Page 26 - War Conflict
Gunfight breaks out between militants and security forces in J-K's Baramulla
A gunfight broke out between militants and security forces in the Sopore area of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Tuesday, police said. The exchange of firing took place in Sopore during a search operation, an official spokesperson said. He said the cordon has been strengthened to prevent the militants from escaping. No casualties have been reported so far, the official added.
Two terrorists killed in Shopian
Two local militants, "inspired by the Islamic State (IS) ideology", were killed Tuesday in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Awneera area of Shopian in early hours following information about the presence of militants there, a police spokesman said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on the security forces. "Two terrorists were killed in retaliatory firing by the security forces. Arms and ammunition were seized from the scene of the encounter," he said. The police spokesman identified the slain duo as Sayar Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Kulgam, and Shakir Ahmad Wagay, a resident of Awneera in Shopian. "According to the police records, both the killed terrorists were inspired by IS ideology and were wanted by law for their complicity in terror crimes, including attacks on security establishments," the spokesman added.
Sri Lanka govt defies Sirisena to resume parliamentary probe into Easter blasts
The Sri Lankan government on Tuesday began the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) investigation into the security lapses surrounding the Easter Sunday suicide attacks that killed 258 people including 11 Indians, despite strong objection by President Maithripala Sirisena. President Sirisena, who is the head of the Cabinet, warned last week that he would not attend the Cabinet unless the government took immediate action to halt the parliamentary investigation. The PSC began hearing testimony from Muslim leaders who said they repeatedly warned the authorities to dangerous radicalisation. The committee summoned former governor of the Western province Azath Sally to testify before it. The cabinet meeting which is usually held on Tuesday mornings was not called by Sirisena, officials said. President Sirisena last week asked the Cabinet to halt the hearings, citing national security concerns. Sirisena said that it was uncalled for and a serious threat to national security as the top ...
Coast Guard may affiliate with BSF and CRPF in future:Official
Indian Coast Guard, which recently joined hands with the Assam Rifles to utilise each other's assets for operational training, may have such tie-ups with other paramilitary forces, a top CG official said Tuesday. Speaking on the sidelines of a reciprocation ceremony here held onboard "ICGS Shaurya", which has been affiliated with the 3rd (Naga Hills) Battalion of Assam Rifles, Coast Guard Additional Director General V S R Murthy said the collaboration was the first of its kind initiative by the marine force. "May be in the future. This is the first step which will yield so much of dividends," he told reporters when asked whether the Coast Guard would have similar associations with other paramilitary forces such as the BSF and the CRPF. In the first affiliation among paramilitary forces, the Assam Rifles and the Indian Coast Guard had on May 22 signed the 'Charter of Affiliation' to utilise each other's assets for operational training, sports and adventure. Director ...
'Cabinet expansion by Fadnavis will ensure allies are satisfied'
Minister for Finance and Planning in the Maharashtra government Sudhir Mungantiwar on Tuesday said that cabinet expansion will be done by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before the assembly session.Speaking to media here, the minister said a cabinet expansion would help fulfill the expectations of the Shiv Sena and other NDA allies."Devendra Fadnavis has decided that Maharashtra Cabinet expansion will be done before the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Session, soon all will hear the good news. Shiv Sena and other allies will meet their expectations," he said.Mungantiwar's statement comes at a time when speculations are rife on an alleged rift between the Shiv Sena and BJP over portfolio allocation and Chief Minister post in Maharashtra.The Maharashtra Minister assured that BJP will help candidates of its allies win from their respective seats in the upcoming assembly elections as per the directions of BJP President Amit Shah."The next Chief Minister will be from BJP and cabinet ...
Affiliation ceremony of Indian Coast Guard, Assam Rifles held in Chennai
An onboard affiliation ceremony of Indian Coast Guard with the oldest parliamentary force Assam Rifles was held in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship Shaurya.Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rajendra Singh and Additional Director General VSR Murthy attended the ceremony to sign the second phase of Affiliation Charter for training Assam Rifles onboard ICG Shaurya.Family members of the Indian Coast Guard personnel were also invited in the ceremony.The objective of the Affiliation Charter is to promote bilateral cooperation between Indian Coast Guard and Assam Rifles on the field and utilise each others' assets for training and sports.The ultimate aim of the Affiliation Charter is to synergise the potential of two services in order to produce an unbeatable combination during a conflict/ humanitarian mission undertaken by both the Armed forces.
Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo to reopen Wednesday after deadly Easter attacks
Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo has said that it will reopen on Wednesday, seven weeks after the five star property was attacked by a suicide bomber on Easter Sunday. The Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo was one of three hotels hit by the suicide attacks on April 21. While the other two hotels reopened in recent weeks, most of the sections of the Shangri-La Hotel remained closed. "From Wednesday 12 June 6pm onwards, popular dining establishments including Sapphyr Lounge, Capital Bar & Grill and Kaema Sutra will reopen for service. Guests will be able to enjoy room stays and Chi, the Spa from Saturday 15 June onwards," Shangri-La, Colombo spokesperson told PTI. At least five Indians were among the deceased when the incidents that occurred at the hotel. "In memory of, and to honour, those that lost their lives on that day, the Shangri-La Group will be making an initial contribution to the Dialog Foundation this will help provide medical assistance, counselling, scholarships and vocational .
Roadside blast kills six civilians in southern Afghanistan
At least six people were killed Tuesday after a roadside bomb ripped through their vehicle in southern Afghanistan. It is the latest violence to hit the war-weary country where ordinary Afghans continue to bear the brunt of decades of conflict. The vehicle was travelling from Kandahar's Dand district to the provincial capital when the bomb detonated near the car, killing everyone inside, according to provincial police spokesman Qasim Afghan. "Four children -- two girls and two boys -- are among those killed in the blast. They are all members of one family," he told AFP. Haji Abdullah, governor of Dand district, said the bomb was placed by the Taliban on a road frequently used by foreign and Afghan forces. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the Taliban were not immediately available to comment on the incident. Insurgents, however, often use roadside bombs and landmines to target Afghan security forces -- but the lethal weapons also inflict heavy casualties on ...
Terrorists killed in Shopian encounter were inspired by IS ideology: Police
Two terrorists, who were killed on Tuesday, in an encounter in state's Shopian district were inspired by IS ideology, the police said."The two terrorists have been identified as Sayar Ahmad Bhat of Yaripora Kulgam and Shakir Ahmad Wagay of Awneera Shopian. As per police records, both killed terrorists were inspired by IS ideology. They were wanted by law for their complicity in terror crimes including attack on security establishments," a release of the Jammu and Kashmir police said."According to the police records, they were part of groups involved in planning and executing terror attacks in the area and many other civilian atrocities," it said.
Next Maharashtra CM to be from BJP, says Mungantiwar
Maharashtra Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar has claimed the next chief minister of the state would be from his party. He also said that the BJP and ally Shiv Sena would arrive at a seat-sharing agreement soon for the state Assembly polls due later this year. "The next chief minister will be from the BJP. There is no discontent in the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance over this. We will even cross 220 Assembly seats, in the 288-member House, this time," Mungantiwar told reporters in Nashik on Monday. He said leaders of the BJP and Sena were working on a seat-sharing pact for the state polls. "The final decision on seat-sharing will be taken soon...we will work hard to ensure the victory of our allies," Mungantiwar said. Meanwhile, downplaying Mungantiwar's comments, a Sena leader said there was no change in Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' statement that both the allies would share all responsibilities and contest equal number of seats in the Assembly ...
Afghan forces free over 50 hostages from Taliban
Afghan forces have captured two detention centres of the Taliban in Baghlan and Kunduz provinces, setting free more than 50 detainees, officials said on Tuesday.
Roadside bombing in Afghanistan kills 6
At least six people of a family were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Tuesday, officials said.
Afghan forces rescue 34 people form Taliban-run prison
The Interior Ministry says Afghan special forces have rescued 34 people from a Taliban-run prison in northern Baghlan province. Tuesday's statement from the ministry says 17 civilians and 17 members of the security forces seven soldiers, seven policemen and three intelligence agents were freed during the operation, which took place on Monday. The Taliban haven't commented yet on the raid in Baghlan. Last month, the U.N. expressed concerns, saying that Afghan captives held by the Taliban have been subjected to abuse, ill-treatment and actions that may amount to torture. The UN mission made its assessment after interviewing 13 detainees from a group of 53 rescued in April by Afghan forces form a Taliban prison in southern Uruzgan province. Afghan forces, civilians and government officials were among the rescued.
Soldier killed in LoC ceasefire violation
A soldier was killed when Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a defence official said on Tuesday.
25 killed after Russian planes bomb rebel-held Idlib
At least 25 people, including women and children, lost their lives after Russian jets carried out aerial bombings in the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib on Monday.Al Jazeera reported that the military offensive carried out by Russian Sukhoi jets and the Syrian Army in the rebel-held territory also knocked down schools and medical centres in the region.The offensive that has lasted since the past few weeks despite being part of a buffer-zone deal has led to the displacement of nearly three million inhabitants of the region.Russian jets were also behind several raids carried out in Khan Sheikhoun, Kafr Battikh, and several other villages, killing at least 12 civilians last month.Authorities told Al Jazeera that the aerial campaign launched by Russia at the end of April has killed over 1,500 people since then.The Russian-backed offensive has so far failed to make major inroads into rebel territory in northern Hama and southern Idlib provinces, where the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) is .
Amid peace talks, Kabul releases more than 200 Taliban prisoners
At least 170 Taliban prisoners have been released from the Pul-e-Charkhi and another 130 jail inmates are expected to be freed on Tuesday, a move that has come when peace talks are underway to end the nearly-two decades-long civil war in Afghanistan.Tolo News reported quoting Afghan government sources that the released prisoners were imprisoned on charges of membership and cooperation with the Taliban.The announcement about the release of Taliban prisoners was made by President Ashraf Ghani on the closing day of the grand council on peace earlier in May.The Afghan grand council ended on May 3 with a call for peace with the Taliban and a promise from Ghani to free 175 Taliban prisoners ahead of the Islamic holy week of Ramadan.Again on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the Afghan president announced the release of 887 prisoners as part of his efforts to persuade the resurgent group to engage in intra-Afghan dialogue to end the conflict through diplomatic settlement.Meanwhile, critics have ..
Russia intercepts US, Swedish armed forces aircraft near its border
A Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted two reconnaissance aircraft from the US and Swedish Armed Forces over the Baltic Sea waters near the Russian border, according to an official statement on Tuesday.The incident happened on June 10, the statement added."On June 10...two air targets approaching the Russian state border were registered over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea...The crew of the Russian fighter approached the air targets at a safe distance and identified them as the US Armed Forces' RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and the Swedish Armed Forces' Gulfstream reconnaissance aircraft," Sputnik quoted the Russian Defence Ministry as saying in a statement.The Ministry further outlined that the Russian fighter tagged along with the reconnaissance jets, so as to prevent them "from violating the Russian border.""The Su-27 complied with international regulations of airspace use and followed safety procedures," the statement also highlighted.Russia has previously warned that ...
Kazakh police beat journalist amid post-vote unrest: news agency
Police in Kazakhstan beat a journalist covering protests following election results that confirmed the hand-picked successor of historic leader Nursultan Nazarbayev as president, his employer said Tuesday. Career diplomat Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is a loyal ally of recently retired Nazarbayev, took 71 per cent of a Sunday ballot that was marred by a police crackdown and widespread voting irregularities. Shokan Alkhabayev, a journalist from private news agency Tengri News was beaten by police late on Monday whilst attempting to cover detentions following a protest, the agency said. "Police officers attempted to obstruct the journalist of Tengrinews.kz (while he was) shooting a video, then tried to take his phone from him and hit" him several times, Tengrinews said early on Tuesday. Footage shows Alkhabayev with a bruise on his face and a cut on his body after he said he was struck and kicked by officers whilst filming a police operation targeting protesters in Almaty, the country's ..
Indian peacekeepers in Congo garner appreciation for their professionalism
Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo have garnered appreciation for their high standard of professionalism and humane approach, with the deployment of the first team of Indian female peacekeepers now promising to serve as an inspiration to women of the Central African nation. India is the second largest troop contributor to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), with 2,624 peacekeepers and 274 police personnel deployed as of March 2019. "The image of Indian peacekeepers in Congo is that of a highly competent, humane force that is very very professional. The Indian peacekeepers have been supporting our Congolese friends to have sustainable peace," a high-level Indian military officer deployed with the mission told PTI in a Skype interview. The senior officer's identity has not been revealed as required by authorities in India's Defense Ministry. The officer added that as one
8 injured in clash over land dispute in Muzaffarnagar
Eight people were injured after a clash broke out between two groups over a land dispute, police said Tuesday. The incident happened at Khudda village on Monday and over 20 people have been taken into custody to control the situation, Chapar Police Station incharge HN Singh said. The trouble started when Mursalin Qureshi and Khalil Qureshi entered into an argument over the land disputed, he said, adding the verbal exchanges escalated to a violent clash during which the two groups used sharp weapon and lathis. He said the police arrived at the spot upon being informed about the clash. The eight injured people -- Mursalin, Munna, Bala, Iftakhar, Khalil, Sovan, Shakib and Farman -- were taken to a hospital, he said.