'Direct Threat To Regional Peace': India Slams Pakistan's Air Strikes On Afghanistan

<p>India has strongly condemned Pakistan's cross-border air strikes on Afghanistan, calling them a blatant act of aggression that resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday, New Delhi said the attacks violated Afghanistan's sovereignty and posed a direct threat to regional peace and stability. The condemnation came after the Taliban-led government in Kabul claimed that at least 36 civilians were killed and 163 others injured in Pakistani strikes across three eastern Afghan provinces.</p> <h2>India's Response</h2> <p>In its statement, the MEA said India "strongly condemns" Pakistan's air strikes on Afghan territory, which it said had caused the deaths of several civilians, including women and children.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">India strongly condemns air-strikes by Pakistan on Afghan territory<br /><br />🔗 <a href="https://t.co/1mONzLsCU4">https://t.co/1mONzLsCU4</a> <a href="https://t.co/IDqzhgwPP2">pic.twitter.com/IDqzhgwPP2</a></p> &mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://ift.tt/ArJP8US 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://ift.tt/VoxmBk9" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>Describing the operation as a blatant act of aggression, India said the strikes undermined Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity while threatening peace in the wider region.</p> <p>The government also accused Pakistan of displaying a persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and attempting to divert attention from its internal challenges through violence beyond its borders.</p> <p>India expressed condolences to the families of those killed, wished a speedy recovery to the injured and reaffirmed its support for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.</p> <p><strong>Also Read:</strong> <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-supreme-court-expands-trump-power-to-fire-independent-agency-officials-lisa-cook-1853451">US Supreme Court Expands Trump's Power To Fire Independent Agency Officials</a></p> <h2>Civilian Casualties</h2> <p>The Taliban-led administration said Pakistani strikes targeted the eastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar overnight.</p> <p>Deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said the attacks killed 36 civilians, including women and children, and injured 163 others. He claimed three homes were completely destroyed.</p> <p>According to the Taliban, the deadliest incident occurred in Paktia's Chamkani district, where an air strike hit a civilian home. Officials further claimed that a second strike targeted local residents who had gathered to rescue survivors, resulting in dozens of additional deaths and injuries.</p> <p>Pakistan has defended the operation, saying it carried out a coordinated intelligence-based ground offensive supported by aerial strikes in response to a series of militant attacks inside its territory. Islamabad said recent assaults on security installations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Karachi prompted the military action.</p> <p>The latest escalation comes despite recent diplomatic efforts, including China-mediated talks aimed at reducing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. The fresh violence is expected to further strain already fragile relations between the two neighbouring countries.</p> <p><strong>Also Read:</strong> <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/mass-shooting-in-germany-5-killed-suspect-held-by-police-1853427">Mass Shooting In Germany: 5 Killed, Suspect Held By Police</a></p>

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US, Iran Agree To Halt Hostilities 'For Now', To Hold Hormuz Talks In Doha This Week: Report

<p class="isSelectedEnd">The United States and Iran have agreed to suspend hostilities "for now" and will hold talks in Doha this week in an effort to preserve their fragile ceasefire and resolve differences over the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Axios.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">"We decided to stop all the kinetic activity," a senior US official told Axios, using the military term for strikes and other offensive operations.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Another US official said both countries would stand down "for now" and that "vessels can move freely" while technical negotiations continue.</p> <p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="1532" data-end="1714">Axios reported that two US officials and another source familiar with the matter confirmed that negotiators from both countries are expected to meet in the Qatari capital on Tuesday.</p> <p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="1532" data-end="1714"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oQsda9fsHnA?si=m7QWgFPtQiX4rOUz" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="1532" data-end="1714"><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/india/india-rejects-pakistan-s-baseless-karachi-attack-claims-asks-it-to-dismantle-terror-network-1853213">India Rejects Pakistan's Karachi Attack Claims, Calls Out Terror Infrastructure</a></strong></p> <h3>Fragile Ceasefire Faces Fresh Test</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The proposed talks come amid an uneasy ceasefire that has been in place for 11 days but has remained under strain following repeated exchanges of fire between the two countries.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">US President Donald Trump recently warned that Washington could restart military operations and "finish the job" if Iran failed to comply with the terms of the agreement.</p> <h3>Strait Of Hormuz Remains Main Dispute</h3> <p>The upcoming negotiations are expected to focus primarily on the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil transit chokepoint, after weeks of tensions disrupted commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.</p> <p>The ceasefire, now 11 days old, has remained under pressure following repeated exchanges between Washington and Tehran. US President Donald Trump recently warned that military operations could resume if Iran failed to comply with the agreement.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Despite the pause in hostilities, Washington and Tehran remain divided over who should control navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/putin-vows-to-secure-russia-s-borders-as-ukraine-steps-up-long-range-drone-attacks-1853235">Putin Vows To Secure Russia's Borders As Ukraine Steps Up Long-Range Drone Attacks</a></strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated on Sunday that Iran has the exclusive right to manage traffic through the strategic waterway under the preliminary peace agreement, according to <em>The Wall Street Journal</em>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">"Any attempt to establish new or separate arrangements from those currently being carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran will only lead to further complications, delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and increase the level of tension," Araghchi said.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Washington, however, maintains that the agreement does not grant Iran control over the international shipping lane and insists that navigation through the strait must remain unrestricted.</p> <h3>Peace Deal Interpretation Differs</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The disagreement follows days of military exchanges that began after Iran targeted a commercial vessel travelling through a shipping route near the Omani coast. Tehran has insisted that ships should instead use a separate route closer to the Iranian coastline.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">According to <em>The Wall Street Journal</em>, the memorandum signed earlier this month assigns Iran responsibility for facilitating the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The agreement states that "the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels" and that Iran, in consultation with regional partners, will determine future administrative and maritime arrangements for the waterway.</p> <p>The outcome of Tuesday's talks is expected to determine whether the ceasefire can hold and whether both sides can resolve their competing interpretations of the agreement.</p>

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Pakistan Launches Overnight Airstrikes On Afghanistan; 35 Killed, 100 Injured

<p>At least 35 were killed and over 100 others injured after Pakistan's military launched overnight airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, according to sources. The joint operation, involving the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force, was carried out shortly after midnight.</p> <p>Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes targeted locations in the Afghan provinces of Paktika, Paktia and Kunar. Pakistani authorities have maintained that the operation was aimed at militant targets.</p> <p>In a post on X, Tarar said the "calibrated strikes" were launched against militant hideouts and safe havens in response to multiple militant attacks across the country.&nbsp;</p> <p>The attack comes after the regional headquarters of the paramilitary Rangers in Karachi came under attack, killing three soldiers. Later, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, issued a statement claiming responsibility for the Karachi attack.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BTv_E0Ekx80?si=LPRV5puyXcuIklwQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <h3>Civilian Areas Targeted?</h3> <p>According to Afghan sources, the strikes hit residential areas and a mosque in the Giyan district of Paktika province, Tsamkani district of Paktia province and Marawara district of Kunar province.</p> <p>Preliminary reports indicate that more than 40 people sustained serious injuries, including children. Afghan sources further claimed that women and children were among those killed in the strikes.</p> <p>The death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/india/india-rejects-pakistan-s-baseless-karachi-attack-claims-asks-it-to-dismantle-terror-network-1853213">India Rejects Pakistan's Karachi Attack Claims, Calls Out Terror Infrastructure</a></strong></p> <h3>Eyewitnesses Deny Presence of Militants</h3> <p>One injured eyewitness, who said he had returned to Afghanistan from Dubai around two months ago, alleged that the airstrike hit the home of his neighbour.</p> <p>"As soon as the first strike took place, we rushed to help and began pulling women and children from the rubble. A large number of people had gathered for the rescue operation when a second airstrike hit the crowd. I was injured while dozens were killed or wounded. There were no soldiers, no TTP members and no other armed individuals here. Everyone killed or injured in the attack was an innocent civilian," he said.</p> <p>Another injured resident also disputed Pakistan's claim that militants were present in the area.</p> <p>"When the bombing took place, there were no military personnel or government officials here. Pakistan claims it targeted TTP terrorists, but there was no such presence. Everyone affected by the attack was a civilian. Dozens of people were injured, and many lost their lives," the second eyewitness said.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-live-news-update-abbas-araghchi-makes-big-statement-on-strait-of-hormuz-amid-tensions-1853194">Iran Claims Sole Control Of Strait Of Hormuz For Next 30 Days</a></strong></p> <p>While Pakistan has stated that the strikes targeted militant infrastructure, Afghan sources and eyewitnesses have alleged that civilian neighbourhoods bore the brunt of the attack.</p> <p>The reported casualty figures and claims made by both sides could not be independently verified. No official statement has yet been issued by the Afghan authorities regarding the final toll, and the situation remains fluid.</p>

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Putin Vows To Secure Russia's Borders As Ukraine Steps Up Long-Range Drone Attacks

<p><em><strong>Edited by:</strong> Srinivas Mazumdaru</em></p> <p>Russian President Vladimir Putin promised members of his ruling United Russia party congress on Sunday that his government can ensure security amid frequent Ukrainian attacks.</p> <h2>Putin: 'We will undoubtedly overcome all the challenges facing us today'</h2> <p>"Yes, we see the problems, we are aware of them and are responding to them, but we will certainly ensure the security of both the country and our citizens, as well as the inviolability of Russia's borders," Putin said.</p> <p>"We will undoubtedly overcome all the challenges facing us today, including terrorist attacks on our territory and infrastructure facilities," Putin continued.</p> <p>Putin's statements come as Ukraine has scaled up its long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, weapons factories and logistics infrastructure.</p> <p>The attacks are in response to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.</p> <h2>Ukraine carries out fresh attacks on 2 Russian oil refineries &mdash; Zelenskyy</h2> <p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a post on X on Sunday, said Ukrainian forces carried out fresh attacks on two oil refineries in Russia. The attacks come as Ukraine celebrates Constitution Day.</p> <p>Zelenskyy said the Slavyansk oil refinery in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar was hit. He said this is 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the frontline.</p> <p>Krasnodar region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said one person was killed in the Ukrainian attack in Krasnodar.</p> <p>Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian forces also "reached a refinery in the Yaroslavl region, approximately 700 kilometers from our border." The Yaroslavl region is located north of Moscow.</p> <p>Part of Ukraine's drone campaign has been increasing attacks on infrastructure on Crimea. Ukraine has attacked bridges and refineries on the peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.</p> <p>The Crimean Peninsula has a geopolitically important position on the Black Sea, and is used by Russia as a logistics hub for its invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian attacks have triggered fuel shortages, power cuts and travel disruption between Crimea and mainland Russia.</p> <p>On June 18, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscowsince the beginning of the war, and hit a vital oil refinery. The attack temporarily suspended flights at Moscow airports, with some local residents describing "oil rain" from the skies.</p> <p><em><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> This report first appeared on <strong>Deutsche Welle,</strong> and has been republished on <strong>ABP Live</strong> as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by <strong>ABP Live.</strong>&nbsp;</em></p>

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US Hits Iran's Military Sites In Fresh Strikes; IRGC Attacks Bases In Kuwait, Bahrain In Retaliation

<p>The United States carried out another round of military strikes on Iran hours after a Panama-flagged tanker was hit by an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the most serious escalation since the two sides signed an interim peace agreement two weeks ago.</p> <p>US Central Command said its forces launched the operation following the attack on the tanker early Saturday. Saturday's assault on the tanker came just two days after a drone strike on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which had already triggered renewed hostilities between the two countries.</p> <p>In Iran, state broadcaster IRIB reported hearing explosions in the southern city of Sirik early Sunday, though it did not provide further details, Reuters reported.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fdw3McGHI_M?si=vRyXIoaYjkpm4CKu" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <h3>Trump Issues Stark Warning</h3> <p>US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Tehran in a social media post following the latest military action.</p> <p>"There may come a point &zwnj;when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!" Trump wrote.</p> <p>US Central Command said its forces carried out the latest strikes in response to the attack on the tanker.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/pm-modi-trump-think-alike-us-envoy-sergio-gor-white-house-new-delhi-washington-1853078">'Modi And Trump Think Alike': US Envoy Sergio Gor On The Leaders' Bond</a></strong></p> <h3>Iran Claims Retaliatory Strikes</h3> <p>Iran said it retaliated on Saturday by targeting sites linked to US forces.<br /><br />The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its navy and aerospace units launched coordinated missile and drone attacks against US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain in response to recent American strikes, Reuters reported.</p> <p>In a statement carried by Press TV, the IRGC accused Washington of violating the ceasefire.</p> <p>"Violating the ceasefire is contrary to Clause 1 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and will result in the complete halt of all diplomatic processes," the statement said.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/us-envoy-sergio-gor-donald-trump-india-trade-deal-will-be-completed-in-next-few-weeks-or-months-1853074">'Only Handful Of Issues Left': US Envoy Says India Trade Deal Will Be Completed In Next Few Weeks</a></strong></p> <h3>Tensions Rise Despite Interim Peace Deal</h3> <p>The latest exchange of attacks represents the most significant deterioration in relations since Washington and Tehran agreed to an interim peace arrangement aimed at easing months of hostilities and safeguarding maritime traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.</p> <p>The renewed violence has cast fresh uncertainty over efforts to stabilise one of the world's busiest maritime trade corridors.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-hits-iran-military-sites-fresh-strikes-irgc-missile-drone-attacks-kuwait-bahrain-retaliation-ceasefire-violation-trump-1853097

Private sector indispensable to India-US AI, critical minerals push: Official

<p> Washington, Jun 28 (PTI): The private sector will play an indispensable role in transforming India-US cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies and critical minerals into real-world outcomes, a senior Indian official said, as the two countries deepen collaboration in strategic technologies.</p><p> Speaking at a roundtable on "Securing the Foundations of AI Together: US–India Cooperation from Minerals to Microchips", Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs K Nagaraj Naidu said recent initiatives between India and the US were laying the foundation for long-term collaboration across strategic technology sectors.</p><p> "India and the United States have built a comprehensive strategic partnership fit for the 21st century. Through initiatives spanning AI, quantum technologies, critical minerals, advanced energy, and trusted supply chains, we are now moving from principles to projects. The private sector will play an indispensable role in transforming these frameworks into real-world outcomes," Naidu said.</p><p> The roundtable was organised earlier this week by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in association with the Embassy of India and Silverado Policy Accelerator.</p><p> S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), outlined India's rapid emergence as a global electronics and semiconductor hub.</p><p> "India is positioning itself as a trusted and resilient partner in the global technology supply chain. Our electronics manufacturing ecosystem has expanded dramatically, semiconductor fabrication is now becoming a reality, and the next phase of our Semiconductor Mission will build on this momentum," Krishnan said.</p><p> "Combined with India's talent, digital public infrastructure, and AI capabilities, we have an opportunity to develop solutions not just for India, but for the world," he added.</p><p> India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra underscored the complementary strengths of the two democracies in advanced technologies.</p><p> "The opportunity before the United States and India extends from chips to neural networks. India's mission-based approach across semiconductors, AI, and quantum technologies, combined with America's innovation ecosystem, creates enormous potential for collaboration. Together, we can build trusted, resilient technology ecosystems while ensuring secure access to the critical infrastructure that powers these emerging technologies," he said.</p><p> USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi said microchips and critical minerals had become the "elixir" of the modern economy and would shape global technological leadership in the 21st century.</p><p> "The United States and India are uniquely positioned to build the trusted technology partnership of the 21st century. From semiconductors and AI to critical minerals and quantum technologies, the government can establish the enabling framework, but it is industry that will ultimately drive execution, innovation, and investment," Aghi said.</p><p> Also present at the roundtable were Bill Guidera, Deputy Under Secretary for Innovation and Engagement at the US Department of Commerce, and Christopher Saldana, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Critical Minerals, Materials and Manufacturing, US Department of Energy. PTI SKU NB NB</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/private-sector-indispensable-to-india-us-ai-critical-minerals-push-official-1853093

Ukraine Hits Russian Weapons Factory, Fuel Hub As Cross-Border Attacks Escalate

<p><em>Edited by: Wesley Dockery </em></p> <p>Ukraine continued attacks deep in Russian territory on Saturday, striking premises in the city of Volgograd that produce advanced weapons, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.</p> <p>In a second major strike, Kyiv said Ukrainian drones hit an oil pumping station that delivers fuel to Russia's capital, Moscow.</p> <p>The two attacks came a day after Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone assaults in the four-and-a-half-year-old war, targeting a dozen Russian regions, Crimea and shipping at sea.</p> <h2>What Do We Know About The Ukrainian Strikes?</h2> <p>Zelenskyy wrote on X that Ukrainian-made FP-5 Flamingo missiles hit the Titan-Barrikady facility in Volgograd in southwestern Russia, which he described as a &ldquo;major industrial complex.&rdquo;</p> <p>He said Russia produces "artillery systems and specialized military equipment, including components for missile launch systems" at the site.</p> <p>The strikes caused a fire at the &zwnj;⁠plant, Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram app.</p> <p>Ukraine's General Staff said the facility makes equipment for missile systems, including self-propelled launchers and transport-loading vehicles for the Iskander-M missile system.</p> <p>Russia confirmed the attack, with regional Governor Andrei Bocharov writing on Telegram that at least 10 people were wounded and taken to the hospital.</p> <p>Bocharvo said the production facilities of one plant were damaged,</p> <p>Around the same time Saturday, Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian oil pumping station crucial for Moscow's fuel supply, Ukraine's SBU Security Service said.</p> <p>The strikes hit a technical building at the facility owned by the state-owned oil pipeline giant, Transneft.</p> <p>The facility is based in Vtorovo, near the capital of the Vladimir region, east of Moscow.</p> <p>The Kremlin has yet to comment on the strike, the second successful attack on the pumping station in a month.</p> <h2>Russian Strikes Leave Several Dead, Injured In Ukraine</h2> <p>Russia, meanwhile, launched strikes on at least three regions of Ukraine overnight, killing two people and wounding more than 20, according to Ukrainian authorities.</p> <p>In the central eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, one person was killed and two were injured when drones and aerial bombs struck two districts more than 30 times, an official wrote on Telegram.</p> <p>A 66-year-old man was killed in a Russian drone attack on a house in the northern Sumy region, according to the regional military governor.</p> <p>The governor spoke of "a massive attack" elsewhere in the same region bordering Russia that injured 10 people.</p> <p>Strikes on the southeastern town of Zaporizhzhia injured nine, including two children, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said.</p> <p>Also on Saturday, the RIA news agency reported that Russian forces &zwnj;have seized the village ​of ​Novoskeliuvate &zwnj;in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region.</p> <p><em>Disclaimer: This report first appeared on <strong>Deutsche Welle</strong>, and has been republished on <strong>ABP Live</strong> as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by <strong>ABP Live</strong>.</em></p>

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