Page 19 - Terrorism

Australia downgrades national terrorism threat level to 'possible'

Australia's terrorism threat level has been downgraded from probable" to possible for the first time since 2014, the head of the main domestic spy agency said Monday. The defeat of the Islamic State group in battle in the Middle East and an ineffective al-Qaida propaganda machine failing to connect with Western youth has resulted in fewer extremists in Australia, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General Mike Burgess said. This does not mean the threat is extinguished, Burgess said. It remains plausible that someone will die at the hands of a terrorist in Australia within the next 12 months, he added. However, there have been increases in radical nationalism and right-wing extremist ideology in Australia in the past couple of years, Burgess said. Individuals are still fantasising about killing other Australians, still spouting their hateful ideologies in chat rooms, still honing their capabilities by researching bomb-making and training with weapons, Burgess .

Kejriwal well-wisher of terrorism, corruption, says UP CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday dubbed Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal as a 'namoona' or buffoon, and accused him and his party of supporting terrorism and corruption. Speaking at an election rally in Somnath town in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat for BJP candidates, he also accused main opposition Congress of not respecting other people's religions because of its "Muslim vote bank". "A 'Namoona' (buffoon) from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) who is visiting Gujarat now a days is a true well-wisher of terrorism. He had also opposed the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. He had sought proof from our brave soldiers when the Indian Army carried out a surgical strike in Pakistan," said Adityanath, who is among the Bharatiya Janata Party's star campaigners. "When the Pakistan government itself was admitting that the strike had broken their back, AAP kept on asking for evidence. Support for terrorism and corruption is in their genes," the UP CM claimed. ...

Raids at residences of scribes over online threats to journos in Kashmir

Police on Thursday carried out raids at multiple locations, including residences of some journalists, in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the online threats to scribes given by terror outfits. "Searches are going on in multiple locations in Srinagar, Badgam and Pulwama districts in connection with 'online journalists threat' case," Srinagar police tweeted. According to police, the searches carried out on Thursday were subsequent to the leads received from similar searches done few days ago in the same case. 'KashmirFight', an online page used by terror outfits, had issued a hitlist of journalists accusing them of working at the behest of security and intelligence agencies. At least five journalists, all working for local media outlets, have since resigned from their jobs. Giving details, a police spokesman said raids were carried out at seven locations in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama. "The premises which were raided today and subsequently searched belong t

Efforts to sanction 26/11 perpetrators blocked for political reasons: India

India has said its efforts to sanction perpetrators and facilitators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks have been blocked in the past for political reasons, enabling those responsible to walk free and organise further cross-border assaults against the country. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, said terrorism continues to pose a "grave threat" to international peace and security, as ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliated and inspired groups, particularly in Asia and Africa, continue to operate and target civilians and security forces. "Lest we forget, in November 2008, 10 terrorists entered the city of Mumbai through sea route from Pakistan, ravaging the city for 4 days, killing 166 people, including 26 foreign nationals, she said in her remarks to the UN Security Council Joint Briefing by the Chairs of the 1267/1373/1540 Committees to the Security Council. "Our efforts to sanction the perpetrators and facilitators of these terror attacks were blocked in th

New Delhi's counter-terrorism outreach

For a nation such as India, which is among the countries most affected by terrorism, this is a time to take the lead in continuing to keep the spotlight on the menace of terrorism

India receives wide praise at UNSC for counter-terror leadership

India has received wide praise for its leadership of the UN Security Council and for guiding the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on fighting terrorists using emerging technologies

Mangaluru blast accused inspired by terror outfit, was booked under UAPA

Karnataka ADGP Alok Kumar Monday said that the accused Sharik in the Mangaluru auto-rickshaw explosion case, has been earlier involved in cases under UAPA and was on the run

Iranian president slams EU, says backing terrorism not in West's interests

Raisi said "the enemy" attempted to disrupt Iran's advancements by dealing blows to the country's security and economy as well as education and production sectors

Infiltration bid on LoC in J&K's Rajouri foiled, one terrorist killed

The sources said that terrorists attempted to infiltrate into the Indian side in Kalal area of Nowshera sector.

Cost must be imposed on nations which aid terrorism, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said cost must be imposed on countries which aid terrorism as part of their foreign policy by providing political, ideological and financial support. Organisations and individuals that try to create sympathy for terrorists must also be isolated, he said addressing the third 'No Money for Terror Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing' hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. "There can be no ifs and buts interfering in such matters. The world needs to be united against all kinds of overt and covert backing of terrorism," Modi said. The prime minister said tactical gains against terrorists will soon be lost without a larger strategy aimed at hurting terror finances. "International organisations must not think that absence of war means peace. Proxy wars are also dangerous and violent. There must be a cost imposed on countries that support terrorism," the prime minister said. He said sovereign nations have a right to their own systems

Money made from drug trade used in terror activities in J&K, says DGP

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Thursday said drug menace has emerged as a big threat as the money generated from the trade is being used in terror activities. He urged the the police department to expedite investigation into cases of narcotics and increase conviction rate. Singh was speaking after chairing an officers' meeting at the police headquarters here to review the targets and goals set for the Jammu zone this year. The senior officer asked his department to work on a mission mode on cases of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2008. Calling for a strict action, he directed the officers to destroy drug-related cultivations in Jammu and seize properties earned through proceeds from sale of narcotics. The DGP impressed upon his officers to identify more investigating officials and train them to deal with the increasing number of cases. Investigators need to equip themselves with

India attends Moscow format of talks on Afghanistan to eradicate terrorism

India and several other countries on Wednesday called for creating a "truly inclusive" government in Kabul and eradicating terrorism from Afghan soil during their deliberations on the situation in that country under the Moscow format of consultations. The Russian foreign ministry said the fourth meeting under the framework of the Moscow format of talks was attended by special representatives and senior officials from Russia, India, China, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Russian foreign ministry said the participants expressed a consolidated demand for the "complete unfreezing" of Afghanistan's assets by Washington. "They resolutely urged the United States and other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) countries that were part of the 20-year-long military presence in Afghanistan, to compensate the Afghans for the damage done during this period," it said. It said representatives of Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were

After UN anti-terror meets, India to host 'No Money for Terror' conference

India is the only country where two global anti-terrorist conferences have been held in a single year, while one of them is going to be held in a few days.

Earlier govts were buying peace, we are establishing it in Valley: J&K L-G

"People of the Valley are playing a crucial role in maintaining peace and harmony in the region, and recently 8,000 people also carried out a rally.

Modi govt adopting zero tolerance policy towards terror: Home ministry

The Modi government is adopting a zero tolerance policy towards the terrorism and will convey to the international community India's determination in its fight against the menace. The Union Home Ministry said the government of India is organising the 3rd Ministerial 'No Money for Terror' (NMFT) conference on November 18 and 19 in New Delhi where representatives of 75 countries and international bodies will participate in the deliberations over two days. Hosting of the NMFT conference shows the importance being given by the Modi government to the issue of international terrorism as well as its zero tolerance policy against the menace and having discussions on this issue in the international community, a home ministry statement said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be participating in the conference and will convey India's determination in its fight against terrorism as well as its support systems for achieving success against it. The conference aims to progress the discussions on

India, ASEAN countries promise to boost cooperation against terrorism

India and ASEAN countries vowed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and enhance cooperation against terrorism after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed the 19th ASEAN-India Summit here on Saturday. Dhankhar is in Cambodia for his three-day visit. This year marks the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations and is being celebrated as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an international organisation that has 10 member countries in Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The ASEAN member states and India sought to strengthen cooperation on cybersecurity by establishing new dialogue platforms between India and the ten-member bloc. In a joint statement, they acknowledged the deep civilisational linkages, maritime connectivity, and cross-cultural exchanges between Southeast Asia and India which have grown stronger over the last 30 years

UP ATS arrests 2 suspects from Saharanpur, Haridwar for links with Al-Qaeda

The ATS also recovered a mobile phone without a battery and sim card, three other mobile phones without sim cards and cash Rs 5400 from the possession of Mohammed Harris

Threat posed by terrorism needs a unified voice from world community: India

India on Thursday urged the international community to "call out those" who provide safe havens to terrorists and come to their defence including in the UN Security Council sanctions regimes, a veiled reference to Pakistan and China. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra made the remarks while speaking at the open debate held under Ghana's Presidency of the 15-nation Council on Peacebuilding and sustaining peace: Integrating effective resilience-building in peace operations for sustainable peace.' "The threat posed by terrorism needs a unified voice from the international community. We should strengthen capabilities of the host state security forces, join hands in preventing the terrorist forces from gaining access to financial resources and must collectively call out those who provide safe havens to terrorists as also those who stand with them and come to their defense including in the UNSC sanctions regimes, he said. His remark appeared to be a veiled reference to Pakistan and China. In

J-K: Security forces launch search operation over suspected drone movement

Police and security forces launched a search operation in areas along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district after some villagers informed them about a suspected drone movement, officials said on Sunday. The search operation by the Central Reserve Police Force and Special Operations Group along with the police was launched in Pullian, Nursery and Checkdayala belt on Saturday night, they said. A fresh search was held on Sunday, a police officer said. He said terrorists have been using drones to ferry weapons, explosive material and narcotics into the Indian side from across the border, but forces are alert to foil such designs.

India to contribute $500,000 for UN Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism

Jaishankar said that India will contribute USD 500,000 to the United Nations Trust Fund for Counter Terrorism this year to aid capacity-building support to member states in combating terrorism