Page 130 - War Conflict
20 years of Kargil: 'Beating the retreat' ceremony held at Leh
As 2019 marks 20 years of Kargil war, the Indian Army on Saturday held 'beating the retreat' ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Leh as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the war.Lt Gen YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding "Fire and Fury" Corps was the chief guest of the ceremony which saw a number of civil and military dignitaries of Ladakh region in attendance.The event commenced with the 'Beating the Retreat Ceremony' by the Ceremonial Guard followed by a Vibrant Pipe and Brass Band Fusion display. The event was also witnessed by the local populace with enthusiasm and that provided for an excellent opportunity to strengthen the bond between the locals and the Army.The Hall of Fame at Leh was established in 1986 to showcase the valour, sacrifice and achievements of the Indian Army during various operations in Ladakh, in addition to displaying the culture and heritage of the region.Over the past three decades, the memorial has become a major attraction for domestic and ...
Kejriwal condemns blasts in Lanka
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the terror attack in Sri Lanka on Sunday in "strongest terms", saying enemies of humanity cannot be allowed to succeed. Six near simultaneous explosions rocked three churches and three hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday morning, killing more than 140 people and injuring over 400 others, in one of the deadliest blasts in the island nation's history. "Extremely sad news from Sri Lanka on Easter. Enemies of humanity cannot be allowed to succeed in any part of the world and acts of terror should be condemned in strongest terms," he said in a tweet.
Lanka PM, prez condemn coordinated bomb attacks, urge countrymen to unite
Sri Lankan president, prime minister and other political leaders strongly condemned a series of coordinated bomb attacks on churches and hotels on Sunday that left over 150 dead and urged people to be patient while vowing to bring to justice those responsible for the barbaric act. 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. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena expressed shock, deep pain and dismay over the brutal attacks on places of religious worship and other civilian establishments. The President said he has instructed all law enforcement agencies and defence services to ...
140 killed, over 400 injured as blasts hit three churches, three five-star hotels in Sri Lanka
Six near simultaneous explosions rocked three churches and three hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday morning, killing more than 140 people and injuring over 400 others, in one of the deadliest blasts in the island nation's history, officials said. 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, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. 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. Harsha de Silva, Sri Lanka's Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distributionm, said that there have been "many casualties including foreigners." Hospital sources said that more than 140 have been killed in the blasts. "45 ...
Sri Lanka suicide bombings on Easter kill 138 (Fourth Lead)
At least 138 people were killed and more than 400 injured when a string of suicide bombings rocked luxury hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday in the island's bloodiest day since the end of the civil war, media reports said.
129 killed, over 400 injured as six blasts hit three churches, three five-star hotels in Sri Lanka
Six near simultaneous explosions rocked three churches and three hotels frequented by tourists in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday morning, killing at least 129 people and injuring over 400 others, in one of the deadliest blasts in the island nation's history, officials said. 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, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. 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. Hospital sources said that 129 have been killed so far in the blasts. "42 people died in Colombo, 60 in Negombo and 27 in Batticaloa," they said. The Colombo National Hospital spokesperson, Dr Samindi Samarakoon, said more than 300 ..
Wayanad and its brush with a former British PM and Battle of Waterloo hero
Wayanad, which is in limelight after Rahul Gandhi chose to contest the Lok Sabha elections from there, has its connections with a former British prime minister and a hero of the Battle of Waterloo, who served in the district as a military strategist during the colonial era. Arthur Wellesley was an Irish-born soldier of the British Army before entering politics. After his return from Wayanad and India in 1805, Wellesley was given the title of Duke of Wellington, and went on to become the Prime Minister of the UK in 1828 and again in 1834. As a military commander, his name has been engraved as a hero of the Battle of Waterloo, the titanic war in which he had led the British army to a historic victory over French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. But, the history of Wayanad, the verdant mountainous plateau known for its thick jungles, panoramic locales and aromatic spices and nestled among the fragile Western Ghats, has a different story to tell of Wellesley. Despite all his efforts, the ...
Proud of Babri Masjid demolition: Pragya Thakur
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Bhopal parliamentary consituency in Madhya Pradesh Sadhvi Pragya Thakur said on Sunday that she takes pride in the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
49 killed, over 300 injured as six blasts hit three churches, three five-star hotels in Sri Lanka
At least 49 people were killed and more than 300 others injured after six near simultaneous blasts hit three churches and three hotels frequented by tourists in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. Three churches - 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 - were targeted, police said. Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels, the Shangrila, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. Quoting sources, the Sunday Times reported that 24 people were killed in Colombo while 25 died in Batticaloa. The Colombo National Hospital spokesperson, Dr Samindi Samarakoon, said more than 300 people have been admitted with injuries.
We are monitoring situation in Sri Lanka: Sushma Swaraj
As Colombo was rocked by a multiple explosions, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Sunday that India was keeping a close watch on the situation. "Colombo - I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. @IndiainSL," Swaraj tweeted. Six blasts hit three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday, injuring nearly 300 people, Sri Lankan officials in Colombo said. The blasts occurred at around 8.45 am (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches.
280 injured as six blasts hit three churches, three five-star hotels in Sri Lanka
Six near simultaneous blasts hit three churches and three hotels frequented by tourists in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, injuring nearly 300 people, officials and police said. The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. Three churches - 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 - were targeted, police said. Three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels, the Shangrila, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury. The Colombo National Hospital spokesperson, Dr Samindi Samarakoon, said at last 280 people have been admitted with injuries. It was not immediately clear if the blasts had caused casualties. "A bomb attack to our church, please come and help," read a facebook post from St Sebasitian's Church at Katuwapitiutya, in the Western coastal town of Negombo.
Mali blast: 1 UN peacekeeper killed, 4 injured
One UN peacekeeper was killed and four others suffered injuries when an improvised road mine exploded hitting the peacekeeping convoy in the Mopti region of Mali on Saturday morning.In a statement, the United Nations said that the peacekeeper who lost his life, was an Egyptian. The UN convoy was en route to Douentza from Boni in southern-central Mali."The UN Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the victim and to the Government of Egypt. He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured," it said.UN chief Antonio Guterres, in the statement, that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may "constitute war crimes under international law" and urged the Malian authorities to take swift action to identify the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice.The statement noted that the attack against the UN convoy carrying members of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) happened close to the border with Burkina Faso.MINUSMA's ..
Serial bomb blasts on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka
Serial bomb blasts rocked Sri Lanka amid Easter celebrations, state media reported on Sunday.Sri Lankan news agency, News First, reported that explosions were heard near St. Anthony's Church in Kochikade, St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya, Shangri La hotel, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, and a church in Batticaloa.Casualties are yet to be ascertained, and no deaths have been reported so far.Police are investigating the matter.Further details are awaited.
Explosions in Sri Lanka churches, hotels
Explosions were reported on Sunday at three churches in Sri Lanka as Christians celebrated Easter and also in two five-star hotels, the media reported.
80 injured as blasts hit two churches in Sri Lanka
At least 80 people were injured when multiple explosions hit two churches in Sri Lanka on Sunday as worshippers attended Easter services, officials and police said. The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. One of the blasts hit St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade of the capital, Colombo. The Colombo National Hospital said at least 80 people have been admitted with injuries. It was not immediately clear if the blasts had caused casualties. "A bomb attack to our church, please come and help," read a facebook post from St Sebasitian's Church at Katuwapitiutya, in the Western coastal town of Negombo.
Amid security worries, gun sales thrive in Iraq's Mosul
Hunting rifles, pistols and towers of ammunition magazines: new gun shops are popping up in Iraq's Mosul, where residents are keen to own personal firearms in the unpredictable aftermath of jihadist rule. The Islamic State group reigned over the city for three years before being ousted by Iraqi forces in mid-2017. But with jihadist sleeper cells still active across the broader province, the new half-dozen licensed gun traders in Mosul are seeing impressive sales. "We've got a lot of customers," said one shop owner in his 40s, who was granted a weapon-trading license from Iraq's interior ministry a few months ago. All his customers have gun permits, and "many also carried membership cards in the armed forces", he told AFP. His most popular item? Hunting rifles, said the trader. "They make up 70 percent of all my sales," he said proudly. Iraq has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in the world, according to the Small Arms Survey, which estimated about 20 guns per 100 ...
A month after IS 'caliphate' defeated, challenges aplenty
Sleeper cells, prisons teeming with jihadists, camps crammed with their wives and children -- perils abound in Syria, nearly a month after the Islamic State group's "caliphate" was declared defeated. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces announced victory over the IS proto-state on March 23, after a nearly five-year battle against the militant group. The elimination of the physical "caliphate" closed a long chapter in the Syrian conflict, but the SDF and the US-led military coalition have warned the fight is far from over. IS is still able "to carry out regular attacks on a weekly basis", said Tore Hamming, an expert on jihadist movements at the European University Institute. Even after losing their last scrap of territory in the eastern village of Baghuz, the jihadists retain a presence in Syria's vast desert and hideouts elsewhere in the country. This week alone, IS militants killed 35 fighters loyal to Syria's government in 48 hours -- feeding into a regime death toll over two ...
Tear gas used against Paris' 'yellow vest' protesters
Riot police unleashed tear gas at the so-called "yellow vest" protesters who took the streets of the French capital against economic injustice for the 23rd consecutive weekend, the media reported.
'India's development co-op with Sri Lanka built on foundations of political understanding'
India has said its commitment of USD 3 billion in development assistance to Sri Lanka is inspired by rationale of South-South Cooperation, underscoring that New Delhi's "unique" development cooperation with Colombo is built on foundations of political understanding and geographic realities. "Sri Lanka has a special place in Indian hearts, given the time-tested bonds, going back almost to the very beginning of recorded history in the subcontinent. Our relationship is built upon the strong foundations of a shared cultural and socio-economic heritage and extensive people-to-people interactions over millennia," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu said. Participating in the Peacebuilding Commission Informal Meeting on Sri Lanka here last week, Naidu said India's development cooperation with Sri Lanka is "unique" and is built on foundations of political understanding, a historic past, geographic realities and socio-cultural empathy. "India's ...
UN peacekeeper killed in Mali mine explosion
A UN peacekeeper was killed and four others wounded when a mine exploded as their convoy passed through central Mali, the UN mission in the country said. The blast hit part of the Egyptian contingent of the UN force close to the Burkina Faso border on Saturday, the UN stabilisation mission in Mali (MINUSMA) said. The peacekeeper killed was Egyptian. One attacker was killed, according to a security source. MINUSMA chief Mahamat Saleh Annadif called it a "cowardly attack." UN chief Antonio Guterres's office issued a statement saying the UN peacekeepers "responded, killing an assailant and apprehending eight others". He urged Malian authorities "to take swift action to identify the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice." The UN mission was established in Mali after radical Islamist militias seized the north of the country in 2012. They were pushed back by French troops in 2013. A peace agreement signed in 2015 by the Bamako government and armed groups was aimed at ...