The Pakistan military released a statement that said seven soldiers were killed in a series of attacks in northwest Pakistan yesterday. Six soldiers were killed in North Waziristan by a roadside bombs, while another soldier was killed in what the military says was cross-border firing from Afghanistan (Associated Press).

The former chief minister of India-administered Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, was freed after being detained for fourteen months following India’s revocation of the region’s partial autonomy in August 2019. She vowed to fight for the restoration of Kashmir’s status (PTI).

The Taliban yesterday began an offensive targeting Lashkar Gah, capital of southern Helmand province, and reportedly overran several Afghan security forces checkpoints (New York Times). United States military forces today carried out several air raids against Taliban forces advancing on the city, in support of Afghan government forces that were under attack (Al Jazeera).

Chinese ships that entered waters near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands over the weekend have remained there for a record length of time, Japan’s coast guard said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Japan had repeatedly warned the ships to leave and had lodged a protest with China (Kyodo).

U.S. and South Korean authorities are analyzing new weapons unveiled by North Korea, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The weapon, featured in a military parade on Saturday, is believed to be one of the world’s largest road-mobile missiles, though it is unclear whether it is real or a mock-up (Yonhap). North Korea last tested an ICBM in 2017. That missile, the Hwasong-15, had an estimated range of eight thousand miles, capable of striking the United States. The new missile could carry more fuel and bigger engines, increasing the weapon’s payload (Washington Post). Seoul urged Pyongyang yesterday to abide by its previous disarmament pacts and to resume negotiations. Some experts say North Korea could test the new missile after the U.S. presidential election in November in order to gain leverage in future talks (Associated Press).

A days-old cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh is already under strain after both sides accused the other of violations. Hundreds of soldiers and an unknown number of civilians have been killed since fighting broke out last month (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty).

A group of Iran-backed militias announced a cease-fire against U.S. interests in Iraq on the condition that the United States provides a timeline for the withdrawal of its troops (Washington Post).

Former security minister Genaro Garcia Luna pleaded not guilty to charges connecting him to the Sinaloa drug cartel. Prosecutors allege that he allowed the cartel to operate freely in the country in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes (BBC).

Thousands of Venezuelans are again fleeing the country, many on foot, after months of pandemic lockdown measures. Officials in neighboring Colombia expect two hundred thousand Venezuelans to enter the country in the coming months (Associated Press).

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced that top diplomats from Armenia and Azerbaijan will attend talks in Moscow today, after Russian President Vladimir Putin called for an end to fighting in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. French, Russian, and U.S. officials have been holding talks in Geneva (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty).