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Friday, June 5, 2026

US Senate Approves $70 Billion For Immigration Enforcement In Win For Trump

Edited by: Saim Du&scaron;an Inayatullah The US Senate voted early on Friday morning to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with an additional $70 billion (roughly €60 billion) for immigration enforcement. The bill provides three years of funding for US Border Patrol and what under President Donald Trump became the largest and best funded federal law enforcement agency in US history, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more commonly known by its acronym ICE. The expansion of ICE's powers and personnel has been a source of friction and public protest throughout Trump's second term. <h2>What Happened In Senate?</h2> Senators voted 52-47 in favor the bill, with no support from the Democrats. One Republican opposed it. The funding provided by &zwnj;the bill would help pay for Trump's controversial migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years. The bill follows a partial shutdown of the DHS earlier this year, when Democrats refused to support new money for immigration enforcement without restrictions on tactics such as raids in sensitive locations and the use of masks by officers. Republicans rejected those demands, instead choosing to fund ICE and Border Patrol through the fast-track "budget reconciliation" process, which allows them to bypass Democratic opposition if they can keep their own members united. The vote only took place in the early hours of Friday morning because Thursday's session ran long with a series of secondary debates and disputes. <h2>Which Unrelated Issues Also Featured In Lengthy Senate Debate?</h2> Dissatisfaction with the $1.8 billion so-called "anti-weaponization" fund that could compensate Trump's allies for allgeations the government mistreated them played a larger part in the marathon session. Senate Republican Leader John Thune said the fund was a "settled issue," citing Attorney General Todd Blanche's testimony in Congress saying that the Department of Justice would not move forward with it. However, given Trump telling reporters on Wednesday, "I love it. I think it's so important," some Senators were not satisfied that it had been ditched. Thune tried to argue the matter was resolved. "I find it very hard to believe that they're going to submit somebody who sat in front of a committee in the House and made definitive statements about this and then somehow all of a sudden turn around and go back on them," Thune told reporters. "I don't think that's going to happen." A rival bill from Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to kill the anti-weaponization fund entirely won support from a trio of Republicans — Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan — and brought the session to a largely procedural halt for several hours. The debate also featured discussions on proposals to prohibit the use of federal funds and even private donations to build the lavish White House ballroom Trump often champions, with critics saying it is over budget and behind schedule. With Trump's approval ratings wobbling amid the war in Iran, and midterm elections nearing in November, when one third of Senators will face elections, several of the president's policies have prompted criticism from within Republic ranks. These include but are not limited to the seemingly sidelined anti-weaponization fund, the ballroom and naming political ally Bill Pulte as US intelligence chief, despite his background in business and real estate. <h2>What Happens Next?</h2> The bill still needs to clear the lower chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives. Republicans hope this vote can be finalized early next week. The bill would then return to the White House for Trump's signature. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-senate-approves-70-billion-for-immigration-enforcement-in-win-for-trump-1848374

MEA Rejects Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan Elections, Calls Region Integral To India

<div class="qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot"> <div class="" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:ca463131-253c-41fc-a511-97f0ddc0f71b-49" data-is-intersecting="true"> <section class="text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [&:has([data-writing-block])>*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:ca463131-253c-41fc-a511-97f0ddc0f71b-49" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:ca463131-253c-41fc-a511-97f0ddc0f71b-49" data-testid="conversation-turn-98" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="assistant"> <div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)"> <div class="[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn"> <div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow"> <div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&]:mt-1" dir="auto" tabindex="0" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="70b13bdc-93bc-4ed7-8a39-27fe98044188" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden"> <div class="markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling"> India on Thursday lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over its plans to hold “General Elections” to the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly” in territories that New Delhi said are illegally and forcibly occupied by Islamabad. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the elections are scheduled to take place on June 7, 2026. <h2 data-section-id="17uhkts" data-start="1303" data-end="1358">India Reiterates Position On J&K, Ladakh</h2> In its statement, the MEA reiterated India’s longstanding position that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gilgit-Baltistan, are “integral and inalienable parts of India”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> MEA says - "The Government of India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan regarding the latter’s plans to hold “General Elections” to the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly”, in the Indian territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan, scheduled for 7 June 2026. The… <a href="https://t.co/7AcUu5oQBL">pic.twitter.com/7AcUu5oQBL</a> — ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://ift.tt/dp93VWI 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/3ZxrqTy" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> The government said this status stems from the “complete, legal and irrevocable accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India in 1947”. <h2 data-section-id="p8x384" data-start="1697" data-end="1732">MEA Raises Human Rights Concerns</h2> India also said Pakistan’s attempts to conduct elections in the region could not hide what it described as serious concerns within the territories under Pakistan’s control. “The Government of India further emphasized that such endeavours by Pakistan cannot mask the underlying issues of grave human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom in territories illegally occupied by Pakistan,” the MEA said. <h2 data-section-id="1o2ogvh" data-start="2182" data-end="2250">India Rejects Pakistan's Attempts </h2> The MEA said India “categorically rejects” any move by Pakistan aimed at bringing material changes to areas under its control. The statement further underlined that such actions cannot change India’s position that Pakistan continues to remain in illegal occupation of Indian territories. India also asserted that Pakistan “must vacate” the territories under its illegal occupation. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/india/mea-rejects-gilgit-baltistan-assembly-elections-pakistan-protest-jammu-kashmir-ladakh-pok-1848352

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Putin hails New Delhi as ‘reliable partner'; blasts West over ‘detrimental’ interference in India-Russia ties

St. Petersburg, Jun 4 (PTI): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Russia is determined to broaden its time-tested relations with India and asserted that the US attempts to force New Delhi into scaling back its cooperation with Russia are both futile and damaging to international relations.In an interaction with heads of leading global news agencies including PTI, Putin lauded India's economic growth and its independent foreign policy and said Russia is determined to expand its economic engagement with the country."India is among the world's major economies and is currently demonstrating an impressive rate of economic growth," Putin remarked, expressing confidence that bilateral trade between the two nations is on track to hit a USD 100 billion milestone in the coming years.Putin said Russia has not seen any negative consequences of Western pressure on India to limit its engagement with Russia, suggesting that such tactics are bound to backfire."The US is trying to put pressure on India when it comes to cooperation with Russia on some tracks. But everyone has understood that putting pressure on Narendra Modi (and India) that has the largest population in the world, is detrimental for international relations and for bilateral relations," he said."It doesn't matter where this pressure comes from," Putin said, adding "We don't see any negative consequences." "There are no serious repercussions emanating from the state of affairs. We are developing our ties with India and will continue doing that," he said.The Russian president's remarks came against the backdrop of increasing disquiet in some of the Western capitals over India-Russia relations. The US has constantly been urging India to cut back its procurement of Russian crude oil."India is one of the leading economies of the world that has showed the highest rate of economic growth. This is not something that comes out of the blue. This is result of the hardwork that the government of India has been doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Putin said in responding to a question from PTI's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi.The Russian President emphasised that New Delhi will continue to prioritise its own national interests, adding that India's diplomatic engagement with the United States does not hinder or undermine its time-tested relationship with Russia."We are glad that India is developing its relations with all countries it thinks important for its national interests," Putin said when asked whether India's deep alignment with Washington creates structural friction for Russia.Putin said Russia considers India as a "reliable partner" and it sees no negative consequences from New Delhi's bilateral relations with any other country."India is a great nation and democracy and Russia will continue to expand its relations with it," he said.The Russian president, responding to a question on the conflict in Ukraine, said he was open to resolving it and the task now is to convince Kyiv.Putin also dismissed the idea that European Union countries could act as mediators in peace talks with Ukraine.He said that the EU could help resolve the conflict by persuading Kyiv to compromise instead of supplying it with weapons.Putin said the Ukraine crisis is "local" issue, while the Iran issue is a global one."How can Russia trust people who have been harping about the need to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia for years?" he said.The Russian leader said his country is ready to support any decision that could contribute to de-escalation in West Asia.Putin also questioned Volodymyr Zelenskyy's legitimacy as the president, saying the Ukrainian leader's presidential mandate has expired."Will they hold elections or not? We should ask these questions," he said in response to a question. PTI VJ ZH MPB MPB MPB(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/putin-hails-new-delhi-as-reliable-partner-blasts-west-over-detrimental-interference-in-india-russia-ties-1848194

Lufthansa Aircraft Suffers Nose Gear Collapse In Germany

Edited by: Sean Sinico A Boeing 787 jetliner operated by Lufthansa experienced a nose gear collapse while parked at a gate at Frankfurt Airport on Thursday. Lufthansa said several staff members were injured in the incident. Passengers had not yet boarded the flight bound for Los Angeles. "Several employees were injured and are currently receiving medical attention," Lufthansa said in a statement. Only Lufthansa crew members and ground staff were onboard. <h2>What do we know about the incident?</h2> The German flag-carrier said the incident involving the Boeing dreamliner took place around 12:45 p.m. A Lufthansa spokesperson said that "the aircraft’s nose landing gear unexpectedly retracted" while the plane was parked. The spokesperson added that technicians and support staff are at the scene, and an investigation into the "exact circumstances" is ongoing in cooperation with the relevant authorities. (Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.)  

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/lufthansa-aircraft-suffers-nose-gear-collapse-in-germany-1848186

Iran War Escalates As Hezbollah Rejects Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire Terms

<ul> <li>Israel and Lebanon agree to ceasefire</li> <li>Hezbollah rejects ceasefire deal brokered by US</li> <li>Iran's Quds Force demanded Israel's withdrawal to pre-war positions in Lebanon</li> <li>US House of Representatives votes to end military action in Iran</li> </ul> Keep reading here for the latest news related to the Iran war on June 4, 2026. Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google. Then tap the "Star" or "Preferred" to keep DW News at the top of your feed <hr /> <h2>Hezbollah chief demands 'comprehensive' ceasefire</h2> Hezbollah rejected the terms of a ceasefire struck by the Lebanese and Israeli governments in US-mediated talks. "The ceasefire must be comprehensive, without a separation between the south and the rest of Lebanon, and without the Israeli enemy having the freedom to kill," the Iran-backed group's leader, Naim Qassem, said. He also urged Lebanon's government, which is not formally involved in the conflict and has limited influence over Hezbollah, to end direct negotiations with Israel. Israel and Lebanon's government said the proposed "ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector." The Litani River runs around 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israel-Lebanon border. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon near the border and would not allow Lebanese citizens to return to their homes in the south of the country. "As long as the occupation exists, the resistance will continue," Hezbollah's Qassem said. Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the US, Germany and several Sunni Arab countries, while the EU lists its armed wing as a terrorist group. <hr /> <h2>Trump dismisses House vote seeking to halt Iran action</h2> US President Donald Trump dismissed a symbolic House vote aimed at halting US military action against Iran, calling it meaningless. For the first time, the House of Representatives approved a war powers resolution to curb the three-month conflict, with four Republicans joining Democrats in voting in favor of the measure. "The House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all of the Dumocrats (sic), to limit my War Powers, right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the War with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on social media. The vote defied Trump and highlighted growing divisions over the war, which has reshaped politics at in the United States and elsewhere. <hr /> <h2>Israel must withdraw to pre-war position in Lebanon — Iran's Quds Force</h2> Israel must pull back to positions it held in Lebanon before the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, according to the head of the Quds Force, the foreign arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. "Supporting the resistance in Lebanon is the duty of all of us, and removing Israel from the region is an attainable goal for Muslims," Esmail Qaani said in a post on a domestic social media platform. "The minimum demand of the resistance is the withdrawal of the usurping regime (Israel) to the position it held before the start of the 40-day war," he said. <hr /> <h2>READ: Gulf states face huge challenges as Iran war continues</h2> The Iran war has affected not only the Islamic Republic but also caused economic and other turmoil across the entire Middle East. Gulf states in particular have been forced to perform a balancing act as they seek to avoid being pulled into the conflict, which has now run for 100 days. They are also looking at how to bolster their security and maintain their "safe" image at a time of growing uncertainty, with longstanding alliances now called into question. DW is looking at the conundrums they are facing amid the conflict. <hr /> <h2>Peacekeeper killed in southern Lebanon — UN</h2> A soldier from the UN's peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, died on Thursday after being wounded by mortar shells that hit his position near Marjayoun the southeast of the country, the force said. UNIFIL did not say who carried out the attack late on Wednesday night. It said two other peacekeepers were wounded and that it had launched an investigation into the incident. The death brings to seven the number of UNIFIL peacekeepers killed since the latest conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia erupted in March. Serbia's Defense Ministry said in a statement cited by the AFP news agency that the peacekeeper killed was a Serbian national, naming him as Senior Sergeant Milovan Jovanovic. According to UNIFIL, around 170 Serbian peacekeepers are taking part in the 7,500-strong force, which is deployed near the Blue Line, the 120-kilometer (75-mile) de facto border between Lebanon and Israel. That puts it at the center of the fighting between the two sides. <hr /> <h2>Israeli strikes kill at least 9 in Gaza</h2> Separate Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip on Thursday killed at least nine Palestinians, including five members of the same family, health officials said. Medics in Gaza said Israeli planes launched pre-dawn &zwnj;strikes on ⁠four apartments, ⁠including the family's home. At least 15 other people were wounded in the attacks, one of which also targeted the Al-Shati refugee camp to the west of Gaza City, where one person was killed, according to a civil defense agency spokesman. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attacks. The Gaza Strip still sees daily violence despite a ceasefire technically in effect since October between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Over half of the Palestianian territory is under Israeli military control in defiance of the ceasefire's terms. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN and other world bodies, Israel has killed at least 936 people in the Palestianian enclave since the truce began. Israel began its offensive against Hamas in retaliation for an attack the group led in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which more 1,300 people, mostly civilians, were killed and more than 200 abducted. <hr /> <h2>US and Israel want to sow 'division' after their defeat — Khamenei</h2> Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has accused the US and Israel of trying to split Iranian society after suffering a "decisive blow" in their war on the country. In a written message, Khamenei said "the malicious enemy" was seeking to "plant the seeds of doubt, despair, fear, mistrust and division" among the public. "In confronting these ill intentions, everyone must, through steadfastness, insight, preserving unity and cohesion ... neutralize their sinister plot," his message said. The ⁠message was read out during ceremonies to mark the &zwnj;anniversary of the death of the ⁠Islamic Republic's founder, Ruhollah Khomeini, as ⁠well as a major Shiite holiday. <hr /> <h2>Israeli defense minister claims 'freedom' to strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacks</h2> Israel's military will continue to carry out operations in Lebanon and not withdraw for the time being, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, despite the announcement of a new ceasefire. Isarel and Lebanon on Wednesday had agreed to a pause hostilities, after talks brokered by the United States. As per the agreement, Lebanon-based and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah is to stop all attacks on Israel and withdraw its fighters from the south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon. Katz said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon which it is occupying as part of a buffer zone, meant to protect northern Israeli communities from attacks. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese residents have been driven out of the region since Israel began it military operation there in March. Katz said they would not be allowed to return. "The IDF will, at this stage, continue its fire and ground operations, remain in the security zone in Lebanon up to the Yellow Line — including in the Beaufort area — and without the return of the population, while continuing to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on the ground," he said. Katz added that Isarel's military had the freedom, with American backing, "to strike Beirut in response to fire on Israeli communities and territory." <h3>Lebanon says Israeli drone stikes continue</h3> Meanwhile, Lebanon's state-run news agency reported that Israeli attacks continue in the country despite the fresh ceasefire attempt. There were at least two drone strikes in the morning on different vehicles in southern Lebanon, the National News Agency reported. Meanwhile, the Lebanese civil defense authority urged people to be patient and not return to their homes prematurely. While a ceasefire was initially agreed in early April, Israel and Hezbollah had continued to trade fire. <hr /> <h2>Kuwait says Iranian drone hit airport, one killed</h2> Iranian drones struck and heavily damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait's main airport on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring several others. The building had opened only Monday after a monthslong closure because of the war. This is the latest strike in back-and-forth attacks between Iran and the US, as peace talks between Washington and Tehran appear to have stalled. Kuwait briefly closed the airfield following the attack. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it didn't fire at the airport. Instead, it claimed that the terminal was damaged by a US-made interceptor that failed to hit Iranian missiles. Tehran did not provide any proof to support this claim. US Central Command called the claim false and said on X that Iranian drones made a "deliberate, calculated and unjustified attack" on the airport. Meanwhile, surveillance footage released by Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation showed the moment of impact from several angles. <h3>India condemns attack on civilians</h3> The Indian Embassy in Kuwait said that one person killed was an Indian national and that several other Indians were injured in the ordeal. "We condemn the attack on the Kuwait International Airport today in which an Indian national has died and several of our nationals are injured. Since the onset of the conflict in West Asia, we have strongly urged that civilian population and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted," India's foreign ministry said in a statement. <hr /> <h2>Trump acknowledges calling Netanyahu "crazy"</h2> US President Donald Trump admitted criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calling him "crazy" in a phone call, adding that he was "a little bit perturbed" that Israel's strike on Lebanon were impacting his peace talks with Iran. The US president acknowledged this during an interview to "Pod Force One" podcast. He also played down the tensions between the two, insisting that he and Netanyahu were solid. "We've worked very well together. I like Bibi a lot. And I work very well with him," Trump said. Netanyahu, in an interview with Merican Business News channel CNBC, also brushed the matter off saying that though they had "tactical disagreement," they "agree on the main things." "He respects me. I respect him. We always find a way to work out our differences," the Israeli prime minister said. Trump's comments a rare confirmation of the growing pressure he faces to end the Iran war, which threatends global commerce, economic stability in several nations and the president's own political future. <hr /> <h2>US lawmakers back resolution to end American military action in Iran</h2> The US House of Representatives has backed a resolution seeking to halt American military action in Iran, in a symbolic but telling blow to US President Donald Trump, who is in the midst of peace talks with Tehran. Four Republicans voted with the Democrats in favor of the war powers resolution, which had failed to pass on three previous occasions. Republicans hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives. The move is symbolic, as the resolution would have to be approved by the Senate, where Republicans also hold a thin majority. If the Senate were to pass the measure, Trump would be expected to veto it. Nevertheless, it is a sharp political message to Trump as Republicans and Democrats gear up for the critical midterm election in November. "This is a loud and unambiguous message to Donald Trump on behalf of the American people: it's time to end his deeply unpopular and illegal war of choice in Iran," Democrats posted on X. <hr /> <h2>Welcome to our coverage</h2> Talks between Washington and Tehran seem to have stalled in yet another effort to conclude the months-long conflict in the Middle East. The US and Iran have sent conflicting messages in recent days, with Tehran saying on Wednesday "no tangible progress" had been made. That's while Trump is voicing optimism by telling reporters a deal could happen "over the weekend." Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire on Wednesday, brokered by the US. However, the temporary pause is already being tested as Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah continue to trade fire. In Kuwait, the military condemned an alleged Iranian drone strike on its airport, calling it a "criminal Iranian Aggression." Iran's Revolutionary Guards have denied responsibility for the attack and blamed it on an error of the US Patriot air defense system. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy," and that Netanyahu was complicating Washington's peace talks with Iran. We have all of this and more coming up. Stay tuned! (Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-war-escalates-as-hezbollah-rejects-lebanon-israel-ceasefire-terms-1848184

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

‘Before-And-After’ Board Put Up Outside Destroyed Markaz Taiba After 1 Year, No Reconstruction

Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has installed a large display board outside its destroyed headquarters, Markaz Taiba, in Muridke, showcasing photographs of the complex before and after it was struck by the Indian Air Force during India’s <a title="Operation Sindoor" href="https://ift.tt/cb34H7U" data-type="interlinkingkeywords">Operation Sindoor</a>. The board describes the site as “Government Jamia Masjid Umm-ul-Qura, Nangal Sahdan, Muridke” and features images of the headquarters before the Indian airstrike and the extensive destruction visible the following day. <h2>No Reconstruction Even After One Year</h2> More than a year has passed since the Indian Air Force strike, yet reconstruction work at the site has still not begun. The two major buildings that once formed the core of LeT’s headquarters were heavily damaged during the missile strike. In September last year, the remaining structures were demolished using heavy machinery, leaving the entire compound reduced to an empty plot of land. <img src="https://ift.tt/rUEucDX" width="720" /> According to sources, reconstruction was originally expected to begin last year, particularly as Jaish-e-Mohammed had already started repair work at its Bahawalpur headquarters. However, the estimated PKR 280 million provided by the Pakistani government for rebuilding the Muridke complex was allegedly diverted by Lashkar-e-Taiba towards weapons procurement and activities of its political front, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML). As a result, no rebuilding work has commenced to date. <h2>FATF Visit And Alleged ISI Role</h2> Sources further claimed that the diversion of reconstruction funds took place under the supervision of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). In March this year, Pakistan was expecting a visit from a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessment team. Pakistani authorities reportedly planned to showcase Muridke as evidence that the state was no longer supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba. To strengthen this narrative, reconstruction work was deliberately kept on hold so that officials could point to the abandoned site as proof of government action against the terrorist organisation. <h2>LeT Control Continues Despite NAP Takeover</h2> Although Pakistan took control of the Muridke headquarters under the National Action Plan (NAP) in 2019, the move was largely cosmetic. Despite the takeover on paper, the facility has continued to remain under the effective control of Lashkar-e-Taiba till date. Since 2021, the complex has reportedly been overseen by LeT terrorist Mufti Abdur Rehman Abid, highlighting the gap between Pakistan’s international commitments and the reality on the ground. According to intelligence inputs, the decision to leave the headquarters in ruins before the FATF visit was intended to create the appearance that Pakistan was not facilitating LeT activities. At the same time, LeT was allegedly allowed to utilise the reconstruction funds for weapons purchases and political operations. <h2>‘Before-And-After’ Board Seen As Propaganda Tool</h2> Security sources also believe that the newly installed “before-and-after” display board serves a propaganda purpose. By prominently exhibiting images of the destroyed headquarters, LeT is allegedly attempting to fuel anti-India sentiment among recruits arriving for indoctrination and terrorist training. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-claims-mojtaba-khamenei-playing-central-role-in-us-iran-talks-at-pod-force-one-podcast-1847958">'I Will Meet Him': Trump Says Will Meet Mojtaba Khamenei Regarding US-Iran Talks At 'Pod Force One' Podcast</a> The visual display is intended to portray India as an enemy and encourage radicalised youth to embrace jihadist narratives, infiltrate Indian territory and carry out terrorist attacks. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/indian-national-among-63-killed-in-iranian-strike-on-kuwait-airport-embassy-assures-support-1847951">Indian National Dies, 63 Injured In Iranian Strike On Kuwait Airport, Embassy Assures Support</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/before-and-after-board-put-up-outside-destroyed-markaz-taiba-after-1-year-no-reconstruction-1847988

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

US Intercepts Iranian Missiles Targeting Kuwait, Bahrain; Launches Strike On Qeshm Island

The US military said on Tuesday that it had successfully thwarted a series of Iranian missile and drone attacks directed at neighbouring countries in the region, while also carrying out what it described as self-defence strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles towards regional states, but none reached their intended targets. “Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbours; however, all failed to hit their intended targets,” CENTCOM said in a statement. <h2>US and Regional Air Defences Intercept Missiles</h2> The US military said two Iranian missiles fired towards Kuwait either fell short of their targets or broke apart during flight. CENTCOM also said that three missiles launched at Bahrain were intercepted immediately by US and Bahraini air defence systems before they could cause damage. Meanwhile, explosions were reportedly heard across Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain and Erbil on Wednesday, underscoring growing tensions across the region. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/7lXFcih" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'You're F***ing Crazy...': Trump Rebukes Netanyahu In Heated Phone Call Over Lebanon Bombing</a> <h2>IRGC Claims Responsibility for Missile Strikes</h2> Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later claimed responsibility for missile strikes that it said targeted American military bases in Kuwait. In a statement, the IRGC said the operation was carried out in response to what it described as a US attack on Iran’s Qeshm Island. The Iranian force said its Aerospace Force launched what it called “precise and concentrated missile attacks” against US military facilities in Kuwait. <h2>Iran Issues Warning to United States</h2> The IRGC described the strikes as retaliation for what it characterised as an assault on Iran’s sovereignty. “In response to the provocation and blatant aggression of American terrorist forces targeting the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the beloved island of Qeshm, the Air and Space Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, by the grace and support of Allah and in line with its commitment to protect the homeland, subjected the military bases of American occupiers in Kuwait to precise and concentrated missile attacks, resulting in the successful destruction of their targets and the ignition of the aggressors' trenches,” the IRGC said. The statement also contained a warning directed at Washington and countries that allow their territory or airspace to be used against Iran. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/9qlsFN8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marco Rubio Hints At Ending Russian Oil Waiver That Allowed India’s Purchases</a> <h2>‘Hit and Run’ Era Has Ended, Says IRGC</h2> The IRGC said any future action that violates Iran’s borders or sovereignty would trigger a severe response. “Any new stupidity, further aggression, or any action that violates even a single inch of our borders and sovereignty will be met with a devastating, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond all laws and established boundaries,” the statement said. The Iranian force further warned that it would not hesitate to target what it described as the interests and headquarters of aggressors across the region, adding that the era of “hit and run” operations had ended and that those responsible would face the consequences of their actions.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-us-intercepts-iranian-missiles-targeting-kuwait-bahrain-launches-strike-on-qeshm-island-1847773