A day before Christmas, Israeli airstrike on the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip has killed at least 70 Palestinians. the death toll expected to rise due to the strike hitting a crowded residential area. Israeli forces were also found obstructing ambulances and civil vehicles by bombing main roads between camps. Most of the casualties were women and children. The Gaza Health Ministry’s latest tally on Sunday indicated 20,424 Palestinian deaths and 54,036 injured. Source : Guardian
Khalistan back in focus: 2023
2023 emerged as a significant year for Khalistani separatists in India and overseas. The 30-year-old preacher Amritpal Singh, who sought the establishment of Khalistan, was arrested earlier in 2023. His supporters even attacked a police station to free one of their detained accomplices. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised alarms after he publicly accused Indian government agents’ involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were behind the assassination within Canada, a claim India vehemently denied. A few months later, the United States of America has warned India again, this time by for their alleged involvement in the foiled plot to kill another Khalistani seperatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Source: Economic Times
Medal Returned, Voice Raised: Punia’s Protest Echoes India’s Wrestling Woes
Huge scandal in Indian wrestling! Olympic winners accused WFI boss Brij Bhushan Singh, a BJP MP, of sexual harassment. Government promised to fix it, but chose his friend for new leader. Top athlete Bajrang Punia even protested by returning his award. People worried about BJP’s handling and athlete safety. BJP’s image badly tarnished. Source: Economic Times
Pakistan Frees 290 Detained Over Extrajudicial Killings Protest
Outraged by the death of an activist in police custody and disappearances in Baluchistan, 290 women-led protests faced police brutality in Islamabad. The incident has sparked condemnation for unruly police violence and concerns about potencial insurgency in the resource-rich region. Source: Munir Ahmed, Washington Post
Pakistan witnessed highest number of suicide attacks this year since 2014
Pakistan suffered 29 suicide attacks in 2023 resulting in 329 deaths, 582 injured, says Islamabad-based think tank. Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alone suffered 23 out of the 29 attacks this year. The new report has raised alarm over the “disturbing” surge in militant attacks across the country. Sourec: Arab News
Pakistan: Chaman Sit-In: 64 Days of Protest Against Border Restrictions and Harsh Visa Policy
The sit-in protest in Balochistan’s Chaman area has entered its 64th day. It attempt to draw attention to the border restrictions that remain persistent, and the government’s harsh visa policy. The new restrictions have hampered trade and travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The protest is gaining support from Pashtun political parties, traders, and daily wage workers. Source: Times of India