Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Surrendered Pakistani Taliban spokesman escapes custody

A leading member of the Pakistan Taliban has escaped custody more than two years after surrendering to authorities, a senior security official said Sunday (9).

The confirmation comes days after Ehsanullah Ehsan -- the former spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- released an audio message claiming he had escaped detention and was now in Turkey.


A senior security source said Ehsan was "one of our major assets in identifying and later tracking down militants".

The source was unable to confirm claims that Ehsan was in Turkey, or provide details of how he escaped.

Ehsan was infamous for issuing chilling claims following TTP attacks and has been linked to some of the country’s most bloody attacks -- including the bombing at a park in Lahore during Easter 2016, and the targeting of education activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.

Ehsan surrendered to authorities in 2017 and later gave high-profile interviews on Pakistani television, angering many in the country who believed he was being pampered by authorities after years of helping lead the bloody insurgency.

Pakistani security officials argued, however, that he had supplied valuable intelligence in the fight against militants.

Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade, with thousands of civilians and security personnel dying in extremist attacks, especially after the TTP began their campaign of violence in 2007.

Overall levels of extremist-linked violence have dropped dramatically last year, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths since 2007 when TTP was formed.

Analysts have credited the fall to military offensives against the Taliban in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber where they were headquartered, as well as operations in the country's largest city of Karachi.

In 2018, the TTP was further degraded after a US strike in Afghanistan killed their leader, Maulana Fazlullah.

More For You

Starmer-Getty

Starmer also condemned the 'poison of the far-right,' referencing threats made against safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer criticises online 'misinformation' after Musk's criticism

KEIR STARMER on Monday criticised those "spreading lies and misinformation" online, following a series of attacks from Elon Musk over historical child rape crimes in northern England.

Speaking to reporters, Starmer said: "Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible, they’re not interested in victims, they’re interested in themselves."

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-snow-getty

Yellow warnings for snow and ice are in effect across Scotland, Wales, northern England, and the Midlands, valid until midday Monday. (Photo: Getty Images)

Snow, ice, and rain warnings continue amid flood risks

WARNINGS for snow, ice, and rain remain active across the UK, with southern England facing flood risks due to rain and melting snow from milder temperatures.

Over 100 flood warnings have been issued in southern England, where flooding is “expected,” and more than 260 flood alerts are in place across England and Wales, indicating flooding is “possible,” BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester-airport-Reuters

Staff use tractors to help clear snow from around aircraft after overnight snowfall caused the temporary closure of Manchester Airport. (Photo: Reuters)

Flights disrupted as heavy snow hits airports

HEAVY snow across parts of the UK has caused significant disruption to air travel, with Manchester and Liverpool airports temporarily closing their runways.

All incoming flights to Manchester Airport were diverted, with planes landing in cities such as Birmingham, London, Dublin, Glasgow, and Paris, according to Flightradar24.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jake-Sullivan-Getty

Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser, is visiting New Delhi from 5-6 January. (Photo: Getty Images)

Chinese dams expected to feature in India-US talks

US National Security Adviser (NSA) Jake Sullivan is visiting New Delhi from 5-6 January, with discussions expected to cover the impact of Chinese dams, according to a senior US official.

The official stated that Washington has observed environmental and climate effects from Chinese dams, including those in the Mekong region, which have affected downstream countries. Sullivan’s visit will address India’s concerns regarding similar projects.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child abuse inquiry: Former prosecutor dismisses Musk's demands

Nazir Afzal

Child abuse inquiry: Former prosecutor dismisses Musk's demands


A FORMER chief prosecutor has pushed back against calls from Elon Musk and Conservative politicians for a new national inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Britain.

Nazir Afzal, who successfully prosecuted the Rochdale child sexual abusers, pointed out that previous extensive inquiries were largely ignored by the Tory government.

Keep ReadingShow less