Page 126 - War Conflict
UN leaders strongly condemn Sri Lankan attacks
The UN leadership strongly condemned the string of attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that killed over 200 people, with chief of the world body Antonio Guterres saying he was "outraged" by the devastating blasts. Eight blasts, including suicide attacks, targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and Zion Church in the eastern town of Batticaloa around 8.45 am (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress. Explosions were reported from three five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury in Colombo. An Indian and two Chinese are among 215 people killed in the attack which shattering a decade of peace in the island nation since the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE. In a statement issued by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General Guterres said he was "outraged by the terrorist attacks" on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, which is
Guterres 'outraged' by Easter bombings in Sri Lanka
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sunday expressed outrage over the Easter bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka and called for "swift justice" to the perpetrators.
Three Indians killed in Sri Lanka
Three Indians are among those killed in the suicide bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced.
Three Indians killed in blasts in Sri Lanka: Sushma
Three Indians were among 207 people killed in multiple bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Sunday. "Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals," she said in a tweet. She said the Indians killed are Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. "We are ascertaining further details," Swaraj added. The external affairs minister said she spoke to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana who confirmed that 207 people were killed and more than 450 were injured in the blasts. "I have just spoken to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka H.E. Mr Tilak Marapana. He confirmed that unfortunately, 207 persons have lost their lives and more than 450 are injured in the terror blasts," she tweeted "I conveyed to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka that India is ready to provide all humanitarian assistance. In case required, we are ready to despatch our medical teams as well," she ...
3 Indians killed in Sri Lanka blasts, says Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has confirmed that three Indian nationals are amongst those who lost their lives in eight deadly terror blasts which rocked Sri Lanka on Sunday."Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that the National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lokashini, Narayan Chandrashekhar, and Ramesh. We are ascertaining further details," Swaraj tweeted.Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Special Task Force raided a house in Colombo's Orugodawatta in connection with the blasts, as per CNN. Seven people were also arrested in relation to the attacks by the authorities earlier.At least 207 lost their lives and around 450 were wounded when the explosions went off in the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikade and Batticaloa as the Christian community celebrated Easter Sunday.Out of the deceased, at least 30 people are believed to be foreigners, according to the authorities.Two Chinese civilians are also ...
US withdrawal from Afghanistan focus of next talks: Taliban
Upcoming talks between the Taliban and the United States will focus on the timetable for pulling all foreign forces from Afghanistan, according to a senior Taliban member. In an interview with AFP, the Taliban's political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said previous negotiations with Washington saw the two sides agree to a total withdrawal, with only the details needing to be fleshed out. "In our last round of talks with the US side, we agreed with them on withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan," Shaheen said late Saturday in Doha. In return for a withdrawal, he said the Taliban have committed to preventing terror groups using Afghanistan as a safe haven or for launching attacks on other countries. "But still there are some details to be discussed, and this discussion will take place in our next round of talks and that is about (the) timetable of the withdrawal of forces from the country and other details," Shaheen said. The next round of talks is expected to take place in Doha ..
One Indian among 207 killed in Sri Lanka bloodbath
At least 207 people were killed and 469 injured when eight suicide bombings, mainly in Colombo, ravaged Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday in the island's bloodiest day since the civil war ended a decade ago. An Indian woman was among the dead.
IS claims deadly attack on Afghan ministry
The Islamic State group Sunday claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 10 people and trapped around 2,000 for hours inside the communications ministry in the Afghan capital the previous day. Four IS jihadists detonated explosives near the ministry, then entered and "battled Afghan security forces with machine guns and hand grenades for numerous hours", the group said in a statement on its social media channels. The attack in central Kabul killed seven civilians and three members of the security forces, the interior ministry said on Sunday, in a new toll after three people died of their wounds. AFP journalists heard one big blast around 11:40 am (0710 GMT), followed by sporadic gunfire for hours afterwards. By about 5:00 pm (1230 GMT), the interior ministry declared the assault over. "All suicide bombers killed & more than 2000 civilians staff rescued," it said on Twitter. General Sayed Mohammad Roshan Dil, the Kabul police chief, said the four attackers had been wearing ..
Mumbai: EC flying squad seizes Rs 2.87 lakh from motorcyclist
The flying squad of the Election Commission seized Rs. 2.87 lakh cash from a motorcyclist during a police check at Haji Ali in south Mumbai, police said Sunday. Rakesh Shah, riding a motorcycle, was stopped by the police and the EC's flying squad on Saturday night and a search revealed Rs 2.87 lakh, the official said. The cash has been seized and its antecedents are being probed, he added.
215 killed, around 500 injured as blasts hit churches, luxury hotels on Easter in Sri Lanka
A string of eight devastating blasts, including suicide attacks, struck churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 215 people and shattering a decade of peace in the island nation since the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE. The blasts - one of the deadliest attacks in the country's history - targeted St Anthony's Church in Colombo, St Sebastian's Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and Zion Church in the eastern town of Batticaloa around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday mass were in progress, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. Explosions were reported from three five-star hotels - the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury in Colombo. Gunasekera confirmed 207 deaths. However, the News 1st channel said that 215 people have died in the blasts. Director of the National Hospital Dr. Anil Jasinghe identified 11 of the 27 foreign nationals killed in the coordinated attacks believed to be carried out
Keralite among those killed in blasts in Sri Lanka; Ker CM
A Keralite was among those killed in the deadly bomb blasts that hit Sri Lanka's high-end hotels and churches during Easter services on Sunday. Condemning the blasts, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said it was time to end communal intolerance in the world. He also said steps were taken to bring back the body of the deceased, P S Rasina (58), a resident of Kasargod, as soon as possible. "The NORKA authorities are in touch with the High Commissioner's office and the relatives," Vijayan said in a release. "We need to keep in mind that the attack happened on the Easter day shows the communal intolerance. It's time to save the countries from the clutches of such communal intolerance. We stand by the families of those who lost their dear ones," he said. According to reports, Rasina was staying at Colombo's Shangri-La hotel and was killed in the blast there. Over 200 people were killed and around 500 others injured in a series of blasts at several locations in the island
Telangana: Fake police officer held, police seizes forged IDs, uniform
A man was held for posing as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Intelligence and cheating people, the police said on Sunday."Today, on credible information the sleuths of Commissioner's Task Force, West Zone Team apprehended MV Ravichandra who posing himself as ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police), Intelligence and cheated the innocent people in the area," said Radhakishan Rao, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Task Force, Hyderabad."In 2013, Ravichandra started working as a data entry operator in Hyderabad. He claims that he is passionate about the police department. He told all his friends and neighbours that he has been selected as Deputy Superintendent of Police in 2012 and working in the Intelligence department," he added.Ravichandra was also arrested in 2015 for beating a person but was released later.According to police, Ravichandra has also procured one police Identity Card by his name and other incriminating materials pertaining to the police department."Today, ...
Air India waives off charges for rescheduling/cancellation of flights to/from Colombo
Air India on Sunday announced that it will waive off all charges for rescheduling and cancelling of flights booking to and from Colombo till April 24 in the wake of multiple blasts in Sri Lanka.Air India took to Twitter to inform passengers about the important announcement."#FlyAI: In view of the situation in #Srilanka #AirIndia has waived off all charges for rescheduling/cancellation of bookings on its flts to/from Colombo for travel till April 24, 2019. Passengers are requested to report well in advance to clear security at Bandaranaike Int'l Apt," Air India tweeted.As many as 207 people were killed and around 450 left wounded in eight blasts that shook Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikade, and Batticaloa on Easter Sunday.
Telangana CM expresses shock over blasts in Lanka
: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Sunday expressed shock over the loss of innocent lives in the serial blasts at multiple locations in Sri Lanka, and said it was an heinous attack. Rao, in an official press release here, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved and hoped for speedy recovery of the injured. More than 160 people were killed and over 450 injured in the near-simultaneous blasts at churches and luxury hotels in the island nation on Easter Sunday. PTI VVK according to an official release.
Congress condemns 'diabolical' terror act in Sri Lanka
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday condemned the terror attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, terming it a "diabolical act of terrorism".
TN parties condemn blasts in Sri Lanka, say Tamils too hit
Political parties in Tamil Nadu Sunday condemned the near-simultaneous blasts in Sri Lanka which left over 160 people dead and said Tamil people were also hit in the dastardly explosions. The ruling AIADMK said the blasts have brought indescribable grief and made one shudder at the merciless act carried out when innocent people had gathered to offer prayers. "We strongly condemn the blasts," the party said in a statement, adding that they took place in areas that had a large population of Tamil Christians. Conveying their condolences, party top leaders O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami, said they prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the bereaved to bear with the grief. "We pray for the brothers and sisters who were killed and for the early recovery of all those injured," they said. DMK president M K Stalin, in a statement, said the trend of targeting places of worship in several countries -like in New Zealand where an attack took place recently - was a big challenge to ..
Death toll from Sri Lanka blasts jumps to 207
Multiple blasts which shook Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday claimed 207 lives while more than 450 others were wounded, police said.
2 Chinese killed in Sri Lanka blasts
At least two Chinese nationals were killed in the multiple blasts that struck churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said. The embassy is verifying the number of Chinese injured in the attacks. Earlier, the embassy said that four Chinese nationals were injured in the multiple explosions that ripped through the island nation. The Chinese mission activated emergency response mechanism immediately after the blasts, and embassy officials have visited the injured who were in hospital for treatment, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The Chinese Embassy has reminded Chinese citizens and businesses in Sri Lanka to watch out for safety, it added. At least 207 people were killed and around 500 others injured in a string of eight powerful blasts, including suicide attacks, that struck three churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka.
India condemns terror strikes in Sri Lanka, offers help
India Sunday strongly condemned the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka while Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic conversations with the president and the premier of the island nation offering all possible help and assistance to deal with the situation. In his conversation with the Sri Lankan leadership, Modi termed the serial blasts as a "cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts" and pointed out that the attacks were another grave reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said there can be no justification for any act of terror and called for concerted global action to effectively deal with the menace, including cross-border terrorism. Over 200 people were killed and around 500 others were injured in a series of blasts at several locations in Sri Lanka in which suicide bombers were involved in at least two of the eight attacks that struck
IS claims Saturday's deadly attack on Afghan ministry
The Islamic State group Sunday claimed responsibility for a deadly attack that kept some 2,000 people trapped for hours inside the communications ministry in the Afghan capital the previous day. Four IS jihadists detonated explosives near the ministry, then entered and "battled Afghan security forces with machine guns and hand grenades for numerous hours", the group said in a statement on its social media channels.