A strategic arid region spanning Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan
A bomb has hit a passenger shuttle carrying military personnel and families near Quetta, Balochistan on 24 May 2026, killing at least two dozen people and wounding dozens more. The Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility; carriages have overturned, nearby buildings have been damaged and hospitals have declared emergencies.
Iran, the United States and Pakistan are pursuing a roadmap to end the Iran-US war cycle. Islamabad hosts Iran’s president for talks, as partners including Qatar and the UAE seek to anchor a 60-day plan toward a final deal. Economic and regional gains are being weighed against structural reform needs in Pakistan.
Cross-border drone and air strikes escalate hostility between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan reports four drones intercepted from Afghanistan and vows a measured but forceful response; Afghan authorities say air strikes have targeted militant hideouts. Civil casualties rise as both sides accuse each other of aggression amid ongoing tit-for-tat operations.
A passenger bus traveling from Quetta to Peshawar has fallen into a ravine in Dana Sar, near the Balochistan–Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border. Officials say the vehicle was overcrowded and speeding, with at least 40 people killed and several injured. Rescue teams are identifying victims and treating the injured.
Insurgents and Tuareg rebels have coordinated attacks across northern and central Mali, including Gao, Anefis, Aguelhok, Sevare and a Kenieroba prison, with the army saying it has the situation under control while noting ongoing fighting.
Amnesty International has found no evidence that Kabul’s Omid drug rehabilitation center was used for military purposes or to store weapons, contradicting Pakistan’s claim about a March 16 strike that Afghanistan says killed around 400 civilians. The organization analyzed photos, videos, satellite images, and testimonies, and says Pakistan has not provided supporting evidence.