Page 118 - War Conflict
Wife, sister of Colombo bomber also killed
The wife and sister of a suicide bomber who struck the Shangri-La Hotel in the Sri Lankan capital were killed in the last of the eight deadly blasts that rocked the country on Easter Sunday.
Sri Lanka capital on high alert following reports of explosives-laden van
Sri Lanka on Tuesday placed all police stations in Colombo on high alert as police were hunting for an unidentified container truck and a van, believed to be carrying explosives. A warning issued by the Director of Security at the Colombo Harbour said intelligence had found information that an unidentified container truck and a van carrying a potential explosive device was heading towards Colombo. Search operations are currently underway at the Colombo Harbour for the potential threat. The alert came as the island nation observed a day of national mourning for over 320 people killed in a series on blasts on Easter Sunday.
40 arrested in Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka: Police
Forty suspects, including the driver of a van allegedly used by the suicide bombers, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks which shook Sri Lanka and killed over 300 people, as the government declared a state of emergency, a police official said Tuesday. The Sri Lankan police made 16 more arrests during the past 24 hours, taking the total number of arrested suspects to 40, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. "26 of them are with the CID, three are being held by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). Nine of them have been already remanded and two are being held at a Colombo south police station," Gunasekera said. A string of powerful blasts ripped through three churches and as many luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 321 people and injuring more than 500 others, shattering a decade of peace in the country following the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE. The bombs tore through three five-star hotels in .
67% voting in Tripura LS polls (3rd Lead) (3 p.m.)
Over 67 per cent votes were registered till 3 p.m. on Tuesday in the deferred polling for the Tripura East parliamentary constituency, election officials said.
Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo closed until further notice
Shangri-La hotel, Colombo will be closed till further notice, a senior hotel official said Tuesday, after the five-star property was attacked by a suicide bomber on Easter Sunday that killed unspecified number of guests, including Indians. Sri Lankan authorities said Tuesday 321 people were killed and over 500 others injured when suicide bombers attacked three churches and luxury hotels in the country. "We have decided that the hotel will be closed until further notice," Mahika Chandrasena, Director of Public Relations at Shangri-La, Colombo, told PTI. "It is with great sadness that we can confirm that we are aware of a number of casualties among our guests and colleagues. This includes three of our colleagues who were fatally injured in the course of their duties," the hotel said in a statement. "We will continue to work closely with local authorities and emergency services to provide our fullest assistance and support to all affected parties. Our hotel remains secured by the ...
SL carnage response to Christchurch massacre: Minister
Sri Lanka's Minister of State for Defence Ruwan Wijewardene on Tuesday said that the Easter Sunday suicide bombings which killed 321 people were a response to the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in March.
Sri Lanka bomb blasts: Vaas, Herath call for unity
Expressing dismay and shock at the multiple bomb blasts that killed and injured hundreds of people in Sri Lanka, the country's former cricketers Chaminda Vaas and Rangana Herath on Tuesday said the need of the hour is to stay strong and united. Sri Lankan authorities arrested 24 people in connection with the multiple blasts targeting churches and luxury hotels in the island nation on Easter Sunday, killing over 290 people and injuring around 500 others. "So sad to see. We never thought these kind of things will happen in Sri Lanka. It is a lovely country and hospitable. People are very friendly. It is so tragic to see such things happen," Vaas told reporters here. "We need to rebuild. We can rebuild churches or hotels but we can't bring lives back. I am sure the Sri Lankan government and the people will be very united this time and make sure that we stick together," said the former left arm pacer who scalped 400 ODI and 355 Test wickets in his illustrious career. Vaas ..
Initial probe shows Sri Lanka blasts were 'retaliation for Christchurch': Deputy Defence Minister
An initial probe into the multiple blasts in Sri Lanka that killed more than 300 people shows that it was "retaliation for Christchurch" terror attacks in New Zealand, said the country's Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene on Tuesday."The preliminary investigations have revealed that what happened in Sri Lanka was in retaliation for the attack against Muslims in Christchurch," Al-Jazeera quoted Wijewardene as saying.On March 15, about 50 people were killed in the twin terror attacks at two mosques in Christchurch.Wijewardene also told the Sri Lankan Parliament that the death toll has climbed to 321 people, including 38 foreigners.On April 21, eight explosions rattled various suburbs in the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikede and Batticaloa as the Christian community celebrated Easter Sunday.Sri Lanka is in a state of emergency in the aftermath of the bombings. All schools have been shut down till Wednesday, as the authorities continue their search and rescue ...
SL carnage to avenge Christchurch, toll 321 (3rd Lead)
Sri Lanka said on Tuesday that the horrific Easter Sunday bombings were meant to avenge the attacks on two mosques in New Zealand as the death toll in the island nation rose to 321 including 10 Indians.
China's Xi urges closer naval ties amid regional tensions
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged closer ties among the world's navies on Tuesday, amid tensions over China's rapid expansion of its naval forces and forceful assertions of territorial claims in the South China Sea. Xi's remarks came in an address to foreign naval officers attending a fleet review marking the 70th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Navy, an event Beijing is using to showcase its growing ability to exert force far from its shores. Following his speech, Xi boarded the destroyer Xining, one of China's most modern and capable warships, at the northern port of Qingdao to preside at the review, which also is to feature China's sole commissioned aircraft carrier, numerous other surface ships and submarines and a display of naval aviation. State broadcaster CCTV showed Xi standing on deck in a heavy coat in thick fog as various ships and submarines sailed by, their officers and crew members wearing formal uniforms and giving salutes. China's navy will "continue to ..
N Ireland: Woman arrested in slaying of journalist McKee
The Northern Ireland Police Service said Tuesday they have arrested a woman under the Terrorism Act in connection with the slaying of journalist Lyra McKee. The arrest of the 57-year-old under the Terrorism Act came as an Irish Republican Army splinter group admitted that one of its "volunteers" killed journalist McKee, who was shot dead while reporting on rioting in Londonderry. In a statement issued Tuesday to the Irish News, the New IRA offered "full and sincere" apologies to McKee's family and friends. The group said the 29-year-old journalist was killed during Thursday night's unrest "while standing beside enemy forces" a reference to the police. The IRA and most other militant groups have disarmed since Northern Ireland's 1998 peace accord. The New IRA has been formed from splinter groups opposed to the peace process. Authorities believe one person pulled the trigger during the chaotic rioting that began Thursday night but had organizational support. The use of a firearm ...
Govt to procure more mine-protected vehicles for paramilitary forces
The government will soon procure mine-protected vehicles for the movement of paramilitary troops in the Naxalism-hit areas and Jammu and Kashmir and remotely operated vehicles to help anti-terror commando force NSG in encounter sites, officials said Tuesday. Expenditure sanction for Rs 613.96 crore has been issued to paramilitary forces such as CRPF and the BSF for the purchase of additional mine-protected vehicles, bullet-proof jackets, ambulance, etc. Expenditure sanction for Rs 16.84 crore has also been issued to the National Security Guard (NSG) for the purchase of seven remotely operated vehicles, a Home Ministry official said. The forces such as CRPF uses mine-protected vehicles (MPVs) for limited troop movements in areas affected by Naxalism and in Jammu and Kashmir. About six personnel can travel in one such four-wheeled vehicle. When the additional MPVs will arrive, it will enhance capabilities of the paramilitary forces countering improvised explosives devices (IEDs) in ...
Pune firm to refund Jet cancellation amt to 'fauji' customers
A Pune-based travel firm catering to personal travel needs of armed forces, paramilitary forces and their family members, Tuesday said it will refund its customers the amount due from Jet Airways flight cancellations, without waiting for the airline to do the same. The company did not disclose the quantum of the amount but sources said it would be around Rs six crore. The firm, udChalo, is a portal founded by wards of Army men and it provides for personal travel needs of armed forces, paramilitary forces and their family members. Its employees comprise military veterans, wards of serving and retired military personnel, and paraplegic and quadriplegic veterans. "With the global lobbying body, International Air Transport Association (IATA), suspending all ticketing activities and transactions of Jet Airways via its clearing house, the uncertainty over refund of lakhs of customers has only increased," the firm's vice president Col (retd) D B Tingre told PTI. "Jet Airways ...
Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bombings a revenge attack for Christchurch mosque shootings: minister
Sri Lanka's worst terror attack targeting churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday was carried out by local Islamic extremists in retaliation for the mosque shootings in New Zealand, a senior minister informed Parliament on Tuesday, citing results of the initial probe. Addressing an emergency session of Parliament to discuss Sunday's attacks, Sri Lanka's state minister of defence Ruwan Wijewardene said the early findings of the ongoing probe found that the suicide bombings were in revenge for the March 15 deadly attacks at two mosques in Christchurch which left 50 people dead. "The preliminary investigations have revealed that what happened in Sri Lanka (on Sunday) was in retaliation for the attack against Muslims in Christchurch," Wijewardene told parliament. According to an intelligence memo sent to some government officials before the attack, a member of the Islamic extremist group blamed for the Sri Lanka attacks had posted "extremist content" on social media after the ...
Sri Lanka death toll 310, Indian count is 10 (2nd Lead)
The death toll from a series of coordinated bomb attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday has risen to 310, including 10 Indians, police said on Tuesday.
Two more from Karnataka confirmed dead in Lanka blasts
The agonizing pain and wait for over 48 hours finally came to an end for the family of 37-year-old Puttaraju, a JD(S) worker, with the High Commission of India in Colombo Tuesday confirming his death in the multiple blasts that rocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. "We just got to know about his death, Sushma Swaraj (External Affairs Minister) has tweeted. Finally we have heard what we were suspecting," a friend of Puttaraju's brother Rudresh said. "It was a long wait... While those with him (Puttaraju) were declared dead and their bodies have been traced, we had not got any information about his status," he said, adding he was unable to speak further. The high commission on Tuesday confirmed the death of two more Indians in the blasts. "Regret to confirm the deaths of two more Indian nationals Mr A Maregowda and Mr H Puttaraju in the blasts in Sri Lanka on Sunday, taking the total number of Indian deaths in the tragedy to 10 as of now," it tweet said, which was re-tweeted by Swaraj. The
5 killed in heavy fighting in Yemen's Taez: MSF
Five people have been killed and dozens wounded in Yemen's third city of Taez, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Tuesday after clashes erupted between various pro-government factions. "Heavy fighting has once again resumed inside Taez," a city just inland from the Red Sea port of Mokha, MSF wrote on Twitter. "MSF supported facilities have received some 91 wounded and recorded five deaths directly related to the fighting," since April 19, it added. The medical charity added the clashes are preventing patients from reaching an MSF supported hospital in the city -- the only facility providing maternal healthcare to Taez residents. The city is under siege by the Iran-backed Huthi rebels but controlled by pro-government forces, who are backed by a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 10,000 people -- most of them civilians -- have been killed and more than 60,000 wounded since the alliance intervened in ...
Vaiko expresses anguish over terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka
MDMK Chief Vaiko on Tuesday expressed anguish over the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. He reckoned that the churches which were attacked were mainly situated in Tamil areas and hence, many Tamil people may have lost their lives in the attack."The Churches which were targeted were mostly situated in Tamil areas, therefore many Tamilians have also died. I demand strict action against the perpetrators. I urge the world and India to come forward and help those affected," said Vaiko.On April 21, eight explosions rattled various suburbs in the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikade and Batticaloa as the Christian community celebrated Easter Sunday. Out of the deceased, around 31 people have been identified as foreigners. Among those, eight Indians have been identified dead in the bombings.Sri Lanka is in a state of emergency in the aftermath of the bombings. All schools have been shut down till Wednesday, as the authorities continue their search and rescue operations.
Don't link us with Sri Lankan group: TN outfit
A senior leader of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) on Tuesday dubbed as "media terrorism" a report linking it with a similar Sri Lankan group which has been blamed for the suicide bombings that killed 310 people in the island nation.
Sri Lanka tourism industry to take a beating from Easter blasts: industry officials
Sri Lanka's tourism industry, the mainstay of its economy, is set to get affected due to the Easter Sunday's deadly blasts which killed over 300 people, the industry officials said Tuesday. A string of powerful blasts ripped through three churches and as many luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 321 people and injuring more than 500 others, shattering a decade of peace in the country following the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE. The bombs tore through three five-star hotels in Colombo: the Cinnamon Grand, the Shangri La and the Kingsbury. At least 38 foreigners, including 10 Indian nationals, have died in the attacks. The tourism officials said that many tourists were cutting short their stays and the airlines have suffered flight cancellations. The government said they had taken some damage control measures as the arrivals are expected to decline at least during the next 3 months. "I wish to assure the Tourism industry that the ...