Page 356 - War Conflict
Militants kill civilian in Pulwama
Militants abducted and later killed a civilian in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Friday. Nadeem Manzoor, a resident ofSafanagri area Shopian district of south Kashmir, was abducted on Thursday night, a police official said. He said Manzoor was later killed by militants. "Manzoor's bullet-riddled body was retrieved by police from Niklora Pulwama," the official said. Police have registered a case and investigation has been initiated.
Punjab Police release 'wanted' posters of terrorist Zakir Moosa
The Punjab Police have released wanted posters of Zakir Moosa, the chief of Jammu and Kashmir based Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terror outfit with reported links to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).The latest development comes after intelligence agencies informed the police about his movements near Amritsar.Speaking on the issue, Gurdaspur SSP Swarandeep Singh said, "We had inputs about his (Moosa's) movements near Amritsar. So we have released wanted posters of him to make public aware and have requested them to tell us if they have any information."The Punjab Police are on their toes after the intelligence agencies had issued a letter stating that seven members of the terror outfit JeM were believed to be sighted in Ferozepur. Following the development, the state has been put on high alert."We had inputs that some JeM terrorists have infiltrated in Punjab through Ferozepur, so we have taken precautionary measures. Extra forces have been deployed along the border. Checking of vehicles is underway," .
Eight UN peacekeepers killed in eastern DR Congo
Eight United Nations peacekeepers were killed in an operation against a rebel militia in eastern DR Congo, the UN Security Council said on Thursday. One Tanzanian and seven Malawian peacekeepers were killed, the council said, raising the toll from an earlier count. The deaths mark the biggest loss by the large UN force in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the rebels killed 15 troops nearly a year ago. Earlier Thursday, General Bernard Commins, deputy head of the MONUSCO peacekeeping force, said a joint operation had been launched with DRC troops on Tuesday against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a jihadi group blamed for bloody attacks on civilians. The offensive aimed at Kididiwe, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Beni, a city of between 200,000 and 300,000 inhabitants, said Commins. "We are holding Kididiwe at present, after violent fighting with an armed group. At present, we are evacuating wounded Congolese troops and Blue Helmets," he told AFP. He added he was unable ..
J-K: Civilian's bullet-riddled body found in Pulwama
A bullet-riddled body of a civilian, who was abducted by the terrorists on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday has been found in Kilora area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.The deceased, identified as Nadeem Manzoor was a native of Shopian's Safanagri village."Terrorists in the intervened night of November 15 and 16 forcibly abducted a civilian and later killed him in a brutal act of terror in Pulwama. His bullet-riddled body was retrieved by police from Kilora, Pulwama," an official statement read.A case in this regard has been registered under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated.
US coalition uses phosphorus bombs in Syria: Russia
The US-led coalition in Syria has resumed intensive air strikes in the terrorist-held localities in the regions east of the Euphrates, Russia Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday, quoting local Syrian residents.
Pentagon to trim Africa forces as focus shifts to Russia, China
The Pentagon will trim the number of US troops deployed across Africa as it concentrates more on countering threats from "Great Power" competitors Russia and China, officials said Thursday. Currently, about 7,200 US military personnel are based in dozens of African nations, with notable footprints in places like Somalia, Nigeria and Libya. Pentagon spokeswoman Commander Candice Tresch said that figure would be reduced by about 10 per cent over the next few years. Tresch did not say which countries would see a draw down, but said the Pentagon would not lose capability across the continent and efforts would in some instances shift more to training and advising local forces. "We will preserve a majority of our US security cooperation, partnerships and programs in Africa that strengthen our partner networks and enhance partner capability and ongoing programs," Tresch said. "We will realign our counter-terrorism resources and forces operating in Africa over the next several years in order .
Seven peacekeepers killed, 10 wounded in DR Congo fighting: UN
Seven peacekeepers were killed and 10 others were wounded during a joint military operation with troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo against rebels in the east of the country, a UN spokesman said Thursday. Another UN peacekeeper is missing from the fighting near the city of Beni in North Kivu, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killing in a statement and called on armed groups to disarm immediately. Six peacekeepers from Malawi and one from Tanzania were killed during the operation Wednesday against rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group blamed for a series of attacks. "Initial reports indicate that ten additional peacekeepers were wounded, and another one is missing," said Dujarric, adding that several Congolese soldiers were also killed or wounded during the operations. The UN spokesman declined to give details of the joint operation, but said it was linked to efforts to combat the outbreak of ...
Jihadist leader 'very probably' killed by French forces in Mali
French forces operating in Mali killed seven suspected jihadists after a recent nighttime raid, possibly including a top leader in an alliance of insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda, the French army said Thursday. Al-Mansour Ag Alkassim, the chief of a wing of the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), was "very probably" among those killed in the operation the night of Sunday to Monday, army spokesman Patrik Steiger told AFP. The GSIM, which the US added to its list of foreign terrorist organisations in September, has been carrying out attacks across the arid Sahel expanses of Western Africa over the past two years. Alkassim, operating mainly in northern Mali, has been sought by the authorities for years. France has deployed the 4,500-member Barkhane force to the region in a bid to train local forces and help repel the attacks. Most recently the GSIM claimed responsibility for a suicide attack where killed three in the northern city of Gao on Monday. The recent raid came after a Reaper
Search operation conducted in Rajouri over suspicious movement
A joint team of police and Army conducted a massive search operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri town and some adjoining areas on Thursday after receiving reports of suspicious movement. The operation was conducted in Rajouri's Bela colony and Kallar village and areas on the outskirts of the border town, senior superintendent of police Yougal Manhas said. Police had received information about suspicious movement in the area, he added. "The panchayat elections are around the corner and nothing could be left to chance," Manhas said. Security has been tightened across the district to maintain peace, he said. The search operation was concluded as nothing suspicious was found, the police said.
Pathankot car snatching case: Suspects at large, terror angle not ruled out
Four people, who had snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Punjab's Pathankot district, remain at large, even as police did not rule out a terror angle. The snatching incident took place Tuesday night when the driver stopped the car after one of the passengers complained of vomiting. We are on the job to nab them and a terror angle cannot not be ruled out till they are caught," a senior Punjab Police official said Thursday. Searches for the suspects continue even as there was an input by the Punjab Police's counter-intelligence wing that six to seven Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists are "planning to move towards Delhi" from the state. Several teams have been formed to crack the snatching case, police said, adding that personnel in border districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Batala, Amritsar (Rural) and Tarn Taran have been asked to remain alert and maintain vigil. The Punjab Police is coordinating with the Jammu and Kashmir Police to trace the suspects. Several ..
Jewellery traders protest in Ghaziabad
Scores of infuriated traders protested at Sahibabad Police Station here on Thursday, demanding arrest of persons responsible for the looting of a jewellery store in Shyam Park area on Wednesday. The traders affiliated with Vyapar Mandal, Shyam Park (main), handed a memorandum to Acting Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar, demanding early arrest of the culprits. The acting SSP promised swift action in the matter. In support of the protest, shopkeepers in Trans Hindon area kept their shutters down on the day. Kumar suspended SHO Sahibabad Dinesh Yadav for dereliction of duty and for the "prevailing lawlessness" in the area. At around 1.00 pm on Wednesday, five masked men bearing arms looted a jewellery shop opposite Sahibabad police station in Shyam Park area. The culprits decamped with ornamental items and cash totaling to Rs 2 crore. SHO kavi nagar Rojant Tyagi was also suspended for not being able to arrest culprits in the looting of a jewllery showroom in Govind Puram on ...
Can't compel armed forces to buy from Indian firm: Sitharaman
Amid allegations of corruption in Rafale fighter jet deal, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday that she cannot compel the armed forces to buy equipment from any specific Indian company.
Stones thrown at CPI-M leader's car, 17 injured
A group threw stones at the vehicle of a CPI-M leader and the Zilla Parishad chief of South Tripura district on Thursday at Belonia town in the state and 17 people, including 10 police personnel were injured when the force intervened to stop them, police said. South Tripura superintendent of police J S Meena said he is not aware whether the attackers belonged to any political party and the South Tripura zilla sabhadipati Himanshu Roy escaped unhurt. A group of about 100 miscreants pelted stones at the vehicle of the zilla sabhadhipati (parishad chief) at Belonia, about 110 km from here and police had to resort to lathi charge in which seven attackers were injured, he said. Ten force personnel were injured in the stone pelting, he said. The CPI-M has alleged that the attackers were ruling BJP activists and they attacked Roy with a political motive. "BJP-backed miscreants were behind the attack. The BJP is aiming to grab the South Tripura zilla parishad which is controlled
Afghanistan: 35 security personnel killed in Taliban attack
As many as 35 security personnel were reportedly killed in an attack by Taliban in the western Farah Province of Afghanistan on Thursday.According to the reports, three security check posts fell to the Taliban in Shewan, Garani and Aab Khormay areas of Bala Blook district on Wednesday night.Chief Spokesperson of the Provincial Police, Mohibullah confirmed that there were overnight clashes in Peshtkoh district in which both security forces and Taliban suffered casualties. Though local officials have reported casualties, however, the exact number is yet to be established.While the Farah Province has witnessed a spate of clashes between Taliban and security personnel in the past six months. The citizens of the Farah province have also confirmed that Taliban fighters were roaming the streets on Wednesday night.In October, as many as four Taliban commanders were killed in a drone attack in the province.
UN body urges peace in Yemen, readies emergency supplies
The Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) urged the international community on Thursday to end the conflict in Yemen as the humanitarian agency planned a major scale-up of its food aid assistance for the war-torn nation.
Several teams formed to nab Pathankot car snatchers: Police
Four persons, who had snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Punjab's Pathankot district, continue to evade police. The incident took place Tuesday night when the driver stopped the car after one of the passengers complained of vomiting. We are on the job to nab them, a senior Punjab Police official said Thursday. Several teams have been formed to crack the case, police said, adding that personnel in border districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Batala, Amritsar (Rural) and Tarn Taran have been asked to remain alert and maintain vigil. The instructions were issued as in 2016, terrorists, who had launched attacks on the Pathankot Air base, had snatched a Punjab Police officer's car to get to the air base. The suspects, who were speaking in Punjabi, had booked the car from the Jammu taxi stand. The Punjab Police is coordinating with the Jammu and Kashmir Police to trace the suspects. Several checkpoints have been set up in border areas and on highways, and vehicles are
Bangladesh calls off "rushed" repatriation plan of Rohingyas to Myanmar
Bangladesh on Thursday called-off its plan to repatriate hundreds of Rohingya refugees in the country after they refused to return to Myanmar where the minority Muslim community feared for their lives. More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar's Rakhine state since August last year after a brutal military crackdown was launched, dubbed by the UN as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing" and "genocide" by international rights watchdogs, sparking a global uproar. On Thursday, Bangladesh began preparations to repatriate an initial batch of 2,000 Rohingya Muslims from 485 families to Myanmar, in line with a plan agreed with Myanmar in October. However, several thousand Rohingya instead staged protests declining to go back to Myanmar as four trucks and three buses have been stationed at Unchiprang camp in Cox's Bazar, ready to carry refugees who have been "approved" to a transit camp by the border but not one refugee has been willing to board them, officials said. "Nobody is ...
Rohingyas in Bangladesh protest against 'rushed' repatriation plan
Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh, worried about their safety, on Thursday protested against "rushed" repatriation to Myanmar after Dhaka said it is fully prepared for the plan, opposed by the UN and aid agencies. More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar's Rakhine state since August last year after a brutal military crackdown was launched, dubbed by the UN as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing" and "genocide" by international rights watchdogs, sparking a global uproar. Four trucks and three buses have been stationed at Unchiprang camp in Cox's Bazar since Thursday morning, ready to carry refugees who have been "approved" to a transit camp by the border but not one refugee has been willing to board them, officials said. Several thousand Rohingya instead staged protests declining to go back to Myanmar as Bangladesh began preparations to repatriate an initial batch of 2,000 Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, in line with a plan agreed with Myanmar in ...
Naxals kill road contractor, torch vehicles in Chhattisgarh
Naxals killed a road construction contractor and torched six vehicles Thursday in Chhattisgarhs insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said. The incident took place on the under-construction Misma-Chichordguda road under Dornapal police station limits, Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena told PTI. The road is being constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna for which contract was given to Sahu Mahamaya Buildcon company owned by contractor Harishankar Sahu. Around a dozen armed Naxals stormed the construction site, located about 500 km from the state capital, and started thrashing labourers asking them to stop the work, Meena said. They attacked Sahu with sharp weapons and fled, leaving him dead on the spot, he said. Before fleeing, the Naxals set ablaze Sahu's SUV and other five vehicles and machines engaged in construction work, the senior police official said. After being alerted about the incident, security personnel rushed to the spot and ...
2 militants held in J-K's Poonch district part of LeT module: SSP
Two militants, who were arrested from Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, were part of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module and had come to the town to ferry weapons to the Kashmir Valley, a senior police officer said on Thursday. Senior Superintendent of Police, Poonch, Rajiv Pandey said a special investigation team (SIT) headed by a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) was formed to probe the case. Auqib Ahmad Bhat and Shabir Ahmad Dar, both hailing from Pulwama district of south Kashmir, were arrested during a joint operation by police and the Army in Mendhar area of the border district on Wednesday. Two AK-56 rifles, two magazines, 60 rounds and four hand grenades were seized from their possession. "Prima facie, it was established that they were part of LeT module and were assigned the task to shift weapons from Poonch to the Kashmir Valley," the SSP told reporters. Presenting the arrested persons before the media persons, he said preliminary investigations revealed that they were not ..