Page 212 - War Conflict
Nepal: One dead, two injured in IED blast
One person died and two others were injured in an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) blast that took place in Lalitpur district of Nepal.The deceased Singha Prasad Gurung was one among the three who were seriously injured in the blast died Saturday morning while he was undergoing treatment at a hospital.The IED blast occurred outside the gate of Ncell Pvt. Ltd, a private Telecommunication Company in the Himalayan Nation at Nakkhu in Lalitpur District.On Friday evening, anti-bomb squads had also disposed a bomb at Kamalpokhari in Kathmandu.The group behind Friday evening attack is yet to be identified but arson attacks in various parts of the nation have been reported since Saturday morning.The Ncell telecommunication company tower in Rupandehi District and Kanchanpur district also were reported to have come under arson attack on Saturday.Cables and other equipments at the tower have been destroyed by the fire. The Police have informed that the investigation into the incidents is ...
BSF deployed in Srinagar after 14 yrs: Officials
The BSF on Saturday was brought back to Srinagar after 14 years as the Centre moved 100 additional companies of paramilitary troops to Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, officials said. Home ministry sources in Delhi said that 100 companies of paramilitary forces, including 35 from the BSF, are being deployed as part of a routine pre-election exercise ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Officials here said the BSF has been brought back to the valley after 14 years. They said the force was temporarily deployed in the valley for a week during the unrest of 2016, but was withdrawn immediately. The deployment comes amid simmering Indo-Pak tensions in the wake of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed that killed 40 CRPF personnel, the officials said. The government has also launched a massive crackdown on separatists and detained over 150 people, mainly from the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, including its chief Abdul Hamid ...
Venezuela set for aid showdown as Guaido claims military help
Venezuelan security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets Saturday to disperse a crowd demanding to cross the Venezuela-Colombia border, ordered closed by President Nicolas Maduro as tensions in the Latin American country soared ahead of an opposition deadline to bring in humanitarian aid. "We want to work!" people chanted as they faced Venezuelan National Guard riot police blocking the crossing at the Urena border bridge to Colombia, one of several ordered closed Maduro late Friday. Meanwhile, four National Guard troops deserted their posts near the border, one greeted by a crowd of cheering Venezuelans on the Colombian side as he walked across. Three others smashed through a security barrier on the Simon Bolivar bridge crossing in their jeep. Supporters of opposition leader Juan Guaido in Colombia are planning to cross the border carrying emergency supplies into Venezuela. Guaido has vowed humanitarian aid would enter his country despite a blockade. Socialist leader Maduro has ...
Sri Lanka in manhunt for ex-admiral linked to extortion killings
Sri Lankan police on Saturday hunted a former navy chief linked to the kidnap and murder of 11 people in an extortion case that has attracted international condemnation. Wasantha Karannagoda, 66, was added to a list of 14 men accused of abducting children from wealthy families in 2008-2009 and later killing them. Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake on Friday impounded the retired admiral's passport as police feared he would attempt to flee the country. The four allegations against Karannagoda include conspiracy to murder, which carries the death penalty. "We have launched a search for him," a police official told AFP. "We have alerted all ports of exit." One of Karannagoda's successors, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the current head of Sri Lanka's military, has been on bail since December after being accused of helping one of the suspects to avoid arrest. Police told the court that the 11 victims were killed while in the illegal custody of the navy, although their bodies have .
DIG South Kashmir Amit Kumar airlifted to AIIMS for treatment
DIG (South Kashmir) Amit Kumar, who was injured in the abdomen during an encounter in Pulwama district, was Saturday airlifted to AIIMS for treatment, officials said. Kumar received a gunshot wound in the abdomen on February 18 in the encounter in Pulwama's Pinglan area, about 12-km from where a suicide bomber belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed drove his explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus on February 14, killing 40 personnel. "He was airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for further treatment," officials said. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju visited him at the hospital, they said. The Pinglan encounter had claimed the lives of four Army personnel, a civilian and two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, including the mastermind of February 14 terror attack. The slain soldiers were Major V S Dhondial, Havaldar Sheo Ram and Sepoys Hari Singh and Ajay Kumar. The slain terrorists were identified as Kamran, a Pakistani national and top commander of the ..
Boko Haram targets Nigeria troops in dawn raid on polling day
One soldier was killed and 20 others wounded Saturday in a Boko Haram rocket attack in the north east, just hours before voting began in Nigeria's presidential election, security sources said. A civilian militia source in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, told AFP "at least 13" blasts were heard throughout the city at dawn, some two hours before voting opened at 0700 GMT. Residents also reported hearing the explosions. "Boko Haram terrorists attempted to enter the city but were intercepted," a security source told AFP. "They resorted to firing RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) on the city. Attempts have been made to locate the source of the firing." A second source said one of the explosions occurred at the headquarters of the Nigerian Army 7th Division as troops were preparing to go out on operations. "One soldier was killed and 20 were injured. There were other explosions at Maimalari barracks but there was no casualty," he added. A fighter jet was seen flying over the city, and the
Hijack threat to Air India plane, security beefed up at Mumbai airport
Security at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport here was tightened following a threat to hijack an Air India aircraft, officials said on Saturday.
800 kg beedi leaves meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka seized
Beedi leaves weighing around 800 kg and meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka were seized by Customs officials here Saturday. A team of Customs personnel who raided the area on a tip-off found the beedi leaves hidden at a few places on the sea coast near Uchipuli, the officials said. A search has been launched for those involved in the smuggling bid, they added.
Paramilitary jawans killed in action will get 'martyr' status if Cong voted to power: Rahul Gandhi
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday said paramilitary personnel who are killed in the line of duty will be accorded with 'martyr' status if his party comes to power. He said this in response to a question on 'martyr' status to the jawans during an interaction session with university students at the JLN Stadium here. "I agree with you. Paramilitary jawans don't get 'martyr' status. They should get it, and if we come to power, they will be accorded that status," Gandhi said. His comment comes days after 40 CRPF jawans were killed in the Pulwama terror attack. "If you see, I am much in contact with paramilitary forces, because of security provided by them to me (during events). These jawans, whether from the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, or CISF, they suffer more casualty, but they get less infrastructure support, which is not good," Gandhi said. After the terror assault in Pulwama, the Congress president had tweeted, "The brave are martyred. Their families struggle. 40 Jawans give their lives but ..
Aid showdown: Venezuela opposition prepares to deliver goods
Venezuelans frustrated over their nation's crippling food and medical shortages are expected to join opposition leaders Saturday in a potentially risky push to deliver international aid that Nicolas Maduro has refused to accept into the country. The opposition is calling on masses of Venezuelans to help trucks carrying the nearly 200 metric tons of humanitarian assistance delivered largely by the United States over the last two weeks across several border bridges in Colombia. Once the trucks reach the border they'll face a crucial test: Whether the military standing guard on the other side will let them through. "We think it's going to enter," opposition leader David Smolansky said in the lead up to the push. "There will be so many people gathered at the border and in different cities around the country that it will be impossible to stop it." Before daybreak Saturday, many national guards in riot gear forced people to move away from the road to the Simon Bolivar bridge connecting ...
PM disapproves of attacks on Kashmiris, says fight is for Kashmir, not against Kashmiris
His remarks about Khan came three days after the Pakistan Prime Minister said action will be taken if "actionable intelligence" is provided about links to Pulwama attack in his country.Modi said the entire country is with the armed forces but "unfortunately, there a few people, who live in India but speak the language of Pakistan," apparently targeting Congress leaders."They are the same people, who go to Pakistan and say 'do anything to remove Modi'," the Prime Minister said, hinting at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar."They are the same people who, after the Mumbai attack of 2008, showed no courage to respond to terrorists. They are not with the jawan (soldiers), nor kisan (farmers)," he said.
Protests in Nepal against Pulwama terror attack
Protests were held at various places on Saturday in Nepal over Pulwama terror attack in which 40 security personnel were killed. Hundreds of people gathered at Parsa, Majottari Rupandehi and other adjoining districts staged demonstration, condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with India, according to officials. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) rammed a vehicle carrying a huge quantity of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. Meanwhile, the staff members working in the Indian Mission in Nepal donated their one day salary for the fallen soldiers. "We have decided to donate our one day salary for the family members of the deceased soldiers who were deliberately targeted for doing their job. "Around hundred people, who are currently working in the Indian Embassy, have made the contribution ..
Currency notes showered at a function organized to pay homage to Pulwama martyrs in presence of Congress leaders
Congress workers showered notes at Congress leader Virendra Rawat, son of former chief minister Harish Rawat, and a Qawwali singer at a function organized to pay homage to Pulwama martyrs here on Friday night.In the video, a few persons can be seen showering the money on the Qawwali artist while the Congress leader Virendra Rawat is seen standing beside them and smiling."It was a program organised to pay tributes to the CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama terrorist attack. It was an effort to awaken the lion with a 56-inch chest. The PM should take action to silence the enemy," said Rawat."Rahul Gandhi has said that people are supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Pulwama attack but the Prime Minister must do something. Our soldiers are being killed in Pulwama and death of soldiers is on the rise," said Rawat."This is a function to pay homage to the Pulwama martyrs and it started with the 'shrandhanjali' sabha," said Rawat.
Two shops, two cars gutted in fire in J&K's Poonch
Two shops and as many vehicles were gutted in a fire in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday, police said. The fire, which broke out in the early hours in Mendhar town damaged the shops of Shuban Gupta and Amit Tandon and the cars of Mohammad Zubair and Mohammad Aijaz, which were parked nearby, a police official said. He said a case has been registered and investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Pakistan seizing control of 'JeM HQ' fabricated reports: Minister
Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday called Indian media reports of the Pakistan government taking administrative control of the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) "fabricated", claiming that the facility was a madrasa where students receive education and the action had nothing to do with the Kashmir suicide bombing.
Pakistani police arrest 2 men trying to blow up gas line
Pakistani counterterrorism police say they have arrested two insurgents attempting to blow up the main gas pipeline in the central city of Bahawalpur. Police spokeswoman Nabila Ghazanfar said Saturday the two men, who were not identified, belong to the separatist group Baluchistan Liberation Army. She said they confessed to successfully conducting similar sabotage of gas pipelines in the adjacent district of Rahim Yar Khan. Ghazanfar said police seized 2 kilograms (4.5 pounds) of explosives, a timing device, detonators and connecting cords from the men Friday night. There was no immediate statement from the BLA and the men were not immediately available for comment. Rebels have long been waged a low-level insurgency in southwestern Baluchistan province. But it's a new phenomenon to stage an attack outside their provincial boundaries to hit vital installations to press their demands. Baluch insurgents want greater autonomy.
CRPF jawan goes missing during train journey to T'gana
A 40-year-old CRPF jawan, part of a 14-member team, has been reported missing during a train journey from Delhi to Secunderabad here and a case registered, railway police sources said Saturday. Saldesh Kumar, from Jammu and Kashmir, was found missing after the team arrived here by Telangana express train on February 20, according to the complaint lodged by an official of the paramilitary force. Investigation was on to trace the jawan, they added. The CRPF personnel were coming to their Group Centre at Hakimpet, Secunderabad, the sources said.
Centre to deploy 100 companies of paramilitary forces in J&K
In the wake of the Pulwama attack, the Centre has decided to deploy additional 100 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) on an urgent basis in Jammu and Kashmir, the MHA has said.
Blasts heard in Nigerian city of Maiduguri before polls
A series of explosions was heard in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri on Saturday, shortly before the opening of polls in presidential and parliamentary elections. Multiple blasts were heard at about 6:00 am (0500 GMT), locals told AFP. There was no immediate indication of the cause. Security sources meanwhile reported clashes between the military and suspected Boko Haram fighters in Auno, on the border of Borno state with neighbouring Yobe. An attack in the town of Geidam, north of the Yobe state capital Damaturu, also forced residents to flee, they added. Maiduguri is the birthplace of Boko Haram Islamists and has been repeatedly attacked during their nearly 10-year insurgency that has devastated the remote region. Polls open at 0700 GMT, with President Muhammadu Buhari, a former army general who has vowed to defeat the jihadists, seeking a second term. Boko Haram has warned it will disrupt the elections. One resident in the Gomari neighbourhood of Maiduguri said: "I heard ...
No reversing course in Syria, says Trump
The US is not reversing course in Syria, President Donald Trump has said as he defended his decision to keep a small number of troops in the war-torn country after the withdrawal of American forces. Trump agreed on Thursday to keep about 200 US troops as part of planned multinational force that would maintain a safe zone in northeastern Syria, the official said. This force would be in addition to the 200 troops the US is planning to maintain after the withdrawal at its base in at-Tanf, Syria, the official said. "I'm not reversing course," Trump told reporters responding to a question on his decision on keeping some 200 US troops in Syria as against his previous decision on full withdrawal of more than 2,500 troops. "I have done something that nobody else has been able to do. In another short period of time, like hours, you'll be hearing about the caliphate. It'll 100 per cent defeated. Nobody's been able to say that," Trump said. "That doesn't mean there aren't some very bad people ...