Page 179 - War Conflict
India deploys CRPF commando squad to guard embassy in Baghdad
India has deployed an elite contingent of its commando-trained armed paramilitary personnel to guard its embassy and diplomatic staff in Baghdad in Iraq, a war-ravaged country getting back to normal after defeating ISIS terrorists. About 45 multi-skilled troops, drawn from the country's largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), the CRPF, have taken charge of the embassy complex located in the Al Mansour area of the Iraqi capital, sometime ago. The contingent has taken charge in Iraq and the troops celebrated their first Republic Day and hoisted the tricolour in that country on January 26, official sources told PTI. The squad is led by a Deputy Commandant-rank officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and this is the second foreign assignment for the paramilitary as it similarly guards the Indian Embassy in Libya's capital city of Tripoli for the last few years, they said. India has, on February 4, revised its 'no travel' advisory to Iraq and has said that citizens can now ...
Navy deployed strategic assets on operational deployment after Pulwama attack
Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines and scores of other ships were put on operational deployment by the Indian Navy after tension escalated between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack, Navy officials said Sunday. They said the naval assets were part of a mega exercise but they transited from the exercise for operational deployment soon after the Pulwama attack on February 14 in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, Navy sources said. About 60 ships of the Indian Navy, 12 ships of the Indian Coast Guard and nearly 80 aircraft were put on operational deployment mode, they said. "Availability of such a large number of combat ready assets in the theatre of operations for TROPEX exercise allowed the Indian Navy to expeditiously respond to the developing situation in synergy with the three services," Navy Spokesperson Capt. D K Sharma said. "The overwhelming superiority of Indian Navy in all three dimensions forced the Pakistan Navy to remain deployed ...
Traders say 80 businesses hit in 'yellow vest' rampage
Some 80 shops and businesses on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris were vandalised this weekend when "yellow vest" protesters went on the rampage, with about 20 looted or torched, retailers said on Sunday. Saturday's demonstrations were characterised by a sharp increase in violence after weeks of dwindling turnout, with hooded protesters looting and torching shops along the famed avenue. It was the 18th consecutive weekend of demonstrations which began in mid-November as a protest against fuel price hikes but have since morphed into a potent anti-government movement. "There was a wave of violence, we're dealing with the aftermath of the chaos. We're trying to reassure all the employees and then there are those who live here, too," said Jean-Noel Reinhardt, head of the Committee Champs-Elysees, a local association with 180 members, most of them businesses. He said residents and business owners were pushing for talks with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe "to share our exasperation and ...
At least 8 dead as gunmen storm Mali army camp
At least eight people were killed on Sunday in a raid by suspected jihadists on an army camp in central Mali, military and security sources said, warning the toll could rise. Driving cars and motorbikes, the attackers stormed Dioura army camp in the Mopti region at dawn, leaving "many soldiers dead or missing", a military source said. Separately a Malian security source spoke of "a heavy toll of at least eight dead". "There are dead soldiers, others are missing and still others are wounded," he said, but could not confirm reports from local villagers that up to 15 troops had died. A second military source said the troops had tried to fight off the attackers. "Our men responded. I saw at least four bodies on the ground. We don't have an exact toll yet but there is a lot of damage," he said. A foreign security source said efforts were under way to determine how many people had died. Despite the presence of UN peacekeepers, a strong French military contingent and the creation of a ...
Taliban kill 22 Afghan forces in attack on checkpoints
An overnight Taliban assault on checkpoints in northern Afghanistan killed 22 troops, after some 100 Afghan forces fled heavy fighting in the country's west last week and tried to cross into neighbouring Turkmenistan, officials said Sunday. The two battles mark the latest setbacks for the country's battered security forces, who come under daily attack and have suffered staggering casualties in recent years. The attacks have continued even as the Taliban have been holding direct negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the 17-year war. Mohammad Tahir Rahmani, head of provincial council in the northern Faryab province, said the insurgents launched the attack late Saturday against checkpoints manned by police and pro-government militias in Qaisar district, setting off a fierce gunbattle that lasted into Sunday morning. The army sent in reinforcements, who were among those killed. He said another 20 Afghan forces were wounded in the attack. "The Taliban have gained control of ..
France cleans up Champs-Elysees after yellow vest rioting
Paris cleaned up one of the world's most glamorous avenues Saturday after resurgent rioting by yellow vest protesters angry at President Emmanuel Macron stunned the nation. Luxury stores, restaurants and banks on the Champs-Elysees assessed damage Sunday after they were ransacked or blackened by life-threatening fires. Tourists took pictures as shop owners tried to repair broken windows and city workers scrubbed away graffiti, much of it targeting Macron. The renewed violence by a movement that had been fizzling in recent weeks was a wakeup call to a president seen as favouring the elite. Macron promised a crackdown on troublemakers he said "want to destroy the republic, at the risk of killing people." But he also tweeted that the rioting showed that his government needs to do more to address protesters' concerns. Macron cut short a weekend ski trip to meet Saturday night with security officials at the crisis center overseeing the police response. On the Champs-Elysees, an eerie calm .
Another Hyderabadi confirmed dead in Christchurch mosques shooting
Hyderabad-based Ozair Khadir was named among the five Indians killed in Friday's terror attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.Khadir, a resident of Noor Khan Bazar in Hyderabad, had gone to New Zealand to complete his education. The 25-year-old was a student of the Aviation College and an aspiring commercial pilot.Khadir's family was in search of him since the terror attack occurred in Al Noor mosque. He was confirmed dead by the Indian High Commission in New Zealand a day after the attack.On Saturday, Farhaj Ahsan, also a native of Hyderabad, was confirmed to have died in the terror attack.The death toll in Friday's terror attacks at two mosques in Christchurch rose to 50 with victims ranging in age from two years to over 60 years, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said on Sunday. He also informed that 50 people were wounded in the mass shootings.Giving out details of those injured, Bush said that 36 of them are undergoing treatment at Christchurch Hospital and ..
Pak to give national award to citizen killed trying to overpower NZ mosque attacker
A courageous Pakistani national who died in the ghastly Christchurch terror attack on two mosques will be conferred with a national award posthumously for trying to tackle the White supremacist gunman before being shot dead by him. Naeem Rashid, a resident of Jinnahabad in Abbottabad and a professor in New Zealand, was present at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch when the terrorist opened fire on Friday and killed 50 worshippers. Prime Minister Imran Khan extended support to the families and also announced to award a Pakistani who tried to tackle the attacker but was killed. "We stand ready to extend all our support to the families of Pakistani victims of the terrorist attack in Christchurch. Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was killed trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognised with a national award," Khan tweeted on Sunday. Rashid's 22-year-old son, Talha Naeem, a civil engineering graduate, was among those who lost their lives in
'Suspicious package' shutters New Zealand's Dunedin airport: police
New Zealand police closed Dunedin airport late Sunday after a suspicious device was reported on the airfield. "Dunedin Airport is currently closed" a statement said. "Police are at the scene and specialist teams have been deployed to determine the nature of the package." New Zealand is currently on a state of high alert after a gunman who is believed to have lived in Dunedin, killed 50 people in two mosques filled with worshippers.
Afghan troops go missing after fleeing battle with Taliban
Around 100 Afghan soldiers fled their posts and tried to cross into neighbouring Turkmenistan during a weeklong battle with the Taliban, officials said Sunday. Mohammad Naser Nazari, a provincial council member in the western Badghis province, said the soldiers were not allowed to cross the border and their fate remains unknown. The Taliban have posted pictures of captured soldiers on social media. Jamshid Shahabi, the provincial governor's spokesman, said 16 soldiers have been killed and 20 wounded during the ongoing battle in the Bala Murghab district, in which the military carried out airstrikes and dispatched reinforcements. He said a number of soldiers tried to flee, without providing an exact figure. Shahabi said more than 40 insurgents were killed in the fighting. He said the provincial police chief and army commander are in the district and instructing the forces to root out insurgents and rescue soldiers. Officials said the fighting had largely subsided by Sunday, with ...
7, including police chief, killed in Afghan attacks
At least seven people, including a senior police officer, have been killed and three others injured in two separate bomb attacks in Afghanistan, authorities said on Sunday.
Nine Pakistanis killed in New Zealand terror attacks: Pak FO
Nine Pakistani nationals have been killed in the terror attack on two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand, authorities here said on Sunday. At least 50 worshippers were killed on Friday in attacks on the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood Mosque in the city's outer suburb, in what appeared to be the worst attack on Muslims in a western country. Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said that the number of dead rose to nine after three more persons were confirmed dead by the New Zealand authorities. "A total of 9 Pakistanis were killed in New Zealand terror attack,' he said. Faisal said on Saturday that six Pakistanis were confirmed as dead while three were still missing. Prime Minister Imran Khan extended support to the families and also announced to award a Pakistani who tried to tackle the attacker but was killed. "Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was killed trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognised with a .
Christchurch was a 'lone wolf' attack: Police
The man charged for Friday's twin mosque attacks in this New Zealand city is believed to have acted alone, police said on Sunday.
New Zealand mosques 'free to open' as heavy vigil continues
Mosques across New Zealand are "free and welcome to open their doors" but police will maintain an armed presence after 50 people were killed and over an equal number of people were injured in the gruesome Christchurch terror attack."Mosques are welcome to open their doors if they choose to do so. Police will continue to maintain a presence at all Mosques across New Zealand," New Zealand Police tweeted on Sunday.Mosques across the country were advised to shut down following the March 14 terror attack, which shook the global community.Meanwhile, security was beefed up outside mosques in United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and other countries following the ghastly shootings, carried out by a 28-year-old white man Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who has been charged with murder ever since.Police believe that Tarrant single-handedly carried out the terror attack at both the mosques under a span of 36 minutes during the ongoing Friday prayers for which a large number of faithful had .
5 Indians confirmed dead in Christchurch terror attacks
At least five Indians, including three from Gujarat have died in Friday's terror attacks at two mosques in Christchurch, the Indian High Commission in New Zealand said on Sunday.The High Commission further informed that two Indian nationals and two persons of Indian origin injured in the attack were receiving medical treatment.The Indian mission put out on its official Twitter handle the names of the five Indian nationals -- Maheboob Khokhar, Ramiz Vora, Aarif Vora, Ansi Alibava and Ozair Kadir."With a very heavy heart we share the news of loss of precious lives of our 5 nationals in ghastly terror attack in #Christchurch -- Mr. Maheboob Khokhar, Mr. Ramiz Vora, Mr. Asif Vora, Ms Ansi Alibava, Mr. Ozair Kadir, @kohli_sanjiv @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj," the High Commission said tagging External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Sanjiv Kohli and MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar."We have been pursuing with NZ auth (sic) whereabouts of 9 Indians, incl 2 ...
Hero charged attacker during New Zealand mosque massacre: witness
A survivor of the Christchurch massacre has described how a heroic worshipper at one of the targeted mosques seized an empty rifle discarded by alleged gunman Brenton Tarrant and then used it to chase their attacker away. Alabi Lateef said he was praying with others inside Linwood Masjid, the second mosque attacked on Friday by self-confessed white supremacist Tarrant, when he heard the sound of gunfire. "Straight away I stopped my prayer, I peek through the window and I found a person with, you know, machine gun and heavy dress," he told news website Stuff. "By the time I peeked on the floor I see two, three dead bodies. Then realised oh, this must be something else. This is a terrorist attack." Alabi said he told worshippers to duck down and then described how he and a "brother" decided to confront the attacker during a lull in the gunfire. "By the time he got there (outside the mosque) the bullets were finished and the gun was used," Lateef recounted. The pair noticed Tarrant had ..
Death toll rises to 50 in Christchurch mosque attacks, says New Zealand Police
The death toll in Friday's terror attacks at two mosques in Christchurch rose to 50 with victims ranging in age from two years to over 60 years, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said on Sunday.He informed that 50 people were wounded in the twin attacks.Giving out details of those injured, Bush said that 36 of them are undergoing treatment at Christchurch Hospital and three persons, including a child, remain critical at Auckland's Starship Hospital, New Zealand Herald reported.The country's police chief also confirmed that Brenton Harrison Tarrant, the 28-year-old Australian-born suspect was the sole attacker who carried out the Friday's attacks at Linwood Mosque and Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch.Two other persons, a man and woman, who were arrested after the attacks were not linked to the attacker. While the woman was let off without any charges, the man was charged with firearm offences.Lauding the police officers for stopping a rampaging Tarrant, Bush said the suspect was .
New Zealand mosque massacre death toll rises to 50: police
The death toll from Friday's mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques has risen to 50, with another 50 injured in the attack, police said on Sunday. The additional death was discovered as bodies were being removed from the two buildings in the southern city of Christchurch, Police Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters. He said another 36 people remain in hospital after the attack, in which right-wing extremist Brenton Tarrant mowed down worshippers during Friday prayers. Bush also said that two suspects arrested at a police cordon during the attacks when a firearm was found in their car were not directly involved in Tarrant's assault. One of the two, a woman, has been released, and a man remains in custody on firearms charges, he said. A third man was also arrested and will appear in court on Monday on charges that are "tangential" to the attacks, though he was not believed to be involved in the shootings, he said. "At this moment, only one person has been charged in relation to these
Paris luxury stores looted, burned in 'yellow vest' riots
Rioters looted and torched shops and businesses on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on the 18th weekend of French "yellow vest" protests, characterised by a sharp increase in violence after weeks of dwindling turnout. President Emmanuel Macron cut short a ski weekend in the Pyrenees mountains as hooded protesters went on the rampage in Paris on Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction in the touristic heart of the city. The police appeared overrun as protesters swarmed the Champs-Elysees, vandalising and later setting fire to Fouquet's brasserie, a favourite hangout of the rich and famous for the past century as well as luxury handbag store Longchamp, a bank, another restaurant and several news stands. The rioters also looted several clothing stores and set fire to barricades in scenes reminiscent of the worst yellow-vest riots in Paris in December. Saturday's turnout was seen a test of the ongoing strength of the movement, which began in November over fuel tax hikes and ...
Thousands march in Madrid supporting separatists on trial
Tens of thousands are marching in Madrid to support Catalan politicians and activists standing trial for their attempt to secede from Spain. The nine defendants face decades in prison on rebellion and other charges for staging a banned referendum in October 2017 and declaring Catalan independence, although they took no action to implement that. Many supporters believe the defendants are "political prisoners." Large pro-independence protests have been staged in Spain's northeastern region and in some European cities, but Saturday's is the first major separatist march in the Spanish capital. Organisers expect 50,000 protesters, most of them travelling from Catalonia in some 500 buses. A banner reading "self-determination is not a crime" opened the march. Authorities in Madrid have deployed more than 500 police officers including riot police.