Page 175 - War Conflict
Eight injured in Myanmar temple town violence
Fighting between Myanmar's military and ethnic Rakhine rebels in Mrauk U, the ancient capital of the Rakhine kingdom, has left at least eight locals injured, scaring tourists and sparking fears that the historical monuments are under threat. Ethnic and religious tensions divide western Rakhine state, where the army forced out some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims in a brutal crackdown in 2017. Now the military is waging war against the Arakan Army (AA), which claims to represent ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and has killed 22 officers since early January. Over the weekend the conflict spread to Mrauk U, renowned for its ancient temples and popular with hardier travellers. "About eight injured people are still getting treatment at Mrauk U hospital," Aung Than Tun, chairman of Garuna Hlaing Blood Donors Association in Mrauk U, told AFP on Wednesday. He also confirmed the deaths of two men from a nearby village, who were wounded last week from the fighting. A British tourist posted videos on Twitter .
Army inducts new Sniper rifles to reply to ceasefire violations by Pak along LoC
The Army has provided advanced sniper rifles to its troops posted along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region to retaliate ceasefire violation by Pakistan.Top Army sources informed ANI that the new sniper rifles were recently provided to some of the units in the Kashmir valley and Jammu region on the LoC and they were used effectively against Pakistani positions, which have been attacking Indian posts and personnel.The troops have been provided two new advanced sniper rifles including the Barrett M95 .50 BMG and Beretta Scorpio TGT 'Victrix' .338 Lapua Magnum."About a week ago, in the Poonch sector along the LoC, the troops retaliated strongly against specific Pakistani positions which have been aiding and abetting infiltration activities and were also indulging in firing against our troops and posts," the sources told ANI."We have been able to cause significant damage to the Pakistan Army troops deployed and are trying to ascertain the extent of casualty ...
West Bank: 2 Palestinians killed by IDF troops
Israeli forces on Wednesday killed two Palestinians after they hurled explosive devices at the forces near West Bank's Joseph's Tomb holy site, reported Times of Israel.The incident took place when the forces, who were guarding a group of worshippers, were attacked by two unidentified assailants.According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops, several explosive devices were hurled at them."The IDF force responded with fire toward the vehicle. At the same time an IDF engineering vehicle hit the car, as a result, the two attackers inside the vehicle were killed," the army said.From past few years, Palestinians have carried out many attacks in the West Bank, which was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war.
Slew of measures to check possible attacks by Maoists
Deployment of counter action teams, stepping up combing operations in Left Wing Extremist affected areas bordering Chattisgarh and Maharashtra are part of measures taken by police to check their possible attacks in the run up to the April 11 Lok Sabha polls in Telangana. Telangana police had adopted a similar multi-pronged strategy to thwart attacks by CPI (Maoist) cadres ahead of the December 7, 2018 Assembly polls. "We are making adequate arrangements. We have taken all preventive steps that arerequired for the elections like deposit of weapons, execution of Non Bailable Warrants and setting up of check posts. Central paramilitary forces have also arrived in the state and have been deployed in all districts and are conducting flag marches," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jitender told PTI. "We are hopeful that the Parliamentary elections will also be peaceful without any major incident like the Assembly polls held in December 2018)," he ...
Yellow Vest protests: French Interior Minister rejects calls for resignation
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner rejected the opposition's calls for his resignation after the Yellow Vest protests turned violent in Paris last week."If you think it's a man's responsibility, I'm ready to listen perfectly. I'm totally responsible for my decisions," Castaner told local media on Tuesday (local time) while outrightly dismissing the calls for his resignation.The French minister has been criticised by all parties in the opposition for being unable to protect public property or restore order after Saturday's violent protests, reports Xinhua.Castaner outlined that he exchanged views with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the situation throughout the weekend.The protests, which are currently in their 18th week, left around 60 people, including 17 policemen, wounded after violence flared up in the French capital last week.Stores located along the Champs-Elysees avenue were looted and vandalised, as police resorted to firing tear gas and water cannons to ..
Chhattisgarh CM meets CRPF jawan injured in Dantewada IED blast
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel met CRPF jawan Sumit, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital here after sustaining injuries in the IED blast which took place in Dantewada on Monday."I met Sumit. He is now out of danger. The bravery with which he fought is absolutely commendable," Baghel told media here on Tuesday.Along with Sumit, three other CRPF jawans sustained injuries while one lost his life in the blast.Troops of 231 Battalion of CRPF along with the state police were carrying out road security duty when the blast occurred.The blast was followed by firing from Naxals between Kondapara and Kamal posts in which the jawans got injured, P Sundarraj, DIG, Anti-Naxal Operations had said on Monday.
Israeli forces kill Palestinian suspect in West Bank killings: security agency
Israeli forces have shot dead a Palestinian suspected of killing an Israeli rabbi and a soldier in the occupied West Bank, the Shin Bet internal security service said. Troops, police and security agents Tuesday surrounded a building in the West Bank village of Abwein, north of Ramallah, in which the suspect was hiding according to a Shin Bet statement. The suspect, Omar Amin Abu Laila, opened fire and was killed in the shootout, Shin Bet said.
Iraqi museum unveils 'looted' artefacts
Over 2,000 artefacts, including about 100 that were looted and found abroad, have been unveiled in a museum in Basra province on the southern tip of Iraq, authorities have said. Basra is the most oil-rich province in Iraq but its heritage sites have long been neglected. On Tuesday, between 2,000 and 2,500 pieces went on display in the Basra Museum, the second largest in Iraq, said Qahtan al-Obeid, head of archeology and heritage in the province. "They date from 6000 BC to 1500 AD," he told AFP, referring to the Assyrian, Babylonian and Sumerian periods. Obeid said about 100 artefacts -- most of which came from Jordan and the United States -- were given back to Iraq to be displayed in the museum, a former palace of deposed dictator Saddam Hussein. The heritage of Iraq, most of which was former Mesopotamia, has paid a heavy price due to the wars that have ravaged the country for nearly four decades. Following the US-led invasion that overthrew Saddam in 2003, Islamic State group ...
12 arrested, over 600 litres illicit liquor seized in Gautam Buddh Nagar
Twelve people were arrested in Noida and Greater Noida and over 600 litres of illicit liquor was seized in separate incidents on Tuesday, officials said. The crackdown by police comes amid restrictions clamped under the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls. The arrests were made in Badalpur, Rabupura and, Ecotech 3 areas of Greater Noida, and in Phase 3, Sector 20, Phase 2 areas of Noida city, an official statement stated. "In total, 12 people have been arrested and 608 litres of illicit liquor seized during the day-long operation," the police said. The police said they have also seized six firearms, including country-made pistols, along with ammunition from those arrested and recovered 1,200 gram opium during the actions. The cases were registered against them at respective police stations and further probe was underway. In similar crackdowns in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the police had arrested at least 29 people on Sunday and 41 people on Tuesday. Gautam Buddh Nagar goes to polls
Protect rights of people during anti-Naxals ops: C'garh CM
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Tuesday asked officials and security forces to take care of rights of citizens while carrying out anti-Naxal operations. He chaired a meeting of the unified command and reviewed the security situation and development in areas affected by Naxalism, a state public relations official said. Baghel asked officials to come up with a development plan for these areas and directed security personnel to carry out effective anti-Naxal operations while protecting human rights of citizens, the official said. State Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu asked police to coordinate with paramilitary forces while Chhattisgarh Director General of Police (Naxal Operations) Girdhari Nayak gave a detailed presentation on the current Naxal scenario, the official said. Among others who were present were Director General of Police D M Awasthi, Chief Secretary Sunil Kujur and the Centre's Joint Secretary for Left Wing Extremism.
Northern Army commander visits Siachen Glacier
Northern Army commander Lt General Ranbir Singh on Tuesday visited forward posts at the Siachen glacier, the world's highest battlefield, and reviewed the operational preparedness.
Seven ULFA(I) militants surrender in Assam
Seven hardcore ULFA(I) militants surrendered in Tinsukia district following a joint operation by a team of Assam Police and the Indian Army, a senior official said on Tuesday. The militants joined the mainstream on Monday, while a huge cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from them during the operation, Col S Karki, Commanding Officer of 21 Para Special Forces of the Army, told reporters here. "The surrender was possible because of our operation on March 7 that was based on specific intelligence," he said. Karki, however, declined to share the location of the exercise and said that 15-20 columns were engaged. "We got information that the ULFA cadres were hiding at a place. We persuaded them and recovered the arms. Ultimately, they surrendered," the Army official said. Karki said the security personnel recovered three AK-81 rifles, two HK-33 rifles and one AK-56 rifle and 17 magazines. Besides, 617 rounds of ammunition and one hand grenade were also seized from
KXIP donate Rs 25 lakh to families of five CRPF soldiers killed in Pulwama attack
The Kings XI Punjab donated Rs five lakh each to families of five CRPF soldiers killed in the Pulwama terror attack in February. The cheques were given to kin of five CRPF jawans hailing from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, who lost their lives in the deadly terror attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama, J&K last month, which left 40 personnel from the force dead. Cheques were distributed among family members of Jaimal Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Maninder Singh, Kulwinder Singh and Tilak Raj. Kings XI captain Ravichandran Ashwin, DIG CRPF V K Kaundal were present at the event.
Pulwama attack: CRPF not to celebrate Holi
The CRPF will not officially celebrate Holi this year as a mark of respect to its 40 jawans killed last month in a suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where the force eliminated 210 terrorists in 2018, the force's chief said Tuesday. During an event to the mark 80th raising day of the force at its group centre here, CRPF Director General (DG) R R Bhatnagar also said the influence of left-wing extremists or Naxals has reduced by 40 per cent and only a few areas in the country are now affected. Paying tributes to the slain personnel, the DG said the force is creating a 'mobile app' in order to provide help to the families of jawans killed in action. He added there will be no "official celebrations" in the force during the Holi festival on March 21 as a mark of respect to the 40 troops killed in the suicide attack in Pulwama on February 14. "In Jammu and Kashmir, tackling terrorism is a challenge. The force has neutralised 210 terrorists in operations last year in the Kashmir valley," ..
India, Sri Lanka to hold 2-wk military exercise from March 26
The armies of India and Sri Lanka will hold a two-week military drill beginning March 26 in the island nation with an aim to deepen anti-terror cooperation, officials said Tuesday. The aim of the exercise is to build and promote close relations between armies of both the countries and to enhance operational cooperation, they said. The officials said the 'Mitra Shakti' exercise will involve tactical level operations to effectively deal with the challenge of terrorism as well as transnational crimes. "The exercise will go a long way in further cementing relationship between both the nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation at grassroots levels between both the armies," the Indian Army said.
Northern Army commander visits forward posts in Siachen Glacier
Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Tuesday visited forward posts in Siachen Glacier and reviewed operational preparedness in the sector, a defence spokesman said. "Lt Gen Singh visited the forward posts in Siachen Glacier today and reviewed the operational preparedness maintained in the sector," Srinagar-based defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kali said. The spokesman said the Northern Army Commander was accompanied by Lt Gen Y K Joshi, the General Officer Commanding of Fire & Fury Corps. "Lt Gen Singh interacted with troops deployed at the forwards posts and complimented them for their high morale. He appreciated the tenacity and high standard of professionalism displayed by all ranks of 'Siachen Warriors' Brigade, despite the extreme challenges posed by the highest battlefield in the world," he said. Lt Gen Singh urged them to continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism of the Indian Army. He also paid homage to the martyrs of Operation MEGHDOOT at the ..
Separatist activist escapes from court complex
An overground worker of militants escaped on Tuesday from the court complex in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar district.
India, Sri Lanka joint exercise 'Mitra Shakti-VI' to commence from Mar 26
Exercise 'Mitra Shakti' which is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of India and Sri Lanka will be conducted from March 26 to April 8 for the year 2018-19, in Sri Lanka.Troops from 1st Battalion the Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army and Gemunu Watch Battalion of Sri Lankan Army would be jointly undertaking the exercise, the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) said."The aim of the exercise is to build and promote close relations between armies of both the countries and to enhance the ability of joint exercise commander to take military contingents of both nations under command," PIB said in a statement.The exercise will involve tactical level operations in an international counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment under United Nations mandate.Exercise 'Mitra Shakti-VI' will go a long way in further strengthening the relationship between both the south-Asian nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation
16-year-old from Kashmir gets Shaurya Chakra for fighting militants who attacked his house
In one of the rare occasions, President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday awarded Shaurya Chakra to 16-year-old Irfan Ramzan Sheikh for fighting militants who attacked his residence in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir. Shaurya Chakra is usually awarded to armed forces and para-military personnel for "gallantry otherwise in the face of the enemy". During the intervening night of October 16-17 of 2017, militants cordoned off the house of Sheikh. His father Mohammad Ramzan was an ex-sarpanch with affiliations to the People's Democratic Party (PDP). When Sheikh, the eldest son of Mohammad Ramzan, opened the door, he found three militants in the verandah of the house armed with rifles and grenades. "Sensing that the militants could harm his family, he exhibited highest degree of courage and faced the militants for sometime so as to avoid their entry inside the house. In meantime, his father came out and the militants pounced on him, resulting in scuffle," the citation for the award ...
Dutch shooting: Utrecht Police investigate motive behind attack
Netherlands authorities are investigating the motive behind the shooting in a tram that took place on Monday here leaving three people dead and five injured.Suspect identified as 37-year-old Turkish-born Gokmen Tanis was arrested on Monday after hours of a manhunt.The authorities informed that there is no direct link between the suspect and the shooting victims, reported Voice of America.Dutch authorities have arrested two other people along with the main suspect; however, their possible role in the attack is not clear yet.Following the arrests, Dutch authorities downgraded the terror threat level in Utrecht province to Level 4, which was raised to 5, during the attack, meaning critical. Police said that they were considering "a possible terrorist motive" for the shooting.Terming the attack as a "deeply disturbing" one, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the shooting was "an attack on our tolerant and open society."Security has been beefed up across the country in the wake of the ...