Jerusalem: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said it had captured Beaufort Castle after entering the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki areas in southern Lebanon.

According to the IDF, the operation is focused on establishing operational control over the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area, as well as degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities in the region.

“Last night, our heroic fighters captured the Beaufort Castle. They proudly raised the flag of the State of Israel and the flag of the Golani Brigade there,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

“I remind you that 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us. Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined and stronger than ever,” he added.

According to the IDF, Hezbollah directed military and combat activities from the Beaufort Ridge and carried out numerous attacks from the area.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also said he had instructed the IDF to expand its incursion into Lebanon.

“Our forces have crossed the Litani River. They took dominant terrain. They captured the Beaufort Ridge. And now my instruction is to deepen and expand our hold on places that were under Hezbollah’s control,” Netanyahu said.

He also described the capture of Beaufort as a dramatic stage and a significant shift in the policy being pursued by his government.

“We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts — in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon; we have established security zones beyond our borders to protect our communities,” he added.

“I am with you. The entire nation of Israel is with you. It will take more time, but we will restore security to the residents of the North, just as we did for the residents of the South,” he told brigade commanders on Friday.

Quetta, May 27: Several leading human rights organisations and student bodies on Wednesday strongly condemned the escalating wave of enforced disappearances of Baloch civilians, including women, across Pakistan, allegedly carried out by security forces, saying that for many affected families, Eid has turned into a period of grief, uncertainty and painful separation from their loved ones.

According to the Baloch Students Council (BSC) of Pakistan’s Punjab province, multiple students affiliated with the organisation’s Punjab and Islamabad chapters have been forcibly disappeared, leaving their families without any credible information regarding their detention or whereabouts.

Expressing grave concern, the student body said that the dire situation not only causes severe mental anguish for the affected families but also raises serious questions regarding “fundamental human and legal principles”.

“On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, while people around the world are celebrating with their families, the parents, siblings, and loved ones of the forcibly disappeared Baloch students are immersed in the sorrow of separation from their dear ones. For these families, the day of Eid has become a symbol of waiting, uncertainty, and grief,” the BSC, Punjab, stated.

Meanwhile, another Baloch woman, Habiba Peerjan, a resident of the Nazarabad Tump region in Balochistan, who is currently based in Karachi, was reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces on May 25 following a raid at her residence in Baldia Town.

According to the Baloch Women Forum, this marks her second enforced disappearance, as she was previously detained in May 2022 and released days later.

“The repeated targeting of Baloch women through enforced disappearances highlights a deeply troubling system of repression and collective punishment. It has created an atmosphere of fear and instability, leaving families in prolonged uncertainty without access to information, legal remedy or accountability,” the BWF stated.

Condemning the incident, Paank, the Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department, demanded the immediate and safe release of Habiba, while calling on the Pakistani authorities to end the ongoing practice of enforced disappearances and harassment of families in Balochistan and Karachi.

Pakistani forces also reportedly carried out large-scale search operations in several parts of Balochistan on Monday, during which multiple civilians were taken into custody in overnight raids.

Citing sources, The Balochistan Post reported that Pakistani forces forcibly disappeared a shopkeeper identified as Saif-ur-Rehman during a late-night raid in the Doctor Colony area of Khuzdar district.

Reports further suggest that six more individuals were picked up in separate operations across the district, although their identities remain unconfirmed.

Additionally, Pakistani forces, along with Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel, reportedly conducted a large-scale search operation overnight in the Windar area of the Lasbela district.

Residents alleged that security forces conducted house-to-house searches during which incidents of assault, vandalism and looting occurred.

Several civilians were reportedly taken into custody in Windar during the operation, with their current whereabouts remaining unknown.

Riyadh, May 26: As millions of pilgrims assemble at Saudi Arabia’s Arafat on Tuesday for the core ritual of Haj, all Indian pilgrims had reached the holy site comfortably and in a timely manner to take part in the prayers.

Extending his wishes to all those performing Haj, Indian Ambassador to the Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, said, “Today is the day of Arafat. It is the most important day of the core Haj, where the entire pilgrimage moves from the tent city of Mina to Arafat and spends the day here in Arafat in prayer before they move to their next destination of Muzdalifah after the sunset.”

“All Indian pilgrims have moved from Mina to Arafat in a timely manner, in a very comfortable manner, and they are all now accommodated in their tents in Arafat. We had moved pilgrims by both the buses and the trains. Almost fifty per cent of our pilgrims use the trains, and the rest of them use the buses to move. And everyone is now in Arafat and dedicating themselves to the prayers,” he added.

According to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Ambassador Khan, Indian Consul General of Jeddah, Fahad Suri, and the entire Indian Haj mission are present in Arafat and serving the Indian pilgrims.

Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, conveyed his heartfelt greetings and prayers, expressing hope that the sacred journey would reinforce the values of compassion, harmony and unity.

“On the very solemn occasion of Haj pilgrims assembling at the sacred plains of Arafat for the core rituals of Hajj 2026, I convey my heartfelt greetings & prayers to all the Hajis. May this sacred journey further strengthen the values of compassion, harmony & unity among all humanity,” Rijiju posted on X.

On Sunday, Ambassador Khan met Rahim Khan, Karnataka’s Minister for Municipal Administration and Haj in Mecca, briefing him on the preparedness ahead of the Haj period. Consul General Fahad Suri was also present in the meeting.

Earlier on Saturday, Khan visited Mecca and met with a number of pilgrims, listening to their concerns and feedback on the various Haj arrangements.

“He reviewed preparations with the consul general, coordinators, and other staff and visited branch offices and clinics where he interacted with the medical teams. He also assessed readiness for the core Haj period and the movement of pilgrims to the tent city of Mina,” the Indian Embassy in Riyadh posted on X.

Over 1.5 million people have arrived in Mecca for the annual Haj pilgrimage, which this year takes place amid hopes for an end to the war in West Asia.