Page 313 - War Conflict
India hails end of political impasse in Sri Lanka
India on Sunday welcomed the end of political impasse in Sri Lanka with Ranil Wickremesinghe being sworn in again as Prime Minister of the island nation.
Pakistan tried to take Kashmir by force post I962 Sino-India war: Lt Gen Brar (retd)
India's defeat in the 1962 China war followed by the delineation of the Kutch border "emboldened" Pakistan to try and take Kashmir by force and settle its political problems by "military action", Lt Gen N S Brar (retd) has said. In his latest book "Drummers Call", Brar writes that it was the 'Battle of Asal Uttar' that defined the 1965 war between India and Pakistan. Fought in early September, the battle of Asal Uttar (meaning fitting reply) was one of the largest tank battles fought during the 1965 war, which ultimately ended with the "decisive victory" for India. "Post India's humilation in 1962, when Pakistan made incursions into Kutch in April-May 1965, India agreed to a delineation of the Kutch border by a three-member international tribunal. This emboldened Pakistan to attempt to take Kashmir by force," Brar writes in his anthology published by 'The Browser'. "The Pakistan Army, boosted by its qualitative and quantitative superiority in artillery and armour, and believing the ...
Air strikes, clashes in Yemen's Hodeida despite ceasefire: pro-govt sources
Air strikes and fierce clashes shook the outskirts of the Yemeni port city of Hodeida overnight, pro-government sources and residents said Sunday, despite a UN-brokered ceasefire. At least 29 fighters, including 22 Huthi rebels, were killed on Saturday night in clashes and air strikes in Hodeida province, a pro-government military source told AFP. A Hodeida city resident reached by telephone said that the clashes were "fierce", adding that the sounds of jets could be heard throughout the night.
Pakistan summons Iran envoy over militant attack near border
Pakistan has lodged a protest with Iran over the killing of six paramilitary troops who were ambushed by militants while patrolling the border. The Foreign Ministry says it summoned Iran's ambassador to demand it take action against the armed group responsible for the attack. No one has claimed the attack, and neither country has identified those responsible. Some 30 militants attacked the Frontier Corps convoy on Friday, killing six soldiers and wounding 14. Four attackers were killed in the shootout. Iran condemned the attack Saturday and vowed to cooperate with Pakistan. A number of militant groups as well as drug smugglers operate in the border region. Militants captured around a dozen Iranian border guards near the border in October. Five were released in Pakistan last month, under unclear circumstances.
'The Sentinels of the Snow...' a path-breaking documentary: G.D. Bakshi
Major General G.D. Bakshi (retd) brought gripping tales from the Battle at Rezang La in a documentary titled "The Sentinels of the Snow: The Battle of Rezang La". He says it's a path-breaking documentary.
Pak Army chief confirms death sentence of 15 'hardcore terrorists'
Pakistan Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa Sunday confirmed the death sentence of 15 "hardcore terrorists", who were involved in killing civilians and abetting 2016 Christian Colony suicide attacks in Peshawar. Gen Bajwa "confirmed the death sentence awarded to 15 hardcore terrorists, who were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism," said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army. The terrorists were convicted for attacking the armed forces/law enforcement agencies, abetting suicide bombers in an attack on Christian Colony near Peshawar, destruction of educational institutions and killing of innocent civilians, it said. In September 2016, four suicide bombers attacked the Christian Colony in Peshawar. Security forces promptly responded and killed all the attackers. The Christian colony is situated outside the military cantonment. The Jamaat-ur Ahrar, a Taliban faction, claimed responsibility for the attack. Ibrar, a member .
Joint parliamentary panel expresses dismay over long working hours of CRPF personnel
A joint parliamentary committee has expressed dismay over long working hours of CRPF personnel, who cannot even avail holidays and weekly offs, saying such a situation is neither healthy nor sustainable. The parliamentary standing committee on home affairs, headed by Congress leader P Chidambaram, also said the accommodation provided by the state governments to paramilitary forces sometimes are unhygienic, insecure and poorly maintained, which affects dignity, morale and motivation of troops. "The committee is dismayed to note that the CRPF personnel work for 12-14 hours a day and more than 80 per cent of CRPF personnel cannot avail holidays and Sundays," it said in a report submitted to Rajya Sabha. The panel said it understands that the job of an armed force personnel is such that he or she has to be alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. However, working 12 to 14 hours daily with no scope for holidays and Sundays will result in psychological and physical ...
President Kovind, PM Modi remembers soldiers on Vijay Diwas
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed their gratitude towards the Indian Armed Forces and soldiers on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.President Kovind took to Twitter to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who lost their lives in 1971 war with Pakistan."On Vijay Diwas, we remember with gratitude our Armed Forces who defended our nation and upheld universal values of human liberty in 1971. In particular, we pay tribute to those who lost their lives in that valiant effort," tweets Kovind.Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Today on Vijay Diwas we remember the indomitable spirit of the brave soldiers who fought in 1971. Their unwavering courage and patriotism ensured our country is safe. Their service will always inspire every Indian".Vijay Diwas is commemorated every year on 16 December to mark India's victory over Pakistan in 1971 war, where Bangladesh was freed from the clutches of Pakistan.
Strike called by separatists, restrictions imposed in Srinagar, Pulwama districts of J-K
Authorities Sunday imposed restrictions in Pulwama and parts of Srinagar districts of Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary measure in view of the strike called by separatists against the killing of seven civilians during an encounter on Saturday. Restrictions under Section 144 CrPc have been imposed in Pulwama district of south Kashmir and six police station areas of Srinagar the summer capital of the state - here, officials said. They said the curbs have been imposed in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, M R Gunj and Maisuma police station areas of the city. The officials said the restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and avoid any untoward incident. Separatists under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) Saturday called for a strike across Kashmir on Sunday against the killing of the civilians. The JRL - comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik also asked people to march to the ...
J-K Guv chairs security review meeting, expresses grief over civilian deaths
Governor Satya Pal Malik held a meeting with the senior officers of the state and of central police forces and undertook a detailed review of law and order and other security related issues here on Saturday.The Governor expressed grief over the loss of lives during the anti-militancy operation in Sirnoo area of Pulwama district today, in which seven civilians died after post- operation clashes.The meeting was attended by Advisor to Governor K Vijay Kumar, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh, Principal Secretary to Governor Umang Narula, Principal Secretary Home RK Goyal, IGP Jammu SDS Jamwal. Officers of State and Central Police forces including Div. Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan, ADGP, Law and Order Muneer Khan, IGP, Kashmir SP Pani, and IG CRPF Ravideep Singh Sahi participated in the meeting through video conferencing.The Governor reviewed the latest security scenario in Kashmir including details of the counter infiltration and counter ...
Nicaragua police raid opposition paper, end rights groups' permits
Nicaraguan police have raided the offices of an opposition daily and then stripped human rights and activist groups' permission to operate, those targeted said. Nine police officers armed with rifles entered the offices late Friday and started pushing people, beating others and making fun of reporters after journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro challenged them to take on his media outlet without a search warrant in his online daily Confidencial and news broadcasts Esta Semana and Esta Noche, he said. What you are doing "is just de facto. If you have the order, I ask you to show it," Chamorro said from the street to the agent who barred him and other colleagues from entering the offices. "Police did not show any order at all... so this is an armed assault on private property, freedom of the press, freedom of expression and free enterprise," he later told reporters. Confidencial's front door was sealed with tape following the raid. Police seized work equipment and documents. Chamorro ...
Vedanta Ltd welcomes NGT order; says workers to get back livelihood
Mining company Vedanta Ltd Saturday welcomed the National Green Tribunal order to resume operations at the company's facility in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, and said those affected by the plant's closure will get back their source of livelihood. In a statement issued late Saturday, Vedanta Ltd's Sterlite Copper Plant, Chief Executive Officer, P Ramnath said, "We welcome the order given by the National Green Tribunal on allowing us to resume operations of our copper smelter at Thoothukudi". "We are happy that all those affected by the closure will get back their source of livelihood and the town of Thoothukudi will revert back to normalcy," he said in the statement. Stating that the company had been operating smelter by adapting "best practices" followed globally, the official noted, "We thank the people of Thoothukudi for the faith reposed in us and for their support". "We will continue to work for the welfare of the communities around the region and remain committed to grow ...
JK guv orders probe into Pulwama incident, appeals people to keep off encounter sites
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Saturday ordered a probe into the death of seven civilians when security forces allegedly opened fire at a mob that thronged an encounter site in Pulwama district, an official spokesperson said. He appealed to people to stay away from encounter sites while directing Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to inquire into the Saturday incident, the spokesman said. Seven people were killed in alleged firing by security forces during post-operation clashes at Simoo village in Pulwama district after a gunfight with terrorists left three extremists and an army jawan dead. In the wake of the incident, the governor chaired a high-level meeting of senior officers of the state and central police forces at the Raj Bhavan where he reviewed law and order and other security related issues. Expressing grief over the loss of lives during post-operation clashes, the governor directed the security forces to minimize collateral damage during anti-terror ...
Cobra jawan injured in encounter with maoists
A Cobra jawan suffered injuries in an encounter with Maoists in naxal-affected Seraikela-Kharswan district on Saturday morning, a senior police officer said. Following an input that workers of the banned CPI (Maoist) entered in Chitil hill area under Kuchai police station of the district, security personnel comprising Cobra battalion, police and CRPF reached the spot when the naxals started firing. Security personnel also retaliated the fire, DIG (Kolhan region) Kuldip Dwivedi said adding that the maoists made a retreat due to mounting pressure from the police camp. A Cobra jawan was injured in the encounter and he was airlifted to a hospital in Ranchi. The Cobra (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) is a specialised unit of the CRPF. A massive search operation was launched in the area to track down the rebels .
Woman militant held with bombs in Manipur
A woman militant was arrested by a combined team of Manipur police and Assam Rifles at Tera Amudon area in Imphal West district and large number of Chinese-made hand grenades, detonators and ammunition were seized from her possession, police said Saturday. The militant is an active member of proscribed underground outfit Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), said Th. Krishnatombi, Additional Superintendent of Police (Commando), Imphal West district. He added that the security forces seized 20 Chinese-made hand grenades, 20 detonators and 1,120 AK 47 live rounds from the possession of the militant. A case has been registered at Lamphel police station for further investigation, the official said.
33,500 'yellow vest' protesters in France: ministry
France's interior ministry said Saturday that the number of "yellow vest" protesters in France was estimated at 33,500 at midday, half the level of a week ago. The ministry said 77,000 "yellow vests" -- named after the fluorescent jackets they wear -- had been counted at the same point last weekend. Police in Paris said fewer than 3,000 had gathered in the capital for the fifth consecutive Saturday of demonstrations, which have so far been largely peaceful. In the early afternoon, security forces fired teargas on the Champs-Elysees, the epicentre of the protests on previous weekends, as around 500 "yellow vests" gathered to denounce the government of President Emmanuel Macron. There were also minor clashes at the Place de l'Opera in Paris where police detonated noise grenades to control crowds there. Macron announced a series of concessions on Monday to defuse the explosive "yellow vest" crisis, which swelled up from rural and small-town France last month. He was hoping the package of
3 terrorists, 7 civilians, 1 jawan killed in Pulwama encounter
Three terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out on Saturday in Pulwama's Monghama area of Sirnoo village. Seven civilians and one security personnel too lost their lives in the gun battle.Bodies of the deceased terrorists were handed over to the legal heirs after the completion of medico-legal formalities. One of the killed terrorists has been identified as Zahoor Ahmad Thoker, resident of Sirnoo.Zahoor had joined Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terror outfit and was a notorious terrorist commander. He was wanted by the police for his complicity in a series of terror crimes including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities. Several terror cases were registered against him in the past too.Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition recovered from the site of the encounter have been taken in case records for an investigation.Earlier on Saturday, security forces had launched a search operation based on credible input about the presence of terrorists. While
10 Palestinians injured as Israeli soldiers demolish West Bank house
At least 10 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers after the latter demolished a West Bank house that belonged to a family of a Palestinian who allegedly killed a soldier earlier this year, the media reported on Saturday.
Army to increase intake of women in more non-combat roles: Gen
The Indian Army proposed to increase intake of women in more non-combat roles such as interpreters and cyber specialists, its Chief General Bipin Rawat said here Saturday. Besides, it also was mulling recruiting women for the military police, he told reporters here on the sidelines of the combined graduation parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal on the city outskirts. We are saying, we are going to increase the intake. Women are already there in the Army. We are now going to take them more into some other cadres gradually, we are expanding the Indian Army to women officers," he said. Women were there in the legal and education areas already and the army wanted interpreters, cyber specialists, people in the information warfare domain and in accounts and audit services, the General said, replying to a question about Army increasing intake of women. "I am also looking at women jawans in the military police. Women joining as soldiers in the military police service and
Israel army razes home of Palestinian attacker in night-long raid
Israeli troops demolished the home of a Palestinian accused of the May killing of a soldier on Saturday, completing a night-long incursion into the Palestinian-controlled city of Ramallah. The raid on the West Bank city where Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has his headquarters comes as Israeli forces search for the perpetrator of a Thursday shooting that killed two Israeli soldiers. The incursion late Friday triggered clashes with angry residents following a week of rising tensions. Both army and border police units took part in the operation, including members of the commando unit in which the soldier was serving when he was killed by a slab hurled from a building during an army raid. Several hundred soldiers entered the city's Al-Amari refugee camp late Friday, leaving on Saturday morning, AFP journalists reported. "During the operation, dozens of Palestinians instigated a number of violent riots. The rioters hurled rocks towards the forces, who responded with riot dispersal ...