International
India destroys the homes of the alleged attackers in Kashmir with excavators
Indian authorities demolished the homes of two men suspected of being involved in the recent deadly attack against tourists in Indian Kashmir, amid a diplomatic escalation with Pakistan and growing concerns in this convulsive region with a history of conflict.
The demolitions were carried out a few hours before a scheduled visit to the area of the head of the Indian Army in the region, General Upendra Dwivedi, a local policeman revealed to EFE, on condition of anonymity, stating that they conform to India’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism.
The houses, located in the southern districts of Pulwama and Anantnag, specifically in Tral and Bijbehara, respectively, belonged to Asif Sheikh and Adil Thoker.
Both are alleged members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an insurgent organization made illegal by India.
“It is suspected that the two terrorists are behind the Pahalgam attack,” a senior police official told EFE, adding that “the demolitions were carried out as a deterrent measure.”
On April 22, in the meadow of Baisaran de Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian Kashmir, a group of men attacked a group of tourists, killing 26 of them, mostly Indians. India has attributed the attack on militants that it describes as Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.
The incident has intensified tensions in this territory claimed by India and Pakistan.
Face-to-face witnesses in Pulwama and Anantnag informed EFE that security forces, including police and paramilitaries, cordoned off the areas before proceeding to demolish the houses.
Images showing the houses destroyed before dawn have circulated widely on social networks.
India’s National Investigative Agency (NIA), the country’s main anti-terrorist agency, has launched a formal investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Sources cited in several local media claim that investigators have questioned numerous residents and tourists who were in the vicinity at the time of the murders.
General Dwivedi’s visit to Srinagar, the main city of Kashmir, occurs in a context of growing tension between India and Pakistan, with a strong exchange of statements between the two nations after the Pahalgam massacre.
The Kashmir region, a territory claimed entirely by India and Pakistan, but administered in parts by each, remains heavily militarized.
The frequent outbreaks of violence, often linked to separatist insurgencies seeking independence or greater autonomy from Indian rule, continue to disrupt life in the Himalayan territory.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
International
FBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens
Kash Patel did not provide further details, but police sources told CBS News that the potential attack was “inspired” by the Islamic State (ISIS).
“This morning, the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested several individuals in Michigan who were allegedly planning a violent attack during the Halloween weekend,” Patel wrote on X.
“Thanks to swift action and close coordination with our local partners, a possible terrorist act was prevented before it could be carried out,” he added.
CBS reported that five people between the ages of 16 and 20 were arrested on Friday. At least one of them was reportedly acquainted with a former member of the Michigan National Guard, who was arrested in May for plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on a U.S. military facility in the Detroit suburbs.
International
U.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed concerns over China’s growing military activity near Taiwan during a meeting on Friday with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in Kuala Lumpur.
“It was a constructive and positive meeting,” Hegseth wrote on X. “I emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and raised U.S. concerns about China’s actions around Taiwan,” the self-governed island that Beijing claims and does not rule out invading.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus, one day after U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. According to Trump, Taiwan was not discussed during their talks.
“The United States does not seek conflict and will continue to firmly defend its interests, ensuring it maintains the capability to do so in the region,” Hegseth added in his message.
Friday’s encounter followed a September 9 video call between Hegseth and Dong. Their previously planned meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore was canceled due to Dong’s absence from the event.
Trump’s sit-down with Xi — their first since 2019 — resulted in some trade agreements but avoided addressing the issue of Taiwan, a long-standing source of tension between the world’s two largest powers.
Trump has taken a more ambiguous stance on Taiwan’s future compared with former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly stated that Washington would support Taipei if China launched an invasion. The Republican president has also criticized Taiwan for “stealing” the U.S. semiconductor industry.
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
FBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens
U.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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