South Asia Times

South Asia

Taliban Shooting on Protesters in Yaftal-e-Payan Led to Multiple Deaths and Wounded

SAT Commentary August 1, 2026

Mim Akter, a prominent young Bangladeshi community swimming instructor, in water with her students, showing them breathing, floating, and rescuing techniques. [Image Credits: UNICEF Bangladesh].

Drowning: The Overlooked Public Health Emergency

Nicholas Biswas August 1, 2026

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Kashmir after Article 370: Between Constitutional Change and Political Reality

SAT Commentary August 1, 2026

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India–Taliban Nexus and TTP Leverage against Pakistan

SAT Commentary August 1, 2026

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India’s Afghanistan Gambit: What Delhi Really Wants from Kabul

SAT Editorial Desk July 31, 2026

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Another Setback for Taliban Regime as Resistance Operations Intensify in Badakhshan

SAT Commentary July 31, 2026

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Unpacking Interior Minister’s Call for Administrative Reforms

SAT Commentary July 31, 2026

Afghan Taliban’s true intentions exposed as cross-border attacks continue during Peace Talks: Source London Post

Al-Mirsad Cannot Whitewash Taliban’s Terror Record

SAT Commentary July 31, 2026

Members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) search a road for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

A significant offensive operation, which takes the independence and self-sufficiency of British-trained Afghan forces to a new level, has begun in central Helmand.

As the new year was seen in around the world, Afghan troops were opening a new chapter which sets the scene for their future autonomy and long-term role in the defence of their nation against extremism and terror.

Operation OMID PANJ ('Hope Five' in English) follows on from the successful Operation OMID CHAR which, at the time, was the largest operation in size, number of soldiers and duration to have been planned, led and conducted by the Afghan National Army.

But OMID PANJ takes things a step further, with the Afghans relying on even less support from British troops, who are present only in a supporting role. One of the key areas where significant development of Afghan capability is being demonstrated is their growing ability to find and render safe improvised explosive devices, the indiscriminate weapon of choice for the insurgency.

Being conducted in the Green Zone, north of the Helmand River, the operation is pushing the Afghan governmentÕs influence and security bubble further out. By the time of its conclusion, it will see a new patrol base established east of Gereshk between the River Helmand and the Bandi Barq Road. This rural area, filled with irrigation ditches, canals and small farm plots, interspersed with residential compounds, has suffered from significant insurgent intimidation due to its proximity to smuggling routes into Gereshk city.

This image is available for non-commercial, high resolution download at www.defenceimages.mod.uk subject to terms and conditions. Search for image number 45152178.jpg
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Photographer: Sgt Rupert Frere RLC
Image 45152178.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk

UNAMA’s Distorted Narrative of Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Effort

SAT Commentary July 30, 2026