Page 153 - War Conflict
PM refers to chopper scam 'evidence' to blast Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on Congress and the Gandhi family claiming they were involved in all the corruption scandals rocking between "the earth and the sky" and called for "punishing" the main opposition in the election.
Will send troops on 'suicide mission': Philippine President threatens China
Amid reports of the presence of Chinese vessels near a Philippines-administered island in the South China Sea, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to send his troops on a "suicide mission" if China does not "lay off"."Let us be friends, but do not touch Pagasa Island and the rest. If you make moves there, that's a different story. I will tell my soldiers, 'Prepare for suicide mission'," CNN quoted Duterte as saying.The Philippine President's speech came days after the Philippine government claimed that as many as 275 Chinese boats and ships had been spotted in recent months around Manila's Thitu Island (Pag-asa) in the Spratly Island chain.Stating that his words were advice to his friends and not a warning, Duterte said, "I will not plead or beg, but I'm just telling you that lay off the Pag-asa because I have soldiers there."Zhao Jianhua, China's ambassador to the Philippines had earlier said that Beijing was trying to verify and quantify the number of vessels around .
UN rights agency condemns combat in Myanmar's Rakhine state
The main United Nations human rights agency expressed concern Friday about an upsurge in fighting between Myanmar's army and guerrillas of the Rakhine minority's Arakan Army, especially attacks on civilians by both sides. A spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in Geneva that the agency had "credible reports of the killing of civilians, burning of houses, arbitrary arrests, abductions, indiscriminate fire in civilian areas, and damage to cultural property." The spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, said recent fighting in Rakhine state has led to the displacement of more than 20,000 civilians. Rakhine is best known as the site of a brutal counterinsurgency campaign by the military against the Muslim Rohingya minority which caused more than 700,000 to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. The Arakan Army, which is aligned with Rakhine's Buddhist population, seeks autonomy for the region. Shamdasani said the civilian victims included Buddhist Rakhines and Rohingya Muslims .
US revokes ICC prosecutor's visa over Afghan probe
The US has revoked the visa of the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor in response to her intention to probe potential war crimes by American soldiers in Afghanistan, the media reported.
Thai border police killed by suspected insurgents in south
Police says two Border Patrol Police officers in southern Thailand have been killed while praying in a mosque in the latest violence believed linked to a Muslim separatist insurgency. The chief of Than To police station in Yala province said Friday that four attackers slipped into the mosque and shot the officers at point-blank range in the head. Police Col. Pariwat Kwanmanij said the attackers, who fled after the shooting, were suspected of being part of an insurgency that flared in 2004 and has claimed about 7,000 lives in predominantly Buddhist Thailand's three southernmost provinces, which have Muslim majorities. The insurgents seek to scare Buddhists into leaving the area, but many Muslims cooperating with the authorities have also been targeted.
Macron names experts to probe French action during Rwanda genocide
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday appointed a panel of experts to probe France's actions in Rwanda during the country's genocide 25 years ago, a subject that has dogged Franco-Rwandan relations since the 1994 massacres. The commission of eight researchers and historians "will be tasked with consulting all France's archives relating to the genocide... in order to analyse the role and engagement of France during that period," the presidency said in a statement.
Advani's comments stinging indictment of Modi, Shah politics: Congress
The Congress on Friday said BJP veteran L K Advani has made a "stinging indictment" of the politics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah and it is time for the duo to introspect. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Advani has "exposed" both Modi and Shah, alleging that they "hurl abuses and vitriol at their political opponents that reflect their political bankruptcy". Accusing Modi and Shah of being "habitual offenders" of labelling every opponent as "anti national" and "Pak agents", the Congress leader asked who the "real anti-national" was, as he highlighted some past speeches of Modi making critical remarks on the armed forces. "BJP patriarch and Modiji's political guru, Shri L K Advani in a stinging indictment to demeaning politics of Modi-Shah duo, founded on hurling abuses on political opponents, has exposed Modi-Shah's duplicity and hypocrisy," he told reporters. "Time for Modi-Shah duo to introspect on Shri Advani's remarks and tell the nation
2 soldiers injured in explosion inside army camp at Kupwara
Two soldiers were injured in an explosion Friday inside an army camp in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, army officials said. The explosion took place inside the 15 Rashtriya Rifles camp at Rajwar in Handwara area of the district, the officials said. The injured soldiers were taken to a military medical facility where their condition is stated to be stable, they said. The officials said the cause and nature of the blast is being investigated.
Army finds wreckage of WWII US plane in Arunachal
Indian Army soldiers along with a police representative found the wreckage of a World War II US Air Force aircraft in Arunachal Pradesh, an official release said on Friday.
Group says 60 killed in protests against Sudan's president
An international rights group says Sudan's security forces have killed at least 60 people in more than three months of street protests calling on President Omar al-Bashir to step down. Physicians for Human Rights says al-Bashir's forces have attacked at least seven medical facilities, arrested at least 136 health personnel, fired tear gas and other weapons into hospital wards and denied patients access to medical care. The protests erupted in December, initially over price hikes, but later tuned into calls for al-Bashir to resign. Security forces have responded with a fierce crackdown. The government has said that 31 have been killed but hasn't updated its tally in weeks. The New York-based watchdog has called attacks on doctors and medical facilities an "egregious violation of human rights.
Taliban siege in remote Afghan province kills 12 more troops
The Taliban besieged an Afghan government and army compound in a remote western province for a second day Friday, killing at least 12 more troops, according to local officials who issued a dramatic warning, saying those inside the compound were running out of ammunition. The latest fatalities brought the overall death toll for the assault in Badghis province to at least 32 Afghan soldiers and policemen. Many more have been wounded and the area is cut off, said Mohammad Nasir Nazari, a provincial councilmember. Nazari said that according to soldiers inside the base in the district of Bala Murghab, roughly 2,000 Taliban fighters are involved in the attack, with about 600 Afghan troops and members of the security forces inside. "They are running out of everything ammunition, water and food," said Nazari. Abdul Waris Sherzad, a district chief, said local officials and residents were disappointed that NATO forces and the Afghan government have not helped. But Defence Ministry spokesman ...
Smriti Irani accuses Rahul of supporting anti-national elements
Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani on Friday said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi is supporting the anti-national elements who want to break India."Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi went with anti-Bharat forces to file his nomination. Every time he reveals his real motive that he is not with Hindustan but with those elements who want to break Hindustan," said Smriti Irani, while talking to ANI at Jagdishpur in Amethi."The people in the national capital have already heard how he stood in support of 'Bharat-tere-tukde-hoge' (India will be ripped apart) slogan. Also, the recently released manifesto of Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi has tried to defame the Army and supported slogans like 'bharat-tere-tukde-hoge' ", said Smriti Irani.She also alleged that Rahul colluded with scamsters for financial gains."He has to give answer to the nation why he stood with everyone who looted the nation. News paper reports says that Rahul Gandhi's name came up .
Two soldiers injured in mysterious explosion
Two soldiers were injured on Friday in a mysterious explosion inside an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.
China is 'threat to world' says dissident writer
A dissident writer dubbed the "Chinese Solzhenitsyn" said Friday that his homeland is a "threat for the whole world". Liao Yiwu, who was jailed for writing a poem called "Massacre" about the Tiananmen Square protests, told AFP that it would be better for mankind if the economic superpower "splits up". "My dream is that China splits up into 10 or so countries. Because China as it is today is a threat for the whole world," he said as his latest book, "Balls of Opium", was published in France. The book, which has been banned in China, recounts the stories of dozens of victims of the Tiananmen massacre, when troops killed thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Beijing in 1989. The massacre, which is also known as the "June Fourth Incident", is a major taboo in China. Liao, who has been living in exile in Berlin since 2011, said, "Returning to China is not a big concern for me. I would like to go back to my native Sichuan - when it's independent. Then I would be delighted to ...
Restrictions in Srinagar, Mirwaiz under house arrest
A day after prisoners and jail authorities clashed inside the Srinagar Central Jail, police on Friday imposed restrictions in Srinagar's old city areas, police said.
Nagaland observes 75th anniversary of Battle of Kohima
The 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima was observed by the Nagaland government on Thursday with representatives from the UK and Japan speaking on the theme of 'Remembrance, Reconciliation and Rebirth'. The dignitaries from the UK and Japan assembled at the programme to seek "reconciliation and forgiveness" for the "sufferings and pain" caused against each other at the Battle of Kohima, that was fought in three stages during the Second World War in 1944. Recounting the loss of "thousands of precious lives" in the battle, Ambassador of Japan to India, Kenji Hiramatsu, said the peace "we enjoy today was built over tremendous sacrifices". He said Japan stands committed to "never repeat the devastation of the war". Noting that relations of the countries which "once fought with each other" have been "transformed for the good", he said, "genuine reconciliation is only possible through dedicated efforts by us all." The Japanese envoy said the relationship between Japan ...
18 Indian fishermen arrested for poaching in Sri Lankan waters
Sri Lanka Navy has arrested at least 18 Indian fishermen and seized three dhows (vessel) for allegedly poaching in the country's territorial waters. The Navy arrested the fishermen in the seas 16 nautical miles west of Point Pedro during a Naval patrol. Eighteen Indian fishermen were arrested from Tamil Nadu for allegedly breaching the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters, the Navy said. Three dhows used by them were also been taken into naval custody and brought to SLNS Uttara in Jaffna, Colombo Page reported. After a medical test, the fishermen will be handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries in Jaffna for further investigation, the Navy Media Unit said. In January 2018, Sri Lanka increased by over 100 times the fine on foreign vessels to deter them from fishing in its waters, amid the dispute over the frequent entry of Indian fishing trawlers into the country's maritime territory. The main aim of the move is to prevent ...
CRPF trooper killed in Chhattisgarh Maoist attack
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper was killed on Friday and another injured in a gun battle with the Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari area, the paramilitary force said.
Chhattisgarh: 2 CRPF personnel injured in encounter with naxals
Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel sustained injuries in an encounter with Naxals in forests in Saleghat area in Dhamtari on Friday.The forces inflicted heavy losses to Naxals.A commandment of the 211 Battalion who had been out for patrolling operations has reached the incident spot with a reinforcement party.Injured personnel are being evacuated from the area.More details of the incident are awaited.
Inmates burn shelter inside Srinagar Central Jail
Angry inmates set fire to a shelter inside the Srinagar Central Jail after rumours spread that some prisoners were being shifted to jails outside the Kashmir Valley, police said on Friday.