Page 338 - War Conflict
Bangladesh court begins trial of militants over 2016 Dhaka cafe attack
The trial of eight militants who perpetrated Bangladesh's worst terror attack on a popular cafe here in 2016 that killed 22 people, including a 19-year-old Indian girl, began in a court on Monday. Indian national Tarishi Jain was among 17 foreigners who were brutally murdered by the militants inside the restaurant in Dhaka's high-security diplomatic zone on the night of July 1, 2016, before commandos launched an assault killing six attackers and capturing one alive. Apart from Jain, nine Italians, seven Japanese, and five Bangladeshis, including two police officers, were also killed while 50 people were injured in the attack. Most of the victims were found with their throats slit. Investigators said a total of 21 militants were involved in planning the assault but 13 of them were killed in subsequent anti-terrorism operations by security forces. "The judge indicted the suspects to be tried and set December 3 for beginning the arguments," an official of Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal .
MEA pays tribute to 26/11 victims
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) remembered the victims of 26/11 terror attacks which shook Mumbai 10 years ago killing as many as 166 people and injuring 300 others."A decade on, a nation mourns and the world awaits justice. #2611Attack #MumbaiTerrorAttacks," the tweet from MEA read.In the message, MEA called on Pakistan to expedite the process of bringing perpetrators of 26/11 attack to justice.India's financial capital came to a standstill on this very day a decade ago when 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who came to Mumbai via sea route from Pakistan carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city.Attacks took place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, Cama Hospital, Nariman House business and residential complex, Leopold Cafe, Taj Mahal Hotel and Tower and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel.
US Envoy pays tribute to 26/11 terror attack victims
United States Ambassador to India Ken Juster remembered the victims of 26/11 terror attack and paid tribute to them here on Monday.Juster accompanied Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries remembered and paid tribute to the victims of 26/11 terror attacks victims.US Embassy in India tweeted, "It's been ten years since the 2008 #MumbaiTerrorAttack. Honored to be in Mumbai today to join Chief Minister @Dev_Fadnavis and other dignitaries to honor the memory of the victims, including six Americans, and the heroic actions of the Indian security forces. #NeverForget"Visiting Chabad House, the envoy tweeted, "A somber occasion visiting Chabad House on the tenth anniversary of the 2008 #MumbaiTerrorAttack. Thank you Rabbi Yisroel Kozlovsky for your work in support of the Jewish community in Mumbai. #MumbaiAttacks #NeverForget ."India's financial capital came to a standstill on this very day a decade ago when 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who came to Mumbai ...
Meghalaya governor courts controversy over 26/11 tweet, deletes it
Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy posted a controversial tweet Monday that the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was "a slaughter of innocents (except Muslims)", later apologising and deleting it, saying it contained a "factual mistake". He tweeted it on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, in which 166 people were killed and over 300 injured. "10th anniversary today of the Paki-sponsored slaughter of innocents (except Muslims) at Mumbai, popularly called 26/11. Does anyone remember why we did not even downgrade our diplomatic relations with the Pakis (let alone break off such relations or go to war?)," Roy's tweet said. The governor, however, was quick to delete it and apologise. "I was misinformed of the Paki-sponsored killers of 26/11 having spared Muslims. In fact several Muslims were killed. It was a mistake of facts and I am sorry for the same. The relevant tweet has been deleted," he said in an another tweet. Subsequently, Roy withdrew the second tweet too .
Accused in 2002 Akshardham temple attack in Gujarat arrested
Police Monday arrested n accused in the 2002 Akshardham temple terror attack case, moments after he alighted from a flight here. Mohammed Farooq Shaikh was nabbed by the Crime Branch from Ahmedabad airport, soon after his arrival from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bhagrithsinh Gohil told PTI. Two armed terrorists had attacked the temple in Gandhinagar, killing 30 people and injuring eight on September 24, 2002. The attack followed the Godhra riots in the same year. "Shaikh lived in Juhapura before he fled to Riyadh in 2002 after the temple attack," the police official said, adding Shaikh had arranged funds for the attack.
2 attacks in Somalia; Islamic cleric who played music killed
Somalia was hit by two violent attacks Monday, one killing an Islamic cleric and 17 of his followers for playing music and a second killing at least six people in a car bomb blast in the capital, Mogadishu, police said. The car bomb was detonated Monday at a busy junction in Mogadishu's Wadajir district, said Capt Mohamed Hussein. He said 15 people were injured and the blast appears to have been aimed at soldiers who were gathered at the junction. In the northern city of Galkayo, a prominent Islamic leader and at least 17 of his followers were killed by extremists for having music in their religious ceremonies, say police. Two suicide bombers exploded in front of the preacher's residence, which is also a Sufi shrine, and then four gunmen stormed the building and opened fire, said Ahmed Awale, a police officer in Galkayo. At least 20 others were injured, he said. Somali security forces responded and there was a battle with heavy gunfire in the building. Three attackers were killed in ..
Villagers bid tearful farewell to Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani
Tears streamed down the faces of residents of Chak Ashmuji village Monday as they bid farewell to braveheart Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani, who laid down his life during an encounter in South Kashmir's Shopian district in which six militants were killed. Wrapped in tricolour, the body of the decorated soldier was taken to his native village Ashmuji in Kulgmam and handed over to family members. Wani was a militant initially and became a counter-insurgent after he realised the futility of violence, a senior Army officer accompanying the coffin said. "The family was fighting tears and they were honoured by the supreme sacrifice of Lance Naik Wani for the nation and peace for his state," the officer said. After the rituals, the body was taken for burial to a nearby graveyard where 500 to 600 villagers were present. A 21-gun salute was given when Wani's body was lowered in the grave. The village is surrounded by areas like Koinmooh, which are notorious for terrorist activities. The villagers
Man arrested in UP for hoax terror call
A man who falsely said that a terrorist attack would happen in Ayodhya on Sunday was arrested here Monday, police said. The accused, Wasim, was arrested for making the hoax call on November 24 at the "Dial-100", claiming that a terrorist attack was going to take place in Ayodhya on November 25, the day on which Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) Dharam Sabha was organised," Superintendent of Police V P Srivastava said. The accused had procured the SIM card from a local shop on fake ID proofs to place the call, the SP said, adding that the matter is being probed. The Dharam Sabha, the biggest congregation of Ram bhakts in the temple town convened to discuss the way forward for construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, witnessed seer after seer stressing the need for construction of the temple at the earliest.
Rs 37 lakh looted in Gurugram
Three bike-borne men on Monday looted Rs 37 lakh from the cashier of a cocking gas agency here in an upscale residential area of Gurugram, police said.
C'garh: 8 Maoist killed, 1 injured in two encounters in Sukma
In yet another encounter between the Maoists and security forces, eight Maoists were killed and one seriously injured in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday.The bodies of the eight Maoists were recovered from Sakler while the injured Maoist was arrested and one 'Bharmar' gun and some Improvised Explosive Device making equipment were recovered from his possession in Gundrajpad.It was a joint operation of the District Reserve Guards and 206 and 20 CoBRA units of the Central Reserve Police Force. They went from different directions into the core area of banned People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), a wing of CPI (M).The bodies of the deceased are being brought from the core area of the PLGA and the search is still on.
Afghan President Ghani terms Khost attack 'shocking'
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has condemned the recent suicide bombing in the country's Khost province, calling it a "shocking incident".On November 23, as many as 27 people were killed in a suicide bombing inside a mosque in Khost, when the gathering including a couple of Afghan National Army soldiers, were offering their prayers.In a statement, Ghani ordered authorities to thoroughly investigate the suicide attack and punish the perpetrators. The Afghan President held talks with defence and security officials on current law and order situation in the war-torn country, Khaama Press reported."Those who brought the culture of suicide are responsible for the crime committed in Khost province," Ghani underlined.He added that the Taliban should mend their ways, and come to the negotiating table, in an aim to achieve a peace process.
At least 22 Afghan police killed in Taliban ambush: official
At least 22 police officers were killed in a Taliban ambush in western Afghanistan, a health official said Monday, in another blow to Afghan forces already suffering record casualties. The attack on the police convoy in Farah province follows a wave of violence across Afghanistan in recent weeks, including a suicide bombing inside an army base mosque on Friday, and intensifying efforts to convince the Taliban to end the 17-year war. At least two police officers were wounded in Sunday's ambush, said Shir Ahmad Weda, director of the public hospital in the provincial capital. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a WhatsApp message, saying 25 police were killed and four wounded. "Four vehicles were destroyed and a large quantity of weapons were seized," Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a spokesman for the militants, added. Provincial police spokesman Mohibullah Mohib said the convoy had been travelling from Farah city to Juwain district when it came under attack. Mohib put the death ...
Mumbai remembers 26/11 martyrs on 10th anniversary of attacks
The mood at the wreath laying ceremony for 26/11 martyrs was sombre as policemen remembered their fallen comrades and family members of victims sought in vain to set aside their tears, 10 years after the worst-ever terror attack in India's history. At an early morning solemn ceremony at Mumbai's 26/11 martyrs' memorial at Police Gymkhana on the Arabian Sea coast, Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis laid wreaths as a police band paid their musical tribute at the 'Salutation Ceremony'. Tributes were also paid at the memorial of assistant sub-inspector Tukaram Ombale at Girgaum Chowpatty, a short distance away. It was at this spot that Ombale caught Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab alive while getting killed himself. On November 26, 2008 Mumbai was attacked by 10 terrorists of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. In the mayhem that followed for the next three days 166 people including 18 police officers and two NSG commandos were killed ...
Meghalaya Governor scraps 26/11 tweet after row
Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy, who in the past has stirred several controversies, sparked another while tweeting on the 26/11 Mumbai attack's 10th anniversary on Monday by stating that no Muslim was killed in the Pakistan-sponsored attack in 2008.
Afghanistan: Police chief amongst 22 dead in Taliban attack
A Taliban attack on a police motorcade in Takht-i-Tewsak village left 22 police personnel dead, including the newly-appointed police chief Mohammad Iqbal.Dadullah Qaneh, a member of the provincial council, confirmed the death toll while mentioning that unit commander Shabaz Bator had also been killed. He further mentioned that five people, including Farah's deputy police chief Haji Qader Jan, were injured during the clashes which ensued.Quoting a provincial hospital worker, Pajhwok News Agency reported that the injured are in a critical condition after the ambush.Taliban spokesperson Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, on the other hand, stated that the attack left 20 police personnel dead, while four vehicles belonging to the police were destroyed in the attack.Police spokesman Mohibullah Mohib did not reveal details about the assault but confirmed that both the police forces and the Taliban suffered casualties from the incident.The motorcade was headed towards Jouin district to introduce the new ..
Islamist militants kill 15 at Sufi shrine in Somalia
At least 15 people were killed and ten others wounded in the central Somali town of Galkayo on Monday when Shabaab militants attacked a Sufi religious centre, officials said. The attack on the residential compound and shrine, home to a controversial Sufi cleric and his followers, took place early Monday while residents were still asleep. "The attackers used a vehicle loaded with explosives to make their way into the compound before shooting indiscriminately at people inside," said Abdirahman Mohamed, a security officer, adding that 15 people had been killed and 10 wounded. "The targeted cleric was killed in the attack together with some of his followers," Mohamed said. Qoje Ahmed, another security official, said security forces had battled the attackers, who included four gunmen and a suicide bomber. He said one had been captured alive. "The blast was very huge," said witness Jamila Farah. "It destroyed most buildings in the compound." Somalia's Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Shabaab, ...
7 held in Lanka for planning to commemorate slain LTTE chief's birth anniversary
Seven persons, including a former councillor, were arrested on Monday in Sri Lanka for planning to publicly commemorate slain LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran's 64th birth anniversary, police said. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which led the separatist war for a separate Tamil homeland for three decades in the island nation, was finally crushed by the Lankan military in 2009 with the death of Prabhakaran. The seven persons, including a former northern provincial councillor VK Shivajilingam, were arrested at Prabhakaran's birth place at Velvettiturai, police said, adding that they seized a cake and banners from them. The persons were later released. During the LTTE's 30-year separatist campaign, Prabhakaran's birthday was celebrated as the Hero's Day or Martyr's Day. He used to deliver an annual policy speech of the outfit on the day.
Horrific images of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack still remain in India's collective memory: Prez
President Ram Nath Kovind said on Monday that "horrific images" of the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks still remain in India's collective memory and "we are honour bound" to get justice for those who suffered. Kovind, who was speaking at the inaugural function of 'Constitution Day Celebrations' held here, shared the concern of other dignitaries who spoke about the challenges posed by terror attacks like the Mumbai's 26/11. "I refer to the terror attacks in Mumbai on this day, exactly 10 years later. Those horrific images still remain in India's collective memory. As a nation and the people, we are honour bound to get justice for the individuals and families that suffered," Kovind said. He made these comments after the second senior most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Madan B Lokur, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Vikas Singh made reference to the 10th anniversary of the dastardly attack in which a large number of ..
8 Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh
Eight Maoists were killed and one was injured on Monday in a gun fight with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said.
Extremists kill Islamic leader and 17 followers in Somalia
A prominent Islamic leader and at least 17 of his followers have been killed by extremists in an attack in Somalia's northern city of Galkayo, say police. Early Monday two suicide bombers exploded in front of the preacher's residence, which is also a Sufi shrine, and then four gunmen stormed the building and opened fire, said Ahmed Awale, a police officer in Galkayo. At least 20 others were injured, he said. Somali security forces responded and there was a battle with heavy gunfire in the building. Three attackers were killed in the shootout and one was captured alive, said Awale. Somalia's extremist rebels, al-Shabab, have claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack killed Sheikh Abdiweli Ali Elmi, who has hundreds of followers and has been controversial because videos show him and his followers chanting religious poems with music, which some extremists say is not Islamic. Sheikh Elmi had defended his actions, saying music is not contrary to Islamic teachings.