Page 206 - War Conflict
MP CM, Chouhan welcome air strike on Pak terror launch pads
Politicians including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his predecessor Shivraj Singh Chouhan Tuesday hailed the air strike by Indian armed forces on terror launch pads in Pakistan. India struck Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM) biggest camp in Pakistan early Tuesday in a major "preemptive" action killing a large number of terrorists and trainers of the Pak-based terror group preparing to carry out suicide attacks in this country. "I congratulate the brave soldiers of Indian Air Force for the massive strike on terrorists' camp. My party and I are always with you for every move initiated in the country's interest," Kamal Nath tweeted. In his tweet, Chouhan, said, "The drive to eliminate terrorism has begun. Anybody with ill intention against India will meet the same fate as the Jaish terrorists".
Terror camp at Balakot produced suicide bombers
The terror camp in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, which was targeted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) early on Tuesday, was an advanced training centre where suicide bombers were produced."Balakot was an important training center for the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and other terror organisations," sources said."It had several structures to accommodate terrorist trainees and facilities to train them. It was used for battle inoculation," sources stated.Sources said, before the inception of JeM, the camp was also used by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen."Inspirational lectures were delivered by Masood Azhar (Jaish-e-Mohammed chief) and other terrorist leaders on several occasions," sources said.Situated on Kunhar river, the camp offered the possibility of aquatic training to terrorists also. The camp housed more than 200 terrorists. The trainers were ex-army personnel.Sources said, the terrorists have imparted the advanced Daura e Khaas training in weapons, explosives and field tactics, ..
Parties in Karnataka hail IAF strike
Various political parties in Karnataka Tuesday hailed India's preemptive strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror camps in Pakistan, with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy offering his "salute" to the Indian Air Force. "My Salute to the Indian Airforce. Jai Jawan. Jai Hind. #IndiaStrikesBack #IndianAirForce," Kumaraswamy, a senior Janata Dal (S) leader, said in a tweet. India struck Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) biggest camp in Pakistan early Tuesday in a major "preemptive" action killing a large number of terrorists and trainers of the Pak-based terror group preparing to carry out suicide attacks in this country, a top official said. Giving details of the "intelligence led operation" at a news conference here, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said credible intelligence was received that the JeM was planning to carry out other suicide attacks in India after the Pulwama bombing on a CRPF convoy 12 days ago that killed 40 jawans. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara commended the efforts of the ...
'Message has been sent to them': Defence experts praise IAF's strike
Various defence experts Tuesday hailed the IAF's pre-dawn air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror camp in Pakistan with some saying "the message had been communicated strongly", while a former air chief said India needs to be on guard as Pakistan might react soon. Former defence minister A K Antony, said, "Pakistan should realise that they cannot stand the might of the Indian armed forces." India conducted the preemptive strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders, Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said. The operation drew reactions from various defence experts including retired officers in the armed forces. Former military secretary Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain termed the operation "an appropriate response (delivered) with a sense of proportionality". It was a nonmilitary, preemptive strike and "we have gone deep", so no scope for denial from Pakistan side, he said. "We have only ...
IAF's strong action shows will, resolve of New India: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force's "strong action" against Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) biggest training camp at Balakot shows the "will and resolve" of a New India under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Balakot camp located on bank of Kunhar river in KPK; also used by Hizbul: sources
The Balakot-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp destroyed by the Indian Air Force Tuesday was located on the bank of the Kunhar river in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and was also used by the Hizbul Mujahideen terror group, government sources said. The Balakot camp was an important training centre for the JeM and other terror organisations and it had several structures to accommodate terrorist trainees and facilities to train them. Situated on the Kunhar river, the Balakot camp offered possibility of aquatic training to terrorists and housed hundreds of terrorists, the sources said. The camp, 20 kms from the Balakot town, was used for "battle inoculation" and its trainers were ex-officers of the Pakistan Army. Several "inspirational lectures" were delivered by JeM founder and terror mastermind Masood Azhar and other terrorist leaders on several occasions. Masood Azhar's relatives and cadres were trained at Balakot in advanced weapons and tactics and before the inception of ...
Odisha CM hails IAF for strike on terror camp
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday hailed the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its pre-dawn air strikes on terror camps in Balakot across Line of Control.
Indian film personalities hail IAF air strikes in Pakistan
Lata Mangeshkar, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are some of the Indian film personalities who hailed the Indian armed forces for carrying out air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan on Tuesday. The strike comes amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group in Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. The celebrities took to social media to share their reactions. "I have been watching since morning and I'm very happy that our armed forces are so prepared and strong. I always say that India is there because of our armed forces. We live in this country and are very fortunate," Mangeshkar told a news channel. "Respect @IAF_MCC Indian Air Force... Jai ho !!!," Salman wrote on Twitter. Kumar said he is proud of the Indian Air Force for "destroying terror camps". "Enter their territory and hit them! Quiet no more! #IndiaStrikesBack," he wrote on Twitter. Ajay Devgn praised the IAF
Armed forces took a strong and necessary step: Javadekar
Lauding the armed forces for their 'powerful act of bravery' in carrying out air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan, Union minister Prakash Javadekar Tuesday said such a step was needed for India's security. India conducted a major preemptive strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) training camp early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders, Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said. "We congratulate our military for such a powerful act of bravery..people trust Modiji. The armed forces carried out a very strong and necessary step for the defence of our country...it was an act of 'maha parakram' (great valour)," Javadekar told reporters here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a free hand to the armed forces to take necessary action after the Pulwama terror strike left 40 CRPF personnel dead on February 14, he said. "The entire nation stands behind the armed forces," he said, outlining various steps by the Indian government
India safe under Modi's strong and decisive leadership: Shah
The Indian Air Force' strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan underscores the will and resolve a new India, BJP president Amit Shah said Tuesday, asserting it has shown that the country is safe under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong and decisive leadership. "I congratulate and salute the bravery and valour of our armed forces. Today's action further demonstrates that India is safe and secure under the strong and decisive leadership of PM Nrendra Modi," he said. "Our New India will not spare any acts of terror and their perpetrators and patrons," Shah added. India struck Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) biggest camp in Pakistan early Tuesday in a major "preemptive" action killing a large number of terrorists and trainers of the Pakistan-based terror group preparing to carry out suicide attacks in this country.
Maha Legislature lauds armed forces for air strikes in Pak
The Maharashtra Legislature Tuesday congratulated the Indian armed forces for carrying out air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan. India struck Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM) biggest camp in Pakistan early Tuesday in a major "preemptive" action killing a large number of terrorists and trainers of the Pak-based terror group preparing to carry out suicide attacks in this country. In the Assembly, a resolution was moved by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who lauded the Indian Air Force for its bravery. It was passed unanimously. "We feel proud of our armed forces which did not allow martyrdom of our jawans to go in vain. We proved our might," he said. Alluding to possible retaliation by Pakistan, Fadnavis said, "Mumbai is always on high alert and citizens need not panic". The Legislative Council also unanimously passed a resolution congratulating the armed forces for conducting the air strikes. The motion was moved by House leader Chandrakant Patil (BJP), who said not ...
Pakistan resorts to ceasefire violation in Rajouri, Indian forces retaliate
The Pakistan army violated ceasefire for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday shelling forward posts along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, prompting a befitting response from the Indian forces, officials said. The Pakistani army violated ceasefire even as India conducted a major preemptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest camp early Tuesday to prevent suicide attacks being planned by the Pakistan-based terror group, killing a large number of terrorists and trainers. Officials said the Pakistan army resorted to small arms firing along the LoC in Nowshera sector early Tuesday but there was no report of any casualty, officials said. The Pakistani troops resorted to heavy mortar shelling in the forward areas along LoC in Nowshera late Monday night as well, inviting strong retaliation from the Indian forces, they said. The Pakistan army has resorted to firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts on seven of
Totally new ball game: Omar Abdullah on IAF strike
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Tuesday said the strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on JeM camps is a "totally new ball game" as it was first time that air power was used during peace time to hit terrorist targets in the neighbouring country. "We've entered a whole new paradigm with the Balakote air strike. The post Uri strike was to avenge our losses, Balakote was a 'preemptive strike to prevent an imminent JeM attack'. Totally new ballgame," Abdullah tweeted. The former chief minister was reacting to the statement made by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale in New Delhi that India conducted a major preemptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest camp early Tuesday to prevent suicide attacks being planned by the Pakistan-based terror group, killing a large number of terrorists and trainers. "A number of firsts from Balakote, the two most obvious are the first time air power has been used to strike inside Pakistan during peace times (last time in 1971 was during war) ...
Venezuelans trapped along border after weekend unrest
Some Venezuelans are living in limbo across the border in Colombia, trapped after a failed effort to bring humanitarian aid into their country. That weekend drive turned violent as supporters of the opposition clashed with Venezuelan security forces on the borders with Colombia and Brazil, leaving four people dead. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro later shut down four bridges that cross the frontier into Colombia. So some Venezuelans who came across to volunteer in the aid shipment effort, or who work in Colombia but live in Venezuela, are suddenly trapped on the Colombian side. One of those volunteers is Nicolasa Gil, 71, who says she does not mind having to sleep on the streets of the border town of Cucuta. "What scares me is going over into my country, because we are safer here than there," she told AFP. She recalled how she and other volunteers were trying to cross one of the bridges over the weekend with trucks carrying food and medicine and all hell broke loose at the midway .
India has destroyed biggest JeM camp in PoK, killed many terrorists and trainers: Foreign secretary
India conducted a major preemptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest camp early Tuesday to prevent suicide attacks being planned by the Pakistan-based terror group, killing a large number of terrorists and trainers, Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said. He said credible intelligence was received that the JeM was planning to carry out other suicide attacks in India after the Pulwama bombing on a CRPF convoy 12 days ago that killed 40 jawans. "India conducted non-military pre-emptive strikes on the biggest JeM terror camp," Gokhale said. It was not clear if the strikes were on Balakote in PoK or Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and group of jehadis were eliminated in the operation, the foreign secretary told the media, hours after news broke out that IAF Mirage aircraft were deployed to unleash a wave of bombings on terror camps. In the face of imminent danger, a preventive strike became ...
Maha Assembly lauds armed forces for air strikes in Pakistan
The Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday passed a unanimous resolution congratulating the Indian armed forces for carrying out air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who lauded the Indian Air Force for its bravery. "We feel proud of our armed forces which did not allow martyrdom of our jawans to go in vain. We proved our might," he said. Mumbai is always on high alert and citizens need not panic, he said, adding that political parties all over the country are firmly behind the armed forces. The resolution was supported by Ajit Pawar (NCP), Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan (Congress), Ganpatrao Deshmukh (PWP), Subhash Sabne (Shiv Sena) and Abu Asim Azmi (Samajwadi Party). Ajit Pawar said Indians will not tolerate any attack on its people. "We need to set aside political differences on this issue," he said. Naseem Khan said, "Indira Gandhi (former prime minister) divided Pakistan in two parts and now time has come for another ...
Armed miscreants rob man of Rs 8 lakh in UP
A group of four armed men looted Rs 8 lakh cash from a man in a village here when he was on his way to the bank to deposit the money, police said Tuesday. The incident took place near Talda village under the Jansath police station limits in the district on Monday, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Alok Sharma said. Police are searching for the accused and no arrests have been made so far, he said.
Azhar's listing as global terrorist may figure at RIC Foreign Ministers meet in China
The Pulwama terrorist attack and the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to figure prominently at Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting being held here on Wednesday. Besides attending the annual trilateral meeting, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would also hold bilateral talks with her Chinese and Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting in which the listing of Azhar by the UN's 1267 committee is expected to figure. Swaraj's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assumes significance as it is the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the Pulwama terror attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead. China, a veto-wielding member, has consistently blocked India, the US, the UK and France's efforts to list Azhar as a global terrorist since 2016 but endorsed a scathing statement issued by UN Security Council on February 21 on the Pulwama attack. The UNSC ...
Pakistan, Chinese ministers discuss Pulwama attack over phone
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to exchange views on the recent suicide attack in Kashmir.
US airstrike in Somalia kills 35 al-Shabab extremists
The United States military said that its latest airstrike in Somalia killed 35 fighters with the al-Shabab extremist group not far from the Ethiopian border. The US military command for the African continent said Sunday's airstrike targeted the al-Qaida-linked fighters as they were travelling in a rural area about 23 miles (37 kilometers) east of Beledweyne in central Hiran region. The US has dramatically increased airstrikes against al-Shabab since President Donald Trump took office. The military has carried out 16 such strikes this year, including four on Saturday that eliminated checkpoints used by al-Shabab to collect taxes to fund its violent campaign to establish an Islamic state in the long-chaotic Horn of Africa nation. The US carried out nearly 50 strikes in Somalia in 2018. A small number of strikes have also targeted fighters pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, who have been warring with al-Shabab in recent months. Authorities and experts acknowledge that it will take