Page 268 - War Conflict
Militants throw grenade at police station in Pulwama, a third in a day
Militants attacked a police station in Pulwama district with a grenade on Friday. This was the third such attack in the Valley today.
Three grenade attacks in J-K, no causalities reported
Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, militants carried out bomb attacks at three places in Jammu and Kashmir but no casualities were reported, police said Friday.After receiving reports, police rushed to inspect the attack sites at Srinagar, Shopian and Pulwama and have initiated an investigation. however, no causalities pertaining to the loss of life or property reported, said police.The first attack was reported from Ghanta Ghar Chowk in Srinagar, the second from Gargan in Shopian while the third grenade attack was inside the compound of a police station in Pulwama.Police has registered cases for both the incidents and have asked locals to assist them if they receive any information about the attacks.The injured were admitted to a nearby hospital and their condition has been reported to be stable.This is second grenade attack in Srinagar within 24 hours as three police personnel were injured on Thursday after terrorists hurled grenade on security forces at Zero Bridge in Srinagar on
Five suspects in court over Nairobi hotel attack
Five suspects, including a Canadian citizen, appeared in a Kenyan court Friday in connection with an Islamist attack on a Nairobi hotel complex that left 21 dead. A magistrate granted a request from the prosecution to detain the four men and one woman for 30 days while investigations continue. The suspects are accused of "possible involvement in the almost 20-hour siege of the DusitD2 hotel and office complex by a suicide bomber and four gunmen who were all killed by security forces, a court document said. "The investigations into this matter are complex and transnational and would therefore require sufficient time and resources to uncover the entire criminal syndicate," a statement from Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji said. A total of 11 suspects were arrested after Tuesday's attack, however investigations into the others were still ongoing. Those who appeared in court include Joel Ng'ang'a Wainaina, a taxi driver who ferried the attackers around on several occasions, ...
Women to be recruited in military police crop, says Def Min terming the decision as 'historic'
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Friday said the government has taken a "historic" decision to induct women in the military police with an aim to enhance their representation in the armed forces. Women will be inducted in a graded manner to eventually comprise 20 per cent of total Corps of Military Police, the official handle of the defence minister tweeted. Their role would range from probing rape and molestation cases to assisting the Army wherever required. "To improve representation of women in our armed forces Smt @nsitharaman takes a historic decision to induct women for the first time in PBOR (Personnel Below Officer Rank) role in Corps of Military Police "The women will be inducted in graded manner to eventually comprise 20% of total Corps of Military Police," the handle tweeted. Last year, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said the process to allow women in combat role, currently an exclusive domain of men, was moving fast and initially women will be recruited for positions in ...
Defence minister visits Arunachal
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday visited the forward areas in Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh along India-China Border and inaugurated a strategically important bridge in Lower Dibang Valley district. The minister overflew the forward locations along the Line of Actual Control and visited the Army post at Anini in the district located at the height of 5,300 feet, a defence statement said. Sitharaman was accompanied by the Eastern Army Commander, Lt Gen MM Naravane, General Officer Commanding of Spear Corps, Lt Gen Rajeev Sirohi and other military and civil officials. At the forward post, the minister was briefed on the operational situation and defence preparedness of the armed forces in Dibang Valley. She also interacted with the troops and appreciated their dedication and service in protecting the country's borders in such an inhospitable terrain. Later, Sitharaman inaugurated the Difu (Chipu) Bridge at Roing in Lower Dibang Valley ...
Rs 10 lakh looted from ATM machine
Three unidentified persons allegedly looted cash worth over Rs 10 lakh from an ATM machine at a village in Akola district of Maharashtra early on Friday, police said. According to police, the incident took place in Kapshi village under Patul police station limits around 4 am. "The accused, who are yet to be identified, broke open the ATM machine with the help of a gas cutter and fled with Rs 10.38 lakh cash," a police official said. "During the initial probe, it came to light that three persons were involved in the crime," he added. A case under IPC sections 380 (theft in dwelling house) and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees). No arrest has been made so far, the official said adding that a search has been launched to nab the accused.
Defence Minister visits China border to review operational preparedness
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday visited the forward bases of the Indian Army and the Air Force along the China border to review the operational preparedness there."Nirmala Sitharaman visited forward areas along India-China border in Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh today along with Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen M M Naravane, GOC Spear Corps," Defence Ministry officials said.During the visit, the Defence Minister was briefed by the top commanders of the Army's 3 Corps and 4 Corps on the force's preparedness on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the officials said.The Minister also interacted with the troops and distributed sweets among them.In Arunachal, the Defence Minister also inaugurated the Diffo (Chipu) Bridge at Roing.In addition to enhancing operational capability, this 329-metre bridge will usher in economic prosperity in the region, the Army's Eastern Command said.In view of the Chinese infrastructure development along the border, India has invested heavily in .
Sri Lanka expects 2-fold growth in Indian tourist arrivals this year
Sri Lanka is expecting over two folds growth in the number of Indian tourist arrivals to the island nation this year, banking on the Ramayana Circuit and other common cultural heritage sites. The country expects total Indian tourist arrivals to cross one million mark in 2019, Sri Lanka Minister of Tourism Development John A E Amaratunga said. In 2018, around 450,000 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, has developed the Ramayana circuit to woo Indian tourists by identifying several places connected with the ancient Indian epic. "We have rediscovered the Ramayana circuit. We have identified several spots and we are coming out with the authentic documentaries," said Amaratunga. "Now we are targeting almost up to one million (10 lakh) arrivals with all the publicity which we are doing all what which we have to offer," he added. Sri Lanka is also well-connected as there are around 27 daily flights from India to the island nation, he said. He assured Indian tourists that his ...
Sitharaman visits forward base at Indo-China border
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday visited the forward areas along India-China Border in Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh located at a height of 5,300 feet.
Sitharaman inaugurates strategic bridge in Arunachal Pradesh
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday visited the forward areas along India-China border in Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh and inaugurated the Diffo (Chipu) bridge at Roing.In addition to enhancing operational capability, the 329-metre bridge will usher economic prosperity for people of Namsai, Lohit, Anjaw and Lower Dibang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Sitharaman lauded the efforts to enhance connectivity in the forward areas.She flew over the forward locations along the Line of Actual Control and visited the Army post of Anini located at a height of 5300 feet.The minister was accompanied by Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General MM Naravane, GOC Spear Corps Lieutenant General Rajeev Sirohi and other military and civil officials.At the forward post, Sitharaman was briefed on the operational situation and defence preparedness of the Armed Forces in Dibang Valley.She also interacted with the troops and appreciated their dedication and selfless service in protecting ...
ISIS module: Court extends NIA custody of accused by seven days
A Delhi court on Friday extended by seven days the NIA remand of a man arrested from UP in connection with its probe against an ISIS-inspired group for allegedly planning suicide attacks and serial blasts targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India. Special Judge Rakesh Syal allowed the NIA's plea for further remand during in-chamber proceedings after 24-year-old Muhammed Absar was produced in court on expiry of his six-day custodial interrogation, his advocate Mohammed Noorullah said. The NIA had arrested 12 men, including a 'mufti' from Amroha, also in western Uttar Pradesh, who it said were planning suicide attacks and serial blasts targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India. The NIA had seized a locally made rocket launcher, material for suicide vests and 112 alarm clocks to be used as timers during its searches in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Those arrested included the alleged mastermind, .
Radical cleric behind Bali bombing to be freed from prison
A radical cleric thought to be the spiritual leader of the Bali bombers will be released from prison on medical grounds, Indonesia's president said Friday. Abu Bakar Bashir, 80, is believed to have been a key figure in terror network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which was blamed for the 2002 bombings on the holiday island which killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists. It was Indonesia's deadliest militant attack and prompted Jakarta to beef up anti-terror cooperation with the US and Australia, which has previously opposed clemency for Bashir. Indonesian leader Joko Widodo said on Friday that he had agreed to order the ailing preacher's release from a prison on the outskirts of the capital. "The first reason is humanitarian," Widodo told reporters. "He is old... and his health condition was also part of the consideration." In 2011, the firebrand preacher -- once synonymous with militant Islam in Indonesia -- was sentenced to 15 years in jail for helping fund a paramilitary group
Myanmar army 'kills 13' in counterattacks on Rakhine rebels
Myanmar's army said Friday it killed 13 ethnic Rakhine fighters in counterstrikes after the well-armed group carried out deadly attacks on police posts earlier this month. Rakhine state has seen new levels of violence in recent weeks between the Arakan Army (AA) -- insurgents fighting for greater autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists -- and security forces. Many of the battles are taking place in the same region from which more than 720,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to Bangladesh after August 2017 when the army launched a crackdown the UN deemed ethnic cleansing. The AA are a more formidable force than the fighters claiming to represent the Rohingya and have inflicted historically higher death tolls on the military. On January 4, also Myanmar's independence day, the AA launched pre-dawn raids that killed 13 police officers and wounded nine before the army stepped in, setting off violence that has displaced thousands. But the army hit back, killing the same number of AA rebels in total in .
Ganja worth Rs 1.61 cr seized in Tripura
In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Tripura Police on Friday seized 300 kg of ganja (cannabis) valued at Rs 14.60 lakh in the international market.
Sri Lanka seize explosives from local Islamist radicals
Sri Lanka's police seized a haul of high explosives stashed near a wildlife sanctuary following the arrest of four men from a newly formed radical Muslim group, officials said Friday. Elite police commandos and detectives stumbled on the explosives which included some 100 detonators from a make-shift warehouse near the Wilpattu national park, police said. "Following information received by the CID (Criminal Investigations Department), they found 100 kilos (220 pounds) of high explosives and 100 detonators," police said in a statement. Official sources said the discovery was made during investigations into recent hate attacks against Buddha statues elsewhere in the country in an apparent attempt to spark tensions between majority Buddhists and minority Muslims. "The information we have at the moment is that a radicalised local group of Muslims are behind the explosives seized on Thursday," an official said asking not to be named. "We are trying to see if they had any links with ...
'Total internet shutdown' in Zimbabwe: provider
Zimbabwe imposed a "total shutdown" of the internet on Friday, a major provider told customers, after protests early this week triggered a ruthless security crackdown. The internet had been partially restored after a first shutdown started on Tuesday. "We were served with another directive for total shutdown of the internet until further notice," Econet, the country's biggest provider, said in a text message on Friday. "Our lawyers advised we are required to comply with the directive pending the court decision on its legality. The earlier directive(s) are already the subject of pending high court application. "We sincerely apologise for all inconveniences caused by the acts of government." The EU on Thursday joined the US and Britain in criticising the authorities' response to the protests. "The escalation of violence in Zimbabwe over recent days has been aggravated by the disproportionate use of force by security personnel," European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said in a ..
France to try 14 people over Jan 2015 Paris attacks: judicial source
France is to try 14 people in connection with the January 2015 jihadist attacks in and around Paris, a judicial source told AFP Friday. The attacks against the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine, a police woman in the nearby suburb of Montrouge, and a jewish Hyper Cacher shop killed 17 and marked the start of a wave of jihadist attacks in France. Eleven of those to be tried for assisting in the attacks are already in custody, and three are wanted by police.
Man arrested with grenade in J-K's Kupwara district
A man was arrested on Friday after he was found in possession of a hand grenade in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, police said. The arrest at a motor vehicle checkpoint in Lolab area of Kupwara district came on a day when militants carried out two grenade attacks on security forces in Kashmir, including one in Lal Chowk area of the city Initial investigations have revealed that the accused, Mohammad Aslam Beigh, was planning to join militant ranks, a police spokesman said, adding, he was motivated to take up arms through social media by "entities based in Pakistan". Beigh was found in possession of a grenade and some incriminating material, the spokesman said. On Friday, ultras lobbed a grenade at a Central Reserve Police Force bunker at Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Lal Chowk. Militants also hurled a grenade at security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir. No casualties were reported in the incidents. The attacks came around a week ahead of Republic Day celebrations.
Pak Rangers violate ceasefire along IB in J-K's Kathua
Pakistan Rangers Friday violated ceasefire by resorting to firing along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials said. Pakistan Rangers resorted to small arms fire on border outposts (BoPs) in Hiranagar sector at around 11 am, they said. BSF troops, guarding the borderline, retaliated strongly, the officials said. On Thursday, a civilian was injured when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and resorted to firing and mortar shelling along the Line of Control in Rajouri district. Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh had on Thursday said the Army was replying befittingly to the Pakistani aggression. Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling along the LoC in the Jammu region of the state for 13 days of this month, the officials said. The year 2018 had witnessed the highest number -- 2936 -- of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in the last 15 years along the Indo-Pak border. The continuous Pakistani shelling and firing targeting ...
Blast at Lal Chowk, grenade attack on J&K Police camp
Minutes after hurling a grenade at a paramilitary patrol party in the city centre Lal Chowk here in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, militants hurled another grenade at a police camp in Shopian district, police said.