Domestic

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

Mohammad Ubaid Jahangir, arrested on July 23 for allegedly spying for India, was handed over to Saddar police after CTD interrogation for sharing sensitive information, including GPS coordinates and photos of key sites. According to the FIR, he provided data on locations like Bilal Masjid in Muzaffarabad, hit by an Indian missile on 6 May, posing a serious threat to Pakistan and AJK’s security (21.8.25).

Comments & Analysis: Mohammad Ubaid Jahangir’s arrest for allegedly spying for India highlights a serious security breach, as he is accused of providing GPS coordinates and photos of sensitive sites, including Bilal Masjid in Muzaffarabad, which was struck by an Indian missile on 6 May. A 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy were killed in this blast. The details suggest structured tasking and pre-attack reconnaissance rather than casual leakage. His actions expose operational security gaps around soft targets in AJK, warranting tighter controls on photography, geotagging, and access to critical sites. Investigators must treat this case as a potential lead into a wider network, prioritizing link analysis, device forensics, and financial trails to uncover handlers and facilitators. Cross-checking data with strike aimpoints, surveillance logs, and communication metadata will be key for corroboration, while chain-of-custody and due process safeguards are essential for court admissibility. Beyond prosecution, authorities should reinforce protective measures at high-risk sites, enhance community reporting of suspicious activity, and craft careful public messaging to preempt disinformation, as the case underscores both immediate threats and broader vulnerabilities in Pakistan and AJK’s security environment. It also suggests presence of Indian moles inside AJK. Counter Intelligence must enhance its actions to unearth the undercover agents and moles.

The Indian strike on a van near old Walton Airport Lahore also indicates involvement of a facilitator at the place of occurrence. About five thousand Afghan refugees reside in the area. Intelligence agencies ought to launch a combing operation in Lahore in general and in this area in particular to ferret out the spies and agents in the city.

Balochistan

1. Levies arrested a man for kidnapping a 12-year-old girl from Ayala, Sindh, and forcibly marrying her in the Zehri area of Khuzdar district (17.8.25).
2. Four people, including Ghulam Sarwar, Islam, Nazim, and Ali Ahmed, were shot dead and another injured by unidentified gunmen in the Sordo area of Panjgur town (19.9.25).
3. In two separate incidents and dates, a passerby, Ali Bagh Jekharani, was killed in a roadside bomb blast by terrorists in the Lanjo Saghari area, and two people were killed in a tribal clash between Sundrani and Bugti tribes in the Sui area of Dera Bugti district (18, 21.8.25).
4. In three separate incidents, a grenade attack on a police mobile injured four personnel; an armed motorcyclist killed two men and injured five bystanders near Ghanta Ghar Chowk over tribal enmity; and, in another case, a man and a woman were shot dead in an alleged karo-kari incident in Khankot, Tamboo, Dera Murad Jamali district (17, 20 & 20.8.25).
5. Police recovered the body of a young man in the Mirani Dam area of Turbat in Gwadar district (21.8.25).
6. Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti revealed that security forces foiled a major BLA terror plot planned for August 14, implicating university professor Usman Qazi in the 2024 Quetta Railway Station bombing, with thousands of government employees under investigation. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed ongoing operations in “grey areas,” urging public cooperation as multiple raids and arrests followed a key detention in Quetta.
7. Armed men opened fire on Aslam Tareen, son of tribal elder Rauf Segi Tareen, near a check post on Jinnah Road in Quetta (22.8.25).
8. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was killed by unknown armed men near a crossing in the Saranan area of Qila Abdullah (22.8.25).
9. Unknown armed motorcyclists martyred CTD Sub-Inspector Inayatullah at Bacha Khan Chowk in Pishin Town (22.8.25).
10. Four bullet-riddled bodies were found in an abandoned area of Basima in Washuk district (23.8.25).
11. At least eight people were injured in a grenade attack by armed motorcyclists in the Singkani area of Turbat in Kech district (26.8.25).
12. FIA arrested several suspects, including Muhammad Adnan Aslam, Muhammad Umar, Lal Muhammad, and Abdul Wali, for human trafficking, illegal currency exchange, and hawala and illegal trafficking in Quetta, Taftan, and Gwadar (23, 27.8.25).
13. Three workers were killed in a gas explosion at a coal mine in the Degari area of Mastung district. Coal mine accidents are frequent in Balochistan due to neglected safety protocols and miners working in hazardous conditions (27.8.25).
14. A full-scale emergency mock exercise was conducted at Quetta International Airport as part of national aviation safety and preparedness protocols (29.8.25).

Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)

Two Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts soldiers, Naib Subedar Khushdad and Havaldar Ashraf, were martyred and another injured in a terrorist attack on their checkpoint along the Karakoram Highway in Diamer district. Earlier on 21 July, armed men reportedly martyred a Federal Constabulary soldier at a forest checkpoint along the Karakoram Highway in the same district (29.8.25).

Comments & Analysis: The terrorist attack on Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts personnel in Diamer reflects the growing vulnerability of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), a critical artery for Pakistan’s connectivity with China under CPEC. The back-to-back incidents — including the earlier killing of a Federal Constabulary soldier in July — suggest that militants are deliberately targeting security checkpoints along strategic routes to undermine state control and disrupt trade and military logistics. This underscores the need for enhanced surveillance, fortified check posts, and community intelligence networks in Diamer and adjacent valleys where militant infiltration remains a challenge.

Islamabad

1. The federal government agreed to rebuild the demolished Madni Masjid near Rawal Dam Chowk within four months, following an agreement with JUI-F after four days of negotiations. The deal, signed with the Ulema Action Committee, denies any list of 50 mosques for demolition and promises future consultation on mosque-related matters, after the Aug 9–10 demolition sparked strong backlash: Dawn News (22.8.25).
2. A gang of robbers reportedly looted valuables worth millions from the home of PPP MNA Ramesh Kumar and injured a police constable deployed with him in Islamabad (28.8.25).

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

1. Police and CTD foiled a major Independence Day terror plot by arresting four terrorists in the Mathi Baghwani area of Dera Ismail Khan district. The suspects were identified as Umar Farooq, Asif Ali, and Hasnain Mavia, and were affiliated with Hidayatullah Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (Bali Khiyara Group) (15.8.25).
2. Police, helped by armed volunteers, repelled a terrorist attack on a police station in the Havaid area of Bannu district (16.8.25).
3. Police foiled a grenade attack on the Gal Zaimdarah checkpoint in the Madian area of Lower Dir district (16.8.25).
4. Terrorists killed a police official’s father, Zakham Khan, in the Tabi Murad area of Lakki Marwat district (16.8.25).
5. Security forces defused an IED planted by terrorists in the Dabkot area of Wana tehsil in South Waziristan district (16.8.25).
6. Unknown gunmen reportedly killed seven members of a family, including Abdul Samar, and injured another in Regi Shinokhel of Kohat district (17.8.25).
7. Three security personnel were injured when terrorists opened fire on a bomb disposal unit in Ladha tehsil of South Waziristan district (17.8.25).
8. A police raiding party survived a bomb attack in the Wanda Shuja area of Lakki Marwat district. A day earlier, police had seized arms and ammunition after an exchange of fire with robbers in the mountains of Darra Pezu town in Lakki Marwat district (17.8.25).
9. FC soldier Jawad (on leave) was martyred by unknown armed men in the Mazrina Sultankhel area of Landi Kotal, Khyber district (19.8.25).
10. Armed gunmen opened fire outside a private school, injuring two people and abducting Rahmatullah Wazir, principal and president of the Wana Welfare Association, days after the proscribed group Fidayan-i-Islam warned him to shut down the school in Wana, South Waziristan district (19.8.25).
11. Police killed four robbers — Shahzeb, Qayum, Shaheedur Rehman, and Usman — during an exchange of fire on the Bannu–Dera Ismail Khan Highway in Darra Pezu, Lakki Marwat district (19.8.25).
12. Regional Police Officer (RPO) Abbas Majeed Marwat revealed that CTD police and a federal agency foiled a major terrorist plot in Kohat by arresting two constables linked to the Hafiz Gul Bahadar Group and IS-KP (19.8.25).
13. Police recovered the body of a man, identified as Jawad, in the Daulat Mir Lawangkhel area of Lakki Marwat district (20.8.25).
14. CTD, along with local police, claimed to have killed two alleged Lashkar-i-Jhangvi terrorists, Rashid and Rafiuddin, in a shootout near Sikandar Road in Prowa tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district (20.8.25).
15. Two people were injured in a roadside IED blast planted by terrorists in Khar tehsil of Bajaur district (20.8.25).
16. Police defused two locally made bombs near an army camp in Shah Hasankhel area of Lakki Marwat district (21.8.25).
17. On August 21, 2025, unidentified gunmen in separate incidents in Mirali Bazaar, North Waziristan, martyred police officer Sahib in Mirali tehsil of North Waziristan district (21.8.25).
18. Unidentified terrorists detonated their own hideouts in Mamandkhel to target police, while in a separate incident police repelled a midnight terrorist attack on a post in the Fatehkhel area of Bannu district (21.8.25).
19. A young man, Naseebullah, was shot dead by a police official near the Pakistan–Japan Friendship Tunnel in Kohat after allegedly failing to stop at a check post, though his family claims he had shown a doctor’s prescription (21.8.25).
20. Armed men killed former forest watchman Faizur Rehman after his abduction in the Maidan area of Lower Dir district. The outlawed TTP reportedly claimed responsibility. Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen shot dead the son of a local elder in the Munda area of Lower Dir district (21.8.25).
21. A former army personnel, Fatehullah Shah, was martyred and three others injured when terrorists opened fire on worshippers inside a mosque in the Malagan Nurar area of Bannu district (22.8.25).
22. Unknown armed motorcyclists shot dead a former policeman and injured another in the Kaloo Banda Junglekhel area of Kohat district (23.8.25).
23. Two minor brothers were injured when a toy-like bomb they were playing with exploded inside a house near Syed Jalal check post in Miramshah in North Waziristan district (24.8.25).
24. In two separate incidents in Bajaur district, a terrorist was killed and three others injured while planting an IED in the Zagai area, and unknown gunmen martyred Police Constable Shah Wazir in Lowi Mamund tehsil (22, 24.8.25).
25. Five suspected terrorists were reportedly killed and seven policemen injured during fierce clashes in Dobando Lajbook Dara areas in Lower and Upper Dir (25.8.25) — to be verified.
26. In two separate incidents in Bannu district, an unknown motorcyclist hurled a grenade in the Darey Pull area, injuring a police officer, while in Basykhel a wanted criminal and suspected terrorist, Amir, and his accomplice Safyan were arrested in wounded condition after an encounter (26.8.25).
27. A bridge was partially damaged by an IED blast in the Tirah Valley of Khyber tribal district (27.8.25).
28. Excise police in Peshawar recovered two ancient statues — a seated Buddha and a standing Maitreya Bodhisattva — from a car at a joint check post, valued at millions of rupees internationally for their historical and cultural significance (27.8.25).
29. Police Constable Rafiuddin embraced martyrdom during a gunfight with a large group of terrorists who attacked his home in the Havaid area of Bannu district (28.8.25).
30. President of Dargai Tehsil Bar Association, Advocate Khalid Khan, was shot dead by armed assailants while traveling in a car in Dargai tehsil of Malakand district (28.8.25).
31. The FIA suspended official Ehtesham-ul-Haq for allegedly videotaping passengers — mostly female migrants — while being negligent during duty at the Pakistan–Afghanistan Torkham border crossing in Khyber district (28.8.25).
32. Village council chairman Arab Khan was injured by two armed men after refusing to pay Rs 2 million in extortion in Jhangkhel area of Lakki Marwat district (28.8.25).
33. Police arrested three men for kidnapping, torturing, stripping, and filming a tailor — later shown on social media — who was tied to a pillar in the Alaskan Thakral area of Mansehra district. His brother stated that he had returned after being expelled by a jirga three months ago for an alleged act to see his ailing mother (28.8.25).
34. Six armed robbers looted Rs 7 million from a bank in the Shamansoor area of Swabi district (29.8.25).
35. A man named Yaqoob Khan was killed and his brother injured when a mortar shell from an unknown direction struck their house in Lowi Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district (29.8.25).
36. A woman and a young man were killed for honour, allegedly by her brother-in-law, while she was attending a wedding ceremony in the Gaturangian area of Torghar district (29.8.25).
37. Police claimed to have killed three terrorists in the Darmalak area of Kohat district, but a police ASI was martyred and two others injured during the exchange of fire (30.8.25).

Comments & Analysis:    The breadth of incidents across KPK points to persistent militant activity, tribal feuds, and criminal violence, particularly in frontier districts. The foiling of an Independence Day terror plot in D.I. Khan and subsequent CTD operations in Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan indicate proactive counter-terrorism successes, yet the parallel wave of targeted killings (of policemen, ex-servicemen, and civilians) highlights the militants’ ability to retaliate asymmetrically. Bajaur, North and South Waziristan, and Bannu remain high-intensity conflict zones, where IEDs, grenade attacks, and targeted shootings continue to claim lives.

High-profile incidents — such as the abduction of Rahmatullah Wazir in Wana after threats from a proscribed group, the martyrdom of CTD officers, and the killing of a bar association president — illustrate militants’ efforts to intimidate local leadership, disrupt civil institutions, and assert influence over education and community organizations. Criminality also overlaps with militancy, as seen in bank robberies, extortion attempts, and kidnappings in Lakki Marwat, Swabi, and Mansehra.

Punjab (CCD and Police)

1. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, during her visit to the National Crime Control Agency HQ in Tokyo, Japan, announced that Punjab Police will adopt Japan-inspired technologies, with a pilot project launching in Lahore. She credited the CCD for reducing crime by over 70% despite controversy over recent encounters (20.8.25).
2. Four members of the Wahab Lund gang in Rajanpur’s Katcha area were subjected to the traditional Balochi ritual “Bhaa Pani” to prove their innocence in a police leak, walking barefoot over burning embers. Gang leader Habib Lund conducted the ritual, while four others swore on the Holy Quran. Rajanpur district police chief Farooq Amjad confirmed legal action against those responsible for the inhumane practice (21.8.25).
3. Police recovered an IED during a search operation in a graveyard in Jadaywali, Vehova area, near the Punjab–KPK border in Dera Ghazi Khan district (25.8.25).
4. Police detained religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza for 30 days under the MPO and later reportedly booked him on blasphemy charges in Jhelum after a viral interview led to an FIR under Section 295-C. Mirza, previously banned from Muharram speeches, survived a 2021 assassination attempt and was arrested in 2020 for alleged derogatory remarks but released on bail (27.8.25).
5. Police and CCD, during an anti-crime drive, killed 20 wanted lawbreakers and arrested a number of others in various cases of murders, robberies, kidnapping for ransom, criminal assaults, and other heinous acts during encounters at various towns and locations across the Punjab province (30.8.25).

Sindh

1. The charred body of a young man was discovered on the Northern Bypass opposite Labour Colony in Karachi (20.8.25).
2. A man and a teenage boy were killed, and 33 others injured, in a blast at a firecracker warehouse in a three-story building complex on M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi (21.8.25).
3. Seven rusted grenades, firearms, and bullets were recovered from a drain linked to the Malir River during a cleaning operation in Korangi, Karachi (22.8.25).
4. CTD Police Additional IG Azad Khan revealed the arrest of six suspects linked to a banned separatist group in the killing of Abdul Rehman in Badin, exposing the involvement of India’s intelligence agency RAW. Investigations showed RAW agent Sanjay Kumar, based in a Gulf country, orchestrated the attack through hired operatives, with evidence of terror financing, weapons recovery, and digital coordination, labeling it state-sponsored terrorism (22.8.25).
5. Unknown gunmen martyred Police Head Constable Mithras Khan in a targeted attack near Sindhi Goth, Pipri area of Karachi (27.8.25).
6. CTD Police arrested an alleged terrorist, Zubair Alam, affiliated with the banned TTP Swat group, in Karachi, and recovered a CRG-42 practice grenade and two rifle grenades from his possession (27.8.25).
7. Police arrested Ghulam Qadir Lashari, a member of a criminal gang, for allegedly killing ASI Muhammad Khan Abro on 18 August in Shah Town, Steel Town, Karachi (29.8.25).
8. Kashmore police claimed to have killed four dacoits in a shootout during a joint operation in the Ghelpur riverine area of Kashmore-Kandhkot district (29.8.25).

Defence and Security

1. Pakistan Navy launched its third Hangor-class submarine, PNS/M Mangro, in China, where Vice Admiral Abdul Samad emphasized maritime security amid regional dynamics. Pakistan signed an agreement with CSOC for eight submarines, four to be built in China and four at Karachi Shipyard under a Transfer of Technology program (15.8.25).
2. A high-level Azerbaijani defence delegation led by Deputy Minister Agil Gurbanov met Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. Both sides held extensive talks, emphasizing mutual defense collaboration, especially in training, modernization, and technical expertise (19.8.25).
3. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a large-scale flood relief operation in Gilgit-Baltistan, airlifting 7 tons of essential supplies and evacuating 75 stranded individuals despite harsh weather and terrain, in coordination with the NDMA (20.8.25).
4. Lt Gen Md Faizur Rahman, Quarter Master General of the Bangladesh Army, met with CJCSC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at CJCSC HQ Rawalpindi on 22 August 2025 to discuss regional security and boost defense cooperation, praising the professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces and their sacrifices in combating terrorism (22.8.25).
5. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited Turbat to review the security situation and development efforts, emphasizing good governance and inclusive progress, and reaffirmed the Army’s support for Balochistan’s stability, while commending troops for their dedication in maintaining peace under challenging conditions (23.8.25).
6. Lt Gen Yilma Merdassa, Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, called on PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air HQ, Islamabad, where both discussed areas of professional interest and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation between the two Air Forces (27.8.25).
7. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, attended the Victory Day celebration of Türkiye’s Armed Forces in Islamabad as Chief Guest, where he extended heartfelt felicitations and highlighted the deep, time-tested brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye. The event was attended by Türkiye’s Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Berk Ece, and prominent civil, military, diplomatic, and media figures (29.8.25).
8. The COAS visited flood-affected areas in Punjab, including Sialkot, Narowal, and Shakargarh, to review relief efforts, commend troops and civil administration, assure the Sikh community of restoring religious sites, and conduct an aerial survey of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. Earlier, on 15 August, he had directed intensified relief efforts in flood-hit KP with troops and helicopters, while the Pakistan Army donated one day’s salary and over 600 tons of rations in solidarity with affected communities (29.8.25).

Diplomatic Development and Significant Events

1. According to media reports, the Indian police and security agencies are indirectly harassing Pakistani diplomats and staff in New Delhi by cutting off utilities, monitoring their movements, and not extending visas for 17 staff members, including diplomats. Additionally, four diplomats were asked to vacate their homes early, and the Pakistani High Commission has reported the situation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The News, Express Tribune, Geo, and Samaa TV (12.8.25).
2. Pakistan is facing intensifying climate impacts, with cloudbursts and flash floods in 2025 causing severe devastation, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where Buner alone recorded 228 of the province’s 385 deaths. Experts link the growing frequency of these extreme weather events to rising temperatures and increased atmospheric moisture due to climate change, especially in mountainous regions. Though hard to predict, their destructive impact can be mitigated through early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, reforestation, and greater public awareness (20.8.25).

Chinese FM visits Islamabad to attend Pakistan–China Strategic Dialogue Meeting

• During his two-day visit to Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir to reaffirm China’s support for regional peace, counter-terrorism, and strategic cooperation. He emphasized opposition to external interference. He came to Pakistan after holding diplomatic engagements in New Delhi and Kabul. During his visit, he attended the Pakistan–China Strategic Dialogue and pledged deeper bilateral collaboration, reaffirming China’s firm support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and development (21.8.25).
  Comments & Analysis: Amid major geopolitical shifts, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed strong ties with Pakistan during his visit, emphasizing deeper cooperation in economics, security, and regional stability through the Pakistan–China Strategic Dialogue. Highlighting Islamabad as a key stop on his South Asia tour, he reportedly urged Pakistan to protect Chinese interests, as the country navigates balancing its relations with both China and the U.S.

Heavy rains and cloudbursts in Himalayan regions of Pakistan and India create havoc

• Heavy rains and cloudbursts in the Himalayan regions of Pakistan and India have caused widespread havoc, triggering deadly flash floods, landslides, and significant infrastructure damage. In Punjab, particularly Sialkot, Lahore, and Kasur, over a million people were reportedly evacuated as the worst flooding in four decades submerged villages and vital grain crops, while civil and military teams led rescue efforts. Apart from that, the rain and flash floods in AJK, GB, and KPK caused heavy loss of lives and infrastructure. Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal accused India of withholding floodwater data and using water as a weapon, with flooding further intensified by the collapse of gates at India’s Madhopur barrage on the Ravi River. The situation is expected to worsen in Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Sindh as water levels rise in major rivers (30.8.25).

Regional

Afghanistan

1. National Resistance Front (NRF) leader Ahmed Masood reportedly extended 14th August Independence Day greetings to Pakistan, affirming every nation’s right to choose its own path and live by its own decisions (15.8.25).
2. Drone strikes in Nangarhar and Khost provinces
   At least three were killed and seven injured in strikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Khost provinces, which Afghan authorities blamed on Pakistan. However, no evidence was provided, and Islamabad has not officially responded to the allegations. In another incident, three children were injured due to the blast of an unexploded ordnance in Badghis province, underscoring the persistent threat of war remnants in Afghanistan (27.8.25).
3. US–Afghanistan relations
    The U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan in Qatar appointed Don Brown as acting Chargé d’Affaires, while former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka called the Taliban “moderately cooperative” counterterrorism partners amid regional concerns. Earlier, ex-envoy Zalmay Khalilzad criticized Pakistan and Iran’s Afghan policies, condemned the Taliban’s girls’ education ban, highlighted weak U.S.–Taliban ties, and urged dialogue on the Durand Line issue (22, 24, 27.8.25).
4. Russia–Afghanistan relations
   Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu called for revival of SCO–Afghanistan ties, citing Russia’s recognition of the IEA to boost regional cooperation, while warning that over 23,000 militants from 20 international terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan — an assertion rejected by the IEA. He accused Western intelligence of moving fighters into Afghanistan to destabilize areas near Russia, China, and Iran, and claimed the West is quietly re-engaging with Kabul to re-establish NATO’s presence despite official non-recognition (29.8.25).
5. Pakistan–Afghanistan relations
   The 6th Trilateral Dialogue in Kabul on May 20 between Pakistan, China, and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) focused on extending CPEC, boosting regional connectivity, and counter-terrorism, with China offering to mediate tensions. The 7th JCC meeting addressed border, trade, and security matters, where Pakistan pressed for action against TTP and banned outfits, while the IEA denied their presence. Afghan Defence Minister Yaqoob Mujahid, in a BBC interview, rejected Pakistan’s claims and called for honest dialogue to improve bilateral relations (20, 23, 29.8.25).

Bangladesh

1. During his two-day official visit to Dhaka, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar oversaw the signing of six agreements between Pakistan and Bangladesh, covering areas such as visa-free entry for diplomatic passport holders, trade, media, academic exchange, and cultural cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties. Dar also met with delegations from the National Citizen Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, discussing regional developments and commending their resilience amid hardships (22, 23.8.25).
2. Bangladesh’s Election Commission unveiled a roadmap for February’s general elections, aiming to hold polls before Ramadan, with preparations including legal reforms, voter list updates, and stakeholder consultations. Approved under interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s directives, the plan drew criticism from the NCP for bypassing the “July Charter,” as political uncertainty rises with NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami demanding systemic changes, while the BNP emerges as the largest party after Awami League’s disbandment (28.8.25).
   Comments: In a landmark visit, Pakistan’s foreign minister launched a “new phase” of partnership with Bangladesh, marking the first in 13 years amid growing trade, military, and diplomatic ties post-Hasina’s ouster. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has demanded Hasina’s extradition and accused India of backing the banned Awami League, which India denies. India’s top military commanders and media analysts have reportedly expressed concern over Bangladesh’s ties with Pakistan and China, closely monitoring developments and possibly planning to influence Bangladesh’s 2026 elections to restore a pro-India government.

Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) / LoC

1. Indian security forces in IIOJK allegedly intensified coercive actions, arresting three youth on fabricated militancy charges and dismissing two government employees in Kupwara. In separate incidents, rusted grenades were recovered in Akhnoor, properties looted in Ramban, and 215 Jamiat-i-Islami-linked schools were taken over to safeguard education for 51,000 students. Two Kashmiri civilians were reportedly killed in a fake encounter in Bandipora’s Gurez sector, while a soldier, Akbar, died in the line of duty in Kupwara (18, 22, 28.8.25).
2. Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, C-in-C of Indian Army Northern Command, chaired a Core Group Security Review in Nagrota and visited Basantgarh to assess the security situation. India repositioned three CRPF battalions in Udhampur and Kathua to relieve Rashtriya Rifles units from counter-terror duties in IIOJK, enabling the Army to shift focus to borders with Pakistan and China. Additionally, Lt Gen P.K. Mishra, GOC 16 Corps, along with GOC 25 Infantry Division, reviewed operational readiness in Krishna Ghati sector along the LoC in Poonch (17, 23, 28.8.25).
3. PDP chief and former CM Mehbooba Mufti led a peaceful protest in Srinagar demanding the release of Kashmiri political prisoners, urging CM Omar Abdullah to act and warning of growing public alienation. Meanwhile, the Indian Supreme Court deferred an urgent hearing on J&K’s statehood restoration plea to 10 October, drawing criticism from Omar Abdullah over the delay (24, 25.8.25).

India

Defence and Security

1. India conducted two separate missile tests: the Strategic Command Force test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni-5 missile with a range over 5,000 km. Separately, DRDO carried out the maiden test of the Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) off Odisha’s Chandipur coast. The IADWS integrates indigenous technologies, including QRSAM, VSHORADS, and a laser-based Directed Energy Weapon for enhanced aerial threat response (20, 23.8.25).
2. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, highlighting the Indian Navy’s role in securing India’s economic and energy interests, confirming the cross-border response “Operation Sindoor” to the Pahalgam attack, and showcasing self-reliance by comparing U.S. F-35 jets with India’s “Made in India” warship technology (26.8.25).
3. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, speaking at Army War College, Mhow, urged caution on “theatre command reforms” and proposed a Delhi-based joint planning centre tailored to India’s needs. In contrast, the Naval Chief backed the theatre command proposal in line with the Modi government’s vision, and a photo with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh suggested a possible compromise. The next day, CDS Gen Anil Chauhan’s office released three joint doctrines on special forces, airborne, and multi-domain warfare to boost tri-service interoperability (26–27.8.25).
4. The Chief of the Air Staff, while addressing the Commanders’ Conference in Shillong, emphasized Eastern Air Command’s crucial role in securing India’s northern and eastern borders, with a focus on enhancing operational capabilities and inter-service coordination; he was received by Air Marshal Surat Singh, AOC-in-C, EAC (28.8.25).
5. India–China relations
   Chinese FM Wang Yi, during his visit to India, met with PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar, and NSA Doval to ease tensions, agreeing to resume flights, ease visas, reopen border trade, and enhance investment. The 24th border talks focused on troop pullback and boundary issues, with China also agreeing to share data on the Brahmaputra dam and cooperate in key sectors like fertilisers and rare earths: Reuters and Al-Jazeera (19.8.25).
   6. India rejected Bangladesh’s claims of Awami League offices operating on its soil, calling them “misplaced” and denying any foreign political activity is allowed. It also dismissed Nepal’s objections to India–China trade via Lipulekh Pass, labeling Nepal’s territorial claims as historically unfounded, while Nepal called for a diplomatic resolution (20.8.25).
6. Indian propaganda movie on Galwan war with China
   Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has begun shooting in Ladakh for the war film Battle of Galwan, portraying Colonel B. Santosh Babu, in what director Apoorva Lakhia calls a tribute to Indian soldiers, though the film — like the earlier hit Border — appears to be a propaganda movie to support an Indian government-driven nationalist and anti-Pakistan/China narrative (25.8.25).
7. US Tariff on India:

The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods over its Russian oil and arms purchases, impacting India’s export-driven economy and prompting PM Modi to promote self-reliance and the “Made in India” initiative. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal vowed not to bow down and will focus on capturing new markets. Analysts are of the view that the U.S. strategic shift favours ties with Pakistan, while China and Russia may seek to enhance trade with India for greater regional influence (27, 29.8.25).

Iran

1. During President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Yerevan, Iran and Armenia signed 10 MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation, following talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The visit came after a U.S.-brokered Armenia–Azerbaijan transit corridor deal, which Iran cautiously welcomed while expressing concerns over regional dynamics (18.8.25).
2. Iran–Afghanistan relations
   Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that while Iran does not officially recognize the Islamic Emirate, it cooperates on migration, security, and trade based on national interests, amid unresolved issues like water rights and banking, with Deputy Minister Jawnabkht urging efforts to secure Iran’s Helmand River share (22–23.8.25).
3. Pakistan–Iran relations

Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, in a call with Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, emphasized stronger counterterrorism cooperation. He praised Pakistan’s support during Iran’s tensions with Israel and the U.S., expressed condolences over flood losses, and welcomed efforts to turn the shared border into a zone of friendship and development. Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian, during a telephonic talk with PM Shehbaz Sharif, extended condolences over Pakistan’s flood losses and expressed Iran’s readiness to assist the victims: Tasnim News, Express Tribune, IRNA (25, 29.8.25).

• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in coordination with Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, conducted three anti-terror operations in Iranshahr, Khash, and Saravan, killing 13 terrorists and arresting several others in Sistan-Baluchistan. Separately, the IRGC announced the arrest of eight individuals of separatist groups in Khorasan Razavi, allegedly trained online by Israeli agency Mossad for collaborating and providing sensitive data on military targets, with a plan of attacks and sabotage in Mashhad: IRNA (26, 29.8.25).
• France, the UK, and Germany triggered the UN “snapback” mechanism under Resolution 2231 to potentially restore Iran sanctions, prompting Russia and China to propose a six-month extension to revive diplomacy. Russia’s deputy UN envoy warned the Council must choose between diplomatic engagement and Western coercion (29.8.25).

Middle East

1. Following an emergency meeting in Jeddah, the OIC strongly condemned Israel’s plans to fully occupy Gaza and forcibly displace Palestinians, and rejected its refusal of a ceasefire accepted by Hamas. The group also denounced Netanyahu’s “Greater Israel” rhetoric, settlement expansion, and targeting of journalists. Pakistan’s Deputy PM and FM Ishaq Dar warned of regional instability and proposed seven urgent steps to resolve the Gaza crisis, as Israel launched its first phase of occupation on August 22, prompting a UN warning of rising casualties (26.8.25).
2. Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced a complete halt to trade with Israel, banning Israeli ships from Turkish ports and restricting Turkish vessels from Israeli ports. Türkiye also barred ships carrying weapons to Israel and imposed airspace restrictions amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza. Türkiye’s decision was welcomed by Hamas (29.8.25).