Niger, July 20: In a heinous terror attack, two Indians were killed while one was abducted in the Dosso region of Niger, as noted by the Indian Embassy in Niger.

The Indian Embassy in Niamey is in touch with the local authorities to repatriate the mortal remains of those killed and ensure safe release of the abducted Indian.

The mission also cautioned all Indians in Niger to remain vigilant.

In a post on X it said, “In a heinous terror attack on 15 July in Niger’s Dosso region, two Indian nationals tragically lost their lives and one was abducted. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Mission in Niamey is in touch with local authorities to repatriate mortal remains and ensure safe release of the abducted Indian. All Indians in Niger are advised to remain vigilant.”

Arab News reported citing local sources that unidentified armed attackers ambushed a Nigerien army unit providing security at a construction site for an electrical line in the Dosso region, around 100 kilometres (63 miles) from the capital city of Niamey.

Previously in March, Niger had seen a terrorist attack by the Islamic State in Great Sahara in Kokorou, which had resulted in the deaths of at least 44 civilians and had left 13 severely injured, as reported by UN Security Council Press.

The members had issued a statement condemning the attack in the strongest terms and had underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

Significantly, the members had underscored the importance for all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate with the authorities of Niger as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The statement further highlighted, “The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.”

US State Department’s 2023 Country Report on Terrorism for Niger had observed, that terrorist organizations exploited Niger’s extensive borderlands and sparsely populated regions to attack and recruit among populations where access to government services was weak and economic opportunity negligible.

Due to the small size of its “defence force, ineffective coordination among security services, budget shortfalls, and instability in Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, and the Lake Chad Basin”, Niger’s efforts to fight terrorism were hampered.

Niger is in the midst of a political upheaval as a military coup has taken control, ousting the democratically elected President.

In July, 2023 President Mohamed Bazoum was detained by the Presidential Guard and General Abdourahamane Tchiani declared himself the new leader. This event led to widespread international condemnation.

The Niger coup is the seventh such event in West and Central Africa since 2020, highlighting a concerning trend of military interventions in the region.

Riyadh, July 20: Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36 after spending nearly two decades in a coma.

His family confirmed his death over the weekend, bringing an emotional end to one of the kingdom’s most heart-rending royal stories.

“With hearts full of faith in Allah’s decree and destiny, and with profound sadness and sorrow, we mourn our beloved son Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away to Allah’s mercy today,” his father Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz posted on social media.

Funeral prayers are scheduled to be held on Sunday after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, the family announced.

Prince Al-Waleed slipped into a coma in 2005 at the age of 15 following a devastating car accident in London.

He suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and was brought back to Saudi Arabia, where he was admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.

Despite extensive medical intervention, including treatment from specialists in the United States and Spain, the prince never regained full consciousness.

For nearly 20 years, he remained in a vegetative state, reliant on a ventilator and life support.

His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, stood by his decision to keep his son alive, rejecting any suggestion of withdrawing life support. His unwavering presence at his son’s bedside year after year struck a deep emotional chord with people across the country and beyond.

Born in April 1990, Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal, a notable member of the Saudi royal family.

His long medical ordeal captured national attention and became a symbol of parental devotion and hope amid impossible odds.

Islamabad, July 20: Over 200 people have lost their lives, including nearly 100 children, since the onset of Monsoon in late June, Geo TV reported on Saturday, citing Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

According to Geo TV which referred to the official data, Pakistan’s Punjab accounted for 123 of the total deaths. This was followed by 40 deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 21 in Sindh, 16 in Balochistan, 1 in Islamabad and 1 in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

While the causes of death varied, it was reported that at least 118 people were killed due to collapse of houses, 30 due to flash floods while others lost their lives to drowning, lightning strikes, electrocution, and landslides.

Geo TV said that the rains have injured more than 560 people, including 182 children.
It further reported that in Rawalpindi, flash floods swept through homes, streets, and markets, submerging entire neighbourhoods, water levels rose dangerously — in some areas reaching rooftops — forcing residents to flee, leaving behind their belongings.

Faisalabad has also witnessed extensive damage, with 11 deaths and 60 injuries reported in 33 incidents over just two days. Most of the fatalities occurred due to the collapse of weakened structures.

Pakistan’s Punjab saw heavy rainfall and landslides that destroyed infrastructure. As per Geo TV, at least 32 roads in Chakwal were washed away after over 450mm of rainfall.

Along with infrastructure damage, communication links remain severed, and the power supply is yet to be restored in several regions.

According to a recent report by UN News, there are also fears of glacier lake outburst floods in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan regions.

UN News highlighted how these floods show Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate shocks. In the past in 2022, the monsoon floods had killed more than 1,700 people, displaced millions and devastated water systems. It had also resulted in economic damage estimated at nearly USD 40 billion.

Pakistan faces regular monsoon flooding from June to September, often resulting in deadly landslides, infrastructure damage and large-scale displacement, particularly in densely populated or poorly drained regions.