Page 398 - War Conflict
Taliban say 'general' discussion held with US special envoy
The Taliban held talks with the US special envoy tasked with finding a negotiated end to Afghanistan's protracted and increasingly bloody war, a Taliban official said Saturday. In a statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the meeting with Zalmay Khalilzad was held Friday in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. Taliban political chief Abbas Stanikzai led the five-member delegation that discussed with Khalilzad "ways of finding a peaceful end to the occupation of Afghanistan," the statement said. It went on to say that the presence of "foreign forces" in Afghanistan was the biggest concern of the Taliban. Mujahid said the two sides discussed "finding a good way for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan." The US Embassy in Kabul said only that Khalilzad was in the Afghan capital Saturday meeting with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. Khalilzad arrived in Kabul from Qatar, winding up his ...
Afghan official: 14 killed in bombing at candidate rally
A motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated at an election rally in northeastern Afghanistan on Saturday killing at least 14 people, including civilians and security forces, officials said. Khalil Aser, spokesman for the provincial police chief in Takhar province, said 32 others were wounded when the explosives-laden motorbike parked near the rally in Rustaq district exploded. "There are a number of wounded people in critical condition," he said. The attack took place at about noon before Nazefa Yusoufi Beg, a female candidate running for a seat in parliament in October 20 elections, arrived at the rally, Aser said. It was not immediately clear if she was the target. Jawad Hajri, spokesman for the provincial governor, said Rustaq is a remote district where insurgent attacks have not occurred in the past and the candidate's supporters had gathered for the rally confident they would be safe. Adeb Hamra, a local resident, said in a telephone interview that the district government ...
Saudi-led airstrike kills 17 in contested Yemeni port city
Yemeni rebel officials say an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition targeting Shiite rebels has killed at least 17 people in the port-city of Hodeidah. A spokesman for the Houthi-rebel-run Health Ministry, Youssef al-Hadari, says that beyond the 17 killed there were also 20 wounded in the Saturday strike on the Gabal Ras area. Hodeidah, with its key port installations that bring un humanitarian aid, has become the center of Yemen's conflict, with ground troops allied to the coalition struggling to drive out the rebels who control it. The coalition has been locked in a stalemated war with the rebels since 2015. An estimated 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen's conflict, which has produced what the UN says is the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
'Army flags off cycling expedition to commemorate Infantry Day'
A cycling expedition team of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) was Saturday flagged off from northern command headquarters in Udhampur, officials said. The expedition is being undertaken to commemorate the Infantry Day on October 27. The team will traverse a distance of about 700 km from Udhampur to Delhi over a period of eight days and culminate at India Gate in New Delhi after having passed through the states of J&K, Punjab and Haryana, a defence spokesman said. He said the Chief of Staff, headquarter northern command, Lt Gen J S Nain flagged off the expedition and complimented the team for undertaking the expedition which symbolises adventure, courage and fortitude of armed forces with indomitable spirit. The expedition is also symbolic of the Indian Army ethos of national integration beyond the boundaries of state, caste and culture, besides promoting the spirit of adventure and inculcating camaraderie and team spirit, the spokesman said. He said similar expeditions are
Taliban confirm meeting with US peace envoy in Qatar
A Taliban delegation has met with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar to discuss ending the Afghan conflict, the militant group said Saturday, in the first official confirmation of talks between the two sides. The landmark meeting was held as Khalilzad seeks to coordinate efforts with regional countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. The meeting with Khalilzad and other American officials took place in Doha on Friday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement sent to journalists. The Taliban had reportedly met with US officials in July after an unprecedented ceasefire in June, which fuelled hopes that talks could bring an end to fighting after 17 years. That meeting was not confirmed on the record by either side, but there has been widespread speculation since then that more talks were planned. A wave of attacks by the Taliban and the Islamic State group in recent months, however, has poured cold water on the nascent .
At least 12 killed in bomb attack on Afghan election rally
A motorcycle carrying explosives blew up among supporters of an Afghan election candidate on Saturday, killing at least 12 people, officials said, in the latest attack on a political rally. Violence related to the parliamentary vote has killed or wounded hundreds of people in recent months and more militant attacks are expected ahead of Afghanistan's October 20 poll. Another 32 people were wounded in the explosion in the northeastern province of Takhar where parliamentary candidate Nazifa Yousefibek had been campaigning, provincial governor spokesman Mohammad Jawad Hejri told AFP. Ambulances have been sent to the remote district of Rustaq, but officials also are seeking to airlift the wounded to hospitals, Hejri added. Provincial police spokesman Khalil Assir put the death toll slightly higher at 13. Yousefibek was not hurt in the blast. "The bomb had been placed on a motorcycle and detonated among the supporters of a female candidate in Rustaq district," Assir told AFP. Khan Jan, who
Lt Gen Singh compliments all ranks for maintaining vigil on LoC
A day after taking over as the general officer commanding of the Army's Nagrota-based XVI corps here, Lt Gen Paramjit Singh Saturday complimented all ranks for their outstanding contribution in maintaining vigil on the LoC and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the region. The 57-year-old officer also paid tributes and homage to the martyrs at 'Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal' in the corps zone, a defence spokesman said. The spokesman said a solemn wreath laying ceremony was conducted with full military honours at the military base this morning. Lt Gen Paramjit Singh exhorted all troops to persist with same zeal and enthusiasm towards their profession to achieve new milestones, the spokesman. Singh, who was involved in the planning of the 2016 surgical strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), took over the command of the stratgic corps from Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh Friday. The Army officer, who has commanded an elite parachute regiment and has vast experience of high
Security tightened in Tripura, south Assam for Durga Puja
Armed with sophisticated weapons and electronic gadgets, a record number of security personnel would be deployed in Tripura and southern Assam for the five-day Durga Puja festivities beginning on October 15, police said on Saturday.
Militant killed in J&K gunfight, another injured
A militant was killed on Saturday in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said.
Assam Police officer conferred with Kirti Chakra posthumously
An officer of the Assam Police has been conferred with the Kirti Chakra posthumously for displaying indomitable courage and exemplary leadership in fighting ULFA militants, Home Ministry official said. Inspector Lohit Sonowal laid down his life in Tinsukia district of Assam on April 19, 2013 in an encounter with ULFA militants in which two extremists were also killed. The police officer displayed indomitable courage, exemplary leadership dedication to duty and laid down his life for which he was conferred with the Kirti Chakra posthumously, a home ministry official said. On the fateful day, upon receiving the information that a group of suspected ULFA cadres were taking shelter in the general area of Kordoiguri village of Tinsukia district, a joint operation was launched by the police and the CRPF. During the search operation, one police team led by Sonowal noticed some unusual movements in a house and they cordoned the nearby area and waited for the first light. As the operation ...
At least eight climbers killed on Nepal peak: Officials
At least eight climbers have died on Nepal's Mount Gurja after their camp was devastated by a violent snowstorm, officials said Saturday. "Eight people including members of a South Korean expedition team have been killed in western Nepal apparently due to snowstorm," said police spokesman Sailesh Thapa. Thapa said a ninth climber may also be missing.
Hizbul Mujahideen militant killed in encounter in J-K
A Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant was Saturday killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Babgund area of the south Kashmir district during the night after inputs of the presence of militants in the area, a police official said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militant fired upon the forces who then retaliated. In the ensuing gunfight, the militant was killed in the morning, the official said. He said the slain militant has been identified as Sabir Ahmad Dar who belonged to HM outfit. Some arms and ammunition have been recovered from the encounter site, the official said, adding the operation has been called off.
Italy expels Tunisian, Gambian, Moroccan extremists
Rome, Oct 13 (IANS/AKI) Italy has deported a Tunisian supporter of the Islamic State terror group, a Gambian who aimed to kill "white tourists and Christians" and a Moroccan who threatened passers-by at a synagogue in Florence with a knife, shouting "Allahu Akbar", the interior ministry said on Friday.
Four held with 700 bottles of foreign liquor in Bihar
Four persons were arrested and 700 bottles of foreign liquor seized from their possession here on Friday, police said. The bottles were recovered from a Mercedes car, bearing the registration number of Delhi, during a routine vehicle checking within the Saraiya police station limits, they said. The occupants of the car claimed that they were residents of Delhi and unaware of the liquor ban in Bihar, sub divisional police officer Shankar Jha said. "We are interrogating them and trying to ascertain their identity. We are also trying to find out where they were trying to take the huge stock. The total number of bottles seized is 700 and each contained 750 ml of foreign liquor," he said. Sale and consumption of liquor was banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016.
Unidentified militants gun down policeman in J-K's Sopore
Unidentified militants Friday night gunned down a policeman in Sopore town in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said. The militants opened fire at Javied Ahmad at his residence in Warpora, they said, adding that he died on the spot. Ahmed, who had joined as the Special Police Officer (SPO) in the Jammu and Kashmir Police, was made follower (entry-level into police constabulary) on operational grounds, police said.
'Sarkari Mussalman' lies about 2002 Gujarat riots: Former AMU media advisor
Former Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) media advisor Dr Jasim Mohammad on Friday refuted the claims made by former Army Deputy Chief, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah about the Gujarat Government in connection with the 2002 riots, saying that the Congress were conspiring to gain an edge in the upcoming state and general elections.In his upcoming book titled, The Sarkari Mussalman, Shah accused the then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi-led Gujarat government of a tardy response during the2002 riots in the state. Shah claimed that the support for the 3000 troops deployed to control the riots arrived on March 2, while the troops landed in Ahmadabad the day before, resulting in loss of time for managing the riots.Reacting to the claims made by Shah, Jasim said, "On March 5, 2016, I got to know that Zameer Uddin Shah was deputed in Gujarat during the riots in 2002, when I took him to meet with the Prime Minister. But during that meet, Zameer Uddin Shah was praising Narendra Modi, saying that the ..
J-K DGP reviews security arrangements at Katra base camp
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Friday reviewed the security arrangements at the Katra base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, which is witnessing a huge rush of pilgrims amid the ongoing Navratri festivities. He was accompanied by ADGP CRPF V S K Kaumudi. During the visit, Singh assessed the vulnerabilities of different police points, besides reviewing their functioning and that of the CCTV cameras, he said. He also held a security review meeting which was attended by Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police Nisha Nathyal, Katra Assistant Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh, CO CRPF 6th Battalion Katra Jitendra Kumar Gupta, Assistant Commandant CRPF Uttam Kumar, Sub Divisional Magistrate Bhawan Naresh Kumar and senior officers of the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, a police spokesperson said. The DGP also gave directions on certain important issues relating to the security of the newly-inaugurated seven-kilometre Tarakote track to the Vaishno Devi shrine ..
Jharkhand: Encounter between security forces & PLFI militants
An encounter took place between the security forces and the ultras of the banned People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI) in Latehar district on Friday, police said. A PLFI militant was suspected to have been injured in the encounter, they said. The police recovered an AK-56 rifle, one motor-bike and other materials from the encounter spot near Hargarwah village, according to a police press release. The police sources said that Latehar Superintendent of Police, Prashant Anand got information that the ultras of the PLFI were roaming near the village at around 7.30 am. Security forces were rushed to the area. Seeing the security forces, the extremists opened fire on them, triggering the encounter. Later, the ultras fled. The police said that they have information about one PLFI militant injured in the encounter.
Nigerian militia frees more than 800 children from its ranks
The United Nations children's agency says a self-defense militia in Nigeria has freed more than 800 children from its ranks as it combats Boko Haram extremists. The agency calls this the first formal release by the Civilian Joint Task Force, which had been listed in an annual U.N. report on children and armed conflict. The statement on Friday says 1,469 boys and girls associated with the militia group have been identified in Maiduguri, the capital of northeastern Borno state, alone. Maiduguri is the birthplace of Boko Haram, which continues to carry out deadly attacks in the Lake Chad region. The Islamic extremist group has killed or kidnapped tens of thousands over nearly a decade and sent millions fleeing. Boko Haram also has seized and indoctrinated children as suicide bombers.
Miscreants loot Rs 6.10 lakh & gold chain from businessman
Armed miscreants looted Rs 6.10 lakh in cash and a gold chain from a Mumbai-based businessman here Friday, police said. Utensil businessman Dharmesh Gara was on his way to Gaya railway station from his hotel after collecting dues from dealers when three bike borne miscreants snatched his bag containing the money and also gold chain from him at gun point, station house officer of Kotwali police station, Ajay Kumar said. The businessman had come from Mumbai to collect dues in the city and was supposed to leave for Mumbai by an evening train from Gaya railway station, the SHO said. FIR has been lodged in this connection, he said adding that police are conducting raids to nab the culprits.