Page 19 - War Conflict
10 Kenyan police officers killed in blast near Somalia
Kenyan officials say at least 10 police officers are dead after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near the Somali border in a suspected extremist attack. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to share the information, said those killed Saturday in Wajir County were among 13 officers who were pursuing extremists who had kidnapped police reservists. Police on Friday said an unknown number of gunmen stormed Konton center in Wajir East and kidnapped three reservists. There was no claim of responsibility for the latest attack. The Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group often targets Kenyan security forces, vowing retribution after Kenya deployed troops to Somalia in 2011 to combat the extremists.
Sri Lanka releases 18 Indian fishermen
Sri Lanka has released 18 Indian fishermen arrested for illegally fishing in the Sri Lankan waters, an official said on Saturday. The fishermen, who were held off the coast of Point Pedro two months ago by the Sri Lankan Navy, were freed by a court here on Friday. "They are now to be handed over to the immigration officials for repatriation to India," the official said. Illegal fishing by Indians in the Sri Lankan waters have been a recurring problem and has figured at high level talks between the two neighbours. However, the Navy says there has been a marked decrease in the number of cases compared to a few years ago.
Four youth held trying to cross LoC handed back to families
Four youth, arrested from the Uri sector of the Line of Control (LOC) while trying to cross over into Pakistan-administered Kashmir, were handed back to their families on Saturday after counselling, an official said.
World War II bomb deactivated in Berlin
Bomb disposal squads on Saturday deactivated a 100-kg explosive dating back to the World War II that had been found in Berlins Alexanderplatz square.
160 Sri Lankan military personnel, kin to visit Bodh Gaya
In a bid to further strengthen their friendship, India is hosting 160 Sri Lankan military personnel and their families as part of the second edition of a special pilgrimage trip to Bodh Gaya starting on Saturday."Second annual military personnel and families pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya starts today with an IAF aircraft deployed to Sri Lanka. India will host 160 Sri Lankan military personnel & families, a reciprocal visit by 156 Indian Armed Forces Personnel with families will visit Kandy and Galle in Sri Lanka," the spokesperson for Ministry of Defence tweeted.This is the second time that the Sri Lankan military personnel have come to India with their families for religious tourism.This year, the Indian forces will also send 156 of their personnel and families to Sri Lankan cities Kandy and Galle.The initiative is aimed at fostering cultural exchanges between the militaries of the two neighbouring countries.India and Sri Lanka have developed close military ties in the last many ...
Three IS supporters arrested under UAPA
Three suspected ISIS supporters were arrested here Saturday under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, police said. Mohammed Hussain, Shahjahan and Sheik Shafiullah were detained after searches at their houses here on June 13, they said, adding some digital devices and incriminating documents were seized during the raids. The arrests come days after the NIA carried out raids at seven locations in the city and arrested Mohammed Azarudeen, the alleged mastermind of ISIS Tamil Nadu module who was a Facebook friend of Zahran Hashim, the mastermind of Sri Lanka Easter Sunday suicide bombings. The searches were conducted based on information that the three were staunch supporters of ISIS, had been propagating the terrorist outfit's ideology on social media, supported the mastermind of the Easter Sunday blasts and allegedly conspired to stage terror attacks here. They were booked under sections 18, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. All the three accused were ...
WWII American bomb defused in central Berlin
A 100-kilogramme (220-pound) US World War II bomb was defused overnight near Berlin's central hub of Alexanderplatz, police said Saturday. Police evacuated some 3,000 people from the area on Friday and cordoned it off after the bomb was discovered near a large shopping complex. The evacuation zone covered parts of the shopping centre, and several trains were also suspended during the operation. The US bomb was found at a depth of about three metres (10 feet) and had an intact detonator, police said. "The detonator was successfully destroyed. We are lifting the restrictions in stages. You can return to your apartments soon," the Berlin police said on Twitter. Nearly 75 years after the end of the Second World War, Germany is still littered with bombs and other unexploded ordnance. Experts have said that some 3,000 devices still remain in the German capital's subsoil. Alexanderplatz is one of Berlin's busiest areas, with dozens of shops and residences located near the square that is home
Elderly Buddhist couple shot dead in Thailand's restive south
A Buddhist couple were gunned down in a drive-by shooting on Saturday morning by suspected militants, police said, the latest bout of violence in Thailand's Muslim-majority restive south. Thailand's three southernmost provinces have since 2004 been plagued by conflict between ethnic Malay Muslim rebels agitating for greater autonomy and the Buddhist-majority Thai state, which annexed the region about a century ago. Around 7,000 people have been killed in the violence, mostly civilians from both the Muslim and Buddhist communities. The latest incident came in Narathiwat province's Ra-ngae district, the site of previous skirmishes and bombings as rebels and security forces wrestle for control of the area. Paisal Jungsakul, 65, and his wife Sumol, 58 -- who ran a small restaurant -- were returning home from the market by motorcycle when they were shot dead on a remote road, said a police commander. "Police suspect the killing was the work of a group of militants who operate in that ...
Two officers, three jawans shot dead by Naxals in Jharkhand: DIG K Dwivedi
Two officers and three jawans were shot dead by Naxals in Jharkhand's Saraikela district, K Dwivedi, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), said on Friday.The incident allegedly took place when the policemen were patrolling a local market in Saraikela district yesterday.Speaking to ANI, DIG Dwivedi said: "We have inspected the spot. Prima facie it appears that Naxals ambushed and attacked them. Jawans had retaliated and Naxals were reportedly injured. A search operation is on."Three INSAS rifles and two pistols were also looted from the security forces during the attack."Efforts will be made so that such incidents do not occur again," the DIG said.Condemning the loss of lives, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das sought a detailed report from DGP Jharkhand on the incident, yesterday.Director General of Police (DGP) and CRPF Inspector General (IG) will visit the spot today.He further said that the state government will give a befitting reply to Naxals, adding that the "martyrdom of
Terror alert in Ayodhya following intelligence inputs
Amid VIP movements, Ayodhya has been put on high alert soon after intelligence inputs indicated a possible terror attack in the city."We have put more force into action. The force has been alerted. Also, intelligence officials in the civil dress have come here. They are checking all hotels, restaurants and railway stations. The police force is vigilant and keeping a track of all the movements," Anil Kumar Sisodia, Superintendent of Police City, told ANI.This comes ahead of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's visit to Ayodhya on Sunday along with his party MPs.According to reports, the security has also been heightened keeping in mind the hearing on 2005 Ram Janmabhoomi attack on June 18.
CRPF jawan injured in Saraikella Naxal blast dies, officers pay tribute
Constable Sunil Kalita of 209 CoBRA battalion of CRPF, who sustained injuries in an IED blast on May 28 during anti-naxal operations in Jharkhand's Saraikela succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.Kalita, who was first admitted to a hospital in Ranchi, was airlifted to Delhi and admitted to Trauma Centre AIIMS on June 4, where he breathed his last.Security personnel and officers paid floral tribute to the CRPF security personnel at Guwahati airport.Eleven police personnel were injured in an IED blast triggered on May 28 in Kuchai area of Saraikella.The incident occurred when the troops of 209 CoBRA battalion of CRPF, and Jharkhand police were out on special joint operations. Among the injured, 8 personnel were of CoBRA while 3 of Jharkhand Police.All the injured were airlifted to Ranchi and admitted to a hospital for treatment.
Kerala-TN IS module case: NIA arrests another sympathizer
The NIA on Friday arrested an Islamic State sympathizer from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu in its ongoing probe against Kerala-Tamil Nadu module, the agency said.
NIA arrest one in ISIS Kerala,Tamil Nadu Module case.
NIA has arrested a 38-year-old man here on Friday in connection with ISIS Kerala-Tamil Nadu module case. The accused Shiekh Hidayathullah is involved in pro-ISIS activities.According to NIA, scrutiny of the documents from his house has revealed that he has also remained associated with proscribed terrorist organization Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).NIA on May 30 registered case against six accused persons for propagating the ideology of ISIS/ Daish on social media with the intention of recruiting vulnerable youth into its cadre for carrying out terrorist attacks in South India especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.It was also learnt that some of the accused persons and their associates were in touch with Zahran Hashim and his associates, over social media, with the intention of furthering the objectives of ISIS in India.On June 12, NIA had conducted searches in this case at seven locations in Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu and incriminating material including books and documents
SCO members for concerted effort against cross-border terror
The SCO on Friday called for closer coordination among the international community over terrorism's cross-border threat and sought comprehensive measures to intensify efforts against terrorism and its ideology and to eliminate the factors that promote it.
Five policemen killed in Maoist ambush in Jharkhand
Five police personnel were killed in an ambush by Maoists Friday while they were patrolling the area here, officials said. According to Sub-Divisional Police Officer Avinash Kumar, the five police personnel -- two assistant sub-inspectors and three constables -- came under attack while patrolling the Tiruldih police station area of the district along the Jharkhand-Bengal border. Additional Director General of Police Murari Lal Meena said the Maoists gheraoed the policemen and shot them dead. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das condemned the attack, saying "their martyrdom will not go in vain". The entire state is with the bereaved families, he said. Das said the incident would not affect the morale of the security personnel and the government would continue to take action against the Maoists.
Rajnath meets top Army Commanders, lauds 'exceptional professionalism' of force
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met the top Army Commanders along with Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and Vice Chief Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu here on Friday.All the General Officer Commanding in Chiefs (GOC-in-C) of the seven Army Commands were present during the meeting.This is in line with a series of meetings he has presided over after taking over as the Defence Minister.Singh complimented the Indian Army for ensuring the highest level of professionalism, continuous readiness against external and internal challenges and their role in nation building, a defence ministry release said."It is a matter of great pride that Indian Army is ready for the full spectrum of challenges and it will be ensured that their capabilities keep getting continuously enhanced," Singh was quoted as saying.Emphasising on the jointmanship of the Indian Armed Forces, the minister said that it will be a key area and due endeavours towards the same will be ensured."Ministry of Defence will remain fully ...
Five policemen killed in Maoist attack in Jharkhand
Five policemen were killed in a Maoist attack at Jharkhand's Saraikela district on Friday, police said.
India and Kyrgyzstan ink 15 agreements
With an aim to strengthen bilateral ties, India and Kyrgyzstan on Friday signed 15 agreements in a number of key areas, including defence, trade and investment and health.The signing of the agreements and exchange of documents took place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.The agreements are mentioned as follows:1. Joint declaration between India and the Kyrgyz Republic on strategic partnership.2. Road map on trade and economic cooperation between the Republic of India and the Kyrgyz Republic for the five-year period (2019-2024).3. Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and the Kyrgyz Republic.4. Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between National Security Council Secretariat of India and Office of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic.5. Protocol to amend Article 26 of India-Kyrgyzstan Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).6. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of health.7. MoU ..
Assam CM discusses state's issues with Shah, Rajnath
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed various issues of his state with them.
Def Minister reviews working of DRDO, asks it to focus on flagship programmes
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Friday visited the headquarters of Defence Research and Development Organisation here and reviewed its work in fulfilling requirement of the armed forces. Officials said Singh appreciated the commitment and dedication of DRDO scientists and directed them to focus on flagship programmes of national importance. The defence minister also released a publication titled 'Roadmap of DRDO', which encapsulated its target for the next ten years. Singh was given a detailed presentation by DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy and other senior scientists on various projects being implemented by the organisation, officials said. "The presentation covered recent achievements, details of major ongoing projects and the roadmap of DRDO," the defence ministry said. It said Singh was apprised about the DRDO-developed cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technologies and systems accepted by the armed forces and those under development. "The defence minister appreciated the commitment