Page 325 - War Conflict
Protests mark Babri mosque anniversary, 409 held in Coimbatore
Members of various Muslim outfits staged demonstrations here on the 26th anniversary of Babri mosque demolition Thursday. Clad in black shirts, nearly 1,000 workers of TMMK and SDPI held protests in different places, police said. Over 400 activists of Manithaneya Jananayaka Katchi were detained when they attempted to proceed towards the city airport to lay siege to it demanding re-construction of the mosque at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, they said. Meanwhile, 37 workers of fringe Hindu outfits were arrested for observing the occasion as 'Victory Day' at different places in the city. The mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992 by 'karsevaks' who had converged as part of a movement by the BJP and Hindu outfits for construction of a temple dedicated to Lord Ram at the disputed site.
Army soldier, BSF jawan killed in separate incidents of firing by Pakistan
An Army soldier was killed in firing by Pakistani troops on Thursday, while a BSF jawan lost his life in a sniper attack along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Pakistani troops breached the ceasefire in the Macchil sector in Kupwara district at 10.45 am. One soldier was killed in the firing, an Army official said. "Our troops retaliated in adequate measure to the Pakistani aggression," he added. The officials also said a BSF jawan was killed and another injured in sniper fire from across the LoC in the Sunderbani sector. They said the incident occurred at the Rakhee post in the evening. The sector is manned by the troops of the 126th battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF). While a bullet hit Constable P Biswas on the left shoulder, Constable Mansa Ram suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, they said. The two jawans were evacuated in a helicopter to the nearest medical facility, but Biswas succumbed to injuries, they added. The condition of the ...
HC seeks Centre's reply on ex-servicemen's plea for parity in Military Service Pay
The Delhi High Court has sought response of the Centre on ex-servicemen's plea challenging the difference in Military Service Pay (MSP) amounts according to rank as recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission. A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Sanjeev Narula issued notice to the ministries of Defence and Finance seeking their stand on the plea by a society representing ex-servicemen which has sought quashing of the Pay Commission's recommendation. The petition, by Voice of Ex-Servicemen Society and three retired Army personnel, has sought parity in the MSP, claiming that the difference in amounts according to rank was "arbitrary, illegal and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution". According to the society, the Armed Forces Commissioned Officers and Military Nursing Staff (MNS) are being granted a higher MSP as compared to other branches and army personnel who are the front line and suffer the most casualties. "The number and ratio of casualties, deaths and other tangible ...
NSCN(IM) cadre killed in Arunachal encounter
A hardcore cadre of the NSCN(IM) was killed in an encounter with security forces in Longding district OF Arunachal Pradesh Thursday morning, police said. On a tip off that cadres of the outfit assembled near Longkai village, Khonsa battalion of the Assam Rifles launched an operation. In the ensuing encounter, one of the cadres were killed and his body was handed over to the police. He was identified as a "captain" of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah). Two AK-56 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter, police said. The security forces have launched a search operation in search of other militants. In another operation, he Khonsa battalion captured a cadre of the NSCN (Khaplang) from Chasa Village in Tirap district of the state Thursday morning, police said. Three pistols, some ammunition, opium and cash were recovered from his possession.
Don't cross the line, Pakistan army warns Pashtun activist group
Pakistan's powerful military on Thursday warned a peaceful nationwide civil rights movement which accuses it of abuses that it will use force against them if they "cross the line". Military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said the armed forces were watching the Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) closely. He told reporters in Islamabad the military has given the PTM space to protest as Pashtuns, especially those living in Pakistan's northwest, have suffered disproportionately during Pakistan's long battle with militancy. But, he added, patience is wearing thin. "We realise their grief, their hardships, but (they) should not cross those lines, where the state has to use its force to control the situation," he said. The PTM has rattled the military since it burst onto the scene earlier this year with a call to end alleged abuses by security forces targeting ethnic Pashtuns in the restive tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan. The area, once plagued by militancy and unrest, ..
Iran FM accuses 'foreign-backed terrorists' for Chabahar attack
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused "foreign-backed terrorists" for attacks Thursday in the port city of Chabahar that killed two people and wounded around 40 others. "Foreign-backed terrorists kill & wound innocents in Chabahar. As we've made it clear in the past, such crimes won't go unpunished," Zarif tweeted. Chabahar lies in Sistan-Baluchistan province which has long been a flashpoint, with Pakistan-based Baluchi separatists and Sunni Muslim extremists carrying out cross-border attacks targeting the Shiite authorities. "In 2010, our security services intercepted & captures extremists en route from UAE. Mark my words: Iran WILL bring terrorists & their masters to justice" Zarif added in the tweet. He was referring to the capture, trial and subsequent execution in June 2010 of Abdolmalek Rigi, the leader of the Sunni militant group Jundallah who had waged a deadly insurgency in Sistan-Baluchistan. He was captured while on a flight from Dubai to ...
BSF jawan killed, another injured in sniper fire from across LoC
A BSF jawan was killed and another injured in sniper fire from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. They said the incident occurred at the Rakhee post in the evening. The sector is manned by the troops of the 126th battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF). While a bullet hit Constable P Biswas on the left shoulder, Constable Mansa Ram suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, they said. The two jawans were evacuated in a helicopter to the nearest medical facility, but Biswas succumbed to injuries, they added. The condition of the other jawan is stable, officials said.
Rally commemorates Battle of Kohima
A peace rally was held in this mountainous state capital of Nagaland on Thursday commemorating the Battle of Kohima during World War II.
India condemns terror attack in Iran
India on Thursday strongly condemned a terrorist attack in the Iranian port city of Chabahar that killed at least two people.
Khattar extends greetings to people on eve of Armed Forces Flag Day
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has extended greetings to people of the state on the eve of the Armed Forces Flag Day. Exhorting people to come out with voluntary donations for the Flag Day Fund to mark the occasion on December 7, Khattar said the money would be utilised for the rehabilitation of families of soldiers martyred in wars, serving soldiers and ex-servicemen and welfare of their dependents. He said the Armed Forces Flag Day is observed to recall and show respect to the supreme sacrifices made by soldiers for the sake of the country. "It is an important occasion to express our gratitude to the martyrs and show solidarity with the armed forces," he said in a message. "We cannot pay back the kind of sacrifices and services rendered by our soldiers, but by giving them respect and providing them with better facilities, we can do our duty," Khattar said.
India condemns bomb attack in Iran
India on Thursday strongly condemned the suicide bombing in Iran's Chabahar city where it is building a port for access to Afghanistan and central Asian countries.External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said the perpetrators of the dastardly attack which took place earlier on Thursday should be brought to justice expeditiously.Two people were killed and 28 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the police headquarters in Chabahar, Iranian news agency IRNA reported.The blast took place after the police blocked an explosive-laden vehicle from driving into the headquarters, it added."India strongly condemns today's despicable attack in Chabahar... There can be no justification for any act of terrorism," Kumar said at a press briefing here."We express our condolences to the government, the people of Iran and the families of the victims of this attack. We wish speedy recovery to those injured," he added.India is building a port in Chabahar which will give it access to
2 killed in suicide attack on Iran police headquarters
At least two people were killed and 28 injured in a suicide bombing at a police headquarters in Iran's southeastern port city of Chabahar on Thursday, officials said.
Ahead of Flag Day, Amarinder asks people to donate for soldiers' families
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh Thursday expressed solidarity with the valiant soldiers and ex-servicemen of the Indian armed forces, while asking people to donate generously for the welfare of their families. Exhorting people to come out with voluntary donations for the Flag Day Fund to mark the occasion on December 7, the chief minister said the money would be utilised for the rehabilitation of war widows, disabled defence personnel and ex-servicemen, according to an official release. "On this Flag Day, let us strive to help the families of our brave soldiers who attained martyrdom in the defence and honour of the motherland," he said. Any contribution to the fund would be a token of respect towards the outstanding services rendered by the valiant soldiers, who zealously guard the country's borders round the clock, he added. The Flag Day is observed every year on December 7 as a mark of honour to the brave soldiers of the Indian armed forces.
Suicide bomber kills 4 in southeast Iran: state media
A suicide bomber killed at least four people outside a police headquarters in the port city of Chabahar in restive southeastern Iran on Thursday, its governor said. Chabahar governor Rahmdel Bameri said many people were also wounded in the morning car bombing. "The explosion was very strong and broke the glass of many buildings close by," Bameri told state television. Many nearby shop owners and civilian passers-by, including women and children, were severely wounded, he added. Chabahar lies in Sistan-Baluchistan province some 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of the Pakistan border. The province has a large, mainly Sunni Muslim ethnic Baluchi community which straddles the border and has long been a flashpoint, with Pakistan-based Baluchi separatists and jihadists carrying out cross-border attacks targeting the Shiite authorities. The province's deputy governor in charge of security, Mohammad Hadi Marashi, said multiple assailants took part in Thursday's attack. "The terrorists tried to .
Iranian TV: Suicide car bombing kills 3 in southeast Iran
A suicide car bomber attacked a police headquarters in the southeastern Iranian port city of Chabahar on Thursday, killing at least three people and wounding several others, state TV reported. State television broke into its regular broadcast to report the attack, as such assaults are rare in the Islamic Republic. Rahmdel Bameri, a provincial official, told state TV that a suicide attacker driving a vehicle loaded with explosives drove up to the police headquarters. He said police officers blocked the vehicle and started firing at the driver, who then detonated his explosives. State authorities did not identify who was behind the attack. No militant group immediately took responsibility for the attack. State TV also aired footage of smoke rising over the city. Chabahar, near Iran's border with Pakistan on the Sea of Oman, is home to a new port recently built and is an economic free zone for the country. The attack comes as Iran's economy reels in the wake of the US re-imposing ...
North Korean sends top diplomat to key ally China
North Korea's foreign minister was due to arrive in key ally China Thursday for talks that come amid stalled efforts to persuade Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear weapons programs. Ri Yong Ho was scheduled to meet Friday with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, according to China's Foreign Ministry. China is the North's most important economic and political partner, but has signed on to United Nations economic sanctions aimed at pressuring leader Kim Jong Un to abandon his drive to develop nuclear weapons and the ballistic missiles to deliver them. Kim sharply raised tensions with nuclear and missile tests last year, but suddenly reached out to South Korea and the United States this year with a vague nuclear disarmament pledge. North Korea is now seeking security guarantees from the US and relief from international sanctions. Ri is also expected to be briefed on discussions last week between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump, who recently announced that his next ...
Bomb kills three in southeast Iran city: state media
A bomb attack on a police command post killed at least three people in the port city of Chabahar in restive southeastern Iran on Thursday, state media reported. The television said several people were also wounded in the "terrorist attack." The official IRNA news agency said it was a car bombing. Sistan-Baluchistan province, where the bombing hit, has long been a flashpoint, with Pakistan-based Baluchi separatists and jihadists carrying out cross-border attacks.
Over 3,300 TN fishermen chased away by Lankan Navy personnel
Over 3,300 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Katchatheevu, a fishermen association leader said here Thursday. The fishermen, who put out to sea in over 540 mechanised boats on Wednesday night, were poaching fish near Katchatheevu when the navy personnel came in five boats and drove them away, Rameswaram Fishermen Association president S Emerit said. He also alleged that the navy men snapped the fishing nets of 20 boats and the fishermen had to return to the shore without a catch. Sri Lankan Navy personnel had on December 4, chased away over 4,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen while they were fishing near Katchatheevu.
Kashmiri terrorist Zakir Musa hiding in Punjab, high alert sounded
Security agencies have been put on high alert in Bathinda and Ferozepur districts of Punjab on Thursday following intelligence reports that Kashmiri terrorist Zakir Musa could be hiding in the area.
Talks for peace in Yemen to begin in Sweden
Peace talks backed by the United Nations aimed at ending the nearly four years' of civil war in Yemen is scheduled to begin in the Swedish capital within a few hours from now.According to a statement released by the United Nations, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Martin Griffiths extended his appreciation to the Swedish government for hosting the "direct consultations" between the Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels and Saudi-led coalition backing the Hadi government in Yemen.Griffiths personally took to Twitter, saying, "The SE extends his appreciation to the Government of Sweden for hosting the political consultations and the Government of Kuwait for facilitating the travel of the Sana'a delegation to the consultations #Yemen."Earlier in September, the United Nations had taken steps to bring together the Houthis and an official delegation of the Yemeni government in Geneva for consultations, but conditions did not materialise.The armed conflict that has been ...