Domestic

BALOCHISTAN

1. Unknown gunmen martyred Police Constable Farhan Bashir, who was deputed with a polio team in Dera Murad Jamali town, Nasirabad district (15.4.26).
2. Security forces foiled an attack on a checkpost in the Kuchlak bypass area in Quetta district, killing two terrorists (16.4.26).
3. Unidentified gunmen killed two men, Muhammad Naeem Badini and Muhammad Aamir Badini, who were travelling in a vehicle near the Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital in Mastung district (17.4.26).
4. Armed motorcyclists shot dead a young man in the Teri area of Mastung Road in Mastung district (17.4.26).
5. Security personnel reportedly killed two terrorists during retaliatory fire in the Sheikh Wasil area of Mastung district (18.4.26).
6. Unknown armed men martyred two officials, including Lady Constable Malik Naz and Constable Samiullah, and injured two others in Khuzdar district (19.4.26).
7. Armed gunmen martyred an Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) personnel, Rehmatullah, and injured four others during an exchange of fire in the Dasht Kmeela area of Mastung district (19.4.26).
8. Four people were injured after unidentified motorcyclists hurled a hand grenade at a shop in Kalat (23.4.26).
9. At least 10 people, including a Turkish geologist and two security guards, were reportedly killed and eight others injured after an armed attack at a copper and gold project site in Chagai district (24.4.26).
10. Armed motorcyclists attacked the Dhadar police station in Kachhi district with rockets and grenades, leaving one attacker dead and a policeman martyred, with two others injured. The attackers, while retreating, also set several vehicles on fire and caused significant damage to the police station building (24.4.26).
11. Police repelled an attack by armed men using heavy weapons on a police station in the Mal area of Noshki district, resulting in injuries to a policeman (24.4.26).
12. A bomb planted near the residence of Balochistan Irrigation Minister Mir Sadiq Umrani in Dera Murad Jamali exploded, damaging parts of the house and destroying a nearby transformer (25.4.26).
13. Two men, Bacha and Shah Muhammad, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Gulistan area of Qila Abdullah district (26.4.26).
14. Police Head Constable Naimatullah was martyred in a terrorist attack on a checkpost in the Huramzai area of Pishin district (27.4.26).
15. Five labourers from Punjab were injured in a grenade attack in the Dalbandin area of Chagai district (29.4.26).
16. Four people, including two robbers, were killed in separate shooting incidents in Hub district. Two dacoits were shot during a robbery attempt, a truck driver was killed on Adalat Road, and another body was found in the Sakran area (29.4.26).

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (KPK)

1. In two separate incidents, a government schoolteacher, Nadeem, was reportedly abducted at gunpoint, and a gas company driver was kidnapped in the Bakakhel area of Bannu district (15.4.26).
2. CTD police killed two wanted terrorists, Abbas and Usman, during an exchange of fire near the Regi Northern Bypass in Peshawar district (15.4.26).
3. Mortar shells reportedly fired from Afghanistan killed two women and a child and injured two others in the Bara Leghari area of Bajaur district (15.4.26).
4. Three kidnapped polio workers were safely recovered through the joint efforts of the police and tribal elders in Bannu district (16.4.26).
5. Unknown gunmen injured a policeman during their attack on a police post in War Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district (17.4.26).
6. Nine militants were killed during a prolonged police operation in the Sarki Pyala area of Hangu district after an attack and a quadcopter strike on a checkpoint that martyred Head Constable Haji Abdul Masood and injured another officer. Two bodies were recovered, while seven were taken away by accomplices (17.4.26).
7. Security forces reportedly arrested an outlawed TTP commander, Amir Sohail alias Maulvi Haider, who claimed he had been radicalized through propaganda and trained in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, with alleged links to ISIS and Al-Qaeda and involvement in attacks in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Mianwali (17.4.26).
8. PPP District General Secretary Imran Mukhlis, who had been abducted by armed men from Wana’s Ghowa Khowa area in South Waziristan district, was reportedly freed later by his captors (18.4.26).
9. An unidentified man was found dead in fields near Kotka Karim Khan, within Bargai police station limits in Lakki Marwat district (19.4.26).
10. Two FC personnel, Havaldar Rukh Niaz and Sepoy Rehmatullah, were reportedly martyred by two armed motorcyclists in Kurram Garhi within the limits of Cantt Police Station in Bannu district (19.4.26).
11. Police arrested a group of 14 people for allegedly extorting money from Afghan nationals using fake tokens at a holding camp near Hamza Baba Shrine in Landi Kotal, Khyber district. The suspects had been illegally collecting money from Afghan families returning to Afghanistan (19.4.26).
12. Security forces killed two terrorists, including a suicide bomber and a high-profile ringleader Waheedullah alias Mukhtiar, during an IBO in Bannu district. They were linked to multiple attacks, including the martyrdom of Lt Col Gul Faraz on 21 February (19.4.26).
13. Two banned TTP-affiliated terrorists, including commander Amir Suhail alias Umar Khitab, were killed, and Police Constable Attiqur Rehman embraced martyrdom during a gun battle in the Khundan forest area of Lakki Marwat district (20.4.26).
14. Four road construction workers, including excavator operators, were abducted by unknown armed men in the Peer Mela area of Khyber district (20.4.26).
15. Security forces and LEAs, in a joint operation, killed 22 terrorists affiliated with the outlawed TTP in Khyber district (21.4.26).
16. Two civilians were injured in a quadcopter attack in the Bakkakhel area of Bannu district (24.4.26).
17. Eight people, including five policemen, were injured after an attack by armed gunmen on a police vehicle and a Rescue 1122 ambulance in Khar tehsil of Bajaur district (24.4.26).
18. Terrorists blew up an abandoned police post in Lowi Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district (24.4.26).
19. Two people, Mohammad Fayyaz and his 10-year-old nephew Arslan, were killed when their car was ambushed by unidentified gunmen in the Sultankhel area of Landikotal in Khyber district (24.4.26).
20. Four people were injured in a clash between two sub-clans of the Mehsud tribe over the ownership of a suspected gold-reserve site (mine) in Kaniguram tehsil of South Waziristan district (25.4.26).
21. Police repelled an attack by outlawed TTP-affiliated militants on Daraban Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan district. The attack involved rockets and heavy gunfire, causing property damage but no casualties (25.4.26).
22. A cargo truck caught fire at Maahra, Dera Ismail Khan, leading to the closure of the Indus Highway and long traffic queues on both sides (26.4.26).
23. Unidentified gunmen killed a tribal elder, Malik Fazil Wahid, in Inayat Kallay Bazaar of Bajaur district (26.4.26).
24. Two people were injured when unidentified attackers opened fire on a moving vehicle in the Dama Dola area of War Mamund tehsil in South Waziristan district (26.4.26).
25. A man, Afzal Khan, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Hindikhel in the Janikhel area of Bannu district (26.4.26).
26. Unidentified motorcyclists shot at and injured a Police Head Constable, Zahid Khan, and his five-year-old daughter in the Shadev area of Bannu district (26.4.26).
27. The Police Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) defused an IED in the Kakki police station area of Bannu district (26.4.26).
28. An ANF official was martyred after his abduction in the Shah Hassankhel area, and FC soldier Shakeel Khan was reportedly martyred in Shadikhel, Bittani subdivision in Lakki Marwat district (27.4.26).
29. Five National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) workers, Muhammad Ali, Zahid Khan, Ghulam Sadiq, Noor Habib, and Wahidullah, were abducted at gunpoint by unidentified armed men while they were laying communication cables in the Mamash Khel area within the limits of Cantt police station in Bannu district (27.4.26).
30. Unidentified miscreants blew up a government high school with explosives in the Hakumat Mamandkhel area of Bannu district (27.4.26).
31. A mosque, “Jamia Masjid Qamar Sar,” was partially damaged in a suspected drone strike in Hassankhel near Peshawar, with no casualties reported as it was empty. Locals said it was the third strike in the area and the second damaging a mosque, following a similar incident in Chandoka on 22 April (27.4.26).
32. A mortar shell fired from an unknown direction reportedly hit a house in Akakhel Karapa in Bara tehsil of Khyber district, killing a 12-year-old girl and injuring six others, including women and children (27.4.26).
33. Unidentified armed assailants shot dead two persons, Muhammad Rasool and Inayat Khan, in Lowi Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district (28.4.26).
34. Police repelled a terrorist attack on the Mazanga police post in Bannu district, killing one terrorist on the spot, while five others were also killed and their bodies taken away by their accomplices (29.4.26).
35. Sub-Inspector Sher Zaman was wounded when attackers opened fire on a police post in Mohmand district (29.4.26).
36. Five civilians were injured when mortar shells fired from Afghanistan landed in the Angor Adda area of South Waziristan district (29.4.26).
37. Panic buttons have been installed at 68 locations in the provincial capital, Peshawar, under the Safe City Project to ensure quick police response in emergencies. KP Police Chief Zilfikar Hameed said the system, equipped with audio-video connectivity, will help protect citizens, especially women and students, and will be expanded to other cities as well (30.4.26).

PUNJAB

1. The Punjab government extended a province-wide ban on outdoor drone flying for another 30 days to ensure public safety. The ban does not apply to drones used by intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Small drones used for indoor coverage, such as in halls and marquees, are exempted (27.4.26).
2. The FIA, with Interpol’s help, arrested four proclaimed offenders — Abdullah, Adil, Muhammad Adnan, and Shah Faisal — in Abu Dhabi. They were brought back to Pakistan for murder and fraud cases registered in Faisalabad and Sargodha (27.4.26).
3. Nine suspects were allegedly killed and two police officials injured in separate encounters with the CCD Police across Lahore. Police said raids in Sundar and Iqbal Town areas led to gunfights with wanted robbers, while another incident in DHA involved an exchange of fire after suspects opened fire on a checkpoint. The bodies have been shifted for postmortem, and investigations are ongoing (28.4.26).

SINDH

1. Unknown assailants shot and killed Noorudin in Shah Latif Town, Karachi (15.4.26).
2. Police arrested Balochistan CTD Constable Taj Mohammed and three others in Karachi for the alleged inter-provincial smuggling of Iranian currency worth 9,998,000,000 rials and a licensed 9mm pistol. Taj admitted to bringing it from Quetta for Rs. 200,000 (15.4.26).
3. Policeman Khadim Ali Shah was martyred and another officer injured in an armed attack by two motorcyclists near Hub Canal in the Manghopir area of Karachi (16.4.26).
4. CTD police, in a joint operation with an intelligence agency, arrested three suspects — Rehman, Miandad Baloch, and Imran — for sheltering terrorists and sharing propaganda on social media (17.4.26).
5. Sharjeel Akbar was arrested for allegedly threatening the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, though a bomb disposal unit search found no explosives (20.4.26).
6. MQM (Pakistan) worker Yaseen Ameen was shot dead by an armed motorcyclist in Korangi, Karachi (21.4.26).
7. A man, Noor Aziz, was killed and another person injured in a suspected targeted attack by unidentified gunmen on Chundrigar Road, Karachi (25.4.26).
8. Notorious dacoit Fareed Mirani, wanted in 37 criminal cases of murder, attempted murder, and robberies in Sindh and Punjab and carrying a Rs. 10 million bounty, was killed along with an accomplice in a police encounter near Kashmore (29.4.26).

PAKISTAN–AFGHANISTAN SKIRMISHES

According to unconfirmed sources, Pakistani security forces carried out retaliatory operations in Chaman under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting Afghan Taliban posts and infrastructure after alleged cross-border attacks. Officials said the operation aims to defend the borders and counter militant threats and will continue until its objectives are met. Pakistan has also urged action against TTP-linked sanctuaries, while recent strikes in South Waziristan, KPK’s Ghulam Khan sector, and Chaman have reportedly foiled infiltration attempts and attacks (26, 28, 29.4.26).

DEFENCE AND SECURITY

Army

1. The Pakistan–Türkiye Joint Exercise Jinnah-XIII was successfully held in Türkiye, focusing on counterterrorism training in Ankara and Isparta. The exercise enhanced operational skills, including urban combat and IED handling, while strengthening military ties between the two countries (16.4.26).
2. The passing-out parade of the 38th Technical Graduate Course, along with multiple PMA courses, was held at the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, with cadets from several friendly countries graduating. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu reviewed the parade and awarded honours, including the Sword of Honour to Bilal Nasim (18.4.26).
3. The Pakistan–Egypt Joint Exercise Thunder-II, focused on counterterrorism operations, was held in Cherat. Special forces from Pakistan and Egypt enhanced their skills and strengthened military ties (20.4.26).
4. Pakistan and Sri Lanka launched the two-week joint counter-terrorism exercise “Shake Hands-II” at Tarbela, involving their special forces. The drill aims to enhance counter-terrorism skills, share operational experience, and strengthen military cooperation between the two countries (27.4.26).
5. The Army Rocket Force Command of the Pakistan Army successfully conducted a training launch of the indigenously developed Fateh-II missile, validating its performance, accuracy, and advanced systems. Senior officials and scientists witnessed the test, while Pakistan’s leadership, including the President and the Prime Minister, praised the achievement and the technical expertise involved (28.4.26).

Navy

6. The Pakistan Navy successfully test-fired an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, accurately hitting its target at long range. Top leadership, including the Naval Chief, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, witnessed the launch, which highlighted enhanced deterrence and maritime defence capability (16.4.26).
7. The Pakistan Navy successfully conducted live firing of the indigenously developed Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missile, demonstrating precision strike capability against maritime targets and strengthening national defence readiness (21.4.26).
8. The Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCE) hosted a conference in Karachi on emerging technologies and future warfare, where Admiral Naveed Ashraf emphasised collaboration, indigenisation, and the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean in shaping modern defence trends (23.4.26).
9. PNS/M Hangor, the first Hangor-class submarine, was commissioned in Sanya, China, with President Asif Ali Zardari attending as chief guest, marking a major milestone in the Pakistan Navy’s modernisation. The Naval Chief said the advanced submarine would strengthen maritime defence and the security of sea lines, highlighting the legacy of Hangor and Pakistan–China naval cooperation. The Prime Minister and the COAS & CDF also congratulated the nation and the Navy on the occasion (30.4.26).

DIPLOMATIC DEVELOPMENTS, ECONOMY, AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Pakistan-Mediated Peace Efforts Between Iran and the USA

1. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with DPM/FM Ishaq Dar, undertook a tri-nation visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye (15–18 April) to strengthen economic ties and regional cooperation and to hold security discussions amid rising Middle East tensions, with meetings held with the top leadership of each country (19.4.26).
2. The COAS and CDF, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi concluded a three-day visit to Iran, meeting senior leadership including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. They reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strong bilateral ties, regional peace, and a negotiated settlement of conflicts, including mediation efforts between Iran and the US. The CDF thanked Iran for its hospitality and reiterated Pakistan’s focus on stability and diplomatic solutions in the Middle East (18.4.26).
3. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led a delegation, including senior officials, and arrived in Islamabad on 24 April to discuss Tehran’s response to US proposals. Pakistan hosted talks with Field Marshal Asim Munir and planned discussions with Ishaq Dar as it mediated the indirect US–Iran negotiations on issues such as nuclear limits and de-escalation. Iran stated that it would not hold direct talks with the US, while conveying its position through Pakistan, and later emphasised continued regional coordination during Araghchi’s wider visits to Oman and Russia. US officials also indicated their participation in the Pakistan-mediated dialogue as diplomatic efforts continued (25–27.4.26).

Comments & Analysis: Pakistan has been actively mediating between Iran and the United States by conveying demands and proposals from both sides, aiming to achieve an amicable solution, a peace accord, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. An in-depth article titled “Islamabad’s Moment: The Promise and Peril of Hosting the US–Iran Talks,” written by security analyst Dr. Naveed Elahi, was published on thestrategicbrief.com on 28 April 2026.

Pakistan Opened Six Land Routes Allowing Transit of Goods to Iran

4. Pakistan has issued an order allowing the transit of goods to Iran through six land routes under an enforceable bank guarantee, aiming to ease trade as thousands of containers remain stuck at Karachi port. The 2026 transit order, regulated under customs laws and bilateral agreements, covers routes via Gwadar, Karachi/Port Qasim, Quetta, Dalbandin, and Taftan. Over 3,000 containers have reportedly been delayed due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and restrictions at Iranian ports amid the US–Iran ceasefire. Although the details and scope of the land route opening are not yet fully clear to analysts, they believe the move could provide relief to Iran by bypassing maritime constraints and the blockade of Iranian seaports by US forces in the Arabian Sea, while also offering Pakistan an opportunity to expand trade with Central Asian countries via Iran (26.4.26).

Regional

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani met China’s Ambassador Zhao Xing to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation, focusing on stability and development. Separately, during talks with the UK envoy Richard Lindsay, Taliban official Abdul Wasi, while accusing Pakistan of striking civilian targets, urged an end to clashes with Pakistan amid rising border tensions and humanitarian concerns. Meanwhile, Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov warned at the SCO meeting in Bishkek that Afghanistan remains a source of cross-border terrorism and instability, calling for stronger regional cooperation, including efforts by Pakistan, to ensure long-term security (27, 29.4.26).

CHINA

Pakistan–China Cooperation in Space Programme / President Zardari’s Visit to China

1. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China views space as a shared domain rather than an arena of rivalry, and aims to build an open, cooperative “friend circle” in space exploration, Global Times reported. He highlighted China’s 70 years of space progress and its expanding international cooperation, including projects with Africa and South America, and plans for Pakistani astronauts to join the Tiangong space station missions (24.4.26).
2. China has selected two Pakistani astronauts, Muhammad Zeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, for its manned space programme, state news agency CCTV reported. Both will train in China, with one set to fly as a payload specialist and become the first foreign astronaut on its space station. SUPARCO said Pakistani astronauts will train at China’s Astronaut Centre and join a planned 2026 mission to the China Space Station, where one will conduct scientific experiments in microgravity. In a separate event, SUPARCO successfully launched Pakistan’s indigenous EO-3 electro-optical satellite from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite will support urban planning, disaster management, food security, and environmental monitoring. The Prime Minister praised Pakistani scientists and China’s support in the achievement (22, 25.4.26).
3. President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in China on 25 April and, during his visit to Hunan and Hainan provinces, held meetings with the local leadership. He invited Chinese investment in priority sectors such as alternative energy, water treatment, and EV batteries, including discussions with Wang Jian, CEO of Hangzhou Jinjiang Group, in Sanya, while assuring support for foreign investors and signing MoUs to enhance cooperation in water desalination, agriculture, and the tea industry (29.4.26).

ILLEGALLY INDIAN OCCUPIED JAMMU AND KASHMIR (IIOJK) / LOC

1. Two US nationals were detained and arrested at Srinagar International Airport after security officials found unauthorised satellite communication devices in their luggage during a routine check while they were travelling from Srinagar to New Delhi. The detainees were reportedly identified as Jeffrey Scott Prather from Montana and another US citizen of Indian origin. The satellite devices found in their possession are banned in Jammu and Kashmir without special permission from the Department of Telecommunications (19.4.26). Lt Gen P. K. Mishra, GOC of the Nagrota-based 16 Corps (White Knight Corps), visited Dogrian in Surankote, Poonch, to review the security situation and intelligence framework. He assessed coordination with security agencies and ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the area (28.4.26).
2. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) told the Delhi High Court that Yasin Malik used contacts in the Pakistani leadership to promote a secessionist agenda in Jammu and Kashmir. The agency said he was linked with militancy allegedly tied to Pakistan. He is already convicted and serving life imprisonment in a terror funding case. He claimed engagement with Indian leaders and intelligence officials, which the NIA called an attempt to gain sympathy. The court adjourned the hearing on the NIA’s plea for the death penalty to July (22.4.26).

INDIA

Defence and Security

Army

1. The Army Commanders’ Conference (13–16 April) was held under the COAS, General Upendra Dwivedi, in New Delhi, focusing on transforming the Indian Army into a future-ready, technology-driven force. Key discussions reportedly centred on data-centric warfare, AI, unmanned systems (UAS), and enhancing indigenous capabilities and self-reliance to counter evolving global security challenges (17.4.26).
2. The Indian Army recently held a cybersecurity workshop, “Crack the Uncrackable,” at the 515 Army Base Workshop in Bengaluru, inviting civilian hackers and engineers to test its next-generation drone communication systems. The exercise evaluated indigenous quantum-safe encryption by allowing access to live transmissions, but no participant could breach the system or extract useful data. Former Army Chief General M. M. Naravane said future wars will require rapid industrial adaptation, urging India to enable large-scale drone production (about 40,000 units monthly) based on lessons from the 2025 India–Pakistan “drone war” (18, 26.4.26).
3. Lt Gen Balbir Singh, currently serving as a Major General at the Indian Army Northern Command HQ, will take over after his elevation as GOC of the 15 Corps (Chinar Corps) in Srinagar, IIOJK, on 1 May. He is to replace Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, who has been appointed the new Quartermaster General (QMG) at Army HQ in New Delhi. Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C Northern Command, visited forward areas in Ladakh to review operational readiness, praised high-altitude combat preparedness, and commended the dedication of Indian Army and ITBP personnel (27, 29.4.26).

Air Force

4. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly procuring compact micro UAVs for its elite Garud Commando Force for surveillance in high-altitude and extreme conditions. The drones will offer a 15 km range, 60 minutes of endurance, VTOL capability, encrypted communication, and operations in GPS-denied environments under the Make in India initiative. The Defence Ministry has issued an RFI for all-weather, high-altitude surveillance drones to improve military monitoring and intelligence gathering. The IAF also reportedly intends to invite proposals under the Mehar Baba Competition to develop swarm drone-based radar systems for detecting advanced threats such as stealth aircraft and hypersonic weapons, with improved mobility and survivability over fixed radars (19, 26.4.26).
5. Russia has reportedly dispatched the fourth S-400 Triumf system to India under the 2018 five-billion-dollar deal, following inspections by the Indian Air Force. It is expected to arrive by mid-May 2026 and may be deployed along the western border with Pakistan. The fifth and final regiment, which was initially delayed, is now scheduled to arrive by November 2026 and is intended for deployment along the border with China. The Russian-made S-400 system, named Sudarshan Chakra in India, is operated by the Air Force within a layered air defence network, including systems such as the Army’s Akash, for integrated air defence (28.4.26).

Navy

6. India is expanding its naval fleet and infrastructure to counter regional challenges, with Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi stating that 15 warships will be inducted this year, focusing on anti-submarine and undersea warfare. India has commissioned its third SSBN, INS Aridhaman, and inducted the frigate INS Taragiri, while K-4 missiles indigenously developed by DRDO for the INS Arihant-class nuclear submarine are reportedly yet to be operationalised, and a fourth submarine is under construction. According to an unconfirmed report, DRDO also plans to test the 100 kW DURGA-II laser weapon on Indian Navy Project-15B destroyers to enable fast, low-cost interception of drones, missiles, and other aerial threats, enhancing advanced naval defence capabilities. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Germany on 22 April, signalling progress towards an $8 billion deal for six submarines (22, 28.4.26).

Diplomatic Developments, Economy, and Significant Events in India

7. PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah condemned the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. Commenting on the matter, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said India had not provided any evidence against Pakistan and questioned the rejection of a neutral probe (22.4.26).
8. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s three-day visit to India led to agreements with PM Narendra Modi to expand cooperation in AI, semiconductors, shipbuilding, and defence (22.4.26).
9. India and Russia activated the RELOS defence pact, enabling mutual use of military bases and strengthening logistics and strategic military cooperation (23.4.26).
10. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held meetings with his counterparts from China and Russia at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Bishkek, focusing on regional security and cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions. Speaking at the SCO forum, he said that “Operation Sindoor” demonstrated India’s firm resolve that the epicentres of terrorism are no longer immune to justifiable punishment (28.4.26).
11. Indian Deputy Representative Ms Yojina Patel at the UN condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, calling them unacceptable and urging respect for freedom of navigation under international law. She also said eight Indian seafarers had died and one was missing amid recent tensions, after two Indian-flagged vessels were reportedly targeted, prompting India’s protest (29.4.26).

IRAN

Law and Order / Security

1. Iran’s IRGC reportedly arrested over 120 people for alleged links with the US, UK, and Israel, while detaining others for sharing sensitive coordinates. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police patrol in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan, killing one officer, Mohammadreza Nizamdost, and injuring three others, according to authorities (18, 29.4.26).

Iran–US–Israel War and Peace Efforts by World Leaders, Particularly Pakistan and Russia

2. Tensions between the US and Iran persist, with stalled peace talks over nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, despite cautious signals for negotiation from Tehran. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned of potential strikes on figures close to Ali Khamenei if conflict resumes, as military readiness increases. Russian President Vladimir Putin backed diplomacy in talks with Iranian officials, while disagreements continue at the UN. Rafael Grossi said Iran’s enriched uranium likely remains at the Isfahan facility, though this is unverified after the strikes. US officials, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, defended the military actions, while President Donald Trump, rejecting Iran’s offer, signalled a prolonged naval blockade, which Iran’s Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticised as an attempt to create internal division. Meanwhile, the US is seeking support for a new international coalition for the “Maritime Freedom Construct” to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, coordinating diplomacy, information sharing, sanctions enforcement, and maritime monitoring amid stalled talks with Tehran, according to AFP and WSJ reports citing a State Department cable (22, 24, 27, 29.4.26).

Comments & Analysis: The US is demanding that Iran surrender its enriched uranium and reopen the Strait of Hormuz unconditionally, while Iran maintains that it will not develop nuclear weapons but refuses to abandon its peaceful nuclear programme and to hand over uranium without sanctions relief and security guarantees against future attacks. Despite these firm positions, there remains some hope for a mutually acceptable agreement between the two sides.

MIDDLE EAST

1. Sixteen Arab and Islamic countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, and Pakistan, condemned Israel’s reported diplomatic move on Somaliland, stressing that it is not internationally recognised and reaffirming Somalia’s territorial unity (19.4.26).
2. Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire following talks in Washington between the two sides’ representatives (24.4.26).
3. Two former Israeli Prime Ministers, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, formed a joint alliance, “BeYachad,” to challenge Netanyahu, focusing on domestic issues while broadly maintaining hardline security positions on regional conflicts (27.4.26).
4. Israel reportedly deployed Iron Dome systems and troops to the UAE during the Iran conflict, marking the first such cooperation amid large-scale missile and drone attacks (27.4.26).
5. The UAE has announced that it will quit OPEC and OPEC+ next month, a move seen as driven by political and economic factors, including Gulf tensions and stronger ties with the US (29.4.26).