Pakistan Army rescues Canadian-American family held hostage by Taliban for five years

In a dramatic move, Pakistan Army has freed five hostages from the Taliban, which have been missing since five years.

As per news reports, an American woman and her Canadian husband along with their three young children, who were held hostage by militants, believed to be held by the Taliban-allied Haqqani network in Afghanistan for five years, have been freed. 

Caitlan Coleman was five months pregnant when she and her Canadian husband Joshua Boyle were abducted in 2012. The three children were born during the captivity.

An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said that “through an intelligence-based operation”, the army took custody of the hostages. It said the hostages had been recovered in Kurram tribal area that borders Nangarhar and Paktia provinces in Afghanistan.

Source | Photo: Reuters
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Pakistan Army inducts first batch of indgeniously produced strategic drones

Today, it is the second news about drones development. In the morning we shared news about the stealth drone 'Sharp Sword' developed by China.

Pakistan's army chief General Kiyani being presented with the model of the drone by Lieutenant General (Retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Director General Strategic Plans Division

Now it is has been reported by Pakistan's ISPR that Pakistan today inducted the 1st fleet of indigenously developed Strategic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), namely Burraq and Shahpar UAV Systems in Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force. It is a landmark and historic event, wherein a very effective force multiplier has been added to the inventory of the Armed Forces.


In the future these UAVs could also be gainfully employed in various socio-economic development projects, as well.

The ceremony was attended by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant General (Retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Director General Strategic Plans Division and senior officers from Armed Forces, scientists and engineers.

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff, while appreciating the work of NESCOM scientists and engineers, highlighted that induction of indigenously developed surveillance capable UAVs in Pakistan Armed Forces is a force multiplier, and will substantially enhance their target acquisition capabilities in real time.

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Gayari: Body of one more martyr found

Body of one more martyred soldier of the Pak Army has been pulled out in Gayari sector of Siachen. The number of bodies of martyrs found thus far now totals four. According to ISPR sources body of one of the soldiers buried under snow on April 7 has been found. 

The rescue operation in Gayari continues for the 58th day and after the discovery of the body of latest martyr, which is in the process of being identified, the work to clear snow in the areas close to where the remains was found is being speeded up.

[ via The Nation ]

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Siachen tragedy - Day 7: Foreign teams arrive to help avalanche rescuers

Landslide in Siachen has blanketed 138 Pakistan Army personnel since one week

The rescue operation in Siachen, Pakistan entered its seventh day with the arrival of three Swiss, six German and eight American experts on Friday.

The search operation, undertaken to evacuate buried soldiers, gained momentum after German, Swiss and American experts reached the Gayari area, a military official administering the army operation said.

Other military officials, who provide updates about the rescue operation through a helpline, said that at present rescuers are set to dig a 130-foot tunnel into the snow and are mainly focusing on six ‘priority points’ where they believe the army’s battalion headquarters was present in Gyari.

Read more: The Express Tribune

Related: Siachen Disaster

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Siachen Glacier: Avalanche buries at least 100 Pakistani soldiers

An avalanche smashed into a Pakistan Army camp Saturday burying at least 100 soldiers including a colonel at Gayari sector near the Siachen Glacier, Geo News reported.

Troops with sniffer dogs, aided by helicopters, were frantically trying to find signs of life in the snow after the avalanche engulfed the remote camp in mountainous Gayari, Siachen.

A team of doctors and paramedics has also been rushed to the high-altitude region, which suffers extreme weather conditions - temperatures on the strategic Siachen glacier plummet to minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94F).

Read more: Geo News

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Zaheer assumes DG ISI charge

Lieutenant General Zaheer-ul-Islam has assumed the charge of DG ISI, according to a private TV channel. 

Lieutenant general Zaheer ul Islam: The new ISI chief 

Zaheer has replaced Shuja Pasha who retired from his responsibilities as DG ISI on Sunday after completion of his term. 

Zaheeer was serving as corps commander Karachi before assuming DG ISI charge. 

Shared from: Pakistan Today

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Pakistan PM won't retract criticism of military

Pakistan's prime minister on Sunday rejected a demand by the country's powerful army chief that he clarify or retract his criticism of the army and the spy agency last week, likely raising tensions further in a festering row with the military.

"The prime minister ... is answerable to parliament," Yusuf Raza Gilani told reporters in the central city of Vehari. "I will not answer to a person. I am answerable to parliament."

The latest crisis troubles Washington, which wants smooth ties between civilian and military leaders so that Pakistan can help efforts to stabilize neighboring Afghanistan, a top priority for President Barack Obama.

Read more: Reuters / 15 Jan

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Pakistan Army set to throw its weight behind judiciary

A day after releasing a hard-hitting press release against the prime minister, the Pakistan army has decided it will throw its weight behind the Supreme Court – which is embroiled in its own standoff with the government. 

Pakistan: Prime Minister (L) - Chief Justice (C) - Army Chief (R)

Top commanders who met with army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday appear to have their eyes set on the apex court to deal a decisive blow against the beleaguered incumbents.

The army chief held consultations with select corps commanders and principal staff officers to discuss the evolving situation at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi – meetings for which there was no official statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Read more: The Express Tribune

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Pakistan buries soldiers killed by NATO

Full Story: BBC Asia 27 Nov

Pakistan Sunday buried soldiers killed as a result of air attack on a Pakistani check post by NATO attack helicopters early Saturday.

Burial rituals of the victim of "tragic unintended  incident by NATO" (Photo: AFP)

Army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani led mourners in funeral prayers at military headquarters in the north-western city of Peshawar.

Although, NATO has apologised, calling it a "tragic unintended incident", and is investigating what happened,  the incident has once again heightened already tense relations between Pakistan and the US and NATO.

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US moves to Salvage ties with Pakistan after "deathly" NATO strike

Full Story: The Times of India 27 Nov

USA was quick to move to salvage ties with furious Pakistan over NATO's "deathly" air attack on Pakistani check post Saturday that left 26 soldiers perished, including two officers. 

US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton bolstered that message in a joint statement Sunday, offering their "deepest condolences" and backing "NATO's intention to investigate immediately."

In the meanwhile, Pakistan announced the closure of its Afghan border to NATO, shutting down a supplies lifeline for 130,000 US-led foreign troops fighting the Taliban, and called on the US to leave a remote air base reportedly used by CIA drones.

This is the second incident in which NATO air attacks have targeted Pakistan Army check posts. The first was back in September 2010, which killed three Pakistani soldiers.

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