'17 Years Of Silence': Baloch Activist's Open Letter Exposes Pak Atrocities

Baloch human rights activist Sammi Deen Baloch has issued a deeply personal open letter marking 17 years since the enforced disappearance of her father, Dr Deen Mohammad Baloch, renewing international attention on allegations of systematic abductions, custodial torture and impunity in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province.

In an emotional appeal addressed to those responsible for her father's disappearance, Sammi writes that after nearly two decades of uncertainty, her family deserves either his safe return or official confirmation of his fate.

"Maybe this year, you will let him come home. And if you have killed him, then perhaps this year you will finally decide that you owe us a death certificate instead of another adjournment," she wrote.

Dr Baloch, a physician from Khuzdar district, allegedly disappeared on June 28, 2009, after being taken into custody. His whereabouts remain unknown. His family and rights groups accuse Pakistan's security establishment - including the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) - of involvement in enforced disappearances across Balochistan, allegations Islamabad has consistently denied.

Describing the lifelong trauma inflicted on families of the disappeared, Sammi recounts growing up without knowing whether her father is alive or dead.

"I was given disappearance. I was given denial. I was given humiliation. I was given the lifelong punishment of loving a father whom the state took," she wrote, adding that while other children grew up with memories of their fathers, she inherited "petitions, batons, tear gas and posters."

Sammi Deen Baloch, now general secretary of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), has become one of the most prominent faces of the campaign against enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Over the past decade she has led protests, documented alleged disappearances, assisted families in filing legal petitions and campaigned internationally for accountability despite repeated arrests, surveillance and alleged harassment.

Coinciding with the anniversary, international human rights organisation Front Line Defenders reiterated its support for Sammi Deen Baloch and demanded that Pakistani authorities immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of Dr Baloch. The Dublin-based organisation said his disappearance represents a broader pattern of impunity and called on Pakistan to investigate all cases of enforced disappearance and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Front Line Defenders noted that Sammi Deen Baloch herself has allegedly faced repeated reprisals for her activism, including arbitrary detention, surveillance, house raids and a week-long enforced disappearance in 2016. She was also arrested by Karachi police in March 2025 during protests demanding justice for missing persons.

The open letter comes amid an intensified crackdown on Baloch rights activists.

Earlier this year, activist Dr Mahrang Baloch - another leading campaigner against enforced disappearances and alleged human rights abuses in Balochistan - was sentenced to life imprisonment by an anti-terrorism court in a case widely criticised by rights organisations and Baloch activists as politically motivated.

Human rights groups argued that the prosecution relied on questionable evidence and viewed the conviction as part of a broader effort to silence peaceful dissent and suppress voices demanding accountability from Pakistan's security establishment. Islamabad has maintained that legal proceedings against Baloch activists are conducted under Pakistani law and rejects allegations of politically motivated prosecutions.

For years, Baloch nationalist groups, families of missing persons and international rights organisations have alleged that enforced disappearances have become a recurring feature of Pakistan's counter-insurgency operations in Balochistan. Pakistan's military and civilian authorities deny operating a policy of enforced disappearances, asserting that many missing persons have either joined militant organisations, gone underground or left the country voluntarily.

For Sammi Deen Baloch, however, the issue remains painfully personal. "My abba was not a file. He was not a rumour. He was Dr. Deen Mohammad - a doctor, a husband, a father," she wrote. "He belonged to us before he was taken."

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Rs 40,000 Crore Boost: Deepak Shenoy Highlights Success Of G-Sec Tax Relief For FIIs

The Centre's move to grant tax relief to foreign instututional investors (FIIs) earning income from government securities has been an instant success, with market veteran Deepak Shenoy pointing to additional inflows of about Rs 40,000 crore within days of the decision being taken.

The G-Sec tax relief for FIIs was announced on June 5. Shenoy, who heads Capitalmind Mutual Fund, said overseas invesotors raise their holdings in government bonds sharply by June 15.

The G-Sec holding of FIIs stood at Rs 3,23,802 crore as of June 1, and increased to Rs 3,63,760 crore in the next fortnight, he pointed out. "40,000 cr has now come into GSecs from FPIs after we have removed tax on capital gains and interest for them earlier this month (sic)," Shenoy posted on X.

40,000 cr has now come into GSecs from FPIs after we have removed tax on capital gains and interest for them earlier this month: pic.twitter.com/1dUlTBbsyZ

— Deepak Shenoy (@deepakshenoy) June 26, 2026

Notably, the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, promulgated on June 5, waives taxes on interest income and any capital gains resulting from the sale, exchange, or transfer of these government securities. Crucially, this tax relief is backdated to take effect from April 1, 2026.

The government's decision came after foreign investors pulled out over Rs 2.6 lakh crore from equities so far this year, which is much higher than Rs 1.66 lakh crore withdrawn in the entire 2025.

In the equity market, FIIs have stayed net sellers in June so far. The sell-off in the month stands at Rs 53,022 crore, which is sharper as compared to Rs 32,963-crore shares they offloaded in May.

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Nagatomo Creates History, Becomes 1st Asian Player To Achieve This Feat

Japan's Yuto Nagatomo created history on Thursday (local time) by becoming the first Asian player to feature in five FIFA World Cups during Japan's Group F match against Sweden in the 2026 edition at Dallas Stadium. The 39-year-old has previously featured in the 2010 South Africa, 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia, 2022 Qatar, and 2026 Canada-Mexico-United States tournaments, making him one of the most enduring figures in international football. With this appearance, Nagatomo also became only the 10th player in football history to feature in five or more World Cup editions. The elite list includes Lionel Messi (6 editions), Cristiano Ronaldo (6 editions), Luka Modric, Luis Suarez, Manuel Neuer, Lothar Matthaus, Andres Guardado, Rafael Marquez, Antonio Carbajal, and now Yuto Nagatomo, who have played five editions, respectively.

Japan's consistency was also reflected in the match result as they held Sweden to a 1-1 draw in their final Group F encounter. Both sides advanced to the Round of 32 after finishing in the qualifying positions in the group.

The opening half was a tightly contested affair, with both sides prioritising defense and limiting clear-cut chances. Japan enjoyed more possession and controlled much of the midfield, but Sweden remained organised at the back.

The first half also saw an injury setback as Sweden defender Isak Hien was forced off after picking up an injury, while Japan also had to replace defender Ko Itakura before the break. Despite Japan creating better opportunities, including a save from Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom to deny Keito Nakamura, the teams went into half-time locked at 0-0.

The match burst into life after the restart. Japan broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through Daizen Maeda after a superb passing move involving Yukinari Sugawara, Ritsu Doan and Ayase Ueda. Maeda timed his run perfectly before calmly guiding the ball into the far corner.

However, Sweden responded just six minutes later. Anthony Elanga capitalised on a loose ball, cut inside from the flank and curled a fine strike beyond Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to restore parity.

Both sides made changes in the closing stages as they looked to protect the result that would send them through to the knockout phase. Sweden threatened from a series of late set-pieces, but Suzuki remained composed to keep the score level.

The 1-1 draw was enough for both teams to advance, with Japan ending the group stage unbeaten and Sweden also securing a place in the Round of 32.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Shobhaa De Loves Shahid-Kriti In Cocktail 2, Says Hindi Films Not For Rashmika

Cocktail 2 is about to complete one week since its release, and the film has held steady at the box office. Led by Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, the Homi Adajania film crossed the Rs 100 crore mark within six days. The film has opened to mixed responses, and the latest critic to slam it is author and columnist Shobhaa De.

Shobhaa De took to Instagram to share a video in which she reviewed Cocktail 2. She said, "Just walked out of watching Cocktail 2. Well, Cocktail 1 it isn't. Woh Cocktail kya tha, yeh kya hai. I feel like I need five negronis to get over this one."

She continued, "Iska na head na tail, kuch bhi nahi hai. The story is absurd. Shahid, you need a new haircut, though you are the best part of the film. But the star by far is Sicily — I wish there was more of Sicily. Rashmika, I am so sorry but Hindi films are just not for you. Kriti, you look great, you have a fabulous bod; actually you did very well."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shobhaa De (@shobhaade)

"But the story — can it be a little more nuanced and meaningful? Two women fighting over Shahid, who then gives a lecture. And then the best line comes from Shahid, who says, 'Love is something you can enjoy for a few days, there's no such thing as love.' It's full of fake gyaan. Clichés of the worst kind. Nice jokes from time to time. But don't even try to compare it to Cocktail, and five negronis are waiting — this is my capsule review."

Cocktail 2 Box Office Collection

Cocktail 2 has crossed the Rs 100 crore milestone globally in just six days. The film's total collection now stands at Rs 102.76 crore gross, as reported by trade tracker Sacnilk.

Cocktail 2 saw a steady run on Day 6, adding Rs 5.00 crore net from 9,745 shows across India. This takes its domestic gross to Rs 78.76 crore, with the total India net now at Rs 66.00 crore.

The film also maintained a modest pace overseas, earning Rs 1.25 crore on the day and pushing its international gross to Rs 24.00 crore. Combined, its worldwide gross has now reached Rs 102.76 crore.

Cocktail 2 earned Rs 6.75 crore net each on its first Monday and Tuesday in India. After opening with Rs 13.5 crore on its first day, the film went on to collect Rs 16.25 crore on Saturday and Rs 17.75 crore on Sunday in the Indian market (net).

Cocktail 2 is set to face fresh competition at the box office starting Thursday evening (7:30 pm), as multistarrer film Welcome to the Jungle releases.

About Cocktail 2

Homi Adajania's Cocktail wasn't just another rom-com when it arrived in 2012. The Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty starrer gave audiences memorable music, messy relationships, and one of Deepika's most talked-about performances. Naturally, expectations were sky-high when Cocktail 2 was announced.

Fast forward 14 years, and the spiritual sequel is led by Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna.

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HAL-GE Talks On Track, F414 Pricing Dispute Unrelated - Exclusive

Talks between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and GE Aerospace on the F414 fighter jet engine programme continue to progress as planned, with sources dismissing reports of a deadlock and stating that negotiations are moving in the right direction.

Sources told NDTV Profit that concerns around the F414 engine pricing and commercial terms reported earlier are not related to the ongoing HAL-GE discussions. 

The issues may instead be linked to separate discussions involving the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

ALSO READ | HAL Share Price: GE F414 Engine Talks Hit Roadblock, Raising AMCA Cost Concerns — Report

The clarification comes after reports suggested that negotiations over GE's F414 engine had slowed due to differences on pricing, technology transfer and local manufacturing arrangements, raising concerns over possible cost escalation and timelines for India's future fighter aircraft programmes.

Sources told NDTV Profit that the negotiations between HAL and GE continue to move forward, with discussions covering key aspects of the engine programme, including supply arrangements, production plans and future requirements.

The F414 engine is critical for India's fighter aircraft roadmap, as it has been selected to power the Tejas Mk-2 and is also planned for the AMCA programme and the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter project.

The engine supply remains important for HAL's aircraft production plans, particularly as delays in engine deliveries had earlier affected Tejas Mk-1A timelines.

HAL has maintained that deliveries of Tejas Mk-1A aircraft are expected to begin after completion of integration and testing activities.

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The reported concerns around pricing had raised questions over the overall cost of the programme, with earlier reports suggesting differences over engine pricing, technology transfer and establishment of manufacturing facilities in India.

However, sources now indicate that HAL's negotiations with GE Aerospace remain on track and there is no immediate disruption to the planned F414 engine programme.

The development is closely watched as engine availability remains a key factor for India's indigenous fighter aircraft manufacturing plans and future defence production targets.

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Here's When the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G Will Launch in India

Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will be launched in India at the end of this month, the South Korean tech conglomerate revealed on Tuesday. The company has also confirmed the colour options, design, and key specifications of the upcoming Galaxy M series smartphone. The handset will be equipped with a triple rear camera system. On top of this, it will go on sale in the country in two colourways. The Samsung Galaxy M47 5G is confirmed to be powered by a Snapdragon chipset, along with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 3.1 onboard storage. The phone will boast an sAMOLED screen that refreshes at up to 120Hz.

Samsung Galaxy M47 5G Set to Launch in India on June 29

The dedicated microsite for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy M47 5G has been updated to confirm that the handset will be launched in India on June 29. Along with the launch date, the microsite also reveals that the Galaxy M47 5G will be available for purchase in India in two colour options, namely Blaze Blue and Rogue Red. In terms of design, the handset is shown to sport a similar flat rear camera and a pill-shaped camera module as the latest Galaxy A series phones.

In terms of specifications, the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will be powered by an octa core Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, paired with a 6,000mAh battery. The handset will also feature LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 3.1 internal storage. The phone will sport a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, offering up to 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.

Samsung promises six OS upgrades and six years of security updates for its upcoming smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will ship with Samsung's One UI 8.5, which is based on Android 16. Along with the latest software, the phone will offer various AI tools, like AI Voice Transcription.

For optics, the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G is confirmed to launch in India with a triple rear camera system. The handset will feature a 50-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilisation. On top of this, it will boast a 5-megapixel ultrawide camera, paired with a 2-megapixel macro sensor. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will also sport a 12-megapixel camera on the front for selfies and video calls, housed inside a hole punch display cutout. Samsung claims that the phone will be capable of recording 4K videos.

Lastly, the tech giant has also revealed that the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will debut with support for 45W wired fast charging. Additionally, it will ship with support for bypass charging, which is claimed to reduce the strain on the phone's battery. The company also claims that the handset will offer 4x scratch resistance, along with 2m fall endurance.

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Lucid Layoffs: EV Maker Trims 18% Of US Workforce; COO Marc Winterhoff Departs

In an effort to increase profitability in the face of intensifying competition, EV manufacturer Lucid Group said on Monday that it will lay off roughly 18% of its US personnel and that COO Marc Winterhoff has departed the firm. This was the company's second significant managerial move in recent months.

The company's shares were down almost 4%, as reported by Reuters.

The layoffs reflected the growing pressure on EV manufacturers like Lucid to control expenses as buyers move towards more affordable models and as profitability is impacted by growing competition from both established automakers and recent arrivals.

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The company, which employed over 9,000 people worldwide as of Dec. 31, 2025, stated that hourly factory workers, contractors, and full-time staff will all be impacted by the reduction. Additionally, it eliminated the second shift at its main EV production plant, the AMP-1 factory in Arizona.

In an effort to save money in a sector known for high spending, Lucid laid off 12% of its American workers in February 2026.

The EV manufacturer has been dealing with operational difficulties, such as a supplier-related problem that caused the delivery of its Gravity SUV to be delayed in February. The corporation halted its 2026 output forecast last month to conduct a business assessment.

While a robotaxi deployment through collaborations with Uber, the manufacturer has been relying on its Gravity SUV and future mid-size vehicle platform to drive growth.

According to Lucid, the restructuring will save about $158 million in yearly costs while costing roughly $32 million in severance and other employee-related expenses.

After Peter Rawlinson resigned from the position in February 2025, Winterhoff took over as Lucid's temporary CEO for more than a year. Silvio Napoli, a former head of Schindler, was named CEO of the EV manufacturer in April.

ALSO READ | EVs Kickstart FY27 On Top Gear As April Registrations Jump Over 40%

The manufacturer of all-electric cars said that its strategy will result in yearly cost savings of about $158 million, as reported by CNBC.

Due to slower-than-expected EV adoption and shifting restrictions under the Trump administration, such as the removal of a $7,500 federal incentive for buying an EV, Lucid and its electric car competitors are confronting a more difficult market than they have in recent years.

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