Page 367 - War Conflict
UK opens up armed forces recruitment to more Indians
The UK government on Monday announced a relaxation of recruitment criteria to allow Commonwealth nationals to apply for jobs in its armed forces in order to meet a shortage in its ranks. The Commonwealth is an association of 53 independent states, including India. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) laid out the proposals in a written ministerial statement (WMS) before Parliament, which involves a waiver of the current requirement of a minimum of five-year residency in the UK for applying to join the country's Army, Navy or Air Force. This would open up the forces to recruits who have been based in countries like India, Australia, Canada and Kenya and meet the necessary recruitment criteria for the service and role they wish to join. "We have now decided to remove the five-year UK residency criterion for Commonwealth citizens and increase recruitment to 1,350 across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force (RAF), the MoD statement reads. "Applications will be accepted from all ...
Afghan delegation to attend peace talks in Russia: official
An Afghan delegation will attend international talks on the war-torn country in Russia this month, officials said Monday, as the Taliban consider whether to participate. Moscow announced Saturday it would host the event on November 9 in the Russian capital -- even as the United States engages the Taliban in nascent bilateral talks to end the 17-year conflict. Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a government body responsible for reconciliation efforts with the militants, would send four representatives to the meeting, spokesman Sayed Ihsan Taheri told AFP. The Afghan foreign ministry, however, remained evasive about whether it would dispatch a delegation to the conference, which will focus on kickstarting peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban. "We are still negotiating with the Russian officials," spokesman Sebaghtullah Ahmadi said. "We welcome any peace effort that is Afghan-led." Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the militant group was still mulling whether to go. Moscow has
Gunfight in Ganderbal in Kashmir
A gunfight erupted on Monday between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district.
Exchange of fire between forces between forces, militants in J-K
A brief exchange of fire took place between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Monday, police said. No loss of life has been reported, a police official said. The incident happened in Ganderbal district's Bakoora area, he said. Security forces have launched a search operation in the area, the official said, adding further details are awaited.
Signature Bridge inauguration: AAP demands Tiwari's arrest
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday demanded the arrest of Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari for "rioting" and "posing a threat" to the security of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Tiwari and his supporters allegedly got into a scuffle with AAP members and police at the inaugural event of the newly-built Signature Bridge here on Sunday. The BJP leader had gone to the event to stage a protest for allegedly not being invited to the inauguration despite being Member of Parliament from the area. AAP's East Delhi Lok Sabha seat in-charge Atishi Marlena alleged Tiwari had gone to the venue for "rioting". "Police was directly or indirectly involved in it and allowed Tiwari and his supporters to reach the stage where the chief minister and other ministers were present, thus posing a threat to their security," she said. Senior AAP leader Dilip Pandey said a party worker, who was injured in Sunday's incident, has filed a police complaint. The Delhi government is also exploring legal options in ...
Modi now looting farmers: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the Modi government of "looting farmers" in the name of its much touted crop insurance scheme, the "Pradhanmantri Bima Fasal Yojana".
Taliban horse-trade for body of police chief killer
The Taliban is demanding the body of an assassin who shot dead a powerful Afghan police chief, in return for the remains of 13 people killed in an army helicopter crash in territory controlled by the militants. Tribal elders in the restive western province of Farah bordering Iran have been handling negotiations for the exchange of bodies for nearly a week. So far only 12 of the 25 people killed in the helicopter accident in Taliban-controlled Anar Dara district on October 31 have been given to Afghan authorities. Officials blamed bad weather for the crash, but the Taliban claimed its fighters brought down the aircraft. "We want to hand over the bodies from the helicopter crash to their respective families via the International Committee for the Red Cross, but on condition that the enemy hand over the body of martyred fighter Zabihullah Abu Dajana, who killed Commander Abdul Raziq, to his family," Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said in WhatsApp message. Among the bodies returned
Taliban attack an Afghan forces check point, killing 13
An Afghan official says the Taliban have attacked a checkpoint in eastern Ghazni province, killing at least 13 soldiers and policemen. Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor, says seven soldiers and six policemen were killed. Four soldiers were also wounded in the early Monday attack at the joint army and police checkpoint in Khogyani district. Noori added that six insurgents were killed and more than 10 others were wounded during a three-hour battle with Afghan forces. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent to the media. Noori says the joint checkpoint was set up two days ago in a strategic area to cut off a supply route for the Taliban. He says the attack completely burned down and destroyed the checkpoint.
PM Modi likely to spend Diwali at Kedarnath
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to spend the festival of Diwali in Kedarnath, sources said on Monday.Prime Minister Modi, after assuming office in 2014, has primarily spent the festival every year with soldiers and security personnel at different parts of the country.Last year, Prime Minister Modi celebrated Diwali with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel posted in Gurez at Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district and a day later he visited Kedarnath to inaugurate various development projects.In 2016, Prime Minister Modi met jawans of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITPB), the Indian Army and Dogra Scouts in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on the day of Diwali.In 2015, he visited the Dograi War Memorial in Khasa, Amritsar to celebrate Diwali with the troops.Months after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, he had paid a surprise visit to the Siachen Base Camp to celebrate Diwali with the soldiers deployed at the World's highest battlefield.The festival of lights, Diwali, .
Five Maoists killed in encounter in Odisha: DGP
At least five Maoists, including a woman, were gunned down in an exchange of fire with security personnel in a forest in Malkangiri district Monday, a senior police official said. The gun battle took place near Paplur area under the jurisdiction of the Kalimela police station when Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel were conducting a combing operation, Director General of Police (DGP), R P Sharma said. He said the five Maoists were killed in the encounter and the casualty could be more as search operation in the area was still in progress. No security personnel was injured in the operation. The security personnel recovered two INSAS rifles, one SLR, one 303 rifle and a hand grenade from the spot, the DGP said. Additional Director General of Police (Operations) R P Koche said efforts were on to track other rebels who ran away from the area during the gun battle. Two teams of SOG have been conducting a combing operation since Sunday and they spotted a group of Maoists in the jungle.
Order probe into killing of tigress if you want: Maha Forest minister to Maneka
Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar Monday took strong objection to Union minister Maneka Gandhi's criticism of the state government over the killing of a tigress called Avni, saying she "lacks information" on the issue and can order a high-level probe if she wants to. Mungantiwar's statement comes a day after the Union Women and Child Development minister lashed out at the Maharashtra government over the "ghastly murder" of the tigress, T1, as she was known officially, calling it a "straight case of crime". The tigress, survived by her two 10 months old cubs, was believed to be responsible for the deaths of 13 people in the past two years. She was shot dead by sharp-shooter Asgar Ali in the Borati forest in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district Friday as part of an operation. In a series of tweets, Gandhi had stated, "It is nothing but a straight case of crime. Despite several requests from many stakeholders, (Sudhir) Mungantiwar, Minister for Forests, Maharashtra, gave orders .
Curfew continues for fifth day in J-K's Kishtwar district
Curfew continued for the fifth consecutive day in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar town Monday which was imposed following the killing of a senior BJP leader and his brother by suspected militants, officials said. However, the curfew was relaxed in the district for two hours on Saturday and four hours on Sunday, they said. District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana told PTI that the curfew continued to remain imposed Monday and relaxations, if any, will be decided later in the day. He said the law and order situation is normal and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the district. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said Monday that those involved in the killing of BJP state secretary Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet have been identified. On November 1, Anil and Ajeet Parihar were returning home after closing their stationery shop when the gunmen fired at them in Tappal Gali area, following which an indefinite curfew was imposed in parts of ...
Sabarimala: Amid tight security, devotees begin trek towards hill shrine
Amid tight security, devotees of Lord Ayyappa on Monday began the trek from Nilakkal base camp to the hill shrine of Sabarimala ahead of the temple's opening this evening.Devotees were seen trekking up the hill while chanting hymns in praise of the deity.After the special 'Athazha Puja', the temple will be closed on Tuesday evening.Nilakkal base camp in-charge Manjunath H told ANI, "There is adequate police deployment here. We are not restricting the movement of devotees."In the wake of violent protests during the last monthly pooja, the state police have issued prohibitory orders at Pamba, Nilakkal and other areas near the shrine and are maintaining vigil on vehicles going towards the temple.The Pathanamthitta district administration has imposed Section 144 in Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal, and Elavunkal till November 6.Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibits assembly of five or more people in an area. Every member of such an "unlawful assembly" can be booked for ..
Accused involved in killing senior BJP leader, his brother identified: J-K governor
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said Monday that the accused involved in killing senior BJP leader Anil Parihar and his brother in Kishtwar district have been identified and will be brought to book soon. Bharatiya Janata Party state secretary Anil Parihar, 52, and his brother, Ajeet Parihar, 55, were killed on November 1 by suspected militants when they were walking towards their home in Parihar mohalla at around 8.40 pm. It has been proved that it was an incident of militancy, he said, adding that it "was an act of frustration on the part of militants and Pakistan". "Those people (killers of BJP senior leader and his brother) have been identified. Soon, results will be before you (media)," Malik told reporters after a function at the Civil Secretariat here. The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killing and directed it to expedite the investigation and submit its report as early as possible. An indefinite curfew was
Pilgrims protest in Sabarimala
Hours ahead of the one-day special pilgrimage of the Sabarimala temple, devotees facing Kerala Police's questions and checking protested on Monday.
25 ISIS terrorists killed in US airstrikes in Iraq
As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday.The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency.Also, the airstrikes destroyed two shelters where the ISIS terrorists had been hiding.In December last year, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State (IS), which had seized control of nearly a third of the country in 2014. However, in some parts of the war-torn country, the IS maintains a network of "sleeper cells".Both the US-led forces and the Iraqi government have been conducting several airstrikes to clear out the terror camps, particularly in the northern parts of Iraq.
Italian president calls WWI a warning to Europe to co-exist
Italy's president lamented World War I's roots in "aggressive nationalism" and held up the European Union as the "highest expression" of a commitment to common good needed to prevent catastrophic military conflicts. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the war, Italian head of state Sergio Mattaella also recalled Europe's history of anti-Semitism as he urged young people to remember the conflict's lessons while striving for peaceful coexistence. "To celebrate together the end of the war and to jointly honour the fallen - all the fallen - signifies to reiterate with force, all together, that over the path of war, we prefer to develop friendship and collaboration," Mattarella said on Sunday at a ceremony in Trieste, a port city not far from some of the deadliest battles between Italian soldiers and troops of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. The event was part of a week of observances planned for the centenary of Armistice Day. More than 60 heads of state and government, ...
IED recovered in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand
An improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered by the security personnel from Thalkobad on the Thalkobad-Baliba road, over 100 kms from here, in the Naxalism-hit West Singhbhum district, a senior police officer said Sunday. The recovery was made by the personnel attached to the 197 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the District Armed Police, who were on long-range patrolling in the Naxalism-affected areas, Superintendent of Police (SP) G Kranthi Kumar said. The IED was planted underneath a "kutcha" road to target the security personnel, he said, adding that the latter spotted a wire on the ground, which led them to launch a massive search operation in the area. The security personnel found a steel container, weighing five to 10 kg and filled with gelatine sticks and iron splinters. It was packed with M-seal and wrapped with carbon paper with a detonator fitted on top and connected to the command wire, the SP said. The security personnel were led by Avinash ..
CG: Security forces unearth powerful IED in Bijapur district
Security forces in poll-bound Chhattisgarh Sunday averted a possible tragedy when they recovered a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) planted by naxals in insurgency-hit Bijapur district, the police said. Bijapur, around 450 kms from here, is one of the eight naxal-hit districts where polling will be held during the first phase on November 12. The 15-kg explosive was unearthed by a joint team of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA)- an elite unit of the CRPF--and local police from a dirt track near Lingagiri village under Basaguda police station limits, Bijapur superintendent of police Mohit Garg told PTI. On a tip-off, security forces detected theIED that was packed in a steel tiffinhidden beneath the earth, averting a major mishap, he said. "A bomb disposal squad immediately destroyed the explosives," he added. Maoists plantIEDs on the routes being used by security forces during their operations, he said, adding that these tracks cut through dense ...
Bihar dismisses 175 police constables, suspends 23 officials for rampage
The Bihar government on Sunday dismissed 175 police constables and suspended 23 police officials for rampaging in the city after the death of a female colleague, who was reportedly denied leave despite being ill.