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ISLAMABAD: Spotify has named Pakistani musician Samar Jafri as its featured artist for the fourth quarter of 2025 under its global Radar program, highlighting the singer’s rapid rise and growing popularity among young listeners across the country.

Jafri gained widespread recognition after his songs ‘Main Rahun’ and ‘Guzaarishein’ garnered over 23 million streams since their release in April and May this year.

Platforms like Spotify have played a key role in spotlighting emerging talent and connecting local voices with global audiences as the Pakistani music industry undergoes a digital transformation.

“Samar Jafri is a remarkable talent and a fitting choice to close out RADAR Pakistan Season 2025. We’re excited to spotlight his journey and share his music with even more listeners through this platform,” Rutaba Yaqub, Spotify’s Artist & Label

Partnerships Manager for Pakistan and the UAE, was quoted as saying by Asiatic Public Relations firm.

Apart from Pakistan, Jafri’s music has been streamed most in Bangladesh, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the UAE over the past 28 days. His listeners are mostly between 18 and 24 years old.

Jafri shared his excitement on being recognized by Spotify’s Radar Pakistan, saying that it was something he had been dreaming about for years.

“I’ve been making music for over six years now, but it took a lot of time and courage to finally start putting out originals. Seeing that music connects with so many people, especially on a platform like Spotify, means everything,” he was quoted as saying.

“Being able to tell my story through Spotify RADAR is surely one of the highlights of this year for me. There’s so much more to come, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.”

Spotify will also showcase Jafri’s journey in a special mini documentary exploring his creativity, the inspiration behind his music and the moments that shaped him into the artist he is today.

The digital audio streaming service had named Pakistani musician Afusic for his track ‘Pal Pal’ as its RADAR Pakistan artist for the third quarter of 2025.

PESHAWAR: At least three militants were killed late Friday night after heavily armed gunmen mounted an attack on a police training center in Dera Ismail Khan, triggering an intense firefight, according to a law enforcement official.

The attack came a day after reports of airstrikes in the Afghan capital, Kabul, that reportedly sought to target Noor Wali Mehsud, the Pakistani Taliban chief.

The militant group, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the assault, saying a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the gate of the training center before others entered the facility.

Initial reports from the area also mentioned explosions followed by an exchange of heavy fire.

“As of now, three terrorists have been killed in the ongoing firefight,” Yaqoob Khan, police spokesman in the area, told Arab News over the phone. “The operation is still underway, and more information will be shared once the situation becomes clear.”

He said militants attacked the facility with heavy weapons, adding that a large contingent of police and security forces rushed to the scene upon receiving information.

Imran Khan, another police official, said the training center is located in Ratta Kulachi, a locality on the outskirts of the city.

He informed that additional police personnel had been deployed and the area had been cordoned off.

Pakistan has frequently blamed the Afghan Taliban for harboring TTP militants, saying the group launches cross-border attacks against its security forces and civilians, though Kabul has denied the allegation.

Earlier on Friday, the Afghan defense ministry accused Pakistan of violating its airspace and bombing a border town, warning of consequences.

Separately, the Pakistani military vowed to do “whatever is necessary” to defend the country’s territorial integrity, saying it wanted the Afghan administration to ensure its soil was not used for attacks against Pakistan, calling it “a fair and just demand.”