Page 349 - War Conflict
Russia detains suspected 1995 terrorist attack participant
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on Tuesday said that it had detained a suspected participant in the 1995 terrorist attack in the southern Russian city of Budyonnovsk, in which 129 people were killed and 415 were injured.
India, Singapore reaffirm ties at Defence Ministers' Dialogue
Indian Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman and her Singaporean counterpart Dr. Ng Eng Hen co-chaired the 3rd Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD) between India and Singapore on Tuesday.The DMD commenced after both countries signed the revised Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in 2015 to further strengthen the long-standing defence relationship between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Indian Armed Forces.Earlier in the day, Dr. Ng attended the final sea phase of the 25th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise - SIMBEX on board INS Shakti.The multidimensional exercise witnessed participation of ships, submarines a well as aircraft from both sides and live firings at sea.Both Ministers complimented all personnel participating in the milestone event and for making it a success which is a testament of the long-standing ties between the armed forces of the two countries.They also commended the conclusion of the Navy Implementing Arrangement Concerning Mutual ...
43 killed in Kabul suicide attack
More than 43 people were killed and 83 others wounded on Tuesday when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a large wedding hall in Kabul city centre targeting an event marking the Prophet Mohammad's birthday, officials said.
Suicide bomber targets clerics in Afghan capital, 50 killed
A suicide bomber targeted a gathering of hundreds of Islamic scholars in the Afghan capital on Tuesday, killing at least 50 people as Muslims around the world marked the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said another 83 people were wounded in the attack, with 20 of them in critical condition and the toll likely to rise. The suicide bomber was able to sneak into a wedding hall in Kabul where hundreds of Muslim religious scholars and clerics had gathered to mark the holiday. No one immediately claimed the attack, but both the Taliban and a local Islamic State affiliate have targeted religious scholars aligned with the government in the past. "The victims of the attack unfortunately are all religious scholars who gathered to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad," said Basir Mujahid, spokesman for the Kabul police chief. He said police had not been asked to provide security for the event, and that the bomber had easily slipped into the
Kabul: Suicide bomber kills 40, injures over 80
A suicide bomber targetted a wedding hall here on Tuesday, killing over 40 people and injuring around 80 others who were part of a large gathering assembled to mark Prophet Mohammad's birthday.Quoting the Ministry of Public Health, TOLOnews reported that the explosion took place at the Uranus Wedding Hall at around 06:15 pm (local time).The Ministry of Interior, on the other hand, stated that around 50 people had died or were wounded in the suicide bombing."Eyewitnesses say at least 1,000 people were inside wedding hall when the suicide bomber detonated explosives targeting a gathering to mark Prophet Mohammad's birthday. So far at least 40 people killed, officials confirm #Afghanistan," TOLOnews reported.Emergency efforts are still underway, as ambulances are rushing the victims to the hospital.
Indo-US joint drill Vajra Prahar Day 2 focuses on weapon familiarization
The two-week Vajra Prahar joint Indo-US military exercise entered its second day on Tuesday at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Bikaner district, defence sources said.
Russia fails to block chemical arms body's new powers
Russia failed on Tuesday in its bid to stall the global chemical warfare watchdog's controversial new power to apportion blame for attacks like those in Syria. After a bitter war of words, states approved the 2019 budget for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which includes funding for the new role. They also shot down a proposal by Russia and China to set up an "expert group" which the West said would have effectively blocked the new powers. In June the OPCW approved a British-backed move to allow the body to attribute blame for chemical attacks. Previously it could only confirm whether or not toxic arms had been used. "A clear majority against an attempt to wreck the historic June decision," British ambassador to the OPCW Peter Wilson said on Twitter. "An overwhelming result, which clearly says #NoToChemicalWeapons." Applause broke out at the meeting in The Hague after member states voted 99 to 27 in favour of the 2019 budget. It was the first time the OPCW ...
Pakistan condemns terrorist attack in Kabul
Pakistan Tuesday strongly condemned a suicide bomb attack on a meeting of top clerics in Afghanistan that killed more than 40 people. The victims were celebrating the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet when the blast occurred at a wedding hall in Kabul. "Perpetrators are condemnable for this heinous attack by all religious and human standards. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the Foreign Office said. "We also express our deep sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and pray for swift recovery of the injured," it added.
Boko Haram attacks leave 53 dead in pre-election show of force
Boko Haram jihadists have killed 53 soldiers and farmers in three days of attacks in northeastern Nigeria, security sources said Tuesday, in a new show of force ahead of February elections in the West African country. Despite the government's insistence that Boko Haram is near defeat, the group has recently carried out a string of major attacks on military and civilian targets. President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking re-election in February, faces widespread criticism over his security record as soldiers based in the northeast regularly complain of fatigue and insufficient supplies of food and arms. The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram splinter group, killed at least 44 soldiers in attacks on three military bases at the weekend, according to security sources. Of those, at least 43 were killed on Sunday in Metele, a remote village near the border with Niger, according to a military officer who requested anonymity. "Our troops were completely routed and the ...
Maha: Explosion near ordnance depot, 6 killed, compensation
At least six people were killed and 10 others injured when an explosion took place near an ordnance depot in Maharashtra's Wardha district on Tuesday while ammunition was being unloaded by labourers for disposal, officials said. The blast took place between 7.10 am and 7.15 am at the explosive demolition ground near the Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) at Pulgaon town, a Defence official said. The Maharashtra government declared compensation for the kin of those killed and for the injured with state Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar stating that a committee would inquire into the incident and submit a report within one month. Around 10 to 15 contract labourers were at the site when the explosion occurred, Wardha Additional Superintendent of Police Nikhil Pingle said. "The blast took place in one of the ammunition boxes while unloading the ammunition. The incident took place in an open land," he said. While four people were killed on the spot, two others succumbed in hospital, ...
Russia signs contracts to build 4 frigates for India
Russia and India have signed contracts to build four frigates for the Indian Navy, Russian media quoted the country's Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation as saying Tuesday.
Northern Army Commander reviews operational preparedness of force in Ladakh
Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Tuesday reviewed the operational preparedness of the force in the forward areas of the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Lt Gen Singh, accompanied by Lt Gen YK Joshi, GOC, Fire and Fury Corps, visited forward areas in eastern Ladakh, a defence spokesman said here. He said the Northern Army commander was briefed on operational preparedness of the force in the sector. Lt Gen Singh also interacted with troops deployed in the inhospitable terrain in harsh weather conditions, the spokesman said.
At least 40 killed in suicide attack on Kabul religious gathering: officials
At least 40 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a meeting of top clerics in Kabul on Tuesday, officials said, in one of the deadliest attacks to strike the Afghan capital in months. It follows a wave of violence across war-torn Afghanistan in recent weeks that has killed hundreds of people as militants step up attacks. Another 60 people were wounded in the blast, health ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said, which targeted a gathering of religious leaders, including members of the Ulema Council, at a wedding hall to mark the Prophet Mohammad's birthday. "The suicide bomber detonated himself inside the hall during a ceremony by religious schola," Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said, confirming the casualty toll. Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the number of dead or wounded was "more than 50" so far. A manager of Uranus Wedding Palace, which also hosts political and religious functions, told AFP a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of the ...
Suicide bomber kills 55 in Kabul
At least 55 people were killed and 80 others wounded on Tuesday when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a large wedding hall in Kabul city centre targeting an event marking the Prophet Mohammad's birthday, the Afghan media reported.
TSR jawan commits suicide
A jawan of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) allegedly committed suicide Tuesday by opening fire from his service rifle in West Tripura district, police said. Officer in-charge of Jirania police station, Babul Das said the deceased was identified as Sanjit Das, 32, a TSR rifleman, who was found dead at the TSR 2nd battalion camp in Kamarmura at 6:25 am Tuesday morning. The TSR is a state paramilitary force. "He was on sentry duty and was found dead with a bullet wound in his head from his service Self Loading Rifle (SLR). He died on the spot," the officer told reporters. The rifleman hailed from Bilaspur village in Unakoti district. He is survived by his wife and a 4-year-old daughter. Das was transferred to TSRs 2nd battalion camp at Kamarmura in October this year, the OC said. In May this year, a TSR jawan had committed suicide after murdering his wife and two children at Subhashnagar near here.
Pak has done more for peace in Afghanistan than any other country: Gen Bajwa
Pakistan's powerful Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Tuesday that his country "has done much more for peace in Afghanistan than any other country", in an apparent reference to the US which is fighting the Taliban militants since 2001 to restore peace in the war-torn nation. Gen Bajwa's remarks came in the midst of a war of words between Pakistan and US after President Donald Trump berated Islamabad for lack of cooperation in the war on terror. Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted General Bajwa's views about Afghanistan and the war on terror. "Pakistan has successfully fought against terrorism while also contributing to regional peace. Pakistan has done much more for peace in Afghanistan than any other country," Gen Bajwa said. He said Pakistan has "paid the highest military, economic, political and social cost and the world should acknowledge that". "We shall continue to contribute towards peace in Afghanistan," the army chief said, "but Pakistan's honour and .
40 killed in blast at Afghan religious gathering: health ministry
At least 40 people were killed in an explosion at a meeting of top clerics in Kabul on Tuesday, officials said, in one of the deadliest attacks to strike the Afghan capital in months. Another 60 people were wounded in the blast, health ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said, which targeted an Ulema Council gathering at a wedding hall to mark the Prophet Mohammad's birthday. "Initial information suggests it was caused by a suicide bomber," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. He said the number of dead and wounded was "more than 50" so far. A manager of Uranus Wedding Palace, which also hosts political and religious functions, told AFP a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of the gathering. "There are a lot of casualties -- I myself have counted 30 casualties," he told AFP on the condition of anonymity.
Vajra Prahar enters 2nd day, efforts to tackle terrorism discussed
The 12-day long joint exercise between the Special Forces of the Sapta Shakti Command and troops of the US Pacific Command Special Forces known as 'Vajra Prahar' entered its second day on Tuesday.The opening day was spent adjusting and zeroing the weapons and understanding each others' basic drills and procedures, while from Tuesday the exercise has graduated to serious business of putting them to test, with discussions being held on efforts to tackle the global menace of terrorism.The exercise commenced in Rajasthan's Jaipur on Monday with the hoisting of national flags followed by playing of national anthems of both the countries.Speaking at the opening ceremony, Captain Landis Jason Robert of the US Special Forces, on behalf of Commander of US Pacific Command, conveyed his gratitude and thanked the ambassadors of both the countries for making the joint training event possible."Our endeavor would be to learn and share the experience of both, peacetime as well as combat environment ..
9 farmers killed in Boko Haram attack in Nigeria
Boko Haram members have killed nine farmers and abducted 12 others in a village in the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno, the cradle of the jihadist movement, locals said Tuesday. On Monday, they stormed into fields outside Mammanti village, opening fire on farmers as they worked, killing nine and injuring three others. "We recovered nine dead bodies after the attack," the village chief Muhammad Mammanti said. "The insurgents took away 12 people, including women, and macheted three people who resisted being abducted," Mammanti. The jihadists came on bicycles in the afternoon, said Usman Kaka, a farmer who escaped. "They just opened fire on us and continued to fire as we fled," Kaka said. "We later returned to find nine people had been killed and three left with machete cuts on their heads for refusing to go with the gunmen," he said. Last week Wednesday Boko Haram jihadists attacked Mammanti, killing one person and burning the entire village before stealing hundreds of cattle. The .
Zambian police quiz opposition leader over attacks on Chinese
Zambian police on Tuesday questioned opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema for allegedly fuelling attacks on Chinese nationals, in a sign of growing political tension in the country. Hichilema, of the United Party for National Development (UPND) party, was last year detained for four months for alleged treason in a case that many critics said was politically motivated. Hichilema has repeatedly challenged the result of the 2016 election, which he lost to President Edgar Lungu. Charity Katanga, the police chief of Copperbelt province, said Hichilema was questioned after alleging that the government had sold a state-run timber company to Chinese interests, prompting street protests in Zambia's second city Kitwe. Some Chinese businesses were looted in the protests, as well as scores of protesters arrested. Anti-Chinese sentiment in Zambia has grown over lucrative contracts being awarded to China and government borrowing from Beijing. "He has been cautioned for sedition," Katanga told ...