A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck the northeastern state of Assam in the early hours of Monday, January 5, 2026, sending tremors across the region. The seismic event, recorded at 06:44 IST, adds to a day of significant developments across South Asia and the globe, ranging from militant violence in Pakistan to escalating geopolitical tensions.
Violence Targets Police in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In a concerning series of events in neighbouring Pakistan, at least four police personnel were killed in two separate firing incidents in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to reports from Khaama Press, unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on three officers in the Lakki Marwat area, killing them instantly. In a simultaneous attack in Bannu district, another police officer was shot dead by unknown assailants.
These brazen attacks have raised alarms about a pattern of targeted strikes against law enforcement agencies. While no group has immediately claimed responsibility, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is known to maintain a strong operational presence in the region. Authorities have launched investigations and heightened security measures in response.
This violence follows a similar incident on December 23, 2025, where five police personnel were killed, marking 2025 as one of the most lethal years for Pakistan's security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to sustained militant activity.
Internal Crackdown and Geopolitical Strains
Amid the security challenges, Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken disciplinary action against 214 officials over the past four months. As reported by Dawn, the crackdown targets cases of human trafficking, corruption, and inefficiency. This internal purge followed the establishment of a Directorate of Internal Accountability in August 2025, initiated after deadly migrant boat incidents revealed the involvement of some FIA personnel in smuggling networks.
On the political front within India, the BJP demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after a village sarpanch affiliated with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was shot dead at a wedding in Amritsar. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged a complete collapse of law and order in the state.
International Flashpoints: Yemen, Venezuela, and Greenland
Globally, several crises deepened. In Yemen, Saudi-backed forces regained control of the port city of Mukalla in Hadramout province after days of airstrikes against Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists. This development highlights the fraying alliance within the Saudi-led coalition, particularly with the United Arab Emirates, which backs the STC. Saudi Arabia has announced a conference in Riyadh to dialogue with southern factions.
In a significant reversal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the United States would not directly govern Venezuela following the military operation that ousted Nicolas Maduro. Instead, Washington would use an oil quarantine blockade as leverage to press for policy changes, walking back President Donald Trump's earlier statement that the US would "run" the country.
Another diplomatic row emerged after Katie Miller, wife of Trump aide Stephen Miller, posted an image of Greenland painted in US flag colours with the caption "SOON." Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen labelled the post "disrespectful," reaffirming that the territory is "not for sale." Denmark's ambassador to the US also called for full respect of territorial integrity, underscoring ongoing tensions over US ambitions in the Arctic.
Regional Offers of Mediation
In response to the Yemeni conflict, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to facilitate dialogue between the warring factions during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ankara expressed readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at bringing the parties together, emphasizing the importance of Yemen's territorial integrity for regional stability.
As Assam recovers from the morning tremor, these interconnected events from Pakistan to the Arctic Circle paint a picture of a world grappling with internal security challenges, geopolitical manoeuvring, and the complex aftermath of military interventions.
