In brief: U.S. to withdraw Patriot missile system in Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey – The United States is withdrawing its Patriot missile system deployed near Turkey’s border with Syria when its mandate expires in October.
A joint Turkish and U.S. announcement said Sunday that the air-defense units could be returned to Turkey within a week if the need arises. It said U.S. Navy ships would be present in the Mediterranean to support Turkey’s defense.
The U.S., Germany and others deployed the batteries in 2013 to protect NATO ally Turkey after shells fired from Syria landed in the country.
The U.S. decision comes a day after Germany said it would withdraw some 250 troops stationed in Turkey when the mandate for their air-defense mission ends next year.
Explosions kill anti-Taliban minister in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD – A pair of suicide bombers detonated their explosives at the home of an anti-Taliban provincial minister, killing him and 13 others in eastern Pakistan, officials said. A militant group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility.
Shuja Khanzada’s body was retrieved from the rubble of the collapsed building in his hometown of Shadi Khan in Attock district, 50 miles northwest of the capital, Islamabad.
The Punjab provincial head of Pakistan’s National Action Plan against terrorism, Khanzada took a bold public stance against the Taliban and Islamic militancy.
Jamatul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility. Its spokesman said in an email that the attack was revenge for the killing of Malik Ishaq, a militant leader.
Eight killed in Kashmir fighting
SRINAGAR, India – Indian and Pakistani troops traded heavy gunfire and mortar rounds for a seventh straight day Sunday along the highly militarized line of control dividing the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir between the two archrivals, officials said.
Indian army spokesman Lt. Col. Manish Mehta said Pakistani troops fired on Indian positions in Balakote and Poonch sectors. Indian police officer Danish Rana said six civilians had died in the Pakistani shelling over the last two days. At least 17 others were wounded.
Pakistan’s army said in a statement that two civilians had been killed and two others wounded in the fighting.