Page 280 - War Conflict
IED blast: Mortal remains of Major V Nair brought to his hometown, Army pays tribute
The mortal remains of Major Shashi Dharan V Nair, who was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Nowshera on Friday, were brought to his home here in Khadakwasla on Sunday.The Army bid an emotional adieu to the courageous officer and paid tributes to him, remembering his sacrifices for the nation.A soldier Rifleman Jivan Gurung was also killed in the similar attack that took place along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri.According to the Army PRO, Nair and Gurung, who got grievously injured, were immediately provided medical aid after the incident on Friday. However, the duo later succumbed to their injuries.The IED attack was planted by the Border Action Team of the Pakistan army with the aid from militants on the LoC.
J&K: Wanted terrorist, among 2 militants, Killed in Kulgam encounter
Two terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district.Wanted terrorist Zeenat-ul-Islam was among the two terrorists gunned down by security forces.Zeenat-ul-Islam, was associated with the terror group Al Badr and was considered as an improvised explosive device (IED) expert.The other terrorist killed in the encounter has been identified as Shakeel Ahmed Dar.A joint operation was launched on Saturday night by the Army, Police and CRPF in Kulgam after receiving specific information about the presence of terrorists there. As the security forces were conducting the searches, the terrorists fired upon them. The forces retaliated to the firing, ensuing an encounter in which the two terrorists were gunned down.Weapons and other war-like stores have been recovered, officials said, adding that no collateral damage has been reported.The operations have been concluded.
Al-Badr commander Zeenat-ul-Islam killed in encounter in Kulgam
Two terrorists including top Al-Badr commander Zeenat-ul-Islam have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Sunday. "The two militants killed in the Katpora encounter have been identified as Zeenat-ul-Islam and Shakeel Dar. Both were involved in several terror crimes," a police official said. Islam, a category A++ militant, had switched over to the Al-Badr from the Hizbul Mujahideen in November last year following agreement between the two outfits to strengthen the Al-Badr. Islam was active since 2015, the police official said. He said security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Katpora area of Yaripora in south Kashmir's Kulgam district Saturday evening after receiving specific information about the presence of militants there. As the forces were conducting the searches, the militants fired on them, he said. As per policy, the militants were given an opportunity to surrender, but they continued to fire, the ..
Syria conflict: Pompeo 'optimistic' on deal to protect Kurds
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said he is optimistic an agreement can be reached with Turkey to protect Kurdish fighters in Syria after the US pullout.
France sees 9th round of 'yellow vest' protests
Thousands of demonstrators turned out across France for new "yellow vest" protests, with dozens of arrests and clashes in Paris and other cities.
Five dead in Afghanistan attack
Attackers killed five people at a police station in Herat, Afghanistan, on Saturday evening, Herat police Chief Aminullah Amarkhel told CNN.
Number of 'yellow vest' protesters surges but violence down
The number of protesters in the latest "yellow vest" rallies across France surged on Saturday, but there was a marked decline in violence despite hundreds of arrests and clashes with police in Paris and other cities. More than 84,000 people turned out for the ninth round of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron since November, the interior ministry said, up from 50,000 the previous Saturday. Attendance had declined over the Christmas holiday break, and while Saturday's turnout was higher than the 66,000 protesters on December 15, it was still far below the nearly 300,000 when the rallies began two months ago. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said that "responsibility triumphed over the temptation of confrontation" in Paris, where 8,000 protesters marched "without serious incident", up from 3,500 last week. He also hailed the 80,000 officers deployed nationwide, including 5,000 in the capital. However several journalists were assaulted at rallies in several cities, as ..
600 people leave in first evacuation from Syria IS holdout: monitor
Over 600 people were evacuated Saturday from the Islamic State group's remaining holdout in eastern Syria, a monitor said, as US-backed fighters prepare for a final assault on the area. "More than 600 people, mainly women and children, were evacuated on 25 buses sent" by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said that several dozen jihadist fighters were among those evacuated to areas held by the Kurdish-Arab alliance. The SDF, backed by air strikes from a US-led coalition, in September launched an offensive to oust IS from the rump of the once-sprawling "caliphate" it proclaimed in 2014. Abdel Rahman said some 16,000 people, including 760 IS fighters, have fled the area since the start of December. But "this is the first time that buses have been provided by the SDF and coalition", he said, suggesting a potential deal had been struck between the warring sides. The United Nations said Friday ..
Two militants killed in encounter with security forces
Two militants were Saturday killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Katpora area in south Kashmir's Kulgam district this evening after receiving specific information about the presence of militants there, a police official said. As the forces were conducting the searches, the militants fired upon them. The forces retaliated, ensuing an encounter in which two militants were killed, he said. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site, the official said, adding that no collateral damage has been reported. The identity and group affiliation of the militants was being ascertained, the official said.
J & K : 2 terrorists killed in an encounter
Two terrorists have been gunned down by the security forces in an encounter that ensued while the security forces were on search operation in the area on Saturday.According to the security forces, the firing has been stopped while the search operation is still underway. The deceased militants have not been identified yet.More details are awaited.On January 8, one terrorist was shot dead in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir.The shootout had broken out at Chowdhry Bagh area of Litter tehsil after terrorists ambushed an army patrol.
Rajnath to felicitate Phoolka for ensuring justice to 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims
Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh will on Sunday felicitate senior Supreme Court lawyer and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader H S Phoolka for his role in ensuring justice to the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots.The felicitation ceremony will be held at 10, Ashoka Road here, the official residence of Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel.Phoolka on January 3 handed over his resignation to AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He also represents Dakha Assembly seat in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, which Phoolka won as an AAP candidate.Phoolka has been at the forefront of fighting the judicial battle of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims. He is one of the petitioners in the anti-Sikh riots case. It was his relentless efforts which saw Congress leader Sajjan Kumar getting convicted and sentenced to life in prison in one of the anti-Sikh riot cases. He surrendered before a Delhi court on December 31, 2018.It is worth mentioning that Sajjan Kumar, a former .
Clashes erupt as France's 'yellow vests' stage fresh protests
Protesters skirmished with police in Paris and other cities Saturday as thousands turned out for new rallies against French President Emmanuel Macron, with dozens arrested as officials vowed a crackdown on the violence that has marred the demonstrations since November. The "yellow vest" marches began calmly amid a heavy police deployment of some 80,000 officers nationwide, with protesters singing the "Marseillaise" national anthem and holding signs including "Insecurity is not a job". But scores of protesters later clashed with riot police after arriving at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, prompting volleys of tear gas and water cannon as security forces prevented them from reaching the Champs-Elysees. Nearly 60 people had been arrested in the capital, police said, alongside dozens more elsewhere including the central city of Bourges, the site of another major rally. The interior ministry said there were 32,000 protesters nationwide as of 2:00 pm (1300 GMT), including 8,000 in Paris. ...
He always wanted to join army: Major Nair's friend recalls
Martyred Major Shashi Dharan V Nair was "passionate" about joining the armed forces, a friend recalled here Saturday. Major Nair, who grew up in Khadakwasla area on the outskirts of Pune and studied at the famous Fergusson College in the city, was killed along with another soldier in an IED explosion in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir Friday. A pall of gloom descended on the area after the news came. Friends and relatives as well as local people thronged the family's house. "He was passionate about army. After getting BSc degree from Fergusson, he never thought about any other career option and started preparing for army exam," said Harish Kasarkhod, a childhood friend. Having graduated from a premier college, Nair could have got a comfortable job elsewhere but his passion was the armed forces, Kasarkhod said. Nair's father, who worked at the Central Water & Power Research Station located in Khadakwasla, died some years ago. A family member said Nair had spoken .
Egypt police kill 6 militants in shootout: ministry
Egyptian police killed six suspected Islamist militants in a shootout early Saturday in the country's south, the interior ministry said. The clashes broke out during a police raid on a militant hideout in a mountainous area on the edge of the southern province of Sohag, some 460 kilometres south of Cairo, the ministry said in a statement. Police seized weapons and ammunition, it added. The operation is part of "the interior ministry's efforts to confront terrorist organisations aiming to undermine security and stability" in Egypt, it said. Egypt has been battling an Islamist insurgency following the 2013 ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, who was forced out by the military in the face of mass protests against his rule. Attacks have largely been concentrated in the turbulent northern Sinai region, but have also taken place elsewhere across the country. Egypt launched in February a wide-scale operation centred on North Sinai to wipe out jihadists, including members of the ...
Two militants killed in Kulgam
Two militants were killed in a gunfight with the security forces on Saturday in south Kashmir's Kulgam district.
2 men arrested on suspicion of being members of ISIS-inspired group sent to judicial custody
A Delhi court Saturday sent two people, arrested on suspicion of being members of an ISIS-inspired group and for planning terror attacks in the country, to judicial custody till January 22. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh sent Mufti Mohammed Suhail alias Hazrath (29) and Saqib Iftekar (26) to the custody. Advocate Mohammed Noorullah, appearing for both the accused, had opposed the National Investigation Agency's request for police custody for further interrogation. The two accused, along with eight others, were arrested for allegedly planning suicide attacks and serial blasts targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India. All the 10 accused were arrested on December 26 after the NIA carried out searches, in coordination with the special cell of Delhi Police and Anti-Terrorism Squad of Uttar Pradesh Police, at six places in Delhi and at 11 places in western Uttar Pradesh. A locally made rocket launcher, material for suicide ...
Thousands march in 9th straight French yellow vest protests
Thousands of people wearing yellow vests started marching in the streets of Paris as others were gathering in the central French city of Bourges amid high security measures as authorities feared possible violence between police and protesters Saturday. In Paris, a few thousand people set off from near the Finance Ministry in eastern Paris at around 11 am (1000 GMT; 5 am EST) and were walking peacefully in the central streets of the capital. They were planning to head toward Champs-Elysees avenue. Paris police say 24 people were arrested Saturday before the protests started, primarily for carrying potential weapons. Meanwhile, yellow vest protesters were also gathering in Bourges, a provincial capital with a renowned Gothic cathedral and picturesque wood-framed houses, where online groups mounted calls through the week for actions. Authorities deployed 80,000 security forces nationwide for a ninth straight weekend of anti-government protests. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner ...
Encounter breaks out between militants, security forces in J-K's Kulgam
An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir Saturday, police said. Acting on specific information about the presence of militants in the Katpora area of Yaripora in the south Kashmir district, security forces launched a cordon and search operation there in the evening, a police official said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired upon the forces. The gunfight was on when the last reports came in, the official said, adding further details are awaited.
Police recovers 30 hand grenades from forest in Jharkhand
Security forces recovered 30 locally manufactured hand grenades and nine kg of explosive substances from a forest in Latehar district, police said on Saturday. The explosives were recovered from the Kumandih forest during a search operation on Friday, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Latehar district, Prasant Anand, said. A total of 140 partly-manufactured hand grenades and materials for making grenades were also recovered, the SP said. Meanwhile, the security forces and the Maoists exchanged gunfire in the forests of Pirtand in Giridih district, the police said. There was no report of any casualty, they said. Acting on a tip-off that Maoists were hiding in the forests, the 154 Battalion of the CPRF and district police forces headed by Superintendent of Police Surendra Jha surrounded the forests and launched a search operation. On sighting the security forces, the Maoists opened fire and fled when police retaliated. The search operation is still on, a senior police ..
Afghan official: Taliban attack on checkpoint kills 5 police
An Afghan official says at least five security forces have been killed after their checkpoint came under attack by insurgents in southern Kandahar province. Aziz Ahmad Azizi, provincial governor's spokesman, says two other police were wounded in Saturday's attack in Spin Bolduk district. He said seven Taliban insurgents were killed and six others were wounded in the fighting. Qari Yusouf Ahmadi, Taliban's spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban insurgents have been carrying out near-daily attacks targeting Afghan forces. The violence comes despite stepped-up efforts by the United States to find a negotiated end to the country's 17-year war.