Page 173 - War Conflict
Five held; illegal arms, ammunition seized
Five miscreants were arrested and illegal firearms and over 60 live cartridges were seized from their possession in Dausa district of Rajasthan Thursday, police said. They were apprehended following a raid in an inn by a police team in the early hours, they said. On seeing the police they opened fire and cops also fired three rounds in the air, police said. However, no one was injured, they added. Those arrested have been identified as Sanjay (36), Amit (27), Jasbir (33), Jameel (40) and Amit alias Mitta (33). "One 12 bore gun, one pistol, one carbine, over 60 live cartridges and 17.49 gm opium were recovered from their possession," police said.
US testing new rapid-deployment strategy in Europe
More than 300 soldiers have arrived in Germany from their base in Texas in the first test of a new American strategy to rapidly deploy US-based troops to Europe to bolster the NATO deterrent against possible Russian aggression. The soldiers, from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armoured Division, based in Fort Bliss, were the final group of 1,500 to arrive this week in Berlin via charter aircraft, and are on their way to Poland for maneuvers with local forces. They arrived at Berlin's Tegel airport Thursday, having only been given orders to move out about a week ago. The Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and other equipment they will be using is being brought in from a pre-positioned location in the Netherlands.
Police probe attacks on four mosques in Birmingham
Four mosques in the central English city of Birmingham have been attacked overnight, with a man wielding a sledgehammer seen smashing windows at two places of worship, the police said on Thursday. Counter-terrorism officers are investigating attacks on the mosques in four different areas in the north of the city, West Midlands Police said in a statement. The force added the incidents "are being treated as linked". "At the moment we don't know the motive for last night's attacks," said Chief Constable Dave Thompson in a statement. "What I can say is that the force and the counter terrorism unit are working side-by-side to find whoever is responsible." Officers were first alerted in the early hours of Thursday to reports of a man smashing windows with a sledgehammer at one of the places of worship, police said. Following reports of a similar attack at another mosque in a nearby neighbourhood, officers launched targeted patrols and discovered "further damage" at two other ...
Palestinian official: Israel kills unarmed man in West Bank
The governor of the West Bank city of Bethlehem said Thursday that Israeli soldiers shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian man who was trying to aid another near the city. Governor Kamel Hmeid said Israeli troops in the adjacent village of al-Khader fired at a car and wounded the driver late on Wednesday night. He said Ahmad Manasra was in the car behind and got out of his vehicle to help the wounded man, who was shot in the abdomen. As Manasra was returning to his car, the Israeli soldiers shot and killed him, he said. "This is a summary execution and Israel bears the full responsivity for this crime," Hmeid said. The Israeli military said a soldier stationed at a military post near Bethlehem identified rocks being thrown at Israeli vehicles and in response fired his weapon. The military said it was investigating the incident, which comes amid heightened tensions in the West Bank. Wabeb Manasrah, a cousin of the slain Palestinian, confirmed the governor's account. He said they were ..
At least six killed in blasts as Kabul marks Persian New Year
At least six people were killed by blasts in Kabul Thursday during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital, authorities said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn city. "Twenty-three were wounded and six people were martyred (killed) in today's explosions in Kabul," health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told AFP, with the interior ministry confirming the toll. In a message to AFP, the Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, which police said had been caused by three remote-controlled mines -- one placed in the washroom of a mosque, one behind a hospital, and one in an electricity meter. The blasts were near Kabul University and the Karte Sakhi shrine, where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian New Year holiday but considered un-Islamic by Muslim fundamentalists. "As we celebrate this auspicious day to bind us together our fellow citizens witnessed another devastating day in #Kabul," President ...
Three gunfights underway in Kashmir Valley
Two policemen and a civilian were injured on Thursday as security forces and militants battled each other in three places in the Kashmir Valley, authorities said.
6 die as blasts hit Kabul New Year celebrations
At least six people were killed and 23 others wounded after three blasts hit New Year celebrations near a shrine in the Afghan capital Kabul on Thursday, officials said.
J-K: 2 policemen injured in grenade attack by terrorists
Two policemen including a Station House Officer (SHO), were injured on Thursday in a grenade attack by terrorists in Sopore in Baramulla district."In this incident, SHO Dangiwacha Shri Muddasir Ahmad and his escort personnel received injuries. Both the injured have been shifted to hospital for medical attention," a police statement said.The Warpora area in Sopore, where the attack took place, has been cordoned off and searches are going on.Meanwhile, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Mirmohalla area in Hajjin locality of Bandipora district in north Kashmir on Thursday morning.The security force contingent comprised units of Army's 13 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF's 45 Battalion and Special Operations Group (SOG).
New Zealand bans assault rifles after terror attack (Third Lead)
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday announced a ban on all military-style semi-automatics and assault rifles, six days after a terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch left 50 people dead.
Two policemen injured in Sopore gunfight
Two policemen were injured on Thursday in an ongoing gunfight between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore town.
Encounter breaks out between militants and security forces in J-K's Baramulla
An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir Thursday, officials said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Kalantara area of Kreeri in north Kashmir district of Baramulla following information about the presence of militants, a police official said. He said the militants opened firing on security forces, who retaliated, triggering a gun battle. There were no reports of any casualties so far, the official added.
Afghan official: 3 explosions target Shiite shrine in Kabul
An Afghan official says three explosions have struck near a Shiite shrine and cemetery in western Kabul as people gathered there to mark the holiday of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi says Shiite worshippers came to the Karti Sakhi shrine in the Afghan capital when the blasts took place on Thursday morning in the Shiite neighbourhood. The tradition at the shrine is to hoist green flags and honor the dead at the cemetery by placing food at the gravesides. It's unclear what caused the explosions and no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has in the past targeted the country's Shiites. The Sunni militant group considers Shiite Muslims heretics.
Serial blasts hit New Year celebrations in Kabul
Several people were feared killed or injured after three blasts hit New Year celebrations near a shrine in the Afghan capital Kabul on Thursday, witnesses said.
J-K: Encounter breaks out in Bandipora
An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Mirmohalla area in Hajjin locality of Bandipora district in north Kashmir on Thursday morning.The contingent of security forces comprised units of Army's 13 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF's 45 Battalion and SOG.The encounter which started around 10 am, is still continuing.Civilians are being evacuated. Further details are awaited.Meanwhile, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Sopore in Baramulla district in north Kashmir.
Militants, security forces clash in Sopore
A gunfight started on Thursday between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore town.
Two policemen injured in grenade attack in J&K's Sopore
Two policemen, including an officer, were injured in a grenade attack by militants in Sopore township of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, police said. Militants lobbed a grenade at a security forces party at Main Chowk Sopore in the north Kashmir district, a police official said. He said two policemen, including the station house officer of Dangiwacha police station, sustained minor injuries in the explosion.The injured have been hospitalised. Security forces have cordoned off the area and a search has been launched to nab the attackers, the official said.
New Zealand outlaws assault rifles
Military style semi-automatic weapons (MSSA) and assault rifles are to be banned in New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Thursday, a week after 50 people were massacred in two mosques by an Australian man.
Christchurch shooting aftermath: New Zealand bans sale of assault, semi-automatic rifles
In the wake of twin mosque shootings in Christchurch that killed 50 people last week, New Zealand on Thursday implemented an immediate ban on the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatics across the country."Be assured this is just the beginning of the work we'll be doing," Al Jazeera quoted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as saying."We will ban all high capacity magazines. We will ban all parts with the ability to convert semi-automatic or any other type of firearm into a military-style semi-automatic weapon. We will ban parts that cause a firearm to generate semi-automatic, automatic or close to automatic gunfire," Ardern noted in her statement."It's in the national interest and it's about safety ... to prevent an act of terror from ever happening again in our country," she added.Terming the incident as the "worst act of terrorism on our shores", Ardern had announced to make reforms in the country's gun laws. The massacre at the two mosques that took place while the attendees had ...
Liquor smuggler, sub-inspector injured in exchange of fire in UP
A sub-inspector and a liquor smuggler were injured Wednesday in an exchange of fire in neighbouring Shamli district, police said. The incident occurred near Jalalabad when police tried to intercept a car and a truck carrying liquor cartons. The occupants of the vehicles opened fire at the police team, who retaliated. Sub-Inspector Lovik Tyagi and one Qurbaan were injured in the firing, Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Pandey said. Two men were arrested and around 100 cartons of liquor were seized from the two vehicles. The injured persons have been hospitalised. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Excise Act in this regard. Police have intensified anti-smuggling drive in the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to polls on April 11.
French soldiers on duty for next 'yellow vest' protest
French soldiers will be deployed Saturday to help guard public buildings, allowing police to focus on dealing with "yellow vest" demonstrators in case of renewed violence in Paris and other cities, the government has said. It was announced separately that Prime Minister Edouard Philippe had decided to put off a planned overseas trip to French Guiana at the weekend to be on hand at home. "Given the special situation concerning public order, the premier decided to postpone his visit," his office said. Last Saturday, more than 5,000 police officers failed to stop hundreds of violent protesters from rampaging along the Champs-Elysees, burning and looting over 100 businesses in disturbances that lasted more than seven hours. Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux Wednesday said the troops will be redeployed from the "Sentinelle" anti-terror operation, which patrols streets and protects airports, train stations, places of worship and other sites. This will allow police forces to ...