Page 282 - War Conflict
2 high-speed interceptor boats inducted into navy
: The Indian Navy Friday inducted two Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) into its fleet at Nagapattinam in an effort to beef up coastal security. The high-speed vessels, capable of operating in shallow waters, were acquired for Sagar Prahari Bal, a unit of the Navy created post-26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as part of the coastal security construct, said a defence press release here. Over the years, the boats, which have established their efficacy in coastal security and force protection measures, the release said. Also, the boats can carry a variety of armament from heavy machine guns to grenade launchers with the upper deck canopies bullet-proof, it said. The vessels were inducted in the presence of naval detachment Nagapattinam officer-in-charge Lieutenant Commodore Harihar and naval officer-in-charge to flag officer commanding (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry) Commodore Vidyanshu Srivastava, it added.
Chennai Mathematical Institute mulls unit in Sri City
: The Chennai Mathematical Institute Friday said it has explored the possibility of setting up its unit at the Sri City Special Economic Zone near here. A team led by CMI Director Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar and Trustee and Emeritus Vice-Chairman of Cognizant Technology Solutions, N Lakshmi Narayanan, visited Sri City recently to explore the possibility of setting up a research institute. Sri City founder Managing Director Ravindra Sannareddy welcomed the proposal by the institute, saying that the addition of CMI in Sri City would immensely benefit the industrial units and students, a press release said. Meanwhile, as part of tapping the businesses in Sri City, trade body Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it has decided to set up a new chapter there. "The board of SICCI has approved the formation of a new office and appointed Ravindra Sannareddy as Chairman for the new chapter", a press release said.
25,000 flee violence in eastern Syria: UN
An estimated 25,000 people have fled escalating violence over the last six months in eastern Syria, where die-hard jihadists are defending their last bastions, the UN said Friday. Much of the unrest has been centred around Hajin in Deir Ezzor province, which had been the last town of note controlled by the Islamic State group in the area until it was taken in December by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The United Nations refugee agency said that clashes and air strikes have forced 25,000 people to run and seek shelter in camps or informal settlements, sometimes after spending several nights in the desert exposed to harsh weather and without access to food or water. The agency also warned over "mounting civilian casualties" in the area, without providing figures. An estimated 2,000 civilians remain trapped in Hajin, where conflict continues, the UN said. The SDF is currently flushing out the very last pockets of land controlled by the jihadists in the Euphrates River ...
Will be too late if work doesn't begin on incorporating AI into armed forces' system: Gen Rawat
Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat Friday pitched for incorporating artificial intelligence and big data into the armed forces' system, and cautioned that many countries, including "some of our adversaries", are spending "huge money" on this aspect of technology. Addressing the Army Technology Seminar at Manekshaw Centre here, he said, it will be "too late" if we don't start work on AI and big data. "We have identified technologies that need to be incorporated (into our system)," he said. "But, we also need to address, how can we incorporate AI and big data into our system. We can't just leave them to be in military glossary," Rawat said in the keynote address. He said it was time to address the issue in a "significant manner". "We need to address, how can we incorporate AI and big data into our system. If we don't start now, it will be too late. "Countries around the world, including some of of our adversaries, are spending huge amounts of money on this aspect," Rawat said. The Army chief ..
Willing to contest forthcoming polls, says Shah Faesal
IAS officer Shah Faesal, who has announced his resignation, Friday said he was willing to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections but would not be joining any political party "as of now". Addressing a press conference here, he ruled out the possibility of joining separatist Hurriyat Conference saying his experience in governance could not be used there. Faesal, who has been in the limelight since becoming the first Kashmiri to top the civil services exam in 2009, announced his resignation on January 9 through social media to protest the "unabated" killings in Kashmir and the marginalisation of Indian Muslims. In a brief statement on Facebook, the 35-year-old Faesal, who belongs to 2010 batch of the IAS, said his resignation was also to protest "the marginalisation and invisiblisation of around 200 million Indian Muslims at the hands of Hindutva forces reducing them to second-class citizens; insidious attacks on the special identity of the state and growing culture of intolerance .
Egypt confirms arrest of 2 Germans, deports one: sources
Egyptian authorities have confirmed two German nationals suspected of attempting to join an Islamic State group affiliate have been arrested, and one was deported, Egyptian security sources said Friday. German media reported earlier this month that two Germans had gone missing after arriving separately in Egypt in December. The families of both men believe their arrests were cases of mistaken identity. And Egyptian authorities had previously denied the arrests to AFP. One man is a 24-year-old detained at Cairo International Airport over suspicions he was seeking to join the jihadist IS group in Egypt's turbulent northern Sinai region, the sources said. He was reportedly arrested on December 27. "Since he did not commit any crime under the Egyptian law and gave up the Egyptian nationality, the authorities decided to deport him to his country of nationality - Germany - in coordination with the German embassy," one of sources said. Another 18-year old German national was also arrested, ..
Pak Army raids militant hideouts, kills 2 terrorists
The Pakistan Army said Friday that it killed two terrorists and seized a huge cache of weapons and explosives during a raid on militant hideouts in the restive southwestern Balochistan province. The operation was conducted by the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) in Kalat, Kharan and Maiwand areas, it said. "Two terrorists have been killed during an intelligence based operation conducted by FC," the Army said. The security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition, including sub machine guns, improvised explosive devices, grenades, mines, rockets and communication equipment, it said. Balochistan has faced low-intensity conflict between security forces and militants belonging to Baloch nationalist groups and radical Islamist outfits. The security forces often carry out intelligence-based operations to foil militants' efforts.
Kumar Rajesh Chandra takes charge as SSB DG
IPS officer Kumar Rajesh Chandra on Friday took over as the new Director General (DG) of the Sashastra Seema Bal, a paramilitary force that guards Indian borders with Nepal and Bhutan. Chandra, a 1985-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Bihar cadre, took charge from his batch senior S S Deswal who has been holding the charge of SSB DG in an additional capacity since October 31, after the latter was appointed as the chief of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), that is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had issued orders for appointment of Chandra as SSB chief on January 8. Chandra has been serving as the DG of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) under the Union Civil Aviation Ministry in Delhi till now. The officer, a PG in economics from the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, will retire from service on December 31, 2021. Chandra has earlier served in the Special Protection Group (SPG) that guards the PM, ...
Myanmar court rejects jailed Reuters reporters' appeal
A court here on Friday rejected an appeal by two jailed Reuters journalists who were sentenced to seven years on charges of violating a colonial-era Act.
Canadian Sikh separatist accused of terrorism appointed as Gurudwara President
A Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who has been accused by India of running a terror camp in British Columbia has been elected unopposed to head the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, which has one of the largest memberships in Canada.Nijjar's name was in the list of wanted persons that was handed over to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder during his trip to India in February 2018.He was also briefly taken into custody by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in April 2018 before being released without any charges being filed.Nijjar's appointment reflects that Khalistani extremists are taking charge of gurudwaras in Canada and running the campaign for a separate Sikh country Khalistan.This comes a month after Canada listed Khalistani extremism among the terror threats facing the country.A 2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada has said that the country is facing threat from growing Khalistani extremism in ..
Israelis, Palestinians segregated on new West Bank highway
Israel has inaugurated a new highway in the occupied West Bank that features a large concrete wall segregating Israeli and Palestinian traffic. One side of Route 4370 located northeast of Jerusalem will be open to Israeli vehicles only, while the other half will only be open to Palestinian traffic. Critics have branded it an "apartheid" highway, saying it is part of a segregated road system that benefits Jewish settlers. The highway was built as part of a planned ring road east of Jerusalem that would connect the northern and southern West Bank. Construction began in 2005, but the five-kilometer road lay unfinished for years until 2017. Israeli officials inaugurating the new road on Wednesday touted it as a means of better connecting West Bank settlements north of Jerusalem to the city. Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan called the highway "an example of the ability to create coexistence between Israelis and Palestinian while guarding (against) the existing security ...
Army major, BSF jawan injured in Pak shelling in J-K
An Army major and a BSF jawan were injured as Pakistani troops shelled forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said Thursday. The Pakistan Army violated ceasefire for a third consecutive day Thursday, inviting a strong retaliation from Indian forces, they said. "One Army Major and a constable of BSF were injured as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Tarkundi forward area of Balakote sector late Thursday," an Army officer said. Both of them were shifted to 166 Military hospital at Jammu and their condition is stated to be stable, the officials said. The incident happened in forward post of '3 BUMP' at around I pm. According to sources, the duo was reportedly injured in sniping. On Wednesday as well, Pakistani troops had fired on and shelled the Kalal forward area in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district twice, the officials said. The continuous shelling and firing on villages has set in a fear psychosis among the border dwellers. With the latest
J-K Guv lauds sacrifices, role of J&K Police
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Thursday lauded the sacrifices made by martyrs for upholding the integrity and sovereignty of the nation. Speaking at function of police martyrs memorial T-20 cricket championship, he said the role of J&K Police in maintenance of peace has been hailed by one and all. Referring to measures taken by the governor administration, he said welfare of the next of kins of the martyrs will always be their priority. He complimented police for peaceful conduct of the panchayat and urban local body elections. Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, who was guest of honour at the function, said the J&K Police has been fighting terrorism and during this fight more than 1,600 police personnel of the force have attained martyrdom for the security and sovereignty of the nation.
Sudan says overall protest death toll rises to 22
Anti-government protests that have rocked Sudan have left 22 people dead, authorities said Thursday, after three demonstrators died hours after thousands cheered for President Omar al-Bashir at a rival rally in Khartoum. Wednesday's competing rallies in the capital followed weeks of angry street protests over a government decision to triple the price of bread at a time when the country faces an acute shortage of foreign currency and soaring inflation. Hundreds of protesters who have repeatedly called on Bashir to step down marched in the capital's twin city of Omdurman chanting "freedom, peace, justice" and "revolution is the people's choice". But they were quickly confronted with tear gas fired by riot police. Videos posted on social media that could not be independently verified showed some demonstrators pelting police officers with rocks. On Thursday, police confirmed that three protesters had died in the Omdurman demonstration but did not specify the cause of death. "An illegal ...
Sitharaman reviews war memorial project at India Gate circle
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday reviewed the progress of the National War Memorial (NWM) being constructed at the India Gate, along with Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and other senior officials."The Defence Minister with Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, senior hierarchy of the Defence Ministry and the forces reviewed the project. Progress is being closely monitored ever since the work began," Defence Ministry spokesperson tweeted.The NWM will be the first memorial to honour all the 26,000 martyrs of the defence forces who gave up their lives in different operations since independence."The work at the site is in full swing and necessary actions are being taken to ensure that all obstacles are overcome and the memorial is ready by January 25 deadline," the officials said.Sitharaman has also formed an oversight committee to ensure that all the memorial related work is completed in time, the official stated.She holds a weekly review meeting to keep a close track on .
Russian deputy foreign minister holds consultation with Indian foreign secy
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Indian Foreign Secretary V K Gokale have held consultations here during which the two sides stressed on furthering cooperation in the international arena, officials said Thursday. During the meeting on Wednesday, "the unprecedented nature of the Russian-Indian Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership was noted, and a high assessment was given to the positive dynamics of bilateral relations in various fields," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. It is with satisfaction that the common approaches of Russia and India to current global and regional problems, including the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) to resolve the situation around the Iranian nuclear programme, were noted, it said. The sides discussed in detail the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and other issues of the current global agenda in the field of arms control and non-proliferation of WMD (weapon ..
Separatists condemn killing of Sikh youth in J-K's Pulwama district
Separatists leaders Thursday condemned the killing of a Sikh youth by unidentified gunmen in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir last week. They said killing of any human being irrespective of the faith he belongs to deserves highest form of condemnation. In a joint statement issued here, separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik said many attempts were made to trigger a sectarian wedge and the Sikh community was targeted time and again but they always stood shoulder to shoulder with the majority community and the ongoing freedom struggle. They said when the gruesome incident of Chattisingpora massacre of Sikhs took place in 2000, the members of Sikh community "showed wisdom, remained patient and defeated the anti-Kashmir agencies and people". "It is the collective responsibility of the (separatist) leadership and people to protect the minorities be that Sikhs, Hindus, and Buddhists as Islam also lay stress on protecting the members of ...
India should be part talks with Taliban to pursue its interests in Afghanistan: Rawat
Army Chief Gen. Bipin Thursday said India cannot be left out of the "bandwagon" when a number of major countries reaching out to Taliban, noting that the engagement was necessary to pursue New Delhi's interests in the war-torn country. He said India should not be out of the "high table" where key players are engaging with the Taliban to explore ways to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. "A number of countries are talking to the Taliban. The issue we should address is -- do we have an interest in Afghanistan. If the answer is yes, then you cannot be out of the bandwagon," he said during a press conference. In his address at the Raisina Dialogue on Wednesday, Gen. Rawat backed dialogue with the Taliban in Afghanistan. "Our thinking is that -- yes we have an interests in Afghanistan and if we have interests, and if other people are saying that there should be talks, we should also become its part. May be directly or indirectly. We cannot be left out," he said. Gen. Rawat said ...
2 police, 2 civilians killed in DR Congo vote result protest
Two police and two civilians were killed in the western DR Congo city of Kikwit Thursday when police intervened to end protests over the outcome of presidential elections, security forces said. "In the operation to restore public order today in Kikwit, two policemen and two civilian were killed. We also recorded 10 wounded," city police chief General Dieudonne Mutepeke told AFP. Kikwit is a stronghold of opposition candidate Martin Fayulu, who was declared runner-up in the elections.
Cross-border infiltration: Army commander says options available to give befitting reply to Pak
The Army has a range of options to exercise against the continued infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir to give a befitting reply to Pakistan, a top Army commander said Thursday. "It (infiltration) has carried on We have a range of options that are available to the Indian Army and depending on the situation and depending on what is the effect that we desire, we decide on whatever option has to be exercised," Army commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh told reporters at Gulmarg -- 55 kms from here. Lt Gen Singh was talking to the media after inaugurating the Gulmarg Winter Youth Festival at the famous ski-resort in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. He said ceasefire violations on the LoC was a ploy by the Pakistani army to push the infiltrators into Indian territory. "As far as the ceasefire violations are concerned, they have continued on the LoC, but it is essentially the adversary, the Pakistani army, on the other side of the LoC ...