Page 15 - Terrorism

MoS blames Farooq Abdullah's politics for scourge of terrorism in Kashmir

Reacting to National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah's statement that "there are encounters daily" in Jammu and Kashmir and thereby questioning the claim of the Centre of normalcy in the Union territory, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday said that the politics of Abdullah and his family has been responsible for the scourge of terrorism in the Valley. "Farooq Abdullah and his family have ruled, misruled and misgoverned Jammu and Kashmir for many many years. Their politics have primarily been responsible for decades of deprivation and J & K people's suffering from lack of rights, economic opportunities and the scourge of terrorism," Chandrasekhar said while talking to ANI."So I think that he is the least appropriate person to comment on what is right and wrong for the people of Jammu and Kashmir," the Union Minister added. While questioning the claims of normalcy in the Union Territory Farooq Abdullah also pitched for peace talks.Speaking to the media in Budgam, ...

'Afghanistan headed to civil war with Taliban splitting into factions'

Two years after the US forces abruptly left Kabul, Afghanistan is headed towards a civil war, the Taliban is now riddled with factionalism, and the country is fast becoming a safe haven for foreign terrorists, a former Afghan commander has said. I believe that the situation in Afghanistan is very critical and dangerous and it's going in a dangerous direction, which could be a civil war again, or which could be a split to Afghanistan because you see that in last two years Afghanistan has been controlled by the terrorists and it has fallen into terrorist hands, Lt. Gen. Haibatullah Alizai, who was chief of staff for the army at the time the capital city of Kabul fell to Taliban in August 2021, told PTI in an interview. Alizai currently lives in the US and has recently launched an initiative to unite Afghans outside the country. Expressing his deep dissatisfaction over the current situation in Afghanistan, the former Afghan commander blames the Biden administration for abruptly leaving

Blocking listing proposals for terrorists smacks of doublespeak: India

India has told the UN Security Council that blocking evidence-based proposals for blacklisting globally sanctioned terrorists without giving justifications is uncalled for and "smacks of doublespeak", a thinly-veiled reference to China and Pakistan. The working methods of the UNSC Sanctions Committees continue to dent the credibility of the UN Security Council, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said here on Tuesday. Speaking in the Security Council's open debate on Working Methods, Kamboj said "genuine, evidence-based listing proposals for globally sanctioned terrorists to be blocked without giving any due justification is uncalled for and smacks of doublespeak when it comes to Council's commitment in tackling the challenge of terrorism. She stressed that the working methods of Sanctions Committees must emphasise transparency, and objectivity in listing and delisting and should not be based on political considerations. Kamboj's remarks were a veil

3 TTP terrorists killed by Pakistan's security forces in shootout

Three terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed by security forces on Friday during an operation in a restive tribal district in northwest Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. According to sources, the security forces exchanged fire with the terrorists after they fired at them in the South Waziristan tribal district. In the shootout, three terrorists were killed and the remaining fled. The security forces launched a massive combing operation after the gunbattle to arrest the perpetrators. Earlier this week, six Pakistani soldiers and four terrorists were killed when the TTP militants attacked a convoy of security forces in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The outfit, which is believed to be close to Al-Qaeda, has been blamed for several deadly attacks across Pakistan, including an attack on army headquarters in 2009, assaults on military bases, and the 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.

UN remembers victims, survivors of terrorism: Secy General Antonio Guterres

Guterres said the theme of this year's International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is "Legacy, Finding Hope and Building a Peaceful Future"

Terrorism is borderless: 26/11 survivor calls for action to combat scourge

Terrorism is borderless and the United Nations, as well as the international community, need to put their weight behind ending the scourge, a survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Karambir Singh Kang said as the UN paid tributes to terror victims globally. The UN General Assembly has established August 21 as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The day honours, remembers and pays tribute to all victims and survivors of terrorism across the world, highlighting the importance of global solidarity and ensuring their stories and experiences are not forgotten. This year, the day focused on the theme Legacy: Finding Hope and Building a Peaceful Future'. Terrorism is borderless. It can happen anywhere, anytime. United Nations needs to pull its weight on some of these matters which globally affect all of us, Kang said at a special virtual event organised by the UN Monday to mark the 6th commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance

761 terror attacks, 174 civilian deaths in J&K in last 5 yrs: Home Ministry

The hinterlands of the country have witnessed five terrorist incidents in the last five years with more than half of them in 2022 alone

No indication that Afghan refugees in Pak guilty of terrorism: White House

There is no indication that the Afghan refugees in Pakistan or those living along the border with Afghanistan are guilty of acts of terrorism, the White House has said after Islamabad accused them of creating instability. The remarks by White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby came two days after Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that allowing Afghan refugees to settle in Pakistan was a grave mistake amid a spike in terrorist attacks on the country. The current situation has raised significant concerns about the facilities provided to the Afghan refugees, Asif said, adding Pakistan has suffered the consequences of sheltering and hosting the Afghan refugees. He also accused Afghan nationals involved in terrorist activities. "(We are) Seeing no indication that Afghan refugees in Pakistan or along that border are guilty of acts of terrorism," Kirby told reporters at a news conference here on Monday. Kirby said the US is grateful to Pakistan for the incredible

Caller warns of 26/11-like terror attack if Seema Haider didn't return home

The traffic control room of Mumbai Police has received a call from an unidentified person warning of a 26/11-like terror attack if Pakistani woman Seema Haider did not return to her country, an official said on Thursday. The call was received on Wednesday, he said. The caller, who spoke in Urdu, said there would be a terror attack like the November 26, 2008 attack on Mumbai and the Uttar Pradesh government will be responsible for it, the police official said. Mumbai Police is investigating the threat call and a crime branch team has also been roped in, he said. The call was made through an app, and the police were trying to track down the IP address of the caller, the official said. Seema Haider, a Pakistani national, recently entered India illegally to marry her lover Sachin Meena, a resident of Greater Noida. The two had become friends while playing online game PUBG. Police arrested Haider for entering India illegally without a visa through Nepal.

SCO resolves to tackle spread of terrorism, disrupt terror financing

The top leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday resolved to check spread of terrorism and disrupt terror financing while coming down hard on states using terrorist and extremist groups to advance their political and geopolitical goals. A declaration issued at the conclusion of the virtual SCO Summit hosted by India said the member states will eliminate "sleeper cells" and terrorist safe havens, and counter the radicalisation of youth and dissemination of terrorist ideology. The SCO states, subject to their national laws, also agreed to develop common principles and approaches to form a unified list of terrorist, separatist and extremist organisations whose activities are prohibited on the territories of the member nations of the grouping, it added. The declaration said the SCO leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful settlement of disagreements and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultations. The leaders also came out with a separa

Delhi declaration, 2 joint statements adopted in India's presidency: Kwatra

The leaders of the SCO, under India's presidency, adopted a Delhi declaration and two thematic joint statements - one on cooperation

Monster of terrorism must be fought with full vigour, conviction: Pak PM

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the "hydra-headed monster" of terrorism and extremism whether committed by individuals, groups or at state level must be fought with full vigour and conviction, as he warned against using it as a cudgel for diplomatic point-scoring. Addressing the 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) hosted by India in a virtual format, he also talked about religious minorities. The hydra-headed monster of terrorism and extremism whether committed by individuals, societies or states must be fought with full vigour and conviction. Any temptation to use it as a cudgel for diplomatic point-scoring must be avoided under all circumstances, he said. Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people regardless of the cause or pretext. He noted that while the

SCO must not hesitate to criticise countries supporting terrorism: PM Modi

Food, fuel and fertiliser crisis is a big challenge for all the countries in the world surrounded by controversies, tensions and epidemics and there must be united efforts to deal with it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. In his opening remarks at the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Modi also said that some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policy and the grouping must not hesitate to criticise them. With Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif listening, Modi said there is a need for decisive action to deal with terrorism. The summit was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Sharif and other leaders of the SCO nations. Terrorism has become a threat to regional and global peace, Modi said, calling for expanding mutual cooperation to deal with terror financing as well. "We have to fight together against terrorism that may be in any form and any manifestation," Modi ...

Pakistan registers 79% spike in terror attacks in 2023 so far: Think-tank

Pakistan registered a whopping 79 per cent spike in terror attacks in the first six months of 2023 compared to the corresponding period last year, a prominent think-tank said here on Monday. A statistical report released by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said that the country's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been the most highly impacted state due to the militant attacks while Sindh saw a dip in such attacks compared to last year. According to the report, 271 militant attacks occurred during the first half of 2023, resulting in the loss of 389 lives and injuring 656 individuals. "The report reveals that 271 militant attacks occurred in the first half of 2023, resulting in the loss of 389 lives and injuring 656 individuals. Comparatively, the same timeframe in 2022 witnessed 151 attacks, causing 293 deaths and 487 injuries. These figures represent a staggering 79 per cent increase in militant attacks during the first half of this year compared t

Several nations eager to confer their highest civilian honour on PM: UP CM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's model of governance, several countries are "eager to confer their highest civilian honour on him". Addressing a public meeting here, Adityanath said, "The standard of prosperity moves ahead with security, good governance and service. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, new standards have been set in the country in nine years. Recently, in the United States and Egypt, the warm welcome that was accorded to the prime minister by the presidents, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, citizens and artistes is a living example of this." "At the same time, it gives an opportunity to 140 crore Indians to hold their heads high with pride in the world. Overwhelmed by the country's model, which the prime minister has set up, various countries are eager to confer their highest civilian honour on him," he added. Talking about the "New India", Adityanath said, "Today, no country can dare

PM took surgical strike call in 10 minutes, Rajnath Singh warns Pakistan

In a veiled warning to Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India is getting more powerful and if the need arises, it can hit on this side of the border and also by going across. Addressing a security conclave at the University of Jammu, he asserted that the country has taken major action against terrorism under the Modi government and referred to the surgical strikes carried out across the border in 2016 and the Balakot air strike in 2019. Bharat ab pehle jaisa Bharat nahi raha. Bharat takatwar banta jaa raha hai. Zaroorat padi to Bharat seema ke iss par bhi maar sakta hai aur zaroorat padi toh uss paar bhi jaa sakta hai (India is not the same as it used to be. It is getting more powerful. If needed, India can hit on this side of the border and can go across the border as well," the defence minister said. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government started effective action against terrorism and for the first time not only the country but

Infiltration bid foiled in J-K's, four terrorists killed in joint operation

Four terrorists were killed as security forces foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Machil sector on Friday, police said. The infiltration bid was foiled in Kala Jungle area of Machil sector in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four #terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in #Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK, the Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet. Security forces had foiled an infiltration bid last Friday as well when five terrorists were killed in Jumagund area of Keran sector.

India, US walk shoulder to shoulder to combat terrorism, extremism: PM Modi

Notably, these remarks come in the wake of China's obstruction of UN proposals to designate Sajid Mir of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba as a global terrorist

Gujarat ATS arrests 4 persons with links to international terror body

A special team of the ATS had been active for the past few days for special operations in Porbandar and surrounding areas

Muslims must raise voice against terrorism in name of Islam: Pak author

Stressing that it is high time that moderate Muslims raise their voice against terrorism in the name of Islam, Taseer says, My father was a moderate Muslim, and was shot 29 times just for his opinion