Page 317 - War Conflict
Centre sets up tribunal to adjudicate ban imposed on 8 Manipur insurgent groups
The Centre has constituted a tribunal to adjudicate matters related to extension of ban imposed on eight insurgent groups in Manipur for five more years over continued involvement in unlawful and violent activities. In a notification, the Home Ministry said the tribunal was set up under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and will be headed by Delhi High Court judge Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal. The tribunal will adjudicate whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the Meitei extremist organisations of Manipur as "Unlawful Associations", the notification said. The organisations which were banned last month include Peoples' Liberation Army generally known as PLA and its political wing, Revolutionary Peoples' Front (RPF), United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and its armed wing Manipur Peoples' Army (MPA), Peoples' Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and its armed wing 'Red Army'. The others are Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and its armed wing, ...
Bomb explodes in Imphal mall
A bomb exploded in a mall here early on Thursday but there were no casualty as the complex had not opened for business for the day, Manipur police said.
French govt urges end to protests after Strasbourg attack
The French government on Thursday urged "yellow vest" protesters not to hold another round of demonstrations this weekend as police hunted for a second day for the fugitive gunman who attacked a Christmas market in the eastern city of Strasbourg. Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux called on the anti-government protesters to be "reasonable", citing the strain on security forces after the attack in Strasbourg on Tuesday evening. Police across several European countries have launched a manhunt for the main suspect, a 29-year-old Strasbourg native, who killed two and injured 13 after opening fire on shoppers. The suspected killer, identified as Cherif Chekatt, is thought to have been injured after exchanging fire with soldiers, but managed to escape and has not been seen since. "Our security forces have been deployed extensively these past few weeks," Griveaux told CNews television. "It would be better if everyone could go about their business calmly on Saturday, before the year-end ..
Karan Singh proposes Sita statue along Lord Rama's in Ayodhya
Amidst growing demand for a Rama statue in Ayodhya, Congress leader Karan Singh has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister demanding a statue of Sita along Lord Rama.In a letter, Karan Singh said, "If you have taken the decision to construct a magnificent idol of Lord Rama, then it is better to reduce the height of Rama statue to half and build a couple statue of both Rama and Sita instead."Recently, Chief Minister Adityanath proposed the idea of constructing a huge Lord Rama's statue in Ayodhya.The Congress leader substantiated his point by saying that Sita deserved a respected place in Ayodhya because all her life even after being married to a Rama she did not get the deserved place in Ayodhya."After her marriage, Sita came to Ayodhya but soon after had to go on 14-year exile and there she was kidnapped by Ravana, and even after being saved by Rama, she had to undergo the 'agni pariksha' and then she again had to go to exile to an ashram," wrote Singh in his letter.
Khalistani extremism a threat, says Canada minister's report
A 2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada has said that the country is facing threat from growing Khalistani extremism in the country. This is the first time in the tenure of the Justin Trudeau government that Canada has listed Khalistani extremism among the terror threats facing the country.The report submitted by Public Safety Minister, Ralph Goodale, also highlighted the growing terror threat in the country by various outfits including Sunni extremist groups such as Daesh (Islamic State) or al-Qaeda.In the reference to Khalistani extremism, the report stated: "Some individuals in Canada continue to support Sikh (Khalistani) extremist ideologies and movements." It mentioned that violent activities in support of Khalistan had "fallen since their height during the 1982-1993 period when individuals and groups conducted numerous terrorist attacks".The report added: "Furthermore, Shia and Sikh (Khalistani) extremism also remain of concern because while their attacks in ...
Abducted Indian boy rescued from Nepal, 3 arrested
A seven-year-old Indian boy, who was kidnapped from Bihar last week, has been rescued from Nepal and three people, including a political leader here, have been arrested in connection with his abduction, the police said.
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day following protests
The Rajya Sabha Thursday was adjourned for the day without transacting any business following protests by Tamil Nadu parties inside the well over the Cauvery river issue. No sooner had the House paid its respects to the nine persons who laid down their lives 17 years back when terrorist attacked the Parliament House complex and the listed papers presented, members belonging to the AIADMK and DMK trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans. "Protect the Right of Tamil Nadu," read the placards held by protesting members. A couple of members from Andhra Pradesh too were in the well demanding special status for the state. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu warned that he would be forced to adjourn the proceedings for the day if members did not return to their seats and allow the House to function. "I would like to urge members to at least allow the House today... 9 persons had laid down their lives to protect Parliament. Wrong message will go," he said. He said discussion on ..
Amnesty says Islamic State group decimated rural Iraq
The Islamic State group's deliberate destruction of agriculture in northern Iraq has hindered the return of hundreds of thousands of residents, Amnesty International said in a report released Thursday. The New York-based rights group said IS fighters burnt or chopped down orchards and sabotaged wells by filling them with rubble, oil or other materials. The militants also stole or destroyed pumps, cables, generators, transformers and vital electricity lines. Amnesty called on the Iraqi government to repair rural infrastructure and compensate the displaced so they can return to their homes. IS seized control of much of northern Iraq in the summer of 2014. U.S.-backed Iraqi forces gradually drove the militants from all the territory under their control, declaring victory a year ago after a costly campaign that destroyed entire neighborhoods and towns. "The damage to Iraq's countryside is as far-reaching as the urban destruction, but the consequences of the conflict on Iraq's rural ...
2 militants killed in J&K gunfight
Two militants were killed on Thursday in a gunfight with security forces in a Jammu and Kashmir village in Sopore district, police said.
2 terrorists killed in Sopore encounter
Two terrorists were killed on Wednesday in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Baratkalan Gund Mohalla, Sopore.The operation, which continued for the entire night, concluded on Thursday morning."The exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces has stopped," said sources. The security forces have begun the search operation.The troops of 179 Battalion of CRPF, Special Operation Group (SOG), 22 RR, CRPF Range Quick Action Team, Baramulla, carried out the encounter.The identity and group affiliation of the terrorists is yet to be ascertained. More details are awaited.
Sopore encounter concludes, search operation begins
The encounter that began between security forces and terrorists in Baratkalan Gund Mohalla yesterday, concluded on Thursday morning."The exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces has stopped," said the sources. The security forces have begun the search operation now.The troops of 179 Battalion of CRPF, Special Operation Group (SOG), 22 RR, CRPF Range Quick Action Team, Baramulla, carried out the encounter.The identity and group affiliation of the terrorists is yet to be ascertained. More details are awaited.
OAS expresses 'greatest concern' over Venezuela-Russia wargames
The Organization of American States on Wednesday expressed concerns about the deployment of Russian aircraft to Venezuela to carry out military exercises. A statement from the body's General Secretariat said it noted news from Caracas of "the possibility that aircraft capable of using nuclear weapons from Russia are in its territory" with the "greatest concern." Russia sent about 100 pilots and other personnel along with two Tupolev-160 bombers and two other aircraft to Caracas -- generating tensions with the US and Colombia, countries Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro regularly accuses of plotting to assassinate him. The secretariat branded the mission as "harmful to Venezuelan sovereignty," adding it violated the crisis-hit South American country's constitution because it had not been authorized by its National Assembly. "Likewise, this action may also be in violation of fundamental norms of international law," it said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week condemned the ...
Israeli premature baby born after Palestinian shooting attack dies
An Israeli baby, delivered prematurely after his mother was wounded in a recent Palestinian drive-by shooting attack, died in hospital on Wednesday, Israel's Shin Bet security service said.
Italy's strategic analysis committee meets after Strasbourg attack
Rome, Dec 13 (IANS/AKI) Italy's national strategic analysis committee met on Wednesday to assess the security threat pose by Islamic extremist networks in the wake of the deadly Strasbourg Christmas market attack, Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini said.
Israeli forces kill Palestinian suspected over West Bank shooting
Israeli security forces on Wednesday shot dead a Palestinian suspected in the shooting of seven Israelis including a pregnant woman whose baby later died. The Shin Bet security service said in a statement that a suspect named Salah Omar Barghouti, 29, who tried to evade capture during a raid on a West Bank village, was shot and killed. The statement did not say if Barghouti was suspected of being the gunman or an accomplice. It said an unspecified number of other suspects were arrested. The Shin Bet announcement came hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that those who carried out Sunday's drive-by shooting near a Jewish settlement in the Israeli-occupied West bank would be found and brought to justice. He spoke shortly after a Jerusalem hospital announced the death of the baby boy, delivered by emergency caesarean section after his mother was shot. She was 30-weeks pregnant. "We lost a few hours ago a newborn baby, four days old," Netanyahu said in an address to foreign
Italy following 'tragic' Strasbourg attack: Foreign Minister
Rome, Dec 13 (IANS/AKI) Italy is "closely watching" developments relating to the "tragic" gun attack on a Christmas market in the eastern French city of Strasbourg, Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi tweeted on Wednesday.
Contract killer arrested in Ghaziabad
A man was arrested here for allegedly killing a 26-year-old woman after being hired by her husband, police said Wednesday. The accused, Deepak Panchal, was arrested near a soap factory in Loni. He was allegedly hired by Rinkoo alias Gyanesh to kill his wife, Kavita, as he had suspected him of infidelity, the police said. He was on the run while her husband Rinkoo and his one of his accomplice were arrested earlier, the police said. On November 27, Kavita came to her parental home in Sangam Vihar colony to attend the birthday party of her younger sister. According to the husband, when they were going back home at night on his bike, they stopped at a place where three masked robbers looted Rs 40,000 and ornaments of Kavita at gunpoint. When Kavita resisted the loot bid, Rinkoo had said the robbers fired two gunshots at her and fled from the spot, the police said.
Strasbourg shooting: French police hunt for gunman
The manhunt is underway for a gunman in connection with the Strasbourg shooting at a Christmas market in the French city. Three people were killed and at least 13 wounded in the open fire that took place on Tuesday.The attacker opened fire at around 8 pm in one of the busiest streets in the city, leaving the crowd in a panic.Interior Minister Christophe Castaner in a press conference said that the gunman, who exchanged shots with security forces twice as he escaped, had evaded a police dragnet and was on the run, raising concerns of a follow-up attack."The government has raised its security threat to the highest level and is bolstering border controls. We will also reinforce security at all Christmas markets to prevent copycat attacks," he added.Besides, five people were detained in the overnight searches carried out by the police in the city. Eight of the injured are in serious condition and some had head wounds, reported Al Jazeera quoting Laurent Nunez, secretary of state for the ..
Encounter breaks out in J-K's Sopore
An encounter broke out Wednesday between militants and security forces in Sopore area of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Brath Kalan area of Sopore following information about presence of militants there, a police official said. He said the militants opened fire at the security forces, leading to an encounter. No casualties have been reported so far in the operation, he added.
2 killed in France Christmas market 'terror attack' (Third Lead)
A gunman shouting "Allahu Akbar" opened fire near a Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg, killing two people in an incident believed to be a "terrorist attack", prosecutors said on Wednesday.