Page 148 - War Conflict
Sudan protesters defiant after aborted bid to clear army HQ sit-in
Thousands of defiant Sudanese protesters remained camped outside army headquarters for a fourth day Tuesday, buoyed by the abandonment of a pre-dawn attempt to disperse them after soldiers intervened, witnesses said. Chanting "freedom, freedom," crowds of men and women, who had spent the night camped outside sprawling the Khartoum complex that also houses the president's residence, urged top brass to back them in ending Omar al-Bashir's three decades of iron-fisted tule. It is the largest rally since protests erupted following a three-fold increase in bread prices in December, before mushrooming into nationwide demonstrations demanding that Bashir and his government step down. Early on Tuesday, members of the National Intelligence and Security Service and riot police fired tear gas at the protesters in an abortive bid to disperse their sit-in, protest movement organisers said. "There was heavy firing of tear gas after which army soldiers opened the gates of the compound for protesters
Cast votes without fear, BSF tells people in Maoist-hit Odisha
The BSF has called on people living in Maoist-affected areas of Odisha to cast their votes without fear, claiming that their participation will send a "clear message" to the extremists that violence and intimidation will no longer be accepted in the state. Election in 147 Assembly seats and 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in Odisha will be held simultaneously in four phases - on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. Maoist posters asking people to boycott polls have appeared in several parts of the state. The paramilitary force, which has been entrusted with election security in Odisha for the first time, assured people that they are taking measures to ensure peaceful polls. "All arterial roads are being scanned regularly and intelligence networks strengthened to conduct an incident-free election," BSF IG Ashwini Kumar Singh said in the statement. "If the voters come out in large numbers in the Maoist belts to cast their votes, it will send a message to the extremists that violence and ...
India to repatriate 58 Sri Lankan refugees
India will repatriate 58 Sri Lankan refugees on Tuesday under the UNHCR facilitated voluntary repatriation programme.Quoting the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province, Colombo Page confirmed that 58 members of 23 families had left for India as refugees during the Sri Lankan civil war.The group comprising 26 males and 32 females is scheduled to arrive at Colombo Airport in Sri Lankan Airlines flights UL 138, UL 132 and UL 122, Ministry Secretary V Sivagnanasothy was quoted as saying.The refugees will be resettled in Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Colombo.The UNHCR has been providing free air tickets, reintegration allowance of (Sri Lankan Rupee) Rs10,000 per adult or Rs 5,000 per non-adult, Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 and non-food allowance of Rs 10,000 to the families of the Sri Lankan refugees.In addition, Sri Lankan ministry will provide refugees Rs 5,000 each at the airport, Rs 25,000 to construct a temporary ...
India, Sri Lanka review bilateral defense cooperation in Colombo
India and Sri Lanka participated in the sixth round of defense dialogue on Monday, where they discussed issues of mutual interest and reviewed the bilateral defense cooperation between both the countries.The Indian delegation, headed by Indian Defense Secretary Sanjay Mitra, participated in the dialogue on an invitation of Secretary to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense, Hemasiri Fernando, in Colombo on Monday, Colombo Page reported.Since its inception in 2012, the annual Indo-Sri Lanka defense dialogue reviews the entire scope of defence cooperation between both countries while expanding its activities into new areas of interests.Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the Army, Commander of the Navy, Chief of Staff representing the Commander of the Air force, senior officials of both defence ministries and military representatives of both India and Sri Lanka were also present at the annual meeting.
Mirwaiz's appearance before NIA paves ways for thorough probe into JK terror funding
Appearance of separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq before the NIA has paved the way for a thorough probe into charges of terror funding and conspiracy against the Hurriyat leader, officials said Tuesday. Mirwaiz appeared before the National Investigation Agency for the second consecutive day on Tuesday for questioning in connection with a case related to funding of terror groups and separatist organisations in Jammu and Kashmir. "Appearance of Mirwaiz before the NIA proves the government's determination to establish that Kashmiri separatist leaders will have to be held accountable to the law of the land. It has paved the way for thorough investigation into charges of terror funding and conspiracy against the Hurriyat leader," a home ministry official said. The questioning of Mirwaiz by the NIA has been considered a significant development as he had been trying to evade the questioning by the probe agency by resorting to various stratagems. These include by not responding initially to
LS polls: 25,816 new voters in UP's Muzaffarnagar
A total of 25,816 voters are expected to exercise their franchise for the first time in the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district, officials said Tuesday. Additional District Magistrate Amit Kumar also told PTI that 915 polling centres and 2,167 polling booths have been set up for 16,92,313 voters in the Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha constituency, which goes to polls in the first phase on April 11. A total of 25,816 voters in the 18-19 age group will use their franchise for the first time here. He said the district has been divided into 156 sectors with each sector having a magistrate with police force. The senior official said 21 companies of para-military force and five companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and local police will be deployed for conduct of free and fair elections in the district. SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate Chaudhary Ajit Singh, BJP candidate and former Union minister Sanjeev Balyan and eight others are in the fray for Muzaffarnagar Lok
RSS leader's PSO shot dead in Kishtwar
Suspected militants on Tuesday killed the personal security officer of an RSS leader by snatching his weapon in a hospital in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar town, police said. The local RSS leader, identified as Chandrakanta, was injured in the attack that targeted him, officials said. Chandrakanta had gone to a local hospital for a check-up, they said. Narrating the sequence of events, officials said the suspected militants barged into the hospital and snatched the PSO's weapon. They attempted to fire at the RSS leader. In the ensuing scuffle, the policeman was shot dead while the RSS leader received minor injuries. Senior police officials have rushed to the scene, they said.
Afghan officials: Taliban kill 5, soldier kills 2 troops
An Afghan official says at least five members of the country's security forces were killed when the Taliban attacked a joint army and police base in northern Sari Pul province. Zabihullah Amani, the provincial governor's spokesman, says the Monday night attack in Sangcharak district also wounded seven other troops. There was no immediate comment from the Taliban. Amani says four insurgents were also killed in the ensuing clashes. Earlier, around noon on Monday, an Afghan army officer shot and killed two of his fellow soldiers and later fled to join the Taliban. Sayed Hashim Bayan, the provincial police chief's spokesman, says the shooter seized a Humvee along with some ammunition before making his getaway. The Taliban praised the soldier's actions and confirmed he joined their ranks in Dari Suf district.
Miscreants open fire at petrol pump operator, flee with Rs 18.9 lakh
A petrol pump operator was shot at and an amount of Rs 18.9 lakh was looted from him by three unidentified miscreants in the Dohrighat area here, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday when Umesh Gupta was going to deposit the money in the bank, Superintendent of Police Surendra Bahadur said, adding that three unidentified persons shot at him and fled with the money. Gupta was rushed to a hospital, where his condition was stated to be critical. An FIR has been lodged in this connection.
Prez pays tributes to slain CAPF men at National Police Memorial
President Ram Nath Kovind Tuesday paid tributes to the police and paramilitary personnel killed in the line of duty, including the 40 CRPF men killed in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, at the National Police Memorial here. Kovind paid his respects to the slain security personnel and laid a wreath at the memorial during a remembrance service that marks the annual "Valour Day" event of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The National Police Memorial, a 30-foot-tall and 238-tonne black granite structure, was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 21 last year on the occasion of the police commemoration day. It was for the first time that the President visited the memorial located in Chanakyapuri area of the national capital. Kovind, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was accorded a "national salute" and presented a guard of honour by a joint column of troops from all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) such as the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB. Union .
Gunshots, tear gas fired at Sudan protest site: witnesses
Sudanese security forces Tuesday fired tear gas at thousands of anti-government protesters demonstrating outside the army headquarters in Khartoum for a third night, with gunshots also heard at the site, witnesses said. Witnesses and a protester said security forces of the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service and riot police were firing tear gas in a bid to disperse the demonstrators from the military complex. They said it was unclear who was firing the gunshots. "The security officers are firing heavy tear gas. I can see protesters coughing and covering their faces with hands and medical masks," a witness told AFP from near the demonstration site. "I can also hear gunshots but it's unclear who is firing." A protester at the complex also confirmed hearing gunshots but was unable to determine who was firing.
3 US military personnel killed in Afghanistan suicide bombing
Three US service members and one contractor were killed after an explosive-laden vehicle targetted a convoy of foreign forces near Bagram airbase in eastern Afghanistan on Monday.Three other US service members sustained injuries in the car bombing and are undergoing medical treatment, the NATO Resolute Support Mission said in a statement.The attack took place at around 5:30 pm (local time) on Monday near the third gate of the Bagram airfield, Bagram district governor Abdul Shakoor Qudoosi was quoted by TOLOnews as saying.The foreign forces were cordoned off from the area immediately after the attack.Taliban later claimed responsibility for the attack.The Bagram airfield is the US' largest military base in Afghanistan.
Three US troops, 1 contractor killed in Afghanistan blast: Official
Three US troops and a contractor were killed in an explosion near Bagram Air Base on Monday, NATO said, after the Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast. "Three US service members and one contractor were killed, and three US service members were wounded by an improvised explosive device April 8 near Bagram Air Base," the transatlantic military alliance's mission in Afghanistan, Resolute Support, said in a statement.
Indian Mission pays respect to freedom fighter Begum Hazrat Mahal
The Indian Embassy here paid respect to freedom fighter Begum Hazrat Mahal on her 140th death anniversary, by laying a wreath on her tomb on Monday.The Deputy Chief of Mission, Ajay Kumar laid the wreath on Mahal's tomb in the afternoon.Also known as the Begum of Awadh, she is one of the freedom fighters who rebelled against the Britishers during 1857.After her husband and the last Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah was banished in 1856, she fled to Nepal, breathing her last on April 7, 1879, in Kathmandu.The tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal is maintained by Jame Masjid here.
President Kovind pays tribute to jawans at National War Memorial
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday visited the National War Memorial for the first time and paid tribute to the jawans who laid down their lives for the country post-independence.Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief of the Army Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff Karambir Singh and Chief of the Air Staff Birender Singh Dhanoa were also present at the War Memorial.President Kovind was shown around the memorial by the defence minister and the three service chiefs.The President said he was honoured to visit the National War Memorial."The memorial salutes thousands of brave soldiers, who fought and made the supreme sacrifice to protect the sovereignty of our nation. India will remain ever grateful to them. Jai Hind!," Kovind posted on his official twitter handle.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24 inaugurated the memorial located next to India Gate in the heart of the national capital.The state-of-art monument spread over an area of approximately 40 acres dedicated to ...
Explosive-laden vehicle targets foreign forces convoy in Afghanistan
An explosive-laden vehicle targeted a foreign forces convoy of the Bagram Airfield here on Monday evening, according to District Governor Abdul Shakoor Qudoosi.The incident took place near the third gate of the Bagram Airfield here.The foreign forces have cordoned off the area as no reports of casualties have emerged as of yet, according to TOLOnews.No group has taken responsibility for the attack either.
CRPF personnel in Libya to return to India
All arrangements are being made to evacuate a contingent of CRPF personnel, serving in a peacekeeping force in Libya, after the sudden worsening of the situation in the trouble-torn North African country, officials said on Monday.
Prez pays homage to martyrs at National War Memorial, his maiden visit
President Ram Nath Kovind Monday paid a visit to the National War Memorial here, his first to the newly-built iconic landmark, to pay homage to the country's fallen heroes, officials said. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and three services' chiefs. The president is also the supreme commander of all the three armed forces - the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and the Indian Navy. "President Kovind laid a wreath during his visit to memorial to pay tribute to the martyrs. This was his first visit to the National War Memorial," a senior official said. Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa were present on the occasion, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25 had inaugurated the country's National War Memorial adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after ...
Five die in fitness tests for Guinean army
Five young men died in fitness tests at a recruitment drive by the Guinean army at the weekend, security sources and hospital workers said Monday. The five, aged from 23 to 32, collapsed at or near the finishing line of an eight-kilometre (five mile) run. Candidates must finish in the top section of the run and then do press-ups, abdominal crunches and knowledge tests in order to be included among the 8,400 shortlisted candidates. Unemployment and poverty in the West African state are chronic, and positions in the armed forces, police or customs, can be 10-times oversubscribed. One of the deaths occurred at a military camp in the eastern town of Mandiana, a second in the southern town of N'Zerekore, and the three others occurred at Kankan, also in the east, the sources said.
Brazil military shoots family driving to baby shower: report
Brazilian soldiers opened fire on a family driving to a baby shower in Rio de Janeiro, riddling their vehicle with more than 80 bullets and killing one of the occupants, reports said Monday. Ten army personnel have been arrested over Sunday's incident, which also wounded two others, on suspicion of "failure to comply with rules of engagement," the military said in a statement. The soldiers patrolling the northern district of Guadalupe apparently mistook the white car as belonging to criminals, G1 reported, citing police. Five people were inside the vehicle, including a seven-year-old boy, who was unhurt. The soliders had been on the look-out for a car-load of criminals during a regular patrol of the area secured by the military, the military statement said. Police also have launched an investigation into the incident, homicide police spokesman Leonardo Salgado told G1. "Everything indicates that the military really confused the vehicle for a vehicle of robbers," Salgado said. No ...