India and Pakistan exchange fire along the Line of Control
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for April 26, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Friday, we collected 51 events, including
India and Pakistan exchanging fire along
the Line of Control, so let's get started.
On Friday, forces from India
and Pakistan exchanged gunfire
along the Line of Control (LOC)
that divides the two nations.
According to sources in the
Indian Army, Pakistani forces
initiated the exchange of gunfire.
The specific location along the LOC where
the exchange occurred remains unclear;
however, Jazeeraâs Umar Mehraj, reporting
from Indian-administered Kashmir, noted
that two individuals were injured in
a separate incident in Bandipora."
On Friday, Indian security forces
killed top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
commander Altaf Lalli in an encounter
in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir.
The death of the terrorist marks a
significant success for the Indian
security forces in eliminating
terrorists behind the recent Pahalgam
incident, which killed 26 civilians."
On Friday, officials reported that
security forces in Manipur arrested seven
militants from various groups in the
Imphal East and Imphal West districts.
According to a police official,
these individuals are associated with
different factions of the Kangleipak
Communist Party (KCP), the Peopleâs
Liberation Army, and the United
National Liberation Front (UNLF).
The militants were implicated in
activities such as kidnapping and
extorting money from contractors,
government employees, traders, and
even regular citizens in those areas.
Additionally, security forces
seized some weapons and ammunition
from the arrested militants."
"Israel
A 69-year-old man was shot dead in
the northern Arab town of I'billin,
and two men were killed in a
shooting in Tira earlier today.
A third Arab Israeli was also killed
in a separate incident earlier today.
Police are investigating these
incidents and have not yet
apprehended any suspects."
"Nigeria
At least 20 people were killed and
dozens injured in a mining village in
Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara state.
Gunmen on motorcycles arrived in
the village of Gobirawa Chali and
went on a killing spree, targeting
a gold-mining site and homes.
The motive for the attack is
unclear, but it is believed to
be linked to bandit groups that
have been terrorizing the region."
"Nigeria
On Thursday, suspected armed
herdsmen abducted 19 passengers
from two commercial buses along the
Adoka-Naka road in Gwer West Local
Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
The buses, traveling from different
directions, were ambushed along
the Adoka-Naka road, with 12
passengers taken from each vehicle.
An elderly woman, a nursing mother with
her children, and one of the drivers
were spared and alerted authorities,
leading to their release by the police."
"Nigeria
Soldiers from the Nigerian Army's 6
Brigade/Sector 3 have made significant
arrests and recoveries in Taraba
State under Operation LAFIYAN JAMAA.
They apprehended a wanted bandit, Yusuf
Hammadu, also known as ""Dogo,"" and a
military impersonator, following tips
from local residents and a hunter.
Additionally, they recovered a cache
of arms and ammunition, including an
AK-47 magazine and military headgear,
after raiding a suspected bandit camp."
"Nigeria
Twenty passengers were abducted by
suspected pirates on a boat traveling from
Akwa Ibom to Cross River State, Nigeria.
The incident occurred on April 18
in Calabar, with the boat owned by
Akwa Cross Boat Management Ltd."
"Pakistan
On Friday, a powerful roadside bomb
detonated close to a vehicle transporting
security personnel in Quetta, located
in Pakistanâs troubled southwest.
According to police reports, the
explosion resulted in the deaths of four
soldiers and injuries to three others.
While no group has claimed responsibility
for the attack yet, authorities are likely
to suspect ethnic Baloch separatists."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, terrorists fired
a rocket at the City Police
Station in the Tank district.
Police fired on the attackers.
There were no reported
casualties in the attack."
"Pakistan
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has
claimed responsibility for a hand
grenade attack on Wednesday, April 23,
in Kharan city, targeting the hideout of
a non-local individual allegedly working
with Pakistani intelligence agencies.
The attack was described as a warning
to the individual, identified as
Manzoor, to leave the area immediately.
The BLA claims the individual was involved
in intimidation tactics against residents
at the behest of state agencies."
"Russia
A senior Russian military officer,
Major General Yaroslav Moskalik, was
killed when a car exploded in the
town of Balashikha, east of Moscow.
A homemade explosive device caused
the explosion, and a second person
is believed to have been killed.
Moskalik, who was deputy head of
the Main Operations Directorate,
had participated in high-level
delegations, including the Normandy
Format talks on the Ukraine conflict."
"Syria
A violent incident occurred in
Hama city centre, resulting in
multiple injuries and one fatality.
A man in his seventies was shot
dead by two gunmen on a motorcycle
near Ain Al-Lawuzah roundabout.
In a separate incident, a man was
injured and a woman was seriously injured
after being shot at by unidentified
gunmen near the Pullman bus station
in the Majra Al-Ziyadah area."
"Syria
Officer Bassel Abdul Karim Salamah, a
Brigadier General, was found executed
inside a hospital in Latakia city, Syria.
He received a mysterious phone call on
April 21, prompting him to leave his
home, after which contact was lost.
The circumstances of his killing remain
unknown, despite being a high-ranking
official with a security settlement."
"Turkey
The Turkish Interior Minister, Ali
Yerlikaya, announced that a major
security operation against the ISIS
terrorist organization resulted in
the detention of 210 suspects across
49 provinces over the past two weeks.
The operation was carried out in
provinces including Adana, Ankara,
Antalya, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep,
Ä°stanbul, Ä°zmir, and Åanlıurfa."
"West Bank
An armed terror operative affiliated
with Palestinian Islamic Jihad has
been arrested in Qalqilya, West Bank,
during a joint operation with the
IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police.
The suspect was on his way to carry
out ""operational activities"" when
arrested, and several M16 rifles
were seized during the operation.
The suspect is also believed to have
cooperated with Hamas in the West Bank."
"West Bank
Israeli troops have arrested four
Palestinians in Qalqilya, West
Bank, who were released as part of
the recent ceasefire and hostage
deal between Israel and Hamas.
The detainees, including three men
and one woman, were among the nearly
2,000 Palestinian security prisoners
released by Israel in exchange for
the release of 30 hostages and the
bodies of eight slain captives."
"Yemen
The US military has stated that a blast
near a UNESCO World Heritage site in
Sanaa, Yemen, was caused by a Houthi
missile, not an American airstrike.
This contradicts the Houthi-run
health ministry's claim that a dozen
people were killed in a US strike.
The US Central Command spokesperson
says the damage and casualties
were likely caused by a Houthi
air defense missile, citing local
reporting and evidence of Arabic
writing on the missile's fragments."
"Gaza Strip
The World Food Programme has run out
of food stocks in Gaza due to the
prolonged closure of border crossings,
which has lasted over seven weeks.
This is the longest closure in Gaza's
history, severely impacting the already
fragile food systems and markets."
"Iran
China, Russia, and Iran jointly met with
the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) to discuss Iran's nuclear program.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday,
focused on the IAEA's role in settling
the issue through diplomacy and China
expressed support for Iran's dialogue
with all parties, including the US."
"Philippines
Last Tuesday, April 15,
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
signed Republic Act No.
12174, also known as the
Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act.
This law prohibits the development,
production, stockpiling, and use of
chemical weapons in the Philippines.
Key provisions include penalties for
individuals who engage in such activities,
including life imprisonment and fines
ranging from P2 million to P5 million."
"South Sudan
The United Nations Mission in South
Sudan (UNMISS) has called for an
immediate end to hostilities between
the South Sudan People's Defense
Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People's
Liberation Army-in Opposition
(SPLA-IO) in Yei and Morobo counties.
The clashes have displaced over
7,000 people, mostly women, children,
and the elderly, and triggered
fear among the local population.
The UNMISS appeals to all military actors
to prioritize the protection of civilians
and resolve differences through dialogue."
"Tunisia
Tunisian authorities have begun evacuating
migrant camps in the Hanshir Al-Qarqani
and Al-Amra area in the central eastern
parts of the country, with around 2,500
undocumented individuals forced to leave.
Troops also removed an additional
800 migrants from a camp in
Oulad Hamed near Jebniana."
"United States
US President Donald Trump has expressed
optimism about making a deal with
Iran on its nuclear program, stating
that he thinks a deal will be reached
and that he is open to meeting with
Iran's supreme leader or president.
Trump has warned of military action
if a new deal is not reached quickly,
as Iran has breached the limits of the
2015 nuclear agreement since 2019."
"Gaza Strip
An IDF reservist was seriously
injured in the southern Gaza
Strip during intense fighting.
The soldier was hit by an RPG
fired by terror operatives in
Rafah's Tel Sultan neighborhood.
Two other soldiers were
lightly hurt in the incident.
Israeli fighter jets carried out
strikes in the area to eliminate
the operatives behind the attack."
"Gaza Strip
An Israeli soldier was killed
and three others were wounded in
fighting in the northern Gaza Strip.
The soldier, a tank driver, was hit
by sniper fire, while the others
were injured by anti-tank fire.
The incident occurred near the
Israeli-held buffer zone, and the cell
behind the attack has apparently fled."
"India
An encounter occurred in Bandipora
district, Jammu and Kashmir,
resulting in the death of an
accomplice of terrorists and injuries
to two security force personnel.
The incident started with a cordon
and search operation, which turned
into an encounter after terrorists
opened fire on the security forces."
"India
On Thursday, Indian security forces in the
Pahalgam area used explosives to demolish
the house of a terrorist involved in the
April 22 terrorist attack in the town.
The demolition of the home was
to send a clear message against
terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday morning, a junta
airstrike struck the village of Lat
Hlote in Tabayin Township, resulting
in the deaths of at least five
civilians, among them a 13-year-old
girl, and wounded seven others."
"Myanmar
The Myanmar junta has launched
a major offensive against the
Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
and allied forces in Kachin State.
The regime has advanced on the jade
mining hub of Hpakant with up to
1,000 troops, resulting in clashes
and bombing raids in various areas,
including Indawgyi and Bhamo.
The KIA has reported junta troops and
affiliated militias attacking their
positions, with a nearby hospital
sustaining damage in the bombing raids."
"Pakistan
On Thursday night, Pakistani security
forces conducted an operation in Bannu
District against suspected TTP militants.
The operation resulted in the deaths of
six militants and injuries to four others.
A sanitization operation
is ongoing to eliminate any
remaining militants in the area."
"Pakistan
The Counter-Terrorism Department
(CTD) conducted an operation in the
Khanai Baba area of Pishin district,
Balochistan, resulting in the
death of nine alleged terrorists.
The operation was based on
intelligence inputs and involved
a fierce exchange of fire between
security forces and the suspects.
A significant cache of arms and ammunition
was recovered from the slain individuals,
which are believed to have been used in
previous attacks across the province."
"Somalia
On Monday, April 21, Turkey deployed
at least 400 troops to the TURKSOM
base in Mogadishu in response to
the deteriorating security landscape
from Al-Shabab terrorist attacks.
The soldiers form part of a larger group
of 2,500 troops authorized for deployment
by the Turkish parliament in July 2024.
Local reports indicate that Turkish forces
will help implement multiple agreements
made between Ankara and Mogadishu in 2024.
These agreements involve constructing
a rocket launch test facility,
ensuring Turkish investments,
aiding in oil exploration, as
well as offering air support and
military training to Somali troops."
"Sudan
A drone strike has hit the Atbara
power substation in Sudan, resulting
in widespread power outages across
the River Nile and Red Sea States.
The incident deepens the country's
ongoing energy crisis amid the war, with
the Electricity Holding Company accusing
the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) of launching the drone attack."
"Sudan
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
have attacked Al-Zaâafah village
in West Kordofan State, killing
74 people and wounding 178 others.
The Sudan Doctors' Network has
condemned the RSF's actions, which also
included looting and burning homes."
"Syria
On Thursday, the Free Syria Army (FSA)
stationed in Al-Tanf and parts of
the Syrian desert issued an immediate
mobilization order to its units in
the region due to threats from ISIS.
The Defense Ministry under the
Damascus government has also raised
its readiness level to full alert in
anticipation of potential attacks."
"Syria
Russian anti-aircraft systems have
taken action in Syria, shooting
down two drones flying over Jableh.
This development coincided with
the placement of Russian forces on
high alert, stationed in various
positions within the country.
Additionally, air-defence fire
was reported in the Qarfis area
of Latakia countryside, where
a faction affiliated with the
Ministry of Defence is stationed."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked nine Chinese
military aircraft, seven naval
vessels, and one official ship
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Thursday and 6 a.m.
on Friday.
Nine aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the countryâs
northern and southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
A drone attack occurred in
Pavlohrad, Ukraine, leaving 14
people injured and three others
dead, including a 6-year-old boy.
The attack damaged a residential building,
infrastructure, and a social services
facility, with several cars burned out.
The fires have been extinguished, and
5 of the injured remain hospitalized,
with 3 in serious condition."
"Ukraine
Drones attacked airfields in
Novofedorivka and Kacha in Crimea.
The attack lasted around five hours
and also resulted in explosions
in Armiansk and Krasnoperekopsk.
The consequences of the
strikes are unclear."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched a significant
attack on the Zaporizhzhia
region on April 24, carrying out
536 strikes at 10 settlements.
The attacks included six airstrikes,
345 drone attacks, 15 MLRS
strikes, and 170 artillery strikes,
resulting in damage to houses,
cars, and infrastructure facilities.
Fortunately, no civilian
casualties have been reported."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched strikes on
the village of Yarova in the Donetsk
region, killing a 61-year-old man and
his 88-year-old father, and injuring
their 90-year-old mother and wife.
The strikes, which occurred at
05:10, resulted in a direct hit to
a residential building and caused
extensive damage to nearby structures."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,170 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 400 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Yemen
US warplanes have conducted airstrikes
in Yemen, targeting the provinces
of Marib, Amran, and Al Hudaydah.
According to reports, four airstrikes hit
Madghal district in Marib province, two
targeted Harf Sufyan district in Amran
province, and a series of airstrikes
targeted Kamaran Island and Al-Salif
district in Al Hudaydah province."
"Malta
Saint James Hospital was the target
of a sophisticated cyberattack
on April 18, but the breach was
quickly contained, and the hospital
remains in control of its systems.
The hospital is currently investigating
whether any sensitive data was
compromised and has notified the
authorities, including the police."
"South Africa
MTN Group has confirmed a cyberattack,
allowing unauthorized access to some
customers' personal information.
The company has assured that its core
network, billing systems, and financial
services infrastructure remain secure.
MTN is notifying affected customers
and has activated its cybersecurity
response processes, warning customers
to be cautious of suspicious messages
and not disclose sensitive information."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
At least 10 people have been killed
in a gold mine collapse in eastern
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The incident occurred at the Luhihi
mine, with the death toll potentially
rising due to the number of injuries.
The M23 rebel-appointed governor
blamed the collapse on ""uncontrolled
construction and poor maintenance
of gold wells"" in the area."
"Syria
In Syria, two incidents occurred
due to cluster bomb explosions.
A child from Al-Jasri Village in
Daraa countryside died after suffering
shrapnel wounds while playing
with an unexploded cluster bomb.
Separately, a man was injured
by shrapnel in Kafr Sajna Town,
southern Idlib countryside, after
another cluster bomb exploded."
"Thailand
A small police aircraft crashed into the
sea near Hua Hin district in Thailand,
killing at least five people on board.
The plane was on a test flight for
parachute training preparations
when it crashed around 8 am.
The cause of the crash is currently
unknown, and officials are
collecting evidence, including
data from the plane's black box."
"United States
A medical helicopter, ARCH Air
Medical, crashed in Hartford,
Illinois, on Thursday night.
Fortunately, all three crew
members on board escaped the crash.
The helicopter was en route to
Hartford from its base in Granite
City when it crashed across the street
from the Hartford Fire Department.
The crew members have been transported
to local hospitals for evaluation, but
the extent of their injuries is unknown."
"United States
A small plane made a crash
landing on the runway at Fullerton
Municipal Airport on Thursday.
Fortunately, no injuries were
reported, but the cause of the
crash is under investigation."
Thanks for joining us for the April
26, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive
web maps, and our IntelHub dashboard
are available with a Geopolitical
Report Pro subscription, which you
can try with a seven-day-free-trial
at geopolitical.report.
Thanks again for listening, and don't
forget to tune in again tomorrow.