Page 314 - War Conflict

Court clears way for reopening Vedanta copper smelter, Tamil Nadu government to appeal

CHENNAI (Reuters) - An environment court set aside on Saturday the Tamil Nadu state government's order to close Vedanta's copper smelter plant permanently, taking the company closer to reopening its facility in southern India.

2 security personnel injured in Jharkhand

Two security personnel were injured in a gun battle with Maoists in Seraikela-Kharsawa district of Jharkhand on Saturday.

Sabarimala row: Ranni court revokes Rahul Easwar's bail

A local court here on Saturday revoked the bail granted to Rahul Easwar for not appearing before the police last week.Police had taken Rahul into custody from Nilakkal base camp on October 17 under Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly fuelling enmity between groups on religious grounds. Later, he was granted bail by a local court under certain conditions.As per the bail conditions, Rahul Easwar had to report to Pathanamthitta police every Saturday. However, he didn't appear before the police last week, because of which the court cancelled the bail, ordering the police to arrest him.When Sabarimala temple had opened for the public on September 17, Easwar had said that the believers of the old age tradition will stage a peaceful protest to stop women from entering the temple premises. The protest later turned violent.

7 civilians among 11 killed in encounter, protests in Kashmir

Seven civilians died in south Kashmir's Pulwama district Saturday when security forces allegedly opened fire at an unruly crowd that tried to storm the site of an encounter in which three militants and an Army man were killed, police said. The 11 deaths took place after security forces laid siege to a locality in Sirnoo village following intelligence reports about the presence of three militants, including Army deserter Zahoor Ahmad Thoker who belonged to the same village. Several civilians were also injured in the firing that followed the encounter, officials said. Political parties in Kashmir condemned the killings, saying Governor Satya Pal Malik-led administration has "failed" to secure people's lives. Authorities suspended mobile internet services in most parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, to prevent escalation in tension following the deaths. Local residents had thronged the encounter site after hearing that Zahoor Thoker was among the militants trapped there, police ...

Six security personnel killed in Pak

At least six security personnel have been killed during an anti-terror operation in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, an official statement said on Saturday. The incident happened on Friday in Balochistan's Turbat area when terrorist targeted one of the vehicles of the security forces during an intelligence base operation on a terrorist's hide out. "Terrorists targeted one of the vehicles of security forces through IED. 6 security personnel were killed," Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of Pakistan armed Forces, said in a statement. Later, during an exchange of fire four terrorists were also killed. Balochistan is among the war-torn areas of Pakistan with the presence of several extremist groups.

Yemenis fear collapse of UN-backed ceasefire accord

Residents of Yemen's flashpoint port of Hodeida and other cities fear a UN-brokered ceasefire could collapse at any moment, saying that after four years of conflict any accord is deeply fragile. On Friday morning, a day after the breakthrough agreement was penned in Sweden by representatives of the Yemeni government and the Huthi Shiite rebels, many held their breath. The Red Sea port of Hodeida, a main frontline between rebels and loyalist forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition and key conduit of aid, had woken to calm after weeks of confrontation. But hours later scattered clashes broke with artillery and machinegun exchanges heard through the south and east of the city, residents said. It was the first test of the fragile ceasefire. Saturday morning saw calm return to Hodeida, but shops and schools remained shuttered as gunmen deployed in the south and east. "I was so happy they had reached a solution for Hodeida but our happiness was short lived," 28-year-old Hodeida ...

Wouldn't have achieved freedom without India:B'desh delegation

Expressing gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces, members of a visiting Bangladesh delegation Saturday said that the country would not have attained liberation from Pakistan as fast as it did without the Indian forces. Stating that Bangladesh has not forgotten the contribution of Indian Armed Forces, Bangladesh MP Quazi Rosy said that India extended all help to the people of erstwhile East Pakistan to attain freedom. "Without you (Indian Armed Forces), we would not have been able to attain independence so fast. Vietnam fought for nine years and we fought for nine months only and it was possible because of you," Rosy, head of a Bangladesh delegation for 'Vijay Diwas' (victory day) celebrations to mark India's win over Pakistan in the 1971 war and birth of Bangladesh, said. A freedom struggle by the Bengali-speaking majority in East Pakistan against the atrocities committed by Pakistan forces had started in March 1971. The war between India and Pakistan, that commenced on

Israel demolishes home of Palestinian assailant in West Bank

Israeli forces have demolished the home of a Palestinian charged with killing a soldier during an Israeli raid in the West Bank earlier this year. Troops used two controlled explosions to destroy Islam Abu Hmaid's home in Ramallah on Saturday, in an operation involving dozens of soldiers and military vehicles. The military says Palestinians hurled rocks toward the forces, who responded with "riot dispersal means," which usually refers to rubber-tipped bullets and tear gas. Israel has stepped up raids in the West Bank as it searches for those behind two recent deadly attacks in the occupied territory. It has arrested dozens of members of the Islamic militant group Hamas. On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the expedited demolition of militant homes in response to the shootings.

Mobile internet services suspended in most parts of Kashmir

Mobile internet services were suspended on Saturday in most parts of Kashmir, including in Srinagar -- the summer capital, in the aftermath of killing of seven civilians in Pulwama district, officials said. The civilians were killed when security forces allegedly opened fire at an unruly crowd that tried to storm the site of an encounter in Srinoo village. Three militants and a soldier were killed in the encounter. High-speed mobile internet services have been suspended in most parts of the Valley as a precautionary measure, the officials said. They said the services have been barred in four districts of south Kashmir, Srinagar, Bandipora and Sopore township in Baramulla and Handwara in Kupwara district. The internet speeds have been throttled in Budgam and Ganderbal districts, they added. The mobile internet services are working normally in the rest of the areas in Baramulla and Kupwara districts, the officials said. Police said though the encounter ended in 25 minutes with the ...

Sea cucumber worth Rs 60 lakh seized, one arrested in TN

Sea cucumber worth Rs 60 lakh in international market and meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka was seized and a man arrested near here Saturday, police said. During a routine patrol, marine police found S Sadqiue in possession of 60 kg of sea cucumber off South Sea near Mandapam and detained him. The sea cucumber was meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka, police sad adding Sadique had been arrested. The marine species, protected under the wildlife Act in the country, is rampantly poached in view of demand in Southeast Asian nations for use as a delicacy.

Joy as US-seized bells ring again on Philippine soil

A sleepy central Philippine town erupted in joy on Saturday as bells looted from its church more than a century ago by vengeful US troops were turned over to the community, and rang once again on their home soil. Children waving bell-shaped signs and tearful residents in Balangiga welcomed home the three bells that are a deep local source of pride, and which the US flew to Manila this week after decades of urging by the Philippines. "Nobody, but nobody, can claim a singular credit for the generous act of the Americans," Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said after ringing one of the bells before a crowd of thousands that included US and church officials. "The bells are returned. The credit goes to the American people and to the Filipino people -- period," he said, striking a rare positive tone regarding the nation's former colonial master. American troops carted away the bronze objects as trophies, after razing the town and killing potentially thousands of Filipinos, in reprisal ...

6 soldiers killed during anti-terror raid in Pakistan

At least six security personnel have been killed during an anti-terror operation in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

7 civilians among 11 killed in encounter, protests in J&K's Pulwama

Seven civilians were killed when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse an unruly crowd that had gathered near the site of an encounter in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday, police said. Three militants and an Army man were also killed in the gunfight, they said. The incident took place at Sirnoo village in the morning when the security forces laid siege to a locality based on intelligence reports about the presence of three militants, including an Army deserter - Zahoor Ahmad Thoker, in the area, police officials said. As soon as the news about Thoker being trapped in an encounter spread, people started thronging the encounter site as the army deserter belonged to the same village, they said. Though the encounter ended in 25 minutes with the killing of the three militants, the security forces had a tough time as people started climbing onto Army vehicles, the officials said. They said warning shots were fired but that did not deter the mob, forcing the security .

11 killed in J&K gunfight, clashes (Third Lead)

Three militants and a soldier were killed on Saturday during a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, while seven civilians died in subsequent clashes in the area, police said.

Pulwama encounter: 1 jawan killed

One Army jawan was killed during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday.Earlier in the morning, three terrorists were neutralised during an exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists.The operation broke out in the early morning. Intermittent firing is underway.In another operation launched by security officers on 12 December, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) affiliated terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out in the Sopore region of Baramulla district.More details are awaited.

10 killed in J&K gunfight, clashes

Three militants and a soldier were killed on Saturday during a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, while six other civilians died in subsequent clashes in the area, police said.

Slain civilian in J&K clashes leaves behind Indonesian wife

One of the two civilians killed in clashes with the security forces on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, leaves behind an Indonesian wife and a three-month-old baby.

3 militants, soldier killed in Pulwama encounter: Army

Three militants and a soldier were killed in an encounter between the ultras and security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, the Army said. The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Sirnoo village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Saturday morning after receiving specific intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area, an Army official said. The search operation turned into an encounter after the militants opened fire on the security personnel. Three militants and a soldier were killed in the gunfight, he said. The identity and group affiliation of the slain ultras was not known yet. Massive clashes broke out between youths and the security forces in the area following the encounter.

J-K: 3 terrorists gunned down in Pulwama encounter

Three terrorists were neutralised during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday.Intermittent firing is underway between terrorists and security forces in Pulwama district.This comes three days after two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) affiliated terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out in the Sopore region of Baramulla district.More details are awaited.

Tribunal set up to adjudicate ban on Manipur insurgent groups

The Centre on Saturday set up a tribunal to adjudicate matters related to a ban imposed on Manipur insurgent groups collectively known as the 'Meitei Extremist Organisations'.