Page 128 - War Conflict
Sri Lanka: 12-hr curfew announced, PM Modi extends 'heartfelt' condolences
A 12-hour curfew period will come into force in Sri Lanka from 6 pm on Sunday until 6 am Monday morning, in the wake of the devastating blasts which have caused multiple casualties in the island nation, according to President's secretary, Udaya R. Seneviratne.Eight explosions rattled various suburbs in the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikade and Batticaloa as the Christian community celebrated Easter Sunday on April 21. Over 150 people have lost their lives until now, as more than 560 people have been injured. Out of the deceased, around 20 people have been identified as foreigners, reported CNN.Extending his "heartfelt condolences," Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic conversations with the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka."Prime Minister Shri Modi condemned in the strongest terms the serial terrorist attacks, perpetrated at sites including religious places and during a religious festival. Terming them as cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric ...
India stands firmly with Sri Lanka, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his condolences to the victims of bomb blasts that hit several hotels and churches across Sri Lanka killing at least 138 people and injuring over 560."Today, the festival of Easter is being celebrated all over the world. In such a time, many bomb blasts have been carried out by the terrorists in churches and hotels in our friend-country Sri Lanka. Hundreds of innocents praying in the church were killed by terrorists," Prime Minister said while addressing an election rally here."India stands firmly with Sri Lanka. India is ready to help them with anything. I express my condolences," he said.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi had telephone conversations with President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences on his behalf and that of all Indians.
World leaders condemn Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka
Countries across the globe, including the US, the UK, Russia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh, expressed shock and condemnation over the deadly blasts in churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that left nearly 190 people dead. Dozens of foreign nationals were feared to have been killed in the near simultaneous blasts, which targeted Catholic church worshippers on Easter Sunday as well as luxury hotels in Colombo. 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 am (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. US President Donald Trump on Sunday offered "heartfelt condolences" to the people of Sri Lanka. "Heartfelt ...
Vote for BJP to put an end to terrorism, Modi appeals to people after blasts in Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to people to vote for his BJP to strengthen the fight against terrorism as he condemned the serial blasts in Sri Lanka that claimed over 160 lives on Sunday. Addressing an election rally in Chittorgarh in Rajasthan hours after a series of blasts struck three churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, Modi said, "India is standing by Sri Lanka and is ready for any help in the time of crisis." "Hundreds of innocent people were killed by terrorists in Sri Lanka. They were offering prayers in churches and celebrating Easter when terrorists killed scores of people including children and women. I express my condolence," he said. Expressing concern over the menace of terrorism, Modi said, "When you go to vote and press the 'Lotus' (BJP's poll symbol) button...Keep it in mind that you are pressing that button to eliminate terrorism. Your finger has that power. Pressing the 'lotus' button will strengthen my resolve to fight against ...
Cong condemns blasts in Sri Lanka
The Congress on Sunday condemned the serial blasts at multiple locations in Sri Lanka, with party president Rahul Gandhi terming it a "diabolical act of terrorism". More than 160 people were killed and over 450 injured in a string of near simultaneous blasts at churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. "I'm saddened and disturbed by reports of multiple bomb blasts in Colombo in which over 100 people have died and more than 300 injured, Gandhi tweeted. "I strongly condemn this diabolical act of terrorism. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray the injured make a speedy recovery," he said. The Congress said on its official Twitter handle, "We are deeply saddened by the terrible attacks on several churches in SriLanka on the holy day of Easter. We stand with the people in their time of grief and pray for their recovery." Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik and former state chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah also condemned the ...
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meets family of Pulwama terror attack martyr in Wayanad
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday met the family members of Pulwama terror attack martyr VV Vasant Kumar in Makkamkunnu.The Congress leader interacted with the family members of Kumar for quite some time who lost his life in Pulwama terror attack on February 24, in which 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives after a suicide bomber of Pak-based terror outfit JeM rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their convoy in south Kashmir.Before meeting the martyr's family, Gandhi also expressed her condolences for the victims of serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, which took place earlier in the day. "People were celebrating a day of happiness, but now they are in immense grief. My condolences to all of them and support to all their families," she said.Speaking at an election rally on Saturday in support of her brother Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, apart from Amethi in UP, Priyanka said that she had seen him from close quarters and accused the BJP
Multiple blasts likely to have "adverse impact" on Lankan tourism: tour operators
The near-simultaneous blasts targeting three churches and as many luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday may have an "adverse impact" on the upcoming summer holiday season in the country, a well-known tourist destination, tour operators and hoteliers said. A string of near simultaneous blasts struck three churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing more than 160 people and injuring over 450 others, shattering a decade of peace in the country after the end of the brutal civil war with the LTTE. India is the largest source market for Sri Lanka, which received 2.3 million tourists from around the world in 2018. Around 450,000 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka last year and the island nation was expecting the total Indian tourist arrivals to cross one million mark in 2019. The explosions at the start of the travel season is likely to impact the annual tourist footfalls. The tourism authorities said they were worried that the attacks will
Suspected jihadists kill 10 Mali soldiers: security source
At least 10 Malian soldiers died Sunday in an attack by suspected jihadists in the centre of the African country, a security source told AFP. "There are at least 10 dead soliders," the Malian source said. "Yes our camp at Guire was attacked on Sunday about five in the morning." "The terrorists came out of the forest. They were on motorcycles and pick-up trucks. They burnt vehicles and took away others," said the source, who asked not to be named. The Mali armed forces confirmed the attack on Twitter and said reinforcements were being sent to the Nara sector, about 370 kilometres (230 miles) north of the capital Bamako. A local resident contacted by AFP said there was heavy gunfire and the military "were taken by surprise" in the attack. "I saw two terrorists put their motorcycles in an army vehicle and drive off with it," he said. On Saturday a UN peacekeeper was killed and four others wounded when a mine exploded as their convoy passed through central Mali, the latest in continued ...
World condemns multiple blasts in Sri Lanka
The international community has strongly condemned the multiple blasts at different locations in Sri Lanka, mostly in Colombo, which left at least 185 people dead and over 400 injured on Easter Sunday.
Air traffic suspended for hours over Libya capital
Tripoli air traffic was suspended overnight for "security reasons", the Libyan capital's only operating airport said Sunday after clashes intensified for control of the city. At least two flights were re-routed from Mitiga airport to Misrata, more than 200 kilometres (125 miles) to the east, the airport's authorities said on their Facebook page. They said flights had resumed early in the morning to Mitiga, east of the capital. The former military airbase was hit by an air strike on April 8 and has since only operated between 5:00 pm and 8:00 am (1500 and 0600 GMT). The raid was claimed by commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army, which days previously had launched an offensive to take the capital. Clashes intensified on Saturday when forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord announced a counter-attack against Haftar's fighters. Explosions were heard from the city centre overnight, and some witnesses said there were air strikes. At least 227 people have ...
9,300 troopers deployed for Tripura East polling
The Election Commission (EC) has made unprecedented security arrangements, including deployment of over 9,300 troopers, for the deferred voting to the Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday, officials said here on Sunday.
World celebrities condemn Sri Lanka blasts; call for swift action, peace
Calling for swift action from authorities and an appeal for peace, celebrities from around the world such as Jacqueline Fernandez, Mindy Kaling, Shekhar Kapur and Ali Zafar condemned a series of blasts in Sri Lanka that targeted people in churches, luxury hotels and a housing complex on Easter Sunday. The eight blasts killed nearly 160 people -- including dozens of foreigners -- with British, Dutch and American citizens believed to be among them. The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no immediate claims of responsibility. Bollywood actor and former Miss Universe Sri Lanka, Fernandez said "violence is like a chain reaction" and it is time it stopped. "Extremely sad at the news of bombings in Sri Lanka. It's unfortunate that one is not able to see that violence is like a chain reaction. This has to stop!" she said. Indian-origin American actor-writer Kaling said it is "sickening" how people celebrating Easter were attacked on "one of the holiest of ...
Modi condemns attacks in Sri Lanka, assures all help
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terror attacks on Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday and said that India stands with the neighbouring nation at this hour of crisis.
Modi speaks to SL leaders, calls attacks 'cold-blooded'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and called the suicide bombings in the country as "cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts".
Modi condemns blasts in Sri Lanka, says there is no place for such barbarism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the president and the premier of Sri Lanka and conveyed heartfelt condolences over the loss of over 160 lives in terrorist attacks in the island nation on Sunday. During his conversations with Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena and prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Modi condemned the serial terrorist attacks in the strongest terms, perpetrated at sites including religious places and during a religious festival, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. Describing the attacks as "cold-blooded and pre-planned barbaric acts", Modi said these attacks were another grim reminder of the most serious challenge posed to the entire humanity by terrorism in our region and the entire world. The Prime Minister renewed the offer of all possible help and assistance to Sri Lanka for ensuring its security against the challenges such as those posed by terrorism, the PMO statement said. He also wished the injured speedy recovery and ...
Dehradun: Police seizes IG vehicle used for robbing businessman
The police on Sunday seized the car of IG Garhwal which was allegedly used for robbing Rs 1 crore from a businessman in Dehradun.On April 11, an inspector of Dehradun Police and two constables were suspended for allegedly looting lakhs of rupees from a person while checking vehicles.According to the FIR, the incident took place on April 4 when a person named Anurodh Pawar was stopped and threatened by the police for violating the Model Code of Conduct outside the hotel. Pawar was asked to sit in a police car.Along with policemen, a person was also there in the car. Policemen allegedly pushed him outside the car after driving around for two kilometres and fled with the money."The accused have been identified as Dinesh Negi (Inspector), Manoj, Himanshu, and Anupam. They have also been suspended. The case has been registered against them under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC)," Nivedita Kukarati, SSP, Dehradun had said.
India condemns serial blasts in Sri Lanka, urges authorities to bring perpetrators to justice
India on Sunday strongly condemned the coordinated blasts that took place across various churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, killing at least 200 people, including foreigners.In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "We strongly condemn the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka today morning in which many people have been killed and injured.""We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Sri Lanka. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the attacks," it added."We call for perpetrators of such ghastly and heinous act and those who provide them support to be brought to justice expeditiously," the statement read.Opposing terrorism in "all its forms and manifestations", India, in the wake of the incidents, urged the international community to take concerted action against terror activities, including cross-border terrorism."There can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terror," the External ...
India strongly condemns killings in Sri Lanka
India strongly condemned the serial blasts on multiple locations in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday which killed 185 people, with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying New Delhi stood in solidarity with the island nation.
It's shameful: Bollywood condemns Sri Lanka mayhem
After a string of serial blasts rocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday killing 185 people, Bollywood celebrities like Jacqueline Fernandez, Shekhar Kapur and Vivek Anand Oberoi condemned the bloodbath as an act of cowardice.
Paris archbishop mourns Sri Lanka Easter victims
The archbishop of Paris and parishioners of fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral are mourning the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. Archbishop Michel Aupetit tweeted: "Why so much hate on this day when we celebrate love? On this Easter day, we are in communion with our murdered brethren of Sri Lanka." Aupetit celebrated Easter Mass for worshippers displaced from normal services at Notre Dame because of Monday's fire. A soldier and several police guarded the building. It was unclear whether the extra security was linked to the Sri Lanka attack, but parishioner Monique Pigere said "I understand why" security is needed, lamenting the "terrible" news. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has condemned the "devastating" attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. In a statement, Ardern referred to the March 15 shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch in which 50 died. "New Zealand condemns all acts of terrorism and our resolve has only been ...