Page 227 - War Conflict
Boko Haram kills eight in northeast Nigeria, militia says
Boko Haram insurgents killed eight people in Nigeria during an attack on the northeastern city of Maiduguri, a civilian militia leader said on Saturday. "We recovered a total of eight bodies of residents killed in the Boko Haram attack," late on Friday, Haram Abba Aji-Kalli of the Civilian JTF militia told AFP. The attack came hours before Nigeria's electoral commission announced it was postponing Saturday's presidential and legislative vote for a week. The delay has been condemned by both President Muhammadu Buhari, who is standing for a second term, and his chief opponent former vice-president Atiku Abubakar. Boko Haram fighters shot residents while two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the Friday attack on Maiduguri's Jiddari Polo neighbourhood. The killings came after the group overran a military base north of Maiduguri on Thursday, stealing an armored vehicle and torching buildings in an attack that left "several soldiers" missing, two military sources said on condition of ...
IAF demonstrates fire power in Rajasthan
As India explores military options to avenge Pulwama attacks, close to 150 Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters demonstrated their fire power at an exercise Vayu Shakti in Rajasthan on Saturday.
Saibaba temple trust to give Rs 2.51cr to kin of CRPF martyrs
The trust managing the famous Saibaba temple here in Maharashtra has announced a total financial aid of Rs 2.51 crore for the families of CRPF jawans martyred in the Pulwama terror attack, an official said Saturday. The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST)will give Rs 2.51 crore in financial assistance to the next of the kin of 40 soldiers killed in the February 14 terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir, its chairperson Suresh Haware told reporters. He said the trust strongly condemns the cowardly attack by terrorists and expressed the hope the government and armed forces will give a befitting reply to its perpetrators. The amount will be given to the martyrs' families after completing all necessary formalities, Haware added.
Pulwama attack: Mumbaikars show solidarity with CRPF martyrs
A candlelight protest, shut shops in several localities, prayer meets in schools and blocking of rail traffic at a suburban station were the various ways Mumbaikars Saturday showed solidarity with the 40 CRPF jawans martyred in the Pulwama terror attack. Scores of people attended a candlelight protest organised by citizens' groups and several political parties on Saturday evening at the iconic Gateway of India here. An emotionally-charged crowd at the venue shouted anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded that the Centre punish the perpetrators of the Pulwama terror attack and avenge the death of the paramilitary personnel. Earlier in the day, a group of protesters blocked the railway tracks at Nalasopara station, part of Western Railway's Mumbai suburban network, to protest against Thursday's terror attack in restive Jammu and Kashmir. Protesters got onto the tracks around 8.20 am and started raising slogans against Pakistan, leading to suspension of train traffic on the ...
MP: CRPF jawan killed in Pulwama attack cremated with full state honours
CRPF jawan Ashwini Kumar Kachhi, who was killed in the Pulwama terror attack, was Saturday cremated with full state honours in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur city amid the shouting of patriotic slogans by people. The cremation took place in the jawan's native Khudawal village and Chief Minister Kamal Nath, former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and a large number of people were in attendance. The pyre of Kachhi (30) was lit by his elder brother Sumant, a relative said. Villagers lined the streets as Kachhi's body was brought by road in a tricolour-wrapped coffin from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. Local resident Vinay Asathi recalled Kachhi as an ever-smiling person who encouraged village youth to join the country's security forces. Asathi claimed that Kachhi was the third martyr from the village, paramilitary troopers Rajendra Upadhyay and Rameshwar Patel being the others who laid down their lives in the line of duty. Chouhan, who met Kachhi's family, told them that punishment would be meted out ...
14 Tunisian workers kidnapped in Libya
Militiamen have kidnapped a group of Tunisian workers near the Libyan capital and are demanding the release of a comrade held in Tunisia, a rights activist said Saturday. A diplomatic source and Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Accord said 14 workers had been taken hostage. "The foreign ministry is following the case of the Tunisian citizens... kidnapped by armed Libyan elements near Zawiya," Tunisia's foreign ministry said on its Facebook page. Rights activist Mustapha Abdelkebir said the armed group behind Thursday's kidnapping was demanding the release of one of its members held in Tunisia. "The minister has spoken to his Libyan counterpart to insist on the protection of the detainees, accelerate their release and ensure that they return safe and sound," Tunisia's foreign ministry said. The GNA's interior ministry said it had set up a "crisis cell" in Zawiya to establish "the necessary measures and contacts to guarantee the security of these kidnapped (Tunisians) and ...
Union minister among thousands attend last rites of CRPF Jawan in J-K's Rajouri
Thousands of people, including Union minister Jitendra Singh, Saturday attended the last rites of one of the 40 martyred CRPF personnel in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. A pall of gloom descended on Dudasunballa village of the border district as the tricolour wrapped coffin carrying the mortal remains of the jawan, head constable Naseer Ahmad, reached his village for last rites. Forty CRPF personnel, including Ahmad, were killed when a suicide bomber struck their explosive-laden vehicle with a convoy in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Thursday. Singh along with senior party colleagues, including state president Ravinder Raina, joined thousands of villagers who assembled here to bid a tearful adieu to the jawan, officials said. They said senior civil, police, CRPF and Army officers visited the village and paid floral tributes to the martyr. "Pakistan and the terrorists have committed a grave mistake and they will have to pay a heavy price for it," Raina said. Ahmad is ...
Guj businessman offers Rs 1 lakh each to Pulwama martyrs' kin
A local businessman has decided to give Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of CRPF jawans martyred in the Pulwama attack, Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said Saturday. He identified the businessman as Babubhai Patel, owner of Ahmedabad-based Jai Somnath Infrastructure. The deputy CM added that BJP legislators in the state would also discuss financial contributions for the slain troopers' families. Speaking about the businessman's gesture, Patel said, "I believe the announcement will inspireindividuals and organisations to come forward to help soldiers who are sacrificing their lives for our country. Such donors will be the pride of Gujarat." "BJP MLAs will meet and discuss about their contribution to the families of the martyred jawans," he added. Forty Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed and five injured Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama ...
Gurugram musical show attracts protest
Over 500 members of different Hindu organisations held protests at the Leisure Valley Park where a private company had organised a musical show on Saturday.
Shutdown in parts of Valley against attacks on Kashmiris
A shutdown was observed in Lal Chowk city centre and adjoining areas here on Saturday as a mark of protest against attacks on Kashmiris in Jammu and outside the state. Shopkeepers in Lal Chowk, Maisuma, Residency Road and other adjoining areas downed their shutters at 3 pm in response to a shutdown called by trade bodies of the Valley earlier in the day. The traders also took out a protest march to condemn the attacks on Kashmiris in Jammu and other parts of the country. They demanded safety of Kashmiri traders and students outside the Valley. Various trade bodies and employees' unions also held a protest at Press Colony here. The trade bodies have also called for Kashmir bandh on Sunday. The bandh call was issued by the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Forum, Kashmir Economic Alliance and other trade bodies of the Valley. Meanwhile, protests also broke out amid a spontaneous shutdown in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Most of the shops in Anantnag town were shut to protest the ...
How CRPF troopers got trapped
The Valentine's Day isn't a very popular event among the forces, yet for over 2,500 men of CRPF's 76th Battalion returning from leave to join duty in Srinagar, the bus ride from Jammu starting as early as 2.33 am was to be memorable -- which turned most tragic as events unfolded in a few hours.
Chinese business delegation visits Sri City
: A 20-member business delegation representing the electronics manufacturing industries from China visited the Sri City special economic zone, Saturday. The companies represented by the employees supply electronic components to mobile brands manufactured in India. The intent of the visit was to witness and gain first- hand knowledge about Sri City, assess its business potential and explore the possibility of setting up their facilities, a press release said. Commenting on the visit taken by the delegation, Sri City, founder-managing director, Ravindra Sannareddy said, "their visit is very important for us as the delegation is drawn from prominent Chinese electronic companies." "We are sure, their visit to Sri City will facilitate business investments from Chinese electronic sector", he said.
Iran says Pakistan backs suicide bombers, ahead of victims' funeral
Iran's Revolutionary Guards accused "Pakistan's security forces" of supporting the perpetrators of a suicide bombing that killed 27 troops on Wednesday, in remarks state TV aired Saturday hours before their funeral was held. "Pakistan's government, who has housed these anti-revolutionaries and threats to Islam, knows where they are and they are supported by Pakistan's security forces," said Revolutionary Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, referring to jihadist group Jaish al-Adl ("Army of Justice"). "If (the Pakistan government) does not punish them, we will retaliate against this anti-revolutionary force, and whatever Pakistan sees will be the consequence of its support for them," he warned. His comments came ahead of a planned two-day visit to Pakistan -- due to begin on Sunday -- by Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Iran's regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia. The general made the remarks in Isfahan City on Friday evening during a farewell ceremony held for those ...
J-K: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Nowshera sector
Pakistan on Saturday violated ceasefire in Nowshera sector in Rajouri district at 1600 hours.The Indian Army is currently retaliating strongly and effectively to the cross border firing. More details of the incident are awaited.The ceasefire violation comes just two days after around 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in a ghastly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. Earlier on Saturday, a Major-rank of Army officer was killed while defusing an improvised explosive device (IED).IED had been planted by terrorists inside the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.The officer is from the Corps of Engineers.The IED was planted 1.5-km inside the Line of Control in Nowshera sector. The nature of the explosion is yet to be ascertained, police said.On February 14, a CRPF convoy on its way to Srinagar from Jammu was attacked in Awantipora area of Pulwama district by terrorists, which claimed the ...
Gujarati family to aid Rs 1 lakh to each Pulwama martyrs' families
An Ahmedabad-based Gujarati business family will donate Rs 1 lakh to each family of the CRPF troopers slain in the terror attack in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir's on Thursday.
Soldier injured in Pak firing in J-K's Rajouri district
A soldier was injured after Pakistani troops fired from small arms on forward posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Saturday officials said. The unprovoked firing from across the border started in the Naushera sector around 1600 hours, prompting strong retaliation by Indian troops, they said. The exchange of fire between the two sides is continuing when last reports were received, the officials said. They said a soldier was injured when he was hit by a bullet in the Kalal area of the sector. He was immediately shifted to a hospital. The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively, the officials said.
Country stands united by its jawans: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday led a candle light march to protest the Pulwama attack and said the country stands united by its brave jawans. The march was held from Hazra crossing in south Kolkata to Mahatma Gandhi's statue in the Mayo Road area. In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and many injured on Thursday when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief condemned the attack and said terrorists "have no religion or caste". "The country stands united. We are one and we unitedly stand by our brave jawans. Terrorists are terrorists. They have no religion, no caste," Banerjee said after the march in which she along with various other TMC leaders was seen carrying candles. People walked silently along with TMC activists who carried national flags and posters ..
Bihar DM adopts daughters of martyred CRPF jawans
Inayat Khan, District Magistrate (DM) of Sheikhpura in Bihar, on Saturday decided to adopt the daughters of two CRPF troopers from the state, killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday.
Omar meets Rajnath, urges to ensure safety of Kashmiri students, traders
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought his intervention to ensure safety of Kashmiri students and traders in various parts of the country. In his 30-minute-long meeting with the home minister, Abdullah also requested Singh to make sure that peace returns to the Jammu region where violent protests erupted after a suicide attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district killed 40 CRPF jawans. "Just met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sb to personally pay my condolences for the tragic deaths in Pulwama on Thursday. I requested him to take all steps necessary to ensure Jammu remains calm (sic)," Omar wrote on Twitter. "I took the opportunity to inform Rajnath Singh Sb of the reports I had received of Kashmiri students & others being threatened/harassed and requested him to appoint a nodal officer in HMO India to ensure the directive issued to states is followed in letter & spirit (sic)," he said. Some Kashmiri youths ..
Sombre farewell to slain CRPF jawans at Kolkata airport
A sombre farewell was given to two CRPF jawans from West Bengal, who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack, at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport here on Saturday. As the coffins of the two jawans -- Bablu Santra and Sudip Biswas -- draped in the national flag arrived at the airport, officers of the CRPF and different wings of the armed forces laid wreaths amidst the sounding of bugles by a contingent of the paramilitary force. Union minister Babul Supriyo paid floral tributes to the jawans, whose bodies were then taken to their native villages in CRPF vehicles. Santra hailed from Chakkashi Rajbangshipara village at Uluberia in Howrah district, while Biswas was from Tehatta in Nadia district of West Bengal. He was to retire next year. He is survived by his mother, wife and a four-year-old daughter. Biswas (27), who was planning to get married, is survived by his parents. His father is a farmer and mother a housewife.