Page 124 - War Conflict
Tamil Nadu: Indian Coast Guard apprehends four Indian fishermen near Dhanushkodi
Indian Coast Guard on Monday apprehended four Indian fishermen from the 4th islet in Rama Setu near Dhanushkodi in Rameswaram Island, officials said. They were later released after being interrogated at the Mandapam Coast Guard station.It is worth mentioning that in the aftermath of the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and police have stepped security along the coastal lines to prevent any possible infiltration from Sri Lanka via sea route. Over 250 people were killed while more than 400 people sustained injuries in the blast.Also, police have stepped up security in all churches in coastal areas including fish landing centre near Danushkodi.Further details are awaited.
Sri Lanka blasts: Death toll rises to 290, police says 24 arrested
The toll in the eight coordinated bomb blasts that rocked Sri Lanka during Easter celebrations rose to 290, police said on Monday.Police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara told The New York Times that 24 people have been arrested in connection with the deadly explosions in which nearly 500 people were injured on Sunday.Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the reporters that the authorities had prior "information regarding a possible attack" before the bomb blasts ripped through churches and hotels in Colombo and two other towns in the island nation."While this goes on we must also look into why adequate precautions were not taken," Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.The police said that the investigation will examine reports why the intelligence community failed to detect or warn of possible suicide attacks ahead of the blasts, the worst violence in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war 10 years ago.They also said that an improvised pipe bomb found close to
Buddhist monks in Bodh Gaya pray for victims of Lanka blasts
Buddhist monks at Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya conducted a prayer meeting and took out a candlelight march last night for the victims of the serial bombings that took place in Sri Lanka on April 21."Many civilians were killed in the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka. I think that terrorism should have no place in this world. This prayer is for the peace of the souls of those who died in the attack," said a Buddhist monk.At least 207 people have lost their lives in the multiple blasts that rocked churches and hotels of Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.Eight explosions rattled various suburbs in Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikade and Batticaloa as the Christian community celebrated Easter Sunday. Out of the deceased, around 20 people have been identified as foreigners.No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet.
5 Indians among 290 dead in Sri Lanka bombings (3rd Lead)
Five Indians are among the 290 people who have been confirmed dead in the deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka, as police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera on Monday confirmed that 24 suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the island's bloodiest attacks in a decade.
Possible intel failures to be examined in Sri Lanka blasts
Police in Sri Lanka said Monday the investigation into the Easter Sunday bombings will examine reports that the intelligence community failed to detect or warn of possible suicide attacks before the violence. The nine bombings of churches, luxury hotels and other sites was Sri Lanka's deadliest violence since a devastating civil war in the South Asian island nation ended a decade ago. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said Monday the death toll had risen overnight to 290 dead with more than 500 wounded. Two government ministers have alluded to intelligence failures. Telecommunications Minister Harin Fernando tweeted, "Some intelligence officers were aware of this incidence. Therefore there was a delay in action. Serious action needs to be taken as to why this warning was ignored." He said his father had heard of the possibility of an attack as well and had warned him not to enter popular churches. And Mano Ganeshan, the minister for national integration, said the security officers ...
Sri Lanka Easter attack toll hits 290
The death toll on Monday sharply rose to 290 from a series of eight blasts on churches and luxury hotels across Sri Lanka, police said. More than 500 people were wounded in the blasts, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. The death toll overnight stood at 215. Eight coordinated explosions targeted Easter worshippers and high end hotels popular with international guests. The blasts targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress. Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. Foreigners and locals who were injured in hotel blasts were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital. The number of deaths have gone up to 290 with over 500 injured, Gunasekera said, adding that six Indians have been reported among the foreigners who had died. Four of ..
Sri Lanka bombings toll 290, 24 arrested (2nd Lead)
With the death toll in the deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka increasing to 290, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera on Monday confirmed that 24 people have been arrested for their involvement in the island's bloodiest attacks in a decade.
24 people arrested in connection with multiple blasts in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan authorities have arrested 24 people from the minority Muslim community in connection with the multiple blasts that rocked the island nation on Sunday, killing over 290 people. A string of eight powerful blasts, including suicide attacks, struck churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing over 290 people, including five Indians, and shattering a decade of peace in the island nation since the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said the number of arrests on the incidents have now gone up to 24. However, the government said they will not disclose the details of the suspects involved in the attacks to prevent them from getting publicity. "Don't give extremists a voice. Don't help to make them martyrs," State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene, told reporters when asked for details of those in custody. Police officials privately said the suspects were all from the minority Muslim ...
Six Indians killed in Sri Lanka blasts
At least six Indians have been killed in a string of eight powerful blasts, including suicide attacks, which struck three churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, officials said on Monday. The blasts targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress. Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. Foreigners and locals who were injured in hotel blasts were admitted to the Colombo General Hospital. The police said on Monday that at least six Indian nationals have been reported among the foreigners who died in the blasts. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday identified two more individuals killed in the blasts on Sunday. "We sadly confirm the deaths of the following two individuals in the ...
Sri Lanka Easter bombing toll touches 290
The death toll in the deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka has increased to 290, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said on Monday.
13 arrested for deadly Sri Lankan bombing
Sri Lankan Police on Monday confirmed that 13 people have been arrests so far for the deadly explosions that ripped through the island nation on Easter Sunday killing over 200 people, and injuring about 500 others.
Sri Lanka blasts toll rises to 290: police spokesman
The toll in a series of eight blasts targeting mostly churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday has risen to 290, a police spokesman said Monday. More than 500 people were wounded in the blasts, he added, in the deadliest violence since the end of the country's long-running civil war a decade ago.
Curfew lifted a day after Sri Lanka rocked with multiple blasts
Sri Lanka on Monday lifted the curfew which was indefinitely imposed after the island nation was rocked with eight blasts targeting churches and hotels that killed over 215 people. Sri Lankan government on Sunday imposed curfew with immediate effect after the blasts which was lifted at 6 am Monday morning, police said. A string of eight powerful blasts, including suicide attacks, struck churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 215 people, including three Indians, and shattering a decade of peace in the island nation since the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE. According to the Sir Lankan authorities, 13 people were arrested in connection with the bomb blasts. However, the government said it will not disclose the details of the suspects involved in the attacks to prevent them from getting publicity. Don't give extremists a voice. Don't help to make them martyrs," State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene, told reporters when
14 arrested for deadly Sri Lankan bombing
Sri Lankan Police on Monday confirmed that 14 people have been arrests so far for the deadly explosions that ripped through the island nation on Easter Sunday killing over 200 people, and injuring above 500 others.
13 under arrest for Sri Lanka blasts: police
Sri Lankan police have arrested 13 men in connection with bomb blasts on churches and hotels that killed more than 200 people, officials said Monday. Authorities have not made public details on those held after Sunday's attacks. But a police source told AFP the 13 were detained at two locations in and around Colombo.
Improvised bomb made safe near Colombo airport: police
An improvised pipe bomb discovered close to Colombo's main airport was successfully defused by the Sri Lanka airforce, police said. A police source told AFP that a "homemade" pipe bomb had been found late Sunday on a road leading towards the main terminal, which remains open with heavy security after deadly attacks on churchs and hotels. Airforce spokesperson Group Captain Gihan Seneviratne said the IED was believed to be locally manufactured.
17 foreign nationals killed in Lanka blasts, says Foreign Ministry
At least 17 people from eight countries, including three from India, are amongst those who were killed in eight deadly blasts which rocked Sri Lanka on Sunday, said Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry.The ministry said that 19 foreign nationals injured in the attacks are receiving treatment at Colombo National Hospital.People from at least eight countries were killed in the series of attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, including five citizens of Britain, three Indian nationals, three Danes, two each from China and Turkey and one each from Netherlands and Portugal, reported CNN.The ministry said in a statement earlier that nine foreign nationals were reported missing and that 25 unidentified bodies at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer's mortuary were believed to be that of foreigners, reported CNN.At least 207 people were killed and hundreds of others suffered injuries in a series of eight explosions in churches and high-end hotels in Sri Lanka, reported CNN.No group has claimed ...
Sri Lanka: Memo circulated a day before had warned of attack
A memo that warned of a potential attack was circulated a day before the deadly explosions in Sri Lanka, reports CNN.The memo dated April 11 was signed by Sri Lanka's deputy inspector general of police.Titled "Information of an Alleged Plan attack", the memo stated: "The State Intelligence service stated that information has been received regarding an alleged plan of suicidal attack by the leader of 'Nations Thawahid Jaman Mohomad Saharan'.""According to information of that statement, would like you to give special attention and inform your staff to provide special security measures to the areas covered by your division," it read.The warning was ignored and no action was taken.Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has also acknowledged that there was prior information but he was not informed about it.Demanding serious action as to why the warning was ignored, Sri Lankan Minister of Telecommunication, Harin Fernando, said, "Some intelligence officers were aware of this ...
UN condemns Sri Lankan bombings
The United Nations on Sunday strongly condemned the ghastly attacks in Sri Lanka, in which over 200 people were killed, stating that the serial blasts were aimed at undermining the unity of the people."The United Nations in Sri Lanka strongly condemns the attacks against civilians carried out in places of worship and city hotels on Easter Sunday. The United Nations in Sri Lanka expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families and victims as well as the government and people of Sri Lanka," said the UN in a statement."Attacks such as these are aimed at undermining the unity of the people of Sri Lanka, the United Nations urges authorities, and all citizens to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, human rights are protected, and security and safety is ensured for all," it added.At least 207 people were killed and hundreds of others suffered injuries in a series of eight explosions in churches and high-end hotels in Sri Lanka, reported CNN.At least 30 people, among deceased, are ...
US condemns 'outrageous terrorist attacks' in Sri Lanka
The United States on Sunday condemned the serial bombings in Sri Lanka terming it "outrageous terrorist attacks"."The United States condemns in the strongest terms the outrageous terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka that have claimed so many precious lives on this Easter Sunday," the White House said in a statement."Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the more than 200 killed and hundreds of others wounded. We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they bring to justice the perpetrators of these despicable and senseless act," the statement said.Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence has called the blasts targeting Churches on Easter Sunday "an attack on Christianity and religious freedom everywhere"."POTUS and I are monitoring the horrific attacks on those celebrating Easter in Sri Lanka. Our hearts & prayers are with the victims & their families. This atrocity is an attack on Christianity & religious freedom everywhere. No one should ever be in ..