the ministry stated.

Turkey bombs civilians

However, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) provided a sharply contrasting narrative, accusing Turkey of targeting civilians and essential infrastructure. In a statement, the SDF said Turkish forces launched artillery shelling and airstrikes on civilian infrastructure across northern and eastern Syria. “Bakeries, power stations, oil facilities, and checkpoints were hit among the 42 civic sites targeted,” the SDF claimed, adding that 12 civilians, including two children, were killed, and 25 others injured in the assault.

“This barbaric aggression underscores Turkey’s hostility toward our people,” the SDF said, accusing Ankara of sowing chaos in the region to deflect from its domestic crises. The group vowed to defend their territory against what they described as Turkey’s repeated attempts to destabilize the region.

Turkey, which has a long history of military operations against Kurdish forces, continues to justify these campaigns under the pretext of combating terrorism. Yet the escalation has drawn criticism from human rights groups and regional observers, who warn that Turkey’s operations risk further destabilizing an already volatile region. The strikes come at a time when the Kurdish-majority areas governed by the SDF are essential for maintaining peace in north eastern Syria, raising fears that Turkey’s military actions may lead to widespread humanitarian fallout.

In yet another horrifying incident, two Hindu women—Gulzadi, a mother of four, and Momal, along with her young daughter—have been abducted and forcibly converted to Islam by radical Islamist cleric Mian Mithu. The notorious Islamist, known for orchestrating such abductions with impunity, continues to operate freely.

The abduction, rape and forced conversion of Hindu girls and women have become a grim reality in Sindh, where Hindus, once a thriving community, now struggle to survive as a marginalized minority. Radical Islamist groups prey on young Hindu girls/women, coercing them into Islam and marrying them off to their captors—often older men. This form of exploitation, shrouded in the pretext of religious conversion, not only strips these women of their autonomy but also exposes them to horrific sexual violence.

Despite repeated appeals from minority groups and human rights activists, the Paki institutions have consistently turned a blind eye to such abuses. Law enforcement agencies, rather than intervening to protect victims, act in collusion with radical clerics, ensuring that the perpetrators evade justice. Courts, too, have failed to uphold the rights of these women, dismissing their testimonies as voluntary conversions even when coercion is evident.

Mian Mithu’s long-standing involvement in forced conversions, abductions, and marriages of Hindu mothers is an open secret, yet the institutions continues to shield him. The silence of Paki authorities reflects a deliberate attempt to placate powerful Islamist groups, exacerbating the vulnerability of minorities.

Tensions erupted in South Waziristan when an SHO led an unauthorized raid on a local house without a legal warrant, sparking outrage among the residents. In a bold act of defiance, the local Pashtuns detained the SHO and accompanying officials, demonstrating their frustration with repeated violations perpetrated by the Paki regime .

In an attempt to diffuse the situation, police officials later arrived seeking the release of their detained colleague. Embracing Pashtun customs, they offered goats as a gesture of reconciliation.

However, such traditions of peace are repeatedly undermined by the Punjabi Pakistan Army’s oppressive actions in Pashtun areas. The same livestock presented as peace offerings today are often decimated by relentless airstrikes carried out by the Punjabi military, leaving Pashtun families impoverished and struggling for survival.

The Paki establishment is deliberately inflicting economic hardship on the Pashtun population through these attacks. The Army’s use of heavy-handed tactics, such as indiscriminate bombings, has only deepened resentment among Pashtuns, who are victims of systemic brutality. Despite these hardships, the community remains resilient, resisting the Army’s colonial-style repression and exploitation.