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Sunday, February 22, 2026

Who Was El Mencho? Mexico’s Most Notorious Cartel Boss With A $15 Million Bounty

Mexico’s military has killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, the leader of the country’s most powerful drug group, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Mexico’s Defence Ministry (SEDENA) officially confirmed the development on Sunday, February 23, 2026.  The 59-year-old cartel chief died from injuries sustained during the operation while being airlifted to Mexico City for treatment.  <h2>Who Was El Mencho? </h2> Once a police officer, El Mencho later entered the world of organized crime and rose to become one of the world’s most feared drug traffickers. Over the past decade, he transformed CJNG into Mexico’s most powerful and brutal cartel.  The group was heavily involved in trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and other narcotics, particularly into the United States.  The US had listed him among the world’s most dangerous drug lords and announced a reward of $15 million (about ₹125 crore) for information leading to his capture. Mexico had also declared a $1.7 million reward in 2018.  In 2022, the US Justice Department accused him of manufacturing fentanyl and smuggling it into the United States. El Mencho had been in hiding since 2015 and had repeatedly evaded arrest.  <h2>Military Operation Leaves 4 Gangsters Dead </h2> The operation took place in Tapalpa city of western Jalisco, considered a stronghold of CJNG. Mexican special forces conducted a raid targeting El Mencho.  During the operation, at least four CJNG members were killed on the spot, while two others died during aerial transfer, taking the total number of cartel members killed to seven. Authorities also arrested two suspects and recovered several weapons, including aircraft-downing launchers and armored vehicles. Three soldiers were injured in the action.  <h2>Violence Erupts After Cartel Chief’s Death </h2> Soon after news of El Mencho’s death spread, CJNG members allegedly attempted retaliation. Violence was reported across multiple Mexican states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Guerrero, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Zacatecas, and Tamaulipas.  <h2>President Responds, US Calls It Major Victory </h2> Claudia Sheinbaum initially refrained from directly confirming the killing, saying the security cabinet would provide details. She later stated that the situation remained normal in most parts of the country.  Christopher Landau posted on X that the development is a “major victory” for Mexico, the United States, Latin America, and the world.  <h2>US Intelligence Helped Operation </h2> Mexico’s Defence Ministry said the United States provided intelligence that helped make the operation successful. The Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel under the US Northern Command worked alongside Mexican forces.  A US official said the mission was entirely conducted by Mexico, though American intelligence played a key supporting role. Under pressure from the Trump administration, Mexico has intensified its crackdown on drug cartels.  Officials say the incident marks a significant turning point in Mexico’s drug war. While El Mencho’s death could trigger leadership changes within CJNG, authorities warn that ongoing violence may worsen the situation. Investigations are underway, and forensic identification of the bodies will be conducted. 

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/who-was-el-mencho-mexico-s-most-notorious-cartel-boss-with-a-15-million-bounty-1828330

Take Shelter: Indian Embassy In Mexico To Indians After Violence Over Drug Lord's Killing

The Embassy of India in Mexico has issued a security advisory for Indian nationals following widespread violence in several Mexican states after the killing of a major cartel leader, 'El Mencho'.  The advisory comes after the Mexican military killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. He was reportedly injured in the raid and died while being transported to Mexico City. Authorities have described the operation as one of the most significant blows to organised crime in recent years. <h2>Violence In Mexico</h2> In the aftermath of his death, cartel members allegedly carried out retaliatory attacks across multiple states, setting vehicles ablaze, blocking highways and triggering panic in several cities. Reports indicate that parts of Guadalajara saw streets empty out as residents stayed indoors, while schools in some states suspended classes. Several international airlines, including US and Canadian carriers, also cancelled flights to destinations such as Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara amid the unrest. Against this backdrop, the Indian Embassy has urged citizens to remain cautious. "There are ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity. Indian nationals in Jalisco State (areas of Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (areas of Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State should shelter in place until further notice," the advisory read.  The embassy has asked Indians to call +52 55 4847 7539 for assistance. <h2>Flights To Mexico Cancelled </h2> Several US and Canadian airlines suspended multiple flights to Mexico on Sunday after violence erupted in the wake of the cartel leader’s killing. American carriers, including Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, as well as Canadian operators WestJet and Air Canada, announced cancellations to destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Manzanillo amid security concerns.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/take-shelter-indian-embassy-in-mexico-to-indians-after-violence-over-drug-lord-el-mencho-killing-1828326

Major reshuffle in Bangladesh army after formation of new govt: reports

Dhaka, Feb 22 (PTI): There was a major reshuffle at the top level in the Bangladesh Army on Sunday, including the appointment of a new Chief of General Staff (CGS), local media reported. The changes, issued by Army Headquarters, came days after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s new government assumed power on February 17, Dhaka Tribune reported. The reshuffle affects key strategic commands as well as the country’s premier military intelligence agency.Lieutenant General M Mainur Rahman has been appointed as the CGS while he was previously serving as the chief or General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), Prothom Alo reported, quoting sources in the defence ministry. As per the reshuffle, the principal staff officer (PSO), Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan, was replaced by just-promoted Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman. Hasan has been attached to the foreign ministry to be appointed as an ambassador abroad. Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury has been appointed director general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), the report said.Currently serving as a brigadier general at Army Headquarters, he will assume the post upon his promotion to major general.Defence adviser at the Bangladesh High Commission in India, Brigadier General Md Hafizur Rahman, was called back to take charge as the GOC of an infantry division with the elevated rank and status of major general. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) bagged a two-thirds majority in the crucial February 12 elections. Rahman, 60, took oath on February 17, ending the 18-month Muhummad Yunus' rule. PTI AR RD RD RD(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/major-reshuffle-in-bangladesh-army-after-formation-of-new-govt-reports-1828324

22 Pashtuns Killed In 24 Hours Across Afghanistan & Pakistan During ‘Anti-Terror’ Operations

A series of recent military operations carried out by Pakistan in Afghanistan and its own Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has resulted in significant civilian casualties, according to local accounts and available figures. In a cross-border strike in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and a separate mortar attack in Tirah Valley within Pakistan, dozens of Pashtun civilians were reportedly killed or injured. The incidents have intensified scrutiny over Pakistan’s counter-terror operations and their humanitarian impact in predominantly Pashtun areas on both sides of the border. <h2>Cross-Border Strike & Domestic Operation</h2> In what has been described as a major escalation, Pakistani forces reportedly carried out a midnight strike in the Besud district of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan. A residential house was directly targeted, resulting in the deaths of 17 civilians, including 11 children. Those killed were identified as Afghan civilians belonging to the Pashtun ethnic community. <figure class="image"><img src="https://ift.tt/60lKm8b" alt="Villagers gather amid rubble after deadly cross-border strikes hit Pashtun residential areas." width="720" /> <figcaption>Villagers gather amid rubble after deadly cross-border strikes hit Pashtun residential areas.</figcaption> </figure> Almost simultaneously, in Pakistan’s Tirah Valley in Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mortar fire struck a vehicle, killing five Pashtuns, including two children. Local residents who later protested outside a Pakistani military post were reportedly met with live fire, leading to injuries among approximately eight civilians. These incidents come amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan’s north-western regions. For nearly a year, security operations have involved drone surveillance, mortar shelling and ground actions targeting suspected militant activity. However, available figures indicate a significant civilian toll. Since January 2025, more than 168 Pashtun civilians have reportedly been killed in Pakistan under anti-terror operations, including 39 children and 83 women. In Afghanistan, between September 2025 and February 2026, 88 Pashtun civilians have allegedly been killed in cross-border strikes, including at least 29 children and over 16 women. <h2>Pashtun Demographics & Historical Context</h2> Pashtuns constitute one of the largest ethnic groups in the region, with approximately 94% of the global Pashtun population residing in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, Pashtuns make up more than 65% of the population, while in Pakistan they represent roughly 15%, primarily concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Balochistan. Communities on both sides of the border share deep linguistic, cultural and historical ties that predate the establishment of the Durand Line, the colonial-era boundary dividing Afghanistan and Pakistan. Many Pashtuns continue to view the Durand Line as disputed, and cross-border family and tribal connections remain common. Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, political and military leadership has largely been dominated by figures from Punjab. Some Pashtun leaders and activists have long alleged systemic discrimination and marginalisation. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Frontier Gandhi, opposed the partition of India and later advocated for Pashtun autonomy. He was imprisoned multiple times following Pakistan’s independence. <h2>Militancy, Security Concerns & Cycles of Conflict</h2> Security tensions in the region are further complicated by the presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an anti-state militant group operating primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Many of its commanders are Pashtun, and Pakistani authorities have repeatedly accused segments of the local population of supporting the group, allegations that have contributed to intensified military action in the region. Historically, Pashtun regions have been central to multiple conflicts. During the 1980s Soviet-Afghan war, large numbers of young Pashtuns were mobilised as fighters. After the Soviet withdrawal, elements were redirected towards insurgencies elsewhere, including in Kashmir. Following the US-led intervention in Afghanistan in 2001, parts of the border region again became theatres of militancy and drone warfare. Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, cross-border tensions have persisted. Pakistan had previously described the Taliban as allies but now faces strained relations with Kabul, particularly over border security and militant activity. The recent incidents, in which 22 Pashtuns reportedly lost their lives within 24 hours across both countries, underscore the fragile security environment. Analysts note that repeated cycles of militancy, counter-terror operations and civilian casualties have shaped the region for decades. While Pakistani authorities maintain that operations are aimed at countering terrorism, the humanitarian impact on Pashtun communities remains a growing concern. The pattern of violence across borders continues to draw attention to long-standing political, ethnic and security complexities in the region.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/22-pashtuns-killed-in-24-hours-across-afghanistan-pakistan-during-anti-terror-operations-1828318

Saturday, February 21, 2026

NEWS ALERT: Pakistan Admits Airstrikes on 7 Militant Camps Inside Afghanistan Territory

Pakistan has officially confirmed carrying out airstrikes across the border in Afghanistan, stating that the operation targeted seven militant camps linked to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). In a formal statement, Pakistani authorities said the strikes were intelligence-driven and aimed at dismantling infrastructure allegedly used to plan and execute attacks inside Pakistan. Security officials described the targeted locations as training centers and logistical hubs situated near the border region. Islamabad maintained that the action was part of its ongoing counterterrorism efforts to curb escalating cross-border militancy and protect national security interests. The government emphasized that the operation was “precise and limited,” focused solely on militant facilities. There has been no immediate detailed response from Afghan officials, but the development is expected to heighten tensions between the two neighboring countries. Analysts warn that such cross-border military actions could complicate diplomatic engagement while intensifying security challenges in the region.  

source https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/world-news-alert-pakistan-admits-airstrikes-on-7-militant-camps-inside-afghanistan-territory-1828212

Iranian Students Take To The Streets In Bold Anti-Government Protests

Iranian students took to the streets of major universities on Saturday, clashing with counter-protesters and chanting bold anti-government slogans, signaling renewed unrest against the country’s clerical leadership. The demonstrations come at a time when Tehran faces mounting international pressure linked to ongoing nuclear negotiations. Videos circulating online showed protesters at campuses in Tehran and Mashhad shouting phrases such as "Death to Khamenei" and "Freedom," with some voices calling on the United States to intervene. At Sharif University of Technology, students could be seen chanting against the supreme leader as tensions escalated on campus. The authenticity of the videos could not be independently confirmed. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> THREAD: Verified videos of anti-government protests in Iran on 21 February Protests broke out today at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, with students chanting slogans against the supreme leader. Video: <a href="https://twitter.com/SharifiZarchi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SharifiZarchi</a> Location: <a href="https://t.co/7O3kAnsb5y">https://t.co/7O3kAnsb5y</a><a href="https://twitter.com/GeoConfirmed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeoConfirmed</a> <a href="https://t.co/9SArLwfbOp">pic.twitter.com/9SArLwfbOp</a> — Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shayan86/status/2025297965967900934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <h2>Continuing Waves Of Protest</h2> Local and diaspora media reported the gatherings just weeks after a mass protest wave that prompted a harsh government crackdown last month. Human rights organizations estimate that thousands of people were killed during the crackdown, fueling domestic tensions and drawing global scrutiny. The unrest has coincided with heightened U.S. pressure on Iran. Former President Donald Trump had threatened military action following the crackdown, though Washington has since shifted its focus to Iran’s nuclear program, which Western officials fear could be aimed at developing a bomb. <h2>Nuclear Talks And Military Posturing</h2> Despite escalating tensions, the U.S. and Iran have recently resumed Oman-mediated talks in an attempt to reach a diplomatic agreement. At the same time, the U.S. has deployed two aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and additional weaponry to the region, signaling both engagement and deterrence. Videos verified by AFP at Tehran’s leading engineering university showed scuffles breaking out as protesters shouted "bi sharaf," meaning "disgraceful" in Farsi. Persian-language broadcaster Iran International also aired footage of large crowds at Sharif University chanting anti-government slogans. <h2>Remembering Past Unrest</h2> Earlier this week, demonstrators revived protest chants to mark 40 days since the deadly unrest on January 8–9, when nationwide demonstrations surged. Students and their supporters again gathered at multiple universities in the capital on Saturday, according to local media. The protest movement initially erupted in December, sparked by prolonged economic hardship. It quickly grew into wider anti-government demonstrations. Security forces responded with a violent crackdown, which authorities claim left over 3,000 people dead, though U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates more than 7,000 fatalities, mostly among protesters. Officials have described the violence as the result of "terrorist acts" backed by foreign adversaries. Iranian authorities first acknowledged the economic grievances but later accused longtime rivals, including the United States and Israel, of fueling the unrest as protests became increasingly anti-government.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iranian-students-take-to-the-streets-in-bold-anti-government-protests-1828203

Pakistan Conducts Midnight Airstrikes In Afghanistan, Hits Madrasa During Ramzan

In another major escalation with Afghanistan, Pakistan carried out fresh midnight airstrikes inside Afghanistan targeting seven locations across multiple provinces. The strikes began around 12:30 AM and mark another violation of the Doha-brokered ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025 under the mediation of Qatar and Turkey. The first reported strike hit a madrasa in the Barmal district of Paktika province. According to exclusive photos and videos accessed by ABP News, missiles fired at the madrasa during the month of Ramadan reduced large parts of the building to rubble. Islamic religious books and study materials were also destroyed in the Pakistani air attack. <h2>Airstrike During Ramzan</h2> The timing of the strike at Madarsa during the holy month of Ramadan has sparked outrage, as madrasas typically witness increased religious activity, Quran recitations, and night prayers during this period. Images emerging from the site show debris scattered across the compound. Apart from Barmal in Paktika, Pakistani forces carried out air and drone strikes in multiple locations across eastern Afghanistan, including Urgun in Paktika province, Khogyani and Ghani Khel in Nangarhar province, Behsud, and two separate sites in Khost province. This marks Pakistan’s fourth airstrike inside Afghanistan since September last year and the second since the October 2025 ceasefire declaration, raising concerns over the fragile peace and regional stability. Taking official responsibility, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that the strikes targeted seven camps belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) operating from Afghan territory. Islamabad claimed that recent terror incidents including the attack on an Imambargah in Islamabad, the Bajaur assault, and the suicide bombing in Bannu were orchestrated by handlers based inside Afghanistan. <h2>Pakistani Military Vehicle Attacked</h2> Earlier in the day, a motorcycle-borne suicide attacker targeted a Pakistani military vehicle in Bannu, killing Lieutenant Colonel Shehzada and four soldiers. The attack was carried out by Majlis Askari Karwan, a proxy faction linked to TTP. Last Thursday, TTP militants also attacked a Frontier Corps post located at Malang Madrasa in Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district, killing 14 paramilitary FC personnel. So far, there has been no official response from Kabul regarding the latest strikes. However, previous Pakistani air operations between September and November led to significant civilian casualties in which 71 civilians were killed including 18 children, 27 elderly individuals and 8 members of Afghanistan’s domestic cricket team. With tensions rising again, the fragile ceasefire appears increasingly unstable. The latest cross-border action during Ramadan risks further escalation and could deepen mistrust between Islamabad and Kabul. The coming hours are crucial in determining whether diplomatic channels can prevent another cycle of retaliation in the already volatile Afghanistan–Pakistan region.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-conducts-midnight-airstrikes-in-afghanistan-hits-madrasa-during-ramzan-1828191