Page 208 - War Conflict
Gunmen in Somalia kill eight in roadside massacre
Gunmen in Somalia opened fire on Monday on a team of roadside workers, killing eight and wounding several others, witnesses said. The workers, who included both men and women, were clearing scrubland alongside a road in the Hawa-Abdi area, some 18 kilometres (11 miles) north outside the capital Mogadishu. "Several gunmen attacked innocent civilians, who were clearing bushes along the road," said Mohamed Adan, a local security official, saying eight people had been killed. Witnesses confirmed the incident, adding that several others were wounded by the gunfire. "It was a horrible attack," said Fadumo Kulow, who passed by the site of the killing soon after. "Eight people were killed, and six others were wounded." Ahmed Moalim, another witness, said the wounded were rushed to hospital in Mogadishu. No group has claimed responsibility for the killings, nor was it immediately clear why the workers were attacked. Somalia's Al-Shabaab insurgents have carried out a string of attacks against ..
'The work begins': US, Taliban arrive in Doha for fresh talks
US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Doha Monday to kick off fresh high-level talks with the Taliban aimed at ending the 17-year Afghan conflict, saying it could be a "significant moment". "Arrived in #Doha to meet with a more authoritative Taliban delegation. This could be a significant moment. Appreciate #Qatar for hosting & #Pakistan in facilitating travel. Now the work begins in earnest," tweeted the envoy. The latest round of negotiations follows six days of talks in Doha last month that sparked hopes of a breakthrough. Then, the two sides walked away with a "draft framework" that included a Taliban vow to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for international terror groups. There had been no accord on a US withdrawal or a ceasefire, however, issues which have derailed attempts at peace talks in the past, while the government in Kabul voiced fears it was being sidelined from the talks. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar -- a Taliban deputy leader and a cofounder of the ..
3 Colombian consular employees leave Venezuela by foot
Three consular employees of the Colombian diplomatic mission along with their families left Venezuela on Sunday, crossing the border by foot, a Sputnik correspondent has reported.The diplomats, accompanied by Venezuelan police, crossed the border in the settlement of San Antonio.On Saturday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro severed diplomatic relations with Colombia, accusing the latter of using its territory for "attacks against Venezuela," and ordered Colombian diplomats out in 24 hours.The decision came amid attempts of the Venezuelan opposition led by self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido to force US-sponsored humanitarian aid into the country, including through Colombia hosting an aid collection centre.Before the rupture of diplomatic relations, Colombia had a functioning embassy in Caracas and 15 consulates in main Venezuelan cities.Freddy Bernal, appointed by the central authorities as the so-called protector of the Tachira state, said that Colombia "forced" ...
We will finish militancy soon: J&K police chief
The Jammu and Kashmir police chief said here on Monday the police and the security forces will soon finish militancy in the state.
Section 144 imposed in J&K's Poonch
Authorities have imposed restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district as a precautionary measure. District Magistrate Rahul Yadav has imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) from Monday. "In view of the prevailing law-and-order situation in the district, some people may resort to agitation and there is apprehension that such people or groups can cause obstructions and injure persons and endanger human life and property, disturb tranquillity and cause riots", the order said. People have been prohibited from initiating violent protests, making speeches, raising slogans, carrying sticks and lethal weapons, gathering and assembly of five or more people in the district, it said. Yadav said bars and wine shops would remain closed.
Arunachal trouble: Army patrols Itanagar; CM says PRC a
Army patrolled the streets of Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar Monday as people spilled out into the streets defying curfew despite Chief Minister Pema Khandu's assurance that grant of permanant residence to six non-native communities in the state was a "closed issue", officials said. Curfew that was clamped in Itanagar and adjoining Naharlagun town on Saturday was in force but it did not deter protesters from venturing into the troubled streets that were scene of pitched battles with security forces over the last three days that left three people dead, including two in police firing on Sunday. Internet services were also off since Saturday. No major incident of violence has been reported from anywhere since morning as Arunachal Scouts, an infantry regiment of the Army trained in mountain warfare, marched through the streets of the two towns to instill confidence among people and ward off possible violence, officials said. "Never again will we take up the issue of PRC.
No signs of decline in Pak-sponsored terrorism in J&K: DGP
Asserting that there was "no signs of decline" in Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbagh Singh Monday said the security forces were determined to restore peace in the state. The statement comes days after 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel died in an attack orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in south Kashmir. "Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is going on for the last many years and showing no signs of decline but we are determined to eliminate terrorism from the state and restore peace in the region," Singh told reporters after the wreath laying ceremony of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Aman Kumar Thakur here. Thakur and a soldier were killed in a fierce gunfight with JeM terrorists in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Sunday. Three JeM terrorists including two Pakistani nationals were also killed in the encounter. J-K Governor Satya Pal Malik, Union minister Jitendra Singh, advisors to the ...
American families of missing Uighurs speak up at DC event
Nearly two years after the Chinese government began to detain members of Muslim minority groups in western China, a growing number of family members abroad are refusing to remain silent. About three dozen relatives of some of the estimated 1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs and others being held without charge spoke out Sunday about the mass detentions at an event in Washington, DC, hoping to raise awareness of what many are calling a human rights travesty but which Beijing defends as necessary to counter violent religious extremism. The western region of Xinjiang has been subject to a severe security crackdown in recent years that has made surveillance cameras and police checkpoints ubiquitous. The internment camps are a relatively recent phenomenon, but have expanded rapidly as a primary means of intimidation.
Maha Assembly pays homage to CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama
The Maharashtra Assembly on Monday condoled the killing of 40 CRPF personnel in the Pulwama terror attack and paid homage to former Legislative Council chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh who died recently. On the first day of the state legislature's budget session, Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade read out the condolence motion to express grief over the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao in his address to the joint sitting of the legislature said the state government strongly condemns cross-border terrorism and pays homage to the martyred soldiers and paramilitary personnel who laid down their lives at Pulwama and across the country. "My government is committed to assist the Government of India in combating terrorism," Rao said. The House also paid homage to former Legislative Council chairman and ex-minister Shivajirao Deshmukh, who died on January 14. The condolence motion was introduced in the House by ...
Taliban co-founder in Qatar for talks with US
Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has arrived in Qatar to attend the next round of talks with the US slated to begin here on Monday, officials said, adding that these could be the highest-level negotiations on ending the Afghan war.
Two Pak nationals among three militants killed in Kulgam encounter: JK Police
Two Pakistani nationals, who were top commanders of the Jaish-e-Mohammad and wanted for a "series of terror crimes", were among the three militants killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said Monday. The militants have been identified as Raqib Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Shiganpora in Kulgam, and Pakistani nationals Waleed and Numan, a police spokesman said. On Sunday, a deputy superintendent of police, an army jawan and the three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants were killed during the encounter in the district's Turigam area. "The three terrorists killed have been identified as Raqib Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Shiganpora in Kulgam, and incriminating material was recovered from the site of the encounter, the other two terrorists have been identified as Waleed and Numan, foreigners from Pakistan, the spokesman said. He said, according to police records, the three slain militants were affiliated to proscribed terror outfit JeM. "The two killed Pakistani ..
EU asks Pakistan to take 'clear and sustained' actions against terrorists
The EU has asked Pakistan to take "clear and sustained" actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for attacks in the wake of the Pulwama terror strike. The statement came amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed arch-rivals after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the EU Commission, urged Pakistan and India to urgently "de-escalate" the tension which has built up after the attack. She spoke to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday and discussed the current situation, a delegation of the European Union (EU) said in a statement here. The EU is also in contact with India, it said. Mogherini also highlighted the need to "continue addressing terrorism including clear and ...
SC refuses to hear plea seeking judicial inquiry into Uri, Pulwama attacks
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition seeking a judicial inquiry into alleged administrative lapses in the Uri and Pulwama terror attacks.The petition, filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda, also sought stern legal actions against those who attacked the armed forces in any form in Jammu and Kashmir.A bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said, "We are not inclined to entertain this plea."In his plea filed on February 18, Dhanda sought direction from the central government to constitute a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge along with Army, intelligence and local administration to conduct an inquiry in the two terror attacks.The petition also sought details of action taken against separatist leaders so far. While suggesting freezing of bank accounts of the separatists, the plea urged the top court to put a ban on the separatists from contesting elections.On February 14, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a suicide bomber rammed into a
MHA directs Assam Rifles to shift battalion hqs from Aizawl to
The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the Assam Rifles to shift the battalion headquarters of the force from the state capital Aizawl to Zokhawsang area by May 31, an official said here Monday. An official order issued by the MHA also directed the Assam Rifles authorities to submit action taken report to the ministry on the shifting of the battalion headquarters, the official said. Assam Rifles battalion headquarters is at present located in Treasury and Zodin square in Aizawl city. Zokhawsang area is about 15 km from Aizawl. In the wake of the killing of 12 civilians by the Assam Rifles personnel in 1988, the Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by then chief minister Laldenga had demanded shifting of the Assam Rifles battalion headquarters from the heart of Aizawl city. Basic infrastructure for the Assam Rifles battalion headquarters have been constructed at Zokhawsang area and the central paramilitary force has been directed to shift from the heart of the .
US, N. Korea may agree to end Korean War at Vietnam summit: Seoul
The US and North Korea might agree on how to declare an end to the Korean War at the upcoming meeting of their leaders this week in Vietnam, an official from Seoul's presidential office said on Monday.
50 tonnes of aid enters Venezuela despite blockade: Opposition
The Venezuelan opposition has said that 50 tonnes of humanitarian aid entered the country despite a blockade ordered by the government of Nicolas Maduro, who closed the national borders to prevent the entry of requested donations.
Jharkhand: 3 Naxals, including wanted sub-zonal commander, gunned down
Three Naxals, including banned Peoples Liberation Front of India's (PLFI) sub-zonal commander Gujju Gope, were killed during an encounter with security forces in Jharkhand's Khunti district.The operation took place on Sunday after police got information about the presence of Naxals in the area. The police reached the spot with its team and killed the Naxals in an encounter.Gujju had Rs 10 lakh bounty on his head and was wanted by security forces since long as around 32 cases including murder were registered against him at different police stations in the area. Gujju was also involved in an encounter with the Bano police in Simdega district on April 8, 2017, where police station in-charge Vidyapati Singh and a security personnel Toram Biruli lost their lives.The police also recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.After the operation, Khunti Superintendent of Police (SP) Alok Kumar voiced hope that soon, the district would be made Naxal-free."We hope that soon other Naxals .
Trump thanks 'helpful' Xi for support over Vietnam summit
US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) thanked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for being "helpful in his support" of the impending summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, slated to be held in Vietnam on February 27 and 28.He noted that the "last thing China wants is large scale nuclear weapons right next door," in a tweet posted on February 24 (local time)."President Xi of China has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong Un. The last thing China wants is large scale nuclear weapons right next door. Sanctions placed on the border by China and Russia have been very helpful. Great relationship with Chairman Kim!" Trump stated."Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World," he said while noting that he would be leaving for the scheduled summit in Hanoi on February 25.Trump added, " Because of its location and people (and ...
Burkina forces kill nearly 30 'terrorists' in operation: Military
Burkina Faso's armed forces killed around 30 suspected militants last week in an land and air operation against jihadist groups operating in the east of the country, the military said on Sunday. Burkina Faso, part of a joint French-led military campaign against jihadists in the Sahel, is on the frontline of the Islamist militant insurgency that has gripped parts of west and central Africa. During last week's operations, special forces, army and air force units hit militants in Kombienbiga, Kabonga and other eastern regions between Tuesday and Wednesday, an army statement said. "This operation has taken out 29 terrorists and recovered an important quantity of weapons and ammunition as well as destroying a large stock of food supplies," it said. A security source said most of the militants were killed in air strikes on their hideouts and rest in clean-up sweeps by ground forces. Militant raids began in the north of Burkina Faso in 2015 before spreading to the east, leaving more than 300
Sudan protesters rally against state of emergency as new PM sworn in
Hundreds of protesters rallied Sunday against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's decision to impose a nationwide state of emergency, as the longtime leader swore in a new prime minister. Bashir declared a year-long emergency on Friday after a deadly crackdown failed to suppress weeks of protests that have rocked his three-decade rule. The president, who swept to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, also dissolved the cabinet and provincial governments, and pledged to bring in technocrats to help end the economic crisis -- the key factor behind the protests. But on Sunday demonstrators rallied against his latest measures and confronted riot police in the capital Khartoum, its twin city of Omdurman, and in the town of Madani, witnesses said. "We want to give the president a message that the state of emergency will not deter us," said Sawsan Bashir who participated in the Omdurman rally. "Our aim is to overthrow this regime and we will do it." Analysts say the state of emergency ...